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
Lashing out at former Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda's controversial "People in East look like Chinese, in South, look like Africans..." remark, Tamil Nadu Bharatiyanata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai said that there is nothing wrong with looking like an African or Chinese. "The Congress mindset and thinking believes that India is a land of invaders and we are descendants of invaders. And this is why his remark is a sexist, crass and abusive thing. The connotation is that we are descendants of these people, not 'Bharatiya'," said Annamalai. "Only the Congress party which has its masters outside the country, only this party can go to the extent where it can call us descendants of invaders," he added Strongly condemning Pitroda's remark, he said, "It is also not only feeling disgusting to us, but it also shows the mindset of Congress, and this is why our PM says we need a Congress-mukt Bharat." Earlier in the day, Sam Pitroda ignited a firestorm while speaking on the diversity of India referring to how people in the South "look like Africans and those in the West look like Arabs and those in the East look like Chinese." Pitroda, in an interview with 'The Statesman', while reflecting upon the democracy in India said, "We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside a few fights here and there. We could hold a country together as diverse as India, where people in the East look like Chinese, people in the West look like Arab, people in the North look like white, and maybe people in the South look like Africans." After his remarks caused a major political furore in election season and embarrassed the Congress, Sam Pitroda resigned as chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress on Wednesday. "Mr Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress President has accepted his decision," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on X. (ANI)
At a time when the basic rights of Afghan women are crushed under the Taliban regime, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), too, reiterated once again during its 15th summit in Gambia that women's work and girls' access to education are important issues in Afghanistan. According to the resolution released at the summit's conclusion on Sunday, (May 5), the organisation supports the safeguarding and upholding of Afghan residents' human rights, particularly in promoting women's work and education, as per Khaama Press. Notably, this meeting was also attended by Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson. The OIC has emphasised the need for quick solutions to the educational problems Afghan girls face while urging more interaction with the de facto government. "It stresses the need for more efforts to address challenges related to ethnic groups, terrorism, narcotics, and social aspects for inclusive governance to achieve lasting stability," the Summit's final resolution stated, according to Khaama Press. Previously, Tariq Ali Bakhit, the OIC's representative for Afghan affairs, met with Mawlawi Kabir, the political deputy of the Taliban in Afghanistan, during his latest visit and called for the reopening of schools and universities for girls. He also promised during this meeting that the OIC is ready to support girls' education in Afghanistan. It has been nearly three years since girls have been deprived of formal education in the country, and the Taliban government has so far ignored the concerns of the citizens and the demands of the international community in this regard. As the Taliban solidifies its control over Afghanistan, the humanitarian crisis in the country has worsened. With infrastructure crumbling and essential services disrupted, millions are at risk of starvation and disease. Humanitarian organisations struggle to provide aid amidst security concerns and logistical challenges. The ban on girls' schools since the Taliban takeover has led to a generation of girls deprived of education, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. (ANI)
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that it would be a very 'fortunate' thing for his party if Imran Khan founded, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf develops a consensus with it, ARY News reported. Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that there were significant "mountain-sized" divisions between the two parties in an interview with a private news programme. He said, "PTI's delegation has come to us, and as per our tradition, we have welcomed them." According to the JUI-F chief, things will be fine provided their problems with the PTI are fixed. "If not, each political party has its own position and viewpoint," he said, according to ARY News. Maulana Fazalur Rehman stated that all parties agreed to address the concerns that the PTI team had advised be resolved. He said one or two people from PTI come up with 'inappropriate' statements against the JUI-F, adding that they don't take those statements seriously "We consider only the delegation responsible as they told us they were sent by the PTI founder. As long as there is no violation from their side, we will stick to our stance," ARY News quoted Maulana Fazalur Rehman as saying. Earlier on May 2, Maulana Fazlur Rehman once again rejected the results of the general elections and demanded fresh polls, citing 'widespread rigging and irregularities'. Addressing a public gathering in Karachi, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that assemblies were 'sold'. "Sindh Assembly and President House were also sold," he added. The JUI-F chief demanded for immediate re-elections to ensure the integrity of the democratic process. "The recent elections were fake, and its results are unacceptable," he added. The JUI-F chief demanded fresh elections to ensure that the people's voice is heard and their mandate is respected. (ANI)
Dubai [UAE], May 8 (ANI/WAM): The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) embarked on the first leg of its trade mission to India as it organised the Sharjah-India Business Forum in the city of Chennai. The forum's agenda featured more than 160 bilateral business meetings representatives of companies participating in the trade mission and more than 100 Indian companies in Chennai, representing various sectors and economic activities. The event underscores the SCCI's commitment to enhancing the presence of Emirati businesses and enterprises in the Indian market, opening new export channels for them, and facilitating seamless communication for its members with key stakeholders in India across various sectors. The Chamber also seeks to showcase the promising investment opportunities available in Sharjah across all sectors. The forum was attended by HE Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, HE Waleed Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, Second Vice Chairman of the SCCI Board of Directors, and HE Ziyad Mohmoud Khairalla, Board Member Honorary Treasure at SCCI. Also present were Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI; Jamal Saeed Buzangal, Director of the Media Department at SCCI; Marwan Salem Al Muhairi, Head of Exhibitions at the Sharjah Exports Development Centre (SEDC) affiliated with Sharjah Chamber, and Sultan Abdullah Al Ali, Head of the Investor Services Department at SCCI, as well as Lalu Samuel, Chairman of the Indian Business and Professional Council in Sharjah, in addition to several CEOs and officials of industrial, production, and export companies in the emirate. During the forum, the Sharjah Chamber's delegation discussed coordinating efforts with trade and industrial chambers and investment authorities in Chennai; with the aim to attract more Indian businessmen to invest in the emirate and facilitate global expansion for Sharjah-based businesses, opening new and promising markets for SCCI members. In his opening speech at the forum, Abdullah Sultan Al Owais highlighted the robust and deep-rooted ties between the UAE and India. These ties have tremendous potential and serve as a leading model in rapidly growing and prospering international economic relations.The bilateral trade between the two countries is projected to reach US$ 250 billion by 2030. The UAE is also India's seventh largest investor, with investments totaling around US$ 18 billion in 2023. Al Owais affirmed that the Sharjah-India Business Forum is a testament to Sharjah Chamber's commitment to strengthening cooperation and collaborative business prospects among businessmen and investors from both countries, particularly in Sharjah and Chennai.He elucidated that the Sharjah Chamber looks forward to enhancing investments, fostering partnerships, and strengthening the robust economic ties between the UAE and India.He pointed out the remarkable growth in bilateral non-oil trade between the two nations, which soared to $50.5 from May 2022 to April 2023, marking a significant 5.8 percent increase from the previous year. The bilateral meetings between the SCCI businessmen and their counterparts featured a variety of discussions focusing on avenues for cooperation and investment partnerships. During these meetings, Emirati companies showcased their products and services, which were well-received by the Indian side, bolstering the potential for possible business deals between the two sides.As part of the SCCI's trade mission, a comprehensive business meeting was convened with representatives of "Madras Electrical Traders Association Chennai", which comprises companies engaged in the electricity trade sector. The meeting was attended by HE Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, HE Waleed Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, HE Ziyad Mohmoud Khairalla, and Jamal Saeed Buzangal. Representing the Indian side, HE Hkumichand Shah, President of the Madras Electrical Traders Association Chennai, and Ramraj Bhandari, Vice President of the Association, along with several members of the Association were present. Both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination between the Sharjah Chamber and the Association, besides boosting communication mechanisms and the exchange of information regarding investment opportunities available in both countries in the fields of energy and electrical industries. The SCCI's trade mission also held a business meeting with "Guidance Tamil Nadu", the investment promotion agency of the Government of Tamil Nadu in India. The gathering explored ways to bolster economic and investment cooperation between the two nations. During the meeting, which was attended by several officials from both sides, HE Abdullah Sultan Al Owais showcased to Sarin Paraparakath, Senior Vice President of the Guidance Tamil Nadu, the facilitations and distinctive investment opportunities available to Indian companies operating in Sharjah. Al Owais also underscored the significance of such periodic meetings in facilitating communication among investors and business leaders in both Sharjah and India. Scheduled to be extended until May 10th, the SCCI's trade mission to India will be heading to their second leg in Mumbai, where a business forum will be organised bringing together mission's members with officials and leaders from commercial and industrial chambers. (ANI/WAM)
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. Serbian Air Force sent two fighter jets to escort Xi's aircraft after it entered Serbia's airspace, Xinhua reported. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, welcomed Xi Jinping at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. Children welcomed Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan by presenting them with flowers and waving the national flags of China and Serbia. Xi arrived in Serbia after concluding his visit to France. In a written statement after arriving in Serbia, Xi stated, "China and Serbia enjoy profound traditional friendship. Our bilateral relationship has stood the test of changing international environment and become a fine example of state-to-state relations," Xinhua reported. Xi said he looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to hold talks with Aleksandar Vuvic on bilateral ties and other issues of mutual interest, renewing friendship, planning for cooperation, exploring development, and creating a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations. He said, "I am confident that this visit will be a fruitful one and will open up a new chapter in China-Serbia relations." Xi said, "It gives me great pleasure to pay a state visit to the Republic of Serbia at the warm invitation of President Vucic." He further said, "On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to extend heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the friendly government and people of Serbia," he added. Xi noted that the ties between the two nations have witnessed leapfrog development and achieved historic results since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, according to Xinhua report. He said that China and Serbia have given each other firm support on issues related to their respective core interests and major concerns, He further said, "We have jointly upheld international fairness and justice, and contributed our share to promoting world peace and development." Before arriving in Serbia, Xi Jinping was on a two-day visit to France. During his visit, he held talks with his French counterpart at Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday as the two countries marked 60 years of diplomatic relations. At a press conference, the two leaders called for "a truce" in Ukraine and other global conflicts during the Paris Olympic Games. Xi and Macron also discussed China's ongoing support for Russia's leader Vladimir Putin. Macron welcomed Chinese "commitments" to "abstain from selling any weapons" to Russia and "closely control the export of dual-usage equipment," saying that such statements were "reassuring," Politico reported. Xi quoted by Xinhua, warned against "smearing" China over Ukraine and called on all parties to resume engagement and dialogue to build mutual trust. The Chinese President said that China and France should uphold independence and jointly prevent a "new Cold War" or bloc confrontation. A 10-point statement was released by the Elysee on the declaration between France and China on the situation in West Asia. This came just after Hamas officials gave their nod for a ceasefire deal for Gaza put forward by Qatari and Egyptian mediators. In the statement, Macron and Xi "expressed their opposition to an Israeli offensive on Rafah, which would lead to a humanitarian catastrophe on a new scale". The two heads of state stressed that an immediate and lasting ceasefire is urgently needed to allow the large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip and called for "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" and the guarantee of humanitarian access to meet their medical and other humanitarian needs as well as respect for international law with respect to all those detained. They also reiterated their commitment to promoting a political and diplomatic settlement on the Iranian nuclear issue. The Chinese leader held three-way talks with Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence on Wednesday confirmed heightened activity by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) near Taiwan's airspace and waters. According to the Ministry, 16 PLA aircraft and 6 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels were detected operating around Taiwan up until 6 a.m. local time. Of these, 8 aircraft breached Taiwan's southwestern and eastern Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZ). Taiwan's Armed Forces (ROCArmedForces) closely monitored the situation and responded promptly. The presence of PLA assets near Taiwan has been a source of tension in the region as Taiwan continues to assert its sovereignty amidst increasing military manoeuvres by Beijing. Taiwan's Minister of National Defence emphasised the importance of vigilance and readiness in ensuring Taiwan's security and stability. The specifics of Taiwan's response to the recent PLA activity were not disclosed, but the Ministry reiterated its commitment to defending Taiwan's airspace and territorial integrity. "16 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 of the aircraft entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," said Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence in a post on X, on Wednesday. A day ago, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said on Tuesday that 10 aircraft and five vessels from China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) were detected operating around Taiwanese waters and airspace until 6 am (UTC+8). Notably, 4 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). These incidents underscore the ongoing tensions between Taiwan and China, with Beijing frequently conducting military manoeuvres and exercises near the self-governing island. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, maintains its autonomy despite China's claims of sovereignty over the island. The Ministry of National Defence did not provide further details regarding the specific type of aircraft or vessels involved in the recent activity, nor did it disclose any specific actions taken by the ROC Armed Forces in response to the situation. The presence of PLA military assets near Taiwan continues to be a sensitive issue, heightening concerns over potential escalations in the region. The Taiwanese government has consistently called for international support and attention to ensure stability and peace in the Taiwan Strait. Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of "grey zone tactics" by operating more military aircraft and naval ships near Taiwan. According to CSIS, grey zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force." (ANI)
The agricultural landscape of Narowal district in Pakistan has been marred by a counterfeit fertiliser and pesticide scandal, with devastating consequences for farmers. Following laboratory tests on samples from 46 companies, authorities have taken legal action against 29 dealers accused of distributing fake agricultural inputs, Dawn reported. The repercussions of this fraudulent activity have been severe, particularly for wheat farmers in the region. Wheat crops spanning 2,173 acres have been decimated, resulting in an estimated loss exceeding PKR 300 million for the affected farmers. In 2024, out of Narowal's expansive 4,58,000 acres of agricultural land, wheat cultivation covered 3,15,680 acres. However, farmers faced significant challenges due to shortages of essential fertilisers like DAP and urea. Forced to resort to the black market, they found themselves paying exorbitant prices to unscrupulous dealers, as reported by Dawn. Despite their efforts to protect their crops with timely pesticide applications, the use of counterfeit products proved catastrophic. Farmers, like Muhammad Abrar from Chak Amro Tehsil, Shakargarh, discovered too late that the fertilisers and pesticides they had purchased were fake, resulting in the ruin of his 19-acre wheat crop. Similarly affected was Kulsoom Bibi, a widow from Noonar Town, Narowal, who lamented the complete failure of her nine-acre wheat crop due to the use of counterfeit inputs. Muhammad Sharif of Kot Nainan, who had invested borrowed funds into wheat cultivation, found himself burdened with insurmountable debt when his crop, along with those of numerous other farmers, was destroyed by fake fertilisers and pesticides. Recognising the plight of the farmers, Muhammad Tanveer, Deputy Director of Agriculture in Narowal, spearheaded efforts to address the crisis. FIRs were lodged against the implicated fertiliser dealers following the damning laboratory results. Tanveer emphasised that strict legal action would be taken against companies whose products were found to be counterfeit. The toll of this deception is staggering, with the destruction of wheat crops across 2,173 acres in Narowal district. The affected farmers, reeling from their losses, have called upon Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to intervene urgently and provide much-needed relief, Dawn reported. (ANI)
India's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi, held a meeting with Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Executive Secretary Rolph Payet and discussed protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes. Bagchi and Payet also spoke about the global relevance of the pro-people planet approach of Mission LiFE to protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and waste. Notably, Mission LiFE is an India-led global mass movement to nudge individual and community action to protect and preserve the environment. At the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow in 2021, India shared the mantra of 'LiFE - Lifestyle for Environment' to tackle climate change. In a post on X, the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva stated, "PR @abagchimea met @brsmeas ES @rolphpayet Discussed strengthening India's engagement with #BRSConventions & global relevance of the #ProPeoplePlanet approach of #MissionLiFE to address challenges of protecting against hazardous chemicals and wastes." The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions are multilateral environmental agreements, that share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes, according to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was created to protect people and the environment from the negative effects of the inappropriate management of hazardous wastes worldwide. It is the most comprehensive global treaty dealing with hazardous waste materials throughout their lifecycles, from production and transport to final use and disposal. The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in international trade provides Parties with a first line of defence against hazardous chemicals. It promotes international efforts to protect human health and the environment as well as enabling countries to decide if they want to import hazardous chemicals and pesticides listed in the Convention. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from highly dangerous, long-lasting chemicals by restricting and ultimately eliminating their production, use, trade, release and storage. Earlier in April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to nurture nature. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "On Earth Day, we reaffirm our commitment to nurture nature so that our planet can have a better future." Every year on April 22, Earth Day serves as a global reminder of our responsibility to protect the planet by bringing attention to challenges such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. (ANI)
Analysts have said that Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Serbia and Hungary demonstrates China's limitations amid the ups and downs in ties between Beijing and the European Union, VOA News reported. Xi Jinping, accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan, arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. Xi and his wife arrived in Serbia after concluding his visit to France. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, welcomed Xi Jinping at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. Children welcomed Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan by presenting them with flowers and waving the national flags of China and Serbia. Xi arrived in Serbia to mark the 25th anniversary of the NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade in 1999. The US has apologised for what it called a "mistaken" bombing that killed three Chinese nationals and injured 20 others. Xi is expected to pay tribute to those killed at the site, which is now a Chinese cultural centre. During his visit to France, French President Emmanuel Macron pressed Xi Jinping on Russia's military action in Ukraine, trade disputes and human rights. Notably, Xi is on a six-day visit to Europe and after his Serbia visit, he will head to Hungary. Speaking to VOA News, Francesco Sisci, an Italian sinologist, said that it appears that China is facing difficulties in its relations with European nations. Sisci said, "It's interesting that ... China didn't manage to secure more significant countries for Xi's visit to Europe. It seems that China is having greater difficulties in its ties with European countries, and it has good ties with two governments that have also good ties with Moscow. That is -- Europe is moving faster away from China as it sees it too close to Moscow." Serbia and Hungary have developed close ties with Russia and China under Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. China has been investing billions in various projects, including electric vehicles, railways, and factories, in Serbia and Hungary. Ja Ian Chong, associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, said that Xi will try to stress China's role in supporting stability. "Xi will probably try to stress the PRC's [People's Republic of China] role in supporting stability and maybe suggest but not openly accuse the United States of being destabilizing and unnecessarily aggressive," VOA News quoted Ja Ian Chong as saying. The two nations like China have spoken against sanctions by the US and EU on Russia over its military action in Ukraine, which began in 2022, although Hungary has voted in favour of them. Orban, despite leading a nation that is both a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and EU member, has friendly ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and held talks with him on the sidelines of the Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum held in Beijing in October. Unlike other EU members, Hungary continues to purchase the majority of its fuel from Russia. Serbia is a candidate to join the European Union. Viktor Orban is the only leader who attended the Summit and met Xi Jinping. Dragana Mitrovic, a political science professor at the University of Belgrade, said those ties have triggered tensions with Hungary's partners in the West. Mitrovic said, "In this moment of tense geopolitical competition and measuring economic and overall cooperation by strategic gains and losses, Hungary will continue to be under pressure from Brussels and Washington when pursuing cooperation with China," VOA News reported. Upon arriving in Serbia, Xi in a written statement stated, "China and Serbia enjoy profound traditional friendship. Our bilateral relationship has stood the test of changing international environment and become a fine example of state-to-state relations," Xinhua reported. Xi said he looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to hold talks with Aleksandar Vuvic on bilateral ties and other issues of mutual interest, renewing friendship, planning for cooperation, exploring development, and creating a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations. He said, "I am confident that this visit will be a fruitful one and will open up a new chapter in China-Serbia relations." Xi Jinping arrived in Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. (ANI)
Muktesh K Pardeshi, Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) conducted a review of preparations for Haj 2024 in Jeddah and Madinah. Pardeshi held a meeting with Saudi Arabia's Vice Haj Minister Abdul Fattah Mashat and discussed logistical arrangements and infrastructure developments aimed at the welfare and comfort of pilgrims. Taking to X, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia stated, "Shri Muktesh Pardeshi, Secretary (CPV&OIA) had a fruitful meeting with Vice Haj Minister, HE Dr. Abdul-Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat in Jeddah today. They reviewed the preparations of the forthcoming Haj with a focus on providing the best services to the Indian pilgrims." Muktesh K Pardeshi was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from May 4-7 aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release. Notably, a total of 175,025 Indian pilgrims in 2024 will visit Saudi Arabia under the 2024 Hajj quota. Pardeshi held talks with the Deputy Minister for Political Affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the progress under the Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) and topics of bilateral and mutual interest. He affirmed India's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Saudi Arabia across various sectors. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia stated, "Shri Muktesh Pardeshi, Deputy Minister/ Secretary (CPV&OIA) @MukteshPardeshihad a meeting with H.E. Dr. Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs @KSAmofaEN. They reviewed bilateral relations and discussed issues of mutual interests." During his visit to Riyadh, Muktesh K Pardeshi met with Assistant Minister of Electricity Affairs, Nasser Al Qahtani and Assistant Minister for Petroleum and Gas, Mohammed AIbrahim in the Ministry of Energy to discuss deepening energy cooperation, including in the field of renewables and on-grid connectivity. The two sides discussed facilitating investments between India and Saudi Arabia. He also met Saudi Centre for International Strategic Partnerships (SCISP) President and CEO Raad Al Barakati and reviewed the work under the Economy pillar of the SPC, according to an MEA press release. In a press release, MEA stated, "Engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was an important focus of the visit. The Secretary visited the GCC Secretariat in Riyadh and held a meeting with GCC Assistant Secretary-General H.E Dr Abdulaziz Aluwaisheg." "The two sides discussed strengthening the institutional framework of ties, and enhancing relations across various sectors, including in trade, security, energy, and cultural exchange. Both sides exchanged views on the regional and international situation,"it added. During his visit, Pardeshi reviewed the well-being of the 2.4 million Indian community living in Saudi Arabia. He commended Saudi Arabia's leadership for their efforts in ensuring the welfare of the Indian community. Muktesh K Pardeshi interacted with the vibrant community in both Jeddah and Riyadh. Secretary expressed his appreciation for the contributions of the Indian community to the socio-economic fabric of Saudi Arabia and assured them of the Government of India's continued support and assistance. In a post on X, the Indian Consulate General in Jeddah on Monday stated, "CGI, Jeddah organised an interaction of Indian Community with Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs, @MukteshPardeshi on 05 May 2024, in its premises. Consul General Mohd. Shahid Alam @Shahid_IFS delivered the welcome remarks and highlighted the efforts of CGI, Jeddah for the welfare of Indian Comunity in its jurisdiction. "The Secretary (CPV & OIA) in his address highlighted the important role which the Indian community abroad has to play in achieving the target of Viksit Bharat. Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan and Joint Secretary (Gulf) in Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi Shri Asim R. Mahajan also interacted with the Indian Community members," it added. "He interacted with the vibrant community in both Jeddah and Riyadh. Secretary expressed his appreciation for the contributions of the Indian community to the socio-economic fabric of Saudi Arabia and assured them of the Government of India's continued support and assistance," MEA said in a press release. Pardeshi's visit underscored the depth and breadth of the relationship between India, Saudi Arabia and the GCC. It reaffirmed India's commitment to mutual prosperity and collaboration across diverse fields. On Tuesday, India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Khan, hosted a reception in honour of Muktesh Pardeshi at the India House. In a post on X, Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia stated, "Amb. Dr Suhel Khan hosted a community reception in honour of Secretary (CPV&OIA) Shri Muktesh Pardeshi at the India House. Representatives of various diaspora organizations & cross section of the Indian community members attended the event and warmly welcomed Secretary (CPV&OIA)." (ANI)
Muktesh K Pardeshi, Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) concluded his official visit to Saudi Arabia, which aims at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations. The visit underscored the depth and breadth of the relationship between India, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council, reaffirming commitment to mutual prosperity and collaboration across diverse fields. In a press release, the Ministry of External Affairs stated, "Muktesh K Pardeshi also conducted a review of preparations for Haj in Jeddah and Madinah. He met with Vice Haj Minister Abdul Fattah Mashat and discussed logistical arrangements and infrastructure developments aimed at the welfare and comfort of pilgrims. This year, a total of 175,025 Indian pilgrims will visit Saudi Arabia under the 2024 Hajj quota." "During his visit from 4 to May 7, the Secretary also reviewed the well-being of the 2.4 million-strong Indian community in Saudi Arabia. He appreciated the leadership of the Kingdom for their efforts in ensuring the welfare of the Indian community," the release added. In Riyadh, the Secretary held substantive discussions with Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and reviewed the progress under the Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) in addition to a number of topics of bilateral and mutual interest. Secretary reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening cooperation with KSA across various sectors. On the economic side, the Secretary met with Assistant Minister of Electricity Affairs, Nasser Al Qahtani and Assistant Minister for Petroleum and Gas Eng. Mohammed A Ibrahim in the Ministry of Energy to discuss deepening energy cooperation, including in the field of renewables and grid connectivity. They also discussed facilitating investments between the two countries. In a separate meeting with Raad Al Barakati, President and CEO of the Saudi Centre for International Strategic Partnerships (SCISP), the two sides reviewed the work under the Economy pillar of the SPC. According to the release, engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was an important focus of the visit. The Secretary visited the GCC Secretariat in Riyadh and held a meeting with GCC Assistant Secretary-General Abdulaziz Aluwaisheg. The two sides discussed strengthening the institutional framework of ties and enhancing relations across various sectors, including in trade, security, energy, and cultural exchange. Both sides exchanged views on the regional and international situation. He interacted with the vibrant community in both Jeddah and Riyadh. Secretary expressed his appreciation for the contributions of the Indian community to the socio-economic fabric of Saudi Arabia and assured them of the Government of India's continued support and assistance. (ANI)
Referring to the conflict in the Middle East and the Israel-Palestine issue, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that India supports a homeland for the Palestinians and is public about its stand. EAM Jaishankar was speaking at an event titled as 'India as an Emerging Power' at Gargi College in the national capital on Wednesday. "So you have a very tense, very complicated situation involving Israel, involving the Palestinians, involving many of the Arab countries, the Gulf monarchies, involving Iran. There was an exchange of fire between the Iranians and the Israelis a few days ago," he said. "Now, look at how a 'Vishwa Bandhu' (world's friend) would approach this situation. We were very clear when Israel was attacked by terrorists on October 7, that it was terrorism. We took a clear stance on it. When Israel responded, we also took a position that whenever any military response takes place, it is very important that civilian lives are protected. And if you are displacing civilians, so they are no longer in their their homes, you have to give some kind of humanitarian corridor out there," Jaishankar said. In his address at Gargi College, EAM Jaishankar also shared that, on the Prime Minister's instructions, he personally contacted the foreign ministers of the involved parties, expressing regional concerns and urging restraint. "I personally called up the two foreign ministers there on the Prime Minister's instructions and told them, look, the whole region is worried. I mean, we urge you, don't go forward on this. In terms of the Middle East, we support eventually a homeland for the Palestinians, and we are very public about that as well," said Jaishankar. Jaishankar also noted India's practical contribution to the situation, with around 20 ships deployed in the Red Sea to mitigate attacks on shipping, which disrupt trade and increase costs. "We also make a practical contribution today. About 20 of our ships are actually in the Red Sea, ensuring that attacks on shipping, which increase the cost of trade, are limited. So, I give you again, just think about how many parties are involved--Israelis, Palestinians, Arab countries, Iranians--and yet we are able to engage all of them," the EAM stated. Jaishankar also mentioned the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which started in February 2022, and said, "We had urged students to come home. The vast majority of students stayed and found themselves in the conflict zone. They were in different cultures and different cities." Jaishankar mentioned the continuous efforts to engage with neighbouring countries to ensure the safe evacuation of the students while highlighting the role of 'Vishwa Bandhu' foreign policy. "Here is the challenge that we faced: how to bring students from a conflict zone...Think about what it means in terms of how you achieve this. One was to ensure initially that many people could come as soon as possible...There was shooting and bombardment going on...You have to get the governments of other countries to cooperate with you. This is what a Vishwa Bandhu foreign policy works like. We had to continuously contact the five neighbouring countries," said Jaishankar. (ANI)
India's Foreign Secretary, Vinay Mohan Kwatra arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday for a short trip and is expected to meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the country's Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud. https://twitter.com/bdmofa/status/1788196228305670326?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw In a post on X, Bangladesh Foreign Ministry shared details about Kwatra's visit that, he is also expected to meet PM Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and hold meeting with the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, Masud Bin Momen tomorrow. "The Indian Foreign Secretary arrived Dhaka today by a special flight in the evening for a short trip. He is expected to meet the Hon'ble Prime Minister, Hon'ble Foreign Minister and hold meeting with the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh tomorrow," Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said. Recently, in February External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended a warm welcome to Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud when he arrived in India, emphasising that their discussions aim to fortify the enduring friendship between India and Bangladesh. Regarding his meetings with his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister mentioned that they discussed all issues, including cross-border issues, Rohingya, as well as connectivity. During his visit to India, he also spoke to ANI and said, "We had a very good discussion. We discussed all the issues including cross-border issues, Rohingya issues, security issues, powersharing and connectivity issues. We discussed all of these issues." "India is an immediate neighbour, and the relationship is bonded by blood and further emphasized that India is not only a neighbour but also played a vital role in Bangladesh's independence war," he added. Mahmud said, "We are two brotherly countries. We have excellent ties between the two countries. Any visit of a Bangladesh minister or an Indian minister to Bangladesh definitely strengthens our ties." The Bangladesh Foreign Minister also thanked EAM Jaishankar and the Indian government for inviting him. "We value the visit because I have come here at the invitation of the Foreign Minister of India. We are thankful to the Indian Government and especially to the Foreign Minister for inviting me here. Definitely, this visit will contribute to the relationship," he added. (ANI) "
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain has raised the issue of enforced disappearances in the Pakistan province of Balochistan and urged the Pakistan army to change their policy and prioritise the search for the missing individuals. "To the army commanders, I implore you to reconsider your policy and prioritise the search for the missing individuals. Let us engage in dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to this urgent issue," he said during his latest ideological session on a video sharing app, highlighting the severity of forced disappearances affecting Baloch and other ethnic communities in Pakistan. "The anguish of families with missing loved ones is unimaginable. Put yourself in their shoes - how would you feel if your own brother or son was taken away without explanation, subjected to torture and violence?" asked the leader of the party. He also urged that the leaders in Pakistan must empathize with the pain of these innocent mothers and families, and ensure that those who are missing are brought before the law for a fair trial. Highlighting the recent statement by the Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah on respecting constitutional limits, MQM leader questioned the deteriorating law and order situation in the region and said that violence and unjust detention of people is against the principles of Pakistan's constitution. "I stand in solidarity with the Baloch community and urge everyone to peacefully protest for the safe return of the missing individuals," he said. "Raise your voice against this injustice through writing or by any means available to you," he added. He asserted that the suffering of Muhajirs, who have sacrificed so much for Pakistan, cannot be ignored. Thousands have lost their lives or have been enforced to disappear in pursuit of their rights and called upon the people of Punjab to consider the fate of their loved ones who faced oppression and injustice. "We cannot turn a blind eye to the disappearances and threats against truth-tellers, journalists, and activists," he said. He reminded that the systematic suppression of dissent must end to prevent further division and unrest among the people. He earnestly appealed to the army commanders to take urgent action to address these grievances, locate the missing persons, and stop the intimidation of politicians, journalists, and their families. "Let us work together to find a peaceful solution through dialogue before the situation escalates into widespread protests. The well-being and rights of all individuals, regardless of their ethnicity, must be respected and protected," he said. He demanded the immediate and safe return of all missing persons, including Baloch youth Rashid Hussain Brohi, and individuals from various ethnic communities who have been forcibly detained and enforced to disappear. He further said that it is time to end the cycle of injustice and bring closure to the families who are yearning for the return of their loved ones. (ANI)
Belarusian Ambassador to India, Mikhail Kasko thanked India for its support to Belarus in becoming a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and emphasized readiness for active collaboration within the SCO dimension. Exuding confidence, the envoy said that Belarus would significantly enhance interaction in political, economic, trade, scientific, cultural and other areas of SCO activities as a full member of the bloc. While speaking to ANI, the Belarusian Ambassador said, "We are grateful to the Indian side for support of the Republic of Belarus to become a full member of the SCO. Belarus is already at the finish line in terms of joining the SCO. We ratified the Memorandum, joined all international treaties within the Organization and are ready for active joint work within the SCO dimension." Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a permanent intergovernmental international organization established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai (PRC) by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In response to the question, about India's support for Belarus's application for full-fledged membership in the SCO, he said that the Republic of Belarus, being in a strategically important geographic location, is further ready to contribute to the development of the SCO cooperation in the fields of economics and security, using its transit, industrial and scientific potential, experience in peacekeeping and multilateral diplomacy." "As part of the initiatives, the SCO countries are invited to use the capabilities of Belarus as a country with a traditionally strong and efficient agricultural sector, high-tech production, a strong intellectual base and agricultural engineering to preserve and strengthen the food, nuclear and cyber security of the countries of the Eurasian region," Kasko added. Further, the envoy also highlighted various initiatives within the SCO, focusing on food security, common transport and logistics development, scientific and technical cooperation, and strengthening humanitarian ties. The envoy expressed confidence that Belarus, as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, will greatly contribute to enhancing political, economic, trade, scientific, cultural, and other aspects of SCO activities. "We are confident that, as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Republic of Belarus will make a significant contribution to strengthening and enhancement of political, economic, trade, scientific, cultural interaction and other spheres of the SCO activities," the Belarusian Ambassador told ANI The envoy also highlighted regional cooperation between India and Belarus, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the United Nations (UN). "Traditionally Belarus takes an active part in the UN and other international organizations' activities, generates approaches and initiatives that offer a uniting agenda for all members of the international community, promote dialogue and help to bridge the dividing lines," the envoy said. "Indissoluble common goals, interests and values allow our countries to interact in the international arena in a constructive way. The positions of Belarus and India are close or coincide on major issues of international peace and security, on approaches for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as on decisions of major international summits, conferences and other forums. Both countries speak for effective solutions to global and regional problems of the present which meet the interests of the entire international community," he added. The envoy also expressed Belarus's interest in bolstering ties with India, and appreciated India's consistent support for Belarus's positions in the international arena and assured reciprocal support. "We are interested in strengthening relations with India in international organizations in order to ensure efficient solutions to global challenges such as food and energy security, financial volatility and climate change. We are grateful to the Indian Side for the continued support of our positions in the international arena and always respond to the Indian Side the same way," he said. Earlier, in March, Belarus Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik also thanked India for supporting its application for full-fledged membership at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), while pressing for a "just, fair and multi-polar world order." Aleinik was on a three-day visit to India from March 11-13, during which he also held a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Belarus FM appreciated the fact that India was the first country to ratify the memorandum on Belarus' accession to SCO. He said the two leaders also discussed Balarus' BRICS membership. (ANI)
Saudi Arabia needs peace in the Middle East for its $500 billion Neom megaproject to succeed

Conflict in the Middle East is a threat to Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 plans.

Some Neom projects are located along the Red Sea coast, where tensions have been escalating.

The renewed conflict in the region has left Saudi officials walking a difficult political line.

Escalating tensions in the Middle East are threatening the success of Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 plans  especially its desert megacity called Neom.

The kingdom has announced grand plans to boost its tourism industry to 150 million visitors a year by 2030, aiming to build new resorts and cities that will act as Dubai-style travel hubs in the region.

But many of these planned tourist destinations are located on the Red Sea coast, where tensions have been escalating since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza and beyond.

Iran-backed Houthis have launched numerous missiles and armed drone attacks at Israel and the threat of ongoing conflict has disrupted Red Sea shipping routes, with companies opting to avoid the area.

The conflict in the region has left Saudi officials walking a political tightrope.

Earlier steps toward normalizing relations with Israel have been derailed by a resurgence of local support for the Palestinian cause, while the threat of prolonged conflict risks hobbling officials lofty goals for Neom.

A de-escalating force

Before the October Hamas attacks, Saudi Arabia already appeared to be seeking de-escalation and normalization with its foreign policy in the region.

In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia brokered a deal to re-establish diplomatic relations. With some help from China, the two nations agreed to reopen their embassies in their respective capitals.

In the months before October 7, Saudi Arabia was also reportedly edging toward a deal with the US that would have included a normalization agreement with Israel. According to a New York Times report, one reason is that it's hoping for a US security guarantee if it's ever attacked by Iran.

Progress on the deal appeared to stall after the Israeli offensive in Gaza sparked anger across the region, leaving Saudi officials caught between a wave of local support for the Palestinian cause and US pressure to normalize ties with Israel.

While Saudi Arabia has called for an end to the war in Gaza and accused Israel of committing war crimes, officials have continued to express interest in normalizing relations with the Jewish homeland as long as any deal includes the creation of a Palestinian state.

The US and Saudi Arabia are in the final steps of a new agreement on security guarantees and civilian nuclear assistance, Reuters reported last week. Normalization of an Israeli-Saudi relations is still far from being agreed.

International optics

The conflict in the region poses a problem for Saudi's hopes of attracting millions of new foreign visitors.

Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a fellow for the Middle East at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, told Business Insider: "The Saudis are so concerned about any potential escalation because they realize they have this largely untapped Red Sea coastline, which they are now developing and see a lot of potential in."

Many of Neom's projects aimed at capturing the luxury tourism market are located along the Red Sea coast. Set to open next year, Neom's luxury island resort of Sindalah is advertised as an "exclusive gateway to the stunning Red Sea."

A rendering of Sindalah in the Red Sea, an island resort that's part of the Neom project. NEOM

Saudi officials need to show that the locations are safe from nearby conflict zones to be able to attract high-spending visitors.

"The optics of stray missiles and drones slamming into Saudi cities when they're trying to attract the sort of high-end luxury markets would be disastrous," Ulrichsen said.

The 2022 Formula 1 Grand Prix in Jeddah, which took place against a backdrop of thick black smoke after Houthi missiles hit a fuel depot five miles away from the racetrack, is unlikely to be far from officials' minds.

After the attack, plumes of black smoke were visible from the circuit and seen during the first practice session, sparking alarm from international drivers.

Supply chain issues

Conflict in the region may also cause issues when it comes to the construction of ambitious projects like Neom.

"The remote location of the project, combined with renewed tensions in the Red Sea, also pose specific issues around construction and delivery of equipment and materials," Robert Mogielnicki, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, told BI.

Officials will also need to convince firms and residents to buy into Neom and attract tourists to visit. Mogielnicki said these demand-related variables mean the Saudi government and planners have less direct control over Neom's success.

Saudi officials are already fighting to combat claims that Neom is facing delays and setbacks.

In recent months, Western media outlets have reported that the country is scaling back population estimates for The Line and seeking to borrow funds.

Last month, Bloomberg reported that the financial realities of the project, which could see cost spiral up to $1.5 trillion, have started to cause alarm within the Saudi government.

Difficulties getting construction materials to the Red Sea coast could further delay some Neom projects, which are essentially already "moving targets," according to Ulrichsen.

Neom did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TOKYO, May 08 (News On Japan) - The upcoming film "Ghost Cat Anzu" has been selected to be showcased at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2024, the oldest and largest animation film festival in the world.

Set in a quaint Japanese village, the story unfolds as Anzu, once a beloved pet, returns to the mortal world as a ghost following her untimely death. Struggling to remember her past life, Anzu's ghostly form grants her the unique power to transform into humans she once knew, albeit with some feline features retained.

The plot thickens when Anzu discovers that her owner, a young girl named Hana, is facing threats from a development company eager to raze the village for commercial gain. Determined to save her owner and her former home, Anzu uses her shape-shifting abilities to become a guardian spirit. She endeavors to unravel the truth about her own death and the secretive motives behind the village's impending destruction.

The film employs a technique known as rotoscoping, where the actual performances and expressions of the cast are animated, creating an unprecedented level of realism in its portrayal.

Additionally, new cast members have been announced, including Muneo Aoki (44) and Miwako Ichikawa (48). The theme song, "Matatabi," will be performed by Chiai Sato.

"Ghost Cat Anzu" is set to be released on Friday, July 19.

Source: ANN
Wakayama, May 09 (News On Japan) - Mount Koya, a UNESCO World Heritage site enveloped by mountains standing at 1,000 meters, welcomes visitors into its sacred expanse established 1,200 years ago by the monk Kukai. However, this revered site is facing a severe overtourism crisis, with tourists exceeding the local population of 2,600 by 500 times, leading to illegal parking and dining difficulties.

Residents and officials are grappling with the influx. A temple priest mentioned, "We're booked up to six months in advance." The proprietor of a restaurant specializing in vegan dishes informed us of the long waits, "Even getting a table takes 40 to 50 minutes."

Mayor of Koyasan revealed the gravity of the situation, "We host over 1.4 million visitors annually. Supporting this number with our current population will become increasingly difficult."

The peak seasons transform the area, making it hard for visitors to find a meal. The town hosts 117 temples and 51 lodgings spread across a 6 km east-west and 2 km north-south basin, attracting tourists, notably from Europe and the U.S., due to the weak yen. A French tourist expressed fascination, "I came to learn about Japan's historical religions, cultures, and traditions. Everything is so different from France, which is intriguing."

The town struggles to manage the day-to-day impact of these visitors. "When it's peak season at Mount Koya, it's tough to get a meal," explained the head of the Tourism Promotion Department, Toshiki Chahara. Despite efforts to cater to foreign tourists with amenities like beds and English signs in lodgings, the sheer volume is overwhelming.

Illegal parking is a significant issue. Chahara noted, "With Mount Koya being a basin town on a mountain, its challenging to create enough parking spaces." The town has arranged for 650 parking spots, but this is insufficient during peak times when up to 7,000 cars may enter daily.

The local residents feel the strain, as Ryoko Takane, a seller of Buddhist altar offerings, voiced concerns about emergency services, "We only have two ambulances. If tourists have accidents, there might not be enough emergency services for the locals."

Overtourism is not just about visitor numbers but also encompasses waste management challenges. Chahara explained the meticulous approach to keeping the town clean, "If we place garbage bins, they end up overflowing and look unsightly. We are carefully managing to keep our streets clean without them."

Proposals are being considered to mitigate the impact, including a park-and-ride system. Mayor Yoshiya Hirano suggested, "An extreme measure could be to stop cars from entering Mount Koya altogether, parking them in nearby areas and using public transport to ferry people."

As discussions continue, plans are underway to potentially implement a visitor tax in four years. This would help manage the resources needed to maintain the town and its services amidst growing tourism pressures.

Amidst these challenges, the spirit of Buddhism's teachings on mutual assistance and coexistence remains a guiding principle for Mount Koya, as noted by Priest Goto, "The spirit of mutual assistance is something none of us should forget. It's essential that we all work together and coexist to build a community that lasts into the future."

Source: ANN
You are here: Arts

Musicians play the traditional instruments Lusheng during a Guangxi culture and tourism promotion event in Vienna, Austria, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/He Canling)



A culture and tourism promotion event was held in Vienna, Austria on Tuesday to showcase south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, known for its picturesque landscape and cultural diversity.

The event, jointly hosted by the Guangxi regional government and the Vienna municipal government, attracted over 100 participants, including government officials and representatives from the tourism sector.

Noting Guangxi's unique geographical advantages, long history and rich resources, Miao Qingwang, vice chairman of the Guangxi regional government, said in his opening address that Guangxi stands ready to further enhance cultural exchanges and promote tourism cooperation with Austria.

Chinese Ambassador to Austria Qi Mei expressed the hope that Guangxi will further expand exchanges with Austrian states and cities, promote mutual learning and reap more fruits from cooperation.

Former Austrian President Heinz Fischer also said he hopes that the two countries will deepen collaboration in culture and tourism.

Artists from Guangxi performed folk music, dance and traditional puppet shows, among others. They also performed "Radetzky March" with traditional Chinese instruments, drawing rounds of applause from the audience.
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa announced it will receive a 1-to-1 match of $50,000 for donations to its Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund courtesy of the Iowa West Foundation.

The fund at the Community Foundation for Western Iowa is a philanthropic response to the increasing needs throughout Pottawattamie County due to the catastrophic tornadoes that tore through the region on April 26, according to a news release. Iowa West matching funds will provide relief to people living in Pottawattamie County.

In Pottawattamie County, officials estimate about 300 residential homes and businesses were either partially damaged or fully destroyed.

Our community is focused on helping assist recovery, and at the community foundation, our work right in this moment is dedicated to helping families and communities now and into the future, Community Foundation for Western Iowa President and CEO Donna Dostal said in the release. We are truly grateful to the Iowa West Foundation for this significant investment to the recovery of several communities, and value our continued partnership.

Donations to the Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund will be distributed to nonprofit organizations, city and county governmental organizations, and church groups working with the communities affected by the destruction. To donate, visit bit.ly/southwest-iowa-relief-fund.

All of us are asking how we can help our neighbors begin to rebuild their lives, Brenda Mainwaring, president and CEO of Iowa West Foundation, said in the release. The foundations goal in partnering with the community foundation is to encourage everyone to give just a little more, knowing that their contribution will be doubled. We are committed to helping our communities through these immediate efforts, and in their long-term recovery as well.

The Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund will provide funding to organizations and services in Pottawattamie County that are filling basic human needs, rebuilding communities and providing direct support to individuals and families.

Organizations and groups that are on the frontline of relief efforts are encouraged to apply through the Community Foundation for Western Iowas website givewesterniowa.org.

Additionally, SHARE Iowa  an initiative of the community foundation  is a resource to access information on how you can assist our communities through relief efforts, such as volunteer opportunities and in-kind donations. The SHARE Iowa team continues to work directly with Pottawattamie County Emergency Management and Pottawattamie County officials on approved volunteer opportunities and donation needs.

The relief resource informtion will be updated regularly at sharegoodiowa.org/emergencyrelief.
Several prominent Nigerian intellectuals have sent an open letter to the countrys president and the National Assembly, urging them to tread with maximum caution over an alleged signing of a defense pact with the United States and France to establish their military bases in the West African country.

The coalition, without providing evidence, accused Washington and Paris of lobbying authorities in the Gulf of Guinea countries, especially Nigeria, for defense agreements to allow them to relocate their troops expelled from the Sahel states. In a letter dated 3 May, the so-called northern leaders urged the federal government to resist such pressures, citing concerns over jeopardizing Nigerias national security, as well as economic and environmental degradation. The letter also highlighted that US and French operations in Sahel have not curbed terrorism, arguing the insecurity has grown since the military bases in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger were established.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) sought to remind that since the abrogation of the UK-Nigeria defense pact in the 1960s, the country has resisted all attempts to recreate military bases in Nigeria. The NNPP also stressed the need to maintain a cordial relationship with affected neighboring Sahel countries, suggesting that any defense pact with either the US or France could impact negatively on Nigerias existing regional relationships, aggravate already damaged bilateral relations, and thereby disrupt regional equilibrium and peace. African leaders have recently gathered for a high-level counter-terrorism meeting in Nigeria and pledged to collaborate against terrorism. But experts say with troops leaving the region, armed groups are likely to intensify their attacks.
Moroccos handicrafts exports grew to $1 billion in 2023, up 7% from a year earlier, tourism minister said.

Speaking at a fair in Rabat, Fatima Zahra Ammour said her department was working to preserve 32 handicrafts.

Moroccos colourful and diversified handicrafts employ 20% of the total Moroccan workforce.

Despite its strong social dimension, the sector needs to address challenges inherent to informal labor.

Handicrafts so far have 389,000 craftsmen registered in the national register and 641,000 benefiting from social security fund CNSS.

Handicrafts represent 10% of all tourist spending in Morocco. Tourism in general represents up to 7% of Moroccos GDP.

Moroccos tourism has turned the Covid 19 page, breaking a new record with the arrival of 14.5 million tourists last year, up 34% from 2022.

The milestone shows a 12% increase compared to 2019 when Morocco attracted 13 million tourists.
The Algerian regime is set on using the penal code to curb freedom of speech with the introduction of amendments that threaten with life imprisonment anyone who leaks security or economic documents or information.

The new law comes as Algerian journalists in exile continue to unveil the endemic corruption and failed policies of Tebbounes administration and his military mentors.

The new amendment in Article 63 warns: Any Algerian who discloses confidential information or documents relating to national security and/or national defense and/or the national economy through social networks for the benefit of a foreign country or one of its agents shall be guilty of treason and shall be punished by life imprisonment.

The vague terms national security and national economy augur ill for an early embezzled Algerian media and social media landscapes and bode ill for a manipulation of these evasive terms to further intensify the crackdown on dissent.

The new repressive measures came as Algeria prepares to hold elections against the backdrop of worsening economic conditions, disinformation campaigns, warmongering against Morocco and diplomatic tensions with Sahel neighbors.

The regime also plans sentencing the act of demoralizing the army in time of peace! Another amendment that shows both the control of the army on the judiciary and the irrational mindset of the military regime.

Haunted by Hirak or the pro-democracy mass protests that put an end to Bouteflikas rule, the Chengriha-Tebboune regime has used the Covid-19 pandemic to clamp down on the opposition sending to jail thousands of activists and amended the penal code to dismiss as terrorist peaceful opponents, such as the pro-independence MAK group or Rashad moderate Islamists.

Each day, the National Committee for the Liberation of Detainees (CNLD)  created in 2019 to monitor politically motivated detentions  announces new arrests, trials, and judicial procedures.

Human Rights activist, Zaki Hannache, estimates the number of prisoners of free speech, currently in jail on charges of terrorism, at 228 at least.

At least 260 Hirak activists have also received jail terms due to article 87 which considers peaceful calls for regime change as unconstitutional assimilating them to terrorist acts.

Last September, UN Human Rights Rapporteur Clement Voule told the press after the end of his mission in Algiers that the government must address the climate of fear caused by a series of indictments against individuals, associations, trade unions, and political parties under excessively restrictive laws, including an anti-terrorism law contrary to Algerias international obligations.
Investment opportunities in Morocco and the strength of the strategic partnership binding the Kingdom and the United States were highlighted during a roundtable discussion held in the city of Arlington, Texas (South), on the sidelines of the U.S.-Africa Business Summit which runs through May 9 in Dallas.

Addressing the panel, Moroccos ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, underlined the scope and depth of the exceptional relationship between Rabat and Washington, and stressed the growing opportunities of the free trade agreement between the two countries, in a context where the will required to move forward and the increased commitment to broaden the prospects of the relationship are at the heart of the approaches and joint visions shared by our two countries.

Thanks to the policies implemented in line with the High Royal Guidelines, Morocco is at the same time a privileged ally, a credible interlocutor and a trusted partner which, beyond its favorable economic investment climate, benefits from a very particular capacity to operate transversally within the eminently strategic framework of its relations with the United States, the diplomat pointed out.

This capacity enshrines an alliance of more than 247 years enriched by several political, diplomatic, economic, and security breakthroughs which establish the dynamism of this inclusive, efficient, and continually growing partnership, said the ambassador.

According to Mr. Amrani, this dynamic is set to continue and strengthen at a time when Africa is gradually establishing itself as a new driver of global growth and is moving closer to a continental free trade area.

This is likely to open new perspectives into the pivotal role of the Kingdom, giving new dimensions to the link that it has always represented to bring together, in a concerted and responsible approach, the African depths of its Atlantic facade, he underlined.

The royal Atlantic initiative is the most eloquent representation of this unwavering commitment through which the Kingdom seeks to promote spaces of shared prosperity where fruitful collaboration and genuine solidarity ensure more inclusive development and security for all, the diplomat stated.

For his part, the general director of the Moroccan Agency for the Development of Investments and Exports (AMDIE), Ali Seddiki, noted, during the roundtable, held at the emblematic Dallas Cowboys stadium, that the agency today offers investment opportunities in cutting-edge sectors, including electric mobility, aeronautics, and renewable and decarbonized energies.

Arlingtons Mayor Jim Ross highlighted the strong potential of this Texas city. As one of the most diverse large cities in America, Arlington has so much culture and opportunity to offer those looking to live and work here, he said.

Our city attracts businesses of all sizes, not only because of its highly skilled workforce and ideal location, but also because we value partnerships and innovation, the mayor added.

We dream big here in Arlington and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with our Moroccan partners, he stressed.

This meeting was an opportunity to highlight the major investment opportunities in Morocco and to discuss with several leading Texan stakeholders, representing a very wide range of the most strategic sectors for the Morocco-U.S. relationship, including aeronautics, agri-food, energy, and new technologies.

Thanks to the free trade agreement (FTA) between Rabat and Washington, which will soon mark its 20th anniversary, the United States is today Moroccos 3rd trading partner. The Kingdom is for its part the 4th trading partner of the United States in Africa.

Last year, U.S. investments accounted for more than 30% of total foreign direct investments in Morocco, placing the United States as the leading investor.

Bilateral trade has also increased significantly to 5 billion dollars in 2023, compared to 925 million before the FTA treaty was enacted in 2005.
Boston Window Cleaners Neglect of Safety Equipment Contributed to Fatal Fall

Sky Safety Inc. now faces $447,087 in proposed penalties.

OSHA has found that Sky Safety Inc.which provides exterior and interior building commercial cleaning services throughout New Englandneglected to inspect and replace damaged safety equipment, leading to an employees fatal fall. The company now faces two willful, four serious and two repeat violations and $447,087 in penalties.

According to a recent release, the worker fell 29 stories in downtown Boston's financial district in October 2023. OSHA concluded Sky Safety willfully endangered its workers by failing to ensure the condition of personal fall protection systems and rope descent systems. Likewise, the company did not inspect the ropes and equipment for damage or deterioration and did not remove defective components from service before each shift.

OSHA also found employees were not trained to inspect ropes for wear and defects, nor were they trained on the proper use of the rope descent system. The ropes used were not protected to prevent cutting or weakening, and the equipment was not compatible with connectors and unprotected from damage such as cuts and erosion. Furthermore, Sky Safety failed to use certified building anchorage for the rope descent system.

To ensure the safety of employees who work at heights, employers like Sky Safety Inc. must make their responsibility to provide comprehensive training on inspecting rope descent systems and fall protection equipment and components before each use an absolute priority, OSHA Regional Administrator Galen Blanton in Boston said in a statement. The U.S. Department of Labor will continue to hold employers accountable when they fail to take the necessary steps to protect their workers.

This is not the first time Sky Safety or its predecessor, Hi-Rise Inc., has been cited for similar violations. Hi-Rise Inc. faced similar citations in May 2019 and December 2013 at Boston work sites. Sky Safety Inc. has 15 business days to comply with the citations and penalties, request an informal conference or contest the agencys findings.
An American student shares his stories and thoughts on how to master the Chinese language at the open day event hosted by the Consulate General of China in New York, the United States, May 6, 2024. Cultural performances by artists from southeast China's Fujian Province and stories of Chinese-speaking Americans on learning the language impressed around 100 U.S. students here at the open day event hosted by the Consulate General of China in New York on Monday. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)



Cultural performances by artists from southeast China's Fujian Province and stories of Chinese-speaking Americans on learning the language impressed around 100 U.S. students in New York at an event on Monday.

Big drums and parasols were featured in a dance named "Golden Drums," the first performance at the open day event hosted by the Consulate General of China in New York.

Artists from Zhangzhou City in Fujian presented two well-known musical pieces, "Catching Butterflies While Picking Tea Leaves" and "Hard Workers, True Winner."

Masters of glove puppetry, an intangible cultural heritage from Zhangzhou, performed captivating stories from the Water Margin, one of China's most beloved classic novels.

They also demonstrated how to play with the puppets and invited attendees to try it out themselves.

Students had the opportunity to taste Chinese tea and appreciate Chinese calligraphy.

Several speakers shared their stories and thoughts on how to master the Chinese language.

Alexander Given, a graduating senior at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, said he had been fascinated by the story of the Monkey King, or Sun Wukong, as a young boy.

"Even then as a young child, I knew that I wanted to visit China no matter what. I was determined to see the diverse landscapes, vast cities, and historical landmarks for myself," Given said.

Given started to learn Mandarin in high school and pursued a degree in international relations and Asian studies as an undergraduate student.

"What I remember most during my time as a student learning about China is not necessarily the lessons in all of the homework, but the experiences I had and the people I met. It is these interactions at the personal level that are most important," he said.

These experiences helped shape his views on international relations and the world, he said.

"There are many doors open to me now. And after looking into different opportunities, I hope that I might be able to attend graduate school in China or perhaps even work there," Given said.

James B. Heimowitz, honorary chair of the China Institute in America, said his journey to understanding China started in Fujian decades ago.

Heimowitz said he can't think of a better way for American youth to gain better insights into the way in which Chinese people are thinking about the future than being able to access China through its language.

"I hope each of you will take the time to create your own journey and your own experiences in China. That's truly what it means to be a part of our future," he said, noting that China is very much a part of this planet's future.

Heimowitz also presided at a fireside discussion with educators of the Chinese language and young adults who have mastered the language.

The American students present said the stories were encouraging to them.

"I think that seeing people that aren't Chinese being able to speak Chinese so well was very encouraging ... Seeing an American person speaking Chinese so well is encouraging for me because I want to be able to get to that level," said Teyo Agoyo, a senior from Friends Select School in Philadelphia.

He hoped the Chinese language would help him make a lot of connections in his future career.
Companies worldwide are increasingly opting to use carbon credit schemes to offset their emissions, as governments urge them to decarbonise operations. While this might seem the obvious solution for hard-to-abate industries, many are failing to monitor and assess the schemes to ensure that they are working as expected and offsetting the necessary quantity of carbon to decarbonise operations.

Carbon offsetting schemes are programmes introduced by a wide range of companies aimed at reducing carbon emissions through various projects, rather than cutting emissions at the source. They are often used by companies in hard-to-abate industries such as aviation and manufacturing. Some of these schemes include reforestation to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, regenerative agriculture, and renewable energy projects. In recent years, there have been an increasing number of reports on the failure of carbon offsetting schemes worldwide, largely due to a lack of monitoring and assessment.

One white paper by the environmental firm Compensate demonstrated that 90 percent of the carbon offsetting projects they assessed that used nature-based solutions failed to meet their sustainability criteria. Worryingly, many of these schemes were certified by the international standards Verra or Gold Standard. This view of the widescale failure of carbon offset programmes has been reiterated by the Former Bank of England governor Mark Carneys Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets.

Some of the identified reasons for failure include the fact that emissions reductions rely on vague predictions; carbon credits can cause community conflicts; there are unreliable baseline emissions rates that inflate emissions promises; many schemes cause risks to new forests once completed and developers leave; and that many of these projects do not contribute to achieving additional climate benefits beyond carbon offsetting.

The low success rate in many carbon offset programmes around the globe means that some companies have been overstating the efficacy of their offset activities. A study from the University of Berkeleys Goldman School of Public Policy that evaluated the methods used in offset forestry projects  which account for 11 percent of all carbon offsets ever issued  revealed that there were significant shortcomings, which resulted in the issuing of bogus carbon credits.

Many companies carry out foresting activities as a means of offsetting their carbon emissions, investing in reducing the environmental impact of logging infrastructure such as roads, waiting until trees are older to harvest them, or restricting the number of trees that can be cut per hectare. However, the researchers found that many project developers were generating credits even when no changes were made. The carbon offset market is largely unregulated, meaning that standards compliance is overseen by a few independent groups. The researchers assessed the approaches used by some of the worlds biggest registries Verras Verified Carbon Standard, Winrock Internationals American Carbon Registry and the Climate Action Reserve, to provide carbon credits. The team found that the methods used failed to uphold basic criteria that would ensure projects make a real difference to carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. The lead researcher on the project, Barbara Haya, explained, It makes the global community think that were doing more than were really doing at this brief moment we have to dramatically reduce our emissions to prevent runaway climate change. She added, Offsetting is a misnomer  you cant offset your emissions We need alternative ways of supporting climate mitigation because the current offset market is deeply not working.

A similar discovery has been made in Australia by a group of 11 researchers. They found that the popular technique of human-induced regeneration failed to achieve the anticipated new tree cover in the outback forests between 2015 and 2022. The study assessed 182 projects in arid and semi-desert regions and found that forest cover had either barely grown or had gone backwards in nearly 80 percent of cases. This suggests that the projects in question did not reduce emissions, as promised by the companies using these offset schemes, and therefore these companies were not reducing their impact on the climate. By June 2023, over 37 million carbon credits, valued at between $750 million and $1 billion, each with the promise of removing a tonne of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, had been issued. One of the authors, Andrew Macintosh, previously stated that these carbon offset schemes were a sham and a fraud on taxpayers and the environment.

While thousands of companies worldwide continue to use carbon offset schemes to support decarbonisation efforts, in line with a green transition, little is being done to ensure that the offsetting projects are achieving the anticipated results. Many companies are overstating their decarbonisation achievements, and little is being done to stop this, due to a lack of regulation in the sector. While a greater number of studies are demonstrating the failure to reduce carbon emissions through these types of projects, nothing is happening to change the way carbon offset schemes are managed to ensure that companies are actually decarbonising.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The world is experiencing a nuclear renaissance. Uranium prices are soaring as the world snaps up nuclear fuel, public favor for nuclear power is at a 10-year high in the United States, Russia is busily expanding its own nuclear energy empire in emerging economies in Africa, and even Japan is moving back to the carbon-free energy source 13 years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. All told, approximately 60 new nuclear reactors are currently under construction around the globe, and another 110 are in planning stages.

But theres one major detractor to the new nuclear revolution. A year ago, Germany took its last three nuclear power plants offline. And it seems pretty clear that they wont ever be bringing them back on. Germanys staunch anti-nuclear stance is a surprising one in many ways. The European nation is an outspoken proponent of the green energy transition, but has opted to take away one of its most reliable forms of carbon-free energy production as a matter of higher priority than transitioning away from coal  the dirtiest fossil fuel.

Germanys move to eliminate the last vestiges of its nuclear energy sector also comes at a time when the nations energy security is a cause for some concern. Critics had been warming for years that Europe  and Germany in particular  were dangerously reliant on Russian energy imports to keep the lights on. And those warnings proved to be correct when the continent was plunged into an energy crisis due to the energy sanctions brought against Russia in the wake of Moscows illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The German economy and energy sector was hit hard, as the country was reliant on Russia for a whopping 50% of its natural gas supplies at the time of the invasion.

But instead of extending the life of its nuclear sector in the interest of low-emissions energy security, Germany has chosen to spend billions on its own new natural gas plants, augmented by significant renewable energy expansion, and to fall back on coal when energy supplies are short. For many energy and climate experts, the move has been nothing short of baffling.

So what gives? According to a recent report from The Conversation, Germanys stance on nuclear energy is the product of a long history rather than a grappling with current geopolitical realities. The decision to completely phase out nuclear energy production can only be understood in the context of post-war socio-political developments in Germany, where anti-nuclearism predated the public climate discourse, the report argues. Motivations for the vehement anti-nuclear discourse of the time included a distrust of technocracy; ecological, environmental and safety fears; suspicions that nuclear energy could engender nuclear proliferation; and general opposition to concentrated power (especially after its extreme consolidation under the Nazi dictatorship).

But the arguments at the time, which favored energy alternatives like solar and wind, were not actually based around concern for the climate. Instead they revolved around the decentralization and democratization of energy resources and their potential to contribute to greater self-sufficiency and citizen empowerment. It was an argument for a bottom-up rest of entrenched and autocratic power relations. Which means, to critics, that the anti-nuclear stance in Germany is rooted in a reality that no longer exists. The Cold War has given way to global warming, and new ideas and strategies are needed to meet these new existential threats.

Now, a year after the total shutdown, more than half of Germans think that the timing of the nuclear pullout was a mistake, and industry experts say that Germans pay more for energy as a direct result of the pivot. However, even with an ideological shift and an update of political platforms, the German nuclear industry couldnt come back online overnight. New nuclear plant development is a slow and costly endeavor, oftentimes stretching well over a decade. Starting from zero, when the threats posed by climate change as well as energy security are so urgent, makes no sense for Germany. While the rest of the world galvanizes around a nuclear energy resurgence, Germany will have to forge its own path.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Abu Dhabis national oil company ADNOC has signed a new deal to supply LNG from a planned large export facility to a German firm.

ADNOC announced on Wednesday the signing of a 15-year LNG agreement with EnBW Energie Baden-Wurttemberg AG (EnBW), one of the largest energy companies in Germany, for the delivery of 0.6 million metric tons per annum (mmtpa) of LNG from the Ruwais LNG project, which is currently under development in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi.

Deliveries from the project are expected to begin in 2028, once commercial operations start.

We are delighted that EnBW has signed its first LNG contract in the Middle East with our experienced partner ADNOC. In doing so, we are taking the next step in terms of diversifying our procurement portfolio and establishing our own LNG value chain, Peter Heydecker, EnBWs Board Member for Sustainable Generation Infrastructure, said.

The deal with EnBW is the third long-term LNG supply agreement from the Ruwais LNG project.

Earlier this year, Germanys state-controlled firm Securing Energy for Europe (Sefe) signed a deal with ADNOC, under which Abu Dhabis company will supply LNG to Germany for 15 years beginning in 2028.

The definitive LNG agreement is contingent upon a final investment decision on the project, including regulatory approvals, and the negotiation of a definitive Sales and Purchase Agreement between the two companies.

The Ruwais LNG project is expected to be the first LNG export facility in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to run on clean power, making it one of the lowest carbon intensity LNG plants in the world, says the German company Sefe, which was created in 2022 after Germany saved a former Gazprom unit it had expropriated in April with a multi-billion-euro loan.

For ADNOC, the deal was yet another export outlet for its LNG project as the UAEs giant looks to play a larger role in global LNG supply.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Iran is using the help of service providers based in Malaysia to sell its oil abroad circumventing U.S. sanctions, according to a U.S. government official.

The capacity of Iran to move its oil has relied on... these types of service providers that are based in Malaysia. We want to have a direct conversation with Malaysians about that, he added, as quoted by the AFP.

Stopping these oil shipments will deal a critical blow to Irans ability to fund these attacks around the world including the Houthi attacks that are currently threatening commercial shipping, the official also said.

The U.S. has been trying to prevent Iran from exporting oil ever since the Trump administration reintroduced sanctions on Tehran back in 2018. So far, however, the effort has been largely unsuccessful, not least because for at least part of that period there has not been all that much willingness to enforce the sanctions more strictly, risking an oil supply tightening.

As a result, Iran has actually been expanding its oil exports. In the first quarter of this year, these reached the highest in six years, for a daily average of 1.56 million barrels, almost all sold to China.

The Iranians have mastered the art of sanctions circumvention, Fernando Ferreira, head of geopolitical risk service at Rapidan Energy Group, told the FT in April. If the Biden administration is really going to have an impact, it has to shift the focus to China.

A so-called dark fleet of tankers has been instrumental for this export growth as has the building of a network of partners and service providers to move the oil.

"Iran is continuously developing and expanding not just the network of middlemen and trading companies involved in the sale of its oil, but also its own fleet of tankers that it predominantly uses to move its crude," Nader Itayim, Middle East editor of Argus, told Radio Free Europe earlier this month.

By Charles Kennedy

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Russia advanced into eastern Ukraine, taking two villages in two regions, Moscow said on Wednesday, in the aftermath of over 70 drone and missile attacks that targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight.

The barrage of drones and missiles fired early on Wednesday, including Iranian-made Shahed drones, was Moscows retaliation for Kyivs targeting of Russian refineries. Russia has also reportedly taken control of two villages, one in the Kharkiv region and another in the Donetsk region, Reuters reports, without independent confirmation.

Missiles and drones struck over 10 critical infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, causing major damage to thermal power plants, Reuters reported, citing Ukrainian officials. Russian attacks damaged energy facilities in six regions as Ukraine was commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. DTEK, the largest provider of energy in Ukraine, told the BBC on Wednesday that the attacks on three thermal power plants represented the fifth attack in the past two months, taking 80% of DTEKs generating capacity offline.

"The energy these power stations produce allow millions of Ukrainians to live with dignity," the BBC cited DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko as saying on Wednesday. "We will not stop working to restore power at our facilities."

The latest wave of attacks come as Lithuania announces it is prepared to deploy troops to Ukraine after Moscow threatened to conduct tactical nuclear weapons exercises in response to Western sabre-rattling over Ukraine. Kyiv has not requested troops from Lithuania, but there has been speculation that the West could send troops to Ukraine should Russia break through the front lines.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
metamorworks // Shutterstock

Business schools embrace sustainability

Demand for "green skills" is growing faster than the sustainability workforce, according to recent reports, but business schools are stepping up to meet that demand.

A late 2023 LinkedIn report found that the share of job postings requiring at least one green skill rose by 22.4% between 2022 and 2023, but the share of green talent in the workforce rose by only 12.3%.

Those jobs increased even as job growth slowed globally over that period, according to the LinkedIn report, showcasing the high demand for that skill set.

Degrees and master of business administration (MBA) concentrations in sustainability are not new, but as demand for sustainability skills increases, business schools are responding by debuting degrees in sustainability and putting climate change at the forefront of their curricula.

Katherine Baird, associate director of sustainability at the University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business, told BestColleges that sustainability is becoming an integral part of business education as student and employer demand increases.

Business students need to understand the concepts of sustainability to be a successful business leader across industries, Baird said. "So, when we talk about sustainability across (Berkeley) Haas, what we're not talking about is a kind of siloed topic area or issue or set of classes that a few students take. What we're really seeing is it being an integral component of our business education."

Private enterprise is uniquely positioned to respond quickly to climate change and sustainability needs, Robert Hobbins, a clinical assistant professor of sustainability at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), told BestColleges.

Businesses have the tools, the resources, the speed, and the ingenuity to lead the next transformation to a more sustainable economy, society, and environment, Hobbins said. "In order to get to that level, I think it's very important to make sure that the students that are going to be taking over businesses, starting new businesses have the knowledge, tools, and skills to be able to lead that transformation."

Innovative New Programs

Berkeley Haas and the CU Denver Business School both have long-standing sustainability efforts  and both plan to debut sustainability-focused degree programs in 2024.

CU Denver will launch a master's degree in sustainable business in fall 2024. That degree combines sustainability with other key student interests, like flexibility, and features numerous stackable credentials to allow students to customize their education.

The program features certificates in a number of sustainability areas, including:

Environmental Sustainability

Sustainable Energy

Risk Management and Resilience

Social Enterprise

Managing for Sustainability

Urban Sustainability and Infrastructure

Hobbins underscored the importance of flexibility in shaping that curriculum. Like sustainability, flexibility is key to graduate business students in choosing a program. Hobbins said the new program offers both in-person and online options, as well as being highly customizable with standalone certificates.

Stackable certificates and online options are increasingly a fixture across business education, with a growing number of business schools offering students options in those areas.

Hobbins also underscored the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability education and cross-university collaboration to give business students a holistic look at sustainability and gain relevant, real-world knowledge in specific areas with certificates and in-degree concentrations.

"It's important that our business students have deep disciplinary or topical knowledge on particular issues," Hobbins said.

Berkeley Haas plans to launch a combined MBA and master of climate solutions program with the Rausser College of Natural Resources. That combined program can be completed in just five semesters. Students will spend their first year working on Haas MBA coursework. They will then move to study climate curriculum and policy at Rausser.

Baird underscored the collaborative, interdisciplinary nature of the dual degree program.

"Having this collaboration means that students can get a really strong business education, but then they can also, if they're interested, get a really technical understanding of climate science and climate solutions," Baird said.

That new dual degree program will complement long-standing sustainability efforts at Haas. Baird said sustainability is incorporated across Haas' curriculum. The school also has a number of individual sustainability efforts, like its Cleantech to Market program, which features partnerships between graduate students at Haas and startups to commercialize cleantech solutions.

"Every student who comes to Haas graduates with a basic knowledge of sustainability issues and climate literacy," Baird said, adding that the school also offers a number of specializations and concentrations for students who want to dive deeper into sustainability.

Haas also offers students a chance to do real-world sustainability investment work while in school. The school offers a class in which students manage a $4.5 million investment fund.

"We're really looking at, you know, what is the market doing? Because this is a space that is moving forward so quickly, how are we making sure that we're offering the most up-to-date curriculum?"

Business Students All-In on Sustainability

A recent Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) survey of prospective graduate business students found an overwhelming interest in sustainability. Roughly 68% of prospective graduate business students said sustainability was important or very important to their academic experience in that survey.

That interest has translated into action with MBA students from top universities signing a new pledge to combat climate change.

Students at schools such as University of Cambridge Judge Business School, Columbia Business School, Harvard Business School, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, Stanford Graduate School of Business, the University of Chicago Booth Business School, and the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School have signed on to the new Climate Legacy Commitment.

The goal, organizers say, is to build a coalition of like-minded peers, industry leaders, and partners that will shape corporate cultures and operational norms and deliver a sustainable, net-zero future.

"The climate crisis necessitates a fundamental transformation of the global economic framework, which will shape business strategies for decades to come," Peter Golding, Cambridge MBA candidate and Climate Legacy Commitment co-founder, said in a release.

Both Baird and Hobbins underscored the importance of preparing students for a rapidly changing and ever-evolving climate landscape.

Haas is updating its curriculum at a rapid pace to teach students leadership skills and strategic thinking in addition to technical skills in areas like energy policy and sustainable investing, Baird said.

Hobbins, who teaches a class on environmental sustainability and stewardship that deals with how companies can partner with government entities and other groups to help their communities, said it's important to discuss sustainability news and topics as they happen.

For instance, the new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) climate disclosure rules, support business models that can thrive in a low-carbon economy, he said. He also emphasized the importance of climate experts visiting and lecturing on campus.

"Systematically, it's part of our program to be sharing the most cutting-edge information with our students," Hobbins said.

Being in the vanguard of sustainability education also includes spotlighting stewardship and thinking about underserved communities when approaching climate and other environmental issues, Baird added.

"We don't take the view that sustainability is simply a carbon problem or simply a kind of resource use problem," Baird said. "We take a much more nuanced and kind of expansive view of the topic, and that's also reflected in the curriculum and the opportunities that students have here."

This story was produced by BestColleges and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
File photo shows a view of Lujiazui area in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in east China's Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's economy is poised for a steady rebound throughout this year, underpinned by consumption-led recovery, a robust foundation laid in the first quarter and the gradual stabilization of the property sector, experts said.



While the broader economy is still facing pressures from still-weak domestic demand and mounting uncertainties both at home and abroad, the country still enjoys favorable conditions and positive factors that will further consolidate the recovery trend, they said.

Gu Yan, director of Research Department I at the Xi Jinping Thought on Economy Study Center, said the "scarring effect" caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is gradually fading, as more Chinese are now willing, and have the potential, to spend more.

Gu made the remark at a meeting on China's economic situation held in Beijing on Monday. He said that consumption will continue to recover this year, given the implementation of the country's policies to encourage consumption and the strong resilience of the Chinese economy.

Data from media group Caixin showed that the Caixin China General Services Purchasing Managers' Index came in at 52.5 in April versus 52.7 in March, above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction.

Caixin's composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and services activities, rose to 52.8 in April from 52.7 the previous month.

Wang Zhe, senior economist at Caixin Insight Group, said the Caixin PMI readings are consistent with the year's strong start, as China's economic performance in the first quarter surpassed market expectations, with steady growth in manufacturing and a gradual recovery in consumption.

Mao Kejun, director of Research Department III at the Xi Jinping Thought on Economy Study Center, highlighted the robust industrial production in the first quarter, expressing strong confidence about China's long-term development.

"China's economy still enjoys favorable conditions and positive factors, including its powerful industrial production capacity and a complete industrial system," Mao said.

So far, 31 provincial-level regions have released their local GDP numbers for the first quarter. Sixteen areas outperformed the national growth rate of 5.3 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, with Jilin, Jiangsu and Hubei provinces expanding by 6.5 percent, 6.2 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively.

Hubei Governor Wang Zhonglin said at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday that the province will make more efforts to consolidate its recovery trend, with focus on promoting the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, further expanding opening-up and driving green transition.

He said efforts to build Hubei capital Wuhan into a nationally influential science and technology innovation center will be accelerated, and more efforts are needed to achieve breakthroughs in major advantageous industries such as optoelectronic information, strengthen and optimize the construction of modern industrial clusters in the province and foster new quality productive forces.

A recent meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee called for efforts to develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions, cultivate and strengthen emerging industries, proactively plan and build future industries, and make use of advanced technologies to empower the transformation and upgrade of traditional industries.

Xiong Yuan, chief economist at Guosheng Securities, said China's second-quarter GDP growth rate is likely to be around 6 percent, and the country needs to take more steps to better implement existing supportive policies and keep stimulus efforts persistent.
Police are investigating allegations of sexual assaults of students by fellow students at Wahoo Neumann High School, which the police chief called hazing incidents that had gone too far.

Last week, police obtained search warrants to seize cellphones alleged to contain recordings of two separate assaults involving different victims, according to court records filed in Saunders County District Court.

On Tuesday, Wahoo Police Chief Joseph Baudler said investigators were still in the information gathering stage and are working to interview more students.

Our goal is to make sure everyone is safe, both physically and emotionally, Baudler told the Lincoln Journal Star.

According to the affidavit for a search warrant, on April 19 Wahoo police were called to Wahoo Neumann on a report by the assistant principal about a rumor going around the school about a possible sexual assault of a student at a home in Wahoo.

Baudler met with the student who said he had been hanging out at a classmates home in late March when one of the boys pinned him down, pulled down his pants and assaulted him with a plastic bottle while another boy made a video and sent it to friends.

At which point it spread throughout the school, the police chief said in the search warrant.

Police said in the court document that they cited both of the boys on suspicion of first-degree sexual assault and one for making child pornography. Neither had been charged as of Tuesday.

In a separate incident, Wahoo police were contacted April 23 by the father of another boy, who had a video of three students holding down his son and attempting to strip him of his gym shorts and roll him onto his stomach.

The incident was alleged to have happened on Wahoo Neumann school grounds during religion class April 5.

During the investigation, Baudler was made aware of other incidents where male students ... at Bishop Neumann High School have been sodomized by their classmates, according to the search warrant.

In a forensic interview in Lincoln late last month, one of the boys said that he had been tackled and that classmates had tried to take off his shorts while another boy recorded on his cellphone.

The video was shared on Snapchat.

The boys father told investigators he feared something more happened after the video cut off.

Another Wahoo officer talked to a confidential witness who said that one of the three boys had tried to digitally penetrate him against his will and that similar incidents had happened to others in the class.

Baudler spoke with one boy who described incidents of other items being used to assault classmates.
Two persons were yesterday feared injured as another three-storey building collapsed on Lagos Island.

The incident, which occurred at 50, Kakawa Street, has brought to four the number of buildings that had collapsed in the area since the March 13 disaster.

It was gathered that the latest collapsed building had been marked for demolition for a long time, but officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) did nothing to pull it down, until it caved in yesterday afternoon.

Those who sustained injuries, The Nation learnt, were residents of a nearby building the collapsed structure fell on. Another three-storey building situated at 47/49, Odunlami Street, behind the collapsed one, was also affected.

At the time our correspondent visited the scene, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Adesina Tiamiyu, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) policemen, fire service officials and LABSCA officials were at the place, preparing to pull down the remains of the buildings.

Lagos State Government yesterday urged occupants of marked distressed buildings to vacate them before the arrival of the demolition team of LASBCA.

Read also: Photos of Lagos building collapse

Physical Planning and Urban Development Commissioner Prince Rotimi Ogunleye made the appeal, just as a distressed three-storey building at 50, Kakawa Street, Lagos Island, collapsed.

The government said there was no casualty.

Ogunleye said: The building in question had been identified as distressed by the officers of the LASBCA and all the necessary statutory notices had been duly served. It was one of the defective structures marked for demolition by the agency.

Fortunately, occupants had been evacuated before the incident occurred. Immediately, the Lagos State Rescue Team and LASBCA were alerted and they moved to site promptly to check all adjoining buildings so as to evacuate the occupants, to avoid any further hazards.

Those displaced in the ongoing demolition of defective/distressed buildings in the state will be resettled at the Igando Resettlement Camp, Commissioner for Information and Strategy Kehinde Bamigbetan said yesterday.

The camp comprises five hostels, with 22 rooms and four double-bunk each. Each room can accommodate eight persons.

It has a kitchen, a dining hall, a general hall for recreation, a three-ward medical facility, 10 toilets and bathrooms for each hostel, workers accommodation, facilities for persons living with disabilities and security post, among others.

Speaking during a media tour of the camp, Bamigbetan said it was ready to take 500 displaced persons from today.

Their resettlement, he said, was part of the governments plan to mitigate the effect of the loss of their homes.

Tiamiyu said the camp would be opened for three months in the first instance, after which the government would review the need for an extension.

The camp, he said, would work with the Igando General Hospital on medical referrals, adding that the health team for the camp would arrive today.
Business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote is one of the three eminent Nigerians to receive doctorate degrees of the Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto on Saturday, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdullahi Abdu Zuru has revealed.

Speaking at a pre-convocation briefing on Tuesday, Zuru said Dangote would be honoured with a Doctor of Science (D.Sc), honoris causa, alongside the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Iliyasu Bashar(Doctor of Laws, LLD); and Sheikh Muhammad Mujtaba Isah T/ Mafara( Doctor of Letters D.Litts).

A total of 12,282 graduates would be awarded various degrees and diploma certificates at the combined 35th, 36th and 37th convocation at the event for the 2015/2016, 2016/2016 and 2017/2018 academic sessions.

Zuru said 135 will receive Ph.D, 770 Master Degree, and 96 PGD in the postgraduate category. For undergraduates, 10,994 will receive first degree, and 287 will receive diploma while 347 will be awarded unclassified degree.

For 2015/2016, Zuru said 5,278 would be awarded as 4,724 are for 2016/2017 while 2,280 will receive their certificates for 2017/2018 accordingly at the grand ceremony.

Similarly, Zuru said 109 students would receive various prizes for their excellent performances in their respective disciplines.

Two of the universitys retirees, HRH Dr. Muhammad Zayyanu Abdullahi and Prof. Muhammad Tijjani Bande, Permanent Representative to the United Nation, will be conferred Vice Chancellor Emeritus and Professor Emeritus honours.
The Zamfara State Police Command on Thursday said 24 hostages were rescued from armed bandits, militia groups and two AK47 rifles voluntarily surrendered by a bandit recovered.

This is coming barely six days after the police announced the rescue of 59 captives in Maru, Shinkafi and Kaura Namoda local government areas, and two days after 14 hostages kidnapped over seven months ago were freed at Rukudawa village, Zurmi.

According to Police Commissioner Usman Nagogo, the recent feat has brought to 97 the total number of hostages released since the commands initiation of the peace and reconciliation pact supported by the state government.

The initiative was introduced to encourage repentant Yansakai militias and armed bandits eschew violence, a process the police said has recorded tremendous successes.

Nagogo in a statement released Thursday evening said 12 persons were freed on Wednesday and another 12 yesterday.

On July 10, another breakthrough was made where 12 kidnapped victims who are indigenes of Sokoto State were successfully rescued from their captors in Shinkafi local government. The rescued persons were handed over to the Sokoto State Deputy Governor at the Zamfara State Government House, Gusau.

Today being July 11, the Commissioner of Police also negotiated the successful release of eight persons including women and children. The victims are indigenes of Fankiyo, Tasa and Kachi Kaidai in Maru local government. Another Four persons were rescued in Shinkafi LGA.

READ ALSO: Ex-IGP heads panel to proffer solution to banditry in Zamfara

With this development, a total number of 97 persons have been successfully rescued through the ongoing peace and reconciliation pact.

All the rescued persons were handed over to His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Bello Matawallen Maradun after which they will be reunited with their families, the statement signed by spokesman Mohammed Shehu, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said.

He said the efforts would be sustained, adding that the peace pact has helped to regain the peoples trust in the police.

We will ensure all persons under the captivity of armed bandits and other militia groups are released. The next stage of this peace process will be disarming of the bandits or any other person in possession of arms, offensive weapons, he said.
By Emmanuel Onwubiko

Mathematically, Nigeria is said to be 59 years of post-independence in the sense that it was on October 1st 1960 that some foreign occupying forces (Great Britain) retreated by general consensus of both the occupier and the occupied.

It was on that day that political scholars reckon that Nigeria gained flag independence with the lowering of the Elizabethan or rather the union Jack which is the baptismal name of the British flag.

As an aside but certainly critical, do you know that the first mistake those who received the flag independence made was not to have baptized our National flag? The Nigerian Flag unlike its progenitor is nameless but embodies symbolism.

That aside, another gross error of judgment made at independence was the short sightedness in not renegotiating the terms of the union which was consummated in 1914 when the southern protectorate was unified with the Northern protectorate in what political historians chose to call amalgamation.

From the sketch of historical accounts, it doesnt appear that the amalgamation agenda was borne out of a genuine national consensus but was rather a business idea by the British colonialists to maximize their drive for more natural and human resources to enrich their local economisand previsely their agroallied industry. For instance, most Nigerians are not aware of who were the witnesses at the so called amalgamation of 1914 or was our head shaved in our absence? Why are there no known indigenous witnesses to the signing of the amalgamation treaty or was it purely a British affair?

The secrecy surrounding this 1914 amalgamation looks like a conspiracy of the British to maximize their drive for natural resources from all parts of Nigeria and to stop any incursion by other foreign force

This mistake of history by our heroes past to renegotiate our union or to at least brainstorm on the necessity or otherwise of the continuous existence of Nigeria as an entity or otherwise, still hobbles Nigeria and is the fundamental source of the groundswell of disagreements and discontents amongst the divergent segments of the contemporary Nigerian society. This is the origin of the current agitation for self determination and/or restructuring. Still dwelling on the fundamental symbolism of the 1960 independence, let us revisit the National flag of Nigeria and examine its import and philosophy.

First, we note that the symbolic meaning of the green, white, green flag with vertical stripes represent Nigerias natural wealth, while the white band represent peace.

However, as Nigeria has become a grown adult at 59, it is safe to state that those two symbols of natural resources and peace have eluded the millions of Nigerians who have now become endangered species, deprived, oppressed, marginalized and made vulnerable by the government whose legal mandate is to guarantor safety of lives and property of the citizens.

The natural resources of Nigeria have become like curses on corporate Nigeria even as peace is an illusion.

One British journalist who spent four decades covering the energy sector in Africa, wrote a big book he chose to call crude continent, in which he narrated how the discovery of rich natural resources of crude oil in Nigeria, as well as few other African nations, sparked off serial corruption on the part of African leaders. As I write, the communities whereby these huge natural resources are found are impoverished, their environments devastated, raped, polluted and regularly vandalised by multinationals with the government as a necessary collaborator. The people of Niger Delta are today facing social injustices the scale that is unfathomable but yet their backyards are the habitation for much of the National wealth which only less than 1 % of Nigerians made up of politicians and their surrogates share amongst themselves.

Not long ago, anyway the United Nations office on drugs and crime (UNODC) made a presentation in which it estimated that as at a decade ago, nearly $400 billion of Nigerias crude oil revenues have all been stolen by successive political and military leadership of the Nigerian state.

Take for instance, one of the most brutal dictators to have graced Nigeria as a military despot stole nearly $5 billion which was found in few of his many unknown accounts and this late dictator, General Sani Abacha, successfully hid these massive quantum of cash in foreign jurisdiction at the time Nigeria was a pariah state under different global wide sanctions. You can then imagine how much would have been stolen by governments of Nigeria under the periods that the country is not under any form of sanctions including now that the country is marking 59th year of independence.

Just look at who is 59 but still her citizens are so poor, endangered and buffeted by all kinds of bloody violence whilst the government in place look the other way whilst Fulani bandits, armed kidnappers, terrorists have continued to unleash devastating violence on the public space with countless casualties.

Ideally, a child who is 15 years of age is no longer looked upon as a child, and so you wonder why at 59, Nigeria is such a very dangerous place, made so by incompetent political leaders and a whole lot of uncharismatic followers who do not bother to press on for the protection and respect of the constitutionally guaranteed human rights which are enshrined in chapter 4 of the Nigerian constitution.

This constitution which is a sacred code of conduct is currently defecated upon by those who wield temporary political power.

These politicians violate the constitutional rights of citizens with impunity.

Politicians treat the citizens as if they do not matter in the national calculations.

But reading the latest book by Michelle Obama called Becoming will prove the statement that a 59 year old adult must behave well because even at the age of 15, Michelle who would go on to become Americas 44th first lady and wife of USA president number 44, Mr. Barack Obama, was looked upon as an adult.

She wrote as follows: BY THE TIME I was fourteen, I basically thought of myself as half a grown-up anyway  maybe even as two-thirds of a grown-up. Id gotten my period, which I announced immediately and with huge excitement to everyone in the house, because that was just the kind of household we had. Id graduated from a training bra to one that looked vaguely more womanly, which also thrilled me. Instead of coming home for lunch, I now ate with my classmates in Mr. Bennetts room at school. Instead of dropping in at Southsides house on Saturdays to listen to his jazz records and play with Rex, I rode my bike right past, headed east to the bungalow on Oglesby Avenue where the Gore sisters lived.

The question we need to answer is why at 59, the Nigerian state and her overspoilt political elite still behaves like a toddler going by the crude type of political leadership in place?

The straight forward answer is the general lack of will power by the citizens to stand by their rights as provided for generously in chapter 4 of the 1999 constitution and the willingness of the people to be oppressed by the same persons they elect to govern.

I will not hesitate to state that although as at 1982 or thereabout when the intellectual oracle from the black world Professor Chinua Achebe wrote his smallest book called The Trouble with Nigeria, it can be argued that basically the fundamental crisis of underdevelopment of Nigeria was caused by poor leadership.

Here is what Professor Achebe wrote: The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership.

But fast forward to 2019, Nigerias problem is both poor leadership and lethargic followership.

Take for instance, in 2015, during the general elections as well as the 2019 polls, majority of voters succumbed to the temptation of mortgaging their consciences for bags of salt, rice, wrappers, and few cash which were freely distributed to would-be voters by those seeking the mandate of the people. Also, at 59 Nigeria has the Worlds most incompetent electoral commission and the Worlds most compromised electora and judicial systems that aids heist of ballots during elections in favour of any incumbent President vying for re-election.

Any wonder then that Nigeria at 59 is almost behaving like a failed state?

Now some governors negotiate with armed bandits and mass killers.

Today, the Federal government goes about freeing detained boko haram terrorists and even reintegrating them to live eye ball to eye ball in the same communities whereby they committed genocide, all in the guise that they have repented. Victims of these heinous crimes are marginalised and overlooked whilst the criminals are glamourised and celebrated by politicians. Just look at who is 59!

These are constitutional violations. But the political leadership of the 59 year old sovereign nation see nothing unethical or criminal when they wined and dined with armed bandits. The abnormal has been normalised by the political class who as we speak are drinking themselves to stupor with expensive champagne and strong wines even as 90 million Nigerian citizens have become absolutely poor with the 59 year old Nation becoming the poverty capital of the World only last year.

As earlier stated, the primary issue of lack of a national consensus as the basis for our unity still haunts us like a ghost.

Nigeria at 59 needs to work out strategies for restructuring to fix the broken society and to make all component parts to truly have a sense of belonging.

Just look at who is 59! yet all the top national security heads are from one section of Nigeria and are all moslems.

This distorted and sectional formation of national security team violates the Federal character principle as contained in the constitution which I will cite shortly just as the incapacity of government to safeguard the lives of Nigerians constitutes serious breach of the constitution.

Specifically, section 14(1) (2) (3) state that: (1) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice. (2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that: (a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority; (b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government: and (c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. (3) The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.

As Nigeria marks 59 of failed promises and aspirations, let the people resolve to become resilient and to consistently demand accountability from the politicians notwithstanding the clear threats to their lives by armed security forces manipulated by the elites to kill the people who would resist their oppressive and tyrannical tendencies.

We must repossess the nation by insisting on the obedience of the constitution and the strengthening of the institutions of democracy. Let us say no to the EVOLUTION OF A STRONG MAN AS NIGERIAS PRESIDENT BUT TO WORK TOWARDS ESTABLISHMENT OF SYRONF AND ENDURING DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS. Fellow Nigerians it is a mournful independence anniversary.

*Emmanuel Onwubiko heads Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and blogs @www.emmanuelonwubiko.com; www[email protected]; www.thenigerianinsidernews.com
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has made wide-ranging comments on various national issues from the 2019 general election to the ban Lagos put n okada and tricycle commercial operation in the mega city.

NEF, which campaign vigorously against President Muhammadu Buhari, in favour of a younger presidential candidate from the north,now described as a total failure, reminding Nigerians it warned them against voting for him in 2019.

NEF said the Buhari-led government appeared helpless in finding solutions to the numerous challenges the country is faced with.

The elders position was made public by the Forums Director, Advocacy and Engagement, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmad shortly after a meeting convened by the chairman of the forum, Professor Ango Abdullahi.

It is shocking that in spite of unprecedented consensus among Nigerians that the administration requires a new resolve, approach and leadership in the fight against the nations multiple security challenges, President Buhari appears either totally isolated or in deep denial over the result of his failures to secure Nigerians, the statement read in part.

The Forum demands a thorough overhaul of the leadership of our security and public safety agencies, and the injection of higher levels of competence, integrity and accountability in the manner our troops and the police and security agencies deal with security challenges. We appeal to our religious leaders and fellow citizens not to fall into the trap of insurgents to set us up against each other.

The group also commented on the latest policy of the Lagos state government, briging up the north-south politics that many always observe.

With due respect to the rights of the Lagos State Government to take decisions that improve the environment and public safety, we are constrained to draw attention to the impact of its policy on banning Okada and Keke in parts of the State on the poor and operators, many of them from the North, who earn honest living through this trade.

We urge restraint in the responses of those who are immediately affected by this policy, while we urge Northern State Governments to mobilize and support the people who will be compelled to relocate back to the North with other sources of legitimate living.

Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu has insisted theres no going back on the policy.

Those that attended the NEF meeting were: Abdullahi, former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alamin Daggash (retd); Secretary of the Coalition of Northern Groups, Abdullahi Usman and Ambassador Yahaya Kwande; Deputy National Chairman of NEF, Alhaji Bello Kirfi (Wazirin Bauchi), DIG Labaran Wurno, Alhaji Yakubu Shehu and former MD, defunct Bank of the North, Hajiya Amina Yahaya, among others.

PV: 0




Naim killed his girlfriend, Brenda Micaela Gordillo

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after he confessed to killing his girlfriend. He also attempted to burn her body to cover his tracks during an argument about her being pregnant.

The Argentine identified as claimed he had pushed his 24-year-old partner Brenda Micaela Gordillo down the stairs after a night out before attempting to burn her body on a grill.

Her remains were found in a dumpster at the side of a road, though an autopsy later revealed that she was not pregnant.

The pair had returned to their apartment in Catamarca, a northwestern province of Argentina, at around 4am on Saturday, newspaper Clarin reports.

Naim told the police he had a row with Brenda and after she fell down the steps he wrapped her body in a blanket before trying to burn it.

Officials have not confirmed whether Brenda was alive when her boyfriend burned her body, however, forensic experts believe she died by asphyxiation due to cloth placed in her mouth.

A piece of Naims skin was also found under Brendas nail, suggesting she struggled with Vera before she died, according to investigators.

Hugo Costilla, a prosecutor for Catamarca, told Argentine state news agency Telam that the victim was not pregnant and Vera had not chopped up her body, despite reports in some media.

Veras father and lawyer went with him to the police station at around midday when he handed himself in, though Mr Costilla confirmed the teenager did not have any assistance in the alleged murder.

CCTV footage shows the moment Naim Vera was driving his truck at 8.10am on Saturday along a road where part of his partners body was later found half buried. The authorities believe he was driving back home after discarding Brendas remains.

Part way through the journey he was stopped at a police checkpoint and asked to produce the vehicles documents before he was allowed to continue.

He is understood to have then returned to the apartment and called a lawyer friend and his father and confessing to both what he had done.




President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday evening addressed Nigerians on the lockdown imposed on Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

Mr Buhari during the broadcast extended the lockdown in place by two extra weeks.

Below are the highlights of the speech which was aired on Monday:

 Matter Of Life And Death

This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death. Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peters Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people. India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We cannot be lax.

I will, therefore take this opportunity to urge you all to notify the relevant authorities if you or your loved ones develop any symptoms. I will also ask our health care professionals to redouble their efforts to identify all suspected cases, bring them into care and prevent transmission to others.

 92% Of COVID-19 Contacts Traced

To date, we have identified 92% of all identified contacts while doubling the number of testing laboratories in the country and raising our testing capacity to 1,500 tests per day.

 Expansion of Conditional Cash Transfer Social Register to 3.6 Million Households

I have also directed that the current social register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks. This means we will support an additional one million homes with our social investment programs. A technical committee is working on this and will submit a report to me by the end of this week.

 Training Of 7, 000 Health Workers

We also trained over 7,000 Healthcare workers on infection prevention and control while deploying NCDC teams to 19 states of the federation.

 1,000 Bed Capacity In Lagos And Abuja Isolation Centres

Lagos and Abuja today have the capacity to admit some 1,000 patients each across several treatment centers.

 Ministries To Develop Comprehensive Economic Policy.

To ensure our economy adapts to this new reality, I am directing the Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Communication and Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Transportation, Aviation, Interior, Health, Works and Housing, Labour and Employment and Education to jointly develop a comprehensive policy for a Nigerian economy functioning with COVID-19

Share this post with your Friends on
The inaugural Global Talent Summit opened Tuesday in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the first talent-themed international forum and exhibition organized by the current HKSAR government in its drive to attract global talent.

Addressing the two-day summit, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said that talent gets to thrive and grow in Hong Kong, a world-class economy. Under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong is bestowed with institutional strengths including a world-class business environment, a simple and low tax system, a highly open and internationalized market, and the free flow of information, capital, goods and people, he said.

"All these are key factors that attract talent to get both world-class work opportunities and a satisfying life in Hong Kong," Lee said.

In her keynote address, China's Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping said that she looks forward to seeing more talent across sectors as well as friends from the industrial and commercial sectors and academia at home and abroad coming to China, especially its HKSAR.

"They shall seize and make full use of the opportunities brought about by the high level of opening up of the Chinese mainland and HKSAR's prosperity and stability, and develop their careers, start their businesses and fulfill their dreams, making new contributions for the common development of China and the world as well as a community with a shared future for mankind," she said.

The two-day summit, together with a talent-themed exhibition, is expected to attract over 7,000 participants, the HKSAR government said.
BLOOMINGTON  Special Opportunities Available in Recreation (SOAR), a partnership between the Bloomington and Normal parks and recreation departments, was awarded a $4,048.41 grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.

The grant will be used toward SOAR's "SOARing with Music" program, funded by the David and Kay Williams Music Education Grant.

"SOARing with Music provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to engage in music making through movement, song writing, interactive instrument play, and relaxation strategies," SOAR Program Manager Holly Polley stated in a news release.

IPCF awarded over $200,000 in total to programs in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties. The grants were separated into three categories of competitive grants involving 86 programs.

Classified under the categories of education, health and wellness, and youth, SOAR's grant was one of 48 general grants given by IPCF, which is devoted to encouraging and facilitating philanthropy in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties through the foundation's connection between donors and causes, the news release said.

For more information on SOAR programs, contact Bloomington Parks & Recreation at 309-434-2260 or visit BloomingtonParks.org.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Consolidated Bank Ghana LTD (CBG) has officially launched the CBG Sickbay Project by commissioning an ultra-modern sickbay at Methodist Senior High/Technical School in Berekum.



The CBG Sickbay Project is an initiative aimed at improving the healthcare infrastructure in selected secondary schools across Ghana, providing students with access to quality medical services and promoting overall well-being.



The newly commissioned sickbay at Methodist Senior High/Technical School is the first of many such facilities that CBG plans to establish under this project. The sickbay is equipped with essential medical equipment, including beds, office equipment, and basic first-aid supplies.



Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Deputy Managing Director of CBG, Mr. Thairu Ndungu, emphasized the Bank's commitment to supporting education, health, and community development in Ghana to advance SDGs 3, 4, and 6.



"As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognize our commitment to the community and the importance of providing a conducive environment that prioritizes their health and well-being. The CBG Sickbay Project is our way of contributing to the holistic development of the next generation," Mr. Ndungu said.



He added that the project is proof of CBG's dedication to building stronger communities and creating a lasting impact on the lives of Ghanaians.







The Headmistress of the School, Mrs. Monica Oforiwaa Asiedu expressed gratitude to CBG for the valuable contribution. "This sickbay will greatly improve the medical care that we provide to our students, ensuring their physical and mental well-being during their time at our school. We are truly grateful to CBG for this impactful initiative," she said.



The CBG Sickbay Project is part of the Bank's broader Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, which focuses on addressing key societal challenges in the areas of education, healthcare, and community development. The Bank plans to roll out the project to more schools across Ghana in the coming years, positively impacting the lives of students.



Present at the event were the Deputy Director-in-charge of Supervision, Berekum Municipal Directorate of Education, Mr. Stephen Agyei Munufie; Berekum Municipal Disease Control Officer, Mr. Fred Azu; Methodist Bishop of Sunyani Diocese, Rt. Rvd. Kwaku Effah, Deputy Managing Director of Operations at CBG, Mr. Thairu Ndungu, Director of Retail and Business Banking at CBG, Mr. Emmanuel Nikoi, and other management members.



Consolidated Bank Ghana LTD (CBG) is wholly owned by the Government of Ghana and operates as a universal Bank with 114 branches in 13 regions of Ghana. The Bank has strong government support, a large SME client network, and a pool of diverse talent.





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 National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says the Ghana card can now be used to access healthcare across any accredited Health Centre in the country.



The move is to fade away the NHIS cards in the system to have a single card to save the nation the cost of printing NHIS cards as well as Ghanacard.



The Chief Executive of the NHIA, Dr Aboagye Dacosta said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Okuapenhene,

Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III at Akropong after commissioning an Ultra modern  NHIS Office Complex at Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region on Tuesday, 7th May 2024.



Briefing the Okuapenhene and his subjects; he noted that Under the Digitalisation agenda of the government, we are mandated to have One Card and thats the Ghana card. Some of the age groups that are below 15 years have no Ghanacard, but NHIS cards are printed for them.



According to him, this card would be integrated with the NHIS member details so the merged or linked Ghanacard is used to access health care. This will save the nation the cost of printing NHIS cards as well as Ghanacard. The merged or linked Ghanacard is used to access healthcare.



He further noted that the NHIA is also instituting a system where non-Ghanaians (Foreigners) will also benefit from Health Insurance through a Mandatory Health Scheme, whenever they are in Ghana.



Speaking further, he noted that the NHIA has tremendously improved Claims Payments and pays an average of GHS 180 million a month as Claims reimbursement.



He confirmed that about GHC 171 million was paid to be mixed tiers just last week, 30th April with the Lower tier being paid in January and February 2024 while the upper tier received up to November 2023 Claims.



At the commissioning of the Odumase-Krobo NHIS Office, he cautioned accredited healthcare providers to refrain from charging illegal fees, also known as co-payments.



According to NHIA, the practice flouted Act 852 which governed the scheme and violated the contractual agreement between the authority and credentialed health providers.



I want to put an end to the Co-payment or illegal charges at the Health providers sites that are making the scheme unpopular. I intend to put a system in place to control the prices in periods of economic downtown.



With all these incentives health providers must not charge our members for services and medicines that the NHIA is paying for. Any provider who goes contrary to the agreed principles would be sanctioned Dr Aboagye warned.



He further explained that the practice had also culminated in the decline in membership enrolment and renewals over the past years despite numerous interventions such as mobile renewals, linkages between the NHIS card and the Ghana card to enhance portability and mass registration, among others.



However, Dr Aboagye Dacosta explained, The medicines list and tariff are currently being reviewed to reflect the economic and epidemiological trends. The New tariff and Medicine list will soon be released after the necessary protocols.

Source: Daily Guide









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
UK authorities have arrested Ishmael Mohammed, 39, who identified himself as a Ghanaian for luring underage girls for sexual activities.



His victims are between the ages of 13 to 14 years old.



Mohammed was seen in a viral video being interrogated by UK officials with evidence of his legal act and exchanging naked pictures.



I don't know what to do again; please arrest me, he told officials.



While admitting to engaging the girls and travelling for five hours to meet with one of them, Ishmael denied having any ill intent towards the children.



"Why did you arrange to meet her then? Why did you ask for pictures just in her pants? And you were going to buy her a new phone just to have better pictures?" a male interrogator is heard saying.



"So you've asked for indecent images of a child as well," the female official also adds.







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
China has seen a significant drop in cross-regional medical service demand as the country revamps its public hospital system to achieve high-quality development, according to an official from the National Health Commission (NHC).

NHC official Zhu Hongbiao told a press conference on Tuesday that the country has been pushing forward a new system for the high-quality development of public hospitals, with the establishment of national medical centers of 13 categories and over 230 regional medical centers.

Zhu said these projects have greatly reduced the number of people seeking medical treatment across provinces or regions. He noted that efforts have been made to provide the public with integrated and continuous medical and health services, including disease prevention and treatment, rehabilitation, and health promotion.

The country has provided support for the development of 961 key clinical specialties at the national level and another 3,800 at the provincial level.

Initiatives have been launched to improve the quality of medical services and promote patient-friendly measures such as appointment service, multi-disciplinary diagnosis and treatment, day surgery, and mutual recognition of examination and test results between medical institutions, Zhu said.
Chief Executive Officer of the InterCity State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea has called for a Committee of Inquiry to be set up to assess the concerns raised by IMANI over the Electoral Commission's disposal of election-related equipment.



The Electoral Commission's recent disposal and auctioning of equipment it deemed obsolete has incurred the wrath of IMANI, a policy think tank, causing them to petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the electoral management body.



IMANI's Accusations



The Executive Director at IMANI, Franklin Cudjoe, in a statement on Monday, May 6, cited the ECs actions as constituting misappropriation, wastage, and misuse of resources.



"We do not believe that the EC and its commercial counterparties in these transactions complied with the highest standards of data handling and protection required in the transfer and/or disposal of such sensitive equipment. At any rate, none of them had the requisite certifications to be trusted with such a task, he asserted.



The institution's statement further read that "the ECs most recent conduct has been necessitated by a need to curtail transparency and accountability, and thus was motivated by a collective conflict of interest and potential corruption. By its actions, it is attempting to erase inventory records and physical evidence of the blatant falsehoods it has told over the last four years regarding the purchase history of expensive electoral equipment.



We asserted our longstanding claim that the ECs electoral equipment is a portfolio of multiple items, bought and refurbished at different intervals between 2011 and 2019. That portfolio does not uniformly date to 2011 or 2012 as the EC has falsely and persistently claimed, and could thus not be so uniformly obsolete as to warrant a firesale to mysterious bidders, who have kept the prime portions for themselves and discarded the rest to be used as scrap. Ghana cannot continue to be milked in this fashion, it added.



Akomea's Remedy



In Nana Akomea's reaction, he argued that a higher authority must be constituted with the EC and IMANI present to argue out the issue.



The Committee, he maintained, should "televise the proceedings" so that "at the end of the day, the important thing is that probity and accountability is served" for Ghanaians to know which party is telling the truth or otherwise.



He believed this will grant a final resolution and settle the case.





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
Nana Akomea, Chief Executive Officer of the State Transport Corporation (STC), has appealed to former Member of Parliament for Ejisu, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, to reconsider his decision not to join the New Patriotic Party (NPP) again.



Mr. Kwabena Owusu Aduomi contested the Ejisu by-election as an independent candidate against the New Patriotic Party's parliamentary candidate, Kwabena Boateng and although Mr. Boateng won the election, it was not without a tough battle.



Mr. Aduomi gave the NPP a run for their money by polling 21,536 votes representing 43.24% in Tuesdays by-election whereas Kwabena Boateng garnered 27,782 votes representing 55.79% to become the parliamentary candidate for Ejisu on the ticket of the ruling party.



Mr. Aduomi's performance has been described by many people as impressive and some members of the New Patriotic Party fear his influence in the constituency may mar the party's performance in the general elections.



Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's flagship programme "Kokrokoo", Nana Akomea pleaded with Mr. Aduomi not to continue turning his back on the NPP.



The STC boss advised him to return to the party stressing despite their differences, the NPP remains the latter's family.



"Aduomi should return to the party. Home sweet home...Anger is bound to occur but at the end of the day, you don't cut your nose to spite your face", he asserted.





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
Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye says it will be appropriate if the president, His Excellency Akufo-Addo, apologises to the millions of Ghanaians for his awful leadership over the years.



He believes President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's leadership has brought nothing but hardship to Ghanaians despite promising heaven on earth when campaigning to be president.



Nii Lante Vanderpuye told Citi FM in an interview monitored by Peacefmonline.com that, the president must be humble to apologise.



If I were Nana Addo, the best thing I would do as a person is to apologise to the millions of Ghanaians who voted for me and whom I have hugely disappointed. Nana Addo will go into history as the worst president ever in the fourth republic of this country. Worst President ever because he is the most corrupt president in our history. He noted.



He added: He is the one who has collapsed our economy. Ghanas economy today is worse than at any time in our history. Is that the legacy he is talking about? Of course, John Mahama will come and correct all."



Nii Lante Vanderpuye's comment was in response to President Akufo-Addo's comment that he would not be comfortable handing over power to John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after calling on Ghanaians to vote for Dr Bawumia for developmental contuinity.







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
The former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ayensuano Constituency in the Eastern Region, Samuel Ayeh Paye says President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's almost eight years in office is unmatched.



To him, despite the challenges his administration faced, most of his campaign promises and others have been fulfilled.



Samuel Ayeh Paye also rubbished any legacy comparison between President Akufo-Addo and former president John Dramani Mahama.



He said on NEAT FM's morning show, Ghana Montie that, President Akufo-Addo's legacy is evidential and beneficial to Ghanaians.



People are not paying school fees for their wards including me an MP, he told host Mac Jerry Osei Agyemang.



Listen to Aye Paye below





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
Thailand, 30th April 2024  Din Tai Fung, the globally acclaimed Taiwanese restaurant recognized by the prestigious Michelin Guide, proudly announces the grand opening of its inaugural Phuket

establishment. Nestled in the vibrant heart of Jungceylon, this new culinary gem welcomes diners to indulge in its signature fare, including its world-famous Xiao Long Bao (Steamed Pork Dumplings), Steamed Chicken Soup, and other delicious Taiwanese staples. Maintaining the same esteemed menu as its Bangkok locations, the restaurant also introduces an exclusive selection of beverages.

Despite its modest size, accommodating up to 100 diners, the restaurant boasts an iconic design crafted by the renowned Taiwanese architects, Song Designs Studio. Their innovative spatial approach ensures that even within the 218-square-meter space, functionality seamlessly merges with aesthetics, maximizing every inch. While this location may be one of Asias smallest, diners can expect a comfortable ambience and a full menu, mirroring the offerings of its Bangkok counterparts.

Pioneering Expansion into Phukets Culinary Scene

Having made its mark in the Thailand market since its debut in Bangkok in 2011, Din Tai Fung has consistently raised the bar and redefined the countrys dining scene. Recognizing Phukets status as a premier tourist destination, Din Tai Fung identified a unique opportunity for expansion. Din Tai Fungs foray into Phuket is spearheaded by Singapores F&B industry leader, BreadTalk Group Limited.

Notably, there are currently no Taiwanese restaurants in Phuket, positioning Din Tai Fung as the pioneering establishment to introduce this culinary delight to the market. With an investment budget of approximately 20 million baht allocated for the development of this Jungceylon restaurant, Din Tai Fung is poised to redefine the gastronomic landscape of Phuket.

A Global Brand with Distinguished Taste and Service

Din Tai Fung is known for its unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience, characterized by excellence in taste, service, and ambience. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted using fresh ingredients and unadulterated cooking styles, creating a harmonious blend of flavours that cater to discerning palates and align with the demand for healthier dining options.

At the heart of Din Tai Fung is its open concept kitchen, where skilled dim sum chefs meticulously prepare each dumpling with speed and precision. Presenting each piece as a work of art to discerning diners is a testimony to their dedication of maintaining, if not exceeding, the demanding standards of this world-class brand.

Beyond the kitchen, diners can expect the same warm and friendly service upon entry to the restaurant. Orders are taken promptly to minimize waiting, so diners can enjoy the same exceptional cuisine along with the sterling service that the Taiwanese restaurant is renowned for.

Menu Highlights and Jungceylon Exclusives

Din Tai Fung is an international brand name that has built a reputation based on its exquisite Xiao Long Baos 18 intricate folds. The restaurant has also garnered a loyal following with other signature favourites such as its nutritious Steamed Chicken Soup and Fried Rice with Shrimp and Eggs.

1. Steamed Pork Dumplings (Signature) <249 THB for 8 pieces / 199 THB for 5 pieces>

Steamed Pork Dumpling or Xiao Long Bao traditionally contains minced pork wrapped in a delicate dough skin, pleated, twisted at the top and steamed. Din Tai Fungs rendition features a juicy meat filling wrapped in a melt-in-your-mouth skin with a minimum of 18 exquisite folds, using only the finest pork with the right mix of leanness and juiciness to ensure both wholesome goodness and divine taste. Each Xiao Long Bao, hand prepared is created with surgical precision, passing through at least four different stations manned by four teams of chefs in the kitchen before being served fresh to diners. Even after nearly half a century, Din Tai Fungs Xiao Long Bao are still considered as a world-class delicacy.

The restaurant also now offers a seasonal dish  the Steamed Tom Yum Xiao Long Bao. Back by popular demand, our Steamed Tom Yum Xiao Long Bao delivers a dynamic fusion of spicy, tangy, and savoury flavours while being 40% larger than our classic Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao. Nestled within each dumpling is a whole shrimp alongside juicy minced chicken filling, simmered in a robust Tom Yum broth with fragrant Thai accents that enhance its aromatic complexity and bold spice. Available for a limited time only, until 30 June 2024, this special dish is sure to please.

2. Oriental Salad in Special Vinegar Dressing <119 THB>

A popular chilled starter with julienne seaweed, bean sprouts, spicy beancurd and rice vermicelli, luxuriantly tossed in a light tangy dressing redolent of the fragrance of sesame oil.

3. Steamed Chicken Soup <239 THB>

This sparkling-clear soup uses only selected premium chickens. The ingredients innate flavours permeate the broth after six hours of meticulous simmering.

4. Fried Rice with Shrimps and Eggs <319 THB>

Awarded Singapore Best Fried Rice and extremely popular among diners, the ingredients are simple yet nutritious and tasty. Each plate is of a certain weight and minimal seasoning is used so that the natural fragrance of the eggs and spring onions shine through.

Unique to the Din Tai Fung Jungceylon restaurant in Phuket are special menu items unavailable at Bangkok locations. Among these exclusive offerings is a refreshing smoothie drink menu, ideal for cooling down and quenching your thirst amidst Phuket Islands tropical heat this summer.

Exclusive Smoothies Selection

Choose from five delightful options, each bursting with fruity flavours: Mango Smoothie, Orange Smoothie, Pineapple Smoothie, Lemon Smoothie and Coconut Smoothie. These expertly crafted smoothies are designed to refresh and revitalize, enhancing your dining experience at Din Tai Fungs Jungceylon restaurant. Each smoothie is uniquely shaped on the top with a mini Xiao Long Baos iconic pleated tip, adding a playful touch thats perfect for your Instagram feed. Available exclusively at Din Tai Fung Phuket, these smoothies are not just a treat for your taste buds, but also a feast for the eyes.

Grand Opening Promotion (30th April 2024)

Be amongst the first 100 diners to indulge in Din Tai Fungs culinary delights with a minimum spend of 1899THB in a single receipt and receive a complimentary Limited Edition Merchandise Gift Set worth 800 THB. This exclusive set, imported from Taiwan, includes a Din Tai Fung Stainless Steel Chopstick set and a gift mug featuring the brands mascot. T&Cs apply*.

*Terms and Conditions:

1. Limited to one complimentary gift set per customer per bill, while redemptions last.

2. Complimentary gift set are not for sale nor exchangeable.

3. Terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice
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:

There are no images of what al-Khwarizmi looked like, but in 1983 the Soviet Union issued a stamp in honour of his 1,200th birthday. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Algorithms have become integral to our lives. From social media apps to Netflix, algorithms learn your preferences and prioritize the content you are shown. Google Maps and artificial intelligence are nothing without algorithms.

So, we've all heard of them, but where does the word "algorithm" even come from?

More than 1,000 years before the internet and smartphone apps, Persian scientist and polymath Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi invented the concept of algorithms.

In fact, the word itself comes from the Latinized version of his name, "algorithmi." And, as you might suspect, it's also related to algebra.

Largely lost to time

Al-Khwarizmi lived from 780 to 850 CE, during the Islamic Golden Age. He is considered the "father of algebra," and for some, the "grandfather of computer science."

Yet, few details are known about his life. Many of his original works in Arabic have been lost to time.

It is believed al-Khwarizmi was born in the Khwarazm region south of the Aral Sea in present-day Uzbekistan. He lived during the Abbasid Caliphate, which was a time of remarkable scientific progress in the Islamic Empire.

Al-Khwarizmi made important contributions to mathematics, geography, astronomy and trigonometry. To help provide a more accurate world map, he corrected Alexandrian polymath Ptolemy's classic cartography book, Geographia.

He produced calculations for tracking the movement of the sun, moon and planets. He also wrote about trigonometric functions and produced the first table of tangents.

Al-Khwarizmi was a scholar in the House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikmah) in Baghdad. At this intellectual hub, scholars were translating knowledge from around the world into Arabic, synthesizing it to make meaningful progress in a range of disciplines. This included mathematics, a field deeply connected to Islam.

The 'father of algebra'

Al-Khwarizmi was a polymath and a religious man. His scientific writings started with dedications to Allah and the Prophet Muhammad. And one of the major projects Islamic mathematicians undertook at the House of Wisdom was to develop algebra.

Around 830 CE, Caliph al-Ma'mun encouraged al-Khwarizmi to write a treatise on algebra, Al-Jabr (or The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing). This became his most important work.

A page from The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing. Credit: World Digital Library

At this point, "algebra" had been around for hundreds of years, but al-Khwarizmi was the first to write a definitive book on it. His work was meant to be a practical teaching tool. Its Latin translation was the basis for algebra textbooks in European universities until the 16th century.

In the first part, he introduced the concepts and rules of algebra, and methods for calculating the volumes and areas of shapes. In the second part he provided real-life problems and worked out solutions, such as inheritance cases, the partition of land and calculations for trade.

Al-Khwarizmi didn't use modern-day mathematical notation with numbers and symbols. Instead, he wrote in simple prose and employed geometric diagrams:

"Four roots are equal to 20, then one root is equal to five, and the square to be formed of it is 25, or half the root is equal to 10."

In modern-day notation we'd write that like so:

4x = 20, x = 5, x2 = 25, x / 2 = 10

Grandfather of computer science

Al-Khwarizmi's mathematical writings introduced the Hindu-Arabic numerals to Western mathematicians. These are the 10 symbols we all use today: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0.

The Hindu-Arabic numerals are important to the history of computing because they use the number zero and a base-10 decimal system. Importantly, this is the numeral system that underpins modern computing technology.

Al-Khwarizmi's art of calculating mathematical problems laid the foundation for the concept of algorithms. He provided the first detailed explanations for using decimal notation to perform the four basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and computing fractions.

This was a more efficient computation method than using the abacus. To solve a mathematical equation, al-Khwarizmi systematically moved through a sequence of steps to find the answer. This is the underlying concept of an algorithm.

Algorism, a Medieval Latin term named after al-Khwarizmi, refers to the rules for performing arithmetic using the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. Translated to Latin, al-Khwarizmi's book on Hindu numerals was titled Algorithmi de Numero Indorum.

In the early 20th century, the word algorithm came into its current definition and usage: "a procedure for solving a mathematical problem in a finite number of steps; a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem."

Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi played a central role in the development of mathematics and computer science as we know them today.

The next time you use any digital technologyfrom your social media feed to your online bank account to your Spotify appremember that none of it would be possible without the pioneering work of an ancient Persian polymath.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Leiden University

Security seems to most people a basic necessity of life, a prerequisite for a good life. But if you think about it a little longer and more deeply, as political philosopher Josette Daemen has done, you realize that security sometimes comes at the expense of other important goods, such as freedom and equality.

How much security should we really want? And how to administer the socialpolitical domain accordingly? Daemen chose an all but secure existence as a doctoral student and wrote a dissertation on this dilemma. The defense was held on 2 May 2024.

"I have investigated the concept of security, which could also be translated as safety. I tried to unravel that as best I could," says Ph.D. candidate Daemen. The key concepts in today's political philosophy are freedom and equality. Daemen wanted to know how security relates to these. "With the underlying question of whether security is something a society should strive for."

In her dissertation, "Just to be sure? An analysis of security in relation to the values of wellbeing, freedom and equality," Daemen explains that security has a factual, cognitive and emotional side. "Safety means that you are sure of something in the sense that you can count on it in the future. You believe that a certain good, in the broadest sense of the word, is and will remain at your disposal. You are not afraid that this good will somehow be withheld or taken away from you."

In our personal lives, we want to know where we stand, what to expect, that our well-being is secured. "Think of the security of a steady job, owning a house or a steady relationship," Daemen explains.

Security also plays an important role in politics. "We expect the government to provide for our security, in areas such as defense and health care." Many people feel that the state should also take care of its citizens on a socioeconomic level. "This refers to bestaanszekerheid (security of existence), about which there is so much to do in the Netherlands these days," Daemen adds.

Happiness

But security is not only blissful: it can also get in the way of our well-being. "Changes, surprises and a certain degree of indeterminacy can also contribute to our happiness in life," Daemen believes.

The relationship between security and freedom is also ambiguous. In political debates and public policy, you often see that security and freedom are at odds. "The two, it is often said, must be in balance with each other. During the last corona pandemic we saw how difficult that is," says Daemen, who wrote part of her dissertation during the lockdown.

"In my dissertation, I contrast certainty with different forms of freedom. Long story short: sometimes one comes at the expense of the other; sometimes security and freedom reinforce each other."

Egalitarian society

Nor is the relationship between security and equality straightforward. Daemen states, "I argue that for an equal, egalitarian society, three types of security are important: (1) moral security: respect for and peaceful dealings with each other; (2) economic security: access to means of existence, education and an income; (3) political security: the ability to form one's own opinion, participation in social decisions and freedom from arbitrariness on the part of the government."

A society cannot and should not promise more than this. "At least not if we want security and equality to apply equally to everyone," Daemen concludes.

Not an end in itself

Daemen also links her findings to practice. Her theoretical framework can help in making difficult decisions. "When a society faces a pandemic, terrorist threat or climate change, the first thing to do is to specify what form of security is at stake. Then one must assess to what extent that is a problem and what response, if any, is appropriate for a liberal democracy.

"Of course, this is not the last word on the subject," Daemen says. "But my dissertation offers pointers. Personally, I hope that we will no longer continue to regard security as an end in itself. Security only has value when it contributes to well-being, freedom and equality."

Public debate

Writing columns for the Dutch national newspaper NRC and Leiden University's weekly Mare and several public appearances were a welcome change to Daemen's diligent academic thinking and writing.

"I have found that political philosophers can make a valuable contribution to the public debate. Especially when it comes to the meaning and importance of values. In ethical issues, or in sharp contradictions between political camps, as a political philosopher you can often establish some clarity."

And after the defense? "First I'm going to recover from all those years of hard work. After that? Who knows? I love doing research and teaching, so maybe I'll try my luck in the job market for academics. Which offers little job security, of course. But it's not for nothing that I state in my dissertation that security is not an end in itself."
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:

Left: foam cells, (indicated by arrows) surrounding a vein (open arrow) in wooden breast-affected muscle of broiler chickens. Right: spatial transcriptomics highlights unique gene expression profiles of foam cells (yellow dots) and veins (purple dots). Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53904-5

Each year, Delaware farms raise more than 240 million broiler chickens, the top agricultural commodity in the state with a $3.5 billion impact on the state's economy.

But a disease characterized by firm, yellowish breast muscle is estimated to affect up to 5% of a given flock, rendering meat from those birds unmarketable. The disease, known as wooden breast syndrome, may be costing U.S. poultry farmers at least $200 million per year.

University of Delaware researchers in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources have made a new discovery in their work on wooden breast syndrome in chickens. The UD team found white blood cells filled with fat surrounding broiler chickens' veins and showing signs of swelling are key contributing factors to this muscle degeneration disease in these birds that can ultimately affect their meat quality.

Broiler chickens with wooden breast syndrome tend to have tough and chewy meat. The cause is unknown, but there is speculation the disease results from genetically breeding chickens to have larger breast muscle mass.

In new research published in the journal Scientific Reports, UD researchers in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences used an emerging technique called spatial transcriptomics to obtain detailed information on what the genes in individual cell types are doing within chicken muscle tissue.

The researchers could see what specific information was encoded in each of the genes in chickens' various cells. They found white blood cells called lipid-laden macrophages, or "foam cells," close to chickens' veins are the key cells responsible for altering the breakdown and storage of fats at the onset of wooden breast syndrome.

The findings could help better understand a disease that has puzzled Delaware's top agricultural industry.

But spatial transcriptomics isn't only for the birds. What the researchers have discovered with spatial transcriptomics could help advance studies of obesity in humans.

An economic and welfare problem

Chickens with wooden breast syndrome are easy to spot. They often have trouble walking, and their wings are not as flexible, said Behnam Abasht, a professor of animal genetics in UD's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

"This is a very big economic problem with some welfare aspects involved with this disease," Abasht said. "Any solution you find that could improve the health of a chicken and also economically help poultry producers would have a big impact."

Additionally, when chickens don't have good wing mobility, they may fall over while walking and won't be able to use their wings to get back up. Erin Brannick, a UD associate professor and veterinary anatomic pathologist, explained that researchers have seen issues where birds will lie down and not want to move. That immobility makes them susceptible to other diseases.

"We really look at this twofold. We want to keep our meat products safe, healthy and meeting consumer demands," Brannick said. "At the same time, we want to make sure that we're working in the interest of bird health and making sure that they're happy, healthy, able to move around and do what a normal broiler chicken would do in eating and intermingling with other birds."

Abasht and Brannick have collaborated on wooden breast syndrome research for over a decade. Ziqing Wang, now a UD alumna and the first author on the paper, worked on the research as a doctoral candidate under the guidance of Abasht from 2019 through August 2023. Paul Khondowe, lecturer and researcher at University of Zambia, joined the team as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar hosted by the Abasht laboratory.

Decoding gene transcripts

In this latest research, the team examined muscle tissue from three 23-day old broiler chickens chosen at random from a UD chicken house.

The researchers froze samples of their muscle tissue and then sliced the hardened tissue into very thin sheets. They took images and examined the samples microscopically for signs of disease while they also analyzed the genes in the muscle tissue. One of the three samples was confirmed to have wooden breast syndrome.

In that sample, the researchers found fatty white blood cells, or lipid-laden macrophages, close to the chicken's veins. They also found foam cells in the two seemingly unaffected samples, indicating that they were beginning to develop wooden breast syndrome.

"Because the lipid-laden macrophages are so close to the veins, it's possible when they grow in size or quantity it could cause vein occlusion," Wang said. "The veins are pushed. There's not enough blood going around, eventually leading to vein inflammation."

Wang said this could also suggest that lipids coming from the veins "are not properly used." The lipids could even be triggering inflammation in a chicken's breast.

The new findings advance the team's previous findings that an enzyme crucial for fat metabolism may be contributing to wooden breast syndrome.

"Our current findings further supported the importance of a previously identified key-playing gene in wooden breast syndrome, and demonstrated the specific cell types where this gene is expressed," Wang said.

To the best of the team's knowledge, Wang said, this work is likely the first one in the world using spatial transcriptomics to study the functional role of specific cell types within the tissue during the development of wooden breast syndrome in chickens, combining the process of turning genes into proteins and RNA and studying tissue anatomy, during the development of wooden breast syndrome in chickens.

"We're trying to understand this disease better and to maybe try to think of better ways to control this disease, future breeding strategies," Wang said. "We're trying to understand what's really happening."

Through the research, the team also identified potential wooden breast-specific biomarkers, which could help identify and diagnose the disease early.

"It's important because it could be specific to this disease or to muscle damage, so that could potentially be further studied," Wang said. "It could be important for using other techniques to either confirm it or just to further study what these particular genes are doing in the muscle."

Finding a solution

So what is changing metabolically in chickens that do have wooden breast syndrome compared to chickens that don't have it? In the long term, that is precisely what the research team would like to uncover. With that information, the team could work its way backward and solve how to reduce the prevalence of wooden breast syndrome in chicken flocks.

"If we can delay when the disease starts and how severe it gets, that would be an incredible achievement," Brannick said.

Brannick said some chicken companies have already begun making changes to their breeding practices, taking a different approach to what chickens' breast muscles should be like.

"Everything new that we learn about this disease will help us reduce how bad it gets or how many birds are affected in the future," Brannick said. "All of that helps us make more chicken that more people want to eat. It also keeps those birds healthy and happy while they're growing."

The research could also have implications for understanding human diseases. Abasht sees applications to the study of obesity, for example.

Lipid-laden macrophages in chicken breast muscles happen where there is a lot of fat in the tissue. This is kind of like what happens in obese people and in the inflammation that comes from fatty deposits in human arteries when fat and cholesterol build up inside of artery walls.

"A breakthrough in animal disease research could create pathways for breakthroughs in human disease research," Abasht said. "Our study unlocks the potential for other avenues of research."

More information: Ziqing Wang et al, Spatial transcriptomics reveals alterations in perivascular macrophage lipid metabolism in the onset of Wooden Breast myopathy in broiler chickens, Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53904-5 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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:

Indonesia experienced its hottest April for 40 years, according to officials.

Indonesia experienced its hottest April in more than four decades, two senior weather agency officials said Wednesday, as the region endures a suffocating heat wave and global temperatures break records.

Extreme heat has blasted Asia from India to the Philippines in recent weeks, triggering heatstroke deaths, school closures and desperate prayers for cooling rain.

"The average air temperature in April 2024 was the highest compared to April from 1981-2023," Achmad Fachri Radjab, head of the meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency (BMKG) climate change information center, told AFP.

Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan, BMKG's deputy of climatology, also confirmed the agency's findings to AFP.

Indonesia recorded an average air temperature in April of 27.74 degrees Celsius (81.93 Fahrenheit), the highest for the month since 1981 and beating the last highest average April temperature set in 2016 by 0.1 degrees, according to BMKG data.

It also represented an increase of nearly one degree Celsius in April this year compared to the month's average temperature of 26.85 degrees Celsius for the period 1991 to 2020, the agency said.

"This year, it was 0.89 degrees higher than the average (for that period)," said Radjab.

"When it comes to causes, there are a lot of factors, not only climate factors but also environmental factors that must have an influence."

A man walks past air conditioning units installed on a shop wall in Jakarta.

Breaking records

Extensive scientific research has found climate change is causing heat waves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.

Since June last year every month has been the warmest such period on record globally, according to the European Union's climate monitor.

Residents of South Asia and Southeast Asia from Myanmar to the Philippines were punished last month as they sweltered in record temperatures.

More than 100 temperature records fell across Vietnam in April while Bangladesh and Myanmar also saw heat records for the month broken.

But Guswanto, deputy BMKG chief who goes by one name, told local media last month Indonesia was not experiencing the same heat wave and that temperatures were at normal levels.

The agency then said Indonesia's own higher temperatures were not linked to the wider regional heat wave, instead blaming it on a transition to the dry season that causes less rainfall and higher air temperatures, according to a BMKG statement Monday.

The natural El Nino pattern, which warms the Pacific Ocean and leads to a rise in global temperatures, peaked earlier this year.

But the average global sea surface temperatures still broke records in April for the 13th consecutive month.

Rising sea levels threaten Indonesia's archipelago of more than 17,000 islands that could find themselves underwater in the future.

The country's government is moving the capital from Jakarta to an area of eastern Borneo island, citing predictions by environmental researchers that large areas of the city could be submerged by 2050.

 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:

Boeing's Starliner capsule atop an Atlas V rocket is seen at Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station a day after its mission to the International Space Station was scrubbed because of an issue with a pressure regulation valve, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Credit: AP Photo/John Raoux

Boeing's first astronaut launch is off until late next week because of a bad valve in the rocket that needs to be replaced.

The countdown was halted Monday night after a pressure-relief valve in the Atlas V rocket's upper stage opened and closed so quickly and so many times that it created a loud buzz. Engineers for United Launch Alliance determined Tuesday that the valve has exceeded its design limit and must now be removed, pushing liftoff to no earlier than May 17.

The NASA astronauts assigned to the Starliner capsule's test flight to the International Space StationButch Wilmore and Suni Williamswill remain at Cape Canaveral.

Starliner's first crew flight already is years behind schedule because of a multitude of capsule problems.

Boeing's Starliner capsule atop an Atlas V rocket is seen at Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station a day after its mission to the International Space Station was scrubbed because of an issue with a pressure regulation valve, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Credit: AP Photo/John Raoux

Boeing's Starliner capsule atop an Atlas V rocket is seen at Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Stationa day after its mission to the International Space Station was scrubbed because of an issue with a pressure regulation valve,Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Credit: AP Photo/Terry Renna

Boeing's Starliner capsule atop an Atlas V rocket is seen at Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Stationa day after its mission to the International Space Station was scrubbed because of an issue with a pressure regulation valve,Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Credit: AP Photo/Terry Renna

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Li Guohua, former general manager of China Unicom, was on Tuesday sentenced to 16 years in prison on charges of taking bribes and abuse of power.

Li was also fined 6 million yuan (about 845,000 U.S. dollars) and had his illegal gains confiscated and turned over to the state treasury, according to the sentence delivered by a court in the eastern city of Qingdao, Shandong Province.

The court found that between 1998 and 2022, Li had taken advantage of his various former positions in the post and telecommunications sector, as well as postal services, to offer assistance to others concerning project contracting, business operations and personal promotions.

Li accepted money and property worth more than 66.45 million yuan, and his illegal acts led to the loss of 49.96 million yuan worth of state-owned assets, the verdict read.

Li was given a lenient sentence given that he confessed his crimes, reported some of his crimes that supervisory organs had not yet resolved, showed remorse, and actively returned his illicit gains, according to the court.
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

They're big, loud, and smellyand they have taken over San Francisco's touristy Pier 39.

In recent days, some 1,100 to 1,200 anchovy-breathed, blubber-bodied sea lions have been counted flopping on and around the docks, Harbormaster Sheila Chandor said Tuesday. That's the highest number recorded in 15 years.

The pinnipedswho are cruising from as far north as southeastern Alaska down to the Channel Islands for the mating seasonhave swarmed the pier in such large numbers because of a massive school of anchovies swimming near the Farallon Islands.

"There's a feast going on out there right now," Chandor said.

The marine mammals, with their big eyes and long whiskers, have long been welcomed at Fisherman's Wharf, where tourists can't seem to get enough of them.

They first started hauling out at Pier 39 in 1989. Boats had been moved out of their slips while the docks were being remodeled, leaving lots of space for sea lions in search of a place to rest.

They started coming en masse after the San Francisco Bay Area was rocked that October by the Loma Prieta earthquake, which killed at least 63 people and caused more than $6 billion in damage. By January 1990, more than 150 sea lions swarmed the docks, drawing tourists who had avoided the area for months after the earthquake.

"The first showed up when we needed a boost because we had just gone through the earthquake ... and we were dying on the vine, with no business," said Chandor, who has worked at the pier since 1985. "It totally revitalized all the business on the wharf."

The pier typically has a few hundred sea lions, with up to 700 or so in the spring, Chandor said.

The current, giant herd, which seems to be growing by the day, started showing up in late April, she said.

There have not been so many sea lions at the pier simultaneously since 2009, when more than 1,700 showed up, said Adam Ratner, director of conservation engagement at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito.

That year was "a big El Nino year, with a lot of changes in ocean health ... and a lot of fish right in that area, so it was kind of like the dinner bell ringing," Ratner said.

Ratner said Pier 39 has become "essentially a gas station" for migrating sea lions, wheresafe from natural predators such as orcas and great white sharksthey can rest, sunbathe and fatten up before going down to the Channel Islands for some summer love.

"Sea lions go to Pier 39 for a lot of the same reasons people do: It's a great place to rest and hang out, and there's lots of good food around," he said.

Ratner said the surge in healthy sea lions is, on the surface, a good sign for the animals' population and the health of their habitat.

But it is hard to tell whether it's a good indicator of the ocean's overall ecological health, Ratner said.

"The deeper mystery is, why is that big school of fish out there?" he said. "Is it that there are more fish, which would be fantastic? Or maybe the fish have all congregated in one place, whereas they should be somewhere else."

During the last sea lion surge in 2009, there was also a big school of anchovies off the baybut food deserts for the sea lions elsewhere, Ratner said. Later that year, the pinnipeds, especially younger, smaller ones, struggled.

Sea lions, he added, are like "sentinels of the sea," providing clues about what is affecting the briny deep, such as toxins that sicken them and shifting fish populations that they chase.

Chandor said there seem to be other fish, not just anchovies, massing off the coast because harbor officials have seen upticks in dolphins and pelicans in recent weeks too.

The blubbery horde on Pier 39, she said, probably will clear out by early June, when "the call of the breeding season will call them away."

Or, one would hope.

The "very vocal" sea lions are happy, well-fed and don't seem to want to move much, Chandor said.

Usually, the floating rafts where they lounge and poop are power-washed weekly. But there have been so many sea lions in recent days that the cleaning has ceased because moving them "would just create mayhem," Chandor said.

"It's pretty stinky right now."

2024 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Observed distribution of box tree moth (BTM), Cydalima perspectalis, Canada and the US (red points) reported until the end of 2023 through pheromone traps and verified GBIF records. Credit: PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302259

CABI scientists have led research with collaborations from the University of Toronto and University of Guelph, both in Canada, to update a model which predicts the future spread of the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in North America.

The paper, "Modelling potential distribution of the invasive box tree moth across Asia, Europe and North America," published in the journal PLOS ONE, shows how the ecoclimatic CLIMEX model predicts that most of North America should be climatically suitable for the establishment of the moth which feeds on boxwood (Buxus spp.).

However, the model suggests that Alaska and the northern territories of Canada, as well as higher elevations in the Rocky Mountains and southern hot and dry areas, will be out of reach for the box tree moth which is native throughout eastern Asia.

Rapidly spreading

Box tree moth became invasive in Europe in 2007 and rapidly spread across Europe and the Caucasuscausing damage to both ornamental and wild Buxus. In 2018, the box tree moth was found in Toronto and has since spread south into the U.S.

To better predict where the moth will establish and have a significant impact on the ornamental trade in North America, the scientists used the most recent scientific literature and distribution points to update the temperature and diapause indices of an existing ecoclimatic CLIMEX model.

CABI's Dr. Lukas Seehausen and Dr. Marc Kenis were part of the team that also found that their results show the currently known native distribution of box tree moth in Asia is probably incomplete and that further expansion is possible in its introduced range in Europe.

This includes northern Europe, along the Mediterranean coast of Africa, and eastward to central Russia.

Choice of management options

Dr. Seehausen, Research Scientist, Risk Analysis & Invasion Ecology, said, "Our study highlights the risk of box tree moth spreading in its newly invaded areas, especially North America, and the importance of the CLIMEX model to help make decisions in terms of regulatory dispersal restrictions and choice of management options."

The scientists say that the Ecoclimatic Index (EI) of the model correctly described the known distribution of box tree moth in Asia with one exception, Lhasa Tibet. This may have resulted from either misidentification or, more likely, due to some unique favorable condition on ornamental Buxus spp. allowing it to establish temporarily.

Generally, the study shows that box tree moth occurred in a few locations where the model predicted it would not be suitable. But it is possible that recent import of plants from other areas or local favorable conditions, such as watering or warmer microclimates in cities were created in these areas due to human activity.

Further biological studies are needed

Dr. Kenis, Head Risk Analysis, and Invasion Ecology, said, "Further biological studies are needed to examine the temperature-dependent effects on box tree moth to improve our ability to predict its impact and develop effective management.

"Specifically, box tree moth's performance (development and survival) at high temperatures above 30C and mortality induced by extreme low temperatures during diapause still need to be investigated."

He added that a better understanding is needed of the moth's distribution in its native range and potential adaptations and/or genetic differences between populations in different countries within its native range (e.g., Japan, China, Korea, and Thailand).

"This may help to improve model parameters but also to find appropriate management options, such as specialized and well adapted natural enemies that can be considered for biological control," Dr. Kenis said.

Built upon previously developed model

In October 2013, Dr. Kenis was part of a team, that also included CABI's Dr. Saidou Nacambo, and Dr. Tim Haye, who developed a bioclimatic CLIMEX model.

This was part of their research, published in the Journal of Applied Entomology, which investigated the development characteristics of the box tree moth and its potential distribution in Europe.

The study then said that the box tree moth has the potential of becoming a pest in most of its predicted range, but that damage is likely to be higher in Southern and Central Europe where the moth can complete at least two generations per year.

More information: M. Lukas Seehausen et al, Modelling potential distribution of the invasive box tree moth across Asia, Europe, and North America, PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302259 Journal information: PLoS ONE

Provided by CABI
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 powder has a mild taste and can be used as-is, or in a range of products such as protein balls, shakes and energy drinks. Credit: CSIRO

Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, is adding value to the beef sector, turning red meat into a highly nutritious powder to give an allergen-free protein boost to snacks and beverages, targeting a $3.8 billion health and wellness market opportunity.

Taste testings of the innovation are on offer at Beef 2024 in Rockhampton this week, as CSIRO unveils its Just Meat protein powder which can be used in products that have mostly remained elusive to the meat sector.

The powder's nutritional and allergen-free profile sets it apart from other protein powders on the market so it can appeal to a wide audience in products ranging from protein balls and shakes to energy drinks.

The powder has the potential to grow Australia's $75.4 billion red meat industry, by capturing more value from a greater percentage of the carcass.

Dr. Aarti Tobin, animal protein lead for CSIRO's Future Protein Mission, said the powder can be used as-is or as an ingredient in a wide range of products.

"The advantage of a meat-based protein is that it naturally contains all essential amino acids, as well as high iron, zinc and magnesium," Dr. Tobin said.

"It's mild in flavor and highly soluble so we've easily added it to snacks like sweet protein balls in our product development kitchen, with promising results to take to product trials.

"We're looking at new protein products to meet changing consumer preferences and which will play a big role in feeding a growing world population that's set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050."

The protein powder supports food security by delivering meat's nutritional benefits to remote locations or in disaster relief by overcoming refrigeration and transportation hurdles.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is an investor and collaborator in the product's development.

MLA Group Manager Science and Innovation, Michael Lee said the product's versatility demonstrated its potential to capitalize on market demand for red meat globally.

"There is a growing global demand for convenient and nutritious food as the world's population increases," Mr. Lee said.

"Products like this meat protein powder can help to cater to this demand by providing a shelf-stable, easily transportable and versatile source of protein.

"By converting meat into essentially a food ingredient this also creates another revenue stream for the industry beyond our traditional meat trading options."

CSIRO will work with commercial partners and investors to take the protein powder innovation to market.

Provided by CSIRO
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 various effects humans have on the preservation of marine organisms interact in complicated ways, making it difficult for scientists to tease them apart. Credit: Nawrot et al., 2024

New research shows human activity is significantly altering the ways in which marine organisms are preserved, with lasting effects that can both improve and impair the fossil record. The findings are published in the journal Biogeosciences.

"We are not only changing the environment; we're also changing the nature of the record that archives this information," said Michal Kowalewski, the Thompson chair of invertebrate paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

"These changes can be both good and bad. On one hand, human activities can prevent the fossil record from preserving useful information about ongoing changes. In other situations, human actions can actually enhance the quality of the currently forming fossil record, thereby providing more information."

If not properly accounted for, these effects on the fossil record can lead to misinterpretation of data vital for conservation efforts. Humans began altering ecosystems long before they began systematically studying them. In many places, the only way scientists can know what an ecosystem looked like before the arrival of humans is to look back at the recent fossil record.

"We use fossils in conservation to understand the transition from natural, pristine environments to the ones we have today," Kowalewski said. When scientists know what a degraded ecosystem looked like before it was altered, they know what to aim for when trying to restore it.

Kowalewski and his colleagues specialize in marine paleoecology and co-authored the study with a focus on fossil beds in the world's oceans. In these environments, the authors say, there are several interconnected factors that influence fossilization, including the rate at which sediment accumulates on the seafloor, the extent to which animals burrow through the sediment, the depth at which remains are buried and how quickly certain fossils disintegrate over time.

All of these factors can and have been influenced by humans. The practice of bottom trawling, in which a net is dragged along the seafloor, mixes and churns sediment, infusing it with oxygen that breaks down organic remains.

On a global scale, bottom trawling is estimated to kick up as much sediment into the water column as is deposited into oceans from all of the world's rivers.

"I was surprised when working on this study that the impacts of bottom trawling are so widespread," said lead author Rafal Nawrot, a paleontologist at the University of Vienna. Nawrot studies changes in marine ecosystems that have occurred since the last ice age, a field in which knowing the various factors that help or hinder fossilization is critical.

He recounted one study in which he and colleagues found a distinct lack of large shells from sediment cores drilled into the seafloor. "Given what we now know about the intensity of trawling in some of the areas we were working in, this pattern may just be an artifact of their removal by nets dragged through the seafloor."

Alterations to the fossil record can be indirect as well. Local extinctions caused by human activity and the introduction of invasive species can both prevent and improve the process of fossilization. The authors give the example of red king crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus), which were intentionally introduced to the Barents Sea between Russia and Finland in the 1960s. There they had few natural predators, and their population exploded.

Red king crabs eat just about anything they can get their claws on and crush the shells of their prey. This caused a steep reduction in the number of burrowing invertebrates, which oxygenate sediments.

Human activity is changing the way fossils are preserved in marine environments. Credit: Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace

Fewer burrowing organisms mean less oxygen in the sediment, which means better preservation. But more shell-crushing crabs means there are fewer shells capable of being preserved. Without the right historical context, future paleontologists trying to sort out this sequence of events may walk away flummoxed.

These and other human-driven changes can be especially difficult to interpret because they mimic natural processes like erosion or species migrations. In some cases, human activity can erase fossil archives entirely or confound research efforts by adding tons of foreign material to an environment.

"Certain processes don't occur naturally at all, like beach replenishment," Kowalewski said. When portions of a beach are washed away by hurricanes or rising sea levels, local authorities often pay for ships to haul sediment from deep-water environmentswhere natural erosion is negligibleto the shoreline, fossils and all.

In other cases, the fossils themselves are the target for relocation.

"Oysters that lived hundreds of thousands of years ago may be removed from one area and added to the modern seafloor of another to facilitate restoration of present-day oyster reefs," Kowalewski said.

So how do scientists begin to disentangle the various natural and human forces that influence fossilization? It's complicated, Nawrot said. "It depends on the goal of the study, but there are ways to circumvent these problems."

One strategy that's recently become more feasible to implement is radiocarbon dating. Scientists use this method to estimate the age of relatively young fossils, but until recently high costs meant it could only be used sparingly.

When analyzing a sediment core drilled in modern seafloors, in which organisms at the top may be thousands of years younger than those at the bottom, researchers would typically select only a few fossils for radiocarbon dating. This provided reliable information but poor resolution, and if the sediment had been unknowingly mixed by bottom trawling, the results could be misleading.

"You wouldn't be aware of this problem unless you sampled multiple specimens per layer, which isn't a widespread approach. We think it should be used much more often," Nawrot said.

Researchers will also need to get more creative with the types of statistical analyses they use to interpret data. These sorts of methods take time to develop and test, but they're slowly becoming more common, and scientists are inching closer to a better understanding of how humans affect the historical archive of life on Earth.

"Changes in the geological record can be fingerprints of human activity and may themselves reveal something about the history of an ecosystem," Kowalewski said.

Martin Zuschin of the University of Vienna, Adam Tomasovych of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, and Daniele Scarponi of the Universita di Bologna are also co-authors of the study.

More information: Rafa Nawrot et al, Ideas and perspectives: Human impacts alter the marine fossil record, Biogeosciences (2024). DOI: 10.5194/bg-21-2177-2024
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:

Microscopic image of a co-culture of the two strains of bacteria. The blue coloring shows bacteria, the red dots are viruses. They cause some bacterial cells to break up, releasing the vitamin into the water. Credit: Wienhausen et al., Nature

A German-American research team led by microbiologist Dr. Gerrit Wienhausen from the University of Oldenburg (Germany) has come an important step closer to a better understanding of highly complex interactions between marine microorganisms. The researchers conducted various experiments to analyze the interaction between two species of marine bacteria from the North Sea in the synthesis of vitamin B12, and published their findings in the journal Nature.

Vitamin B12 is a vital but scarce commodity in the sea (and elsewhere). It is essential not only for the metabolism of the two bacteria investigated in this study, but for many other marine organisms. "Half of all algal species cannot survive without this vitamin," Wienhausen explains. Yet like humans, algae cannot produce B12 themselves. So the researchers from the University of Oldenburg and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego (U.S.) were eager to take a closer look at B12 synthesis in marine bacteria.

While certain bacterial strains are known as vitamin B12 producers, this research project focused on two strains of the Roseovarius and Colwellia genera that each produce just one of the two building blocks of vitamin B12, meaning that they can only synthesize the substance in cooperation with each other.

"It's fascinating how complex the interactions between bacteria can be," emphasizes Wienhausen with reference to the new study, which was conducted as part of the Roseobacter Collaborative Research Center headed by Oldenburg microbiologist Prof. Dr. Meinhard Simon, who also co-authored the current publication.

Complex interactions between two strains of bacteria

Using complex lab experiments and cutting-edge analytical tools, the researchers were able to explore the interactions between the two bacterial strains in detail. According to their findings, bacteria of the Colwellia strain M166 synthesize the smaller building block for vitamin B12 and release it into the surrounding water. For their part, the bacteria of the Roseovarius strain M141 not only produce the larger building blockwhich is the main componentbut are also able to synthesize the B12 that both bacterial strains require from the combination of the two building blocks.

However, the Roseovarius strain doesn't release the vitamin on its own, but only once Colwellia activates a virus encoded in the bacterial genome of its co-producer and the virus multiplies. The resulting viral infection causes some of the affected Roseovarius bacteria to burst, and vitamin B12 is released alongside the virus, thus becoming available to Colwellia (and possibly other marine organisms, too).

"This fine-tuned cross-feeding of metabolic building blocks and products may not only be relevant in marine microbial communities but also in other ecosystems," the researchers from the Oldenburg Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM) and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography report.

"We were able to demonstrate for the first time that two bacteria only synthesize B12 in cooperation with each other," says Wienhausen. "Such a complex form of interaction between bacteria was previously unknown."

More than 60 researchers from Oldenburg, Braunschweig, Gottingen and Bonn investigated the bacteria of the Roseobacter group over the past 13 years within the Transregional Collaborative Research Center (CRC) Roseobacter.

These bacteria are found in all marine habitatsfrom the tropics to the polar seas and from the sea surface to the deep sea. Among other achievements, the researchers have discovered many new strains and described their distribution and functional biogeography in the world's oceans for the first time. More than 280 scientific articles based on research conducted within the context of the CRC have been published to date.

More information: Gerrit Wienhausen, Ligand cross-feeding resolves bacterial vitamin B12 auxotrophies, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07396-y. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07396-y Journal information: Nature
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:

Similarly to George Seurat's pointillism ("A Sunday afternoon on the island of La Grande Jatte", right), in quantum pointillism complex pictures are created from colored points (left). From these pictures, the researchers can draw conclusions about the processes in the quantum system using theoretical calculations. Credit: Left : Prichard et al., 2024; Right: Keystone-SDA)

By analyzing images made of colored dots created by quantum simulators, ETH researchers have studied a special kind of magnetism. In the future this method could also be used to solve other physics puzzles, for instance in superconductivity.

Up close it looks like lots of colored dots, but from a distance one sees a complex picture rich in detail: Using the technique of pointillism, in 1886 George Seurat created the masterpiece "A Sunday afternoon on the island of La Grande Jatte." In a similar way, Eugene Demler and his coworkers at ETH Zurich study complex quantum systems made of many interacting particles. In their case, the dots are not created by dabbing a paintbrush, but rather by making individual atoms visible in the laboratory.

Together with colleagues in Harvard and Princeton, Demler's group has now used the new methodwhich they call "quantum pointillism"to take a closer look at a special kind of magnetism.

The researchers have just published their results in two papers in the journal Nature with titles "Observation of Nagaoka polarons in a FermiHubbard quantum simulator" and "Directly imaging spin polarons in a kinetically frustrated Hubbard system."

Paradigm shift in understanding

"These studies represent a paradigm shift in our understanding of such magnetic quantum phenomena. Until now, we were not able to study them in detail," says Demler. It all started around two years ago at ETH. The group of Atac Imamoglu experimentally investigated special materials with a triangular crystal lattice (moire materials made of transition metal dichalcogenides).

When Demler and his postdoc Ivan Morera analyzed Imamoglu's data, they encountered a peculiarity that suggested a kind of magnetism that had previously only been predicted theoretically.

In kinetic magnetism, an extra electron paired up to form a doublon can lead to ferromagnetic order of the spins in its vicinity (right), whereas a missing electron or hole causes antiferromagnetic order (left). Credit: Morera, I. et al. High-temperature kinetic magnetism in triangular lattices. Phys. Rev. Res. 5, L022048 2023)

"In this kinetic magnetism, a few electrons moving inside the crystal lattice can magnetize the material," Morera explains.

In Imamoglu's experiment this effect, known as Nagaoka mechanism among experts, could be detected for the first time in a solid by measuring, among other things, the magnetic susceptibilitythat is, how strongly the material reacts to an external magnetic field.

"That detection was based on very strong evidence. For a direct proof, however, one would have to measure the state of the electronstheir position and spin directionsimultaneously in several places inside the material," says Demler.

Complex processes made visible

In a solid, however, this is not possible with conventional methods. At most, researchers can use X-ray or neutron diffraction to find out how the spins of the electrons relate to each other at two positionsthe so-called spin correlation. Correlations between complex spin arrangements and additional or missing electrons cannot be measured in this way.

To still make the complex processes of the Nagaoka mechanism visible, which Demler and Morera had calculated using a model, they turned to colleagues in Harvard and Princeton. There, research teams led by Markus Greiner and Waseem Bakr have developed quantum simulators that can be used to precisely recreate the conditions inside a solid.

Instead of electrons moving inside a lattice made of atoms, in such simulators the U.S. researchers use extremely cold atoms trapped inside an optical lattice made of light beams. The mathematical equations describing the electrons inside the solid and the atoms inside the optical lattice, however, are almost identical.

Nagaoka polarons in a FermiHubbard quantum simulator. Credit: Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07272-9

Colored snapshots of the quantum system

Using a strongly magnifying microscope, Greiner's and Bakr's groups were able not only to resolve the positions of the individual atoms, but also their spin directions. They translated the information obtained from these snapshots of the quantum system into colored graphics that could be compared to the theoretical pointillist pictures.

Demler and his coworkers had theoretically calculated, for instance, how a single extra electron in the Nagaoka mechanism forms a pair with another electron of opposite spin and then moves through the triangular lattice of the material as a doublon.

According to the prediction of Demler and Morera, that doublon should be surrounded by a cloud of electrons whose spin directions are parallel, or ferromagnetic. Such a cloud is also known as a magnetic polaron.

That is exactly what the American researchers saw in their experiments. Moreover, if there was an atom missing in the crystal optical lattice of the quantum simulatorwhich corresponds to a missing electron or "hole" in the real crystalthen the cloud forming around that hole consisted of pairs of atoms whose spins pointed in opposite directions, just as Demler and Morera had predicted.

This antiferromagnetic order (or, more precisely: antiferromagnetic correlations) had also previously been indirectly detected in a solid state experiment at Cornell University in the U.S. In the quantum simulator, it now became directly visible.

"For the first time, we have solved a physics puzzle using experiments both on the 'real' solid as well as in the quantum simulator. Our theoretical work is the glue that holds everything together," says Demler. He is confident that in the future his method will also be useful for solving other tricky problems.

For instance, the mechanism that causes the magnetic polaron cloud to form could also play an important role in high temperature superconductors.

More information: Martin Lebrat et al, Observation of Nagaoka polarons in a FermiHubbard quantum simulator, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07272-9 Max L. Prichard et al, Directly imaging spin polarons in a kinetically frustrated Hubbard system, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07356-6 Journal information: Nature
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:

Of the 14 tropical glaciers that existed in Colombia in the early 20th century, only six remain.

Just a few months ago, the Colombian mountain peak of Ritacuba Blanco was covered in an unbroken layer of white ice and snow, just as it had been for as long as anyone can remember.

But with the South American country hit by the warming effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon since late last year, large cracks have suddenly appeared in the glacier covering the peak, exposing the rock underneath.

Experts say the glacier is melting at dizzying speeds, with climate change intensifying the effects of El Ninowhich makes an appearance every two to seven years, and lasts about nine to 12 months.

The UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has said that record temperatures since June 2023 were partly caused by El Nino, "but heat-trapping greenhouse gases are unequivocally the main culprit."

"The El Nino phenomenon is perhaps the worst thing that can happen to our snowy peaks or glaciers," said Jorge Luis Ceballos, a glaciologist at the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam).

"There is no cloud cover and therefore no snowfall," he pointed out.

Of the 14 tropical glaciers that existed in Colombia in the early 20th century, only six remainand are fast receding.

The UN's World Meteorological Organization has said that record temperatures recorded since June 2023 were partly caused by El Nino, 'but heat-trapping greenhouse gases are unequivocally the main culprit'

Ritacuba Blanco in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy National Park, about 250 kilometers (150 miles) northeast of Bogota, is the most at risk.

"At the end of last year, the walls here were about six meters (20 feet) high... today, they are one meter," glacier guide Edwin Prada told AFP on a recent ascent of the peak.

Last chance for tourists

According to the most recent recorded data, in 2022, some 12.8 square kilometers (4.9 square miles) of Ritacuba Blanco was covered in ice and snowthe lowest ever measured by Ideam.

More recently, "the snow melted due to a lack of precipitation and the ice was exposed to solar radiation, which accelerated the thaw," said Ceballos.

Humberto Estepa, a resident of Guicana village near Ritacuba Blancosaid he trembles every time he sets foot on the glacier.

Never has the thaw been "as noticeable as it is now," he told AFP.

According to the most recent recorded data, in 2022, some 12.8 square kilometers of Ritacuba Blanco was covered in ice and snow -- the lowest ever measured.

Ocean warming and rapidly melting glaciers and ice sheets drove the sea level last year to its highest point since satellite records began in 1993, according to the WMO.

"Every time you go up it is worse."

In Asiathe continent most impacted last year by record global temperatures, according to a recent WMO reportthe icy peaks of the Himalayas are also disappearing, threatening long-term water security.

According to the WMO, ocean warming and rapidly melting glaciers and ice sheets drove the sea level last year to its highest point since satellite records began in 1993.

El Nino caused major fires in Colombia this year, with more than 17,000 hectares of forest going up in flames.

It has also dried up lakes, and the capital Bogota has recently been compelled to take the unprecedented step of rationing municipal water as reservoirs reached record low levels.

Luisa Cepeda, a 39-year-old doctor, took her daughter to see the dying Ritacuba Blanco glacier at sunset.

"I wanted to see it... before it is gone," she said.

"It is sad to see how fractured it is."

 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:

The mouth of a juvenile Australian brook lamprey. Credit: David Moffatt

The Australian brook lamprey (Mordacia praecox) is part of a group of primitive jawless fish. It's up to 15 cm long, with rows of sharp teeth. Surprisingly, it doesn't use these teeth to suck blood like most lamprey speciesit's non-parasitic.

As larvae, the Australian brook lamprey lives buried in the bottom of streams for around three years, filter-feeding. Its adult phase is about one year long, in which it doesn't feed at all. Prior to this study, the species was widely believed to only live in a few streams along a 170 km stretch of coastline near the NSW/Victoria border.

The study began after another exciting discovery: Dr. Luke Carpenter-Bundhoo from the Australian Rivers Institute at Griffith University found the species living in streams on K'gari (Fraser Island). To unravel the mystery of Queensland lampreys, Dr. Carpenter-Bundhoo teamed up with David Moffatt from DESI, who had found isolated populations of lamprey in other Queensland streams.

The findings are published in the journal Endangered Species Research.

Together, they confirmed reports of Australian brook lamprey in Queensland, including as far north as Rockhampton. With this enormous extension of its geographic range, Australian brook lamprey becomes the only lamprey species in the world to live in truly tropical waters.

A close-up of the head of an adult male Australian brook lamprey. Credit: David Moffatt

"It's quite exciting to find an Endangered species so far out of its known range, yet so close to populated areas. We expect these animals naturally occur in Queensland, and have been here for an awfully long time, but have remained hidden due to their cryptic nature," said Mr. Moffatt.

The Australian brook lamprey is thought to be extinct where it was first described, in southern NSW. Its existence is thought to be threatened by sedimentation, wildfires, and human developments.

Perhaps the biggest threat to their conservation is that they're very difficult to identifythis species truly faces a case of mistaken identity. For most of their life, the non-parasitic Australian brook lamprey is indistinguishable from its more common blood-sucking southern relative, the short-headed lamprey (Mordacia mordax), which has a conservation status of "Least Concern."

Add to this the fact that, globally, only a few people can tell them apart.

David Moffatt and Dr. Luke Carpenter-Bundhoo with a small tank of Australian brook lamprey. Credit: Troy Harris

In their new Endangered Species Research article, Dr. Carpenter-Bundhoo and Mr. Moffatt outline the difficulties of implementing a conservation strategy for this fish and propose some solutions.

The species' conservation is especially important, given projected sea levels rises mean that many of the lowland freshwater coastal streams where Australian brook lamprey live are likely to become saltwater.

With these new findings, scientists will be better equipped to conserve this unusual and Endangered species.

More information: L Carpenter-Bundhoo et al, Expanding the known range and practical conservation issues of the Endangered Australian brook lamprey Mordacia praecox, Endangered Species Research (2024). DOI: 10.3354/esr01319 Journal information: Endangered Species Research
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

High-altitude lake in Austria: field experiments site. Credit: Hannes Peter/ RIVER EPFL

An EPFL scientist along with colleagues from universities across Europe have completed the first-ever quantitative study of the changes that soil organic matter from forests can cause in high-altitude and high-latitude lakes once it's dissolved in the water.

Treelines are rising around the world as a result of global warming. Depending on the region, they're climbing between 10 and 100 meters per yearbringing forests ever-closer to high-altitude and high-latitude lakes. This will undoubtedly have an impact on both ecosystems.

For the first time, a team of scientists has taken a close look at what the possible consequences could be on a molecular level. Their findings, published recently in Nature Communications, suggest that rising treelines could affect the dissolved organic matter (DOM) in high-altitude and high-latitude lakes and alter the biogeochemical composition of lake water.

Specifically, the scientists observed that natural bacteria exposed to this new carbon may become less effective in producing biomasscreating a potential source of greenhouse gas emissions. This discovery is particularly important given the thousands of such lakes on our planet.

Soil organic carbon is composed differently depending on whether it's located in an alpine grassland or a forest. Until now, scientists weren't sure how the soil organic carbon contained in soils would react once it seeped into alpine and subarctic lakes.

These lakes already contain small amounts of DOM, which plays a vital role as resource for natural bacteria. But as the treeline advances, the soil composition surrounding the lakes will change and when it rains, or as snow melts, the organic carbon contained in the soil will be carried into the lakes.

This is the process that the research teamincluding EPFL's Hannes Peterstudied. Peter is an ecologist and biogeochemist at EPFL's River Ecosystems Laboratory (RIVER), part of the ALPOLE research center on Alpine and polar environments in Sion.

Lakes in northern Finland and the Austrian Alps

Lake bacteria generally respond to DOM in one of two ways: either they feed on it and grow to produce the biomass that forms the basis of the food chain; or they process it inefficiently and respire it as CO 2 . To study these mechanisms more closely, the researchers carried out field experiments at a high-latitude lake in northern Finland and a high-altitude one in Austria, and paired this with lab experiments and analyses.

"Our plan was to expose lake bacteria to organic carbon from different types of soil," says Peter. "We collected lake water samples and added soil-derived DOM from both above and below the treeline, and then observed the bacteria's response.

"We wanted to know whether they would produce more biomass or instead release CO 2 . The answer was that when exposed to soil-derived DOM from below the treeline, the bacteria emitted more CO 2 ."

Resolving individual carbon molecules

The team used a sophisticated, high-precision instrument installed at a partner university in Germany to conduct their analyses. With this instrument, they were able to examine each DOM molecule individually.

"The advanced technology and high-performance systems now available for analyzing carbon let us see inside the 'black box,'" says Peter. "We identified over 2,500 molecules contained in the DOM and were able to understand which ones the bacteria metabolized the fastest.

"We also studied the entire decomposition process. That's how we were able to conclude that bacteria in Alpine lakes may emit more CO 2 when the treeline rises."

He goes on to explain that the consequences could be significant. "Our study was just the first step. We looked only at how efficient the bacteria are in handling the DOM. More research is needed to determine how the additional carbon will affect the environment. But what's fascinating about bacteria is how fast they can adapt to changing conditions."

Mapping Alpine forest expansion in Switzerland

Another group of scientists at EPFL's ALPOLE research center is also studying the effects of shifting treelines. Thien-Anh Nguyen, a Ph.D. student at the Environmental Computational Science and Earth Observation Laboratory (ECEO), and her colleagues have developed an AI-driven program that maps forest expansion in the Swiss Alps over an 80-year period.

The program is available in open source and clearly shows how the treeline has shifted towards higher elevations across the Vaud and Valais Alps.

Nguyen and her colleagues trained their algorithms using thousands of photographs taken between 1946 and 2020 and provided by the Swiss Federal Office of Topography. The challenge was to train the algorithms effectively despite the broad range of image quality and resolution contained in the dataset.

The program illustrates how rapidly the change is taking place, primarily owing to the higher temperatures and agricultural land abandonmentand it will be used to quantify the effect of these two factors.

Nguyen's study, published in Remote Sensing of Environment, is the first to map the progression of the Alpine treeline on such a large scale and at such a granular level.

More information: Nuria Catalan et al, Treeline displacement may affect lake dissolved organic matter processing at high latitudes and altitudes, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46789-5 Thien-Anh Nguyen et al, Multi-temporal forest monitoring in the Swiss Alps with knowledge-guided deep learning, Remote Sensing of Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2024.114109 Journal information: Nature Communications
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:

Orion Main Engine injector test engine firing. Credit: NASA

When the Orion spacecraft carries the first Artemis crews to the moon and back, it will rely on the European Service Module contributed by ESA (European Space Agency) to make the journey. The service module provides electrical power generation, propulsion, temperature control, and consumable storage for Orion, up to the moment it separates from the crew module prior to re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

For the first six Artemis missionsArtemis I through Artemis VINASA and ESA will use a refurbished Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) engine from the space shuttle program as the European Service Module's main engine. Beyond Artemis VI, NASA will need a new engine to support Orion.

That need will be met by the Orion Main Engine (OME) in development with Aerojet Rocketdyne (now L3 Harris), but before the OME can fly, all of its components must be thoroughly tested.

Enter the Propulsion Test Office at NASA's White Sands Test Facility. From November 2023 to January 2024, this team led rigorous testing of a critical OME component: the injector that delivers propellants to power the engine and provides the thrust necessary to return Orion home from the moon.

The tests were performed on Test Stand 301A in White Sands' Propulsion 300 Area. The injector was mounted to a test engine that fired multiple times for three seconds each, for a total of 21 tests. With each test, the White Sands team sought to demonstrate the OME injector's ability to maintain consistent and controlled combustion and to return to normal operations if the combustion process was artificially perturbed.

Many White Sands team members were involved in this effort. James Hess, project manager and operations director, ensured the tests were completed safely and successfully by overseeing operations, and confirming test requirements were met. James Mahoney handled the test schedule and budget as project lead, while Jordan Aday directed operations and the actual tests.

Other key roles included lead electrical engineer Sal Muniz, and instrumentation engineer Jesus Lujan-Martino. Aerojet Rocketdyne's Shaun DeSouza served as test article director, working to ensure the injector operated as expected and that test condition requirements were met. Additional support was provided by OME Program team members at NASA's Johnson Space Center and Glenn Research Center.

The results confirmed that the OME injector could maintain stable combustion, and the team determined the tests were successful. A unique aspect of the OME injector is that it was fabricated through an additive manufacturing process called selective laser machiningbasically 3D printing with metallic powders instead of plastics. Demonstrating the effectiveness of 3D printed components could help NASA and its partners lower costs and increase efficiencies in development processes.

The injector design will now be incorporated into a full OME that will be tested as a full engine assembly at White Sands once it is ready.

Provided by NASA
The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) marked the 120th anniversary of its founding on Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the celebration and delivered a speech.

Liu hailed the significant contributions made by the RCSC over the past 120 years in protecting human lives and health, upholding human dignity, promoting the humanitarian spirit, and advancing the cause of peace and progress.

He called on the RCSC to always uphold the overall leadership of the Party on the new journey ahead and actively carry out humanitarian services, thus making greater contributions to building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.
SOMERS POINT  With decades in business, including 40 years in Somers Point, Harvey Rovinsky was feeling ready to retire.

But he wanted to make sure Bernie Robbins Jewelers would remain in operation, as close as possible to the way he ran it.

He said he and his wife, Maddy, dont have children in the business.

In order to keep the business alive when were not, we need to sell it or turn it over to other people, Rovinsky said.

The couple looked at selling but did not find a buyer they approved of. So they decided to give the business away.

On Tuesday morning, they handed a gold-toned key to five new owners, each of them longtime employees who understood how the family ran the operation and would continue to operate that way decades into the future.

Sandra Moran, Andrew Lazar, Stephen Berman, Gen Flaxman and Steve Jaffe are now the owners of the company. The transfer became official May 1, with a public ceremony at the Somers Point location Tuesday.

Each has worked with the Rovinskys for at least 20 years, some for 30 years.

Bernie Robbins Jewelers owners preparing to retire, pass business on to employees For 57 years, the proprietors of Bernie Robbins Jewelers have forged deep connections with their customers. Now, Harvey and Madalyn Rovinsky are getting ready to pass their legacy  and the business  on to a group of their employees in the next quarter.

The five of us feel like weve won the lottery, Lazar said Tuesday. The Galloway Township resident will celebrate 31 years with the business in July. He said he loves the work.

People use jewelry to mark weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and other important moments.

You get to be part of the good moments in all of our customers lives, he said. They come here to help celebrate.

The company did not release an estimated value of the gift. Bernie Robbins has locations in Somers Point and Newtown, Pennsylvania. According to a timeline on the company website, Bernie and Lorraine Rosenberg borrowed $2,500 to open the first Bernie Robbins store on Mole Street in Philadelphia.

Rovinsky started as a delivery boy in 1966 and later married Maddy Rosenberg, the daughter of the owner. By 1992, he was leading the company.

For customers, not much will change, Lazar said, citing the well-worn adage that if it aint broke, dont fix it. He said the new ownership will keep the focus on customers.

Without them, theres nothing, he said.

The new owners have asked Rovinsky to stay on as an adviser, which he said he was happy to do, joking that if they change their minds in a couple of years they can fire him.

Bernie Robbins donates to Pleasantville schools Bernie Robbins Jewelers partnered with Frederique Constant Watches to support DonorsChoose i

What better thing to do than to give it to the people who have been running it for 20 years, or for more than 30 years? Rovinsky said. These people understand our business, and they agree with the way were running it. Theyre great people, and theyve earned the right to take over the business.

A statement from the company indicates the Rovinskys entered negotiations to sell the business in 2022 but decided the gift would ensure the legacy of the company. They did not disclose an estimated value for the company.

Moran has 22 years as the jewelry purchasing director for Bernie Robbins and brings an impeccable eye for quality and style. Berman, of Newtown, has 20 years of luxury sales and management experience, and will be based in the Newtown store. Flaxman, a second-generation jeweler, has spearheaded the Bernie Robbins Client Experience. Jaffe has been the diamond buyer for more than 30 years. Lazar, who has worked for Bernie Robbins for 31 years, is described as the go-to authority on watches.

Rovinsky said he has worked in Somers Point for 40 years, drawing customers from throughout the region.

Its been fabulous, he said Tuesday. He and his wife still live in Pennsylvania and have a shore house. He said he feels strong connections to the area. Theyve embraced Maddy and me like weve been here forever. Weve made many friends.
NORTHFIELD  Opponents of offshore wind farms off the Atlantic County coast came to another county commissioner meeting Tuesday to demand action from county officials.

Im not here to ask you to pass resolutions. Im here to ask for your help, said Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera. We are facing one of the most important issues to ever face a county and to ever face Brigantine.

Sera said offshore wind farms will devalue property, greatly increase electric bills and harm the entire county economy.

Educate yourself. If its good, tell us what is good about them. If its bad, fight them, Sera said.

Several other members of Defend Brigantine Beach said the ocean wind farms would harm the fishing industry, industrialize the ocean and do nothing to combat climate change.

It was the second meeting in a row that offshore wind opponents attended in force to pressure the commissioners to act against the wind farms.

Guest commentary: Atlantic County executive addresses accusations of offshore wind 'indifference' This issue of offshore wind farms off the coast of New Jersey has generated lots of attention and opposing opinions. Proponents argue it is a source of clean energy that will create jobs and help combat climate change. Opponents counter with concerns for its impact on marine life, tourism and fishing industries, and its cost to consumers.

The commissioners have previously passed resolutions seeking a moratorium on offshore wind development, but they have had no impact, commissioners have said.

rsted last year abandoned its two planned wind farms off Atlantic City, but Atlantic Shores is moving forward with a 1,510-megawatt facility 10 to 20 miles off the coast between Atlantic City and Barnegat Light.

Sera said Defend Brigantine Beach has put together a resolution opposing offshore wind development and will be asking municipalities throughout the county to pass it.

Northfield Councilwoman Carolyn Bucci is inviting Sera to a meeting to give a presentation and will recommend council pass the resolution, she said.

This board is doing things. Please dont take it that were being indifferent, said Commissioner Chair Maureen Kern. We are trying to get some specific numbers. Were not getting a lot of answers.

Kern and other board members reiterated that it is Gov. Phil Murphy and President Joe Biden who are pushing for offshore wind farms and who have oversight on the issue.

Our best hope is to get a regime change in the White House and state Legislature and governor, said Commissioner John Risley.
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia.

Serbian Air Force sent two fighter jets to escort Xi's plane after it entered the country's airspace.

The Chinese president was warmly welcomed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.

Serbian children presented flowers to Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, and waved the national flags of China and Serbia. Serbian people dressed in national costumes sang and danced to welcome them.

"China and Serbia enjoy profound traditional friendship. Our bilateral relationship has stood the test of changing international environment and become a fine example of state-to-state relations," Xi said in a written statement upon arrival.

Xi said he looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to have in-depth exchange of views with Vucic on bilateral relationship and other issues of mutual interest, renew friendship, plan for cooperation, explore development, and draw up a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations.

"I am confident that this visit will be a fruitful one and will open up a new chapter in China-Serbia relations," he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. Xi was warmly welcomed by President Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport upon arrival. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi's visit to Serbia marks his second visit to the country in eight years, which is a milestone to upgrade and improve bilateral relations.



"It gives me great pleasure to pay a state visit to the Republic of Serbia at the warm invitation of President Vucic," Xi said.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to extend heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the friendly government and people of Serbia," he added.

He said that since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, the bilateral relationship has realized leapfrog development, and achieved historic results.

The two countries are bound by rock-solid political mutual trust, and have seen fruitful results in high quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Chinese president said, adding that "our ironclad friendship has taken deeper roots in the heart of the two peoples."

China and Serbia have rendered each other firm support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

"We have jointly upheld international fairness and justice, and contributed our share to promoting world peace and development," he added.

Cooperation between the two countries is rooted in the principle of equality and mutual benefits, said Xi.

"Standing at a new historical starting point, China will work with Serbia to jointly stay committed to the original aspiration and forge ahead together to open up a new vista in China-Serbia cooperation with stronger momentum, greater scope, and higher quality," he said.

Xi travelled to Serbia after his visit to France.
An afternoon fire in Moline led to five residents being assisted by the Red Cross.

At approximately 2:27 p.m. on Tuesday, the Moline Fire Department responded to the 500 block of 28th Avenue, according to a press release from the Moline Fire Department. When firefighters arrived, the residents had already exited the building and smoke was coming from the front door.

Firefighters found a small fire in the residence and got it under control in about ten minutes.

Assistance was provided by the East Moline, Rock Island and Arsenal Fire departments.

The fire is under investigation by the Moline Fire Department Bureau of Investigations.

The Moline Fire Department also responded to another house fire early Tuesday morning, which also displaced five people.

Why auto insurance premiums will continue rising in 2024 Why auto insurance premiums will continue rising in 2024 Top 10 States Where Rates are the Highest How Long Will These Rates Stick Around? Why auto insurance premiums will continue rising in 2024
A lawsuit claiming millions of dollars in damage has been filed in Scott County Court, exactly five years after a flood raged through downtown Davenport.

On April 30, 2019, HESCO barriers designed to hold back floodwaters collapsed and sent water barreling into downtown businesses.

The City of Davenport, former city administrator Corri Spiegel and HESCO BASTION, Inc., the company that manufactures the devices used for the flood wall, are being sued for compensatory and punitive damages, personal injuries, pain and suffering, emotional pain and distress and attorney fees.

Plaintiffs in the case are Timothy J. McDonnell, his company Great Bedding Corp. and Paul A. Krutzfeldt, the owner of Great River Brewery. All three are represented by attorneys John T. Flynn and Brubaker and Flynn and Darland, P.C.

The suit was filed on April 30, the five-year anniversary of the flood. Plaintiffs allege several million dollars in damages and are demanding a jury trial.

The lawsuit petition includes wording that would allow the plaintiffs to pursue a future class action suit. The attorneys in this case are the same ones handling a lawsuit regarding the collapse of the Davenport Hotel on May 28, 2023.

In the lawsuit McDonnell claims to have owned two warehouses and associated businesses in downtown Davenport at 114 Warren Street and 720 West River Drive. Great Bedding Corp. was solely owned by McDonnell at 502 E. Fourth Street. The Great Bedding Corp. was also a commercial tenant of McDonnell's other two properties.

The suit alleges McDonnell and his company lost everything from of its inventory for sale, personal property, business, banking and income tax records to equipment, lighting and shelving units during the peak of the flood in the days following April 30.

McDonnell also claims he lost the rental value of two commercial buildings and other property both personally and as the owner of the Great Bedding Corp. Specifically, the lawsuit names two fully stocked warehouses with inventory, three eBay stores totaling more than 10,000 items, tools and two fork trucks, among other property.

For two months, workers spent eight hours a day, six days a week attempting to clean the building, the lawsuit states. Despite the efforts, the building stayed closed and could not be reopened for six months due to sitting water inside.

Early in 2019 McDonnell was diagnosed with throat cancer and required a feeding tube. The suit argues he became seriously ill from the floodwater and "almost died trying to salvage what he could from his flooded buildings" the suit states.

He assesses the damage to his property and emotional pain and suffering at $1.5 million.

Great River Brewery at 332 E. Second Street was immediately hit by the April 30 flood when a temporary HESCO flood barrier broke at the intersection of Second Street and Pershing Avenue. Water quickly flooded downtown Davenport and poured into the brewery, reaching barstool height in minutes.

The lawsuit alleges the "inundation was so sudden that emergency responders had to rescue people from buildings." As a result of the flooding, Krutzfeldt lost all inventory, equipment, business, banking and income tax records and other items.

Days after the flood, May 2, the Mississippi River crested at a record 22.7 feet at the Rock Island gauge. It also set a record for number of consecutive days in major flood stage.

In an effort to rehabilitate and recover his business Krutzfeldt hired workers eight hours per day, six days per week for two months. He assesses the damage of his property to be in excess of $1 million, the suit states. Krutzfeldt also alleges he lost the value of his business income from the brewery in excess of $1 million.

The brewery sat mostly untouched for years until last fall when it announced it would reopen in 2024.

Since then, extensive construction work has gone into the building to bring the brewery back to life. An opening date has yet to be announced, but is expected soon.

Defendants in the suit include the City of Davenport. The suit argues the city's employees were negligent in their "actions or inactions in failing to correctly install, repair and maintain the HESCO barriers and other flood barriers and protections in downtown Davenport." The suit claims the city should have known the barriers would not hold and plans to properly maintain them were not planned for.

Also named in the suit is Corri Spiegel, Davenport's city administrator at the time. The lawsuit alleges Spiegel, "was at all times material hereto, responsible to enforce all applicable laws and direct city operations for the protection of the public and residents of the city and was responsible to determine that the HESCO barriers were installed and maintained correctly."

It alleges that Spiegel and the city both failed to follow the city's own policies established by former Director of Public Works Mike Clarke. In an article published in the Quad City Times/Dispatch-Argus May 2, 2019, Clarke said he felt the city deployed the barriers the way he designed them, but that he would not have built them the same way.

"But they were fighting the last flood," he said at the time. "I would not have gone into a 22-foot flood fight with just one line of HESCOS. No way."

Spiegel has recently found herself in the news after announcing her departure from the city in November 2023 which came with a demand letter attached to a $1.6 million payment for emotional damages and lost wages in early October. The demand letter has not been released to the public.

Less than 30 days after the flood, at the end of May 2019, Spiegel wrote a guest column in the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus stating the HESCO barriers were never meant to protect businesses.

"Davenports flood plan objective is to protect critical public assets and infrastructure, which response measures have provided additional protection to properties near and along that infrastructure," Spiegel wrote.

She went on to say the flood wall that failed was constructed on March 15, 2019, and the city's "Public Works Department could not responsibly and safely add a second layer to the top of that previous system once it was filled and holding back extreme pressure from the Mississippi River."

The rest of the column promises the city was looking into the cause of the breach to learn and improve the wall for the future. Spiegel also said the city was working with "the Army Corps of Engineers and HESCO representatives to dive into the numbers."

Formally known as HESCO BASTION, Inc., the South Carolina-based company is a "world leader and innovator in the design and manufacture of rapidly deployable barrier systems," according to its website. The lawsuit alleges the company was, "responsible for the manufacturing of the HESCO barriers and direct advisement concerning the installation and stabilizing of the barriers utilized in defense of the flood for the City of Davenport in April 2019."

Davenport has relied heavily on the company since 2019 to provide a temporary flood wall with the city changing its plans after the 2019 flood to make the wall twice as thick and higher than before. The walls held during the 2023 spring flood, when the Mississippi reached a flood stage of 21.51 feet.

HESCO uses a product called Floodline: a collapsible mesh container lined with a heavy fabric material. The barrier is then filled with sand and is meant to be stronger than traditional sand bags while also semi-permanent.

HESCO did not immediately respond to requests to comment Tuesday afternoon. Davenport's current interim city administrator said in an email Wednesday evening the city did not have a comment as it had yet to be formally served.
Water users should plan for below normal water supplies in the coming months after one of the lowest statewide snow seasons on record, according to the recently released Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Montana Water Supply Outlook Report.

Snowpack percentages are currently either the lowest they have been or near to it in many Montana river basins, the report states.

As of May 1, snowpack percentages range from about 40-75% across Montana, with current conditions indicating a below normal runoff in most locations this summer. The only exceptions are rivers originating in the southern Absaroka and Wind River mountains, which are forecasted to have near to above normal runoff due to near normal precipitation this year.

Areas of greatest concern are the Shields, Teton, Jefferson, Beaverhead and Musselshell Rivers, which are forecasted to be 35-50% of normal for May-July, said Eric Larson, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Water Supply specialist. The 50% exceedance forecasts for the Smith, Missouri, Blackfoot, Big Hole, Clark Fork and Jefferson are 50-60% of normal.

For the Flathead, Clark Fork, Blackfoot, Sun, Missouri, and Yellowstone river basins, the entire range of exceedance streamflow forecasts falls below the median May-July volume for most streams. Meaning that even with well above normal precipitation during May, below normal runoff volume is expected this season. A cool and wet spring could help supplement runoff this summer, the report states, but overall runoff will likely be below normal.

If weather remains active and precipitation is well above normal in the coming weeks, then runoff could be greater than the 30% exceedance forecasts, the report states. Keep in mind that the 30% exceedance forecasts for May 1 are still only about 65-75% of normal on the Rocky Mountain Front, part of the Flathead, the entire Clark Fork, Blackfoot, and Bitterroot river basins.

Well above normal precipitation was needed in April to make up for this years below-average snowpack conditions, however, April did not deliver the snow and precipitation needed to achieve snowpack recovery. April precipitation was overall about 65-80% of normal with a couple of isolated locations that were higher; the Gallatin and Bitterroot basins received about 90-95% of normal precipitation in April.

April temperatures in Montana were above normal by 1-3 degrees F across the state. The above normal temperatures and a lack of sufficient precipitation during April led to decreases in the water supply forecasts for many locations. Several SNOTELs and snow courses have already, or are close to melting out, which is up to two weeks early in some cases. Thirty-two of the 98 snow courses measured were completely snow-free during the May 1 survey.

May 1 snowpack percentages range from about 55-75% of normal across most of Montana. Powder and Tongue River were the only basins to improve upon their snowpack in April. Peak date for median snowpack in most basins occurs in mid-April. The Upper Missouri and Sun-Teton-Marias are lower at about 40%. The Bighorn and Tongue River basin snowpack is closer to normal at about 80-85%. The Upper Missouri, Bitterroot and Sun-Teton-Marias River basins saw the largest snowpack percentage decreases over the last 30 days due to significant snowmelt at all elevations over the last month.

If the weather stays cool and additional snowpack accumulation occurs, basin-wide snowpack percentages will likely increase, but Larson warned that even if a percentage in a basin that had a low snowpack all year nears 100% in May, that doesnt mean a full recovery has been achieved.

The current U.S. Drought Monitor map, released on Thursday, May 2, classifies 43% of Montana as moderate to extreme drought. The monthly temperature and precipitation outlooks for Montana indicate equal chances for above or below normal temperatures and precipitation. Lower temperatures and higher precipitation could help maintain snowpack, while higher temperatures and lower precipitation could drive further melting.

In the Bitterroot

Every year is a balancing act for water managers in the Bitterroot Valley as they measure the needs of irrigators, fish and other water users. JR Iman, dam tender at Painted Rocks Reservoir said its up to Mother Nature at this point.

It's gonna be tight, he said. A lot of this rain that's happening right now, we're getting lakes full, but we're gonna need help this summer from somebody.

Painted Rocks will be full by May 8-10, which is about what Iman is looking for. But much of what happens in the coming months will depend on the weather.

Mother Nature usually takes care of the Bitterroot, but not necessarily when we want it.

In a normal year, the highest water of the year is in the second week of June, Iman said. Last year, and about four or five years ago, the highest water of the entire year was on around May 15.

In the Bitterroot Valley, all of the water that the irrigators get out of Painted Rocks and all the fish get out of Painted Rocks, basically lasts about 40 days, he said. The Painted Rocks water users  thats the irrigation part  and Fish and Game  that's FWP  purchase from the State of Montana the right to use 25,000-acre-feet of water, and that lasts about 40 days. So we get what we get and the question is, how long. Its not whether you get it, it's how long you're gonna get it, and when your season ends. So, every little bit helps.

Iman warned that water is a finite resource, and youve got to be really careful with what Mother Nature gives you.

Everybody starts running out about the same time, the last two weeks in July and the first week in August, he said. And then you only got so much. If you give away too much at first you got nothing left, but if you don't use it while it's available, there's so little left that it won't go around if you try to hold it clear till the end, you lose it when you could use it and there's not enough left.

Iman said that before 1985, the Bitterroot used to dry up every year at Bell Crossing, but now with the way the water contracts are written, in a good year they try to keep 600 cubic feet per second at Bell Crossing.

We make that in all honesty about four years out of 10, he said.

One a cubic foot per second is about a gallon and a half of water. Last year, they had 230 CFS, Iman said.

The way the contract is written, you know, nobody starves, but everybody gets hurt a little bit.

Iman said that people are going to have to be careful with their water use in the coming months.

You have to be really cognizant of what's going on, and you got to work with what Mother Nature gives you."
Electrofish sampling conducted this spring on the Big Hole River by fisheries staff with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks yielded estimates suggesting increases in trout numbers in two of the four sampling areas where analysis has been completed to date.

Thats when compared to historic lows last year that caused consternation up and down the river.

Population estimates are still pending for the Jerry Creek and Pennington sections, which respectively include the upper and lower reaches of the Big Hole River.

In the Melrose sampling section of the Big Hole, which is immediately downstream of the Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site, biologists found an estimated 192 rainbow trout per mile and 506 brown trout per mile. These figures are increases from 2023 estimates, which were 161 rainbow trout and 324 brown trout per mile. Both estimates for 2024 remain well below long-term averages, which are 488 rainbow trout and 908 brown trout per mile.

In the Hogback section, which runs from the Glen Fishing Access Site to the Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site, biologists found an estimated 263 rainbow trout per mile and 722 brown trout per mile. Rainbow trout numbers decreased slightly from 2023s estimate of 288 fish. Brown trout estimates, however, more than doubled from last years estimate of 289 fish. The long-term averages for this section are 473 rainbow trout per mile and 920 brown trout per mile.

Jim Olsen, FWPs fisheries biologist for the Big Hole River, says good water levels in 2023 likely helped improve the survival of juvenile trout because most of the population increase observed this year was in 2-year-old fish.

While trout populations are still well below the long-term average, this years estimates so far are encouraging, Olsen said.

FWP and Montana State University embarked on a new cooperative research effort when annual sampling found fish numbers to be at or near historic lows in sections of the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers last year. This partnership includes hiring three Ph.D. students and additional staff to study fish mortality, recruitment and health.

This spring, FWP staff tagged fish in the three rivers, as well as the lower Madison River. Researchers said anglers who report each tagged fish they catch helps identify individual fish and facilitate monitoring their health, survival, movement and other indicators over time. Anglers who submit reports could also be eligible for rewards.

FWP said results and updates from the two other sampling areas on the Big Hole River, as well as other waterbodies in the upper Missouri River Basin, will be published as they become available.
A group of Republican lawmakers on Tuesday requested the Secretary of State call a special session to address two separate issues  how to spend revenue from recreational cannabis sales and their desire to bring legislation around immigration similar to bills passed in Iowa and Texas.

The call comes after the arrival of a migrant family in the Flathead Valley last week spurred a flurry of rhetoric around the southern border and immigration in a series of press releases from Republican politicians that ensnared a small local nonprofit over an issue thats become a centerpiece this campaign season.

There have already been multiple calls for special sessions since the 2023 Legislature adjourned; all have failed thus far except one that was called for Monday and has yet to be sent out to lawmakers.

It takes a majority of the 100 members of the House and 50 state senators to agree to call the session. The Legislature has only succeeded in calling itself back once before out of the more than 30 special sessions in state history; one other call came from both the governor and lawmakers together.

Leading the effort Tuesday was Speaker of the House Matt Regier, a Kalispell Republican. He and 12 others signed onto the request that Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen issue a poll to see if enough lawmakers agree to convene on June 24.

Jacobsen has five days to send out a poll after getting the letter. Once lawmakers receive it, they must return their answer within 30 days.

Regier said he wants to see legislators consider a bill similar to ones passed in Iowa and Texas that would let state law enforcement arrest immigrants in the country without documentation and deport them. Iowas bill would also make entering the state without documentation an aggravated misdemeanor and enable state courts to deport people and allow state agencies to transport people to ports of entry.

The U.S. Department of Justice has said it plans to sue Iowa if it enforces the statute. The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed Texas to enforce similar legislation while it works its way through the appeals process, but then an appeals court blocked it again.

The Associated Press reported that the DOJ told Iowas governor their law is in conflict with the U.S. Constitution because it effectively creates a separate state immigration scheme."

Regier said Tuesday this is a growing crisis that started at the border and I think were just starting here in Montana to feel the effects of the border. The baseline would just be making it a state crime to be illegally here.

It is legal under U.S. and international law to be in the U.S. or a port of entry and request the chance to apply for asylum. According to the United Nations, "Asylum is a form of protection which allows an individual to remain in the United States instead of being removed (deported) to a country where he or she fears persecution or harm." People must prove they have a reasonable fear of persecution or harm.

Another part of the letter from lawmakers said they would consider legislation during a special session to regulate nonprofits, organizations, individuals and businesses "in relation to illegal aliens."

In the Flathead, GOP lawmakers claimed a local nonprofit was involved in flying in a migrant family, however the nonprofit was not aware of the family until they were called to help provide them a safe place to stay.

Regier said that Florida has laws to penalize businesses that knowingly hire people without status and does not recognize drivers licenses issued by other states to those without status.

Regier said the intent is to focus on just the people who have broken into our country and not those who are here through legal processes established by the government.

Democrats have so far opposed the GOPs calls for special sessions. House Minority Leader Kim Abbott, D-Helena, said Tuesday they would continue to do so, pointing to the vague agenda set out in Regiers letter to the Secretary of State.

Once again, the party that had a supermajority in the legislative session is trying to call another vague special session, she said. Democrats wont support this call like we havent supported the former calls.

The secondary component in Regiers call for a special session would implement a new marijuana tax revenue distribution model, a point of particular contention drawn out from the 2023 session.

The appetite to change the existing model was certainly in place last year. Lawmakers had, by a wide margin, approved Senate Bill 442s scheme, which would expand conservation and habitat funding from the taxes raised by marijuana sales, but namely spend some of those dollars on county road repairs in rural areas where recreation use is high.

Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, vetoed that bill in a so-called loophole that precluded lawmakers from an override poll until last month. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of conservation groups who argued the loophole titled too much power of the legislative process to the governor, and ordered the poll move forward. Rather than take the opportunity to uphold the bill, lawmakers voted against overriding Gianfortes veto to spite the courts involvement in the process.

The judges erroneously and unconstitutionally got into the process there of something that the Legislature should have been deciding, Regier said. The main key is it belongs in the Legislature and the legislative body to determine the fate of that marijuana revenue.

Montanas marijuana tax revenues are currently distributed in a model the Legislature approved in 2021. However, that appetite to change that model remains in place, Regier said, and lawmakers who called for a special session on Tuesday are willing to take another swing at passing a proposal without the courts fingerprints on the process.

Its not predetermined whether the special session would entertain another SB 442-style spending plan or one of the other models considered by the 2023 Legislature; one measure that had legs during the session would have dumped the $50 million in tax revenues into the general fund to be debated and parceled out each session. But the broad language in Tuesdays call for a special session would allow any proposal to be considered.

I would imagine, 442 had a lot of support, bipartisan support, so I imagine there would be something similar to that that would rise to the top pretty quick, Regier said, but acknowledged that its up to individual lawmakers to decide.

Ill be making my pitch, he said.
Drones used in arrests of five in Cancun Hotel Zone

Cancun, Q.R.  Cancun police have implemented the use of drones in daily surveillance tasks. Last week in 120 flights, the SSC (Secretary of Citizen Security) reported five arrests made due to their use.

The SSC (Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana) reported using the drones in coordination with the Jaguar Research and Intelligence Group. From April 29 to May 5, around 800 kilometers of city was drone-toured in search of lawbreakers.

During that time, five people were arrested after drone footage captured them selling drugs at the entrance to a hotel in the Cancun Hotel Zone. Those arrests were made in conjunction with the Cancun Tourist Police.

In a statement the SSC reported in the week from April 29 to May 5, the Itzamna drone group carried out a total of 120 flights, equivalent to 60 hours and 800 kilometers traveled, which on average is equivalent to 11 daily flights.

It has also contributed significantly, in collaboration with the Jaguar Research and Intelligence group in the identification, monitoring and arrest of lawbreakers.

Police used the drones last week to monitor hotel areas of the Cancun Hotel Zone. Photo: SSC May 6, 2024.

In this last week alone five people were arrested who were seen at the entrance of a lodging center in the Hotel Zone of Cancun, offering substances to guests, work that was carried out in conjunction with the Tourist Police.
Elderly tourist dies in hospital after Playa del Carmen drowning

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  A woman identified as a national tourist died Tuesday after being rushed to hospital. The 74-year-old woman was rushed to Playa del Carmen hospital in an ambulance after being pulled from the sea at Playa Xcalacoco.

Nearby lifeguards pulled the woman from the water after being alerted of the near-drowning by other swimmers. She was returned to the beach by lifeguards where CPR was applied.

She was transferred by ambulance to a private hospital but reportedly died shortly after arriving. The hospital informed local authorities of her death.

The unnamed woman was on vacation with her family at the time of the accident.
 Flash

People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Feb. 22, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The talks held with the Israeli negotiators in Egypt on Tuesday for a truce with Hamas were "positive" and could lead to an imminent end of the current Israeli military operation in the southernmost Gazan city of Rafah, Egyptian sources said on condition of anonymity.

"Today's meeting with the Israeli delegation addressed some of the six points of disagreement between Israel and Hamas and made progress in the discussions," the sources added.

Among the points of disagreement between Israel and Gaza-ruling Hamas is that Israel seeks the release of three Israeli hostages every three days, while Hamas agrees to release three every week.

The two sides also failed to reach a consensus on Hamas's request to release a list of Palestinians, the sources said.

Israel doesn't want Hamas to control the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing and the negotiating sides are discussing a different Palestinian body, according to the sources.

Earlier on Tuesday, Egypt hosted delegations from Hamas, Israel, Qatar, and the United States to reach a comprehensive truce in Gaza.

In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the delegation to "continue to stand firm on the conditions necessary for the release of our hostages, continue to stand firm on the essential requirements to ensure Israel's security."

He noted that the ceasefire proposal, brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators and approved by Hamas on Monday, fell short of Israel's essential requirements.

The Israeli army on Tuesday launched a military operation in Rafah, where more than 1 million internally displaced Palestinians have sought refuge since Israel's offensive began on Oct. 7 last year.
Government celebrates record number of new job creation in month of April

Mexico City, Mexico  President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador celebrated the record number of jobs registered with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS).

On Tuesday morning, Zoe Robledo Aburto, the General Director of the IMSS, reported more than 84,800 jobs were created in April.

This April was a truly extraordinary month in employment recovery. It is the fourth best month of April on record with the creation of 84,857 jobs in this month alone, he said during the morning press conference.

In the first four months of the year, 349,000 new jobs were created. In the last twelve months, 553,911 jobs, a figure higher than the 547,232 average jobs in the last ten years compared to April, he explained in a statement.

Sectors with the highest annual percentage job growth are transportation and communications, construction and commerce. By state, Quintana Roo, Hidalgo and the State of Mexico are the top three with most jobs created.

At the end of April, the average base contribution salary for jobs affiliated with the IMSS rose to 578 pesos per day, which means a new historical maximum as part of an annual increase of 9.6 percent, the third highest recorded of the last 23 years considering only the months of April, Robledo Aburto added.

Photo: AMLO May 7, 2024.

This is very good data, Mr. President, which speaks not only of the economic recovery, but also of the good moments that the Mexican economy is experiencing, he said.

With the new figures, Robledo Aburto pointed out that there are currently 22,374,202 workers signed up with Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).

According to an updated report by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), Quintana Roo raked highest nationally for economic growth.
Judge orders pair in Riviera Maya real estate fraud case to remain jailed after failed attempt to flee

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  Two partners in a Riviera Maya real estate fraud case worth more than 250 million will stand trial. The pair have also been ordered by a Cancun judge to remain jailed after a recent attempt to flee the country.

Rebeca N and Cecilia Maria N from the now-defunct real estate company DeRiMaya have been charged with procedural fraud.

In a statement released Wednesday morning by the State Attorney General, the accused, Rebeca N and Cecilia Maria N, who were captured in the city of Tijuana, Baja California when they were trying to cross into the United States, will remain in justified preventive detention at the Social Reintegration Center (Cereso) of Cancun for the duration of the judicial process.

The two women, center, were arrested from inside the Tijuana International Airport April 30 by plainclothes officers posing as travelers and returned to Playa del Carmen to face charges.

The women were captured April 30 in Tijuana after being flagged by immigration while attempting to board a plane for the United States. After their attempt to flee Mexico, a Cancun judge has ordered them to remain imprisoned during their trial.

The pair were escorted out of the Tijuana International Airport by plainclothes officers posing as travelers on the night of April 30. Rebeca N and Cecilia Maria N were picked up on outstanding arrest warrants after being flagged by Interpol Mexico while trying to cross the border into the U.S.

Both women are facing charges of procedural real estate fraud in excess of 250 million pesos. Photo: FGE

In an FGE statement the agency said those now detained formed a commercial company Desarrollo de la Riviera Maya, SA de CV (DeRiMaya) with the Secretariat of Sustainable Urban Territorial Development in 2017.

The reason for this alliance was the execution of contracts for the sale of land and real estate in the municipality of Solidaridad.

The Riviera Maya real estate company based in Playa del Carmen was seized in January of 2024.

The complaint against the Derimaya company was that during a meeting held on November 24, 2021 between the parties, various fiscal administrative anomalies were detected which were not resolved despite the multiple requests made by the Ministry of Sustainable Urban Territorial Development.

According to the FGE (Fiscalia General del Estado), both women were arrested for their alleged participation in events that could constitute the crime of fraudulent administration for an amount greater than 250 million pesos.
Blackout in 18 states: Mexicos second heatwave of 2024 melts CFEs ability to keep up

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  A blackout felt in 18 states across Mexico Tuesday is being blamed on the high demand for power. A second heatwave that has hit nearly all of the country has created an electrical demand greater than the supply.

On Wednesday, Mexicos Servicio Meteorologico Nacional (SMN) reported 11 states who continue to record daytime temperatures above 45C (113F). The continued extreme heat has put stress on the countrys CFE (Comision Federal de Electricidad) to keep up with the heightened demand for electricity.

On Tuesday, the Centro Nacional de Control de Energia (National Energy Control Center) reported a state of emergency operation due to the extremely high demand. That demand resulted in a blackout in 18 Mexican states, one of which included Quintana Roo.

The high demand for power resulted in a blackout in 18 states including Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

Photo: May 7, 2024.

Some areas of the Yucatan Peninsula felt the temporary power outage as the Mexicos state-owned power company struggled to keep up with the high usage. Through its website, the National Energy Control Center (Cenace) made the report shortly after 5:00 p.m. Tuesday due to a high demand for electrical energy.

While the alert lasted less than an hour, some areas of Cancun and Playa del Carmen reported experiencing the power outage for nearly two hours before returning to a normal operational state.

Electrical demand figures for early morning May 8, 2024.

According to the Cenace website, the demand for electrical energy peaked at 48,472 MW at 5:00 p.m., which represented its highest level of the day.

Arturo Carranza, energy sector specialist, said the high temperatures that are being recorded in some regions of the country are leading to an increase in electricity demand which in turn stresses the system.

To achieve conditions of reliability and safety in the operation, Cenace issues these alerts or emergency operating states which are accompanied by other actions to reduce stress.

A residential area of Playa del Carmen was left without electricity Tuesday evening due to the blackout. Photo: May 7, 2024.

He also said that technically, a blackout cannot be predicted. The truth is that given the high temperatures, we must wait for Cenace to make decisions to guarantee the reliable and safe supply of electrical energy.

He said the alert could have been issued by either of two scenarios, the first of which could be due to the fact that the reserve margin was below 6 percent, but there could also be an impact on the electrical load.

We infer that it was a scenario in which the reserve margin was below 6 percent or it is also possible that it was a load impact due to some fortuitous event in the network or operation.

Tuesdays blackout affected CDMX, San Luis Potosi, State of Mexico,Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, Puebla, Querertaro, Baja California Sur , Jalisco , Coahuila , Sinaloa, Monterey, Yucatan and Quintana Roo.

This is Mexicos second official heat wave of the year. The first was issued in mid-April after the Yucatan Peninsula recorded days of 35C (95F) to 40C (104F) degree temperatures.

The electrical stress is expected to continue with forecasts of 45C days for many of these states. Last week, Belize began scheduled electrical cuts to border areas after Mexicos CFE curtailed its power supply into the neighboring country as it struggles to provide electricity for its own residents.
Pair seen by police trying to break into PDC parking lot vehicles arrested

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  A man and woman seen by police attempting to break into vehicles were arrested from central Playa del Carmen Tuesday. The pair were taken into police custody after becoming aggressive when approached by city officers.

After their arrests, an identification run through Mexicos criminal database system Plataforma Mexico revealed one of them had an outstanding arrest warrant in Cancun for theft.

Julio N, 48 years old and originally from Veracruz and Mayra N, 37 years old from Yucatan, were arrested by elements of the Preventive Police on 25th Avenue in the Centro neighborhood, the SSC (Citizen Security of Solidaridad) reported.

The pair were arrested while driving a Toyota brand vehicle, Avanza model, without obeying the instructions of the officers who repeatedly attempted to stop them after observing one of them apparently trying to open several vehicles in the parking lot of a shopping center, the SSC (Seguridad Ciudadana Solidaridad) added.

When speaking with the subjects, they adopted an aggressive attitude and attacked the police officers. They were arrested and placed at the disposal of the State Attorney Generals Office.

Likewise, after entering Julio Ns data into the system, he has a warrant for the crime of theft in the municipality of Benito Juarez.
It happens in many careers. A person with a Do not steal moral standard enters an organization where, it seems, everyone steals. What then?

Most of us have heard of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States, but few people today know that Truman figured out a way to survive mostly unscathed in such an environment. Had he not, people outside western Missouri would never have heard of him, historians in C-SPAN polls would not place him in the presidential Top 10 for moral authority, and I wouldnt be eating a slice of cake on May 8 to celebrate Trumans 140th birthday.

Truman, born in 1884, never went to college. He worked in low-paying jobs as a construction company timekeeper and a bank and newspaper mailroom clerk. He ached with ambition but, with no clear path to satisfy it, wrote despondently at age 29 to his fiancee, Bess: How does it feel being engaged to a clodhopper who has ambitions to be Governor of Montana and Chief Executive of the U.S. Hell do well if he gets to be a retired farmer.

Then came what we call World War I, which Americans then hoped was the War to End All Wars. Truman moved up in the army and became an artillery captain in France, promising Bess not to look at French mademoiselles and return reasonably pure. After the war, Truman failed as a haberdasher, but a friend, Jim Pendergast, was a member of western Missouris powerhouse Democratic family, skilled in ballot box theft and repeat voting: residents dressed up in different costumes and voted four or five times at various polling stations.

The Pendergasts proposed that Truman run for county judge, the equivalent of county commissioner elsewhere. Truman won a two-year term and then spent eight more years as presiding judge: a governmental CEO with 700 employees, a $7 million budget (equivalent to $120 million today), and the power to decide which companies would receive construction and repair contracts. Was there a way to advance in a world of corruption and remain reasonably pure?

On May 8, 1928, Trumans 44th birthday, county voters approved a bond issue for new roads and a new hospital. Pendergast companiesReady-Mixed Concrete, Midwest Paving, Kansas City Concrete Pipe, Public Service Pulverizing Company, and many othersexpected to benefit. Thats when Truman had the most ethically crucial meeting of his life. Later came meetings with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin, but those and others wouldnt have happened had his meeting with The Boss, Tom Pendergast, gone differently.

A furious Pendergast, with three upset road contractors sitting in, lambasted Truman: These boys tell me you wont give them contracts. Truman replied, They can get them if they are low bidders, but they wont get paid for them unless they can come up to specifications. Pendergast slowly cooled down, realized he had someone who could be unconventionally helpful, and finally told his cronies, Didnt I tell you boyshes the contrariest cuss in Missouri.

After that, Pendergast never again pressured Truman to award contracts for obviously inferior work at high cost. When investigators accused him of corruption for which he eventually went to prison, Pendergast asserted halo-by-association, pointing to Trumans honesty. Notice, though, what Truman said: low bidders who meet specifications, not necessarily the lowest bidders with the highest quality. Ties could go to the favored, but taxpayers would not pay more than they expected.

When it came time to build a new county courthouse, Truman traveled in his own car, at his own expense, to see courthouses from Brooklyn to Denver; he wanted a really good one, and apparently got it. Since it was Jackson County, Truman wanted a statue of Andrew Jackson in front of the courthouse. He stopped at Jacksons home in Nashville, the Hermitage, to measure Jacksons clothing. He wanted a statue of exactly Jacksons height. Truman was generally frugal with his own dollarshe saved stringand the publics.

That distinguished him from his two fellow judges/county commissioners, Robert Barr and Howard Vrooman, both of whom were for sale. Barr particularly disappointed Truman because he was a West Point graduate but turned out to be a dud, a weakling, no ideals, no nothing. Hed use his office for his own enrichment, hes not true to his wife (and a man not honorable in his marital relations is not usually honorable in any other).

Truman vented further in agonized notes he made in 1933 while staying at the Pickwick Hotel at Tenth and McGee Streets in Kansas City: I had to compromise in order to get the voted road system carried out.  I had to let a former saloonkeeper and murderer, a friend of the Bosss, steal about $10,000 [to] keep the crooks from getting a million or more.  Was I right or did I compound a felony? I dont know.  Anyway Ive got the $6,500,000 worth of roads on the ground and at a figure that makes the crooks tear their hair.

Truman continued his self-appraisal: Am I just a crook to compromise in order to get the job done?  I wonder if I did the right thing to put a lot of no-account sons of bitches on the payroll  in order to satisfy the political powers and save $3,500,000. I believe I did do right. Anyway, Im not a partner of any of them and Ill go out poor. That proved true in the short run: once Truman gave up his chance to pocket $1.5 million, he examined his bank account and saw that I havent $150.

In 1934, Truman, turning 50, won a seat in the U.S. Senate in an election that featured more than the usual fraud. The Pendergast machine brought in tough guys to intimidate voters. Four voters died from gunshots as police stood by, and Governor Guy Park rejected pleas to call out the Missouri National Guard. In 1936, tens of thousands of ghost voters brought victory for Pendergast candidates, one of whom piled up in a small ward 19,201 votes against 13 for his opponent. (Pendergast, ill before the election, said precinct captains got carried away and voted the sick, the dying and the dead.)

Truman called one Pendergast ally a thug and a crook and another a thief who had stolen half a million dollarsbut Truman came through on the most important item for Pendergast, giving him control of all New Deal jobs and projects in Missouri. Judge Albert Reeves called Truman a man who had been nominated by ghost votes, who had been elected with ghost votes. Truman, though, could accurately say regarding Pendergast, I dont follow his advice on legislation. I vote the way I believe Missourians as a whole would want me to vote.

In 1937 and 1938, when 200 Pendergast pawns went to jail for interfering with voting rights, Truman was untarred. When Pendergast gambled on horses, lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and went to prison for not paying $552,000 in taxes, Truman was again reasonably pure. In 1941 he proposed a special committee to examine the awarding of defense contracts, and then became its chairman. In 70 hearings, he exposed boondoggles galore, such as a Texas military camp that exceeded its budget by 400%. After each investigation, public reports led to correction or renegotiation.

Suddenly, journalists became publicists. Influential columnist Marquis Childs in November 1942 called Truman one of the most forthright and fearless of the 96 senators. Arthur Krock of the New York Times praised Trumans objectivity at the total expense of partisanship. In January 1943, a new tanker built with defective steel broke in half in Portland, Oregon. Two months later, Investigator Truman was on the cover of Time as the energetic generalissimo of a Billion Dollar Watchdog.

In 1944, the big city Democratic bosses who backed wealthy Franklin Delano Roosevelt for a fourth term gave nods to Harry S. Truman, a poor man without even a middle name, just an initial. Truman became known as the man from Independence (after his Missouri hometown) rather than, as initially styled by reporters, a dependent sell-out. Journalists and political patrons learned, as did voters, that Truman knew how to walk the tightrope of public service in a democracy.
You are here: World

 Flash

Israel announced on Wednesday the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing, a key entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Aid trucks from Egypt, carrying humanitarian aid, were already arriving at the crossing, the office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Israel's military liaison to the Palestinians, said in a statement.

The trucks are loaded with food, water, shelter equipment, medicine, and medical equipment donated by the international community, the office noted.

On Sunday, Israel closed the Kerem Shalom crossing after a Palestinian armed group launched rockets at a nearby military base in southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of at least three Israeli soldiers.
DES MOINES  New moms in Iowa who qualify for Medicaid will receive 12 months of postpartum care, but fewer people will qualify under a law Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed on Wednesday.

The law extends coverage under Medicaid from the 60 days required under federal law to 12 months after a woman gives birth. Iowa is one of the last states to enact the extension, which was made available to states under the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act.

The law also tightens the income threshold for a pregnant woman to qualify for Medicaid, meaning around 1,700 fewer mothers and infants will be covered each month.

The law will lower the income eligibility to qualify for Medicaid from 375% of the federal poverty line, the most generous in the U.S., to 215% of the poverty line. The new requirement is equivalent to around $43,900 for a single mother and $67,100 for a family of four.

Being pro-life means supporting mothers and strong families, Reynolds, a Republican, said in a statement. By extending post-partum Medicaid coverage for thousands of new moms, we will set new families on a path to prosperity and opportunity. Thank you to the legislature for passing this pro-family bill with bipartisan support.

The legislation, which Reynolds proposed at the beginning of the legislative session, was backed by maternal health care groups and advocates, who say providing maternal care for longer will improve outcomes and detection of heart conditions, mental illness and other problems that can arise months after a person gives birth. Around 2,700 women who would otherwise have lost their postpartum coverage after two months will be covered for the full 12 months, according to an analysis from the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.

The law, Senate File 2251, is set to take effect Jan. 1, and anyone who is pregnant and covered under Medicaid before that date will not lose their coverage.

Some Democrats supported the bill, but many argued the lower income eligibility was unnecessary and would be a financial burden on new parents who will no longer be covered for their birth and postpartum expenses.

Republicans, though, said the proposal would keep the cost to the state neutral while extending critical care to the people who needed it most.

The changes are expected to cost the state around $6 million over the next three years, including one-time IT costs and an increase in infants moving from Medicaid to the Healthy and Well Kids of Iowa program, which has a higher eligibility limit, according to the Legislative Services Agency. The cost increases are expected to be minimal by 2028.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa said the long overdue step is worth celebrating, but the organization said further limiting eligibility for the coverage was unnecessary.

If Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans actually cared about the health of Iowa moms and babies, they would have used our enormous budget surplus to continue coverage without changing income requirements, said Mazie Stilwell, a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa.

Community college funding formula changes

Among the seven other bills Reynolds signed into law Wednesday was Senate File 2405, changing the distribution formula for general state financial aid to community colleges.

Under the new law, presidents and chancellors from each of Iowa's community colleges would create a formula that would determine how state aid is distributed across the campuses, commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.

Community college presidents and chancellors would convene annually in the fall to draft a formula by the end of October for the coming budget year.

In doing so, they would consider enrollment and combined support for each community college  including how much it received property taxes and other revenues in addition to state aid  along with any other factors deemed relevant, according to the bill.

At least 10 of the 15 community college heads must agree and then submit the formula to the Iowa Department of Education. If they cant agree, the department would establish the formula.

No formula could lower funding to a community college below what it received in general state aid the previous year, unless lawmakers cut the total base funding appropriation.

Emily Shields, executive director for the nonprofit advocacy association Community Colleges for Iowa, has said the aim is to distribute funding more equitably among colleges, taking into account enrollment and other factors.

Given enrollment growth some smaller colleges are getting more than the average per-student aid while others are getting below the average, Shields told lawmakers in March. Thats created funding gaps with some colleges receiving anywhere from 70% to 170% of what they should receive, she said.

Shields said community college leaders would use a three-year rolling average of full-time equivalent enrollment in deciding the formula to avoid big swings in funding should enrollment jump or drop in a particular year.

Each community college will be required to complete and submit an annual student enrollment audit to the Iowa Department of Education.

States where the most people live in maternal health care deserts in 2022 States where the most people live in maternal health care deserts #15. Idaho #14. Montana #13. Louisiana #12. Alaska #11. Iowa #10. Alabama #9. Nebraska #8. Oklahoma #7. Missouri #6. North Dakota #5. West Virginia #4. Arkansas #3. Kentucky #2. South Dakota #1. Mississippi
Early in my career enforcing New York labor laws, I handled a case involving workers for Burritoville, a now-defunct chain that had several locations in New York City. Each store only had eight or nine workers total, but almost all of them had elevated titles. I seem to remember an opening manager, a closing manager, a delivery manager, a general manager, an assistant manager.

Of course, they werent all managers. They were low-wage immigrant workers who made and delivered burritos, typically working 50 to 70 hours per week, without getting overtime. For most employees, federal and state law require hours past 40 to be paid at 1.5 times a workers regular rate. Burritoville wrongly thought it had cleverly found a way around the overtime requirement by labeling the workers as managers and paying them a salary instead of an hourly wage.

Far too many workers have been given highfalutin titlesand maybe a shred of supervisory dutiesbut theyre low-paid, barely a blip on the org chart, and unfairly dont get paid overtime despite grueling workweeks.

Employers, sometimes inadvertently and often intentionally, overreach and treat workers as subject to an overtime exemption meant for executive, administrative, and professional employees. The logic behind the exemption, often referred to as the white-collar exemption, is that these workers dont need the laws protection because theyre more readily able to negotiate fair terms in the market.

Advertisement

But often, mid-level workers with modest if any true authoritythink assistant branch managers at banks or assistant managers at fast-food restaurants or retail store locationshave to work extremely long hours without getting overtime because theyre incorrectly slotted by the employer into this exemption. Since theyre paid a salary, the workers 41st, 50th, or 60th hour doesnt cost the employer an extra cent.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The Biden administration last month took a monumental step toward stopping these abuses when the Department of Labor issued a new rule increasing the salary threshold for being exempt from overtime protection. The department estimates that in the first year, the rule will make 4 million workers newly entitled to overtime protection and will result in an income transfer of around $1.5 billion from employers to workers.

Advertisement

The white-collar exemption has a duties test, focused on what the worker doesare they really a manager or professional in their core duties?as well as a salary test focused on how much they earn. The latter injects a bit of common sense into the analysis: No matter what fancy title a person is given (Grand Supreme Boss of Everything!), if they earn below a certain threshold, that person still needs the overtime laws protection. If your salary is so low you have to get a second job to pay the rent, or its a major crisis when the car needs a new muffler, that isnt the salary of a true executive, administrator, or professional who wields power in the labor market.

Advertisement

Related From Slate The Serial Yelpers Who Leave Deranged One-Star Reviews Read More

The new Biden rule increases the salary threshold considerably. Its currently $684 per week; after an interim bump in July, it will increase to $1,128 per week on Jan. 1, 2025. After that, it will be adjusted every three years.

Advertisement

The current threshold is far too low; it amounts to around $35,000 per year, and works out to just over $17 per hour. Most of us will likely agree that if you are making $18 or $22 or $25 per hour, you are not a wheeler-dealer in the corner suite, and you should have a right to overtime coverage without having to prove exactly how not-managerial you are. By creating a more reasonable bright line below which most workers will be entitled to overtime coverage, the new threshold will make it far harder for employers to pay a salary of $38,000 or $45,000 per year and then assign truly excessive work schedules without additional compensation for workers.

Advertisement

Advertisement

This new rule will put billions of dollars in the pockets of low and mid-wage workers. But its not just about the money: Its also about allowing people to have reasonable workweeks without excessive hours. Everyone deserves to be able to enjoy time with their families, to see their kids grow up, to reminisce with aging parents, or even just see friends, go to the gym, or have a hobby.

The business groups that will invariably file suit to challenge the new rule should get with the times. Instead of fighting a fair and reasonable rule, they should learn from early-adopter companies that are thriving with a four-day workweek. Congress should recognize that for this rule to be real in peoples lives, they will need to adequately fund enforcement. Meanwhile, state leaders should take action to increase the salary thresholds under state overtime laws in case the Supreme Courts majority does its usual thing to this critically important new rule.

Above all, the new overtime rule is also about building a humane society. Peoples time is valuable, from the assistant bank branch manager to all those faux managers at Burritoville. The law shouldnt allow employers to squander it as though its worth nothing.
The waves were already crashing over the Toyotas hood when they found it.

It was a blustery September Sunday in 2021, and the Hilux pickup sat far down the gray sand in a remote cove on the wild west coast of New Zealands North Island. The Maori men who noticed the car live in mobile homes and cabins up by the road, on ancestral land near Kiritehere Beach. The truck was parked below the high-tide line, facing the sea, and was nearly swamped by the waves pummeling the shore. The men found the keys, tucked under the drivers-side floormat, and backed the car up the beach. They couldnt help but notice empty child seats strapped into the back. If any kids had gotten close to the sea on a day like this, they were long gone.

The truck, it would turn out, belonged to Tom Phillips, the son of a prominent Pakehawhitefamily with a farm nearby in Marokopa. Phillips, 34, spent much of his time on the farm, where he home-schooled his three kids, Jayda, 8, Maverick, 6, and Ember, 5. Hed separated from his wife three years before and had custody of the kids. Locals heard she was down on the South Island, struggling with her own problems.

Now here was his truck, marooned. The next morning, Toms brother Ben drove down to the beach. Hed last seen Tom and the kids on Saturday, Sept. 11, when theyd left the farm, heading, everyone thought, back to Otorohanga, the inland town where Tom kept a house. Now it was Sept. 13. Ben inspected the Toyota, then called the police.

Advertisement

Soon photos of the missing father and his three smiling children were in every newspaper and on every TV channel in New Zealand. Police and volunteer searchers fanned out over the area, knocking on doors. Helicopters, planes, and heat-detecting drones flew over the deep bush surrounding the beach. Rescue boats and jet skis buzzed through the roaring waves, looking for bodies. On days the sea was calm, swimmers from surf rescue teams explored caves along the shoreline. The local hapu, or Maori clan, cooked hot meals for the searchers in a shed near the beach. Three days into the search, Phillips ex-wife released a careful statement through the police, thanking the searchers for their efforts. We are holding out every hope that my children Jayda, Maverick, and Ember are safe, she said.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

But the stark factsthe lonely car on the beach, the 8-foot waves, Tom and the children vanishing completelywere daunting. I do fear the worst, Toms sister, Rozzi Pethybridge, told a reporter. I am worried a rogue wave has caught one of the kids and hes gone in to save them. Phillips uncle seemed to be hinting at something even darker when he told another reporter that in some ways he hoped it had been a rogue wave: If something has happened to the children, the best-case scenario is that they were washed out to sea, he said. That way its an accident.

September in New Zealand, the height of Southern Hemisphere spring, is whitebaiting season, when locals set up nets at the river mouth to capture the shoals of immature fish headed back to their freshwater home. But during the search operation, authorities placed a rahui, a ban, on fishing. Some Marokopa residents grumbled about halting what had been a boom season. But others put things in perspective. Thats the end of the whitebaiting, one local told a reporter, but thats small-time compared with losing a family.

Advertisement

On social media and on Reddit, observers seized on rumors of a custody dispute and spun out dark theories of an abduction or staged disappearance. Phillips was an experienced bushman, camper, and hunter. In passing, locals told reporters that if Phillips had taken the kids out into the wild for some reason, they were confident he could last for weeks or months out there, even with three children in tow. A week into the search, family members seemed to be pinning their hopes on this idea. Were looking on the bright side, the uncle told Radio New Zealand. Were hoping hes just gone and hidden in the bush.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

After 12 days of active searching, the police stood down. The whitebaiting rahui was lifted. Emergency services personnel moved out of the Marokopa community building on the banks of the river. Other than the Toyota, not a single sign had been found of the four missing Phillipses. The media continued covering the case, but there wasnt much to sayeveryone understood that until bodies washed up somewhere, it was unlikely there would be any further news.

Advertisement

No one knew that the disappearances were just the beginning of an ordeal that has not yet endeda case that has only grown stranger and more ominous in the two and a half years since, prompting pleas from family, increasing public astonishment, online speculation, a shocking crime, and a communitys closing ranks around one of its own.

Back in September 2021, the real mystery started when the first one was solved. Because 17 days after they had been reported missing, Tom Phillips and his three children walked through the front door of his parents farm.

The Tom Phillips disappearance captivated New Zealand. But the incident never reached the 24/7 fever pitch of blanket coverage that would have characterized the story if it had happened in the United States. In part thats because theres no CNN-style 24-hour news channel in New Zealand, though pretty much every outlet in the country sent a reporter to the west coast in hopes of digging something up. But no one had much to say. Phillips uncle spoke to press during the search, but other members of the Phillips clan stuck to the farm and stayed away from television cameras. The police delivered a daily briefing most afternoons, which never offered any new information. The childrens mother remained unnamed. Reporters were unable to reveal details of the couples custody disputes, because family courts in New Zealand strictly prohibit media from reporting on their proceedings.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Even after Phillips and his children returned, there was no footage of the happy family waving from the front porch, no soft-focus newsmagazine interviews, no morning-show feature. Phillips never spoke to the press. The family issued a statementTom is remorseful, he is humbled, he is gaining an understanding of the horrific ordeal he has put us throughand Pethybridge gave a brief interview to the New Zealand Herald in which she seemed shell-shocked by the situation. Hope dwindled and we became more and more resigned and sad, she said. Now, she added, she could smile and laugh for the first time in three weeks, and not feel bad if you have a little smile.

Advertisement

She did not, however, smile once in the entire interview. The family closed ranks, and reporters were stuck combing social media for clues. (Pethybridge also shared a song titled Hey Brother by Swedish DJ Avicci, one report noted.)

The residents of Marokopa, too, had little to say once the children were safe, one reporter told me. After he was found, no one wanted to talk, said Karen Rutherford of Newshub. He has put people through the wringer, to be honest. After all, what had all that work been for? Theyd served meals to rescuers, opened the community center 24/7. Many residents had tramped along the shoreline, looking for bodies. Even after the police had called off the search, members of the local hapu went out every day. Then it turned out that Phillips simply had not bothered to tell anyone he was taking the children to the deep bush, pitching a tent 15 kilometers south of the beach where his car was found. Hes done this before. Its not the first time, a local farmer said. Were glad to have him back, but he should be held accountable. What was he thinking?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

And why had he left the car there, anyway? Though one friend suggested that the pickup had been stolen by joyriding kids, most everyone assumed that Phillips had parked on the beach to throw searchers off the trail. But for what purpose? Some noted Pethybridges comment that Phillips was in a helpless place and wanted to clear his head. A Reddit user mused: Its one thing for him wanting to clear his head but what about the kids? Hope theyre OK, might need some therapy stat. Others leaped in to assure everyone that a trip to the bush was just what any kid needed: Going camping with dad and forgetting about the rest of the world would be pretty sweet.

Advertisement

Indeed, theres a long tradition in New Zealand of valorizing backcountry adventuregetting lost in the bush for a whileshared by parents and children. Its a Man Alone thing, the Auckland education researcher Stuart McNaughton told me, referring to the 1939 novel by John Mulgan still viewed by many as essential to understanding the Kiwi character. Getting on with stuff, taming a difficult environment, getting hurt in the process. To many New Zealanders, a proper father figure is a guy who knows how to handle the wilderness, a place where increasingly citified Kiwi kids seem less and less comfortable. McNaughton summarized the attitude: If theyre gonna have an accident, theyre gonna have an accidentitll probably do them good.

Advertisement

The modern urtext on this subject is Taika Waititis 2016 comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople, still the most successful locally produced film in the nations history. In the movie, a troubled Maori kid from the Auckland streets bonds with a brusque Pakeha outdoorsman in the deep bush. The movies villain is a maniacal child protection officer who hunts them downthe overweening nanny state, in the flesh. Its based on a book by the late Barry Crump, famous for his reputation as a rugged bloke; New Zealanders know him best for his long-running ads for the Toyota Hilux ute, the official truck of bushmenunsurprisingly, the truck Tom Phillips owned and parked on Kiritehere Beach.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

After he returned, Phillips was charged with wasting police resources and ordered to appear in court. He was reckless as to whether wasteful deployment of police resources would result, the charges read. He behaved in a manner that was likely to give rise to serious apprehension for the safety of himself, Jayda Phillips, Ember Phillips and Maverick Phillips, knowing that such apprehension would be groundless. The charges carried a maximum penalty of three months in jail or a $2,000 fine.

In neighborhood Facebook groups and on playgrounds across New Zealand, parents debated the news. How dare this screw-up risk the lives of searchers and terrify his family because he hadnt bothered to tell anyone where he was going. Shouldnt he at least pay the government back for what it spent on that search plane? Or: How dare the government charge a parent for going camping with his children! Wasnt he the kind of throwback dad we didnt see enough of anymore, as modern kids become coddled and soft?

I was certainly sympathetic to this second argument. Id taken my own family to New Zealand to live for a period in 2017, specifically to capture that spirit of adventure, something that felt sorely lacking in our suburban American lives. Our daughtersjust a little older than Phillips kids were when they disappearedrarely left their comfort zones, and no one we knew let their children roam our neighborhood freely. We hoped that New Zealand might help shake us up. I was no bushman like Tom Phillips, but the four of us did go tramping across graywacke streams, into the forest primeval, even along a remote shore that looked quite a bit like the Marokopa coast. Unlike Phillips, I told my friends where we were going, but still: Were the police really charging this guy for giving his kids what might have been a wondrous adventure?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Reporters, struggling to advance the story, asked experts what they thought about it all. One family lawyer admitted he knew nothing about the childrens custody arrangement but said, If there was no parenting order, and he was just going on holiday, legally hes done nothing wrong. The same outlet asked a human rights lawyer what she thought about a parent taking children out into the deep bush without letting anyone know. Its not best practice, she replied, in a tone I could almost hear from the page.

Then, in December, as summer vacation season began, the New Zealand Herald found a Facebook postseemingly from someone close to the childrens motherstating that Phillips had once again taken his kids on walkabout. He notified family of where he was going, the local police commander said in response. In terms of current court restrictions of what he can and cant do, hes doing nothing wrong. Commenters online were aghast that the paper had pursued the story. So this is just literally a man taking his kids camping? one wrote. Correct, replied another. His ex-missus has gone to NZH and theyve run with it.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Phillips scheduled court date was Jan. 12, 2022. That morning, reporters packed the tiny wooden courthouse in Te Kuiti, lured by the chance to finally ask questions of the enigmatic father who had made news and driven debate across the country for months. More media spilled onto Queen Street outside, pacing in the warm summer sun.

Tom Phillips never showed up. Appearing via video, his lawyer told the judge that hed informed his client of the appearance date and never spoken to him again. He also asked to withdraw as counsel in the case.

The judge issued a warrant for Phillips arrest. But the police couldnt locate Phillips or his three children. They had disappeared into the bush. And this time, they didnt come back.

When I spoke to New Zealanders in the months after the second disappearance of Tom Phillips, it was clear that some in the country still viewed him as a kind of quirky folk hero whod taken his kids out into the wilderness to avoid the oppressive, overreaching government. There was a lot of talk like that, said Max Baxter, the mayor of Otorohanga, where Phillips house sat empty, weeds growing over his fence. He felt that his personal protection of the children was paramount, and the result was that he was opening them up to experiences that kids nowadays dont get. Hes teaching them to be bushmen. He laughed. My grown children probably couldnt survive two weeks in the bush!

A lot of people are like, Leave him alone, those kids are probably having the time of their lives,  said Karen Rutherford, the New Zealand reporter who got the only on-camera interview with Phillips ex-wife. But others, she told me, felt that now hes skipped court hes stuffed all his chances of being a good dad.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

In the United States, I felt my admiration of Phillips wash away like the road to Marokopa as heavy rains swept through the region. Was he really hiding his kids in the bush during this kind of weather? The childrens mother made a public appeal for assistance in May, as New Zealand winter approached. Other relatives on the mothers side launched an online petition urging police to do more. They complained that Phillips parents were refusing to let anyone onto their enormous Marokopa compound to search the wilderness around the farmor the baches, the guesthouses the family used to rent out to tourists.

The Phillips family remained silent objects of fascination for the news media. On the day of Phillips courthouse no-show, his mother had told reporters assembled outside the gates of the family farm, I am trespassing all media from this property. According to one outlet, asked if she knew where her son was, Julia Phillips simply answered with a shrug and a smile.

Theyre real sort of rugged, coast-y people who dont come into town much, a local reporter told me. Theyre kind of unusual. Youd call them rednecks, I think. (Being coastal has a very different connotation in New Zealand than it does in the U.S.) Tony Wall, a reporter for the newsmagazine Stuff, told me that Phillips parents have been very uncooperative. If you read between the lines, it definitely seems like they know something but theyre not telling us.

Someone, everybody assumed, was shopping for supplies and ferrying them out to Phillips, wherever he was hiding out. Its almost unfathomable to think a father could survive with three small children without someone buying them supplies, Baxter told me. But whats the endgame? Im looking out my window now, and its pouring down rain.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The lack of urgency on the part of Waikato police was often commented upon. Its very strange, one reporter whos been covering the case said. The cops are not pouring any resources into looking for him and those children. I think they are of the view that hes not going to hurt them and hell eventually come out. The department responded to press requests with a not-particularly-inspiring statement: Police continue to make enquiries to establish the whereabouts of Tom Phillips, who we believe is currently with his three children. While Police understand the ongoing interest in this matter, we will not be disclosing the details of the enquiries that are under way.

Whatever enquiries were under way, that cold and wet winter passed with no sign of Tom Phillips. As 2022 turned into 2023, Phillips and his children had been missing without a trace for more than a year. Then came the bank robbery.

The two figures were dressed in all blackmotorcycle helmets, puffer jackets, and bootswhen they walked into the ANZ bank branch less than half a mile from the courthouse in Te Kuiti, just before noon on May 16, 2023. When the banks anxious staff asked them to take their helmets off, the pair displayed guns and demanded money. Tellers quickly gave them cash and, within moments, the pair ran out the front door.

As the robbers hurried down Rora Street, one witness later said they were dropping cash out of their pockets, heaps of $50 notes. The street was strewn with money. The confused passerby asked one of them, a slight figure whom they described as a girl, if she needed help picking up the money. Up ahead, the girls companiona man, it seemedturned back to look at what was happening. Right then, he was tackled to the ground by the owner of the SuperValue supermarket theyd been hurrying past.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Suddenly, the girl brandished her gun. The passerby backed away. Someone called, Fire the gun! No ones quite clear who did what, or whom they were aiming at, but someone did fire, more than once. The passerby froze in their tracks, and the supermarket owner retreated.

The robbers ran past a vape shop and around a corner to a parking lot, where they climbed onto a motorbike and rode off to the north. Behind them, bank notes littered the pavement, 20s and 50sas much as $1,000, one witness estimated.

The armed robbery shocked the town, which bills itself as the nations sheepshearing capital. A week later, the robbery led a Waikato Times feature about growing youth crime concerns in Te Kuiti, full of nervous quotes from residents and shop owners about meth, burglary, and car thefts broadcast on TikTok.

Yet on the subject of the bank robbery itself, one Maori warden had only to say that he reckoned locals already knew who did it. It wasnt some wayward Te Kuiti youth or a more organized criminal element. Even in those early days, speculation was running rampant among residents that the bank robbers were, in fact, Tom Phillipsand one of his children.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

It took four months for police to officially name Phillips for the crime, charging him with aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding, and unlawful possession of a firearm. They believe that he was the larger of the two robbers, the one who seemed to be leading things, and have not identified the second, smaller robber, other than to say that they think she is female. At the time of the robbery, Jayda was 10.

The September 2023 charges in the Wild Weststyle bank robberyguns blazing, bank notes blowing in the windeliminated any residual goodwill Phillips had accumulated in his long months on the run. They capped off an eventful winter, Phillips second on the run with his children.

The month before, Phillips had stolen a trucknaturally, a Toyota Hiluxand driven to Hamilton, the biggest city in the Waikato region, about 40 miles north of Otorohanga. An acquaintance recognized him in the parking lot of Bunnings, a Home Depottype home improvement store, where Phillips, wearing a surgical mask and a woolen hat, used a large amount of cash to buy headlamps, batteries, seedlings, buckets, and gumboots.

That evening, Phillips got into an altercation on a road about an hour up the coast from Marokopa. The owner of the Hiluxwho had also realized that winter clothing had been stolen from his propertyfought with Phillips, then chased him along the winding highway, reportedly attempting to run him off the road. Eventually multiple vehicles were pursuing Phillips, who switched off the Hiluxs headlights and turned sharply into the parking lot of the Te Kauri Lodge, driving through a gate and into a paddock. He went in there and he hid, a lodge custodian told Radio New Zealand. These fullahs drove straight past. The police sent out a search helicopter, to no avail. A few days later, the Hilux was found deep in the undergrowth, about 25 meters off Marokopa Road, not far from the Phillips farm.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

A few weeks later, a private investigatorhe tells reporters he follows the case on his own timetipped off Tony Wall, the reporter at Stuff, that the property to which the Hilux was returned had hosted Phillips for a visit the year before. (The P.I. says he reported the sighting to the police but nothing came of it.) According to an informant, Phillips had been receiving help from a network of local residents since day one.

Wall chronicled his visit to the steep, densely wooded property near Otorohanga in a hair-raising story published last August. A neighbor, who was reportedly also present when Phillips visited the property in 2022, launched into a coy, taunting conversation about the disappearance. I cant say if I have or havent seen him in the last few years, the man said. Its like a good game of hide-and-go-seek. Hes fucking good at it. Never, ever play hide-and-go-seek with him because youll give up, and he wont come out. When Wall asked the man how someone like Phillips could simply vanish, the man scoffed. Its easy in New Zealand. The justice system is shit, the court system is shit, the police are shit, the media is shit. Thats the facts of it.

As Wall drove away, his car was overtaken by two other drivers, who boxed him in and forced him to pull over to the side of the road. One of the vehicles was driven by the owner of the stolen Hilux, who accused Wall of snooping around and causing havoc. Youre in the wrong fucking place for this, man, he said. You want to come and harass us out here, on my own turf? He tried to force open Walls car door, telling him, Im gonna fuck you up, mate.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Wall finally managed to drive away, but the utes owner had one last thing to say. Youre fucking lucky were letting you out of here, cunt. You want the truth about the whole fucking scenario, mate, youd better be on your game, cause youre pushing shit uphill now.

After the police named Phillips in the bank robbery, residents phoned in more than a dozen sightings, but the police could never seem to catch him. Late one night in November, Phillips and one of his children rode a stolen quad bike to the town of Piopio and smashed the window of a superette in an attempted burglary, police say. Security footage showed a pair dressed in full camo gear approaching the stores camera with a spray can. When an alarm sounded, they fled south.

This January, the two-year anniversary of Phillips second flight passed with just another wan police announcementthis time that they had narrowed Phillips hiding place to the Marokopa area, a development that surprised absolutely no one whos been following the case. Yet I feel for the police, who are looking in an area spanning hundreds of square miles, where a number of residents clearly still have no desire to share information with them. (The owner of the stolen Hiluxa guy who disliked Phillips enough that he tried to run him off the roadnevertheless referred to the police as fucking pigshits.) If a plane crashed in this bush, youd be fortunate to find it, Max Baxter told me. Its really, really hard to begin somewhere, unless theres someone who knows and decides its time to come forward.

Few New Zealanders still believe that Phillips and his kidsnow 10, 8, and 7are roughing it, stalking game in the deep bush like the wilderpeople of old. Most everyone thinks that hes hiding on or near his family farm, aided by a network of friendly locals that may or may not include his parents. (Thats certainly what Wall, still trying to crack the case, believes.) On social media, its been a long time since anyone has called Phillips a good dad merely fighting authority. Hes just a piece of shit human being with anger and control issues who is subjecting his children to child abuse, went one typical comment.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

And few anticipate any ending to this story that feels happy at all. In the worst-case scenario, Phillips and his kids are injured, or killed, robbing another bank or battling it out with the cops. But even the best-case scenario at this point feels grim. Phillips children have spent the past two and a half years with a father whos surely told them that everyone is out to get them, that they can trust no one but him, that the only way to stay safe is to hide out far from the rest of the world. Hes relayed to them that their future depends on smashing windows, stealing cars, waving guns.

Someday those children will be found, and their father will almost certainly be sent to jail. Every news report about the casea dwindling number, as the months go onfeatures the same photos of the children: the girls in fairy dresses, all three of them grinning widely. In the next photos we see of Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, they wont be smiling. I once thought perhaps their father was giving them a gift, the adventure of a lifetime. Instead, he stole their childhoods. When its all over theyll be as alone as that truck was, parked on the gray sand, the implacable sea rushing up to meet it.
This is part of How Originalism Ate the Law, a Slate series about the legal theory that ruined everything.

By the end of June, the U.S. Supreme Court will issue its decision in United States v. Rahimi, a case in which a man subject to a domestic violence restraining order says he has a constitutional right to keep his gun and that a federal law disarming abusers violates the Second Amendment. The court will also decide Garland v. Cargill, a challenge to a law classifying semiautomatic weapons equipped with bump stocks as machine guns because they enable automatic fire.

Last year, more than 40,000 people were killed by guns in the United States. Gun violence is now the No. 1 killer of children in America, and every month, about 70 American women are murdered by gun-wielding intimate partners. If her abuser has a gun, an abused woman is five times more likely to be killed by him.

Americans support commonsense gun control measures, with more than 80 percent of adultsincluding 79 percent of gun ownerssaying that guns should be removed from people under domestic violence restraining orders. Close to the same percentage of Americans back laws that require gun owners to lock up their weapons. The United States is the only wealthy, functional peacetime state not plagued with gang violence that still has gun violence rates this high. The reason is our shockingly lax gun laws and the number of guns that have been allowed to proliferate as a result.

Advertisement

Why are we stuck with such lax gun safety laws when stricter regulation is so popular? Congress and state legislatures have struggled to do much about these pervasive and deadly problems in large part because of our current Supreme Courtand in particular its past 16 years of radical pro-gun jurisprudence. Since 2008, the court has radically departed from centuries of case law on gun regulations and the Second Amendment, making it astoundingly difficult for lawmakers to implement even the most basic and commonsense of gun laws. The departure had to do with the rapid rise of originalism, the legal theory that claims to interpret the Constitution according to its public meaning at the time of ratification. When it comes to guns, this effort stems largely from a 2008 case that has proved to be the original sin of originalist constitutional theory: District of Columbia v. Heller.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Heller centered on a (frankly poorly written) D.C. law regulating handgun ownership that functionally made it difficult for private individuals in the District to own handguns. A police officer, who wanted a handgun both on the job and at home, sued. And for the first time, the conservatives of the Supreme Court discovered an individual right to bear arms within the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitutionand had the gall to call this a return to the founders intent.

Claiming that there is a singular, discoverable intent or meaning that can be derived from the founders words is bizarre. If you have ever followed the passage of a law through a statehouse or Congress, you have seen that many different people have many different ways of understanding and interpreting the very words they are putting into legal effect; if you have ever read the Federalist Papers or even recall much of your high school American history class, you may remember that there was robust conflict and compromise over the Constitution, including serious disagreement as to what various words and ideas might actually mean. Scholars still argue over the meaning of the Ten Commandments, which are ostensibly the word of God himself. Historical political leaders, just like present ones, were not a unified bloc in full agreement over the limitations and entire meanings of the laws they were passing. They were human beings using the English language, with all of its limitations. The founders were also keenly aware that they were setting forth rights that would govern not just in their today but, they hoped, in a faraway tomorrow, and that they would need to be interpreted in an ever-changing country.

Advertisement

Advertisement

All of this undercuts the justification for originalism itself, as does the work of the actual judges who implement it. Much has been written about the utter historical illiteracy of originalist federal judges, who uniformly cherry-pick convenient bits and pieces of the past while simply disregarding the parts of the historical record they dislike. The real scamother than the theory itselfis the way in which conservative activists have convinced much of the public that originalism is a careful, buttoned-up theory that vows fealty to the Constitution.

Advertisement

Heller remains perhaps the most influential originalist decision of all time, penned by the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. To take a step back, the Second Amendment itself reads: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. As historian and author Joshua Zeitz wrote in Politico, historians are clear that in the 18th century, when Congress passed and the states ratified the amendment  the right to bear arms was inextricably connected to the citizens obligation to serve in a militia and to protect the community from enemies domestic and foreign. Rights that were more individualizedto speak freely, to practice ones religion without state interferencewere separated out and included no note of reciprocal community obligations. James Madison himself, Zeitz writes, twice introduced state legislation in Virginia that would impose penalties on any individual who bear[s] a gun out of his inclosed ground, unless whilst performing military duty.  In other words, the guy who wrote the Constitution didnt think it proscribed infringing upon an individual right to bear arms.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

It is only through an intentional ignorance of this history that one might hold, as Scalia did in Heller, that the Second Amendment guarantee[s] an individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation.

I think the best way of thinking about Heller is its a classic pincer movement, where you have a well-coordinated effort among what I affectionately call the originalism-industrial complex, which includes the Federalist Society and libertarian and right-wing think tanks like Heritage and AEI and Hoover, and then a very popular grassroots movement for gun rights, Fordham University professor and legal historian Saul Cornell said. Together, the combination of having this super well-funded, super-organized group of lawyers and activists is one part of the foundation for how you can have a decision like Heller.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Lawyers, Cornell said, often work backward, looking for historical evidence to bolster one claim or another, rather than starting with the historical record itself. Originalists, he said, have no historical rigor, very few of them have any serious training in history, and they really do seem to think, The Constitution is written in English, Im a lawyer, and then were off to the races. By the mid-2000s, judges like Scalia and other conservative originalists saw their cause bolstered by a well-funded effort to inject a new individual-right interpretation of the Second Amendment into various law reviews. Many of these articles were written by the same small number of pro-gun academics, many of the law reviews they appeared in were not particularly prestigious, and none were peer-reviewed. But once an idea is in the law review ecosystem, Cornell said, it starts to matter because you can cite it and it looks legitimate. Toward the tail end of the 20th century, the National Rifle Association was also pushing aggressively into American politics, and gun rights had become an ascendant issue in many conservative think tanks, often thanks to funding from the NRA. Within the network of right-wing advocacy organizations, think tanks, politicians, and legal training grounds, a novel and radical theory was taking hold that gun rights should be virtually unrestricted.

Advertisement

Advertisement

For all that Heller did to rewrite the modern interpretation of the Second Amendment, Scalias opinion still didnt go quite far enough for the most aggressive gun rights activists. It did not, for example, offer a clear path for courts to evaluate (and strike down) other gun laws. So lower courts implemented a test for those new laws, looking at what legislatures intended with any particular gun law and whether the burdens that that law imposed were out of proportion to the important public safety interests at hand. But this, an even more conservative Supreme Court said in 2022s New York Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, was wrong; instead, the court held that to justify a firearm regulation the government must demonstrate that the regulation is consistent with the Nations historical tradition of firearm regulation. In addition to establishing this new, almost-impossible-to-meet standard, the Bruen case struck down the New York law, which was from 1911. A 111-year-old law was, apparently, not itself evidence of the nations historical tradition of firearm regulation. (The court didnt bother to tell us what time frame does count, except that everything after 1900 is irrelevant.)

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

And so this is where we are: Any efforts to regulate 21st-century weapons in 21st-century America must have very old historical equivalences: A distinctly similar historical regulation is evidence that a gun law may be constitutional. But if earlier generations addressed the societal problem, but did so through materially different means, that might be evidence that new gun regulations are not in fact constitutional. This is crazy-making and stymies any effort to create better laws to address long-standing problems, such as the proliferation of semiautomatic weapons that kill so many Americans each year. The court seems to be saying that the apocryphal Einstein adage about the definition of insanitydoing the same thing over and over and expecting different resultsis apparently now the only legitimate way to regulate guns in the U.S.

Advertisement

The other problem with this hardcore originalist interpretation? It confines much of lawmaking to an era in which most Americans had no say in the political process and forecloses upon commonsense and popular legislation, threatening public trust in the Supreme Court. These problems, among many others, are particularly apparent in Rahimi, involving gun rights for accused domestic abusers found dangerous enough to merit a restraining order. At the time the Constitution was ratified, women couldnt vote, let alone petition the courts for a domestic violence restraining order. As far as anyone can telland Supreme Court litigators have certainly lookedthere were no laws in 18th- or 19th-century America stripping gun ownership rights from accused domestic abusers, in part because wife-beating was not generally considered a serious crime. Under Bruens originalist test, Rahimi should be an easy case, Nelson Lund, a professor at George Mason Universitys Antonin Scalia Law School, wrote in the New York Times. The government has not informed the Supreme Court of a single pre-20th-century law that punished American citizens, even those who had been convicted of a violent crime, for possessing a gun in their own homes. Not one.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Back then, the government did disarm people it deemed dangerous, including tax protesters and Quakers. Abusing your wife, child, or another member of your household, though, was not exactly a hotly contested act. It was sometimes frowned upon but often allowed.

Related From Slate The Alternative to Originalism That Could Actually Establish the America We Deserve Read More

Holding that people under domestic abuse restraining orders can still possess guns would be wildly unpopular. It could reveal this Supreme Court, and originalism itself, to be unserious, vacuous, and ill-suited for the task of interpreting legal meaning and determining the laws that apply nationwide today.

Luckily for the conservatives of this court, they have already determined that originalism can be fudged. Just look at Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and ended the era of legal abortion nationwide. At the time of the countrys founding and under English common law, abortion was, in fact, generally permitted until quickening, or when a pregnant woman felt her fetus movewhich tends to be somewhere between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. States did not begin to ban abortion until 1828. And yet, in Dobbs, the majority opinion held that the right to abortion is not deeply rooted in the Nations history and tradition.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Many court watchers expect to see similar originalist gymnastics in Rahimi. The thing about cherry-picking historical data points, after all, is that in a vast country with 50 states and several centuries of legislating and lawmaking, a highly motivated and historically untrained judge can find a lot to rely on to support just about whatever conclusion they would like to draw. But a reasonable outcome in Rahimithe courts determining, for example, that dangerousness has enough historical precedent to be a legitimate basis for regulating an individuals right to have a gundoes not mean rejecting originalism. Its just further evidence of its convenient malleability.

This court is not going to give up the new religion, Cornell, the legal historian, said. Originalism is not a theory. Its an ideology. And there are no historians who are originalists, which should tell you something.
Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act. But American Jews who care about fighting antisemitism should be against it.

HR 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act, passed 32091. Seventy Democrats and 21 Republicans voted against it (including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who noted that she was against antisemitism but wanted to protect her Christian right to say that Jews killed Jesus). The legislation would see the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances definition of antisemitism.

There are some who have long opposed codifying this particular definition because it comes with troublesome examples, most of which have to do with Israel. These include things like 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, and drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. Under this definition, then, Masha Gessens New Yorker essay on Holocaust memory and Israeli policy in Gaza would be considered antisemitic under the law. Gessen is a Jewish descendant of Holocaust survivors and victims.

There are many, including Zionist Jews, who have long warned that the IHRA standards could be used to chill pro-Palestinian speech. After the House passed the bill, Americans for Peace Now CEO Hadar Susskind warned in a statement:

Antisemitism is the hatred of Jews. Unfortunately, one doesnt need to look far to find it these days. But the supporters of this bill are looking in the wrong places. They arent interested in protecting Jews. They are interested in supporting right-wing views and narratives on Israel and shutting down legitimate questions and criticisms by crying antisemite at everyone, including Jews, who oppose the Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, Smotrich government.

Congressman Jerry Nadler of New York also opposed the bill:

Advertisement

I will take lectures from no one about the need for vigorous efforts to fight antisemitism on campus or anywhere else. I am also a deeply committed Zionist.  But while this definition and its examples may have useful applications in certain contexts, by effectively codifying them into Title VI, this bill threatens to chill constitutionally protected speech. Speech that is critical of Israelalonedoes not constitute unlawful discrimination. By encompassing purely political speech about Israel into Title VIs ambit, the bill sweeps too broadly.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

I agree with all of this. I think a bill that effectively restricts speech on the countrys foreign policy has no business being passed in the United States. This bill would be a problem if it only restricted Palestinian Americans from describing their families histories or present realities. That codifying this definition in a bill fighting antisemitism would also deem many Jews antisemiticincluding the quarter of American Jews who in 2021 said Israel is an apartheid stateundercuts its stated reason for being.

Advertisement

But I also think you do not have to disagree with the IHRAyou can, in fact, feel that this definition is a sound oneto believe that this law is a mistake. All you have to do is remember that, as a minority in the United States, American Jews have been as safe and secure as we are because of liberalism, pluralism, and civil rights.

American Jews take pride in American Jewish participation in the Civil Rights Movement, and for good reason. But it isnt just that some American Jews have stood up for civil rights, though that is true. Protection of civil rights has also helped American Jews. When American Jews stood up for freedom of expression and the right to be full political participants, they were also standing up for their own rights. In 1963, speaking before the March on Washington, Rabbi Joachim Prinz said, America must not become a nation of onlookers. America must not remain silent. Not merely Black America, but all of America. It must speak up and act  not for the sake of the Black community but for the sake of the image, the idea, and the aspiration of America itself.

Advertisement

Advertisement

He might have added for the sake of every minority community. Freedom of religion and the right to express that religion in public by, say, freely speaking out against prayer in schools has long protected Jewish equality in American life. The same goes for the freedom to protest American domestic or foreign policyagainst, for example, the Vietnam War (as many American Jews did). These fundamental rights are a large part of why American Jews are free to participate in public life as both Americans and Jews.

Advertisement

So, this debate is about not just one piece of legislation or even freedom of speech. It extends to First Amendment rights more generally. A recent YouGov poll found that 59 percent of American Jews believe that colleges have not been harsh enough in their responses to pro-Palestinian, anti-war protests. Many may have thus been heartened to see police break up the protests. I can understand that some American Jews dislike the protests, filled as they are with calls of From the river to the sea and intifada revolution, which many American Jews hear as cries to violently get rid of Jews, even as most of those chanting insist that thats not what they mean. Many Jews may think the protests are singling out Israel in a world full of atrocities, or that the protesters are failing to mention Oct. 7 and the hostages.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

But even those who cannot admit that the students have been moved to protest by months of war and tens of thousands of deaths in Gaza, including thousands of children, should remember that come January, it is entirely possible that the U.S. president will once again be Donald Trump. And when that happens, all of these rights may soon be tested not only on the issue of U.S. support for Israel in this war but in every facet of American life.

Under a second Trump administration, many Jews will want to protest its actionsnot only the plight of Gazas civilians and of the Israeli hostagesand this law will endanger the right to do that. Trump has, for example, said that he would let states monitor womens pregnancies and prosecute those who have abortions. American Jews overwhelmingly support the right to an abortion, which was, for many American Jews, a top electoral issue two years ago. (Some have even argued in court that protecting abortion rights is required by Jewish law.) But agitating against state policy on abortion and for abortion rights has historically involved protestsand will surely continue to do so. Sometimes that protest involves being places you have been asked to leave. Given the timing, it is difficult not to see the Antisemitism Awareness Act as at least in part a justification for police crackdowns on protest. Establishing a precedent for more violent crackdowns mere months before the arrival of an administration that will push policies opposed by most American Jews seems, at best, shortsighted.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related From Slate America Needs to Grow Up Read More

But this isnt about just the constitutional right to protest. Its also about American Jewish autonomy. Indeed, there is another, self-serving reason for American Jews to oppose the governments defining antisemitism or passing legislation that could be used to restrict speech around American policy: Stopping this bill from becoming law will protect the right of American Jews to define for themselves what it means to be American Jews in a pluralistic country.

Trump has repeatedly said that he feels that Jews who did not vote for him are disloyal and need to be spoken to, and he dined with Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist and Holocaust denier. But even generously leaving that aside for a moment: Trumps allies are, per Politico, planning to infuse Christian nationalist ideas in his administration should the former president return to power. They have listed Christian nationalismthe idea that, despite this countrys separation of church and state, Christianity should be prioritized through the government and in the public sphereas a priority for his second term. This effort is reportedly being overseen by Russell Vought, Trumps former Office of Management and Budget director, who is close to Trump administration official William Wolfe, who has advocated for overturning same-sex marriage, ending abortion and reducing access to contraceptives. (It is perhaps worth noting here that the current speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, believes that separation of church and state is a misnomer and has ties to explicitly Christian nationalist groups.)

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

These are the people who could soon be back in power. There are already many American Jews who oppose the new proposed legislation because we believe in freedom of speech and because we know that imposing a definition on a particular type of hatred and combating that hatred are two different things. But for others, perhaps it is worth remembering that the people who will be in power come January may well care more about policing speech around the Jewish state than they do about the Jews who live here, in this country.

Advertisement

Biden, in his speech at the Capitol for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museums Days of Remembrance on Tuesday, said, On college campuses, Jewish students blocked, harassed, attacked while walking to class. Antisemitism, antisemitic posters, slogans, calling for the annihilation of Israel, the worlds only Jewish state. He also said, From the very founding, our very founding, Jewish Americans represented only about 2 percent of the U.S. population and helped lead the cause of freedom for everyone in our nation. From that experience, we know scapegoating and demonizing any minority is a threat to every minority and the very foundation of our democracy.

Threats to minorities and the foundation of democracy can come in many forms. The Antisemitism Awareness Act imposes a definition of antisemitism. Actual awareness of antisemitism, on the other hand, means holding on to the civil liberties that have helped us fight antisemitism in this countrynot hampering them.
This is part of How Originalism Ate the Law, a Slate series about the legal theory that ruined everything.

One of the inescapable conclusions that came from diving deep into the allure of originalism was the profound and uniquely American connection between theories of constitutional interpretation and methodologies of religious exegesis. Professor Jamal Greene writes that [t]he American attitude toward the Constitution is frequently described in terms of worship, reverence, and fidelity. Greene cites Max Lerner fretting all the way back in 1937 that the very habits of mind begotten by an authoritarian Bible and a religion of submission to a higher power have been carried over to an authoritarian Constitution and a philosophy of submission to a higher law.  Lerner then pointed to the paradox wherein a country like America, in which its early tradition had prohibited a state church, ends by getting a state church after all, although in a secular form.

Its impossible to separate the new, conservative affinity for treating text as sacred and the Supreme Court as oracular diviners of holy meaning from statistics showing a statistically significant correlation between Americans approval of originalism and their belief in the literal truth of the Bible. One of my favorite thinkers on the link between originalism and religion is Yale Law School professor Jack Balkin, Knight Professor of Constitutional Law and the First Amendment and director of the Information Society Project at Yale, whose new book, Memory and Authority: The Uses of History in Constitutional Interpretation, was published earlier this year. I spoke with him about the connection on the latest episode of Amicus, which weve excerpted below. The excerpt is condensed and edited for clarity.

Advertisement

Dahlia Lithwick: I would love for you to talk about religion, because theres such a strong religious valence to so much of this much. You write this in your new book, Memory and Authority: A distinctive feature of American constitutional culture is its quasi-religious veneration of its framers and founders. I would love for you to tell me how this maps on to this very strange, fraught American religion of the Constitution?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Jack Balkin: Compare America to Canada: The Canadians have a constitution that protects rights and liberties and allows its government to do stuff. They dont have the same kind of worshipful attitude toward the people who, over many years, created Canada. The French: They do have a revolutionary culture, the French Revolutionbut the French dont revere the revolutionaries as we do. (Thats because some of the revolutionaries are people like Danton and Robespierre, who are very complicated individuals.) Whats interesting about America is its a political revolution in a revolutionary culture, and its a revolution in which the country, the imagined people, the American people, and the nation all are supposed to have occurred at roughly the same time. And the people who make the Constitution are the people who make the nation and who constitute the people as a people.

Advertisement

This is a myth, by the way. This is not truethat it all happened at the same time. But in the myth, the people who did it are our heroes because they made our nation and our Constitution and we love them, right? So thats very American, and you wont find that combination, that magical combination, in a lot of other countries. It is, however, one reason why we venerate the founders. But we have a bunch of other cultural heroes too: Lincoln is a cultural hero, Martin Luther King Jr. is a cultural hero, and we have various others: Rosa Parks is a cultural hero. So we have all these culture heroes in America who stand for great things and who did wonderful things. But whats so interesting is that the original cultural heroes are the founders, as a group. And then there are individual onesthe big six, you know: Washington, Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin. These are the big six. And they stand out as special kinds of heroes. So thats America, thats just American culture.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, religion. So as you know, the American culture begins with radical Protestants coming to America. And then they all split up into different religious sects. But what they all have in common is a belief that you should really be serious about religious texts and the Bible. And you should read them carefully, and you should interpret them on your own, and you shouldnt be beholden to any special group of priests to tell you what it means. You should determine what Scripture means for yourself. This is also very American. Its how Americans think about their Constitution and their declaration. People carry copies of the Constitution or the Declaration [of Independence] in their pockets. They pull them out and read them. You will not find people in other countries pulling out copies of their constitution and reading them like its Scripture. And thats the religious tradition in America. And, by the way, its on the left and the right, its not just about conservatives, its liberals and conservatives.

Related From Slate America Is Captive to One Ridiculous Legal Theory That Dictates Our Laws on Guns, Abortion, and So Much More Read More

Its how Americans think about the texts that are constitutive of them. And the declaration is treated often as equally important, if not more important than the Constitution. As Lincoln says, Its the golden apple, and the silver frame is the Constitution that surrounds it. And thats also very American. And this goes all the way through American history. Its not just the modern period, and thats a distinctive feature of our culture. Indeed, I would just say: You cant understand American constitutionalism without understanding American culture. The two are basically joined.
Back in March 2023, I reported for Slate on a federal judge who handcuffed and berated an innocent 13-year-old girl who was in court to view her fathers sentencing. Over a year later, following a formal investigation, there have been only minimal consequences for that judge. This update shows how life-tenured federal judges, whose imperious self-regard can lead them to abuse spectators, can act with near impunity even when they are found culpable by their colleagues.

When Mario Puente showed up in San Diego U.S. District Court on Feb. 13, 2023, he had good reason to fear that he would be sent back to prison for violating his supervised release (the federal term for parole) on drug charges. He had no reason to worry, however, that his young daughter, who had just come along to show support for her dad, would end up in handcuffs. But that is what happened when Senior Judge Roger Benitez decided to teach an uncalled-for lesson to the 13-year-old girl, as recorded in the official transcript, who had done nothing more than sit quietly in the spectators section next to her aunt and a family friend.

In his last-ditch plea to stay out of prison, Puente made the fateful mistake of telling the court that he hoped to move away from his drug-infested neighborhood, where the bad company was already beginning to influence his daughter.

Benitez took that as a cue to turn to the girl, whose name has not been disclosed. Com[e] up for just a second, he instructed her, and stand next to that lawyer over there.

He then told a deputy U.S. marshal to put the cuffs on her and escort her to the jury box. The judge kept her cuffed for several minutes before he told the marshal to remove the restraints, and he hectored the sobbing girl about her perceived future:

Advertisement

If youre not careful, young lady, youll wind up in cuffs, and youll find yourself right there where I put you a minute ago.

I hope you remember this mean, old face. Look at it carefully. Remember that some day, those drugs may land you in a courtroom just like this.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

After Benitez finally allowed the daughter to return to her seat, he proceeded to sentence her father to 10 months in prison. (Puente was soon released on time served when his case was transferred to another judge.)

To his credit, Chief District Judge Dana Sabraw quickly initiated a formal complaint against Benitez under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980. Although such complaints are ordinarily confidential at the initial stage, this one was publicly disclosed under a provision of the law to maintain public confidence in the judiciarys ability to redress misconduct or disability. By then, however, Benitezs misconduct had already been widely reported on legal blogs and in the California press.

Advertisement

A special investigating committee of five judges spent over a year reviewing the written record and interviewing numerous witnesses. Although Benitez declined to appear personally before the committee, he submitted two written responses to the complaint. The committees recommendation was then presented to the Judicial Council of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, comprising nine federal trial and appellate court judges and chaired by Chief Judge Mary Murguia, which issued a final ruling earlier this month.

Remarkably, Benitez told the investigating committee that he would not straightforwardly apologize to the teenager hed mistreated. Instead, he insisted that hed simply taken an opportunity to possibly alter the destructive trajectory of two lives, meaning Puente and his daughter. He would therefore only apologize if I could also briefly explain why I did what I did.

Advertisement

Advertisement

He implausibly denied that he had done anything to demean or shame Puentes daughter, as though standing in a crowded courtroom, weeping and handcuffed, while receiving a lecture on drug use, was something an innocent child could be expected to endure without humiliation.

Taking no responsibility for the harm hed inflicted, Benitez blamed virtually everyone else in the courtroom for his behavior. The deputy marshals raised no objections to the handcuffing, he rationalized, and the defense lawyers, from the federal defenders office, had subjected Benitez to emotional manipulation by telling [him] how much she loved her father.

Advertisement

Trying to help a 13-year-old girl, Benitez maintained, cant be judicial misconduct.

He was in deep and arrogant denial. The judicial council made short work of his defenses, unanimously concluding that Benitez had committed judicial misconduct by engaging in abusive or harassing behavior [that] undermined the publics trust and confidence in the judiciary. Specifically, by creating a spectacle out of a minor child in the courtroom [Benitez chilled] the desire of friends, family members, and members of the public to support loved ones at sentencing.

Advertisement

While the condemnation of Benitezs conduct was unequivocal, the consequence did not match the offense. Judicial councils have a limited range of available penalties, given that federal judges cannot be removed from office other than by impeachment. But even so, Benitezs fellow judges let him off easier than they might have.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related From Slate The Judge Who Handcuffed and Berated a 13-Year-Old Girl for No Reason Read More

In a typical criminal case, for example, a defendants lack of remorse would call for a significant sentencing enhancement, and Benitez showed no contrition. As the judicial council found, At no point during this investigative process has Judge Benitez accepted that his actions were ill-advised, improper, and damaging to the publics trust in the judiciary.

Nonetheless, the judicial council issued only a public reprimand and prohibited Benitez from presiding over new criminal cases for three years. The first penalty is less severe than censure, which is also available under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980, and the latter is meaningless, given that Benitez, as a senior judge, had recently exercised his option to refrain from new criminal cases. (Puente was before Benitez on a supervised release revocation, which counted as an old case; the judicial council also gave defendants the right to recuse Benitez from hearing supervised release violations in the future.)

Advertisement

A more fitting penalty also available under the law, although unmentioned in the judicial council decision, would have been to suspend Benitez from presiding over any cases at all for a time certain. A judge who will not accept responsibility for abusing a child in open court has no business sitting in judgment of anyone, even in civil cases.

Given his arrogant refusal to acknowledge his grave misconduct, it is hardly likely that the reprimand alone will teach Benitez the necessary lesson. Perhaps 10 months completely away from the benchthe same length of time to which he sentenced Mario Puentemight bring about some serious and much-needed reflection.
This is part of How Originalism Ate the Law, a Slate series about the legal theory that ruined everything.

During her confirmation hearing in 2022, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson introduced herself to Congress as an originalist. This surprising move from a presumptively liberal justice signified to many the triumph of originalism as the accepted methodology of the Supreme Court. Jackson was following in the footsteps of Justice Elena Kagan, who famously declared that we are all originalists now during her own confirmation.

Kagan, however, came to regret that quip after watching her conservative colleagues implement a series of GOP policy preferences in the name of applying the Constitutions original meaning, which is what originalism claims to be. She is surely not the only progressive with second thoughts: The legal lefts embrace of originalism was a major influential development in the 12 years between Kagans and Jacksons elevation to the courtone thats arguably waning today, despite Jacksons appointment. After three terms of precedent-smashing activism by the Supreme Courts 63 conservative supermajority, almost always under the banner of originalism, the methodology looks more intellectually bankrupt, manipulable, and dangerous than ever.

Some liberals have responded with accusations that this supermajority peddles fauxriginalism, cherry-picking history to fit Republicans favored results. This allegation is certainly true, but doesnt answer the underlying question: Is it even a good idea to concede that the original meaning of the Constitutioneven if it could be reliably ascertainedis the authoritative one? Jacksons approach illustrates the benefits and risks of trying to beat originalists at their own game from the left. And with each passing term, the payoff looks smaller and smaller.

Advertisement

For progressives, the problems begin with the origin of the theory. Conservative scholars, politicians, and activists developed the idea of originalism in response to Brown v. Board of Educationyes, the decision that desegregated public schoolarguing that the Framers of the 14th Amendment would never have intended to integrate public education. They may have been right about that claim: The same Congress that proposed the 14th Amendment in 1866 segregated the District of Columbias public schools, while a supermajority of states that ratified the amendment also strictly separated education by race. That doesnt mean the push toward integration was the wrong move for our country and our 20th-century understanding of what equal rights ought to mean legally. Regardless, in the coming decades, the burgeoning conservative legal movement refined and pushed the theory to combat other contested Supreme Court decisions, including Roe v. Wade, Griswold v. Connecticut (birth control), Miranda v. Arizona (self-incrimination), Reynolds v. Sims (malapportionment), and Regents v. Bakke (affirmative action).

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Today, originalism is the house style of the Federalist Society, the lavishly funded network of conservative lawyers who provide intellectual cover for the Republican Partys preferred policies. Its propounded, to some degree, by all six conservative justices, who have placed it at the center of their continual smash-and-grab campaign against progressive precedent. When the Supreme Court overruled Roe, its justification boiled down to a single claim: Abortion was largely illegal when the 14th Amendment was ratified, so it may still be criminalized today. When the court established a new right to carry guns in public, it deployed the same reasoning: People could allegedly carry guns in public when the Second Amendment was ratified, so they have a right to do so today. And when the court struck down affirmative action? Same story: The original meaning of the equal protection clause requires the law to be colorblind, the court declared.

Advertisement

This last decision gave Jackson an opportunity to flaunt her skills as a progressive originalist, as did an earlier case designed to gut the Voting Rights Acts remnants. In both, she delivered: The justice drew heavily upon the work of historians, like Eric Foner, who reject the colorblind conception of the 14th Amendment in favor of a nuanced interpretation that allows for race-conscious remedies to protect minorities equal citizenship. Jackson pitched this theory in a lengthy monologue during oral arguments in the voting rights caseher second day on the benchas if to warn her conservative colleagues that their bogus originalism would no longer go unchallenged. And perhaps her shaming strategy worked, since the court ultimately delivered an unlikely victory for the Voting Rights Act.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Jacksons approach here echoed the work of advocacy groups that seek to employ originalism for progressive ends, most prominently the well-respected Constitutional Accountability Center. The goal here is to engage with conservative judges on their own turf, demonstrating that their own methodology would actually yield a liberal result if they did it honestly. In short, these advocates try to out-originalist the originalists. And on select topics, the tactic can work marvels. Race is one example, since the conservative fixation with a colorblind Constitution so obviously contradicts the historical record. Federal power is another, since the Framers clearly gave Congress sweeping powers to regulate commerce. (Thats why Jacksons most important majority opinion so far is an originalist defense of Congress ability to create private rights through its spending power.) Many protections for criminal defendants, too, like the right to trial by jury and the guarantee against self-incrimination, have strong historical foundations.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Other liberties treasured by progressives, however, do not end up saved by progressive originalism. The Supreme Courts historical analysis in Dobbs may have been sloppy and inaccurate, but that doesnt change the fact that theres no evidence Americans thought the 14th Amendment safeguarded abortion back in the 1860s when it was written. Selectively deploying originalism when it bolsters progressive aims does not solve the underlying problem: that, as Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Todd Eddins has put it, the theory champions the views of the few white men who made laws and shaped lives during the mostly racist and misogynistic very old days. This flaw may be most pronounced in cases involving the civil rights of those whom the authors of the Constitution scorned or ignored.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Consider, for instance, a group of people who were excluded from the political processindeed, from public lifewhen the 14th Amendment was ratified: women. Sex equality is rooted in the amendments equal protection clause, which became law in 1868. During this period, though, in most of the country, women had virtually no rights at all. Married women could not own property, sign contracts, or file lawsuits under the doctrine of coverture, which subsumed their legal identity into that of their husband. Men could legally beat their wives under the doctrine of chastisement, which allowed for moderate physical violence in the home. As one court put it in 1868 while upholding the acquittal of a man who whipped his wife, the judiciary could not interfere with family government in trifling cases. (This history suddenly became relevant when the lower courts struck down a law barring domestic abusers from possessing firearms.)

Advertisement

Conservative litigants are not even shy about citing this evidence when defending discriminatory laws. South Carolina placed it front and center when arguing for same-sex marriage bans in 2015. The state cited congressional debates over the 14th Amendments impact on coverture laws that denied women equal citizenship. At the time of the amendments adoption, some congressmen fretted that the new amendment might restrict the ability of states to discriminate against women. Contemporaneous comments from the primary author of the 14th Amendment himself, Rep. John Bingham, assured them that the new promise of equality would not interfere with state control over domestic relations. His comments reflected a broad consensus from the time, reflected in the congressional record, that the amendment would not establish equality, or even a baseline of civil rights, for women. (South Carolina cited this history to show that discrimination against both women and gay people remained constitutional, by the way.) If the Supreme Court adopted this reading of the equal protection clause, it would have to overturn every past ruling against sex discrimination, making husbands the head and master of their households once again.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Progressive originalists generally respond to this obstacle by defining rights at a higher level of generality. The Constitutional Accountability Center, for example, argues that the equal protection clause forbids discrimination against women and gay people by outlawing class-based legislation. By denying rights to an entire group of people, the theory goes, the government condemns them to second-class status, stamping them with an impermissible badge of legal inferiority.

Related From Slate America Is Captive to One Ridiculous Legal Theory That Dictates Our Laws on Guns, Abortion, and So Much More Read More

Its a fine ideabut is it really originalism? The answer probably depends on whether you want to salvage originalism or supplant it. If you want to salvage it, then sure: Its perfectly acceptable to define rights so broadly, on such an abstract level, that they can be squared with the original meaning of the Constitution. As George Washington University law professor Peter J. Smith has persuasively argued, that is in fact precisely what todays conservatives already do when mounting an originalist defense of Brown v. Board of Education. Evidence that the 14th Amendments Framers supported school segregation is overwhelming. So Browns defenders on the right define equal protection with sufficient abstraction to mandate integrated public education.

Advertisement

Should progressives want to salvage originalism, though? Why step in to shore up a flailing theory that was born out of contempt for Black children, women, and criminal defendants? A theory that the Supreme Court is currently manipulating to impose conservative policy goals like nationwide public carry under the thin guise of judicial review?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Because originalist justices like Clarence Thomas are so incredibly bad at interpreting history, cherry-picking facts and crediting debunked sources, it may be tempting to conclude that theyre just doing it wrong. But why do it at all? The strong argument for progressive originalism is the hope that advocates can convince conservative judges to issue liberal decisions if they just present enough historical evidence. That hope feels increasingly hollow. When Thomas is presented with proof that his past views were rooted in bogus history, he simply dismisses it. Activist scholars flood the nations law journals, which are not peer-reviewed, with tendentious or outright false historical claims, which conservative justices then cite as the gospel truth. This is less like a legitimate judicial or academic enterprise than like a scam to reverse-engineer outcomes to fit a partisan agenda. Pointing out inaccuracies is not going to change the outcomes.

Advertisement

Advertisement

With originalisms reputation so tarnished, maybe progressives should stop co-opting the rights brand altogether. Maybe they should embrace constitutional values like equality without squeezing them into a framework that was literally designed to shut out minorities from full citizenship. Maybe rather than trying to beat conservatives at their own game, progressives should present a competing vision of constitutional interpretation to the publicone which acknowledges that original meaning is often unknowable, and too frequently shackled to the antiquated views of dead white men. And maybe that would give disillusioned Americans a reason to believe in the rule of law once again.
An Ohio State University commencement speech delivered at the school on Sunday by an alum named Christopher Pandescribed in a pregraduation press release as a social entrepreneurhas made a bit of a stir for its focus on two subjects that are generally not covered in commencement speeches; namely 1) Bitcoin, and 2) Pans own inspirational wristband company.

Videos posted online and coverage on the local muckraking site the Rooster document Pans 17-minute address, in which he:

 Sang the 4 Non Blondes song Whats Up for 60 seconds, then led the crowd in what he said was a Navy SEALendorsed breathing technique.

 Delivered a riff about financial, emotional, and spiritual freedom that culminated in an exhortation to invest in Bitcoin, which was met with instant, stadiumwide groaning that you can watch here.

 Demonstrated the purported growth potential of the cryptocurrency by bringing Ohio States president to the podium for a magic trick in which three quarters changed into an oversized gold Bitcoin. (Bitcoins are an electronic currency but actual gold coins are sometimes used to represent them.)

 Spent four minutes leading an exercise in which listeners were supposed to concentrate on generating a single word that expresses an intention for their lifewhich, not coincidentally, is related to the mission of what is described in Pans OSU bio as a company he founded that is called MyIntent and prints custom intention words and phrases on bracelets. (MyIntent appears to be incorporated as a benefit corporation, which is a for-profit business that also has a public service mission.)

Advertisement

 Complained, during a call for empathy and tolerance, that the press had been running unfair stories about his selection as commencement speaker.

 Led a singalong to This Little Light of Mine.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related From Slate The Crypto Bros Are Backand They Have a Dangerous Political Goal Read More

After the speech, the Rooster noted that Pan appears to have implied in a LinkedIn post that he took ayahuasca to help write his address. A new Rooster post, attributing its information to a disgruntled member of the advisory committee that was supposed to help select the commencement speaker, said that school president Ted Carter chose Pan for the role despite his not having appeared on an initial list of 79 individuals that were being considered. Carterthe guy from the Bitcoin magic trickis also on the board of directors of a Bitcoin mining company called Terawulf.

A spokesperson for the Ohio State University disputed the report that Pan had not been recommended by the committee, saying that the list Carter chose from includes nominations going back several years. The spokesman also said that it is common for university presidents to sit on corporate boards, but did not respond to a question about whether Carter currently has Bitcoin holdings himself.
This is part of How Originalism Ate the Law, a Slate series about the legal theory that ruined everything.

America is being led astray by a small handful of folks who are drunk-driving on originalismand not in a funny Marx Brothers, spin-around-in-circles-and-all-fall-down sort of way. No, its in a children-murdered-in-their-classrooms, women-hemorrhaging-in-parking-lots, environmental-and-health-regulations-destroyed kind of way. And thats because the whole nation is currently lashed to a small, stupid, perpetually changing theory of legal interpretation variously known as originalism, or textualism, or original public meaning, or history and tradition. A theory that isunless you were born in the 1990syounger than you are.

Advertisement

Whatever the current flavor, originalism and its ever-growing progeny hold that judges and justices should ignore every interpretive methodology judges once used to understand a legal text in favor of free-floating feelings about history: What do we think the drafters of the text intended? What do we wish they had intended? What did the readers of contemporaneous public documents understand that text to mean? What did random dictionaries of the time reflect about  words? Whatas cited by a lawyer for former President Donald Trump in arguing recently that presidents can occasionally order political assassinations without facing criminal consequencesdid Benjamin Franklin announce at the Constitutional Convention? And also, how did the crowd react?

As John Sauer, that Trump lawyer, put it in a court filing: The Framers viewed the prosecution of the Chief Executive as a radical innovation to be treated with great caution. Benjamin Franklin stated at the Constitutional Convention: History furnishes one example of a first Magistrate being formally brought to public Justice. Everybody cried out ag[ain]st this as unconstitutional.  He cited the same piece of historical proof at the argument: I would quote from what Benjamin Franklin said at the Constitutional Convention, which I think reflects best the Founders original understanding and intent here, which is, at the Constitutional Convention. Call it, perhaps, Standing O Originalism. History demands absolute presidential immunity. Why? Because history shows that Ben Franklin said a thing and the crowd went wild.

Advertisement

Here is the thing: Most Americans are well aware that the MAGA supermajority on the current Supreme Court is drunk on something. They know that the result in the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade was rooted in a view of constitutional history that came from a time in which women had no vote and were property, to boot. They know that the gun violence epidemic is unfixable because the Supreme Court cant or wont discern the difference between arming the general populace with smoothbore, muzzle-loaded, and powder-and-ramrod muskets and assault weapons. Most Americans are by now aware that, as professor Melissa Murray has put it, History is messy. Its not straightforward or fair. Its not made by most. They know that a commitment to living in the 21st century while in legal thrall to the 18th is bizarre on its best days and lethal on its worst days. Indeed, were they allowed to vote on it, most Americans would wholeheartedly reject a theory of the Constitution that unravels two centuries of progress and understanding. But originalism is the invisible force that allows a handful of unaccountable jurists to unravel both progress and understanding along with the wants of the majority.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Most Americans also know that holding us hostage to the dictates of the 18th century is an antidemocratic checkmate. They understand intuitively that while public opinion favors reproductive freedom and sensible gun regulations and the right to vote, the MAGA faction of the Supreme Court has found a doctrinal party trick to ensure that nobody can have any of those things because they werent protected at the founding or at the time of the Reconstruction Amendments, or whichever point of history the high court deems relevant (it varies). In the single most horrific case in the horrific term at the Supreme Court, gun rights zealots argued that a man who had lost the right to possess a firearm as the result of having beat up his girlfriend should be allowed to possess that firearmbecause historically, domestic abusers were not disarmed. In October 2022, a federal judge in West Virginia ruled that the federal ban on possessing a gun with its serial number removed was unconstitutional because, as the judge wrote ruefully, A firearm without a serial number in 1791 was certainly not considered dangerous or unusual compared to other firearms because serial numbers were not required or even commonly used at that time. This is the world we are living in. It is the world we are acceding to inhabit.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Shackling ones understanding of the law to the drunken methodology of originalism doesnt simply ignore the technological realities of modern life, like serial numbers, and bump stocks, and the vagaries of online content moderation. It also turns every judge and lawyer into a part-time Revolutionary War reenactor and part-time recreational archivist (whose bare-bones understanding of history tends to become immediately obvious). As the Supreme Court burns down decades of doctrinal progress and a century of modern government, it leaves only skid marks in its wake. What is a judge to do? She must make her best guesses about whose history matters and wait to see what the history oracles will permit. No system of law that relies on stability, predictability, and consistency can function when history means merely whatever five amateur historians decide it means at any given moment. And the test itself keeps morphing: original intent to original public meaning to text and history to history and tradition. Now tradition is under fire from the right because it might modernize the law a tad too much, so were due for another round of refinement. Having leapt seamlessly from text and meaning to history and tradition one can only wonder whats next. Fish and chips and then on to Salt-N-Pepa? The test for what counts as eternal and immutable history just keeps on evolving.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Americans are dying because of this bad history, yes. But they are also dying because originalism has developed such a profound stranglehold over the modern courts that even liberals are attempting to win this uncertain game of spinning the historical roulette wheel to make an argument. In Trump v. Andersonthe recent Supreme Court argument about the state of Colorados efforts to remove the former president from the ballot due to his participation in an insurrectionregiments, battalions, and armies of historians came together to debunk the presidents fatuous reading of the 14th Amendments disqualification clause. We will win at history, they told themselves, and thus we will win the argument.

They won the historyand still lost the argument. Because not only is originalism sufficiently malleable and inchoate that it allows for almost any cherry-picked text and any wisp of history to be determinative, but also because, as Justice Elena Kagan famously quipped at her confirmation hearings in 2010, in a sense, we are all originalists now. (She has since repudiated that comment.) What Kagan came to understand in rejecting originalism was that the very agreement that all legal interpretation is reduced to a Sherlock-Holmesian effort at pecking through history is a suckers game. Because the kingmakers at the Federalist Society pick the judges. And then the judges pick the history. Originalism has morphed from a methodology in which judges strive to locate what history demands into a methodology in which the originalists decide which history counts.

Advertisement

Advertisement

This all happened in the course of a short very few decades. It happened because an entire Potemkin village of originalist academics, originalist law-review articles, originalist theorieschiefly funded by very contemporary oligarchswas built up to present it as a reversion to the way things always were, as opposed to a revanchist attack on modernity itself; an attack on the common law itself and an assault on the idea of a pluralist, expansive vision of liberty. Originalism is a modern-day lie about history that presents itself as historical. And originalism, marketed in the 1980s and 90s as, at bottom, a theory of judicial restraint, has now become an uncontrollable and unpredictable Tasmanian devil that has gobbled up decades of precedent, the regulatory state we had built to ensure that we have clean air and drinkable water, and the line between church and state. Perhaps most viciously, originalism has chewed up and spit out the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendmentsthe very history that was committed to text in order to protect the idea of a pluralist, generous, and expansive vision of liberty as the country finally ended the atrocity that was slavery. As Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has pointed out on more than one occasion, the use of history itself to erase history is now a central part of the originalist project.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related From Slate Ketanji Brown Jackson Joined the Supreme Court With a Big Idea Read More

It is perhaps no surprise that so many of us feel trapped under the dead hand of the Framers in much the same way we feel trapped under the dead hand of an unaccountable and monarchic Supreme Court. The latter has almost singlehandedly built the former. In the most theological sense, many Americans simply believe that if the Church of the Constitution that stands at 1 First St. says that this is how we do lawand further insists that this is how law was always donethen that church must be correct. But that, too, is an ahistorical fabrication of modern vintage. The choice to be paralyzed by both this institution and this methodology is very much a collective choice. The justices who practice originalism are no more oracular figures who can commune with the drafters of sacred text than they are professional historians. The lie, it turns out, comes dressed up in another lie.

Advertisement

We created this package on originalism not simply to lay out the trail of how an entire nation became captive to the idea that modern freedom, dignity, and equality remain what a small group of white male slaveholders envisioned for themselves more than two centuries ago.

(To be sure, as professor Jack Balkin reminded us, no other constitutional democracy binds itself to such a cramped notion.) We also created this package to probe why we fell for it; why liberals played along; why we still believe that this is a good-faith debate over history as opposed to a bad-faith abuse of money and politics and institutional power. More than this: We created this packagecomprising print pieces by experts reflecting on the damage originalism has done and the violence it will continue to inflict, and a podcast series sketching out this story of originalism embarrassing itself into intellectual irrelevance even as it is ascendant in the courtsas a marker of how it started and how its going.

Advertisement

Advertisement

But above all else, we created this to highlight the fact that it need not be forever thus. Brilliant thinkers are showing us the map of how we got here. Thoughtful litigators and academics are working out how to get out. Brave judges are using their opinions to decry a methodology that makes it impossible for them to do their own jobs. And they are lighting the road to something that will serve more than just a few rich white guys in 2024; the exact same constituency that is (imagine!) best served by the men they revere.

It is a choice to believe that you are not entitled to have an opinion on how the courts interpret the law. It is a choice to believe that judicial interpretation rooted in free-floating dust motes of history is so sophisticated an inquiry that it cannot be questioned. It is a choice to believe that American judges have been guided exclusively by originalism from the founding. And it is a choice to believe that we dont, all of us, deserve a system of justice that has evolved in ways that keep us safe, and healthy, and democratically vibrant, and that also strives to make us equal, and allows us all to live in dignity. This was the year in which originalism, with its promise of judicial humility and scientific certainty, finally ate itself at the court and ate the law of the land in the process. And it will eat us too, unless we choose to fight back.

Heres how we do that.
This is part of How Originalism Ate the Law, a Slate series about the legal theory that ruined everything.

As a branding exercise, originalism has been a wild success. The concept, once fodder for obscure law review articles no one read, went mainstream in the 1980s, after the Supreme Court dealt the conservative legal movement a series of high-profile losses on issues like affirmative action and abortion rights. In 1985 Edwin Meese III, then the attorney general under President Ronald Reagan, outlined his grand vision of a jurisprudence of original intention in a speech before the American Bar Association. Those who framed the Constitution chose their words carefully, he said. The language they chose meant something. It is incumbent upon the court to determine what that meaning was.

Advertisement

The idea quickly captured hearts and minds on the right by appealing at once to their obedience to authority, their distaste for the Warren courts activist procivil rights decisions, and their nostalgia for bygone eras during which, coincidentally, civil rights did not really exist for people who were not white men. Today a loudly professed passion for originalism is table stakes for any ambitious conservative lawyer who hopes to warm a seat on the bench, and among members of the courts six-justice conservative supermajority, it is basically the only acceptable method to divine the Constitutions meaning.

Perhaps the most consistent features of originalist decisions are their density and verbosity: To determine whether a purported right is sufficiently deeply rooted in history and tradition, justices and judges conduct meandering surveys of English common law, quote the dusty treatises of mononymic philosophers, and parse the hastily scribbled notes of founding-era legislators who wrote the letter S, for some godforsaken reason, as F. The majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, in which the court voted to take away a fundamental right it had recognized five decades earlier, spans 79 pages, not including two appendixes of state-level antichoice laws. New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, in which the court invented an individual right to gun possession some two centuries after the Second Amendments passage, includes lengthy analyses of the 1328 Statute of Northampton, the roots of King Henry VIIIs skepticism of 16th-century handguns, and the relevance (?) to modern gun safety laws of the launcegay, a Chaucer-era weapon akin to a 10-to-12-foot lance.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

As a result, originalisms ascendance has made the Constitution feel even less accessible than it was before, which was not very. Supreme Court opinions are famously laden with intimidating jargon, inscrutable shorthand, and italicized case names, all deployed in an effort to decipher a 250-year-old collection of aspirational vagaries and morally repugnant compromises. Understanding the Constitution now also requires familiarity with, to take an example from Dobbs, 19th-century translations of 13th-century treatises that were originally written in Latin. By design, originalism makes normal peopleby which I mean those who had the good sense not to blow a quarter of a million dollars on law schoolfeel like insecure, conspicuous interlopers in a conversation that is plainly Not for Them.

Advertisement

But regular people are not actually alone here. Even some federal judges have started to voice frustration with the fact that originalism obligates them to tackle questions they are not trained to answer. We are not experts in what white, wealthy, and male property owners thought about firearms regulation in 1791, wrote Carlton Reeves, a Black federal district court judge in Mississippi, after SCOTUS decided Bruen in 2022. Yet we are now expected to play historian in the name of constitutional adjudication.

Advertisement

This gatekeeping effect is, I think, the most pernicious lie of originalism because treating constitutional interpretation as the sole domain of judges running haphazard Wikipedia searches cuts everyone else out of the process. This is wrong. The Constitution was written not to be understood by think-tank gremlins writing dueling amicus briefs, or Supreme Court justices with the unreviewable authority to cherry-pick their preferred narrative. The Constitution was written for the people whose rights its language protects and who suffer the consequences if a judge decides otherwise. You simply do not need a medieval studies Ph.D. to be able to read what the law says and form a valid opinion about what it means. And you are not wrong to be skeptical of unelected, unaccountable judges who insist that the record, thin and ambiguous and contradictory though it may be, nonetheless compels but one objectively correct result.

Advertisement

Advertisement

There was a period when normal people, through their elected representatives, were much more active participants in the work of constitutional governance. We, as in We the People, used to regularly clarify the Constitution and fix the broken parts, often quickly. You are probably familiar with the first 10 amendments, which were approved as a package deal shortly after the Constitutions ratification. Known as the Bill of Rights, these amendments collectively established a set of individual liberties on which the big, bad federal government, which had many of the Framers feeling understandably skittish, may not infringe. For example, the right to remain silent speech that cops (are supposed to) read to people under arrest is a mashup of the Fifth and Sixth amendment rights against self-incrimination and to be represented by counsel. A cops (ostensible) obligation to get a warrant before turning your house inside out is derived from the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

But these amendments are not the only amendmentsor, I would argue, the most important ones. After the Civil War, Congress moved quickly to pass the Reconstruction amendments, which in sweeping terms guaranteed to people of color (and all Americans) their freedom, their citizenship, their right to vote, and their right to equal protection under the law. (In theory, at least.) The ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments meant that for the first time, the Constitution contained the tools necessary to build a thriving multiracial democracy. (Again, in theory.) As the historian Eric Foner writes in The Second Founding, the Reconstruction amendments should be seen not simply as an alteration of an existing structure but as creating a fundamentally new document with a new definition of both the status of blacks and the rights of all Americans.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Between 1909 and 1971, the Constitution was amended 11 more timeson average, about twice per decadeto do things like guarantee womens suffrage, bar poll taxes, and include the District of Columbia in the Electoral College. Congress even adopted one amendment, the 21st, that undid a prior one, the 18th, which is why you can legally enjoy a cocktail while reading this sentence.

Advertisement

Alas, the pace of this work tapered off in the mid-20th century. The amendments that did make it through the process were more incremental than revolutionary. Courts had hollowed out key provisions of the Reconstruction amendments, which never fully delivered on their lofty promises. The Equal Rights Amendment, which would have constitutionalized prohibitions on sex discrimination, died on the vine after failing to acquire ratification by three-quarters of state legislatures. This is how we ended up in a situation where, despite 50 years of dizzying technological, cultural, and social change, the only successful effort to amend the Constitutionthe document at the heart of American democracyduring that period is a tweak to the effective date of congressional pay increases.

Advertisement

The reasons for this trend are too complex to detail here. (I will note that in a hyperpolarized political climate in which passing simple legislation counts as a monumental accomplishment, getting 38 state legislatures to agree on anything is borderline impossible.) But the result is a Constitution that is frozen in time unless life-tenured judges muster the votes to amend it by judicial fiat. By casting themselves as the only legitimate arbiters of constitutional meaning, originalist judges have transformed representative democracy into conservative oligarchy, in the name of fidelity to whichever version of history and tradition sounds most appealing to the likes of Justice Neil Gorsuch. Foner characterized originalism as misconceived, ridiculous, and intellectually indefensible in a 2022 interview published by Balls and Strikes and the Emancipator. Theres nothing wrong with figuring out what people were trying to do, he said. But to think that theres one original meaning is just foolish, in my opinion.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

One of the benefits originalisms evangelists often tout is its putative infallibility: By considering only evidence from the time of a provisions enactment, adherents are uniquely able to set aside their personal beliefs when tackling even the hardest legal questions that come before them. Or as Meese put it, originalism is superior to the alternatives because its application yields defensible principles of government that are not tainted by ideological predilection.

Related From Slate America Is Captive to One Ridiculous Legal Theory That Dictates Our Laws on Guns, Abortion, and So Much More Read More

This has always been the sort of incoherent fairy tale that only lawyers could believe about themselves. But the Supreme Courts handiwork over the past few years highlights just how riddled with policy choices the process actually isnot only in deciding which version of history is most persuasive but also in deciding which parts of the Constitution are worthy of this revisionist history treatment in the first place. Clarence Thomas could be taking the guarantees of the Reconstruction amendments as seriously as he takes, for example, the second half (and just the second half) of the Second Amendment. The reason he doesnt is because he cares about using his power to protect merely some rights, for some people, some of the time.

Advertisement

I am not suggesting that historical context is irrelevant to the task of deciding what law means. I am simply saying that historical context is not dispositive either. Even if it were possible to determine a single meaning of a particularly obscure turn of phrase, judges in 2024 are applying the Constitution to facts that people in 1789 (or 1865, or whenever the relevant clause was written) could not have imagined: whether domestic abusers have an inviolate right to possess guns, which are now capable of firing dozens or hundreds of rounds a minute. Whether lawmakers can force pregnant people to get airlifted out of state to avoid dying of sepsis. Whether a president who tried to overturn the results of an election he lost can hold the same office again. No one who wrote the Constitution did so with the benefit of knowledge about our current world, and none of them are alive today to deal with the consequences.

Advertisement

Advertisement

You are. And for this reason, you can and should participate in discussions about what your Constitution meansnot only what it (may have) meant once upon a time but what it ought to mean, today, in a country with more guns than people, where doctors are afraid to provide lifesaving care to pregnant patients, and an oath-breaking insurrectionist is a coin flip to win the next election. Your opinion about how the Constitution applies to crises like these is just as legitimate and worthy of consideration as James Wilsons or Benjamin Franklinsor, for that matter, Sam Alitos. If the practice of constitutional law is largely amateur-hour history, its not as if he is any better at reading books than you are.

The purpose of a legal philosophy that tells you that your perspective doesnt matterthat you arent smart or credentialed enough to be part of the conversationis to insulate its believers policy decisions from well-deserved criticism. When a judges selective retelling of history yields answers that are anathema to the maintenance of a safe, inclusive, modern society, it is good and correct, actually, to reject the premise of originalism and do the reading yourself.
With Stormy Daniels time on the witness stand soon to end, the suspense at Donald Trumps criminal trial in Manhattan builds toward the next truly dramatic moment: Michael Cohens appearance. Theres no way to exaggerate how memorable his testimony will be. Cohen can tie together all the threads of the criminal scheme with which Trump is charged.

Cohen will tell the jury how Trump led him to pay former adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to buy her silence about their sexual encounter so that voters wouldnt learn about it before the election. Cohen will share the nitty-gritty of what led up to Trumps checks to Cohen that were marked Retainer, and will tell the jury that both knew there was no retainer agreement and the checks were reimbursements for the payoff. (Trump denies the sexual episode and claims the checks were payments for legal services.)

Trumps trial lawyerpresumably lead counsel Todd Blanche will cross-examine Cohen aggressively. Given Cohens admitted lies, and his guilty plea to federal charges of tax evasion, making false statements, and campaign finance violations, Blanche will score significant points. That is unavoidable and normal when prosecutors use cooperating co-conspiratorsbut prosecutors have powerful tools to stop the spin.

Cohen was Trumps personal lawyer and fixer when this sordid tale unfolded. The federal charges to which Cohen pleaded guilty and served 13 months in prison arose from the same scheme for which Trump is on trial. Trump was the unnamed Individual 1 in Cohens federal indictment.

Advertisement

In this case, Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records11 alleged reimbursement checks and 23 entries in the Trump Organizations books. Per the indictment, Trump intended the falsified records to conceal Cohens preelection payment to Daniels on Trumps behalf. Before the election, Trump wanted his fingerprints nowhere near the deal.

How do prosecutors disarm the defense that Trump didnt know about the payoff? How do they answer Trumps argument that jurors cannot credit a liar like Cohen when he says he was following Trumps orders?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The answer is corroboration, corroboration, corroborationof every material fact that Cohen tells the jury. Corroboration comes in two basic forms.

The first is the supporting testimony of other witnesses. On Monday, for example, Jeffrey McConney, the former Trump Organization controller for 35 years, testified that Trump paid extremely close attention  to any outgoing cash. That buttresses what Cohen will say: Theres no way that Trump signed a series of $35,000 checks to Cohen without knowing and intending them to be reimbursement for Cohens payment to Daniels.

Advertisement

In the same vein, prosecutors elicited testimony from Hope Hicks, Trumps former confidante, and from National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, establishing that Trump was a notorious penny-pincher and micromanager who ruled by wrath. No one, including Cohen, would last long in Trumps employ by acting without his approval on any significant matter, political or financial.

That premise will corroborate Cohens expected testimony that in paying off Daniels, he was executing what prosecutors called the secret Trump Tower conspiracy. Pecker testifiedas Cohen willthat Pecker, Trump, and Cohen agreed in late 2015 to buy off and kill salacious stories that could damage Trumps campaign. Following that plan, in October 2016, Cohen rushed to make a deal with Daniels when her story gained value following the Access Hollywood tape. Another preelection scandal like hers would almost surely have been a knockout punch for Trumps presidential hopes.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The second, even more powerful form of corroboration comes from authenticated documentary evidence. It doesnt lie.

Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told jurors in his opening statement: Read the documents, the emails, the text messages, the bank statements, the handwritten notes, all of it. They staunchly back up Cohens coming testimony that Trump knew when he wrote those monthly checks to Cohen in 2017 that they were reimbursements for his payment to Daniels.

Advertisement

Exhibit A: Trumps 2017 government financial disclosure forms, which he signed, listed the payments to Cohen as a reimbursement.

Exhibit B: Notes from McConney and Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg showing how the books were cooked. The notes irrefutably show the numbers in notepad chicken-scratch: The $130,000 Cohen paid to Daniels and another $50,000 he was owed were grossed upthat is, doubledto $360,000 to make him whole for taxes hed have to pay.

Advertisement

Thats because each check was disguised as a payment for legal services, and legal payments are taxable income to Cohen. If the payments had been honestly treated as reimbursementswhich McConney said they weretaxes would not have been due. The eventual total came to $420,000 after a $60,000 bonus was added, likely in recognition of his good work in executing the scheme, to keep him silent, or both.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The notes make Cohens testimony explaining the money as a reimbursement virtually bulletproof.

Perhaps the strongest Cohen corroboration of all: his secretly taped conversation of Trump discussing a payment to Karen McDougal, who, in late 2016, was about to reveal details of her claimed extramarital affair with Trump. On the tape, he suggests buying her off with cash.

The dots are all there for jurors to connect:

Advertisement

 Trumps expressed desire to use hard-to-trace cash;

 Peckers testimony about Trumps reluctance to be associated with payoffs because it always gets out;

 Trump having someone elseCohenpay Stormy Daniels before the election; and then,

 After the election, Trump reimbursed Cohen with handwritten checks falsely recorded as retainer.

We can expect Cohen to be an effective witness during direct examination, as he was in his 2019 testimony to Congress about the scheme. Still, at this trial, any prosecutor questioning Cohen will be formal in tone and manner, signaling distance from a man painted in testimony as an aggressive boor and henchman.

Advertisement

Related From Slate The Rule of Law Finally Comes for Donald Trump Read More

The DAs know that on cross-examination, Blanche may goad the combative Cohen into showing the vindictiveness toward Trump that has come through in Cohens tweets.

Advertisement

Already, prosecutors have prepared the jury for that possibility, presenting a full picture of Cohen as an aggressive, intensely unlikable character when he was Trumps legal hit man. They even elicited testimony from Keith Davidson, Stormy Daniels lawyer, that Cohen had promised to rain legal hell on her if she ever told the story of her one-night stand with Trump.

Prosecutors are fond of saying that crime bosses do not conspire with choir boys. Instead, criminal kingpins find people willing to surrender whatever moral code they have in order to do the bosss dirty work.

In the end, we can probably expect something like this from the prosecutor making the closing argument: Michael Cohen may not be someone youd invite to a family dinner. But we didnt pick him to be the defendants fixer. Donald Trump did.

It is he, not Cohen, who faces your judgment. With your verdict, you must send defendant Trump a message that has sounded in American halls of justice for more than two centuries: No one is above the law.
This is part of How Originalism Ate the Law, a Slate series about the legal theory that ruined everything.

The following is lightly adapted from the authors new book, The Year of Living Constitutionally.

I recently discovered that if you walk around New York City while carrying an 18th-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. Im not arguing with someone holding that thing.

Why was I carrying around a 10-pound firearm from the 1790s? Well, it was because I was deep into my year of living constitutionally. I had decided to explore our founding document by expressing my constitutional rights using the tools and mindset of when they were written in 1787. I would bear arms, but only those arms available when the Second Amendment was written. Hence the musket and its accompanying bayonet.

Slate receives a commission when you purchase items using the links on this page. Thank you for your support.

I would exercise my First Amendment right to free speechbut in the old-fashioned way: by scratching out pamphlets with a quill pen and handing them out on the street. My right to assemble? I assembled at coffeehouses and taverns, not over Zoom or Discord.

My goal was 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). Ive long been fascinated by the debate over how we should interpret our nations founding document. How much should the meaning evolve, and how much should it be beholden to the past and tradition? Should we search for the original meaning, or is the Constitution a living document?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Its a vastly important question with implications well beyond the specifics of my personal project. The Supreme Courts view on what meaning of the Constitution we should follow has guided their decisions on womens rights, gun rights, environmental regulations, and religion. And even though its just four pages, the Constitution seems almost infinitely complex. I could go broke buying books explaining different ways to interpret the Constitution. There are hundreds of them covering every angle, every phrase, every amendment. There are three entire books on the Third Amendment, for crying out loudand thats the obscure one about how you dont have to quarter soldiers in your home without your consent.

But the other problem is, most crucial of all, the Constitution never gives any instructions on how to interpret itself. It has no users manual, no glossary. Which is why, when I started my year of living constitutionally, I knew I couldnt do it alone. I needed a Board of Constitutional Advisers. So, I assembled a group of generous legal scholars whom I called and emailed with questions.

Advertisement

My advisers held beliefs from all over the political spectrum. What are the axis (axes?) of the political spectrum when it comes to the Constitution, you ask? Well, to way oversimplify, there are two main types of interpretation: living constitutionalism, which tends to be the direction liberals go, and originalism, which tends to be the more conservative approach.

Advertisement

Living constitutionalism argues that we need to adapt the meaning of the words to fit with changing morality. As my advisers over the course of my year showed me, this belief can edge on being practically postmodern, saying that theres no intrinsic meaning in the Constitution at all and that its completely up to the interpreter, Play-Doh for us to mold as we wish. For instance, the 14th Amendment promises equal protection for all. The writers of the 14th Amendment in 1866 almost certainly did not mean for this protection to apply to gay marriage. But living constitutionalism says it does because it makes sense today and we need to adapt. The biggest criticism of living constitutionalism is obvious: If youre not anchored to the original meaning, then what stops you from changing the Constitutions meaning to whatever you want? The slope is slippery.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Originalism, in contrast, came to the fore in the 1980s as a way to stop what the conservatives saw as the liberal Supreme Courts overreach. They worried that the Supreme Courtwhich had recently ruled in favor of affirmative action and a right to abortionwas untethered and was willy-nilly making rulings that aligned with their politicsthat liberals were legislating from the bench.

Advertisement

Advertisement

And thats where originalism comes in. It says you need to go back to the original meaning of the text when it was ratified. Originalists like to argue that the Constitution is not a poem or a metaphor. Its more like a  recipe for, say, chicken salad. And just because it was written over 230 years ago, you still need to follow the recipe if you want to make chicken salad. One of my advisers is so originalist, for example, that he refuses to capitalize the word supreme in Supreme Court, because its not capitalized in the Constitution.

Advertisement

As another example, hardcore originalist Justice Clarence Thomas says that the Constitutions equal protection does not apply to gay marriage. The phrase appears in the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868, an era when the average American would never have conceived of gay marriage.

Originalists are not completely frozen in time, though a thoughtful originalist takes the centuries-old principles of the Constitution and applies them to current technology and situations, using history and tradition as a guide. So the prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures, originally meant to stop the constable banging on your door in 1787, now applies to the government snooping through the contents of your smartphone. Its the same idea, even though the execution of the idea has necessarily changed with time.

Advertisement

Advertisement

There has recently been growing criticism of originalism, especially around its staunch approach to not updating womens rights, gay rights, or environmental regulations. For instance, former Justice Antonin Scalia famously said that the 14th Amendments original meaning doesnt apply to discrimination on the basis of sex, under the principle of originalist interpretation. If true, then 19th-century laws forbidding married women from signing their own contracts might still be constitutional today. But  my wife, Julie, owns a small business and signs several contracts with clients every day. Which is why, for my originalism project, I suggested I take over that aspect of her business. She allowed me to do so  for an hour. I screwed it up so badly she fired me that same day. My takeaway? It would be  bad to have to live under the originalist meaning of this clause in 2024.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Another charge against originalists is that judges apply the theory inconsistently. Sometimes, a certain constitutional right is interpreted as narrowly as possibleas with Thomas view of gay marriage. Other times, a right can be stretched to the breaking point. Most originalists say, for example, that the right to bear arms covers flintlock muskets as well as AR-15s, even though these two objects are arguably vastly different. I would not have walked into a coffee shop with an AR-15 and expected the reactions I got for walking in with a musket, for one thing.

Advertisement

Advertisement

How did I personally resolve disputes in Constitutional meaning during my year? I pledged to avoid the hubris of assuming we know what the founders would have thought about modern innovations. Which is why I decided I would go back to the basics and become the ultimate time-dated originalist.

Advertisement

When I told Julie that I planned to live for a year constitutionallymuskets, quill pens, and allher reaction was not Huzzah!

Im not going to churn butter, she said.

You wont have to, I said. Thats not part of it. Unless the soldiers who quarter in our house really want it.

But the butter-churning comment raises an interesting question: Just how much could I commit to an 18th-century lifestyle? The Constitution does not say All citizens shall wear a tricorne hat and drink rum punch, just as the Bible didnt say Thou shalt bake bread from scratch and wear a robe. But when I did my year of living biblically, I baked the bread and wore the robebecause I believed that it might help me get into the mindset of my ancestors.

Advertisement

And I think it did. In fact, my attempt to look and act like my biblical forefathers was one of my favorite parts of that project. It was a lesson in how much the outer affects the inner, how much behavior affects our thoughts. Even my flowing garments affected my outlook. Theres truth in the saying Clothes make the man.

Advertisement

Advertisement

So I wanted to do the same thing with the constitutional era. I wanted to walk the walk and talk the talk and eat the mutton and read the Cicero. I believed that it would help me see the world differently.

Before I got started, several of my advisers told me they appreciated the goal, but that getting into an 18th-century mindset is a tough task. They thought about life in a completely different way back then, one historian said to me. The past is another country. Its like trying to get inside the mind of a molluskits just so foreign to us.

I took his point. But I still wanted to try.

Advertisement

One of the first things I did was go online and buy an American flagone of the first versions, with just 13 stars arranged in a circle. I hung it on our bedroom wall, hoping it would get me into an 18th-century mentality.

It reminded me that I used to have patriotic art in my room. When I graduated from high school, my grandfather gave me a poster of the Statue of Liberty by the artist Peter Max. It hung in my apartment throughout college and in my home after I graduated. I loved that this was the same statue my great-great-grandparents saw when arriving at Ellis Island after fleeing Russia in 1904. I loved what it stood for. It made me feel patriotic.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Which is a feeling Ive been missing. For most of my life, Ive been a fan of the American experiment, despite its flaws. But lately, Id been having profound doubts about our country. Can America survive this cultural divide? Am I being alarmist, or are we really in some sort of national existential crisis? One goal of this project was to try to answer these questions.

Advertisement

So what did I think of originalism after living a reductio ad absurdum version of it for a year? Well, in the book, I talk at length about the many lessons from the experiment, which have to do with governance, progress, and so much more.

But one lesson I can share with you already is this: Although I see originalisms allure and acknowledge the weaknesses of living constitutionalism, I believe originalism is, at heart, an unbalanced approach. I am a fan of balancing, which I think is a deeply American value. The founders were big into balancing too. They loved the balance of powers. They thought their health was all about the balancing of bodily humors. (They got the humors part wrong, but balancing, or homeostasis, is, in fact, important.)

Advertisement

Related From Slate America Is Captive to One Ridiculous Legal Theory That Dictates Our Laws on Guns, Abortion, and So Much More Read More

I dont normally think of it this way, but the truth is, I use a balance of factors when I make decisions in my daily lifea sort of board of advisers in my brain. What does logic say? What about my emotions? How will it affect me in the short term and long term? How will it impact my community? Am I setting a good example for my kids? What would my ancestors think? What will my descendants think?

Perhaps youve heard of the famous essay by Isaiah Berlin titled The Hedgehog and the Fox. Its based on an ancient Greek idea about two types of thinkers. A hedgehog views the world through a single lens, whether thats Marxism or religion. A fox views it through multiple lenses, combining approaches and strategies.

Advertisement

Originalism is a hedgehog approach. The idea is to interpret the Constitution with a single lens: the original public meaning. I prefer the foxs worldview. We can interpret the Constitution using several lenses: Yes, what was the original public meaning? But alsowhat will be the societal consequences of the ruling? What has the Supreme Court ruled in recent decades? What was the purpose of the law? How will it affect our descendants?

I believe that flexible thinking leads to better solutions and a better life. Though I do find the hedgehog-fox parable paradoxical. The very idea of dividing the world into two distinct types of people? Thats a very hedgehog idea. The fox in me doesnt like it.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/astrazeneca-recalls-vaccines-from-sale-worldwide-for-commercial-reasons---reports-1118331787.html

AstraZeneca Recalls Vaccines From Sale Worldwide for Commercial Reasons - Reports

AstraZeneca Recalls Vaccines From Sale Worldwide for Commercial Reasons - Reports

Sputnik International

International biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is recalling its vaccines from sale worldwide saying the decision was made for commercial reasons, the Telegraph newspaper reported.

2024-05-08T06:11+0000

2024-05-08T06:11+0000

2024-05-08T06:11+0000

world

covid-19

astrazeneca

vaccine

side effects

death

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118331441_0:312:3001:2000_1920x0_80_0_0_04977c24f6180eaf621f77b0fe47a9f4.jpg

In late April, global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca first recognized that its COVID-19 vaccine could cause a rare side effect of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome. The phenomenon results in blood clots and a reduced platelet count. It was claimed the vaccine will no longer be produced and supplied as it has been replaced by updated vaccines. According to the newspaper, the company will withdraw authorizations to sell the vaccine in other countries, including the UK. The vaccine will no longer be allowed to be used in the EU and the company has no approval at all to use the vaccine in the US. AstraZeneca insists that the decision to recall the vaccine is not related to the recognition that it causes serious side effects, the Telegraph reports. The company claimed that this is a pure coincidence. It has previously been reported that AstraZeneca is facing a class action lawsuit because a vaccine it co-developed with Oxford University caused serious harm or death to patients. In May 2022, the Repubblica newspaper reported that the family of Francesca Tuscano, an Italian woman who died in April 2021 after being vaccinated against the coronavirus, had initiated an investigation. The family of the 32-year-old teacher contacted a medical examiner and a hematologist, who determined that the patient's demise could reasonably be attributed to side effects from the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. The woman died at San Martino Hospital from cerebral vascular thrombosis the day after the AstraZeneca vaccine was administered.

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

thrombosis, thrombocytopenia syndrome, death as a side effect, vaccine, deadly vaccine, covid-19, astrazeneca, astrazeneca vaccine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/european-leaders-ignore-public-opinion-domestic-concerns-to-stoke-cold-war-1118324246.html

European Leaders Ignore Public Opinion, Domestic Concerns to Stoke Cold War

European Leaders Ignore Public Opinion, Domestic Concerns to Stoke Cold War

Sputnik International

Europes economy has faltered amid the Wests obsession with undermining Russia, but leaders seem intent on ignoring public opinion in order to continue ramping up tensions.

2024-05-08T02:07+0000

2024-05-08T02:07+0000

2024-05-08T02:26+0000

analysis

annalena baerbock

george szamuely

olaf scholz

china

russia

ukraine

nato

fault lines

peace

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/07/1118324464_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_1a556932d9f3c774f263be179cfe26a4.jpg

President Xi Jinpings visit to Europe this week marks his first trip to the continent in five years after the global disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the leader largely remain in China.Xi is traveling to three key countries during his visit with historical cultural and geopolitical ties to Beijing. Trade and economic concerns are near the top of the agenda as China takes steps toward investing in infrastructure throughout the continent as part of the countrys Belt and Road Initiative.But many European leaders are far more focused on the Wests proxy war in Ukraine against Russia noted Dr. George Szamuely, a senior research fellow at the Global Policy Institute. Szamuely joined Sputniks Fault Lines program Tuesday to discuss the obsession over the conflict among officials in France, Germany, and elsewhere.There's no question Europe is very heavily dependent on trade with China, said Szamuely, author of the book Bombs for Peace: NATO's Humanitarian War on Yugoslavia.Tensions have arisen over US claims that Beijing is supplying Russia with dual use products able to be used for civilian as well as military purposes. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sharply criticized China over the issue in recent comments, in line with a pattern of public American condemnation of Beijing immediately following diplomatic encounters.Chinese leaders have rejected the complaint, claiming the country maintains a sovereign right to conduct trade with whomever it desires.Still, officials across the continent have aligned themselves with the Biden administrations stance on China and Ukraine even when such posturing places them at odds with the will of the public.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has attempted to maintain good relations with Beijing, noted Szamuely, given the countrys crucial importance as a foreign market for Berlins automakers. But the researcher said Scholzs foreign minister Annalena Baerbock is rabid on the subject of China, almost as bad as she is on the subject of Russia.If she were to take control of policy then Europe would indeed go down the path of sanctioning China and hurting itself, he said. Already we've seen how much Europe has hurt itself through its sanctions policy against Russia. But as Annalena Baerbock has famously said Ukraine is far more important to me than the wishes of the German people.Baerbock caused a stir in 2022 when the German minister of foreign affairs explicitly stated she is willing to oppose domestic opinion in order to continue the countrys anti-Russia stance.Szamuely said China is unlikely to change its stance in regards to Russia as a result of European pressure.China is very unlikely to show up for this meeting, this 'peace conference' that excludes Russia that's supposed to be held in Switzerland, said the author, referring to a meeting planned for June at the luxurious Burgenstock resort near Lucerne.One of the key parties  the key party  isn't invited. So China is not going to go along with something so farcical, he added, claiming the European ploy would amount to Russian capitulation.China unveiled its own 12-point plan for peace in Ukraine in 2023, which Szamuely noted was ignored by the US and European Union.Beijings plan called for a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture, also criticizing unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction against other countries.Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis, the proposal concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240506/chinese-president-visits-three-key-countries-during-trip-to-europe-1118281008.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240505/xi-plans-to-discuss-china-france-relations-and-important-regional-issues-with-macron-1118276307.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240505/german-economy-hit-by-unprecedented-outflow-of-capital--cdu-chairman-1118271912.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230430/chinas-ukraine-peace-plan-platform-to-start-process-of-political-settlement-of-ukraine-conflict-1109984415.html

china

russia

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg

John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.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

John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg

europe china russia cold war, china cold war, new cold war, us criticism china trade with russia, xi jinping visit to europe, xi jinping visit to france, europe china relations, euro sino relations, china russia dual use products, china russia trade, china ukraine peace plan, china 12-point peace plan, ukraine crisis, isolation of russia, russia-china alliance, russia-china stance
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/hamas-returns-delegation-to-cairo-to-continue-ceasefire-talks-1118326167.html

Hamas Returns Delegation to Cairo to Continue Ceasefire Talks

Hamas Returns Delegation to Cairo to Continue Ceasefire Talks

Sputnik International

Hamas's delegation has returned to Cairo to continue discussing ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and to reach an agreement that will allow to end the ongoing conflict, the Palestinian movement said on Tuesday.

2024-05-08T00:45+0000

2024-05-08T00:45+0000

2024-05-08T00:45+0000

world

palestine-israel conflict

palestinians

israel

gaza strip

cairo

israel-gaza conflict

genocide

ceasefire

truce

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/07/1118325160_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_3efb3cc7bb61f6777d9a94b5a05ab496.jpg

On Monday, Hamas informed Qatari and Egyptian mediators that it agreed to the terms of the ceasefire deal they had drafted. The proposal provides for three stages of 42 days, during which a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners are expected to be concluded. On Monday, Israel declined the ceasefire proposal as unacceptable and started a military operation in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, home to some 1.5 million Palestinians forced to flee the northern and central parts of the Strip.Hamas demands Israel to fully withdraw forces and end the conflict. On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted during the attack. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 34,700 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/israel-declines-ceasefire-proposal-continues-rafah-operation-to-pressure-hamas-1118299395.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

ceasefire, truce, genocide, ethnic cleansing, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, hamas attack, israeli strikes, israeli forces, hostages, israeli military, hamas fighters, hamas soldiers, hamas military, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths, indiscriminate shelling, indiscriminate killing, war crimes
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/houthis-vow-to-target-all-israel-linked-ships-in-reach-as-think-tank-warns-of-naval-drone-threat-1118340965.html

Houthis Vow to Target All Israel-Linked Ships in Reach as Think Tank Warns of Naval Drone Threat

Houthis Vow to Target All Israel-Linked Ships in Reach as Think Tank Warns of Naval Drone Threat

Sputnik International

The Yemeni militias campaign of hijackings, missile and drone attacks targeting merchant vessels in the Red and Arabian Seas has brought many countries' shipping through the strategic chokepoint to a standstill, with shipbroker Clarksons calculating in April that commercial tonnage in the Gulf of Aden area had dropped by 69 percent since December.

2024-05-08T19:33+0000

2024-05-08T19:33+0000

2024-05-08T19:33+0000

world

middle east

israel

red sea

gulf of aden

houthi

ansar allah

us central command (centcom)

red sea crisis

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118340807_0:121:2329:1431_1920x0_80_0_0_c71532adef755ffc6c49c06268cc2cdf.jpg

An advisor to the Houthi campaign in support of Palestine has warned that Israels decision to invade the Gaza city of Rafah will provoke a new round of escalation, including efforts by the militia to target Israeli ships anywhere they can be reached.In case of any escalation [in Rafah, ed.] the Yemeni armed forces decision is clear, and a more extensive and broader escalation may occur, Muftah warned.The officials comments were preceded by remarks by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warning that the Israeli invasion of Rafah would prompt the Houthis to target all ships attempting to make their way to Israeli ports in the Mediterranean in any area within our reach.The remarks by the militia, which also go by the name Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), have been accompanied by a barrage of drone and missile attacks in the Gulf of Aden, with CENTCOM counting four projectiles - three drones and an anti-ship missile, in an X post Wednesday morning. One of the drones was shot down by a US warship, with another said to have been destroyed by a coalition ship (country unspecified).In a related development, Houthi Supreme Political Council Chief Mahdi Al-Mashat confirmed reporting in UAE media from last week indicating that the US had privately offered the Houthis certain material incentives if they halted their Red Sea attacks. We will continueuntil our countrys whole national territory is liberated, and the blockade and injustice placed on our people in Gaza are removed, Al-Mashat said Tuesday.New Dimension to Houthi CapabilitiesMeanwhile, the Center for International Maritime Security  a Maryland-based think tank with suspected links to the US intelligence and the military, published an alarming report Wednesday warning that the next escalation of the Houthi threat to Red Sea shipping may come in the form of low-cost unmanned undersea vehicle drones.Houthi UUVs likely lack sophisticated guidance and targeting systems compared to military-grade undersea drones. They may rely on basic GPS or pre-programmed routes, as well as wire guidance. However, this simplicity can also make them difficult to detect and eliminate before they reach their targets, the article added.Dealing with the threat would require the deployment of mine countermeasures warships and anti-submarine warfare capabilities adapted for use against UUVs, including sonobuoys, towed array sonars, dipping sonars and hydrophone arrays. However, Prasanga warned that these sophisticated undersea surveillance capabilities may not be optimal for detecting low-signature Houthi UUVs, particularly in the acoustic environments of the Red Sea, with large ships traveling in the area themselves complicating the search.The escalation of Houthi attacks follows a brief lull in hostilities facilitated by Hamass announcement Monday that it would be prepared to accept a ceasefire with Israel. Israels rejection of the proposal prompted the Houthis, but also Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iraqi militias to ramp up operations targeting Israeli and allied interests.Ansar Allah has said repeatedly that it will stop its campaign, which has caused tens of billions of dollars in economic damage to economies in Europe and Asia, when Israel stops its punitive operation in Gaza.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/yemens-houthis-ramp-up-attacks-on-merchant-ships-after-dismantling-suspected-us-israeli-spy-network-1118322583.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240420/german-frigate-quits-red-sea-mission-day-after-houthis-offer-eu-ships-safe-passage-1118027062.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/china-france-call-for-cessation-of-attacks-on-civilian-ships-in-red-sea-1118304890.html

israel

red sea

gulf of aden

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

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

Ilya Tsukanov

why are houthis attacking ships, can houthis be stopped
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/idfs-strike-potential-will-be-rapidly-depleted-without-us-support---and-israel-knows-it-1118337634.html

IDFs Strike Potential 'Will Be Rapidly Depleted' Without US Support - and Israel Knows It

IDFs Strike Potential 'Will Be Rapidly Depleted' Without US Support - and Israel Knows It

Sputnik International

US media reported Monday that Washington had decided to hold off on the delivery of thousands of JDAM dumb-to-smart bomb kits and small diameter bombs to Israel, ostensibly amid displeasure over the IDFs operations in Rafah, Gaza. Sputnik asked a pair of respected regional politics experts what it all means.

2024-05-08T15:44+0000

2024-05-08T15:44+0000

2024-05-08T18:34+0000

analysis

hasan unal

bader al-saif

us

joe biden

israel

rafah

washington

israel defense forces (idf)

hamas

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/04/1115374382_0:100:1974:1210_1920x0_80_0_0_30c6505852b7c6ee2614fd986526dfe9.jpg

The Israel Defense Forces has attempted to play down the significance of the hold up in US arms deliveries to Israel, with IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari assuring reporters on Wednesday that the allies will be able to resolve any disagreements behind closed doors.Israeli-US coordination has reached a scope without precedentin Israels history over the course of the Gaza war, Hagari stressed, pointing to extensive coordination between IDF headquarters and United States Central Command, and saying that American operational support is even more important than security assistance for Israel.As far as the stalled bomb deliveries are concerned, Hagari said the IDF is responsible for the security interests of Israel but pays attention to the US interests in the arena.A senior White House official confirmed to Reuters on Tuesday that the US was holding up a shipment of 2,000 and 500-pound bombs to Israel over its attack on Rafah, telling the news agency that Tel Avivs plans, first hatched in April, prompted Washington to begin to carefully review proposed transfers of particular weapons to Israel that might be used in Rafah.The Gaza-Egypt border city of Rafah is now home to over one million Palestinian civilians, most of them refugees pushed out of other areas of the strip by the IDF. Israel began the ground invasion of the strategic territory on Monday after rejecting a ceasefire treaty with Hamas, seizing the Rafah border crossing through which the majority of humanitarian aid into Gaza traditionally arrives. Israel claims four of six Hamas battalions are present in the city, along with leaders, and a significant number of hostages.The row over Rafah is the first time Washington has held off on topping up arms deliveries to Israel since the start of the war last October, and comes despite Congresss recent passage of a $95 billion aid package of mostly military assistance abroad, including $14.1 billion for Israel.White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured on Tuesday that US support for Israel remains ironclad, even as Washington seeks a commitment from Tel Aviv in making sure civilian lives are protected. US officials told Axios Tuesday that the Rafah operation is not viewed by President Biden as any sort of breaking point in relations with Tel Aviv, for so long as the operation remains limited and doesnt get out of control.Significant StepOverall, what I would say, if the United States were to suspend large shipments to Israel, this would be a significant step on the part of the US government to restrain Israel, Hasan Unal, professor of international relations at Ankara Baskent University, told Sputnik, commenting on the potential US-Israeli rift over weapons deliveries.It may also be the case that Washington has suspended the delivery of these particular weapons while quietly approving others, he warned, saying the ambiguity in US policy has always a factor that Israel has often taken advantage of. Well have to wait and see, the academic noted.In any case, regardless of Israeli chest thumping about its independence and invincibility, the US decision to scale back arms supplies would have a significant impact on Israeli policy-making, with Israel desperately reliant on US weapons aid going back to the Arab-Israeli wars of the 20th century.Unal also pointed out that despite the Biden administrations general weakness before Tel Aviv over the course of the present crisis in Gaza, the United States historically has had considerable leverage on Israel when it wants to.In the 1980s, when Israel began its invasion of Lebanon, US President Ronald Reagan called up Prime Minister Rabin and told him to stop.Domestic pressure is likely to have played a major role in Washingtons move to scale back arms aid, Unal believes, pointing out that the near rebellion-like conditions at Americas college campuses protesting the Gaza war, and the general publics focus on domestic problems, have played a role.Yes, initially [after October 7, ed.] everybody acknowledged that Israel had the right to defend itself. But the unfolding events basically demonstrated that this was something far beyond anything that they could have thought of, he said, referring to the indiscriminate Israeli attacks on civilian centers in Gaza, which have now killed or maimed over five percent of the strips pre-war population.Finally, theres the factor of the upcoming elections and the rapidly changing voter profile in the United States, Unal believes.Too Little, Too Late?Kuwait University assistant professor and Arab Gulf States Institute non-resident fellow Bader Al-Saif fears the US decision to halt its heavy bomb deliveries may have come too little, too late to impact Israeli policy. We do not know how significant this is until we see how impactful it will [be in relation] to other decisions. Will this become a one off episode or will it be recurring? Prof. Al-Saif told Sputnik.The US move is guided by domestic considerations in the US, the academic explained. Its no hidden secret about the amount of student protests that are rocking across the US. And its no hidden secret that there are now an increasing number of congressmen and women who are publicly voicing their support for an end of US involvement in this war.Theyll be standing alone. The whole world is against the continuation of the war. The irony is, even Hamas has accepted the ceasefire terms two days ago. Even they accepted the terms [which] say were going to release all the hostages. So theres a lot of pressure accumulating on Israel to respond responsiblyor else more bloodshed will come [to pass]. So its not prudent on anyones agenda to continue this bloodletting exercise, the observer said.For now, the professor said that he will be waiting for an official confirmation to the anonymous administration officials comments to Reuters from someone at the State Department or the Pentagon.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/us-delays-sale-of-thousands-of-precision-guided-weapons-to-israel---reports-1118311261.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/us-report-on-israels-conduct-in-gaza-strip-delayed-indefinitely---reports-1118331255.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/us-senators-issue-mafia-style-threat-as-israeli-military-enters-rafah-1118328980.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/israel-doesnt-want-a-ceasefire-truce-talks-take-back-seat-as-rafah-attack-surges-1118323895.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240506/israel-bans-al-jazeera-and-raids-office-1118276646.html

israel

rafah

washington

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

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

Ilya Tsukanov

will israel commit genocide in rafah, why did us halt arms aid to israel
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/investigation-against-german-air-force-official-over-leaked-conversation-closed---reports-1118327224.html

Investigation Against German Air Force Official Over Leaked Conversation Closed - Reports

Investigation Against German Air Force Official Over Leaked Conversation Closed - Reports

Sputnik International

The prosecutors office of Berlin has closed investigation against an inspector of the German air force, Ingo Gerhartz, related to the leaked conversation between high-ranking German military officials about a potential attack on Russia's Crimean Bridge, Business Insider reported.

2024-05-08T05:09+0000

2024-05-08T05:09+0000

2024-05-08T05:09+0000

world

germany

russia

margarita simonyan

olaf scholz

ukraine crisis

ingo gerhartz

crimean bridge

terrorist attack

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118329959_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_72af74ef28e274e1c7b85b11884354d8.jpg

On March 1, Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of RT and the Rossiya Segodnya international media group, Sputnik's parent company, published the readout of a conversation among four German military officers discussing a potential attack on Russia's Crimean Bridge with long-range Taurus missiles. The talk, which took place on February 19, involved Gerhartz, Brig. Gen. Frank Graefe, the head of the operations and exercises department at the air force command in Berlin, and two employees of the air operations center of the Bundeswehr Space Command. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised a thorough and prompt investigation into the leaked conversation.

germany

russia

crimean bridge

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

leaked conversation, crimean bridge, terrorist attack, taurus missiles, western weapons, nato-supplied military equipment, us arms for ukraine, nato arms for ukraine, nato support for ukraine, us weapons for ukraine, us aid to ukraine, us funding of ukraine, us aid, us aid distribution,
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/israel-doesnt-want-a-ceasefire-truce-talks-take-back-seat-as-rafah-attack-surges-1118323895.html

'Israel Doesn't Want a Ceasefire': Truce Talks Take Back Seat as Rafah Attack Surges

'Israel Doesn't Want a Ceasefire': Truce Talks Take Back Seat as Rafah Attack Surges

Sputnik International

On Tuesday, Esteban Carrillo, a Beirut-based Ecuadorian journalist and current editor for The Cradle, joined Sputniks Fault Lines to discuss the ongoing attacks on Rafah.

2024-05-08T01:38+0000

2024-05-08T01:38+0000

2024-05-08T01:38+0000

analysis

hamas

middle east

benjamin netanyahu

joe biden

israel

rafah

white house

palestine

palestinians

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118326662_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_3751007db95422fdcae007e7779a39a0.jpg

As ceasefire talks hung in the air on Monday, Israel began their aerial and ground attacks on Rafah, the largest city in Gaza where war refugees were once told to shelter in safety. About 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are in the city, and Israels offensive is underway without any plan to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis.On Tuesday, Esteban Carrillo, a Beirut-based Ecuadorian journalist and current editor for The Cradle, joined Sputniks Fault Lines to discuss the ongoing attacks on Rafah, as well as the political implications that those attacks will pose on US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Carrillo added that CIA Director William Burns was reportedly involved in drafting the bill that was presented to Hamas and which Hamas said yes to. Doing so reportedly upset Israeli authorities who said they felt blindsided by the US.Israel has maintained that they would enter Rafah. With a ceasefire deal, no ceasefire deal, they said, we are going into Rafah. Why? Because Rafah is where this final victory against Hamas lies, right? This is what they've been telling everyone, Carrillo said.Sputniks Melik Abdul noted that the Biden administration has reportedly delayed shipments of ammunition that were meant to be sent to Israel, according to three US officials.Meanwhile, White House spokesman John Kirby said the administrations commitment to Israels security remains ironclad. Abdul added that Netanyahu does not seem to be concerned at all about appearances despite US politicians glumly watching their poll numbers plummet due to US voters stances on the war.Well, no, he doesn't, right? He hasn't portrayed an ounce of seeming to care since the 7th of October, Carrillo responded, noting that after Antony Blinken had returned from a trip to Israel, he said the actions of its government reflects a majority of what the Israeli public wants.And I think we'll have to see what happens with Rafah. I don't think the US is really going to stand in the way that they are trying to say they are. I don't think they are going to cut the bomb deliveries. Biden said himself, there are no red lines for Israel, Carrillo added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/israel-declines-ceasefire-proposal-continues-rafah-operation-to-pressure-hamas-1118299395.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/israel-closes-in-on-rafah-after-banning-al-jazeera-1118300009.html

israel

rafah

palestine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg

Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.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

Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg

rafah, ceasefire, israel, palestine, gaza, truce deal, ceasefire deal, ceasefire agreement, genocide, ethnic cleansing, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, hamas attack, israeli strikes, israeli forces, hostages, israeli military, hamas fighters, hamas soldiers, hamas military, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths, indiscriminate shelling, indiscriminate killing, war crimes
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/nato-no-boots-on-the-ground-ukraine-strategy-meant-to-silence-wests-loudmouths--1118336759.html

NATO 'No Boots on the Ground' Ukraine Strategy Meant to Silence West's 'Loudmouths'

NATO 'No Boots on the Ground' Ukraine Strategy Meant to Silence West's 'Loudmouths'

Sputnik International

The rationale behind NATO's move to formally spell out its no boots on the ground in Ukraine strategy is to silence belligerent loudmouths in the West, international relations analyst Gilbert Doctorow told Sputnik.

2024-05-08T16:04+0000

2024-05-08T16:04+0000

2024-05-08T16:04+0000

analysis

russia

nato

ukraine

volodymyr zelensky

joe biden

gillbert doctorow

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118336970_0:159:3077:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_d22581f369e8723fd4bdde24fbbb9ee1.jpg

The rationale behind NATO's new no boots on the ground in Ukraine strategy is to silence belligerent loudmouths in the West, international relations analyst Gilbert Doctorow told Sputnik.No boots on the ground in Ukraine is a key phrase contained in a draft document set to be approved by the NATO summit in Washington in July, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.NATO is set to centralize aid delivery to Ukraine, the report said. Until now, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has led the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG, also known as the Ramstein Group) of aid donors. But the newspaper said the July summit will transfer this task to NATO headquarters in Brussels.Ninety-nine percent of what is being shipped to prop up Kiev comes from the 32 allied NATO partners, which provides the logistical reason for the move. Political justification lies in the Wests desire display unity in the eyes of public opinion.However, despite NATO's intent to declare a "no boots on the ground" policy, there are always alternative avenues for the US-led Atlantic blocs military experts to be present in Ukraine.US Department of Defense spokesman Patrick Ryder revealed in April that Washington was mulling sending more military advisers to the US Embassy in Kiev. The additional troops would ostensibly provide training and technical support to the Ukrainian government and military.US military advisers to Kiev could become "a legitimate target" for Russia's forces, pundits told Sputnik at the time.More recently, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte announced her country's readiness to send its troops to Ukraine for a training mission. She told the Financial Times that she already had the parliament's permission to send troops for training purposes, but Kiev had not yet asked for this.But he noted that that the Baltic state's confidence in Washingtons support was misplaced. He argued the Biden administration would "not raise a finger to shield Lithuania from potential Russian retaliation.Timing of the NATO's change in strategy is telling, following Russias unambiguous warning to NATO to stay out of Ukraine.The Russian Foreign Ministry characterized Russias upcoming tactical nuclear missile exercises as an effort by Moscow to cool down the hot heads in Western capitals threatening to escalate the proxy war in Ukraine into a full-blown Russia-NATO conflagration.The exercises must be considered in the context of recent bellicose statements by Western officials and the sharply destabilizing actions taken by a number of NATO countries to pressure Russia with force, and to create additional threats to the security of our country in connection with the conflict in and around Ukraine, the ministry said in a press statement on Monday.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240422/us-military-advisers-to-ukraine-could-be-wiped-out-as-any-legitimate-target---analyst-1118058046.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240506/russias-not-bluffing-tactical-nuke-drills-are-deafening-warning-to-nato-to-stay-out-of-ukraine-1118294192.html

russia

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

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

Svetlana Ekimenko

us military advisers in ukraine, how many us military advisers are in ukraine, us embassy in kiev, us department of defense personnel in ukraine, patrick ryder ukraine military assist, military aid to ukraine, aid allies, us ukraine aid bill, us house of representatives passed billions ukraine aid bill, us arms for ukraine, us funds for ukraine, ukrainian crisis prospects, will nato send troops to ukraine, could us send troops to ukraine, vladimir putin, joe biden, united states, russia, ukraine, nato, proxy war
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/pro-palestiners-should-fight-back-against-right-wing-bullies-1118322379.html

Pro-Palestiners Should Fight Back Against Right-Wing Bullies

Pro-Palestiners Should Fight Back Against Right-Wing Bullies

Sputnik International

There are more Democrats than Republicans, more liberals than conservatives, more progressives than MAGAs. But youd never know that from looking at our politics. From abortion to the minimum wage to war, the Right wins the important arguments.

2024-05-08T06:51+0000

2024-05-08T06:51+0000

2024-05-08T06:51+0000

americas

palestine-israel conflict

protesters

israel

palestinians

palestine

republicans

democrats

george soros

benjamin netanyahu

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/07/1118323246_0:107:3072:1835_1920x0_80_0_0_c50ba40cb244252d51f2bffc61c28a75.jpg

How do they do it? Verbal abuse. Right-wing bullies name-call, they hector, they doxx, they blacklist, they lie. Most of all, they yell. No ones louder than a conservative barking a talking point. Theyre REALLY loud when said talking point makes no sense.The current discussion about the student protests at American college and university campuses over the U.S.-Israel war against Gaza is a perfect illustration of their tactics.They also showcase how the Left can expose right-wing bullies as intellectually dishonest, ridiculous and unworthy of serious consideration about important issues. I know, because I deal with these clowns every day.The first thing to notice is, supporters of Israel have given up trying to justify the Netanyahu governments brutal blockade and assault of Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians since October 7th, flattened the territory and left hundreds of thousands more starving to death. They cant.So they deflect.Supporters of Israels war against the people of Gaza characterize protesting college students as privileged brats wasting their parents money, never mind that two-thirds of them pay their own way, a third borrow student loans, many earn scholarships, hold jobs, and/or dont have parents willing and able to pay.Critics of Israel should call their rhetorical bluff. OK, lets assume the protesters are all a bunch of spoiled snot-nosed punks who wouldnt know suffering if it bit them on the you-know-what. So what? That doesnt make it OK to drop 2,000-pound bombs on a civilian apartment buildings.Pro-Zionists portray demonstrators at the encampments as dupes of outside agitators funded, in some cases, by billionaire Democrat George Soros. (So ironic that the Rights obsession with Soros originated as an expression of classic antisemitic tropes about this rich Jew and his supposed web of intrigue and conspiracy.) Some protest organizers, the pro-genocide brigade brays, even get paid a salary!Again, the proper response is: so what? Who the protesters are, where they came from and who pays themwhich, of course, is absurd since 99.999% of them get paid not one bitnone of these distractions address the question of whether the U.S. should ignore the homeless people sleeping on its own streets in order to send billions of dollars of bombs and missiles to Netanyahu in order to murder more innocent people.One might also mention the racist origins of the phrase outside agitator, used to great effect by racists during the civil rights struggle. The three white Freedom Riders murdered by the KKK were northerners, outsiders, agitators, two of them Jewsand their cause was right. If a 28- or 48-year-old marches with young adults for peace in Gaza, theyre olderbut no less right.The fascists ask: Why wont they show their faces? If theyre proud of themselves, why dont the students who cover their faces with keffiyehs and/or Covid masks expose themselves?Uh, because they dont want to be doxxed or face expulsion? Where is it written that protesters are required to make things easier for those who seek to oppress them? While were at it, should supporters of Gaza strip naked and submit DNA samples? Do yard work for Zionists? Perform sexual favors?Then theres the rightist complaint that some of those in the encampment are too comfortable, sacking out in donated tents and noshing on donated pizza. Againso friggin what? CPAC attendees dont seem to miss many meals. Fox News hosts sleep comfortably enough. Please show us, o ye noble haters of Palestine and lovers of ethnic cleansing, where it says in the Rules of Protest that being comfortable is cheating? Why exactly is it impure to accept tasty foodstuffs as youre awaiting arrest? What does this have to do with the big food-related issuethat Israel is intentionally starving Gazans to death?Dont forget the asshole gambit. Any group of people has its resident asshole; the Right finds him and implies that he represents the whole movement. This time, its the Columbia student who posted that Zionists dont deserve to live. Look! say the Zionists. They really are all antisemites! Exceptthis asshole isnt antisemitic, hes anti-Zionist. The Left should refuse to be embarrassed. They should defend him. Right-wingers stand by their own and so should we.More seriously but no less stupid is the accusation, delivered with ferocious illogic, that student demonstrators in favor of Gaza are antisemitic. Not actually antisemitic, but antisemitic by inference. Amid the zillions of words in news stories and congressional testimony and apologetic statements issued by craven college officials you will find many references to antisemitism as a concept, but no actual antisemitic statements like, say, kill the Jews. What you will find is, delivered at high volume and through a curtain of crocodile tears, are syllogisms such as the one that states that the phrase from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free is antisemitic just because.Hold my hand as I walk you through it.From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, they argue loudly, means the eradication of the State of Israel, which in turn means the murder and/or expulsion of all Israelis, which is thus genocidal and antisemitic.This is a series of insane assumptions. First, that freedom for Palestinians requires an end to Israel as a nation-state. I can certainly imagine a democratic State of Israel without apartheid or occupied territories or racist policies against Palestinians; the problem might be that too many Israelis cannot.Next comes the assumption that the demise of the State of Israel, the governmental entity, would necessarily mean genocide against its resident Jews. (Lets assume the Israeli Arabs would be OK.) It is certainly possible to imagine the eradication of the Israeli ethnostate without Holocaust 2.0 or Naqba for Jews the Revenge. It would look like South Africa after apartheid. White South Africans were terrified that vengeful Blacks would get even with them; today they live side by side as citizens, as a minority.Israelis, one suspects, are suffering from psychological projection based on guiltthey know they live and love on land stolen from people they continue to brutalize. Odds are, however, that freed Palestinians will be far more interested in living their own lives than killing Jews.Israelis and their supporters are entitled to their paranoias, but not to have us share them.Whether its about Gaza or another issue, its time for the Left to engage the howling bullies of the Right with the forthright ridicule they deserve.(Ted Rall (Twitter: @tedrall), the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist)

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/un-experts-report-accuses-israel-of-committing-genocide-in-gaza-1117568880.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240224/lockstep-us-support-for-israel-eroding-confidence-of-americans-in-own-government-1116958270.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/with-us-backing-israel-is-starving-22-million-palestinians-in-gaza-1117237324.html

americas

israel

palestine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg

Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.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

Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg

protests in us, protestors in capitol, pro-palestinian demonstration, pro-palestinian protest, pro-palestinian protestors, support palestine, genocide, students protest, fight zionism, fight zionists, save palestine, free palestine, stop rafah invasion, stop israel
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/russians-united-in-support-for-putins-military-economic-diplomatic-achievements-1118326423.html

Russians United in Support for Putins Military, Economic, Diplomatic Achievements

Russians United in Support for Putins Military, Economic, Diplomatic Achievements

Sputnik International

The Russian presidents leadership has paved the way for a multipolar world as the country is able to withstand Western aggression on multiple fronts.

2024-05-08T03:21+0000

2024-05-08T03:21+0000

2024-05-08T03:21+0000

analysis

vladimir putin

mark sleboda

russia

ukraine

china

houthis

election

presidential election

2024 russian presidential election

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118327625_0:0:2984:1679_1920x0_80_0_0_5aa02042d42f1f4b79d9a266963b9dc2.jpg

Vladimir Putin was inaugurated for another term as Russias president Tuesday in a ceremony following an unprecedented victory in Marchs election.Putin prevailed with 87% of the vote, an unmatched performance in Russias modern post-Soviet history, with voter turnout reaching over 77%. Western countries have expressed dissatisfaction with the development with only seven of the European Unions 27 member states reportedly sending representatives to Tuesdays ceremony.But domestic support for the longtime Russian leader is strong claimed international relations expert Mark Sleboda, who appeared on Sputniks The Critical Hour program Tuesday to discuss sentiment on the ground from Moscow.Sleboda noted that among the European countries sending ambassadors to the inauguration were Hungary, Slovakia, and France. Hungary and France are among the stops on Chinese President Xi Jinpings itinerary as he visits Europe this week, suggesting the two countries are making some effort to signal a foreign policy independent from that of the US-led western consensus.The United States has attempted to convince China not to conduct trade with Russia amid the latters military operation in the Donbass, with Xi resisting US attempts to turn the conflict into a dispute between China and the United States.I think they show Putin at the height of his power and popularity, said Sleboda of the results of Russias recent election. And also I think it shows a broad support of the course and vision that he has charted for the country, but also, more poignantly right now, it has been viewed  and correctly so  as a referendum on the special military operation on the Russian intervention in the Ukrainian civil conflict.Host Wilmer Leon noted one line in particular from Putins inaugural speech where the Russian president insisted, we will determine the fate of Russia by ourselves and only ourselves for the sake of today's and future generations.Garland [Nixon] and I say all the time when you listen to President Xi, when you listen to Putin, when you listen to [Ebrahim] Raisi, you really have to pay attention to what they say because they say what they mean and they mean what they say, said Leon.Russias close diplomatic ties with China have proven crucial as the country weathers sanctions imposed by the West. The use of Chinese systems such as UnionPay has provided a fallback for the country as the United States bans Russia from participating in SWIFT and other Western-controlled frameworks. The two countries also dealt a blow to the United States ability to leverage dollar hegemony against its adversaries by agreeing to settle energy deals in each others national currencies in 2022.Such moves have paved the way for a global financial system free from Western domination, but theyve also paid concrete economic dividends for Russia. Recent data suggests Russia could reach over 3% GDP growth in 2024, placing it well ahead of its European competitors. The advancement has been driven by strong performance in the manufacturing sector, which currently faces decline in countries like Germany that have sanctioned Russian energy.Putins victory signals strong domestic support for Moscows special military operation to defend the Donbass republics, which is viewed as an existential battle against foreign aggression. Russias dominance is driven by its technological supremacy on the battlefield, with the countrys troops able to easily defeat even advanced NATO weaponry.The dynamic is demonstrated by a recent controversy over the provision of Reaper drones to Ukraine. Reports in Western media suggest Kiev is requesting more of the unmanned vehicles from its US and European allies. But the Russian Armed Forces have been able to easily destroy the top-of-the-line drones, Sleboda notes.As to this story about Ukraine asking for Reaper drones  this is a joke because Russia has demonstrated that it has such superior air defense and electronic warfare, said the expert. The British Royal United Services Institute, the unofficial think tank, admitted that Russian electronic warfare takes down 90% of the Western-supplied drones that have been given to the Kiev regime. They called it a drone massacre.They would be mowed out of the sky. The US knows it. Ukraine can request it all they want, but whether for reconnaissance or combat purposes, the US is not going to supply the Reapers to Ukraine because they know how ineffective they will be, and how quickly they'll be taken down, and they cost too much. And the US doesn't have that many of them that they can throw away like that.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/putin-takes-oath-for-fifth-term-as-russias-president-1118307967.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/putin-signs-decree-on-russias-2030-national-development-goals-1118321117.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240501/russia-shatters-natos-illusory-might-with-display-of-trophy-armor-at-moscows-victory-park-1118213724.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230317/dont-fear-the-reaper-how-can-heavy-drones-be-detected-identified-and-brought-down-1108508647.html

russia

ukraine

china

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg

John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.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

John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg

vladimir putin inaugeration, vladimir putin reelected, putin elected russia, putin inaugeration ceremony, european countries at putin inaugeration, putin achievements, putin domestic achievements, putin economic performance, putin diplomatic achievements, putin military accomplishments, putin domestic support, putin political support
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/russias-military-hammers-ukrainian-critical-infrastructure-airfield-set-to-receive-us-f-16s-1118335062.html

Russias Military Hammers Ukrainian Critical Infrastructure, Airfield Set to Receive US F-16s

Russias Military Hammers Ukrainian Critical Infrastructure, Airfield Set to Receive US F-16s

Sputnik International

Russia's Armed Forces launched a barrage of missiles and drones targeting energy and military-industrial facilities across Ukraine in the early hours of May 8.

2024-05-08T11:38+0000

2024-05-08T11:38+0000

2024-05-08T11:38+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

ukraine

kiev

russian armed forces

nato

drones

missiles

f-16

us f-16

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118335396_0:194:2951:1854_1920x0_80_0_0_1d7f2e003c6a5f046ce250a6ea9eaddd.jpg

Russia's Armed Forces launched a barrage of missiles and drones targeting energy and military-industrial facilities across Ukraine in the early hours of May 8.Strikes were carried out in response to attempts by Kiev to damage Russian energy facilities. The Russian military used sea and air-based long-range precision weapons, the Kinzhal hypersonic missile system, and drones, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov stated.All designated targets were hit, Konashenkov said.Russia's strikes reportedly targeted five Ukrainian regions  Poltava, Kirovograd, Lvov, Ivano-Frankovsk, and Vinnitsa  as well as part of the Zaporozhye region that is currently under the Kiev regimes control. Air defenses were also operating in Kiev and the capitals environs.The Russian military hit industrial facilities in Kiev, according to coordinator of the Nikolayev underground network Sergey Lebedev. Explosions were heard in the vicinity of the Darnitsa car repair plant and the Antonov aircraft manufacturing plant.Furthermore, two critical energy infrastructure facilities were targeted in the Lvov region: an energy generation facility in the Chervonograd district, and a large underground gas storage facility in the Stryi district. A missile strike caused a fire at the Dobrotvor Thermal Power Plant (Lvov region), according to Lebedev's sources.Blasts were also heard in the Ivano-Frankovsk region, in the area of the Burshtyn coal-fired thermal power plant. Detonations echoed around the Ladyzhin TPP (Vinnitsa region). In the Dnepropetrovsk region, explosions were registered in the city of Kamenskoye, at the site of Srednedneprovskaya hydroelectric power station.The Russian Armed Forces attacked infrastructure facilities in Stryi (Lvov region), including a military airfield being prepared to receive Western F-16 fighters, according to Lebedev. A fire broke out after the impact. A railway junction is believed to have been hit, along with a factory housing Western military equipment.Earlier this year, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg admitted that the upcoming deliveries of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine would not turn the tide of the conflict. He also told German daily Bild that the allies were going to send F-16s and ammunition to Ukraine, and were already training Ukrainian pilots.The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. More recently, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow would treat F-16 multirole fighter jets operated by Ukraine as nuclear-capable assets.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/ukraines-total-military-casualties-in-donetsk-reach-up-to-1165-in-past-day---mod-1118315606.html

russia

ukraine

kiev

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

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

Svetlana Ekimenko

russias special military op in ukraine, russia's armed forces launch missiles and drones at energy and military-industrial facilities in ukraine, special military operation, special military operational zone, special op zone, russian troops in special op zone, russian defense ministry statements, latest russian military statements, nato in ukraine, is nato in ukraine, russian drones, drone warfare, ukraine crisis, ukraine conflict
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/russias-victory-parade-honoring-the-past-shaping-the-future-1118337491.html

Russia's Victory Parade: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

Russia's Victory Parade: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

Sputnik International

The parade commemorating the 79th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 fought by the USSR against Nazi Germany and its allies  a part of World War II  will take part on May 9 on the Red Square.

2024-05-08T15:00+0000

2024-05-08T15:00+0000

2024-05-08T15:00+0000

russia

russia

ukraine

red square

su-30

russkiye vityazi

nazi

strizhi

world war ii

parade

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118336067_0:131:3175:1916_1920x0_80_0_0_08adae4ed412f9fb5fd58086564a4fd0.jpg

Military parades commemorating the 79th anniversary of Russia's victory over Nazism will take place on May 9 in seven hero cities, as well as in 18 cities housing the headquarters of military districts, fleets, and combined arms armies.Other ceremonial events featuring garrison troops will be held in 314 settlements across the country.With a staggering 150,000 participants and an array of 2,500 pieces of military equipment and weapons, these gatherings will be a testament to Russia's rich military heritage and enduring strength.Each parade across Russia pays tribute to the valor and sacrifice of generations past, yet the parade on Red Square stands as the centerpiece event, owing to the capital's profound historic and cultural significance.`On May 9, over 9,000 individuals and 70 military vehicles and weapon systems will participate in the Victory Parade on the Red Square featuring battalions and companies organized according to military types and branches, as well as crews from military schools, Youth Army members, female military personnel, Cossacks and a combined military orchestra.This year, decorated officers and soldiers will arrive from the special military operation zone to march on the Red Square. Among them are recipients of prestigious awards such as the medal "For Courage" and "For Military Distinction," and the esteemed "Golden Star," the insignia of the Hero of the Russian Federation.The finale of the event will feature the Russian Air Force's aerobatic teams, the Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) and Strizhi (Swifts), who will showcase air maneuvers in highly maneuverable Su-30 and MiG-29 fighter jets.Among other national military equipment, the following Russian-made weapons will be featured during the parade:An exhibition of Ukrainian and NATO-supplied weapons and military equipment, captured from the enemy during a special military operation, has been on display in Moscow since May 1 as part of the Victory Day celebrations.Among them are the US-made Abrams tank and Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), the German-made Leopard tank and Marder IFV, along with others made in the UK, Czech Republic, France and Finland. Over 83,000 people have visited the exhibition on the first day alone, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240505/russian-troops-fully-liberated-ocheretino-settlement-in-donetsk-peoples-republic-1118267193.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240429/watch-russian-forces-evacuate-first-us-made-m1-abrams-tank-from-front-line-1118173081.html

russia

ukraine

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

russia victory parade, red square, world war ii, russia's victory over nazism, russian special military operation in ukraine, iskander-m, yars ballistic missiles, t-34 main battle tank, russian history
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/us-report-on-israels-conduct-in-gaza-strip-delayed-indefinitely---reports-1118331255.html

US Report on Israel's Conduct in Gaza Strip Delayed Indefinitely - Reports

US Report on Israel's Conduct in Gaza Strip Delayed Indefinitely - Reports

Sputnik International

The Biden administration's report on whether Israel violated US law and international humanitarian law during its military operations in the Gaza Strip has been delayed indefinitely, Politico reported on Tuesday.

2024-05-08T06:02+0000

2024-05-08T06:02+0000

2024-05-08T06:02+0000

world

palestine-israel conflict

us hegemony

joe biden

matthew miller

palestinians

gaza strip

rafah

genocide

humanitarian crisis

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118330963_0:320:3071:2047_1920x0_80_0_0_076112eda34e0ddaebf2e38c15c5a80b.jpg

If the report determines that US and international law have been violated, the Biden administration would be expected to stop sending military assistance to Israel. The administration emailed Congress notifying lawmakers that it will miss the deadline to submit the report but did not provide additional details. When the National Security Council was asked to explain the delay, they referred any inquiries to the State Department. Earlier on Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the US government is trying very hard to meet the "self-imposed deadline." Miller said it is possible to "slip" a little bit, but the administration is trying to get the report done by Wednesday. On Monday night, some 200 attorneys, 27 of whom are currently in the Biden administration, sent a letter to top US officials arguing that sending weapons to Israel would be illegal. The report's delay comes as Israel started a military operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, where some 1.4 million Palestinians - are sheltering.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/israel-doesnt-want-a-ceasefire-truce-talks-take-back-seat-as-rafah-attack-surges-1118323895.html

gaza strip

rafah

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 report, biden administration, us supports israel, genocide joe, genocide, ethnic cleansing, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, hamas attack, israeli strikes, israeli forces, hostages, israeli military, hamas fighters, hamas soldiers, hamas military, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths, indiscriminate shelling, indiscriminate killing, war crimes
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/us-senators-issue-mafia-style-threat-as-israeli-military-enters-rafah-1118328980.html

US Senators Issue Mafia-Style Threat as Israeli Military Enters Rafah

US Senators Issue Mafia-Style Threat as Israeli Military Enters Rafah

Sputnik International

A group of Republican lawmakers released an open letter threatening officials of the International Criminal Court with reprisal if the body issues arrest warrants against Israeli officials, referencing a US statute commonly referred to as The Hague Invasion Act.

2024-05-08T05:57+0000

2024-05-08T05:57+0000

2024-05-08T05:57+0000

analysis

middle east

benjamin netanyahu

palestinians

garland nixon

israel

international criminal court (icc)

republican

hamas

gaza strip

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118330508_0:124:3000:1812_1920x0_80_0_0_ca7930d442a48ba4a66a0b74aa14edf8.jpg

IDF tanks rolled into Rafah in southern Gaza Tuesday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to defeat remaining regiments of Hamas he claimed were located there.The Palestinian city situated on Gazas border with Egypt is also home to an estimated 1.7 million Palestinians, most of them refugees from throughout the territory seeking shelter amid Israels seven month-long military operation. Observers had hoped ongoing negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders would prevent the invasion, but right-wing members of Netanyahus coalition have repeatedly insisted on an assault on the city.Netanyahu and the war cabinet have not appeared to approach the latest phase of negotiations [with Hamas] in good faith, admitted one Biden administration official after Israel rejected a compromise deal drawn up with the assistance of Egypt and Qatar.The embattled US president has alternately supported and expressed concern over Israels operation in Gaza, walking a tightrope between Zionist and pro-Palestinian constituencies within the Democratic Party. Republicans, meanwhile, have remained mostly united in their enthusiastic backing of Netanyahu in line with the heavy Christian Zionist influence within the party.Republican leaders in the Senate expressed their support this week in an open letter that has raised eyebrows as the tide of public opinion continues to turn against Israels deadly Gaza campaign. Author and journalist Robert Fantino joined Sputniks The Critical Hour program Tuesday to discuss the surprising statement and Israels latest escalation in the occupied Palestinian territory.Egypt does not want them, he added, noting the concern that Israel will attempt to displace Palestinians into the Sinai Desert. Egypt believes, rightly, that this number you mentioned  between 50,000 and 250,000 that might flee into Egypt  will be there forever, that there will be no going back to Gaza, that Israel will not allow it. This is a horrifying and shocking event, one that never should have happened.Host Garland Nixon noted the letter released by a group of Republican Senators Monday as rumors spread that the International Criminal Court will issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and members of his cabinet responsible for the countrys abuses in Gaza.The missive threatens severe sanctions on both officials of the international body and their family members if the court moves against Israeli officials, referencing a law authorizing the United States to invade ICC premises in The Hague.When you read that letter, which I have  anybody can go online and find it  it looks like something from the mafia, said Nixon. It's a mafia-style letter. It is the US saying, look, we're not going to pretend like we're liberal interventionists and we're going around the world to do good. You will do what we say or, basically, we'll come after you and your families.There's only one difference, Garland, between this and the mafia, added cohost Wilmer Leon. The mafia doesn't send letters.That's the only difference, and when you look at what the US threatened to do  sanctioning employees, preventing members of the ICC and their families from coming to the United States, and then closing with 'you have been warned'  what a threat this is, responded Fantino. As you said, mafia, tin-pot dictator kind of behavior.Netanyahu has likewise warned the ICC against issuing arrest warrants, claiming that doing so would be an unprecedented antisemitic hate crime.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240415/whither-free-speech-college-campuses-sacrifice-professed-values-to-alter-of-zionism---report-1117936015.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/israel-closes-in-on-rafah-after-banning-al-jazeera-1118300009.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240428/world-central-kitchen-to-resume-work-in-gaza-as-hunger-malnutrition-still-stalk-enclave-1118167268.html

israel

gaza strip

rafah

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg

John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.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

John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg

hague invasion act, gop senators mafia threat, gop senators icc letter, republicans icc threat, gop senators hague invasion act, israel enters rafah, republicans threaten international criminal court, senators threaten international court, gop mafia-style letter
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/white-house-does-not-think-israel-crossed-red-line-with-rafah-operation--reports-1118326319.html

White House Does Not Think Israel Crossed 'Red Line' With Rafah Operation  Reports

White House Does Not Think Israel Crossed 'Red Line' With Rafah Operation  Reports

Sputnik International

The limited Israeli military operation in Rafah has not crossed President Joe Biden's red line and therefore has not yet led to any changes in the US administration's policy towards its closest ally in the Middle East, Axios reported, citing two American officials.

2024-05-08T05:18+0000

2024-05-08T05:18+0000

2024-05-08T05:18+0000

world

biden administration

joe biden

matthew miller

israel

rafah

israel defense forces (idf)

hamas

joint direct attack munition (jdam)

benjamin netanyahu

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118330236_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_6d90ed21c558dec76e66b201e7babb68.jpg

On Monday, Israel started a military operation in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the operation would disrupt the ongoing humanitarian assistance delivery to Gaza and that the Biden administration continues to oppose it. Biden does not view the Israeli operation to capture the Rafah Gate crossing, which the IDF considers to be a key target and one of Hamas' main strategic sites in Gaza, as a breaking point in relations with Tel Aviv, the report said on Tuesday. But this could change if the limited operation broadens or gets out of control and Israeli forces enter the city of Rafah itself, where more than one million Palestinian refugees are taking shelter, the officials reportedly said. The US officials have also confirmed that the Biden administration is ready to suspend weapons shipments to Israel or at least condition the use of specific US weapons systems if the Netanyahu war cabinet decides to go on a major military operation in Rafah. Politico reported on Tuesday that the Biden administration has not yet signed off on a pending sale of Boeing-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) that can be converted to precision weapons, including Small Diameter Bombs. The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington was expected to sell about 6,500 JDAM systems to Israel on Monday. The delay is the first known instance of the United States delaying the supply of military aid to its closest ally in the Middle East amid disagreements over Israels stance on Rafah.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/israel-doesnt-want-a-ceasefire-truce-talks-take-back-seat-as-rafah-attack-surges-1118323895.html

israel

rafah

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

white house, biden administration, genocide, ethnic cleansing, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, hamas attack, israeli strikes, israeli forces, hostages, israeli military, hamas fighters, hamas soldiers, hamas military, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths, indiscriminate shelling, indiscriminate killing, war crimes, zionism, zionist biden, zionist presiden
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/zelensky-assassination-plot-smokescreen-to-divert-public-attention-or-internal-strife-1118341191.html

Zelensky Assassination Plot: Smokescreen to Divert Public Attention or Internal Strife?

Zelensky Assassination Plot: Smokescreen to Divert Public Attention or Internal Strife?

Sputnik International

Two Ukrainian counterintelligence officers were detained over an alleged plot to kill Volodymyr Zelensky. But what is behind the furore?

2024-05-08T19:11+0000

2024-05-08T19:11+0000

2024-05-08T19:11+0000

ukraine

world

volodymyr zelensky

ukrainian security service (sbu)

verkhovna rada

valery zaluzhny

europe

kiev

opinion

us

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/0c/1114897745_0:320:3072:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_ab75f58cc4a0ac2928cccbec61f3aa35.jpg

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claims it has foiled an assassination attempt against Volodymyr Zelensky.The two suspects detained on May 7 are said to be colonels of Ukraine's State Security Administration (UDO), the nation's domestic counterintelligence service.Political analyst Alexander Asafov drew attention to the timing of the alleged plot: it came after of Zelensky signed a draconian mobilization law in a bid to reverse the ongoing retreats by the Ukrainian armed forces.Meanwhile Zelensky's five-year term is set to expire on May 20  after which the functions of the presidency must be assumed by the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, until the election of a new president in accordance with the Ukrainian Constitution. But Zelensky refuses to leave office in defiance of the law.It could also be used as a pretext for "the deprivation of basic human rights of citizens who live abroad, and a host of other problems, including the Zelensky legitimacy issue."Some experts also believe that a fierce struggle has broken out in Zelenskys inner circle, following on from the conflict between the Ukrainian president and Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief General Valery Zaluzhny and other generals over the botched summer counteroffensive.Zaluzhny was sacked and then named as the Ukrainian ambassador the UK  but has not been heard from since.If the assassination attempt was not a hoax, then it is possible the Ukrainian military tried to get rid of Zelensky, alleged Asafov. The plot could have also been the result of internal power struggle between political factions in Kiev.According to Asafov, Ukrainian politicians are embroiled in a behind-the-scenes struggle. Some of Zelensky's competitors either reside abroad or frequently travel there for consultations. Figures like former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko have a history of close collaboration with the US Democratic Party.The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) alleged earlier this month that the West is extremely concerned about Zelensky's growing unpopularity at home, and has stepped up its search for an alternative Ukrainian president.According to the agency, the West has contacted Petro Poroshenko, Vitaly Klitschko, Andriy Yermak, Valery Zaluzhny and former speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Dmytro Razumkov. The agency believes that these figures could become key players if an urgent change in the Kiev regime's leadership is needed.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240428/many-people-to-question-zelenskys-legitimacy-soon---kremlin-1118160863.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240506/us-ramps-up-search-for-alternative-to-ukraines-zelensky---russian-intel-service-1118284701.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/russia-puts-zelensky-on-wanted-list-1118254142.html

ukraine

kiev

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

plot to assassinate volodymyr zelensky, ukrainian president, attempted assassination of volodymyr zelensky, internal power struggle in ukraine, gen. valery zaluzhny, petro poroshenko, zelensk will lose legitimacy after 20 may
Perched in the pocket behind his tempo-setting stablemate, Swan Flyer found a seam to the inside and powered through to a 1:53 victory in the $45,206 Open Trot at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Tuesday, May 7.

Leaving from post five, driver Brandon Bates managed to tuck Swan Flyer into the pocket behind even-money choice Oh Look Magic (Devon Tharps) as Sweet Mr Pinetucky (Marvin Luna) yielded in third through a :26.2 burner to the stands for the first time. Oh Look Magic then snatched a breather to a :55.2 half and accelerated for the backside with Pioneer As (Tony Hall) looming first over on the rim. Past three-quarters in 1:23.2, Oh Look Magic stayed strong through the turn but grew tired and drifted on the spin for home, opening a lane for Swan Flyer to fire through in the lane. Swan Flyer then surged past Pioneer As in the straightaway to snag the win by 1-1/4 lengths while Usosweet Blue Chip (Atlee Bender) closed for third and Oh Look Magic settled for fourth.

Swan Flyer has now won 16 races from 58 starts and earned $293,704. Ron Burke trains the five-year-old gelding by Swan For All for owners FAC Racing LLC, Joseph Di Scala Jr. and Yannick Gingras. He paid $17.40 to win.

Live harness racing resumes at Oak Grove on Monday, May 13 at 3 p.m. (CDT) and features the $100,000 USD finals of the Kentucky Sires Stakes for four-year-olds of each gait and sex. Free program pages for every race day, courtesy of TrackMaster, are available on the Oak Grove Racing website.

(Oak Grove Racing)
U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame member Alan J. Leavitt, well known for breeding horses under the banner of Lana Lobell Farms and Walnut Hall Ltd., passed away on May 6, 2024, in Lexington, Kentucky. He was 88.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Mr. Leavitt graduated from Harvard University in 1958. Although he had been deeply involved with Saddlebred and show horses at the time, in 1959, he entered the Standardbred breeding industry with fervor by establishing Lana Lobell Farms at his parents Hanover, Pennsylvania property. Leavitt later expanded the enterprise to include locations at Bedminster, New Jersey, established in 1977, and Hamptonburgh, New York, in 1979.

Lana Lobell Farms was known for standing some of the top sires in the Standardbred sport, notably pacing stallion No Nukes p,3, T1:52.1 ($572,430) and trotting stallions Noble Victory, Speedy Crown and Speedy Somolli. Among the horses bred by Lana Lobell was 1987 and 1988 U.S. Horse of the Year Mack Lobell, considered by many as the greatest trotter of all time, and Garland Lobell, who became an influential trotting sire.

For many years, Leavitt was a major player when it came to syndicating stallions. His 1964 syndication of Noble Victory put him on the map when he put together a deal which valued the stallion at $1 million.

Lana Lobell Farms ceased operations in 1989. In the early 1990s, Leavitt married Margaret Jewett and began standing stallions and breeding horses under the banner of Walnut Hall Ltd. at Jewetts Lexington, Kentucky property that was once a part of her familys historic Walnut Hall Farm. Leavitt brought the trotting sire Garland Lobell from Quebec to Walnut Hall Ltd. and there the stallion made his mark on the trotting breed. One of Leavitts top accomplishments as a breeder was mating Garland Lobell with the broodmare Amour Angus. The duo produced the successful full brothers Angus Hall 3,1:54.3 ($830,654), Conway Hall and Andover Hall 3,1:51.3 ($875,047).

Walnut Hall Ltd. also bred the top stakes filly Cameron Hall 4,1:53.4s ($2,138,787), who fetched a record-setting $1.1 million for racehorses at auction in 2001. In addition, Walnut Hall Ltd. bred 1999 U.S. Pacer of the Year Blissfull Hall p,3,1:49.2 ($1,468,648) and Cantab Hall, a stakes winner who became a leading trotting sire.

In 2008, Leavitt was elected to the U.S. Harness Racing Living Hall of Fame.

Leavitt received numerous acknowledgements for his work in the harness racing industry. He was the recipient of the United States Harness Writers Association's Proximity Award in 1981 and later received the Presidents Award in 1983. Leavitt was also honoured with back-to-back USHWA Breeder of the Year awards in 1987 and 1988. He served as a director of the United States Trotting Association for 30 years, and a director of The Hambletonian Society for 40 years. He was also a former member of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, where he led an initiative to ban one-handed whipping at the states harness tracks.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and children Josephine Leavitt, Harris Leavitt, and David Leavitt.

Services will be private.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Alan J. Leavitt.

(USTA)
Snow-Redfern Foundation is honored to announce seven talented High School Seniors selected as scholarship recipients for the Snow-Redfern Foundation managed scholarship funds.

Two young people were selected by the Snow-Redfern Foundation Scholarship Review Circle to receive the Hempel Family Scholarship in the fall of 2024. Addisyn Muhr, of Alliance, will be attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to study Pre-Health Radiology. Aiden Benda, of Hemingford, will be attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to pursue a degree in Finance.

Five students were selected for the K.M. Dahlstedt Scholarship to be awarded for the fall of 2024. Brookelynn Warner, of Hemingford, will be attending Laramie County Community College to pursue a degree in Animal Sciences. Camden Wade, of Alliance, will be pursuing a degree in Comic Design at Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in New Jersey. Holden Schultz, of Broadwater (Bridgeport High School), will pursue a Business & Theology degree from Chadron State College. Regan Braun, of Alliance, will attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney to pursue a nursing degree. Kalli Bridge, of Alliance, will attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to pursue a degree in Nutrition and Health Science.

Preference for the scholarships is given to seniors who attend high school in Box Butte or Morrill Counties and plan to pursue careers in trades or careers related to agriculture or STEM, as well as students that will attend college in Nebraska, or return to Nebraska upon obtaining their degree.

This years Scholarship Review Circle included Snow-Redfern Foundation board members- Rob Eirich (Scottsbluff), Teresa Sanders (Alliance), Karla Bennetts (Kearney), and Andrew Hunzeker (Scottsbluff). This year additional voice was integrated into decision-making, including Kevin Dahlstedt of the K.M. Dahlstedt (formerly of Alliance) scholarship fund and two college first-year students that completed Snow-Redferns Root2Rise Young Womens Leadership experience and scholarship award in 2023: Arielle Lawrence, now a freshman at UNK, and Kierra Miller, a freshman at Dakota State University.

We value youth voice, community wisdom, and meaningful engagement and have been exploring all ways in which we can infuse our work and decision-making processes with the lived experience of those that are most impacted by our funds, shared Executive Director, Sara Wilcox.

The scholarship awards are intended to pay homage to our roots as Nebraska Boys Ranch which instilled ranching values for over 70 plus years providing kids with the skills they need to be successful throughout their lives. The scholarship also emphasizes the simple concept of providing opportunity to kids who want to return to their rural communities to share their skills and education.

The Hempel Family Scholarship award has been an ongoing and generous gift honoring Mr. and Ms. Hempel, who were consistently generous contributors to Snow-Redfern Foundation, formerly the Nebraska Boys Ranch. Mr. Hempel was a long-time board member and he and his family supported the youth at Nebraska Boys Ranch through service and contributions intended to impact the lives of the youth placed at the Ranch. The K.M. Dahlstedt Scholarship was developed two years ago in partnership with the Dahlstedt family, who desired to honor their father and husband through awards focusing on the future success of students pursuing trades in our community.

We are honored to offer this opportunity to Addiysn, Brookelynn, Cameron, Holden, Aiden, Regan, and Kalli. We honor the legacies of Edward M. and Eda S. Hempel and K.M. Dahlstedt who possessed impressive qualities of leadership, service, and dedication to academic studies by investing in our younger generation, commented Mara Andersen, Board President of Snow-Redfern Foundation. This years recipients demonstrated incredible commitment to their futures, their families, and their communities, and we wish them well on their future academic pursuits.

Snow-Redfern Foundation believes in the power of opportunity and invites those interested in creating impact for youth to Join them in investing in the good life for kids.

Join us by investing in the good life for kidshttps://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/snow-redfern-memorial-foundation/donor-campaign
The Scotts Bluff County Board denied a conditional use permit application for the Situla Solar Energy Project following a heated, three-hour public hearing on Monday night.

The hearing was well attended by members of the public, as were the first and second hearings held by the county planning commission and an open house event hosted by parent company Dunlieh Energy at Legacy of the Plains Museum in February.

Public comments

Several community members spoke in support of and in opposition to the proposed solar farm. Opponents brought up numerous talking points that were discussed in-depth at previous meetings, such as concerns about fire safety and effects on property valuations, in addition to new points.

Lyman resident Casey Davis questioned the thoroughness of the wildlife studies conducted by Situla ahead of its CUP application. Goshen County resident Karen Weber-Thornberg shared her belief that many of the energy companies seeking to build in Nebraska and Wyoming were little more than land speculators taking advantage of lax regulations in remote parts of the country.

Proponents of the project included Gering residents Ken Bowman and Greg Brown, who were unified in their criticism of the county board for constructing additional hoops and making Situla jump through them.

Jack Preston, who co-owns the land on which the project would be built, also spoke. Preston acknowledged that the project involved some risks for his family, but that they were fully committed to it. He also thanked his friends and neighbors for their concerns.

I appreciate everyone worrying about us, he said. Theyre really worried about what happens to me and mine. Thank you.

Prestons nephew, Reginald Preston, also spoke. He issued an appeal to the board based on observations made attending recent meetings; specifically, the boards focus on financial conservatism and desire to reduce its property tax request and avoid the annual joint property tax hearing or pink postcard meeting.

This project represents probably the single biggest opportunity in your tenure  however long and illustrious they all may be  to bring Scotts Bluff County to a position where it no longer has to be worried about pens and pencils and process in the courthouse and working to avoid the 2.5% trigger for the pink postcards, he said.

Board discussion

The commissioners took time to ask questions of various involved individuals following the conclusion of public comments. Participants included county building and zoning director Bill Mabin, Dunlieh Energy Vice President of Business Development Scott Ickes and the companys legal representative, Kyle Long.

Commissioner Charlie Knapper took the lead in questioning Ickes on the other projects in Dunlieh Energys portfolio, which he said were still just thoughts in their minds. Knapper said listing those projects to inspire confidence in the Situla Project was misleading.

After an explanation from Long on the project planning process, and a reiteration that Situla is Dunliehs lead and most advanced project, Knapper retracted his comments.

The conversation later became heated, however, with Knapper stating several negative assumptions about the intentions and integrity of the project and the company behind it, though he did not provide evidence to support his assertions.

Foremost of these was his belief that Situla did not truly intend to build and operate the facility, and instead intended to sell the project off once a CUP had been granted.

Situla has maintained since the beginning that they intend to build and sell electricity from this facility. They have misrepresented that fact. They do not plan to build. That is my opinion, Knapper said. They do not plan to build. They do not plan to operate, but they have told us that out of their mouths. That is a far cry from what their intentions are.

Long asked Knapper who had told him that Situla did not intend to build and operate the facility, which the commissioner did not answer. Instead, he insisted it was clear that the company was not capable of pulling off the project.

How is it clear? Long asked.

I think these questions I have would be answered if they were able to pull it off, if they had a plan, Knapper said.

Who has said that Situla is not planning to build and operate this facility? Long asked.

They have said so much and not been able to answer the questions presented, Knapper said. Their lack of ability to answer the questions is them saying they do not plan to build the facility.

Their lack of answer to which question? Long asked.

Rather than answering that question, Knapper attempted to add another condition to the pending CUP that no company other than Situla could build a solar facility using the permit, if granted.

Meyer interjected, questioning the pertinence of the entire line of questioning to the issue at hand.

Why are we questioning the integrity of the company that applied for the permit? We have a company that is going to put a solar farm on private property. Theyre going to lease the property. The county doesnt own it. The county doesnt own the land or the project, Meyer said.

Rejection of the permit

Once the public hearing was closed, Knapper made a motion to reject the CUP application, seconded by commissioner Mike Blue.

Before the vote took place, Meyer reiterated several times that the only criteria that the board could take into consideration were: Whether the use of the land was appropriate under the countys zoning regulations at the time the application was submitted and whether the project would negatively impact neighboring properties.

We need to know the facts and stay in the area that we have control over, which is those two items that I just asked for, Meyer said. Thats by statute. We cant just make up rules.

The motion to reject the CUP application was approved in a 3-2 vote. Knapper, Blue and Reisig voted in favor, while Meyer and commissioner Mark Harris voted against.

Harris said his vote against rejecting the CUP was motivated by his wish to instead table the issue so that additional discussions could be held regarding more thorough conditions. He said that he believed Dunliehs intent was to build a profitable facility, which also created an economic opportunity for the county.

In the process of making his motion to deny the CUP, Knapper insisted that he was doing so because the county lacked the regulations and know-how among its board members to adequately address his grievances with the application and the project as a whole.

We dont have the regulations for a facility of this size, Knapper said. This is too big for a group of five people to come up with a thousand conditions to put on this project to keep everyone safe.

In January, Knapper led efforts to place a six-month moratorium on CUP applications related to solar energy projects. His stated intention at that time was to give the county a chance to work on its comprehensive plan and zoning regulations, adding more specific requirements for such projects.

Commissioner Russ Reisig said that his vote to deny the CUP application was based primarily on a clerical complaint. Namely, Reisig repeated his opinion, multiple times, that the landowners should be the party filing for the CUP, not the energy company that is leasing the land.

Long vocalized his disagreement with Reisigs interpretation of statute at numerous points throughout the hearing. County Attorney Dave Eubanks, who serves as the boards legal counsel, did not comment on the statutory disagreement.

Blue did not offer any explanation for his vote. In previous discussions and hearings, Blue has focused on advocacy for the safety of firefighters who would respond to emergency calls at the site of the solar facility, and expressed displeasure that those concerns had not been  in his opinion  appropriately addressed.

Next steps

After the CUPs rejection, Ickes expressed disappointment in the result. He said that Dunlieh Energy will need to consider its options before finding a path forward with the Situla Project.

It is currently unclear if the company will reapply for a CUP, as suggested by Meyer, or if the moratorium on CUP applications for solar projects will prevent them from doing so. That moratorium is set to expire in July.
KANSAS  A Kansas man was arrested after he contacted a Grand Island Police Department social media account, thinking he was talking to an underage girl.

Logan Runnion, 34, of Norton, Kansas was arrested on May 1 and has been charged with three counts of sex trafficking of a minor, eight counts of enticement by electronic communication device and three counts of sexual assault-use of electronic communication device, according to Grand Island police. All the charges are felonies.

The department said on May 1, investigators with Grand Island police, with the assistance of the Norton County Kansas Sheriffs Office, served an arrest warrant on Runnion at his residence.

A search warrant was also served to obtain evidence, which was taken back to Grand Island for further processing. Runnion was taken into custody on the warrant by the North County Sheriffs Office and booked into the Norton County Jail.

Police said the month-long investigation started in early April when Runnion contacted a Grand Island Police Department investigators undercover social media account. The communication between Runnion and the undercover officer posing as an underage juvenile female led to evidence of the crimes in which he was arrested.

Runnion will need to be extradited to Nebraska and charged in Hall County Court.

Photos: Nebraska volleyball spring match vs. Denver
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:

German automakers have invested heavily in China in recent decades.

The chief executive of German luxury carmaker BMW on Wednesday warned the European Union's investigation into Chinese electric car subsidies runs counter to free trade.

The EU launched the inquiry last year, fearing that Chinese subsidies are a threat to Europe's own vast automotive industry.

The move enraged Beijing, sparking fears of a trade war between the bloc and the world's second-biggest economy.

Oliver ZipseCEO of BMW, which has major investments in China, the world's biggest car marketsaid that the Munich-based group "always strives for free trade".

"What we are experiencing today with the anti-subsidy investigation against China is exactly the opposite of what we expect," he said during a call after the group reported falling profits in the first quarter.

It was unlikely BMW's warnings would stop the EU imposing additional tariffs on Chinese car manufacturers, he said, but added that he hoped any such step would be temporary.

"I would warn against doing something like that permanentlyit would do much more damage to German industry," he said.

He pointed out many Chinese imports to Europe are made by non-Chinese manufacturers with operations in the country, including German companies.

"You see how quickly you can shoot yourself in the foot," he said.

According to NGO Transport & Environment, nearly 20 percent of all electric cars sold across the EU last year were built in Chinabut more than half of those were made by Western carmakers.

BMW has a major production base in Shenyang, where it manufactures cars through a joint venture.

Zipse's comments came as the BMW group, which also makes Mini and Rolls-Royce cars, reported first-quarter net profit dropped 19 percent year-on-year to 2.95 billion euros ($3.17 billion) due to higher costs.

Sales slipped 0.6 percent to 36.6 billion euros.

In China the group sold almost 183,000 BMW brand vehicles, down 4.1 percent from a year earlier.

Germany's auto giants in particular have invested heavily in China in recent decades. They were already facing problems due to fierce local competition, and the fallout from the EU probe amounts to an extra headache.

If the EU concludes there are unfair practices, it could impose tariffs on Chinese car manufacturers above the standard 10 percent EU rate, but Brussels could also decide to do nothing.

The probe is one of several state aid investigations directed at China by the bloc in recent times, with the EU accusing Beijing of flooding Europe with subsidized goods.

 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:

Distribution of privacy concern levels towards different period tracking practices. Ordered by Very concerned Ratings. Credit: Duke University

In 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wadeending the constitutional right to an abortionprivacy advocates warned women against using smartphone apps to track their periods.

The calls came out of concerns that the data collected by these apps could put women at risk of prosecution in states where abortion became illegal.

Now, nearly two years later, American women remain uneasy about the privacy of these popular apps, but few have taken steps to protect themselves.

That's one of the main takeaways of a new study looking at women's use of period trackers and how they view the privacy risks that come with these tools, especially in the post-Roe era. The research was published as part of the Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.

The study, which polled 183 women across the United States, finds that many women feel in the dark about how their data are used and shared on these apps and are unsure how to take control.

"This is really a call to action that we need to provide more awareness and education," said Duke University assistant professor of computer science Pardis Emami-Naeini, who led the research.

Nearly a third of American women use apps to track their menstrual cycles, plan and prepare for symptoms, and identify their most fertile days. However, their convenience can come at a high cost for users.

That's because period tracking apps track more than just your period. They collect sensitive information that can include whether their users are trying to have a baby if they get pregnant or have a miscarriage, or even sexual activity.

If these data were combined with location tracking showing what medical facilities users have visited, it's possible these apps could be used to suggest that someone has had or is considering an abortion.

Because period-tracking apps aren't covered under federal data privacy laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA, no law prevents private companies from sharing this information with third parties, such as advertisers or insurance companies, or handing it over to law enforcement.

Previous research reveals an "alarming status quo," said student co-author Jiaxun Cao of Duke and Duke Kunshan University.

In a review of 23 popular period- and pregnancy-tracking apps, 61% allowed location tracking, 87% shared their users' data with third parties such as advertising and analytics companies, and two-thirds shared data "for legal obligations."

Nearly a third displayed no information about their privacy practices at all.

And even when privacy policies are available, they can be misleading. In 2021, the developer behind Flo, a period-tracking app with more than a million users, settled federal charges that the company leaked intimate details about users' periods and pregnancies with online advertising giants like Facebook and Google despite promising to keep them private.

Deleting an app from a device doesn't make the data magically disappear from the developer's server or stop it from being shared and sold, either. "Some companies hang on to data for years after the consumer stops using the app," said co-author Hiba Laabadli, a dual-degree student at Duke and Duke Kunshan.

To better understand women's concerns surrounding privacy and period-tracking apps, the researchers conducted an online survey with 183 American women aged 19 to 75. Half of the participants lived in states where abortion is banned; the other half lived in states where abortion is legal.

Each participant was asked how concerned they would be about hypothetical scenarios involving period trackers with different ways of collecting, storing, and sharing user data.

The study found that a number of common app practices raised red flags for users.

The top concern was who might gain access to their data. Respondents said that sharing information about their periods and pregnancies with the government or law enforcement was "unacceptable."

Nearly a third said apps sharing their data with third parties such as advertisers and insurance companies was also worrisome, particularly if it was used to target them with unwanted ads or boost their insurance rates.

Women were also wary of apps that collected more data than they considered necessary for the app to function, such as users' whereabouts or information about their moods or sexual activity.

Given these concerns, the researchers expected that women would be taking more steps to safeguard their information in the wake of Roe.

But actually, not so, Cao said.

When asked about the landmark ruling, most respondents60%recognized the heightened urgency of data privacy risks in the post-Roe era, but fewer than 10% took steps to mitigate them, such as by deleting the app or reading the app's privacy policy.

In fact, more than 90% of participants took no precautions at all, either because they weren't sure how to proceed, because they relied on the service to help manage their periods, or because they lived in states where they didn't feel the need to exercise caution.

Nearly 40% of participants reported feeling uninformed when it came to their apps' privacy practices.

"The majority of women are concerned but they don't do anything about it because they don't have the knowledge. They don't know what to do," Emami-Naeini said.

Only half of the respondents think users themselves are responsible for ensuring that their personal information stays safe. The vast majoritynearly 90%considered that to be the job of the app developers to give users more control over their data, make user control settings more accessible and straightforward, and make their privacy policies more transparent and easier to understand.

Since the landmark Supreme Court decision, more than two dozen states have banned or severely restricted abortion access.

As a next step, the researchers plan to look at the privacy implications of integrating AI chatbots like ChatGPT into period trackers and other health care apps.

"Our biggest recommendation is for app companies to be more transparent about what they're doing," Emami-Naeini said.

The researchers will present their findings on May 13 at the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2024) in Honolulu.

More information: Jiaxun Cao et al, "I Deleted It After the Overturn of Roe v. Wade": Understanding Women's Privacy Concerns Toward Period-Tracking Apps in the Post Roe v. Wade Era, Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (2024), DOI: 10.1145/3613904.3642042. inspire.cs.duke.edu/publicatio  hi24/chi24-paper.pdf
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:

Behavioural scientist Danie Nillson is helping to empower Australians to make more informed choices. Credit: CSIRO

Tackling the climate challenge is requiring everyone to change the way we think about our homes, our lifestyles, and our investments. Australians are embracing the energy transition, with rooftop solar now contributing 11.2% of Australia's electricity supply.

We recently surveyed Australians about the renewable energy transition and found affordable energy for everyone was the top priority. We found most Australians are open to change, but views varied on the speed and extent of change of the energy transition.

So, what are our obstacles to changing?

Integrating the power of social science

Danie Nilsson is a social scientist in our Energy team. Danie works to better understand and address the human challenges behind tackling the climate challenge. She has a strong focus on community engagement to empower Australians to make more informed choices.

Danie says there's now largely consensus that we need to increase focus on the social science component of the energy transition.

"There's no point having the latest and greatest technology if people don't, can't, or won't use it or adopt it," Danie says.

"People are at the core of this transition. It requires society and individual behaviors to shift. We're starting to see a dramatic increase in the research focused on how to help everyone adopt and adapt to the changes required in a fair and equitable manner."

Empowering decision making

Danie is experiencing first-hand the challenges that come with making major changes. In the last year, she's had to make big decisions about renovating a new home and buying a new car.

"I needed to ensure these investments aligned with my sustainability values, while also fitting our budget and other requirements," Danie says.

One of the key decisions has been whether to install rooftop solar.

"It seems like a no-brainer, but with a big outlay cost, it has been something we've had to consider. Especially when we aren't sure how much longer we will be living in this home," Danie says.

"When we decided to investigate it, I was surprised by how difficult it was for me to understand the best way to go about installing rooftop solar and who to trust and I work in the Energy team at CSIRO!

"I know the technology is there, but I lacked confidence in knowing what was the right decision for us. This included the specifics around what we would need and how to go about it, from installing panels through to how it impacts energy bills."

So why are these decisions so hard?

Powerful obstacles to change

Danie says it's not only external constraints but internal challenges that humans face when making big decisions and changes in their lives.

"Becoming aware of the psychology behind our decision making, and the irrationality we can be prone to, brings us one step closer to empowering ourselves to making big decisions," Danie says.

"This will help us better navigate the big changes required to tackle climate change and the energy transition."

There are four key internal barriers we need to overcome: loss aversion, decision fatigue, challenging the status quo or inertia, and choice overload.

So how can we overcome these obstacles?

Renewed energy for change

As we race towards a net zero future to reach ambitious climate goals, it's essential to decarbonize Australia's housing sector. This will require electrifying about eight million homes. This is not only important for environmental targets, but to ensure Australians live in homes that are comfortable, healthy, and affordable to run.

Electrifying our homes might seem like a daunting task for us. However, social science can help us through this transition.

"Social scientists are helping people to change, and we're working with government, industry and even media channels to integrate social science to support society's shift too," Danie says.

"For example, we helped to create and evaluate a television series called Renovate or Rebuild, which aimed to empower Australian households to make more energy efficient decisions with renovating their own homes."

Danie says when we tap into our motivations and drivers, and remove or minimize barriers, we are better prepared and able to make big changes in our lives. The higher the motivation and the easier a behavior is to perform, the more likely we are to act.

To help us take action, it can be helpful to identify our "why" behind the desired change.

Identify your priorities and personal drivers

Climate change is requiring us to make changes to our homes, cars and lifestyles. We're having to electrify our homes, prepare for electric vehicles (EV), and make our homes more resilient to natural disasters. However, we all have differing motivations and priorities depending on our personal circumstances.

Danie says identifying your own priorities and motivations is the first step in navigating these big life changes.

Your priorities could be driven by financial reasons (e.g., the need to minimize energy bills), values-driven (e.g., wanting to make a positive environmental impact), identity based (e.g., wanting to have the newest technology) or even logistically based (e.g., needing to upgrade a new car or switch from gas to electric appliances).

Understandably, we can have conflicting and competing priorities and drivers. For instance, finances may impede your current ability to purchase an EV despite your environmental values desiring one. However, there are steps we can all take today to live more sustainably and track us towards even bigger changes.

Making the change

Your personal drivers can inspire you to act. But having inspiration and motivation is not enough to succeed in making big changes. We all have internal barriers to taking action.

Internal barriers can be explained by human psychology. In particular, the cognitive biases (systematic processes our brain uses to understand large amounts of information) and heuristics (mental shortcuts our brain uses to make quick judgements) that explain human behavior and decision-making.

So, how can we overcome these obstacles? Danie highlights four common internal barriers we face as humans, and how we might overcome them.

1. Overcome loss aversion

For most Australians, affordability is the main concern in the renewable transition. Loss aversion is a cognitive bias that means we have double the sensitivity to outcomes considered a "loss" versus a "gain." This cognitive bias is prominent when it comes to financial decisions.

This is particularly relevant for decisions with high upfront costs. For instance, while having solar panels might save us considerable money in the long term, it requires spending a large amount upfront to install the solar panels. The upfront costs are more prominent in our decision making because we are sensitive to this initial "loss" rather than long term "gain."

To overcome loss aversion, we can pay attention to how we frame these big decisions. For instance, framing the decision and process in a way that highlights the potential benefits to be received, rather than focusing on the initial costs, can help. This could mean crunching the numbers and calculating the long-term savings, and incorporating this into our household budget, to enable long-term vision.

2. Reduce choice overload

Choice overload, otherwise known as choice paralysis, is something we face when we feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available to us. More choices make it more difficult to decide, as it becomes cognitively taxing and therefore we may delay acting. You might relate to this when you're struggling to pick a movie from the endless supply available on streaming services!

This is where knowing our priorities and values can help, especially for these bigger decisions. Focus on making one change at a time and narrow your options down to just a few suppliers or products that fit with your values and circumstances. And don't be too worried about your satisfaction (or rather lack thereof) taking this approach. Research shows we suffer from the "paradox of choice." This means as the number of choices available to us becomes excessive, we tend to be less happy with our choice than if we had fewer choices to start with!

To reduce choice overload, you might identify that getting a local supplier for your solar panels is a values-based priority for you. You could then identify two great local suppliers, get a quote from each, and select one for your job. This reduces the options significantly and helps minimize choice overload.

3. Challenge the status quo and overcome inertia

Another cognitive bias that can negatively impact our decision making is called "status quo bias" or "inertia." This explains humans' desire for things to remain how they currently are, despite the potential benefits achieved through change. We tend to like what is familiar and resist changing.

One example of this in action is with organ donation. Research has found high rates of organ donors in countries where they have an "opt out" policy, rather than countries like Australia where we have an "opt in" policy with lower organ donation rates.

As with all cognitive biases, being aware of them is a crucial first step to overcoming them. Revisiting your carefully assessed priorities and drivers can be a catalyst to overcoming status quo bias. It's important to remind ourselves what our motivation for change is and what benefits can come from it.

The changes the energy transition requires can bring big decisions, with a big outlay, and it can be easy to put it off. But it's important to remember that the first step tends to be the hardest, and then it gets easier. Action creates momentum and builds motivation. So break down big decisions into actionable steps, bite-sized chunks of what you can do.

Ask yourself: What is one step you can take this weekend to take you closer to your goals?

4. Address decision fatigue

We only have so much cognitive ability during the day and week to make decisions. This is why some CEOs have a predetermined uniform they wear every day. This takes decision making away early in the day and saves it for more important decisions.

Research shows women are making more of the household decisions. Decision fatigue, especially at the end of the day, can be a major obstacle.

It can help to set a designated time to have discussions, do research, and plan steps. Be mindful of when you're making decisions6pm on a workday may not be the best time for long term decisions.

Scheduling time in the early morning, on the weekend, or on a day off may be more effective, whenever you're feeling your freshest. Keep it as simple as possibleone decision per time slot.

It can also be useful to delegate decisions where possible. For instance, trusted comparison websites, or referrals and recommendations, may help you come to a decision easier.

Energized to take action

Danie is passionate about driving the social science needed to support the energy transition.

"We're in this transformative time where people are changing their lifestyles, their homes, their behaviors and everything to take part in the energy transition and address the climate challenge," Danie says.

"Social scientists are needed to better understand how to support people, because we won't reach our targets unless we successfully change human behavior. I'm really excited to be part of the change I want to create."
The demolition of the former Bryan ISD Administration Building, which Brazos County owns, is expected to begin sometime this summer to make way for a new $61 million county government building, according to a recent update from county officials.

Plans for the new building at 101 N. Texas Ave. in Bryan were presented to the Brazos County Commissioners Court Tuesday. The current plans include a possible sky bridge, a change in planned department occupants and a scheduled demo of the old administration building set for late June or early July.

One of the newest additions made to the proposed building project was the inclusion of a possible sky bridge over Texas Avenue to connect the new building to the Brazos County Courthouse.

Brazos County Project Manager Trevor Lansdown said this would allow county employees to conduct business between the adjacent offices. Plans for a parking garage have also been added to the current design.

We met with TxDOT and went over a couple options that we had and theyre super excited about a sky bridge, he said. Theres a lot of cross traffic between the departments that are going over there and the operations that are happening in the courthouse. [It is] much safer for our people to be able to cross that way than at either intersection of the street.

Although the current plans for the new building include space for the Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace, the Precinct 4 Constables Office, the Public Defenders Office and the Community Supervision & Corrections Office, Lansdown said two other departments will no longer be included.

As we worked through the planning process and programming process, we did have to pull off the Child Support and Child Protection Courts due to the inmate movement infrastructure that was gonna have to go into that space, he said. So, we are no longer putting them over there.  We did meet will all of the departments and worked through all of their programming needs, both for their current needs and into the future.

Currently, the new building is expected to be roughly three stories high with 62,000 square feet of floor space, Lansdown said.

That includes all of their space needs as well as the circulation, mechanical lighting needs, public restrooms [and] that kind of stuff to support them, to support the space, he said. All of that adds up to a $61 million estimate for the building, the parking structure and the bridge on that site.

The county paid $2.8 million for the former Travis Education Support Center in 2021. Previously, the building was the longtime home of the Bryan ISD administration, which moved to a different facility in 2018.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence Platforms to Increase Student Learning: One District's Journey

As educators, we cannot afford to delay providing instruction on appropriate use of artificial intelligence platforms to our students. Doing so places them at a significant disadvantage as they enter college and/or the workforce.

With the relatively recent evolution of, and exponentially increasing access to, generative artificial intelligence platforms, use of these in the educational setting becomes an increasingly critical consideration. How educational institutions elect to incorporate these into their existing programs can either set our students up for success in the future or serve as an anchor, limiting their potential. What follows is the journey one school district has undertaken to address this new technology in an effort to best prepare students to incorporate generative AI into the instructional program while maintaining emphasis on students' ability to demonstrate their understanding and apply what they have learned to address and solve problems.

To begin this work, district leadership developed a framework that would seek to include a diverse group of stakeholders in the development of a district AI position statement. Outreach via the district's website and social media, QR codes included in the district newsletter, and the more traditional option of phone contact were all employed in the hope of engaging as many diverse constituents of the community in this work as possible. The structure for development of the position statement included three evening workshops conducted between December 2023 and January 2024. Each workshop included open dialogue and brainstorming opportunities conducted as whole and small groups that enabled each participant an active role in the development of the position statement content. Three specific tasks were set for the group: create an overarching position statement with the vision for AI use in the educational program; develop a set of acceptable uses for AI platforms; and develop a set of non-acceptable uses for AI platforms. Upon completion, the final draft was publicly presented to the Board of Education and posted to the district's website. This position statement functions as a guide for the implementation and professional development of staff for AI platforms across the district.

Building Capacity and Comfort

With the position statement in place, work began in earnest to create opportunities for the staff to begin exploring available AI platforms to increase their comfort using these in support of their daily work and the work of their students. Through informal conversations with teachers across the district, it became evident that a significant range existed in familiarity and comfort with AI platforms, with most falling into one of three groups. The first were teachers who had already invested their own time and effort using these platforms to a relatively high degree of proficiency. The second were those who had dabbled with some of these for their own personal applications. The third and largest group were those who expressed some degree of discomfort or even fear at the notion of working with such platforms and had little or no experience with generative AI.

To start the process of increasing comfort with, and understanding of, AI platforms, the district leveraged available staff development days to offer a series of 90-minute workshops. During these sessions, volunteer teachers possessing experience using AI platforms shared what they had learned and done with these with their peers who lacked such experience. The workshop structure included a portion of time at the onset to describe each platform and its functionality, followed by a majority of the session dedicated to participants exploring the platform facilitated by the presenter or presenters. Titles of the workshops offered included:
NEWBERRY  The South Carolina Ag + Art Tour has grown from one county in 2012 to 20 on this years slate, but as supporters gathered this month to reflect on that growth, the impacts they shared had little to do with statewide expansion.

Ag + Art Tour Supporters, stakeholders and volunteers gathered in April to kick off the 2024 South Carolina Ag + Art Tour at the old Newberry County courtho

Thats because stakeholders and volunteers for the nations largest free farm and art tour have seen the effects much closer to home.

Jamie Vaine, executive director of the Fairfield County Farmers and Artisans Market in the small rural town of Winnsboro, is among them.

The Ag + Art Tour brings a lot of people in to see what Fairfield County actually has, said Vaine, the countys tour coordinator. Fairfield County has a lot of great farms and a lot of culture that people dont necessarily see because we are off the beaten path.

But what they find when they arrive in Fairfield County, which is in the Olde English District of South Carolina between Columbia and Charlotte, N.C., is a vibrant area rich with history and agriculture.

Get TheTandD.com for $1 for 3 months Support local journalism by becoming a member at www.TheTandD.com. View our latest offer at TheTandD.com/subscribe

The Ag + Art Tour helps bring us back into the light of South Carolina and lets people see that we exist and see what we have to offer, Vaine said.

A self-guided tour of farms and markets with local artisans at each stop, the Ag + Art Tour offers visitors an opportunity to learn about agriculture, see artists in action, enjoy the melodies of local musicians and connect with rural life.

9 counties join lineup for nations largest free farm tour in 2024 Clemson Cooperative Extensions Ag + Art Tour was already the nations largest free farm tour, with more than 100,000 visitors since it began, and this years tour will showcase the states cultural heritage and hard-working farmers to more South Carolinians than ever.

This is going to bring in tourism and exposure to our agritourism farms and give people a chance to step back, slow down their pace of life, come see where their food comes from, maybe get a unique gift from one of our local artisans, and really showcase rural Berkeley County, said Rachel Knight, the tourism coordinator in Berkeley County, one of nine South Carolina counties taking part in the Tour for the first time this year.

Bamberg Ag+Art Tour includes history scenes The South Carolina Ag & Art Tour of Bamberg County features artwork reflecting agricultural history with African American experiences, showcasing paintings by Chakalah Crawford.

Knight said that bordering Charleston County also means a significant amount of overflow visitors come to Berkeley seeking a less urban experience without venturing too far from the citys bustle.

Were kind of known as The Great Outdoors of Charleston, and the Tour gives people an opportunity to get out and explore some of the backroads theyve never been down, Knight said. Were excited to showcase some areas of our county that are our best-kept secrets.

Since its humble beginnings in 2012 in York County  and only York County  more than 100,000 visitors have participated in the Tour, making it the nations largest free tour of its kind. This years schedule is more robust than ever, having grown from 16 tour stops in that first year to 177 locations around the state in 2024.

Supporters, stakeholders and volunteers gathered in April to kick off the 2024 South Carolina Ag + Art Tour at the old Newberry County courthouse, which was used until 1906 and is now a community hall.

Anna LaGrone, executive director of the Abbeville Chamber of Commerce, said as soon as she learned of the tour from its director, Clemson Extension Senior Agribusiness Agent Will Culler, she knew it could benefit the local community.

Abbeville has such a rich agricultural heritage and so many artisans that it seemed like a wonderful way to showcase what they bring to the county, LaGrone said. One of the areas of focus of our Chamber is agritourism and agribusiness, and this seemed like a really good marriage between the two of them. Were excited for this opportunity to bring people to Abbeville to support our businesses and our community.

Elsewhere in the state, Chanda Cooper works as a conservation education analyst for the Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District, which works to carry out a mission of educating the public about the importance of natural resources.

That mission, Cooper said, makes Abbeville perfectly suited to join forces with the Ag + Art Tour.

Farms are one of the best places to see the reasons why we need healthy soil and clean water: because it produces the food and the fiber and the timber that sustains life, Cooper said. So, the Ag + Art Tour is a great way to showcase those natural resources to our community, to help people connect with the land, connect with the farmers and also to connect with the art, history and culture of our county.

Richland County had 15 farms featured on the Tour last year, which has grown by a third in the year since, with 20 tour sites on the slate for 2024.

Our tour is growing, Cooper said. Well have more artisans, we have more volunteers involved, more sponsors and more people are coming together to support this idea of bringing farms and art and the community into one place.

Part of the nationwide land-grant system, Clemson Extensions mission is to bring the knowledge and resources of the university to the people of South Carolina by providing unbiased, research-based information through an array of public outreach programs in various areas, including agribusiness and agriculture.

Cooper said the credit for the Ag + Art Tours success was in no small part due to Culler and Clemson Extension, as well as Senior Agribusiness Agent Ben Boyles, who founded the tour, for bringing so many moving parts together to function as one.

Within our county, we have so many different players involved  from the farms to the artists to the sponsors  and Will is managing that at the state level for 20 counties, Cooper said. Its important for us to have Will and Clemson University as our statewide sponsor there providing the infrastructure, the branding, the talking points so that were all working from the same sheet of music, we all have similar objectives, and we all have the support and resources we need to make this happen.
How many points is a top player worth?

by | 08/05/2024

Amid the ongoing concerns about PSR, the takeover, administration and having to sell players, a thought struck me

Much has been made of having to sell Jarrad Brandthwaite to avoid another points deduction next season but I want to ask the question and start a debate about how many points a player like Jarrad is worth  not just next season but by building a team around him for the future?

I would argue that, without Jarrad this season, we would be at least 10 points worse off assuming his replacement was Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey or Mason Holgate.

Since Jarrad has come into the side, we have the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League  no mean feat considering the paucity of our squad and the problems at full-back we have endured this season.

Article continues below video content

Jordan Pickford is another example to ask the question: How many points is he worth compared to what we might get for him and the ease with which we could replace him?

Can we put a points worth on an individual player? Or even more so, is there a formula for the selling price of a player compared to his points worth? Like for example, 1 point for every 10 million in value?

It is always claimed it is a team or squad game but, to have an effective squad, you need good players and, in my opinion, you don't want to be selling your best players  even if it means taking a points deduction.

Return to Talking Points index : Add your Comments 

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()

How to get rid of these ads and support TW

 ToffeeWeb
CHEYENNE  The state of Wyoming has joined 20 other states in a lawsuit arguing that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is overstepping its authority and infringing on Americans Second Amendment right to privately buy and sell firearms.

In the lawsuit, the coalition of states argue that the ATFs regulatory restrictions exceed the authority granted to the agency by Congress and are a violation of the Second Amendment.

Yet again, this administration has demonstrated its contempt for the Constitution and the separation of powers, Gov. Mark Gordon said in a news release.

According to the complaint, The right to keep and bear arms is central to our countrys history and traditions, so Congress must be careful when addressing that right through federal legislation.

Under a final ATF rule, Definition of Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms, the agency would put innocent firearms sales between law-abiding friends and family members within the reach of federal regulation, the complaint continues.

The Biden administration is attempting to treat every legal gun owner as a commercial gun dealer, and every gun sale or trade as a commercial transaction, Gordon noted. The Biden administration is exceeding its authority and targeting our Second Amendment rights without going through Congress.

In December, Wyoming joined 25 other states in signing a comment letter opposing the new rule. The states have asked the court to vacate the rule as contrary to law.
JACKSON  Federal land managers say they are not able to ban people from killing wild animals with snowmobiles, instead pointing to the states.

Its not within our regulatory authority, Brad Purdy told the News&Guide. Purdy is the Bureau of Land Managements deputy state director of communications for Wyoming. If we dont have the regulatory authority, it would be illegal for us to try and overstep in that way.

The BLM operates under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, which gives it no authority to manage wildlife, Purdy said. The only exception is wild horses, which the BLM is required to manage because of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

The U.S. Forest Service agreed, pointing to the history of wolves protection under the Endangered Species Act. In Wyoming, that protection was lifted in 2017, turning management over to the state.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has jurisdiction over wolves in Wyoming, said Catherine McRae, national press officer for the Forest Service. The Bridger-Teton National Forest has no wildlife management authority.

In late April, environmental groups called on the federal government to ban people from killing wolves and other canines with snowmobiles, a practice known as coyote whacking.

Past attempts to get the Wyoming Legislature to ban the practice have failed.

But environmental groups have renewed their efforts to halt the practice following reports of wolf abuse in Wyoming where a Daniel man allegedly ran over a wolf with his snowmobile.

Kristin Combs, of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates, said the stance taken by the Forest Service and BLM is confusing considering that both agencies issue some rules related to wildlife, like prohibiting people from entering critical winter range. But the federal agencies decision to back out of the debate puts the responsibility for reform squarely on Wyoming, Combs said.

If they say theyre not going to do that, it just leaves more and more of the onus on Wyoming to fix this problem, Combs said.

In late February, Game and Fish charged Cody Roberts, a Daniel man, with illegally possessing a live wolf, which came with a $250 fine. Subsequent reporting has alleged that Roberts hit the animal with his snowmobile, disabled it, taped its mouth shut and brought it into the Green River Bar in Daniel before killing it.

The incident has spurred international outrage and led to calls for reforming Wyoming wolf policy, which classifies wolves as trophy game animals in the 15% of the state surrounding Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and as predators in the remaining 85% of the state.

In that larger area, known as the predator zone, wolves can be killed with few restrictions and no limit. In addition to wolves, Wyoming considers coyotes, jackrabbits, porcupine, raccoons, red fox, skunks and stray cats as predators. Running any of those animals over with a snowmobile is currently legal in the predator zone. The incident in Daniel has, however, spurred renewed calls for the state to act, both by banning yote whacking and by extending animal cruelty statutes to predators.

Whether Wyoming officials will act remains to be seen.

Sublette County is further investigating the incident, and Gov. Mark Gordon has assembled a group to talk about the incident and Wyoming wolf policy. The joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources committee will talk wolf policy next week in Cody.

All attention will be on the Wyoming Legislature, which defines not only which species are predators and how predators can be killed but also where wolves are considered predators, when animal cruelty statutes apply to predators and fines for possessing live wildlife.

Game and Fish, meanwhile, regulates things like reporting when wolves are killed and how wolves can be hunted in the 15% of the state surrounding national parks where the Legislature deems the animals trophy game.

In the remaining 85% of the state where the Legislature deems wolves predators, the authority to manage wolves rests with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.
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 Opposition Leader cited figures that showed the official entertainment for the Office of the Prime Minister moved from a revised estimate of $240,000 in 2024 to an estimated expenditure of $30 million in 2025.

This is an increase of 12,400%.
Hasely Crawford and Keshorn Walcott are among the household names in Trinidad and Tobago who made an impact through success at elite-level sport.

To date, Crawford and Walcott are the countrys only individual Olympic gold medallists. They serve as examples for young T&T athletes with big ambitions.

Some will become world-beaters; others will not. And thats the reality of sport. Many participate, but a relative few reach the elite level. Even fewer get to the top of the podium in global competition.
PHOENIX  A group of veteran attorneys has organized to defend the process of how most judges in Arizona are selected and stand for reelection.

And they may raise some money to try to keep Justices Clint Bolick and Kathryn King on the Arizona Supreme Court.

Thats to counter-act an election campaign against the two justices. A political action group is asking voters to deny them new six-year terms in November over their April votes allowing an 1864 abortion law to be enforced in Arizona.

Timothy Berg, steering committee co-chair of the newly formed attorneys group, Arizonans for an Independent Judiciary, said members are concerned about an increase in efforts to oust sitting judges simply because voters did not like one or more of their decisions. He said thats precisely the wrong way to determine whether someone is fit to sit on the bench.

Berg does not dispute that, despite the merit selection system approved by voters in 1974, politics still play a role in who gets selected, particularly for the Arizona Supreme Court, whose justices are picked by governors.

Its there, agreed Paul Eckstein, the other co-chair of the organization. Its politics at a whole different level. Theres no doubt about it.

A governor, when appointing a Supreme Court justice, has to choose from a list provided by the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments, but that system can be gamed by the governor to get the choice he or she wants.

But Eckstein said that doesnt justify some efforts to oust a sitting judge.

What our committee is concerned about is a campaign that is organized to take out good judges, good justices on a particular issue that theyre involved in, he said. That means a single unpopular lone opinion being the one focus of the effort to oust them  and not everything else that person has done on the bench.

This year, its Progress Arizona thats targeting King and Bolick for voting to reinstate the 1864 law that outlaws all abortions except to save the life of the mother.

They werent the only justices who ruled that the law supersedes a 2022 statute allowing abortion until 15 weeks. So did Justice John Lopez, who wrote the opinion, and Justice James Beene, leading to the 4-2 ruling on April 9.

But King and Bolick are the only members of the high court who are before voters this year in their bids to get new six-year terms. Voters decide every six years whether to retain justices; the terms are staggered, so the other justices arent on the ballot this year.

Berg said the attorneys groups effort to protect sitting judges predates the Supreme Court ruling on abortion. Voters refused in 2022 to return three Superior Court judges to the bench. He said that was based not on whether they were qualified but because some voters didnt agree with some of their rulings.

Our view is, of course, that merit selection works because you look at his qualifications, you have a Judicial Performance Review process, Berg said. Therefore, you want to be looking at a judges qualifications rather than how they ruled in any individual case.

Would destabilize system

Until 1974, judges were elected in Arizona, just like other politicians.

The system approved that year by voters has special panels screen applicants for the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and for any trial court in a county of more than 250,000 people. The governor then has to choose from the panels lists.

Judges have to stand for reelection on a retain-reject basis, every six years for the Supreme Court and four years for others. If a judge is rejected, the process to fill the vacancy starts over.

Thats what would happen in November if King and Bolick are turned out of office.

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, who was highly critical of that abortion ruling, would then get to make two picks of her own.

Eckstein has long been active in Democratic politics, but said ousting would be a mistake.

It would destabilize the merit selection, he said.

Eckstein said it already can be difficult to convince attorneys, who may have lucrative private practices, to give that up to become judges, even for the $205,000 salary a Supreme Court justice makes.

So you have to work at attracting good people, he said. If you add to that the chance that an unpopular decision could result in ouster  or that some people would want to rebalance the court politically  that could deter some otherwise qualified attorneys from even applying, he said.

Anyway, Berg said, Hobbs still may get her chance to put her stamp on the court, as the Arizona Constitution requires judges to retire at age 70; there is no such thing as a lifetime appointment as there is at the federal level.

A record of political moves

All that, however, has to be seen against the backdrop of the politics already in the system.

In 2016, for example, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey got the Republican-controlled Legislature to expand the Supreme Court from five justices to seven. That gave Ducey, who by that time had named just one person to the bench, two more immediate choices.

That expansion enabled Ducey to add Lopez  the author of the abortion decision  as well as Andrew Gould. Gould left to pursue an unsuccessful bid for attorney general in 2021, opening the door for Ducey to name King as his replacement.

Other political games have been played.

In 2019 Maricopa County Attorney William Montgomery sought a seat on the high court to replace retiring Justice William Pelander. But the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments voted 7-5 against sending his name to the governor, leaving Ducey to name Beene.

Montgomery drew opposition for opposing adoptions by gay couples and amid claims he used his position to try to block implementation of the 2010 voter-approved Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.

Later that year, however, Ducey replaced several commission members, including three who voted against Montgomery. That created an all-Republican commission.

The revised panel decided to send seven names to the governor  the law requires just three. They included Montgomery, whom Ducey chose.

Montgomery was not a factor in the abortion case, recusing himself. While he did not provide a reason, it came after disclosure that, as county attorney, he stated that Planned Parenthood is responsible for the greatest general genocide known to man.

Berg said the abortion ruling  and how Bolick and King voted  should be seen as an outlier.

Most courts, most of the issues they see on a day-to-day basis, arent political issues, he said.

Instead, Berg said, they end up being things like contract disputes between businesses. And at the trial level, he said, what comes up are criminal cases, divorces, juvenile matters and civil disputes.

Most of what you do is sort of the day-to-day business of resolving disputes between people and between companies, he said.

One reason the lawyers formed the committee is that the rules of conduct for judges prohibit them from soliciting funds to convince voters to let them have another term. That means the only option for anyone to run a campaign on their behalf is if some group, acting as a surrogate, raises the necessary money.

Eckstein said any involvement in a campaign to keep King and Bolick on the bench would not be his first.

He headed up a committee formed to quash a similar effort in 2012 to oust Pelander. That came after Pelander voted with other Supreme Court justices to allow voters to decide whether to approve an open primary system where the top two vote-getters would advance to the general election, regardless of party.

The justices did not rule on the merits of the plan but instead concluded only that a trial judge did not err in how it handled the case, a ruling that angered some Republicans. As it turned out, though, voters defeated the initiative.
Mike Simons Tulsa World Staff Photographer Follow Mike Simons Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Update: The Osage County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance after Wayne Hogue went missing from the Barnsdall area following Monday night's tornado.

A family member posted another plea for help in finding the 81-year-old man. He may be driving a blue 2019 Chevrolet sedan, the sheriff's office said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 918-287-3131 as the search for Hogue continues.

National Weather Service Tulsa said Tuesday afternoon that damage surveys are ongoing across Osage County as "low-end EF4 damage" was found in Barnsdall, with EF3 damage found southwest of the city.

A curfew in Barnsdall will be in effect after 9 p.m. "due to ongoing safety concerns and recovery efforts," the sheriff's office said.

Residents needing food or shelter may go to Lighthouse Worship Center at 13749 Oklahoma 11 in Barnsdall. Mercy Chefs are preparing meals daily. The Womens Building at the Fairgrounds in Pawhuska also will be available for those who need shelter, the sheriff's office said.

The Osage County town of Barnsdall took a direct hit from a large tornado Monday night, with one fatality confirmed early Tuesday.

Mayor Johnny Kelley reported the death during a news conference from Barnsdall.

"The individual that we lost  I knew him pretty well," Kelley said, adding how difficult it is as mayor to survey the damage affecting so many people he knows in the small town.

First responders reportedly were going door to door doing search and rescue at homes that had been damaged or destroyed by the storm. The community of approximately 1,300 people about 40 miles northwest of downtown Tulsa was also hard hit by a tornado about one month earlier, on April 1.

Kelley said the city's largest employer, a polymer plant and former refinery, took a lot of damage Monday night and will likely have to remain shut down for "quite some time" as efforts to rebuild progress.

As the storm moved farther northeast, the National Weather Service also reported damage in Bartlesville near the Hampton Inn at U.S. 75 and Tuxedo Road "likely due to a tornado."

The tornado was confirmed on the ground just west of Skiatook Lake just after 9:15 p.m. and continued to track to the northeast through Barnsdall and the Bartlesville area.

Skiatook's vice mayor early Tuesday confirmed minimal damage in the area after a tornado began forming just north of Ranchland Road about five miles west of the Osage Casino in Skiatook.

The Washington County Emergency Management agency reported on social media around 10:30 that it was receiving multiple reports of damage throughout the area. It said in a separate post that "Washington Blvd (highway 75) is blocked both directions north of Frank Phillips and south of Tuxedo due to debris."

Power outages continue to affect residents in Washington County; about 3,500 PSO customers are without power as of 10 a.m. Tuesday.

In Nowata County, damage was reported to homes and power lines were down approximately 1 mile south and 2 miles east of South Coffeyville, the National Weather Service reported about 11:45 p.m.

In Craig County, the Emergency Management Agency reported that the roof was blown off the old gymnasium in Welch and that debris was around the school.

"Some forecasters said you are going to see a long-trail tornado greater than an EF-3, and they about got it right," Tulsa Area Emergency Management Authority Director Joe Kralicek said early Tuesday.

Radar reportedly picked up debris 15,000 feet in the air as the storms approached Barnsdall, Kralicek said, a clear indication of the power of the tornado.

"This is still tornado alley," he said.

Tulsa escaped the worst of the storms, with some strong winds and flash flooding in parts of the city, according to Kralicek, but otherwise no serious impact.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

The Tulsa World is where your story lives.
State-owned lenders Vietcombank, VietinBank, and BIDV are set to jointly provide a syndicated loan of US$1.8 billion with a 20-year term to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) for the implementation of the third component of the Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, an ACV resolution showed.

The ACV, a state-run firm that manages a score of airports in Vietnam, has entered into credit agreements with the three banks.

Collateral for the loans includes assets generated from the airport project and items permissible for mortgaging.

The first phase of the Long Thanh International Airport project needs an estimated investment of some VND110 trillion ($4.3 billion).

The project includes four components with the third -- essential facilities -- carrying a price tag of over VND99 trillion ($3.9 billion).

ACV chairman Lai Xuan Thanh previously informed Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that despite challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the company's revenue and profit remained steady, and certain loan repayment deadlines were extended.

The corporation has worked with local banks to reduce foreign loans.

The ACV intended to secure $2.1 billion in foreign loans, according to its initial plan. However, it ultimately obtained loans amounting to $1.7-1.8 billion from foreign lenders.

The company was committed to completing the big-ticket airport project as scheduled and putting it into operation by the last quarter of 2026.

The entire project requires an investment of some VND336.63 trillion ($13.3 billion) and will be the largest airport in the nation with an annual capacity of 100 million passengers and five million metric tons of cargo.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
As Vietnam holds great potential for enhancing its presence in the global semiconductor supply chain, the country needs to create an investment-friendly environment, build talent pools, and develop an adequate infrastructure system, according to Ramin Toloui, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

Toloui, who is responsible for promoting the development of a resilient supply chain for U.S. semiconductor manufacturers, made the remarks in an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper during his business trip to Vietnam late last month.

The senior U.S. also visited Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and some other Asian countries where he met with partners of the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund, an initiative of the U.S. State Department.

In Asia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines were chosen as ITSI partner countries.

He recounted his first trip to Vietnam in 1997, saying that everything in this Southeast Asian country has changed significantly after 27 years.

From Nike, which tapped into the Vietnamese market in 1995, to Intel, which set up its business in Vietnam in 2006, these investments have helped bolster the countrys economic growth and enhance the lives of local people, Toloui said.

I still sense the positive energy of the people here," he continued.

"It's the Vietnamese people's desire to learn and work diligently, continuously investing in themselves through education and work, striving to create a better life for themselves."

His business trip to Vietnam included meetings with representatives of the three key pillars for the nation to get involved in the global semiconductor supply chain, namely the government, academia, and the private sector.

Toloui attended a working session with representatives of the Ministry of Planning and Investment to discuss the necessary government policies to beef up cooperation in the semiconductor industry.

He highlighted that manpower is one of the main factors based on which the U.S. selected Vietnam as a strategic partner in the diversification of its semiconductor supply chain.

He toured the Intel Vietnam factory, which is the company's largest plant worldwide for assembling, packaging, and testing chips.

The senior U.S. official also visited the Vietnam National University and the Fulbright University in Ho Chi Minh City, two educational institutions promising to provide talent pools for the semiconductor industry.

He recalled his visit to the Vietnam National University where he met two undergraduate students who won a global competition sponsored by NVIDIA.

Their project focused on using artificial intelligence to improve motorcycle safety and compliance with helmet laws," he elaborated.

"This was an excellent example of how the potential and creativity of Vietnamese students can be unleashed by expanding educational opportunities.

I also had an excellent visit to Marvell Technology, another U.S. semiconductor company with a strong presence in Vietnam.

"It was another example of strong partnership between the U.S. private sector and Vietnam."

He went on to say that the U.S. State Department is working hard to promote the assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP) capacity in ITSI partner countries in the Americas and the Indo-Pacific to enhance the flexibility of the supply chain for U.S. semiconductor manufacturers.

This initiative will help Washington's ITSI partners create an investment environment, support the semiconductor industry, and improve the capacity of the workforce.

Following U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam in September last year and the elevation of the Vietnam-U.S. bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, many memoranda of understanding have been signed between two sides to promote the growth of the semiconductor industry in Vietnam.

According to Toloui, the U.S. will assess the semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam and its growth potential before identifying areas that need to be addressed to realize that potential.

The U.S. government has partnered with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to conduct this assessment and provide a roadmap for the use of the ITSI Fund. This helps Vietnam and the U.S. clarify their goals and focus on the most important factors.

He shared that during his meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong, both sides discussed the importance of developing a skilled workforce, the need to build an adequate infrastructure system including clean energy and legal infrastructure, as well as policies to encourage more foreign investors to do business in Vietnam.

An underdeveloped semiconductor workforce is a common issue facing countries that are set to develop this industry, including Vietnam, Japan, and European countries, he told Tuoi Tre.

He added that part of the funding from the ITSI Fund is to be used to develop the workforce in Vietnam.

The semiconductor industry has played an increasingly important role in economic development as global demand for semiconductors is on the rise.

Electric vehicle manufacturers need more semiconductors than traditional combustion engine vehicles.

Recent forecasts show that semiconductor sales could reach US$1 trillion by 2030.

Along with the market's growing scale, governments themselves also aim to improve the quality of the workforce, transition to clean energy, and develop infrastructure.

Therefore, Toloui believed that opportunities are available for all U.S. partners, including Vietnam, to engage in the global semiconductor supply chain.

He underlined the need for Vietnam to improve its business climate and policy framework so as to attract more foreign investment and become an investment destination attractive to U.S. investors.

The ITSI Fund was established under the CHIPS Act of 2022 to provide the U.S. Department of State with US$500 million ($100 million per year over five years, starting in Fiscal Year 2023) to promote the development and adoption of secure and trustworthy telecommunications networks and ensure semiconductor supply chain security.

Six countries in the two regions of Latin and Asia were chosen as ITSI partners to ensure diversity in the global semiconductor supply chain, focusing on assembly, testing, and packaging.

The CHIPS Act of 2022, a U.S. law that appropriated new funding to boost domestic manufacturing and research of semiconductors in the U.S, was passed by President Biden in August 2022.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
SYDNEY/HONG KONG/SINGAPORE -- Global private equity investors and asset managers are readying for billions of dollars worth of M&A and investments linked to data centers in Asia Pacific, as the artificial intelligence (AI) boom fuels demand for digital infrastructure.

The intense pace of deals in the world's most populous region comes as countries and companies respond to booming demand for AI, calling for more data capacity, industry executives said.

Asia Pacific, including Japan, has led dealmaking activities in the global data center market this year, with M&A value totalling $840.47 million, more than half of the global amount, LSEG data showed.

In 2023, the region's data center deals hit a record high of $3.45 billion, according to LSEG. That tally is set to be surpassed this year with at least a couple of large transactions in the pipeline.

A number of financial sponsors, including global investment powerhouse Blackstone Inc (BX.N) are looking to acquire AirTrunk, which owns 11 hyperscale data centers in Australia and the rest of the region, sources close to the transaction said.

AirTrunk owners, Macquarie Group (MQG.AX) and Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP), are aiming to value the business at up to A$15 billion ($9.8 billion), sources said, in what could be Asia's largest data centre transaction this year.

AirTrunk, Blackstone, Macquarie and PSP declined to comment.

"The AI revolution is creating an unprecedented wall of demand for high quality data center capacity," said Garren Cronin, managing director of Cadence Advisory, which advised on Australian data center operator NEXTDC's $861 million capital raising in April.

"The new capacity that needs to be built in Asia Pacific in the next three to five years is simply mind blowing. My expectation is that deal flow in the data center space will intensify in 2024."

Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) last week said it would invest $2.2 billion over the next four years in Malaysia to expand its cloud and AI services across Asia.

The rise of data center investments in Asia follows a similar trajectory to that seen in the U.S. and Europe with technology giants including Amazon (AMZN.O), Microsoft, Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O), and Meta Platforms (META.O) rapidly expanding their AI capabilities.

Microsoft will open its first Asian data center in Thailand, the company said last Wednesday, a day after announcing $1.7 billion worth of investments in AI and cloud facilities in neighboring Indonesia.

Data consumption

Other potential deals in Asia include Indonesia's state-owned Telkom Indonesia (TLKM.JK)'s sale of a stake in its data center business worth $1 billion and Japan's NEC weighing $500 million data center sale, according to news reports.

Telkom Senior Vice President Investor Relations Ahmad Reza told Reuters on Wednesday that Telkom is open to strategic partnerships to bring its data center business arm NeutraDC new capabilities and new markets.

"We have explored several potential partners, but we are still evaluating for the best one," he said. "We expect to finish this process by the end of this year."

NEC said it was not able to comment on market speculation.

U.S. investment firm Bain Capital is seeking credit financing for the international assets of data center operator Chindata and investments for its China business, people close to Bain Capital said.

Bain, which took Chindata private from the Hong Kong bourse last year in a $3.16 billion deal, declined to comment.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM), which invested in AirTrunk in 2017 before selling its stake to a Macquarie-led consortium three years later, has deployed more than $1 billion on data center development in Asia over the past three years.

The firm would actively invest in additional projects, with a particular focus on Japan and South Korea, said Nikhil Reddy, head of APAC real estate at GSAM.

"AI creates a different type of need for data centers beyond the historic demands of the cloud focused on low latency. Now with AI, which entails massive data consumption, capacity is key," he said.

($1 = 1.5103 Australian dollars)
A fire erupted at the parking lot of the Central Electric Power College in Hoi An, an internationally famous tourist city in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, on Wednesday morning, destroying 43 electric vehicles which were used to transport tourists.

At about 5:30 am, some employees of the college saw a column of smoke from an area for EVs in the parking lot.

The EVs belong to a local travel company, said Dinh Hoa, chairman of the administration of Tan An Ward, Hoi An City, where the school is located.

Fire trucks and dozens of firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene to put out the fire.

The blaze took about half an hour to be extinguished.

Besides the 43 EVs, the flames also damaged parts of an adjacent house.

At the time of the incident, some witnesses took 12 EVs to safe places. Six other EVs were also pulled out of the dangerous area but they were singed.

The column of smoke from the scene of the fire that damaged 43 EVs in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, May 8, 2024. Photo: Q.T. / Tuoi Tre

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

The owner of the EVs told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday that the vehicles used dry batteries.

Each vehicle cost around VND400 million (US$15,800).

The vehicles were used to transport tourists on fixed routes in Hoi An City, the businessman noted.

He added that his company had ordered dozens of new EVs but had not received them.

The old vehicles were burned amid the city's tourism recovery, he said.

It is lucky that the fire did not cause casualties. The company will negotiate with partners to deal with tourist transport contracts, he informed.

The company had a total of 52 EVs for tourist transport before the incident.

The scene of the incident after the fire was put out. Photo: Q.T. / Tuoi Tre

As many as 43 EVs were damaged. Photo: Q.T. / Tuoi Tre

EVs were destroyed, exposing their frames. Photo: Q.T. / Tuoi Tre

A firefighter extinguishes the fire. Photo: Q.T. / Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Cambodia has not ignored its responsibility to provide Vietnam with detailed information about the US$1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal project, which is expected to commence late this year and be put into operation in 2028, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol has announced.

Chanthol was speaking at a press conference in Cambodia on Tuesday, in response to Vietnams request for Cambodia to share detailed information on the canal megaproject, recently announced by the Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

He reiterated the Cambodian governments stance that Cambodia is not neglecting its responsibility to share the project's detailed information with Vietnam, both officially and unofficially, Khmer Times cited Chanthol as saying.

The official cited the 1995 Mekong Agreement as saying that activities affecting tributaries of the Mekong River must be notified to the Joint Committee of the Mekong River Commission (MRC).

He then stressed that Cambodia has already fulfilled this requirement by informing the committee about the canal project on August 8, 2023.

Cambodia has an obligation to notify the committee before starting construction and is not obliged to consult in advance or to have a specific agreement from member countries of the MRC, Chanthol told reporters.

If you require that information, please request it from the MRC, he stated.

He added that the project includes the involvement of many esteemed organizations, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Asian Development Bank, the MRC Secretariat and the CCCC Water Transportation Consultants Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company Limited.

An artists rendition of the Funan Techo Canal project, released recently by the Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transport. Photo: Cambodian government

On May 5, Pham Thu Hang, spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Vietnam is highly interested in the canal project and respects the legitimate interests of Cambodia in accordance with the 1995 Mekong Agreement, the MRCs prevailing regulations, and the traditional and friendly neighborhood between the two countries.

We hope that Cambodia will continue to coordinate closely with Vietnam and other countries in the commission to share information about this project and fully assess its impacts on water resources and the eco-environment of the Mekong sub-region, the spokesperson stated.

Regarding concerns that the Funan Techo Canal project will reduce the flow of the Mekong River, Deputy PM Chanthol said that the future canal only needs five cubic meters of water per second, equivalent to 0.053 percent of the rivers flow.

He affirmed that once the canal is operational, it would even contribute to mitigating floods in southern Vietnam.

We aim for a project that benefits not only Cambodia but also our neighbouring countries, Khmer Times quoted Chanthol as saying.

In recent times, Cambodian leaders have repeatedly shown their determination to implement the canal project, which they said will bring benefits to the entire Cambodian people.

They have also dismissed worries related to the future canal, saying people strongly support the project.

Addressing concerns that Chinese warships could use the canal, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet affirmed, We will not allow (any country) to use our country as a base against another country, let alone a military base," AFP reported last month.

The PM recently asserted that no obstacles would deter the construction of the project, which had undergone thorough study for approximately 26 months.

On May 1, Manet announced he knew that a U.S.-based opposition group was plotting to thwart the canal project, but he underscored that such a plot will not be successful since millions of people all over the country, young and old, give their support because they know the value of this project, according to Khmer Times.

He previously said that the canal will be built by Chinese construction partners under the build-operate-transfer method.

Construction on the project is expected to kick off in late 2024 at an estimated cost of about $1.7 billion.

AFP cited Cambodian officials as saying last month that the canal will be constructed with Chinese funding.

According to a Cambodian document submitted to the MRC, the canal will be put into operation in 2028.

This new facility is expected to be 180km long, 100 meters wide upstream, 80 meters wide downstream, and 5.4 meters deep upon completion.

The canal will have 11 bridges spanning it and be able to accommodate ships with a load of 1,000 DWT.

It will connect the Phnom Penh river port with the Gulf of Thailand, off Cambodia's southwest coast, passing through Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep Provinces.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Vietnam has zero doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at present and already stopped using the jab in July last year, a representative of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper after AstraZeneca announced its worldwide withdrawal of the vaccine due to a "surplus of available updated vaccines."

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam purchased over 30 million shots of Vaxzevria, the vaccine AstraZeneca developed in partnership with the University of Oxford, and received multiple other Vaxzevria batches as donations.

The last doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Vietnam expired in July 2023, so they have not been used for immunization since then, the NIHE representative added.

The Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health also confirmed that Vietnam had not used the jab since last year.

The remaining AstraZeneca vaccine doses in the country have expired and no more Vaxzevria shots were imported later, the administration noted.

In February last year, NIHE allocated more than 800,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 doses with the expiry date of July 2023 to 63 cities and provinces so that they could provide local residents aged 18 and older with booster shots.

In February 2021, Vietnam granted conditional approval for the jab, making it the first COVID-19 vaccine allowed for use in the country.

At the time, the vaccine had been approved in 181 countries and territories.

The World Health Organization also listed AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use.

The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker had previously admitted in court documents in the UK that the vaccine causes side effects such as blood clots and low blood platelet counts.

AstraZeneca has begun taking the vaccine off the market in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

On Wednesday, the European Medicines Agency issued a notice that the vaccine is no longer authorized for use, the Guardian reported.

The company will work with other regulators globally to start market authorization withdrawals for the Vaxzevria jab.

"As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines," AFP cited an AstraZeneca statement as saying.

"This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

"We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic."

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Recent events have once again stirred public discourse on foreign tourists overcharged in Vietnam, raising serious concerns about the impact on the country's tourism industry, but certain foreigners have a different perspective than most.

Just at the end of last month, news reports of a Vietnamese street peddler charging two foreign tourists VND500,000 (US$19.7) for three pineapples in Hanoi went viral on social media in Vietnam.

Local police later clarified that the information was untrue.

In March, another street vendor at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi was fined for selling four Vietnamese donuts to two foreign tourists for VND50,000 ($2), which was 2.5 times higher than the actual price.

A week before that, authorities in the Vietnamese capital citys Tay Ho District also handled a similar case in which another street peddler attempted to fleece a pair of foreign visitors VND200,000 ($8) for a small bag of fruits.

In these instances, vendors were blamed for reducing Vietnams attractiveness to tourists; however, three foreigners shared a more lenient perspective on the matter with Tuoi Tre News.

Karen Mason and her husband, both UK travelers, explored Vietnam in March 2024. Photo: Karen Mason

It wasnt a problem

Karen Mason and her husband, travelers from the UK, enthusiastically endorsed Vietnam as a must-visit destination, having traversed the Southeast Asian country from south to north throughout March.

In their late 50s, the couple expressed a strong desire to return for an extended stay, citing their fondness for the people and landscapes, particularly highlighting the northern province of Ha Giang.

[There are] so many different things to see and do if you have time, Mason wrote in an email sent to Tuoi Tre News.

To fully immerse themselves in the Vietnamese experience, Mason adopted the motto of remaining composed in the face of negative online reviews.

They approached the critiques with a consultative mindset, equipping themselves to proactively address any encountered challenges during their journey.

Their preparedness proved invaluable during a roadside fruit purchase.

Karen Mason and her husband, both UK travelers, explored Vietnam in March 2024. Photo: Karen Mason

When the seller accepted a VND100,000 (US$4) bill without returning the change, drawing from their week-long immersion in Vietnamese culture and gradually becoming accustomed to the currency, the couple confidently assessed the situation.

Convinced that the purchased fruit was valued at less than VND100,000, they politely requested a refund, returned the fruit to the seller, and departed, demonstrating their assertiveness and adaptability in navigating local transactions.

People were trying to sell us things but they seemed to accept a firm no, Mason added.

Mason and her husband also relied on ride-hailing app Grab and made it a habit to count their money before walking away from vendors.

We are reasonably travel-savvy so overall it wasnt a problem for us, Mason said.

Maybe travelers need to do a little research before they head off to any new country."

A fruit shop captured by Nadia Bonchis, a tourist from Belgium, at a market during her April 2024 visit to Vietnam. Photo: Nadia Bonchis

Haggling is key

To Nadia Bonchis, a tourist from Belgium, the notion of tourists being overcharged in Vietnam seems unbelievable.

In her view, Vietnamese people are kind, perpetually smiling, and ever-ready to assist others.

Vendors dont ask for more money from tourists just because we are tourists, the price for their services is always fair, Bonchis said.

A family trip exploring the Mekong Delta, Da Nang City, Hoi An City in Quang Nam Province, and numerous other destinations in April appeared to transform Bonchis into a genuine admirer of Vietnam.

She expressed heartfelt praise for the landscapes and people she encountered during her journey.

Everything is amazing, she commented.

Im in love with your country and I will come back.

It stole my heart and locked it away.

The Das family from the UK ventured to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam in October 2023. Photo: Viola Das

Bonchis affectionate gaze easily overlooked details, to the extent that when questioned about any shortcomings in Vietnamese tourism that need improvement, she promptly dismissed them.

THERE ARE NO BAD SIDES IN VIETNAM!!!, Bonchis wrote in Caps Lock to Tuoi Tre News.

The only negative thing in Vietnam is the lack of sidewalks and red lights.

Its impossible to cross the road.

Bonchis highlighted her positive experiences visiting various local markets.

Overcharging? I dont think so, she stated.

And even if this is the case, it will be for a small amount extra.

I dont negotiate but I have noticed that they ask the same price for one product.

The Belgian tourist advises being flexible with prices during travels.

Go to another seller if you feel the price is too much, she said.

In every country, there always are people trying to overcharge you.

Just go to the next seller and negotiate.

The Das family from the UK marvel at the Landmark 81 skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Viola Das

That was also the approach taken by the Laxman and Viola Das family from the UK during their journey in Vietnam last October.

Maybe we travel a lot and are used to the haggling part, but we did notice that most street vendors start at a higher price and newbie travelers were just paying without haggling, Viola commented.

Our advice for foreigners is not to take or flash all their money at the shops.

Take notes discreetly.

Learning about Vietnam through Instagram, Laxman and Viola, along with their three-year-old daughter, explored Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta region without encountering any negative experiences.

The trip met all our expectations and more, Viola remarked.

Traveling as a family of three, we found everyone to be exceptionally friendly, making the entire experience memorable.

Viola singled out the Mekong Delta, where her family had the chance to fully immerse themselves in traditional Vietnamese culture.

The Das family from the UK visit the Saigon Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Viola Das

The food we tasted was authentic, she recalled.

During the canoe ride [along Thoi Son Canal in Tien Giang Province], we watched the locals going about their day.

The experience offered us a unique perspective on the area, allowing us to see first-hand how locals live and work on the river.

Most of all, the breathtaking scenery along the river blew us away!

Interestingly, it was the 5-star hotels that gave the Das family a cloud in an otherwise sunny sky.

We felt we were getting ripped off only at the 5-star hotels, which were charging us crazy amounts compared to many other Asian countries, Viola said.

Maybe the Vietnamese tourism board should take a closer look or put a price cap on all the food and beverage costs at 5-star properties."

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Mildura residents will no longer be able to watch Channel 10 or its BOLD and Peach channels on free to-air television from June 30th.

Mildura Digital Television will shut down on June 30 according to local radio station River 1467.com.

The Network 10 affiliate is owned by Seven West Media and WIN Corporation and began broadcasting in 2006.

Mildura has been put in The Dog House by the SevenWest  WIN joint venture, effectively telling local residents Im an Australian Operation, Get Me Out of Here! Member for Mallee and long-term Mildura resident Dr Anne Webster said.

Shadow Minister for Communications David Coleman said the Coalition has supported a reduction in the tax impost on television broadcasters.

Its called the Commercial Broadcasting Tax, and in 2023, TV broadcasters were forced to pay over $44 million for it, Mr Coleman said.

The tax disproportionately affects regional broadcasters.

If they didnt have to pay this tax, theyd have more money to invest in staff and programs for local communities.

Statement from Mildura Digital Television:

The Board of Mildura Digital TV (MDT) today announced it has taken the difficult decision to wind up its operations effective June 30, 2024.

MDT has been delivering Australian programs into Mildura since 2006. The joint venture owners, Seven and WIN, have continued to fund MDT despite the station running at a loss since its inception.

Whilst MDT realises this is not an ideal situation, the financial position is no longer tenable.

The state of the regional advertising market means MDT is unable to justify the cross subsidy of delivering TEN programs to the Mildura television market. Without the subsidy provided by the joint venture owners, MDT will be insolvent and no longer a going concern, said Chris Halios-Lewis

Chairman, Mildura Digital Television said, It is a regrettable position we find ourselves in. We have had ongoing discussions with Government but this has not provided us with any certainty that continuing MDT is viable.

Whilst we understand this will be a surprise to the local community, the challenging nature of the regional television market has led to this action.

If we are to avoid further disruption to regional markets the Government will need to accelerate reform plans to ensure a sustainable regional media market, said Mr Halios-Lewis.

Communications with the public and local stakeholders has commenced to ensure a clear understanding of the change. For people wishing to continue to watch TEN programs, they can do so online at 10play.com.au or the 10play app on your devices.

Updated:

TV Tonight understands WIN was no longer interested in maintaining the joint venture for MDT.

In a new statement 10 has called on government intervention.
Just Great Software heeft versie 8.5.0 van de gratis teksteditor EditPad Lite uitgebracht. Dit programma is niet bedoeld voor programmeurs; die kunnen beter EditPad Pro, RJ TextEd of Notepad++ gebruiken. Dit is meer een vervanger van het met Windows meegeleverde Kladblok. In tegenstelling tot Kladblok kan EditPad Lite een onbeperkt aantal bestanden in hetzelfde scherm openen, heeft het geen limiet op de grootte van te openen bestanden en is het aantal undo's en redo's onbeperkt. EditPad Lite is gratis voor privegebruik en bedrijven kunnen een licentie aanschaffen als er geen behoefte is aan alle extra's die de Pro-versie biedt. In deze uitgave zijn de volgende veranderingen en verbeteringen aangebracht:

New features: File Types: Github Flavored Markdown syntax coloring scheme.

File Types: GoogleSQL syntax coloring scheme.

File Types: YAML file type with syntax coloring. Improvements: File Types: Delphi syntax coloring scheme now supports triple-quoted multi-line strings, binary literals, and underscores in literal numbers.

File Types: Java syntax coloring scheme now supports triple-quoted text blocks and separately highlights character escapes within strings and text blocks if the palette uses different colors for character and character string.

File Types: R syntax coloring scheme now treats the ]] in a[c[10]] as two closing brackets that are then correctly paired with the two opening brackets. It will even correctly match up all the single and double bracket pairs in something fanciful like list[[v[list[[i]]]]] .

in as two closing brackets that are then correctly paired with the two opening brackets. It will even correctly match up all the single and double bracket pairs in something fanciful like . File Types: Updated MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Transact-SQL syntax coloring schemes.

File Types: When downloading syntax coloring schemes or spell check dictionaries, connect to EditPads server using HTTP instead of HTTPS on Windows 8.1 and prior to avoid connection errors if Windows wasnt updated to support TLS 1.2.

Removing the printer that EditPad most recently printed on or the printer becoming unavailable due to a network issue while EditPad was still running caused a printer selected is not valid error when trying to print with EditPad until EditPad was restarted; now EditPad will show a more helpful error message suggesting to shut it down with File|Exit and restart it.

Spell check: Do not treat a word as misspelled if the word contains characters that do not occur in the dictionarys character set (the assumption being that the word is in a different language than the dictionary). Bug fixes: Edit|Undo and Edit|Redo operated on the file instead of on the small Search box or Replace box when they had keyboard focus if the active file had undoable or redoable actions.

Extremely long regular expressions no longer cause EditPad to crash with a stack overflow (but may trigger an error message saying the regular expression is too long).

File Types: Delphi variant records have a case keyword that should not be paired with an end keyword.

File Types|Colors: Built-in palettes now use palette-specific colors for highlighting matching brackets and custom palettes now allow these colors to be customized.

List index out of bounds when using File|Open to open a file and its working copy if sorting the files in alphanumeric order put the actual file at the end of the list of files being opened.

Right-clicking certain files that have a context menu handler in a common file dialog box (such as the one used by File|Open) could crash EditPad.

Search: Pressing an Alt+letter key combination to toggle a search option while the small Search or Replace box had keyboard focus disabled all keyboard shortcuts other than Alt+letter combinations until you moved keyboard focus to another control.

Search: Replace All now produces the same results as using Find First and then repeatedly Replace And Find Next when a regular expression matches half of a CRLF pair.

Search|Multi-Line Search Panel: Switching from the multi-line panel to using only the Search toolbar while there was a multi-line search term or replacement showed only the first line of the search term and replacement on the toolbar (as expected) but EditPad continued to use the previous multi-line search term or replacement until you made a change to it.

Syntax coloring was sometimes not updated correctly when deleting a large part of a file using a fast syntax coloring scheme (a scheme selectable for editing huge files).

Vertical scroll bar was not painted correctly by the dark theme when using a right-to-left text layout.
In this article, we look at the 10 weakest militaries in Africa. You can skip our detailed analysis on defense spending patters in the continent and head over directly to the 5 Weakest Militaries in Africa.

Global military spending increased 6.8% from 2022  the steepest rise since 2009  to reach a record-high of $2.44 trillion in 2023, according to latest figures released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This is the ninth successive year of growth in defense expenditure, with spending increasing across all regions of the world.

The United States continued to remain the largest military spender in the world, having spent a whopping $916 billion on defense in 2023, representing 37% of the worlds total defense expenditure. China, Russia, India, and Saudi Arabia retained their positions in the top five, while Ukraine climbed from 11th spot in 2022 to become the eighth largest spender on defense, having spent $64.8 billion in 2023. Combined, the top ten countries accounted for 74% of the worlds total defense expenditure during the year.

In Africa, the military spending totaled $51.6 billion in 2023, which was 22% higher than in 2022, and represented 2.1% of the global defense expenditure. Of this, $28.5 billion was spent in North Africa, with Algeria and Morocco together accounting for 82% of the military spending in the region. This spike was driven by Algiers defense bills soaring 76% compared to 2022 to reach $18.3 billion, made possible by an increase in demand for Algerian gas exports amid sanctions against Russia. On the other hand, $23.1 billion was incurred on defense by states in Sub-Saharan Africa, with 20% of the amount attributed to Nigeria. As is evident from these numbers, while defense spending continues to rise each year, the increase is not even. Neither across continents, nor within.

Arms Procurement in Africa

Russia is Africas largest arms trade partner, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the countrys exports to the continent increasing 23% between 2016 and 2020, compared to 2011 and 2015. This is seen by analysts as a strategic move by Moscow to facilitate trade and soft power in Africa, which would enable Russia to build a presence at NATOs southern flank. That being said, sanctions against Moscow in recent years have created an opening for Chinese armament manufacturers as well, with the Asian giant exporting over $2 billion worth of military supplies to Sub-Saharan Africa between 2010 and 2021. Arms sales of the United States to the subregion during this period were estimated to be $473 million, according to the Atlantic Council.

The situation is strikingly different in North Africa, where American defense companies play a much more active role, driven by the decades-long arms race between Algeria and Morocco, coupled with President Sisi's quest for Egypt to become a major regional power. Washington in April last year, approved the potential sale of HIMARS and related equipment to Rabat under a $524 million deal, with Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX), and RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) being among the major contractors of the deal. The Pentagon also approved selling Joint Stand Off Weapons to Morocco for a cost of $250 million, with RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) being the primary contractor of the project.

On the other hand, Cairo has also been looking to upgrade its defense systems with advanced American air radars. In January 2022, the US approved the sale of three L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX) SPS-48 land-based radars for $355 million to Egypt, which would offer the African nation jamming capabilities and help it detect even extremely small targets. A year prior to this in February 2021, it was reported that Egypt also received the Rolling Airframe Missiles manufactured by RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) under a $197 million agreement.

Moreover, elsewhere in the African continent, the United States has actively begun donating military equipment to several countries in the region to aid them in combating terrorism and crime. In 2014, the United States gave away two Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft to Mauritania to help the country in its fight against maritime time and terrorist groups. Both the aircraft were manufactured by Cessna, owned by Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), and were valued at $21 million each at the time.

More recently in 2021, the American government donated a Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) C-130 aircraft to Niger to use in operations related to humanitarian assistance and mobility of UN peacekeeping missions. The C-130 is one of the top-selling tactical aircraft in the world, and has been continuously manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) since its first flight in 1954.

Last year, the United States announced an $80 million grant to donate four Bell 412EP helicopters built by Bell Helicopters, a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), to the Zambian Air Force. Under the grant, the US was also to provide three years of service and training for the helicopter. The Zambian government thanked Washington for the donation, and stated that the helicopters would assist the country in enhancing regional security, and in supporting UN peacekeeping missions in the continent.

Also see 15 Most Powerful Militaries in Africa.

10 Weakest Militaries in Africa

Methodology

Several weighted metrics have been considered to rank the weakest militaries in Africa. These include capabilities of ground forces (40%) determined by manpower, tanks, and armored fighting vehicles; naval and aerial strength (30%), and economic potential and defense spending (30%). Weighted scores for each metric were aggregated to get an overall weighted score. The 10 weakest militaries in Africa are listed in this article in descending order of their weighted scores.

Military-related data has been sourced from our recent article, 15 Weakest Militaries in the World, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was consulted for figures related to GDP in 2023.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that uses a consensus approach to identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The website tracks the movement of corporate insiders and hedge funds. Our top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 stock index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). So, if you are looking for the best stock picks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

Lets now head over to the list of the weakest militaries in Africa.

10. Senegal

GDP (2023): $31.14 billion

Defense Spending (2023): $345 million

Manpower: 17,000

Tanks: 0

Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1,104

Military Aircraft: 27

Naval Assets: 4

Overall Score: 12

Senegal has one of the weakest militaries in Africa, with only 17,000 active military personnel. The countrys armed forces have no battle tanks, and only four naval assets. Its fleet of 27 military aircraft comprises four special mission aircraft and 13 combat helicopters, among others, with Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT)s Bell 206 being one of the main choppers operated by the country. The only area of strength for Senegals military is its large fleet of armored fighting vehicles. That being said, the size of the countrys economy was measured at over $31 billion in 2023, with a GDP growth of 5.3% during the year. If this positive economic trend continues, Senegal can certainly look to increase defense spending to upgrade its military.

9. Burkina Faso

GDP (2023): $20.78 billion

Defense Spending (2023): $434 million

Manpower: 12,000

Tanks: 0

Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1,112

Military Aircraft: 21

Naval Assets: 0

Overall Score: 10.9

Burkina Fasos military is in the news currently for the alleged massacre of over 200 civilians in two villages in February this year, as part of an ongoing campaign against civilians suspected of abetting Islamist militant groups. The country has been under military rule since 2022, and has one of the weakest armed forces in the world with no battle tanks and naval assets, and a manpower of a mere 12,000 troops. Despite that, the military holds firm control over national politics.

8. Mauritania

GDP (2023): $10.36 billion

Defense Spending (2023): $194 million

Manpower: 31,500

Tanks: 0

Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1,000

Military Aircraft: 23

Naval Assets: 5

Overall Score: 10.6

Mauritania is next on our list of the weakest militaries in Africa, with manpower being its only recognizable area of strength. Much of the countrys military equipment is old and outdated, and of French and Soviet origin. The country has no battle tanks, and possesses only five naval assets. Mauritania has 23 military aircraft, of which four are Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano light attack aircraft. The Air Force also has two Cessna 208 special mission aircraft it received from the United States in 2014.

7. Gabon

GDP (2023): $19.32 billion

Defense Spending (2023): $280 million

Manpower: 6,500

Tanks: 0

Armored Fighting Vehicles: 848

Military Aircraft: 23

Naval Assets: 10

Overall Score: 10.2

A military coup in Gabon last year ended the 56-year rule of the Bongo family over the former French colony, in a fresh blow to Paris interests in the region. The country relies heavily on French military assistance, which has since then been put to a halt following the collapse of Bongos government. This series of events is likely to further weaken Gabons military, which is already one of the weakest militaries in Africa, with an active manpower of only 6,500 troops. The country has no tanks, and a mere ten naval assets. Its 23 military aircraft include 6 Mirage F1 combat jets, 1 Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) C-130H, and 2 C-295 transport aircraft, among other aircraft.

6. Madagascar

GDP (2023): $15.76 billion

Defense Spending (2023): $110 million

Manpower: 13,000

Tanks: 386

Armored Fighting Vehicles: 430

Military Aircraft: 4

Naval Assets: 8

Overall Score: 9.4

Madagascar is in sixth spot in our list of the weakest militaries in Africa. The country spent only $110 million on defense expenditure in 2023, and has a manpower of 13,000 active troops. One area of comparative strength for the military on paper appears to be a sizable fleet of battle tanks, but in reality, most of the equipment is long outdated. Working conditions for soldiers in Madagascars military also remain poor, with personnel reporting demotivation due to lower wages.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Weakest Militaries in Africa.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. 10 Weakest Militaries in Africa is originally published on Insider Monkey.
SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Croatia's ruling HDZ party has agreed to form a coalition with a far-right party following the parliamentary election in April, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who also heads the HDZ, said on Wednesday.

It took three weeks of negotiations for the conservative HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union), which won 61 seats in the 151-seat assembly, to agree a ruling coalition with the Homeland Movement (DP), which emerged as a kingmaker after the vote.

DP, which won 14 seats, had said it would not join any government that included the Serb minority party SDSS, a former ally of HDZ, or the leftist green Mozemo party. HDZ accepted those conditions, drawing criticism from opposition parties.

The new coalition needs 76 votes to win parliamentary approval. Plenkovic said he expects to retain the support of parties representing national minorities who were HDZ allies in previous mandates.

Plenkovic, who will serve a third term as prime minister if the new coalition is approved, added that the HDZ and DP would canvass support among lawmakers in the coming days ahead of the confirmation vote. He gave no further details.

DP leader Ivan Penava, confirming the coalition deal, said his party would head the agriculture ministry, a new ministry of demography, and part of the economy ministry. It is the first time the DP has entered government.

The anti-immigrant DP campaigned in the election on a platform of defending traditional family values and against allowing the minority Serb party to join any future coalition.

(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Factbox-How Ukraine is keeping the lights on under Russian fire

A worker digs to uncover a gas pipe leading to a house that was destroyed during a Russian missile strike in Krasylivka

By Olena Harmash

KYIV (Reuters) - Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Ukraine on Wednesday, hitting nearly a dozen energy infrastructure facilities across the country, in the latest in a string of attacks on the power sector over the past two months.

Here is an overview of Ukraine's worsening energy situation since Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion.

DAMAGE

Ukraine's energy system was badly damaged by a Russian air campaign in the war's first winter and only partially repaired. Russian forces renewed their assault on the grid on March 22, 2024, attacking thermal and hydro-electric power stations and the main power distribution substations.

Ukraine lost about 80% of its thermal power generation and about 35% of its hydropower capacity during the renewed attacks, officials said.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company which typically covers about a quarter of the nation's total energy needs, said the attacks had damaged five of its power plants and took out 80% of their capacity.

Smaller, state-owned Centenergo said it lost all its generating capacity after the Trypilska coal-powered plant outside Kyiv, a major supplier for the Kyiv region and two central regions, was destroyed on April 11. Its other station was destroyed in March and another one is occupied.

Officials say Russia has also attacked Ukrainian natural gas infrastructure, targeting underground storage facilities. Naftogaz said the state energy company's facilities had been attacked at least five times since March 2024.

NUCLEAR

Before Russia's invasion, Ukraine had one of Europe's largest electricity systems and was a net power exporter. In 2020, the installed capacity was about 54.5 GW and the mix was diversified.

Now Ukraine has to rely increasingly on its three nuclear power plants, which produce about 60% of its electricity.

Ukraine's six-reactor Zaporizhzhia, Europe's biggest such plant, was occupied by Russia at the start of its invasion.

Thermal and hydro-electric power generation are needed to keep the levels of supply and consumption balanced during peak hours of energy consumption in the morning and evening.

Ukraine is also developing renewable energy, hydro-electric power, solar, biogas and wind, which it sees as vital to creating a "decentralised" system that would be less vulnerable to Russian bombing.

BLACKOUTS

Russian attacks have forced authorities to impose rolling blackouts in multiple regions, but their full impact will likely be felt when seasonal energy consumption peaks at the height of summer and in winter.

Power companies and officials are urging Ukrainians to minimise their power use and avoid using more than one electrical household appliance at a time, especially during peak evening hours.

Ukraine consumed about 17-18 GW prior to the war, International Energy Agency data shows. No new data was available.

Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, the surrounding region and several other frontline regions in the east are already facing rolling blackouts because of a power shortfall.

Analysts expect that to become larger in the summer as temperatures rise, which would in turn force the government to introduce broader blackouts in July and August.

The colder autumn and winter months will worsen that shortfall. Energy Minister German Galuschenko has called on residents and businesses to start preparing and to purchase power generators and power banks.

RESILIENCE

The government rolled out hundreds of "invincibility" centres offering food, drinks and warmth to people left without power during the first winter of the war. As of April 2024, more than 13,000 centres were functioning across the country.

The energy system has been connected to the European Union's united grid since the first weeks of Russia's invasion.

Ukraine can import about 1,700 MW of electricity from Europe and relies on imports from its Western neighbours to balance its system during peak hours. Kyiv hopes to increase these volumes.

Kyiv depends heavily on Western supplies of energy equipment and financial support to repairs its power system. Ukraine's government has set up a special fund to accumulate foreign funds to carry out repairs.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Tom Balmforth and Alexander Smith)
Hungary will stay out of NATO's 'crazy mission' to aid Ukraine, foreign minister says

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary will not participate in NATO's long-term plan to aid Ukraine, its foreign minister said on Wednesday, calling the plan a "crazy mission".

NATO allies agreed in April to initiate planning on long-term military support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion, through setting up a fund worth 100 billion euros ($107 billion).

Under the plans, NATO would take over some coordination work from a U.S.-led coalition known as the Ramstein group.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reiterated the government's earlier opposition to the plan.

"Hungary will stay out of NATO's crazy mission despite all the pressure," he told a Facebook-live event in London.

Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs, responding to NATO's initiative last month, said on X that Hungary would back no NATO proposals that "might draw the alliance closer to war or shift it from a defensive to an offensive coalition".

Relations between Budapest and NATO have soured because of Hungary's foot-dragging over the ratification of Sweden's NATO accession - finally passed by Budapest in March - and also over nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's warm ties with Moscow despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The U.S. envoy to Hungary said earlier that NATO allies are warning Hungary of the dangers of its "close and expanding" relationship with Russia and if this is Budapest's policy choice "we will have to decide how best to protect our security interests", David Pressman said.

(Reporting by Boldizsar Gyori, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
ROME (Reuters) - A German rescue charity on Wednesday launched a fresh aerial surveillance mission from Italy to track down migrant boats in difficulty in the central Mediterranean, defying restrictions by Italian authorities.

The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) this week said it was banning small planes used by migrant charities from airports on the islands of Sicily, Pantelleria and Lampedusa, which are the closest to sea migration routes.

The decision marked the latest Italian attempt to curb the activities of migrant aid groups, which have been accused by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing administration of attracting irregular migration.

"ENAC bans human rights monitoring over the Mediterranean. Aircraft belonging to NGOs are no longer allowed to fly. Our response: (our plane) Seabird took off today (from Lampedusa) shortly after 1 pm," the Sea-Watch charity wrote on X.

A spokesperson for ENAC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a written ordinance published on Monday, ENAC said the NGO planes were "unwarranted," represented a burden for official rescue teams, and risked compromising the safety of migrants.

Sea Watch on Tuesday called the move "an act of cowardice and cynicism by those who criminalize the NGOs for political propaganda" and said it still planned to take to the skies to help migrants in distress.

Flavio Di Giacomo, a spokesman for the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), said the Italian decision "may hinder life-saving efforts", and added that his agency was "waiting to understand its actual implementation."

NGO spotter planes regularly find boats in distress and direct rescuers to their location. They have also documented aggressive pushbacks by Libyan coast guards, who receive European funding to prevent migrants from crossing the sea.

Meloni won office in 2022 promising to clamp down on migrant arrivals from Africa.

Since then, her government has made it increasingly difficult for charity ships to operate in the Mediterranean, limiting the number of rescues they can carry out and often forcing them to make huge detours to bring migrants ashore.

She has also worked with the European Union to persuade both Libya and Tunisia to slow the flows, and has signed an unprecedented deal with Albania to build migrant holding centres there.

The government says its measures are working and have reduced drownings during the dangerous crossings. So far this year, 17,666 boat migrants have reached Italy against 44,739 in the same period of 2023, official data shows.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer, Alvise Armellini and Gianluca Semeraro, editing by Alexandra Hudson and Rosalba O'Brien)
Protest encampment in support of Palestinians at the University of Washington

Protest encampment in support of Palestinians at the University of Washington

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Dutch riot police clashed with protesters at the University of Amsterdam on Wednesday, while scores of demonstrators at U.S. colleges were arrested overnight as the student-led protests against Israel's war in Gaza roiled more campuses on both sides of the Atlantic.

In Amsterdam, protesters atop makeshift barriers of desks, bricks and wooden pallets used fire extinguishers to push back police, local television showed. Reuters video showed officers in riot gear struck protesters on the head with batons and knocked down the barricades, dragging many young students away as hundreds of others shouted "Shame on you!"

The confrontation underscored mounting tensions at European campuses, after weeks of unrest at dozens of U.S. universities as students call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

At George Washington University in Washington, D.C., police took down tents, deployed pepper spray and cleared demonstrators from campus and the surrounding streets, a few blocks away from the White House.

Thirty-three people were arrested, police said. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference that authorities had seen "an escalation in the volatility of the protests" in recent days, prompting police and the university to make the decision to remove the encampment.

Smith and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had been scheduled to testify to Congress later on Wednesday about why they had previously declined to clear the encampment, but the hearing was cancelled after the raid.

At the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, police arrested more than 130 people and removed an encampment after the school's chancellor, Javier Reyes, said he had summoned police "as a last resort."

"This is not the outcome we had hoped for," he added.

The state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union criticized the move, faulting the school for "calling heavily armed police on student political expression." The school's Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group posted video showing protesters thrown to the ground and faculty members among those arrested.

In New York, police arrested dozens of demonstrators at the Fashion Institute of Technology, according to video posted on social media.

Some faculty members at The New School in Manhattan set up a new encampment on Wednesday, according to an Instagram post from the school's SJP chapter, days after the city police department cleared a tent city there and arrested more than 40 people.

DIVESTMENT DEMANDS

Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gazan authorities, and triggered a catastrophic humanitarian crisis and famine threatening the enclave's 2.5 million residents.

The war began when the militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Students in both the U.S. and Europe have been holding mostly peaceful demonstrations calling for an immediate permanent ceasefire and for schools to cut financial ties with companies they say are profiting from the oppression of Palestinians.

In Amsterdam, UvA management said on Monday it had exchange programmes with three universities in Israel, which are halted because of security concerns, and was cooperating with Israeli scientists or companies in eight different European research projects.

It said none of those partnerships were in support of military goals; the statement did not mention the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

Hundreds of protesters also gathered on Wednesday afternoon outside the university of Utrecht, about 45 kilometres (28 miles) southeast of Amsterdam.

On Tuesday, police dispersed protests at the Swiss University of Zurich and at the courtyard of the Freie Universitaet Berlin.

Last week, police took similar action at the Sorbonne University in Paris, while on Wednesday the Brussels University said it would file a police complaint against students who were allegedly involved in a violent protest, including an assault on the Jewish students union leader.

Not all campus protests have ended in confrontation. Ireland's Trinity College Dublin announced on Wednesday that an encampment and blockade on campus would end peacefully after students and administrators negotiated a settlement.

Among other commitments, the school said it would divest from Israeli companies the United Nations has linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and would "endeavour" to divest from other Israeli companies.

Students had camped out since May 3, forcing the university to restrict campus access and to close an exhibition of the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells, one of Ireland's top tourist attractions.

(Reporting by Anthony Deutsch, Bart Meijer, Kate Holton and Charlotte Van Campenhout in Amsterdam, Rich McKay in Atlanta, Jonathan Allen in New York, Joseph Ax in Princeton, New Jersey, and Graham Fahy in Dublin; Editing by Michael Perry, Philippa Fletcher, Alison Williams and Aurora Ellis)
SINGAPORE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Singaporean police arrested 102 suspects for unlicensed moneylending during an operation from April 22 to April 26, according to the latest statement from police.

Preliminary investigations showed that 11 suspects conducted harassment at debtors' residences, 45 assisted unlicensed moneylenders by carrying out ATM transfers, and 46 helped illegal moneylending businesses with their bank accounts.

Investigations against the suspects are ongoing. 
Russia says Gaza war is escalating and no sign of any peace settlement

Aftermath of an Israeli strike on a house, in Rafah

By Dmitry Antonov

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday that the war in Gaza was escalating due to Israel's incursion into Rafah and that Moscow so far saw no prospect for a peace settlement in Gaza or the wider Middle East.

Israel invaded Rafah, a southern Gazan city where more than one million displaced Palestinian civilians have sought shelter from Israel's offensive throughout the tiny territory.

"An additional destabilizing factor, including for the entire region, was the launch of an Israeli military ground operation in Rafah," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters.

"About one and a half million Palestinian civilians are concentrated there. In this regard, we demand strict compliance with the provisions of international humanitarian law."

Speaking more broadly about efforts to find a lasting settlement in the Middle East, Zakharova said: "I would like to call it a settlement, but, alas, it is far from a settlement."

"There are no prospects for resolving the situation in the Gaza Strip. On the contrary, the situation in the conflict zone is escalating daily."

The war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and abducting about 250 others, of whom 133 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's offensive has killed nearly 35,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, in the conflict, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
MOSCOW (Reuters) -A Russian court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by deputy defence minister Timur Ivanov against his pre-trial detention in a bribery case in which his lawyer said he denies taking kickbacks worth about a billion roubles ($10.9 million).

The Moscow court service said Ivanov's appeal to be released or placed under house arrest was denied.

In the biggest corruption scandal for years involving a government minister, Ivanov is accused of receiving a "particularly large bribe" in the form of property services from a construction company.

"The point is that allegedly Ivanovs contractors built facilities for Ivanov for free, which is not true," state news agency RIA quoted his lawyer Murad Musayev as saying.

"I dont remember the amount now, about one billion roubles."

It was the first time such a figure had been mentioned.

Ivanov had been responsible at the defence ministry for a large budget for military construction projects. His arrest last month by the FSB security service was widely seen as a blow to his boss, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, and as a sign of fighting within the elite as President Vladimir Putin prepares to name a new government at the start of his fifth term.

Interfax news agency quoted Ivanov's lawyer as saying he had been temporarily removed from his ministerial duties.

The Moscow court said it rejected a similar appeal by Sergei Borodin, a friend of Ivanov who is also charged with conspiring to take bribes, against his pre-trial detention.

Two other men were arrested in the same week. One was Alexander Fomin, the co-founder of the construction company that allegedly provided the bribes. The other was Anton Filatov, the former head of several companies subordinate to the defence ministry, who is suspected of large-scale embezzlement.

'PHILOSOPHICAL'

Ivanov had appeared in military uniform when first brought to court after his arrest, but was wearing plain clothes in photographs from Wednesday's hearing.

Lawyer Musayev told reporters the defence had brought to court a pile of state awards that Ivanov had received in order to testify to his good character. A photograph from the courtroom showed them stacked on a wooden table.

He said the defence team had not been given access to visit Ivanov in Moscow's Lefortovo prison, a jail favoured by the FSB where Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is also being held in pre-trial detention on spying charges he denies.

"(Ivanov) is cheerful and calm. Of course he's at a loss, but he's had enough time to make sense of this situation, you can say he's taking a philosophical view of it," Musayev said.

"He just wants to understand the reason for what's happening, and why it's happening right now."

(Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark Trevelyan, Editing by Angus MacSwan and Gareth Jones)
By Yuliia Dysa and Tom Balmforth

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament passed a bill on Wednesday that would allow some convicts to enlist in the army in return for a chance at parole, part of a push to generate fresh manpower for Kyiv's outnumbered and exhausted troops.

More than 26 months since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Ukraine is trying to fill a shortfall in manpower that some military analysts say is Kyiv's biggest challenge against a much larger foe.

The move is only expected to generate around several thousand new soldiers from a possible pool of up to 20,000 convicts, David Arakhamia, a senior lawmaker said.

The bill, which needs President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's signature to become law, would not allow people convicted of the most serious crimes to enlist, lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko said.

People convicted of the premeditated murder of two or more people, rape, sexual violence, crimes against national security and serious corruption violations would remain barred, he said.

"It's no secret that the mobilisation resource of our enemy is huge, and therefore we should use all available opportunities to fight back armed aggression," a note attached to the bill said.

"Some of these people are motivated and patriotic citizens who are ready to redeem themselves before society on the battlefield."

Convicts wanting to enlist would have to write an appeal to the head of the prison and conditional probation would be granted by a court decision.

"This must happen only by the convict's own will. Prisoners are not forced to mobilize," Honcharenko said on X.

Earlier, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska said separate units in the armed forces would be introduced for convict fighters.

Last month, Ukraine lowered the draft mobilisation age from 27 to 25, with 60 the maximum age, and also overhauled rules governing how it mobilises civilians into the army to reinforce and rotate troops.

In tandem, the government also temporarily suspended consular services for men of military age who reside abroad, complaining they were not helping the Ukrainian state fight for its survival.

Russian troops are advancing in the east and Ukraine is bracing for a big Russian offensive push later this spring or in summer.

To hold the line, analysts say Kyiv needs a significant inflow of weapons from the West and to replenish its ranks, though it is unclear if that will avert a Russian breakthrough on the battlefield.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa and Kyiv bureau; Editing by Tom Balmforth and David Gregorio)
House mould can have harmful effects on our health. (Getty Images)

A teenage girl was rushed to hospital after exposure to extreme mould which has grown in every room of her house.

The girls mum, Amylee Pincott, 33, says the aggressive mould created toxic conditions in the three-bed bungalow she shares with her daughters aged 16 and 11.

Despite repeated calls to her letting agent and a letter to her landlord, the mould started rapidly spreading last September after a leak in the roof of the property.

In November, Pincotts teenage daughter was rushed to hospital after a GP found fluid in her chest, nose, and ears due to the damp condition, and she was struggling to breath.

"Ive pleaded for help and empathy, and weve had nothing  it's left me feeling like Ive been walked over," Pincott says.

"Seeing me struggle has affected my children. I've been very patient and mentally its cost us so much."

Pincott adds that her bedroom ceiling fell through in March, but it has been repaired. However, she adds that mould is still growing throughout their Mansfield home.

Amylee Pincott (pictured) was forced to rush her daughter to hospital after a mouldy home led to her having breathing difficulties. (SWNS)

Pincott is not alone. According to the most recent English Housing Survey, around 904,000 homes in England have damp problems  affecting 2% of owner-occupied homes and 11% of private rental properties.

A separate report from the House of Commons found that damp homes can disproportionately affect single parent households and homes with children in them.

How mould in your home can affect your health

"The health ramifications of inhabiting a mouldy dwelling extend far beyond mere inconvenience," Dr Joseph Ambani tells Yahoo UK.

"Mould, a pervasive fungal organism, emits spores and mycotoxins that can infiltrate the air we breathe, compromising respiratory health. Inhalation of mould spores often triggers allergic reactions, exacerbates asthma symptoms, and may lead to chronic respiratory conditions such as bronchitis or sinusitis."

Dr Ambani adds that certain mould species can produce mycotoxins which are known for their toxic effects on human health. "These toxins can induce a range of symptoms, from headaches and dizziness to neurological impairment and immune system dysfunction, he explains.

"Long-term exposure to mould toxins has been linked to more severe conditions like cognitive decline, chronic fatigue syndrome, and even cancer."

How mould can lead to long-term health conditions in children

As children have more vulnerable immune systems, Dr Ambani says they face heightened risks when living in a mould-contaminated home.

"Studies indicate that early childhood exposure to mould can have lasting repercussions on respiratory health, predisposing children to asthma, allergies, and recurrent respiratory infections," he explains.

"Emerging research suggests a potential link between childhood mould exposure and long-term lung function impairment, underscoring the critical importance of addressing mould issues in homes with young occupants."

Along with disturbing a childs physical wellbeing, Dr Ambani says that it can affect cognitive development, academic performance, and their overall quality of life.

A mouldy home could affect a child's academic performance. (Getty Images)

Signs and symptoms mould is affecting your health

Dr Ambani says you should look out for the following:

Coughing, wheezing, and nasal congestion

Skin irritation

Eye discomfort

Persistent headaches,

Fatigue

Difficulty concentrating

"Additionally, the presence of a musty odour in the home, coupled with visible mould growth on surfaces, serves as tangible indicators of indoor mould contamination," he adds. "It's essential to heed these warning signs and promptly investigate potential mould sources to mitigate health risks effectively."

What to do if mould is affecting your health

Dr Ambani says the first thing you should do is to visit your GP for diagnosis and effective treatment strategies.

"At the same time, address the root cause of mould growth by identifying and remedying sources of moisture intrusion, improving ventilation systems, and implementing rigorous cleaning protocols," he adds.

"Depending on the extent of contamination, professional mould remediation services may be warranted to ensure thorough and safe removal of mould colonies. Additionally, preventive measures such as installing dehumidifiers, using HEPA air purifiers, and routinely inspecting for moisture buildup can help mitigate future mould-related health risks.

"By taking decisive action and prioritising indoor air quality, you can mitigate the adverse effects of mould on your health and create a safer, healthier living environment for yourself and your loved ones."

Additional reporting by SWNS.

Health: Read more
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home

The Kerala board 10th SSLC result 2024 will be declared on official websites keralaresults.nic.in and results.kite.kerala.gov.in today

Wednesday May 8, 2024 3:55 PM , ummid.com News Network

Kerala SSLC Result 2024: Kerala Education Department (DHSE) has declared the Kerala SSLC Class 10 result.

According to the data released by the department, the state has registered an overall pass percentage of 99.69% in the 2024 SSLC exams.

Key Highlights

A total of 2,474 schools in Kerala have gained 100 pass percentage in Kerala SSLC result 2024.

The overall pass percentage in Kottayam district stands at 99.92% in the Kerala SSLC exams.

Trivandrum has the lowest pass percentage rate of 99.08% amongst all the districts in Kerala.

In a remarkable achievement, a total of 71,831 students have received full A+ Grade in all subjects in the Kerala SSLC Result 2024. In 2023, 68,604 students had scored A+ Grade.

Students should note that they will be able to download their scorecards from the official websites from 04:00 PM onwards today.

10:00 AM: Kerala Education Department (DHSE), also called as Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan, is set to announce on its official website keralaresults.nic.in and results.kite.kerala.gov.in the result of Kerala Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) or Class 10 board examination 2024 today i.e. Wednesday May 08, 2024.

Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan had conducted the SSLC or Class 10 exams from March 04 to 25, 2024.

The Kerala Education Ministry has officially confirmed that the SSLC (Class 10) examinations will be declared today at 03:00 PM.

Class 10 or SSLC exam result of the year 2024 will be announced on May 08, 2024 at 03:00 PM, the Ministry said.

The Kerala board will host SSLC 2024 result on a number of websites including results.kite.kerala.gov.in, keralaresults.nic.in, keralapareekshabhavan.in, results.itschool.gov.in, cdit.org, prd.kerala.gov.in, results.nic.in and educationkerala.gov.in in order to ease traffic.

Direct Link to Check Kerala SSLC Exam Results 2024

Go to Kerala Education Department website: keralaresults.nic.in or results.kite.kerala.gov.in. Click on the link markd with 'SSLC Exam Results 2024'. Enter Register Number and Date of Birth. Click 'Get Result' button to view Kerala Board 10th Result 2024. Download and Save your result for future reference



The hard copies of the Kerala SSLC result 2024 will be made available to the schools later.

Kerala SSLC result via Saphalam 2024 app

Students can also access the results via mobile application Saphalam 2024. SSLC 2024 result can also be checked on the Android app PRD Live which is run by the public relations department, the official mentioned.

Kerala SSCL result can also be checked using SMS. To check your result via SMS type - KERALA10<space>REGISTRATION NUMBER abd Send the message to 56263.

SSLC Result Pass Percentage of Previous Years

In 2023, a total of 419,554 students from different districts of Kerala and abroad had appeared in the 10th exams.

The Kerala board had registered an impressive 99.70% in the 2023 state board exams of class 10.

The pass percentage in 2022 was 99.26% whereas the same in 2021 was 99.47%.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home

'Oracle Grow' - New AI powered upskilling solution launched

Software major Oracle Wednesday announced a new AI-powered upskilling solution 'Oracle Grow' as part of the Oracle ME employee experience platform within Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM).

Wednesday May 8, 2024 11:47 PM , ummid.com News Network

Austin (Texas): Software major Oracle Wednesday announced a new AI-powered upskilling solution 'Oracle Grow' as part of the Oracle ME employee experience platform within Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM).

Oracle Grow for Business Leaders supports employee development and strengthens organizational agility by helping business leaders quickly develop, upskill, and empower their teams to better achieve business outcomes.

"Today's fast-paced market has created a continuously moving target around business outcomes and the skills needed to achieve them. To maximize talent potential and business success in this environment, business leaders need the tools to upskill their teams quickly and efficiently," said Chris Leone, Executive Vice-President, applications development, Oracle. "Oracle Grow for Business Leaders addresses this need and gives business leaders the ability to find the right people and successfully align skills and business strategy", Chris added.

Oracle Grow Features

Oracle Grow for Business Leaders connects all talent information from across the enterprise to provide leaders with a unified solution to effectively support skills development, maximize employee growth, and improve business success. The new AI-powered upskilling solution includes:

Leadership-Driven Role Guides: Helps business leaders ensure critical needs are met with the right talent and skills by creating prescriptive guides that give employees clear guidance to align themselves with strategic outcomes. The new guides leverage AI-powered skills recommendations and generative AI capabilities to help leaders quickly detail the purpose and goals of the strategic roles and identify the necessary resources to help employees achieve success in each role, such as training, required reading, or mentors.

Helps business leaders ensure critical needs are met with the right talent and skills by creating prescriptive guides that give employees clear guidance to align themselves with strategic outcomes. The new guides leverage AI-powered skills recommendations and generative AI capabilities to help leaders quickly detail the purpose and goals of the strategic roles and identify the necessary resources to help employees achieve success in each role, such as training, required reading, or mentors. Centralized Leader Dashboard: Improves business leader agility with real-time visibility into development progress against role guides, specific skills and qualifications, and the overall skills of their business. The new dashboard leverages AI-powered insights from across the suite to help leaders proactively track skills progression by department, business unit, position, or person; identify emerging gaps; and monitor the organization's progress in meeting business outcomes.

Improves business leader agility with real-time visibility into development progress against role guides, specific skills and qualifications, and the overall skills of their business. The new dashboard leverages AI-powered insights from across the suite to help leaders proactively track skills progression by department, business unit, position, or person; identify emerging gaps; and monitor the organization's progress in meeting business outcomes. Enhanced Workforce Transparency for Strategic Roles: Enables business leaders to better help employees grow and develop their careers by incorporating role guides directly within an individual's personalized Oracle Grow feed. This gives employees full transparency into the expectations from their leadership and delivers AI-powered recommendations on specific tasks, skills, and training needed to meet key business needs.

Enables business leaders to better help employees grow and develop their careers by incorporating role guides directly within an individual's personalized Oracle Grow feed. This gives employees full transparency into the expectations from their leadership and delivers AI-powered recommendations on specific tasks, skills, and training needed to meet key business needs. Innovative Internal Mobility: Enables business leaders to maximize internal mobility and discover the right talent faster by incorporating role guides into Opportunity Marketplace, an internal talent marketplace within Oracle Cloud HCM. The new addition leverages AI-powered recommendations to go beyond standard internal job or project postings and helps employees discover new career path opportunities while giving business leaders the visibility they need to find the right talent and skills within their team or the broader organization.

Enables business leaders to maximize internal mobility and discover the right talent faster by incorporating role guides into Opportunity Marketplace, an internal talent marketplace within Oracle Cloud HCM. The new addition leverages AI-powered recommendations to go beyond standard internal job or project postings and helps employees discover new career path opportunities while giving business leaders the visibility they need to find the right talent and skills within their team or the broader organization. Skills Aggregation Platform: Accelerates an organization's adoption of skills-based talent practices through the Oracle Dynamic Skills Platform, a robust skills aggregation platform that enables a single skills infrastructure fully unified with people and work data wherever it exists. Directly embedded in Oracle Grow, Oracle Dynamic Skills Platform provides an extensive library of seeded skills, consolidates an organization's existing or third-party skills data, and delivers AI-driven recommendations to power talent intelligence, experiences, and practices.

"With the demand for new skills evolving at such a rapid pace, organizations need to reevaluate their upskilling strategies in order to meet key business goals," said Trish Steed, CEO and principal analyst, H3 HR Advisors.

"Oracle has proven investments in the skills marketplace, and with the introduction of Oracle Grow for Business Leaders, they are now delivering a truly complete upskilling solution for employees, business leaders, and HR professionals. Powered by AI and machine learning capabilities, this new solution is making talent management more simple, efficient, and effective", Trish said.

Oracle Grow dynamically connects learning, skills growth, and career mobility in one hyper-personalized development experience. The addition of Oracle Grow for Business Leaders further drives employee and business growth by empowering employees to maximize their potential and helping leaders align upskilling with business outcomes.

Oracle Grow also empowers HR with unparalleled insights into the supply and demand of skills and development resources across the enterprise, to strengthen people initiatives, optimize workforce investments, and improve business outcomes.

Built for the cloud, Oracle Cloud HCM is a complete solution connecting every human resource process from hire to retire across an organization with a native employee experience platform. By connecting all employee data on a single platform, HR teams have access to a single source of truth to help inform their people strategy.

In addition, built-in AI acts as an advisor to help analyze workforce data, generate content, and surface recommendations and critical insights to help improve business operations.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  India

Watch: 64.40% polling in 3rd Phase amid reports Muslims barred from voting in Sambhal

The overall polling percentage in the 3rd Phase of Indias 2024 Parliament Elections Tuesday May 07, 2024 was 64.40% amidst the reports that Muslims were forcefully barred from voting in Sambhal.

Wednesday May 8, 2024 3:54 PM , ummid.com News Network

New Delhi: The overall polling percentage in the 3rd Phase of Indias 2024 Parliament Elections Tuesday May 07, 2024 was 64.40% amidst the reports that Muslims were forcefully barred from voting in Sambhal.

Approximate voter turnout as of 11.40 pm of 3rd phase of General Elections 2024 is 64.40 %, the Election Commission of India said.

93 seats in 3rd Phase

As many as 93 seats across 11 states went to polls in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 7. Going by 2019 data, the BJP had won 71 of these 93 Lok Sabha seats back then, while the Congress got only 04.

The states that went to polls in the 3rd phase included Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Polling in the 3rd phase was also held for 04 seats in Assam, 05 in Bihar, 07 in Chhattisgarh, 02 each in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Goa, 25 in Gujarat, 14 in Karnataka, 09 in Madhya Pradesh, 11 in Maharashtra, 10 in Uttar Pradesh and 04 in West Bengal. Surat, which was scheduled to vote in this phase, has already been won uncontested by the BJP after the dubious withdrawal of the Congress candidate.

High profile candidates in the 3rd phase are Amit Shah contesting from Gandhinagar, Dimple Yadav from Mainpuri, Jyotiraditya Scindia from Guna, Digvijay Singh from Rajgarh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Vidisha, Mansukh Mandaviya from Porbandar, Pralhad Joshi from Dharwad and Supriya Sule fighting from Baramati.

Assam recorded highest voters turnout 81.61 followed by West Bengal 75.79%, Goa 75.20%, Chattisgarh 71.06% and Karnataka 70.41%, according to ECI.

Polling percentage in Maharashtra was 61.4% whereas in Uttar Pradesh 57.34% exercised their democratic right in the 3rd Phase of seven phase elections in India, the Poll Panel said.

Polling in Uttar Pradesh

The Election Commission of India claimed peaceful voting in the 3rd Phase however reports from Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh claimed that Muslims were barred from voting at some polling booths.

Video clips shared on social media said police personnel using force to thwart voters from a polling booth in Sambhal.

Several videos comes out from Sambhal, uttarpradesh where voter's from Muslim community alleging admins stopping them or threatening them. pic.twitter.com/5muqQwCt01  Gabbar (@Gabbar0099) May 7, 2024

In a video shared on social media, Samajwadi Party candidate Zia ur Rahman Barq claimed he was thrown out of a polling booth by the state Police.

Alleging that Muslims are being stopped from voting, Samajwadi Party candidate in Badaun Aditya Yadav sat for impromptu dharna and protest.

Incidents of similar problem have also been reported from Fatehpur Sikri and Agra.

Sambhal District Magistrate later refuted the claims that the Muslim voters were stopped from voting.

A video is shared on X with misleading claim about conduct of polling at a PS in UttarPradesh in Phase 3 of #GE2024



In this regard, @DmSambhal had already issued clarification after enquiry. No voter was denied their right to cast vote.Claim made is #false#VerifyBeforeUAmplify https://t.co/GSMxJRklFv pic.twitter.com/301d9DPauw  Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) May 8, 2024

In a statement released on social media platform X, the DM said a large number of voters had crowded the polling booth after voting. The police asked them to leave the polling booth. Later voters came in queue and exercised their democratic rights, he said.

In the end Sambhal registered a voter turnout of 62% - the highest in 10 Parliamentary constituencies of Uttar Pradesh where polling was held in the 3rd phase on Tuesday.

Polling for the second phase of the 2024 Parliament Election on 88 seats of the Lok Sabha was held on April 26, 2024 with a voter turnout of 64.2%.

The first phase of the Lok Sabha Polls had covered 102 seats spread across 21 states, with the Election Commission recording a voter turnout of around 64%. The poll percent in the first phase too was lower than what the country had seen in the 2019 elections.

The elections for the 18th Lok Sabha is being held in 07 Phases. Polling for the 3rd Phase will be held on May 07, 2024.

The counting of votes of all the seven phases will be held simultaneously on June 04, 2024.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
HA NOI  Viet Nam had a lot of potential to establish international transshipment ports to meet global demand for transshipped container goods, industry insiders have said.

Pham Anh Tuan, general director of Portcoast Consultant Corporation, said the proportion of transshipped container goods through the Asia-Pacific region saw an average annual growth of over 5 per cent over the past 40 years. From 2013, the rate slowed down to about 3.2 per cent.

Of the 60 per cent of container goods transported through the East Sea, about 30 per cent had been transshipped. That meant, for every 100 global containers, 30 transshipment containers passed through this area, he told baogiaothong.vn.

It was forecast that about 12.8 million TEU of container goods would be transshipped via ports in the East Sea by 2030, Tuan said, adding that if given the opportunity, Viet Nam could participate and meet part of the demand.

However, Tuan said, the transshipment sector is mainly dominated by shipping companies which have been establishing routes and collecting and distributing containers on their transport routes. The participation of the world's top shipping lines was vital for an international transshipment port in addition to natural factors.

Besides foreign shipping firms, the capacities of Vietnamese partners were also important, he told the online newspaper.

According to Ngo Khac Le, a logistics expert, it took time for Viet Nam to gradually develop an international transshipment port as many others in the region were far more known on a global scale.

Ho Thi Thu Hoa, director of the Vietnam Logistics Research and Development Institute, said many factors were needed if Viet Nam wanted to have an international transshipment port that operates effectively and attracts shipping lines.

Hoa said that transshipment ports in Viet Nam should be located in highly commercial locations. From there, shipping lines could set up transit stations to Asian routes or further afield. These ports should also have advantages in terms of cost and time and offer new and more convenient services to attract shipping firms.

Statistics from the Vietnam Seaport Association showed that in recent times, the growth rate of global maritime transport stood at 5-10 per cent each year. In 2020, global container transport output reached 816 million TEU. The volume was expected to reach about 978 million TEU by 2025.

Notably, the proportion of transshipped container goods would likely make up between 28 per cent and 30 per cent of the total volume of global container transport, equivalent to 274-293 million TEUs by 2025. Ports in Southeast Asia would account for about 30 per cent of the transshipment volume, equivalent to 82-88 million TEUs by 2025.

In Viet Nam, the Cai Mep-Thi Vai complex in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province has been chosen to become an international transshipment port as it is one of the 23 facilities worldwide capable of handling vessels with deadweight tonnage (DWT) of up to 250,000.

The complex accounts for over 16 per cent of the total cargo throughput at seaports across the country, 35 per cent of the container cargo volume nationwide, and 50 per cent of the container cargo volume in the South.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) said it will consider suitable policies to develop international transshipment ports in Van Phong of the central province of Khanh Hoa.

The ministry has also agreed with the HCM City People's Committee on the need to set up a research project to build Can Gio international transshipment port and carefully evaluate the impacts.

The Can Gio international container transshipment port project with a total investment of about US$6 billion is being studied by the Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) and the Mediterranean Shipping Company.  VNS
HA NOI  Millions of packages of small, low-value items that are crossing the border into Viet Nam daily should be subjected to VAT, special consumption and environmental taxes, according to industry experts and domestic e-commerce sellers.

During a recent meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee in Ha Noi, Le Quang Manh, chairman of the NA's finance and budget committee, proposed the Government to consider removing the current tax exemptions on imported goods with low value. The vast majority of those are being imported through e-commerce platforms, including some of the largest in the country such as Shopee, Lazada and TikTok, with combined value reaching billions of dollars monthly.

According to the chairman, in the past the number of small, low-value items was not as significant to warrant a tax. However, with the explosion of cross-border e-commerce in recent years, both their volume and value have increased manifold.

In a report by the Vietnam Post Corporation in March last year, there were an average of about 4-5 million orders per day from China entering into Viet Nam, with the value of each order ranging from VN100,000-300,000, thus the total value could reach US$45-63 million per day.

Manh said Viet Nam should follow an example set by many countries in removing the tax exemption to create a fairer business environment among domestic and international e-commerce sellers.

Nguyen Thanh Lien, owner of an e-commerce fashion store based in HCM City, said a VAT tax on imported low-value items helps even the odds for domestic sellers and may even raise their revenue.

"Currently, domestic sellers have to bear a tax of 1.5 per cent of their total revenue, plus other expenses. Their profit margin remains razor-thin at just 3 to 4 per cent with months dipping into the red due to pressure to run promotions to compete with foreign sellers," he said.

Sticking to their profit margin means risking losing customers with the competition, especially in the category of low-value products, where warranty and returns are not an important factor to consider.

Huynh Thanh Ngan, owner of both online and offline household goods in HCM city, said Chinese and South Korean sellers have been thriving in Viet Nam without paying taxes or fees. Meanwhile, domestic sellers have been left to fend for themselves.

"In addition to taxing imported products, the Government should introduce policies to support domestic sellers," she said.

Nguyen Binh Minh, deputy head of the economic and e-commerce information faculty from the University of Commerce in Ha Noi, said low-value items under VN1 million are often declared as gifts, exempted from tax and therefore, giving foreign sellers an unfair advantage over domestic ones.

Minh said it's unlikely and difficult for domestic sellers to be able to compete on price with foreign sellers who are able to leverage millions of suppliers and highly developed logistics infrastructure on their side. He advised domestic sellers to instead focus in developing quality, branded products using their market understanding while further cut down on cost.

"Cross-border goods entering Viet Nam should be subjected to greater scrutiny to reduce counterfeits and low-quality goods," he said.

A VAT tax is the first step in the right direction and in the short-term is useful to domestic sellers but in the long run, they will have to play every single advantage in their disposal to win the market, said industry insiders and experts.

Le Hong uc, founder of a digital ad company in Viet Nam, said as the vast majority of items are low-value a 10 per cent VAT will not likely do much to stop them. Other import duties and environmental taxes should also be considered, citing examples of Western economies' taxes on fast fashion items.  VNS
HA NOI  The European Commissions Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG-SANTE), in collaboration with the Viet Nam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point (Vietnam SPS), held a conference disseminating regulations on imports of agricultural products and foods of plant and animal origin into the EU market on Tuesday.

Recently, the EU has introduced a number of separate requirements for imported composite products. According to Sylvie Coulon, a senior expert at DG-SANTE, with this move, the regulation on the percentage of processed products of animal origin will no longer be valid. And the new one is stricter to better protect consumers.

To comply well with new requirements, Sylvie Coulon advised businesses to understand correctly what composite products are, adding they are foods that contain products of plant origin and processed products of animal origin.

At the conference, the DG-SANTE introduced in detail relevant regulations on hygiene and food safety for composite products and products of non-animal origin; rules of origin, as well as a residue monitoring plan on these products, along with quarantine measures based on international practices issued by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Le Thanh Hoa, Director of Viet Nam SPS Office, said that although the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has been in effect for nearly four years, there remain shortcomings and difficulties, especially those related to food safety regulations as well as others on the environment and sustainable development.

Hoa showed his hope that the EU will continue to support the Viet Nam SPS Office to update information and regulations related to food safety to businesses when exporting products to the EU; and help strengthen the capacity of Viet Nam's food safety control system as well as animal and plant quarantine network.

In 2023, Viet Nam's agricultural, forestry and fishery export turnover to the European market reached about US$5.3 billion, making it Viet Nam's third largest market, after the US and China.  VNS
ISLAMABAD, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday emphasized the importance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project and Pakistan's commitment to its early completion during his meeting with Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov.

Saidov, currently on a two-day visit to Pakistan from Wednesday to Thursday, and Sharif discussed enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in the fields of trade and economy, security and defense, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

The importance of peace and development in Afghanistan for regional connectivity was also discussed in the meeting, it added.

Sharif expressed Pakistan's commitment to working with Uzbekistan to speed up and complete all bilateral trade and connectivity projects.

The prime minister also reaffirmed the country's readiness to provide access to Uzbekistan to Pakistani ports, according to the statement. 
HA NOI  Petrol businesses are calling for the price stabilisation fund to be abolished to ensure the appropriateness to the current market situation.

Tran Ngoc Nam, Deputy Director General of Viet Nam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex), said at the conference to raise opinions on the new draft decree about petrol business on Tuesday that petrol prices are now reviewed every seven days, meaning that the adjustments at each review will not be too huge or have significant impacts on the socio-economic development.

As the domestic petrol prices are also going parallel with the world market, the removal of the petrol price stabilisation fund should be considered, he said, adding that in recent times, the fund has proved not to work as efficiently as it should.

Meanwhile, the existence of the fund causes a lot of difficulties for enterprises in reporting and inspections.

Cao Hoai Duong, chairman of PetroVietnam Oil Corporation (PVOil), said if the fund can not be removed, it is necessary to have more detailed regulations to ensure transparency and remove difficulties.

Regarding the proposal related to increasing petroleum reserves from currently 20 days to 30 days in the draft, Nam said that this will burden enterprises. It is the Government to ensure reserves, not all on enterprises, he said.

Petrolimex estimated that if the reserve requirement is increased to 30 days, it will cost the entire market an additional sum of VN900 billion (US$35.4 million), not to mention risks from huge price fluctuations and exchange rates, if happens, in the world marketing during the time.

According to Duong, the reserve at 20 days is appropriate. Any increase might create a significant financial burden on businesses, he said.

Duong added that it is also necessary to take into account the reserves of two refineries, Binh Son and Nghi Son, which have crude oil reserves equivalent to 20-30 days of operation.

Phan Van Chinh, Director of the Domestic Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that it will be difficult to abolish the petrol price stabilisation fund at the moment.

Chinh said that the proposal of maintaining reserve requirements will be considered to facilitate operation.  VNS
HA NOI  The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) announced the result of Wednesday's gold auction, with three winning bidders securing 34 lots.

The only winning bid price is VN86.05 million (US$3,383 per tael), which is VN750,000 per tael higher than the reference price.

As a result, a total of 3,400 taels of SJC-branded gold bars have been successfully sold out of the total 16,800 taels auctioned by the SBV.

This is the second successful auction out of a total of five auctions, while the other three were postponed due to insufficient registered bidders. The total amount of gold successfully auctioned after these two sessions is 6,800 taels.

In the previous successful auction on April 23, there were two winning bidders with a total volume of 34 lots. The highest winning bid price was VN82.33 million per tael and the lowest winning bid price was VN81.32 million.

On the market, SJC gold prices rebounded from early trade. At 14.20pm, Saigon Jewellry Company Limited (SJC) quoted gold prices at VN85.2 million per tael for sellers and VN87.5 million per tael for buyers.

The domestic gold price set a new record high at VN87.5 million per tael on Tuesday, up 18.2 per cent from the end of last month.  VNS
HCM CITY  More than 400 companies are displaying their products at the second Vietnam Outstanding Export Products Fair, or HCM City Export 2024, that opened in HCM City on May 8.

Building on its strong debut last year, the fair has 450 booths, double last years number, that showcase the countrys major export industries such as food and beverages, farm and fisheries produce, furniture, handicrafts, textile and garment, footwear, handbags, rubber, plastics, electronics, and supporting services.

Viet Nam's major export firms are in attendance, including Masan Consumer Holdings with the Chinsu brand, Vina T&T Group, Binh Tay Food JSC, VANTRGAP Food JSC, and Phuoc Hai Leather Box-Handbag Trading Production Co., Ltd.

The fair will also feature a forum titled Promote linkages towards green exports that will discuss solutions for sustainable exports.

Business matching programmes to bring together local firms and foreign supermarket and retail chains such as Central Retail, MM Mega Market, Amazon, and Alibaba and buyers from India and Russia will also be held during the fair.

There will be attractive incentives for public visitors. On May 10 and 11 they can visit and shop for Vietnamese export items with discounts of up to 50 per cent, and freely experience many brands.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyen Van Dung, Deputy Chairman of the city Peoples Committee, said exports are an important pillar in the citys economic development.

He quoted the city customs department data as saying exports through local ports in the first four months of 2024 were worth US$12.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 69.2 per cent.

He attributed the achievement to the efforts made by both businesses and government agencies to seize every export opportunity.

This year would see a breakthrough in promoting industrial production and trade and import and export activities, he said.

But to sustain export growth, HCM City needs to focus on developing innovative and high-tech industries to increase added value for exports, improving product quality, investing in research and development, and creating favourable conditions for businesses to develop and expand export markets.

More important is co-operation between businesses and authorities to promote the city's export industry.

In that context, organisation of the fair and forum is one of the significant activities to help local manufacturing and export firms study market demand and trends and participate in the global production, supply and distribution chains, he added.

Organised by the city Department of Industry and Trade and the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency, the fair is expected to attract 20,000 visitors and buyers from major markets such as the US, Europe, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and Korea, and e-commerce platforms.

On at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7, it will run until May 11.  VNS
HCM CITY  Green packaging is crucial for food businesses to meet the sustainable development standards of customers and the market, a seminar heard in HCM City.

The seminar, titled Food packaging - Quality Control and Trend catching, was organised by the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) and Eurofins Sac Ky Hai ang Co Ltd on May 7, as part of a series of seminars and conferences focusing on the food and agriculture sector organised at the ongoing 2024 HCM City International Exhibition of Food and Beverages.

It sought to discuss quality control in food packaging, particularly with respect to food safety and sustainability.

Ho Thi Quyen, deputy director of ITPC, said green growth is the current approach to economic development.

Green packaging is also becoming a priority for Government and other stakeholders, and a major link in the circular economy, she said.

The Draft National Action Plan for Circular Economy has identified packaging as one of the priority areas for the circular economy.

Through this seminar, the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre aims to provide opportunities for businesses in the food and packaging industry to access the latest knowledge on quality control and green trends.

Additionally, it offers a platform for enterprises to share experiences and learn about sustainable practices in packaging production."

Representatives from Eurofins Sac Ky Hai ang spoke about green packaging and sustainable materials for food and the impacts of green consumer trends on packaging.

They provided information about regulations on labelling of nutritional components in food spelled out in Circular 29/2023/TT-BYT from the Ministry of Health.

They covered key Vietnamese laws related to product labelling and regulations for labelling in the US and Europe.

Pham Thi My Duyen of Minh Phat Manufacturing and Service Co Ltd said amid the green economic trend, businesses seek to switch to using recycled packaging and packaging made from natural materials that are safe for food and environmentally friendly.

However, the transition from plastic to green packaging remains a challenge, she admitted.

This involves changing the habits of many consumers, she said.

Regulations on single-use plastic packaging by international and domestic organisations are not yet stringent, she said.

Meanwhile, the packaging industry is highly competitive, and so businesses must find ways to create uniqueness and distinctive values to attract customers, she said.

The prices of raw materials and the cost of obtaining international certification for green and eco-friendly packaging are higher than for plastic packaging.

This makes many businesses hesitant to switch to environment-friendly packaging.  VNS
HA NOI - Viet Nam's banking sector is in a prime position to take the lead in the country's digital transformation process, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at an event organised by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to promote the development of digital ecosystems and connectivity in Ha Noi on May 8.

According to the sector's leaders, customer experience remains the benchmark for success and a key priority in the National Digital Transformation Programme as the SBV outlined in its vision towards 2030.

The SBV has selected the theme "Expanding Connectivity and Developing Digital Ecosystems" for the 2024 Banking Sector Digital Transformation.

During the event, several ministries, sectors and credit institutions discussed various topics related to the digital transformation of the sector, including the application of population data to support service development, ensuring security in digital banking, connecting and integrating population data applications, developing "Make in Vietnam" digital platforms, promoting the formation of a digital ecosystem, and building an open ecosystem.

Other topics include integrating banking products and services, integrating technology in developing financial services, and solutions to deal with suspected fraudulent activities.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit numerous exhibitions by commercial banks and credit institutes that featured the latest technologies and developments in the field of digital banking.

Viet Nam has set a target to develop a digital economy based on four pillars: ICT industry, digitalisation of economic sectors, digital management, and digital data as important drivers for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development, said PM Chinh.

The PM praised the central bank for its leadership in steering the digital transformation within the sector. He said the sector plays a vital role in realising said vision, as an integral part of the national digital transformation to build a digital economy and society.

He outlined three objectives for the future of the sector which included creating the most favourable conditions for customers, reducing operating costs and building a robust risk and safety control system.

The government leader also mentioned limitations in the digital transformation process such as institutional constraints, outdated digital infrastructure and platforms, challenges in ensuring security and information security, limited participation of tech companies and shortages of skilled workers, particularly in information technology.

After three years of implementation, digital banking has yielded promising results, contributing significantly to the establishment of a digital government, digital economy, and digital society.

To date, over 87 per cent of Vietnamese adults have access to bank payment accounts, with commercial banks processing over 95 per cent of all transactions through digital channels. The growth in mobile payment and QR code transactions has doubled every year from 2017 to 2023 as large investments have been made in banking technology infrastructure to ensure seamless, secure, and uninterrupted operations.

In addition, new digital technologies have been implemented to cater to the increased demands of citizens and businesses, boosting the development of innovative products and services.

Viet Nam has successfully established cross-border payment connections via QR code with Thailand and Cambodia, and is currently extending this to Laos, with plans for further expansion across ASEAN countries.

The banking sector has had close collaborations with the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) in crime prevention and control, using VNeID - the national population database - for data cleansing, identification, and precise customer information verification to support electronic lending operations and electronic guarantees, improving the safety of banking activities.

So far, 58 credit institutions across the country have implemented customer authentication via chip-embedded ID cards at counters, while 14 are experimenting with electronic identification and authentication, using VNeID, for payment transaction authentication and customer information verification.

Cashless payment transactions have continued to show strong growth in recent years. In the first four months of 2024, cashless payment transactions have increased by 56.57 per cent in volume and 31.35 per cent in value, with internet channel transactions growing by 48.81 per cent and 25.73 per cent, respectively. Mobile phone channel transactions have increased by 58.70 per cent and 33.12 per cent, respectively. - VNS
HA NOI  The Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Bai Province, Tran Huy Tuan has presented the Chairman of Erex Group, Honna Hitoshi, with the approved investment policy for a biomass power plant project, during a ceremony held in Tokyo, Japan.

The Yen Bai 1 biomass power plant project will be located in Bac Van Yen Industrial Cluster, Van Yen District, Yen Bai Province.

The event was attended by the Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, Pham Quang Hieu, as well as representatives from Yen Bai Province and units within the Erex Group.

Ambassador Hieu expressed satisfaction at the investment, saying it represented a significant symbol of the strong economic co-operation between Viet Nam and Japan.

He added that he hoped the project would promote the development of sustainable energy solutions and make a positive contribution to the economy of Yen Bai Province and Viet Nam as a whole.

Chairman Tran Huy Tuan wanted to stress that this was EREX's second project to receive approval for investment policies in Yen Bai province and was in line with the area's socio-economic development plan, as well as the national strategy on green growth, part of Viet Nam's commitment to achieving net-zero by 2050.

Chairman Honna Hitoshi of the Erex Group expressed gratitude to the province for their support in implementing the Yen Bai 1 biomass power plant project.

He revealed that the plant would be constructed on approximately 10 hectares of land, with an estimated investment capital of US$100 to $120 million.

The plant is expected to start operating in early 2027 and will generate 50 MW of electricity, including approximately 45MW of stable renewable power for EVN's transmission system and will be using around 500,000 tonnes of scraps and wood by-products per year as fuel for its operations. VNS
HA NOI  The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has terminated its scope review investigation into steel rolls imported from Viet Nam, according to the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The agency said the decision was announced by the DOC on April 30, ending the investigation initiated on August 7, 2023.

The petitioner, Dexstar Company of the US, submitted a request to the DOC to initiate a scope review investigation into steel rolls completed in Viet Nam from components originating in China, which fall within the scope of the anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders that the US is applying to similar products from China.

Based on the information and documents collected during the investigation, the DOC on March 15, 2024 announced its intention to terminate the work. - VNS
BAC NINH Bac Ninh authorities and the Indian embassy have made a floral tribute to mark the 163rd birth anniversary of Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore (May 7, 1861 - 2024) at the northern provinces international friendship park.

At the May 7 event, flowers were laid at the statue of Tagore, while local students and members of the Indian community in Ha Noi performed poetry and music pieces related to the polymath, who was also a playwright, song composer, and painter.

Tagore is one of the great cultural figures of India. He became the first Asian to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 then visited Viet Nam in 1929.

Many Vietnamese scholars have studied and translated his works, and his poems have been included in textbooks in the Southeast Asian country's national education curriculum.

On October 15, 2023, a statue dedicated to him was inaugurated at Bac Ninhs international friendship park. VNS
PHNOM PENH Specialists from the APSARA National Authority (ANA) found more than they bargained for during a recent excavation, with more than 100 pieces of sandstone sculptures uncovered.

The ANAs Department of Preservation and Archaeology was conducting the removal of built-up soil from south of the laterite stone wall of Ta Prohm Temples third enclosure, while cataloguing each of the stone fragments they discovered.

Ta Prohm is one of the most well-known of the Kingdoms ancient temples, with the unique combination of soaring trees growing from the crumbling, yet still majestic stones lending an air of romantic exploration. It is sometimes referred to as the Tomb Raider Temple, thanks to the fame it enjoyed as a location for Angelina Jolies 2001 eponymous film.

As the soil removal progressed, an unexpected number of significant pieces of ornate carvings were unearthed, some of them buried in as little as 10 to 15 centimetres of soil.

According to ANA archaeologist Neth Simon, the team recognised the importance of their finds, and immediately sought permission to expand the dig site.

With the approval of the ANA leadership, more serious excavations were undertaken, leading to a treasure trove of rare pieces. Many of the statues are up to 50cm in height, and almost complete. A total of over 100 pieces have been identified, and are currently being measured, weighed and assessed.

According to Simon, some of the sculptures include seated and standing Buddhas, along with Nagas, the spiritual snake-like guardian of ancient Khmer legend.

She explained that although unconfirmed, many of the ANAs experts have speculated that the statues were carved in the Bayon style, dating from the late 12th or early 13th century.

Long Kosal, ANA spokesperson, noted that there are many places in the park where fragments of ancient statues have been found. The pieces remain as clues to the daily lives of people from ancient times.

We dont know what remains under the earth in this area. This is why it is necessary to preserve the location, he said.

As the work continues, one thing is certain. The ancient structures of Siem Reap provinces Angkor Archaeological Park will continue to surprise the modern inhabitants of this ancient land. The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
BUENOS AIRES  The Viet Nam-Brazil friendship and cooperative ties began in the early 20th century when President Ho Chi Minh set his foot in Rio de Janeiro in 1912 in his journey to seek the way to save the nation, according to a Brazilian official.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency's correspondents in Latin America on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations, President of the Brazil-Viet Nam Friendship Association (ABRAVIET) and Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Ignacio Arruda recalled the time when Ho Chi Minh was sick while working on a French-flagged ship from Viet Nam to France, and went down to the Port of Rio de Janeiro for treatment.

He said it was at that time when the Vietnamese revolutionary leader made important contact with the Porto workers union movement, which he mentioned in an article published in Moscow in 1922.

Many decades later, students from Sao Paulo and other Brazilian capitals led a movement to fight for peace and against the war in Viet Nam after they saw films sent by the National Liberation Front of South Viet Nam in 1968 showing the atrocities committed by the US during the war in the Southeast Asian country.

However, not until 1989 were the diplomatic ties between the two countries established, he continued, adding the Brazilian Embassy was opened in Ha Noi in 1994, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Brasilia six years later.

The deputy minister highlighted that the two countries have exchanged many high-level delegations over the past 35 years, with the latest being an official visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh last September, and a visit by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation and President of the Communist Party of Brazil Luciana Santos last November.

Regarding the bilateral cooperation, Arruda said a delegation from his ministry will visit Viet Nam this year to carry out cooperative projects signed with the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology.

He affirmed that the friendship association will work with the Vietnamese Embassy in Brasilia to organise various activities to mark the diplomatic relations anniversary, including an event to commemorate the time when Ho Chi Minh worked at a restaurant on Santa Tereza street, Rio de Janeiro.

The ABRAVIET President highlighted the positive contributions by the association to the solidarity, friendship and cooperation between the two nations. He said the association has contributed to the dissemination of the thought and work of leader Ho Chi Minh, mainly through a book entitled "Ho Chi Minh, Life and Work of the leader of the National Liberation of Viet Nam". The book written by journalist Pedro de Oliveira -- who is also General Secretary of ABRAVIET -- is already in its third edition and received the first prize in the national award for external communication from the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, in the book category.

In 2022, the association worked with the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations to launch the Portuguese-Vietnamese Thematic Dictionary to serve the teaching and learning of the Portuguese language at Vietnamese universities, he added.

According to Arruda, the association will enhance delegation exchange with the Vietnamese side, and promote the establishment of a chamber of commerce between the two countries. VNS
Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal speaks during a tunnel breakthrough ceremony in Sindhuli, Nepal on May 8, 2024. A 13.3-km-long tunnel under Nepal's Sunkoshi Marin diversion multipurpose project was completed on Wednesday, 12 months ahead of schedule. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

KATHMANDU, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A 13.3-km-long tunnel under Nepal's Sunkoshi Marin diversion multipurpose project was completed on Wednesday, 12 months ahead of schedule.

Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal hailed it as a "transformative national pride project" contributing to the country's national economy, productivity and prosperity.

After the prime minister pushed the button, a double-shield tunnel boring machine broke through the last section of the tunnel within minutes, to the applause from the audience.

The tunnel is the main part of the Sunkoshi Marin diversion multipurpose project, which is aimed at diverting water from the Sunkoshi River to the Marin River through the tunnel to irrigate 122,000 hectares of farmland in the districts of Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rauthat and Bara in the Terai Plains.

In addition, a powerhouse is being built to generate 28.62 megawatts of electricity to alleviate the shortage of power supply in the area.

"This is a transformative national pride project," Dahal said at the breakthrough ceremony held in Sindhuli district, where the project is situated. "The completion of such projects contributes to the country's national economy, productivity and prosperity."

He noted that while agriculture contributes to one third of Nepal's gross domestic product, there is not enough water flow in winter and spring in the Terai region which boasts the country's 60 percent of arable land.

He voiced his belief that the project will not just support the country's economy, but also help reduce trade imbalance contributed by food imports.

"I also believe that the project will support skill and technology transfer, and enhance the capacity of our institutions," said the prime minister.

"Our Chinese enterprises have performed their own advantages, contributed Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions, and cooperated with the technical personnel from Nepal to overcome all the difficulties such as geological conditions, logistics problems and long period of monsoon time, but finished the project 12 months ahead of schedule, which shows the Chinese speed with high quality and high standards," Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song said at the ceremony, which drew some 200 participants including ministers and lawmakers. 

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song speaks during a tunnel breakthrough ceremony in Sindhuli, Nepal on May 8, 2024. A 13.3-km-long tunnel under Nepal's Sunkoshi Marin diversion multipurpose project was completed on Wednesday, 12 months ahead of schedule. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

This photo taken on May 8, 2024 shows the last section of a tunnel broken through by a double-shield tunnel boring machine in Sindhuli, Nepal. A 13.3-km-long tunnel under Nepal's Sunkoshi Marin diversion multipurpose project was completed on Wednesday, 12 months ahead of schedule. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)
MOSCOW  The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia in collaboration with the Literature and Art Association of the Vietnamese people in the European country organised a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the ien Bien Phu Victory on Tuesday.

In his speech, Ambassador ang Minh Khoi recalled the significance of the victory on May 7, 1954, which came as a result of the noble tradition of the Vietnamese people, the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, the great national solidarity, and the will to fight for national independence of the whole people and army.

The victory forced France to sign the Geneva agreement, restoring peace in the northern region, he stressed, describing it as a diplomatic victory that helped raise Viet Nam's position in the international arena.

It was also a manifestation of the growth of the Vietnamese army and military art and had a great meaning for the national liberation movement across the globe. It ended Frances oppression in Indochina and started the collapse of colonialism.

The Vietnamese people in Russia always bear in mind the sacrifice of the martyrs and others who contributed to the victory, he said, stressing the importance of raising the youngs awareness of the countrys noble tradition.  VNS
SYDNEY  Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam had a meeting on Tuesday with Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Tim Watts who expressed his hope to see economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries develop commensurate with the new stature of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Australian official highlighted the positive development in the Viet Nam-Australia relations, especially after Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Australia and the upgrade of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March.

Expressing his delight at the success of the visit, Watts held the framework reflects the strategic trust, stature and long-term commitments of the two governments as well as mutual understanding between the two peoples.

He said that Viet Nam is one of the priority partners in Australias Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, for which Australia is sketching out specific frameworks to implement, including priority areas such as trade, education, and health care.

Watts emphasised the significance of cooperation between Australia and this region to deal with common challenges and manage the maritime space according to international law.

For his part, Ambassador Tam highly valued the contributions and support that Watts has made to the upgrade of the Vietnam-Australia relations, and suggested that the two sides coordinate to build a detail action plan to realise the partnership in the 2024-2028 period.

He showed pleasure at the cooperation achievements between the two countries, stressing the need for further promotion of bilateral economic, trade, and investment.

As part of the efforts to implement the joint statement on the upgrade of bilateral relations, this year Viet Nam will send many delegations from localities and businesses to Australia for trade and investment promotion, he said.

The diplomat also raised specific proposals to bolster bilateral collaboration in economy, trade, investment, people-to-people exchange, education, and human resources training in the field of semiconductors, as well as other potential areas.  VNS
HA NOI  Ruling on the lawsuit filed by Vietnamese-French Tran To Nga against 14 US chemical corporations that supplied Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin for the US army during the war in Viet Nam is scheduled to be issued on August 22, the Court of Appeal of Paris announced after a hearing on May 7.

At the hearing, Bertrand Repolt and William Bourdon, two lawyers who have voluntarily given support to the 82-year-old woman in the lawsuit, argued that the chemical companies supplying herbicide for the US army to use in the Vietnamese battlefield must be held responsible for their actions and not be entitled to the state immunity for the excuse of serving the State of the US.

They pointed out that there is sufficient evidence proving those companies had voluntarily joined in the bidding and had the right to determine the production as well as content of dioxin in the herbicide supplied for the US army in Viet Nam during 1961 - 1971. These actions caused catastrophic consequences which still linger until today for people and the environment in Vietnam.

Nga is a dioxin victim and has suffered from very serious consequences, the lawyers said, noting that their client lost her first child, her other children had to endure health problems while she also became cancerous.

They added the right to a trial is a fundamental right of Nga, and they hoped to regain justice for the victim.

For their part, the lawyers defending the 14 US chemical companies denied their clients responsibility, arguing that the firms had acted at the request of the US army. Given this, they cited the state immunity that allows a sovereign state not to be prosecuted at a court of another sovereign state so as to deny the companies responsibility for the consequences caused by their products in the Vietnamese battlefield.

After three hours of listening to arguments from lawyers, the court judge announced that the ruling will be issued on August 22.

Talking to the media after the trial, the lawyers of Nga said their client doesnt intend to sue the State of the US but just wants to show evidence to demand the chemical companies hold responsible for their proactive and independent production of Agent Orange (AO) for commercial and profit-seeking purposes.

Repolt said a court in the US had concluded that herbicide was not a weapon of war, so those companies are not entitled to the state immunity.

Meanwhile, Bourdon affirmed that he is confident in this legal struggle.

Nga told the press that the lawyers representing the US companies revealed many weaknesses such as only sticking to the state immunity to evade responsibility and using groundless arguments.

She said she felt more confident when seeing their weaknesses.

After the trial, the companies lawyers silently left but her lawyers and others stayed with her, showing that her struggle receives support because it is just and noble, Nga went on, expressing her determination to pursue the lawsuit until the end.

A number of overseas Vietnamese, French friends, and representatives of the Viet Nam Association for Victims of AO/Dioxin also voiced their support for Nga as this is a symbolic struggle for not only herself but also millions of AO/dioxin victims in Viet Nam and around the world.

Tran To Nga, born in 1942, graduated from a Ha Noi university in 1966 and became a war correspondent of the Liberation News Agency, now the Viet Nam News Agency. She worked in some of the most heavily AO/dioxin affected areas in southern Viet Nam such as Cu Chi, Ben Cat and along Ho Chi Minh Trail, ultimately experiencing contamination effects herself. She suffered from five out of the 17 diseases, disorders, deformities, and malformations associated with dioxin exposure recognised by the US.

Among her three children, the first child died of heart defects and the second suffers from a blood disease.

In 2009, Nga appeared as a witness at the Court of Public Opinion in Paris against the US chemical companies.

On April 16, 2015, the Crown Court of Evry city in the suburb of Paris held the first hearing on the case, but since then, lawyers of the sued chemical companies tried every way to prolong the procedures.

On May 10, 2021, the Evry Crown Court rejected her lawsuit, saying it did not have jurisdiction over the case, a ruling that disappointed the Vietnamese and international public.

However, Nga and her lawyers decided to file an appeal, and the struggle for justice for AO/dioxin victims is still underway.

From 1961 to 1971, US troops sprayed more than 80 million litres of herbicide  44 million litres of which were AO, containing nearly 370 kilogrammes of dioxin  over South Vietnam.

As a result, around 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical. Many of the victims have died, while millions of their descendants are living with deformities and diseases as a direct result of the chemicals effects. VNS
Buenos Aires  Uruguay's Grupo R Multimedio newspaper on May 7 published a series of three articles on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the ien Bien Phu Victory, affirming it as a brilliant milestone in the history of Viet Nam.

The articles recalled the context leading to the establishment of the ien Bien Phu stronghold by the French with the support of the US, the preparation, and the determination to defeat the enemy of the entire Party, army, and people of Viet Nam.

They highlighted the 56 days and nights in the ien Bien Phu battlefield which are considered part of the flesh and blood of the soldiers who overcame all difficulties, sacrifices, and hardships to shatter the strategically important stronghold in the Muong Thanh valley that the French colonial army considered "invincible", leading to the ien Bien Phu Victory that resounded across the five continents and shook the globe.

Grupo R Multimedio quoted President Ho Chi Minh as noting that the victory is a golden milestone in the history, clearly marking a steep downtrend and disintegration of colonialism while displaying significant progress recorded by national liberation movements around the world.

It said that the victory was a significant historical event for the heroic Vietnamese nation, demonstrating the strength of national great solidarity and the aspiration for peace and national independence, and serving as evidence of the outstanding leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam headed by President Ho Chi Minh.

According to the newspaper, Viet Nams victory not only contributed to the overthrow of old-style colonialism worldwide but also served as a solid foundation and a shining example for colonialised nations to rise against oppression, exploitation, and domination by colonial powers in many parts of the world. It played a significant role in the struggle for independence, democracy, and social progress for humanity.

Meanwhile, in an article on the same day, the Latin American News Agency Prensa Latina affirmed that the ien Bien Phu Victory was a result of the wise leadership of the CPV and President Ho Chi Minh, combined with the strength of the military and the patriotic spirit of tens of thousands of Vietnamese people.

It said the resounding success of the ien Bien Phu campaign paved the way for the signing of the Geneva Accords in 1954 on ending the war in Viet Nam, eliminating the presence of French troops in Indochina, and restoring peace in the region.

The triumph sounded an alarm against old-style colonialism and created extremely favourable conditions for Viet Nam to defeat the US imperialism in the South to achieve independence and reunify the country. VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Wednesday for Zhang Qingwei, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China.

The PM thanked Zhang for his attendance at the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the ien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - 2024), a brilliant milestone in the cause of national construction and defence of Viet Nam.

PM Chinh recalled important contributions by fraternal socialist countries and international friends, especially China, to the triumph, and emphasised that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always remember and treasure the great, wholehearted support from their Chinese counterparts.

Zhang, in reply, expressed his honour to lead a high-ranking Chinese delegation to attend the celebration, and extended his congratulations to the Vietnamese Party, State, army and people on the event.

The ien Bien Phu Victory was a great triumph of the Vietnamese people, also a common triumph of all oppressed nations, contributing greatly to national liberation movements all over the world, he said, lauding the sound and ingenious leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap, as well as the brave combat and sacrifice of the Vietnamese army and people during the campaign, and the positive support and assistance of socialist countries, including China.

The host and guest shared the view on active development steps of ties between the two Parties and two countries, especially after the visits by the two Party chiefs who have established the new positioning for the bilateral relations, thus advancing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Viet Nam and China.

PM Chinh affirmed that the Party and State of Viet Nam always consider developing the friendship with China as a strategic choice and top priority in Viet Nam's overall foreign policy.

He suggested that in the coming time, the two sides continue to increase contact at all levels, especially high level, promote exchange and cooperation mechanisms; boost strategic connectivity, and create new growth momentum for the two countries collaboration.

In particular, the two sides will prioritise road and rail transport connection in border provinces and pilot smart border gates; promote connections between Vietnam and China's strategic development regions; boost development cooperation in emerging fields such as green growth and digital economy; strengthen tourism cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges; make efforts to better control and resolve disagreements and issues with differences, consolidate the social foundation of their bilateral relations, and build consensus among the people on developing the bilateral friendship.

Meanwhile, Zhang affirmed that China attaches great importance to developing relations with Viet Nam, always considering it a priority in its neighbourhood policy.

He said China is ready to promote high-level exchanges, strengthen transport infrastructure connections between China and Vietnam, build smart border gates, expand cooperation on green growth, digital transformation, and key minerals; expand imports of Vietnamese goods and agricultural products; accelerate the resolution of existing issues in some cooperation projects.

He suggested that the two sides focus on implementing the cooperation agreements signed by the two countries legislative bodies in April, further deepening the legislatures' friendship and practical cooperation, thereby promoting the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and a Vie tNam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.  VNS
HCM CITY  Having a sense of purpose at work matters to people in Viet Nam, but not many are feeling a sense of fulfillment at work, a survey has found.

The report released recently by job platform Jobs_that_makesense Asia and global recruitment agency Manpower found 99 per cent of Vietnamese respondents saying meaning at work is important.

But only 11 per cent of respondents, the lowest in Southeast Asia, were very satisfied with the level of purpose in their current role, demonstrating a significant opportunity for organisations who want to set themselves apart in the tight talent market.

The The Quest for Meaning at Work report polled 2,023 participants in six key Southeast Asian countries, including 274 in Viet Nam, to define what meaningful work meant to todays workforce.

When looking for a new job, salary and job stability were the top priorities for 40 per cent of Vietnamese.

A third of respondents placed a high value on career growth and personal growth while 26 per cent believed maintaining a positive work-life balance was becoming increasingly important for professional fulfilment.

The significance of a company's reputation, particularly in social responsibility, has become a critical factor for job seekers, with 85 per cent indicating that a companys reputation for social responsibility influences their decision to apply there.

More than eight out of 10 agreed that advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and other social causes (87 per cent), taking a leading role in advancing sustainability initiatives (64 per cent) and enhancing working conditions with flexible hours, comprehensive health insurance and equal pay (61 per cent) were actions organisations could take to enhance their meaning at work.

Limited availability of green and socially driven job opportunities (34 per cent), balancing personal responsibilities with professional aspirations (18 per cent) and lack of skills and experience (13 per cent) were the top three challenges in the quest for jobs with purpose.

ManpowerGroups regional manager for Southeast Asia, Simon Matthews, said he has observed a transformative shift in the attitudes and expectations of Vietnamese workers towards their employers, work environment and the nature of their jobs particularly over the past year.

As we navigate a period of a profound change in the Vietnamese workforces perspectives, the importance of a companys commitment to social and environmental responsibility becomes increasingly clear as a pivotal factor in employment decisions.

For organisations aiming to attract and retain the finest local talent, it is crucial to not only prioritise ethical practices and sustainability initiatives but to also demonstrate these commitments actively through tangible actions.

By fostering a culture that values ethical integrity and champions sustainability, businesses can position themselves not only as desirable workplaces but also as responsible contributors to society and the environment.  VNS
Paris  The ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the ien Bien Phu Victory, with the French Minister of Armed Forces in presence, has been widely covered in the French media as an action to recall the past but also look toward the future.

Major television channels, including TF1, France Info, Euronews, TV5 Monde, and France 24, all featured the event, which was held in ien Bien Province on May 7 morning (Viet Nam time), prominently. The first presence of French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu and Secretary of State for Veterans' Affairs and Memory Patricia Miralles at the ceremony was widely interpreted as a gesture of "reconciliation".

The daily Le Figaro, in an article published on May 7, detailed the solemn ceremony with the presence of Lecornu and Miralles, considering it evidence of ongoing reconciliation.

The magazine Le Nouvel Obs released a special issue reflecting on the history of the Indochina War and the impact of the ien Bien Phu battle. Its analysis delved into how the French defeat at ien Bien Phu ultimately hastened peace talks that led to the Geneva Accords.

It further noted that the French Minister of the Armed Forces' presence at the Vietnamese ceremony 70 years later signifies a strong desire to forge new and positive relationships, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, the newspaper l'Humanite viewed ien Bien Phu as a significant step in the process of decolonisation, a symbol of Viet Nam's liberation from the oppressive yoke of colonial rule and its successful struggle to reclaim national independence. VNS
A total of 45 new projects were granted investment certificates in Bac Ninh during that time, with total registered capital of $488 million. Meanwhile, the adjusted capital for 44 ongoing projects stood at about $409.1 million. However, 12 foreign-invested projects terminated operations with total registered investment of $18.68 million, according to Bac Ninh Industrial Parks Management Board.

In April alone, the province issued investment certificates for 12 projects and approved capital adjustments for 13 projects, with total new and adjusted capital of over $142.7 million.

In addition, 436 businesses resumed operations in the locality, an increase of 28.99 per cent on-year. Meanwhile, 1,092 businesses registered to suspend operations, up 25.09 per cent, 167 others implemented voluntary dissolution procedures, and 111 changed their types of operation.

Bac Ninh is home to 23,165 enterprises with total registered capital of more than VND403.9 trillion ($15.8 billion). Among them, 18,423 enterprises are operating with a total charter capital of more than VND367.1 trillion ($14.4 billion). The average registered capital per enterprise stands at VND19.93 billion ($784,377).

Big corporations that have built factories in Bac Ninh include Samsung, Foxconn, Canon, PepsiCo, Amkor, GoerTek, and VSIP. As a result, Bac Ninh has become a high-tech industrial centre in the northern region.

BW breaks ground for new logistics centre in Bac Ninh BW Industrial Development JSC, Vietnams leading industrial real estate developer, on January 25 opened a new logistics project in VSIP Bac Ninh 2 Industrial Park, marking the start of its development plan to kick off 12 new projects in 2024.

Victory Giant Technology to invest $800 million in Bac Ninh Victory Giant Technology is to invest in a high-precision, printed circuit boards project in the northern province of Bac Ninh, according Vuong Quoc Tuan, standing Deputy Chairman of Bac Ninh People's Committee following a meeting at the Chinese manufacturer's factory in Guangdong province on March 19, during Tuan's visit to the country.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has drafted a Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) decree, offering two models. One involves purchasing through private lines, and the other through the national grid, facilitated by EVN. This scheme would involve suppliers from renewable energy plants, including wind and solar, with capacities exceeding 10 megawatts if grid-connected, or without any capacity limitations for transactions over private lines.

A VCCI spokesperson emphasised the benefits of the proposed DPPA mechanism, stating, "It aims to effectively bridge the gap between supply and demand in renewable energy."

This initiative could rejuvenate numerous renewable projects that are currently languishing due to outdated feed-in tariff (FIT) pricing. It would also enable manufacturers, particularly exporters to developed countries, to meet their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) obligations within their supply chains.

The VCCI contends that the impact of direct transactions via private lines on the national electricity system would be negligible. Therefore, it is advocating for the expansion of this initiative to include not only large electricity consumers but all interested parties.

According to Vnexpress, Thai Nguyen Department of Industry and Trade has also called for a wider application of the policy. They pointed out that many rooftop solar installations are operational yet remain disconnected from the national grid due to the absence of clear regulatory guidance.

"Allowing these systems to sell directly to nearby consumers would reduce pressure on the electricity sector," commented a department spokesperson, noting that this would also minimise waste for owners of these systems.

Given the minimal system impact from transactions over private lines, the VCCI argues that aligning power source projects with national planning is unnecessary, so provisions are needed to prevent feedback into the grid.

The draft also requires that customers engaging in direct purchases invest in electrical infrastructure and manage their own operations. The VCCI suggests that these responsibilities could be subject to negotiation, potentially lying with the power generator or the customer, depending on the agreement.

The introduction of the DPPA model has been consistently advocated by foreign investors in Vietnam, who believe it would positively influence the energy sector's competitiveness. Large corporations such as Samsung, Heineken, and Nike, with average monthly consumptions well over 1,000,000 kilowatt-hours, are keen to participate.

According to a survey by the MoIT, about 20 large enterprises have expressed interest in direct power purchasing, demonstrating a combined demand of nearly 1,000MW. Furthermore, 24 renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 1,773MW are eager to sell electricity through the DPPA, with 17 additional projects contemplating participation, summing up to 2,836MW.

VCCI proposes zero tax rate to be maintained for exported services The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has proposed a zero-value added tax (VAT) rate to be maintained for exported services, over worries that tax hikes would undermine the competitiveness of Vietnamese providers against foreign rivals.
Cybersecurity was one of the hot topics raised by shareholders at SSI Securities Corporation's AGM on April 25. The topic was brought up following a cyberattack on Vietnamese brokerage VNDirect, causing the securities firm to temporarily suspend operations during the final week of March.

Nguyen Duy Hung, chairman of SSI Securities Corporation, said, SSI is paying special attention to cybersecurity. We require frequent password changes through numerous stages of monitoring. In a system like ours, the first thing is to have a supervisor to detect intruders. When they enter the system, we must eliminate them immediately.

"If a problem occurs, SSI must be able to start the backup system and speed up the recovery," he added.

At the AGM of PetroVietnam Oil Corporation (PVOIL) on April 26, the companys president and CEO Doan Van Nhuom, noted that, PVOIL suffered a ransomware attack on April 2, which caused the suspension of the e-invoice issuance system. PVOIL was quick to work with regulatory bodies and cybersecurity experts to address the issue."

To ensure petrol supplies, PVOIL used warehouse delivery and transportation notes. At the same time, the corporation and its members worked with authorities so that petrol tankers were connected during transportation, he added.

In the first quarter of 2024, Ho Chi Minh City suffered about 12.7 million cases of information gathering attacks and around 1,800 cases of malicious code. About 2,300 incidents of cyberattacks on information systems were recorded in Vietnam in the first quarter of 2024.

Tran Minh Quan, senior manager of digital trust and cybersecurity services at PwC Vietnam, told VIR, Ransomware attacks have been around for the past five years but started to soar during the pandemic. A number of companies suffered ransomware attacks with a small impact on PCs and individual information systems. However, these attacks didnt cause disruptions to the entire organisation, like those in the VNDirect and PVOIL incidents.

Systems are often compromised at weekends when IT and security teams are less vigilant. The potential targets for the recent attacks are energy and utility companies such as telecom operators, oil and gas firms, and electricity and water companies, which have a major impact on the country.

Quan suggested that businesses should invest in cybersecurity. Human resources also play an important role in ensuring the secure and resilient operation of the systems. Alternative approaches should be taken into consideration, such as outsourcing cybersecurity efforts, automation, and using AI to fill the shortage of cybersecurity personnel in Vietnam.

Mitigating cyber risks (hacking, ransomware, and surveillance) is a top priority for 2024, according to PwCs 2024 Global Digital Trust Insights survey. Once malicious actors break into systems and networks, they often wreak havoc in as many ways as possible.

What may start as a cloud breach could very well become an advanced persistent threat as bad actors lurk inside your system, collecting data and looking for other ways to do harm. They might exfiltrate businesses data, then launch a ransomware attack, and leak the data, even if businesses pay the ransom.

Any one of these incidents would be problematic on its own. Taken all together, they can devastate your business operations and your reputation. Mega breaches are increasing in number, scale, and cost. The percentage of those reporting costs of $1 million or more for their worst breach in the past three years rose to 36 per cent from 27 per cent last year, PwC noted in the survey.

How companies can ramp up cybersecurity protections As Vietnams digital economy grows, so does the bullseye for cybercriminals. Cyberattacks - numbering approximately 13,900 - have rippled through Vietnams systems, seizing more than 83,000 computers and servers with encryption ransomware in the past five years.

A clear path for Vietnams robust growth The Asia-Pacific region unfurls a nuanced economic landscape, presenting a fusion of risks and opportunities. Nguyen Luong Hien, partner of Deals Strategy at PwC Vietnam, outlines Vietnams economic prospects for 2024.
While it may still be relatively unfamiliar to many Vietnamese businesses, major markets around the world have started implementing policies to make ESG a mandatory compliance standard for companies.

Starting from 2022, companies with over 500 employees in the United Kingdom are obligated to report on ESG issues under the Sustainable Disclosure Requirements (SDR), as reported by Reuters.

Notably, Germany has also passed the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which requires large companies to adhere to criteria related to environmental, social, and governance aspects of their supply chain operations. Companies found to be non-compliant may face fines, or more significantly, suppliers may be excluded from the supply chain if violations occur.

In January 2023, the European Union (EU) officially announced the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, which will be effective across the entire region and could impact approximately 50,000 large entities listed in the EU.

In the United States, while there are no specific regulations regarding ESG or sustainable development, there are regulations targeting human rights violations and human trafficking. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has also been drafting rules that require companies to provide information on environmental and climate change matters.

Vietnam cannot stand outside the current trend where major markets like the EU and the US are applying ESG standards in global production and trade.

Over two-thirds of trade experts participating in the Reuters survey stated that they always consider ESG issues before deciding to collaborate with suppliers.

Amidst the restructuring of the global supply chain, Vietnam has emerged as one of the countries with significant opportunities for breakthroughs, thanks to its strengths in resources and human capital.

Vietnamese businesses must recognise the regulations related to ESG if they wish to continue participating in major markets; otherwise they may lose the potential for integration into the global value chain. Companies that meet ESG standards also increase their opportunities to access long-term investment capital, thereby establishing long-lasting partnerships.

At COP 28, theVietnamese government reaffirmed its commitment to achieving net zero by 2050. Vietnam has also approved a national green growth strategy, seeking to engage domestic businesses in sustainable development.

According to the ESG report published by PwC in 2022, the readiness level of Vietnamese businesses is promising. The report indicates that 80 per cent of surveyed companies have plans to commit to ESG within the next two to four years.

The main reasons for this can be attributed to three key drivers: complying with local regulations, enhancing the value of businesses, and minimizing reputation-related risks. Many ESG criteria related to the supply chain, such as carbon emissions, labour rights, anti-corruption measures, and sustainable supplies, require trade experts to engage in company ESG initiatives.

The Reuters report also indicates that over half of the surveyed companies are collecting data on health and safety (54 per cent), labour practices within the company (51 per cent), supplier ethical business conduct (48 per cent), and carbon emissions (47 per cent)

Therefore, it is crucial for Vietnamese businesses to quickly integrate ESG into their sustainable development strategies, turning ESG into a driving force for growth, enhancing their competitive capabilities when participating in the global trade flow.
FiinRatings, a financial data, business information, and industry research company, has noted that during a period of uncertainty from 2021-2023 industrial real estate developers had stable business, mirrored through high occupancy rate at their industrial parks (IPs). By the end of Q1 of 2024, the country was home to 418 IPs, including four export processing zones. Of which 298 IPs have become operational and 120 IPs are under construction.

Operating IPs report occupancy rate surpassing 75 per cent, with those located in northern key localities having leased rate reaching 82 per cent, and those located in key southern localities had a leased rate touching 92 per cent.

My big mistake is solely focusing on urban area development, while neglecting IP ventures, having wasted significant income sources. The opportunities are coming, now, in the face of eco IP development. We would lag behind if not striving to avail of the opportunity. All urban zones are now being oriented to follow such development orientation, said Nguyen Thien Tuan, chairman of the Board of Directors at Development Investment Construction Corporation (DIC Corp) at the companys 2024 annual general shareholders meeting on April 26.

Eying the huge potential of industrial real estate segment, Tuan unveiled that the company is paying attention to four land areas set for IP development.

This includes a 1,000-hectare Chau Duc II area included 400ha set for urban zone development in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau; a 270ha Pham Van Hai area in Ho Chi Minh City, a 400ha area belonging to Hang Gon industrial zone in the later part of Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway in Dong Nai province, and a land area belonging to Long Son IP also in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

We will focus on developing the eco IP model. The leasing rate might go up one and a half, and even be doubled if we succeeded in turning existing IPs into eco IPs, said Tuan.

Similarly, Saigon Thuong Tin Real Estate JSC (TTC Land) is set to expand into industrial real estate and logistics services in the southern region in the forthcoming period.

The move is expected to help the company develop sustainably.

Vietnam Construction Import-Export Corporation aims to deepen its roots in the industrial real estate segment as this March the company got the greenlight for infrastructure development at Dong Anh IP in Hanois suburbs over nearly 300ha space with a total investment value reaching $264 million.

Investment would follow two phases, with phase 1 embracing 179ha area, and phase 2 around 120ha area.

Son Ha Group marked official debut on industrial real estate field last year when the company kicked-off the construction of SHI IP Tam Duong in the northern province of Vinh Phuc last April.

This 162ha IP worth $65.6 million in total investment value marks Son Has investment expansion as the company has become well-known as a leading stainless steel water tank maker in Vietnam.

Nguyen Van Dinh, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Realtors revealed that in Q1 of this year, the real estate market welcomed a string of new IP projects, either having their investment policies approved, or commencing successive stages.

Industrial real estate continues to be a stellar point in the realty market this year and beyond, said Dinh.

New capital sources for real estate must be unlocked The real estate market not only needs solutions from credit and corporate bonds, but most importantly, it must open up capital flows from society, from investors and home buyers.

Industrial real estate emerges out of storm The industrial real estate segment has emerged as a driver of the property market after sailing through the economic storm last year thanks to the foreign direct investment (FDI) influx, experts have said.
Secretary of Thai Binh Party Committee Ngo Dong Hai set the deadline at a meeting last week with Japans Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. and Vietnams Truong Thanh Vietnam Group, two of three partners in a joint venture named Thai Binh LNG Power JSC  the investor.

The province has also set a target to complete administrative procedures by the second quarter of 2025 for further development.

To meet these deadlines, the investor proposed the involvement of all relevant authorities to resolve issues relating to land, site clearance, materials, and investment procedures.

At present, the joint venture is working on a pre-feasibility report and paying compensation for impacted households. The investor is also preparing procedures to hand over land and complete a power purchase contract and environmental assessment report.

Hai said that the investors should make long-term plans to ensure gas supplies and expand the plants capacity if possible. Thai Binh will support Tokyo Gas in researching and developing offshore wind power projects, in line with the provinces target of becoming a zero-carbon green energy hub.

Thai Binh Party Committee gave an in-principle nod to the $2 billion LNG Thai Binh thermal power plant in Thai Thuy district in December 2023, tasking the local authorities with completing legal procedures for the project.

In the same month, the joint venture was handed an investment certificate for the project at the Vietnam-Japan Economic Forum held in Tokyo during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Japan in December 2023.

The project is the biggest foreign-invested project in Thai Binh so far. It is estimated the project will provide approximately 10 billion kWh per year to the national grid, supplying electricity to the northern region and contributing to national energy security.

Taiwanese firm breaks ground on 45 mln USD computer plant in Thai Binh Good Way Cayman Co. Ltd. from Taiwan (China) held a groundbreaking ceremony for a large-scale plant manufacturing computers and their peripheral equipment at the Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park in the northern province of Thai Binh on February 19.

Thai Binh to host $2 billion LNG project The Thai Binh liquefied natural gas (LNG) project is located in Thai Binh Economic Zone, and will have a designed capacity of 1500MW. The investment consortium behind the project is responsible for nearly $2 billion in funding and consists of Tokyo Gas, Kyuden, and Truong Thanh Vietnam Group.

Thai Binh boosts investment, trade cooperation with Germany A delegation from the northern province of Thai Binh, led by Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Khac Than, visited several localities and business organisations in Germany from March 25 to 27, in a bid to enhance trade cooperation with and attract direct investment from the European nation.

Thai billionaire plans factory to extract gold from electronic waste in Binh Dinh Thai billionaire Peter Palanugool has expressed an interest in developing a project to process gold from electronic waste in the central province of Binh Dinh.
The Dien Bien Phu Victory has gone down in national and world history as a prominent feat that smashed the stronghold of the French colonial system of imperialism.

Despite rain in the early morning, thousands of people and tourists gathered at Dien Bien Stadium to join the event, which was opened by a flag-raising ceremony, followed by a 21-gun salute, a military parade, and a procession of civil forces.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered a speech at the 70th Dien Bien Phu Victory anniversary

A military parade was the highlight of the 70th anniversary

A display of nine helicopters carrying national and Party flags flew over the stadium

The ceremony recreated the heroic spirit of the famous victory, which resounded throughout the five continents and was world-shaking

Female Vietnamese United Nations peacekeeping force joined the parade

Armed forces of the Vietnam People's Army participated in the parade

The women's military band

Vietnams first cavalry mobile police force

Pack-bikes were used to transport supplies for the Dien Bien Phu campaign

The military parade and the procession of civil forces gathered over 12,000 people

Dien Bien Phu Campaign: A brief summary The Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1954 stands out as a remarkable epic of the people's war, making its mark in history as a shining triumph that smashed the stronghold of imperial colonialism.

Dien Bien Phu Victory celebrated in France The Vietnamese Embassy in France has organised a ceremony in Paris to mark the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory with the participation of scholars, researchers, Vietnamese people, and French friends.
The Xoe dance journey commenced at Muong Thanh Grand Hotel in Dien Bien Phu, extending across provinces nationwide, reaching the islands Ly Son and Phu Quoc, crossing the border into Laos, and culminating in the capital city of Hanoi. Following this unparalleled performance, Muong Thanh Group was officially acknowledged by the Vietnam Record Association for the Muong Thanh Circle - the largest simultaneous Thai Xoe dance performance across the most locations.

Nguyen Van Hung, deputy general director of Muong Thanh Group, received the record certificate

At the record ceremony, Nguyen Van Hung, deputy general director of Muong Thanh Group, shared, "The Muong Thanh Circle Thai Xoe dance was an initiative born from the desire to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, and a testament to Muong Thanh Group's commitment to preserving and developing Vietnamese culture, a mission we have diligently pursued for over 30 years. Through this endeavour, we aim to convey a message of appreciation and consciousness regarding the preservation of our country's historical and cultural values."

The performances involved over 2,000 Muong Thanh Group employees, spanning from May 2 to 7 in 42 locations, including hotels and affiliated units nationwide and in Laos.

Simultaneous Thai Xoe Dance in Hanoi

Through the event, Muong Thanh Group was aiming to widely promote the unique cultural beauty of the Northwest region and Vietnam as a whole to domestic and international audiences, thereby conveying a message of heritage preservation and the appreciation of cultural and historical values to present-day generations.

This special initiative allowed locals and visitors nationwide to enjoy Thai Xoe dance performances at various public venues, immersing themselves in the festive atmosphere with a Northwest vibe, and provided local communities with an opportunity to gain deeper insights into Vietnam's UNESCO-recognised Thai Xoe Dance heritage.

The Vietnam Record Association noted that in its over 30-year history of establishment and development, Muong Thanh Group has set numerous prestigious records, notably including the certification by the Indochina Record Association for "The Largest Private Hotel Chain in Indochina".

The record adds another remarkable milestone to Muong Thanh Group's impressive collection.

Muong Thanh New Year welcomes spring to the northwest At a time when ban flowers, the distinctive blossoms of the northwestern mountains, are in full bloom, thousands of Muong Thanh Group employees across the country earnestly prepare for their own traditional new year celebration.

Muong Thanh captures New Year's splendour in the northwest To commemorate the New Year holiday in the northwest, Muong Thanh Group is hosting a series of cultural events that reflect Vietnam's inherent splendour.
Samsung to buy French medical AI firm Sonio, photo: Jung Yeon-je / AFP

The use of AI has exploded in recent years in a wide range of disciplines and industries, including medical care, and firms around the world are investing heavily to incorporate it into their products.

The purchase of Sonio by medical equipment maker Samsung Medison, an affiliate of global chip and smartphone giant Samsung Electronics, would boost maternal care through AI-enhanced ultrasound systems, according to a company statement.

"Collaboration with Sonio will bring together best-in-class ultrasound AI technology and reporting capabilities to bring a paradigm shift in the prenatal ultrasound exam," said Yong Kwan Kim, CEO of Samsung Medison.

Samsung will acquire all Sonio's shares for 126 billion won (around $92 million), according to public financial records.

The deal is subject to regulatory approvals including from France. Once it is concluded, Sonio will remain headquartered in France.

"In addition to close collaboration with Samsung Medison, as an independent company, Sonio will continue to advance medical reporting technology and diagnostic software globally, including for underserved areas in healthcare," Sonio CEO Cecile Brosset said.

Sonio's AI tech uses machine learning to enhance the accuracy, quality and analysis of ultrasounds.

Its Sonio Detect product, approved for use in the United States, helps analyse images of a fetus, including brain and heart structures.

The acquisition marks the latest move by Samsung to strengthen its AI offerings.

Samsung Electronics is the world's biggest producer of memory chips, including versions used in top-of-the-line AI hardware from industry leaders such as Nvidia.

The firm is also one of the world's biggest smartphone makers, and the latest models it unveiled in January are powered by its own Galaxy AI tech.

Samsung Electronics expects 10-fold rise in Q1 profit Samsung Electronics said Friday it expects first-quarter operating profits to rise more than 10-fold year on year as chip prices recover.

Samsung returns to top of the smartphone market: industry tracker Samsung regained its position as the top smartphone seller, wresting back the lead from Apple as Chinese rivals close the gap on both market leaders, industry tracker International Data Corporation (IDC) reported Monday.
Price hikes on routes such as Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to/from Danang, Hanoi to Phu Quoc, and Hanoi to Nha Trang now range from 3 per cent to 49.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

Despite these increases, the CAAV said the fares still comply with current regulations governing passenger transport pricing.

According to the authority, the spike in airfares is attributed to a series of global and local factors, primarily driven by high fuel costs.

As of April 16, the price of Jet A1 fuel in Asia stood at $100.25 per barrel, representing a 56.55 per cent increase in fuel costs for Vietnamese airlines since December 2014, and a 74.27 per cent rise since September 2015, when the current fare cap was introduced.

Furthermore, a substantial 8 per cent appreciation in the USD/VND exchange rate in April 2024 compared to April 2023 has pushed costs up nearly 6 per cent for airlines, as 75 per cent of their expenses are paid in foreign currencies.

Fleet dynamics have also shifted, with the total aircraft count dropping to 199, a reduction of 32 from the previous year, largely due to Pratt & Whitney's recall of PW1100 engines for inspections and repairs.

This issue has particularly affected Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, which have both grounded several Airbus A321 NEOs.

Moreover, leasing and operational costs, primarily in USD, have risen sharply. The leasing cost for an Airbus A321 engine jumped from $48,000-$50,000 in 2019 to $80,000-$100,000 in 2024, and for Boeing 787s from $160,000 per month in 2022 to $370,000 in 2024.

The cost of spare parts has also increased by 10 to 13 per cent since before 2019. These factors, combined with a reduction in available aircraft, have led to higher ticket prices, especially during peak travel periods such as holidays and festivals.

This trend is expected to intensify during the summer of 2024, continuing to pressure domestic airfare prices, particularly on routes to popular tourist destinations.

Meanwhile, Vietnam Airports Corporation has stated that service fees charged per flight constitute only a minor fraction of the total airfare imposed by airlines. The corporation also refuted claims that airports are generating trillions of VND in profits from elevated taxes and fees, which are purportedly driving up the cost of air tickets.
The official plan was announced at a conference on May 5, attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The list includes six urban areas, 15 residential housing projects, 10 commercial and service areas and markets, nine agricultural projects, and three tourism projects. There are also a number of projects in the fields of education, transportation, sports, urban wastewater collection and treatment, and urban water supply.

Some large-scale projects are the 175 -hectare urban service area and the 266ha urban area next to Ba Den Mountain National Tourist Area.

Another project is growing medicinal herbs under the forest canopy combined with ecotourism and medical services in Hoa Hoi commune, Chau Thanh district. The city is also luring investment for a high-tech livestock farming area in Tan Hoi and Tan Ha communes of Tan Chau district.

According to Nguyen Thanh Ngoc, Chairman of Tay Ninh Peoples Committee, the provinces official planning for the 20212030 period, has opened up new paths, visions, and space developments, creating driving forces for Tay Ninh.

By 2030, Tay Ninh is expected to be a dynamically developed, civilised locality that can adapt well to climate change. By 2050, Tay Ninh will become a province with a developed economy based on clean industries and high-tech agriculture.

Tay Ninh has many potentials and advantages for development. Specifically, Tay Ninh is located in the southeast region, which is the economic engine of the country. Tay Ninh is a border province holding an important geopolitical position in terms of defence, security, and foreign affairs of the country.

The province also plays a role in connecting the Central Highlands provinces with the southeast region, while linking the Mekong Delta with the southeast and the trans-Asia economic corridor.

The area has great potential for border economic development, especially when trade with Cambodia is increasing rapidly. Tay Ninh acts as a direct and indirect connection point with a number of Southeast Asian countries.

Tay Ninh to lease 1,544ha of forest environment for eco-tourism The Peoples Committee of Tay Ninh Province has agreed to lease a special-purpose forest environment in sub-zone 66 in Thanh Tan Communes Nui Ba Historical-Cultural Park (Ba Den Mountain) to develop eco-tourism.

Largest solar power plant in VN, Asia to be built in Tay Ninh The groundbreaking ceremony of Dau Tieng 1 and Dau Tieng 2 solar power plants, worth VND9,100 billion will be held on June 23 in the southern province of Tay Ninh.

Cambodian arrested for smuggling meth via Moc Bai border gate Customs officers arrested a Cambodian woman for attempting to smuggle five kilogrammes of crystal methaphetamine into Vietnam through Moc Bai international border gate in the southwestern province of Tay Ninh on October 27.
Le Cong Nang, CEO of outbound travel firm WonderTour, said, "By the end of April, our revenue for the year was equal to 30 per cent of the whole of 2023, even before the peak summer season, and autumn is also predicted to be strong this year. We have also received requests to open several student camp programmes at home and abroad."

With travel restrictions normalised post-COVID, a more open visa policy, an economic rebound, and China's reopening, the Vietnamese tourism industry is pinning its hopes on a robust rebound in the number of international visitors this year.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has set a target of welcoming 17-18 million foreign visitors in 2024 compared to 12.6 million last year, along with 110 million local tourists, which would represent a complete rebound to pre-COVID times from 2025.

Notwithstanding, many businesses in the sector are prudent in setting business targets this year.

Vietravel is targeting a little over $288 million in revenue and $2.8 million in post-tax profit for 2024, up 16 per cent in revenue, yet down 15 per cent in profit, on-year.

Similarly, BenThanh Tourist Service Corporation is eyeing a modest $43 million in revenue and more than $1.3 million in post-tax profit, up 10 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively.

A company source revealed that the companys business would depend heavily on the governments policies, solutions, and how the market reacts with them, so that business solutions need to be flexible.

At BenThanh Tourist's AGM in late April, shareholder approval was sought for the board of directors to be able to revise the business plan when necessary, as well as restructure investment ventures outside of Ho Chi Minh City to boost efficiency.

In Q1 of this year, Ben Thanh Tourist raked in $7.3 million in revenue and $275,000 in post-tax profit, up 16.8 per cent and 13.7 per cent, respectively. With such results, the company has fulfilled 17 per cent of full-year revenue and 20.7 per cent of full-year profit targets.

At Thanh Cong Tourism JSC, the companys 2024 AGM in late April just approved its business plans for this year, with $5.8 million in revenue and $225,000 in profit, down 41 per cent and 70 per cent respectively compared to 2023s implemented figures.

At Cao Bang Bang Giang Travel and Trading JSC (Vimico), the company aims to post $666,670 in revenue and $50,000 in post-tax profit in 2024, a slight improvement compared to 2023.

However, a Vimico source shares that the companys business is less optimistic in the year to date.

In Q1 of this year, the company saw a dip in the number of visitors who booked their rooms, meanwhile Q2 is often a rainy season, which might affect the quality of their services due to still modest investment in accommodation improvements.

In addition, new offerings of businesses in the sector have been increasingly diversified, which is also a factor challenging the companys operation.

Ben Thanh Tourist said that besides upbeat signals about the rebound of the tourism industry as well as the global economy, global geopolitical uncertainties are a cause of concern.

In addition, the price competition in the sector will become stiffer, with surging expenses on discounts and promotions to entice customers, all leading to shrinking profit margins.

A spike in ticket prices on local routes also casts a big impact on the travel industry. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam forecasts a drop of 10.5 per cent on-year in the number of local passengers at Vietnamese airports in 2024.

Exporters struggle with escalating shipping costs Undergoing turbulent an 2023 with fewer order, sinking revenues, and reduced profits, exporters are facing further obstacles from early 2024 amidst the soaring shipping costs.

Travel firms are taking sustainability seriously Many travel companies and operators are implementing their responsibility to the environment, domestic heritage and community to drive forward sustainable development.
Geneva  A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet attended a dialogue on Vietnam's national report under the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)s fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism in Geneva on May 7.

Vietnams human rights record hailed at UN review

In his opening speech and presentation of Vietnam's national report, Viet expressed the pride in engaging in the dialogue with other countries on the day of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, at the UN headquarters which witnessed the negotiation and signing of the 1954 Geneva Accords, and significant historical events in the national liberation struggle and anti-imperialist fight of the Vietnamese people and many other nations around the world.

Affirming Vietnam's consistent policy of protecting and promoting human rights, placing people at the centre, goal and driving force of its renewal and development process, he highlighted Vietnam's journey from a poor country to one of the fastest-growing economies deeply integrated into the global community.

Since the third UPR in 2019, Vietnam has continued fine-tuning its legal system and policies regarding human rights, leading to tangible progress. The rights to healthcare, education, social security, freedom of religion and belief, press freedom, and Internet access and gender equality have all made significant progress. Vietnam's rankings in the UN's Human Development Index (HDI) and Gender Equality Index (GEI) have also improved, he said.

He further added that the Vietnamese Government has enforced many policies and measures to protect people's health, boost post-pandemic socio-economic development, actively promote the transition to a green and digital economy, and fulfill Vietnam's commitments in line with international human rights conventions.

The event garnered high interest from over 130 participating countries. They congratulated Vietnam on its 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory and acknowledged its achievements in human rights, economic development, social justice and human rights education.

The Vietnamese delegation answered many questions, providing additional information about issues of shared concern, including sustainable development goals, inclusive and green economy, Internet and social network development, freedom of speech and information access, labour rights, the role of the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuracy, freedom of religion and belief, basic conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), human trafficking prevention and support for ethnic minorities.

At the dialogue, Vietnam received about 300 recommendations encompassing a wide range of human rights issues.

On May 10, the UNHRC's UPR Working Group will consider a report on Vietnam's review, and then to submit it to the UNHRC for the official adoption at the council's 57th session in September-October.

UNDP Administrator congratulates Vietnam on human development achievements Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Achim Steiner has congratulated Vietnam on many important achievements in human development it has obtained over the recent past.
Coalition of Christian Leaders Calls on Churches to 'Pray For & Stand With Israel' on Sunday, May 19 NEWS PROVIDED BY

Family Research Council

May 8, 2024



WASHINGTON, May 8, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- Family Research Council, along with a coalition of organizations, is encouraging churches nationwide to Pray For & Stand With Israel. The event is meant as a call for the Christian community to unite in prayer and stand in unwavering support for Israel on Sunday, May 19, by dedicating a portion of their worship services to pray for Israel's peace, prosperity, and protection.



Family Research Council President Tony Perkins commented: "During a recent visit to Israel, where I met with survivors of the October 7 attack and family members of the hostages, I also had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and engage in discussions regarding the current challenges facing the nation. Among the many topics discussed, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed an urgent need for Americans who support Israel to visibly show their support. We discussed the importance of solidarity and prayer as powerful expressions of support that can make a meaningful difference in the relationship between the United States and Israel.



"It is abundantly clear that in light of the challenges and complexities facing Israel--both politically and spiritually--it is imperative that we, as leaders within the Christian community, come together to demonstrate our unwavering support for Israel anchored in the word of God. With this goal in mind, I propose that we call upon Bible-believing churches nationwide to pray for and stand with Israel collectively on Sunday, May 19, by dedicating a portion of their Sunday services to pray for Israel's peace, prosperity, and protection," Perkins concluded. WHO: Tony Perkins, Family Research Council Michele Bachmann, Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast Mario Bramnick, Latino Coalition for Israel Dr. Tim Clinton, American Association of Christian Counselors Chad Connelly, Faith Wins Craig DeRoche, Family Policy Alliance Carlos Duran, National Hispanic Pastors Alliance Jentezen Franklin, Free Chapel Dr. Jack Graham, Prestonwood Baptist Church Gary Hamrick, Cornerstone Chapel Jack Hibbs, Calvary Chapel Chino Hills Skip Heitzig, Calvary Church Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands Cindy Jacobs, Generals International Robert Morris, Gateway Church Tim Wildmon, American Family Association WHAT: Pray For & Stand With Israel WHEN: Sunday, May, 19, 2024 WHERE: To find out more and sign up to participate, please see: https://prayandstand.com/. SOURCE Family Research Council



CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Alice Chao, (866) FRC-NEWS or (866)-372-6397



Share Tweet
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas health insurance officials said Baylor Scott & White Health officials have notified them the health care provider will terminate its physician and hospital agreements July 1, unless the agreements are modified.

If Blue Cross Blue Shield does not sign new contracts, Baylor Scott & White doctors, hospitals and other facilities would not be in Blue Cross Blue Shield members network. Blue Cross Blue Shield officials said alternative network providers include ParPlan, Blue Choice PPOSM, Blue EssentialsSM, Blue PremierSM, Blue Advantage HMOSM, BlueHPN, Blue Cross Medicare Advantage SM and Medicaid.

We have a long and positive relationship with BSW, but you are our priority, Blue Cross Blue Shield officials wrote in a message to customers on their website. We want to reach an agreement that will continue to give you access to BSW doctors and hospitals at fair prices.

The Eagle has reached out to Baylor Scott & White officials for comment.
CEDAR FALLS -- The Cedar Valley Civil War Roundtable will meet at 7 p.m. May 16 at Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, 317 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls.

Carolyn and John Richard, Hazel Green, Wisconsin, will present the program on the 3rd Iowa Light Artillery, known as the Dubuque Battery. The battery distinguished itself at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and many other battles stabilizing Missouri and Arkansas for the Union.

The meeting will be in person and available via Zoom. Roundtable meetings are open to anyone interested in the American Civil War. For further information email: cvcwrt9@yahoo.org or check the website: cvcwrt.org.
WATERLOO  A man running from police jumped in the Cedar River in an attempt to escape early Wednesday morning.

Waterloo firefighters ended up rescuing him from the water. He was taken to a local hospital and then turned over to police.

The incident started shortly before 2:50 a.m. when officers saw Christopher Allen Peak, 33, in a vehicle in the 400 block of Sycamore Street. He had a warrant for a parole violation in another matter.

When officers approached, Peak ran off on foot, making his way to the Park Avenue Bridge construction project, police said. Peak then jumped into the river and was able to grab onto the safety chains extending down from the bridge.

He continued to hold on until crews with Waterloo Fire Rescue arrived and tossed him a rope and brought him ashore.

This is the second time Peak has fallen into peril while fleeing police.

On April 19, officers attempted to detain him on warrants at Suburban Studios, 2056 La Porte Road. He jumped from a third-story window in an attempt to get away and injured himself, according to court records.
WATERLOO  A jury has found a former Denver man guilty of a lesser charge in a 2022 fire that claimed the life of his long-time friend.

Jurors began deliberating around noon and around 2:30 p.m. announced they found John Walter Spooner, 61, guilty of involuntary manslaughter. He had been charged with first-degree murder.

He faces up to five years in prison. Sentencing will be at a later date.

Spooners attorney said there is no evidence Spooner wanted his friend dead.

There were no disputes, no ill will, defense attorney Nichole Watt told jurors on Wednesday during closing arguments in Spooners trial.

Prosecutors allege Spooner acted with malice when he used gasoline to light a fire on the front porch of Tony Griders East Second Street home.

Grider suffered a lethal dose of carbon monoxide and burns over 30% of his body. He was pronounced dead within an hour of arriving at the hospital.

Watt said there was plenty of reasonable doubt in the case  a defense expert said he concluded the fire started in the living room possibly with an electrical short of a discarded cigarette butt, another person had confessed to police he set the fire but was discounted by investigators, others were in and out of the home.

Assistant County Attorney Charity Sullivan said the jury could infer Spooner acted with malice because he knew people were inside, and the fire was set on the front porch next to the homes main entrance (a back door was nailed shut to keep the dog from escaping, and a third entrance involved going through the basement).

The only person holding a gas can of any type was Mr. Spooner, Sullivan said.

Shortly before the fire, a neighbor noticed Spooner outside pacing, flicking a lighter and saying blow it up, get out while you can, and I did what I had to do.

After that, surveillance video showed Spooner walk up to the house where he stayed for a few minutes before tossing a gas can into the street. He walked back to the street and swung around the can while facing the house. After about six minutes, he then tossed the gas can and walked off camera. Smoke could be seen coming from the area of the house, followed by flames.

Investigators said samples from the porch deck showed traces of gasoline, but experts said the gasoline found on the porch samples didnt match liquid gasoline from the gas can.

During trial, Spooner took the stand and said he had left the house to get a cigarette lighter and found a small ring of fire burning on the porch. He said he put out the flames, walked back across the street and later noticed a second fire, which was too intense to put out.

Sullivan pointed out that Spooners original account to police mentioned only one fire.

Spooner had earlier been found guilty of first-degree arson in another trial in connection with the fire.

Photos: House Fire, East 2nd St., Aug. 19, 2022 081922jr-fire-e2nd- 081922jr-fire-e2nd-1 081922jr-fire-e2nd-3 081922jr-fire-e2nd-4 081922jr-fire-e2nd-5 081922jr-fire-e2nd-6 111722jr-arson-verdict-2
WATERLOO  The Board of Education has approved its first union contract and is in the bargaining process for another two.

The three-year agreement between the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2749 and the Waterloo Community School District received approval during a special meeting last week. The union represents 213 district staff members in areas including custodial, maintenance, food service and campus monitors.

Every worker will receive a 60 cent raise in their hourly base wage, a 3.01% increase.

Wages on the new salary schedules range from $18.98 to $29.37 per hour depending on position and years with the district. There are additional hourly increases based on job certifications and leadership roles that generally range from 10 cents to $1. Each salary schedule also includes a 1 cent hourly increase annually for longevity after three years of continuous service.

The base wages will reopen in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. The approved contract was AFSCMEs initial offer.

The Waterloo Education Association  which represents 840 teachers, counselors and family support workers  has come to a tentative agreement with the district. The tentative agreement has not been made public.

The WEA initially proposed a five-year contract with a base wage raise of $1,600, an approximately 12% increase. Negotiators cited legislation that increases minimum pay for teachers.

The current starting wage for someone with a bachelors degree and no prior professional experience is $48,000. The top of the wage scale for someone with 15 years of experience, a masters degree and 45 additional credits is $84,096. There are additional longevity increases of $450-$1,650 per year for employees with 18-23 years of experience.

The new law increases the minimum pay for beginning teachers from $33,500 to $47,500 in the coming school year and to $50,000 in 2025-26. It also sets a minimum salary of $60,000 for teachers with at least 12 years of experience and would increase that to a minimum of $62,000 in two years.

The state will allocate $63.4 million during the coming school year for teacher and education support personnel salaries and $83.2 million for the 2025-26 school year, according to a Legislative Services Agency fiscal note.

The proposal also asked for the district to expand the WEA contract to include language for potential situations that may arise and would not be subject to individual interpretation. That permissive language was previously removed after state law changed in 2017, reducing the requirements for public employee contracts. The districts current contract is eight pages long while other similarly-sized districts have contracts of more than 40 pages.

The district countered the proposal with an offer to boost the base wage by $60 and advancement for another year of experience in a one-year contract, a 2.04% total package increase. No additional contract language was proposed.

The Waterloo Education Support Personnel  which covers 461 secretaries, home school workers, clerk typists, paraeducators, study hall monitors and behavior intervention specialists  has also come to a tentative agreement.

The WESPs initial proposal was for a five-year contract with a base pay increase of 65 cents per hour and advancement for experience each year. At the end of five years, starting pay for paraeducators would be $20 per hour. It also included adding back into the contract all permissive topics of bargaining.

The current salary range is $16.73 to $18.04 per hour on the eight-step schedule. There are longevity increases of 8 cents per hour for each year after that and another 50 cents per hour every four years.

Differential rates of 25 cents to $1.35 per hour are added based on position. There are also incentives of 25-65 cents per hour for educational advancement.

The districts initial proposal to the union was for a one-year contract with a 30 cent per hour across-the-board raise, a 2.07% based wage increase.

Anthony Spurgetis, Waterloo Schools chief human resources officer, said both of the tentative agreements are expected to come before the board for approval on Monday.

How the US minimum wage compares to other countries How the US minimum wage compares to other countries Across continents, minimum wages are higher than in the US Some states surge ahead How the US minimum wage compares to other countries
FRANKFURT, Germany  In the latest round of their decades-long battle for dominance in commercial aircraft, Europes Airbus established a clear sales lead over Boeing even before the American company encountered more fallout from manufacturing problems and ongoing safety concerns.

Airbus has outpaced Boeing for five straight years in plane orders and deliveries, and just reported a 28% quarterly increase in net profit. It was already winning market share by beating Boeing to develop a line of fuel-efficient, mid-sized aircraft that are cheaper for airlines to fly.

And now Boeing is facing a government-mandated production cap on its best-selling plane.

Yet the European company is unlikely to extend its advantage in the Airbus-Boeing duopoly much further despite having customers clamoring for more commercial aircraft, according to aviation analysts. The reason: Airbus already is making planes as fast as it can and has a backlog of more than 8,600 orders to fill.

Its ability to leverage Boeings troubles therefore is very limited, according to Jonathan Berger, managing director at Alton Aviation Consultancy. Between strained supply chains and the long lead times for a hugely complex and highly regulated product, a jetliner ordered from Airbus today may not arrive until the end of the decade.

Boeing also has a huge order backlog for more than 5,660 commercial planes. The mismatch between the post-COVID demand for flights and the aircraft supply pipeline is bad news for travelers as well as airlines.

This has been an incredibly strong market recovery, and people need more jets than theyre getting, said Richard Aboulafia, a managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory. And until they get those jets, you dont have enough capacity. Guess what goes up? Ticket prices.

At the beginning of the year, Boeing seemed finally to be recovering from two crashes of Max jets in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Then, on Jan. 5, a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9, and the company has been reeling ever since.

Boeing has since slowed manufacturing at the order of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. It lost $355 million in the first quarter because of a decline in aircraft deliveries and compensation it paid to airlines for a temporary grounding of Max 9s. The Max was Boeings answer to Airbus A320 family of planes.

Airbus, which is registered in the Netherlands but has its main headquarters in France, is taking a conspicuously cautious and even modest stance toward its recent success and its rivals woes. CEO Guillaume Faury has said hes not happy about Boeings troubles and theyre not good for the industry as a whole.

In an April 25 call with journalists, Faury was reserved about how much the company could speed up production, even with 8.7 billion euros in cash on hand. Airbus was managing a diversity of challenges in getting the parts it needs, he said, and must make sure that we ramp up at a pace that is compatible with the weakest suppliers.

Faury stressed that any moves to expand production would be done with an eye to our core pillars of safety, quality, integrity, compliance and security.

Airbus and Boeing have manufacturing constraints in part because the two companies are not so much aircraft makers as aircraft assemblers that rely on thousands of parts made by other companies, from the fuselage and engines to electronics and interiors, Alton Aviation's Berger noted. Since the supply chains are going as fast as they can, Airbus is not in a position to swoop in and take Boeing's customers.

The European company scored a symbolic win, however, when United Airlines lined up leases for 35 Airbus jets because of delays that Boeing faces in getting its new, larger Max 10 approved by U.S. regulators.

Given that, Airbus is playing it well. Theyre being very, very humble. Its smart because they cant exploit it, Berger said.

Airbus last year topped Boeing for the fifth straight year in the orders race, with 2,094 net orders and 735 delivered planes. Boeing had 1,314 net orders and delivered 528 aircraft.

Airbus currently leads Boeing in sales of large single-aisle planes 80%-20%, according to figures from Alton Aviation Consultancy. The matchup between the smaller Airbus A320 and Boeings 737 Max 7 and Max 8 is more even; Airbus is ahead on delivered planes but Boeing is ahead 54%-46% when the European company's order backlog is counted.

Airbus' success is not just due to Boeing's missteps. The company is benefiting from its decision to launch the A321neo, a single-aisle aircraft with 180 to 230 seats. Neo stands for new engine option, meaning highly fuel efficient engines that save airlines money on one of their biggest costs. Boeing rushed to match with the Max, a 737 equipped with new, more efficient engines, only to run into trouble with the crashes and door plug.

Airbus also benefited from a deal to take over the smaller A220 developed by Canadas Bombardier. Boeing is without a competing product in that niche. Analysts say Airbus has a further edge with the forthcoming A321XLR, a model that will allow airlines to use cheaper narrow-body jets on long-haul flights.

Yet the company already has pushed its deadline to produce 75 A320 and A321 jets per month from 2025 to 2026, and it moved the promised delivery date for the A321XLR from the second quarter of 2024 to the third.

Boeing is winning some orders because Airbus cant supply the airplanes, Scott Hamilton, managing director of Leeham Co. consultancy, said. So Airbus really cant gain much more in the way of market share because they are sold out.

Most Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft are back in service, but how safe are they? Most Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft are back in service, but how safe are they?
Cattle stand in the burn scar from the Smokehouse Creek fire March 3, 2024, in Hemphill County in the Texas Panhandle. Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune

LUBBOCK  U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, both Republicans, are pushing legislation that would offer additional financial aid to ranchers who lose an excessive amount of unborn livestock in a disaster. It could help those in the Texas Panhandle trying to recover from wildfires that killed more than 15,000 head of cattle, including pregnant cows.

The bill aims to enhance the Livestock Indemnity Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program, which was introduced in the 2018 Farm Bill, pays livestock producers for excess deaths from severe weather, disease or attacks by certain other animals. Such payments are determined by the secretary of agriculture and typically equal to 75% of the average market price for each animal covered.

The program, however, doesnt cover the death of unborn livestock, which represents another financial setback for Panhandle ranchers, who are trying to recoup their losses after the region was engulfed by wildfires in February and March. The largest of the fires was the Smokehouse Creek fire, which became the largest in state history after burning more than 1 million acres in the rural region.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Current federal law fails to compensate producers for unborn calves, said Allison Rivera, executive director of government affairs for the National Cattlemens Beef Association. This legislation would change that.

The proposed legislation would add an additional payment rate for unborn livestock to what is already in place with the Livestock Indemnity Program. Each payment amount will be capped at 85% of the market value for the lowest weight class of the animal covered. The amount will also be determined based on the type of livestock and the average number of babies the animal typically gives birth to.

Jackson said the current program will help livestock producers.

Their recovery has been set back several years due to the limitations on the programs ability to compensate for unborn livestock losses, Jackson said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

According to a report released by a Texas House committee tasked with investigating the fires, cattle losses are estimated to be $27 million. In Hemphill County, which suffered much of the damage, 7,000 cows out of 23,000 in the county were killed. Another 15% to 20% were likely to be euthanized as a result of extensive injuries.

This will give Texas cattle producers the relief they need to build back their herds and restore this pillar of Texas agriculture, Cruz said.

Help toward recovery is still needed in the Texas Panhandle. In its report, the House committee notes that pastures will not be suitable for grazing for another three to five years.

As Texas farmers and ranchers continue working to recover from devastating wildfires, it is critical to provide as much assistance and flexibility as possible to help them get back on their feet, said Russell Boening, president of the Texas Farm Bureau.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
The acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development visited Reno with a big check on Tuesday. Nevada is getting $44 million from HUD to support affordable housing programs, and Reno gets a $3.5 million slice of that money.

Look, its a simple formula. With our funds, and strong local leadership, and sometimes local funding coupled together, were able to build shelters. Were able to build transitional homes. Were able to build permanent apartments for people who need it, said HUD acting secretary Adrianne Todman.

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve says shes seen similar funding at work in the past, and shes excited to see how it can directly impact community members.

Its very hard to get into housing because, think about a deposit. It can cost thousands of dollars to get into that barrier, and I dont know about you, but people just dont have that kind of money to get into housing, she said.

According to Renos Housing and Development department, the city has spent about $4 million every year for the last three years in rental and deposit assistance to keep people in permanent housing. Even more money goes toward affordable housing development and improvements for low-income neighborhoods.

When you get a thank you letter in the mail, telling you how your program changed somebodys life, it makes you keep wanting to do the work, said the department director, Monica Kirch.

To see if youre eligible for a housing assistance program through the city, visit their Housing and Development page here to explore the resources available.
Applications are complex. Ive seen proposals as short as 18 pages and as long as several hundred pages, says Chamberlain. Those applications must explain who the grant will serve, what the expected outcome will be along with detailed budgets. Writing them isnt easy, and they can take one to two months, or even longer, to prepare, says Chamberlain.

Communication is not by phone. Applications are submitted through official government portals ending with .gov. After a thorough vetting process, which can take one to two months, organizations learn if theyve got the grant through that same government portal, Chamberlain says.

Detailed budgets are required. They dont just say, Heres the money, have fun with it,  says Chamberlain. Youre going be responsible for explaining to the American people essentially how youve spent their tax dollars.

There are strict limitations. You must follow specific guidelines on spending. For example, if a food bank has a grant to serve young children through a nutrition program, [The organization] cant  use that grant money to buy a new refrigerator [unless] thats  what the grant was for, Chamberlain says.

Video: Tips to Avoid Government Grant Scams

Spotting a scam

Unexpected contact. A supposed government official calls you out of the blue to say youre eligible for a grant. The government doesnt call you and offer grant money like this, says Chamberlain.

Websites dont end in .gov. Scammers can game search engine algorithms so that they appear as one of the first sites you see. Or they may buy an ad so theyll appear at the top of your search results, warns Weisman. If youre directed to an alleged government website whose URL ends in .org, .com, or .us, theyre not from the government.

Fees are requested. Youre asked to pay a fee. There is never any charge to submit an application or increase your chances of getting a federal grant, says Chamberlain.

Exclusive offer. The grant offer is presented as something secret or exclusive. To the best of my knowledge if its a federal grant, its part of the public record, says Chamberlain.

How to protect yourself from this scam

Ignore any social media user who sends you an unsolicited message about a government grant, and report it to the social media platform. Even if the message appears to come from someone you know, that persons account may have been hacked or their profile cloned.

Dont trust caller ID. Criminals can spoof phone numbers to make it appear as if it is coming from the federal government, says Weisman.

Double-check websites. With artificial intelligence, it is a proverbial piece of cake to make a website look legitimate when its not, says Weisman. To verify whether or not a website is legitimate, Weisman recommends checking a domain registry company. You can enter the URL into sites such as godaddy.com or whois.com and see who set it up and when. So when you find out that the [for example] Federal Trade Commission website that youre going to is owned by somebody from Nigeria, and it was only set up a few weeks ago, you got a good indication that its a scam.

Keep your financial information private. Never give your Social Security number, banking information, birth date or photos of identification to someone claiming to be offering you a grant. Doing so can open you up to identity theft.

If youve been targeted

Notify the FTC. You can file a complaint online or by phone at 877-382-4357. The more information authorities have, the better they can link cases and ultimately catch the criminals.

If scammers contact you online, file a report with the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center

If the scammer claims to be from HHS, call 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or submit a report to HHSs Office of Inspector General.

Reach out to the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877-908-3360. Its a free resource, with trained fraud specialists who can provide support and guidance on what to do next and how to avoid scams.

More resources

The FTC has a page with information about government grant scams.

The federal government has a page with information on how the government grant programs work and information on scams. You can also search for federal government grants on their site.

This article has been rewritten and new interviews were conducted with experts in 2024.
Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net.

A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships.

In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band.
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
Re-enactors in period dress stand in front of the Alamo Church after firing muskets during ceremony marking the 188th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News

If theres one overarching historical truth, its that history is divisive.

Its recorded by victors who implant it in the national consciousness. Evidence be damned.

Textbooks recount those stories without question.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The telling of that story is hard to change.

As such, history is most often the truth according to white males who seek to reflect the heroic acts and God-inspired ambitions of their Anglo ancestors.

Heritage associations wrap themselves around those stories, too, perpetuating them.

Together, they make sure slavery, genocide and the taking of lands are excluded from their narrative.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

That is the history of the telling of Texas history.

It pits traditional Texas historians, their non-academic advocates and the status quo vs. the newest scholarly breed of Texas historians who seek to expand, enhance and correct the story of Texas. Theyre armed with the evidence to tell it.

It was right there all along.

These two factions have exchanged heated words at conferences. A P.T. Barnum character landed them in court.

Wreaths adorn the lawn of the Alamo during the "Dawn at the Alamo" ceremony commemorating the 184th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, March 6, 2020. The early morning battle of March 6, 1836, claiming the lives of was solemnly remembered during the popular annual event. Josie Norris/Staff Photographer

This spring they broke up. It wasnt an amicable divorce.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

On one side is the more than a century-old Texas State Historical Association, ye of the Handbook of Texas, Texas Almanac and Southwestern Historical Quarterly.

ELAINE AYALA: Cinco de Mayos ties to San Antonio de Bexar

On the other is the newly formed Alliance for Texas History.

J.P. Bryan, the P.T. Barnum of this story and the TSHAs executive director, is accused of aggressive behavior and maligning historians of color.

At an El Paso conference, he allegedly referred to two women historians with Ph.D.s in history as little girls, a local professor of history told me. Bryan disagreed with them, thus questioned their academic credentials.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A Texas Monthly story referred to him as a wealthy right-wing businessman who has complained that Texas historians were pushing a narrative that demeans the Anglo efforts in settling the western part of the United States for the purpose of spreading freedoms to all. 

The story described him as a descendant of Stephen F. Austins brother-in-law, a slave owner.

Esteemed historian Frank de la Teja, along with other historians, are the Switzerlands in this story.

Sons of the Republic of Texas make a toast after Dawn at the Alamo, Monday, March 6, 2023. The Alamo Trust in partnership with the San Antonio Living History Association hold the annual event. The solemn ceremony commemorates the 1836 battle for the Alamo and honors the Alamo defenders. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

He decided to remain in TSHA, which he once led as president and executive director, but also joined the alliance.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

De la Teja, the inaugural Texas state historian, says the states history must include marginalized groups and confront slavery and indigenous removal.

We need a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of Texas past, he said, and hopes the two groups can serve complementary roles in promoting Texas history.

Thats an especially tall order in Texas, no more evident than in the redevelopment of Alamo Plaza, where city officials and business interests cling to the heroic battle to keep tourists coming to San Antonio.

Thats the business of history, and another story for another day, as de la Teja said.

For now, the alliance says its open to all, including those who want to keep a foot in the TSHA.

But the conflict led numerous historians in the professional history world to decide that they couldnt be a part of the association anymore, de la Teja said Tuesday.

They just cant anymore.

They see the alliance as a place where the study of history is held up as the gold standard, where the current ways, methods and evaluation of evidence is more rigorously done than they believe the current administrative and governance structure at the THSA would be comfortable with, de la Teja said.

That doesnt mean to say that they dont, he added.

De la Teja is serving on the board of the Alliance for Texas History.

His own field is in early Texas history  the Spanish colonial period, the Mexican period and the Texas Republic period, where Im interested in making sure that we understand the proper role of Mexico and Mexicans and the Hispanic people of Texas.

Hell work to ensure, to the degree he can, that TSHAs programs and its scholarly work represent that history adequately, he said. To this point, I havent found any obstacles to that.

Ive talked with several San Antonio-based historians this week who have their doubts.

Why?
Rahul Mathew, Chief Creative Officer, DDB Mudra Group; Avinash Pandey, CEO, ABP Network; Malvika Mehra, Sudha Natarajan, Director - Response, Times of India Group; and Tista Sen join as Jury Chairs for Brand Activation and Promotion category, Broadcaster category, Young Maverick Abby category, Publisher category and Green Abby category, respectively, at The Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show.

Rahul Mathew, Chief Creative Officer of DDB Mudra Group has been appointed Jury Chair in Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show in the Brand Activation and Promotion category. Under Rahuls leadership, the DDB Mudra Group became the first Indian agency to be crowned APAC agency of the year at Spikes Asia. The work from the agency has won 4 Grand Prix at Spikes Asia in the last 3 years.

In 2019, DDB Mudra became the first agency in the world to win the D&AD Impact Prize Fund. According to the 2021 Campaign Brief Asia ranking, DDB Mudra Group was ranked #3 in India. The WARC 2021 ranking of DDB Mudra was that of the #1 Effective Agency in India as well as Asia.

Rahul has had the privilege to judge in numerous shows across the world, he was also the Jury President for Press & Outdoor at D&AD 22.

Rahul believes that creativity isnt a department, its an attitude.

Avinash Pandey, CEO, ABP Network, has been appointed Jury Chair in Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show in the Broadcaster category. ABP Network is Indias leading television and digital network with 4 TV channels running 24x7 on cable and satellite, serving in 8 languages on Digital, touching a total audience of over 265 million.

Avinash has over 28 years of experience in Media, news, Advertising and Digital. He is also the President of News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), President of International Advertising Association (India Chapter) and serving Director of Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA). He is the Founding Director of ABP Studios, which has produced award winning films and TV series.

Malvika Mehra has been appointed Jury Chair in Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show in the Young Maverick Abby category. In a career spanning three decades, Malvika has donned many hats across advertising and marketing. Leading the brand mandate as Chief Creative Officer at Grey and Dentsu, successfully partnering clients and building famous brands like Bingo! at Ogilvy and running her own independent venture, Tomorrow Creative Lab, Malvika has moved on to being an independent consultant and brand partner to CEOs & founders.

Currently, Creative Head, Marketing, Dinshaws Dairy Foods, Malvika was formerly Chief Creative Officer, Good Brands at the Good Glamm Group.

Malvika has been invited three times as juror by the prestigious Cannes Lions across the print, film and design categories. She has been part of other eminent global juries for advertising and design including Clio, Spikes Asia, Dubai Lynx, Kyoorius apart from Abby awards. Along the way, her work has picked up more than a 100 awards at shows like Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, Adfest Asia Pacific, Spikes Asia, Kyoorius, The Abbys and The Effies.

Some of Malvikas famous brand campaigns have been the launch of ITC Foods Bingo!, and her insightful work across Titan, Hutch, Vodafone, State Bank of India, Gillette, Reliance Telecom, Dell, Fiat, Honda, Duracell and the Indian Army.

The impact of her work and leadership has earned her a place among Indias 50 Most Influential People in Media, Marketing and Advertising (Economic Times  Brand Equity Agency Reckoner 2019), and the 'Top 20 Creative Directors in India (ET, Brand Equity Agency Reckoner) twice in the past.

Sudha Natarajan, Director - Response, Times of India Group has been appointed Jury Chair in Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show in the Publisher category.

Sudha has had 25 years of learning experience, with 13 of them being in leadership positions, in marketing, advertising, and media organizations. She has been Director looking after a diversified revenue portfolio, including the Digital offerings for Bennett, Coleman & Co., the largest and most diversified media company in India. Sudha has served as the CEO of a large international agency network, Lintas Initiative Media (2nd largest, in India).

Sudha was voted as Woman Icon of the Marketing & Advertising Industry, she was ranked the 14th most influential Marketing & Advertising person by Economic Times. Sudha has served on various juries like Festival of Media, Asia and Cannes. Sudha is also a board member on several Group Companies.

Tista Sen has been appointed Jury Chair in Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show in the Green Abby category.

Tista started her career with Whitelight Production, Indias leading ad film production company. After assisting on over 60 commercials, she joined Lowe Lintas as a writer and worked on brands like Johnson & Johnson, Cadburys and Unilever.

Tista joined J Walter Thomson and for over 22 years she was involved with some of the largest brands in India and some of the most memorable and well-loved ad campaigns for Unilever, ITC, Godrej, GSK, Aditya Birla, Sony, SBI Mutual Funds.

Tista has been ranked among the 20 most creative people in Asia and worked on campaigns that have won numerous metals at Cannes, Clio, Ad-Fest, One Show, D&AD, Clio, Spikes Asia including the Grand Prix and Gold for her work on Lost Daughters in 2022.

Over the years, Tista has been on the jury of several global advertising festivals including Cannes, D&AD, Clio, LIA, Gerety Awards, Spikes and The New York Festival. In 2015 Tista had the pleasure of being the only Asian on the inaugural Glass Jury at Cannes that honours gender diversity in communication.

Tista is co-founder of The Collective, an agency agnostic platform that is a voice for young women in the industry when it comes to discrimination and gender inequality. Passionate about story-telling and the power of the written word, Tista is the only Indian to be published in the Modern Love Column of the New York Times.

Tista recently founded Ladyfinger, an agency that talks to women specifically on issues they can relate too and has worked with brands to adopt an insightful communication model.

The Abby Awards will be held on May 29, 30 and 31 during Goafest 2024.
Havas India, part of Paris-headquartered global communications network Havas, has announced a significant leadership transition across three key agencies under the Havas Creative Network India umbrella, including Havas Worldwide India (creative), Conran Design Mumbai (brand design), and Havas CX India (customer experience).

Kundan Joshee, Managing Partner, Havas Worldwide India, has been promoted as Managing Director of the India operations.

Anupama Ramaswamy, Chief Creative Officer, Havas Worldwide India, will also mantle the additional responsibility of Joint Managing Director along with the CCO profile.

Geet Nazir, Managing Partner of Conran Design Mumbai, has been elevated to Managing Director of the agency.

Prashant Tekwani, Managing Partner, Havas CX India, has been elevated to Managing Director of both Havas CX India and Ekino (technology) India.

Strengthening the Creative Network in India:

Havas Creative Network India, which now consists of eight agencies, has been growing steadily, driven by global expertise, acquisitions, new business wins, a strong talent pool, and numerous award wins. Havas Worldwide India, Conran Design Mumbai and Havas CX India have played a critical role in positioning the overall Havas Creative Network India as one the most future-ready networks in the country.

In addition, the Creative Network includes Think Design (UI/UX) led by Deepali Saini, CEO, Shobiz (experiential) led by Sameer Tobaccowala, CEO, PR Pundit Havas Red (public relations) led by Archana Jain, CEO, Havas People (employer branding) led by Arindam Sengupta as Managing Director, and Prose on Pixels (production) led by Makarand Nirmal, Vice President  Operations.

While Kundan, Geet and Prashant will be based out of Mumbai, Anupama will continue to be based out of Gurgaon. All four along with Sameer, Archana, Deepali and Arindam will continue to report to Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, South East Asia & North Asia (Japan & South Korea).

Over the last one year, Havas Worldwide India witnessed a flux due to some leadership exits but even during this period of transition, both Anupama and Kundan played a pivotal role in further consolidating the agency and strengthening its relationships with key clients like Reckitt, Stellantis, MamaEarth, Suzuki, William Grant, UTI Mutual Fund and Harman, amongst others. Anupama has been instrumental in not just creating some of the most talked-about campaigns of the last two years for clients including Harpic, Veet, Mortein, Mamaearth, IQOO, Vivo, Karnataka Bank, UTI Mutual Funds, Vanish and many more but also in consolidating and building a strong creative team. Meanwhile, Kundan has helped in fortifying and stabilising client relationships, winning several new businesses like Karnataka Bank, Indie (IndusInd Bank), IQOO and RealMe, to name a few, and streamlining processes that have strengthened the overall business, attracted talent, and increased client satisfaction scores.

Conran Design Mumbai was launched in 2021 under the leadership of Geet Nazir, who has led the agency to become one of the most prominent brand and design consultancies in India. Over the past three years, the agency has built a roster of marquee clients including Zydus Lifesciences, PayU, Coca-Cola India, Nestle, Usha Martin, to name a few. Within three years of its existence, Conran has won prestigious local and global awards including a Gold at Transform Asia, Silver in the South Asia Brand Design Agency of the Year category at Campaigns Agency Of The Year Awards 2023 amongst many more. Recently, Havas launched Conran Design Group network, a new global offering dedicated to brand and design, based on the long-standing expertise and talent at Conran Design Group, and W, Havas leading creative branding agency in France. Geets elevation comes at this critical juncture and will play a central role in scaling up the agency further.

Prashant has been instrumental in building and leading Havas CX in India since 2020. Over the years, he has steadily built and consolidated the agency through a strong CX team along with Ekino, and some of the biggest clients including Bandhan Life (erstwhile Aegon Life), Bosch Mobility Services, Tata Steel, STT Telecommunications, Air Asia, to name a few. Over the years, the X-Index proprietary study by Havas CX has also made the agency a strong voice in the industry. Going forward, with Prashant at the helm, Havas CX India is going to play a more critical role in the region and scale up its India operations by ramping up talent and expertise like CRM, technology, loyalty, etc.

The journey ahead:

This transition marks an exciting phase for Havas India as it continues to innovate, lead, and deliver exceptional results for its clients.

In discussing the recent elevations, Rana Barua emphasised the strategic trajectory of the organisation, stating, "Over the past few years, our focus has been on enhancing our expertise and solidifying our position as the most progressive communications network in India. While our Media Network, under the leadership of Mohit Joshi, Uday Mohan, R Venkat, and Shibu Shivanandan, has thrived, Havas Creative Network India has grown exponentially both organically and inorganically and has built the creative repertoire of Havas India.

"Kundan, Anupama, Geet, and Prashant have been instrumental in scaling up the operations of their respective agencies, demonstrating resilience and genuine leadership qualities," Rana continued. "As we transition towards a new phase of growth, I am confident that these four leaders will play an even greater role in driving our growth, both within India and on a global scale. Their dedication and leadership is paving the way for our future success. I wish them all the best."
Kalamandir Jewellers, one of India's esteemed jewellery chains, announced the appointment of renowned actress Shruti Haasan as its brand ambassador. This partnership marks a significant stride towards strengthening consumer trust, fostering brand loyalty, and perpetuating the legacy of over 37 years of exquisite craftsmanship.

Speaking about the collaboration, Milan Shah, Director of Kalamandir Jewellers, said: We are thrilled to welcome Shruti Haasan, a popular actor and a style icon with fans across India and globally, to the Kalamandir family. Her unique blend of talent, style and grace embodies the essence of our brand and reflects our commitment to sophistication and tradition. I am confident that the association with Shruti will inspire

our customers and create memorable experiences.

Commenting on the association, Shruti Haasan said, I am delighted to embark on this exciting journey with Kalamandir Jewellers. I believe in the power of elegance and individuality and can easily relate to Kalamandir as a brand. They are one of the most popular jewellery retail chains in the country, and partnering with them allows me to express these values and inspire others to embrace their unique beauty.

The partnership with Shruti Hasaan, the daughter of iconic actor Kamal Haasan and actress Sarika Thakur, will enable Kalamandir Jewellers to forge a stronger consumer trust and brand loyalty and build further on its legacy of over 37 years.

With Shruti Haasan as its radiant new face, Kalamandir Jewellers embarks on a journey of timeless elegance. Together, they inspire customers to embrace their unique essence, crafting moments of magnificence with exquisite jewellery. This collaboration promises to elevate experiences and leave an indelible mark on the world of luxury and style.

Starting from a store of 200 sq ft in Kosamba in Surat district, Kalamandir has come a long way to establish a strong retail presence with showrooms across Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vapi, Bharuch, and Kosamba and at the airport in Surat, Chennai, Varanasi, Udaipur, and Vadodara. It has also introduced prominent national jewellery brands like Rishta, Kingly, Indo-Italia, Purusham, Platinum & Sajdhaj ke.
L'Oreal Paris, the No. 1 Beauty Brand In The World, returns as the official Makeup Partner of the Festival de Cannes, scheduled from May 14 to 25 2024. With an esteemed history as the festival's makeup partner, L'Oreal Paris enters its 27th year with the theme Many Ways To Be An Icon that mirrors the brand's philosophy of confidence and self-empowerment, reinforcing the belief that every individual is inherently deserving.

This year, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aditi Rao Hydari are all set to flaunt their iconic presence at the Cannes Film Festival. It is a testament to their talent, beauty, and the ever-growing influence of Indian cinema on the global stage. A pioneer in her own right, Aishwarya was the first Indian female actor to serve as a Cannes jury member, symbolizing the brand's commitment to global representation.

The Indian film industry luminary and L'Oreal Paris Ambassador Aditi Rao Hydari expresses her excitement, saying, "I am thrilled to embark on this journey to the esteemed Festival de Cannes as the spokesperson for L'Oreal Paris. I strongly advocate that women should confidently embrace their unique selves and I truly resonate with the theme of this year "Many Ways to be an icon". For me, being an icon isn't about fitting into a mold; it's about embracing one's unique journey and inherent worth. It is an honour to be aligned with a brand that has consistently championed the cause of women's empowerment, fostering confidence and growth in every facet of their lives."

Additionally, the brand presents the fourth edition of the LOreal Paris Lights on Womens Worth Award, with actress and LOreal Paris ambassador Elle Fanning to take over from Kate Winslet as the Juror. Founded to spotlight the gender imbalance in filmmaking, this award honors one promising female short-film director from among the official Cannes Short Films selection and the selection of La Cinef Short Films.

LOreal Paris embodies an inclusive representation of beauty that resonates with women across the globe. Aligned with brand's core values and cause initiatives, the brand ambassadors transcends boundaries and echo the brand ethos. Through their partnership with L'Oreal Paris, they aim to amplify the message of self-worth and inspire millions worldwide to embrace and honour their unique individuality. As the Festival de Cannes' official makeup partner, it inspires ambassadors, actors, and actresses to showcase this empowered beauty vision on the red carpet.
Contagious, a creative and strategic intelligence company, has announced the 2024 Contagious Pioneers list, recognising the agencies that are setting the standard for innovation and creative excellence in marketing.

The 2024 winners (in alphabetical order) are:

BETC Paris

Colenso BBDO, Auckland

GUT Buenos Aires

Howatson+Company, Sydney

Lucky Generals, London

Ogilvy India, Mumbai

Rethink, Toronto

Uncommon Creative Studio, London

The Pioneer agencies are selected by rigorously analysing the work featured on the online intelligence tool, Contagious IQ. Only campaigns that demonstrate the highest levels of creativity and strategic thinking pass the rigorous editorial filter. The Pioneer agencies are those that had the most campaigns featured on Contagious IQ over the past year, cross-referenced against metrics such as the number of different clients represented across their body of work, and whether the campaigns were selected as Editors Picks or chosen for more in-depth coverage.

Contagious editor Chloe Markowicz said, At Contagious, we only concern ourselves with the very best marketing in the world. So, having a single campaign featured on the Contagious IQ platform is already high praise for any agency, but to be ranked a Contagious Pioneer signifies that an agency has consistently achieved excellence.

Our 2024 Pioneers agencies have created work that stands out as the most creative, innovative and effective in the industry. They deserve recognition for campaigns that demonstrate breakthrough-thinking and set a new creative standard, exhibiting what future-facing marketing should look like, she added.

Contagious IQ is a digital platform filled with hand-selected examples of best-in-class marketing from around the world that allows users to search and filter results to find relevant insights fast. Contagious IQ also hosts strategy interviews with the people who create the campaigns, brand case studies, trend reports, talks from Contagious events, and more.

On the title rewarded by Contagious, Kainaz Karmakar, Harshad Rajadhyaksha and Sukesh Nayak, Chief Creative Officers, Ogilvy India, said, It is an honour to be on the Contagious Pioneers list. A lot of people have contributed to the brave work that brought us here. We owe it to our teams, our clients and our execution partners. This is the second year we have made it to this list so it feels even better. SRK My Ad, Vi Dabbawalas, Dove#Stopthebeauty Test and 5 Star Erase Valentines Day are the pieces that featured most prominently in the Contagious magazine, but we have so much brave work happening across brands in this agency. Were proud of all those pieces.
During a recent interview, Bollywood actress opened up about her career milestone and her journey in the film industry, highlighting her pivotal roles played by OTT platforms in shaping her career trajectory.

Patralekhaa revealed that she has been working tirelessly over the past two years, with a slew of projects lined up for release in the near future. Recently, Patralekhaa has announced three back-to-back projects, adding to her existing one already announced title. Patralekhaa says this will be the busiest year of her career, "the outcome of seven years of hard work will be released this year." The actor, who described it as "one of the busiest phases" of her career, is looking forward to four projects: the online series Gulkanda Tales, the film Phule, IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, and Wild Wild Punjab. It requires a tremendous amount of patience.

The actress, who has previously appeared in films like CityLights, Love Games, Nanu Ki Jaanu, and Badnaam Gali, thanks OTT for keeping her motivated and providing her with exciting opportunities. She first gained recognition for her acting abilities through online programs such as Bose: Dead/Alive, Main Hero Boll Raha Hu, and Aar Ya Paar. "I'm delighted that with OTT, there's a variety of content available and numerous jobs for performers and professionals. When I spoke with the directors, they told me to attempt to obtain work on OTT. It was (filmmakers) Raj and DK who first considered casting me and brought me on board for Gulkanda Tales," she says, adding that she has been working nonstop for the past two years.

Reflecting on the changing landscape of Bollywood, Patralekhaa emphasized the shifting perceptions towards marriage and its impact on actresses' careers. She noted that actresses like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Anushka Sharma have defied traditional expectations and paved the way for a more inclusive and progressive industry.

According to Patralekhaa, the stigma surrounding actresses' marital status is gradually fading, with talent and skill taking precedence over personal life choices.

As she looks forward to the release of her upcoming projects, Patralekhaa remains optimistic about the future of Bollywood, where talent and determination continue to drive success irrespective of societal norms.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a public interest litigation (PIL) moved by Rajat Sharma, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Independent News Service (INDIA TV) against non-regulation of deepfake technology in the country.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora sought response of the Union Government through Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. During the hearing, the bench orally remarked that this is a major problem and asked the Central Government if it is willing to act on the issue.

Political parties are complaining about this as well. You are not taking any action, the court said.

Sharmas plea states that the proliferation of deepfake technology poses significant threats to various aspects of society, including misinformation and disinformation campaigns, undermining integrity of public discourse and democratic processes, potential use in fraud and identity theft as well as harm to individuals reputations and privacy.

All the threats listed above are compounded when a deepfake is made of an influential person such as a politician, sportsman, actor, or any other public figure capable of influencing public opinion. This is even more so in the case of a person such as the Petitioner who is visible on television on a daily basis and on whose statements the public has come to place faith in, the plea states.

It adds there is a pressing need for strict enforcement and proactive action to mitigate the potential harms associated with their misuse.

The plea further contends that the absence of adequate regulation and safeguards against the misuse of deepfake technology poses a grave risk to the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India, including the right to freedom of expression, the right to privacy, and the right to a fair trial.

The absence of a dedicated mechanism to deal with deepfakes has led to a vacuum, which in turn is violating the personal liberty and privacy of the citizens of this country. The State has a positive obligation to ensure that the right to privacy is not impeded due to the conduct of private parties, the PIL reads.

It contends that even though Union Government had made a statement of intent to formulate regulation for dealing with deepfakes and synthetic content back in November, 2023, nothing of the sort has seen the light of day thus far.

The PIL seeks a direction on the Union Government to identify and block public access to the applications, software, platforms and websites enabling the creation of deepfakes.

A further direction is sought to appoint a dedicated nodal officer for receiving complaints regarding deepfakes and acting upon a complaint within 12 hours and within 06 hours in the case of a complaint received regarding content featuring a public figure.

The plea also seeks a direction on the Union Government to issue a directive to all social media intermediaries to take immediate action to take down deepfakes upon the receipt of a complaint from the person concerned.

A direction is also sought to ensure that the platforms PR websites enabling creation of deepfakes disclose that the content has been generated by AI either by watermark or some other effective methodology.

The PIL also seeks issuance of guidelines to ensure that any access to Artificial Intelligence and deepfakes is carried out strictly in accordance with the Fundamental Rights guaranteed in Part-III of the Constitution till relevant Rules are framed by Centre.
Over the past few months, a stylish new food and drink destination has taken shape inside a slice of San Antonio history.

The Creamery District is located inside the former Bordens Creamery along East Ashby Place, sandwiched neatly between the ultra-hip restaurants and shops at Pearl and the raucous nightlife of the St. Mary's Strip.

And it takes a nod from both of those destinations, with a mix of swanky bars, a coffee shop and a restaurant.

The Creamery District is the product of Only One Hospitality, which has experience breathing new life into historic spaces. In 2021, Only One opened 1902 Nightclub in the former Sunset Station depot in St. Paul Square. The painstaking restoration preserved the depot's soaring arches, grand staircase and intricate woodwork while adding a dance floor, laser lights and fog machines.

Hook Land & Sea at The Creamery District is a fast-casual counter-service restaurant with a focus on seafood. Paul Stephen/Staff Creme is a European-inspired coffee shop at The Creamery District. Paul Stephen/Staff Creme is a European-inspired coffee shop at The Creamery District. Paul Stephen/Staff Amelia Social Lounge is one of several new restaurant and bar concepts at The Creamery District. Paul Stephen/Staff Amelia Social Lounge at The Creamery District serves a mix of classic and modern cocktails. Paul Stephen/Staff Amelia Social Lounge at The Creamery District serves light nibbles such as oysters, meat and cheese boards and deviled eggs. Paul Stephen/Staff The bar at Amelia Social Lounge at The Creamery District is outfitted with blue velvet seats. Paul Stephen/Staff Easy Baby is located under Amelia Social Lounge and accessible through a secret entrance. Embark Marketing Naco Mexican Eatery opened a new location at the SA Yacht Club in 2023. Naco Mexican Eatery Velvet Taco is located about a block away from The Creamery District. Mike Sutter/Staff

At The Creamery District, there's less architectural glory to work with, but you still feel a sense of time and place in several of the establishments Only One operates there, with steampunk pipes, valves and pumps woven into the design.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

So far, four of six concepts slated for the development have opened, with a rooftop bar and as-of-yet unannounced restaurant coming soon.

And it's not alone in its little pocket of the city just west of the River Walk. Several other restaurant and bars have opened there within recent years, creating a dining district of its own just paces from the Pearl.

If you have an appetite and feel like exploring the city, swing by The Creamery District to check out all these new businesses, plus some of the development's neighbors.

GROCERY RUN: Pullman Market impresses in Pearl debut

At The Creamery District

Amelia Social Lounge at The Creamery District has a seating area decorated with industrial equipment. Paul Stephen/Staff

Amelia Social Lounge: Named in honor of famed aviator Amelia Earhart, this high-flying lounge goes big on both style and substance. You'll be greeted at the door by a sleek, black piano that evokes a swinging New York City date-night vibe. The front room features a mostly open space with a long wooden bar outfitted with blue velvet seats. The back room is broken into several seating areas adorned with an eclectic mix of swanky furniture. Weathered industrial equipment throughout the room hark back to the building's former days as a dairy plant.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Amelia is primarily a cocktail bar, with a menu featuring classics such as an Aviation, Boulevardier and Clover Club, several martini and old-fashioned variations and more. Wine is available by the glass or bottle.

If you have an appetite, a small lineup of nibbles is available, including a meat and cheese board, a flight of deviled eggs dressed with a range of toppings, flatbreads, and icy cold oysters accented with mint granita and mignonette pearls.

Creme is a European-inspired coffee shop at The Creamery District. Paul Stephen/Staff

Creme: Light, open and airy, this European-inspired coffee house has quickly become a hot spot for a morning jolt of java and a couple hours of work or study time. The cafe is anchored by a large communal table in the center, where customers often toil away on laptops. Seating throughout provides space to read a book or newspaper in peace or catch up with friends around a coffee table.

Many of the coffee drinks are made with roasted beans from Mexico and can be prepared hot or iced. The cortado, made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk, is particularly satisfying. If caffeine doesn't quite deliver what you're looking for, the cafe also serves sparkling Prosecco, or you can order a boozy carajillo made with espresso and a shot of Licor 43.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Creme also provides a small selection of pastry and bakery items if you're craving something more substantial.

Easy Baby is located under Amelia Social Lounge and accessible through a secret entrance. Embark Marketing

Easy Baby Underground: This speakeasy-inspired bar is located below Amelia, and accessible through a velour curtain and down a stairwell in the back of its big sister upstairs. Where Amelia evokes a kind of 1920s grandeur, Easy Baby takes on a club mojo hailing from the 1980s. A wall of vinyl albums sets the tone with titles from Run-D.M.C., the Violent Femmes, Michael Jackson and others.

This late-night spot (it's open 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday) boasts dark, moody lighting, swanky leather seating and regular DJs, and is the ideal place to live out any nightclub bottle-service fantasies you might have. The cocktail menu leans heavily into martini territory, including a vodka rendition garnished with a bump of caviar.

Hook Land & Sea at The Creamery District is a fast-casual counter-service restaurant with a focus on seafood. Paul Stephen/Staff

Hook Land & Sea: Hook is a fairly fast and casual counter-service restaurant with a focus on seafood. That fish picks up flavors of Mexico in tacos, tostadas and aguachile, and Asian food traditions color the plate in dishes that include a poke bowl and spicy shrimp roll. If you're looking for something more hearty, you can order fish battered, fried and served with a mound of fries fish-and-chips style.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Landlubbers have plenty of options, too, in the form of burgers, a Cuban sandwich, fried rice and more. Hook serves a small cocktail menu, including a quartet of frozen drinks available by the glass or as a flight showcasing all the flavors.

Lunatique is a rooftop bar and lounge located above Amelia Social Lounge at The Creamery District. Paul Stephen/Staff

Lunatique: No cool, new development would be complete without a rooftop bar, and that's Lunatique's role at The Creamery. Located above Amelia, this open-air space provides a panorama of the neighborhood, cold drinks and regular live DJs. Lunatique isn't officially open yet, but customers will be able to take in a sunset there soon.

The Creamery District, 875 E. Ashby Place, thecreamerysatx.com

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In the neighborhood

Go Fish Wine Bar specializes in seafood dishes and unique wines. Mike Sutter/Staff file photo

Go Fish Wine Bar: Go Fish came into the world as a fish market and small restaurant from culinary power duo Emily and Houston Carpenter, who also gave the city Restaurant Claudine, Nineteen Hyaku and others. Over time, it's evolved into a relaxed wine bar where you can enjoy a glass or bottle with a meal of ceviche, sashimi and other fresh fish preparations. Housed in a converted warehouse, Go Fish has some of the cool postindustrial feel of Pearl without the relentless tourist bustle. This is the perfect spot to enjoy a date or catch up with friends over a funky bottle of pet-nat and a dozen cold oysters.

Go Fish Wine Bar, 125 W. Grayson St., 210-542-6631, gofishmkt.com

The Naco Mexican Eatery location at the SA Yacht Club serves the popular tacos, tortas and more that were featured in the Netflix show "Taco Chronicles." Naco Mexican Eatery

SA Yacht Club: On a quiet stretch of road about two blocks from The Creamery District, the SA Yacht Club feels a bit like an oasis surrounded by industrial warehouses. You'll know you've arrived when you spot a bright orange Volkswagen Beetle out front, symbolically held in place with a ship's anchor.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

BOTTOMS UP: Relax with a glass (or bottle) at any of these San Antonio-area wine bars

This open-air courtyard is home to several small businesses, including Sippy's and Naco Mexican Eatery. At the former, you'll find a selection of craft beers and wine available for retail purchase or to pop open and enjoy on the grounds. The latter drew global attention when it was featured on the Netflix show "Taco Chronicles" in 2022. Helmed by the husband-and-wife team of Francisco Estrada and Lizzeth Martinez, the two serve award-winning tacos, chilaquiles and other favorites drawing from their Mexican roots.

SA Yacht Club, 310 W. Grayson St., sayachtclub.com

Velvet Taco is located about a block away from The Creamery District. Mike Sutter/Staff

Velvet Taco: This hip, modern taco chain hailing from Dallas sits just outside the Pearl on the opposite side of Grayson Street, about a block from The Creamery District. Its claim to historic fame comes by virtue of its location inside the former Taco Land  once San Antonio's top punk rock club  that was later contentiously revived as the short-lived Viva Tacoland.

Velvet Taco is the kind of place you go if you want to challenge what it means to be a taco. Here, you'll find tortillas stuffed with spicy tikka chicken, Nashville-style hot tofu, Korean fried rice and other left-field fillers. It's a love-it-or-hate-it experience sure to get the whole family up in arms. Or tacos. You be the judge.
Xapads, the leader in advanced programmatic and innovative AdTech solutions, expands its operations into the UK market with the appointment of James Eppinger as Country Head. As Country Head, James will be responsible for building a specialist team to roadmap innovation requirements for local demand, while securing partnerships with technology and supply partners.



On his appointment, Nitin Gupta, CEO of Xapads, says: Its fantastic to have James on board as his years of experience and expertise will help us shape our business in the region. As a company, we have always focused our efforts on data and performance-driven AI capabilities and with him in our team, we aim to redefine industry standards and solidify our position as leaders in harnessing cutting-edge technology for market advantage.

James has a history of specializing and driving growth for businesses during pivotal points of development, including a number of local market launches. Most recently, he held the position of Country Head UK & EMEA at Datawrkz and prior to that, Regional Director of EMEA at Connatix, where he continued to make substantial contributions to the field.



Ramneek Chadha, Chief Operating Officer at Xapads further adds : James's leadership is expected to be a solid asset in reaching our business goals. He will play a significant role in helping us cultivate strong, positive relationships and maintain our commitment to high-quality service. As we begin to offer our specialized innovations to local markets throughout EMEA, James's guidance will be valuable.

Xapads is a fast-growing programmatic ad-tech firm, specializing in cross-device insights and intelligent AI that ensures guaranteed outcomes across the entire user journey.



On joining Xapads, James, Country Head, UK of Xapads, comments: I'm excited to be part of a team that leads the way in innovation and creativity within the digital advertising sector. I'm eager to mirror Xapads' success in the region, and to introduce their top-tier market offerings to independent media agencies, brands and partners across the UK and EU. I look forward to contributing to the delivery of impactful solutions that meet our clients' needs.


May 10: People are waiting to know who killed Dabholkar? 2

On August 19, 2013, 68-year-old doctor Narendra Dabholkar was in Mumbai, pressing for a law to eradicate human sacrifice and black magic. For over 15 years, he has been seeking anti-superstition laws. It was Congress and NCP rule in the state; he met many tall leaders and the next day he returned to Pune. Dabholkar was advised to take protection but he refused. During his 40 years of social work, Dabholkar was attacked and threatened multiple times but refused to accept police protection. His work and the demand for the new law, were viewed as being anti-Hindu and an attack on Hindu religious practices. Dabholkar was attacking many Hindu practices, such as Havan, Poojan, and some staunch Hindu religious beliefs.

On the morning of August 20, 2013, he was on his morning walk and had just reached the VR Shinde bridge in Pune. He used to go for a walk almost every day. Keeping an eye on his routine, his assassins took advantage. That morning, two men on a motorcycle stopped near him. They pulled out country-made pistols and shot at him three times at close range, once in the head. Dabholkar collapsed and died on the spot. Two sweepers from the civic body, who were present at the bridge, saw the two men get on the motorcycle after the shooting and drive off. According to investigators, the assailants handed over the motorcycle to a third individual at a location where there were no CCTV cameras. They then caught a bus and fled to Aurangabad, now renamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.

Primarily, the Pune police conducted the investigation, but the case was handed over to the CBI in 2014. The investigation was monitored by the Bombay High Court and two judges have presided over the trial. The case was probed by two investigating agencies. The weapons and the motorcycle used for the murder havent been found, despite numerous agencies being involved. There was no eyewitness in this entire case. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), which included the Pune police, Maharashtra police, and Anti-Terrorism Squad, was formed to catch the culprits. But they also could not find the evidence or culprits; everything was based on guesswork.

However, the same year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power and the agency struggled to obtain administrative and personnel assistance from the state government for the investigation. The Bombay HC, which was supervising the investigation, made multiple strong remarks about the lack of progress. There was tremendous pressure on the government and agencies for failing to probe the series of murders. Five months after the murder, in June 2014, the Pune police arrested arms dealer 24-year-old Manish Nagori and aide 22-year-old Vikas Khandelwal. The police claimed to have found a gun that they said was used to commit the murder. When produced before a court, Nagori claimed that the then ATS chief Rakesh Maria offered them Rs 25 lakh to confess to the murder. However, the police case fell flat after Pansare was murdered in 2015, allegedly with a gun that matched the one used in the Dabholkar case. After the police failed to file a chargesheet in the stipulated time, Nagori and Khandelwal were released on bail.

Forensic reports later concluded that the gun used to kill Dabholkar was used in the Pansare murder as well. Another gun also used in the killing of Pansare was said to have been used to kill Kalburgi in Dharwad and Lankesh in Bengaluru in 2017. After sifting through millions of phone numbers, 32 police teams failed to make any headway in the investigation, even after a year. Pune police hired retired police officers for the probe, who used mystical practices to communicate with the soul of Dabholkar to know the sequence of the murder. Ironically, while he was alive, the rationalist was opposed to such practices. When the news went viral, the then-Pune police commissioner was transferred.

In the haste, the CBI named two individuals from the Sanatan Sansthawho were allegedly wanted in another blast caseas the shooters. In 2018, the Maharashtra ATS raided the residence of Vaibhav Raut in Nallasopara, on the outskirts of Mumbai, They found crude bombs and other materials for making bombs. Raut and two of his aides, Andure and Kalaskar, were arrested. During interrogation, Andure and Kalaskar supposedly confessed to their involvement in Dabholkars murder. At least 10 other accused in the Nallasopara arms haul were accused of being involved in the four murders. The news spread that Amol Kale, a former convener of Sanatan Sanstha and a leader of Hindu Janjagriti Samiti, was an accused and alleged key conspirator in both the Pansare and Lankesh murder cases. Bharat Kurne, another member of the group, was made an accused in the same cases. Thereafter, the CBI arrested Virendrasinh Tawde, an ENT surgeon volunteer at Sanatan Sanstha. In 2019, the CBI filed a chargesheet against five individuals, including Tawde, Kalaskar, Andure, advocate Sanjiv Punalekar, and his assistant Vikram Bhave. While Tawde, Andure, and Kalaskar remain in custody, Punalekar and Bhave have been released on bail.

The chargesheets say Dabholkar and three others were targeted because they were seen as a hurdle in the creation of a theocratic state, or a Hindu Rashtra. The victims views on superstition, rationalism, and secularism, which were frequently expressed in articles and speeches, were not liked by the Sanatan Sanstha members. Chargesheets filed by three separate investigative agenciesthe CBI, a Karnataka SIT, and the Maharashtra SITconclude that the murders of the four individuals were connected.

While submitting final arguments in the Dr. Narendra Dabholkar murder case, defence lawyer Virendra Ichalkaranjikar claimed that proper procedure was not followed while granting sanction to prosecute the accused persons under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Ichalkaranjikar said that an officer of deputy secretary rank in the home department of the state gave the sanction for prosecution under UAPA to CBI without a recommendation from the Director of Prosecution, which is required as per the procedure.

After hearing prolonged arguments from both sides, the special court reserved its verdict for May 10, 2024. The verdict will come more than 10 years after Dabholkar was shot dead on August 20, 2013. Let justice prevail.
Alabama teachers and lawmakers agree: Managing school discipline is tougher than ever, and schools want help managing unruly students.

Alabama lawmakers gave final passage to SB157, named the Teachers Bill of Rights Tuesday, with unanimous approval in both chambers. It now awaits Gov. Kay Iveys signature.

The Teachers Bill of Rights requires schools to take action against a student when the student disrupts class to the point that the teacher sends the child out of the classroom. Before the student can return to the teachers class, the principal must give written notification about what type of disciplinary action was taken.

Right now we have a situation where we know that disruptive students in our classrooms are inhibiting our ability to get teachers in the classroom, to keep teachers, to recruit teachers, Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville said. Its impacting the learning of the other students.

The Alabama Education Association pushed for the law, saying teachers and other education employees were regularly being physically and verbally abused in classrooms. The union says school officials too often took little action against disruptive students, if any.

Teachers are at a breaking point, AEA Executive Director Amy Marlowe said.

This bill, Marlowe said, requires a school to document each time students are sent out of the classroom, which some schools are reluctant to do.

School officials send a child back to class because they dont want to dole out discipline because they then have to document it, Marlowe said. When schools document an incident, it becomes a part of the annual report, and if the school has a lot of incidents, she said, it will make it look like the school has a discipline problem.

Alabama releases yearly reports of student discipline, called the student incident report in June that documents all disciplinary incidents from fights to defiance to vandalism.

The total number of all reported incidents statewide during the 2022-23 school year was 258,000, up from 81,000 during the 2017-18 school year. According to the 2022-23 report, 87 employees statewide were victims of an incident during that school year. AL.com compiled school-specific incident reports from 2021-22, here.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agreed that disruptive students are driving teachers out of the classroom and are taking learning time away from other students.

Garrett said teachers have little authority to ensure students are disciplined for disrupting class.

The problem is that what happens too often, Garrett said, is that a student is asked to leave the classroom and to cool down and then ultimately is just told to go back into the classroom and the situations never resolved.

Garrett also referenced a new due process bill, also awaiting signature, which adds due process rights for students during the school discipline process. Schools would still have to comply with that law as well as federal disability and civil rights laws.

AL.com has reviewed a document, compiled by the AEA, that describes incidents of students assaulting teachers. Stories include everything from getting a black eye from being head-butted by a student to being repeatedly subjected to students using derogatory profane language towards them to having students throw chairs at them and other students.

I have to hear this conversation every single day from my wife because she deals with the discipline in her school, Rep. Patrick Sellers, D-Pleasant Grove, said. And I tell her everyday you need a resident butt-whooper in your school to handle discipline.

Sellers comments drew cheers of agreement and applause from other House legislators.

Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, said she is concerned about what happens to students when they get expelled from school. We expel them from the school to the street, she said.

Beginning with the next school year, these are the behaviors specified in the law that students can be excluded from classrooms:

Engage in disorderly conduct,

Behave in a manner that obstructs the teaching or learning process of others in the classroom,

Threatens, abuses, intimidates or attempts to intimidate an education employee or another student,

Willfully disobeys an education employee, or

Uses abusive or profane language directed at an education employee.

If a student is excluded from the classroom two times in one semester, principals are required to hold a conference with the students parents.

The state board of education will develop a model policy that local school boards can adopt to ensure the law is implemented properly.
Martin Lawrence has announced his first comedy tour in eight years, including a show in Alabama. The famed comedian and actor, 59, is set to appear in Birmingham on Jan. 18, 2025, at the Legacy Arena at the BJCC, with Rickey Smiley as the opening act. Loni Love and Benji Brown are on the bill, as well, according to the BJCC.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. show go on sale on Friday, May 17, via Ticketmaster. Prices havent been announced. Pre-sales start on Tuesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. CT, and end on Thursday, May 16, at 10 p.m., according to the Ticketmaster site.

More than 35 dates were confirmed on Wednesday for Lawrences Yall Know What It Is! tour, which runs from July 20 through April 5, 2025. Birmingham is the only Alabama stop on the tour right now, but Lawrence is set to appear in Southern cities such as Jackson, Mississippi (Aug. 9, Mississippi Coliseum); Biloxi, Mississippi (Aug. 10, Mississippi Coast Coliseum); Nashville (Jan. 19, Bridgestone Arena); Atlanta (March 7, State Farm Arena); and Savannah, Georgia (March 8, Enmarket Arena).

See the full tour schedule here.

Comedy gives me that instant gratification, Lawrence said via a press release. Seeing the fans up close and in person, making people laugh, doing what I love most, this is what its all about for me.

The release promises fans an all-new stand-up show and fresh one-hour set where Martin brings the real talk and finds the funny in everything from family to culture as only he can. Special guests have been personally hand-picked by the comedy maestro and are some of the hottest comedians on the mic, including Rickey Smiley, Loni Love and Benji Brown.

Lawrence, who starred in the popular sitcom Martin in the 90s, has a long list of TV and movie credits, including Do the Right Thing, Boomerang, Blue Streak and the film franchises for House Party, Bad Boys and Big Mommas House. His new tour is linked to the June release of the next installment in the Bad Boys saga: Bad Boys: Ride or Die, also starring Will Smith.

Lawrence, who started his career in stand-up comedy, has continued to work in that arena, performing on tour and appearing in specials. He hosted HBOs Def Comedy Jam for six seasons in the 90s and made a splash in the 1994 stand-up film You So Crazy.

Lawrence has earned a BET Comedy Award, two NAACP Image Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has 19 million followers on Facebook, nearly 10 million followers on Instagram and 4.2 million followers on TikTok.

Lawrence has made appearances in Birmingham before, headlining a show at the BJCC Concert Hall in June 2011. Lawrence also has hosted the LIT AF Tour at the BJCC in the past, with acts such as Smiley and Jay Pharoah on the bill.

Smiley, 55, is a Birmingham native, the host of a syndicated radio show and one of the citys favorite comedians. His Alabama ties run deep; Smiley attended Alabama State University in Montgomery, often performs in his home state and is known for his annual appearances during Magic City Classic weekend in Birmingham.
Researchers from the University of South Alabama have released video taken in mid-April of an 8-foot juvenile Great White shark spotted off the Alabama coast.

Researchers from USA, working alongside others from Mississippi State University and Floridas Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, were monitoring fish movement near Alabamas artificial reef zone when they spotted the female shark.

The shark, named Miss Pawla by researchers, was still in the same area 10 days later. By last Friday, she was nowhere to be seen.

According to the school, Miss Pawla is about 15 years old. Great Whites dont reach maturity until they are about 30.

The sighting occurred in about 150 feet of water in the vicinity of the reef and is the first known sighting of a Great White in that area.

Great White sightings are generally uncommon along the Alabama coast, but recent reports -- including one caught by fishermen in March 2023 and a dead one washed up on a beach in the Florida Panhandle in February -- have researchers reevaluating the species presence in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

We have surveyed over 1,000 artificial and natural reef areas over the last 10 years, providing scientific data to assist the State of Alabama in managing its offshore fisheries, said Sean Powers, Director of USAs Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Studies.

This is our first documented sighting of a white shark.

White sharks can be identified by their unique scarring pattern, particularly on the head and fins, and are usually named so scientists can track their movements.

This shark has never been recorded before, so she was named after one of USAs mascots, Miss Pawla.

The schools other mascot, SouthPaw, already inspired the naming of a 12-foot tiger shark, SouthJaw, and that shark carries a satellite tracker and can be tracked on the Ocearch.org website.
Alabama lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill to increase the penalties for making false reports to law enforcement, legislation that came in response to the Carlee Russell hoax last year.

The Senate approved HB82 by Reps. Mike Shaw, R-Vestavia Hills and Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, by a vote of 32-0. The bill has already passed the House and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey, who can sign it into law.

The current law says false reporting is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to a year in jail.

HB82 says that in cases where the false report alleges imminent danger to a person or the public, the crime is a Class C felony, which can result in a prison sentence of 1 to 10 years.

The bill also says a person convicted of making a false report that results in an emergency response or investigation of the commission of false reporting will be ordered to pay restitution for the expenses incurred by any local, state, or federal law enforcement or assisting governmental agency.

Expenses include any reasonable costs directly incurred, including the costs of police, firefighting, and emergency medical services, and the personnel costs of those persons who respond to the incident, the bill says.

Last July, Russell called 911 in Hoover and falsely reported that she had stopped on Interstate 459 to say she had seen a small child walking on the interstate. Russell disappeared for a few days after making the call, and later reported that she had been abducted. The false reports sparked a massive search and an investigation.

In March, Russell admitted there was no child on the highway and no abduction. She pleaded guilty to false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident.

Russell was sentenced to jail, but the sentence was suspended. She was ordered to pay restitution of nearly $18,000 and provide proof of mental health counseling.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement Thursday afternoon applauding the bill.

Last summer, Alabamas law enforcement around the state were exploited, and local communities terrorized, when an individual falsely reported being kidnapped, Marshall said. After an immediate multiagency response, the frightened public was outraged to learn that the entire situation was a hoax. This action cost taxpayers millions of dollars and took away critical resources from those who desperately needed law enforcement support.

The goal of this legislation is to create a deterrent for those who blatantly lie in reporting a crime, so that those who do, experience the full force of the law. I applaud the Legislature for listening and working with law enforcement on this issue and hope to refocus our attention on those who are victims of crime in the short-term and long-term.

Read more: Carlee Russell hoax prompts Alabama lawmakers push to make fake abduction a felony
An Alabama man was convicted by a federal jury Monday of the 2001 strangling and beating death of a pregnant soldier on a U.S. Army base in Germany, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Shannon Wilkerson, 43, killed 19-year-old Amanda Gonzales, a fellow Army soldier, in Gonzales barracks room in Fliegerhorst Kaserne, then a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany, the Department of Justice said.

Wilkerson, an Army soldier at the time, believed Gonazles was pregnant with his child when he strangled and beat her, prosecutors said.

Wilkerson was discharged from the Army, and Gonzales murder case ran went cold before Wilkerson was arrested in Florida last year.

In announcing Wilkersons conviction, prosecutors did not say where the former soldier lived, and the DOJ could not immediately be reached for comment. But the Andalusia Star News reported Wilkerson is from Andalusia.

He was convicted of second-degree murder Monday in federal court in Pensacola, Florida.

Wilkerson was charged under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, which gives the U.S. federal courts jurisdiction over crimes committed outside the United States by, among others, former members of the Armed Forces who are no longer subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The defendant violently beat and murdered Amanda Gonzalesa fellow soldier who was pregnant at the timeat a U.S. Army base in Germany in 2001, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. His conviction yesterday, more than two decades later, is a testament to the Justice Departments unrelenting pursuit of justice. Many dedicated law enforcement officers and prosecutors persisted for years, pursuing every available lead and never wavering in their search for evidence to hold the victims killer to account for his heinous crime.

Wilkerson is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 8.

U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida called the murder of Gonzales and her unborn child a horrific act of violence.

This decades-long investigation and resulting prosecution demonstrate the unwavering resolve of our law enforcement partners and their commitment to use every tool available to protect Americans, especially those serving our country, he said.

Twenty-two years ago, Shannon Wilkerson brutally murdered Amanda Gonzales, who he believed was pregnant with his child, said Executive Assistant Director Timothy R. Langan Jr. of the FBIs Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. Yesterdays conviction is a testament to our unwavering commitment of pursuing justice for victims of violent crime. Through the collaboration of law enforcement, the FBI and our partners will continue to seek justice for victims, no matter how long it takes.
A Pelham pastor who hosted an SBC presidential candidate that called sex abuse a distraction doubled down on his defense of the speaker on social media and told a story about his wife forgiving her sexual abuser without calling the police.

It simply wasnt done 60 years ago, said the Rev. Mac Brunson, pastor of Valleydale Church, in a social media exchange with critics.

Yes I believe that police should be called today. Its hard for young people to grasp there were no report laws back then. Families kept things quiet. Not that it was right its just the way it was.

Speaking at Valleydale Church in Pelham on Sunday, Southern Baptist Convention presidential candidate David L. Allen called the 42 sex abuse lawsuits against Southern Baptist entities a distraction from the gospel.

We have gotten involved in trying to figure out how to negotiate problems with sexual abuse, how to address that, how to address that in a financially responsible way, Allen said.

Many people are unaware of this  the Southern Baptist Convention, either individual leaders or agencies or state conventions, right now are involved in 42 lawsuits.

Allen, a candidate for president at the 2024 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention scheduled for June 9-12 in Indianapolis, called it a financial drain.

It is unbelievable, and that is heavily draining financially our Executive Committee, said Allen, who was a guest speaker at Valleydale Church. Weve got to figure out how to get back on track and address this, he said.

There are other issues as well that are distracting us from the main thing. The main thing is missions, evangelism and preaching the gospel and church planting. Thats the main thing. All these other things are distractions. They have to be addressed. But we cannot allow our focus to get off on all of these other things and not focus on the main thing.

The speech angered sex abuse victim advocates, who lashed out on social media.

Brunson, whom Allen had described as one of his five closest friends, defended Allen on social media, saying he was taken out of context and that he has clearly denounced sexual abuse in the past.

Yes he used the word distractions but not of sex abuse victims. He listed a number of things. Honestly for 5 years going on 6 how to deal with this has been distracting. No sex abuse victim is satisfied  not many others with how it has been handled.

Brunson then shared his wifes experience of sexual abuse.

My wife was horribly sexually abused repeatedly by a Baptist deacon. No police were called, no investigation, no pastor berated because he did not tell the church. She himself confronted as an adult, told him she remembered every detail  and that she forgave him because of Christ.
The Alabama Senate on Wednesday declined to vote on a bill that would have required probate judges to conduct limited post-election audits after every county and statewide election.

Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Sheffield, made the motion to carry over the bill after saying he thought it was unnecessary and would not increase election security.

Stutts came to the mic after several Democrats spoke in opposition to the bill, saying it was not needed and would be a waste of time and money.

I think this is a bill that is looking for a problem, Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, said. We dont have a problem.

I would love for once for someone to come and tell me where the problems are instead of trying to find the problems, Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, said.

The bill would have required canvassing boards in every county to pick one statewide or countywide race to be audited in one precinct by the judge of probate. The selection would be made on the second Friday after any county and statewide general election.

The bill would have required probate judges to report the audit findings, such as any problems or discrepancies, to the secretary of state, who would post the results on the secretary of states website and report the findings to the governor and the Legislature.

The House had passed the bill by a vote of 83-7 a month ago.

Thursday will be the last day of the legislative session.

Alabama and national politics.
A shopping cart sits near a campsite for homeless people in San Marcos in this photo from 2021. Hays County officials say the homeless population has risen significantly in the county. Josie Norris /San Antonio Express-News

Hays County saw a substantial increase in its homeless population since last year, primarily in San Marcos, according to a recent count presented to the San Marcos City Council.

The Hays County Homeless Coalition conducted its annual point-in-time count on Jan. 25, sending out 50 volunteers to survey people throughout the county. The coalition is a group of organizations and agencies in the area focused on addressing homelessness, including local shelters, and is a member of the Texas Homeless Network, a statewide nonprofit.

They identified 210 people experiencing homelessness. Thats up 16.7% from the 180 people counted in 2023 and up 21.4% from the 173 people counted in 2022.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The count was first conducted in Hays County in early 2020, when volunteers counted 102 people experiencing homelessness. In 2021, they counted 107, but only surveyed by observation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The count includes people staying in emergency shelters or transitional housing, who are considered sheltered, as well as people who are unsheltered, defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as using a place that isnt a regular sleeping accommodation, like a car, park or bus station.

This year, volunteers tallied 99 people considered unsheltered, more than double the 40 people accounted for in January 2023. Three of them were children. This years count included 63 who people who were surveyed and reported being unsheltered, and another 36 who were observed, meaning volunteers werent able to approach them or they would not speak with a volunteer, but met federal criteria to be counted, coalition co-chair Nancy Heintz said.

READ MORE: Family of unhoused man killed by San Marcos police calls for release of video

She said the increase in unsheltered people could have reflected that the count was more accurate than in previous years, because hot spots were identified better in advance to help volunteer teams locate people.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Another 111 people were counted as sheltered but homeless, including 57 children under the age of 18. Those numbers were submitted by shelters, Heintz said, including the Hays-Caldwell Womens Center, which is a domestic violence shelter, the Southside Community Centers transitional shelter in San Marcos, and the Blanco River Regional Recovery Teams housing stability program that provides temporary motel stays.

While the coalition sent teams throughout the county, the vast majority of surveys were conducted in San Marcos. Volunteers identified two people in Wimberley, five in Buda and three in Kyle, according to a map. A team sent to Dripping Springs did not find anyone to survey.

Because the point-in-time count is conducted only on a single date set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, it cant be used to calculate the total number of people experiencing homelessness in the county, coalition co-chair Rev. Joshua Sutherlun said. There could be people who arent located by survey teams, who were previously homeless but housed on that particular day, or who are on the verge of homelessness at the time.

HILL COUNTRY HEADLINES: Top stories from the booming region

However, the data can be used as a snapshot to highlight trends and gather insights about the effectiveness of programs and services, Sutherlun said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The data is also used by local groups and agencies to apply for and receive federal funding and other resources, he said. The counts are a valuable part of how the federal government reviews and gives out funding to deal with homelessness concerns, he said.

Surveys identified 15 unsheltered and 10 sheltered people who said they had serious mental illness, eight unsheltered and one sheltered with a substance use disorder, and 29 people who said they were survivors of domestic violence. All but four of those were housed in a shelter, according to the report.

Sixteen of the people counted said they were veterans, and 13 of those did not have shelter.

Council member Jude Prather, who is Hays Countys veteran services officer, said his office uses the data to request housing vouchers for homeless veterans. Last year, they received 16 vouchers, he said.

The most difficult to count are people experiencing what Sutherlun called hidden or invisible homelessness, or people who arent using services and might be staying temporarily with friends or family or in a similar situation. Those people often have jobs and are trying to maintain the appearance of a normal life, according to the presentation.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The countywide survey is conducted only during daytime hours, Heintz said, which also presents another challenge.

Those hidden homeless  and people that cant stay much after daylight, they have to move, theyre pretty mobile, and its hard to capture that, she said.

She said the organization hopes to do more mapping in advance of next years count to improve the accuracy in areas outside San Marcos.

The coalition worked with the citys Homeless Outreach Team to prepare for the count by identifying hot spots to find people, but they had less data to rely on outside the city. Local law enforcement also provided data from previous calls to help volunteers locate people, Heintz said. One person in Wimberley was located because the Hays County Sheriffs Office provided information that led them to a roadside park, she said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
A bill to address a weakness in the Alabamas public records law received final passage in the Legislature on Tuesday.

The law says citizens have a right to inspect and obtain copies of public records but is silent on when state agencies are required to respond to requests for records.

The Senate gave final passage to SB270 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, to put some timelines in the law. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey, who can sign it into law.

The Alabama Press Association, which has worked for years to strengthen the law, supported the bill, which passed the House and Senate without a dissenting vote. It was handled in the House by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa.

This is a big step forward in making public records requests easier for the public, Felicia Mason, executive director of the Alabama Press Association said in an email. SB270 establishes much needed timelines for the process. We appreciate Gov. Ivey and her staff for their assistance and support. We appreciate Sen. Orr and Rep. Almond for their determination in getting the bill through the Legislative process.

We also appreciate the counties, municipalities, school boards, universities and other stakeholders that came to the table to make this a bill that is beneficial for all, Mason said.

The bill defines requests for public records in two categories with different timelines for when agencies must respond.

Standard requests are those that take less than eight hours of an agencys staff time to fulfill. Time-intensive requests are those that take more than eight hours to fulfill.

The bill requires agencies to acknowledge requests with 10 business days of receiving them. For standard requests, agencies would have to follow up with a substantive response within 15 days of acknowledging. A substantive response means providing the requested records, agreeing to provide them at a set place or time, agreeing to provide them after payment of a reasonable fee, or denying the request with an explanation of why.

Agencies could extend the response time in 15-day increments by notifying the requester in writing.

If the request is not filled within 30 business days or 60 calendar days after acknowledging receipt, it is presumed to be denied, the bill says.

For time-intensive requests, the deadlines are different. Agencies must provide a substantive response within 45 business days and can extend that in 45-day increments. If there is no substantive response to a time-intensive request with 180 business days or 270 calendar days, the request is presumed to be denied.

The bill says agencies do not have to respond to requests that are vague, ambiguous, overly broad, or unreasonable in scope. It says agencies do not have to respond to requests that seek records that are not public or records that do not exist.

A 2019 study by a researcher at the University of Arizona ranked Alabama last among states in responsiveness to requests for records.
A bill to repeal and replace the Alabama ethics law was carried over Wednesday morning by the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee, ending its chances for passing this session.

Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, who sponsored the bill, told the committee he stands behind his bill, which drew opposition from Attorney General Steve Marshall and the Ethics Commission.

The House passed Simpsons bill more than a month ago but it never advanced out of committee in the Senate.

A maximum of two days are left in the session, counting Wednesday.

Simpson, a lawyer and prosecutor, said the biggest misconception about the bill, HB227, is that it would weaken the ethics law. Thats what Katherine Robertson, chief counsel for Marshall, and Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Albritton told the committee during a public hearing on Tuesday.

Simpson noted that a report produced by a reform commission that included both Marshall and Albritton called for changes to the law in 2019, and that Alabamas appellate courts have urged the Legislature to clarify the law. Simpson led a study group that held public meetings last year on the law.

Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Montgomery, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, commended Simpson for his efforts to tackle the issue.

Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, worked with Simpson on the bill and introduced a substitute version with some changes that Simpson supported.
A bill to repeal and replace the Alabama ethics law failed to advance Tuesday after the Ethics Commission executive director, the attorney generals office, and a former corruption prosecutor spoke in opposition to it at a public hearing.

The Senate Judiciary Committee carried over HB227 by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, after the public hearing. The bill is on the agenda when the committee meets again Wednesday morning. Simpson said he is still optimistic the bill could pass. Two days remain in the legislative session after Tuesday.

The ethics act is intended to prevent elected officials and public employees from using their offices for personal gain. The last major overhaul to it came in 2010.

The House of Representatives passed Simpsons bill on April 2. Simpson said it would clarify and strengthen a law that he said directly applied to about 300,000 elected officials and public employees, including teachers, police, fire fighters, and others who work for state and local governments.

The Senate Judiciary Committee adopted a substitute version of HB227 by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville. It includes some changes but retained much of Simpsons bill. Simpson said he supported the changes.

Speaking to the committee, Simpson read statements from an ethics reform commission that released a report in 2019 calling for changes to clarify the law. Simpson said the law had been amended at least 25 times since it was passed in 1973 and there is confusion about the scope and application of the law.

This bill is attempting to fix that problem, said Simpson, who led another study group that held public meetings about the law starting after the 2023 legislative session.

Matt Hart, a former federal and state prosecutor who now works as a defense attorney, said HB227 totally disregarded the findings by the 2019 study commission that Simpson mentioned. Hart, who prosecuted former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard under the state ethics law in 2016, said HB227 would weaken the law and would make some actions that are now crimes no longer illegal.

Katherine Robertson, chief counsel for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, told the committee the bill failed to achieve the clarity that Simpson said was the goal. For example, Robertson said the bill creates overlap between criminal and civil violations that would result in inconsistency about how some types of cases are prosecuted. Robertson said there is room for compromise on the legislation but that the bill needs more time and work.

Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Albritton told the committee the bill would undermine the independence of the commission, which he said is a fundamental principle of ethics laws recognized nationally.

Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who was on the 2019 commission, said he had serious concerns about HB227 because he said it goes far beyond the commissions recommendations. Orr said he still had a bill that was drafted based on the 2019 report but was not introduced because other issues took precedence and the disruption of the COVID epidemic.

The Judiciary Committee meets again at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. HB227 is the first bill on the agenda.
One of two charged in the slaying of a beloved Birmingham husband, father, and jeweler, has been extradited to Alabama nearly two years after the killing.

Joshua Jermaine Burns, 22, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail late Tuesday night, jail records show.

He and 20-year-old Jayveon Khiry Fleming, 18 are charged with capital murder in the Aug. 20, 2022, shooting death of 29-year-old Cedric Mahaffey.

Both were arrested in California in October 2022. Fleming remains held in California.

Mahaffey, known for his grill business  Golds by Ced  was found murdered in a vacant southwest Birmingham house. Mahaffeys white Mercedes Benz was missing when his body was discovered.

Police said the suspects stole Mahaffeys sedan and drove it to Sunnyvale, California. They were taken into custody there by the Santa Clara Police Department after they reportedly tried to commit a robbery in California.

Officers from the citys West Precinct responded at 8:42 p.m. that Saturday to a Shot Spotter alert of one round fired in the 500 block of Francis Place S.W.

Once on the scene, police were directed to Mahaffey in the front room of a house. He had sustained a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service.

Police said a single gunshot was heard prior to the discovery of the victim.

Mahaffeys friends and family said he was likely set up to be robbed. It was not uncommon for Mahaffey to go to his customers to take molds for their grills or deliver the final product.

Mahaffey graduated from Wenonah High School and then attended Alabama State University, eventually going into the family business. He left behind his wife, Santana, and three children.

Those who know Mahaffey said he was spiritual and a deep-thinker and was active in Urban Hope.

Mahaffey, followed by more than 7,000 people on Facebook, often posted scripture, and important life messages about family, marriage, and parenting.

Burns is set to make his first court appearance on Thursday.
A Trafford man has pleaded guilty in the 2020 death of his girlfriends infant son.

Thomas Anthony Glenn, 32, was initially charged with felony murder in the slaying of 5-month-old Isaiah Noel.

He pleaded guilty April 29 to a reduced charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, according to court records.

Per the plea agreement, Glenn surrendered to the Blount County Tuesday to await transfer to the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Isaiah was pronounced dead May 27, 2020, at St. Vincents Hospital-Blount.

The investigation showed that Glenn was dating Isaiahs mother and would watch him while the mother worked.

Court records show Isaiah died from trauma to the brain after he was shaken.

Based on the facts of the case, we are pleased that Mr. Glenn took responsibility for his actions with his guilty plea,' said Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey. My office will continue to fight for those that cannot fight for themselves.
Legislation increasing criminal penalties for shooting into an occupied building or vehicle received support from a Senate committee Tuesday, despite opposition from two Alabama Senate Democrats and Black activists who believe the focus should be on gun control.

But the bills sponsor, Democratic State Rep. Barbara Drummond of Mobile, told AL.com after the hearing that the bill was about holding culprits accountable for their actions, and that she is concerned over a mounting number of gun violent injuries from people shooting into buildings and vehicles.

Doing nothing is not an option, said Drummond, who got HB174 passed out of the Alabama House last month with an 84-0 vote, but with 18 lawmakers abstaining  all who are Democrats.

After the Senate committees approval Tuesday, the bill now goes to a vote before the full Senate.

This bill is about those innocent lives being lost or maimed, Drummond said. These random shootings into structures and cars, we have got to stop making victims of the culprits. We got to make people accountable for their actions.

Under HB174, shooting into an occupied building or vehicle would go from a Class B to a Class A felony. A Class A offense in Alabama includes some of the most serious crimes including murder, kidnapping, robbery, rape and arson. Punishment ranges from 10 to 99 years in prison with fines up to $60,000.

The legislation has changed since it was first introduced by Drummond during a news conference in February. Originally, the legislation also made it a Class A felony for shooting into an unoccupied building or vehicle. But that language was removed, leaving those offenses at a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The amended version has the support of Republicans, including Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch. Its being sponsored in the Alabama Senate by Sen. David Sessions, R-Mobile.

This is to get the worst of the worst off the streets, said Burch, who was in Montgomery to advocate for the bill. The bill is not targeting anyone  its (about) the repeated crime we are seeing from a small group of individuals. That is who we want off the street. Hopefully as a deterrent, they will see there are serious consequences for shooting up inside someones home.

Democratic concerns

State Sen. Vivian Figures argues against HB174 that increases penalties against people who shoot into occupied buildings during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Monday, May 7, 2024, at the State House in Montgomery, Ala.John Sharp

Drummonds support of the legislation comes amid opposition within her own party. During the committee hearing, Senators Vivian Figures, D-Mobile; and Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, voiced their concerns that the legislation increased penalties and did not address gun access.

Coleman-Madison said she was concerned that someone who shoots their gun during celebrations like New Years Eve or the Fourth of July, could face life imprisonment. Celebratory gunfire, while illegal in Alabama, remains a common tradition during those holidays and a frustration in cities like Birmingham and Mobile.

Coleman-Madison said she would prefer lawmakers crack down on access to firearms.

We will not pass any type of gun control  its all about access to the weapons, she said. We have more guns in the United States than we do people.

Figures said she did not believe increased penalties will prevent the shootings. Figures, herself, had her house targeted by gunfire in 2021. According to police, a gunman fired 23 times at the senators home. No one was at the home at the time.

It pains my heart to vote against my House member and sister, Representative Drummond, and Sheriff Burch, Figures said. But I am also a victim of having my dwelling shot into while I was not at home. However, just as I dont believe in the death penalty because it certainly does not deter people from committing crimes and murdering people, I dont feel this will deter (crime) either.

Figures said the problems are much deeper than just charging someone with a felony and putting them into jail for life.

We have to get to the root as to why these crimes are happening with our young people, she said, turning her attention toward the supermajority GOP and its support of fewer law restricting gun access highlighted by the 2022 approval of statewide permitless carry which allows gun owners the right of not having to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm.

We continue to pass bills that you can have a gun without having a permit, which means you dont even get a background check, Figures said. The Legislature did that and I fought against that. I was with law enforcement during that time. But I dont think (HB174) is a deterrence.

Drummond agrees with her Democratic colleagues, and argues that she favors stricter gun access laws. But she also said that she is dealing with the cards Ive been dealt on the political realities of working in a Legislature in which the Republicans are a supermajority.

I am not in favor of more guns, Drummond said. But I know where I am, in a supermajority that favors guns on the streets.

She added, This bill is about the poor victims who are killed or maimed or having their lives destroyed.

Drummond also opposition from former Mobile City Councilman Jermaine Burrell, who served on the council from 2009-2012, while Drummond was an executive within then-Mayor Sam Joness administration.

Burrell said he felt it was disheartening to see one of our own from our community to put a bill like this forward. He, like other Democratic lawmakers, said there needs to be issues on gun access addressed. He also said that in Mobile, there are issues involving the police chief situation that should be addressed before lawmakers increase penalties on gun-related crimes.

There are laws on the books to deal with murders, said Burrell, founder of Voices of Truth Community Organizers. He was joined in opposing the legislation before the Senate Judiciary Committee with Shalela Dowdy, regional organizer for the State of Alabama with Black Voters Matter.

Tragic examples

9-year-old Cailee Knight was shot and killed while asleep on a couch early Tuesday morning in an apparent drive-by shooting.(Facebook photo)

Drummond said her legislation goes beyond Mobile, and that there are problems with shootings throughout Alabama.

Im tired of counting bodies, she said. There is a difference between Black culture and street culture. Street culture is tainting Black culture right now. I did this (legislation) for all those innocent people who died at the hands of street culture and they happened to be tainting Black culture. They are both Black (people). We all have to stand accountable for our actions. This is accountability. When a family comes to me and says their mom was killed and someone got three years (prison sentence) because they are a young person, there is something wrong with that.

Drummond has cited several incidences in which someone shot into a building or vehicle, leading to tragedy.

Among the examples is Grace Carter, who was attending a Tuesday night Bible study class at a church in Prichard in 2021, when witnesses though she had gone into cardiac arrest. Instead, the 65-year-old Mobile woman was found shot in the chest from gunfire outside the church. She died an innocent victim, killed by a 27-year-old woman firing a gun outside.

Other tragedies have occurred. In December, 9-year-old Cailee Knight was shot and killed by a bullet while sleeping on a couch inside her home on Rhett Drive. Authorities said that people with high-powered weapons drove by the home and opened fire.

We are not talking about a few, Drummond said. We are talking about a lot.

This story was updated at 10:20 p.m. on May 7, 2024, to clarify Jermaine Burrells title.
A Republican congressman on Monday backtracked on some of his praise for a campus conflict that included a man who made monkey noises and gestures at a Black student who was protesting the Israel-Hamas war.

Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia said he understands and respects feedback about one person during the protest at the University of Mississippi.

If that person is found to have treated another human being improperly because of their race, they should be punished appropriately, and will hopefully seek forgiveness, Collins wrote on the social media site X. Frankly, I did not believe that to be the focal point of the video shared at the time, but I recognize that there certainly seems to be some potentially inappropriate behavior that none of us should seek to glorify.

A national fraternity, meanwhile, said it has removed one of its members for racist actions at the University of Mississippi as a large group of students heckled a smaller group of pro-Palestinian protesters.

The racist actions in the video were those of an individual and are antithetical to the values of Phi Delta Theta and the Mississippi Alpha chapter, the national fraternity said in a statement Sunday. The responsible individual was removed from membership on Friday, May 3.

The Associated Press left a voicemail message with the fraternitys national office Monday, asking whether the student who was removed was the one shown making the monkey noises and gestures. There was no immediate response. The fraternity did not release his name.

Collins was first elected to Congress in 2022 and made several social media posts criticizing campus protests. On Friday, he posted to X: Ole Miss taking care of business, with a with a link to the video showing the racist jeers.

The national NAACP president and CEO, Derrick Johnson, criticized Collins.

A Black Woman was victim to pandering, racist remarks and gestures, and hateful speech with the hope of breeding fear, isolation, and retreat, Johnson wrote Saturday on X. She marched forward anyway. I hope racists like Mike Collins took note of that as well.

Collins said Monday that he admires students who stand up against pro-Hamas, anti-American protesters, including at schools such as the University of Georgia.

I believe any school, like Ole Miss or UGA, that does not allow the occupiers to run roughshod over the 99 percent of students who are there to learn and enjoy college are taking care of business, Collins said.

Nobody was arrested during the demonstration 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 universitys students were white and about 11% were Black in 2022-23, the most recent data available on the schools 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.
With less than a week to go before Mercedes-Benz workers in Alabama vote on joining the United Auto Workers, the fight to win hearts and minds is playing out on pro-and anti-union websites.

Next week, workers in Vance will vote on union membership May 13-17, with vote totals available that Friday.

The vote comes after 5,200 workers at the plant signed union cards, requesting the National Labor Relations Board conduct an election.

Using cyberspace as a virtual union rally - or counter demonstration - is not new.

Its a pattern that first played out three years ago in Alabama, when Amazon workers in Bessemer voted on joining the Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union (RWDSU).

The union - and some affiliated pro-labor groups - packaged content, videos and FAQs into sharable tweets and social media posts. Amazon countered with a pro-company website, encouraging workers to Do It Without Dues.

The circumstances are different at Mercedes however.

The RWDSU vote came after only about 30% of the workforce in Bessemer had signed union cards, while roughly 70% in Tuscaloosa County have signed them.

The UAW is employing its own website, which provides a plant schedule for voting, and FAQs for the election, such as, Will forming a union result in the closure of our plant? (the union says no, as you might expect) and Will we have to go on strike?

Our right to strike is the most powerful tool we have as workers. But strikes are rare, and we decide when to strike. Under the UAW Constitution, a strike requires the approval of 2/3 of participating workers in a democratic strike authorization vote, the site states in answer to the question.

Mercedes workers in Alabama are ready to make history and vote UAW YES, May 13-17.



And thousands of autoworkers across the country, from Volkswagen to Toyota, have got their backs.



Mercedes Alabama Stand Up! pic.twitter.com/TXjLBlTbpm  UAW (@UAW) May 7, 2024

The website also provides video testimonials from pro-union Mercedes workers and information about last years Stand Up strike against the Big Three American automakers.

But the anti-union forces have won one aspect of the Google battle - put Mercedes UAW Alabama into the search engine, and the first link visible is to a pro-company page, The Truth About the UAW, a sponsored site.

There are large numbers of employees who do not support the UAWs effort to unionize at Mercedes.

Many are afraid to speak out but recognize the UAWs toxic effects on the workplace, the site states, with employees in videos criticizing the union push.

In February, the CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, Helena Duncan, also announced a website, Alabama Strong, online advertisements, and a campaign to provide Alabamians with a full and thorough picture of the economic dangers that unionization presents.

That site presents anti-union information in large white letters against a black background, warning about union dues, strikes, layoffs and plant closures.

Strategy for conducting a union drive has appeared somewhat different with Mercedes-Benz than the Amazon fight. When the RWDSU first tried to unionize Amazons Bessemer warehouse in 2021, they relied on several celebrity endorsements, such as actor Danny Glover, rapper Killer Mike and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and even got an endorsement from President Joe Biden.

The strategy garnered a lot of publicity nationally for the vote, which ultimately went against the union. A second vote is still in dispute.

As for Mercedes-Benz, UAW President Shawn Fain visited with some workers in March, and has traded barbs with Gov. Kay Ivey.

But Fains visit was publicized largely after the fact, and his statements have come through livestreamed speeches during similar union drives against Volkswagen and Daimler Truck.
A capital murder charge has been dismissed against a Birmingham woman in the 2021 fatal shooting of her husband after his family spoke in her defense.

Jasmine Mari Drake, 32, was charged in the April 1, 2021 slaying of 44-year-old Louis Bryant.

The charge was capital because Bryant was killed in the presence of children. The couple had been together 11 years and shared three kids, now ages 12, 8 and 6.

The dismissal comes after Bryants family told a Jefferson County judge that they believed their loved one was killed by Drake in self-defense.

I was afraid Id die that night, Drake told AL.com. Id like to thank everyone who stood by my side and believed in me from Day 1.

This situation has been the hardest thing Ive ever had to deal with but by the grace of God, and with the support from my family and amazing lawyers, our justice system has finally proven my innocence, Drake said.

Birmingham police responded at 4:30 a.m. that Thursday to a report of a person shot at 1516 Vanderbilt Road.

When they arrived on the scene, they found Bryant unresponsive. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead on the scene.

Drake was arrested several days later and released on $100,000 bond.

Her case was set to go to trial the week of April 15, 2024, but Bryants family members went to court and told Jefferson County Circuit Judge Alaric May that they believed Drake killed Bryant in self-defense.

Drake had claimed self-defense all along.

May, in his dismissal order, said testimony was taken and Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Foster Marshall then filed a motion to dismiss the charge against Drake.

The judge noted the victims family approved the states motion, and May dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it can never be brought back to court.

Drake was represented by Birmingham attorneys Wakisha Hazzard and Maston Evans.

Drake said she would never wish what shes gone through over the past several years on anyone.

Im grateful its finally over, she said.

Drake has remained part of her kids lives but her relatives have custody of them. She is now working to change that.

Now that Ive been cleared and it was proven it was true self-defense, I will be getting them back soon and God knows Im so happy about that, she said. Thats all Ive wanted is my children back.

Im a good mother and Id do anything for my children, she said. My children need me.

Drake has been working at a car dealership since her release on bond. She said her life has been forever changed.

For so long, every aspect of my life was controlled by him and then the courts, to a certain extent, she said. I can now for the first time in a long time make my own decisions and that freedom feels so good.

Again, Id like to thank God, my family and my amazing defense team, Drake said. Without them, I couldnt have made it through this extremely difficult time in my life.

Drake said any woman in a domestic violence situation needs to leave.

Dont stay, she said. It doesnt get better. It only gets worse.
Authorities in Jefferson Parish and the Mississippi coast are searching for answers to a bizarre situation in which iguanas are being found with their legs bound with electrical tape and zip ties.

According to the Jefferson Parish (La.) Protection & Animal Welfare Services, (JPAWS) three iguanas have been found alongside roadways since mid-April, with their front legs bound behind them in a manner similar to suspects who have been handcuffed.

Another was found tied in Saucier, Miss., according to NOLA.com, although that iguana was bound with its back legs tied up with its tail.

All four of the iguanas were alive when they were found, but two died shortly after, likely due to the lack of food and water, according to JPAWS. The other two have been turned over to rehabilitation centers and are expected to recover.

Officials, however, want to know whos responsible.

We are looking for any information that may help us find the perpetrator of these cruel acts against a defenseless animal, read a post to the JPAWS Facebook page.

Micha Petty, who heads the Louisiana Exotic Animal Rescue Network, told NOLA.com the restrained and abandoned iguanas could be the result of someone trying to eliminate the invasive species and he also said iguanas are sometimes sold live and restrained in a similar way.

Of course, the motive could also be run-of-the-mill sadism, Petty told the outlet.
Two people were in custody after robbing an armored vehicle Tuesday afternoon, according to San Antonio police. Another suspect, police said, was on the loose. Dave Thompson - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

Two people were in custody after robbing an armored vehicle Tuesday afternoon, according to San Antonio police. A third person, police said, was on the loose.

Around 1 p.m., two armed men and a woman robbed a Brinks truck that was restocking an ATM in the 5100 block of Walzem Road, east of the Interstate 35 and Loop 410 intersection, according to police.

Police could not say how much money was stolen.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

When the three drove off, a San Antonio police helicopter tracked them up Interstate 35 to a neighborhood off FM 1103 in Schertz. The woman ran with some money, but officers caught up with her.

One of the men ran and began jumping fences in the Northcliff subdivision, sending two nearby schools into lockdown. Officers also took him into custody. It is unclear how the third person evaded police.

There were no injuries, according to police, and they were still searching for the third person.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
A woman thought she was being helpful when the Serbian man she had met on a dating app asked her to translate a message into Colombian Spanish, saying he needed it for a novel his friend was writing.

I met someone wonderful, the message began. He has a summer house about 2h from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there. There is barely any signal though. Ill call you when I get back.

The woman sent him back the Spanish version of the message. Later, her mother Googled his name, David Knezevich.

That was when she saw, according to a criminal complaint, that he was the husband of Ana Knezevich, 40, a Fort Lauderdale woman of Colombian descent who disappeared in Madrid in February and hasnt been seen since. The exact message the woman had sent him for his friends novel appeared again and again in news reports, sent from Ana Knezevichs phone the day she disappeared.

David Knezevich, 36, was arrested Saturday at Miami International Airport on kidnapping charges pertaining to his involvement in his wifes disappearance, according to federal officials. It remains unclear if Ana Knezevich is alive or dead, but a federal complaint brings to light new details about the events surrounding her husband and her disappearance.

Investigators allege that David Knezevich spray-painted the security cameras at his wifes building in Madrid, stole license plates from a car on the street where she had disappeared, and later, while she was widely reported missing, had his employees impersonate her in order to close out insurance policies and open a bank account.

On Feb. 2, Ana Knezevich went to look at apartments. She wanted to stay in Madrid more permanently, she told her friends. She was preparing for a divorce from David Knezevich, in which he did not want to divide up the assets evenly, according to the complaint. She was afraid of him and thought he was secretly monitoring her. According to a petition for conservatorship filed by her family in Broward County, she had told friends that he was narcissistic and manipulative during group therapy sessions.

Security cameras captured Ana Knezevich entering her Madrid apartment a little after 2 p.m. It would be the last time anyone ever saw her.

That night, a man in a helmet entered the building a little before 9:30 p.m. Inside, he spray-painted the security camera lens, though he did not completely obscure its view.

It captured him duct-taping the buildings lock so that he could enter it again. At one point, he looked right at the camera. He appeared to have physical characteristics that resemble of those of Knezevich, the complaint states.

About an hour later, camera footage captured him leaving the elevator with what appeared to be a suitcase.

The next day, David Knezevich reached out to the Colombian woman he had met on the dating app back in October of 2023, who is not named in the complaint.

Hey babe, he wrote. I need your help.

He explained that his Serbian friend was writing a novel with a minor character who is Colombian and he wanted her to translate a few sentences. They workshopped the paragraph back and forth, the complaint says.

Later that day, a text message went out from Ana Knezevichs phone to her friends, identical to the one the woman had translated. Despite the translation, her friends and family were immediately suspicious. It did not sound like her, they said.

Firefighters forced their way into Ana Knezevichs apartment on Feb. 4. She had disappeared, and so had her cellphone, laptop and chargers. Using surveillance footage, police identified the brand of spray paint the man had used to disable the camera. They found that a retailer had sold the same brand of spray paint earlier that day to a man who looked like David Knezevich, according to the stores surveillance footage. He had also bought two rolls of duct tape.

Meanwhile, the Colombian woman had continued talking to David Knezevich, who had sent her a picture of a plane ticket from Serbia to Colombia, though he never got on the plane. At some point, the woman told her mother about him. Her mother then Googled his name and came across the news stories about his wifes disappearance in Madrid. When the woman read the articles, she found the text and later contacted authorities.

David Knezevich had flown to Istanbul from Miami in late January, then arrived in Serbia. But he didnt stay there, according to the complaint. On Jan. 30, he left the country in a car. He did not return until Feb. 5, three days after Anas disappearance.

When Knezevich returned the car he had rented, the windows were tinted, the license plate frames had changed, and two stickers had been removed, according to the owner of the rental car agency. The car had traveled close to 5,000 miles.

A man in Madrid had submitted a police complaint saying that the license plates were stolen off his car, on the street where Ana Knezevich had been staying, Calle Francisco Sivela. The stolen plates had been captured at toll booths on the same type of car that David Knezevich had rented, though the tinted windows obscured the driver from view, according to the complaint.

About a month later, with Ana Knezevich still missing, a number associated with David Knezevichs company called an insurance company to cancel three policies. The caller told the company that she was Ana Knezevich, according to the complaint. Children could be heard in the background; Ana Knezevich had no children.

Then, in April, an employee of the company told police that David Knezevich had instructed her to impersonate his wife in order to open a new bank account, according to the complaint. He had given her Ana Knezevichs Social Security number.

The employee told police that she had told him that she did not feel comfortable impersonating a missing woman. He told her that it was not serious and that she had to do it in order to be paid.

I cannot call with my voice because I sound like a guy, David Knezevich told her, according to the complaint.

Knezevich appeared in federal court in Miami briefly Monday, and is currently being held in the Federal Detention Center in Miami, inmate records show. A bond hearing is scheduled for Friday, The Associated Press reported.

It is unclear why David Knezevich had chosen to return to South Florida on Monday. His attorney, Ken Padowitz, said Tuesday that he would not speak on the case at this time and is in the process of reviewing the evidence and meeting with his client.

Ana Knezevichs brother referred reporters to his familys attorneys for comment. In a prepared statement, the familys attorneys thanked law enforcement, friends, and television news anchor Chris Cuomo, who first broke the news of her disappearance.

Anas family has asked me to express their monumental gratitude to the Spanish Police and the FBI for their committed work on this challenging international investigation, the familys attorney, Adam Ingber, wrote in a statement, and especially to Anas best friends, who alerted authorities immediately and then pressed the police to address their concerns, which instigated the investigation; and to Chris Cuomo for bringing international attention and urgency to Anas cause, when few others seemed to care, which likely helped lead to the arrest and expected charges.

-------

2024 South Florida Sun Sentinel. Visit at sun-sentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Alabama lawmakers are poised to adopt a measure Democratic critics derided Tuesday as anti-union amid a rising current of unionization efforts at automobile manufacturers including a crucial vote next week at a Mercedes Benz plant in Vance.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey could soon sign SB231, after it received a 72-29 vote on the Alabama House floor following a spirited debate that included jabs at Alabamas history toward thwarting unionizing efforts.

It was the second time in two weeks that the House debated and voted on the bill, as Tuesdays version is considered a final version adopted out of a join House and Senate conference committee.

Here is full coverage of the Alabama Mercedes union battle

Alabama is one of 27 right-to-work states, allowing employees to refrain from union membership. The state enshrined its pushback from unions in 2016, when voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that guarantees that workers in Alabama cannot be forced to join labor groups or pay dues, even if their employer is unionized.

Alabama doesnt like unions, and the governor made a statement a few weeks ago that she didnt want the union, said Rep. Berry Forte, D-Eufaula, who was once a longtime member of the United Steelworkers. Why is the South so afraid of unions?

Ivey is expected to sign the legislation. She blasted efforts by United Auto Workers (UAW) earlier this year, saying their effort places Alabamas model for economic success as under attack.

Disqualifying incentives

Under SB231, economic incentives the state approved to lure a company to Alabama would be withheld if the firm voluntarily recognizes a union or does not hold a secret ballot during union elections. Union elections are typically done through secret ballots.

Also disqualifying is if a company voluntarily discloses an employees personal contact information to a labor organization or a third-party acting on behalf of a labor group without the employees prior written consent.

The Alabama Department of Revenue would be charged with handling investigations into potential violations, according to the bill.

The bill sets a date of Jan. 1, 2025, to revoke economic incentives. In other words, any benefits given to companies before New Years Day would be protected from the bill.

That date is notable given that a key union vote is set to occur next week at the Mercedes Benz plant in Vance that involves approximately 5,000 employees. The auto manufacturer, which operates the plant a 25-minute drive east of Tuscaloosa, won a $253 million economic package from the state in 1993.

A union drive is also underway at the Hyundai plant in Montgomery. Under federal law, workers can request unionization if 30% of workers at a specific workplace sign union authorization cards. The UAW said it requests elections once it gets 70% backing for union support at a specific workplace.

If UAW gets a foothold in Alabama, all of the rest of the companies will organize right behind them, Forte said. They will have a good contract. I know the governor is shaking now. It probably will pass.

Other Democratic lawmakers questioned the intent of the legislation. Similar legislation is under consideration in Georgia and Tennessee. The UAW recently scored its first major win in the South, when 73% of workers cast votes to support unionization at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga.

That leads me to believe there are some nefarious tactics in the background causing us to take this road, said state Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, the chambers Minority Leader. I dont see this as what it appears to be on the surface as the reason for (SB231). I think there are some other reasons for it.

Harmless bill

Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle, on the Alabama House floor on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at the State House in Montgomery, Ala.John Sharp

The legislations House sponsor said the Democratic critics were overselling the bills intent.

State Rep. Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle, said SB321 was not aimed at blocking unionizing efforts, but was put into place to prevent secret unionization elections he argued could be used to intimidate Alabama workers.

If a union comes in and you cast a vote and the current situation is a card with your name on it, people would know how you voted, Stadthagen said. In a way, this is a harmless bill to make people feel comfortable.

He said his concern with union votes that occur when someone signs their name to a card, and in which others can see how their colleague is voting.

People would know how you voted, Stadthagen said. In other states, there are certain entities going to their house to get their votes this way. Nationwide, certain things have happened. Think about these employees working to provide for their families and how stressful that will be. This would be protection for them to make them feel comfortable for them and their companies.

He also gave an example of a single mother working at a factory intimidated by men who wanted her to do something.

You dont think shed be intimidated? Stadthagen said during a floor debate with Forte, who responded, The union will put something in the contract to protect. No one will fool with her. If you do, youre automatically gone. Women came up from the ladder from no where to make as much as men.

Stadthagen replied, Absolutely. But in any situation, anyone can feel intimidate for a number of reasons. They will not make the right decision that is best for them, but will do what is best for the (work or cultural) environment.

The debate over SB231 comes as union members is steadily rising in Alabama, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Alabama had 156,000 union members last year, or 7.5% of the workforce, up from a historic low of 5.9% in 2021, and 7.2% in 2022.

Alabama, like other Southern states, still lags behind the national averages for union membership which is around 10%. But 11 other states had union membership below 5%, with South Carolina having the lowest participation rate at 2.3%.

The last major unionization effort at a manufacturing plant in Alabama occurred in 2021, when thousands of hourly workers at the Amazon warehouse in Bessemer voted nearly two-to-one against unionizing during a secret, mail-in election.

The UAWs interest in Alabama comes after union strikes at Big Three Detroit automakers -- General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis -- led to contracts with higher pay and arguable better working conditions. The UAW is now targeting 13 nonunion automakers, including the Mercedes-Benz site in Vance.

Voting is scheduled to take place May 13 and 17 on whether workers will join the UAW. Vote totals are expected May 17.
This is another installment in Birmingham Times/AL.com joint series Beyond the Violence: what can be done to address Birminghams rising homicide rate. Sign up for the newsletter here.

Many parents charged with crimes sit behind bars for months, even years, losing time with family.

Many have not yet been convicted of a crime and are awaiting trial from jail simply because they cannot afford bail. Cara McClure, founder and executive director of Faith and Works Collective, a social justice nonprofit, will begin another round of bailouts Thursday to reunite incarcerated Black women with their families, just in time for Mothers Day.

A lot of times they sit in jail, languish in jails only to be found not guilty because thats how the system is set up. Its set up to keep us there, to have control over Black bodies. If you are rich, and you go to jail for the same reason, you get to go home and take care of your affairs. But if youre poor, the system is set up to punish poor Black people, McClure said.

Money should not be a determining factor in freedom. Were bailing these women out, Black mamas, to bring awareness to the harms of cash bail and pretrial detention.

About two-thirds of people in jail in the United States  an estimated 500,000 people, according to The Marshall Project  are incarcerated because they cant afford bail or a bond. The median bail amount for felonies is about $10,000.

According to a 2024 Prison Policy Initiative report, 190,600 women are incarcerated in the United States and 80% of women in jails are mothers, and most of them are primary caretakers of their children.

Faith and Works Collective did its first round of bail outs in 2017 after seeing the work done by the National Bail Out for Black mothers.

I remember it was so special. We found multiple women that day in the system. And we just bailed them out, McClure said.

In its first two years, Faith and Works Collective raised over $1 million for community bail funds.

Since its inception, Faith and Works Collective has evolved. Using the National Bail Out toolkit, they found better ways to support mothers once they are out of jail by providing resources and support services such as money for groceries, bills, rent and transportation.

When a woman, a Black mother, just sits there caged because shes poor, they lose their car, their benefits, their homes and a lot of times they lose their children, McClure said.

Volunteers go through the Jefferson County inmate portal searching for red flags: an unusually high bail, no bail listed at all or women who have been in custody for a long time. Once they identify a mother, volunteers set up an interview to identify a womans needs after jail, as well as addiction or support services she might need.

What were trying to hear is what are some of their needs. Were not there to just talk about their crime. Were there to find out whos taking care of their children. Do they need clothes? Do they need transportation, groceries, McClure said.

After ensuring that she wants to be bailed out, volunteers reach out to the womans family members.

The nonprofit is taking donations to bail out Black women and reunite them with their families for Mothers Day. So far, Faith and Works Collective has raised $147,000.

McClure said Faith and Works Collective has already identified two women for the bail out.

The mothers

In 2021, Yolanda, a mother who spent six months in jail before being bailed out by Faith and Works Collective, was found not guilty of a domestic violence charge. Now, Yolanda has her own apartment in Decatur, close to her oldest son and grandson. AL.com is not using her full name because her court file is not public and because she was found not guilty.

Upon bailing Yolanda out of jail, Faith and Works Collective got Yolanda a bed at the Lovelady Center, where she also enrolled in a rehabilitation program.

I got closer to God and built up my faith. Even in that time, Faith and Works Collective, Cara was still contacting me. I completed the program there and everything has just been going well. I got the help I needed. They saved my life, Yolanda said.

They kept in contact with me and kept up with my progress, and my court dates. Eventually, all my charges was dropped and I was found not guilty. And still to this day, I still keep in contact with everybody. What they did for me was just really awesome.

Yolanda is just one of many mothers who have had to sit in jail simply because they could not afford bail.

In 2022, JaCari Letchaw, a single mother of five children, was arrested for a nonviolent offense. Her bail was set at $60,000, more than what Letchaw would make in a year.

Letchaw spent two weeks at the Jefferson County Jail. She lost her job and was facing eviction.

There had been an eviction notice for six days. So we were able to find out who we needed to talk to and help her save her home, McClure said.

Had Faith and Works Collective not bailed her out, Letchaw likely would still be awaiting trial from jail, two years after being arrested.

She could have lost everything, including her kids, Rosa Williams, a Faith and Works Collective volunteer, said.

Our system says that we are innocent until proven guilty. However, thats not what theyre practicing. Courts are backed up for years. Youre taking someones life from them just to go to trial and say, now youre not guilty, but theyve lost everything. Their kids, their jobs, their reputations. Why should you have to sit in a cage if youre innocent until proven guilty?

McClure and Faith and Works Collective volunteers reunited Letchaw with her children. The word mommy echoed off the walls of the room as Letchaw was reunited with her children as they hugged and cried.

I look at some of the women and Im thinking, how many kids do you have, who got your children, is anybody there for your kids. Youre losing your home, everything, while youre sitting in jail because you dont have the money to get out. And the bonds are set so high, Gwen Woods, a Faith and Works Collective volunteer, said. It needs to be changed. It needs to stop. I think its sad, its really awful.

Around Thanksgiving 2023, Faith and Works Collective bailed out a mother with five children. While the mom was in jail, her oldest daughter, who was in high school, had to quit her job to take care of her siblings. And their grandmother worked to support the family.

Faith and Works Collective gave the grandmother $1,000 in cash to pay for groceries and bills.

This really touches my heart because I know people that have been incarcerated and had to sit. None of the family members had any money. Nobody could get them out. So now we got to figure out who can take the children. The home is gone. No furniture, nothing. Theres a lot of work to be done. And Im glad to be a part of it, Woods said.
Alabama is set to conduct its second execution using nitrogen gas later this summer.

Gov. Kay Iveys office set Alan Eugene Millers execution date for any time between midnight on September 26 and 6 a.m. September 27. The timeframe set by the governor allows the execution to take place during those hours, but the prison system has typically set executions for 6 p.m.

The nitrogen execution will come eight months after Alabama conducted the first and only execution of its kind in the United States.

The first was in January, when Kenneth Eugene Smith was put to death by wearing a gas mask in which he inhaled pure nitrogen. Witnesses to the execution could see Smith writhing with seizure-like movements for about two minutes, before a period of heavy breathing and slight gasping.

Miller, 59, was convicted in the Aug. 5 1999 Shelby County workplace shootings in which he killed Terry Jarvis, 39, Lee Holdbrooks, 32, and Scott Yancy, 28.

Miller killed his victims at his current and former places. Holdbrooks and Yancy were employees of Ferguson Enterprises, while Jarvis worked for Post Airgas in Pelham.

The Alabama Supreme Court last week granted the states request to put Miller to death using nitrogen gas.

Hes survived an attempt to be executed once before.

Miller was first set to die by the Alabamas three-drug lethal injection cocktail in September 2022, but prison officials called off that execution about 30 minutes before the states death warrant expired that night. Millers veins couldnt be accessed within execution protocol time limits, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm told reporters gathered at the prison system media center.

The U.S. Supreme Court had cleared the way for the execution to start about 9 p.m. that night, giving members of the prisons execution team nearly three hours to conduct the lethal injection.

At the time, Hamm said the execution team did start trying to access Millers veins to insert the intravenous lines for the fatal cocktail, but he wasnt sure how long the team worked to try to access a vein. When pressed what was being done during that nearly three-hour period, Hamm would not elaborate. Like I said, there are several things that we have to do before we even start accessing the veins. And that was taking a little bit longer than we anticipated.

Miller claimed later in a lawsuit that prison workers poked him for 90 minutes trying to start an IV.

After that attempt, the state agreed with Millers lawyers in a federal lawsuit that it would not seek to execute Miller by lethal injection again, and that any attempt to execute him in the future would be done with nitrogen gas.
A north Alabama day care has closed its doors after prosecutors claimed there was evidence two employees of the facility were breaking the law in their interactions with children.

The Marshall County district attorney said a harassment warrant was issued for one employee of Kids Korner in Guntersville but did not elaborate on the allegations.

An investigation into the day care was launched by Marshall County District Attorney Jennifer R. Brays office after a former employee lodged accusations against the facility.

We are praying for all the parents and good employees affected by Kids Korners decision to close its doors, she said. We know this undoubtedly has a serious impact on many families in our community, including our own employees whose children attend Kids Korner. However, we will always take allegations made against day care [centers] seriously, and even with the disheartening results of Kids Korners closing, we would not do it differently.

During the investigation, which ended this week, the DAs office found evidence that two current employees were violating Alabama law in their interactions with children, Bray said.

The investigations findings was shared with the board of directors of the First Methodist Church of Guntersville, which ran Kids Korner.

The childrens parents were notified of the alleged incidents, Bray said, and prosecutors instructed them on how to obtain warrants against the employees.

As of Tuesday, a harassment warrant was issued for one of the workers.

The investigation also revealed evidence that Alabamas mandatory reporter law, which requires credible evidence or allegations of child abuse or neglect to be reported to authorities, was broken, Bray said.

Prosecutors cannot pursue a case on those incidents because the statue of limitations has passed, the DA said.

Any parents whose children attended Kids Korner who have questions or concerns were asked to call the DAs office at 256-582-8113.
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management is taking a closer look at bacteria levels in Perdido Bay, after residents of the area complained about a sewage smell coming from Spanish Cove, a residential community south of town.

Lillian residents frequently complain about the smell of sewage coming from the Spanish Cove area. There is a lift station in the community that the smell is coming from, says Mike Cleveland, a resident who began testing the water in Peterson Branch, a creek that flows into the Perdido Bay through Spanish Cove.
This is an opinion column.

I was almost arrested.

Okay, thats a stretch, I confess. I was in the room, inside the Old Union at Stanford University on the afternoon of May 9, 1977. Students (mostly) began gathering there to demand that the institution divest its holdings in companies based in South Africa or that did business in the country.

The country under apartheid rule, a system of legal (and sometimes lethal) discrimination by the white minority against the Black majority.

A system that regularly arrested, convicted, and imprisoned anyone who fought to dismantle it Among them: young activist Nelson Mandela.

That day in May 1977 when protestors began convening in the lobby and hallways of Old Unionalmost all with backpacks and books to keep up with studiesMandela and seven other members of the anti-apartheid African National Congress had already been imprisoned for 17 years. (According to South African History Online, 936 people were banned under apartheid; many were executed.)

Legal segregation in America, Jim Crow, had existed in the lifetime of every Stanford student that year, including this college junior from Tulsa, Oklahoma, a city that fed and fattened Jim Crow. Until it was felled by the Civil Rights Act of 1964; I was eight years old.

That day in May 1977 was just days after the seventh anniversary of the killing of four students and the wounding of nine others by the Ohio National Guard on the campus of Kent State during protests against Americas Vietnam War involvement. The tragedy sparked a tsunami of protests that shut down colleges and universities across the nation.

I was solid with the protestors inside Old Union, angry that not long before the Stanford Board of Trustees refused to leverage its shares (93.950) of Ford Motor Company stock to call for the carmaker to pull out of South Africa.

Yet I was there to observe and report as a press badge-carrying staffer for the Stanford Daily, the school newspaper.

Just a few dozen protestors initially occupied the building. There were chants: Apartheid means profit, Stanford wont stop it. And renditions (lyrically challenged, bless their hearts) of We Shall Overcome. Yet for the most part, workers and those accessing services there casually stepped over and around them, most sprawled on the floor with their heads in a book or chatting.

The numbers swelled, as word circulated that protestors who refused to leave Old Union when doors closed for business at 6 p.m. would be arrested.

Soon, protesters numbered almost 300.

I stayed inside.

At 6 p.m., officers began entering Old Union. Some were recognizable members of Stanfords own, men and women usually deployed to ask you to turn your music downbut not to stop smoking weed. It was, after all, California.

I followed the first group of the cuffed protestors out the door. Suddenly, a roar ascended from more than 500 supporters who had gathered outside Old Union, unbeknownst to those of us inside. There were, after all, no cell phones.

They cheered louder and louder each time a protestor was removed294 were arrested on that day in May 1977.

I was not among them.

Thirteen years later, Mandela walked out of prison, the future president of the nation that jailed him. Fourteen years after that day in May 1977, apartheid finally died.

Those were different times than thesethough not so much.

Ive thought many times in recent weeks about that day in May 1977. Thought about it amid the rise, escalation, and reverberations of pro-Palestinian protests and counter-protests at colleges spanning the nation. Thought about it as more than 2,600 people (some students, some not) were arrested or detained at 54 colleges and universities, per data compiled into a compelling chart by The New York Times.

Thought about it as our commitments to free speech and compassion were stretched to the brink.

Thought about while watching a University of Mississippi white students vile, ugly, insipid, and, yes, racist taunts towards a Black woman just a few days ago, taunts emboldened by other white students.

Different times, though not so much. (University administrators opened a student conduct probe on at least one of the boys and have repeatedly said students who commit such acts  will not find shelter or comfort on this campus. Well see.)

Ive thought about the similar calls and cries for humanity between that day in May 1977 and these maybe not-so-dissimilar times.

Calls to divest from hatred.

Calls for peace.

Calls still yet answered.

Im a member of the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary. My column appears on AL.com, as well as the Lede. Tell me what you think at rjohnson@al.com, and follow me at twitter.com/roysj, or on Instagram @roysj.










English News Fujian Navy Yard: a witness to China-France exchanges

Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 7 Mai 2024



"With a focus on heritage preservation and cultural exhibitions of shipbuilding relics, the Foochow Arsenal cultural area will continue to develop a cluster of modern industrial museums, telling the story of exchanges between China and other countries to the whole world," said Liu Jiangyuan, director of the management committee of Fujian shipyard culture.

By Liu Xiaoyu, People's Daily At the mouth of the Minjiang River in southeast China's Fujian province, the water flows calmly without ripples. Nestled by the Luoxing Pagoda along the river bank, the Fujian Navy Yard, also known as Foochow Arsenal, stands as a precious industrial and cultural heritage site founded 158 years ago and a witness to China-France exchanges that have spanned over 100 years.



On May 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris for a state visit to France. On the same day, a signed article by President Xi titled "Carrying Forward the Spirit that Guided the Establishment of China-France Diplomatic Relations, Working Together for Global Peace and Development" was published in French media Le Figaro. Xi said, "Over 150 years ago, French nationals helped China found its Fujian Navy Yard and the Fujian Naval Academy."



Transformed from a former shipbuilding warehouse of the Foochow Arsenal, the Museum of Foochow Arsenal 1866, has now become a "treasure trove" preserving the memories of the shipyard.

On the right side of an exhibition hall on the first floor of the museum stands a French machine that is almost 160 years old, discolored to a deep black over the passage of time.



"It's a slotting machine, also known as a vertical shaper, which is used for cutting machine beds. Therefore, it is considered the 'mother machine' of modern industry," said Chen Yue, president of the Mawei shipyard culture research association.



The memory of the slotting machine's return to the Foochow Arsenal from Sanming city of Fujian province five years ago is still fresh in Chen's mind.



"Marked with French inscriptions 'J.DUCOMMUN &CIE' and 'MULHOUSE 1867,' the slotting machine was likely one of the first French machines imported by the Foochow Arsenal, a testament to the century-long history of China-France exchanges," Chen told People's Daily.



Chen has been dedicated to modern naval history for decades, with a particular emphasis on the Foochow Arsenal's history.



"In 1866, driven by the dream of national rejuvenation, the Chinese people established the Foochow Arsenal in Mawei, Fuzhou. They built shipyards, constructed warships, manufactured aircraft, established schools, attracted talent, and developed the navy. The Foochow Arsenal has become a frontier for China's exploration of national rejuvenation in modern times," Chen explained.

The Foochow Arsenal, carrying the mission to bring about a change in modern China, accomplished several groundbreaking milestones in the Chinese history.



It established China's first naval academy, nurtured the country's first modernized naval fleet, and created the first large-scale shipbuilding industrial base of modern China.



It constructed China's first domestically built armored steel warship and manufactured the country's first shipboard steam engine and first biplane trainer for naval aviation.



Besides, the Foochow Arsenal also cultivated a large number of modern talents in fields such as science and technology, military affairs, diplomacy, education, and social sciences, including figures like Yan Fu, Zhan Tianyou, Gao Lu, Wei Han, Luo Fenglu, Chen Jitong, Deng Shichang, and Sa Zhenbing. They made prominent contributions to China's modernization efforts.



Rene Vienet, a French scholar of modern Chinese history, called the Foochow Arsenal an "oil field" of French historical memory. Vienet, in his eighties, has been dedicated to studying the history of China-France exchanges, particularly the history of the Foochow Arsenal.



"Many 'firsts' in the history of China-France exchanges were born here: the first sophisticated modern school in China, the first Chinese school where classes were taught in French, and the completion of the first Chinese translation of the French novel The Lady of the Camellias," Vienet said.



"The first superintendent of the Foochow Arsenal Prosper Marie Giquel was also French. He assisted Zuo Zongtang in establishing the Foochow Arsenal in Mawei, introducing modern machinery and engineering personnel from France. The old slotting machine was an example" Vienet noted.



"Xi's forward thinking ensured the protection of this invaluable historical and cultural heritage for us," said Xie Zuomin, former general manager of Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Group Company Limited.



In April 1997, then deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee Xi Jinping inspected the Mawei Shipyard, which originated from the Foochow Arsenal.



At that time, plans were underway to construct a riverside avenue that would pass through the Mawei Shipyard. The construction would affect production and more importantly, may cause damage to the century-old remains. Upon learning about this, Xi suggested using an elevated bridge to minimize the impact on the shipyard.



In 2016, the Mawei Shipyard was relocated to Culu Island of Fuzhou, embarking on a path of high-quality development. At the same time, its original site has been fully protected and transformed into a cultural area.



Stepping into the cultural area, historical imprints of China-France exchanges come into view. The steam engine workshop, which was built in 1867 and designed by French engineers, adopts the truss structure of modern industrial workshops and is the birthplace of China's first practical steam engine. Upstairs, the painting and design institute specializing in ship drawing and design showcases a typical French decorative style. Dozens of modern ship designers have emerged from there.



The enduring bond between the Chinese and French people, originating from the Foochow Arsenal, has withstood the passage of time and remains strong today.



In 2014, Laurent Fabius, then French foreign minister, and Marie-France Marchand-Baylet, president of the Groupe Depeche Foundation, visited the Museum of Foochow Arsenal 1866 and the steam engine workshop. Fabius presented a statue of Giquel to the Fuzhou municipal government in recognition of Giquel's contributions to France-China exchanges. The Museum of Foochow Arsenal 1866 collected and exhibited the statue.



At the end of 2023, China's first folding progressive multidimensional experience play "The Glory Belongs to Foochow Arsenal" was officially performed in a former maintenance workshop of the Foochow Arsenal. Vienet visited China once again to watch the play. This time, he brought to China two pieces of good news: the complete compilation of Giquel's diary and the translation of Giquel's memoir in cooperation with a Chinese scholar.



"We are preparing to establish a 'Friends of Giquel' non-governmental association, aiming to connect with the descendants of French nationals who worked for the arsenal and Chinese students who studied in France, to carry on the century-long history of China-France exchanges and promote cooperation in the new era," said Wei Hui, the great-grandson of Wei Han, one of the first Chinese students of the Fujian Naval Academy to study in France. His proposal has been supported by many departments.



Today, construction is in full swing on the eastern side of the Foochow Arsenal cultural area. A wide underpass has been put into use, reconnecting the arsenal that was once divided by an elevated bridge into two parts.



"With a focus on heritage preservation and cultural exhibitions of shipbuilding relics, the Foochow Arsenal cultural area will continue to develop a cluster of modern industrial museums, telling the story of exchanges between China and other countries to the whole world," said Liu Jiangyuan, director of the management committee of Fujian shipyard culture.



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)
Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts on the Express-News Crime Team. She can be reached at ezavala@express-news.net.

Born and reared in San Antonio, she graduated from Fox Tech High School in 1981 and has been a newspaper journalist since she graduated from Texas Womans University at Denton in 1985. She has worked at five daily newspapers in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle.
The conservative media sphere was collectively stirred by the recent claim of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, during oral arguments in Missouri vs. Biden, that restricting the governments power to police social media for misinformation -- the critical issue of the case -- would result in The First Amendment hamstringing the government in significant ways. Jackson continued, I'm really worried about that because you've got the First Amendment operating in an environment of threatening circumstances from the government's perspective."

In unison the right fired back with what seems a self-evident refutation of Jacksons position -- namely that restricting the power of government to tip the speech scales in favor of policies that agree with the governments perspective is the entire point of the First Amendment

But such objections are of course not self-evident. They seem so within the cultural context of what might be called the Old Time American Religion -- the civic mythology in which the values of the Declaration of Independence are held to be sacred, the Founding Generation venerated, the Revolution told as a heroic epic, and so forth. But the current American elite progressive class -- of which Ms. Jackson is a preeminent avatar -- is simply not impressed with the Old Time Religion.

Indeed, the very designation of progressive elucidates how this class understands itself relative to this -- or any -- tradition. Progressivism views politics as an exercise in emancipation from tradition -- which is dismissed in toto as a melange of superstitions and oppressions from a benighted past -- and towards a society of maximally free individuals -- liberated from the dead weight of religious injunctions -- whose autonomy is subjected only to those constraints that any and all rational agents would uphold as necessary for a functioning society, by common sense, or basic decency. Henceforth, this will be designated the Progressive Proposition.

It has long been the contention of conservatives -- really of non-progressives -- that such a project is incoherent, that basic human reason and common sense do not exist abstracted from particular metaphysical commitments; rather, it is peoples particular metaphysical commitments which materialize into what they perceive as their basic human reason and their common sense. Hence there can exist no rationally prescriptive, culturally neutral public space. External regulations, regardless of how permissive or restrictive they are, will always emanate and harmonize from some particular social ethos and conflict with others.

The vacuity of the presumption that any human has access to Pure Reason, unmediated by culture, is most vividly displayed when its exponents indulge it. Jackson blithely waves away 200 years of free speech jurisprudence with made-up government censorship prerogatives; her position ultimately boils down to Free speech is good except when the government needs to control information. Or consider this passage from the New York Times Magazine, on October 13, 2020, citing a consortium of scholars who argue that perhaps our way of thinking about free speech is not the best way... Other democracies, in Europe and elsewhere, have taken a different approach. Despite more regulations on speech, these countries remain democratic; in fact, they have created better conditions for their citizenry to sort whats true from whats not.

Two things are notable here; first, there in both cases, the speaker simply accepts, without hesitation, that a proper function of government is to sort truth from falsehood; second, there is an uncanny lack of any sort of grounding or justification for any point they are making. Both speakers are content to wallow in a morass of subjectivity, with no fixed standards, no signposts, no determinate reference regulating the restriction of speech.

This retreat to subjectivity is merely the other side of the coin of the Progressive Proposition. Jackson, being a progressive, is emancipated from having to exhibit any fealty to the core tenets and traditions of Civic Americanism; the progressive facade allows her the pretense of operating from Pure Reason alone. But being human, and thus lacking access to the Platonic Realm of Form, Ms. Jackson simply replaces the subjectivity of a particular cultural consciousness with the subjectivity of Ketanji Brown Jackson. The scope, limits, and function of the First Amendment hence no longer operate according to a publicly accessible tradition that reflects a cultural consciousness; they operate according to what Ms. Jackson feels is reasonable. If Ms. Jackson believes -- or better yet, views it as Self-Evident -- that individuals are bovine creatures easily misled by purveyors of misinformation, and that the government in turn, consists of educated, vetted professionals like herself whose credentials signify superior discernment, then surely the rational limits of free speech should allow for this sort of curation. After all, no one is a free speech absolutist!

The point is not to dwell on Ms. Brown Jacksons arrogance; she is merely an avatar of her class, which, as evinced by the referenced paged of the NYT Magazine, holds these sorts of views near-unanimously. The point is that no appeal to Pure Reason, or to universally discernible values, can adjudicate the discordance between a Jeffersonian and a Jacksonian reading of the First Amendment. Both are committed to Free Speech in their own way. The issue is the substance behind the principle. which does not lie within the text itself, but in the particular set of cultural aspirations and shared values that imbues the phrase Free Speech with any palpable meaning.

The social fact that there are at least two Americas, means in practice that there are at least two First Amendments. The classical civic American First Amendment is an expression of the cultural commitment to the individuals right to form his own beliefs without interference from a government that is viewed as inherently corruptible, according to a tradition deriving from the Founding. The progressive First Amendment -- like everything else progressive -- is an exaltation to the superiority of the professional Elite Class and the benevolence of the government it controls; it views free speech as just another supervised amusement for the masses, for which the elites set up guardrails to prevent them from getting any untoward ideas.

As the progressive elite grows in power, it has come increasingly to rejoice in its own shared consciousness -- the consciousness of elites qua elites -- and increasingly abhors showing any sort of consideration for the civic American tradition. This class no longer needs to pretend that it is bound to the traditions it despises or the electorate it loathes. It appeals only to its own collective subjectivity as an Elite Class, to its own ever-shifting consensus positions, adherence to which is one of the few conditions to maintaining ones good standing amongst said elite.

The irony has come full circle. The Progressive Propositions allure was its promise to free the individual from being ruled in accordance to arbitrary and alien authority structures and only bow before reason itself. Its end result was to subject everyone to the subjectivity of an arrogant ruling class that brooks no challenge to its vaunted position. Rather than emancipate the population from the injunctions of an angry God, progressivism emancipated the ruling class from the only check on its power, the constraints that the American civic tradition placed over its government, which are ultimately only enforced by a collective consciousness that is committed to this tradition.

Image: Simon Gibbs
Has the Supreme Court noticed that weve crossed a legal Rubicon? The Constitution  that thing the Court is supposed to defend  is becoming less relevant by the day because the left has decided that our mutual pact of self-governance doesnt apply to leftists. They have weaponized our government against us  using it to surveil, silence, harass, and steal from us. Our own government is even arguing that the Constitution should not be a constraint on its operations  which is precisely what its purpose is.

Are the Supreme Court Justices beginning to realize that we are in crisis? Two recent cases indicate that they are awakening to that reality.

In Fischer v. United States, the court is considering the validity of using a financial statute to charge January 6 trespassers with obstruction of an official proceeding. During questioning, Justice Gorsuch asked, Would pulling a fire alarm before a vote qualify for 20 years in federal prison? He was referring to Democrat Jamaal Bowman, who pulled a fire alarm to prevent a congressional vote yet was not charged with obstructing an official proceeding. That was Gorsuchs way of asking if something other than party affiliation determines who will face the greater jeopardy of obstruction charges. It was a sarcastic illustration of the decidedly unequal system of justice the DoJ is currently practicing.

In Trump v. United States, the Court is considering whether Donald Trump has immunity for actions taken while he was president. The DoJ argued that the motive for presidential actions should determine whether immunity applies and that the discretion and good motivations of DoJ attorneys should be trusted to make that determination (try not to laugh). Justice Alito questioned the wisdom of that argument, asking if the DoJ should be trusted, given its history of abusive partisan prosecution. That is about as close as a Supreme Court justice will ever come to telling a government solicitor general that the latter has squandered his last ounce of credibility.

It appears that the Supreme Court justices are becoming aware that our justice system is now a tangle of broken constitutional promises and inconsistent legal decisions. But do they realize that they helped create this mess?

When pundits complained about inconsistent decisions from the courts, and the obvious political biases at play, Chief Justice Roberts responded,

We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges. What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them.

Roberts was ignoring the early warning signs that a cancer was destroying our republic and advising the public to ignore the lump, its nothing. But its not nothing. Our republic was being eaten away by a malignant leftist tumor. Roberts wishing it were otherwise didnt make it otherwise.

When Democrat party operatives used hoaxes to attack a president and a nominee for the Supreme Court (Brett Kavanaugh), the justices should have realized the extent of our problem. But as the election of 2020 approached, they seemed determined to continue business as usual.

When state election officials used the 2020 pandemic as justification to change election rules, several organizations filed lawsuits claiming that only the state legislatures are constitutionally authorized to make such changes. But the Supreme Court declined to hear the cases. Since the election hadnt happened yet, nobody had been harmed; hence, there were no damages to be adjudicated.

After the election, in which an unprecedented number of irregularities occurred, Texas (and several other states) petitioned the Supreme Court to adjudicate the issues. But the court ruled that since the irregularities hadnt occurred in Texas, citizens of Texas were not harmed, and the state therefore lacked standing to file suit.

When audits of the election began to reveal problems, organizations again asked the Court to engage. But the Supreme Court declined again, simply saying that the election had been certified, and the arguments were therefore moot.

Im sure the justices thought they were being prudent and were protecting the reputation of the Court by staying as far away from a controversial election as possible. If so, they placed protection of the Court over protection of the Courts source of authority  the Constitution. It was shortsighted  as we see in hindsight.

Avoiding the problems of 2020 only created much bigger trouble for 2024. According to Rasmussen Reports, 1 in 5 people who voted by mail in 2020 admit to cheating. Now few Americans trust our elections.

A lack of legitimacy didnt stop the Democrats from working toward political hegemony. The Democrats used their control of the Legislative and Executive Branches to attempt fundamental transformation of all three branches of government. They came within two Senate votes of changing the nature of our government for decades  if not forever. Had Senators Manchin and Sinema not balked, the Dems would have packed the Supreme Court, added two liberal states to the Union, and nationalized elections.

During all of this, the Supreme Courts power to stand against fundamental transformation was waning. When the Court attempted to constrain Executive overreach (i.e., student loan forgiveness), the president simply ignored it. Democrat strategists are even arguing that Popular Constitutionalism is a legitimate way to interpret the Constitution. They insist that the president has the authority to interpret the Constitution and may read into it whatever he wishes. They say the president can decide that the Dobbs decision was incorrect and declare that the Constitution provides an inalienable right to abortion. Popular Constitutionalism is a giant red light that if the justices stay out of our current political civil war, the Court may become its first casualty.

We are at a constitutional cliff. The Court aided our descent into banana republic status when it chose restraint over aggressive defense of the Constitution. Should the Democrats consolidate control over the government in the next election, there is nothing in their behavior arguing that they will refrain from:

adding four leftist senators,

packing the Supreme Court with leftist finders of penumbras and emanations,

arresting their political and ideological adversaries,

ignoring all limitations imposed by the Constitution, and

rendering the Supreme Court irrelevant for all time.

The Supreme Court needs to make radical course corrections now, because it failed to make minor adjustments when it would have mattered.

The Courts desire to exercise restraint is an admirable judicial philosophy  in a well functioning republic. When a car is running well, minor maintenance is the only appropriate action. But when the car is on fire, it doesnt need an oil change. It needs emergency action.

Do the Supremes realize that the leftists have set our republic on fire? The Court needs to stop looking for excuses for restraint and start looking for opportunities to stop the advance of tyranny. This is the time for bold action  or after November there may be nothing left to defend but ashes. They need to consider that as they deliberate on the cases before them.

John Green is a retired engineer and political refugee from Minnesota, now residing in Idaho. He spent his career designing complex defense systems, developing high-performance organizations, and doing corporate strategic planning. He is a staff writer for the American Free News Network and can be reached at greenjeg@gmail.com.

Image via Pixabay.
On the surface, Trump supporters are well-educated and successful professionals, but underneath that veneer were monsters who want to make America great again.

At least, thats what Michelle Kosinksi thinks, because a first hand experience enjoying dinner with supporters of the president has left a permanent impression that will haunt her.

Heres the story, from Fox News:

Ex-CNN reporter Michelle Kosinski wrote in a Sunday social media post that she was surprised by how normal a group of closeted Trump supporters seemed at a dinner she attended, which she said continues to haunt her. All were well-educated and successful in careers. They seemed great! On the surface. For like an hour. But slowly, over a few drinks, they began to let slip their true MAGA natures, Kosinski wrote.

Those of us who have been previously called as deplorable, irredeemable, racist, xenophobic, homophobic, transphobic, MAGAt, etc. believe haunting things like:

The Justice Department should be used to enforce laws instead of being used as a political arm of the Democrat party to illegally spy on and prosecute political opponents; it should also prosecute real criminals instead of targeting parents, Catholics, and MAGA supporters.

The Betsy Ross and Gadsden flags are not signs of domestic terrorism.

The DHS should enforce border laws instead of being used to facilitate the invasion of illegals from around the world to destroy our country.

The climate changes cyclically and naturally, and always will.

Unborn babies are people too.

Children from poor families shouldnt be imprisoned by school boundaries so failing schools and bad teachers can keep their jobs; these kids should have the freedom of choice to go to better schools.

People should have the right to choose what kind of health insurance they buy.

It is better for the people to keep the money they earn, instead of the greedy government continually stealing it.

Capitalism is the system that allows the most people to move out of poverty, and off of the government plantationthis is good.

Women should not have to compete against men in sports, and they shouldnt be forced to share private spaces with a person with a penis.

We should not fund Iran, which funds terrorists and has two goals: death to America, and death to Israel.

People have a right to medical freedom, and should not have been fired for declining to participate in clinical trials of a novel drug (Covid vaccine).

Children should not have been kept out of school, ignoring science and at the behest of powerful teachers unions.

People should have the freedom of choice on what kind of car and truck to drive.

Politicians and bureaucrats cant control temperatures, sea levels, and storm activity.

China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and other adversaries dont care about their carbon footprint, even if they sign the worthless climate accord.

People who borrow student loans are responsible for paying back the loans, not the rest of us.

A president doesnt have the dictatorial right to spend hundreds of billions paying off student loans to buy votes.

We should have DAs who keep career criminals in jail, not Soros-supported activists who aid and abet career criminals to harm society.

I know, really haunting right?

I have been out of the closet for a long time as a proud Trump supporter who wants to stop the intentional suicide of America and make America great again. The best way to help the poor and middle classes, minorities, and small businesses is to defeat these power hungry politicians who think the solution to everything is more regulations and higher taxes.

Vote Trump!

Image: Public domain.
Some states have made laws to have universities get rid of their DEI offices.

Good luck with that, because now the infamous equity offices are morphing into other acronyms, same way ACORN used to change its names every time another scandal broke.

DEI, which is "diversity, equity, and inclusion," is a disastrous policy, but harbors a big, decadent, racism industrial complex, so Democrats, as they always do, are "rebranding" the concept instead of getting rid of, to intentionally mislead the public.

Start with Texas.

Not long after Texas passed SB 17, a law prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public colleges and universities, many institutions chose to rename their former DEI offices, using words like belonging, community engagement and student development in the new titles.

Thank goodness these high paid DEI people won't lose their jobs. Most of the compliant media will go along because they don't mind misleading the public as long as the policies go into effect and Democrats win. At least the leftists at these universities have a dictatorial president who will pay off student loans. We wouldn't want students or the colleges to be held accountable.

The DEI enthusiasts in Oklahoma had their own version of DEI mega-morph:

OU's division of DEI to change name to Division of Access and Opportunity Even though DEI positions will come to an end and staff members will take on new roles that support our community broadly, no one in those roles will lose their employment with the university because of the executive order.

So,Oklahoma's university is not cutting jobs to save students money. Nope, they just changing titles. They will obviously still discriminate.

There's also Utah:

First university in Utah renames DEI office after lawmakers ban words. This is what its now called. Under HB261, Utah colleges, universities and K-12 schools are prohibited from having an office that uses the terms diversity, equity and inclusion in the name. The campus center will now be called the Office of Institutional Engagement and Effectiveness; some changes have been made to update its website to strike the prohibited words. Changing the name in Utah from diversity, equity, and inclusion to Office of Institutional Engagement and Effectiveness will not help students at all. Kamala Harris would be proud of these worthless word salads.
Politico reported last Sunday that Biden bankroller and longtime Democrat mega-donor George Soros, who is of Hungarian Jewish ancestry, financially enables ongoing campus mass-agitations bellowing for the utter destruction of Israel, the world's only Jewish state.

That might seem counterintuitive, to phrase it gently. But Soros's present fanning of anti-Semitic college flames is consistent with his boyhood collaboration with Nazis who sent Jewish prisoners to genocidal deaths.

The amoral left-wing billionaire detailed his abhorrent collaboration during a 1998 interview with CBS reporter Steve Kroft, in a broadcast of that network's 60 Minutes.

A transcript records the exchange:

KROFT: "My understanding is that you went out with this protector of yours who swore that you were his adopted [Christian] grandson. Went out, in fact, and helped in the confiscation of property from the Jews." SOROS: "Yes. That's right. Yes." KROFT: "I mean, that sounds like an experience that would send lots of people to the psychiatric couch for many, many years. Was it difficult?" SOROS: "No. Not at all, not at all. Maybe as a child, you don't see the connection. But it was -- created no problem, at all." KROFT: "No feeling of guilt?" SOROS: "No." KROFT: "For example: 'I'm Jewish, and here I am, watching these people go. I could just as easily be there. I should be there.' None of that?" SOROS: "Well, of course I could be on the other side, or I could be the one from whom the thing is being taken away. But there was no sense that I shouldn't be there, because that was -- well, actually, in a funny way, it's just like in markets. That if I weren't there -- of course, I wasn't doing it, but somebody else would be taking it away, anyhow."

In a 2023 Jerusalem Post essay, Larry Pfeffer observed "By his insensitive logic, German, Japanese, and Russian soldiers could also have exclaimed that they don't need to regret raping women, since if they didn't, then someone else would have."

Recall Soros's unconscionable Third Reich-era collaboration -- and his current bankrolling of campus anti-Israel rioting and Biden's reelection campaign -- when next you hear Democrats smear Trump as Hitler, and compare MAGA to Nazis.

Image: Niccolo Caranti
Is President Trump allowed to defend himself at all?

Not in Justice Juan Merchan's courtroom.

He's not only gagged President Trump at the height of the campaign season, the better to interfere with the election himself, while putting Trump on trial for supposedly just that in 2016, he's also gagged Trump's most important witness, this one from any meaningful testimony that would completely exonerate Trump.

According to Byron York, writing at the Washington Examiner, Trump was required to disclose the hush money payments, made in 2017 through fixer Michael Cohen to porn "star" Stormy Daniels after he won the election, to the Federal Election Commission. Failure to do that is a felony, they claim. However, a former FEC chairman, Bradley Smith, says that's not a campaign contribution and they've never prosecuted for that kind of thing, despite seeing plenty of it around, as in the case of Democrat vice presidential candidate, John Edwards, who paid off a mistress to keep quiet about him. He writes:

Among the things Smith might be able to testify about is the novelty of the current Trump prosecution. Merchan will not allow it. Defendant seeks to elicit from Smith, among other things, that at the time Cohen paid Daniels, there had never been a case in which anyone had been convicted of a federal campaign finance law violation for the making of hush money payments,' Merchan wrote. Smith might also be asked about the facts surrounding the trial of former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards, his subsequent acquittal, and that the case was heavily criticized. Merchan will not allow it. Other things Smith might be able to testify about are the FECs decision to dismiss a complaint against Trump for this very matter and the Justice Departments decision not to prosecute Trump for the same set of actions. But Merchan said Smith cannot say a word about those matters. That the FEC dismissed the complaint against defendant and the DOJ decided against prosecuting defendant for potential FECA violations are probative of nothing, Merchan wrote on March 18. These matters are therefore irrelevant and defendant is precluded from eliciting testimony or introducing evidence or both. So Smith can talk about none of that. None of it. The only topics Merchan will allow Smith to testify generally on are the general background as to what the Federal Campaign Commission is, background as to who makes up the FEC, what the FECs function is, what laws, if any, the FEC is responsible for enforcing, and general definitions and terms that relate directly to this case, such as for example campaign contribution,' Merchan wrote.

He's telling Smith what he's allowed to testify about instead of letting New York district attorney Alvin Bragg make those arguments to the jury. He's saving Alvin the hard work of having to defend his flimsy politically motivated prosecution by gagging Trump's best witness.

Victoria Taft at PJMedia points out that this testimony could well make a difference in how the jury views the so-called 'crime' of this argument over bookkeeping entries.

Prosecutors in the "Get Trump" case in Manhattan allege that Trump's nondisclosure agreement payments to two women shaking him down for money were actually federal campaign expenditures. The bookkeeping error they claim Trump made  misdemeanors if they're charged at all  are now, they argue, felonies because Trump did it in furtherance of stealing the 2016 election. Hillary said so. So if you're Trump's attorneys, you might say "Hey, let's get that attorney guy, the former Federal Elections Commission Chairman, who wrote that op-ed back in 2018 about how these payments aren't federal elections violations." "Great idea," they agreed. But then at pretrial motion in limine, which is Latin for Orange Man Bad, the judge said, well, he can testify, kinda sorta. The Peoples motion is granted to the extent that Smith may not testify as a lay (fact) witness; offer opinion testimony regarding the interpretation and application of federal campaign finance laws and how they relate to the facts in the instant matter, nor may Smith testify or offer an opinion as to whether the alleged conduct in this case does or does not constitute a violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act. (He can testify generally about what the law does.)

This is pretty much micromanaging the testimony of an important witness and not allowing him to provide important context to the jury, who will be spoon-fed Alvin Bragg's legally defective version of events, to fulfill his own campaign promise to Get Trump.

But fair, it is not. This is a full-blown kangaroo court at this point, gagging Trump from defending himself about the obvious bias in Merchan's courtroom at the height of a presidential campaign, and then gagging his chief witness for defense who will point out that the crime charged is not a crime.

How can anyone have a drop of respect for this court, which pretty much has been degraded to a Venezuelan-style court given the rigged outcome and the judge obviously in cahoots with the politicized prosecutor?

It can't. It's a complete garbage case that would never stand up in a free country, but can only take the country downhill as this becomes the standard. Something is very rotten in Manhattan these days and most of us can smell the manure of kangaroos coming from it.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
(Image source from: Freepik.com)

Thailand extends visa exemption program for Indians:- Thailand is extending its visa exemption program for Indian and Taiwanese tourists for another six months. This means that visitors from these countries can enter Thailand without a visa until November 11, 2024, for a maximum stay of 30 days. The aim of this move is to boost Thailand's economy, which heavily relies on tourism. The announcement came from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Thailand plans to encourage longer stays and more frequent visits from these countries by extending the exemption.

This extension follows the success of the initial waiver implemented last November, where tourists from India and Taiwan were allowed to stay for only 15 days under a visa-on-arrival scheme. Thailand is also relaxing visa rules for travelers from other primary tourism markets such as China and Russia. In the first four months of 2024, Thailand welcomed over 12 million foreign tourists, a 39% increase from the same period last year. This year, 50% of all arrivals can be attributed to this particular period.
Google recently rolled out the Find My Device Network to the masses, and this is probably one of the companys biggest rollouts of the year. The new Find My Device Network allows you to locate your phone even if its not online. Well, if you have a Pixel 8, you can locate it on the Find My Device Network even hours after its been powered off.

This may sound impressive, but it wasnt Googles idea at first. This is a functionality that iPhone users have had for a little while, so Google is playing catch up to Apple. In any case, its still a nice feature to have. Its impressive, but its also very limited. Only the Pixel 8 (Review) and Pixel 8 Pro (Review) can use this functionality. Google attributes this to special hardware.

You can locate the Pixel 8 using the Find My Device network hours it powers down

Bluetooth is the lifes blood of the Find My Device network. Devices communicate with one another using Bluetooth, and this is how youre able to locate your devices. If your device is offline, other devices nearby will still be able to ping it using Bluetooth. So, the Find My Device network will be able to access those surrounding devices to get a bead on your devices location.

While very convenient, Pixel 8 users now have the ability to utilize the network even when their phone is powered down. Were not quite sure exactly what Google did, but we surmise that the company implemented a very low-powered Bluetooth solution that can remain powered on even when the phone is off. This way, the Pixel 8 can still ping other devices.

This is extremely convenient; we are all familiar with those times when we have to leave the house with our phone on 15% and try our hardest to stretch it throughout the day. Well, if you happen to lose your phone after it dies, you will still be able to use the Find My Device network.

Pixel 8 users are getting a notification with the text, Find phone if the battery runs out. If this phone runs out of battery or is powered off, the Find My Device network can locate it for several hours.

Will this functionality make it to other phones?

Thats a tough question. Obviously, we expect this functionality to make it to the new Pixel 9 series. Weve little reason to doubt that the Pixel 8a will have this functionality. By the way, the Pixel 8a is official, and you can order it today. However, when it comes to other phones, its a little iffy.

Google did say that it is in talks with other manufacturers about implementing a feature like this to other phones. So, theres a chance that it could make it to other devices, but we have no idea when or how widespread it will be. Hopefully, we see this functionality with devices going forward.
Federal agents search the home of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in Laredo on Jan. 19, 2022. Photo by: Valerie Gonzalez/Associated Press Valerie Gonzalez/Associated Press

Florencio Lencho Rendon, a San Antonio businessman and longtime Democratic strategist and lobbyist, is allegedly one of the middlemen who helped U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife launder bribes from a Mexico City bank, the San Antonio Express-News has learned.

A federal indictment unsealed on Friday accuses Cuellar, 68, and his wife Imelda Cuellar, 67, of collecting nearly $600,000 in payoffs from the bank and Azerbaijan government officials from 2014 to 2021.

Rendon, 73, allegedly met with bank officials in Mexico City on Dec. 17, 2015, to sign a sham contract for consulting services to be provided by Imelda Cuellar. Cuellars wife, a retired tax enforcement officer at the Texas comptrollers office, performed little or no legitimate work in exchange for the payments, according to the 54-page indictment.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Rendon also allegedly assisted in setting up a payment structure intended to mask $238,000 in bribes from the bank.

The indictment identifies Rendon only as Individual-3 and describes him as a San Antonio businessman and longtime associate of Cuellar, a Laredo Democrat. Sources confirmed that Individual-3 is in fact Rendon.

Prosecutors say Individual-3 met with Cuellar for breakfast in Laredo on Oct. 30, 2015, to discuss the bank bribery scheme.

Individual-3 told Henry Cuellar that it was not a good idea to pay Imelda Cuellar directly, the indictment stated.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Cuellar allegedly suggested that Rendon forward the banks payments to his campaign manager, who then would pass the money on to a shell company set up by Imelda Cuellar.

The indictment identified the campaign manager only as Individual-4, but the Express-News has confirmed that the person is political consultant Colin Strother, 50, of Buda, Cuellars longtime adviser and campaign manager.

For their trouble, Individuals-3 and 4 each would receive $1,000 a month, according to the indictment. But prosecutors said Individual-3 (Rendon) wanted more than $1,000.

The bank allegedly wanted Cuellars help in pressuring the U.S. government to revise money-laundering rules and fending off federal regulation of payday lenders.

The indictment didnt name the financial institution, referring to it only as Foreign Bank-1, but the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday identified it as Banco Azteca. Prosecutors described the company as a retail banking chain  that served low-income sectors in Mexico and Central America, providing money transfer, consumer financing, depository, and other services.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Rendon, who owns a home in the gated community of Oakwell Farms in Northeast San Antonio, is a former chief of staff for then-U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz. The Democrat represented the Corpus Christi area in Congress from 1983 to 2010.

Rendon worked for Ortiz from 1983 to 2006, and is currently CEO of LR Global. He described LR Global on his LinkedIn page as a business development firm specializing in renewable energy projects and government relations, with offices in Washington, D.C., Mexico City, San Antonio and Shanghai.

The indictment said Individual-3 owned two consulting firms in Corpus Christi, but Rendons LinkedIn page didnt refer to any business of his operating out of the port city.

Rendon could not be reached for comment. Michael Wynne of Houston, one of his lawyers, referred questions to Rendons lead counsel, Craig Tobin of Chicago, who was not available for an interview.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the identities of Individual-3 and Individual-4.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Its unclear whether Rendon is cooperating with prosecutors.

Strothers lawyer confirmed his client has been cooperating.

Colin is a good and decent man and has always cooperated with the government, criminal defense attorney Michael McCrum told the Express-News. He wants nothing more than for truth and justice to see the light of day.

One of Henry Cuellars lawyers, Chris Flood, said he hoped the two men would tell prosecutors the truth.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Flood said the indictment reads like a spy novel, but its also fiction. Cuellar pleaded not guilty to the charges at a court appearance in Houston on Friday, Flood said. He and his wife each were released on an unsecured $100,000 bond.
Samsung has started preparations for the Android 15 update for Galaxy devices. The new Android version will bring along One UI 7.0, and the company has begun its beta development. The first One UI 7.0 internal test build for the Galaxy S24 series was spotted on Samsungs server today.

Samsung starts beta development of Android 15-based One UI 7.0

Like many other Android OEMs, Samsung doesnt ship its Galaxy smartphones with stock Android. It takes the open-source build of the Android OS and customizes it with a UI redesign, new features, and more. It calls its custom Android skin One UI. The latest build is One UI 6.1, with Samsung expected to introduce One UI 6.1.1 with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 in a few months. The Android 15 update, meanwhile, will bring One UI 7.0.

A couple of weeks back, Google released the first public beta build of Android 15 (it released two Developer Preview versions before that). X user and Samsung tipster @tarunvats33 has found evidence that the company has started development of the next One UI update on top of the new Android version, with the Galaxy S24 series expectedly getting priority. The first One UI 7.0 test build for the new flagships has firmware version S92*BXXU2BXE2.

If you can read Samsungs firmware build numbers, you can see that the Android 15-based One UI 7.0 will be the first major OS update for the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra. If you cant, its fairly simple. The fourth letter from the end is always A out of the box. With every major update, it changes to B, C, D, and so on. The Galaxy S24 lineup will get seven years of Android updates, so the final firmware version should have H in that place.

Samsung may soon open a beta program for the new flagships

Since Google has just started public beta testing of Android 15, the stable update is still months away. Samsungs One UI 7.0 update is even further away. However, it may soon open a public beta program for the Galaxy S24 series. The beta program wont be available globally, though. Samsung usually keeps it limited to a select few markets, including the US, the UK, India, South Korea, and China.

As far as the stable update is concerned, the rollout may begin in October. We will keep a close eye on these developments and let you know as soon as we have more information. You can also check for Android 15 update details for Galaxy devices on the Samsung Members app.
Google has started rolling out the May 2024 Android security update. This update is heading out to the Pixel smartphones. The latest update is a minor one, but it includes important bug fixes and performance improvements.

Will the May 2024 Android security update be available to all qualifying devices?

Google has reportedly released the May 2024 Android security update for Pixel phones. The update is a minor one but important for Google Pixel devices. Moreover, it is the last update before Google releases the next quarterly build of Android OS and the June Feature Drop.

Google has confirmed that the rollout of the May 2024 security update has just begun. Eligible devices should receive the update during this week. Devices that should receive the update include nearly all the devices starting from the Pixel 5 lineup, all the way up to the latest Pixel 8 Pro.

Google Pixel Watch May 2024 Update is the Smallest Security Patch#Google #PixelWatchhttps://t.co/5oV6ieyoq2  AndroidSage (@androidsage) May 7, 2024

The previous security update that Google released last month, was reportedly a mess. Specifically speaking, the April 2024 Android security update didnt reach all the qualifying Pixel smartphones.

Several AT&T subscribers had complained they did not receive the April 2024 security update. Additionally, many others claimed the issues that cropped up after the March 2024 security update werent addressed. If thats not enough, Google had secretly developed an extra build of the April 2024 security update.

Pixel smartphone owners must be hoping this months update addresses their issues, which include poor connectivity. Needless to say, Google has released an official bug list and changelog for the May 2024 update.

How to get the latest Android security update for Pixel devices?

Google has assured that the May 2024 security update will address most of the connectivity issues that Pixel smartphone users are facing. Apart from the growing complaints regarding cellular connectivity, many users have been facing issues with Bluetooth connections as well as camera performance.

Peculiarly, Google has refrained from mentioning any fix for cellular connectivity in this update. However, the changelog for the May 2024 Android security update does mention the following:

Bluetooth  General improvements in stability or performance for Bluetooth LE audio [All Pixel devices]. There were also some fixes for the camera. Specifically, a fix for camera performance under certain conditions when recording video [Pixel 8 line]. Google Pixel smartphones should receive a notification announcing the May 2024 security update. Tapping on the same should begin the installation, and the update will require a reboot.

Alternatively, Pixel owners can head over to Settings>System>System update to manually request the update. Although Google does offer a factory image or OTA file of each of the updates, it would be wise to wait for the OTA (Over-The-Air) update method. Incidentally, Samsung too has started rolling out the May 2024 security update for its eligible Galaxy smartphones.
The Nokia 3210 is one of the best-known (cell)phones of all time. It was announced by Nokia back in 1999, and a ton of people owned it at some point or other. The company sold 160 million copies of the device. Having said that, the Nokia 3210 is now back after 25 years, well, kind of.

The legendary Nokia 3210 is back in a new body after a 25-year hiatus

As many of you know, HMD (Human Mobile Devices) has a license to launch Nokia devices. Weve seen a number of them getting re-released in new bodies over the years, like the Nokia 3310, and its now turn for one of the most popular, if not the most popular of them all.

I owned the original Nokia 3210 back in the day, and it was a joy to use back then. It was top-heavy, which I remember as it was yesterday, but the UI was great, and the buttons were so clicky and nice for typing. Ah the good old days of typing on a phone while not looking at the keys.

In any case, you can see the original Nokia 3210 and the new one side-by-side in the image below. Nokia decided to make that upper portion of the device a bit wider so that it at least somewhat resembles the original.

Needless to say, these two phones dont have all that much in common other than that, and the name. That is not surprising considering that it has been 25 years since the original arrived. Think of this phone as a reimagination of the original Nokia 3210.

It has a nice T9 keyboard, 4G support, and the Snake game too

You will notice a T9 keyboard, with some additional buttons above it. Answer and decline call buttons are there, as are navigation buttons, and an OK button in the middle, plus two additional keys.

With that being said, the new Nokia 3210 does have 4G support, even though its not technically a smartphone. It also includes a 1,450mAh battery and a 2-megapixel camera on the back. An LED flash is also included on the back. The original phone did not include a camera at all, by the way.

I bet some of you are wondering if the Snake game is included, and it is! We dont know how similar it is to the original, but HMD probably decided to include something rather similar. The Snake game on the Nokia 3210 is also kind of legendary.

The new Nokia 3210 comes in Scuba Blue, Grunge Black, and Y2K Gold color options. The device is priced at 79/74.99 in Europe, in case youre interested in getting one.
Microsoft recently decided to take a break from rolling out new Copilot features for Windows 11 users. The company which is reportedly developing its in-house AI model announced the news last week with the release of the Beta Channel Build 22635.3570 for Windows 11.

Microsoft halts public rollout of new Copilot features in Windows 11

This is the first instance of Microsoft taking a break since Copilots introduction to Windows 11 in September 2023. Previous to this, Microsoft has been continuously updating Copilots experience in Windows 11. Most of the Windows 11 updates rolled out by the company used to have a few changes related to Copilot. However, the company seems to have a change of plans. In a part of the changelog for the new Beta Build 22635.3570 for Windows 11 the company announced the break, it adds:

Over the last few months, weve been trying out different experiences for Copilot in Windows (Preview) with Windows Insiders across the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels. Some of these experiences include the ability for Copilot in Windows to act like a normal application window and the taskbar icon animating to indicate that Copilot can help when you copy text or images. We have decided to pause the rollouts of these experiences to further refine them based on user feedback. Copilot in Windows will continue to work as expected while we continue to evolve new ideas with Windows Insiders.

That said, it is a good thing for a company to improve its existing products. But, the decision from the tech giant is quite surprising as it came out of the blue.

Copilot has been a topic of controversy

Time will tell when Microsoft ends this break and rolls out new Copilot features for Windows 11. But, one thing is sure Copilot has had a rough patch ever since its introduction. And, it has been criticized for troubling users. Earlier this year, Microsofts AI engineer addressed concerns about Copilot generating inappropriate images in an open letter to FTC and the company. Moreover, there were reports about a possible ban on Copilot by the US Congress citing some security concerns.
If you want to make the best product, you have to hire the best people. This is a philosophy that many companies live by, and thats not about to change anytime soon. According to a new report, OpenAI is apparently tapping Google employees to build a search engine team.

Not too long ago, we got the news that OpenAI was developing its own search engine. Not only that, but rumor had it the company was going to unveil the search engine just days before Google I/O. Obviously, Sundar and the gang would not like that.

OpenAI could be tapping Google employees to work on its search engine team

For the longest time, one thing that Gemini and other search engines had over ChatGPT was the fact that OpenAIs chatbot could not access the internet. So, its responses are always limited. This is one thing that many people have complained about.

Well, according to multiple sources, OpenAI has been looking to rectify this. Sources claim that the company is now in the process of developing a search engine that could rival Google search. Obviously, we expect the search engine to deliver generative results much in the same way as Google SGE (search generative experience).

Recent reports pointed to the company announcing this search engine on May 9th. That will be less than a week before Google I/O, and that will definitely kill some of the buzz surrounding the annual event.

Well, if the company does plan on releasing a search engine, its going to need some expertise. Several reports pointed to OpenAI contacting several Google employees to join the companys supposed search engine team. This is a practice that has been going on for years, and its only accelerated as AI technology became more of a thing. Companies would either poach workers from notable AI companies or buy out AI startups.

OpenAI has not responded to requests to comment, but hopefully, it will do so soon. We have no idea what sort of benefits or pay OpenAI is offering to Google employees. In any case, if OpenAI does launch its search engine, we expect it to be in direct competition with Google search.
Samsung has begun building One UI 7.0, the next major update for its Galaxy Android smartphones. It should be based on Android 15, which means Samsung could be one of the first brands to roll out the latest version of the smartphone Operating System (OS), right after Google.

Samsung OneUI 7.0 could be based on Android 15

Google released the first beta version of Android 15 a few days ago. The company has already sent out two Developer Preview versions of the smartphone OS earlier this year.

Needless to say, Googles Pixel smartphones would be the first ones to get Android 15. It appears Samsung wants to match Googles deployment speed.

Samsung start testing of the One UI 7.0 system based on Android 15 for the Galaxy S24 Series. Galaxy S24 Ultra One UI 7.0 internal test build spotted on the server with version number S928BXXU2BXE2.#Samsung #GalaxyS24 #GalaxyS24Ultra #OneUI7 pic.twitter.com/5kDXakT5P0  Raj Kumar (@technomania0211) May 8, 2024

The South Korean tech giant has reportedly initiated the development of One UI 7.0. OneUI 6.1 is based on Android 14. Hence, it would be safe to assume that One UI 7.0 would be based on Android 15.

Samsungs servers have divulged some activity and name tags that point to One UI 7.0 development. Specifically speaking, Samsung has generated version S928BXXU2BXE2.

The newly generated version doesnt specifically point to Android 15-based One UI 7.0. However, it reportedly does have all the telltale markings of a major One UI update rather than an incremental upgrade.

Samsung has revised the experimental version, and according to SamMobile, when the fourth letter from the right changes from A to B, it indicates a major One UI version.

When will Samsung roll out Android 15-based One UI 7.0?

Samsung is racing to offer the latest Android 15 OS to Galaxy smartphone users. The company has traditionally started working on major One UI iterations right after Google rolled out the Developer Beta version of Android.

What this means is that Samsung would have begun working on One UI 7.0 sometime in February 2024. The newly generated firmware discovered on Samsungs internal servers could be an extremely early, and possibly highly unstable version of One UI 7.0.

Breaking News  One UI 7 :: Galaxy S24 Series The FIRST One UI 7 internal test build spotted on the server today. Build Version: S928BXXU2BXE2/S928BOXM2BXE2/S928BXXU2BXD4 Repost this awesome news with everyone! #GalaxyS24 #GalaxyS24Ultra #OneUI7 #Samsung pic.twitter.com/uPdp7GNaMC  Tarun Vats (@tarunvats33) May 8, 2024

As with nearly every smartphone manufacturer, Samsung too would build a stable One UI 7.0, based on Android 15, for its flagship devices first. In other words, the Samsung Galaxy S24 series would become the first one to enter the One UI 7.0 Beta Program.

Android 14 is barely a few months old. Hence, the stable version of Android 15 could still be months away. Some experts suggest eligible Android smartphones may start getting Android 15 starting next year.
Two years after starting mass production on its 3nm process node, Samsung is finally ready to make 3nm Exynos processors for Android smartphones. In a joint press release with partner Synopsys, the Korean firm said it has achieved successful production tape-out for its high-performance mobile SoC design based on its Gate-All-Around (GAA) process technology. The company switched from the FinFET to GAA transistor architecture for its 3nm chips.

Samsung is ready to mass produce its first 3nm smartphone chip

Samsung Foundry started 3nm mass production in mid-2022, a few months before TSMC. However, while the latter has already made a 3nm smartphone chip for Applelast years A17 Pro for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Maxthe former has yet to use its 3nm process for high-performance mobile SoCs. That is finally changing this year. Rumors say Samsungs first 3nm mobile SoC will be a wearable chip for the Galaxy Watch 7 series.

It will follow up with another a few months later, the Exynos 2500 for the Galaxy S25 series. Ahead of that, Samsung has confirmed that its 3nm GAA process technology is ready to churn out high-performance mobile chipsets. In semiconductor manufacturing, taping out is the final stage of the design process. The chip design is now ready for mass production. The Korean firm will soon start making its rumored 3nm chip for the upcoming watches.

Samsungs first 3nm smartphone chipset will include a broad portfolio of Synopsys IP alongside flagship CPUs and GPUs. Our longstanding collaboration has delivered leading-edge SoC designs. This is a remarkable milestone to successfully achieve the highest performance, power, and area on the most advanced mobile CPU cores and SoC designs in collaboration with Synopsys, said Kijoon Hong, vice president of SLSI at Samsung.

The CPUs in question should be ARMs stock Cortex solutions. Samsung stopped designing custom CPU cores a few years back. It now makes custom GPUs, though. The company teamed up with AMD to bring the latters RDNA graphics technology to mobile SoCs with its Xclipse GPU lineup. initially exclusive to flagship Exynos processors, Samsungs Xclipse GPUs are also found in mid-range chips, including the Galaxy A55s Exynos 1480.

The Galaxy Watch 7 series may debut in July

Rumors say Samsung will launch the Galaxy Watch 7 series at its next Galaxy Unpacked event in July. If true, its first 3nm mobile processor is just a few months away, though we will have to wait longer for its first 3nm smartphone chipset. The upcoming Unpacked will also bring Samsungs next-gen foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. We may also get new Galaxy tablets, TWS earbuds, and the Galaxy Rings market release in July.
The US government has just made life more difficult for Huawei. The Biden administration revoked export licenses that allowed certain semiconductor companies to supply chips to the beleaguered Chinese conglomerate. This affects the supply of chipsets for its laptops and smartphones.

US revokes export licenses for supply of chips to Huawei

Huawei has been reduced to a shadow of itself after the Donald Trump-led US government placed it on the Entity List over national security reasons in 2019. This cut off its access to the latest smartphone technologies, including chipsets. The firm couldnt use the latest technologies made in the US, effectively making its products outdated.

The US government subsequently allowed certain US companies to supply chips to Huawei, although with some restrictions. The likes of Intel and Qualcomm obtained special export licenses to do business with the Chinese company. However, just when Huawei was starting to rise from the ashes, the Biden administration has hit it where it hurts the most.

The US Department of Commerce confirmed to the Financial Times that it had revoked certain licenses for exports to Huawei. The department said, We continuously assess how our controls can best protect our national security and foreign policy interests, taking into consideration a constantly changing threat environment and technological landscape. As part of this process, as we have done in the past, we sometimes revoke export licenses.

One person familiar with the situation told the publication that the commerce department had notified the affected US companies. However, they could not provide any name. Qualcomm and Intel are among the companies with licenses to supply chips to Huawei. The US government may have revoked their licenses. The move may cripple Huaweis smartphone and laptop businesses.

Despite being limited to China, the company was flourishing. It launched its first AI-enabled laptop last month. Huaweis smartphone shipments also more than doubled to 13.1 million units in the first quarter. Chinas growing self-sufficiency in smartphone tech, including chips, has come to its rescue, though it still relies on some foreign tech. It remains to be seen how this move affects its business.

Huawei has always denied the accusations

The US government put Huawei under trade restrictions over concerns that it may be helping the Chinese government in cyber espionage. However, the company has always denied the allegations. It appears the US doesnt buy its claims of innocence. The latest move from the Biden administration shows it would do everything in its power to prevent Huawei from becoming a global tech powerhouse. Time will tell if Huawei can ever reach the same heights again.
Ransomware has become quite common these days due to the high probability of victims paying to recover their data. The perpetrators count on this when they select victims and deploy their attacks. One of the most notorious ransomware, LockBit, was allegedly created and made highly destructive by 31-year-old Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, as indicated by the US.

The US Department of Justice unsealed charges against the Russian national allegedly involved in the LockBit ransomware group. The Justice Department alleged that Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev was the developer and administrator of the aforementioned group since its inception in September 2019.

How LockBit amassed over $500 million in ransom payments

The list of victims of the LockBit ransomware groups included individuals, small businesses, multinational corporations, hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, critical infrastructure, and government and law-enforcement agencies. As no one was safe, LockBit ransomware became one of the most feared groups.

Since 2019, Khoroshev and his partners in crime allegedly managed to incur a cost of at least $500 million in ransom payments to their victims. This cost does not include the billions of dollars in losses due to lost revenue, incident response, and recovery.

Furthermore, LockBit has allegedly amassed over 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries. This includes 1,800 victims in the US. LockBit was allegedly created by Khoroshev to be a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS).

While Khoroshev developed and maintained the LockBit group and code, other members of the groups were recruited to deploy the ransomware. Khoroshev received a 20% share of each ransom payment and the affiliates received the remaining 80%.

Khoroshev and his affiliates promised victims their stolen data would be deleted after receiving the ransom payment. However, the LockBit infrastructure seized by law enforcement showed Khoroshev kept copies of stolen data. This was even after the victims paid the ransom.

The outcome of the investigation against LockBit ransomware

In May 2023 Mikhail Matveev was charged with deploying various ransomware variants, including LockBit, against victims throughout the United States. There is currently a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of States Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) rewards program for Matveev. Anyone who can assist in apprehending the alleged ringleader can obtain a piece of the reward. This showcases how much of a threat the LockBit ransomware was and how much damage it did.

In February 2024 Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev were charged against numerous victims in the United States. The alleged ringleader of the whole LockBit ransomware fiasco who the US indicated to be Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, faces 26 charges, up to 185 years in prison, and the US State Department offers a reward of up to $10 million for help in his apprehension.
Xi arrives in Belgrade for state visit to Serbia

Xinhua) 07:59, May 08, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BELGRADE, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia.

Serbian Air Force sent two fighter jets to escort Xi's plane after it entered the country's airspace.

The Chinese president was warmly welcomed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.

Serbian children presented flowers to Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, and waved the national flags of China and Serbia. Serbian people dressed in national costumes sang and danced to welcome them.

"China and Serbia enjoy profound traditional friendship. Our bilateral relationship has stood the test of changing international environment and become a fine example of state-to-state relations," Xi said in a written statement upon arrival.

Xi said he looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to have in-depth exchange of views with Vucic on bilateral relationship and other issues of mutual interest, renew friendship, plan for cooperation, explore development, and draw up a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations.

"I am confident that this visit will be a fruitful one and will open up a new chapter in China-Serbia relations," he said.

Xi's visit to Serbia marks his second visit to the country in eight years, which is a milestone to upgrade and improve bilateral relations.

"It gives me great pleasure to pay a state visit to the Republic of Serbia at the warm invitation of President Vucic," Xi said.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to extend heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the friendly government and people of Serbia," he added.

He said that since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, the bilateral relationship has realized leapfrog development, and achieved historic results.

The two countries are bound by rock-solid political mutual trust, and have seen fruitful results in high quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Chinese president said, adding that "our ironclad friendship has taken deeper roots in the heart of the two peoples."

China and Serbia have rendered each other firm support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

"We have jointly upheld international fairness and justice, and contributed our share to promoting world peace and development," he added.

Cooperation between the two countries is rooted in the principle of equality and mutual benefits, said Xi.

"Standing at a new historical starting point, China will work with Serbia to jointly stay committed to the original aspiration and forge ahead together to open up a new vista in China-Serbia cooperation with stronger momentum, greater scope, and higher quality," he said.

Xi travelled to Serbia after his visit to France.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. Xi was warmly welcomed by President Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport upon arrival. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. Xi was warmly welcomed by President Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport upon arrival. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping's plane arrives in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping's plane arrives in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

A crowd gathers to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Children welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A Houston lawyer was killed Saturday while intervening with an angry McDonalds customer. Tetra Images/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

A lawyer was killed Saturday at a Houston McDonalds while intervening with an angry customer.

Family members identified Jeffrey Limmer, 46, as the person fatally shot at a McDonalds at 8147 Katy Freeway, according to the TV station Click2Houston.

Houston police said Limmer was inside the restaurant when a customer began arguing with the staff about their order and demanded a refund. Limmer attempted to calm down the customer, but they turned their attention to him, the TV station reported.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Police said an argument led the two outside, and Limmer pushed the customer to the ground. The customer went to his car, grabbed a gun and shot Limmer twice before leaving the scene.

Police described the customers vehicle as an early 2000s blue Ford truck.

Limmer later died of his injuries. He was a personal injury lawyer with Lewis Brisbois, according to the law firms website. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and attended law school at South Texas College of Law.
Scotlands chief medical officer (CMO) will deliver a report on the implications of the Cass Review into gender care services before the end of June, a minister has said.

Sir Gregor Smith is overseeing a multi-disciplinary team which is assessing what Dr Hilary Casss report will mean for Scotlands health service.

The Cass Review examined gender care services in England and criticised the lack of evidence around the use of puberty blockers and other medical intervention.

Following the publication of her review, two Scottish health boards  one of which covers the only gender clinic in the country for young people  decided to pause the prescription of puberty blockers to new patients.

However the Conservatives have accused SNP ministers of buck-passing and say the Scottish Government must implement all 32 of Dr Casss recommendations.

During the Tories debate on the Cass Review at Holyrood on Wednesday, deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said she intends to keep raising the issue until all the recommendations are acted upon.

She said: Now that the Greens have been successfully removed from Bute House, this is an opportunity for a reset in how we look at gender care in Scotland.

The nationalists must give up dithering and delaying on implementing the recommendations of the Cass Review, which they have done since it was commissioned four years ago, and urgently commit to protecting our young people.

Public health minister Jenni Minto responded for the Government, saying it is important to carefully consider the paediatricians review.

Sir Gregor Smith is leading a team examining the Cass Review (Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament/PA)

She said Dr Cass is a senior and well respected clinician and her review is a scientific and evidence-based document.

Ms Minto said the Government had funded research from Glasgow University on gender care services and a multi-disciplinary team in the CMOs directorate is examining the implications of the Cass Review for Scotland.

She said: The chief medical officer will provide a written update to Parliament on the outcome of that clinical consideration process before the summer recess.

Speaking during the debate, Labours Dame Jackie Baillie said staff at the Sandyford clinic in Glasgow are doing an incredible job but are not being supported to do so.

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said he worries the Scottish Parliaments track record on trans rights is about to change.

He said few contributions in the debate had mentioned trans people themselves, and said there is a context of a wave of transphobia with marginalised peoples views rarely heard.
Sophie Hinch has described her 'deep unimaginable pain' after losing her father suddenly. (PA) (Instagram/PA)

Mrs Hinch has opened up about the grief she is experiencing after her father died "suddenly" in his sleep.

The influencer, whose real name is Sophie Hinch, said that her dad's passing on 25 April was "peaceful" but had led to "deep unimaginable pain" for her.

"25th April 2024. My precious Dad passed suddenly but so peacefully whilst he slept," she wrote on Instagram, alongside a carousel of family images.

"My life, our whole world, has been turned upside down."

The cleaning influencer went on to say she is experiencing "a deep unimaginable pain I cannot put into words."

Grief, Ive learned, is really just love," she continued. "Its all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go."

Sudden bereavement: the facts

Losing a loved one unexpectedly can bring about a different form of grief and a whole host of emotions.

"The sudden death of a loved one brings the obvious experiences of loss but added to this there is trauma and shock within the suddenness of the death of a loved one," explains Danny Zane, therapist at North London Therapy.

"If there has been no warning and no time to process, you are likely to feel numbness, confusion and a sense of disbelief."

This can come with anger at the situation and questions of 'what?' and 'why?'.

Psychologist Barbara Santini says sudden loss often triggers a tumultuous cascade of emotions, ranging from disbelief and shock to profound grief and anger.

"The psyche, unprepared for the abrupt rupture, may oscillate between numbness and overwhelming despair," she explains.

"Behaviours can vary widely, from seeking solace in solitude to seeking constant distraction as a means of evasion. Understanding these emotional fluctuations and acknowledging their validity is crucial in navigating the turbulent waters of grief."

But there are some significant differences associated with the grieving process between an expected and unexpected loss.

"When we know that a loved one is dying, we have time to walk with them, process it, engage with them, say the 'unsaid' and perhaps heal relationships," Zane explains.

"It gives us time to think about the future, one without them and what they bring. Anticipatory bereavement can in many ways be a much kinder experience than the suddenness of unexpected death of a loved one."

That said, there is no 'easy' version of grief, and everyone's experiences are valid.

Finding yourself suddenly bereaved can evoke all sorts of emotions. (Getty Images) (Getty)

Navigating sudden loss

Santini says coping with sudden bereavement requires a multifaceted approach that honours the complexity of the human experience.

"While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are strategies that can offer solace and support along the journey," she adds.

Acknowledging and validating emotions without judgement is paramount. "Each feeling  be it anger, guilt, or profound sadness  holds its significance and deserves recognition," she explains.

Find normality

Zane suggests keeping to your usual schedule including work, any engagements and exercise regimes as much as you can. Though, of course, if you need some time first, that's okay.

Seek support

Santini emphasises the importance of seeking support from a network of loved ones, friends, or professional counsellors, which can provide invaluable comfort and guidance.

"Human connection serves as a lifeline in navigating the depths of grief," she says.

There are many ways you can support someone who is suddenly bereaved. (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Practice self-compassion and patience

Cultivating self-compassion and practising patience is essential for the grieving process. "Healing from sudden bereavement is a nonlinear journey, and allowing oneself the grace to grieve at their own pace is crucial in fostering resilience," Santini adds.

Transformation through grief

While sudden grief may seem like an unending abyss, it also holds the potential for profound transformation. "In the crucible of loss, individuals may discover newfound resilience, empathy, and a deeper appreciation for the fragility of life," Santini explains.

"By embracing the pain and honouring the memory of their loved one, individuals can forge a path toward healing and growth."

While navigating sudden bereavement is a journey fraught with challenges, Santini says it is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

"By honouring the complexity of emotions, seeking support, and practising self-compassion, individuals can find solace and meaning amidst the wreckage of loss," she adds.

Read more about grief

Watch: Jennifer Garner mourns dad's passing
Baby Reindeer is a fictional drama inspired by creator Richard Gadd's own experiences with a stalker, who is called Martha (Jessica Gunning, right) in the series.(Netflix) (Ed Miller/Netflix)

A woman alleged to be the real 'Martha Scott' is set to speak out publicly for the first time since the release of Baby Reindeer, which creator Richard Gadd based on his experience with a stalker.

The series is a fictional story inspired by Gadd's own experience, and Fiona Harvey has been accused by fans of the Netflix show of being the real Martha. In the show, comedian Donny Dunn (Gadd) offers a woman a cup of tea when she comes into the bar he works at visibly upset, only for the act of kindness to result in Martha (Jessica Gunning) becoming his stalker.

Gadd  who claimed his stalker sent him 41,000 emails and 350 hours of voicemails  has previously urged viewers not to try and find out who the real people are from the story. He went to great lengths to protect the privacy of those who inspired the narrative, but even so fans of the series pointed to Harvey as allegedly being the real Martha.

As a result, Harvey will be speaking with Piers Morgan in her first TV interview since being accused of being the real Martha, the interview will be screened as part of Piers Morgan Uncensored.

Fiona Harvey has been accused by fans of the show of being the real Martha, and she will be setting the record straight in an interview with Piers Morgan on Thursday, 9 May. (TalkTV)

The Scottish lawyer is said to be "set[ting] the record straight" regarding the show, and the interview will be released on the Piers Morgan Uncensored YouTube page on Thursday, 9 May at 8pm in the UK, and 3pm EST in the USA.

Morgan announced the interview on X, writing: "The real-life Martha from Baby Reindeer breaks cover and gives me her first TV interview about the smash hit Netflix show. Fiona Harvey wants to have her say & set the record straight. Is she a psycho stalker?"

*WORLD EXCLUSIVE*

The real-life Martha from Baby Reindeer breaks cover and gives me her first TV interview about the smash hit Netflix show.

Fiona Harvey wants to have her say & set the record straight.

Is she a psycho stalker?

Find out tomorrow on @PiersUncensored pic.twitter.com/MxaE5SEiTa  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 8, 2024

Harvey has previously denied being the real Martha, On 26 April she shared a statement on Facebook which read: "Can I just reiterate to richard gadds followers. I am not martha. I am fiona. I have been informed by various different sources this morning that richard gadds supporters are still attacking me online.

"I am Nothing to do with his infernal plays I am Not martha. I can't access my dms just now My other phone broke three weeks ago I have limited access to anything on this phone And that is the truth."

She added in her statement that she has received death threats from viewers of the series, and she wrote: "All of these names and comments from people I don't know are being sent to police and lawyers."

Watch the trailer for Baby Reindeer:

Harvey has previously spoken to the Scottish Sun, and reflecting on Gadd she said: "Hes come up with this character called Martha and he has put me right in the frame. This is a programme for the 20-somethings. The people with no lives, no jobs, whatever. I dont want to be a celebrity."

She insisted to the publication that she has not had contact with Gadd in 12 years, and she said that she now plans to sue Netflix.

Since Baby Reindeer's release, some viewers have attempted to find the real people that inspired the series. It has gotten to a point where Gadd himself has stepped in, urging viewers not to do this.

Richard Gadd has previously urged viewers of the series not to attempt to identify the real people that inspired the series. (Netflix)

In a statement shared on Instagram, Gadd implored: "People I love, have worked with, and admire (including Sean Foley) are unfairly getting caught up in speculation. Please dont speculate on who any of the real life people could be. Thats not the point of our show."

Gunning has also addressed the mounting speculation over Martha's real identity, telling Glamour: "I didn't know that was happening. I would urge people not to be doing that.

"I think if that is happening, I think it's a real, real shame, because it shows that they haven't watched the show properly. That's not the point of it in any way. Netflix and Richard went to extreme lengths to try and make sure that the identities were kept private for a reason."

Baby Reindeer is out on Netflix now.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/baby-reindeer-real-martha-first-tv-interview-145924980.html
Nickolle Cristina Aguilar with one of her attorneys, John Charles Bunk, at a previous hearing. On Wednesday, she pleaded guilty in exchange for a maximum of 15 years in prison for injury to a child, agreeing to testify against Daniel Garcia, accused of murder in her sons death. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

A mother accused of injury to a child in the death of her 5-year-old son, whose badly decomposed body was discovered in a Colorado ravine in 2021, has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against her former boyfriend.

Nickolle Cristina Aguilar, 27, of Boca Raton, Fla., admitted guilt Wednesday and will be sentenced later to no more than 15 years for injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission, a first-degree felony. Had she gone to trial, she would have faced a maximum of life in prison.

Daniel Garcia, 27, of McAllen is awaiting trial this month on a murder charge. Authorities believe he killed Aguilars son, Domenic Patrick Aguilar, in San Antonio on July 24, 2021.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A search for the boy began after his grandmother, Sirle Maria Acevedo Cevallos, called San Antonio police and the FBI and told them she believed Domenic had died at a hotel on San Antonios Northeast Side.

In an interview with FBI agents in Costa Rica, Acevedo said she had tracked down her daughter in the Central American country, who told her the boy suffered an unexplainable death, according to court documents.

Nickolle Cristina Aguilar pleaded guilty Wednesday to injury to a child, agreeing to testify against Daniel Garcia, accused of murder in her sons death. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office /

The pair were arrested without incident in Florida in August 2021.

An arrest warrant affidavit states that Aguilar had told investigators that the boy became ill, and neither she nor Garcia sought medical help for him. She said the couple drove to Colorado and hid Domenics body in a deep ravine near where they were camping at Rocky Mountain National Park, then drove to Mexico and made their way from there to Costa Rica, the document stated.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Aguilar, according to the warrant, then accused Garcia of extensive physical abuse that went on for about three weeks and culminated on July 24, 2021, when Garcia hit the child so hard that he bounced off the wall.

Garcia was seen on surveillance video at an extended stay hotel on Interstate 35 in San Antonio carrying what appeared to be a childs body out of a room and down a stairway.

Aguilar is expected to testify against Garcia as part of her plea agreement reached between defense attorneys John Charles Bunk and Lindsey C. Shaw and prosecutors Oscar Salinas and Nathan Morey.

Daniel Garcia at a pretrial hearing. He is charged with murder in the death of 5-year-old Domenic Patrick Aguilar and is expected to go to trial May 21. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Both Garcia and Aguilar were charged with altering, destroying or concealing a human corpse, a second-degree felony, along with tampering with evidence with the intent to impair an investigation, a third-degree felony. Wednesdays plea included dismissal of the tampering charge against Aguilar, but not the corpse concealment charge.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Garcia also faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a first-degree felony, court records indicate.
Yahoo UK's poll of the week lets you vote and indicate your strength of feeling on one of the week's hot topics. After 72 hours the poll closes and, each Friday, we'll publish and analyse the results, giving readers the chance to see how polarising a topic has become and if their view chimes with other Yahoo UK readers.

Slovenia's Raiven rehearsing Veronika during the rehearsals for the first semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. (Getty) (JESSICA GOW via Getty Images)

It's time to gather round the telly for a night of high drama, power ballads, and continental craziness as Eurovision 2024 has finally arrived. Croatia enters the competition as hot favourites to win, while Dizzy  the UK's entry from Olly Alexander  has been tipped to deliver another low-scoring night for the Brits.

However, where the UK places during Eurovision now seems to be of little concern to its fans across the country (it's been 27 years since we last won), with watchalong parties planned at homes, pubs, and clubs the length and breadth of Britain. The resurgent popularity of Eurovision is unmistakable, with many pointing to Lordi's win in 2006 as the moment Brits learned to stop worrying about winning Eurovision, and just enjoying it for what it is: a riotously entertaining night in front of the telly.

Read more: Five Eurovision acts to watch out for

Sam Ryder's epic performance in 2022  placing second only to Ukraine  with Space Man cemented the competition as a national past time for many, with last year's contest in Liverpool proving that the UK loves Eurovision no matter what.

But have things really been getting better at Eurovision, or are we just paying more attention to it these days? Have your say in our polls below.

This poll has now closed.

Come back on Friday to read the results and analysis via the link below

Read more of Yahoo UK's Poll of the Week articles

This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/eurovision-song-contest-getting-more-fun-poll-140346259.html
A dramatic late double by former Stoke forward Joselu sent Real Madrid through to the Champions League final at Wembley after a 4-3 aggregate win over Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The tie had been evenly-poised after four goals were shared in the first leg of the semi-final in Germany last week.

Madrid had an impressive 13-month unbeaten home record and a wealth of European history behind them, but they were on the verge of a second consecutive last-four exit in this competition when Bayern substitute Alphonso Davies produced a 68th-minute rocket.

Joselu sends Real Madrid to Wembley! #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/oTZ5lDpvbI  UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 8, 2024

It stunned a previously buoyant home crowd, but Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti worked his magic and turned to his bench to save the day.

Joselu answered the SOS as he made the most of a Manuel Neuer mistake to tap in the leveller after 88 minutes.

Three minutes later he steered in a second, which was originally disallowed before it was given after VAR intervened.

Ancelottis team withstood an extended period of stoppage time and Matthijs de Lift had a late effort ruled out for the visitors to ensure Madrid booked an 18th appearance in a European Cup final days after they clinched the LaLiga title.

It also meant England captain Harry Kane, who was subbed off with his team in the lead, will be consigned to a trophyless first season with the German giants.

The home fans were almost on their feet in the 13th minute, only for Neuer to show his class with a supreme double save.

Dani Carvajal picked out Vinicius Junior with an excellent pass through the legs of Noussair Mazraoui, but Neuer got down to push his low strike on to the post and reacted quickly to block Rodrygos follow-up effort.

Bayerns task was dealt a blow with 26 minutes played when Serge Gnabry was forced off with yet another injury and Thomas Tuchel sent on reported Madrid target Davies.

Harry Kane almost fired Bayern in front during the first half (Isabel Infantes/PA)

Kane had been an isolated figure up to this point but in a flash demonstrated his threat when a sweet volley on the turn was tipped wide by Andriy Lunin two minutes later.

Neuer again came to the rescue of the German outfit five minutes before half-time when he tipped a dangerous cross by Vinicius wide, which ensured it was goalless at the break.

The second half started at a frantic pace and after Davies had a shot deflected over by Carvajal, Vinicius took it upon himself to force the issue and upped the ante against right-back Joshua Kimmich.

Bayern did weather the storm and spaces started to open up as a Jamal Musiala snapshot was tipped over Lunin.

Alphonso Davies celebrates scoring opening goal for Bayern (Isabel Infantes/PA)

A lack of composure in attack had hurt the visitors, but that changed in the 68th minute when they broke the deadlock through an unlikely candidate.

Kane was involved after he chipped out to Davies, who cut inside Antonio Rudiger and arrowed an effort into the top corner.

Madrid thought they levelled three minutes later, but Federico Valverdes deflected strike from a corner was ruled out after Nacho pushed Kimmich to the floor in the build-up.

A rare sight of goal for Kane ended up with an effort off target before Tuchel made the surprise decision to withdraw the former Tottenham forward with five minutes left.

Joselu levelled for Real with two minutes remaining (Isabel Infantes/PA)

It backfired terribly when Los Blancos forced an equaliser with 88 minutes on the clock.

A 22-yard curler from Vinicius appeared routine for Neuer, but he spilled the shot and Joselu beat Dier to the loose ball to level.

The Bernabeu was a cauldron of noise now with the roof closed and Joselu had the ball in the net again in the first minute of stoppage time.

Joselu celebrates after netting the match-winner for Real (Isabel Infantes/PA)

Madrid kept the attack alive and Rudiger crossed in for Joselu to steer home, but the joy was shortlived by the offside flag.

VAR told Szymon Marciniak to review the incident and replays showed both Rudiger and Joselu were onside to spark scenes of delirium as Madrid players raced around in celebration.

More drama was to follow when De Ligt fired into the bottom corner, but the offside flag had already been raised due to Mazraoui and, despite plenty of remonstrations by Bayern, it was disallowed to consign the German giants to a first season without silverware since 2012.
Actress Juliet Stevenson said she would be interested in becoming a member of the Garrick Club after the organisation voted to admit women for the first time.

The central London private members club has been strictly male-only since it was founded in 1831.

But a vote to allow female members passed with 59.98% of votes in favour at the end of a private meeting, The Guardian reported.

The newspaper said actor Stephen Fry and journalist James Naughtie were among those who gave speeches arguing for the admission of women.

Ms Stevenson told the BBCs Radio 4 Today programme: The Garrick has for hundreds of years been a club largely dedicated to the theatre community and then the arts community.

Any club that is dedicated to that community must by definition be open to all.

The actress, known for her theatre work and role in the 1991 film Truly, Madly, Deeply, said: Im not so much interested in wining and dining, but Im really interested in exchanges of ideas and challenging each other.

The Garrick Club has been strictly male-only since it was founded in 1831 (Jonathan Brady/PA)

If its a place where that can take place, I would be interested in it for sure.

According to The Guardian, Ms Stevenson is among a list of seven women that pro-women members plan to nominate for inclusion.

Other women on the list include the classicist Dame Mary Beard, former home secretary Amber Rudd, Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman, new Labour peer Baroness Hazarika, Coventry University chancellor Margaret Casely-Hayford and former appeal court judge Dame Elizabeth Gloster.

Ms Casely-Hayford said she was delighted about the vote and was now preparing her membership application.

The retired lawyer, who completed her term as chair of Shakespeares Globe last month, told the PA news agency: I was really delighted because I think its long overdue. Im pleased the Garrick Club has entered the 21st century.

I am now preparing my candidacy and I hope that its approved in due course.

Ms Casely-Hayford added: Ive found it so uncomfortable that weve had members of the judiciary, senior members of the legal profession, senior members of the administration, celebrity artists, all able to congregate and socialise provided they were only of a particular gender.

It just tells us so much about how women have been locked out of opportunity for preferment.

Its just really weird, its really odd, its really anachronistic and Im very pleased that almost 60% have voted in favour of change.

Former culture minister Lord Vaizey said the Garrick Club was not a place full of men plotting to run the country, adding that he supported women being admitted as members.

Lord Vaizey, a former Garrick Club member, told the BBCs Radio 4 Today programme: I dont think the Garrick is a secret cabal of men that is quietly running a country that has now been broken up.

Dame Mary Beard is among a list of seven women that pro-women members plan to nominate for inclusion, according to The Guardian (Caterina Turroni/Lion TV/PA)

I think its just a convivial place where people go and have lunch and dinner, and thats as valid for women as it is for men.

Lord Vaizey, MP for Wantage from 2005 to 2019, added: When I was a member of the Garrick, it really was quite backward  women couldnt even walk up the front stairs, they couldnt dine in the main dining room. All of that has changed a long time ago, thankfully.

But I didnt particularly feel that the Garrick was a place full of men plotting to run the country.

I fully support the idea that women should be members of the Garrick as well as men, but as I say, I dont think its constructed in a way to keep women away from power.

The private members club has faced scrutiny over its diversity in recent weeks after The Guardian said it had published the membership list, which it claimed included the King, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Sir Richard Moore, the head of MI6.

In March, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case  the head of the civil service  quit the club just a day after being questioned by MPs about his involvement in the institution.

Mr Case had previously suggested it would be easier to change the all-male organisation from within rather than chuck rocks from the outside.

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case quit the club in March after being questioned by MPs about his involvement in the institution (Aaron Chown/PA)

In April, a High Court judge was removed from overseeing a case involving an alleged rape victim due to his membership of the Garrick Club.

Sir Jonathan Cohen was due to hear a family court case involving a dispute between a mother and father over their sons care, with the woman accusing the man of domestic abuse and controlling and coercive behaviour.

She applied for Sir Jonathan to step back from her case, claiming she would feel prejudiced due to his membership.

A different High Court judge decided that Sir Jonathan should not hear the case due to his club membership, adding that the father was also a regular visitor.

The court heard that at no stage have the mothers allegations against the father been determined.

The Guardian has reported that several High Court judges and dozens of barristers are members of the Garrick Club.
Kevin Spacey could face a High Court trial over a sexual abuse claim after a default judgment against him was set aside.

In 2022, the Oscar-winning actor was sued at the High Court in London by a man who claimed he had been sexually assaulted by Mr Spacey and suffered psychiatric damage.

The civil claim was paused after Mr Spacey was charged  and later acquitted  in criminal proceedings of a number of sexual offences alleged by four men between 2001 and 2013.

At a hearing on Tuesday, the court heard that lawyers for the actor  who is represented by the firm Carter-Ruck  were due to file a written defence after the end of the criminal proceedings, but had failed to do so.

A default judgment was subsequently entered against Mr Spacey in the civil case on his liability earlier this year.

However, after a judge set aside the default judgment at the hearing, the US star is now set to face a civil trial over the allegations.

In his bid to set aside the previous ruling, Adam Speker KC, for Mr Spacey, described the failure to file the paperwork as a genuine error by his solicitor.

The barrister told the hearing in London it would be unfair to proceed to a damages hearing and the contested allegations should instead be taken to trial.

Lifting the default civil judgment, Judge David Cook said that the lawyers had quite frankly mucked up.

He said: There can be no excuse in my view for the date being overlooked.

The simple fact of the matter is this is a claim where the defendants solicitors have made an error.

In my view, that error should not be visited upon the defendant.

Judge Cook added: The interests of justice require that those allegations go forward to trial and the judgment in default should, therefore, be lifted.

Actor Kevin Spacey speaks to the media outside Southwark Crown Court, London, after he was found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men following the criminal trial (Lucy North/PA)

Claire Glasgow of Fieldfisher, who is representing the claimant, said after the hearing: We are pleased that the judge recognised the seriousness of the claim and directed the court to proceed to trial.

Our client is seeking justice in the civil courts for serious allegations against Mr Spacey, regardless of the findings of the criminal trial.

The hearing comes after Mr Spacey denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour ahead of the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary.

The programme, titled Spacey Unmasked, began airing on Monday and is said to feature testimony from men regarding events they say took place between 1976 and 2013.

Ahead of the broadcast, the 64-year-old actor, in an interview with former GB News presenter Dan Wootton, said: 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.

Ive never told someone that if they give me sexual favours, then I will help them out with their career, never.

Mr Spacey added: 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.

A Carter Ruck spokesman said: The allegations made in this civil claim are the same allegations made by one of the complainants in the 2023 UK criminal trial, in which Mr Spacey was acquitted.

Each time he has been given the time and a proper forum to defend himself, the allegations have failed under scrutiny and he has been exonerated.

Mr Spacey has the opportunity now to defend these allegations, as he did in the criminal proceedings, and he looks forward to justice being done once again.
Kris Jenner revealed doctors had found a little tumour, in a trailer for the new series of The Kardashians.

Kris, 68, shared the results of a recent medical examination with her daughters in a teaser for season five of the upcoming reality show.

I had my scan, they found a cyst and like a little tumour, she said, and her youngest daughter Kylie Jenner became overwhelmed with emotion.

No further details were given about her health in the trailer.

It comes after daughter Khloe Kardashian described how a tiny little dot on her face that she thought was acne was melanoma skin cancer in the previous season of the show.

Meanwhile, it also showed the medical complications Kourtney Kardashian experienced with her now six-month-old son Rocky.

Earlier in her pregnancy, Kourtney, 45, said she had undergone urgent foetal surgery, and her drummer husband Travis Barker abandoned his Blink-182 shows in the UK and Ireland to be at her side.

In the trailer, the cameras appeared to be rolling at the moment Kourtney videocalled her mother, telling her she had to go in for emergency surgery.

This is really crazy, I just want Kourtney to be OK, Kris said, becoming emotional.

Cameras filmed Kourtney in hospital, and she later described the situation as terrifying.

The trailer also showed Khloe at odds with Kim Kardashian about an undisclosed situation.

Khloe said: Sisters can be vicious and brutal, while Kim said: Khloe is unbearable these days.

The new season will also see Kim in her actress era, after she recently starred in American Horror Story: Delicate.

The release of the trailer coincided with the announcement that Kims daughter North West will join the cast of Disneys The Lion King for its 30th anniversary live-to-film concert in Hollywood on May 24 and 25, featuring stars including Jennifer Hudson.

The Kardashians season five premieres on May 23 on Disney+ in the UK.
One in three British women feels sad, with worse emotional health than those in Kosovo and Saudi Arabia, health league tables show.

Research on almost 80,000 women from 143 countries shows rising levels of despair among British women, with worry, stress and anger all rising.

The study found womens health was worse in the UK than in most EU countries - and falling international rankings.

The trends are at odds with those in many other nations, in particular across the EU, which have seen positive gains in recent years.

The annual global survey, first published in 2020, shows sadness levels in the UK have risen significantly ever since.

The latest poll found 32 per cent of women in the UK felt sad the previous day - up from 21 per cent three years ago. Across EU countries the average figure was 26 per cent.

Researchers found that 39 per cent of British women reported stress, against an EU average of 34 per cent, while 17 per cent reported anger, against an EU average of 15 per cent.

In total, 38 per cent of those polled said they had felt worried the previous day, a similar figure to the 39 per cent across EU nations.

Each of the negative emotions has seen a significant rise among women in Britain since 2020, with a 6-point increase in worry, stress and anger, while it was falling across the rest of Europe.

Among European countries, the UK ranked 22nd out of 31 for emotional health, in the 2023 Hologic Global Womens Health Index.

Countries where women were less likely than those in the UK to say they had experienced worry, sadness, stress and anger included Hungary, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania and Bulgaria, as well as Ireland, Germany, Greece, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Beyond the EU, Kosovo, Russia, Zimbabwe, Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia all fared better than the UK for their emotional health scores.

Vietnam topped the list, while Afghanistan was at the bottom.

The index published on Wednesday ranks healthcare, as well as well-being and happiness levels.

For healthcare, the UK was 21st out of 31st across European countries.

Women in the UK were more likely than their EU counterparts to feel dissatisfied about being able to access high-quality healthcare - such as getting a GP or hospital appointment - where they lived.

The number of women who said chronic conditions inferred with their daily lives has increased by more than 50 per cent in three years.

In total 67 per cent of women in the UK said they were satisfied they could access high-quality healthcare, down from 75 per cent three years ago.

The proportion who said care during pregnancy was satisfactory fell from 77 to 74 per cent in the past year.

The Index is compiled through interviews with around 500 women in each country by global analytics firm Gallup and Hologic, a medical technology company specialising in womens health.

Each country is assigned a score based on how it performs in five areas of womens health and wellbeing: preventive care (such as cancer and high blood pressure screening), basic needs (including ease of access to food and housing), health and safety (including how safe women feel walking at night), individual health (including how pain and poor health affect womens day-to-day lives) and emotional health.

The poll found women in the UK were less likely than those living in EU countries to have received preventive care in the past year, with fewer receiving screening for high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes and sexually transmitted infections than the EU average.

Tim Simpson, of Hologic UK & Ireland, described the findings as a call for action and improvement.

He said: Despite significant potential for progress, the UK is being leapfrogged by other countries, which are making more substantial gains in womens health.

This underscores an urgent need for enhanced focus on topics like preventative measures and pregnancy care, to not only catch up but to set a standard for womens health globally.

Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: This work underscores the critical need for governments, non-governmental organisations and policy-makers to prioritise womens health and invest in interventions that put womens best interests first.
Lace underwear has been banned in several countries. (Getty Images) (Carol Yepes via Getty Images)

Chances are, youve never really given much thought to how your underwear affects the health of, you know, down there. You just buy whatevers comfiest or makes you feel the best, and call it a day.

However, there is one material that experts have warned that women should avoid when buying underwear, and three countries have gone so far as to ban outright: lace.

In 2014, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus all banned lacey underwear  and not for aesthetic reasons.

Why was lace underwear banned in three countries?

Lace underwear was effectively banned after Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus introduced a regulation that meant clothing that came into contact with skin needed to contain at least 6% cotton, citing safety reasons.

The idea behind the regulation is to protect customers against synthetic fabrics as these do not absorb enough moisture and can cause skin problems. As lace underwear often doesnt contain any cotton, this is why it was outlawed.

At the time, women in Kazakhstan took to the streets to protest, waving their lacey garments to fight the ban. Several of these women were detained.

"Although traditionally lace was made from cotton, the majority of lace used these days to make underwear is made from synthetic fabric such as polyester or polyamide nylon," Dr Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, tells Yahoo UK.

"Lace tends to trap moisture and microorganisms, and is not able to transmit heat in the same way as natural fibres. Without a proper gusset, the panties slip back and forth and can transport bacteria from the anus to the vagina and the urethra (the neck of the bladder) encouraging the development of vaginal and urinary infections."

Lace underwear was banned in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan in 2014. (Getty Images) (OLGA MALTSEVA via Getty Images)

Health implications of lace underwear

Along with potential vaginal and urinary infections, Dr Lee says the synthetic material that lace underwear is made from can facilitate local allergic reactions and cause a rise in vaginal pH.

"This encourages anaerobic bacteria to flourish, leading to bacterial vaginosis (BV)," she adds. "This is a very common vaginal condition associated with a characteristic fishy-smelling discharge. BV is the most common vaginal infection.

"In addition, the warm, moist vulvovaginal conditions are ideal for yeasts to thrive, increasing the risk of acute candidiasis. Recurrent urinary tract infections are very common in women with some at their wit's end trying to cope. Looking after the vulvovaginal area carefully  including wearing sensible underwear  and supporting the delicate vaginal ecosystem, is fundamental in reducing the frequency of these conditions."

Should lace underwear be banned in the UK?

Dr Lee says, despite the bans in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, its hard to believe that something similar could happen in the UK.

"The right to clothing is a human right, and choosing what to wear is accepted as a form of self-expression, she adds. It does make sense to raise awareness in women about the potential health risks of wearing fashionable, but less hygienic, underwear, so they can choose for themselves.

"[However] time and time again we see women in the GP surgery complaining of vaginal soreness and irritation, who dont have an STI. Their symptoms are very often the result of using feminine hygiene products such as douches and wet wipes on the genitalia, which are absolutely not needed on sensitive genital skin. Add to this, wearing synthetic, non-wicking underwear  and you have a perfect storm. The fewer artificial products of any sort that come into contact with the vulva, vagina and whole genital area the better."

Cotton underwear is the best for health. (Getty Images) (Svetlana Repnitskaya via Getty Images)

Best underwear for genital health

Lace underwear was recently voted as one of the UKs favourite types of knickers  so whats the best alternative?

"Underwear should be made of natural products such as cotton, hemp or bamboo  because these are breathable fabrics that do not retain moisture or bacteria," Dr Lee says.

"The fabric should be moisture-wicking  meaning it absorbs moisture and dries quickly, so the area does not stay damp and warm for too long."

She adds that, ideally, underwear should be loose fitting and not tight, have a proper fitting gusset, plain in colour as fabric dyes can irritate the skin, and you should wear a clean pair every day.

Health: Read more
More than 100 homes have been evacuated in a former pit village after an Army bomb squad was deployed in the wake of a police operation.

South Yorkshire Police established a 100-metre cordon around a property in Grimethorpe, Barnsley, on Wednesday morning after a number of suspicious items were found as police executed a warrant on Brierley Road.

Later the force said about 130 homes were being evacuated warning affected residents they may be out of their properties for 48 hours.

Barnsley Council has opened a rest centre at St Lukes Church for households with nowhere else to go.

The force said there are no schools within the cordon and pupils at schools nearby were picked up as normal.

A 58-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of offences under the Firearms Act remains in custody, police said.

A force spokesman said: Around 130 homes are being evacuated while emergency services continue their response after a number of suspicious items were found at an address on Brierley Road following a warrant this morning.

It is anticipated residents may be evacuated for 48 hours.

Anyone evacuating is asked to pack a bag with all the essentials you may need for the next couple of days.

Please consider any medication you may require and what arrangements need to be put in place for your pets.

He said: All roads within the 100m cordon are closed and members of the public are asked to avoid the area.

Emergency services, the Armys explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team and other partners remain in the area.

On Wednesday a large number of emergency services personnel and vehicles were still in the village, focused on a Royal Logistics Corps bomb disposal truck, which had a robot vehicle positioned next to it.

People said the police activity was focused on a nearby disused church building and adjoining house, which has been in the process of being renovated for a number of years.

Chelsey Woollard, who lives just outside the cordon, said: Never in Grimethorpe. Even from being a young child.

It was a beautiful village and this has come as a shock  not just to me but the whole village as well.

Ms Woollard said she is a carer for her father and panicked as she tried to work out how to get to his home on the other side of the cordon.

It was a big shocker, she said. There was a lot of ambulances, fire brigade, up and down the road all day.

She said the village was full of rumours about what has been happening in the house.

If someone didnt catch it today, what would have happened? What could have happened?

Ms Woollard said: Everyone was out. Its nice to know that everyones come together as a community, which Grimethorpe is.

The police and the ambulance services  theyre working but theyre putting their lives at risk as well. You cant thank them enough.

Another man, watching the police activity, said: You dont get this very often here. They all came about 7am and its been bonkers since.

Most families who were evacuated had gone to stay with friends, with very few using the council rest centre early on Wednesday evening.

A command post has been established next to the centre in the church, about 100m outside the cordon.

Assistant Chief Constable David Hartley said: We are very grateful to local residents for their continued patience and understanding as we carry out our vital work.

This has already greatly helped our response and public safety will remain at the forefront of our minds as this investigation progresses.

Leader of Barnsley Council Sir Steve Houghton said: Were working closely with our colleagues at South Yorkshire Police, and we have staff out in the area supporting their response.

We have opened a rest centre at St Lukes Church for people who are being evacuated and dont have anywhere else to go.

I urge local people to follow the advice from the police and keep them and their families safe.
Andrew Tate, right, and his brother Tristan react positively as they leave a pre-trial hearing at Bucharest Court on Wednesday - ROBERT GHEMENT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Four women who allege that they were raped and sexually abused by Andrew Tate, the social media influencer, have launched a civil case for damages against him.

Lawyers for the women served Mr Tate with civil papers at his home in Romania on Wednesday.

The former professional kickboxer is awaiting trial in Bucharest on charges of human trafficking and rape, and is also facing extradition back to the UK, where he is being investigated over similar allegations.

The civil case relates to alleged incidents dating back to 2013 when the women were working for Mr Tate and claim they were raped by him.

Three of the women went to Hertfordshire police in 2014 and 2015 and reported the alleged offences, and Mr Tate was arrested and questioned.

In 2018, police sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), but the following year it announced no charges would be brought.

Mr Tate has denied the allegations and is threatening to sue the women for defamation.

Crowdsourcing to fund case

But on Wednesday four women, who have been crowdsourcing to fund their legal case, served him with legal papers.

A spokesman for their legal team at the firm McCue Jury and Partners said that the women wanted a court to hear their case that Mr Tate raped them and that they were also seeking damages.

The spokesman said: The criminal justice system let these women down; civil action is their last remaining route to justice.

Tate has made a fortune out of businesses such as his Real World platform, which recruits impressionable men into a pyramid scheme, and through the spread of his toxic, misogynistic dogma across social media.

Some of that fortune should be used to compensate his alleged victims. To fund the initial phase of their legal action, the victims have started a crowdfunding campaign, raising over 39,000 with an initial target of 50,000.

Mr Tate, who was born in Washington DC and grew up in Luton, moved to Romania in 2017. But the 37-year-old, who has described himself as the king of toxic masculinity and has a large following online, has been under investigation for months over allegations that he recruited young women and forced them to make online pornographic content.

Extradition request

Last month a court in Bucharest decided there was enough evidence to send the case to trial, but no date has been set for proceedings to begin.

Mr Tate is also facing an investigation by Bedfordshire Police into allegations of rape and human trafficking against him and his brother, Tristan, 35, dating back to 2012.

Earlier this year, the force confirmed that an extradition request had been approved by the Romanian authorities.

However, Bedfordshire Police will have to wait for the legal proceedings in Bucharest to be concluded before the Tates will be returned to the UK.
Col Maksim Yelovik, the Russian military attache

Russias defence attache is to be expelled after James Cleverly identified him as a spy.

Maxim Elovik, a colonel in the Russian military, is to be thrown out of the UK as part of sanctions by the Home Secretary in response to a rise in malign Russian activity across Britain and Europe.

Mr Cleverly also announced several Russian-owned properties suspected of being used as spying bases would lose their diplomatic status and there would be visa restrictions on Russian diplomats that would cap the time they were allowed to stay in the UK.

The measures come after an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business in east London that the authorities suspect was orchestrated by the Kremlin. Five people have been charged in relation to the warehouse fire.

The attack was part of an alleged conspiracy involving the Wagner Group, a Russian band of mercenaries with strong ties to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.

Mr Cleverly also cited the cases of six Bulgarians charged with being part of a Russian spy ring operating in the UK.

The Government will also remove the diplomatic premises status of 'several' Russian-owned properties, the Home Secretary says - Imageplotter /Alamy Live News

He said the sanctions were to make clear to Russia that the UK would not tolerate such apparent escalations and aimed to target and dismantle Russian intelligence gathering. The defence attache was being expelled as an undeclared military intelligence officer, he said.

It is thought to be the first diplomatic expulsion since Theresa May threw 23 Russian diplomats out in 2018, following the poisoning of double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

Col Elovik, who has been stationed in Britain for more than a decade, has been a regular attendee at events, representing Russian military interests.

On June 12 last year  in celebration of Russia Day  Col Elovik spoke to guests at an evening reception at the Russian ambassadors residence at 13 Kensington Palace Gardens.

They included Lord Balfe, a Conservative peer who once advised David Camerons government on public sector pay and trade union relations. Lord Balfe confirmed to the Sunday Times he had a conversation with the military attache.

In 2014, Col Elovik travelled to the Surrey home of a British war veteran to award him the Russian Medal of Ushakov for courage and bravery for service in the Arctic convoys.

Last year  on the 80th anniversary of the siege of Leningrad  he was photographed in public laying a wreath at a memorial to Soviet soldiers in central London. In 2020, he visited HMS Belfast alongside the Royal Navys assistant chief of naval staff for a 15-minute service of remembrance.

Protesters picketed his offices in Highgate at the outbreak of Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, holding aloft a sign that said: This is the house of the Military Attache of Russia. Stop Putin.

Several Russian-owned properties are to be stripped of their diplomatic status, which means they no longer have legal immunity from the jurisdiction of Britain and could be entered by law enforcement authorities.

Seacox Heath in West Sussex - STEVE FINN

The Russian embassy's defence section in Highgate, north London on Wednesday - Hollie Adams/Bloomberg

They include the luxury 50-room Seacox Heath in Hawkhurst, Sussex which is used as a weekend retreat by Russian embassy staff, and the embassys trade and defence section in Highgate, north London, which Mr Cleverly said was believed to be a spy base.

Andrey Kelin, the Russian ambassador has been summoned to be told of the measures and to reiterate that Russias actions will not be tolerated, said the Home Office.

Sabotage and cyber attacks

Mr Cleverly told MPs there had been an escalating pattern of malign Russian activity across Europe including sabotage, espionage, cyber attacks, air space incursions and GPS jamming.

He expected the Kremlin to accuse the UK of Russophobia over the sanctions while spreading conspiracy theories and hysteria in the coming days. This is not new and the British people and the British Government will not fall for it, and will not be taken for fools by Putins bots, trolls and lackeys, he said.

The Government would look closely to see what response Russia puts forward to see if they seek to escalate this, he added.

Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, said on Wednesday that Britain had decided to use outright lies to justify the restrictive measures.

We have repeatedly warned London that any unfriendly actions will receive an inevitable commensurate response. Our response will be tough and measured, she said.
John Steven Lill, 48, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman he invited to his home for a photoshoot. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

Bexar County deputies said a former USAA photographer sexually assaulted a woman he invited to his home for a photo shoot.

John Steven Lill, 48, was booked into the Bexar County jail Saturday on a sexual assault charge. He has since posted bond and been released from jail. His bail was set at $40,000.

According to the sheriffs office, Lill drugged and assaulted a woman he invited to his home to take boudoir photos of her. In a Facebook post from the sheriffs office, authorities said Lill told the woman she could not have anyone wait outside due to the duration of the photos.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

READ MORE: Armored truck robbery sends nearby schools into lockdown

While she was inside the home, Lill gave her wine that caused the woman to lose consciousness, according to the sheriffs office. The woman said when she woke up, she believed that she had been sexually assaulted by Lill and contacted police, the sheriffs office said.

Lill left in his vehicle while deputies were speaking with the woman outside the home. Deputies waited until he returned, and Lill agreed to talk to them. He told deputies he had a consensual encounter with the woman and denied the allegations, the sheriffs office said.

He was arrested and taken to the Bexar County jail. USAA fired Lill after the company was made aware of his arrest, according to a USAA spokesperson.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Under Xi Jinping, China's rivalry with the West has become a zero-sum contest - SARAH MEYSSONNIER/AFP

What does an elephant in a British room need to do for his hosts to admit he exists? Under Xi Jinping, Chinas rivalry with the free West has become a zero-sum contest. Beijing is engaged in full economic warfare with Britain. And Britains establishment, polite as ever, all too often chooses to ignore this inconvenient reality.

Chinese malignity in Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, the Taiwan Straits, Ukraine, the Antarctic icecap and satellite-accessible space has not been enough to dispel the fantasy that our best course is to deepen and strengthen economic relations with Beijing in pursuit of growth, or the idea that we are already so dependent upon Chinese goodwill that there is nothing else to be said.

The latest cyberattack on the Ministry of Defence  where the Chinese state is suspected of accessing sensitive data about serving personnel  should be a wakeup call. It is too much to hope that it will be, however. This hack was merely the latest in a long series of direct provocations from the Chinese state undertaken in the belief that Britain is too weak-willed to respond.

From the start of Britains trade relations with the Peoples Republic of China, Beijing has assiduously cultivated, promoted and paid a stable of high-level supporters in senior political, financial, business, legal, academic and other circles to quietly ease Chinas path to access, influence and control of Britains wealth and innovative capacity.

This engagement has comprised an integrated campaign of economic, cyber, influence and acquisition warfare, employing methods from the innocuous and open to covert subversion and espionage.

Xis ubiquitous slogan of win-win is uncannily accurate: in this asymmetric contest, China won twice. In a society where ignorance and naivete about Chinas intentions was matched only by increasing acceptance of vast sums of Chinese investment in default of sensible levels of government funding, the CCP became both powerful and invisible.

Britain was labelled in China's press as 'an old, declining empire' while Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with David Cameron - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

The rot set in early. The Chinese through a charade of signing up to an agreement with the UK to preserve democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong after the handover. And as soon as the Union flag was lowered, the CCP set about reversing and trampling on everything it had agreed to.

The ineffectual response from Whitehall merely confirmed the idea that power in Britain was the preserve of a an unprincipled elite, whose liberal idealism dwindled as their pension pots grew fuller with Chinese gold.

A state which contemptuously dismissed Britain as an old, declining empire, and an old European country good only for travel and study  the words of the official Chinese newspaper as Prime Minister David Cameron embarked on a trade mission, and welcomed Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in return  was given clearance to finance and build nuclear power stations and operate rail lines in the UK.

The first major reversal in this campaign was the Huawei affair, brought to a head in Britain in 2020, by which time potentially compromised technology would take years to purge from the telecoms system. It took the US sending the former director of CIA and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to hint that intelligence sharing would have to cease for common sense to prevail.

Yet for years before this, and more to follow, Britain and its allies had been subjected to endless cyber attacks, IP theft, coercive mergers and acquisitions, poaching of staff from rival enterprises, patent infractions and a host of other less quantifiable harms. A reality check driven by the behaviour of the CCP around the pandemic caused the tide to turn. But even today, the Government is hesitant to directly name China as a state aggressor.

In the meantime, Beijing has engaged in cyberattacks on British politicians, and may have paid other actors for years of faithful service and support. Chinese-manufactured security cameras have had to be stripped from sensitive sites. Universities cosy up to Beijing for funding, even as dual-use research leaks from leading British research facilities.

Of course, China is desperate to steal non-military technology too. Its campaign of economic warfare includes the erosion and destruction of Western rivals to its domestic firms. If a Chinese firm can produce at lower cost a product developed at great expense in the West, the balance of power shifts a little further Eastwards.

The FBI has judged the annual cost to the US economy of such counterfeit goods, pirated software and trade secrets theft at between $225bn and $600bn. Britain does not even know where to begin counting its losses.

It is beyond doubt, however, that the figure is significant. Last year, at Stanford University, the director of the UKs Security Service told the assembled heads of the Five Eyes security and intelligence partners that his operations had recently identified 20,000 approaches to UK individuals by Chinese agents looking for sensitive information. It can be safely assumed that others succeeded; even the largest agency would struggle to cope with attacks on such an industrial scale.

Chinese economic aggression is an omnipresent reality. In far-flung regions of the world, Chinese state actors snap up resources, working towards near total control of the flows of critical minerals that are supposed to power our net zero economy.

On the high seas, the assertion of Chinese sovereignty over the area encompassed by the so-called nine-dash line threatens the critical naval choke points through which half the worlds merchant shipping flows. And in London, Westminster slumbers on, dismissing as bad dreams the warnings of the intelligence community. It is time we woke up.
Donald Trumps classified documents trial has been delayed indefinitely, a judge ruled on Tuesday, making it unlikely the former president will be tried before the 2024 election.

In a win for the former US president, district judge Aileen Cannon axed the May 20 start date without scheduling a new timeline.

Mr Trump had been due to go to trial in less than two weeks for the case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, but the prosecution and defence had both acknowledged that date would need to be delayed.

Mr Trump is currently in court in New York for his hush money case, in which he is accused of 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Ms Cannon, a Trump-appointed judge, said to finalise the date before resolving a myriad of pre-trial issues would be imprudent and inconsistent with the courts duty.

She scheduled pre-trial hearings to run through July 22.

Mr Trumps legal team won a second coup on Wednesday when a Georgia court agreed to hear their appeal of the judges decision not to disqualify district attorney Fani Willis from the 2020 election subversion case.

The Georgia Court of Appeals said it would consider the challenge to Judge Scott McAffees ruling brought by Mr Trump and other defendants.

Steve Sadow, Mr Trumps lawyer, said his client looks forward to presenting interlocutory arguments to the Georgia Court of Appeals as to why the case should be dismissed and Fulton County DA Willis should be disqualified for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution.

Mr McAfee ruled in March 2024 that Ms Willis could remain on the case if prosecutor Nathan Wade  with whom she had previously had a relationship  stepped down.

The judge ruled there was not enough evidence to prove Ms Willis financially benefited from the romance.

The postponement means Mr Trump is unlikely to face any of his further three criminal trials before voters go to the polls in November.

Mr Trump appeared on Tuesday at the trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments linked to extramarital affairs - Win McNamee/AFP via Getty Images

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to 40 federal counts accusing him of retaining sensitive national security documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida after leaving office in 2021 and obstructing US government efforts to retrieve them.

Ms Cannon is yet to rule on several legal issues crucial to the documents case and has signalled support for Mr Trumps defence on some matters.

The charges include violations of the Espionage Act, which criminalises the unauthorised possession of national defence information, as well as conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements to investigators.

Mr Smith faces significant obstacles to getting either federal case against Mr Trump to trial before the election.

Further delay the case

In a separate case brought by Mr Smith involving Mr Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, the US Supreme Court appeared poised to recognise that former presidents have at least some immunity from prosecution over official actions.

That outcome would likely further delay the case, which is being overseen by Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington, as lower courts determine which allegations against him are covered by that legal shield.

Mr Trump has also been charged in state court in Georgia over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

The latest delay is victory for Mr Trump, whose lawyers have worked to try and push his criminal cases back in the hope he wins the 2024 election.

In an April Reuters/Ipsos poll, nearly a quarter of Republican respondents and more than half of independents indicated they would not vote for Mr Trump if a jury convicted him of a felony.

Mr Trump has denied all the charges against him, claiming he is the victim of a political witch hunt.
A security car blocks the driveway at the entrance to Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on 29 March 2023. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

The federal judge overseeing Donald Trumps prosecution on charges of retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago club on Tuesday formally scrapped her scheduled 20 May trial date without setting a new date, ruling the case was nowhere near ready to take before a jury in Florida.

The fact that the original May trial date would not hold was a foregone conclusion and has been apparent since last year, given delays with pre-trial litigation and the number of unresolved legal issues that have only increased in recent months.

Related: Trump lawyers told to redact witness details in classified documents case

The presiding US district court judge Aileen Cannon set several new deadlines in a five-page order scrapping the trial date, seemingly in an effort to get the case back on track, but the drawn out nature of the dates cast doubt on the likelihood of a trial before the 2024 election.

In doing so, the judge played into Trumps overarching legal strategy to seek indefinite delays for his criminal cases, under the belief that winning re-election would enable him to appoint a loyalist as attorney general who could direct prosecutors to drop the charges.

The only silver lining for the special counsel Jack Smith, who brought the case, is that the federal judge overseeing Trumps criminal case in Washington DC on charges that he conspired to overturn the 2020 election results is free, for now, to schedule that case for trial in the summer.

But the possibility of that case proceeding to trial before the election is also in doubt, since a trial date cannot be set until the US supreme court rules on Trumps presidential immunity claim and even then, Trump has roughly three more months of defense preparation time left on the clock.

Trumps success in delaying his two federal criminal cases with pre-trial motions, and playing them off each other, means the New York criminal trial currently underway on charges he falsified business records may be the only case to go to trial before the 2024 election in November.

As part of her order, Cannon issued a series of deadlines for only a handful of unresolved pre-trial motions that sketched out a timetable into late July. The drawn-out timeline suggests the case is now running more than six months behind schedule that envisioned the 20 May trial date.

Cannon, appointed by Trump in the waning days of his presidency, has generally given wide deference to Trump and his legal team, granting nearly all extensions they have requested and entertaining his most brazen defense theories, even if they have been without precedent in Espionage Act cases.

In an unusual move, Cannon allowed Trump to have a hearing about potentially dismissing the case based on accusations from Trump that the special counsels office was illegally setup, and to have a two-day hearing about who should be included as being part of the prosecution team.

Trump filed a motion in January asking Cannon to formally recognize almost all of the US intelligence community and agencies to be considered part of the prosecution team, in a move that would inject months more delay into the process because it could entitle Trump to voluminous discovery.

And in a notable delay, Cannon pushed back the deadline for Trump to give his notice  under section 5 of the Classified Information Procedures Act (Cipa), which governs how Espionage Act cases proceed to trial  about what classified documents he intended to introduce as evidence for the defense.

Section 5 is considered the most important part of Cipa, which was enacted to protect the US government from the practice of graymail, where defendants threatened to disclose classified information into the public domain at trial, hoping prosecutors would prefer to drop the case.

The process would involve Trump disclosing which classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago he wanted to use as part of a defense argument. But defendants, trying to keep their trial defenses secret, often provide too vague of a notice  which prosecutors then have to challenge in an appeals court.

Trumps legal team told Cannon in recent weeks that they wanted their deadline to provide the section 5 notice delayed until mid-June, until after they were done defending Trump in New York. Cannon obliged, moving the deadline to 17 June.
Former detective David McKelvey is now a private investigator - Daniel Jones

In 2006, when he and his team uncovered an Aladdins cave of stolen goods in a London scrapyard, David McKelvey had already been a Metropolitan Police officer for more than two decades. Inside were the spoils of 18 different lorry thefts, plus those of a commercial burglary and a host of counterfeit goods.

It was a discovery that would put him on course for collision with the citys most powerful crime bosses, as well as a small band of the Mets own officers who were already in their pockets  and leave a contract to kill him hanging over his head.

I was running a small team of young PCs and detectives out of Newham, where I was a detective, and we had far better results than some of the squads at the Yard were getting, the 61-year-old says. The reality was that we got taken out. The gangsters used corrupt police officers to feed a false intelligence report into the system that ended my career.

The investigation into the former detective and his team was eventually thrown out, after the case was found to have been fatally flawed, but the gang leaders alleged to have put a price on his head were never brought to justice for their threats. Exonerated, McKelvey left the Met in 2010 and sued his former employers, receiving a payout and an apology in 2016.

David McKelvey had worked for the Met for more than three decades by the time he left in 2010 - Daniel Jones

Yet a decade on he is still apprehending thieves: McKelvey now runs the most successful private force in Britain, catching the criminals that his former employers struggle to pin down.

McKelvey is the founder of TM Eye, a private investigations agency, and My Local Bobby, a private for-hire police force. This week his teams put a burglar behind bars, the first time a criminal has been jailed for this offence as the result of a private prosecution. It came after the Met had decided not to investigate a series of offences by David Hanlon, a prolific shoplifter. Hanlon was caught on CCTV stealing 500 worth of sirloin and T-bone steak along with 20 bottles of prosecco from an M&S supermarket in Streatham, after breaking in overnight.

McKelveys officers tracked Hanlon down after seeing CCTV footage of the break-in, but it was several hours before the Met could attend the scene themselves to make an arrest.

The Met had reviewed the footage but they didnt recognise Hanlon, he explains. My officers did [know who he was] because they patrol in Streatham every day. They recognised Hanlon and they knew his haunts. When they went to arrest him after seeing the CCTV themselves, he was still wearing the clothes hed committed the crime in.

David Hanlon is the first burglar to have been jailed after a private prosecution

McKelveys two bobbies called him to ask what they should do. I said, collect as much evidence as possible. If he admits it  which he did  then caution him, and if the police wont prosecute, then we will. After the Met screened out two of Hanlons offences, meaning they werent deemed worthy of further investigation, TM Eye took him to court.

Hanlon confessed to the burglary on bodycam-captured tape: most of those routed out by the private officers do so, McKelvey says, because they know theyve been caught red-handed. His officers are duty-bound to make it to the scene of a crime within two minutes from first alert.

All this is enabled by WhatsApp groups where retailers can share CCTV clips. That gives us a literally to-the-second picture of whats going on and we can respond immediately, he explains.

My Local Bobby employs 124 officers, primarily ex-police or ex-military, he says, while TM Eye is staffed by 24 career detectives. Hanlons case is one of more than 1,500 that independent lawyers hired by McKelvey have prosecuted  with a 100 per cent conviction rate. Now most courts have heard of McKelvey and his team and treat them no differently to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which has a conviction rate of around 80 per cent.

Under British law, any individual can bring a private prosecution to a criminal court. Organisations can also bring private prosecutions by using these same laws, as is often done by the RSPCA.

Such cases must follow the same processes used by police and state prosecutors, and result in identical trials, though they involve lawyers who are experts in bringing cases on behalf of individuals or organisations other than the state. Its the lawyer who decides which offences a criminal will be prosecuted for, though McKelvey and his team have a say, opting to pursue Hanlon for burglary rather than shoplifting due to the seriousness of the crime.

The actual justice process is no different  we just put the evidence we collect to independent lawyers, rather than the CPS, McKelvey explains. They then review it and decide whether theres enough to prosecute on, and whether it would be in the public interest to do so. After that people are put before the courts, by lawyers who know the case inside out, as they arent being overloaded with cases by the police.

My Local Bobby started out in 2016 by offering residential beats, where locals club together to pay for a police officer to patrol their streets. Prices start at 50 a month per household, with the final fee depending on the number of residents looked after and how many hours an officer will be needed for. Some patrol five days a week, other seven  some are on the streets for eight hours a day and others 12.

Areas where residents pay for these services are affluent as often as they are neglected: the team have officers in Woodford, Hampton, Rickmansworth and much of north London. McKelvey says that his client base is made up of communities that have got to a point where theyve decided they need that added security to sleep at night, and want to know their families are safe.

It was only five years ago that the companys offering expanded to business beats. Officers who had been hired for residential areas kept being pulled into shops to handle thefts, so we decided to take contracts from Business Improvement Districts where shops club together to improve the area, says McKelvey.

They may be uniformed, in red hats, security vests and crisp white shirts, or plain-clothed, but shop at a high-end retailer in London and youll almost certainly run into one of McKelveys officers: they are on the streets in Kensington, Knightsbridge, Piccadilly, Leicester Square and Fitzrovia. Now its McKelveys agents that shops call for help rather than the police, the former detective says, because well always be there first.

McKelvey has his fair share of frustrations with the Met, but says that he would sooner shut down his business than see the force continue to struggle.

It wasnt personal glory that made him become a policeman in the first place, in 1982, or start up his private force after leaving Scotland Yard, though he has had plenty of success in high-profile cases.

Part of me wanted to prove that it was possible to do proper policing outside of the police force, given all Id been through, he explains. But if I could go back [to the Met] tomorrow then I would.

Instead its his desire to help keep people safe that has led to a lifelong career in law enforcement, one which currently involves investigating murder cases formerly closed by police, such as the infamous Essex Murders of Patrick Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe.

I was in a nightclub one evening when I saw a bloke getting badly beaten up, McKelvey says. I just stood there wanting to assist and help and couldnt. My grandfather was a policeman, so when I wondered what I could actually do to intervene, it made me think about joining the police. I applied the next day.

In McKelveys day there were rigorous vetting processes, and extensive training to follow. Not so anymore, he says. When I was accepted into the Met I was sent to Hendon, where I did 16 weeks of training to learn how to be a policeman, he says. We were in training five or seven days a week, and it was much the same when I went on to be a detective, even though I had plenty of experience in uniform.

Now, many of his recruits are ex-officers with years of experience. When the company opened applications for a position recently, they received more than a hundred applications from serving police officers, including a detective sergeant who had spent 22 years on the job.

McKelvey is still close with many at Scotland Yard. I speak to police officers every day, and they are dedicated people who want to do their best. But theyre very stretched, and theyre confronted with all sorts of problems and issues from above.

Corruption also remains a huge problem for the Met, McKelvey claims, arguing that the scale of the problem has only grown since he left the force more than a decade ago. He points to Operation Tiberius, a 2002 investigation which found that the Met had suffered endemic corruption along with much of the criminal justice system. Things have not improved since then and have in fact worsened, in his estimation.

All this makes it harder for police to tackle the crimes we do, because their attention needs to go on knife crime, serious offences, the really big problems that have been taking over London, he says.

For the moment, the Met works closely with McKelvey to plug those gaps. Things can get frosty, he says, though mostly his relationship with local forces is positive. But he thinks that in the long term, a total strategy change is needed for public detectives to have a patch on his private team.

We need someone with balls at a senior level to tell the public that the whole system needs to change, to be proactive instead of just responding to calls, McKelvey says. Someone needs to admit that therell be a period of chaos but then there will be change  that theyll start going after criminals, catching and convicting them, just the way we do. Then the public will feel safe and theyll get back on board.

The Telegraph has approached the Metropolitan Police for comment but the force had not replied by the time of publication.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: Our record bringing offenders to justice speaks for itself  the claims made by the individual quoted in this piece are categorically false.
The cost of policing pro-Palestinian and Israeli protests in the capital has reached north of 40million, it was revealed on Wednesday.

Demonstrations in London are now costing the Metropolitan police an average 6million a month, figures released this week show.

Between October and March the force spent about 36million on overseeing the marches, which have seen hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets of the city over the situation in the Middle East.

Some 6.1million was spent on officer overtime alone in the six months after the war broke out, in what the Met has dubbed Operation Brock.

More than 300 people have been arrested since the large scale demonstrations began following Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7 and the ensuing war in Gaza.

But just 51 people were charged with a crime between October and March, according to figures released by the Met this week.

The vast majority have been bailed or released without any further action being taken.

November saw the largest number of arrests. Around 300,000 people converged on the capital for a pro-Palestine march on November 11, while police clashed with far-Right counter protesters who had gathered at the Cenotaph in Whitehall in a self-declared bid to protect Armistice Day.

Police were forced to push back the crowds with batons.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned far-Right thugs and Hamas sympathisers after the day of violence saw over 100 arrests.

The Met said most protests have taken place without any notable disorder and arrests were made by officers responding to fast time and evolving situations in order to keep everyone safe.

"In the majority of cases, officers continue to develop their investigations after the event, trawling through CCTV, body worn camera images, gathering more information and speaking to witnesses, the force said.

"In the case of arrests made for breach of the peace, once the threat of a breach of the peace has passed, in law the person is released and that is shown as no further action."

The next large protest in London is due to take place on Saturday, May 18, starting outside the BBC's offices before marching to Whitehall.

It comes as pro-Palestinian university encampments seen in the US spread to Britain.

At Goldsmiths University in London students stormed the library and occupied the first two floors last week.

Pupils and staff at Oxford and Cambridge universities have also begun protest camps against the war in Gaza. They are demanding that universities sever ties with Israel over the war.

Today students at Goldsmiths have set up a resistance assembly where students will be able to hear from those who have organised sit-ins in Britain, the US and France.

The newly-formed coalitions Oxford Action for Palestine and Cambridge for Palestine said in a joint statement: "From Columbia to UCLA, from Trinity College to Sciences Po, from Newcastle to Goldsmiths, over 100 universities across the globe have now taken bold and urgent action for Palestine.

As members of these institutions, we refuse to accept our universities' complicity in Israel's war crimes against the Palestinian people  and we refuse to stand by while they justify Israel's campaign of mass slaughter, starvation, and displacement.

Israel has rejected accusations that it is engaging in genocidal acts in Gaza and is attempting to route out terrorists in the Strip.

The Israeli government has insisted it has the right to defend itself following the October 7 terror attack in which 1,200 and hundreds more were taken hostage.

The Union of Jewish Students has said encampments are creating a "hostile and toxic atmosphere" on campuses and called on universities to "take their duty of care to Jewish students seriously".
The decision to hear the appeal is a significant win for Donald Trump. Photograph: Mary Altaffer/UPI/Rex/Shutterstock

The Georgia state court of appeals on Wednesday said it would consider an appeal from Donald Trump of an order allowing Fani Willis, the district attorney, to continue prosecuting his election interference case in Fulton county.

In a one-page order, the appeals court said it would allow Trump to challenge the decision not to disqualify Willis over her relationship with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor she hired to lead the Trump case. Scott McAfee, the trial judge overseeing the case, ruled in March that Willis could stay on the case as long as Wade resigned. Wade subsequently resigned the same day McAfee issued his decision.

Related: Fani Willis: Train is coming for Trump despite efforts to derail Georgia case

Trump now has 10 days to file a notice of appeal, the court said. His legal team had asked the court of appeals to consider the case in March and clarify the standard for when a prosecutor should be disqualified.

President Trump looks forward to presenting interlocutory arguments to the Georgia court of appeals as to why the case should be dismissed and Fulton county DA Willis should be disqualified for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution, Steve Sadow, Trumps attorney, said in a statement.

The decision to hear the appeal is a significant win for Trump. It decreases the chances that the case will go to trial before the November election and allows Trump and his lawyers to continue to undermine Williss credibility and keep questions about her judgment in the public eye. McAfee has already excoriated Willis for her conduct, saying she had a tremendous lapse in judgment.

Trumps attorneys may petition the court to stay the trial pending the outcome of their appeal. Otherwise, the appeal will not immediately impede the prosecution as McAfee takes up pending motions. But if the appeals court decides that Willis must be removed, it would reset the years-long case back to square one while a new prosecutor can be appointed to oversee the case.

Last month, prosecutors urged the appeals court not to hear the appeal. The present application merely reflects the applicants dissatisfaction with the trial courts proper application of well-established law to the facts, prosecutors wrote in a 19-page filing.

Trump and more than a dozen of his allies were charged last year with racketeering over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump and his co-defendants tried to dismiss the case by alleging that Williss relationship, and statements she made at a Black church in Atlanta suggesting criticism of her was racist, meant she should be recused from the case.

Wade defended his relationship with Willis in an interview with ABC News last weekend. Workplace romances are as American as apple pie, Wade said. It happens to everyone. But it happened to the two of us.

I regret that that private matter became the focal point of this very important prosecution, Wade added. This is a very important case.

The order comes one day after Judge Aileen Cannon indefinitely delayed Trumps trial in Florida for charges that he retained classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago club.
Protesters and police during a demonstration in opposition to the Cop City training center on 13 November 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photograph: Mike Stewart/AP

Georgias deputy attorney general said in court that he didnt think police in the state were using Signal to communicate about the law enforcement training center colloquially known as Cop City  despite being presented, in a motion from defense attorneys, with evidence from the Guardian of law enforcement leadership ordering officers to download the encrypted phone app last year for that very purpose.

Defense attorneys have been seeking the Signal messages from Atlanta police and other law enforcement agencies that may be relevant to their clients cases from the deputy attorney general, John Fowler, since February, according to their 15 March motion.

Fowler did not respond, indicating only that the Signal messages were not in possession of the state, the motion said. He repeated the claim in court this week, saying he thought only federal agencies collaborating with the Georgia prosecution used Signal.

It is unclear if the official is not telling the truth, or doesnt know how the arresting agencies in his offices effort to prosecute 61 people tied to opposition against Cop City communicate with each other.

We are unable to comment due to pending prosecution, wrote the attorney generals spokesperson Kara Murray in reply to queries from the Guardian.

Related: Exclusive: groups call for US inquiry into police killing of Cop City protester

The revelation came in a Fulton county superior court conference for prosecuting and defense attorneys to hash out details in the states pending Rico  or criminal conspiracy  case centered on Cop City. It is the largest Rico case in connection with a protest movement ever, experts have told the Guardian.

The fight against Cop City has drawn national and global headlines, particularly since 18 January of last year, when state troopers shot and killed Manuel Paez Teran, known as Tortuguita, who was camping in protest at a public park near the Cop City site  the first such incident in US history. Opposition to the project has come from a wide range of local and national supporters, with concerns such as unchecked police militarization and clearing forests in an era of climate crisis. Atlanta police say the center is needed for world-class training.

Fulton county superior court judge Kimberly M Esmond Adams said on Tuesday she planned to start trials in the Rico case before the years end, with five defendants at a time. Her job in court included ensuring the state finishes releasing its evidence to the dozens of defense attorneys involved in the case as soon as possible  after the state announced in November it had five terabytes of evidentiary data, the equivalent of about 400m pages of text, or 800,000 digital photos. On Tuesday, the state said it may have up to a terabyte more worth of data.

At one point, Judge Adams appeared to lose patience with the state, saying: You all indicted 61 people, so you dont get to come tell me that youre having issues with getting evidence  and gave until 17 May for the state to have all discovery materials filed.

That data should include Signal messages, defense attorney David Gastley asserted in his 15 March motion and, again, in court on Tuesday. He named the Guardians 4 December 2023 reporting as the main exhibit supporting the request. Based on emails obtained through open records requests, that story established how top Atlanta police officials began setting up Signal groups in early 2023 to discuss Cop City.

In one email described in the Guardians reporting, on 23 January Maj Jessica Bruce of the Atlanta police informed a dozen agencies: As we get closer to the building of the Acadamy [sic] I wish to keep everyone informed in a timely manner  and that she would be adding everyone receiving the email to a Signal group. The Acadamy is Cop City.

Related: Georgia uses political fear-mongering in efforts to charge Cop City protesters

That email was sent to police departments in Atlanta and in Cobb and DeKalb counties  part of the Atlanta metro area  as well as the Georgia bureau of investigation, the FBI and the ATF. Police from the Norfolk Southern railroad were also copied.

Gastley asked in a 13 February email to the attorney generals office for preservation and production of [a]ll messages pertaining to the Stop Cop City/Defend the Atlanta Forest investigation and prosecution exchanged by law enforcement on  encrypted messaging apps such as Signal and WhatsApp.

He named all police officials and agencies mentioned in the Guardians reporting, asking for communications between them. He also asked for all communications about the decision to use the app, and about any policies governing its use.

It is implausible that there are no relevant witness statements contained on these large-scale, inter-agency Signal group threads designed to communicate about the Cop City protests, the 15 March motion reads.

Despite five emails and an in-person visit, the attorney asserts, Fowler did not respond  except to say that he didnt think the state had any such messages, but had a willingness to consider complying with the request, according to the motion.

The defense attorney sums up these events in the motion, raising the possibility that messages have been deleted: [C]ommunications with the Attorney Generals Office suggest that there has been no diligent inquiry to determine the extent of discoverable materials contained within the tranche of law enforcement Signal messages (to the extent these messages have not been deleted).

With Signal, users can set the app to automatically delete messages, at which point they are not even available for retrieval on computer servers, as with standard texts. First amendment and digital transparency experts told the Guardian in December that police or other government officials using encrypted apps like Signal to communicate about official business raises serious concerns about the ability to access information afterward, in accordance with freedom of information and open-records laws  and now, possibly, in response to discovery requests in state prosecutions.

The defense attorneys motion also notes in a footnote how the states own 109-page Rico indictment refers to the use of Signal by activists against Cop City. Their communication is often cloaked in secrecy, using sophisticated technology aimed at preventing law enforcement from viewing their communication and preventing recovery of the information, the indictment reads.

In the indictment of this case, the State itself chose to include the use of the Signal messaging platform as alleged inculpatory evidence against the defendants purported enterprise, the motion reads. Surely, the extent to which law enforcement itself intentionally shifted their own communications to this very same platform will be relevant evidence for the jury  particularly if a substantial amount of law enforcement material is in fact unpreserved.
Israeli tanks are lined up near the Israel-Gaza border, on the outskirts of the southern city of Rafah - REUTERS/Ammar Awad

Israel criticised the UN, accusing it of not delivering surplus aid into Gaza as it insisted a key crossing into the strip was open.

Government Spokesman Avi Hyman claimed that the Kerem Shalom crossing was operational, despite being directly shut by a Hamas strike.

Mr Hyman appeared to blame the UN for lack of aid, saying that the body should be asked why there is so much surplus aid not being delivered to the enclave day in and day out.

It comes as the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA),which aids Palestinian refugees in the enclave, said earlier today that the aid was not entering the Strip through the crossing due to military operations in the area.

The crossing is a vital entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers.

03:15 PM BST

Thanks for following todays live blog

Todays live coverage has ended.

Well be back soon with all the latest updates from the conflict.

03:10 PM BST

WHO chief: Hospitals in the south of Gaza only have three days of fuel left

One of the three hospitals in Rafah city is no longer functioning, , says head of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Director-General of the WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Najjer hospital has been forced to shut and warned that the remaining two only had three days of fuel left as Israel continues its operation in the enclaves southernmost city.

Mr Ghebreyesus added that the closure of the Kerem Shalom border crossing was preventing the UN from delivering fuel to the hospitals.

The closure of the border crossing continues to prevent the UN from bringing fuel. Without fuel all humanitarian operations will stop. Border closures are also impeding delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Hospitals in the south of Gaza only have three days of fuel left, which means services may soon come to a halt.

One of the three hospitals in Rafah, Al-Najjar, is no longer functioning due to the ongoing hostilities in its vicinity and the military operation in Rafah.



The closure of the border crossing continues to prevent the UN from bringing fuel. Without fuel all humanitarian  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 8, 2024

02:36 PM BST

IDF will resolve US arms suspension behind closed doors

Israel appeared to play down a US decision to pause a shipment of military aid, saying that any disagreements between the two countries would be dealt with behind closed doors.

When asked about the issue at a conference on Wednesday, Chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari described relations between the two nations as reaching a scope without precedent, I think, in history.

Joe Biden paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over fears it would invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Officials said Washington was especially focused on the use of the heaviest 2,000-lb bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza.

02:15 PM BST

Pictured: Police shut down pro-Palestine protest at George Washington University

Police cleared a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University and arrested several demonstrators from the campus early Wednesday.

District of Columbia police said officers moved to disperse demonstrators because there has been a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest.

It added that 33 arrests were made, including for assault on a police officer and unlawful entry. Some protesters were pepper sprayed as police blocked them from the camp.

Officials at the university in Washington, D.C., had warned of possible suspensions for students engaging in protest activities on University Yard.

While the university is committed to protecting students rights to free expression, the encampment had evolved into an unlawful activity, with participants in direct violation of multiple university policies and city regulations, the university said in a statement.

University students have been inside an encampment since 25 April.

Students hold banners and signs as they continue pro-Palestinian demonstrations at George Washington University in Washington DC, United States - Anadolu via Getty Images

Students hold Palestinian flags as they continue pro-Palestinian demonstrations at George Washington University - Anadolu via Getty Images

01:47 PM BST

UN chief says Rafah offensive would be a human catastrophe

Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general has said that a full-scale invasion of Rafah would be a human catastrophe.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Guterres wrote:

A full-scale assault on Rafah would be a human catastrophe. Countless more civilian casualties. Countless more families forced to flee yet again  with nowhere safe to go. Meanwhile, the repercussions will be felt far beyond, in the occupied West Bank, and across the region.

A full-scale assault on Rafah would be a human catastrophe.



Countless more civilian casualties.



Countless more families forced to flee yet again  with nowhere safe to go.



Meanwhile, the repercussions will be felt far beyond, in the occupied West Bank, and across the region.  Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 8, 2024

01:35 PM BST

Israel sees no sign of breakthrough in ceasefire talks

Israel has little hope of a breakthrough in the ceasefire talks taking place in Cairo, an Israeli official told Reuters on Wednesday.

Despite this, it will keep its delegation of mid-level Israeli officials in the Egyptian capital for now, the official added.

We reported earlier The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director William Burns is flying to Israel today to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a possible suspension of the Israeli operation in Gazas Rafah in return for a hostage release (see our post at 9:37 am).

01:16 PM BST

No aid has crossed Kerem Shalom crossing, says UNRWA

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has said no aid has entered into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing.

UNRWA, which aids Palestinian refugees in the enclave, said that as of 2:30 pm local time, the crossing was not functioning due to military operations in the area.

The agency added that it had not yet seen any fuel or aid enter the Strip.

We reported earlier that Israel said it had reopened the border crossing and that aid trucks from Egypt were already undergoing inspections ahead of their arrival in Gaza (see our post at 8:23 am).

The crossing is a vital entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers.

12:49 PM BST

Aid for Gaza loaded in Cyprus as US offshore pier completed

Aid deliveries for Gaza were loaded onto a ship in Cyprus on Wednesday, in what will be the first load delivered using the US humanitarian pier off the Gaza Strip, Reuters has reported.

Konstantinos Letymbiotis, a Cyprus government spokesperson, announced that a US jetty built to deliver aid shipments to Gaza had been completed.

We are completing the loading of aid onto a US vessel now in Larnaca and once the platform is in place this part of the process (shipment) can commence, he said.

It is unclear when the vessel will depart.

We reported earlier that construction of the two-part pier had been slowed down due to poor weather conditions (see our post at 7:33 am).

The new sea route - which will cost the US military at least $320 million - is aimed at boosting aid deliveries to the Gazan population on the brink of famine.

A crane lifts material onto a cargo vessel expected to take aid to Gaza from Cyprus, at the port of Larnaca, Cyprus - Yiannis Kourtoglou/REUTERS

12:25 PM BST

Israel demolishes 47 Palestinian homes in Negev desert

The Israeli military has reportedly destroyed 47 Bedouin homes today, the Middle East Monitor has reported.

The homes belonging to the Abu Asa family in the Negev, a vast desert region that covers the entire south of Israel, were destroyed this morning, according to the regions supreme Arab guidance committee.

The committee said Israeli police planned to shut down roads in the area early this morning to stave off protestors and called the governments move unprecedented.

It added that this was the largest home demolition operation in a single day in many years.

Bedouin groups in the Negev are traditional nomadic Arab tribes and have cultivated the land since the 16th century.

They also include many Israeli citizens, yet 35 of their 46 villages are not recognised by the state. Meaning that the 90,000 residents dont have access to basic rights, such as education and healthcare, and are not allowed to build permanent structures.

Israeli police arrest a Bedouin man during the demolishing of unrecognised Bedouin village of Wadi al-Khalil - Ilia Yefimovich/DPA

12:08 PM BST

Nearly 35,000 Palestinians killed since beginning of war

The Hamas-run health ministry says at least 34,844 Palestinians have now been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October.

A further 78,404 have been injured, it added.

The figures reported by the ministry do not differentiate between fighters and civilians.

11:40 AM BST

No prospects for resolving the situation in the Gaza Strip, says Russia

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that Moscow saw no prospects for a peace settlement in Gaza or the wider Middle East.

I would like to call it a settlement, but, alas, it is far from a settlement, said Ms Zakharova told reporters.

There are no prospects for resolving the situation in the Gaza Strip. On the contrary, the situation in the conflict zone is escalating daily.

Ms Zakharova added that the launch of an Israeli operation in Rafah was an additional destabilising factor in tensions across the region.

11:25 AM BST

Pictured: Settlements in Rafah as precise operation in eastern region begins

A new satellite image from southern Rafah shows the tent and shelter camp settlements there as reports suggest Israels military is preparing for a full-scale offensive in the city.

Rafah, by the border with Egypt, was the only city in Gaza that the IDF had not yet entered, with more than a million displaced people sheltering in what was the last remaining safe zone.

A black-and-white satellite image shows an overview of a tent and shelter camp settlement in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip - REUTERS

11:16 AM BST

IDF says it killed several gunmen in Rafah operation

The Israeli military says its troops have killed several gunmen and located tunnel shafts during what the IDF describes as its precise operation in Eastern Rafah.

The uncovered tunnels are being prepared to be dismantled by combat engineers, the IDF said in a statement.

They added that Israeli troops are conducting targeted raids on the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing following intelligence that Hamas fighters are using the border crossing for terror purposes.

Throughout the past day, IAF fighter jets and aircraft struck over 100 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including military structures, observation posts, launch posts and additional military infrastructure, said the IDF.

Internally displaced Palestinians flock to Rafah beach, near the border with Egypt, in Rafah, amid Israeli calls for resident to 'temporarily' evacuate to an expanded humanitarian area - MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

11:04 AM BST

Biden paused bomb shipments to Israel over Rafah concerns

Joe Biden paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over fears it would invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Washington halted the load of 1,800 2,000-lb (907 kg) bombs and 1,700 500-lb (226 kg) bombs after Israel had not fully addressed US concerns about a major ground operation, marking the first time in the conflict that Mr Biden has halted military aid.

News of the move comes as the White House criticised the unacceptable closure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt after Israel sent tanks in earlier Tuesday - while holding out hope for a ceasefire with Hamas.

Officials said Washington was especially focused on the use of the heaviest 2,000-lb bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza.

Ceasefire talks involving Israel, Hamas, the United States, Qatar and Egypt resumed on Tuesday.

A close assessment of the two sides positions suggests that they should be able to close the remaining gaps, and were going to do everything we can to support that process, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

10:26 AM BST

MSF is discharging patients from Rafah field hospital ahead of impending evacuation

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have started to discharge patients from a field hospital in Rafah ahead of a possible evacuation, a medical lead operating in the territory said on Wednesday.

Aurelie Godard, MSF medical team lead in the Gaza Strip, said that the field hospitals will not be able to cope with a rush of new patients on top of their regular medical duties if the looming offensive in the enclaves southernmost city goes ahead.

We have begun to discharge patients at Rafah Indonesian Field Hospital, those who can walk, as we also prepare for a possible evacuation, said Godard in a statement on X.

The few field hospitals or alternative structures being installed will not be able to cope with an influx of wounded patients on top of regular medical needs such as deliveries and chronic diseases.

"This offensive is also going to further aggravate the damage to the health system, which is barely functioning. Like we saw in the north, some hospitals will no longer be accessible and are at high risk of being hit or destroyed...  MSF International (@MSF) May 8, 2024

10:11 AM BST

Video: Israeli strike hits civilian homes in Rafah

Overnight, there were further Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip, hours after Israeli forces backed by tanks took control of the key Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt.

The Israeli bombardment has been particularly intense around Rafah, the Strips southernmost city. Local medics say seven members of one family were killed in one overnight strike.

On Monday, the Israeli military ordered tens of thousands of civilians to begin evacuating eastern parts of Rafah city, ahead of what it called a limited operation to eliminate Hamas fighters and dismantle infrastructure.

09:37 AM BST

CIA chief to hold talks with Netanyahu this afternoon

The United States believes that the remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas on the cease-fire proposal can be bridged, Reuters news agency has reported.

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director Bill Burns is flying to Israel today to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, a source familiar with his travels has said.

Israel declared on Monday that a three-phase proposal approved by Hamas was unacceptable because terms had been softened.

White House spokesman John Kirby announced that Hamas has presented a revised offer, with the new text suggesting that the remaining gaps can absolutely be closed.

The proposal that Hamas approved on Monday included a first phase with a six-week ceasefire, increased aid in Gaza, the return of 33 Israeli hostages, alive or dead, and the release of 30 detained Palestinian children and women for each released Israeli hostage.

CIA Director William Burns will fly to Israel later today to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - MANDEL NGAN/AFP

08:50 AM BST

How dependent is Israel on US weapons?

The Biden administration has faced growing pressure to halt arms sales to Israel over how it is conducting its war in the besieged Gaza Strip, which critics say violates US laws banning military aid and weapons sales to countries

The US is by far the biggest supplier of arms to Israel, accounting for 69 per cent of Israels imports of major conventional arms between 2019 and 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Israel receives $3.8bn (3bn) worth of annual military aid from the US, under a 10-year agreement designed to give the nation qualitative military edge over neighbouring countries.

The US-funded grants have financed Israels orders of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, an aircraft considered the most advanced ever made. The move makes them the first country other than the US to receive the stealth jets and the first to use one in combat.

08:23 AM BST

Kerem Shalom aid crossing has been reopened, says Israel

The Israeli military has reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza, a vital terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed four days earlier in response to a rocket that killed four Israeli soldiers nearby.

The reopening will allow humanitarian aid to enter the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli Defences Forces said in a statement.

Israeli border guards and police speak with right-wing protesters blocking the road to Jordanian trucks carrying humanitarian aid supplies arriving on the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP

Israel first opened the tightly-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing in December following stark warnings from the United States to speed up the flow of humanitarian aid.

However, Israeli protesters have regularly gathered at the crossing, trying to block aid convoys from entering the enclave in hope of raising the pressure on Hamas to release the hostages.

07:58 AM BST

Pictured: Palestinian families flee Rafah as Israel strikes city

Many Palestinians have been forced to flee eastern parts of Rafah, Gazas southernmost city, after the Israeli military ordered their evacuation before starting an operation in the area.

On Monday the military told the tens of thousands of people affected to begin heading towards an expanded humanitarian area in the north of the enclave, where it said they would find field hospitals, tents and basic supplies, according to the leaflets dropped by the Israeli military.

Rafah is now home to about a million Palestinians that have been displaced during the war, as well as a prewar population of 300,000.

Internally displaced Palestinians leave with their belongings following an evacuation order issued by the Israeli army, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. - MOHAMMED SABER/Shutterstock

07:47 AM BST

US to miss deadline to report if IDF using weapons legally in Gaza

The Biden administration is set to miss a Wednesday deadline to report to Congress on whether Israel is breaching international humanitarian law, sources say.

Under a National Security Memorandum issued by President Joe Biden in February, Secretary of State Antony Blinken must report to Congress by May 8 whether he finds credible Israels assurances that its use of U.S. weapons does not violate U.S. or international law.

Four sources said on Tuesday that Bidens administration had informed Congress that it would not make the deadline, but hoped to present its findings within days, Reuters reported.

It was reported last month that some senior US officials did not find Israels assurances credible or reliable, prompting some lawmakers to urge the Biden administration not to lean the report in Israels favour.

Ive had a lot of conversations... with folks in the administration, really urging them to make sure that this report is credible, that its seen to be based on facts and law and not based on what they would wish it would be, said Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.

Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip. On Monday, Israeli forces called on residents of eastern Rafah to 'temporarily' evacuate to an expanded humanitarian area. - MOHAMMED SABER/AFP

07:33 AM BST

Deliveries using humanitarian aid pier off Gaza Strip could begin as soon as Wednesday

Aid deliveries using the US humanitarian pier off the Gaza Strip could begin as soon as Wednesday, despite poor weather conditions slowing down construction, sources say.

US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that a ceasefire does not have to be in place for aid distribution from the pier to begin.

US President Joe Biden announced the construction of the pier in March as aid officials implored Israel to ease access for relief supplies into Gazas overland routes, with the aim of speeding up the flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave when it becomes operational

The port sits just southwest of Gaza City, an area that was the territorys most populous region before the Israeli ground offensive forced over 1 million displaced people to flee south toward the city of Rafah on the Egyptian border.

06:58 AM BST

Israel launches fresh Gaza strikes as negotiators work towards truce

Israel bombed the Gaza Strip on Wednesday after seizing the main border crossing with Egypt, where negotiators were working to make good on their last chance to cement a ceasefire deal.

Israeli tanks moved in Tuesday, capturing the crossing that has served as the main conduit for aid into the besieged Palestinian territory.

The White House condemned the interruption to humanitarian deliveries, with a senior US official later revealing Washington had paused a shipment of bombs last week after Israel failed to address US concerns over its Rafah plans.

The push into the southern city, which is packed with displaced civilians, came as negotiators and mediators met in Cairo to try and hammer out a hostage release deal and truce in the seven-month war between Israel and the militant group Hamas.
Internally displaced Palestinians carry their belongings on Tuesday after the Israeli army asked them to evacuate from Rafah. Photograph: APAImages/Rex/Shutterstock

Israel has launched a major military offensive against Hamas forces in Rafah, Gazas southernmost city, seizing control of a key border crossing and cutting off most aid into the territory a day before indirect talks on a ceasefire deal are due to restart.

Images released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) showed tanks flying large Israeli flags driving through the post and crushing a concrete sign reading I Love Gaza.

Israels defence minister, Yoav Gallant, said the offensive would continue until Hamas forces in Rafah and the entire Gaza Strip were eliminated or the militant Islamist organisation begins to release hostages. A government spokesperson described the first stage of a wider effort targeting Hamas.

This is the beginning of our mission to take out the last four Hamas brigades in Rafah. You should be in no doubt about that whatsoever, the spokesperson said.

The Israeli operation was launched hours after an announcement by Hamas leaders on Monday night that they would accept a recent proposal for a ceasefire deal put forward by Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

Any truce would be the first pause in fighting since a week-long ceasefire in November during which Hamas freed about half of the 250 Israeli and other national hostages seized in a surprise attack into Israel in October. During that exchange, Israel released 240 Palestinians from its jails.

Since then, intermittent negotiations have foundered over Hamass refusal to free more hostages without a promise of a permanent end to the conflict, and Israels insistence that it would discuss only a temporary pause.

Israeli officials on Monday accused Hamas of grandstanding while Hamas said Israel was trying to undermine efforts to end the seven-month-long war that has laid waste to Gaza and left hundreds of thousands of its people homeless and hungry.

However, Israel decided to send a delegation to Cairo where indirect talks are due to start again within days.

The White House national security adviser, John Kirby, appeared optimistic on Tuesday, saying the US believed after looking at a text of the proposal put forward by mediators that it should be possible to close the gaps between the two sides.

Reports suggest the proposal Hamas agreed to does not include an immediate permanent end to hostilities but involves three consecutive phases, with different ratios for exchanges of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails for hostages, and a series of staged withdrawals of Israeli forces from zones in Gaza.

Further negotiations could take many days or even weeks, during which time fighting is likely to continue as both sides seek leverage in negotiations, analysts said.

International powers including the US, Israels staunchest ally, repeatedly warned Israel against a major military operation in Rafah, where more than 1 million people displaced from elsewhere in Gaza are sheltering. Aid agencies have predicted a humanitarian catastrophe.

Israel told the US its operation in Rafah was limited and designed to prevent weapons and funds from being smuggled into Gaza, Kirby said.

Aid officials in the territory said the flow of humanitarian assistance through the Rafah crossing had been entirely halted, leaving reserves of fuel only sufficient to run the extensive relief operation in Gaza for another day. Parts of Gaza are facing famine and everywhere there is acute hardship.

We are down to less fuel than in a single service station. Its enough to last a day, basically. After that, nothing will be moving, and the hospitals wont be able to keep going for more than two or three days, said Georgios Petropoulos, the head of the Gaza sub-office of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

It comes as the US military says it has completed the construction of a Gaza aid pier, but weather conditions mean it was unsafe to move the two-part facility into place, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

The pier is aimed at boosting deliveries of aid and is to cost at least $320m.

The Kerem Shalom border post, another main access point for aid, was shut after a rocket barrage killed four Israeli soldiers there earlier this week. There were further rocket and mortar strikes against the same target on Tuesday, an Israeli military official said.

The Rafah crossing was the only exit point for those needing to leave Gaza for medical treatment that is no longer available in the territory.

Lama Abu Holi, eight, has been in al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza for a month, waiting for a chance to leave for treatment to her injured legs.

Today my name was at the border, and I should travel to get my legs treated, she said, holding a toy in her hospital bed. They hurt. I am supposed to have an operation. Because the border crossing is shut today, I could not travel. I am sad because I did not leave today.

An Israeli military official said the target of the operation in Rafah was terrorist infrastructure.

The Gaza health ministry said Israeli strikes across the territory had killed 54 Palestinians and wounded 96 others in the past 24 hours.

On Sunday Israels military told civilians in eastern neighbourhoods of Rafah to head for what it calls an expanded humanitarian zone at al-Mawasi along the coast and around the largely deserted city of Khan Younis. Thousands have left Rafah since the warning, in battered trucks, pushing trolleys, on donkey carts and walking, but aid agencies said neither location could accommodate a new influx.

A total of 34,789 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in the conflict, the Gaza health ministry said.

The October Hamas attacks killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians in their homes or at a music festival.

The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus grip on power could slip if he loses support of far-right coalition allies who oppose any concessions to Hamas, but there is also pressure to free the remaining hostages.

Capitulating to Hamass demands would be a terrible defeat for the state of Israel. It would exhibit terrible weakness to our friends and to our enemies. This weakness would only bring closer the next war, Netanyahu said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an umbrella group, said it had appealed to a number of countries to exert influence on the Israeli government and push for an agreement.

At this crucial moment, while a tangible opportunity for the release of the hostages is on the table, it is of the utmost importance that your government manifest its strong support for such an agreement, the group said in a message sent to the ambassadors of all countries with citizens among the hostages seized by Hamas.

This is the time to exert your influence on the Israeli government and all other parties concerned to ensure that the agreement comes through which will finally bring all our loved ones home.

Abu Ubaida, a spokesperson for Hamass armed wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, said in a statement on Tuesday that a 70-year-old Israeli hostage died after she succumbed to wounds from Israeli shelling. There was no independent confirmation of the claim.
An Israeli military vehicle near the Israel-Gaza border on Wednesday as US paused shipment of munitions - REUTERS/Ammar Awad

Israel has questioned the USs commitment to its war against Hamas after the Pentagon admitted it had paused a shipment of weapons that could have been used in Rafah.

Gilad Erdan, Israels UN ambassador, criticised Joe Biden, the US president, and said the decision to pause a shipment of high-payload munitions to Israel was very disappointing.

On Wednesday, Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, confirmed reports that a shipment of 2,000lb bombs had been halted in the context of unfolding events in Rafah.

Other weapons packages to Israel were also under review, said Matthew Miller, the state department spokesman.

Mr Bidens administration hopes its decision to pause the munition shipment will force Israel to reconsider its planned ground invasion of Rafah, in the south of Gaza.

But Israeli officials reacted furiously to the decision, questioning the USs repeated claim to have an ironclad commitment to the countrys security.

Mr Erdan told Israels Channel 12 news that Mr Biden cant say he is our partner in the goal to destroy Hamas, while on the other hand delay the means meant to destroy Hamas.

It comes after Mr Biden cautioned Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, against the Rafah invasion in a phone call on Monday.

A rift has emerged between the two leaders in recent weeks as Washington has pushed for a ceasefire in Gaza after seven months of conflict and the death of more than 35,000 Palestinians.

American officials have urged Mr Netanyahu to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza and reach a hostage-for-ceasefire deal with Hamas in ongoing negotiations in Cairo.

On Wednesday, Mr Austin told the Senate Appropriations Committee that no final decisions had been taken on the high-payload munitions, but confirmed that the Pentagon was concerned about them being used in Rafah.

Weve been very clear that Israel shouldnt launch a major attack into Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians that are in that battlespace, he said.

And again as we have assessed the situation, we have paused one shipment of high-payload munitions.

Republicans immediately urged Mr Biden to reverse the decision, arguing that it would harm Israels ability to destroy remaining Hamas battalions it says are sheltering in Rafah.

Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called on the US president to drop his politically-motivated hold.

American support for Israel cannot be in doubt, especially now, she said.

Lindsey Graham, a senior Republican senator, added: This is obscene. It is absurd. Give Israel what they need.

Mr Biden was also criticised by John Fetterman, a Democratic senator who has emerged as one of Israels biggest supporters in Congress.

I strongly disagree with this decision and it should be immediately reversed, he said. If there are any restrictions, it should be on Hamas, its enablers, and benefactors.

It comes as it was reported that Israels war cabinet last week voted down Mr Netanyahus proposal for a full-scale invasion of Rafah, fearing it would damage talks with Hamas.

Everyone present at a government session on Thursday, including war cabinet members and other officials, voted against the proposal because Hamas was seen nearing a hostage deal.

Such a deal was eventually proposed by Hamas on Monday, then shot down by Israel, which said its terms were unacceptable. By Monday the war cabinet had also voted unanimously to go ahead with the planned invasion of Rafah.

Israeli officials made it clear on Wednesday that they did not hold much hope for ongoing talks in Cairo, even though a White House spokesman told reporters Israel and Hamas were close enough to an agreement and should be able to close the gaps.

Pro-Palestine protestors disrupt hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defence on Wednesday - AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

A senior Israeli official was quoted by the Walla news website as saying on Wednesday that a significant effort is being made to close the gaps although the Hamas proposal crosses all the red lines for Israel.

The proposal for a deal that Hamas agreed on Monday called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, which Mr Netanyahu has already ruled out.

The IDF conducted targeted raids around the Rafah crossing on Wednesday, after launching a limited military operation that US and Israeli officials said fell short of a full invasion.

Meanwhile, Israels defence minister warned of a hot summer on the border with Lebanon as Israel carried out heavy airstrikes there and Hezbollah said it had launched explosive drones and rockets at Israeli targets.

Evacuation orders for the east of Rafah have already forced about 10,000 Palestinians to flee the area, according to a spokeswoman for the UNs agency for Palestinian refugees. She said an estimated 200 people are leaving Rafah each hour.

However, on Wednesday, Israel re-opened one of the two main crossings for aid destined for Gaza, after the UN raised alarm about critically low supplies.

Displaced Palestinians inspect their destroyed homes after fleeing from Rafah - Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg

Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief, warned that hospitals in southern Gaza only have three days of fuel left to support their operations.

An Israeli spokesman, however, suggested it was the UNs fault that they did not have reserves of aid when Israel had to shut down the Kerem Shalom crossing after deadly shelling on Sunday.

The UN should be asked why there is no surplus aid in Gaza as trucks have been entering the enclave day in and day out, Avi Hyman said.

Western countries and aid organisations have for months been trying to ramp up aid deliveries to Gaza, especially to the worst-hit north of the enclave where a months-long absence of deliveries has led to catastrophic levels of hunger.

The US has responded by building a pier for delivery of aid to Gaza directly from the Mediterranean Sea.

A Pentagon spokesman said construction of the pier was now complete and it would be installed on the coastline as soon as possible.
Kansai International Airport opened in September 1994 (Getty Images)

Japans seventh busiest airport is celebrating an aviation milestone  30 years without losing a single piece of baggage.

Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka said that since opening in September 1994, none of the suitcases of the 20 to 30 million passengers the airport welcomes annually have been misplaced or damaged by baggage handlers or ground staff.

Despite the impressive record, airport staff were modest about the achievement.

Kenji Takanishi, a public relations officer for Kansai, told CNN: We dont feel like we have been doing something special.

We have been working as we normally do. We only do our work on a daily basis and we are recognised for it. We are certainly happy to receive the award. I think our staff, especially those working on the ground, feel more pleased.

In April, the efficient Japanese aviation hub won first place in the Skytrax, a UK-based air transport rating organisation, baggage handling category for the eighth time.

The World Airport Award evaluates waiting time before baggage pickup, the efficiency of baggage delivery, and the response to lost baggage by international airports.

Floating on manmade islands in Osaka Bay, Kansai serves travellers from Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto and aims to carefully return luggage to the baggage claim belt within 15-minute margins.

The efficient airport floats on artificial islands in Osaka Bay (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Earlier this year, it was reported that the artificial islands holding the worlds best airport are quickly sinking into the Seto Inland Sea following years of extreme weather conditions and the enormous weight of airport buildings.

Renovations are currently underway at Kansai Airport to accommodate millions of additional passengers as Osaka gears up to host the World Expo in 2025.

The Kansai Airports Group said it will continue to create an environment in which passengers can have a pleasant and fun time at the airport and provide enjoyable travel experiences.
Kate Forbes, after being announced as Deputy First Minister - STUART WALLACE/SHUTTERSTOCK

John Swinney has appointed Kate Forbes as Scotlands Deputy First Minister after she extracted a high price for agreeing not to stand against him for the SNP leadership.

Mr Swinney made Ms Forbes his deputy and Economy Secretary in his new Cabinet, giving her responsibility for fixing poor relations between the SNP and Scotlands business community.

However, he made no other major changes to the Cabinet he inherited from Humza Yousaf, his predecessor, despite a series of debacles that has raised concerns about its competence.

Ms Forbes, 34, is the youngest ever Deputy First Minister after she agreed to give Mr Swinney a clear run for the SNP leadership during face-to-face talks last week. His allies were desperate to avoid a contest following the sudden resignation of Mr Yousaf.

Her appointment was also intended to signal that Mr Swinney is serious about trying to drag the SNP back to the political centre ground after the end of its power-sharing agreement with the hard-Left Greens.

Ms Forbes has previously expressed significant concerns about the SNP-Green coalitions self-ID gender reforms, environmental policies and income tax hikes.

But the Scottish Tories said that, apart from Ms Forbes, Mr Swinney had unveiled Humza Yousafs Cabinet with a different figurehead. They said her appointment was intended to gloss over the huge splits in the SNP.

The Greens also reacted with hostility to Ms Forbess appointment. Patrick Harvie, their co-leader and a minister in Mr Yousafs government, posted on social media a picture of a road sign stating No right turn.

Immensely talented politician

Mr Swinney announced his Cabinet after being sworn in as First Minister at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, with Ms Forbes the first SNP MSP to arrive at his Bute House official residence.

As the most powerful member of Mr Swinneys administration, other than the First Minister himself, she is in pole position to succeed him if the 60-year-old stands down after the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

He said: I am very pleased to appoint Kate as Deputy First Minister and look forward to working with her in this new government.

She is an immensely talented politician, and her new role will prove critical as we focus on our key commitments of eradicating child poverty, investing in public services and supporting economic growth.

A devout Christian, she triggered uproar in last years SNP leadership contest with Mr Yousaf when she expressed opposition to gay marriage and children being born out of wedlock.

Mr Swinney questioned at the time whether her views made her an appropriate individual to be SNP leader and first minister.

But he rejected the Green accusations that Ms Forbes appointment as his deputy meant he had lurched to the Right, saying the SNP would remain a Centre-Left party.

John Swinney with his Cabinet - JEFF J MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGES

Speaking alongside Ms Forbes outside Bute House, he also denied that LGBT Scots should be concerned, saying he would be the First Minister for everyone.

Shona Robison had earlier resigned as Deputy First Minister, writing to Mr Swinney that Ms Forbes should have the post to unite the party behind your leadership.

However, she retained her position as Finance Secretary despite widespread hostility to this years Scottish Budget, in which she introduced a sixth income tax band.

Mr Swinney also kept Jenny Gilruth at education, Neil Gray at health, Angela Constance at justice, Mairi McAllan at net zero and energy, Fiona Hyslop at transport and Shirley-Anne Somerville at social justice.

In addition, Angus Robertson remained Constitution and Culture Secretary and Mairi Gougeon Rural Affairs Secretary after serving in the same posts in Mr Yousafs crisis-hit government.

Mr Swinney said he had selected a Cabinet team that blends experience and energy, with a strong focus on the priorities my government will pursue  eradicating child poverty, driving economic growth, meeting climate obligations and investing in our vital public services.

Ms Forbes said: I am deeply honoured to accept Johns invitation to be his Deputy First Minister.

More of the same

This is a moment of extraordinary privilege for me. Having previously served in Cabinet, I know the duty that all Ministers have to reflect the governments priorities and the missions that drive them.

She will also take on responsibility for Gaelic.

But Craig Hoy, the Scottish Tory chairman, said: This uninspiring cabinet is further evidence that John Swinney as First Minister will just mean more of the same.

Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labours deputy leader, said: After 17 years of failure, every single institution in Scotland is now weaker and those responsible remain at the heart of government.

This is a continuity Cabinet that cannot be trusted to fix the chaos and instability they have created.

Mr Harvie said: There will be many people across our country who will be very concerned and who will want to know that this Scottish Government remains committed to a greener and more equal future for Scotland.

Mr Swinney also had a phone call with the Prime Minister in which he pledged to work constructively with the UK Government in a good-faith effort to deliver for the people of Scotland and reduce polarisation in politics.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: The First Minister made clear that the Scottish Government will continue to respectfully persuade people in Scotland of the case for independence, and that the decision on Scotlands future should be for the people of Scotland to make.
Angela Rayner unveiled new deal for working people at TUC congress in 2021, but unions have since claimed the party have rowed back - Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Labour has watered down key pledges to strengthen workers rights, leaked documents suggest, in a move that has angered the unions.

Papers sent by the party to union leaders indicate that it has walked back on plans to ban companies from firing workers who reject pay cuts.

They also appear to reveal that Sir Keir Starmer has diluted his commitment to give employees a right to switch off outside office hours.

The documents, obtained by The Guardian, sparked anger among union leaders ahead of a showdown meeting with Sir Keir next Tuesday.

Labours biggest union backer, Unite, issued a furious statement that described the new workers rights package as totally unrecognisable.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: This new Labour document on the new deal, issued to the unions on Monday, is a row back on a row back.

Workers will see through this and mark this retreat after retreat as a betrayal.

This new document is not worthy of discussion. All unions must now demand that Labour changes course and puts the original new deal for workers back on the table.

She said that, amongst other things, the papers showed Labour was watering down its plans to ban companies from using fire and rehire tactics.

The controversial practice refers to firms that sack employees and then immediately offer them a new contract, usually on reduced pay.

Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, pledged following a speech on Tuesday that her party would press ahead with outlawing its use.

But union bosses fear that vague language used in the documents sent out to them mean that Labour is creating loopholes in the commitment.

They suggest that Labour has quietly dropped a previous vow to pass a law that would ban companies from sacking employees who reject pay cuts.

The papers state that it is important businesses can restructure to remain viable  when there is genuinely no alternative, The Guardian reported.

Meanwhile, the plans to introduce a legal right to switch off appeared to have been watered down to issuing guidance to companies on best practice.

Angela Rayner, Labours deputy leader, first unveiled the plans for a new deal for working people at the partys conference in Autumn 2021.

Steadily chipped away

Since then the initial proposals have been steadily chipped away at, angering the unions and Left-wing MPs who fear the party has caved to business pressure.

Any further watering down of the plans would create more strife between Sir Keir and backbenchers who are already restless over his stance on Gaza.

The Labour leader also faced internal dissent in February when he ditched his commitment to spend 28 billion a year on reaching net zero.

Labour rejected suggestions it has dropped its plans to ban fire and rehire practices and insisted they will go ahead as promised.

A party spokesman said: Labours new deal for working people is a core part of our mission to grow Britains economy and raise living standards across the country.

A Labour government will need to hit the ground running and that is why we have been strengthening the proposals to implement our commitments.

If elected we will bring forward legislation within 100 days of entering government.
Anna Haholkina told an Italian newspaper: I dont want to be associated with any party, but above all because these electoral posters are racist. Photograph: Ground Picture/Shutterstock

A woman whose photograph was used in a poster campaign by Italys far-right League, a member of Giorgia Melonis ruling coalition, has said she will consult lawyers, describing the images as racist.

Anna Haholkina, a Ukrainian-Italian model who lives in Rimini, said she was shocked to see her face on the posters that have sprung up in Milan in recent weeks as the League, which is led by the deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, intensifies its anti-Islam stance in the run-up to next months European elections.

The posters feature the images of two women, one with the photo of Haholkina used to represent a free western woman, and the other of a woman wearing a niqab who is forced to cover the face. A slogan reads: Which side do you want to be on?

The League is resorting to familiar themes of immigration and Islamophobia as it fights for political survival in the June ballot for European parliamentary elections. The party won more than 34% of the vote in the 2019 elections, but in the most recent national polls is hovering about 8%.

Salvini has referred to the elections as a referendum on the future of Europe to decide whether [it] will still exist or whether it will be a Sino-Islamic colony.

Meanwhile, a law proposed by Brothers of Italy, Melonis party, to shut down hundreds of Muslim prayer spaces that were not mosques was passed in the lower house of parliament on Tuesday.

The photo of Haholkina came from a stock image provider and was intended to be used to promote beauty products. She told Corriere della Sera newspaper that although she signed a photo release waiver, the providers rules stipulated that the images could not be used for electoral or political campaign purposes.

Nobody contacted me to ask my permission. I will make [a legal] complaint, she said. I live in Rimini but often come to Milan for work and when I saw the posters, I was shocked. I dont want to be associated with any party, but above all because these electoral posters are racist.

In March, Muslim associations in Italy appealed to the Italian president, Sergio Mattarella, to put an end to the Leagues campaign of hatred, denigration and discrimination towards our religious community in response to another of the partys poster campaigns that stigmatised Muslim women.

Some politicians have exploited the Israel-Gaza war in an attempt to bolster their anti-Islam campaign. The most high-profile example is Anna Maria Cisint, the Leagues mayor in Monfalcone, who banned prayer in the northern towns two Islamic cultural centres. Cisint is running in the European elections with a promise to stop Islamisation.

More than 1.6 million people in Italy are Muslim, although Islam is not an officially recognised religion. There are less than 10 officially recognised mosques in the country.

Meloni has also long railed against Islamisation in Europe.

The situation for Muslims in Italy is really, really bad, said Bou Konate, the president of the Darus Salaam Muslim cultural association in Monfalcone that is challenging the prayer ban through an administration court. But it is worse now because the League and Brothers of Italy are in sync and nobody in the coalition government is opposing them.
Police are investigating alleged attacks on a pro-Palestine camp at Monash University, pictured. Photograph: Students for Palestine Monash

A police investigation is under way after alleged attacks on a pro-Palestine camp at Monash University, as protesters vow they wont be cowed or intimidated.

The Gaza solidarity encampment alleged repeated incursions have been made since it was established a week ago, with property destroyed, items stolen and students threatened and harassed.

During the first alleged incident last Wednesday morning, the encampment claimed about a dozen men carrying Israeli and Australian flags entered the campsite, smashing a marquee, taking food and shaking students tents.

Four days later, they claim, many of the same people  reportedly, mostly, allegedly middle-aged men from outside the university  again attended the camp, leading Monash to call the police.

Related: Amid reports Jewish students in Sydney afraid to go to class minister urged to condemn university encampments

Organiser Jos Downey claimed that the attacks continued on Monday, alleging that a student from campus forcibly entered the encampment and physically assaulted the Monash Student Associations queer officer, Madeline Curkovic.

He came into camp in the afternoon and we asked him to leave  then he became more aggressive, walking around tents where people were sleeping, getting in peoples faces, accusing us of being terrorists, Downey alleged.

Our queer officer tried to get him to leave people alone and he grabbed her by the arm and tried to smack a megaphone out of her hands.

Downey claimed that the same man entered the camp on Tuesday with the support of a few dozen counter-protesters, who allegedly repeatedly threatened to bash members of the camp.

A spokesperson for Victoria police confirmed officers were making inquiries into alleged altercations at the Clayton campus.

They said on Monday 6 May two unknown males pushed megaphones away from protesters at about 7.25pm, leaving the scene before police arrived. There were no injuries.

Officers were making inquiries to ascertain if one of the men was involved in the reported incident earlier in the afternoon, police said, where a persons arm was allegedly grabbed.

Statements were yet to be provided to police.

All universities have expressed their desire to allow their students to conduct peaceful demonstrations on university land without police intervention, the police spokesperson said.

We will continue to liaise with the universities.

Curkovic accused counter-protesters of attempting to use violence to silence us.

We will not be intimidated or cowed out of opposing genocide, she said.

A spokesperson for the university said it was investigating the alleged incidents and would take all available action necessary, adding it was continuing to work with camp organisers to ensure safety and wellbeing.

They said Monash security had provided police with CCTV evidence taken from the 6 May incident and had not received a formal report of assault from any student.

Students at a newly established University of Adelaide pro-Palestine encampment allegedly faced a series of firecrackers being lobbed into their campsite on Monday evening, leaving scorch marks on several tents. Nobody was injured.

A spokesperson for the university said it was ramping up security on campus after the alleged attacks to ensure the safety and welfare of its community and would work with appropriate authorities to help with their inquiries.

The Jewish Council of Australia, executive officer, Dr Max Kaiser, said the body was deeply concerned Australian universities werent taking the far-right threat seriously, risking a chilling effect on our right to free speech.

The Australian Jewish Association has been critical of the camps, posting on X that it did not condone anything illegal but nobody should be surprised if members of the public take matters into their own hands.

The Australasian Union of Jewish Students, the peak body representing students on university campuses, maintained it would always defend robust debate but has urged universities to enforce clear policies prohibiting hate speech on campuses and require students to show identification to ensure external extremist actors do not hijack campuses.

Downey said protesters across the nation were feeling frustrated but defiant, adding the Monash camp had been buoyed up by the presence of about 50 supporters who responded to their callout on Sunday evening.

We wont be cowed or intimidated, were going to keep going, he said.

Our gazebo has been destroyed but we still have the skeleton with a banner saying we shall not be moved.

This is the most morally urgent event of our generation. We stand in solidarity with campuses around the world.
Keir Starmer and Natalie Elphicke in the House of Commons - Stefan Rousseau/PA

The first the world knew of Natalie Elphickes defection to Labour was when she sidled into the Commons chamber moments before PMQs began and perched herself on the green benches directly behind Sir Keir Starmer.

It was both an understated and yet an explosive way for the Dover MP, never one to shy away from the limelight, to announce that she was becoming the second Tory backbencher in a fortnight to switch their allegiance.

Minutes later, the Labour press office whirred into life, churning out a 498-word statement from the partys newest recruit which contained attack line after attack line on Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, and his record in Downing Street.

The shock on the Conservative benches was clear as Sir Keir revelled in the moment, pointing out the Prime Minister had lost two Tory MPs in two weeks following the defection of Dr Dan Poulter on Sunday April 28.

Ms Elphickes decision will come as an enormous blow to No 10, not least because of all the Tories who may be tempted by Labour she was a most unlikely candidate.

Generally thought of as on the Right of the Conservatives, she was a Boris Johnson supporter who made her disdain for Mr Sunak clear in her parting shot.

She said he had ousted the former prime minister in a coup, adding that under him the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division.

But it is her attacks on his record, and especially her favouring of Labours approach to tackling illegal migration, that will cut particularly deep for Mr Sunak.

The Dover MP was first elected in Boris Johnsons landslide 2019 election victory, taking over a seat which had previously been held by her then husband, Charlie Elphicke.

He had stood down as the Tory candidate a month before after facing allegations that he had sexually assaulted two women in incidents almost a decade apart.

Ms Elphicke was swiftly anointed as his successor in an uncontested selection process that caused some consternation amongst local members.

In her maiden Commons speech, on January 20 2020, she praised her then husband for his willingness to engage in hand-to-hand political combat whilst an MP.

In July 2020, Mr Elphicke was convicted on three counts of sexual assault, and a month later Ms Elphicke announced in a newspaper interview that they were divorcing.

Criticism of Government

She quickly got into her stride in the Commons and became known for her outspoken interventions on illegal migration and Brexit border checks.

In recent weeks she had become increasingly vocal in her criticism of the Government on both counts, paving the way for her shock defection to Labour.

A long-standing critic of the Rwanda plan, which she has argued will not work, she advocated for the Government to instead pursue a returns agreement with France.

In a speech to the Commons last December, she said: We must turn to diplomacy once again, with a cross-channel agreement to return people to France rather than Rwanda.

Her stance meant that she was always more likely to favour the approach taken by Sir Keir, who has said he will seek to secure a new returns agreement with the EU.

Yet she was previously scathing of his approach, writing in a July 2023 column that while the Tories were trying to stop the boats Labour politicians oppose, oppose and oppose.

Critic of post-Brexit border checks

In recent months she has also criticised the Governments approach to introducing new post-Brexit border checks that will affect the Port of Dover.

Last month, she laid into Sir Mark Spencer, the farming minister, over the slashing of funding for the ports facilities which carry out health controls on goods arriving from Europe.

Once again she may have proved more tempted by Labours proposals, which include a new agri-food deal with the EU that would reduce red tape on food imports.

Ms Elphicke, a former lawyer who specialised in housing, has also been an outspoken critic of what she said was the Tories failure to build enough new homes.

Having grown up in a council house herself, she championed higher quality social homes and was awarded an OBE for services to housing in 2015.

As an MP she backed the Governments plans, which were blocked by Labour, to repeal EU rules on water pollution that are blocking 150,000 new homes.

Within an hour of her defection her former Tory colleagues were posting quotes on social media where she had attacked Sir Keir and his policies.

And while she was welcomed to the Labour benches to raucous cheers from MPs, Ms Elphicke may find her landing with the partys Left-wing base is more bumpy.
Demonstrations at some of Britain's most prestigious universities, including Cambridge, are entering their fourth day - Aysu Bicer/Anadolu

The University of Cambridge will not move pro-Palestinian protesters on from a college lawn, its vice-chancellor has said as Rishi Sunak prepares to warn university leaders that they must not tolerate anti-Semitism.

At Downing Street talks over the spread of pro-Palestinian camps at UK universities on Thurday, the Prime Minister will tell vice-chancellors not to allow outright harassment of Jewish students.

His intervention will come as student demonstrations at some of Britains most prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, enter their fourth day.

On Wednesday, Prof Deborah Prentice, the Cambridge vice-chancellor, said the camp on the lawn of Kings College would remain because the university was fully committed to freedom of speech within the law, and the right to protest.

We will not tolerate anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or any other form of racial or religious hatred in our community, said Prof Prentice. The university has set out guidance around expectations to the protesters, and the protesters have issued community guidance, which describes a peaceful protest.

The trend of setting up pro-Gaza camps on university grounds has spread from the US, where Joe Biden has described it as part of a ferocious surge in anti-Semitism.

Mr Sunak and Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, will address university leaders after students set up protest camps at UK universities including UCL, Bristol and Goldsmiths.

Speaking on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said: Universities should be places of rigorous debate but also bastions of tolerance and respect for every member of their community.

A vocal minority on our campuses are disrupting the lives and studies of their fellow students and, in some cases, propagating outright harassment and anti-Semitic abuse. That has to stop.

Jewish students have said they feel cut off from university life by protests that have gone on since Israels war with Hamas began in October.

Earlier this week, a spokesman for the University of Cambridge Jewish Society warned that the creation of the Kings College encampment risked contributing to a toxic and hostile atmosphere for Jewish students.

The University of Oxford Jewish Society said it was deeply concerning to see the increasingly hateful language emanating from these protests.

Mr Sunak is expected to tell vice-chancellors they need to manage the camps to ensure that their presence is not impacting negatively on other students, but will stop short of ordering them to evict the demonstrators.

He will also make it clear that universities must take immediate disciplinary action if any student is found to be inciting racial hatred or violence, and to contact the police where they believe a criminal act has been committed.

Ms Keegan said: I have made it absolutely clear that universities must crack down on anti-Semitism and ensure that protests do not unduly disrupt university life.

In Oxford, protesters have set up tents on the lawn of the universitys Pitt Rivers Museum and say they will not leave until the university meets their demands. To join the camp, demonstrators must sign up to a demand that millions of Palestinians be allowed to take back their ancestral land in Israel.

Since the pro-Palestinian protest camp was founded on Monday, 303 members of the faculty and staff have signed a letter in support of it.

It describes the camp as a public-facing global education project and calls for the university to divest from Israels genocide in Gaza, as well as from Israels ongoing apartheid regime against Palestinians.

The signatories include Vernal Scott, the universitys head of equality, who is now facing calls from colleagues to resign.

Nigel Biggar, the Regius Professor Emeritus of moral theology at Oxford, said students who disagreed with Mr Scotts stance on Gaza may now fear hostile discrimination from him.

Prof Biggar told The Telegraph: He needs to demonstrate even-handedness towards a diversity of political positions or else resign from his post.

Prof Lawrence Goldman, an emeritus fellow at St Peters College, said: How the university deals with him will be a matter of great interest to many of its alumni and its Jewish donors.

The pro-Palestinian protesters in Oxford left their encampment for the first time on Wednesday and staged an hour-long rally outside the gates of the Sheldonian Theatre.

Pro-Palestinian protesters at the gates of the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford - Andrew Fox

Using a megaphone, they led a crowd of several hundred in chants of From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. The chant is deemed by many to be anti-Semitic because it implies the destruction of Israel.

The organisers of the protest denied being motivated by anti-Semitism. Kendall Gardner, one of the students behind the demonstration, told The Telegraph: As a Jewish person committed to liberation for all people, the chant fills me with hope.

A spokesman for the University of Oxford said: We respect our students and staff members right to freedom of expression in the form of peaceful protests. We ask everyone who is taking part to do so with respect, courtesy and empathy.

As we have stressed in our student and staff communications, there is no place for intolerance at the University of Oxford.
Two students who accused Peter Thiel of profiting from genocide were led away by security

Pro-Palestine protesters have disrupted a talk by an American tech billionaire at Cambridge student union.

Peter Thiel, the Republican Party donor and founder of Palantir, which has defence contracts with Israel, was delivering a talk to students at the university on Wednesday evening when two pro-Palestinian protesters stood up an delivered a monologue accusing him of genocide.

They were escorted off the premises by security, with footage of the incident showing one of them raising a Palestinian flag in the air as he left.

Mr Thiel later emerged from the building and taunted hundreds of demonstrators, who had gathered outside behind a perimeter fence to disrupt the talk.

He approached the fence and filmed them on his phone while appearing to laugh and smile.

Pro-Palestinian group Youth Demand claimed responsibility for disrupting the talk and put out a press release accusing Mr Thiel of profiting millions off the back of dead people.

It comes after pro-Palestinian students on Monday set up a camp on the lawns of Kings College to demonstrate against Israels war in Gaza.

Protesters descended on the SU at around 6.30pm onwards, waving Palestinian and singing chants including from the river to the sea and Israel is a terrorist state.

A leaflet for the demonstration described Mr Thiel as a far-Right campaigner and a genocide profiteer.

Oliver Howes, 21, a third-year Cambridge student launched a lone counter-protest in solidarity with Israel.

The economics student at Trinity College stood with an Israeli flag raised across the road from the protesters in a peaceful demonstration.

Asked about his reasons for protesting, Mr Howse said hes fed up with people calling for genocide and said he feels a strong sense of solidarity against terror.

Mr Howse, who is not Jewish himself, said he was here to defend the only democracy in the Middle East.
John Hostettler during a House hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington DC in 2003. Photograph: Scott J Ferrell/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Republican John Hostettler has lost his House primary in Indiana, delivering a victory to pro-Israel groups who sought to block the former congressman from returning to Washington. The groups attacked Hostettler as insufficiently supportive of Israel at a time when criticism of Benjamin Netanyahus government has hit new highs because of the war in Gaza.

When the Associated Press called the eighth district primary race at 7.49pm ET, less than an hour after the last polls closed in Indiana, Mark Messmer led his opponents with 40% of the vote. Messmer, the Indiana state senate majority leader, will advance to the general election in November, which he is heavily favored to win because of the districts Republican leanings. The victor will replace Republican congressman Larry Bucshon, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Related: Pro-Israel groups target Republican House candidate they deem antisemitic

The primary concludes a contentious race in which pro-Israel groups poured millions of dollars into the district to attack Hostettler, who served in the House from 1995 to 2007. The groups specifically criticized Hostettlers past voting record on Israel and some comments he made that were deemed antisemitic.

In a book that he self-published in 2008 after leaving Congress, Hostettler blamed some of George W Bushs advisers with Jewish backgrounds for pushing the country into the war in Iraq, arguing they were distracted by their interest in protecting Israel.

Those comments, combined with Hostettlers vote opposing a resolution expressing solidarity with Israel in 2000, after the start of the second intifada, outraged groups like the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) and United Democracy Project (UDP), a Super Pac affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

According to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission, UDP spent $1.2m opposing Hostettler while the RJC Victory Fund invested $950,000 in supporting Messmer.

One UDP ad attacked Hostettler as one of the most anti-Israel politicians in America, citing his vote against the resolution in 2000. The CEO of RJC, Matt Brooks, previously lambasted Hostettler for having consistently opposed vital aid to Israel [and] trafficked antisemitic conspiracy theories.

But the groups interest in a Republican primary is a notable departure from their other recent forays into congressional races. So far this election cycle, UDP has largely used its massive war chest to target progressive candidates in Democratic primaries. UDP spent $4.6m opposing the Democratic candidate Dave Min, who ultimately advanced to the general election, and the group has also dedicated $2.4m to supporting Democrat Sarah Elfreth in Maryland, which will hold its primaries next week.

Aipac and its affiliates reportedly plan to spend $100m across this election cycle, so UDP may still get involved in other Republican congressional primaries. However, the groups will likely remain largely focused on Democrats, as Republican lawmakers and voters have generally indicated higher levels of support for Israel since the start of the war in Gaza.

A Guardian review of the statements of members of Congress after the start of the war found that every Republican in Congress was supportive of Israel. Even as criticism of Israels airstrike campaign in Gaza has mounted, one Gallup poll conducted in March found that 64% of Republicans approve of Israels military actions, compared with 18% of Democrats and 29% of independents who said the same.

Other polls have shown that most Americans support calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, and hopes for a pause in the war did briefly rise this week. Hamas leaders on Monday announced they would accept a ceasefire deal, but Israel soon dashed hopes of peace by launching an operation to take control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
Sadiq Khan said there was a need to 'show equivalence' when it came to all loss of life - Alberto Pezzali/AP

Sadiq Khans comments about the Gaza conflict show that Labour has not changed under Sir Keir Starmers leadership, Rishi Sunak has said.

Mr Khan, the Labour Mayor of London, suggested this week that there must be equally strong criticism of Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister.

Speaking after being sworn in at City Hall after winning a third term, Mr Khan said the Israel-Hamas conflict was an issue of humanity and there was a need to show equivalence when it came to all loss of life.

He went on to unequivocally condemn both the actions of Hamas on Oct 7, when the terror group killed 1,200 Israeli civilians, and the bombardment of Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that followed.

Sir Keir has boasted of leading a changed Labour Party from that of Jeremy Corbyn, which was mired in a crisis over anti-Semitism.

Addressing Mr Khans remarks at Prime Ministers Questions, Mr Sunak said: Let me be crystal clear  there is absolutely no equivalence between a terrorist group and a democratic state.

So can I ask him [Sir Keir] now, will he take this opportunity to demonstrate that the Labour Party has changed, and will he condemn those comments from the Labour Mayor?

Sir Keir declined to comment on Mr Khan, instead joking that Mr Sunak  whose party is trailing Labour by almost 20 points in the polls  was getting ahead of himself by asking me questions.

Mr Sunak replied: He had the opportunity to condemn the comments of his Mayor. He did not do that, and everybody will see what that is  that is the changed Labour Party right there.

Downing Street doubled down on its criticisms of Mr Khan in a press briefing after the two leaders exchange in the Commons.

The Prime Ministers press secretary said: He did use the word equivalence between a terror attack that killed women, children, young people just out of a music festival, and a country exercising its right to self-defence.

Sir Keir Starmer needs to come out very strongly today and say that is not his view. There is no equivalence between an attack by terrorists and a democratic country exercising its right to self-defence.

But Sir Keirs official spokesman accused Mr Sunak of having entirely misrepresented what Sadiq Khan said.

The equivalence was clearly a reference to valuing all human life, which we obviously do, he said. There is obviously a complete difference between the actions of Hamas, a terrorist organisation, and what they did on Oct 7 and the way in which that has to be obviously utterly condemned, with the direct actions of the Israeli government.

I do think youd have to say that you treat all human life equally, whether that is innocent Israeli civilians or innocent Palestinian civilians who are caught up in conflict. I dont think that should be a controversial statement.

Labour added that Mr Khan was not saying the actions of Hamas in the Oct 7 attacks were comparable to the actions of the Israeli government.

The London Mayor has gone significantly further than Sir Keir in his criticism of Israel, calling for an immediate ceasefire months before his party leader and also demanding that Britain stop selling arms to Israel.

Richard Parker, who was elected as the new Labour Mayor for the West Midlands over the weekend, also called for an arms embargo to be imposed on Israel.

Speaking on LBCs Tonight with Andrew Marr, Mr Parker said he would absolutely like to see the Government stop selling arms to Mr Netanyahus government in the long term.

Asked about falling support for Labour among Muslim voters at the local and mayoral elections, Mr Parker said: Ill be working with council leaders here, with councillors, with our MPs across all parties to rebuild trust with our Muslim community and hoping to ensure that they come back to Labour.

Ive called previously for a ceasefire  we need to ensure that we get aid into Gaza, that the international community works collectively to create a two-state solution and we need the recognition of a Palestinian state. So Ive been firm on that.
San Antonio Water System President and CEO Robert Puente will receive a $133,000 bonus for his performance in 2023, the SAWS board said Tuesday. Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

San Antonio Water System President and CEO Robert Puente will receive a $133,254 bonus for his performance in 2023, the latest boost to his compensation from the city-owned utility.

Board president Jelynne LeBlanc Jamison announced the bonus Tuesday after trustees met in executive session. Puente wont receive the money until July 2025 under the utility's deferred compensation plan.

She said the bonus is based on the boards evaluation process for Puente, which has been in place since 2021. As part of the process, Puente is scored in categories based on goals and metrics determined by the board. He received an 88% on the scorecard for 2023, Jamison said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Trustees awarded Puente a 15% pay raise last June, boosting his annual salary from $516,381 to $593,838. The board cited market competitiveness when it announced that decision.

SAWS serves more than 511,000 water and 457,000 wastewater customers in Bexar County and parts of Atascosa and Medina counties.

Last April, Puente also received a $94,000 bonus for his performance in 2022, based on a score of a 62.7%. The amount of the bonus is automatically calculated based on the score. In 2021, he donated his $100,000 bonus to a SAWS initiative that provides payment assistance to residential customers who have difficulty paying their water and sewer bills.

SAWS Presidenrt and CEO Robert Puente speaks to CPS President and CEO Rudy Garza during a meeting in 2022. Robin Jerstad

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In recent years, critics have questioned Puente's compensation, including a 2021 petition drive to put a ballot question to voters called the SAWS Accountability Act. The proposed amendments to the city charter would have capped pay for the utilitys CEO at 10 times the lowest-paid employee, and created an eight-year term limit on the position. The measure never made it on the ballot.

Puente, who served for years in the Texas House of Representatives, has led SAWS since 2008. His starting salary was $275,000.

On Tuesday, Jamison praised Puentes handling of the challenges SAWS faced last summer, when prolonged heat created difficulties in water production and led to a record number of water main breaks.

She also cited the change in plans for Connect H2O, the utilitys electronic meter program, which she said is now exceeding projections. She praised Puentes vision for putting the right people in the right roles in the organization.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The way SAWS was able to handle those pressures with no prolonged disruptions to the community speaks volumes about where we are as an organization, Jamison said. It particularly pleases me that all of this happened while employees had one of their most successful and safest years in a long time while doing a very complex and physical job in extreme weather.

San Antonio Water System President and CEO Robert Puente will receive a $133,000 bonus for his performance in 2023, the SAWS board said Tuesday. Lisa Krantz/Staff photographer

In January 2023, SAWS terminated a contract for the installation of new electronic meters because the company was behind schedule, and decided to manage the project internally instead, with another company brought in to help with installation.

As of early April, almost 140,000 of the new meters had been installed. Cecilia Velasquez, vice president for customer experience and strategic initiatives, said last month that the changes are expected to ultimately cost the utility about $5 million to $10 million more than initially budgeted.

Jamison said the deferred compensation structure works both to recognize Puentes achievement and provides a retention mechanism for the board by encouraging him to stay with SAWS.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

We have more stability, we have more time to fulfill the overall strategy of the utility, she said, calling it a win-win for both parties. The board periodically looks at the market for similar private-sector and publicly-owned utility jobs for comparison, she said.

San Antonios other city-owned utility, CPS Energy, pays its CEO Rudy Garza $655,000 per year. Bonus pay was not included in his contract when he was hired in 2022.

It always feels great to be recognized by your bosses that youre doing a good job, Puente said. But as (Jamison) said and as I well know, it truly is a matter of getting the right team in place.

He said SAWS is well-known in Texas as the premier utility, and pointed to SAWS' membership in Leading Utilities of the World, an international network of water utilities, as recognition that were doing the right things.

READ MORE: SAWS board delays decision on new drought watering rules

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

SAWS has been criticized by some for its number of leaks and breaks, resulting in increasing amounts of wasted water in recent years. But Puente said the utility is committing more money to repairs and that its a challenge all utilities face.

We have over 13,000 miles of pipes underground, so at any time, any one of those inches can pop, and you dont know it for a while, he said. But its not a challenge we cant meet, its not a challenge that were not going to chase. He said there will be more money included in the 2025 budget for that work.

As Puentes performance plan approaches its end date next spring, Jamison said the board will spend time in the coming months trying to devise what that new plan should look like, and really talking about our succession plans for the utility.

Asked about his future at SAWS, Puente responded by praising his leadership team, calling SAWS' vice presidents top notch.

Any one of them can get a private sector job and probably make twice what they make here now, but theyve chosen to do public service, theyve chosen to stay here. he said. I enjoy leading them.
Oleg Gordievsky pictured, in disguise, in London in 1990 - David Levenson/Getty Images Europe

Received wisdom on espionage is that the job is far more mundane than the plot of a John le Carre novel. Try telling that to Oleg Gordievsky. Being a spy was exciting. It was thrilling. It was romantic, is how he described it. Gordievskys escape from Moscow, detailed in the final instalment of the three-part boxset Secrets and Spies: A Nuclear Game (BBC Two), was some of those things and more.

Gordievsky, a double agent, was exfiltrated from Russia with the help of British intelligence. Operation Pimlico involved signalling via a Safeway carrier bag, a Harrods bag and a Mars bar; a car chase to shake off KGB officers; and a judicious nappy change that distracted sniffer dogs from the scent of Gordievsky hiding in the boot. Raymond Asquith, now 3rd Earl of Oxford and Asquith, was the MI6 officer behind the wheel. I wasnt excited. I was bloody frightened, actually, he said.

Lord Oxford was speaking here on camera, as were other members of the British intelligence services. Gordievsky was not  now aged 85, he maintains a low profile  so instead we heard old audio interviews with him (he detailed Operation Pimlico in his memoir, and it is also the subject of a well-received book by Ben Macintyre). Other contributors in this study of 1980s Cold War espionage included aides to Thatcher and Reagan, plus former KGB and CIA agents.

With restrained use of dramatic reconstructions, the series tells the gripping stories of three double agents: Gordievsky, whose intelligence helped Thatcher to forge a relationship with Mikhail Gorbachev; MI5 officer Michael Bettaney; and the CIAs Aldrich Ames. It also provides political context, conjuring the paranoia of the times: an aide to Reagan recalls the President and Nancy at Camp David watching The Day After, a 1983 TV movie that imagined a nuclear attack on Kansas: He was devastated.

Russian spies on British soil are still very much in the news. But there is also a potent nostalgia in watching a series such as this, now that so much espionage is conducted in cyberspace. Aside from the spycraft, the archive news reports transport us back to a time when politicians  and even political journalists  seemed to have so much more gumption and personality than they have today.

Here is Thatcher famously announcing on the world stage: I like Mr Gorbachev. We can do business together, but also bustling around her No 10 kitchen in pearls, rummaging in a cupboard for teabags. And Jeremy Paxman reporting on a Chequers visit, noting that Raisa Gorbachev showed that not every Russian woman was a 23-stone babushka.
A memorial to Laken Riley on campus at Augusta University in Georgia in February. Photograph: Joshua L Jones/AP

The suspect in the killing of the Augusta University student Laken Riley, 22, has been indicted on 10 charges, including malice murder and kidnapping.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, faces three counts of felony murder and several other accusations. Among the charges are new allegations that he intended to rape the student, and that he spied on a staff member at the University of Georgia on the same day Riley was killed.

Riley was studying nursing at Augusta University in Athens, Georgia, at the time of her death, having previously been an undergraduate at the University of Georgia. She was out jogging on 22 February when she was reported missing.

Her body was found later in an area of woodland behind the University of Georgia campus. Police said she had suffered visible injuries and gave the cause of death as blunt force trauma.

The murder sent shockwaves across Georgia, through the US and beyond. It was quickly seized upon by politicians who brought Lakens death into the heated debate surrounding immigration at the southern border.

Ibarra and his brother, Venezuelan citizens, had crossed into the US illegally in 2022 near El Paso in Texas. Last October they were called to court for shoplifting but failed to turn up for the hearing.

Ibarra was living in an apartment close to the campus of the University of Georgia at the time of Rileys killing.

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate, has made several references to the killing in his campaign rallies. At an event in Dayton, Ohio, in March, he blamed Joe Biden for Rileys death.

Laken Riley would be alive today if Biden had not unleashed his savage attack on America, Trump said.

President Biden mentioned Riley in his State of the Union speech in March after the Republican congresswoman from Georgia, Marjorie Taylor Greene, goaded him to say her name.

Afterwards, Rileys father, Jason Riley, told NBC News that he wished her death had not become such a political matter. He added: Its incited a lot of people.
Israels far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends cabinet meeting in Jerusalem in 2023. Photograph: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP

Israels national security minister presented himself before the television cameras to make a statement on Sunday, shortly after leaving a meeting with the countrys prime minister.

Invoking divine support, Itamar Ben-Gvir said he had warned the prime minister that if God forbids it, Israel will not enter a ceasefire. He said Benjamin Netanyahu promised that Israel would enter Rafah, that the war would not end, and promised that there will be no irresponsible deal.

The following Tuesday, Israeli troops had entered the Philadelphi corridor on the southern border with Egypt and taken control of the Rafah border crossing, hoisting Israeli flags from the terminal.

The sequencing of the two events was revealing. Faced once again with the threat posed by a fringe and extremist politician  who Netanyahu had elevated into government  the prime minister had given every appearance of blinking, underlining his reliance on far-right coalition allies such as Ben-Gvir and the finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich.

The two are widely assessed to hold Netanyahus future political survival in their hands. While Netanyahu could survive them quitting his coalition over a ceasefire deal with Hamas or the failure to launch a full-scale assault on Rafah, the politics of the Israeli right threaten him in more fundamental ways.

During the course of the war, the uncompromising position of Ben-Gvir in particular has widened support for his extremist brand of politics, attracting some on the right of Netanyahus Likud party.

A settler and lawyer, Ben-Gvir was cleared by Israels high court to serve as a cabinet minister despite convictions for incitement to racism and for supporting a terror group  Meir Kahanes banned Kach party. In 2015, in the immediate aftermath of the murder of members of the Palestinian Dawabshe family in an arson attack on a West Bank village, he was filmed as an attender at a wedding party of a radical settler along with now sanctioned anti-Arab activist Bentzi Gopstein.

In the footage, guests could be seen stabbing a picture of Ali Dawabshe, a toddler who died during the attack, waving guns and firebombs and singing. Netanyahu, who described the images as shocking, would later give Ben-Gvir a portfolio with responsibility for Israels police.

The conditions of Israels illegal occupation of the West Bank have become ever more extreme under the influence of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, prompting an escalating round of international sanctions against those involved in settler violence.

Smotrich was arrested in 2005, with three others, during the Israeli evacuation of the Gaza settlements by the Shin Bet domestic security agency on suspicion of terrorism, although he was released three weeks later without charge.

He has described himself as a proud homophobe and stated that Israels judicial system should be based on Torah law.

During the seven months of the war in Gaza, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have pushed the most hardline positions.

According to reports in the Hebrew media last month, Ben-Gvir demanded of the Israeli chief of staff at a briefing: Why are there so many arrests [in Gaza]?

Cant you kill some? Do you want to tell me they all surrender? What are we to do with so many arrested? Its dangerous for the soldiers.

An unnamed Israeli minister quoted by Ynet said Ben-Gvit had not explicitly suggested killing individuals who had surrendered.

What seems increasingly clear, however, is that in bending to the bidding of the far-right fringe, including over Rafah and a ceasefire, Netanyahu is increasingly out of step with the majority of Israelis.

A series of polls in recent days, including for the Israel Democracy Institute, has found that 56% of the Jewish public believe that a deal to secure the release of hostages should take top priority, compared with a third who believe that an offensive against Rafah should be the governments main focus.

A poll for Israels Channel 13 tells a similar story of scepticism in the Israel public, with 52% believing a Rafah operation will not deliver victory against Hamas, compared with 30% who believe it will. Perhaps most striking, however, is a poll by rightwing newspaper Israel Hayom, which found that 28% thought the preferred victory picture would represent the hostages release, while 17% chose an image representing the destruction of Hamas.

Even Netanyahu, despite a thousand differences, knows what most people want, wrote Efraim Ganor in a comment piece for the Jerusalem Post earlier this week: The release of the hostages.

He also knows what is important and good for the people of Israel. However, he is obeying Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, because that is what is good for Netanyahu for clear [political] reasons  and not for the people of Israel.
A highway maintenance worker stands next to a pot hole that is about to be repaired

My son has a friend whose proud boast is that he comes from a long line of complainers. His grandparents complained about everything, his parents complain about everything, and now he, at the tender age of 16, has joined the family quest. This year alone, he has lodged formal written complaints about the length of his school lunch queue, the inadequate provision of lavatories on Victoria Station, the distribution of tickets for Olivia Rodrigos concert tour and the injustice of forcing bookish boys to partake in school sports.

One day, perhaps, he will out-complain even David Fairchild  aka the Weasenham Whinger. Mr Fairchild, 72, has complained so much to his parish council that  or so he complains  the council is now silencing his complaints. He says his email correspondence has been forwarded to a separate address, and the council has warned him that he is now deemed vexatious.

People who love complaining often are vexatious, in the sense of being annoying. But they are also vital. Most of us are too lazy or busy to take it up with the authorities every time something doesnt work the way it should. Complaining is unpleasant, time-consuming and thankless, which is why so many organisations get away with providing shoddy services. Imagine how much worse things would be if we didnt have the likes of Mr Fairchild on the case. An independent audit last year upheld 27 of his 31 complaints to the council. In other words  he was right to complain.

Just as natural selection ensures that every social group contains some soldiers and some peace-makers, so evolution has blessed us with complainers. They go willingly into the purgatory of the customer hotline, so that the rest of us may go free.

Art in times of war

Right now, when there is so much terrible bloodshed around the world, it may seem frivolous  even tasteless  to rejoice over a painting that survived a war.

Canalettos The Stonemasons Yard has just gone on display at the National Library of Wales  a homecoming of sorts, since the painting once lived deep under the mountains of Snowdonia. It was hidden there, along with the rest of the contents of the National Gallery, in 1941, when the war was going badly and a German invasion seemed imminent. There had been talk of sending the nations art collection to Canada, but the risk of U-boat attacks was too great. Hide them in caves and cellars, declared Winston Churchill, but not one picture shall leave this island.

And so the disused Manod slate mine was transformed into an Aladdins cave of artistic genius. Within its vast caverns, new brick bunkers, each with humidity-controlled air-conditioning, were constructed to house more than 1,800 paintings, including masterpieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Michelangelo. Art experts checked the paintings every day for signs of damage, while security guards lived on site to ensure their safety.

Why would a country facing an existential threat put so much time, energy and money into preserving a load of old paintings? Because art is not frivolous at all. It represents the most admirable aspects of human nature: our curiosity, creativity and ability to communicate profound ideas across different cultures and epochs.

In times of war, art provides a symbol of hope  a promise from the humans of the past, to those longing for a better future.
Queues at Heathrow Airport - Dheeraj Chintala

Thousands of passengers were stranded at Britains busiest airports on Tuesday night as the e-gate system failed.

Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester airports were thrown into chaos as the technology suffered a nationwide fault, leaving passengers facing queues of two hours as they returned from extended Bank holiday breaks.

It is the second time the e-gates have failed in two weeks, raising questions over the reliability of the system which is designed to speed up passengers through passport checks.

There was no evidence to link the border chaos to a cyber attack, but it came just a day after the armed forces payroll system was hacked by a suspected state actor.

The gates are understood to have failed at 8pm on Tuesday night just as thousands of passengers landed on early evening planes.

A Home Office spokesman said the e-gates were restored four hours later, shortly after midnight.

As soon as engineers detected a wider system network issue at 7.44pm last night, a large scale contingency response was activated within six minutes, the spokesman said.

At no point was border security compromised and there is no indication of malicious cyber activity.

We apologise to travellers caught up in disruption and thank our partners, including airlines for their co-operation and support.

Long queues at Heathrow - Reuters

The main Border Force security database - called Border Crossing which was introduced just under three years ago at a cost of 372 million  appeared to have suffered a complete shutdown.

Thousands of arrivals at Heathrow, the UKs busiest airport, were delayed, with passengers waiting in queues for up to two hours. There were also long delays at Stansted, Manchester and Edinburgh airports, and delays of 90 minutes were reported at Gatwick.

Passenger Nathan Lane posted on X: The entire Egate immigration system at Heathrow Airport is down at all terminals. Now all the systems at the desks are too. Brits and foreigners alike. Nobody is getting through. This is management yelling updates at everyone.

Richard Gaisford posted on the social media site: E-gates down at LHR T3, and seemingly across Heathrow Airport. Border Force suggests to passengers it might be a nationwide outage.

Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London, who was among those queuing at Heathrow, said: You see how high-capacity the system normally is by how rapidly things turn to chaos when it breaks; plane after plane of people pouring in and backing up in the corridor.

Chaos as e-gates are down at multiple airports - Twitter

There were indications that planes may have been delayed and stacked up in the air to prevent increasing the pressure on queues of passengers waiting to have their documents manually processed by Border Force officers.

Dominic Baliszewski, co-founder of a PR company, said: Apparently Heathrow isnt letting planes land and doesnt have a real plan. E-gates down and theyre processing everyone manually through one gate. This is only a small portion of the queue. Almost no staff on hand.

At Bournemouth airport, Border Force staff were reported to have resorted to laptops to process passports. Richard Heading, a passenger, reported on X: All systems are down and they are using laptops to check passports. There are moderate delays.

A spokesman for Heathrow airport said: Border Force is currently experiencing a nationwide issue which is impacting passengers being processed through the border.

Our teams are supporting [them] with their contingency plans to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible and are on hand to provide passenger welfare. We apologise for any impact this is having to passenger journeys.

There are more than 270 e-gates in place at 15 airports and train stations in the UK that were all understood to have failed. The cause of the issue was unclear. The Home Office apologised last month following the failure on April 25, which it blamed on a technical issue.

E-gates usually process the vast majority of passengers, including children aged ten and over, arriving in the UK. They were originally restricted to British and EU arrivals.

However, their use has been extended over the years to include arrivals from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and the US.

E-gates have repeatedly failed

The e-gates have failed on a number of occasions in the past three years. The whole system collapsed at the start of the late May bank holiday weekend in 2023 because of a failed system upgrade, resulting in four-hour queues at airports. In 2021 technical issues caused the gates to fail three times in two months.

An aviation source said: It is underinvestment again - the system falls over at peak periods. The last major outage like this was the same weekend last year - the Coronation weekend.

The apparent collapse of the system will raise questions over Border Forces ambition to create an intelligent border with new e-gates capable of allowing arrivals into the country using only advanced facial recognition.

Phil Douglas, the director-general of Border Force, said that the plans have been designed to bring Britains border up to a gold standard that has been developed overseas.

Trials of the new technology are expected to begin at airports later this year before the launch of a full procurement process for new gates.

It comes amid growing concerns in the UK Government about the prospect for chaos at the border over French plans to scan fingerprints at the EU border.

Lord Cameron, James Cleverly and Mark Harper have all recently raised concerns about the potential impact of the new Entry/Exit System (EES), with French ministers.

Rishi Sunak was due to bring up the practical impact of the changes, which start in October, with Emmanuel Macron on a call last month but other issues dominated instead.

From Oct 6, people travelling into the EU will have to scan their fingerprints and be photographed at border checks instead of simply presenting their passport.

12:20 AM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage.

11:35 PM BST

Heathrow statement

Border Force is currently experiencing a nationwide issue which is impacting passengers being processed through the Border. Our teams are supporting Border Force with their contingency plans to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible and are on hand to provide passenger welfare. We apologise for any impact this is having to passenger journeys.

11:34 PM BST

No relief as travellers face long queues

Long queues continue to build, including at Heathrow, with one traveller describing border officials rushing to manually process passport holders.

All the e-gates were totally blank and there was just a lot of chaotic scenes, said Sam Morter, 32, who was returning to Londons Heathrow from a holiday in Sri Lanka.

He told PA: There was a lot of Border Force officials running and scrambling around. Four or five went to man the posts and start processing the UK passports manually.

But at the same time, hundreds of passengers started to flood into passport control, so it all of a sudden became chaotic and they couldnt cope with the number of the people coming in.

We werent given any information. There was no information on the Tannoys or from staff.

He made it through the airport after around 90 minutes.

Videos posted on X showed long queues of passengers at passport desks.

10:49 PM BST

E-gates appear to be reopening

E-gates are beginning to reopen at some airports, but long queues remain.

Paul Curievici, from Haslemere in Surrey, landed at Gatwick Airport at around 7.30pm on a flight from Lyon and waited in line for almost an hour at passport control.

The 41-year-old said: (I was) a little bit resigned at what initially looked like another British infrastructure failing, and (I had) quite a lot of sympathy for the poor buggers furrowing their brows and trying not to look embarrassed.

Mr Curievici said the e-gates at Gatwick had since reopened but that fast-track passengers continued to be prioritised, which he found pretty galling.

He continued: There was an awkward moment - half of us had been funnelled into the all passports queue.

When the system came back online they reopened almost all the UK/EU gates without opening any for us - I actually raised it with a member of staff and they finally opened one.

10:08 PM BST

Outage comes a day after MoD hack

The outage comes just a day after news emerged of a hack on the Ministry of Defence, which has been blamed by sources on China. It is unclear if the e-gate crash was caused by a hack.

10:00 PM BST

The system falls over at peak periods

An aviation source told the Telegraph: It is underinvestment again - the system falls over at peak periods. The last major outage like this was the same weekend last year, the Coronation weekend.

09:54 PM BST

Pictured: Long queues at Gatwick

Queues at Gatwick

09:51 PM BST

Issues come after recent strikes

The disruption comes after Border Force workers staged a four-day strike at Heathrow in a dispute over working conditions last week.

The union said the workers were protesting against plans to introduce new rosters they claim will see around 250 of them forced out of their jobs at passport control.

09:45 PM BST

Lots of children and no water

Seems to be a UK nationwide airport system crash. No e gates working. This is the current queue in Gatwick airport with lots of children and no water #welcometotheuk pic.twitter.com/ckT21gJYXx  Rosie (@rxsiebo) May 7, 2024

09:41 PM BST

Some passengers may experience longer than normal waits

Edinburgh Airport statement: Border Force is experiencing a nationwide technical outage affecting UK airports.

Although not in a peak arrivals period, some passengers may experience longer than normal waits at the border while UKBF works to fix the issue. Thank you for your patience.

09:40 PM BST

Stansted Airport statement

We are aware of an issue with UK Border Forces systems across the country, affecting all UK airports. Our operational and customer service colleagues are supporting passengers while UK Border Force and the Home Office fix the issue.

09:39 PM BST

No communication on timeframe

Seems to be a UK nationwide airport system crash. No e gates working. This is the current queue in Gatwick airport with lots of children and no water #welcometotheuk pic.twitter.com/ckT21gJYXx  Rosie (@rxsiebo) May 7, 2024

09:36 PM BST

Pictured: Manchester Airport

Queues at Manchester Airport

09:31 PM BST

E-gates closed at Edinburgh

Malfunctioning e-gates at Edinburgh Airport

09:25 PM BST

Passengers reporting chaos on social media

All systems down and thousands in queues across all terminals @HeathrowAirport. No plan in sight either. Water bottles are being handed out, never a good sign. Photo courtesy of my husband in Terminal 5. @SkyNews @BBCNews pic.twitter.com/j8QDl7M0mk  Molly Rosedale (@MRosedale) May 7, 2024

@HeathrowAirport all terminals affected by an IT glitch and no one is being processed through the UK border  left waiting an undetermined amount of time to enter the UK. This is Terminal 5 arrivals.  pic.twitter.com/rIQ19qLicF  Megan Henderson (@mhenderson24) May 7, 2024

09:20 PM BST

Manchester Airport statement

We are aware of an issue with UK Border Forces systems across the country, affecting a significant number of airports. Our Resilience Team and customer services colleagues are supporting passengers while UK Border Force and the Home Office fix the issue.

09:20 PM BST

Ryanair statement

Please be advised that the Electronic Passport gates are temporarily unavailable at all UK Airports. You may experience extended queue times at passport control in airports in the United Kingdom as a result of this outage.

09:12 PM BST

Gatwick statement

Some passengers may experience delays at immigration due to a nationwide issue with UK Border Force e-gates. Our staff are working with UK Border Force - who operate passport control including the e-gates - to provide assistance to passengers where necessary.

09:09 PM BST

Long queues
Paul Shanahan starred on the BBC programme Cowboy Trap - Champion News

A BBC television builder who helped salvage cowboy jobs is accused of leaving a boot print in paint work at the home of a millionaires widow.

Paul Shanahan, managing director of Greystoke Builders Ltd, played a key role during nine episodes of the BBCs Cowboy Trap, in which he was called in to salvage disasters and botched building jobs done by unscrupulous rogue operators.

He is currently facing claims from African studies academic Dr Zohor Aylwin that his workers left multiple defects behind after a 100,000 revamp at her 1.2 million house.

The widow claims there was a boot print of the companys employee in paintwork, a toilet that wouldnt flush and a shower that was too low to get under.

The company is denying the alleged but unsubstantiated defects and demanding 50,200 in unpaid bills for the work, in a case that has totted up 460,000 in lawyers bills.

In online promotional material for Greystoke, Mr Shanahan describes working with BBC1 as the good guys on the Cowboy Trap  going in and rectifying the disasters previous builders have left.

Greystoke carried out a 100,000 revamp on Dr Aylwins home in the Oaks, Watford, in 2019.

A 100,000 revamp of Dr Zohor Aylwin's home was undertaken, one she was left unimpressed by - Champion News

The case began when Mr Shanahans company sued Dr Aylwin for unpaid invoices totalling 50,200, with her then suing the company in return over an alleged series of defects in the work.

Her barrister, Ashley Pratt, told Judge Nicholas Parfitt KC at Mayors and City County Court that she has a number of complaints about the quality of the building project  ranging from the cost of replacing a boiler, sub-standard paintwork including one surface being marked with a boot print of the companys employee, problems with the newly fitted kitchen, and a toilet that failed to flush.

The shower was clearly too short to fit under and was clearly unsuitable, he added, also claiming there were fittings defects for the dishwasher, problems with the kitchen electrics, defective tiles in an en-suite bedroom  as well as gross over-charging when installing sliding doors in a bedroom.

Dr Aylwin is disputing the unpaid bills claim, saying there were multiple defects in the work done which effectively extinguish the building companys 50,200 bill.

Dr Aylwins barrister further claimed that in Greystokes best case the debt owing would only amount to 44,000.

The invoicing and estimate process was nothing short of shambolic, he told the court.

Greystokes barrister Paul Fisher told the judge: One of the companys witnesses and directors, Mr Paul Shanahan, worked as an expert on the BBC television programme Cowboy Trap, in which his team sought to rectify and compete works in residential homes initially undertaken by cowboy builders.

Mr Shanahan was personally engaged in the renovation works at Dr Aylwins home, the court heard, and had also negotiated the contract and scope of works.

Mr Fisher said the company took on the project in 2019, with Mrs Aylwins son, Idris, overseeing the project for his parents.

Dr Zohor Aylwin, seen here with her son Idris, claims the work done on her house was not up to scratch - Champion News

The company claims the right to recover its 50,200 debt  or alternatively is asking the judge to assess what is due.

Greystoke insists its team did their utmost to carry out a successful overhaul of Dr Aylwins home.

Mr Fisher highlighted expert evidence suggesting that the property had not been maintained to a very high standard prior to the claimant undertaking its works.

Mr Fisher labelled the case a relatively simple debt claim which has spiraled out of control by virtue of alleged but unsubstantiated defects that have been raised by the defendants.

The judge has now reserved his decision.
James Cleverly, seen leaving No 10 on Wednesday after the weekly Cabinet meeting, said the attache was an undeclared military intelligence officer. Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Rex/Shutterstock

Russias defence attache is an undeclared military intelligence officer who will be expelled from the UK amid an escalation of sanctions, the home secretary has said.

James Cleverly also announced on Wednesday the removal of diplomatic status for several Russian-owned premises and told MPs the moves followed a pattern of malign activity across Britain and Europe.

The defence attache, named as Col Maxim Elovik, appears to have been in the UK since at least 2014 and has been pictured at wreath-laying ceremonies commemorating Russian war dead in 2020 and 2023.

It is the first time that the UK has ejected a Russian defence attache since the end of the cold war.

Prior to his posting in London, Elovik served as an assistant military attache at Russias embassy in Washington DC.

The announcement came after senior Conservatives called for further sanctions against Putins aides and allies, saying they were failing to hamper its economy or the activity of its agents.

In April, a British man was charged over alleged hostile state activity intended to benefit Russia, including by allegedly recruiting others for an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked commercial property in London.

Cleverly told the Commons: Today, in conjunction with the foreign secretary, I am announcing a package of measures to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations.

I can tell the house that we will expel the Russian defence attache, who is an undeclared military intelligence officer. We will remove diplomatic premises status from several Russian-owned properties in the UK.

We are imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK.

Moscow will make accusations of Russophobia and spread conspiracy theories in response, Cleverly said. In the coming days we should expect accusations of Russophobia, conspiracy theories and hysteria from the Russian government. This is not new and the British people and the British government will not fall for it, and will not be taken for fools by Putins bots, trolls and lackeys.

Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said Labour supported the measures against Russia and would maintain support for Ukraine.

The Russian properties that have had diplomatic status removed include Seacox Heath in Ticehurst, East Sussex, and the Russian embassys trade and defence section in Highgate, north London.

Following the removal of diplomatic privileges, anyone who travels to or from Seacox Heath must notify the authorities. It is understood that the security services will continue to monitor the buildings in Highgate and Sussex.

Additional restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas have also been announced and will include limits on the duration of Russian diplomats stays in the country.

The measures come after a suspected arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business in east London which authorities suspect was organised by the Kremlin.

The Crown Prosecution Service charged five individuals in relation to a fire that broke out at a warehouse on an industrial estate in Leyton, east London, in March, which was started using an accelerant such as petrol.

The warehouse is home to two parcel-delivery services: Oddisey and Meest Express, owned by Mikhail Boikov, a British-Ukrainian, and his wife, Jelena Boikova, who live in London.

The attack was part of an alleged conspiracy involving the Wagner group, the mercenary organisation with ties to Putin.

In April, two of the individuals were charged under the National Security Act. In a separate case, six Bulgarian nationals have been charged with conspiring to commit espionage on behalf of Russia in the UK. The expulsion and other sanctions are bound to lead to similar moves from Russian.

The government also passed sanctions on six men in February who were accused of running the brutal prison camp where the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny died.
Labour said a digital forensics firm found the video of the teacher, who was campaigning for its mayoral candidate in the the 2 May election, had been manipulated. Photograph: Carl Recine/Reuters

A teacher was subject to a viral hate campaign after a manipulated video of her campaigning for Labour falsely implied she had used racist language.

The video, taken on a Ring doorbell in Dudley, used subtitles to suggest the woman had used a slur against Pakistani people. It went viral on social media and was promoted by Akhmed Yakoob, the independent candidate who came third in the West Midlands mayoral elections.

Labour said it had employed an external digital forensics company, which found the video had been manipulated. Qasim Mughal, a Dudley Labour councillor and friend of the teacher and who had been campaigning alongside her at the time the comments were filmed, has strongly denied the teacher used the language. Police have examined the video and found no evidence of abuse.

Yakoob promoted the video on TikTok and X, where he has hundreds of thousands of followers, including a follow-up video that included the womans name and the school where she teaches. The post went viral on TikTok and WhatsApp, where it is especially difficult to stop the spread of content.

Yakoob, a solicitor who plans to run for parliament at the next election, told Birmingham Live he had not intended to cause distress, and the video was difficult to hear. At the time of writing it was still live on his Instagram stories.

Labour said the manipulated video was deeply concerning. Manipulated digital assets pose a threat to the community cohesion we work hard to foster, as well as to the integrity of the democratic process, the party said. It is disappointing and irresponsible for an unsuccessful candidate in a recent election to share a manipulated digital asset in an attempt to undermine a successful Labour campaign.

The analysis of the video, which examined the waveforms and audio playback speeds, suggested there had been changes to the volume in the second section of the video where the alleged racist comments were made.

The woman is seen to go to a door and ask the resident whether they had voted for Labour, to which the resident replies that he voted for Yakoob. The subtitles in the video suggest she utters the racist slur as she walks away.

Mughal told Birmingham Live the woman had been saying she did not understand the residents reply, and then began reading out the house number for the next door knock.

Forensic analysis found that the volume of the alleged racist comments was discernibly louder than the question who did he vote for? asked by the other male canvasser in the video, which suggested it had been altered. It found the subtitles were not correct and the alleged language was not used.

It is understood the teacher is not a Labour member and was not aware of any of the names of other candidates running for election. Mughal said she was a volunteer helping him with his campaign.

He said: It is concerning that Akhmed Yakoob was a candidate running for public office just a few days ago and has now shared false information on social media which has led to death threats and hate speech. People in the West Midlands, and across the whole country, deserve better than this from candidates running to represent them.

The allegations made are categorically untrue, and we cannot forget there is a person at the centre of this who is facing real-life consequences for Yakoobs actions.

Labour politicians have condemned the use of the video. Mary Creagh, a former Labour MP who is standing in Coventry East at the next election, said: The failed independent candidate for West Midlands mayor has spread disinformation and caused deep distress to a local teacher.

Jim McMahon, the shadow levelling up minister, said: More toxicity, more smears, another innocent campaigner targeted and harassed. Now pretty routine in British politics. Grim.

Yakoob has been contacted for comment. A Labour source said: That Akhmed Yakoob thinks he can lead a pile-on on an innocent woman and remain a parliamentary candidate speaks volumes about how unsuitable he is to be a public representative.

Stuart Bathurst Catholic High school, where the woman works, saidit hoped to be able to say more on Wednesday but that the incident was very distressing for all concerned.

A spokesperson for West Midlands police said it had obtained the original audio and examined it. We have found no evidence of any racist slurs or language used. The canvasser has received significant abuse as a result of the footage being released on social media, which is distressing. She has been fully updated regarding our findings and offered our support.
AstraZeneca is withdrawing its COVID vaccine, the company has announced. (PA) (Jakub Porzycki, NurPhoto SRL)

AstraZeneca has confirmed that it is withdrawing its COVID vaccine, due to what it says is a "surplus of available updated vaccines".

Billions of doses of the vaccine have been administered worldwide since the rollout began during the pandemic. However, with other vaccines coming to the market, and the AstraZeneca vaccine no longer being manufactured or supplied, the British-Swedish pharmaceutical said on Tuesday that it has initiated a worldwide withdrawal.

In a statement, the company the withdrawal was because multiple variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed theres a surplus of available updated vaccines.

The statement added: Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic. We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic.

AstraZeneca claimed that independent estimates suggested over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use. However, their statement comes months after the pharma giant admitted the drug could cause very rare but life-threatening injuries.

The company admitted in court documents that the vaccine causes side effects such as blood clots and low blood platelet counts.

AstraZeneca says its vaccine saved 6.5 million lives in the first year alone. (Getty) (d3sign via Getty Images)

Will it affect your next COVID boost?

The spring booster programme is underway and the withdrawal of the AstraZeneca vaccine will not have any effect on your next COVID boost. Appointments were offered from April and UK Health Security Agency advice on bookings set out the vaccines that would be used.

The guidance said that only mRNA Pfizer or Moderna vaccines would be used in the booster programme. Both vaccines have been updated to protect against more recent coronavirus strains. AstraZeneca boosters shots were not offered and therefore there are no changes needed to be made.

Who is eligible for the spring COVID booster?

The NHS is taking bookings from those people eligible for a spring coronavirus booster jab. There are three groups who are eligible for the booster: adults who will be aged 75 years and over by 30 June; people in care homes for older adults and those aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed.

Where can eligible people get their booster jab?

The vaccine is available in pharmacies, GP surgeries and at some drop-in vaccination centres. Those who are at highest risk are being contacted first. Spring vaccinations will be available until 30 June.

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are being offered in the spring booster. (Getty) (carmengabriela via Getty Images)

How do you book a spring booster?

Those who are eligible will receive a text, email, NHS App message or letter about the booster, but they don't have to wait for the invite. People can book an appointment for the coronavirus jab on the NHS website, via the NHS App, by calling 119 or by going to a walk-in clinic.

When can people have the vaccine?

People who are eligible will generally be invited to have their booster about six months after their last vaccine, but they can have it after three months.

How long should people wait for a jab if they have had COVID?

The NHS says people should not have a COVID jab until they feel better if they have recently had coronavirus. They should also wait if they have a high temperature or feel unwell with another illness. However, if they have recently recovered from COVID and feel well they can take the vaccine.

Where else are COVID vaccines available?

Both private clinics and high street pharmacies have started selling and administering COVID vaccines, ranging in price from about 45 to 100. Those who are willing to pay for a vaccine must be aged 12 or above and not had a COVID jab for the past three months. They should also check with a health professional beforehand.

Read more
One of the most popular early mobile phones  the Nokia 3210  has been relaunched to mark the devices 25th anniversary.

Human Mobile Devices (HMD), the maker of Nokia phones, said it had relaunched the cultural icon as demand for simpler devices as part of a digital detox was rising.

The revamped 3210 includes a two-megapixel camera, supports 4G calling and will still include classic mobile game Snake, HMD confirmed, with the device priced at 74.99.

The relaunched 3210 is priced at 74.99 (Nokia/PA)

Lars Silberbauer, HMDs chief marketing officer, said: The Nokia 3210, a cultural icon, is back at the pinnacle of the global dumbphone boom as consumers look to balance their screen time usage with a digital detox.

The Nokia 3210 has simplicity at its core, allowing consumers to be totally present. Forget dumbphone, this is 2024s fun phone.

Mobile phone expert Ben Wood, founder of the Mobile Phone Museum, said: The original Nokia 3210 has a special place in many consumers hearts as one of the best-selling mobile phones of all time.

Its the perfect product to reimage for the modern era given its strong heritage and iconic design.

The Nokia 3210 is considered one of the most significant handsets Nokia ever developed and was loved by many for whom it was their first mobile phone.

This modern twist on a design classic in its silver jubilee year is bound to grab peoples attention.
Ricky Fernandez, right, of Superior Irrigation & Lawn checks a sprinkler system for leaks and breaks. The San Antonio Water System is asking the San Antonio City Council to approve changes to its drought regulations, including rules for lawn irrigation. William Luther/Staff

San Antonio Water System trustees delayed a decision on changes to the utilitys drought rules, turning down a request from staffers to send the proposal to City Council.

SAWS wants to create new fines for watering violations, add surcharges for high water use during certain drought stages and change the hours that outdoor watering is allowed. SAWS is also proposing changes to how drought stages are triggered, along with changing the rules for drip irrigation.

Trustees on Tuesday decided not to take a vote on the changes, instead asking to schedule a special meeting or vote at their next regular meeting on June 4. The San Antonio City Council is scheduled to discuss the proposal on June 12-13.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Board secretary Eduardo Parra said he needed more time to consider the changes, saying SAWS was trying to rush the policy changes.

SAWS officials started discussing the proposed changes publicly last summer and posted drafts of the rules online at wateringrules.com, but Parra said trustees havent had time to exhaust their questions before making a decision. Tuesday was the first time the utility presented specifics about the plan, such as surcharge amounts, during a board meeting.

Id like that time to finish going through every single point to be able to comfortably vote on this policy, Parra said.

A key sticking point during the boards discussion was a proposal to change the rules for drip irrigation, limiting when those systems can be run during drought conditions. Drip irrigation typically refers to a system of pipes or tubing that allows water to drip slowly onto soil or plants.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Karen Guz, SAWS vice president of conservation, said the utilitys rules currently have a loophole that allows drip irrigation systems to be run any day, at any time, while sprinkler systems are limited to once per week during designated hours as soon as Stage 1 restrictions are in place.

Stage 1 rules are implemented when the Edwards Aquifer drops below 660 feet; the 10-day rolling average is currently 639.2 feet.

The rules have unintentionally encouraged customers to install drip irrigation instead of sprinklers, Guz said, because they know they wont be subject to the same watering limits. Drip irrigation is more efficient than spray because water isnt lost to evaporation and because it reduces overspray, but Guz said it applies water at the same rate as spray irrigation, so it doesnt make sense to exempt those systems from the SAWS rules.

READ MORE: Water district asks judge to kill SAWS lawsuit over Medina Lake water

If we allow you to run drip three times a week, were essentially allocating three times as much water to your property as someone with spray, Guz said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Joe Silman, board president of the Stone Oak Property Owners Association, spoke during Tuesdays hearing and asked trustees to reconsider that limit. The association maintains 58 acres of islands, all equipped with drip irrigation, he said. Silman said it should instead be limited to three times per week, instead of shifting from no limits to once per week.

He said a less restrictive regulation would improve compliance, maintain the aesthetics of San Antonio and preserve property values.

Other proposed changes drew fewer questions from trustees, including a plan to replace municipal court citations for violations with fees assessed on water bills.

Currently, citations are assessed when customers are watering their lawns more often than allowed, or for other violations of drought rules.

The current process can take months and doesnt result in higher fines for repeat violators, Guz said. Builder D.R Horton, for example, paid for 65 citations between May 1 and Sept. 30 and paid only $137 for each, according to data from San Antonio Municipal Court.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Under the new rules, non-compliance charges would range from $137 for a first violation to $500 for a third violation for customers using less than 1 million gallons per year. About 1,200 SAWS customers use more than that amount. Their noncompliance charges would range from $500 to $1,250, under the current proposal. Residential customers with first-time violations could avoid the fee by taking an online education course.

The revised rules would also ensure that SAWS can penalize violators who are outside of San Antonios city limits. The utilitys service area includes most of Bexar County and parts of Medina and Atascosa counties, but under the current ordinance SAWS cant issue citations to customers outside San Antonio city limits, including cities like Olmos Park and Terrell Hills, or in areas outside the citys extraterritorial jurisdiction.

SAWS is also proposing changes to its rules for Stage 3 drought restrictions. Currently, Stage 3 limits watering to once every other week, but it can only be implemented when SAWS determines theres a risk of supply not meeting demand.

That means SAWS has remained in Stage 2 even when the Edwards Aquifer Authority, which manages SAWS' largest water source, is in Stage 3 restrictions for its permit holders, as it is now, or Stage 4, as it was last summer.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Under the new proposal, Stage 3 would instead be automatically triggered by the same metric that the aquifer authority uses: when the J-17 index well in Bexar County falls below a 10-day average of 640 feet. At that point, instead of further restricting outdoor watering, SAWS would begin issuing surcharges to its highest-use consumers in an effort to send a financial signal to those customers to reduce their use. Stage 4 would remain discretionary and would be considered an emergency stage, Guz said.
A group of bereaved parents have warned that the Online Safety Act does not yet go far enough to protect children on social media.

Bereaved Families for Online Safety have sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, urging both to pledge to do more for child online safety ahead of the approaching general election.

The intervention from the parents of 11 children, whose deaths involved social media in some form, comes after Ofcom published its draft childrens safety codes of practice, which set out how it expects online services to meet their new legal responsibilities to protect children online under the Online Safety Act.

It will require social media platforms to take action to stop their algorithms recommending harmful content to children, and put robust age-checking measures in place to protect them.

Tech firms must act to protect children online. Seriously harmful content has impacted children's online experiences for too long  and it can have devastating consequences.  Swipe to find out about the proposed steps we expect firms to take.  Ofcom (@Ofcom) May 8, 2024

In their letter, the parents say that while this is an important moment and they are grateful that regulation is slowly but surely taking shape, they say much more needs to be done and they have so far been disappointed by the lack of ambition around the safety laws, and fear the rapid evolution of technology means that laws and regulation will need to work hard to keep up.

We collectively fear that Ofcoms proposed approach may be insufficient to tackle the growing risks of grooming, sexual abuse, content that promotes or facilitates acts of serious violence, and the active incitement of acts of suicide and self-harm among young people, the letter says.

Directly addressing the political leaders, it adds: In the next Parliament, you will have a decisive opportunity to act. There is a considerable groundswell in demands for more to be done. Across the country, there is a genuine and deeply held concern among parents, and you will be aware of the growing calls for a fundamental reset in the way that technology companies design their products.

As a senior politician but also as a father, we strongly encourage you to heed those calls and ensure that childrens online safety can no longer be considered as an afterthought.

Put simply, we encourage you to make clear to tech companies they must start to design and build their services in a safe and fundamentally responsible way. If companies are not prepared to do so, they should be made to understand there is no longer be a place for them in the UK.

Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Lucy North/PA)

Appearing on BBC Breakfast and putting questions to Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, the parents expressed their frustration at what they claimed was inaction from tech companies and the delay in the Online Safety Act being enforced as Ofcom carries out its consultation process and publishes draft codes of practice before seeking their approval from Parliament, a process expected to take another 12 months to complete.

The campaign group includes Ian Russell, the father of 14-year-old Molly Russell  who took her own life in November 2017 after viewing harmful material on social media.

He said tech firms were buying as much time as they can by claiming they were waiting for Ofcom to publish all its codes before making changes to their platforms.

In response, Ms Donelan said: I feel your frustration on this and if we could fully implement the Bill tomorrow Id be doing it, but there is a bit of a trade off.

These are companies that are multibillion-pound organisations, what we dont want to do is do it so fast that it has lots of loopholes or that they can easily litigate and its chewed up in the courts for years. We want this to be robust, we want it to be bulletproof to make sure that it actually delivers.

She added: Weve always said that the Online Safety Act was the start of the journey, not the end destination and we need to continue to layer up and build on that.

What weve done is really big, is groundbreaking, and its more than any other country in the world has done in this space. Is it job done? Absolutely not because our children and their wellbeing matter more than anything and we should always be prioritising that and re-evaluating and going that bit further.

Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes told the BBCs Radio 4 Today programme the proposals will result in big changes for social media companies and would publicly name those who did not comply.

They will be responsible for the first time in law for actually looking at their own services, whos using them, what the advantages are of course, but also what the risks are, she said.

Ofcom is going to be marking their homework and doing so transparently as well so that the public can see the results and the marks that were giving.

Alice Campbell, head of public affairs at trade body techUK  which represents many of the social media platforms in scope of the Online Safety Act, said: We welcome this consultation which is an important step forward in the implementation of the Online Safety Act.

Many in-scope companies have already started to put additional child safety measures in place in anticipation on the Online Safety Act coming into force. However, todays consultation provides important additional detail that in-scope companies will need to engage with.

We look forward to continuing to work alongside members, Ofcom and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to ensure a robust and effective online safety regime.

Labours shadow technology secretary Peter Kyle said: It is welcome to see Ofcoms new proposals for keeping children safe online, including strong age checks and tackling algorithms which target young minds.

These protections would have been in place years ago if they hadnt fallen victim to Conservative chaos, we cannot forget that the current Business Secretary called the Online Safety Act legislating for hurt feelings during the Tory leadership contest.

Labour has repeatedly called on the Government to take tougher action and to stop the crucial protections in the Online Safety Act being delayed. A Labour government would work with bereaved families and quickly issue a Statement of strategic priorities for Ofcom which keeps up with new dangers.
Tory MP Natalie Elphicke has defected to Labour, hitting out at the broken promises of Rishi Sunaks tired and chaotic Government.

She crossed the floor in the Commons just moments before Prime Ministers Questions.

Here, the PA News Agency looks at all of the defections to have taken place under the current Parliament.

Natalie Elphicke  Conservative to Labour

The Dover MP said the key deciding factor for her changing sides was housing and the safety and security of our borders.

She added: From small boats to biosecurity, Rishi Sunaks Government is failing to keep our borders safe and secure. Lives are being lost in the English Channel while small boat arrivals are once again at record levels.

Ms Elphicke was elected as Dovers Conservative MP in 2019, taking over the seat which had been held by her disgraced, then-husband Charlie, who was jailed for two years after being found guilty in 2020 of sexually assaulting two women.

Dan Poulter  Conservative to Labour

Dr Dan Poulter, a working mental health doctor, quit Rishi Sunaks party in April saying it is failing the health service and that he could no longer look my NHS colleagues in the eye as a Conservative.

He will take the Labour whip until the general election but will not be running again as the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, he wrote in The Observer.

Dr Poulter told the newspaper the Conservative Party feels like it has become a nationalist party of the right, having seen a rightward drift since David Cameron left Downing Street in 2016.

Lee Anderson  Conservative to independent then Reform UK

The Ashfield MP defected to the Nigel Farage-linked party in March after he was stripped of the Tory whip over comments about London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Lee Anderson MP in Sutton (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Anderson accused the Conservative Party of stifling free speech by suspending him amid the Islamophobia row.

In an open attack on the party that had formerly elevated him to deputy chairman, he claimed other Tory MPs share his views but will not stick their heads above the parapet.

Lisa Cameron  SNP to Conservative

The East Kilbride MPs change of party in October 2023 came on the day she was facing a selection battle to be the candidate in the west of Scotland seat of East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow.

The Scottish Daily Mail reported she had complained of toxic and bullying treatment within the SNP.

The MP, who is also a doctor, said she has received support from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after her mental wellbeing deteriorated in recent weeks, but has had no contact from the SNP leadership.

Andrew Bridgen  Conservative to independent to Reclaim Party to independent again

Laurence Foxs Reclaim Party lost its only MP in December 2023 after Andrew Bridgen quit the group over a difference in direction.

The North West Leicestershire MP said it had been an incredibly difficult decision and insisted he still supported the policies and values of Reclaim.

Mr Bridgen was expelled from the Conservative Party over a social media post in which he described Covid-19 vaccinations as the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust.

Christian Wakeford  Conservative to Labour

The Red Wall MP said the UK needed a government that upholds the highest standards of integrity and probity when he crossed the floor in January 2022.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer with Bury South MP Christian Wakeford (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Bury South MP told the then prime minister, Boris Johnson, both you and the Conservative Party as a whole have shown themselves incapable of offering the leadership and government this country deserves.

He said: Britain needs a government focused on tackling the cost-of-living crisis and providing a path out of the pandemic that protects living standards and defends the security of all.

His move was announced just minutes before a session of Prime Ministers Questions, with the timing calculated to cause maximum damage.
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has said it is time for a new Doctor who carries emotions on the surface more visibly instead of hiding them away after years of an emotionally reserved Time Lord.

The BBC sci-fi show will return to screens on May 11 with two episodes titled Space Babies and The Devils Chord starring Ncuti Gatwa as the new Doctor, opposite former Coronation Street actress Millie Gibson as his companion Ruby Sunday.

Davies described Sex Education star Gatwa as already one of our great actors.

Ready to rock through time?  #DoctorWho premieres on @BBCiPlayer in the UK 11th May and @DisneyPlus 10th May where available pic.twitter.com/ygn67yoesU  Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) March 31, 2024

Quite by chance, I wanted a more emotional Doctor, and lo and behold, we have cast someone whose emotions are vast, turbulent, and visible, Davies said.

Historically, Doctors have tended to keep their emotions to themselves and play the game of being reserved. And the actors have done that brilliantly.

But right now in 2024, I want a man who cries when its sad. And Ncuti does that to an astonishing degree.

Millie Gibson, Russell T Davies and Ncuti Gatwa, arrive for the premiere of Doctor Who (Ian West/PA)

Davies said he could not take his eyes off Gatwa during Netflix series Sex Education, in which he played Eric Effiong, and predicts in five years time he will be starring as the next James Bond in the MI6 film franchise.

Its so exciting that it inspires me. It generates stories in me. Its an absolute joy to work with him, he said.

The showrunner, executive producer and writer said the new sci-fi series will see an emotional Doctor open up about his family in a way that hes never done before, as well as connect with Ruby Sunday  who is also an orphan.

Its time for a new Doctor who carries those emotions on the surface more visibly instead of hiding them away, Davies said.

The Doctor doesnt just wear one heart on their sleeve; they wear two hearts on their sleeve. I thought it was just the right time for that to be centre stage.

Ruby gets her first taste of space travel! #DoctorWho premieres on @BBCiPlayer in the UK 11th May and @DisneyPlus 10th May where available. pic.twitter.com/lGM2U6NkWI  Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) May 5, 2024

The first episode titled Space Babies will see the Doctor and Ruby Sunday on a baby farm being run by babies facing off against a Bogeyman, alongside Bridgerton star Golda Rosheuvel, who will play Jocelyn in the episode.

Rosheuvel said she got to the end of a press tour for the Bridgerton prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, and she told her agent she would love to next star in Doctor Who.

Its one of those shows that every actor has their eye on. Its like a rite of passage, the 54-year-old said.

I had auditioned for it several times over the years, and friends had always pipped me to the post. But now the timing was definitely right.

I just randomly put the request out there, and it came back. So the stars, the solar system, the whole Doctor Who universe aligned.

Gatwa said the monster in the first episode is absolutely terrifying.

Ncuti Gatwa arriving for the premiere of Doctor Who in London (Ian West/PA)

We certainly are on track to get a whole new generation of kids hiding behind the sofa, the 31-year-old said.

The second episode of the series will see the Doctor and Ruby Sunday meet The Beatles, but discover that the all-powerful Maestro  played by US drag queen and actor Jinkx Monsoon  is changing history.

Jinkx Monsoon, real name Jerick Hoffer, said no-one cared that this was only my third live-action scripted TV appearance, adding that Gatwa was just so generous while filming.

The first two episodes of the new season will premiere at midnight on May 11 on BBC iPlayer.

Space Babies will later air at 6.20pm on BBC One, followed by The Devils Chord at 7.05pm.

Outside the UK, Doctor Who will begin streaming on May 10 on Disney+.
A sacked Foreign Office whistleblower has told an employment tribunal she was foolish and naive to share internal emails with a journalist, but said: I do not think I did the wrong thing.

Josie Stewart shared emails with a BBC journalist which allegedly showed that senior staff at the department had sought guidance from Number 10 over whether to prioritise the evacuation of staff from the animal charity Nowzad during the 2021 fall of Kabul, the tribunal in central London heard on Wednesday.

Ms Stewart, a former civil servant at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), was sacked after the journalist accidentally revealed her name by posting the emails on social media in January 2022.

She is now alleging unfair dismissal for making a protected disclosure under whistleblowing laws.

The 2021 Nowzad flight sparked controversy as animals were safely airlifted out of Afghanistan while thousands of people trying to flee the Taliban in Kabul were left behind.

Seble, the eight-week-old puppy that was rescued at the Nowzad Dogs charity based in Kabul, Afghanistan (Ben Birchall/PA)

During the evacuation, Ms Stewart worked on the special cases team where those potentially eligible to come to the UK were assessed on an individual basis.

In her witness statement she said she was disgusted that then prime minister Boris Johnson had intervened and overruled policy to allow animals and staff from the charity to be evacuated, a claim Mr Johnson had publicly labelled as complete nonsense.

At the time Ms Stewart shared the emails, there were questions in the media around whether the Government had prioritised animals over people during the evacuation.

However, she told the tribunal she did not believe that that was what had happened.

She said she shared the emails with the BBC journalist because she believed they showed another story, that Number 10 had intervened in the decision to evacuate the charitys staff.

I did not think that was a story, she said.

I did not think that was what had happened.

It was obvious to me what the story was, which was that the prime minister had made the decision.

She added: It was absolutely obvious that the prime ministers lying was the important element of the story here.

She said she was foolish not to redact the email when she said it.

I accept that I was foolish and naive for having shared the information with the journalist because I failed to redact it fully myself and it led to the situation we are all in today, she said.

I do not think I did the wrong thing.

She said she did not think of herself as a whistleblower when she shared the emails.

I did not think of myself as a whistleblower, she said.

I now know that no one ever does until they have had the time to understand what has happened to them.

Nowzad was set up by former Royal Marine Paul Pen Farthing, who launched a high-profile campaign to get his staff and animals out of Kabul as the Taliban swept across Afghanistan.

Despite the alleged intervention from No 10, Nowzads staff eventually fled Afghanistan to Pakistan rather than on a plane from Kabul, but the charitys animals were able to leave on a charter flight with Mr Farthing.
Students taking part in a hunger strike in a call for a ceasefire in Gaza have been urged not to take risks with their health or wellbeing.

A group of students from Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society (EUJPS) have been on hunger strike for much of the week.

They are protesting outside the universitys Old College for an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict and said they refuse to be educated by a university that directly contributed to the colonialisation of Palestine through its close ties with Lord Arthur Balfour.

Lord Balfour was a former British prime minister who, in 1917, said in the Balfour Declaration that the UK Government supported the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said it supports the students right to protest and fully recognises the strength of feeling that you have demonstrated with your actions.

Students at an encampment at the Old College at the University of Edinburgh in a protest against the war in Gaza (Andrew Milligan/PA)

In a statement issued on the universitys website, he thanked the group for having led a peaceful protest and for not creating obstruction for staff and other students.

He added: Our primary concern has always been and will always be the safety, security and wellbeing of all members of our university community.

There will be people with views very different from yours: they are also welcome to express them in peaceful and lawful ways.

A university should be a place where the most sensitive, topical and complex matters can be openly debated in an atmosphere of respect and safety.

We have very recently been notified of the intention of an unknown number of students to commence a hunger strike as an indication of their strength of feeling and determination around issues related to Palestine and Israel.

Whilst we recognise their bodily autonomy, we appeal to them and others not to take risks with their own health, safety and wellbeing.

Please make yourself known to us at any point at which we may be able to direct you to support.

We are in daily contact with the protesters to ensure they are aware of the health and wellbeing support available to them.

The students highlighted historic links to the colonialisation of Palestine (Andrew Milligan/PA)

In Aberdeen, students have led similar protests this week, calling for a ceasefire.

It comes as part of a wider number of student protests across the UK over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Students from more than a dozen UK universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, are taking similar action.

University vice-chancellors have been invited to a meeting at No 10 Downing Street on Thursday, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will discuss antisemitism on campuses and ensuring the safety of Jewish students.

The Prime Ministers official spokesperson said on Tuesday: The right to free speech does not include the right to harass people or incite violence.

We expect university leaders to take robust action in dealing with that kind of behaviour and that will be the subject of the conversation in No 10 later this week to ensure a zero-tolerance approach to this sort of behaviour is adopted on all campuses.

More than 100 people attended a demonstration outside Kings College, Cambridge, on Tuesday  where a protester with a megaphone by the encampment led a chant of From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.

The Office for Students, the higher education watchdog for England, said while it supports free speech it cannot tolerate discrimination.

Students staged a march as part of their calls for a Gaza ceasefire at Cambridge University on Tuesday (Joe Giddens/PA)

Arif Ahmed, its director of freedom of speech, said: Universities should uphold free speech within the law for everyone.

But this does not, and cannot, include discrimination against, or harassment of, Jewish students, or any other conduct prohibited by law. Peaceful protest is itself a legitimate expression of freedom of speech.

We expect universities and colleges to make provision for the lawful expression of the greatest possible range of ideas and opinions, even those that some may find deeply offensive.

Whilst universities and colleges should not seek to suppress the lawful expression of any idea or viewpoint, we recognise that to manage their affairs effectively and safely, they may have to regulate the time, place and manner of expression, where there are compelling reasons to do so.

A spokesperson for the University of Aberdeen said its vice-chancellor would not be attending the Downing Street meeting.

They added: The university respects and supports the right to peaceful and lawful protest.

Our campus should be a safe space for all and we are clear that any incidents of harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.

EUJPS was contacted for comment.
Sunak hit by defection of MP Elphicke over small boats and housing crisis

Rishi Sunak has been dealt a fresh blow after Tory MP Natalie Elphicke defected to Labour, hitting out at his tired and chaotic government.

The MP for Dover said the Prime Minister had failed to deliver on his promise to stop the boats and also accused him of deserting the political centre ground.

She crossed the floor in the Commons just moments before Prime Ministers Questions and sat behind Sir Keir Starmer, who hailed her defection as another indication of how he had changed the Labour Party.

From small boats to biosecurity, Rishi Sunaks government is failing to keep our borders safe and secure, she said.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer with former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke in his parliamentary office (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Lives are being lost in the English Channel while small boat arrivals are once again at record levels.

Its clear they have failed to keep our borders secure and cannot be trusted.

Ms Elphicke said the key deciding factors in her defection were housing issues and the safety and security of our borders.

Speaking to reporters in Sir Keirs parliamentary office after Prime Ministers Questions, she said: In 2019, the Conservatives stood on a manifesto that was very much centre ground, but under Rishi Sunak theyve abandoned the centre ground and broken many election promises.

Meanwhile, under Keir Starmer, Labour have changed. And I think that change is going to bring a much better future for our country, and thats why I was so keen to join the Labour Party and play my part in bringing that important future forward.

(PA Graphics)

A year ago, Ms Elphicke used a newspaper column to claim not only have Labour got no plan of their own to tackle illegal immigration, they simply do not want to and said Sir Keir has pledged to rip up our world-leading partnership to remove illegal migrants to Rwanda.

Asked about her previous criticism of Labour over immigration policy, she said Mr Sunak was the man who said he would stop the boats but so far this year there had been record numbers of small boats arrivals.

So, hes not stopping the boats and hes letting the country down.

Former Tory MP Natalie Elphicke sitting with other Labour MPs (second row, second left, directly behind Angela Rayner) at Prime Ministers Questions (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

Meanwhile under Labour, they are clear that it is important to have defence and they want to make sure that they have good national security. So I think we should have confidence that Labour are the party who will tackle this issue of the small boats crossings.

Ms Elphicke is standing down at the general election and denied that she had been offered a peerage by Labour.

The MP could take on an unpaid role working on housing policy with Labour, aides suggested.

Sir Keir urged Tory voters to follow Natalie Elphicke to his party and dodged a question about whether Labour was in talks with other Conservative MPs.

Asked if there could be more defections, he said: I think there are very many Tory voters who genuinely feel that the party that they may have voted for  many, many times in some cases  is no longer the Tory Party that they see.

And I say to every Tory voter who feels that they want to be part of a national mission to change our country for the better that the project weve built here in this changed Labour Party is a project that I hope they would feel they could get behind. 

The defection comes after MP Dan Poulters decision to leave the Tories for Labour in April and the dismal local election results for the Conservatives last week.

Welcome, @NatalieElphicke, the new Labour MP for Dover and Deal. pic.twitter.com/E5zumgX58v  The Labour Party (@UKLabour) May 8, 2024

At Prime Ministers Questions, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asked Mr Sunak what is the point of this failed Government staggering on when the Tory MP for Dover on the front line of small boats crisis says the Prime Minister cannot be trusted with our borders and joins Labour?

Ms Elphicke was elected as Dovers Conservative MP in 2019, taking over the seat which had been held by her disgraced then-husband Charlie, who was jailed for two years after being found guilty in 2020 of sexually assaulting two women.

She stood by him during his trial but she said their marriage ended with his conviction.

Government minister Huw Merriman said he is absolutely staggered over Ms Elphickes shameless defection to Labour.

The rail minister told BBC News: Im absolutely staggered  Ive seen some sights in this place, but actually the lack of scruples on this one is a new bar that Natalie has created.

He added: She is just being opportunist, Im afraid to say, and Im just disappointed for politics that shes done what shes done today.

A Conservative member of Dover District Council described the defection as a kick in the guts.

Councillor Stephen Manion, who represents Eastry Rural, said he was sickened by Natalie Elphickes decision to cross the floor.

Former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke, with MP for Dover Natalie Elphicke, leaving Southwark Crown Court during his trial (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Tory former minister Stephen Hammond said one of the reasons why Im so surprised is that shes always been on the right of the Conservative Party.

He told Sky News: If theres been someone who has done as much as anyone to drag my party away from the centre ground of British politics in the last five years, its been Natalie.

When you defect you are disliked by your old party and distrusted by your new, and shell find that out fairly quickly.

Downing Street insisted Mr Sunak would not change course over his immigration policies in the wake of the Dover MPs defection.

The Prime Ministers press secretary brushed off questions on whether Mr Sunak is concerned about the second defection in recent weeks, saying he is focused on the priorities of the British people.

The press secretary said she hoped Ms Elphicke would explain why she changed her mind after being very forthright in attacking Sir Softie Starmer and Labours open-borders policy.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn highlighted a social media post from Ms Elphicke urging Tory members to vote for Liz Truss during the 2022 leadership campaign.

Meet Natalie, the new Labour MP, he said. What does this say to their values?
Kate Forbes has become Scotlands youngest ever Deputy First Minister as John Swinney announced a largely unchanged Cabinet team.

Ms Forbes, 34, a former Holyrood finance secretary, had been tipped to run for the SNP leadership again after Humza Yousaf stood down just over a week ago, but she instead opted to back Mr Swinney and he went on to claim the position of party leader unopposed.

He has now rewarded her by making her his deputy, and also giving her responsibility for the economy and Gaelic.

By giving such a key role to Ms Forbes, a critic of some Scottish Government policies who had been on the backbenches during Mr Yousafs time in charge, Mr Swinney will hope to ease internal tensions within the SNP.

John Swinney and Kate Forbes spoke to journalists outside Bute House following her appointment (Jane Barlow/PA)

The new First Minister assembled his Cabinet hours after being officially sworn into the post at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, and after he spoke to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Speaking after his top team was announced, Mr Swinney said he is committed to working collaboratively across the Parliament to address the pressing issues facing the people of Scotland.

That will be required as the SNP is now a minority administration at Holyrood after Mr Yousaf tore up the powersharing deal the party had with the Scottish Greens  a move which ultimately led to his resignation as first minister.

Mr Swinneys Cabinet includes eight women  thought to be the most ever  and two other men.

Neil Gray, who was appointed Health Secretary earlier this year, stays in the post, while Angus Robertson remains Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Secretary.

First Minister John Swinney stands with his newly appointed Cabinet on the steps of Bute House (Jane Barlow/PA)

Shona Robison, who had been deputy first minister under Mr Yousaf, loses that position but remains in the Cabinet  keeping her finance brief and also taking on responsibility for local government.

Former teacher Jenny Gilruth remains Education Secretary, Angela Constance retains her position as Justice Secretary, and Fiona Hyslop continues as Transport Secretary.

Mairi McAllan remains in the Cabinet but with a slightly slimmed down brief  she had been the net zero, wellbeing economy and energy secretary, but now has responsibility for net zero and energy.

Shirley-Anne Sommerville and Mairi Gougeon also continue in their previous roles  as Social Justice Secretary, and Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Secretary respectively.

Mr Swinney said: I have selected a Cabinet team that blends experience and energy, with a strong focus on the priorities my Government will pursue  eradicating child poverty, driving economic growth, meeting climate obligations and investing in our vital public services.

John Swinney was accompanied by his wife Elizabeth Quigley and their son Matthew, 13, as he was sworn in as First Minister at the Court of Session on Wednesday morning (Andrew Milligan/PA)

My overriding priority will be to work to eradicate child poverty in Scotland, an issue on which real progress has been made through measures such as the Scottish child payment.

The Government I lead will maximise every lever at our disposal to tackle the scourge of poverty in our country.

Ms Forbes said she was deeply honoured to be appointed as his deputy, describing it as an extraordinary privilege.

She added: I look forward to working with John and Cabinet colleagues, delivering for the people of Scotland and building a better country.

Speaking earlier on Wednesday after he was sworn into office at the Court of Session, Mr Swinney had said: Its a really overwhelming moment to take the oath of office in front of the Lord President of the Court of Session and formally assume the role of First Minister.

John Swinney took the oath as he was sworn in as First Minister of Scotland and Keeper of the Scottish Seal, at the Court of Session in Edinburgh (Andrew Milligan/PA)

I look forward to dedicating my future to serving the people of Scotland.

Its an extraordinary opportunity to change lives for the better and Ill continue to use every moment thats available to me to do so.

But rival parties hit out at the uninspiring Cabinet from Mr Swinney, with Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy saying: His is simply Humza Yousafs cabinet with a different figurehead.

The Tory MSP added: The return of Kate Forbes is a desperate attempt by both John Swinney and his new deputy to gloss over the huge splits in the SNP and fixate on independence.

This uninspiring cabinet is further evidence that John Swinney as First Minister will just mean more of the same.

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: This is a continuity cabinet, that cannot be trusted to fix the chaos and instability they have created.
In the early hours of June 13 2023, Valdo Calocane killed three people and attempted to kill three more.

In the years and months before the attacks, he had contact with the police and health services and had previously been detained.

Here is a timeline of the attacks:

 2007

Calocane, who was born in Guinea-Bissau in West Africa, comes to the UK with his family aged 16 having lived in Lisbon, Portugal.

 2020

May 23

Calocane attends hospital believing he is having a heart attack. He is arrested after damaging a door when he returns to his flat.

An assessment under the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) was carried out at a Nottingham custody suite by psychiatric services, who conclude that Calocane was psychotic but that his risk to others was low. He is referred to a crisis team for review at home and is released without charge.

On return home, he knocks down another door to a different apartment and is arrested for criminal damage. He is detained under the MHA and is admitted to in-patient psychiatric services at the Highbury Hospital.

Calocane is diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia the same month.

June 17

Calocane is discharged into the care of the Nottingham City Crisis Team. He is advised to take medication for a minimum of six to nine months and told to seek medical advice if he wishes to stop taking it.

Valdo Calocane (Nottinghamshire Police/PA Media)

July

Having stopped taking his medication, Calocane is readmitted to hospital after attempting to force entry into a flat. Anti-psychotic medication is restarted and increased.

 2021

May 31

Calocane attends MI5 headquarters in London and asks to be detained.

August

Calocane is visited at home by a mental health worker, but it is believed he actively concealed symptoms. He then evades contact with a community team, with a warrant issued under the MHA to gain entry into his property to carry out an assessment.

September 3

The warrant is executed, with Nottinghamshire Police requested to support mental health services. A bag of unused medication, dating from February 2021, is found at the property.

While being transported to Highbury Hospital in Nottingham, he assaults a police officer.

October

Calocane is discharged from hospital.

 2022

January

Nottinghamshire Police attend an incident where Calocane allegedly assaults a flatmate. No arrest is made after police action is not supported. He is again detained in a mental health establishment, with medics concluding he can continue to be treated in the community.

Later that month, he is again admitted as an inpatient under the MHA.

February 24

Calocane is discharged from hospital.

March

Calocane is reviewed in an outpatient clinic.

(Left to right) Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski and Sharon Miller, the three pedestrians that Valdo Calocane hit in the centre of Nottingham whilst driving the white van stolen from victim Ian Coates (Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

July

Calocane tells medics, it is believed falsely, that he is not in the country.

August

Calocane is summoned to court over the assault of a police officer in September 2021. He is recorded as not being at home following a visit to his discharge address, with a resident saying no-one of that name lives there.

September 22

Calocane fails to attend court following the summons, with a warrant issued for his arrest. He is not detained before the killings on June 13 2023.

 2023

May

Calocane begins working in a warehouse in Kegworth, Leicestershire, and attacks two employees. He does not respond to attempts to contact him to tell him that he is not allowed back on the premises.

June 13

4.04am: Police are called to Ilkeston Road, Nottingham, after Calocane fatally attacks students Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar as they walk home from an end-of-term night out. Both suffer multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen and are later pronounced dead at the scene.

5am: Calocane contacts his brother and says: This will be the last time I speak to you. Take the family out of the country.. When his brother asks him if he will do something stupid, Calocane replies: It is already done.

5.04am: Calocane attempts to gain access to a residential hostel in Mapperley Road, but retreats after being punched in the face by an occupant.

5.14am: Ian Coates is repeatedly stabbed in his abdomen and chest by Calocane while driving his van on Magdala Road and is left for dead. He is found by a member of the public at around 5.30am and pronounced dead shortly after.

5:23am: Calocane, having stolen Mr Coates Vauxhall Vivaro, drives onto Milton Street and hits pedestrian Wayne Birkett. Mr Birkett is flipped onto the pavement and suffers a fractured skull.

5.29am: Calocane drives in a loop and is seen by a marked police car. Less than a minute later, Calocane accelerates and knocks down Sharon Miller and Marcin Gawronski as they cross Market Street.

5:34am: Calocane is tasered and arrested after he produces a knife when the van is boxed in by police vehicles. A search of his backpack finds two other knives and a scaffold pole.

(From left to right) Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar all suffered multiple stab wounds (PA Media/Nottinghamshire Police)

June 14

Thousands, including the families of the victims, attend vigils at the University of Nottinghams main campus and in the city centre.

June 16

Calocane is charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

June 17

Calocane appears at Nottingham Magistrates Court and is remanded in custody.

June 20

Calocane makes his first appearance at Nottingham Crown Court.

November 28

Calocane admits the manslaughter of Mr Webber, Ms OMalley-Kumar and Mr Coates by diminished responsibility but denies murder. He also admits three counts of attempted murder.

 2024

January 23

Prosecutors accept Calocanes pleas on the basis of his serious mental illness at Nottingham Crown Court.

January 24

Three medical experts state that Calocane was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the attacks.

Dr Nigel Blackwood, a professor of forensic psychiatry at Kings College London, tells the court that Calocane was in the grip of a severe psychotic episode at the time of the attacks, but understood that what he was doing was morally and legally wrong.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin, of Nottinghamshire Police, said we should have done more to arrest Calocane for failing to attend court in September 2022.

January 25

Calocane is sentenced to an indefinite hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act by Mr Justice Turner. A Section 41 requirement is also imposed, meaning the Justice Secretary must approve his release. Following the sentence, Mr Webbers mother, Emma Webber, says true justice has not been served.

Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber, making a statement alongside relatives of the victims, outside Nottingham Crown Court (Jacob King/PA)

The Independent Office for Police Conduct concludes that the officer who pursued Calocane on the day of the attacks could not have foreseen his actions before he hit two pedestrians.

January 26

The Attorney General, Victoria Prentis, says she is considering whether to refer Calocanes sentence to the Court of Appeal due to being unduly lenient.

February 20

Ms Prentis refers the sentence to the Court of Appeal.

March 25

His Majestys Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate publishes a report which says that prosecutors complied with the law when they accepted Calocanes pleas in January. It further calls for a change to murder laws, establishing three tiers of offence  first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and manslaughter.

March 26

The Care Quality Commission highlights ongoing concerns at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, where Calocane was treated before the killings.
A tiny, flexible electronic implant that wraps around the spinal cord could offer new ways to treat disability and paralysis-causing spinal injuries, a new study suggests.

The devices have been developed by a team of engineers, neuroscientists and surgeons from the University of Cambridge, who used them to record the nerve signals going back and forth between the brain and the spinal cord.

In the future, the new implants could lead to treatments for spinal injuries without the need for brain surgery, which would be far safer for patients.

Unlike current approaches, the Cambridge devices can record 360-degree information, giving a complete picture of spinal cord activity.

Dr Damiano Barone, from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences  who co-led the research, said: If someone has a spinal injury, their brain is fine, but its the connection thats been interrupted.

As a surgeon, you want to go where the problem is, so adding brain surgery on top of spinal surgery just increases the risk to the patient.

We can collect all the information we need from the spinal cord in a far less invasive way, so this would be a much safer approach for treating spinal injuries.

Tests in live animals and human cadaver models showed the devices could also stimulate arm and leg movement and bypass complete spinal cord injuries where communication between the brain and spinal cord had been interrupted.

Most current approaches to treating spinal injuries are high risk and involve both piercing the spinal cord with electrodes and placing implants in the brain.

While new treatments are still at least several years away, the researchers say the devices could be useful in the near-term for monitoring spinal cord activity during surgery.

According to the researchers, better understanding of the spinal cord could lead to improved treatments for a range of conditions, including chronic pain, inflammation and high blood pressure.

They developed a way to gain information from the whole spine, by wrapping very thin, high-resolution implants around the spinal cords circumference.

This is the first time that safe 360-degree recording of the spinal cord has been possible.

The devices, which are just a few millionths of a metre thick, and require minimal power to function.

The devices intercept the signals travelling on the nerve fibres of the spinal cord, allowing the signals to be recorded.

Because they are so thin, the implants can record the signals without causing any damage to the nerves, since they do not penetrate the spinal cord itself.

Professor George Malliaras, from the Department of Engineering  who co-led the research, said: It was a difficult process, because we havent made spinal implants in this way before, and it wasnt clear that we could safely and successfully place them around the spine.

But because of recent advances in both engineering and neurosurgery, the planets have aligned and weve made major progress in this important area.

Although treatment for spinal injuries is still years away, in the short term the devices could be used to learn more about this vital part of the human body.

The Cambridge researchers are currently planning to use the devices to monitor nerve activity in the spinal cord during surgery.

Dr Barone added: Its been almost impossible to study the whole of the spinal cord directly in a human, because its so delicate and complex.

Monitoring during surgery will help us to understand the spinal cord better without damaging it, which in turn will help us develop better therapies for conditions like chronic pain, hypertension or inflammation.

This approach shows enormous potential for helping patients.

The results are reported in the journal Science Advances.
A student encampment protest at Trinity College Dublin is to end following an agreement between senior management and protesters.

Visitors have been unable to access the historic Book of Kells since action began on Friday evening when the activists set up tents inside the campus of the prestigious Dublin university.

The students taking part in the protest had vowed to maintain the blockade until the university cuts all ties with Israel.

University management met with student representatives on Wednesday to discuss the situation.

In a statement, Trinity said it will complete a divestment from investments in Israeli companies that have activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and appear on the UN Blacklist in this regard.

This process is expected to be completed by June.

It said it would endeavour to divest in other Israeli companies, noting that its supplier list contains just one Israeli company which will remain until March 2025 for contractual reasons.

Senior Dean Professor Eoin OSullivan, who led the talks for Trinity, said: We are glad that this agreement has been reached and are committed to further constructive engagement on the issues raised.

We thank the students for their engagement.

Trinity said plans are being put in place to return to normal university business for staff, students, and members of the public.

A Palestine sticker on a sign at the entrance to Trinity College in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Outgoing students union president Laszlo Molnarfi said the resolution of talks with the university was an unprecedented result.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Molnarfi said: Students, staff and the public united have pushed Trinity towards boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS).

He said he hopes the protest at the university will inspire other students.

It shows the power of grassroots student and staff fighting for a just cause of Palestinian liberation and to end complicity with Israeli genocide, apartheid and settler colonialism.

Students over the world are standing up for what is right.

In its statement on Wednesday, Trinity said: We fully understand the driving force behind the encampment on our campus and we are in solidarity with the students in our horror at what is happening in Gaza.

We abhor and condemn all violence and war, including the atrocities of October 7th, the taking of hostages and the continuing ferocious and disproportionate onslaught in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the dehumanisation of its people is obscene.

We support the International Court of Justices position that Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.

A real and lasting solution that respects the human rights of everyone needs to be found.

The scenes at Trinity follow a wave of similar student protests at university campuses across the US.

The encampment was initiated days after it emerged that the university authorities had fined the students union more than 200,000 euro over previous protests on campus.

It invoiced the union for 214,285 euro after a series of demonstrations about fees and rent, as well as pro-Palestinian solidarity protests.

The university cited a loss of revenue due to blockades of the Book of Kells and famous Long Room library among the reasons for the fine.

The protesting students called for a retroactive amnesty for students involved in protests on campus and the rescinding of the bill imposed on the students union.

Asked about the status of the fines, Mr Molnarfi said this was a matter for further engagement with the university.

Trinity is also establishing a taskforce on related matters with student and staff representatives, led be an external chair.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Elsewhere, the Irish deputy premier said he is horrified by events unfolding in Rafah, describing the levels of violence as unconscionable.

Israel has threatened to launch a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city.

More than one million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israels war in the region.

The Israeli military seized control of Gazas vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Israeli troops said they had reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed nearly three days earlier after a Hamas rocket attack.

Protesters demonstrated outside Leinster House in Dublin calling on Israel not to invade Rafah (Niall Carson/PA)

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was really horrified with the events.

Speaking at the Arbour Hill commemoration event, Mr Martin said: Its quite shocking, the level of human suffering.

The civilian causalities, death and very serious injuries on a daily basis being (endured) by the people of Gaza.

The taking of the Rafah crossing, for example, creates huge challenges for humanitarian aid getting into Gaza.

I have seen myself the amount of aid has been stopped already.

There is an urgent need for medicines, for food and for the basics of life to get in for the people of Gaza.

Its only unconscionable that this level of violence continues.

Protesters called for sanctions against Israel (Niall Carson/PA)

We need an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages and then we need discussion on the political track on how Gaza is reconstructed because what the people have gone through there is quite horrific and it is shocking and unacceptable, it has to stop.

On Wednesday, protesters from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered outside Leinster House in support of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Rafah.

Demonstrators waved Palestine flags and called for Israel not to invade Rafah and to impose sanctions against Israel.
Glenn MacGarity, 41, Anneil Tedder, 31, and Diontay Roberson, 23, have been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. mbbirdy/Getty Images

San Antonio police have released the identities of the three people arrested in connection with an armored vehicle robbery Tuesday on the Northeast Side.

Glenn MacGarity, 41; Anneil Tedder, 31; and Diontay Roberson, 23, have been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. Police believe the group has been robbing armored trucks for several months.

Around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, three people approached a Brinks truck employee attempting to refill an ATM in the 5100 block of Walzem Road. They held the man at gunpoint as they began to steal money, police said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

ALSO READ: Armored truck robbery sends nearby schools into lockdown

After taking the money, the three drove off as a San Antonio police helicopter tracked them up Interstate 35. They exited and entered a neighborhood off FM 1103 in Schertz.

Police said the three thieves took off in one car and switched vehicles before heading toward Schertz.

The woman exited the car with some money, but officers caught up with her. One of the men ran and began jumping fences in the Northcliff subdivision, which sent two nearby schools into lockdown.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

He was later found, police said, and the second man was arrested without further incident.
Photographer: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Look no further than this roundup of some of the best quick and easy recipes to make for dinner tonight. In three steps or less, you can whip up pasta, curry, soup, and more in under 20 minutes, making dinner a breeze. Were sure youll want to make flavorful meals like our Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and 20-Minute Creamy Tomato Salmon Skillet again and again.



Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

To achieve flavor quickly in this sun-dried tomato pasta recipe, we use the oil from sun-dried tomatoes to create the base of the cream sauce. Meanwhile, the residual heat of the pasta wilts the spinach in record time for a fast weeknight dinner.

View Recipe

Creamy Pesto Shrimp with Gnocchi & Peas

This speedy dinner recipe combines shrimp with pillowy gnocchi, pesto and peas in a creamy sauce. Feel free to substitute the peas with other veggies such as broccoli or asparagus. For a bit of heat, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper, or garnish with grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the savory flavor.

View Recipe

Chhole (Chickpea Curry)

This healthy Indian recipe is a flavorful chickpea curry that you can make in just 20 minutes. Also called chana masala, this dish is a comforting and delicious dinner.

View Recipe

Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach

Quick-cooking chicken cutlets are coated in a garlic cream sauce, while spinach adds a boost of color and nutrition in this easy, one-skillet recipe.

View Recipe

20-Minute White Bean Soup

This fiber-rich soup is an easy, healthy dinner when youre pressed for time. This brothy soup is finished with a bit of heavy cream for body and richness. For a thicker soup, mash 1/2 cup of the beans and stir into the soup right before adding the cream. Frozen sweet potatoes and collard greens keep the prep to a minimum, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, fresh veggies work just as well. Serve with crusty bread for dunking.

View Recipe

20-Minute Creamy Tomato Salmon Skillet

Salmon fillets cook quickly and are coated with a delicious creamy sauce made with tomatoes, zucchini and Italian seasoning. This easy salmon dinner is sure to become a new weeknight favorite the whole family will love. The best news: you can get this meal on the table in 20 minutes flat.

View Recipe

Vegan Coconut Chickpea Curry

To make this 20-minute vegan curry even faster, buy precut veggies from the salad bar at the grocery store. To make it a full, satisfying dinner, serve over cooked brown rice. When shopping for simmer sauce, look for one with 400 mg of sodium or less and check the ingredient list for cream or fish sauce if you want to keep this vegan. If you like a spicy kick, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce at the end.

View Recipe

Ground Beef & Snap Pea Rice-Noodle Stir-Fry

We've bulked up the serving size of this pad thai-inspired stir-fry by adding in lots of veggies like matchstick carrots, snap peas and scallions. Look for whole-grain brown-rice pad thai noodles to add an additional 3 grams fiber to each serving.

View Recipe

Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Take taco night to a new level with sweet potato taco "shells." Tender sweet potatoes pair perfectly with spicy taco meat, creamy cheese and crisp lettuce. Let everyone customize their taco potato with their favorite toppings.

View Recipe

Creamy Lemon & Dill Skillet Chicken

This creamy lemon and dill skillet chicken recipe is a true crowd-pleaser and makes for a perfect weeknight dinner. Chicken cutlets cook quickly, taking this recipe from skillet to table in only 20 minutes. The drippings and fond from the pan are at the heart of the tangy, vibrant pan sauce that you serve with the chicken. Drizzle any extra over pasta, rice or mashed potatoes served on the side.

View Recipe

Mushroom & Tofu Stir-Fry

This tofu veggie stir-fry is quick and easy, making it a great go-to weeknight meal. Baked tofu has a firm, toothsome texture that crisps well in a hot pan. You can find it in flavors like teriyaki and sesame, both of which are delicious here. Or opt for a smoked version, which has the same texture with a more robust flavor. Serve over brown rice.

View Recipe

High-Protein Tex-Mex Chicken Soup

Make this grab-and-go Tex-Mexinspired soup when you have leftover chicken, or use rotisserie chicken for this easy meal-prep soup. The frozen pepper-onion mix adds flavor and saves time in the kitchen, while the black beans add fiber and protein. Combine everything but the broth ahead of time, then add it and heat it in the microwave when youre ready to eat. If you dont wish to travel with liquid broth or dont have access to a microwave, you can use reduced-sodium bouillon instead and just add hot water.

View Recipe

BBQ Chicken Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw

This zippy, creamy slaw is so good you might find yourself making it for other sandwiches. Still, it pairs beautifully with the tangy pulled chicken for an incredibly quick dinner you can make even on your busiest nights. To save even more time, use a preshredded coleslaw blend.

View Recipe

Shrimp Cobb Salad with Dijon Dressing

We've replaced chicken with shrimp in this delicious and easy spin on the classic Cobb salad. This satisfying salad takes just 20 minutes to make, so it's perfect for weeknight dinners, but it's elegant enough to serve to guests.

View Recipe

One-Pot Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

This creamy chicken and mushroom pasta recipe makes for an easy weeknight dinner. Using store-bought rotisserie chicken saves time when cooking, and leftover chicken would work just as well.

View Recipe

Pear, Gorgonzola & Walnut Salad

This pear and gorgonzola salad celebrates fall with its beautiful colors. The light and refreshing vinaigrette offsets the tangy funk of Gorgonzola and the sweetness from the raisins and pears.

View Recipe

Sheet-Pan Beef & Cabbage Noodles

Forget the wok and all that stirring! This stir-fry recipe comes together in only 20 minutes on one baking sheet under the broiler. The trick to a perfect sheet-pan stir-fry is making sure your ingredients are spread out well on the pan so everything cooks evenly.

View Recipe

Chicken & Spinach Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing

The creamy feta dressing steals the show in this protein-rich salad that makes a perfect lunch or quick and easy dinner. While you can buy feta cheese already crumbled, we like crumbling our own fresh from the block for this salad. While we prefer the slightly sharper flavor of sheeps-milk feta, cows-milk feta works just as well.

View Recipe

One-Pot Spinach, Chicken Sausage & Feta Pasta

A little bit of Sunday meal prep goes a long way in this one-dish pasta recipe. The pasta is cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge to use for meals all week, but any leftover cooked pasta you have on hand will do. Chicken sausage with feta is especially good in this recipe.

View Recipe

One-Pot Lemon-Broccoli Pasta with Parmesan

This hearty pasta dish with bright, fresh flavor is ideal for busy weeknights. The Parmesan adds welcome saltiness and notes of umami and you get added texture from the slight crunch of broccoli and whole-wheat noodles. Add some shredded rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp or crispy chickpeas to punch up the protein.

View Recipe

Read the original article on Eating Well.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Alabama has scheduled a second execution with nitrogen gas, months after the state became the first to put a person to death with the previously untested method.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey set a Sept. 26 execution date for Alan Eugene Miller, who was convicted of killing three men during a 1999 workplace shooting. The execution will be carried out by nitrogen gas, the governor's office said. Miller survived a 2022 lethal injection attempt.

The governors action comes a week after the Alabama Supreme Court authorized the execution.

In January, Alabama used nitrogen gas to execute Kenneth Smith. Smith shook and convulsed in seizure-like movements for several minutes on a gurney as he was put to death Jan. 25.

A nitrogen hypoxia execution causes death by forcing the inmate to breathe pure nitrogen, depriving him or her of the oxygen needed to maintain bodily functions. Alabama and some other states have looked for new ways to execute inmates because the drugs used in lethal injections, the most common execution method in the United States, are increasingly difficult to find.

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 Smiths 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 in the lawsuit. It is anticipated that his attorneys will ask a federal judge to block the execution from going forward.

Attorney General Steve Marshall maintained that Smith's execution was textbook and said the state will seek to carry out more death sentences using nitrogen gas.

State attorneys added that Miller has been on death row since 2000 and that it is time to carry out his sentence.

The Rev. Jeff Hood, who was Smith's spiritual adviser and witnessed the nitrogen execution, said evil is an understatement" of the decision to carry out a second nitrogen execution.

I saw every horrific second. The politicians that are pushing this execution the hardest werent even there. This is moral lunacy, not educated leadership, Hood told The Associated Press.

Miller, a delivery truck driver, was convicted of killing Terry Jarvis, Lee Holdbrooks and Scott Yancy in the workplace shootings.
AstraZeneca is withdrawing its highly successful coronavirus vaccine, citing the availability of a plethora of new shots that has led to a decline in demand.

The vaccine  called Vaxzevria and developed in partnership with the University of Oxford  has been one of the main Covid-19 vaccines worldwide, with more than 3 billion doses supplied since the first was administered in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2021.

But the vaccine has not generated revenue for AstraZeneca since April 2023, the company said. It has not been used in the United Kingdom for some time.

As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have  been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied, it said in a statement shared with CNN Wednesday.

AstraZeneca has therefore taken the decision to initiate withdrawal of the marketing authorizations for Vaxzevria within Europe, it added.

In a notice on its website, the European Medicines Agency also announced the withdrawal, which means that Vaxzevria is no longer authorized to be marketed or sold in European Union countries.

AstraZeneca said it would work with regulators in other countries to align on a clear path forward, including withdrawing marketing authorizations for the vaccine where no future commercial demand is expected.

We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria played Our efforts have been recognized by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic, AstraZeneca said.

Dr Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton in England, said the likely key reason for the withdrawal was the fact that other Covid vaccines, including the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, were essentially better products.

The newer mRNA vaccines use genetic material to instruct cells to make the coronavirus spike protein, which in turn causes the body to create antibodies to combat an actual Covid infection. AstraZenecas Covid shot uses a cold virus common to chimpanzees as a viral vector to carry the spike protein from the coronavirus into cells.

AstraZeneca is very good, but the mRNA products are better, Head said. They have higher effectiveness and the mRNA platforms are more easily adapted towards the latest Covid variants. Thus, they form a key part of most countries longer-term strategies.

Rocky road to pandemic success

The UK-based pharmaceutical firm, known for its popular cancer drugs, entered the Covid-19 crisis with little experience developing vaccines. And the success of Vaxzevria was far from guaranteed.

Soon after the rollout began, the company came under fire from policymakers and health officials in Europe and the United States for various missteps, including mistakes during clinical trials and omitting crucial information from public statements. Production delays also strained relations with EU leaders.

In April 2021, information on the vaccine was updated by medicines regulators in the EU and the United Kingdom to include a mention of a dangerous blood clotting condition as a possible, though rare, side-effect. UK regulators said at the time that healthy adults under 30 should be offered other vaccines as, for them, the risks of Vaxzevria were greater than the risks of severe illness from Covid-19.

AstraZeneca overcame these setbacks, selling almost $4 billion worth of Vaxzevria worldwide in 2021, according to its earnings statements. The company initially sold the vaccine at cost but said in late 2021 that it expected to start seeing modest profits from the vaccine (AstraZeneca does not report product-specific profit figures). Last year, Vaxzevria sales totaled just $12 million.

The company is facing a group action lawsuit in the UK brought by law firm Leigh Day on behalf of 51 claimants due to injuries allegedly caused by Vaxzevria. Twelve of the claimants are acting on behalf of a loved one who died following a complication allegedly caused by the vaccine, related to the blood clotting issue.

Asked about the court case, an AstraZeneca spokesperson said: Our sympathy goes out to anyone who has lost loved ones or reported health problems From the body of evidence in clinical trials and real-world data, the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine has continuously been shown to have an acceptable safety profile, and regulators around the world consistently state that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of extremely rare potential side-effects.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
FTX has recovered enough assets to pay most of its creditors back in full, the failed crypto exchange said late Tuesday as it unveiled a proposed reorganization plan.

The plan contemplates payment in full of all non-governmental creditors based on the value of their claims as determined by the (relevant) bankruptcy court, FTX said in a statement.

The plan, which needs to be approved by the US court, would resolve disputes with governmental and private stakeholders without costly and protracted litigation, FTX added.

The once high-flying exchange imploded in November 2022, sending shockwaves through the crypto world, after depositors raced to withdraw their cash. Sam Bankman-Fried resigned as CEO and the company filed for bankruptcy.

A year later, Bankman-Fried was found guilty on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy, including on stealing billions from accounts belonging to FTX customers and defrauding lenders to its sister company, the hedge fund Alameda Research. He was sentenced in March to 25 years in prison.

FTX said Tuesday it had recovered assets associated with the exchange at the time of its collapse with an estimated value of between $14.5 billion and $16.3 billion.

John J. Ray III took over as CEO in November 2022 to shepherd what was left of the firm through bankruptcy. Within a week, the man who had previously overseen the liquidation of Enron had declared FTX the biggest mess hed ever encountered.

Ray said in Tuesdays statement: We are pleased to be in a position to propose a Chapter 11 (bankruptcy) plan that contemplates the return of 100% of bankruptcy claim amounts plus interest for non-governmental creditors.

If his plan is approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District Court of Delaware, FTX expects that 98% of its creditors will receive approximately 118% of the amount of their allowed claims, FTX said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The US embassy in Havana. The phenomenon was first reported in 2016 by diplomats in Cubas capital complaining of brain injuries, hearing loss, vertigo and strange auditory sensations. Photograph: Ismael Francisco/AP

Russia has targeted and neutralized dozens of US intelligence agents in recent years in a covert worldwide operation using sonic weapons, a House committee heard on Wednesday as it looked into the mystery phenomenon known as Havana syndrome.

The panel heard from expert witnesses that Russia had the motive, the means and the opportunity to enact the attacks on US diplomats and other government employees at embassies and other government outposts that left many with debilitating or career-ending brain injuries and hearing loss.

Related: Havana syndrome linked to Russian unit, media investigation suggests

This is a global campaign, and its focused on attacking the best of our people, said Greg Edgreen, a retired army officer, whose company founded by combat veterans and intelligence professionals works with survivors of anomalous health incidents (AHIs).

The impact has been that mission-critical government officials working abroad and at home are being removed from their posts. Americas best men and women in national security are being targeted and neutralized.

A comprehensive investigation published last month by a coalition of media outlets said an elite Russian intelligence and assassination unit was probably responsible, contradicting an earlier government assessment that no foreign adversary was involved.

Wednesdays hearing of the House homeland security subcommittee on counterterrorism, law enforcement and intelligence was convened to examine the incidents, with its chairman, the Texas Republican congressman August Pfluger, appearing to question the authorities conclusion.

Dating back to 2014, a number of US diplomatic military and intelligence officials and their families have reported major medical symptoms that have affected their auditory and sensory motor skills, he said.

Its paramount that we acknowledge the gravity of the situation.

The meeting also heard testimony from Christo Grozev, chief author of the report published by the Insider, 60 Minutes and Der Spiegel following a year-long investigation.

The totality of the evidence uncovered by our team has proven that Russia has the motive, the means and the opportunity to have developed and used non-lethal acoustic or electromagnetic wave weapons against members of US intelligence and law enforcement community, he said.

Members of Unit 29155 of the Russian GRU, which has been linked to the creation and use of sonic weapons, were present in locations and at times directly preceding or coinciding with north Havana incidents in at least four cases, he added.

These findings present not a smoking gun, but a very plausible operational theory on the existence, origin and culprits behind the AHIs, Grozev said.

I expect the US intelligence community will [provide] alternative explanations why these people who are known to only engage with kinetic operations, assassinations, poisoning, never intelligence gathering, were at the wrong time at the wrong place, if they continue to believe that none of this can be attributed to a foreign adversary.

Mark Zaid, an attorney who represents more than two dozen people who say they became victims of Havana syndrome at US missions in Cuba, China and a number of European countries, told the panel the effects of the attacks were far reaching.

The victims are not just selfless public servants, but their spouses, children, including infants, and even pets, he said.

The overwhelming majority of evidence concerning AHIs is hidden behind classified walls. [It] would lead reasonable people to conclude one or more foreign adversaries are behind at least some of these incidents, and that numerous federal agencies have failed to fully undertake substantive investigations.

Following the Insider report, a bipartisan group of senators wrote last month to Joe Biden, demanding a renewed assessment of Havana syndrome evidence.

Seven separate government agencies spent several years looking at the phenomenon, which was first reported in 2016 by diplomats in Cubas capital complaining of brain injuries, hearing loss, vertigo and strange auditory sensations.

Five of the agencies concluded it was very unlikely that foreign actors were involved. But reports continued to amass, including the US defense department revealing last month that a senior official who attended a 2023 Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, experienced similar symptoms.

One potential line of inquiry for a new evaluation is the 2020 arrest and subsequent deportation of a Russian spy who worked as a chef at Russia-themed restaurants in New York and Washington, and who was interrogated by an FBI agent who later came down with Havana syndrome.

In 2021, Congress passed the Havana Act, authorizing the state department, CIA and other government agencies to provide payments to staff and their families who were affected during assignments.
Two people and a dog were killed when a mobile home exploded in Minnesota on Tuesday.

The Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office, in a post on social media, said it received multiple calls reporting a "possible explosion" in Princeton, a community about 50 miles north of Minneapolis. The sound of the explosion was heard miles away, authorities said.

Deputies arrived at the scene to find "a large debris field from an apparent explosion which was still on fire at the time."

The sheriff's office, with the assistance of multiple fire departments, doused the fire and searched the debris where two victims were located. The victims were identified as Katherine A. Kreger, 61, and Royce E. Kreger Jr., 60. A family dog was also found dead in the debris, police said.

Two people and a dog were killed when a mobile home exploded in Princeton, a community about 50 miles north of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The two victims lived at the residence, which was a "mobile-type home with a basement under it" authorities said. They were pronounced deceased on the spot.

'It just blows up'

The owner of the property, Stuart Bryan, told the Star Tribune that he had rented the property to a friend and his wife. He said in the 15 years he had owned the house, there had been no problems or issues, "and boom, it just blows up."

Bryan said that Royce had moved into the house with his wife about five years ago.

Terming the explosion as "mass destruction," Chief Deputy Aaron Evenson told the Star Tribune that the blast had a lot of power. The officer added that the explosion was the largest he had seen in his 20 years on the job.

An investigation to determine the cause of the explosion is ongoing, the sheriff's office said.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mobile home explodes in Princeton, Minnesota: Two people, dog dead
A man accused of going on a stabbing spree with a pair of medical scissors while aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship was arrested on Tuesday and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, according to prosecutors.

Ntando Sogoni, 35, from South Africa, who was working on the Norwegian Encore ship at the time of the incident, was arrested by FBI agents in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday after allegedly stabbing three individuals with medical scissors on Monday.

MORE: Woman dead after bus crashes into pedestrians at Honolulu cruise ship terminal

In a press release from Alaska's U.S. Attorney's Office, prosecutors say Sogoni was sent to the ship's medical center for an assessment after fellow employees noticed him "attempting to deploy a lifeboat," but he became "irrational" and tried to leave, attacking a security guard and nurse.

PHOTO: The Norwegian Joy cruise ship sails past the Robbins Reef Lighthouse on its way to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York City, May 21, 2023. (Gary Hershorn/ABC News)

Upon arrival at the medical center, prosecutors say Sogoni "physically attacked" a security guard and entered an examination room where a 75-year-old American woman was being treated.

"He grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed the woman multiple times in the arm, hand and face," prosecutors said in the release, adding, "He also stabbed two security guards who intervenedone in the head and one in the back and shoulders."

None of the injuries were life-threatening, prosecutors said.

MORE: Norwegian Cruise Line passengers claim Antarctica voyage was rerouted mid-trip

After the alleged attack, Sogoni was detained and held in the ship's jail before he was arrested when the ship docked in Juneau, according to prosecutors.

Sogoni had recently been hired by the cruise line and joined the Encore team in Seattle on the day of the attack.

The Alaska U.S. Attorney's Office said Sogoni is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count if convicted.

Cruise ship employee charged after allegedly stabbing 3 people with medical scissors originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The man from South Africa was arrested on Tuesday, May 7 after allegedly stabbing multiple people with medical scissors on May 6

Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty The Norwegian Encore cruise ship during its inaugural sailing from PortMiami in 2019

A cruise ship worker has been accused of stabbing three people with scissors while sailing to Alaska.

According to the United States Attorneys Office, the man from South Africa was arrested on Tuesday, May 7 after allegedly stabbing multiple people with medical scissors on May 6.

35-year-old Ntando Sogoni had reportedly been working on the ship when colleagues noticed him trying to release a lifeboat. The security team then contacted Sogoni and took him for an assessment in the vessels medical center.

Upon arrival, Sogoni physically attacked a security guard and a male nurse inside an examination room and proceeded to enter another examination room where a woman, who is a U.S. citizen, was being examined, the United States Attorneys Office stated.

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 juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Getty Juneau, Alaska

Related: 2 Teens Turn Themselves in After Video of Boaters Dumping Trash Into Ocean Goes Viral

He grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed the woman multiple times in the arm, hand and face, the statement continued. He also stabbed two security guards who intervened  one in the head and one in the back and shoulders. Sogoni was detained and held in the ships jail prior to his arrest.

Per the U.S. attorney, the defendant has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction.

Related: The Titanic: Looking Back at the Ship's Tragic History

Sogoni could face a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count if he is found guilty.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, the U.S. attorneys office stated.

According to NBC News, an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy reported that Sogoni had recently been hired and joined the Norwegian Encore cruise liner on May 5 in Seattle.

Sogoni was arrested by the FBI on May 7 when the ship arrived in Juneau, Alaska.

Norwegian Cruise Line did not immediately reply to PEOPLE's request for information.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Strong storms tracking through the central and eastern US Wednesday killed at least two people in Tennessee and as night fell, flash flooding and more tornadoes were slamming the state  including one twister that carved a path of destruction in communities south of Nashville.

Tornado warnings also were in effect late Wednesday in several southern states, including in northern Alabama, where a large and destructive tornado was in the area of Henagar, a city of a couple thousand people roughly 55 miles east of Huntsville, the National Weather Service said. A tornado warning also was issued earlier Wednesday night in the Huntsville area.

The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for parts of Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee until 3 a.m. CT Thursday. A tornado watch means severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in the watch area.

The National Weather Service said it had four tornado reports Wednesday from Tennessee, with two from Maury County, where a tornado emergency had been in effect. A confirmed large and destructive tornado was near the city of Spring Hill around 5:50 p.m. CT, the weather service said.

At least one person was killed and four others were injured in Maury County during the tornado, Maury Regional Medical Center spokesperson Rita Thompson told CNN. Three of those patients have non-life-threatening injuries and one is in serious condition, Thompson said.

The area had widespread damage, with trees down, officials in the county told CNN. Buildings were also damaged, but Maury County Commissioner Eric Previti said he wasnt aware of the magnitude.

Wilson County EMA sent crews to Sumner County northeast of Nashville to aid in water rescues. - Wilson County EMA

We are urging for everyone to stay off of the roads. If you can stay at home, stay home, the Maury County Office Of Emergency Management posted on Facebook.

A flash flood emergency was issued Wednesday evening for Robertson and Sumner Counties in Middle Tennessee along the state line with Kentucky and around 20 to 30 miles north of Nashville, according to the weather service.

At 6:56 pm CDT, water rescues and very dangerous flooding are occurring in the emergency area, weather officials said. Radar estimates show 4 to 7 inches of rain have fallen across these counties today, and more heavy rainfall will move across the region over the next several hours.

An official with the Robertson County Emergency Management Agency said there were a few water rescues but no immediate reports of injuries.

The first fatality from the storms was reported in Claiborne County, Tennessee, Wednesday morning. A tree fell onto the persons car amid intense storms, according to the countys emergency management office. The person has not been identified.

Dangerous storms with damaging winds, large hail and tornado warnings have been ongoing in several states since Wednesday morning. The hazardous weather is playing out just a day after powerful tornadoes and storms swept through southwestern Michigan, destroying homes and businesses and injuring several residents.

The severe weather is forecasted to shift into the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic on Thursday, bringing with it more hail, damaging winds and the possibility of a few tornadoes.

Heres the latest on Wednesdays storms and destruction in Tennessee and Tuesdays damage in Michigan:

 Chaotic severe weather stretch: April to June is the most active time for tornadoes in the US, and May is typically the busiest month. This year has been no exception. At least one tornado has been reported in the US every day since April 25  a streak of 14 days and counting.

 Damage and debris on I-65: The Tennessee Department of Transportation said it was sending crews to an area near Interstate 65 and State Road 99 where there was damage and debris. 1 lane is blocked on I-65S at MM 47 in Maury Co. after a reported tornado passed over the interstate. Reports from the scene are that cars and signs in the area were damaged, transportation department spokesperson Rebekah Hammonds said on X.

Storm damage in Maury County on Interstate 65 South - TN Dept. of Transportation

 Mobile home park struck by tornado: More than a dozen people were injured at a mobile home park in Pavilion Township in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, following a tornado Tuesday, according to a city official. Fifteen to 20 people had minor injuries and were transported to two area hospitals, according to the countys emergency management spokesperson Andrew Alspach.

Homes are left damaged after a tornado at Pavilion Estate Mobile Home Park in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, on Tuesday. - Chicago & Midwest Storm Chasers

 One Michigan town may have been hit twice: At least one tornado, possibly two, hit Portage Tuesday evening, as the area faced two tornado warnings in just over an hour, the National Weather Service said. Homes and businesses in the city sustained significant damage, but there were no serious injuries, according to town officials. A tornado ripped a large hole into a FedEx facility. A spokesperson for the Kalamazoo County administrators office told MLive.com that around 50 people were trapped in the facility for a few hours. CNN has been unable to verify that report. Portage public safety director Nicholas Armold later said all employees were accounted for when emergency responders arrived.

 Damage reported in at least two other Michigan counties: Multiple homes and businesses were destroyed after a possible tornado touched down in Centreville on Tuesday, according to St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman. The storm damage ripped off roofs and flattened homes completely down, Bingaman told CNN. At least seven homes were destroyed in nearby Branch County, according to Emergency Management Director Tim Miner.

 First-ever tornado emergency in Michigan: Parts of Branch County, including Union City, were placed under Michigans first tornado emergency when a large and destructive tornado was over the area Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Tornado emergencies are the most extreme tornado warnings and are only issued when a tornado threatens catastrophic damage and loss of life, often in a populated area.

Homes damaged by a tornado at Pavilion Estate Mobile Home Park in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, on Tuesday. - @NISWweather/X

Tornado threat continues Wednesday

Nearly 3.7 million people were under a Level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms Wednesday night, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Within this risk are parts of Alabama, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee  including Nashville.

An additional 590 million people from Texas, through much of the Ohio Valley and into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, are under a Level 2 of 5 or Level 3 of 5 risk.

Powerful storms with damaging winds, hail bigger than baseballs and tornado warnings have been roaring across multiple states since Wednesday morning.

Some areas that endured an initial round of severe storms early Wednesday are at risk for another round later in the day  Tennessee is a prime example.

The repeated rounds of storms Wednesday will also deliver torrential rainfall and raise the risk of flooding.

The greatest flash flooding threat also overlaps with the risk of severe thunderstorms, centered over Kentucky and Tennessee as well sections of neighboring states, the National Weather Service said. A Level 3 of 4 risk of flooding rainfall is in place here, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

Rainfall rates could reach 2 inches per hour, which could dramatically increase the possibility of flash flooding. Locations worked over by multiple heavy storms could record more than 4 to 5 inches of rain.

Two of the homes on Arney Road in Sherwood Township destroyed by tornado Tuesday evening. - Don Reid/Coldwater Reporter/USA Today Network

CNNs Steve Almasy, Joe Sutton, Amy Simonson, Lucy Kafanov, Rebekah Riess and Andi Babineau contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
View from Miami International Airport in Florida.

The husband of the Florida woman who went missing during a trip to Spain has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, the FBI confirmed on Monday.

Ana Maria Knezevic Henao, 40, was last seen on Feb. 2 in Madrid, Spain, according to the National Center for the Disappeared in Spain. Loved ones of the businesswoman said she was traveling amidst a difficult divorce, according to a police report obtained by USA TODAY.

The Diplomatic Security Service and the FBI arrested her husband, 36-year-old David Knezevich, at the Miami International Airport on Saturday in connection with her disappearance, according to CNN and NBC. He has not yet appeared for his initial court appearance at Miami Federal Court.

Knezevic Henao's brother Juan Felipe Henao said she never showed up to the Madrid train station where she planned to go to Barcelona with a friend, CNN reported.

David Knezevichs attorney, Ken Padowitz, declined USA TODAY's request for comment.

Man spray-painted the security cameras Ana Maria's apartments

Officials considered David Knezevich a suspect in the case after a man who resembled him spray painted the security camera in her Madrid apartment building, NBC reported. Additionally, suspicious text messages sent from Knezevic Henao's phone were traced to him and a car he rented in Serbia was tracked to her street.

Knezevic Henao traveled from Miami to Madrid on Dec. 26, 2023, a criminal complaint filed by the FBI showed. No one has been unable to communicate with her since Feb 2 including her friend Sanna Rameau, who is happy about David Knezevich's arrest, according to CNN.

"Im hoping we are going to get some answers," Rameau told CNN.

Knezevic going through 'nasty' divorce: Report

Henao told police that Knezevic and her husband are "going through a nasty divorce and there is a substantial amount of money on the line to be split up between the two and David is not happy about it," the incident report states.

The two have been married for 13 years and own computer support company EOX Technology Solutions Inc., together, USA TODAY previously reported.

Henao told police David Knezevich traveled to Serbia in January, but he didn't know for how long. Henao also told police he reached out to David Knezevich about his sister and he responded that he knew his wife is missing.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Husband of Ana Maria Knezevich, missing in Spain, arrested in Miami
Republican Sen. Mike Braun won the Republican nomination for governor of Indiana, NBC News projects, making him the favorite to succeed term-limited Gov. Eric Holcomb as Rep. Jim Banks secured the GOP nomination to succeed Braun in the Senate.

And in the House, NBC News projects Rep. Victoria Spartz saw off a Republican primary challenger for her seat, leading a slate of interesting congressional fights on the GOP side.

Braun jumped into the governor's race as the favorite, despite a crowded field that included former state Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and businessman Eric Doden. After he won former President Donald Trumps endorsement last fall, he had appeared to be the front-runner, but the large group of candidates and massive television spending injected uncertainty into the contest.

Both Chambers and Doden outspent Braun on the airwaves  candidates and outside groups spent more than $45 million on ads, according to the ad tracking firm AdImpact. In some of the most recent ads, Braun and his allies aired a healthy slate of spots highlighting his Trump endorsement, Chambers tried to frame himself as an outsider, Doden criticized Braun as a creature of Washington, and Crouch emphasized her push to help save funding for disabled children.

And the race got messy  Braun and Doden got into a spat over support for police and the Black Lives Matter protests, and candidates got into a back-and-forth over how theyd stand up to China.

Holcomb, the outgoing governor, posted messages on X (formally known as Twitter) warning candidates that you wont be able to rely on slogans or empty campaign promises to yield positive results. (Holcomb didnt back a successor.)

Eric Holcomb. (Ting Shen / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

Meanwhile, with Braun leaving his Senate seat open to pursue the governorship, Banks won the GOP primary to succeed him unopposed.

Banks was endorsed by Trump and a whole host of his would-be Senate Republican peers. He had been in the middle of a primary against wealthy businessman John Rust. But Rust was kicked off the ballot because of his party affiliation, leaving Banks alone on the Republican ballot.

Hell be a favorite in November against psychologist Valerie McCray, the Democratic nominee in a state that hasnt elected a Democratic senator in more than a decade. Braun is expected to face Democrat Jennifer McCormick, a former Republican who previously was the states schools chief. The Republican will be favored in a state hasnt elected a Democratic governor in more than 20 years.

House primaries

Competitive GOP primaries are also underway in House districts across the state.

Spartz overcame multiple primary challengers Tuesday, winning the Republican nomination as she seeks a third term representing the 5th District outside Indianapolis.

She faced multiple challengers after she initially planned to retire but reversed course shortly before the states filing deadline. Her main rival was state Rep. Chuck Goodrich, who self-funded his campaign.

The race was an early test of how support for Ukraine, where Spartz was born, is affecting GOP primaries. Goodrich blanketed the airwaves with ads attacking Spartz in part for her support for aid for Ukraine, claiming she didnt sufficiently support Trumps America first agenda. Spartzs position, though, was more nuanced, as she opposed the most recent aid package and has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In the 8th District, state Sen. Mark Messmer won a crowded GOP primary to replace retiring GOP Rep. Larry Bucshon. Messmer defeated GOP former Rep. John Hostettler in the race, who was looking to return to Congress nearly 20 years since leaving office.

The race became a battle over support for Israel, with two pro-Israel groups, the Republican Jewish Coalition and the United Democracy Project, a super PAC tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, jumping into the race to oppose Hostettler. They cited his past opposition aid to Israel and his vote in October 2000 against a resolution voicing support for Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians.

The Republican Jewish Coalition instead backed Messmer, who also got a boost on the airwaves from another allied super PAC. Messmers victory in the GOP means hes likely to head to Congress, given the districts Republican lean.

And in the 6th District, Indianapolis City Council member Jefferson Shreve defeated a crowded field of GOP hopefuls, including multiple self-funders, to win the Republican primary to replace retiring GOP Rep. Greg Pence. Shreve is expected to carry the ruby red district in November.
Video of Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan taking a break after his win has people online cheering. The American Thoroughbred was caught on video resting with his garland of roses from last weekend's race, and we can all agree that he certainly deserves the rest.

Dan won the race by a snout against Sierra Leone and Forever Young in a photo-finish.

Understandably, the American Thoroughbred would be just a little tired after all that work. The video from the Kentucky Derby's TikTok page shows the horse sleeping in his stall with his rose garland nearby.

Related: Horses' Reaction to Hearing the Races Going on Is Just Too Cute

"Rest up Mystik Dan! Preakness is in 12 days!" they joked in the video's caption, referring to the Preakness Stakes competition in Baltimore, Maryland.

But in Mystik Dan's defense he already brought the horse racing world to its knees by winning the Kentucky Derby. To say that he wasn't favored to win isn't an understatement. Before heading to Louisville, Dan had a relatively thin resume. He came in third at the Arkansas Derby and won at the Grade III Southwest Stakes, NBC News reports.

On the morning of the Kentucky Derby, Dan was listed with 20-1 odds. But people had a little more faith in the horse and ultimately bet him down to 18-1 by the start of the race. It wasn't clear that Dan was going to win, but he delivered. The Thoroughbred stormed the course in 2:03.34. In comparison, the 3-1 favorite, Fierceness, came in fifteenth.

This win earned his trainer Kenny McPeek a career Triple Crown win.

I wasnt sure if we had won, jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. explained to the news outlet. So it was quite a rush to sit here and wait for it.

"Just a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, jockey and ride," McPeek praised. "Brians amazing."

Online people praised Mystik Dan for a job well done. "I love that Mystik Dan had a 20-1 chance and he still came out on top!" one person exclaimed. "Post competition naps just hit so much different," another commenter joked. "The most earned nap of the weekend!!" a third person praised. "Sweet dreams, Champ," chimed in another commenter.

Hernandez is part of a legacy of horse riding. His father was a jockey, as are his two siblings. He told the news outlet that he's wanted to be a jockey for a longtime. He recalled that at 6 he would ride his bike around and tell people that he was going to be a jockey one day.

"This is a lifetime achievement," he said. "This goes to our whole family.

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
Talk about quick and easy.

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

Growing up in the South, meals were always accompanied by cornbread or biscuitsboth if we were lucky. Cornbread was easier to make so we ate it more often at home, but biscuits were delicious for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We frequently ate them out or made them at home, even when everyone was too busy and the biscuits came from a can or the freezer.

This upbringing means I have obnoxious opinions about biscuits. It comes from a place of loveI love a good biscuit, and I really, really dont like a bad one. So when I saw King Arthur Flours Easy Drop Biscuits, which call for just two (yes, two!) ingredients, I was struck by two conflicting thoughts. One, is this even a biscuit? And two, I have to try it.

Is It a Biscuit?

I believe you cant make a biscuit without at least one of these two ingredients: butter and buttermilk. I have never made an American-style biscuit that didnt call for one or both. This recipe calls for just self-rising flour (a common Southern biscuit ingredient) and heavy cream.

I immediately thought This is a cream scone. Cream scones are a British staple that frequently appears alongside tea. Even King Arthurs own cream scone recipe calls for essentially those two ingredients (flour plus leavening and cream), theyre just shaped differently.

We could argue semantics all day, but I realized upon making these super-easy biscuits that they are ideal for making my favorite summer dessert: strawberry shortcake. And thats all that really matters.

Using These Biscuits to Make Strawberry Shortcake

The two-ingredient biscuits are ready in record time, and leave you just enough time to prep some strawberries and whip some cream while they bake. You can have a truly delicious, fully homemade dessert on the table in 20 minutes flat.

Theyre also a nice sizesmall and cuteso you can serve small desserts with one biscuit or more generous servings using two. The cream makes the biscuits rich but not too buttery, and pairs nicely with the whipped cream and berries. I add a little sugar to the dough and sprinkle it on top so theyre lightly sweet, making these technically three-ingredient biscuits.







The Best Flour for Biscuits

If you have access to White Lily Self-Rising Flour, use it. It makes the best biscuits, hands down.







Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

How To Make My 20-Minute Strawberry Shortcake

To make four to five servings (eight to 10 small biscuits), youll need:

For the biscuits:

1 1/2 cups (170g) self-rising flour

3/4 cup (170g) heavy cream, plus more for brushing the tops and as needed

3 tablespoons sugar, divided, optional

For the strawberries and whipped cream:

1 pound strawberries, hulled and sliced

3 teaspoons sugar, divided

3/4 cup cold heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 450F. Position a rack in the top third of the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Add the flour and cream to a medium bowl. If you have a scale, this will make the recipe even faster since youre using equal weights of each. If youre making shortcakes, add 2 tablespoons of the sugar, too. Mix using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon until no streaks of flour remain. If the mixture is feeling dry as you mix, drizzle in more cream a teaspoon or two at a time. The dough should be stiff but not dry. Dont overmix.

Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop or heaping tablespoon to scoop out 8 to 10 biscuits and place them spaced apart on the baking sheet. Brush lightly with cream and sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Bake until browned on the bottom and starting to brown on top, 9 to 12 minutes.

Right after you stick the biscuits in the oven, toss the strawberries with about 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar and let sit at room temperature. Add the cream and vanilla to a medium bowl and beat with a whisk or hand mixer at medium speed until it has thickened. Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar a little at a time while mixing, and beat until your whipped cream is fluffy and thick.

Serve the warm biscuits topped with juicy strawberries and whipped cream. I serve two biscuits per person since they are small.



Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.
Kenny McPeek is still mulling whether he'll enter Kentucky Derby 150 winner Mystik Dan in the Preakness Stakes.

A decision could come as early as this weekend or as late as Monday, before post positions are drawn at 5:30 p.m. for the $2 million, Grade 1 race on May 18 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

It hinges on how the son of Goldencents is moving and eating.

"An old guy told me a long time ago, 'Never make a decision until you absolutely, positively have to,'" the trainer said Wednesday morning, after Mystik Dan worked at Churchill Downs for the first time since the Run for the Roses.

"I know that's frustrating for you all  you want me to decide now  but what if I change my mind?" he added. "I really don't usually make a decision on any horse that I train until I open the condition book."

Mystik Dan jogged a mile and galloped a little more than a mile Wednesday morning. McPeek said the horse is "doing great" and will likely gallop 1 3/8 miles Thursday, Friday and Saturday before a decision is made regarding the Preakness.

"If he's healthy, we're not scared to go," the trainer said. "If we feel like that he needs more time, we'll give it to him.

"It's all gray; there is no black and white."

Mystic Dan, (right) ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., pulls out the win at the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville on May 4, 2024.

Last Sunday, during a celebratory media availability at his barn, McPeek recalled how racing Mystik Dan twice in a 13-day span as a 2-year-old "backfired" on him.

The horse developed a lung infection. McPeek doesn't want that to happen again, so he said there's a chance he'll scope him after this weekend's work.

As for the short turnaround for the Preakness, the trainer said it's "not that big (of) a deal."

"I'm not scared to do that; so we'll see," he added. "We'll let him tell us."

But McPeek did say, if it were up to him, he'd change the Triple Crown schedule so the second and third legs are held on the first Saturday of June and the first Saturday of July, respectively; especially considering concerns over horse safety.

"You've got to align three large organizations to agree to that, but I think that you'd get continuity for the horses," he said, predicting it would lead to more Kentucky Derby participants competing in all three races.

Of McPeek's nine previous Kentucky Derby horses, only two have run in the Preakness  Tejano Run (1995) and Harlan's Holiday (2002). None have carried the weight of Triple Crown aspirations like Mystik Dan, however.

"We're not taking that lightly at all," he said.

This year's Grade 1 Belmont Stakes will be held June 8 at Saratoga Race Course due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park.

On Sunday, Mystik Dan co-owner Lance Gasaway told reporters the connections don't want to enter the Preakness just because.

"We want to win," he said.

Gasaway said it would be "a big ask" of Mystik Dan considering a majority of the horses vying to be in the field of 14 did not run in the Kentucky Derby.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, whose suspension from Churchill kept him out of the Run for the Roses, could have two contenders in Baltimore. They are Muth, who won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby in March, and Imagination, who finished second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby last month.

McPeek on Wednesday said Baffert was one of roughly 2,000 people who have called or texted him since he became just the third trainer (and the first since 1952) to hit the Kentucky Oaks/Derby double last weekend.

"He was thrilled for me," McPeek said.

Whether they square off at Pimlico is still to be determined. But with Mystik Dan, McPeek said he doesn't fear anyone  "even Muth."

It all comes down to making sure the colt is 100% ready for the challenge.

With 18-1 odds and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard, Mystik Dan held off late charges from Sierra Leone and Forever Young to emerge victorious in a photo finish, the Kentucky Derby's first involving three horses since 1947, by a nose.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mystik Dan to the Preakness Stakes? Update on Kentucky Derby winner
A Roman Catholic high school in Charlotte, North Carolina, did not violate federal civil rights law by firing a gay teacher after he announced that he would marry his same-sex partner, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday, overturning a lower court ruling.

Lonnie Billard, a longtime teacher at Charlotte Catholic High School, shared a post on Facebook in 2014, shortly after the state legalized same-sex marriage, saying that he and his partner were engaged. He was fired several weeks later. Billard then sued the school for sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and a district court judge ruled in his favor in 2021.

Wednesdays decision by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, however, reversed that ruling, finding that the religious high schools termination of Billard falls under the ministerial exception to Title VII.

We conclude that the school entrusted Billard with vital religious duties, making him a messenger of its faith and placing him within the ministerial exception, the ruling, written by Judge Pamela Harris, states.

Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin, and in the 2020 landmark Supreme Court case Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, the high court ruled that workplace sex discrimination includes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, the Supreme Court has upheld that nondiscrimination laws are subject to a carve out, known as a ministerial exception, which permits religious organizations from being subjected to government interference in the hiring and firing of people in religious roles.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented the school and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, applauded the ruling.

The Supreme Court has been crystal clear on this issue: Catholic schools have the freedom to choose teachers who fully support Catholic teaching, Luke Goodrich, Beckets vice president and senior counsel, said in a statement. This is a victory for people of all faiths who cherish the freedom to pass on their faith to the next generation.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of North Carolina and Tin Fulton Walker & Owen, which represented the plaintiff, issued a statement that referenced the Bostock decision and its protection for LGBTQ workers.

This is a heartbreaking decision for our client who wanted nothing more than the freedom to perform his duties as an educator without hiding who he is or who he loves, the statement said. While todays decision is narrowly tailored to Mr. Billard and the facts of his employment, it nonetheless threatens to encroach on that principle by widening the loopholes employers may use to fire people like Mr. Billard for openly discriminatory reasons.

Billard and his lawyers have 14 days to request a rehearing by the 4th Circuit or 90 days to appeal to the Supreme Court. The ACLU declined to comment on whether they would make a rehearing request or appeal.

For more from NBC Out, sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Is it OK to keep it on your kitchen counter or in the pantry, or should you pop it into the fridge?

Simply Recipes / Getty Images

Growing up, my family kept our sandwich bread on the bottom shelf of the fridgesomething I continue doing into my adult life. Is this a habit I should break or is it the best way to store sliced bread so that it lasts longer?

To get some answers, I chatted with Kathleen Robbins, Vice President of Research & Development at Bimbo Bakeries USA, the umbrella company that owns fan-favorite bread brands like Sara Lee, Oroweat, and Natures Harvest.

What Is the Best Way To Store Sliced Bread?

According to Robbins, sliced bread should be stored at room temperature if consumers plan to eat it within the declared shelf life. Which immediately proves my family's sliced bread storage methods wrong!

Store the loaf in a cool, dry place like a pantry, she adds, and be sure to close the bag tightly to prevent air from getting in. The airtightness will keep moisture out and also keep the bread from going stale.

There can be slight differences in storage between various kinds of sliced bread, says Robbins. Bread's moisture content differs depending on what kind of flour is used. Whole grain bread, with its higher moisture content, may have a shorter shelf life at room temperature compared to white bread, explains Robbins. White bread typically lasts longer due to its lower moisture content and benefits from following proper storage guidelines.

Simply Recipes / Getty Images

The Telltale Signs That Your Bread Has Gone Bad

The most obvious sign that it's time to toss your bread is if you see any visible mold. Mold may appear as fuzzy patches in various colors throughout the loaf, explains Robbins.

Even if the mold is only on one slice of the loaf, discard the entire loaf. Mold spores can travel and contaminate other parts of the bread even if you cannot see them.

Furthermore, if you detect any pungent odors or if your loaf is excessively hard, it's time to throw it out. If it's stale but not rock hard, don't toss it because slightly stale bread can be used for toast or croutons, suggests Robbins.

Read More: Is It Safe To Eat Bread Thats Just a Little Moldy? Heres What the Experts Say

Tips for Extending the Life of Your Loaf of Bread

Freezing sliced bread is the most effective way to save the product without losing the quality, says Robbins, with the caveat that it must be stored in an airtight container to keep it safe from freezer burn.

Robbins suggests a three-month freezer life for bread. She recommends wrapping the bread tightly with double layers (a second bag) of protection to prevent freezer burn.

When it comes to defrosting, you can pop the bread in the fridge overnight to safely defrost it or place the loaf on a cooling rack to ensure good airflow and eliminate condensation. If your loaf is pre-sliced, peel off a single slice and stick it directly in the toaster. Robbins adds that there is no difference in the freeze-ability or defrosting practices between different kinds of sliced bread.

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.
Like mother, like baby. Even when it comes to animals, sometimes baby animals like to follow in their parent's footsteps. Just like a piglet at The Gentle Barn, who wanted one of the workers to give him scratches like his mama.

The piglet was hanging with his mom when one of the employees of the animal sanctuary pulled out an extendable back scratcher and went to town.

As the video shows, the worker was gently scratching mom's belly when Jordan let it be known that he wanted in. He saw that mom Dottie Ann was laying on her stomach, so he flopped down and asked for some scratches too. Luckily, the employee must speak piglet because they got the message and gave Jordan exactly what he wanted. And once they started, he couldn't get enough.

Related: Tiny Piglet Politely Refusing to Go Outside in the Rain Reminds People of a Puppy

"Just like dogs, pigs roll over for tummy scratches when they're comfortable!" the caption reads. "Piglet Jordan is learning about the joy of belly rubs in sanctuary from his mom Dottie Ann."

People online agreed that every animal deserves this kind of attention. "I love this. The way animals should be treated," one person wrote. "I could sit and [watch you] scratch a cute lil pig belly all day," another commenter agreed. "Im 51 and have never known what my calling is. I just discovered its scratching piglet bellies," a third person joked. "I would do this the whole day if I had the chance," one person added.

Pigs at The Gentle Barn

The Gentle Barn has three different locations across the United States; California, Missouri, and Tennessee. But the story of one pig family at their California location should be more widely known. Mom Menorah is a pig that was originally bought to be eaten for Christmas. However she unexpectedly gave birth and the family decided to "save her instead of [eating] her," the sanctuary's website states.

"We drove from California to Washington to bring her and her babies home to The Gentle Barn so they can stay together and be safe," they added.

And they succeeded. Menorah had seven piglet babies who are still at The Gentle Barn; Miracle, Blitzen, Dreidel, Tinsel, Mistletoe, Gingerbread, Noelle, and Holly.

"Menorah is still young herself and will be able to grow up with her babies, nurse them, nurture them, and play with them for the rest of her life," they wrote.

Which is just so touching. It's glad to see that Menorah went from dinner to living a long, full life.

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
WASHINGTON  Six years ago, then-President Donald Trump hailed the "eighth wonder of the world" at a groundbreaking in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, for a high-tech campus planned by electronics manufacturer Foxconn.

But the $10 billion project fizzled, and the sprawling facility was never built even after homes were demolished to make way.

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden visited the same spot in Racine County, Wisconsin, to tout his administration's role in jump-starting a $3.3 billion artificial intelligence data center by Microsoft that is expected to create 2,000 tech jobs along with 2,300 construction jobs.

And he was sure to remind Wisconsites what Trump told them in 2018.

"My predecessor claimed he would reclaim our country's manufacturing legacy,'" Biden said of Trump during a ceremony celebrating the Microsoft announcement. "He didn't build a damn thing ... In fact, he came here with your senator, Ron Johnson, literally holding a golden shovel, promising to build the 'eighth wonder of the world.'"

"Are you kidding me? Look what happened. They dug a hole with those golden shovels and then they fell into it," Biden added. "Foxconn turned out to be just that  a con. Go figure."

More: Microsoft Racine County data center expansion, new AI training focus of Biden visit to state

President Biden speaks Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Gateway Technical College in Sturtevant, Wisc. Microsoft Corp. President Brad Smith joined Biden to highlight Microsoft's moves, which build upon the company's previous investments in the state.

The Foxconn project previously pushed by Trump was supposed to create 13,000 manufacturing jobs to produce LCD screens in Wisconsin. Microsoft's new data center and surrounding campus will be devoted to expanding its national cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure capacity, according to the company.

About 1,000 manufacturing jobs left Racine and 6,000 left Wisconsin during the Trump administration, according to the White House. Since Biden took office, which coincided with millions of jobs returning after the pandemic, 4,000 jobs have been added in Racine and 177,000 have been added in Wisconsin.

"During the previous administration, my predecessor made promises which he broke more than kept, and left a lot of people behind in communities like Racine," Biden said. "Under my watch, we make promises and we keep promises."

Wisconsin, which Biden narrowly won by less than 1 percentage point in the 2020 election, is again a key battleground state that will help decide the 2024 election.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, and Racine Mayor Cory Mason also attended the event, held at Gateway Technical College in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, with Biden, Microsoft executives and union representatives.

"After all that hype and all that hope, the promises made by Donald Trump failed to come to Racine County," said Nick Fick, president of membership development at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 430. "But now our luck has changed."

President Joe Biden speaks about his Investing in America agenda, at Gateway Technical College in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, on May 8, 2024.

Biden, who recently scrapped his "Bidenomics" slogan amid lingering concerns about the economy, is seeking credit for using the federal government to spur a wave of domestic manufacturing projects through his "Investing in America" agenda.

Biden pushed through multiple pieces of legislation that offer financial incentives for businesses that invest in clean energy and microchips, as well as a historic spending on infrastructure.

"Everything that we are doing here in Racine County, Wisconsin, is also benefiting directly from the work of this White House and this president," Microsoft President Brad Smith said, singling out the infrastructure law, the Chips and Science Act and the White House's work to regulate artificial intelligence.

Former President Donald Trump takes part in a 2018 ceremonial groundbreaking for Foxconn's factory in Mount Pleasant, Wis. The project was never built, and on Wednesday President Joe Biden touted a $3.3 billion Microsoft artificial intelligence campus for the same site.

Yet despite the Microsoft announcement, the economy remains a liability for Biden nationally and in Wisconsin. A poll last month conducted by Marquette University Law School found Wisconsin voters trust Trump over Biden to handle the economy by a wide 52%-34% margin.

Joe Biden is trying to save face in Racine County as Wisconsinites feel the pain of Bidenomics," Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley said in a statement. "Manufacturing has stalled, family farms are shuttering, and costs are up for everything from electricity and gas to food and housing. Its no wonder why Biden is losing in Wisconsin and battleground states across the country: His policies have failed and people want President Trump back in office.

Microsoft plans to pair its data center with a new job training program, operated by Gateway Technical College, that's expected to train 1,000 employees in artificial intelligence work.

Microsoft's first data center building is under construction and expected to open in 2026, with plans for three others on the same site. In all, the company owns nearly two square miles of industrial land, positioning it for decades of new construction.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday found Biden leads Trump 40%-39% in Wisconsin, followed by independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with 12%. In a head-to-head race with no third-party candidates, Biden leads Trump 50%-44% in Wisconsin, the poll found.

While in Racine County  during his fourth trip to Wisconsin this year  Biden also held a campaign event aimed at outreach to Black voters, a key Democratic constituency that the campaign needs to energize for the election.

His trip came as the Biden campaign announced a $14 million television advertisement buy in Wisconsin and other battleground states with a focus on reaching out to Black, Latino and other voters of color.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden trolls Trump with $3.3B Microsoft AI project in Wisconsin
Kevin Winter/Getty Images / Samir Hussein/WireImage /

Prince Harry was dealt two fresh blows just hours after he touched down in London for his Invictus Games.

Harry, who landed in the UK yesterday, May 7, learned that his brother Prince William and his father King Charles III will be attending an engagement next week, where William will be made the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps  Harrys old regiment.

If that wasnt a big enough sting for Harry, then the fact that King Charles turned down seeing him during his UK visit, but has made time to honor William, may certainly be.

Last night, the Buckingham Palace announcement that the king would pass on the Colonel role he held for 31 years to William, came just two hours after he said he was too busy to see his youngest son.

Prince Harry and Father King Charles III's Ups and Downs Through the Years

Their statement read: At the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, His Majesty The King will officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

In August 2023, following His Majestys Accession, The King was pleased to announce military appointments including that The Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The role was previously held by His Majesty The King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years.

Before Prince Harry had decided to step away from royal life, it was thought he would be the one handed the role that would see him take charge of the regiment he toured Afghanistan with until 2014.

Timing is everything, a royal insider told Daily Mail while another added that Charles decision not to see Harry despite being only three miles apart will be widely perceived as a snub.

On Tuesday, Harry was at the Honourable Artillery Company in London appearing participating in a discussion called Realizing Global Community.Charles was just down the road at Clarence House. Instead of hanging out with his father, the Duke of Sussex enjoyed dinner with city financier Guy Monson.

Former BBC Royal correspondent Michael Cole said: It is quite a snub. For the King to not see his younger son, Prince Harry, although the two men will be only two miles apart tomorrow afternoon, gives an indication of the depth of the divide.

The Duke of Sussex touched down in London from California yesterday to celebrate the tenth anniversary of his Invictus Games.

Prince Harry's Ups and Downs With the Royal Family Over the Years

His spokesperson told Us Weekly that it was unfortunately not possible for Harry and the monarch to meet up due to His Majestys full programme as he returns to public duties during his treatment for cancer.

They said in full: In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majestys full programme, he said.

The Duke of course is understanding of his fathers diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.

Harry last saw his father in February following his diagnosis. The prince is also unlikely to be visiting William and his wife Princess Kate Middleton, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. He arrived solo in London and is expected to join his wife Duchess Meghan Markle on a tour to Nigeria soon.
The Monarch San Antonio hotel, now under construction at Hemisfair, is one of the most anticipated hotels in the Alamo Citys history.

It has been in the works since at least 2017, when the City Council approved a deal with local developer Zachry Hospitality to redevelop the northwest portion of the site of HemisFair 68  the 1968 worlds fair  into a mixed-use neighborhood, including a hotel. After breaking ground in November 2023  about five years later than planned  the hotel is expected to be finished in early 2026, said Robert Thrailkill, vice president of operations at Zachry.

The 17-story hotel, at the crossing of Alamo and Market streets, will overlook Civic Park, a 9-acre public park under construction beside the Convention Center. It will feature five food-and-beverage concepts, including a rooftop restaurant and bar, as well as 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a spa and a terrace pool.

Construction continues at the site of The Monarch on April 9 in downtown San Antonio. The long-awaited 17-story hotel is being built at the northern end of Hemisfair by Zachry Hospitality. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News People walk along South Alamo Street as construction continues at the site of The Monarch on April 9 in downtown San Antonio. The long-awaited 17-story hotel is being built at the northern end of Hemisfair by Zachry Hospitality. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Construction continues at the site of The Monarch on April 9 in downtown San Antonio. The long-awaited 17-story hotel is being built at the northern end of Hemisfair by Zachry Hospitality. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Vehicles travel southbound along South Alamo Street between the Hilton Palacio del Rio and The Monarch hotel construction site on April 9 in San Antonio. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

The hotels 200 rooms will include 14 suites with balconies overlooking Civic Park, with its sprawling lawn available for concerts and other public events.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The inspiration for its name came from the monarch butterflies that migrate through San Antonio twice a year  to and from their winter getaways in Mexico. The hotel will be part of Hiltons boutique Curio brand.

People walk along East Market Street as construction continues at the site of The Monarch on April 9 in downtown San Antonio. The long-awaited 17-story hotel is being built at the northern end of Hemisfair by Zachry Hospitality. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

We have designed this hotel to be able to attract a high-end customer, Thrailkill said. This cant be a traditional hotel. Thats why we went with the Monarch. We didnt call it the Hilton or the Marriott or whatever brand you want to call it. We wanted to create our own flavor.

Thrailkill is also general manager at Zachrys nearby Hilton Palacio del Rio hotel, which H.B. Pat Zachry  grandfather of Zachry Corp. President and CEO David Zachry  famously built on short notice so it would be open in time for the worlds fair.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Thrailkill recently sat to discuss the concept behind the hotel, the food and beverage concepts, and the hospitality industrys recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The following has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Q: How will the hotel distinguish itself?

A: Being on this park is special unto itself, but think about whats going on in the neighborhood. The Alamo Plaza renovation right down the street. The city of San Antonio is replacing the utilities (on South Alamo Street), and then theyre going to put down this beautiful street, this boulevard if you will, with trees and landscaping. And then the investment they put in La Villita, and theres another investor down the street whos opening the Kimpton later this year. All of this to say that this neighborhood that Im in is a billion-dollar investment in the next 18 months. That is going to be incredible for San Antonio.

Right next to the Convention Center, right? One of the largest economic drivers downtown. Adjacent to the River Walk. Location, location, location. And the building itself, its a very beautiful building. Well have a spa. Well have a beautiful pool deck. And this all looks over the park. Imagine people staying in my property on a Saturday night, enjoying the day at the park, coming to their room and enjoying maybe a concert or something from their rooms as the programming in the park takes place.

Robert Thrailkill, vice president of operations at Zachry Hospitality, stands inside Hilton Palacio del Rio on April 9. Across the street, construction continues at the site of The Monarch, the long-awaited 17-story hotel that Zachry Hospitality is building. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Q: Along with being a Zachry executive and managing the Palacio, will you have a specific role in this hotel when it opens?

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A: Ive certainly been involved to this point in the planning and the layout; actual operations, maybe not. This team needs a dedicated leader who is food- and beverage-centric and is going to be leading what I hope to be a very young and somewhat avant-garde type of group.

Q: Why is a food-and-beverage focus important?

A: It does have a heavy food and beverage slant. When we designed this hotel, we created a number of outlets for the park because the park was one of the key drivers. When we started talking about putting a hotel at this location, we looked around and said, Why would people come? And our answer was always about the park. Theyre going to do programming in the park, or like today, a beautiful day, people are going to be picnicking. Everything we did was focused on the park, making sure that we leveraged all the park could offer us. So the restaurants are on the ground level facing the park. The rooftop facility will be facing the park and the Tower of the Americas.

I have different types of food and beverage operations. Its a heavy food-and-beverage because I think the park will bring in a lot of people, and theyll have to find someplace to grab a sandwich or a picnic basket or go to the rooftop, have a drink, look over the park and the city.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Construction continues at the site of The Monarch on April 9 in downtown San Antonio. The long-awaited 17-story hotel is being built at the northern end of Hemisfair by Zachry Hospitality. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Q: Could you tell me anything about what the food and beverage concepts will be like? Are you in talks with restaurateurs?

A: No, but were going to operate it ourselves. We have concept menus, but nothing official. Were two years out from opening, more or less, so we have time to refine it and do a little more research. But we do know what the spaces look like, what the equipment is. Were going to have an open-fire grill in the main restaurant. We have a grab-and-go concept on the north end of our building. We have a cafe where people can order in the morning. They can do quiches or higher-end items for breakfast, and then we move into sandwiches in the afternoon. In the evening, well probably do a light dinner with some nice wines and/or beers.

Q: You mentioned the Kimpton. It seems like theres a trend toward investors opening more boutique hotels downtown. Would you agree? And why?

A: I cant answer everybodys reason, but I can tell you one of the drivers in our particular case was the fact that when the parcel was put together, there was a cap on hotel rooms in the Hemisfair area. The cap is 200 rooms.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Construction continues at the site of The Monarch on April 9 in downtown San Antonio. The long-awaited 17-story hotel is being built at the northern end of Hemisfair by Zachry Hospitality. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Q: Do you feel the property could support a much larger hotel?

A: Kind of. I mean, thats water under the bridge. The laws the law. But we would like to have had the chance to have more rooms, certainly.

Q: You mentioned the rooftop. What will be there?

A: Pretty much everything you might expect. We will have a beautiful restaurant and bar with a large outdoor patio that will overlook most of the park; you can get some views of the Alamo Plaza area. Its going to be beautifully designed and obviously a place where people go to work, or on a Friday night will to enjoy maybe a cocktail. Well have some food there  probably program some music. Im not anticipating a band, but maybe a DJ.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Construction continues at the site of The Monarch on April 9 in downtown San Antonio. The long-awaited 17-story hotel is being built at the northern end of Hemisfair by Zachry Hospitality. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Q: Do you know what the room rates will be?

A: We hope to be in the high end of the spectrum. We will be charging rates appropriate to that. We would be in competition, I think, with (Hotel) Emma and the Mokara (Hotel & Spa).

Q: Do you have expectations as to what portion of the guests will be in town for conventions versus business and leisure travel?

A: On the third floor, we have a 6,000-square-foot ballroom and about 4,000 square feet in breakout space. So there is meeting space in this building. We anticipate having some meetings; maybe 20% to 25% of our business would be related to that. Perhaps leisure customers for weekends and whatnot would be 30%, 35%. And the remaining balance would be business travelers  people who may be attending a convention but want a different experience than a traditional hotel.

Q: How many staff do you expect to hire? Do you expect to have trouble finding workers?

A: Between 150 to maybe 175 is the target zone. The fact that we operate the Hilton next door, there may be some synergies that well be able to take advantage of. We definitely think, for example, our human resources department will be shared between the two properties, our finance department.

Right now, were not having issues finding people to fill our openings. There may be quality of talent that were looking for that may not necessarily appear in front of us here. We may go look in Dallas or Austin or Houston for a few key positions that bring a different level of experience than what we can do internally. We may find a very high-end concierge for the property. We may find a sommelier.

Construction continues at the site of The Monarch on April 9 in downtown San Antonio. The long-awaited 17-story hotel is being built at the northern end of Hemisfair by Zachry Hospitality. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Q: What are your thoughts on the local hospitality industrys recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic? Has it beat your expectations?

A: I didnt know what to expect, right? We were going almost day to day. In my wildest fantasies, if you told me, Youre going to have to close your hotel for two months, I would have laughed. Youre crazy. Wed never close the hotel. Yet we did. We definitely had challenges initially finding people to work. There still was a trepidation about COVID and interacting with people. We had to make sure our team members were safe and also that the whole hotel was safe. But certainly 2023 was more in keeping with where I think we were prior to COVID. Certainly in 2024 were anticipating that our business levels will be at 2019. I think, by most peoples account, 2019 was the best year for hospitality in the history of San Antonio. So its kind of our benchmark.

Q: It sounds like you feel good about the industry. Theres been some reporting lately about sagging occupancy.

A: I look at it from a longer-term perspective: San Antonio is a still a great destination. And theres a lot going on. The fact is, youre in a city that has grown immensely and certainly is very interested in hosting conventions.

I can remember back when no one would have thought of Austin as a convention city. The same thing about Houston; they expanded immensely their convention capabilities and what they have going on downtown. And then, of course, Dallas just announced that in 2026 they are going to be expanding their convention center. So theres a lot more competition in Texas.
Just more than a year after a massive derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train led to the release of tank cars full of toxic chemicals and increased attention to the issue of railroad safety, the control of the railroad is up for grabs at its annual meeting Thursday.

The fight for control of the Atlanta-based railroad, one of Americas four major freight railroads, could determine more than just who runs the railroad in the future, but also whether it continues using longer and longer trains, a practice criticized by some rail safety advocates. A defeat of current Norfolk Southern management, credited with improving safety practices at the railroad since the February 3, 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, could make management at other railroads reluctant to take steps to improve safety if it means reduced profit margins.

The fight has split the railroads unions, who disagree which management team  the current Norfolk Southern leadership or one proposed by activist investor Ancora Holdings  would be best for safety and the railroads employees.

Ancora, which seeks to have its own slate of directors elected and a new CEO and COO put in charge of the railroad, insist current management has proven incapable of running a safe and profitable railroad. It wants to improve profitability at the railroad by greater emphasis on the operating philosphy known as Precision Scheduled Railroading, or PSR, which leads to longer trains making fewer stops at customers locations to pick-up or drop-off rail cars.

PSR is generally opposed by both rail unions and many rail customers, and Norfolk management appeared to be taking steps away from PSR in the wake of the East Palestine derailment.

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw and his management team received praise d by some who, in the past, criticized the railroads performance, including Amit Bose, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, the nations rail regulator.

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, third from left, listens to testimony during a hearing held by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on March 22, 2023 in Washington, DC. The committee heard testimony on "Improving Rail Safety in response to the East Palestine Derailment." - Win McNamee/Getty Images

In a letter to Norfolk Southern in February soon after the takeover effort started, Bose praise the railroad instituting a confidential close call reporting system similar to one in place for decades at the nations railroads to allow employees to report safety issues without fear of reprisal, as well as increasing staffing and training. He said Shaws safety efforts are important and demonstrate the ability to make progress when railroads make safety a priority. And he said that NS was the only Class I railroad to achieve significant reductions in the rate of mainline derailments last year.

His letter suggested his concerns that that progress could be lost due to the takeover battle.

While I recognize NS for the meaningful steps and results seen so far, often in notable contrast to industry peers, I want to emphasize the importance of a durable and lasting path forward that continues to prioritize safety, he wrote. Any backsliding, as a result of a change in leadership or otherwise, on the safety-oriented path you have laid out and communicated to us will likely attract renewed oversight attention from my office.

Unions split on which side should win

After initially being united in opposition to the takeover effort, the railroads unions are now split on the takeover battle.

Most of the unions remain supportive of current CEO Alan Shaw and Norfolk Southerns current board.

NS and Shaw have placed a unique focus on establishing a culture that addresses safety concerns that other carriers have not, said a letter from Jeremy Ferguson, president of SMART-TD, the union that represents more than 5,000 conductors at the railroad.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), which represents more than 3,000 engineers at the railroad, joined the other unions at the railroad in initially endorsing Norfolk management, saying that Ancoras plans for Norfolk would be reckless and likely to lead to more train wrecks. It said Ancoras PSR plan requires railroads to do more with less which equates to longer trains, deferred maintenance of track and equipment, shorter inspections of rolling stock and a reduction in staffing numbers.

And it praised the changes that Shaw had made to improve safety since the February 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Shaw was only on the job for a few months prior to the disaster. Since the derailment last year, NS CEO has risen to the occasion and, through his leadership, NS has become a safer, more efficient and customer focused company again, said Jerry Sturdivant, a BLET union official at Norfolk Southern, back in February.

Reversing course

But the BLET said the changes that Norfolk Southern has made to try to answer Ancoras takeover efforts are taking the railroad in the wrong direction. It is particularly upset with the work of the railroads new chief operating officer, John Orr, hired in March from Canadian Pacific Kansas City, for a pay package with a target value of $10.3 million.

BLET said that Orrs appointment shows that Norfolk Southern is committed to additional use of PSR, no matter which side wins the the proxy fight. And it said it has received assurances of other safety improvements from Ancora, including dropping all plans to have single-person crews on long-distance trains.

The current labor contract requires both an engineer and a conductor in the locomotive, and a recent proposed federal rule would codify the requirement. Although that rule has yet to take effect and could be reversed in the future. And the nations major railroads would still prefer to remove the conductors from the trains, arguing it can be done without reducing safety.

Although we initially supported Mr. Shaw and Norfolk Southerns management in this contest, today he leads a different team with an unproven strategy, said a statement from three BLET officials at the railroad. The ever-changing and inconsistent policies that we have been hearing from the railroads current leadership in recent weeks forced BLET to take another look at Ancora and its nominees. We ultimately made a final decision to support the Ancora slate and CEO choice.

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED) whose members perform track maintenance, joined the BLET in switching support to Ancora.

For many months since East Palestine, the BMWED has not been able to get assurances from the current leadership to implement needed policy and procedural changes to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring, it said. At this juncture, seeing no path forward, we see no reason to support the current administration at Norfolk Southern.

A Norfolk Southern train passes underneath a bridge on February 25, 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio. On February 3rd, a Norfolk Southern Railways train carrying toxic chemicals derailed causing an environmental disaster. - Michael Swensen/Getty Images

Ancora has tapped former UPS executive Jim Barber to be the next CEO if it wins. Both BLET and BMWE are part of the Teamsters union, which has more than 300,000 members working for UPS.

Shaw and Norfolk Southerns management still has the support of the other unions at the railroad, which between them represent about 60% of the unionized employees there. SMART-TD issued a statement calling the BLET Judas, saying union leadership should be ashamed.

They were willing to hand over everything our movement has done to defend our men and women against PSR at NS, said SMART-TD.

Shaw and current Norfolk Southern management have made a conscious effort to diverge from the operating ratio-obsessed mentality that has degraded rail service and safety and have made safety, employees and customers their priority, it said in a separate statement.

Up to investors

But no matter what the unions and safety regulator thinks about the choices, the decision will ride with shareholders who are likely displeased by the performance of the companys stock, and the financial results.

Shares of Norfolk Southern are down 8% from where they were before the February 3 2023 derailment, compared to a 5% gain in CSX shares and 13% rise in shares of Union Pacific. Norfolks profit margin is also lower than industry averages and it shrank in the first quarter compared to a year earlier, even when stripping out the cost of the derailment.

The Ancora takeover effort has gotten endorsement from two leading shareholder services firms, Glass Lewis and ISS.

Having given due consideration to the arguments presented by each side, we believe Ancora has presented a compelling case for supporting a substantial overhaul of the Companys current leadership, said a statement from Glass Lewis.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Steve Albini, an alt-rock musician, audio engineer, and producer who recorded albums for bands like Nirvana and Pixies and founded the Chicago recording studio Electrical Audio, has died at the age of 61.

Brian Fox, a fellow producer and engineer at Electrical Audio, confirmed Albini passed away Tuesday night from a heart attack.

"We are not ready to make any other statements yet. Maybe in the next few days, we could talk about his impact, which was immense," Fox said in an email.

Albini's death came little more than a week before his longtime band Shellac was set to release a new album, To All Trains, on May 17. It will be the band's first album since 2014.

Steve Albini of Shellac performs on stage during day 3 of Primavera Sound Madrid 2023 on June 10, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. / Credit: Aldara Zarraoa/WireImage

Albini was both revered and influential in the world of indie rock. He elevated the genre in its heyday of the 80s and 90s to a standard that still resonates today.

First developing an interest in punk after being introduced to the Ramones as a teen, Albini voraciously consumed all the new music he could find growing up in his hometown of Missoula, Montana, and played in his earliest music projects. After graduating high school, he moved to Evanston, Illinois, to attend journalism school at Northwestern University, immersing himself in the scene as a fan and a writer for local music magazines.

Albini began his music career in 1981 when he formed the punk rock band Big Black while a student at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

He later went on to form two other bands, the controversially named Rapeman and Shellac, with the latter the longest-existing and arguably the most important band of his career as a performer. For Shellac, he performed vocals and guitar alongside bassist Bob Weston and drummer Todd Trainer.

He also helped record and track some of the most influential albums of the alternative rock era in the 1980s and 1990s, including Nirvana's "In Utero," Pixies' "Surfer Rosa," PJ Harvey's "Rid of Me," Veruca Salt's EP "Blow It Out Your A** It's Veruca Salt," and multiple albums for Urge Overkill and The Jesus Lizard.

He also helped record music for legends such as Cheap Trick, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, and Foo Fighters, who recorded their hit song "Something from Nothing" at his Electrical Audio studio in Chicago.

An "icon of iconoclasm"

In a Chicago Magazine profile published 30 years ago this month, writer Mark Jannot described Albini as "the music industry's avatar of opposition, its icon of iconoclasm." The profile documented Albini's quest for perfection in the recording studio as he sought to make recordings that emulated a band's live sound as faithfully as possible  as well as the unabashed "streams of bile" he directed toward not only the record industry, but bands of which he disapproved.

On his meticulousness in the studio, Albini was quoted: "I honestly just feel that music like this deserves to be taken seriously. And that means people who record them should be as concerned about quality as if they were recording the f***ing Chicago Symphony."

"I think his approach to recording artists was really influential  you know  and it was, 'I want to capture the band the way they sound in the room, as if you were sitting five feet in front of them and having your hair blown back by the power," music critic Jim DeRogatis said Wednesday.

The 1994 Chicago Magazine profile also referenced a famous screed that Albini wrote directed at rock critic Bill Wyman of the Chicago Reader  not to be confused with the former bassist from The Rolling Stones. Wyman had sung the praises of three Chicago area acts that had made it big  the Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair, and Urge Overkill  in a 1993 year-in-review column, for what he called "an explicit rejection of much of the insularity that increasingly characterizes underground music and the fringes of alternative music in America."

Albini fired back in a letter to the paper and dismissed all three acts as generic and mainstream  calling Phair "a persona completely unrooted in substance, and a f***ing chore to listen to," and comparing the Smashing Pumpkins to REO Speedwagon while calling them "ultimately insignificant."

He also wrote, directed at Wyman: "Music press stooges like you tend to believe and repeat what other music press stooges write, reinforcing each other's misconceptions as though the tiny little world you guys live in (imagine a world so small!) actually means something to us on the outside." In Jannot's article, Wyman was quoted that his comment about "insularity" in underground music, had, in fact, been a jab at Albini and what he perceived as Albini's elitism.

Just last year, Albini was the subject of another profile by Jeremy Gordon in The Guardian. Gordon wrote that while Albini may have come across as an unpleasant person, he was at the end of the day someone who "defended punk's credos  don't sign to major labels, reject authority, say what's on your mind, make a lot of noise  with uncompromising passion at a time when the counterculture was increasingly being assimilated, marketed and sold by the powers that be."

Jannot's story included a quote from Albini, "In a lot of ways, you spend the last 50 years of your life trying to get over the first 12."

"A blue-collar ethic"

The grief from Albini's passing was felt across the music industry.

The news quickly spread to friends and fans, who gathered outside his Electrical Audio studio in the Avondale neighborhood Wednesday.

his impact was significant with fellow musician Alison Chesley who opened for his Big Black in the 90s.

"He changed my life as a musician and as a person, and he was a good person," said Chesley. "He had a kind of a prickly reputation, but he was the sweetest, most loving person."

Joe Shanahan, the owner of Metro Chicago in Wrigleyville, took to his marquee to honor Albini on Tuesday. Albini played at the Metro countless times with his band.

Shanahan also couldn't deny that Albini had a sharp tongue.

"He was brutally honest. We'll say that there," Shanahan said. "He did not hold back."

But by all accounts, Albini was more than a caustic curmudgeon. DeRogatis also emphasized how Albini stuck strictly to the underground ethical aesthetic in the recording studio, by keeping the focus on the musicians he was recording and capturing their sound  not centering himself.

"He wore these industrial overalls in his studio on Belmont just off Western, and he said, 'You hire a plumber, and they come and they fix your toilet.' You hire me, and I capture what you do. I don't put my thumbprint on it. I don't take royalties from the recording,'" said DeRogatis, "which set him apart from 90% of big-name producers."

But this also meant the musicians didn't get any indulgence they desired either, DeRogatis said.

"Many big-name bands tried to hire him, and he worked with a few. He worked with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin," he said. "But they had to work his way, which is: 'We're not going to do a million overdubs. We're not going to have caviar catered to the studio. I'm going to wear my overalls. I'm going to mic things the way I think they should. I am not going to give you my opinion unless you ask for it. This was a very Chicago attitude."

Shanahan said Albini's legacy will significantly lean on his impact in Chicago.

"The indie and punk rock scene of Chicago has his fingerprints all over it," Shanahan said. "Steve was a mechanic. You know, he was a worker - a blue-collar sort of like ethic."

Key takeaways from Stormy Daniels' testimony in Trump trial

What we learned from Stormy Daniels' testimony in Trump trial

Violence erupts amid Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's military is prepared for any moves China may make around the time President-elect Lai Ching-te takes office later this month, the island's deputy defence minister said on Wednesday.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has a strong dislike of Lai, believing him to be a dangerous separatist, whose repeated offers of talks it has rejected, including one this month.

Lai, like current President Tsai Ing-wen, rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims; both say only the island's people can decide their future. Lai, now vice president, will be inaugurated on May 20.

"Before and after May 20, our nation's military will uphold all combat readiness requirements and pay close attention to the damaging of regional peace and stability by the other side," Deputy Defence Minister Po Horng-huei told reporters.

Chinese military activities in and around the Taiwan Strait are destabilising for the whole Indo-Pacific region, Po added in the comments made to reporters at parliament.

China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

During the past four years, China's military has massively increased its activities around Taiwan, such as by regularly flying warplanes over the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which previously served as an unofficial buffer zone.

In Wednesday's daily report of Chinese military activities in the previous 24 hours, Taiwan's defence ministry said six Chinese aircraft had crossed the median line, flying in an area to the west of Taiwan's Penghu islands, home to a major air force base.

China, which has also staged at least two "joint combat readiness patrols" near the island in the past month, according to Taiwan's defence ministry, says it does not recognise the existence of the median line.

Taiwan-based security sources have repeatedly warned that China could show its displeasure with Lai using the military.

In 2022, China held major war games near Taiwan after a visit to Taipei by then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and again last year after President Tsai met her successor, Kevin McCarthy, on a stopover in California.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Ryan Woo in Beijing; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Tesla will shut its factory near Berlin to all employees Friday when crowds are expected to gather outside its gates to protest against a planned expansion.

A stoppage of the plants production lines this Friday was announced back in January, CNN affiliate RTL reported late Tuesday, quoting a Tesla (TSLA) spokesperson. But with the protests in mind, the electric vehicle maker has decided that all other workers at the factory should also stay at home, RTL said.

The assembly lines normally run Monday through Friday. Thursday is a public holiday in Germany, making Friday a so-called bridge day between the holiday and the weekend.

Andre Thierig, a senior manufacturing director at the Tesla factory, confirmed in a post on X Tuesday that there would be a one-day planned production shutdown Friday.

People opposed to Elon Musks plans to more than double the production capacity of Teslas only factory in Europe are planning four days of protests, starting Wednesday.

Disrupt, a coalition of self-declared anti-capitalist protest groups, argues that the expansion would require clearing swathes of the surrounding forest and would further strain local water supply.

Production at the plant will stop after the late shift Wednesday and re-start on the nightshift Sunday, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported, citing a company email sent to employees.

Without the explicit instruction and authority of your manager, access to the site or factory will not be possible, the Tesla email reportedly said.

Police in the German state of Brandenburg, where the plant is located, said Wednesday that they had prepared for extensive operations, noting that they would be supported by federal police and several other state police forces.

Disruptive protests as well as criminal acts typical of this kind of gathering cannot be ruled out, they said in a statement. Consequently, the police are prepared for both a peaceful and non-peaceful outcome. If crimes are committed, the police will intervene resolutely.

The huge plant  located about 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of the German capital  is currently capable of producing more than 375,000 electric cars a year.

In February, local residents voted against a motion to clear enough forest for Tesla to expand the site, leaving it to local authorities to decide how to proceed, according to Reuters.

Disrupt says on its website that electric cars are not the solution to phase out carbon-emitting combustion engines.

When producing an electric car, the consumption of resources creates an enormous ecological footprint and thus further drives the global climate catastrophe, the group says, pointing to the environmental damage caused by the mining of lithium, a key metal in EV batteries.

Ole Becker, a spokesperson for Disrupts anti-Tesla activities, said the protests would have many phases. That includes a demonstration in front of the factory, as well as lectures and panel discussions close to the site.

While it was likely we will see some civil disobedience from protesters, this would happen spontaneously and was not part of Disrupts plans, he told CNN.

No buses or trains will run to and from the factory between Thursday and Sunday because of the anticipated protests, Handelsblatt cited Teslas email as saying.

Tesla has not responded to a CNN request for comment.

It is the second time in as many months that protesters have disrupted operations at the plant.

In early March, a group of far-left activists claimed responsibility for an arson attack on a high-voltage electricity pylon delivering power to the factory. The incident forced Tesla to close the facility for a week.

The activists, calling themselves the Volcano Group, wrote in a letter published on the alternative German media website Kontrapolis that they had sabotaged the plant because it consumes Earth, resources, people, labor and spits out 6,000 SUVs, killer cars and monster trucks per week.

Mark Thompson, Olesya Dmitracova and Stephanie Halasz contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Experience the spice of Italy with Stuzzi Hot Sauce.

Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christine Keely

You can describe the flavor of Stuzzi Hot Sauce just as you would a fine wine: Its a piquant Italian brightener with nuance and a strong sense of place.

The hot sauce was born in 2021, when Carla Rza Betts and Richard Betts, a husband-and-wife duo with decades of experience in the beverage industry (Carla as a wine director and now winemaker and Richard as a wine director and now partner and CEO of the spirits company Casa Komos Brands Group), took a road trip across the Alps. The couple had dinner at Klosterle, a restaurant in Lech, Austria, and talked with the chefs, Ethel Hoon and Jakob Zeller.

We started talking about the food world, says Carla. Out of nowhere, Richard said, Want to make a hot sauce? Without breaking, Ethel said, Absolutely. The next day, Hoon sent them her grandmothers Hainanese spice paste, demonstrating a shared affinity for spicy condiments that bonded the four instantly.

Together, they hatched a vision: a hot sauce made in Italy that would work with a wide range of cuisines. The four drove throughout Italy, seeking out the peppers for their sauce. They settled on a mix of dried Calabrian chiles, which contribute earthy, deeply savory tones, and fermented Sicilian cayenne peppers. The fermented peppers get these lifted, very bright, sassy, opinionated high tones, Carla says.

Related: The Best Hot Sauces, According to F&W Editors

The Calabrian chiles are kept whole and dried slowly in the shade, then soaked in distilled vinegar for at least two weeks. Meanwhile, the fresh chiles are blended, mixed with salt, and left to ferment for at least six months. Same as in winemaking, taking more time and allowing the flavor to build naturally often lends the best result, adds Carla. All the peppers are passed through a destoning machine to remove seeds, similar to the destemming process in wine. Removing the seeds helps to remove any unwanted bitterness. We only want to retain the aromatic, flavorful part of the pepper.

Named Stuzzi, short for stuzzicare, which means tease in Italian, the hot sauce has a gentle, fruity heat, with just enough kick. Stuzzi is a chameleon that seems to work with any dish it touches, though it particularly shines in Italian dishes, like rigatoni allamatriciana.

But to Carla, one of the most distinctive features of the sauce is its connection to Italy. Its amazing how few hot sauces talk about their peppers and where they get them, Carla muses. Terroir is hugely important. [For Stuzzi], terroir gives you a deeper complexity. You recognize that theres something special about it.

To purchase Stuzzi Hot Sauce or find a bottle near you, visit stuzzihotsauce.com.



For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Food & Wine.
Kimberly Helmus still gets chills thinking about her first rage ritual.

Two-and-a-half years ago after her divorce, the cybersecurity engineer embarked on a retreat to Scotland with Mia Banducci  an author and self-described "Spiritual Fairy Godmother," better known online as Mia Magik.

As part of the retreat, Banducci held a rage ritual: a ceremony in which participants scream and beat large sticks on the ground in the woods. Participants are encouraged to think of people and experiences that have wronged them and to scream and swing the sticks for at least 20 minutes, or until they can no longer move their arms.

Rage rituals have garnered attention on TikTok, where they've resonated, particularly with women. In comments, women describe how moving it is to see other women embody their anger  an emotion experts say society often discourages women from expressing.

"There's no place where you can see women be able to be angry like that and it not be condemned," Helmus says. " 'She's just hormonal. She's just unhinged. She's just crazy. She's just on her period. She's just, whatever.' This was a place where you were, probably for the first time in a really, really long time, if ever, able to scream out loud things about how you felt."

A rage ritual is a ceremony in which participants scream and beat large sticks on the ground in the woods. Participants are encouraged to think of people and experiences that have wronged them.

What is a rage ritual?

Banducci has led rage rituals for several years and began doing them first for herself, then for friends, and eventually, as part of her dayslong retreats, which include other activities and can range in price from around $2,000 to $4,000. Her one-day version, she says, costs $222 per ticket.

The process of a rage ritual is pretty simple. First, Banducci says, participants gather large sticks while conjuring to mind "every person who's ever crossed you, who's ever hurt you, who's ever ignored your boundaries or taken advantage of you or abused you in any way." After some warm-up breaths, the screaming and swinging begin. The ritual is held in the woods so participants can make noise without fear of bothering people nearby.

Banducci isn't the only person who leads events dealing with rage. Secret Sanctuary will host a "Sacred Rage Ceremony" in Alberta, Canada, in July, and Jessica Ricchetti  an author and self-proclaimed mystic  will host a "Sacred Rage" women's retreat in North Carolina in June.

"When people do this and give themselves permission to release their anger, their capacity for joy actually expands," Banducci says. "They're able to feel more happiness and pleasure, and they go home to their families with more gratitude and ease and peace."

Rage rituals are often held in the woods, so participants can make noise without fear of bothering people nearby.

Unexpected feelings can also arise during a rage ritual.

Helmus, for instance, thought her first rage ritual would address the anger she felt toward her ex-husband. Instead, she felt something much deeper: a grief she'd been holding onto since witnessing the death of a friend when she was 15.

"I remember it was a very kind of clear, light-switch moment where I was like, 'Oh, that's what this is about,' " she says. "So many times I think you can't really feel a lot of stuff until you work through it."

What do rage rooms have to do with sex? A whole lot, it turns out.

What does a therapist think of rage rituals?

Psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis says people deal with anger in a variety of ways, and there isn't a once-size-fits-all solution to rage.

For some, rage is better handled with activating strategies, like hitting a punching bag or doing an intense workout. For others, soothing strategies, like deep breaths, slow walks, or calm music, work better.

It's important to know how you best process anger before undergoing a rage ritual, Sarkis says.

"When you do something like that, it's important to know, does it exacerbate your anger or does it decrease it?" she says. "That's something that's on an individual basis. It depends on past experiences. It depends on your own make-up. It depends on just brain chemistry."

Still, Sarkis isn't against rage rituals. If they help you release anger, you can afford them and they're done safely, she doesn't see the harm.

"I'm for whatever works within someone's worldview, whatever works within their budget, whatever works within their own well-being and their own safety," she says. "We're very individual."

The process of a rage ritual is pretty simple. First, Mia Banducci says, participants gather large sticks while conjuring to mind "every person who's ever crossed you, who's ever hurt you, who's ever ignored your boundaries or taken advantage of you or abused you in any way." Then the screaming and swinging begin.

Why do rage rituals resonate with women in particular?

Rage rituals seem to have struck a chord, particularly among women, who write in social media comments how moving it is to see women let out their anger.

"Why did I have an immediate visceral reaction and start crying?" one woman wrote. "I literally cried seeing this I NEED this," another wrote. "As a now middle aged woman with even more rage, I need this!!" wrote another.

Sarkis says this isn't surprising. After all, women have been historically discouraged from embracing their right to feel angry, she says.

Rage rituals seem to have struck a chord particularly among women, who write in TikTok comments how moving it is to see women let out their anger.

Banducci says that, while men are taught to suppress sadness, women are taught to suppress rage.

"It's like, 'Don't be a bitch' or 'don't be angry' or 'don't be aggressive' or 'don't stand up for yourself.' 'Don't protect your integrity.' 'Don't tell anyone that they don't have consent to touch your body or speak to you in a certain way,' " she says. "There are particular emotions that are accepted in the gender binary that we each need to feel. Men need to cry  and it's so healthy for men to cry  and women need to be able to get angry."

Justin Bieber broke down crying: Men should pay attention.

By the end of her first rage ritual, Helmus says, participants were covered in dirt and mud with bruises and cuts on their hands. Sticks were broken everywhere.

She says she got a lot from the experience and has done it twice since: "It's really a place where you can be this feral, wild woman and not be looked at, other than with love and acceptance and care."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rage rituals have women screaming, smashing sticks in the woods: Watch


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.
Guitars in a variety of colors and shapes hang on on display at Alamo Music Center in San Antonio. To keep a guitar in good condition, you should maintain a humidity level between 40% and 50%, which Texas residents know can be a struggle. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Whether you play a stringed instrument, percussion, brass or woodwind instruments, they can be damaged by humidity and extreme temperatures, which are inescapable in Texas.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

When wood takes on moisture, it expands; and when it dries out, it contracts, said Clint Strait, the president and owner of Strait Music Co. in Austin. Any major swings in temperature and humidity are bad, causing warping and cracking.

In unpredictable Texas weather, Strait said its best to avoid leaving your instruments in a hot or cold car, as drastic temperature changes can be damaging. A good rule of thumb: Make sure to store your instruments in their cases after playing to help maintain proper humidity levels.

In tune with humidity

To keep a guitar in good condition, you should maintain a humidity level between 40% and 50%. Coincidentally, this is the same range in which a perfectly tuned HVAC system should operate  which Texas residents know can be a struggle.

Relative humidity is a measure of how much moisture is present in the air compared with how much it can hold at a given temperature. For example, a relative humidity of 50% means the air is holding one-half of the water vapor it has the potential to hold, which is air thats equally dry and moist.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Depending on the wind direction, Texas air can be either especially muggy with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, or much drier, thanks to the fluctuating boundary of semi-arid air in West Texas called a dry line. So, getting the perfect humidity is near impossible, but Strait said you can create humidity harmony.

BEATING THE ELEMENTS: How detectives race against Texas weather to solve the mysteries behind dead bodies

Most wooden instruments need to be stored in their case because humidity is easier to control in a small space, Strait said. You can even use a hygrometer, an instrument used to measure humidity or water vapor in the air, in your instruments case, and invest in a humidification system to regulate moisture levels as needed.

This is not only true for wooden instruments, but also for brass instruments because of the mechanisms inside, which are degradable.

If you leave a saxophone in a wetter environment for a while, it can start to erode or (moisture can) break down the pads that seal or close the holes that produce the different pitches, said Steven Vague, who solos on the saxophone for his band, Waller Creek Vipers.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A wet environment can damage woodwinds like a saxophone by breaking down the pads that seal the holes where air flows to produce the different musical notes, musicians say. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer

Heat and extreme temperatures

Temperature also can be a stressor on instruments, causing significant problems with tuning and performance. Cold weather can cause notes played on wind instruments to go flat and notes played on string instruments to become sharp. Conversely, warm weather can lead to string instruments expanding and potentially sounding sluggish.

Chris Rogers, a professor of mechanical engineering at Tufts University, and musical instrument engineer Jesse Jones told Scientific American magazine that the amount of friction between the bow and strings of a violin changes in warmer weather, which can alter how a musician plays. The key bushings of a piano, which are the hinges that help keep the keys on track, will swell in such conditions. This swelling leads to an increase in the time between when the musician strikes the key and when the hammer hits the string by 10 milliseconds.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The key bushings of a piano, which are the hinges that help keep the keys on track, will swell in warm weather. This swelling leads to an increase in the time between when the musician strikes the key and when the hammer hits the string by 10 milliseconds. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer

How do you combat those elements when playing the instruments?
YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. The United Statespaused a shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns over their potential use in aRafah incursion, CNN reports citing a US official.

The shipment, which washeld backlast week, includes 1,800 bombs weighing 2,000pounds(900 kg) and 1,700 bombs weighing 500pounds (225 kg).

We are especially focused on the end-use of the 2,000-poundbombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza, the official said.

Israeli leaders have warned for weeks that an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah will occur at some point in the future, even as the US and others have publicly stated that such a ground operation should not occur, the report adds. US President Joe Bidens administration has called for a comprehensive plan to protect more than a million civilianssheltering in Rafah and avoid an expansion of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the coastal enclave.

On Monday, Israel carried out what the US described as a limited operation in Rafah, taking over the border crossing with Egypt that is a vital lifeline for humanitarian aid. On Tuesday morning Israel Defense Forces took over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, IDF said in a statement. The Israeli army had told Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah ahead of an expected assault.
YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) has addressed a letter to the Head of the Mission of Israel to the EU and NATO, the Members of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Israel, and the main Jewish organizations in the EU and Belgium, addressing the alarming circumstances threatening the historic Armenian quarter in Jerusalem.

According to a statement from EAFJD, the letter urges the addressees to use their leverage to call on the Israeli authorities to take appropriate action and stop the highly destructive developments in Jerusalem.

Dating back to the 4th century, the Armenian presence in Jerusalem holds deep historical significance. However, this historic quarter is currently under threat due to aggressive actions by extremists, settlers, and businesspeople, seeking to appropriate the land. Recent incidents, including an attack led by individuals associated with Israeli-Australian businessman Danny Rubenstein, have targeted the Armenian community, resulting in injuries and arrests among Armenian residents. Despite protests and calls for protection, the Israeli authorities have not taken decisive action to safeguard the Armenian quarter from these hostile incursions.

In the light of these developments, the EAFJD urges the Israeli authorities to protect the status quo of Jerusalem and refrain from altering the demographic composition, institutional structure, and the physical, cultural and historical character of Jerusalem. Drawing parallels between the suffering endured by both Armenians and Jews throughout history and having had to fight racial hatred, the EAFJD emphasizes that the Israeli authorities have a duty to prevent such occurrences in Jerusalem.

As European citizens, the EAFJD and its committees across 14 countries in Europe, call on stakeholders in the EU to utilize their influence in advocating for the preservation of the Armenian quarter in Jerusalem. It is imperative that the historic quarters of Jerusalem are maintained, and that Israel takes proactive measures to prevent further destruction and intimidation within the Armenian quarter.

The EAFJD remains steadfast in its commitment to defending the rights and heritage of the Armenian community in Jerusalem, the statement reads.
YEREVAN, 8 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 8 May, USD exchange rate up by 0.28 drams to 388.01 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.44 drams to 417.11 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.05 drams to 4.21 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.43 drams to 484.90 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 334.40 drams to 28936.57 drams. Silver price up by 9.72 drams to 340.06 drams.
YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. The Israel Defense Forces appeared Wednesday to minimize the seemingly unprecedented holdup of an arms shipment by a US administration concerned by the prospect of a major Israeli operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, saying the allies resolve any disagreements behind closed doors, the Times of Israel reports.

Asked about the issue at a Tel Aviv conference, chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari described coordination between Israel and the United States as reaching a scope without precedent, I think, in Israels history.

Pressed about the stalled delivery of heavy bombs, Hagari said, We are responsible for the security interests of Israel and we pay attention to the US interests in the arena.

He lauded the scale of cooperation between IDF headquarters and the US militarys Central Command (CENTCOM) during the war, saying there is something more important than security assistance and that is operational support.

As reported earlier, the United Statespaused a shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns over their potential use in aRafah incursion. The shipment, which washeld backlast week, includes 1,800 bombs weighing 2,000pounds(900 kg) and 1,700 bombs weighing 500pounds (225 kg).

On Tuesday morning Israel Defense Forces took over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, IDF said in a statement. The Israeli army had told Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah ahead of an expected assault.
YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan visited Silicon Valley in the US state of California and toured the "NVIDIA" company, the Presidential Office said.

"The President of the Republic of Armenia, accompanied by the companys Vice President Rev Lebaredian and Director Verjin Karaoglu, got acquainted with the exhibition organized by the company.

During the meeting, President Vahagn Khachaturyan and NVIDIA's CEO and co-founder, Jensen Huang highly appreciated the close cooperation between the organization and the Republic of Armenia. They also addressed the issues regarding the further expansion of cooperation in the IT sector and the prospects for implementing joint projects.

Jensen Huang emphasized that the IT sector in Armenia has great potential for development, providing an opportunity for further cooperation.

During the conversation, issues related to the prospects of expanding the involvement of well-known representative organizations in the high-tech sector in Armenia were discussed, reads the statement.

As per the source, President Vahagn Khachaturyan emphasized in his speech that in recent years, the field of information technology has significantly influenced the economy of the Republic of Armenia, showing a positive development trend. The president noted that the high-tech sector is one of the targeted areas of Armenia's economic policy and receives multifaceted support from the state.

It is noted that during the conversation, the interaction between the IT sector and the education system, as well as the possibilities of promoting investments in the development of high-tech and engineering education were also discussed.
YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the regular session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council took place in the Kremlin, Moscow. The latter, in addition to the leaders of the EAEU countries, was also attended by the presidents of Uzbekistan and Cuba, which have the status of observer countries in the EAEU, the PM's Office said in a readout.

According to the readout issued by the PM's Office, first, the narow-format session was held, after which the participants posed for a family photo.

Prime Minister Pashinyan made a speech at the expanded-format session, in which he specifically stated:

"Dear heads of delegations,

Dear participants of the meeting,

I am glad to welcome you to the first meeting of the Eurasian Economic Council this year.

First of all, I would like to thank the Russian side for organizing today's meeting at a high level.

I am also happy to welcome the leaders of EAEU observer countries and the invited guests.

As we have already mentioned during the narrow format discussion, today's meeting coincides with the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on EAEU in Astana on May 29, 2014.

During the ten years of its existence, the Eurasian Economic Union has become an important platform for close economic interaction between the member states.

It is clear that the normative base of EAEU continues to be developed, and the end of this process is not yet near. It is important that it is being developed within the framework of economic logic. Only on the basis of respecting the interests of partner countries and searching for constructive solutions corresponding to the interests of each member state will we be able to maintain the effectiveness of the Union. We consider it necessary to focus our efforts in order to take into account the national priorities of socio-economic development.

Our cooperation should work for the benefit of the citizens and businesses of our countries, contribute to the improvement of their well-being and the modernization of national economies.

Dear participants of the meeting,

Dear Colleagues,

During the ten years of its existence, the Eurasian Economic Union has become an important platform for close and economic interaction between the member states for the economies of our countries.

It is clear that the normative base of EAEU continues to be formed, and the end of this process is not yet near. It is important that it is formed within the framework of economic logic. Only on the basis of respecting the interests of partner countries and searching for constructive solutions corresponding to the interests of each member state will we be able to maintain the effectiveness of the unification. We consider it necessary to focus our efforts in order to take into account the national priorities of socio-economic development.

Our cooperation should work for the benefit of the citizens and businesses of our countries, contribute to the improvement of their well-being and the modernization of national economies.

Dear participants of the meeting,

Dear Colleagues,

Returning to the actual issues on the agenda, I cannot but point out that the process of forming a common market with unified regulatory systems in the field of energy resources has been significantly delayed. The Armenian side approaches with understanding to the possible revision of the deadlines for the implementation of unfulfilled measures, but believes that this process cannot last indefinitely and should be implemented within a reasonable time.

We have repeatedly stated that the Republic of Armenia is ready for a constructive dialogue for reaching a quick consensus on unresolved issues and launching the EAEU common electricity market on time.

We attach particular importance to the creation of a legal framework that ensures the trade and economic interests of the entrepreneurs of the member states in global trade. In this context, we consider it important to sign a protocol on electronic exchange of information between EAEU member states and Vietnam, which will increase the volume of mutual trade between partner countries.

The Armenian side also supports the adoption of the package of documents for the start of negotiations with Mongolia, one of our partners in Asia. Of course, the signing of the temporary trade agreement will create new opportunities for the expansion of trade, economic and cooperative interaction.

Dear Colleagues,

The development of transport infrastructure will give an additional impetus to the growth of the trade turnover of our countries. In this context, I will once again mention the "Crossroads of Peace" project initiated by the Armenian government, the purpose of which is to create the necessary logistical conditions for the development of trade and economic relations between all interested states, based on full respect for the sovereignty and jurisdiction of states, equality and reciprocity.

Concluding my speech, I would like to note that the Armenian side consistently advocates for the preservation of the fundamental principles underlying the Treaty on EAEU and expresses its readiness for active interaction with all member states for the benefit of further development of the chosen paradigm of economic cooperation.

Thanks for attention".

During the session, issues related to cooperation within the framework of EAEU were discussed. In particular, reference was made to the progress of programs in different directions, as well as the development of cooperation with third countries.
Hamas, Israeli negotiators arrive in Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks

Xinhua) 08:11, May 08, 2024

CAIRO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Egypt is hosting delegations from Hamas, Israel, Qatar and the United States in Cairo on Tuesday with the aim of reaching a "comprehensive truce" in the Gaza Strip, state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV channel reported.

The Israeli delegation, which arrived in Cairo on Tuesday afternoon, included members of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and Shin Bet security agency, an Egyptian source who asked to remain anonymous told Xinhua.

In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the delegation to "continue to stand firm on the conditions necessary for the release of our hostages, continue to stand firm on the essential requirements to ensure Israel's security."

However, he noted that the ceasefire proposal, brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators and approved by Hamas on Monday, fell short of Israel's essential requirements.

Egypt is "making every effort to reach a comprehensive truce," the Al-Qahera News quoted an unnamed high-ranking source as saying. The source added that Egypt was engaged in communication with various parties in order to contain the crisis.

The Israeli army on Tuesday launched a military operation in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, where more than 1 million internally displaced Palestinians have sought refuge since Israel's offensive began on Oct. 7 last year.

At least 20 people have been killed in Israel's attacks on Rafah since Tuesday morning, Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on both Israel and Hamas to end the ongoing conflict.

"We are at a decisive moment for the Palestinian and Israeli people and for the fate of the entire region," said the UN chief.

"An agreement between the government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas is essential to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and of the hostages and their families," Guterres added.

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 and more humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Sam Pitroda sparked another controversy when he compared South Indians to Africans, embarrassing his party and handing over to the BJP another issue to attack the Opposition. Sure enough, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the BJP's all-out attack on the Congress over Mr Pitroda's racial analogy, forcing the grand old party on the back foot and its overseas chief to resign on Wednesday.

Speaking to a news outlet, Mr Pitroda described India as a "... diverse country... where people in the east look like Chinese, people in the west look like Arabs, people in the north look like maybe whites, and people in the south look like Africans".

Campaigning in Telangana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to pounce on Mr Pitrodas remark, claiming that the Congress sought to defeat President Droupadi Murmu in the presidential poll as her "skin colour is dark".

Hitting out at the Congress, Mr Modi demanded a response from Rahul Gandhi, saying that the country "won't tolerate disrespect on the basis of the colour of skin".

Repeating his "shehzada (prince) barb for Mr Gandhi, Mr Modi said, "Shehzade, you will have to answer. The country will not tolerate the disrespect of our countrymen on the basis of their skin color. Modi will definitely not tolerate it."

Caught in a tricky situation, the Congress immediately "distanced" itself from the racist remarks. By Wednesday evening, Mr Pitroda had resigned from the post of chief of the India Overseas Congress.

Taking to X, Jairam Ramesh said,  Mr Pitroda has decided to step down as chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress president has accepted his decision.

He added: "The analogies given by Mr Pitroda for India's diversity are extremely wrong and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely disassociates itself from these analogies."

However, the BJP was unrelenting in its attack on the Congress over Mr Pitrodas statement. The party's Tamil Nadu unit chief K. Annamalai said the Congress mindset and thinking believe that India is a land of invaders and we are descendants of invaders and only the Congress, which has its masters outside the country, can go to the extent where it can call Indians descendants of invaders.

Condemning Mr Pitroda's remarks, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, After I heard Mr Pitroda's statement, I looked at myself in the mirror and I appear as a proud Assamese and Indian, not as a Chinese... This is a racist comment."

Mr Sarma also attacked Mr Gandhi for not disowning" Mr Pitroda yet. Those who are near Mr Gandhi always insult the Northeast. The people of the Northeast are proud Indians. You should never challenge our nationalism... Mr Pitroda and Mr Gandhi are not two separate people. Mr Pitroda is Mr Gandhi's friend, philosopher and guide. Why are you (the Congress) not disowning him (Mr Pitroda)?... How is this a useless issue? This issue is connected to our sentiments. You are completely advocating racism," Mr Sarma said.

BJP national secretary Anil K. Antony said Mr Pitroda's statement is 'definitely disappointing, "it is with clear racial overtones and in poor taste".

"But we shouldn't forget that he is the core advisor of Mr Gandhi. These kinds of statements from the high-positioned leaders in the Congress party once again make it clear to the people of India that in this election they should choose the BJP-led NDA under the leadership of Mr Modi.

Distancing itself from Mr Pitroda's remark, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said none of the members of the INDIA bloc support the Congress leader's alleged racist remarks and accused the BJP of "hating" the dalits.

A few weeks back, Mr Pitroda had got the Congress into another embarrassing situation when he talked about inheritance tax. The Congress had to distance itself from Mr Pitroda's statement at that time too.


NEW DELHI/LAKHIMPUR KHERI/ HARDOI/KANNAUJ: Addressing back-to-back election rallies in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri, Hardoi and Kannauj on Wednesday, Union home minister Amit Shah said that if the INDIA bloc parties come to power after the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, it will put a "Babri" lock at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Mr Shah alleged that the leaders of the Opposition coalition did not attend the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya in their bid to appease their votebank.

At the rallies, Mr Shah accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of pushing Pakistan's agenda. He said Mr Gandhi will be defeated in Rae Bareli as well and that "he should settle down in Italy, the only place left for him".

At a rally in support of Union minister of state for home Ajay Mishra, the BJP candidate from Lakhimpur Kheri, Mr Shah accused the Congress, the SP and the BSP of defaming the saffron party and Narendra Modi by saying if the Prime Minister gets 400 seats in the ongoing election, reservations will be done away with.

Referring to SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav's statement in which he said the Ram temple issue is "bekar" (useless), Mr Shah said, "Ram Gopal ji says the temple is useless. Remember me, though it is not going to happen, if the Opposition parties come to power, they will put a Babri naam ka tala (Babri lock) at the Ram temple."

" All of you know who comprises their votebank. Uttar Pradesh will never support those who shy away from Lord Ram's work," the Union minister noted, claiming that if the Opposition wins the Lok Sabha elections, crackers will be burst in Pakistan.

Accusing the SP of being a dynastic party, the senior BJP leader said the Opposition party's chief Akhilesh Yadav is contesting from Kannauj, his wife Dimple Yadav from Manipuri, Aditya Yadav from Budaun, Akshay Yadav from Firozabad and Dharmendra Yadav from Azamgarh.

"Once their children become mature, they will contest from all 80 seats. They are not well-wishers of the Yadav community as well," he claimed..

Holding the Congress responsible for stalling the Ram temple construction for 70 years, the Union home minister said, "When you made Mr Modi the Prime Minister for the second time, he not only won the legal dispute involving the Ram Janmabhoomi but also performed the bhoomi pujan (groundbreaking ceremony) of the Ram temple and its pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony in January."

Slamming the INDIA bloc, Mr Saha said, "If the alliance gets the majority, who will be its Prime Minister? Will Sharad Pawar, Mamata (Banerjee) Didi, (M.K.) Stalin, Mr Yadav or Mr Gandhi become the Prime Minister? It does not even have a prime ministerial candidate. It neither has a leader nor a policy nor determination."

"After the first three phases of the Lok Sabha polls, Modi Ji has crossed 190 seats... In the fourth phase, under Mr Modi's leadership, we are strongly heading towards 400 seats, while the SP, BSP and Congress have been wiped out," Mr Shah said.

The senior BJP leader alleged, "The Congress, SP and BSP are defaming the BJP and Modi Ji by spreading falsehood. They are saying that if Modi ji gets 400 seats, then reservations will end."

"When the Congress got a majority in Karnataka, a five per cent reservation was given to Muslims. The reservations for Muslims came from the OBC quota. In Andhra Pradesh, the reservation was given to Muslims. There, too, reservations for backward classes were cut. If the BJP gets a majority, then we will end the anti-constitutional Muslim reservation and give it to the backward classes."

Attacking Mr Gandhi, Mr Shah said, "He talks of eradicating poverty in one stroke... Your grandmother (former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi) imposed Emergency, your father (former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi) re-implemented triple talaq and your party has snatched away the reservation of backward communities."

"The Congress party and its cronies -- the SP in Uttar Pradesh -- are anti-backwards people. All backward class people should understand this," he said.

In Hardoi, Mr Shah continued his attack on the Congress and Mr Gandhi and said, "Mr Gandhi took out the Bharat Jodo Yatra. After elections, he will have to take out the Congress dhoondo yatra (find Congress march)," he said, accusing the INDIA bloc parties of being involved in scams worth '12-lakh crores.

On the opposition's attack on the alleged misuse of ED and CBI, Mr Shah said, "I want to tell Mr Gandhi and Mr Yadav, if you do corruption, you will be caught and no one can stop this."

In Kannauj, where Mr Yadav is contesting against the BJP's Subrat Pathak, Mr Shah said that for years, members of Mulayam Singh Yadav's family were elected by the people, but they did not return to the area after winning or losing.

Mr Shah also alleged that during the riots in western Uttar Pradesh, the SP leaders were watching dance performances in Saifai, the native place of the Yadav family. He asked the audience whether they will vote for those who run "family ke dukan" (family shop) or those who hear "Janta ke awaz" (voices of the public) from this seat."
HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi received tempo loads of ill-gotten money from the countrys two top industrialists Adani and Ambani after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were announced and, as a result, he stopped criticising them.

Speaking at a public meeting in the temple town of Vemulawada in Telangana, the Prime Minister demanded that the Congress explain to the nation on whether Shehzada (Rahul Gandhi), who for the past five years chanted Ambani-Adani, stuck a sauda (deal) with them and stopped abusing them. Zaroor daal me kuch kaala hai. Paanch saal tak Ambani, Adani ko gaali dee, aur raaton raat gaaliyaa band ho gayi. Matlab koi na koi chori kaa maal tempo bhar bhar ke aap ne paaya hai (definitely, something amiss. For five years, you criticised Ambani and Adani, but overnight you stopped abusing them. It means you have received some or the other ill-gotten money loaded in tempos), he said.

It is for the first time that Narendra Modi referred to the countrys two most powerful industrialists in his election campaign and to everyones shock, he also talked about tempo loads of black money still being in circulation in the country post-demonetisation.

I am asking shehzada (prince) from this soil of Telangana to explain how much money he took from Adani and Ambani? How much kala dhan (black money) he looted? Whether Congress received tempo loads of currency notes, he said.

The Prime Minister said Rahul Gandhi started chanting about five industrialists after his efforts to portray the Rafale deal in poor light fell flat. He then started talking about Ambani and Adani.

Seeing a huge crowd at the meeting, Modi said he was happy to see such a massive crowd, which he did not witness in his home state of Gujarat. He exuded confidence that the BJP-led NDA will register a thumping victory and even surveys conducted after the third phase of polls predicted it.

Modi is the first Prime Minister to visit the famous Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple, which is located about 150 km away from Hyderabad. He offered Kode Mokku and special prayers to the presiding deities.

Former state BJP president and sitting MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar is seeking his re-election from the Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency.

The Prime Minister said Sanjay Kumars win was evident from the large turnout of people from Karimnagar where the Congress struggled to find a candidate till eleventh hour. While the BJP always believes in the policy of nation first, both the Congress and the BRS believe in the policy of the family first. They are running the political parties for the family, of the family and by the family. They are two sides of a coin, Modi added.

He said the Congress, which works in the best interest and benefits of one family, neglected P.V. Narasimha Rao and also insulted him after his death by not conducting his final rites officially. But the BJP has honoured the late prime minister with Bharat Rathna. I felt happy to meet three generations of Narasimha Raos family, who are highly educated, at my office in Delhi, he pointed out.

Modi also questioned the Congress silence on the Kaleshwaram fiasco even after forming the government six months ago and accused the party of indulging in large-scale corruption and protecting the culprits. They joined hands together to indulge in corruption like that of a Fevicol and are also trying to support the AIMIM because the BJP has become a threat to all the three parties, he alleged.

He reiterated his charge that the Congress had been levying R (Rahul) R (Revanth) tax which is a multiple of the collections the RRR movie received.
Champion local news.

Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told.
COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, announced this morning the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing after Hamas fired several shells at the crossing, forcing the Israeli authorities to close it for several days.

Approx. 18 projectiles were fired from the Rafah area toward the areas of the Kerem Shalom Crossing and Reim (southern Israel), following the sirens that sounded earlier today. This is the second time in the past few days that projectiles were fired toward the Kerem Shalom pic.twitter.com/BCJ6KCXn6p  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 7, 2024

The terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack, which left four soldiers dead and 10 wounded. According to Hamas, the target of the attack was a military post from which the Israeli army was allegedly organising the imminent invasion of Rafah.

Days after the attack, trucks from Egypt have begun arriving at the crossing carrying humanitarian aid, including food, water, shelter kits, medicine and medical equipment donated by the international community, COGAT said in a statement.

The agency also indicated that the trucks will be inspected before entering Gaza - as has been the case in recent months - while recalling that the recently opened Erez crossing in the north of the enclave is still operational to facilitate the entry of more humanitarian aid to the Gazan population.

Following the closure of Kerem Shalom crossing due to rocket fire by Hamas, the Kerem Shalom Crossing is now open for the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.



Aid trucks are already arriving at the crossing. After a thorough security inspection, they will be  COGAT (@cogatonline) May 8, 2024

However, the Rafah crossing - where chronically ill people were leaving for Egypt on a daily basis and where humanitarian aid was also entering - remains closed as Israeli forces continue their operations in the area.

The Israel Defense Forces seized the Rafah crossing shortly after beginning operations in the southern Gaza city, considered the last bastion of Hamas. Many of the hostages are also believed to be held in the area.

The Israeli military says troops killed several gunmen and located tunnel shafts during operations in eastern Rafah over the past day.



The tunnels discovered in the area are being prepared to be demolished by combat engineers, the IDF says.



In one incident in eastern Rafah, the pic.twitter.com/Wu0TDxDW4k May 8, 2024

So far, according to Israeli military officials, the IDF has already eliminated several terrorists and located several tunnels during operations in eastern Rafah that will be demolished by combat engineers.

In addition, the Israeli air force struck more than 100 targets throughout the Gaza Strip in recent hours, including buildings used by terrorist groups, observation posts and rocket launchers.

Meanwhile, the Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza reported the deaths of at least 21 people killed by Israeli fire.

IDF took ivermectin Rafah crossing point and still advancing pic.twitter.com/cIzOjQ0fDm  Asaad Sam Hanna (@AsaadHannaa) May 7, 2024

US approves of Israeli operation in Rafah, as long as it is "limited"

The United States, which for months opposed an Israeli military offensive in Rafah, now backs a "limited" operation that cuts off Hamas's ability to receive smuggled weapons.

"It is a legitimate objective to try to deprive Hamas of money that it could use to continue to fund its terrorist activities," said White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

IDF says it is asking residents of Eastern Rafah to evacuate.

Full IDF statement:



There has been a surge of humanitarian aid going into Gaza. The IDF has expanded the humanitarian area in Al- Mawasi to accommodate the increased levels of aid flowing into Gaza. This expanded pic.twitter.com/T3F9hMxHFK  Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) May 6, 2024

However, according to Kirby, Washington's position could change if the Israeli offensive expands its reach and causes further obstruction of aid deliveries to Gaza.

These statements come after the Biden administration confirmed that it had recently withheld a large arms shipment to Israel that it feared could be used during the Rafah ground operation. This is the first time the US has withheld an arms shipment for the Israeli army since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
Chinese President Xi Jinping was received "with respect and love" by his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic in the Serbian capital on Wednesday, a new leg of his European tour that has already taken him to France and will end in Hungary.

China has invested billions of dollars in Serbia and the Balkans, especially in the mining and manufacturing sectors, and Beijing and Belgrade signed a free trade agreement last year.

Accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan, Xi Jinping was greeted on Wednesday by Aleksandar Vucic on a red carpet in front of the main government buildings to the sound of the military band.

The two leaders greeted a crowd of several thousand people, some waving Chinese flags, from a balcony, according to footage from Serbian state television RTS.

Vucic welcomed Xi Jinping and called him "a friend of Serbia". "The respect and love you will find here, in our Serbia, you will not find anywhere else," he added.

The Chinese president was greeted by his country's national anthem, before shaking hands with several Serbian officials.

"Yes, Taiwan is China," Vucic told the crowd, a statement in line with China's claim to the island, which it considers part of its territory.

At the start of their bilateral meeting, Xi told Vucic that there was "a strong feeling of friendship" between the two countries.

They then met to sign a joint statement on strengthening their diplomatic relations and attended the presentation of several draft trade agreements, including the purchase of Chinese trains, new air links and increased imports of Serbian goods.

The Chinese president arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday evening after a state visit to France where he was received with pomp by French President Emmanuel Macron and they discussed trade disputes and Beijing-Moscow relations, which the West frowns upon in the context of the war in Ukraine.

In addition to France and Serbia, on his first trip to Europe since 2019, Xi Jinping will visit Hungary.

Serbia and Hungary are considered the most friendly countries with Russia and China on the European continent.

"Fantastic"

Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali told RTS that Wednesday's talks would focus on "a big project", without giving further details.

Xi Jinping's visit to Belgrade coincides with the 25th anniversary of the US bombing of the Chinese embassy, which killed three people on May 7, 1999, as part of a NATO campaign against Serb targets during the Kosovo war.

The US later apologised and claimed that the maps were out of date.

Speaking about the event in an article published on Tuesday in the Serbian daily Politika, Xi Jinping said NATO had "brazenly bombed" the embassy.

"The Chinese people cherish peace, but will never allow the tragedy of history to happen again," he stressed, also extolling the "unfailing friendship" between China and Serbia.

Serbs interviewed by AFP in Belgrade said they welcomed Xi Jinping's arrival.

"I think it's a great thing, this visit by the president of one of the most powerful countries in the world," said Stojan Vidovic, a 67-year-old pensioner.

"It's fantastic for us," said Dijana Radic, 69, who hopes the visit will lead to "something good for both sides".
The Ukrainian government blocked a Russian conspiracy to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the embattled country's government announced on Tuesday.

Two Ukrainian colonels in the country's state guard - which provides security for top government officials - were allegedly recruited by Russia's Federal Security Service prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Vasyl Maliuk, head of the Ukrainian State Security Service, alleged that the plot was scheduled to coincide with Russian President Vladimir Putin's Tuesday inauguration, the Associated Press reported.

Ukrainian officials believe that three Russian spies were the masterminds behind plans to recruit members of Zelenskyy's security detail to first hold the president hostage and then to kill him. The Ukrainian government further alleged that the individuals involved in the plot were seeking to target other Ukrainian officials with rockets, drones and missiles, according to the Associated Press.

The Ukrainian colonels involved in the plot were arrested on suspicion of treason. If convicted they could face life in prison.
In what's become one of the biggest cases in the history of the UCLA Police Department, investigators are now identifying the dozens of people who attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment on school grounds last week by scanning hundreds of images from live video feeds.

The technology UCLA detectives are using is the same technology that police use to find suspects in retail burglaries and was particularly helpful in assisting the FBI when assailants stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6. The method led federal prosecutors to charge more than 1,300 people after January 6.

"Technology has made the entire community into the eyes of law enforcement," said retired Los Angeles police Capt. Paul Vernon.

"Photo recognition has gotten a lot easier," he added.

Retrieving cellphone data from the immediate area helps place an individual at the scene during the time of the incident.

The attackers are likely to have used vehicles, allowing police to examine license plate readers for movements made near campus early Wednesday.

However, as advanced as the technology may seem, it does face a number of challenges.

Some of the assailants wore masks to help conceal their identities, meaning detectives will have to thoroughly scan split moments from footage either before or after the attacks to catch the suspects without disguise, according to The Los Angeles Times.

While it took three hours for authorities to break up the scene, those who were involved fled, and no arrests were made.

Anger and resentment have spread far and wide among protestors in the camp as well as supporters who watched the videos, due to the length of time police took to stop the attack.

Students who were injured and hospitalized with their wounds have turned to organizations like the Council on American Islamic Relations for Southern California.

The UCLA Police Department has said it is contacting other agencies as well as private entities in the hope of accessing the technology needed for the investigation.

Many of the arrests made following the Jan. 6 attack were also based on information given by relatives, colleagues, friends, and ex-significant others after the FBI released photographs of the suspects.

Snapshots from the ambush are popping up on social media platforms, such as Instagram.

In one post, a man can allegedly be seen using a plank to hit a pro-Palestinian protester and then punching and kicking others. His bearded face could easily be seen, as it was not hidden behind a mask.

UCLA has yet to announce a public appeal seeking information on specific suspects.

Pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up at college campuses around the nation, calling for schools to divest from Israeli interests amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Below is the full transcript of the interview:

RFE/RL: Today, our exclusive guest is Frances Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies. Mr. Ambassador, welcome to our studio.

Ambassador Decottignies: Barev Dzez (Hello). Thank you for having me.

RFE/RL: As the main concern on everyones minds today is about the delimitation in the Tavush/Qazax region, Ill start our conversation right there. So during the last several days weve heard numerous statements from the Western and also regional countries voicing their support to the agreement between Yerevan and Baku, while France, Armenians closest ally in the West, has remained silent. Why?

Ambassador Decottignies: Well, it's good that the delimitation is starting and it's even better that it's starting on the basis of the Almaty Declaration. So it's a positive development. Obviously, it needs to be followed up. Armenia has expressed its will to make some concessions based on the Almaty Declaration and we expect Azerbaijan to make concessions as well. Azerbaijan is currently occupying large swathes of Armenian territory and it should withdraw from those territories. Our prime minister recently reminded this point. And so we think it's a good development that needs follow-up.

RFE/RL: Do you share the concern that effective delimitation couldn't be conducted under threat as acknowledged by the Prime Minister of Armenia?

Ambassador Decottignies: You have to start somewhere. You have to start somewhere and to do the delimitation through negotiation. And so Tavush is a good starting point. And we're looking forward to the delimitation to continue within the agreed principles that Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed to in the Prague Declaration that is the Almaty principle, defining the international border of former Soviet republics and the respect for and recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

RFE/RL: A good starting point or a starting point that was at least achievable?

Ambassador Decottignies: It has started. And for that we should be positive.

RFE/RL: Several opposition parties that criticized governments' stance on this announced that they are going to meet with, with the envoys from the Western countries. Have you met with them and what was your message?

Ambassador Decottignies: I meet with them. I haven't met with them on that particular topic. I've received proposals and, of course, I will meet. We have a friendly country of Armenia and the French embassy is open to all Armenian political forces.

RFE/RL: During the recent months we've seen unprecedented deterioration in the relations between France and Azerbaijan, leading to Paris recalling its ambassador from Baku. Nevertheless, during the last week we have heard several statements from Azeri media, including official ones, that she is back. Can you confirm this?

Ambassador Decottignies: I'm not the French ambassador to Azerbaijan.

RFE/RL: But you are aware

Ambassador Decottignies: Im not in charge of the relationship with that country. We've had a number and we still have a number of issues with Azerbaijan which have been stated clearly including by our interior minister a few days ago on Azerbaijan's interference in our domestic politics, especially in the New Caledonia region. I have nothing to add to what the interior minister said.

RFE/RL: Is she in Baku right now?

Ambassador Decottignies: I can't tell you whether she is in Paris or in Baku, but I can tell you she is not in Shushi.

RFE/RL: We've seen that there is a perception that Aliyev is trying to maintain unchecked dominance in this region. Is France comfortable with this?

Ambassador Decottignies: We simply are comfortable with what we do with Armenia. We have initiated with Armenia a defense cooperation, which is something new in our relationship, which is gaining a lot of momentum. There have been a number of agreements between the two countries during the past few months with three goals: providing Armenia with defensive weapons to defend its population, its territory, its sovereignty; providing the Armenian armed forces with training in Armenia or in France; and also providing counseling to the Armenian defense ministry.

RFE/RL: And your defense minister was here two months ago with a delegation that included also very famous French armed manufacturers. Can you update on whether there are new agreements coming out of this visit? And if yes, what's the time frame for the supplies?

Ambassador Decottignies: A number of agreements have been announced both last October and during the defense ministers visit. And we are listening to our Armenian friends needs.

RFE/RL: And what are their needs?

Ambassador Decottignies: Well, you know, defensive weapons to defend their territory.

RFE/RL: Just a month ago, your minister Stephane Sejourne, standing next to Secretary of State Antony Blinken openly said that Azerbaijan is going out of hand and it's also challenging Armenias territorial integrity. If that would be the case as we have witnessed several times during recent years' aggressions, what would be the concrete actions that Yerevan can expect from France?

Ambassador Decottignies: Well, were not waiting for an aggression to happen. Thats why were developing this cooperation.

RFE/RL: So this is about cooperation. This is about defensive arms supplies.

Ambassador Decottignies: Supplies, training and advising. In our history in 1940 we experienced a terrible defeat against Nazi Germany. Our army, which we thought was the strongest in the world because we were the winners of World War I and were the main military partner in the alliance of World War I, was defeated in a matter of weeks. And we learned from that. A famous French historian [Marc Bloch] who happened to be serving in the army as an officer at the time wrote a book called the Strange Defeat and he made a diagnosis of the defeat, and his take very interestingly was that all major military defeats are first and foremost intellectual defeats. And that's why, you know, there's a lot of focus on weapons, equipment, which matter, but doctrine is also key.

RFE/RL: And also, I remember your last interview with the Public TV channel where you mentioned that in the event of aggression against Armenia, France within its capabilities can give Armenia a chance to defend itself. So my question pertains to these capabilities. For example, could Paris consider sending its troops to Armenia like it did, for example, ten years ago when it sent troops to Mali or Libya to neutralize armed groups?

Ambassador Decottignies: We're speaking about a very different situation. The operations in the Sahel region of Africa were counter-terror operations. Here we have a state-to-state cooperation and we're trying to contribute to the buildup of the Armenian armed forces. Once again, we're not waiting for something to happen. We're trying to do what's necessary for things not to happen.

RFE/RL: I am talking about the concrete actions. There were two resolutions adopted by the French Senate recently, almost unanimously, urging your government to adopt sanctions against Azerbaijan, including seizing assets of Azerbaijani leaders and implementing an embargo on gas and oil imports from the country. So it seems to me that on one hand, the French government acknowledged that we have to deal with an aggressive country that was also involved in ethnic cleansing. On the other hand, it hesitates to opt for coercive measures.

Ambassador Decottignies: Sanctions in Europe are taken at the European level. The reason why is that we are a single market. European Union members form a single market. So you can't adopt sanctions unilaterally as just one member of the European Union.

RFE/RL: But the Czech Republic just imposed unilateral sanctions against Russia and it was targeting also Patriarch Kiril, if I am not wrong.

Ambassador Decottignies: But if you talk about meaningful sanctions that are economic sanctions that affect, for instance, the oil and gas sector or any economic sector, Europe is a house. If you close one window, you can go through another window, through the chimney. You need to get all European countries to agree on sanctions, to have efficient sanctions. And currently there's no agreement on that, there's no consensus on that.

RFE/RL: Within France?

Ambassador Decottignies: Within the EU.

RFE/RL: Within the EU. And talking about the EU, France was also very vocal about including Armenia in the bloc's European Peace Facility program. And we had information from diplomatic sources that there was an initial agreement of providing Armenia with 10 million euros. But Hungary is now blocking it. Have you heard about this? And would there be joint efforts to convince Orban to reconsider his stance?

Ambassador Decottignies: That's a good question for the ambassador of Hungary when he or she will be nominated, because as you know you just have had an agreement with Hungary on that, if I'm not mistaken.

RFE/RL: Yes, absolutely right.

Ambassador Decottignies: As far as my country is concerned, we support and advocate restlessly within the European Union for Armenia to benefit from the European Peace Facility. Why? Because Armenia is finding itself in a situation very similar to a number of other beneficiaries of the European Peace Facility. It is a country whose territory is partly occupied and who's being threatened by regional powers.

RFE/RL: And there is also another question that France was very vocal about. It's about the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. And I remember that last October when there was a hearing in the French Senate, your former foreign minister said that this is a crime that can't go unanswered, and France is going to initiate a new resolution in the United Nations Permanent Council to create conditions for [peoples] returns, including international peacekeepers and ensuring their rights. So six months have passed. Can you update what have been done so far?

Ambassador Decottignies: There's one positive development. It is that we have a legal basis for discussion, not only in the United Nations Security Council, basically in any international fora, that is the order [Order of 17 November 2023], the decision of the International Court of Justice, that recognizes the right to return for the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. So, this is a strong and legal basis, very detailed decision. And this decision is obligatory. It's not an opinion of the court. It is obligatory for all members of the International Court of Justice, including for Azerbaijan. When it comes to the Security Council proper, France has three times [called] the Security Council [on] the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, both during the blockade and after the assault by Azerbaijan. In the Security Council, one country, one permanent member of the Security Council, like France, can block a text, but one country cannot impose a text.

RFE/RL: Can you disclose what country was blocking it?

Ambassador Decottignies: There wasn't a majority to move forward to vote. And there's a country which has...

RFE/RL: Just one?

Ambassador Decottignies: No, no, no, there wasn't a majority, there wasnt a majority. And among the countries that have a veto right, you know, not all of them share our view of the situation.

RFE/RL: And Prime Minister Pashinyan invited the French President to Armenia to participate in a gala concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Charles Aznavour. Can you confirm if President Macron's visit this fall is planned to Armenia?

Ambassador Decottignies: We are talking about the possibility of a visit with the Armenian authorities. Obviously the 100th anniversary of Charles Aznavour is a very seductive occasion.

RFE/RL: So it's not confirmed yet?

Ambassador Decottignies: It's not confirmed yet.

RFE/RL: You're just working on that?

Ambassador Decottignies: Absolutely.

RFE/RL: And you're talking, I've heard during your interviews, about Armenians EU aspirations. Where do you see the country? As a candidate state, as a state that is closely cooperating with the EU family or maybe somewhere else?

Ambassador Decottignies: Well, it's for Armenia to say where Armenia is standing on that. And as you know, the position of the Armenian government, which was expressed by the Prime Minister and the EU Parliament

RFE/RL: As close as you would allow.

Ambassador Decottignies: It's a very romantic way to put it. And I like it. And it sounds like a love declaration, actually. In practical terms, Armenia is already within the European political community, which is an initiative taken by France, an initiative of President Macron to include countries that have a lot to do with the EU and are not in the EU or not yet in the EU into processes and work on our common goals and our common challenges. It's in this framework that the most important progress was achieved in the negotiation with Azerbaijan in the Prague meeting, you know, recognition of Almaty principle, recognition of the territorial integrity of both states. So Armenia has already a foot in the European family. And in the past few I've only been in Armenia for a few months now, eight months. I see a lot of aspirations for Europe as a set of values, as a way of life, as a common civilization. And there were some very brave decisions made by Armenia on that path, for instance, the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. So, it's for Armenia to define its position. But there are already some commonalities, some common policies. There was recently a discussion of the whole range of cooperation with Europe in Brussels with representatives of your government. So it's not zero or one, and I see the temperature warming up.

RFE/RL: And one off-topic question: we have seen Russias presidents inauguration in Moscow, several Western countries boycotted it, while Frances ambassador took participation. What was behind this decision? Can you just elaborate on this?

Ambassador Decottignies: You can attend this kind of event at different levels. And the choice of level shows the level of engagements.

RFE/RL: And you've mentioned, or maybe your former ambassador mentioned that Armenia might be a place for negotiations between West and East and the conflicting parties. Do you see this opportunity still available?

Ambassador Decottignies: I think Armenia is a country in a very interesting situation. You know, it lies between Europe, the Middle East, and the former Soviet Union. So it's a very interesting geopolitical position. But it's also a position that comes with challenges. Today the challenges dominate, but the opportunities might rise again.

RFE/RL: Thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Ambassador.

Ambassador Decottignies: Thank you very much.
8 May 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

The Shah Deniz field is one of the largest natural gas fields in Azerbaijan, and the broader Caspian Sea region. This field was discovered in 1999 by the Shah Deniz consortium during exploration drilling in the Caspian Sea. The consortium comprises several international oil and gas companies, with bp being the operator.

The development of the Shah Deniz field has been conducted in multiple phases to maximize its production capacity and economic viability. The initial phase, known as Shah Deniz Phase 1, involved the development of production infrastructure and facilities to produce and export natural gas to regional and international markets. Subsequent phases, including Shah Deniz Phase 2 and potential future expansions, aim at further increasing production capacity and exploring additional reserves within the field.

Shah Deniz field represents a significant strategic asset for Azerbaijan and its partners, contributing to the country's energy sector development, economic growth, and regional cooperation in the Caspian region and beyond.

The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) earned $202.715 million from the Shah Deniz (gas and condensate) field from the beginning of the current year until May 1.

Revenues from the Shah Deniz field have experienced a drastic decline, plummeting by 4.6 times compared to the corresponding period last year.

Notably, revenues from condensate sales on the Shah Deniz field have seen a staggering 3.2 times decrease during this period, amounting to $60.784 million.

This downturn in revenues underscores the challenges facing the energy sector, necessitating a closer examination of market conditions and potential strategies for recovery.

The 4.6-fold decrease in revenues from the Shah Deniz field compared to the corresponding period of last year can be attributed to several factors:

Market Conditions: Fluctuations in global gas and condensate prices can significantly impact revenues from the Shah Deniz field. If prices have declined sharply compared to the previous year, it would directly affect the revenue generated, leading to a drastic decrease.

Production Levels: Reduced production levels from the Shah Deniz field could also contribute to the decline in revenues. Factors such as maintenance shutdowns, technical issues, or natural decline in reservoir productivity can lead to lower production volumes and consequently lower revenues.

Contractual Agreements: Changes in contractual agreements, including pricing structures or sales volumes, could influence revenue outcomes. If the terms of the agreements have become less favorable, it could result in decreased revenues even if production levels remain constant.

Market Demand: Changes in market demand for gas and condensate products can impact revenues. If demand decreased compared to the previous year due to factors such as economic downturns or shifts in energy consumption patterns, it would lead to lower sales volumes and revenues.

The decrease is also related to another field, ACG.

The "Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli" (ACG) oil field block is one of the largest and most significant oil-producing assets in Azerbaijan and the wider Caspian Sea region.

The ACG field is located in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. It encompasses several individual oil fields, including the Azeri, Chirag, and Gunashli fields, which are operated collectively under the ACG project.

The ACG project is operated by bp (British Petroleum) in collaboration with other international oil companies and Azerbaijan's state-owned oil company, SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic). The current shareholders in the ACG project and their respective stakes are as follows:

BP-30.37%, SOCAR-25%, MOL Group-9.57%, INPEX-9.31%, Equinor- 7.27%, ExxonMobil, 6.79%, TPAO (Turkish Petroleum Corporation)- 5.73%, ITOCHU-3.65%, ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL)-2.31%.

The Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) oil field block represents a cornerstone of Azerbaijan's oil industry and a key driver of its economy, playing a crucial role in the country's energy security and prosperity.

In January-April of this year, the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) reported an income of 1 billion 798.6 million US dollars from the "Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli" (ACG) oil field block located in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

It is noted that this figure is 669.4 million US dollars, or 27.1% less than the revenue recorded in the same period of 2023.

It is worth noting that in January-April 2023, SOFAZ received an income of 2 billion 468 million US dollars from ACG.

Regarding the 27.1 percent decrease in revenues of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) for the "Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli" (ACG) field block during the four months of the current year compared to the same period last year:

Production Volume: One possible reason for the decrease in revenues from the ACG field block is a decline in production volume. If production levels have decreased due to factors such as reservoir depletion or operational issues, it would directly impact the revenue generated from oil sales.

Oil Prices: Fluctuations in global oil prices can significantly influence revenues from oil-producing assets like the ACG field block. If oil prices have decreased compared to the previous year, it would lead to lower revenues even if production levels remain constant.

Contractual Changes: Changes in contractual agreements, such as adjustments to revenue-sharing arrangements or taxation policies, could affect the revenue outcomes for the ACG field block. If the terms of the agreements have become less favorable, it could result in decreased revenues for SOFAZ.

Operational Costs: Increased operational costs associated with oil extraction and transportation could also contribute to the decline in revenues. If expenses have risen significantly compared to the previous year, it would impact the net revenue generated from oil sales.

Overall, a combination of factors including market conditions, production levels, contractual agreements, and operational costs likely contributed to the decrease in revenues from both the Shah Deniz and ACG field blocks.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 13:41 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

Trade relations between Azerbaijan and China have seen significant growth in recent years, reflecting the strengthening economic ties between the two countries. The first quarter of 2024 witnessed a substantial increase in trade turnover, Azernews reports, citing the State Customs Committee.

During this period, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and China reached a noteworthy sum of $748,8 million. This figure represents a considerable surge compared to the same period in 2023, with an impressive increase of $123,8 million, marking a notable rise of 19.8%.

Azerbaijan's imports from China during the reporting period were particularly significant, totaling $743.7 million. This indicates a substantial increase of $154.6 million, or 26.2%, compared to the previous year's figures, showcasing the expanding demand for Chinese goods within Azerbaijan's market.

It is worth highlighting that in the first quarter of the preceding year, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and China amounted to $625.1 million. This indicates a clear upward trajectory in trade activities between the two nations, underlining the growing importance of their economic partnership.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 18:13 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

The next meeting of the Chairman of the Central Bank, Taleh Kazimov, was held with the heads of insurance companies, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the results of the first quarter of the current year and the development prospects of the sector were discussed.

The meeting also discussed important issues such as strategic priorities and goals of the sector, initiatives implemented in this framework, as well as strengthening the protection of consumers' rights.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

The 7th meeting of the High-Level Working Group on the Caspian Sea issues was held in Baku on May 6-7, Azernews reports.

The meeting was attended by Samir Sharifov, head of the delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, A. Jahangiri, head of the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Z. Amanjolova, head of the delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, M. Petrakov, head of the delegation of the Russian Federation, and M. Atajanov, head of the delegation of Turkmenistan.

The head of the Azerbaijani delegation Samir Sharifov chaired the meeting.

The discussions revolved around the drawing of the straight boundary lines in the Caspian Sea.

The meeting also discussed cooperation regarding the Caspian Sea.

The heads of the delegations expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for the excellent organization of the meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on June 24-27 in Iran.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 10:19 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

Working meeting was held at the National Defense University with the leadership of the National Defense University of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan visiting Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The guests first visited the graves of Martyrs, fallen for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and laid flowers in Alley of Martyrs.

Working environment meeting discussed the reforms carried out in military education in the Azerbaijan Army in recent years and applied technological innovations under the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev.

After the briefings on the history of the establishment of both universities, the education system and educational processes, the prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of military education, as well as other issues of mutual interest were discussed.

The Book of Honor of the National Defense University was signed.

The meeting ended with the exchange of presents.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 10:56 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

As stipulated in the 2020 ceasefire statement, a joint road and railway can be constructed from Zangazur territory, Azernews reports, citing the representative of the President of Azerbaijan on special tasks, Elchin Amirbeyov, as he told in a statement to the German newspaper "ZEIT".

He noted that through this corridor, Armenia can get out of isolation, collect transit fees, and improve relations with Turkiye.

Regarding the possibility of Armenia rejecting this offer, E. Amirbeyov noted that a road and railway can be built through Iran, which would be only ten kilometers longer than the Zangezur corridor.

E. Amirbeyov considered the worries of Armenians absurd.

The material published by the newspaper stated that the length of the strip of landfalling on the territory of Armenia is only 34 kilometers and it separates Azerbaijan from its exclave, Nakhchivan. In response to the question about the possibility of war, E. Amirbeyov emphasized that it will not happen at all. According to him, the exchange of military personnel between the countries is also a positive trend and it also serves to strengthen the trust between Baku and Yerevan.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 14:46 (UTC+04:00)

Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov and Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye Cevdet Yilmaz had a one-on-one meeting in Ankara, Azernews reports.

The sides hailed the efforts of President Ilham Aliyev and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the comprehensive development of Azerbaijan-Turkiye strategic partnership and alliance.

The parties also noted the significance the 11th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkiye and the joint Business Forum, scheduled to be held in Ankara.

The pair expressed confidence that PM Ali Asadov's official visit would contribute to further enhancing of Azerbaijan-Turkiye relations.

The meeting focused on the issues related to further strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries across various domains.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 14:15 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul, AZERNEWS

The "Solidarity Ring" (STRING) initiative is poised to boost the flow of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, potentially reaching 5 billion cubic meters annually, Azernews reports citing foreign media.

Richard Kvasnovski, the executive director of the Slovak Gas and Oil Association (SGOA), emphasized this prospect in an interview with the Slovak publication "Pravda." He highlighted how Europe's reliance on Russian natural gas has diminished due to increased imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Norwegian supplies.

Kvasnovski underscored Azerbaijan's potential as a significant alternative source, crucial for enhancing energy security, particularly given the historical ties of Central and Eastern European countries to Eastern gas pipelines. He emphasized the importance of the "Ring of Solidarity" initiative, aimed at augmenting natural gas imports from Azerbaijan through existing infrastructure and bolstering cross-border relations.

"Azerbaijan can become another source. This would be an important contribution to the improvement of energy security, especially considering the historical connection of Central and Eastern European countries with the eastern gas pipeline system."

At the outset, Kvasnovski suggested that the region could purchase up to 5 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Azerbaijan, aligning with Slovakia's annual consumption.

He highlighted Azerbaijan's pivotal role as an EU partner in diversifying natural gas supply, evidenced by the Strategic Partnership Memorandum with the European Commission, aiming to escalate Azerbaijani gas exports to 20 billion cubic meters yearly.

"It is planned to increase the supply of Azerbaijani gas to 20 billion cubic meters per year."

It should be noted that Azerbaijan commenced gas exports to Europe on December 31, 2020, with agreements in place to ensure a minimum supply of 20 billion cubic meters annually until 2027. Additionally, the Trans-Adriatic Gas Pipeline (TAP) is set to increase its capacity by the end of 2025, allowing for the reception of an extra 1.2 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas. Italy and Albania are slated to benefit from this expansion.

Furthermore, the "Ring of Solidarity" project witnessed a milestone on April 25, 2023, in Sofia, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Azerbaijan State Oil Company (SOCAR) and the gas transmission lines of Bulgaria ("Bulgartransgaz"), Romania ("Transgaz"), Hungary (FGSZ), and Slovakia ("Eustream"). This agreement outlines cooperative efforts between the transmission system operators and SOCAR to facilitate additional gas deliveries from Azerbaijan to Europe via upgraded gas transmission networks in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 19:21 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Ambassador Ayubhon Yunusov met with President of the Kuwaiti company KAM International Group Abdulwahab al-Atwan and Executive director of the company Osama al-Hanani, Azernews reports.

According to the information, Kuwaiti entrepreneurs were familiarized with the current achievements of Uzbekistan in the field of economic development, the processes of economic liberalization and democratization of society, as well as with the country's potential and favorable investment and business climate.

It was noted that entrepreneurs will be able to receive more detailed information about investment, export and tourism opportunities in Uzbekistan at the presentation of the investment, export and tourism potential of Uzbekistan and at the exhibition "Made in Uzbekistan", which will be held on May 13-14 in Kuwait. These events are aimed at establishing cooperation with Uzbek companies in the field of trade and investment.

The management of KAM International Group expressed its appreciation for the investment and export opportunities of Uzbekistan and confirmed its readiness to establish partnerships with Uzbek companies.

As a result of the meeting, it was agreed to organize online negotiations with Uzbek companies interested in developing mutually beneficial relations.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Pastor Glenn Germany, a Pennsylvania pastor who found himself staring down the barrel of a gun during a live sermon, is crediting divine intervention with saving his life.

"He pulled the gun; it clicked. You heard him shoot it," Germany told WPXI-TV. "God jammed the gun so the bullet didn't come out."

The video below plays back a livestream of the service while Germany was delivering a sermon when suddenly a gunman walks toward the front of the church and points a pistol directly at the pastor.

Police identified the attempted shooter as Bernard Junior Polite, who allegedly told the authorities that the voices in his head told him to do it.

Allegheny County Police officers also discovered a man's body who was shot dead inside Polite's home on Sunday night.

It remains unclear if Polite, 26, is connected to the fatal shooting.

The suspect was not a member of the church.
8 May 2024 23:26 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Germany's Energie Baden-Wurttemberg AG (EnBW) has agreed with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to purchase low-carbon liquefied natural gas (LNG) on a long-term basis, Azernews reports.

"EnBW has signed a contract with ADNOC for the purchase of LNG for a period of 15 years. The Emirati company will annually supply 0.6 million tons of LNG to EnBW after the planned commissioning of the Ruwais LNG plant in 2028," the statement said.

Ruwais LNG with a total capacity of 9.6 million tons per year will be the first liquefied natural gas plant in the Middle East to meet its electricity needs from low-carbon sources.

With over 28,000 employees, EnBW is one of the largest energy supply companies in Germany and Europe.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 20:35 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Elon Musk offered to test the self-driving (FSD) functions of his cars during his recent trip to China, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

The CEO of the United States electric vehicle maker Tesla, proposed testing the full self-driving, or FSD, functions of its vehicles in the Chinese market by deploying them as "taxis" during his recent visit to China, and sources indicated that the Chinese government may have offered partial support for this plan, according to chinadaily.com.cn.

In addition to seeking approval for its most advanced FSD software rollout in China, Musk also suggested implementing these functions in the country's taxi services, individuals close to the matter told China Daily.

Chinese officials told Musk that China "welcomes Tesla to do some robotaxi tests in the country" and hopes it to "set a good example", the sources said, but authorities did not immediately approve its widespread use of FSD functions.

Industry experts said that despite rising protectionism, including TikTok's ban in the United States, China has sent a clear signal that it is further opening its doors to multinational companies to test their advanced technologies in the country for mutual gain.

Musk confirmed earlier this year that Tesla would unveil its robotaxi, a concept that has long been part of the company's ambitious plans, on Aug 8. China is Tesla's second-largest market, and trade news reports say the robotaxi could be a "life-saving straw" for the US company to gain back market share from local carmakers.

Before the full rollout of its FSD functions, Tesla still needs to get approval to collect and transfer data that Tesla's cars need to train its driver-assistance features. People familiar with the matter said that this issue wasn't discussed in detail during Musk's visit to China.

On April 20, Chinese internet firm Baidu held a news conference announcing collaborations with several companies, including Tesla, related to the launch of its advanced lane-level navigation.

Some media reports said that Tesla inked a deal with Baidu to clear another regulatory hurdle for its autonomous driving services. A source close to Baidu told China Daily that he didn't see "any new deal related to FSD functions" between the two.

The two companies initiated their partnership in 2020, with Tesla already integrating Baidu's navigation map into its vehicles in China.

The source said he believed that the latest cooperation only means that the accuracy of Baidu's map provided to Tesla has been improved to some extent, and that it has no direct relations with its FSD function.

"Tesla doesn't rely on mapping to offer autonomous driving and hasn't got a license from Baidu to use its mapping license," he said.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, all intelligent driving systems are required to obtain a qualification before they can operate on public roads. Foreign companies need to partner with domestic companies that have obtained the license.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 21:22 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The U.S. Department of Commerce has revoked several export licenses that allowed some companies to supply goods, including semiconductors, to Chinese electronics manufacturer Huawei, Azernews reports.

According to an agency interlocutor familiar with the situation, the companies received notifications from the Ministry of Trade that their licenses had been revoked, and the decision immediately took effect.

Reuters believes that this step followed the release of a new model of the Huawei MateBook X Pro laptop with artificial intelligence support.

In August 2018, US President Donald Trump signed a decree banning government departments from using Huawei equipment under the pretext of a threat to national security. In 2020, the United States Department of Commerce restricted the company's access to chips made using American technology in order to avoid leakage of production secrets to the PRC. Huawei denies all the accusations against it.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 21:45 (UTC+04:00)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) today launched the World Migration Report 2024, which reveals significant shifts in global migration patterns, including a record number of displaced people and a major increase in international remittances, according to the official website of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Azernews reports.

IOM Director General Amy Pope formally released the report in Bangladesh, which stands at the forefront of migration challenges, including emigration, immigration and displacement.

The World Migration Report 2024 helps demystify the complexity of human mobility through evidence-based data and analysis, IOM Director General Amy Pope said at the launch. In a world grappling with uncertainty, understanding migration dynamics is essential for informed decision-making and effective policy responses, and the World Migration Report advances this understanding by shedding light on longstanding trends and emerging challenges.

The report highlights that international migration remains a driver of human development and economic growth, highlighted by a more than 650 per cent increase in international remittances from 2000 to 2022, rising from USD 128 billion to USD 831 billion. The growth continued despite predictions from many analysts that remittances would decrease substantially because of COVID-19.

Of that 831 billion in remittances, 647 billion were sent by migrants to low and middle-income countries. These remittances can constitute a significant portion of those countries' GDPs, and globally, these remittances now surpass foreign direct investment in those countries.

Highlighting key findings, the report reveals that while international migration continues to drive human development, challenges persist. With an estimated 281 million international migrants worldwide, the number of displaced individuals due to conflict, violence, disaster, and other reasons has surged to the highest levels in modern-day records, reaching 117 million, underscoring the urgency of addressing displacement crises.

Migration, an intrinsic part of human history, is often overshadowed by sensationalized narratives. However, the reality is far more nuanced than what captures headlines. Most migration is regular, safe, and regionally focused, directly linked to opportunities and livelihoods. Yet, misinformation and politicization have clouded public discourse, necessitating a clear and accurate portrayal of migration dynamics.

By choosing Dhaka as the report's launch site, IOM not only highlights the country's efforts in supporting vulnerable migrants and fostering pathways for regular migration but also recognizes Bangladesh's important role in shaping global migration discourse and policy.

As a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration Champion country, Bangladesh has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing migration issues and implementing policies that safeguard migrants' rights. This proactive engagement aligns with IOM's strategic objectives, making Bangladesh an ideal location to launch the 2024 World Migration Report.

IOMs World Migration Report, with its innovative digital tools and comprehensive analysis, aims to help dispel myths, provide critical insights, and inspire meaningful action in addressing the challenges and opportunities of human mobility.

We hope the report inspires collaborative efforts to harness the potential of migration as a driver for human development and global prosperity, DG Pope said.

As one of the GCM champion countries, Bangladesh will not only continue to act upon the pledges it has made for its domestic context but would also take up emerging issues and challenges pertaining to migration and development for informed deliberations at the international level, said Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Honourable Foreign Minister, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 May 2024 22:14 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul, AZERNEWS

In a recent development, the US government has mandated that the Chinese holding company "ByteDance" must divest itself of "TikTok," or else face a ban on the app's usage within the United States, Azernews reports.

This decision has ignited a heated debate, with "ByteDance" arguing that it infringes upon freedom of speech and poses a detriment to the Chinese economy.

"ByteDance" is prepared to invest $1.5 billion to sever ties between American users and the servers located in China. Additionally, the company has agreed to allow US-based firm "Oracle" to oversee these operations. "ByteDance" contends that the ban imposed by the United States will compel "TikTok" to surrender "millions of lines" of the program's code to its prospective new owner.

This legislation, endorsed by Congress, sets a deadline of January 19, 2025, for the effective shutdown of TikTok, thereby disenfranchising its 170 million American users. The platform, hailed for providing unparalleled opportunities for self-expression and social interaction, stands on the brink of closure, leaving its devoted user base in dismay.

Subsequently, the judiciary will be tasked with adjudicating the validity of TikTok's grievances and assessing the compatibility of the legislation with principles of free speech and the US Constitution. As the legal battle unfolds, the future of TikTok hangs in the balance, amid fervent debates surrounding the intersection of technology, national security, and civil liberties.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 May 2024 00:51 (UTC+04:00)

An Azerbaijan-Turkiye business forum was held in Ankara on May 8.

Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Cevdet Yilmaz, Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye, participated in the opening of the business forum.

Ali Asadov and Cevdet Yilmaz addressed the event, highlighting the business and investment environment in both Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

They underscored the governments' commitment to supporting dialogue and collaboration between the business communities of the two countries.

The forum provided a platform for bilateral meetings among Azerbaijani and Turkish businesspersons.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
TikTok and its parent company ByteDance are suing the federal government, arguing that a ban recently signed into law by President Joe Biden is "obviously unconstitutional," in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday afternoon.

Biden's decision to sign the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA) was met with bipartisan support in Congress, but fervently opposed by many younger Americans. Forty-six percent of adults under the age of 29 opposed a ban, while 29% supported it.

Under the current law, ByteDance has just 270 days from the law's enactment to sell the app - otherwise it will be banned in the United States.

"Banning TikTok is so obviously unconstitutional, in fact, that even the Act's sponsors recognized that reality, and therefore have tried mightily to depict the law not as a ban at all, but merely a regulation of TikTok's ownership," the company wrote in its lawsuit - before emphasizing that the ByteDance does not believe it has any real choice in the matter.

"The 'qualified divestiture' demanded by the Act to allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States is simply not possible: not commercially, not technologically, not legally. And certainly not on the 270-day timeline required by the Act."

Members of Congress advocated for the bill on the grounds that the Chinese-owned social media platform presented a significant data security risk to Americans. For many individuals, however, banning the app could lead to a loss of revenue or community.

"Almost every small business right now is on TikTok Shop," Massachusetts resident Michelle Silva told WBZ. Silva's clothing shop, Kali Rose Boutique, has grown from her garage to a 30,000 square foot warehouse - largely due to TikTok.

"[The ban is] very nerve-wracking, not just for myself. It would have a detrimental effect on not only myself, my family, all of my employees that are treated like family."

In their lawsuit, ByteDance and TikTok argue that the ban is unconstitutional on multiple grounds - pointing not just to the First Amendment but also the Fifth Amendment.

"Congress has never before crafted a two-tiered speech regime with one set of rules for one named platform, and another set of rules for everyone else," the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit was filed in the Washington, D.C. circuit court - a frequent sparring ground for federal legal disputes. United States Attorney General Merrick Garland is named as the respondent.
By Suzzane Wood, writing at WRAL-TV, has a concise summary of the year-end test that all North Carolina students are taking as school winds down another year.

It's that time of year when your child will be taking end-of-grade tests or EOGs. What are EOGs and how can you help them be better prepared?

As another school year draws to a close, kids of all ages are anxiously awaiting summer vacation. But before the final bell rings, students in elementary and middle school have one last hurdle to leap: The states End-of-Grade tests.

What are the EOGs?

Administered to all students in grades three through eight during the last week of school, the EOGs are standardized, multiple-choice exams in English language arts (ELA), math and science.

If you have children in these grades, heres what you need to know.

Everyone takes math and ELA: All students in third through eighth grades take EOGs in math and ELA. These tests measure a student's proficiency in math and reading based on standards set by the N.C. Standard Course of Study.

Two grades are tested in science: In addition to being tested in math and ELA, fifth graders and eighth graders also take the science EOG. This test measures competencies aligned with the N.C. Essential Standards for Science.

Note that the EOGs aren't the only standardized tests your student will take.

Numbers to know: The EOGs are graded on a four-point scale, ranging from not proficient to "comprehensive" based on their understanding of the topic. Students receiving a three have sufficient understanding of grade-level material, while scores of four and five demonstrate thorough and comprehensive understanding, respectively. Each student receives a detailed score report.

What happens if you don't pass the EOGs?

Relationship to final grades: EOGs are primarily used to measure the performance of schools and school districts and evaluate curriculum. While they arent factored in students final grades, EOG scores can help predict their readiness for the next grade as well as their ability to succeed on standardized tests.

Consequences of not passing: Students who receive a grade of not proficient on one or more EOGs arent automatically held back. Many students take advantage of the opportunity to retake the tests and pass them the second time. Even if students fail again or dont retake an EOG, they may still advance if the schools principal takes into account a students academic grades, classroom performance and other factors.

How can you prepare your child for the EOGs?

The EOGs focus on material students have been taught and tested on all year. In addition, many teachers ensure that students are prepared for the EOGs by reviewing concepts and sharing strategies for taking multiple-choice exams. While teachers typically dont recommend that students spend extra time studying for the EOGs, some parents may decide to help their children prepare.

At the very least, know your childs EOG schedule to ensure he or she is well-rested, has a good breakfast and is on time to school that day. Encourage your child to do their best, and remind them to answer all test questions and not leave any blank, even if theyre unsure of the answer.

If youre interested in reviewing an EOG, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction offers previously used released tests for this purpose.
Weymouth, Mass.-based South Shore Health plans to add operating rooms to its Hingham, Mass.-based ASC, the health system said in an April 29 news release.

The ASC has four operating rooms and provides colorectal and general surgery, as well as retinal repair, orthopedics, podiatry and urology. It plans to add two operating rooms and increase the number of surgical services it offers, according to a May 8 report from the Boston Business Journal.

The two new operating rooms come with the expansion of surgical services to include gynecological surgery, expanded ophthalmology services, plastic surgery, expanded urology care and vascular vein repair.

The ASC expansion will also free up operating room space at South Shore Hospital for more complex surgeries, according to the report.

A timeframe for the expansion has not been announced.
Burlington-based University of Vermont Medical Center's president and COO, Stephen Leffler, MD, posted a letter to the community encouraging support for a new $130 million ASC, according to a May 8 report from the Burlington Free Press.

Dr. Leffler said in the letter that he receives calls and letters every week from patients waiting a long time for surgeries, adding that the ASC could provide them with quicker access as well as keep costs down.

Significant opposition to the center is coming from two rural hospitals  Copley Hospital in Morrisville, Vt., and Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans, Vt.  and from AFT-VT Healthcare, a union representing 5,000 healthcare workers.

The hospitals opposed to the ASC said the project would steal surgical patients, threatening their financial stability. The union is concerned because it said UVM Medical Center is already understaffed, and it is concerned there will be no workers to care for patients at a new facility.

A public hearing will be held May 20 for a certificate of need for the new ASC, according to the report. The $130 million center is one of the most expensive projects for which the system has sought approval.

It would replace the five operating rooms at the Fanny Allen Campus and add three ORs. About half the staff needed for the facility will come from Fanny Allen's ORs when they are closed to use the space for other services. The hospital would need to recruit 29 new registered nurses for the ASC.
The best friend of a missing Florida woman said she is pleased with the arrest of the victim's estranged husband, three months after she mysteriously vanished from her apartment overseas.

David Knezevich, 36, has been charged with the kidnapping of his wife, 40-year-old Ana Knezevich, according to the Associated Press. He was arrested by FBI agents Saturday at Miami International Airport.

"I am very happy this investigation has led to an arrest and I am so grateful for the hard work of the FBI and Spanish police," Ana's best friend, Sanna Rameau, told HNGN on Tuesday. "They have done an amazing job to bring us to where we are today. I am hoping that justice will be served and that we are getting all the answers that we are looking for."

Ana had been living in Madrid, Spain, amid her 2023 separation from Knezevich, following a 13-year marriage. Loved ones last heard from her on Feb. 2 after a suspicious text was sent from her phone  the same day she was last captured on surveillance footage entering her apartment.

"The way they were written, it was strange  that's not how she writes," Rameau told WPLG, earlier this year. "Also, there's false information in there because it said she met a man the day before, referring to that Friday. She hadn't mentioned to anyone that she met anyone that day."

At the time of Ana's disappearance, investigators discovered someone resembling her husband gained access to her Madrid apartment building while other individuals were leaving. He then spray-painted a security camera, NBC News reported, citing the criminal complaint. About an hour later, the same man was seen leaving the building with a suitcase.

"I'm absolutely devastated," Rameay told WPLG, at the time. "I think about Ana every minute of the day. I couldn't imagine anyone that would want to hurt her. She's the sweetest person."

Investigators described the separation between Ana and Knezevich as "contentious" due to a substantial amount of marital assets that he allegedly did not want to split "evenly with the victim."

"The victim was very fearful of Knezevich and believed that he was surreptitiously monitoring her whereabouts," the complaint stated, according to NBC.

Knezevich made a brief court appearance Monday. It's unclear if he entered a plea. His defense attorney, Ken Padowitz, did not immediately respond to HNGN's request for comment.
East Orange, N.J.-based CareWell Health Medical Center is pushing back against the state's depiction of its financial situation as the state health department seeks a disaster plan, NJ.com reported May 8.

The New Jersey Department of Health sent a letter May 6 to the hospital's CEO asking for Carewell to submit a disaster plan within 24 hours. The department said due to the hospital's financial distress, it "may experience a disruption in services or be forced to close abruptly." The plan is to ensure the health of its patients in such an event.

The department said it has been monitoring CareWell's financial health and determined the hospital was in financial distress; the agency appointed a monitor on March 11. The department has since determined that the hospital is "in serious financial distress and at risk of further financial deterioration."

Specifically, the department found that CareWell has consistently maintained low days of cash on hand, maintained negative operating margins and a high number of days in accounts receivable and accounts payable. It said the hospital also requested an advance on its charity care subsidy payments for two fiscal years in a row, citing emergency cash flow and other financial issues.

"Additionally, the hospital has not made any payments for the entire fiscal year for the assessments it owes to the department," the letter said. "After repeated warnings, the department recently took action to offset the unpaid revenue with reductions in the hospital's Medicaid payments."

In a statement to NJ.com, CareWell accused the department of spreading inaccuracies regarding the hospital's finances. The hospital said the "context, reason and content of the letter  amongst other assertions in the last few months are not factual." CareWell also said it has demonstrated time and again to the health department that it is providing the highest-quality care and patient experience.

"CareWell Health brought the inaccuracies to the departments attention, the department arrived yesterday in person, validated that they were incorrect, yet the request has not been rescinded," the statement said. "The inaccurate statements about CareWell Health over the past few months are coming at the expense of a vulnerable and underserved community and creating an impression about their local community hospital which simply is not true."

A health department spokesperson told NJ.com the state does not plan to rescind or amend the letter ordering a disaster plan, adding that every hospital in the state is required to maintain a plan in case of a pandemic, severe weather, financial distress or other event that can disrupt services.
In July, Rustin Morse, MD, will step into the role of senior vice president and chief administrator at Arkansas Children's Northwest in Springdale. He previously served in C-suite roles at other pediatric hospitals and health systems.

He is joining Little Rock-based Arkansas Children's from Nationwide Children's Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, where he has served as chief medical officer since 2020. Prior to that, he was the chief quality officer at Dallas-based Children's Medical Center, now part of Children's Health.

Dr. Morse's appointment comes amid a period of expansion for Arkansas Children's Northwest, which opened in 2018 as a 24-inpatient bed hospital. Since then, ACNW has expanded clinics. A 72,000-square foot addition to the hospital is also underway.

He succeeds Shannon Hendrix as chief administrator. She departed in January.
Stepping away from the C-suite takes many forms, and hospital and health system executives leave for a variety of reasons, including to retire or to take on new challenges. However, each individual must consider that transition from a business, emotional and personal perspective.

For Peter Fine, who has served as Phoenix-based Banner Health's CEO for 24 years, those considerations were part of his thought process. He announced his retirement in April. However, he began to think about his transition out of the C-suite three years ago.

"I wasn't ready then, but we weren't ready either, because we didn't have an internal candidate at the time," Mr. Fine, 72, told Becker's. "And I wanted to see if we could bring somebody in, have them work with me and the board for a few years and see what would happen."

At the same time, he knew how much longer he wanted to be at the helm.

"You get older. This breaks down. That breaks down. You start thinking about all the pressure that comes from one of these jobs," he said. "And these are high-pressure jobs, especially in certain markets, and they become even more high pressure. There aren't a lot of people who could last in this role for 24 years, let alone voluntarily wanting to do it.

"But I found the job very intellectually stimulating from the very beginning, and I had the opportunity to take an organization, grow it, change it, morph it, develop it with a team and great board members. So it was intellectually stimulating for me. But I also wanted to make sure that I didn't leave in an abrupt fashion and wanted to plan out with the board an orderly transition."

Spencer Stuart, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm, recommends this calculated approach for any C-suite leader leaving their role, based on the firm's conversations with retired health system CEOs for its 2023 article "The Next Chapter for Healthcare CEOs: How to Manage a Successful Transition."

"Succession planning can be daunting," said Kathryn Sugerman, who leads Spencer Stuart's global Healthcare Services Practice and also is a member of the firm's CEO, Education & Social Impact and Board practices. "Early, proactive conversations set the organization and the individual up for a successful transition.

"This gives organizations an opportunity to evaluate the internal talent pipeline and develop the next generation of leaders  both of which should take place months or even years before the transition. This also allows individuals to plan the transition on their terms, with the support of the organization. It gives the individual time and space to consider the legacy they want to leave and thoughtfully plan what is next for them."

Mr. Fine discussed his potential transition timing and management with board members, and in the last half of 2021, they agreed Banner should recruit a president who could predominantly manage operations and also be viewed as a potential successor to Mr. Fine. Heidrick & Struggles, a Chicago-based executive search firm, led the CEO succession project and the search for Amy Perry, who joined the health system as president and COO in November 2021. Ms. Perry will become president and CEO following Mr. Fine's retirement on June 30. Mr. Fine will resign from the board but serve as CEO emeritus through January 2025, providing support to the board and Ms. Perry.

"When we got to the early part of 2023, I started to plan out a timetable and did that with the board," Mr. Fine said. "Once we had a president in place, the decision that we were going to move forward at a specific time and had timing in place, then we talked more aggressively about schedule to get us to a certain point and time.

"We started playing that out. The board started having more dialogue. We hired a consultant last year to work with the board and talk to them individually and as a group about qualities and traits they were looking for in a successor. Of course, that was related to our strategic plan and their own perspectives on what kind of talent would be best for the strategic plan. We weren't looking for a turnaround situation, and you weren't looking into a situation in which someone [would be] coming in to develop a whole new plan. Amy was involved in developing the current plan and ownership of it."

Once those conversations took place, Banner solidified the CEO transition timetable, which was in place by early 2024. The board then decided after interviewing and outside consultation that Ms. Perry met the organization's needs.

"We decided there was no need for me to leave in [until] January 2025 as planned, so we sped up the process and announced I would be leaving in June and Amy would start in the CEO role July 1," Mr. Fine said. "And that I would stay on as adviser to the board and CEO for about seven months until the end of January."

Managing the social and emotional aspects

While starting conversations early and being proactive are an important part of a successful transition out of the C-suite, so is managing the social and emotional considerations of the transition, according to Spencer Stuart.

"Disentangling one's identity from their work can be hard for leaders who have accomplished great things professionally," Ms. Sugerman said. "Going from the C-suite to 'ordinary civilian' can be a profound shift. Cultivating interests outside of work now can lead to better balance and a more well-rounded perspective for C-suite leaders now while also providing a runway for the transition to the next phase."

This is part of Mr. Fine's approach. For example, he plans to start reading books that he has been saving for retirement. He is currently reading "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life" by Walter Isaacson.

"It's fabulous," Mr. Fine said. "Next one on my list is his book about Leonardo da Vinci. So I'm reading books that are interesting, intellectually stimulating, about great people and to understand what made those people great. And I'm a history buff, so I have lots of books like that to work my way through as well."

Planning for the immediate transition

When transitioning out of the C-suite, executives plan for their immediate transition in many ways. But Ms. Sugerman cautioned executives to spend an appropriate amount of time considering their options.

"C-suite leaders are busy," she said. "The inclination when leaving the C-suite is often to pack one's schedule to remain busy. New activities and commitment can be energizing if they are the right fit. Taking time to consider how to spend one's time and not saying yes to everything early on can help leaders transitioning out of the C-suite to find activities that continue to engage and inspire them, not just keep them busy."

Some executives may decide that joining boards is the right commitment for them. However, Mr. Fine decided he does not desire operational responsibilities, whether it is at Banner or another organization. However, he did decide he wants to stay intellectually stimulated.

"I'm on one public board right now. I'm also on the board of a portfolio company for a venture capital firm, which I likely will look to do more work for from a governance perspective, just to ensure I maintain intellectual stimulation," he said. "You can't just go cold turkey from these types of roles."

For executives who do want to join boards, Ms. Sugerman recommended that the individual be strategic.

"Many executives seek board service when they leave the C-suite," she said. "Being a former executive makes one a desirable candidate for a board role, but not necessarily board ready.

"Taking steps towards the end of one's career to prepare for board service can create more board opportunities sooner. What one needs to do to prepare for board service will look different for each executive depending on their career experience and background. This is something that should be discussed with a trusted partner who understands and can advise on board readiness and effectiveness."

Mentorship and giving back

Some executives have considered mentorship and giving back as part of a successful transition from the C-suite. Ms. Sugerman pointed to Kevin Lofton, CEO emeritus of Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health, who founded Elevate, a program to support rising Black healthcare leaders, with Eugene Woods, co-CEO of Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health.

"I worked with some other retiring executives, and some active ones, to come up with an initiative called Elevate Black Healthcare Leaders," Mr. Lofton told Spencer Stuart last year. "We wanted to identify a pipeline of Black healthcare executives who can step into big roles at regional and national systems. We've offered our experience to this group so that as positions come available, we can help them be better prepared."

Ms. Sugerman said many executives enjoy mentoring and giving back throughout their career but have limited time to do so outside of their formal executive role.

Therefore, "finding more ways and new ways to support and advise people in their careers can provide fulfillment," she said. "For some this means taking on more [one-on-one] mentoring and for others this could be joining or creating formal mentoring programs."

No matter what activities or commitments executives take on as they transition out of the C-suite or when they decide to make that transition, Mr. Fine does not encourage people to stay at the helm as long as he has.

"It's a lot. It's stressful. It affects your health if you're not careful. And you want to be able to leave the organization better than you got it," he said. "That's a sign of a great leader.

"And then also you want to leave at a point in time where you still can enjoy your life and have the opportunity to do things. I read a lot about how to transition out of a career, and there is no magic formula. It's unique to the individual. This idea of not doing anything for six months, that's not a bad idea. Keep your contacts and stay engaged with whatever subject matter you want to be engaged in. But don't feel a burden on yourself to do something of significance."
Nurses have been expressing concern about healthcare artificial intelligence lately, with some even marching in protest against the technology. But what are their main qualms with AI?

Staffing agency Cross Country Healthcare and Boca Raton-based Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing surveyed 1,127 nursing professionals and students, 85% of whom were employed by hospitals or other healthcare facilities, for an April report on the future of nursing.

Of the 53% of employed nurses who reported being "not very or not at all" comfortable with AI, here were their top five concerns, according to the study:

1. Lack of empathy and patient connection

2. Job replacement

3. Data security

4. Regulation of emerging technologies

5. Upskilling, learning new technology
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and the Catholic Medical Association sued the Biden administration May 6 over a new rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act that the administration says advances protections against discrimination in healthcare.

The rule, published by HHS on May 6, clarifies that Section 1557 bans discrimination in healthcare on the basis of sex, including discrimination on the basis of sex stereotypes; sex characteristics, including intersex traits; pregnancy or related conditions; sexual orientation; and gender identity.

Ms. Moody and the Catholic Medical Association argue that the new rule goes beyond the limits of Section 1557 and would force Florida, which prohibits hormone treatment and surgery for minors, to violate state law and fund drugs and surgeries for "gender transition" for children.

The Biden administration is "trying to go around our child-protection law to force the state to pay for puberty blockers and gender-transition surgery for children," Ms. Moody said in a news release. "These rules trample states' power to protect their own citizens and we will not stand by as Biden tries, yet again, to use the force of the federal government to unlawfully stifle Florida's effort to protect children."

Ms. Moody filed the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs, which include the state of Florida, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the Florida Department of Management Services and the Catholic Medical Association. The plaintiffs are asking the U.S. District Court of the Middle District of Florida in Tampa to block enforcement of the rule they contend is "arbitrary and capricious" and "threaten[s] the livelihood of doctors" who refuse to provide certain care.



HHS declined Becker's request to comment about the pending litigation. However, the Biden administration argues the rule is crucial in maintaining access to care for LGBTQ+ patients, according to Politico.
New research from Johns Hopkins suggests that relationship dynamics between nurses and leadership, peers and patients may be an underappreciated factor in retention.

The R3: the Renewal, Resilience, and Retention of Maryland Nurses Initiative surveyed 78 nurses that convened from 20 healthcare institutions across Massachusetts during three events. The events allowed nurses to discuss their needs and satisfaction at their job.

"This report shines a light on the critical role of relationships in addressing the nursing workforce crisis. Our responses as a healthcare community are too often transactional," Cynda Rushton, PhD, RN, who leads the initiative, said in a May 2 system news release.

Nurses said they value compensation, improved schedules, professional development opportunities and other transactional interventions. But the report also found 63% of nurse comments focused on relationship dynamics between nurses and key stakeholders.
A boy has died in Pfizer's phase 2 study of its gene therapy candidate for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects boys, according to a patient advocacy group.

On May 7, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy published a letter it received from Pfizer announcing the patient's death in the drugmaker's Daylight study. The phase 2 trial is researching the safety and efficacy of fordadistrogene movaparvovec among boys aged 2 to 4. Test sites include hospitals in Florida, Utah, Pennsylvania and Australia.

As it investigates the death, Pfizer paused dosing in its phase 3 Ciffreo study  which overlaps with Daylight  and tests the drug among boys aged 4 to 8. The company is continuing other trial activities.

"We do not yet have complete information and are actively working with the trial site investigator to understand what happened," Pfizer said in the letter. "The patient received the investigational gene therapy, fordadistrogene movaparvovec, in early 2023."

A Pfizer spokesperson told Reuters the death was reported as cardiac arrest, but the company has not verified the letter posted by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive muscle degeneration, and symptom onset usually begins between ages 2 and 3, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The median age of survival in males with DMD is 23.7 years.

Becker's has reached out to Pfizer for comment and will update this article if more information becomes available.
For Rhonda Thompson, DNP, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of patient care services at Phoenix Children's Hospital, tackling ongoing nursing challenges like labor shortage and workforce wellbeing starts with one simple task: communication.

A recent report from AMN Healthcare said that a survey of more than 1,150 nurses found that 35% are "extremely likely" to leave their jobs in 2024.

To help retain nurses, Dr. Thompson told Becker's she urges healthcare leaders to let go of what's worked in the past and to find creative new ways to develop a positive, long-lasting work environment for nurses.

"I really do think we need to make a concerted effort to ensure that our employees, it's not just nursing, anyone in healthcare, are being cared for," she said. "Fostering an open communication. Providing resources for their professional development, that's incredibly important for this workforce."

Phoenix Children's has also added trauma informed care education to its nurse residency program for people to understand their own trauma and learn how to cope.

In an effort to lead by example, Dr. Thompson also suggested that healthcare leaders hold frequent open forums with employees to hear their direct needs regularly, so that they can be addressed.

"Ensuring that we're meeting the needs around their own development, which means meeting with them frequently, having conversations about their needs, and then being transparent with what you can currently provide, and what may be on the horizon. They want to know what's happening."

From a recruitment standpoint, Phoenix Children's Hospital is entering its fifth year of partnership with Tempe, Ariz.-based Arizona State University. The partnership has allowed ASU students in their third and fourth year of nursing to do between 50% to 100% of their clinicals at Phoenix Children's, with the hospital hiring around 90% of the students.

Regardless of whether you are in a rural or urban area, Dr. Thompson encouraged other leaders to develop strong partnerships with not just nursing schools and universities, but even high schools, to ensure students are provided with the tools they need to be successful post-graduation.

"It's talking to them even as a freshman in high school because that's a really pivotal time for them," she said. "They're making a decision, potentially about what they might do from a profession and career perspective. It's having those early conversations and introducing them."
Rite Aid and Walmart Health, which both had aspirations to transform traditional healthcare, have struggled with financial challenges and business models. Rite Aid closed multiple locations, while Walmart Health closed entirely.

Here's what spine and orthopedic surgeons should know:

Walmart

What happened? Walmart Health closed all 51 health centers in five states, along with its virtual care services. Its pharmacies and vision centers within Walmart shopping centers aren't affected.

Walmart cited a "challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operating costs" affecting profitability as reasons for its closure in its April 30 announcement.

History: Walmart Health launched in 2019 and had recent partnerships with Orlando Health, Centene's Ambetter. Walmart Health also had a partnership with UnitedHealth Group on value-based and older adult care. Walmart also explored providing mammograms through a partnership with RadNet.

The company's swell into healthcare had some hospital leaders interested in bringing Walmart as a collaborator rather than a competitor, especially with its interest in affordable and accessible patient care.

What's next?

Although Walmart won't operate health centers, it will continue to offer its pharmacy and vision services. Walmart services that will continue include medication therapy management, some health screenings and immunizations.

Rite Aid

What happened? Camp Hill, Pa.-based Rite Aid filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October and closed 154 locations. Later in April court filing revealed plans to shutter 53 more locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Virginia and Maryland.

History: Rite Aid has strived to transform retail pharmacy, similar to other large companies. Its initiatives in recent years include a rebranding of the pharmacist title, pushing into telehealth and mental health care and opening mini-pharmacy programs in "pharmacy deserts."

But its bankruptcy has been anticipated as it was preparing to file for Chapter 11 since August. The company was also planning to close "underperforming" brick-and-mortar stores in September.

Rite Aid has been under scrutiny with $3.3 billion in debt and facing multiple lawsuits related to its alleged role with the opioid epidemic.

What's next? Rite Aid is working to transfer prescriptions and avoid disruptions in services for customers. Bondholders agreed to give Rite Aid $57 million as of May 3 in exchange for taking business out of bankruptcy, Bloomberg reported. The company currently has about 1,700 retail pharmacy locations across 16 states.
CHI Franciscan Health, St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash., and former orthopedic surgeon Kevin Schoenfelder, MD, settled with the U.S. Justice Department over alleged unnecessary spine surgeries.

In 2018 spine surgeon Daniel Nehls, MD, filed a qui tam lawsuit alleging Dr. Schoenfelder was performing medically unnecessary surgeries, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington said in a May 7 news release. Between Jan. 1, 2013, and June 30, 2018, the allegedly unnecessary spine surgeries were billed to Medicare, TRICARE, and Veterans Affairs.

Dr. Schoenfelder retired in 2018 and surrendered his physician license the next year.

The hospital will pay $745,654, and Dr. Schoenfelder will pay $197,054 to resolve allegations. The hospital resolved allegations of billing Dr. Schoenfelder's spinal surgeries at more levels than necessary. Dr. Schoenfelder resolved claims related to those surgeries.

Both the hospital and the former orthopedic surgeon are paying the amount that was improperly billed and additional penalties. Dr. Nehls will receive 22% of the payments to the government health programs.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is going to great lengths to address rampant claims of sexual assault and harassment, according to an independent report commissioned by the top bank regulator.

Following a five-month investigation initiated by law firm Cleary Gottlieb, more than 500 individuals reported cases of misconduct at the agency, most of whom are current FDIC employees.

Additionally, Gottlieb found indications pointing to extensive retaliation against employees who made mention of supervisor misconduct and little evidence showing any action taken toward such retaliations, according to the New York Post.

FDIC Chair and Democrat Martin Gruenberg, senior leader at the agency for almost two decades, said in a statement to staff that the report offered a "sobering" look at the regulator and revealed hundreds of staff "reported painful experiences of mistreatment and feelings of fear, anger, and sadness."

Gruenberg also said he was "ultimately responsible" for what transpired at the agency and apologized for his failings.

The inquiry was brought about following reports by the Wall Street Journal last year alleging sexual harassment and other instances of misconduct had gone on for years within the FDIC and were ignored by senior leaders.

The report even went as far as stating that in some cases, Gruenberg had been personally involved in decisions that neglected to punish misconduct.

These findings are expected to revive pressure on the FDIC chief, who continues to face calls from Republicans to step down in light of the WSJ reports.

President Joe Biden commissioned Gruenberg in 2022, meaning his departure would jeopardize the administration's attempts to implement stricter financial rules, including a pending regulatory proposal on bank capital requirements that has prompted much backlash from Republicans and industry representatives.

Should Gruenberg be removed or step down himself, agency regulations require that FDIC Vice Chair and Republican Travis Hill take over, evenly splitting the agency's board between Republicans and Democrats.
Greggs famous sausage rolls will soon be available to hungry customers in a hurry as the bakery chain has officially been given planning permission to open its first drive-thru in Northern Ireland.

The latest Greggs store here will be located in Co Armaghs Marlborough Retail Park in Craigavon.

Last month, the fast food outlets proposal for the drive-thru was recommended for approval by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council  the last stage before official approval.

The NI Planning Portal released ABC Council documents on Wednesday confirming that planning permission has been granted.

Greggs has almost 2,500 outlets across the UK and currently has 17 stores in Northern Ireland.

The Newcastle upon Tyne-based chain also offers coffee, pasties, freshly made sandwiches and much more.

According to the planning application for the drive-thru in Craigavon, which was submitted in January, it will be located next to existing Burger King and will have an outdoor seating area.

Supporting statements submitted on behalf of Turkington Properties said the size of the unit will be around 185 sq m.

The Greggs store will have 31 seats inside and 29 car parking spaces, including two disabled spots.

Greggs Craigavon drive-thru application received no objections from DfI Roads, Environmental Health, NI Environment Agency or NI Water.

The supporting statement added that the Craigavon retail park has undergone significant redevelopment and investment in recent years.

Marlborough Retail Park also has a drive-thru Starbucks store, M&S Simply Food, Home Bargains, ONeills and Airtastic. Rushmere Shopping Centre, Tesco Extra and Halfords are all located next to the site.

Plans were also approved last year to build two new units and a gym at the retail park.

Last year, Greggs unveiled expansion plans, which included trialling a new 24-hour drive-thru, following a record high for sales.

At the time the chain did not confirm if its expansion plans would extend to Northern Ireland. Last year it revealed that total sales hit a record high of 1.5bn in 2022, up by nearly a quarter on the previous year.
Thanks to Brian Cox for educating me in a way school failed to and House of the Year for encouraging viewers to pour scorn on people you dont even know
Sport

Glentoran still have so much more to give, claims Declan Devine after taking down Swifts
Thursdays concert will be the Co Antrim mans 20th time seeing the rocker live

A Bruce Springsteen superfan from Co Antrim has turned detective to track down The Boss for a selfie at his prestigious Co Down hotel.

Stephen Coulter (55)  from Newtownabbey  has followed the veteran rocker around the world since he first saw him live at Slane in 1985.

Springsteen and The E Street Band have jetted into Belfast ahead of their planned concert at Boucher Road Playing Fields on Thursday night, a gig that will be Stephens 20th occasion seeing him live.

The NI man was able to draw on his previous experience to lay his plans after realising Springsteen usually stayed in the Culloden Hotel.

"I know theyve stayed in the Culloden before any time theyve come over to play in Belfast, he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"I knew there would be a private plane coming out of Cardiff, so I kept an eye out for it and kept my fingers crossed.

"I saw the flight had landed at the City Airport, so I had a fair idea if they were coming to the Culloden, theyd be up within the hour.

"A member of the entourage was there in front and I was asked what I was looking for. I said I had a Born to Run album that I just want to get signed if possible.

"He was good enough to tell me to stand to the side and wait there until I was told it was okay. Within 10 or 15 minutes then the cavalcade came up to the front of the Culloden.

"Bruce was the first one off the bus and he came walking over to me, asked me what I had got for him.

Bruce Springsteen entertaining Belfast in 2013. Pic: Pacemaker Belfast

Stephen was well prepared, with an album in hand and his phone primed for a selfie, but The Boss took charge of the situation.

I asked if I could get a photo with him and he said: "Sure, no problem, but it was him that actually took the photograph. He actually took the phone off me and said he was a bit of a professional at doing these, he said.

"I produced the album and a Sharpie and he signed it: To Steve, best wishes, Bruce Springsteen. The album cover is already away to get framed and the photos are ordered for printing.

"When he was taking the photographs he said: Were rocking and rolling now Steve.

"I was the only one there and I think thats why my luck was in. I think if there had been a crowd there, I imagine hed have been whisked on in.

"Its funny, you wait all those years to meet him and then its over in a flash.

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are set to take to the stage in Belfast at 7.00pm on Thursday evening.

The gig will be The Boss first live show in the city since he performed at the Kings Hall in 2013.

That event formed part of his 18-month Wrecking Ball tour and was only his fourth ever live show in Belfast.
I thought I was far too sociable to be on the spectrum: Comedian Pierre Novellie on his adult autism diagnosis
A Texas attorney shot to death inside a McDonalds was reportedly trying to quell a customer angry over his food order.

Jeffrey Limmer, a 46-year-old associate at the Lewis Brisbois law firm, was killed Saturday at a Houston McDonalds, following an altercation with an upset male patron, loved ones said. Witnesses said Limmer spent his final moments trying to calm the man down, before the situation escalated and turned physical.

The suspect retreated to his vehicle to grab a gun. He then shot Limmer several times before fleeing in a 2000s blue Ford pickup truck, police said.

Limmer was pronounced dead on the scene.

"Knowing Jeff, he's the one who always says, 'Calm down. It's not that big of a deal,' and divert the situation," his sister, Jennifer Thomas, told KTRK-TV. "He's always wanted to fight for the little guy and do the right thing."

Thomas said she and her parents were at her daughter's graduation when they received the earth-shattering news of her brother's death.

"He loved fiercely  his family and friends," Thomas recalled. "Always laughing, making jokes, and just loving life."

No arrests have been made.
Education Minister Paul Givan met with the leadership team at Loreto College in Coleraine, one of seven schools to have had planned building schemes unpaused since the restoration of the NI Executive.

The Education Minister has vowed to keep knocking on the door of Executive colleagues to make sure capital funding is in place to ensure schools get the building work they require.

Paul Givan was speaking during a visit to Loreto College in Coleraine  one of seven schools to finally have plans unpaused by the Department of Education for a new building.

The DUP MLA even took time to take part in a chemistry lesson during his visit to the school on Wednesday.

Watch: Education Minister visits Loreto College in Coleraine

While he received a warm welcome from Principal Stephen Gallagher after delivering the good news on the new build, there was still a warning that schools like Loreto had been in the same position before, only to be let down.

And he said he would be keeping the pressure on to make sure an Education Minister returns to Loreto in six years to officially open the new school building.

We are delighted our project is now going forward, said Mr Gallagher. Were coming to our centenary in 2030 and we would love to see the work completed by then for the next generation of students to come through here.

There is a need for urgency. In 2011 we increased our numbers by 30%. We have over 1,000 students now on a site originally built for around 400. Theres a great need for additional specialist facilities.

Its the same in other schools and we have to keep that pressure on that the staff here and elsewhere want to provide a first class education for all our children.

Education Minister Paul Givan met with the leadership team at Loreto College in Coleraine, one of seven schools to have had planned building schemes unpaused since the restoration of the NI Executive.

The Minister said hes delighted with the progress thats been made so far, but warned theres still a difficult task ahead.

It will take a number of years to work through the processes, said Mr Givan. This is part of a pipeline of projects coming through the system to build for the future in education. We need to rejuvenate the school estate.

How much more a school like Loreto could do in a new building would really enhance the curriculum and support the excellent teaching staff. I want to support them in that work.

Investing in our young people is critically important in Northern Ireland. We need to put as much investment into them as we can.

I had argued for a significant increase in the capital budget. I wasnt able to secure as much as I would have liked but I am hopeful this year I will be able to bring a number of other projects on stream that are ready, and have gone through the design process. We now need to allow some of them to now go out into procurement.

Im working now with officials to see how many schools we can bring to that stage which would then lead to construction, Mr Givan added.

The resource allocation for my department does present me with really big challenges as to how I can deliver what I want to. I have entered into this financial year with a projected overspend of nearly 200m. I have to deal with that.

I will continue to make the case to my colleagues throughout the year through monitoring rounds for more investment to come into education.

I will continue to articulate the needs for the education sector. The resource side is still very challenging. We still need to save 230m.

Among the pupils at Loreto who got the chance to quiz Mr Givan was Year 11 student Talent Maguma, whose family recently arrived from her home country of Zimbabwe.

She said she was delighted to get the chance to meet the Education Minister.

Im really grateful for the Minister being here, she said. He told me if I really work to get the skills I need and get involved in my local community I can develop my interest in politics. I think its great that he showed support for me and for my school, she added.

Loreto College, was joined by Carrickfergus Academy, Dromore High School, Edmund Rice College, Portadown College, Mercy College Belfast and Malone Integrated College in learning their school build projects would proceed to planning.
A Belfast care worker who pushed a trolley into an elderly dementia patient and told him to get out of the f*****g way has been barred from the profession.
Executive naive over Eat Out to Help Out scheme

Chief Scientific Adviser says ministers were foolish to believe surge in infections caused by initiative could have been avoided

Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Ian Young (Picture by Pacemaker)

Mark Bain Wed 8 May 2024 at 07:33







Northern Irelands Chief Scientific Adviser has said the Executive was naive to believe there could be a Covid-secure environment when it introduced Westminsters Eat Out to Help Out scheme in August 2020.
Police are investigating an incident where offensive graffiti has been daubed on a number of business premises in Newtownabbey.

They say it happened sometime overnight between Tuesday 7 May and Wednesday 8 May. Sergeant Culbert said: At approximately 6.20am we received the first report that offensive graffiti had been daubed on the windows and walls of businesses in the vicinity of the Antrim Road in Glengormley. This is being investigated as a sectarian hate crime and we would appeal to anyone with information to call 101, quoting reference number 173 of 08/05/24.

Elsewhere, sectarian graffiti was daubed on the side of one of the Northern Ireland Hospice charity shops in Co Antrim yesterday.

Graffiti with the phrase Brits out of Ireland was sprayed on the side of the shop in Glengormley.

The charity said removing the graffiti from the building will require time and money that would have instead been used for their work in the community.

In a social media post, the Northern Ireland Hospice wrote: Unfortunately, our Hospice Shop in Glengormley was recently defaced.

The damage will require both time and money to repair, resources that would be better spent supporting the vital care provided by our amazing nursing teams to communities across Belfast and beyond.

The graffiti on the Hospice building

As a local charity, we are facing challenges with rising costs, and we cannot afford the additional expense that this vandalism has caused. Every penny we receive is crucial for providing specialist care to local babies, children, and adults with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses.

The people in the Glengormley area have generously supported us for many years, and we sincerely hope that this incident will not be repeated.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

The PSNI confirmed they are investigating the incident.

Police are investigating reports of criminal damage caused to a number of business premises in Newtownabbey at some time overnight between Tuesday May 7 and Wednesday May 8, said a spokesperson.

Sergeant Culbert said: At approximately 6.20am we received the first report that offensive graffiti had been daubed on the windows and walls of businesses in the vicinity of the Antrim Road in Glengormley.

This is being investigated as a sectarian hate crime and we would appeal to anyone with information to call 101, quoting reference number 173 of 08/05/24.

You can also make a report online via https://www.psni.police.uk/report or Crimestoppers, which can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The industrial-scale harvesting of sensitive journalistic comms data by the PSNI is akin to East German secret police in the early 1980s, Trevor Birneys solicitor said.

Journalists Barry McCaffrey (left) and Trevor Birney (right) speaking to media after leaving the Royal Courts of Justice, in London, following an Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) hearing over claims they were secretly monitored by police, on Tuesday May 7, 2024 (Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Wire)

Eight journalists based in Northern Ireland considered troublemakers were under routine surveillance by the PSNI, according to documents released as part of a high-profile case being heard in London this week.

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), sitting in the Royal Court of Justice, heard that the PSNI was engaging in six-monthly trawls of journalists phone data.

The IPT is examining allegations that two investigative reporters in Northern Ireland were subject to unlawful covert intelligence by the police as part of Operation Yurta.

Evidence presented to the tribunal today suggested that the PSNI spying operation extended to several other reporters operating in Northern Ireland.

The documents show the surveillance started in 2007/8 and went on for a decade, involving a small group of journalists who were, in the words of one detective, always looking for a story.

Documents seen by the Belfast Telegraph show eight redacted names of those under surveillance by the PSNI.

Documentary makers Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney were controversially arrested in 2018 by police investigating the alleged leaking of confidential documents that appeared in a film they made about the Loughinisland Massacre.

The PSNI was later forced to apologise and agreed to pay 875,000 in damages to the journalists and the film company behind the documentary No Stone Unturned.

In 2019, Mr Birney and Mr McCaffrey lodged a complaint with the IPT asking it to establish whether there had been any unlawful surveillance of them.

The PSNI had asked Durham Constabulary to take the lead in the investigation into the leaked Police Ombudsman document that appeared in the documentary on the 1994 loyalist paramilitary gun attack.

Last week it was revealed that journalist Vincent Kearney was also under surveillance during his time at the BBC.

The BBC has now instructed lawyers to contact the tribunal over claims one of its ex-investigative reporters, now working as RTEs Northern Editor, was spied on by police.

New evidence released to the tribunal included a Durham Constabulary minute of a meeting between the senior investigating officer Darren Ellis, and two PSNI detective sergeants working in intelligence operations.

Ben Jaffey KC, representing Mr McCaffrey, revealed that the note made reference to what was described as a PSNI defensive operation against journalists in the region.

It appears to disclose the existence of what the PSNI call a defensive operation involving the cross-referencing of billing with police telephone numbers on a six-monthly basis of what appears to be a group of Northern Irish journalists who have written unobliging things about the PSNI," he told the tribunal.

Mr Jaffey said the PSNI had yet to offer a response to the material disclosed by Durham Constabulary.

But if this is what has been going on, we obviously say it's unlawful to go and take a list of troublemaker journalists, get their billing every six months and cross-reference it with a list of police telephone numbers, and see if those journalists have got any new police sources is plainly unlawful.

A defensive operation can only be what we say is a slightly Orwellian euphemism.

Mr Jaffey said the fresh evidence disclosed to the tribunal suggested Mr McCaffrey could have been subjected to many more covert spying bids.

I think I made a cheap joke last time around that I'd lost count of the number of times that Mr McCaffrey has had his communications data obtained, he said.

That's no longer really, unfortunately, a joke.

The barrister said the documents also raised a series of other incidents of concern, including:

An attempt by police to access data from Mr Birney's wife,

A police consideration of accessing his solicitor Niall Murphy's personal data; and

A bid to secure international intelligence on Mr McCaffrey in relation to a trip he and Mr Birney had taken to France in 2016.

Mr Birney said the hearing made clear that the PSNI was absolutely obsessed with journalists and their sources.

And I think we need to remind the PSNI and remind the authorities back in Belfast that journalism isn't a crime, that journalists all over the world have sources and that is lawful and that is absolutely what journalists are there to do, he added.

His solicitor Niall Murphy said: The revelations exposed in court are chilling. The industrial-scale harvesting of sensitive journalistic comms data by the PSNI is akin to East German secret police in the early 1980s.

"I fear that this is the thin edge of a wedge and that in time, a Kafkaesque systemic policy of police surveillance of journalists and lawyers will be exposed.

Following the hearing, Mr McCaffrey said the PSNI had been practising the dark arts.

The dark arts were supposed to be gone after the Good Friday Agreement, it seems that they're still here and they're thriving and they seem to be in charge, that can't be allowed to go on.

His solicitor John Finucane added: Durham police have provided the legal teams with disclosure which points to PSNI undertaking routine and industrial-scale surveillance on a six monthly basis against those journalists they criticised as always looking a story.

The PSNI stands accused of unlawfully going after journalists and their sources on numerous occasions over a prolonged period.

"They also stand accused of lacking candour in how they have met these proceedings and that includes the potential compromising of Chief Constable John Boutcher, whose previous public statement on the scale of surveillance on journalists has been undermined by the disclosure we have received.

Journalism is not a crime despite the actions and intent of PSNI, Durham and the MET, he added.

In a statement, the PSNI said: The Chief Constable continues to co-operate with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO) who independently oversee the use of investigatory powers in the United Kingdom, ensuring they are used in accordance with the law and in the public interest.

"As legal proceedings are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment.

National Union of Journalists (NUJ) spokesman Ian McGuinness said: Journalists exist to hold power to account and that includes writing stories about the PSNI which that force may not like.

Writing a story about the PSNI and protecting your confidential sources whilst doing so is not a crime.

"The NUJ is calling, yet again, for the PSNI to come clean. In particular, the force needs to state when it started spying on multiple journalists phone data, who the journalists were, and how many times each journalist was spied upon and must give a commitment that it will desist from doing this ever again, simply to uncover legitimate sources for stories.
Journalists Trevor Birney, left, and Barry McCaffrey outside the Royal Courts of Justice, in London (Victoria Jones/PA)

Police in Northern Ireland undertook six-monthly trawls of the phone data of troublemaker journalists to see if they were in contact with officer sources, a tribunal has heard.

Details of what was described as Orwellian PSNI spying tactics on reporters emerged at a sitting of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London.

The revelations were aired in the latest hearing of a case examining allegations that two investigative reporters in Northern Ireland were subject to unlawful covert intelligence by the police.

Evidence presented to the tribunal on Wednesday suggested that Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spying operations extended to several other reporters operating in the region.

Barry McCaffrey, centre, and Trevor Birney, third left, with lawyers and supporters outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London (Victoria Jones/PA).

In 2018, investigative documentary makers Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney were controversially arrested as part of a police investigation into the alleged leaking of a confidential document that appeared in a film they made on a Troubles massacre.

The PSNI later unreservedly apologised for how the men had been treated and agreed to pay 875,000 in damages to the journalists and the film company behind the documentary.

In 2019, Mr Birney and Mr McCaffrey lodged a complaint with the IPT asking it to establish whether there had been any unlawful surveillance of them.

The PSNI had asked Durham Constabulary to take the lead in the investigation into the leaked Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland document that appeared in the documentary, No Stone Unturned, into the 1994 loyalist paramilitary massacre in the village of Loughinisland in Co Down.

Last week, 600 pages of new evidence were disclosed to the tribunal ahead of a substantive hearing scheduled for October.

Those papers included a Durham Constabulary minute of a meeting between the senior investigating officer from Durham, Darren Ellis, and two PSNI detective sergeants working in intelligence operations.

Mr McCaffreys counsel Ben Jaffey KC, who articulated the joint position of his client and Mr Birney, revealed that the note made reference to what was described as a PSNI defensive operation against journalists in the region.

It appears to disclose the existence of what the PSNI call a defensive operation involving the cross-referencing of billing with police telephone numbers on a six-monthly basis of what appear to be a group of Northern Irish journalists who have written unobliging things about the PSNI, he told the tribunal.

The barrister said the document indicated the operation was definitely in place in 2017.

But he added: We dont know when it started and we dont know when its finished and we dont know what it involves.

Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney and their solicitors John Finucane and Niall Murphy leave Musgrave Street police station in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA).

Mr Jaffey said the PSNI had yet to offer a response to the material disclosed by Durham Constabulary.

But if this is what has been going on, we obviously say its unlawful to go and take a list of troublemaker journalists, get their billing every six months and cross-reference it with a list of police telephone numbers, and see if those journalists have got any new police sources is plainly unlawful.

A defensive operation can only be what we say is a slightly Orwellian euphemism.

As well as the events around the documentary, the tribunal, chaired by Lord Justice Singh, had also been probing two other instances of police surveillance against Mr McCaffrey in 2013 and 2011.

Mr Jaffey said the fresh evidence disclosed to the tribunal suggested he could have been subjected to many more covert spying bids.

I think I made a cheap joke last time around that Id lost count of the number of times that Mr McCaffrey has had his communications data obtained, he said.

Thats no longer really, unfortunately, a joke.

The barrister said the documents freshly disclosed also raised a series of other incidents of concern, including:

 An attempt by police to access data from Mr Birneys wife

 A police consideration of accessing his solicitor Niall Murphys personal data.

 A bid to secure international intelligence on Mr McCaffrey in relation to a trip he and Mr Birney had taken to France in 2016.

When the case opened in February, it heard allegations that the Met Police illegally obtained Mr McCaffreys phone data in 2011  data that police in Northern Ireland subsequently secured seven years later as part of another probe into the reporters work.

The BBC has joined the tribunal case amid claims one of its former investigative reporters, Vincent Kearney, was spied on by the PSNI (Liam McBurney/PA)

Further claims around the Mets involvement in accessing data from the reporter were also aired at Wednesdays hearing.

Last week, it emerged that the BBC had instructed lawyers to contact the tribunal over claims one of its ex-investigative reporters was spied on by police.

The corporation said the allegations relate to former BBC journalist Vincent Kearney and his work on a 2011 Spotlight documentary that probed the independence of the Police Ombudsmans office.

Mr Kearney, who is the current Northern Editor at RTE, said he is determined to find out what happened.

A barrister representing the BBC was present in court for Wednesdays hearing. He said the corporation was taking its intervention in the case seriously.

The PSNI and other respondents in the case have been asked to respond to the issues raised ahead of a further review hearing in July.

Outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the sitting adjourned, Mr Birney said the hearing made clear that the PSNI was absolutely obsessed with journalists and their sources.

And I think we need to remind the PSNI and remind the authorities back in Belfast that journalism isnt a crime, that journalists all over the world have sources and that is lawful and that is absolutely what journalists are there to do, he added.

But what weve heard this morning is incredibly worrying about the industrial harvesting of journalists phone data and I think that that is something that we really need to find out more about and we need to find out quickly.

The PSNI have a duty of candour to this court in order to explain properly rather than being dragged to this court kicking and screaming, which is whats been going on here for five years.

Mr McCaffrey added: The public have to have confidence in policing, if a journalist phones the PSNI press office now their phone will end up going straight to these dark arts.

The dark arts were supposed to be gone after the Good Friday Agreement, it seems that theyre still here and theyre thriving and they seem to be in charge, that cant be allowed to go on.
Cyberattack by China exposed the details of thousands of personnel

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps updated MPs on a cyberattack on a database containing details of armed forces personnel (Tim Ireland/PA)

A cybersecurity specialist from Northern Ireland has said there will be lots of questions for the Ministry of Defence to answer, after news broke on Tuesday of a massive data breach targeting service personnel.

The Government will not name the country involved, but multiple reports have suggested that the Chinese state is behind the online hack.

The Chinese foreign ministry has claimed that the UK Governments allegations are absurd.

Defence Secretary Grant Schapps confirmed to the House of Commons on Tuesday night that SSCL (Shared Services Connected Ltd) is the contractor in charge of the armed forces payroll system that has been compromised.

The system holds personal HMRC-style information for current regular, reservist and former members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force over a period of several years.

In a very small number of cases, Mr Schapps noted that the information may also include personal addresses.

Co Tyrone native Ciaran Martin ran the UKs National Cyber Security Centre from its inception until 2020.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, the Omagh-born expert said that he doesnt think the Government will shy away from questions surrounding the data leak.

The biggest question at the moment is around the contractor, he explained.

This has clearly taken place in the private sector, but under the supervision of a contract from the Ministry of Defence.

I think therell be questions about the security standards at the contractor, but also questions around the ministrys supervision and the decision to put it in the private sector.

Army veteran Andy Allen, who now serves as an MLA for East Belfast, said there are so many more questions than there are answers at this stage.

Veterans and serving personnel will be understandably and rightly concerned, he told The Belfast Telegraph.

Theres a lot of information flying around on the likes of social media, and its imperative that the Ministry of Defence proactively reach out to those affected and outline how theyre obviously going to address the data breach.

At the time of publication, Mr Allen said that he was unaware of any official statement from the MoD regarding veterans in Northern Ireland being specifically affected by the incident.

Mr Schapps also told parliament that significant and immediate action has been taken to mitigate the effects of the security violation.

Weve immediately taken the system offline and this has secured it against similar future threats, he said.

Secondly, weve launched a full investigation, drawing on cabinet office support and specialist external expertise to examine the potential failings of the contractor.

Whilst our initial investigations have found no evidence that any data has been removed, as a precaution today we have alerted those service personnel affected through the chain of command.

The cabinet minister noted that the Government will also be sending out letters to a small number of veterans retired and who may have been affected, but that the vast majority of the UK veterans community are unaffected.

MPs further heard that there is evidence of potential failings within the contractor which may have made it easier for the malign actor to gain access to the bank details of service personnel and veterans.
One man has been arrested following the incident

Translink stock image. Inset: A still from the video of the incident.

Translink has offered a 1,000 reward for information after one of its conductors was assaulted on a train on Wednesday morning.

A 34-year-old man has been arrested following the assault which took place while the train was within the Magheramorne area of Larne.

He has been charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of criminal damage. He is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday 9 May. A video seen by the Belfast Telegraph appears to show a man moving through the train carriage following the assault before stepping off the vehicle at the station.

Translink condemned the incident and said it is working with the police investigation.

We completely condemn this assault on our staff member on board the train near Magheramorne this morning, said a spokesperson.

Our conductor has been taken to hospital for treatment and will be offered all available supports.

The safety of our customers, staff and the wider public is our top priority at all times and the vast majority of our passengers experience safe and comfortable journeys.

All our staff have the right to work without fear of abuse or violence.

We are assisting the PSNI investigation, including provision of CCTV from on board the train and at the station.

We also offer a reward of up to 1,000 for anyone prepared to give evidence which leads to a conviction.

A PSNI spokesperson said officers attended the Magheramorne area and arrested a man on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and criminal damage.

He remains in custody.

PSNI Inspector Parkes said: The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries.

"Everyone deserves to be safe in their place of work and we are asking for the continued support of the whole community in showing zero tolerance to abuse of Translink staff.

If anyone wishes to report a crime that occurs on any method of public transport, or any offence against Translink staff or passengers, please contact police on 101 or in an emergency dial 999.

Infrastructure Minister John ODowd also condemned the incident, branding it a despicable attack.

"The safety of staff delivering essential public transport services is paramount, he said.

"Staff should be able to go to their work without fear of attack. My thoughts are with the train conductor involved in this incident and I wish him a speedy recovery.

Anyone with information about the attack should contact the PSNI or Translink, who are offering an award for information which leads to a conviction."
A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot in the head in broad daylight Tuesday in Manhattan's trendy SoHo neighborhood.

The shooting happened just before 2:30 p.m. outside the high-end Dominick Hotel on Spring Street, across from the Chelsea Career and Technical Education High School.

A suspect fled the scene on a Citibike after the shooting.

Law enforcement officials told The Daily Mail that the New York City shooting may have been "school-related."

The teen was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead

In addition to the gunshot to the head, the student also suffered a wound to his thigh, said NYPD officials.

No arrests have yet been made and the police are currently looking for two suspects, according to The Independent.

This is a developing story. Please check back here for updates.
The poll indicated a majority across the island don't believe there will be a united Ireland in the EU over the next decade

A majority of people across both Northern Ireland and the Republic do not believe there will be a united Ireland in the European Union in the next decade.

According to the latest 2024 poll conducted by European Movement Ireland, 43% of those surveyed in Northern Ireland and 55% of citizens in the Republic do not believe that a united Ireland in the EU will happen over the next ten years.
Lowering the voting age to 16 is a discussion worth having, the education minister has said.

Norma Foley said she was open to measures that would empower young people, including considering a reduction of the voting age from 18.

Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Ms Foley said: I think its a discussion worth having.

For example, I know a number of years ago it was suggested that perhaps you would begin with the local elections and then move forward or whatever.

She added: I think its no harm in having discussions around how we can empower young people.

Asked about how she would justify giving 16-year-olds influence in national politics when they cannot legally purchase cigarettes or alcohol, Ms Foley said that a conversation on empowering young people does not rest and fall with the vote.

She said there were opportunities for young people to engage with local authorities and other institutions.

Ms Foley cited the Comhairle na nOg youth councils as well as work within her own Department which sees students engaging with the national body for curriculum assessment.

Having the discussion perhaps highlights good practice thats happening in some areas, and potential and scope to do more in other areas.

We should never be afraid of the discussion.

Ms Foley made the remarks at a press event to launch the second year of the free schoolbooks scheme for primary schools.

More than 563,000 pupils in approximately 3,230 recognised primary schools, including more than 130 special schools, will continue to benefit from the scheme.

Following the announcement of a free book scheme for the junior cycle in secondary schools earlier this year, the minister told reporters on Wednesday it was her ambition to expand the initiative to Leaving Certificate students.
Playing politics with the Hate Crime Bill is reckless and dangerous, a campaign group has warned, as new figures show a rise in hate crimes.

Martin Collins, co-director at Pavee Point, said political parties that previously supported the proposed legislation are now wavering over the Bill.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he will pass an amended version of the hate speech legislation before the next general election.

Politicians have been wrangling over the wording of the Bill, which aims to introduce laws that would see hate become an aggravating factor in certain offences.

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

New figures have revealed that there has been a 12% increase in the number of hate crimes and hate-related incidents reported to gardai.

The force said some 651 hate crimes and hate-related (non-crime) incidents were recorded in 2023, up from 582 in 2022.

These include 548 hate crimes and 103 hate-related incidents, up from 510 and 72 respectively in 2022.

The Coalition Against Hate Crime, a group of 23 civil society organisation, is calling on the Government to recommit to the Hate Crime Bill.

Sinn Fein and some government politicians, including Fine Gael TDs Charlie Flanagan and Michael Ring, have called for the hate speech draft laws to be scrapped entirely.

Sinn Feins TDs voted in favour of the Bill in the Dail last April.

Speaking in Dublin on Wednesday, Mr Collins said: There is a sense that theres a bit of a wavering taking place. How can some individuals and some political parties in a very short space of time give the need for such legislation a ringing endorsement and then on the other hand, a few months later, want to scrap it.

It beggars belief, but thats people playing politics with us, which is reckless and dangerous, given the issue that were dealing with.

He appealed to politicians not to succumb to pressure to accept drastic amendments to the legislation that would effectively make it useless and meaningless.

Those who are opposing it and questioning it, are the people who dont experience hate crime and hate speech, Mr Collins added.

Hate crime is different from other crimes. Its a message crime and its an attack on the community.

When a Traveller or any other member of a vulnerable group experiences hate speech, and in particular hate crime, if a Traveller experiences hate crime in Donegal, that will send a shiver down the spine of Travellers in Dublin because its an attack on the community.

He added: We do not have any robust, effective legislation to deal with victims of hate speech and hate crime. There is no proper legal redress and we are an outlier.

Luna Lara Liboni, policy officer for Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) and chair of the Coalition Against Hate Crime, said she suspects the rise in hate crime is much higher than what is being reported.

She also said that without hate crime legislation, Ireland has been unable to address hate crime in the criminal justice system.

Research shows that in the absence of legislation, what happens is that often the hate element, which makes a crime a hate crime gets filtered out, often disappears at the different stages before coming to sentencing and conviction, Ms Liboni said.

Legislation will make the invisible visible and recognise the additional harm that such crime causes.

Padraig Rice, policy and research manager at LGBT Ireland, said that anti-LGBT sentiment is not happening in isolation.

He explained: Its tied to an anti-migrant sentiment. Its tied to an anti-different sentiment.

Its a sentiment against anybody whos outside what they see as the norm. Its an attack on difference and its an attack on diversity.

The swift passage of the Hate Crime Bill is the first step in tackling hate crimes, but this must just be the start of a process and not the end.

To effectively address and reduce hate crimes, we need a continued and sustained efforts.

This work includes training for everybody in the criminal justice system. More community gardai who build up trust with affected communities and enhanced victim support.

Gardai said they continue to strengthen their network of diversity officers (Brian Lawless/PA)

Figures released by gardai show that the most commonly recorded motive was anti-race (36%), followed by anti-nationality (18%) and anti-sexual orientation (16%).

Gardai said these three motives have been the most common in the past three years, however, anti-nationality overtook anti-sexual orientation to become the second most prevalent motive in 2023.

Meanwhile the largest percentage of these were recorded in public order (27%), followed by minor assaults (16%), criminal damage not by fire (9%) and criminal damage by fire (3%).

The largest proportion (44%) of hate-related incidents occurred in the Dublin Metropolitan Region followed by the north-western region (21%), then southern (19%) and eastern (16%).

In a statement, gardai said they continue to strengthen their network of diversity officers to support victims and those affected by hate discrimination in communities around Ireland.

At present there are more than 500 Garda diversity officers working across the country who engage with minority communities and individuals on a daily basis to provide them with reassurance and address issues of concern for them.

Chief Superintendent Padraic Jones said that while in one sense it is positive that victims are coming forward to speak to gardai, it is disappointing that incidents of this nature occur at all.

Being targeted because of a characteristic has an enormous and often life-altering impact on a victim, and as a society we must continue to reject hate and discrimination. Everyone has a right to live safely, he said.

I want to thank all those that support people of all ages and backgrounds who could be vulnerable to this crime, particularly those working in community-based groups, schools, clubs and the voluntary sector who consistently demonstrate to people to live without prejudice toward one another.

I strongly encourage anyone that has experienced or observed prejudice to please come forward and report those incidents to us.

I can assure you that we will deal with it professionally and provide our support in any way we can.
Sinn Fein ministers acted with one eye towards Dublin when considering whether schools in Northern Ireland should close in the early months of the Covid pandemic, Lord Peter Weir has said.

A barrister for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry asked the former DUP education minister how well served children in Northern Ireland were when the decision over whether to close schools had become a political and divisive issue.

Lord Weir said he regretted that the debate had created political division.

He also told how he was caught by surprise by the decision in Ireland to shut schools, which he said was a pivotal moment in determining what the response would be north of the border.

Lead counsel for the inquiry Clair Dobbin KC asked Lord Weir when it became a serious prospect that schools in Northern Ireland would have to close as infections spread in the early months of the pandemic.

He said: I think as things moved on into March (2020), probably the pivotal point where it became a strong possibility was around 12th of March when there was action by the Republic of Ireland in terms of closing their schools.

We werent really given a heads up that that was going to happen. I think I learned about it during a school visit on the 12th of March.

Ms Dobbin said: Should the inquiry proceed on the basis that it was the closure of schools in the Republic of Ireland that meant that you gave serious contemplation to that being a realistic prospect in Northern Ireland?

The former DUP minister said discussions had already occurred but it was decided it was not the appropriate time.

He added: There were concerns raised over what the impact within a wider context would be of school closures.

The peer said his department was not given clarity about the Irish decision.

Michelle ONeill was Stormonts deputy First Minister in 2020 (Liam McBurney/PA)

He added: They had obviously taken a sovereign decision that that was the best course of action at that particular time.

Our responsibility was to try and decide what was the most appropriate action in Northern Ireland.

Referring to discussions among Executive ministers at that time, Ms Dobbin said: Would it be right to characterise the discussion about schools as having effectively become politicised in that some ministers were of the view that the decision ought to follow because it had been done in the Republic of Ireland?

Lord Weir said it did create a level of division within the Executive.

He added: I took the view that we should be following the medical advice and the science.

I think that particularly Sinn Fein ministers and the SDLP minister first of all looked to see things with one eye towards what was happening in the Republic

That was part of a political or constitutional point of view.

I suspect there was also a little bit of an element that there would have been a particular level of antipathy for ministers in that party towards the UK Government, particularly a (Boris) Johnson-led Conservative Government.

It was a situation where not only did they want to follow the Republic but they were having natural inclinations not to follow what was happening in London.

Lord Weir said there was an Executive decision taken based on advice from chief medical officer Sir Michael McBride that it was the wrong time to close schools in Northern Ireland following the decision in Dublin.

He added: Within 24 hours of that the deputy First Minister (Michelle ONeill) did a press conference where she said effectively (her) position it is the time schools should be closing.

I think that is where there was a particular level of friction.

Ms Dobbin said: There might be a question if one looks at the note of this (Executive) meeting as to how well served children in Northern Ireland were by the position that was being taken by the politicians?

When it came to the decision to close schools it seems to have become a political and divisive issue?

Lord Weir said: I regret that it became that.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on March 18 that all schools in England should close. A similar announcement was then made in Northern Ireland.

Ms Dobbin asked: Was the Prime Ministers announcement the decider for what was going to happen in Northern Ireland?

Lord Weir said: I think the decider was we were then getting clear advice from CMO (chief medical officer), CSA (chief scientific adviser) that this was the appropriate time to take this particular action.

There was a potential practical way forward.

This was something that needed to be done in Northern Ireland and it was doable at that stage.
Tents which have been pitched by asylum seekers along a stretch of the Grand Canal, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA)

Migrants in the UK are being transported to Ireland under false promises of work by people traffickers, the Dail has been told.

Independent TD Michael McNamara said he has been in contact with a man from the Indian subcontinent that entered the UK on a visa approved by the Government there which allowed him to work for 10 hours per week.

He said the man went to an agency in London who told him they could secure him full employment in Ireland as well as arrange his travel and work permits.

They took 1,500 from him and retained his passport so that he would pay an additional 1,000 when he started work.

They arranged his travelling to Liverpool and from there a ferry to Belfast from where he travelled down to Dublin.

Mr McNamara said the man was given the Eircode and postal address of his new employer, but added: When he turned up there, it was the International Protection Office (IPO) in Dublin.

He obviously didnt know he was being sent to the IPO.

Addressing Taoiseach Simon Harris during Leaders Questions, Mr McNamara told the Dail that the man was one of five people travelling in a similar way, organised by the same agents.

He knows of 30 more people sent to Ireland by the agency in the same way.

Mr McNamara said the man is now attempting to get out of the asylum system in Ireland and return to the UK but he does not have his passport.

Its very clear that vulnerable people in a precarious position are being horribly exploited by bad actors.

But its equally clear that our State is being exploited by those bad actors.

And while the Punch and Judy show that your Government is engaging in with UK authorities is all well and good, I want to know, Taoiseach, what you can do and hope there is of international cooperation to resolve this?

Taoiseach Simon Harris (Liam McBurney/PA)

Mr McNamara said the existence of the agency involved in this case suggests that there are many others operating.

He also questioned the Taoiseach about when a review into the circumstances behind the Department of Justice failure to put an asylum seeker with a UK conviction on the Irish sex offenders register was ordered, given that a high court judgment relating to the matter was handed out on March 22.

Mr Harris said it was his understanding that Justice Minister Helen McEntee sought the review last week.

Mr McNamara had said he hoped it was not rustled up in response to press queries, adding: That would be entirely unacceptable.

In a subsequent session in the Dail, the Labour Party leader raised the migrant encampment along Dublins Grand Canal which has grown to more than 100 tents.

The encampment emerged shortly after more than 200 asylum seekers were cleared from a similar makeshift camp at the nearby IPO on Mount Street.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik (Damien Storan/PA)

Ivana Bacik told the Taoiseach: It is inhumane, it is unsustainable and your Government has failed to offer a coherent plan that is needed longer term to provide accommodation.

Speaking during a debate on the weeks order of business, she added that a notice had gone up on Mount Street advising those who are in tented accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service that they can avail of an increased daily expense allowance if they leave voluntarily.

It is clearly a desperate stopgap attempt to move people on without any reality in the provision of longer term accommodation.

Mr Harris said the Mount Street operation had a very positive impact and averted a public health near-emergency.

He said: I continue to believe that it was the right action to take.

I became Taoiseach four weeks ago, I took charge of this situation.

There had been, in my view, a tacit acceptance by many State agencies that the situation on Mount Street could just continue and was just the new norm. That was not right.

He added: We will deal with the Grand Canal.

Action will be taken.

Tents along the Grand Canal (Niall Carson/PA)

Elsewhere, Tanaiste Micheal Martin rejected accusations that the Government did not have a plan for asylum seeker accommodation.

Speaking to the media at a 1916 commemoration at Arbour Hill cemetery, he added: Those tents are not acceptable for the locality, for the residents, for the migrants because the facilities are not there and its dangerous.

We are determined to deal with that issue and will, and on a broader front, create more accommodation but also to deal with the issues that is leading to so much migration, not just coming into Europe but coming into Ireland as well.

We are at number we have never experienced before, and the pressures are very severe, we have got to respond to those and we will.
Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, died in 2016 after suffering a severe allergic reaction. A new trial aims to help children overcome food allergies (Family handout/PA)

Children given everyday foods to treat milk and peanut allergies are showing dramatic signs of improvement, according to early trial results.

Five NHS hospitals have so far joined a 2.5 million clinical trial, thanks to funding from the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation.

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died in 2016 after suffering a severe allergic reaction to sesame baked into a Pret baguette.

Her parents, Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, campaigned for a change in food laws and set up the foundation with the hope of curing allergies through research.

Now the new clinical oral immunotherapy (OIT) trial is using everyday foods to build up an allergy patients tolerance over time.

Foods are given under medical supervision and the trial is also training NHS staff to offer OIT treatment.

Sibel Sonmez-Ajtai, paediatric allergy consultant and principal investigator at Sheffield Childrens NHS Foundation Trust, said: This study is enabling us to do something we would never have dreamed of doing before  giving patients the foods we know they are allergic to.

This treatment is not a cure for a food allergy, but what it achieves is life-transforming.

To have a patient who has had anaphylaxis to 4mls of milk to then tolerate 90mls within six to eight months is nothing less than a miracle.

Thomas Farmer with his mother Lauren (University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust/PA)

Thomas Farmer, 11, who was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy when he was one, can now eat six peanuts a day after joining the trial in Southampton.

His mother Lauren said: Having food allergies can be really difficult and isolating  (but) our journey on the Natasha study has been amazing so far.

At first, it was very scary for both Thomas and us when he did the food challenge, as we werent sure what to expect.

Knowing that Thomas can now tolerate six peanuts a day has taken away so much anxiety around food.

It will also hopefully mean that he will be able to eat a wider variety of food as we wont be so concerned about accidental exposure.

For Thomas to be able to achieve all this with no medicine, just off-the-shelf foods, is amazing.

Since joining the trial in Newcastle, five-year-old Grace Fisher, who has a milk allergy, is now drinking 120ml milk a day. She will soon be able to eat pizza with her friends.

Her mother Emma said: Grace is over six months into this journey and is doing amazing.

She is currently on 120ml of milk and loves her daily hot chocolates.

To date, 139 people aged from two to 23 with allergies to peanuts or cows milk have started treatment.

The trial is being run at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield Childrens NHS Foundation Trust.

It will shortly start in Scotland, with plans for Bristol and Leeds to also join.

If successful, the three-year trial could provide more evidence for everyday foods treatment to be made available on the NHS.

At the moment, one treatment paid for by the NHS is Palforzia  peanut powder capsules which build tolerance to peanuts.

Mrs Ednan-Laperouse said: We are so happy that some children with peanut and milk allergies are already seeing the benefits of using everyday foods under medical supervision to treat their allergic disease.

If Natasha were alive today, this is exactly the type of research she would have loved to be part of.

This is a major first step in our mission to make food allergies history. We look forward to seeing the final results.

Mr Ednan-Laperouse said: We cant rely on big pharma and its giant profits to be a game-changer for people living with allergies.

That is why we are harnessing the support of the food industry, who have helped fund this trial, to prove that OIT can work with everyday foods, making it more feasible to be available on the NHS.

Professor Arshad, head of the asthma, allergy and clinical immunology service at University Hospital of Southampton, said: The Natasha trial aims to do better for people living with food allergies.

Our ultimate aim is a life without the risk of allergic reactions  reactions which for some can be severe and life-threatening.

The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation is funding the trial through donations made to the charity from firms including Pret, Lidl, Leon, Uber Eats, Greggs, Tesco, Just Eat, Co-op, Morrisons, KFC, Sainsburys, Costa, Burger King, Dominos, Kelloggs, M&S, Muller and Waitrose.

Full results are expected in 2027.
Some 116 people arrived in the UK via small boat on May 7 (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The Government has stopped publishing the number of migrants prevented from crossing the Channel in small boats after less than a week following consultation with the French.

The Home Office began publishing the number of migrants who had been blocked from making the crossing over the weekend alongside its daily update on the number of those arriving in the UK.

But in a late update on Wednesday evening, the department said it had paused publishing the statistics on prevention until further notice.

The update said the Government would continue to publish daily statistics on arrivals and would provide further updates on the publication of prevention data as soon as possible.

Wednesdays update showed another 116 people had arrived via small boats on the previous day, bringing the total number of arrivals for the year so far to 8,790.

This is up 34% on the same period last year, when 6,549 Channel crossings were recorded, and a 13% rise compared to the same period in 2022 (7,750), PA news agency analysis of the figures shows.

Prior to their removal from the Governments website, prevention figures suggested 1,048 people had been stopped from crossing the Channel since April 29.

But the Home Office said the statistics were estimates and prone to measurement error.

The figures included people who were prevented from leaving France or returned to the country, but it was not clear whether they included repeat attempts by migrants to cross the Channel.

A Home Office spokesman said previously that the French had prevented 26,000 people making the crossing in 2023, adding that the UK continued 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.
The Ministry of Defence has been censured with the maximum sanction from the Health and Safety Executive following the death of a soldier who was accidentally shot during a night-time training exercise.

Conor McPherson, 24, a private in the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, died while training at the Heely Dod firing range in Otterburn, Northumberland, on August 22 2016.

His father described him as a model son and said the family have been left facing a future of deep sorrow.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said Pte McPherson was part of a team of five when he was accidentally shot in the back of the head by a fellow soldier at around 11pm.

The 24-year-old, from Paisley, died at the scene.

The group had been shooting at remote controlled targets as they manoeuvred on foot through the moorland firing range and were using live rounds and night vision technology at the time.

An HSE investigation found the MoD (Army) failed to properly implement a safe system of work for the exercise.

It has issued the MoD with a Crown censure and said by accepting the censure, the MoD admitted breaching health and safety at work rules.

HSE inspector Jonathan Wills said: Our thoughts are with the family of Private McPherson, with whom we have remained in close contact.

Just like any other employer, the MoD has a responsibility to reduce dangers to its personnel, as far as it properly can.

The HSE investigation found the planning and conduct of the exercise were poor, with an ineffective system to monitor the management arrangements mandated within the MoDs own procedures.

HSE said there should have been an additional supervisor with the firers on the night of the incident, due to the soldiers lack of experience when carrying out night-time firing.

Mandated night-time specific safety tasks were not carried out prior to firing commencing and incorrect and unauthorised night vision equipment was being used by some soldiers, it found.

Officers who were not sufficiently experienced in controlling such an activity and were not properly mentored or supervised to deal with an exercise of such complexity, HSE said.

Neil McPherson, Conors father, said the family are still struggling to come to terms with his death.

In his victim personal statement, he said: Conor was a model son. He did not drink or smoke and he loved his family life. He loved books and his PC games and Saturday night films on TV.

On the night Conor died, it was every parents worst nightmare. A knock at the door, two men in suits bearing news that we had lost our son. I think we both went into shock but the memories of it all are blurred.

The MoD cannot face prosecution in the same way as non-Government bodies (Tim Ireland/PA)

The future is one of deep sorrow. Not to see Conor grow and find love and give us grandchildren is very sad. He would have been a fabulous father and as our only son there is no-one to carry on the family name.

Socially, I dont go out much anymore and Betty (Conors mother) hardly ever goes out socially except for a meal. I myself could not go back to work after Conors death. I dont think I want to work anymore as I tend to shun being around groups of people.

Betty and I have many pictures that to date I cannot bear to look at, although we often reminisce together. We also both have one of Conors dog tags each which we wear on a chain.

The MoD cannot face prosecution in the same way as non-Government bodies and a Crown censure is the maximum sanction for a Government body that HSE can bring.

There is no financial penalty associated with Crown censure, but once accepted is an official record of a failing to meet the standards set out in law.

Responding to the HSEs findings, Lieutenant General Dame Sharon Nesmith said: I, on behalf of the Army, am deeply sorry for failing Pte Conor McPherson. I unreservedly apologise to his family for Conors tragic death.

We 100% accept the Health and Safety Executive findings. We failed to plan, organise, control and monitor the critical safety aspects of this live firing training event.

Conors death was preventable. We care hugely about our soldiers  above all else their health and wellbeing  on this occasion we got it very wrong.

We have addressed each of the failings. We took action in the immediate aftermath and have continued to apply lessons since. We very much regret Conors death. His legacy will be our continual drive to do better.

On behalf of the MoD and the Army, I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
A new tool will allow emergency workers to pinpoint the location of incidents across the UK using nicknames and colloquial names, Ordnance Survey (OS) has announced.

The Vernacular Names Tool already contains the nicknames of more than 9,000 locations and the OS has asked more blue light workers to input nicknames from where they live.

Locations on the list already include Jabba the Hut, a distinctive beach hut in Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire, and the Drinking Dinosaur, a rock formation at Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire which resembles a long-necked dinosaur drinking from the sea.

It is a replacement for Fintan, a mapping tool created more than 10 years ago for HM Coastguard.

The original tool allowed users to upload the local name or nickname for a coastal feature to the database, alongside the accurate location or its existing geographic name.

It was made to ensure that coastguard responders could get to emergencies, however their location was described, with greater confidence and speed. Control room staff are now able to simply type in a nickname and generate a precise location.

The Welsh Ambulance Service is a new user of the vernacular tool. Chris Jones, an emergency medical service administrator, said it is really useful and very easy to use.

He continued: We want to log as many vernacular names as we can so are exploring how the control room can do that now as well as starting to include this in control room induction training.

The real value longer term will be ensuring that our ambulances will be able to get to the scene of an incident effectively with an accurate location provided by OS, no matter how its identified by a caller.

A coastguard rescue team used the original Fintan tool to find a spot on a beach known colloquially as the Tiki Head in Gwynedd in Wales where a caller had fallen and injured their leg.

Another incident saw a coastguard search and rescue helicopter locate a missing person, using the nickname the Fun Ship, which refers to a spot at Mostyn Docks on the River Dee.

During a recent visit to OS headquarters in Southampton, the Princess Royal added a new colloquial name of her own to the database, the wedding cake, which is an alternative name for the Queen Victoria Memorial opposite Buckingham Palace.

Chief coastguard Peter Mizer said the tool is an incredibly useful resource, and added: It has allowed local knowledge to be shared across our operational network and there are examples where its use has improved the tasking of critical rescue assets.

We are very proud to have played a significant role in its development and we are pleased to see it being made available to colleagues in other emergency services today.

The information from the tool will help to power the recently launched OS emergency services gazetteer  a maintained database of 1.3 million features across the UK, including roundabouts, hills and cliffs.

It is designed to equip responders with the precise location information needed to act quickly during an emergency.

John Kimmance, managing director of OS national mapping services said: Wherever we live, we all have nicknames for local places  and uploading these into a database really could mean the difference between life and death on an emergency call  particularly for services called from outside their regional areas.
A Russian spy will be expelled from the UK, the Home Secretary has said as he announced a raft of restrictions.

Moscows defence attache, described as an undeclared military intelligence officer, would be immediately excluded, while several Russian diplomatic premises would also be closed, James Cleverly said as he told MPs: Our message to Russia is clear. Stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity.

The defence attache, named as Colonel Maxim Elovik, appears to have been in the UK since at least 2014 and has been pictured at wreath-laying ceremonies commemorating Russian war dead in 2020 and 2023.

Prior to his posting in London, Colonel Elovik served as an assistant military attache at Russias embassy in Washington DC.

The tougher measures were the latest step in response to a pattern of alleged Russian malign activity across the UK and Europe in a bid to target and dismantle Russian intelligence-gathering operations, the Home Office said.

It comes after five people were charged over conspiring to commit espionage activities in the UK on behalf of Russia under the National Security Act, the first prosecutions of this kind under the new laws.

Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Mr Cleverly said: Today, in conjunction with the Foreign Secretary, I am announcing a package of measures to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations.

I can tell the House that we will expel the Russian defence attache, who is an undeclared military intelligence officer.

We will remove diplomatic premises status from several Russian-owned properties in the UK, including Seacox Heath house, a Russian-owned property in Sussex, and the trade and defence section in Highgate, which we believe have been used for intelligence purposes.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Labour wholeheartedly supported the move (Jeff Moore/PA)

We are imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK.

The Russian Ambassador had been summoned to relay the measures and to reiterate that Russias actions will not be tolerated, according to the Home Office.

The Kremlin would make accusations of Russophobia while spreading conspiracy theories and hysteria in the coming days, the Home Secretary warned, adding: This is not new and the British people and the British Government will not fall for it, and will not be taken for fools by Putins bots, trolls and lackeys.

The Government would look closely to see what response Russia puts forward to see if they seek to escalate this, he added.

We always make sure that we protect our ability to have lines of communication with Russia, even during these most challenging of times, routes for de-escalation, of error avoidance and the avoidance of miscalculations are really important, Mr Cleverly said.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Labour wholeheartedly supported the move, telling MPs: We echo the Home Secretarys strong condemnation of Russian interference and hostile activity here in the UK and throughout Europe.

Repeatedly, we have seen a brazen disregard by Russia for the rule of law, for the UK, for our allies, for our domestic security.

Conservative former minister Rehman Chishti questioned if the UK would bring in legislation to seize Russian assets, adding: Its absolutely crucial we do everything we can to cut off Putins finances and make sure that he pays for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Mr Cleverly replied: We have absolutely made it clear, we will be incredibly imaginative, we will work hard to ensure that the regime and the people that have funded the brutal attack on Ukraine are also those that fund the rebuilding of Ukraine, and we work with our international partners to make that a reality.
Actor Steven Seagal was among the hand-picked guests Tuesday at the fifth inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who predicted victory in his war against Ukraine and defiantly said that "only" Russia would determine its destiny.

Seagal, 72, was photographed wearing what appeared to be a black martial arts uniform and a beaded necklace as he arrived for the ceremony at Moscow's Grand Kremlin Palace.

"He's the greatest world leader. He's the greatest," Seagal told reporters about Putin, according to Newsweek.

Seagal also reportedly said he was "looking forward" to Putin's next six-year term, which ends in 2030.

The portly star of the late '80s and early '90s action movies "Above the Law" and "Under Siege" has reportedly been living in Moscow for several years.

He became a Russian citizen in 2016 and was personally awarded a passport by Putin, with whom he reportedly bonded over their shared love of martial arts.

Last year, Putin also gave Seagal an Order of Friendship and he was named a humanitarian envoy to the U.S. and Japan by Russia's Foreign Ministry in 2018.

During Putin's inauguration ceremony, he placed his hand on the Russian Constitution and vowed to defend it as a select crowd of dignitaries watched, the Associated Press reported.

During a speech afterward, Putin, 71, thanked the Russian forces fighting in what he called the "special military operation" in Ukraine and declared, "The destiny of Russia will be determined by ourselves only," Sky News reported.

"We will go through this difficult time and will be successful," he added.
The two leaders spoke on the phone after John Swinney was sworn in as First Minister (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

John Swinney told the Prime Minister the UK Government needs to change direction in key areas, as he spoke to Rishi Sunak for the first time since becoming First Minister of Scotland.

Mr Swinney promised to work constructively with the UK Government and reduce polarisation in politics, during the call on Wednesday.

He pledged to eradicate child poverty and urged Mr Sunak to reconsider the two-child benefit cap, telling the Conservative leader it is causing misery for many families.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: The First Minister spoke with the Prime Minister this afternoon and confirmed that the Scottish Government stands ready to work constructively with the UK Government in a good-faith effort to deliver for the people of Scotland and reduce polarisation in politics.

Newly appointed First Minister of Scotland John Swinney and deputy Kate Forbes outside Bute House, Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA)

The First Minister set out his determination to eradicate child poverty and urged the UK Government to work with him towards that goal by changing course on policies such as the two-child benefit cap which are causing misery for many families in Scotland.

Mr Swinney set out the need for a change in the UK Governments economic policy and an end to austerity, in order to allow the Scottish economy to reach its full potential, support business, tackle the cost-of-living crisis and to allow for further investment to improve vital public services like the NHS and schools.

The First Minister made clear that the Scottish Government will continue to respectfully persuade people in Scotland of the case for independence, and that the decision on Scotlands future should be for the people of Scotland to make.

It is understood the Prime Minister highlighted areas where there had been successful co-operation including freeports and creating a smoke-free generation.

They also discussed the importance of working together on shared priorities and delivering for the people of Scotland.
Secretary of defence Lloyd Austin speaks during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defence on Capitol Hill in Washington (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

The Biden administration paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that the country was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the US, defence secretary Lloyd Austin said.

The shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 2,000lb (900kg) bombs and 1,700 500lb (225kg) bombs, according to the official.

The focus of US concern was the larger explosives and how they could be used in a dense urban setting such as Rafah where more than one million civilians are sheltering after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israels war on Hamas, which came after the militant groups deadly attack on Israel on October 7.

Mr Austin confirmed the weapons delay, telling the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defence that the US paused one shipment of high payload munitions.

Were going to continue to do whats necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself, Mr Austin said.

But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah.

The US has historically provided enormous amounts of military aid to Israel.

That has only accelerated in the aftermath of Hamass October 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people in Israel and led to about 250 being taken captive by militants.

The pausing of the aid shipment is the most striking manifestation of the growing daylight between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden, which has called on Israel to do far more to protect the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza.

It also comes as the Biden administration is due to deliver a first-of-its-kind formal verdict this week on whether the air strikes on Gaza and restrictions on delivery of aid have violated international and US laws designed to spare civilians from the worst horrors of war.

A decision against Israel would further add to pressure on Mr Biden to curb the flow of weapons and money to Israels military.

Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, left, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force General CQ Brown attend a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defence (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Mr Biden signed off on the pause in an order conveyed last week to the Pentagon, according to US officials.

The White House National Security Council sought to keep the decision out of the public eye for several days until it had a better understanding of the scope of Israels intensified military operations in Rafah and until Mr Biden could deliver a long-planned speech on Tuesday to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Mr Bidens administration in April began reviewing future transfers of military assistance as Mr Netanyahus government appeared to move closer towards an invasion of Rafah, despite months of opposition from the White House.

The official said the decision to pause the shipment was made last week and no final decision had been made yet on whether to proceed with the shipment at a later date.

US officials had declined for days to comment on the halted transfer, word of which came as Mr Biden on Tuesday described US support for Israel as ironclad, even when we disagree.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to square the arms hold-up with Mr Bidens rhetoric in support of Israel, saying only: Two things could be true.

Israels ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, in an interview with Israeli Channel 12 TV news, said the decision to pause the shipment was a very disappointing decision, even frustrating.

He suggested the move stemmed from political pressure on Mr Biden from Congress, the US campus protests and the upcoming election.

Senator Lindsey Graham speaks during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defence on Capitol Hill in Washington (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Mr Biden has faced pressure from some on the left  and condemnation from the critics on the right who say he has moderated his support for an essential Middle East ally.

If we stop weapons necessary to destroy the enemies of the state of Israel at a time of great peril, we will pay a price, said Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina), his voice rising in anger during an exchange with Mr Austin.

This is obscene. It is absurd. Give Israel what they need to fight the war they cant afford to lose.

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, a Biden ally, said in a statement the pause on big bombs must be a first step.

Our leverage is clear, Mr Sanders said.

Over the years, the United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Israel. We can no longer be complicit in Netanyahus horrific war against the Palestinian people.

Mr Austin, meanwhile, told legislators that its about having the right kinds of weapons for the task at hand.

Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

A small diameter bomb, which is a precision weapon, thats very useful in a dense, built-up environment, he said, but maybe not so much a 2,000lb bomb that could create a lot of collateral damage.

He said the US wants to see Israel do more precise operations.

Israeli troops on Tuesday seized control of Gazas vital Rafah border crossing in what the White House described as a limited operation that stopped short of the full-on Israeli invasion of the city that Mr Biden has repeatedly warned against on humanitarian grounds, most recently in a Monday call with Mr Netanyahu.

Israel has ordered the evacuation of 100,000 Palestinians from the city.

Israeli forces have also carried out what they describe as targeted strikes on the eastern part of Rafah and captured the Rafah crossing, a critical conduit for the flow of humanitarian aid along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Privately, concern has mounted inside the White House about what is unfolding in Rafah, but publicly administration officials have stressed that they did not think the operations had defied Mr Bidens warnings against a widescale operation in the city.

The State Department is separately considering whether to approve the continued transfer of Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, which place precision guidance systems on to bombs, to Israel, but the review did not pertain to imminent shipments.

President Joe Biden (Morry Gash/AP)

The US dropped the 2,000lb bomb sparingly in its long war against the so-called Islamic State militant group.

Israel, by contrast, has used the bomb frequently in the seven-month Gaza war.

Experts say the use of the weapon, in part, has helped drive the enormous Palestinian casualty count that the Hamas-run Health Ministry puts at more than 34,000 dead, though it does not distinguish between militants and civilians.

The US-Israel relationship has been close through both Democratic and Republican administrations.

But there have been other moments of deep tension since Israels founding in which US leaders have threatened to hold up aid in an attempt to sway Israeli leadership.

President Dwight Eisenhower pressured Israel with the threat of sanctions into withdrawing from the Sinai in 1957 in the midst of the Suez Crisis.

Ronald Reagan delayed the delivery of F16 fighter jets to Israel at a time of escalating violence in the Middle East.

President George HW Bush held up 10 billion dollars in loan guarantees to force the cessation of Israeli settlement activity in the occupied territories.
Members of British Columbias Sikh community gather in front of the courthouse in Surrey, British Columbia (Chuck Chiang/AP)

Three Indian men charged with killing Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year have appeared in court.

The case set off a diplomatic spat after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were credible allegations of Indian involvement.

Canadian police had arrested the three Indian men last week in Edmonton, Alberta, and they have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Members of British Columbias Sikh community gather in front of the courthouse in Surrey, British Columbia (Chuck Chiang/AP)

Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Mandeep Mooker said on Friday that the investigation into whether the men had ties to Indias government was ongoing.

Mr Nijjar, 45, was shot to death in his pickup truck last June after he left the Sikh temple he led in the city of Surrey.

An Indian-born citizen of Canada, he owned a plumbing business and was a leader in what remains of a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland.

India designated him a terrorist in 2020 and at the time of his death had been seeking his arrest for alleged involvement in an attack on a Hindu priest.

India has denied involvement in the killing.

In response to the allegations, India told Canada last year to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country.

The case set off a diplomatic spat after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were credible allegations of Indian involvement (The Canadian Press/AP)

Tensions remain but have somewhat eased since.

The arrested men  Kamalpreet Singh, 22, Karan Brar, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28  appeared in court on Tuesday via a video link and agreed to a trial in English.

They were ordered to appear in British Columbia Provincial Court again on May 21.

Brar and Karanpreet Singh appeared in the morning.

Kamalpreets appearance was delayed until the afternoon as he waited to speak to a lawyer.

The small provincial courtroom was filled with spectators during the morning session.

In this photograph taken with a drone, people sit on the front lawn of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, in Surrey, British Columbia (Ethan Cairns/AP)

Others crowded into an overflow room to watch the proceedings via video.

Richard Fowler, the defence lawyer representing Brar, said the case will eventually be moved to the Supreme Court and combined into one case.

Around 100 people gathered outside the courthouse waving yellow flags and holding photos of Indian government officials whom they accuse of being involved in Mr Nijjars killing.

Canadian police say the three suspects had been living in Canada as non-permanent residents.

A bloody decadelong 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 homeland 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 repeatedly warned that Sikh separatists were trying to make a comeback.
US and Philippine forces, backed by an Australian air force surveillance aircraft, unleashed a barrage of high-precision rockets, artillery fire and airstrikes on Wednesday  sinking a mock enemy ship as part of largescale war drills in and near the disputed South China Sea that have antagonised Beijing.

Military officials and diplomats from several countries watched the display of firepower from a hilltop along a sandy coast in Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s northern home province, on Wednesday.

More than 16,000 military personnel from the US and the Philippines, along with a few hundred Australian troops and military observers from 14 countries, were participating in annual combat-readiness drills.

US troopers in battle gear walk under the scorching sun during a joint military exercise in Laoag, Ilocos Norte (Aaron Favila/AP)

The drills, which started on April 22 and end Friday, include a scenario of a foreign invasion of the Philippine archipelago.

It is the latest indication of how the US and the Philippines have bolstered a defence treaty alliance that started in the 1950s amid their concern in recent years over Chinas increasingly aggressive actions in disputed territories in Asia.

Mr Marcos has ordered his military to shift its focus to external defence from decades-long domestic anti-insurgency operations as Chinas actions in the South China Sea become a top concern.

That strategic shift dovetails with the efforts of US President Joe Biden and his administration to reinforce an arc of alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China.

China has angered the Philippines by repeatedly harassing its navy and coast guard ships with powerful water cannons and a military-grade laser, blocking movements and other dangerous manoeuvres in the high seas near two disputed South China Sea shoals.

They have led to minor collisions that have injured several Filipino navy personnel and damaged supply boats.

A US trooper in battle during the joint military exercise (Aaron Favila/AP)

Were under the gun, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Romualdez told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

We dont have the wherewithal to be able to fight all of this bullying coming from China so where else will we go? Mr Romualdez added.

We went to the right party, which is the United States and those that believe in what the US is doing.

China has accused the Philippines of setting off the hostilities in the disputed waters by encroaching in what it says are its offshore territories, demarcated by 10 dashes on a map.

It says the Chinese coast guard and navy have been forced to take action to expel Philippine coast guard and other vessels from those areas.

The Philippines has repeatedly cited a 2016 international arbitration ruling based on the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea that invalidated Chinas claim over virtually the entire South China Sea on historical grounds.

Philippine Army fires Atmos 155mm howitzers during the joint military exercise (Aaron Favila/AP)

China did not participate in the arbitration complaint filed by the Philippines in 2013, and has rejected the ruling and continues to defy it.

After being hit repeatedly by missile and artillery fire and bombs dropped by US and Philippine warplanes during the combat drills, the mock enemy ship sank as black smoke billowed from its stern.

The target ship was made in China but decommissioned by the Philippine navy in 2020 due to mechanical and electrical issues, according to the Philippine military.

Philippine military officials said the drills were not directed at any country.

China has opposed military drills involving US forces as well as increasing US military deployments in the region, which it warned would escalate tensions and endanger regional stability.
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on buildings near the separating wall between Egypt and Rafah (Ramez Habboub/AP)

The US paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the US, a senior administration official said on Tuesday.

The shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) bombs and 1,700 500-pound (225-kilogram) bombs, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, with the focus of US concern being the larger explosives and how they could be used in a dense urban setting.

More than one million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israels war on Hamas, which came after the militant groups deadly attack on Israel on October 7.

The US has historically provided enormous amounts of military aid for Israel. That has only accelerated in the aftermath of Hamas October 7 attack that killed some 1,200 in Israel and led to about 250 being taken captive by militants.

The pausing of the aid shipment is the most striking manifestation of the growing daylight between Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and the administration of President Joe Biden, which has called on Israel to do far more to protect the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza.

Mr Bidens administration in April began reviewing future transfers of military assistance as Mr Netanyahus government appeared to move closer towards an invasion of Rafah, despite months of opposition from the White House.

The official said the decision to pause the shipment was made last week and no final decision had been made yet on whether to proceed with the shipment at a later date.

US officials had declined for days to comment on the halted transfer, word of which came as Mr Biden on Tuesday described US support for Israel as ironclad, even when we disagree.

President Joe Bidens administration in April began reviewing future transfers of military assistance as Mr Netanyahus government appeared to move closer towards an invasion of Rafah (Evan Vucci/AP, File)

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to square the arms holdup with Mr Bidens rhetoric in support of Israel, saying only: Two things could be true.

Israeli troops on Tuesday seized control of Gazas vital Rafah border crossing in what the White House described as a limited operation that stopped short of the full-on Israeli invasion of the city that Biden has repeatedly warned against on humanitarian grounds, most recently in a Monday call with Mr Netanyahu.

Israel has ordered the evacuation of 100,000 Palestinians from the city. Israeli forces have also carried out what it describes as targeted strikes on the eastern part of Rafah and captured the Rafah crossing, a critical conduit for the flow of humanitarian aid along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Privately, concern has mounted inside the White House about whats unfolding in Rafah, but publicly administration officials have stressed that they did not think the operations had defied Mr Bidens warnings against a widescale operation in the city.
165 British Forces members were killed by the IRA in south Armagh from 1970-1997

An IRA 'active service unit' on the South Armagh border

It was the then Northern Ireland secretary, Merlyn Ress, who christened south Armagh Bandit Country in 1974.

The area became the heartland of the Provisional IRAs notorious South Armagh Brigade, who took the lives of hundreds of people  British soldiers, RUC officers and civilians.

Alongside paramilitary operations, it was widely accused of profiting from smuggling across the Irish border.

Journalist Toby Harnden wrote the book Bandit Country: The IRA and South Armagh in 1999.

The book has stood the test of time and has now been republished, without changes.

But how did an English journalist manage to get the IRAs most secretive members to open up to him?

He joins Ciaran Dunbar to tell the story of his experiences in Bandit Country.
UN chief urges Israel, Hamas to cease fire, show political courage amidst Gaza crisis

Xinhua) 08:13, May 08, 2024

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- As tensions continue to escalate in Gaza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday once again called for Israel and Hamas to demonstrate "political courage" and work towards securing a ceasefire.

Speaking to reporters at UN headquarters in New York, Guterres highlighted the critical situation in the Gaza Strip, especially in Rafah, which borders Egypt and is currently overwhelmed with displaced Palestinians.

Guterres expressed concern about the humanitarian situation, noting that essential aid and fuel supplies are nearly depleted. "The closure of both the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings is especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation. They must be re-opened immediately," he stated.

With over 1,100 Israelis and 34,000 Palestinians reported killed due to recent conflicts, Guterres emphasized the staggering cost of the ongoing violence. "Haven't we seen enough?" he implored, stressing the immediate need for both sides to engage in diplomacy rather than further escalation.

The UN chief underscored the severe consequences of continued fighting, particularly any potential full-scale assault on Rafah, which he described as a looming "human catastrophe." He warned, "Countless more civilian casualties. Countless more families forced to flee yet again -- with nowhere safe to go. Because there is no safe place in Gaza."

Guterres's remarks reflect deep concern about the impact of the conflict not only on Gaza but also on the broader Middle East. "Even the best friends of Israel are clear: An assault on Rafah would be a strategic mistake, a political calamity, and a humanitarian nightmare," he said, calling on those with influence over Israel to help avert further tragedy.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (at the podium) speaks to the press outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie E)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A Florida judge has indefinitely postponed former President Donald Trump's classified documents trial, according to CNN.

Citing issues with classified evidence and the case's timeline Tuesday, Judge Aileen Cannon canceled Trump's trial date later this month, without providing a new date.

The date had been widely expected to move as the result of a number of pretrial conflicts between special counsel Jack Smith and Trump's attorneys. Smith had urged Judge Cannon to reschedule the trial to begin on July 8, but an order from the judge on Tuesday afternoon suggested that she is unlikely to even decide on a new trial date before late July, according to Politico.

"The Court...determines that finalization of a trial date at this juncture  before resolution of the myriad and interconnected pre-trial and CIPA issues remaining and forthcoming  would be imprudent and inconsistent with the Court's duty to fully and fairly consider the various pending pre-trial motions before the Court, critical CIPA issues, and additional pretrial and trial preparations necessary to present this case to a jury," Cannon wrote Tuesday, according to NBC News.

"The Court therefore vacates the current May 20, 2024, trial date (and associated calendar call), to be reset by separate order following resolution of the matters before the Court, consistent with Defendants' right to due process and the public's interest in the fair and efficient administration of justice," she continued.

Trump, 77, is facing 37 charges, including willful retention of national defense information and false statements and representations, among others. He pleaded not guilty in connection to his alleged removal of classified documents from the White House at the end of his term to Mar-a-Lago. He kept them in his personal office at Mar-a-Lago, a storage area near a pool accessible to all members of the club and their guests, stacked up in a bathroom and on a stage in an event room, according to federal investigators.
Rohingya gather to buy essentials at a market area in the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh, May 15, 2023.

Myanmar Muslim insurgents have pressed about 500 Rohingya living in Bangladesh camps to join the war in their homeland where fighting between rival factions has intensified sharply in recent weeks, refugees told Radio Free Asia (RFA).

Members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the smaller Rohingya Solidarity Organization have taken their fellow Muslim Rohingya from the camps for military training, said people living in the worlds largest camp in southeast Bangladesh.

RFA, a news service affiliated with BenarNews, could not reach either of the insurgent groups for comment nor authorities responsible for the camps in Bangladesh.

The reports, if confirmed, could herald intensifying conflict in western Myanmars Rakhine state where residents said the Myanmar junta has been pressing members of the persecuted Rohingya minority to help battle one of Myanmar most powerful insurgent forces, the Arakan Army, which draws it support from the states majority ethnic Rakine Buddhist community.

Everyone is running from the camp, said one Rohingya who declined to be identified fearing for his safety.

Children under the age of 18 are being caught and sold to those groups  its said they are being sent to the Burma side to reinforce in the battles, but I dont know who theyre fighting against.

The Rohingya, most of them between the ages of 14 and 30, had been detained in the camps between April 29 and May 8, said the refugee, who complained that Bangladesh authorities were doing nothing to stop the abductions, which averaged at about one per household.

ARSA fighters attacked a string of Myanmar government border posts in 2017, triggering a sweeping crackdown by the Myanmar army that forced about 740,000 Rohingya in Rakhine state to flee to safety in Bangladesh. Refugee camps in and around Coxs Bazar are home to about 1 million Rohingya.

The rebel force, which is seeking self-determination, surged in strength in the wake of that violence and is now one of Myanmars main groups fighting junta forces to end military rule.

These are terrorist organizations, another refugee said of the two groups whose members he said came at night. Even 12- or 14-year-old children were among those arrested.

Rohingya villagers living in Myanmar appear increasingly at risk as the junta army and the Arakan insurgents battle it out.

Since the Arakan Army stepped up its attacks on the military in November, both sides have been accused of recruiting or killing Rohingya from camps for internally displaced people in Rakhine state.
A Papuan man (right) in traditional clothing, with his face painted in the colors of the Morning Star Flag thats banned by Indonesia, stands next to a police officer during a demonstration demanding a referendum on the independence of the Papua region in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Dec. 1, 2023.

Indonesias Defense Ministry said Wednesday it had requested a bigger budget to buy high-tech weapons that can detect or retaliate against separatist rebels in Papua who know the regions terrain better.

Human rights activists criticized the ministry proposal, arguing it would escalate violence and lead to more civilians being caught in the crossfire in the mineral-rich but underdeveloped region.

The government, though, is also working on economic upliftment, because security measures go hand in hand with improving Papuans welfare, said Donny Ermawan Taufanto, the ministrys acting secretary-general.

Weve asked the government for additional funding specifically for Papua, but so far that budget has not been released, Donny said during a speech to a joint armed forces and police event at a military college in Jakarta.

Our soldiers and police officers are not as good as OPM [the Free Papua Movement] in terms of terrain recognition. They [the rebels] know the terrain, they are physically fit, he said.

OPM has waged a low-level guerrilla war against Indonesian rule ever since Jakarta annexed the far-eastern Papua region in 1963.

He said technology would help troops counter the rebels superior knowledge of the hills, mountains and forests, where they are able to evade the security forces and go into hiding.

[With the additional funds] we will provide some additional helicopters, planes, and the like, and equipment such as sensors to detect or retaliate against the OPM, Donny said.

He did not say how much more money the ministry had requested.

In 2023, there were 61 deaths attributed to rebel actions. The fatalities included 32 civilians, 26 members of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), and three police officers, the military said in March. So far this year, two soldiers and three police have been killed in Papua.

Occasional criminal incidents

Resolving the Papuan conflict, however, requires more than military action and efforts must be made to advance the regions development, according to Donny.

The government of President Joko Jokowi Widodo had initiated welfare programs for the Papuan people, built various roads, and advanced the economy, Donny said.

However, occasional criminal incidents continue to occur.

On Wednesday, the president met with his security aides and other cabinet members to discuss Papua.

The attendees included Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto, State Intelligence Agency Chief Budi Gunawan and Suharso Monoarfa, head of the National Development Planning Agency.

The National Development Planning Agency is working on speeding up Papuas development, Suharso told reporters after the meeting.

Were also focusing on welfare initiatives there, he said, highlighting the governments efforts in education and health.

Papua, which covers the western half of New Guinea island, has seen a separatist insurgency since the 1960s.

In 1963, Indonesian forces invaded Papua  like Indonesia, a former Dutch colony  and annexed the region.

Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a United Nations-sponsored vote, which locals and activists said was a sham because it involved only about 1,000 people. However, the U.N. accepted the result, essentially endorsing Jakartas rule.

Papuans march with placards during a demonstration in Jakarta demanding a referendum on Papua's independence, Jakarta, December 1, 2023. [Bay Ismoyo/AFP]

Human rights activists criticized the Defense Ministrys proposal, arguing that more weapons in the hands of the military would result in more violence.

Adriana Elisabeth, a Papua expert, called the proposal unnecessary.

Situations like difficult terrain arent new for the military. With the sheer number of personnel, they heavily outnumber separatists, Adriana, researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), told BenarNews.

So, arent there other ways besides adding weaponry?

She said the total number of security forces are estimated at 19,000, while the insurgents number around 2,000.

For their part, Indonesian officials say that security operations are needed to address ongoing attacks by separatists against the military, police, and civilians.

Human rights groups have accused the Indonesian military of abuses in Papua, including extrajudicial killings and suppression of dissent. Jakarta has denied these accusations.

Both government forces and rebels accuse each other of such abuses in the insurgency.

Misprioritizing

The ongoing conflict has caused mass displacement over the years, said Emanuel Gobay, director of the Papua Legal Aid Institute.

The conflict will surely escalate. How many more refugees will there be? he told BenarNews.

From 2018 to 2023, the institute recorded that 76,228 refugees from seven Papuan districts had fled the fighting, Gobay said.

He said he believed that instead of granting additional funds for defense, the money should be used for education, health, and housing for Papuans. He cited cases of Papuan students losing scholarships due to local government funding cuts.

In my opinion, the Ministry of Defense is misprioritizing, he said.

One Papuan human rights activist, Yones Douw, urged Jakarta to consider a peace agreement for Papua such as the one that ended a similar conflict in Aceh province in 2005.

Adding military strength and weapons will only complicate the problems in Papua, he told BenarNews.

It was possible there [Aceh], so why not in Papua?

Victor Mambor in Jayapura, Indonesia, contributed to this report.
Manila accuses the Chinese embassy of violating the Philippines Anti-Wiretapping law if tape is real.

Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos (left), joined by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Western Command in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, Aug. 10, 2023.

The Philippine defense chief on Wednesday called for a probe into whether China violated wiretapping laws during an alleged phone conversation between a Chinese official and a senior Filipino military commander about a new bilateral arrangement over a contested South China Sea shoal.

The Chinese embassy in Manila released to selected news outlets what it described as a transcript of a call in January between Philippine Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos and an unidentified Chinese official, during which they allegedly agreed to a new model for resupply missions to Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal.

If it is true that the Chinese embassy had a recording with someone from the Philippines, then they are admitting they violated the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, particularly the Anti-Wiretapping Law, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told reporters.

If its true the embassy did record it, they have also violated international relations and Philippine laws, because they failed to coordinate with the [Philippine] Department of Foreign Affairs and operated covertly, if this is true, Teodoro added.

Manilas anti-wiretapping law prohibits the unauthorized wiretapping and secret recording of private communications to protect the privacy rights of individuals.

Carlos serves as chief of the Philippine militarys Western Command (WESCOM), which oversees Manilas defense of the Palawan and Kalayaan islands, including the disputed Spratly chain. He has filed for a leave of absence amid the controversy and has not replied to requests seeking comment.

The Philippine military designated Rear Adm. Alfonso Torres Jr. as acting WESCOM commander effective May 6.

In this light, we are leaving it to the Department of Foreign Affairs to find out the truth because this is a clear violation of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and that person [responsible for the recording] should be expelled, Teodoro said.

The defense secretary said he had ordered security measures be strengthened amid alleged disinformation by foreign agents in the Philippines.

Necessary steps would be taken by the defense department and the military to protect Philippine interests, he said.

Only President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in consultation with the foreign department, Teodoro said, can enter into a binding agreement when it comes to matters relating to the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China Sea that Manila claims within its exclusive economic zone.

The president has not given any cabinet official authority over this, that is why it is wrong for the Chinese Embassy officials to claim such, he said. I will repeat, if this is true that this [purported leak] came from the Chinese Embassy, then they are admitting that they violated the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, military officials said they would not dignify the claim they had agreed to a new model for conduct in the disputed shoal.

Chinas claim of an audio recording allegedly between Vice Adm. Carlos and a Chinese diplomat does not merit significant concern as it appears to be a malign influence effort from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement Wednesday.

Transcripts can easily be fabricated, and audio recordings can be manufactured by using deep fakes. These reports only [aim] to serve as a distraction from the China Coast Guards ongoing aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea, he said.

Philippine troops wave from the dilapidated BRP Sierra Madre anchored near Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, May 11, 2015. [Ritchie A. Tongo/Pool/Reuters]

Manila maintains the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II ship deliberately grounded in the Ayungin Shoal in 1999, to serve as the countrys outpost in the contested region.

In recent days, Chinese officials have claimed that Manila and Beijing agreed on a model for resupply missions to the Second Thomas Shoal after multiple rounds of discussions through the diplomatic channel and the AFP WESCOM.

The Philippine military has made repeated confirmation[s] that the new model has been approved by all key officials in the Philippine chain of command, including the Secretary of National Defense and the National Security Adviser, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said during a press briefing on Monday.

Lin said that the Philippines had carried out one such mission on Feb. 2, before abandoning it as well.

Embassy silent

The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines was deluged by requests from journalists to confirm the alleged transcript of the phone call on Wednesday, but did not respond to those requests or to release the actual taped conversation.

Yesterday, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines released details about the relevant communication between the two sides. The facts are clear and backed by hard evidence that cannot be denied, Lin said Wednesday.

The Philippines has insisted on denying these objective facts and seeks to mislead the international community. This hurts its own credibility and puts peace and stability in the South China Sea in jeopardy, Lin said.

He did not provide more details about the alleged conversation.

Last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accused his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, of entering into secret deals with China over the sea dispute. Duterte had denied the accusations, but acknowledged that he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to maintain the status quo in the South China Sea to avoid escalation of tension.

Senate investigation looming

On Wednesday, Philippine opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who has been vocal about Chinas alleged harassment in the South China Sea, said Beijing appears to be waging information warfare.

Hontiveros said Teodoro had already warned senators of Chinas alleged tactic of divide and conquer to divert the publics attention from violent, aggressive and dangerous moves against [Philippine] vessels.

She said Manilas Senate foreign relations committee chaired by the presidents sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, could soon call a public hearing on the issue.

Hontiveros also said she wanted to hear Duterte explain at a future Senate inquiry whether concessions were made to China over the disputed waters.

We need to ask if a former president had the power to require future leaders who are the architects of our foreign policy to allow BRP Sierra Madre, a very important marker of our West Philippine Sea sovereignty, to just deteriorate, Hontiveros said.

Mark Navales in Manila contributed to this report.
New York City is ready to lock up former President Donald Trump if the judge in his historic "hush money" trial orders him jailed for contempt of court, Mayor Eric Adams said Tuesday.

Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie "is prepared for whatever comes on Rikers Island," Adams said during an unrelated news conference, according to the New York Times.

"I'm pretty sure she would be prepared to manage and deal with the situation," he said.

Adams added, "As you see what's happening with Harvey Weinstein, we have to just, you know, in this business, particularly around law enforcement, we have to adjust whatever comes our way," Fox News reported.

"We don't want to deal with a hypothetical, but they're professionals that will be ready," he said.

On Monday, Justice Juan Merchan found Trump, 77, in contempt of court and fined him $1,000 for the tenth time over repeated violations of a gag order.

"I do not want to impose a jail sanction and have done everything I can to avoid doing so. But I will if necessary," Merchan told the first ex-U.S. president to face criminal charges.

The gag order bars Trump from criticizing witnesses, jurors and others connected to the case in which he's accused of directing $130,000 to porn actor Stormy Daniels silence her allegations they had an affair in 2006.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee denies having sex with Daniels and has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Weinstein, who's awaiting a retrial of his 2020 rape conviction in Manhattan, was sent back to Rikers after the City website reported Monday that he was staying in a private room in Bellevue Hospital's intensive care unit instead of the hospital's prison ward.

The disgraced movie mogul, 72, was transferred to Bellevue from Rikers on April 26 for what his lawyer said were "all kinds of tests" because Weinstein was "somewhat of a train wreck, health-wise."
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Mostly clear skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 36F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph, becoming SE and decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Mostly clear skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 36F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph, becoming SE and decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
A man is being held without the right to bail for allegedly threatening to kill the judge who granted his former girlfriend a restraining order against him.
This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle.
LEE  The town of Lee has filed a motion for summary judgment in its PCB lawsuit against Monsanto and General Electric claiming the 1972 agreement between those companies shows they are liable.

The town claims the agreement  in which GE agreed to indemnify Monsanto if it continued to sell it PCBs for use in building power transformers  is sufficient evidence and asks the judge to proceed directly to determining damages.

The motion, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Springfield, cites evidence previously made public by the town and its attorney showing that General Electric and Monsanto were aware polychlorinated biphenyls, a probable cause of cancer, posed environmental and human health risks, and that Monsanto knew the chemical would bind to soils rather than washing out to sea.

In a memorandum of law filed with its motion, the town of Lee also says the Housatonic River cleanup agreement reached in 2020 does not preclude it from seeking damages against Monsanto and GE.

Monsanto manufactured chemicals containing PCBs until 1977, and General Electric, which used those chemicals in its power transformers for their fireproofing and insulating properties, disposed of them in the Housatonic River.

The case was originally filed in Berkshire Superior Court, and GE filed to move the case to U.S. District Court last month. The Town of Lee, through attorney Cristobal Bonifaz, says it does not oppose that move.

This is another step towards righting a wrong that has been long overdue," Lee Select Board Chair Robert Jones said of the motion in a prepared statement.

Lee sued Monsanto and GE in Berkshire Superior Court in 2023, but was allowed to withdraw that civil action due to a health emergency in Bonifaz family. The town refiled its suit in March, saying the GE-Monsanto agreement showed the companies knew PCBs impacted human health and the environment, constituting intentional infliction of harm."

In its memorandum of law, the town notes that the 2020 cleanup permit under CERCLA  the federal law that established the Superfund program  preempts any action that the Town of Lee might wish to take to impede in any way construction of the dump or the partial cleanup of the river.

Federal preemption, however, does not apply for any action including the one delineated in this complaint in which the Town of Lee is seeking damages for harms to humans and the environment caused by a criminal and/or civil conspiracy of Defendants, the town said.

The memorandum of law also claims there is no statute of limitations in the case, because the town only learned about the Monsanto-GE agreement on Dec. 15 of last year.

Monsanto has previously said the town is attempting to "impose environmental liability on a manufacturer that did not dispose of PCBs in or near the Town and is not a party to a settlement under which the Town agreed to create a PCB disposal site." It has also defended the 1972 agreement with GE, saying that agreement was "a routine commercial arrangement between two sophisticated companies that were doing business together, and we reject that it was improper in any way.

General Electric has previously said it will not comment on pending litigation.

While the memorandum and other filings made by the town of Lee refer to the GE-Monsanto agreement as criminal, no such charges have been brought against either firm locally.

However, in its memorandum of law, the Town of Lee said that if a district attorney were to successfully prosecute GE and Monsanto for conspiracy, the Town of Lee ... will move to collect damages for the Town and all its impacted citizens under the Mandaatory Victims Restitution Act of 1996.

GE used PCBs in its manufacture of power transformers at its East Street campus from 1930 through 1977, when Monsanto stopped making them. The chemical was dumped into the Housatonic River, leaked into the groundwater in the area, dumped at sites throughout the region, and landed in residential yards as fill given to GE employees.

In 2000, GE signed a consent decree in which it agreed to remove PCBs from its campus and the Housatonic River. The current Rest of River cleanup, from the confluence of the East and West branches of the Housatonic to Great Barrington, was negotiated in 2020 and upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit last year.
PITTSFIELD  For Eric Quaidoo, pursuing a career in nursing came naturally.

Growing up in my family, there was always someone in the nursing or medical field, he said. Its just like second nature to me.

Quaidoo, a senior at Taconic High School in the health technology career and technical education (CTE) program, currently works at the Wingate Residences at Melbourne Place, a senior residence and assisted living facility in Pittsfield. He spends his time caring for residents there as part of a co-op assignment with the school.

Photos: Taconic High School students celebrate Career & Technical Education National Signing Day Taconic High School's "National Signing Day" ceremony celebrates Career & Technical Education students who are planning on going into the 

Melbourne is more like a home  all the patients even call me their grandson sometimes, Quaidoo said with a smile. Its great being able to have the ability to help them in their time of need. Just being there for them is the best part.

Quaidoos ultimate goal is to become a travel nurse. He will study nursing at Berkshire Community College, while continuing to work at Melbourne Place.

Quaidoo was among the 71 seniors honored at Taconic High School on Tuesday morning at National Signing Day, an event meant to recognize CTE students at the school who plan to continue in either education or employment in their respective field. The Signing Day event is part of a nationwide recognition of graduates heading into the trade fields, organized by SkillsUSA, a nonprofit organization supporting such efforts.

Students gathered in the schools auditorium, waiting to be called by their respective educational clusters to sign a letter of intent to continue on in the trade they studied at Taconic. Several students will head to local businesses to start their careers, such as Haddad Subaru and Tri-Town Paving, while others will head to larger organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and the U.S. Marine Corps.

As the students walked back to their seats, they were greeted with a handshake by Mayor Peter Marchetti. He was joined by School Committee Chair William Cameron and Clerk William Garrity.

It's the third year for the ceremony, which has grown significantly with each subsequent year, according to Kimberly Conant, cooperative education coordinator for Career and Technical Education. Now that the school has transitioned to offer exclusively career and technical education courses, the number of students recognized will increase even faster with each graduating class, she said.

Conant expects to recognize around 100 students at next years ceremony.

Kailynne Errichetto, a senior in the early education and care program, delivered remarks as the SkillsUSA chapter president for the school. Errichetto talked about her co-op placement at the Boys and Girls Club and how it solidified [her] dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher.

Errichetto said she valued learning from her mentors at the Boys and Girls Club and interacting with the students there. She got a chance to learn the ropes firsthand in a classroom at the Boys and Girls Club for two years, which helped her learn how early education professionals communicate and work together.

They not only made the children feel love and heard, she said of her mentors, they never failed to make me feel like I belonged in class.

Errichetto will study early childhood education at Westfield State University.

Shane Roccabruna, a senior in the health technology program, also spoke at the ceremony, detailing how his co-op placement at Berkshire Place helped him to gain clinical experience and learn applied skills for assisting patients. Roccabruna plans to study to be a pharmacist at Western New England University.

The ceremony also recognized seniors from the schools carpentry, culinary arts, information support systems and advanced manufacturing programs. Cameron LaFerriere, a senior in the advanced manufacturing program, will go on to study at the U.S. Naval Academy.

LaFerriere said he applied to both the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy with goals of becoming a pilot, something he's wanted to be since he was 12. His aunt got him an Intro to Flight lesson at that age, and he was able to fly a small propeller plane.

The advanced manufacturing program had a lasting impact on the way he approaches work: whether its having to focus on the most minute of details, or simply having the discipline to get up at 5 a.m. every day to go work at his co-op assignment. LaFerriere plans to take the skills he learned at Taconic with him.

Youre working with tolerances that can be up to within half-of-a-thousandth-of-an-inch, which most people cant comprehend, LaFerriere said, describing the precision required of manufacturers to ensure equipment is within the proper limits. I cant, most of the time. But the extreme attention to detail is probably the biggest skill Ive gotten from it, along with a great work ethic.
You are the owner of this article.
The Biden administration has reportedly paused a shipment of some bombs to Israel.

The stoppage came after concerns that Israel was nearing a full-scale assault on Rafah, the Associated Press reported.

The U.S. leader has publicly come out against an Israeli assault over concerns about the fate of refugees.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza after it said it was closed due to Hamas rocket attacks.

In an X post, the Israel Defense Forces says trucks from Egypt carrying humanitarian aid were already arriving at the crossing.

But the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees countered that message by saying no aid had yet entered and there was no one to receive.

Workers fled on Tuesday when Israeli tanks captured the nearby Rafah crossing. That crossing remains closed.

The operation does not appear to be the large-scale offensive into Rafah that Israel has planned.

Smoke rose over Rafah on Wednesday after new Israeli strikes.

The IDF said the Erez Crossing is continuing to operate to bring aid into Gaza.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after its Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel.

Militants killed more than 1,000 people and kidnapped around 250 others back into Gaza.

The war has killed nearly 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV.

Heavenly Father, we know that school is a place of refuge for many of these children. The school offers a warm meal, a kind smile, shelter, and, in some cases, temporary protection from physical and emotional abuse. For those children, Lord, we know that you are not blind to their circumstances, and there are these needs in our community that You nudge our hearts to offer help. There are numerous demands, and we cant physically meet them all, but we know that You are in control, and You see these children. If there are opportunities to provide comfort for these children, please prick our hearts to take action. Often, it can be overwhelming because the needs are never-ending, but give us peace as we partner with you in prayer over their lives. Gracious God, for those children blessed to pass the days with loving families, we ask that you keep them safe as they run and play, go on trips, and enjoy a break from their studies. We love you, Lord; thank you for the gift of children, the gift of learning, and the gift of seeing You in these students. In Jesus Name, Amen.
People get weird when we start talking about prophets and prophecy. Different denominations have various interpretations of spiritual gifts and their practice in the Scripture and today. From charismatic, Pentecostal, reformed, and more, we have strong views on the subject.

Yet the New Testament discusses the prophetic gift, and the Old Testament includes a historical background for prophets. We cant ignore these passages and individuals if were to search the Bible honestly about the topic.

While the Old Testament possesses several whole books by people we regard as prophets, what about during the early church? Were there prophets in the New Testament?

Lets begin by examining the Old Testament prophetic model.

What Was the Prophetic Model in the Old Testament?

In the Old Testament, prophets served as pivotal figures through whom God communicated his messages, instructions, and warnings to the Israelites. The prophets had a profound spiritual connection with the divine, characterized by obedience, faithfulness, and a commitment to proclaiming God's word.

The Mosaic Law outlined the rules governing prophets, providing guidelines to distinguish true prophets from false ones. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 stipulates that false prophets who presumptuously claim to speak in the name of God are to be put to death, while genuine prophets are expected to speak only what God commands them. Also, if a person prophesied a future event that didnt occur, he or she would be considered false. The Law instructed the Israelites to put false prophets to death, underscoring the prophetic ministrys seriousness.

Throughout Israels history, prophets played diverse roles that evolved in response to the spiritual and political climate of their time. They served as messengers of Gods word, conveying his instructions, warnings, and promises to individuals, communities, and nations. Prophets often delivered messages of judgment against sin, idolatry, and injustice, calling the people to repentance and obedience to God's commands.

Prophets also served as spiritual advisors and counselors to kings and leaders, offering guidance and insight into matters of governance, policy, and national security. Their continued presence in the royal court symbolized the acknowledgment of Gods sovereignty over earthly rulers and the need for righteous leadership in accordance with divine principles.

Moreover, prophets frequently engaged in acts of symbolic prophecy, using visual imagery, parables, and dramatic demonstrations to convey their messages. These symbolic actions captured the attention of the audience and vividly illustrated the consequences of disobedience or the promise of future blessings.

Generally, not every Israelite acted as a prophet. God appointed select men or women for these roles.

Who Were Some Notable Old Testament Prophets?

Numerous notable prophets emerge throughout the pages of the Old Testament, each leaving an indelible mark on Israels spiritual heritage through their profound messages, actions, and encounters with God.

Often regarded as the greatest prophet in Israelite history, Moses stands out for his intimate relationship with God and his pivotal role in leading the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery. He received the Ten Commandments and the Law at Mount Sinai, becoming the primary conduit for Gods revelation to his people (Exodus 3-4; Deuteronomy 34:10). He becomes the model prophet for the future.

Known for his fearless confrontation of Israels King Ahab and his prophetic showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah exemplifies boldness and unwavering faithfulness to God. He also mentored Elisha, his successor, and performed numerous miracles, including raising the widow's son from the dead (1 Kings 17-19; 2 Kings 2).

Chosen by God to succeed Elijah, Elisha inherited a double portion of his mentors spirit and continued his prophetic ministry with even greater signs and wonders. He healed the sick, purified poisoned water, and miraculously multiplied food, demonstrating Gods power and compassion (2 Kings 2-13).

Isaiah prophesied in Judah and counseled kings like Hezekiah. A prolific prophet whose writings are preserved in the book bearing his name, Isaiah offered profound insights into Gods nature, His redemptive plan, and His call to justice and righteousness. His prophecies include the promise of a virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14) and detailed descriptions of the suffering Servant (Isaiah 53).

Known as the weeping prophet, Jeremiah endured persecution and rejection as he faithfully delivered Gods messages of judgment and hope to the rebellious nation of Judah before, during, and after their exile. Despite facing opposition and imprisonment, he remained steadfast in his commitment to proclaiming Gods word (Jeremiah 1-52).

Also during the time of the exile, Ezekiel experienced dramatic encounters with God through visions. Ezekiel also conveyed profound spiritual truths through symbolic actions. His visions include the valley of dry bones, the glory of God departing from the temple, and the future restoration of Israel (Ezekiel 1-48).

Babylon took captives from Judah, one of which a young man named Daniel. A statesman and prophet who rose to prominence in the Babylonian and Persian empires, Daniel interpreted dreams and visions with divine insight, demonstrating Gods sovereignty over human affairs. His prophecies include the rise and fall of empires, the coming of the Messiah, and the final victory of God's kingdom (Daniel 1-12).

These prophets, among others, played pivotal roles in shaping Israels spiritual journey, confronting sin, proclaiming Gods judgment and mercy, and pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of Gods promises in the Messiah. Their lives and ministries serve as enduring examples of faith, obedience, and dedication to God's purposes throughout the ages.

How Does the New Testament Change the Prophetic Model?

The advent of the New Covenant ushered in significant changes to the practice of prophecy within the Christian community. These changes reflect a broader transformation in the relationship between God and his people, characterized by greater intimacy, empowerment, and inclusivity.

First, lets simply define prophecy as hearing from God and repeating his message to others. This message can be about a future event, but is not limited to that. As we see in the prophets of Israel, prophets can also give messages about repentance, sin, encouragement, and Gods love. These messages come in various forms, like visions or poems.

In the Old Testament, the role of the prophet was often seen as exclusive, with only select individuals chosen and empowered by God to convey his messages to the people. However, the New Testament presents a paradigm shift, emphasizing the democratization of prophecy and the active participation of believers in prophetic ministry.

In the New Covenant, Gods Spirit resides within each believer, empowering and regenerating us. The same Spirit which came upon Elijah and Isaiah now lives within every individual Jesus follower and the Church as a whole. Jesus empowers his disciples to hear the voice of God and speak divine truth to others (Matthew 10:19-20).

The precursor to this shift is found in the Old Testament, in Numbers 11:29, where Moses expresses his desire for all of Israel to prophesy, declaring, I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them! This longing for widespread prophetic empowerment anticipates a future where God's Spirit would be poured out on all believers, enabling them to prophesy and participate in the proclamation of his word.

The fulfillment of Moses desire is realized with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. In this transformative event, the Holy Spirit descends upon the gathered disciples, empowering them to speak in tongues and proclaim the mighty works of God. Peter, quoting the prophet Joel, declares that this outpouring fulfills the prophecy that God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh, resulting in sons and daughters prophesying, young men seeing visions, and old men dreaming dreams (Acts 2:17-18; Joel 2:28-29).

The New Testament presents a clear exhortation for believers to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of prophecy. In 1 Corinthians 14:1, the apostle Paul writes, Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. Paul recognizes the edifying and transformative power of prophecy within the Christian community, emphasizing its importance for building up, encouraging, and consoling believers (1 Corinthians 14:3). In addition, the apostle Peter instructs us to speak to one another as if God were speaking: If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. (1 Peter 4:11)

The New Testament highlights the role of prophets within the early Christian church as foundational to its growth and development. Ephesians 4:11-12 identifies prophecy as one of the gifts given by Christ to the church for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of ministry, building up the body of Christ, and attaining unity in the faith.

In the New Covenant, the rules changed as well. When prophets speak (what we would consider a sermon), the church considered the message. Since each person and the whole church has access to the Spirit of God, the community can affirm a message as one from God or not (1 Corinthians 14:9). The criteria no longer depends upon a position or title but the work and word of God.

The Spirit inspired the writing of the Bible, so any prophetic message must align with apostolic doctrine of the Scripture. True prophetic messages will affirm the Bible, not contradict it.

Who Were Some Notable New Testament Prophets?

How did this new model play out? The New Testament introduces us to several notable prophets who played significant roles in the early Christian community, proclaiming Gods word, edifying believers, and contributing to the establishment and expansion of the church.

Often referred to as the last of the Old Testament prophets and the forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus ministry by preaching a message of repentance and baptizing those who responded to his call. His ministry fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, A voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him (Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3).

Mentioned in the book of Acts, Agabus is known for his prophetic ministry in predicting a severe famine that would spread throughout the Roman world. His prophecy prompted the church in Antioch to send relief to their brothers and sisters in Judea, demonstrating the practical impact of prophetic revelation (Acts 11:27-30; Acts 21:10-11).

In Acts 21:9, we encounter Philip the evangelists four unmarried daughters, who are described as prophetesses. Their prophetic ministry underscores the inclusivity of prophecy within the early Christian community and highlights the active role of women in proclaiming Gods word.

A companion of the apostle Paul, Silas is identified as a prophet in Acts 15:32, where he and Judas (Barsabbas) are sent to deliver a letter concerning Gentile believers. Silass prophetic role in the early church indicates the ongoing importance of prophetic ministry in guiding and strengthening the Christian community.

Although Barnabas is primarily known for his role as an encourager and companion to Paul, Acts 13:1 identifies him as a prophet within the church in Antioch. His prophetic ministry likely involved exhortation, edification, and guidance for the growing community of believers.

Although Jesus is not traditionally categorized as a prophet within Christian theology, his ministry embodies the New Covenant prophetic model. As Peter teaches us to speak the very words of God, Jesus declared he only said what he heard the Father said (John 12:49-50). He speaks with divine authority, foretells future events, and calls people to repentance and faith. In Luke 4:24-27, Jesus identifies himself with the prophets Elijah and Elisha, indicating continuity with the prophetic tradition.

These notable New Testament prophets, among others, played crucial roles in guiding, edifying, and strengthening the early Christian community. Their ministries contributed to the establishment and expansion of the church, highlighting the ongoing importance of prophetic revelation and guidance within the body of Christ.

While God still anoints some with a particular prophetic gift, since prophecy is simply hearing and obeying God through what we say, each of us can develop this gift. And we should, since theres no more loving thing we can do for others than express Gods truth to them.

Peace.

Photo credit: Getty Images/rudall30

Britt Mooney lives and tells great stories. As an author of fiction and non -iction, he is passionate about teaching ministries and nonprofits the power of storytelling to inspire and spread truth. Mooney has a podcast called Kingdom Over Coffee and is a published author of We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight.
The pastor of a South Carolina church whose wife died by suicide after claiming she had faced abuse has reportedly been removed from his duties.

Solid Rock at Market Common Church in Myrtle Beach said the Rev. John-Paul Miller had been removed from "ministerial functions."

The news was released in an email to the congregation that was reviewed by WBTW-TV.

"I, Charles Randall, by the authority vested in me as overseer, hereby release Pastor John-Paul Miller from all ministerial functions for a time of healing, counsel, and guidance, pursuant to our governing instrument," the email read.

Mica Miller, 30, was found dead in Lumber River State Park of a self-inflicted bullet wound. John-Paul Miller announced his wife's suicide during a church service.

She had filed for divorce about six months ago, according to the New York Post.

Mica Miller Video

In March, she also posted a cryptic video on Facebook that she said was intended for "ANYONE struggling with leaving a dangerous situation."

In the recording, she referred to "my situation" and said "abuse is abuse," but didn't make any specific allegations.

Mica Miller had made two complaints with Horry County police in March. One came after she found one of her tires slashed, according to a report.

The second complaint claimed she was being followed or watched.

John-Paul Miller said that his wife's death was "self-induced" and that she "wasn't well mentally," according to a video recording posted online.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You are not alone.


Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute.

Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno.

Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi.
The man who attempted to shoot the preacher as he delivered his sermon in a Pennsylvania church now faces homicide charges in the killing of his cousin.

Bernard Polite, 26, of Braddock was captured on camera in the Jesus' Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock.

Pastor Glenn Germany was speaking at the front of the congregation when Polite suddenly appeared and pointed a gun at him.

The gun apparently jammed and the man running the video camera, identified as church Deacon Clarence McCallister, jumped into action and wrestled Politite to the ground.

McCallister and Germany were able to hold him down until police arrived.

Polite confessed to police that he tried to shoot Germany because, "God told him to do it," according to the criminal complaint obtained by WTAE-TV.

Police later found the body of a person who was shot to death in Polite's home.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's office identified the victim as 56-year-old Derek Polite. On Tuesday Allegheny County Police announced that homicide charges were filed against Bernard Polite for his cousin's killing.

Polite was already charged with aggravated assault and attempted homicide in connection with the incident in the church.

He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail.
Landy Parraga, a former Miss Ecuador contestant who was murdered in a restaurant, may have tipped off her location to the killers by posting a food photo on Instagram.

The 23-year-old was killed on April 28 in Quevedo, according to Elcomercio.

She allegedly had links to an Ecuadorian crime boss, People reported.

Parraga posted a photo of the octopus ceviche she ordered to her 173,000 followers on her Instagram Stories account, the Telegraph reported.

Two gunmen burst into the restaurant a short time after she posted the image and shot her three times.

The killing was captured on a survalience camera. She laid in a pool of blood on the floor after the shooting.

Parraga had been mentioned in text messages found on the phone of drug trafficker Leandro Norero, according to El Pais. The conversations were uncovered as part of a corruption investigation centering on government officials.

Investigators reportedly found photos of her on his phone and evidence that he had been having an affair with her and had given her gifts like apartments and cars.

Norero was killed in a prison riot more than a year ago.

It was unclear if Parraga's killing was related to her connection with Norero.
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

Postal Code
The High Court has granted judgment of 117,500 against a former company director in favour of a Renault truck and commercial vehicles dealer.

In a judgment, Mr Justice Conleth Bradley held that Brian Daly had executed a continuing personal guarantee to fully indemnify Renault dealer Setanta Vehicle Sales Limited against all losses and damages incurred by Brian Daly Transport Services Limited (BDTS).

Advertisement

Mr Daly was a director of Co Meath-based BDTS, which went into liquidation in February 2018.

Mr Justice Bradley agreed to grant summary judgment against Mr Daly after finding there is not a fair and reasonable probability that he has a real defence to the claim against him.

Setanta asked for the summary judgment against Mr Daly, of Ashwood Way, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on the basis of him having executed a guarantee and indemnity.

The judge said Setanta, with a registered office off the Longmile Road, Dublin 12, had agreed to lease two vehicles to BTDS under a 2015 hire-purchase agreement.

Advertisement

Several more vehicles were loaned on agreed written terms and Setanta also provided repair and maintenance services to the company.

Setanta alleged BTDS began to fail to discharge its lease and repair invoices in about March 2016 and started to default on its payment obligations in May the following year.

It claimed Mr Daly failed, refused or neglected to pay 117,500 when it issued a letter of demand for that sum in November 2018, said the judge.

Mr Justice Bradley said Mr Daly swore an affidavit stating that the commercial account with Setanta was in the company title and not his personal name. The judge said he disputed the amount being sought, which he said is a company debt for which he is not liable.

Advertisement

Mr Justice Bradley said Setanta has clearly met the legal requirements in an application for summary judgment. He was satisfied the evidence establishes that a termination sum of 45,800 became due and that there is an undischarged sum of 71,621 also owing.

The evidence established that Mr Daly executed a continuing personal guarantee to fully indemnify Setanta against all losses and damages incurred by BDTS, not only in relation to the hire-purchase agreement but also regarding any other transactions entered into by the two firms.

He said he will make an order that Setanta is entitled to have judgment entered against Mr Daly in the amount of 117,500.
Actor Bernard Hill had been looking forward to seeing the reaction to his performance in TV drama The Responder, which aired on the day of his death, the writer of the show has said.

The Lord Of The Rings and Titanic actor died in the early hours of Sunday morning, before the second series of The Responder was aired that evening.

Advertisement

At a screening of the show in Liverpool on Tuesday, writer Tony Schumacher described Hill, 79, as incredibly talented, generous and humble  while co-star Martin Freeman said he was beautiful in the drama.

Schumacher said: I got a text message off him a few days ago saying that he was looking forward to seeing how it went down and seeing the reaction that people had to the show.

Even with his career, he was still a bit nervous about how hed be received and stuff like that.

Its all the more tragic and poignant that hes not going to be here to see it.

Advertisement

He credited Hills appearance as Yosser Hughes in Alan Bleasdales 1980s drama Boys From The Black Stuff as one of the reasons he began writing.

(Rekha Garton/Dancing Ledge/BBC)

Hill played the father of Freemans character Chris Carson in the show.

Advertisement

Freeman  known for roles in The Office, The Hobbit and Fargo  said: He was a gentle, very lovely, fun bloke and Im just dead pleased that I got to work with him on what turns out to be, horribly, his last thing.

But what isnt horrible is that he was beautiful in it and it was a show that he really cared about as well. Were all gutted that hes not here, he should be here tonight.

He said they shared chemistry in the scenes together and the crew was thrilled to have him on board.

He added: Its just ridiculously sad that hes not here. Im pleased that his last thing was something that he would have been proud of and I know he enjoyed, he really loved doing.

Advertisement

Schumacher said he was proud of the reaction to the new episodes of the BBC show, after a successful first series.

He said: I just thought well just do it again. It was only later on as we got into the process I started saying to Martin what if its rubbish?'

The show follows police response officer Carson as he covers night shifts in Liverpool, with a series of challenges.

Freeman said: I hope people are still rooting for him and them  for the characters generally.

Advertisement

Everyone is someone who you could say there but for the grace of God, that could be me.

I loved playing him, hes a very very rewarding part to play. I like him very much.
Garda killer Aaron Brady orchestrated a campaign of witness intimidation during his 2020 trial for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, while his alleged conspirator was an "enthusiastic cheerleader" for attempts to stop those he termed "rats" from giving evidence, a prosecuting barrister has told the Special Criminal Court.

Lorcan Staines SC told the three-judge, non-jury court that the alleged conspiracy to persuade a witness not to give evidence at Brady's trial was a "criminal act of the most insidious kind".

Advertisement

In his closing speech on Wednesday, Mr Staines said Dean Byrne, who is on trial accused of conspiring with Brady to pervert the course of justice, was housed with Brady in the D-wing of Mountjoy Prison during Brady's trial in 2020.

Counsel said Mr Byrne shared photographs of the statement of Daniel Cahill, a key witness in Brady's trial, with relatives of Mr Cahill, which he said was part of a conspiracy to persuade the witness not to give evidence.

Mr Staines alleged Mr Byrne was acting as an "agent" for Brady and that the conspiracy between them included the use of improper means to persuade Mr Cahill not to give evidence.

Padraig Dwyer SC, for Mr Byrne, said it is "pretty staggering" that the prosecution has been unable to produce any evidence that his client ever met with Brady in Mountjoy Prison. He said there is also no evidence of contacts between them on a phone that was found in Mr Byrne's cell.

Advertisement

'Not one scintilla of evidence'

While the prosecution had pointed to the campaign of intimidation by Brady, Mr Dwyer said there was "not one scintilla of evidence to show that Dean Byrne was aware that there was such a campaign."

Mr Dwyer said the charge against his client is novel and vague, and there is no evidence of any agreement between his client and Brady or of how Mr Cahill was to be persuaded not to give evidence.

He said the court should not convict if Mr Byrne had a "benign" intention and genuinely believed Mr Cahill was going to give false evidence at Brady's trial.

Persuasion, counsel said, is a "vague word" and he urged the court not to convict Mr Byrne of a serious crime when the prosecution cannot even say what was unlawful in the sharing of Mr Cahill's statement.

Advertisement

Dean Byrne (30), from Cabra Park, Phibsborough, Dublin, is on trial accused of conspiring with Aaron Brady in Mountjoy Prison between April 8th and June 22nd, 2020, to persuade prosecution witness Daniel Cahill not to give evidence at Brady's murder trial, a course of conduct which had a tendency to and which was intended to pervert the course of justice

In August 2020, Brady (33), formerly of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, was convicted by a jury of the murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth on January 25th, 2013.

On Wednesday, Mr Staines told the court that Brady went on trial for the murder of Det Gda Donohoe in January 2020.

Testimony

A key element of the prosecution case was the testimony of various witnesses, including Mr Cahill, who said they heard Brady admit he had shot a garda.

Advertisement

Mr Staines said all the evidence proves that Brady and Mr Byrne were in contact with one another, and agreed to put in place a course of conduct whereby Mr Cahill would be prevailed upon in an effort to persuade him not to give evidence.

To further that end, counsel said, Brady provided Mr Byrne with photographs of Mr Cahill's statement so the statement could be further shared with members of Mr Cahill's family and other associates.

Mr Staines said the sharing of Mr Cahill's statement was in itself unlawful. As a result of an earlier ruling by the court, counsel said any use of improper or unlawful means to obstruct, interfere with, or change the course of justice amounts to the offence of perverting the course of justice being made out.

Mr Staines said it is also clear that Mr Byrne had no legitimate interest in Brady's trial, and there is no evidence that he was a confidante or advisor to Mr Cahill.

Advertisement

As a resourceful prisoner, Mr Staines said Mr Byrne is the "sort of inmate" who would be recruited by Brady in his campaign. Mr Staines added that the accused's true feelings towards Mr Cahill can be seen in one audio message in which he referred to the witness as a "rat c**t" and a "dirtbird, filthbag, rat ba****d of a thing".

Mr Staines concluded: "The prosecution contend and submit to the court that this was a criminal act of the most insidious kind.

"There was a campaign of witness intimidation in the case of the Director of Public Prosecutions versus Aaron Brady, and it was a campaign to stop, using the accused's own word, 'rats' from giving evidence."

'Enthusiastic cheerleaders'

Mr Staines said that while Brady was the conductor of the campaign, Mr Byrne was "one of his enthusiastic cheerleaders".

Mr Dwyer said the height of the prosecution case is that Mr Byrne was furthering a plan or intention of Brady's, but not that he did anything legally or morally wrong. He said there is no evidence of him sitting down with Brady to agree on a course of conduct.

Mr Dwyer said there is evidence that when sharing Mr Cahill's statement, Mr Byrne asked that it not be shown to Mr Cahill. Mr Dwyer said this could be interpreted as Mr Byrne not wanting to put pressure on Mr Cahill or to "spook" him.

He said the evidence of association between Brady and Mr Byrne is "scant" and there was no evidence of Brady's activities in relation to the alleged conspiracy with Mr Byrne.

Opportunities for them to communicate would have been limited by the Covid measures in place in the prison in 2020.

Counsel further described the prosecution's claim that Mr Byrne could only have received Mr Cahill's statements from Brady as "not well-founded". He said those statements appear to have been in circulation for some period of time.

Mr Dwyer said the prosecution had alleged that Mr Byrne tried to set up a meeting between Brady's and Mr Cahill's fathers. Counsel said the evidence shows only that Mr Byrne was aware that such a meeting had been suggested.

Any such plan was made independently of Mr Byrne, he said, and the most the prosecution can say is that Mr Byrne was "passing on a message" or "updating interested parties".

He said there is no independent evidence that the person who received Mr Cahill's statements from Mr Byrne ever spoke to or contacted Mr Cahill.

Mr Justice Paul Burns, presiding, adjourned the case until May 29th when Aaron Brady is due to be sentenced for his role in perverting the course of justice during his trial.

Mr Justice Burns said the court may have its verdict ready on that date.
Social media influencer Andrew Tate has been served with civil proceedings papers at his home in Romania.

Lawyers on behalf of four British women said the alleged victims are bringing a case against Tate at the High Court in the UK, after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to prosecute in 2019.

Advertisement

McCue Jury and Partners said all four women allege Tate raped and assaulted them and are seeking damages for injuries they suffered as a result.

Three of the British accusers were the subject of an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary.

The Hertfordshire investigation was closed in 2019.

In a statement, the law firm said: Three of the women bringing the civil action reported that Tate had raped and physically assaulted them to the UK police in 2014/2015.

Advertisement

After a four-year investigation, Hertfordshire Police sent the case to the CPS for a charging decision. In 2019, the CPS decided not to prosecute.

Despite additional evidence, the CPS have declined the womens recent requests to review its decision.

A court in Romania ruled last month that a trial can start in the influencers separate human trafficking case, which also accuses him of rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.

Tate, 37, is accused alongside his brother Tristan Tate. The men were initially arrested in December 2022 near Bucharest.

Advertisement

They will be extradited to the UK after the proceedings in Romania, after Bedfordshire Police secured a European arrest warrant for further separate allegations of rape and human trafficking.

Those allegations, which the two brothers unequivocally deny, date back to 2012-2015.

In a statement in March, the Bedfordshire force said: As part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of rape and human trafficking, Bedfordshire Police has obtained a European arrest warrant for two men in their 30s.

We are working with authorities in Romania as part of this investigation and will provide an update in due course.

Advertisement

A representative for the Tate brothers said they unequivocally deny all allegations, and are fully committed to challenging these accusations with unwavering determination and resolve.
The Garrick Club has voted to allow women to become members for the first time, it has been reported.

The central London private members Club has been strictly male-only since it was founded in 1831.

Advertisement

But a vote to allow female members passed with 59.98 per cent of votes in favour at the end of a private meeting, The Guardian reported.

The newspaper said actor Stephen Fry and journalist James Naughtie were among those who gave speeches arguing for the admission of women.

The private members club has faced scrutiny over its diversity in recent weeks after The Guardian said it had published the membership list, which it claimed included Britain's King Charles, UK deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden and Sir Richard Moore, the head of MI6.

In March, UK Cabinet secretary Simon Case  the head of the British civil service  quit the club just a day after being questioned by MPs about his involvement in the institution.

Advertisement

Mr Case had previously suggested it would be easier to change the all-male organisation from within rather than chuck rocks from the outside.

In April, a High Court judge was removed from overseeing a case involving an alleged rape victim due to his membership of the Garrick Club.

Sir Jonathan Cohen was due to hear a family court case involving a dispute between a mother and father over their sons care, with the woman accusing the man of domestic abuse and controlling and coercive behaviour.

She applied for Mr Cohen to step back from her case, claiming she would feel prejudiced due to his membership.

Advertisement

A different High Court judge decided that Mr Cohen should not hear the case due to his club membership, adding that the father was also a regular visitor.

The court heard that at no stage have the mothers allegations against the father been determined.

The Guardian has reported that several High Court judges and dozens of barristers are members of the Garrick Club.

The Garrick Club has been approached for comment.
The Israeli military said it has reopened its Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza after days of closure, but the UN said no humanitarian aid has yet entered.

The UN also said there is no-one to receive the aid on the Palestinian side after workers fled during Israels military incursion in the area.

Advertisement

The Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers nearby, and on Tuesday, an Israeli tank brigade seized the nearby Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, forcing its closure.

(PA Graphics)

The two facilities are the main terminals for entry of food, medicine and other supplies essential for the survival of Gazas population of 2.3 million Palestinians.

Advertisement

The Israeli foray did not appear to be the start of the full-scale invasion of the city of Rafah that Israel has repeatedly promised.

But aid officials warn that the prolonged closure of the two crossings could cause the collapse of aid operations, worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the UN says a full-blown famine is already under way in the north.

The United States paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on Rafah, in a further widening of divisions between the two close allies.

Advertisement

The US says it is concerned over the fate of around 1.3 million Palestinians crammed into Rafah, most of whom fled fighting elsewhere.

Israel says Rafah is Hamass last stronghold and that a wider offensive there is needed to dismantle the groups military and governing capabilities.

Advertisement

The US, Egypt and Qatar are meanwhile ramping up efforts to close the gaps in a possible agreement for at least a temporary ceasefire and the release of some of the scores of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.

Israel has linked the threatened Rafah operation to the fate of those negotiations.

CIA chief William Burns, who has been shuttling around the region for talks on the ceasefire deal, met on Wednesday with Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, a US official said.

With the seizure of Rafah, Israel now controls all of Gazas crossings for the first time since it withdrew troops and settlers from the territory nearly two decades ago, though it has maintained a blockade with Egypts co-operation for most of that time.

Advertisement

Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike on buildings near the separating wall between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip (Ramez Habboub/AP)

The Rafah crossing has been a vital conduit for humanitarian aid since the start of the war and is the only place where people can enter and exit.

Kerem Shalom is Gazas main cargo terminal.

UN World Food Programme (WFP) deputy executive director Carl Skau told The Associated Press that the UN agency has lost access to its Gaza food warehouse in Rafah, which he says was communicated as a no-go zone.

We understand that its still there, but we are extremely worried of looting, Mr Skau said during a visit to neighbouring Lebanon, adding that a UN logistics warehouse in Rafah had already been looted.

He said the WFP was able to secure a warehouse in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, but has not stocked it with food yet.

Associated Press journalists heard sporadic explosions and gunfire in the area of the Rafah crossing overnight, including two large blasts early on Wednesday.

Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel (Leo Correa/AP)

The Israeli military reported six launches from Rafah towards the Kerem Shalom crossing on Tuesday.

COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs, said the Kerem Shalom crossing reopened early on Wednesday.

But Juliette Touma, the director of communications for UNRWA, said no aid had entered as of late afternoon on Wednesday and that the UN agency had been forced to ration fuel, which is imported through Rafah.

Gazas Health Ministry meanwhile said at least 46 patients and wounded people who had been scheduled to leave on Tuesday for medical treatment have been left stranded.
Ukraine's ability to shoot down the majority of rockets fired at them has forced Russia to modify the missiles they are launching, according to a recent intelligence report.

The Russian Aerospace Forces Long Range Aviation Command (LRA) is increasing the "lethality" of the ACLM cruise missiles by attaching a second warhead, according to an intelligence report released by the U.K. Ministry of Defence.

The second warhead is meant to increase "fragmentation" at the intended target. This modification will cut the missiles range in half, according to U.K. Defence, who also point out that Russia doesn't need the missles full range to reach all of Ukraine's regions.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  08 May 2024.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/tt0vmm88pL #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/Mfg47ZDg86  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) May 8, 2024

Throughout the over two-year conflict, Russia has been modifying missiles and tactics to combat Ukraine's success in intercepting "too many" missiles. According to the Ukraine Defense Ministry, Ukraine has shot down 2,151 Russian cruise missiles since the start of the war.

On Wednesday, Ukraine reported two rockets were destroyed, along with 13 tanks, 11 UAVs,19 combat vehicles and 970 Russian soldiers.

Ukraine's success in intercepting Russian cruise missiles can be credited to the advanced weaponry recieved through western aid, including the American-made Patriot air defense missile system.

A new shipment of Patriot missiles were included in a recently passed U.S. foriegn aid package, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The foriegn aid package, signed by President Joe Biden on April 24, will send $61 billion to Ukraine, marking the largest security assitance package sent to the war-torn nation since Russia's invasion in February 2022.
England midfielder Jack Grealish has been fined 666 (774) and handed five penalty points after being caught speeding at 44mph in a 30mph zone.

Grealish did not attend a four-minute hearing at Worcester Magistrates Court on Wednesday, but pleaded guilty through his lawyer.

Advertisement

The 28-year-old, of Barnt Green, Worcestershire, was also ordered to pay 110 (127) in court costs and a victim surcharge of 266 (309), leaving him with a total bill of 1,042 (1,210).

The court was told the Manchester City winger was caught speeding in Worcestershire while driving a Range Rover Sport on the morning of July 17th, 2023.

Jack Grealish in action against Real Madrid last month (Mike Egerton/PA)

Advertisement

Former Aston Villa star Grealish joined City on a six-year deal in August 2021 for a then-record transfer fee for a British club of around 100 million.

Grealish, who made his England debut in September 2020, is reported to earn around 300,000-a-week and has scored three goals in 20 Premier League appearances so far this season.

The player had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, the court heard.

Prosecutor Andy Saunders said the Range Rover was caught by a mobile speed camera travelling at 44mph on Station Road, Wythall, but there were no other aggravating factors.

Advertisement

A charge of failing to give information to the police relating to the identification of the driver was withdrawn.

Jack Grealish celebrating a goal against Arsenal last season (Adam Davy/PA)

Grealishs barrister, John Dye, said of his client: Mr Grealish means no discourtesy by not attending.

Advertisement

I am instructed to enter a guilty plea on his behalf in relation to speeding.

After confirming that the maximum penalty for the offence was 1,000, reduced to 666 after a guilty plea, Mr Dye told the court: He can afford to pay that figure.

I am asked to apologise on his behalf. It was a mistake.

The court was told Grealish had a full, clean driving licence at the time of the speeding offence.
Kevin Spacey could face a UK High Court trial over a sexual abuse claim after a default judgment against him was set aside.

In 2022, the Oscar-winning actor was sued at the High Court in London by a man who claimed he had been sexually assaulted by Mr Spacey and suffered psychiatric damage.

Advertisement

The civil claim was paused after Mr Spacey was charged  and later acquitted  in criminal proceedings of a number of sexual offences alleged by four men between 2001 and 2013.

At a hearing on Tuesday, the court heard that lawyers for the actor  who is represented by the firm Carter-Ruck  were due to file a written defence after the end of the criminal proceedings, but had failed to do so.

A default judgment was subsequently entered against Mr Spacey in the civil case on his liability earlier this year.

However, after a judge set aside the default judgment at the hearing, the US star is now set to face a civil trial over the allegations.

Advertisement

In his bid to set aside the previous ruling, Adam Speker KC, for Mr Spacey, described the failure to file the paperwork as a genuine error by his solicitor.

The barrister told the hearing in London it would be unfair to proceed to a damages hearing and the contested allegations should instead be taken to trial.

Lifting the default civil judgment, Judge David Cook said that the lawyers had quite frankly mucked up.

He said: There can be no excuse in my view for the date being overlooked.

Advertisement

The simple fact of the matter is this is a claim where the defendants solicitors have made an error.

In my view, that error should not be visited upon the defendant.

Judge Cook added: The interests of justice require that those allegations go forward to trial and the judgment in default should, therefore, be lifted.

Advertisement

Actor Kevin Spacey speaks to the media outside Southwark Crown Court, London, after he was found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men following the criminal trial. Photo: Lucy North/PA.

Claire Glasgow of Fieldfisher, who is representing the claimant, said after the hearing: We are pleased that the judge recognised the seriousness of the claim and directed the court to proceed to trial.

Our client is seeking justice in the civil courts for serious allegations against Mr Spacey, regardless of the findings of the criminal trial.

The hearing comes after Mr Spacey denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour ahead of the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary.

Advertisement

The programme, titled Spacey Unmasked, began airing on Monday and is said to feature testimony from men regarding events they say took place between 1976 and 2013.

Ahead of the broadcast, the 64-year-old actor, in an interview with former GB News presenter Dan Wootton, said: 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.

Ive never told someone that if they give me sexual favours, then I will help them out with their career, never.

Mr Spacey added: 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.
Voters in North Macedonia are casting ballots in a parliamentary election and presidential runoff dominated by issues including the countrys path toward European Union membership, corruption and the economy.

The first round of the election for president, a largely ceremonial post, was seen as a barometer for the parliamentary vote.

Advertisement

It gave a clear lead to Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, the candidate backed by the centre-right opposition, over incumbent Stevo Pendarovski, who is supported by the governing centre-left coalition.

A cat stands under ballot boxes during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia (Boris Grdanoski/AP)

Ms Siljanovska-Davkova garnered 41.2 per cent, in the first round on April 24th, compared to 20.5 per cent for Mr Pendarovski.

Advertisement

The two had also squared off in the previous election in 2019, when Mr Pendarovski won with nearly 54 per cent of the vote.

Turnout in the runoff must be at least 40 per cent for the result to be valid.

In the parliamentary election, more than 1,700 candidates are vying for the 120 seats in the unicameral assembly.

There are also three seats reserved for expatriates, but in the previous election in 2020, turnout was too low for them to be filled.

Advertisement

The month-long campaign focused on North Macedonias progress toward joining the 27-nation EU, the rule of law, corruption, fighting poverty and tackling the countrys sluggish economy.

A man casts his ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia (Boris Grdanoski/AP)

Skopje voter Atanas Lovacev expressed disappointment with the current government, but had low expectations from whoever comes next.

Advertisement

Yes, (I expect changes), because the current government did nothing, he said.

But I dont expect anything either from the new government. They all make promises, but the result is nothing.

Opinion polls ahead of the vote had consistently shown the centre-right opposition VMRO-DPMNE party, at the head of a 22-party coalition called Your Macedonia, with a double-digit lead over the coalition For A European Future, led by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, or SDSM.

There are also two coalitions representing ethnic Albanians, who account for a quarter of North Macedonias population.

Advertisement

They include the European Front, led by the Democratic Union of Integration (DUI), which has been the coalition partner of all governments of the past 20 years.

An electoral official stamps the ballots (Boris Grdanoski/AP)

But VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski wants to ally with the VLEN (Worth) four-party coalition, which has positioned itself to the right of DUI.

North Macedonias path to the EU is being blocked by neighbouring Bulgaria, which demands that the constitution be amended to recognise a Bulgarian minority.

And while the centre-left has agreed to the demand, VMRO-DPMNE has denounced the governments capitulation (to) Bulgarian dictates.

Just over 3,500 people out of nearly 1.84 million identified themselves as Bulgarians in North Macedonias latest census, in 2021.

North Macedonia has been a candidate to join the EU since 2005, but was blocked for years by neighbouring Greece in a dispute over the countrys name.

That was resolved in 2018, but Bulgaria is now the one blocking the process  it has said it will only lift its veto once the constitution is amended.

Skopje resident Gordana Gerasimovski said she was disappointed that the country had been waiting for so long to join the EU, but hoped there would now be real progress.

We should have been part of European Union long time ago. This is what we are lacking, but we hope that the time will get us where we want to be for so long, she said.

EU membership negotiations with North Macedonia  and fellow-candidate Albania  began in 2022 and the process is expected to take years.

Corruption is the other hot-button issue, with a European Commission report last year saying it remains prevalent in many areas of North Macedonia.
The Biden administration paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that the country was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the US, defence secretary Lloyd Austin said.

The shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 2,000lb (900kg) bombs and 1,700 500lb (225kg) bombs, according to the official.

Advertisement

The focus of US concern was the larger explosives and how they could be used in a dense urban setting such as Rafah where more than one million civilians are sheltering after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israels war on Hamas, which came after the militant groups deadly attack on Israel on October 7.





Advertisement

Mr Austin confirmed the weapons delay, telling the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defence that the US paused one shipment of high payload munitions.

Were going to continue to do whats necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself, Mr Austin said.

But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah.

The US has historically provided enormous amounts of military aid to Israel.

Advertisement

That has only accelerated in the aftermath of Hamass October 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people in Israel and led to about 250 being taken captive by militants.

The pausing of the aid shipment is the most striking manifestation of the growing daylight between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden, which has called on Israel to do far more to protect the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza.

It also comes as the Biden administration is due to deliver a first-of-its-kind formal verdict this week on whether the air strikes on Gaza and restrictions on delivery of aid have violated international and US laws designed to spare civilians from the worst horrors of war.

A decision against Israel would further add to pressure on Mr Biden to curb the flow of weapons and money to Israels military.

Advertisement



Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, left, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force General CQ Brown attend a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defence (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Mr Biden signed off on the pause in an order conveyed last week to the Pentagon, according to US officials.

The White House National Security Council sought to keep the decision out of the public eye for several days until it had a better understanding of the scope of Israels intensified military operations in Rafah and until Mr Biden could deliver a long-planned speech on Tuesday to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Advertisement

Mr Bidens administration in April began reviewing future transfers of military assistance as Mr Netanyahus government appeared to move closer towards an invasion of Rafah, despite months of opposition from the White House.

The official said the decision to pause the shipment was made last week and no final decision had been made yet on whether to proceed with the shipment at a later date.

US officials had declined for days to comment on the halted transfer, word of which came as Mr Biden on Tuesday described US support for Israel as ironclad, even when we disagree.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to square the arms hold-up with Mr Bidens rhetoric in support of Israel, saying only: Two things could be true.

Israels ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, in an interview with Israeli Channel 12 TV news, said the decision to pause the shipment was a very disappointing decision, even frustrating.

He suggested the move stemmed from political pressure on Mr Biden from Congress, the US campus protests and the upcoming election.



Senator Lindsey Graham speaks during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defence on Capitol Hill in Washington (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Mr Biden has faced pressure from some on the left  and condemnation from the critics on the right who say he has moderated his support for an essential Middle East ally.

If we stop weapons necessary to destroy the enemies of the state of Israel at a time of great peril, we will pay a price, said Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina), his voice rising in anger during an exchange with Mr Austin.

This is obscene. It is absurd. Give Israel what they need to fight the war they cant afford to lose.

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, a Biden ally, said in a statement the pause on big bombs must be a first step.

Our leverage is clear, Mr Sanders said.

Over the years, the United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Israel. We can no longer be complicit in Netanyahus horrific war against the Palestinian people.

Mr Austin, meanwhile, told legislators that its about having the right kinds of weapons for the task at hand.



Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

A small diameter bomb, which is a precision weapon, thats very useful in a dense, built-up environment, he said, but maybe not so much a 2,000lb bomb that could create a lot of collateral damage.

He said the US wants to see Israel do more precise operations.

Israeli troops on Tuesday seized control of Gazas vital Rafah border crossing in what the White House described as a limited operation that stopped short of the full-on Israeli invasion of the city that Mr Biden has repeatedly warned against on humanitarian grounds, most recently in a Monday call with Mr Netanyahu.

Israel has ordered the evacuation of 100,000 Palestinians from the city.

Israeli forces have also carried out what they describe as targeted strikes on the eastern part of Rafah and captured the Rafah crossing, a critical conduit for the flow of humanitarian aid along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Privately, concern has mounted inside the White House about what is unfolding in Rafah, but publicly administration officials have stressed that they did not think the operations had defied Mr Bidens warnings against a widescale operation in the city.

The State Department is separately considering whether to approve the continued transfer of Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, which place precision guidance systems on to bombs, to Israel, but the review did not pertain to imminent shipments.



President Joe Biden (Morry Gash/AP)

The US dropped the 2,000lb bomb sparingly in its long war against the so-called Islamic State militant group.

Israel, by contrast, has used the bomb frequently in the seven-month Gaza war.

Experts say the use of the weapon, in part, has helped drive the enormous Palestinian casualty count that the Hamas-run Health Ministry puts at more than 34,000 dead, though it does not distinguish between militants and civilians.

The US-Israel relationship has been close through both Democratic and Republican administrations.

But there have been other moments of deep tension since Israels founding in which US leaders have threatened to hold up aid in an attempt to sway Israeli leadership.

President Dwight Eisenhower pressured Israel with the threat of sanctions into withdrawing from the Sinai in 1957 in the midst of the Suez Crisis.

Ronald Reagan delayed the delivery of F16 fighter jets to Israel at a time of escalating violence in the Middle East.

President George HW Bush held up 10 billion dollars in loan guarantees to force the cessation of Israeli settlement activity in the occupied territories.
Russian forces unleashed a night-time barrage of more than 50 cruise missiles and explosive drones at Ukraines power grid, targeting a wide area in what President Volodymyr Zelensky called a massive attack.

The bombardment on Wednesday blasted targets in seven Ukrainian regions, including the Kyiv area and parts of the south and west, damaging homes and the countrys rail network, authorities said.

Advertisement

Three people, including an eight-year-old girl, were injured, according to officials.



Police experts inspect the site of a Russian missile attack, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Andriy Andriyenko/AP)

Russia has repeatedly pounded Ukraines energy infrastructure during the war that is stretching into its third year and has claimed thousands of lives.

Advertisement

By taking out the power, the Kremlins forces aim to rob Ukrainian manufacturing of its energy supply, especially military plants, and crush public morale.

The mass barrages also drain Ukrainian air defences of ammunition as Kyivs depleted forces await delivery of the latest batch of promised Western military support.

Ukrainian officials have been pleading for more Nato-standard air defence systems, such as Patriots.

Russia pummelled Ukraines energy infrastructure during the blackout winter of 2022-23.

Advertisement

In March, it launched a new wave of attacks, one of which completely destroyed the Trypilska power plant near Kyiv, one of the countrys biggest.



A man looks at the debris of a car following a Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Andriy Andriyenko/AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has framed the attacks as retaliation for Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Advertisement

On Wednesday, a Ukrainian attack hit an oil terminal, injuring five workers and starting a fire, Russia-appointed authorities in the partially occupied Luhansk region said.

Russian bombardments, though frequent, have become less regular in recent weeks, and Ukrainian officials suspect Moscow is stockpiling resources ahead of a major battlefield offensive that could come within weeks.

The 1,000-kilometre (600 mile) front line has changed little since the early months of the war, but Russia has recently made small but steady gains in some areas as Ukraine battles with a lack of manpower and a shortage of weapons.

In a social media post, Mr Zelensky noted that Wednesdays attacks occurred on the day that Ukraine observes the end of European fighting in World War Two and equated Ukraines current struggle with that conflict.

Advertisement

National electrical grid operator Ukrenergo said facilities were hit in the Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kirovohrad, Poltava and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.



Flames burn in a crater following a Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Andriy Andriyenko/AP)

Two energy facilities were hit in the Lviv region, which is in the countrys far west and distant from the fightings front lines, according to regional Governor Maksym Kozytskyi.

DTEK, Ukraines biggest private energy supplier, said the attack seriously damaged equipment at three of its thermal power plants.

The attack was the fifth in the last six weeks targeting the companys facilities, DTEK said.

Overall, since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, the companys assets have come under attack nearly 180 times, injuring 51 workers and killing three, it said.

Russia launched 55 missiles and 21 Shahed drones overnight, the Ukrainian air force said.

Air defences downed 39 of the missiles and 20 of the drones, Ukrainian air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said.



Police officers inspect a crater after a Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Andriy Andriyenko/AP)

Russian forces also damaged the railway station building and train tracks in Kherson, national railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia said.

Also on Wednesday, five people including three children were injured in an attack that struck an educational facility in northeastern Kharkiv, regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on social media.

City Mayor Ihor Terekhov said one of the children was in critical condition.
An Edinburgh University student taking part in a hunger strike in protest against the war in Gaza said it is a last resort after other methods of protest failed.

The student, who referred to herself only as Nevis, is one of five people currently on hunger strike in the city, with more members of the universitys Justice for Palestine Society due to join the hunger strike in the coming days.

Advertisement

The protesters demands include the university ending its investments in companies and funds they see as linked to the Israeli military.

Edinburgh University principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, urged the students on hunger strike not to risk their health.

Advertisement

It is part of a wider protest against the war in Gaza that saw activists set up a campsite next to the Scottish parliament on Friday, April 26th, and around 40 students occupy the lawn in the universitys Old College on Sunday, May 5th.

Nevis said the hunger strike was intended to force the university to pay attention to them after protesters had taken every means of action we could to get them to engage with their demands.

Weve done protests every week, weve been occupying buildings, weve written a petition that gathered almost 2,000 signatures, weve tried negotiations, weve tried open letters, weve tried about everything, she said.

Advertisement

We did meet with upper management but we were just stalled and passed from one bureaucratic process to the other without getting any actual engagement with our demands.

She added: Deciding to go on hunger strike is a last resort situation, to force upper management to face the situation they are putting their students in, and force them to face their failure at upholding a democratic process in the university and at listening to the staff and students.

They do have a duty of care towards us so they kind of have to engage with us now. We have actually already got some engagement.

She said members of university management would have blood on their hands if they did not take action to support the Palestinian cause.

Advertisement

Students occupied part of the Old College lawn on Sunday (Niall Carson/PA)

To me, its completely insane that people are continuing with business as usual, she said.

People are just desensitised to the point of ignoring a genocide taking place, and I think every single person in parliament, in upper management, any single person who has any strategic power who is not doing something for Palestine has blood on their hands and needs to be aware of that and needs to get their heads out of the sand.

Advertisement

Another protester at the Old College site, who referred to himself as Zaater, said the university had a very particular special role in events in the Middle East as former university chancellor Arthur Balfour signed the Balfour Declaration, which was key to the formation of the state of Israel, in the very walls of this building.

He said one of the motivations for the protest was to bring history full circle confronting Balfours legacy directly, continuing with (current chancellor) Peter Mathieson.

Prof Mathieson said in a statement: We have very recently been notified of the intention of an unknown number of students to commence a hunger strike as an indication of their strength of feeling and determination around issues related to Palestine and Israel.

Whilst we recognise their bodily autonomy, we appeal to them and others not to take risks with their own health, safety and wellbeing.

Please make yourself known to us at any point at which we may be able to direct you to support.

We are in daily contact with the protesters to ensure they are aware of the health and wellbeing support available to them.

A University of Edinburgh spokesperson said: The continuing violence and loss of life in Palestine is deeply distressing and we understand that members of our community are rightly concerned about the devastating toll of this ongoing conflict.

We have been engaging with student and staff groups on this issue for several months and we are committed to listening to their concerns. We are deeply concerned for the wellbeing of the students taking part in this latest action and we urge them to prioritise their health.

We steadfastly support the right to take part in lawful, peaceful and respectful protest and we are monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of the protesters, while also working to minimise disruption to staff, students and visitors to our campus.

The students action comes as students from more than a dozen UK universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, take similar action over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

University vice-chancellors have been invited to a meeting at No 10 Downing Street on Thursday, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will discuss antisemitism on campuses and ensuring the safety of Jewish students.

The Prime Ministers official spokesperson said on Tuesday: The right to free speech does not include the right to harass people or incite violence.

We expect university leaders to take robust action in dealing with that kind of behaviour and that will be the subject of the conversation in No 10 later this week to ensure a zero-tolerance approach to this sort of behaviour is adopted on all campuses.
Students taking part in a hunger strike in a call for a ceasefire in Gaza have been urged not to take risks with their health or wellbeing.

A group of students from Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society (EUJPS) have been on hunger strike for much of the week.

Advertisement

They are protesting outside the universitys Old College for an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict and said they refuse to be educated by a university that directly contributed to the colonialisation of Palestine through its close ties with Lord Arthur Balfour.

Lord Balfour was a former British prime minister who, in 1917, said in the Balfour Declaration that the UK Government supported the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said it supports the students right to protest and fully recognises the strength of feeling that you have demonstrated with your actions.

Advertisement

In a statement issued on the universitys website, he thanked the group for having led a peaceful protest and for not creating obstruction for staff and other students.

He added: Our primary concern has always been and will always be the safety, security and wellbeing of all members of our university community.

Advertisement

There will be people with views very different from yours: they are also welcome to express them in peaceful and lawful ways.

A university should be a place where the most sensitive, topical and complex matters can be openly debated in an atmosphere of respect and safety.

We have very recently been notified of the intention of an unknown number of students to commence a hunger strike as an indication of their strength of feeling and determination around issues related to Palestine and Israel.

Whilst we recognise their bodily autonomy, we appeal to them and others not to take risks with their own health, safety and wellbeing.

Advertisement

Please make yourself known to us at any point at which we may be able to direct you to support.

We are in daily contact with the protesters to ensure they are aware of the health and wellbeing support available to them.

In Aberdeen, students have led similar protests this week, calling for a ceasefire.

Advertisement

Students staged a march as part of their calls for a Gaza ceasefire at Cambridge University on Tuesday (Joe Giddens/PA)

It comes as part of a wider number of student protests across the UK over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Students from more than a dozen UK universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, are taking similar action.

University vice-chancellors have been invited to a meeting at No 10 Downing Street on Thursday, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will discuss antisemitism on campuses and ensuring the safety of Jewish students.

The Prime Ministers official spokesperson said on Tuesday: The right to free speech does not include the right to harass people or incite violence.

We expect university leaders to take robust action in dealing with that kind of behaviour and that will be the subject of the conversation in No 10 later this week to ensure a zero-tolerance approach to this sort of behaviour is adopted on all campuses.

More than 100 people attended a demonstration outside Kings College, Cambridge, on Tuesday  where a protester with a megaphone by the encampment led a chant of From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.

The Office for Students, the higher education watchdog for England, said while it supports free speech it cannot tolerate discrimination.

Arif Ahmed, its director of freedom of speech, said: Universities should uphold free speech within the law for everyone.

But this does not, and cannot, include discrimination against, or harassment of, Jewish students, or any other conduct prohibited by law. Peaceful protest is itself a legitimate expression of freedom of speech.

We expect universities and colleges to make provision for the lawful expression of the greatest possible range of ideas and opinions, even those that some may find deeply offensive.

Whilst universities and colleges should not seek to suppress the lawful expression of any idea or viewpoint, we recognise that to manage their affairs effectively and safely, they may have to regulate the time, place and manner of expression, where there are compelling reasons to do so.

A spokesperson for the University of Aberdeen said its vice-chancellor would not be attending the Downing Street meeting.

They added: The university respects and supports the right to peaceful and lawful protest.

Our campus should be a safe space for all and we are clear that any incidents of harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.

EUJPS was contacted for comment.
Three Indian men charged with killing Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year have appeared in court.

The case set off a diplomatic spat after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were credible allegations of Indian involvement.

Advertisement

Canadian police had arrested the three Indian men last week in Edmonton, Alberta, and they have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.



Members of British Columbias Sikh community gather in front of the courthouse in Surrey, British Columbia (Chuck Chiang/AP)

Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Mandeep Mooker said on Friday that the investigation into whether the men had ties to Indias government was ongoing.

Advertisement

Mr Nijjar, 45, was shot to death in his pickup truck last June after he left the Sikh temple he led in the city of Surrey.

An Indian-born citizen of Canada, he owned a plumbing business and was a leader in what remains of a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland.

India designated him a terrorist in 2020 and at the time of his death had been seeking his arrest for alleged involvement in an attack on a Hindu priest.

India has denied involvement in the killing.

Advertisement

In response to the allegations, India told Canada last year to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country.



The case set off a diplomatic spat after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were credible allegations of Indian involvement (The Canadian Press/AP)

Tensions remain but have somewhat eased since.

Advertisement

The arrested men  Kamalpreet Singh, 22, Karan Brar, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28  appeared in court on Tuesday via a video link and agreed to a trial in English.

They were ordered to appear in British Columbia Provincial Court again on May 21.

Brar and Karanpreet Singh appeared in the morning.

Kamalpreets appearance was delayed until the afternoon as he waited to speak to a lawyer.

Advertisement

The small provincial courtroom was filled with spectators during the morning session.



In this photograph taken with a drone, people sit on the front lawn of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, in Surrey, British Columbia (Ethan Cairns/AP)

Others crowded into an overflow room to watch the proceedings via video.

Richard Fowler, the defence lawyer representing Brar, said the case will eventually be moved to the Supreme Court and combined into one case.

Around 100 people gathered outside the courthouse waving yellow flags and holding photos of Indian government officials whom they accuse of being involved in Mr Nijjars killing.

Canadian police say the three suspects had been living in Canada as non-permanent residents.

A bloody decadelong 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 homeland 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 repeatedly warned that Sikh separatists were trying to make a comeback.
Millions of Americans breathe in poisonous chemicals every day, and they probably don't even realize it.

A recent study revealed that people are breathing in cancer-causing chemicals while in their cars.

Researchers analyzed the cabin air of 101 electric, gas, and hybrid vehicles with model years ranging between 2015 and 2022.

The source of the cancer-causing compounds in the cabin air is seat foam.

Car manufacturers add chemicals to seat foam and other materials to meet an "outdated" flammability standard with no proven fire-safety benefit, explained researchers.

99% of vehicles were found to contain a flame retardant known as TCIPP, which is currently under investigation by the US National Toxicology Program as a possible carcinogen.

Flame retardants are linked to neurological and reproductive harm as well, according to NDTV.

Most cars also carry two more flame retardants, TDCIPP and TCEP, which are deemed carcinogenic.

"Considering the average driver spends about an hour in the car every day, this is a significant public health issue," said Rebecca Hoehn, lead researcher and toxicology scientist at Duke University.

It's especially concerning for drivers with lengthy commutes or with child passengers, who tend to breathe more air per pound than adults.

The levels of toxic flame retardants are known to be the highest in the summer months, as heat increases the release of chemicals from the car materials.

Patrick Morrison, director of health, safety, and medicine for the International Association of Fire Fighters, told the outlet,

"Firefighters are concerned that flame retardants contribute to their very high cancer rates."

Furthermore, the study shows that these toxic flame retardants serve no real purpose or benefit to the vehicles.

Lydia Jahl, study author and scientist at the Green Science Policy Institute, said people can also try reducing the number of flame retardants and advised they open their car windows and park in shaded areas or garages.

"Commuting to work shouldn't come with a cancer risk, and children shouldn't breathe in chemicals that can harm their brains on their way to school," she added.
Australias music industry has united to campaign for a new policy ensuring major international tours feature local artists as support acts to help bolster the ailing live music sector.

Over the past 12 months, international superstars such as Taylor Swift, SZA, Blink 182, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Pearl Jam have all toured Australia and brought overseas support acts rather than booking local bands.

Taylor Swift invited label mate and compatriot Sabrina Carpenter to open for her on her most recent tour to Australia. Credit: Getty Images

Ensuring local support acts was once a widely accepted industry practice after lobbying by artist managers in the 2000s, however, it was never made official and has increasingly been overlooked  particularly as Australias live music sector has become dominated by international touring companies.

The renewed push is being led by the Association of Artist Managers and is named Michaels Rule in honour of Michael McMartin, the late artist manager of the Hoodoo Gurus and one of the key figures responsible for creating the original agreement.
Dark Matter 

Apple TV+

Joel Edgertons defining quality as an actor is his watchfulness. His characters are attuned to the world around them, and even at his most stoic or menacing you can feel the men he plays sifting through their reactions. Its artistry on the level of emotional sinew, and it shines through to outstanding effect in this deft science-fiction series. The Australian actors role  or more accurately, roles  in Dark Matter feels custom-made for him. The result is engrossing, then exciting, then nightmarish.

Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly in Dark Matter. Credit: Sandy Morris/AppleTV+

Edgerton plays Jason Dessen, an introverted Chicago physics professor who lives with his gallerist wife, Daniela (Jennifer Connelly), and teenage son, Charlie (Oakes Fegley). Im doing this for us, promises Jasons doppelganger, who suddenly kidnaps him and places him in the parallel world Jason2 is from. There Jason finds that hes considered a brilliant scientist, but single because he chose his work over Daniela. Jason2 covets his family, and Jason doesnt know how to get back to them.

In superhero movies, multiverse plots robbed the story of stakes that mattered, but in this brain-bending expansion of Sliding Doors the danger never dissipates. In adapting his 2016 novel, writer Blake Crouch captures intimate details. At first, its procedural: Jason2 is an imposter in his own home, while nobody will believe Jason. Steadily, however, the deeper ramifications emerge. Jason goes on the run with Jason2s abandoned girlfriend, Amanda (Alica Braga), while Daniela starts to suspect something is not right with her husband.
Veteran French documentary director Nicolas Philibert says he doesnt make films about people, but with them. The nuance is very important, he insists. And its been that way ever since he made Christophe (1985), whose director credit includes the 28-minute films mountain-climbing subject, Christophe Profit.

It clearly lies at the compassionate heart of On the Adamant (2022), the major award winner at the 2023 Berlinale. The film deals with a psychiatric daycare centre located on a beautifully converted barge which is moored in serene surroundings on the bank of the Seine in central Paris, right alongside the Charles de Gaulle Bridge.

The Adamant is a barge that has been converted into a daycare centre for psychiatric patients. Credit: Docplay

Not only does Philibert share his opening credit with an acknowledgement of the contributions of clinical psychologist Linda de Zitter, but he also lists at the end all of the 100 or so crew and passengers who appear in the film, whether or not they have speaking parts.

The Adamant is a day centre for the Esquirol Psychiatric Service, a branch of the Saint-Maurice Hospital network. Its program has been designed by caregivers in consultation with the passengers, whove been referred there by their doctors or the hospital and who are free to come and go as they wish. Sometimes its hard to distinguish between them not only because they all dress casually but also because theyre all active participants in the process theyre sharing.
The travel for travel crew are the most earnest. Watching a ruddy-faced Martin Clunes giggle with joy at seeing a little penguin in Tasmania is delightful, but it also makes me wonder: doesnt he have anything better to do? Surely, theres an episode of Midsomer Murders waiting for him at home? Joanna Lumley gets a pass because she has a terrific jolly hockey sticks attitude, with genuine curiosity about the world.

Each of the shows falls into loose categories: travel for travel (a novel idea, I know), travel for comedy, and travel for food. Im not including the gazillion travel cooking shows hosted by chefs, as they are an entire subset of their own that usually involve sweating, nudity and spices (or all three at once).

In Conan OBrien Must Go, the US talkshow host drops in on foreign fans, but its really just an excuse to get dressed up as a viking or tango in Argentina. Credit: Binge

Whether theyre on planes, trains or automobiles, theyre everywhere: Martin Clunes: Islands of America/Australia/the Pacific; Miriam Margolyes Almost Australian/Australia Unmasked; Travel Man with either Joe Lycett or Richard Ayoade; Tony Robinson (too many to name); train travel (insert your favourite clapped out actor or politician here); Joanna Lumley in Russia/Japan/India etc; Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy; Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico; Eugene Levys The Reluctant Traveller and Conan OBrien Must Go .

The travel for comedy crew (Lycett/Ayoade/OBrien/Levy), meanwhile, gambol their way through the trip, with a guaranteed set up with wacky locals and even wackier food. The point is not the travel, its the gags collected along the way. Ayoade was a master of this, with the first nine seasons of Travel Man, but Levy whinging through Europe is tiresome at best. We get it, you dont like it! Maybe stay at home. In Conan OBrien Must Go (Binge), one of the most recent additions to the genre, the US comedian drops in on his foreign fans, but its really just an excuse to get dressed up as a viking or tango in Argentina. Ever the master of self-deprecation, OBriens intro sums it up best: He scavenges in distant lands uninvited, fuelled by a bottomless hunger for recognition, and the occasional selfie.

Loading

The travel for food crew are the standouts, with Tucci leading the pack. Hes elegant and erudite. Effortlessly conversing in Italian  hes Italian on both sides, dont you know  and enhancing the experience for everyone. He finds joy in pizza, pasta, wild rabbits and offal. Whatever the locals are cooking, hes eating, often in a pair of slim-fit chinos and black skivvy that belie the amount of carbs hes consuming.

Critically, it doesnt feel like hes taking the mickey, as he takes the country he is in seriously and respects its culture. Perhaps its because hes Italian on both sides  did he mention that?  but also because its a country he has worked and holidayed in for decades. He has personal relationships with many of those featured in Searching for Italy (SBS On Demand), which makes for genuine and warm interactions. There is no sense a producer is hiding off camera, prodding him with a long stick to interact with the locals. He may be an actor  did he mention he was in Big Night with Isabella Rossellini?  but hes not making any of this up.

Locally, were good at making destination TV (Deadloch did wonders for Tasmania), but not so great at sending our own on wild, pointless adventures. Our travel shows mostly have the air of a school excursion: worthy and a bit dull, depending on who the teacher is. National treasure Julia Zemiro is an excellent headmistress, having tripped around the east coast with SBSs Great Australian Walks. She effortlessly mixed the personal and the political with wit, charm and lashings of curiosity.
Advertisement

Eating outBrisbane First look: A glitzy new steakhouse arrives on James Street Decked out in black, with white marble counters and sheer curtains, its serving hefty wagyu tomahawks, oysters and lobsters from the tank, and a 300-bottle wine list. Matt Shea May 8, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

If Michael Tassis Longwang, which opened in the CBD yesterday, is ambitious in one sense, Fatcow is ambitious in another. Longwang is a restaurant designed to match the skills and reputation of its star chef and partner, Jason Margaritis; Fatcow is designed to meet the demands of James Street. Fatcow opened on James Street on Wednesday. Markus Ravik You need to come correct on this glitzy slice of Brisbanes food and beverage scene, which boasts some of the most celebrated eateries in the city  Hellenika, Gerards, Essa, SK Steak and Oyster, Same Same and Bianca among them. Its a switch-up from Fatcows original, temporary location, which was in the old Cha Cha Char premises at Eagle Street Pier while Dexus prepared its $2.5 billion overhaul of that precinct. The restaurants reception over its 14-month residency meant Tassis was initially looking to follow it with another CBD location.

Advertisement

First look: Tassis group unveils the long-awaited Longwang in the CBD But then he heard the siren call of James Street. We had an opportunity, a really good space  at the same time as this space came up  in the Golden Triangle [financial district] in the CBD, Tassis says. It came down to which one we wanted. Fatcow boasts a glitzy fitout with black parquet flooring and eye-catching white marble counter tops. Markus Ravik Ive always enjoyed what James Street does, so when this was presented to me, it was too good to refuse, so we went full steam ahead. But every operator here is at a higher calibre, and it feels like they all have the same drive and passion.

Advertisement

Fatcow opened on Wednesday on the ground floor of the old boutique David Jones store on the intersection of James and McLachlan streets. The obvious restaurant to compare it to is SK Steak & Oyster at the opposite end of the precinct, but Fatcow is a different beast to that slick Simon Gloftis-owned operation, which is arguably the modern yardstick for steakhouses in this city. The wagyu tomahawk at Fatcow. Markus Ravik Where SK is light and bright during the day and carries itself with a quiet glamour in the evening, Fatcow has been given a darker, moodier and slightly glitzy treatment by regular Tassis designers Clui Design. The venue is furnished in black leather, timber and parquet floors, with white marble counters and mirrored ceilings. A signature feature is the tiled acoustic panelling that lines the venues walls. Much of the seating is arranged in intimate booths sectioned off from one another by sheer white curtains. Char-grilled prawns with a creamy bisque, piment despelette and finger lime. Markus Ravik

Advertisement

Steak is of course the hero of head chef Garry Newtons menu, with Black Angus cuts ranging from a 180-gram, grass-fed eye fillet up to a 28-day dry-aged 800-gram T-bone that goes for $220. Theres also a wagyu menu from which you can order a 150-gram, 12-score A5 eye fillet for $165, or a fourth-cross tomahawk or rib on the bone that cost $22 and $38 respectively by the 100 gram. All steaks are cooked on a parrilla grill over iron bark and served with a complimentary side, with sauces and other add-ons such as eggs and foie gras available for extra. Raw scallops with coconut dressing, kaffir lime-pickled turnip and chilli oil. Markus Ravik But Tassis made his mark in Brisbane with the quality of his seafood, and it also features heavily here. For entrees, there are raw scallops with a coconut dressing, kaffir lime-pickled turnip and chilli oil; raw kingfish with smoked ponzu, plums and shiso; lobster and prawn ravioli with a crustacean bisque; and char-grilled prawns with a lobster bisque, piment despelette and finger lime.

Advertisement

Fatcow serves fresh oysters from the tank  a rarity in Brisbane. Markus Ravik On the mains menu, theres baked Patagonian toothfish served with a parsley puree and pickled turnips, and theres also live seafood from the tank, including oysters  a rarity in this city. Away from the steak and seafood, other dishes include char-grilled Brisbane Valley quail with grapes and jus; braised lamb shoulder with yoghurt, Israeli couscous and lamb jus; and a buckwheat risotto with watercress puree and a herb salad. Youll find Fatcow at the end of the James Street precinct at the intersection with McLachlan Street. Markus Ravik The wine list runs to more than 300 bottles and includes the requisite big Australian shirazes and cabernets alongside impressive selections of champagne, burgundy, New Zealand pinot and vintage Italian reds. Theres also a cocktail list that mixes signatures and classics, and includes an Old Fashioned menu.

Advertisement

Ive tried all my life to put value in things, Tassis says. If youre going to spend $100 in my restaurant, I try to appreciate every dollar. For that price, I want to give you the best service, the best food, the best wine I possibly can, whether its $100, $200 or $50  everyones welcome. Open daily 11.30am-late 10 James Street, Fortitude Valley, (07) 3123 5325 fatcowrestaurant.com.au
Advertisement

Review Eating outFootscray This humble Footscray market eatery serves the South American version of a halal snack pack I was full about five seconds after starting but kept diving back in, writes Dani Valent. Dani Valent May 8, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This venue appears in the June hit list Melbourne 2024. See all stories .

1 / 6 Patacon, a shareable platter of crisp-fried plantain slices layered with braised and pulled skirt steak, salad, cheese and squirts of salsas. Jason South 2 / 6 Papelon is a bright and welcoming Venezuelan cafe and restaurant near Footscray Market. Jason South 3 / 6 The reina pepiada, aka the curvy queen arepa with chicken and avocado. Jason South 4 / 6 Pabellon is Venezuelas national dish, a platter of rice, black beans, beef and plantains. Jason South 5 / 6 Lomo saltado, a Peruvian beef stir-fry, served with chips and rice. Jason South 6 / 6 Tequenos (fried cheese pastries). Jason South Previous Slide Next Slide South American$$$$ Food does many jobs at Papelon, a new restaurant on the edge of Footscray Market, owned by Venezuelan immigrant Reveka Hurtado. Theres the basic task of sating hunger: maybe you need a snack before hitting the market, or you bring the family because tonight doesnt feel like a cooking night. There are more profound tasks for food, too: Papelon is a place Melbourne Latinos can sink into for a taste of home. Perhaps its the shredded beef just like mamas, the namesake papelon, a sugar cane drink thats sold on the streets of South America, or very likely tequenos, the crunchy, oozy fried cheese pastries that are a must at any Venezuelan shindig. If you run out, its a bad party, Reveka cautions. Tequenos (fried cheese pastries). Jason South

Advertisement

Beyond that, food at Papelon is for outreach, entrusted with encircling the broader Australian community in its warm Latin American embrace. On every marker, Papelon succeeds heartily, and it will only get better. Three months after opening, the food is mostly Venezuelan, with influences from Colombian chef Edyson Araque. The plan, though, is to include dishes that represent countries all the way from Mexico to Patagonia. There arent many Latin American restaurants in Melbourne  and none other that I know of in the west  so this is a wholesome project of cultural connection. The reina pepiada, aka the curvy queen. Jason South Arepas are made here from corn meal. Before coming, Id only tried petite, flat Colombian-style arepas. The Venezuelan version is more like a pita pocket, brimful with filling. The Reina Pepiada (curvy queen) is loaded with creamy, tangy chicken and avocado, named  so the legend goes  after a Miss World pageant winner from the 1950s.

Advertisement

The patacon is a shareable platter of crisp-fried plantain slices layered with braised and pulled skirt steak, salad, cheese and squirts of salsas. I was full about five seconds after starting but kept diving back in. Pabellon is Venezuelas national dish, a platter of rice, black beans, beef and plantains that includes elements of native, Spanish and African cuisine. If youre Venezuelan, youll be transfixed; if youre not, youll be won over by simple, nourishing resonance. Papelon is a bright and welcoming Venezuelan cafe and restaurant near Footscray Market. Jason South Reveka Hurtado hasnt had an easy journey. She fled Venezuela as a journalism student in 2015: her country was in disarray, speaking out was dangerous and Chile offered safer harbour. Five years later, she came to Australia to study English but was caught out by the pandemic. She started making empanadas to bring in income. A dark kitchen followed and finally this bright, joyful restaurant. The idea is to be a gathering space as well as an eating place, with artist workshops and live music. Papelon is humble but the vision is huge, proving the wide-ranging powers of food with every plate.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Eating outMother's Day From offbeat brunches to edible bouquets: 23 budget-friendly Mothers Day ideas Forget flowers and chocolates. Go for brunch among a herd of alpacas, on a food tour at a local market, or grab a box of sweet treats by some of the citys best bakers. Bianca Hrovat May 8, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This is your reminder: Mothers Day is on Sunday. Yes, this Sunday, May 12. Dont worry, theres still time to plan a memorable weekend without stretching the budget too far. From disco brunches for the party mum to bouquets of edible natives for the culinary types, this list has got you covered. 1 / 4 Tucanos bottomless disco brunch in Darlinghurst. Supplied 2 / 4 Brekkie among the alpacas at Iris Lodge. Supplied 3 / 4 All-you-can-eat charcoal chicken at Henrietta, Surry Hills. Supplied 4 / 4 Brisket is on the all-you-can-eat menu at Brisket Boys, Penrith (not pictured). Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide Book an offbeat brunch Brunch doesnt have to be boring. Forego eggs benny in favour of a fun morning in the mirror-ball booth of Tucanos in Surry Hills, where the disco tunes are pumping, and the rose spritzes are free-flowing every weekend. If your mother prefers all-you-can-eat to all-you-can-drink, nearby Henrietta has a 90-minute feast of charcoal chicken and sides, and in Penrith youll find an all-you-can-eat barbecue with a complimentary drink at Brisket Boys. Want quirky? Jump in the car and head to Iris Lodge farm, about an hour north of Sydney, for brunch among 100 alpacas. All-you-can-eat charcoal chicken at Henrietta

Every Sunday, from $48 per person for 90 minutes

Shop 1/500 Crown St, Surry Hills, henriettachicken.com

Every Sunday, from $48 per person for 90 minutes Shop 1/500 Crown St, Surry Hills, henriettachicken.com All-you-can-eat BBQ at Brisket Boys

Every Sunday, from $59 per person

Tenancy 25/2115 Castlereagh Road, Penrith, brisketboys.com.au

Every Sunday, from $59 per person Tenancy 25/2115 Castlereagh Road, Penrith, brisketboys.com.au Disco brunch at Tucanos

Every weekend, from $95 per person for two hours

277 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills, tucanos.com.au

Every weekend, from $95 per person for two hours 277 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills, tucanos.com.au Furry-friendly breakfast at Iris Lodge

Every weekend, from $55 for children over two and $60 for teens and adults

33 Dunks Lane, Jilliby, irislodgealpacas.com

Advertisement

1 / 4 Cheesecake Mothers Day cookie at Happy Alley, Rockdale. Supplied 2 / 4 Raspberry maritozzi for Mothers Day at Da Orazio Pasticceria. Supplied 3 / 4 Heart shaped traditional maamoul for Mothers Day, at Smeed. Supplied 4 / 4 Mothers Day croissant cake from Tuga. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide Share a sweet treat Bakeries across Sydney are offering limited edition treats for Mothers Day, from maritozzi (Italian brioche bun) filled with raspberry cream at Da Orazio Pasticceria in Alexandria and Bondi, to the ruby cheesecake-filled cookies at Happy Alley in Rockdale. Pre-order home-baked heart-shaped maamoul (date-filled Lebanese cookies) from Tayta (grandmother) Amal at online bakery Smeed Al Maamoul, or take it to the next level with the two-tier croissant cake at Tuga Pastries, piped with yuzu cream and Valrhona raspberry namelaka (chocolate cream). Da Orazio Pasticceria

From $10 for one maritozzi

200 Euston Road, Alexandria and The Hub, 75/79 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, daoraziopasticceria.store

From $10 for one maritozzi 200 Euston Road, Alexandria and The Hub, 75/79 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, daoraziopasticceria.store Happy Alley

From $6.50 for one cookie

13 Bay Street, Rockdale, happyalley.com.au

From $6.50 for one cookie 13 Bay Street, Rockdale, happyalley.com.au Smeed Al Maamoul

From $32 for three cookies

smeed.com.au

From $32 for three cookies smeed.com.au Tuga Pastries

$75 for the Mothers Day croissant cake

Shop 6/231 Clovelly Rd, Clovelly and 10/112 McEvoy Street, Alexandria, tugapastries.com.au 1 / 4 Cavalier 1.0 Mini Market for Mothers Day. Supplied 2 / 4 Chicken wing skewers at Chinatown Night Markets. Supplied 3 / 4 Barangaroo Artisan Market. Supplied 4 / 4 Puthiphong Veerasenee (Veen) is the self-taught baker behind market stall The Baking Lists. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide

Advertisement

To market, to market Forgot to buy a gift? No worries, you can head to a market for your Mothers Day outing. On Saturday, theres the Mothers Day Ceramic Market in Annandale where you can check out ceramic tableware while snacking on pandan swiss rolls from The Baking Lists; or the annual Barangaroo Artisan Market, which features more than 60 stallholders including foodie favourites Vannella Cheese and Mama Lius chilli oil. A cute mini market is being held at St Leonards cafe Cavalier 1.0 on Sunday, where you can smash one of their dumpling jaffle sandwiches while mum picks out some flowers and pastries. And every Thursday to Sunday theres Burwood Chinatown Night Markets, where you can try everything from taiyaki (custard-filled puffs shaped like fish) to tripe soup. Cavalier 1.0 Mini Market

7am-2pm, Sunday, May 12

Shop 1/34 Oxley St, St Leonards, cavalierspecialtycoffee.com.au

7am-2pm, Sunday, May 12 Shop 1/34 Oxley St, St Leonards, cavalierspecialtycoffee.com.au Mothers Day Ceramic Market

9am-1pm, Saturday, May 11

Market Studio, 131 Booth Street, Annandale, airrmade.com

9am-1pm, Saturday, May 11 Market Studio, 131 Booth Street, Annandale, airrmade.com Barangaroo Artisan Market

10am-3pm, Saturday, May 11

Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, barangaroo.com

10am-3pm, Saturday, May 11 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, barangaroo.com Burwood Chinatown Night Markets

5pm-late, every Thursday to Sunday

127/133 Burwood Road, Burwood, burwoodchinatown.com.au 1 / 4 Edible bouquets by The Baked Bouquet in Sydney. Supplied 2 / 4 Floral croissant filled with yuzu mascarpone cream and dipped in raspberry chocolate for Mothers Day at Madame and Yves, Clovelly. Supplied 3 / 4 A native food bouquet by Bush to Bowl in Sydney. Supplied 4 / 4 Croissant bouquet from Astin Min Fine Foods, Long Reef. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide Bring an (edible) bouquet

Advertisement

Set aside your preconceptions about edible arrangements - theyve evolved beyond the cringey bouquets of cut fruit made popular in the early 00s. Online Sydney baker Macey Nemer, founder and head baker at The Baked Bouquet, creates stunning bouquets of cupcakes with frosting mimicking real flowers. Theyre so popular theyve been ordered by celebrities such as Jason Derulo and Rita Ora. For something a little more low-key, order a bouquet of flowers interspersed with freshly baked croissants at Astin Min Fine Foods (Long Reef) or a floral croissant filled with yuzu mascarpone cream and dipped in raspberry chocolate from Madame and Yves (Clovelly). The culinary-minded mum may prefer a bouquet from Bush to Bowl in Terrey Hills, made with edible natives like lemon tea tree leaves and cinnamon myrtle. Floral croissant at Madame and Yves

$10

343-345 Clovelly Road, Clovelly, madameandyves.com.au

$10 343-345 Clovelly Road, Clovelly, madameandyves.com.au Croissant bouquet from Astin Min Fine Foods

$70

998 Pittwater Road, Long Reef, astinmin.com.au Edible bouquet of natives at Bush to Bowl

From $60

40 Myoora Road, enter via Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills, bushtobowl.com

From $60 40 Myoora Road, enter via Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills, bushtobowl.com Edible bouquet of cupcakes at The Baked Bouquet

From $165 on Mothers Day

Available Sydney-wide, thebakedbouquet.com.au 1 / 3 Chai is brewed to order in simmering pots of tea and milk at Ambis. Brook Mitchell 2 / 3 Ms.Cattea offers a variety of ways to taste tea. Supplied 3 / 3 Matcha is on the menu at Cre Asion in North Sydney (not pictured). James Brickwood Previous Slide Next Slide Tea time with a twist

Advertisement

High tea is a popular Mothers Day activity, but theres a lot more out there for tea-loving mums. Potts Points Ms Cattea Tea Bar offers tea tasting, tea ceremonies and Chinese high tea experiences, and on Mothers Day theyve planned a special 90-minute tasting for green tea connoisseurs. On Saturday, Tea Angle in Marrickville is hosting two guided 90-minute tea tastings. Matcha fans should head to Cre Asion cafe in North Sydney to try matcha tarts, cookies and cakes with a warming cup of ceremonial-grade matcha. One of the best places for chai is Ambis Chai in Pennant Hills, where over a dozen Afro-Punjabi teas are available to try. Ambis Chai

Cups of chai from $6.50

Shop 5/366 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills, ambischai.com.au

Cups of chai from $6.50 Shop 5/366 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills, ambischai.com.au Cre Asion

Cups of matcha from $6

18 Eden St, North Sydney, creasion.com.au

Cups of matcha from $6 18 Eden St, North Sydney, creasion.com.au Tea Angle

90-minute guided tea tasting for $69 per person

88 Addison Road, Marrickville, teaangle.com

90-minute guided tea tasting for $69 per person 88 Addison Road, Marrickville, teaangle.com Ms Cattea

Green tea connoisseur tasting for $88 per person

17/1-21 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point, mscattea.com.au 1 / 3 Mothers Day at The Old Fitz, 2 / 3 Mothers Day at Harbord Hotel Freshwater. Supplied 3 / 3 Mothers Day lunch at The Erko. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide A pub feed for under $50 Head to the pub for a relaxed lunch with the family, without the exorbitant price tag. Mum will score a complimentary peach bellini on arrival at The Erko (Erskineville), before taking on the $49 set menu of kingfish tartare, house flatbread and seared barramundi and more from former Chiswick chef Ethan Robinson. A hearty roast lunch is on offer at Woolloomooloo pub The Old Fitz, where mums choice of crackling pork belly, chicken Maryland or Japanese squash with roast vegetables and a Yorkshire pudding starts at $28 (with a complimentary glass of champers). On the Northern Beaches, Freshwaters Harbord Hotel is hosting a Mothers Day brunch with a complimentary mimosa and shared brekkie menu for $49.

Advertisement
An investigative journalist has been accused of cherry-picking patients who had serious complications and ignoring accounts by those with positive experiences for a series of stories that examined the medical practice of renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Munjed Al Muderis.

Charlotte Grieve, of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, on Wednesday defended the depth and fairness of her reporting as she was cross-examined for a second day in the Federal Court in Sydney by Al Muderis barrister, Sue Chrysanthou, SC.

Barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC (left), and surgeon Munjed Al Muderis (centre) outside the Federal Court in September. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Chrysanthou told the defamation trial that Grieve had been in a position of power as a journalist for a national media corporation, and her stories had the ability to utterly destroy a person.

But Grieve told the hearing the coverage was in the public interest and that she had set out to explore how the celebrated surgeon worked and marketed himself, including allegations that only patients with glowing accounts of their dealings with Al Muderis were invited to speak in waiting rooms and give testimonials to potential new patients.
Trip times for passengers travelling to Western Sydney Airport on new bus routes from nearby centres will be about an hour, making it faster to take a train from Campbelltown to the existing main airport in the citys east.

Five bus routes to the new airport and the planned city of Bradfield at Bringelly are due to start before the first planes take off in late 2026.

Five new bus routes will connect Western Sydney Airport to nearby areas. Credit: Janie Barrett

Estimated travel times show a bus trip on a new route from Campbelltown to Western Sydney Airport via Bradfield will take 66 minutes. In comparison, a train trip on the existing rail network from Campbelltown to Sydney Airport at Mascot now takes 45 minutes.

Under Transport for NSWs plans, buses will run every 30 minutes from 5am to 10pm on the five new routes before the curfew-free airport opens in late 2026.
Inside a phone belonging to a major figure in Sydneys underworld were messages that seemed, at first glance, innocuous.

One text, sent through an encrypted messaging app, was about cleaning a car. Another message counselled that it would be wise to wait to clean the car.

Toufik, 64, and Salim Hamze, 18, were shot dead in 2021.

But the police who hacked into the phones encrypted messages say the texts did not pertain at all to the cleanliness of a vehicle. Rather, investigators say they referred to the planned execution of wannabe teenage gangster Salim Hamze.

The 18-year-old, police said on Wednesday, is believed to have been directly involved in a spate of public place shootings in a tit-for-tat gangland war between the Alameddine and Hamzy families that rocked Sydney in 2021. He was suspected, both by organised crime detectives and underworld figures, to be the triggerman in at least one fatal shooting.
The mother of two Australian surfers killed in Mexico made a touching tribute to honor her sons at a beach in San Diego on Tuesday.

"Our hearts are broken, and the world has become a darker place for us," Debra Robinson said as she fought back tears.

"They were young men enjoying their passion of surfing together."

Robinson's sons, Callum and Jake, were allegedly killed by car thieves in Baja California, just across the border from San Diego, sometime between April 28 and 29.

Robinson also commended the American, Jack Carter Rhoad, who was killed alongside her boys.

The San Diego beachside, where the tribute took place, was chosen purposefully as it's right across the border from the Baja California city of Tijuana.

She mentioned that her son Callum "considered the United States his second home," while her son Jake loved surfing so much that, as a doctor, he preferred to work in hospitals close to the beach, according to the Associated Press.

Choking back tears, the grieving mother delivered a final message that matched her sons' adventurous lifestyles.

"Jake's passion was surfing, and it was no coincidence that many of the hospitals that he worked in were close to surfing beaches," she said.

They were reported missing on April 29 after failing to check in to their Airbnb.

Their burned-out white pickup truck was dumped 40 miles away from where their bodies were subsequently found.

The three men had been shot to death.
A 53-year-old bank employee found with stomach-turning child abuse material and photos of girls at a popular Brisbane landmark has been jailed.

Mark Thomas Pashley-Partridge was arrested during a search at his home in the Brisbane suburb of Salisbury with about 950 child abuse images and videos on his phone and laptop, a court has heard.

He used four messaging applications to transmit, make available, solicit and access child abuse material over about two years until his arrest in September 2021.

Pashley-Partridge also admitted online grooming of two people he believed to be 14 years old and another who claimed to be 12.

Detectives found messages with like-minded people in which Pashley-Partridge said he would watch children younger than his preference of nine to 12 years old, Brisbane District Court Judge John Allen said.

As long as they are young, Im happy, he said in communications quoted in court.

After describing a video showing child abuse, Judge Allen told Pashley-Partridge: You could have been under no illusion that real children had not suffered terribly to source the video and other image material with which you dealt and possessed.

Pashley-Partridge also had graphic discussions via text with a person purporting to be a mother who, with her husband, was sexually abusing her two daughters.

Actions that the 53-year-old with no criminal convictions described as his desires were stomach turning, Judge Allen said.

By soliciting images, Pashley-Partridge encouraged others to further abuse children.

He also accessed upskirting images of girls aged between six and 12 climbing letters that spell the word Brisbane in the South Bank precinct.

Offences involving criminal abuse material are not victimless crimes, Judge Allen said in sentencing Pashley-Partridge: Real children suffer terribly to provide those images and are re-victimised by the distribution of such images.

Written child abuse material was also not harmless offending as it had a tendency to normalise exploitative sexual activity involving children, Judge Allen added.

Judge Allen said no sentence other than imprisonment was appropriate for the 10 charges to which Pashley-Partridge had pleaded guilty.

He handed down a head sentence of four years behind bars, ordering Pashley-Partridge be eligible to apply for parole after serving one year and four months in jail.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
In the same week, I had countless conversations with women reliving their own traumatic experiences, or those of someone they knew. Such as one whose friend had just lost a five-year battle to bring her abuser  an ex-partner who raped and strangled her on multiple occasions  to justice. Despite the testimonies and witness accounts, he will essentially walk free. In another conversation, a frontline youth worker told me about a woman in her early 20s who had been abused by her brother, father, stepfather and foster carer. She tried to report one of her abusers on multiple occasions, only to be told by police there was nothing that could be done unless he physically does something again to her. Again? Every person shes gone to, to try and find adequate help or some kind of protection is a male, and yet they cant do anything, the worker told me.

The message I sent after walking down Caxton Street in Brisbane the night of a recent Broncos game. Credit: Courtney Kruk Then on Wednesday, ABC News published footage of a Broncos fan being stalked and sexually harassed by a group of men on her way home from an NRL game. The men can be heard yelling: You better be going home, or Ill rape you. (I can relate  I had to walk down Caxton Street before a Broncos match a few weeks ago and sent this message to a friend: Walking down Caxton Street right now does not feel safe btw.) Which brings us to the man versus bear debate. The first posts on this topic came from pop culture site Screenshot, which asked people on London streets if they would rather be stuck in the forest with a man or a bear. Of all the women asked, all but one immediately chose the bear.

Since then, the trend has gone viral, with hundreds of women sharing responses as to why theyd choose the bear. Here are a few. The bear would see me as a human being; people wont ask me what I was wearing when the bear attacked me; I wont have to see the bear at family reunions; the bear wouldnt take videos and send it to his friends; the bear wouldnt gaslight me into thinking it was all in my head and that Im crazy; the bear didnt pretend to be my friend for months beforehand; and no one will talk about the bears bright future. Most women recognise those responses because even if they havent endured those experiences, they know someone who has. They choose the bear because the stories and statistics speak for themselves. While the analogy has allowed some men to better understand gendered violence and the plight of women, others have chosen not to listen or show compassion but, instead, to argue the logistics and deride women for trying to make the issue more accessible.
Pouring an extra $3.25 billion worth of federal funds into Melbournes North East Link is a good use of taxpayer money, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has insisted, despite the projects cost doubling just a few months ago.

But the prime minister has remained tight-lipped about how the latest investment will affect the investment pipeline for Victorias other major infrastructure projects, including the Allan governments controversial Suburban Rail Loop and the long-touted Airport Rail.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan touring the North East Link site on Thursday. Credit: Joe Armao

Albanese visited the North East Links two huge tunnel-boring machines for Thursdays announcement, which will bring the Commonwealths total contribution to $5 billion. The project, which will link major arterial roads, is expected to take 15,000 trucks off suburban streets and slash some travel times by half an hour.

However, the North East Link blew out by more than $10 billion in December, taking its total estimated cost to $26 billion. Asked why his government was tipping more money into the project, instead of putting it into settling the Airport Rail dispute, Albanese said it was because the North East Link was here, its real and its now.
NAPLAN testing for all students should be scrapped and the ATAR system recast to better reflect a student as a whole person, not just an exam score, a parliamentary inquiry has been told.

The negative impact on student wellbeing from the blunt, system-wide ranking provided by the two traditional measures of success was now far outweighing the benefits of keeping them, the Australian Education Union argued at Victorias inquiry into the education system.

The education union says ATAR scores and NAPLAN testing are having a negative effect on students wellbeing. Credit: iStock

The union has called for NAPLAN to be replaced with the testing of just a sample of students, as was originally intended, and for the VCE and ATAR to be reviewed to alleviate the negative impacts on student wellbeing.

Victorian branch deputy president Justin Mullaly told the inquiry more universities were turning their backs on the ATAR  which gives students a rank between 99.95 and zero  and, instead, using measures including aptitude tests and interviews.
A Perth magistrate seemed to have no idea she was granting bail to one of the 149 detainees released under a controversial High Court ruling last November when the man came before her for a stealing charge in March.

Kimbengere Gosoge, 42, has been arrested twice since his release from Northams Yongah Hill Detention Centre five months ago  once for possession of drugs and trespassing and once for the stealing  despite being subject to strict monitoring and curfew requirements.

Yongah Hill Detention Centre. Credit: 9News Perth

Those requirements were the responsibility of the Australian Border Force, but when Gosoge was arrested by WA Police for stealing in the circumstances of aggravation on March 8, officers seemed to be none the wiser as to who he was.

A court transcript obtained by this masthead indicated that, during a breach of bail hearing on March 19 at Joondalup Magistrates Court, neither the WA Police prosecutor nor Magistrate Raelene Johnstone had any idea that Gosoge should have been under strict supervision.
A Perth paramedic claims police ignored repeated requests to attend the scene they were called out to in Dawesville last month, which they say put first responders safety at risk.

St John Ambulance was called to a service station on Bailey Boulevard in the early hours of April 26 following reports a man was unresponsive on the side of the road. The 45-year-old later died in hospital.

St John paramedics have raised concerns about pleas for police to attend dangerous scenes being refused. Credit: St John Ambulance

A paramedic, who spoke to this masthead on the condition of anonymity, claimed another man was behaving erratically in the area and both a member of the public and paramedics called WA Police to attend, but officers refused.

Police were called, but they passed the job on to ambos, the paramedic said.
New gas projects will gain stronger federal support in a Labor pledge to deliver affordable gas to customers for decades to come, as it warns of shortages within four years unless the nation boosts supply.

The federal government will back the case for new gas fields and import terminals to secure the supplies despite calls to phase out the use of fossil fuels, setting up a clash with the Greens and environmental groups over the new plan.

The Albanese government says new gas supply is crucial to transition to net zero emissions. Credit: AP

The future gas strategy, to be released by Resources Minister Madeleine King on Thursday, says the new supplies are fundamental to the economic transition to net zero emissions and the industries in the governments made in Australia agenda for next weeks federal budget.

An official report to support the strategy says Australia could fill the future shortfalls by opening new gas fields such as Scarborough, being developed by Woodside off the Western Australian coast, and Narrabri, being developed by Santos in northern NSW.
States and territories should thoroughly investigate every domestic violence death and feed that knowledge to a national body that makes sure governments learn lessons and act on them whenever a woman is killed by her partner.

Policymakers must also start talking about what levers they have to rein in alcohol and drug use, and overcome their reluctance to acknowledge the role those elements play in violence out of fear of excusing bad behaviour.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin during last weeks national cabinet meeting. Credit: Gaye Gerard

As new analysis shows federal spending on family, domestic and sexual violence has soared in the last 10 years  from $2 million in 2013/14 to $644 million this financial year  experts are asking for better evidence, more data and scrutiny around how funds are leading to better outcomes.

Intimate partner homicides have been on a general decline for 30 years, but there was an uptick last financial year when 34 women were killed by their partners, up from 26. Twenty-eight women have been killed in violent circumstances so far in 2024, according to the Counting Dead Women social media group.
Senior police are working with university leaders in new critical incident response teams in Sydney and Melbourne, where a deputy commissioner has been deployed. A lot of Jewish students have told me they feel unsafe and unwelcome at university  that is not on, Clare said. In the lifetime of our grandparents, we have seen the evil that antisemitism leads to. I have made it clear to universities that there is nothing more important than the safety of students and staff. A pro-Palestine march at Monash was called off on Wednesday as protesters clashed, leading to shirts being torn and flags being snatched.

Loading Third-year student Aisha Rhodary, a member of Socialist Alternative, said the university needed to disclose financial ties to Israel and blamed pro-Israel groups for setting up clashes. This is an anti-racist encampment, she said. Second-year student Isaac Shiloah said he was there to support Israel, his country of birth. Theyre anti-Zionist; they dont believe in the concept of a Jewish country in Israel, he said. Theyre not peaceful people trying to promote a two-state solution  not at all. The tension on campus comes as Australia and allies like the US plead with Israel to avoid a bloody invasion of the Gazan city of Rafah, which Israel claims is a Hamas stronghold and where many Palestinians have lived since being forced to leave other cities that have come under bombardment. While Australias campus tent protests have been relatively peaceful so far, the rhetoric used by some campaign leaders, who have praised the Hamas attack, has alarmed Jewish organisations and attracted police attention.

An Adelaide University encampment leader has repeatedly praised Hamas and its magnificent October 7 attacks, which killed 1200 people, leading to Israels invasion of Gaza, which has so far killed more than 34,000. Israel has so far ignored the latest calls for a ceasefire. Habibah Jaghoori was sacked as an editor of the student newspaper, in part for her authorship of an article titled Death to Israel. Jaghoori denied this was the basis for her sacking and said it was instead because she debated and upset a Zionist kid. On her social media she has expressed support for Iran and Lebanese group Hezbollah and was last year charged with producing or distributing extremist material. The charges were dropped. Jaghoori told this masthead the encampments were an important part of the global movement against Israels military action, which have been condemned internationally, including at the United Nations and in the International Court of Justice.

This is called the student intifada, she said, referring to the Arabic word for a revolutionary uprising. This encampment takes its lessons and values from previous student movements in the past such as the anti-Vietnam War, as well as previous revolutionaries such as Malcolm X. Loading University of Adelaide said peaceful protests held a privileged position within society, stating the need for respect and safety. Last week, ANUs camp leader said Hamas deserved unconditional Australian support, and the University of Queensland has referred two unspecified incidents to police, heightening Jewish groups concerns about the tone of the demonstrations. At Monash University, images posted on social media showed prominent Melbourne activist Ihab Al Azhari at the campus demonstration on Wednesday. Al Azhari was filmed recently on the steps of the Victorian Parliament saying that October 7 was the first of many attacks on Israelis that would ultimately result in the collapse of the state of Israel.

This is escalating. Its becoming increasingly violent and tensions are rising. Someone is going to get seriously hurt, or worse. Police need to step in, said Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish. The comments made him the first Labor MP to call for authorities to intervene. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continued to condemn the phrase from the river to the sea as undermining the two-state solution supported by Australia, but he has not criticised the protests. Labor MP Josh Burns. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen On Monday, senior minister Tony Burke, a leading critic of Israel in the government, backed the protesters right to make their point on campus but noted it must be done with respect and avoid hate speech. And on a university campus, of all places, that should be OK, he said on ABCs Q+A.
Labor councillor Mohamad Hussein had no qualms about supporting the removal of a book about same-sex families from the shelves of Cumberland City libraries. It was not about targeting any particular group, Hussein insisted. Except it was, and that was how his colleagues in Macquarie Street saw it.

Stop being weirdly obsessed with how other ppl live their private lives and thinking you look tough punching down on minorities. Its pathetic, Youth Minister Rose Jackson scolded on X, formerly Twitter. Dont like the books? Dont read them.

Councillor Steve Christou says he has not read the book he wants to ban from council libraries.

Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said much the same on X. Families come in all shapes and sizes. Every single one is precious, Sharpe wrote. Banning books about families is one of the worst things.

Arts Minister John Graham wielded a big stick. He warned the Labor-controlled council that it could lose funding for its libraries if it does ban the book Same-Sex Parents by Holly Duhig, which features two men and a child on the front cover.
Residents of a New Mexico neighborhood were evacuated Monday night after a large sinkhole opened up in front of a home, swallowing multiple vehicles, officials said.

The City of Las Cruces said in a news release Tuesday said firefighters were dispatched to the 1700 block of Regal Ridge Street at around 9:30 p.m. Monday, and arrived to find a sinkhole approximately 30 feet wide and 30 feet deep. The sinkhole was "still settling" when they arrived.

The sinkhole swallowed two vehicles that were parked in a driveway, but no injuries were reported.

The occupants of three surrounding homes were temporarily evacuated, and the Red Cross was called to assist them, the city said.

Las Cruces Utilities and El Paso Electric were called to the scene to determine whether any utility service lines for the neighborhood were compromised.

The city said Regal Ridge Street would remain closed to traffic until engineers and street crews could investigate the cause of the sinkhole and evaluate the safety of the road. Residents were warned of "intermittent" road and utility closures in the coming days, until the sinkhole can be backfilled.

-- with reporting by TMX
Its great power on the cheap, Rolland says. What China really wants is to make sure that the US is isolated on the global stage. And therefore China is positioning itself as the leader of the Global South, the leader of people in countries that are supposedly oppressed by Western countries, Rolland says. On the other hand, China doesnt have any interest in playing a major active role and providing security for the region. Chinese President Xi Jinping with Arab Gulf leaders at a summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2022. Credit: Xinhua/AP It is a view echoed by Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, who argues that China had been missing in action on the heavy lifting of conflict resolution negotiations in the region. China has acted as if it was a diplomatic heavyweight, and then when the time came for diplomatic heavyweights to use their influence, China played like a backbencher, he says.

There was a sense that China was ascendant in the Middle East, but since October 7, Chinas been an afterthought. Its not been involved in any of the serious negotiations. And it has not used its considerable influence with Iran and others to preserve freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, he says, referring to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel groups attacks on cargo ships along the crucial shipping route. China courts the Middle East One year ago, China surprised the US and its allies by brokering a rapprochement between decades-long foes Iran and Saudi Arabia, whose bitter rivalry has played out in destabilising proxy wars throughout the region over the years. The deal, which restored diplomacy between the two countries, was widely touted as heralding Chinas emergence as a serious international mediator. It also provided the region with a glimpse of a potential future where America was not the playmaker. Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, on arrival at Al Yamama Palace, in Riyadh in December 2022. Credit: Saudi Press Agency/AP

The deal came off the back of years-long efforts by Beijing to strengthen its influence in the Middle East through regional alliances and strategic partnerships, as it expanded its economic footprint (half of Chinas oil imports come from the Persian Gulf). Last year, for example, Iran joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a trade and security grouping founded by China and Russia, while at Beijings urging, the economic bloc of developing countries known as BRICS (comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa)  has expanded to include Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE. Loading Chinese academic Hongda Fan, from Shanghai International Studies University, attributes his countrys rising status in the region to its pivot away from America and not a deliberate political strategy by China to chip away at US hegemony. If Middle Eastern countries are becoming more and more welcoming to China, I think the fundamental reason is that they are becoming less and less fond of the United States. This is not at all the result of China attacking the United States, he says. However, Beijing has found fertile fodder in decades of Washington foreign policy missteps in the Middle East allowing it to court Arab countries with its vision of a multipolar world not dominated by America, and promises its own diplomatic model will be one centred on non-interference into other countries affairs.

China has seized on the latest Gaza conflict to further this aim, says Ahmed Aboudouh, an associate fellow with London think tank Chatham House. Recent unity talks hosted in Beijing between Hamas, and its chief rival Fatah, which leads the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, may have been spurned as diplomatic-lite in the West, but in the Global South it carried the popular message that China viewed Hamas as a legitimate political faction, not a terrorist group. China wants to challenge the United States and Israels narrative on Hamas, which sees wiping out Hamas as the only way for peace between Palestinians and Israel, Aboudouh says. It wants to present itself as a mediator of great power, but one that is not doing mediation according to the Western playbook. In the China Daily, an English-language newspaper controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, the meeting was trumpeted in an editorial as a clear indication that China is making every effort to resolve the crisis in Gaza, while the Biden administration has continued to get blood on its hands by supplying arms to Israel. But Aboudouh says the posturing shouldnt be confused with any intention by China to dedicate resources and expertise to replacing the US in the region. Though it has considerable economic and energy interests in the region, and a clear stake in the Middle East not descending into full-blown chaos, he says China is happy to free-ride on the US doing the heavy lifting - watching it absorb all the attendant risks, financial costs and criticisms that come with such a role.

Chinas Gaza calculation The official line from Beijing on the Gaza conflict has been a pro-Palestinian one, consistent with Chinas long history of supporting the creation of a Palestinian state. It has never condemned Hamas slaughter of Israelis on October 7 and, as the war has dragged on, it has stepped up its criticism of Israel. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi last month labelled Israels war in Gaza a disgrace for civilisation, while in February Ma Xinmin, a Chinese Foreign Ministry legal adviser, used a speech to the International Court of Justice to argue that Palestinians had a right to armed struggle to resist foreign oppression. This action should be distinguished from terrorism, he argued, in a statement that was welcomed by Hamas. Alterman said China appeared to have made a shrewd political calculation that its relationship with Israel was necessary collateral damage in its pursuit of its broader goal to rally the Global South against the US. Chinese colleagues tell me the governments view is that the US is close to Israel. So things that are bad for Israel are bad for the United States, and thats a good enough reason to take a pro-Hamas perspective, he says.

Put another way, ultimately, the Chinese are on the Chinese side, says Benjamin Ho, an assistant professor at Singapores Nanyang Technological University. Chinese special interests come first, and if supporting the Palestinian cause allows China to build its affinity and sympathy with the Global South, thats great for them. The Chinese are very pragmatic, he says. What is Chinas long game? The USs dominance as the key security broker in the Middle East is underpinned by its network of military bases and alliances across the region. A common view among experts is that China, as the relatively new kid on the block, doesnt have the military capabilities or the political will to replace the US in this role. Public appeals by the Biden administration for China to flex its influence with Iran to calm tensions in the region, Aboudouh says, should be viewed as a tactical play to expose the limits of Beijings influence.

The Biden administration has repeatedly appealed to China to use its influence to discourage Iran from escalating tensions in the Middle East. Credit: AP Pool I think [the Biden administration] understands that China doesnt have political clout that allows it to do that with Iran, but they are making this known to tell the Middle Eastern countries, we are the only responsible power that will guarantee your security in the region and look, China wont do anything, he says. China doesnt have expertise in the Middle East, unlike what a lot of people think. Its diplomats are not well versed in the complications of the Middle East and its historical baggage. But arguably the most significant reason China has no interest in getting its hands dirty in the Middle East is because its focus is elsewhere. That is, in the Indo-Pacific, where it has ramped up its militarisation of the South China Sea in line with its number one priority of bringing Taiwan under its control. The Chinese are quite happy for the US to be bogged down in the Middle East and less focused on their containment of China in the Asia Pacific, Ho says.
We recognise the extent of the challenges the state is dealing with and it is critical that the government continues the dialogue with the property industry to work through the short and long term issues together, he said.
Intelligent power management company Eaton today announced it has been selected by a leading manufacturer of electrified vehicles to supply a unique ELocker differential system for use on a new plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) SUV. Unlike traditional PHEVs, which use an electric motor and internal combustion engine to power all the drive wheels, the new model leverages an electric motor to power the rear wheels and an electric motor or an optional internal combustion engine (ICE) driving the front wheels.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508868697/en/

Eaton has been selected by a top electrified vehicle manufacturer to supply a specialized ELocker differential system. (Photo: Business Wire)

The ELocker had to be designed to be compatible with fluid in an electric drive, which is lighter and has a lower viscosity than axle and transmission oils, said Mark Kramer, business unit director, ePowertrain, Eatons Mobility Group. To meet this challenge, Eaton engineers made adjustments to traditional ELocker designs by utilizing premium designs, materials, and coatings.

The Eaton ELocker differential is an electronic locking differential designed for drivers who want full control and traction on demand. It features net-forged gears offering the strength and durability needed for off-road and recreational driving, while its electronic controls provide driver-selectable operation and added reliability over similar air-controlled products. By simply pressing a dash switch, the differential sends all available torque equally to the left and right wheels, providing maximum traction to overcome challenging terrain.

Learn more about Eatons ELocker differentials.

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace, and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably, and to help our customers manage power  today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, were accelerating the planets transition to renewable energy sources, helping to solve the worlds most urgent power management challenges, and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.

Eaton was founded in 1911 and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange for more than a century. We reported revenues of $23.2 billion in 2023 and serve customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508868697/en/
The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA)  comprising 23 leading Indian research-based generic pharmaceutical companies  convened today at the DAR Museum in Washington DC to urge a U.S.-India trade partnership to reduce reliance on foreign sources for both nations pharmaceutical supply chain and achieve affordable medicine resilience. These leaders cited a key new study released by IOVIA Institute for Human Data Science https://www.iqvia.com/insights/the-iqvia-institute/reports-and-publications/reports/us-india-medicine-partnership  U.S. - India Medicine Partnership: Indias Contributions to U.S. Healthcare  highlighting Indias vital contribution to the U.S. healthcare system, and the significance of the U.S.-India relationship for strengthening the health security of both countries.



With a single source increasing U.S. market share of basic medicines on which Americans rely such as hypertensives and antibiotics (distributing close to half of global antibiotics), stressing the importance of Indian pharmaceutical companies as strategic affordable medicines partners to America, these executives called for a transformative Affordable Medicine Partnership aimed at shoring up health and national security in the U.S. and India.



"The time has come to restore balance and build resilience in these critical networks. This is not merely prudent  it is crucial, said Sharvil Patel, Vice President, IPA and Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences.

The Affordable Medicine Partnership would align with the February 2021 Executive Order on Americas supply chains, in which President Biden identified pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients as a supply chain risk and declared that the U.S. needs resilient, diverse, and security supply chains to ensure our economic prosperity and national security.



According to the IOVIA Institute report, India has long been a critical source of affordable medicines for the United States. Ninety percent of all medicines prescribed for Americans are generic, and 47 percent of those prescriptions are filled with products produced by Indian pharmaceutical companies. The average annual savings to the U.S. healthcare system by these companies is more than $219 billion, and over $1.3 trillion over the past decade.



"We fully embrace our role as America's medicine partners, Patel continued. The new IOVIA Institute report highlights our vital contributions to the U.S. healthcare system. Our operations across the U.S. are more than just business; they embody our deep commitment to American communities.



Patel, discussed the specific findings of the new report. The findings demonstrate the significant contribution by Indian firms to the U.S. healthcare system. In five (5) of the top ten (10) key therapeutic areas, Indian companies account for more than 50% of the U.S. prescriptions, with percentages ranging from 55% to as high as 60%." Patel concluded, The U.S. and India have both acknowledged that supply chains for APIs and KSMs are insufficiently diversified and that there is scope to collaborate to de-risk and diversify.



In referencing that the trade proposal aligns with President Biden's executive order, Indias Production Linked Incentive Program, and the January 2024 U.S.-India joint statement, said Vinita Gupta, CEO of Lupin emphasized its significance. The Affordable Medicine Partnership proposal is more than a trade initiative; its a foundational step towards strengthening the health infrastructure vital to our mutual prosperity and security.



Gupta further elaborated on the proposal, highlighting its strategic significance as a natural extension of existing U.S.-India collaborations in energy, climate, and semiconductors. The lessons learned from the pandemic have unequivocally shown us that health is intrinsically linked to industrial prowess and national security. Its clear, health underpins all critical sectors. With this initiative, we aim to bolster the health infrastructure crucial to our industrial sectors and national militaries, thereby enhancing the health security of both nations.



Gupta added, Once this foundational framework is in place, it can be extended to trusted allies like the EU, UK, and Canada. We are creating a comprehensive framework that not only addresses immediate healthcare needs but also prepares us for future challenges. This initiative underscores our commitment to building a resilient global health infrastructure that supports economic stability and security worldwide.

Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the IPA, closed out the session by expressing his deep honor in representing the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance. As stewards of a transformative partnership that has significantly shaped healthcare in both India and the United States, we are proud to advance health security and foster international cooperation, Jain stated. This initiative will require our collective expertise, dedication, and steadfast commitment to collaboration at the highest levels of government and industry. The leadership of the IPA is fully dedicated to this cause and is eager to start the necessary work. These pharmaceutical leaders are in Washington DC for high-level meetings with the Administration and members of Congress to advance the need for an "Affordable Medicine Trade Partnership" similar to efforts to reduce reliance on semiconductor chips and other critical national security needs.



The IPA CEOs Delegation comprised of Mr Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr Reddy's Laboratories; Ms Vinita Gupta, CEO, Lupin; Mr Nilesh Gupta, Managing Director, Lupin; Mr. Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries; Mr Pankaj R Patel, Chairman, Zydus Lifesciences and Mr Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences and Vice President, IPA. Mr Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance and Ms Archana Jatkar, Associate Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance were also part of the delegation from the IPA Secretariat.



The report can also be assessed on the IPA Website. Link to download the report - https://www.ipa-india.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IQVIA-US-India-Medicine-Partnership.pdf
China's Guangxi holds culture, tourism promotion event in Vienna

Xinhua) 08:27, May 08, 2024

Miao Qingwang (R), vice chairman of the Guangxi regional government, speaks during a Guangxi culture and tourism promotion event in Vienna, Austria, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/He Canling)

VIENNA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A culture and tourism promotion event was held here on Tuesday to showcase south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, known for its picturesque landscape and cultural diversity.

The event, jointly hosted by the Guangxi regional government and the Vienna municipal government, attracted over 100 participants, including government officials and representatives from the tourism sector.

Noting Guangxi's unique geographical advantages, long history and rich resources, Miao Qingwang, vice chairman of the Guangxi regional government, said in his opening address that Guangxi stands ready to further enhance cultural exchanges and promote tourism cooperation with Austria.

Chinese Ambassador to Austria Qi Mei expressed the hope that Guangxi will further expand exchanges with Austrian states and cities, promote mutual learning and reap more fruits from cooperation.

Former Austrian President Heinz Fischer also said he hopes that the two countries will deepen collaboration in culture and tourism.

Artists from Guangxi performed folk music, dance and traditional puppet shows, among others. They also performed "Radetzky March" with traditional Chinese instruments, drawing rounds of applause from the audience.

Chinese Ambassador to Austria Qi Mei (R) speaks during a Guangxi culture and tourism promotion event in Vienna, Austria, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Musicians play the traditional instruments Lusheng during a Guangxi culture and tourism promotion event in Vienna, Austria, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/He Canling)

People watch a slideshow of Yao Embroidery during a Guangxi culture and tourism promotion event in Vienna, Austria, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Former Austrian President Heinz Fischer (R) speaks during a Guangxi culture and tourism promotion event in Vienna, Austria, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Models present ethnic minority groups' costumes during a Guangxi culture and tourism promotion event in Vienna, Austria, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Artists perform to greet guests during a Guangxi culture and tourism promotion event in Vienna, Austria, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/He Canling)

People watch a slideshow of Li River during a Guangxi culture and tourism promotion event in Vienna, Austria, on May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/He Canling)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The former roommate of the Idaho 4 murder victims revealed the last text message she sent her friends before she found out they were brutally killed.

Six months prior to the fatal stabbings of University of Idaho students Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, Ashlin Couch lived with the girls in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.

In May 2022, Couch moved out, and U of I student Xana Kernodle, 20, took over her lease, and moved into Couch's old bedroom. That November, Kernodle and her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, also 20, were slaughtered alongside Mogen and Goncalves, in a savage, quadruple, middle-of-the-night murder that rocked the tight-knit college town.

Shortly after their mutilated bodies were discovered, the university sent out an alert confirming the massacre on King Road.

"I texted our group of friends, and I just had said, 'Has anyone heard from Maddie?'" Couch recalled, according to KXLY-TV. "And I remember, my last text message to her was, 'Are you okay?'"

But Mogen never texted back.

"And I felt it right then and there, I kind of just knew that something was wrong," she said.

With a mass murderer on the loose, residents were kept on edge.

It wasn't until six weeks later, authorities arrested Bryan Kohberger, then 28, nearly 2,500 miles away at his parents' home in Pennsylvania, after DNA evidence allegedly tied him to the grisly murder scene. He pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder.

"It crosses my mind that that could have happened while I was there," Couch admitted, according to the outlet. "I just wish that I could give her one last hug just to be able to say goodbye."

In December, the university demolished the off-campus home.

A trial date for Kohberger, now 29, has not yet been set.
The UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has extended application deadline for the 4th cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, with total prizes of USD 1 million. The award aims to find sustainable and innovative solutions to address water scarcity worldwide. Companies, research and development centres, research institutes, innovators, and youth can submit their applications until 31 May 2024. This encourages the development of innovative projects, technologies, and prototypes in water desalination and purification using renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, osmotic power, and geothermal technologies.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507709620/en/

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award extends application deadline until end of May (Graphic: AETOSWire)

This award reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to address the challenges of water scarcity. The award aims to find sustainable solutions that ensure the availability of fresh water for impoverished and afflicted communities around the world and the most affected groups. This supports a brighter future for generations to come. The award supports Goal 6 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, which is clean water and sanitation for all. This is by fostering innovation and investing in the latest technologies to help less developed societies achieve sustainable development.

Over the past three cycles of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, we rewarded 31 winners from 22 countries. The award has four main categories: the Innovative Projects Award, which includes the Large Projects Award and the Small Projects Award; the Innovative Research and Development Award, which includes the National Institutions Award and the International Institutions Award; the Innovative Individual Award, which includes the Distinguished Research Award and the Youth Award; and the Innovative Crisis Solutions Award.

Companies, research centres, research institutes, innovators, and youth worldwide who have developed innovative technologies that provide solutions to the challenges of water scarcity can register for the award at https://www.suqia.ae/

Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507709620/en/
MultiBank Group, a premier forex broker, has proudly received the prestigious accolade of "Best Gold Broker 2024" from FX Empire, a globally acclaimed financial news portal known for its accurate forecasts, comprehensive market insights, detailed broker evaluations, and up-to-the-minute news coverage.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507590160/en/

MultiBank Group Honored as Best Gold Broker of 2024 by FX Empire (Graphic: Business Wire)

Established in 2005 in California, USA, MultiBank Group has amassed an impressive collection of over 50 awards. Recognized worldwide as a top-tier broker, MultiBank Group offers a diverse portfolio of more than 20,000 instruments across six asset classes, including forex, metals, indices, shares, cryptocurrencies, and stocks.

This recognition from FX Empire underscores the exceptional quality of service provided by MultiBank Group to its clientele, who rely on the broker for gold tradingan asset that has seen significant growth and value appreciation in recent times. This acknowledgment reaffirms MultiBank Group's longstanding reputation, extensive experience, and unwavering professionalism in the industry.

With the launch of its cutting-edge mobile application, MultiBank Plus, clients can enjoy lightning-fast access to a wide array of assets, along with advanced trading tools for optimal performance. Offering competitive features such as low spreads, leverage of up to 500:1, and multiple payment methods free from internal charges or commissions, MultiBank Group ensures an unparalleled trading experience for its users.

Serving over 1,000,000 clients globally and maintaining more than 25 offices worldwide, MultiBank Group stands as a premier choice for both novice traders and seasoned investors, providing tailored solutions to meet diverse investment needs.

About MultiBank Group:

MultiBank Group is a leading financial institution with a paid-up capital exceeding US $322 million and a daily average trading volume of $12.1 billion. With over 14 regulatory licenses across the globe, MultiBank Group is widely regarded as one of the most regulated and trusted brokers in the industry. For more information, please visit https://multibankfx.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507590160/en/
Tradu, the powerful multi-asset trading platform, has launched a new crypto exchange with low, transparent fees tailored for active traders and investors seeking a trustworthy and secure platform for their crypto assets. From today, crypto traders can securely invest in over 40 coins including Bitcoin and Ethereum via Tradus multi-asset trading platform. Tradu is part of Stratos Group International, LLC (Stratos), a wholly owned subsidiary of Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE: JEF).

Tradu is taking a fresh approach to crypto, offering a simple and transparent cost structure that saves investors up to 95% of the fees that can be charged in crypto trading. The platform displays commissions and real-time spreads before orders are placed, giving traders full transparency on all transaction costs. Tradu charges just 0.1% commission with instant rebates of 0.02% and 0.05% for larger trade sizes. The commission for a 1 BTC trade (at a price of $60,000) is just $30 at Tradu versus as much as $600 at other exchanges.*

Tradu clients can also choose to trade on a commission-free profile opting to instead add the fee to the spread. Clients can simply click to change between the Zero Commission and the Raw Spreads profile options in the platform. Clients have the flexibility to choose the profile that best suits their trading style.

Other key features include:

Uniform trading fees: Tradu maintains equal fees for maker and taker transactions, promoting fairness, simplicity and transparency in trading.

Free crypto deposits and easy withdrawals: Crypto deposits are free with Tradu while withdrawals are easy and fees are simple and clear.

Comprehensive support: Access customer support through various channels, including email, chat, and phone, ensuring prompt assistance for user queries.

Brendan Callan, CEO of Tradu, commented: At Tradu, we are real supporters of crypto. Its a huge market with significant investor interest and as a true multi-asset trading platform, its important for us to offer our clients access to both traditional assets and new digital assets. We are bringing institutional-grade pricing and infrastructure to the retail crypto market, providing traders with upfront costs and tight, transparent spreads enabling active traders and investors to maximise their returns. Tradu is focused on creating stable, secure and frictionless cryptocurrency trading through technology, delivering a better, safer and lower cost service. Clients can reach out to our support team for detailed instructions on how to transfer their crypto portfolio over to Tradu.

In addition to cryptocurrencies, Tradu users can also access over 10,000 trading products across equities, forex and CFDs on commodities, stocks, treasuries and indices all from one powerful portal that can be accessed via a user-friendly mobile app and web platforms.

Visit crypto.tradu.com to sign up and gain access to a wide range of assets**.

Notes to editors

* Costs calculated based on buying one Bitcoin at a price of $60,000. Tradu cost includes a 0.05% rebate based on order size. Comparative pricing based on a standard account type and information from broker websites as of 1st May 2024. It does not reflect the whole market. Actual fees may vary due to factors like account type, rebates, volume, and market conditions.

**Products vary depending on location, visit tradu.com to check which products are available in your region.

About Tradu

Tradu is headquartered in London with offices around the world. The global Tradu team speaks more than two dozen languages and prides itself on its responsive and helpful client support.

Stratos also operates FXCM, an FX and CFD platform founded in 2001. Stratos will continue to offer FXCM services alongside Tradus multi-asset platform.

Stratos subsidiaries are authorised and regulated in the UK, Europe, Australia and South Africa.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508810010/en/
A former U.S. soldier has been convicted for the murder of a pregnant, 19-year-old fellow soldier on a U.S. Army base in Germany more than 22 years ago.

A federal jury in Pensacola, Florida, convicted Shannon L. Wilkerson, 43, in the 2001 beating and strangulation death of Amanda Gonzales.

Wilkerson believed she was pregnant with his child.

Gonzales was killed in her barracks room at Fliegerhorst Kaserne, then a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany. Wilkerson was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of the offense but was later discharged.

"The murder of Amanda Gonzales and her unborn child was a horrific act of violence," said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida. "This decades-long investigation and resulting prosecution demonstrate the unwavering resolve of our law enforcement partners and their commitment to use every tool available to protect Americans, especially those serving our country."

In 2011, the Army raised a reward in connection with the case to $125,000.

The FBI announced the arrest of Wilkerson in Feb. 2023.

The jury convicted him of second-degree murder. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 8 and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The FBI New York Field Office investigated this case, with assistance from the Department of Army's Criminal Investigative Division, which originally investigated the case.
May 8, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will host Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, during his visit to Ottawa from May 9-10.



Minister Joly and Minister Tuggar will discuss the two countries relationship, both as bilateral and multilateral partners, and Nigerias role and influence in West Africa. They will also exchange views on global challenges and opportunities, and explore how to ensure African voices play a more prominent role in international organizations.



During his visit, Minister Tuggar will also meet with Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as other Canadian officials.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 10:19PM

Photo: Samsung

Samsung's One UI 6.1 is making its way to more of the company's devices. Initially exclusive to the S24 series, it arrived for the S23 series and foldables in March. More recently, premium 2022 and 2021 devices like the S22, Z Fold4, and S21 series received the update. Now, midrange phones are reportedly next.

Rumours suggest a May 14 release for the S21 FE, A54, and A53 in Canada. Samsung often rolls out updates there shortly after international launches, hinting at an imminent global release for these midrange devices, possibly within days or by early next week in Korea or Europe.

A slight delay is possible, considering the unofficial nature of the release date. Samsung recently pulled a buggy One UI 6.1 build for the S22 in its home market due to boot loop and lock screen issues. While a fix is awaited, new test builds are being tested. This could potentially delay the update for other devices, but Samsung's history of swift bug fixes suggests any delay would be minorlikely just a few days.

One UI 6.1 focuses on usability enhancements like better battery controls and smoother performance. The main attraction, Galaxy AI with features like Live Translate and Browsing Assist, might be absent on midrange devices. Similar to the new A55 and A35, older A-series phones likely won't get these AI features. The S21 FE is expected to receive only Circle to Search, similar to other 2021 premium Galaxy phones.

Source
The new film 'Seed of the Sacred Fig' is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival later this month; however, its Iranian director, Mohammed Rasoulof, may not be able to attend.

Rasoulof has been sentenced to eight years in prison, as well as a fine, confiscation of his property, and flogging, by an Iranian court.

The verdict was handed down by the 29th branch of the Islamic Revolution Court and confirmed by the 36th branch of the Aina Court of Appeals, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The director's lawyer, Babak Paknia, announced the news in a post to X on Wednesday, revealing the court had found Rasoulof's public statements, films, and documentaries "were examples of collusion with the intention of committing a crime against the country's security."

While his sentencing comes ahead of the Cannes film festival, it remains unclear whether authorities in Iran will allow Rasoulof to travel to France for the highly anticipated event.

It seems more and more unlikely by the day.

Rasoulof has long been one of the Iranian film industry's most outspoken critics of Tehran's hardcore regime, and he has consistently paid the price for it over the years.

In July 2022, he was arrested for merely signing a petition calling on security forces to show restraint in relation to widespread protests, but was released on a temporary basis in February 2023 due to health issues.

Rasoulof has been under house arrest ever since.

Last year, he was invited to Cannes to serve on its Un Certain Regard Jury, but again, he was forbidden from leaving Iran.

Allegedly, Rasoulof is facing mounting pressure from the Iranian government to withdraw 'Seed of the Sacred Fig Tree' from the Cannes festival altogether.

The film centers on Iman, an investigation judge in the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, who struggles with mistrust and paranoia as nationwide politically motivated protests intensify.

Selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Rasoulof's work will get its world premiere in May 2024.
Vulcan Materials posts fall in revenues in 1Q24

Suzanne Starbuck By 08 May 2024

US-based Vulcan Materials has reported total revenue of US$1546m in the first quarter of 2024, down from US$1649m in the same period a year earlier. Gross profit in the 1Q came in at US$305m (1Q23: US$302m) while adjusted EBITDA stood at US$323m (1Q23: US$338m).

Commenting on the results, Tom Hill, Vulcan Materials' chairman and CEO, said, "Our teams' solid execution helped us overcome challenging weather conditions throughout much of the first quarter. Margins expanded despite lower aggregates shipments, demonstrating the durability of our aggregates business and its attractive compounding growth characteristics.

The aggregates business saw shipments decline from 51.8Mt in the 1Q23 to 48.1Mt in the same period a year later, mainly attributed to poor weather conditions throughout most of the quarter. However, cash gross profit per ton improved 10 per cent YoY to US$8.86 over the three-month period, driven by continued pricing momentum and solid operational execution, according to the company.

Vulcans asphalt segment posted gross profit of US$5m, and cash gross profit of US$14m, marking a 39 per cent improvement over the prior year. Shipments increased by three per cent, and prices improved by six per cent. Strong shipments in Arizona and California, the company's largest asphalt markets, were partially offset by lower shipments in Texas due to weather conditions.

The concrete segment reported a gross loss of US$3m in the 1Q24. The quarter saw a cash gross profit of US$9m and unit cash gross profit up 10 per cent, despite lower volumes. The prior year included results from the previously divested concrete assets in Texas. Capex in the opening quarter of the year came in at US$103m with the company expecting to spend US$625-675m over the full year on maintenance and growth projects.

Regarding the company's outlook, Mr Hill said, Our operating performance in the first quarter was solid and in line with our expectations. We remain on track to deliver US$2.15-2.30bn of adjusted EBITDA, marking the fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth. The pricing environment remains positive, and our focus remains on compounding unit margins through all parts of the cycle, creating value for our shareholders through improving returns on capital.





Published under
President Joe Biden signed the REPORT Act into law on Tuesday, requiring tech companies to report a wider range of crimes against children than previously required, and social media platform X is already touting its "aggressive" enforcement.

X, formerly Twitter, said that in the first quarter of 2024, it has already submitted approximately 175,000 reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's (NCMEC) CyberTipline and suspended 1.5 million accounts for prohibited content or actions including child sexual exploitation (CSE) material, grooming, blackmail, and identifying alleged victims of CSE.

The bipartisan Revising Existing Procedures on Reporting via Technology (REPORT) Act, authored by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), requires internet companies such as Facebook, Instagram and X to report crimes against children involving sex trafficking, grooming, or the enticement of children for sexual acts. They were previously only required to report child sexual abuse materials (CSAM).

"X applauds Senator Blackburn's leadership in combating the exploitation of children, strengthening critical partners like NCMEC, and helping law enforcement bring criminals to justice," X CEO Linda Yaccarino said in a statement.

X on Tuesday announced it is participating in the beta of the Safer Predict Child Sexual Abuse text classifier developed by Thorn, the nonprofit anti-trafficking company founded by actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore. The technology is designed to help "detect sextortion patterns and other exploitative behavior and content." The company also announced its participation in Tech Coalition's Project Lantern, to share data with other participating companies to identify cross-platform bad actors that use multiple services to traffic CSE.

The company said it is "steadily building" its X Support Center in Austin, Texas, and training more agents to increase content moderation capacity.

"Children are increasingly looking at screens, and the reality is that this leaves more innocent kids at risk of online exploitation," said Blackburn. "I'm honored to champion this bipartisan solution alongside Senator Ossoff and Representative Laurel Lee to protect vulnerable children and hold perpetrators of these heinous crimes accountable. I also appreciate the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's unwavering partnership to get this across the finish line."

The NCMEC's CyberTipline is a centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children, taking reports from across the country and making them available to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. The new legislation increases the amount of time the CyberTipline is allowed to preserve reported evidence for law enforcement, from 90 days previously to one year. It also for the first time allows victims and their parents to report abuse directly to the NCMEC.

Along with requiring a wider range of crimes to be reported, the REPORT Act also increases penalties for companies that fail to report exploitative content, with fines ranging from $150,000 to $1 million, depending on the offense and the size of the company.

"My bipartisan law with Senator Blackburn will ensure tech companies are held accountable to report and remove child sex abuse material and to strengthen protection for kids online," said Ossoff. "At a time of such division in Congress, we successfully brought Republicans and Democrats together to protect kids on the internet, and now our bill is law."

--with reporting by TMX
Previous Next

As part of the six-week-long World Quantum Day observance, approximately 12 students at the EPB Future Ready Institute of Technology and Networking at Tyner showcased Friendship Detectors they built using machine learning on Tuesday.




Beginning May 7, 2025, the REAL ID Act of 2005 will go into effect. Anyone 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID credential to access certain federal facilities, board commercial flights, nuclear power plants, and military bases in the U.S. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security began issuing REAL IDs on July 1, 2019. Of the 5.8 million valid credentials in Tennessee, 1.6 million citizens have yet to decide about obtaining a REAL ID. Tennesseans are encouraged to make their decision ahead of the May 7, 2025, implementation date to avoid the potential influx of customers at Driver Services Centers.

What alternative documents instead of a REAL ID will be accepted?

A valid passport or other acceptable alternative forms of identification found here can be used in place of a REAL ID credential.

What documents are needed to apply for a REAL ID?

To apply for a REAL ID, customers must bring one proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, a valid Social Security Number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency. In addition, if there has been a name change, a certified legal document supporting the name change must be presented with the approved documents. A complete list of accepted documents can be found here. All documents must be original or certified. Photocopies will not be accepted. Citizens are encouraged to upload required documents beforehand for a faster experience and to ensure the proper documents are provided.

Where can you apply for a REAL ID?

The first application for a REAL ID must be made in person at a Driver Services Center or participating County Clerk partner. Participating locations can be found here.

What if you dont need or want a REAL ID?

Those who do not wish to obtain a REAL ID will receive a standard credential indicated by Not for REAL ID Act Purposes on the front of the credential. Your current or common credential will continue to be accepted for general identification purposes such as driving, purchasing alcohol or tobacco products, applying for federal benefits, voting, accessing hospitals, post offices, banks, federal courts, etc.

How much does the REAL ID cost?

If this is your initial issuance, the standard fee is $28. However, if you wish to obtain a REAL ID outside of your renewal period, there will be a duplicate fee depending on license classification. Click here to find the exact cost of your duplicate license.

Where can I find more information about REAL ID?

More information about Tennessee REAL ID can be found at www.tnrealid.gov.

How can I make a REAL ID appointment?

For a faster and more efficient visit to a Driver Services Center, customers are encouraged to make an appointment ahead of their visit.
Red Bank City Manager Martin Granum will present the fiscal year 2025 budget at the upcoming commission meeting on May 21. Commissioner Jamie Fairbanks Harvey expressed some concerns with the preliminary budget estimate document that the commissioners received Tuesday, and said she wants more time to review it and to meet with department heads before voting.

At the Tuesday night meeting, she offered several suggestions for the new budget. Her concern, she said, was because even though there was a large property tax increase on Red Bank citizens last year, the finances are still behind. She would like for there to be no new hiring or new positions next year, only a single cost of living raise for the city manager, reduction of the plan to purchase six police cars down to three or four, and for the city to make a $2,500 contribution to the library rather than $5,000.

The city is giving a grant of $3,825 to the Red Bank High School Junior Lions Club that will be used to refurbish the senior lounge that is in the back of the lunchroom. Three representatives from the club came to the meeting to receive the check. The vision is for an area in the cafeteria to be styled like a cafe that will be available only to seniors during lunch but open to anyone else at other times for meetings or performances. The resolution passed with only Commissioner Pete Phillips voting in opposition.

The vote was three for and two against to create an annual scholarship award for outstanding citizenship for a local graduating student. Opposition came from Commissioner Fairbanks Harvey, who wanted to know where the money was coming from before she voted, and Commissioner Phillips, who said no matter which city fund it comes from, it is still taxpayer dollars, and he will not spend tax money on a single student. The suggestion to table the motion failed. Mayor Hollie Berry said that she could not present the check to the recipient on Wednesday if the vote was postponed. Vice Mayor Stefanie Dalton and Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson overruled saying that recognizing people was a way to promote civic engagement. There are other ways to recognize people without using dollars, said Commissioner Fairbanks Harvey.

The new commercial/residential development in Red Bank that will be built at the former location of Save a Lot grocery store is now known as the Hawthorne at White Oak development. Plans have been moving forward and, in addition to the citys own building and fire inspectors, a building official has also been appointed. Another layer of oversight has been added now with the approval of a contract with a third-party municipal inspection partner to review plans. They will be paid an amount not to exceed $16,000. This cost was not budgeted, but will be mitigated by the $110,695 permit fee of the project that is designed to have 27,405 square feet, consisting of 200 residential units and 6,695 square feet of commercial space.

An unplanned expense for the public works department was extensive repairs to one of the two brush trucks. The cost to return it to service was $20,296, but Public Works Director Greg Tate said that, although it was not budgeted, the repairs will be covered by a fund that is set aside specifically for repair and maintenance of vehicles.

Expenses that were not included in the 2024 budget will be paid with the issuance of interest-bearing general obligation capital outlay notes in an amount not to exceed $655,000. The commission gave approval at the Tuesday night meeting. The citys CFO will arrange to get the best rates for the loan, which the city plans to pay back within the next four years. Items that it will pay for include financing vehicles for the police department and equipment for the fire department, a truck for the public works department, and renovations to various facilities including the community center, parks and cemeteries.

Two departments in the city will be honored by proclamations recognizing their contributions to Red Bank. May 15 will be Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12-18 will be proclaimed as national Police Week. And a resolution passed to celebrate employees of the public works department by proclaiming May 19-25 as National Public Works Week.

A memo of understanding between the Red Bank Police Department and the city of Collegedales police department was approved. It will allow Red Banks police to use the Collegedale firing range at no cost. This agreement assures that Red Bank will provide its own equipment, training and insurance. Police Chief Dan Seymour said the state requires a minimum of eight hours of training per year for each officer.

Announcements include the citys first movie night will be held May 24 at 7 p.m. and Food Truck Friday will be May 17 at City Park. The next Red Bank Food Pantry will be May 16.

The city continues to ask residents to fill out a survey on the Red Bank website for what they would like to see at the former Red Bank Middle School property on Dayton Boulevard.


The Houston Museum of Decorative Arts has moved to a "popup location" while the museum's 1890s Victorian mansion on High Street undergoes a $5 million restoration.

Pam Reed, executive director, said the museum is in temporary quarters at the nearby Back Inn Cafe until the renovation is complete.

The new site opened on Tuesday after over 900 boxes of the fabulous collection of Anna Safley Houston were carted down the street.

Hours at the temporary site are noon-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

Ms. Reed said the renovation will include needed upgrades to the two-story brick home, which she said is the oldest in the Bluff View Art District.

She said a 1940s addition that is in bad condition will be taken down and replaced with a new section that will include a $500,000 elevator to make the facility ADA compliant.

It will also have new display space for the museum's varied collection, that, in addition to colorful glassware, also includes Tennessee-made furniture, Civil War items, music boxes and other art items. There will also be new storage space and a classroom.

Fundraising efforts are continuing for the ambitious project, including a $500,000 ask from the County Commission. Ms. Reed said the group is also seeking help from the city, foundations and grants.

She said the first phase has been fully funded from private donations and grants.

Ms. Reed said it is expected that with the renovation complete annual visitation should rise from 3,000-4,000 per year to around 10,000.

She said it was the first time the museum had made a fundraising plea in its more than 60 years of operation.
Willie Frances Moore, a longtime resident of Chattanooga, passed on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the age of 95.

Ms. Moore was the daughter of the late Charles Burton Moore and Sara Elizabeth Jackson Moore, both of Chattanooga. Frances was born on Dec. 4, 1928. She attended Chattanooga area schools, had training with IBM in data processing, and worked in accounting, including as a supervisor, for Olan Mills, Inc., all her working life. After retirement, she resided at Caldsted retirement home for 15 years and and then Regency House in Hixson.

Frances was predeceased by her father in 1954, and her mother in 2002. Frances and her mother resided in Eastside and later in Brainerd and were members of historic St. Andrews United Methodist Church. Frances was a member of the Official Board, and Superintendent, Children's Department of the church. In retirement, she and her mother travelled widely by car in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, often in the company of her mothers sister Ruth. Frances assisted her mother in maintaining records and knowledge of the extensive Vincent, Martin, and Jackson families from which they descended. Preserving cemeteries where family members are buried was a special interest.

Frances is remembered by all as a quiet, kind and very organized participant in many activities throughout her life. She had a great love of reading novels, movies, the Chattanooga Lookouts and the Atlanta Braves, crafts and interior decorating. In the company of her cousins, the late Donna Hise of Chickamauga and Barbara Mabry of Chattanooga, she often was found creating crafts for seasons of the year.

Frances is survived by 25 first cousins, the children of her seven aunts and uncles from the Jackson line. They wish to thank the staff at Regency House and the Pace/Alexian Brothers Center for their loving care of Frances. Instead of flowers, please make donations to the Caldsted Foundation, 3701 Cherryton Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37411.

Service will be held on Saturday, May 11, at noon in the chapel of Lane Funeral Home.

Visitation will also be held on Saturday, May 11, from 11 a.m. till the funeral hour of noon.

All arrangements have been made by Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, South Crest Chapel, Rossville.
Christian Edwards, graduating with a bachelors degree in theological and professional studies with minors in music and philosophy, shares his Lee Experience during Friday evenings Commissioning service Dr. David Ramirez delivers the keynote address to a packed arena during the Saturday morning Commencement service Dean of Lees School of Business Dr. Shane Griffith is shown here placing the hood on Audrey Haley during Fridays hooding ceremony. Haley received her Master of Business Administration. Dr. Nancy LaBine, of Lees School of Nursing, is shown here pinning nursing graduate Hans Perez Mendez during the annual pinning ceremony on Friday Previous Next

Lee University conferred 507 degrees on Saturday during its spring commencement ceremony. Friends, family, and the Lee community gathered as Dr. David Ramirez inspired graduates in Lees traditional ceremony, held in the Paul Dana Walker Arena.

During his commencement address, Dr. Ramirez reminded graduates they are loved by God, they have a mission, and they can change the world.

As Lee graduates, we are called to establish relationships between God and the world, said Dr. Ramirez. We are called and empowered to go into the world and build bridges and not walls, to be door openers, to share Gods message of hope, a message of destiny, a message of tomorrow. You can make a difference.

Dr. Ramirez has served as Third Assistant General Overseer for the Church of God since being elected to the post in 2016. A native of Chile, he previously served in a number of leadership capacities, including field director for the Church of God in South America, president of South Cone Ministerial Seminary in Buenos Aires, and founder of Seminario Ministerial Sudamericano in Quito, Ecuador.

Since 2016, he has also served as the liaison to the Lee University Board of Directors from the Church of God International Executive Committee.

Dr. Ramirez holds a Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary (Beeson Scholar), a Master of Divinity from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and two honorary doctoral degrees recognizing excellence in Christian leadership.

Of the 507 degrees conferred on Saturday, there were 420 undergraduates and 87 graduate degrees. Of the 87 graduate degrees, eight were doctoral. The spring event is one of three graduation weekends at Lee each year. Lee also holds commencements in July and December.

Saturdays ceremony was preceded by a pinning ceremony for nursing grads; a hooding ceremony for recipients of masters degrees, education specialist degrees, and doctoral degrees; and the Commissioning Service on Friday, which featured several graduating participants including five student speakers sharing their Lee experience.

For more information, contact the Academic Events Office at graduation@leeuniversity.edu or visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/graduation-info/.

To view the events, visit leeu.live.
A California man accused of skewering his girlfriend and her uncle with a medieval spear before shooting them to death at a storage facility was found by police with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

On Thursday, a woman called police to report her boyfriend stabbed her and her uncle in a Santa Ana, California, storage unit, according to police.

When officers arrived, the victims  later identified as 25-year-old Jordan Block and 64-year-old Brian Xan Martin  were found with fatal gunshot wounds to the torso, in addition to the stabbing injuries, police said.

Their killer, 25-year-old Cameron Delani Clark, shot himself and died at the hospital days later.

Investigators discovered a gun and a medieval-style spear at the crime scene, both of which are believed to have been used in the double slaying.

An unidentified witness said Martin claimed to be an expert in medieval swords and kept them at the storage unit.

"Just a nice little dude. He's been here a long time," the witness told KTLA-TV. He had a bad back and every time I saw him, he was just nice. I'd talk with him for a couple of minutes, same with his niece."

A motive in the murder-suicide remains under investigation.
The State Review Board will meet on Wednesday, May 22 to examine Tennessee's proposed nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Beginning at 9 a.m. (CDT), the meeting will be held at the Tennessee Historical Commission, 2941 Lebanon Road in Nashville, as well as virtually. Meeting information will be available on the THC State Review Board webpage The Board will vote on four nominations from across the state.Those nominations that are found to meet the criteria will be sent for final approval to the National Register of Historic Places at the U.S. Department of the Interior.The nominations are: The Civil Rights Movement in Nashville (1942-1969) Multiple Property Documentation Form, Davidson County; Clark Memorial Methodist Church Complex, Davidson County; First Community Church, Davidson County; and Haywood County Farm, Haywood County.The State Review Board is composed of 12 people with backgrounds in American history, architecture, archaeology, or related fields. It also includes members representing the public. The National Register program was authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.The Tennessee Historical Commission administers the program in Tennessee.The public is invited to attend the meeting. For additional information, contact Rebecca Schmitt with the Tennessee Historical Commission at 615-770-1086, or at National.Register@tn.gov. For more information about the Tennessee Historical Commission, visit their website
When I think of whale calls and the sounds those magnificent creatures of the sea make, the first thing in my mind that pops up is that scene from Finding Nemo, where Dory the fish communicates to a whale that brings them where they need to be.

But did you know that the science behind whale calls and communication may be able to bring us one step closer to extraterrestrial life?

For years and years, humans have been on the search for signs of extraterrestrial life and aliens.

One scientific organization, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI), has been working diligently to see if there will ever be a way for humans to communicate with extraterrestrial life. Recently, theyve been turning to whales.

Even if youre not a whale expert, if you know anything about the big beasts, you know they communicate in very special ways.

Scientists with SETI realized they could use humpback whale communication as a way to practice communicating with non-human life forms.

In 2023, scientists at SETI, alongside the University of California Davis and the Alaska Whale Foundation, played recordings of a humpback whale contact call through an underwater speaker in the ocean.

For a while, many whales ignored the recorded call, but then, something amazing happened.

One humpback whale, the scientists, called Twain not only responded to the call in a conversational manner but approached and circled the scientists boat.

Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
In the 1930s, being a soldier was considered a noble rite of passage, a chance to prove oneself as a man. So, when World War II broke out in 1939, many boys signed up for combat even though they were under the age of 18. One of those underaged boys was 12-year-old Calvin Graham from Texas.

He shipped off from the Philadelphia Navy Yard in the summer of 1942 and served as a gunner aboard the battleship USS South Dakota, fighting in one of the most violent sea battles of World War II. He was the youngest U.S. serviceman to fight in the war.

When Graham decided he wanted to join the Navy, he was an 11-year-old in the sixth grade. He had six other siblings and an abusive stepfather.

He ended up moving out with an older brother and supported himself by delivering telegrams and selling newspapers when he wasnt in school. After learning that some of his cousins died in the war, he knew he wanted to fight.

Boys aged 16 could enlist if they got their parents permission, but Graham did not want to wait. He started shaving in the hopes that it would make him look older. Some friends of his forged his mothers signature, and they waited in line together to enlist.

Graham was only five feet and two inches tall, weighing just 125 pounds. He dressed in an older brothers clothes and practiced speaking in a deeper voice.

There was a dentist who examined the mouths of potential recruits to determine their ages. When the dentist checked Grahams mouth, he declared that Graham was only 12. The boy insisted that he was 17. He finally convinced the dentist to let him go after he pointed out that the boys in front of him were also underage.

Graham dropped out of the seventh grade and told his mother he was visiting relatives. Then, he went off to San Diego to complete basic training. The drill instructors made all the underage recruits run extra miles and carry heavier packs. Three weeks later, Graham was assigned to the Navys Pacific Fleet. He was sent to Pearl Harbor and joined the South Dakotas crew.

On October 26, 1942, the Japanese launched an air attack. The South Dakota managed to fight off 26 enemy planes with antiaircraft guns. But the vessel did not escape totally unscathed. It was hit by a 500-pound bomb. Luckily, the ships armor was so thick that the bombs impact didnt do much damage.

Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
Unperturbed by debates over the books relationship to modern thought, she helps us appreciate its marriage of literary structure and theological claims.

Illustration by Christianity Today / Source Images: Getty, Wikimedia Commons

In her latest book, Reading Genesis, Marilynne Robinson insists that modern readers have largely misunderstood the literary and theological significance of the Bible.

availableatamazon Reading Genesis 352 pages $23.18

Among the most salient causes of this misunderstanding, she argues, is our tendency to read ancient texts through modern categorieshistory, myth, fiction, nonfictionthat do not map neatly onto ancient literature. The result is a never-ending and mostly unnecessary debate between those who approach Genesis as a catalog of events and those who read it as mythic pastiche, pieced together from various ancient sources.

We get a feel for Robinsons impatience with this debate in her characterization of the factions warring over Noahs flood: One side in the controversy is rebuilding the ark to demonstrate its seaworthiness, or tramping up Ararat looking for its wreckage. The other sees the story as cribbed and fraudulent. Both sides, Robinson concludes, are led astray by the same impulse to judge the veracity of Genesis on the basis of how closely it conforms to historical events.

Sign up for CT Books Each issue contains up-to-date, insightful information about today's culture, plus analysis of books important to the evangelical thinker. 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.

In fact, as she argues at the outset, the Bible is a work of theology, not simply a primary text upon which theology is based. The implication for modern readers of Genesis is that when we focus primarily on the historicity of the Flood account, for example, we tend to ignore the arrangement of Genesis as a work of literature designed to grapple with theological questions.

Arranged with artistry

This is not to say that Robinson doubts whether all the events represented in Genesis took place or that she fails to consider its compositional history. The goal of Genesis, in her estimation, is not to offer a play-by-play of primeval events but to give a theological account of who God is, who we are, and how we should live together in light of that theology. In Robinsons estimation, then, the books literary structure is of utmost importance to its interpretation.

By literary, I do not mean that she treats the Bible as somehow comparable to a novel or any other contemporary form of literature. I mean that she is interested in the composition and final form of the biblical text, in the way it has been arranged with artistry to communicate theological truths about God, humans, and the world.

This literary approach makes sense given Robinsons status as a modern master of the novel and the essay. Her novels have earned numerous honors, including a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Critics Circle Award. Her erudite essays on subjects ranging from theology and science to politics and history have made her a stalwart contributor to some of the nations most storied periodicals, religious and otherwise. Literary structure is her craft, and she is deeply attuned to how the arrangement of Genesis asks us to read it in certain ways to the exclusion of others.

While Robinsons emphasis on literary craft might seem to place her in the camp of those who regard Genesis as merely human in its authorship, she harbors no compunction about the fact that Genesis is, at least in part, a more-than-human text.

The accounts we find in the Bible are really far too tough-minded to be the products of ordinary this-worldly calculation, she points out. I am content to believe, she notes, that certain early Hebrews, under the influence of Moses and still pondering the faithfulness of God that they saw in the liberation from bondage, were inspired with a true insight into His nature.

For Robinson, the fact that the Scriptures are shaped by both divine and human hands presents no contradiction. As she observes, the Bible itself indicates no anxiety about association with human minds, words, lives, and passions. This lack of anxietypalpable in her proseis among the most important dispositions of Robinsons reading that Christians might seek to emulate. She is not apologetic about the things that many modern readers find threatening to the Bibles relevance, reliability, and authority.

Perhaps the most potent of these perceived threats is scholarly inquiry into the provenance and composition of Genesis.

Whether engaging the Documentary Hypothesis (the theory that the first five books of the Hebrew Bible are stitched together from disparate traditions) or comparisons between Genesis and other ancient Near Eastern texts, Robinson maintains that Genesis is a unique and ingenious literary creation composed by humans, inspired by God, and designed to convey the truth about God and his world. Far from being fearful of comparisons with other ancient texts, Robinson contends that Genesis is most obviously unique at these points of contact.

Robinson argues that resonances between Genesis and ancient Near Eastern stories such as the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh or Enuma Elish constitute the best proofs of the Biblesand its Godsexceptional nature. This claim is central to her reading and repeated throughout the book: The Genesis stories, rather than adopting or appropriating them, instead engage the literatures to which they are often compared, accepting an image or a term but transforming its meaning within a shared language of thought.

Comparing Genesis with other ancient creation accounts, she maintains that the biblical way of telling the story of Creation differs from ambient narratives precisely at the points of their likeness. Contrasting Noahs flood with Gilgameshs, she insists that these two stories differ crucially at their points of similarity.

Again and again, Robinson demonstrates how theological insights into Gods character are clearest at these points of comparison. The Babylonian notion that humans exist to make offerings to Marduk, for instance, makes the Hebrew God so radically unique. As Robinson states, God is distinct in His having not a use for human beings, but instead a mysterious, benign intention for them.

Unlike the Babylonian gods, who are revealed to be numerous, capricious, and needy, Genesis gives us a God who is one, purposeful, and infinitely gracious. This graciousness, in Robinsons reading, turns out to be central to the theology of Genesis. The books literary structure brings us back to it repeatedly, from Gods forgiveness of Cain to the second chance extended to humans after the Flood to the many redemptions of Abraham and his descendants.

Along the way, Gods image-bearers pick up on this divine predilection for compassion and learn to forgive one another. Esau absolves his brother Jacob. Joseph pardons his brothers. Genesis shows that Gods graciousness to us and our need to be gracious to one another cannot be overstated. It establishes mercy as foundational to Israels way of life as the people come up out of Egypt and build their own society.

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, it turns out, is not like any of the other ancient gods at allwhich means that those who would follow him will be set apart from the rest of the world as well.

Robinsons reading of the ancestral history that begins with Abraham in Genesis 12 and ends with the death of Joseph in Genesis 50 traces the purposes of this God in the lives of Abrahams descendants and, notably, in the lives of those not descended from the first patriarch. The books theological emphasis on mercy and forgiveness thus extends to all people. God calls to himself a chosen people, but he also rescues Hagar and Ishmael and works through Melchizedek, Abimelech, and others who come from outside the line of Abraham.

God is repeatedly shown to be the God of all people, and Robinsons focus on the literary arrangement of Genesis reveals that God has had a plan for all people from the beginning.

Purposeful answers

The great strength of Robinsons literary approach to the Bible is that it focuses our attention on how a book like Genesis invites us into lifelong reflection on the nature of God and his plans for us. It may seem, occasionally, that Robinson sidesteps concerns raised by biblical scholars, but her approach fits the design of the text, which was careful and purposeful in answering the questions of ancient readers.

Modern Christians will benefit from spending a few hours with a book that does not treat the Bible as a primitive attempt to explain things that reason and science would in the course of time make a true and sufficient account of. And we might especially learn something from Robinsons characterization of Genesis as an attempt to give a true account of Gods people in light of their convictions about who God is.

Unlike many histories that seek to romanticize and vilify their subjects, Genesis offers unsparing portrayals of some of its most celebrated heroes and generous portrayals of some of its most dastardly villains. It suggests that we might be better prepared to know God if we take seriously the psalmists plea for God to search our own hearts and to see ourselves as he sees us. Genesis, in this respect, is truly incomparable.

Matthew Mullins is associate professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University. He is the author Enjoying the Bible: Literary Approaches to Loving the Scriptures and Postmodernism in Pieces: Materializing the Social in U.S. Fiction.
Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images

Rosie Villegas-Smith was spending a Saturday handing out flyers with volunteers from Voces Unidas, a pro-life nonprofit, when she noticed a group gathering signatures.

The woman who approached her never mentioned the word abortion, only referring to womens rights, but she quickly realized what they were campaigning for: a ballot measure on expanding abortion access in Arizona in the November elections.

The southwestern state is one of up to a dozen across the country that will vote on abortion later this year, part of the continued reshaping of the legal landscape following the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

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.

Arizonas measure would enshrine the right to an abortion in the states constitution, overriding its current 15-week ban and allowing the procedure at any point in a pregnancy if a health care provider determines it is necessary to protect either the life or the physical and mental health of the mother.

The state has been in a back-and-forth over abortion policies for weeks, with pro-life groups ramping up efforts to reach out to women who may be considering abortions and to voters who may consider supporting expanding abortion access.

Last month, Arizonas top court ruled that an 1864 law prohibiting abortion could go into effect as a result of the reversal of Roe v. Wade. The controversial ruling came under fire nationally; even former president Donald Trump and other high-profile Republicans suggested it went too far. Vice President Kamala Harris slammed the law as putting women in a state of chaos and cruelty caused by Donald Trump.

A legislative repeal narrowly passed the state Senate 1614 after two Republicans crossed the aisle to side with Democrats. One of the GOP lawmakers who voted for the repeal, Sen. Shawnna Bolick, said that repealing the strict 1864 law, and leaving a more moderate abortion bill in place, may dampen efforts by abortion rights groups to put more expansive abortion measures on the ballot. I am here to protect more babies, she said.

Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the repeal last week, which is slated to take effect 90 days after the legislative session ends this summer. There are legal efforts underway by the abortion rights groups asking the state supreme court to block the 1864 law from going into effect in the interim.

A 2022 state law allows abortion until 15 weeks of pregnancy in Arizona, with an exception beyond that point if necessary to save the mothers life. The 1864 law prohibited abortion at any stage in a pregnancy, with an exception for the life of the mother.

Its imperative for pro-life citizens in Arizona to educate themselves and their neighbors about this extreme constitutional amendment, March for Life president Jeanne Mancini told CT. The measure, she said, would open the floodgates to painful abortion up until birth, ending precious, innocent life and stripping women of the health and safety protections they need and deserve.

Arizona for Abortion Access, which is campaigning in support of the new measure to solidify abortion protections in the state constitution, says it has met the signature threshold to get the ballot. Its now up to the secretary of state to verify the signatures.

Theyre not even happy with [15 weeks], Villegas-Smith said. Pro-life groups like hers are addressing the implications of the proposed amendment and appealing to voters to protect life.

Villegas-Smith, who is originally from Mexico, became interested in pro-life advocacy as a result of watching friends suffer in the physical and emotional aftermath of their abortions. Her group also seeks to reach out to minorities.

The largest group of women receiving abortions in the state are Hispanicin 2021, 43.8 percent according to the Arizona Department of Health Servicesand Voces Unidas seeks to reach minority women with information as well as through support groups, baby showers, and in some cases, safe housing.

We know that its very important to give a message for hope, that the baby is a gift from God, and so we organize baby showers for them and give them a basket and a cake and a full celebration, Villegas-Smith said, especially for women who dont have family support.

The nonprofit is not explicitly religious, but Villegas-Smith said they often work with religious groups, and that many of the volunteers and employees identify as Christian or Catholic. Voces Unidas makes a practice of praying for life, praying outside of abortion centers and at the capital before the vote over repealing the 1864 law.

Abortion policies may be on the ballot in nearly a dozen states come November. In addition to Arizona, there are ballot measures in Florida and Maryland. Other states, such as Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and South Dakota, are either in the signature-gathering process or have submitted signatures and are waiting for approval. New Yorks ballot measure is facing blowback in the courts, making the fate of the effort uncertain.

Since the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision reversing Roe, voters in a handful of states, including California, Michigan, Ohio, and Vermont, chose to protect and in some cases expand abortion access via ballot measures. Other states, like Kentucky and Kansas, voted down measures that would have restricted abortion.

Its kind of a wake-up call to us, to I think Arizonans and Americans, that a 15-week abortion law is not enough, said Kelsey Pritchard, state public affairs director for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. The group has a field team in Arizona canvassing ahead of the election.

Theyre on the ground not only making the pro-lifers aware of whats at stake here, but people kind of in the middle as well. Because when youre talking about health and safety, its not just a Republican pro-life thing. Thats something even pro-choice people care about, Pritchard said. Thats really something for all Arizonians to care about.
Construction is expected to resume soon on a partially completed co-living skyscraper, X Houston, which has sat unfinished in the Museum District since work stalled in fall 2023. Pictured is the project on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer The X Company's coliving tower, called X Houston,visible in the Museum District on La Branch St. near Binz St. Monday, May 6, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer A crane remains on site and has been regularly inspected since X Houston coliving project stalled, contractors say. Construction is expected to resume soon on the residential tower, visible in this photo taken from La Branch St. near Binz St. Monday, May 6, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer A rendering of the 33-story co-living tower at 5501 La Branch Street in Houston's Museum District, which originally had been slated to open in the third quarter of 2024 before the project stalled. The X Company

Contractors say work could restart in June on X Houston, a 33-story skyscraper in the Museum District, several months after construction abruptly stopped on what was expected to be one of the citys largest co-living projects.

Chicago-based X Co. halted construction last fall for unknown reasons on the Houston project, as well as those in Phoenix and Tampa, Fla.

X Houston, at 5501 La Branch, had nearly reached its peak height when work on the 750,000-square-foot project stopped, leaving neighbors wondering about its future. The new anticipated schedule could push the buildings completion to sometime next year.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

During the construction delay, there hasnt been significant damage to the project site, said Brady Johnson, senior vice president with lead contractor Hoar Construction.

Weve been walking the job regularly and it looks good, said Johnson. Obviously well go through and look at the structure and get an all clear to say everything is ready to go.

A crane remains on site and has been regularly inspected since X Houston coliving project stalled, contractors say. The partially completed tower is visible on La Branch St. near Binz St. Monday, May 6, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

X Houston was estimated to cost $107 million, according to initial state permit filings, which are subject to change.

Since September 2023, subcontractors filed dozens of liens against affiliates of The X Co. for unpaid work and services tallying more than $67 million, according to Harris County deed records.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Liens totaling about $38 million were filed by Hoar Construction, according to deed records. The remaining claims  ranging in amounts from $680 to $10.8 million  were filed by subcontractors such as mechanics, electricians and plumbers, records show.

Contractors are working with the developer to resolve the liens, Johnson said: Thats what were working toward, and theyre really close to finalizing those.

Officials with X Co. did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

A rendering of the 33-story coliving tower, called X Houston, which originally was expected to open in the third quarter of 2024 at 5501 La Branch Street in Houston's Museum District. The opening date will likely be pushed back to next year after construction stalled. The X Company

Once completed, X Houston is expected to be among the citys biggest ground-up new co-living projects, with a total of 646 beds spread across 475 units proposed.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Co-living is a form of professionally managed, shared housing in which residents rent rooms, while sharing common spaces with roommates. Often residents can get more flexible lease arrangements while the landlord handles things such as cleaning, bill splitting and stocking the units with basic supplies.

While co-living is sometimes a more affordable option, the X Co.s projects are pitched as more luxurious living with upscale amenities and a social club catering to affluent young professionals.
Gogo Kamo, a sangoma in Kempton Park, South Africa, uses bones, herbs, and the Bible to interpret a reading with an online client.

Churches are combating syncretism among millennials and Gen Z amid a rise of social media healers who call on ancestral spirits.

Guillem Sartorio / AFP via Getty Images

Millions of Black South Africans seek guidance from sangomas, traditional healers or so-called witch doctors who use their spiritual gifts to connect with ancestors, prescribe herbs to heal illnesses, and throw dry bones to predict the future.

Its a centuries-old tradition that has continued in the majority-Christian country and has adapted for the internet age: A new breed of influencer sangomas are positioning themselves on social media as digital-entrepreneurial-spiritual seers.

Church leaders across several major denominations in South Africa have long decried the practice as involving evil, devilish, and unclean spirits. But as the online sagomas draw in a mass audience of millennial Christiansa generation eager to decolonize their lives and reconnect to indigenous African rootschurch leaders have new concerns around syncretism as well as internet scams.

Condemnation of sangomas and African ancestral worship is the strongest cog uniting European-legacy churches like Anglicans, Baptists, and Catholics as well as African-initiated churches like the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), said Tendai Muchatuta, a cleric with All Nations Church in Johannesburg.

Both kinds of churches say the practice, despite its popularity, is not compatible with Christianity.

The ZCC is the largest African-initiated church in Southern Africa, with about 12 million churchgoers, including some 9 million in South Africa. Bauleni Moloi, a ZCC pastor in Johannesburg, called sangomas dubious agents of darkness out to sway Christians from the true focus on the gospel of the cross.

But younger Christians are more likely to disagree. Many millennial and Gen Z South Africans embrace burning incense, joining initiation ceremonies for sagomas (called ukuthwasa), donning ancestral bangles, and reciting ancestral idioms, all with Bible in hand.

As an Africanist awakening sweeps young Black South Africans, many have been calling for the decolonization of their society and institutions, including Christianity.

They are Christian, they are under 30 years of age, they make the majority of South Africas population demographics. They are unlike their parents who grew up under a strict dogma of obeying Lutheran, Catholic, or Presbyterian missionaries, said one online sangoma, who goes by the handle luthandolove00.

Another sangoma, Gogo Khanyakude, offers online dream interpretation and crossover meditation for a millennial clientele. I grew up in a Christian home, Khanyakude said, and theres no conflict in mixing my Christian faith with the sangoma calling work.

Many online sangomas say they and fellow healers grew up serving in church, singing in the choir, or leading Sunday Bible school, but they couldnt resist the pull of ancestral calling, which they say they experienced through dreams, possession, or illness that couldnt be prayed away by their pastors.

Some churches in the area dont see sangoma rituals as a contradiction to the gospel. Shembe Church in South Africathe oldest denomination blending ancestor worship and Christianity in the countrywelcomes the use of sangomas and attending their initiation ceremonies.

African spiritualism is a noble way to tame the relentless influence of European Christianism in South Africa, said bishop Bulawayo Dhoro of Shembe Church. We dont see a contradiction but a wonderful blend of two faiths to make them one. In fact, a dozen of our pastors are sangomas too.

Other Christians see a much greater risk to adding other sources of healing and guidance beyond Christ and his Word. Christian sangomas will damage the integrity of the Christian faith in South Africa if they are tolerated in mainstream churches, said pastor Ezikiel Mamokethe, a retired Presbyterian cleric.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C17NH4VIOM-/

Actor Thabiso Mokhethi quit being a sangoma to pursue ministry and now advises that those who say they can do both are deceived.

When it comes to God, he has no equal. He cannot share his glory, he said on the Street Talk podcast earlier this year. People are lost.  As long as you are submitting to the ancestorial world, you are out of the kingdom of God.

In April, actress Brenda Ngxoli also announced that she left sangomahood for motherhood and Christianity.

Some dodgy sangomas in South Africa use voice apps to create fake online sessions where cloned voices of ancestors are relayed to gullible clients on WhatsApp or Facebook.

Syndicates of these fake sangomas have fleeced unsuspecting victims of millions of dollars using a combination of hallucinogenic drugs, romance scams, and promises of spiritual encounters with departed ancestors, the South Africa Police Service warned recently.

They are swaying many souls from the gospel of truth, said Mamokethe. Churches must have the courage to excommunicate believers who dabble as sangomas. Its a scam.

According to the pastor, only gullible churches would welcome Christian sangomas.
Home Books Matt Chandler on reclaiming Revelation's 'hijacked' message of hope 'for such a time as this'

Matt Chandler, the lead pastor of The Village Church, believes that over the last 150 years, the book of Revelation has been hijacked, read solely as a prophecy for End Times events and shaped by modern circumstances like conflicts and natural phenomena.

This isn't going to make me a lot of friends, the 49-year-old pastor told The Christian Post. But [Revelation] actually got hijacked in the '70s, in particular, and it became this really scary, terrifying thing. It's always been a bit confusing because it's apocalyptic.

While John Nelson Darbys dispensationalist influence shifted the narrative of Revelation several decades ago, according to Chandler, the book must be understood within its original context to understand its power.

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

Though written around A.D. 96 as a message to the seven churches in Asia Minor to help them withstand their struggles with the Roman Empire and local imperial cults, he contended that Revelation offers timeless encouragement for Christians to live boldly in faith.

For 2,000 years, [Revelation] put steel in the spines of Christians, empowered and encouraged them to live boldly as overcomers, he said. I'm taking that phrase straight from the letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, where Jesus says, To he who overcomes. To each one of the churches, He has this promise that if you'll overcome, here's the reward.

While reading through Revelation, Chandler said he was struck by the parallels between the struggles of the early Church and the modern day, particularly regarding the spiritual and emotional challenges he witnessed in his congregation post-COVID-19.

Man, I just had fresh eyes for that book, he said. I was like, this is a book that speaks so perfectly into this moment of history.  After COVID, it seemed like, both spiritually and emotionally, people were stuck on their couches. I was just watching the congregation not get back to those rhythms that made me love pastoring this church.

So, Chandler did what he does best: he preached a sermon series on Revelation and its little-acknowledged message of hope and encouragement, and the response was overwhelming.

I don't think I've ever preached anything that resonated quite like that, he said. You could feel it at The Village. But then, on top of that, [the sermons were] getting downloaded like a million times. It just blew up. As I considered how I might help broader Evangelicals in this moment, I thought, Let me write some of this out.

In his new book The Overcomers: God's Vision for You to Thrive in an Age of Anxiety and Outrage, Chandler draws on Revelation to impress upon Christians that no matter how daunting the world may seem, they are uniquely wired, uniquely gifted and uniquely placed for this moment for all of God's purposes.

Not just the blue-checks-celebrity-charismatic type, but stay-at-home moms, the welder, the businessman, the dentist, he said. Everyday Christians have a significant role to play in this moment."

Ive got this burning belief that however disorienting these times are, theyre times Gods placed us here. Nobodys coming to bail us out.  C.S. Lewis isnt coming, G.K. Chesterton isnt coming to assess the political climate. And God's not panicked about that; God's actually pretty excited. He thinks He's got the right team on the field.

For all the hand-wringing and acquiescing or remaining silent in this moment of history, I just thought, 'Wait, no. This is perfect for the Gospel.' People are so anxious; what an opportunity to introduce them to the One that can take their anxiety."

In his book, Chandler elaborates on three essential principles: recognizing every individuals inherent dignity as an image-bearer of God, embracing one's primary identity as a child of God and understanding one's unique gifts and calling.

I think these are the three things that start to pull us out of anxiety, the navel-gazing kind of moral betterment  moralistic deism, he said. That grid of Christianity creates more anxiety and fear and makes us shrink back more than we should. We've got to get back to understanding primary identity, my enemies are not humankind, and God has a significant and uniquely-mined ministry given to me.

Chandlers advocacy for a mission-oriented, engaged faith aligns with his experience in ministry and church planting. As the Executive Chairman of the Acts 29 Network, a large church planting community that trains and equips church planters across the globe, he urges new church communities to enter the fray with the biblical compassion and empathy of the Kingdom.

Simple faithfulness, the pastor said, is the key to impacting society positively. He recounted examples of ministry from The Village Church, including a dentist and his wife providing temporary shelter for a womans children while she worked to overcome addiction, a restaurant owner hosting monthly worship services, and church members hosting neighborhood prayer walks to bless homes and open doors to spiritual conversations:

All of a sudden, we're doing real ministry on our street, Chandler said. These arent elders and deacons and small group leaders. These are just families walking around their neighborhood, doing the work of the Kingdom.

In an age defined by outrage and anxiety, Chandler said he hopes his book will inspire everyday Christians to realize their pivotal role exactly where they are. Simple faithfulness, he reiterated, can create a ripple effect that transforms communities.

If you could extrapolate that across evangelicalism  stay-at-home moms, welders, businessmen, and entrepreneurs engaging with the world around them  with the love of Christ  I think we could see a real renewal and outpouring of the Spirit in our day, Chandler said.

I'm writing the book trying to blow wind into the sails of everyday, average people  the Church has grown across the world, thanks to the everyday, simple faithfulness of normal men and women. Thats what I'm hoping comes from this book.

The Overcomers is now available.
Home News Atlanta to pay $3.8M to family of deacon who died in struggle with officer

The family of 62-year-old Georgia deacon Johnny Hollman, who died last August after an Atlanta Police Department officer tasered him during a scuffle stemming from a motor vehicle accident, will be paid $3.8 million to settle a federal lawsuit.

Hollman, who served as chairman of the deacon board at The Lively Stones of God Ministries Church in Atlanta, died on Aug. 11 after being tasered by former APD officer Kiran Kimbrough on the night of Aug. 10.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner stated in October that the shock from the taser sent him into Cardiac Dysrhythmia.

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 late deacons family filed a lawsuit in January, naming Kimbrough  fired in October 2023  and Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. The filing alleges that Kimbrough used excessive force after the decon refused to sign a citation, finding him at fault for the accident.

On Monday, the Atlanta City Council unanimously approved the $3.8 million settlement, 11 Alive reported.

My thoughts remain with the Hollman family, and while nothing can undo what has been done, my priority was to get this family as close to full closure from this unfortunate tragedy as soon as possible, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement.

Significant changes to procedures following the incident have been made, which include the new CARES unit  whose first members training should conclude next month.

Attorneys said the family wasnt just suing for Hollmans death but also hoped to change the culture at the APD that allowed his death to happen.

Kimbrough's firing followed an autopsy report concluding that the deacons death was a homicide.

After the accident, Kimbrough was dispatched to the scene at approximately 11:20 p.m. When he arrived, Kimbrough determined that the deacon was at fault for the accident and attempted to issue him a traffic citation.

Hollman, reportedly on his way home from a Bible study at his church, became agitated and uncooperative. When Kimbrough tried to arrest the deacon, a struggle erupted on the scene. After a few minutes of struggling with the deacon, Kimbrough fired his taser and then placed the 62-year-old in handcuffs with the help of a witness.

In the body camera video of the incident, a frustrated Hollman argues with the officer, saying he wasn't at fault in the accident at Cunningham Place and Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard in Southwest Atlanta.

"You're not going to scream at me. You understand what I'm telling you? Now you're either going to sign the ticket or you're going to go to jail," Kimbrough told Hollman.

As he repeated "sign the ticket," Kimbrough tried to grab Hollman, leading to the controversial struggle.

"Why are you doing this to me, man? I'm an old man," Hollman shouted as Kimbrough pulled out his taser.

Kimbrough later realized that the deacon had become unresponsive after he was placed in handcuffs and called EMS to the scene. Hollman was later taken to Grady Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Home News Billy Graham statue to be unveiled in US Capitol: 'Great honor'

The late evangelist Billy Graham will take his place next week among 200 Americans honored with a statue in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Graham's statue will be unveiled next Thursday during an 11 a.m. ceremony that will be attended by musician Michael W. Smith, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. and other congressional representatives, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association announced.

The bronze sculpture, designed by an artist from Graham's birthplace of Charlotte, North Carolina, will stand seven feet tall on a pedestal and depict him gesturing toward an open Bible in his hand as a symbol of his life's work.

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 pedestal will be engraved with John 3:16 and John 14:6, and Graham will be proclaimed as a "Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

After the North Carolina General Assembly unanimously voted him the state's "Favorite Son" in 2013, then-Gov. Pat McCrory signed House Bill 540 in 2015, which set in motion the Graham statue.

"There have been many great North Carolinians, but few have impacted the world more than Billy Graham," the bill said.

Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., who played a role in the bipartisan effort to place the statue in the Capitol, praised Graham's ministry in a statement.

"The legacy of Rev. Billy Graham is based on his simple message of forgiveness based on John 3:16. His lifelong commitment to preaching the Gospel, his fight for civil rights, his opposition to communism, and his spiritual guidance provided hope to hundreds of millions," he said.

"He was the first private citizen from North Carolina to lie in honor in the United States Capitol and his likeness should stand in the U.S. Capitol forever," Budd added.

Graham's son, Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, expressed gratitude for the honor shown toward his father.

"This is a great honor and my father would be humbled and grateful," Graham said. "At the same time, he would not want the attention on himself but on God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ."

When he died in 2018 at 99, Graham became the fourth American citizen to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Over his ministry spanning eight decades, he counseled 12 U.S. presidents and preached in person to nearly 215 million people in 185 countries and territories, more than anyone in history.

In his last message to Americans, released on his 95th birthday in 2013, Graham expressed grief over the spiritual state of the U.S., saying, "There have been times when I've wept, as I've gone from city to city and I've seen how far people have wandered from God."

National Statuary Hall was established in 1864 for states to commemorate their notable citizens, but Congress passed a resolution in 1933 to limit each state to two statues after the hall became overcrowded. One statue per state is allowed in Statuary Hall, with the other statues placed in either the Crypt or the Capitol Visitor Center.

Other statues currently representing North Carolina in the Capitol include former Gov. Charles Brantley Aycock and Zebulon Baird Vance, who served as governor of the state during the Civil War.
Home News Chicago Teachers Union demands $50B to cover pay hikes, free abortions, embryo storage

The Chicago Teachers Union is demanding $50 billion in its contract negotiations to pay for wage increases, abortions, migrant services and "gender-neutral bathrooms" for every school district, according to leaked documents.

While the union's demands have not been made public, a leaked document shows that CTU asked for a minimum 9% wage increase yearly through fiscal year 2028. The union also demanded full coverage of abortions for public school employees in addition to fertility benefits to cover the cost of storing frozen embryos.

Earlier this year, local news outlet WLS reported that Chicago teachers requested additional resources after 5,000 migrant students enrolled in the district, including more bilingual teachers and full tuition coverage for teachers to obtain a bilingual certificate.

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

Among CTU's leaked set of demands, the union called for earmarking $2,000 for each migrant student to help with their academics and cover the cost of transportation and mental health counseling.

In addition, CTU demanded all 646 schools within the district have a "newcomer liaison" for new and migrant students. The teachers' union also wants to convert unused school facilities into shelters for homeless migrants.

The list of demands also included a series of LGBT-related provisions, with CTU calling for every school in the district to have at least one "gender-neutral restroom" and annual LGBT training for educators.

The union also expressed opposition to policies requiring CTU union members from having to inform parents if their child is having trouble identifying with their sex. CTU's demand comes as parents at school districts throughout the country have driven attention to the issue through lawsuits.

The Chicago Teachers Union did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment.

According to a March editorial in The Chicago Tribune, the CPS budget is already up 30% from $7.4 billion just five years ago, and the budget will exceed $9 billion this year. The increase is reportedly due to teacher salaries, which are some of the highest compared to educators teaching in districts within other large cities.

The union's president, Stacy Davis Gates, defended the demands, stating, "We are asking you to give us an opportunity to tell our story." Gates added that CTU's proposal would cost $50 billion and three cents but seemed to push back when pressed on where the money for the extra funding would come from. "And so what, that's audacity," the newspaper quoted her as saying. "That's Chicago."

The Illinois Policy Institute, a conservative nonprofit think tank, reported in March that the average salary of a CPS teacher is $93,182. The think tank's Director of Fiscal and Economic Research, Bryce Hill, noted in his report that if the union is successful in negotiating a pay increase, that would "boost the average teacher's pay by half to $144,620 in the 2027-2028 school year."

"Teacher pay rose more than $43,000 since 2012  nearly triple the private-sector salary increase," Hill wrote.

In April, Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy and a staff attorney for the Illinois Policy Institute, highlighted CTU's demands for two more days off, which Smith noted seems "reasonable."

"Except CTU's contract already provides extraordinary opportunities for time off and leave from work," Smith wrote. "Currently, teachers can take at least 43 days off during the year and can apply for at least 15 different types of paid or unpaid leave. But that's not enough for CTU."

Smith noted that the union wants an annual "personal medical release day" that members can use for wellness appointments in addition to the 12 sick days and three personal days already in their contract.

According to the Nation's Report Card, only 20% of fourth-grade students in Chicago performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level in mathematics in 2022, and only 22% performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level in reading. Regarding eighth-graders in Chicago, only 16% performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level in mathematics, and 21% performed at the same level for reading.
Home News Florida county's only elementary school pulls Christian club after atheist group complains

The only elementary school in a rural Florida county removed a Christian club following a complaint from a Wisconsin-based atheist activist organization, prompting criticism from a religious liberty nonprofit.

Hamilton County Elementary School yanked its chapter of the North Central Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes after the Freedom from Religion Foundation sent a letter accusing the school of violating the U.S. Constitution.

FFRF, which touts itself as the largest atheist legal group in the U.S. and has sued on behalf of The Satanic Temple regarding its after-school clubs, routinely sends letters to public schools demanding them to remove Christian groups, imagery or music.

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

Citing a Facebook post showing a photo of the FCA chapter gathering at the school, FFRF Legal Fellow Sammi Lawrence wrote in her March 29 letter that the school was guilty of a "constitutional violation" by allowing the Christian club to happen.

While the 1984 Equal Access Act allows public high schools to permit a religious school, the law does not apply to elementary schools, Lawrence argued.

"Any claims that the Hamilton Elementary FCA club is 'student led' are at best naive and at worst dishonest," Lawrence said. "Young children cannot practically initiate, organize, and run an FCA club on their own, meaning adults are the ones truly behind the club."

Lawrence urged the school district to "investigate this matter," adding that the school "cannot allow Hamilton Elementary to violate students' First Amendment rights by organizing, leading, and promoting a religious club for elementary school children."

Meagan Logan, an attorney representing the school district, stated in her April 22 response to FRFF that the school's investigation found "a small group of fifth graders" had been participating in the FCA club, which was then disbanded as the group demanded.

"While these same students will be eligible to participate in FCA on the campus of Hamilton County High School in a few short months as six graders, in an effort to avoid any perception that such a gathering on the campus of Hamilton Elementary is being organized, promoted or endorsed by the District or its employees, the club has been dispersed," Logan wrote.

FFRF subsequently issued a statement praising the school for its decision to disband the "unconstitutional elementary school religious club."

"The Hamilton County School District ought to know better than allowing a religious group free access to students during the day," FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor said in the release. "School districts exist to educate, not indoctrinate into religion."

Hamilton County School District did not respond to The Christian Post's request for comment.

Justin Butterfield, who serves as senior counsel for the religious liberty nonprofit First Liberty Institute, was critical of the school's response to FRFF.

"Banning students from having a religious club at a school while permitting other, secular clubs is a travesty that teaches children their faith is unwelcome and must be hidden," Butterfield said in a statement.

"The Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that students' religious viewpoints are protected by the First Amendment and that students do not give up their free speech rights while at school  including elementary schools," Butterfield continued.

"When groups like FFRF pressure schools to ban religious student clubs like FCA while permitting secular clubs, those groups are pressuring schools to break the law," he added.
Home News Man sentenced to 12 years in prison for putting hidden camera in NY church bathroom

A New York man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of placing a hidden camera in the showers of a churchs bathroom in order to film minors.

Stephen Nicot, a 61-year-old resident of Rochester, was sentenced to 144 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr. after being convicted of receiving child pornography.

Nicot's sentencing was announced Tuesday in a press release from the office of U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, Western District of New York.

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 the press release, Nicot had positioned a camera in a church bathroom and shower in order to film naked individuals, including minors, with the intention of displaying the video and images.

On July 21, 2022, authorities searched Nicots residence and recovered a memory card and USB drive that contained videos and images of at least five children using the church bathroom and shower. Law enforcement also seized two cell phones, both of which contained images of a naked minor victim recorded by a camera hidden in a bathroom of his residence.

Nicot was arrested last year and charged with production and possession of child pornography, which has a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years behind bars.

The memory card that authorities discovered was kept within a copy of the book Jesus Among Other Gods, according to the Rochester-based news outlet the Democrat & Chronicle.

Last June, Nicot was released from jail pending a later court appearance under the condition that he undergo GPS monitoring, surrender his passport, computer monitoring, and was prohibited from being around anyone younger than 18 without "the direct supervision of a responsible adult," reported the D&C.

In January, Nicot pleaded guilty to the charge of receipt of child pornography, which has a minimum penalty of five years of prison and a maximum of 20 years and a $250,000 fine.

The guilty plea came as a result of an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriffs Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Home News Mica Miller bought gun, told police Im about to kill myself in 911 call

The Robeson County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina presented a detailed report of clear and compelling evidence Tuesday showing that Mica Miller took her own life, including a 911 call in which she told a dispatcher, Im about to kill myself, and I just want my family to know where to find me.

First, let me say on behalf of the Robeson County Sheriffs Office that our sincere condolences are being sent to the family and friends of Mica Miller, Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said in a media release on Tuesday.

This incident has garnered much attention from across the Carolinas and beyond. I want to assure everyone that a very methodical investigation was conducted by our Criminal Investigations Team and Crime Scene Investigative Team, he explained while adding that rumors and conspiracy theories had muddied the narrative of what happened to Mica Miller since her husband, Pastor John-Paul Miller of Solid Rock at Market Common in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, told his congregation that she had died by suicide on April 27.

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

Unfortunately, rumors and conspiracy theories were spreading quickly, and assumptions were being made. However, in the end, we must make decisions based on the facts and evidence that has been gathered. While I know its not what many people wanted to hear, the evidence is quite clear and compelling, and we are as saddened as anyone that this occurred, Wilkins said.

There are many factors that we have reviewed that occurred over an extended period of time that are probably related to the reason for this investigation, but in the end, sadly, a tragic decision was made by Mica that ended her life.

Wilkins said at approximately 2:54 p.m. on April 27, Mica Miller called the Robeson County E911 dispatcher and revealed she was about to kill herself and just wanted her family to know where to find her body. She then hung up.

Police traced the call to the Lumber River State Park in Orrum, North Carolina, where they searched for Miller with the help of a drone. They found her black Honda Accord and inside they found a Sig Sauer gun case in the passenger seat of the vehicle and a box of ammunition in the center console of the vehicle. A receipt inside the vehicle showed that the gun was purchased from a pawn shop that same day.

As investigators kept searching for Miller, they noted that an individual who had found a bag near the water edge with an identification belonging to Miller also stated that he heard someone crying and a gunshot while he was fishing.

Millers body was eventually found in the river. Other belongings including her phone were found. A search of the phone of the late pastors wife shows she searched on Google for national parks near me.

The investigation also revealed that Miller and her estranged husband (John-Paul Miller) had been separated and were involved in the legal system. This information led to the investigators confirming the whereabouts of Miller and a female that he is allegedly romantically involved with. Investigators were able to confirm that both individuals were not in North Carolina on the night before and the day of the Millers death, the release said.

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 had not yet confirmed an official cause of death. Pastor Millers decision to preach before making the announcement and the manner in which he relayed the news led some to speculate online that his wife had been murdered.

In an interview with The Christian Post, however, Pastor Miller explained that his late wife was diagnosed with bipolar II, schizophrenic and dependent personality disorder in 2017 and he had been trying to manage it with lithium and significant support since then. He said that as long as she took her medication, his wife would be fine. Mica, however, had a roller coaster relationship with her treatment regime.

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 [about] 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.
Home News Mississippi Supreme Court rules private schools eligible for emergency relief funds

The Mississippi Supreme Court has sided with a group of private schools and reversed a lower court ruling that prevented those institutions from accessing COVID-19 relief funds.

The state's high court ruled in favor of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools last week by determining that the group can access federal funds. The court's decision reverses a lower court opinion siding with the organization Parents for Public Schools, which sought to block the group of independent schools from obtaining the funding.

"The funds at issue in this case are not derived from state or local ad valorem taxes, but from federal treasury funds distributed to the state from the federal government for specific purposes unrelated to education," the majority opinion, written by Justice Robert P. Chamberlain, states.

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

"Therefore, PPS is unable to establish standing based on its members' position as taxpayers."

Buck Dougherty, senior counsel with the Liberty Justice Center, which represents the private school association, said his organization is "thrilled" by the court's ruling.

"The allegations made by the petitioners against independent schools relied on an unconstitutional and unconscionable Blaine Amendment, historically used to discriminate against religious and racial minorities," Dougherty said in a statement.

"The Court was right to set aside the petitioners' claim and focus on the fact that the money should be used for what the Mississippi Legislature set it aside for: independent schools' infrastructure."

Two bills passed by the Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature and approved by Republican Gov. Tate Reeves in 2022 created the Independent School Infrastructure Grant Program Act.

The program enabled independent schools to "apply for reimbursable grants to make necessary investments in water, wastewater, stormwater, broadband and other eligible infrastructure projects to be funded by the Legislature using Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds made available under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)." The total amount of funding available to private schools by the legislature amounted to $10 million.

Parents for Public Schools alleged that funding the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools violated Section 208 of the Mississippi Constitution, which prohibits appropriating state funds to non-public schools. The Mississippi Supreme Court determined that Parents for Public Schools did not have standing to bring the lawsuit, as they were not directly harmed by the provision of funds to the private schools.

Justice Leslie King authored a dissenting opinion, joined by Justice James Kitchens.

"PPS alleges that it has standing due to an adverse effect its members experience

because the bills give a competitive advantage to private schools over public schools as well as due to taxpayer standing," King wrote. "The chancery court declined to address taxpayer standing because it found that PPS had standing under traditional notions of standing, holding that PPS experienced an adverse effect from the bills."

"This case begs the question: if parents of public school children are not sufficiently

adversely impacted to challenge this government action, who is?" the dissent continues.

The litigation surrounding the funding authorized by the Mississippi Legislature dates back to June 2022, when Parents for Public Schools asked a judge to set aside the laws establishing the Independent School Infrastructure Grant Program Act because of concerns that they violated Section 208.

Later that summer, the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools filed a motion to intervene, challenging the constitutionality of Section 208. Dougherty denounced Section 208 as unconstitutional earlier this year when arguing on behalf of his client before the Mississippi Supreme Court.

"This case begins and ends with a century-old provision in the Mississippi constitution that was born of racial and religious discrimination," he said at the time. "Section 208 was enacted in 1890 and designed to prevent independent schools like those affiliated with MAIS from accessing educational funding."

"Mississippi's Blaine Amendment targeted independent schools that dared to teach Catholic immigrants and newly freed slaves to read and write, and there's no way to sidestep that ugly past. Ultimately, the tension between this discriminatory provision in Mississippi's constitution and the U.S. Constitution has been festering for a century."

The Midsouth Association of Independent Schools contends that Section 208 of the Mississippi Constitution violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Last week's Mississippi Supreme Court ruling did not resolve that issue, as the entire ruling focused on Parents for Public Schools' standing.

The case involving the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools is not the first example of a court deciding that private schools can use taxpayer dollars.

In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the state of Maine cannot bar parents from using a state tuition assistance program to send children to religious schools.
Home News More Catholics, Protestants want 'less strict' abortion laws after Roe reversal, Gallup finds

An increasing share of Catholics and Protestants say they support less strict abortion laws after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last June returned to the states the power to make their own abortion laws, a new poll suggests.

Gallup released a poll on Feb. 10 that found a plurality of Catholics (38%) and Protestants (37%) describe themselves as "dissatisfied" with the state of abortion laws in the United States because they wanted to see them become "less strict."

The poll, which sampled 1,011 U.S. adults from Jan. 2-22 with a 4 percentage-point error margin, illustrated a noticeable shift in public opinion since the same question was posed to Catholics and Christians last year.

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

In 2022, a plurality of Catholics (28%) described themselves as satisfied with U.S. abortion policy, while a plurality of Protestants (30%) said they were dissatisfied because they wanted stricter abortion laws.

The 2023 Gallup survey marks the first time the polling company has measured public sentiment on abortion since the Supreme Court issued its Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling that overruled the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The court determined that the U.S. Constitution does not and never has contained a right to abortion.

This year, 30% of both Catholics and Protestant respondents characterized themselves as satisfied with abortion laws in the U.S.

The share of Protestants satisfied with U.S. abortion policy rose sharply from 21% in 2022. Meanwhile, the percentage of Catholics who would prefer stricter abortion laws dropped from 21% last year to 15% this year, while a drop from 30% to 20% occurred among Protestants.

The percentage of Catholics expressing a desire for less strict abortion laws nearly doubled from 22% in 2022 to 38% this year. The share of Protestants who said the same rose from 25% last year to 37% this year.

Respondents identifying with "no religion" were the most likely to support less strict abortion laws in 2022 and 2023 (47% in 2022 to a solid majority of 69% in 2023).

The percentage of non-religious adults satisfied with abortion laws dropped from 26% to 18% in the past year. The already low share of non-religious wanting stricter abortion laws in 2022 (10%) decreased even further in 2023 to 5%.

Among the U.S. population, the desire for less strict abortion laws reached a record high of 46% in 2023, while the share of those who want more stringent abortion laws fell to a low of 15%.

A record share of Democrats (74%), independents (44%) and Republicans (17%) expressed support for less strict abortion laws this year.

Following the last June's Supreme Court decision in Dobbs, abortion laws now vary by state.

According to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, 14 states have total or near-total bans on abortion: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. In Arizona, Indiana, North Dakota, Ohio, Utah and Wyoming, similar bans are tied up in court. A near-total ban on abortion will soon take effect in Iowa.

Florida has enacted a ban on abortions after 15 weeks gestation. The remaining 29 states have "few or no limits on abortion."

While Gallup's poll suggests that a higher share of Americans say they want more lenient laws on abortion, other polls have found that most Americans favor laws that restrict late-term abortions.

Pro-life critics have warned that many mainstream polling outlets don't adequately provide respondents with enough context about the abortion issue to truly get a sense of what they think on the matter.

Some polls suggest that most Americans support bans on abortion past 15 weeks of gestation, which is the limit enacted by Mississippi that led to the Dobbs case.

A Harvard-Harris poll of nearly 2,000 Americans conducted just before the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Dobbs case in December 2021 found that 56% of respondents support abortion restrictions after 15 weeks.

The Harvard-Harris poll provided respondents with the context that the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade allowed women to have abortions within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. Thirty-eight percent of respondents supported letting that decision stand, while 32% supported repealing it altogether. Another 24% of respondents said they wanted abortion limited after 15 weeks of gestation.
Work on a Mother's Day collection begins more than a year before it will debut. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

As this weekends Mothers Day approaches, designers at James Avery will have already planned for next years holiday.



In an airy, sunlit studio in the Hill Country, a team of eight designers brainstorm ideas a year and a half out from any collections release, and the Mothers Day collection is important. The holiday is the companys biggest for sales in the year, second to Christmas.

TEXAS BRANDS: The history behind iconic brands of Texas

This year there are 40 new designs  such as the Country Mom charm with cowboy boots and flowers  for a total of 1,200 pieces in James Averys line. When creating a collection, designers at the 70-year-old, family-owned retailer weigh sales data, as well as the companys values and tradition.

Its kind of hard to even put into words how we figure out whats on brand and whats not. Theres a lot of people involved in the decision-making, said Sarah Herr, vice president of merchandising and design.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The company was founded in 1954 by Army Air Corps veteran James Avery, who branched out to sterling silver jewelry after working as a craftsman. His first design, a simple Latin cross, is still sold today.

Texas jeweler James Avery designs special collections each year for Mother's Day. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

We want to always be moving forward but not forget where we came from, and make sure were also honoring our past, Herr said.

The design process, however, is at times more math than art. The merchandising team uses sales data to see what designs shoppers prefer, Herr said. Based on those preferences, that team creates what it calls a line plan for the design team to satisfy.

Its really driven by what our guests are telling us, she said. If they like something, we know it and were paying attention.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

For example, she said, the merchandising team knew that customers like gemstones. Based on that information, designers layered gemstones in jewelry for Mothers Day 2018.

Herr said designers also draw inspiration from current trends, life experiences, hobbies and nature  using sunflowers, for example, in a collection for Mothers Day 2020.

Our guests really like and respond to some beautiful floral pieces that we do, some of our pieces that are inspired by nature. So were kind of always tuned into that, Herr said.

All told, the jeweler adds over 130 new items each year. Herr pointed to several unique designs that Texans embraced, including a concha charm, released in April, modeled after the Mexican pan dulce with a seashell-like pattern, and a tiny charm modeled after a half-gallon of Blue Bell ice cream, made in partnership with the Brenham-based company.

Among the companys most popular designs is Mothers Love released in 1996, a heart resembling a mother bending over a child.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
U.S. Is 1 Of 8 Nations With Abortion Up To Birth, Pro-Israel Rally At USC, Inquiry Into FBI Diversity Hires

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:44 06:44

Top headlines for Wednesday, May 8, 2024



In today's episode, pro-choice advocates express outrage against bans in several states, reflecting on the larger context of the U.S.'s position among the few countries allowing late-term abortions. Next, we shift to the University of Southern California, where a Washington state church and Christian artist Sean Feucht are set to amplify their support for Israel through a dedicated rally. In the corridors of power, Congressman Jim Jordan questions the FBI's practices around diversity, equity, and inclusion, sparking a broader conversation on governmental hiring practices. Lastly, we share a gripping tale of faith and survival from Pennsylvania, where a pastor attributes his escape from an attempted shooting during his sermon to divine intervention.
Home Opinion What the Bible says about the Man vs. Bear debate

A social media trend asking women if they would rather encounter a bear or a man in the woods sparked a massive debate last week, with one video response compilation receiving around 2 million impressions and the #manvsbear hashtag appearing in close to 8,000 TikTok posts (according to Forbes).

Most women chose the bear, citing reasons such as knowing what to expect from a bear and preferring death to a potential sexual assault. Predictably, a backlash occurred defending men against what is perceived as a stereotypical leftist attack against masculinity  but is that really whats happening?

Common sense, social science, and Scripture say no.

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

First, lets use common sense. Anyone who spends time in the wilderness knows they are entering the territory of wild animals. If youre loud enough they will likely run and hide before you see them, and if not, at least you understand what theyre doing there. A man in the middle of the woods could be there for any number of reasons, so a woman might be startled. A bear is afraid of a human, but a man is not (generally speaking) afraid of a woman.

By virtue of her species a woman has an advantage over the bear that she doesnt have over a man. Even Genesis supports this, with God having given mankind dominion over the Earth before the fall. If the bear does attack  especially an aggressive bear such as a grizzly  the woman doesnt stand a chance, but a black bear is quite likely to flee if you play your cards right.



Women arent stupid, we know this.

Second, an appeal to social science (the study of fallen humanity). According to sentencingproject.org, 64% of male prisoners committed violent crime as opposed to 45% of female prisoners, and according to a statista.com article from 2017, 93.2% of the approximately 185,500 federal inmates are men, and only 6.8% are women. Therefore, while most men are not physical or sexual predators, most physical and sexual predators are men. Many women have never been attacked by a bear but have been assaulted by a human male.

If the debate was woman vs. bear, that would be one thing. First, a woman is less likely to be predatory (going by the earlier crime stats). Second, a predatory woman is unlikely to physically attack another woman in the woods, as female psychopathy tends to manifest differently than male psychopathy (if youre a movie person you might think of White Oleander, Mommy Dearest, Mean Girls, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, etc.).

Even if a woman does encounter a violent predatory female in the woods, she has a decent chance of being evenly matched with her for strength and therefore of defending herself. Even in the unlikely event of encountering a sexually predatory and violent woman in the woods who does overpower another female, Ill spare the graphic details but lets just say she certainly isnt at risk of pregnancy.

At this point I want to emphasize that there are predatory and psychopathic women in the world, and many men have been abused and destroyed by them (usually not physically). Two things can be true at once.

Margaret Atwood wrote a fascinating novel called Robber Bride which gives an uncanny depiction of predatory female behavior. At the very least, it accurately describes the predatory females Ive known. (They arent likely to pose a threat to a man or woman alone in the woods  but hide your kids, your money and your husbands.) Most women arent this way, but they exist just as predatory men do.

Which brings me to the scriptural perspective. The battle of the sexes is written right in the original curse of the fall in Genesis 3:16: Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.

By design women were always at a physical disadvantage, but after the fall that disadvantage became dangerous. As Christians its intellectually dishonest to ignore this piece of information. A womans intelligence and gifts of persuasion were not meant to be used to control men, but we had the fall and sometimes they are.

A mans strength was not meant to be used to rule and overpower women, but we had the fall and sometimes it is. Why would a Christian be surprised by women fearing an encounter with a man alone in the woods?

When King David had his season of rebellion, he was offered the choice of judgment at the hands of men or at the hands of God. King Davids own words in 2 Samuel 24:14 were, I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man. If King David preferred an act of God to falling into the hands of men, why are Christians offended by women preferring a potentially predatory bear to a potentially predatory man?

Indeed, a bear is quite a biblical form of Gods judgment as Elisha demonstrated in 2 Kings 2:24. Those female bears mauled 42 youth in response to a curse in the name of the Lord. Perhaps it isnt a stretch to compare women preferring the bear in the woods to King David preferring to fall into the hands of God.

For instances of men physically overpowering women in Scripture, one can look at Dinah being violated by Shechem in Genesis 34:2, Tamar being violated by Amnon in 2 Samual 13, Bathshebas much-debated relationship with King David in 2 Samuel 11, and even we see Esther had little choice in being taken as a kings concubine in Esther 2:8. Sarah had little choice in being handed over to Abimelech by her husband, Abraham, in Genesis 20.

Mosaic law recognized the reality of a woman being unable to resist a mans advances against her in Deut. 22:25-7: But if a man finds a betrothed young woman in the countryside, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die. But you shall do nothing to the young woman; there is in the young woman no sin deserving of death, for just as when a man rises against his neighbor and kills him, even so is this matter. For he found her in the countryside, and the betrothed young woman cried out, but there was no one to save her.

Again, if Scripture recognizes the threat a woman faces when she encounters a man alone in the wilderness, Christians today should be supporting the women who say they would rather die at the hands of a bear than face a potential sexual assault.

The Bible also shows us predatory women. Potiphars wife sexually assaulted Joseph, and when she could not physically overpower him had him thrown in jail (Genesis 39:7-20). Jezebel was a predatory woman who relied on manipulation rather than strength, and so was Delilah.

Most of us have seen enough true crime shows and news reports to know that women are capably of physically attacking men given the right weapon and circumstances, and some have killed their own children. That a woman has cause to fear a mans physical strength does not absolve all womankind of ill-intent or wrongdoing: abuse is not sex-specific. It is simply one reality of the fallen world we find ourselves in.

Rather than fall victim to the mad squabbling of our polarized generation, we would do well to open our eyes and ears to the suffering of the many women sharing stories of abuse without denying the stories shared by men in response. Our goal as followers of Christ should be to resist the effects of the curse of the fall by encouraging harmony, safety and understanding between men and women both within families and in culture. To do this in a day and age that commodifies strife is difficult, and that is exactly why it falls to us to do it.
Six Christians killed, eight wounded in Kaduna state, Nigeria

Fulani herdsmen on Sunday raided a village in southern Kaduna state, Nigeria, killing six Christians, area residents said.

A large number of herdsmen raided predominantly Christian Ambe village, Sanga County, at about midnight as residents were sleeping, said Zachariah Sanga.

"They were armed with deadly weapons like guns, machetes, and cudgels," Sanga told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. "The herdsmen on arrival shot into houses and at anyone they sighted."

Along with the six Christians slain, eight others were also wounded, he said.

Daniel Amos, a member of Nigeria's National Assembly, confirmed in a press statement on Monday (May 6) that six innocent people were killed, and that eight others were wounded and receiving medical treatment.

"I strongly condemn this heinous act, which is another attempt to destabilize the peace and security in my constituency and our dear state," Amos said. "It is unacceptable that our people cannot live in peace without fear of being attacked by these criminal elements."

The legislator called on Nigeria's security agencies to make end the violence that threatens the existence of Christians in Kaduna state.

"I also call on the security agencies to act swiftly to apprehend the perpetrators of this evil act and bring them to justice," he said. "The safety of our people must remain a top priority. We cannot allow the criminals to continue to operate with impunity."

Mansir Hassan, spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, said in a press statement that villagers had apprehended one of the assailants, and that police were investigating.

Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors' 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300.

Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdom's All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

"They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity," the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria's Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians' lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.

 2024 Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Author and University of Houston professor Cristina Rivera Garza Rivera Garza earned a Pulitzer Prize for her memoir, Lilianas Invincible Summer. MacArthur Foundation Author and University of Houston professor Cristina Rivera Garza Rivera Garza earned a Pulitzer Prize for her memoir, Lilianas Invincible Summer. John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation "Liliana's Invincible Summer: A Sister's Search for Justice" by Cristina Rivera Garza, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for memoir or autobiography. Hogarth/AP Author and University of Houston professor Cristina Rivera Garza Rivera Garza earned a Pulitzer Prize for her memoir, Lilianas Invincible Summer. MacArthur Foundation

Cristina Rivera Garza calls from Berlin, where she is unaware of the viral Man or bear? query that has been trending in the States for several days. Nevertheless, she doesnt need the concept explained. She immediately cites Rachel Louise Snyders book No Visible Bruises, which includes a passage about men and bears, and women navigating potential violence.

Does the woman confront the bear knowing she can be taken down and destroyed? Rivera Garza asks. Or negotiate with the bear. All these strategies women in situations of gender violence have to resort to in order to survive.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Rivera Garza on Monday earned a Pulitzer Prize in the memoir or autobiography category for her book Lilianas Invincible Summer. Rivera Garza, director of the creative writing program in Hispanic Studies at the University of Houston, is a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship and an award-winning author of six novels, three collections of short stories, five collections of poetry and three nonfiction books.

She was born in Tamaulipas, Mexico, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1989 and earned her Ph.D. in Latin American history from UH. She wrote the book about her sister, who was murdered in the summer of 1990.

It is, in some ways, a memoir. In others its a biography of the departed as well as an autobiography of the departed, as Rivera Garza conducted interviews with people who knew her sister and also pored through her sisters writings. The book is also an investigation. And it is, perhaps, most urgently a cultural critique about gender and violence.

Q: I feel like congratulations is the wrong thing to say. Its a great honor, but obviously youd prefer to not have had to write the book.

A: Well, let me start by saying its something that allows me or helps me to go through the powerful emotions that Im going through now. And I think the recognition of this award belongs rightly to Liliana Garza, and the life she understood in terms of love and freedom. On the other hand, I like to think the recognition is also a way of acknowledging a mode of writing that takes place within the realm of sisterhood. Ive said several times, this is not a book I wrote about Liliana, its a book I wrote with Liliana, thanks to documents she was able to preserve as an efficient archivist of herself. And on another hand, I also like to think some of the many families, both in Mexico and abroad, who have lost women to gender violence, I like to think they can also feel part of this embrace. This recognition of femicide, which is an epidemic. We need to look more purposefully at this, to talk more purposefully about it. Maybe the attention the Pulitzer showers on a book like this can help us build a precise vocabulary to finally think critically and openly about femicide in Mexico and the U.S.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Q: Youve observed feminist movements both in Mexico and the States. How do you feel they compare/contrast? Things in the States feel regressive right now.

A: I totally agree with you. Theyre moving in the opposite direction they should for women and autonomy in the United States. And Ive said this before, the strength of the feminist movements in Mexico and Latin America were what allowed me to be able to finally tell this story, the Liliana story, from her point of view. These conversations became consistent enough, continuous enough to create a concise and passionate language to counter the hate-filled narratives that have been solely telling stories of femicide and gender violence in general. I owe the feminists in Latin America and through the world for the ability to recount Lilianas story but to also tell a more general story of femicide that isnt from the point of view of a patriarchy or authority. Through the point of view of the victims themselves and their family and friends.

Q: I think back to Roberto Bolanos 2666, which had a bracing section about murdered women. But it seemed to achieve its effect through numbers, which were impersonal but arresting. In a way, I feel like Lilianas Invincible Summer is a very personal, very specific counterpart.

A: His book was very important because it was one of the first early works that dealt so directly with femicide when few were dealing with femicide. That section of his book that detailed all the crimes was such a big part of that magnificent work. Even though he was working within the realm of fiction, he was reaching out of the form to archive what had happened. To document it. I think that picture is very important. And it remains relevant in our contemporary discussions of femicide in Latin America.

Q: When we witness an explosion of male anger, my wife always likes to point out: But its women who are the emotional ones

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A: Yes, the ways we categorize emotions by gender is a real problem. We allow some people access to certain emotions while limiting access to those with different bodies.

Q: The book deals with institutional problems as well as those regarding language. I assume you knew in 2019, when you started your investigation, that youd hit difficulties dealing with information from the investigation.

A: Many families in Mexico have had to endure the complications of the traditional bureaucracy in Mexico. We know that femicide continues to happen because people can get away with it. Theres still a great possibility that nothing will happen to someone who kills a woman. More than 90% probability. Theres a structured impunity that is inviting, I think, the existence of femiciders in. Id like to point out something else. Penal justice, Id say thats necessary and a responsibility of the state in matters of justice, of course. But there are other forms of justice. Something that came up thats of increasing relevance to me. I talk about this in Lilianas Invincible Summer  Ive been thinking hard about restorative justice. Justice linked to collective memory. We as a collective expect little from the state. So we have work to do, participating in preserving the memory of the women we have lost to gender violence. I really believe we have to insist on the truth with issues of language. Calling these crimes what they are: femicides. Calling one who kills women a femicider, which is a word I know that doesnt have a common currency in English right now. But we need this language to articulate a critical cultural discourse. Its important, something relevant happens when the community decides to miss someone together, to long together for someone lost to violence. To embrace the spaces in which that person existed so they dont stay empty spaces. Theyre not here, but there are still spaces where you can feel them because theyre here with us.

Q: I think it was decades ago, sadly, that Margaret Atwood offered the thought: Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Digital transformation remains top of mind worldwide. According to Foundrys State of the CIO 2024 study, technology leaders will be focused on driving digital innovation, redesigning processes, and modernising infrastructure and apps in the next three years in order to stay ahead.

At the same time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming recognised as a keystone for future growth. Foundrys 2024 CIO Tech Priorities study found 70% of organizations are actively researching or piloting AI-enabled technologies, while 21% have it already in use or are even upgrading and refining their models.

In his welcome speech during the Digital Transformation creates value and Intelligence guides us to the future session at MWC 2024, Li Jianghua, President of GTS Delivery and Service Department, Huawei explained that AI, big data, cloud computing, and IoT are changing the way we work and live, including our understanding of how to run a successful business,. Also according to Mr. Li AI is profoundly impacting the digital economy and driving the transformation of industries.

Tackling the challenges of intelligent transformation

However, many organisations continue to struggle with tight budgets, resistance to change, and perennial shortages of skill sets and staff.

Then there are also significant infrastructural challenges to deal with. Designing and deploying a new ICT infrastructure, capable of handling the masses of data AI requires, is inherently complex. Integration with existing systems often raises backwards compatibility issues while operations and maintenance (O&M) and future upgrading of these complex systems promises to be an uphill task. High-performance computing requirements lead to ever-higher power consumption, making greenhouse gas emissions a significant problem.

Tackling these requires innovation, built from a base of experience and knowledge. To date, Huawei has provided ICT infrastructure solutions and services for 56,000 enterprises in over 700 regions across the globe. The last five years has seen Huawei invest more than 550 million US dollars in developing end-to-end software and services solutions, continuously innovating to improve service quality.

Accelerating digital intelligence across industries

Huaweis approach, based on continuous innovation of ICT services and solutions, is part of its commitment to helping customers solve problems and overcome challenges as they develop intelligent solutions for industries. These solutions are designed around the service lifecycle of planning, construction, training, optimisation, operation and maintenance, to address various stages of development. There are four key aspects underlying these solutions, namely:

Construction of new, state-of-the-art infrastructure

Upgrading O&M with digital intelligence to unleash productivity

Leveraging innovative digital intelligence to explore new growth areas

Cultivating new digital talents to address the talent gap

Huaweis highest priority continues to be customer-centricity, applied in collaboration with 6600 service partners around the world, to build ICT solutions that span the lifecycle of intelligent digital transformation in a range of industries.

Driving digital equality for the citizens of Indonesia

PLN is the Indonesian electricity company, responsible for the production and distribution of electricity across Indonesia. Through its subsidiary, PLN Icon Plus, it aims to expand its business and provide broadband connectivity and ICT solutions to customers across Indonesia. According to its CEO Ari Rahmat Indra Cahyadi, PLN Icon Plus, has a vision to be the leading provider of network-centric ICT solutions in Indonesia by utilizing unique strategic assets.

While the number of customers to which PLN provides electricity exceeds 85 million, the Indonesian government is concerned about the internet broadband penetration rate, which is still low compared to other countries in the region. How can digital equality be achieved by the government and the citizen of Indonesia if the connectivity cannot reach their houses? said Mr. Ari Rahman during his presentation for Huawei at MWC 2024.

In collaboration with Huawei for its expertise and ICT solutions, PLN Icon Plus has established a Joint Innovation Center in November 2023, with a focus on the development of target network architectures and leveraging the operational platform to increase the number of FTTH customers in Indonesia. This centre serves as a foundation to map technical, strategic, operational, and investment challenges to drive end-to-end innovation  from electricity to beyond electricity  and accelerate the creation and adaptation of new technologies, digital infrastructure, and digital transformation.

Facilitating next generation banking in Myanmar

During Digital Transformation creates value and Intelligence guides us to the future session KBZ Bank shared their journey to offer mobile payments to every person in Myanmar. In 2017, Myanmar saw 90% of its people owning a mobile phonebut only 10% owned a bank account. KBZ Bank, Myanmars largest privately-owned bank, engaged Huawei to significantly increase the level of financial inclusion in Myanmar through mobile wallets.

KBZPay leveraged Huaweis Mobile Money solution to develop a mobile payment system to improve payment efficiency and convenience. The solution has grown into a complete payment ecosystem, as additional features have turned KBZPay into a super app with chat, brand channels, tele-consultation, marketplace, and movie streaming, enabled by Huaweis support and commitment to constant improvement. The Huawei people feel like theyre part of our team, according to KBZPay, and they keep coming up with better and better technology.

While there were already two other wallets on the market when the KBZPay service was rolled out, KBZPay has since captured 90% of market share in Myanmar and has become the No. 1 mobile wallet in terms of profitability, customer base, transaction volume and value, tech stability and product innovation.

Huawei has built a global ICT service system grounded in over 30 years of experience. Providing assurance through its platforms, processes, experts and partners, Huawei is accelerating the implementation of digital intelligence across industries.

Click here to learn how Huawei solutions can help intelligently transform your organisation.
The European Unions AI Act, a regulation aiming to ensure AI is human-centric and trustworthy, is one step away from becoming reality. The document is expected to be published in the Official Journal at the beginning of June, and will come into effect 20 days after.

This regulation, poised to be the worlds first comprehensive law for AI, is designed to maintain a balance between encouraging technological advancement and protecting the rights of European consumers.

We are regulating as little as possible and as much as needed, with proportionate measures for AI models, says Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton, adding that the AI Act will be a launchpad for EU startups to lead the global race for trustworthy AI, and will also benefit small and midsize businesses. Were making Europe the best place in the world for trustworthy AI, he says.
Aboneaza-te la rubricile dorite si primeste zilnic notificari pe email cu link-uri la articolele care au fost adaugate in ultimele 24 de ore. Notificarile vor fi expediate la adresa indicata mai jos. Daca doresti sa schimbi adresa - o poti modifica editand informatia de profil aici.
Bruce Port is relationship fundraising manager at Scotland South and West, Macmillan Cancer Support

My journey into fundraising was a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. I left my job as a regional sales manager in the hotel industry in Canada in March 2020, with the intention of starting a new role in the travel/tourism industry, but the travel industry ground to a halt because of the pandemic. I ended up working as a relationship manager in the financial sector in the UK. It was a good job, but I knew it wasnt what I wanted to be doing. A friend of mine sent me the job posting for my current role. The rest is history.

Joining the charity sector was relatively smooth for me but did not come without a learning curve. I like to think I had the relationship part down before I joined Macmillan, as I was already confident in building and maintaining networks. It was the fundraising part of my title that needed some work, and initially I did a lot of observing and learning. Completing a fundraising diploma with Corndel has assisted with this and helped do away with any lingering feelings of imposter syndrome.
A home health care company failed to protect a visiting nurse who was killed during an appointment with a convicted rapist at a Connecticut halfway house and should be fined about $161,000, federal workplace safety officials said Wednesday.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration released the results of its investigation into Elara Caring and the Oct. 28 death of Joyce Grayson, a 63-year-old mother of six and nurse for 36 years. The Dallas, Texas-based company, which provides home care for more than 60,000 patients in 17 states, said it disputes OSHAs findings and plans to contest them.

OSHA determined the company exposed home healthcare employees to workplace violence from patients who exhibited aggressive behavior and were known to pose a risk to others, the agency said in a statement.

Elara Caring failed its legal duty to protect employees from workplace injury by not having effective measures in place to protect employees against a known hazard and it cost a worker her life, Charles McGrevy, an OSHA area director in Hartford, Connecticut, said in the statement.

OSHA said the company could have reduced the risk of workplace violence in a number of ways including providing its health care providers with comprehensive background information on patients, giving them panic alert buttons and developing procedures for using safety escorts with certain patients.

The agency said Elara Caring must develop and implement required safeguards including a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program. OSHA cited Elara and two subsidiaries, Jordan Health Services and New England Home Care.

Elara Caring said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press that the citation that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued to the company is unwarranted, and we intend to contest it vigorously.

The company said Connecticut officials determined the convicted rapist accused of killing Grayson, Michael Reese, was not a danger to the community. Reese, 39, was on probation and living in a halfway house in Willimantic after serving more than 14 years in prison for stabbing and sexually assaulting a woman in 2006 in New Haven.

Post-release, state authorities were responsible for monitoring and managing the patients activities, the company said. The death of Joyce Grayson was a tragedy, and we continue to grieve with the family.

The company has previously said it had safeguards in place to protect workers and was reviewing them in response to Graysons death.

The state court system, which oversees probation, says it does not comment on cases involving potential litigation.

An informal meeting between OSHA and Elara Caring was set for Thursday, an OSHA spokesperson said. The company has until May 17 to respond to the OSHA citation, including complying with the agencys directives or challenging them.

Graysons death spurred a call for greater protections for home health care workers in Connecticut and across the country. Connecticut lawmakers are now considering a bill that would improve safety for health care workers.

On the day she was killed, Grayson had a morning appointment at Reeses halfway house to administer his medication. After she missed subsequent appointments, her daughter called police to request a well-being check.

Grayson was found strangled in the basement of the halfway house, police and the medical examiners office said. She also had blunt-force injuries to her head, torso and extremities, an arrest warrant for Reese said.

Reese is charged with murder, attempted first-degree sexual assault and other crimes in connection to Graysons death. He has not entered pleas, and his public defender has not returned messages seeking comment including an email sent Wednesday.

Kelly Reardon, a lawyer for Graysons family, said the family hopes the OSHA findings will prompt safety changes in the home health care industry.

OSHA has recognized what the Grayson family has known since Joyce was murdered on October 28, 2023  that Elara Caring willfully placed her in harms way by repeatedly ignoring employees complaints about aggressive and violent patients they were required to treat, Reardon said in an email to the AP.

OSHA also cited Elara Caring for a less serious alleged violation  not providing work-related injury and illness records to OSHA within the required four business hours  and proposed an additional fine of $2,300.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Conroe City Secretary Soco Gorjon has filed a lawsuit against the city and several council members alleging retaliation and malpractice by Interim City Attorney Mike Garner surrounding the recent May 4 ballot controversy. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Conroe City Secretary Soco Gorjon has filed a lawsuit against the city and several council members alleging retaliation and malpractice by Interim City Attorney Mike Garner surrounding the recent May 4 ballot controversy.

The suit seeks more than $1 million in damages and names Council Members Howard Wood, Harry Hardman and Marsha Porter, along with Garner and the city.

Houston-based attorney Nathan Steadman, who represents Gorjon, filed the suit April 30 in the 270th state District Court in Harris County.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The suit alleges Garner committed legal malpractice by giving Gorjon legal advice when she asked about the ballot issue and then filed suit against her several days later to compel her to reject the council applications of Mayor Pro Tem Curt Maddux and Council Member Todd Yancey.

Once Garner learned that the city wished to sue (Gorjon) for the same matter for which (Gorjon) sought legal advice, he was under a duty to disclose the conflict to both (Gorjon) and the city and advise (Gorjon) that she may wish to get independent counsel, the suit states. Notice of any type of conflict was never provided to Soco nor was she given the opportunity to seek independent counsel on the issue and was blindsided by the citys lawsuit against her.

Garner and City Administrator Gary Scott could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Garner has denied any malpractice and said he filed the suit to protect the city.

My client is the city, Garner said during an April 11 council meeting. When I see something against the law, I am to take reasonable efforts to remediate that issue and that is what I did.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The suit comes after Steadman submitted a demand letter to the city April 4 presenting a compromise that would result in Gorjons resignation if the city paid her more than $800,000 in compensation and unused vacation and holiday pay.

Steadman included an April 18 deadline and threatened to file the lawsuit if the city did nothing.

The council met April 11 to discuss the letter and Gorjons employment, but after an hour of heated debate, they took no action.

Scott said April 22 no action was taken by the city regarding Gorjons demands.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Gorjon remains on paid leave, according to city officials.

Ballot application controversy

In March, council candidate Duke Coon and Shana Arthur filed separate lawsuits against Gorjon after learning the applications of Maddux and Yancey would not be rejected.

Gorjon refused to invalidate Maddux and Yanceys council applications after she notarized them when they were not present. She said it was a technicality and they would remain on the ballot.

The 9th Court of Appeals ultimately dismissed several lawsuits against Gorjon. While acknowledging the violation of the notary law, the higher court said the applications should not be rejected on the technicality.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Texas Open Meetings questions

The lawsuit claims Wood, Hardman and Porter violated the Texas Open Meeting Act, alleging the three instructed Garner to file the suit.

Wood and Hardman said they spoke to Garner individually about the ballot issue but did not instruct him to file the suit. The council members also said they did not communicate with each other on the issue.

My email and correspondence was only with our interim city attorney, after a city employee admitted to concerning actions they took, Wood said. I needed to understand if laws were broken and, if so, how to protect our city from the possibility of liability. My email to our interim city attorney is not a violation of TOMA. This is a deflection from accountability.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Porter also said she did not violate the Open Meetings Act.

I did not violate any TOMA issues that the lawsuit alleges, Porter said. I voted against giving Soco $800,000 in damages because her demand letter expired and there was no lawsuit at the time. I thought it was a poor attempt to reward Soco at taxpayers' expense.

Porter said Scott and Director of Human Resources Andrea Houser placed Gorjon on administrative leave with pay according to the citys personnel manual policies.
Lloyds of London insurers Hiscox and Lancashire do not expect large insurance claims from the collapse of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge in March that caused widespread disruption, they said last Thursday.

Some estimates for the total insured losses from the bridge collapse run into billions of dollars, given the loss of lives, bridge repair costs and traffic re-routing.

Hiscox does not have direct exposure to the business interruption policy of the port, which is the busiest in the United States for auto shipments, or the property policy covering the bridge, the insurer said in its first-quarter trading statement.

Hiscox said it was one of the reinsurers on the International Group of P&I Clubs ship reinsurance policy, but said it expected its net loss to be moderate, without giving further explanation.

Lancashire said in its first-quarter trading statement that our potential exposure will be within our expectations for an event of this type.

French insurer AXA has also said it does not expect material losses from the bridge collapse. AXAs commercial insurance unit AXA XL is lead underwriter on the International Group $3.1 billion reinsurance policy.

Grace Ocean Private Limited, the owner of the Dali container ship that hit the bridge, and its manager Synergy Marine Pte petitioned to limit their liability to a maximum of $43.6 million in an April 1 filing.

The mayor and city council of Baltimore last week filed a lawsuit against the two firms, accusing them of negligence in operating the ship, and saying the loss of the bridge has caused the citys economic engine to grind to a halt.

Chubb, which had insured the bridge is getting ready to pay $350 million to the state of Maryland, a spokesperson for WTW, the broker for the bridges insurance policy, said on Thursday. Chubb declined to comment.

(Reporting by Carolyn Cohn; editing by Barbara Lewis)
For years now, the leader of the ransomware gang LockBit, known as LockBitSupp, has been a provocative if mysterious presence on dark web forums.

He has goaded law enforcement authorities and aggressively recruited hackers from rival gangs. But his identity remained a mystery.

On Tuesday, however, US authorities revealed what they said was the identity of LockBits leader while indicting him for hacking-related crimes that carry a maximum penalty of 185 years in prison.

His name is Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, a 31-year-old Russian national, described as the creator, administrator and developer behind the LockBit ransomware gang from its inception in 2019 to the present, according to US officials.

LockBit is accused of attacking at least 2,500 victims, which included at least 1,800 located in the US, according to the indictment. Khoroshev and affiliate hackers associated with his gang successfully extorted approximately $500 million in ransom payments from their victims, the indictment alleges, adding that Khoroshev himself pocketed at least $100 million.

Khoroshev remains at large, and the State Department offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction. His smiling photo is now posted on a LockBit dark web page that was previously commandeered by law enforcement.

The LockBit ransomware group represented one of the most prolific ransomware variants across the globe, causing billions of dollars in losses and wreaking havoc on critical infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. The charges announced today reflect the FBIs unyielding commitment to disrupting ransomware organizations and holding the perpetrators accountable.

The action is the latest attempt from law enforcement agencies to disrupt the activities of LockBit, a prolific hacking gang that has extorted millions of dollars in payments from its victims. Since 2020, the group has targeted thousands of companies, including the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Boeing Co. and the UKs Royal Mail.

LockBits success was due in part to exploiting the ransomware-as-a-service model, where hacking group offers its malicious code to so-called affiliates who do the actual hacking and kick back a share of the illicit extortion payments. The group and its affiliates often demanded huge payments from their victims. In one case, the indictment alleges, LockBit demanded a $200 million payment from a multinational aeronautical and defense corporation headquartered in Virginia. Its not clear whether the company, which isnt named, paid out any amount.

Read More: LockBits Ransomware Empire Takes a Heavy Hit: Cyber Bulletin

Based on an analysis of data seized from LockBits servers, investigators have determined that the group  between June 2022 and February 2024 alone  may have been responsible for as many as 7,000 attacks, according to the UKs National Crime Agency, which said that the top five countries affected were the US, UK, France, Germany and China. The gang targeted more than 100 hospitals and health-care companies, the UK agency said in a statement.

British and American law enforcement agencies had previously threatened to unmask LockBitSupp, who had acted as the groups vocal spokesperson. They suggested that they knew the kind of car he was driving  a Mercedes  and hinted at his location, in Russia. But they had refrained from naming him. Khoroshev was so confident in his anonymity that an online post in January, he said he would pay $10 million to anyone who could discover his identity.

In a message sent to Bloomberg News prior to the latest law enforcement action, the LockBit spokesperson  who identified himself as LockBitSupp  had vowed to continue his criminal campaign. The gangs income was down about 30% since law enforcement seized some of the groups websites in February, he said. But that wont stop me from continuing to work, they said. My business expense is paying for servers, one payout from one company is enough to pay for servers for 5 years, so even if my business becomes completely unprofitable I will continue to work just for fun.

The spokesperson didnt respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. But he changed his status on an encrypted messaging app to read, in Russian, The FBI is bluffing, Im not Dimon. I feel sorry for the real Dimon. (Dimon is a colloquial form of Dmitry.)

The charges against Khoroshev are the latest effort by a coalition of law enforcement agencies to curb ransomware, which has flourished in recent years in part because the leaders of many of the hacking gangs are outside of the reach of Western law enforcement.

Read More: Russias LockBit Disrupted But Not Dead, Hacking Experts Warn

In February, the FBI, the UK National Crime Agency and other law enforcement agencies seized some of LockBits websites. Within a week of the takedown, LockBit relaunched a version of its dark web page. The gang has since posted more than 120 alleged victims on the website, which remains active. However, law enforcement officials say that many of the victims posted on LockBits new website were compromised before the takedown, while some of the other hackers were carried out by other groups.

The UKs National Crime Agency has observed a 70% reduction in LockBit attacks in the country, an NCA official said in a phone briefing ahead of Tuesdays announcement. As of last week, the official said, there had been six known LockBit attacks in the UK since mid-February and the targets were smaller organizations. That was indicative of hackers leaving LockBit or getting out of deploying ransomware altogether, the official said.

We know our work to disrupt LockBit thus far has been extremely successful in degrading their capability and credibility among the criminal community, said Graeme Biggar, the NCAs director general. The groups attempt at rebuilding has resulted in a much less sophisticated enterprise with significantly reduced impact.

International law enforcement agencies have collectively reached out to about 3,800 of the gangs victims  about 1,200 of whom are based in the US  offering help to unlock hacked computers, according to an FBI official. (During the February takedown, the agencies were able to seize LockBits decryption keys.)

Police are combing through the huge volume of data they say they gathered from LockBits internal servers in an effort to identify people who were working with the gang  not just hackers, but also software developers and money launderers, according to the NCA official.

Investigators obtained a list of nearly 200 affiliates involved with LockBit, who conducted hacks using generic usernames such as John and Boyce. The NCA official added that the agency has figured out the identities of a good number of the suspected hackers. While some were based in Russia, he said, some were in other locations that are more accessible to Western law enforcement agencies.

Photo: (Photo by Ed Ram/Getty Images)

Related:

US Charges Suspect Linked to Notorious Ransomware Gang

Ransomware Hackers Stole More Than $1 Billion in 2023

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
A decayed utility pole that broke, causing power wires to fall on dry grass in the Texas Panhandle, sparked the states largest wildfire in history, a Texas House committee confirmed last week.

And other poorly maintained power equipment sparked four additional fires across the region earlier this year, the committee said.

The committee also found that a lack of readily available air support, ineffective communication from faulty equipment and coordination among agencies inhibited on-the-ground efforts to contain the Smokehouse Creek fire and others that ravaged the Panhandle earlier this year.

In response, the committee made up of three House members and two landowners recommended the Legislature have more effective monitoring and rule enforcement to check irresponsible oil and gas operators and improve accountability with utility providers when it comes to inspecting and replacing power poles.

The 48-page report largely confirmed what was previously established in the days and weeks following the fire. It appeared to rely heavily on testimony from three days of public hearings the committee held in Pampa, a Panhandle town near where the fires raged.

The deadly wildfires disrupted life in the Texas Panhandle after they started in late February.

Two people died and more than 1 million acres burned across several counties  Hutchinson, Hemphill, Roberts, Carson, Gray and Wheeler.

Extensive Damage

The fires caused extensive damage in its wake. The Panhandle region is largely rural, where cattle are known to outnumber residents. More than 85% of the states cattle population is located in the Panhandle.

Many residents lost everything  138 homes burned, according to the report, and more than 15,000 head of cattle, including pregnant cows, perished.

Hundreds of water wells were also destroyed as the fires raged through the Panhandle. According to the report, this has eliminated sources of water for people and livestock in the region, creating another hurdle to overcome.

Xcel Energy, a Minnesota-based company that has provided electricity in that portion of the state, previously acknowledged its role in the Smokehouse Creek fire.

Following the release of the committees report, it said they are taking action to mitigate wildfire risk, including updating systems to be more resilient in extreme weather and adjusting wildfire settings on their equipment.

We care deeply about the Panhandle communities harmed by wildfires, the company said. Our people live and work in these same communities.

The company said it they look forward to working with the Public Utility Commission, the state legislature, members of the public and other agencies in response to the wildfires.

Osmose Utility Services, a Georgia-based company Xcel has contracted to manage its lines in Texas, did not return messages from the Tribune. Both companies have been sued in the aftermath of the fire.

Scott McBroom, a Fritch resident, fled his home when the Windy Deuce Fire breached his neighborhood. McBroom and his wife Deana lost everything. It was his childhood home.

McBroom, who learned about the reports findings through a Texas Tribune reporter, said he was angry to hear it. He said companies should have done more to maintain the power lines and poles.

Its just frustrating because through no fault of your own you end up losing everything, he said. It does make you angry because they have been neglecting stuff for a while.

The family, including their dogs, are living with their daughter in Borger while they figure out whats next.

Efforts to extinguish the fires showed how flawed the states response to emergencies is in vulnerable areas of Texas. Volunteer fire departments were first on the scene, but had poor equipment, including broken radios, due to running on a tight budget. Wind speeds and a lack of availability caused a delay in air support being used as the fire spread.

The committee also called for more resources to contain wildfires before they grow out of control. Their suggestions range from Texas obtaining its own firefighting air fleet, additional funding for volunteer fire departments, and upgrading statewide communications systems for better communication across all responding agencies.

Investigators began looking into poorly-maintained power lines as the cause of the fire in the days after it started. According to the report, wildfires ignited by power lines have been among the most destructive in the region since 2000  causing more than 1,300 fires and burning more than 1.4 million acres.

The committee was chaired by Rep. Ken King, a Canadian Republican. It also included Republican Reps. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock and Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi, and landowners Jason Abraham and James Henderson as public members of the committee.

The Texas Tribunes Carlos Nogueras Ramos contributed to this report.

This story was originally published by The Texas Tribune and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

Photo: A burned car and home following the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Fritch, Texas, US, on Friday, March 1, 2024. It was the largest wildfire in state history. AP Photo.
INDEPENDENCE, Missouri  A Missouri man is accused of strangling his ill wife to death in her hospital room, reportedly telling investigators he did it because he could not care for her anymore and he could no longer afford to pay her medical bills.

Ronnie Wiggs, of Independence, was overheard by medical staff at Centerpoint Medical Center saying I did it, I killed her, I choked her, according to a charging document filed by Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. Wiggs wife had been taken to the hospital for a new port for dialysis.

The charging document says police were called to the hospital in Independence late Friday night. A code blue had been called on the victim, who was in a room on the sixth floor, at about 10:30 p.m. Authorities say the woman was unresponsive and had no pulse.

Wiggs had been seen in his wifes room at about 7:30 p.m., the document says, and that his wife was alert and oriented.

Medical workers noticed marks and a flesh wound on the womans neck, the document shows.

A man who said he was the victims son told police he came to the hospital with Wiggs after being contacted by the hospitals staff. While in the victims hospital room, Wiggs reportedly confessed to killing his wife, saying he choked her and covered her nose and mouth to keep her from screaming. He told police he had left the hospital after choking his wife.

Attempts to save the victims life were later stopped because she had no brain function, the document shows. She was pronounced dead Saturday morning.

Police say Wiggs admitted to trying to kill his wife two previous times, once when she was at a rehabilitation facility for her medical issues. She woke up during the attempt and told him not to do it again, the court document shows.

Wiggs is being held in jail on a $250,000 bond.
Rotunda Rumblings

Back on the Ballot: Ohio lawmakers are moving ahead on a proposal that would ensure President Joe Biden is on the states November ballot. Jeremy Pelzer reports that the Ohio House will vote Wednesday on hastily introduced revisions to a long-dormant elections bill that will push back the deadline for political parties to submit the name of their presidential nominees for the general-election ballot. The temporary deadline will be the day after the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention in August.

Left unstated? The Cleveland Browns proposal to build a new, $2.4 billion stadium in Brook Park counts on state government to pay for $600 million of the cost. But as Pelzer reports, Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens said Tuesday that the state doesnt have that kind of money to spare. Even if it did, Stephens said, then everybody else will be wanting a stadium.

Felony letter: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican who is considering running for Ohio governor in 2026, is cautioning university presidents that their students may be unaware of a 70-year-old law that could turn misdemeanor protest charges into felonies, if theyre wearing a mask while protesting. Laura Hancock talked to law professors about the law, which was enacted to deter Klu Klux Klan activities. Similar laws were enacted in other states at the time. However, the students charged thus far only face misdemeanor cases.

R U SRS: Is an F46 LGB vanity license plate profane? Thats the question at the center of a new federal lawsuit against the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Andrew Tobias reports that a Licking County man claims that the state violated his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by refusing to grant him the license plate, but his attorney wont confirm whether the string of characters is a reference to a profane insult aimed at President Joe Biden, as BMV officials apparently suspect.

Pillow fight: Ohios U.S. Senators want the Biden administration to clamp down on sales of imported mattresses they say are being dumped in the United States, noting that hundreds of Ohio workers make mattresses at Tempur Sealy Internationals Medina plant and Serta Simmons in Monroe, Sabrina Eaton reports. Their action followed a complaint from mattress makers that sought anti-dumping duties on mattresses imported from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burma, India, Italy, Kosovo, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and Taiwan and countervailing duties on mattresses from Indonesia.

Sign off: New legislation in the Ohio House would ban displays of signs, flags or banners on pedestrian bridges and highway overpasses and bar projecting images onto buildings without the owners permission. Gannett Ohios Haley BeMiller reports that the provisions in GOP state Rep. Sara Carrutherss House Bill 500 come as protests have erupted on college campuses over the Israel-Hamas war.

Voter ID: Conservative Republicans in the Ohio House are playing up cybersecurity protections in a bill that would make new changes to state laws requiring voter ID and those governing early voting and voting by mail. Karen Kasler of the WOSU Statehouse News Bureau reports on the first committee hearing for House Bill 472, a 256-page bill that its sponsors called a gold standard but that also pushes for something 2020 election deniers back: hand counting ballots.

Out-of-town guest: U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, an Alaska Republican who has family ties in Cleveland, is the headlining guest at an upcoming fundraiser for Bernie Moreno, the Republican Senate candidate. An invitation on WinRed, the fundraising platform, says the event will take place on May 17 in Chagrin Falls at the home of Mitch Bowlus, a Moreno supporter. Tickets range from $150 for attendees to $10,000 for host committee members. Moreno will face Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in the November election.

Lobbying Lineup

Five organizations lobbying on House Bill 117, which would eliminate the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, a requirement that students who dont score high enough on standardized tests in English language arts in the third grade have to repeat the year. The bipartisan bill passed the Ohio House last summer. Its in a committee in the Senate, where there have been no hearings thus far.

1. Cleveland Metropolitan School District

2. Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators

3. Ohio Mid-Sized Urban Leadership Collaborative

4. Thomas B. Fordham Institute

5. Ohio School Psychologists Association

Birthdays

Ex-U.S. Rep. Jim Traficant (1941-2014)

Straight From The Source

I think its really helping Trump politically...most people who have any sense of fairness recognize that this is a sham trial.

-U.S. Sen. JD Vance, a rumored candidate to join former President Donald Trumps Republican presidential ticket, speaking to Glenn Beck about Trumps New York hush-money trial.

Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free.
A construction worker moves trash bags full of flood-damaged items to a debris pile while cleaning up from flood damage in the River Plantation neighborhood on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Conroe. Residents who evacuated their homes during recent flooding in the Houston region returned Monday to salvage what is left of their belongings after floodwaters inundated the area last week. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, right, shakes hands with Gov. Greg Abbott after a press conference on severe weather and flooding conditions in the state Monday, May 6, 2024 at Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management Warehouse in Conroe. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Yanira Diaz stands in her muddy living room as she begins the clean up process of her flood-damaged home in the River Plantation neighborhood on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Conroe. Residents who evacuated their homes during recent flooding in the Houston region returned Monday to salvage what is left of their belongings after floodwaters inundated the area last week. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Gov. Greg Abbott updates the state's ongoing response to severe weather and flooding conditions that impacted East Texas communities during a press conference Monday, May 6, 2024 at Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management Warehouse in Conroe. Abbott urged people whose properties are damaged to report to the state government as soon as they can. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Anthony Dusauzay shovels debris in the laundry room of his flood-damaged home as he works to clean it up in the River Plantation neighborhood on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Conroe. Residents who evacuated their homes during recent flooding in the Houston region returned Monday to salvage what is left of their belongings after floodwaters inundated the area last week. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Several days after back-to-back rain events flooded the region, Montgomery County officials believe the local damage could meet the state threshold needed to get federal funds to help with recovery efforts.

Since last week, the Houston area has received more than 20 inches of rain.

Montgomery County commissioners took action on several items Tuesday to help residents begin the recovery process. Here's what to know:

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Montgomery County urges residents to report damage

During a news conference Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott said residents need to report the damage to their homes and that it is critical for the state to receive federal funds to help recover from the flood.

Jason Millsaps, executive director of the countys Office of Emergency Management, said Monday the initial estimate of homes damaged in the county was about 1,500, most of them with major damage.

A lot of resources from (the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency) will be in the county through the rest of the week, Millsaps said Tuesday. We believe we will hit that claim number for the whole state.

Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said reporting damage is important.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Damage assessment is critical to our future success, Kidd said of reaching the threshold for federal assistance. We need 800 homes with major damage or destroyed that are uninsured to be able to qualify for FEMA assistance.

Millsaps said once that threshold is met, Abbott can certify that information to President Joe Biden who will then approve the use of federal funds locally.

(The Texas Division of Emergency Management) is very confident we will meet that threshold, Millsaps said.

Montgomery County extends disaster declaration

Commissioners agreed to extend a disaster declaration issued by Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough on May 2.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The declaration will expire June 5 unless the court agrees to a second extension.

We typically have done this in times of crisis, Keough said during the courts meeting. We do it for the purpose we know we are in the beginning stages of recovery and there are going to be expenses.

Keough issued the declaration after Abbott issued a disaster declaration April 30 for the severe storms and flooding that began across more than 90 counties, including Montgomery County, April 26.

A disaster declaration is issued when an event or emergency exceeds the response and/or recovery capabilities. The declaration allows public officials to exercise emergency powers to preserve life, property and public health.

The declarations are needed to obtain federal financial assistance for residents and local and state jurisdictions in an area affected to begin recovery efforts.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Disaster exemption available for flood-affected residents

Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector Tammy McRae said a change in state law allows residents to request the exemption.

They can do that through the Montgomery Central Appraisal District, McRae said.

McRae said the minimum required for the exemption is 15% damage.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

According to the appraisal district, because a disaster declaration has been issued for Montgomery County, property owners can request a reassessment of their property value if the damage significantly affects its market value.

The deadline to apply for the exemption is Aug 13.

Property owners can apply for the exemption online through the appraisal district.

Montgomery County to waive permit fees for residents

Commissioners agreed Tuesday to waive permit fees for residents who will rebuild or repair flood-damaged homes. Those fees are between $150 and $200.

John McKinney, flood plain administrator for the county, said the county has taken similar action after previous emergencies.

(We) have waived the fees to simply provide an incentive for property owners to be in contact with the county to go through the permitting process to make sure they do complete those permits appropriately, McKinney said. Its a goodwill gesture by the county.

McKinney said waiving the fees encourages property owners to get the permits to ensure that new or renovated structures meet building and safety codes.

Millsaps said the county took similar action after Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and Tropical Storm Imelda in 2019.

Montgomery County Food Bank to help flood victims

In addition to its regular food distribution efforts, the Montgomery County Food Bank is facilitating three Emergency Food Distributions to aid those affected by the recent severe storms.

On Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to noon, residents can visit the River Plantation Community Improvement Association, 451 River Plantation in Conroe and from 2 to 4 p.m. food bank officials will be at Bull Salas Park Show Barn, 21675-C McCleskey in New Caney.

On Friday, from 9-11 a.m., residents can get food assistance at the H-Town Dream Center, 26373 East Holly Lane in Splendora.

Food is a basic necessity and Montgomery County Food Bank must do its part to help our neighbors in need during times of crisis, Kristine Marlow, president and CEO of Montgomery County Food Bank, said in a release Tuesday. It is time to band together to continue the strong 40-year legacy of Montgomery County Food Bank, serving as a beacon of hope for those in our community.
China calls for efforts to relaunch political process in Abyei

Xinhua) 08:35, May 08, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to relaunch the political process in Abyei, a territory contested by Sudan and South Sudan.

The armed conflict in Sudan has had a multifaceted impact on the situation in Abyei. The massive influx of refugees has exacerbated the humanitarian challenges and competition for resources, thus impeding the Abyei political process, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

"China expects that Sudan will end the conflict soon and resume dialogue and cooperation with South Sudan at an early date, so as to lay the basis for relaunching the Abyei political process," Dai said at the UN Security Council briefing on Abyei.

China commends and supports the United Nations, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in their efforts to resolve the Abyei issue, he said.

Intercommunal conflict is still the main security problem in Abyei. China supports the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in working according to its mandate to diffuse differences through dialogue, so as to achieve peaceful coexistence of communities, said Dai.

China commends UNISFA for its tremendous efforts in overcoming challenges and maintaining peace and stability in Abyei. China hopes Sudan and South Sudan will work closely with UNISFA, provide it with the greatest possible protection, and help facilitate equipment transportation, logistical supplies, and personnel safety, he said.

At the end of last year, the fourth batch of Chinese peacekeeping helicopter units was successfully deployed in Abyei. China is ready to work with the international community to make further contributions to the peace and stability in the region, he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Nya Morales, left, Saturn Ferguson and Russ Russell join a student demonstration protesting against Katy ISD's new transgender policy outside the school districts educational support complex on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023 in Katy. The students are protesting a new policy by the district where parents of students in the Katy ISD school system must be notified if their child asks to be identified as transgender under a new policy that took effect Tuesday. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

The U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Office has opened an investigation into a Title IX complaint against Katy ISD for potentially violating student civil rights with its transgender policy.

As first reported by the Houston Landing, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, a student-led activist group, announced in a news release Monday that federal officials are investigating whether the districts transgender policy is discriminatory.

KATY INSIDER NEWSLETTER: Never miss a story with our twice-weekly newsletter

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The district is committed to offering equal educational opportunities to our entire community, said Katy ISD media relations representative Nick Petito. While we have received the OCR filing and deny any wrongdoing, we are committed to remaining fully cooperative and responsive throughout the process.

The activist group filed the lawsuit in November, targeting the districts policy, which instituted multiple new mandates toward transgender students, including a measure that requires teachers to out a student if they reveal to a staff member that they are transgender.

The measure narrowly passed 4-3 in August, with board members Rebecca Fox, Lance Redmon and Dawn Champagne opposing the policy, and Morgan Calhoun, Mary Ellen Cuzela and Amy Thieme, alongside board president Victor Perez, supporting it.

At least 23 students have been reported to their parents as transgender since the policy was activated, a public information request from the district shows.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Department of Education opening an investigation marks a significant step forward in holding Katy ISD accountable for its actions and ensuring that transgender students are equally protected under federal civil rights laws, said Cameron Samuels, an organizer of the activist group. SEAT applauds the departments response to our complaint and looks forward to cooperating fully with the investigation process.

In the months following the policys enactment, several student-led protests sprung up across the district.

Tides are finally turning, said Tompkins High School student Jarred Burton, who helped organize a protest in August. While this policy has undoubtedly put students in danger, weve risen up to become more informed, outspoken and powerful. We will not sit idle while our school district tries to write us out of existence through policy. We deserve a seat at the table, and were one step closer to getting there.
Eyad Monnie, 33, chants with activists and community members in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest at City Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer People gather in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest after a handful of activists and community members presented a Peoples Resolution during a City Hall meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer People gather in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest after a handful of activists and community members presented a Peoples Resolution during a City Hall meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Mahe Seemi, 30, and her son Moosa, 3, join activists and community members in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest at City Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Khalid Alwagfi, 31, joins activists and community members in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest at City Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston.  We are yearning for community that can help us get through this very difficult time. I no longer want to feel shame for being Palestinian. Alwagfi shares. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer People gather in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest after a handful of activists and community members presented a Peoples Resolution during a City Hall meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer People gather in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest after a handful of activists and community members presented a Peoples Resolution during a City Hall meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Mira E., 22, joins activists and community members in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest at City Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Mira E., 22, joins activists and community members in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest at City Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Soren Beregan, 27, joins activists and community members in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest at City Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Houston Police Department block off City Hall as people gather in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer People gather in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest after a handful of activists and community members presented a Peoples Resolution during a City Hall meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Vivek Venkatraman chants with a crowd of activists and community members in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest at City Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Hanein Al-Maliki, 22, joins activists and community members in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest at City Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer People gather in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest after a handful of activists and community members presented a Peoples Resolution during a City Hall meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Protesters for Palestine gathered outside City Hall on Tuesday, asking Houston leaders to call for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and advocate for an end to military aid to Israel.

More than a dozen protesters who attended Tuesday's meeting at City Council eventually walked out to join a protest outside City Hall that grew to more than 150 people and lasted nearly three hours. The event was organized by a handful of advocacy groups, including the Houston branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation and the Palestinian Youth Movement.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Noorain Maliki, 19, joins activists and community members in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest at City Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

At the Tuesday meeting, members put on red gloves, which represented the blood on Houston leaderships hands, said Nish Dada, an organizer with Houston for Palestine Liberation. She said the group is working to make Palestine unavoidable by regularly coming to council meetings.

"It's the thing that we feel like we need to do as we are in the belly of the beast," she said, referring to the group's weekly presence at City Council.

People gather in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest after a handful of activists and community members presented a Peoples Resolution during a City Hall meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

The protest was held in the wake of an aerial and ground offensive on Rafah, where 1 million displaced Palestinians have been living. Israeli officials on Monday told around 100,000 people in the area to evacuate, according to the Washington Post. Israel Defense Forces seized control of the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing in the south of Gaza, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Israel Defense Forces said that taking the crossing was part of a precise counterterrorism operation. The crossing served as an access point for incoming food and other supplies, the Washington Post reported.

Justin Martinez, 32, and his daughter Belen Martinez, 4, join activists and community members in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest at City Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Israels military offensive has killed more than 34,000 in Gaza since October, the Washington Post reported, citing data from the Gaza Health Ministry. In the Oct. 7 attack, Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people in Israel and took more than 250 hostages.

The Rob family join activists and community members in support of Palestine for the All out for Rafa protest at City Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Houston.  Were in America because our ancestors homes were stolen. If we had our homes, we wouldnt seek refuge anywhere else. Governments are not speaking for their people. Its not democracy. They share. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Attendees and organizers, many donning keffiyehs, brought posters, including one reading All eyes of Rafah, and a set of drums used to emphasize chants at one point during the protest. Zaheer Hasnain, another demonstrator, brought a small bundle of cloth that he said was meant to honor the grandson of one of his friends who had died in Gaza during the war.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

He said he has been bringing the bundle with him to protests for months, including in Washington, D.C., and Austin.
Chris Stone, father of Chris Stone, one of the ten victims of the Santa Fe shooting, gets a smudged eagle feather waved over his head as Woolsey Walking Sky during the cedar ceremony during the fifth year anniversary remembrance ceremony and dedication of the Warrior Spirit sculpture at Santa Fe High School on Thursday, May 18, 2023 in Santa Fe. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

A Galveston County judge has pushed back the start of a trial in a civil lawsuit against the parents of the accused gunman charged with killing eight students and two teachers at Santa Fe High School six years ago.

Survivors and family members of the victims allege that the accused shooters parents are partly responsible for the massacre because they did not properly secure their guns, which officials say the then-teenage gunman used to carry out the murders. Relatives filed suit just days after the shooting occurred on May 18, 2018. It is one of the first lawsuits nationwide that seeks to hold the parents of a mass shooter responsible for the massacre.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The case was set to go to trial on May 28, but on Tuesday, Galveston County Judge Jack Ewing delayed it until July. There will be a pretrial conference on July 19, and the trial will begin on July 29.

The trial will be the first time many of the survivors and relatives see the parents of the accused gunman in person. The criminal trial of the accused shooter, now 23, is delayed indefinitely because he has been deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. He remains committed to a mental health facility.

Attorneys for the relatives and survivors are asking for another mental health evaluation ahead of the civil trial.

Clint McGuire, an attorney representing several of the families, said the trial was pushed back because the plaintiffs are waiting to review evidence from the local district attorneys office, which is handling criminal proceedings related to the shooting. The DAs office has agreed to send over relevant material about the accused shooter that predated the massacre.

READ MORE: Accused Santa Fe High School shooter again ordered to receive mental health treatment

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Were looking forward to, finally, the parents and the victims getting their day in court, McGuire said. Even though theres a little bit of a delay, we welcome the opportunity to receive the material from the DAs file.

Our case is about safely storing weapons, he added. We are Second Amendment advocates. At the same time, when parents are aware that their children are having significant mental issues, parents should safely store their weapons for the benefit of their children and the benefit of all of the rest of us.

Prosecutors have not filed any criminal charges against the accused shooters parents, Antonios Pagourtizis and Rose Marie Kosmetatos, though there is a recent precedent for criminal liability. Last month in Michigan, the parents of the Oxford High School mass shooter were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for missing opportunities to stop their son from getting a handgun.

Pagourtizis and Kosmetatos will sit for a deposition in the civil case on June 20, McGuire said. Their attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

In their lawsuit, parents of one of the high school victims wrote that the .38-caliber handgun and sawed-off shotgun used by the accused shooter were made available to him directly and proximately due to his parents negligent and grossly negligent failure to properly secure their guns and keep them out of the hands of their minor son.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Santa Fe victims parents also sued two companies that sold and shipped ammunition to the accused gunman and successfully settled the case last year. Online ammunition seller Luckygunner LLC agreed to refuse a sale to anyone whose age cannot be verified or who is confirmed to be younger than 21 years old.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation must make sweeping changes to address widespread sexual harassment and other misconduct, according to an independent report released on Tuesday that raises questions about the future of the banking regulator's leadership.

The report, prompted by a Wall Street Journal investigation, cited accounts from more than 500 people, including some who alleged FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg had engaged in bullying and verbal abuse.

Overall, the report by law firm Cleary Gottlieb, paints a picture of an agency at which sexual harassment, racial discrimination and bullying were pervasive at every level and tolerated by senior leaders for years, while complaints about misconduct were met with retaliation.

"For far too many employees and for far too long, the FDIC has failed to provide a workplace safe from sexual harassment, discrimination, and other interpersonal misconduct," said the report, adding that those accused of misconduct were frequently reassigned new roles.

Underscoring the agency's toxic culture, officials tasked with addressing the problems exposed by the WSJ reports were themselves the subject of misconduct claims, the Cleary Gottlieb report found.

The findings sparked renewed calls for the ouster of Gruenberg, a Democrat who has been a senior leader at the agency for nearly two decades.

Representative Patrick McHenry, a Republican who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, called for Gruenberg's resignation following the report, saying it made clear the agency needs new leadership.

"The FDIC needs to be fixed. The women and men who work there deserve better," Sherrod Brown, chair of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, said in a statement. "Chair Gruenberg must accept responsibility and must immediately work to make fundamental changes to the agency and its culture."

Some employees described Gruenberg as "harsh" and "aggressive", as well as prone to losing his temper, the report said. In speaking with investigators, Gruenberg said he never recalled acting inappropriately. The report said some employees reported positive interactions with him and saw his nature as more "prosecutorial."

In a statement to staff, Gruenberg said the report was "sobering" and he vowed to implement its recommendations.

He said he was ultimately responsible for everything that happened at the agency and apologized for any shortcomings. "I again want to express how very sorry I am," he added.
AB InBev Budweiser and Bud Light brand beer cans at a store in the Queens borough of New York on Feb. 28, 2024.

Shares of Belgium's AB InBev rose 4% on Wednesday after the company posted higher revenue and profit in the first quarter, as analysts said it had escaped the drag from a year-long boycott of its Bud Light brand relatively unscathed.

The world's biggest brewer, whose brands include Corona and Stella Artois, notched a 2.6% revenue increase year-on-year to $14.55 billion in the first quarter, narrowly ahead of analyst estimates. That was despite a 0.6% drop in volumes that the brewer sold.

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders was higher at $1.5 billion, also above an LSEG-compiled consensus.

A social media-led campaign against Bud Light in response to a sponsorship partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney started in April 2023, making this the last quarter likely to be negatively impacted by a year-on-year comparison.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump in February urged his followers on social media to give the company a "second chance."

The furore toppled the brand's status as the best-selling U.S. beer, but also generated criticism of the company for failing to support Mulvaney. It has prompted wider discussion in the advertising industry about corporations fearing backlash for promoting diversity or inclusivity.

AB InBev's Europe CEO Jason Warner told the U.K.'s Telegraph newspaper earlier this week that the drinks firm will "stay in our lane" following the reaction to the campaign, which had sought to reach a wider range of consumers.

The company nonetheless managed to increase revenue by 7.8% last year, driven by higher sales in the Asia-Pacific and Central America regions.

The first-quarter results showed a 11.1% drop in sales of AB InBev's own beer brands in North America, which it said was primarily due to Bud Light. Revenue meanwhile declined 2.7% in China as sales dropped 6.2%. The drop was in-line with a wider industry retreat related to China's reopening last year and poor weather in March, the company said.

However, sales were at record highs in Brazil and Colombia, and grew firmly in Europe, Mexico and South Africa. The results also flagged growth in its Corona brand, particularly for its non-alcoholic beer brand Corona Cero.
In this photo illustration a covid-19 vaccine is seen with the AstraZeneca logo in the background. (Photo Illustration by Nikos Pekiaridis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca on Wednesday said it planned to withdraw its Covid-19 vaccine as demand for it has declined.

Demand for AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria vaccine began tapering off as new vaccines tailored to specific Covid variants have emerged, the pharmaceutical company said in a statement.

"As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzervria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied," the statement said.

AstraZeneca said it would now work with regulators and partners to establish a path forward. AstraZeneca in March 2024 voluntarily withdrew its marketing authorization in the European Union, which previously allowed it to promote the vaccine.

The Vaxzevria vaccine was developed with the University of Oxford and was one of the first shots against Covid-19 to hit the market during the coronavirus pandemic, with millions of people around the world receiving it.

The U.K. was the first country to roll out the shot in January 2021, around a year after the World Health Organization first characterized the Covid-19 outbreak as a pandemic.

AstraZeneca's vaccine, despite confirmation of its safety and efficacy, has at times been met with concerns about side effects after a small number of people began to experience blood clots linked to the vaccine. A U.K. study found that blood clots were "rare" but could be "devastating."

The pharmaceutical maker on Wednesday said it was "incredibly proud" of the vaccine's role during the pandemic.

"According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and over three billion doses were supplied globally," its statement said.

"Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic," the statement continued.

Next to Covid vaccines, AstraZeneca has been working on a range of other treatments for illnesses, such as cancer. The company said in March that it would buy clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc, which specializes in cancer treatments.
Police officers stand nearby during a rally against campus antisemitism at George Washington University on May 2, 2024 in Washington, DC. A pro-Palestinian rally was also held at the school that day.

High schoolers have eyes on college campus unrest

Colleges  particularly elite institutions like Columbia and Harvard  have had a tumultuous year. They've received increased scrutiny from the general public, media and government in how they handled students' responses to the Israel-Hamas war. "[High school] students are paying attention, they are curious and trying to understand the complexities that underlie the situations taking place on college campuses, so it's certainly on their minds," Durso Finley and Burks Becker said. But current events may not necessarily sway a student away from their initial decision to attend a certain college, they added. There are, as always, a number of financial, academic and personal factors that play into a student's college decision and typically outweigh more circumstantial factors like the protests. "While they certainly care about what's happening, it's rare that the events would overwhelm the rationale for their decision-making," the counselors said.

FAFSA delays have been a 'tragedy for some'
The European Union is seeking information from social media platform X about cuts to its content moderation resources as part of its first major investigation into the company under its tough new laws governing online content.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said in a statement Wednesday that it's requested information from X under the Digital Services Act, its groundbreaking tech law which requires online platforms to take a far stricter approach to policing illegal and harmful content on their platforms.

The commission said it was concerned about X's transparency report submitted to the regulator in March 2024, which showed it had cut its team of content moderators by nearly 20% compared with the number of moderators it reported in an early October 2023 transparency report.

X reduced linguistic coverage within the EU from 11 languages to seven, the commission said, again citing X's transparency report.

The commission said it's seeking further details from X on risk assessments and mitigation measures linked to the impact of generative artificial intelligence on electoral processes, dissemination of illegal material and protection of fundamental rights.

X, which was formerly known as Twitter, was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.

X must provide information requested by the EU on its content moderation resources and generative AI by May 17, the commission said. Remaining answers to questions from the commission must be provided no later than May 27, the agency said.
In this article GOOGL Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

watch now

Google's business is growing at its fastest rate in two years, and a blowout earnings report in April sparked the biggest rally in Alphabet shares since 2015, pushing the company's market cap past $2 trillion. But at an all-hands meeting last week with CEO Sundar Pichai and CFO Ruth Porat, employees were more focused on why that performance isn't translating into higher pay, and how long the company's cost-cutting measures are going to be in place. "We've noticed a significant decline in morale, increased distrust and a disconnect between leadership and the workforce," a comment posted on an internal forum ahead of the meeting read. "How does leadership plan to address these concerns and regain the trust, morale and cohesion that have been foundational to our company's success?" Google is using artificial intelligence to summarize employee comments and questions for the forum. Alphabet's top leadership has been on the defensive for the past few years, as vocal staffers have railed about post-pandemic return-to-office mandates, the company's cloud contracts with the military, fewer perks and an extended stretch of layoffs  totaling more than 12,000 last year  along with other cost cuts that began when the economy turned in 2022. Employees have also complained about a lack of trust and demands that they work on tighter deadlines with fewer resources and diminished opportunities for internal advancement. The internal strife continues despite Alphabet's better-than-expected first-quarter earnings report, in which the company also announced its first dividend as well as a $70 billion buyback. "Despite the company's stellar performance and record earnings, many Googlers have not received meaningful compensation increases" a top-rated employee question read. "When will employee compensation fairly reflect the company's success and is there a conscious decision to keep wages lower due to a cooling employment market?" Another highly-rated comment centered around the company's priorities, including its hefty investments in artificial intelligence. "To many people, there's a clear disconnect between spending billions on stock buybacks and dividends and re-investing in AI and retraining critical Googlers," the post said.

Ruth Porat, Alphabet's chief financial officer, appears on a panel session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on May 24, 2022. Hollie Adams | Bloomberg | Getty Images

"Our priority is to invest in growth," Porat said, as she took the microphone to respond to questions. "Revenue should be growing faster than expenses." She also took the rare step of admitting to leadership's mistakes in its prior handling of investments. "The problem is a couple of years ago  two years ago, to be precise  we actually got that upside down and expenses started growing faster than revenues," said Porat, who announced nearly a year ago that she would be stepping down from the CFO position but hasn't yet vacated the office. "The problem with that is it's not sustainable." Google executives have been hammering this theme of late. Search boss Prabhakar Raghavan, in an internal meeting last month, pointed to Google's core business challenges, saying "things are not like they were 15 to 20 years ago," and urged employees to work faster. He told his team, "It's not like life is going to be hunky-dory, forever." Google's cloud business was among units instructing employees to move within shorter timelines even though they had fewer resources after cost cuts.

Google's use of cash

There were a lot of employee questions ahead of last week's meeting directed at the company's buyback, Porat said. As of last quarter, Alphabet had more than $100 billion in cash on the balance sheet but, Porat said, "you can't just drain it" or the company would find itself in the same position as in 2022. By contrast, distributing cash to shareholders is not considered an expense on the balance sheet, she said, adding that the board has a fiduciary duty to consider such measures. Buybacks and dividends don't replace investments in AI, Porat said.

watch now

Pichai chimed in when Porat wrapped up her response. "I think you almost set the record for the longest TGIF answer," he said. Google all-hands meetings were originally called TGIFs because they took place on Fridays, but now they can occur on other days of the week. Pichai then joked that leadership should hold a "Finance 101" Ted Talk for employees. With respect to the decline in morale brought up by employees, Pichai said "leadership has a lot of responsibility here, adding that "it's an iterative process." Pichai said the company staffed up too much during the Covid pandemic. "We hired a lot of employees and from there, we have had course correction," Pichai said. Alphabet's full-time headcount climbed to over 190,000 at the end of 2022, up almost 22% from a year earlier and 40% higher than at the close of 2020. Pichai, who replaced Google co-founder Larry Page as CEO of Alphabet in 2019, has taken his share of criticism of late for his messaging to the workforce as well as his lofty pay package, which swelled to $226 million, including stock awards, in 2022. The package in 2022 included $218 million in equities through a triennial stock grant. His total pay in 2023 was $8.8 million, up from about $8 million the prior year (excluding the stock grant), according to Alphabet's proxy filing. Other than Pichai's $2 million salary for each year, most of his additional compensation was for personal security. Employees have complained about the level of Pichai's compensation at a time when the company is downsizing. "Given the recent headcount and positive earnings, what is the company's headcount strategy?" one question read. Another asked, "Given the strong results, are we done with cost-cutting?" Pichai said the company is "working through a long period of transition as a company" which includes cutting expenses and "driving efficiencies." Regarding the latter point, he said, "We want to do this forever."

watch now

"To be clear, we're growing our expenses as a company this year, but we're moderating our pace of growth" Pichai said. "We see opportunities where we can re-allocate people and get things done." A Google spokesperson reiterated to CNBC that the company is investing in its biggest priorities and will continue to hire in those areas. The spokesperson also said most employees will receive a pay raise this year, including an increased salary, equity grants and a bonus. Executives at the all-hands meeting said that staffers who received raises last year got smaller raises than usual. Another comment floated ahead of the meeting was tied to "growing concerns about jobs moving from the U.S. to lower-cost locations." CNBC reported last week that Google is laying off at least 200 employees from its "Core" organization, which includes key teams and engineering talent. Executives were asked about the ongoing layoffs, despite the strong earnings report, and "when can we expect an end to the uncertainty and disruption that layoffs create?" Pichai said the company will have worked through the majority of layoffs in the first half of 2024. "Assuming current conditions, the second half of the year will be much smaller in scale," Pichai said, referring to job cuts. He said it will continue to be "very, very disciplined about managing headcount growth throughout the year." That means the company is still making tough choices regarding investments in new projects. "There's a lot of demand to do new things and, in the past, we would have just done it reflexively by growing headcount," Pichai said. "We can't do it now through the transition we are in." WATCH: Apple faces backlash for iPad ad, Google faces morale problem
Octavia Johnson is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at octavia.johnson@houstonchronicle.com.

Before joining the Chronicle, Octavia worked as a digital content producer at WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., where she became a leader in producing fast paced, audience-focused content.

Octavia graduated from UNC Pembroke with a bachelor's degree in journalism before earning her master's degree in media and communications at Norfolk State University.
BEIJING  ChatGPT-like artificial intelligence is speeding up research and bringing humanoid robots closer to reality in China, home to many of the world's factories.

AI has been around for decades. What's changed with the emergence of OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot is the ability of AI to better understand and generate content in a human-like way. While the U.S.-based tech is not officially available in China, local companies such as Baidu have released similar chatbots and AI models.

In robotics, the development of generative AI can help machines with understanding and perceiving their environment, said Li Zhang, chief operating officer of Shenzhen-based LimX Dynamics.

About three months after joining the two-year-old startup, Li said he shortened his expectations for how long it would take LimX to produce a humanoid robot capable of not just factory work, but also helping out in a households.

Li originally expected the entire process to take eight to ten years, but now anticipates some use cases will be ready in five to seven years. "After working for a few months, I saw how various tools' abilities were improved because of AI," he said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC.

"It has accelerated our entire research and development cycle," he said.
U.S. prosecutors are examining whether Tesla committed securities or wire fraud by misleading investors and consumers about its electric vehicles' self-driving capabilities, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems assist with steering, braking and lane changes  but are not fully autonomous. While Tesla has warned drivers to stay ready to take over driving, the Justice Department is examining other statements by Tesla and Chief Executive Elon Musk suggesting its cars can drive themselves.

U.S. regulators have separately investigated hundreds of crashes, including fatal ones, that have occurred in Teslas with Autopilot engaged, resulting in a mass recall by the automaker.

Reuters exclusively reported the U.S. criminal investigation into Tesla in October 2022, and is now the first to report the specific criminal liability federal prosecutors are examining.

Investigators are exploring whether Tesla committed wire fraud, which involves deception in interstate communications, by misleading consumers about its driver-assistance systems, the sources said. They are also examining whether Tesla committed securities fraud by deceiving investors, two of the sources said.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is also investigating Tesla's representations about driver-assistance systems to investors, one of the people said. The SEC declined to comment.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. Last October, it disclosed in a filing that the Justice Department had asked the company for information about Autopilot and Full Self-Driving.

The Justice Department declined to comment.

The probe, which is not evidence of wrongdoing, could result in criminal charges, civil sanctions, or no action. Prosecutors are far from deciding how to proceed, one of the sources said, in part because they are sifting through voluminous documents Tesla provided in response to subpoenas.

Reuters could not determine the specific statements prosecutors are reviewing as potentially illegal. Musk has aggressively touted the prowess of Tesla's driver-assistance technology for nearly a decade.

Tesla videos demonstrating the technology that remain archived on its website say: "The person in the driver's seat is only there for legal reasons. He is not doing anything. The car is driving itself."

A Tesla engineer testified in 2022 in a lawsuit over a fatal crash involving Autopilot that one of the videos, posted in October 2016, intended to show the technology's potential and did not accurately portray its capabilities at the time. Musk nevertheless posted the video on social media, writing: "Tesla drives itself (no human input at all) thru urban streets to highway streets, then finds a parking spot."

In a conference call with reporters in 2016, Musk described Autopilot as "probably better" than a human driver. During an October 2022 call, Musk addressed a forthcoming FSD upgrade he said would allow customers to travel "to your work, your friend's house, to the grocery store without you touching the wheel."
United Auto Workers (UAW) members and supporters on a picket line outside the ZF Chassis Systems plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

German premium carmaker Mercedes-Benz rejected on Wednesday claims it has been trying to prevent the formation of a union at its Alabama plant, ahead of a critical vote there next week.

United Auto Workers, the United States' biggest automotive union, said about 5,000 workers are set to vote next week on whether to unionize at Mercedes' plant in Vance, Alabama, and its nearby battery plant.

The group "respects the decision of the employees to establish a trade union organization, and it will monitor the election process and will make sure that every team member has the opportunity to cast a secret vote," Mercedes board member Renata Jungo Bruengger said at the annual shareholders' meeting.

The vote in Alabama is scheduled to begin on Monday, with final results due on May 17.

If successful, Mercedes would become the second automaker in the U.S. South to see its workers join the UAW's ranks in the last month, following the lead of a Volkswagen factory in Tennessee. Workers at the VW plant voted in late April to unionize by a margin of 73% in favor of the UAW, a strong showing that came after two previous losses at the same facility.

The UAW and labor academics have said that the company is resisting unionization efforts more heavily than VW did, which could make winning at Mercedes more difficult.
Monzo CEO TS Anil. Monzo

British neobank Monzo said Wednesday that it's raised another $190 million, lifting the total it's raised so far this year to $610 million. The company told CNBC it raised the cash from new investors including Hedosophia, a backer of top European fintechs including N26 and Qonto. CapitalG, Alphabet's independent growth fund, also participated in the round. Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC also participated in Monzo's latest fundraise, a source familiar with the matter told CNBC. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity as details of GIC's involvement aren't yet public. GIC declined to comment. The latest funding values Monzo at roughly $5.2 billion, an increase on the $5 billion valuation it attained in March when it raised $430 million. The total $610 million round marks the single-biggest funding round for a European fintech in the past year, according to Dealroom data. TS Anil, CEO of Monzo, told CNBC his firm plans to use the cash to build new products and accelerate its international expansion plans. "At the heart of it we are a mission-oriented company that's looking to build the single place where people can meet all of their financial needs," Anil told CNBC in an exclusive interview. "What's exciting to me is that, as we pursue that mission of changing people's relationship with money, we've built a business model that is congruent with that as well, with this model that is built entirely around the customer."

watch now

Monzo entered the black for the first time last year, hitting profitability following the end of its 2023 fiscal year. Anil said Monzo's looking to ramp up profits with diversification into other income generators, like lending and savings. Notably, Anil said that Monzo's planning to launch its first pensions product in the next six to nine months. That would put it in competition with traditional lenders including Barclays and NatWest. Last year, NatWest acquired 85% of U.K. workplace pension services provider Cushon for 144 million ($180 million).

Global expansion plans

Monzo's funding expansion caps off a busy year for the nine-year-old firm, which now counts more than 9 million retail customers in the U.K.  2 million of whom joined Monzo last year alone  and over 400,000 business customers. Last year saw Monzo make its first foray into investments with a feature allowing customers to invest in funds managed by BlackRock . Anil said Monzo identified that about a third of people using the service had never invested previously  and, more notably, 45% of the women investing via the Monzo app are first-time investors. Another big priority for Monzo in the coming months is international expansion.

The company recently restarted its U.S. expansion efforts, hiring a long-time executive from Block's Cash App as its new U.S. CEO after earlier abandoning a bid to acquire a banking license from U.S. regulators. For now, Anil says, Monzo's team in the U.S. is primarily focusing on product to ensure that the service it has there is of high enough quality that it can compete with major incumbents like JPMorgan and Citibank . The U.S. has proven notoriously difficult for European neobanks to crack. Berlin-based digital bank N26 notably withdrew from the U.S. in 2021. Revolut, meanwhile, has failed to formally file an application for a U.S. bank charter yet despite having earlier said it intends to file a draft application for a U.S. bank license. "What I like about how we're approaching this is, at the heart of it, it's not just words," Anil told CNBC in an exclusive interview Tuesday. "The necessary conditions for the U.S. for us is getting the product right. That's what we're spending our time and effort on there." European expansion is also on the cards, Anil said, although he didn't commit to a date for when this will happen.

Mortgages are coming

Longer term, Monzo is also planning to launch a mortgages product, which would see it compete much more aggressively with U.K. retail banks in the world of lending.
Shares of Robinhood rose in extended trading Wednesday afternoon after the retail brokerage announced stronger-than-expected first-quarter results.

Robinhood reported net income of $157 million, or 18 cents per share, for the first quarter. That is a positive swing from the same period last year, when the company had a net loss of $511 million, or 57 cents per share.

Here is how Robinhood's results compared to Wall Street estimates, according to analysts surveyed by LSEG:

Earnings per share: 18 cents vs. 6 cents expected

18 cents vs. 6 cents expected Revenue: $618 million vs. $549 million expected

The company said the earnings per share and revenue numbers were both records for the firm. The stock jumped more than 5% in after-hours trading.

Robinhood surged in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, but has since seen user activity and revenue that mirrors action in the broader market. Stocks and cryptocurrencies rose during the first quarter, which likely helped the company's results.

Cryptocurrency transactions accounted for $126 million in revenue in the quarter, the company said. Regulatory uncertainty has clouded the future of that business. Robinhood disclosed on Monday that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission had issued a Wells Notice to the company, signaling potential legal enforcement action over the company's cryptocurrency business.

Dan Gallagher, Robinhood's chief legal, compliance and corporate affairs officer, said in a blog post that the company was "disappointed" in the SEC's decision and still believes that the crypto assets on its platform are not legally securities.

Robinhood said its number of funded customers rose by 810,000 year over year to 23.9 million. Assets under custody rose 65% year over year to $129.6 billion, according to the press release.

Shares of Robinhood were up nearly 40% year to date before Wednesday's earnings announcement.

Read the full earnings release here.

Correction: A previous version of the story misstated the date of Robinhood's quarterly report.
Siemens Energy shares soared as much as 13% on Wednesday after the German renewables firm raised its forecast for the year and announced that the CEO of its troubled wind turbine unit will be replaced amid "comprehensive restructuring measures."

It said in a statement that Jochen Eickholt at Siemens Gamesa informed the board that he will step down from his position as CEO by mutual agreement on July 31, and be succeeded by Vinod Philip.

"In a very difficult situation at Siemens Gamesa, Jochen laid the central foundations for the urgently needed reorganization and new start within Siemens Energy. It is only fair to emphasize that the causes of the quality problems did not fall under his tenure as CEO," said Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch in a statement.

It said that Gamesa had initiated comprehensive restructuring measures and "steps for long-term strategic development" in order to boost operating margins.

Strong demand for power grid equipment amid the company's "success" in stabilizing the wind business led Siemens on Wednesday to raise its forecast for the year.
TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew testifies before a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing entitled "TikTok: How Congress can Safeguard American Data Privacy and Protect Children from Online Harms," as lawmakers scrutinize the Chinese-owned video-sharing app, on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 23, 2023. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters

The future of TikTok is more uncertain than ever after the social media company sued the U.S. government on Tuesday over a law that would force Chinese parent ByteDance to sell the app or face a national ban. President Joe Biden signed legislation in April that gives ByteDance nine months to find a buyer for the popular short-form video app, and a three month extension if a deal is in progress. The Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, as it's known, passed with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. TikTok argues that the bill violates the First Amendment, and that divestiture is "simply not possible: not commercially, not technologically, not legally," according to the company's legal filing. "For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban, and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than 1 billion people worldwide," the lawsuit said. American lawmakers have long argued that TikTok's foreign ownership poses a national security risk. Former President Donald Trump attempted to ban the platform through an executive order in 2020, laying out the path to a potential ban. That effort failed, but the issue gained resonance as concerns intensified surrounding China's heightened power on the global state. Prior to the passage of the law, TikTok spent more than $2 billion on an initiative called "Project Texas" to better protect U.S. user data from foreign influence. But lawmakers continued pressing to advance legislation anyway. Whether TikTok is successful in its lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, largely hinges on how the courts treat the matter. Is it a First Amendment issue or a national security concern?

watch now

'One of those truly hard issues'

The D.C. Circuit Court could agree to hear the case on an expedited timeframe, meaning a completed opinion could be delivered before a sale is required, said Gus Hurwitz, senior fellow and academic director of the Center for Technology, Innovation & Competition at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Hurwitz said TikTok and ByteDance will likely request a stay of the law or a preliminary injunction with the court, effectively putting the law on hold until a decision is reached. "If the court does not put such a stay in place, I think that's a really bad sign for TikTok and ByteDance," Hurwitz told CNBC in an interview. "That's a suggestion that the court thinks the law has a very strong chance of being upheld." TikTok could also file another lawsuit on behalf of its users, which Hurwitz said would strengthen the company's First Amendment argument and, if the courts view it under that lens, make it harder for Congress to prevail. "This is one of those truly hard issues on both sides sort of cases," Hurwitz said. Gautam Hans, an associate clinical professor of law at Cornell Law School, said courts take issues of speech suppression very seriously, but are also protective of national security. He said the two priorities infrequently come into conflict. "These situations are relatively rare," Hans said in an interview. "This law is, to my understanding, is pretty unprecedented." It's also different from past attempts to ban TikTok since the bill has bipartisan support, which can influence the courts, Hans said. Regardless of what happens in the circuit court, Hans said there's a real possibility the case ends up getting elevated to the U.S. Supreme Court. "I don't think that this case is going to be easily resolved," Hans said.

watch now

Weighing a sale ByteDance could simplify the process and agree to divest TikTok so that it's majority owner is outside of China. But the company has reportedly said it would rather close TikTok in the U.S. than sell it. TikTok CEO Shou Chew said in a video on the app, "Make no mistake: This is a ban." Further complicating a potential sale is the issue of TikTok's algorithm, which is they key piece of technology that allows the app to make recommendations to users. China would likely have to approve the transfer of the algorithm, a move that experts don't see happening. "It's kind of like you're selling the house, but you take out all the windows and doors and who's gonna buy it?" Hans said. Still, there are some interested acquirers. Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC's David Faber on Tuesday he is still "very interested" in buying or investing in TikTok. He said that, even without the algorithm, the platform could probably be rebuilt within a year. But he said it would be a much more difficult deal if TikTok were to spend six months of that period litigating. "The best outcome would be if they'd agree to do a deal now and you'd have a year to rebuild the technology, which I think would be a major effort but could be done," Mnuchin said. As of now, TikTok can continue to operate. Hurwitz said the company is showing little inclination to sell or or stop doing business in the U.S. until the last possible minute. "This is going to be a while," he said. WATCH: Here's what to know about TikTok lawsuit
The Kremlin doubled down on warning that any deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine would represent a significant and dangerous escalation of tensions between Russia and the military alliance.

When asked to comment on a petition posted on the Ukrainian presidential website Tuesday calling for NATO troops from the U.S., U.K. and EU to be sent to Ukraine, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that such a move posed a "huge danger."

Earlier Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters French troops will be targeted by the Russian army if they are deployed on Ukrainian soil.

In other news, Russia used more than 50 missiles and 20 drones to attack Ukraine's infrastructure overnight, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday, with the country's energy network suffering a "massive attack."
Israeli army tanks take position in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on May 7, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration paused a shipment of weapons to Israel last week in opposition to apparent moves by the Israelis to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a senior administration official said on Tuesday.

Biden has been trying to head off a full-scale assault by the Israelis against Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinian have sought refuge from combat elsewhere in Gaza.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that as Israelis leaders seemed to approach a decision on a Rafah incursion, "we began to carefully review proposed transfers of particular weapons to Israel that might be used in Rafah" beginning in April.

"As a result of that review, we have paused one shipment of weapons last week. It consists of 1,800 2,000-lb bombs and 1,700 500-lb bombs," the official said.

"We are especially focused on the end-use of the 2,000-lb bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza. We have not made a final determination on how to proceed with this shipment," the official said.

Four sources said the shipments, which have been delayed for at least two weeks, involved Boeing-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions, which convert dumb bombs into precision-guided ones, as well as Small Diameter Bombs.
BERLIN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 03: People arrive to attend the Huawei keynote address at the IFA 2020 Special Edition consumer electronics and appliances trade fair.

The U.S. has revoked certain licenses for chip exports to Chinese tech giant Huawei, the Commerce Department told CNBC on Tuesday, in its latest efforts to curb China's tech power.

"We continuously assess how our controls can best protect our national security and foreign policy interests, taking into consideration a constantly changing threat environment and technological landscape," a Commerce spokesperson said in a statement.

"As part of this process, as we have done in the past, we sometimes revoke export licenses," the spokesperson said, declining to comment on specific licenses. "But we can confirm that we have revoked certain licenses for exports to Huawei."

Huawei was placed on a U.S. trade blacklist in 2019, which banned U.S. firms from selling technology  including 5G chips  to the Chinese tech giant over national security concerns. In 2020, the U.S. tightened chip restrictions on Huawei, requiring foreign manufacturers using American chipmaking equipment to obtain a license before they can sell semiconductors to Huawei.

Huawei's consumer business, which includes smartphones and laptops, is seeing a resurgence after launching the Mate 60 Pro smartphone in August.
A man was shot and killed outside a McDonalds at the corner of the Katy Freeway and Chimney Rock on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Courtesy/OnScene.tv

An attorney killed outside a west Houston McDonalds last weekend was shot to death after a fight that started as an attempt to calm down an upset customer, according to reports.

Jeffrey Limmer, 46, died after being shot multiple times, according to Houston Police Department.

The shooting happened around 6 p.m. Saturday at the fast food restaurant near the intersection of Chimney Rock and the Katy Freeway.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In a release Monday, Houston Police Department officials said Limmer and the gunman had gotten into a verbal disagreement before the shooting. A police spokesman on Tuesday confirmed that Limmer had tried to intervene in an argument between another customer and a McDonalds employee.

According to Houston Chronicle reporting partner ABC 13, Limmer and the man got into an argument inside the restaurant after the man became upset about his order, and then went outside. While they were outside, Limmer pushed the man to the ground. The man then got up, retrieved a gun and shot Limmer, according to the TV station. He died at the scene.

Limmer was an associate at Lewis Brisbois. He was a graduate of the University of Texas and the South Texas College of Law, according to a biography published on the firms website.

Limmers sister told ABC13 that he lived near the McDonalds.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Police said the shooter drove away from the business in a 2000s blue Ford pickup truck.

No arrests have been made.
We are exiting our position in Bausch Health , selling 2,930 shares at roughly $7.13. In addition, are buying 95 shares of Abbott Laboratories at roughly $104.53 and 125 shares of GE Healthcare at roughly $81. Following the trades, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 895 shares of ABT, increasing its weighting to 2.95% from 2.65% and 1,275 shares of GEHC, increasing its weighting to 3.25% from. The Trust will no longer own a position in BHC. We trimmed our Bausch Health position in late February above $9 per share because we knew the courts were expected to decide on Xifaxan's patents imminently, and we thought it was a dice roll. Bausch has been fighting to delay generic competition for its best-selling drug in order to generate sufficient cash flow to pay off some of its long-term debt obligations. It's also essential to Bausch's ability to spin off its roughly 88% stake in eye-care firm Bausch + Lomb to shareholders, the highly elusive catalyst event that mistakenly was the reason we bought the stock in the first place. As it turned out, sometimes your first loss is your best loss  a concept Jim Cramer explored in his Sunday column  because the ruling went in Bausch's favor, a big win in our eyes, and yet the stock has since done nothing but go down. Some of the decline likely has to do with Amneal Pharmaceuticals trying to get approval for a generic version of Xifaxan. Our concern is this news and the lawsuit filed by Bausch against Amneal has restarted the litigation clock, creating an uncertain timeline for the next big catalyst that could improve the narrative. Although our Bausch Health position is tiny relative to the rest of our holdings and we could always continue to wait out future developments, the cash tied up in the company will be better served in Abbott Laboratories and GE Healthcare. The quality of the portfolio improves with these trades. And we are still buying into weakness because shares of Abbott and GE Healthcare are down over the past month. Abbott Laboratories reported a strong first quarter last month and proved itself as one of the fastest-growing large-cap companies in the medical technology industry with organic sales up nearly 11%. The company also did something it never does after one quarter  it raised its organic sales growth and adjusted earnings per share outlook for the year. It's rare to see management this bullish so early in the year. The beat and raise was a sign of confidence, but the market has ignored it. Shares of Abbott have been in the doghouse since March due to litigation concerns for its baby formula business. Any type of litigation cannot be ignored by investors, but we think this situation is different from Johnson & Johnson 's talc lawsuit overhang. Abbott's formula has a warning label, and it's been approved by doctors as live-saving nutrition. Many analysts think the market capitalization that has been lost from this overhang far exceeds what Abbott could ultimately pay to settle the cases, creating an opportunity to buy a Dividend Aristocrat on weakness. This will be our fourth Abbott buy since mid-March. GE Healthcare's first-quarter report on April 30 was not clean . We acknowledge that. We were disappointed that the company missed Wall Street estimates on both revenue and earnings per share, though management maintained its outlook for the full year. However, when we drilled down into the numbers and what management had to say, it looked like a big part of the miss had to do with China, where the company was lapping difficult year-over-year comparisons. There also were some timing issues from customers in China that delayed orders as they wait more details of a new government stimulus package. Those orders will come back later this year. Meanwhile, procedure volumes in the U.S. continue to be strong, supporting a robust spending outlook from hospitals to GE Healthcare's benefit. We also see an underappreciated margin expansion story here as management continues to optimize its cost structure after spinning off from then-General Electric last year. The introduction of higher-priced products integrated with artificial intelligence will help, too. Outside of healthcare, we're taking a harder look at Disney as a name to buy on what looks like an excessive pullback on management's comments Tuesday about demand in its theme-parks business. Many analysts came out in defense of the stock overnight, joining us in calling Tuesday's 9.5% sell-off an overreaction . We also would be buyers of Wynn Resorts on Wednesday if we were not restricted because the company r eported a great quarter Tuesday night and is not getting any credit for it. In addition, we are always hesitant to add a new name in the portfolio without taking something off first. The uncertain and extended timeline of when Bausch Health will be able to spin off its stake in Bausch + Lomb to shareholders could keep the stock in purgatory for quite some time. This exit will free up a slot in the portfolio for new opportunities. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long ABT, GEHC, DIS and WYNN. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
The ChatGPT chat screen on a laptop computer and logo on a smartphone arranged in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

AI usage in the workplace is at an all-time high with workers determined to get ahead of their busy schedules, but concerns about the nascent technology replacing jobs are still there, according to a new Microsoft and LinkedIn research.

Microsoft and LinkedIn released their Annual Work Trend Index Wednesday which looked at the effects of AI on the labor market by surveying 31,000 people across 31 countries including the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, India, Singapore, Australia and Brazil.

It found that although 75% of workers are using AI in the workplace, over half of respondents don't want to admit that they're using it for their most important tasks. This is because 53% of those who are using AI at work on their most important tasks are worried that it makes them look replaceable.

Additionally, nearly half of professionals are concerned that AI will replace their jobs and are considering quitting their current postings in the year ahead.

Colette Stallbaumer, general manager of Microsoft Copilot and co-founder of Microsoft WorkLab, told CNBC Make It that workers need to get over their fears and start embracing AI.

"The more you can as an employee lean in and learn, the better off you're going to be," Stallbaumer said.

"I think that's where people have to get over the fear hump a little bit and move into optimism, move into a growth mindset, taking the opportunity to learn these skills, because all of the data shows it's going to make them more marketable, whether you're inside your company today, or looking to make a move or get hired."
News and Info from our Community Partners

Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Larry Satterwhite provides preliminary information of an officer-involved shooting at 6700 block of Langdon Lane June 22, 2022, in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Larry Satterwhite, a longtime assistant chief and commander in the Houston Police Department, was named acting chief of police on Tuesday by Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

The interim promotion came after the sudden retirement of former chief Troy Finner, whose departure was announced in a late-night email by Whitmire.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Satterwhite was already one of the highest ranking officers in one of the nation's largest police departments and has had a long career with some similarities to Finner, officials said.

It remains to be seen how long Satterwhite remains in charge of the department, as Whitmire considers his options in the fallout of Finner's departure.

Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite talks during the National Police Week Day of Prayer on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

What do we know about Larry Satterwhite's career?

Satterwhite has worked for the Houston Police Department for 34 years, the same amount of time that Finner was with the department. The two were in the police academy at the same time, he said Wednesday,

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Satterwhite joined the department in January 1990. He was first assigned to be a patrol officer in the Beechnut division, which is now called the Southwest Patrol Division. After 10 years in patrol, he spent six years as a member of the department's SWAT team.

He was a sergeant in the Southwest division, served as a lieutenant in vehicular crimes and criminal intelligence units.

He has also worked the commander of the police department's special operations division, which was responsible for preparing the city for high-profile events, such as the World Series.

He was promoted to assistant chief over homeland security issues in 2017, by then-chief Art Acevedo, and then promoted to executive assistant chief of field operations in 2021 by Finner.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

More recently, as executive assistant chief over field operations, Satterwhite reported directly to Finner. He oversaw the department's patrol operations, according to an organizational chart published by the department in February.

Houston Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite talks to reporters during a press conference about school safety Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at James Madison High School in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

When else has Satterwhite been in the news?

Satterwhite has often been the top police official on the scene of major crimes and officer-involved shootings, where he would deliver updates on what happened.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Satterwhite also went briefly viral during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was seen being followed by a group of ducklings through Memorial Park.

What was Satterwhite's involvement in Astroworld?

Satterwhite also had an active role was in responding to emergencies in the Astroworld crowd as the festival unfolded.

His voice was often heard in police radio traffic as reports of unconscious people trickled in during rapper Travis Scott's 2021 concert.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

As the crowd crush dangers became evident, Satterwhite, then an executive assistant, went looking for a concert organizer to force Scotts show to come to an end. His search was delayed as a security contractor beckoned him to help carry a woman to a medical tent, according to his Satterwhite's account of what happened in a Dec. 6, 2021, police report.

Satterwhite stopped to give the woman CPR and help bring her to the medical tent on a stretcher. During the move, someone jostled the stretcher and she fell to the ground head first, the report stated.

By 10 p.m., Satterwhite found three concert workers who could contact Scott. He ordered them to end the performance.

"But theyre not dead, Satterwhite recalled a worker saying in the report. The workers said they needed more time to stop the show. Satterwhite told them to pull the plug by 10:10 p.m.

Unbeknownst to Satterwhite at the time, another high-ranking officer gave concert organizers instructions to end the show about 20 minutes earlier.

One of the organizers assured police that Scott had been notified. Despite that assurance, the show went on for several more minutes.

On Wednesday, amid reports of many of the claims over the festival being settled, attorneys for one of the Astroworld victims said he intended to call Satterwhite to the stand if it reaches a civil trial.

Larry Satterwhite, the Houston Police Department assistant chief who oversees the Homeland Security Command, speaks to media at the scene of a "law enforcement operation" led by the FBI on the 2000 block of Albans Road Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Houston. Godofredo A. Vasquez/Godofredo A. Vasquez

Will Satterwhite be the permanent chief?

That's unknown. Whitmire called Satterwhite the acting chief in his email, but left it unclear if he will remain in charge for an extended period as an interim chief or be considered as the next full-time chief of the department.

In Houston's recent history, there is precedent for both an extended search and a quick promotion.

When former Chief Art Acevedo announced his plan to leave Houston for Miami in 2021, Finner was named the next chief by former Mayor Sylvester Turner within four days.
Aug. 5, 2024: In a major defeat for Google, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that the company had engaged in anticompetitive behavior in an effort to protect its search business. In the 277-page decision, Mehta was blunt: After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly. It has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act. Attorney General Merrick Garland, in a statement from the Department of Justice, said: This victory against Google is an historic win for the American people. No company  no matter how large or influential  is above the law. Mehtas ruling did not include remedies for the anticompetitive behavior; those will be decided later.

May 3, 2024: Over two days of closing arguments, the DoJ revisited its case for Google having a monopoly on search advertising, and Judge Mehta quizzed both parties about whether other platforms could be viewed as substitutes for Googles search advertising business. He hasnt said how long he expects to take to reach a decision, but if he rules against Google, a second hearing will take place to decide on any remedies.

November 16, 2023: The evidentiary phase of the trial finishes, as Judge Mehta issues instructions for post-trial submissions. Despite considerable amounts of redaction and closed-door testimony, the case revealed some unprecedented details about the relationships between the largest tech companies in the world, including the fact that Apple apparently keeps 36% of the search revenue from Google searches in Safari, and Apple once considered buying Microsofts Bing search engine as leverage against Google. Judge Mehta has scheduled closing arguments in the case for May 1, 2024.
A variety of emerging work trends could combine to help employees gain an edge in the corporate world. The latest puzzle piece is a recent decision by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to ban non-compete agreements.

Disagreements among workers and employers over return-to-office mandates, remote and hybrid work, higher pay, resignations, and layoffs are likely to become supercharged again. That is, if the FTCs April 23 move to strike down most existing and future non-compete agreements takes effect in August or early September.

Once freed from their post-employment non-compete shackles, millions of workers could launch their own businesses or interview with competing companies  negotiating higher salaries and winning new perks and freedoms along the way. Non-competes effectively prevent salaries at fair-market value because an employees ability to opt for another job is hampered.
A recent study revealed a development in the treatment of depression: a head-mounted device emitting ultra-low frequency magnetic fields has demonstrated efficacy in improving symptoms in four male patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

The therapy, which utilizes an Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Environment (ELF-ELME), targets mitochondria stimulation, a process believed to renew energy production and alleviate depression-associated lethargy. Led by Professor Toshiya Inada and Masako Tachibana of Nagoya University in Japan, the research team conducted an exploratory first-in-human study, enrolling four male participants aged 18 to 75 years.

Throughout the eight-week trial, participants wore the head-mounted device for two hours daily, experiencing exposure to ELF-ELME. Despite the study's small sample size and absence of a control group, all patients reported a significant reduction in depression levels, indicating potential efficacy of the therapy.

While acknowledging the preliminary nature of the study, researchers emphasize the feasibility of larger-scale clinical trials to further validate the therapy's effectiveness. Professor Inada highlights the device's noninvasive nature, with magnetic field levels well below established safety standards, making it suitable for home-based treatment.

"The magnetic field generated by the device is non-invasive, being 1/4.5 of the Japanese geomagnetic field and less than 1/60 of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection's general public exposure standard," Inada explained, Science Daily reported. "We anticipate that patients will be able to receive daily home treatment without even being aware of being in a low magnetic field environment."

Compared to conventional depression treatments such as medication and electroconvulsive therapy, the magnetic therapy offers greater convenience and fewer anticipated side effects. Inada envisions its integration into patient-centered care, providing an alternative for individuals averse to medication or seeking complementary treatments.

The study is published in published in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry.
People only started talking about light meat and dark meat because they were too embarrassed to talk about breasts and legs

A friend is getting married, and you open up their gift registry. You see a Dutch oven listed there, and you suppress a giggle. How could they request that item with a straight face? Dont they know Dutch oven is slang for holding someones head under the covers and forcing them to smell a fart?

Later, at the ceremony, you deliver the toast, and you mention your Dutch oven observation. This angers and confuses people, who have no idea what youre talking about. You are expelled from the venue. But the fact remains: Sometimes, words attain dirty meanings separate from their intended definition. Often, the wisest option is to sub in a new word altogether, such as...

5 Light Meat and Dark Meat Don't Miss Light meat and dark meat are two different kinds of flesh on a bird. Confusingly, these names have nothing at all to do with white meat and red meat  all poultry is white meat, but some is light while some is dark. Dark meat is fattier than light meat and arguably tastier. The difference comes from the type of muscle tissue. Dark meat is slow-twitch muscle, built for sustained motion, while light meat is fast-twitch muscle, built for quick explosive work. Toa Heftiba Not to be confused with explosive meat, the result of dropping the bird in a deep fryer. That sustained motion is done by the birds legs, which walk, while the explosive work is done by the breasts, which power the wings for flight. So, dark meat is thighs, while light meat is breasts. Well, damn then, we could have avoided all that complicated explanation if we just said legs and breasts instead of light meat and dark meat. People used to do just that. Then, in the 19th century, they adopted light meat and dark meat as euphemisms because legs (or, worse, thighs) and breasts sounded far too sexual for polite company. Even today, youll surely hear jokes now and then when someone ordering chicken says they want a couple big breasts. But today, light meat and dark meat also sound sexual, so lets just say whatevers easiest.

4 Rooster If were talking chicken double entendres, we of course need to talk about cocks. The cock is the male chicken, otherwise known as a rooster. Cock is also a word for a penis. Of all animals to lend their name to the penis, a cock is an ironic choice, since he has no penis of his own. That slang term probably began because a chicken farm uses a cock to fertilize the hens. Arib Neko This guy reminds us of several other organs more than he does a penis. The Oxford English Dictionary noted the slang usage of cock as early as 1891, calling it the current name for penis among the people, but pudoris causa not admissible in polite speech or literature. Pudoris causa may look like yet another term for penis, but its a Latin phrase meaning for modestys sake. Oxford could take it for granted that people looking up cock in the dictionary knew fluent Latin. Advertisement That same dictionary said that calling a bird a cockerel was by that point archaic. Puritans had switched to rooster, to avoid having to call it cock. A rooster was a suitable word for a roosting bird, and post-swap, it was a relief to no longer be woken up by a cock every morning.

3 Missus Advertisement The title in front of your name may reveal your gender, marital status, profession or level of nobility. The most common one for men is Mr., while women have Mrs., Miss and Ms. Mr. is short for mister. Miss isnt short for anything. Ms. is pronounced miz but doesnt represent any word other than Ms. itself. As for Mrs., thats pronounced missus of course. Thats kind of weird. Why would you spell or abbreviate missus as Mrs.? Theres no r in missus. Did people perhaps start with the male Mr. and simply stick an s on the end? Does that s stand for sister? Is the word actually mirssus, but British people dont pronounce the r, and so we all followed their example and soon forgot the r ever existed? Advertisement Sandro Botticelli Is it because women are from Mars, and men are from Venus? Mrs. originally stood for mistress, which was the female counterpart to mister. Its also the female counterpart to master, which is why youll call a senior wizard either a master of the dark arts and or a mistress of the dark arts. But as people increasingly used mistress to mean extramarital partner, it ceased to be an appropriate word for a married woman, so we switched to pronouncing that title as missus. Titles also show how words can become less dirty over time. Originally, most single women were not called Miss  all adult women used Mrs., whether they were married or not. Youd only call a woman Miss if she were a sex worker. Advertisement

2 Canola Oil Advertisement A lot of our vegetable oil comes from a plant named Brassica napus. The common name for this plant is rapeseed, with the rape part deriving from Latin word for turnip. For years, rapeseed oil was used for engine grease or fuel, but then scientists tinkered with it and created an especially edible version: low-erucic acid rapeseed oil. It would be great for cooking  like olive oil, only cheaper, said marketers  if people would willingly buy a product called low-erucic acid rapeseed oil, which they wouldnt. Clearly, the product needed a new name. At the end of the 1980s, it became canola oil. The can represents Canada, a land thats full of rape. Advertisement Ethan Sahagun Here is a vast field of Canadian rape. That might sound crass and forced, us calling Canada full of rape, but some parts of Canada used to be quite proud of that status. The town of Tisdale in Saskatchewan, which grows a lot of Brassica napus, adopted the motto the land of rape and honey in 1958. They kept it for almost 60 years before changing it to opportunity grows here in August 2016.
Pro-Palestinian supporters gather Harris County Jail after two people were arrested following a pro-Palestinian encampment on University of Houston campus on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Harris County Sheriffs deputies walk past Pro-Palestinian supporters gathered at the Harris County Jail after two people were arrested following a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Houston campus earlier in the day on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Pro-Palestinian supporters gather Harris County Jail after two people were arrested following a pro-Palestinian encampment on University of Houston campus on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Pro-Palestinian supporters gather at the Harris County Jail after two people were arrested following a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Houston campus earlier in the day on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer A cyclist watches as Pro-Palestinian supporters gather Harris County Jail after two people were arrested following a pro-Palestinian encampment on University of Houston campus on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Pro-Palestinian supporters gather Harris County Jail after two people were arrested following a pro-Palestinian encampment on University of Houston campus on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Pro-Palestinian supporters gather Harris County Jail after two people were arrested following a pro-Palestinian encampment on University of Houston campus on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer A University of Houston student leads a chant outside the Harris County Jail after two people were arrested following a pro-Palestinian encampment on University of Houston campus on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer UH students and supporters wait outside the campus police station after two people were arrested following a pro-Palestinian encampment on University of Houston campus on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Pro-Palestinian supporters gather at the Harris County Jail after two people were arrested following a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Houston campus earlier in the day on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer A man walks by with a flag as Pro-Palestinian supporters gathered at the Harris County Jail after two people were arrested following a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Houston campus earlier in the day on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

Two University of Houston students were arrested Wednesday morning as campus police dismantled a pro-Palestine encampment resembling ones recently seen at Columbia University and UCLA.

Officers with the UH Police Department broke up the encampment nearly two hours after arriving at Butler Plaza, where students had sat on tarps, in tents and behind barricades. State statutes prohibit tents and encampments on campus grounds, and police issued verbal warnings for the students to disperse until officers physically took apart apart the camp, UH spokesman Kevin Quinn said.

One student was arrested for allegedly failing to identify themselves, and another was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, Quinn said. The other students were allowed to continue their protest, moving to the campus police station and then off-campus to the Harris County Jail.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

"We support the constitutional rights of free speech and peaceful assembly and continue to encourage groups to engage in expressive activity safely, compliant with university policies and state laws, and respectful of the rights of others with differing views," a UH statement reads.

Students began praying at the encampment before sunrise, taking part in a national movement to call for universities to divest from companies that they believe are complicit in the deaths of people in Palestine. Those protests have boiled over at many campuses, with more than 1,000 recorded arrests. The protests also come close to graduation, with UH's first ceremony planned for Wednesday night.

At UH, students have had fewer run-ins with police during several days of protests. Officers threatened the students with arrest Wednesday before dismantling the set-up, students said.

Video provided by the protesters show authorities bundling up and removing tarps and leading one student away with their hands tied behind their back. Another video shows authorities leaning in on a group of students as some protesters yelled back. One person tore away from the group and was tackled by police, according to the footage.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

They ended up violently, physically tearing down our encampment, said Reyna Valdez, an organizer for UHs chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. They took our barricades down, ripped them apart, took our tents, tossed them aside, and started ripping our tarp up on the ground.

UH estimated about 60 people occupied the set-up at Butler Plaza. UH police arrived around 7 a.m., and with help from officers from other departments, began taking down the camp around 9 a.m., Quinn said.

Authorities remained at Butler Plaza, while protesters moved to the UH police station. The protest then migrated to to the Harris County Joint Processing Center, where arrestees are taken into jail.

The demonstration continued through the afternoon, becoming large enough that the Harris County Sheriff's Office notified the public of a road closure on the main road leading to the jail, on San Jacinto Street from Commerce to Wood.
Apples crusade for user privacy on its iOS platform stares at a potential setback as a new report accused tech bigwigs including Google, Meta, and Spotify of flouting the companys guidelines on device fingerprinting.

Device fingerprinting is a technique that involves collecting various details from the users device, like system boot time or available disk space, to create a unique identifier. This identifier can be used to track users across platforms for personalized advertising  a practice the iPhone maker has increasingly restricted.

To curb this practice and to strengthen user privacy, Apple recently implemented stricter guidelines for app developers regarding the use of required reason APIs (application programming interface) and SDKs (software development kits).
Israels Cyber Dome Defends Against Iranian Hackers

Israels Iron Dome defence system has long shielded it from incoming missiles and defend against incoming aerial attacks. Now, it is building a 'cyber dome' to defend against online attacks, particularly from Iran.

The Israeli National Cyber Directorates head of international cooperation, Aviram Atzaba, said in an interview that this is a silent, invisible war and that while they are  trying to hack everything they can, so far they have not succeeded in causing any real damage.

"It is a silent war, one which is not visible... For the past two years, we have been developing a cyber dome against cyberattacks, which functions like the Iron Dome against rockets." Atzaba said.

While Israel has fought Hamas in Gaza since October 7th, it has also been facing a significant increase in cyber attacks from Iran and its allies. According to Atzaba, around 800 significant attacks targeting government organisations, the military, and civil infrastructures have been defeated.

While Israel already has robust cyber defences, these consist of local, unconnected efforts and the directorate has been working to build a centralised, real-time system that works proactively to protect Israeli cyberspace.

Iran welcomed Hamass attack on Israel, and regional tensions have increased to unprecedented levels, particularly after Iran fired hundreds of missiles directly at Israel for the first time, in retaliation for a deadly Israeli air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Former Israeli deputy national advisor, Professor Chuck Freilich, has described Iran is an impressive enemy with powerful offensive cyber capabilities. Freilich describes Iranian attacks as being intended not only to disable critical infrastructure, but also to collect data for intelligence and spread false information for propaganda purposes. Freilich considers that Iran's cyber capabilities are likely to improve with assistance from Russia and China, as well an emphasis on cyber training for students and soldiers, adding that the trend was concerning for the future.

Iran's investment in cyberwar capabilities was prompted by the Stuxnet attack in 2010 that inflicted physical damage on Iran's nuclear program. The Stuxnet was widely attributed to Israel in cooperation with the US.

The Israeli system has various scanners that continuously monitor Israeli cyberspace for vulnerabilities and inform those at risk of the means to mitigate them. Israels cyber strength relies on close cooperation between the public, private and academic sectors, as well as Israels white hat hackers who help identify weaknesses.

With cyber dome, all sources are fed into a large data pool that enables a view of the big picture and to invoke a national response in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. according to Freilich. Of course, Israel is not the sole target of Iranian cyber attacks, with Iranian hackers also attacking US government and numerous private sector companies.

I-HIS | France 24 | Iran International | Hurriyet Daily News | Arab News | Khaleej Times |

Iran International | CTech | Turkiye Newspaper | AFP

Image: Mohamed Nohassi

You Might Also Read:

Iranian Hackers Targeted Israels Radar Systems:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

Individual 5 per month or 50 per year. Sign Up

Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible
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.
Mayor John Whitmire sits with Houston Police Chief Troy Finner as he sits down for a meeting with the Houston Area Chiefs of Police for a public safety summit on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Houston. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Troy Finner has stepped down as the chief of the Houston Police Department, Mayor John Whitmire announced late Tuesday. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

Chief Troy Finner abruptly retired from the Houston Police Department late Tuesday night as a widening investigation into the force for quietly suspending thousands of criminal investigations cast a widening shadow over Mayor John Whitmires new administration.

I have accepted the retirement of Troy Finner as Chief of Police, and have appointed Larry Satterwhite acting Chief of Police effective 10:31 p.m. tonight, Whitmire wrote in a four-paragraph email to city employees. This decision comes with full confidence in acting Chief Satterwhites abilities to lead and uphold the high standards of the department.

The retirement of the chief upended the day in City Hall as Whitmire and the interim chief tried to assure residents that the change was necessary and that it would ensure greater trust in the department.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Whitmire said Wednesday that he and Finner mutually decided on the retirement because of the growing concern and questions over the dropped cases. The scandal had damaged the publics confidence in the police department and in employees' morale in recent months, Whitmire said.

Finner did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but he released a statement late Wednesday saying that becoming a police officer was one of the best decisions of his life.

He said the last few months were, perhaps, the most challenging yet most rewarding.

It was painful because some victims of violent crime did not receive the quality of care and service they deserved, he said. But it was also beneficial because we implemented measures to ensure this never happens again.

He did not directly address what led to his decision to retire.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Finner launched the investigation into dropped cases in February and given periodic updates on the progress. Last week, Finner announced that the internal investigation had concluded, but the police department had yet to release its findings.

Whitmire assembled an independent investigative group to review the police department but has not released its findings.

Finner had long maintained that he first learned about the computer code officers used to drop the cases in 2021 and has become an outspoken critic of the practice.

On Tuesday, multiple Houston TV stations reported a new development: A leaked email from 2018 raising questions about when Finner might have learned about the code.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In the email, a department employee wrote to then-Chief Art Acevedo about a failure-to-stop-and-give-information investigation that was suspended despite a witness being able to identify a license plate number. The employee wrote that it was suspended  lack of personnel. Finner was copied on that email and responded this is unacceptable, look into it and follow up with me.

Finner said that in the context of the email, he didnt understand it was a code officers used to drop cases. He was referring to the decision to drop the investigation when there was a compelling lead to chase.

In a statement posted by the department on X, Finner said, I have always been truthful and have never set out to mislead anyone about anything, including this investigation.

A Houston native, Finner joined the department in 1990. He spent 12 years as a patrol officer before he was promoted to sergeant in 2002. Five years later, he was promoted to lieutenant and then to assistant chief in 2014. When Acevedo arrived in 2016, he tapped Finner as one of his two top subordinates, tasking him with overseeing field and support operations.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Gregory Fremin, a retired Houston police captain who teaches criminal justice at Sam Houston State University, said Finners retirement ultimately boils down to politics.

Whitmire mustve felt the scandal started reflecting negatively on his administration, Fremin said. And the union decided to go after Finner over it.

I like Troy; I feel sorry for him, Fremin said. Thats tough to go through, on top of running a department with all the day-to-day activities entailed with that.

Satterwhite steps in

Satterwhite most recently served as the executive assistant chief for field operations, a position he was promoted to by Finner in 2021.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Before then, Satterwhite was a commander and assistant chief who oversaw special operations, putting him in charge of planning security for Houstons large events, including the World Series and the Astroworld Festival, which resulted in a crowd frenzy that left 10 people dead. A Texas grand jury declined to indict Houston rapper Travis Scott, who headlined the event, or anyone associated with the concert.

Satterwhite made his first official public appearance as interim chief Wednesday morning by delivering a greeting at a National Police Week prayer service outside the departments downtown headquarters.

Finner had been scheduled to deliver the welcome, and his name was still printed on fliers.

Satterwhite did not mention Finner but spoke of the challenges and risks faced by police as he honored the 121 Houston police officers who died in the line of duty in the citys history.

This is a challenging time for our department and for all of law enforcement, Satterwhite said. While I am not a perfect man, I am a man of faith, and I do know someone who is perfect and I will be praying to him every day for guidance and strength.

During a news conference later at police headquarters, Satterwhite said he was still getting caught up on the internal investigation of suspended cases that led to Finners ouster. He said that he was in a 2021 command staff meeting where the topic was discussed  and where Finner claimed he banned the code to drop cases. Satterwhite said that he only have vague recollection of the meeting and that he left it early to help with preparations for the Astroworld concert.

I remember something about it, Satterwhite said. I know that doesnt sound great. I remember something about it, but it wasnt my focus.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said she worked with Finner and Satterwhite when they were both new police officers in the Gulfton neighborhood and she was the head of the district attorneys gang unit.

She called Satterwhite capable, Ogg said. Hes got a long history with Houston. He knows what to do. I have all confidence in him.

Union says scandal left no other option

Douglas Griffith, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union, said he respected Finners 34 years of service and time as chief but thought the suspended cases scandal left a black eye on the department that necessitated the chiefs retirement.

We needed to move on and, unfortunately, it took a leadership change to do so, he said.

Griffith denied that the union sought Finners ouster, saying he had personal respect for the chief, but said representatives did butt heads with Finner in recent months over some of his decision-making. He cited the demotions of Kevin Deese and Ernest Garcia in connection with the ongoing review as examples.

Domingo Garcia, president of the Organization for Spanish-Speaking Officers, told the Chronicle Finners retirement was a good thing.

The era of (Mayor Sylvester) Turner, Acevedo and Finner is over, he said. Thats a good thing for HPD.

CHIEF OF STAFF ACCUSED: Sheriff Gonzalezs chief of staff accused of 2023 injury to a child allegation

Turner, who was the mayor when Finner became chief, was one of the first public figures to react to the news of the retirement.

Chief Troy Finner gave 34 plus years of his life to HPD, Turner said in a post on X. For the last 3 plus years he led the largest police force in the southwest through some challenging and divisive times and under his direct leadership crime has trended down. His departure is a loss to HPD and our city.
Since Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner revealed in February that officers improperly dropped massive numbers of criminal investigations by labeling them Suspended  Lack of Personnel, the fallout has claimed four top HPD executives: Two assistant chiefs have been demoted, one executive has resigned  and Tuesday night, Finner quit, too.

And the results of an internal investigation into the matter  which is virtually certain to implicate more people  havent even been released yet. Mayor John Whitmire has said the dumb person that came up with that code is no longer at HPD.

But the scandal engulfing the department today is not about the failings of one person or a select few. Its about a total system failure, according to a Houston Chronicle review of hundreds of pages of documents and more than a dozen interviews.

What began as a plan to keep better data in an apparent attempt to justify hiring more officers became a dumping ground for tens of thousands of reports of serious crimes that contained solid clues but never got any follow-up in Americas fourth-largest city.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

When you get into a large bureaucratic institution, the left hand doesnt know what the right hand is doing just because they are so disconnected, said Diana Poor, who served as HPDs planning director from 2017 to 2021. Without clear guidance and data structures and guidelines, you will have things like this happen.

The Chronicle found Houston police have shelved investigations into minor crimes due to lack of staffing for decades. For burglary and theft investigators the very definition of a suspended case was one that had workable leads but no detectives free to run them down.

But in 2014, with the departments investigative struggles under fire and the chief pleading for more resources, HPDs planning office openly discussed creating a Suspended  Lack of Personnel code for violent crimes, too.

The chief at that time said he wasnt looped in on discussions about this SL code, and said he would not have approved it, stressing that every serious crime should be assigned to a detective for at least some follow-up.

Yet HPD brass were not required to sign off when the code was added to the departments computer system in 2016, nor was anyone charged with ensuring investigators used the code consistently. Many seasoned leaders who could have overseen its implementation also left HPD that year, as a push for pension reform created an exodus of command staff.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In its review of the 260,000 incident reports found to have been coded SL, HPD has found that a large chunk were mislabeled. But tens of thousands of investigations were indeed improperly dropped, including cases involving egregious crimes, Finner has said.

In dozens of cases, forensic testing shows suspects who were allowed to walk free may have later struck again. For instance, police suspended an investigation in 2022 after a woman reported that an acquaintance sexually assaulted her while she slept, even though she named the perpetrator and submitted a rape kit at a nearby hospital. A year later, the DNA evidence collected matched with a suspect who allegedly raped another woman at gunpoint.

It almost sounds like the code itself established a foothold and became a crutch for people to use, said Dwayne Ready, a retired HPD commander who led the departments Homicide and Major Offenders divisions.

Ready said he never allowed his officers to suspend investigations before assigning them to a detective because its easy to just suspend something and then you can turn a blind eye to it.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

You dont suspend and close things just for lack of manpower, he said. You prioritize things, but you keep them open.

For years, HPD leaders tried to address the systemic problems that led to such a breakdown. They upgraded computer systems, pleaded for more resources, and revamped data collection practices. Much of their progress was derailed by constant turnover and attrition, along with a series of crises  from Hurricane Harvey to the discovery of egregious conduct in HPDs narcotics unit to the coronavirus pandemic.

By November 2021, when Finner said he ordered his command staff to put a stop to the use of the SL code, the system allowing it to flourish was entrenched. The day after Finners order, another crisis hit the department: the Astroworld tragedy. Despite Finners verbal directive, data show investigators started applying the code even more frequently.

The family of Rodolfo Rudy Pena, middle photograph, embraces in front of the memorial for Astroworld Festival victims outside NRG Park on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Houston. Pena was one of the victims from the crowd surge at the festival. Godofredo A. Vasquez/Staff photographer

Today, the department says the code is no longer in use. But in a statement to the Chronicle this week, HPD spokesman Kese Smith acknowledged that there is more work to be done.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Chief Finner has said there will be drastic changes to the culture and operations of the department to move past this and stands by his commitment to investigate every violent crime, Smith said.
Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate Partners are planning a nearly 4.5-acre adaptive reuse of the historic Swift meatpacking and cottonseed oil refinery in the Houston Heights. The design by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture embraces the historic character of the buildings while reimagining spaces for modern restaurants, retailers and offices. Landscape architects Edgeland's design enhances green spaces and pedestrian connections from the project to the adjacent hike-and-bike trail. Michael Hsu Office of Architecture Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate Partners are planning a nearly 4.5-acre adaptive reuse of the historic Swift meatpacking and cottonseed oil refinery in the Houston Heights. The design by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture embraces the historic character of the buildings while reimagining spaces for modern restaurants, retailers and offices. Landscape architects Edgeland's design enhances green spaces and pedestrian connections from the project to the adjacent hike-and-bike trail. Michael Hsu Office of Architecture Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate Partners are planning a nearly 4.5-acre adaptive reuse of the historic Swift meatpacking and cottonseed oil refinery in the Houston Heights. The design by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture embraces the historic character of the buildings while reimagining spaces for modern restaurants, retailers and offices. Landscape architects Edgeland's design enhances green spaces and pedestrian connections from the project to the adjacent hike-and-bike trail. Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

The long lament can finally end. Houston is reestablishing urban life. By that, we mean that instead of driving from one air-conditioned bubble to another, more people are choosing to mingle and roam in public spaces. Sprawl continues, of course, but convivial public spaces have a foothold.

Witness the change along the MKT, a decommissioned rail line turned hike-and-bike path that links restaurants, shops, apartments and shady neighborhood streets along a 5-mile route through the Heights. Athleisure-clad couples walk from yoga studios to cafes to parks as if cut-and-pasted from some glossy real estate brochure. Its the kind of image that 20 years ago would have seemed laughable. Maybe in Boston and San Francisco, but Houston?

Whats happening here, though, doesnt resemble those antique cities.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Our renewed urban life is ad hoc. Its playing the hand that weve been dealt: Making the best of a city designed more for cars than for pedestrians, and where many of the best old buildings have already been demolished. Houston urbanism is gritty and irreverent  and, perhaps most importantly, its profitable.

Perhaps the clearest example is the 2021 transformation of ugly warehouses on North Shepherd Drive. Built with tilt-up walls  the cheapest and most prosaic way to build with concrete  these warehouses lacked the rich detailing and textures that you might expect from spiffed-up vintage buildings.

Working with Michael Hsu Office of Architects, the developers Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate managed to convert the industrial facility into boutique offices, restaurants and retail spaces, naming the project the M-K-T after the path it faces and enhances. They disguised the humble buildings using screens made from rebar, Corten Steel planter walls and other finishes that draw from our pragmatic and industrial citys material palette, including a bright yellow spine through the warehouses linking the parking lot to the trail.

That anti-preciousness is really important, Michael Hsu told us in an interview not long after the 2021 opening. Though currently based in Austin, Hsu grew up here in the Pasadena school district. He worked in the Netherlands for OMA, a firm led by the rebellious star architect Rem Koolhaas, before returning to Texas.

Last month, Radom Capitol and Triten Real Estate announced a new project next door to the M-K-T, again partnering with Hsu to redevelop the former Swift and Co. cottonseed oil refinery complex. Steve Radom, the founder of Radom Capital, told us that this time around, they have a good-looking old building to work with. So now their work will be less about jazzing up dull architecture and more about keeping them gritty while carefully cleaning them up with a toothbrush, aiming to reveal the inherent beauty and history of the bricks that go back to 1917. Expected to open in 2025, the Swift Building will form a hike-and-bike trifecta with the M-K-T and Radom Capitols first project, Heights Mercantile.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Over the past couple of decades, more and more islands of walkability have emerged in Houston  places where people drive to walk. At the same time, the Bayou Greenways paths have, piece by piece, linked together more of the city. What stands out about the MKT trail is the stitching together of many such places, and the numbers of people who are traveling to all those destinations, whether by foot or e-scooters or strollers or wheelchairs.

Thats why we implore Houston Mayor John Whitmire to reconsider his halting of a redesign of Montrose Boulevard and another one on Shepherd Drive that would extend new 10-foot paths from 20th to 14th streets all the way down to I-10, connecting with the MKT trail. Some businesses and drivers object to the loss of car lanes, but as Radom has shown with his success  Im not an activist, just a small business owner, he told us  Houstonians are already whipping out their credit cards in support of urban life. Generous paths are good for both public safety and for business. Plus theyre joyful.

Whitmire has a tough job. Hes got to listen to a range of constituents and balance mobility needs, not to mention the citys budget. Were encouraged that this week the mayor expressed support for a project in downtown that will permanently convert seven blocks of Main Street into a pedestrian promenade. Its a change that business owners clamored for after persevering through COVID by temporarily expanding their outdoor spaces, and working with the city to close the car lanes.

In the East End, Jeff Kaplan and David Seeburger are attempting to create a walkable district called Concept Neighborhood. The plan includes affordable housing and low barriers of entry for low-income, minority and women business owners. We need more of that emphasis on growing in a way that includes everyone.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In urban planning circles, the term Houstonization has long signified the unrelenting spread of concrete highways and parking lots. Its hard to shed that identity. Few Houstonians will recall that until 1940, this was a city of streetcars. The places where the bones of that infrastructure remain are the easiest places to cultivate urban life again. Wed like to think, however, that the scrappy, adaptive, work-with-what-weve-got attitude of our best developers and designers can invent new forms of urbanism across our great city. We applaud their efforts, and encourage others to join them and our leaders to support them.
Things might look a little grim for small-c conservatives in British politics right now. But there is some good news from the front line in Britain's culture wars.

All hail the anti-woke revolution! The backlash against intrusive 'progressive' diktats, imposed trans ideology and politically-correct language is gathering pace, from hospitals and schools to public loos.

In another blow to the gender extremists, the Government is introducing new rules designed to 'halt the march of gender-neutral toilets' in non-domestic premises.

New buildings such as bars, restaurants, shopping centres and offices will be required to provide single-sex toilet facilities for men and women 'to alleviate safety, privacy and dignity concerns'.

The new legislation follows a government consultation in which 81 per cent of respondents wanted separate single-sex facilities; 82 per cent also favoured 'universal toilets'  self-contained, fully enclosed lavatories for individual use, each with its own wash basin.

In another blow to the gender extremists, the Government is introducing new rules designed to 'halt the march of gender-neutral toilets' in non-domestic premises

Equalities minister and leading anti-woke campaigner Kemi Badenoch (pictured) says these new regulations are about 'ending the rise of so-called gender-neutral mixed sex toilet spaces, which deny privacy and dignity to both men and women'

Either way, no more women hurrying past a line of urinating men to get to a stall. Or the spectacle I witnessed in a London theatre, of several men of a certain age (like me) staring in confusion at a new sign which announced this was no longer the Gents, but instead a 'gender-neutral toilet  with urinals'.

Equalities minister and leading anti-woke campaigner Kemi Badenoch says these new regulations are about 'ending the rise of so-called gender-neutral mixed sex toilet spaces, which deny privacy and dignity to both men and women'. More power to her.

It's as if a wave of common sense is sweeping the country. As the Mail reports today, the BBC's own 'impartiality review' has concluded that it's 'not racist' to 'air concerns' about immigration. What a shift from Auntie.

Now we must capitalise on this change.

The publication of the Cass report last month was a watershed moment. Paediatric consultant Dr Hilary Cass's 'Independent review of gender identity services for children and young people' cast aside the trans lobby's most treasured shibboleths.

Cass found there was no sound evidence to support the 'life-changing' practices of prescribing young people puberty blockers or fast-tracking children into gender transition.

She also highlighted the concerns of parents who, having discovered their children had been encouraged to 'come out' as trans at school without their family being informed, felt 'forced' to accept this for fear of being labelled 'transphobic'.

The Leftist elites reacted to this report by seeking to rubbish Cass's professional work. One Corbynite Labour MP even had to apologise for having 'inadvertently misled Parliament' by quoting unsubstantiated slurs provided by pro-trans charity Stonewall that Cass's report had ignored 100 studies on trans healthcare. This was not the case.

No doubt proponents of trans ideology hoped that Cass's criticisms would prove to be a 'passing phase', and that the NHS and other public institutions would carry on as before after a decent interval had elapsed.

Instead, it seems that Cass has started a bandwagon. The Government and others have been emboldened to take a stand against woke idiocies that have too long been accepted as gospel.

In the month since her report was published, we have witnessed a series of woke dogmas being overturned.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins announced changes to the NHS constitution which will ban transgender women  that is, biological males  from being treated on single-sex hospital wards, to guarantee 'privacy and protection' of women and girls.

The new rules also herald a crackdown on the gender ideology that has become institutionalised in the NHS. 'Gender-neutral' terms such as 'chestfeeding' will be banned, along with the practice of referring to 'people with ovaries' rather than women, which had been encouraged in NHS literature.

It might seem ridiculous that medical professionals now need to be told about the importance of recognising biological differences between the sexes. But the significance is totemic.

As Maya Forstater of the campaign group Sex Matters put it, it marks a major step towards reversing NHS England's 'capitulation to the demands of gender extremists, which has damaged policies and practices, created confusion and harmed patient care'.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins announced changes to the NHS constitution which will ban transgender women

Elsewhere hopeful advances have been reported in the ongoing battle over woke language. Take the issue of being required to state your 'pronouns' in work emails. A US survey found around 60 per cent of Millennial respondents, those aged 25-44, favoured this practice.

Yet among younger Gen Z respondents, 18-24 year-olds, support fell to just 40 per cent. (Not surprising that less than a third of over-45s wanted to define themselves as 'he/him' or 'she/he' in emails.) Even the Labour Party has not been immune to these shifting patterns.

The principle-lite Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has proved that he is prepared publicly to flip-flop on anything from Brexit to taxation, to say whatever he thinks might lose him fewest votes at any given time.

It is surely telling, then, that Starmer's latest U-turn is over gender. The Labour leader has previously stated that a minority of women can 'have a penis' and criticised Labour MP Rosie Duffield when she insisted that 'only women have a cervix'.

Yet, after the Government announced its plans to bar biological men from women-only hospital wards, Starmer claims that he supports the amendment to the NHS constitution as his views on gender issues 'start with biology'.

No doubt he is keen to avoid the fate of fallen Scottish First Minister Humza Yousef, who estranged the electorate with pro-trans laws; or former Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar, forced out of office after the public rejected his anti-family revisions to the constitution in a referendum.

The backlash shows what happens when self-righteous elites clash with the realities of everyday life. Sermons about diversity and inclusivity might sound all very well  until the realisation that, in practice, it can mean men on women's hospital wards, rapists in women's prisons, and children being force-fed trans ideology in schools.

The culture war to defeat the woke movement is a history-making struggle for our times. It is about denying PC authoritarians the ability to issue what George Orwell, in 1984, described as Big Brother's 'final, most essential command': to 'reject the evidence of our eyes and ears'.

That is why we should welcome the anti-woke backlash. We should also recognise that the war is not yet won; woke crusaders such as Stonewall are deeply embedded in our public institutions.

To borrow from that proto-anti-wokeist Winston Churchill, this is not the end or the beginning of the end, but if we're lucky it may prove to be the end of the beginning.

Mick Hume is the author of Trigger Warning: Is The Fear Of Being Offensive Killing Free Speech?
Half a mile from my home in Oxford there is a so-called 'liberated zone', where pro-Palestinian students have set up a camp of about 40 tents.

Yesterday morning I visited the camp, which is spread out on a large expanse of grass belonging to Oxford University in front of the Pitt Rivers Museum. It has become boggy, and is littered with folded black bin bags, which I fear may have contained excrement.

A student leaflet asserts that the 'infamous' museum, which 'acquired its items from across the globe through imperial expansion, mirrors the ongoing struggle of the Palestinian people and connect [sic] us to colonised people'. You get the message. These are odd folk.

Pro-Palestinian student protests ignited in America last month. They have now spread across the Atlantic, and are taking hold in Oxford, Cambridge and a number of other British universities.

In principle, I like the idea of 'liberated zones'. But it would be hard to find somewhere less liberated than this camp festooned with Palestinian flags. There are banners accusing Israel of genocide, and denouncing it as an apartheid state.

Demonstrators hold signs at Oxford University, outside Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators stand outside Oxford University Museum of Natural History, as students occupy parts of British university campuses to protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza

A student activist waves a Palestinian flag at a pro-Palestine encampment at Oxford University on May 6, 2024

This is a zone of sectarian prejudice and intolerance, where about half the students were wearing masks to conceal their identity. Many, of whom the majority were white, wore Arab keffiyehs on their heads.

Where is this latest American cultural import heading? Will it fizzle out as the summer comes, and the students disperse? Or will it grow in size and end in a confrontation with the University authorities which, as we will see, can't possibly meet the student demands even if they are so minded?

At first sight, the camp doesn't seem a particularly threatening place. Clusters of students were sitting around, chatting. Sleeping recumbent bodies could be spotted in a couple of pop-up tents. One student delivered a low-key speech enumerating Israel's latest infamies. There was a generally listless air.

No police were present. Nor was there any evidence of Jewish or other students mounting a counter-protest.

The students I approached were polite and welcoming. But when they learnt that I was a journalist, the shutters came down, and in some cases claws were displayed.

One American post-graduate student took exception to my writing for the Mail. She had evidently been upset by a piece on Mailonline about Kendall Gardner, a fellow American post-grad and an organiser of the protest, who has previously posted pictures of her rather ample bikini-body on social media.

My American student  not Kendall, who was possibly sulking in her tent  declared that she 'disliked' me 'a lot'. She added that I was 'privileged' to be allowed to look around the camp. I told her that I had lived in Oxford for 30 years (against her three). I could have added that this was university land.

When I asked her how long the protest would last, she replied that they wouldn't leave until or unless the University authorities removed them. This sounded like a provocative invitation. Dare to come and get us.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators cover their faces outside Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Students occupy parts of British university campuses to protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza, amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Oxford, Britain, May 7

Two other students, one of them American, clammed up when I said I was a journalist. Another, also American, volunteered to find someone from the 'Press team', but returned empty-handed. She said she didn't want to 'engage'. She spoke in the slightly numbed tones of a cult member.

I was then approached by an aggressive young man wearing a mask, and with a keffiyeh wrapped around his head, who instructed my interlocutor (another journalist) not to talk to me. Although this character's face was mostly invisible, his accent suggested that he was English.

No one would give his or her name, or background. My impression is that many of the protesters were American  there are 2,025 of them at the university, according to its website  while there was a smattering of Palestinians.

I realise that students down the ages have demonstrated, and I naturally support their right to do so. Nevertheless, there is something menacing about this protest.

What would I feel if I were a Jewish student? There are more than 700 of them at Oxford University, according to the Union of Jewish Students, of whom the overwhelming majority must be British citizens. I think I would be afraid.

It was reported this week that a Jewish student was denied admittance to the pro-Palestinian camp in Oxford because he had declined to sign a document condemning the 'Zionist entity'.

Over in Cambridge, where a similar encampment has sprung up outside King's College, a Jewish student was jostled as he unfurled an Israeli flag, which was ripped from his hands. What he did was brave, and possibly unwise.

Yes, if I were a Jewish student, at Oxford or Cambridge or any other British university where protests are gathering steam, I would feel afraid  just as some of my Jewish friends are afraid of venturing into central London at weekends because of pro- Gaza demonstrations.

T o be frightened of racial abuse or attack in one's own country: that is a terrible thing. If I am correct in believing many of the Oxford protesters are American  and it's certain they are copying an American phenomenon  we must ask by what right they seek to destabilise and alarm citizens of this country.

Pro-Palestine student activist takes part in an encampment in front of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Pro-Palestinian supporters with their faces covered by a keffiyeh stand behind a Palestinian flag at Oxford University, in Oxford, eastern England on May 7, 2024

Pro Palestine supporters hold an emergency rally outside the Sheldonian as an event is held inside

Gaza is a foreign war. One may think of it what one likes. (Like many, I have become increasingly troubled by Israeli action.) Whatever one's view, it is certain that nothing anyone does in this country  from the British Government down to the meanest American protester  will have the slightest effect on Israel.

These camps can have no practical utility. They are expressions of a latent power that is bound to intimidate Jewish students, who are probably British citizens. I find that unconscionable.

Nor is there any likelihood of the University authorities caving into student demands. The Oxford rabble has a standard shopping list. End relationships with Israeli universities. Liquidate all investments that Oxford has in companies which either deal with Israel or manufacture arms. Stop banking with Barclays.

Some senior members of Oxford University may sympathise with the students  more than 300 out of 15,000 academics and staff have already signed an online letter in support of the protesters  but the University can't, and surely won't, cave into these unreasonable demands. This may end up with the authorities removing the tents.

In the 1970s, when I was at Oxford, Hard Left students were certainly capable of causing a rumpus. Some of them once occupied the Examination Schools for several weeks because they wanted their own student union. There's a photograph of Chris Huhne (later a Lib Dem Cabinet minister who ran into trouble with the law) trying to bash down the door.

However egregious that was, they didn't try to terrorise fellow students. And they were home-grown thugs.

I realise we live in a global village. But the spectacle of bigoted foreign students menacing British citizens in the Palestinian cause  not to mention desecrating a pleasant part of Oxford  marks a sinister departure.

This is one American import we can do without. Take your bullying tactics back to where you came from, and let Oxford return to being itself.
Will the BBC spare Meghan's blushes with tomorrow's transmission of her legal drama Suits? Judicious editing would remove the steamy scenes of Rachel, the duchess's character, smooching.

It certainly rankled with Harry, who wrote in his memoir: 'I'd witnessed her and a castmate mauling each other. I didn't need to see such things.'

Meghan did, however, manage to keep (some) of her clothes on, saying: 'This season every script seemed to begin with Rachel wearing a towel and I said, "I'm not doing it any more".'

If the BBC desist with the censorial scissors, viewers will perceive that Meghan didn't entirely get her own way.

Meghan Duchess of Sussex visit to the University of Johannesburg, South Africa in 2019

Harry wrote in his memoir: 'I'd witnessed her and a castmate mauling each other'. Pictured, the cast from Suits

Today William visits Nansledan in the Duchy of Cornwall, site of his father's model town and where the Prince is building 24 homes for the homeless.

In 2015, when the first residents moved in, they were given a book of 85 rules including a ban on raised voices, flying flags, plastic blinds, rotary washing lines and solar panels. Fingers crossed William will be a 'lighter-touch' landlord than Dad.

Michael Cole, former BBC Royal Correspondent, recalls one of his last meetings with Princess Diana after her return from a minefield in Angola, Africa, when she mocked Michael's successor Jennie Bond.

'She doubled over with laughter about Jennie. "White stilettos! In a minefield!" she said, then mimed Bond picking her way through the red dirt gingerly.

"That woman!" she finally exclaimed, collapsing on to a sofa still laughing.' Jennie speaks very highly of you, Michael.

Today William visits Nansledan in the Duchy of Cornwall, site of his father's model town

Andrew Neil, distinctly underwhelmed with fellow Brit Anna Wintour's chums celebrating in New York, declares: 'Having seen the parade of puffed-up poltroons at last night's Met Gala, I'm beginning to think it a pity these pro-Palestinian demonstrators didn't manage to cause a bit of chaos among the strutting toplofty punchinellos. Would have been amusing watching these solipsistic scarecrows in their absurd "regardez-moi!" outfits trying to cope with a dose of reality.'

Marking the 30th anniversary of Four Weddings And A Funeral, director Mike Newell described it as jewel on a golden chain hung around his neck.

'But there have been times when I've thought, "Have I got a dead, stinking bird around my neck?"

If it is a putrid fowl, Mike, it's a lucrative one costing just 3million to make and grossing 196million!

Mike Newell (pictured) described Four Weddings And A Funeral as a jewel on a golden chain hung around his neck.

Beatles biographer Philip Norman recalls having breakfast with Yoko Ono in Paris: 'I thought, "She's so nice and so normal".

All these stories about how weird Yoko is until I said, 'Can I pass you the honey?' and she said, "No, I don't have honey. It's not fair to the bees".'
Rumor has it that sex can lead to a certain post-coital glow - but is it all a ruse?

In addition to benefits like better sleep and reduced stress, some believe that it can also give you stunning skin.

To find out if a post-sex glow is guaranteed, FEMAIL spoke to experts who weighed in on whether or not doing the deed can improve your skin.

And, it turns out that getting busy in the bedroom can have more than one benefit, if you know what we mean.

To find out whether or not sex can affect the skin, FEMAIL spoke to three experts - including doctor of human sexuality Dr. Emily Morse

FEMAIL also spoke to sex therapist Dr. Carli Blau (left) and dermatologist Dr. Jessie Cheung (right)

'It's not a myth,' Dr. Emily Morse, doctor of human sexuality and sex expert told DailyMail.com.

'Here's the science: having an orgasm raises estrogen levels in your body, which help maintain collagen  the structural protein that keeps skin supple and plump,' she explained.

But having an orgasm isn't the only way to achieve a luminous complexion.

Dr. Morse said that sex in general, even without orgasming, can boost circulation in your body by 'carrying oxygenated blood cells everywhere,' which includes the face.

She explained that this increase in oxygen can spur collagen production.

'So you'll enjoy a post-sex glow right after the act, but as part of an overall healthy lifestyle, regular sex supports collagen: the same magic ingredient you've probably seen in countless supplements and beauty products,' Dr. Morse revealed.

And even dermatologists agree.

Illinois and New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Jessie Cheung told DailyMail.com that the 'release of estrogen and other hormones' can help to strengthen the skin barrier.

Dr. Morse said that sex in general, even without orgasming, can boost circulation in your body by 'carrying oxygenated blood cells everywhere,' which includes the face (stock image)

'The glow is instant, and the more sex you have, the more cumulative, long-lasting benefits to your skin,' Dr. Cheung explained.

Plus, you don't even need to have a partner to get this glow.

Using a toy or pleasuring yourself the good old fashioned way can give you the same advantages when it comes to your skin.

But besides the boost of collagen, there's other benefits that come with having sex and your skin.

Dr. Carli Blau, a New York City-based sex therapist and women's health expert, told DailyMail.com that having sex will also boost your oxytocin, a hormone that has been found to play a role in preventing skin aging and wrinkles.

'Having a consistent healthy sex life with a partner that makes you feel happy and pleasurable is always a good thing for your mind and body, including your skin!' the founder of Boutique Psychotherapy NYC explained.

Dr. Cheung added that the release of endorphins and oxytocin that come after having sex can help to 'alleviate stress.'

Stress can cause many negative side effects in our body, including triggering acne, she explained.

It's great to have a consistent sex life, according to the experts, and it can have benefits on your skin (stock image)

And, having an orgasm can even lead to a deeper sleep, which she says is 'so important for health.'

Sex doesn't need to be an everyday thing to see these results, either.

'If having sex with your partner every single day sounds stressful, don't do it!' the author of Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ & Own Your Pleasure divulged to FEMAIL.

'Stress deteriorates skin quality, so it's all about finding your own balance.'

If you're having partnered sex once or solo sex a few times per week, and taking care of your skin in other ways, like staying hydrated and getting good sleep, you will 'most likely' see results, she said.

'They might be subtle, but they're one more way you can appreciate the connection of sexual health to your overall health,' Dr. Morse noted.

But despite all of this, Dr. Morse stressed that it's important to take care of your body in other healthy ways.

She said that having sex is just one of the 'many factors' that can impact skin health.

'If you're having lots of sex, but also smoking every day, not staying hydrated, not wearing SPF, the benefits probably won't be as apparent,' she warned.
A psychologist with a PHD from a top university has revealed in a new memoir the prejudice she faced from academic peers, saying she was advised to stop telling people about the traumas - including child abuse and repeated rapes - that she endured growing up.

Dr Jessica Taylor, 33, who campaigns for women's rights and has written three books including her latest, Underclass, was raised in poverty on a council estate on the fringes of Stoke-on-Trent.

She fell pregnant with her first son as a teenager and after giving birth to a second son, she worked full time while completing her degree, and later a PHD in forensic psychology - but says she was judged on her upbringing and for being 'too' open about the abuse she experienced.

British chartered psychologist Dr Jessica Taylor's new memoir, Underclass, exposes the class prejudice she says still exists in the profession - and academia in general

'I never expected to be framed as stupid, dangerous and unsophisticated just because of where I come from': Dr Taylor, now 33, pictured in childhood

She told MailOnline she was driven to write her memoir because of the 'them and us' culture that still exists in the profession, saying: 'The elitism and superiority in psychology and academia sickens me.

'I never expected to be framed as stupid, dangerous and unsophisticated just because of where I come from and my childhood.'

Dr Taylor, who now lives with her wife and two teenage sons in the Midlands, said she discovered a university colleague had emailed her entire department of professors and psychologists during her PHD after she shared a tweet about her own childhood in 2017.

Her post on Twitter, now X, had read: 'I remember growing up poor as f*** and hating living on a council estate. Now I love that I grew up there cos it gave me the connection to real poverty & real life I need to be a great psychologist and activist. Ain't enough of us in this field.'

Speaking on a recent episode of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, the psychologist recounted how an email discussing her upbringing was sent around an 'entire department' while she was studying for a PHD

The tweet, in 2017, that sparked the email from a colleague suggesting that if Dr Taylor continued to discuss her trauma then she would bring the profession into disrepute

Dr Taylor pictured as a teenager; the mental health professional grew up in Stoke-on-Trent and says people are too afraid to address the class prejudice that exists, saying: 'The class system in the UK is one of the worst in the world  and we barely even speak of it.'

The email that followed to her university colleagues warned that being so open about her upbringing might bring 'the entire field into disrepute'.

Speaking to Woman's Hour presenter Clare McDonnell last week about the incident, she said: 'A psychologist basically sent a load of emails around all the other professors and psychologists in my department saying: '"Did you know she's from a council estate? Did you know she's been raped? Did you know she was a teenage mum?'"

Dr Taylor added that the person also told colleagues: '"If someone like her ever becomes a psychologist, she will bring the entire field into disrepute." That is word for word in those emails.'

She says she was warned that if she talked about her own rape, and becoming a teenage mum, people wouldn't take her seriously in the profession

Dr Taylor's memoir, Underclass; she says she hopes it will encourage greater transparency in the profession

The mental health professional says she was also repeatedly given the advice: 'Stop talking about your council estate, stop talking about being abused as a child, stop talking about being raped, stop talking about being a teenage mum because people are not going to take you seriously if you carry on.'

Dr Taylor told MailOnline that she hoped her new memoir would encourage greater transparency in the profession.

She said: 'I wrote Underclass for a range of reasons. I am so tired of psychologists and therapists hiding who they truly are.

'We are told to never to give away anything about ourselves, never talk about our own trauma and our own abuse, because then we would be the same as the people we help.

'But we ARE the same as the people we help. We cannot help anyone whilst we see ourselves as above them.'

She said she hoped Underclass would also shine a light on 'true classism in universities, in professional practice, and in psychology.'

Dr Taylor added: 'So many working class academics and professionals are treated like they are thick, uncouth, uncivilised and incompetent. The class system in the UK is one of the worst in the world  and we barely even speak of it.'

Underclass, published by Little Brown, is out now
Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh beamed as she left private members club with friends in Mayfair on Tuesday night.

The royal, 59, appeared in great spirits as she laughed with friends from the back of a car as she made her way home from Loulous private members club.

The mother-of-two donned a blue and white floral dress and her blonde locks were styled in bouncy curls.

Meanwhile her glam makeup, which featured a smokey eye, enhanced her natural beauty.

Sophie, who let her hair down during a busy royal schedule lately, added a bit more glamour with elegant diamond earrings for the outing.

Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh beamed as she left private members club with friends in Mayfair on Tuesday night

The royals husband Prince Edward appeared to skip the event as he was not pictured leaving the club with Sophie.

It comes after royal fans were going wild over the 'cute' moment Sophie broke into dance as she joined some of the winners of the Royal Windsor Horse Show on their victory lap.

She attended the Berkshire event with her husband and daughter Lady Louise Windsor over the weekend.

After the International Driving event concluded, the royal was invited to join the winners on their victory lap of Castle Arena.

Footage captured by X user and royal fan @Mari_Edinburghs shows the mother-of-two initially walking off the racecourse with her husband and daughter.

But after being called back, Sophie put on a gentle jog as she bounds towards the Australia team's carriage.

Sophie then did a little dance before stepping into the carriage, which was fronted by four prize-winning horses.

After taking a seat at the front, the royal couldn't contain her excitement and was seen clapping with glee as they sped off.

Sophie also laughed and waved in Prince Edward's direction during the victory lap.

The royal, 59, appeared in great spirits as she laughed with friends from the back of a car as she made her way home from Loulous private members club

Sophie left Loulou's with a group of friends who also made their way home in a separate black cab

The footage was then posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, where it amassed over 53,000 views and proved a hit with royal fans.

One replied: 'I love this video! The Duchess of Edinburgh loos so delighted to be asked to ride with the winners.'

Another gushed: 'Omg she is just the cutest! Thank you for sharing.' 'She is so lovely,' a third said. 'I would love to meet her informally, she looks like fun!' 'Oh my goodness,' a fourth added. 'This is adorable!'

Sophie's appearance at the Royal Windsor Horse Show followed her historic visit to Ukraine last week.

The Duchess of Edinburgh became the first British royal to visit the country since Russia's invasion.

Sophie did a little dance before stepping into the carriage, which was fronted by four prize-winning horses

The Duchess of Edinburgh seen participating in the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire on Monday

Sophie, 59, met with President Zelensky and his wife - and passed on a personal message from King Charles - as she showed her solitary with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and torture during her emotional one-day trip.

The mother of-two travelled in her role as champion of the UK's Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

It is understood she was 'keen to show her solidarity with men, women and children affected by the Russian invasion'.

She arrived in the country on the same day at least four people were killed in a barrage of Russian missile strike in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa nearly 300 miles away.

In Kyiv the duchess listened as survivors of sexual violence, both male and female, bravely shared their stories, as well as talking to female IDPs - internally displaced persons - and volunteers who help their communities cope with the trauma of the invasion.
Lady Kitty Spencer appeared in high spirits as she left the Mayfair venue

Princess Diana's niece Lady Kitty Spencer looked radiant as she enjoyed a night out in Mayfair with close friend Emma Weymouth on Tuesday.

Marking her first evening out in the public eye since welcoming her first child, Kitty, 33, who is the oldest child of Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, was all smiles as she left private members club, LouLou's.

The 33-year-old revealed on Mother's Day that she had welcomed her first child with her husband Michael Lewis.

Kitty is a first cousin or Princes William and Harry, meaning the new baby will be second cousins to Princes George, Louis, Archie and Princesses Charlotte and Lilibet.

Leaving the exclusive Mayfair venue hand in hand with the Marchioness of Bath, 38, Kitty looked elegant in a tailored navy pinstripe suit and an elegant pair of nude suede heels.

Lady Kitty Spencer (right) put on an elegant display as she left private members club LouLou's alongside her close friend Emma Weymouth (left)

Kitty wore her blonde tresses loose and opted for a simple makeup look for the occasion, complete with a touch of bronze eyeshadow.

Meanwhile, socialite Emma put on a glamorous display in a low-cut belted leopard print dress.

The pair appeared in high spirits as they left the glitzy venue  which also hosted Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh on Tuesday evening.

It comes after Lady Kitty Spencer revealed she welcomed her first child with her husband Michael Lewis on Instagram.

Sharing a stunning picture on the beach holding the baby - whose name and gender she did not reveal - Kitty wrote: 'It's the joy of my life to be your mummy, little one. I love you unconditionally. Happy Mothers Day to those who celebrate today'.

Kitty opted for a white swimsuit in one snap, as she walked on the beach with a newborn.

In another snap, she wore her hair down and showed just the baby's hand.

Her comments were quickly flooded with support, including by her sister Amelia Spencer, who wrote: 'The most perfect angel in the world'.

In her first night out in the public eye since giving birth to her first child, Kitty walked hand in hand with Emma in Mayfair

Her half-brother, Samuel Aitken, added a heart emoji, while society pal Emma Weymouth added a series of heart eye emojis.

Once a common fixture of the London society scene, Kitty has had a hiatus from the public eye in recent months, she was last snapped enjoying a girl's night out in London in October.

The 33-year-old, who works as a model for Dolce & Gabanna, tied the knot to South African multi-millionaire Michael Lewis, 65, three years ago.

Lady Kitty, then 30, wed the multi-millionaire Michael Lewis at the Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati, a stunning country mansion with views out towards Rome, on July 24, 2021.

Having delayed their wedding for two years due to the pandemic, the celebrations stretched across three days and were attended by close friends including the pop star Pixie Lott and the Marchioness of Bath.

Kitty looked radiant in a tailored navy pinstripe suit, which she matched with a pair of nude suede heeled pumps

Yet if there was intrigue about the age gap between Diana's niece and her 63-year- old groom, a still more pressing question was this: where was her father, Diana's brother Charles.

The 59-year-old Earl was nowhere to be seen amid speculation that his relationship with his daughter had gone downhill in the wake of his third marriage.

At the time, an insider told MailOnline that the Earl's health was unlikely to have accounted for his absence. Rather it was likely to have been the result of a changing family dynamic.

'The four children are all close to their mother Victoria and get on well with their step-siblings, and their Spencer aunts and have forged their own relationships with one another without needing Charles to bind them together,' said the insider.

A source had previously told MailOnline how Earl Spencer and his eldest daughter have drifted apart over time, saying: 'Kitty and Charles were very close when she was growing up, but their relationship has cooled and been more distant since his marriage to his third wife Karen in 2011.

'Charles recently suffered an injury and perhaps that will be the reason for him not travelling, but it is just easier for everyone that he is not there.'

Kitty, 33, who is the oldest child of Diana's brother Earl Charles Spencer took to Instagram to mark her first Mothers' Day

The Earl had been struggling with a painful shoulder injury which he revealed was affecting his freedom of movement.

So Kitty was given away not by her father but by her brother Louis, Viscount Althorp, 29, and half-brother Samuel Aitken, 20, whose father is South African businessman Jonathan Aitken.

Her twin sisters Lady Amelia, 31, and Lady Eliza Spencer, 31, were also there to watch Kitty and Michael exchange vows between floral arches.

The bride, a Global Brand Ambassador for Dolce & Gabbana, wore five gowns by the designer over the weekend.

For her main dress, the high-neck, Victorian-inspired white lace gown featured feminine puff sleeves and a cinched waist. The design drew inspiration from her mother Victoria Lockwood's own wedding dress with its button-down front.

Mr Lewis wore a kippah, and it is thought Lady Kitty received instruction in the Jewish faith ahead of the ceremony.

The model caught the eye of the business tycoon when they met through mutual friends in 2018 and got married in the sumptuous Italian wedding ceremony three years later.

But before she met her prince charming, Lady Kitty, made a name for herself in the fashion world, as a spokesmodel for Dolce & Gabbana, who supplied five dresses for her wedding and walked in several Fashion Weeks across the globe.

Meanwhile, Michael knows a thing or two about fashion as well, being the chairman of the Foschini Group, which owns British high street chains Whistles and Phase Eight.

The tycoon is believed to be worth 80million, with a 19million property in London and another home in his native South Africa, where his wife grew up after her Charles, the 9th Earl Spencer and his first wife, Victoria Lockwood, divorced.
An influencer has sparked outrage online by claiming Anne Frank 'lived better than we do' during a visit to Amsterdam.

Chilean influencer, Naya Facil, 26, who has been enjoying a trip around Europe, headed to the Anne Frank House in the Dutch capital.

She was apparently taken aback by the size of the 17th-century canal house where Anne hid from the Nazi persecution during WWII after comparing the facade of the whole museum with the size of nearby homes.

But Anne and her family hid in only the rear of the building, known as the Secret Annex, for two years before being caught by the Gestapo in 1944. Anne died at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in early 1945 aged 15.

During a recent visit to the museum dedicated to the Jewish wartime diarist in Amsterdam, Facil told her 2.4 million Instagram fans: 'I'm shocked by Anne Frank's house. She had half the place to herself. She lived better than we do.'

Chilean influencer, Naya Facil (pictured), 26, who has been enjoying a trip around Europe, headed to the Anne Frank House in the Dutch capital

The attic of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, pictured

During the livestream to her Instagram stories, Facil also filmed the other homes surrounding the museum and said: 'Look, that's her house and that's the other houses.'

Her post on her social media page, which is now private, sparked outrage online and even prompted a response from the Jewish Museum of Chile.

The museum published detailed images of the house at the time, correctly contextualising the story of Anne Frank and the true nature of the site Facil visited.

The organisation also urged Facil to receive the information with 'empathy and respect'.

Writing in a post on Instagram, the museum said: 'The influencer Naya Facil uploaded to her Instagram story, a video from Amsterdam, where she refers lightly and without adequate information to Anne Frank.'

The post, when translated from Spanish to English, added: 'The influencer jokingly says "Anne Frank lived better than us" and "she had half the house."

'However, what her video really shows is the facade of the museum of Anne Franks House, opened 64 years ago today, in which visitors can walk through the history of Anne, her family and Nazism in Amsterdam.'

It continued: 'We make a call to verify with empathy and respect the information that will be disseminated, before delivering incorrect data that confuse and disrespect.'

Naya (pictured) was apparently taken aback by the size of the 17th-century canal house where Anne hid from the Nazi persecution during WWII after comparing the facade of the whole museum with the size of nearby homes

During a recent visit to the museum dedicated to the Jewish wartime diarist in Amsterdam, Facil (pictured) told her 2.4 million Instagram fans: 'I'm shocked by Anne Frank's house. She had half the place to herself. She lived better than we do.'

During the livestream to her Instagram stories, Facil also filmed the other homes (pictured right) surrounding the museum (pictured left) and said: 'Look, that's her house and that's the other houses.'

In response to the backlash, the Chilean influencer apologised to those offended by her comments.

She said: 'I'm sorry about Anne Frank, but people... instead of criticising and judging me, it would be better to educate me or explain.'

In 1944, after hearing the BBC announce the D-Day landings on their wireless set, Anne wrote: 'Will this year, 1944, bring us victory? We don't know yet.

'But where there's hope, there's life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.'

Her post on her social media page, which is now private, sparked outrage online and even prompted a response from the Jewish Museum of Chile

The organisation urged Facil (pictured) to receive the information with 'empathy and respect'

In response to the backlash (pictured), the Chilean influencer apologised to those offended by her comments

Facil (pictured) said: 'I'm sorry about Anne Frank, but people... instead of criticising and judging me, it would be better to educate me or explain.'

But it wasn't to be. Tragically, 1944 brought only capture and, a year later, death for Anne.

While the Netherlands' liberation by Allied forces began just the following month, on August 4, the Franks  along with four other Jewish people  were discovered after having successfully hidden from the Gestapo for two years.

A bill from GVB (Amsterdam's municipal public transport operator) for the last 900 tram rides from August 8, 1944, showed that Anne and her family were transported from Amsterdam's Central Station.

They were sent to Auschwitz before Anne was moved to Bergen-Belsen in November 1944.

Anne died of typhus at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in February 1945, days after the death of her sister, Margot.

The house where Anne Frank lived in Amsterdam and where she hid with her parents to escape from Nazis between 1942 and 1944

Anne Frank (pictured in 1942) died in early 1945 after she and her family were transported from the Netherlands

Their mother Edith had died that January - separated from her daughters in Auschwitz. Their father, Otto, was the only one to survive.

In 1947, he published Anne's diary about their life in hiding, submitting to history arguably the most moving testament of World War II.

It remains one of the most widely read books in the world, with more than 30 million people having read The Diary Of A Young Girl in 70 languages.

Its author has become an icon of quiet defiance against the Nazis and a symbol of the indomitable human spirit.
A British influencer has accused Kim Kardashian of ripping off one of her designs - but not everyone is convinced.

Fashion blogger Camille Charriere, shared a side-by-side shots of a 'Baby Tee' with floral prints and one of Skims cotton rib T-shirts.

Camille, from London, worked with the British lingerie company Stripe & Stare to make the 45 product - which is made from 95 per cent biodegradable products.

But the white top with a floral print bares a striking similarity to Skims 38 Marigold Rosebud Cotton Rib Tee.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Camille wrote: 'Kim K/Skims has ripped off the one project that i put my heart & soul into, waved my fee for, and put out in a bid to platform one of the few brands who isn't greenwashing.

Fashion blogger Camille Charriere, shared a side-by-side shots of a 'Baby Tee' from company Stripe & Stare with floral prints (left) and one of Skims cotton rib T-shirts (right)

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter , Camille wrote: 'Kim K/Skims has ripped off the one project that i put my heart & soul into, waved my fee for, and put out in a bid to platform one of the few brands who isn't greenwashing

'Stripe & Stare underwear is 95 per cent biodegradable and the comfiest in the knicker drawer so jokes on you Kim'.

'Worst part is felt reluctant to even share this because I feel the Kardashians do this kind of thing on purpose to create friction and stay relevant (whilst making billions). What a sad little life Jane'.

She then shared a side by side shot of the Stripe & Stare campaign showing striking similarities between the pair.

Not only is the T-shirt similar but the shoot is too, with both using a blonde model in a similar pose.

However, people were quick to point out that a floral T-shirt is not an original design, and there are dozens around.

'A white baby tee with a yellow floral? That's available almost everywhere, I can get one at target right now. In fact I had one exactly like it as a child. Neither of you are breaking new ground here,' said one.

Despite similarities, many fans said the two designs were common elsewhere

The Camille Tee is 95 per cent biodegradable

'Omg a small floral baby tee? Truly never been done before this is my first time seeing one,' added another.

'It's pretty common, it's a floral design?,' said a third.

'I don't think you can rip off small tiny flowers during spring,' one fashionista added, while another said 'Florals for spring? Groundbreaking,' referencing the Devil Wears Prada.

'This took your heart and soul to make? They have it at Forever 21,' wrote another.

'95 per cent biodegradable means they're not biodegradable and I've seen that print a thousand times but this was genius marketing. I see you queen,' said another.

'Did I read that correctly? you purchased a mass produced shirt, didn't design it and you're mad that skims is selling the same one? or you designed this and she stole it? ' said another.

'You can find this exact tee literally everywhere including Walmart,' said one.

'Am I tripping or have i seen this print literally back in the early 2000s at Target?'

However some came to Camille's defence, with one writing: ''The resemblance is literally undeniable, I can't believe there's people defending Kim lmao,'.

'It's clever because if I had a shoe with a heel, the heel gets stuck in the metal skirt,' she told the magazine. 'So that was our issue of walking'

Kardashian, who stands at 5foot2inches, was willing to sacrifice comfort because she felt that the look needed 'height'

Last year, Kim was accused of ripping of an Agent Provocateur dress for her New Years' Eve line.

Both dresses featured large cutouts and were floor length.

The news comes as Kim wowed onlookers while displaying her impossibly slim waist in the silver custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano number at the annual soiree.

Despite landing on numerous 'Best Dressed' lists, the mother-of-four faced fierce concern from social media users - with one person predicting that she'd 'be in the hospital by the end of the night,' and another asking, 'How many ribs did she get removed?'

Kim was seen struggling to breathe in her 2024 Met Gala look in video capturing her preparations for the soiree by Vogue.

The video began with Kim taking long, slow exhales as she is asked by the director, 'How's the breathing going?'

'It's an art form. But I got it,' Kim replied.

Kim previously revealed she undertook corset breathing lessons to fit into a corseted dress by Thierry Mugler for the 2019 Met Gala.

She gushed: 'I learned so much about couture from this genius man [Thierry Mugler], it was beyond couture, it was art! 7 months in the making and fittings in Montreal, Paris and LA.

'Corset breathing lessons from none other than Mr. Pearl. It was worth it all!!!'

Femail has contacted Skims, Stripe & Stare, Kim Kardashian and Camillie Charriere for comment.
China signs 18 deals with France to expand economic cooperation, opening up wider for France, Europe

08:36, May 08, 2024 By Qi Xijia and Chen Qingrui ( Global Times

China and France have signed 18 cooperation agreements between government agencies, covering areas such as aviation, agriculture, people-to-people exchanges, green development and SME cooperation during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France.

At the closing ceremony of a key business council meeting in Paris on Monday, the Chinese top leader vowed to enrich the economic and trade dimensions of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, open the Chinese market wider to create more opportunities for companies from France, Europe and beyond, while urging China and France to jointly oppose attempts to turn business relations into political, ideological or security issues.

The remarks and cooperation agreements underscore China's open and cooperative attitude, as well as its sincerity and goodwill to foster China-France and China-Europe cooperation and represent a positive signal for European entrepreneurs and a stabilizer to China-Europe trade ties against decoupling push, experts said.

China will work with France to enrich the economic and trade dimensions of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, deepen China-Europe mutually beneficial cooperation, and remains ready to join hands with France to tackle global challenges, President Xi made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the sixth meeting of the China-France Business Council in Paris local time Monday.

China will further open up the service sector including telecommunication and medical services, and open its market wider to create more opportunities for companies from France, Europe and beyond, Xi said, according to a readout released on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website.

Xi also said that China and Europe are two major forces in building a multipolar world, two big markets that promote globalization, and two great civilizations that advocate cultural diversity.

China-Europe relations are crucial for peace, stability and prosperity of the world. The two sides should always define China-Europe relations as a comprehensive strategic partnership, continue to enhance political mutual trust, remove various distractions, and jointly oppose attempts to turn business relations into political, ideological or security issues, Xi said.

Xi's speech sent a clear signal that China's market is open and inclusive, and that China seeks mutual achievements and win-win cooperation with France and the EU, Zhang Jian, a vice president of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The remarks played a significant role in promoting stable, long-term cooperation between China and France as well as China and Europe against decoupling pushes, Zhang said.

New stage of cooperation

Some key highlights of economic and trade cooperation include collaboration in agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI) and green development.

In terms of agricultural cooperation, China will continue to make full use of the "French farm to Chinese dining table" whole-chain rapid coordination mechanism, and bring more cheese, ham, wine and other quality agricultural products from France to the dining tables of Chinese families.

In terms of AI cooperation, China and France have agreed to enhance global governance of AI to promote the development of AI for the public good and effectively address the risks associated with AI, according to a joint statement.

China also signed agreements with French departments to deepen collaboration in green development and aviation.

The deals highlight the successful progress of traditional cooperation projects between China and France. At the same time, they also point to great potential for new areas, innovative models, fostering growth in various sectors, experts said.

"The economic and trade achievements of this visit are very fruitful, reflecting the upgrading and expansion of China-French economic and trade cooperation on the existing basis," Cui Hongjian, a professor with the Academy of Regional and Global Governance with Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Although nuclear energy and aerospace industries have become landmark projects of China-French economic and trade cooperation over the years, the cooperation directions covered in the deals have expanded into some new areas, offering new opportunities, Cui said.

The 18 agreements signed during the state visit were thrilling as they precisely identified the key aspects of development between China, France and Europe, which include high-tech collaborations and green development, Zhao Junjie, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of European Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Zhao said there is potential for France and the EU to increase collaboration with China in high-end technology and agricultural products, as the increasing living standards and purchasing power of Chinese people align with this trend.

The signing of the deals comes as China and France are celebrating the 60th anniversary of China-France relations, during which the trade ties between the two sides have flourished.

The bilateral trade has expanded by nearly 800 times since the establishment of diplomatic relations, reaching $78.9 billion. Cumulative two-way investment has exceeded $26 billion. More than 2,000 French companies have woven themselves into the fabric of the Chinese market. China is the largest trading partner of France outside the EU, and France is a major EU trading partner of China.

Rejection of decoupling

The collaboration between Chinese and the French business sectors also demonstrates a rejection of the decoupling efforts pushed by the US. This collaboration is anticipated to pave the way for a positive and mutually beneficial relationship between China and Europe, experts said.

French companies are interested in collaborating with Chinese companies in various fields, despite the push of decoupling and cutting off industrial chains from the US, they said.

A survey of French companies in China conducted by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China in 2023showed that members' willingness to operate in China over the coming three years had increased, with 47 percent saying they planned to further invest in the Chinese market.

Practical cooperation between China and France is a key aspect of China-EU relations, and it contributes positively to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships between China and Europe, Cui said.

While Europe may face competitive pressures from China in some areas, it is essential to manage this competition in a healthy and constructive manner and turn it into opportunities for cooperation between China and Europe, Cui said.

"Efforts should be made to control the competition within a reasonable range and prevent it from spilling over. At the same time, both sides can use their complementary advantages and form a strong alliance in third party cooperation," Cui said.

It is important for the European side to recognize the benefits of economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe, rather than resorting to tactics of suppression toward China, which could harm the stability and development of both parties, Zhao said.

"It is crucial for Europe to adhere to its own principles and cultivate its own strengths in certain market sectors," Zhao said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Houston City Council members attend a meeting Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

As Houstonians process the news of Police Chief Troy Finner's retirement, a majority of City Council members on Wednesday reiterated their support for the outgoing police chief, while several members came to his defense and expressed frustration over his sudden departure.

Finner has always been a man of his word, Council Member Joaquin Martinez said. A man that will definitely make sure that he's taking care of and looking at the community first and foremost.

Mayor John Whitmire announced Finners retirement in a 10:30 p.m. email on Tuesday to police department staff. The departments executive assistant chief, Larry Satterwhite, will serve as acting police chief as the city searches for Finners replacement, he said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

I was sick when I saw the recent email, but I dont have time to be sick, Whitmire said Wednesday. I have to protect this city and lead, and it cant be driven by personality. Chief Finner is a friend, and it was very painful to see someone retire in the middle of their assignment.

Finners retirement was announced just as the department completed its investigation into 264,000 cases suspended under the code SL  suspended due to lack of personnel. Finner initially announced the investigation in February and has continuously provided updates on the matter, though the investigations results have yet to be publicized.

Hours before his retirement announcement, Finner addressed on X, formerly known as Twitter, a 2018 email that brought into question whether or not he knew about the suspension code prior to 2021, when he asked his department to stop using it.

Finner said he had no recollection of the email, and some council members said they believed him.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

I want to challenge anyone sitting anywhere that can remember one email back in 2018, Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz said. I just want to just say that I think I would have a very difficult time remembering whether it was 2018, 2019, 2020.

Evans-Shabazz, who told her colleagues she wore a royal blue dress to commemorate Finners service, said what she found particularly noteworthy was what Finner said in that 2018 email  when he called the use of the code, even then, "unacceptable."

Council Member Letitia Plummer said the blame should not entirely rest with one person. Former Police Chief Art Acevedo, she said, needed to be held accountable too.

This was not all done on one person's watch, Plummer said. And I don't know how this is going to shake down ... But Chief Finner is a man of integrity.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Several council members were quick to say they held Finner in high regard, calling attention to Finners many accomplishments they felt should not go unacknowledged.

After Finner was appointed in 2021, the new police chief showed tremendous leadership, as he helped the city navigate a period of social unrest, a global pandemic and Winter Storm Uri, Council Member Edward Pollard said.

Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum said she had mixed emotions about Finners retirement and emphasized that he had operated with the highest level of integrity.

We deal with tough things in our cities, and I know we have to make tough decisions, and I know he had to make a tough decision, Castex-Tatum said. But I did not want his 34 years of dedicated service to go unrecognized from this council dais.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

While Finner did a good job as police chief, Council Member Amy Peck said, Houston could not afford his departure distracting from the citys focus on public safety.

I am confident that Chief Satterwhite will refocus the department toward its mission of keeping Houstonians safe, she said.
We've all heard tales of vintage wines or 30-year-old whiskies being sold for eye-watering sums. Yet last month, the world of wine saw the launch of its first ever non-alcoholic fizz to smash the 100 mark.

French Bloom's La Cuvee Vintage 2022 will set you back a punchy 109 a bottle.

Four years and millions of euros have been sunk into its research and development. But can this fact alone justify the lofty price to consumers? After all, if you're going to cough up that much cash, you'd at least hope a glass or two of your new acquisition will help you forget the impact on your bank balance. This fizz won't even get you tipsy.

French Bloom La Cuvee Vintage 2022 will set you back a punchy 109 a bottle

Michelin Guide director Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger created the luxury, non-alcoholic brand with model Constance Jablonski

La Cuvee is the third wine from this luxury, non-alcoholic brand, created by Michelin Guide director Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger and model Constance Jablonski.

The pair, great pals, were sick of a lack of genuinely interesting, non-alcoholic options when they went out to dinner.

Their first sparkling releases, Le Blanc and Le Rose, raised eyebrows with an ambitious 35-a-bottle price tag.

But even cynics agreed that in a sea of disappointing, booze-free wine alternatives, these were as close as you could get to the real thing  not just some sweet, Prosecco-style fizz, but a deliciously complex cremant, or even champagne.

If 35 is eye-watering though, how on earth can one justify 109?

Clearly, that sum is in part down to the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into creating La Cuvee 2022.

Maggie and husband Rodolphe Frerejean-Taittinger have spent four years of trial and error trying to devise a unique winemaking process, which includes low-temperature vacuum distillation to remove alcohol gently.

READ MORE: How you could be allergic to your glass of wine - and it can even cause difficulties breathing Advertisement

'Just because you have a fabulous, fine wine to start with, does not mean it's going to taste good when you remove the alcohol,' Rodolphe, also chief executive of Frerejean Freres, explains.

He goes on to say that normal dealcoholisation techniques often 'leave a wine tasting unfresh, unbalanced and tired'.

Indeed, most of the non-alcoholic fizz on our supermarket shelves is made by taking the alcohol out of normal wine using various techniques such as reverse osmosis or vacuum distillation, then adding a lot of sugar and flavours back in, in a bid to restore that balance. This rarely works well.

The French Bloom team has instead created a completely different kind of wine, using Chardonnay from the warmer Languedoc region in southern France that is picked even earlier than it might be for normal fizz.

Early picking means the grapes give the wine the structure, fruit and acidity to better withstand the dealcoholisation process.

In short, unlike others, it's a wine made to be dealcoholised. There is flavour and texture coming from new oak and a teensy pinch of a natural wine yeast element to add complexity to the flavour profile. The result is non-alcoholic fizz that tastes nothing like anything you will have tried before.

'Don't look at it as "wine minus something",' says Maggie. 'Look at it as "wine plus plus".'

Here is my verdict on the new Rolls-Royce of no-booze bubbles, plus four more premium non-alcoholic fizzes to try...

La Cuvee has an impressive texture, body and balance. A great gastro wine

Champagne without the kick

French Bloom La Cuvee Vintage 2022 (0.0% ABV), 109, Harrods

La Cuvee aims squarely to deliver a similar flavour and texture profile to seriously aged, vintage champagne, which is no mean feat for a two-year-old, low-calorie, carbonated wine without sulphites. Amazingly, it succeeds. Mid-caramel in colour with fine bubbles and pronounced flavours of brioche and nuts, with a toffee-apple note, La Cuvee has an impressive texture, body and balance. A great gastro wine  but can someone else buy it for me, please?

4/5

Wild Idol does a decent job, however the balance isn't quite perfect

Beware hidden sugars

Wild Idol Non-Alcoholic Sparkling White (0.0% ABV), 30, ocado.com

The first premium non-alcoholic fizz available, Wild Idol does a decent job. Very crisp with refreshing citrus, apple and floral notes, however the balance isn't quite perfect, and there are lots of hidden extras like sugar and preservatives.

2/5

Rose that rivals Moet

French Bloom Le Rose (0.0% ABV), 35, fortnumandmason.com

From French Bloom's more accessible range, this is a fabulously crisp and dry rose with notes of white peach, rose and subtle strawberry. With its saline core, it's the best non-alcoholic rose fizz I've tried. Properly premium  a serious Moet alternative.

5/5

Each glass of Bubbles With Benefits is said to include at least 15 per cent of your daily intake of vitamins and minerals

Bubbles with benefits

Wildlife Botanicals Bubbles With Benefits (0.5% ABV), 15, threshers.co.uk

I'm a big fan of these Spanish bubbles, with a splash of sweetness and mood-boosting botanical additions, including ashwagandha  said to have calming properties, lowers blood pressure and inflammation and boosts the immune system  and damiana, a wild shrub said to help with mental and physical stamina, as well as acting as an aphrodisiac. Each glass also claims to include at least 15 per cent of your daily intake of vitamins and minerals.

That said, this won't be for everyone, but it's perfect with afternoon tea when you need to drive home

3/5

Kolonne Null is a posh German fizz - a decent gastro option and good value, too

Best-value fizz

The Ivy Collection, Kolonne Null Non-Alcoholic (0.14% ABV), Cuvee Blanc, Sparkling White Wine, 16, zerozilchzip.co.uk

This posh German fizz has riper notes of pear and yellow plum. The touch of residual sweetness means it will pair nicely with salty cheese and less sweet desserts. Of a style, but a decent gastro option and good value.

3/5
For viewers of the BBC News channel (or anyone who has a social media account), the face of Maryam Moshiri will now be very familiar.

The Tehran-born newsreader has become an online sensation over the last year thanks to her on-air blunders, deadpan humour and ability to laugh at herself.

Now, as she boasts a loyal following of fans online and makes headlines around the world with her antics, Maryam's star is on the rise - and she has joined the broadcaster's presenting team in Malmo, Sweden, for this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Announcing her gig on X/Twitter last week after previously covering the event in the UK, the business journalist who graduated to the BBC's main news bulletins said she was 'so excited' to be on the Eurovision team, adding: 'Im a massive fan of #Eurovision - Liverpool was amazing, hope #Malmo will be too.'

In response, people flocked to congratulate the newsreader and many were quick to joke she was surely opening the show with a countdown - a reference to a blunder which made her a household name in the UK.

Maryam Moshiri, the BBC presenter who has had several viral moments over the last year, is joining the corporation's team in Malmo for the Eurovision Song Contest

As the BBC newsreader, who has worked for the broadcaster for 21 years, is lauded by fans as a 'national icon', she will no doubt be watched closely by her following as she presents from Malmo this weekend.

It is the second time the mother-of-three, who is married to LatinNews editor-in-chief Jonathan Farmer, has been listed on the presenting line-up for the annual music event - but this year she will be watched in anticipation by her new fans.

Maryam, who was born in Tehran and studied in London, joined the BBC in 2003 after working at Independent Radio News for two years. For most of her career, she worked in business reporting.

Maryam is married to LatinNews's editor-in-chief Jonathan Farmer (pictured) with whom she shares three children

Maryam has three children, a dog called Juno (pictured) and a cat called Misty Avalon - both of whom have their own Instagram profiles

During her first 16 years at the broadcaster, Maryam was an anchor on BBC business programmes such as Talking Business and The Business Briefing.

However, in 2019 she became a news presenter on BBC News and BBC World News - which is where she made a name for herself as the corporation's zaniest presenter.

Last year, Maryam, who is one of the network's chief presenters, went viral after accidentally opening a BBC bulletin by giving viewers the middle finger - something which shocked some of her audience, but left many people in fits of laughter.

Over the last year, Maryam has won thousands of fans online who have fallen for her zany antics and comical lines

In the Maryam Moshiri can be seen raising her eyebrows and flipping off the camera as she comes on-screen after the programme's famous musical countdown ends.

She then seems to quickly realise she is live and snatches her hand away before beginning to read out the headlines about Boris Johnson.

She later issued an apology for the mishap and insisted it was a 'private joke' with her team - something that caused yet more confusion among viewers.

Writing on social media, she said she 'did not realise' the moment would be caught on camera and she was 'sorry if I offended or upset anyone'.

Among Maryam's top moments is the segment in which she apologised for viewers that she didn't have a photo of the super moon, and demonstrated it for them instead

More recently, she gave viewers what they wanted when she showed off her seagull impression after reporting on the Seagull Boy

She's a woman of many talents: Maryam also recently gave herself the title of England's Strongest Newsreader after bending a spoon back on itself live on air

She explained: 'I was pretending to count down as the director was counting me down from 10-0... including the fingers to show the number.

'So from 10 fingers held up to one. When we got to 1 I turned finger around as a joke and did not realise that this would be caught on camera.

'It was a private joke with the team and I'm so sorry it went out on air! It was not my intention for this to happen and I'm sorry if I offended or upset anyone.

'I wasn't 'flipping the bird' at viewers or even a person really. It was a silly joke that was meant for a small number of my mates.'

Later, a full clip was leaked which showed Maryam's full countdown. In the footage, she uses her fingers to count backwards from 10 before coming on air, accompanying each gong with a funny face.

The clip sent social media into another frenzy as people were left in stitches by her unintended prank and a campaign was launched to have her projected onto the London Eye as the nation rung in the new year of 2024.

The accidental middle finger isn't the only of Maryam's comical moments to have attracted attention, as she has also left viewers in stitches with her varied talents.

Last summer, when the UK geared itself up to see the super moon, the BBC presenter fronted a segment on the phenomenon which had left people in awe.

Unfortunately, she didn't have footage or a photo to show viewers at the time, which may have left some people wanting - but she had a backup plan.

Raising her hands in front of her, she made a spherical shape and told her audience: 'It looked a little bit like this, there you go.'

It was another clip that caught the attention of TV watchers, with journalist Scott Bryan posting the moment on X and describing it as 'incredible scenes'.

In response, Maryam said: 'I think it's a pretty good impression given what I had to play with!!!'

Elsewhere, she showed off her ability to bend a spoon during a segment which showed a man crushing a frying pan with his hands.

In her deadpan style which viewers have come to love, she gave the audience exactly what they wanted.

She said: 'I want to show you that I am, in fact, the strongest person here at the BBC.'

Maryam then held up the spoon, which she explained had come from the BBC's canteen and was a 'real spoon', and proceeded to bend it entirely out of shape, letting out a groan as she strained while doing so.

Showing viewers the bent-out-of-shape spoon, she asked: 'What do you reckon?' before telling a co-worker: 'I'd like to see you do that!'

The moment turned Maryam into a meme once again, and she joked on her Instagram page: 'This is what happens to spoons that annoy me' and referred to herself as #EnglandsStrongestNewsreader.

Most recently, Maryam delighted viewers with her seagull impression as she reported on Seagull Boy, who had won an award for his impersonation of the creature.
Take a look inside Katherine Asplundh's lavish Florida wedding to billionaire heir Cabot Asplundh - as she's accused of trying to bully a woman with the same name into giving up her Instagram username.

Katherine, whose last name was Driscoll, and 27-year-old Cabot - whose family cofounded a massive Pennsylvania-based tree trimming company and is now worth at least $3 billion, per Forbes - tied the knot in Palm Beach, Florida, on April 27.

The couple certainly pulled out all the stops for the wedding, throwing a glamorous celebration with their closest friends and family members at the historic Henry Morrison Flagler museum - where wedding packages start at $10,000.

While they clearly spared no expense on the wedding, they didn't hesitate to ask their guests to hand over cash - requesting on one of their two registries that people contribute to their upcoming St. Barts honeymoon or send donations to 'furnish their home.'

Take a look inside Katherine Asplundh's lavish Florida wedding to billionaire heir Cabot - as his she's accused of trying to bully a woman into giving up her Instagram username

The 75-room, 100,000-square-foot mansion where they wed was built in 1902 and was described as 'more wonderful than any palace in Europe, grander and more magnificent than any other private dwelling in the world' at the time, according to its website.

Now, a wedding photographer ranked it as the sixth most luxurious wedding venue in all of South Florida.

It has three grand halls and two sprawling courtyards that can host up to 250 guests.

While the prices are not listed on its website, Cortiella Photography reports that wedding packages start at $10,000.

For the big day, the couple enlisted an enormous team to ensure everything went perfectly.

They had help from 'luxury wedding' planner Heather Lowenthal, while event production company Xquisite Events ensured the wedding venue had the perfect decor.

They also hired content creation team Follow The Bride to make sure they got the perfect social media content during the nuptials.

In addition, Katherine had her hair and makeup done by acclaimed celebrity stylist Daniela Gozlan, and had a professional photographer document everything.

Katherine and 27-year-old Cabot - whose family cofounded a massive tree trimming company and is now worth at least $3 billion, per Forbes - tied the knot in Palm Beach, Florida, in April

The couple certainly pulled out all the stops for the wedding, throwing a glamorous celebration at the historic Henry Morrison Flagler museum

Cabot and his new wife Katherine asked for a slew of pricey items on their registries - they had two - including a $600 blender (left) and a $470 vacuum (right)

If none of those fit your liking, they asked that guests contribute to their 'honeymoon in St. Barts' or send money to 'help furnish their home'

Now, a wedding photographer ranked it as the sixth most luxurious wedding venue in all of South Florida; it has three grand halls and two courtyards that can host up to 250 guests

While the prices are not listed on its website, Cortiella Photography reports that wedding packages start at $10,000. One of the grand halls is seen

For the big day, the couple enlisted an enormous team to ensure everything went perfectly - including a content creation team to ensure they got social media content during the nuptials

The day started with a workout lead by celebrity fitness expert Tracy Anderson, who married into the family when she wed Chris Asplundh in 2022

The bride was also spotted holding numerous shopping bags from the French luxury fashion house, Hermes

Katherine then participated in a pool-side photoshoot with her adorable puppy and bridesmaids - during which, she wore a $1,295 silk Mirror Palais dress

Next, she slipped into her stunning strapless wedding gown, which came complete with petal embellishments and a long flowing skirt and enormous train

The day started with a workout lead by celebrity fitness expert Tracy Anderson, who married into the family when she wed Chris Asplundh in 2022.

The bride was also spotted holding numerous shopping bags from the French luxury fashion house Hermes.

Katherine then participated in a pool-side photoshoot with her adorable puppy and bridesmaids - during which, she wore a $1,295 silk Mirror Palais dress.

Next, she slipped into her stunning strapless wedding gown, which came complete with petal embellishments and a long flowing skirt and enormous train.

After showing off the ensemble to her friends, family members, and her soon-to-be husband, they enjoyed an epic champagne tower.

The couple then headed to the venue in a vintage black convertible.

The ceremony took place in one of the massive ballrooms at the museum, which had sprawling, floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed the Florida sun to shine in.

The aisle was adorned with stunning pink and yellow flowers, and a floral archway sat at the base.

Afterwards, the newlyweds and their guests headed into one of the courtyards for a cocktail hour, where they snacked on sushi and sipped on champagne.

They then went back inside for the reception; they enjoyed a sit-down dinner before heading to the dancer floor to let loose.

The wedding cake was unsurprisingly extravagant, and it had many tiers.

After showing off the ensemble to her friends, family members, and her soon-to-be husband, they enjoyed an epic champagne tower

The ceremony took place in one of the massive ballrooms at the museum, which had sprawling, floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed the Florida sun to shine in

The aisle was adorned with stunning pink and yellow flowers, and a floral archway sat at the base

Afterwards, the newlyweds and their guests headed into one of the courtyards for a cocktail hour, where they snacked on sushi and sipped on champagne

They then went back inside for the reception; they enjoyed a sit-down dinner before heading to the dancer floor to let loose

In the days before the wedding, Katherine prepared by getting a lymphatic drainage massage, which involves 'stimulating your lymphatic system to make lymph fluid move easily through your nodes and tissues, and ensure the fluid doesn't get trapped anywhere,' per WebMD.

She also went on a 'long walk with her mom' and enjoyed a boat ride with some loved ones.

Hailing from a family worth billions, Cabot and his new wife, Katherine, asked for a slew of pricey items on their wedding registries - they had two - including a $600 blender, a $300 cooler, a $200 ice cream maker, and a $470 vacuum.

Also on the lists was a $228 doormat from the brand Serena & Lily, a set of 20 Jean Dubost Laguiole stainless silverware that costs $480, a $195 bowl from BR Home, and a 10-piece set of pans by Greenpan that is priced at $400.

The wedding cake was unsurprisingly extravagant, and it had many tiers

If none of those fit your liking, they asked that guests contributed to their 'honeymoon in St. Barts' or send money to 'help furnish their home.'

Katherine came under fire this week after she was accused of trying to bully a woman into giving up her Instagram username.

She seemingly wanted to change her handle from @katherinedrisc to @katherineasplundh after the wedding, but her desired username was already taken.

Katherine contacted the account owner, a woman who goes by Kate, to ask if she could purchase her handle, a practice that is in direct violation of the platform's terms of service.

Kate refused and explained how she feared selling the username would get her 'banned from Instagram' - but this prompted Katherine to launch a tirade of seemingly entitled messages.

Kate then shared screenshots of the alleged exchange to Reddit, where it left users outraged.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Katherine for comment.

Katherine - who has over 14,000 followers on Instagram - came under fire this week after she was accused of trying to bully a woman into giving up her Instagram username

She seemingly wanted to change her handle from @katherinedrisc to @katherineasplundh after the wedding, but her desired username was already taken

Katherine contacted the account owner, a woman who goes by Kate, to ask if she could purchase her handle, a practice that is in direct violation of the platform's terms of service

Katherine and Cabot met in Prague while Katherine was studying aboard and two years later, Cabot proposed to her

His family founded Asplundh Tree Expert; it was started by Cabot's great grandfather Carl Asplundh and his three brothers Lester and Griffith

Katherine had more than 14,000 followers on Instagram but has seemed to have deleted her account amid the drama; her TikTok account, which boasts more than 82,000 followers is still active.

According to her social media pages, Katherine is originally from New Vernon, New Jersey, and studied at College of Charleston.

Cabot's father Chris Asplundh is currently the company's CEO

The family that she married into founded Asplundh Tree Expert, which in 2021 reported revenue of more than $5.4 billion.

The tree trimming company was started by three brothers from Sweden - Lester, Griffith, and Cabot's great grandfather Carl Asplundh; Cabot's father Chris Asplundh is currently the company's CEO.

Katherine and Cabot met in Prague while she was studying aboard and connected over growing up at the Jersey Shore, according to their wedding website.

Two years later, Cabot proposed to her in Mantoloking, New Jersey.

Former Senate candidate and celebrity surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz is part of the family by marriage, with wife Lisa's grandfather cofounding the family business in 1928.
Queen Letizia of Spain looked effortlessly chic in a monochrome ensemble today as she joined her husband, King Felipe, to celebrate the anniversary of the police force in Madrid today.

The royal, 51, looked in high spirits as she attended the event in the Spanish capital city to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the National Police.

Letizia put her best fashion foot forward and opted to recycle her timeless, houndstooth print oversized blazer from Uterque, which showed off her sophisticated figure.

She then matched this with slim white trousers and chose comfortable footwear, a pair of classic cream trainers from Vivobarefoot which retail for 150.

Letizia put her best fashion foot forward and opted to recycle her timeless, houndstooth print oversized blazer from Uterque

Letizia looked elegant today as she donned a monochrome look for the special occasion

Two young children presented the royal couple with the National Police flag during the ceremony

Letizia looked stunning in her stylish ensemble for the event in Madrid today

She stood alongside her husband, King Felipe of Spain as they clapped for people at the event

Felipe and Letizia posed with the two young children at the 200th anniversary event for the National Police today

The mother-of-two wore her brunette tresses down in a sleek blowdry and donned a pair of simple yet glitzy silver stud earrings.

Letizia opted for glamorous makeup today, with her signature pink shimmery eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, bronzer and a hint of nude lip gloss.

Her husband, King Felipe looked dapper in a classic, black pinstripe suit which he wore with a crisp white shirt, a blue tie and polished shoes.

The couple were given the National Police flag from two young children of National Police agents, during the ceremony.

Letizia looked overjoyed by the gesture as she smiled away and chatted with the two kids, who were dressed in colourful clothes.

Letizia and Felipe also met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska before the start of the event.

The ceremony commemorated the history of the National Police, its image in the eyes of the public, and its recognition for dealing with the safety of the public.

Letizia looked every inch the Queen in her stylish makeup and glamorous outfit

King Felipe and Queen Letizia greet two young children dressed in colourful clothes at the event

The mother-of-two wore her brunette tresses down in a sleek blowdry and donned a pair of simple yet glitzy silver stud earrings

King Felipe VI (3-R) and Queen Letizia (R) greet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (2-R) and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska (L) before the start of the ceremony

King Felipe looked dapper in a classic, black pinstripe suit which he wore with a crisp white shirt, a blue tie and polished shoes

The King and Queen have had a very busy schedule this past week. On Monday, Letizia attended an EmocionArte concert, which promotes education in emotional well-being among young people.

The event takes place within the framework of the proclamation of the Princess of Girona Award International 2024.

The laid back event comes after Letizia looked elegant in a powder blue suit as she joined King Felipe in Madrid to celebrate an important military anniversary for her husband.

She beamed with pride as she attended a ceremony at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza to mark 40 years since the monarch was promoted.

The royal couple attended the commemoration of the Bicentennial of the National Police at the Royal Palace in Madrid today

Letizia opted for glamorous makeup today, with her signature pink shimmery eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, bronzer and a hint of nude lip gloss

As she watched on in high spirits, Letizia looked regal in her tailored suit, which featured wide-leg trousers.

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 goes to university.

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.
A prolific people smuggler who's on a global 'most wanted list' is so 'addicted' to making illegal millions that he's introduced 'economy, business and first class' tiers to migrants desperate for a new life in the UK - including 18,000 'less stress' ferry tickets across the Channel.

A new BBC Radio 4 Intrigue podcast To Catch a Scorpion sees journalist Sue Mitchell join forces with volunteer aid worker - and former Army expert - Rob Lawrie to try and track down ruthless smuggler Barzan Majeed, who was born in Iraq and uses the codename 'Scorpion'.

The podcast, of which there are three episodes released so far with five more dropping on May 10th, sees the pair try and track down the criminal mastermind, who continues to evade capture, in spite of an international police surveillance operation that has imprisoned many of his underworld colleagues.

In 2022, he was handed a ten-year jail sentence for people smuggling in his absence at a court in Bruges. Majeed, who was once based in Nottingham, was also handed a 968,000 Euro (849,000) fine.

A new BBC podcast, presented by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie, goes on the trail of Barzan Majeed, who remains at large and on international most-wanted lists for people smuggling

One anonymous contact who knew Scorpion during the early days of his criminal career estimates he's now covertly moved tens of thousands of people - putting many of their lives at risk in lorries and on inadequate boats - across a whole continent and has made millions doing it.

With his voice disguised, the man says: 'He loves the nice cars, the nice house, he was living the high life, he had money always - $200,000 always under his bed.

'In one night, he made 500,000. He had 56 passengers, minimum price was 9,000 [pp] for the lorry.'

The third episode of the series unearths how corruption within border control has led Scorpion to a new, more expensive way of reaching British shores.

Another contact says he's now offering 'a premier service', explaining: 'Barzaan said there's three modes: business, economic [SIC] and first class.'

Mitchell and Lawrie are left astonished after they speak to an anonymous Iranian man about how he successfully made it to the UK via the 'premium' cross-Channel ferry route, touting it as the 'safest' way to travel.

He tells them that he travelled with his wife and father, after paying 18,000 to Scorpion's gang.

The man says he was told he would be able to board a ferry in Calais right under the noses of the authorities and 'no-one would stop them'.

The series examines how Majeed, who uses the codename Scorpion, has risen to the top of a criminal empire - putting tens of thousands of migrant lives at risk - after masterminding boat, lorry and ferry Channel crossings

He draws a map for Mitchell and Lawrie who then go to Calais to re-trace his steps and see if his story lines up - and they quickly find the electronic gate his family's journey to England began with.

The exit gate is only ever to be used by staff at the Port of Calais and Scorpion's gang members tell the family to dress smartly and 'stride with confidence', the podcast recounts.

The family were told the gate would open at 8pm and then they should hide in a toilet block for 20 minutes, which they did.

The Iranian says: 'We had just 30 seconds, we passed the door and just walked in. When we passed the door I saw the police.'

Lawrie says: 'You just walked past them?' The man replies: 'Yeah, yeah'.

A corrupt official in the Scorpions pay knocked on the door of the toilet block and then proceeded to drive the family on to the ferry, avoiding British passport controls.

Lawrie says: 'The man was confident enough to invite them out of his car and buy them an English breakfast on the ferry.'

Lawrie and Mitchell then travel to Calais to check out the claims and find the staff exit gate 'just as he describes'.

'And on the side of that is the office door that opens up. You can see it there. It's exactly right. What he says. I mean, put yourself in there. He's going to walk through all this officialdom,' Mitchell says.

'And he's gotta walk with confidence through that gate and walk towards that door as if it's gonna open at exactly the right time. I mean, that's something out of a movie isn't it?'

The podcast reveals that Scorpion is now offering a 'first class' style service by paying corrupt border control officials in Calais to let migrants through ferry terminals

The Port of Calais authorities hasn't commented on the Iranian family's claims.

The second episode of the series sees Mitchell and Lawrie meet another Iranian family, this time who crossed the Channel in the dead of night on a boat.

They meet them first in Calais as 13-year-old Manna is preparing to make the dangerous crossing with her parents, brother and baby sister Maya.

Manna tells the journalist and aid worker that they've paid 6,000 for the trip, after being told they have a 'big chance' of getting to England.

After staying in touch with the family after they do arrive on British soil - to live in a tent before claiming asylum - they recount their terrifying experience crossing the Channel with gun-carrying smugglers.

Manna tells them they boarded an inflatable dinghy carrying 13 adults, including 4 children. With no navigation system, they were blown off course in the pitch black and the journey took nine hours.

Manna is heard saying that her mother gave the baby to the smuggler who fed her 'a sleeping agent' so her cries wouldn't alert border force authorities.

She told the podcast, she was scared of giant waves caused by a passing ferry and that she was praying to god for their safety because it was 'so cold'.

According to the Home Office, 120,000 people have arrived on UK shores in this way since 2020.

Journalist Mitchell and volunteer aid worker Lawrie meet Manna, a 13-year-old Iranian girl who travelled to the UK with her father, mother and baby sister on a terrifying nine-hour journey in a dinghy - her sister was given sleeping medication to stop her crying and alerting authorities

Investigators from the National Crime Agency (NCA) have been working with officers in Belgium to track Majeed down and issued a warrant for his arrest in 2022.

The criminal moved to the UK in 2013, living in Nottingham, where he still has connections.

In 2015, he was deported to the Kurdistan region of Northern Iraq after being convicted of drug and gun offences.

The podcast comes amid controversy over the government's new scheme to send migrants Rwanda.

Following the UKs Supreme Court decision that the policy was unlawful because Rwanda was not a safe country to remove asylum seekers to in November 2023, the government and Rwanda published a new treaty providing additional safeguards.

The bill was redrafted and passed some two weeks ago.

Since the Safety of Rwanda bill became law, the first phase of operations have got underway, with more activity due to be carried out in the coming weeks.

Around a week ago, the Home Office detained the first set of migrants set to be deported to Rwanda, with flights due to take off at the beginning of July.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said teams were 'working at pace to swiftly detain those who have no right to be here', referring to it as a 'pioneering response to the global challenge of illegal migration'.

He explained: 'This is a complex piece of work, but we remain absolutely committed to operationalising the policy, to stop the boats and break the business model of people smuggling gangs.'

The Home Office has increased its detention capacity to more than 2,200 detention spaces, trained 200 new caseworkers to quickly process claims and has 500 highly trained escorts ready.

Ministers believe the prospect of being sent to Rwanda will deter illegal migrants from crossing the Channel.

Barzan Kamal Majeed, 36, pictured, nicknamed 'Scorpion', is on the run and received a 10-year jail sentence for people smuggling in his absence at a court in Bruges last month

The Government is gambling that the first flights to East Africa will have a stark impact on Channel arrivals, and demonstrate to voters that the problem is finally in hand.

It said that any asylum seeker attempting to enter the UK 'illegally' from a safe country, could be sent to Rwanda and have their claims processed there.

Last month, sources said 100 to 150 migrants had already been identified for the first tranche of removals.

Under two recent Acts of Parliament the Government has powers to disregard asylum applications from those who arrive in the UK by 'irregular' routes such as by small boat.

Measures have also been taken to severely restrict migrants' access to legal appeals. However, some limited appeal rights are retained.

It said the country has a strong and successful track record in resettling people, hosting more than 135,000 refugees, and stands ready to accept thousands more who cannot stay in the UK.

Officials said the government's Safety of Rwanda Act and internationally binding Treaty reaffirm and ensure the safety of Rwanda and this policy.

However, it is expected that the government will face legal action, with pro-migrant charity Care4Calais saying last month that it planned to initiate challenges as quickly as possible.

Current episodes of To Catch a Scorpion are available on BBC Sounds. The remaining five episodes are released May 10th.
Zara Tindall looked ready for action today, as she was snapped running with her horse Class Affair during the inspection on day one of the Badminton Trials.

The event, at the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, started today and will run until Sunday.

And the 42-year-old daughter of the Princess Royal, seemed to be enjoying herself as her horse was inspected ahead of the riding.

She looked elegant in her typical riding ensemble, donning tight white trousers with a white t-shirt and navy blazer.

Meanwhile, she wore practical white trainers by by Fairfax & Favor as she ran, and protected her eyes from the glare of the sun with pink-rimmed sunglasses.

READY FOR ACTION: Zara Tindall is pictured running with her horse Class Affair during the first horse inspection on day one of the Badminton Horse Trials

The sporty royal, 42, was seen grimacing at one point, as she ran with her horse during the event

Zara Tindall's appearance at the Badminton Horse Trials follows her attending the Windsor Royal Horse Show earlier this month

She accessorised with her wedding band and a wrist watch, and wore her blonde bob loose, and blown into a straight style.

The sporty royal, who shares daughters Mia, 10, and Lena, five, and son, Lucas, three, with former England rugby star Mike Tindall, was photographed appearing to grimace at one point as she led her horse during the inspection.

Her appearance at the Badminton Horse Trials follows Zara attending the Windsor Royal Horse Show, where she was snapped embracing her uncle King Charles, 75.

The monarch, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, made a surprise appearance at the horsey event.

His appearance marked his third public engagement in four days, as he returns to public-facing duties, amid his illness.

Zara beamed as she greeted her uncle at the Berkshire event, appearing happy to see him.

Meanwhile Charles himself looked delighted to see Zara, the daughter of his sister Princess Anne, as the two enveloped one another in a big friendly hug without any restraint.

Their physical affection is a sign of their close bond - and Zara is known for breaking royal tradition with her tactile displays, as also shown with her rugby star husband Mike.

At other points during the horse inspection, the 42-year-old mother-of-three was pictured smiling

The royal donned white trousers and a white t-shirt for the trials, pairing them with practical white trainers, a navy blazer, and pink-rimmed sunglasses

Zara is a keen equestrian, and has even won an Olympic medal in the sport, taking home a silver at London 2012

Body language expert Judi James previously described the bond between the uncle and niece as one of the 'sweetest and most uncomplicated' in the Firm, according to the Daily Express.

She said: 'Unlike many of the people in the King's life, Zara seems to treat her uncle with unfiltered fondness and he seems to respond in kind.

'Their public displays of affection (PDAs) are legendary and the body language signals suggest they are always led by Zara, who seems untroubled by protocol, status or even Charles's customary avoidance of any touch rituals in public that go beyond a handshake.

'She seems purely keen to show everyone how determined she is to give this sometimes solitary and reflective man a hug.'

The two clearly get on like a house on fire and share a known passion for horses and equestrian sports, as Zara even won a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics, as well as competing at events like this week's Badminton's Horse Trials.
The flavour is a fan favourite but alarm bells rang when it seemed to disappear

Fans of Walkers crisps have been left outraged after a very popular flavour appeared to have vanished from supermarket shelves.

Twitter users rushed to social media to express their concerns when they couldn't find any packets of Monster Munch Flamin' Hot.

The claw-shaped snack is very popular in the UK and the Flamin' Hot version is one of Walkers' most beloved flavours according to dismayed fans.

Megan said on X, formerly Twitter: '@walkers_crisps what is happening with monster munch flamin hot?!

'Cannot be found anywhere only the sweet and spicy variation which cannot compete with the original.'

Fans of Walkers crisps have been left outraged after a very popular flavour appeared to vanish from supermarket shelves (file photo)

Walkers revealed the brand had just been renamed and given a new look, which is why buyers hadn't been able to recognise it on the shelves.

They replied: 'We have given them a facelift! They are now called Sweet and Spicy Flamin' Hot. We'll be sure to pass your comments over to the wider team.'

When Monster Munch was first acquired by Walkers in 1995 it offered Roast Beef, Pickled Onion and Saucy flavours.

A spicier alternative - known as Flamin' Hot - was then added to the range and it became a fan favourite.

It comes after UK crisp lovers were left disappointed to learn that another popular flavour has disappeared from shelves last year.

An outraged fan rushed to Twitter after not being able to find any Flamin' Hot crisps

Walkers confirmed on Twitter that the beloved range had been given a makeover

Monster Munch Flamin' Hot (left) has been rebranded as Sweet & Spicy Flamin' Hot (right)

Walkers confirmed to a snack fan on X (formerly Twitter) that it is no longer making Salt & Vinegar Quavers.

There was further disappointment expressed that the news was only revealed as a result of the crisp giant responding to a fan.

Taking to X, the social media user called Linda asked: 'have you stopped making salt and vinegar quavers? I can't find them anywhere.'

To which Walkers responded: 'We're sorry to break it to you Linda, but we're not making this flavour anymore.'
McDonald's Australia is launching wavy fries in some stores

McDonald's Australia has quietly launched a new menu item that has delighted foodies across the country.

The soon-to-be favourite is a serve of wavy fries - a delicious serving of crinkle-cut treats described as a thinner version of potato wedges.

The menu item is popular in Europe but has only just arrived at Australian locations. The full list of restaurants where they're stocked is yet to be released.

Daily Mail Australia understands that McDonald's is currently trialling the wavy fries in select restaurants across New South Wales and is waiting on customer feedback.

Ness, a Sydney foodie, travelled to Peachtree in Penrith to get her hands on the new dish.

McDonald's Australia has quietly launched a brand new menu item: wavy fries

'I was so excited to see it on the menu board and I ordered the large wavy fries,' she said.

'The fries tasted quite yummy but I don't think I really loved them.'

Other foodies have reported spotting the dish at various locations including Peachtree, St Ives, Northmead, and Mount Colah.

Australian McDonald's has long been revered by foreigners - with a British foodie even admitting that the all-day breakfast menu was a 'game changer'.

Ness, a Sydney foodie, recently travelled to Peachtree to get her hands on the new dish

Thousands are excited to try the hot chips, which are popular in France.

'Are these in Victoria? I want them so bad!' one said.

'Why are these only in Penrith? They aren't anywhere else,' a second complained.

'I get these instead of normal fries every time now,' a French customer said. 'They're so addictive.'

A home cook shared that she has taken to making them at home with a wavy potato cutter and air fryer until the dish hits more stores.
Aussies were left in disbelief after discovering how cheap it can be to score a slice of Balinese real estate - but many pointed out a major catch.

House prices in Australian capital cities have soared as much as 20 per cent in the past 12 months and are tipped to surge by more than a third in the next three years so those looking to get into the property market are searching elsewhere.

Many were wowed when travel blogger Alex Ulbin toured a luxurious three-storey villa in the heart of Canguu that was priced at just over $400,000.

The lavish home has two bedrooms, two ensuites with freestanding bathtubs, soaring ceilings, a stunning rooftop terrace, a private pool, a fire pit and a chic communal living area.

'What?!! My lowest guess was $15million,' one viewer exclaimed while another said: 'That is literally the cost of a s****y apartment where I live'.

Aussie property lovers were wowed when a house hunter revealed a three-storey luxurious villa in the heart of Canguu was priced at just over $400,000

However, many pointed out the property is a leasehold meaning international buyers can only occupy the land for a period of time as foreigners cannot own property in Bali

'You are kidding I'm moving there right now,' a third wrote.

However, many pointed out the deal wasn't as it seemed.

The property is a leasehold offered by investment group Alex Villas meaning international buyers can only occupy the land for a period of time as foreigners cannot own property in Bali.

'It's a leasehold so 30 years! Not clear ownership,' one person pointed out.

'You can't own the land as a foreigner. You can only own the house that sits on top of it and 'lease' the land,' a second explained.

Leaseholds allow people to live in or rent out for periods usually lasting for 25 to 30 years then the land must be returned to the original owner.

Leaseholds allow people from all over the world to live in or rent out for periods usually lasting for 25 to 30 years then the land must be returned to the original owner

It's an option many Aussies are choosing to get away from the mounting cost of living pressures.

Tom Wedding, who splits his time between Bali and Thailand, told FEMAIL he couldn't afford to have a night out with friends in Australia, rarely dined at restaurants, and felt restricted by his finances.

The 24-year-old said he was sick and tired of feeling 'poor' while living paycheck to paycheck in Australia so he sold his belongings at the start of 2023, packed up his life and moved to Asia.

He now invests and saves 60 per cent of the $6,500 he earns every month while working in tropical paradises.

While in Asia, Tom said he can 'live like a king' because meals, accommodation and amenities are drastically cheaper.

Tom Wedding (pictured) packed up his life to live between Thailand and Bali to get away from Australia's mounting mounting cost of living pressures

Jimmy Mitchell, 36, and wife Pauline, 35, gave up the 'stereotypical Aussie lifestyle' to travel around south east Asia for the past 10 months with their sons Riley, seven, and Liam, eight

He also chose to live in Bali and Thailand because they're close to Australia and the locals are friendly despite the language barriers.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Mitchell, 36, and wife Pauline, 35, gave up the 'stereotypical Aussie lifestyle' in Western Australia and have been travelling around South East Asia for the past 10 months with their sons Riley, seven, and Liam, eight.

Jimmy, cofounder of digital marketing agency My Online Guy, told FEMAIL he was working endlessly to make a decent amount of money but felt like he was 'never getting ahead' and would at times arrive home in tears.

At the time the couple were renting a four bedroom house in Mandurah, an hour south of Perth, and struggled saving for a house deposit despite working long hours.

'The core reason why we decided to travel full-time was to improve our quality of life and spend more time together as a family,' Jimmy said.

They're now saving as much as 50 per cent of their income in a good month instead of zero to five per cent.

The pair haven't looked back since taking the leap and aren't sure when - or if - they will return to Australia permanently.
AstraZeneca's landmark decision to withdraw its Covid jab worldwide was hailed by victims of an extremely rare but fatal side effect, who said it 'means no one else will suffer from this awful adverse reaction'.

The pharmaceutical titan's vaccine, once heralded as a 'triumph for British science', has come under intense scrutiny in recent months for a very rare complication that causes blood clots and low blood platelet counts. It has been linked to 81 deaths in the UK as well as hundreds of serious injuries.

The jab, developed with Oxford University, can no longer be used in the European Union after the company voluntarily withdrew its 'marketing authorisation', coming into effect today.

Similar applications to withdraw the vaccine will be made in other countries which had previously approved it, including the UK. Around 50 million doses were given in Britain.

AstraZeneca's withdrawal comes months after it admitted in legal documents that its jab can cause the thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) reaction.

One of those seeking compensation for injuries linked to AstraZeneca's vaccine is father-of-two and IT engineer Jamie Scott. He was left with a permanent brain injury following a blood clot and bleed on the brain after getting the vaccine in April 2021. The 47-year-old has been unable to work ever since.

One of those seeking compensation for injuries linked to the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine is father-of-two and IT engineer Jamie Scott, pictured with his wife, Kate

His wife Kate said: 'AstraZenecas Covid vaccine no longer being used in the UK or Europe, and soon the rest of the world, means no one else will suffer from this awful adverse reaction.

'They say it's for commercial reasons, but maybe its because it is no longer seen as being within the acceptable safety parameters.'

Mr Scott, 47, told the Daily Telegraph: 'This is good news, but I will always wish they had paused it in the UK after just one case, like they did in other countries.

'More lives could have been saved and I would not be suffering the way I am.'

Fifty-one families are currently pursuing legal action against the pharmaceutical titan, arguing its 'defective' jab was to blame for their injuries and the deaths of loved ones.

However, lawyers argue we may never know the true number of people laid low by the rare but devastating TTS complication.

Sarah Moore, a partner at law firm Leigh Day, told MailOnline: 'The criteria for what constitutes TTS was really only published and made available to the clinical community from the beginning of March [2021].'

She added that, as the complication was only spotted when the jab started being dished out to younger people, cases in older individuals could potentially have slipped under the radar, as they may have been mistaken for problems linked to Covid or other health issues.

'We may never know if there were other injuries that could have been related to the vaccine before March 2021,' she said.

Ms Moore added that the firm had been inundated with people coming forward claiming that they or a family member had been affected by the AstraZeneca jab, but some have had to be turned away.

The AstraZeneca jab was the most widely used in the UK during the initial roll-out of the Covid vaccination programme - before it was linked to a risk in blood clots

'Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, it isnt feasible for us to take on every case we have been approached with,' she said.

She added that for some potential victims, time to seek compensation had run out.

For the claims we are bringing, those injured or bereaved have three years from the date of their injury or the death in which to bring a claim, so unfortunately in many cases that cut off has now been reached,' she added.

AstraZeneca denies the decision to withdraw the vaccine is related to the court case, insisting that the vaccine is instead being removed from markets for commercial reasons.

The company said in court documents that the vaccine is reportedly no longer being manufactured or supplied, having been superseded by updated vaccines that tackle newer variants.

A spokesperson said: 'We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria [the name of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine] played in ending the global pandemic.

'According to independent estimates, over 6.5million lives were saved in the first year of use alone, and over three billion doses were supplied globally.

'Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world, and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic.

'As multiple, variant Covid vaccines have since been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines.

Researchers believe the rare side effect occurs due to the modified cold virus lurking in the jab having an adverse effect on platelets in the blood, triggering clotting

'This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied. AstraZeneca has therefore taken the decision to initiate withdrawal of the marketing authorisations for Vaxzevria within Europe.

'We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the Covid pandemic.'

TTS, or vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), is thought to be linked to at least 81 deaths in the UK, according to figures collated by UK drug watchdog, the MHRA.

Not all are proven, however. And not every family is seeking legal action.

TTS is where a person suffers blood clots along with a low platelet count. Platelets typically help the blood to clot.

The complication  listed as a potential side-effect of the jab  has previously been called vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).

The complication is exceedingly rare, given the millions of doses dished out during the roll-out. The risk is thought to be in the region of one in 50,000.

AstraZeneca's admission in court documents earlier this year could lead to pay-outs on a case-by-case basis.

Taxpayers will foot the bill of any potential settlement because of an indemnity deal AstraZeneca struck with the Government in the darkest days of Covid in order to get the jabs produced as quickly as possible while the country was paralysed by lockdowns.

The graph shows the cumulative number of Covid jabs dished out in the UK since the pandemic began, the percentage of each age group which has had a jab (bottom left) and the number of each Covid vaccine brand dished out

Similar action to that being taken by British families is understood to be underway in other countries where the AstraZeneca jab was deployed, including Germany and Italy.

Health officials first identified cases of VITT linked to AstraZeneca's jab in Europe as early as March 2021, just over two months after the vaccine was first deployed in the UK.

However, it wasn't until April that year that evidence became clear enough that the jab started to be restricted.

Spooked officials first restricted the jab to only people over 30. They then narrowed this to only over-40s in May 2021.

As the vaccine still worked against Covid, it was still deemed worth giving to older Brits who were at greater risk of death or injury from falling ill with the virus.

Further Covid vaccine roll-outs have either minimised use of the AstraZeneca jab and/or phased it out entirely in favour of mRNA alternatives like those made by rival pharma giants Pfizer and Moderna.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner speaks to the media during a press conference about the 250,000-plus cases that were suspended for lack of staffing at HPD Headquarters on Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

Following Chief Troy Finners abrupt departure, Mayor John Whitmire said it is premature to start discussing the selection process for his successor to lead the Houston Police Department.

In a Tuesday late-night email to police staff, Whitmire announced he had accepted the resignation of Finner, who had been with the department for 34 years. He appointed Larry Satterwhite, formerly the executive assistant chief, as acting police chief while he begins the search for Finners permanent replacement.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The mayor, who has the authority to appoint the police chief pending City Council approval, said Wednesday that he has not set a timeline for hiring the next leader of Texas' largest police force.

Its real premature to talk about the process of selection, Whitmire said. Im not ruling out an internal or external chief. I want someone that is a crime fighter that realizes and appreciates the diversity of our city and just wants to fix things.

The move came after months of controversy around the departments practice of dropping cases due to the use of a staffing shortage code.

The final straw leading to Finners retirement was the latest revelation that the former police chief was included in a 2018 email discussing a dropped case even though Finner previously said he was not aware of the practice until 2021, according to Whitmire. In response, Finner said he could not recall the email until it resurfaced this week.

NEW REVELATION: Outgoing HPD Chief Troy Finner addresses 2018 email posted hours before his retirement announcement

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Whitmire said that rather than forming an advisory committee for the hiring process, he plans to use his network and knowledge to lead the search himself. Former Mayor Sylvester Turner also made the selection himself when he appointed Finner in 2021.

I could, like a lot of folks do for show, come up with an advisory group, Whitmire said, adding that these committees usually do not lead to meaningful engagement.

Instead, he said it was more fruitful to gather as much information and advice as he could get and then make the decision on his own.

Houstons neighborhoods are becoming more diverse, with Black and Hispanic residents together making up about two-thirds of the citys population, census data shows. Whitmire said diversity will be a key consideration for him, along with candidates qualifications and ability to lead.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine  once heralded as a 'triumph for science'  is being withdrawn worldwide.

The jab, developed with Oxford University, can no longer be used in the European Union after the company voluntarily pulled its 'marketing authorisation', coming into effect today.

Similar applications to withdraw the vaccine will be made in other countries which had previously approved it, including the UK. Around 50million doses were given in Britain.

While credited with saving more than 6million lives, the jab  known as Vaxzevria  has come under intense scrutiny in recent months over a rare but fatal side effect.

In February, the pharmaceutical titan admitted in documents lodged with the High Court that it 'can, in very rare cases, cause thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)'.

So why has the jab now been withdrawn? Are you at risk if you had Vaxzevria? And what do you have to prove if you have been injured by the AstraZeneca vaccine?

Here, MailOnline explains everything you need to know.

Your browser does not support iframes.

The graph shows the cumulative number of Covid jabs dished out in the UK since the pandemic began, the percentage of each age group which has had a jab (bottom left) and the number of each Covid vaccine brand dished out

Why has it been withdrawn?

Fifty-one families are currently pursuing legal action against AstraZeneca, arguing its 'defective' jab was to blame for their injuries and deaths of loved ones.

However, the Cambridge-based drug manufacturer denies the decision to withdraw the vaccine is related to the court case. Instead, it insists Vaxzevria is being removed from markets for commercial reasons.

The company said in court documents that the vaccine is reportedly no longer being manufactured or supplied, having been superseded by updated vaccines that tackle newer variants.

In a statement today, the company said: 'According to independent estimates, over 6.5million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and over three billion doses were supplied globally.

AstraZeneca's Covid jab timeline January 2020: Oxford University scientists start working on a Covid vaccine after the World Health Organization declares the spread of the virus a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern' March 2020: Then Prime Minister Boris announced the first national lockdown. That same month, the Government invests 88million in the development of the Oxford vaccine April 2020: Alongside AstraZeneca, scientists start the first clinical trials of their new vaccine. This involved 1,000 volunteers in the UK July 2020: Results from phase two trials of AstraZeneca's jab are published 4 December 2020: Covid jab rollout begins with the Pfizer vaccine. Over-80s and care home workers are given priority 8 December 2020: Phase three trial results of the AstraZeneca's jab are published. These are what health officials will use to approve the jab for use in the UK 30 December 2020: AstraZeneca's jab is approved for emergency use 4 January 2021: First AstraZeneca doses start being dished out. Brian Pinker, 82, is the first person to receive the jab outside of clinical trials 8 January 2021: Frontline NHS staff start being offered vaccines 8 February 2021: Over-70s are called forward 14 February 2021: Roll-out opens up to Brits with underlying heath conditions, as well as the over-65s 28 February 2021: All over-60s are invited for jabs 11 March 2021: European countries start suspending use of the AstraZeneca jab after death of a 60-year-old woman from a blood clot 17 March 2021: Over 50s start being offered Covid jabs in the UK 19 March 2021: Several European countries reverse decision to suspend AstraZeneca jab after initial investigations find no link to reported blood clots 31 March 2021: People living with vulnerable adults are called forward to get a Covid vaccine in the UK, even if they are younger than eligible age groups 7 April 2021: UK restricts the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine to over-30s over a small but statistically significant risk of blood clots in younger people 30 April 2021: Over-40s are called forward for Covid jabs 7 May 2021: Restriction of the AstraZeneca vaccine is widened to include over-40s August 2022: Government sources say they will not order anymore AstraZeneca Covid vaccines instead focuses on mRNA alternatives March 2023: Dozens of patients and families launch legal action against AstraZeneca due to April 2023: Widower of a BBC presenter Lisa Shaw who died after having the vaccine said he has 'no alternative' but to sue AstraZeneca 4 August 2023: Anish Tailor, whose wife Alpa died in March 2021 after receiving her first AstraZeneca dose, filed a product liability claim against AstraZeneca at London's High Court. His lawyer says he has nearly 50 other clients who will formally sue AstraZeneca in the coming months 17 August 2023: IT engineer Jamie Scott, who suffered a brain haemorrhage the day after his first AstraZeneca jab starts a legal case against the company. The law firm representing Mr Scott says it represents around 40 other individuals or bereaved families Advertisement

'Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic.

'As multiple, variant Covid vaccines have since been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines.

'This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

'AstraZeneca has therefore taken the decision to initiate withdrawal of the marketing authorisations for Vaxzevria within Europe.'

What did the original trial data show about side effects?

Tens of thousands of volunteers, including ones in the UK and the US, willingly rolled up their sleeves to take part in original trials.

Heavily scrutinised data suggested two doses of the AstraZeneca jab offered about 70 per cent protection against becoming ill. This meant developing any symptoms, as opposed to being hospitalised.

Other studies calculated that a single dose reduced the likelihood of hospitalisation by up to 94 per cent.

Analysis of the phase 3 trial, the final hurdle typically needed to be cleared before any drug gets approved for widespread human use, noted no safety concerns.

Yet, like with all forms of medication, AstraZeneca's jab carried a range of potential side effects.

Officials knew about mild ones thanks to the massive trials, with recipients mostly complaining of routine issues like headaches.

And people who were subsequently vaccinated were warned about them ahead of getting any needle in their arm.

Common side effects, which health bosses say can affect more than 10 per cent of recipients, include fatigue, 'flu-like' symptoms, and pain in the arms or legs.

Stomach pain, a rash and excessive sweating were uncommon, strikes roughly one in 100 people who get vaccinated.

According to the pharmaceutical titan, rare (approximately one in 1,000) issues included facial drooping on one side.

It was only once the door was opened for millions more Brits to get the jab, as the UK did during the first few months of 2021, that another complication was spotted.

Officials noted a small, yet significant trend in cases of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT, or TTS) that allowed them to raise the alarm in the first week of April.

It causes blood clots to form in various parts of the body, including the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and the legs. It is an urgent medical emergency.

These blood clots, like any others, can be deadly depending on where they form or if they break up and travel to parts of the body like the brain.

Estimates suggest the risk of blood clots occurring from taking AstraZeneca's jab is in the region of one in 50,000.

Am I at risk now if I had the jab back in 2021?

Side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine generally only occurred within the first four weeks of receiving it.

There is currently no evidence of a long-term risk from having had the jab, doctors insist.

As jabs are given as a single dose at a time, experts claim adverse effects generally only occur a short time after receiving the injection  unlike with medication that people take for years.

Additionally, given the sheer quantity of people who received the AstraZeneca jab, some 50million in the UK and over 2.5billion globally, long-term effects would likely have been spotted by now, experts say.

How do you prove you have been injured by Vaxzevria?

The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, which has been around since the 70s, offers people, or their families, a tax-free sum of 120,000.

Established back in 1979, the policy covers covers an array of vaccines recommended by the Government, including measles, mumps and rubella and is meant to reassure people that, in the unlikely event something goes wrong, the state will provide support.

Under current rules however, strict eligibility criteria means those affected must either have been killed or be left 60 per cent disabled due to a vaccine.

This means a person theoretically judged to be only 59 per cent disabled will not get a penny.

The extent of a person's disability is based on an assessment by a doctor and can include both physical disablement, such as the loss of a limb, or mental disablement, such as a decline cognitive function.

It also means there is no escalation of the sum received.

So, for example, someone who is completely paralysed by a vaccine would receive the same 120,000 as someone who lost a leg.

Going blind or deaf counts as being 100 per cent disabled.

Brits can only make a claim for a child once they are two years old. Adults must apply within six years of having a vaccine.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Researchers believe the rare side effect occurs due to the modified cold virus lurking in the jab having an adverse effect on platelets in the blood, triggering clotting

The AstraZeneca vaccine is a genetically engineered common cold virus that used to infect chimpanzees. It has been modified to make it weak so it does not cause illness in people and loaded up with the gene for the coronavirus spike protein, which Covid-19 uses to invade human cells

What is the three year cut-off for compensation claims?

Government officials caution it can take at least six months to process a Vaccine Damage Payment claim. Covid vaccine specific claims 'will take longer'.

Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, Brits also have a right to sue vaccine producers if a jab defect has caused personal injury.

Lawyers representing 51 victims and families are currently undertaking such action against AstraZeneca, arguing the vaccine was 'a defective product' that was 'not as safe as consumers generally were reasonably entitled to expect'.

The pharmaceutical titan has strongly denied these claims.

The full list of vaccines that Government will pay financial support for, if you're left 60 per cent disabled COVID-19

diphtheria

haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

human papillomavirus

influenza, except for influenza caused by a pandemic influenza virus

measles

meningitis B

meningitis C

meningitis W

mumps

pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (swine flu) - up to 31 August 2010

pertussis (whooping cough)

pneumococcal infection

poliomyelitis

rotavirus

rubella

smallpox - up to 1 August 1971

tetanus

tuberculosis You may have had a combined vaccination against a number of the diseases listed. For example, you might have been vaccinated against DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) or MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). You may also be able to get a payment if you're severely disabled because either: your mother was vaccinated against one of the diseases in the list while she was pregnant

you've been in close physical contact with someone who's had an oral vaccine against poliomyelitis Source: Gov.uk Advertisement

Those injured or bereaved, however only have three years from the date of their injury or death in which to bring a claim.

Last month, Sarah Moore, a partner at law firm Leigh Day, who is representing alleged victims, told MailOnline the true toll of people injured may never be uncovered.

'The criteria for what constituted VITT was really only published and made available to the clinical community from the beginning of March (2021),' she said.

'We may never know if there were other injuries that could have been related to the vaccine before March 2021.

For the claims we are bringing, those injured or bereaved have three years from the date of their injury or the death in which to bring a claim so unfortunately in many cases that cut off has now been reached.'

How many Brits have been injured by the jab?

TTS is thought to be linked to at least 81 deaths in the UK, according to figures collated by UK drug watchdog, the MHRA.

Not all are proven, however. And not every family is seeking legal action.

No figures are provided for the number of people left disabled from AstraZeneca's Covid jab.

According to figures released by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) under freedom of information laws, the payment scheme has received more than 11,000 Covid vaccine claims as of April 2.

Of these, 168 claims for state-funded financial support have now been approved.

Fewer than five were Pfizer and Moderna, with the remaining claims all AstraZeneca.

The successful claims cover those affected by VITT.

Others developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, anaphylaxis or suffered other blood clots.

More than 4,800 claims have been rejected, including 324 who were unsuccessful because they failed to meet the 60 per cent threshold.

'Although the claims met the criteria for causation, the independent medical assessor recommended that the vaccine has not caused severe disablement,' the NHSBSA said.

When were officials first aware of the risk?

Health officials first identified cases of VITT linked to AstraZeneca's jab in Europe as early as March 2021, just over two months after the vaccine was first deployed in the UK.

However, it wasn't until April that year that evidence became clear enough that the jab started to be restricted.

Spooked officials first restricted the jab to only people over 30. They then narrowed this to only over-40s in May 2021.

As the vaccine still worked against Covid, it was still deemed worth giving to older Brits who were at greater risk of death or injury from falling ill with the virus.

Further Covid vaccine rollouts have either minimised use of the AstraZeneca jab and/or phased it out entirely in favour of mRNA alternatives like those made by rival pharma giants Pfizer and Moderna.

One of those seeking compensation for injuries linked to the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine is father-of-two and IT engineer Jamie Scott (right), His wife Kate (left) said she hoped the new AstraZeneca submission was sign the legal case could be resolved soon

The pharmaceutical titan is the second largest publicly listed company in the UK, with a market capitalisation of more than 170 billion. Its chief executive, Sir Pascal Soriot (pictured), is the highest-paid boss among FTSE 100 companies, with earnings close to 19 million

Who is taking legal action against AstraZeneca?

Fifty-one families are currently pursuing legal action against the pharmaceutical titan, arguing its 'defective' jab was to blame for their injuries and deaths of loved ones.

One of those seeking compensation is for injuries linked to AstraZeneca's vaccine is father-of-two and IT engineer Jamie Scott.

He was left with a permanent brain injury following a blood clot and the bleed on the brain after getting the vaccine in April 2021. The 47-year-old has been unable to work since.

Some of these people have already received a payment from Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.

Others are in the process of applying for a payment. Some have been told they are ineligible.

Should the action prove successful, compensation could reach seven-figure sums.

AstraZeneca, however, will not foot the bill.

Under a legal indemnity that the Government gave the company early in the pandemic  given the need to roll out the vaccine fast  the UK taxpayer will have to pay any compensation awarded.

The pharmaceutical titan is the second largest publicly listed company in the UK, with a market capitalisation of more than 170 billion.

Its chief executive, Sir Pascal Soriot, is the highest-paid boss among FTSE 100 companies, with earnings close to 19 million.
AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine, developed by scientists from the prestigious Oxford University, was meant to be a post-Brexit success story.

Not only was it supposed to be a shining example of British ingenuity which would banish the devastating Covid pandemic and sentence lockdowns to history, it was also meant to demonstrate the UK's generosity in the global crisis, with the jab sold at cost, not for profit.

Ministers were so confident in its success that then-Health Secretary Matt Hancock privately labelled it the 'new Mini', a symbol of a revitalised Britain's place as a world leader.

The pharmaceutical giant's decision to forego massive profits, and instead deliver jabs for the cost of a cup of coffee, even prompted the World Health Organization to label it a 'vaccine for the world'.

But in just a few short years, the vaccine has become a pariah, dragged through the courts by the families of those it has allegedly killed and maimed through a rare side effect missed in the original clinical trials.

One of those seeking compensation for injuries linked to the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine is father-of-two and IT engineer Jamie Scott (right). His wife Kate (left) welcomed the news the company was voluntarily withdrawing its 'marketing authorisation' from the EU

If successful, it will be the British taxpayer that foots the bill, which lawyers have estimated could amount to upwards of 250million under a deal struck between the pharma giant and ministers in the darkest days of the Covid lockdown.

The deal was to shield jab makers from the risk of being sued for any extremely rare adverse side effects missed in clinical trials to ensure the vaccines could be rolled out in the UK as soon as possible.

AstraZeneca is now withdrawing the vaccine from markets completely.

Despite the resulting panic over the landmark decision, experts today insisted that, overall, AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine is a safe and effective jab which undoubtedly saved millions of lives in Britain and around the world.

In fact, Professor Paul Hunter, a world-renowned expert in infectious diseases from the University of East Anglia, said the AstraZeneca jab had made a 'really valuable contribution to reducing the mortality and disease from Covid'.

'Without the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine there would have been many more deaths from Covid,' he said.

'The mRNA vaccines (made by Pfizer and Moderna) could not have been available in sufficient amounts in the early months of 2021.'

In December 2020, as millions of Brits spent Christmas in lockdown, separated from their loved ones, a beacon of hope appeared.

Two Covid jabs had been granted for emergency use in the UK, the US-based Pfizer's vaccine using new mRNA based technology, and Britain's own AstraZeneca jab made using more traditional methods.

Although Pfizer was first out the gate, developed in just 9 months  as opposed to a decade, supply was hamstrung by global demand.

It also had to be kept at frozen temperatures making the rollout a logistical nightmare.

AstraZeneca's used viral vector technology, modifying an existing and harmless virus to deliver a piece of the Covid pathogen.

Clinical trials showed this enabled people's immune system to recognise and fight-off the virus, not only helping prevent serious illness and death but also paving a way out of the paralysing lockdown.

Both jabs were approved for 'emergency' authorisation in late 2020 with the Government offering indemnity to 'to secure access to vaccines with the expected benefits to public health and the economy alike much sooner than may have been the case otherwise,' according to documents tabled in Parliament.

Mr Hancock hailed the jab as a 'moment to celebrate British innovation' and 'light at the end of the tunnel just got brighter'.

'This vaccine will be made available to some of the poorest regions of the world at a low cost, helping protect countless people from this awful disease,' he stated at the time.

'It is a tribute to the incredible scientists at Oxford University and AstraZeneca whose breakthrough will help to save lives around the world.

'I want to thank every single person who has been part of this British success story.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

It came just weeks after Mr Hancock, who was later resigned after being caught kissing his aide in a breach of the Government's social distancing rules, famously shed a tear on national television following the first rollout of the Pfizer jab.

Boris Johnson, prime minister at the time, also lauded the AstraZeneca vaccine as 'a triumph for British science'.

Unlike the mRNA jabs, AstraZeneca's jab could be stored in normal fridges.

This meant the jab could be rolled out much faster and, of critical importance in a global pandemic, in countries that didn't have access to high-tech cold storage.

The development of both jabs was remarkable. Normally it takes years to develop a new vaccine, let alone be ready to roll it out on scale, yet this was accomplished in less than 12 months.

This was partly to do scientists developing technologies that would enable them to make a jab quickly in the event of a new pandemic, and the millions governments and companies were willing to spend on development and trials in 2020.

But a key part of how jabs were able to get from the lab to the production line so quickly was a little-known deal struck between ministers and pharma giants.

While the jabs had undergone clinical trials for both safety and efficacy there was an acknowledgment that rarer side effects could have been missed or miscalculated.

This could, in theory, have made the companies behind the jabs vulnerable to legal action.

To ensure the vaccines were made available as quickly as possible, ministers offered the firms indemnity against future action.

In practical terms, this meant if any unexpected and damaging side effects did occur it would be Government, and by extension the taxpayer, who would pick up the bill.

In a note tabled before Parliament in January 2021, Mr Hancock said: 'Willingness to accept appropriate indemnities has helped to secure access to vaccines with the expected benefits to public health and the economy alike much sooner than may have been the case otherwise.'

He also said, specifically on the AstraZeneca jab: 'I would like to stress that the data so far on this vaccine suggests that there will be no adverse reactions, and so no liability.'

After all, trials involving hundreds of volunteers, including in the UK, had shown impressive results and no major safety concerns.

Now Britain faces a potential bill of hundreds of millions as those damaged by the jab seek compensation for injuries or deaths suffered by themselves or their loved ones.

A specific side effect, missed in clinical trials simply because of how rare it was, is called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), or alternatively vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).

Your browser does not support iframes.

Only officially spotted in March 2021, the complication causes people to suffer blood clots along with a low platelet count. Platelets typically help the blood to clot.

These clots can go on to cause death and disability. Some people suffered injuries to their brains whilst others have had to have limbs amputated.

The complication is exceedingly rare, given the millions of doses dished out during the roll-out. The risk is thought to be in the region of one in 50,000, though some estimates put it even lower.

Clotting cases were first spotted in the EU. Several nations on the continent went on to slow or even suspend their rollout of the jab.

It followed a war of words over the British-designed jab with European leaders like French president Emmanuel Macron, who sparked a diplomatic row by labelling it 'quasi-effective'.

Britain eventually followed its European neighbours, first stopping the jabs being used for people under 30 and then weeks later under 40.

Experts based this on younger groups being at less risk of Covid, meaning the benefits of being jabbed weren't worth the risk.

There is no evidence that mRNA jabs, like those made by Pfizer and Moderna, carry the same risk because they work on a different mechanism. However, they do have their own side effects, like any drug.

Experts today told MailOnline that the AstraZeneca jab should still be considered a success story.

The AstraZeneca jab was the most widely used in the UK during the initial rollout of the vaccination programme - before it was linked to a risk in blood clots

Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said: 'The Oxford/AstraZeneca was an excellent vaccine, and a vital part of the UK and global pandemic response.

'It went through the correct levels of testing and has saved a huge number of lives and reduced hospitalisations.'

He added the jabs relegation was less to do with safety concerns and more due to mRNA jabs being, essentially, a superior option.

Because of mRNA technology embedded in the Pfizer and Moderna jabs, they are still used as booster doses.

The mRNA jabs can be easily updated too, to target new Covid variants, hence why ministers have favoured them ahead of traditional tools.

'Despite the success of the AstraZeneca jab during the height of the pandemic, the key reason for the withdrawal is likely to be that other Covid vaccines, such as Pfizer and Moderna, are essentially better products,' Dr Head said.

'They have higher effectiveness, and the mRNA platforms are more easily adapted towards the latest Covid variants.'

Professor Hunter added: 'If we didn't have the mRNA vaccines, which are more effective and had fewer serious adverse reactions we would still be using the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine today.

'The benefits would still have outweighed the harms.'

Professor Hunter added that it is unlikely the blood clot side effect could have spotted before the jab was deployed given the side effect's rarity, saying it could 'never be detected with certainty until millions of people have received the vaccine'.

Professor Adam Finn, a member of the Government's vaccine advisory panel, at the University of Bristol, told the BBC the AstraZeneca was 'was what lifted us out of the catastrophe that was unfolding at the time' in combination with the Pfizer jab.

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist from the University of Warwick, also credited the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine with saving 'millions of lives', adding its development was an example of the climate experts were working in at the time.

'The pressures of the pandemic required a different approach, overlapping the traditional phases of vaccine development and manufacture without compromising safety and efficacy testing,' he said.

He said such rapid development carried 'significant financial risk to developers and manufacturers'.

Researchers believe the rare side effect occurs due to the modified cold virus lurking in the jab having an adverse effect on platelets in the blood, triggering clotting

'There was no guarantee the Covid vaccine candidate would be safe and effective and manufacturing scale-up to commercial scale was undertaken before establishment of clinical proof of activity,' he said.

Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, also said that the rapid development of the vaccine 'undoubtedly saved lives' in spite of the rare side effect.

But he added that doesn't mean there aren't potential lessons to be learned on if the dangers posed by the jab could have been spotted earlier.

'The issue will always be whether there ought to have been a temporary suspension and adjusted guidance as soon as VITT cases were observed and if the shift to alternates, which happened anyway, should have happened sooner,' he said.

Professor Jones added that while national pride could have played a role in the UK's speed of deploying the Covid vaccine, VITT was so rare there was almost no chance of spotting it in clinical trials.

'The nationalism was not helpful, it's science, not a gladiator contest, but the truth is that the VITT incidence rate was such that it could not have been detected in the clinical trials, given their scale,' he said.

'It was only on mass roll-out that the cases were noted.'

He added that one of the lasting impacts of the AstraZeneca saga could be relegation of viral vector vaccines.

'My personal view is that the case for 'vectored' vaccines has been weakened by the history of events,' Professor Jones added.

'I doubt we will see (one like AstraZeneca's) used ever again at the same scale and in the same way.'

AstraZeneca wasn't the only company to use a viral vector vaccine.

American pharmaceutical titan Johnson & Johnson also used the technology to develop their own single-dose Covid jab.

Similar to AstraZeneca, that jab was also linked to rare cases of blood clots and is no longer commercially available.

AstraZeneca jab also made history in another way, for its decision to forego massive profits and deliver the vaccine for just 3.60 the minimum needed to cover costs of its production.

The decision, naturally unusual for multinational business, was lauded at the time.

It wasn't to last. In November 2021 the company said it would start charging more for its Covid vaccine in reflection that the dangers posed by pandemic were fading.

The company didn't specify the new price but said the rise would be less than 20 per cent off the previous cost.

AstraZeneca also committed to continue to charge poorer nations the lower at-cost price.
READ MORE: The foods that cancer experts want you to stop eating

Around 2,800 people are diagnosed with bile duct cancer a year, experts say

Game of Thrones star Ian Gelder has died age 74 following a five-month battle with cancer.

Ian  best known for playing Kevan Lannister in the mythical series  was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in December.

In England, around 2,800 people are struck down with bile duct cancer every year, according to Cancer Research UK. In the US about 8,000 people are diagnosed a year.

The number of people being diagnosed with bile duct cancer has increased in the last few years, with research suggesting smoking and drinking alcohol might be to blame.

Game of Thrones star Ian Gelder has died at age 74 after cancer battle

The actor's husband Ben Daniels announced the news on Tuesday evening as he took to Instagram to express his grief

In England, around 2,800 people are diagnosed with bile duct cancer a year, according to Cancer Research UK. In the US about 8,000 people are diagnosed each year

The bile ducts are part of your digestive system and carry a substance of the same name, which is the fluid that helps to digest food by breaking down fat.

They connect the liver, where the bile is made, and gallbladder, where it is stored, to the small bowel.

Although bile duct cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma, rarely causes symptoms in the early stages, there are signs to watch out for...

WHAT IS BILE DUCT CANCER?

Bile duct cancer causes cells in the bile ducts to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way eventually spreading to surrounding healthy tissues such as the gallbladder and pancreas. In England, around 2,800 people are diagnosed with bile duct cancer a year, according to Cancer Research UK. In the US about 8,000 people are diagnosed each year. Although bile duct cancer rarely causes symptoms in the early stages there are symptoms to watch out for... Symptoms include: Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)

Weight loss

Pain in the stomach area

Changes to the colour of your poo (stools) and wee (urine)

Itching of the skin

Feeling generally unwell Source: Cancer Research UK Advertisement

Yellowing of the skin

Jaundice is when the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow. It can also cause your urine to be darker than normal and your bowel movements to be lighter.

It can happen if a tumour blocks the bile duct, stopping the flow of bile into the bowel. As such, it ends up in your bloodstream and body tissues instead.

The yellowing is caused by the yellow pigments in the bile, Cancer Research UK explains.

Jaundice can also cause a high temperature and make you feel cold and shivery.

Weight loss

You may lose weight when you have bile duct cancer, typically because it can rob you of your appetite.

But unexplained weight loss is also a symptoms of the disease, Cancer Research UK says.

That's because some people lose weight even when they are eating normally.

This is called cachexia, where your body doesn't absorb all the fat, protein and carbohydrate from your food and burns calories faster than normal.

Scientists say cancer releases chemicals into the blood that contribute to the fat and muscle loss.

Doctors define unintentional weight loss as losing more than 10 per cent of your body weight. That is one stone for every 10 stones that you weigh or 6kg for every 60kg, the charity explains.

Pain in your abdomen

A pain in your tummy is a common warning sign of bile duct cancer.

It can cause pain specifically in your right hand side, just below the ribs, Cancer Research UK says.

However, pain in this location isn't always cancer. It can also be a sign of a less serious condition, such as gallstones.

Ian was diagnosed with bile duct cancer last December and passed away on Tuesday afternoon (pictured in 1972 while filming New Scotland Yard)

The pair had been together since 1993 after meeting while working together on a production of Joe Orton's Entertaining Mr Sloane (pictured in 2022 at the 31st Annual Critics' Circle Theatre Awards after party)

Itchy skin

Another symptoms of jaundice is itchy skin.

Although itchy skin can be caused by a number of skin problems, its can also be a warning sign of bile duct cancer.

It can happen when the bile ducts become blocked, which causes a build up of bile.

It is this build up of bile in the bloodstream which can cause itching, Cancer Research UK explains.

What are the causes and risks of bile duct cancer?

There are several risk factor associated with bile duct cancer. This includes age, as people over 65 have a higher risk of developing it.

Yet the cancer is still rare, Cancer Research UK explains.

Another risk factor is having choledochal cysts, which are sacs that connect to the bile ducts and fill up with bile.

It's also thought people with bile duct stones could be at an increased risk as they can irritate the ducts and cause inflammation.

But eating raw fish could also put you at a higher risk of developing the cancer, in theory.

That's because liver flukes, which are parasitic worms that invade the bile ducts, increase the risk of bile duct cancer. Flukes are typically ingested by eating raw or undercooked fish, health officials say.

Although not usually the cause of bile duct cancer in the UK, the charity explains that liver flukes are a bigger problems in Asia where bile duct cancer is more common.

However, researchers still do not have clear evidence that being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol directly increases the risk of bile duct cancer.
Anti-vaxxers today called for Pfizer and Moderna to urgently withdraw their Covid jabs in the wake of heightened safety fears.

AstraZeneca's landmark decision to withdraw its lockdown-banishing vaccine from global markets sparked hysteria online about the rival jabs  made using pioneering tech never utilised until the virus crisis spawned.

The UK-based pharmaceutical titan insisted its decision was a commercial one due to demand being slim, with its jab no longer being manufactured.

Ministers favour superior mRNA jabs, like those of Pfizer and Moderna, nowadays  yet these themselves have been wrongly linked by conspiracy theorists to a rise in heart-related deaths.

Once heralded as a 'triumph for British science', AstraZeneca's vaccine, created with scientists at Oxford University, is estimated to have saved millions of lives during the pandemic.

Swedish journalist and political commentator Peter Imanuelsen labelled the move as 'massive', and said 'raise your hand if you agree Pfizer and Moderna should be next'. In 2017, Mr Imanuelsen was accused of denying the Holocaust in social media posts. One allegedly claimed 'Hitler had some good points'. At the time he claimed these screengrabs were fabricated

Mr Imanuelsen's thoughts were echoed by other social media users, including one account with over 9,000 followers who said: 'Why has the AstraZeneca vaccine been withdrawn but the Pfizer vaccine hasn't?

Other tweets questioned the effectiveness of mRNA jabs, with one by user @MarwanNawaz claiming 'two gene editing mRNA vaccines from BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna vaccines retain approval.' Messenger RNA, or mRNA, is a genetic blueprint that instructs cells to manufacture proteins in the body. For Covid, the mRNA vaccine instructs cells to make the spike protein found on the surface of the virus itself. It does not 'gene edit', unlike other therapies designed to disable genes

Your browser does not support iframes.

Yet is has faced intense scrutiny in recent months for a rare side effect which causes blood clots.

Eighty-one deaths in Britain have been linked to the blood clotting complication that AstraZeneca is facing legal action over. None of these are proven and are based on self-reported submissions to the UK's medicines regulator.

Yet experts insist the jab is still safe.

Critics of the vaccine roll-outs, which scientists say consigned lockdowns to history at a time when nations had no other weapons in their arsenal, today weaponised the firm's withdrawal.

Swedish journalist and political commentator Peter Imanuelsen labelled the move as 'massive', and said 'raise your hand if you agree Pfizer and Moderna should be next'.

AstraZeneca's Covid jab timeline January 2020: Oxford University scientists start working on a Covid vaccine after the World Health Organization declares the spread of the virus a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern' March 2020: Then Prime Minister Boris announced the first national lockdown. That same month, the Government invests 88million in the development of the Oxford vaccine April 2020: Alongside AstraZeneca, scientists start the first clinical trials of their new vaccine. This involved 1,000 volunteers in the UK July 2020: Results from phase two trials of AstraZeneca's jab are published 4 December 2020: Covid jab rollout begins with the Pfizer vaccine. Over-80s and care home workers are given priority 8 December 2020: Phase three trial results of the AstraZeneca's jab are published. These are what health officials will use to approve the jab for use in the UK 30 December 2020: AstraZeneca's jab is approved for emergency use 4 January 2021: First AstraZeneca doses start being dished out. Brian Pinker, 82, is the first person to receive the jab outside of clinical trials 8 January 2021: Frontline NHS staff start being offered vaccines 8 February 2021: Over-70s are called forward 14 February 2021: Roll-out opens up to Brits with underlying heath conditions, as well as the over-65s 28 February 2021: All over-60s are invited for jabs 11 March 2021: European countries start suspending use of the AstraZeneca jab after death of a 60-year-old woman from a blood clot 17 March 2021: Over 50s start being offered Covid jabs in the UK 19 March 2021: Several European countries reverse decision to suspend AstraZeneca jab after initial investigations find no link to reported blood clots 31 March 2021: People living with vulnerable adults are called forward to get a Covid vaccine in the UK, even if they are younger than eligible age groups 7 April 2021: UK restricts the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine to over-30s over a small but statistically significant risk of blood clots in younger people 30 April 2021: Over-40s are called forward for Covid jabs 7 May 2021: Restriction of the AstraZeneca vaccine is widened to include over-40s August 2022: Government sources say they will not order anymore AstraZeneca Covid vaccines instead focuses on mRNA alternatives March 2023: Dozens of patients and families launch legal action against AstraZeneca due to April 2023: Widower of a BBC presenter Lisa Shaw who died after having the vaccine said he has 'no alternative' but to sue AstraZeneca 4 August 2023: Anish Tailor, whose wife Alpa died in March 2021 after receiving her first AstraZeneca dose, filed a product liability claim against AstraZeneca at London's High Court. His lawyer says he has nearly 50 other clients who will formally sue AstraZeneca in the coming months 17 August 2023: IT engineer Jamie Scott, who suffered a brain haemorrhage the day after his first AstraZeneca jab starts a legal case against the company. The law firm representing Mr Scott says it represents around 40 other individuals or bereaved families Advertisement

Mr Imanuelsen, who boasts 600,000 followers on X/Twitter as 'Peter Sweden', then added the raise your hand emoji.

In 2017, Mr Imanuelsen was accused of denying the Holocaust in social media posts. One allegedly claimed 'Hitler had some good points'. At the time he claimed these screengrabs were fabricated.

Mr Imanuelsen's thoughts were echoed by other social media users, including one account with over 9,000 followers who said: 'Why has the AstraZeneca vaccine been withdrawn but the Pfizer vaccine hasn't?

'According to the EU three times more people have died following the Pfizer than the AZ.'

Figures released by the European Medicines Agency in 2023 show more than 11,000 people are thought to have died after receiving a Covid vaccine.

Of these, around 8,000 were attributed to a Pfizer jab and 1,500 AstraZeneca.

Yet not all of these deaths are proven. Only a fraction are thought to have actually been caused by the vaccine.

As of May 6, however, 664.64million doses of Pfizer and BioNTech's jabs have been administered in the EU since late 2020.

AstraZeneca doses, in comparison, stand at 67.18million.

Other tweets questioned the effectiveness of mRNA jabs, with one by user @MarwanNawaz claiming the EU had thrown 'a bone to quieten the barking dogs by removing its approval of the non-mRNA AstraZeneca vaccine'.

They added: 'Two gene editing mRNA vaccines from BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna vaccines retain approval.'

Messenger RNA, or mRNA, is a genetic blueprint that instructs cells to manufacture proteins in the body.

For Covid, the mRNA vaccine instructs cells to make the spike protein found on the surface of the virus itself. It does not 'gene edit', unlike other therapies designed to disable genes.

These harmless proteins 'train' the immune system to recognise the virus and then to make cells that fight it if someone later gets infected with the real thing.

As well as reenergizing anti-vaxxers, AstraZeneca's vaccine withdrawal saw its shares hit a record high.

The firm's share prices were up more than 1.4 per cent to 122.84 this afternoon after its announcement, adding around 2.5billion to its market valuation.

AstraZeneca's shares have almost doubled in value since March 2020, when Covid lockdowns brought the world's economy to a standstill.

AstraZeneca saw a slowdown in growth last year as Covid medicines sales declined, with it focusing instead on respiratory syncytial virus vaccines and obesity drug deals.

Blockbuster sales of its cancer drugs, also saw it claim double-digit growth in the first three months of 2024.

The company insisted today that the jab, known as Vaxzevria, was being removed voluntarily from the EU for commercial reasons, given demand had shifted to the newer updated vaccines.

Similar applications to withdraw the jab will be made in other countries which had previously approved it, including the UK.

A spokesperson said: 'We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria played in ending the global pandemic.

'According to independent estimates, over 6.5million lives were saved in the first year of use alone, and over three billion doses were supplied globally.

'Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world, and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic.

'As multiple, variant Covid vaccines have since been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines.

'This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied. AstraZeneca has therefore taken the decision to initiate withdrawal of the marketing authorisations for Vaxzevria within Europe.

'We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the Covid pandemic.'

The withdrawal comes just months after it admitted in legal documents that its jab can cause the thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) reaction. It is also called vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).

Fifty-one families are currently pursuing legal action against AstraZeneca, arguing its 'defective' jab was to blame for their injuries and deaths of loved ones.

The company insisted today that the jab, known as Vaxzevria, was being removed voluntarily from the EU for commercial reasons, given demand had shifted to the newer updated vaccines. Similar applications to withdraw the jab will be made in other countries which had previously approved it, including the UK

Your browser does not support iframes.

If successful, lawyers say compensation could amount to upwards of 250million.

Yet under a legal indemnity ministers gave the company early in the pandemic, amid the race to get out of lockdown, it will be the British taxpayer that foots any legal bill.

Latest figures also show 168 Brits have now received state-funded financial support from the UK's Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.

The scheme, set-up in the 70s, is a one-off payment, and people who get it are still entitled to take legal action against a vaccine manufacturer if they choose.

According to figures released by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) under freedom of information laws, fewer than five of the VDPS claims were Pfizer and Moderna. AstraZeneca made up the rest.

The successful claims cover those affected by VITT. Others developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, anaphylaxis or suffered other blood clots.

More than 4,800 claims have been rejected.

Experts today insisted AstraZeneca's vaccine, credited with saving 6million lives, was still safe.

Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said: 'It has been an excellent and vital vaccine, a key part of the pandemic response for most countries around the world.

He added: 'The key reason for the withdrawal is likely to be that other Covid vaccines, such as Pfizer and Moderna, are essentially better products.

'AstraZeneca is very good, but the mRNA products  and probably Novavax too  are better.

'They have higher effectiveness and the mRNA platforms are more easily adapted towards the latest Covid variants. Thus, they form a key part of most countries' longer-term strategies.

The graph shows the cumulative number of Covid jabs dished out in the UK since the pandemic began, the percentage of each age group which has had a jab (bottom left) and the number of each Covid vaccine brand dished out

Researchers believe the rare side effect occurs due to the modified cold virus lurking in the jab having an adverse effect on platelets in the blood, triggering clotting

The AstraZeneca vaccine is a genetically engineered common cold virus that used to infect chimpanzees. It has been modified to make it weak so it does not cause illness in people and loaded up with the gene for the coronavirus spike protein, which Covid-19 uses to invade human cells

'With that, orders for the AstraZeneca vaccine are probably much lower now than they were in previous years, so it's not worth a longer-term investment on the part of the manufacturers.'

Meanwhile, Professor Adam Finn, a member of the Government's vaccine advisory panel, at the University of Bristol, told the BBC the AstraZeneca was 'was what lifted us out of the catastrophe that was unfolding at the time' in combination with the Pfizer jab.

It comes as Pfizer this week revealed it had paused its own trial of a drug for a rare muscle-wasting disease after a child died suddenly.

The boy, who was between two and four years old, suffered cardiac arrest after receiving the one-off gene therapy last year.

Pfizer has not determined exactly what happened or whether the death was caused by the treatment, called fordadistrogene movaparvovec.

The New York pharma giant said the pause would allow it to investigate the death 'while protecting the safety of the participants, which is our top priority.'
Health advice should be given on TikTok and Instagram as young people no longer read NHS leaflets, the Women's Health Ambassador said.

Professor Dame Lesley Regan warned it is vital advice is shared via social media to inform young women, girls and boys about issues like unusually heavy periods.

She said it is 'quite extraordinary' how 'ignorant' young people are about their reproductive health because of a lack of education  and because they struggle to access information in traditional ways, like reading leaflets.

Professor Dame Lesley Regan suggested young women should be able to watch TikTok videos which explained to them that 'ovaries get worn out', to help them 'take charge of their fertility'

The government's women's health tsar, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Imperial College London, said she had recently had to point out to a Department of Health and Social Care team who were designing an information campaign about periods that none of the target audience of under-30s would see it because it was in written, paper form.

'If we want to get hold of people who are less than 35 years of age we need to give them information in the way they want, whether that's on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or Twitter [X],' she said.

'I think we've got to get "with it". We have to provide [young women] with the information they need and we have to deliver it to them in ways they want to receive it.

'We have to embrace social media. Currently, people of my generation are a bit scared of it.'

Speaking at a panel discussion about the future of women's health in the House of Commons today, hosted by the medical technology firm Hologic, Dame Lesley also revealed she gets her posts on X, formerly Twitter, checked in advance so she doesn't inadvertently say something which would lead her to 'get cancelled'.

Professor Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, agreed that 'hardly anybody' read the advice leaflets women were given during pregnancy.

She said the Government needs to 'think outside the box' and consider using platforms like TikTok.

'I think we focus a lot on paper-based information, when young girls and women do not read paper-based information,' she told the event.

'If you look at the antenatal information that is given to mothers, it's a whole lot of leaflets. And I will tell you: hardly anybody reads those leaflets.

'We need to look at providing information in a way that is palatable, in a way that people want to look at it.'

Dame Lesley said it is important young women have access to information about what is normal and what is not when it comes to their reproductive health, because helping them understand their bodies would empower them to get the right help.

She added: 'It starts with education because it is quite extraordinary how ignorant young people are - and I don't mean that in any critical way - if they're not taught about what normality is, they've got no yardstick by which they can judge what abnormality is.'

She said both girls and boys should be taught that if pain or the level of bleeding from periods affected someone's ability to live their normal everyday life then that was a problem and they should seek help.

The panel also revealed gynaecology waiting lists in England were among the longest, with Dr Thakar saying this was largely because they were the first to be cancelled and the last to be reinstated during the pandemic.

'We found that as women are waiting [on the list] their disease conditions, such as incontinence, prolapse or heavy bleeding, actually got worse and changed from being [just] a physical problem to mental health issues as well,' she added.
A family doctor who has been jailed for peaceful climate protests has said she will carry on breaking the law.

Dr Sarah Benn, 57, became the first GP to be suspended from the medical register in August by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service for actions relating to climate activism.

But in an interview with the British Medical Journal, the Birmingham-based physician said she would not stop being an activist.

She told the BMJ that as a doctor her mission was to promote health and save lives and that is why it was necessary to raise the alarm over global warming.

Dr Sarah Benn, 57, became the first GP to be suspended from the medical register in August by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service for actions relating to climate activism

Dr Benn was convicted after protesting against the government awarding new licences to drill oil in the North Sea.

She held a placard outside the Kingsbury Oil Terminal in Warwickshire in breach of an injunction awarded to US Oil company Valero, which specifically prohibited protests against the production and use of fossil fuels outside the terminal.

She spent eight days on remand in custody, and after breaching it again in September 2022 she was jailed for 32 days for contempt of court. But Dr Benn said she is ready to go to prison again.

She said: 'I will certainly be out again, doing stuff that may break the law [and] may end me up in prison again. That's not the intention, but I can't just say, "The government's got this".

'As doctors, we're supposed to protect life and health; we're supposed to advocate for patients.'

She added: 'The world is facing an unprecedented crisis due to the danger of climate and ecological collapse, and I believe that my actions are a justified and proportionate effort to raise an alarm about the severity and urgency of the situation.'

Dr Benn's licence to practice will be reviewed again in September at which she could be struck off.

Dr Benn, of Harborne, Birmingham, told the BMJ: 'I don't feel guilty. I don't feel I've dishonoured the profession, and I think I could explain myself very well to anybody who thought that I had.'

She added: 'The world is facing an unprecedented crisis due to the danger of climate and ecological collapse, and I believe that my actions are a justified and proportionate effort to raise an alarm about the severity and urgency of the situation.

'All the science is absolutely shockingthe planet is on a path to 2C warming (above pre-industrial levels), if not more.

'We need to do something really radical and urgent to protect our coral reefs and Arctic sea ice and to stop deadly heat waves, but that's not happening. The inaction is just shocking.'

Dr Benn has worked for most of her career as a GP in inner city Birmingham. She also worked as a GP trainer and undergraduate tutor.

She worked remotely for NHS 111 during the Covid pandemic, the Worcestershire COVID Management Service, and on-site at her practice.

She continued to work as a GP at Hollyoaks Medical Centre in Birmingham until 2022.

Dr Benn was convicted after protesting against the government awarding new licences to drill oil in the North Sea

Dr Benn retired from clinical work in April 2022 and then relinquished her licence to practise later that year, although she said she was keen to stay on the medical register because being a doctor was a 'core part of her identity', she told the BMJ.

The General Medical Council has made clear, however, that the tribunal's decision was nothing to do with climate change but because Dr Benn broke the law.

A spokesperson said: 'Our fitness to practise investigations consider cases that are referred to us and where doctors have broken the law, not their motivations for doing so.'

Dr Benn, who is married and a vegan, said she does not fly, buys second hand goods, and was a 'goody two shoes' at school. She became a climate activist in April 2019 after meeting protestors from Extinction Rebellion.

Dr Benn said she believes the GMC needs to rethink its rulebook when it comes to cases involving climate change.

'Times have changed  we are facing an existential threat to humanity,' she says.

'I'm not asking to be let off or for the decision to be reversed, but I think the GMC needs to wake up and explore why this has happened. And how they should maybe change things for the next doctor in my position who comes before them.'
READ MORE: This is what the most attractive jaw looks like , according to science

A woman yawned so hard that her jaw became physically locked open, sending her to the ER where doctors had to manually shut it.

Jenna Sinatra, 21, from New Jersey, suffered the freak accident this week, just days before her birthday, and documented her trip to the hospital in a now-viral TikTok video.

Doctors told her that she dislocated her jaw, which caused the joints responsible for her mouth opening and closing to become locked in place. This prevented her from closing her mouth all the way.

The injury, which lasted for several hours, took doctors four hours to fix by giving her muscle relaxing medications and 'shoving' her jaw back together.

'Only something like this would happen to me,' she wrote in the caption of the video, which has been viewed 7.4 million times.

Jenna Sinatra, 21, posted a series of TikTok videos after her jaw became stuck open from yawning. It took doctors four hours to 'manually' shut her mouth

Ms Sinatra, an influencer with 2.3 million TikTok followers, got her jaw stuck open just days before her 21st birthday

Dr Anthony Youn, a plastic surgeon in Michigan, stitched Ms Sinatra's video and described the phenomenon as 'open lock,' which leaves the jaw 'literally stuck open.'

'This is very rare, but when it occurs, it often happens after somebody does a big yawn,' he said in his response, which got 3.2 million views.

GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: health@dailymail.com Advertisement

In Ms Sinatra's case, her jaw became dislocated, which is when two bones in one of your joints separate.

In this case, the joints connecting Ms Sinatra's jaw and skull separated.

It's unclear exactly what caused Ms Sinatra's yawn to go wrong, but major risk factors include being double-jointed, grinding your teeth, or having arthritis.

The condition is medically known as a TMJ disorder, which involves the joints connecting the jawbone to the skull, almost like sliding hinges that allow you to open and close your mouth.

While most people with this issue have lockjaw, which keeps the mouth closed shut, in 'rare' cases, TMJ injuries can leave the mouth hanging open.

An estimated five to 12 percent of Americans have had their jaw locked at some point, though it's unclear how many have had it stuck open.

Previous jaw injuries, arthritis, and teeth grinding or clenching have been shown to increase the risk of TMJ disorders.

After several hours of home remedies, Ms Sinatra eventually had to go to the hospital, where doctors discovered that yawning dislocated her jaw

Dr Anthony Youn, a plastic surgeon in Michigan, described the phenomenon as 'open lock,' which often happens after yawning. He noted that her jaw could have been dislocated from a TMJ disorder

Dr Youn said that an open lock like Ms Sinatra's is usually treated with muscle relaxing medications and 'manual adjustment.'

Ms Sinatra did not specify which medications she was given, but common muscle relaxants include carisoprodol (Soma), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and tizanidine (Zanaflex).

This may involve massaging the joints, putting heat or ice on them, loosening muscles with injections, or using Botox. These help the joints become looser and less stiff, which allows them to come back together.

Ms Sinatra eventually recovered from open lock, though she posted videos of her having to wear bandages wrapped around her entire head for her birthday dinner.
US lawmakers say they have seen new 'credible' information that Covid leaked from a Chinese lab and Beijing covered it up.

They claim to have also seen strong evidence that China's military was involved in experiments at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

Members of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic saw the details in classified documents from the US State Department, which advises the president on foreign policy.

The committee's chair Rep Brad Wenstrup, a Republican from Ohio, has called for the information to be 'immediately' declassified and unredacted to give the public 'a more complete picture of the governments evidence regarding the origin of the Covid pandemic.'

The above is the letter Rep Brad Wenstrup, a Republican from Ohio, wrote to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken requesting he declassify redacted documents related to the Covid origin investigation

The organization U.S. Right to Know wrote the documents contained evidence of connections between the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and WIV - the lab where Covid is believed to have originated.

In 2018, scientists sought to create a novel virus with features that closely match those of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid, which some say serves as a blueprint for Covid - and the resulting pandemic

He said the documents, first released in redacted versions in June 2023, contain information that 'credibly suggests' Covid was borne from a lab-related accident in Wuhan, the Chinese government obstructed investigations into the matter and the Chinese military was involved in experiments taking place at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Rep Wenstrup's letter stated: 'As mounting evidence continues to point to a lab related accident in Wuhan, China as the likely origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, safely removing these superfluous redactions is a step towards transparency and accountability.

'We write to you today to request that you immediately take steps to declassify this information such that the American people have a more complete picture of the governments evidence regarding the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic.'

In February 2023, the subcommittee requested information from the State Department related to the Covid origin investigation, but the lawmakers only recently reviewed classified versions.

The documents are State Department cables and include emails and internal discussions about classified research at the WIV.

Nearly all of the information in the cables, including email contents and contacts of senders and recipients have been redacted.

Because the public version are so heavily redacted, it is difficult to determine what exactly is in them.

However, the limited information appears to suggest the US had evidence the WIV was conducting risky experiments with the military and Chinese officials had more information about the virus than they admitted to.

The above shows redacted emails released from the State Department pertaining to the investigation into the origins of Covid-19

The above shows redacted emails released from the State Department pertaining to the investigation into the origins of Covid-19

The above shows redacted emails released from the State Department pertaining to the investigation into the origins of Covid-19

The above shows redacted emails released from the State Department pertaining to the investigation into the origins of Covid-19

In Rep Wenstrup's letter, he wrote the documents showed 'numerous, highly suggestive subject lines,' including: 'Initial Outbreak Could Have Been Contained in China if Beijing Had Not Covered It Up.'

Others said: '[Redacted] Says PRC Central Government -- Not Local Officials -- Responsible for the Coronavirus Cover-Up' and 'Beijing Knew Earlier than They Admit.'

Several mention the Chinese government's cover-up, propaganda and disinformation campaigns.

GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: Health@dailymail.com Advertisement

And others show a possible connection between the WIV and PLA, including: 'Official Chinese Websites Show Robust Cooperation between WIV and PLA [Academy of Military Medical Sciences].'

Recently, it was revealed US officials may have sent taxpayer money to fund such risky research at the Chinese lab despite knowing the military was involved.

Disgraced researcher Dr Peter Daszak suggested to the subcommittee the US intelligence community was aware of coronavirus experiments carried out at the WIV years before the pandemic.

And the government sent money to the Chinese facility despite concerns it was being used by the Chinese government to manufacture potential bioweapons, according to the testimony of Dr Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, a New York-based research group which funneled US taxpayer money to the WIV.

When asked if he knew whether the US intelligence services knew the lab was being used to conduct such work, Dr Daszak responded: 'Two agencies I think have low-to-moderate confidence that there was some activity.'

He added: 'The other agencies were unable to comment.'

While there have been multiple revelations related to the origins of Covid that point to a lab leak, a theory the FBI subscribes to, there has yet to be a smoking gun of definitive proof that shows the pandemic was sparked by a virus that was manufactured in a Chinese lab.
A man nearly lost his life and suffered a torn stomach after he ate a plant pot's worth of expandable foam.

The 45-year-old, who was not named, was rushed to surgery in South Korea with severe stomach pain after 'intentionally' eating the foam.

Doctors quickly removed the substance  commonly used to seal cracks in buildings and in arts and crafts projects  finding it had molded to the shape of his stomach and food pipe.

The material was found to have pierced through the sensitive stomach lining, resulting in agonizing pain which required surgical repair.

The patient was kept in the unit for two weeks after the procedure, before being sent home.

The above image shows the foam extracted from the man, on the left is the imprint of the stomach and lower part of the esophagus on the foam

A US woman called Jennifer has previously admitted to eating foam, saying she has got through as many as eight mattresses within 20 years

Thankfully, he suffered no long-term effects as a result of the foam consumption.

The bizarre case was revealed by doctors at Kyungpook National University in the journal Clinical Toxicology.

In the paper, the physicians suggested the foam had expanded once it was inside the man.

The resulting volume of the substance 'far exceeded' the space within the stomach, causing the organ to tear and begin to leak its contents.

Doctors say a stomach tear, or perforation, can be fatal because it can trigger an infection that can quickly lead to sepsis without treatment.

The physicians said: 'Life-threatening gastric perforation can occur after polyurethane foam ingestion.

'Clinical toxicologists and emergency physicians need to be aware of the highly expandable nature of this agent.'

Few other details were revealed about the patient, including why the individual may have consumed the foam.

But doctors said this may have been linked to the mental condition pica, which causes people to consume inedible materials with no nutritional benefits.

Roughly one in a hundred people suffer from this condition, estimates suggest, which can be linked to mental health conditions or developmental problems like autism.

Doctors added that when the patient was first admitted to the ER, they performed a laparoscopy  where small incisions are made in the abdomen before a camera is inserted.

The person was estimated to have consumed about 12 inches (200cm3) of foam, equivalent to a plant pot.

Other cases of people eating foam-like materials include an American woman named Jennifer who used to eat a piece of mattress every day.

She told TLC: 'I like my mattress plain and straight up, no mayonnaise, butter, none of that.

'The side effects of eating mattresses, gas is really the only one you'd have. It enters my body, it enters my system, and it goes out.'

She said that within 20 years she has already consumed eight mattresses.
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits alleging it it of hiding the cancer risks of its heartburn drug Zantac.

The financial details have not been revealed but pharma rival Sanofi agreed to pay more than $100million to resolve 4,000 Zantac-cancer claims last nonth.

The over-the-counter pill was pulled in the US in 2020 after animal studies found a key ingredient released 'probable human carcinogens'.

Pfizer was the primary manufacturer of Zantac from 1998 to 2006, when several suits claim it should have known that the drug was contaminated with NDMA.

Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits alleging its heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer (stock)

Plaintiffs claimed the drug was contaminated with the impurity through improper manufacturing practices, and that Pfizer withheld this information from consumers.

NDMA is a chemical byproduct of many industrial manufacturing processes, including the production of rocket fuel.

It's also common in low quantities in many foods, such as cured or smoked meats, fish and beer as well as tobacco smoke.

NDMA is a 'forever chemical,' meaning that it doesn't degrade, or break down, naturally in our bodies and is believed to cause DNA damage.

Since the drug was pulled and reformulated, thousands of lawsuits began piling up in federal and state courts against Pfizer, GSK, Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim, who have all owned the rights to the medication.

The Pfizer agreements cover cases in US state courts but don't completely resolve the company's exposure to Zantac claims, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

Financial details of the deals were not immediately available.

'Pfizer has explored and will continue to explore opportunistic settlements of certain cases if appropriate, and has settled certain cases,' the New York-based company said via email.

'The company has not sold a Zantac product in more than 15 years and did so only for a limited period of time.'

There have been no cancer cases officially linked to Zantac, the WHO states, though thousands of patients have alleged otherwise.

Animal studies have shown that NDMA can increase the risk of cancers in the esophagus, kidneys, and stomach. They have also been linked to colorectal cancer, which is on the rise among young Americans.

The FDA ordered all products with rantidine - the active ingredient in Zantac - be removed from shelves in 2020 and urged patients to stop taking any medications containing the ingredient.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner speaks during a press conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Since February, the police department has been investigating its own practice of closing some 264,000 cases in the last eight years due to lack of personnel code. When Finner announced the investigation, he said he did not learn of the practice until 2021, and he thought he put a stop to it then.

TV news stations reported late Tuesday morning that Finner was included on a 2018 email discussing a road rage incident that was suspended due to a lack of personnel  despite investigative leads, such as a license plate number and a witness.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Finner, responding to the email then, said it was unacceptable, but the revelation that he may have known about the code earlier than he suggested proved damning. Finner said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he could not recall the email until he saw it Tuesday.

Even though the message said suspended  lack of personnel, Finner suggested he did not realize at the time there was an actual code to suspend cases for that reason. When discussing the development with news reporters Tuesday afternoon, he gave no indication he would step down.

Whitmire left a City Council meeting that afternoon to determine the best path forward. The mayor said he and Finner had a dialogue that ended with the chief making the decision to retire on his own, and the mayor making the tough decision to accept. The mayor denied either asking Finner or offering him the option to resign.

It was the final straw. I think that can certainly be an honest statement, Whitmire said of the 2018 emails. I was sick when I saw the recent email, but I dont have time to be sick. I have to protect this city and lead, and it cant be driven by personality. Chief Finner is a friend, and it was very painful to see someone retire in the middle of their assignment.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

NEW REVELATION: Outgoing HPD Chief Troy Finner addresses 2018 email posted hours before his retirement announcement

Whitmire said the most important factor in the shakeup was the effect the ongoing controversy has had on rank-and-file officers.

It had become disruptive to the department, Whitmire said. I talked to many officers at every level of the department; this had become the dominant focus of so much of HPDs staff.

During Wednesdays City Council discussions about efforts to combat hot spots of criminal activities, Whitmire said HPDs investigation into suspended cases, which the email concerning Finner has recently complicated, continues to get in the way of the department focusing on its main duty  fighting crime.

Police Chief Troy Finner and Houston Mayor John Whitmire are joined by Houston Area Women's Center President Emilee Dawn Whitehurst and Deputy CEO Sonia Corrales for a press conference on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Part of the consideration is that the current investigation and suspended cases had become such a distraction that I was convinced that the department had lost some of its focus to address hot spots and response time, Whitmire said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The department announced last week that it had finished the internal investigation and would release its findings soon.

However, a new letter involving Executive Assistant Chief Chandra Hatcher forced the department to reopen the investigation last week, Whitmire said. KPRC reported that Hatcher, a member of Finners inner circle, initially requested the department launch its investigation, citing information from a command meeting she said she attended in 2021. Documents obtained by the station raised doubt that Hatcher was at that meeting.

Whitmire said the Hatcher letter and the Finner email, taken together, created major setbacks for the department that eventually led to Finners retirement.

Whitmire initially promised to keep Finner on during his mayoral campaign last year. He said Wednesday it is common practice for new mayors to select their own police and fire chiefs. However, he decided not to do so due to his years-long experience working with Finner while he served as chair of the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The mayor emphasized his support for Finner several times Wednesday, saying the outgoing police chief was a frequent visitor at the mayors breakfast table, and as recently as Saturday they toured flooding in Kingwood before casting votes together.

You dont just talk business, you talk family, you talk gentleman to gentleman, Whitmire said. This is not about personality. Hes a human being. He has feelings. He has a family. Everything was taken into consideration.

Whitmire has appointed Larry Satterwhite, formerly executive assistant chief, as the departments acting chief as the administration launches a search for a permanent replacement. The mayor said the transition has been a smooth one, as Satterwhite would already fill in as acting chief whenever Finner was away.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Chief Satterwhite is an outstanding public servant, the mayor said. The departments morale, I believe, will improve when we get HPD off the front page and out of the news and back to crime fighting.
A US medical taskforce last week lowered the age at which women are recommended to be screened for breast cancer  from 50 to 40.

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) said women with an average risk of breast cancer - determined by your doctor based on genetics and lifestyle - should get a mammogram every other year beginning at 40 years old and continuing through 74.

Women at higher risk because of genetics or certain health history should discuss options with their doctor, which remains unchanged from previous guidance.

Previously, the medical group said the only women under 50 who should be routinely screened are those with a high genetic risk.

The change is in response to a rise in early-onset breast cancer cases - those diagnosed in women younger than 50 years old, which has been linked to poor nutrition, obesity and exposure to toxic substances.

Dr Linnea Chap, the director of Breast Cancer and Womens Oncology at the Beverly Hills Cancer Center, told DailyMail.com: 'If you are 40 or older, definitely get a screening [mammogram]. It may save your life.'

Breast cancer accounts for about 30 percent of all new female cancers per year (stock image)

It is not clear yet if health insurance carriers will universally cover the screening because of the updated guidelines and coverage usually varies woman-to-woman and policy-to-policy.

Out of pocket costs for a mammogram can range from $140 to $300.

Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician, said she encourages women to be aware of the new guidelines and discuss them with their doctor, noting the update only applies to women at average risk of the cancer.

Dr Wen told CNN: 'In recent years, there has been a disturbing trend of cancer diagnoses increasing among young people. This is the case with colon cancer as well as with breast cancer.

'I would encourage woman to be aware of this updated guidance and discuss it with their physicians.'

A mammogram is an x-ray image of the breasts used to detect and diagnose breast cancer in women.

It uses low-dose x-rays to obtain an image of the inside of the breasts to look for masses or other abnormalities that may indicate cancer.

The above shows the most common type of cancer in each country, with breast cancer the top form in dozens of countries

The above shows the most common cancers and their mortality rates in all countries around the world

It is a non-invasive test that has women stand at an x-ray machine as plates flatten the breast while the machine takes images. The process will be repeated on multiple angles of both breasts, but typically only takes several minutes.

The updated USPSTF guidelines are now more in line with those of other medical bodies.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends mammograms every one to two years beginning at 40 and the American Cancer Society suggests women between 40 and 44 years old get mammograms every year, but strongly recommends them for women 45 and older.

In the US, breast cancer is the second most common cancer after skin cancers and across the globe, it is most common in dozens of countries, including the UK, Canada, India, South Africa, Australia and Mexico.

The ACS estimates there will be about 310,300 new cases in 2024 and 42,250 women will die from the disease.

The lifetime average risk for women to get breast cancer is 13 percent, meaning one-in-eight women will develop the disease.

The median age of diagnosis is 62 years old and just a small number of women are diagnosed with the disease under the age of 45.

However, rates around that age have been increasing.

The ACS said the rise in incidence rates in women under 50 is one percent, while the overall incidence rate is 0.6 percent per year.

GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: Health@dailymail.com Advertisement

And the USPSTF said incidence has gradually increased among women aged 40 to 49 years from 2000 to 2015 but increased more noticeably from 2015 to 2019, with a 2.0 percent average annual increase.

The rise in breast cancer among younger women follows a similar global trend that is seeing a surge in early-onset cancer diagnoses - those in people under 50 years old.

And younger women tend to have more aggressive forms of breast cancer compared to women diagnosed at later ages.

The disease is the second leading cause of cancer death in women behind lung cancer.

About one-in-40 women will die of breast cancer and that number has been steadily decreasing since 1989.

Early detection and intervention, as well as more awareness is believed to be behind the fall in deaths.
On 17 March 2024 a column item stated that Dale Vince had said that Hamas should be free to defend itself. We now accept that this quote is inaccurate and wish to make clear that Mr Vince does not support Hamas in any way. We apologise to Mr Vince for any damage and distress caused by the error.

To report an inaccuracy, please email corrections@mailonline.co.uk. To make a formal complaint under IPSO rules please go to www.mailonline.co.uk/readerseditor where you will find an easy-to-use complaints form. You can also write to Readers Editor, MailOnline, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or contact IPSO directly at ipso.co.uk
A select group of Tesco Clubcard shoppers will be offered the chance to take part in a trial of the supermarket's new 'Clubcard Challenges' scheme.

Tesco will use artificial intelligence to give eligible Clubcard holders 'personalised' challenges.

Below, we outline who will be eligible to take part in the trial, how it will work and how long it is running for.

Ready for a challenge? Tesco will use AI to give eligible Clubcard holders 'personalised' challenges

Earlier this year, we took a deep dive into the world of supermarket loyalty schemes, scrutinising what they offer and which ones shoppers prefer best.

While offers, schemes and 'challenges' from supermarkets may be tempting, don't overspend for the sake of it...

Who can take part in the trial?

This is just a trial and for the time being, around 3million Tesco Clubcard holders will be invited to test out the scheme.

Tesco said customers selected will be ones who 'regularly engage with Tesco digitally' and have opted in to receive marketing communications from the chain.

Shoppers invited to take part will be sent an email from Tesco to the email address their Clubcard is linked up to.

For eligible shoppers, a banner will also appear on the Tesco app until 20 May, informing shoppers they can take part in the Challenges scheme.

How will Tesco Clubcard Challenges work?

Tesco said it is using AI to give eligible shoppers 'personalised' challenges.

Shoppers who accept the invitation will receive 20 challenges that have been personalised for them.

Once a shopper completes a challenge, they will be rewarded with additional Clubcard points.

Eligible shoppers can complete up to 10 challenges, with a total of 50 worth of Clubcard points, or 5,000 points, up for grabs during the trial period.

The potential reward rises to 100 worth of points if they are redeemed at one of Tesco's reward partners, which include, among others, Cineworld, Pizza Express and Thorpe Park.

In terms of what the challenges will look like, Tesco said: 'Challenges will vary for each participant and can range from "spend 20 on our Summer BBQ range over the next 6 weeks" to "spend 10 on plant-based meals"'.

Will participants still receive points when they shop?

Whether or not eligible shoppers take part in the trial, they will still get Clubcard points each time they shop as normal.

Taking part in the trial won't affect any of the usual benefits of the Tesco Clubcard.

How long is the trial running for?

Eligible shoppers will be able to take part in the Tesco Clubcard Challenges trial from 20 May and the scheme is initially running for six weeks.

Lizzie Reynolds, group membership and loyalty director at Tesco, said: 'We are constantly looking for ways to make Clubcard work harder for our customers.

'With Clubcard Prices on around 8,000 products, it is saving customers up to 360 off the annual cost of their groceries.

'Personalisation is about using what we know about customers to make their experience better and our rewards more helpful and were very excited to see how our customers respond to Clubcard Challenges.'

What's on offer elsewhere? Asda shoppers can earn Asda Pounds by buying certain 'star products' or completing missions

What do other supermarkets offer?

Supermarkets are locked in a ferocious competition to win over and keep hold of customers.

Most supermarkets have a loyalty scheme and it's worth shopping around to see which suits your needs best.

The motto for the Asda Rewards scheme is 'Get rewarded with pounds, not points.'

Asda shoppers can earn Asda Pounds by buying certain 'star products' or completing missions.

Missions usually involve shopping and spending certain amounts in different departments, such as fruit and vegetables or George clothing.

The Asda Pounds can then be spent in the supermarket's stores or online. Members also get regular 10 per cent discount deals on certain products.

Lidl has a rewards app called Lidl Plus.

If certain spending targets are reached each month, members will get an offer, like a free bakery item or money off their next shop.

A 50 spend would get you a free bakery item. Every 100 spent each month will get you a 2 off coupon.
Airline stocks flew as the industry bounced back after a brief sell-off fuelled by concern over lower summer prices.

British Airways owner IAG rose 3.7 per cent, or 6.6p, to 184p while Easyjet added 2.9 per cent, or 14.6p, to 524.8p and Wizz Air increased 5.3 per cent, or 110p, to 2192p.

The gains came a day after Ryanair boss Michael OLeary warned that ticket prices were likely to rise by less this summer than previously thought.

The industry continues to rebound following the pandemic when lockdowns brought travel to a standstill.

Shares in IAG, which publishes first-quarter results tomorrow, are up almost a fifth this year.

Record high: AstraZeneca rose 1.3%, or 156p, to 12,274p, making it the most valuable company on the FTSE 100 ahead of Shell, with a market capitalisation of 190bn

The FTSE 100 hit a new high of 8365 early on before easing back to settle up 0.5 per cent, or 40.38 points, at 8354.05.

The FTSE 250 rose 0.4 per cent, or 78.91 points, to 20,491.99. AstraZeneca neared a record high as it faced renewed controversy over its vaccine for Covid.

The stock rose 1.2 per cent, or 146p, to 12,264  just shy of its record close of 12,294p in April last year.

Astra is the most valuable company on the FTSE 100 ahead of Shell with a market capitalisation of nearly 190billion.

The latest rally came as the drug maker pulled its Covid jab amid waning demand.

It was hailed for saving lives and helping the world emerge out of lockdowns but it also came under scrutiny for causing fatal blood clots.

But the shares are up more than 16 per cent this year, boosted by strong demand for its cancer drugs.

Stock Watch - Brighton Pier Group A cocktail of woes  from the cost of living to poor weather and train strikes  has hurt the Brighton Pier Group. The owner of Brighton Pier and the Lightwater Valley Theme Park in North Yorkshire reported an 8.8million loss in the 12 months to Christmas Eve, in stark contrast to the 7.6million profit it made in the 18 months to Christmas Day, 2022. It now plans to charge a 1 tourist admission fee. Shares tumbled 10.3 per cent, or 4.5p, to 39p.

Informa, the worlds largest exhibitions group, raised its share buyback programme by around 50 per cent to 500million.

The company behind the Taylor & Francis academic research business and China Beauty Expo trade show in Shanghai, also signed an AI deal with Microsoft. Shares gained 2.3 per cent, or19p, to 850.4p.

Engineer Renishaw sank after revenues fell 4 per cent to 502.9million in the nine months to the end of March while profits plunged by more than a quarter to 86.8million. Shares fell 4.2 per cent, or 175p, to 3980p.

Shell fell 0.2 per cent, or 5p, to 2890p after agreeing to sell its refinery and petrochemical assets in Singapore.

Boohoo racked up a 160million loss and fell 0.1 per cent, or 0.04p, to 35.26p after the fashion firms sales slumped almost a fifth in the year to the end of February.

Mike Ashleys retail empire is closing in on a deal to become the British partner of Ted Baker, Sky News reported. Frasers rose 0.9 per cent, or 7p, to 823p.

Alliance Pharma chief executive Peter Butterfield, has quit and will be replaced by consumer health veteran Nick Sedgwick. It fell 8.3 per cent, or 2.65p, to 29.35p.

Don Robert, the chairman of video games developer Keywords Studios bought more than 50,000 worth of stock, lifting it 7.5 per cent, or 88p, to 1267p.

Land Securities sold its hotels for 400million to Ares Management and EQ but dipped 0.5 per cent, or 3.5p, to 683p.

Three antique programmes produced by STV Groups studio arm have been recommissioned by the BBC. It follows several other commissions this year. STV rose 2 per cent, or 5p, to 250p.
Millions of UK consumers are in the dark over a mystery firm being probed by the City watchdog because of rules that prevent it being named, MPs were told yesterday.

Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), revealed the investigation was under way as he defended proposals to lift the veil of secrecy.

Rathi is at war with ministers, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, and the financial sector over plans to make it easier for the FCA to name companies it is investigating.

His remarks came hours after City minister Bim Afolami attacked naming and shaming and a plan to impose equality quotas.

The regulators need to... stop doing things like that, Afolami told a conference.

Secret probe: FCA chief exec Nikhil Rathi (pictured) is at war with ministers and the financial sector over plans to make it easier for the FCA to name companies it is investigating

Rathi defended naming and shaming amid suggestions by MPs on the Treasury select committee that it was bonkers and damaged UK global competitiveness.

He talked of a long investigation into a firm.

Rathi said: That is the kind of case where we might think that we would want to confirm an investigation is under way.

The concern would be there are several million consumers using this firm. We are investigating it and have had discussions with this firm for three years.

Rathi said the case did not meet the threshold for naming, which can only be done under exceptional circumstances.

The FCA would change this so that it can identify companies that it is investigating.

Car loan refunds FCA chief Nikhil Rathi said it is considering redress for thousands of consumers overcharged for car loans. The FCA has been looking into claims related to motor finance between 2007 and 2021 and it may force companies to pay compensation. He said it would take next steps in September. The probe has prompted Lloyds Banking Group to set aside 450million and analysts estimate the bill could be 16billion  drawing comparisons with the payment protection insurance (PPI) scandal that cost lenders 50billion. But Rathi told MPs: I think its unlikely were going to find nothing to report, but I also would not want the committee to think that this is going to be on the same scale as PPI.

Rathi said victims of the British Steel Pension Scheme scandal missed out because of secrecy.

We had intelligence about problematic financial advisers and they were being investigated, he told MPs.

Steel workers in Port Talbot were not aware we were investigating  they were calling our contact centre.

'All they got was the information this firm was on the register, nothing else was disclosed. They then took advice and potentially lost their life savings.

Rathi said the FCA would review the reaction to its plans. FCA chairman Ashley Alder said: We werent expecting such a stern reaction.

A coalition of 16 trade associations has written to Hunt to object. He has urged a rethink.

Afolami, at an FT crypto summit, said the FCA should stop focusing on things that are non-core, like naming and shaming or this diversity consultation, and focus on conduct and making sure the system works.

He added: It is perfectly legitimate for the Chancellor or anybody else to say wed like you to think again.
Target: Oil industry engineer Wood Group has rejected a takeover bid from from Dubai-based rival Sidara

Oil industry engineer Wood Group has rejected a takeover bid from foreign predators after becoming the latest London-listed company to be targeted.

It turned down a 1.4billion offer from Dubai rival Sidara because it fundamentally undervalued the company, Wood said. The rejection came as it emerged Bristol chipmaker Graphcore is a target for Japanese investment giant SoftBank.

The pair are just the latest firms to land in the cross-hairs of foreign buyers, fuelling concerns British companies are undervalued and face an onslaught of merger and acquisition activity.

Global fund network Calastone warned sentiment around the market remained negative despite the FTSE 100 hitting record highs.

British investors piled into funds last month as they looked to take advantage of tax incentives on Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs).

UK savers added 1.93billion to equity funds and 422million to fixed income funds in April, according to Calastone.

But most of it went into global, North American and European funds, with 665million withdrawn from UK investments. That took the total taken out of UK funds to 21.3billion in 35 consecutive months of selling.

The relentless negativity on UK-focused equity funds was undiminished, Calastone wrote.

That has left London-listed companies undervalued and vulnerable to buyers looking for a bargain.

Shares in Wood, which is based in Aberdeen and specialises in engineering and maintenance in the energy sector, soared 16.9 per cent, or 27.9p, to 192.9p after interest from Sidara became public.

Last month Wood investor Sparta Capital urged bosses to consider its UK listing and mull a sale amid the companys dwindling share price.

Before yesterday, shares were down by over a third in the past year. Meanwhile, Japanese conglomerate SoftBank is said to be in talks to snap up Graphcore.

Founded in 2016, Graphcore designs processing units for artificial intelligence software.

It was once valued at 2.2billion and was touted as a potential rival to US behemoth Nvidia. But it posted a 46 per cent decline in revenues to 2.2million last year.

The UK has seen a steady flow of companies bought up so far this year.

Cyber-security group Darktrace backed a 4.25billion takeover by US private equity firm Thoma Bravo last month, Australian mining giant BHP is in talks to buy Anglo American, and Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is eyeing Royal Mail owner International Distributions Services.

Others have also agreed to be bought, including packager DS Smith, haulier Wincanton and housebuilder Redrow.
A company controlled by millionaire hedge fund boss Sir Paul Marshall has lost a legal battle with South Africa over 34million of silver rescued from a Second World War shipwreck.

The UKs Supreme Court sided with the government in Pretoria which argued it did not owe Marshalls salvage company payment for finding the treasure in the Indian Ocean.

The silver was bought by the then Union of South Africa from India in 1942 but lost when the ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine.

Argentum Exploration found the 2,364 silver bars in 2017 from the wreck of the SS Tilawa.

The passenger ship was sunk en route to South Africa, resulting in the death of 280 people.

Hoard: Argentum Exploration found 2,364 silver bars in 2017 on the wreck of the SS Tilawa was attacked and sunk during its journey to South Africa in 1942

Argentum, controlled by Marshall, retrieved the bars at a depth of 2.5km in 2017 and took them to the UK to claim salvage rights, with the treasure valued at 34million in 2020.

It accepted South Africa owned the loot but claimed compensation for finding them.

However, the Supreme Court yesterday ruled the country had sovereign immunity from Argentums claim.

The parties have agreed a settlement.

Marshall, who has a fortune of around 680million, heads Marshall Wace, a hedge fund with 52.3billion in assets.

He is an investor in broadcast channel GB News but recently stepped down from the board amid rumours he is considering a bid to buy The Daily Telegraph newspaper.
Direct Line lost 434,000 car insurance customers over the past year after it sharply hiked premiums.

It said its own-brand motor policies fell to just over 3.2million at the end of March.

Premiums for those renewing their policies climbed 38 per cent to an average 515 a year while for new customers they rose 25 per cent to 599.

It is the latest headache for chief executive Adam Winslow, who has had to fend off a 3.1billion takeover bid from Belgian suitor Ageas.

But investors shrugged off the setback and shares rose 1.3 per cent, or 2.4p, to 191.1p  and are up 5 per cent this year.

Price hikes: Direct Line revealed in a trading update that its own-brand motor policies fell to just over 3.2m at the end of March

Winslow is battling to turn around fortunes after a turbulent 2023, when previous boss Penny James stepped down amid a profit warning.

Direct Line later admitted that it had under-priced policies and said it had been unusually exposed to weather claims.

It has since raised motor premiums to make up for the soaring cost of repairs.

Winslow, who joined in March, is aiming to cut costs by 100million and has not ruled out job cuts. He will announce a new strategy in July.

Yesterdays update revealed a more resilient performance in home insurance, where the number of policies fell from 2.5million to 2.45million, despite premiums going up 27 per cent for new customers and 13 per cent for existing policy holders.

Overall, gross written premiums were up by 11 per cent to 892.2million in the first three months of the year.

They were up by 18 per cent to 424.3million for motor insurance and climbed 14 per cent to 147.3million for home.

Bad weather led to around 33million of claims. Winslow said: We have seen a positive start to 2024 trading, with double-digit gross written premium growth in our motor, home and commercial businesses and overall growth of 15 per cent.

With new executives announced recently Winslow added: I am confident that with the new leadership team in place, we can deliver cost savings of at least 100million by the end of 2025.

Keith Bowman, equity analyst at Interactive Investor, said it Direct Line made a robust start to the new financial year.
David Franklins plans to retire to Kerala, India were torn apart, court was told

A property developers life was destroyed when his 3.3 million lifesavings were swindled by fraudsters in Mauritius while he helped his wife battle cancer.

David Franklins plans to retire to Kerala, India were torn apart when his money vanished in May 2019 to bank accounts in China without a trace.

Shockingly he says he was told that the fraud against him was Karma when he sought redress and now Mr Franklin has launched a legal bid to recover his money.

In a moving interview, Mr Franklin, 67, said: Mauritius has destroyed my life. My wife on occasions cries a lot, because she is worried about me, and if I go what happens to her. My wife and I need some peace now.

Mr Franklin described how with every effort to recover the money he met 'smoke and mirrors'

A boat on The Kerala Backwaters, Kumarakom Kerala India, where the couple wanted to retire

Mr Franklin put his money into Mauritius because British financial advisers told him the island was an ideal meeting point between UK and Indian banking systems with easy access.

He was introduced to a Mauritian financial asset management company ran by two brothers called Finsburey Management Service Limited who acted as his trustees.

In a boardroom meeting at a north London accountancy firm in March 2019, after Mr Franklin had paid for the flights, Mr Sanjeev Lutchumun said he would act for him.

After that communication was completed on encrypted messaging services such as WhatsApp or Proton email for security reasons to prevent hackers gaining access.

But from May to June 2019- coinciding with his wife learning she had spinal cancer- all of Mr Franklins money was taken and siphoned off to accounts in China.

Mr Franklin says the fraud was carried out by hackers mimicking his email address to send messages appearing to give consent to bank transfers to China.

We went through a very difficult six weeks of going up to a spinal centre in London and my wife had a major operation and was in intensive care for five days, Mr Franklin recalled.

The tumour was benign but the fact it was something that could grow means it can come back at any time, so she has an MRI scan every year just to check what is happening.

In that period, the trustees transferred 3.5 million to a Chinese bank on open email without communicating with me at all.

Kerala: Where Mr Franklin dreamt of retiring to with his wife after 20 years of saving money

Mr Franklin says he discovered there is more to the island than the brochure image so readily available at travel agents or on the internet

In summary Mr Franklin says, basic checking- known as due diligence was not completed- he received no phone calls confirming he agreed to the transfers, he says the bank in Mauritius did not seek to get in touch with him and the regulatory body has held no one to account.

His initial complaints to the Mauritian bank called Mauritius Commercial Bank, where his funds were held, and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) which regulates it, were stalled he said during an interview in London.

Indeed, he claims that when he approached the FSC he was told: I pity you as you are the source of all your problems, adding his situation is Karma.

He has instructed lawyers to represent him in a court battle against the financial management company, Mauritius largest bank and the financial regulators.

In legal papers, Gavin Glover representing Mr Franklin said: The sheer rapidity (of) the funds having been transferred based on incomplete customer due diligence documents, are but a few facts for the applicants to have reasonable suspicion, that the respondents could jointly be involved in acts of money laundering.

The applicants state that there is a prima facie evidence that the respondents jointly, have in fact been involved in a case of fraud of an ingenious nature to deprive the applicants of the said sum of .3.3 million.

When approached, the brothers both firmly denied any wrong doing insisting they had been thorough and honest in their dealings with Mr Franklin.

Their lawyer Dev Erriah said the: 'allegation of complicity is simply and utterly denied by my client and does not hold water.

'The issue of complicity does not arise and there is absolutely no evidence to prove the allegation of complicity against my client or any evidence of my client being an accomplish (sic) to the compromised e-mail incident.

'My client denies being an accomplish (sic) to any fraudulent transaction in as much as it has not benefitted a single penny out of this compromised incident.'

The case in Mauritius is ongoing with hearing dates as recently as April but Mr Franklin has been advised by Mr Glover: Do not come, you are in danger.

For many Mauritius is a paradise, a tropical retreat of dreams where you can go on holidays or spend your retirement years in blissful peace.

But Mr Franklin says he discovered there is more to the island than the brochure image so readily available at travel agents or on the internet.

The jurisdiction is against you, the financial institutions are against you, there is no accountability, and it is smoke and mirrors, Mr Franklin added.

Mr Franklin, who is based in Berkshire, recommends anyone considering investing in Mauritius does not.

Born in Punjab, northwest India he had hoped to live in Kerala for most of the year and spend a few months in Europe during his retirement.

Even if I do not get my money back, I do not want anyone else to go through this, he added.
A college pledgemaster has been charged with assault for allegedly pushing a freshman recruit against a wall and choking him during a hazing.

David Vallejo, 23, was in charge of initiating new members of the Lambda Theta Phi Latin fraternity at the University of Connecticut.

This included a 'military-style' camp on February 8 and 9, the fifth and six days of the initiation process at a house on the Tolland Turnpike in Willington.

There he screamed at the pledges like an old-school drill sergeant and had them to recite the frat's 'code' as he barked parts of it at them.

David Vallejo, 23, (right) was in charge of initiating new members of the Lambda Theta Phi Latin fraternity at the University of Connecticut, and is accused of assault during hazing

Vallejo called himself a 'motivated student' on his LinkedIn page and claimed 'I am an effective communicator and known for being exceptionally patient'

Those who made mistakes were forced to repeat the parts they messed up while doing pushups.

Vallejo was arrested on May 3 and charged with disorderly conduct, third-degree assault, third-degree strangulation/ suffocation and second-degree unlawful restraint

One freshman alleged Vallejo 'threw him across the room' when he got tired, and later pushed him against a wall and choked him.

'Every time one of us would fall to the ground, they would make us restart from the beginning,' he told police, according to a Connecticut State Police warrant.

'I could not do any more pushups... He grabbed me by my uniform shirt that I had to wear, and he threw me across the room into [the] wall.'

The former pledge alleged Vallejo told him to 'speed it up' and when he stood up he pressed his right forearm against his throat and yelled in his face.

Vallejo only relented when the freshman started crying, the warrant alleged.

Hours later after he and the other pledges were dropped at home, he developed bruises on his arms, elbows, and kneecaps.

The next day the process was repeated, and again they failed to recite the lines and were made to do pushups.

One freshman alleged Vallejo (second from left) 'threw him across the room' when he got tired from doing pushups, and later pushed him against a wall and choked him

Vallejo (right) at the December 2022 IGC banquet with two fraternity brothers where they were presented with two awards

The freshman said he was so tired form the previous day that he fell down much faster, and Vallejo told him 'the pain is just an excuse; I know you can do better'.

But the bruises made it too difficult to continue and he groaned in pain, which allegedly enraged Vallejo, who threw him across the room again.

Vallejo then told the student he was done with him and he should take his uniform off, but the pledge refused as he didn't want to quit.

When he still couldn't do the pushups, Vallejo allegedly pushed him against the wall and pushed his forearm into his neck.

'After that I took my uniform off, and David talked to me aside from where everyone else was. David was much nicer to me after that,' the student alleged.

The freshman quit the next day by text, and went to Vallejo on March 21 to give the fraternity uniform back, when he was allegedly assaulted.

Police decided photos the alleged victim took of his injuries matched the allegations and issued an arrest warrant for Vallejo after he refused an interview.

Vallejo (bottom left) holds the award his frat won for Chapter of The Year

Vallejo called himself a 'motivated student' on his LinkedIn page 'with a solid background in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint'

He was arrested on May 3 and charged with disorderly conduct, third-degree assault, third-degree strangulation/suffocation and second-degree unlawful restraint.

He was released on $30,000 bail and ordered to face court again on May 21.

Vallejo called himself a 'motivated student' on his LinkedIn page 'with a solid background in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint'.

'I am an effective communicator and known for being exceptionally patient,' he claimed.

'My work ethic is something I am proud of. I am ready to take the next step in my career.'

Vallejo listed experience including canvassing, working as a field official, and interning in a government relations/lobbying firm.
TikTok on Tuesday filed the lawsuit to block the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act from banning the app and its parent company ByteDance in the US.

The social platform filed its case in the US Court of Appeals in Columbia, arguing that the proposed ban would violate the country's First Amendment of free speech.

In the petition filed, TikTok and ByteDance cited previous "unlawful attempts" from the government to ban the app in the country.

The law, which US President Joe Biden passed last month, proposed the total ban of all ByteDance-owned apps in the US on the grounds of protecting US citizens' data from Chinese government intervention.

TikTok Disputes Supposed China Intervention on the App

The government has long alleged China of disrupting Americans' access to information despite the app storing all US user data and algorithms in a US-based cloud server.

TikTok even accused the government of taking an "unprecedented step of expressly singling out and banning" the app with its congressional power.

The Department of Justice and Biden's office have yet to provide a statement regarding the petition.

The move follows TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's earlier promise for a long legal battle to prevent the app from being banned in the US, vowing that "we aren't going anywhere."

Also Read : TikTok CEO Prepares for Legal Battle to Contest Looming US Ban

ByteDance: Proposed Divestment is Simply Not Possible

In addition to its criticisms of the intent of the legislation, ByteDance also scrutinized the short amount of time allotted to divest from TikTok if it wants

The platform maintained that the proposed divestiture "is simply not possible," especially with the 270-day timeline allowance for divestment.

ByteDance is only given until Jan. 19, 2025, to finalize its sales of TikTok to a non-Chinese business or face the ban.

It does not help that ByteDance is legally not allowed to sell TikTok's algorithm to the US at the risk of facing more lawsuits from other countries.

The Beijing-based company has earlier declared no intentions to ever sell the app to another company.

According to its own data, TikTok hosts over 170 million Americans and seven million businesses on its platform. All of which could be de-platformed once the app gets banned in the US.

The population only accumulates to 10% of the platform's total global user base.
For decades Kevin Spacey was Hollywood's golden boy, having made it from a jobbing actor to an international star on stage, TV and in the cinema.

With two Oscars for his performances in American Beauty and The Usual Suspects under his belt, Spacey was at the peak of his powers when bombshell allegations of sex offences were levelled against him at the beginning of the #MeToo movement.

His once glittering career went into freefall when he was first publicly accused of inappropriate behavior. He suffered the humiliation of being sacked from hit Netflix series House of Cards and being edited out of the Sir Ridley Scott film All The Money In The World, as well as vast financial losses.

Spacey, 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, the actor has been thrown back into the limelight once more, with new claims about his past behavior being made in the two-part Channel 4 docuseries Spacey Unmasked.

He is also being sued at London's High Court by a British man who alleges that in 2008 he was sexually assaulted by Spacey. The actor has denied the allegations. Spacey on Tuesday overturned a London court ruling which effectively found him liable for an alleged sexual assault of the man after his lawyers mistakenly failed to serve a defense to the civil lawsuit.

Kevin Spacey, 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. He is pictured outside the London court on July 26, 2023

Spacey was first awarded the Academy Award for best supporting actor in 1996 for his role as Roger 'Verbal' Kint in the mystery thriller The Usual Suspects. He is pictured posing with his Oscar at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on March 25, 1996

Born in New Jersey in 1959 to Kathleen and Thomas Fowler, Spacey rose from being the son of an abusive father to become a legend of the silver screen whose back catalogue includes blockbusters Seven and LA Confidential.

Spacey previously described his father as a 'white supremacist' and 'neo-Nazi', saying during a court appearance in New York in October 2022 that 'I grew up in a very complicated family dynamic.'

The actor claimed that rants by his father when he was young led him to hate bigotry and intolerance.

'My father was a white supremacist and neo-Nazi,' Spacey added. 'It meant that my siblings and I were forced to listen to hours and hours of my father lecturing us about his beliefs.'

The Hollywood star began his career on the stage before trying his hand at film and TV, with great success.

During his time on Broadway he picked up a Tony Award in 1991 for best featured actor in a play for his performance as 'Uncle' Louie in Lost In Yonkers, and the best actor Olivier Award in 1999 for The Iceman Cometh.

He was first awarded the Academy Award for best supporting actor in 1996 for his role as Roger 'Verbal' Kint in the mystery thriller The Usual Suspects.

A few years later, Spacey picked up the coveted best actor Oscar in 2000 for the dark drama American Beauty, when he played Lester Burnham. He is pictured holding his Oscar

Spacey is pictured as Lester Burnham, an advertising executive who has a midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend, played by Mena Suvari

A few years later he picked up the coveted best actor Oscar in 2000 for the dark drama American Beauty, when he played Lester Burnham, an advertising executive who has a midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend, played by Mena Suvari.

In 2004, Spacey became the artistic director of the iconic Old Vic, which was one of the most prestigious posts in the London theater world. He held the position for 11 years.

His career seemingly reached an all-time high after he landed his role as Frank Underwood on the hit Netflix political drama series House Of Cards.

Spacey was awarded a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award and was nominated for a series of Emmys for his performance on the show.

But in 2017, following allegations of sexual misconduct against Spacey, streaming giant Netflix cut ties with the actor. The sixth and final season of the show was released in 2018 without his involvement.

Despite the continual lawsuits and litany of allegations made against him, the Oscar winner has always remained confident that he could reverse his fortunes.

He once remarked in an interview: 'In ten years, it won't mean anything. My work will live longer than I will, and that's what will be remembered.'

Spacey's career seemingly reached an all-time high after he landed his role as Frank Underwood on the hit Netflix political drama series House Of Cards. He is pictured in the show

Spacey was awarded a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award and was nominated for a series of Emmys for his performance on House of Cards. Spacey is pictured at the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles in September 2013

As allegations piled up and his acting roles came to a halt, the hit to the star's finances was equally devastating.

MRC, the production company behind House of Cards, launched a legal battle against Spacey in an attempt to recoup the costs for scrapping the final season and replacing him.

An arbitrator deemed the allegations by the young show employees credible and Spacey, who has always denied the allegations, faced a $31million judgment in the case.

But MRC and Spacey reached a settlement in February this year, which will see the actor pay only $1million in installments equal to 10 per cent of his after-tax income - to the company over the next few years instead of the $36million he owed including interest.

In return, Spacey will help MRC in their attempt to recoup the costs from its insurance company.

Last year, Spacey was acquitted in Britain of nine alleged sexual offences made against him by four men who were in their 20s and 30s between 2004 and 2013. He is pictured, in an artist sketch, being cross examined at Southwark Crown Court, London on July 14 last year

Spacey, who sobbed at the dock as his verdict was delivered last summer, went on to add that he 'never told someone that if they give me sexual favors, then I will help them out with their career, ever'. The actor is pictured leaving Southwark Crown Court on July 26, 2023 after he was found not guilty of nine alleged sexual offences

Last year, Spacey was acquitted in Britain of nine alleged sexual offences made against him by four men who were in their 20s and 30s between 2004 and 2013.

The famous actor, who sobbed at the dock as his verdict was delivered, went on to add that he 'never told someone that if they give me sexual favors, then I will help them out with their career, ever'.

His acquittal in London came less than a year after a New York court dismissed a $40million sexual misconduct civil lawsuit brought against him.

The complainant, actor Anthony Rapp, alleged the star had assaulted him when he was 14. He brought the civil case after being told it was too late to bring a criminal charge but failed to convince the jury in that case.

In 2019, charges of indecent and sexual assault were dropped against Spacey in Massachusetts.

Spacey is currently facing a civil trial in London over a sexual abuse claim after a judge on Tuesday set aside a previous default ruling against the actor.

A man - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - made the claim against the Oscar-winning actor at the High Court in London in 2022, alleging he was sexually assaulted in 2008 and was suffering 'psychiatric damage' as a result.

But the case was put on hold when Spacey was then criminally charged with various sexual offences. He was later acquitted.

Spacey's acquittal in London came less than a year after a New York court dismissed a $40million sexual misconduct civil lawsuit brought against him. He is pictured leaving his trial at the Federal Court in New York City after a jury found that he did not molest fellow actor Anthony Rapp when he was 14 years old

Earlier this year, a judge granted the accuser 'judgment in default' - a ruling in his favor without a trial - after Spacey's lawyers failed to serve a defense to the lawsuit in time.

Adam Speker, a lawyer representing Spacey, said it was a 'genuine error' by the actor's legal team from the prominent British law firm Carter-Ruck.

Speker argued it would be unfair for the claimant to effectively win his lawsuit against Spacey without a trial when he had been 'disbelieved on oath by a jury'.

But judge David Cook said at a hearing on Tuesday that the lawyers had 'quite frankly "mucked up",' and that the mistake 'should not be visited upon the defendant'.

He therefore set aside the default judgment against the star, saying: 'The interests of justice require that those allegations go forward to trial and the judgment in default should, therefore, be lifted.'

Tuesday's ruling means that the claimant's case against Spacey will proceed towards a full trial.

Claire Glasgow, a lawyer representing the claimant, said that 'we are pleased that the judge recognized the seriousness of the claim and directed the court to proceed to trial'.

'Our client is seeking justice in the civil courts for serious allegations against Mr Spacey, regardless of the findings of the criminal trial,' she added.

The Oscar winning actor has been thrown back into the limelight once more, with new claims about his past behavior being made in the two-part Channel 4 docuseries Spacey Unmasked. Kevin Spacey is pictured in a scene from the documentary

Spacey, speaking with former GB News presenter Dan Wootton ahead of the broadcast, denied any illegal activity and said he would not allow himself to be 'baselessly attacked without defending himself'

The docuseries features featuring testimony from 10 men regarding events of alleged inappropriate behavior by Spacey between 1976 and 2013

The ruling comes one day after Channel 4 broadcast the first part of its Spacey Unmasked documentary.

The docuseries features testimony from 10 men regarding events of alleged inappropriate behavior by Spacey between 1976 and 2013.

Spacey, speaking with former GB News presenter Dan Wootton ahead of the broadcast, denied any illegal activity and said he would not allow himself to be 'baselessly attacked without defending himself'.

'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.

Spacey, who served as artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre in London from 2004 to 2015, again admitted that he was a 'flirt' with men in their 20s and that he made 'clumsy' passes at times.

'I've clearly hooked up with some men, who thought they might get ahead in their careers by having a relationship with me,' he said. 'But there was no conversation with me, it was all part of their plan, a plan that was always destined to fail, because I wasn't in on the deal.'

Spacey also claimed in a social media post that he had 'repeatedly requested' that Channel 4 give him more than seven days to respond to the allegations made about him in their documentary

The actor also claimed in a social media post that he had 'repeatedly requested' that Channel 4 give him more than seven days to respond to the allegations made about him in their documentary.

Spacey said the broadcaster refused 'on the basis that they feel that asking for a response in 7 days to new, anonymized and non-specific allegations is a 'fair opportunity' for me to refute any allegations made against me.'

'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,' he added.

Spacey said he has struggled to get back to work after being acquitted of all criminal charges, describing his experience as a 'life sentence.'
The owner of a derelict factory which has been turned into a hippy 'shanty town' insists he is doing nothing wrong as he goes to war with his local council.

The Zigzag building, a former sheep skin factory in Glastonbury, has become home to a group of people living 'alternative lifestyles' after seeking 'sanctuary' inside its walls.

The encampment, which is covered in Ukraine and Palestine flags, has sprouted since the site was bought in 2013 by Christopher Black, who leases shipping containers and caravans to some of the people living there.

However, it raised anger among residents who say they are fearful of 'antisocial behaviour' from the people living there and the council has demanded the people inside its walls leave.

But Mr Black, who says he saved the historic building from demolition when he took ownership more than a decade ago, says he won't turf anyone out and brags he has turned it into a 'cultural centre'.

The owner of a factory which has been turned into a hippy 'shanty town' insists he is doing nothing wrong as he goes to war with the council. Pictured is the former Moorlands Factory

Christopher Black pictured outside the property he is in dispute with the local authorities

Seamstress Blanka Kolkova with some of her work within the factory in Somerset

The encampment has sprouted since the site was bought in 2013

Mr Black says he saved the historic building from demolition when he took ownership

A caravan parked on a street near the former factory in Glastonbury

The row, which exploded last year when Somerset Council served an enforcement notice saying the residential use was one of a number of planning breaches, has threatened to envelop the town.

A public inquiry was held after Mr Black appealed the enforcement notice, with residents both inside and outside the factory waiting anxiously to find out the result.

The site, which sits less than ten miles from Glastonbury Festival, lies on the outskirts of the town in an industrial estate.

The building is surrounded by other derelict factories, while the streets surrounding it have become a dumping ground for caravans and trailers, locals say. These are not affiliated with the Zigzag building or Mr Black.

The 1930s factory is guarded by a set of iron gates and has Ukrainian and Palestinian flags draped on the outside.

People living nearby say the behaviour of people on the site is causing 'distress', sparking worried parents to move their children out of nearby schools because of 'antisocial behaviour'.

Retired carpenter Les Webb, 76, told The Sun the town had 'a real problem with those seeking an alternative lifestyle'.

'They come here looking some sort of idyllic life and end up living in the grounds of a derelict building,' he said.

Locals have been left terrified by the number of people who have descended to the area who 'have no connection' with Glastonbury, according to resident Michael Dodson.

The 56-year-old said: 'To talk about Glastonbury as a place of refuge and compassion is to absolutely ignore the awful experiences of people who have to live near these loose-knit shanty towns.'

A public inquiry was held after Mr Black appealed the enforcement notice, with residents both inside and outside the factory waiting anxiously to find out the result

Blanka Kolkova works as a seamstress in the building and lives in a small container 10ft wide

The encampment, which is covered in Ukraine and Palestine flags, is pictured

This is the former Moorlands Factory in Glastonbury, Somerset

The Zigzag building now contains a 'cheap' charity shop selling repaired wears for 50p and a 'community textile centre' where donated clothes are fixed

But Mr Black, 68, has denied people living in the Zigzag building are causing problems and insists it has a tight-knit community that is a place of refuge for people with few options.

He said: 'I bought it because it's a fabulous bauhaus building. We fixed up 2400 windows to make it into a cultural centre.

Corduroy-clad Black said the Zigzag building now contains a 'cheap' charity shop selling repaired wears for 50p and a 'community textile centre' where donated clothes are fixed.

'People make a living doing things they like,' he added.

Dismissing noise complaints, he said: 'We had ceilidh's over the winter, but they didn't finish late.'

Mr Black, who says he has spent his life renovating disused buildings, allows some people to live on the site.

He said he has 'half a dozen' people living in containers and caravans on the site paying as little as 30 in rent.

One resident, Blanka Kolkova, works as a seamstress in the building and lives in a small container about 10ft wide.

The 47-year-old described her messy clothes workshop as her 'playground'.

Mr Black, who says he has spent his life renovating disused buildings, allows some people to live on the site

The inside of the former sheep skin factory has been turned into a 'cultural centre' by the residents

Mr Black's decision to let people live on the land and turn it into a 'community centre' has brought him into conflict with Somerset Council

Kolkova, originally from Czechia, said: 'We've made 3.5k since 2021. We get the clothes from donations and sell them every Friday between 1 and 4pm.'

Mr Black also claimed that another resident is a fireman.

Asked why he didn't display the British flag, he said: 'The British flag has been destroyed by the right-wing elements in our country.

'[We'll put it up] when the country does something worth it. This is a great country and we should be doing much better than we are.'

Mr Black's decision to let people live on the land and turn it into a 'community centre' has brought him into conflict with Somerset Council, who have expressed concerns over the conditions these people are living in and argue that it is breach of planning.

In October last year the local authority served an enforcement notice against Mr Black, and this spiralled into a public inquiry which finished last week after he appealed.

In its notice the council demanded the unauthorised mixed use of the land for storage and residential use was stopped; all caravans, steel containers, goods and chattels were permanently removed; and the land was restored to its original condition before the unauthorised material change of use.

Mr Black has defended the move, saying: 'They told us we can't live on an industrial estate. But if you are poor, where do you live?'

They have set up a "shanty town" of storage containers near the homes of fed-up residents

Locals say people interested in "alternative lifestyles" are coming to the town

A retired carpenter said the town 'a real problem with those seeking an alternative lifestyle'

Both Mr Black and Somerset Council are awaiting the decision of the public inquiry, which could spell the end of the commune

He previously told Glastonbury Nub News in January: 'Zigzag is massively under threat now from gentrification, with the huge amounts of funding going to the restoration of the Red Brick Building and the plans to turn Bride's Mound into a tourist spot.

'Yes, we are different  but that doesn't mean we should have to go.'

Both he and Somerset Council are awaiting the decision of the public inquiry, which could spell the end of the commune.

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: 'Somerset Council and other regulatory bodies have long been concerned about land uses and living conditions for people living in and around the privately owned 1930s Zig Zag building in Morland Road, Northover, Glastonbury.

'Somerset Council is aware of some of the more vulnerable people on the site and has provided social and housing advice and support.

'Part of the 26.3 million Government funded Glastonbury Town Deal (within the Levelling up Agenda) focuses on the improvement of facilities for non-bricks and mortar dwellers which includes the potential development of a new site.

'Somerset Council and partner agencies, such as the Police, will continue to work with the owner and occupants on this matter.

'The Planning Inspectorate held an Inquiry in mid-April and we await their result to consider next steps.'
Britain is fast becoming a cashless society as it is revealed almost half the population leave the house with only their phones as a means of payment.

An estimated 25 million Britons aged 16 and over - 45 per cent - do not take their wallets with them when heading out, relying solely on their digital wallets as a payment method, new research has revealed.

Millennials and Generation Z were found to be the most likely to leave their cards and wallets at home, with 66 per cent and 72 per cent respectively admitting to going out with just their phones.

Comparatively, only one in four baby boomers - 23 per cent - and one in 10 silent generation members - 11 per cent - said they would feel comfortable leaving the house with only a phone as a payment method, even if it was just for a short period of time.

It comes as a warning of Britain's descent into a cashless society, with research late last year revealing that six in 10 free cash machines will likely disappear from our high streets by the end of the decade.

Your browser does not support iframes.

The number of cash machines across Britain fell by 1,294 in 2022 alone, and some 23,000 ATMs are expected to close by 2030.

The declining use of cash comes as banks retreat from UK high streets, and people increasingly opt for contactless and digital wallet payments.

The research by personal finance comparison website finder.com, reveals adults in the UK leave the house without a wallet or payment card because they know they can pay using a digital wallet on their phone, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Experts have warned of the safety risks of relying solely on digital wallets as data from the Met Police shows that a phone is stolen every 4 minutes in London, with theft on the rise in other parts of the UK too.

The survey, which was commissioned by Finder and carried out by Censuswide, saw more than 2000 Brits aged 16 and over asked about their payment habits.

Just 29 per cent of Gen Z said they never leave their house with just their phone as a method of payment, with 36 per cent saying they 'sometimes' do, 21 per cent admitting they 'frequently' do, and 15 per cent saying they 'always' do.

Meanwhile, 77 per cent of baby boomers stated they would never leave the house without their wallet or physical payment card.

Overall, a quarter of Brits only leave the house without a card occasionally, such as when popping out the local shop, though one in five - 20 per cent - admit to leaving it behind frequently or all the time.

Almost half of Britons leave the house with only their phones as a payment method, with Gen Z the most likely to ditch their wallets and cards at home when heading out

Approximately 259billion worth of digital transactions were made in the UK in 2022, and more than a third - 35 per cent - of online purchases were completed using digital wallets.

The use of digital wallets for online transactions has grown in the UK from 29 per cent in 2019, to making up 35 per cent of all digital transactions in 2022.

While digital wallet usage for in-store transactions is significantly lower than online transactions, it has become increasingly popular year-on-year.

Your browser does not support iframes.



Digital wallet use for in-person transactions rose from 4 per cent in 2019 to 10 per cent in 2022.

According to the survey, Londoners are the most likely to leave their wallet behind, with 55 per cent admitting to doing this, despite mobile phone theft being on the rise.

Police data shows that the equivalent of one phone is stolen every 4 minutes in London, with 121,888 phones stolen in a single year between November 2022 and November 2023 - a 21 per cent increase from the previous year.

Louise Bastock, financial wellness expert at finder.com, warned: 'Digital wallets are a popular and convenient way to pay in 2024 - you just tap and go without needing to rummage around for your payment card.

'However, it may not be a good idea to ditch the plastic entirely when youre out and about.

'Phone theft is on the rise, especially in the capital, and leaving the house without a backup payment method could leave Brits stranded or in a dangerous position.

'Its not a risk worth taking - particularly if your digital wallet is your only way to get home on public transport, for example.'

Phone theft is also on the rise in other parts of the UK, according to FOI data acquired from local police, including Manchester, which has seen a 16 per cent increase.

As of March 2023, Apple Pay has proved to be the most popular mobile payment service in the UK, with nearly 70 per cent of those using phones for in-person payments opting for this digital wallet.

Your browser does not support iframes.

As many as 23,000 free cash machines are expected to close by the end of the decade as Britons go cashless

Meanwhile, PayPal was used by only 31 per cent of mobile payment users, and Google Pay lagged behind with only 27 per cent opting to use it.

People are more likely to use Apple Pay for in-person transactions than online transactions, with figures for the first three months of 2023 showing that it made up 69 per cent of in-person mobile payment users but only 35 per cent of online transaction users.

Campaigners have been warning that Britain is 'sleepwalking' into a cashless society, with the elderly, disabled and those in rural areas among the worst hit.

The government confirmed in August last year that high street banks will have to make sure customers have access to a cash point within three miles of their local communities, in a bid to protect vulnerable groups.

IT meltdowns affecting Sainsbury's and Tesco in March highlighted the dangers of going cashless, as the 'technical issue' saw the supermarket chains lose millions of pounds.

Vulnerable groups have also been left battling with cash-free parking apps as many councils are 'phasing out' pay-and-display meters in favour of cashless alternatives.
An actor who claimed Kevin Spacey shoved his groin in his face while he sold ice cream during a Cinderella pantomime has said his 'heart sank' when he saw the star at the BAFTAs a decade later.

Danny De Lillo was one of 10 men to speak out in the Channel 4's bombshell documentary Spacey Unmasked, accusing Spacey of inappropriate sexual behaviour in a fresh wave of allegations.

The two time Oscar winner, who starred in American Beauty and more recently House of Cards, vehemently denied illegal conduct or abusing his position but admitted making 'clumsy passes' at people who were not interested in.

De Lillo, who waved his right to anonymity, came forward in the documentary claiming that the alleged sexual assault had occurred when he was working at the Old Vic in the mid 2000s.

He alleges that Spacey wedged his body into a tiny gap in the stalls before 'pushing his groin into his face'.

An actor who claimed Kevin Spacey shoved his groin in his face while he sold ice cream during a Cinderella pantomime has said his 'heart sank' when he saw the star at the BAFTAs in 2017 (pictured)

Danny De Lillo (pictured) was one of 10 men to speak out in the Channel 4 's bombshell documentary Spacey Unmasked, accusing Spacey of inappropriate sexual behaviour in a fresh wave of allegations

Pictured: Spacey outside Southwark Crown Court in July 2023 after being found not guilty of sexually assaulting three men

'This was someone I had tremendous respect for and he was pushing his groin in my face while I was working, whilst a pantomime was going on with family and children.

'I could smell him. I could feel him getting pleasure from it. I froze just in a way that I couldn't move and I just felt so small,' the alleged victim tearfully recalled.

De Lillo said there were also other occasions when the star who had moved to London to work in the renowned theatre, touched him inappropriately.

Fresh allegations made in Channel 4 documentary Spacey Unmasked A slew of allegations were made against the fallen Hollywood star tonight. The documentary alleges that Spacey: Groped a 21-year-old man in highly intimate and invasive way before whispering: 'Don't worry about it'; Pleasured himself in front of an aspiring actor, who was a former US Marine, while watching the traumatic opening sequence of Saving Private Ryan; Pushed his groin into the face of an employee at the Old Vic theatre in London during a performance of the pantomime Cinderella; Exposed himself to an intern in the bathroom of a bar and put his hand on the penis of a fellow actor on the set of hit TV series House Of Cards. Spacey has denied the new allegations slamming them as 'ridiculous' and 'completely offensive'. Advertisement

A decade later in 2017, Spacey and De Lillo were in the same auditorium once again, as the Hollywood actor took to the stage - just a day before Anthony Rapp became the first man to make allegations against the movie star.

'I was invited to the Bafta awards [2017] and all of the sudden Kevin Spacey came on stage. It was ten years later and my heart just sank to the floor - you wrecked part of my life and there was this whole room adoring you,' De Lillo said.

'Ten years had gone past, I thought what more has he done and that whole weekend was a blur because the Friday was the event, Saturday I told my mum, and the Sunday the news broke.'

A jury in a US civil case later dismissed the claims that were made by Rapp. But more men came forward with allegations.

In July last year Spacey faced trial at Southwark Crown Court over nine sexual offences charges in a case involving four men. He vehemently denied their claims and the jury acquitted him of all charges.

Spacey said he was 'humbled' after being cleared of sexual assault in a high-profile trial that saw Sir Elton John give evidence in his defence.

'Hearing the verdict was truly devastating but it doesn't mean we all have to be silent. I can't give up on myself and my truth and others don't have to either,' De Lillo added.

Throughout the second episode of the documentary, more shocking allegations were made by former actor Ruari Cannon, who also waived his right to anonymity.

Cannon, who was 21 when he landed a role in the play starring Sex And The City's Kim Cattrall, said he was 'pulled in close' by Spacey who then 'put his left hand down by my bum and he stuck his middle finger as far up me as possible... just tried to go up through my boxers, up inside me.'

He 'totally froze', while Spacey, 'pulled me in closer' and 'in my ear, he whispered, 'don't worry about it'. Afterwards, Cannon recalls, Spacey disappeared 'just like a shark, just moved straight through and into Kevin Spacey mode at a press night'.

Former actor Ruari Cannone claims Spacey groped him in June 2013 at an after-show party of Old Vics production of Sweet Bird Of Youth

Actor Kevin Spacey leaving the Old Bailey Central Criminal Court, London, in 2022

Last year the American Beauty and House of Cards actor, 64, was found not guilty of nine sexual offences made against him by four men who were in their 20s and 30s between 2004 and 2013. He sobbed in court as the verdict was read

The alleged incident had a miserable effect on Cannon's life who said he went on to struggle with addiction and problems with his relationships. His career also suffered.

'I stopped putting in work for auditions and started staying in the bed all day because you made to feel what's the point,' he said.

'There is a naiveite there that you were on a mission to be the best actor in the world but as soon as you feel that small, you are almost muted, your voice gets smaller.'

Spacey has repeatedly denied all allegations made in the documentary, blasting the new claims as 'ridiculous' and 'completely offensive'.

Tonight's shocking episode followed an equally dramatic segment where Spacey's former actor friend accused him of pleasuring himself while watching the bloody Normandy landing scene in Saving Private Ryan.

The aspiring actor - referred to only by his first name Scott - claimed the unnerving incident happen in 1998 at a cinema where the Oscar award winning film was playing.

'And we're watching the movie, first 20 minutes of the invasion of Normandy, it's shockingly horrific,' Scott recalled. 'There's a guy picking up his arm, and people are on fire, and people are just dying in really the most horrible ways you can die.

'All of a sudden, I just saw some activity happening next to me and I kind of glance over and Kevin's just pleasuring himself. You know, some of the most horrific war footage ever recreated, and like, there's no way that this is happening.

'This guy is rubbing one out during the invasion of Normandy?'

Ahead of the documentary, Spacey hit out at the 'Saving Private Ryan guy' on social media questioning why Scott had allegedly reached out to him again 2011 asking for work if he was 'so turned off' by what he claimed the actor did.

Spacey won an Academy Awards for best supporting actor in 1995 for his role as Roger 'Verbal' Kint in The Usual Suspects.

In the documentary Spacey is accused of groping a 21-year-old man in highly intimate and invasive way before whispering: Dont worry about it

Throughout Spacey Unmasked, which aired tonight, an aspiring actor - referred to only by his first name Scott - claimed the unnerving incident happen in 1998 at a cinema where the Oscar award winning film was playing

Spacey hit out at the 'Saving Private Ryan guy' on social media questioning why Scott had allegedly reached out to him again 2011 asking for work if he was 'so turned off' by what he claimed the actor did

The actor said: 'Well, this is interesting... "Contributor #3" (Saving Private Ryan guy) said we met at the Viper Room in 1998.

'If this guy was so turned off by everything he claims I did, why is he still chasing me 13 years later? (See email from 2011)

'Does this mean everything he said is untrue? Of course not. But its important that ALL the facts be presented.'

Days before the Channel 4 show was set to air, Spacey spoke out publicly arguing that he was 'provided with insufficient time and detail to respond to the testimonies in the film'.

'I have consistently denied - and now successfully defended - numerous allegations made both in the US and the UK, both criminal and civil, and each time have been able to source evidence undermining the allegations and have been believed by a jury of my peers.'

Last year Spacey was found not guilty of nine sexual offences made against him by four men who were in their 20s and 30s between 2004 and 2013.

The famous actor, who sobbed at the dock as his verdict was delivered, went on to add in light of the fresh allegations that he 'never told someone that if they give me sexual favours, then I will help them out with their career, ever'.

Continuing his fight-back against the slew of allegations, he also took part in a 95 minute interview with former GB News presenter Dan Wotton, where he declared he will 'no longer be speechless' in the face of allegations.

Spacey speaks to Dan Wootton and rebuts the claims against him in an interview posted online last week

A TV documentary exposing fresh allegations against Kevin Spacey will aired tonight despite an astonishing backlash from the embattled actor

It will air on Channel 4 tonight despite the two-time Oscar winner breaking his silence to publically issue a series of vehement denials of the latest wave of accusations

Despite Spacey's rebuttal to have more time for a response, the Channel 4 programme went ahead.

'We're going ahead,' Dorothy Byrne, one of the producers of the programme, said as she revealed she hopes it will prompt a #MeToo movement for men.

'I've made a lot of programmes over decades about women suffering inappropriate behaviour, so this has been a very interesting project to work on.

'I do feel that it's a #MeToo moment for men. Lots of things that were done to women 50 years ago are still being done to men, many of whom feel that they have to put up with it,' she told the Observer.

Taking further attack on the broadcaster on X he added: 'I will not sit back and be attacked by a dying network's one-sided "documentary" about me in their desperate attempt for ratings.'

Spacey was acquitted of the nine sexual offences in relation to four men at Southwark Crown Court last year.

The dismissal came after he won a US civil lawsuit in 2022 after being accused of an unwanted sexual advance in 1986.
Sex-obsessed prison reform boss Sheree Spencer who was jailed for a brutal campaign of abuse and assaults against her husband Richard was juggling two secret lovers behind his back, MailOnline has learned.

During her 20-year reign of terror sadistic Spencer, 46, was captured on nanny cam footage attacking cowering IT Worker Richard, 47, with wine bottles, carving knives and kitchen forks.

Police received 36 shocking video clips, nine phone audio recordings and 43 pictures of injuries as evidence before she was sentenced to four years at Hull Crown Court in March 2023.

A source close to Spencer has told MailOnline that, unbeknown to her husband Richard - father to their three daughters - she was having an affair with her best friend Caroline Grant's partner baker Adrian Taylor, 52, and a second married lover in Dublin called Paul.

Spencer also told her lovers who were unaware of each other that she intends to revert back to her maiden name McCann on her release and go brunette so she won't be recognised.

Sheree Spencer who was jailed for a brutal campaign of abuse and assault against her husband Richard was juggling two secret lovers behind his back

Richard and Sheree pictured together in Brazil in 2003, two decades before she was jailed for four years after police received a dossier of shocking video and pictures

A source close to Spencer has told MailOnline that, unbeknown to her husband Richard, she was having an affair with her best friend Caroline Grant's partner baker Adrian Taylor (pictured), 52, and a second married lover in Dublin called Paul

A hidden nanny cam gave a vital way out for battered husband Mr Spencer after he endured years of physical and verbal abuse from his wife

Footage showed furious wine-fuelled tirades, in which Sheree would call her husband 'fat boy,' 'a pussy' and 'dumb dumb' and inflict bruises and scratches

Damning clips of Sheree's attacks on husband Richard at their seven-bedroom home in Bubwith, East Yorkshire, were captured on cameras the couple installed to monitor their children

Sheree's reign of domestic terror finally ended in June 2021 when the police were called to their family home by a concerned welfare worker

Prior to her arrest Sheree and her secret second lover met up in hotels in London and York, close to her marital home - and she bragged to friends he was her 'friend with benefits'. He was so infatuated with Spencer he offered to leave his wife for her - and give her 10,000 towards her legal bills, the source said.

Friends of Richard, who, according to the judge had been the victim of the 'worse case of controlling and coercive behaviour' she had ever seen, say he was alerted to the affairs by a former friend of Spencer following her sentencing.

The friend, who declined to be named for fearing reprisals from her on her release, sent Richard a detailed letter outlining the affairs.

The friend said: 'Sheree might be behind bars but she's not a person to get on the wrong side of. It was an open secret amongst her circle that she was seeing Adrian and Paul at the same time.

'After everything she put Richard through he deserved to know the truth. Caroline was furious with Sheree for stealing her partner after she opened up her home near York to Sheree when her marriage to Richard was crumbling

'Adrian is infatuated with her and has been visiting her at Askham Grange an open women's prison in North Yorkshire. He's told her he plans to find them a home to move in together when she is released.

'She doesn't really love him and just uses him for money and sex the same as Paul.

Spencer's best friend Caroline Grant (pictured) previously told MailOnline that she was the only person who stood by her when her marriage broke down and she thanked her by stealing her partner

Richard, pictured outside court, secretly recorded video and audio of his wife's attacks on him for years. When police became involved he handed over 43 images of his bruises

Spencer told her lovers who were unaware of each other that she intends to revert back to her maiden name McCann on her release and go brunette so she won't be recognised

'Paul has told Sheree his wife isn't in the same league as her.

'Sheree uses sex to keep them wrapped around her little finger. All she wants is a sugar daddy to spoil her when she gets out.

'She's vowed to change her name back to her maiden name McCann or a complete change all together so people won't recognise her in the street.'

The video evidence used to convict Spencer was shown on Channel 5's shocking documentary My Wife, My Abuser: The Secret Footage.

She had claimed Richard was the abuser threatening to go to the police.

Mr Spencer handed police photographs he took of himself, showing cuts and bruises to his face and body

Sheree, 46, was jailed for four years for making her husband Richard's life a living hell with daily beatings and verbal attacks that left him cowering on the floor in the foetal position

Explosive clips from police interviews show Sheree casually lying about her husband being the abuser, only for her face to turn ashen when confronted with the clips

Spencer was only jailed when a shocked friend of Richard's saw some of the nanny cam footage and sent it to the police.

Richard told the programme: 'I felt so trapped for lots of reasons. If it had not been for my friend, I'm not sure what would have happened.'

The pair met in a nightclub in 2000 before marrying nine years later in the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand.

They bought the nanny cam shortly after Spencer, a senior project manager for the HM Prison and Probation Service, gave birth to their eldest daughter in 2015.

The attacks began a few months into their relationship.

Richard recalled on the C5 show: 'It started with pushing, shoving and slapping, but she would say all couples have arguments.

'The way I'd deal with the physical abuse would be to curl into the foetal position and put my hands in front of my face.

'If I tried to restrain her, she'd get angry and what came next would be ten times worse.'

He also suffered financial abuse leading him racking up 45,000 in debts as his wife would not contribute to paying bills as an act of punishment.

When contacted about his former wife's affairs Richard declined to comment.
President Joe Biden's campaign is sending Vice President Kamala Harris to help rebuild their approval with black voters in key swing states, as polls show that fewer African-American men are interested in backing them for reelection.

Billed as a 'Nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour,' Harris is focusing intently on urban communities to have more conversations with black business leaders about everything the administration has done for them.

I decided I wanted to get out, and get out of DC and get into the neighborhood, into the community, Harris said in an interview with activist Al Sharpton to preview her effort.

US Vice President Kamala Harris greets supporters after speaking to begin a nationwide 'Economic Opportunity Tour'

US Vice President Kamala Harris (R) talks with Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves (2nd L) and Mobility Capital Finance CEO Wole Coaxum

During the interview, she singled out black men as an audience she was interested in talking to directly.

Ive got some wonderful young brothers in particular who are very successful in business and Ill be talking with them about their story and what our policies can do to support people like them, she said.

The Biden-Harris campaign is well aware of a difficulty in retaining support from black men. A group of prominent black men Democrats were invited to the White House in December to discuss the problem with Biden aides.

An April Wall Street Journal poll of seven swing states recent showed that as many as 30 percent of black men were considering voting for Trump instead of Biden, sounding additional alarm bells for the campaign.

Harris is uniquely interested in courting black men in business, politics, and culture, as CNN reported she is hosting what she describes as 'extraordinary gentlemen' dinners behind the scenes.

But she denied that the campaign had a specific demographic problem during an interview with CNN.

'I dont agree with it. And its not been my experience. Its literally not been my experience,' Harris said when asked if she was concerned about the campaign connecting with black men.

US Vice President Kamala Harris (L) greets attendees after speaking during the second stop of her nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour

Vice President Kamala Harris, left, takes a selfie photo with a supporter

If you think about the issues that are important, Ill just tell you based on my own experiences politically and personally, I dont agree with the premise,' she added.

But as the election draws closer, Harris is paying closer attention to black media figures and black audiences.

In Atlanta last week, Harris appeared to talk about small businesses with podcasting duo Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, who focus on financial literacy.

'I interchange the word entrepreneur and small business,' she laughed. 'I think, basically, depending on the generation, someone considers themselves an entrepreneur  in terms of younger small businesses, but its all entrepreneurship, right?'

As backlash to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness programs emerged in this election cycle, Harris promised to fight for the concept during her conversation.

'In spite of those who in certain parts of our country want to attack DEI, we understand that you cant truly invest in the strength of our nation if you dont pay attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion,' Harris said.

In Detroit, Harris pulled out all the stops as she welcomed business leaders like Mobility Capital Finance CEO Wole Coaxum, President and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), and Ron Busby Sr. for her event on economic opportunity.

US Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during the second stop of her nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour i

The Cass Technology High School marching band performs before US Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks

Harris invited the Cass Technology High School marching band to perform prior to her event before she paraded government officials on stage to promote their agenda for black communities.

Acting Secretary Julie Su, Small Business Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed, U.S. Secretary of Energy Granholm, and Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves appeared at the event to champion the Biden administration's efforts.

Harris traveled to Detroit with a full court press of influential black media figures, some who got a seat on Air Force 2 for the trip.

Nehemiah D. Frank the Founder & Editor-in-Chief of The Black Wall Street Times and Roland Martin joined her on the flight.

Me flying with the GOAT of Black Media, @rolandsmartin on Air Force Two in press pool for Vice President Kamala Harriss #EconomicOpportunityTour  in Motor City  Detroit, Michigan



Momma, we made it.  pic.twitter.com/Eok2qiXVAE  Nehemiah D. Frank (@nehemiahdfrank) May 7, 2024

After making headlines for grinning and shouting 'shrimp and grits' at reporters shouting questions about Gaza as she left a restaurant, Harris brought the group of journalists together for a mini-briefing.

She revealed she listened in on a call with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that morning.

'We are closely tracking what is happening on the ground and my team is keeping me updated, and I have nothing further at this time, but I'll keep you all posted if I have anything,' she said soberly.

Israeli forces launched a military operation in Rafah, Gaza, following Hamas accepting a cease-fire proposal. Netanyahu's office deemed the proposal insufficient but agreed to pursue negotiations. Heres Vice President Kamala Harris's recent response: pic.twitter.com/xg9P41cWTP  Nehemiah D. Frank (@nehemiahdfrank) May 6, 2024

When reporters got back on the plane, they found a special surprise from the vice president: Dinner from the same restaurant they visited earlier in the day.

'Thank you for the soul food,' wrote Frank, 'The food was so delicious; I couldn't get enough of it.'

When the press pool arrived back on Air Force Two, we came to the surprise of Joe Lewis Southern Kitchen dinners sitting on our seats. Thank you for the soul food, @VP! The food was so delicious; I couldn't get enough of it.  pic.twitter.com/UrOSsPLarn  Nehemiah D. Frank (@nehemiahdfrank) May 7, 2024

Harris is not unfamiliar with the strategy. In 2019, when she was first running for president, Harris utilized the power of black media figures to earn respect from their audiences.

Harris brought Breakfast Club show host Charlemagne tha God on the campaign trail in South Carolina in 2019 to talk about the importance of mental health when she was running for president.

Charlemagne tha God interviews Vice President Kamala Harris

But Charlemagne is in the vice president's rearview mirror after a 2021 interview where Harris and her press secretary tried to cut short an interview when it got heated.

Charlemagne feels the same way.

'Ive learned my lesson from doing that,' he told Politico in January, expressing regret for supporting Harris and Biden. 'Once they got in the White House, she  kind of disappeared.'
Speaker Mike Johnson insisted legislation to make voters prove their citizenship could be one of the 'most important' bills to go through Congress in a lifetime.

The SAVE Act aims to force election officials to verify citizenship in elections. It's not yet clear when it will come up for a vote.

Johnson, speaking alongside Trump world heavyweights Stephen Miller and Hogan Gidley and Rep. Chip Roy, did not give a full accounting of how many non-citizens have voted in elections, but warned the number could be 'dangerously high.'

'We all know, intuitively, that a lot of illegals are voting in federal elections. But it's not been something that is easily provable. We don't have that number. This legislation will allow us to do exactly that.'

Non-citizens who vote in federal and state elections are already breaking the law and putting themselves at risk of jail or deportation. A small handful of municipalities in California, Maryland and Vermont allow illegal immigrants to vote in local elections.

But federal law currently prohibits requiring documentary proof of citizenship in federal elections. Arizona requires it for state elections.

Speaker Mike Johnson, flanked by Rep. Chip Roy, insisted legislation to make voters prove their citizenship could be one of the 'most important' bills to go through Congress in a lifetime

'We now have so many non citizens in the country that if only one out of a hundred of those voted, they would cast hundreds of thousands of votes,' Johnson told reporters. 'This is a dangerously high number'

'If a nefarious actor wants to intervene in our elections, all they have to do is check a box on a form and sign their name. That's it. That's all that's required,' Johnson said.

Miller, the architect of Trump's immigration policy, called the bill the 'most important vote that most members of Congress take in their entire careers.'

'If this bill does not become law then Joe Biden and Democrats will have engineered, one of the greatest interferences in any democratic nation in the history of the world.'

The bill would aim to close any loopholes that allow people to register to vote without proof of US citizenship or photo ID, require all 50 states to remove any unlawful immigrants from their voter rolls, add penalties of up to five years in prison for election officials who register non-citizens to vote and require proof of citizenship for those who vote overseas.

Miller, the architect of Trump's immigration policy, called the bill the 'most important vote that most members of Congress take in their entire careers'

There's little evidence that non-citizen voting is impacting election outcomes, and unlawful immigrants often steer clear of giving out personal information for fear or being caught by immigration authorities.

It is possible to vote illegally as an undocumented immigrant, though.

Most voting ballots require some kind of proof of identity to register to vote, such as a driver's license. Not all of those proofs of ID require citizenship - the bill would specifically require ID requirements like passports or birth certificates.

A sampling from 2002 to 2022 of over 1 billion ballots found fewer than 100 cases of voter fraud.

Still, the bill is likely being pushed heavily by former President Donald Trump. Johnson and Trump gave a joint news conference on the issue last month.




Reform UK's newly elected councillors are being probed over their praise of far-right thug Tommy Robinson and for promoting claims there are 'far too many Muslims'.

Sharon Collings and Victoria Rhodes were both elected to Havant Borough Council last week - the only two council seats Reform won in local elections across England.

But they are both now being investigated by party officials amid claims the pair's social media activity shows they are 'not fit for public life'.

In a dossier of their historical posts, seen by MailOnline, Ms Collings was revealed to have called for 'respect' to be shown to Robinson - the former leader of the English Defence League.

She hailed him as 'an incredibly brave man' while, in another Twitter post, she told the convicted criminal to 'keep up the good work'.

In her own social media activity, Ms Rhodes liked a post describing Robinson as 'a very switched on and concerned citizen', and another stating there 'are far far too many Muslims in this country'.

Last month, Ms Rhodes wrote on Twitter that she doesn't visit London anymore because 'it's become a third world cesspit'.

Reform UK candidate Sharon Collings was elected to Havant Borough Council at last week's local elections

Ms Collings and Victoria Rhodes were the only Reform UK candidates to win council seats in last week's local elections across England

Reform has already been forced to sack or suspend a host of election candidates after their offensive social media posts were exposed.

Ms Collings' Twitter account is now deleted but an archive of her posts has been kept in a five-page dossier and can be found in cached internet pages.

This revealed how she attacked prominent female Labour politicians by using the derogatory term 'bint', boasted about calling a mixed race child 'chalky', and repeatedly shared posts by Robinson.

Ms Rhodes only has a few followers on Twitter but is a regular commenter on the platform and promoter of other users' posts.

Last month, she liked a post suggesting a group of black and Asian public figures should be deported to Rwanda, and another by a Britain First figure claiming that London was 'unrecognisable' and 'ruled by foreigners'.

She has also been a regular critic of the Archbishop of Canterbury, branding him 'Satan reincarnated' and accusing him of 'demonic ramblings'.

When London's King's Cross station shared a Ramadan message on a departure board in March, Ms Rhodes branded the Islamic hadith as 'mumbo jumbo'.

Ms Rhodes liked a post describing Tommy Robinson as 'a very switched on and concerned citizen'

The Reform councillor also liked another post stating there 'are far far too many Muslims in this country'

Last month, Ms Rhodes wrote on Twitter that she doesn't visit London anymore because 'it's become a third world cesspit'

Ms Collings' Twitter account is now deleted but an archive of her posts has been kept in a five-page dossier and can be found in cached internet pages

Ms Collings called for 'respect' to be shown to Robinson - the former leader of the English Defence League

The Conservatives lost control of Havant Borough Council last week as they shed 17 councillors.

The Tories retained only 13 seats on the south coast council, with Labour picking up 10 seats, the Liberal Democrats seven, Green Party four, and Reform two.

Ms Rhodes was elected in the Leigh Park Hermitage ward, while Ms Collings was elected in Leigh Park Central & West Leigh.

A Tory source told MailOnline: 'If this is the quality of individual Reform wants elected then they clearly are not a serious political party.

'Not only are their candidates not fit for public life, but any vote for Reform is a vote for Labour's Sir Keir Starmer.'

A Reform spokesman revealed an investigation into Ms Rhodes and Ms Collings had been launched after MailOnline approached the party about the pair's social media posts.

He said: 'We've launched an investigation into both. There's one tweet that is particularly egregious that we need to go into.

'We feel that we have been very serious when it comes to people saying things on social media and acted quickly and acted decisively. But natural justice does require that we talk to them.'

The spokesman suggested they needed to speak to the councillors as it was 'very hard to know the context' of the social media posts.

'One doesn't know if somebody was being wound up a treat and responded foolishly, yes, but responded in a fit of anger against somebody specific,' he added.
A remote beachside town has become so desperate for a GP that it is offering the right candidate up to $450,000 a year, free rent and a car.

Livingston Medical is advertising for a doctor to settle in Bremer Bay, 500km south-east of Perth, to work at two of its clinics.

As well as the remuneration package, the GP would keep a generous 70 per cent of the billings from practices in Bremer Bay and nearby Jerramungup.

At the moment, each of the clinics have access to just one temporary doctor with the nearest permanent GP stationed almost 200km away in Albany.

Livingston Medical chief executive Rachel Livingston said the practice is looking for 'the Swiss army knife of doctors'.

A clinic at Bremer Bay (pictured), a small coastal town in Western Australia, is offering a new doctor up to $450,000 on top of free accommodation and a four-wheel drive

Bremer Bay (marked on the map, right) residents currently travel 200km to see a GP in Albany

'Being the only doctor in the town has its challenges so we need someone of a high calibre,' she told Perth Now on Tuesday.

'You need someone who can do general practice and can operate in an emergency, as well as things such as mental health, obstetrics and anaesthetics.'

The position is worth between $300,000 to $450,000 a year and the GP will be given a range of unusual perks - including free accommodation at a five-bedroom house and a 4WD.

Ms Livingston added the job is also rewarding as 'you can see that you're making a true difference'.

'You become heavily ingrained in the community and you end up caring passionately about the people, who sort of become your family,' she said.

Medical access in rural Australia has deteriorated, with the Royal Flying Doctor Service finding those who live in very remote areas are more than twice as likely to die from preventable causes.

A map released by the life-saving service in March showed a severe lack of GP, nursing, mental and dental health clinics outside of the country's metropolitan areas.

Between 2020 and 2021, $6.55billion more was spent on healthcare in the city compared to services in the bush - averaging $848.02 per person.

The lack of healthcare contributes to many premature deaths, with residents of Australia's most remote areas likely to die 14.3 years earlier than those living in the city.

Remote areas also have significant Indigeous populations, and many of the health issues are related to lifestyle problems.

Diabetes was the second leading cause of death in very remote Australian communities, while it is only the seventh in major metropolitan areas.

The Flying Doctor's 2023 Best for the Bush report found three in 10 Australians living outside of major cities are unable to access healthcare due to a lack of physical clinics, affordability and appropriateness.

Between 2022 and 2023, the Flying Doctor flew to help 36,937 Australians, which is roughly four per hour.

A shocking map (pictured) showed a severe lack of GP, nursing, mental and dental health clinics outside of the country's metropolitan and regional areas

The Royal Flying Doctor Service found 32,359 Australians in 2023 do not have adequate access to a GP

The successful Bremer Bay applicant will become the shire's only general practitioner - actively lowering the number of Australians unable to access a GP from 32,359.

To be eligible for the position, an applicant must have a current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, relevant experience or willingness to train and develop as a Rural Generalist and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality patient care.
The UK airport chaos continued into a second day last night with more queues as border staff had to process people manually after the passport IT system collapsed nationwide.

Thousands of fed-up passengers were left stranded in Britain's airports after e-gates in arrivals halls failed to open.

Disastrous scenes saw disgruntled travellers crowded into small corridors as they waited to have their ID records checked, while flustered members of staff frantically handed out water.

Meanwhile planes due to take off and fly into the UK were grounded amid the chaos. Passengers in Girona were told their Ryanair jet was being held in Spain due to the gates disaster at its intended destination airport Stansted.

The 'major, major incident' appears to have been caused by the Border Force's security database called 'Border Crossing' which was introduced three years ago, costing the taxpayer 372million.

Just after 2.10am this morning Home Office said it had finally fixed the system and had no evidence its outage had been caused by a cyber attack. But the queues were still enormous and will take time to clear.

If Border Crossing is shut down, e-gates cannot function, so Border Force staff had to check passports manually against back-up databases, checking travellers' names against terrorism records, the Police National Computer and immigration records.

'Clearly this is a major, major incident because you don't expect this system to go down for any length of time across the board,' a source said before the problem was fixed.

Were you caught up in the queues? E-mail: John.James@mailonline.co.uk

The walkway leading to passport control at Gatwick airport was full of people queuing for the Border Force

Chaos at Heathrow Airport as thousands of passengers were waiting in massive queues after an IT glitch took down the gates last night

Long queues at Gatwick Airport last night as thousands of passengers were waiting for their passports to be checked

The e-gates at Edinburgh airport were closed after an IT glitch caused a nationwide outage

Queues at Heathrow Airport were slowly moving after an announcement said the e-gates were back up and running

Broken automatic passport scanning gates at Border Control at Gatwick Airport in West Sussex last night

Queues built up at Border Control at Gatwick Airport in West Sussex last night

'The involvement of major airports in different parts of the country, from Gatwick to Manchester, suggests this is a nationwide system crash.

'If both Border Crossing and the back-up system are affected it would mean issuing laptops to officers on the PCP [primary control point], which will slow things down even further.'

The unprecedented situation engulfed airports across the country, with photos shared on social media showing enormous lines of passengers in front of the gates at airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Edinburgh and Manchester.

While some of the e-gates appeared to be coming back online overnight - for example at Heathrow - other passengers were bracing for queues lasting hours.

Footage shared on social media shows the moment the e-gates reopened at Heathrow, with passengers smiling and clapping as the first people enter the automated passport control cubicles.

The system outage also impacted flights due to land in the UK last night.

Jenny Coxall was due to fly to Stansted on a Ryanair flight from the Spanish city of Girona, but she said her flight was 'being held [there] because of the Border Force gates outage'.

'It looks like we are in for a very long night,' Jenny told MailOnline last night around 11pm. 'We've been sat on the plane for 80 minutes. We are hopefully taking off soon but I'm not looking forward to the other end.'

She said she had already been notified about the Border Force delays in the Ryanair app, with the airline telling passengers they would likely have to 'remain onboard the aircraft for a short period of time until the passport control area is less crowded' once they land in the UK.

Passengers were also prevented from disembarking dozens of aircraft after landing at Heathrow last night, it is understood.

They were unable to leave the planes because of the crisis unfolding in the terminals, where thousands of passengers were queueing in corridors and in the arrivals halls.

The crash appeared to have been caused by a failure in the official government wi-fi network which provides secure real-time updates to the security systems, insiders said.

The Border Crossing security database has also collapsed, it was confirmed. 'The secure wi-fi has gone down which means the systems can't update,' the source said.

'They rely on wi-fi for notifications of someone who is known to be travelling to Britain who needs to be stopped, for whatever reason. Without those updates the egates can't keep up to date with real-time security issues.'

Handout photo issued by Paul Curievici of Gatwick Airport yesterday evening at passport control

Felix Ostman, 30, who has just arrived at Heathrow Airport on a flight from Oslo around 9pm, told MailOnline: 'I've just got here and it's totally chaos, with waiting times over an hour' (pictured: queues at Heathrow)

Kylee Charles, who was among those stuck in queues at Gatwick, told MailOnline: 'We were caught up in the chaos. We've only just got out of Gatwick after waiting in huge queues of disgruntled travellers' (pictured: queues at Gatwick)

Queues built up at Border Control at gatwick Airport in West Sussex last night

Pictures shared on social media also show massive lines at Luton Airport last night

Heathrow's Terminal 5 saw long queues of passengers last night who were waiting to have their passports checked

Social media users have shared pictures of the queues, above at Heathrow Airport

Harriet Terry, who is stuck in the queue at Heathrow, told MailOnline around 8pm last night that she had been waiting in line for more than an hour and that airport staff had started handing out water.

She said that people were told that the airport was working on a contingency to check passenger's documents.

Fraser, an IT worker from Colchester, was caught up in the chaos as he returned to Stansted following a trip to Barcelona.

He told MailOnline last night: 'There was no hint of any issues when we landed, getting off the plane or arriving to where border force was. But then there was a massive scrum of people and we could see the e-gates were not working.

'They then announced that due to a computer issue the e-gates were not working so they had to adopt manual desks.

'The problem is there are hundreds of people here winding back and forward in the lanes waiting to get someone to check their passports.

'There are obviously still planes landing coming through making their way to the same pinchpoint.

'People are being typically British and taking it on the chin. There has been a few shouts and comments when they made announcements over the tannoys. It's not a great welcome back to the UK for Brits or people coming to our country.

'I have Italian tourists and German people behind me and I wonder what they think as they arrive into the UK.

'They seem that they are relieving the pressure a bit and moving a lot more than it was. It's obviously affecting all the other airports.'

Kylee Charles, who was among those stuck in queues at Gatwick, told MailOnline: 'We were caught up in the chaos. We've only just got out of Gatwick after waiting in huge queues of disgruntled travellers.

'The Gatwick team took a while to get their back-up plan up and running, which consisted of a series laptops and what appeared to be additional staff; who were all calm and collected.'

Another passenger, Jenny, had been flying from Copenhagen to Edinburgh Airport with RyanAir when the e-gates suddenly closed.

'We were corralled in passport control and the e-gate passport machines were rejecting everyone telling them to seek assistance,' Jenny told MailOnline.

'The machines were then turned off and the person who was managing the queue was apologetic, saying they were understaffed and he didn't know what was going on. It appeared to be a problem to manually process people.

'Finally, and this was quite a while later, they decided to manually process people, but all in all it was a shambolic welcome to Scotland. Really embarrassing and a very poor impression of Edinburgh Airport.'

Felix Ostman, 30, who has just arrived at Heathrow Airport on a flight from Oslo around 9pm last night, told MailOnline: 'I've just got here and it's totally chaos, with waiting times over an hour.

'The e-gates are now working and UK/EU/US/Australia citizens are asked to use them, however the line is massive. Other nationalities are handled manually by the Border Force.'

After more than an hour, Felix said he only moved about 30 metres - despite announcements that the e-gates were up and running again.

People at Edinburgh Airport were checking their phones for updates as they waited to be processed

People can be seen taking pictures and videos of the crowds at Heathrow Airport last night

Thousands of people were neatly waiting in line at Heathrow airport, among them Felix Ostman, who expected to be stuck in the queue for 'a few hours'

Tired passengers were waiting in the hour-long queues at airports across the UK

MailOnline reporter Rebecca Lawrence was among those stuck in the Gatwick queues. She took the above picture to show the hundreds of passengers waiting alongside her

The e-gates at Gatwick airport were cordoned off as passengers waited for their passports to be checked

Ms Lawrence said about her experience at Gatwick Airport: 'Families tried to get to the front but staff said there were no special queues for children. People started shouting to let out people with tiny babies at the back'

'There are just so many people here,' he told MailOnline. 'I'm quite young - I think it is quite a bit worse for others, like people with young children in the queue that will have to be here for hours. I just want to get home, too.'

Due to the massive queues ahead of him, Felix expected to be stuck at Heathrow 'a few more hours'.

Another passenger, Ella Blake, who arrived at Liverpool Airport last night, said: 'The systems went down as our flight's passengers were going through security.'

She added that 'staff were as quick as they could' as they moved arrivals through.

Gemma O'Kelly, 40, had been travelling from Faro in Portugal to Stansted with her five children when she got caught up in the delays.

The event planner told MailOnline last night: 'The airport suddenly said systems were down and that they would check people through manually, however, they had no power at all.

'We waited 90 minutes but the queues will have people waiting for hours. They said it was a counter-terrorism procedure and that all systems in the UK had gone down, every port and airport in the UK had lost power to their systems. ... They didn't mention an incident just that their computers had lost power.'

The mother-of-five, who was travelling with her partner and children who are between the ages of one and 15, said there were a 'load of babies crying' as more and more people joined the queues for the manual gates.

'It was just frustrating as we were told 10 minutes then nothing for 30 minutes,' Ms O'Kelly said.

'They kept saying they would be manually checking people through but nothing was happening for around 1 hour and 20. The others will be there much longer.'

MailOnline reporter Rebecca Lawrence was among those stuck in the Gatwick queues.

She said around 11pm last night: 'I've only been in the queue for about ten minutes thus far and honestly, it doesn't look as bad as Heathrow, so I'm feeling lucky about that! But it is roasting and everyone is irritated.'

'We have been given no updates or explanation from any staff. They are just shouting at us to move to the right so the mobility cars can get through,' she added.

When announcements finally came via the tannoy, the airport thanked passengers for their patience.

Ms Lawrence said about the experience: 'Families tried to get to the front but staff said there were no special queues for children. People started shouting to let out people with tiny babies at the back.'

Rows of luggage were seen at Heathrow Airport last night as passengers were stuck in long Border Force queues for hours

Passengers arriving back in to the uk at Terminal 5 yesterday evening faced three- to four-hour delays getting through passport control due to technical issues

Passengers started to make their way through border control into the arrivals hall at Heathrow Airport around 10pm as Border Force officers manually processed them

A few people came out of the arrivals terminal at Heathrow at 10pm last night as their passports were manually processed

Meanwhile many were waiting outside arrivals to pick up passengers stuck in the long queues for the Border Force last night

Holidaymakers slowly came through the arrivals hall at Heathrow as their awaiting minicabs and chauffeurs faced a large bill for parking in the short term car parks for hours last night

She added that people were 'stuck in a bottle neck queuing in the tunnels in the heat', but once passengers reached the main concourse 'everyone sped through quite quickly.'

Sam Morter, 32, who landed at Heathrow's Terminal 3 at around 7.30pm from Sri Lanka, said he saw airport staff 'scrambling' to sort the situation after the technical issue caused significant disruption at airports across the country.

He said: 'We headed to passport control where it already started to become pandemonium in there. All of the e-gates had just gone down and all of them had blank screens.

'There was a lot of Border Force officials running and scrambling around. Four or five went to man the posts and start processing the UK passports manually.

'But at the same time, hundreds of passengers started to flood into passport control, so it all of a sudden became chaotic and they couldn't cope with the number of the people coming in.'

'A lot of disgruntled, angry and frustrated passengers and people coming off of long-haul flights very tired, so that didn't help. Not great scenes,' he added.

Ryanair had warned passengers due to arrive at UK airports about the delays in their app last night.

The notification read: 'Please be advised that the Electronic Passport gates are temporarily unavailable at all UK Airports. You may experience extended queue times at passport control in airports in the United Kingdom as a result of this outage.'

A Heathrow Airport spokesperson said in a statement last night: 'Border Force is currently experiencing a nationwide issue which is impacting passengers being processed through the Border.

'Our teams are supporting Border Force with their contingency plans to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible and are on hand to provide passenger welfare. We apologise for any impact this is having to passenger journeys.'

Manchester Airport's statement read: 'We are aware of an issue with UK Border Force's systems across the country, affecting a significant number of airports.

'Our Resilience Team and customer services colleagues are supporting passengers while UK Border Force and the Home Office fix the issue.'

Edinburgh Airport said in a statement: 'Border Force is experiencing a nationwide technical outage affecting UK airports.

'Although not in a peak arrivals period, some passengers may experience longer than normal waits at the border while UKBF works to fix the issue. Thank you for your patience.'

Stansted Airport said in their statement: 'We are aware of an issue with UK Border Force's systems across the country, affecting all UK airports.

'Our operational and customer service colleagues are supporting passengers while UK Border Force and the Home Office fix the issue.'

A Home Office spokesperson told MailOnline last night: 'We are aware of a technical issue affecting e-gates across the country.

'We are working closely with Border Force and affected airports to resolve the issue as soon as possible and apologise to all passengers for the inconvenience caused.'

The Border Crossing system suffered repeated crashes leading to massive queues at Heathrow when it was introduced in summer 2021.

More recently there were queues of more than an hour at Stansted arrivals halls on April 25 after the e-gates all failed.

Border Crossing was rushed into use  when it was already three years late  because new requirements to check EU travellers in the same way as other international passengers could not be carried out by the database it replaced, the Warnings Index.

The Warnings Index is still available as a back-up but is due to be switched off permanently soon, it is understood.

The Commons' Public Accounts Committee looked at Border Crossing in March 2021 and warned the Home Office had 'no proof that systems can cope with passenger volumes that existed prior to Covid'.

The MPs also criticised the 'staggering' cost of Government IT schemes and blamed a 'lack of effective leadership, management and oversight'.
(Photo : Unsplash/Jas Min)

Food waste in the US is a big problem. About one-third of what's made ends up in landfills instead of being eaten, which leads to extra production, packaging, storage, and delivery, all harming the environment. A study in Science shows that food production causes 26% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

Food delivery services such as HelloFresh, Blue Apron, and EveryPlate provide consumers with precisely what they need for particular recipes to help mitigate food waste.

New York-based Startup: Hungryroot

Hungryroot, a startup grocery delivery and meal solutions based in New York, is taking a step further in addressing food waste. Utilizing artificial intelligence, this 9-year-old company offers a highly curated experience by delivering precisely the amount of food a consumer will use.

Five years ago, well before artificial intelligence became the latest business buzzword, Hungryroot embarked on a journey to develop a digital shopping assistant capable of selecting a week's worth of groceries for customers and providing recipe suggestions. After transitioning to an AI-powered business model in 2019, Hungryroot experienced significant revenue growth driven by its increasingly intelligent shopping algorithm.

Ben McKean, Founder and CEO of Hungryroot, attributes the company's remarkable growth to the strategic pivot towards AI-driven personalization, where Hungryroot experienced its most significant growth surge ever in 2022, with revenues soaring by 47% year-over-year, reaching $238 million and continued into the first half of 2023, with a remarkable growth rate of 67%.

Launched in 2015 as an e-commerce consumer products company, Hungryroot initially offered six diverse vegetable- and noodle-based meals designed to be fresh, healthy, and convenient alternatives to traditional frozen dinners.

READ ALSO: Winnow and Afresh: AI Technologies Revolutionizing Food Waste Management

AI-Powered Business Model

Hungryroot's approach involves customers answering various questions about their food preferences, allergies, health objectives, and how or when they cook to discern the most suitable recipes and grocery items for each customer and provide a personalized and efficient shopping experience.

Hungryroot is meticulously designed to provide customers with the foods they need for their week. It offers straightforward recipes to ensure customers know exactly how to utilize the ingredients provided. As a result, its customers experience a notable reduction in food waste. Hungryroot also provides users with a list of items in their weekly cart, allowing them to approve or make changes as needed.

Hungryroot's Own Waste Management

The company can also minimize its waste. For instance, if it determines that a user has no preference between broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and there is an abundance of broccoli in its warehouse, Hungryroot will recommend broccoli to the user to help optimize inventory management and reduce potential waste within the company's operations. Hungryroot stated that these processes result in 80% less food waste at its facilities compared to a traditional supermarket. Investors also highlight that this unique model benefits the company's bottom line.

Jeremy Liew, a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, noted that Hungryroot has been profitable for three or four years, which is uncommon in many e-commerce food businesses. Liew attributed this success to their efficiency in spending and the strong customer loyalty driven by the business they have built.

Hungryroot is backed by L Catterton, Crosslink Capital, KarpReilly, and Lerer Hippeau, in addition to Lightspeed, and has raised $75 million in funding.

RELATED ARTICLE: Nvidia-backed Synthesia Introduces New Sets of AI-Powered Avatars, Conveys Human Emotions Through User Text Inputs

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Downing Street was surrounded by thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters yesterday evening as massive crowds demonstrated after Israel seized the Rafah border crossing.

An Israeli tank brigade seized control of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Tuesday  a move described by the Palestinian crossing authority as a 'death sentence for Gazans' as it cuts off the last land route for vital aid.

Jeremy Corbyn and militant rail union chief Mick Lynch were among the speakers at the rally.

Around 5,000 protesters descended on Number 10 with placards from the Socialist Worker and the Palestinian Forum in Britain, which reportedly has links to Hamas.

Signs included those saying 'all eyes on Rafah' and others with the genocidal phrase 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'.

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters surrounded Downing Street this evening

One woman held a cardboard sign that said 'all eyes on Rafah'

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke at the protest this evening

Also among the speakers was militant rail union boss Mick Lynch

Zarah Sultana addresses pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside Downing Street

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather outside Downing Street to protest against the ongoing war in Gaza and expected Israel's military offensive in Rafah

Protesters called for a 'ceasefire' and to 'stop genocide'

Around 5,000 protesters demonstrated outside 10 Downing Street last night

Terrorist group Hamas has accused Israel of trying to undermine efforts to secure a ceasefire in the seven-month-long war that has laid waste to Gaza and left hundreds of thousands of its people homeless and hungry.

Israeli army footage showed tanks rolling through the Rafah crossing complex and the Israeli flag raised on the Gaza side.

One armoured vehicle from the Israeli 401st brigade was seen trundling up to an 'I love Gaza' sign that took pride of place at the crossing, before surging forward and crushing the structure underneath its tracks in symbolic footage posted to social media.

The demonstration came amid pro-Palestinian protests on American and British campuses and marches across the UK last night

Many of those protesting were holding signs from the Socialist Worker

Others waved large Palestinian flags at the protest last night

Many held signs from the Palestinian Forum in Britain - a group that allegedly has ties to Hamas

Other clips showed several tanks and other vehicles arriving on the scene early today to take control of the crossing point.

Students from University College London joined other protesters marching on Downing Street yesterday.

The demonstration came amid pro-Palestinian protests on American and British campuses and marches across the UK last night.

Smoke rises from shopping center following Israeli airstrike on east of Rafah, Gaza on May 7, 2024
A pastor whos wife took her own life weeks after speaking out about alleged abuse within their marriage has been released from his ministerial functions.

Pastor John-Paul Miller, 44, was released from his duties at Solid Rock at Market Common Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

His wife Mica Miller, 30, was found dead at Lumbee River State Park in North Carolina on April 27 from a self inflicted gunshot wound.

An email seen by News13 said: 'I, Charles Randall, by the authority vested in me as overseer, hereby release Pastor John-Paul Miller from all ministerial functions for a time of healing, counsel, and guidance, pursuant to our governing instrument.'

Weeks before her passing, she shared a video speaking about abuse within marriage as claims emerge she was being harassed and was 'afraid for her life'.

Miller was found dead at Lumbee River State Park, North Carolina weeks after speaking about abuse within her marriage to John-Paul Miller, the couple are seen here

Weeks before her passing, she shared a video speaking about abuse within marriage as claims emerge she was being harassed and was 'afraid for her life'

Miller, who has a criminal record including multiple counts of aggravated assault and battery to which he pleaded guilty, told his congregation that her death was 'self-induced'

Miller, who has a criminal record including multiple counts of aggravated assault and battery to which he pleaded guilty, told his congregation that her death was 'self-induced.'

'You all know she wasn't well mentally and that she needed her medicine and it was hard to get to her,' he said.

Prior to making the announcement, he asked his flock to stand and instructed them to, 'leave church quietly and don't talk about the announcement here in the building.'

'I'm taking a little bit of a break, it might be a few days or weeks. I got a call last night, my wife has passed away, yeah it was self-induced [...] I'm just kind of going on adrenaline,' Miller's husband said.

An obituary penned by him also described his wife as 'a great stepmother, and an amazing wife and helpmate' and portrayed her as his biggest cheerleader.

Miller had called authorities before taking her own life, telling them: 'I'm about to kill myself and I just want my family to know where to find me'.

Officers were sent to the state park where he body was found with authorities confirming on Monday she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police said that throughout the call she remained calm, asking the dispatcher if her phone could be tracked.

In the days after her death, her friends and family held a rally calling for 'justice for Mica' outside the Solid Rock Church where Pastor Miller, 44, works.

An email shared

Court filings indicate she had served her husband with divorce papers just weeks before her death

Weeks before she died Mica posted an emotional video in which she spoke of abuse within marriage and offered support to 'ANYONE struggling with leaving a dangerous situation because they think God will be 'mad' at them.'

She said: 'Today my heart's a little heavy. I've had lots of women that have reached out to me about situations of abuse, and I just want to tell you what a lot of people have told me lately, because I think I forgot.

'But you are the bride of Christ before anybody else's, male or female, it doesn't matter what gender you are, abuse is abuse.'

On Monday, before her cause of death was announced, ABC reported that Mica had filed police reports against a man - whose name was redacted in the reports - in March accusing him of harassing her.

She had told officers that she was 'afraid for her life', had found a tracking device on her car and had her tires repeatedly deflated.

In the days since Mica's death on April 27, her family had pushed back at her husband's explanation of it as suicide.

Speaking to DailyMail.com last week, Mica's sister Sierra Brown said: 'The one thing I would say is that he has said it was an official suicide, that is not the case. There's still an open investigation.'

Mica's death came just 48 hours after her husband, from whom she had been separated for one month, was served with divorce papers.

Mica previously shared a video speaking about abuse within marriage to pastor John-Paul Miller, 44 (pictured), as claims emerge she was allegedly being harassed

Court records hint at the tumult within the marriage with Mica first filing for divorce back in October 2023 before withdrawing the filing February 12.

Later that same month Miller filed against his wife for Separate Support and Maintenance in a motion withdrawn March 11.

But on April 15, just 12 days before she was found dead, Mica filed once more and, according to friends, also sought a no contact order against her husband.

Her friends Kenn and Allicia Young have also now insisted on NewsNation that Mica did not take her own life.

Allicia Young, who is a member of the Solid Rock Church alongside her husband Kenn, said: 'I absolutely do not believe that she took her own life.'

'I absolutely do not believe that she took her own life because she was energetic and her faith in God was unwavering,' Allicia said on Banfield.

'She was always quick to encourage somebody else, including myself. We went to lunches together, we worked out together.'

In an interview with ABC15, Miller reiterated that his wife had taken her own life.

'She had struggled with suicide before,' he said. 'Each time we would help her through it and take her to the doctor, and we got through it and everything was fine.

'She even gave a few testimonies here at church that we have on video. She battled suicide but God took care of her and got her through it.'

He added she was 'probably the greatest wife anyone could ask for' and described nights spent talking to each other for hours.
A Teal MP has been left red-faced after being forced to backdown from a claim that it was 'misinformation' to say she voted for up to $2billion in new fossil fuel rebates.

The embarrassing exchange was captured on video obtained by Daily Mail Australia at a community forum in Zoe Daniel's electorate of Goldstein on 18 April at the Hampton RSL.

Ms Daniel, who defeated Liberal MP Tim Wilson at the last election, tried to dismiss a question from a constituent about why she voted for fossil fuel rebates as 'misinformation or manipulation of information'.

But just moments later she can be heard on the video attempting to explain why she voted the way she did: 'the bill was actually the cost of living one that went through the parliament on energy prices... it compensated the energy companies for their losses,' Ms Daniel said.

She then explained her discomfort at voting for something she had pledged at the election that she never would, describing how doing so was 'awful'.

Fossil fuel subsidies were part of a legislative package Teals supported despite election promises to abolish such subsidies

'Every piece of legislation and every policy involves a compromise, that's a really awful one', Ms Daniel told the stunned constituent.

At the election Ms Daniel pledged to 'cease subsidising fossil fuels', putting the commitment on her website for all to see. However, after voting to do the opposite - as part of the Energy Price Relief Plan - and subsidise energy companies producing fossil fuels, the Teal deleted the pledge, changing her website to instead read: 'cuts in fossil fuel subsidies' to accommodate the backflip.

Wentworth Teal MP Allegra Spender also amended her website after supporting the bill. Before the vote Ms Spender's website read 'put an end to the government's $11.6BN a year in fossil fuel subsidies'.

Zoe Daniel (above) confessed to a constituent that she voted for coal subsidies after initially labeling the question 'misinformation'

Teals were elected on a platform of ending fossil fuel subsidies, but they all voted for them in December 2022 (Zoe Daniel (third from right) and Allegra Spender (far left) pictured)

After voting for up to $2billion of such subsidies her website was amended to read 'phasing-out the $10 billion each year the federal government spends on fossil fuel subsidies'.

Ms Spender defeated then-Liberal MP (now Senator) Dave Sharma at the 2022 election.

All Teal MPs voted for the Labor government's bill. It passed the House of Representatives on 15 December 2022.

Under the Energy Price Relief Plan a cap was placed on the price of coal and gas for energy generation. If the price cap was breached, coal and gas generators were compensated with subsidies.

The Coalition voted against the legislation.
AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine has been withdrawn globally after the admission it can cause potentially fatal side effects, but an Australian advocate of the coronavirus vaccines argues that avoiding that particular jab caused more deaths than it saved.

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Authority discontinued use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in April 2023, and the Anglo-Swedish producer withdrew it globally on Tuesday.

Just over a week ago, AstraZeneca conceded the vaccine, sold under the name Vaxzevria, can cause fatal blood clots and low platelet counts.

'Overall, its safety profile is not as high as Pfizer due to clotting, but we need to keep this in perspective,' Professor Peter Collignon told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday.

'For females aged 30-50 there is a 1-in-40,000 chance of a death from taking the AstraZeneca vaccine, but the overall death rate from taking it is 1-in-100,000.'

AstraZeneca 's Covid vaccine has been withdrawn globally after admitting it causes adverse side effects, but an Australian expert said fear of the vaccine caused more deaths than it saved. Pictured: Nurses getting a Covid vaccine in Townsville

Researchers believe the rare side effect occurs due to the modified cold virus lurking in the jab having an adverse effect on platelets in the blood, triggering clotting

Prof Collignon said some commonly available drugs such as aspirin have similar death rates.

He said the producers of the vaccine and regulators could not have been expected to know the full potential side effects at a time when there appeared to be an urgent need to get it distributed.

'You can't test 100,000 in a trial, which is why it is importance to have surveillance after a drug becomes available,' he said.

'The side effect is real, we need to know these things, but it is a very rare side effect.'

Prof Collignon said that in the early days of the virus an '80-year-old caught Covid, they had a 1-in-10 chance of dying, but it would have been 1-in-100,000 if they had taken the AstraZeneca vaccine'.

The AstraZeneca jab was soon superseded in the public mind by Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines, and many therefore rejected it and waited for the supposedly improved treatments to arrive in Australia.

He said people put their health at risk during the pandemic by not taking the AstraZeneca vaccine even though it was available.

'People waiting for the Pfizer vaccine caused a few hundred more deaths in Australia than we needed to have due to the adverse publicity,' Prof Collignon, who lectures at the Australian National University's medical school, said.

The admission of AstraZeneca's link to blood clots came through court documents in a UK class action lawsuit that sought $190 million for dozens of victims of its side effects.

The application to withdraw the vaccine was made on March 5 and came into effect on May 7.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration provisionally approved the AstraZeneca vaccine for use in Australia for people aged 18 years and over as a primary course from February 15, 2021 and as a booster from February 8, 2022.

During that time, Pfizer and Moderna provided Covid vaccines to Australia that were recommended over the AstraZeneca vaccine.

In June 2021 the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommended that Australians over the age of 60 avoid taking Vaxzevria.

While Australians have not been administered Vaxzevria since its discontinuation, it remained provisionally approved by the Department of Health.

The last batch in Australia expired on March 21, 2023.

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Authority discontinued use of the AstraZeneca vaccine (pictured) in April 2023, and the Anglo-Swedish producer withdrew it globally on Tuesday

Professor Peter Collignon (pictured) said people put their health at risk during the pandemic by not taking the AstraZeneca vaccine even though it was available

The ATAGI advised that fatal blood clotting was around 3.1 per 100,000 for people over 50 years and 1.8 per 100,000 for people under 50 years.

In September 2021 then-PM Scott Morrison urged Australians over 60 to get the AstraZeneca vaccine instead of waiting for Pfizer doses.

'I encourage everyone, particularly Australians over 60, to go out and get vaccinated,' he said.

'Getting vaccinated can save your life, protect your family and it means a return to more normal life with family and friends and seeing the grandchildren.'

The federal government contracted Australia biomedical firm CSL to produce 50 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

At the time worldwide vaccine development for the coronavirus was in its fledgling stages and policymakers prioritised domestic production as a necessity during the crisis.

While the government never revealed how much public money it put into setting up the lab, there were reports of it being over $1billion.

Australia stopped making the vaccine in 2022.
Britain is to build Europe's first facility for producing advanced nuclear fuel, in a bid to bolster energy security and squeeze Russia out of the lucrative export market.

Unveiling 200million in support for the new plant in Cheshire, Rishi Sunak said the move would 'prise Vladimir Putin's blood-soaked hands off Europe's energy market'.

Russia is currently the only commercial producer of advanced nuclear fuels required to run the next generation of modular nuclear reactors.

Under the new proposal, nuclear specialist Urenco will build a uranium enrichment plant at Capenhurst, near Ellesmere Port, capable of producing 10 tonnes a year of the fuel by the early 2030s.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pictured on May 6 speaking to press during a visit in London

Russian President Vladimir Putin taking part in the Presidential Regiment parade in Moscow yesterday

Government sources said the energy produced would be equivalent to burning one million tonnes of coal per year.

The Government said it would support 400 skilled jobs, power the UK's future nuclear power plants and ensure other countries are not reliant on Russia for advanced nuclear fuel.

Ministers said it was part of efforts to improve energy security and isolate Moscow from energy markets, after moves to stop imports of Russian oil and gas following the illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The Prime Minister said: 'Building our own uranium enrichment plant is essential if we want to prise Putin's blood-soaked hands off Europe's energy market.

Energy Secretary Clair Coutinho pictured in Downing Street in April

'Russia has been the sole provider of this powerful nuclear fuel for too long and this marks the latest step in pushing him out of the energy market entirely.'

He added: 'The wider future of British nuclear remains a critical national endeavour  guaranteeing nuclear and energy security, and reducing energy bills for Brits.'

Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho said the plant would provide the fuel for the new generation of advanced modular reactors needed to hit the target to quadruple the UK's nuclear capacity by 2050.

Ministers will also publish proposals today to streamline the planning process for the development of nuclear fusion technology, with firms invited to bid for up to 600million in funding to build the UK's first commercially viable plant.
A Ukrainian man dressed as a woman and carrying his sister's passport has been arrested trying to flee the country.

The 44-year-old was stopped at the border with Romania by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine after they became suspicious of his burly physique.

They also suspected that he was trying to avoid conscription.

Under the current laws in place in Ukraine, men aged between 18 and 60 are forbidden from leaving the country and are instead expected to enlist in the Ukrainian army to fight the Russians.

The make-up wearing man, who is thought to be called Sergei and from the central Ukrainian city of Zolotonosha, was dressed in a black wig tied with a white handkerchief, a black knee-length skirt, and a green T-shirt from the discount supermarket chain Biedronka.

The 44-year-old was stopped at the border with Romania by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine after they became suspicious of his burly physique

The make-up wearing man, who is thought to be called Sergei from the central Ukrainian city of Zolotonosha, was dressed in a black wig tied with a white handkerchief, a black knee-length skirt, and a green T-shirt from the discount supermarket chain Biedronka

Posting a video on social media, the Border Guards wrote: 'Charming 'Sergietta' planned a trip abroad.

'A 44-year-old resident of Zolotonsha, disguised as a woman, tried to cross the border with Romania with his sister's passport.'

Now viewed over 13,000 times since being uploaded on Monday, the post has since been flooded with comments.

One viewer quipped: 'Cool, agent 007.'

Another, referring to Biedronka's rival Lidl, posted: 'Lidl will not recover from this.'

Yet another asked: 'What will your sister do now?'

But others were more sombre, with one viewer writing: 'I'm not surprised. Any way to avoid death on the front is good.'

Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine introduced a ban on men aged between 18 and 60 from leaving the country in case they were called upon to fight.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, approximately 30 men have died while trying to flee and, according to the Ukrainian Border Guard, around 10 are detained every day for trying to escape the country and avoid the draft.

In November last year, the BBC reported that nearly 20,000 men had fled Ukraine since the start of the war.

There are exceptions to conscription if a person is ineligible on medical grounds, if the person is looking after three children or more, raising a child alone, or raising a child with a disability.
What is the Rwanda scheme?

Ministers believe the prospect of being sent to Rwanda will deter illegal migrants from crossing the Channel.

The Government is gambling that the first flights to East Africa will have a stark impact on Channel arrivals, and demonstrate to voters that the problem is finally in hand.

The Government said that any asylum seeker attempting to enter the UK 'illegally' from a safe country, could be sent to Rwanda and have their claims processed there.

Is it ready to launch?

The Rwanda policy is ready to launch and detentions have begun today. Operational teams within the Home Office have been working at pace to safely and swiftly detain individuals in scope for relocation to Rwanda. More activity is due to be carried out in the coming weeks.

Last month sources said 100 to 150 migrants had already been identified for the first tranche of removals.

Who will be sent to Rwanda?

Under two recent Acts of Parliament the Government has powers to disregard asylum applications from those who arrive in the UK by 'irregular' routes such as by small boat.

Measures have also been taken to severely restrict migrants' access to legal appeals. However, some limited appeal rights are retained.

It said the country has a strong and successful track record in resettling people, hosting more than 135,000 refugees, and stands ready to accept thousands more who cannot stay in the UK.

Officials said the government's Safety of Rwanda Act and internationally binding Treaty reaffirm and ensure the safety of Rwanda and this policy.

Will there be legal action?

Probably. Migrants who are told they are facing removal to Rwanda are expected to lodge individual appeals.

Pro-migrant charity Care4Calais said last week it planned to initiate challenges as quickly as possible.

The PM previously revealed that 25 courtrooms and 150 judges have been earmarked to hear such cases promptly, in a bid to avoid delaying flights.

How will migrants be flown out?

Rishi Sunak said an airfield was on standby to handle the removals. A Ministry of Defence base  Boscombe Down near Salisbury, Wilts  was used for the aborted removals flight in June 2022 and the Home Office has been carrying out rehearsals there in recent months.

It is understood to have been in negotiations with several private charter companies.

Previously, firms involved in removals flights have pulled out after being targeted by Left-wing groups. It is understood the RAF is on stand-by to step in.

What happens when they arrive in Rwanda?

They will claim asylum under Rwandan law and be provided with free housing, healthcare, education and other support.

A range of safeguards prevent any migrant who is flown to Rwanda from Britain from being sent to any other country, apart from back to the UK if necessary.

How much will it cost?

The Government will pay Rwanda 370 million under the deal, plus a further 120 million once the first 300 migrants have been sent to Kigali.

On top, there will be a cost of 20,000 per individual removed and 150,874 per head in 'processing and operational costs'.

Home Office estimates suggest the cost per individual of the relocations would be roughly 169,000 'over the multiyear lifetime of the scheme'.
He is accused of robbing and beating an elderly couple

An asylum seeker who is accused of bashing an elderly woman during a home invasion was previously convicted of distributing methamphetamine.

Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, 43, was arrested on April 28 over the robbery of an elderly Perth couple at their home in Girrawheen which resulted in $200,000 worth of jewellery being taken.

It was then revealed Doukoshkan was one of 152 detainees released from immigration detention following a landmark High Court ruling late last year.

Doukoshkan was one of the many refugees who managed to reach Christmas Island by boat while the Rudd-Gillard Labor government was in power between 2007 and 2013.

He arrived in Australia in 2010 but was flagged for deportation just five years later when he was charged with serious drug offences involving the distribution of methamphetamine.

Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan was arrested (pictured) on April 28 for allegedly robbing and beating an elderly couple on April 16

Doukoshkan is accused of being part of the group that beat Ninette Simons (pictured) until she lost consciousness

During his 2017 trial, the Perth District Court heard Doukoshkan was forced to flee the Middle East after he was tortured in Iran over accusations he and his father were spies.

The authorities based their claim on the fact Doukoshkan's brothers had migrated to the US, where one worked for the military and the other in IT.

Doukoshkan was raised in Kuwait where he gained an education at one of the country's best schools - the International English School.

Once he settled in Australia, Doukoshkan began working at a migrant help centre in Perth.

Judge Gillian Braddock found this position was 'very useful' in the drug distribution operation.

'[You] made yourself useful to people who were in a position to organise the arrival - by mail or by courier - of large quantities, from 300 grams to potentially over a kilogram, of pure methamphetamine,' Judge Braddock said, The Australian reported.

'You were very useful because of skills that were also useful in your employment; that is to say, your competence in languages and your ability to deal with officialdom.'

However, the judge did find Doukoshkan was not in a 'top' position in the drug distribution business, instead he was a user and addict.

'You were asked to do things by others. You became involved willingly. You are more than aware that you should not have done it, but your position at the time made that difficult for you to resist,' Judge Braddock said.

Doukoshkan was sentenced to eight years behind bars for serious drug offences.

His sentence was backdated to his arrest on August 26, 2015 and reduced by 15 per cent as he pleaded guilty.

When Doukoshkan completed his sentence, he was moved to immigration detention.

The Australian Government had intended to deport him to a third country, as his refuge status meant he could not return to Kuwait.

However, Doukoshkan's history as a known drug trafficker meant he was unattractive, or in some countries ineligible, to third-party countries.

He was subsequently held at the Yongah Hill Detention Centre in the West Australian wheatbelt town of Northam until the High Court's ruling last November.

It has since been revealed Doukoshkan broke his release conditions six times by leaving his East Perth home between 10pm and 6am.

Despite this, his ankle monitor was removed in a decision signed off by a delegate for Immigration minister Andrew Giles.

Doukoshkan (pictured) was previously convicted for distributing methamphetamine around WA

It's alleged Doukoshkan was later involved in the vicious attack against elderly couple Ninette Simons, 73, and Philip, 76, on April 16.

Police claim Doukoshkan and his accomplices used stolen police badges to gain entry to the couple's home before tying Mr Simons up and beating Mrs Simons until she lost consciousness.

The alleged thieves then fled the home with the Simons' life savings, in the form of $200,000 worth of jewellery, in tow.
Undocumented asylum seekers are paying thousands of euros to enter the country via cruise ships from the UK, according to some of the new arrivals living in tents on the Grand Canal in Dublin.

There were a total of 85 tents lined up between Mount Street Bridge and Huband Bridge yesterday afternoon  a figure that has doubled in less than a week.

And one man from Egypt told the Irish Daily Mail that he feels safer here as 'in England they will send him to Rwanda'.

While some of the homeless asylum seekers came from the former encampment outside the International Protection Office (IPO) on nearby Mount Street, others arrived in Ireland just days ago from the UK.

Taoiseach Simon Harris yesterday vowed that the encampment would not be allowed to remain in place for 'weeks and weeks'.

Reda Alsaba from Egypt is just one of the refugees living in a tent on the Grand Canal

Abdul Rashid, 28, from Afghanistan, told the Mail that crossing the Irish Sea into Dublin was very straightforward as he did not need a passport.

He said he did not board a traditional ferry but paid approximately 2,000 for a cruise ship ticket.

'I got a very big boat to Ireland only yesterday  it was like a hotel and they gave us food and everything,' he said.

'I didn't need a passport because they only checked for tickets. This was my only option. We weren't stopped coming off the boat and just walked off.'

Mr Rashid said he was forced to flee his home country when the Taliban took control.

'I came from a very happy family with no problems until the Taliban came. My father was killed and the rest of my relatives had to leave their homes.

'I paid 7,000 to get to France and had to cross six different countries to get there.

'I spent 15 months in France, but they didn't accept my papers so I had no other choice but to travel to the UK.'

The young man spent 1,700 (1,977) to make the perilous journey across the English Channel on an inflatable dingy with around 55 people.

'It was very dangerous and there were many families with children,' he said.

But it was when he learned about the threat of being sent to Rwanda that Mr Rashid decided to try Ireland.

'My hope is to finally settle down in Ireland and get my life back to normal. I would like to ensure my family's safety in Afghanistan and then continue my education here,' he said.

Khyber Ghurzng, 27, also from Afghanistan, said he arrived on the same ship as his friend Abdul.

'We bought tickets but didn't need passports,' he said, before implying that they needed to be evasive to avoid being asked for them.

Olivia Headon, who is helping refugees on the banks of the Grand Canal

'It cost 2,000 to come here. It was expensive but we didn't have a choice, there was no other way.

'I'm here now and I'm still questioning how I'm alive. Crossing the sea into the UK was so dangerous that I accepted death.

'The boat we were on started to sink and water was coming past our legs, but thankfully the British coast guard came to rescue us'.

Mr Ghurzng said he's very appreciative for the help he's received in Ireland, despite not being provided with State accommodation.

'I'm in a tent now but at least I'm with other people and getting help from volunteers. I remember spending weeks alone sleeping in forests with nothing but my backpack,' he said.

Reda Alsaba from Egypt also said he arrived from the UK in recent weeks.

'I feel much safer in Ireland because in England they want to send us all to Rwanda,' he said. 'I'm happy to be in this country and I think it will be a much nicer place to live because there is work and more opportunities here.'

Throughout the afternoon, the asylum seekers living on the Grand Canal socialised with one another and discussed their applications, along with utilising the charitable services available to them.

An experienced barber from Gaza was seen giving a haircut to a new arrival, leaving his grooming utensils on the lock near Mount Street Bridge.

On a number of occasions, passers-by shouted insults at them, with one woman becoming quite irate when an asylum seeker called her racist while she was taking a video of him.

Olivia Headon, a volunteer at the Grand Canal yesterday, said proving assistance to asylum seekers is essential since the Government are unable to accommodate them.

She said: 'When asylum seekers arrive and register at the IPO they're given a sheet that explains the services they can access, but not everyone can understand it.

'What we do is make sure they know what's available to them. We provide them with tents and other essential items that various charitable organisations supply, along with sharing information with them via WhatsApp.

'We also buy a lot of stuff with private donations from friends and families as we're not an organisation or getting grants from the Government.

'We're five minutes away from Baggot Street Hospital and every single person here along with all the rough sleepers in Dublin could be housed there tomorrow.

'There's also an abundance of empty offices in Dublin and they're not providing any purpose at the moment.'

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has vowed that the migrants sleeping in tents at the Grand Canal will not be allowed to stay there for much longer.

'We need to see a multi-agency response where we don't have some sort of national game of pass the parcel in relation to responding to the very significant humanitarian situation,' Mr Harris said.

'What we saw in relation to Mount Street was utterly unacceptable; it was getting very near to a public health emergency.'

Mr Harris added that he will not allow the Grand Canal become another Mount Street encampment.

'What happened on Mount Street was allowed to go on for weeks and weeks, and months and months in fact, this will not be the situation in relation to the Grand Canal. I'm very confident progress will be made in relation to this, both in terms of sites for people to safely sleep, safely live and safely access sanitation facilities,' he added.

They are among 1,710 male asylum seekers without an offer of State accommodation, according to the Department of Integration.

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin has claimed that the Government has 'lost control' of the immigration system.

He said failing to deport asylum seekers who do not qualify 'sends a message internationally'.

'We have a situation at the moment where the Government is spending quite a bit of money on a process to differentiate between those who need help and those who don't,' he told Newstalk.

'Yet at the end of that process, when people have been decided upon that they're not asylum seekers, 85% of those people find themselves not receiving an active deportation order.

'I believe that's putting an incredible pressure on the system.

'If you have a system whereby you are not actioning deportation orders, that sends a message internationally that Ireland is a place where you can come.'

Mr Toibin added that there is no system at Dublin Airport that confirms a person with a deportation order has actually left.

'If you had a voluntary deportation system, at least to be some level of confirmation that it's occurred,' he said.

'But the minister is admitting that there's no system available at the moment to confirm the person has exited.'
The Justice Department has contacted the families of victims of two Boeing 737 Max crashes as it closes in on a decision over whether the company violated a deal that saw it escape criminal prosecution.

In a letter obtained by ABC News, families have been invited to attend a meeting at the end of this month where they will be informed of the DOJ's decision as to whether the beleaguered company breached a deferred prosecution agreement.

It will be the fourth meeting between the DOJ and the families of those who died in the two disastrous 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019.

Relatives filed a motion arguing that the US government 'lied and violated their rights through a secret process' by allowing Boeing to escape criminal charges.

If prosecutors believe they can make a case that Boeing violated the terms, the aerospace giant could face criminal prosecution.

It will be the fourth meeting between the DOJ and the families, some of whom are seen here in 2019, of those who died in the two 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019

Rescuers work at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight of a Boeing 737 Max 8 plane crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 11, 2019

This picture taken at the Tanjung Priok Jakarta port on October 30, 2018 shows Indonesian people examining debris of the ill-fated Lion Air flight JT 610 in Jakarta

Mark Lindquist, an attorney representing a number of victims' families, told ABC: 'From a prosecutorial point of view, I believe they likely have enough evidence to prove Boeing violated the DPA

'In plain language, the main point of a deferred prosecution agreement is this: Don't screw up again.

'Boeing screwed up again. The door plug blowout on the Max 9 is just one example.'

Robert Clifford, a lawyer representing families, also told the outlet: 'The DOJ has been very nontransparent in disclosing to the families how they are going about making the determination of compliance or breach.

'That has been a very disappointing feature of the department's contact and communication with the families.

But, in fairness to the department, prosecutors seldom discuss the details of their investigations, so this is not out of the ordinary.'

As part of the deferred prosecution deal, Boeing test pilot Mark Forkner was the only person to be criminally charged in the two 737 MAX crashes.

A Boeing 737 MAX airplane lands after a test flight at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, U.S. June 29, 2020

Family members hold photographs of Boeing 737 MAX crash victims as they wait for Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg to testify before a Senate hearing in Washington, October 29, 2019

Nadia Milleron, whose daughter Samya Stuno died in the Boeing 737 MAX crash in Ethiopia on March 10, 2019, speaks during a memorial protest in front of Boeing offices in Arlington, Virginia, on March 10, 2023

In March 2022, a jury in Texas found him not guilty of deceiving federal regulators evaluating the company's 737 MAX jet.

Prosecutors accused Forkner of misleading Federal Aviation Administration regulators about the amount of training pilots would need to fly the Max.

The FAA required only brief computer-based training for pilots instead of more extensive practice in simulators that could have cost Boeing up to $1million per plane.

Defense lawyers said Boeing engineers did not tell Forkner about changes to the flight software, known by its acronym, MCAS.

In the two crashes - in Indonesia in 2018 and in Ethiopia in 2019 - MCAS automatically pointed the nose of the plane down based on faulty sensor readings, and pilots were unable to regain control.

On October 29, 2018, the Boeing 737 MAX operating the Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after takeoff, killing all 189 passengers and crew.

Five months later, on March 10, 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft which operated Ethiopian flight 302 crashed near the town of Bishoftu, Ethiopia, six minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people aboard.

CEO David Calhoun, who will step down at the end of the year, has said many times that Boeing is taking steps to improve its manufacturing quality and safety culture

The company has been pushed into crisis mode since a door-plug panel blew off a 737 Max jetliners during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, seen here

Boeing's share prices have tumbled by almost 10 percent to $173.86 over the past six months as more safety concerns have come to light.

The company has been pushed into crisis mode since a door-plug panel blew off a 737 Max jetliners during an Alaska Airlines flight in January.

Investigators are focusing on four bolts that were removed and apparently not replaced during a repair job in Boeings factory.

The company faces a criminal investigation by the Justice Department and separate investigations by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.

CEO David Calhoun, who will step down at the end of the year, has said many times that Boeing is taking steps to improve its manufacturing quality and safety culture.

He called the blowout on the Alaska jet a 'watershed moment' from which a better Boeing will emerge. There is plenty of skepticism about comments like that
(Photo : Unsplash/Saul Bucio)

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) must implement a comprehensive overhaul to handle widespread toxic culture allegations after over 500 individuals testified against FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg.

Widespread racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and bullying across the firm were found to be tolerated by senior leaders for years, with misconduct complaints reportedly treated with retaliatory actions, as reported by a law firm, Cleary Gottlieb.

The FDIC neglected to create a safe workplace environment for many employees, and individuals accused of misconduct were often reassigned to different roles. According to a report from WSJ, the officials responsible for addressing the issues were accused of wrongdoing.

A Call for The Ouster of Chair Gruenberg

The report's findings sparked demands for Gruenberg's removal. Gruenberg is a long-serving Democrat in a senior role at the agency.

While the Republican representative and chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Patrick McHenry, urged Gruenberg's resignation, citing a new leadership at the FDIC, Sherrod Brown, chair of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, echoed the same sentiment, requiring the agency's significant reform to improve its culture and treatment of employees.

The report described Gruenberg as "harsh," "aggressive," and prone to losing his temper. However, when questioned by investigators, Gruenberg stated that he did not recall misbehaving. Some employees also positively interacted with him and perceived his demeanor as more "prosecutorial."

In a statement addressed to the staff, Gruenberg acknowledged the report's findings as "sobering" and pledged to enact its recommendations. He emphasized his ultimate responsibility for all agency matters and regretted his shortcomings, reiterating his deep sorry.

READ ALSO: US Tech Giants Involved in Alleged Child Labor Case, Dismissed as "Ordinary Buyer-Seller" DRT Transaction

FDIC's Dramatic Leadership Overhaul

While the report suggests appointing new officials dedicated to transforming the FDIC's culture and advocates hiring an independent third party to aid in the transition, it does not recommend whether top leaders should resign.

The report also urged the agency to create an anonymous hotline for reporting misconduct and abuse, enhance the timeliness and transparency of complaint handling procedures, and implement measures to safeguard and support victims. Although the report determined that Gruenberg's aggressive behavior was not the primary cause of the agency's more severe issues, it expressed skepticism about his capacity to oversee the required dramatic overhaul.

As the FDIC's workplace culture crisis, Chairman Gruenberg's reputation raises doubts about the leadership's credibility in addressing the crisis and its moral authority to lead a cultural transformation, per the report. The potential departure of Gruenberg, appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022, could jeopardize the administration's push for stricter financial regulations, including a pending proposal on bank capital requirements, which has faced opposition from Republicans and industry figures.

A request for comment from a White House spokesperson went unanswered.

FDIC Vice Chair Travis Hill, a Republican, would assume leadership according to agency bylaws, resulting in an evenly split board between Republicans and Democrats should Gruenberg resign or be removed.

RELATED ARTICLE: SafeSport Losing Athletes' Trust, Pledges to Enhance "Trauma-Sensitivity" Training and Strengthen Accountability After Complaints

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A man has died after he was stabbed at a home south of Perth.

Just before midnight on Tuesday, police were called to the Port Royal Drive home in Safety Bay following reports a man was 'seriously injured'.

Police and St John Ambulance paramedics attended the home and found a man with a stab wound.

He was taken to Rockingham General Hospital but died a short time later.

He has yet to be formally identified by police.

A man has died shortly after being found with a stab wound outside of a Port Royal Drive (pictured) home in Safety Bay, south of Perth, just before midnight on Tuesday

Homicide squad detectives are investigatin, and a man is assisting police with their investigation.

There are no concerns for public safety.

Anyone with information regarding this incident, or who saw or heard anything suspicious in the Port Royal Drive and surrounding area between 11pm and midnight is urged to contact police.

Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

The stabbing is the second fatal incident in Perth in the last week, with a 16-year-old boy shot by police after he stabbed a stranger in a Bunnings carpark on Saturday night.
King Charles' timing raised a few eyebrows yesterday after he dealt two blows to Prince Harry within a matter of hours.

Last night, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William and his father would be attending a joint engagement next week, where the heir will be made the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.

Prior to Prince Harry's decision to step back from royal life four years ago, it was always thought he would take on the role that would see him take charge of the regiment he was toured Afghanistan with until 2014.

The announcement that the King would pass on the role he held for 31 years to his eldest son came just two hours after he said he was too busy to see his youngest son.

'Timing is everything,' one royal insider said, while another said the monarch's decision not to see the Duke of Sussex during whistle stop visit to the UK - despite only being three miles apart - 'will be widely perceived as a snub'.

The Duke of Sussex flew into London from California yesterday as he marks the tenth anniversary of his Invictus Games yet due to the King's busy schedule was unable to meet his father.

Harry's spokesperson confirmed that it was 'unfortunately not possible' for the pair to meet 'due to His Majesty's full programme', as he returns to public duties after undergoing treatment for cancer.

Following much speculation over whether the Duke would pop in to visit his father, who he last saw in February following his shocking diagnosis, Harry's spokesperson confirmed there was no time for a reunion.

King Charles ' timing raised a few eyebrows yesterday after he dealt two blows to Prince Harry within a matter of hours. Pictured: Prince Harry and King Charles ahead of the Queen's funeral in September 2022

Last night, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William and his father would be attending a joint engagement next week where the heir will be made the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. Pictured: Charles and Prince William in 2023

Prince Harry is also understood not be visiting Prince William and his wife Kate, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Pictured: The brothers together in 2022

Prince Harry smiles as he leaves the Honourable Artillery Company in central London yesterday

Prince Harry smiles in central London yesterday after he arrives for the Invictus Games event

Prince Harry, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation and Sir Keith Mills GBE DL speak onstage during The Invictus Games Foundation Conversation

King Charles during an audience with Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, at Buckingham Palace, London, yesterday

King Charles with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, at Buckingham Palace, London, yesterday

'In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty's full programme,' he said.

'The Duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.'

Harry had been at the Honourable Artillery Company in London appearing on a stage during a discussion called Realising Global Community.

His father was just down the road at Clarence House before holding an audience at nearby Buckingham Palace with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka.

Instead of catching up with his estranged father, the Duke enjoyed dinner with city financier Guy Monson last night.

'This, whatever the logistics, will be widely perceived as a snub,' royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline.

'This is one of the most public rifts in the world. If it was handled in private without so much press speculation, it would have a better chance of being resolved.'

Echoing the same sentiment, former BBC Royal correspondent Michael Cole added: 'It is quite a snub. For the King to not see his younger son, Prince Harry, although the two men will be only two miles apart tomorrow afternoon, gives an indication of the depth of the divide.

Prince Harry, patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, on stage during a discussion titled 'Realising a Global Community' at the Honourable Artillery Company in London yesterday

Prince Harry during The Invictus Games Foundation Conversation titled 'Realising a Global Community' yesterday

The Duke of Sussex, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation meets with Louise Minchin during The Invictus Games Foundation Conversation

King Charles is pictured holding papers as he arrives at Clarence House in London yesterday

Harry was three miles away from Charles at the Invictus Games discussion in London today

'The Prodigal Son is not welcome - not for the present, anyway. In royal terms, this is big medicine. Prince Harry is bound to see it for what it is, the clearest possible indication of the hurt that has been caused.

'There can be no mistake: this is a royal flea in the ear for the fifth in line to the throne. Actions have consequences but rarely are they played out as starkly as they are here.

'Even Prince Harry, never the sharpest sword in the Household Cavalry, is bound to have got the message and many people will say, ''About time too''.'

Just two hours after the revelation that Charles and Harry would not meet Buckingham Palace announced Prince William's new role.

A statement read: 'At the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, His Majesty The King will officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

'In August 2023, following His Majesty's Accession, The King was pleased to announce military appointments including that The Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.

'The role was previously held by His Majesty The King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years.'

The Duke of Sussex instead went to dinner with Guy Monson, who attended the unveiling of a statue of Princess Diana in 2021 at Kensington Palace (pictured left, at the unveiling)

Prince Harry will give a reading at a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral - marking a decade since the inaugural competition in London in 2014. Pictured: Harry, William and Charles at the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony ten years ago

Harry is not anticipated to see his brother Prince William, who is scheduled to be away from the capital on Thursday and Friday, or his sister-in-law Kate Middleton whose cancer treatment continues. Pictured: Kate and Harry at the Heads Together event on February 5, 2017

Harry arrived in London by himself yesterday, and is expected to join the Duchess on a tour to Nigeria later this week with Meghan set to fly there from the US by herself. Pictured: The couple at a polo game last month

During the ceremony, Prince William will receive a briefing from the Colonel Commandant Lt-Gen Sir Nicholar Borton before viewing a training session.

William, who flew for the Air Ambulance, will also take to the skies, controlling the the Apache for a flight.

Today Prince Harry will give a reading at a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral - marking a decade since the inaugural competition in London in 2014.

Organisers had said there was no confirmation of any other royals attending, or if Harry's wife Meghan Markle or children Archie and Lilibet would also be in the UK.

But Harry arrived in London by himself today, and is expected to join the Duchess on a tour to Nigeria later this week with Meghan set to fly there from the US by herself.

And Harry is not anticipated to see his brother Prince William, who is scheduled to be away from the capital on Thursday and Friday, or his sister-in-law Kate Middleton whose cancer treatment continues following her revealing the diagnosis in March.
Police are seeking a man they allege sexually assaulted an elderly woman after exposing himself to her in a lift in Melbourne's inner south.

The man, aged in his 20s, is believed to have waited for the woman to enter a lift in South Yarra before exposing himself to her at 2pm on April 1.

He then followed the woman to another floor of the Simmon Street building and sexually assaulted her, before running off.

Victoria Police believe the man is about 180cm tall, with shaved black hair and is perceived to be of Asian descent.

He was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper with the word 'Jordan' written on the back along with black pants and black sneakers.
A Pennsylvania man who was arrested after he pulled a gun on a pastor in the middle of his sermon has been charged with homicide after his cousin was found dead in the gunman's home later that day.

Bernard Polite, 26, of Braddock, Pennsylvania, was charged after he entered the church Sunday and attempted to shoot pastor Glenn Germany as he delivered his weekly address at Jesus' Dwelling Place Church.

The attempted shooting took place at just after 1pm Sunday and was captured on video and posted online for all to see the horrifying moment.

At around 8pm Sunday, the body of Derek Polite, 56, was found dead at Bernard's home, according to KDKA.

On Tuesday, police announced that Bernard Polite - identified as Derek's cousin - had been charged with homicide in connection with Derek's death. Local news outlets had reported that the two lived together.

Bernard Polite, 26, a Pennsylvania man who was arrested after he pulled a gun on a pastor in the middle of his sermon has been charged with homicide after his cousin was found dead in the gunman's home later that day

At around 8pm Sunday, the body of Derek Polite, 56, was found dead at Bernard's home. On Tuesday, police announced that Bernard Polite - identified as Derek's cousin - had been charged with homicide in connection with Derek's death

Detectives said that witnesses in the area saw the suspected gunman 'pacing outside the residence' earlier that morning before he held up the sermon.

A neighbor also claimed to have heard a noise they felt could have been a gunshot.

The criminal complaint against Polite says that he confessed to attempting to kill the pastor because, as he told a trooper, 'God told him to do it.'

He has been held in jail pending an arraignment. Bernard was initially arraigned early Monday morning on charges connected to the incident in the church, including attempted homicide.

Video of the moment at the church Sunday shows the moment Germany finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun that is fired at him by a disheveled-looking man.

Miraculously, no bullet came out and the shooter was then promptly tackled by the church's Deacon Clarence McCallister, who can be seen leaping in front of the camera and tackling the offender to the floor.

McCallister told CBS News that he saw 'something that need(ed) to be done, and I jumped up and handled my business.'

Germany, whose live was likely saved by McCallister's quick thinking, called him a 'hero,' but also credited God with being the one who 'stopped and jammed this gun.'

Detectives said that witnesses in the area saw the suspected gunman 'pacing outside the residence' earlier that morning before he held up the sermon

Polite was charged after he entered the church Sunday and attempted to shoot pastor Glenn Germany as he delivered his weekly address at Jesus' Dwelling Place Church

The pair were then able to keep Polite under control until police arrived and he was taken into custody.

'This guy was just dealing with spirits he said, and he came in and wanted to shoot somebody,' said the pastor.

He said that Polite, who ultimately apologized to Germany, is clearly facing a form of mental illness.

The pastor said he forgave his almost-killer, but hasn't personally processed the day's events yet.

'The thing that hurts me the most and brings tears to my eyes because I couldn't watch my daughter break down,' he said.

The spiritual leader's 14-year-old was sitting among the pews during the service that took a dark turn.

'I still had to be strong, because I had to be strong for her, but I couldn't take it, and just seeing her, that's the part that's hard for me to digest,' added Germany.

Ahead of the shooting, Germany said Polite flashed him a grin and walked in and out of the service a number of times.

Pastor Glenn Germany said that Polite ultimately apologized to Germany and is clearly facing a form of mental illness

Miraculously, no bullet came out and the shooter was then promptly tackled by the church's Deacon Clarence McCallister, who can be seen leaping in front of the camera and tackling the offender to the floor

Video of the moment at the church Sunday shows the moment Germany finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun that is fired at him by a disheveled-looking man

He hopes to use the shocking incident to stress the reality and severity of mental illness in their own community and beyond.

The young man is now facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and attempted homicide.

He was denied bail and is set to face a preliminary hearing on the charges next week.
The man falsely accused of being the crazed Bondi Junction attacker by online trolls and Channel 7 has urged police to charge those who spread the misinformation.

Benjamin Cohen was wrongly identified as the perpetrator across social media within hours of the April 13 attack which killed five women and one man at Westfield Bondi Junction.

The claims were then spread further by Sunrise co-host Matt Shirvington shortly after 6am the following day and by journalist Lucy McLeod 10 minutes later.

Seven admitted the mistake and settled a civil case subsequently brought by Mr Cohen.

Mr Cohen's lawyers announced on Wednesday that a 'comprehensive brief of evidence' of those who incorrectly spread his name in connection with the attacks had been passed to NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb.

Lawyers representing the man misidentified as the crazed Bondi Junction attacker, Benjamin Cohen (pictured), have urged police to take action on those who spread the misinformation

His solicitor Patrick George of Giles George wrote in the statement that the firm has made representations to Commissioner Webb over the conduct of online identities who named Mr Cohen.

'Before Seven broadcast his name on its Sunday morning program Sunrise, certain persons had wilfully identified Ben as the attacker on social media by posting his photo and profile from his LinkedIn page,' Mr George said in the statement.

'These persons maliciously posted the false accusation for their own improper purposes, in some cases simply to draw attention to themselves.

'It spread like wildfire not just in Australia but throughout the world over the Saturday night.'

Mr Cohen said on the issue that 'users who abuse a platform to target individuals or communities should be held accountable for the consequences of their actions, and platforms should be more accountable for the content they host'.

His representatives have asked police to consider charges including harassment, criminal defamation and inciting violence on racial grounds.

They have also requested Commissioner Webb to 'consider the hosing of activity on X , and the steps it took to prevent or stop this conduct'.

Seven issued an on-air apology to Mr Cohen read by reporter Sarah Jane Bell during a live cross later on April 14 after police named the actual attacker.

'Earlier this morning, reports of the incident incorrectly named the perpetrator as 40-year-old Benjamin Cohen,' she said on air.

'It was later confirmed that the name of the 40-year-old is Joel Cauchi from Queensland. Seven apologises for any distress caused by our earlier reports.'

In its apology to Mr Cohen, Seven said it had 'made attempts to find a contact number for you but did not have one until your mother rang the newsroom'.

Patrick George of Giles George handed a 'brief of evidence' to NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb (pictured) to consider charges against online personalities

Mr Cohen was also identified as the attacker by two Channel Seven journalists before police identified the killer as Joel Cauchi, 40 (pictured wearing a Kangaroos jersey)

The real perpetrator who turned a knife on 18 people - killing six - before being shot dead by a police officer was identified as Joel Cauchi, 40, hours after Seven released Mr Cohen's name.

Those killed included new mum Ashlee Good, 38, bride-to-be Dawn Singleton, 25, mother-of-two Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Chinese national Yixuan Cheng, 27 and security guard Faraz Tahir, 30.

Twelve others were also injured, including Ms Good's nine-month-old daughter Harriet, who has since been released from hospital.

NSW Police do not believe the stabbing was an incident of terrorism, instead pointing to Cauchi's history of mental illness.
A young man who was allegedly killed while trying to break up a fight is being remembered by loved ones as a 'bright and aspiring' international student.

Navjeet Singh Sandhu, 22, was allegedly stabbed after a fight erupted at a home in Ormond, in Melbourne's southeast, at about 1.30am on Saturday morning.

Mr Sandhu died at the scene while another unidentified man, aged in his 30s, was rushed to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The international student was the only son of a 'humble farmer family' in India and died 'while trying to mediate a fight', according to a GoFundMe page.

Melbourne international student Navjeet Singh Sandhu, 22, was allegedly stabbed after a fight erupted outside a home in Ormond, in the city's southeast, on May 5

'Navjeet came to Australia on a student visa with hopes of securing a better future for his family back home,' organiser Gurmeet Singh wrote.

'He was the sole son of his parents and a loving brother to two sisters. Navjeet's journey was fueled by the dreams of his entire family.

'To make this possible, his parents sold their agricultural land, investing all their hopes in his success and future contributions.

'However, this dream was shattered when Navjeet was taken from us too soon, leaving behind a devastated family without their main pillar of hope.'

The fundraiser is asking for money to send Mr Sandhu's body back to India and provide some help for his now financially-stricken family.

It's understood he first moved to Australia on a study visa in November 2022.

A friend of Mr Sandhu's who previously lived in the Ormond home had asked if he would accompany him to pick up his belongings, The Times of India reports.

An argument erupted shortly after the pair arrived, with the publication reporting Sandhu was stabbed three times in the chest.

Police arrested two brothers; Abhijeet Abhijeet, 26, and Robin Gartan, 27, on Tuesday after they were tracked down in Goulburn, NSW, after allegedly fleeing the scene.

Mr Sandhu (pictured) was the only son of a 'humble farmer family' in India and died 'while trying to mediate a fight', according to a GoFundMe page

Police found two men with stab wounds outside the home in Ormond (pictured)

Detectives travelled up from Victoria for a hearing scheduled to be held at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday.

Investigators are expected to apply to have the brothers extradited back to Victoria.
A billionaire's new wife has gone viral after she apparently tried to bully a woman who shares her new name into selling her Instagram handle.

Katherine Asplundh, formerly Driscoll, married Cabot Asplundh, 27, of the Pennsylvania billionaire family at a reception in Palm Beach, Florida, two weeks ago.

After the happy couple exchanged vows, Katherine, an influencer with over 14,600 Instagram followers, attempted to change her handle from @katherinedrisc to @katherineasplundh, but her desired username was already in use.

Katherine contacted the account owner, a woman who goes by Kate, to ask if she could purchase her handle, a practice that is in direct violation of the platform's terms of service.

Kate refused and explained how she feared selling the username would get her 'banned from Instagram'. This prompted Katherine to launch a tirade of seemingly entitled messages.

Kate, who claims she was initially open to changing her username but decided against doing so after Katherine 'came off snarky', later shared the exchange online.

Katherine Asplundh, formerly Driscoll, married Cabot Asplundh, 27, at a reception in Palm Beach, Florida weeks ago

After the happy couple exchanged vows, the new Asplundh reached out another woman of the same name in hopes of purchasing a new Instagram account name

In reaching out to the woman known only as Kate, who has since shared the messages on social media, the newlywed has unintentionally gone viral

In reaching out to the woman known only as Kate, who has since shared the messages on social media, the newlywed has unintentionally gone viral

In the now-viral exchange, Katherine can be seen messaging an anonymous user, believed to be Kate, asking if she could purchase her Instagram handle.

'Hi I was wondering if I could purchase your username from you,' she wrote. 'Just got married and this in my new name!'

Kate replied: 'That's my name too. I just googled and it said selling my username would get me banned from Instagram.'

But Katherine pushed back, saying: 'I purchased my username in the past actually that's not true. Celebrities do it all the time that's how they all have their handles as their full names.

'So weird, I didn't know there was another Asplundh's family out there. There [are] no Katherine Asplundh in our family.'

She then adds: 'I see that you're not that active on here but started Instagram in 2018 but changed your username three times? Is there anyway I can get you to change your username one more time?'

Asplundh then continues to question the legitimacy of her name, who confirms she is not American

Kate refused and explained how she feared selling the username would get her 'banned from Instagram'

The conversation turns sour, with Katherine seemingly questioning Kate's identity

Kate eventually tells Asplundh that if she had been nice about it, she would have considered giving her the account name for free

Kate responds, explaining that the @katherineasplundh account is her so-called 'finsta', a term that refers to a 'fake' or secondary account that users create to share content just with close friends and family.

The conversation turns sour, with Katherine seemingly questioning Kate's identity.

'I actually don't believe that your name is Katherine Asplundh who would make their finsta their actual name?' Katherine wrote.

'I reported you to Instagram and they're actually able to tell me your real name I really hope I don't know you because that's gonna be really embarrassing for you.'

Kate asks the influencer to report her, but Katherine confirms that she and her new husband have already done so.

Katherine then continues to question the legitimacy of Kate's name, alleging that her husband's family are the only Asplundhs in the US.

Kate confirms she is not American, to which Katherine replies: 'Do you have proof that this is your name? Would love to see that.'

Katherine is seen with her wedding party at her recent nuptials in Florida

Kate then tells Katherine that if she had been nice about it, she would have considered giving her the account name for free.

She hits back at the influencer, saying: 'But you weren't. I reported you for asking me to sell my account and another for harassing me. Have a good day.'

Cabot's father Chris Asplundh is currently the company's CEO

Speaking to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Kate told the outlet: 'I was open to giving her my username.

'I just didnt want to sell it because that would get me banned. After I replied to her, her messages came off snarky so I told myself, "OK, this isnt worth it".'

According to her social media pages, Katherine is originally from New Vernon, New Jersey, having studied at College of Charleston.

Her TikTok page, named Lost Etiquette, boasts over 80,000 followers with over 5.5 million likes on her profile.

The family that she married into founded Asplundh Tree Expert, which in 2021 reported revenue of over $5.4 billion dollars.

The tree trimming company was founded by three brothers from Sweden - Lester, Griffith and Cabot's great grandfather Carl Asplundh.

Cabot's father Chris Asplundh is currently the company's CEO.

Katherine and Cabot met in Prague while Katherine was studying aboard and connected over growing up at the Jersey Shore, according to their wedding website.

Two years later, Cabot proposed to her in Mantoloking, New Jersey.

Their extravagant wedding registry included a $600 blender and cash donations for their St Bart's honeymoon, as well as for furnishing their home

The family that she married into founded Asplundh Tree Expert, which in 2021 reported revenue of over $5.4 billion dollars

Since then, Asplundh's social media pages have been filled with comments and she reportedly had to privatize her page - before making it public again

Her TikTok page, named Lost Etiquette, boasts over 80,000 followers with over 5.5 million likes on her profile

The family that she married into founded Asplundh Tree Expert, which in 2021 reported revenue of over $5.4 billion dollars

Cabot proposed to her in Mantoloking, New Jersey two years after they met

Their extravagant wedding registry included a $600 blender and cash donations for their St Bart's honeymoon, as well as for furnishing their home.

Former Senate candidate and celebrity surgeon Dr Mehmet Oz is part of the family by marriage, with his wife Lisa's grandfather cofounding the family business in 1928 with his two brothers.

Celebrity fitness expert Tracy Anderson is also married into the family after she wed Chris Asplundh in 2015.

The company, which maintains trees for electric utilities, municipalities and others, is run by the third generation of Asplundhs and owned by nearly 200 family members, who are collectively worth at least $3 billion, according to Forbes.

Kate, who only told The Inquirer that her name was Katherine J. Asplundh, shared the exchange onto Reddit, telling the outlet: 'The whole thing just seemed silly and ridiculous to me. I thought theyd have a laugh and that would be it.'

One user commented: 'Legitimately insane behavior "I don't believe that's your name" HUH?!?!.'

Another posted: 'The pivot from hey girly to let me see your birth certificate gave me whiplash.'

The tree trimming company was founded by three brothers from Sweden - Lester, Griffith and Cabot's great grandfather Carl Asplundh

Former Senate candidate and celebrity Dr Mehmet Oz is part of the family by marriage, with his wife Lisa's grandfather cofounding the family business in 1928

Celebrity fitness expert Tracy Anderson is also married into the family after she wed Chris Asplundh in 2015

While another said: 'Omg this is crazy- she married into a billionaire family and is acting like theyre the only ones allowed to have that last name wtf.'

Since then, Katherine's social media pages have been filled with comments and she reportedly had to privatize her page, before making it public again.

In posts about the wedding, Katherine described it as the 'best day' of her life, sharing pictures of the her in her dress.

According to Instagram, users are forbidden from buying, selling, or transferring 'any aspect of your account'.

Despite this, an investigation by Vox shone the light on an entire economy of people selling and buying names on dedicated online marketplaces.

Social media handles are supposed to be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis but in some cases celebs have used their influence to pass these rules.

In 2019, Kevin Keiley of West Sussex claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took his @sussexroyal handle.

Instagram said that the account name being reassigned was due to Keiley's being inactive.
The artwork, titled 'El Albanil,' was valued at between $1.2 and $2.2m in 2018

The piece was identified as an early work of Mexican painter Diego Rivera

A Texas man was shocked to find that his family heirloom was worth millions

A Texas man was shocked when a portrait that had been left behind a door to collect dust was deemed the most expensive painting ever to appear on Antiques Roadshow.

The popular television program, which has been running since 1997, follows auction house specialists as they travel around the country, offering free appraisals of antiques and collectibles.

Clips from the show have resurfaced on TikTok, delighting a brand new generation of viewers.

When the show travelled to Corpus Christi in 2012, one guest brought an oil painting that had been in his family for more than eight decades.

His great-grandparents had purchased the painting in 1930, which depicted a serious-looking man standing alongside a pail. It had been hanging behind a door in his house and was obscured every time the door was opened.

'Oh dear,' appraiser Colleene Fesko said upon hearing the news.

A guest on Antiques Roadshow was surprised to learn that a painting that had been collecting dust behind a door was one of the most expensive to ever appear on the program

The Texas man explained that his grandparents had purchased the painting in 1930, but it was subsequently hung behind a door, mostly obscured from view

Appraiser Colleene Fesko (right) identified the painting as 'El Albanil,' an early work of Mexican artist Diego Rivera

The artwork was identified as 'El Albanil,' an early work of prominent Mexican painter Diego Rivera, who was born in December 1886.

The painting was completed in 1904, when Rivera was just 18 years old, and featured a bricklayer, foreshadowing a theme that would crop up in Rivera's later pieces: workers of Mexico.

'El Albanil' was listed in the Mexican City records as 'missing' after 1930, likely after the man's great-grandparents purchased it, Fesko explained.

In 1996, 39 years after Rivera's death, the painting resurfaced when a Houston rancher brought it to Marion Oettinger, at the time the curator of the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Rugeley Ferguson, Sr., told Oettinger that his family acquired the painting in the 1940s and were informed that the painting was fake, due to inconsistencies in Rivera's handwriting.

However, it turned out that this was due to Rivera's age - he had yet to formalize his signature.

According to an obituary for Ferguson, who died in 2017, his personal collection of Wedgwood fine china was also loaned to the San Antonio Museum of Art.

By coincidence, Oettinger had received a book about Rivera's early works around that time. She immediately recognized the unusual signature on another painting in the book.

Decades earlier, the painting had been brought to the San Antonio Museum of Art. The owner believed it to be a fake due to the unusual signature, which didn't match Rivera's handwriting

The painting was later appraised and restored - and when it was brought to Corpus Christi, its retail value was estimated at between $800,000 and $1 million

'The painting itself is by a very important artist, it has a terrific history of being purchased in Mexico in 1930, and it's a very beautiful and important painting,' Fesko said

The estimated value later jumped to between $1.2 and $2.2 million, and the painting went on permanent loan to the San Antonio Museum of Art

One year later, an expert on Rivera's paintings, Ramon Favela, authenticated 'El Albanil.'

The painting underwent a restoration before it was displayed at the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art in 1998.

The artwork reappeared once again in 2012, when it wound up on Antiques Roadshow and became the most expensive painting ever appraised on the show.

'The painting itself is by a very important artist, it has a terrific history of being purchased in Mexico in 1930, and it's a very beautiful and important painting,' Fesko explained.

'So, trifectas usually pay pretty well. I would be putting a retail estimate on the piece of between $800,000 and $1 million.'

The Texas man gaped upon hearing the appraisal. And that wasn't all - six years later, an updated appraisal set the retail value even higher, at between $1.2 and $2.2 million.

In a subsequent interview on Twin Cities PBS, the owner was asked what he planned to do with the painting.

'Now I'm really scared to carry it around,' he said, adding that he thought that it should be passed off a museum 'where everybody can look at it'.

The painting went on permanent loan to the San Antonio Museum of Art, where it has remained ever since.
A former Mayo Clinic doctor accused of killing his wife was already referring to himself as a 'widow' days before her murder, search warrants have shown.

Connor Bowman, 31, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Betty Bowman, this past August.

A 32-year-old pharmacist who had been in an open relationship with Bowman before her death, she was killed by a lethal dose of a drug meant to fight gout.

Warrants filed Tuesday show how Bowman conducted computer searches for lethal doses of the drug in the days before her death, and how he also frequented the dating site Bumble.

Witnesses who met Bowman through the app spoke to cops in Rochester, Minnesota, where the couple lived. Several said Bowman told them his wife had died at some point prior, offering a timeline ranging from two weeks earlier to a year.

Connor Bowman, 31, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Betty Bowman, this past August.

A 32-year-old pharmacist who had been in an open relationship with Bowman before her death, she was killed by a lethal dose of a drug meant to fight gout

According to the warrant filed in Olmsted County District Court, he told one woman his wife died 'earlier in the summer' of listeria poisoning - a rare affliction brought on by a specific genus of bacteria that acts as a parasite.

Before that, he told the same woman he 'knew what he wanted in life', and that Betty 'would have wanted him to move on to be happy.'

In another exchange with a witness who he reportedly matched with nine days after his wife died in a Rochester hospital, Bowman brought up a large life insurance payout he was left as a result - a revelation the woman said she thought was strange.

Other conversations and statements received from other witnesses indicated Bowman was identifying himself as a widower days earlier as well - before Betty's August 20 death.

Another woman witness interviewed over the course of the investigation said Bowman told her his wife died of a morphine overdose a year prior, while a third said she met Connor Bowman through the site on September 5.

She told cops in Olmsted County how she confronted him after learning his wife died just two and half weeks earlier - before they eventually honed in on him as a suspect after finding the drug colchicine in her system.

The warrant, in turn, demands access to Bowman's electronic devices and his account on Bumble, as witnesses also said the suspect brought up the insurance payout from Betty's death as early as three days after her death.

Warrants filed Tuesday show how Bowman conducted computer searches for lethal doses of the drug in the days before her death, and how he also frequented the dating site Bumble

Witnesses who met Bowman through the app spoke to cops in Rochester, Minnesota , where the couple lived

Several said Bowman told them his wife had died at some point prior, offering a timeline ranging from two weeks earlier to a year

In an interview with DailyMail.com in January, Berry's friend and former bridesmaid Sarah Leeser (left) described the red flags that led her to grow suspicious about her best friend's death

The warrant also details the extensive access Bowman had to lethal drug databases available through the University of Kansas, where he worked years before and was still employed on an 'as needed' basis, cops said.

In the days before Betty's death, Bowman searched the database for colchicine, as well as what the lethal dose would be for someone 120 pounds.

Betty, an operating room pharmacist who worked with her husband at the world-class clinic in Rochester, weighed about the same, the warrant states.

Investigators added how they found nothing to suggest Bowman should have been investigating poisonings caused by the niche drug, which was later found in Betty's bloodstream.

She died four days after being rushed to a hospital in dire straits after ingesting the drug, despite not having gout or any other medical issue at the time.

The warrant, meanwhile, recounts interviews with several of the couple's friends and colleagues, many of whom recalled a detached and indifferent reaction from Bowman following Betty's death.

Several also aired suspicions about the sudden and severe illness that claimed her life, recalling how healthy she was when they knew her.

An expert on poisons, he is currently being held in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center on a $2 million bond.

Also noted was Bowman objections to an autopsy, after he told officials such an undertaking would be merely a 'hunting expedition' that would turn up nothing, one witness said. The pair had reportedly been in an open relationship

Also noted was Bowman objections to an autopsy, after he told officials such an undertaking would be merely a 'hunting expedition' that would turn up nothing, one witness said.

He was indicted by a grand jury months later, on January 4, for his alleged part in his wife's death. He was arrested in October.

In an interview with DailyMail.com carried out this past January, Berry's friend and former bridesmaid Sarah Leeser described the red flags that led her to grow suspicious about her death

She revealed her friend was bisexual, and had dating two people at the time  a man and a woman  just before her death. She added how husband Bowman had recently become infatuated with new love interest, and Betty concerned about how serious they were getting.

'Betty didn't understand why he was so infatuated,' said Sarah, 32. 'They both saw different people. But there was something different about this girl. It was more like obsession.'

At one point, Connor and the woman 'broke up,' Sarah said. 'He was super depressed and wanted to be with her all the time.'

Sarah (pictured with the pair) revealed that while the couple had agreed to an open marriage, Betty had grown concerned over Connor's new romantic pursuit and his dishonest behavior

Betty, who died on August 20, was also upset that her husband often lied about his activities and whereabouts, telling her he was at work when he was actually out on a date.

'It was the lying and keeping secrets that became a problem,' Sarah said.

But there were other factors threatening their marriage, including their views on children: Connor wanted to start a family. Betty didn't.

'Betty wasn't ready, Connor was,' Sarah said. 'That was part of the discussion close to the end.'

As Betty contemplated whether the marriage could be saved, Sarah said she and other friends offered her a place to live.

Still, amid the turmoil, Sarah said she had no concern Connor might harm her. She never knew him to be physically abusive.

She also didn't recognize red flags when Betty ended up in the hospital with a sudden illness, nor when Connor told her that Betty, a healthy woman, was suffering from Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosi (HLH), a rare disease causing her organs to shut down.

Sarah said she did find it disconcerting when Connor started talking about collecting $500,000 in life insurance, and began openly flaunting his relationship with another woman shortly after Betty's death. He is being held in Olmsted County on a $2 million bond

After Betty's death, she noted, she found it disconcerting when Connor started talking about collecting $500,000 in life insurance, and when he began openly flaunting his relationship with the new girlfriend.

Just days after Betty's death, Sarah said, Connor invited his lover to join her and other mutual friends at a winery where she saw them smiling, kissing, and hugging.

It wasn't until days later, when detectives reached out that Sarah grew suspicious and began to question everything that that happened before and after Betty's death.

An expert on poisons, Bowman is currently being held in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center on a $2 million bond.

He is scheduled to appear in Olmsted County District Court June 11 for his next hearing.
A man involved in the massive riot that saw several police officers severely injured has been captured spitting on reporters during a meltdown outside court.

Issa Haddad, 28, was set to be sentenced at Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday morning after joining 2,000 people rioting outside Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, western Sydney, following the stabbing of a bishop on April 15.

However, Haddad may have landed himself in further trouble after aggressively confronting and threatening reporters waiting outside the court.

Disturbing footage shared with the Daily Telegraph showed Haddad spitting at members of the media and yelled, 'Get out of my face, you f***ing dog'.

Haddad had emerged from the courthouse just moments earlier with his hood pulled tightly around his face.

Issa Haddad (right) and his father (left) spat on reporters while leaving Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday

Haddad (pictured) was charged with making threats of violence to cause fear after joining the Wakeley riot on April 15

With a middle finger raised, the 28-year-old tried to walk away from reporters but ended up tripping over, losing a shoe in the process.

The Sydneysider, who has pleaded guilty to making threats of violence to cause fear, curled up in a ball and began swearing as his mother rushed to his aid.

He yelled at a nearby Sherriff, 'I'll f***ing kick you dog' before telling at his mother, 'Don't touch me, I do what I want'.

Haddad's father joined his son in berating the media, at one point also spitting at reporters.

'F*** off, you are a piece of s***,' the father said to reporters.

Haddad eventually retreated back inside the courthouse where he and his family were reportedly interviewed by police.

The 28-year-old's lawyer previously told the court during a bail application that Haddad suffers from bipolar disorder.

Haddad initially left the courthouse with his hoodie pulled tightly over his face while holding up the middle finger to reporters (pictured)

He was then seen falling over and lost his shoe before confronting the media and eventually returning inside to the courthouse

Several police officers were severely injured during the April 15 riots which saw 2,000 people flock to Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley following the alleged stabbing of a bishop

Police are still searching for several rioters (one pictured) who damaged police property on April 15

Haddad was arrested on April 20 at a property in Horningsea Park.

His case on Wednesday was adjourned six weeks awaiting a sentencing assessment report by Magistrate Stuart Devine.

New South Wales Police's investigation into the livestreamed stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, which has been declared a terrorist incident, and subsequent riot is ongoing.

Investigators on Tuesday released photos of another nine people they claim took part in violent attacks during the riot.

Police have charged 14 men so far in relation to the incident.

Strike Force Dribs Commander Andrew Evans warned the alleged rioters if they didn't come forward, they would be hunted down by heavily armed officers.

'If you were there on the evening and undertook some kind of violent criminal action, you need to turn yourself in,' Commander Evans told the Daily Telegraph.

'We will execute those search warrants at family homes and as a result their families, neighbours, and communities are exposed to police coming through the front door and actively seeking to arrest people.'

The stern warning comes after dozens of officers arrested George Boulos at his home in Picnic Point.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel (right) was allegedly attacked by a 16-year-old boy (left), who is now facing terror charges

NSW Police warned rioters who were violent or damaged property to come forward or risk being arrested by heavily armed officers in front of 'their families, neighbours, and communities' (pictured, police at the Wakeley riot)

Boulos is alleged to have used a metal ladder to smash a window in the church in an attempt to confront the alleged teenage terrorist.

He has been charged with riot, aggravated break and enter with intent, throwing a missile at a police officer, and assaulting a police officer.

The 16-year-old boy alleged to be the knifeman behind the attack has been charged with a terrorism offence.

Anyone with information about the Wakeley riot is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
(Photo : Unsplash/Adeolu Eletu )

Careers in 2024 are vastly different from those in the 1950s, where people spend 20 or 30 years working for the same company.

According to The Hill, in 2020 and 2022, the median worker aged 25 to 34 had been in their current job for 2.8 years, compared to three years in 1983. This indicates that companies, including small businesses, are frequently hiring, training, and losing employees, particularly millennials and Gen Z talent. Workers change jobs so frequently that it is not uncommon for someone to leave a company only to return later, similar to a boomerang.

Workplace experts believe that boomerang employees might emerge as the next major trend following the Great Resignation, where numerous workers quit their jobs during the pandemic in pursuit of higher pay or what they deemed as better opportunities.

Why Are Boomerang Employees Leaving Their Companies?

Boomerang workers typically depart from their jobs voluntarily, rather than being terminated or pushed out by their employer, as driven by personal or professional reasons, or a blend of both. While often for another job, the reasons can vary widely, with primary reasons including:

Poor work-life balance and burnout Lack of career development opportunities Not feeling valued Frustration with executive leadership Poor company culture

READ ALSO: The No. 1 Reason Workers Regret Their New Found Jobs- Here's What Shift Shock Means

Why Are Boomerang Employees Coming Back?

What defines someone as a boomerang employee is their eventual return to the company they once previously left. Once again, these individuals come back for a variety of reasons, which are just as diverse and personalized as the reasons they initially left. Sometimes, it is as straightforward as an employee taking a new job and realizing that it is not what they were promised, prompting them to return. Among those who quit their jobs during The Great Resignation, a pandemic-era phenomenon, 43% now acknowledge that they were better off in their previous role! Some may feel more capable of performing their former job now, armed with new skills, experiences, and perspectives.

The primary reasons employees return to their previous company include:

Missing their peers/coworkers (38%) Feeling more familiarity and comfort in the role (31%) Missing the customers (22%) Better compensation/pay (19%) Better work-life balance (16%)

What is The Edge of Boomerang Employees?

According to research, boomerang employees tend to stay with organizations longer than the average length of service for new hires, partly due to their in-depth understanding of the business. Whatever the reason, hiring teams recognize that recruiting boomerang employees can help reduce attrition rates.

Boomerang employees also offer unique perspectives. They have developed their skills and experience at other organizations and combined these assets with institutional knowledge gained from their previous tenure at the company. This not only contributes to a well-rounded understanding of the industry but also enables them to share skills and insights with their teams.

What Are The Bad Implications of A Boomerang Employee?

While boomerang employees can bring valuable skills and insights to a company, there is the risk that they may return with the same concerns or issues that prompted them to leave initially, potentially leading to repeated problems. Their return could also disrupt established team dynamics or relationships, particularly if there were unresolved conflicts during their previous tenure. Furthermore, some colleagues or managers may perceive boomerang employees as less loyal or committed, which could impact trust and working relationships.

RELATED ARTICLE: Job Hopping or Career Stability? Here are Some Expert Tips on How Often You Should Switch Jobs

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Two people have been arrested and warrants have been issued for three others - including an alleged gang leader - more than two years after a father and son were killed in a daylight shooting on a suburban street.

Toufik and Salim Hamze were gunned down as they sat in a red ute at Guildford, in Sydney's west, early on October 20, 2021 amid a spate of public gangland murders.

Salim, 18, who police believe was the target of the hit, died in the ute, while his 64-year-old father died later in hospital.

'The callous murders of father and son, Toufik and Salim Hamze, was one of the worst organised crime assassinations we've seen in Australia, in which an innocent man was caught up in the violence and depravity,' State Crime Commander Assistant Commissioner Mick Fitzgerald said in a statement on Wednesday.

Two men have been arrested and another three are wanted by police after a father and son were killed execution style in their driveway in 2020 (pictured, one of the alleged killers)

One of those wanted is 30-year-old Rafat Alameddine (pictured), the alleged leader of the Alameddine crime gang

A 28-year-old man was arrested during raids at properties in western Sydney on Wednesday morning and is expected to be charged with two counts of murder and involvement in a criminal group.

Another man, a 29-year-old who was already in custody at a Goulburn jail, is expected to face the same charges.

Arrest warrants have been issued for another three men, all of whom are believed to be hiding out overseas.

Among those sought is 30-year-old Rafat Alameddine, the alleged leader of the Alameddine crime gang, along with alleged members John Ray Bayssari, 33, and Zaid Abdelhafez, 24.

Mr Fitzgerald said now was the time for the men to come home.

'As they will be no doubt aware, the arm of the law is far reaching  and there are no safe havens to hide,' he said on Wednesday.

Four other men aged between 18 and 25 have previously been charged over their alleged roles in the double murder.

Police said in December they were still seeking a getaway driver and a shooter, who was seen on CCTV footage slipping before firing into the ute.
A man who allegedly ambushed and stabbed his former girlfriend in the throat outside a popular gym has been revealed by police as a repeat domestic violence offender.

Emergency services were called to Crunch Fitness Alexandria, in Sydney's south, at about 12.30pm on Wednesday after a man - believed to be in his 40s  allegedly attacked a 39-year-old woman with a 'kitchen-style knife' as she left the gym.

Horrified witnesses recalled a loud scream as the woman, who was bleeding from her neck and ears, rushed into the gym to seek help.

The alleged perpetrator, who previously dated the woman for a short time, fled the scene in a grey Ford Focus hatchback.

Police launched a major manhunt on Wednesday afternoon for a 40-year-old man known to the woman. He remained on the run late Wednesday night.

Officers allege the man has a history of violence toward women and that an AVO was put in place just last month banning him from going near his former girlfriend.

A woman has been allegedly stabbed by a man at the Crunch Fitness gym in Alexandria (pictured) before she was rushed to hospital with wounds to neck, head, and back

Pictured: abandoned gym kit in the car park outside the gym

The alleged perpetrator, who previously dated the woman for a short time, fled the scene in a car, with police launching a major manhunt to find him. Pictured is a forensic officer at the scene

'We believe that the offender is known to the victim, we believe that they had been in the past - earlier this year - been in a very short domestic relationship,' Detective Superintendent Rodney Hart told reporters on Wednesday.

'So this has been treated as domestic violence related.'

Det Supt Hart added that the man is known to police for domestic violence-related offences.

'We believe that he used a knife, a kitchen-style knife, and we are concerned that he may still be armed,' he added.

The stabbing occurred just weeks after the woman sought an AVO against the man, which was grant and put in place for her protection, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Paramedics treated the woman at the scene before she was rushed to hospital in a serious but stable condition

Police said that the alleged perpetrator is known to police for domestic violence related offences

The man is described as 170 to 175 centimetres tall, of 'muscular to solid build' with dark hair and possibly a dark beard.

It's believed he allegedly fled the scene in a 2006 grey Ford Focus hatchback with the registration AYQ14W.

Police urged the man to hand himself in.

'We are going to find him and we are going to arrest him,' Det Supt said.

Paramedics treated the woman at the scene before she was rushed to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police requested media did not name the hospital she was taken to, in order to protect her privacy while the alleged perpetrator is still at large.

Det Supt Hart said that the injured woman was 'going to be okay', despite the frightening ordeal.

'It's horrendous what has happened to this poor victim,' he added.

'We are taking this matter extremely seriously. I'm grateful the victim, at this stage, is going to be OK.'

Witnesses said they saw a man attacking the woman in the gym's car park before he fled in a small vehicle.

'I heard a scream, not like a normal scream,' one witness said.

Another said that the man 'was on top of her  then he just took off'.

One witness described how the woman ran into the gym with blood pouring out of her neck and from her ears.

Police have established a crime scene outside the gym, with the car park blocked off to the public

Gym staff provided first aid to the injured woman until emergency services arrived.

'She had blood all over. She was in her gym clothes and had a jacket on,' one witness said.

'There was heaps of police, and they were investigating what happened.'

Another witness said the officers were assisting the woman by wrapping bandages around her neck until paramedics arrived.

'It's kind of scary. I've been to the gym for three years and it's the first time anything like this has happened,' he said.

One witness (pictured) said the woman who was wearing gym clothes had blood all over her

Another witness (right) said police were doing their best to attend to the woman by applying bandages to the wounded areas, while a woman (right) said it was a 'hectic five minutes'

One woman said she heard screaming just as she was making her way up the stairs to go to the gym.

'He was on top of the girl, and I don't what he was trying to do.

'It was a really hectic five minutes,' she said.

Police have established a crime scene outside the gym, with the car park blocked off to the public.

Detectives are reviewing all CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A major manhunt for a man accused of repeatedly stabbing a woman he briefly dated outside a gym in Sydney's inner south is ongoing, with police alleging it was a 'targeted' attack.

Officers were called to the Crunch Fitness gym in Alexandria at about 12.30pm on Wednesday after being told a man, believed to be in his 40s, had stabbed a 39-year-old woman inside the carpark, before fleeing in a vehicle.

The woman, who was rushed to hospital in a serious but stable condition, suffered multiple wounds to her neck, upper body and head during the attack.

Detective Superintendent Rodney Hart said initial inquiries suggested the victim and alleged offender were previously in a 'very short' relationship, and said the man is known to police for domestic violence related offences.

A major manhunt for a man accused of repeatedly stabbing a woman he briefly dated outside a gym in Sydney's inner south is ongoing, with police alleging it was a 'targeted' attack

Officers were called to the Crunch Fitness gym in Alexandria at about 12.30pm on Wednesday after being told a man, believed to be in his 40s, had stabbed a 39-year-old woman inside the carpark, before fleeing in a vehicle

Detective Superintendent Hart urged the man to come forward, and said an arrest warrant was being sought.

He said the man allegedly fled the scene in a 2006 grey Ford Focus hatchback with the registration AYQ14W, and described the man as being about 170-175cm tall, with a muscular to solid build, dark hair and possibly dark beard.

He also said he was last seen wearing a grey jacket, black pants and white sneakers.

'It's horrendous what has happened to this poor victim,' he said.

Detective Superintendent Hart urged the man to hand himself into police, as an arrest warrant was being sought.

'Detectives at the moment are attempting to obtain an arrest warrant for this man,' he said.

'We are going to find him and we're going to arrest him.'

Detective Superintendent Hart said the man had allegedly used a kitchen-style knife during the attack.

Although police believed it was a 'targeted attack,' he said members of the public should not approach the man as he might be armed.

'We are concerned that he may still be armed, so I do ask members of the public if they identify or see this person, do not to approach him but call triple-0 immediately and the police will respond,' he said.

Detective Superintendent Hart urged the man to come forward, and said an arrest warrant was being sought

The woman, who was rushed to hospital in a serious but stable condition, suffered multiple wounds to her neck, upper body and head during the attack

A witness told 9 News he saw the woman was bleeding from her neck and her ears.

The woman was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

One witness, named Claire, told the ABC she was about to enter the gym when she heard 'a scream' and said she saw the man on top of the woman.

'Because of the distance, I wasn't sure what he was trying to do to her. It looked like he was attacking her or he was trying to rob her,' she said.

The attack comes one day after the NSW government flagged the introduction of increased police powers, which would allow authorities to 'wand' people for knives in areas such as shopping centres and transport hubs.

The laws, which will likely be introduced into NSW parliament next week, will be made available in circumstances where a relevant weapons offence/knife crime have occurred within the past six months, and be available to police for 12 hours, with the option to extend.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A man who was stopped for an alleged traffic infringement told a police officer the law did not apply to him because he's Aboriginal.

Paul Silva was pulled over at at South Kempsey on the NSW mid-north coast for allegedly using his mobile phone while driving on March 30.

After being pulled over, he confronted the cop, with an audio recording of their discussion obtained by Ben Fordham from Sydney's 2GB Breakfast show.

'So you're from mid-north coast police station, right?' he said to the police officer.

The officer is heard twice asking Silva for his driver's license.

Silva replied 'Don't raise your voice, sir. Activate your body cam, please.'

Paul Silva (pictured), who was stopped for an alleged traffic infringement, told a police officer the law did not apply to him because he's Aboriginal

When the officer told him his body camera was already on, Silva again said 'Well, don't raise your voice at me.'

The officer told him that all Silva had to do was 'just follow directions', but he again refused to comply.

'No, no, no, no, no, I don't follow your directions. Your law doesn't apply to me as an Aboriginal man,' he said.

'I stopped you for a reason,' the officer responded, getting frustrated at Silva's behaviour.

He then asked the activist not to yell at him.

'If you (don't) want to be yelled at, stop yelling at me, I'll yell back at you,' Silva replied.

Silva was uncooperative and belligerent, saying he would not follow the officer's directions. Stock image: A NSW Police vehicle

The officer then said: 'Mate, you're getting very close to being arrested.'

When he asked for his name and address, which is standard for any police stop, Silva ignored him and instead counted from one to 10 and then told the officer his name and address were written on his license.

The NSW police confirmed to 2GB that a 26-year-old male driver was spoken to before leaving the location and allegedly excessively beeped the vehicle's horn as he drove away.

Silva was issued with two traffic infringement notices: driver used mobile phone where not permitted and use horn or similar device unnecessarily.

Silva made headlines for holding Black Lives Matter demonstrations during the pandemic,
The US paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, according to a senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.

More than 1 million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israel's war on Hamas, which came after the militant group's deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

The U.S. has historically provided enormous amounts of military aid for Israel. That has only accelerated in the aftermath of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack that killed some 1,200 in Israel and led to about 250 being taken captive by militants.

The pausing of the aid shipment is the most striking manifestation of the growing divide between Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and the administration of President Biden, which has called on Israel to do far more to protect the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza.

An Israeli soldier walks near an armored personnel carrier near the border with the southern Gaza Strip on May 7

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on buildings near the separating wall between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip

The official said the decision to pause the shipment was made last week and no final decision had been made yet on whether to proceed with the shipment at a later date

It also comes as the Biden administration is due to deliver a first-of-its-kind formal verdict this week on whether the airstrikes on Gaza and restrictions on delivery of aid have violated international and U.S. laws designed to spare civilians from the worst horrors of war.

A decision against Israel would further add to pressure on Biden to curb the flow of weapons and money to Israels military.

Biden's administration in April began reviewing future transfers of military assistance as Netanyahus government appeared to move closer toward an invasion of Rafah, despite months of opposition from the White House.

The official said the decision to pause the shipment was made last week and no final decision had been made yet on whether to proceed with the shipment at a later date.

U.S. officials had declined for days to comment on the halted transfer, word of which came as Biden on Tuesday described U.S. support for Israel as 'ironclad, even when we disagree.'

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to square the arms holdup with Biden's rhetoric in support of Israel, saying only, 'Two things could be true.'

Israeli troops on Tuesday seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing in what the White House described as a limited operation that stopped short of the full-on Israeli invasion of the city that Biden has repeatedly warned against on humanitarian grounds, most recently in a Monday call with Netanyahu.

President Joe Biden speaks at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's Annual Days of Remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, on May 7, 2024 in Washington

Smoke rises following Israeli airstrike on Rafah, Gaza on May 07, 2024

A Palestinian youth inspects the damage inside a destroyed building following Israeli bombardment of Rafah's Tal al-Sultan district in the southern Gaza Strip on May 7, 2024

Israel tanks also entered into Rafah during the operation to eliminate Hamas fighters and infrastructure.

Israel has ordered the evacuation of 100,000 Palestinians from the city. Israeli forces have also carried out what it describes as 'targeted strikes' on the eastern part of Rafah and captured the Rafah crossing, a critical conduit for the flow of humanitarian aid along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Concern has mounted inside the White House about what's unfolding in Rafah, but publicly administration officials have stressed that they did not think the operations had defied Biden's warnings against a widescale operation in the city.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Israel described the operation along the Gaza-Egypt border in eastern Rafah as 'an operation of limited scale and duration' aimed at cutting off Hamas arms smuggling, but also said the U.S. would monitor the fighting.

Israeli bombing inside Rafah in southern Gaza Strip as seen from inside southern Israel on May 7, 2024

A man stands on the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on May 7, 2024

Just last month, Congress passed a $95 billion national security bill that included funding for Ukraine, Israel and other allies.

The package included more than $14 billion in military aid for Israel, though the stalled transfer was not related to that measure.

The State Department is separately considering whether to approve the continued transfer of Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, which place precision guidance systems onto bombs, to Israel, but the review didn't pertain to imminent shipments.

The U.S. dropped the 2,000-pound bomb sparingly in its long war against the Islamic State militant group.

Israel, by contrast, has used the bomb frequently in the seven-month Gaza war. Experts say the use of the weapon, in part, has helped drive the enormous Palestinian casualty count that the Hamas-run health ministry puts at more than 34,000 dead, though it doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians.
The girlfriend of a man charged over the alleged shooting murders of two Australian brothers and their friend in Mexico has told a court her boyfriend confessed to killing 'three gringos' during the botched robbery.

Callum and Jake Robinson, originally from Perth, were on a road trip with their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad around the west coast of Baja California on April 27 when they disappeared.

On Saturday, their remains were found at the bottom of a 50-foot well on a property near the city of Ensenada - about 2km away from their Airbnb in Rosarito. Each had a single gunshot wound to the head.

Mexican man Jesus Gerardo, his girlfriend Ari Gisel Garcia Cota and his brother Christian Alejandro Garcia were later arrested.

Gerardo, known as El Kekas, was charged with forced kidnapping but that could be upgraded to murder.

In an Ensenada court on Wednesday, Gisel revealed her boyfriend allegedly confessed to killing the Robinson brothers and Mr Rhoad when he returned from their blood-soaked campsite on April 27.

Callum Robinson, 33, (left) and his brother Jake (right) were travelling in the Baja California region when they disappeared on April 27

Ari Gisel Garcia, 23, is one of three suspects arrested. She is reportedly the partner of fellow suspect Jesus Gerardo Garcia

Brothers Jesus Gerardo (pictured left) and Cristian Alejandro Garcia were two of the three suspects arrested

According to Nine News, El Kekas said: 'I f***ed up three gringos.'

Gisel asked: 'What do you mean by that?'

El Kekas replied: 'I killed them.'

She told the court he fitted her car with the tyres stolen from the victims' white Chevrolet Colorado on April 28, the morning after the alleged murders.

The truck had been taken to Santo Tomas and set on fire, after which the wheels were removed.

Gisel fled to her mother's house after being told of what happened, and was arrested a few hours later.

Prosecutors told her that she had the right to silence but she said 'I don't want to, I want to declare what I know', explaining that she was the victim of domestic violence and wanted to protect her four-year-old son.

El Kekas is on remand until his matter is mentioned in court again, in November.

Pictured: The white Chevrolet Colorado truck that was found torched, with the wheels still on the vehicle

After the bodies were found on Saturday, Baja California's state prosecutor Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez alleged the trio had intended to steal the tyres, but the situation allegedly turned violent because the men resisted.

However, questions about the robbery theory remain because photographs of the burnt-out truck clearly show the wheels were still on the vehicle when it was set alight.

Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro told Daily Mail Australia there are many potential explanations as to what happened, but he said the authorities' belief it was a robbery that escalated is most likely.

'The logical theory is that it's a robbery gone wrong and they've panicked and allegedly killed three people and they dispose of the bodies in a well,' he said.

'The fact that the tyres were still on the car seems to me to be about destroying evidence.'

He said the idea of allegedly shooting three people over a set of tyres 'seems strange to Australians, but life is extremely cheap over there and people have killed for less'.

Mr Watson-Munro said he has travelled around the west coast of Mexico and knows others who went to the same region in Baja California, but they did not stop around Ensenada due to warnings of cartel violence.

Expert criminologist Tim Watson-Munro (pictured) said the situation could have been a robbery gone wrong

'They made a decision to pass through and not to stop there because they were warned it's like anarchy on steroids,' he said.

'That area in particular is lawless.'

He described the situation as a terrible tragedy, adding: 'They're just trying to have a surfing holiday and they paid the ultimate price.'

After the bodies were found on Saturday, Ms Ramirez told local reporters the alleged killers approached the men 'with the intention of stealing their vehicle and taking the tyres and other parts to put them on the older-model pickup they were driving'.

'When [the tourists] came up and caught them surely they resisted, and these people, the assailants, took out a gun and first they killed the one who was putting up resistance against the vehicle theft.

'Then others came along and joined the fight to defend their property and their companion who had been attacked, and they killed them too.'

The alleged killers have been charged with kidnapping.

Ms Garcia, 23, allegedly had one of the missing men's mobile phones.

Police were able to make the arrests when a phone belonging to one of the Australian brothers was turned on and pinged a mobile tower in the area, leading officers to that location.

Australian brothers Jake, 30, (right) and Callum Robinson, 32, (left) are pictured with their parents Debra and Martin

The alleged murders have not been linked to organised crime, but investigators have yet to rule it out.

Jake, who worked in Perth as a doctor, had flown to the US two weeks earlier to visit Callum, who was living in San Diego with his girlfriend Emily Horwath.

Their parents Martin and Debra Robinson broke down in tears as they spoke about their sons deaths from San Diego on Tuesday.

'It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Callum and Jake have been murdered,' Ms Robinson said.

'Our hearts are broken and the world has become a darker place for us.'

'Now it's time to bring them home to family and friends - and the ocean waves in Australia. Please live bigger, shine brighter and love harder in their memory.'
North Korea's former propaganda chief who masterminded the personality cult surrounding the ruling Kim dynasty has died, state media said Wednesday, with leader Kim Jong Un photographed bowing at his funeral.

Kim Ki Nam died on Tuesday due to old age and 'multiple organ dysfunction', having been treated at a hospital since 2022, the country's official Korean Central News Agency said. He was 94.

Kim Jong Un visited the funeral hall early Wednesday morning, paid silent tribute and looked around with 'bitter grief over the loss of a veteran revolutionary who had remained boundlessly loyal' to the regime, KCNA said.

The North Korean leader was seen bowing in front of the funeral bier as a contingent of military men in uniforms serenaded them with various musical instruments.

Nam was routinely referred to as the Joseph Goebbels of North Korea, in reference to the Nazi propagandist-in-chief, so key was his work in entrenching the Kim family in power.

Kim Jong Un visited the funeral hall early Wednesday morning, paid silent tribute and looked around the bier with 'bitter grief over the loss of a veteran revolutionary who had remained boundlessly loyal' to the regime, state media KCNA said

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (C) and senior officials express their condolences to former Workers' Party of Korea Vice Chairman Kim Ki Nam

In the 1970s, Kim Ki Nam was in charge of Pyongyang's official mouthpiece, the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, according to the North.

He is seen as the driving force behind the propaganda masterminding the cult of the Kim family dynasty, and Pyongyang's state media on Wednesday described him as 'a veteran of our Party and the revolution, a prestigious theoretician and a prominent political activist'.

An image released by the Rodong Sinmun showed leader Kim, dressed in a dark suit, solemnly paying his respects alongside high-ranking party and military officials, in front of what appeared to be a flower-decorated bier.

The Kim dynasty, established by Pyongyang's founding leader Kim Il Sung, has ruled the impoverished, isolated nation with an iron fist and pervasive personality cult over three generations.

The family are revered in the North as the 'Paektu bloodline', named after the country's highest mountain and supposed birthplace of the late leader Kim Jong Il.

In 2015, images in state media showed the late official Kim Ki Nam, in his 80s at the time, taking notes diligently in front of Kim Jong Un, more than 50 years his junior.

Kim Ki Nam 'is the North Korean equivalent of (Nazi propaganda chief) Paul Joseph Goebbels,' said Ahn Chan-il, a defector-turned-researcher who runs the World Institute for North Korea Studies.

'It is safe to say that the propaganda and agitation strategies of the Kim dynasty all came from Kim Ki Nam's mind.'

Kim Ki Nam was seen as the driving force behind the propaganda masterminding the cult of the Kim family dynasty

Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, took up Kim Ki Nam's mantle as chief propagandist some seven years ago

Kim Ki Nam's role as the regime's chief propagandist was eventually passed on to Kim Jong Un's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, in the late 2010s.

Her arrival at the propaganda department as its high-ranking figure took place in 2018, according to Seoul's unification ministry.

Kim Ki Nam in 2005 led a North Korean delegation to visit South Korea's National Cemetery, honouring soldiers who died during the Korean War, when inter-Korean relations were in a better state.

In 2009, the late official led a North Korean delegation to South Korea to attend the funeral of Seoul's former dovish president, Kim Dae-jung. During the visit, they laid a wreath signed by Pyongyang's then-leader Kim Jong Il.

Kim Dae-jung in 2000 made a historic visit to Pyongyang, where he met with Kim Jong Il, the predecessor and father of current leader Kim Jong Un.

During his visit to Seoul in 2009, Kim Ki Nam met with Seoul's then-president Lee Myung-bak.

Inter-Korean relations are at one of their lowest points in years recently, with Pyongyang declaring South Korea its 'principal enemy'.

It's regrettable that Pyongyang has made no mention of Kim Ki Nam's efforts for inter-Korean cooperation following his death, Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP.

'It seems to show the current state of inter-Korean relations characterised by confrontation and conflict,' he said.
Major Tim Peake says there is 'absolutely' alien life in the universe and predicts that extra-terrestrial bacterial life could be found within the next five years.

The British astronaut, 52, thinks the universe is 'teeming with life' but the vastness of it may cause problems with us ever making contact.

The father of two, from Chichester, East Sussex, was the last Briton to travel into space when he flew to the International Space Station (ISS) as a European Space Agency astronaut in 2015.

This week he spoke of his desire to be involved in a moon mission and also said he would love to be involved in a trip to Mars.

Speaking on the Travel Diaries podcast, Peake was asked if he pictured walking talking beings or microorganisms.

Tim Peake says there is 'absolutely' alien life in the universe and predicts that extra-terrestrial bacterial life could be found within the next five years

The British astronaut, 52, thinks the universe is 'teeming with life' but the vastness of it may cause problems with us ever making contact

'I think both. I think walking, talking, conscious, intelligent life is going to be far more rare than life in general,' he said.

'I think the universe is teeming with life. If you're in any doubt as to the vastness and the scale of the universe, just go and Google some of these James Webb space telescope shots that we're getting now of galaxies.

'I mean, hundreds of billions of stars in our own milky way galaxy, which is very average.

'We think they could be up to two trillion galaxies, each with a few hundred billion stars.'

He said the scale of the universe was 'mind-boggling' and that we are learning water is very common throughout.

Peake said: 'Water is all throughout our own solar system, let alone the galaxy. We know there are thousands and thousands of planets, even in our local neighbourhood around stars that we're observing right now.

'These planets tend to form the same pattern as our solar system, rocky ones close to the star, giant gas planets further out.

Major Peake said there are hundreds of billions of stars in our own milky way galaxy, 'which is very average' with it believed there are a trillion galaxies in the universe

The father of two thinks 'walking, talking, conscious, intelligent life is going to be far more rare than life in general'

'And actually the more common form of stars, which are red dwarves not yellow dwarves like our own sun, burn for trillions of years and so there's far more time if you're in a planet orbiting a red star, for life to evolve.'

He believes that there is 'life if everywhere' and made a bold prediction we could find 'signs of small, microbial bacterial life form within the next possible five, 10, 15 years'.

'We're already seeing potential bio-signatures in the atmospheres of planets in our local vicinity which will be really exciting,' he said

'Intelligent life, yes  I think intelligent life is out there.

'The problem is the vastness of the universe, just the scales we're talking about, will we ever make contact?'

Peake revealed in October that he was going to quit his retirement in order to lead the UK's first astronaut mission.

He will lead the crew of four on a 200million project to the International Space Station with the mission being funded by Axiom.
The United States has halted bomb shipments to Israel amid 'concerns' over its ally's invasion of Rafah, the overcrowded city in southern Gaza.

As Israel bombarded the city today where it has launched a ground incursion, talks resumed on Wednesday in Cairo aimed at agreeing the terms of a truce in the seven-month war that was sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.

Hamas has warned Israel that the ongoing round of ceasefire talks is the 'last chance' to free its hostages after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week rejected a deal that was accepted by the Palestinian group.

War-weary Palestinians rejoiced in the streets on Monday at news that Hamas had accepted a ceasefire agreement hashed out by Egyptian and Qatari negotiators - only for Israel to dismiss the deal and commence bombing overnight.

Then on Tuesday, after weeks of vowing to launch a ground incursion into Rafah despite international objections, Israeli tanks seized the border crossing that has served as the main conduit for aid into the besieged Palestinian territory.

The White House condemned Israeli's move to capture the Rafah crossing, which interrupted sorely needed humanitarian deliveries, and paused shipments of bombs after Israel failed to address Washington's concerns over its Rafah plans.

Now, negotiators and mediators are meeting in Cairo to try and hammer out a final hostage release deal and truce that both Israel and Hamas can accept as the IDF continues its brutal assault of Gaza.

Smoke rises from shopping centre following Israeli airstrike on east of Rafah, Gaza on May 07, 2024

Israeli artillery fire near the border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, 07 May 2024

Children stand by an impact crater at the site of a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 8, 2024

Palestinian medics treat a girl wounded in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at the Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza, Tuesday, May 7, 2024

People search with flashlights by an impact crater at the site of a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 7, 2024

Israeli military vehicles operate in the Gazan side of the Rafah Crossing, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the southern Gaza Strip, in this handout image released on May 7, 2024

A senior Hamas official, requesting anonymity, warned these talks in Cairo would be Israel's 'last chance' to free the scores of hostages still in militants' hands.

Egypt's state-linked Al-Qahera News reported Tuesday that mediators from Qatar, the United States and Egypt were meeting with a Hamas delegation.

It later reported that 'all parties' including Israel had agreed to resume talks, with Netanyahu declaring earlier this week he had sent his country's delegation to the Egyptian capital.

Israel's close ally and chief military backer the United States said it was hopeful the two sides could 'close the remaining gaps'.

'Everybody's coming to the table,' US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. 'That's not insignificant.'

Despite the Cairo talks, witnesses and a local hospital reported Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight into Wednesday morning, including around Rafah.

One strike on an apartment in devastated Gaza City killed seven members of the same family and wounded several other people early Wednesday, the Al-Ahli hospital said.

Israel's Rafah operation began hours after Hamas announced late Monday it had accepted a truce proposal - one Israel said was 'far' from what it had previously agreed to.

The announcement prompted cheering crowds to take to the streets in Gaza - but Rafah resident Abu Aoun al-Najjar said the 'indescribable joy' was short-lived.

'It turned out to be a bloody night,' he told reporters, as more Israeli bombardments 'stole our joy'.

Yesterday morning, Israeli army footage showed tanks taking 'operational control' of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.

Netanyahu described the operation as 'a very important step' in denying Hamas 'a passage that was essential for establishing its reign of terror'.

Former Israeli intelligence official and regional analyst Avi Melamed told MailOnline: 'In many ways the loss of the Rafah crossing was a symbolic one for Hamas's rule of Gaza - it used the crossing to control and profit from imports via taxes/duties and used the crossing to control who could and could not enter or leave Gaza.

'The significance of last night's operation should not be underscored. The Israeli military would have needed to coordinate its operation closely with the Egyptian and US militaries to ensure no crossfire during the operation. It highlights the precarious situation Hamas and its leaders find themselves in with very few friendly nations.

'The Israeli operation also highlights the tightening of the noose around Hamas' leaders and final bastion in Rafah... Ultimately it is highly likely Israel will continue its intensive operation, ramping up the military pressure on Hamas's negotiation stance and ultimately on Yahya Sinwar and Hamas's other Gaza-entrenched leaders.'

But the Rafah operation was roundly condemned by world governments, human rights groups and aid agencies.

Smoke billows from Israeli strikes in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 7, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (L) visits army units on the border between Israel and Gaza Strip near Rafah, Gaza on May 07, 2024

A boy stands before an impact crater at the site of a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 8, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and the militant group Hamas

A woman mourns next to the body of a Palestinian killed in Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 8, 2024

Internally displaced Palestinians at Rafah beach, near the border with Egypt, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, 07 May 2024

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on buildings near the separating wall between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, May 7, 2024

UN humanitarian office spokesman Jens Laerke said Israel had also denied his organisation access to both Rafah and Kerem Shalom - another major aid crossing on the border with Israel.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel to 'immediately' reopen both crossings, calling the closures 'especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation'.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre offered a similar view, calling the closures 'unacceptable'.

Hours after the press secretary's statement, a senior Biden administration official speaking on condition of anonymity revealed the United States had 'paused one shipment of weapons last week' after Israel failed to address its concerns over the Rafah incursion, which Washington has vocally opposed.

The shipment had consisted of more than 3,500 heavy-duty bombs, the official said.

It was the first time that Biden had acted on a warning he gave Netanyahu in April - namely that US policy on Gaza would depend on how Israel treated civilians.

Retired US Navy Captain Robert Sanders told MailOnline: 'Israel is creating a new cadre of potential terrorists in the survivors of Gaza and is all but guaranteeing perpetual warfare.

'Israel's posture is sadly morphing from Oct 7 victim into recognition as an international law violating aggressor with a disregard for the genocidal implications of its state actions.'

But Defence Minister Yoav Gallant remained undeterred in his desire to eliminate Hamas, saying Israel might 'deepen' its Gaza operation if negotiations failed to bring the hostages home.

'This operation will continue until we eliminate Hamas in the Rafah area and the entire Gaza Strip, or until the first hostage returns,' he said in a statement.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, said the US military had completed construction of a pier off Gaza's coast to offer an alternative route for badly needed humanitarian aid, but weather conditions mean it is currently unsafe to move the two-part facility into place.

The border gate is seen as the Israeli army announced it has taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing in Rafah

An Israeli Howitzer weapon fires from southern Israeli into Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 7, 2024

Displaced Palestinians flee Rafah with their belongings to safer areas in the southern Gaza Strip on May 7, 2024

Egypt and Qatar have taken the lead in the truce talks, with Hamas saying Monday it had told officials from both countries of its 'approval of their proposal regarding a ceasefire'.

Hamas member Khalil al-Hayya told the Qatar-based Al Jazeera news channel that the proposal involved a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the return of Palestinians displaced by the war and a hostage-prisoner exchange, with the goal of a 'permanent ceasefire'.

Netanyahu's office called the proposal 'far from Israel's essential demands', but said the government would still send negotiators to Cairo.

International alarm has been building about the consequences of an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah, where the United Nations says 1.4 million people are sheltering.

But Netanyahu had repeatedly vowed to send in ground troops regardless of any truce, saying Israel needs to root out remaining Hamas forces.

Aid groups have warned that the coastal 'humanitarian area' of Al-Muwasi - where Israel's military told people to go before it launched its Rafah operation - is unprepared to handle the influx.

The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians.

Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel launched a retaliatory offensive that has so far killed at least 34,789 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, the Hamas-run territory's health ministry said Tuesday.

Militants also took around 250 people hostage on October 7, of whom Israel estimates 128 remain in Gaza, including 36 who are believed to be dead.
The bereaved parents of children who tragically died after viewing harmful content on social media have called for a crackdown by Ofcom.

The parents of Molly Russell and Brianna Ghey have joined others in warning about the scourge of harmful content on websites such as Instagram and TikTok, after a spate of suicides.

The families shared the heartbreak of losing children who fell down into a world of content about suicide, self-harm, eating disorders and violence online, fed to them by toxic algorithms.

There were emotional scenes as a group of parents revealed how despite their best efforts to protect their children, they saw them fall into a well of dark and depraved material that saw them lose their lives.

It comes as the head of Ofcom, Dame Melanie Dawes, said it has become 'normalised' for children to be fed harmful material online and that changes have to be made.

The technology watchdog last night announced plans to force tech companies to combat algorithms that promote dangerous content, with the possibility of large fines worth billions of pounds for those that don't implement practical measures.

Maia Walsh (pictured) was found dead at her home in Hertfordshire weeks before her 14th birthday after falling down a well of harmful content on social media

Molly Russell (pictured) took her own life at the age of 14 after viewing material linked to anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide online

Isaac Kenevan (pictured) died at the age of 13 after taking part in a social media 'choking' challenge, it is believed

The proposals include instituting more robust age-verification measures, which could see facial recognition technology replace self-declarations of that users are over 18.

The regulator has also told social media firms that they need to redesign their algorithms, which recommend content to users they believe will interest them or keep them scrolling, so they filter out the most harmful content for child users.

It could see millions of children removed from social media sites after research suggested that a staggering 51 per cent of children aged between three and 12 use at least one social media network.

Today the parents of children who have tragically taken their own lives or died after viewing harmful content demanded that Ofcom cracks down on tech firms.

Among those was Ruth Moss, whose daughter Sophie Parkinson died by suicide at the age of just 13 after looking up ways to end her life online in 2014.

She told BBC Breakfast that she had done everything 'that parents should do' but they were unable to stop the tragedy.

Ms Moss said: 'It was really hard. We did all the things that parents should do, we had all those conversations, we locked down our internet and yet she still would find ways to circumvent the things that we had put in place.

'The thing that struck me was it was just too big, it was too ubiquitous, it was everywhere so you can't escape it.'

She was joined on the BBC Breakfast couch by Lisa Kenevan, who believes her son Isaac died after attempting a dangerous 'choking' challenge he had seen on social media.

The 51-year-old, who found her son's lifeless body on the bathroom floor at her home in Essex in March 2022, hit out at the 'snails pace' for change by Ofcom.

Liam Walsh (left) and Lisa Kenevan (right) saw both their children die after viewing harmful content on social media

Ruth Moss (left) and Esther Ghey (right) have both called for a crackdown on tech giants for allowing the harmful content

Sophie Parkinson (pictured) was found dead at her home near Dundee in 2014 after viewing guides on how to commit suicide online

She said: 'Like many of these children he [Isaac] was a happy, normal boy with the zest of life. He wanted to be rich, he wanted to look after his mum and dad. He was loving - everyday he told us that he loved us.

Social media has become a 'Wild West' of harmful content, says Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has said social media has become a 'Wild West' for children where they are able to view harmful content. Writing in The Telegraph, the Technology Secretary said the Online Safety Act would help crackdown on this type of material. She said: 'To be clear, no one can argue that social media hasn't brought us many benefits. But new technology being beneficial does not mean we have to tolerate a 'Wild West' situation, especially for our children.' The 40-year-old, who is the MP for Chippenham, added that 'what is illegal offline should be illegal online'. 'Criminals should not be able to hide behind screens with impunity. 'Children should not be force-fed violence, pornography, abuse and harmful content. 'Social media companies should abide by their terms and conditions. 'Parents should be in the driving seat of their own children's childhood.' Ms Donelan added that the measures drawn up by Ofcom are a 'milestone' and will address the 'devastating effects of damaging algorithms that, little by little, increase the harms to which our children are exposed'. Advertisement

'He was highly inquisitive, highly intelligent and he just wanted to know how things worked. He got sucked into doing something that he got a high out of by doing the blackout challenge. He took it a little bit further and he passed away on March 9, 2022.

She added: 'You have all these people on the couch - a club that we never want to be in. It pulls us all together for a greater voice and we just want some accountability. If we can try and stop just one parents going through what we're going through then we've done a good job.

'But the sad thing is the snail pace that's happening with Ofcom and social media platforms taking responsibility, the reality is there are going to be more cases.'

There were emotional scenes as fellow parent Liam Walsh broke down as he described how his daughter Maia became caught up in self-harm content

Maia died at her home in Hertfordshire weeks before her 14th birthday in October 2022, and her father claims she had been pulled into a 'circus' of harmful content on TikTok.

He said: 'She got pulled into a circus through TikTok into suicide ideology which she was sharing and bantering with her friends.

'Things went from rosy, beautiful and positive and embracing of life to that. It caught her on a bad day and it took her.'

The families are demanding changes in the way social media is regulated by Ofcom in a bid to halt the deaths of children in Britain.

Esther Ghey, whose daughter Brianna Ghey viewed self-harm content online and struggled with her mental health before being murdered last year, said social media is impacting on untold numbers of children.

She said: 'It's the first time that we've all met and hearing everybody's stories is so emotional.

'Our stories are public but how many children are actually struggling with their mental health?

'How many children have been affected, are self-harming, have eating disorders, have taken their own lives that we don't actually know about?

'We're all standing united to make sure that change happens.'

Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter Molly took her own life after viewing dark content on Instagram and Pinterest, said he was 'frustrated' by delays in implementing changes that could save lives and that 'nothing seems to have changed'.

Speaking on the programme, he said: 'They [tech firms] say they are waiting on Ofcom to publish its codes of practice, so there is a delay and the tech companies are just sitting down and not doing anything because they are buying as much time as they can. How can we make them move?

Ian Russell, the father of Molly Russell has said he is 'frustrated' by how slow it is taking for change to happen

Archie Battersbee (pictured) whose mother claims died after taking part in an online challenge at his home in Southend-on-Sea

Mia Janin (pictured) took her own life after being bullied on social media

Mr Russell, chair of online safety charity for the Molly Rose Foundations, said the proposals by Ofcom fell short of what is required.

He said: 'Ofcom's task was to seize the moment and propose bold and decisive measures that can protect children from widespread but inherently preventable harm.

'The regulator has proposed some important and welcome measures, but its overall set of proposals need to be more ambitious to prevent children encountering harmful content that cost Molly's life.

'It's over six years since Molly's death, but the reality is that very little has yet changed. In some respects, the risks for teens have actually got worse.

'That's why it's hugely important that the next Prime Minister commits to finish the job to and strengthen the Online Safety Act to give children and families the protection they deserve.'

Stuart Stephens, whose 13-year-old son Olly was stabbed to death by two boys after a row on social media, said children are becoming 'desensitised' due to the the content online.

He told the programme that 'graphic and horrific' material on social media was harming not just the children who watched it but others as well.

Meanwhile Hollie Dance, who believes her son Archie Battersbee died after taking part in an online challenge, questioned how firms would be forced to verify the age of users.

Ms Dance, who said she had been unaware that her 12-year-old son was using TikTok prior to his death, said: 'It doesn't take a genius to work out the date of birth that gets you [on] one of these social media platforms. It's too easily accessible.'

She added: 'As parents you can only do so much. I've spoken to the other parents here and we all do our best to safeguard our children, but when your child has access to a mobile phone you're bringing a billion strangers into your home.'

Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes has said the regulator's draft children's safety codes of practice will result in 'big changes' for social media companies.

Dame Melanie told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme this morning: 'We're announcing big changes today for tech companies and social media companies to protect children online.

'Right now, young people are fed harmful content on their feed again and again, and this has become normalised but it needs to change.

'So, we are requiring proper robust age checks, changes to the algorithms that create those feeds - so children are not shown suicide and self-harm material or pornography, and more control for teenagers.

She added social media companies will be required for the first time to look at their own services under the regulator's draft children's safety codes of practice.

'They will be responsible for the first time in law for actually looking at their own services, who's using them, what the advantages are of course, but also what the risks are.

'We've set out a comprehensive assessment of those risks and guidance on how they need to do those assessments.

'They'll be required to provide them to us and we will scrutinise them and make sure they're up to scratch and then they need to take measures to address the risks they found.'

Dame Melanie added: 'Ofcom is going to be marking their homework and doing so transparently as well so that the public can see the results and the marks that we're giving.'

She said that the new rules would allow children to have freedom of expression online 'in a way that's no longer harmful'.

Dame Melanie Dawes (pictured), the head of Ofcom, said children being fed harmful content online by algorithms has been normalised

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan (pictured) has said social media has turned into a 'Wild West' for children

'What we're trying to do is to create a set of services online that children can enjoy and have freedom of expression to be able to connect with their friends, be able to get information from across the world about what's going on that they're interested in, but in a way that's no longer harmful,' Dame Melanie said.

'I think at the moment a lot of young people, and a lot of adults too, are actually put off going online.

'They don't actually have that freedom of expression that the platforms sometimes say they do because the experience is so harmful - so that's what we're trying to tackle.'

Dame Melanie added that Ofcom was 'working very closely with the National Crime Agency and others' on the issue of encrypted illegal online material.

She added: 'Our measures, which go way beyond current industry standards, will deliver a step-change in online safety for children in the UK.

'Once they are in force we won't hesitate to use our full range of enforcement powers to hold platforms to account. That's a promise we make to children and parents today.'

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said introducing the kind of age checks that young people experienced in the real world and addressing algorithms would bring about a fundamental change in how children in Britain experienced the online world.

'To platforms, my message is engage with us and prepare,' she said. 'Do not wait for enforcement and hefty fines - step up to meet your responsibilities and act now.'

She added that firms could be fined 'up to 18 per cent of their global turnover' if they breach their obligations - something that if enforced could see the largest fined billions of pounds.

In a draft of the new Ofcom code companies must assess the risks posed to children by their platform's content and implement safety measures to mitigate these risks.

The latest draft of the Online Safety Rules outlines 40 practical measures to be carried out by tech companies with child users  with hefty fines for those found to be in breach.

This includes guidance on how to institute more robust age-verification measures to ensure children can't access harmful content on the platform.

Sufficient methods given in the guidance include facial identification technologies such as matching photographs to ID, or apps that estimate a user's age from a photograph.

The regulator warns that existing methods  such as relying on users to self-declare that they are over 18  will no longer be sufficient.

Platforms have also been told that they need to redesign their algorithms to filter out the most harmful content for child users.

Most social media platforms rely on algorithms to recommend content to users that they believe will interest them or keep them scrolling.

Olly Stephens (pictured) was stabbed to death by two teenage boys after a dispute on social media. His father says children are becoming 'desensitised' by what they see on these platforms

Stuart Stephens (pictured), the father of murdered Olly Stephens, said there is 'graphic and horrific' content online

However, as the Ofcom proposal says: 'Evidence shows that recommender systems are a key pathway for children to encounter harmful content.

'They also play a part in narrowing down the type of content presented to a user, which can lead to increasingly harmful content recommendations as well as exposing users to cumulative harm.'

Children quoted in the new safety code, published today, cited worries over being contacted by strangers or added to chats online without their consent.

Others mentioned wanting more restrictions on the type of images or information being recommended to them. One 15-year-old said: 'If you watch [violent content], you get more of it'.

It comes just months after violent online content was deemed 'unavoidable' for children in the UK.

Every British child interviewed for an Ofcom study released in March had watched violent material on the internet, with some viewing it while in primary school.

A group of 11 parents who have lost their children this way said they welcomed the Online Safety Act and how the new regulation was 'slowly but surely taking space', but called on politicians to put more pressure on tech firms to do more to protect children.

In a joint letter sent to both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, urging them to pledge to do more ahead of a general election, Bereaved Families for Online Safety said: 'We encourage you to make clear to tech companies they must start to design and build their services in a safe and fundamentally responsible way.

'If companies are not prepared to do so, they should be made to understand there is no longer a place for them in the UK.

'We urge you to commit to a strong, determined and evidence-based course of action, including a commitment to strengthen the Online Safety Act in the first half of the next parliament.

'We strongly implore you to embed safety-by-design principles into the development of generative AI - in doing so, acting now to ensure that history is unable to repeat itself.

'Tech companies must be subject to proper and meaningful accountability, with children and parents able to have confidence that platform terms and conditions are enforced, and that when the companies receive user reports they will respond quickly and take them seriously.'

Brianna Ghey (pictured), who was murdered in February 2023, had viewed harmful content online that caused her to struggle with her mental health before she was killed

Ms Moss told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I'd say I was cautiously optimistic having spoken to them (Ofcom) and had an overview of what the codes look like. The issues that I'd very much been talking about back in 2017 are being addressed.

'Those are some of the things like age assurance, they are looking at the algorithms and reducing the amount of algorithmic material on children's feeds.'

She added: 'My personal view is that no child should be able to have privately messaged conversations that are end-to-end encrypted because if they're end-to-end encrypted even the social media companies themselves can't access those conversations.

'I would want to see Ofcom backing a change in the legislation further down the line to strengthen that area of law.'

Alice Campbell, head of Public Affairs at techUK, the trade association from Britain's technology industry, said its members have already put in place some of the measures asked for by Ofcom.

'We welcome this consultation which is an important step forward in the implementation of the Online Safety Act,' she said.

'Many in-scope companies have already started to put additional child safety measures in place in anticipation on the Online Safety Act coming into force.

'However, today's consultation provides important additional detail that in-scope companies will need to engage with.

'We look forward to continuing to work alongside members, Ofcom and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to ensure a robust and effective online safety regime.'

MailOnline has contacted Meta, TikTok and Snapchat for comment.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
By Park Jin-hai

Riding on the global success of the tvN drama "The Queen of Tears," actor Kim Soo-hyun is set to tour Asia and meet his fans.

Titled "2024 Kim Soo-hyun Asia Tour: Eyes on You," the tour will kick off on June 15 at Thunder Dome Stadium in Bangkok, the actor's agency Goldmedalist, announced Tuesday.

The Thunder Dome is the venue where K-pop acts such as NCT 127, aespa and IVE have held concerts in the past.

This will be followed by two-day fan meetings at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama, Japan, on June 22 and 23. Tickets for the 10,000-seat venue are set at 13,000 yen ($84).

His agency said it is in discussions to organize additional events in cities such as Manila in the Philippines, Taipei in Taiwan, Jakarta in Indonesia and Hong Kong.

It is the first time in 10 years for Kim to hold a large-scale fan meeting tour, following the smash-hit 2013 rom-com My Love from the Star," where he starred opposite Jun Ji-hyun.

During the 2014 fan meeting, Kim traveled to nine cities in seven Asian countries  Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan for three months, meeting some 50,000 fans.

"Queen of Tears," penned by Park Ji-eun, delved into the tumultuous relationship between ordinary lawyer Baek Hyun-woo (Kim) and chaebol heiress and Baeks wife Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji-won).

The 36-year-old actor made his mark with his portrayal of a pitiful husband, in stark contrast to his previous hallyu prince" image. The drama's last episode aired on April 28 and garnered a whopping 25 percent viewership rating. This is a record for the highest ratings ever for a drama on the network.

The hit Korean drama surpassed 460.7 million viewing hours, as of Wednesday, rapidly approaching the 500 million viewing hour mark since its first release on March 9, according to Netflix.

Reflecting its huge popularity, the drama aired special behind-the-scene episodes over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Kim will begin shooting his next black comedy drama Knock Off later this year.
A fearless adrenaline junkie is making waves in the world of snake catching by injecting a hint of glamour to the dangerous role.

Courtenay Brown, 38, is a newcomer to the snake catching scene but is already making a name for herself.

The fearless 'Snake Lady', who works on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, says she is thriving on the 'fun and adrenaline' of the male-dominated industry.

She became certified to relocate reptiles and handle venomous snakes because she wanted to do something that she's passionate about now that her kids were older.

The mother-of-two started her business, 'That Snake Lady', in mid-2023, but she has many more years of experience handling the reptiles.

And if she had one bit of advice for Aussies who have the misfortune of finding a snake on their property, it is: 'Dont try to pick it up'.

Courtenay Brown started 'That Snake Lady' in 2023 because she loves the reptiles

Ms Brown said she was hoping to help re-educate locals and show people that they aren't aggressive creatures

'It's just a really fun thing and there's not too many women doing it,' Ms Brown told Daily Mail Australia.

'It's definitely more dominated by males so it's good to be a female out there doing something different.'

The reptile handler said working with animals everyday was an amazing experience.

'There is a lot of adrenaline,' she explained.

'Someone will call you and say there's a snake in the house or the yard... and you've got to be 100 per cent focused because animals are unpredictable.

'I find that exciting and fun, and it's good to help people see that snakes aren't necessarily evil or out to hurt you'.

The fearless 'Snake Lady' says she is thriving on the 'fun and adrenaline' of the male-dominated industry

The mother-of-two started her business, 'That Snake Lady', in mid-2023, but she has many more years of experience handling the reptiles

Ms Brown hopes to help re-educate locals.

'Snakes are quite misunderstood creatures, a lot of people see them as being aggressive when that's not the case,' she said.

'I would love to help educate people that they are defensive animals that would much rather hide from you than hurt you.

'There's no real need to be afraid, if you leave a snakes alone respect their space you won't get bitten.

'Don't try to pick them up.'

That Snake Lady offers her service 24-7 and is available from Caloundra to Noosa and the hinterland

That Snake Lady is a 24-7 service available for call-outs between Caloundra to Noosa and the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

'If you find a snake out in the wild that is injured or in danger, please give me a ring and I'll happily take it to Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital free of charge,' she said.

'I love them so much and really want to look after them.'
Brits have been warned to brace themselves for holiday hell this summer as the UK's busiest motorway is set to shut in August.

Jonathan Wade a senior project manager for National Highways announced that the next closure of the M25 is planned to take place during the month of August, but also voiced his worries that this will be 'peak holiday season.'

It will be the third of five weekend closures of the London orbital motorway as part of a 317million project to improve junction 10 this year, and Mr Wade added they are already working with ports, airports and transport operators to try to limit the damage to holidaymakers.

Between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles normally use the M25 between junctions nine and 11 in each direction every hour from 10am until 9pm at weekends.

Graph showing the disruption to the M25 this weekend from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Monday

The M25 will close for the second time this year in both directions between Junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey this weekend while concrete beams for a new bridge and a gantry are lifted into place. Pictured previous work taking place on the M25 on March 16 2024

Traffic builds up on the A320 St Peter's Way crossing the M25 during the closure on March 16

He told the Telegraph: 'The next one is scheduled for August. That's still to be confirmed, but at the moment it's been planned for August. At that time, you're obviously into peak holiday season.'

However a spokesperson for National Highways reiterated: 'Any future closure dates are yet to be confirmed and any that are announced are subject to change.'

This comes ahead the M25 closing in both directions between Junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey this weekend while concrete beams for a new bridge and a gantry are lifted into place.

While the previous work in March was said to be 'easy', the work expected this weekend will be much more 'complex' and concerns have been raised about more opportunities for things to 'go wrong'.

Drivers will also be forced to embark on a 19-mile diversion - nearly double the length of the diversion in March.

Mr Wade said: 'The opportunities for the job taking longer are considered real. Last time we had to demolish a bridge and build a gantry. This time [we are] lifting into place quite carefully a total of 72 beams.'

Previously motorists were asked to stay at home and 'decorate the bathroom or something', National Highways are asking people to do the same again.

Mr Wades said: 'Drivers listened to our advice last time which reduced motorway traffic levels by over two-thirds and meant delays were limited.

'Our advice again is please only travel if absolutely necessary and make sure you give yourself extra time if you do choose to use the M25.'

Workman on the section of the M25 between junctions ten and 11 in Surrey on March 16 when it was closed in both directions while a bridge was demolished and a new gantry installed

Between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles normally use the M25 between junctions nine and 11 in each direction every hour from 10am until 9pm at weekends

A closed section of the M25 on March 17 for works to remove a bridge and install a new gantry

Among the people affected will be those travelling to, from and between the UK's two busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick.

The closure last month was the first planned daytime shutdown of the M25 since it opened in 1986.

The clockwise diversion route, for those travelling from Gatwick towards Heathrow, will see drivers told to leave the M25 at junction eight for the A217 Reigate.

They should then follow the 'A217 London, Sutton, (A240) Kingston', and then after just over three miles turn left onto the 'A240 Epsom, Kingston'.

After three miles, at the Esso roundabout they should turn right onto the 'A24 (A240) Kingston' and continue for three miles then turn left onto the 'A3 Portsmouth, Guildford'.

They must then continue for nearly ten miles to the M25 and re-join the motorway at junction ten.

In the other direction, the anticlockwise diversion route from Heathrow towards Gatwick will see traffic leave the M25 at junction ten to join the A3 towards London.

After nearly ten miles at the Hook interchange, motorists should leave the A3 turning right onto the 'A240 Epsom, Reigate'.

They must then continue for three miles to the Esso roundabout and turn left onto the 'A240 Reigate'  before driving for another three miles then turning right onto the 'A217 Reigate, M25'. After just over three miles they will turn left to re-join the M25 at junction eight.

National Highways said it was working with its delivery partner Balfour Beatty Atkins to liaise with the emergency services, Surrey County Council, local businesses and Gatwick and Heathrow airports in the lead up to the next closure.
The driver in the deadly NSW Hunter Valley bus crash has been unmasked as an opiod addict who took as many as 40 pills a week and was on strong painkillers before the tragedy.

Brett Andrew Button, 59, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death, nine counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and 16 counts of furious driving causing bodily harm in the June 2023 smash.

The father of one of his victims sobbed in court when it was confirmed that Button would escape manslaughter charges as part of his guilty plea to lesser charges.

It has since been revealed that Button had an addiction to opioids that worried his doctors and previous employers - and there is no record of him telling his former employer of his dependency.

Police documents seen by the Sydney Morning Herald allegedly reveal that Button suffered a workplace accident in the 1990s.

In the decades since, he has reportedly developed a dependence on the strong painkiller tramadol, downing as many as 40 tablets each week and 10 Panadeine Forte pills each day in mid-2022.

Brett Andrew Button was flanked by family and friends when he appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday

He was stood down from his role as a bus driver shortly afterwards, which angered him.

Around the same time, a state work claim's assessor reported that he 'cannot work as a bus driver without being able to take adequate pain relief'.

But Button was desperate to return to work and so started cutting his dosages, the documents claimed.

Yet, in September 2022, a pain specialist suggested that even cutting the dosage might not be enough, writing that she 'would be surprised if workplace regulations allowed employees to drive in a public transport capacity whilst using opioid analgesics'.

Button's doctors also wanted to drastically reduce his dosage of tramadol from 250 milligrams to 100 milligrams a day.

But Button said that he couldn't work without the painkillers.

He resigned from his job in late 2022 and worked for another bus company before joining Linq Buslines, the company he was driving for at the time of the crash.

There is reportedly no record of Button warning Linq about his drug issues.

Now it has been revealed that Brett Button had an addiction to opioids that worried his doctors and previous employers - and there is no record of him telling his former employer of his dependency

Victims' families sobbed in court on Wednesday after it was confirmed that Brett Button would escape manslaughter charges as part of his guilty plea to lesser charges. Pictured is Rebecca Mullen's mum Leanne leaving court

Seven months later on June 11 last year, he was behind the wheel when the bus rolled at a roundabout outside the town of Greta, killing 10 and injuring 25 others.

A blood sample, taken hours later, found he had likely ingested 400 milligrams of tramadol in the previous 24 hours.

Prosecutors came to the conclusion his drug use would have impaired his ability to drive.

Mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kyah's boyfriend Kane Symons, husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, Zach Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen all died in the impact.

Prosecutors came to the conclusion his drug use would have impaired his ability to drive.

Immediately after the pleas, the Crown prosecutor made an application for Button to be taken into custody on remand to await sentencing.

The detention application was 'not resisted' by Button's lawyer Chris O'Brien, who asked that his client's medical issues be taken into account during his time behind bars.

The bus was transporting guests from the couple's wedding back to accommodation at the time of the horror crash.

Ten wedding guests were killed in the crash. They included Rebecca Mullen, Zach Bray Angus Craig, Tori Cowburn, Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kane Symons, Andrew and Lynan Scott, and Darcy Bulman

The families of the victims crowded the court on Wednesday and became emotional as the 89 charges against Button were read out.

When the manslaughter charge related to the death of Ms Mullen was dismissed, her father Matt began to sob loudly and visibly reacted.

Outside court, Mr Mullen told reporters he hadn't slept at all the night before in anticipation of the Crown's public announcement that it would withdraw the charges.

Despite his pain, Mr Mullen still managed to find compassion for others affected by the fatal crash.

'Our hearts and thoughts go out to the driver's family,' he said outside court before Button pleaded guilty to the fatal crash.

Rebecca's mother Leanne said she disapproved of the Crown's decision, but it was only a small fraction of the pain she felt from her daughter's loss.

She said she would wait to see what happened at Button's sentencing.

Button appeared anxious and was flanked by a crowd of around a dozen supporters when he entered Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday wearing a black suit and white shirt worn open without a tie.

He did not say anything to a large group of waiting media.

He was not required to enter pleas to back-up charges including negligent driving causing death.

Another 25 charges of causing bodily harm by misconduct were withdrawn.

Bride and groom Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell at a public memorial for those affected by the bus crash.

The bus rolled onto its side after Button lost control while carrying wedding guests

Button lost control of a bus carrying wedding guests as he drove from the Wandin Valley Estate to Singleton at about 11.30pm on June 11.

The bus flipped onto its side after hitting a guard rail.

Button has previously apologised for the incident, telling reporters outside court in March he was 'devastated by what has occurred' and that he was 'truly and deeply sorry'.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has declined to comment on the reason for the manslaughter charges being withdrawn.

Button had been on bail after initially being granted release due to mental health and wellbeing concerns should he be kept in custody.

Families slam 'betrayal'

Mr Mullen had previously issued a plea to the Director of Public Prosecutions to not drop the manslaughter charges.

'I begged them, we are still waiting now in the process hoping that they will reconsider,' Mr Mullen told 7News.

'It is a tattoo on our hearts that we are going to have to carry the rest of our lives forever.'

His wife Leanne said the news of downgraded charges, which the families were told of only 36 hours before Button's hearing, had been devastating.

'As a a mum to be able to hold her while she was still warm, to hold her hand, to kiss her on the forehead to tell her the things I needed to say that was denied because it was a crime scene,' she said.

'But now that seem to me that those sacrifices by me as a mum have been disrespected.'

Montana Bray, whose 30-year-old brother Zach Bray died in the crash, said the news hit her hard.

'I feel disrespected and I feel like they're trying to move things quickly and quietly,' she said.

'The 10 people who did die on that bus deserve more than this.'

The death toll of 10 was the highest for a road accident since 12 were killed in a bus rollover in Brisbane in 1994.

Button returns to court on May 30 when a date for his sentencing will be fixed.

Rebecca Mullen's mother Leanne said she disapproved of the Crown's decision, but it was only a small fraction of the pain she felt from her daughter's loss.
A top American supermarket has asked its customers to voluntarily return several cheese spreads, amid concerns of a possible salmonella contamination.

In an announcement on its website, the Midwest retailer Schnucks said the recall involved three of its cheese spreads: Schnucks Whip Cream Spread, Schnucks Strawberry Spread, and Schnucks Cream Cheese Spread.

A spokesperson told Supermarket News that one of its vendors notified it of the contamination.

'Schnucks was notified by our vendor (Topco Associates) that the product was being recalled by Schreiber Foods because they received a recall notification from their supplier of an ingredient, whey protein concentrate, for having the potential to be contaminated with salmonella', they said.

The spokesperson added that no illnesses have yet been reported.

A top American supermarket has asked its customers to voluntarily return several cheese spreads (File image)

Local media reported that products from 107 of the chain's 115 stores, which can be found across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, were pulled.

READ MORE: Planters nuts recalled across America over potentially fatal contamination

Advertisement

The company said any Schnucks Whip Cream spreads with the Universal Product Code (UPC) of 4131858005 with the best by date of 8/8/2024 should be sent back.

It added that Schnucks Strawberry spreads with the UPC of 4131858007 and a best by date of 9/8/2024, and Schnucks Cream Cheese spreads with UPC 4131858023 and a best by date of 10/8/2024 should also be returned.

A salmonella infection can lead to nausea, fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which can sometimes be bloody.

Symptoms normally develop within six and 71 hours of exposure to the bacteria.

it comes after 16,000 pounds of ground beef sold at Walmart was recalled over fears it was contaminated with the most powerful strain of E. Coli.

The raw meat packs had been shipped to the supermarket by Cargill Meat Solutions, a Pennsylvania-based company that sells meat around the country.

In total, the potentially contaminated meat ended up six products produced on April 26 to 27. They don't carry the Walmart or Cargill name on packs, but instead are branded 'All Natural'.

Packs ended up at Walmart stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC.

The USDA-Food Safety Inspection Service - who issued the recall notice - said it is concerned that some product may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Chilling audio has emerged of the moment a British Airways captain was told to cancel takeoff because of a bomb threat that forced passengers aboard the flight from Bermuda to Britain to evacuate on Sunday.

The flight was supposed to leave from the island in the Atlantic to return to London on Sunday night, but air traffic controllers frantically radioed the pilots moments before takeoff.

'Cancel takeoff clearance, cancel takeoff clearance... We received some information regarding a bomb threat,' the controller said.

'Okay, cancel takeoff clearance... would you like us to leave the runway?' the captain responded, before hurriedly asking for further information.

After a few moments of silence the controller instructs the pilots to hold position as traffic to the airport was locked down, before police officers and a security team were deployed to search the aircraft and the airport.

Passengers meanwhile were rushed off the flight while the teams combed the aircraft and the premises.

The BA flight, which was supposed to leave for London at 8.50pm the previous night, had to be immediately evacuated (File image)

The flight was eventually given the all clear to fly out and regular traffic flow in and out of the airport was restored by 11pm.

Explaining the security operation, a spokesman for the Bermuda Police Service said officers were sent to close the Causeway and Kindley Field Road outside the airport while the airport building and its environs were searched by airport security.

'Police were notified by staff at the LF Wade International Airport of a bomb threat that was received via e-mail,' he said.

'Staff also advised that emergency landing protocols had been initiated at the airport.'

He added: 'Once the all-clear was given and the airport was declared safe, regular traffic flow was restored.

'We wish to thank the public for their patience and co-operation during this emergency road closure.'

Passengers were all reported to be safe and well and the facility was later 'declared safe'.

A spokeswoman for British Airways added: 'The safety of our customers and colleagues is always our highest priority and we followed our standard procedures to disembark the aircraft.

'Our teams are caring for our customers and supporting crew as we work to get them on their way as soon as possible.'
A religious education teacher at a Catholic girls' school has been suspended and reported to the police after he posted a slew of vile tweets saying Hamas 'committed no crime'.

Ronan Preastuin, a year 9 tutor at Ursuline High School, a Catholic girls' school in Wimbledon, South London, took to X in since deleted posts to praise the terrorist organisation's actions on October 7.

He declared the event a 'justified act of resistance', called for 'Glory to Hamas', 'the freedom fighters and defenders of humanity', and added: 'The destruction of the racist state of #Isarel [sic] is coming soon.'

The Telegraph has reported that the teacher has been suspended and that police probe is ongoing, as well as an internal investigation.

Ronan Preastuin, a year 9 tutor at Ursuline High School, a Catholic girls' school in Wimbledon, South London , took to X in since deleted posts to praise the terrorist organisation's actions on October 7

He declared in a slew of tweets that October 7 was a 'justified act of resistance', called for 'Glory to Hamas', 'the freedom fighters and defenders of humanity', and added: 'The destruction of the racist state of #Isarel [sic] is coming soon'

The situation was brought to light by campaigner at UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLI) who shared screenshots of the grotesque tweet with the headmaster, Eoin Kelly.

Caroline Turner, a director at UKLI argued Mr Preastuin was 'an extremely dangerous individual', who was potentially abusing his 'authority over his students, and may well encourage them to follow his own beliefs, as well as stir up racial hatred against Jews and Israelis.'

On March 31 he wrote: ' Glory to #Hamas and freedom for humanity. Victory over the imperialist racists. The destruction of the racist state of Israel is coming soon.

Then on April 8 he said: ' We stand shoulder to shoulder with #Hamas #Palestine who have been invaded by American and European colonisers masquerading as a Jewish State.'

Speaking to MailOnline Headmaster Kelly said: 'We were made aware of an allegation in the public domain against one of our members of staff last Tuesday.

'Immediately on receiving that they were reported to the police.

'And as soon as we were made aware of allegation we suspended them.

'As this is now part of an ongoing police investigation my staff and I are unable to comment further.'

He added that parents and pupils have been informed of the situation.

The tweets were exposed by GnasherJew website on April 23 2024, and Mr Preastuin deleted his entire X account shortly after.

Ms Turner said in an email to the school: 'We are extremely concerned that one of your teachers, Ronan Preastuin, has been posting messages on social media praising and extolling the virtues of the Hamas terrorist group, in breach of UK anti-terrorism law...

Ursuline High School, a Catholic girls' school in Wimbledon, South London

'We note that he is a religious education teacher at your school, as well as a Year 9 tutor. We believe that as an overt supporter of terrorists, he is an extremely dangerous influence on the children at Ursuline High School.

'Mr Preastuin's open support for a terrorism group is particularly egregious given his job as a Religious Education teacher and a Year 9 form tutor in your school.

'As a teacher, in a position of authority over his students, he is likely to influence his students, and may well encourage them to follow his own illegal beliefs, as well as stir up racial hatred against Jews and Israelis.'

Since November 2021, Hamas under law is a terrorist organisation in the UK, with a prison sentence of up top 14 years if you are found to be supporting the group.

In response to the email from UKLI, Mr Kelly said: 'We can confirm that the member of staff has been suspended from work and I personally notified the police immediately on receipt of this disclosure.'

A spokesman for UKLFI said: 'We are pleased that the school has taken swift action in this worrying case.'

Mr Preastuin declined to comment when approached by MailOnline

The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
Passengers on a flight from Lisbon to Manchester were left stunned when the pilot admitted he held their flight up because he 'couldn't give the crew sandwiches'.

The easyJet plane was fully boarded and ready to go on Sunday when the pilot took to the intercom to deliver the excuse to the passengers, a video clip shows.

The pilot is seen explaining over the intercom that he decided to delay the flight so that he could source some better food for his crew.

This involved going all the way back through security, he says, on account of airport staff not allowing him to be fast-tracked to return to the waiting plane.

'I couldn't feed the crew with two poor sandwiches,' the pilot tells the disgruntled passengers over the speakerphone.

Passengers on a flight from Lisbon to Manchester were left stunned when the pilot (pictured Sunday) admitted he held their flight up because he 'couldn't give the crew sandwiches'

'I had to [go back to] the terminal, go through the security check again, passport check, and when I asked if I can skip the queue to buy something for the crew while passengers were waiting - the answer was no,' he says.

'So I had to queue with 100 persons. Thank you for your patience. Now we are going hopefully. Thank you for your patience,' he added.

The pilot is then seen returning to the cabin as the passengers are heard chattering in disbelief over the explanation given to them.

In a message to MailOnline about the delay, the passenger who captured the clip of the pilot's announcement said they 'were delayed on an easyJet flight from Lisbon to Manchester because the plane had no hot food.'

Choosing to stay anonymous, they explained that the flight had already suffered a series of setbacks before their party had even boarded.

The passenger said the initial flight they were due to return to Manchester on was cancelled on the day of departure, resulting in chaos at Lisbon airport.

They were assigned another flight home, but the problems did not end there.

'The flight departure was delayed until after 4pm due to not having any crew available to attend,' they told MailOnline.

'When the crew arrived and we boarded the plane the crew announced that there would be further delays to get the crew some food.'

A picture sent to MailOnline shows a pizza box placed on a shelf in the crew's area of the plane after it was delayed so that the crew could get food for the flight from Lisbon to Manchester

At this point, the passenger said, 'the pilot decided to go and get some for his crew and delay the flight' further.

'Apparently sandwiches weren't good enough so we had a further hour delay on the plane whilst this pilot went to get hot food.

'They couldn't make it through a 2hr50 flight on sandwiches!' they added.

They said passengers had to sit on the plane for over an hour waiting for the situation to be resolved, during which time they couldn't get any food for themselves or use the on-board toilets - and were not offered refreshments.

'Surely it would have been better to allow passengers to stay in the comfort of the airport lounge before boarding whilst the crew tended to their requirement for sustenance,' they said.

'Making passengers wait on the plane for this amount of time meant we couldn't use any toilet facilities or get any food or drink for ourselves.

'At no point were we offered any refreshments or food,' they said. 'During the flight some passengers received some complimentary refreshments and some did not including myself.

The easyJet plane was fully boarded and ready to go on Sunday in Lisbon when the pilot took to the intercom to deliver the excuse to the passengers, a video clip shows (file photo)

The flight landed in Manchester 2 hours and 50 minutes late, the passenger said, but 4 hours and 29 minutes later than the original booking arrival time.

'I would not have taken the flight had I known that the arrival would have been over 3 hours late at the time of booking and would have looked for an alternative flight.'

A separate picture sent to MailOnline showed a pizza box placed on a shelf in the crew's area of the plane.

An easyJet spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We are sorry that this flight from Lisbon to Manchester was delayed due to insufficient catering being available onboard for the crew. We are required to ensure that our crew have sufficient provisions onboard to operate safely.'
A British father who was put into a coma following a freak fall while on holiday in Turkey died just minutes before his daughters were allowed to go to his bedside after they flew in from the UK.

Marlon McCormack, 51, suffered a bleed on the brain after falling while using gym equipment at his hotel, and had been in hospital for just over a week in an induced coma as doctors fought to save his life.

On Saturday, the hospital called his daughter Renelle McCormack, 27, and her 16-year-old sister to inform them that his organs were failing and he had just 24 hours left to live.

Desperate to say their final goodbyes, the sisters got the first flight to Turkey and went to see Marlon as soon as they could the next morning, but were held in a waiting room for half an hour.

Tragically, when they were eventually allowed to go to their father's room, they were told by the surgeon that he had died 30 minutes before.

The 'popular' family man from Solihull had been enjoying a night out with his daughters the night before he fell and injured himself

Marlon McCormack is pictured with his daughters when they were younger. Renelle is pictured right

Renelle has organised a celebration of life event in memory of her beloved dad, who was known as Brando and who she said was popular with people 'all over the UK'

Renelle, her sister and Marlon's girlfriend Anna Ryan, 41, are now desperately trying to bring him home after their ordeal, which began during what was meant to be a dream holiday together.

The family, who had not taken out travel insurance for their trip, faced huge medical bills for Marlon's treatment, which included payments for brain surgery and his stay in ICU.

The hospital bill stands at 23,000, costs which are now covered after his loved ones set up a GoFundMe page.

But the family now faces the daunting prospect of trying to repatriate his body and paying for a funeral, costs which they are unable to cover.

'As my dad was the biggest earner in the house and is no longer here this has really shook everything up. Hence why we need all the help possible to get through and recover from all this,' she told MailOnline.

'My dad's girlfriend cannot go into debt because of all this as she now has to solely run the household financially as well as take care of my sister.'

Marlon, a 'popular' family man from Solihull, had been enjoying a night out with his daughters and girlfriend just hours before he tripped while using gym equipment.

Renelle and her sister woke up to the terrible news that her dad was having a stroke, which left him with severe bleeding on the brain.

Renelle, her sister and Marlon's girlfriend Anna Ryan (right), 41, are now desperately trying to bring him home after their ordeal

He was rushed to hospital and placed into a coma before undergoing brain surgery, with doctors saying he would need a second major operation.

After days of hoping he could be saved, his devastated family received the heartbreaking news that he would soon pass away on Saturday.

'We got the news that he had 24 hours left and his organs were failing so me and my sister got the next flight to say goodbye,' Renelle said.

'We arrived in the early hours and went to the hotel where we went to sleep. The hotel was 30 seconds from the hospital, so we went straight there first thing.

'We got there and they told us to sit down in the waiting area, so we sat down there for half an hour before we went up.

'The surgeon met us outside ICU, as he usually did, to give us an update. But it wasn't an update.

'The update was that he had died 30 minutes ago. It was the worst feeling ever.

Marlon (left) said he fell while at the gym on holiday in Turkey, before losing feeling in his body

'We were waiting downstairs for half an hour and he said that's when he died.

'It was just really upsetting, the whole process, we were all in tears.'

After her dad's death, Renelle's sister is now an orphan, having lost her mother as a young child.

While dealing with the grief, the teenager is having to take her GCSEs next week, something which her older sister said is the 'worst timing in the world'.

'It will decide what path she goes down, I need her to do it but I know her head's not in the right place right now,' she said, adding: 'I am proud of her either way.'

The horrific experience will stay with Renelle forever, she said. 'I am never ever going on holiday again, I don't like airports, I don't like hotels.

'There are so many triggers now that I didn't realise surrounding the whole situation.

'It's just everything surrounding that, we tried to go on holiday and my dad died.'

After leaving Turkey on Monday, Renelle said she is still struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

Renelle McCormack, 27, was taking family pictures with her younger sister, her father and his girlfriend just the night before

'I wake up every morning and think "my dad's gone". I am never going to hear his voice again, videos bring me to tears.'

While she believes her dad's death was an accident, Renelle said that the family intend to have a post-mortem carried out when they get him back to the UK.

'We want a post mortem carried out on him, as with the language barrier throughout this whole process we were never 100 per cent sure in what they were saying,' she said. 'We would like to know what happened to my dad.'

Even after all the heartache they've already been through, Renelle said there is still a long way to go as they try to get him back home.

'We're just holding up day by day, we're keeping busy it's keeping our minds occupied,' she said. 'But when all this is over is when it's going to hit us.'

Renelle has organised a celebration of life event in memory of her beloved dad, who was known as Brando and who she said was popular 'all over the UK'.

The music event will be held in Birmingham on May 17 and will help to raise money 'to get him home and give him the send off he deserves'.

'As long as we can get as much help as possible to cover all of this then it won't be as much as a burden on Anna to get on with her life,' she said, adding that she hopes it will mean her dad's partner will, after everything, 'be able to raise my sister and live a normal life.'
Guinness has been a staple in pubs for centuries, with a lengthy history of famous marketing campaigns and slogans.

Now, it has reached further fame with younger Gen-Z drinkers, after JD Wetherspoon revealed the black stuff was behind a huge increase in sales.

The practice has become akin to an extreme sport for many youngsters, as they seek out the best pint of plain from the many boozers across Britain and Ireland.

It has seen a rise of dedicated accounts across different social media platforms putting collages and videos together of the most photogenic pints of Guinness across the land.

Tim Martin's comments come as there is something of a Gen-Z craze over finding the perfect pint of Guinness

The practice has become akin to an extreme sport for many youngsters, as they seek out the best pint of plain from the many boozers across Britain and Ireland

It has seen a rise of dedicated accounts across different social media platforms putting collages and videos together of the most photogenic pints of Guinness across the land

JD Wetherspoon has said soaring demand for Guinness from younger punters and recovering demand for ale helped the UK pub chain to higher sales over past three months.

As a result, the company's founder and chairman Tim Martin said the firm expects annual profits to be 'towards the top of market expectations'.

Wetherspoon, which runs 809 pubs across the UK, said like-for-like sales increased by 5.2% over the 13 weeks to April 28 compared with a year earlier, with total sales up 3.3%.

It represented a slight slowdown in growth and means the company has seen a 6.5% sales increase over the financial year-to-date.

However, Wetherspoons stressed it was also impacted by the timing of the bank holiday weekend, which fell outside of the latest quarter this year but not a year earlier.

Mr Martin said the group has benefited from the rocketing popularity of Guinness and a revival for some traditional ale.

'Sales in the period continued the steady recovery from the pandemic,' he said.

'Traditional ales, which were very slow in the aftermath of the lockdowns, are increasing momentum, with Abbot Ale, Ruddles Bitter and Doom Bar showing good growth, as indeed are ales from the many small and micro brewers with which we trade.

'The gods of fashion have smiled upon Guinness, previously consumed by blokes my age, but now widely adopted by younger generations.'

One such way that many people judge a good Guinness is by what has become known colloquially as the 'tilt test' - whereby drinkers tilt their pint at a 45-degree angle to see how creamy the Guinness is.

They claim that if it is up to standard, the contents of the drink will not spill out from the top of the glass despite being at an angle.

One such way that many people judge a good Guinness is by what has become known colloquially as the 'tilt test' - whereby drinkers tilt their pint at a 45-degree angle to see how creamy the Guinness is

According to Guinness, a draught pint should be poured in 119.5 seconds in two stages - but whether this is effective or not is a common dispute among drinkers of the stout

One other such method judgement used is the quantity of so-called 'shtick' - a phrase popularised by content creator Darragh Curran, formerly known as The Guinness Guru.

Drinkers say that a superior pint will have more 'shtick' coated to the glass after a pint has been finished, showcasing a smoothness and, supposedly, a superior taste.

According to Guinness, a draught pint should be poured in 119.5 seconds in two stages - but whether this is effective or not is a common dispute among drinkers of the stout.

Professor William Lee at the University of Huddersfield suggested pouring draught could be a much faster process that is currently 'as much about marketing as it is the physics'.

He explained: 'It has become a time-honored ritual in pubs around the world. A bulk of that time is the settling. But this time period is as much about marketing as it is the physics. You may be waiting longer than you would for another beer, but that's by design.'

Bubbles in Guinness are filled with nitrogen, he explained, while most beers are carbonated using carbon dioxide.

Unusually, the bubbles in Guinness pint also sink rather than rise which he claims is due to the shape of the glass walls that push them downwards.

'As it sinks it carries the bubbles with it. So that's why you see the sinking bubbles in Guinness with the small bubbles, which get carried down by the currents,' he added.

In advice that will fill many Guinness lovers with dread, Professor Lee actually recommends drinking the beverage from a giant cocktail glass.

Bubbles in Guinness are filled with nitrogen, while most beers are carbonated using carbon dioxide

Guinness has been a staple in pubs for centuries, with a lengthy history of famous marketing campaigns and slogans, and has reached further fam with younger Gen-Z drinkers

Guinness is distinctive as an alcoholic beverage for the manner in which many people allow it to 'settle' following a two-part pour

In a video for Tech Insider in 2018, he said: 'Every Guinness is supposed to be poured into a specially crafted tulip glass. But that glass is designed to manipulate the bubbles in the beer to turn the pour into a performance, making you wait longer than you need to.'

In response, Anna MacDonald, Category Marketing Director Beer at Diageo GB said: 'A beautiful, great tasting pint of Guinness Draught is served using our famous 'two-part' pour.

'First, pour the Guinness Draught into a clean, dry Guinness pint glass tilted at 45 degrees, until it is three-quarters full.

'Now, it's time to wait! Allow the surge to settle before filling the glass completely to the top, creating the perfect pint!'

Guinness is distinctive as an alcoholic beverage for the manner in which many people allow it to 'settle' following a two-part pour.

Another individual who disputes the method of a two-stage pour is Nate Brown, owner of Paloma Cafe, Soda & Friends and Nebula cocktail bars in London.

He dismissed the practice in an article entitled 'there's no such thing as the perfect Guinness pour'.

'This isn't done for the beer's sake; it was practice in the Guinness brewery to speed up serving the masses at home time  the brand has always had the savviest of marketing departments,' he wrote in FT Magazine.

Oisin Rogers, co-owner of The Devonshire in Soho, described Mr Brown's assertion as 'absolute horses***'.

He tweeted: 'It's impossible to get a correctly presented pint of Guinness in one pour because the meniscus is negative.

Pouring two-thirds of the pint and leaving it to rest for 60 to 80 seconds has become regular practice for any barman worth their salt

If pouring from a bottle, the Irish stout company recommends a similar approach of tilting this towards a glass at a 45 degree angle, not allowing these to touch at any stage

'Therefore a dimple rather than a dome. Also he'd texture completely disappointing leading to a far inferior drink. There.'

David Lace, an Irishman living in the UK, agreed, stating: 'Not true, has to be in 2 stages, too many times it's been poured terribly in one go'.

A Diageo spokesman told MailOnline in response to Mr Brown's comments: 'This is not the case.

'In order to get the right consistency in the head, get the right head height, and the dome over the top of the glass perfectly, you need to pour in two stages.'
Properties inside London's controversial low traffic neighbours (LTNs) are worth up to 108 per cent more than the borough average, a study revealed today.

The average house price within 20 LTNs analysed by estate agent Benham and Reeves is 529,391, which is 5 per cent above the typical London value of 502,690

But while the research suggests LTNs are boosting house prices for homeowners who already live within them, experts warned the additional strain the areas place on surrounding roads from increased congestion is a deterrent to many buyers.

LTNs have been championed by Mayor Sadiq Khan as being positive for pedestrians and cyclists, and they have popped up across the capital since the pandemic began.

But the schemes have also led to a backlash from drivers and bus passengers due to an increase in delays on roads around the areas and the impact on the disabled.

LTNs in the North and West of London have the biggest average price premium at 14 per cent for both, while it is 7 per cent in the South and 1 per cent in the East.

The LTN in South Chiswick has the biggest difference, with the typical price within its boundary 108 per cent higher than the wider borough average of Hounslow.

A cyclist passes planters blocking cars from a road in an LTN in Dulwich, South London

A woman warns motorists of potential fines due to an LTN in Chiswick, West London, in 2020

The next biggest difference is the Fox Lane LTN compared to the Enfield average at 42 per cent higher; then the Arsenal and Highbury Fields LTN compared to the Haringey and Islington average at 26 per cent higher.

The Wanstead Park LTN compared to the Newham average and the Colliers Wood LTN compared to the Merton average are both 18 per cent higher.

LTNs are areas where vehicle numbers are reduced, and work by preventing vehicles from using certain streets as through roads into other destinations, quite often through using temporary or permanent barriers which stop traffic from being able to drive along a certain route.

But a raft of concerns have been raised about LTNs, from increasing congestion on surrounding roads to potential risk to life from emergency services delays, the impact on disabled residents and high numbers of Penalty Charge Notices coming out of the schemes.

Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, said the research confirmed that living within an LTN clearly has a positive impact on property prices.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE IN LTN AREA VERSUS WIDER BOROUGH AVERAGE London region LTN area Average LTN price Borough Average borough price Difference  - LTN vs borough Difference % - LTN vs borough North Fox Lane 607,227 Enfield 427,468 179,759 42% North Arsenal and Highbury Fields 759,826 Haringey/Islington 600,852 158,974 26% North South of Alexandra Palace 639,753 Haringey 556,570 83,183 15% North London Fields 610,381 Hackney 589,517 20,864 4% North Kentish Town 667,528 Camden 714,736 -47,208 -7% North London LTN Average 654,681 North London Borough Average 570,120 84,560 15% East Wanstead Park 469,290 Newham 396,662 72,628 18% East Lee Green 470,453 Lewisham 418,927 51,526 12% East Upney 345,805 Barking and Dagenham 328,226 17,579 5% East Poplar 474,767 Tower Hamlets 453,598 21,169 5% East Thamesmead West 323,265 Greenwich 458,920 -135,655 -30% East London LTN Average 410,928 East London Borough Average 408,346 2,582 1% South Colliers Wood 636,972 Merton 538,411 98,561 18% South Ferndale 553,272 Lambeth 501,094 52,178 10% South River Wandle 441,599 Sutton 424,968 16,631 4% South Walworth West 494,315 Southwark 495,431 -1,116 0% South South Norwood 381,128 Croydon 394,025 -12,897 -3% South London LTN Average 493,665 South London Borough Average 467,713 25,952 6% West South Chiswick 924,930 Hounslow 445,246 479,684 108% West Brent Valley Park East 562,070 Ealing 533,943 28,127 5% West Hayes 429,043 Hillingdon 449,725 -20,682 -5% West East Twickenham 684,289 Richmond 736,499 -52,210 -7% West Monks Park and Oakington 473,981 Brent 521,609 -47,628 -9% West London LTN Average 591,398 West London Borough Average 528,095 63,304 12% Overall London LTN Average 529,391 Overall London Average house price 502,690 39,701 5%

However, he added that those within the surrounding area are unlikely to share the same enthusiasm because increased congestion proves problematic when it comes to enticing potential buyers.

Mr von Grundherr said: 'It's clear that the implementation of LTNs has had a positive impact on local property prices, with many of them commanding a very healthy house price premium versus the wider boroughs in which they are found.

'Less traffic congestion, safer roads and cleaner air are all strong selling points for potential buyers, particularly in the capital where they are arguably some of the most pressing issues faced by Londoners.

'However, LTNs aren't without their drawbacks. Not only have they been criticised for hindering access for emergency services, but it's clear that they have a negative impact on the areas surrounding them, bringing an increased level of traffic congestion to the detriment of those residents not lucky enough to live within a nearby LTN.'

A map of the South Chiswick Liveable Neighbourhood including the LTN, which has a typical price within its boundary 108 per cent at higher than the wider borough average of Hounslow

He added that this arguably eradicates the intended benefit, because while it reduces traffic and the chance of accidents while improving air quality in one area, it actually worsens it in another.

Mr von Grundherr continued: 'For those sellers living outside of an LTN boundary, it's simply another obstacle faced when they come to sell, as potential buyers are put off by the far higher weight of traffic.'

While 13 of the 20 areas had house prices within LTNs that were higher than the borough average, there were also six areas where the average within LTNs was lower than the borough average.

The biggest difference was the Thamesmead West LTN within Greenwich which is 30 per cent lower.

This was followed by Monks Park and Oakington LTN within Brent which is 9 per cent lower; and East Twickenham LTN within Richmond which is 7 per cent lower.

The company said its house price data was based on postcodes that fall within 20 London LTNs - five per region of the capital - and sourced from property data.

Heavy traffic in Streatham Wells, South London, in February in an LTN that was later removed

It aimed to choose the LTNs based on a geographical spread using the largest LTNs where possible and also avoiding those found within the same borough.

Wider borough house price data sourced from the Government's UK House Price Index.

In the case of Arsenal and Highbury Fields, which lies within both Haringey and Islington, an average of both wider borough house prices was used.

In March, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that councils will be obliged to consider whether residents support the implementation of an LTN in their area before schemes can be introduced.

The DfT published draft statutory guidance for councils on LTNs  to come into force this summer  setting out that they must gain buy-in from local residents, businesses and emergency services when considering implementing new schemes.

Sadiq Khan and his wife Saadiya Khan stand on the Millennium Bridge in London yesterday

If councils fail to deliver road schemes that work for local people, they could see future funding withdrawn and the Government could take control of an authority's roads, under powers from the Traffic Management Act, if they are deemed to be 'widely mismanaged', DfT said.

But Labour called the plan a 'a blatant and desperate attempt to distract people from a Government that has run out of road'.

A review showed only 13 per cent of residents responded to councils' planning consultations on LTNs and 18 per cent feel their views have influenced council decisions.

The report also found that local authorities operating LTNs issue an average of 36,459 Penalty Charge Notices per scheme, with the highest number of notices issued for a single LTN scheme exceeding 170,000.

The review further highlighted concerns over the impact on disabled residents and from emergency services that delays to crews caught up in LTNs could 'potentially risk lives'.

Rishi Sunak called LTNs examples of 'hare-brained schemes' in an interview with The Sun in September last year.

A group of local residents blocked cars on a road in Streatham Wells, South London, in November 2023 as part of a protest against the area becoming an LTN.

The scheme was removed, as was an LTN at Jesmond, Newcastle, and the DfT said the new guidance aims to prevent councils having to reverse poorly-implemented or unpopular schemes.

An earlier version of this article contained an erroneous reference to the average house price within LTNs being 614,863 as opposed to 529,391, which has been corrected.
Kim Ki-nam, known as the master of propaganda operations for North Korea's ruling Kim family, has died at 94, Pyongyang's state media said Wednesday.

The former secretary of the Central Committee of the North's ruling Workers' Party (WPK) died Tuesday after suffering multiple organ failures since April 2022, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the funeral hall of the former official at 2 a.m. and will lead the state funeral committee for his burial, it added.

"Kim Jong-un paid silent tribute to Kim Ki-nam who made contributions to the sacred struggle for the development of the WPK, modeling the revolutionary ranks on the monolithic ideology and the victorious advance of the socialist cause," the KCNA said.

Kim Ki-nam, who spent decades overseeing propaganda operations in North Korea, was known to have stepped down from most official posts after he was excluded from a group of top officials sitting on the podium together with the leader in a party plenary meeting in October 2017.

He briefly reappeared in state media photos in January 2019, where he was seen shaking hands with members of an art delegation heading to China. The KCNA mentioned Kim's name first among the officials present at the send-off ceremony at the train station in Pyongyang, even ahead of the leader's influential sister, Kim Yo-jong.

In 2009, Kim Ki-nam led a North Korean delegation organized to pay condolences to late former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who held the first inter-Korean summit with then North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the late father of the current North Korean leader, in 2000. (Yonhap)
Nine out of 10 British entrepreneurs now admit to WFH - that's working from holiday - as they are unable to put down their laptops even when sunning themselves on the beach.

The frantic workers admit to putting 'business over the beach' with one in 12 never putting away their laptop.

It comes as a third of businesses now allow their employees to log in from anywhere across the world, as reported by accountancy firm RSM UK.

But jetsetters TUI claim that this has left the Britons with a 'downtime deficit' - as we forfeit our spare time to pick up slack from across the globe.

Their figures show a third of personal trainers took just one or two days of holiday in the entirety of last year - with more than a quarter of photographers and designers admitting to doing the dame.

Dilly Carter, best known for her business 'Decluttering Dolly', which features on BBC's Sort Your Life Out, admitted that her work dominates her breaks away.

The frantic workers admit to putting 'business over the beach' with one in 12 never putting away their laptop while on holiday

Dilly Carter, best known for her business 'Decluttering Dolly', which features on BBC's Sort Your Life Out, admitted that her work dominates her breaks away

Toy manufacturer Paolo Dyboski, who was born in Milan and grew up in Liguria, Genova, said the Covid pandemic allowed ways of working that hadn't been seen as acceptable before

The 30-year-old diversity and inclusion consultant works for three companies - all of which allow her to work remotely from wherever she chooses

Dilly, who boasts 400,000 followers online, knows all too well the sacrifice that comes with running your own business.

She said: 'I may be a master of finding tranquillity within my home through decluttering, but decluttering my mind is a different story and has taken me a lot more practice.

'Growing a business and raising my 10-year-old daughter are two passion projects I wouldn't change for the world, but taking a holiday has certainly taken a back seat in the early years when all I could think about was getting Declutter Dollies off the ground.

'I wish I could tell my younger self to take that trip away, put my phone on airplane mode and completely unplug from the daily grind, as we all know you come back clearer and even more focused to succeed.'

Other top professions that struggled to switch off and take a proper break were plumbers (22 per cent), makeup artists (20 per cent), electricians (19 per cent) and hairdressers (18 per cent).

Those working in the hospitality industry also struggle to go on holiday, as do farmers and shopkeepers.

But not everyone is complaining about the new system, with some entrepreneurs left thrilled as they base their life on being able to work from their adventures.

Toy manufacturer Paolo Dyboski, 53, has been remote working since December 2020 and has logged in from France, Spain, Germany, the US and the UK - she has even admitted to taking a meeting on a paddleboard.

Ms Dyboski now lives in a van with her home-schooled 14-year-old son

Ms Dyboski, who also chairs Welsh refugee charity Pobl i Bobl, has even taken a meeting on a paddleboard

Ms Dyboski's team is based in North Wales and she believes that allowing employees to work remotely from abroad has been great for moral, as well as productivity

The mother-of-three, who was born in Milan and grew up in Liguria, Genova, lives in a van with her home-schooled 14-year-old son.

'Its really positive for him because Ive got time when he needs it,' Ms Dyboski, who also chairs Welsh refugee charity Pobl i Bobl, told MailOnline.

'Its incredible. We have been into prehistoric caves, weve been exploring marine reserves. The kind of things that are biology or history hands on that he wouldnt get otherwise.'

Ms Dyboski's team is based in North Wales and she believes that allowing employees to work remotely from abroad has been great for moral, as well as productivity.

'Its not that Im on holiday, they know that Im working and they know they can rely on my 24/7 to be there and play my part,' she said. 'It wouldnt work without great great teamwork.'

Ms Dyboski, who runs a non-toxic, cruelty free, vegan bubble company called Dr Zigs, said the Covid pandemic allowed ways of working that hadn't been seen as acceptable before.

'It changed everybodys mindsets, which helps. I think we gave each other a bit of slack as well.

She added that people became a bit more open minded, and the flexibility was now there if you needed to work remotely to care for someone, for your health both physical and mental or just to have a better work-life balance.

During the Covid pandemic, she said 'so many people proved that they could go above and beyond with flexibility'

Sonya Barlow can work from anywhere, including checking emails while on safari and Kenya

And she stays in beautiful hotels kitted out with gyms and spas to make it all the sweeter

And during the Covid pandemic, she said 'so many people proved that they could go above and beyond with flexibility'.

She said: 'When Im in work [at the toy factory] Im doing details, when Im out of work Im doing the overviews and strategic meetings.

'So Ive just been out in London with my middle daughter. My eldest is in Cardiff so when Im in the UK I will also work from there I was in London taking meetings a couple of days ago. It doesnt matter where I am, as long as I have my laptop.'

Ms Dybonski said it was powerful to see how workers went 'above and beyond' with flexibility during the pandemic, 'working their socks off' to get things done under the circumstances.

But with some companies going back to pre-pandemic requirements of office working, she added: 'Then to go back to something thats a bit of a paternalistic society that tells you that you have to be at your desk, its difficult.

'And people dont want to hear that. Feeling that trust, that respect, was good for everyone.'

Consultant Sonya Barlow also takes joy in working from abroad, as she checks her emails while on safari in Kenya.

The 30-year-old diversity and inclusion consultant works for three companies - all of which allow her to work remotely from wherever she chooses.

Ms Barlow, who is also a business author and radio presenter for BBC, was also diagnosed with ADHD last year

She said she finds changing screens regularly and being in new environments can help 'increase my mental cognitive functions'

Ms Barlow added that the freedom of being able to control her working hours a bit more has been invaluable

A big travel lover, Ms Barlow has seized this opportunity and constantly travels for work - having set up office in places including Mauritius, Estonia, Turkey and Nairobi.

And she stays in beautiful hotels kitted out with gyms and spas to make it all the sweeter.

She raved about the benefits of remote working in an interview with MailOnline, saying: 'Im in a better headspace, Im focused, Im more productive. Im able to turn or offload my apps. I can turn my social media off. I am able to get the work done.'

Ms Barlow, who is also a business author and radio presenter for BBC, was also diagnosed with ADHD last year.

She said she finds changing screens regularly and being in new environments can help 'increase my mental cognitive functions', adding that the freedom of being able to control her working hours a bit more has been invaluable.

'Because Im neurodivergent I can give my brain a rest, which is really important,' she said.

And the social aspect of remote working is something that attracts her to that way of life.

She said: 'The great thing about working abroad, not just in the UK, is that the sunshine lasts a little bit longer and so you are not worried about Oh I need to go the gym, or go for a walk and get my Vitamin D in the morning.

'I can actually get the work done and then in the evening I can go and enjoy myself and be in a better headspace.'

But Ms Barlow did point out that it's not all great, as remote working can pose challenges.

'The negatives of not being in an office environment is that you dont get to collaborate with your team in the same way,' she said.

'Theres a lack of networking when youre not in the office. You dont really know whats happening day to day so you need to be constantly informed.'

Another negative she said was that you are constantly working with technology, so finding ways of offsetting that is key, and if your laptop or wifi crashes, you're in trouble.
An Australian father-of-two is behind bars in Bali after he was charged with possessing drugs.

South Australian man Troy Smith, who was holidaying on the island with his new wife Tracy, is being held in custody in Denpasar police headquarters following his arrest in the southern Bali beach resort village of Canggu last Thursday.

Police allege that Smith, who comes from Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula and has worked as a fisherman as well as for the local council, was in possession of 3.5g of methamphetamines, Seven News reported.

South Australian father-of-two Troy Smith (pictured with wife Tracy) has been arrested in Bali of charges of drug possession

Under Indonesia's harsh drug laws possession of narcotics can result in a jail term of between four to 12 years.

Trafficking narcotics can attract the death penalty.

Smith's wife was also arrested but was released without charge.

Lawyers for Smith told Seven News they will plead that he is an addict in an attempt to gain mitigation.

If this argument is successful, Smith may be considered suitable for a stint in a rehabilitation facility instead of a jail sentence.

Australian government website Smart Traveller warns of the strict penalties drug use can attract in Indonesia.

'Penalties for drug offences include heavy fines, long prison sentences and the death penalty. Police target tourist destinations,' the website states.

Troy Smith (pictured right with wife Tracy) was arrested last Thursday and remains in custody

'You may face heavy fines or jail for possessing even small amounts of drugs, including marijuana.

Cannabis-based products such as cannabis oil, hemp, CBD, THC, hash and edibles are also banned in Indonesia, including for medicinal purposes.

'A medical prescription does not make it legal. If you take such products to Indonesia or purchase or use them in Indonesia, you can be arrested and face imprisonment, fines, deportation or the death penalty,' Smart Traveller warns.

'Police target illegal drug use and possession across Indonesia. Police often target popular places and venues in Bali and Jakarta.'

Travellers are also warned check with a doctor or the Indonesian embassy before taking any prescription medications including sleeping pills into the country as many psychotropic medications and painkillers are banned and could be confiscated upon arrival.
Macklemore has gone viral after releasing a pro-Palestine song in which he slams US president Joe Biden for his role in the bloody conflict in Gaza.

'Hind's Hall', referencing the Columbia University building renamed by pro-Palestine protestors in honour of a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by an Israeli airstrike two months ago in Gaza as she waited for aid while trapped in a car and surrounded by her relatives' dead bodies, was released on social media on Monday.

The song, which has been seen by 24million people on Twitter alone, takes aim at Joe Biden, who until last night had consistently provided military support for Israel.

Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, said in his song: 'The blood is on your hands Biden, we can see it all. And f*** no, I'm not voting for you in the fall.'

The rapper, best known for his pro-LGBTQ+ rights song Same Love, also called out the music industry for being 'complicit in their platform of silence.'

The video accompanying the song intersperses his lyrics with clips of protests across American colleges, which have seen a surge of clashed between protestors and campus police.

Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, (pictured) said in his song: 'The blood is on your hands Biden, we can see it all'

Pro-Palestinian supporters confront police during demonstrations at The City College Of New York (CUNY)

Police clash with pro-Palestinian protesters after an order to disperse was given at UCLA

The video accompanying the song intersperses his lyrics with clips of protests across American colleges

He called police forces for their brutality, asking: 'What is threatening about divesting and wanting peace?

'F--- the police,' he continued. 'Actors in badges protecting property and a system that was designed by white supremacy.'

Streaming proceeds from the song, which has not yet been released on streaming platforms, will be donated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, which had much of its funding cut this year following allegations its workers were involved with October 7 attack.

Macklemore has long been a supporter of Palestinian people.

In November, Macklemore gave an impromptu speech at a pro-Palestine rally in Washington DC, in which he told the crowd: ' 'I don't know enough, but I know enough that this is a genocide.'

His speech was preceded by a statement on October 19 in which he condemned Hamas' bloody incursion against Israel, and Israel's brutal response against the Gaza Strip, calling the latter 'an unfolding genocide' and a 'US backed catastrophe.'

Law enforcement officers walk, as they clear out the protest encampment in support of Palestinians at the University of California Los Angeles

Members of the New York City Police Department arrest a pro-Palestine demonstrator during a march

Students from Columbia University protest outside homes of University Trustees

But he was previously involved in an anti-Semitism controversy, after wearing an oversized nose, bowl-cut wig and a long beard during a Seattle performance in 2014, prompting critics to say he deliberately dressed a 'stereotypical Jew.'

The rapper eventually apologised, claiming he did not mean to be a caricature of a Jewish person, and that he had chosen his costume at random to move freely through his show.

Last night, the US halted a shipment of powerful bombs to Israel, a U.S. official said, as Washington puts pressure on its ally to avoid a full-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip's crowded southern city of Rafah and give more time for ceasefire talks.

Hamas said its fighters were battling Israeli troops in the east of the city, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge from combat elsewhere in the enclave. Residents said the fighting was still on the outskirts.

Israel has threatened a major assault on Rafah to defeat thousands of Hamas fighters it says are holed up there, but Western nations and the United Nations have warned a full-scale assault on Rafah would be a humanitarian catastrophe.

Demonstrators walk next to the UBS building as students from Columbia University protest outside offices of University Trustees

Pro-Palestine demonstrators marched in Manhattan, New York City condemning the Israel Defense Forces' military operations in Gaza

A senior U.S. official said President Joe Biden's administration paused a shipment of weapons to Israel last week in an apparent response to the expected Rafah offensive. The White House and Pentagon declined to comment.

This would be the first such delay since the Biden administration offered its full support to Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Washington is Israeli's closest ally and main weapons supplier.

A senior Israeli official, asking not to be named, said "if we have to fight with our fingernails, then we'll do what we have to do." Israel's army spokesperson said coordination between allies was unmatched and any disagreements were resolved in private.

Israel's offensive has killed 34,789 Palestinians, most of them civilians, in the conflict, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

The war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and abducting about 250 others, according to Israeli tallies.
A man and three children have been found shot to death inside a car at a Georgia park in a suspected murder-suicide.

The victims were found by a patrol officer at Lucky Shoals Park in Gwinnett County, which is part of the greater Atlanta metropolitan area, around 1am Wednesday.

The adult man, who was sitting in the front seat of the vehicle, appears to be the 'parent of the three children', officers at the scene told WXIA-TV.

Police have not identified the victims, but confirmed to DailyMail.com that the victims included two girls and a boy who appear to be elementary and middle school aged.

Officers are investigating the case as a murder-suicide, but say final determination will be made by the Medical Examiner's Office.

A man and three children were found shot to death inside a car at Lucky Shoals Park on Britt Road in Gwinnett County, Georgia around 1am Wednesday. Officers are pictured at the scene

The bodies were found by an officer who was carrying out a routine check at the park. The patrolman reportedly 'stumbled upon' a 'suspicious vehicle' parked along the pedestrian trail

A Gwinnett County police officer was carrying out a routine check at Lucky Shoals Park on Britt Road early Wednesday morning when he 'stumbled upon' a 'suspicious vehicle' parked along the pedestrian trail.

The officer called out to the occupants of the vehicle but got no response.

He then approached the four-door car and found the bodies of an adult man and three children dead inside.

Detectives from the department's Homicide Unit said it is unclear when exactly the incident occurred.

They did not reveal many details about how the victims died, but confirmed their injuries included gunshot wounds.

'It appears the adult is the parent of the three children,' Sgt. Michele Pihera told WSB-TV, adding that the children 'appear to be two girls and one boy'.

Police are waiting to identify the victims until their family has been notified.

Detectives from the department's Homicide Unit said it is unclear when exactly the incident occurred. They did not reveal many details about how the victims died, but confirmed their injuries included gunshot wounds. Police are pictured at the scene Wednesday

Police have not identified the victims, but said the children - which included two girls and a boy - were elementary and middle school aged. Officers (pictured at the scene) are investigating the case as a murder-suicide

Detectives from the Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Unit are processing the scene, which is understood to be an 'isolated incident'.

Sgt. Pihera said: 'This appears to be an isolated incident and though it is tragic, our officers are going to step aside and do their job to the fullest and make sure they investigate this as if it were any other homicide and try to at least bring some conclusion to the families who may be involved.'

The entrance to the park is closed while officers carry out their investigation.

The vehicle and victims' bodies will be removed from the scene.
Russia has called British claims Moscow was involved in a suspected arson attack on a Ukrainian aid centre in London 'absurd'.

British suspect Dylan Earl, 20, was last month charged with working for a Russian intelligence service after being accused of torching the aid centre.

He became the first person to be charged under the new National Security Act brought in last year to target those working secretly for hostile states within the UK, while also being charged with aggravated arson and putting others in danger.

Speaking on Wednesday, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the accusation that her country was involved was part of an information war against Moscow amid Vladimir Putin's continuing invasion of Ukraine.

Zakharova said Russia considered such allegations provocative and never carried out sabotage attacks against civilian targets - distancing Russia from the charges.

Russia has called British claims Moscow was involved in a suspected arson attack on a Ukrainian aid centre in London (pictured as firefighters worked the scene) 'absurd'

The fire at the industrial estate broke out just before midnight on March 20. Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters spent more than four hours tackling the blaze.

But the case was shrouded in secrecy at the time due to 'operational activity' being carried out by Metropolitan police officers.

Details of the alleged plot were only revealed in April after reporting restrictions were lifted by a judge following a series of arrests by British counter terrorism police.

It emerged that the industrial units in Leyton, East London were owned by a Ukrainian businessman, and that the site is advertised on charity websites as an aid collection centre for Ukrainians.

It was also revealed that the blaze was being treated as a suspected Russian attack on British soil to target Ukrainian supplies and that Earl, from Leicestershire, is alleged to be at the centre of the suspected plot.

Details of the alleged plot were revealed in April after reporting restrictions were lifted by a judge following a series of arrests by British counter terrorism police

Earl was charged last month with a raft of offences including assisting a foreign intelligence service, named by officials as working for Russia.

Paul Adrian English, 60, from Roehampton and Nii Kojo Mensah, 21, from Croydon were later also charged with aggravated arson.

They are said to be unaware that Earl was allegedly working for the Russian group, which became a proscribed terror group in the UK last year.

UK Police are understood to have arrested a total of eight people over the suspected arson plot, five of whom have been charged.

After a preliminary hearing, Earl and other suspects have been ordered to appear at the Old Bailey on May 10.

The major investigation is being led by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command and has been supported by officers from East Midlands, Leicestershire Police, Kent Police and counter terrorism policing South East.

Speaking at the time, Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, which is leading the investigation, said: 'This is a highly significant moment and investigation for us.

'Not only are the charges that have been authorised by the CPS extremely serious, but it is also the first time that we have arrested, and now charged anyone using the powers and legislation brought in under the National Security Act.

'We have spoken publicly in recent times about various threats linked to national security that we have been facing, and the increase in operational activity required across Counter Terrorism Policing to meet these.

'While these are very serious allegations, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to them in connection with this matter.'

Speaking on Wednesday, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (pictured in January) said the accusation that her country was involved in the fire at the aid centre was part of an information war against Moscow amid Vladimir Putin 's continuing invasion of Ukraine

Although Russia has regularly denied carrying out attacks on foreign soil, Moscow has long been suspected of waging a shadow war across Europe.

At the end of April, a Czech investigation carried out with British assistance concluded that the same Russian spy unit behind the 2018 Salisbury poisonings was also behind two deadly ammunition depot blasts in the Czech Republic.

The explosions near the eastern Czech village of Vrbetice in 2014 killed two workers and caused extensive damage - four years before an assassination attempt was made against former Russian agent Sergei Skripal in the English town.

While Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia survived the deadly Novichok nerve agent attack, it later claimed the life of a British woman Dawn Sturgess and left a man, Charlie Rowley, and police officer Nick Bailey seriously ill.

The Czech National Central Office Against Organised Crime (NCOZ) said in its report that 'the police authority considers it proven that the explosions [...] were carried out by members of the Russian military intelligence, the Main Administration of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (aka the GRU).'

Czech police said the Vrbetice blasts were 'a part of long-term diversionary operations by the Russian military intelligence on the territory of the EU and Ukraine'.

Czech intelligence and media said the agents were the same ones suspected of poisoning former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, England, in 2018 - Alexander Mishkin and Anatoliy Chepiga.

The pair used the same fake names they later used in the UK in the attack on the Skripals - Ruslan Boshirov [Chepiga] and Alexander Petrov [Miskin].

The Russian operatives belonged to notorious GRU Unit 29155.

While the report did not name Chepiga and Mishkin, their identities were released as being the suspects and reported on by Russian independent news outlet The Insider.

The same publication - along with partners 60 Minutes and Der Spiegel - also found that the unit is likely the cause of Havana Syndrome, the name given to a series of debilitating medical ailments afflicting American intelligence officers and diplomats around the globe that are otherwise unexplained.

Although Russia has regularly denied carrying out attacks on foreign soil, Moscow has long been suspected of waging a shadow war across Europe. Pictured: Two Russian GRU agents Alexander Mishkin and Anatoliy Chepiga - said to have carried out a poisoning attack in Salisbury, UK in 2018 - are seen in CCTV footage from the town

There have been further suspected Russian attacks on foreign soil too, including in Britain, since Vladimir Putin first took power in 2000.

In 2006, Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko, a former agent for the KGB and its post-Soviet successor agency, the FSB, became violently ill in London after drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210. He died three weeks later.

Litvinenko had been investigating the shooting death of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya and the Russian intelligence service's alleged links to organised crime.

Before dying, Litvinenko told journalists the FSB was still operating a poisons laboratory dating from the Soviet era.

A British inquiry found that Russian agents had killed Litvinenko, probably with Putin's approval, but the Kremlin denied any involvement.

What's more, In Germany in 2019, Zelimkhan Khangoshvili - a Georgian citizen who fought against Russia during the Chechen war in the early 2000s - was shot twice in the head at close range in a park in central Berlin.

Alleged FSB agent Vadim Krasikov was jailed for life by a German judge, for what the judge called a 'painstakingly planned' hit job.

They said Russian security services had provided Krasikov with a false identity, a fake passport and the means to carry out the assassination.

Krasikov is the only suspected FSB agent to have been caught and convicted abroad for murder, and Moscow has attempted to include him in a prisoner exchange with the West on numerous occasions.
A Boeing 767 cargo plane has crashed upon landing in Turkey this morning after its landing gear failed when it came in to land.

The flight, operated by American postal service FedEx, took off from Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport early this morning and was headed for Istanbul when the pilot realised the landing gear was malfunctioning.

Shocking footage showed the moment the plane attempted an emergency landing, smashing down into the runway and scraping its nose along the concrete.

Sparks flew from the plane's tattered fuselage as it crunched along the tarmac with smoke billowing from behind.

The crash will only compound woes for Boeing which is already facing intense scrutiny amid a string of mishaps and controversy over safety concerns - not to mention the deaths of two whistleblowers just two months apart.

Shocking footage showed the moment the plane attempted an emergency landing, smashing down into the runway and scraping its nose along the concrete

Sparks flew from the plane's tattered fuselage as it crunched along the tarmac with smoke billowing from behind

The plane was doused with firefighting foam as it ground to a halt

The aftermath of the crash is seen with firefighting foam coating the runway

Efforts are underway to tow the plane off the runway, while investigations into the accident continue at Istanbul Airport in Istanbul, Turkiye on May 08, 2024

The nose of the plane is seen resting on the runway as emergency workers and inspectors look on

This is the moment the nose touched down on the runway in Turkey

Fortunately, firefighters and rescue teams were already waiting at the scene, with Turkey's transport ministry having dispatched emergency teams as soon as it learned that the pilot's landing gear was not working.

The first responders flocked to surround the plane as it ground to a halt and immediately doused it with firefighting foam to prevent any potential fire from sparking.

No one was injured in today's incident and the crew safely evacuated the aircraft, said Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Turkey's transportation and infrastructure minister.

The runway where the plane landed was closed off while the aircraft was being removed, he said.

'IGA Istanbul Airport Rescue and ARFF continues its efforts to move the aircraft to a safe area and open the runway to flight traffic. Flight traffic and operations continue smoothly on all other runways, including the spare runways,' a statement read.

Boeing is already under the microscope amid mounting controversy over safety problems, suspected quality control issues and the deaths of whistleblowers.

The US' Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it has opened an investigation into the company after workers at a South Carolina plant falsified inspection records on certain 787 planes.

In an email to Boeing's South Carolina employees on April 29, Scott Stocker, who leads the 787 program, said a worker observed an 'irregularity' in a required test of the wing-to-body join and reported it to his manager.

'After receiving the report, we quickly reviewed the matter and learned that several people had been violating Company policies by not performing a required test, but recording the work as having been completed,' Stocker wrote.

No planes have been taken out of service, but having to perform the test out of order on planes will slow the delivery of jets still being built at the final assembly plant in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Boeing must also create a plan to address planes that are already flying, the FAA said.

'The FAA is investigating whether Boeing completed the inspections and whether company employees may have falsified aircraft records,' a statement read.

The plane screeched along the tarmac and was received by several firetrucks

FedEx plane makes emergency landing at Istanbul Airport in Turkey

Flight tracking data shows how the plane came in to land once before abandoning the attempt and lining up for a second pass

Dozens of grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are seen parked in an aerial photo at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, U.S. July 1, 2019. Picture taken July 1, 2019

In early January, an unused emergency exit door blew off a brand-new Boeing 737 Max shortly after take-off from Portland International, sparking a still-ongoing DOJ investigation

Wreckage of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-MAX plane is seen on March 11, 2019. The plane crashed six minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 passengers on board

A Boeing 737 Max operated by United Airlines veered off the tarmac into the grass in March when exiting the runway at George Bush Airport in Houston

In April, a Boeing whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, also testified at a congressional hearing that the company had taken manufacturing shortcuts to turn out 787s as quickly as possible.

The company was already under intense pressure since a door plug blew out of a Boeing 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, leaving a gaping hole in the plane.

The accident halted progress that Boeing seemed to be making while recovering from two deadly crashes of Max jets in 2018 and 2019.

Those crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which killed 346 people, are back in the spotlight, too.

The families of some of the victims have pushed the Justice Department to revive a criminal fraud charge against the company by determining that Boeing's continued lapses violated the terms of a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement.

Meanwhile, two whistleblowers embroiled in a dispute with Boeing died just months apart from each other earlier this year, only increasing speculation over the aerospace company's dealings.

Former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, Joshua Dean, 45, died last week from a mystery infection - less than two months after whistleblower John Barnett, 62, died by suicide in the midst of a legal action against Boeing.

Brian Knowles, a South Carolina based attorney who represented both whistleblowers, said that his clients were 'heroes.'

'They loved the company and wanted to help the company do better,' Knowles said.

'They didn't speak out to be aggravating or for fame. They're raising concerns because people's lives are at stake.'

John Barnett, 62, died in March by suicide in the midst of a legal action against Boeing

Former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, Joshua Dean died last week from an infection

Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour testifies before the US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Investigations

While Knowles has declined to speculate about Barnett's apparent suicide, he said the Boeing whistleblower never showed any signs that he wanted to end his life.

The lawyer said: 'I knew John Barnett for seven years and never saw anything that would indicate he would take his own life... Then again, I've never dealt with someone who did [commit suicide[. So maybe you don't see the signs. I don't know.'

Dean previously said he was fired from his job as a quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems for questioning standards at the supplier's plant in Wichita, Kansas, in October 2022.

Boeing's share prices have tumbled by almost 10 percent to $173.86 over the past six months as more safety concerns have come to light.

Spirit manufactured the door plug on the Boeing jet which shockingly blew out midair on an Alaska Airlines flight in January.

Dean died in hospital on Tuesday after a sudden illness, his family said on social media. He was fired from Spirit AeroSystems in April 2023.

Earlier this year, Dean spoke with NPR about being fired. 'I think they were sending out a message to anybody else. If you are too loud, we will silence you,' he said.

His former employer, Spirit AeroSystems shared a statement expressing condolences to Dean's family.

'Our thoughts are with Josh Dean's family, spokesperson Joe Buccino said. 'This sudden loss is stunning news here and for his loved ones.'

In January, Dean told The Wall Street Journal that he was fired because he pointed out that holes were wrongly drilled in a fuselage, something his employer denied.

'It is known at Spirit that if you make too much noise and cause too much trouble, you will be moved. It doesn't mean you completely disregard stuff, but they don't want you to find everything and write it up,' he said.

Boeing has long denied Dean, and other whistleblower claims that the company willfully ignored safety warnings.

Barnett, meanwhile, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound - though his friends contested this, saying that he told them before 'if anything happens to me, it's not suicide'.
A brave mother-of-one has revealed how her controlling ex sexually assaulted her just hours after he raped another woman - as he begins a five-year jail sentence.

Depraved Anthony Plaskett attacked and 'pawed' at Sarah Campbell, 47, after she got out of the shower - rubbing his naked body against her.

Just hours before he had raped another woman, getting Ms Campbell to pick him up after his crime.

The pair had split three years before because of his controlling behaviour - but he got her to drive him back to her house in the Scottish Borders and watched a film with their daughter before also attacking her.

When confronted with his crimes in court, sick Plaskett described his victims as 'women scorned', before he was jailed for five years for two counts of rape and sexual assault.

Now council worker Ms Campbell has bravely waived her right to anonymity to encourage other survivors of abuse to speak out against their attackers.

She said: 'Tony was a predator and abuser. He put me through hell when we were together.

Depraved Anthony Plaskett (right) attacked and 'pawed' at Sarah Campbell, 47, (left) after she got out of the shower - rubbing his naked body against her

Now council worker Ms Campbell (pictured) has bravely waived her right to anonymity to encourage other survivors of abuse to speak out against their attackers

'I'm relieved he's off the streets, unable to harm anyone else.

'Now I want other women to remember his face and stay away.'

Ms Campbell met Plaskett, 38, at the end of 2011, when she was living with her parents in Spain.

By Valentine's Day the following year, they were engaged and she became pregnant soon after.

The pair moved back to the UK where she had their daughter.

But two years later, in 2014, Plaskett was staying out late and sometimes wouldn't come home after his weekend binges.

Ms Campbell explained: 'He wasn't himself, so I told him to move out as I didn't want him around our daughter.'

Six months later the pair got back together - but when he moved back in, Plaskett started to control Ms Campbell.

He wouldn't even allow her go to the supermarket on her own in case men spoke to her.

The pair had split three years before because of his controlling behaviour - but he got her to drive him back to her house in the Scottish Borders and watched a film with their daughter before also attacking her. Pictured: Ms Campbell (left) and Plaskett (right)

When confronted with his crimes in court, sick Plaskett (left) described his victims as 'women scorned', before he was jailed for five years for two counts of rape and sexual assault

Describing the time, she said: 'If I wanted to change my hair, he refused.

'He became nasty and aggressive.'

And just before Christmas 2018, Ms Campbell ended things for good after she received messages on Facebook from a woman claiming to be having an affair with Plaskett.

He moved out and she started to rebuild her life, although he continued to see his daughter.

Then, in April 2021, Plaskett texted her one morning and said 'I'll come round for sex'?

Shocked, Ms Campbell replied 'No way, it's not happening. We're not doing that'.

Plaskett then asked her to pick him up from a friend's.

When she saw him, he handed her a pair of jeans and asked her to wash them for him.

Reluctantly she agreed and they drove back to hers.

Plaskett watched a film with their daughter while she took a shower.

But when she got out, Plaskett was outside the bathroom door, naked from the waist down.

Ms Campbell (right) met Plaskett, 38, (left) at the end of 2011, when she was living with her parents in Spain

Recalling the attack, she said: 'He put his hands around me and tried to kiss me.

'I told him to stop and get off. I was terrified he was going to rape me.

'He persisted and kept trying to pull off my towel and pawed at my body. It was horrific.'

Eventually, Plaskett stopped - telling Ms Campbell: 'You made me look like a mug'.

The next morning she received a call from a friend, telling her Plaskett had been arrested for rape.

Ms Campbell, who was left feeling violated from the encounter, continued: 'I was shocked and the memories of the previous day came flooding back.

'I was beside myself.'

The following week the police visited and she gave her statement about her own sexual assault.

She also handed over the jeans Plaskett had given her, still unwashed.

In December 2023, Ms Campbell bravely took the stand to give evidence against her ex.

In December 2023, Ms Campbell bravely took the stand to give evidence against her ex

The court heard Plaskett had raped a woman in February 2020 then raped another the following year, hours before his assault on Ms Campbell.

When jurors heard multiple examples of what might be regarded as controlling behaviour by Plaskett, he responded 'I would say what you are listening to is a woman scorned - all three of them'.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Plaskett was found guilty of two counts of rape against two women and sexual assault against Ms Campbell.

In January this year, he was jailed for five years and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Ms Campbell said: 'I want to encourage others to come forward and speak out, no matter how much time has passed.

'You will be believed and achieve justice against your abusers.'
Tesco's mobile banking app and website went down this morning, with customers unable to access their accounts.

According to DownDetector, more than 600 people reported problems accessing their banking since 7am this morning.

The site reported that 53 per cent had issues with their mobile banking, and 30 per cent with the online version.

Frustrated customers writing on X said: 'What happened to your banking app?

Tesco's mobile banking app and website went down, with customers reporting they were unable to access their accounts. File photo

According to DownDetector, over 600 people have reported problems accessing their banking since 7am this morning

Angry customers have taken to X to report the issues and ask for answers

'Can't log in, hangs and fails, uninstalling/reinstalling gives constant 'sorry something went wrong messages'.

'Utterly useless. 1* rating from multiple customers and you don't acknowledge or seem to have any plans to fix it,' one angry user posted.

Another asked: 'Is there a problem with your system/network? I was logged out from my Tesco Bank Mobile app this morning and couldn't log back in until now.'

A spokesperson from Tesco Bank told MailOnline: 'For a period this morning customers were unable to access mobile and online banking.

'This is now fixed and we apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused.'
John Swinney made a bid to end SNP chaos today after he was officially installed as Scottish First Minister.

Mr Swinney has made Kate Forbes his deputy, drawing a line under despite tensions over her devout Christian views.

The move comes after Ms Forbes stood aside in favour of the veteran MSP despite frenzied speculation she would try to succeed Humza Yousaf.

'I am deeply honoured to accept John's invitation to be his Deputy First Minister,' she said.

Despite swipes that he is a 'Sturgeon apologist' and 'continuity' option, Mr Swinney was the only SNP leadership candidate when nominations closed on Monday.

He was sworn in at the Court of Session after being elected to the post at Holyrood yesterday.

Mr Swinney's family, including his wife Elizabeth, thirteen-year-old son Matthew and brother David, accompanied him for the ceremony.

John Swinney (left) was officially installed as Scottish First Minister today - and named Kate Forbes (right) as his deputy

Mr Swinney's family, including his wife Elizabeth, thirteen-year-old son Matthew and brother David, accompanied him for the ceremony

Fiona Hyslop (left) and Mairi McAllan (right) are set for roles in the new Scottish Cabinet

The new SNP leader has been sworn in at the Court of Session after being elected to the post at Holyrood yesterday

Announcing Ms Forbes' new role, Mr Swinney said: 'I am very pleased to appoint Kate as Deputy First Minister and look forward to working with her in this new government.

'She is an immensely talented politician and her new role will prove critical as we focus on our key commitments of eradicating child poverty, investing in public services and supporting economic growth.'

But Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: 'This is simply Humza Yousaf's cabinet with a different figurehead.

'The return of Kate Forbes is a desperate attempt by both John Swinney and his new deputy to gloss over the huge splits in the SNP and fixate on independence.

'A year ago, Mr Swinney questioned whether Kate Forbes was an 'appropriate individual' to lead the SNP, but now he deems her fit to be his second in command.

'Similarly, Ms Forbes, who warned that 'continuity won't cut it', has now joined a Cabinet with continuity at its core in return for a top job under Nicola Sturgeon's right-hand man.'

Labour sources were also jubilant at the prospect of the 'most right-wing deputy first minister ever' - suggesting they will try to find dividing lines on social issues to twist the knife on the SNP.

At Holyrood yesterday, Mr Swinney won the backing of 64 MSPs in a vote on the new First Minister, with his nearest rival Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross picking up 31. As the Greens abstained that was enough for a simple majority.

Afterwards he said: 'I am leading a minority government. I will need to reach out to others to make things happen to pass legislation to agree a budget.'

He said Holyrood was 'intensely polarised', adding: 'I accept my part in creating that environment, whether that is by shouting put-downs from the front bench or heckling from a sedantry position.

'I do promise Presiding Officer, that that will all stop. I have changed.'

Amid laughter in the chamber, he added: 'Perhaps time will tell on that one.'

Humza Yousaf, whose extraordinary meltdown paved the way for Mr Swinney to take the top job, earlier penned his resignation to the King.

In a valedictory speech to MSPs he said: 'Let me offer thanks to every single colleague across the political divide for the kindnesses that you have shown me over the years.

'We often, and I'm guilty of this too, lament the toxic nature of our political debate and it's true, there is entrenched tribalism that feels difficult to free ourselves from.

'However I will remember far more fondly the kindness and generosity of colleagues over the years.'

Mr Swinney swerved a late obstacle on Monday as he persuaded activist Graeme McCormick not to go ahead with forcing a leadership contest, even though he had secured the support required to stand.

Mr Yousaf's time as First Minister was spent dealing with a long list of crises, including developments in the police probe into the SNP's funding and finances, a series of policy U-turns, disciplinary issues, defections and bitter infighting between factions in his party.

A Norstat poll at the weekend showed the SNP is on course to fall to just 15 seats following the general election, and to slide behind Labour at the next Holyrood election.

The SNP vote share in a Westminster election was seen as dropping to its lowest level since the 2014 independence referendum.

The party would hold just 15 of its 43 seats with Scottish Labour winning 28 - a dramatic increase from its current two.

The Swinneys posed for a photograph after the swearing in ceremony

Mr Swinney enjoyed a laugh with Humza Yousaf (left) and his long-term ally Nicola Sturgeon (right) at Holyrood yesterday

Humza Yousaf officially quit as Scottish First minister yesterday paving the way for Mr Swinney to be installed

Mr Yousaf's fall from grace was sparked when he summarily ditched the coalition deal with the Greens in Scotland

Mr Yousaf signed his resignation letter to the King as the transition took effect

According to the Sunday Times survey, the SNP had support from 29 per cent of the electorate - a fall of three points in a month, while Labour's share increased by two points to 34 per cent.

Under Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP became the third largest party at Westminster, winning 56 of 59 Scottish seats in 2015.

The Scottish Conservatives, whose vote share remained at 16 per cent in the poll, would add three seats to return nine MPs - while the Liberal Democrats, on 8 per cent, would boost their yield by one to five MPs.
A man stabbed by a 'radicalised' teen who was later shot dead by police has broken his silence from his hospital bed.

The victim, aged in his 30s, was knifed in the back in the random attack while he was leaving a 24-hour gym in Willetton in Perth's north late on Saturday night.

He was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital in a serious but stable condition, where he continues to recover.

Four days on, the man is still physically and mentally scarred from the harrowing ordeal.

'I am currently coming to terms with my injuries and the circumstances surrounding the events of Saturday evening,' he said in a statement.

The man was stabbed in the back with a kitchen knife while he was leaving a 24-hour gym in Perth on Saturday night

'I would like to thank the first responders who attended the scene, the staff at Royal Perth Hospital for the treatment that I have received, and the community for their support.

'This is a very difficult time for everyone involved and I ask that I now be afforded privacy as I recover from my physical injuries and the emotional toll that this has placed on me.'

The teen who attacked him had earlier called triple-0 threatening acts of violence and also sent messages warning 'I am going on the path of jihad'

The boy, who has since been identified as 'James' had called police at 10.10pm without identifying himself to say he was 'going to commit acts of violence' before hanging up the phone.

Officers met him outside Bunnings in Willetton.

The man says he is still coming to terms with what happened to him

The teen was fatally shot by police in the car park outside Bunnings in Willetton

Police confronted and surrounded the teen as they begged him to drop the weapon.

He was unsuccessfully tasered by two officers, before he lunged at a third, who fatally shot him.

Police Commissioner Col Blanch refused to call the incident an act of terrorism, which would afford the commissioner additional powers under the emergency management act.

'It meets the definition so you can say it is a terrorist act. I'm saying I don't need to declare an incident because I don't need additional powers,' he told 7NEWS.

'Now if that changes and more information does come to hand, I may need to declare it a terrorist incident or a terrorist act to use those powers, but this time I don't need to do that.'

WA Premier Roger Cook said members of the Muslim community had contacted police prior to the incident with concerns about the teen's behaviour.

He was believed to have shared his extremist views with other students who were using the prayer space at Rossmoyne Senior High School, according to WA Today.

The man was stabbed in a car park by radicalised teen James (pictured)

But the Department of Education director-general, Lisa Rodgers, said there is no evidence that he was trying to indoctrinate other students.

'I imagine [the 16-year-old] would have been able to use that prayer room without active oversight,' she told 6PR on Wednesday.

'Certainly there was ongoing passive monitoring of that prayer room.

'He was extremely radicalised and had complex issues. The school reported matters to the federal police when they observed some unusual behaviour.'

The boy was known to police and had been taking part in a de-radicalisation program since 2022.

Authorities believe the teen was acting alone.

Investigations are ongoing.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin for formally starting his fifth term as Moscow's leader, state media said Wednesday, amid deepening military cooperation between the two nations.

Putin began his fifth term Tuesday, extending his 24-year rule for another six years after winning a landslide victory in Russia's election in March.

"The respected Comrade Kim Jong-un warmly congratulated Putin once again on his inauguration as the president of the Russian Federation and wished him great successes in his responsible work for Russia and its people," Kim was quoted as saying in a dispatch released by the Korean Central News Agency.

The letter was delivered through the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang, it added.

It marked the second congratulatory message Kim sent to Putin on his reelection. In March, Kim sent a letter vowing to "bring about a new era of the DPRK-Russia friendship ... in conformity with the requirements of the times and push forward with the accomplishment of the cause of building a powerful country."

DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The latest message came as North Korea-Russia ties have been significantly deepening following a rare summit between their leaders in September, spawning speculation over Pyongyang's arms transfers to Moscow for use in its war in Ukraine.

Last week, the White House said Russia delivered more than 165,000 barrels of refined petroleum to North Korea in March alone, noting that such shipments have exceeded the annual cap of 500,000 barrels set by the U.N. Security Council sanctions imposed on North Korea in 2017. (Yonhap
A female pro-Palestinian protester broke into a university academic's office and urinated on the floor, the disgusted lecturer claims.

The incident took place at Brisbane's University of Queensland St Lucia campus last Wednesday, with police officers attending at around 3pm and escorting a 23-year-old woman off campus before fining her for trespassing.

Signs were also left in the ransacked office demanding the academic, who has Jewish connections but did not wish to be named, resign.

A pro-Palestinian protester has allegedly broken into an academic's University of Queensland office and urinated in it (pictured the protest camp set up on campus)

'Upon arrival, police located a 23-year-old West End woman,' a police spokesperson said.

'The woman was asked to leave the area and allegedly did not comply.

'Police escorted her from the premises and transported her to hospital as a precaution. She has since been issued a fine for trespassing [$309].'

Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies President Jason Steinberg labelled the incident as 'repulsive'.

'Jewish staff and students are understandably concerned about their safety and now more than ever the anti-Semitism on campus needs to be stopped,' he told the Courier Mail.

A rival pro-Israeli camp has been set up on campus with tensions rising between the two sets of protesters

'This is not just a Jewish issue, all Queenslanders should be concerned about the rise in antisemitism because the fabric of social cohesion is being damaged.'

Tensions continue to rise between rival pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel camps that have been set up on the main University of Queensland campus.

A university spokesperson said measures had been taken to make sure the protests remained peaceful.

The measures are believed to include hiring four extra security guards.

'The university has established processes to monitor activities on campus and is responding appropriately to any actions or behaviours that are unacceptable,' the spokesperson said.

'A few incidents from a small number of individuals have gone beyond the limits of what is acceptable.

'We have reported two incidents to Queensland Police who are also helping to verify whether those involved are part of our UQ community.'

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry sent an all-staff email on Tuesday stating that the protests were being allowed as part of the institutions 'commitment to free speech'.

'While the vast majority of protest activities have been civil, there have been a few incidents from a small number of individuals that are unacceptable,' she wrote.

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry sent an all-staff email stating the protests were being allowed as part of the institution's commitment to free speech

'The university has taken appropriate action, including having an inappropriate flag removed, addressing anti-social behaviour, and escalating matters - where appropriate - to police.

'I want to remind our community that any protest activities must be within the boundaries of free speech as specified in our policies and the law, and cannot prevent staff and students engaging with university activities.

University of Queensland Associate Professor Yoni Nazarathy says Jewish staff and students do not feel supported by the university

'We are continuing to engage daily with the organisers of the protest camps, and we have increased security on campus to monitor activities and take appropriate action as required.'

University of Queensland Associate Professor Yoni Nazarathy, who is staying at the pro-Israeli 'Shalom' camp, said he did not feel supported by the university.

'Jewish and Israeli staff members feel that the university is treating this attack as a singular event, even though it is clearly linked and motivated by the incitement and harassment in the anti-Israel camp,' Mr Nazarathy said.

'So it wasn't an event that was orchestrated by the anti-Israel camp, they did not orchestrate it. They even probably asked at some point for that person to be removed, but still the anti-Israel incitement.'

There has been a worldwide student protest movement in opposition to Israel's military reprisal in the Gaza Strip for the October 7 attacks on the Jewish state by Hamas.
A survivor of the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing rampage has been reunited with the 'angel' who saved her life.

Liya Barko, 35, was shopping for a volleyball on April 13 when Joel Cauchi stabbed her with a 30cm hunting knife during his terrifying attack that claimed the lives of five women and a security guard at the busy shopping centre in Sydney's east.

Ms Barko previously revealed the two terrifying words - 'catch you' - Cauchi uttered after plunging his blade into her chest, only narrowly missing her heart.

Days after leaving hospital, the student launched a public appeal this week to track down the Good Samaritan in a green T-shirt who pulled her into a shop and shut the security door before putting pressure on her wound and performing first aid.

His quick-thinking almost certainly saved Ms Barko's life.

The identity of the man in the green shirt who saved Liya Barko's's life has been revealed as ex-solider Wayne Tolver Banks. The pair are pictured together this week

Liya Barko (pictured), 35, spent 10 days in intensive care after the attack

Ms Barko spent the next 10 days in a critical condition in intensive care and was only discharged from hospital a week ago.

She told Nine News on Monday of her desire to find the hero who rushed to her aid, 'to at least give him a hug' and say thank you.

A day later, ex-soldier Wayne Tolver Banks came forward as the Good Samaritan, sparking an emotional reunion.

'Oh my god, I remembered you were so tall,' Ms Barko said as the pair hugged.

'I'm so happy you're alive,' Mr Banks replied.

Liya Barko and Wayne Tolver Banks fought back tears during the emotional reunion (pictured)

Ms Barko fought back tears of joy and relief as she described Mr Banks as 'the angel who just appeared at the right moment at the right place'.

Mr Banks revealed that the crazed knifeman briefly locked eyes with him before shaking his head, as if to say he wasn't going to attack him.

He then lunged at Ms Barko and stabbed her.

It was at that moment that Mr Banks' military training kicked in.

'Straight away I knew what I had to do to take control of the situation and the area,' Mr Banks told the student.

'I looked at you when I saw the man stab you and I said straight away to myself I've got to help you... I didn't want you to die.'

Ms Barko recalled that Mr Banks' wife also helped keep her fighting when she felt like giving up.

'Your wife she was the person who started to shake me when I started to say 'I want to give up'...she is the one who (said to me) 'You are doing really well',' Ms Barko said.

Ms Barko previously revealed that after the horrifying attack Cauchi (pictured) looked at her and said: 'Catch you', before moving on with his killing spree

Ms Barko, who worked part-time as a cleaner, was only released from hospital a week ago.

'By some miracle, the knife narrowly missed her heart,' Spencer Benjamin, who organised a GoFundMe page for her wrote.

'However, the incident resulted in a pierced stomach and liver, three broken ribs and severed arteries and veins.

'The surgeons battled not just to save her life but to prevent lasting neurological damage, as her brain was starved of oxygen for a critical period.'

Lone knifeman Cauchi , 40, murdered six people and stabbed 12 more innocent shoppers during the terrifying rampage that shocked the world.

His victims were Ash Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young , 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and Yixuan Cheng, 27, and security guard Faraz Tahir, 30.
The 'headless man' seen in a picture revealed in the Duchess of Argyll's scandalous divorce case was 'almost certainly' Tory minister Duncan Sandys, a historian has claimed.

In a 1963 court hearing, Margaret Campbell was accused by her alcoholic, gambler husband, the 11th Duke of Argyll, of taking 88 lovers.

In the damning judgement that resulted, the Duchess was described by the judge as a 'completely promiscuous woman' who had indulged in 'disgusting sexual activities' and whose attitude to marriage was 'wholly immoral'.

The Duke also revealed a series of Polaroid photographs that showed his soon-to-be former wife naked and cavorting with other men.

One of them, allegedly taken in 1956, showed her performing oral sex on a man whose face was not shown. He quickly became known as the 'headless man' but was never identified.

Sandys, the then defence minister, was among the five men who were touted as being the possible lover.

Now, as a Channel 5 TV documentary explores her life and the divorce case that scandalised the nation, historian Christopher Wilson has told MailOnline that he is convinced Sandys was the headless man.

'I think it was almost certainly Duncan. He offered to resign from the cabinet. That tells you it was him,' he said.

The 'headless man' seen in pictures revealed in the Duchess of Argyll's scandalous divorce case was 'almost certainly' Tory minister Duncan Sandys, a historian has claimed. Above: The Duchess with her new husband, Ian Campbell, the 11th Duke of Argyll, on their wedding day in 1951

Duncan Sandys (above), the then defence minister, was among the five men who were touted as being the possible lover

'No cabinet minister would offer to resign unless they had to.'

The rarity of Polaroid cameras at the time pointed towards a government figure, because the technology had been loaned to the Ministry of Defence.

That fact is another reason why Sandys is a prime 'suspect'.

But despite his offer to resign, he denied that he was the headless man.

Mr Wilson said the Duchess's treatment in the divorce case was 'disgraceful' and added: 'These days she would be a celebrity.

'The culture of the day then was everybody looked down their noses at anybody who enjoyed sex, which was absurd. She had a talent for it and a love for it and she went for it.'

He said her husband 's***-shamed' her.

When she married Ian Campbell, the 11th Duke of Argyll, in 1951, their wedding was almost as ostentatious as the nuptials of a member of the House of Windsor.

The Duchess, who was portrayed by Claire Foy in TV series A Very British Scandal, took the headless man mystery to her grave when she died in 1993 at the age of 80.

The daughter of a self-made millionaire, the Duchess grew up in America and England and spent many evenings at the theatre with her parents.

She was seduced by actor David Niven at the age of 15. Their affair ended with an abortion but they remained lifelong friends.

As a much sought after debutante, she went on do date the Earl of Warwick and Max Aitken, the son of press baron Lord Beaverbrook.

In 1933 she married first husband Charles Sweeney. The couple had daughter Frances together but divorced in 1947.

Their separation came after she nearly died in 1943 when she fell down a lift shaft and suffered grievous injuries.

It was this ordeal which was later used in court by her second husband to suggest that she had undergone a personality change that made her a nymphomaniac.

He was keen not to have to pay back his wife's millions, which had been poured into his family seat, the dilapidated Inveraray Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

In a 1963 court hearing, Margaret Campbell was accused by her alcoholic, gambler husband, the 11th Duke of Argyll, of taking 88 lovers

Margaret Campbell, Duchess of Argyll outside the law courts in the Strand on the second day of her case

The Duchess of Argyll with Ian Campbell, her second husband, in April 1952

Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, seen in her car when she was a debutante in 1930

After her first divorce, the Duchess was briefly engaged to a Texan named Joe Thomas, a senior partner in Lehman Brothers, but then agreed to marry the Duke.

But the couple quickly became unhappy and embarked on their own separate affairs.

Mr Wilson called him a 'complete a***' and said he 'had affairs with lots of people'.

When the Duchess's father cut-off the money supply that was going into the Duke's castle, he told her that she could divorce him if she paid him 250,000.

But he failed to get his way and so set out to get revenge.

'He was so angry that she withdrew her cheque book that he decide he was going to do her in. it was outrageous really,' Mr Wilson said.

The historian added that the new Channel 5 documentary, A Very British Sex Scandal: The Duchess & the Headless Man, 'gets it wrong' by claiming that she 'disappeared into obscurity' after the divorce case.

'It couldn't be further from the truth,' he said.

'She sailed into every Mayfair salon. She would go out wearing jewels, the pearls.'

Before their divorce hearing, Campbell stole the Duchess's apparently damning diaries - along with a stash of photographs - from her Mayfair flat.

Margaret Campbell, Duchess of Argyll, with her daughter Frances Helen Sweeney and her dachshund, 1955

The mother and daughter allegedly once encountered each other at a party. Margaret told her, 'Hello, I'm your mother'. Frances is said to have replied, 'I remember', before turning away. Above: The pair in 1955

Judge Lord Wheatley said at the hearing: 'I consider her to be a highly sexed woman who had ceased to be satisfied with normal relations and had started to indulge in disgusting sexual activities to gratify a debase sexual appetite.'

Mr Wilson said the Duchess's treatment was a 'disgraceful'.

'It was disgraceful. The fact that the judge was part of Clan Campbell is outrageous,' he added.

'She was so magnificent she rose above it. Like a true duchess she sailed on through life. He [the Duke] disappeared over a cliff.'

The court in the 1963 case ordered the scandalous images to be destroyed.

An investigation by the Mail on Sunday in 1999 uncovered a copy of the 'headless man' photograph after a source contacted the newspaper.

A reporter was shown the image but a decision was taken not to print it.

Four further images that were shown to the court showed an aroused man lying naked on a bed.

Although his head was again out of the frame, captions read 'before', 'during', 'oh!' and 'finished'.

A separate note written by the male lover in the same handwriting complained that he had been unable to contact the Duchess and that he had sent the images as a reminder because of their time apart.

The court never established his identity, or whether it was the same man who featured in all five pictures.

The Duchess of Argyll arrives at a concert in London in December 1985

The Duchess of Argyll with her poodle in October 1975. She refused to be cowed by her court humiliation

The Duke however was sure that the individual was Sigismund von Braun, a married German diplomat who had been having an affair with the Duchess around the same time that the images were said to have been taken.

Her diary entries regularly featured the single letter 'B', who the Duke assumed referred to Braun.

He had once stayed at Inveraray with is wife Hildegard and had spent most of his time walking alone with the Duchess.

Braun did not deny an affair with the Duchess but insisted it had ended in 1951, before she met the Duke and before the image was taken.

Another 'suspect' is William H Lyons - known as Bill - a scion of a wealthy American family.

According to socialite Lady Colin Campbell, who was married to the Duke of Argyll's son, Lord Colin, the Duchess told her it was Bill in the pictures.

However, the aristocrat is said to have first met Bill in 1961, and the photographs were found by the Duke two years beforehand.

The Duchess said in her memoirs that Bill was 'the one man, ironically, whom my husband might have named in the divorce but never did.'

The then prime minister Harold MacMillan dissuaded Sandys from quitting his role by asking Lord Denning - the man who looked into the Profumo Scandal - investigate the identity of the mysterious lover.

The documents that were drawn up were sealed in a dossier and eventually shown to John Major in 1993.

Sir John ruled that they should not be released for another 70 years.

Denning's five key suspects were Sandys, Braun, US businessman John Cohane, Peter Combe - an ex-press officer at the Savoy Hotel - and American actor Douglas Fairbanks Junior.

Denning invited all five men to the Treasury to quiz them in the 'very delicate matter'.

All were asked to sign the visitors register and their handwriting was subsequently analysed.

The results - when compared to the captions on the images - allegedly pointed to Fairbanks Jnr.

He furiously denied being in any of the photographs and threatened to sue anyone who claimed otherwise.

The Duchess with her first husband, Charles Sweeney, on their wedding day in 1933

Claire Foy as the Duchess of Argyll in BBC drama A Very British Scandal

Mr Wilson, the author of books including The Windsor Knot: Charles, Camilla, and the Legacy of Diana, added: It is a world that doesnt exist anymore. With social media dating and that sort of thing, all those barriers which existed then have all just disappeared.

'The whole point was that you would do what you wanted as long as you werent found out.

'As long as you maintained to the outside world a picture of normality. What you did privately was entirely up to you. You could enjoy what you wanted.'

The Duchess's daughter, Frances, Duchess of Rutland, died in January aged 86.

The divorce case and the infamy it brought meant that the mother and daughter's relationship was fraught.

The pair allegedly once encountered each other at a party. Margaret told her, 'Hello, I'm your mother'. Frances is said to have replied, 'I remember', before turning away.

A Very British Sex Scandal: The Duchess & the Headless Man, airs tonight on Channel 5.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has been blasted for suggesting that Hamas terrorists and the Israeli government should be equally condemned over their actions in Gaza.

The senior Labour politician spoke out after being re-elected for a third term in the capital.

Mr Khan, who has been outspoken in demanding a full ceasefire in Gaza, made the remarks after he beat Tory rival Susan Hall.

He told the Telegraph that it was an 'issue of humanity' and said people should show 'equivalence' in condemning Hamas and the Netanyahu regime.

'I condemn unequivocally the actions of Hamas on Oct 7; those 134 hostages must be released,' he said.

'At the same time, I condemn unequivocally the actions of the IDF and Netanyahu; 34,000 people have perished including 14,000 children.'

It sparked a row between Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions.

The senior Labour politician spoke out after being re-elected for a third term in the capital.

It came as the United States halted a shipment of powerful bombs to Israel as Washington puts pressure on its ally to avoid a full-scale invasion of Gaza's crowded southern city of Rafah and give more time for ceasefire talks.

Hamas said its fighters were battling Israeli troops in the east of the city, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge from combat elsewhere in the enclave. Residents said the fighting was still on the outskirts.

Mr Sunak said: 'He talked about a changed Labour Party, he talks about it a lot, and he also talked about his new mayor in London.

'So, just this morning, we've learned that the Labour mayor in London believes - and I quote - that there is an equivalence between the brutal terrorist attack of Hamas and Israel defending itself. And, let me be crystal clear, there is absolutely no equivalence between a terrorist group and a democratic state.

'So can I ask (Sir Keir) now, will he take this opportunity to demonstrate that the Labour Party has changed, and will he condemn those comments from the Labour mayor?'

Sir Keir declined to answer the question. His spokesman later accused the PM of having 'entirely misrepresented what Sadiq Khan said'.

'The use of equivalence was clearly a reference to valuing all human life, which we obviously do,' the spokesman said.

'There is obviously a complete difference between the actions of Hamas - a terrorist organisation - and what they did on 7 October and the way in which that has to be, and has been, utterly condemned, with the actions of the Israeli government.

'But I would assume everybody would agree that we treat all human life equally - whether that is Palestinian or Israeli.'

It came as the United States halted a shipment of powerful bombs to Israel as Washington puts pressure on its ally to avoid a full-scale invasion of Gaza's crowded southern city of Rafah and give more time for ceasefire talks.

Former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman, who is heavily pro-Israel, told the paper the October 7 attacks 'involved the rape, torture and murder of more than a thousand innocent men, women and babies and they continue to keep hostages in captivity'.

She added: 'It's utterly wrong and an insult to those victims to equate the brutality of Hamas to the legitimate military measures that Israel is taking in defence of its people and nation.'

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former business secretary, added: 'Israel must surely have the right to self defence. That doesn't make everything Israel does right, but condemning them unequivocally and to equate them with the terrorist acts of Hamas is surely wrong.'

Meanwhile a government source said Labour leader Keir Starmer 'needs to disassociate himself from these comments immediately.'

Hamas today said its fighters were battling Israeli troops in the east of the city, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge from combat elsewhere in the enclave. Residents said the fighting was still on the outskirts.

Israel has threatened a major assault on Rafah to defeat thousands of Hamas fighters it says are holed up there, but Western nations and the United Nations have warned a full-scale assault on Rafah would be a humanitarian catastrophe.

A senior US official said President Joe Biden's administration paused a shipment of weapons to Israel last week in an apparent response to the expected Rafah offensive. The White House and Pentagon declined to comment.

This would be the first such delay since the Biden administration offered its full support to Israel after Hamas' October 7 attack. Washington is Israeli's closest ally and main weapons supplier.

Israeli forces on Tuesday seized the main border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in Rafah, cutting off a vital route for aid.

Residents said tanks, which had moved in to take control of the crossing, had not entered the built-up areas of the city and gun battles were still outside the city limits.

Armed groups of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah said in separate statements that gunfights continued in the central Gaza Strip, while residents of northern Gaza reported heavy Israeli tank shelling against eastern areas of Gaza City and districts.

Despite the latest Israeli assault in Rafah and fighting elsewhere in Gaza, the United States said it believes a revised Hamas ceasefire proposal may lead to a break through in the ceasefire impasse, with talks resuming in Cairo on Wednesday.
Russia has revealed it has started building a nuclear power plant to be put on the moon as part of its planned joint lunar base with China.

The two countries are collaborating on the International Lunar Research Station, a massive complex on the moon that is set to break ground in 2026.

The proposed base, which will have a radius of nearly four miles, larger than any Disney theme park, will house scientists who will study the moon's properties.

RIA reported Moscow was planning to deliver and install the plant between 2033 and 2035, Citing Yuri Borisov - the head of Russia's space agency Roscosmos.

In March, Borisov said Moscow was considering the idea of powering the station using nuclear energy, on account of the fact that lunar nights last around 14 Earth days, making solar panels on the surface on the moon less viable as a power source.

Yuri Borisov, the head of Russia's space agency Roscosmos (pictured right with Russian president Vladimir Putin) has said Moscow has started building a nuclear power plant to be put on the moon as part of its planned joint lunar base with China, according to reports in Russia

He said at the time the mission would see two Russian rockets try to reach both the north and south poles of the moon in 2028.

The creation of the International Scientific Lunar Station will unfold in two stages between 2025 and 2035, RIA reported, consisting of several modules.

Speaking in April, Borisov said it would be necessary to create a compact, reliable, durable long-term supply of nuclear energy for the base to operate.

China and Russia have confirmed they had been in talks over 'outer space security' and 'AI weapons' - while China confirmed in 2022 that it was joining forces with Russia to build the base to rival NASA's planned Lunar Gateway project.

Russian and Chinese officials met in February to address 'doctrinal guidelines and initiatives of Russia and China', reports said at the time.

The countries agreed to further cooperate under the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) of the States Parties to the Convention on Inhumane Weapons on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), a UN-backed policy on weapons R&D.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said at the time: 'The meeting confirmed the closeness of the Russian and Chinese approaches to this issue.

Russia and China are collaborating on the International Lunar Research Station, a massive complex on the moon that is set break ground in 2026 (file image)

In March, Borisov (pictured) said Moscow was considering the idea of powering the station using nuclear energy , on account of the fact that lunar nights last around 14 Earth days, making solar panels on the surface on the moon less viable as a power source

'It was noted that there is a need for further close cooperation in this area both in the bilateral format and in the relevant multilateral platforms, primarily within the framework of the GGE on LAWS.'

China, meanwhile, added that talks covered 'outer space security, biosecurity, and artificial intelligence.'

China also announced it was planning on installing an all-seeing surveillance system on the moon to protect a planned lunar base bigger than Disneyland using the technology it uses to spy on its citizens.

The nation wants to use the 'successful experience' of its authoritarian Skynet surveillance system to protect the planned base against 'suspicious targets', according to a research paper written by scientists at the nation's space agency that was published in an academic journal.

Skynet is the world's largest surveillance network, and is used to monitor every nook and cranny of China. With more than 600 million cameras, there is on average one camera for every two adults in the nation.

The news that Russia has started building the nuclear power plant is the latest move by the joint Moscow-Beijing effort in a renewed space race against the West.

Nations are racing for the moon's south pole and 'dark side'

The new race is warming up after half a century, with Russia, China and America working to be the first to put humans, robots and even lunar trains on the moon.

The prize is enormous, with resources ranging from 'rare earth' minerals used in electronics to Helium-3, a potential energy source which could power a nuclear fusion revolution offering infinite clean energy.

Morgan Stanley has previously suggested that the global space industry could be worth $1 trillion annually by 2040 - and could make Elon Musk (behind the company SpaceX) the world's first trillionaire.

As Russia and China make plans for their moon base, NASA is planning to put the first woman on Mars in the middle of this decade.

Defense contractor Northrop Grumman is drawing up plans for a railway on the moon to carry goods between bases, with the moon's south pole believed to hold reserves of water (which can be turned into fuel for spacecraft going to mine asteroids or land on Mars).

NASA has spoken about a 'lunar gold rush', with Russia saying that it would launch further lunar missions and then explore the possibility of a joint Russian-China crewed mission.

Rare earth metals - used in smartphones, computers and advanced technologies - are available on the moon, according to research by Boeing.

Helium-3 is a form of the gas helium that is rare on earth, but NASA says there are estimates of a million tons of it on the moon.

Helium 3 could provide nuclear energy in a fusion reactor but since it is not radioactive it would not produce dangerous waste (although so far nuclear fusion is not yet financially viable despite recent breakthroughs).

Most plans for 'moon mining' involve robots doing much of the work, overseen by humans either on moon bases or on orbiting space stations.

But the law around who 'owns' the moon or its resources is unclear, with more than 80 countries already having a presence in space.

Philosopher AC Grayling writes in his new book Who Owns the Moon?, 'A space Wild West is coming into existence.

'The consequences for peace and stability on Earth, already tenuous on conventional grounds ... could be, and too likely will be, as petrol on to a fire.'

Water will be an important resource on the moon

The UN 1966 Outer Space Treaty says that no nation can claim sovereignty over the moon, although lawyers say it's unclear whether a private entity can claim areas.

In 2020, the United States announced the Artemis Accords to establish 'safe zones' on the moon - but Russia and China have not joined.

The south pole is being targeted by China as well as NASA, which has identified 13 possible landing sites near the moon's south pole for the Artemis III which will return humans to the moon.

Just 12 people have ever walked on the moon - all of whom are men, and no one has been to the moon sinceGene Cernan and Jack Schmitt in December 1972.
A London shopping centre was evacuated after a 'suspicious package' was found in a bomb scare.

Shoppers were evacuated from Westfield Stratford City, in east London, at around 10.15am this morning after the object was found.

Footage shared on social media shows people running out of the mall after being told to leave by staff.

Photos also show police with sniffer dogs in attendance with tape cordoning off a bridge which links the shopping centre to Stratford station.

The Metropolitan Police says the item has been 'assessed' and was found to be 'non-suspicious', with shopping centre reopening at 11.25am.

Crowds of people were seen leaving the building on the orders of the police and security staff

Hundreds of people were inside the shopping centre when the item was found, with all of them told to evacuate

Large crowds gathered outside the shopping centre after the evacuation, with photos being shared online

Videos taken by people outside the shopping centre this morning showed crowds of gathering near to the entrances after police stopped them going inside.

Photos showed marked police vehicles and at least one fire engine parked outside the entrance that the mall shares with Stratford Tube station.

The incident caused confusion online, with some people saying the centre had been evacuated due to a 'bomb threat' and others a saying it could have been a fire.

Actor Martin Johnson tweeted that people were being turned away from the centre at around 11.15am.

He wrote: 'Be advised that if youre coming to @westfieldstrat think again. The whole shopping centre and surrounds have been evacuated. I can see police tape up. Police marshalling people back. No further announcements or advice.

He added: 'Sniffer dogs in attendance. Im being told that a fire has happened in the shopping centre. If this were an emergency evacuation it seems to have been a leisurely one. People still coming out of the building 25 minutes after the building was shut down.'

Lee O'Mara, who was at the scene, posted videos of the crowds leaving the building with the caption: 'Bomb scare Westfield Stratford'.

Paddy Elliot, who was turned away at the entrance to the building, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, a police officer had told him it was a 'bomb threat'.

A police car and a fire engine are parked outside one of the entrances to Westfield Stratford City on Wednesday morning

People stand outside the entrance to Westfield Stratford City after the shopping centre was evacuated this morning

The shopping centre was evacuated at around 10.15am after a suspicious item was found

Video shared online showed people running after being told to leave the shopping centre in Stratford, east London

However, a spokesperson for the Met said the incident was after the item was looked at by officers, it was found to be 'non-suspicious'.

They said: 'At 10:15hrs on Wednesday, 8 May, police were alerted to a possible suspicious item at Stratford Place, E20.

'The surrounding area was evacuated as a precaution while the item is assessed.

'The item was found to be non-suspicious and the incident was stood down at 11:25hrs.'

The spokesperson declined to give more information about the nature of the item when asked by MailOnline.

A spokesperson for Westfield said: 'An area of the centre was evacuated whilst the onsite security investigated a safety issue which has been resolved.

'The centre has fully reopened and retailers and customers are making their way back in.'

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: 'Firefighters were called to assist police at an incident on Montfichet Road in Stratford this morning.

The Brigade was called at 1035 and the incident was over for firefighters by 1129. Two fire engines from Stratford and Leytonstone fire stations attended the scene.'
Plans to boost the size of the Senedd by 60 per cent are due to be voted through today despite a furious backlash.

Legislation tabled by the Labour-run Welsh Government, as part of the co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru, would see numbers rise from 60 to 96.

Elections would also take place every four years instead of every five years under the proposals, which are expected to get final approval this afternoon.

However, critics have pointed out that the 120million overhaul is equivalent to the House of Commons being expanded from 650 MPs to more than 2,000.

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies has said the move showed that the Labour administration has the wrong 'priorities'.

Separately, calls have surfaced in Scotland for a 'significant' increase in the number of MSPs.

Plans to boost the size of the Senedd (pictured) by 60 per cent are due to be voted through today despite a furious backlash

Legislation tabled by Vaughan Gething's Labour administration, as part of the co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru, seeks to increase the number of Senedd members from 60 to 96

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies has said the move shows that the Labour administration has the wrong 'priorities'

Posting on social media to mark the 25th anniversary of devolution yesterday Mr Davies said: 'Wales desperately needs more teachers, nurses, doctors and dentists, not more politicians.'

Currently in Wales there are 40 constituencies electing a single representative by first-past-the-post and 20 additional members chosen proportionally from five regions.

If the Bill passes its final stages today there will be 16 enlarged constituencies, with six members elected in each area using the D'Hondt formula, which is currently used to elect the 20 additional members.

Instead of five-year terms, MSs will be elected for four-year terms and all candidates will have to live in Wales.

The maximum number of ministers appointed by the party forming the Government will be increased from 12 to 17, and there will be two deputy presiding officers instead of the current one.

If the changes are supported by the Senedd they will be adopted for the next set of elections in 2026.

Figures have suggested full implementation over the next eight years could cost 120million, although the true bill is uncertain.

Mr Davies posted on the X site: 'Today should be a reflection for the Labour Welsh Government to rethink their 'priorities'.

'Spending tens of millions on a 20mph default speed limit& forcing NHS to make over 60million cuts to then spend over 100million on creating more Senedd Members should not be priorities.'

Earlier this year, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt voiced 'shock' at the plan.

She said an equivalent move for the UK Parliament on the same constituent-to-politician ratio would result in an increase from 650 MPs to 2,058.

'Just to put this in context, on the same constituent-to-politician ratio as the plan they are outlining in Wales, if that were transferred to the House of Commons this chamber would have to accommodate 2,058 Members of Parliament,' she said.

'That is Labour's blueprint for governing Britain I think.'

The Welsh Government had argued that Wales is the 'most under-represented country in the UK', even before the number of Welsh MPs are reduced from 40 to 32 under boundary reviews.

It insists the changes can 'create a modern Senedd better able to represent the people of Wales'.

Earlier this year, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt voiced 'shock' at the plan

Meanwhile, former Scottish deputy first minister Jim Wallace has said the number of MSPs at Holyrood 'needs to be looked at again'.

The former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader played a key role in determining the number of MSPs who would sit in the Scottish Parliament when it was established back in 1999, being involved in negotiations with Labour's George Robertson on the matter.

'George Robertson and I had a haggle about what the numbers would be,' he said.

He wanted 113, I wanted 145, and we got 129. It was meeting in the middle...

'I think now the Parliament requires significantly more, it has more responsibilities, not least for tax and social security.

'I think 129 needs to be looked at again.'
This is the moment a brawl erupted between two furious passengers after a mid-air row broke out over seating.

Video shows brave air crew desperately trying to calm the two fighting passengers a few hours in to the long-haul EVA Air flight from Taiwan to San Francisco.

Punches were thrown and one of the men had to be restrained as fellow passengers screamed.

The fight is said to have broke out after one of the men became upset by a passenger next to him who was constantly coughing.

He then took it upon himself to change seats and went to find an empty one. He sat down, but several minutes later, the seat's original occupant returned.

An ensuing row quickly erupted into a violent brawl and cabin crew members had to put themselves between the two men to break it up.

The men started brawling after one sat in the other's seat because he wanted to get away from another passenger's incessant coughing

A flight attendant grabbed hold of him from behind to try to pull him away, but she then received an elbow to her head

The shocking scenes were filmed on an EVA Air flight from Taipei City in Taiwan to San Francisco, US, on 7 May

One of the men could be seen apparently throwing a punch at the other in the seat.

A flight attendant grabbed hold of him from behind to try to pull him away, but she then received an elbow to her head.

The crew managed to calm the tensions, before the man sitting then jumped up from the seat to throw a punch at him.

Passengers could be heard screaming as the two men traded blows in the aisle before the flight crew, with the help of other travellers, eventually separated the pair.

The shocking scenes were filmed on an EVA Air flight from Taipei City in Taiwan to San Francisco on 7 May.

The row started about three hours into the 11-and-a-half-hour flight.

Following the brawl the two men, who continued to point and shout at each other, were kept apart for the remainder of the flight.

They were then handed over to the police in San Francisco upon arrival.

The Taiwanese airline has yet to release a statement about the incident.
Rishi Sunak was hit with a bombshell today as another Tory defected to Labour slamming his 'broken promises'.

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke crossed the floor in the Commons just as Mr Sunak began a bruising PMQs session.

Having shaken her by the hand as she took a seat behind him, Keir Starmer seized on the news saying it showed the government was collapsing. Dan Poulter made the same switch at the end of last month.

However, the defection has caused a major backlash in Labour circles, with Ms Elphicke previously regarded as on the right of the Conservatives.

She also has a long record of attacking Keir Starmer's party, which shocked colleagues insisted she 'despised' up to now.

Ms Elphicke took aim at Mr Sunak's 'tired and chaotic government' in her parting shot, saying the 'key deciding factors' for her had been 'housing and the safety and security of our borders'.

She said: 'Today I announce that I have decided to join the Labour Party and that I will sit in Parliament as a Labour MP.

'When I was elected in 2019, the Conservative Party occupied the centre ground of British politics. The party was about building the future and making the most of the opportunities that lay ahead for our country.

Natalie Elphicke was in a prime spot behind Keir Starmer as the leaders clashed in another bad-tempered PMQs

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke announced she was crossing the floor just moments before Rishi Sunak faced a bruising PMQs session

Mr Sunak (left) is under massive pressure following the local elections, with Tories urging him to get more hardline on issues such as migration and tax. Keir Starmer (right) said the government is collapsing, after Dan Poulter made a switch last month

Sir Keir posed with Ms Elphicke in his Parliamentary office after PMQs today

The pair were pictured chatting after the extraordinary defections news today

'Since then, many things have changed. The elected Prime Minister was ousted in a coup led by the unelected Rishi Sunak.

'Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division.

'The centre ground has been abandoned and key pledges of the 2019 manifesto have been ditched.'

Incredulous Tories immediately began circulating previous comments by Ms Elphicke condemning Labour for its 'open borders' policy.

Rail minister Huw Merriman said the defection was 'shameless'.

He told BBC News: 'I've seen some sights in this place, but actually the lack of scruples on this one is a new bar that Natalie has created.

'Just recently she'd written a Daily Mail article saying 'Don't trust Labour on immigration, they really want open borders' and now she's sitting with them.

'Absolutely bizarre.'

Former minister Stephen Hammond told Sky News he was 'staggered' by the defection. 'If there's someone who, as much as anyone, has dragged my party away from the centre in the last few years it's Natalie,' he said.

Other MPs swiped that Sir Keir was taking the 'absolute dregs' of the party.

A Conservative member of Dover District Council described it as a 'kick in the guts'.

Councillor Stephen Manion, who represents Eastry Rural, said he was 'sickened'.

Some in Labour were also uncomfortable about the shock move, while the Corbynite Momentum pressure group said Ms Elphicke had 'no place in a Labour Party committed to progressive values'.

Ms Elphicke had a 12,000 majority in Dover at the last election, and looked to have a good chance of holding the successor seat of Dover & Deal.

However, she is now expected to stand down with Labour's existing candidate Mike Tapp remaining in place. She has denied accepting a peerage to quit.

Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns said Ms Elphicke had 'despised' Labour

Tory minister Steve Baker said MPs were bewildered at the move as Ms Elphicke is considered a right-winger

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield, who has clashed with Sir Keir over trans issues, joked on X that she could defect from Labour and then rejoin in order to get a face-to-face meeting with the party leader

A jubilant Sir Keir goaded Mr Sunak in the Commons, asking 'what is the point of this failed Government staggering on' when 'the Tory MP for Dover on the front line of small boats crisis says the Prime Minister cannot be trusted with our borders and joins Labour'.

'Why doesn't he put it to the test and call a general election?' he said.

Sir Keir railed: 'The voters tell him it's not good enough, instead of listening he keeps telling them everything's fine, if only they realise his greatness. He just doesn't get it.

'But at least after Thursday night he can go to the many places that he calls home and enjoy the fruits of his success.

'In Southampton or Downing Street, he's got great Labour councils. At his mansion in Richmond he can enjoy a brand new Labour mayor of North Yorkshire.

'At his pad in Kensington he can celebrate a historic third term for the Mayor of London.

'Now that he too could enjoy the benefits of this changed Labour Party, is he really still in such a hurry to get back to California?'

But a bullish Mr Sunak lashed back: 'I was, of course, surprised to see (Sir Keir) in North Yorkshire but probably not as surprised as he was when he realised he couldn't take the Tube there.

'I can tell him that the people of North Yorkshire believe in hard work, secure borders, lower taxes and straight-talking common sense, they're not going to get any of that from a virtue-signalling lawyer from north London.'

Mr Sunak is under massive pressure following the local elections, with Tories urging him to get more hardline on issues such as migration and tax.

Rebels have so far held off on an all-out coup attempt, with ministers including Penny Mordaunt - tipped by some as a potential replacement - rallying round.

But Liz Truss insisted last night that Mr Sunak must 'junk' plans such as the phased ban on cigarette sales, regarded as 'nanny state' by critics.

The tensions surfaced at Cabinet yesterday, with Mr Gove understood to have warned over a lurch to the Right.

Arguing that the party needed to maintain 'broad appeal' rather than taking positions that 'make us feel good about ourselves', he quoted supermodel Moss saying: 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.'

Arguing that the party needed to maintain 'broad appeal' rather than taking positions that 'make us feel good about ourselves', Mr Gove quoted supermodel Moss saying: 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.'

One Tory MP told MailOnline that Mr Gove quoting the supermodel - who did not invent the quip and has since suggested she regrets it - was 'deeply weird'.

England Local England Mayoral London Assembly London Mayoral Police & Crime

According to the Times, the comments drew a sharp rebuke from Chris Heaton-Harris and Alister Jack, who shot back: 'I disagree with you. We shouldn't be apologists for what we believe in.'

One Tory MP told MailOnline that Mr Gove quoting the supermodel - who did not invent the quip and has since suggested she regrets it - was 'deeply weird'.

Anxiety is rising in Conservative circles about the prospect of a wipeout at the election, after the dire showing in council and mayoral polls last week.

Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has penned a report demanding a tougher approach on borders, while his ex-boss Suella Braverman has been similarly trenchant about changing direction.

After announcing her defection, Ms Elphicke told reporters at Westminster: 'In 2019, the Conservatives stood on a manifesto that was very much centre ground, but under Rishi Sunak they've abandoned the centre ground and broken many election promises.

'Meanwhile, under Keir Starmer, Labour have changed. And I think that change is going to bring a much better future for our country and that's why I was so keen to join the Labour Party and play my part in bringing that important future forward.'

Asked about her previous criticism of Labour over immigration policy, she said Mr Sunak 'was the man who said he would stop the boats' but so far this year there had been 'record numbers of small boats arrivals'.

'So he's not stopping the boats and he's letting the country down.

'Meanwhile under Labour, they are clear that it is important to have defence and they want to make sure that they have good national security. So I think we should have confidence that Labour are the party who will tackle this issue of the small boats crossings.'

Speaking at a Tory fundraiser, Ms Mordaunt - often touted as a potential replacement - put on a show of loyalty to Mr Sunak and echoed Mr Gove's message about the need to hold the political centre ground.

'You can't salami-slice Conservatism. If we do that, we lose our the power of our offer,' she said.

'A Labour win at the General Election is not inevitable. It is not.

'A Conservative win at the General Election is not impossible. But right now few can imagine it...

'It is sometimes the people who no one imagines anything of that do the things no one can imagine.'

On a round of broadcast interviews this morning, Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho insisted the Tories were aligned with the priorities of the British public despite the electoral mauling.

She acknowledged the results were 'disappointing' but said 'I do think we have a positive message that we need to communicate to people'.

Asked if the party needed to shift to the right, the Energy Secretary told Times Radio: 'I think what we need to do is to go where the country is.'

She added: 'They want us to be tough on immigration. They want us to be cognisant of the fact that they've had a difficult time when it comes to public finances, which is why we're putting forward 900 of tax cuts.

'They want us to make sure that we're protecting their security, which we are when it comes to defence, when it comes to energy as well.

'I would just have contrast with some of Labour's positions, when it comes to their mad energy plans which will hike up people's bills and heap costs on people, with the 75 new business regulations which will deter investment at a time when we need investment coming into this country and on things like immigration where they don't have a plan at all.'

Dover MP on the frontline of Channel migrant crisis who replaced jailed 'naughty Tory' ex-husband Charlie in Commons and criticised Marcus Rashford over free school meals campaign during Euros

Natalie Elphicke shocked Westminster today as she crossed the floor to join Labour with a broadside at her former Tory colleagues over border security.

The 53-year-old has been in the firing line of the migrant crisis as the MP for Dover in Kent, where many of those crossing the Channel in small boats come ashore.

She was elected in the seat in 2019, replacing her then husband Charlie, who was jailed the following year for sexually assaulting two women.

Despite the trial hearing about his infidelities during their marriage, she backed him before and after the trial, supporting his appeal and saying her 'attractive' spouse had been an 'easy target' for false claims because he was 'charming, wealthy, charismatic and successful'.

With a majority of 12,278 her seat was firmly in Labour's sights against the backdrop of the ongoing issue of arrivals - although it is changing size and being renamed Dover and Deal at the next election.

Labour confirmed this afternoon that she is standing down at the next election.

She has also been a critic of the plan to send Channel migrants to Rwanda. But she has also been highly critical of Labour. Just two years ago, when Keir Starmer was already leader, she accused the party of backing 'fewer and weaker border controls when it comes to illegal arrivals on our shores.'

Her defection prompted anger from Tory MPs, with former minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns tweeting: 'You were a centre right Conservative, Labour want to give asylum to 50,000 plus people.

'I thought you had more conviction than to join the lefty Labour lot you despised so much!'

Her post contains a screenshot of a headline saying: 'Don't trust Labour on immigration they really want open borders, warns Natalie Elphicke.'

The 53-year-old has been in the firing line of the migrant crisis as the MP for Dover in Kent, where many of those crossing the Channel in small boats come ashore.

She was elected in the seat in 2019, replacing her then husband Charlie, who was jailed the following year for sexually assaulting two women.

Ms Elphicke clashed with protesters gathered in support of sacked P&O Ferry workers at Dover in Kent -after arriving to support them.

She hit the headlines in 2020 after she dumped her self-proclaimed 'naughty Tory' husband on Twitter after 25 years of marriage.

Charlie was convicted of three counts of sexual assault in 2020 and admitted to cheating on his wife during his trial.

He was freed on licence after serving half of his two-year prison sentence and after his release the former couple were forced to navigate the difficulties of bringing up their teenage son together.

In January 2022 he was pictured driving a 4x4 with a stony-faced Mrs Elphicke in the passenger seat near her 1.6 million home in Fulham, west London.

It is the first time the pair had been pictured together since they arrived hand-in-hand at court throughout his trial, which culminated in Mrs Elphicke storming out after the verdict.

She later backed a failed appeal against his prison sentence, saying she wanted him to 'co-parent their teenage son while he was growing up'.

A court heard she also loaned him 100,000 to cover legal costs.

Writing in the Sun after he was jailed she said: 'Charlie is charming, wealthy, charismatic and successful  attractive, and attracted to, women. All things that in today's climate made him an easy target for dirty politics and false allegations.

'So I resolved to stand by him while he fought off these allegations in court and decided that I would leave him after that. It didn't quite work out that way.

'Following an unfair trial during the Covid-19 pandemic, I believe that Charlie was convicted in a terrible miscarriage of justice.

'It was obvious to me from reading the evidence during lockdown that the criminal allegations against him were complete nonsense, and I still believe they are.'

In 2021 she and four other backbenchers were suspended for trying to influence the judge sentencing her ex.

The Commons Standards Committee recommended that MsElphicke, Sir Roger Gale and Theresa Villiers should be suspended for one day for their actions at the hearing the previous year.

The three, along with fellow Tories Adam Holloway and Bob Stewart, breached the code of conduct through a letters to senior judges that were 'an attempt improperly to influence judicial proceedings,' the committee said.

All five wrote to senior members of the judiciary raising concerns that the trial judge was considering publishing positive character references provided for Mr Elphicke by Conservatives politicians.

The former Dover MP was jailed in September 2021, but it was not revealed until the following November that a quintet had provided positive references to the judge at Southwark Crown Court - MPs Gale, Stewart, Holloway and Villiers, plus peer Lord Freud.

That year she was also forced to backtrack after an horrific own goal attack on England star Marcus Rashford over his missed Euro 2020 penalty.

Ms Elphicke suggested the Manchester United star should have practised spot kicks instead of campaigning for free meals for deprived schoolchildren during lockdown.

She made the remark in a Tory MP WhatsApp group after the Three Lions' Euro 2020 defeat on penalties to Italy at Wembley in the delayed tournament.

In a message first revealed by GB News, Mrs Elphicke told other Tories: 'They lost - would it be ungenerous to suggest Rashford should have spent more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics.(sic)'

Rashford was made an MBE in October 2020 in recognition of his work in feeding underprivileged children, which included forcing Boris Johnson into a U-turn over providing free school meal vouchers for 1.3million kids during the summer holidays.

After her comments were leaked and widely criticised she took to Twitter to heap praise on the team.

Manchester United striker Rashford was one of three England players to miss in the deciding shoot-out in the Three Lions' first major final in 55 years.

In a message first revealed by GB News, Mrs Elphicke told other Tories: 'They lost - would it be ungenerous to suggest Rashford should have spent more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics.(sic)'

But today, after her comments were leaked and widely criticised she took to Twitter to heap praise on the team.

'Last night I shared the frustration and heartbreak of millions of England fans,' she said.

'The team gave their all. Congratulations and onwards to the World Cup!'

Ms Elphicke crossed the floor in the Commons just moments before Prime Minister's Questions.

It allowed Sir Keir to ask Mr Sunak 'what is the point of this failed Government staggering on' when 'the Tory MP for Dover on the front line of small boats crisis says the Prime Minister cannot be trusted with our borders and joins Labour?'.

In a statement announcing her defection she said: 'When I was elected in 2019, the Conservative Party occupied the centre ground of British politics. The party was about building the future and making the most of the opportunities that lay ahead for our country.

'Since then, many things have changed. The elected Prime Minister was ousted in a coup led by the unelected Rishi Sunak. Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division.

'The centre ground has been abandoned and key pledges of the 2019 manifesto have been ditched.

'Meanwhile the Labour Party has changed out of all recognition. Since 2019, it has moved on from Jeremy Corbyn and now, under Keir Starmer, occupies the centre ground of British politics.

'It has accepted Brexit and its economic policies and defence policies are responsible and can be trusted.

'Most significantly for me, the modern Labour Party looks to the future - to building a Britain of hope, optimism, opportunity and fairness. A Britain everyone can be part of.'
A California teen has been charged with the murder of a the daughter of a human trafficking non-profit's CEO.

The 14-year-old girl, who has not been named, is accused of fatally shooting Kendra McIntyre, 20, near a south Los Angeles elementary school on March 21.

McIntyre was the daughter of Debra Rush, CEO of Breaking the Chains, a Fresno non-profit that helps victims of trafficking.

The victim was shot in her head and neck seemingly at random, CBS reports.

The murder took place in a part of the city known for sex work, according to officials. McIntyre was rushed to the hospital where she later died.

A 14-year-old girl has been charged with the murder of Kendra McIntyre, 20, (pictured) who was shot to death in Los Angeles

McIntyre was the daughter of Debra Rush, CEO of Breaking the Chains, a Fresno non-profit that helps victims of trafficking (pictured together)

The victim was shot in her head and neck seemingly at random, according to officials in a location known for sex work

Rush, who is a survivor of trafficking, said her daughter had been lured there and into the world she had managed to escape prior to her death.

'Kendra was an all-around amazing human being; fiercely loyal, beautifully artistic, hilarious, outgoing, and loving,' Rush wrote in a tribute post on Facebook explaining the circumstances of her life.

'I don't know when exactly the first trafficker was able to lure her in, I will probably never know that, but what I do know all too well is that once you walk through that door, it is an iron vault that can only be unlocked by the person within it.

'My daughter never got the chance to unlock her vault, even though we stood outside, banging on the door, crying and pleading for her to open it.'

She added that McIntyre had suffered with mental health issues as a result of childhood trauma.

The suspect was identified following a two month investigation and taken into custody on May 6.

Rush, who is a survivor of trafficking, said her daughter had been lured there and into the world she had managed to escape prior to her death

McIntyre was discovered with wounds to her head and neck and rushed to hospital where she later died

The suspect was taken into custody on May 6 without incident and charged the next day, police said.

'Kendra's life was taken from her in a senseless act of violence, leaving Debra and her family devastated,' a post on a GoFundMe set up for Rush states.

'Debra's world has been shattered by this unimaginable loss.'

Rush has been an advocate for trafficking victims ever since she was 'lured out and violently trafficked' for several months in 1999, according to her non-profit's website.

She managed to escape and was taken to a confidential location away from her abusers.

But her isolation following the incident led her to set up her agency in a bid to help others in the same situation.
China extends visa exemption for 12 countries to 2025 year-end

09:20, May 08, 2024 By Zhang Yuying and Chi Jingyi ( Global Times

As China announced the extension of its visa-free policy for 12 countries until the end of 2025, analysts noted that the measures will significantly boost inbound tourism, which also demonstrate China's commitment to fostering people-to-people exchanges and determination to opening up.

At a joint meeting with the press with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China has decided to extend the short-stay visa exemption policy for citizens of 12 countries including France to the end of 2025.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a regular press conference on Tuesday that by December 31, 2025, citizens from the 12 countries will be able to visit China for business, sight-seeing, transit and other purposes for up to 15 days without having to apply for a visa.

The 12 countries are France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg.

China's efforts to facilitate foreigners visiting the country has delivered positive initial results. According to the National Immigration Administration, trips by foreign nationals reached 13.1 million in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of 305.2 percent. Among them, the number of visa-free foreigners entering China reached 1.98 million, up 266.1 percent compared to last year.

"The extension of the short-term visa-free policy until the end of 2025 will undoubtedly further boost confidence and enthusiasm for traveling to China, and will contribute to the growth of inbound tourism as well as aid in the prosperity of the industry," Dai Bin, President of the China Tourism Academy, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The move also showcases China's unwavering commitment to openness and its strong belief in the potential of tourism development, Dai said, noting that the extension exemplifies the resilience and determination of China in embracing the world with open arms.

"We have witnessed a surge in travel bookings - about 40 percent - to China since the visa-free policy for French citizens was effective. With the extension of the visa-free policy, it is expected that more bookings will come," a manager surnamed Fang at a Paris-based travel agency, told the Global Times on Tuesday. Fang said that most bookings to China came from elderly people, but the extended visa policy would appeal to more young people to visit China.

"Meanwhile, as the Olympic Games approaches, bookings from Chinese tourists have also increased, especially travel products for small groups. We have launched products such as a two-day tour in Provence departing from Paris," said Fang.

In addition to extending the visa-free period, China is actively promoting the opening and resumption of international routes to facilitate the increased movement of people. According to media reports, direct flights between Shanghai and Marseille will officially open on July 2, providing the first direct air passage for the two sister cities.

Bahrain will also open direct flights to China starting from May 28, and direct flights between China and Mexico will resume on May 11.

Dai noted that the expansion of air routes and transportation capacity not only enhances convenience for travelers but also lowers travel costs, thereby fostering the growth of inbound tourism. "More travel agencies are expected to intensify their efforts in promoting overseas tourism," he said.

China's increase in direct flights sends a clear message that we are willing to take all effective measures to facilitate international exchanges and also demonstrates the country's determination to welcome visitors from across the world, Dai said.

By implementing more open policies in areas such as visas, air routes, and payment convenience, China's efforts in inbound tourism will not only boost consumption and drive economic growth, but also foster cultural exchanges and interactions among people, helping to establish China's image as a confident, open and inclusive major country, analysts said.

At the same time, with the increasing number of tourists visiting China, the foreign nationals will have the opportunity to develop a more thorough, comprehensive, and authentic understanding of the country, they said.

Looking ahead, with the upcoming China-US high-level dialogue on tourism, as well as the implementation of various activities under the Kazakhstan tourism year in China and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, it is anticipated that inbound and outbound tourism will rebound to the level of 2019 by the end of 2024 or early 2025, Dai noted.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
The education ministry warned Pusan National University (PNU) of punitive action, including the suspension of student admissions, on Wednesday a day after the school decided to halt its planned hike in medical school admissions.

The university in the port city of Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was one of 32 schools that were allocated a total of 2,000 additional admission seats by the government in March as part of a medial reform initiative.

The allocation raised PNU's total medical school quota from 125 to 200, but the school had sought to utilize only about 50 percent of the increase to admit 163 medical students for the academic year of 2025.

In a meeting the previous day, however, PNU's academic board rejected a revision of school regulations reflecting the quota expansion, saying that sufficient social debate should precede any medical school quota hike.

PNU is the first of the 32 medical schools to make such a decision.

The education ministry responded on Wednesday that it will issue a rectification order on PNU and proceed with punitive administrative action if the school does not comply.

"We can issue a rectification order if the school's rejection of the (quota) revision is determined to be final," a ministry official said.

"If the order is not obeyed, the ministry plans to take administrative measures, including the suspension of student admissions," the official said.

Cha Jeong-in, president of PNU, later told the press that he has requested the academic board to re-review the quota hike plan for approval. Following the request, the board plans to schedule a meeting in the near future for reconsideration. (Yonhap)
Natalie Elphicke shocked Westminster today as she crossed the floor to join Labour with a broadside at her former Tory colleagues over border security.

The 53-year-old has been in the firing line of the migrant crisis as the MP for Dover in Kent, where many of those crossing the Channel in small boats come ashore.

She was elected in the seat in 2019, replacing her then husband Charlie, who was jailed the following year for sexually assaulting two women.

Despite the trial hearing about his infidelities during their marriage, she backed him before and after the trial, supporting his appeal and saying her 'attractive' spouse had been an 'easy target' for false claims because he was 'charming, wealthy, charismatic and successful'.

With a majority of 12,278 her seat was firmly in Labour's sights against the backdrop of the ongoing issue of arrivals - although it is changing size and being renamed Dover and Deal at the next election.

Labour confirmed this afternoon that she is standing down at the next election.

She has also been a critic of the plan to send Channel migrants to Rwanda. But she has also been highly critical of Labour. Just two years ago, when Keir Starmer was already leader, she accused the party of backing 'fewer and weaker border controls when it comes to illegal arrivals on our shores.'

Her defection prompted anger from Tory MPs, with former minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns tweeting: 'You were a centre right Conservative, Labour want to give asylum to 50,000 plus people.

'I thought you had more conviction than to join the lefty Labour lot you despised so much!'

Her post contains a screenshot of a headline saying: 'Don't trust Labour on immigration they really want open borders, warns Natalie Elphicke.'

The 53-year-old has been in the firing line of the migrant crisis as the MP for Dover in Kent, where many of those crossing the Channel in small boats come ashore.

She was elected in the seat in 2019, replacing her then husband Charlie, who was jailed the following year for sexually assaulting two women.

Ms Elphicke clashed with protesters gathered in support of sacked P&O Ferry workers at Dover in Kent -after arriving to support them.

She hit the headlines in 2020 after she dumped her self-proclaimed 'naughty Tory' husband on Twitter after 25 years of marriage.

Charlie was convicted of three counts of sexual assault in 2020 and admitted to cheating on his wife during his trial.

He was freed on licence after serving half of his two-year prison sentence and after his release the former couple were forced to navigate the difficulties of bringing up their teenage son together.

In January 2022 he was pictured driving a 4x4 with a stony-faced Mrs Elphicke in the passenger seat near her 1.6 million home in Fulham, west London.

It is the first time the pair had been pictured together since they arrived hand-in-hand at court throughout his trial, which culminated in Mrs Elphicke storming out after the verdict.

She later backed a failed appeal against his prison sentence, saying she wanted him to 'co-parent their teenage son while he was growing up'.

A court heard she also loaned him 100,000 to cover legal costs.

Writing in the Sun after he was jailed she said: 'Charlie is charming, wealthy, charismatic and successful  attractive, and attracted to, women. All things that in todays climate made him an easy target for dirty politics and false allegations.

'So I resolved to stand by him while he fought off these allegations in court and decided that I would leave him after that. It didnt quite work out that way.

'Following an unfair trial during the Covid-19 pandemic, I believe that Charlie was convicted in a terrible miscarriage of justice.

'It was obvious to me from reading the evidence during lockdown that the criminal allegations against him were complete nonsense, and I still believe they are.'

In 2021 she and four other backbenchers were suspended for trying to influence the judge sentencing her ex.

The Commons Standards Committee recommended that MsElphicke, Sir Roger Gale and Theresa Villiers should be suspended for one day for their actions at the hearing the previous year.

The three, along with fellow Tories Adam Holloway and Bob Stewart, breached the code of conduct through a letters to senior judges that were 'an attempt improperly to influence judicial proceedings,' the committee said.

All five wrote to senior members of the judiciary raising concerns that the trial judge was considering publishing positive character references provided for Mr Elphicke by Conservatives politicians.

The former Dover MP was jailed in September 2021, but it was not revealed until the following November that a quintet had provided positive references to the judge at Southwark Crown Court - MPs Gale, Stewart, Holloway and Villiers, plus peer Lord Freud.

That year she was also forced to backtrack after an horrific own goal attack on England star Marcus Rashford over his missed Euro 2020 penalty.

Ms Elphicke suggested the Manchester United star should have practised spot kicks instead of campaigning for free meals for deprived schoolchildren during lockdown.

She made the remark in a Tory MP WhatsApp group after the Three Lions' Euro 2020 defeat on penalties to Italy at Wembley in the delayed tournament.

In a message first revealed by GB News, Mrs Elphicke told other Tories: 'They lost - would it be ungenerous to suggest Rashford should have spent more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics.(sic)'

Rashford was made an MBE in October 2020 in recognition of his work in feeding underprivileged children, which included forcing Boris Johnson into a U-turn over providing free school meal vouchers for 1.3million kids during the summer holidays.

After her comments were leaked and widely criticised she took to Twitter to heap praise on the team.

Manchester United striker Rashford was one of three England players to miss in the deciding shoot-out in the Three Lions' first major final in 55 years.

In a message first revealed by GB News, Mrs Elphicke told other Tories: 'They lost - would it be ungenerous to suggest Rashford should have spent more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics.(sic)'

But today, after her comments were leaked and widely criticised she took to Twitter to heap praise on the team.

'Last night I shared the frustration and heartbreak of millions of England fans,' she said.

'The team gave their all. Congratulations and onwards to the World Cup!'

Ms Elphicke crossed the floor in the Commons just moments before Prime Minister's Questions.

It allowed Sir Keir to ask Mr Sunak 'what is the point of this failed Government staggering on' when 'the Tory MP for Dover on the front line of small boats crisis says the Prime Minister cannot be trusted with our borders and joins Labour?'.

In a statement announcing her defection she said: 'When I was elected in 2019, the Conservative Party occupied the centre ground of British politics. The party was about building the future and making the most of the opportunities that lay ahead for our country.

'Since then, many things have changed. The elected Prime Minister was ousted in a coup led by the unelected Rishi Sunak. Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division.

'The centre ground has been abandoned and key pledges of the 2019 manifesto have been ditched.

'Meanwhile the Labour Party has changed out of all recognition. Since 2019, it has moved on from Jeremy Corbyn and now, under Keir Starmer, occupies the centre ground of British politics.

'It has accepted Brexit and its economic policies and defence policies are responsible and can be trusted.

'Most significantly for me, the modern Labour Party looks to the future - to building a Britain of hope, optimism, opportunity and fairness. A Britain everyone can be part of.'
Four in ten parents have admitted they break the law by not making their children sit in a car seat, a new study has revealed.

The new research found that 38 per cent of parents in Britain don't always make their child sit in a car seat.

This is despite the fact car seats are a legal requirement until a child is 12 years old or 135cm tall - whichever comes first.

Research showed a quarter (22 per cent) even have their infants under 15 months facing forward, which is also illegal.

The shocking new figures, obtained by Halfords, found many parents are not complying with the law and therefore putting their children in danger.

Four in ten parents have admitted they break the law by not making their children sit in a car seat, a new study has revealed. And 22 per cent wrongly had baby seats facing forwards (file photo)

Two thirds (66 per cent) of those with children under the age of 12 said they were trying to make their child's seats 'last longer' as a result of money being tighter currently.

A quarter of these (26 per cent) who admitted to worries of the cost of living, revealed their child is using a seat that doesn't fit in an effort to save money.

Surprisingly, there aren't many parents who adhere entirely to the rules to keep their children safe.

Just 62 per cent 'always' adhering to rules of using a child seat, with the remaining four in ten (38 per cent) not doing so.

Parental admissions also extended to the travel habits of much younger passengers as well.

With proportionally heavier heads and more delicate necks, infants under 15 months are legally required to travel facing backwards and also strongly recommended to to travel on rear seats.

But despite this, just half of parents say their children travel rear-facing in the back - with three per cent confessing they don't use a child seat at all and are instead just held by an adult, leaving them at risk of being flung around the car in the event of an accident.

Halfords CEO Graham Stapleton said: 'As a parent and road safety advocate, I'm very concerned by these figures.

Two thirds (66 per cent) of those with children under the age of 12 said they were trying to make their child's seats 'last longer' as a result of money being tighter currently. File photo

'Adult seat belts are simply not suitable for children and in a serious crash, may not hold them in place, potentially putting children in deadly peril.

'We're very aware of how the cost of living crisis is impacting families across the UK at the moment, and that it can be tempting to try and make car seats last a bit longer, even when kids are starting to outgrow them.

'Saving up for the full cost can take a bit of time. To help parents in this respect, we offer interest free credit on child seats, so they can get a car seat when they need one, even if they've not got the full amount up front.

'There's also a lot of rules, regulation and guidance to get your head around when buying a car seat - that's why we offer a fitting demonstration service, so parents can get bespoke advice to make the best decision for their child.

'For those that can't make it in-store, we've also got a comprehensive list of easy-to-follow guidance on our website.'
When James Watt first set up a brewery in his humble Aberdeen garage in 2007, even he may have struggled to believe how much it would change his life.

This is the man credited with bringing craft beer to the masses - with his BrewDog brand now impossible to escape in pubs and supermarkets up and down the land.

Needless to say that success has brought him enormous wealth, and upgraded his social status, to the point where he now dates Georgia Toffolo - a certified Queen of the Jungle.

The retired fishing boat captain has since been spotted hobnobbing with celebrities, including recently at Nigel Farage's star-studded 60th birthday bash - a far cry from his humble beginnings.

But as Mr Watt steps down as CEO of BrewDog after 17 years today, his legacy is marred by a string of controversies, including allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

James Watt (pictured) stepped down and will hand over the reins to chief operating officer James Arrow, but will remain with the group as a non-executive director on the board

Mr Watt will take on the newly created non-executive role of 'captain and co-founder'

Pictured are Martin Dickie and James Watt - BrewDog's founders

Georgia - who is known by her friends as Toff - admitted she hopes Mr Watt will be 'the one'

Georgia Toffolo, 29, and boyfriend James Watt, 40, seen on holiday in the Maldives

Mr Watt will hand over the reins to chief operating officer James Arrow, but will remain with the group as a non-executive director on the board and continue to advise them on strategy.

The group said it had put in place succession plans after Mr Watt first told the board last year he wanted to step away to focus on his other projects and interests.

Mr Watt will take on the newly created non-executive role of 'captain and co-founder' and retains his 21 per cent shareholding in the firm.

In a Linkedin post, Mr Watt said: 'After 17 fantastic years as chief executive, I have decided to transition into a new role in the business, one of 'captain and co-Founder' - and James Arrow will pick up the reins as chief executive as our business pushes forward into our next phase of growth.

'In my new role I will remain as a board member, a director and I will also be part time strategic adviser to the business and our to leadership team.'

BrewDog chairman Allan Leighton said: 'James Watt, alongside Martin Dickie, created this great business from a garage in Fraserburgh.

'Few have accomplished what he has.

Mr Watt and Mr Dickie grew up as best friends and became flatmates in Edinburgh

The former Made In Chelsea star, 29, and Mr Watt first got together over the summer

'From very humble beginnings under his leadership, BrewDog has grown to become the world's leading craft brewer, employing 2,530 people across its head office, four breweries and over 120 bars.

'I am especially pleased he will continue to offer his insight, creative genius and energy to the board.'

The Aberdeen-born founders of BrewDog Mr Watt and Mr Dickie started up their own brewery at the age of 24 on an industrial estate in 2007. They decided on the name because Mr Watt's father Jim had recently got a puppy.

Mr Watt comes from a family of fishermen and used to help his father on his fishing boat in the North Sea. On his LinkedIn profile he claims to be a 'fully qualified deep sea captain'.

He graduated from Edinburgh University with a degree in law and economics. After landing a job as a trainee solicitor he quit after two weeks - branding 'conforming' as 'painful at best - and, three years later, started BrewDog with Mr Dickie.

The business struggled at first but took off when, after around six months, Tesco placed an order to sell its beer across the country.

In 2014, Mr Watt won Great British Entrepreneur of the Year, and in 2016 both he and Mr Dickie were awarded an MBE.

The firm was accused by former workers in an open letter in 2021 of having a 'culture of fear'

BrewDog responded to the open letter, writing: 'we hear you, loud and clear'

Mr Watt (right) with co-founder Martin Dickie (left) in Scotland, 2020

Mr Dickie, married and a father-of-three, has kept a quieter public profile than his business partner - though he did ride an Abbott 433 tank through Camden in north London to mark the opening of their first bar in England.

The pair grew up as best friends and became flatmates when they both lived in Edinburgh.

Mr Watt, who is divorced with two daughters, has very much been the face of the company since its inception.

But Mr Watt's tenure has been marred by controversy in recent years, with the firm accused by former workers in an open letter in 2021 of having a 'culture of fear' within the business, with 'toxic attitudes' towards junior staff.

He later admitted to being 'too intense and demanding' amid a workplace culture row where he was accused of inappropriate behaviour and abusing his power.

Speaking with Steven Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast about his leadership at the company, he admitted to previously pushing people 'too far' because of his 'high standards.'

But the CEO - whose company has been accused of having a 'rotten culture' - said that his actions were done with '100 per cent good intentions.'

Mr Watt revealed: 'It's completely fair to say at times in the journey I have been too intense.

'I have been too demanding, that I have set standards for the team which I would set for myself, and for a lot of the team members that is unattainable.

Mr Watt is dating former Made in Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo (pictured)

Mr Watt (left) spoke about the issues he has dealt with at the company with Steven Bartlett

'I just pushed for such high standards, unrealistic deadlines, it's because I was so focused on 'let's build the thing, let's create more jobs, let's deliver more value for our customers.'

'The intention was 100 per cent good and because I was so bought in and so focused on that, I did push people too far.'

More than 15 ex-staff previously spoke out against Mr Watt with some claiming he made female bartenders feel 'uncomfortable' and 'powerless'.

They were even advised by colleagues on how to avoid unwelcome attention from Mr Watt, according to an investigation by BBC Scotland's Disclosure programme.

Katelynn Ising, who worked at a BrewDog bar in Ohio, US, said female staff would dress down when they knew Mr Watt would be in their bars.

Other former staff claim Mr Watt was witnessed by staff kissing an intoxicated customer on a roof terrace at another US bar.

Mr Watt has said the allegations are false and denies behaving inappropriately.

Last year, Watts' disgruntled former employees shared a scathing open letter slamming the company for its 'toxic attitudes' and accusing it of fostering a 'culture of fear' among staff.

Penned by a group called 'Punks With Purpose', the letter featured a list of 63 names of people who used to work for the firm, and takes aim at the Scotland-based brewery's founders James Watt and Martin Dickie.

BrewDog's Managing Director James Watt (left) and Director Martin Dickie with an ale

James Watt pictured at his company brewery and office headquarters in Ellon, Scotland

It claimed the company is 'built on a cult of personality' and alleged that it left some staff feeling 'burnt out, afraid and miserable', adding that 'a significant number of people have admitted they have suffered mental illness' as a result of working there.

It went so far as to claim being treated like a human being 'was sadly not always a given' for those employed by BrewDog - trashing the image of the hipster company which offers 'pawternity leave' if a staff member gets a dog and pays employees 500 to quit if they don't feel they're a good fit.

'BrewDog was, and is, built on a cult of personality,' it read. 'Since day one, you have sought to exploit publicity, both good and bad (and usually with the faces of James and Martin front and centre) to further your own business goals.'

It went on: 'We felt that no matter how these were raised, the likelihood was we would be met with some variation on 'that's just the way things are',' it argues.

The letter also alleged that some senior staff members 'belittled' others beneath them and 'pressured them into working beyond their capacity' to the point where they eventually felt 'forced out of the business'.

It claimed the single biggest shared experience of former staff is 'a residual feeling of fear', both of the atmosphere and the repercussions if they were to speak out. It claimed 'many' felt unable to sign the letter because doing so would 'leave them feeling extremely vulnerable'.

The letter then personally accused Mr Watt for being responsible for the company's 'rotten culture', claiming in the wake of his success are people 'left burnt out, afraid and miserable'. It ends by demanding a 'genuine apology' for the people who felt they were 'harassed, assaulted, belittled, insulted or gaslighted'.

In March 2021, CEO and co-founder of BrewDog Mr Watt, 38, claimed his plea for investment turned down by Dragons' Den (pictured) 13 years ago would now be worth 360m

Mr Watt and Mr Dickie started up their own brewery on an industrial estate in 2007

In response at the time, Mr Watt said: 'At BrewDog our people are our main priority, which is why the open letter we saw on Twitter was so upsetting, but so important,' it said.

'Our focus now is not on contradicting or contesting the details of that letter, but to listen, learn and act.

'At BrewDog we are focussed on building the best business we can. We have always tried to do the best by our team  we do have many thousands of employees with positive stories to tell as a result. But the tweet we saw last night proves that on many occasions we haven't got it right. We are committed to doing better, not just as a reaction to this, but always; and we are going to reach out to our entire team past and present to learn more.

'But most of all, right now, we are sorry. It's hard to hear those comments, but it must have been harder to say them. We appreciate that and we will endeavour to honour that effort and courage with the real change it deserves.

'We aren't going to make excuses, we're going to take action. From our commitment to sustainability to our passion for beer, BrewDog has always been defined by taking responsibility and continually improving. This is no exception.'

Earlier that year, it was revealed that the BrewDog boss was privately prosecuting a woman he claimed provided false information about people behind 'malicious' comments made about him online.

Georgia Toffolo posted pictures of a Maldives getaway with Brewdog founder Mr Watt

Georgia Toffolo and her boyfriend Mr Watt shared a glimpse into their new relationship

Last year, it was reported he sought specialist help after he was described as 'semi-autistic' in the wake of allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards staff.

He was diagnosed with ADHD - which causes people to be restless and impulsive - and Asperger syndrome, a form of autism.

Mr Watt is dating former Made in Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo, 29, with the pair getting together over the summer after being set up on a blind date by a friend.
A disabled woman who spent a year in jail after being convicted of causing a cyclist to fall into the path of an oncoming car has had her manslaughter conviction overturned.

Auriol Grey, 50, was seen on CCTV shouting at retired midwife Celia Ward to 'get off the f****** pavement' in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, causing her to fall into the road in October 2020.

Mrs Ward, a 77-year-old grandmother from Wyton, died after she was struck by the VW Passat.

Ms Grey, who has cerebral palsy and partial blindness, denied manslaughter but was found guilty after a retrial and was jailed for three years in March 2023.

But on Wednesday, three judges at the Court of Appeal in London overturned her conviction.

Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting with Mrs Justice Yip and Mrs Justice Farbey, said: 'In our judgment, the prosecution case was insufficient event to be left to the jury.'

She continued: 'In all the circumstances, we have no hesitation in concluding that the appellant's conviction for manslaughter is unsafe.'

Auriol Grey (centre), who shouted and waved at a cyclist following which she fell into the path of an oncoming car, has had her manslaughter conviction overturned

Grey, was accompanied to court today by her brother-in-law brother-in-law Alisdair Luxmoore (pictured together)

Grey shouted 'Get off the f****** pavement' as a retired midwife approached her on the pavement

CCTV footage showed Ms Ward falling into the road moments before she was struck by a car

CCTV footage showed Celia Ward (pictured with her husband David) wobble into the road in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where she was struck by a VW Passat

Ms Grey's legal team argued at the Court of Appeal in London that she had been charged with unlawful act manslaughter, which requires an illegal action to take place that caused death.

Adrian Darbishire KC said: 'The trial seems to have proceeded on the basis that some kind of unlawfulness, undefined and unspecified, was sufficient to find this offence of homicide.'

There was 'entirely no base offence identified in this process', he added, saying aspects of common law were 'wholly absent' from the advice given to the jury to help them decide whether or not the defendant was guilty.

Mr Darbishire told the court: 'The entire legal process, and the preparation of such, proceeded on a false legal footing.'

The Appeal Court judges agreed, with Dame Victoria saying the jury hadn't been asked to decide 'the fundamental question of whether a base offence was established'.

She continued: 'The appellant's actions that day contributed to Mrs Ward's untimely death. Had Mrs Ward not died, we regard it as inconceivable that the appellant would have been charged with assault.'

Grey's actions during the incident in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, in October 2020 were described in the court as a 'hostile gesticulation' towards grandmother Mrs Ward.

Mr Darbishire said: 'Hostile gesticulation is not a crime, otherwise we would have 50,000 football fans each weekend being apprehended.'

His client has has reduced vision and 'significant physical impairment' on her right-hand side, he added.

This meant the trial jury at Peterborough Crown Court 'needed less focus on hostility on her part' and more attention to 'the reasonableness of not standing aside where [it] would involve moving to her right-hand side, her unfavoured side, to let the cyclist past'.

The barrister added the jury could have concluded her actions were unnecessary but said: 'That certainly does not make her guilty of the offence of manslaughter.

'The evidence was clearly insufficient for the charge alleged.'

Simon Spence KC, for the Crown Prosecution Service, who are opposing the appeal, accepted that 'common assault as the base offence was not identified by name'.

Asked by the judges what actions could be regarded as common assault if identified, he replied: 'The walking towards the cyclist, the gesticulation with her left arm towards the road, and the words 'Get off the f****** pavement'.

'Those words are capable of turning a gesture, and nothing more, into an unlawful act.'

The behaviour could have caused Mrs Ward, of Wyton, Cambridgeshire, to fear immediate unlawful force, leading her to veer away from Grey and into the road.

He added: 'We say that is capable in law of amounting to an act of unlawful manslaughter.'

Grey, 50, who has cerebral palsy and is partially blind, denied manslaughter but was previously found guilty

She was jailed last year and spent one year inside HMP Peterborough

An earlier Court of Appeal bid to reduce Grey's sentence - on the grounds that an autism diagnosis secured after her trial might have affected the outcome of her case - was rejected last May.

Judges who presided over the hearing concluded the sentence was 'not arguably manifestly excessive'.

The retrial last year heard that 'childlike' Grey, who was living in supported accommodation for the disabled in Huntingdon at the time of the incident, acted 'territorially' and had shown no remorse after Mrs Ward's death.

The defendant argued her victim was travelling 'fast' towards her and she had been 'anxious' about being hit.

Judge Sean Enright concluded the defendant had given a 'dishonest account' in a police interview and, while acknowledging her disabilities, added: 'It does not reduce your understanding of right or wrong.'

The 8ft-wide pavement Mrs Ward was cycling on was a 'shared cycleway', the judge said, and Grey should not have been 'taken by surprise' when a bike approached her.

Mrs Ward's husband of 53 years, retired RAF pilot David, said after the hearing that her death had caused him 'great suffering', while their daughter, Gillian Hayter, said the 'deliberate act of violence was incomprehensible'.

Grey left the scene of the collision before emergency services arrived and went to a local supermarket

Grey repeatedly told police she 'couldn't remember' details of the incident which led to Ms Ward's death

Auriol Grey, 49, gestured angrily towards 77-year-old Celia Ward and told her to 'get off the f****** pavement' as she rode her bike in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, in October 2020

Mother-of-two Carla Money, who was driving the VW that hit Mrs Ward, described how Grey's 'selfish actions' had left her with post-traumatic stress disorder and led to the collapse of her marriage.

But Grey's brother-in-law, Alisdair Luckmore, 57, said previously: 'I can't believe there was any intent whatsoever. It was a tragic accident.

'Auriol reacted in the only way she knew how  to panic.'

The case also triggered a furious online debate, with one person commenting 'Should be five years [in jail], while another said 'So wrong. What a travesty of justice'.

In April following Grey's release from prison, friends told of her 'relief and enjoyment' at being allowed home and 'going out and about again' following a long year behind bars.

Disabled Grey, 50, who is fighting to clear her name after winning the right to contest her conviction for causing the death of cyclist Celia Ward, 77, during a pavement row, knows her troubles are far from over.

She has to wait until a date to be fixed in May for her momentous hearing at the Appeal Court in London, which could see her vindicated and her conviction quashed.

Even so, speaking exclusively to MailOnline, one of her friends who visited Grey in jail said she was so 'thrilled' to be back that she treated a group of pals to breakfast at her nearby Wetherspoon, the Sandford House.

In images taken in April following her release Auriol Grey was seen out shopping with a friend

She was wearing a dark green fleece, navy trousers and glasses as she strolled through the centre of Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

Grey's close friend Roman Ramsey, 78, who picked her up from prison, said: 'It's in the middle of town and on the site of the old Post Office. She took some friends for breakfast and treated them.

'She enjoys the occasional glass of wine but not at that time so they had cups of tea!'

He told how 'prison food was alright' but she missed cooking fresh food, particularly vegetables, explaining: 'She likes roasting different vegetables and snacking on them and making soups. She didn't get nice veg inside.

'Auriol can look after herself and cook for herself but she does need a degree of care for certain things and is in the process of getting her carers back.

'This can take time so now her friends are helping her with things like washing her hair. They are all very supportive.

'She likes going out to the local cafes and shops and is out every day.'

Mr Ramsey revealed that whilst his close friend appears 'physically OK' he has seen a change in her during her 12 months being incarcerated.

He said: 'I sense she can be a bit uptight and get stressed. You never know what is going on in her mind because she bottles it all up.

'She is just waiting for her appeal and willing it to all be over but it is always in the back of her mind.

'She was very upset at being jailed in the first place. Her friends, family and neighbours all thought it was totally ridiculous she had been convicted of manslaughter and given a custodial sentence.

'She did too and has always maintained she is not a killer.'

When she was first freed, polite and well spoken Grey confirmed to MailOnline she was back home but declined to say how she was feeling or answer any questions, simply saying: 'No comment.'

She lives alone in an adapted flat in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where friends and neighbours rally around to help and support her.

The popular and much-loved resident lives at the gated complex owned and maintained by the Papworth Trust and needs carers to help with some daily activities.

Yet since leaving HMP Peterborough, she is still waiting for a team of care workers to resume their home visits, so her friends are helping her out in the meantime.

Grey has a cleft foot and walks with a supportive splint on her right leg. She is also partially blind and suffers with cerebral palsy that affects her mobility and coordination.

She likes to keep fit and active, going for daily walks and shopping trips as well as visits to the local library, cafes and pubs.

In a first picture of Grey since her release, taken by MailOnline this week, she appeared content as she strolled along a street, linking arms with a female neighbour.

An onlooker said: 'It was so nice to see Auriol out and about again. She looks happy and clearly has a lot supportive people around her.

'People in the town who know her are wishing her good luck for her appeal. Many here believe she should never have been locked up.'

Following the ruling, Auriol Grey's family said in a statement: 'Whilst we welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal our thoughts today are also with the Ward family and I am a sure a day doesn't go by when they don't remember their tragic loss.

'We are very relieved that Auriol's prison ordeal is over and we would like to thank for the staff and inmates of HMP Peterborough for the kindness and consideration they have shown over the last year.

'There has been unnecessary and prolonged suffering and vulnerable people like Auriol need better support from the justice system - we hope lessons will be learnt.

'That said, we have been heartened and gratified by the way the legal community has rallied around her and, with no thought to personal gain, worked hard to right these wrongs.

'Auriol's challenges are not over today.

'After a tough start she has strived over decades to build a normal life without seeking attention and we don't underestimate the difficulties she will face rebuilding this.

'We would ask the people of Huntingdon and the press to please respect her privacy and give her space during this time.'
The elderly couple allegedly assaulted by a freed immigration detainee during a violent home invasion say they feel 'sad and humiliated' that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shunned the chance to visit them while he was in town this week.

Perth couple Ninette Simons, 73, and her husband Phillip, 76, were allegedly robbed and assaulted at their Girrawheen home on April 16 by three men, including Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, who was one of the 154 detainees released by the High Court in November.

Ms Simons expressed her disappointment after Mr Albanese told reporters on Tuesday that he would not take time out from his Perth visit to meet with them

Nor has he reached out by phone, which the couple would have appreciated.

'We do feel a bit sad and humiliated that we weren't that important and on his agenda today, despite what we've suffered,' Ms Simons told The West Australian.

Ninette Simons, 73, who was allegedly bashed and robbed by free immigration detainee has vented her disappointment that the Prime Minister could take the time to see them during a trip to Perth

'Everyone's frightened because the detainees are walking freely in our community, he could have made some time, it would have been nice to be reassured.'

Ms Simons, who was left with severe facial bruising after being repeatedly struck while her husband was tied up and jumped upon, said the pair were still suffering trauma from the alleged attack.

Every 'little noise' startles the pair, Ms Simons said as she pleaded for financial help to make their home more secure.

'We have worked hard, our whole life and paid taxes. I've never received government handouts except for now that we are pensioners,' the cancer survivor said.

'Since we've lost everything now, we don't know what to do.'

Anthony Albanese said he was not scheduled to see the pensioners but his 'heart went out to them'

She said politicians had been focused on 'blaming' each other rather than helping the couple.

The Simons has been left with almost nothing after the accused offenders, who posed as police officers to gain access, allegedly stole $200,000 in cash and jewelllery.

On Tuesday, Mr Albanese admitted that visiting the couple wasn't part of his scheduled itinerary, despite being in town.

'I've made it very clear that Ms Simons has been subjected to a terrible crime. The allegations are now before the court for the three alleged perpetrators,' Mr Albanese told reporters.

When asked if he would would apologise to Ms Simons for what happened, the Prime Minister said his 'heart goes out' to her and 'no one should be the subject of violence such as Ninette Simons had to put up with'.

Ms Simons said that Immigration Minister Andrew Giles was very apologetic when she bombarded him with questions during a phone call last week.

However the only word she heard from local federal MP Anne Aly was an automated email reply to their request for help in bolstering the security of their home

Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, 43, was one of 154 immigration detainees freed by the High Court in November

Doukoshkan, 43, appeared in court in February over alleged breaches of curfew, which was a condition of his release.

The charges were later dropped because of an administrative error.

Commonwealth prosecutors did not oppose bail, although the government previously claimed they had.

In March the Federal Government's Community Protection Board, a body formed to oversee the released detainees, ruled Doukoshkan did not have to wear an electronic ankle bracelet that tracked his movements.

Mr Albanese defended Mr Giles from accusations his delegate should have over-ruled this decision.

Doukoshkan freed on bail again by a Western Australian court several days before the alleged attack, after being charged with a drug-related offence.
Miller was in the process of divorcing husband Pastor John-Paul Miller

A waitress has revealed the shocking text a pastor sent her after his wife killed herself.

Mica Miller, 30, died by suicide suicide on April 27, weeks after talking about abuse within her marriage to John-Paul Miller, 44.

She was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina days after serving her husband with divorce papers.

Now a South Carolina waitress has told how the pastor had been sending her flirty messages, including calling her 'super hot' and asking for 'bikini pics' whilst still married.

But most chilling was his response after the waitress, Christiana, texted him after learning of his wife's death.

The waitress told how the pastor had been sending her flirty messages, including calling her 'super hot' and asking for 'bikini pics' while still married.

The pastor's wife was seen on CCTV purchasing a firearm at a pawn shop, she later used the weapon to end her life

A waitress has revealed the shocking text a pastor sent her after his wife killed herself

Mica Miller (right), 30, died by suicide suicide on April 27, weeks after talking about abuse within her marriage to John-Paul Miller, 44, (left)

Christiana described how she met the pastor when she waited on him and he left her a 50 percent tip along with his phone number

'I asked him if anything was new, and he more or less said yes, lots new, LOL, I'll text later,' she told NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas, confirming LOL stands for 'laugh out loud'.

The waitress explained she had engaged with the pastor in a bid to expose his behavior after becoming 'suspicious' he might be married.

'I was pretty aware of things from the beginning,' Christiana said. 'I had some suspicions. There were there was some red flags. I did some research before I even texted him.

'And then after I did, I spoke with a friend of mine whose friend had a very negative experience, a mortifying experience really, with him and his Church.

'I know that she witnessed some things that were not appropriate, and faced some harassment when she tried to speak out about it.'

Christiana described how she met the pastor when she waited on him and he left her a 50 percent tip along with his phone number.

'I was pretty aware of what was up to and I feel like we have a rampant problem in our country, and especially in our churches with this type of behavior,' Christiana explained.

'And I feel that it needs to be brought to light. So, I saw an opportunity and I took it.'

Police have now released images Miller in the lead up to her death amid conjecture about the circumstances. Pictured: Miller at her South Carolina home the day she died

Millers black Honda is observed traveling on Highway 501 near Four Mile Rd., Conway, South Carolina on April 27 hours before her death

Miller is observed on store surveillance walking into Dicks Pawn Shop in Myrtle Beach, SC

She added that she wanted to reach out to Miller to warn her, but became concerned after it appeared that her Facebook page was being operated by her husband.

Police have now released images and audio of Miller in the lead up to her death amid conjecture about the circumstances.

The speculation was partly fueled by a bizarre video of Miller's husband casually informing his congregants of her suicide at the end of a service.

However, evidence released by Robeson County Sheriff's Office as part of their investigation conclusively shows Miller plotting to end her life.

A still from a Ring doorbell shows her on her front porch at 11am on the day of her death.

Just over an hour later, a surveillance image shows her entering Dick's Pawn Shop where she purchases a fire arm.

Shortly after, Miller's black Honda was observed traveling on Highway 501 near Four Mile Rd., Conway, South Carolina on the way to the state park.

Once there she called 911 to provide instructions to a dispatcher on where her body could be found. Distressing audio from the call was also released by the police.

Miller was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina days after serving her husband with divorce papers.

John-Paul Miller shocked his congregation when he announced her death as a suicide at the end of a service at Solid Rock at Market Common Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last Sunday

Mica previously shared a video speaking about abuse within marriage to pastor John-Paul Miller, 44 (pictured), as claims emerge she was allegedly being harassed

'I'm about to kill myself and I just want my family to know where to find me,' she can be heard saying.

Investigators also revealed that Miller had googled 'national parks near me' before setting off.

After becoming aware Miller and her husband were separated, the cops attempted to establish an alibi for the pastor.

They managed to confirm that neither he nor Christiana were in the vicinity at the time of Miller's death.

On Tuesday, Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, Investigators, and the Medical Examiner met Miller's.

Her estranged husband was given the opportunity to attend a separate meeting and but indicated through his attorney that he would not attend.

In the days after her death, her friends and family held a rally calling for 'justice for Mica' outside the Solid Rock Church where Pastor Miller worked.

Weeks before she died Mica posted an emotional video in which she spoke of abuse within marriage and offered support to 'ANYONE struggling with leaving a dangerous situation because they think God will be 'mad' at them.'

In Mica's obituary penned by Miller, he makes no mention of the fact that the couple had separated

A tragic 911 call released by Robeson County Sheriff's Office showed Miller alerting 911 dispatchers to where he body could be found

She said: 'Today my heart's a little heavy. I've had lots of women that have reached out to me about situations of abuse, and I just want to tell you what a lot of people have told me lately, because I think I forgot.

'But you are the bride of Christ before anybody else's, male or female, it doesn't matter what gender you are, abuse is abuse.'

On Monday, before her cause of death was announced, ABC reported that Mica had filed police reports against a man - whose name was redacted in the reports - in March accusing him of harassing her.

She had told officers that she was 'afraid for her life', had found a tracking device on her car and had her tires repeatedly deflated.

In the days since Mica's death, her family had pushed back at her husband's explanation of it as suicide.

However this was rejected by Sheriff Wilkins following a review of the evidence.

'Unfortunately, rumors and conspiracy theories were spreading quickly, and assumptions were being made,' he said.

Miller was found dead at Lumber River State Park, North Carolina weeks after speaking about abuse within her marriage to John-Paul Miller, the couple are seen here

The pastor has since been booted from his church amid the controversy

'However, in the end, we must make decisions based on the facts, and evidence that has been gathered.

'While I know it's not what many people wanted to hear, the evidence is quite clear and compelling, and we are as saddened as anyone that this occurred.

'There are many factors that we have reviewed that occurred over an extended period of time that are probably related to the reason for this investigation, but in the end, sadly, a tragic decision was made by Mica that ended her life.'

The pastor has since been booted from his church amid the controversy.
The family of the Texas lawyer who was shot and killed in McDonald's by an outraged customer said that they weren't surprised that he stood up for the 'little guy.'

Jeffrey Limmer, 46, stepped in when a customer started shouting at McDonald's employees at the branch on 8147 Katy Freeway, Houston, on Saturday at 6 pm.

Limmer tried to calm the man down, and then as they fought outside the store, the angry man went to his car, pulled out a gun and shot the lawyer twice.

The gunman then fled the scene in an early 2000s blue Ford pickup truck. Cops are still on the hunt for the killer.

'He's always just wanted to fight for the little guy and do the right thing,' Limmer's sister, Jennifer Thomas, told ABC7.

Jeffrey Limmer, 46, was shot and killed by an angry McDonald's customer on Saturday at 6 pm at the branch on 8147 Katy Freeway in Houston

'He's always just wanted to fight for the little guy and do the right thing,' Limmer's sister, Jennifer Thomas, said

'Just, he was very staunch in his convictions, and was just conservative in his values and his morals,' she added.

He worked as an attorney in a local law office, Lewis Brisbois, having attended the University of Texas and then graduated law school at South Texas College of Law.

According to Thomas, Limmer lived near the McDonald's and went there often. She thinks that he likely went to the fast-food chain to get some work done.

She said he had spent all of his career trying to help others, so she wasn't surprised to hear that he had tried to help the employees.

'Knowing Jeff, he's the one who always says, "Calm down. It's not that big of a deal," and divert the situation', she said.

The Houston Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the McDonald's on Saturday night.

A customer at the restaurant was angry with his order and had started shouting at employees, detectives told ABC7.

Limmer tried to calm the customer down and drew his attention away from the staff.

He tried to calm the man down and then as they walked out of the store together arguing, the angry man walked to his car, pulled out a gun and shot him. (Pictured: The Houston McDonald's)

Limmer tried to calm the customer down and drew his attention away from the staff just before the suspect grabbed his gun and shot the lawyer

They started arguing and then fighting outside the store.

Limmer pushed the angry customer to the floor, according to the detectives, and then the man got off the floor and ran to his car before fatally shooting Limmer.

Limmer then ran back into the McDonald's where staff called paramedics.

His heartbroken sister said he was a 'good Samaritan who is trying to do the right thing and not letting those employees at McDonald's go through that.'

His friend, Greg Monteverde, told Fox26: 'Utilizing cuss words and other profanities, Jeff stepped in to try and de-escalate the situation to try and calm him down. I thought it was brave. I respect it.'

He worked as an attorney in a local law office, Lewis Brisbois, having attended the University of Texas and then graduated law school at South Texas College of Law

His heartbroken sister said he was a 'good Samaritan who is trying to do the right thing and not letting those employees at McDonald's go through that,' (pictured: Limmer (left) and his family

'I think a lot of us knew Jeff to be that type of individual. In school, he would invite somebody who wasn't the most popular student to a party or things like that.'

He added: 'He's in Heaven. He's looking down on all of us saying it's going to be OK.'

The suspect has not yet been identified. DailyMail.com contacted the Houston Police Department.

Anyone with information on the case has been asked to contact the police department.

'He loved fiercely his family and friends. Always laughing, making jokes, and just loving life,' Thomas said.
A paramedic and competitive bodybuilder busted with a stash of steroids and adrenaline has escaped jail time and a criminal conviction.

But Marlette Chantell Le-Feuvre's professional career remains in doubt after she was ordered to undertake 150 hours of community service when she was sentenced on Wednesday.

Le-Feuvre, 31, pleaded guilty to a string of drug and medicine possession charges in Southport Magistrates Court this week.

The court heard that police uncovered a vial of stimulant clenbuterol with syringes, MDMA, and containers of steroid pills in a bedroom during a raid of her Maudsland home on the Gold Coast last year.

They also found a vial of adrenaline in the kitchen, which Le-Feuvre claimed she had forgotten to take out of her pocket after a shift as a paramedic.

Marlette Le-Feuvre (pictured) has avoided jail time and a criminal conviction after being caught with a cache of steroids and drugs

Police uncovered a vial of stimulant clenbuterol with syringes, MDMA, and containers of steroid pills in the bedroom during a raid of Marlette Le-Feuvre's home last year

Officers also found a bag containing about 6.5g of cocaine and a smaller quantity of MDMA belonging to her then-partner, which the magistrate accepted were not for her use, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

Defence lawyer Jaimee-Lee Jessop previously said her client turned to bodybuilding as an escape while she was dealing with 'personal chaos', including the breakdown of her long-term relationship and the loss of a close friend.

On Wednesday, acting magistrate Sarah Thompson noted that Le-Feuvre will face further disciplinary proceedings by her employer Queensland Ambulance Service.

'It was a risk that you took knowing the potential consequences if detected - that your profession would be in jeopardy,' the magistrate told Le-Feuvre.

'No doubt those steps taken by those bodies were to protect the public.'

Magistrate Thompson said a psychologist indicated the court proceedings and related media reports had impacted Le-Feuvre's mental health.

Marlette Le-Feuvre was ordered to complete 150 hours community service after pleading guilty to a string of drug and medicine possession charges in Southport Magistrates Court

The magistrate said the media attention had been at least partly fuelled by Marlette Le-Feuvre's success as a competitive bodybuilder (pictured)

The magistrate also accepted that was 'embarrassed', saying the media attention had been partly fuelled by her role as an influencer as well as her success in bodybuilding.

The court heard that Le-Feuvre has since stopped using substances and cut off the negative influences previously in her life.

A formal mental health diagnosis still being explored.

Magistrate Thompson referenced her career uncertainty and ability to compete at an international level among her reasons for not recording a conviction.

Le-Feuvre was suspended by Queensland Ambulance shortly after the charges were laid and has since has further conditions imposed on her registration.

Her career is now in the hands of the Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Le-Feuvre refused to comment.
Britain is to kick out a Russian spy and close several buildings used by the Putin regime in a clampdown on its action in the UK, the Home Secretary said today.

James Cleverly told MPs that an 'undeclared' Russian military intelligence officer had been posing as Moscow's defence attache and had been told to leave the country.

He also unveiled new clampdowns including a cap on the amount of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK.

The tougher measures were the latest step in response to a 'pattern of alleged Russian malign activity across the UK and Europe' in a bid to 'target and dismantle Russian intelligence-gathering operations', the Home Office said.

It comes after five people were charged over conspiring to commit espionage activities in the UK on behalf of Russia under the National Security Act, the first prosecutions of this kind under the new laws.

It comes against a backdrop of the war in Ukraine and increasing fears of Russian espionage and sabotage across Europe.

The buildings which will lose their diplomatic status include Seacox Heath, which was built in 1871 for statesman George Goschen, but which has been in Russian hands since 1946.

For decades it has been ignored but when word got out it was an extension of the Russian embassy in London, residents, outraged over the invasion, sprayed pro-Ukrainian graffiti on the entrance.

The Russian Ambassador had been summoned to relay the measures and to 'reiterate that Russia's actions will not be tolerated', according to the Home Office.

James Cleverly told MPs that an 'undeclared' Russian military intelligence officer had been posing as Moscow 's defence attache and had been told to leave the country.

The buildings which will lose their diplomatic status include Seacox Heath, which was built in 1871 for statesman George Goschen, but which has been in Russian hands since 1946.

The Home Secretary told the Commons: 'Today in conjunction with the Foreign Secretary, I am announcing a package of measures to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations.

'I can tell the House that we will expel the Russian defence attache, who is an undeclared military intelligence officer.

'We will remove diplomatic premises status from several Russian-owned properties in the UK, including Seacox Heath house, a Russian-owned property in Sussex, and the trade and defence section in Highgate, which we believe have been used for intelligence purposes.

'We are imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK.

He added that he expected Moscow to make accusations of Russophobia and spread conspiracy theories and 'hysteria' in response.

'This is not new and the British people and the British Government will not fall for it, and will not be taken for fools by Putin's bots, trolls and lackeys,' he told MPs.

'Russia's explanation was totally inadequate. Our response will be resolute and firm.

'Our message to Russia is clear: stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity.'

Last night Mr Putin was worn in for a new six-year presidential term. He will overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia's longest-serving ruler since Empress Catherine the Great if he completes the term.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Labour 'wholeheartedly' supported the move, telling MPs: 'We echo the Home Secretary's strong condemnation of Russian interference and hostile activity here in the UK and throughout Europe.

'Repeatedly, we have seen a brazen disregard by Russia for the rule of law, for the UK, for our allies, for our domestic security.'

Conservative former minister Rehman Chishti questioned if the UK would bring in legislation to seize Russian assets, adding: 'It's absolutely crucial we do everything we can to cut off Putin's finances and make sure that he pays for the reconstruction of Ukraine.'

Mr Cleverly replied: 'We have absolutely made it clear, we will be incredibly imaginative, we will work hard to ensure that the regime and the people that have funded the brutal attack on Ukraine are also those that fund the rebuilding of Ukraine, and we work with our international partners to make that a reality.'
A suspected drunk driver crashed her truck off a riverbank with her daughter and her two young friends in the back.

The shocking moment was caught on a neighbor's surveillance camera in Newport, Michigan, on Sunday afternoon.

Neighbors rushed out of their homes as a pickup truck careened down the quiet residential road at speed, before smashing into the raised bank, flying through the air and landing in the marshy river.

The driver and three young girls were pulled from the car and assessed for injuries and the mother was taken to hospital, with police now awaiting a toxicology report.

The mother of one of the young girls in the car, Shawlynn Reece, told Click On Detroit: 'I dont understand why any grown adult who is supposed to be responsible could put their own kid, let alone someone elses kids, babies in harm like that.'

The shocking moment was caught on a neighbor's CCTV camera in Newport, Michigan , on Sunday afternoon

Neighbors rushed out of their homes as the pickup truck careened down the quiet residential road at speed

It smashed into the raised bank, flew through the air and landed in the marshy river

The driver appears to have lost control of the car as it sped down a residential street near Superior Avenue and North Avenue in Newport.

It smashed into a riverbank, flying through the air as a wheel came off and debris scattered.

The car plummeted into the marshy bank, half submerged in the low water level.

Neighbor Bobbi Dansard ran out of her home to help, she told WXYZ: 'There was a boom, so I got out of bed, ran outside.

'There was a few other people who had jumped in the water, so I stayed on the berm so I could lift whoever was in the vehicle up on to the berm.'

The surveillance footage shows frantic passersby pulling the young girls and driver from the water and laying them on the bank.

Dansard said: 'These are 15 mph streets, so she was very reckless. Very reckless with her child and other people's children in the car.

'No mother who is in her right state of mind would drive like that with children in the car or without children in the car, especially out here. It was pretty traumatic for everybody involved.'

Her daughter, Tavin, was rushed to hospital but is now recovering at home with two black eyes, bruises, a sprained wrist, and some stitches

The mother of one of the girls in the car, Shawlynn Reece, rushed to the scene when she heard about the crash on the police scanner (pictured with her daughter)

Reece told Click On Detroit: 'I dont understand why any grown adult who is supposed to be responsible could put their own kid, let alone someone elses kids, babies in harm like that.'

The Monroe County Sheriff told WXYZ that there were only minor injuries and that the driver was suspected to be drunk. As of Wednesday, she has not been arrested and police are waiting for a toxicology report.

The mother of one of the girls in the car, Reece, rushed to the scene when she heard about the crash on the police scanner. She said her daughter, Tavin, had gone to spend time with friends after church service.

Her daughter was rushed to hospital but is now recovering at home with two black eyes, bruises, a sprained wrist, and some stitches.

She said when she saw the driver, she 'looked very confused' and didn't 'even realize what she had done'.

Reece told Click On Detroit: 'I dont understand why any grown adult who is supposed to be responsible could put their own kid, let alone someone elses kids, babies in harm like that.'

It comes just three weeks after a woman - thought to be a drunk driver - smashed into a children's party in the same county, killing two children and injuring 15 others.

Lana, eight, and Zayn, five, both died in the wreck at the Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township in Michigan, while their mother, Mariah and elder brother, Jayden, are fighting for their lives.

Lana, eight, and Zayn, five (seen together center) both died in the wreck, while their mother, Mariah (right), and elder brother, Jayden (left), are fighting for their lives

Lana and Zayn are seen alongside their older brother Jayden in an earlier family photograph

A GoFundMe was set up to help cover funeral expenses for the children.

'My sister and her family have lost their two babies to a drunk driver in Monroe, MI. Mom Mariah and oldest brother Jayden are still in critical condition at this time. Monies raised will help give Lana age 8 and Zayn age 5 a proper funeral and burial service,' Mariah's sister, Diane Harrington wrote.

A huge first responder presence raced to the scene just after 3pm, where Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said it was 'extremely chaotic' with 'high level of emotions.'

One child was reportedly pinned under the vehicle as it flew through the building, while the brother and sister who lost their lives were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

Helicopters and ambulances took nine victims to nearby hospitals, who were listed as being in life-threatening condition.

Further victims were also taken to hospital in cars, Goodnough said.

Speaking after the second crash, Goodnough told Click On Detroit: 'Not too long ago, we had a tragedy in this county with another presumed alcohol-related incident and the death of children.

'I dont know what its going to take.'
Protracted walkouts by trainee doctors are feared to cause a shortage of fellow doctors next year as their labor action against the government's medical reform has dragged on for nearly three months, according to health ministry officials Wednesday.

About 12,000 trainee doctors have left their worksites since Feb. 20 in protest of the government's push to boost the number of medical students. Unless they are trained at hospitals for more than three months, they will not be eligible for next year's test to become fellow doctors.

Officials at the health ministry and the medical community have predicted that trainee doctors must return to hospitals by around May 20 if they want to apply for the test to become fellow doctors.

"It is correct that the training vacuum should not exceed three months if the trainee doctors want to take the examination to become fellow doctors next year," a health ministry official said.

A total of 2,910 medical residents, who are believed to be among the striking trainee doctors, are eligible for the test to become fellow doctors next year, according to the ministry.

Experts warn that delays in training specialists could trigger a domino effect, disrupting the supply of military and public health doctors as well.

"As the training program for junior doctors is operated on an annual basis, it is inevitable for a chain reaction to occur once a delay begins," said a medical professor at a major hospital in Seoul.

Chances for talks between the medical community and health authorities, meanwhile, continued to remain slim, with the Seoul High Court ordering the government to submit minutes and other documents to verify that the decision to increase the number of medical school students by 2,000 was based on scientific grounds.

Doctors raised suspicions that the minutes may not exist, although the government claimed that all required meetings were documented.

During a press briefing, Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo expressed regret over the ongoing lawsuits filed by doctors against government officials, including himself.

"Amid the illegal collective walkout by junior doctors, it is regrettable that there are prevailing lawsuits and accusations against the government," Park said. "We urge trainee doctors to promptly return to their worksites in order to resolve the medical vacuum and normalize hospital operations."

On Tuesday, a group of doctors filed accusations against Park, Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong and Education Minister Lee Ju-ho with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials for allegedly neglecting duty and destroying public records. (Yonhap)




A senior solicitor who was obsessed with the Nazis and kept a replica samurai sword at the office has been hit with a 220,000 court bill after being sued over misusing more than 100,000 of company money.

'Strange and deluded' lawyer Domenico Pisano has been ordered to pay back 109,000 to London firm Dominic Levent Solicitors - where he was a partner - after allegedly transferring 95,000 of the company's money to his own account and spending a further 14,000 on goods for 'his own use'.

The Nazi Germany obsessed lawyer, who lives in New Barnet, also faces a further 110,000 bill on account of legal costs after his former work partner Levent Hasan - through Dominic Levent Solicitors Ltd - took him to court over the misused funds.

Central London County Court heard that Mr Pisano, 57, who resigned in April 2022 after himself and Mr Hasan had a falling out, displayed 'bizarre' behaviour in the office and engaged in workplace bullying including kicking an intern.

Judge Simon Monty KC found proved the allegation that Mr Pisano had taken '95,000 from company assets, both before and after his resignation as a director, and has refused to return the money' and that he had 'expended further sums on a variety of expensive electronic and other goods for his own use, of no benefit to the company'.

Lawyer Domenico Pisano (pictured above) has been handed a 220k court bill after being taken to court over the misuse of company money



The judge ordered Mr Pisano to pay back the 95,000 he had transferred to himself, plus 13,986.06 to cover the costs of goods he bought.

He also ordered a payment on account of costs of 111,180 - 80 per cent of a total cost bill of 138,975, while calling Mr Pisano 'a strange and deluded individual with a tenuous grasp on reality'.

Giving evidence to the court, Mr Hasan said his former work partner had 'exhibited increasingly erratic and bizarre behaviour, including assaults upon staff and upon me, verbal and written tirades against me and staff members' in the time leading up to his resignation.

His alleged behaviour including kicking an intern and leaving him on the edge of tears, getting his company car seized by running up multiple parking fines, and making multiple references to Nazi Germany.

Mr Hasan told the judge that he and Mr Pisano had teamed up in the law firm in 2012 and initially things had gone well.

But a 'personality clash and falling out' between the two men led to Mr Pisano beginning to display behaviour which 'was inexplicable in any sensible way,' Judge Monty said.

Levent Hasan (pictured above) sued Mr Pisano after he allegedly transferred company money to his own account

Summarising Mr Hasan's evidence, the judge said it was alleged 'Mr Pisano habitually shouts and swears at employees, causing harassment, alarm and distress, and he treats interns in a demeaning fashion.'

He went on to uphold a specific allegation that Mr Pisano flew into a rage with a male intern at the firm on a placement from Surrey University.

He was said to have 'shouted abuse at him, and repeatedly applied his knee to the chair in which he was sitting, so that the chair was gradually and repeatedly shoved against the wall...then kicked out at a bag containing plastic bottles, but his leg followed through so that he kicked him on the ankle,' leaving him 'on the verge of tears'.

This incident caused a 'breakdown' of relations between the firm and the university, the judge said, adding that in its wake 'Mr Pisano then wrote a number of letters alleging that he had been defamed, demanding a written apology...and threatening legal action against the university'.

'He also called the Law Society's ethics helpline in the presence of an employee of the firm, and gave what is said to have been a rambling account of events, including references to HM The Queen and Nazi Germany,' later sending a letter to the Solicitors Regulation Authority which 'referred to the British Military, the RAF, and the Vatican'.

Mr Pisano had made multiple references to the Nazis, leading the judge to conclude that 'it is clear to me that Mr Pisano has a fixation about Nazi Germany'.

He said one example was that Mr Pisano had 'open on his computer browser, as seen by staff, a page relating to the Night of the Long Knives, the term given to the Nazi party's execution of political opponents in 1934.'

'It is difficult to think of less appropriate workplace talk or behaviour,' he added.

'There was further inappropriate behaviour by Mr Pisano in emailing a female client (telling her)..."Domenico urgers you respectfully and invites you to shackle and dungeon your innate and instinctive velleities and intentions and reactions. In short, please tie your tongue to your ankles and hand cuff your hands. Dominic wishes you a very well".

'It is not at all surprising that staff at the firm found it impossible to work with Mr Pisano,' the judge commented.

Other incidents included Mr Pisano having his company car seized by the police over multiple parking fines and, after his resignation, having 'arranged for the police to attend the claimant's offices, to assist him in recovering some belongings which included a replica Samurai sword'.

Mr Pisano also told the judge in his evidence: 'I trained with the Parachute Regiment, I am trained to use arms, I can fly gliders solo, I am an RAF Pilot...I have proper military training'.



The judge said: 'Mr Pisano came across as a rather strange and deluded individual with a tenuous grasp on reality. Mr Pisano did not say that he was in any way unwell.

'Quite what caused this apparently experienced solicitor to act in the way he did is a mystery.

Mr Pisano is said to have habitually shouted and sworn at employees, causing harassment, alarm and distress, and treated interns in a demeaning fashion

'If it was, as I think it might have been, because of a personality clash with Mr Hasan and the falling out between them, that does not excuse his behaviour, which was inexplicable in any sensible way.

'This was, I think, the playing out of a hopeless and ill-founded vendetta against Mr Hasan.

'I find it impossible to accept any of his evidence on the issues in this case where they conflict with the evidence of Mr Hasan, whose evidence I accept in its entirety,' he added.

The judge ordered that the debts be secured on a number of properties Mr Pisano has a stake in, including his home in Victoria Road, in New Barnet.

The judge added that Mr Pisano is now the subject of an investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and granted a permanent anti-harrasment injunction against him in relation to Dominic Levent Solicitors Ltd and its staff.

Mr Pisano is still a 50 per cent shareholder in the firm.
A professor has been fired from his university post and is now facing an aggravated sexual harassment charge after he was busted upskirting women at a fair.

Viral footage shared by a victim, who identified herself as Melissa, showed Miguel Perez, 40, sliding his left sneaker and positioning it under the skirt of a woman who was making a food order at the Puebla Fair 2024 in the central city of Puebla on May 2.

Perez could be seen stepping to the side and trying to place the sneaker between the unsuspecting woman's own shoes to get a better glimpse.

Melissa subsequently approached the woman to alert her before Perez made a beeline for the exit while her boyfriend confronted him.

'Where are you going papi,' Melissa's partner asked Perez. 'You're recording with your sneakers!'

Miguel Perez was arrested May 2 at a fair in Puebla, Mexico after he was caught placing his sneaker under a woman's skirt and recording with a hidden camera. The 40-year-old is facing an aggravated sexual harrasment charge and has been fired from his professor role at the Benemerita Autonomous University of Puebla

Miguel Perez placed a camera slight over the laces of his sneaker to record women at a fair in Mexico

Miguel Perez was fired as professor by the Benemerita Autonomous University of Puebla last Thursday

Perez continued walking without replying and was pulled by his collar as he made his way through the crowd.

As he approached two police officers, Melissa's boyfriend's managed to grab him by the shirt collar.

'The b**tard is filming women with a camera on the bottom,' he said.

Perez attempted to throw off the cops by taking a step forward with his right foot, but Melissa's boyfriend pointed at the left sneaker and placed his finger on top of the camera.

'It's there, look,' he said.

Perez was handcuffed on the spot and escorted to a tent, where he was questioned and then taken to a local police station.

He has been placed in pretrial detention while the Puebla State Attorney General's Office continues its investigation.

One of the victims identified herself as Melissa and uploaded the video of university professor Miguel Perez placing his sneaker with a hidden camera under another woman's skirt to record at a fair in Puebla, Mexico on May 2. Melissa released a video statement Wednesday indicating she felt obligated to reveal the video on social media so that Perez is prosecuted

The 40-year-old professor was placed in pretrial detention while the Puebla State Attorney General's Office continues its investigation

Mexican university professor Miguel Perez was arrested at a fair in the central city of Puebla after he was spotted using his sneaker with a hidden camera to record a woman who was placing an order at a kiosk

In a video statement released Wednesday, a visibly shaken Melissa said she had the impression that authorities would not prosecute Perez so decided to share the footage on her social media accounts, including X.

The district attorney's office reportedly tried to resolve the incident by suggesting that he pay his victim $590, which she rejected.

'Although it is a minor crime, I believe that no woman would like to be seen, especially without her consent in the way this guy did,' she said.

Local news outlets revealed that Perez shared sexual content of women via a group chat group on Telegram.

He was fired by the Benemerita Autonomous University of Puebla (BUAP) in Mexico last Thursday.

'In relation to the events that occurred this day at the Puebla Fair, the BUAP emphasizes that it will not tolerate this type of improper conduct that harms the social life and privacy of people, such as what the member of the teaching staff of the institution,' the university said in a statement.
Couch recalled the moment she texted her friends when she heard of the crime

Ashlin Couch lived at the home with two of the victims until May 2022

Four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death in November 2022

The former roommate of the University of Idaho murder victims is speaking out about the last message she sent her friends and how she is honoring their legacy.

Ashlin Couch lived with Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen at their off-campus house on Kings Road in Moscow until May 2022 when Xana Kernodle took over her lease.

Goncalves, 21, Mogen, 21, Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, were stabbed to death in that home in November 2022.

Couch recalled the gut-wrenching moment she received an alert that there had been a homicide near her former residence and texted her friends to see if they were okay.

'I texted like our group of friends, and I just had said, 'Has anyone heard from Maddie?' And I remember, like my last text message to her was like, 'Are you okay,'' Couch told KXLY.

Ashlin Couch (left), the former roommate of Madison Mogen (center) and Kaylee Goncalves (right), revealed the last message she sent her friends

Couch lived at the off-campus house on Kings Road in Moscow until May 2022 when Xana Kernodle took over her lease

Couch recalled the gut-wrenching moment she received an alert that there had been a homicide near her former residence and texted her friends to see if they were okay

'I felt it like right then and there, I kind of just knew that something was wrong.'

'It crosses my mind more that, that could have happened while I was there. And, you know, you never know like how long someone is watching your house,' she said.

Couch and her mother Angela Navejas founded the Made With Kindness foundation to honor her friends and created a scholarship in their names.

'I just wish that I could do at least one more time is like, you know, just give her one last hug just to be able to say goodbye,' Couch said.

'I couldn't even walk to my car in the dark for months after, you know, it happened. Like, you just want to at least feel a little bit safer. And if we can help college students do that and just create more awareness of that and just help them feel a little bit safer knowing that something like this had happened, I think is helpful in any way.'

Bryan Kohberger is accused of committing the heinous crime that shocked the nation, but has yet to have a trial scheduled nearly two years later.

Although he was initially set to stand trial in the spring of 2024, the repeat delays saw a judge in February push the court date back to at least the spring of 2025.

When Kohberger was arrested in December 2023, over a month after the slayings, cops said a key piece of evidence was a white Hyundai seen in surveillance footage driving to and from the site of the killings that matched Kohberger's car.

However, Kohberger's alibi filing claims that cellphone expert Sy Ray will offer testimony that shows his cellphone did not travel towards the home, and 'thus could not be the vehicle captured on video.'

Along with the surveillance footage, another key piece of evidence put forward by prosecutors is Kohberger's DNA allegedly found on a knife sheath left behind at the massacre.

Bryan Kohberger (pictured) is accused of committing the heinous crime that shocked the nation, but has yet to have a trial scheduled nearly two years later

The scenes inside the home were so gruesome that blood dripped down the outside of the wall of the property, which investigators described as the worst crime scene they have ever seen

On the night of the murders, the four victims and their friends had been enjoying a typical night out at local college bars, and Mogen and Goncalves were last seen buying carbonara pasta from a takeout truck shortly before they returned home at around 2am.

Chapin and Kernodle had spent the evening at his Sigma Chi fraternity house, and arrived home at around the same time.

After the white Hyundai was initially seen lurking around the home earlier in the evening, it was again spotted on surveillance footage just over an hour after the friends arrived home.

At that moment, Kernodle appears to have still been awake as she had just received a DoorDash order.

Investigators also determined that she had been playing TikTok at around the same moment the white Hyundai was seen performing a three-point turn in the street outside, at 4.04am.

Kohberger's phone had been turned off in Pullman at 2.47am, where he lived around 10 miles from the murder house in Moscow, and turned back on again at 4.48am south of Moscow, on the route back to Pullman.

The victim's surviving roommate, Dylan Mortensen, later told police she was also awake at the time, and even heard what was likely the sounds of the murders taking place in the room upstairs.

Mortensen told investigators she believed the sounds were Goncalves playing with her dog, and even called out to her friends to quiet down thinking they were merely partying.

'Calm down, you're being loud!' she reportedly yelled around 4am, in addition to: 'I'm trying to sleep!'

After she heard the questionable sounds slamming around the house in the dead of night, Mortensen said a male voice upstairs said something to the effect of: 'It's okay, I'm going to help you.'

Surveillance cameras later picked up what was deemed to be someone sobbing, a loud thud, and a dog barking, at 4.17am.

(L-R) Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were stabbed to death on November 13, 2022

Couch and her mother Angela Navejas founded the Made With Kindness foundation to honor her friends and created a scholarship in Goncalves (right) and Mogen's (left) names

Boyfriend and girlfriend Ethan Chapin (left) and Xana Kernodle (right) were slain in bed together in the gruesome murders in November 2022

In a move that has led to numerous questions since the murders, Mortensen says she opened her bedroom door to investigate the sounds and was stunned to come face-to-face with an intruder, dressed in all black and wearing a mask.

She claims the killer walked right past her and exited out a sliding glass door at the back of the house, leaving her frozen in fear.

Nobody called 911 for over seven hours.

At 4.20am, the white Hyundai Elantra was seen again in surveillance footage driving through the neighborhood, with the car later becoming a key piece of evidence that prosecutors say places Kohberger in the area at the time.

This led to Kohberger's initial alibi, claiming to have been 'driving alone' at the time the murders were taking place.

In December, Idaho officials again came under fire after the off-campus home where the four students were stabbed to death was torn down, against the victim's families' wishes.

Although both prosecution and defense agreed for it to be torn down, the families argued against it, with Goncalves' loved ones fearing the move would 'destroy one of the most critical pieces of evidence in the case.'

Before it was torn down, the scenes inside the home were so gruesome that exclusive DailyMail.com images showed blood seeping down the outsides of the home.
Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the sickening gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in a wooded area in Belgium by ten other minors.

The girl, who remains unidentified for privacy reasons, was allegedly lured into a wooded area called Kabouterbos in Kortrijk, West Flanders (five miles from the French border), by her teenage boyfriend over the Easter school break.

Upon enticing her into the forest, close to an area used by mountain bikers, the boyfriend is said to have attacked his young partner before allegedly allowing several other boys to sexually assault her as well. Reports said the group filmed the attack on their smartphones and posted clips to social media.

Prosecutors have arrested ten suspected perpetrators aged between 11 and 16 and hauled them in for questioning, according to local reports.

Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad said the suspects were 'believed to be young people of immigrant origin'. It added that six of the suspects had been placed in a closed institution, while the other four were placed under house arrest.

The girl, who remains unidentified for privacy reasons, was allegedly lured into a wooded area in Kortrijk, West Flanders, by her teenage boyfriend over the Easter school break

Upon enticing her into the forest, close to an area used by mountain bikers, the boyfriend is said to have attacked his young partner before allegedly allowing several other boys to have their way with her

The investigation has been conducted in the utmost secrecy by the West Flanders prosecutor's office to avoid any chance of family members of the victim or members of the public learning the identities of those involved.

But Nieuwsblad said prosecutors turned up 'reprehensible behaviour' on the part of the suspects and 'revenge-mongering facts', citing sources close to the investigation who said the alleged perpetrators showed 'a complete lack of sense of norms'.

'I have never experienced this in my career,' the lawyer for one of the suspects is reported to have told the newspaper.

The girl is thought to have spent two days in the forest where she was raped at least twice and tormented and abused by the gang of minors.

The group took turns abusing the victim, and all participated 'to a greater or lesser extent,' Nieuwsblad said in its report.

None of the group urged their friends to stop the abuse, it added.

Tom Janssens of the Public Prosecutor's Office said that on account of the age of all those involved, little is being said publicly on their identity.

He did confirm that ten suspects had been identified and arrested, and that all were minors. 'Because the perpetrators are so young, we are not releasing much information about their identity,' Janssens told The Brussels Times.

The six minors placed in an institution were set to appear in juvenile court on Wednesday afternoon. It is understood that one of those six minors - a thirteen-year-old - has already been released on conditions.

The investigation will now work to establish to what extent each suspect was involved in the assault on the 14-year-old girl, or if any were bystanders.

Kortrijk mayor Vincent Van Quickenborne said he was shocked when he first learned about the case that he has known about behind closed doors 'for some time'.

'The public prosecutor's office does not allow me to say anything about the facts themselves, but I had been aware of the investigation for some time,' he said.

'These are cra*py acts for which there are no words. I say that not only as a politician, but also as a father of 3 young children.'

Youth lawyer Kelly Decaluwe, who is defending one of the suspects, said the minors had 'all been interrogated simultaneously and the investigators will now test the statements to find out the truth'.

'These are horrible facts,' she said. 'The question is how it is possible that these children have lost all sense of norms. What should we do with this?

'How are we going to solve this? It is a question that should be asked not only to the juvenile judge but also to society as a whole. I have not yet experienced such facts in my fifteen-year career.'

The criminal age of responsibility in Belgium is 18, meaning the suspected sexual abusers were sent before a juvenile judge and are likely to have been placed into a personal rehabilitation programme in youth facilities.

But it is possible the 16-year-old in question could be dealt with under adult criminal law, given the exceptional nature of the case.

The victim, meanwhile, is receiving specialist guidance following her ordeal.

The case in Belgium comes three years after another, similarly horrific incident shocked the country when a 14-year-old girl was raped by a group of young men in a cemetery in Ghent, in East Flanders.

Aged between 14 and 19, the group filmed the attack and circulated the footage on social media. The victim later took her own life.

The case sparked debate in Belgium about the country's juvenile delinquency laws, as well as around increasing the minimum penalty for sexual offences.

Belgium eventually tightened the juvenile delinquency law.

This made it possible to lock up children as young as 12 for longer periods if they are found guilty of rape and gang rape, and since 2022, offenders aged 16 and over who committed such crimes can be tried as adults.

Commenting on the recent case, East Flanders's Justice Minister Zuhal Demir - who advocated for the tightening of such laws - said parents of children who commit such crimes 'must be held accountable'.

'You simply cannot deal with this kind of violence with lower [sentences],' she said, according to The Brussels Times.

'Such [perpetrators] must be taken off the streets and their parents must be held accountable. Juvenile judges should make more and full use of the recent tightening of juvenile delinquency law.'
This is the tense moment a passenger was airlifted from a Carnival Cruise ship in a life-saving rescue nearly 400 miles off the US eastern coast.

Dramatic images show how the US Air Fore rescue team lifted a passenger, who was in 'critical' condition, from the deck of the 1,000ft Carnival Venezia on May 4.

Two helicopters approached the ship to execute the extraction before the rescuers were hoisted down and immediately began preparing the cruise traveler.

The unnamed patient and his mother were then hauled up into the helicopter, where he received treatment while en route to a hospital in the US. His current condition remains unknown.

The Carnival Venezia had set sail from New York on April 26 on a 10-day cruise to the Bahamas and Caribbean. The rescue team underwent three helicopter air-to-air refuelings before it reached the vessel's remote location in the Atlantic Ocean.

Pararescuemen with the US Air Force's 920th Rescue Wing airlifted a 'critical' passenger and his mother from the 1,000ft Carnival Venezia on May 4

wo helicopters approached the ship to execute the extraction before the rescuers were hoisted down and immediately began preparing the cruise traveler

The unnamed patient and his mother were then hauled up into the helicopter, where he received treatment while en route to a hospital in the US

The Carnival Venezia (pictured) had set sail from New York on April 26 on a 10-day cruise to the Bahamas and Caribbean

The operation saw the 920th Rescue Wing dispatch a rescue force consisting of two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen to the cruiseliner.

'Everyone in the wing mobilized with exceptional speed,' Capt. Dylan Gann, 301st Rescue Squadron pilot, recalled of the mission.

'By uniting our efforts, we saved crucial time, delivering life-saving assistance six hours ahead of other response teams.'

When the mission commander arrived on location, the two HC-130J search and rescue planes circled the airspace to assess the situation and assumed on-scene command.

The two HH-60s approached the ship, the pararescuemen were hoisted down and began preparing the passenger and his mother for the rescue. The pair were then lifted up into the helicopter.

Pararescuemen were hoisted down from the helicopter to aid the critical cruise passenger

Pictured are members of the 920th Rescue Wing who successfully conducted a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard the Carnival Venezia cruise ship

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter receives fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II during a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship more than 350 miles off the eastern coast of the US

Pararescuemen prepare to rescue a Carnival Venezia passenger who was in critical condition

Meanwhile, a team at the home station coordinated with flight doctors to find the right treatment facility for the patient.

The information was relayed to the rescue force who then made sure the patient was 'successfully transferred' to the hospital.

'This is what ready now looks like,' Lt. Col. John Lowe, 920th Operations Group commander, said.

'These real-world missions are what our countless hours of training have prepared us for. Rescue was able to plan and execute this mission without hesitation,

'This combined arms team is highly trained in their field while understanding what role they play in the bigger picture and led to the successful completion of the mission.'

Capt. Gann added: 'Our collective determination and efficiency ensured the successful rescue and transport of the individual in need.'

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter receives fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II during the rescue mission

Reaching the cruise ship Carnival Venezia's remote location required three helicopter air-to-air refuelings. Pictures is an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter receives fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II during the May 4 rescue

Cruise passengers watched from the deck as the helicopter flew away from the Carnival Venezia, with the patient and his mother onboard, and headed to the hospital

An US Air Force spokesperson said: 'The patient was successfully transferred to a hospital in the United States. After 8 hours, and more than 1,200 miles flown, the mission was complete when all of the aircraft returned to Patrick SFB.'

A Carnival Cruise spokesperson told DailyMail.com that crew work with the Coast Guard and Air Force to 'adjust its course Saturday so a medical helicopter could rendezvous with the ship when a guest on board needed treatment ashore.'

'The ship then resumed its route to New York, arriving as scheduled Monday morning,' the spokesperson added.

The Carnival Venezia has since set sail on its next scheduled voyage, an 11-night eastern Caribbean cruise to St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and Half Moon Cay.

DailyMail.com has approached the 920th Rescue Wing for comment.
Relatives of the three Nottingham knife rampage victims have said they face spending a lifetime making the killer 'the next Ian Brady' to ensure he is never released.

The Court of Appeal heard this morning that Valdo Calocane should have his 'unduly lenient' indefinite hospital order changed to one of life imprisonment following a referral from the Attorney General.

Prosecutors had previously accepted the 32-year-old's guilty pleas to manslaughter with diminished responsibility and did not seek a murder conviction after medical evidence showed Calocane has paranoid schizophrenia.

And he was given the indefinite hospital order after a three-day hearing at Nottingham Crown Court in January.

Deanna Heer KC, representing the Attorney General's Office (AGO), said Calocane should instead be given a life sentence as part of a 'hybrid' order, where he would be treated in hospital before serving the remainder of his sentence in prison.

From left to right, Dr Sinead O'Malley and Dr Sanjoy Kumar, parents of Grace O'Malley-Kumar, James Coates, son of Ian Coates, and Emma and David Webber, parents of Barnaby Webber, speak to the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London today

The families of school caretaker Ian Coates (left), Barnaby Webber (middle) and Grace O'Malley Kumar (right) argued it was the only way to ensure Valdo Calocane is punished for his crimes

Relatives of the victims vowed to make knifeman Valdo Calocane (pictured left) the 'next Ian Brady' (pictured right) to ensure 'he doesn't come out'

The families of Grace O'Malley Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, argued that it was the only way to ensure he is punished for his crimes and prevented from harming the public again.

Speaking outside the court, Barnaby Webber's mother Emma said she recognised that her son's killer was unwell but he was not being properly held culpable.

'The penal element is what's missing,' she said.

Mrs Barnaby Webber added: 'The statistics show that 87 per cent [of offenders given a hospital order] are out within ten years and 98 per cent were out in 20 years - so he'd be 52.

'But even if he is that two per cent we have a lifetime, and our children have a lifetime, of having to make him the next Ian Brady to ensure he doesn't come out.

'Sometimes in life things are right and wrong and Valdo Calocane did something wrong.

'But he knew what he was doing and what you have to do to be done for murder in this countryI don't know.'

Mechanical engineering student Calocane knifed his three victims to death and mowed down three pedestrians - who survived but suffered serious injuries - on June 13 last year.

Speaking outside the court today, Barnaby Webber's mother Emma said she recognised that her son's killer was unwell but he was not being properly held culpable

Barnaby Webber, 19, had been attacked by triple-killer Valdo Calocane

Nottingham stabbing victim Grace O'Malley-Kumar 'valiantly' battled Valdo Calocane for 30 seconds screaming 'don't do that' and 'why would you do that?' as he stabbed Barnaby

Ian Coates was a grandfather and a much-loved caretaker at a local school

The killer, wearing a black jacket over an olive-green hoody, watched the 50-minute hearing remotely from the secure hospital and remained emotionless with his hands in his pockets throughout.

Ms Heer argued that his actions involved a significant degree of planning and premeditation, considering he had three knives in his bag.

'He knew what he was doing; he acted deliberately and with the intent to kill,' she told the court.

But Peter Joyce KC, for Calocane, said the attacks all took place while he was under the influence of psychosis he could do nothing about, and to change the sentence would be to 'punish mental illness'.

'He didn't cause it to happen to him by taking drugs, he didn't cause it to happen to him by his own behaviour and he didn't cause it to happen to him by taking alcohol,' he said.

Mr Joyce added: 'He came to believe he was being controlled by outside forces and he hated it.

'Voices that controlled him. Voices that he hates, voices that he can do nothing about.

'He still doesn't fully believe that he is suffering from a mental illness - he believes the voices are still real.

'He is still hearing them and those voices are gloating at the trouble they gave him in Nottingham. 'They are pleased with it.'

Calocane was handed a hospital order for manslaughter by diminished responsibility after Nottingham Crown Court heard he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia

At the end of the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, sitting with Lord Justice Edis and Mr Justice Garnham, said they hoped to give their decision within seven days.

The police watchdog is probing Nottinghamshire police over potential failings relating to the case, including its contact with Calocane prior to the killings and complaints from victims' families over how the investigation was conducted.

It is understood these relate to a failure to pursue toxicology testing - Calocane refused to give blood and urine samples while no hair sample was taken.

Relatives have previously accused police of having 'blood on their hands' after it emerged a warrant had been issued for Calocane's arrest nine months before the attack.

And speaking outside court alongside Mrs Barnaby Webber, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, father of victim Grace O'Malley-Kumar, vowed to keep fighting the organisations that failed the families.

The families leave the Royal Courts of Justice in London today following the hearing of Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane

Dr Sanjoy Kumar, father of victim Grace O'Malley-Kumar, vowed to keep fighting the organisations that failed the families

'Valdo Calocane murdered our children and Ian Coates, and it's very, very hard for all of us in this process when what we should be doing is grieving for our children, but we are here instead fighting for them,' he said.

'But we will fight. We will fight all of the organisations that failed us, and what is becoming abundantly clear is the long list of people and organisations that failed us.'
An elderly grandmother has recalled how she fought off a man with her walker after he allegedly sexually assaulted and threatened to kill her during a terrifying ordeal.

A major manhunt is now underway to track down the man who allegedly followed the woman aged in her late 80s into a lift at her South Yarra apartment complex in inner-city Melbourne on April 1.

The man allegedly waited 45 minutes for the woman to enter the lift and then exposed himself to her.

He then allegedly followed the woman out of the lift and into a stairwell, where he sexually assaulted her and said: 'I come back and kill you.'

The terrified woman managed to fight him off with her walker until a bystander intervened and scared him off.

Police are searching for a man accused of sexually assaulting an elderly grandmother in a lift

The elderly woman was forced to fought off the man with her walker during the terrifying ordeal

The man fled the scene on foot and the woman spent a night in hospital.

Five weeks on, the woman is still traumatised by the ordeal.

She has lived in South Yarra for 25 years but is now too scared to live on her own.

The woman was disappointed to find out that there are no security cameras inside the stairwell.

Police released CCTV on Wednesday as part of an appeal.

'When he was in the lift with the victim, he propositioned her for for a sexual act and offered money to her for that sexual act,' Detective Senior Constable Andrew Turton told Nine News.

Police believe this man captured on CCTV can assist with their inquiries

'This offending is not acceptable... What's more disturbing is that it appears to be targeted.'

The man is described as being of Asian descent, in his 20s, and about 180cm tall with black hair and facial hair.

He was wearing a black hooded jumper with the word 'Jordan' written on the back along with black pants and sneakers.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Donald Trump faced warning signs in Indiana on Tuesday as more than 128,000 voters in the Republican primary chose to cast ballots for another candidate despite him being the presumptive GOP presidential nominee and having no opponents in the race.

Trump received more than 78.3 percent of the vote in the red state's primary on Tuesday, more than 461,000 voters.

But more than 128,000 voters, 21 percent, cast ballots for Nikki Haley, the one time Republican presidential candidate who dropped out of the race more than two months ago after Super Tuesday.

Despite having a strong hold on the majority of the Republican party, the results Tuesday signal trouble for the former Republican president as he looks to shore up GOP support and expand his base for the general election in November.

Indiana held its open Republican presidential primary on Tuesday where Haley received a sizable number of votes despite dropping out of the race two months ago

Indiana is a red states that voted overwhelming for Trump in 2020 with 57 percent of the vote against Joe Biden. The ex-president even expanded his support in the state from 2016.

In the last twenty-one presidential elections, Democrats have only won the state two times: Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and Barack Obama in 2008.

But Tuesday's results are just the latest in a series of primaries where a number of voters to cast Republican ballots of opted not to fall in line since Trump cinched the necessary number of delegates.

'Nikki dropped out two months ago and is still earning a sizable chunk of the primary vote,' said a former Haley staffer. 'You'd have to be a birdbrain to not understand that Trump needs Haley Republicans to win in November.'

Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee and has turned his attention to the general election but Haley continues to receive GOP primary votes while Trump should be shoring up the party base

Just two weeks ago, Haley received more than 155,000 voters in the Pennsylvania Republican primary, a significant number in a battleground state Biden won by less than 100,000 voters in 2020.

Haley raked in more than half a million votes combined in the March 19 primaries including ones in Florida, Ohio and Arizona, weeks after she dropped out of the race.

She also ate into Trump's primary support in a number of battleground counties in the battleground Wisconsin.

While the ex-president was able to clinch the nomination much earlier this year than has been seen in past non-incumbent primaries, Haley has not come forward to endorse her one time boss and political opponent.

In response to Indiana's results, a Trump campaign official pointed out that the state has an open primary, meaning any registered voter may participate in either of the party's primaries, and Democrats had few competitive contests.

Haley received a significant number of her votes around in Indianapolis and surrounding suburbs.

Nikki Haley received more than half a million votes in the March 19 primaries despite dropping out of the race the day after Super Tuesday. On Tuesday she received 128,000 votes in Indiana's Republican presidential primary

The Trump campaign official argued Democrats in earlier contests were more than happy to vote for Haley and were in fact encouraged through funded campaigns to do so.

The Trump campaign having clinched the necessary delegates for Trump to be the nominee weeks ago has not spent money or resources on the primary campaign.

They said they would win Indiana and the White House come November.

But the Biden campaign has been chomping at the bit to woo Haley voters to support the president in November.

President Joe Biden's campaign has been actively courting Nikki Haley voters for the general election

President Biden has openly invited Haley voters to join the fold.

The campaign even released an ad making a direct appeal to Haley voters to support Biden and reject Trump in late March. It targeted those primarily in suburban battleground areas where Haley did will in the primaries against Trump.

Meanwhile, Trump has been trapped in a New York courtroom the better part of the past three weeks with limited campaign stops in battleground states as he faces criminal charges for falsifying business records in the hush money case.

When not in court, the ex-president has focused much of his campaign effort on battleground states.

Last week, he made stops in Michigan and Wisconsin. This weekend he is headed to Wildwood, New Jersey for a campaign rally.

As for Haley, last month is was announced she was joining the conservative Hudson Institute, her first big move since dropping out of the primary on March 6.
Trans TikToker Dylan Mulvaney appears to be bouncing back from last year's Bud Light debacle with the announcement of her one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer.

As recently as February, Mulvaney was making late-night social media posts, insisting that her '15 minutes' of fame was not over, following the backlash over her tie-up with the beer-maker.

The 27-year-old released a single in March and this week announced the debut of a solo musical, FAGHAG  an hour of songs and anecdotes about her man-to-girl transition.

It reportedly covers Mulvaney's love life, and her relationship with God while growing up queer in the Catholic Church in the San Diego area of southern California.

Audiences are warned that Dylan Mulvaney's one-woman show FAGHAG is 'triggering'

The musical will debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from July 31 to August 25

Mulvaney says she is 'over the moon' about launching the show at Scotland's top arts festival.

She calls it a 'campy, queer love letter to my younger self, and my way of taking my story off of social media and onto the stage,' she said.

The title is a slang term to describe a woman who spends her time with gay men.

Poll Is Dylan Mulvaney's '15 minutes of fame' over? Yes No Not sure Is Dylan Mulvaney's '15 minutes of fame' over? Yes 4803 votes

No 186 votes

Not sure 127 votes Now share your opinion





Audiences are warned that the show features strong language and 'distressing or potentially triggering themes.'

It will play Assembly George Square Studios from July 31 to August 25.

It features songs by Tim Robinson and direction by Tim Jackson, two experienced Broadway hands.

Thanks to her viral TikTok series, Days of Girlhood, which has 9.9 million followers, Mulvaney is one of the most famous transgender people in America.

She is no stranger to controversy, with critics saying she caricatures women as neurotic, promiscuous, shopaholics.

Last year, Mulvaney's tie-up with Bud Light led to an angry boycott of the beer by conservatives that cost parent company Anheuser-Busch $400 million in sales.

The new show may unsettle some Catholics  the church does not approve of homosexuality and rejects the basic concept of changing one's biological sex.

Catholics protested outside her most recent gig  a speaking slot at Saint Louis University, one of America's oldest Jesuit institutions.

For Mulvaney, the show marks a return to theater, after appearing in the hit musical The Book of Mormon.

In April of last year, Mulvaney posted on Instagram a photo of a custom can of Bud Light sent to her by the beer to celebrate '365 Days of Girlhood' during her transition to a woman

Trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney (center) released a pop song called 'Days of Girlhood' to celebrate her 'femininity' and the second anniversary of her transition

Theaters closed during the pandemic, leaving Mulvaney jobless.

She achieved internet stardom in 2022 by launching her hit TikTok series, Days of Girlhood, in which she documents her transition from a young man to a 'girl.'

She's made millions of dollars by endorsing cosmetics, fashion and other products, appeared with President Joe Biden at the White House, and appeared alongside Hollywood celebrities.

It came unstuck last April, when she posted a video to promote a Bud Light giveaway, saying the company had sent her a tallboy can with her face on it to celebrate her sex change.

This irked conservatives, who said a favorite beer had 'gone woke.'

They railed on social media and boycotted the drink, costing parent company Anheuser-Busch $400 million in sales  a 13.5 percent slump.

The fallout led to a devastating stretch for Bud Light, where it suffered repeat double-digit revenue drops on a near-weekly basis.

Mulvaney went on to earn $2 million from promotional work last year, landing deals with Nike and Mac, and she appeared at the Golden Globes in January.

She was in December named on Forbes' 30 under 30 list.

The magazine praised her for withstanding the Bud Light fall-out and Mulvaney slammed the beer company for throwing her to the wolves.

In December, she addressed a half-empty auditorium at Penn State, where she unveiled plans for the one-woman show.

In March, she released a pop single called Days of Girlhood, which has been watched more than 1.2 million times on YouTube.
The father of a young doctor killed in a horrific bus crash said he feels only 'love and empathy' for the driver's family but wants justice to prevail after charges of manslaughter were dropped.

Matt Mullen, the father of Rebecca Mullen who was one of 10 wedding guests tragically killed in the NSW Hunter Valley in June 2023, had nothing but kind words for Brett Andrew Button's loved ones after the bus driver faced court on Wednesday.

Button pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death, nine counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and 16 counts of furious driving causing bodily harm.

Ten charges of manslaughter were dropped under a plea deal.

Mr Mullen, who previously expressed his disappointment that the manslaughter charges were to be dropped, revealed that he had no anger or hatred towards Button after the 59-year-old bus driver was taken into custody on Wednesday.

Matt Mullen, father of Hunter Valley bus crash victim Rebecca Mullen, spoke to reporters outside court after the vehicle's driver pleaded guilty to a raft of charges over the tragedy

Brett Andrew Button was flanked by family and friends when he appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday

'This is not about vengeance against the driver at all,' Mr Mullen told reporters outside Newcastle Local Court.

'My feelings towards him (Button) at the moment are numb, it's not anger, it's not hatred, it's not anything.

'I only have love and empathy for his family. I know what they're going through.'

Mr Mullen said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to drop the manslaughter charges after a lengthy negotiation with Button's lawyers had played on his mind on much that he could not sleep on Tuesday night.

'It's not about his punishment, it's about the sense of justice as to why our kids and husbands and wives were lost,' he said.

'It's not about hurting anybody. It's about what is right.'

Button was not required to enter pleas to back-up charges including negligent driving causing death, while another 25 charges of causing bodily harm by misconduct were withdrawn.

The families of the victims crowded became emotional as the 89 charges against Button were read out.

Ten wedding guests were killed in the crash. They included Rebecca Mullen, Zach Bray Angus Craig, Tori Cowburn, Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kane Symons, Andrew and Lynan Scott, and Darcy Bulman

Brett Andrew Button was spared 10 charges of manslaughter after reaching a deal to plead guilty with prosecutors

Mr Mullen sobbed loudly in court when the manslaughter charge related to the death of Ms Mullen was dismissed.

Her mother Leanne said she disapproved of the Crown's decision, but it was only a small fraction of the pain she felt from her daughter's loss.

She said she would wait to see what happened at Button's sentencing later this month.

Button appeared anxious and was flanked by a crowd of around a dozen supporters as he arrived at the court.

He did not say anything to a large group of waiting media.

Button was arrested after losing control of a bus carrying wedding guests from the Wandin Valley Estate to Singleton in NSW about 11.30pm on June 11, 2023.

The bus rolled onto its side after hitting a guard rail.

The death toll of 10 was the highest for an Australian road accident since 12 were killed in a bus rolloverin Brisbane in 1994.

Button returns to court on May 30 when a date for his sentencing will be fixed.

Button has previously apologised for the incident, telling reporters outside court in March he was 'devastated by what has occurred' and that he was 'truly and deeply sorry'.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has declined to comment on the reason for the manslaughter charges being withdrawn.

Button had been on bail after initially being granted release due to mental health and wellbeing concerns should he be kept in custody.

It has since been revealed that Button had an addiction to opioids that worried his doctors and previous employers - and there is no record of him telling his former employer of his dependency.

Rebecca Mullen family were emotional in court on Wednesday. Pictured is her mum Leanne leaving court

The bus rolled onto its side after Button lost control while carrying wedding guests

Police documents seen by the Sydney Morning Herald allegedly reveal that Button suffered a workplace accident in the 1990s.

In the decades since, he has reportedly developed a dependence on the strong painkiller tramadol, downing as many as 40 tablets each week and 10 Panadeine Forte pills each day in mid-2022.

Button was stood down from his role as a bus driver shortly afterwards, which angered him.

Around the same time, a state work claim's assessor reported that he 'cannot work as a bus driver without being able to take adequate pain relief'.

But Button was desperate to return to work and so started cutting his dosages, the documents claimed.

Yet, in September 2022, a pain specialist suggested that even cutting the dosage might not be enough, writing that she 'would be surprised if workplace regulations allowed employees to drive in a public transport capacity whilst using opioid analgesics'.

Button's doctors also wanted to drastically reduce his dosage of tramadol from 250 milligrams to 100 milligrams a day.

But Button said that he couldn't work without the painkillers.

He resigned from his job in late 2022 and worked for another bus company before joining Linq Buslines, the company he was driving for at the time of the crash.

There is reportedly no record of Button warning Linq about his drug issues.

Victims' families sobbed in court on Wednesday after it was confirmed that Brett Button would escape manslaughter charges as part of his guilty plea to lesser charges. Pictured is Rebecca Mullen's mum Leanne leaving court

Seven months later on June 11 last year, he was behind the wheel when the bus rolled at a roundabout outside the town of Greta, killing 10 and injuring 25 others.

A blood sample, taken hours later, found he had likely ingested 400 milligrams of tramadol in the previous 24 hours.

Prosecutors came to the conclusion his drug use would have impaired his ability to drive.

Mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kyah's boyfriend Kane Symons, husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, Zach Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen all died in the impact.

Prosecutors came to the conclusion his drug use would have impaired his ability to drive.

Button returns to court on May 30 when a date for his sentencing will be fixed.
Those holding a medical license issued from foreign nations will be allowed to legally practice medicine in Korea in the case the government declares a top-level medical service warning, the health ministry said Wednesday.

The revision to the enforcement regulation of the Medical Act came as the country is experiencing major medical service disruptions due to the monthslong walkout by trainee doctors in protest of the government's push to increase the number of medical students by 2,000 starting next year from the current 3,058.

Under the revision, those who have foreign medical licenses will be able to practice medicine in Korea upon the approval by the health minister when the country is in the highest medical disaster alert mode.

The government pre-announced the revision on the day through May 20.

Upon the junior doctors' walkout that began on Feb. 20, the government raised the national medical disaster alert to the highest "serious" level from Feb. 23 and has activated an emergency response mode.

More than 90 percent of the country's 13,000 trainee doctors have suspended their work, and medical professors, who serve as senior doctors at hospitals, have tendered resignations to support the junior doctors and to call on the government to find a breakthrough. (Yonhap)
A lawmaker in North Carolina has proposed a ban on face coverings and masks at protests following a wave of pro-Palestine demonstrations at college campuses across the country.

State Senator Buck Newton presented a bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday titled 'Unmasking Mobs and Criminals.'

It would repeal an exemption which was introduced during the pandemic and allowed mask wearing for health and safety reasons.

'The pandemic has been over for a long time,' Newton told WNCN. 'And, weve had a lot of instances of people concerned about people hiding their identities.'

The Senate Judiciary Committee in North Carolina could vote to advance the issue as early as next week.

A lawmaker in North Carolina has proposed a ban on face coverings and masks at protests following a wave of pro-Palestine demonstrations at college campuses across the country

State Senator Buck Newton presented a bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday titled 'Unmasking Mobs and Criminals'

State Senator Newton believes the new bill is needed to prevent people from breaking the law and not just about protests.

'This isnt just about protests,' he said. 'I think its clear that people are seizing the opportunity to do things theyre not supposed to do, break the law, or to intimidate people.'

The proposal has provisions that include harsher penalties for someone who commits a crime while wearing a mask.

Under the ban, a person found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony while wearing a face covering to hide their identity would be guilty of a crime one class higher than the charge of which they are convicted.

Blocking streets would be made a Class A1 misdemeanor for first time offenders and then a Class H felony for subsequent offenses.

Those who stop an emergency vehicle from moving will also be found guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor.

The new bill would repeal an exemption which was introduced during the pandemic and allowed mask wearing for health and safety reasons

State Senator Newton believes it is needed to prevent people from breaking the law and not just about protests

Tensions have risen for weeks on campuses as pro-Palestine protestors have demanded colleges divest investments from Israel

At several colleges students set up tent camps and university leaders tried to negotiate a resolution

While those who organize protests might be held civilly and criminally liable if someone is injured or dies after an emergency vehicle is obstructed.

'We want to preserve the right for people to protest under the First Amendment. But, people have to do so in an orderly way,' Newton said.

'We have reasonable time, place and manner restrictions.

'The folks that want to express their frustration about a particular issue certainly have the right to do that. They do not have the right to risk peoples health and safety.'

Kerwin Pittman, founder of recidivism reduction education program services, slammed the proposed bill as an 'overreaction'.

'People show up legitimately wearing masks to demonstrations for safety concerns. Lets be honest. COVID is still out here,' he said.

'Individuals are still catching COVID. People tend to show up how they feel comfortable in showing up.

'And, we know that the pandemic really brought out a lot of peoples safety concerns. And, so, I think its kind of a trend that has caught on.'

He is worried that the bill will have a negative impact on those who want to exercise their right to protest.

'Sometimes demonstrations swell in numbers and you have no choice but to be in the street,' Pittman added.

'I think this is a maliciously intended bill to target individuals who are demonstrating.'

Tensions have risen for weeks on campuses as pro-Palestine protestors have demanded colleges divest investments from Israel.

At several colleges, students set up tent camps and university leaders tried to negotiate a resolution.
Tourists will be charged a 1 admission fee to enter Brighton Pier for the first time since the 1980s, in a bid to help preserve the iconic 125-year-old attraction.

Brighton Palace Pier will begin charging guests for entry during peak periods, its owners confirmed today.

It comes after the cost of maintaining and operating the attraction has increased by almost a third over the last few years.

Running costs for the pier have increased by 31 per cent since the Covid pandemic, or 2.7 million according to the owners.

Brighton locals will be able to apply for a residents card which will allow them onto the pier for free, where they can access thrill rides, the arcade and plenty of food and drink options.

Pictured: Aerial photo of Brighton Palace Pier taken in Summer 2022. Brighton Palace Pier will begin charging guests for entry during peak periods, its owners confirmed today

People relaxing in deckchairs on Brighton Pier in June 1952

The peak times will be weekends from May 25 until the end of June, and every day in July and August, guests visiting outside of those times will not need to pay.

First established in 1889, the Grade II listed pier is visited by over six million people per year.

Anne Ackord, CEO of Brighton Palace Pier, said, 'We see ourselves as the custodians of the Pier.

'Many of our team, including myself live and work in Brighton and we understand first-hand the importance of the Pier within our City.

Brighton locals will be able to apply for a residents card which will allow them onto the pier for free, where they can access thrill rides, the arcade and plenty of food and drink options

'The Pier is a substantial structure and in recent years, the costs associated with maintaining and operating it to the same high levels of upkeep, strength and structural integrity, have increased significantly.

'We have, to date, been able to offset and absorb these costs but we have now reached the point where, in our view, it is sensible to implement a small admission charge for visitors to the Pier from outside the local area.

'The admission fee will be an important contributor to ensuring that our iconic Pier is with us for generations to come.'
MAGA voters have explained why they turned their backs on the US for a new life in Russia, claiming the former communist state is a 'positive vision of 1950s America'.

Conservative men have cited the country's Christian values, beautiful women and stunning scenery as the reasons behind their move.

After losing faith in their hero Donald Trump, some have moved as far east as Siberia, unfazed by the prospect of being led by an autocratic dictator.

They have even expressed admiration for Vladimir Putin, choosing to believe his narrative about his decision to invade Ukraine.

'I think he's a good man,' ex-pat Peter Frohwein, 62, told the Free Press. 'This lie that he's somehow a dictator  just because he was in the KGB doesn't mean he's ever killed anybody.'

MAGA voters have explained why they turned their backs on the US for a new life in Russia. They include Joseph Rose and family (pictured) who left Florida for Moscow and believe Russia is like '1950s America'

Bernd Ratsch, 56, moved to Moscow from Texas after becoming fed up with US politics and disillusioned with his previous hero Donald Trump

After losing faith in their hero Donald Trump , some have moved as far east as Siberia, unfazed by the prospect of being led by an autocratic dictator

Frohwein is divorced with no kids, but has hopes of starting up a family. He moved from Atlanta to Yalta in the Crimea in July 2023.

'Twenty percent of the women could be supermodels,' he said, explaining he anticipates his children would speak three languages: English, Russian and Mandarin.

'I wouldn't seriously consider starting a family in the U.S. today,' he added. 'The U.S. is a political mess. Socially, things are a mess. Spiritually, things are a mess.'

Bernd Ratsch, 56, agrees with this assessment of US politics and moved to Moscow from Texas in 2019.

'Is Trump better than Biden? Of course. But do I want him? Would I vote for him again? No. It's just, "Boy, shut your mouth for a while,"' he explained.

Meanwhile, family man Joseph Rose has managed to carve out a career with his YouTube channel documenting his new life in Moscow.

'I would say that Russia is becoming a bastion of Christianity and that America is becoming the opposite of this,' Rose explained.

'I do think it was God leading me to where I needed to be right now. I was put in a spot where I could be used.'

Peter Frohwein hopes to start a family in his new home of Yalta with one of the '20%' of Russian women who he says look like super models

Conservative men have cited the country's Christian values, beautiful women and stunning scenery as reasons behind their move. Pictured: Snowfall in Moscow, May 8

Many of the ex-pats expressed admiration for Vladimir Putin and support his narrative over his invasion of Ukraine

Rose, 49, relocated to Russia from Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife and children and has not looked back since.

'I often say it feels like our positive vision of 1950s America,' he explained.

One program manager from Texas, who wished to remain anonymous, suggested Russia offered a simpler way of life.

'People are running around in America wondering why we have so many problems with suicide and depression, and theyll virtue signal and talk about the phones, and its this and that, and the reality is children are not allowed to be children,' the father-of-six said.

His comments bear echoes of the conservative Christian Feenstra family who moved from Canada to Russia to 'escape LGBT ideology'.

Farmer Arend Feenstra and his wife Anneesa made the decision to move their family of 10 from Canada to Russia in January - however their dream appeared to go quickly downhill upon their arrival.

The proceeds from selling their farm in rural Canada were immediately frozen as their Russian bank deemed the sum 'suspicious'.

Wife Anneesa took to social media to moan about unhelpful locals not speaking English - but then issued a pleading apology after Russian government officials got wind of the insults she'd been meting out.

The US government urged Americans to leave Russia following Putin's invasion of Ukraine amid ever worsening relations.

However Arend Feenstra and his wife Anneesa (pictured together) had a 'nightmare' experience when they moved to Russia to 'escape LGBTQ' ideology in Canada

The US government advised citizens to leave Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Pictured: A gas worker inspects a ruined private house after a Russian missile attack in Kyiv region, Ukraine, May 8, 2024

The tensions between the White House and Moscow are evident in the detention of journalist Evan Gershkovich, the first US journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War who has been held in prison for over a year

The breakdown has been evidenced in the detention of American journalist Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges which both the reporter, his newspaper and the US government strongly deny.

Gershkovich, 32, became the first U.S. journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War when he was detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB) on March 29 last year.
Thailand is set to make a stunning U-turn by recriminalising recreational marijuana usage, just two years after it became the first country in Asia to legalise the drug

The crackdown was announced by Thailand's prime minister Srettha Thavisin, who took to X today to say that he had asked the nation's health ministry to re-list cannabis as a controlled narcotic.

He wrote: 'I would like to ask the Ministry of Public Health to amend the ministry announcement by bringing marijuana back to category 5 drugs and hasten to issue ministerial regulations allowing its use for medical and health purposes only.'

A previous government decriminalised marijuana for medical use in 2018, and allowed its citizens to recreationally enjoy it in 2022, making it the first country in Asia to legalise the drug.

But Thavisin's government has been flatly against legalisation, having previously said it wanted to push a new law that banned recreational cannabis by the end of the year.

Thailand is set to make a stunning U-turn by recriminalising recreational marijuana usage

Thailand's prime minister Srettha Thavisin (pictured) said that he had asked the nation's health ministry to re-list cannabis as a controlled narcotic

Thavisin's pledge to recriminalise the drug came after a narcotics suppression meeting with national agencies, who he asked to show 'clear progress' against illegal drugs in the next 90 days.

'Drugs are a problem that destroys the future of the country, many young people are addicted. We have to work fast, to confiscate assets [of drug dealers] and expand treatment,' he said.

He also said he wanted to change the language of drug possession laws to allow authorities to crack down more effectively.

The harsh new policies were announced despite a rapidly growing legal drugs economy in Thailand.

Thousand of businesses have opened in the country over the last two years, contributing to an industry that was set to be worth up to $1.2billion by 2025, according to the South China Morning Post.

Prasitchai Nunual, secretary general of Thailand's Cannabis Future Network, told the outlet that the latest move would decimate these businesses.

'Many people have been growing cannabis and opening cannabis shops. These will have to close down,' he said.

A Thai woman pretends to smoke a giant joint on June 11, 2022 in Nakhon Pathom

A sign "Made in U.S.A" is displayed in front of a cannabis shop, at Khaosan Road, one of the most popular tourist spots in Bangkok

'If scientific results show that cannabis is worse than alcohol and cigarettes, then they can re-list it as a narcotic. If cannabis is less harmful, they should list cigarettes and alcohol as narcotics too.'

Marijuana in any form was linked to a 42% increased risk of a stroke, and a 25% higher chance of a heart attack in a study published in February.

Researchers in Massachusetts and California spent four years evaluating more than 400,000 US adults in 27 states to examine the link between cannabis use and issues like heart disease and stroke.

The team found that any type of cannabis use - smoking, vaping, or edibles - was 'associated with a higher number of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.'

And those who used weed daily had a 25 percent higher risk of heart attack and 42 percent increased chance of suffering a stroke.

This could be because the active ingredient in cannabis, THC, has been thought to trigger the body's fight-or-flight response, which raises heart rate and blood pressure. Over time, this wears away at the heart.

Dr Abras Jeffers, lead study author and data scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said: 'Despite common use, little is know about the risks of cannabis use and, in particular, the cardiovascular disease risks.'

'The perceptions of the harmfulness of smoking cannabis are decreasing, and people have not considered cannabis use dangerous to their health.'
Georgia's appeals court has agreed to hear former President Donald Trump's bid to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the election fraud case.

The ruling prolongs the legal battle over a former romance between Fani Willis, the district attorney in Fulton County, and a one-time top deputy, a relationship defense lawyers have used to try to derail the case.

Trump and eight of his co-defendants charged in the Georgia state court have urged the appeals court to overturn a judge's March ruling that allowed Willis to continue supervising the prosecution.

The court's decision to hear the appeal before trial could cause further delays in the case, one of four criminal prosecutions facing Trump as he seeks to unseat Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty and accused prosecutors of a politically motivated effort to damage his campaign.

Georgia's appeals court has agreed to hear former President Donald Trumps bid to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the election fraud case

The court's decision to hear the case follows sensational testimony inside Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee's courtroom, which featured an acknowledgement from Willis and former special prosecutor Nathan Wade that they had a sexual affair.

Lawyers for Donald Trump and multiple co-defendants tried to establish that the affair began before Willis brought Wade onto the case and said it posed a conflict of interest. But Willis said the relationship became romantic later.

Following a dramatic evidentiary hearing with claims and counter-claims about lavish trips and cash reimbursements, McAfee gave the state two options: either Willis and her entire team step back from the case, or Wade remove himself from it.

He slammed Willis for a 'tremendous lapse in judgment' and for acting in an 'unprofessional manner', and found that while there was no actual conflict of interest, there was at least the appearance of one.

Wade stepped back hours after the judge's decision in March.

Scandal-hit special prosecutor Nathan Wade has spoken in public for the first time after quitting his ex-lover and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' case against Donald Trump

Wade was a little more willing to express regret when asked if he was unhappy with how everything went down but he still had his guard up

Trump has successfully delayed each of his four criminal trials, although he is in court this week in the Stormy Daniels case, where he is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records

Humiliating as it was for prosecutors, McAfee's decision allowed the case to go forward. Had it been reassigned to prosecutors in another county, it could have delayed the case even more, or even resulted in a different indictment.

Wade in a stunning new interview told ABC News: 'Workplace romances are as American as apple pie. It happens to everyone. But it happened to the two of us.' It was his first interview since stepping down from his post.

The state supreme court's decision is nearly certain to cause delays in the criminal trials for Trump and his codefendants, who are charged in a broad racketeering conspiracy for his election overturn in the state.

If that happens, it would just be the latest victory on the calendar for Trump, whose lawyers have managed to put off his criminal cases as Election Day nears.

Trump's D.C. January 6 case remains stalled while it awaits a Supreme Court decision on his claims of presidential immunity. On Tuesday Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that his classified documents case in Florida was postponed indefinitely amid a series of clashes over classified documents issues.

Even his Stormy Daniels case, which is playing out this week in Manhattan, suffered a delay.

Trump lawyer in the Georgia case Steven Sadow indicated in a statement that he won't relent in the effort to bump Willis from the case.

'President Trump looks forward to presenting interlocutory arguments to the Georgia Court of Appeals as to why the case should be dismissed and Fulton County DA Willis should be disqualified for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution,' Sadow said in a statement.
Over the last nine months restaurants in South Wales have waited with baited breath for the police to catch a couple who could just be Britain's worst customers.

Arriving in a blue Ford van, and often with a large group of people including children tailing behind them, the pair order the most expensive dishes on the menu - typically steaks - along with starters and fizzy drinks.

However, when the time comes to pay the bill, problems arise. Cards get declined, they run out of cash and, when the owners at staff aren't looking, the previously happy customers make a run for it without squaring their tab.

Their antics, which have been branded 'devastating' by one of their alleged victims, have left a trail of businesses flailing in their wake and unable to contact them after being supplied with 'fake' phone numbers.

Furious restaurateurs, who between them were left more than 1,000 out of pocket, splashed CCTV images of their outrageous behaviour on social media, sparking fury among the public, and a manhunt from law enforcement.

The couple, since revealed to be Bernard McDonagh, 41, and his wife Ann McDonagh, 39, were quickly identified as other eateries came forward to accuse them of wrong doing, and the police came knocking on the door of their Port Talbot home.

Do YOU know the dine and dashers? Email matthew.lodge@mailonline.co.uk

Bernard McDonagh made no comment when asked by journalists if he was 'ashamed' on his behaviour

Bernard McDonagh, 41, and Ann McDonagh, 39, tried to shield their faces as they arrived at Swansea Magistrates' Court today accused of being suspected 'dine-and-dashers' who were caught on CCTV leaving restaurants without paying

A family-of-eight allegedly racked up an unpaid 329 bill when they sat at the Bella Ciao Italian restaurant in Swansea earlier this year

The Somerset Arms in Port Talbot, The Longbow Beefeater in Pontyclun, the Chilli Too Indian restaurant in Clydach, La Casona in Skewen, the Riverhouse Lounge and Restaurant in Swansea and The Yard in Cowbridge believe that they are all victims of the 'dine and dashers'

Since then the law has finally caught up with them - but not before they had the front windows at their three-bedroom Port Talbot home smashed by a gang of men dressed in black balaclavas in an apparent act of retribution.

Today Mr and Mrs McDonagh appeared at court today where they pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud in relation to their dine and dash antics, with the total bill coming in at 1,168.

Mrs McDonagh also admitted to shoplifting 1,017 in goods from Tommy Hilfiger, Sainsbury's and Tesco, and obstructing a police officer.

Mr McDonagh, wearing a grey tweed blazer and navy trousers covered his face with his hand as he was confronted by journalists outside Swansea Magistrates' Court today.

The father-of-three, whose wife covered up her face with her parka coat hood and hands, remained stony-faced and tight-lipped when asked 'are you ashamed of your actions?'

There was no response when asked why he thought the rules didn't apply to him.

It's a question that the restaurant owners hit by the couple's crime spree, which took place between August 2023 and April this year, might want to ask too given this behaviour has the potential to ruin their businesses.

Emily Langford, manager of the family-run restaurant the Yard, in Cowbridge, believes she is one of their victims.

She told MailOnline last month that each member of the group ordered starters, mains and two bottles of fizzy drinks each.

Once they had finished, most of them allegedly left the premises, leaving the woman to settle the tab.

She allegedly came to the counter and tried to pay with her card, which was declined twice, before asking staff for the nearest cashpoint and disappearing out of sight after walking out the door.

Mr McDonagh, dressed in a salmon-coloured polo shirt and a light grey jacket, put his hand over his face outside court today

Mrs McDonagh walked ahead with the hood of her light brown trench coat pulled over her head outside court today

Ms Langford told MailOnline: 'They left the woman to pay. And she stood up and said 'Oh, is it okay? If I come to the bar to pay?' and we said that was fine.

'She was basically buttering me and my mum up and was saying lots of nice things to us. But as she put her card in it got declined. She was like 'oh that's weird' and it declined again.

'She said she would call her son and sort out a bank transfer, but we weren't comfortable with that and asked if she could pay in cash and showed her where the nearest cash point was.

'I showed her where it was and as I turned my head back through the door to tell my mum she was at the cash point, by the time I turned around again she was gone.'

This 'dine and dash' playbook has been allegedly deployed by the couple in each of the outlets they have hit in the last year.

Despite all seven restaurants reporting the couple to the police, the force are still working to identify them and track them down.

Ms Langford said the theft was 'devastating' for her restaurant, which she runs with both her mother and father.

She said: 'It's devastating. Because obviously, all hospitality is really, really struggling at the minute, like we'll put our hands up and say we're not doing as well as we were doing a couple of years ago, and I'm sure that a lot of hospitality are feeling the same as well, and we know restaurants that are closing around us.

'There's not many restaurants left here in Cowbridge and the High Street here is dying. I just don't want it to happen to anybody else.'

When the couple walked into Bella Ciao Italian restaurant in Swansea earlier this year as part of a group of eight they racked up a 329 bill, they had no qualms about leaving without paying the bill.

CCTV footage from the restaurant showed Mrs McDonagh attempting to pay the bill with a savings account card, which was declined twice.

AUGUST 2023: The couple at the River House Lounge & Restaurant in Swansea

FEBRUARY: The woman at the Mediterranean eatery La Casona, in Skewen

She told staff her son would wait inside while she went to get her 'other card', but she did not return and moments later the boy had also vanished from the premises.

The family-owned restaurant learned too late that there was no way to contact the diners after they had left as the number they used to take the booking was 'fake'.

The owners were left with no choice but to share CCTV footage of the couple's behaviour, video of which went viral last month after more than 12million people viewed it online.

It was found that a similar trick was used by the couple at the River House last year, when they ran up a hefty bill whilst sitting on a table of five and 'promised' to get cash from the local cash point after their card got declined.

But the diners never returned, leading the restaurant owners to call the police.

After hearing the Bella Ciao story, the La Casona restaurant in Skewen, Neath, took to social media to share a similar story about the couple, who sat down to eat as a group of six on February 23.

According to the restaurant, four of the group left the building after finishing their meal, which cost nearly 300, leaving the mother to stay with a 'young boy' to pay.

The business posted a CCTV image of the mother, who told staff she would get another card from her car after the one she used was declined.

The restaurant asked the boy to wait with them whilst she went to the car, but he was gone 10 seconds later and never returned.

It is a pattern that seems to extend to their dealings outside restaurants as well.

The couple's house in Port Talbot had its windows smashed in after their names were shared on social media

The vandalism, allegedly committed by a gang of men wearing balaclavas, took place before Mr and Mrs McDonagh appeared in court

Phil Carey, the owner of a blinds company, claimed alleged he may have been stiffed by the couple as well.

He told MailOnline last month: 'When I went around to measure up all the windows in the house, I gave her the bill for 850 and she made some excuse about having to leave to take her baby to the doctor.

'She said she would pay the money by bank transfer. I started to think I was going to have a problem. I'm a one-man band and 850 is a lot of money. People have advised me to go to the police or the small claims court but I don't think I'll get what I'm owed.'

They could be jailed for their actions when they appear at crown court for sentencing later this month - leaving a restaurant without paying carries a prison sentence of up to two years.

In magistrates court today the pair, who have three children under the age of 16, admitted to five counts of fraud, as well as charges of theft.

The court heard that the couple's dine and dash spree began on August 9, last year, when they dipped out on a 267 bill at River House restaurant in Swansea.

This was followed by failing to pay a 99.40 bill at Golden Fortune, Port Talbot, on January 31, 2024, and a 267.60 bill at La Casona restaurant in Skewen on February 24, 2024.

They then went on to skip out on paying a 196 bill at Isabella's restaurant Porthcawl, on March 27, before the most recent offence at Bella Ciao where they failed to pay a 329 bill.

Ann McDonagh, who has has 18 convictions from 36 offences including fraud and theft, also admitted thefts from two supermarkets as well as one count of obstructing or resisting a police officer.

The thefts included taking clothes she didn't pay for at the Tommy Hilfiger shop at Bridgend Designer Outlet, South Wales.

The value of the items were 442 on February 3, 2024, and 49 on February 17, 2024.

She also pleaded guilty to obtaining household items to the value of 426.60 from a Tesco Extra store in Swansea on September 6, 2023.

Ann McDonagh also took items to the value of 400 from Sainsbury's at Bridgend Designer Outlet on February 25, 2024.

Her husband also has previous convictions for theft.

Giles Hayes, mitigating for the pair who hail from Sandfields, Port Talbot, said: 'They are equally culpable of the offences.'

They were bailed ahead of a sentencing hearing later this month at Swansea Crown Court. Both refused to comment when they left the court.

District Judge Chris James said the couple would be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court later this month because the offences were aggravated by children being involved.
Boston mayor Michelle Wu used campaign funds to pay for her exclusive 'electeds of color' holiday party which was held at a taxpayer-funded building.

The Democrat was embroiled in scandal when an aide accidentally emailed all city council members an invitation to the party, then rescinded invites to the seven white council members.

Critics slammed the party as racist, although the Massachusetts Attorney General determined the event did not violate state discrimination laws because it was not open to the public.

Emails obtained by the Boston Herald found although the party was hosted by Wu at the city-owned Parkman House on December 13 and city officials helped plan the party, she paid for it using money from her $1.4 million campaign war chest.

'For the electeds of color party on 12/13, we're expecting 20-25 people,' Ellen Quinn, the mayor's director of state relations for the intergovernmental relations department, wrote in an email on November 16.

Records show Boston Mayor Michelle Wu used her own campaign funds to pay for the 'electeds of color' holiday party which was held at a taxpayer-funded building

Wu, was unapologetic outside the event, defending it as she claimed 'some of the folks who are concerned might also just not have all the information'

'I checked with Miriam in our office and IGR can pay for the food for that party, IGR can handle the electeds invites for both 12/13 and 12/14, but confirming that we don't have to actually do any of the food ordering.'

Quinn's department did not pay for the food and records show the mayor's campaign spent more than $17,000 on holiday party-related expenses, including $3,334 on November 16 for Gourmet Caterers.

City officials described the catering purchase as being booked for two separate events in emails discussing the electeds of color and the general holiday party.

Although it was ruled the party did not violate discrimination laws and was paid for with Wu's personal funds, critics are still slamming the elected officials for hosting a racially segregated party.

'They used City employees to plan it and a City building to host it. Does that mean her campaign paid for the employees, too,' said Michelle Efendi on X.

'Does it really matter where the money came from for such a blatantly racist event,' said Jay Erhard.

An invitation for the Democratic mayor's controversial party was accidentally sent out all of the city councilmembers by her aide, Denise DosSantos, who promptly disinvited the seven white council members.

'I wanted to apologize for my previous email regarding a Holiday Party for tomorrow,' DosSantos, a black woman, wrote. 'I did send that to everyone by accident, and I apologize if my email may have offended or came across as so. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.'

The move quickly divided Boston's city council, with some saying they were not offended by the party while others questioned Wu's judgement.

Wu defended her decision to host the partying saying it is tradition and proudly posted a group photo from the event on her Instagram.

The Massachusetts Attorney General determined the event did not violate state discrimination laws because it was not open to the public

Wu's director of City Council relations, Denise DosSantos, reportedly invited the chamber to the exclusive event by accident, and apologized for any offense caused

The 'Electeds of color' event included Rep. Ayanna Pressley's husband Conan Harris, who served 10 years in prison for drug-trafficking and now works as a consultant focused on 'diversifying the pipeline of workforce leadership and personnel.'

Also present was outgoing City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, who earlier this year was fined for violating the state's Conflict of Interest Law by representing his brother in lawsuit.

Incoming councilor Enrique Pepen, who has been fined for violating campaign finance law, was also a guest, along with Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, fined for creating a paid position for his niece.

The group also featured state senator Liz Miranda, who recently made headlines when she declined to sign a ceremonial resolution condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel because, she said, 'the IDF had had a history of going above and beyond what you see in terms of what I would actually call revenge.'

Rep. Samantha Montano, Rep Russell Holmes, Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, City Hall aide Juan Lopez, Rep. Brandy Fluker-Oakley and Rep. Chris Worrell were also all in attendance.
A group of conservative federal judges appointed by Donald Trump have said they will not hire Columbia University students as law clerks who were caught protesting.

The 13 judges wrote an open letter to President Minouche Shafik stating that they have 'lost confidence in Columbia as an institution of higher education' in wake of its ongoing pro-Palestine protests.

They noted that the New York City-based university had become 'ground zero for the explosion of student disruptions, anti-semitism and hatred for diverse viewpoints on campuses' and 'an incubator of bigotry'.

The University has been embroiled in controversy since the beginning of its pro-Palestine protests - including the arrests of nearly 100 activists from campus grounds and cancelation of its graduation ceremony.

The 13 judges wrote an open letter to President Minouche Shafik stating that they have 'lost confidence in Columbia as an institution of higher education' in wake of its ongoing pro-Palestine protests

Elizabeth L. Branch, a Circuit Judge at the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and is one of the primary signatories of the letter

James C. Ho, a Circuit Judge at the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and primary signatory. Judge Ho has also announced boycotts of clerks from Yale Law School and Stanford Law School due to 'cancel culture' and free speech concerns in the past

Matthew H. Solomson, a judge at the US Court of Federal Claims is the third primary signatory of the letter

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik visited Hamilton Hall after police arrested nearly 100 protestors

The police operation was concluded within around two hours of cops storming the campus

Cops were armed with zip ties and pepper spray as they stormed the campus at around 9.3-pm on Tuesday

Students set up tents on campus grounds to protest in support of Palestinians at Columbia

The primary signatories of the letter are Elizabeth L. Branch, a Circuit Judge at the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; James C. Ho, a Circuit Judge at the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and Matthew H. Solomson, a judge at the US Court of Federal Claims.

They were joined by Judge Alan Albright, Judge David Counts, Judge James W. Hendrix, Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle, Judge Tilman E. Self III, Judge Brantley Starr, Judge Drew B. Tipton, Judge Daniel M. Traynor and Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden.

The Texas-state based judges told President Shafik and Law School Dean Gillian Lester, that University had essentially 'disqualified itself from educating the future leaders of our country' due to its response towards the protest.

According to the letter, the conservative group believes that the Ivy-League college has 'double standards' and if it had been 'faced with a campus uprising of religious conservatives upset because they view abortion as a tragic genocide, they have no doubt that the university's response would have been profoundly different'.

The NYPD moved to clear Hamilton Hall on April 30, less than 24 hours after it was occupied by protesters at Columbia University

NYPD cops dressed in riot gear stormed through the window of a Columbia University building occupied by dozens of pro-Palestine protestors to begin clearing them out

Protesters have been demanding the college divest from companies with links to Israel or firms profiting from its war on Hamas

The judges have also provided a three-pointer solution to Columbia, stating that following it would 'reclaim [the University's] once-distinguished reputation'.

The letter closes with this statement: 'Considering recent events, and absent extraordinary change, we will not hire anyone who joins the Columbia University communitywhether as undergraduates or law students beginning with the entering class of 2024.'

The boycott does not apply to current students but instead to those who are enrolled for the upcoming academic year.

But despite this, Dean Lester has voiced her support for the students.

In a statement obtained by the Washington Post, the educator said: 'We are proud that Columbia Law School graduates are consistently sought out by leading employers in the private and public sectors, including the judiciary.

'And we are deeply committed to supporting our exceptional students as they prepare to embark on their careers in the legal profession.'

Judge Ho has also announced boycotts of clerks from Yale Law School and Stanford Law School due to 'cancel culture' and free speech concerns in the past.
Two young children have died after getting caught up in the rough waters of a California stream on an excursion with their mother.

A four-year-old girl and her two-year-old brother entered the fast-moving water of a creek in San Bernardino on Tuesday.

The kids were playing near Mill Creek while on a day out to the Thurman Flats Picnic Area with their mother.

While the mom was tending to her son, the girl entered the water and got swept down the stream, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The mother began a desperate search for her daughter - but when she returned to the little boy, she realized he had also disappeared.

Two young children have died after getting caught up in the rough waters of a California stream on an excursion with their mother

A four-year-old girl and her two-year-old brother entered the fast-moving water of a creek in San Bernardino on Tuesday

The little kids were playing near Mill Creek while on a day out to the Thurman Flats Picnic Area with their mother

'After frantically searching, she hiked up to the picnic area and contacted another family to help search for the children but were unsuccessful in locating them,' said the sheriff's statement.

Fire and law enforcement officials were enlisted to help in the desperate search for the young kids.

The little girl was finally found at 4:39pm and her brother at 5:04pm near the creek's edge, abc7 reported.

A San Bernardino County Fire swift-water rescue team ultimately managed to locate them in the water.

The girl was sent to Redlands Community Hospital by ambulance while the boy was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center.

The mother frantically began to search for her daughter - but when she returned to the little boy, she realized he had also disappeared

Fire and law enforcement officials were enlisted to help in the desperate search for the young kids

Despite being rushed to local hospitals and receiving life-saving measures, both of the children were tragically pronounced dead at the hospital, the sheriff's statement said

The heartbreaking incident remains under investigation and the children are yet to be identified

Despite being rushed to local hospitals and receiving life-saving measures, both of the children were tragically pronounced dead at the hospital, the sheriff's statement said.

The heartbreaking incident remains under investigation and the children are yet to be identified.

Mill Creek is a 17.8-mile-long stream located in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Twin siblings discovered an IVF doctor impregnated their mother with his own sperm and was their biological father.

Allison Vece and Kevin Phelps were born in 1985 after their mother Gayle Fedele was given fertility treatment by Dr Joseph Plautz in Las Vegas.

Decades later, when Allison started getting crippling migraines, both she and Fedele asked Plautz about the donor's medical history.

He told them the records were destroyed in a fire at the sperm bank, the Rocky Mountain Cryobank in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

They believed him, but later after Plautz died in 2015, they both took DNA tests online and were shocked to discover the doctor's children were their half-siblings.

Allison Vece and Kevin Phelps were born in 1985 after their mother Gayle Fedele was given fertility treatment

Vece and Phelps as children, raised without knowing a sperm donor was their father until they were 15

The siblings discovered that had 13 half-siblings and more than 40 nieces and nephews - all sharing the doctor's DNA.

Dr Joseph Plautz, who died in 2015, is accused of impregnating patients with his own sperm

Plautz is one of dozens of fertility doctors accused in recent years of inseminating clients with their own sperm, sometimes fathering more than 50 children.

Many, like Vece and Phelps, discovered the truth through DNA websites like 23&Me, which match samples to an online database to find long-lost relatives.

Fedele and her children are suing Plautz's estate, his former practice Deseret Women's Health Care, and Dignity Health in Henderson, Nevada, which was at the time called St Rose de Lima Hospital.

Vece felt she was violated a second time as she became Plautz's patient from when she was 17, and received cervical screenings and breast exams from him.

'The fact that he did a cervical screening on me and a breast examination... I feel completely violated,' she told KTNV.

Her mother added: 'When we both found out with the DNA that her own father examined her, and lied to us, it was just... It consumes us.'

Fedele with her husband Lee soon after the twins were born

A photo of Fedele around the time she sought fertility treatment from Plautz

Vece (right) with her eldest daughter Kaydence (left), a model, who is biologically Plautz's granddaughter

Fedele and Vece now live in Connecticut but Phelps, who is single, said he was afraid to date anyone because he still lives in Las Vegas - and may have already slept with a relative.

'I don't know that I haven't. I have a fear of dating now. I'm unable to date because I was born and raised here and I'm afraid I'm going to go on a date with my half-sister,' he said.

Fedele was inseminated on Father's Day, June 17, 1984, at Plautz's clinic at St Rose de Lima Hospital, after a 15-minute waiting time.

She was 31, and knew her biological clock was ticking after she failed to conceive with her husband Lee.

Fedele requested a sperm donor who was Caucasian, under 45 years old, tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes, so they would look like him.

'Dr Plautz informed Ms Fedele that the donor was likely to be a student from a nearby medical school, but he joked that the donor might also be a "ski bum" from Wyoming,' the lawsuit read.

'At no time did Dr Plautz discuss or inform Ms Fedele that she might be inseminated with his own semen, nor did Ms Fedele authorize or in any way give permission to Dr Plautz to artificially inseminate her with his own semen.'

Fedele 'trusted him completely with her body, heart, and mind' and came back for a second insemination days later.

Vece (right), Phelps (second from right) and Fedele (third from right) with their younger brother Nick and Vece's four children

Lee Phelps holding the twins as newborns. He died months before his children knew the truth about their parentage

DNA results on online databases revealed relatives of Plautz were Vece and Phelps' half-siblings and nieces or nephews

Phelps and Vece was born nine months later and nothing seemed amiss for decades, until they asked for the medical records.

'Due to ongoing health issues and complications, including but not limited to severe migraine headaches Ms Vece suffered, Ms Fedele requested information about the sperm donor that was the biological father of Ms Vece,' the lawsuit read.

'Dr Plautz informed Ms Fedele that there was a fire at the sperm bank and all of the relevant medical records were destroyed in the fire.

'Ms Fedele trusted Dr Plautz and his representations that the sperm bank had a fire and relevant records were destroyed, as she had no reason to suspect that it was not true, and she trusted Dr Plutz completely and had a great deal of confidence in him.'

Two years later, Vece asked Plautz herself, and was given the same answer about the fire.

Fedele only dug into her doctor's story in 2022, and couldn't find any record of a fire at the sperm bank, which closed in 2009.

Fedele with the twins as children, along with their younger brother Nick

Fedele with her granddaughter Kaydence and her high school graduation last year

Phelps (left) and Vece (right) as newborn babies

Curious about his heritage, Phelps did a DNA test in March 2021 and found several half-siblings, but assumed they were 'related to the random sperm donor' and didn't share the results with his family.

Vece a year later became suspicious when she watched Netflix documentary Our Father about another fertility doctor who impregnated his patients.

That was when Phelps shared his results and they realized the awful truth about their parentage.

'At or around May 15, 2022, Ms Vece called her mother in tears and informed Ms. Fedele that her biological father was likely Dr Plautz,' the lawsuit read.

'Ms Fedele was devastated and outraged. Between June 2022 and July 2022, Ms Vece took two different genetic tests from 23 &Me DNA and Ancestry DNA.

'The results of the DNA tests confirmed that Ms Vece had numerous half-siblings who are Dr Plautz's biological children.'

Plautz had 10 children, 31 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, according to his obituary.

Vece and Phelps on a family fishing trip years before they did the DNA tests

Fedele and Vece together on a fishing trips years after Plautz died

Fedele reads to her twin children in bed in an old photo

'We did one of those Ancestry DNA tests. And up pops a bunch of half-siblings! And one of the last names was Plautz, and my sister immediately recognized the name,' Phelps recalled.

'And it was shocking!' Allison added. 'I actually screamed. I dropped to the ground. My kids were like, what? What mom, what?! I was like... He's our father!'

Vece said Plautz's offspring refused to admit what he did to his patients.

'We've been told that we're liars, even though we have DNA proof to match with them. They don't want to believe that their father is capable of this,' she said.

The lawsuit claimed Plautz did not undergo any genetic screening 'or actions to ensure that there was no risk of genetic risk of conditions or illnesses that risk the health and safety of Ms Fedele's children'.

'His DNA is problematic because it contains hereditary and genetic conditions which give rise to serious health risks for Ms Vece and Mr Phelps and their children,' it claimed.

Phelps and Vece was born nine months after their mother's fertility treatment and nothing seemed amiss for decades, until they asked for the medical records

Vece and Phelps as grownups, before they discovered who their biological father was

The lawsuit, which was filed in amended form on April 2, demands $60,000 in damages.

Nevada previously passed a law banning doctors from using their sperm to impregnate patients, and Vece and Fedele want the same in Connecticut.

'What this doctor did to us was completely incomprehensible and unethical. He made a medical oath to protect his patients but instead lied and used his power of authority to do what he wanted,' Vece said in a speech to state lawmakers.

'He ruined our faith in the medical system. We have since found out we have 13 half-siblings and 40-plus nieces and nephews.'

However, the bill was dropped last month for reassessment - though it could be reconsidered this year.
Veterans Minister Kang Jung-ai has posthumously conferred a medal to a late French politician, Louis Marin (1876-1960), to honor his support for Korea's independence from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, the ministry said Wednesday.

Kang presented the Order of Merit for National Foundation to Louis Dominici, the president of the Academy of Overseas Sciences, during a ceremony at the Korean Embassy in Paris on Tuesday (local time). Marin was a founding member of the academy.

The minister also delivered a plaque celebrating his selection as the Independence Activist of June 2024 to Catherine Leprun, the deputy mayor of Marin's hometown, Faulx.

Louis Marin, who was elected to the French National Assembly 12 times and served as minister five times between 1905 and 1952, founded the French Korea Friendship Association in Paris in 1921.

He supported the foundation of the Korean provisional government in China during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula, and the establishment of the Korean Commission in Paris in 1919, according to the ministry. (Yonhap)
An 'exceptionally rare' copy of the Beatles' first single Love Me Do signed by the Fab Four just a day after its release is set to sell for a staggering 20,000.

The Parlophone UK record for Love Me Do/PS I Love You was autographed by each member of the iconic band in ballpoint pen when they met fans inside Dawson's Music Shop in Widnes, Cheshire, on October 6, 1962.

The band were still relatively unknown at the time and had added Ringo Starr to the line-up two months earlier, who replaced drummer Pete Best.

Six decades on, the pressing, in its original multicoloured 'Type 1' Parlophone record sleeve, is set to spark a bidding war at RR Auction, of Boston, US.

It has been consigned by a private collector.

An RR Auction spokesperson said: 'This is an exceptionally rare and desirable Parlophone UK first pressing of the band's debut single, Love Me Do/ P.S.. I Love You, signed on the label in black ballpoint by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

An 'exceptionally rare' and signed copy of The Beatles' Love Me Do is set to sell for a staggering 20,000 on May 23

The single was autographed by each member of the iconic band in ballpoint pen when they met fans inside Dawson's Music Shop in Widnes, Cheshire, on October 6, 1962

'The autographs were obtained at a record signing session at Dawson's Music Shop, Widnes, on October 6, 1962, just one day after the record's release.

'Perhaps most interesting about this single is the rarity of the music itself-only the first UK pressings used the 'Love Me Do' track recorded in studio with Ringo Starr as the drummer.

'Dissatisfied with Ringo's work, producer George Martin hired Andy White as a session drummer and had them record a second version.

'All future British pressings of the single, the American release, and their Please Please Me debut album used the track featuring White on the drums.

'The version of the song on this 45 has only been sporadically re-released on compilation albums of rare or unusual Beatles recordings.

'It is a magnificent, well-displayed piece representing the earliest days of the band.'

The sale is set to take place on May 23.

The band's first album 'Please, Please Me' topped the UK charts for 30 weeks following its release in March 1963, but was knocked off by the band's second album 'With The Beatles'.

The first pressing had Ringo on the drums but producer George Martin was reportedly unhappy with his performance.

He hired Andy White as a session drummer and had them record a more widely distributed second version.

It comes after Beatles iconic documentary Let It Be was released on Disney+ today.

Let It Be contains footage not featured in the Get Back docuseries, bringing viewers into the studio and onto Apple Corps London rooftop in January 1969 as The Beatles, joined by Billy Preston, write and record their Grammy Award-winning album Let It Be, with its Academy Award-winning title song, and perform live for the final time as a group.

After the trailer was released last month, fans shared their delight at being able to watch the documentary for the first time in 50 years.

The much-anticipated film was executively produced by The Beatles, while the producer was Neil Aspinall with Anthony B Richmond as Director of Photography.
Belgium has become the first country in the world to approve an employment law that gives prostitutes new rights, including being able to access pensions, health insurance and maternity leave.

The new law, ratified on Friday, allows sex workers to sign employment contracts with pimps that gives them access to rights that they previously did not have, despite the legalisation of the world's oldest profession in 2022.

They also get access to unemployment and family benefits, as well as annual leave rights, and the new law gives them the right to end their contract with no notice period.

On top of benefits, the law gives prostitutes protections against job-related issues, and forces pimps to stick to strict working conditions.

Sex workers now have the right to refuse clients and sexual acts at any time, and they can refuse to sit behind Amsterdam-style windows or to advertise at all if they believe there is a risk to their safety.

The new law, ratified on Friday, allows sex workers to sign employment contracts with pimps that gives them access to rights that they previously did not have (File Image)

Sex workers also get access to unemployment and family benefits, as well as annual leave rights (File Image)

If, however, a sex worker chooses to exercise these rights more than ten times in six months, the sex worker or the pimp can request a government-backed mediator to come in and settle disputes.

The pimp, however, cannot fire their employee if they choose to exercise their refusal rights.

Pimps must also be registered with the government, and have to meet strict criteria if they want an official license to run brothels.

They cannot have been previously convicted of crimes including voyeurism, sexual assault, abuse of prostitution, extortion or murder, among others.

If approved, pimps have to provide panic buttons in rooms, or else provide a remote panic button if their work takes them outside of a normal institution, and unions have to be allowed access to workplaces at all times.

If a sex worker chooses to exercise their refusal rights more than ten times in six months, they or the pimp can request a government-backed mediator to come in and settle disputes

If a sex worker wishes to leave the industry, they are allowed to do so anonymously

If a sex worker wishes to leave the industry, they are allowed to do so anonymously. Contracts signed by sex workers will be provided under the same heading as those given to restaurant and hotel workers.

While other countries, including New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands, have legally recognised sex work, nowhere else in the world is sex work given the same protections.

The law was approved with 93 votes in favour, 33 abstentions and no votes against it.

UTSOPI, the union for sex workers in Belgium, said that new policies still need to be developed.

'The new laws can be misused to fight sex work. Already we see certain municipalities hiding behind the words "safety" and "hygiene" to promulgate very strict local regulations that make sex work almost impossible on their territory.

'We must ensure that the new laws benefit all sex workers and do not turn into a policy of chasing the most vulnerable sex workers.'
Commuters are facing rush hour chaos this evening after a car smashed though a barrier onto an embankment - where it sits teetering on the edge of tube tracks.

British Transport Police believe the driver 'suffered a medical episode' at the wheel and they have been treated by paramedics.

Police and fire crews rushed to the scene of the smash in Southfields, south-west London, where services have been suspended on the underground's District Line.

Only one person, a woman, was involved in the crash and is not believed to have suffered any serious injuries.

Dramatic pictures show how firefighters sliced through the fence and crews winched the white Toyota Prius away from the track.

A white Toyota has smashed through a barrier near tube tracks in south-west London

Police and fire crews have rushed to the scene while the District Line between Earl's Court and Wimbledon has been suspended

The District Line between Earl's Court and Wimbledon was suspended in both directions as a result

The car - a white Toyota Prius, managed to miss a tree and a lampost before it went through the fence

Members of the London Fire Brigade have cut the fence to lift the car away from the tracks

TfL suspended trains between Earl's Court and Wimbledon and are attempting to restore services soon.

The news came as thousands of commuters tried to head home while dealing with separate travel chaos caused by National Rail strikes taking place today.

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: 'Officers were called to the line near Southfields underground station at around 2.55pm today (8 May) following reports that a car had gone through the fences alongside the railway line.

'Officers attended, alongside colleagues from the London Fire Brigade, Network Rail, and the Metropolitan Police Service and work is ongoing to clear any obstructions from the tracks.

'It is believed the driver of the vehicle suffered a medical episode and they have been treated by paramedics.'

On-site police officers confirmed to MailOnline that only one driver was involved and they are not injured

London Fire Brigade confirmed they were called at 3pm to respond to the incident near Scott Avenue in Putney

A spokesman for TfL told MailOnline: 'We are suspended between Earl's Court and Wimbledon at the moment because of this incident.'

London Fire Brigade confirmed they were called at 3pm to respond to the incident near Scott Avenue in Putney.

'The London Fire Brigade and our own teams are on site to clear the station and remove the car, we'll be hopefully restoring service soon.'

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: 'Firefighters are responding to a road traffic collision near Scott Avenue in Putney.

Firefighters from two fire engines used a winch to remove the hybrid electric car from the track

The front left tyre was punctured and the bonnet was crumpled

Once firefighters removed the car, the police were able to park it at the side of the road

Emergency workers then taped off the area and temporarily fixed the fence

It took around two hours to retrieve the car so the tube line could be opened again

'Crews are working to make the scene safe, alongside officers from the Metropolitan Police Service. A nearby rail line has been closed as a precaution whilst firefighters respond.

'The Brigade was called about the incident at 3.04pm. One fire engine from Wandsworth Fire Station and a fire rescue unit from Battersea Fire Station are currently at the scene.'

District Line commuters have taken to X, formerly Twitter, to voice their frustration at the disruption.

One user said: 'Another day, another interrupted District Line commute.'

Another commented: 'I'm so glad I left the office and got home before the district line decided to act up because what do you mean there's a car on the track?'

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called today (Wednesday) at 2.48pm to reports of an incident by Southfields Tube station, SW18.

'We sent an ambulance crew and treated a woman at the scene, but nobody was taken to hospital.'
Westminster's latest defection was done with a minimum of theatre. What a peculiar, half-hearted affair it was.

Two minutes before noon the trenchantly rightwing MP for Dover, Natalie Elphicke, walked towards the gangway on the Labour side. Those of us in the press gallery presumed she wanted a word with some Labour acquaintance. But no. She actually seemed to be hunting somewhere to park her bones. She could have been asking if an unoccupied mid-row seat at the cinema was free. Slender Mrs Elphicke glided past several knees and took the empty place. A shake of the mane. A forced smile. She had crossed the floor of the House.

In the process she only made her former Conservative colleagues cross their eyes with puzzlement, surprise and unease. We were nearing the end of Welsh Questions. Nothing newsworthy ever happens in Welsh Questions!

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke announced she was crossing the floor just moments before Rishi Sunak faced a bruising PMQs session

Sir Keir posed with Ms Elphicke in his Parliamentary office after PMQs today

Rishi Sunak was next to the Speaker's Chair, saying hello to his troops, when he spotted that familiar face of Mrs Elphicke on the Labour benches. He peered at her a bit, perhaps wondering if he needed to go to Specsavers.

Penny Mordaunt had clocked the defection and strode up to Mr Sunak to whisper in his ear. Yes, that really was Mrs Elphicke on the 'wrong' side of the chamber. The PM did well not to kick the dust in frustration. One sensed he was a bit deflated by this development.

When Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that Mrs Elphicke had indeed been rebadged as a Labour MP, the government's Chief Whip Simon Hart gave a 'you're welcome to her' laugh.

On most philosophical scales Mrs Elphicke - a 3rd XI clubber of the ball - would be closer to Attila the Hun than the late Roy Jenkins. This switch was as unlikely as the Molotov-Von Ribbentrop Pact. Two irreconcilables were uniting for purposes of political contrivance. Mrs Elphicke's Labour comrades did not look universally thrilled. I saw only three of them - Sir Keir, Angela Rayner and Newport's Ruth Jones - shake her hand.

Tory MPs were bemused. Attorney-General Victoria Prentice, who had done up her hair like a widowed 1940s Parisian grand-dame complete with jewels, let her mouth swing open. The Scotland secretary, Alister Jack, watched the defector with a melancholy, analytical gaze. Many reverted to mobile telephones, seeking a reason for this defection. None was evident. That will not stop speculation about a peerage or some quango seat. It will not stop suspicions that parliamentary politics is a steeplechase of vanities where ruse and manoeuvre trump truth.

There was little sense of betrayal on the government side. The news was too fresh, maybe too odd, for that. Natalie Elphicke join Labour? You might as well graft a lemon to a laburnum or mate tapir with turtle - interesting scientific experiment but little likely to work. Even Mickey Rourke's plastic surgeon might hesitate before such a transplant. Yet there sat Mrs Elphicke among her new tribe, an expression of blithe indifference on her trim chops, an air hostess scarf around her neck as she soaked up the sunrays of everyone's attention.

Rishi Sunak, pictured at today's PMQs, is under massive pressure following the local elections, with Tories urging him to get more hardline on issues such as migration and tax

Mr Sunak, already suffering from a summer cold, had an indifferent outing. Sir Keir crowed about the defection but he could have made more of it. Maybe it all happened quite late. Maybe she was what Cold War spychiefs used to call 'a walk-in', when a dissident strolled into the embassy unannounced.

Of last week's jumper Dan Poulter (Central Suffolk and North Ipswich) there was no sign. Saltmines job, maybe. Will we ever again see Mrs Elphicke? Will next week bring another deserter?

Tory MPs started to leave well before the end of PMQs. When Speaker Hoyle called time, Mrs Elphicke rose nonchalently and went up to her new party leader. Sir Keir placed a finger to her right shoulder for half a second then pulled it away, as though he had just touched a hot hob. He and she ambled out of the chamber alongside one another but small-talk eluded them.
The family of the Florida woman who was abducted in Spain have said they feel 'great betrayal' over what happened to her.

David Knezevich was arrested on Saturday on his return to the United States from his home country Serbia in connection with the disappearance of Ana Maria Knezevich Henao.

She was declared missing on February 5 after she failed to meet a friend to travel from Madrid to Barcelona for a conference.

Her husband has been charged with kidnapping and the FBI allege he spray-painted security camera lenses outside her apartment on February 2 and left an hour later carrying a suitcase.

Now, Ana Maria's family has spoken out, and said they are still in shock at her disappearance.

The family of the Florida woman who was abducted in Spain said they feel 'great betrayal' over what happened to her

David Knezevich was arrested on Saturday on his return to the United States from his home country Serbia in connection with the disappearance of Ana Maria Knezevich Henao

Her husband has been charged with kidnap, and the FBI allege he spray-painted security camera lenses outside her apartment on February 2 and left an hour later carrying a suitcase

She was declared missing on February 5 after she failed to meet a friend to travel from Madrid to Barcelona for a conference

'Its been a very devastating time for us,' her brother Felipe Henao said at a news conference. 'Were still in shock.'

He thanked her friends and authorities who have taken part in the search for her and added: 'I just want justice for my sister.'

'If anybody out there has any information about her whereabouts, we still have hope we can find where my sister is.

'I just want to tell her, we all love her, we miss her, we support her, we are her voice.

'We trust the American authorities, the justice system. I really want to thank the FBI, they have answered all my calls. Every day, I talk to them.'

So far authorities have given no indication about what has happened to Ana Maria.

Henao was asked what he thought may have happened to his sister and he said: 'I dont know, I just want to let the investigators do their job and follow the facts.'

Knezevich flew into Miami last weekend where the FBI and officials from the Spanish National Police arrested him.

Investigators claim there is a video of the 36-year-old business owner buying the same brand of paint and duct tape hours earlier.

They allegedly interviewed a woman who insists Knezevich asked her to translate a text which was sent to his wife's friends after she disappeared.

His attorney Ken Padowitz has said his client is innocent and was in Serbia on the day his wife disappeared.

But the FBI claim he rented a Peugeot in Belgrade four days earlier. They added that a Spanish driver reported that his license plates were stolen.

While on the night Ana Maria went missing, the stolen plate number was recorded by Spanish police.

Authorities also claim that hours after she disappeared, a Peugeot with the stolen license plates went through a toll in Madrid but the driver could not be identified through the tinted windows.

When the car was returned by Knezevich five weeks later, the license plates had been changed and the windows had been tinted, according to the rental agency, and the car had been driven almost 4,800 miles.

Knezevich had been married for 13 years, but the couple had been going through a difficult separation when she went missing, according to her friends and family.

An 11-page FBI complaint included allegations from an anonymous Colombian woman who he allegedly met on a dating app last fall.

'Its been a very devastating time for us,' her brother Felipe Henao said at a news conference. 'Were still in shock'

Knezevich had been married for 13 years but the couple had been going through a difficult separation when she went missing, according to her friends and family

Authorities have given no indication about what has happened to Ana Maria

Ana Knezevich had been going through a 'tough' divorce from husband David when she went missing in Madrid on February 2

He allegedly messaged the woman to ask if she would translate a few English sentences into 'perfect Colombian' Spanish for someone who was writing a screenplay.

But she said she did not speak English and would have to use an online translator which he said was fine, according to investigators.

The FBI said he sent the woman a passage in English which read: 'I met someone wonderful.

He has a summer house about 2h (two hours) from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there. There is barely any signal though. I will call you when I come back. Kisses.'

She then translated it and sent it back and the message was sent to two of Ana Maria's friends, according to investigators.

They said the message didn't sound like her and told the police who launched an investigation.

Henao had reportedly moved to Madrid at the end of 2023 partly to get away from her husband.

Investigators recovered surveillance footage of a man in a motorcycle helmet hanging around Henao's Madrid apartment on February 2, the day before friends lost contact with her.

He was spotted waiting for people to exit the building before slipping inside at around 9:30pm.

The same man is believed to have spray-painted the lens of two security cameras of the apartment building in Madrids upscale Salamanca neighborhood.

Knezevich's friend, Sanna Rameau, told DailyMail.com she last exchanged messages with her on February 2.

The last message from Knezevich's WhatsApp account, sent the following day, said she had 'met someone wonderful.'

'He has a summer house about 2h from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there. Signal is Spotty. I'll call you when I get back,' it read.

Another message detailed the circumstances of their first encounter, claiming they met on the street. 'Amazing connection. Like I never had before,' it read.

The couple got married in 2011 and moved to the south Florida city of Fort Lauderdale

Her family became concerned after they started receiving text messages in Spanish from Ana Maria's phone that did not sound like they were written by the Colombia native.

'That message in Spanish, it is like its translated from Google . It's not her. She doesn't say those things. Like nobody in Spanish will say it like that,' her brother said.

Knezevich and her husband, also known as Dusan, had yet to formally file for divorce at the time of her disappearance.

A March 12 report from Spanish publication El Cierre Digital cited 'sources close to the case' who claimed the Scientific Police found biological remains in the missing woman's living accommodations.

Henao, recently appeared on NewsNation's 'Cuomo' with a desperate plea to the public and denied the report about the remains, saying the family is still desperate for answers.

'We want to know the truth. We want to know where my sister is,' Henao said. 'If anybody has any information, any tips please reach out to the FBI or the Spanish authorities.'

When asked about the supposed discovery of biological remains in her apartment, Henao said he asked the FBI if the report was true and 'they told me it isn't.'

There was no further details on the specifics of the remains found.

Investigators 'dont want to share any information, because it could jeopardize the case. I understand. Justice moves slow,' Henao added.

He said her case was being treated as matter of domestic violence as it moved through the court system, and a case of forced disappearance rather than voluntary.

The couple ran a successful computer support and repair business from their home in Fort Lauderdale.

Ana Maria and Sanna had traveled extensively on holidays together and were in daily communication as she hunted for a new apartment in the Spanish capital.
The wartime medals awarded to a hero of the Great Escape who was executed by the Nazis have emerged on sale at auction.

Flight Lieutenant James Long was among the 76 PoWs who broke out of Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Poland, on March 24, 1944. He was one of the main tunnellers in 'Tom' and did emergency repairs on it when the roof fell in as he crawled to freedom.

Long and his 'escape mate', Flight Lieutenant Tony Bethell, were on the run for three days before they were captured walking alongside a railway line.

The hero, of 9 Squadron, was then detained by the Gestapo and murdered on April 13, 1944, aged 29.

Now, his campaign medals are going under the hammer for 4,000 at London-based auctioneers Noonans.

Flight Lieutenant James Long was among the 76 PoWs who broke out of Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Poland

All but three of the escapees were captured and 50 of them were executed under Adolf Hitler's reprisal orders.

READ MORE: Were the Great Escape heroes betrayed by two fellow BRITISH prisoners? Newly unearthed papers raise the unthinkable question Advertisement

Their heroics were immortalised in the 1963 film The Great Escape starring Steve McQueen.

Long was mentioned in dispatches for his bravery as a PoW who made several escape attempts at different camps.

Christopher Mellor-Hill, head of client liaison at Noonans, said: 'The Great Escape was one of the most famous events in the Second World War and was epitomised in the iconic film of 1963 staring Steve McQueen.

'Flight Lieutenant James Long of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was shot down during a raid on Cologne in March 1941.

'He was captured and taken Prisoner of War, and was held at the infamous Stalag Luft III.

'He was one of the 76 men who escaped the prison during the 'Great Escape' on the night of March 24-25, 1944.

'Sadly, Long was recaptured on March 27, 1944 and subsequently executed aged 29 by the Gestapo on April 13, 1944, reputedly the last of the 'Great Escapers' to be murdered.'

Long's campaign medals are going under the hammer for 4,000 at London-based auctioneers Noonans

Long joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in April 1940 and was posted to 9 Squadron in March 1941, flying Vickers Wellington bombers as Second Pilot.

On the evening of March 27, 1941, he carried out a Wellington raid on Cologne, Germany, but was shot up by a Luftwaffe night fighter turning for home.

They crash-landed in the Netherlands and the crew were captured near Limbourg, Belgium.

Long was sent to Stalag Luft I Barth where he almost immediately started escape attempts.

His 'persistent' escapes led to his transfer to Stalag Luft III in March 1942, where he met like-minded Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, the Great Escape mastermind.

He was then held in Gorlitz prison ahead of his execution and his remains are buried in Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery.

His medal group, which has been consigned by a private collector, consists of the 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45.

They are offered with an original letter to his mother informing her that her son did not return from his 1941 sortie. The sale takes place on May 15.
Anti-Semitism within middle and high schools is on the rise by 'marxist' educators - and it's getting so bad Congress is now stepping in.

The spread of anti-Jewish sentiment is being perpetrated as pro-Palestinian demonstrations take over college campuses nationwide.

And it's not just spreading on college campuses, children as young as kindergarten are also being 'brainwashed.'

'Hatred and attacking young kids like this so that they grow up to really hate people, It's just not who we are,' Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, exclusively told DailyMail.com.

'We're dealing with something right now which is anti-American culture,' he added. 'This is called the slow march of Marxism through institutions.'

Students and teachers described anti-Semitic demonstrations that have taken place on the campuses of middle and high schools

Students an likeminded activists occupied George Washington University's campus for weeks as Jewish students there described being afraid of the pro-Palestinian protestors

He claimed that that there have been instances where schools have indoctrinated and brainwashed pupils with partisan views on the Israel-Hamas war.

'These Marxist professors teach our college kids to hate,' he said.

'Our college kids go on to the high schools and teach to hate and they go down to even lower classes to hate. Hate has to stop here and we're gonna make sure we're not funding it anymore.'

High school and middle school students, along with some administrators and parents, met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill Wednesday to share their experiences.

A Jewish Maryland teacher described an instance where young students openly praised Adolph Hitler and the Nazis during a school demonstration. After she filed a complaint, she claims she was ostracized by the school.

Two Jewish New York City high schoolers spoke of anti-Israel propaganda published anonymously in their school newspaper and of assaults on Jewish students.

And a Jewish mother from Berkeley, California, mentioned how her children heard cries for 'kill the Jews' during a school walk out in support of Gaza, but administrators did nothing in response.

Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., met with Jewish students, parents and teachers to hear about rising anti-Semitism in K-12 education ahead of a Congressional hearing on the topic

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation into anti-Semitism in the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) which serves K-12 students.

A complaint filed against the school district chronicled dozens of incidents of anti-Semitism, including students shouting 'KKK,' and 'f--- the Jews' along with graffiti on campus reading 'Kill Jews.'

'We have been undermined in horrible ways,' Ilana Pearlman, a mother of a BUSD student told lawmakers Wednesday.

'They said kill the Jews at a school walkout,' Pearlman said, relaying a story her daughter told her, before adding the district did not believe her daughter's claims.

'The hatred that we're seeing on college campuses comes from somewhere,' Parents Defending Education President Nicole Neily exclusively told DailyMail.com.

'It's not that students magically become anti-Semitic when they set foot on a college campus, that was taught to them over the course of many, many years.'

'Teachers in many cases view themselves as political actors first and as educators second,' Neily continued.

'And so sadly, we're watching those seeds that were planted 20 years ago bear poisonous food now on college campuses, but I think it is very much an intentional effort.'

Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, told DailyMail.com how Marxist teachers are indoctrinating students with hate

Pro-Palestinian protestors blocked the doors of a UCLA building and occupied it until police were forced to remove the demonstrators

During Wednesday's hearing on anti-Semitism in K-12 education, administrators from the BUSD, New York City Schools and Montgomery County School all testified about instances of hate in their districts.

'Three of the witnesses here today represent public school districts that have allowed vile antisemitism to spread unchecked,' Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., said during the hearing.

The leaders vowed to make changes to address anti-Semitism.

'Let me be clear, we do not shy away from imposing consequences for hateful behavior, including antisemitism,' Public Schools Board President Karla Silvestre testified.

David Banks, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, arrives a hearing with subcommittee members of the House Education and the Workforce committee

She later added that the district moved to suspend four teachers who had made remarks deemed anti-Semitic since October 7.

New York City Schools chief David Banks testified that at least 30 students have ben suspended since the October 7 attack on Israel.

It was the first time he had revealed actions taken against students for anti-Semitism.
Labour restored the whip to Kate Osamor today following a row over her calling for Israel's action in Gaza to be remembered as 'genocide' on Holocaust Memorial Day.

The Edmonton MP saw her suspension by Labour lifted as she issued a new apology for the 'inappropriate' remarks she made earlier this year.

In a message to local Labour members in January, she said Gaza should be added to a list of 'recent genocides' to be remembered alongside the Nazi murder of six million Jews.

Ms Osamor, who served in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet, shared a photograph of herself signing the Holocaust Education Trust's commemoration book in Westminster.

She wrote there was an 'international duty' to remember the victims of the Holocaust as well as 'more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and now Gaza'.

Her comments provoked fury among Jewish groups and among Labour colleagues.

Ms Osamor's three-month suspension has now ended following an internal party investigation, Labour confirmed this afternoon.

Kate Osamor (pictured) said that Gaza should be added to a list of 'recent genocides' to be remembered alongside the murder of six million Jews

The Edmonton MP, who served in Jeremy Corbyn 's shadow cabinet, had issued an initial apology for her remarks on social media

Holocaust Memorial Day is held annually on January 27 to commemorate the victims of the Nazi genocide (Pictured: the entry to the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland)

A Labour spokesperson said: 'The Chief Whip has today restored the Labour whip to Kate Osamor MP.

'This follows a full investigation by the Labour Party into complaints received about a social media post she made in January.'

Ms Osamor said: 'I am grateful to the Labour Party for their investigation into my conduct and I accept the outcome in full.

'I want to unreservedly apologise again for my comments. I made remarks which were insensitive, inappropriate, and which I apologise for and regret.

'I will continue to reach out to Jewish stakeholders and the community. I am committed to ensuring that I don't fall short of the highest standards.

'I look forward to continuing to represent my constituents of Edmonton in Westminster as a Labour MP.'

In January, shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said it was not acceptable for Ms Osamor to bracket the Holocaust alongside current events in Gaza.

'What is happening in Gaza is clearly a humanitarian catastrophe that is recognised,' he said.

'But there are specific reasons why the Holocaust is considered as it is. It's important on Holocaust Remembrance Day to remember that.

Ms Osamor had issued an initial apology on social media, posting on Twitter/X: 'Holocaust Memorial Day is a day to remember the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and the genocides that have occurred since.

'I apologise for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance.'

The outrage at Ms Osamor's weekly mailout to local Labour members in her north London constituency saw Karen Pollock, the chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, branded the MP's comments a 'malicious distortion of the truth'.

She told Jewish News the 'disgusting post' by Ms Osamor was 'a malicious distortion of the truth, a painful insult to survivors of the Holocaust and particularly distressing to see on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day'.

A Jewish Labour Movement spokesperson added: 'This is wholly inappropriate. This week we have been commemorating the murder of six million Jews in the Holocaust  and those who perished in subsequent genocides, as listed by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.

'Unilaterally co-opting the war in Gaza, despite the horrific suffering there, on to that list is wrong and offensive.'

Ms Osamor, who was shadow international development secretary when Mr Corbyn was Labour leader, has been dogged by controversy since being elected an MP in 2015.

In 2019 it was revealed that she had used House of Commons notepaper to write to a judge pleading with him not to jail her son.

Ishmael Osamor, then 29, resigned as a Labour councillor after admitting to having 2,500 worth of drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy, at the Bestival festival in 2017.

He was ordered to do 200 hours of community work. When confronted by a reporter from The Times about the issue, she threw a bucket of water, and shouted: 'I should have come down here with a... bat and smashed your face open.'

The Standards Commissioner found her guilty of two breaches of parliamentary rules, but she later claimed she had been the target of a 'witch-hunt'.

Ms Osamor's return to Labour ranks came on the same day that Dover MP Natalie Elphicke defected from the Conservatives to Sir Keir Starmer's party.
A Royal Navy officer on a nuclear submarine killed two young women when he smashed head-on into their car in a high-speed road crash.

Benjamin Lewis, 31, had been driving his BMW 420M Sport at up to 93mph minutes before he performed a 'dangerous' and illegal overtaking manoeuvre and smashed into Ellie Crossley's Citroen DS3 coming the other way.

Miss Crossley and her front seat passenger, Rebecca Doughty, both 20, were killed instantly.

Chester Crown Court heard the best friends had been returning home from a Christmas shopping trip to the Cheshire Oaks retail outlet, in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, when the accident happened at about 9.30pm on a dark and rainy night, in November 2021.

Today Lewis, a tactical systems operative on the nuclear submarine HMS Vengeance, was jailed for 10 years after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Benjamin Lewis, 31, (pictured) killed two young women when he smashed head-on into their car in a high-speed road crash

The Royal Navy officer has now been jailed for 10 years after killing Ellie Crossley (left) and Rebecca Doughty (right)

The court heard he was considered a 'dependable crew member' by his commanding officer and was in line for promotion at the time of the crash. His work helped maintain the sub's 'tactical fitness' at sea and was 'important' for 'the country's nuclear deterrent,' his barrister, Caroline Harrison, said.

Judge Simon Berkson told the submariner, who faced a maximum of 14 years in jail, that he had taken his 'service to his country' into consideration when deciding on his sentence.

But the judge said: 'You were driving so fast that you lost control. The sole cause of this tragic accident was your dangerous driving.

'There was no reason to be driving so fast. It was an unnecessary overtaking manoeuvre. You caused the deaths of two young women with their adult lives ahead of them. You made a deliberate decision to overtake and two young innocent lives were needlessly taken.'

The court heard experts estimated Lewis had been speeding at between 62 and 78 mph at the time of the impact on the 60mph-limit A5117 at Dunkirk, near Ellesmere Port, on November 25, 2021. They also used data captured from global satellites to show that Lewis had been speeding on several roads for several minutes before the accident.

Prosecutor Mark Connor said: 'This case concerns the tragic and needless loss of two young lives; Ellie Crossley and Rebecca Doughty or Becca as she was known, both were 20 years old and at the threshold of adult life when they were killed.'

The barrister said Ms Crossley had only recently passed her driving test and was on her first significant outing in her car, but stressed there was no suggestion her driving had contributed to the accident.

Friends described her as a 'really bubbly character' and 'the life of the party' but also a 'very sensible' girl, who knew how important it was to concentrate on her driving, Mr Connor added.

'I make it clear the fact she was a newly qualified driver had nothing to do with the collision and no blame at all is attached to her,' he added. 'The fault is entirely the defendant's.'

The 31-year-old was considered a 'dependable crew member' by his commanding officer and was in line for promotion at the time of the crash

Ellie Crossley (pictured) and Rebecca Doughty, both 20, were travelling back home to Flintshire, North Wales, after buying Christmas gifts

Mr Connor said the two friends, who both lived in Connah's Quay, north Wales, were travelling in convoy, behind two others  Amy Phillips and Rhian Jones - who were in front in Miss Phillips' black Corsa.

He said Lewis was travelling at 'significantly excessive speed' on the single carriageway road, which had double 'no overtaking' white lines, when he tried to pass two cars in front of him and lost control of his BMW. The road surface was wet at the time, with puddles forming.

Mr Connor said: 'Amy estimated that they were travelling around 30mph when she became aware of three cars travelling towards them.

'She believed that the third car, the defendant's blue BMW, was attempting to overtake the middle car if not both cars. She described this car straddling the middle of the road and swerving from side to side.

'In her assessment the driver had lost control of his vehicle, it came past her driver's window in very close proximity before moving back into its correct lane and then back into the opposite lane.

'She thought the defendant's car was going to collide with her, so she moved to her right to avoid an impact. She then witnessed through her rear mirror the BMW career into Ellie's vehicle causing both cars to spin.'

After the crash, Lewis, of Neston, Wirral, told police: 'I went to overtake. Visibility was poor. As I moved over, I saw there was a car coming. I realised I had gone over the line, and I didn't see them. As I tried to move back over I lost control and fishtailed and hit the car in front of me.'

He told officers in interview that his general style of driving was 'to make progress' and admitted he didn't like to sit in traffic or get stuck behind a truck.

Emotional victim impact statements were read to the court from Miss Crossley and Miss Doughty's family and friends.

Miss Crossley's father, Steven, said 'every moment or every day' was a 'struggle' since his daughter's death.

The accident happened at about 9.30pm on a dark and rainy night in November 2021. Pictured: Rebecca Doughty

'From the moment I wake up in the mornings I have an overwhelming feeling of complete dread at the thought of struggling another day without Ellie,' he said. 'I am so angry at the world.

'I will no longer get to walk my beautiful daughter down the aisle, help her buy her first home and look after her children, my grandchildren.'

Her mother, Amanda, added: 'There are no words that can ever comprehend the true feeling of losing my daughter and my best friend. From the moment that Ellie died, a part of me died too. I am no longer the person I used to be, I can only explain my life as an existence, trying to get to the end of the day, wishing it would come sooner, so that I can sleep and not feel the pain that I am left to live with for the rest of my life.'

Miss Doughty's father, Paul, said 'the brightest light' in their home had gone 'out forever.'

Lewis, whose barrister told the court he was genuinely remorseful, will serve two thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole. He will also be banned from driving for four years on his release.

Sergeant Andy Dennison, of Cheshire Police's Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said: 'Despite the poor weather conditions and low visibility, Lewis proceeded to speed in excess of 90mph with no regard to the danger he posed to other road users or himself.

'During the investigation, we utilised data collected by global satellites connected to electronic devices to show that Lewis had driven at high speed on several roads just before the collision. It was also shown that Lewis accelerated harshly before losing control of his BMW on the wrong side of a double white line system.

'Tragically, as a result of his atrocious driving, Ellie and Rebecca paid the ultimate price. I hope he takes this time behind bars to reflect on the decisions he made that night and the impact this has had on their families.'
A billionaire's new wife who tried to bully a stranger into handing over her Instagram handle once slammed women who immediately change their last names after getting married.

Katherine Asplundh, formerly Driscoll, married Cabot Asplundh, 27, of the Pennsylvania billionaire family at a reception in Palm Beach, Florida, two weeks ago.

The wanna-be influencer has gone viral after she aggressively messaged a stranger who shares her married name and demanded she hand over her Instagram handle - @katherineasplundh.

But just a few months ago, Katherine shared a TikTok where she mocked new wives who can't wait to update their name on social media.

'Something that low key bothers me is when girls get married and it's not even like 10 minutes after they do their vows and they're like "Oh! going on my Instagram! Let me change my last name already,' Katherine said in a now-deleted TikTok.

Just a few months ago, Katherine shared a TikTok where she mocked new wives who can't wait to update their name on social media

After the happy couple exchanged vows, the new Asplundh reached out another woman of the same name in hopes of purchasing a new Instagram account name

She then says she's 'probably going to wait a couple of months' to change her name.

'I just think it's a little bit a lot when I see girls change it before I even knew they were f***ing married, like chill,' Katherine ironically explained.

Despite her rant about new wives, Katherine contacted the owner of her desired IG handle, a woman who goes by Kate, to ask if she could purchase it, a practice that is in direct violation of the platform's terms of service.

Kate refused and explained how she feared selling the username would get her 'banned from Instagram'. This prompted Katherine to launch a tirade of seemingly entitled messages.

Kate, who claims she was initially open to changing her username but decided against doing so after Katherine 'came off snarky', later shared the exchange online.

In reaching out to the woman known only as Kate, who has since shared the messages on social media, the newlywed has unintentionally gone viral

In reaching out to the woman known only as Kate, who has since shared the messages on social media, the newlywed has unintentionally gone viral

Asplundh then continues to question the legitimacy of her name, who confirms she is not American

In the now-viral exchange, Katherine can be seen messaging an anonymous user, believed to be Kate, asking if she could purchase her Instagram handle.

'Hi I was wondering if I could purchase your username from you,' she wrote. 'Just got married and this in my new name!'

Kate replied: 'That's my name too. I just googled and it said selling my username would get me banned from Instagram.'

But Katherine pushed back, saying: 'I purchased my username in the past actually that's not true. Celebrities do it all the time that's how they all have their handles as their full names.

'So weird, I didn't know there was another Asplundh's family out there. There [are] no Katherine Asplundh in our family.'

She then adds: 'I see that you're not that active on here but started Instagram in 2018 but changed your username three times? Is there anyway I can get you to change your username one more time?'

Kate refused and explained how she feared selling the username would get her 'banned from Instagram'

Kate responds, explaining that the @katherineasplundh account is her so-called 'finsta', a term that refers to a 'fake' or secondary account that users create to share content just with close friends and family.

The conversation turns sour, with Katherine seemingly questioning Kate's identity.

'I actually don't believe that your name is Katherine Asplundh who would make their finsta their actual name?' Katherine wrote.

'I reported you to Instagram and they're actually able to tell me your real name I really hope I don't know you because that's gonna be really embarrassing for you.'

Kate asks the influencer to report her, but Katherine confirms that she and her new husband have already done so.

Katherine then continues to question the legitimacy of Kate's name, alleging that her husband's family are the only Asplundhs in the US.

Kate confirms she is not American, to which Katherine replies: 'Do you have proof that this is your name? Would love to see that.'

The conversation turns sour, with Katherine seemingly questioning Kate's identity

Kate eventually tells Asplundh that if she had been nice about it, she would have considered giving her the account name for free

Katherine is seen with her wedding party at her recent nuptials in Florida

Kate then tells Katherine that if she had been nice about it, she would have considered giving her the account name for free.

She hits back at the influencer, saying: 'But you weren't. I reported you for asking me to sell my account and another for harassing me. Have a good day.'

Speaking to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Kate told the outlet: 'I was open to giving her my username.

'I just didnt want to sell it because that would get me banned. After I replied to her, her messages came off snarky so I told myself, "OK, this isnt worth it".'

Cabot's father Chris Asplundh is currently the company's CEO

According to her social media pages, Katherine is originally from New Vernon, New Jersey, having studied at College of Charleston.

Her TikTok page, named Lost Etiquette, boasts over 80,000 followers with over 5.5 million likes on her profile.

The family that she married into founded Asplundh Tree Expert, which in 2021 reported revenue of over $5.4 billion dollars.

The tree trimming company was founded by three brothers from Sweden - Lester, Griffith and Cabot's great grandfather Carl Asplundh.

Cabot's father Chris Asplundh is currently the company's CEO.

Katherine and Cabot met in Prague while Katherine was studying aboard and connected over growing up at the Jersey Shore, according to their wedding website.

Two years later, Cabot proposed to her in Mantoloking, New Jersey.

Their extravagant wedding registry included a $600 blender and cash donations for their St Bart's honeymoon, as well as for furnishing their home

The family that she married into founded Asplundh Tree Expert, which in 2021 reported revenue of over $5.4 billion dollars

Since then, Asplundh's social media pages have been filled with comments and she reportedly had to privatize her page - before making it public again

Their extravagant wedding registry included a $600 blender and cash donations for their St Bart's honeymoon, as well as for furnishing their home.

Former Senate candidate and celebrity surgeon Dr Mehmet Oz is part of the family by marriage, with his wife Lisa's grandfather cofounding the family business in 1928 with his two brothers.

Celebrity fitness expert Tracy Anderson is also married into the family after she wed Chris Asplundh in 2015.

The company, which maintains trees for electric utilities, municipalities and others, is run by the third generation of Asplundhs and owned by nearly 200 family members, who are collectively worth at least $3 billion, according to Forbes.

Kate, who only told The Inquirer that her name was Katherine J. Asplundh, shared the exchange onto Reddit, telling the outlet: 'The whole thing just seemed silly and ridiculous to me. I thought theyd have a laugh and that would be it.'

Her TikTok page, named Lost Etiquette, boasts over 80,000 followers with over 5.5 million likes on her profile

The family that she married into founded Asplundh Tree Expert, which in 2021 reported revenue of over $5.4 billion dollars

Cabot proposed to her in Mantoloking, New Jersey two years after they met

One user commented: 'Legitimately insane behavior "I don't believe that's your name" HUH?!?!.'

Another posted: 'The pivot from hey girly to let me see your birth certificate gave me whiplash.'

While another said: 'Omg this is crazy- she married into a billionaire family and is acting like theyre the only ones allowed to have that last name wtf.'

Since then, Katherine's social media pages have been filled with comments and she reportedly had to privatize her page, before making it public again.

In posts about the wedding, Katherine described it as the 'best day' of her life, sharing pictures of the her in her dress.

The tree trimming company was founded by three brothers from Sweden - Lester, Griffith and Cabot's great grandfather Carl Asplundh

Former Senate candidate and celebrity Dr Mehmet Oz is part of the family by marriage, with his wife Lisa's grandfather cofounding the family business in 1928

Celebrity fitness expert Tracy Anderson is also married into the family after she wed Chris Asplundh in 2015

According to Instagram, users are forbidden from buying, selling, or transferring 'any aspect of your account'.

Despite this, an investigation by Vox shone the light on an entire economy of people selling and buying names on dedicated online marketplaces.

Social media handles are supposed to be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis but in some cases celebs have used their influence to pass these rules.

In 2019, Kevin Keiley of West Sussex claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took his @sussexroyal handle.

Instagram said that the account name being reassigned was due to Keiley's being inactive.
2 years in office, Yoon begins to see limits of overly US-aligned diplomatic strategy

By Lee Hyo-jin

In his first two years in office, President Yoon Suk Yeol focused on aligning with like-minded allies, such as the United States and Japan, to address security challenges posed by its nuclear-armed northern neighbor.

Characterizing its strategy as "values-based diplomacy," the government worked hard to upgrade its security-focused alliance with the U.S. into the Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance, while restoring diplomatic relations with Japan that had been strained for several years, a period of progress that has paved the way for a strengthened trilateral partnership between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo.

However, this strategy has encountered a certain degree of pushback from other neighboring countries, in particular, China and Russia.

Bilateral relations with China faltered, while those with Russia arguably reached their lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1990.

The Kim Jong-un regime, now backed by Moscow, responded with intensified aggression to the Seoul-Washington-Japan trilateral cooperation grouping. At the beginning of this year, the North singled out South Korea as its No. 1 enemy state and made it clear that the regime would no longer pursue reconciliation with South Korea.

"In essence, the past two years have seen the Yoon administration readjusting relations with the U.S., China and North Korea, abandoning the strategies implemented by the previous Moon Jae-in government that Yoon seems to have deemed as problematic," said Cho Han-bum, a senior research fellow at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification.

"It is too early to determine whether this strategy is a success or not, but the next three years will be decisive in addressing the remaining tasks," he added.

Kim Heung-kyu, head of the U.S-China Policy Institute at Ajou University, pointed to bolstered trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan as an achievement of Yoon's foreign policies. However, he questioned whether the government was ready to deal with the associated costs.

"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Yoon administration is one of the most pro-American governments South Korea has ever seen," Kim said.

"Aligning with Washington could have been a successful strategy in the past when the U.S.-led world order held sway. However, in today's complex and multi-faceted international landscape, adopting an overtly pro-American stance entails greater costs."

Busan's failed bid for the World Expo in 2030 last year underscored the limitations of the Yoon administration's diplomatic strategy based on the "democracy versus authoritarianism" narrative, Kim said.

During the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) vote in November to pick the host city for the 2030 edition, Busan won only 29 votes out of a total of 165, marking a significant voting disparity with Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, which secured 119 votes.

This was a dismal result considering the vigorous campaign launched by government officials and business leaders, who traveled to dozens of nations to engage in diplomacy over the span of 500 days leading up to the vote.

"Not only were the results disappointing, but what's worse was the fact that until the voting day, our government believed Busan had a fair chance, showing the misguidance of the Yoon administration's diplomatic strategies," Kim said.

In that sense, observers suggested that the government make necessary realignments in its foreign policy during the next few years to come.

In particular, improving relations with Russia is becoming increasingly crucial as the friendly nation to North Korea could play a bigger role in matters concerning the Korean Peninsula. Also, normalizing ties with China, South Korea's nation's largest trade partner, remains essential for the nation's export-driven economy.

However, Kim expressed skepticism about seeing any changes from the Yoon administration on diplomatic fronts, saying, "The government still seems to believe that it's on the right track."

Following the ruling People Power Party's crushing defeat in the April 10 parliamentary elections, during which it managed to secure just 108 seats out of the total 300, Yoon initiated a significant reshuffle of his senior aides, in an apparent effort to better heed public's concerns.

Nevertheless, National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin still remains in his post, Kim pointed out, indicating the president's firm belief in his foreign policy strategy.

"The government should reconsider its inflexible approach to diplomacy. Rather than solely pursuing short-term gains, it should embrace long-term policy objectives, recognizing that major countries are employing dual-track diplomacy tactics amid the U.S.-China strategic rivalry," Kim said.
Laken Riley's suspected killer has been officially charged with the 22-year-old's nursing student's murder.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, was indicted on 10 counts by a grand jury in Georgia on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old is also accused of peeping through a window to spy upon a staff member at the University of Georgia on the same day he allegedly killed Riley, as first reported by Fox News.

Riley was beaten to death while she was out for a run on the campus in Athens on February 22.

The indictment claims Ibarra inflicted blunt-force trauma to her head and 'asphyxiated her in a manner unknown to jurors.'

It also states that Ibarra 'seriously disfigured her head by striking her head multiple times with a rock.'

Laken Riley's suspected killer has been officially charged with the nursing student's murder

Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant, was indicted by a grand jury in Georgia on Tuesday

Ibarra is charged with malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, obstructing or hindering a person from making a 911 call, tampering with evidence and acting as a peeping Tom.

Jose Ibarra's ties to violent gang Ibarra's older brother Diego has ties to organized crime Advertisement

He allegedly went inside one of the university's apartment complexes 'for the purpose of becoming a peeping tom in that he did peep through the window and spied upon and invaded [the employee's] privacy.'

Riley's body was found the same day on campus in a forested area near Lake Herrick that includes trails popular with runners and walkers.

Ibarra crossed into El Paso, Texas, in September 2022 but had been released from a detention center due to a lack of space.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said he had previously been arrested in NYC.

Police say he concealed a jacket and gloves that were evidence to the alleged murder.

Riley studied at the University of Georgia through the spring of 2023 before transferring to Augusta Universitys College of Nursing, according to a statement from the University of Georgia, which does not have a nursing program itself. She remained active in the sorority she joined at the University of Georgia.

The killing shocked Rileys fellow students in Athens, where more than 41,000 attend UGA and another 210 are enrolled in the medical program where Riley studied nursing.

The nursing student became he face of immigration reform for many conservatives in the days since she was killed.

At the State of the Union address, president Joe Biden held up a pin with Rileys name on it as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shouted from the gallery: 'Say her name!'

Hours after Riley was slain, Athens homicide detectives pulled a photo from a surveillance camera of a potential suspect who wore a distinctive Adidas hat, according to a federal affidavit obtained by The Associated Press.

Riley was a senior nursing student enrolled at the university and grew up in Woodstock, Georgia. Before she earned her undergraduate degree at UGA in 2023, she graduated from River Ridge High School in 2020.

Ibarra's brother, Diego, also an illegal migrant, has notched up a lengthy criminal history since arriving in April 2023 on a forged Green Card

That eventually led them to an off-campus apartment complex where they searched the grounds and a Dumpster nearby and began to piece together details about Ibarra.

Ibarra shared the apartment with his brother Diego, who is accused of possessing a fake green card after he handed it to police as they hunted for the suspect.

Federal authorities found that Diego has ties to the Venezuela-based gang Tren de Aragua, a violent gang that has been trying to gain a foothold in the US.

Homeland Security Investigators found photos of Diego flashing the gang's hand signals online, along with identifying tattoos like stars, clocks, trains, weapons and crowns.

More pictures of him with firearms were found online even though illegal immigrants in the US are not legally allowed to own guns.

Riley was found dead on the University of Georgia campus on February 22 after allegedly being murdered by an illegal immigrant

President Biden holds a pin for slain Georgia student Laken Riley during his State of the Union speech, before he accidentally called her 'Lincoln'

Diego Ibarra entered the country illegally in April 2023 and was arrested five months later with no license or insurance while driving at 80mph in a 40mph zone and drinking a can of Bud Light.

'I opened the driver's door and ordered him to step out of the vehicle, but he turned and began reaching inside of the vehicle, so I forcibly pulled him out,' the investigating officer wrote.

'The driver struggled and was brought to the ground, where there was a short struggle to handcuff him.'

Days later, police were called to a domestic disturbance at his apartment but did not arrest him.

Both brothers were cited on October 27 for allegedly stealing more than $200 from an Athens Walmart.

And Diego allegedly returned to steal more items on December 8, earning himself a two-year ban from the store.

UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark told reporters that officers searched Jose Ibarra's apartment in Athens and evidence shows that he acted alone.

'He did not know her at all. I think this is a crime of opportunity where he saw an individual and bad things happened,' Clark said.
The Ministry of Defence has been slammed over the death of a young soldier who was shot in the back of the head while carrying out a night-time exercise but it will face no financial penalty due to a legal loophole.

Conor McPherson, 24, a private in the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, died while training at the Heely Dod firing range in Otterburn, Northumberland, on August 22, 2016.

His father described him as a 'model son' and said the family have been left facing a future of 'deep sorrow'.

But although McPherson's loved ones are still 'coming to terms' with what happened, it has been revealed that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will not face any financial penalties following the incident due to a legal loophole.

The MoD cannot face prosecution in the same way as non-Government bodies and a Crown censure is the maximum sanction for a Government body that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can bring.

The Ministry of Defence has been slammed over the death of soldier Conor McPherson, 24, (pictured), but will face no financial penalties due to a legal loophole

McPherson was killed after being accidentally shot in the back of the head by a fellow soldier during a nighttime training exercise on August 22, 2016

There is no financial penalty associated with Crown censure, but once accepted is an official record of a failing to meet the standards set out in law.

This is despite a HSE investigation finding the MoD (Army) failed to properly implement a safe system of work for the exercise.

The HSE said Pte McPherson was part of a team of five when he was accidentally shot in the back of the head by a fellow soldier at around 11pm.

The 24-year-old tragically died at the scene.

The HSE has issued the MoD with a Crown censure and said by accepting the censure, the MoD admitted breaching health and safety at work rules.

HSE inspector Jonathan Wills said: 'Our thoughts are with the family of Private McPherson, with whom we have remained in close contact.

'Just like any other employer, the MoD has a responsibility to reduce dangers to its personnel, as far as it properly can.'

The HSE investigation found the planning and conduct of the exercise were poor, with an ineffective system to monitor the management arrangements mandated within the MoD's own procedures.

HSE said there should have been an additional supervisor with the firers on the night of the incident, due to the soldiers' lack of experience when carrying out night-time firing.

A HSE investigation found the MoD (Army) failed to properly implement a safe system of work for the exercise

Mandated 'night-time' specific safety tasks were not carried out prior to firing commencing and incorrect and unauthorised night vision equipment was being used by some soldiers, it found.

The group had been shooting at remote controlled targets as they manoeuvred on foot through the moorland firing range and were using live rounds and night vision technology at the time.

Officers who were not sufficiently experienced in controlling such an activity and were not properly mentored or supervised to deal with an exercise of such complexity, HSE said.

Neil McPherson, Conor's father, said the family are still struggling to come to terms with his death.

In his victim personal statement, he said: 'Conor was a model son. He did not drink or smoke and he loved his family life. He loved books and his PC games and Saturday night films on TV.

'On the night Conor died, it was every parent's worst nightmare. A knock at the door, two men in suits bearing news that we had lost our son. I think we both went into shock but the memories of it all are blurred.

'The future is one of deep sorrow. Not to see Conor grow and find love and give us grandchildren is very sad. He would have been a fabulous father and as our only son there is no-one to carry on the family name.

'Socially, I don't go out much anymore and Betty (Conor's mother) hardly ever goes out socially except for a meal. I myself could not go back to work after Conor's death. I don't think I want to work anymore as I tend to shun being around groups of people.

'Betty and I have many pictures that to date I cannot bear to look at, although we often reminisce together. We also both have one of Conor's dog tags each which we wear on a chain.'
An Eric Cantona lookalike is wanted by the police after 700 of booze was stolen from a Morrison's supermarket.

Detectives have released a CCTV image of a dark-haired bearded man in a red Nike jacket with the collar turned up who they want to speak to.

His appearance has drawn comparisons with the Manchester United legend, Cantona who famously turned his collar up when playing for the Red Devils.

The man is described as a white man in his late 30s, of medium build, around 6ft tall and with short grey hair.

Police are looking to speak to a man who has been likened to Manchester United star Cantona

Eric Cantona in his Manchester United kit with his famously upturned collar

Internet sleuths noticed a similarity to the former Manchester United star, who was famed for his nonchalant style and trademark look of wearing his collar up.

One social media wag quipped: 'Eric Cantona has been on the rob.'

A second asked: 'What's Eric Cantona doing nicking booze?'

A third agreed: 'Looks like Eric Cantona.'

Police say the theft was reported in Sheffield on March 4 when 700 worth of alcohol was taken from a Morrisons supermarket in the city.

A spokesman said: 'Police would like to speak to the man shown in the CCTV image as he may be able to help with enquiries.

He is described as a white man in his late 30s, of medium build, around 6ft tall and with short grey hair.

'If you can help, you can pass information to police online or by calling 101.

The striker, who signed for the Red Devils from rivals Leeds in 1992, scored 64 goals in 143 games for the club before announcing his shock retirement in 1997.

He then pursued a career in cinema and starred in the 2009 film Looking for Eric.
A pro-Palestine protester claims a congressman assaulted her when he swatted away her phone as she harassed him about Gaza.

Sumer Mobarak, a Palestinian-American who frequently ambushes lawmakers about the issue, heckled Congressman Mike Ezell in a hallway of the US Capitol.

The first-term Republican was walking to a House Transportation and Infrastructure committee meeting on Tuesday when two activists started yelling at him.

One asked him whether Israel should accept a peace proposal Hamas offered. 'You want this genocide to continue?' she said.

Sumer Mobarak (center), a Palestinian-American who frequently ambushes lawmakers about the issue, claims a congressman assaulted her when he swatted away her phone as she harassed him about Gaza at the US Capitol (pictured outside)

Mobarak said: 'You want the killing of my people, my Palestinian people?' to which he replied 'Shut up. Knock it off'

Mobarak then added: 'You want the killing of my people, my Palestinian people?'

'Shut up. Knock it off,' Ezell says as the video shows him extending a hand and knocking down the phone that was being used for recording.

Mobarak said she filed a police report against Ezell, alleging assault. US Capitol Police said they were looking into the incident, but did not comment further.

'You are a disgusting, racist. How shameful of you that you even work in this administration, and you put your hands on a person, shame on you, shame on you,' she yelled at him later.

'You are the violent one, not the people protesting peacefully.'

Mobarak and her fellow activist were from CodePink, which calls itself a 'feminist grassroots organization working to end US wars and militarism'.

Her Instagram profile shows numerous other videos of her harassing lawmakers in the halls of the Capitol, other buildings, and on the street.

First-term Republican Congressman Mike Ezell was walking to a House Transportation and Infrastructure committee meeting on Tuesday when two activists started yelling at him

Mobarak in a rare photo without her hijab, wearing traditional dress

How the activists regularly gain access to the Capitol and are able to confront politicians in unclear.

'These China-backed protesters want to harass and intimidate Members of Congress into ending our support for Israel and our opposition to Hamas terrorists,' Ezell said.

'I will not be harassed or intimidated by the Chinese Communist Party, Hamas, or their supporters, and I will continue standing with our Israeli allies against terrorism.'

CodePink says on its website that 'China is not our enemy' and shares some views of the Chinese Communist Party - including its human rights abuses.

The group refers to Uyghurs, a Muslim minority in China the government relentlessly persecutes, as terrorists and defends their mass detention in 'reeducation' camps.

Ezell was a sheriff before winning a US House seat in south Mississippi in 2022, and he is seeking reelection this year.

The video shows him extending a hand and knocking down the phone that was being used for recording

Last year he spoke out against mass pro-Palestine protests where 300 were arrested for rallying in the rotunda of an office building next to the Capitol.

'Thousands of pro-Hamas protestors showed up on Capitol Hill. Many of them chose to break the law and were arrested in the Cannon House office building, not far from my office. Thankfully, my staff and I are okay,' he said.

'While I believe in the First Amendment, I condemn both the lawless actions and hateful rhetoric of these protestors.

'Anti-semitism and support for terrorism have no place on Capitol Hill or anywhere in the United States.'

Mobarak tried the same stunt on Congressman Brian Mast, a 12-year US Army veteran who lost both his legs to an IED in Afghanistan.

The activists asked him if he agreed there should be a ceasefire in Gaza as 'the world was asking for one'.

'I think Israel should go in there and kick the s**t out of them just absolutely destroy them, their infrastructure, level anything they touch. Clear enough?' he replied.
Heartbreaking video footage showed the moment a horse stood stranded on the top of a home following the storm that has flooded most of the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul and left 100 people dead.

The horse was left behind by its owners after they abandoned their home in the the municipality of Canoas.

Video from TV Globo's news helicopter showed a horse stranded on the roof on Wednesday morning. The Rio Grande do Sul Department of Civil Defense said it was launching a mission to rescue the animal.

Authorities were also looking into four other possible deaths that may be related to the flood following last week's rainstorm. It added that 128 people were still missing and that 372 have been treated for injuries.

Heavy rains caused bridges and buildings to collapse and turned neighborhood streets into rivers in 417 of the Rio Grande do Sul's 497 cities and displacing at least 234,000 people from their homes.

Rescue missions in Porto Alegre, the state capital, were cancelled Wednesday due to rain and high winds.

One volunteer told the network that some residents had gone three days without food.

A horse was spotted stranded on the roof of a home in the Canoas region of the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, where at 100 people have died since last week's heavy rains

A woman is evacuated from her flooded home Wednesday in Humaita, a neighborhood in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul

People who evacuated their flooded homes rest in a shelter amid heavy rain in Porto Alegre

Videos on social media showed alligators swimming in the flooded streets of Porto Alegre, the state capital, on Tuesday afternoon.

The Department of Environment dispatched a unit to canvass the Porto Alegre neighborhood of Menino Deus, but none had been detected as of Wednesday afternoon.

'Be careful, okay? These animals, they stay on the banks, and the banks are now inside the city, okay?' a local biologist warned on social media after sharing a video of a reptile swimming.

'So, if you see one, it looks like a big log, don't come close, okay?'

Brazil's national center for natural disasters issued an advisory Tuesday for the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, warning that more floods were likely Wednesday because of rain and winds that could surpass 55 miles per hours.

Satellite images show a comparison of Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre. The image of the left shows the airport grounds on March 19 while the right side shows the facility's condition on Monday after the floods

Residents have reported alligators swimming in the flooded streets of Porto Alegre, the state capital

Heavy rain flooded Porto Alegre, the capital of the Brazlian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Authorities report that 234,000 people have been displaced from their homes throughout the state

People charge their mobile phones outside a drugstore in downtown Porto Alegre on Wednesday

A boat navigates through a flooded street after heavy rain in Canoas, one of 417 cities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul that have been severely impacted by heavy rains

Governor Eduardo Leite announced the arrival of 100 National Force agents and the activation of reserve police officers Wednesday to combat looting.

At least 32 people were arrested Monday for crimes, including invasions and damages of property and vandalism, according to the Military Brigade.

'We will exert full force for public security,' Leite said.

The governor initially asked the government to turn over policing to the armed forces before petitioned for 400 National Force members.

'We will bring order to the state. We will arrest those that use this dramatic moment to carry out (robberies) or commit crimes,' Leite said.
The owner of three dogs, including a banned American Pitbull Terrier, who mauled a woman in a park has been pictured for the first time.

Lakaydia Reynolds, 24, was walking through Abbots Park in Lambeth, south London, when Darren Massey's dogs set upon her.

Ms Reynolds was left needing plastic surgery after the incident on June 6, which saw her pinned to the ground as the dogs bit and scratched her face, legs and arm.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Ms Reynolds revealed she was still in 'excruciating pain' after receiving nerve damage to her arm, and that she is unable to feel or move half of the limb.

Now, Massey, 27, has been seen attending Croydon Magistrates Court today where he admitted one count of owning a dangerous dog.

Pictured: Darren Massey speaks on the phone outside of Croydon Magistrates Court

Footage of the attack was later posted online, with video showing one dog jumping up and tearing into her arm

At one point the dog held on to her arm for more than 30 seconds as she desperately tried to pull away. She has since been told she has nerve damage in the limb

Massey was due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey last month but the hearing was adjourned for technical reasons.

READ MORE HERE: Terrifying moment screaming woman is attacked by two out-of-control dogs in small park as she is dragged to the ground while owner shouts 'run' Advertisement

The prosecution is trying to decide whether he should be charged with three counts of owning a dangerous dog or just one.

The terrifying attack, which took place in broad daylight, was seen by a passerby who filmed it. The video was later posted online.

Ms Reynolds was hospitalised for a week and she required plastic surgery and nerve damage to her lip.

She lost the use of her right arm and was unable to play rugby or her violin.

It is unclear which dogs actually caused injury to Ms Reynolds but one of them has been put down.

Massey earlier told the court: '[The dogs] have been confiscated. One of them has been put down.'

He was bailed to appear back at Croydon Magistrates Court on 29 May.

In October last year Ms Reynolds told the BBC: 'It turned out to be the worst day of my entire life.

Mr Massey's three dogs mauled a woman, 24, in a park and left her with horrific injuries that needed plastic surgery

'I was screaming, asking for help, asking him for help.

'It was just me against these three dogs. The owner himself actually started asking for help, which made me even more scared.

'I thought, if he can't control his dogs, then who can?

'I had to loosen my hoodie and take my hoodie off, and tear my arm out of the dog's mouth.

'If I didn't get away within the split second that I did, I knew those dogs were going to kill me.

'I've been impacted mentally, socially, emotionally and physically,' she added.

'One of the most difficult things for me is the fact that I can't do anything myself, so I have to rely on people to help me.'

She told the BBC that her full prognosis would only be known in 18 months, as that is the length of time it usually takes for nerve damage to heal.
Donald Trump is considering sending special operations teams into Mexico to kill the heads of drug cartels if he retakes the White House in November, according to a new report citing three sources familiar with his thinking.

During his four years in office he pondered whether it would be possible to launch missile strikes on cartel operations.

And, with the threat of drugs smuggled across the southern border only increasing since then, he is now publicly campaigning on a platform that includes using covert means to hurt the gangs responsible.

Trump is said to be modeling his thinking on the the successful 2019 military raid that he ordered to kill ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

But the approach would come with the risks of angering the Mexican government.

Members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) pose for a photo at an undisclosed location, in Michoacan state, Mexico

Former President Donald Trump leaving court on Tuesday. He is planning to use the military against Mexican cartels if he wins the election in Novemer

One of the sources told Rolling Stone that the former president said that the U.S. government should have a 'kill list of drug lords' to be captured of assassinated during his second term.

In conversation, Trump has insisted that the American armed forces have 'tougher killers than they do' and wondered why assassination missions haven been launched before.

Trump's campaign spokesman dismissed the report.

'This is nothing more than fake news from Rolling Stone who spoke with cowardly, un-named sources who either have no idea what they are talking about or are completely fabricating what will happen in a second Trump Administration,' said Steven Cheung.

'Let us be very specific here: unless a message is coming directly from President Trump or an authorized member of his campaign team, no aspect of future presidential staffing or policy announcements should be deemed official.'

Even so, the conservations with allies (including a lawmaker) appear to reflect Trump's public position which sets out how he would use military assets to tackle the problem.

'Deploy all necessary military assets, including the U.S. Navy, to impose a full naval embargo on the cartels, to ensure they cannot use our region's waters to traffic illicit drugs to the U.S.,' his campaign website says.

'Order the Department of Defense to make appropriate use of special forces, cyber warfare, and other covert and overt actions to inflict maximum damage on cartel leadership, infrastructure, and operations.'

Mexican officials are pictured dismantling a clandestine drug lab in Sinaloa, Mexico, in June 2019

A Mexican officer stands guard over the makeshift lab in El Dorado, Sinaloa. Trump wanted to launch missiles into Mexico to take the labs out, and then deny the U.S. was responsible

During his time in office, Trump did consider taking extraordinary measures. They were described by Mark Esper, his second defense secretary, in his memoir.

In the summer of 2020, the president asked him twice if the armed forces could launch 'missiles into Mexico to destroy the drug labs,' because the Mexican government did not have 'control of their own country.'

Trump had a response when Esper pointed out the legal and diplomatic difficulty in firing on a friendly neighbor

'No one would know it was us,' Trump reportedly told him.

The ideas were ridiculed at the time, but some have become mainstream Republican thinking.

Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor who ran against Trump for the Republican nomination, promised to send special forces into Mexico 'on day one' if he were elected.
A disabled woman said today she was 'really happy' that her conviction for manslaughter was quashed on appeal following the accidental death of a cyclist.

A thrilled Auriol Grey called her friend after the High Court decision, telling him: 'I'm really happy and relieved I will not be going back to jail.'

Ms Grey, 50, is due to be celebrating tonight with her pals and neighbours in Huntington, Cambridgeshire, who have supported her whole-heartedly throughout her ordeal.

Her friend, Roman Ramsay, said: 'Auriol will no longer be branded a killer. She is totally free, she should never have been convicted in the first place.

'When she went to the Appeal Court in London with her brother-in-law this morning she had packed a case and had been prepared to go back to prison.

'Now she is a free and her name has been totally cleared. She deserved that.'

Auriol Grey (centre), who shouted and waved at a cyclist who fell into the path of an oncoming car, has had her manslaughter conviction overturned

Grey, was accompanied to court today by her brother-in-law brother-in-law Alisdair Luxmoore (pictured together)

Grey shouted 'Get off the f****** pavement' as a retired midwife approached her on the pavement

CCTV footage showed Ms Ward falling into the road moments before she was struck by a car

The retired stone mason, 78, had regularly visited her at HMP Peterborough and had collected her from jail when she was fist released on unconditional bail six and a half weeks ago after winning the right to challenge her conviction.

Ms Grey was jailed for three years in March last year for waving aggressively at retired midwife Celia Ward who went on to fall into the path of an oncoming car which killed her.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Gilded former life of woman who caused cyclist to fall in path of car Advertisement

Mr Ramsay said: 'Her friends, family and neighbours all thought it was totally ridiculous she had been convicted of manslaughter and given a custodial sentence.

'She did too, and has always maintained she is not a killer.

'The last few weeks have been a big worry, and stressful, not knowing if she would win or lose her appeal and go back to prison.'

'But now it is all done and dusted. We are all glad it is over for her and she can get on with her life.

'She said when she called: 'I'll be seeing you tonight!' '

Another pal and neighbour Robert Reed said: 'My thoughts go to Celia Ward's family and this will come as a shock to them.

'But we are all looking forward to Auriol being back at home and permanently where she belongs, and we will be having cosy chats on the bench outside which we have been doing over the past weeks.

'The legal process taken in court. with one trial and a second, meant a judge without any guidance from police and highway authorities directed a jury to find her guilty of manslaughter.

CCTV footage showed Celia Ward (pictured with her husband David) wobble into the road in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where she was struck by a VW Passat

She was jailed last year and spent one year inside HMP Peterborough

Grey repeatedly told police she 'couldn't remember' details of the incident which led to Ms Ward's death

Auriol Grey, 49, gestured angrily towards 77-year-old Celia Ward and told her to 'get off the f****** pavement' as she rode her bike in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, in October 2020

'The judge made that decision himself.

'It was never a cycle path and it never will be.'

Mr Reed, who lives in her gated complex, owned and maintained by the Papworth Trust, added: 'Auriol had been ready for the worst and now she hasn't got to fear that any more.

'She's had a year incarcerated and however nicely she was treated by her fellow inmates and staff she was still stuck in a four wall cell.

'Now she can unpack her case for good and doesn't have to lave any more stickers on her door asking me to take her post.

'We are all relieved for her, and happy she has won her appeal, and now she can get back to some normality.'
When Stormy Daniels took the stand in Donald Trumps hush money case, her salacious testimony was a lewd story of unwanted, unprotected, blackout missionary sex nearly 20 years ago with a married celebrity who would go on to run for and become President of the United States.

Trump, now the 2024 presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is facing 34 criminal charges for falsifying business records for allegedly trying to hide the payment to Daniels before the 2016 election.

Legal experts believe Stormy Daniels' detailed testimony should not have been allowed and actually damaged the prosecution case despite her being an important witness in supporting their theory that there was an effort to violate election law.

Even Judge Juan Merchan who is presiding over the case expressed dismay for the porn stars wild testimony, warning prosecutors there were some things that would've been better left unsaid.

He called Daniels a little difficult to control and her testimony not easy.

Stormy Daniels leaving the Manhattan criminal court after testifying on Tuesday in Trump's hush money case

A sketch of Daniels demonstrating the pose she claims Donald Trump was in while wearing a robe on a hotel bed in 2006 before they had sex

Donald Trump gesturing with his fist as he returns to the criminal courtroom where Stormy Daniels was testifying in the hush money case on May 7

Daniels was visibly nervous in court. She spoke quickly and had to be told to slow down.

Legal experts acknowledge that can go two ways: a witness who either does not talk or does not stop talking.

Neither is helpful for a prosecutor who needs to be careful not to go out of bounds but also cannot interrupt or correct their witness.

But no matter how outlandish her story is, Daniels testified under oath that its all true. And she is expected to return to the stand on Thursday as cross-examination continues in the Manhattan criminal court.

Stormys tale of a silk robe and hotel sex

I think the testimony hurt the prosecution terribly, said Randy Zelin, an adjunct professor at Cornell Law School and trial attorney. He said it made Trump look more sympathetic and signaled the wrong message to the jury.

The jurors had to be sitting there with their sphincters tightening, they were so uncomfortable, Zelin said. That testimony does nothing, nothing to further the prosecutors obligation it sends a message to a juror: you dont have it.

Zelin said if they had to use it suggests the prosecution does not have a strong case or they would be speaking toward those details.

Stormy Daniels in 2022. She testified about a sexual encounter in court on May 7 that left even the judge saying there were 'some things that would've been better left unsaid

Stormy Daniels testimony should not have been admitted, said John Yoo, professor of law at the University of California, Berkeley. It was far more prejudicial to Trump than it added in facts relevant to the actual legal charges here.

After the mornings testimony, Trumps lawyer Todd Blanche even motioned for a mistrial calling her testimony extraordinarily prejudicial.

The DA seeks to prove that Trump improperly accounted for the payment to Daniels, in exchange for a non-disclosure agreement, to influence the election. All of the details allowed in, including her claim that the sex was non-consensual, was not necessary to prove that point, Yoo said.

Judge surprised there were not more objections

After Stormy Daniels took the jury on her wild ride testifying for the prosecution, Judge Merchan rejected the motion for a mistrial by Trumps defense.

A sketch of Donald Trump sitting by his lawyer Todd Blanche as Blanche called for a mistrial following Stormy Daniels' testimony

But he did express surprise that the defense team did not object more to Daniels testimony.

In fact, at one point the court objected because there was no objection coming from the defense, Merchan even said.

Zelin suggested Merchan did not need to publicly express surprise and embarrass the defense team which could drive a wedge between them and their client.

He said the defense cannot use its lack of objections as a way to appeal because if a lawyer does not object, its waived and not legally helpful to them later.

That said, Merchan directly stating surprise could be viewed by a higher court as recognition on the judges part as prejudicial, so his words could be potentially used on appeal.

Overall, whether to object or not is a balancing act. Jurors do not like objections because it suggests lawyers are trying to hide something which jurors could read into. It also highlights what the lawyer is objecting to.

For lawyers, it's sometimes a cost-benefit analysis over whether to object legal experts said. And with a quick speaking witness like Daniels, there is also the challenge of getting the objection in at the question before she jumps into a detailed account.

Yes Stormy Daniels hates Donald Trump

Perhaps one of the less damaging aspects of Stormy Daniels testimony in a counter intuitive way was when Daniels declared passionately that yes she did hate Donald Trump from the witness stand.

The standout moment came during Daniels cross-examination on Tuesday when Trumps defense attorney Susan Necheles was attempting to paint Daniels as a liar and someone looking to get rich off her story.

Necheles asked Daniels point blank if she hates Trump. Yes, Daniels said.

Necheles asked her if she wanted Trump to go to jail. Daniels quickly responded she wants him held accountable.

What makes this not as damaging to the prosecution, according to Zelin is that it truly appeared honest. Had she answered the question in any other way, it would have looked rehearsed with the prosecution.

Necheles quickly continued down her line of questioning after that moment without giving Daniels further chance to explain.

It could be seized on by the prosecution to exhibit her honesty on the stand. It could also be used for closing arguments where the defense can argue Daniels has an ax to grind.

Donald Trump in court on May 7 seated next to his defense attorney Susan Necheles who cross-examined Stormy Daniels

Where do they go from here?

While Daniels was a much anticipated witness with people tuning in for porn star testimony, at its heart, the case is about documents.

According to Zelin, the only way forward for the prosecution now is to focus on the elements of the crime: the former presidents intention to hide the payment to influence the election.

Trumps former fixer Michael Cohen is still expected to testify. Zelin said he might not be likable, but he needs to testify about how bad people hang out with bad people and give details about the alleged criminal act.

A sketch of Donald Trump looking on as Stormy Daniels testified about the settlement agreement in court on May 7

But Zelin also called the case overall an ill-advised prosecution that he never thought would go to trial. He said there are other stronger, more compelling cases against Trump that strike at the heart of our Democracy while the hush money case is really nonsense - tabloid fodder.

The district attorney elicited Daniels testimony because the legal case is so weak, Yoo said.
A British treasure hunter who raised 32million of silver from an Indian Ocean shipwreck torpedoed by the Japanese has been told he cannot claim salvage rights.

Motorsports champ and financier Ross Hyett, 70, successfully spearheaded a complex and risky treasure hunting mission to recover 2,364 bars of silver from the wreck of the SS Tilawa in 2017.

The 10,000-ton steamer, built in Tyneside, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine off the coast of the Maldives in November 1942.

Mr Hyett, from Derby, a former executive director of the British Racing Drivers' Club, having spent over two years planning and carrying out the salvage operation, successfully got his treasure hoard back to Southampton in 2017 and declared it to the Receiver of Wreck, which oversees salvage law.

But the South African government, the owner of the long-lost silver bars, sued Mr Hyett's company Argentum Exploration Ltd over the hoard, claiming it was state property and must be handed over.

After a back-and-forth legal battle, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that South Africa had 'sovereign immunity' from Mr Hyett's claim for salvage rights, the Times reports.

Ross Hyett, 70, successfully led a treasure hunting mission to recover 2,364 bars of silver from the wreck of the SS Tilawa

The SS Tilawa, a merchant steamer sunk in 1942 by Japanese torpedoes while carrying a 32m cargo of silver bars

The silver that was onboard the SS Tilawa on its way from what is now Mumbai, India, to a mint in South Africa, where it was due to be turned into coins.

Because of this, Lord Llyod-Jones and Lord Hamblen ruled that the silver was not meant for 'commercial use' as outlined in the 1978 State Immunity Act, according to the Times.

The court said it had also been informed about a deal made between Mr Hyett's company and the Republic of South Africa (RSA) last month, but provided no further details on the exact agreement.

The sinking of the SS Tilawa by Japanese torpedoes during the Second World War The SS Tilawa was a merchant ship owned by the British India Steam Navigation Company, having been built on the Tyne in 1924. It was 125m in length and at the time she was sunk carried a crew of 222, as well as 732 passengers and 6,472 tons of cargo. The ship was transporting mostly Indian nationals to Mombasa, Maputo and Durban. But en route from Bombay to Durban, the ship was sunk by two Japanese torpedoes on November 27, 1942. The ship was attacked 930 miles northeast of the Seychelles. Reports say that the first torpedo created panic among the 732 passengers, with many of the deaths coming in the rush to lifeboats. The ship remained afloat despite the attack but, as the survivors attempted to reboard, the second torpedo struck. Nearby British ship HMS Birmingham swiftly mounted a rescue operation and a total of 673 of the 954 people on board were brought back to Bombay. Another 281 lost their lives in the attack. Advertisement

A solicitor at the law firm HFW which advised the South African government, Jonathan Goulding, said that the ruling had an impact on treasure hunters since it demonstrates that 'finders are not always keepers'.

He told the Times: 'In light of this ruling, anyone hoping to recover valuable lost cargo and bring it to the UK to claim ownership of it will first need to take steps to identify the original owner and make contractual agreements with them to salvage cargo before attempting to do so.'

Lawyers for the Republic of South Africa (RSA) previously claimed that state immunity meant they were under no obligation to pay Argentum Exploration a massive 'salvage reward' under the 1995 Merchant Shipping Act to get them to release the silver.

In December 2020, Judge Sir Nigel Teare in the Admiralty Court in London found that RSA was obliged to pay up, after comparing the dispute to the board game Buccaneer, in which rivals race to claim pirate treasure.

Then in 2021 RSA won permission to take their fight to the Court of Appeal, but their appeal was dismissed.

The case had turned on delicate legal arguments over whether the silver was in commercial or sovereign use as it lay at the bottom of the sea 75 years after the ship carrying it was sunk.

If it was deemed to be in use for a sovereign purpose it would grant the RSA state immunity from paying a reward to the treasure hunters.

Appeal judge Lord Justice Popplewell ruled in 2022 that whilst the silver on board had been largely destined for the sovereign purpose of being turned into coins in the South African national mint, it was legally in 'commercial use' as it had been bought and sold and was being carried on a merchant ship when it was lost.

That purpose had not changed during the decades it had lain at the bottom of the sea the judge found.

The SS Tilawa was a merchant ship owned by the British India Steam Navigation Company, having been built on the Tyne in 1924.

She was 125m in length and at the time she was sunk carried a crew of 222, as well as 732 passengers and 6,472 tons of cargo.

That cargo included 2,391 bars of silver, purchased by the South African government and destined to be turned into

But en route from Bombay to Durban, the ship was sunk by two Japanese torpedoes.

Nearby British ship HMS Birmingham swiftly mounted a rescue operation and a total of 673 of the 954 people on board were brought back to Bombay on 27 November 1942, with 281 losing their lives.

HMS Birmingham the warship that came to the rescue of the SS Tilawa after it was hit by torpedoes

Passengers and crew attempting to flee the SS Tilawa, a merchant steamer sunk in 1942 by Japanese torpedoes

Of the 2,391 silver bars on board, 2,364 were salvaged and brought back to Southampton over 70 years later by Mr Hyett's treasure hunting company, Argentum Exploration Ltd.

The secret operation took six months and the bars shipped to Southampton. It has since been held under lock and key in a secure warehouse whilst Mr Hyett's company and the South African government fought in court over the rights to the treasure.

The South African government (RSA) is the legal owner of the hoard, but Argentum Exploration is not obliged to release the silver until South Africa has agreed to pay him a massive 'salvage reward' under the 1995 Merchant Shipping Act.

Salvage laws in the UK If you recover wreck material within UK territorial waters, or bring wreck material into UK territorial waters, you must report it to the Receiver of Wreck, under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. The Receiver of Wreck is responsible for processing incoming reports of wreck and ensures that the interests of both salvor and owner are taken into consideration. This is done by researching and establishing who owns the wreck and liaising with the finder and owner, and other interested parties such as archaeologists and museums. The Receiver aims to give owners the opportunity of having their property returned and to make sure a fair salvage award payment is made where necessary. If you recover wreck material, you must declare it to the Receiver within 28 days. You should give a full description of the wreck and will usually be asked to hold recovered material. If you own a wreck, you must prove ownership to the satisfaction of the Receiver. You must provide proof of ownership within one year of the material being reported. You will be entitled to have your property back as soon as you have paid any due expenses and an appropriate salvage award. A salvor, acting properly under the law, is likely to be entitled to a salvage award. This salvage award cannot exceed the salved value of the recovered material. The Receiver can arrange for independent valuations to help owners and finders agree on a fair salvage award. Source: gov.uk Advertisement

The South African government had insisted that it could legally avoid paying the reward for the silver under the State Immunity Act 1978.

The Act frees other sovereign states from being subject to UK laws, except in certain very limited circumstances.

Sir Nigel ruled in December 2021 that the bars were being used for commercial purposes when the ship was sunk in 1942, and handed victory to Mr Hyett's company.

Agreeing with that ruling, Lord Justice Popplewell said in October 2022 that the commercial purpose and use of the ship and the treasure could not be said to have changed during the 70-plus years it had lain on the sea bed.

'What exposes a state cargo owner to salvage in such cases...is the commercial use of a vessel to carry the cargo, which exposes it to the risk of having to pay salvage if it is saved from danger to the cargo owner's advantage,' he said.

'The silver had in all probability been forgotten about by RSA, which did not actively consider what to do with it until after 13 October 2017.

'That activity is non-sovereign and does not attract immunity under customary international law.

'The maritime circumstances which comprise that ingredient were no different when the salvage commenced in 2017 from those which existed at the moment in 1942 when the vessel and silver went to the seabed.

'No distinction is to be made between the moment when the vessel suffered the casualty and the moment when the silver became derelict by abandonment of hope of recovery by RSA, which it is to be inferred took place shortly after the sinking in 1942.

'Wreck as a recognised subject matter of a claim for salvage depends upon the maritime circumstances which preceded it becoming derelict.

'Moreover, the mere passage of time between cargo becoming derelict and the commencement of salvage services does not affect whether it is a recognised subject of salvage. It makes no difference whether it was salved within hours of becoming wreck or after 75 years.

'Accordingly, the use and intended use of the vessel and silver which it is necessary to examine are those at the time the vessel sank in 1942, when the silver was a cargo.

'The silver was a cargo in maritime circumstances then because it was being carried on the vessel. That is what makes the silver a recognised subject of salvage for the purposes of the maritime law claim.

'I agree with the judge that the silver was in use by RSA for commercial purposes when it was on board the vessel. Both aspects were non-sovereign activity under customary international law, and both were activity for commercial purposes.

'For these reasons I would dismiss the appeal,' he concluded in 2022.

Lady Justice Andrews agreed with Lord Justice Popplewell's conclusion.

However, Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing disagreed and delivered a dissenting judgement, leaving the door open for the challenge being taken to the Supreme Court, which the RSA did.
Chinese business leaders asked the Korean government Wednesday to extend greater tax credits and other incentives for their companies operating and making investments in Korea, Seoul's tax agency said.

The China Chamber of Commerce in Korea (CCCK), led by Chairman Weiyu Yin, made the request during a meeting with National Tax Service (NTS) Commissioner Kim Chang-ki and officials from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency in Seoul, according to the NTS.

Around 10 CEOs of its member companies also attended the meeting.

During the talks, the CCCK expressed gratitude for the agency's effort to provide tax assistance to foreign businesses and enhance engagement with them.

They also called for expanding tax incentives for investment by foreign companies, as well as for their employees, and asked for giving more foreign firms the "honorable taxpayer" distinction in recognition of their compliance efforts, the NTS said.

Kim vowed to continue to ensure "fair taxation and equal treatment" for domestic and foreign companies and to establish a "stable and predictable" tax environment in line with global standards.

It was the first meeting between the Korean tax agency and Chinese companies, the NTS said, adding that it will further enhance communication with foreign businesses. (Yonhap)
Police reports corroborate that she had complained of abuse before suicide

Mica Miller's pastor husband groomed her for years before they wed and had her committed to hospital to steal her car, court documents uncovered in the wake of her suicide claim.

The bombshell allegations emerged after Miller, 30, died by suicide on April 27.

She was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina, days after serving her husband John Paul Miller, 44, with divorce papers.

Now a police report over the alleged auto theft of her silver Honda Accord shows that their marital problems stretched back even further.

'When the complainant was discharged from the hospital, hospital staff informed her that her husband picked up her purse and her keys,' the report from February 2023 states.

Mica Miller killed herself at Lumber River State Park, North Carolina weeks after speaking about abuse within her marriage to John-Paul Miller, the couple are seen here

Police reports show that she had previously accused her husband of grooming and fraudulently having her committed to hospital so she could steal his car

Miller (right), 30, died by suicide suicide on April 27, days after filing for divorce from John-Paul Miller, 44, (left)

'The complainant believed that her husband fraudulently initiated her involuntary hospitalization and "stole" her care while she was in the hospital.'

Miller met with the cops at Coastal Grand Mall and told them she and her husband had been separated since January of that year.

'The complainant stated that she has known her husband since she was ten-years-old and that he "groomed" her while she worked for him at Solid Rock Church until they were married,' the report adds.

When investigators contacted her husband, he told them that his wife had been suffering from a 'reckless episode' due to poor mental health.

He said the incidents were annual crises which would flare up around Christmas and result in Miller spending excessively.

The former pastor told the officer he had seized the vehicle to prevent it being sold and would not give it back for a month to allow the episode to pass.

As both parties stated they were legally married, the investigator had to consider the car as marital property and therefore 'could not establish a criminal offense'.

Miller's suicide came weeks after she came out publicly to talk about abuse within her marriage.

Miller told cops she had known her husband since she was 10-years-old and that he groomed her 'for years' before they married

Police have now released images Miller in the lead up to her death amid conjecture about the circumstances. Pictured: Miller at her South Carolina home the day she died

Speaking in a video on Facebook on March 22 Mica said: 'You don't have to stay in an abusive relationship.

'Whether that's sexual, whether that's somebody forcing you to take illegal drugs or alcohol abuse, or physical abuse, psychological abuse, making you think that this is all your fault or that you're a bad mom or a bad husband or you're not giving it your all when you know you are.

'God hates divorce, but why? According to everybody that I've asked and the scriptures I've seen it's because it hurts people. But does abuse hurt people. How do you think God feels about that?'

In a separate police report filed by Miller's husband, he accused his wife of 'defamation' over the video and claimed she and her family were harassing him.

However, officers found 'no evidence' of this and advised him to stop looking at Miller's page.

In the days after her death, Miller's friends and family held a rally calling for 'justice for Mica' outside the church where her husband previously worked.

It has since emerged that her estranged-husband was pursuing at least one other woman whilst still legally married.

A waitress named Christiana revealed that he had exchanged flirty messages with her and even appeared to make light of his wife's suicide.

Millers black Honda is observed traveling on Highway 501 near Four Mile Rd., Conway, South Carolina on April 27 hours before her death

A tragic 911 call released by Robeson County Sheriff's Office showed Miller alerting 911 dispatchers to where he body could be found

A waitress told how the pastor had been sending her flirty messages, including calling her 'super hot' and asking for 'bikini pics' while still married

'I asked him if anything was new, and he more or less said yes, lots new, LOL, I'll text later,' she told NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas, confirming LOL stands for 'laugh out loud'.

The waitress explained she had engaged with the pastor in a bid to expose his behavior after becoming 'suspicious' he might be married.

Police have now released images and audio of Miller in the lead up to her death amid conjecture about the circumstances.

The speculation was partly fueled by a bizarre video of Miller's husband casually informing his congregants of her suicide at the end of a service.

However, evidence released by Robeson County Sheriff's Office as part of their investigation conclusively shows Miller plotting to end her life.
Kevin Spacey is being sued by a young actor who says he was a victim of 'sexual assaults and emotional abuse' after meeting the American Beauty star the Old Vic, it has been reported.

The alleged victim claims that he was sexually abused by Spacey after the two time Oscar winner invited the young man to his flat in Waterloo to speak about his career progression.

Last July the fallen star, 64, was found not guilty at Southwark Crown Court of nine sexual offences made against him by four men who were in their 20s and 30s between 2004 and 2013.

The young actor, who said the incident took place in 2008, was one of the men involved in the case and had accused Spacey of sexually abusing him.

Court documents released yesterday, however, showed the young actor, who was in his twenties at the time of the alleged assault, had reportedly filed a civil claim for compensation at the High Court.

Kevin Spacey is being sued by a young actor who says he was a victim of 'sexual assaults and emotional abuse' after meeting the American Beauty star the Old Vic, it has been reported

The alleged victim claims that he was sexually abused by Spacey after the two time Oscar winner invited the young man to his home to speak about his career progression

The young actor said he met Spacey while working at the Old Vic with the alleged incident taking place in 2008

The alleged victim, who met Spacey while performing at the London threatre, is wanting compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder. He said symptoms include severe depressive mood disorder and panic attacks.

The young actor, who was in his twenties at the time of the alleged assault, also said he now suffers with a loss of confidence and self-esteem.

Court documents seen by The Times described Spacey, who was working as the Old Vic's artistic director from 2003 to 2015, at the time as being a 'powerful figure and a world-famous actor and celebrity in his late forties'.

Spacey reportedly agrees that he met the young actor adding that he 'performed oral sex' on him after receiving consent. He rejected claims that the young man had been asleep or 'incapacitated' in some way.

The renowned actor argued the abuse claims were 'untrue and dishonest', adding that phone records showed the pair stayed in contact for a number of months.

The alleged victim filed the claim in 2022 but it was put on hold while Spacey's high-profile trial went ahead in London before he was acquitted of the charges.

According to The Times, Spacey failed to file a full defence against the case earlier this year, in what his representative Adam Speker KC, said was a 'genuine error by his solicitor'.

Spacey was found not guilty at Southwark Crown Court of nine sexual offences made against him by four men who were in their 20s and 30s between 2004 and 2013

Last year the American Beauty and House of Cards actor, 64, was found not guilty of nine sexual offences made against him by four men who were in their 20s and 30s between 2004 and 2013. He sobbed in court as the verdict was read

This reportedly led to a default judgement being made, however, this was set aside by the judge yesterday meaning a civil trial will occur.

Claire Glasgow of the law firm Fieldfisher, who is representing the alleged victim, told the paper: 'We are pleased that the judge recognised the seriousness of the claim and directed the court to proceed to trial.

'Our client is seeking justice in the civil courts for serious allegations against Mr Spacey, regardless of the findings of the criminal trial.'

The civil trial announcement comes just days after a bombshell Channel 4 documentary called Spacey Unmasked was released.

It sees 10 men make allegations against the fallen Hollywood star, which Spacey blasted as 'ridiculous' and 'completely offensive'.

Claims included that Spacey had pleasured himself in front of an aspiring actor, who was a former US Marine, while watching the traumatic opening sequence of Saving Private Ryan.

The civil trial announcement comes just days after a bombshell Channel 4 documentary called Spacey Unmasked was released. Pictured: Spacey in House of Cards

Spacey won an Academy Awards for best supporting actor in 1995 for his role as Roger 'Verbal' Kint in The Usual Suspects.

Another said he exposed himself to an intern in the bathroom of a bar and put his hand on the penis of a fellow actor on the set of hit TV series House Of Cards.

A third claimed Spacey pushed his groin into the face of an employee at the Old Vic theatre in London during a performance of the pantomime Cinderella.

Spacey has argued that he was 'provided with insufficient time and detail to respond to the testimonies in the film'.

'I have consistently denied - and now successfully defended - numerous allegations made both in the US and the UK, both criminal and civil, and each time have been able to source evidence undermining the allegations and have been believed by a jury of my peers.'

Continuing his fight-back against the slew of allegations, he also took part in a 95 minute interview with former GB News presenter Dan Wotton, where he declared he will 'no longer be speechless' in the face of allegations.

Spacey's lawyers said in a statement: 'The allegations made in this civil claim are the same allegations made by one of the complainants in the 2023 UK criminal trial, in which Mr Spacey was acquitted.

'Each time he has been given the time and a proper forum to defend himself, the allegations have failed under scrutiny and he has been exonerated.

'Mr Spacey has the opportunity now to defend these allegations, as he did in the criminal proceedings, and he looks forward to justice being done once again'.
Women are speaking out about their experiences going through complicated pregnancies and losing their babies while living at Marine Corp base Camp Lejeune.

The North Carolina base has been plagued with scandal over its contaminated drinking water and its connection to cancer diagnoses in the officials who served there.

Military personnel stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1975 to 1985 had at least a 20 percent higher risk for a number of cancers than those stationed elsewhere, federal health officials said.

NBC News investigation 'Baby Heaven: The Buried Stories of Camp Lejeune,' which is set to air Thursday at 9 p.m. on NBC News NOW, Cynthia McFadden spoke to women who shared their heartbreaking experiences of loss.

'When I had her, they didn't bring her to me right away. I'm thinking in my mind they were trying to prepare me for what she looked like. One nurse said, 'I'm going to be honest with you, I've never seen a case like this, so we're going to call in some specialists,'' said Ann Johnson, the wife of a military member.

Ann Johnson, the wife of a military member, said her baby was born with many birth defects and died at seven weeks old

Hundreds of infants died at Camp Lejeune, so many that a special section of the cemetery called Baby Heaven (pictured) is dedicated to graves for them

'They tell me that her brain stem didn't develop and a lot of other things. She had a cleft lip and cleft palate, which left an opening in the front of her mouth.'

'She couldn't cry out loud, you could see her open her mouth and you could see tears roll down her eye, but she couldn't make any noise,' said Johnson.

Johnson gave birth in 1984 when she was 18-years-old and had recently married her husband.

Her baby was take then hospital at Duke University where after seven weeks of treatment doctors said there was nothing left they could do and she died in her mother's arms while being driven home.

'During my pregnancy it became complicated. I had a condition called polyhydramnios, which means for some reason amniotic fluid was just backing up in me and I just begin to balloon. I gained 120 pounds in that one pregnancy,' Johnson said.

'When I talk about it, it takes me back to that moment I can feel everything I that I felt then. Confused, hurt, helpless, desperate. There's nothing wrong with me, what happened to my baby?'

Hundreds of infants died at Camp Lejeune, so many that a special section of the cemetery called Baby Heaven is filled with graves for them.

Federal health officials called the research done on the water at Camp Lejeune one the largest ever done in the United States to assess cancer risk by comparing a group who live and worked in a polluted environment to a similar group that did not.

The study found military personnel stationed at the Marine Corps Base were at higher risk for some types of leukemia and lymphoma and cancers of the lung, breast, throat, esophagus and thyroid. Civilians who worked at the base also were at a higher risk for a shorter list of cancers.

The study is 'quite impressive,' but cannot count as final proof that the tainted drinking water caused the cancers, said David Savitz, a Brown University disease researcher who is consulting for plaintiffs' attorneys in Camp Lejeune-related litigation.

Camp Lejeune was built in a sandy pine forest along the North Carolina coast in the early 1940s. Its drinking water was contaminated with industrial solvents from the early 1950s to 1985. The contamination  detected in the early 1980s  was blamed on a poorly maintained fuel depot and indiscriminate dumping on the base, as well as from an off-base dry cleaner.

Camp Lejeune has been plagued with scandal over the base's contaminated drinking water and its connection to cancer diagnoses in the officials who served there

Federal officials found military personnel stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1975 to 1985 had at least a 20 percent higher risk for a number of cancers than those stationed elsewhere

Before wells were shut down, contaminated water was piped to barracks, offices, housing for enlisted families, schools and the base's hospital. Military personnel and families drank it, cooked with it and bathed in it.

The contamination has spawned a wave of litigation by law firms who have aggressively sought out clients with TV ads.

People who got sick after being at Camp Lejeune have accused the Marine Corps of failing to protect the health of its personnel and criticized the federal government for being slow to investigate. Marine Corps officials have repeatedly said that federal environmental regulations for these cancer-causing chemicals were not finalized until 1989, after the wells were shut down.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, or ATSDR, an Atlanta-based sister agency to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has done about a half-dozen studies focused on health problems in people at Camp Lejeune. Those studies were smaller than the new one, and had varied focuses, including male breast cancer rates and birth defects in children born to base personnel.

A federal law signed by President Joe Biden in August 2022 included language to address concerns of people who developed certain health problems they believe were linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination. It gave them a two-year window to file claims.

NBC News Investigation 'Baby Heaven: The Buried Stories of Camp Lejeune,' airs on Thursday at 9 p.m. on NBC News NOW.
The United States paused sending an arms shipment to Israel, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday, in what is seen as a warning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a full-scale invasion of Rafah.

President Joe Biden's decision to delay the delivery of 3,500 bombs to the U.S.'s Middle East ally was the first time he used his executive power to influence Israel's approach to its war with Hamas.

Austin told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that the Biden administration's position has been clear 'from the very beginning that Israel shouldn't launch a major attack into the Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians that are in that battle space.'

'As we have assessed the situation, we have paused one shipment of high payload munitions,' he added.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the U.S. has delayed an arms shipment to Israel

The defense secretary went on to say that 'we've not made a final determination on how to proceed with with that shipment.'

And he emphasized the administration is 'absolutely committed to continuing to support Israel in its in its right to defend itself.'

Israel has downplayed the administration's decision to withhold the 1,800 2,000-pound and 1,700 500-pound bombs. Biden officials were concerned the weapons would be used against refugees in Rafah.

The administration also is reviewing whether to hold back future transfers, including guidance kits that convert so-called dumb bombs into precision-guided munitions, according to reports.

Many Democrats have urged the president to limit arms shipments to Israel out of concern they will be used against innocent civilians.

Israel heavily relies on the U.S. to stock its military. Many of the drones used last month to ward off Iranian missiles were American-made and U.S. forces helped counter the bombing.

Biden's decision comes as he has struggled to balance his support for Israel after the October 7th attack by Hamas with his efforts to protect the civilian population of Palestine.

About a million refugees have crowded into Rafah. Biden on Monday warned Netanyahu against a full-scale assault of Rafah.

But, on Monday, Israel's military warned about 110,000 civilians to leave Rafah, and hours later its tanks moved in. It was not a full-scale invasion but some worry that one is imminent.

Israel has threatened a major assault on area to defeat thousands of Hamas fighters it says are holed up there.

Smoke rises following Israeli airstrike on Rafah - Israel relies heavily on the U.S. to stock its military

Republicans blasted the administration's decision to delay the bomb delivery.

Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell demanded answers on why the bomb shipment was delayed and said they had to learn about it from media reports and not the administration.

'We were alarmed by media reports that your Administration had delayed the delivery of a variety of weapons shipments bound for Israel. This news flies in the face of assurances provided regarding the timely delivery of security assistance to Israel,' they wrote to Biden in a joint letter.

Senator Lindsey Graham rebuked the administration.

'This is obscene. It is absurd. Give Israel what they need,' Graham said, noting it wasn't for Washington to second-guess how Israel fought a war against Hamas militants bent on Israel's destruction.

Senator Deb Fischer, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called on Biden to drop 'his politically-motivated hold'.

'American support for Israel cannot be in doubt, especially now,' she said.

And Representatives Mike Rogers, the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Michael McCaul, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a joint statement calling on the bombs to be delivered.

'We are appalled that the administration paused crucial arms shipments to Israel. Withholding arms to Israel weakens Israel's deterrence against Iran and its proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah,' they said.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials are worried that Israel now controls the Gaza side of a crossing to Egypt that is a major conduit for humanitarian aid.

Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian crisis and famine-like conditions.

The seizure and the closing of the Kerem Shalom crossing, the only two major entry points in the south for food, medicine and other supplies, has prompted worries the crisis could worsen.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration has reassurance the crossing has been reopened.

'We have been told by Israel that that has been opened. It is important to get those trucks in. It is important to get that aid into Gaza. So, that's what we want to see.'

'We know how dire the situation is in Gaza. We want to continue to get that humanitarian aid, and we want a ceasefire. We want a ceasefire,' she noted.

Flares are fired above Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip

Meanwhile, Netanyahu was expected to meet CIA director William Burns on Wednesday afternoon in Israel, an Israeli official told the New York Times.

Burns has been in the Middle East trying to finalize a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas that would see the release of hostages.

Hamas' Oct. 7 attack killed about 1,200 people with about 250 others abducted, of whom 133 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza, according to Israel.

Israel's campaign to destroy Hamas has so far killed a total of 34,789 Palestinians, mostly civilians, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

White House spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday that the negotiations were at a 'sensitive stage' and that 'there should be no reason why they can't overcome those remaining gaps.'
She is now dealing with over $2,000 worth of charges and financial damage

An employee posted unedited pictures of the card in an attempt to identify her

A woman had thousands of dollars worth of unauthorized charges made to her credit card after leaving it behind at a cafe.

Rhonda Deaver was visiting the Smith's Cafe in Kinston, North Carolina, after her weekly doctor's appointment on April 30 when she accidentally left her credit card at the eatery.

While on her way home, Deaver was called by a bank representative and alerted about suspicious charges.

When she hurriedly returned back to the dinery, management told Deaver that an employee posted unedited pictures of the front and back side of her card on a Facebook group named Word of Mouth Kinston in an attempt to identify her.

Rhonda Deaver was visiting the Smith's Cafe in Kinston after her weekly doctor's appointment on April 30 when she accidentally left her credit card at the eatery

When she hurriedly returned back to the dinery, management told Deaver that an employee posted unedited pictures of the front and back side of her card on a Facebook group named Word of Mouth Kinston in attempt to identify her

But by the time she was able to recover her card, over $2,000 worth of charges had been racked up on her account

But by the time she was able to recover her card, over $2,000 worth of charges had been racked up on her account.

She later told FOX19: 'I couldn't believe that they did that, but I was sick, thinking I might be responsible for all those charges.

'A whole lot of declines  but a whole lot that went through.'

Deaver has since shut down the account and disputed all of the charges but says that she has suffered serious financial damage.

'I live on a fixed income, and there's not like there's extra money every month to cover those bills that someone else charged on my card,' the distressed woman said.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Smith's Cafe for a comment.

She later said: 'I couldn't believe that they did that, but I was sick, thinking I might be responsible for all those charges'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Smith's Cafe for a comment

Deaver has since shut down the account and disputed all of the charges but says that she has suffered serious financial damage

But while many may think that posting edited pictures of bank cards may be a safer option, an expert has busted that myth.

Meredith Radford of the Better Business Bureau explained: 'You definitely should not post the credit card online.

'I would be worried about people being able to reverse that somehow. And even if it's to find the person, it's easy enough to cancel your credit card and get a new one with your company. It's not worth it.'

This comes less than a week after a Minnesota ice cream shop employee was fired for receiving a generous tip from a customer that 'could be' dealing with dementia.

Emily Swenson was working a shift at the Moorhead Freez when a customer came in and tried to leave her a $100 tip.

After Emily insisted that the tip was too generous and that she could not accept it, the customer put the bill in the tip jar and drove away.

An employee at a Minnesota ice cream shop was fired for receiving a generous tip from a customer that 'could be' dealing with dementia

Emily Swenson received a written warning from her boss after the tip was left. Her parents, Seth and Lisa Swenson (pictured), uploaded the 'employee warning notice form' on their joint Facebook post

Days later, on April 24, Emily received a written warning from her boss. Her parents, Seth and Lisa Swenson, uploaded the 'employee warning notice form' on their joint Facebook post.

It read: 'Emily needs to understand that some of our customers are elderly and could be dealing with dementia or other illnesses that make it hard for them to understand their actions. No one in their right frame of mind tips $100 at a place where every menu item is under $12.'

The parents explained in their Facebook post that Emily was working her fifth season at the ice cream shop - and revealed that her boss had accused her of 'taking' the $100 from a customer.

The written warning went on to say, 'As an employee of The Freez, it is your responsibility to protect the reputation of the establishment.

'If the customer is dealing with issues and the family finds out that she was allowed to put $100 in the tip jar, The Freez will be looked down on as a place that takes advantage of the elderly.'

Emily was fired the next day, according to her parents.

The Freez terminated her on the basis that she violated the company's policy which states that employee's should not accept bills over $20 as a form of payment - even though the policy does not mention anything about tips.
Daily ferries to Ireland are at risk of being used by stowaway migrants to flee the UK in a bid to escape being sent to Rwanda.

Undocumented asylum seekers are paying thousands of euros to enter the country via cruise ships from the UK, according to some of the new arrivals living in tents on the Grand Canal in Dublin.

There were a total of 85 tents lined up between Mount Street Bridge and Huband Bridge in the Irish capital yesterday afternoon  a figure that has doubled in less than a week.

Migrants can take regular ferries from either Fishguard in southwest Wales to Rosslare in Co Wexford.

The alternative is a ferry from Holyhead in north Wales to Dublin.

A ferry leaving Holyhead in north Wales bound for Dublin in Ireland (file image).

Daily ferries to Ireland are at risk of being used by stowaway migrants to flee the UK in a bid to escape being sent to Rwanda

Tents which have been pitched by asylum seekers along a stretch of the Grand Canal, Dublin

Taoiseach Simon Harris yesterday vowed that the encampment would not be allowed to remain in place for 'weeks and weeks'

Those with passports can also travel on cruise ships which stop off in Dublin and can cost up to 6,750.

After often paying more than 1,000 for a spot on a small boat across the Channel , migrants may be forking out even more to escape the UK - and the prospect of a one-way flight to Rwanda.

Today, one man from Egypt told the Irish Daily Mail that he feels safer in Ireland as 'in England they will send him to Rwanda'.

While some of the homeless asylum seekers came from the former encampment outside the International Protection Office (IPO) on nearby Mount Street, others arrived in Ireland just days ago from the UK.

Taoiseach Simon Harris yesterday vowed that the encampment would not be allowed to remain in place for 'weeks and weeks'.

Abdul Rashid, 28, from Afghanistan, told the Mail that crossing the Irish Sea into Dublin was very straightforward as he did not need a passport.

He said he did not board a traditional ferry but paid approximately 2,000 (1,719) for a cruise ship ticket.

'I got a very big boat to Ireland only yesterday  it was like a hotel and they gave us food and everything,' he said.

Abdul Rashid, 28, from Afghanistan , told the Mail that crossing the Irish Sea into Dublin was very straightforward as he did not need a passport

He said he did not board a traditional ferry but paid approximately 2,000 (1,719) for a cruise ship ticket

'I didn't need a passport because they only checked for tickets. This was my only option. We weren't stopped coming off the boat and just walked off.'

Mr Rashid said he was forced to flee his home country when the Taliban took control.

'I came from a very happy family with no problems until the Taliban came. My father was killed and the rest of my relatives had to leave their homes.

'I paid 7,000 (6,019) to get to France and had to cross six different countries to get there.

'I spent 15 months in France, but they didn't accept my papers so I had no other choice but to travel to the UK.'

The young man spent 1,700 (1,977) to make the perilous journey across the English Channel on an inflatable dingy with around 55 people.

'It was very dangerous and there were many families with children,' he said.

But it was when he learned about the threat of being sent to Rwanda that Mr Rashid decided to try Ireland.

'My hope is to finally settle down in Ireland and get my life back to normal. I would like to ensure my family's safety in Afghanistan and then continue my education here,' he said.

Khyber Ghurzng, 27, also from Afghanistan, said he arrived on the same ship as his friend Abdul.

'We bought tickets but didn't need passports,' he said, before implying that they needed to be evasive to avoid being asked for them.

Olivia Headon, who is helping refugees on the banks of the Grand Canal

'It cost 2,000 (1,719) to come here. It was expensive but we didn't have a choice, there was no other way.

'I'm here now and I'm still questioning how I'm alive. Crossing the sea into the UK was so dangerous that I accepted death.

'The boat we were on started to sink and water was coming past our legs, but thankfully the British coast guard came to rescue us'.

Mr Ghurzng said he's very appreciative for the help he's received in Ireland, despite not being provided with State accommodation.

'I'm in a tent now but at least I'm with other people and getting help from volunteers. I remember spending weeks alone sleeping in forests with nothing but my backpack,' he said.

Reda Alsaba from Egypt also said he arrived from the UK in recent weeks.

'I feel much safer in Ireland because in England they want to send us all to Rwanda,' he said. 'I'm happy to be in this country and I think it will be a much nicer place to live because there is work and more opportunities here.'

Throughout the afternoon, the asylum seekers living on the Grand Canal socialised with one another and discussed their applications, along with utilising the charitable services available to them.

An experienced barber from Gaza was seen giving a haircut to a new arrival, leaving his grooming utensils on the lock near Mount Street Bridge.

On a number of occasions, passers-by shouted insults at them, with one woman becoming quite irate when an asylum seeker called her racist while she was taking a video of him.

Olivia Headon, a volunteer at the Grand Canal yesterday, said proving assistance to asylum seekers is essential since the Government are unable to accommodate them.

She said: 'When asylum seekers arrive and register at the IPO they're given a sheet that explains the services they can access, but not everyone can understand it.

'What we do is make sure they know what's available to them. We provide them with tents and other essential items that various charitable organisations supply, along with sharing information with them via WhatsApp.

'We also buy a lot of stuff with private donations from friends and families as we're not an organisation or getting grants from the Government.

'We're five minutes away from Baggot Street Hospital and every single person here along with all the rough sleepers in Dublin could be housed there tomorrow.

'There's also an abundance of empty offices in Dublin and they're not providing any purpose at the moment.'

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has vowed that the migrants sleeping in tents at the Grand Canal will not be allowed to stay there for much longer.

'We need to see a multi-agency response where we don't have some sort of national game of pass the parcel in relation to responding to the very significant humanitarian situation,' Mr Harris said.

'What we saw in relation to Mount Street was utterly unacceptable; it was getting very near to a public health emergency.'

Mr Harris added that he will not allow the Grand Canal become another Mount Street encampment.

Reda Alsaba from Egypt is just one of the refugees living in a tent on the Grand Canal

'What happened on Mount Street was allowed to go on for weeks and weeks, and months and months in fact, this will not be the situation in relation to the Grand Canal. I'm very confident progress will be made in relation to this, both in terms of sites for people to safely sleep, safely live and safely access sanitation facilities,' he added.

They are among 1,710 male asylum seekers without an offer of State accommodation, according to the Department of Integration.

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin has claimed that the Government has 'lost control' of the immigration system.

He said failing to deport asylum seekers who do not qualify 'sends a message internationally'.

'We have a situation at the moment where the Government is spending quite a bit of money on a process to differentiate between those who need help and those who don't,' he told Newstalk.

'Yet at the end of that process, when people have been decided upon that they're not asylum seekers, 85% of those people find themselves not receiving an active deportation order.

'I believe that's putting an incredible pressure on the system.

'If you have a system whereby you are not actioning deportation orders, that sends a message internationally that Ireland is a place where you can come.'

Mr Toibin added that there is no system at Dublin Airport that confirms a person with a deportation order has actually left.

'If you had a voluntary deportation system, at least to be some level of confirmation that it's occurred,' he said.

'But the minister is admitting that there's no system available at the moment to confirm the person has exited.'

Cunard, Princess Cruises and Silversea have been contacted for comment.
A Utah couple claims their new luxury home is falling apart as huge cracks have appeared on their walls and driveway.

Rob and Tammy Anderson purchased their dream home in Eagle Mountain for $600,000 in November 2021.

Soon they realized small issues like the paint was thinning and there was small cracks in the driveway, the couple told ABC4.

The couple noticed there were also cracks in the basement walls and their front stairs and driveway appeared to be sinking into then ground.

But the home's issues worsened over the last weeks, as construction began on a park that borders their backyard.

A Utah couple claims their new luxury home is falling apart after nearby construction work caused huge cracks to appear on their walls and driveway

Rob and Tammy Anderson purchased their dream home in Eagle Mountain for $600,000 in November 2021

Unfortunately for the Andersons, by the time they noticed the concerning changes, their warranty had expired

'It has gotten so bad that we cant shut our gate,' Tammy told ABC4.

'Everything is completely uneven.'

At one point Tammy reportedly tripped and broke her classes because a portion of the concrete in the front of the home started sinking.

Unfortunately for the Andersons, by the time they noticed the concerning changes, their warranty had expired.

The couple also noticed cracks in the stucco cement siding of their home and even on the deck.

Tammy said: 'Its been very stressful for him, because he is here all day, and feels it and sees it  literally our home, falling apart and sinking.'

The couple also noticed cracks in the stucco cement siding of their home and even on the deck

The home's issues worsened over the last weeks, as construction began on a park that borders their backyard

'It has gotten so bad that we cant shut our gate,' Tammy told ABC4

Rob also says compaction machine used by the construction workers caused vibrations that felt like 'mini earthquakes every day' in their home.

The couple considered painting over the cracks until they realized the size of the cracks was increasing and reaching as far as the home's foundation and the outside gates.

While they are not completely sure what is causing the cracks in their home, the couple received a letter from the house's builder where the company says it believes the cracks are due to the construction at the park and improper drainage.

The couple considered painting over the cracks until they realized the size of the cracks was increasing

Rob also says compaction machine used by the construction workers caused vibrations that felt like 'mini earthquakes every day' in their home

The company, Alpine Homes, however, said the improper drainage was caused by separate contractors the couple hired.

Alpine Homes also said the park construction work 'exacerbated' the conditions.

City communications manager Tyler Maffitt told ABC4: 'We consider this a civil matter between the property owner and the developer.'

Maffitt added that the developer was the one to hire the building, and the city has played 'very little role' in the project.

'It is the responsibility of the developer to improve that park and to finish its completion,' he said.
Students at Trinity College Dublin forced the university to divest investments in Israeli companies after pro-Palestinian protesters blockaded the campus.

The mass encampment protest is now set to come to an end following an agreement between senior management staff at the school and demonstrators.

Visitors have been unable to access the historic Book of Kells since action began on Friday evening when the activists set up tents inside the campus of the prestigious Dublin university.

The students taking part in the protest had vowed to maintain the blockade until the university cuts all ties with Israel.

University management met with student representatives on Wednesday to discuss the situation.

Pro-Palestine student demonstrators set up tents on the campus of Trinity College Dublin and vowed to maintain the blockade until the university cut all ties with Israel

Trinity said plans are being put in place to return to normal university business for staff, students, and members of the public

A banner hangs in a window of the Trinity College, during a protest by students in support of Palestinians in Gaza, amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Dublin, Ireland, May 6, 2024

In a statement, Trinity said it will complete a divestment from investments in Israeli companies that have activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and appear on the UN Blacklist in this regard.

This process is expected to be completed by June.

It said it would 'endeavour' to divest in other Israeli companies, noting that its supplier list contains just one Israeli company which will remain until March 2025 for contractual reasons.

Senior Dean Professor Eoin O'Sullivan, who led the talks for Trinity, said: 'We are glad that this agreement has been reached and are committed to further constructive engagement on the issues raised.

'We thank the students for their engagement.'

Trinity said plans are being put in place to return to normal university business for staff, students, and members of the public.

Outgoing students' union president Laszlo Molnarfi said the resolution of talks with the university was an 'unprecedented' result.

Mr Molnarfi told PA: 'Students, staff and the public united have pushed Trinity towards boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS).'

He said he hopes the protest at the university will inspire other students.

'It shows the power of grassroots student and staff fighting for a just cause of Palestinian liberation and to end complicity with Israeli genocide, apartheid and settler colonialism.

'Students over the world are standing up for what is right.'

In its statement on Wednesday, Trinity said: 'We fully understand the driving force behind the encampment on our campus and we are in solidarity with the students in our horror at what is happening in Gaza.

'We abhor and condemn all violence and war, including the atrocities of October 7th, the taking of hostages and the continuing ferocious and disproportionate onslaught in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the dehumanisation of its people is obscene.

'We support the International Court of Justice's position that 'Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.'

'A real and lasting solution that respects the human rights of everyone needs to be found.'

The scenes at Trinity follow a wave of similar student protests at university campuses across the US.

The encampment was initiated days after it emerged that the university authorities had fined the students' union more than 200,000 over previous protests on campus.

It invoiced the union for 214,285 after a series of demonstrations about fees and rent, as well as pro-Palestinian solidarity protests.

The university cited a loss of revenue due to blockades of the Book of Kells and famous Long Room library among the reasons for the fine.

The protesting students called for a 'retroactive amnesty' for students involved in protests on campus and the rescinding of the bill imposed on the student's union.

The Israeli military seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday

Smoke rises following Israeli airstrike on Rafah, Gaza on May 08, 2024

Israeli fighter jets conducted multiple airstrikes east of Rafah city in southern Gaza. Plumes of smoke billowed from the Rafah border gate and Al Salam areas

Asked about the status of the fines, Mr Molnarfi said this was a matter for further engagement with the university.

Trinity is also establishing a taskforce on related matters with student and staff representatives, led be an external chair.

Elsewhere, the Irish deputy premier said he is 'horrified' by events unfolding in Rafah, describing the levels of violence as 'unconscionable'.

Israel has threatened to launch a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city.

More than one million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israel's war in the region.

The Israeli military seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Israeli troops said they had reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed nearly three days earlier after a Hamas rocket attack.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was 'really horrified' with the events.

Speaking at the Arbour Hill commemoration event, Mr Martin said: 'It's quite shocking, the level of human suffering.

'The civilian causalities, death and very serious injuries on a daily basis being (endured) by the people of Gaza.

'The taking of the Rafah crossing, for example, creates huge challenges for humanitarian aid getting into Gaza.

'I have seen myself the amount of aid has been stopped already.

'There is an urgent need for medicines, for food and for the basics of life to get in for the people of Gaza.

'It's only unconscionable that this level of violence continues.

'We need an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages and then we need discussion on the political track on how Gaza is reconstructed because what the people have gone through there is quite horrific and it is shocking and unacceptable, it has to stop.'

On Wednesday, protesters from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered outside Leinster House in support of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Rafah.

Demonstrators waved Palestine flags and called for Israel not to invade Rafah and to impose sanctions against Israel.
They said that if demands are met then they will move into shelters

Migrants in Denver have issued a list of 13 demands that they said must be met in order for them to leave the street encampment and go to a shelter.

On Wednesday, the group said that if their lengthy list of demands, which included better food options and work permits, is met, they will voluntarily leave their tents and go to city-funded shelters.

Denver Human Services has tried to persuade the migrants to get off the streets, and according to city officials, even with the demands, that offer still remains for those who leave.

V Reeves, a migrant advocate, told KDVR, 'The camp as a collective came up with a list of demands.'

V Reeves, a migrant advocate, said that the Denver migrant community will only go to city-run shelters if their 13 demands are met

The list asked for better food options and work permits for migrants, among other orders. (pictured: the title of the list)

The list, which has circulated on social media, was created after the city started to move migrants from encampments under train tracks and into shelters early Wednesday.

'This morning, they sent buses to take people over without presenting that document and without having any kind of signature for accountability,' Reeves said.

Read the list below:

Migrant demands to accept DCC shelter

1. Migrants will cook their own food with fresh, culturally appropriate ingredients provided by the City instead of premade meals- rice, chicken, flour, oil, butter, tomatoes, onions, etc... Also people will not be punished for bringing in and eating outside food.

2. Shower access will be available without time limits and can be accessed whenever- we are not in the military, we're civilians.

3. Medical professional visits will happen regularly and referrals/connections for specialty care will be made as needed.

4. All will receive that same housing support that has been offered to others. They cannot kick people out in 30 days without something stable established.

5. There needs to be a clear, just process before exiting someone for any reason- including verbal, written and final warnings.

6. All shelter residents will receive connection to employment support, including work permit applications for those who qualify.

7. Consultations for each person/family with a free immigration lawyer must be arranged to discuss/progress their cases, and then the City will provide on-going legal support in the form of immigration document clinics, and including transportation to relevant court dates.

The list has since circulated on social media and was created after the city started to move migrants from encampments under train tracks and into shelters early Wednesday

'We've been offering timing shelter, basically just trying to get families to leave the camp and come inside,' Jon Ewing with Denver Human Services said

8. The City will provide privacy for families/ individuals within the shelter.

9. No more verbal or physical or mental abuse will be permitted from the staff, including no sheriff sleeping inside & monitoring 24/7- we are not criminals and won't be treated as such.

10. Transportation for all children to and from their schools will be provided until they finish in 3 weeks.

11. No separating families, regardless of if family members have children or not. The camp will stay together.

12. The City must schedule a meeting with the Mayor & those directly involved in running the Newcomer program ASAP to discuss further improvements & ways to support migrants.

13. The City must provide all residents with a document signed by a City official in English & Spanish with all of these demands that included a number to call to report mistreatment.

Reeves believes that instead of meeting their demands, the city chose to take matters into their own hands.

In response to the migrants' new demands, the city said that they have been trying to work with them.

'We've been offering timing shelter, basically just trying to get families to leave the camp and come inside,' Jon Ewing with Denver Human Services said.

Ewing explained that the shelters will come with better conditions than what the migrants are dealing with currently.

He said that the shelters will offer 'three square meals a day' and that people can even cook for themselves should they wish.

'There have been so many complaints about the food being spoiled or not being enough and malnutrition amongst children,' Ewing said.

Ewing said that the city's offer comes with benefits including helping migrants understand what they qualify and don't qualify for.

He said: 'What might be something that is a feasible path for you to success that is not staying on the streets of Denver?'

Ewing added that the city has tried to find a 'compromise' with migrants and that the hope is to not have 'families on the streets of Denver.'

Denver Human Services has tried to persuade the migrants to get off the streets and into shelters, and according to city officials, even with the demands, that offer still remains

On Wednesday morning, city officials brought buses to the encampment to shuttle migrants to shelters that wanted to leave

In April, Denver Communications Liaison, Andres Carrera, warned that Colorado did not have the proper resources to take care of the influx of migrants

It is unclear if the city will meet the migrant's demands and what will happen next.

For now, the city has decided to keep shuttling buses to the encampment for migrants that want to leave the streets and go to an indoor city-run shelter or hotel.

In April, Denver Communications Liaison Andres Carrera begged migrant families to move on to other sanctuary cities like New York or Chicago.

Carrera warned them that Colorado did not have the proper resources to take care of them and that they would 'suffer.'

'The opportunities are over,' Carrera said in Spanish. 'New York gives you more. Chicago gives you more. So I suggest you go there where there is longer-term shelter. There are also more job opportunities there.'

The overburdened city has allocated more than $100 million to provide housing, medical care and education for asylum seekers, according to Mayor Mike Johnston.

But amid the ongoing migrant crisis, that number could reach $180 million - 15 percent of Denver's annual budget.

Other sanctuary cities have begun to do the same as Chicago previously emptied its state-run shelters at Rogers Park's Leona Beach and Little Village's Pietrowski Park.

The crisis has also reached a fever pitch in New York City, which has seen roughly 180,000 migrants enter since 2022. Under its 'Right to Shelter' law, the city must provide food and housing.

Mayor Eric Adams beseeched the state to provide more funding during a joint legislative budget hearing last month.

'New Yorkers are already carrying most of the asylum seekers. It is wrong to ask them to do more. It has put the city in a precarious situation,' he said at the time.
The girlfriend of an American soldier arrested in Russia on theft charges begged his mom for money shortly before he was detained, according to his mother.

Staff sergeant Gordon Black, 35, had reportedly just finished his service in South Korea and traveled to Russia without permission.

On Thursday, Black - who's reported to be married - was arrested for theft in Vladivostok, a port city near Russia's border with North Korea and China.

Kremlin-controlled Russian TV has reported Black was arrested for beating a woman, identified as Aleksa Viktorovna, 31, and stealing money from her.

But his mom Melody Jones has refuted this narrative and claims her son was 'set up', stating his girlfriend asked her to wire her $600 before his arrest.

Staff sergeant Gordon Black, 35, had reportedly just finished his service in South Korea and traveled to Russia without any kind of permission

Kremlin-controlled Russian TV has reported Black was arrested for beating a woman, identified as Aleksa Viktorovna, 31, and stealing money from her. They are pictured together

His mother Melody Jones (left) said Black was on a two-week leave when he traveled to Russia and accused his girlfriend of setting him up

A U.S. soldier has been detained in Vladivostok, Russia, on charges of criminal misconduct. @martharaddatz has more details on his arrest. https://t.co/L5R3hXB9kt pic.twitter.com/tSmn8pKLPg  Good Morning America (@GMA) May 7, 2024

'She was trying to ask us for money,' she told Fox. 'She wanted me to set up another account and send money to her', agreeing the request was a 'red flag'.

She reiterated previous comments about her sense of unease over her son's plans to visit his girlfriend.

'I told him I had a really bad feeling about him going,' she added. 'I was worried more then what  than when he was in Iraq for some reason.

'Were like on pins and needles. Were, you know, really tired, of course, worried. I just wish I could hear his voice.'

She added that the girlfriend has not been back in touch since but has been active on TikTok posting videos of him.

Black was questioned for nine hours upon arrival at a Russian airport, Jones said, adding that she does not know if her son had a visa to visit Russia.

Jones said Black met his girlfriend at a club in South Korea over a year ago and they had a 'volatile' relationship.

Black had reportedly claimed his girlfriend got deported from South Korea after they were involved in a dispute in the fall of 2023.

Pictures posted on social media showed them together in January and earlier.

Jones said Black met his girlfriend at a club in South Korea over a year ago and they had a 'volatile' relationship

Black had claimed his girlfriend got deported from South Korea after they were involved in a dispute in the fall of 2023

Aleksa Viktorovnais pictured holding a rifle

Russian reports say that two weeks after coming to Vladivostok the US Army staff sergeant 'beat his beloved and stole 200,000 roubles from her.'

The court did not list any charge of violence against him.

Pro-Kremlin BAZA news outlet, with links to law enforcement, said Gordon came to Russia in mid-April.

'About two weeks later they quarreled and, according to [Aleksa], Gordon beat her.' they said. 'After that, he stole 200,000 rubles and alcohol from her.'

The court ordered him to be held in pre-trial detention until July 2nd on a charge that could see him jailed for five years.

Black was supposed to transfer from South Korea to Fort Cavazos in Texas.

The Russian Foreign Ministrys office in Vladivostok has said Black's arrest is not political or related to espionage.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US is aware of the cause but could not say much more at the moment.

Army spokeswoman Cynthia O. Smith said: 'The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

Melody Jones said Black was on a two-week leave when he traveled to Russia, and that she felt he was being set up because she suspected his girlfriend was a spy

'The Army notified his family and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the soldier in Russia. Given the sensitivity of this matter, we are unable to provide additional details at this time.'

Black is now one of several American citizens currently imprisoned in Russia.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been held by Russia since last March.

Meanwhile former Marine Paul Whelan has been jailed since 2018; he is sentenced to 16 years in prison after being convicted of espionage.

Both are wrongfully detained, according to the US government.

Moreover, American-Russian ballerina Ksenia Karelina has been jailed in Russia since January or donating $51 to a Ukrainian charity.

She was charged with treason and faces up to 20 years in jail for making a small donation to the humanitarian charity Razom on the day Russia invaded Ukraine.

The payment was discovered after her phone was seized when she flew into Yekaterinburg's Koltsovo Airport on January 2, planning to visit her 90-year-old grandparents in time for Russia's Christmas day.

The US government has warned US citizens against traveling to Russia.
A U.S. soldier, held in Russia for alleged theft, did not request official clearance for his trip to Russia, an Army spokesperson said Tuesday, noting he is currently in a pretrial detention facility.

Cynthia Smith, the spokesperson, made the remarks as Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was arrested on charges of stealing personal property in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok on Thursday.

Black was most recently assigned to the Eighth U.S. Army at Camp Humphreys in South Korea, Smith confirmed. On April 10, he was issued a permanent change-of-station (PCS) leave for reassignment to Fort Cavazos, Texas, but flew from Incheon, west of Seoul, to Vladivostok via China for personal reasons.

"Black did not request official clearance and DoD did not authorize his travel to China and Russia. Official and leave travel is currently restricted pursuant to the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide," Smith said in a statement. DoD means the Department of Defense.

"There is no evidence Black intended to remain in Russia after his PCS leave period ended," she added.

On Friday, a Russian foreign ministry official informed the U.S. Embassy in Moscow that Black was arrested. He will remain in detention until his next hearing pending determination, according to Smith.

The soldier's detention comes as relations between Washington and Moscow have been frayed due to Russia's war against Ukraine and other issues.

Black enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman in 2008. He deployed to Iraq from October 2009 through September 2010, and to Afghanistan from June 2013 until March 2014. (Yonhap)
A fugitive Canadian drug trafficker has been arrested in Colombia after 19 years on the run.

Kerman Todd was busted Tuesday morning near his home in the northern city of Santa Ana after the cops responded to an Interpol Red Notice.

The 65-year-old was introduced to the drug trade at the age of 39 in 1997, according to the Colombian National Police.

Todd was arrested that same year on drug trafficking charge and was sentenced to a 15-year prison term in 1998.

Kerman Todd was arrested by Colombian authorities in the northern city of Santa Ana on Tuesday. The 65-year-old Canadian had been on the run since 2005

Kerman Todd was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1998 after he was found guilty of drug trafficking and was granted his conditional release in 2005 after seven years behind bars

Because of his good behavior, the Canadian judicial system granted him his conditional release in 2005 after serving just seven years.

Todd then fled Canada and made his way down to Panama, where he crossed into Colombia via the border thanks to his connections in the drug trade world.

He eventually settled down in Santa Ana and kept a low profile.

Todd rarely left his home, where he taught online English classes.

Whenever he did, he did so dressed in shorts and t-shirts and made sure to greet his neighbors.

Fugitive Canadian drug trafficker Kerman Todd is questioned by a police officer moments after his arrest in Santa Ana, Colombia on Wednesday

'The capture was achieved thanks to an alert and international cooperation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police using cutting-edge technology, taking into account that this citizen rarely left his residence,' the police said.

Colombian authorities have extradited 68 people through the first four months of 2024.

The country remains a top producer of cocaine and is constantly dealing with pressure from the United States to curb its output.

Coca crops in Colombia covered 568,000 acres in 2022, the latest year for which figures are available, up 13 percent from 2021, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Miss Israel Noa Cochva has been blasted as a 'war criminal' and had a knife pulled on her in New York while inviting people to ask her questions about being in the IDF.

The beauty queen filmed herself carrying a poster that said 'I am an IDF soldier. Ask me anything' around Washington Square Park on Monday.

One onlooker slammed Cochva telling the 25-year-old, 'You are a war criminal.' 'How do you sleep at night,' one person asked.

Cochva responded, 'I sleep really well because I know that I'm in the right side of history.'

'I heard there was a Zionist here,' said a woman wearing a camouflage crop top and pants.

She then pulled out a knife and bit off the cover in front of Cochva saying she works on boat.

Miss Israel Noa Cochva filmed herself carrying a poster that said 'I am an IDF soldier. Ask me anything' around Washington Square Park on Monday

One woman pulled out a knife while approaching Cochva's posse after saying 'I heard there was a Zionist here'

The woman put her face in the camera saying 'you little Zionist' as the crew tries to back away.

'This is f*****g stupid. You guys should go home,' said one man. 'I don't think there can be peace now,' another said.

An American Air Force soldier asked Cochva how she felt about being required to join the military at a certain age.

'It's the best thing ever. When I served my duty, I felt like I had a really big purpose,' Cochva said. Many people approached the beauty queen and thanked her for her service.

Cochva posted the video to Instagram along with an emotional response to the critics

The woman put her face in the camera saying 'you little Zionist' as the crew tries to backway

One person told Cochva, 'This is f*****g stupid. You guys should go home'

'I'm with your people and I thank you for being so brave and showing that,' a woman said.

Cochva posted the video to Instagram along with an emotional response to the critics.

'The amount of hate that people had for me today. I was just trying to have peaceful conversations with them,' she said.

'But it's a whole different experience to witness something like that. We can't let things like this happen.'

'I don't think there can be peace now,' another person told the beauty queen

Cochva was crowned Miss Israel in 2021 and serves in the Israel Defense Forces

Students and faculty at New York University descended on Washington Square Park in April protesting the Israel Hamas war.

College campuses have been rocked by pro-Palestinian protests with some schools canceling commencement addresses as the demonstrates grow anti-Semitic.

President Joe Biden condemned the 'ferocious surge of antisemitism' across the U.S. including on college campuses in Holocaust memorial speech on Tuesday.

'As Jews around the world still cope with the atrocities and trauma of that day and its aftermath, we've seen a ferocious surge of antisemitism in America and around the world,' the president said during remarks at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

Biden defended Americans' right to free speech but said violence had no place in the country.

'There's no place on any campus in America - any place in America - for antisemitism or threats of violence of any time - whether against Jews or anyone else,' he said.

'Destroying property - it's not peaceful protest. It's against the law. We're not a lawless country. We're civil society.'

'We know scapegoating and demonizing any minority is a threat to every minority, and to the very foundation of our democracy.'
If you want to know how hopelessly dysfunctional the SNP has become, just consider the selection of Kate Forbes by John Swinney to be his Deputy First Minister.

Last year Ms Forbes stood as a candidate in the race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as leader of the SNP and First Minister. The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch had been identified by Ms Sturgeon as a rising star and set on the fast-track to the top.

But days into her campaign, Ms Forbes made a schoolgirl error in the world of Nationalist politics: she was asked a question to which she gave an honest answer.

Ms Forbes, a member of the socially conservative Free Church of Scotland, admitted that, if she had been a member of the Scottish parliament at the time the matter was being considered, she would have voted against gay marriage.

Suddenly, Ms Forbes was no longer the Sturgeon-championed embodiment of a bright new future but a pariah to be shunned. Horrified senior SNP figures briefed heavily that victory for the young Christian  34 last month  would be a disaster. She would drag their glorious, progressive party back into the dark ages.

Kate Forbes arrives at Bute House after First Minister John Swinney was sworn in at the Court of Session

That Humza Yousaf, a Muslim, had been an MSP at the time of equal marriage legislation and had not participated in the final vote was brushed away. Sure, he might not have voted but, dont forget, Ms Forbes said shed have voted against. Didnt that make her much worse?

In the end, Ms Forbes couldnt defeat SNP establishment favourite Mr Yousaf. But the margin of his victory  52 per cent to 48 per cent  showed her social conservatism wasnt as out of step with voters as her colleagues might have told themselves.

One of Mr Yousafs first decisions on becoming First Minister showed how insecure he was about Ms Forbess presence in the upper echelons of the SNP. Rather than having the confidence to bring her into a senior role, he offered her a demotion which  sensibly  she rejected.

When, after his disastrous handling of the end of the power-sharing agreement between the SNP and the Greens, Mr Yousaf resigned as First Minister, a week and a half ago, he resurrected the Forbes problem.

Assisted by having been nowhere near Mr Yousafs government, Ms Forbes was immediately named a frontrunner to become Scotlands seventh First Minister.

Cue an outbreak of conniptions across the SNP. There was no way Scotland, a Christian country, could have an openly Christian leader. This was a disaster waiting to happen. Senior figures worried that years of telling a story of Scotland as uniquely progressive and radical would be forgotten with the election of Ms Forbes.

When Mr Swinney announced, last Thursday, his intention to stand for the leadership of the SNP, he spoke about this being the right decision for his party and for Scotland.

This was all terribly noble and moving but the truth was  and will be for the duration of his leadership  that he scrapped his retirement plans to stop Ms Forbes becoming First Minister.

Senior SNP figures  including Ms Sturgeon  urged Mr Swinney to step forward and end the prospect of a Forbes-led party.

You might think that, for Mr Swinney to have decided the idea of Ms Forbes as First Minister was so unthinkable that he stood for a job he didnt actually want, she must be unusually unsuited to the world of politics. But, as is so often the case when it comes to the SNP, things dont have to make a great deal of sense.

And so, yesterday, Mr Swinney announced that Ms Forbes  who he last year wondered whether was an appropriate individual to lead his party  is to be his Deputy First Minister.

A major reason supporters of Ms Sturgeon were so vehemently opposed to Ms Forbes becoming party leader was her opposition to plans to reform the Gender Recognition Act to allow people to self-ID into the sex of their choosing.

Ms Forbes shares the concerns of many who believe changing the law would undermine the rights of women and girls.

Mr Swinney has said he will work across political divides to take forward his governments agenda. Given their position on gender issue  some MSPs are angry that the NHS has stopped giving experimental, life-altering puberty blocker drugs to children confused about their gender  the Scottish Greens are unlikely to be in the mood to co-operate.

This would be one very positive outcome from the SNP-generated chaos engulfing Scottish politics.

The Greens are no longer a credible party of the environment. Now they are cranks, encouraging the reckless medical treatment of children and denouncing anyone who disagrees as a bigot.

The return of Kate Forbes to government in such a senior position may help the SNP move away from the fringes and back to the political centre where it might start to deal with the things  such as the NHS, education and the economy  that matter to voters.

Meanwhile, the crumbling government is held together by a First Minister who didnt want the job and a deputy so divisive that many of her Cabinet colleagues devoted much of the past two weeks to briefing heavily against her.
An elite private school has been accused of pushing 'woke ideology' after changing the name of its Mother's Day stall to 'Family Day'.

The stall will be available to junior school students from kindergarten to Year Six at the Hunter Valley Grammar School, 310km north from Sydney, on Friday.

The stalls have been traditionally set up so students could buy gifts for their mother ahead of Mother's Day on Sunday.

The initiative has angered some mums who claim the stall is erasing their special role as mothers on the one day a year they can be celebrated.

Mothers have accused an elite private school of pushing 'woke ideology' after students were invited to buy gifts at a 'Family Day' stall ahead of Mother's Day (stock image)

The stall will be available to junior school students from kindergarten to Year Six at the Hunter Valley Grammar School (pictured) on Friday with all gifts costing $12

'I am quite upset by this,' one mum told the Daily Telegraph.

'By changing the name it feels like you are sending the message to students that mums are no more important than anyone else in their lives they think are special.

'It is the one day a year where mums are celebrated and recognised.'

She said the change had come after parents complained the Mother's Day stall was upsetting students who may not have a mum in their lives or had two dads.

Another mother accused the school of pushing 'woke ideology'.

'I am deeply concerned about gender ideology infiltrating our schools and how proponents of this movement are not only seeking to erase important and meaningful gendered terms such as mother, girl, boy, breast, but also seek through the guise of 'inclusion' to erase valued traditions such as Mother's Day,' she said.

'(It's) the one day a year dedicated to all mums, future, past and present, to appreciate their value, sacrifices, and unconditional love.'

Parents were notified about the stall in an email from the school.

'The purpose of this stall is to celebrate loved ones. On Friday, students from K-6 will have the opportunity to visit the stall,' the email read.

'Students have the special job of choosing a gift with their loved one in mind.'

Parents were notified about the Family Day stall in an email from the school (pictured)

A resource (pictured) from Early Childhood Australia provided educators a guide for including diverse families on Mother's and Father's Day

It comes as a growing number of preschools and childcare centres refuse to celebrate Mother's Day and rename the occasion 'Parent' or 'Family Day'.

Last year, several early learning centres hosted events that replaced female-centric words like 'mother' with non-gendered words like 'parent'.

The shift in thinking was sparked by a new resource from the Early Childhood Australia advocacy group, which provided educators with a guide to including diverse families on Mother's and Father's Day.

The resource urged educators should give children the option to make a gift for a 'special adult' who wasn't their mum or dad and to avoid gender stereotypes.

'Avoid gender stereotypes in children's crafts,' the resource advised.

'Steer away from cards with flowers for mum or ties for dad.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hunter Valley Grammar School for comment.
The word continuity was rendered toxic by Humza Yousafs use of it to describe his own candidacy for the SNP leadership last year. It turned out that continuity was the last thing Scotland needed: continued failure to deliver on schools, hospitals, the economy and ferries.

But now the new First Minister, John Swinney, has rubber-stamped the Cabinet bequeathed to him by his predecessor. There are only two new faces, and both were ministers until Mr Yousaf became First Minister.

The first, rather obviously, is Mr Swinney himself. The other is Kate Forbes, who has been rewarded by her new boss for not plunging the SNP into another divisive leadership contest so close to an expected UK general election. She becomes Deputy First Minister  the youngest person ever to hold the post  and has been given the portfolio of Economy Secretary.

Its a canny move by Mr Swinney, even if he had to humiliate Shona Robison, the previous Deputy First Minister and finance secretary, by giving her most important title to Ms Forbes; after running Mr Yousaf a close second in last years SNP leadership contest (Ms Forbes lost by a narrow 4 per cent margin), there was much criticism of the new First Minister when he offered his defeated rival the rural affairs brief, presumably knowing she would recognise it as the demotion it was and turn it down.

John Swinney after being sworn in yesterday

But Mr Swinney has been in this game too long to make the same stupid mistake. He needs Ms Forbes on board if he is to persuade the country  and his party  that the SNP are once again united.

Yet given the seismic events of the past fortnight  Mr Yousafs unforced error in unilaterally ending the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens, his subsequent realisation that he would lose the vote of no confidence laid before Holyrood by the Scottish Conservatives, and his humiliating resignation statement a couple of days later  more of the same is the last thing Scotland needs.

From the outside it looks like Mr Swinney has concluded that, since everything in the Scottish Government is going so splendidly, why bother making big changes?

Ordinary Scots might have good reason to feel bemused at such a conclusion. Parents of school-age children, for example, have little reason to welcome the announcement that Jenny Gilruth, the Education Secretary, remains in post, our new First Minister having written ten out of ten on her jotter.

Except, Scottish education standards are on the slide, falling ever further behind in international league tables and the much-vaunted Curriculum for Excellence is failing to prepare Scottish youngsters academically.

At health, Mr Swinney has given Neil Gray the thumbs-up and told him he should stay in post, despite one in seven Scots still languishing on one NHS waiting list or another.

If Mr Gray is the best person for this most crucial of jobs, it places a worrying question mark over the abilities of more junior, ambitious ministers and backbench nationalist MSPs.

Meanwhile, the First Minister has given the green light to Airmiles Angus Robertson, the cabinet secretary for a whole range of things that Holyrood has no responsibility for, including the constitution and external (or foreign) affairs. Mr Robertson has enjoyed his role of visiting other countries and spreading the gospel of independence while relying on the UK Foreign Office to make all the arrangements for his ego-flattering trips.

It seems that despite Mr Swinneys insistence on working with a range of opposition parties, he is happy to further erode relations with the UK Government by letting Mr Robertson flout diplomatic rules on behalf of his party.

One of the losers in this reshuffle is Energy and Net Zero Minister Mairi McAllan, whose responsibility for the economy has been given to Ms Forbes. She has committed her fair share of gaffes in her short ministerial career, recently welcoming Mr Swinneys candidacy for the leadership of her party as the right man for the moment, rather than the man of the moment  which made it sound like the new First Minister was destined, like his predecessor, to be a temporary stopgap until a better leader came along.

Last year, she caused much hilarity among her partys critics by suggesting that more often than not world leaders are approaching the Scottish Government asking for our advice on how we have managed to lead the way so successfully on a number of fronts.

Unfortunately, Ms McAllan was then unable to explain who these unfortunate world leaders were.

With these political titans ready to carry on business as usual, we may assume that the Scottish Governments own legislative agenda will be similarly unchanged and just as uninspiring.

All eyes will be on two key pieces of legislation: a Bill tackling misogyny and a ban on conversion therapy. Both are fraught with danger for the First Minister.

His predecessor has already confirmed that men, as well as women, will come under the protection of the new anti-misogyny Bill, provided they claim to be women themselves.

This raises an interesting problem: the new Deputy First Minister is a member of the Free Church of Scotland and is known to be sceptical of her partys agenda on trans rights under both Mr Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon.

One of Mr Swinneys first acts as putative SNP leader was to avoid answering the question as to whether trans women (biological males) are women, which trans ideology holds to be the case.

Ms Forbes will lose much of her own credibility if she goes along with the party line on this sort of cultural issue, and Mr Swinney may be keen to avoid any sort of showdown with her.

And this raises another problem for the SNP.

Patrick Harvie, one of the two junior Scottish Green ministers unceremoniously sacked by Mr Yousaf a fortnight ago, reacted to Ms Forbess elevation to the post of Deputy First Minister by tweeting a no right turn sign.

Mr Harvie and his Scottish Greens co-leader, Lorna Slater, were only too happy to work with Ms Forbes, despite her personal views, when she held the powerful finance portfolio under Ms Sturgeon.

But now the bitterness of their treatment by the party  and the fact that Mr Swinney has already ruled out any possibility of the Bute House Agreement being resurrected  looks set to be a major barrier to the small, extremist party offering its support to this minority SNP government.

Mr Swinney has surveyed the problems besetting Scotland, and he has decided that everything is fine and that no major changes are required.

That is his privilege.

However, history does not look kindly on political leaders who are so out of touch that their attitude becomes: Crisis? What crisis?
Houston's police chief has been forced to resign amid outrage that 264,000 cases, including 4,000 sexual assaults, were never investigated.

Troy Finner took early retirement on Tuesday the same day that a damning email emerged showing he was aware of the problem years ago.

'I have accepted the retirement of Troy Finner as chief of police,' Mayor John Whitmire said at the start of Wednesday's City Council meeting, thanking him 'for his many years of public service'.

Whitmire, who took office in January, expressed confidence in Finner after the chief revealed the huge number of uninvestigated cases in February and said he first learned of the problem in November.

But that seemed to evaporate quickly after revelations on Tuesday that Finner had been informed in a July 20, 2018, email.

Houston police chief Troy Finner has been forced to resign amid outrage that 264,000 cases, including 4,000 sexual assaults, were never investigated

The mayor admitted at the press conference that the emergence of the email was 'the last straw' and meant Finner was finished.

The email included the code 'suspended - lack of personnel' as a reason for not investigating a case, a term Finner claimed to only hear of in November 2021.

Finner replied to the email, writing 'this is unacceptable, look into it and follow up with me'.

Whitmire said he committed during his mayoral campaign to keeping Finner as police chief and described him as a friend, 'but you have to make tough decisions'.

'The bottom line is the department is being distracted due to issues with the investigation... from its primary mission of fighting crime,' he said.

He appointed Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite as acting chief.

Finner's retirement comes as police investigate the dropping of more 4,000 sexual assault cases that are among more than 264,000 incident reports never submitted for investigation.

He apologized in March after revealing that officers were assigning an internal code to the unsubmitted cases that cited a lack of personnel available. Whitmire also launched a review by an independent panel.

Finner is sworn in as Houston's new police chief with the help of his wife Sherrin

Finner said he had ordered officers to stop in November 2021 after finding out for the first time that officers had been using the code to justify dropping cases.

Despite this, he said, he learned on February 7 of this year that it was still being used to dismiss a significant number of adult sexual assault cases.

After several Houston TV stations reported that Finner had been included and responded to a 2018 email that referred to the suspended cases, Finner posted a statement saying he did not remember that email until he was shown a copy of it on Tuesday.

'I have always been truthful and have never set out to mislead anyone about anything,' Finner wrote.

'Even though the phrase 'suspended lack of personnel' was included in the 2018 email, there was nothing that alerted me to its existence as a code or how it was applied within the department.'

The Houston Area Women's Center, Houstons largest non-profit supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, did not immediately return messages for comment.

But in a social media post in February, it said sexual assault survivors 'pay a high price' when investigations aren't clearly resolved.

'For a survivor to find the courage to come forward and report their attack, and then to wait and watch as their case gets suspended can add immeasurable trauma,' it said.

'We are experiencing system failure in the fourth-largest city in the nation,' the post said.

The email included the code 'suspended - lack of personnel' as a reason for not investigating a case, a term Finner claimed to only hear of in November 2021

Several city councilors expressed gratitude for Finner, who joined the Houston police department in 1990 and became chief in 2021. City Councilor Carolyn Evans-Shabazz said she missed him already.

'His commitment to our city has been unwavering,' Evans-Shabazz said. 'His efforts have significantly contributed to our community's safety and wellbeing.'

Police departments around the country are facing an urgent staffing crisis as many younger officers resign and older officers retire, according to an August report by the Police Executive Research Forum.

Applications to fill vacancies plummeted amid a national reckoning over how police respond to minorities.

An April 27 report by the same Washington-based think tank found more encouraging numbers.

'Small and medium agencies now have more sworn officers than they had in January 2020,' according to the forum's report.

'In large agencies, sworn staffing slightly increased during 2023, but it is still more than five per cent below where it was in January 2020.'
Do YOU have further information?

Do YOU have further information?

Three men have been arrested by Greater Manchester Police on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.

The trio - aged 35, 36 and 51 - were arrested at three separate locations and taken to custody for questioning.

Police activated four search warrants were executed at around 7.30pm in Bolton, Great Lever, Abram and Hindley areas, with officers still remaining at the different scenes tonight.

The force believe there is no wider threat to the general public at this time and are taking measures to minimise disruption to local residents.

They were and taken into custody for questioning and scenes remain in place at the four addresses as inquiries are conducted under the Terrorism Act 2000, the force said.

Do YOU have further information? Email matt.strudwick@mailonline.co.uk

Three men have been arrested by Greater Manchester Police on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism

Police activated four search warrants were executed at around 7.30pm in Bolton, Great Lever, Abram and Hindley areas

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who holds responsibility for counter terrorism policing in the north west, said: 'This evening we have executed a number of planned warrants as part of an ongoing counter terrorism investigation.

'Three men have been taken into custody for questioning and scenes remain in place as we conduct further enquiries.

'Today's activity has been the culmination of much detailed planning and we have put measures in place to minimise disruption to local residents as much as possible.

'I understand that any time arrests of this nature are made it will cause concerns and people will naturally have questions.

'Although we can't go into specific details of the investigation at this stage, I want to reassure members of the public that we do not currently believe there to be any wider threat linked to today's activity.

'Further detail will be released where appropriate as the investigation progresses.'

Do YOU have further information? Email matt.strudwick@mailonline.co.uk
Parents need to save up to 42,000 to cover the living costs of their child through a three-year university degree.

The Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) warned families to 'start saving early' to cover the huge 'hidden cost'  which excludes tuition fees  of living on campus.

The Government provides maintenance loans for all students, but in some cases they only cover a quarter of the cost.

Families with combined incomes of more than 70,000 need to provide an extra 13,865 a year, while even those on lower incomes are required to find 8,405.

Students whose parents cannot find the extra cash end up having to fit their studies around part-time work, jeopardising their grades.

Parents need to save up to 42,000 to cover the living costs of their child through a three-year university degree

Josh Freeman, co-author of the report, said: 'Parents are understandably frustrated that no one tells them how much they should contribute towards their children's living costs at university.

'Plenty of people assume the maintenance loan covers everything, but actually it leaves students short by nearly 14,000.

'This hidden cost only starts to bite when students start studying, and they realise they need to do lots of part-time work to cover their costs. It is really important to start saving early.'

For the first time, Hepi calculated the minimum amount a student would need to survive for a year, including rent, bills, food and books  but not tuition fees.

Students away from home outside London would need 18,600, but maintenance loans cover only between 4,767 and 10,227, depending on parental income.

The Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) warned families to 'start saving early' to cover the huge 'hidden cost'  which excludes tuition fees  of living on campus (Strock image)

It could mean two parents earning 35,000 each having to save 41,595 for a typical three-year degree, or 125,000 to put three children through this.

The report was produced in partnership with software company TechnologyOne and the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University.

It recommended that maintenance loans be increased, although students could be expected to work full-time during the summer holiday.

The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.
David Lammy yesterday vowed to find 'common cause' with Donald Trump as he performed a U-turn over his stance on the former president.

Labour's shadow foreign secretary boasted he has 'many friends in the Republican Party' and is considered a 'small-C Conservative' in some circles as he insisted he could work with Mr Trump if both are elected this year.

He even said Mr Trump's aggressive stance towards Nato members' defence spending was 'often misunderstood' and praised the fact more countries increased spending while he was in office.

The comments were in stark contrast to an article Mr Lammy wrote in 2018 for Time magazine in which he branded Mr Trump a 'woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath'.

Shadow Lord Chancellor David Lammy pictured at the annual Labour Party conference in Brighton in 2021

Former US President Donald Trump speaking at a rally in 2022 in Alaska

And in 2019, when Mr Trump visited London, Mr Lammy said he would join protesters in Trafalgar Square demonstrating against his welcome by the UK Government.

Mr Lammy was speaking at a think-tank event in Washington yesterday where he was asked whether he regrets the remarks, given that Mr Trump could be re-elected as US president and Mr Lammy as Britain's next foreign secretary.

He said: 'You're going to struggle to find any politician in the Western world who hasn't had things to say in response to Donald Trump. You're really going to struggle.

'If I have the privilege of becoming Foreign Secretary, I am acting in what is the UK national interest as a frontbench MP and I take that very, very seriously.

'And so where I can find common cause with Donald Trump, I will find common cause.'

At the Hudson Institute event Mr Lammy suggested Labour would try to hit the Government's defence spending target of 2.5 per cent of GDP sooner than expected  arguing that the UK and European countries must 'shoulder our part of the burden' amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The latest meltdown of the passport e-gates system at airports left ministers scrambling yesterday to insist the problem would not hit summer holidays.

Passengers arriving in the UK late on Tuesday faced chaos into the early hours after a wi-fi outage knocked out the 372million IT system used for security checks.

It is the fourth major malfunction of the system  supported by Fujitsu, the firm behind the Post Office's Horizon programme  since it launched three years ago.

Home Office minister Tom Pursglove yesterday apologised to travellers, some of whom had to sleep in airports overnight.

'The Home Secretary and I will be unswerving in our determination to ensure that every possible lesson is learned to ensure that this does not happen again,' he told the Commons.

Gatwick Airport last night at passport control after a nationwide IT system collapse

Huge queues formed at Gatwick (pictured) and other UK airports, with people forced to wait for hours

Queues built up at Border Control at Gatwick Airport in West Sussex last night following the fault

But Labour's home affairs spokesman Dan Jarvis said the e-gates system was 'no longer reliable enough and risks further damaging public trust in the Government's management of our border security'.

He added: 'The chaotic scenes across many of the UK's airports are unacceptable  not least, given e-gates have failed on several occasions in recent years.'

Travel expert and journalist Simon Calder told MailOnline that Brits should 'hope for the best' this summer, but warned 'anyone's holiday plans can unravel'.

'The UK is not alone on experiencing a wide range of issues that can stand between travellers and their holidays,' he said.

'But because our aviation infrastructure is so overstretched, especially at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, disruption can spread through the system very swiftly  with little slack in the system for recovery.

'At this stage, though, all you can do is hope for the best over the summer, but understand anyone's holiday plans can unravel.'

Thousands of passengers arriving on Tuesday faced huge border queues at airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast.

The fault with the e-gates began late yesterday evening and wasn't resolved until 2am

There are more than 270 e-gates at 15 airports and railway stations across the country.

The gates cross-check facial recognition scans with Border Force's security database, named Border Crossing. The programme checks travellers' names against terrorism records, the Police National Computer and immigration records.

It's understood that a failure of the Government's secure wi-fi system on Tuesday night prevented Border Crossing from updating, causing it to collapse.

As a result, the e-gates could not operate and Border Force officers had to check passports manually against back-up security databases.

System crashes led to chaos in 2021 and twice last year.
A Seoul court held a hearing Wednesday to determine whether to issue an arrest warrant for a medical school student on charges of killing his girlfriend in Seoul earlier this week for allegedly breaking up with him.

The 25-year-old, only identified by his surname Choi, who goes to a prestigious medical school in Seoul, was arrested without warrant on Monday for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend to death on the rooftop of a building in southern Seoul around 5 p.m. on Monday.

Upon arriving at the Seoul Central District Court at 2:50 p.m. with his face covered by a cap and mask, Choi said he is "sorry" when asked by reporters if he has anything to say to the bereaved family. He remained silent on questions asking the motive of his crime, or if he had premeditated the murder.

Choi is known to have entered the medical school after getting a perfect score on his college entrance exam.

On Monday, police showed up at the scene following a report that a man was trying to jump off the roof and talked him out of it. They revisited the scene after the man confessed that he had left a bag with medicine there and found his girlfriend's body.

Choi allegedly premeditated the crime by purchasing a knife two hours beforehand at a supermarket in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul. During questioning, Choi said he committed the crime because she told him she wanted to break up. (Yonhap)
Two progressive 'Squad' members invited pro-Palestinian protestors from George Washington University to speak at the Capitol and condemned the D.C. police for 'assaulting' them while clearing their student encampment.

After weeks of occupying the school lawn at George Washington University (GWU), pro-Palestinian protestors were cleared from their Gaza solidarity camp early Wednesday morning.

The 'Squad' lawmakers praised the student protestors for having 'been through a lot' in standing up for Gaza and slammed the D.C. police for clearing the encampment.

They heaped praise on the student protestors for standing up to the 'genocide in Gaza' and for weathering slanderous claims that the students are anti-Semitic.

However, protestors at the encampment made blatant calls for the destruction of Israel, including chanting for 'from the river to the sea' and 'intifada revolution.'

One protestor at GWU even held a sign advocating for Adolph Hitler's final solution, his plan to kill all Jewish individuals worldwide.

Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., (center) is joined by her fellow progressive 'Squad' member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., (center right) and George Washington University students who helped organize the school's 'Gaza Solidarity Encampment' at a press conference on Wednesday

Both progressive 'Squad' members slammed D.C. Police for brutalizing peaceful student protestors during their raid of the encampment

Officers of the Metropolitan Police Department pepper spray demonstrators at George Washington University

'We woke up this morning to the disturbing news that D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department had raided the GW Gaza solidarity encampment and assaulted, pepper sprayed and arrested the non-violent student protestors in the middle of the night,' Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., fumed at the press event.

'This is all happening because of those who refuse to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza think they can arrest and brutalize their way out of this situation.'

'They think they can intimidate and erase the overwhelming voices for peace and justice,' Bush continued.

Bush and her fellow progressive 'Squad' member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., hosted the event which featured students from GWU who facilitated the encampment.

On Monday, the university's president, Ellen Granberg, declared the encampment was illegal and dangerous.

'What is currently happening at GW is not a peaceful protest protected by the First Amendment or our universitys policies,' Granberg wrote in a statement.

'The demonstration, like many around the country, has grown into what can only be classified as an illegal and potentially dangerous occupation of GW property.'

D.C. Police officers stand guard outside of GWU campus after the Gaza solidarity camp was removed early Wednesday morning

At least 33 students were arrested for occupying the university grounds

Finally heeding the Granberg's pleas, around 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, D.C. police arrested at least 33 students at the encampment after they refused the university's demands to leave.

According to D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, last week law enforcement 'began to see an escalation in the volatility of the protests,' leading to Wednesday's clearing of the camp.

Still, despite local law enforcement's explanation for the raid, the lawmakers were angry that students were kicked out.

'I want all the Democrats and Republicans to know they cannot arrest their way out of this growing dissent,' Tlaib said Wednesday. 'These student's First Amendment right does end them when they enter campus grounds.'

'It is outrageous that police are now entering college campuses across our nation with their guns drawn, targeting students with pepper spray, tear gas, rubber bullets and tasters,' she said.

She then declared 'shame' as members of the crowd joined her in the chant.

GWU student protestors had occupied one of the school's lawns for weeks

Several Jewish students at the university told DailyMail.com in recent weeks that they have felt afraid as a result of the anti-Israel demonstrations and that at times activists have seemed more 'pro-Hamas' than pro-Palestinian.

'I thought it was just so incredible to see these different communities from different backgrounds coming together on this sense of fighting oppression against anyone, no matter who they are,' Tlaib said.
The suicide rate in a rural area of Wyoming has skyrocketed to become the fourth highest in the world, one coroner has claimed.

The unnatural deaths in Natrona County began last fall, and have continued into the new year.

Coroner Jim Whipps on Tuesday urged county commissioners to address the issue, after 12 people, mostly young adults, killed themselves over the past four months.

'If you extrapolate that out, that is like 36 to 40 suicides that I can expect this year,' five-year vet Whipps said. That would break a record set in 2019, he pointed out - when 28 people in Natrona County committed suicide.

The root cause, he said, remains unknown - leaving citizens of county seat Casper concerned. The town is where a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death as he tried to protect his girlfriend from two teens at a mall - a blow to the tight-knit community.

Scroll down for video:

The suicide rate in a rural Natrona County has skyrocketed to become the fourth highest in the entire world, one coroner has claimed. Pictured, county seat Casper, in Central Wyoming

Coroner Jim Whipps on Tuesday urged county commissioners to address the issue, after 12 people, mostly young adults, killed themselves over the past four months

'This has been a different kind of year,' Whipps told attendees at the Natrona County School District Board of Trustees.

'It kind of started last fall, but case count is going way up on unnatural deaths.'

Citing overdoses as a fueling factor, he said the suicides are 'through the roof.'

The county's suicide rate, meanwhile, is 'on pace for another record year in this county,' he added.

'Our record setter for this county was a couple years ago at 32 or 33.'

'So far this year we are sitting on 12 in four months,' Whipps said of the recent suicides.

'If you extrapolate that out, that is like 36 to 40 suicides that I can expect this year.

'[It] is going way up.'

The words of caution come a couple weeks after Whipps aired similar concerns at Natrona County School District 1 in Casper, where he told staffers he believes the problems stem from the school system.

'It's like I was telling the school board when I look at these kids in their 20s and 30s, I can almost always pinpoint that a big part of their problem that led to that suicide started in their adolescent years,' he said.

He is seen here airing similar concerns to the county's school district last month, citing how several of the dozen suicides seen in the past four months involved young adults. He slammed the district for what he viewed as inaction on their part

Also speaking was Anni Dundas, a resident who categorized herself as a suicide survivor

In his five years as coroner, Whipps said he has investigated eight adolescent suicides - none of them coming this year.

Slamming the district for what he views as inaction on their part, he said: 'We don't need to worry about whether we're opening Pandora's box, because I'm going to tell you right now that it's already open and has been for a long time.'

'Per capita, Natrona County has one of the highest suicide rates in the state, in the nation and, believe it or not, in the world.'

Whipps aired similar concerns in a recent documentary honing in on the county's outsized amount of suicides,

Wyoming - which for years had the highest suicide rate of any state - is part of the 'suicide belt' running the swath of mountainous land from the tip of Montana down to New Mexico.

He said in the 2023 film: 'Theres been more research done on whats going on around here from the altitude to the wind to the cowboy-up attitude thats been prevalent in the state since its inception.

'And nothing has panned out. Theres got to be something thats different in the way that we think and formulate conclusions than a lot of the rest of the world, and I just dont know what that is.

'Thats probably one of the more frustrating things, because you cant generalize it,' Whipps went on of why people take their lives. 'Each case that I go out on is unique.'

Casper is a city in central Wyoming. It offers breathtaking landscapes and scenery, is the second-most populous city after Cheyenne. It has about 6,000 residents. The surrounding county has about 20,000 more

Publicly available statistics support his claims, though it is unknown how he arrived at the conclusion that Natrona sports the fourth highest suicide rate in the world.

The county recorded 27 suicides last month, a slight dip from the 18 seen the year prior.

According to the coroners office, there were 28 suicides in the county in 2019. There were 19 in 2020, a 33 percent drop. The average from 2012-2019 was almost 24.

Wyoming, meanwhile, sports an abnormally high suicide rate, with some attributing that to its few and far between landscape and lack of suicide prevention programs.

For the first time since 2017, Wyoming dropped from No. 1 in the country in terms of suicides last year, but has since reassumed the dubious distinction from also rural Montana.

As of writing, the state sports a 32.3 percent suicide rate out of all its deaths, fueled by 155 suicide deaths last year, according to the state Department of Health.

That's down from 190 the year before, but Casper and the surrounding region has now surfaced as a hotspot, Whipps said. Suicides have also been seen in neighboring Mills and Evansville, where life is decidedly slow.

'It's time for a top-down approach through policy and implementing programs in the schools such as Sources of Strength, which is a broader-base proven program of resiliency,' Whipps said this week, demanding the district do something 'now' to help students dealing with mental health issues.

In his five years as coroner, Whipps said he has never before seen a suicide spike like this one. He believes the suicides stem from the state of Casper's school system

He asked they implement programs that address those issues as they are occurring, so that the county does not follow the example of suicide strongholds like South Korea and Russia, which have rates of 28 and 25 percent respectively. South Korean city Seoul is seen here

He asked they implement programs that would address those issues as they are occurring, so that the county does not follow the example of notorious suicide strongholds like South Korea and Russia, which have suicide rates of 28 and 25 percent, respectively.

Highest Suicide Rate - Countries (percent) Lesotho 72.4 Guyana 40.3 Eswatini 29.4 South Korea 28.6 Kiribati 28.3 Federated States of Micronesia 28.2 Lithuania 26.1 Suriname 25.4 Russia 25.1 South Africa 23.5 Advertisement

DailyMail.com has reached out to Whipps for clarification on his 'fourth-highest' assertion.

'I got to tell you from the outside looking in, it looks as though there is a lot of turning the heads, hiding the heads in the sand, passing the buck, and dragging the feet from school district, the board,' he said during the public comment period.

'I am willing to make myself available (to) assist.  Something needs to be done now, not five years from now, something needs to be done now.'

Also tapped to speak was Anni Dundas, a Casper resident who categorized herself as a suicide survivor.

Speaking of the community climate and recent events like the stabbing death of a teen by two other minors at a local mall, Dundas said it was time to admit there is and issue.

'It is known across the state that the Natrona County School District does not have this kind of collaboration with the community and with the resources in the community,' Dundas claimed, citing how she's already spoken to district officials in an effort to make youth mental health a priority.

Student Elora Nations, a member of the Youth Empowerment Council, also took the podium, telling those in attendance: 'This year has been incredibly hard on Natrona County students.'

Robert Dean Maher, a 14-year-old high school student, was stabbed to death last month at a local mall

An emotional vigil was held for the teen on Thursday at the Eastridge Mall where he was stabbed by two fellow students, both aged 15

'We know from our extensive research that kids as well as adults are at a higher risk of suicide when they have been just impacted by a heavy loss.'

She urged the trustees and administration to monitor the schools to see if there has been an uptick in suicidal students since, telling attendees: 'We don't want to lose any more students this school year and we fear that we might,' she said.

Robert Dean Maher, 14, died after he was stabbed twice in the stomach with a stolen kitchen knife at Eastridge Mall in Casper on April 7th at around 1.40pm.

Dominique Antonio Richard Harris and Jarreth Joseflee Sabastian Plunkett, both 15, were arrested the same day near the mall.

They were allegedly seeking revenge after Maher, who had called them 'freaks' a week earlier.

They are charged as adults with felonious conspiracy to commit murder, felonious aggravated assault and battery and a misdemeanor theft

After the board meeting, district spokesperson Tanya Southerland did not allow Superintendent Michael Jennings to respond to Whipps's and the others' chidings.

She said the district would answer questions the following week, after which Whipps made his second attempt.

County Commission Chairman Peter Nicolaysen thanked Whipps on Tuesday for again going to the school board and raising the issue of youth suicide, saying: 'I personally would say keep up the effort and the pressure.'

Casper is a city in central Wyoming. It offers breathtaking landscapes and scenery, is the second-most populous city after Cheyenne. It has some 60,000 residents. The surrounding county has about 20,000 more.
10 Republicans joined the GOP firebrand in voting to advance the motion

Former President Donald Trump told one of his staunchest acolytes, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, to stand down in her effort to oust Mike Johnson on Wednesday.

Trump defended Greene but said now is 'not the time' for her motion, and said it is 'his request' that Republicans vote to table the motion - even though the post was after the vote to table had passed.

'I absolutely love Marjorie Taylor Greene. Shes got Spirit, shes got Fight, and I believe shell be around, and on our side, for a long time to come,' he wrote.

'With a Majority of One, shortly growing to three or four, were not in a position of voting on a Motion to Vacate. At some point, we may very well be, but this is not the time.'

Trump went on: 'If we show DISUNITY, which will be portrayed as CHAOS, it will negatively affect everything!'

He called Mike Johnson a 'good man who is trying very hard.'

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene made her motion to oust Speaker Mike Johnson privileged on Wednesday evening, prompting a frenzied vote on whether or not to fire him within two legislative days

Greene, R-Ga., was left humiliated in Congress on Wednesday as her bid to oust Speaker Mike Johnson spectacularly failed.

Just 10 Republican colleagues joined the GOP firebrand in voting to advance the motion to vacate that would kick the speaker out of office.

It took just 30 minutes for her effort to collapse in scenes reminiscent of the circus that led to the vote to get rid of Kevin McCarthy.

Only 43 House members voted to move Greene's motion forward.

A vote to 'table' or kill, the motion succeeded 359 to 43.

The typically reserved Johnson let loose after the vote: 'Hopefully, this is the end of the personality politics and the frivolous character assassination that has defined the 118th Congress.'

Final vote count of the motion to 'table' or kill, the motion to vacate

Only thirty-two Democrats voted against the effort to kill the motion, a spectacular reversal from months ago when all Democrats voted with eight Republicans to kick out McCarthy.

More Republicans - 11 - voted to oust Johnson than McCarthy - eight - even as the Louisiana Republican had at one time been pitched as the conservative alternative to his California counterpart.

Greene had been met with boos and eye rolls as she called up her motion during votes on Wednesday.

House Republicans who voted with MTG to advance motion to oust Johnson

Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. Eric Burlison, R-Mo. Eli Crane, R-Ariz. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio Paul Gosar, R-Ariz. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va. Barry Moore, R-Ala. Chip Roy, R-Texas Victoria Spartz, R-Ind. Advertisement

Members of the GOP accused her of throwing a 'tantrum' and attention-seeking as she brought her motion to vacate to the House floor on Wednesday night.

The Georgia lawmaker has pressed ahead with trying to dethrone Johnson, even though it had virtually no support.

She made her motion to vacate him privileged on Wednesday evening, prompting a frenzied vote on whether or not to fire him that had to occur within two legislative days.

Knowing Democrats would not support advancing the motion, Johnson took Greene head-on and called the vote immediately.

The movement came after four plus hours of meetings this week between Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and the speaker where the rabble-rousing pair laid out a list of demands for Johnson.

'Speaker Johnson has not lived up to a single one of his self-imposed tenets,' Greene said.

Republicans have increasingly grown frustrated with Greene and her efforts to throw the House back into chaos, just like after the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

'Its times like this you need a bar in this place,' Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Ohio, muttered as he came off the House floor.

'Youre not the Republican Party!' Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., heckled Greene as she gaggled with reporters after the vote.

'Moscow Marjorie has clearly gone off the deep end maybe the result of a space laser,' said Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.

Asked if he thought Greene should be punished, Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., said: 'One dumpster fire at a time.'

On the House floor, Greene railed against the two-part spending bill that funded the government for fiscal year 2024, a bill that reauthorized spy tool FISA without warrants and a foreign aid package that did not include border security.

House members collectively groaned as MTG filed her motion to vacate

Johnson spearheaded a $95 billion foreign policy bill that passed last month with Democrat support authorizing nearly $61 billion to Ukraine, along with billions to Israel and Taiwan.

He was forced to rely on support from Democrats as he presides over a tiny one-vote majority in the House, and it's challenging to get the unruly GOP conference in line.

'Excuses like 'this is just how you have to govern' and divided government are pathetic, weak and unacceptable. Even with our razor thin Republican majority, we could have at least secured the border,' Greene said.

Greene accused Johnson of 'aiding and abetting Democrats' to 'destroy our country,' as Democrats booed her and Johnson shook hands and smiled at the Republicans who support him.

Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene,left, and Thomas Massie, second from right, have laid out a list of demands for Speaker Mike Johnson - and are now holding off on their movement to oust him

Just one day earlier, Greene and Massie said they would give Johnson some time to respond to their demands.

Those demands included 'not another red cent for Ukraine,' adhering to the so-called 'Hastert Rule' which means not bringing legislation to the floor that does not have the support of a majority of Republicans.

And another is to defund Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into former President Donald Trump for 'inciting' the January 6 riot and for his alleged mishandling of classified documents - which the Democratic-led Senate and White House would never agree to.

'You can't make things happen instantly. And we all are aware and understanding of that. So now the ball is in his court, and he's supposed to be reaching out to us, hopefully soon,' Greene said.

If Congress can't pass all 12 spending bills to fund the government in fiscal year 2025 by September 30, Greene and Massie wanted a continuing resolution to punt the deadline through the November elections with an automatic one percent cut.

He 'shacked up with Democrats to get FISA without warrants, to get the minibus passed, and to get the funding for Ukraine,' said Massie. of the speaker 'It's time for him to come home now.'

Greene, Massie and Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., had all co-sponsored the motion to vacate.

Democrats gave advance notice that they would vote to table - or kill - the motion, essentially taking air out of the Republican trio's threat.

Still, Johnson spent hours with Greene this week, as some Republicans questioned why he would negotiate with his biggest GOP antagonist.

'It's not a negotiation,' he insisted. 'Everybody knows I have lengthy discussions, detailed discussions, on a daily basis with members across the conference.

Greene has increasingly found herself at odds with former President Donald Trump in her crusade against Johnson. Trump has publicly supported the speaker and noted the difficulties of operating under a one-vote majority.

Recent reports came to light of a phone call where Trump told Greene to back off of the ouster. Greene declined to share details on whether the former president was supportive of her motion.

'I have to tell you, I love President Trump. My conversations with him are fantastic. And again, I'm not going to go into details. You want to know why I'm not insecure about that. And I don't have to go into the details here with you guys,' she told reporters.

Reporters swarm MTG and Massie to see if they will try to kick out Speaker Johnson
A motorcyclist has been killed in a collision with a car that police allege was stolen just hours prior.

The vehicles collided on the Maroondah Highway in Yarck, northeast of Melbourne, about 4pm on Wednesday.

The rider of the motorcycle, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene while the driver of the white Ford Ranger allegedly dumped the car and fled on foot.

Victoria Police confirmed a man was arrested after an 'extensive' search of the area.

A motorcyclist has died and a male driver of a ute has been arrested after a horror collision in rural Victoria on Wednesday afternoon(stock image)

A 42-year-old man from Seymour, west of Yarck, is currently assisting police.

Police allege the ute was 'stolen from an address in Euroa earlier that day'.

Charges are yet to be laid as investigations into the crash continue.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police.

The motorcyclist's death is the 101st on Victorian Roads this year and fell during 'National Road Safety Week'.

Last year saw 295 people lose their lives on Victorian roads, the most in 15 years, and just under a quarter of all road deaths in Australia.

Police allege the Ford Ranger involved in the crash (stock image) was stolen in Euroa just hours prior to colliding with the motorcycle

Victoria's Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing, Glenn Weir, said the state and nation had seen a 'devastating loss of life on the roads' across 2023.

'From the lives lost to their family members, partners, friends, work colleagues and emergency services who attend the scene  thousands of lives are impacted,' Mr Weir said in a statement on Sunday.

'We ask all road users to prioritise safety and take extra care, particularly as we head into the winter months with reduced visibility and inclement weather.'

He noted a 'significant increase' in road-related trauma involving motorcyclists and pedestrians this year, before a 'particularly high risk period'.
David Cameron will take a swipe at EU allies over defence today as he warns that the West needs to adopt a 'harder edge for a tougher world'.

In his first major speech as Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron will call for Nato countries to match the UK's target of spending at least 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence.

And he will warn that European allies need to be willing to step up militarily to defend Western values when they come under threat from hostile states such as Russia, China and Iran.

Lord Cameron will point out that the Ukraine crisis has shown that doing 'too little, too late' only emboldens aggressors such as Vladimir Putin.

He will single out the crisis in the Middle East, where only Britain and the United States have directly tackled efforts by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen to shut down shipping lanes vital to the West.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron pictured attending a cabinet meeting in London on May 7

Russian President Vladimir Putin at a ceremony in Moscow on May 7

'We need to adopt a harder edge for a tougher world,' he will say. 'If Putin's illegal invasion teaches us anything, it must be that doing too little, too late, only spurs an aggressor on.

'I see too many examples in this job of this lesson not having been learnt.

'Take the Red Sea, where ship after ship has been attacked. While many countries have criticised the Houthi attacks, it is only the US and Britain that have been willing and able to step up and strike back at them.

'Or defence spend in Europe, where still some seem unwilling to invest, even as war rages on our continent.'

The Foreign Secretary will also warn that Western leaders need to be willing to speak out against vile practices such as female genital mutilation without being 'cowed by accusations of colonialism'.

Following months of pressure from Tory MPs and defence experts, Rishi Sunak announced last month that the UK's defence budget will be gradually increased to 2.5 per cent of GDP by the end of the decade, putting it well ahead of the Nato minimum of 2 per cent.

Germany has committed to spending 2 per cent after years of low investment in defence, but numerous other countries remain below that level, including France, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pictured at a press conference in London earlier this month

Only five Nato states  Poland, the US, Greece, Estonia and Lithuania  spent more than 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence last year.

Britain will use a Nato summit in July to push for the minimum to be raised to 2.5 per cent to reflect growing threats faced by the West from authoritarian states.

In his speech today, Lord Cameron will say: 'We are in a battle of wills. We all must prove our adversaries wrong  Britain, and our allies and partners around the world.

'The upcoming Nato summit must see all allies on track to deliver their pledge made in 2014 to spend 2 per cent on defence.

'And we then need to move quickly to establish 2.5 per cent as the new benchmark. We need to out-compete, out-co-operate and out-innovate.'

The speech at the National Cyber Security Centre is one of two interventions he is expected to make today, going on to address the Lord Mayor's Easter Banquet at Mansion House in the City of London.
Violent clashes broke out last night as police battled with pro-Palestine protesters in Amsterdam as university students continued their demonstration for the second day running.

Police officers ended a blockade on university grounds with hundreds of activists being moved onto a nearby square to continue protesting into the night demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

Protesters called for the university to sever all academic ties with Israel while others demanded universities cut all financial ties with companies they say are profiting from the oppression of Palestinians.

Demonstrators battling against police officers made makeshift barriers of desks, bricks and wooden pallets, using fire extinguishers to push back on cops, local television showed.

Footage, seen by Reuters, showed an officer in riot gear striking protesters on the head with batons and knocking down barricades.

Violent clashes broke out last night as police battled with pro-Palestine protesters in Amsterdam as university students carried out their demonstration for the second day running.

Some students were dragged away from the demonstration while hundreds of others shouted 'shame on you'

Police officers ended a blockade on university grounds with hundreds of activists being moved onto a nearby square to continue protesting into the nigh

Some students were dragged away from the demonstration while hundreds of others shouted 'shame on you'.

It is the latest demonstration to take over university cities in recent days on both sides of the Atlantic.

In the United States scores of college students were arrested overnight following protests against Israel's war against Hamas.

At George Washington University in Washington D.C. police were seen tearing down tents and deploying pepper spray to clear demonstrators from the campus and streets - just a short walk away from the White House.

Elsewhere in Europe police were forced to disperse protesters who gathered at the Swiss University of Zurich. They also cleared students demonstrating from the courtyard of the Freie Universitaet Berlin.

Last week, police took similar action at the at the Sorbonne University in Paris, while on Wednesday the Brussels University said it would file a police complaint against students who were allegedly involved in a violent protest, including an assault on the Jewish students union leader.

The scenes across wider Europe and the Atlantic echo protests that have been seen on UK campuses in recent days.

Earlier this week violence broke out at the University of Leeds where a clash between security guards and students took place.

Oxbridge students also set up encampments in front of their prestigious universities in solidarity with Gaza.

Police take security measures as pro-Palestinian protesters gather in University of Amsterdam to stage demonstration on the city's streets to call for their institution to end all ties with Israel

MANCHESTER: A protester gives a 'peace' sign at an encampment set up at Brunswick Park

NEWCASTLE: Students say their protest 'highlights the institution's investment strategy and its complicity in the Israeli military's war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank'

OXFORD: Students put up a sign listing their six demands at their 'Liberated Zone' camp

CAMBRIDGE: Students set up an encampment in solidarity with Gaza this morning

The sit-in protests, which echo protests seen in the US, have sprung up at other British universities including Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield and Newcastle over the last week.

At Oxford's camp, named the 'liberated zone', students pinned up a board of six demands including calls to boycott Israeli genocide, stop banking with Barclays and help rebuild Gaza's education system.

Cambridge for Palestine said it will 'not move' from the encampment until the university agrees to four demands including disclosing financial ties with complicit organisations and protecting students at risk.

Yet not all campus protests have ended in confrontation. Ireland's Trinity College Dublin announced on Wednesday that an encampment and blockade on campus would end peacefully after students and administrators negotiated a settlement.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday said U.S. bombs have been used to kill civilians in Rafah and that he would pause more arms shipments to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launches a full-scale invasion.

'Civilians have been killed in Rafah as a result of those bombs and other ways they go after population centers. I made it clear that if they go into Rafah  they haven't gone into Raffa yet - I'm not supplying the weapons,' Biden said in an interview with CNN.

The president, last week, delayed the delivery of 3,500 bombs to the U.S.'s Middle East ally. It was the first time he used his executive power to influence Israel's approach to its war with Hamas.

But his words of warning on Wednesday was the most direct threat Biden has made to Israel during the seven-month war.

President Biden said the U.S. would not supply the bombs to help Israel invade Rafah

He reiterated his support for Israel in his interview with Erin Burnett.

'We're going to continue to make sure Israel is secure in terms of Iron Dome and their ability to respond to attacks like the one came out at least recently. But it's just wrong. We're not gonna - we're not gonna supply the weapons and artillery shells used,' he said.

He noted Israel has not launched a full-scale invasion yet - just crossed the border but express frustration the invasion has cut off a crucial supply line via Egpyt to bring in much-humanitarian aid to the Palestinian refugees in Gaza.

They haven't gotten in the population centers - what they did is right on the border and it's causing problems with - right now - in terms of Egypt, which I've worked very hard make sure we have a relationship and help but I've made it clear to Bibi and the war cabinet  theyre not going to get our support if, in fact, they go into these population centers,' he said.

Asked if Netanyahu has crossed the red line yet, Biden said: Not yet but weve held up the weapons. Weve helped up one shipment. It was an old shipment. We held that up.

He also shared the advice he gave Netanyahu when he visited the prime minister in the days after the October 7th attack by Hamas.

'Immediately after that happened I said to Bibi don't make the same mistake we made in America - we want to get Bin Laden and will help you get similar. But we went into Afghanistan which made sense to go get Bin Laden but it made no sense to try and unify Afghanistan,' he said.'

'I will help you focus on getting the bad guys but we've got to think through what is happening after Gaza. After this is over.'

Israel has downplayed the administration's decision to withhold the 1,800 2,000-pound and 1,700 500-pound bombs.

The administration also is reviewing whether to hold back future transfers, including guidance kits that convert so-called dumb bombs into precision-guided munitions, according to reports.

Many Democrats have urged the president to limit arms shipments to Israel out of concern they will be used against innocent civilians.

Israel heavily relies on the U.S. to stock its military. Many of the drones used last month to ward off Iranian missiles were American-made and U.S. forces helped counter the bombing.

Biden's decision comes as he has struggled to balance his support for Israel after the October 7th attack by Hamas with his efforts to protect the civilian population of Palestine.

About a million refugees have crowded into Rafah. Biden on Monday warned Netanyahu against a full-scale assault of Rafah.

But, on Monday, Israel's military warned about 110,000 civilians to leave Rafah, and hours later its tanks moved in. It was not a full-scale invasion but some worry that one is imminent.

Israel has threatened a major assault on area to defeat thousands of Hamas fighters it says are holed up there.

Biden and Netanyahu's relationship has gotten more tense as the prime minister has repeatedly defied U.S. demands on major issues.

Smoke rises following Israeli airstrike on Rafah - Israel relies heavily on the U.S. to stock its military

A Palestinians child, injured following an Israeli strike, is checked by the medics

Republicans blasted the administration's decision to delay the bomb delivery.

Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell demanded answers on why the bomb shipment was delayed and said they had to learn about it from media reports and not the administration.

'We were alarmed by media reports that your Administration had delayed the delivery of a variety of weapons shipments bound for Israel. This news flies in the face of assurances provided regarding the timely delivery of security assistance to Israel,' they wrote to Biden in a joint letter.

Senator Mitt Romney blasted Biden for his policy.

'We stand by allies, we dont second guess them. Bidens dithering on Israel weapons is bad policy and a terrible message to Israel, our allies, and the world,' he wrote on X.

Senator Lindsey Graham rebuked the administration.

'This is obscene. It is absurd. Give Israel what they need,' Graham said, noting it wasn't for Washington to second-guess how Israel fought a war against Hamas militants bent on Israel's destruction.

Senator Deb Fischer, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called on Biden to drop 'his politically-motivated hold'.

'American support for Israel cannot be in doubt, especially now,' she said.

And Representatives Mike Rogers, the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Michael McCaul, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a joint statement calling on the bombs to be delivered.

'We are appalled that the administration paused crucial arms shipments to Israel. Withholding arms to Israel weakens Israel's deterrence against Iran and its proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah,' they said.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials are worried that Israel now controls the Gaza side of a crossing to Egypt that is a major conduit for humanitarian aid.

Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian crisis and famine-like conditions.

The seizure and the closing of the Kerem Shalom crossing, the only two major entry points in the south for food, medicine and other supplies, has prompted worries the crisis could worsen.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration has reassurance the crossing has been reopened.

'We have been told by Israel that that has been opened. It is important to get those trucks in. It is important to get that aid into Gaza. So, that's what we want to see,' she said Wednesday.

'We know how dire the situation is in Gaza. We want to continue to get that humanitarian aid, and we want a ceasefire. We want a ceasefire,' she noted.

A Palestinians child injured following an Israeli strike is brought towards Al Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafa

An Israeli self-propelled howitzer fires a shell to the Gaza Strip near the Kerem Shalom crossing

Meanwhile, Netanyahu was expected to meet CIA director William Burns on Wednesday afternoon in Israel, an Israeli official told the New York Times.

Burns has been in the Middle East trying to finalize a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas that would see the release of hostages.

Hamas' Oct. 7 attack killed about 1,200 people with about 250 others abducted, of whom 133 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza, according to Israel.

Israel's campaign to destroy Hamas has so far killed a total of 34,789 Palestinians, mostly civilians, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

White House spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday that the negotiations were at a 'sensitive stage' and that 'there should be no reason why they can't overcome those remaining gaps.'
One of Penny Mordaunt's most prominent backers has liked tweets describing Rishi Sunak as a 'rich Indian Tory PM' and suggesting Conservatives would never vote for an ethnic minority leader.

Multi-millionaire PR guru Chris Lewis  who provided digital services for the Commons Leader during her last leadership bid  also liked a post saying she 'cr*** all over Sunak'.

The online activity of the veteran strategist suggests Ms Mordaunt's allies are keen for her to take another punt at the Tory leadership.

She is one of several Conservative MPs tipped to potentially take over from Mr Sunak in a possible contest after the General Election as the Tories continue to lag far behind Labour in the polls.

Mr Lewis, 63, who styles himself the Grand Enchilada, was said to be the political and spin guru behind Ms Mordaunt's 2022 bid to be prime minister.

One of Penny Mordaunt's (pictured) most prominent backers has liked tweets describing Rishi Sunak as a 'rich Indian Tory PM'

Multi-millionaire PR guru Chris Lewis  who provided digital services for the Commons Leader during her last leadership bid  also liked a post saying she 'cr*** all over Sunak'

While sources close to her say he did not run her campaign, his company provided digital services and created her leadership website, pm4pm.com.

Following this month's disastrous set of local election results for the Tories, Ms Mordaunt, the MP for Portsmouth North, dismissed speculation that she plans to mount another bid for the top job.

But while the Cabinet minister is on message with her support for Mr Sunak, her close ally Mr Lewis is not shy about his views on making her prime minister.

In March this year, he liked a tweet stating 'most people don't like rich Indian Tory PM. Penny Mordaunt would get more votes'.

Two weeks earlier, he liked a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming that Tory party members will 'never actually vote in a BAME [black, Asian and minority ethnic] leader. It's going to be Penny Mordaunt'.

Mr Lewis, whose Twitter name is @largeburrito, has also liked numerous tweets calling for Mr Sunak to be booted out and Ms Mordaunt to take over.

These included: 'The Tories need to get rid of Sunak', Ms Mordaunt 'just cr*** all over Sunak', and 'only Penny Mordaunt can save the Tories'.

In an implicit criticism of the Conservative Party, he also liked tweets accusing the 1922 Committee of backbench MPs of 'making sure she didn't get voted in as leader' after Ms Mordaunt came third to Mr Sunak and Liz Truss.

He also retweeted a Daily Mail front page which revealed that Tory MPs on the Right of the party have held talks with moderates about replacing Mr Sunak with Ms Mordaunt.

Just days before the local elections, he liked a tweet saying: 'Wait till council election wipeout and then time to unite and get Penny Mordaunt in She's their only chance.'

Mr Lewis's negative views of the Tory party do not stop with Mr Sunak, with him liking a tweet branding Boris Johnson an 'unethical, corrupt, lying, devious dirtbag'.

Ms Mordaunt has been linked to Mr Lewis for at least the past six years and praised him in the foreword to his 2018 book on business leadership.

He once flew her by helicopter to the Hay Literary Festival to promote the book they wrote together  although allies say she paid her way.

Their book was called Greater: Britain After The Storm, which is seen as her vision for society after the pandemic and Brexit.

Sources close to Ms Mordaunt say the pair are friends and that she rates the services his agency, Team Lewis, provides.

Before last week's local elections, Ms Mordaunt, who has twice stood to be Tory leader, denied that she is in discussions with rebels seeking to depose Mr Sunak.

In a recent interview, she urged colleagues to avoid 'further Westminster gymnastics and navel-gazing'.

She later joked about being installed in No 10 'rather like a new boiler' and dismissed talk of 'Pimms with Penny' events to woo MPs, joking that she preferred pints.

A source close to Ms Mordaunt did not comment on the liked tweets, but said: 'This just isn't true. He didn't run any leadership campaign for Penny. People are tired of these sorts of stories by now.'

Mr Lewis could not be reached for comment.
Advertisement



King Charles will host a garden party at Buckingham Palace this afternoon after Prince Harry said his father was too busy to see him during his whistle-stop visit to the UK.

Royal experts claimed it was "quite a snub" from the King after the Duke of Sussex admitted his father's 'diary of commitments' meant he was unable to see him as he makes a speech in London to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Follow MailOnline's live coverage of the Royal Family as we bring you the latest news and analysis throughout the day
A water world ruled by octopus-like creatures.

A planet divided by light and dark where the sun never rises.

And a lava hell where molten rock rains from the sky.

These are not descriptions of foreign worlds in science fiction novels, these are some of the 'exoplanets' most likely to be harboring aliens right now.

Dozens of these exoplanets - planets that orbit stars outside our solar system - which have been classified as 'potentially habitable' or 'Earth-like' have been documented in tantalizing detail in a new book.

Humanity is in a 'new golden era of exploration,' according to Dr. Lisa Kaltenegger, whose new book explores what science now knows about how distant worlds in our galaxy could support life. Above an artist envisions Proxima Centauri b - a planet where the sun never rises or sets

One of our solar system's nearest neighbors, the star system Proxima Centauri is just 4.25 light-years away. It's 'most likely to be habitable' world, Proxima Centauri b (illustrated above), is tidally locked with its host star, preventing the rotational day to night cycle we know on Earth

In Alien Earths, Dr. Lisa Kaltenegger, a former NASA mission reviewer, writes that astronomy breakthroughs in the past three decades have meant we are living in 'a completely new golden era of exploration'.

Since 1992, when the first exoplanet was discovered, there have been 5,000 more confirmed in our galaxy alone.

Of them, 70 have just the right ingredients for life to exist.

Given that some of them are 17,000 lightyears - which would take 6.9 million years to get to on the fastest man made machine, NASAs Juno probe - Dr Kaltenegge says humanity's next challenge will be to summon the creativity needed to actually detect and communicate with alien lifeforms.

'I hope to convey just how difficult the search for alien life will be,' Dr. Kaltenegger writes in her book. 'We might not even recognize it when it is staring us in the face.'

A staggering 5,000 planets outside of our solar system have now been discovered, since the first of these 'exoplanets'  a Jupiter-like gas giant named 'Dimidium'  was first documented in 1992.

'Solving the puzzle of these new worlds requires using a wide range of tools like cultivating colorful biota in our biology lab [...] and reaching back into the long history of Earth's evolution for clues on what to search for,' she explained.

Dr. Kaltenegger, who is also the founding director of the Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell University and professor, said Earth will have to become 'our laboratory' as we test new ideas about how life could evolve differently out in the galaxy.

Instruments on the James Webb Space Telescope NIRCam (Near InfraRed Camera) an infrared imager from the edge of the visible through the near infrared NIRSpec (Near InfraRed Spectrograph) will also perform spectroscopy over the same wavelength range. MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument) will measure the mid-to-long-infrared wavelength range from 5 to 27 micrometers. FGS/NIRISS (Fine Guidance Sensor and Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph), is used to stabilize the line-of-sight of the observatory during science observations. Advertisement

Right now, according to the University of Puerto Rico's Planetary Habitability Laboratory, 29 of the rocky exoplanets identified are the most likely to support life, or at least life as we know it on Earth.

Roughly another 41 more, astronomers report, appear to be 'water worlds'  or mini-versions of our own solar system's planet Neptune  making them each possible, but less likely, candidates for alien life as well.

NASA's massive, $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which launched in 2021 and collects light from distant space with a mirror over six-times the size of its famous predecessor, Hubble, has led to a bonanza of these new exoplanet discoveries.

'The JWST is the first telescope capable of capturing just enough light with its 21.3-foot (6.5-meter) mirror to explore the chemical composition of the atmosphere of other rocky worlds,' Dr. Kaltenegger told Big Think.

'Size,' she noted, 'is the key to collecting light.'

'Imagine a bucket: the larger it is, the more rainwater it can catch [...] The telescope's mirror operates the same way: the larger it is, the more light it can collect.'

According to Dr. Kaltenegger, signs of extraterrestrial life on other world's are 'written in a planet's lightif you know how to read it.'

As the light from distant stars pass through or bounce off an exoplanet's atmosphere, as she put it, 'the chemical makeup of the atmosphere of an alien world is encoded in the light that arrives at my telescope.'

Most distant planets, like that lava world, CoRoT-7 b, 489 light-years from Earth, would be too punishing in its endless magma heat to ever support life.

But here are just three of the distant star systems whose exoplanets have offered teasing clues in their light that they may hold undiscovered extraterrestrial life.

'Orange dwarf' star Kepler 62 (above), roughly 980 light-years from Earth, has at least two likely water worlds orbiting around it: Kepler 62-e and Kepler 62-f. According to a 2015 NASA report, Kepler 62-f is one of the 'most promising planets discovered' for supporting ET life

Kepler-62 - a star system of global oceans

'Life that never left the oceans could be fascinatingly weirder than we could ever imagine,' Dr. Kaltenegger writes in 'Alien Earths.'

And the 'orange dwarf' star Kepler-62, roughly 980 light-years from our solar system, has at least two likely water worlds orbiting around it: Kepler 62-e and Kepler 62-f.

Both exoplanets are between the sizes of Earth and Neptune, with Kepler 62-f being one of the 'most promising planets discovered' for supporting extraterrestrial life according to a 2015 NASA research document. But what might live there?

'The octopus-like creatures, heptapods, envisioned in the Ted Chiang's 1998 science-fiction novella Story of Your Life, the basis of the 2016 movie Arrival, cross my mind when I think about large ocean worlds,' Dr. Kaltenegger said.

In the 2016 sci-fi drama, from director Denis Villeneuve of this year's blockbuster Dune adaptation, tall, tentacled alien creatures teach a human linguist played by Amy Adams a language that literally changes her perceptions of space and time.

'The octopus-like creatures, heptapods, envisioned in the Ted Chiang's 1998 science-fiction novella Story of Your Life, the basis of the 2016 movie Arrival, cross my mind when I think about large ocean worlds,' Dr. Kaltenegger said of exoplanets Kepler 62-e and Kepler 62-f

In the 2016 sci-fi drama, from director Denis Villeneuve of this year's blockbuster Dune adaptation, tall, tentacled alien creatures teach a human linguist played by Amy Adams (pictured above) a language that literally changes her perceptions of space and time

Any advanced beings on Kepler-62's water worlds would mostly likely be equally trippy and mind-expanding, according to Dr. Kaltenegger, although she is skeptical about their ability to master space travel like the beings in Chaing's story.

'Life on these worlds would be under water with no easy access to metals, to electricity, or fire for metallurgy,' she said soon after NASA's Kepler space telescope first discovered the worlds.

'Nonetheless, these worlds will still be beautiful blue planets circling an orange star,' the astrophysicist added, 'and maybe life's inventiveness to get to a technology stage will surprise us.'

Even without advanced spacefaring life, Dr. Kaltenegger holds out hope that the Kepler-62 worlds may one day be excellent human tourism destinations.

'These worlds could be some of the best surfing spots in the cosmos,' she said.

Just 40 lightyears away from Earth, a tightly packed cluster of exoplanets circling the red sun Trappist-1 appears to have three neighboring worlds nestled within its 'habitable zone' - and they all could support life, according to Dr. Kaltenegger. Above, Trappist-1 by a NASA artist

Trappist-1 - sunset worlds of glowing algae

Just 40 lightyears away from Earth, a tightly packed cluster of exoplanets circling the red sun Trappist-1 appears to have three neighboring worlds nestled within its 'habitable zone'  and they all could support life, according to Dr. Kaltenegger.

'How much farther along our space-travel capacity would be,' she wonders in Alien Earths, 'if there was another habitable world orbiting our Sun, let alone several.'

Of the seven exoplanets closest to Trappist-1, named Trappist-1b through Trappist-1h, two have most caught the attention of astronomers for their mild temperatures and other 'just right' characteristics: Trappist-1e and Trappist-1f.

With a mass just under 70 percent the size of Earth, Trappist-1e orbits its sun from just 2.7 million miles away  a mere fraction of the 93.6 million miles between Earth and the sun.

Trappist-1f, which is just four percent larger than Earth orbits the star from not much farther out, just 3.6 million miles away.

These alien worlds orbit so close to Trappist-1  a so-called 'ultracool dwarf star,' whose light is 2,000-times dimmer than our own sun  that one year's around the star only takes a few days.

A 'year' on Trappist-1e is not even a full week, just 6.1 days, a little longer than a year on Trappist-1f, which takes 9.2 days to complete its orbital cycle.

'This planetary system is so tightly packed that planets Trappist-1d and Trappist-1f would both appear as large as our moon in the night sky of the middle planet Trappist-1e,' Dr. Kaltenegger said, likely becoming cultural touchstones for any alien civilizations millennia before they could come to meet their nearest alien neighbors.

Some scientists, in fact, think there's a solid chance that alien life on Trappist-1e could be studying our own planet from a distance, if they had telescopes in operation as sophisticated as NASA's James Webb telescope.

Johns Hopkins University astrobiologist Jacob Lustig-Yeager and his colleagues poured atmospheric data about planet Earth into a simulation of the distant, watery exoplanet and found that an alien version of the JWST could likely detect mankind.

Even from their perch 40 light-years away, just such a telescope launched into orbit by aliens on TRAPPIST-1e could pick out light-signatures of molecules in our atmosphere that indicate technologically advanced life: specifically, pollutants.

'Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),' Lustig-Yeager and his team wrote in their paper, 'have been proposed as technosignatures due to their many industrial applications and infamy catalyzing the destruction of [the ozone layer] O3.'

Poking a flashlight passed the border onto the dark side of Proxima Centauri b, Dr. Kaltenegger argues, could likely lead to the discovery of many species evolved to generate light themselves. Above, Earth's own bioluminescent algae - off the coast of Jervis Bay, Australia

Proxima Centauri - the sun never sets

One of our solar system's nearest neighbors, the star system Proxima Centauri is just 4.25 light-years away, or about a tenth of the distance of star systems like Trappist-1.

It's 'most likely to be habitable' world, Proxima Centauri b, is tidally locked with its host star, meaning in Dr. Kaltenegger's words that it's a planet 'where the sun never sets or rises.'

She imagines that life congregates around the ring of permanent dusk, or permanent dawn, depending on one's perspective, that separates the light and dark sides of Proxima Centauri b  enjoying just the right amount of its star's solar energy to survive.

'Red puffy clouds fill an orange sky, high above the purple moss that dots the few exposed islands on the horizon,' she writes in Alien Earths. 'Waves break on the small stretches of shore, glittering in the red light from the sun overhead.'

Poking a flashlight passed the border onto the dark side of Proxima Centauri b, Dr. Kaltenegger continues, could likely lead to the discovery of many species evolved to generate light themselves.

Theorizing on the glowing life of Proxima Centauri b, Dr. Kaltenegger writes 'in the gloom, you can just make out tiny bright specks of light, a biofluorescent glow that paints a slightly green sheen on the eerily alien landscape' Above, Earth's dramatic fluorescent green algae in Iceland

'In the gloom, you can just make out tiny bright specks of light,' she envisions, 'a biofluorescent glow that paints a slightly green sheen on the eerily alien landscape.'

In 2016, Dr. Kaltenegger and her Cornell colleague, Dr. Jack OMalley-James, tested another possible reason that life on Proxima Centauri b might glow: a biological shield that could protect its species from its host stars often dramatic solar storms.

'For the duration of a flare, the planet should glow, and that change could be strong enough to detect on planets around nearby flare stars,' Dr. OMalley-James said of their research, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

The theory was just one example of how Dr. Kaltenegger and her peers have put into practice the idea of using Earth's weirdest life to imagine the variety of alien life light-years away.

'Like creatures in the deepest, darkest parts of Earth's oceans,' as Dr. Kaltenegger framed it in her new book, 'they are strangely familiar and yet not at all.'
A Seoul court on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for a medical student on charges of killing his girlfriend in Seoul earlier this week for allegedly breaking up with him.

The 25-year-old, identified only by his surname Choi, who goes to a prestigious medical school in Seoul, was arrested without warrant on Monday for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend to death on the rooftop of a building in southern Seoul around 5 p.m. on Monday.

The Seoul Central District Court issued the warrant after questioning the suspect earlier in the day, citing a flight risk.

Upon arriving at the court with his face covered by a cap and mask, Choi had said he was "sorry" when asked by reporters if he has anything to say to the bereaved family. He remained silent on questions asking the motive of his crime, or if he had premeditated the murder.

Choi is known to have entered medical school after getting a perfect score on his college entrance exam.

On Monday, police showed up at the scene following a report that a man was trying to jump off the roof and talked him out of it. They revisited the scene after the man confessed that he had left a bag with medicine there and found his girlfriend's body.

Choi allegedly premeditated the crime by purchasing a knife two hours beforehand at a supermarket in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul. During earlier questioning by the police, Choi said he committed the crime because she told him she wanted to break up. (Yonhap)
Getting stuck in Slippery Hole might seem hilarious, but this could actually be a matter of life and death.

From the Eye of the Butt to the Dalek, Britain has thousands of bizarre nicknames for sea rocks, cliffs, buildings and other landmarks.

But while you might know how to find Black Knob Point, there is no guarantee that the emergency services will know where that is if you get into danger.

Thankfully, Ordnance Survey has now added thousands of unofficial names for locations to a new database for emergency services.

And with over 9,500 different names on the list, rescue teams will be able to help find people in danger no matter what strange nickname they use.

Crazy Mary's Hole and the Eye of the Butt are just some of the 9,500 local nicknames that have been added to the new Ordnance Survey Vernacular Names Tool

Princess Anne added the 'Wedding Cake' as an alternative name for the Victoria Monument near Buckingham Palace in London

Britain's weirdest local nicknames Squiggly Bridge , City of Glasgow

, City of Glasgow The Dalek , North Yorkshire

, North Yorkshire Slippery Bottom, Norfolk

Norfolk Stinking Hole , North Yorkshire

, North Yorkshire Jabba the Hut , Lincolnshire

, Lincolnshire The Maggots , Nairn

, Nairn Black Knob Point , Devon

, Devon Abraham's Bosom , Lincolnshire

, Lincolnshire Dick's Point , Dorset

, Dorset The Eye of the Butt , Western Isles

, Western Isles Mole End , Cornwall

, Cornwall The Drinking Dinosaur , Gwynedd

, Gwynedd Sausage Island , Gwynedd

, Gwynedd Hairy Ledge , Devon

, Devon Crazy Mary's Hole , Suffolk

, Suffolk The Twelve Apostles , Ayrshire and Arran Advertisement

The new database, called the Vernacular Names Tool, is a replacement for the FINTAN system which has been used by HM Coastguard for more than 10 years.

FINTAN was put in place to collect local names for coastal areas so that members of the public could use these during an emergency situation.

Many of these old-fashioned names are commonly used by locals but wouldn't appear on any map of the area.

This meant it was often difficult to find individuals who could only describe their location using the local name.

This new database will replace FINTAN, combining existing names with new information provided by blue light organisations across the country.

Local teams have been invited to add their own nicknames to the database and ONS says it hopes even more people will be encouraged to participate.

Chief Coastguard Peter Mizen says: 'The Vernacular Tool is an incredibly useful resource for our Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres to have access to.

'It has allowed local knowledge to be shared across our operational network and there are examples where its use has improved the tasking of critical rescue assets.'

Already, the use of local nicknames has enabled the rescue of several members of the public.

This tool is aimed at helping emergency services like the coastguard find people faster by using local nicknames for key locations (file photo)

Launching the new database, Princess Anne visited Ordnance Survey's headquarters to add her own nickname to the list

For example, a coastguard team was able to rescue a casualty with a hip injury thanks to a member of the public identifying the naturalist beach at Morfa Dyffryn, just along the coast from Barmouth.

The injured person had originally been thought to be on a separate stretch of sand further to the south, and may not have been found so quickly were it not for the local knowledge.

The launch of the tool was kicked off with a visit to the OS headquarters by HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne.

During the visit, Princess Anne made her own contribution to the Vernacular Names Tool, adding 'the wedding cake' as an alternative name for the Queen Victoria Memorial in London.

John Kimmance, Managing Director of OS National Mapping Services, says: 'Wherever we live, we all have nicknames for local places  and uploading these into a database really could mean the difference between life and death on an emergency call.

Places like Stinking Hole (pictured) might be well-known to locals, but emergency services may be unable to find injured people in a hurry based on the name alone

The new list replaces an older database for coastal locations to include inland landmarks such as buildings like The Dalek (pictured), the local name for Bridgewater Place

'It is great to see how Fintan added value to the work of HM Coastguard - we are now keen to get more 999 services uploading information into this essential tool.'

OS, which was established in 1791, is known for its physical maps and OS Maps, its map app for iOS and Android, which has free and paid user options.

The paper maps, first published in 1801, are updated every three to five years, but the master copy map of the UK is a huge digital file which is updated with 20,000 new pieces of information every day.

The company has also recently looked to update its maps for more modern needs, asking the public to suggest new map symbols.

Potential updates suggested by OS include bicycle repair shops, cafes, dog waste bins and accessibility notes for wheelchair users.
It's been protecting London from costly and potentially deadly flooding since 1984.

But as the Thames Barrier celebrates its 40th anniversary, scientists have warned that the 535 million structure  opened by Queen Elizabeth II on May 8, 1984  might not provide an adequate flood defence until 2070 as planned.

Repeated closures of its 10 steel-clad gates due to wild weather from climate change will add wear and tear, prompting the need for a replacement much sooner than previously thought.

Richard Tol, a professor of economics at the University of Sussex, said using the Thames Barrier until 2070 could be 'risky'.

'It will need to be replaced at one point  a major infrastructure project,' he told MailOnline.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

What is the Thames Barrier? Spanning 1,700 feet (520 metres), the Thames Barrier is one of the largest retractable flood defence barriers in the world. It protects 125 square kilometres of central London from floods caused by high tides and storm surges. The Thames Barrier took 8 years to build, and it became fully operational in 1984  with the late Queen Elizabeth II presiding over its official opening. Source: Thames Clippers Advertisement

When it opened back in 1984, the Thames Barrier was built to last until 2030.

But in 2009, the Environment Agency, which operates the Thames Barrier, decided that the structure could carry on protecting London until 2070.

However, the gates are only designed to close a maximum of 50 times per year, and experts say the number of annual closures will exceed this figure in the near future as weather becomes wilder.

According to Hannah Cloke, professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, this means a replacement barrier will need to be sorted out 'quite soon'.

'We're walking into a future where we know we've got more rainfall coming,' she told the Financial Times.

'It's definitely not looking the same as it was when the Thames Barrier was designed and built.

'If we do need to close the Thames Barrier more than we thought we did, then it's going to have a shorter lifespan.'

While 2070 sounds quite far away, experts might need to start sorting a replacement sooner rather than later.

'The experience with HS2 and the third runway for Heathrow suggests that the UK is not very good at the timely implementation of big projects and extending the lifetime of the Thames Barrier is a testament to that,' Professor Tol explained.

'At the same time, new houses and new industries are being built in East London near the Thames. It is all a bit risky.'

The Thames Barrier is a series of 10 steel gates across the width of the Thames, which are raised when London is threatened by high tides and storm surges up from the North Sea

Dr Jonathan Paul, a senior lecturer in earth sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London, called the Thames Barrier an 'impressive feat of engineering' that has been 'highly effective' at protecting London from storm surge events.

'While we don't know precisely how climate change will be manifest in local weather patterns, it is likely that sudden cloudbursts will become more frequent and dramatic, which would test the capacity of the barrier,' he told MailOnline.

Concerns over rising sea levels surround the Thames Barrier, with some experts worrying the 60-foot gates soon won't be tall enough.

But according to Dr Paul, the overall height of the Thames is unlikely to surpass the height of the gates before 2070.

When the gates go up they protect London from high tides and storm surges moving up from the North Sea

Queen Elizabeth II is pictured officially opening the Thames Barrier on May 8, 1984 - two years after construction of the flood defence was completed

How does the Thames Barrier work? Spanning 520 metres across the River Thames near Woolwich, the Thames Barrier is the second-largest retractable flood defence barrier in the world (the largest is the Oosterscheldekering Barrier in the Netherlands). The barrier has 10 steel gates that, when raised, are about as high as a 5-storey building. These 10 gates essentially divide the river into 10 individual flood gates, with each gate weighing approximately 3000 tonnes. Individual gates can be closed in 10 minutes but the whole barrier takes around an hour and a half to close completely. When fully raised, the barrier creates a solid steel wall that stops water flowing upstream towards the capital. The Thames Barrier is only be reopened once the water level upstream of the barrier matches the level downstream. Once a decision has been made to reopen it, a controlled amount of water is passed under the gate and up the Thames. Advertisement

'The top of the barrier is higher by three or four metres than typical high tide, and mean sea level is expected to rise by roughly one metre by 2100,' he told MailOnline.

Opened by Elizabeth II on May 8, 1984, the Thames Barrier is located near Woolwich in east London, just south of London City Airport.

It's a series of 10 steel gates across the width of the Thames, which are raised when London is threatened by high tides and storm surges up from the North Sea.

When fully raised, the barrier creates a solid steel wall holding back up to 9,000 tonnes of water from the capital.

In all, it gives protection for more than 4,000 of London's listed buildings, 711 healthcare sites, 116 railway and tube stations and around 185 miles of major roads.

Meanwhile, the value of residential property protected stands at 321 billion.

The Thames Barrier has protected London from flooding 221 times since it was built.

Currently it closes an average of six to seven times per year, but in some instances it has way passed this average.

It closed 50 times in the space of just 13 weeks due to unusually devastating storms in the winter of 2013/14  its 'finest hour' according to the Environment Agency.

The agency acknowledges that the barrier will eventually need to be replaced  but its decision on what this replacement option will be is only expected 'by 2040'.

Operations manager Andy Batchelor started a new job at the Thames Barrier on the day it was opened by the Queen 40 years ago.

'The original design criteria of the Thames Barrier was to protect against a one in 1,000-year flood until the year 2030,' he told CNA last year.

'But with the analysis that we've done we think that this structure will give that degree of protection until 2070.'

The Thames Flood Barrier is seen under construction in 1980, four years before it became operational and started protecting London

The barrier was prompted by the Great North Sea flood of 1953, which claimed 326 lives on land when it struck Britain's east coast. Pictured, residents in Whitstable, Kent

The barrier was prompted by the Great North Sea flood of 1953, which claimed 326 lives on land when it struck Britain's east coast.

Flood defences that had been neglected since the Second World War were overwhelmed, with water sweeping six feet above them in some places.

Construction of Thames Barrier didn't start until 1974 and was completed in 1982, two years before it was officially opened by the Queen.

It cost 535 million (approximately 2.4 billion in today's money).

Environment Agency has admitted London's flood defences along the river  a separate defensive measure to the Thames Barrier  will need to be 50cm (20in) higher by 2040.

In response, Green Party Baroness Jenny Jones called this a 'short-term fix' due to the threat of rising sea levels.

'Sea levels are rising twice as fast as they were in the early days of the barrier and that increase will be getting faster in the coming years,' she told MailOnline.

'The truth is that most climate scientists have been under estimating the speed of the crisis for the last twenty years and while many of us are still optimistic that we can turn things around, governments are not acting fast enough.

'Raising the height of the Thames flood defences by half a meter is a short-term fix, when you consider the seven meters of ice locked up in the Greenland ice sheet that has already started to melt.'
Instagram accounts are selling for up to $55,000 and come with millions of followers.

Those looking to get Insta-famous are placing bids on the handles, with hopes of taking over the name and revealing in the glory.

People also purchase and 'flip' accounts by growing the number of followers to increase the value before re-selling it for double the original purchase price.

A similar account exchange occurred when Katherine Asplundh, who recently married a billionaire, attempted to bully a woman, Kate, into selling her account but she pushed back, telling the newly wed that she could be banned from the platform.

Instagram accounts are selling for tens of thousands of dollars on marketplace websites (pictured)

Katherine Asplundh (pictured) attempted to bully a woman into selling her Instagram handle

Users can release their username to another person for free by changing their handle, but accepting payment of any kind is not allowed.

Despite Instagram's Terms and Conditions prohibiting the sale of accounts, users have continued to sell their handles for thousands of dollars.

Marketplace websites like Social Tradia that allows people to sell not just their username, but their full platform - followers included - make it easy to exchange accounts.

People who have started a business are looking for established Instagram accounts.

A Reddit user shared they have a business and are looking for an account with at least 1,000 followers to help them get off their feet.

But other individuals may be looking for handles to conduct cybercrimes, as another Redditor posted: 'I would like to buy 10-15 accounts that have normal amount of followers (in the range of 100-300).

'This won't be for marketing purposes, i just need the accounts to look like they belong to regular people.'

Social Tradia shows how many bids have been places for specific accounts, but it is unclear if that is simply a marketing tool.

Similar to a website listing houses, the site shows numerous business and marketing accounts that include a photo, the number of followers, the original listing price, and whether the price was reduced.

A Food account with 359,000 followers was listed for $55,000 down from $70,000 while a Luxe Living account with 1.1 million followers was listed for $17,000, down from $25,000.

Katherine Asplundh (left) married Cabot Asplundh (right) and demanded she receive the new Instagram handle, and accused the woman of using a fake name

In reaching out to the woman known only as Kate, who has since shared the messages on social media, the newlywed has unintentionally gone viral

Asplundh then continues to question the legitimacy of her name, who confirms she is not American

While Katherine was not convinced, Instagram's rules state that purchasing, licensing or selling any account includes transferring 'any aspect of your account' such as usernames, passwords or any other login credentials.

There are still risks that Instagram could find out about these underground sales, and when Katherine, an influencer with 14,600 followers demanded Kate hand over her desired account name, @katherineasplundh, she was told: 'I just googled and it said selling my username would get me banned from Instagram.'

Katherine responded, arguing: 'I purchased my username in the past actually that's not true. Celebrities do it all the time that's how they all have their handles as their full names.

When Kate again refused to sell her username, saying: 'I don't want to get banned. Sorry!' Katherine questioned the validity of Kate's identity and threatened that she reported her on Instagram, claiming it wasn't her real name.

A Luxe Living account with 1.1 million followers was listed for $17,000, down from $25,000.

'The family I just married into is the only Asplundh family in the US,' Katherine messaged Kate, who simply said: 'I'm not American.'

Katherine demanded to see proof of identity, which Kate refused, telling her that she'd sent a complaint to Instagram for violating the Terms and Conditions and for harassment.

'I was open to giving her my username,' Kate told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

'I just didnt want to sell it because that would get me banned. After I replied to her, her messages came off snarky so I told myself, 'Okay, this isnt worth it.'"

Instagram does warn that it can ban users for engaging in buying or selling their accounts, but Thor Aarsand, a social media influencer from Norway, previously told Vox: The thing is Instagram cant really know if an account has been sold or if its being managed.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Instagram for comment and to confirm how it can identify if an account was sold.
Americans living a red state are receiving the best education even though the governor has been criticized for using the classroom for his cultural war.

Florida has topped the chart for the second year in a row, as Governor Ron DeSantis has redesigning the educational system by banning discussions about sexuality and gender and letting parents decide what materials are used.

While the laws have sparked criticism, a new report has determined that Florida performs best in college readiness among children in pre-Kindergarten (pre-K) through 12th grade and state universities have a 74 percent graduation rate.

However, the state fell short in math and reading scores among students in elementary school.

The other states that followed Florida were Utah, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Colorado.

Americans living a red state are receiving the best education even though the governor has been criticized for using the classroom for his cultural war

'Florida is the number one state in the country for education,' DeSantis said last month.

'By focusing on core academic subjects and rejecting indoctrination in the classroom, we have become a standard-bearer for educational excellence.'

The ranking was conducted by US News & World Report, which used 10 metrics broken down into two groups: higher education and pre-k through 12th grade.

The metrics included preschool enrollment, college readiness, reading and math scores, high school graduation rates, debt at college graduation, college tuition and fees, educational attainment and two- and four-year college graduation rates.

Florida had the highest-rates for timely graduation in public colleges offering both two- and four-year degrees.

And those attending four-year schools had the lowest average costs for tuition and fees - the average yearly tuition is about $6,000.

In regards to pre-K through high school, Florida showed top scores in preparing students for college, which helped them succeed in taking the SAT, ACT or both.

The state ranked 12th for preschool enrollment and ninth in high school graduation rate but came in 21st and 32nd for eighth-grade reading and math scores.

Governor Ron DeSantis has spent the last few years redesigning the educational system by banning discussions about sexuality and gender and letting parents decide what materials are used

While the laws have sparked criticism, a new report has determined that Florida performs best in college readiness among children in pre-Kindergarten (pre-K) through 12th grade and state universities have a 74 percent graduation rate

'Since Governor DeSantis took office, Florida has prioritized education by providing teachers historic salary increases, ensuring students were able to return to in-person instruction following the COVID-19 pandemic, abolishing woke ideology from the classroom, eliminating Common Core and transitioning to a progress monitoring system for accountability,' The Florida Department of Education said in a statement.

Top 10 states with the best education 1. Florida 2. Utah 3. Massachusetts 4. New Jersey 5. Colorado 6. Wisconsin 7. Wyoming 8. Connecticut 9. New Hampshire 10. Virginia Advertisement

However, DeSantis's movement has allowed schools to take matters into their own hands.

The Escambia County School District, located in the Florida panhandle, pulled dictionaries off its libraries' shelves out of fears that students might look up words like 'sex' due to the governors restrictions on what could be taught in schools.

While Florida may top the chart overall, an Arizona school was deemed America's best high school.

In March, the University of Florida fired all staff in positions affiliated with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

The move, laid bare in an administrative memo, servedas the latest in the state's mission to nix DEI initiatives from public institutions.

US News and World Report released a separate report last month, announcing the nation's top 100 schools from nearly 18,000 eligible institutions.

BASIS Peoria on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona, is ranked first place this year, rising from 12th place in last year's rankings.

It serves fifth through to 12th graders who are majority Asian - with 70 percent of students from this ethnicity, followed by 15 percent white and six percent Hispanic. Fifty-three percent of students are male and 47 percent female.

BASIS Peoria was closely followed in the rankings by Signature School in Evansville, Indiana, and Tesla STEM High School in Redmond, Washington.

Schools are ranked based on five categories of various weightings - including the college readiness of students, curriculum breadth and state assessment proficiency.

The highest-ranked schools are those found to have the most students who achieved exceptional scores on state assessments for math, reading and science.
It might sound like a conspiracy that China is controlling global warming, but a new study has revealed that this might inadvertently be the case.

Researchers at the Ocean University of China have found that the country has been creating 'heat blobs' over the northeast Pacific from 2010 through 2020.

The team noticed that temperatures had warmed up to 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit from the Bering Strait and traveling 1,000 miles to the Gulf of Alaska which has caused fish to die off, toxic algae to bloom and whales to go missing.

However, the warming events were found to be from China's agenda to reduce aerosol emissions, which are pollutions that can have a cooling effect on the Earth because it acts like a mirror, reflecting the heat from the sun back into space.

Researchers have now warned that Chinese government that it should reconsider its ban on aerosol, saying a lack of them will continue to increase temperatures in the region.

Researchers at the Ocean University of China have found that the country has been creating 'heat blobs' over the northeast Pacific from 2010 through 2020

The nation has experienced record-breaking heatwaves in the last decade, such as in 2015 when temperatures hit 125 degrees.

And in 2010 China saw up over 104 degrees, which may support the researchers findings.

In the latest study, the researchers noted that the heat waves' patterns seemed to begin after the Chinese government successfully reduced aerosol emissions such as sulfate from factories and powerplants in 2010.

The team created 12 computer climate models that were run with two conditions in place: the first was where East Asian emissions remained stable while the other reflected the drop over the last decade.

They found that models where the emissions hadn't dropped, didn't change the temperatures in other regions while those that reduced aerosol levels saw heat waves in the northeast areas of the Pacific.

The models revealed why cleaner air meant warmer temperatures - as less heat was reflected into space, the rising temperatures caused high-pressure systems which is associated with hotter, dryer temperatures during the summer and more mild weather during the winter.

The team noticed that temperatures were rising by 0.72 degrees Fahrenheit each decade from the Bering Strait and traveling 1,000 miles to the Gulf of Alaska which has caused fish to die off , toxic algae to bloom and whales to go missing

In turn, high-pressure systems forming above the Earth's atmosphere caused low-pressure systems in the Pacific to become more intense.

When this happened, the Aleutian Low - which transports warm air from the Aleutian Islands into the northeastern Pacific - developed a larger range and weakened the winds that would usually cool the sea's surface, resulting in hotter conditions.

This has had disastrous impacts, not only on the sea temperature and marine life, but also has had a socioeconomic impact such as the 2013 to 2016 California drought that cost multibillion dollars in US agricultural losses and killed more than 100 million trees.

'These severe ecological and social consequences indicate the urgency of revealing the causes of these emerging climatic extremes,' the study said.

Although limiting aerosol emissions does contribute to global warming, increased levels leads to the premature death of eight million people annually worldwide, according to NASA.

The tiny aerosol particles, like sulfate or nitrate, are emitted during fossil fuel combustion and when they're inhaled, can cause asthma, respiratory infections, lung cancer and heart disease.

In the Ocean University of China study, the researchers said their newest findings highlight the need to consider what risks come from reducing aerosol emissions. and called on government bodies to reassess its impact on climate change.
A portal has opened up in Dublin and New York, letting people more than 3,000 miles apart see and interact each other in real time.

Collectively called 'The Portal,' the futuristic sculpture forms a 24/7 virtual bridge that livestreams life from across the Atlantic.

The New York City Portal is located in front of the Flatiron Building on Fifth Avenue and Dubliners can find their local portal on O'Connell Street in front of the GPO and the Spire.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithi De Roiste unveiled the portal in Dublin (pictured), showing off people in New York City

The Portal will remain open from May 8 through the fall and will include cultural programming from both cities

The Portal offers an unfiltered live stream view from O'Connell Street in Dublin to the Flatiron Building on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan

When The Portal was activated on May 8, crowds from both countries gathered around with signs saying 'Hello from New York' and 'Welcome to Dublin.'

The displays will operated through the fall, but an official end date has not been announced.

'Portals are an invitation to meet people above borders and differences and to experience our world as it really isunited and one,' said Benediktas Gylys, a Lithuanian artist and founder of The Portal.

'The livestream provides a window between distant locations, allowing people to meet outside of their social circles and cultures, transcend geographical boundaries, and embrace the beauty of global interconnectedness.'

Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithi De Roiste unveiled the portal in Dublin that included a performance by The Liberties Majorettes as a nod to New York.

In the coming months, the two cities will share scheduled programming to celebrate New York Design Week and other cultural performances that have not been released yet.

'Two amazing global cities, connected in real-time and space,' New York City Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu said, adding: 'That is something you do not see every day!'

'We are so excited to have the portal as a public interactive art installation, showcasing the vibrancy of our city streets and providing a new point for human connection between New Yorkers and Dubliners.

The Portal was first revealed in 2021 by the Benefiktas Gylys Foundation, a non-profit that works to unify nations and has already set up similar portals in Lithuania and Poland.

The Portal was first created in 2021 by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys who also primarily funded them. Pictured: The Dublin portal before it was unveiled today

De Roiste announced that Dublin's portal will also connect to the other Portal locations in Poland and Lithuania starting in July.

Gylys first thought of the portal in 2016 when a spiritual experience led him to view the planet through a different lens and he developed the need to 'counter polarizing ideas' and find a way for people from different cultures to communicate

'One of my key aims as Lord Mayor is to make the city more inclusive,' said De Roiste, who announced that Dublin's portal will also connect to the other Portal locations starting in July.

'I would encourage Dubliners and visitors to the city to come and interact with the sculpture and extend an Irish welcome and kindness to cities all over the world.'

The Portal presents a new kind of sculptural art that uses science and technology to connect people from around the world and is a major focus for the Simons Foundation which worked alongside Dublin, Flatiron NoMad, NYC DOT Art, portals.org and the EU Capital of Smart Tourism to bring The Portal to life.

'Public spaces are what make New York City so vibrant and exciting,' said David Spergel, president of the Simons Foundation.

'From music to art, the use of public spaces amplifies the collective voice of our city. We're committed to ensuring that science and technology continue to be part of that voice.'

Gylys first thought of the concept in 2016 when a spiritual experience led him to view the planet through a different lens and he developed the need to 'counter polarizing ideas' and find a way for people from different cultures to communicate.

He provided the majority of the funds needed to build the first two portals in collaboration with a team from VilniusTech University in Lithuania.

The first two portals opened in May 2021 in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and in the Polish city, Lublin.
The family of Crocodile Dundee hero Paul Hogan has made a last minute dash to Australia to save the Hollywood star's drug addict grandson from jail as he appeared in court.

Jake Paul Hogan, 34, was being sentenced for breaking into apartment blocks 'to fuel his high-level drug habit' and breaching an apprehended violence order protecting a woman he allegedly terrorised.

His New Zealand-based father, Todd Hogan, flew in to attend the hearing with Jake's sister, Lana, at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.

And the international mercy dash won over the judge in the case, who allowed Jake to walk free from jail after being held in custody without bail since March 13.

The troubled grandson of the movie legend wiped a tear from his eye and sobbed softly after he was told he could be released later on Wednesday afternoon.

Todd Hogan and his daughter outside court after successfully getting the Crocodile Dundee acting legend's drug addict grandson freed from jail

A magistrate praised Todd Hogan for flying in to help his drug addict son and said because of the support she was willing to free Jake Hogan immediately from prison

During the hearing, Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund told Jake's father and sister to move to a part of the court where they could be seen by Jake, who was appearing via AVL from prison.

Ms Freund said she was more inclined to release Jake from behind bars because of the family's show of strength, and Todd Hogan's pledge to come back and live in Australia while his son served a community-based order.

'I think this is huge that he has his dad here,' the senior magistrate said, 'he totally has the opportunity to turn his life around.

'This is a young man who needs some scaffolding.'

Looking very lean, and with a beard and a moustache and closely cropped hair, Jake kept his head bowed for most of the hearing.

The magistrate said that the 34-year-old had not had much of a criminal record before 'this sudden escalation of offending'.

The former tradie was being sentenced for breaking into apartment blocks 'to fuel his high-level drug habit' and for breaching an apprehended violence order against a woman he allegedly terrorised.

'He is now sober and has essentially support in community I would be prepare to give an ICO (Intensive Corrections Order,' Ms Freund said.

'Hes spent 57 days in custody... shown remorse by an early plea of guilty, shown insight into his drug issues.

'I note at the time of this offending life had been particularly difficult for you and you have fallen into a spiral of drug use, were homeless and had difficulty seeing light at the end of the tunnel from the hole you were in.

'Dad was having difficulty getting in contact with you, Mr Hogan you are phenomenally lucky to have support, dad prepared to stay here in Sydney.

'To put your mind at ease you are getting out of custody today.'

After softly saying 'thank you', Jake began to cry silently.

Jake was sentenced to a nine month ICO on two charges of goods in custody, one pf contravening an Apprehended Violence Order and one count each of larceny and possessing housebreaking implements.

He was ordered to attend rehab and counselling and abstain from alcohol and drugs.

The magistrate gave him a stern warning if he breached the conditions of his ICO, that he could go back into jail, 'and nobody wants that'.

Todd Hogan will be able to collect his son from prison, believed to be the Silverwater remand centre in western Sydney.

One of Paul Hogan's five children with his first wife, Noelene, Todd arrived in Australia just days ago from New Zealand where he lives with his second wife.

Jake Hogan, the grandson of Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan, will walk from jail after being sentenced for break-ins committed after he spiralled out of control on drugs

Jake Hogan (left) will be released from prison on Wednesday afternoon

Jake previously had a nice home, a car, a steady job and a girlfriend whom he hoped to marry.

But he became a homeless drug addict, sleeping in abandoned buildings and stealing clothes and bicycles to sell.

He lost his friends and became estranged from his family, and would cycle around for hours each day high on ice making tearful phone calls to the few people who hadn't abandoned him.

A former acquaintance revealed that Jake was traumatised by a family tragedy that occurred long before he was jailed for menacing a woman and stealing to fund his drug habit.

Jake's mother, Marie, had suffered a 'very sad' decline in the weeks leading up to her death from multiple sclerosis when Jake was aged 17 in 2006.

After her death, Paul Hogan made his own mercy dash from California - where he was living with second wife Linda Kozlowski and their young son, Chance - to attend his daughter-in-law's funeral.

Todd eventually remarried, to registered nurse Jane, and Jake remained in Sydney and appeared to lead a normal and largely blameless life until he began a relationship with a young mother called Rachel Young.

Jake had some substance abuse issues, but when his relationship broke down and his hopes of having his own family disappeared he 'became seriously addicted to drugs that just completely took over his life'.

Jake is the grandson of Hollywood celebrity Paul Hogan whose break-out role as Mick 'Crocodile' Dundee (above) won him a Golden Globe award and earned him millions

Jake as a boy with his mother Marie and dad Todd in about 1990. Tragedy struck the family with Marie being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and dying from the disease in 2006

Jake was caught earlier this year on what police described as 'high quality CCTV' breaking into different luxury blocks after 'blatantly loitering' outside.

According to a police statement of facts, Jake could plainly be seen breaking into an apartment block in the inner Sydney suburb of Pyrmont.

Police later found him carrying Trojan brand wire cutters, a black torch, Allen keys and an adjustable wrench.

Jake also breached an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order five days after it was taken out by a woman, texting her the word 'DOG' while she was in the Prince of Wales Hospital.

The woman then received a further 42 calls from different payphones over four hours while in her hospital bed with him either 'crying on the phone... or becoming very angry and yelling'

Jake Hogan is 'a good person with a very kind and good personality and a supportive family', but ice addiction and homelessness made him a desperate man

Instead of working in his chosen trade, courts have heard how Jake carried around housebreaking instruments and lingered outside swanky apartment blocks looking for opportunities to steal.

Jake's acquaintance said he 'wasn't a bad person, but he has completely lost his way. He has never got over his mum dying. So he has real abandonment issues.

'He is actually a good person with a very kind personality and a supportive family,' the person said.

'He was still so upset about his mum dying. He never got over it because he never processed it properly.'
Fred Sirieix cosied up to his beloved fiancee Fruitcake as the couple attended the premiere of Paramount's IF at Cineworld Leicester Square on Tuesday.

The TV chef, 52, beamed from ear to ear while embracing Fruitcake, who he met nine years ago when they caught one another's eye when walking through Peckham, London.

The couple appeared in great spirits at the star-studded event, with Fred wrapping an arm around his glamorous wife.

Fruitcake showcased her incredibly toned figure in a revealing black co-ord.

Meanwhile First Dates star Fred looked suave in a suit co-ord with beige blazer, smart black trousers and bow-tie.

Fred Sirieix cosied up to his beloved fiancee Fruitcake as the couple attended the premiere of Paramount's IF at Cineworld Leicester Square on Tuesday

The TV chef, 52, beamed from ear to ear while embracing Fruitcake, who he met nine years ago when they caught one another's eye when walking through Peckham, London

Fred previously revealed that he and Fruitcake had cancelled their wedding, and were planning to wait until the end of the Covid pandemic to exchange their vows.

They are now planning their wedding for this year.

Fred also revealed that due to lockdown he couldn't present his fiancee with a ring when he popped the question, but luckily she still said yes.

While in the I'm A Celebrity jungle last year, Fred said he and Fruitcake are planning to say 'I do' in Jamaica.

Fred said: 'I've never had a bad date. But the way I met Fruitcake, I met her in Peckham

'I was walking up and she was smiling at me and I was smiling at her and I liked her eyes I just had to talk to her

'I asked for her number, I said, ''Shall we go for a drink tonight?''

'That was nine years ago. We're getting married next year in Jamaica.'

The couple appeared in great spirits at the star-studded event, with Fred wrapping an arm on his glamorous wife

Fruitcake showcased her incredibly toned figure in a revealing black co-ord

The head-turning garment finished off with a maxi pencil skirt
Rebel Wilson has claimed that her daughter is part of a high profile playdate group.

The Australian actress, 44, welcomed her 16-month-old daughter, Royce Lillian Elizabeth, with her fiancee Ramona Agruma in November 2022.

And during an appearance on the Kyle and Jackie 'O' Show on Wednesday the Pitch Perfect actress, 44, revealed that Royce mixes with Paris Hilton's one-year-old son Phoenix.

'She goes on play date's with Paris Hilton's son.'

'I think Jennifer Lawrence's kid is (also) part of the group,' Wilson added.

Rebel Wilson, 44, (pictured) has claimed that her daughter is part of a high profile playdate group

'If you're in LA you'll have to come around and be part of the group,' she told host Kyle Sandilands who shares one-year-old son Otto with wife Tegan Kynaston.

It comes after Wilson revealed her hopes to relocate to the UK as she considers the best place to bring up her daughter.

The mother confessed she would love to raise her daughter in the UK as she gushed how she feels 'so at home here'.

Speaking at her show An Evening With Rebel Wilson at the London Palladium on Monday evening, Rebel said she could see moving to England in her future.

And during an appearance on the Kyle and Jackie 'O' Show on Wednesday the Pitch Perfect actress, 44, revealed that Royce mixes with Paris Hilton's (pictured) one-year-old son Phoenix

'I think Jennifer Lawrence's kid is (also) part of the group,' Wilson added

'I feel so at home here and I guess my heritage is from here. Everyone is so nice and I think the schools here would be good for my daughter.

'I would love to have a house here and raise my daughter here.'

The star also opened up about how she is finding motherhood and her and Ramona's experience of same sex parenting.

'I would tell anyone as same sex parents to go for it,' she joked: 'Finding sperm was fun! You have a sperm concierge and I was like "Ok I want them to be tall, handsome, love pitch perfect," so that bit was all surprisingly easy.'
She maintains a very slender and fit figure.

And Rebecca Judd revealed how she keeps in tip-top shape on Tuesday.

The AFL WAG, 41, posted a video to Instagram to promote the latest range of her Jaggad activewear with a 'special staycay' at W hotel in Melbourne.

Bec, who is married to former AFL player Chris Judd, showed off her trim figure in tight black yoga pants and a black top with a neon puffer jacket on top.

She headed out to W's luxurious pool overlooking Melbourne's skyline and enjoyed a cup of coffee with friends.

Rebecca Judd revealed how she keeps in tip-top shape on Tuesday

The AFL WAG, 41, posted a video to Instagram to promote the latest range of her Jaggad activewear with a 'special staycay' at W hotel in Melbourne

The influencer then did a Pilates class by the pool.

In the caption, Bec wrote, 'A special staycay at W Melbourne to celebrate our latest Jaggad range with the best bunch of ladies.'

It comes after fans of Bec sparked concern over her physical appearance when she recently posted photos of herself wearing a vibrant yellow outfit.

In the images uploaded to Instagram and Facebook, the AFL WAG showed off her very slender frame in a two-piece ensemble by Elyia The Label.

The influencer then did a Pilates class by the pool

Bec, who is married to former AFL player Chris Judd, showed off her trim figure in tight black yoga pants and a black top with a puffer jacket on top

The conversation began on Facebook when one user commented that she looked 'too boney', setting off a series of reactions.

Another chimed in writing 'for goodness sake, give her a good feed'.

A third echoed with remarks including 'give her a burger' and 'buy a happy meal'.

It comes after fans of Bec sparked concern over her physical appearance when she recently posted photos of herself wearing a vibrant yellow outfit

However, others stepped in to defend Bec.

'She looks good only the couch potatoes are going to put her down because they can't put the chips down', one said, suggesting that the criticism stemmed from envy.

Meanwhile another questioned whether Bec had changed her name, implying her appearance was so different it was as if she was not the same person.

Daily Mail Australia has reached for comment.
By Jung Da-hyun

Seoul and Dubai have formed a partnership to promote exchanges of startups between the two cities. This initiative involves developing various exchange programs and providing a testbed for the new technologies of startups.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Wednesday, the city government and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) signed a business agreement. The DFF is an institute established by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, to make the country one of the world's best cities for the future. The foundation is committed to designing and implementing future projects across multiple sectors.

The city government has promised to excavate exchange programs for the mutual advancement of both cities' startups. It will also actively participate in the DFFs programs such as the Dubai Future Forum.

In return, the foundation has promised to support Seouls startups through its startup fostering program. It will provide a place for technological demonstration using the foundations facilities to assess whether innovative technologies and services owned by startups in Seoul have marketability.

The city government expressed hopes that startups and high-tech industries in Seoul such as AI, bio and fintech will grow with the support of the DFF's investment and fostering programs. It also expects startups in Seoul can advance into the Middle East market and expand into a larger overseas market as well.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the Dubai Museum of the Future after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the exhibition under the theme of the future life of mankind, such as climate change, future ecosystems, health and virtual space travel in 2071.

Oh also visited Dubai Future Labs, an R&D facility in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence operated by the DFF, to examine Seoul's policies such as fostering high-tech industries and supporting the growth of innovative ecosystems.

The city government also finalized a business agreement with the Road and Transport Authority of Dubai, focusing on cooperating in the automatic driving and urban air mobility (UAM) sectors.

The two institutions have pledged to cooperate by exchanging technology and personnel related to autonomous driving and UAM and conducting joint research to revitalize future mobility through this business agreement.

In particular, the city government and Dubais transport authority plan to showcase Dubais innovative future mobility technology at Smart Life Week, a tech trade show focused on showing themed exhibitions based on new technologies, scheduled to run in Seoul in October this year.

Notably, Dubai is actively investing in future mobility, announcing a vision to have self-driving vehicles comprise 25 percent of its total traffic volume by 2030. Additionally, with the aim of commercializing UAM by 2026, Dubai plans to install four vertiports, launch pads for UAM, at Dubai International Airport and the city center.

The city government has expected this business agreement to serve as a stepping stone for active cooperation and exchange in personnel and technology related to major future mobility systems.
The widow of late Olympic snowboarder Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin has opened up about her decision to retrieve his post-mortem sperm in order to conceive their daughter.

Gold Coast-based influencer Ellidy Pullin, 31, welcomed their daughter Minnie in October 2021 - 15 months after his tragic death in a spearfishing accident.

Ellidy told this week's Woman's Day magazine that knowing it was what Chumpy would have wanted made her decision to have his child so much easier.

'It was meant to be, I got very lucky. Chumpy always thought we'd have boys, I think he chose a girl for me. Minnie was my gift from him,' she began.

'I include her in everything I do. Chumpy would have loved her.'

She added she made sure Chumpy's family got to know his daughter and invited them to special occasions.

Chumpy was 32 years old when he drowned while spearfishing on the Gold Coast, but through an IVF and sperm retrieval process, Ellidy was was able to have his daughter Minnie in October 2021.

'I didn't want Chump to just die and be gone. I felt this was bringing a part of him back,' she previously told Australian Women's Weekly.

Gold Coast-based influencer Ellidy Pullin, 31, welcomed their daughter Minnie in October 2021 - 15 months after his tragic death in a spearfishing accident

'We'd wanted a baby, and I couldn't think of anything I wanted more right then than a person I could love and cherish.

'Now that she's here, I just know that was so meant to be. I see and feel so much of Chump in her. I know I've done the right thing so wholeheartedly.'

'Having Minnie is a constant reminder of her beautiful dad in the best and most bittersweet way,' Ellidy told News Corp Australia.

A two-time snowboard cross world champion, Chumpy was Australia's flag-bearer in Sochi in 2014 and a mentor for many up-and-coming snowboarders.
James Argent displayed his jaw-dropping 14-stone weight loss for a series of Instagram snaps on Tuesday.

The former TOWIE star, 36, showcased his muscled arms and slim silhouette as he rocked a vest and matching joggers.

James - also known as Arg - posed for the photoshoot while in Woodford Green, Essex.

'AND IM FEELING GOOD! Stay Trendy, Shop SHEIN SUMWON by searching (V544G),' he captioned his latest carousel.

James Argent displayed his jaw-dropping 14-stone weight loss for a series of Instagram snaps on Tuesday

The former TOWIE star, 36, showcased his muscled arms and slim silhouette as he rocked a vest and matching joggers

Fans were sent into frenzy as they couldn't stop gushing over the reality star's look, admiring his jaw-dropping transformation.

Many even make a cheeky comparison to John Travolta's iconic character in musical Grease Danny Zuko.

'Jeeeeez man like Danny Zuko. You gonna have to be singin Grease tunes on your next set'; 'You look like a young John Travolta x'; 'You would make a great Danny in Greece . Danny zuko vibes';

'If they ever day a remake of dirty dancing you'd definitely be a Johnny '; 'You're an inspiration to me Arg! You've transformed yourself in the last few years'; 'Giving John Travolta'.

His pals too rushed to comment below the shots with ex TOWIE co-star Jess commenting: 'You look amazing arg .'

Meanwhile Vicky Pattison said: 'You look unreal mate', and Kelsey Parker echoed: 'Looking amazing so proud of you'.

In April, Arg displayed his ripped physique on his trip to Dubai with pal Joey Essex.

The TOWIE star, who underwent gastric sleeve surgery in 2021, stripped off as he indulged in an ice bath on a spectacular balcony.

Fans were sent into frenzy as they couldn't stop gushing over the reality star's look. Many even make a cheeky comparison to John Travolta's iconic character in musical Grease Danny Zuko

'Jeeeeez man like Danny Zuko. You gonna have to be singin Grease tunes on your next set' tweeted one impressed fan

James took to his Instagram Stories with a clip as he displayed his toned physique in skimpy swimming trunks before plunging beneath the freezing water.

Bracing himself he yelled: 'Come on let's go, let's go!'.

James previously revealed he planned to now try and put weight on again after losing such a huge amount.

He spoke exclusively to the Mail's comedy podcast, Straight To The Comments! which embraces the hilarity and uniqueness of the MailOnline comment section with the celebs in question.

'At my biggest I was 27 stone. I took the p***. Now I'm about 13.5 stone,' he said.

'I think I was just acting out on feelings and emotions, eating and eating and then lockdown, Covid, that didn't help.'

He admitted his doctor told him he was 'on death row' when he was at his heaviest, during which time he 'couldn't tie my own shoelaces' and was 'finding it hard to breathe.'

James said he wasn't even able to see his own penis, joking: 'I can just about see it now.'

Despite his positive lifestyle change, he said that there were times when he actually got 'too skinny' and is currently trying to 'up' his protein and 'gain a little bit more.'

In April, Arg displayed his ripped physique on his trip to Dubai with pal Joey Essex

The TOWIE star, who underwent gastric sleeve surgery in 2021, stripped off as he indulged in an ice bath on a spectacular balcony (L, in 2020)

James previously revealed he planned to now try and put weight on again after losing such a huge amount (pictured in January)

He admitted his doctor told him he was 'on death row' when he was at his heaviest, during which time he 'couldn't tie my own shoelaces' and was 'finding it hard to breathe.' (pictured 2019)
A$AP Rocky was on daddy duty on Tuesday afternoon in New York City with him and partner Rihanna's son RZA.

His sighting comes after him and Rihanna had to last minute cancel their appearance at Monday's Met Gala, after she reportedly got sick with the flu, per People.

The 35-year-old rapper, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, looked every inch the doting dad he is on Tuesday, while holding his oldest son RZA, who turns two on May 13, in his arms.

A$AP and Rihanna, 36, share two sons together: RZA Athelaston Mayers and their youngest Riot Rose Mayers, nine months.

A$AP Rocky was on daddy duty on Tuesday afternoon in New York City with him and partner Rihanna 's son RZA

His sighting comes after him and Rihanna had to last minute cancel their appearance at Monday's Met Gala , after she reportedly got sick with the flu, per People

A$AP wore a black and white Puma shirt with shorts, adding matching socks and sneakers for his father-son outing on Tuesday.

RZA looked adorable in an orange and cream checkered set and blue shoes.

Rihanna and A$AP started dating in January 2020 after being longtime friends; they welcomed son RZA on May 13, 2022 and son Riot on August 1, 2023.

Their relationship has been going from strength to strength since.

Rihanna was seen on Saturday - two days prior to the Met Gala - in Miami with A$AP at his Puma pop-up location.

She debuted her new hot pink hair at the Miami event, speculating the bold new hair color was going to complement her Met Gala look.

Following their Miami trip, Rihanna and the family headed to New York City.

According to a Page Six insider, a stylist for her 'was seen at the Carlyle Hotel greeting the security team that carried her jewels' for the event.

The 35-year-old rapper, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, looked every inch the doting dad he is on Tuesday, while holding his oldest son RZA, who turns two on May 13, in his arms

RZA looked adorable in an orange and cream checkered set and blue shoes

A$AP and Rihanna share two sons together: RZA Athelaston Mayers and their youngest Riot Rose Mayers, nine months

A$AP wore a black and white Puma shirt with shorts, adding matching socks and sneakers

Rihanna was seen on Saturday - three days prior to the Met Gala - in Miami with A$AP at his Puma pop-up location

Rihanna was seen on Saturday - two days prior to the Met Gala - in Miami with A$AP at his Puma pop-up location; seen Saturday, May 4 in Miami at the pop-up together

A$AP and Rihanna seen at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City; pictured September 13, 2021

On April 27, Rihanna spoke to Extra about her outfit she was planning on wearing to the Met Gala.

'I'm actually just keeping it real simple this year,' she told the outlet while at a Fenty Beauty line event in LA.

'Very simple... I think it's gonna come to what my makeup and what my hair is going to do. We wanna play with that, but I have no idea what I'm gonna do with that.'

Adding that the outfit would be 'very simple-ish... compared to everything' she's done.

Rihanna has consistently arrived fashionably late to previous Met Galas, and noted in the interview that she is 'showing up for dinner! Shout out to Anna Wintour.'
Do you know more? Email savanna.young@mailonline.com

An Aussie influencer has issued a desperate call-out after her beloved Bengal cat was stolen.

Olivia Mathers, an online content creator and model from the Gold Coast, made a plea with her 761,000 followers on Instagram to keep an eye out for the feline called Haukie.

Olivia said she believes she knows who has stolen her cat or who is involved in its disappearance.

Speaking with Daily Mail Australia, she said she simply wants answers and for her 'family member' to be returned home.

'Malibu (my dog) and I are missing 3kgs of sass at home and can't wait to have her back,' she said.

Olivia Mathers (pictured) has made a desperate plea with her 761,000 followers on Instagram to keep an eye out for her Bengal cat Haukie, who she claims was stolen

Olivia shared several photos of the four-year-old Bengal cat she has owned since she moved out of home on Instagram, revealing she was 'taken' on Saturday, April 27.

'Haukie has been admittedly taken,' she wrote alongside two photos of her pet.

'We believe they're trying to sell her. Please keep an eye out marketplaces/in general.'

Shortly after, Olivia revealed she had 'found' the people who stole her pet.

She said the alleged thieves, who claimed to have 'found' the cat, have been changing their story.

The Gold Coast model said her Bengal cat was 'taken' on Saturday, April 27

Olivia said she believes she knows who has stolen her cat or who is involved in its disappearance

Olivia has owned the four-year-old Bengal cat since moving out of home. Pictured with her dog Malibu

'We have a timeline of events and substantial evidence that they've done something with her,' she said.

'They deflect, refuse info and are awfully inconsistent with their story upon any direct attempt to get answers.'

Olivia shared a text exchange between a person who said they dropped Haukie off at a pound in Coombabah on the day she was missing.

But when the model arrived at the pound, staff had no record of her being dropped off.

'Can you confirm what day she was dropped off and when she was dropped off?' Olivia asked the person via text, before asking for confirmation she had the right pound.

The person replied confirming it was the right location, claiming their father dropped the cat off and a lady working there said staff would 'scan for a chip to contact the owner'.

In a later message, the person claimed the cat never made it inside the pound and escaped from the car before their father dropped it off.

'I've talked to my father and he didn't tell me but as he went to take the cat out of the car, it escaped and he freaked out and didn't tell me,' the person wrote.

In her post, Olivia called on her followers and Queensland residents to be on the lookout for her beloved family pet.

'Please reshare to keep the word up while her disappearance is still fresh,' she pleaded in her caption.

She also said Queensland Police have been notified 'but no action has been taken yet', and now believes the cat has been sold and taken to Brisbane.

Olivia shared a text exchange between a person who said they dropped Haukie off at a pound in Coombabah on the day she was missing. But when the model arrived at the pound, staff had no record of her being dropped off

Haukie (left) and Oliva's dog, Malibu (right), have been very close companions

On Wednesday, Olivia said she's offering a reward for 'any sufficient information' as well as for Haukie's return.

Purebred Bengal cats cost upwards of $2000 and are a popular breed known for their high intelligence, loyal personality and thick, spotted coats.

In the comments of her post, several notable influencers and television stars shared their heartbreak over the devastating news.

'Hope you get your baby back soon,' former Bachelor star Bella Varelis wrote.

'Omg this upsets me so much for you!!' ex-Married At First Sight star Ella Ding added.

In the comments of her post, several notable influencers and television stars shared their heartbreak over the devastating news (Olivia is pictured)

'This is beyond!! I am so sorry you're going through this, I hope she's home soon,' another user commented.

Fitness influencer Ashy Bines also shared her own experience of having her cat stolen

'I'm so sorry your going through this, Will continue to share, my heart breaks for you,' she said.

'Someone stole my cat years ago and I never got him back so I know the feeling and it's gut wrenching. Sending you strength.'
It wasn't just the outlandish and entertaining performances which had fans talking after the Eurovision Semi Final on Tuesday night.

Viewers were also delighted as they recognised one of the hosts as a major Hollywood star.

Swedish actress and presenter Petra Mede was joined by her co-host Malin Akerman for the evening and fans were quick to recognise the Swedish actress as being a Hollywood star.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans shared their surprise as they made the links as to where they knew Malin from.

As realisation set in, one wrote: 'Me, 2 hours later, realising Malin Akerman played Tess in the movie 27 Dresses'.

Eurovision fans were overjoyed as forgotten Hollywood star Malin Akerman made her comeback hosting the song contest for the Semi Final on Tuesday evening

Fans were quick to recognise the Swedish actress as being a Hollywood star known for her role in 27 Dresses (pictured alongside Edward Burns in the 2008 film)

Along with her breakout roles in The Heartbreak Kid and Watchmen, Malin's Hollywood resume also includes the likes of such films as The Utopian Society (2003), Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2004) and 27 Dresses (2008).

She also starred in Couples Retreat (2009), Wanderlust (2012) and Rock Of Ages (2012) and Chick Fight (2020).

The star had a four-season run on the hit drama series Billions (2016-2019), and a recurring role for two seasons on the comedy series Dollface (2019-2022).

The movie star was born in Stockholm, but grew up in Canada, and then moved to Los Angeles, with many fans forgetting about her Swedish background.

Expressing their shock others penned: 'OMG is that her that plays Juna Milken from gay cult classic The Comeback presenting Eurovision with Petra!?!?!?! IT IS'

'Wait a minuteis that MALIN AKERMAN?!!! TROPHY WIFES MALIN AKERMAN?!!!'; 'I thought this presenter was Malin Akerman out of Watchmen and Billions. I cant get over it!'

'She was one of the main characters in The Comeback with Lisa Kudrow, the Watchmen movie, The Proposal, Billions its Malin Akerman'.

'#MalinAkerman Co-hosting #Eurovision #Eurovision2024 is a REVELATION!!! Where has she been all this time?!?'; 'I always liked Malin Akerman as an actress, but do I love her a little bit more now she's involved in Eurovision? Yes!'

Host Swedish actress and presenter Petra Mede was joined by her co-host Malin for the evening and fans were quick to recognise the Swedish actress as being a Hollywood star

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans shared their surprise as they made the links as to where they knew Malin from

The movie star was born in Stockholm, but grew up in Canada, and then moved to Los Angeles, with many fans forgetting about her Swedish background (pictured in Watchmen 2009)

Speaking about presenting Eurovision, Malin said: 'I can't really describe my feelings about this. I am very excited and a little nervous, but in a positive way.

'I have always liked Eurovision and to be a part of this fantastic show together with Petra is a dream come true.

'Additionally, Petra is one of the funniest women I've ever met.'

The first 10 acts were confirmed on Tuesday evening after half the countries representatives took to the stage in Malmo Sweden to fight for a place in the final.

Taking to the stage with an extraordinary performance, Ireland are straight through to the final with many viewers even predicting it could win the contest.

She also starred in Couples Retreat back in 2009 with Vince Vaughn

The star had a four-season run on the hit drama series Billions (2016-2019) (pictured alongside Damian Lewis), and a recurring role for two seasons on the comedy series Dollface (2019-2022)

Bambie Thug, 31, a non-binary artist from County Cork, delivered a showstopping performance of their song Doomsday Blue as they sang while performing a ritual surrounded by candles and were joined on stage by a male dancer wearing demonic makeup and fake teeth.

Also joining Ireland in the final are Serbia's TEYA DORA, Portugal's iolanda, Slovenia's Raiven and Ukraine's alyona alyona & Jerry Heil.

As well as Lithuania's Silvester Belt, Finland's Windows95man, Cyprus' Silia Kapsis, Luxembourg's TALI, and Croatia's Baby Lasagna, who are also a firm fan favourite.

However, sadly Australia didn't do enough as their band Electric Fields were axed in a brutal elimination.

The group, comprised of vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding and musician Michael Ross, set the stage alight with their song One milkali (One blood), which contains Yankunytjatjara lyrics - the language of the Anangu people.

They were joined on-stage by vocalists Brendan Maclean, Alyson Joyce and Simi Vuata, and didgeridoo player Fred Leone.

Ireland's Bambie Thug leads the country into the final while Australia exit the competition in shock result

Sadly Australia didn't do enough as their band Electric Fields were axed in a brutal elimination, despite debuting the first ever Indigenous performance

Olly Alexander set pulses racing as he performed his Eurovision song Dizzy live for the FIRST TIME at the Semi Finals on Tuesday evening

It was the first time Indigenous lyrics have been performed on the Eurovision stage, as well as the first time a contestant has ever played the didgeridoo.

Australia are one of five bands out of 15 who didn't make the cut, joined by Poland's Luna, Iceland's Hera Bjork, Azerbaijan's FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov and Moldova's Natalia Barbu.

A further 10 will then be confirmed on Thursday after the second semi final as 20 countries going through will join the Big Five - UK, Italy, France, Spain and Germany - who automatically have a place in the final, as well as last year's winners Sweden.

On Thursday the remaining countries Malta, Albania, Greece, Switzerland, Czechia, Austria, Denmark, Armenia, Latvia, San Marino, Georgia, Belgium, Estonia, Israel, Norway and the Netherlands will compete for their spot at the second live semi-final.

The Eurovision Song Contest final airs on Saturday at 8pm on BBC One.
Advertisement

Chrissy Teigen made a remarkable comeback as she attended the 2024 ACE Awards in New York City on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after she missed the Met Gala due to a neck injury.

The television personality, 38, arrived at the ceremony in a dress which she could well have worn to US Vogue's formidable editor-in-chief Anna Wintour's annual fundraiser at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Arriving at The Pierre Hotel, Chrissy looked incredible in a see-through nude mesh dress that showed off her slim curves, with the dress echoing many of the looks worn by the stars at the Met Gala the night prior.

Embroidered in floral designs, fans were left wondering if this was the dress Chrissy had originally envisioned to wear to the iconic event to coincide with the theme Garden Of Time.

Ahead of the Met Gala, Chrissy appeared with a neck brace on Instagram as she confirmed she would not be attending after she had sustained an injury during an attempted headstand.

Chrissy Teigen made a remarkable comeback as she attended the 2024 ACE Awards in New York City on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after she missed the Met Gala due to a neck injury

Arriving at The Pierre Hotel, Chrissy looked incredible in a see-through nude mesh dress that showed off her slim curves, with the dress echoing many of the looks worn by the stars on the night prior for the biggest night in fashion

Ahead of the Met Gala, Chrissy appeared with a neck brace on Instagram as she confirmed she would not be attending after she had sustained an injury during an attempted headstand - but was back on the red carpet just 24 hours later

Yet just 24 hours later, the star was pictured without the neck brace posing up a storm for photographers, prompting questions about if her injury was the real reason she was a no-show. MailOnline has contacted Chrissy's representatives for comment.

While some celebrities attended the prestigious event to showcase their barely-there looks, an array of A-listers such as Rihanna, Blake Lively, Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber surprisingly skipped the occasion this year - despite their comebacks being highly anticipated by fans - prompting some to wonder has Anna Wintour lost her fearsome touch?

Blake, who has previously served as chair of the Gala, and Rihanna - who often has one of the most talked about looks of the night - both have recently welcomed children.

But others - including Khloe Kardashian, Timothee Chalamet, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish - were no shows on the red carpet.

Meanwhile, Emily Ratajkowski, who first found fame by stripping off in the Blurred Lines music video, also went braless on the red carpet, meaning her after party outfit - consisting of a sheer tasselled dress over a sparkly bikini - looked positively demure by comparison.

Ultimately, spectators of the 2024 Met Gala dubbed it the most disappointing in years, made worse by the glaring absence of Hollywood's biggest fashion risk takers, like Beyonce and Lady Gaga.

Chrissy is no stranger to attended the Met Gala and has appeared alongside husband John Lennon throughout the last 13 years.

Chrissy led the A-list fashionistas attending the 2024 ACE Awards. Launched in 1996, the Accessories Council Excellence Awards honors 'outstanding designers and leading creatives breaking boundaries' in the fashion industry.

The Accessories Council is also celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Chrissy is no stranger to attended the Met Gala and has appeared alongside husband John Lennon throughout the last 13 years (left to right in 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2017)

A cavalcade of A-list celebrities sadly skipped the 2024 Met Gala this year despite their highly anticipated comebacks including Khloe Kardashian, Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Hailey Bieber among many others

The dress code for this year was interpreted unusually by some attendees at the Met Gala, who opted for barely-there outfits, meaning Chrissy's dress on Tuesday would have gone down well L-R: Emily Ratajkowski, Doja Cat, Rita Ora

Chrissy stunned onlookers as she hit the red carpet inside the swanky Pierre Hotel ahead of the black-tie gala. She arrived in a see-through nude mesh dress that showed off her slim curves.

Sparkly floral appliques helped protect the Cravings founder's modesty as she posed for photographers.

The daring frock had an elegant tulle train that also featured floral details that reached the hem.

The mother-of-four tucked her essentials away in a beaded bag that complimented her sky-high heels.

She cozied up to CULT GAIA founder Jasmin Larian Hekmat, who wowed in a busty bubblegum pink gown.

Vera Wang, 74, looked incredibly youthful upon her arrival at the event. The legendary designer stunned in a sleek white T-shirt dress that was worn over a black long-sleeve top.

She stood on classic black heels and her straight brunette hair flowed down to her waist. When she wasn't rocking chic shades, Wang proudly showed off her youthful visage.

She opted for a light, radiant complexion with soft brown liner on the eyes.

Teigen cozied up to CULT GAIA founder Jasmin Larian Hekmat, who wowed in a busty bubblegum pink gown

Rebecca Minkoff, whose Real Housewives of New York City casting has sparked controversy, looked tanned and toned during her photo op.

The fashion designer, 43, put on a busty display in a low-cut black minidress.

She paraded around in strappy heels and accessorized with flashy gold jewelry.

Last month, Dailymail.com uncovered Minkoff's deep ties to Scientology.

Not only is the fashionista and her entire family longtime members of the church and big money donors, her father was also implicated in the tragic death of Lisa McPherson.

A number of RHONY fans have expressed their disappointment over Minkoff joining the new season while other find the Scientology connection 'juicy.'

Supermodel Coco Rocha dazzled while striking a dramatic pose in a sparkly black jumpsuit.

The bedazzled one-piece had funky flared legs, shoulder pads and a chic mock neckline.

Vera Wang looked incredibly youthful as she hit the red carpet inside the swanky Pierre Hotel ahead of the black-tie gala. The legendary designer stunned in a sleek white T-shirt dress that was worn over a black long-sleeve top

When she wasn't rocking chic shades, Wang proudly showed off her youthful visage

Rebecca Minkoff, whose Real Housewives of New York City casting has sparked controversy , looked tanned and toned during her photo op

The fashion designer, 43, put on a busty display in a low-cut black minidress

Supermodel Coco Rocha dazzled while striking a dramatic pose in a sparkly black jumpsuit

The catwalk queen, 34, sported a dramatic eye look that featured a fierce cut crease and sparkly lids.

The mother-of-three's hair was pulled back in a bun and she rocked stacked gold bangles on one wrist.

Karen Giberson, who is the President and CEO of the Accessories Council, proudly posed for photos with honoree Fern Mallis and fashion exec Frank Zambrelli.

Tamron Hall turned heads in a flowy blue frock with dramatic shoulder pads and elegant batwing sleeves.

The talk show host, 53, carried a silver hardshell clutch and slipped her feet into nude pumps.

Stylist Caroline Vazzana wowed in a bold frock boasting vibrant shades of green and purple.

Awkwafina showed off her killer legs in a chic white sweater dress styled with silver chrome heels.

The actress, 35, was joined by Larroude co-founder Marina Larroude.

Karen Giberson, who is the President and CEO of the Accessories Council, proudly posed for photos with honoree Fern Mallis and fashion exec Frank Zambrelli

Tamron Hall turned heads in a flowy blue frock with dramatic shoulder pads and elegant batwing sleeves

Stylist Caroline Vazzana wowed in a bold frock boasting vibrant shades of green and purple

Awkwafina showed off her killer legs in a chic white sweater dress styled with silver chrome heels. The actress, 35, was joined by Larroude co-founder Marina Larroude

Jennifer Fisher, founder of Jennifer Fisher Jewelry, looked ultra glam in a black one-shoulder gown with a train.

The jewelry designer sported a pair of magnificent gold drop earrings and carried a mini trunk bag during her red carpet time.

Ebonee Davis exuded elegance in a cream off-the-shoulder dress styled with beaded sandals and a gold chrome purse.

Sophie Thatcher looked edgy chic in a black minidress with a bedazzled bow, platform heels and a burgundy velvet purse featuring a quirky pretzel-shaped keychain.

Kat Graham oozed sensuality while posing up against a piano in an eye-catching peplum dress with red heels.

A slew of honors were handed out to fashion innovators at the 2024 ceremony in NYC.

American luxury brand Coach was awarded Brand of the Year and Prabal Gurung earned Designer of the Year.

Larroude, known for their women's handbags and shoes, received the Rising Star award and fashion exec Linda Fargo was crowned the 2024 Style Icon.

Jennifer Fisher, founder of Jennifer Fisher Jewelry, looked ultra glam in a black one-shoulder gown with a train, Ebonee Davis exuded elegance in a cream off-the-shoulder dress and Sophie Thatcher looked edgy chic in a black minidress

Kat Graham oozed sensuality while posing up against a piano in an eye-catching peplum dress with red heels

Fern Mallis was inducted into the Accessories Council's Hall Of Fame.

The Style Influencer award went to Dana Covarrubias, who is the brain behind costumes worn on the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building starring Selena Gomez.

Last but not least, the jewelry retailer Jared was named Retailer of the Year.
Matt Damon says U2 was initially hesitant to take part in his new Paramount+ documentary Kiss the Future, which details the war in Bosnia, and the impact the stalwart band had on the area's citizens.

'I went to them right away and told them about this project and asked if they'd participate and they were reluctant at first,' the 53-year-old A-lister told People on Tuesday of the doc as it debuted on the streaming platform.

The star of classics such as Good Will Hunting, Saving Private Ryan and The Departed, who attended Monday's Met Gala with wife Luciana, said that the band informed him that they did not want to be the focal point in the project.

'I talked to them and realized why - they didn't want the movie to be about them,' the Boston native told the outlet. 'They were like, "We don't want to be centered in this story."'

Damon and friend Ben Affleck, 51, are producers on the doc, which is directed by Nenad Cicin-Sain.

Matt Damon, 53, says U2 was initially hesitant to take part in his new Paramount+ documentary Kiss the Future, which details the war in Bosnia, and the impact the stalwart band had on the area's citizens. Pictured in Berlin in February

The band, pictured in 2019 in India, initially informed Damon that they did not want to be the focal point in the project

It details the conflict between Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995, and how the citizens turned to art to uplift them amid the turbulent timeframe.

According to a logline from Paramount+, the documentary 'explores the perils of nationalism and arts role as a weapon of resistance and activism throughout the 1990s Siege of Sarajevo' and 'how art and music sustained hope, thanks in part to humanitarians and the band U2. '

Damon told the outlet he and Cicin-Sain sought to showcase 'these incredible Sarajevan people and their relationship to [U2's] music.'

The documentary delves into the efforts of American aid worker Bill Carter and his efforts to enlighten the Irish rock mainstays on the profound influence they had on the citizens of Sarajevo.

Carter eventually interviewed the band prior to a concert in Italy, and it was broadcast on news programs in Sarajevo.

The group behind hits such as With or Without You, Where the Streets Have No Name and Mysterious Ways went on to take the stage in Sarajevo in September of 1997, after the war was over.

Damon - whose emotional final scene in the 2011 pandemic film Contagion was scored to the band's 1989 song All I Want Is You - said he explained to the band the tremendous impact they had during the conflict.

'We were like, "No, it's about this incredible thing that you guys did - it's about the role of art as an act of resistance in the world and in people's lives and these incredible people who literally were risking their lives to go listen to music or to play music in the middle of the siege,"' the actor said.

Damon and his wife Luciana were pictured at the Met Gala Monday evening in NYC

The documentary debuted on Paramount+ on Tuesday

It details the conflict between Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995, and how the local artistry flourished amid the turbulent timeframe

Amid worsening conditions in the area, the citizens turned to art to uplift them

The group behind hits such as With or Without You, Where the Streets Have No Name and Mysterious Ways went on to take the stage in Sarajevo in September of 1997, after the war was over

The documentary features an appearance from former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who served from 1993-2001

Cicin-Sain told the outlet that he decided to make the documentary following a concert in Sarajevo in 2017 commemorating the 20th anniversary of their 1997 show.

The director told the outlet he 'saw the concert as a way to share what happened in my country.'

Cicin-Sain noted the political undertones in U2's work originating from the happenings in their home country of Ireland.

'The reason that U2 went to Sarajevo in the first place was they saw what was happening as similar to what happened in their own country, with social injustice,' the director said. 'And they saw a place where they could add value and contribute and have purpose.'
The Valley star Michelle Lally clarified that she is 'not homophobic' following recent speculation that she supported Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill.

'To be honest, I don't follow politics. I don't know exactly what that bill does. So I don't talk about it because I don't have an opinion because I don't know what is yes, what is no,' she told Page Six's Virtual Reali-Tea podcast.

'I don't believe any of those things,' the reality TV star, 36  who recently split from husband Jesse Lally  added. 'Like, I am not homophobic in any way.'

It comes after her Valley co-star Janet Caperna shared in a confessional that the real estate agent implied she agreed with Governor Ron DeSantis' law.

The law, which went into effect two years ago and is formally known as the Parental Rights in Education Act, bans the topic of sexual orientation and sexual identity in all public schools for all grades up through graduating high school.

The Valley star Michelle Lally, 36, clarified that she is 'not homophobic' following recent speculation that she supported Florida 's 'Don't Say Gay' bill; seen in March

'Michelle, Brittany [Cartwright] and I were at dinner a few months ago and Michelle said something along the lines of, Don't Say Gay laws protect children.' And I'm like, "No, no, no  you're wrong,"' Caperna said.

'I thought maybe she got swept into an algorithm that maybe is teaching her some things that are not true.'

Caperna then shared the conversation with bisexual co-star Jasmine Goode, telling her the situation may be a 'teachable moment.'

'I just said to Jasmine "We were talking about this bill and I think she might support it? But I don't know," she told her husband, Jason Caperna, in another scene.

'I was like, "But, since it's related to the LGBTQ community, if you happen to hear her talking about it and sense the same thing I did, it might be a teachable moment."'

Later their co-stars Zack Wickham and Kristen Doute also found out about the conversation, with Doute suggesting that Lally was a Republican and racist, which Lally denied to Page Six.

Lally said that her original comments were made 'a long time ago.'

'It was just a dinner and I might have made a comment but that turned into something so much uglier and it was very upsetting because Kristen had the opportunity to tell me this before filming and that's the first time she mentions it? And she did add and twist a lot, so it was hard to deal with.'

'To be honest, I don't follow politics. I don't know exactly what that bill does. So I don't talk about it because I don't have an opinion because I don't know what is yes, what is no,' she told Page Six' s Virtual Reali-Tea podcast

'I don't believe any of those things,' she added. 'Like, I am not homophobic in any way'; she seen in March in Beverly Hills

Michelle also stressed that she is an advocate for the LGBT community, pointing out that her and estrand husband Jesse Lally's best friend  who is a gay man  was the officiant at their October 2018 wedding; seen with Jesse in a still from the show

Michelle also stressed that she is an advocate for the LGBT community, pointing out that her and estrand husband Jesse's best friend  who is a gay man  was the officiant at their October 2018 wedding.

'I have so many [gay] friends. Like, the person who married Jesse and I, he's our best friend and he's gay and I embrace anybody and everybody.'

Last month Kristen, 41, tried to apologize to Michelle for saying that someone alleged she was a 'racist' on an episode of the Bravo show.

'All because of him,' Kristen said, pointing to Wickham. 'No s*** Michelle, I couldn't be more sorry.'

The episode titled Capri Chaos opened at Jesse and Lally's Capri themed dinner with them both upset with Kristen for even associating Michelle with the word 'racist.'

'You're not sorry!' Michelle said.

'I am f***ing sorry,' Kristen said.

'I feel like an a**hole that I have to say I am not a racist,' Michelle said in a confessional. 'And it's because a crazy person didn't want to feel attacked anymore, so she decided to attack me.'

'You need to grow up a little bit,' Jesse, 39, said. 'I'm not being an a**hole about it but you're doing the same s*** over and over again expecting a different result.'

It comes after her Valley co-star Janet Caperna shared in a confessional that the real estate agent implied she agreed with Governor Ron DeSantis' law, which bans the topic of sexual orientation and sexual identity in all public schools for all grades up through high school

'Michelle, Brittany [Cartwright] and I were at dinner a few months ago and Michelle said something along the lines of, Don't Say Gay laws protect children.' And I'm like, "No, no, no  you're wrong,"' Caperna said

'Let's f***ing go Kristen,' Kristen's boyfriend Luke Broderick, 33, said.

'We are all attacking one person, this is not cool to do,' Jax Taylor, 44, said.

'Suck it up, sit down, say you're sorry, and say no one said that!' Michelle said.

'I have to pretend that I made it up?' Kristen said.

'It's bulls*** that I'm the one getting solely attacked right now,' Kristen said in a confessional. 'I repeated some things. I shouldn't have done it. But I repeated what Zach told me and Luke.'

Kristen then confronted Zach Wickham and said she was 'so beyond disappointed' in him.

'I don't even f***ing know you,' Kristen said.

'You are trying right now to take zero responsibility,' Zach said.

Later their co-stars Zack Wickham and Kristen Doute (pictured) also found out about the conversation, with Doute suggesting that Lally was a Republican and racist, which Lally denied

'I feel like an a**hole that I have to say I am not a racist,' Michelle stated on the episode

The Valley airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo

Zach admitted that he was partially to blame and admitted on camera. Zach said she didn't even go after Janet.

'You have put words in my mouth that were untrue,' pregnant Janet said. 'It's causing me stress.'

Kristen said in a confessional that she made up with Zach after the Capri dinner because they both realized 'we were just pawns in Janet's giant manipulation game. Janet really loves the sh** talking, the planting of the seeds, the lighting the match and walking away.'

The Valley airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
Stacey Solomon has revealed the real reason why she would rather stay at home than go out partying with other celebrities.

The TV presenter, 34, regularly documents her home life on her social media after her and her now husband Joe Swash moved into Pickle Cottage in Essex together a few years ago.

The couple share three children Rex, three, Rose, two, and one-year-old Belle, while Stacey also has two sons, Zachary, 15 and Leighton, 12, from previous relationships.

Combining the children with the two dogs, Peanut and Teddy, Stacey told The Mirror that she prefers being at home than out partying, as she confessed coming home is the favourite part of her day.

She told the publication: 'I love coming home. My favourite part of the day is getting excited about coming home to Pickle Cottage, where I live with my husband Joe [Swash] and five kids.

Stacey Solomon, 34, has revealed the sweet reason she would rather stay at home with her kids than go out partying

Stacey and Joe Swash share three children Rex, three, Rose, two, and one-year-old Belle, while Stacey also has two sons, Zachary, 15 and Leighton, 12, from previous relationships

'Actually, my favourite thing in the world is getting on the sofa. And first the dogs, then all the pickles [the children] follow along, piling on top of me.

'Just laying with them, watching TV, having cuddles and being together it's where I belong. I know all too well there'll be a day when they'd rather play the PlayStation, so I'm making the most of these moments.'

After first soaring to fame on the X Factor back in 2009, Stacey then went on to win I'm A Celebrity in 2010 where she later met Joe.

Now Stacey seems to have found her niche in DIY TV after fronting award-winning BBC show Sort Your Life out and new Channel 4 series, Renovation Rescue.

However Stacey stressed that she wouldn't be able to take such opportunities if it wasn't for her supportive family around her as she thanked both her and Joe's families for their help and recognised their privilege.

Always keen to share both the ups and the downs of her life, Stacey recently revealed she had injured herself while in the kitchen as she asked fans for health advice on Instagram.

The star, explained that she 'burnt' her stomach while baking bread at her home and asked followers for 'help' as she showed off the large burn on her stomach while wearing a purple gym kit.

She said: 'I need your help and guidance. I burnt myself this morning. Basically, I was making bread - who do I think I am? - and I'd just been to the gym. Come back in the house, was making bread, put it in the oven, went to pull it out, I pulled it too far, and where I was wearing my gym kit, it went straight into my stomach.'

She told the publication: 'I love coming home. My favourite part of the day is getting excited about coming home to Pickle Cottage, where I live with my husband Joe [Swash] and five kids'

She added: 'Actually, my favourite thing in the world is getting on the sofa. And first the dogs, then all the pickles [the children] follow along, piling on top of me. Just laying with them, watching TV, having cuddles and being together it's where I belong'

Stacey seems to have found her niche in DIY TV after fronting award-winning BBC show Sort Your Life out and new Channel 4 series, Renovation Rescue (pictured)

Always keen to share both the ups and the downs of her life, Stacey recently revealed she had injured herself while in the kitchen as she asked fans for health advice on Instagram

She continued: 'So I don't know if anyone else's brain is like this - it never registers burns like it does any other pain. So it went into my stomach and I was like "Is that hot? Should that be hot? Should it be hurting? Oww".'

'I wasn't immediately "oww," like I had a whole thought process before "oww," and I pushed it away.'

Following the accident, mum-of-five Stacey said she 'quickly got something cool on it and put some burn cream on' before dressing it.

She said: 'I've just literally opened it up and I'm like "ah what have I done?". So if you've got any goods tips for like what to put on burns so they don't scar for the future or like reduce scarring and how to reduce the stingy-ness of it, that would be really helpful.

'It's right on the bloomin' crease of my tummy as well as like every time I bend down I'm like "oooh"'

The DIY star later shared a photo of the burn on her stomach, she penned: 'Here it is. Honestly I'm so clumsy like this.'
Channel 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs has called out a shocking email sent to the newsroom about an outfit she wore on-air on Tuesday.

The respected Australian journalist, 48, who is the host of the midday bulletin 10 News First, was wearing a V-neck blouse paired with a patterned blazer as she discussed the day's headlines.

A viewer branded her ensemble 'inappropriate' in an email sent to her and Ten.

They even went so far as to say that 'cleavage is for the nightclub'.

Jacobs shared a screenshot of the rude email on her Instagram page.

Channel 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs has called out a shocking email sent to the newsroom about an outfit she wore on-air on Tuesday. While Jacobs was on-air discussing the day's headlines and clad in a V-neck blouse paired with a patterned blazer, a viewer sent an email to Ten branding her ensemble 'inappropriate'

Jacobs shared a screenshot of the rude email on her Instagram page

'Inappropriate dress sense for reading the news. Cleavage is for the nightclub,' the email read.

Responding to this unsolicited advice, Jacobs expressed her dismay.

'Yes, we still receive emails like this,' she wrote.

'Yes, it went to the entire newsroom. Yes, I was on air at the time. Yes, it is intended to shame and humiliate me. No, what I'm wearing is not inappropriate but your email sure is.'

'Yes, we still receive emails like this,' she wrote. 'Yes, it went to the entire newsroom. Yes, I was on air at the time. Yes, it is intended to shame and humiliate me. No, what I'm wearing is not inappropriate but your email sure is'

The post garnered immediate support from Jacobs' followers and colleagues, with many sharing their own experiences of unwarranted criticism.

Dessert Masters judge Melissa Leong commented: 'File under 'When you really hate yourself, so you decide to email random strangers to tell them.'

Similarly, retired swimmer and former weather presenter Giaan Rooney reflected on her own experiences.

'Yep. The number of emails the newsroom used to get attacking everything about my appearance when I was presenting the weather was incredible,' she stated.
China, France release joint declaration on AI governance, agreeing to work closer

Global Times) 09:31, May 08, 2024

China and France on Monday released a joint declaration on artificial intelligence (AI) and global governance during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France, with the two heads of state agreeing to take measures to work closer on addressing AI risks, strengthening cooperation and global governance of AI to promote "secure, reliable, and trustworthy AI."

The declaration, consisting of 10 sub-agreements, said that President Xi and French President Emmanuel Macron firmly believe the importance of continued dialogue between the two countries in providing lasting solutions to global challenges and have decided to strengthen China-France relations as a driving force for international governance in addressing global challenges.

It is an add-on agreement following the consensus reached in the China-France Joint Declaration on April 7, 2023.

The declaration noted that China and France both fully acknowledge the crucial role of AI in development and innovation, the profound impact of its rapid development, as well as the potential and existing risks associated with this technology.

Thus, the two sides unanimously believe that promoting the development and security of AI and pushing for appropriate international governance is crucial, and are committed to taking effective measures to address these risks associated with this technology.

Both are on the same page over the basic rules for AI governance. They agreed to take into account the flexibility required for the rapid development of technology, while providing necessary protection for personal data, the rights of users, and the rights of users whose works are used by AI.

They also commit to promoting secure, reliable, and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems, adhering to the principle of "AI for good."

Another keyword mentioned in the declaration is "cooperation." The declaration said that international cooperation in AI governance will rely on work conducted at the United Nations level and China and France will help strengthen the network capabilities of all countries, especially developing countries, to address various network threats related to AI development, and bridge the digital divide among developing countries.

China is willing to participate in the AI summit that France will host in 2025 and related preparatory work. China also invites France to participate in a high-level meeting on global governance of AI for World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC).

The WAIC is China's top-level AI event held in Shanghai each year. This year's event will take place from July 4 to 6.

Last year, on the field of AI governance, China, together with more than 20 countries, signed the "Bletchley Declaration" on November 1.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
President Yoon Suk Yeol's mother-in-law, who has been serving a one-year prison term for forgery, is fit for parole, a justice ministry panel determined Wednesday, two months ahead of the scheduled expiration of her term.

The ministry's nine-member parole review board delivered the decision during its meeting marking Buddha's birthday next week in favor of Choi Eun-soon, the 77-year-old mother of first lady Kim Keon Hee.

The final decision on whether to grant parole to Cho rests with Justice Minister Park Sung-jae. If Park approves, Choi is expected to be discharged from prison on May 14, about two months ahead of the expiration of her term.

"The parole review committee, consisting of more than half of outside members, unanimously reached the decision by comprehensively considering (her) age, the period of the jail term, correction scores, health condition and the risk of a second offense," the ministry said.

Choi has been serving a one-year sentence at the Dongbu Detention Center in southeastern Seoul since an appellate court convicted her in July last year of forging financial documents used in a land purchase deal.

She was accused of forging bank balance statements on four occasions to falsely show bank deposits of 34.9 billion won ($25.6 million) in the process of purchasing land in Seongnam, south of Seoul, in 2013.

She had been previously considered for parole review in the monthly session in March but was determined ineligible. In the subsequent session last month, the board postponed its review for Choi, automatically scheduling her for a re-review in May.

By law, incarcerated convicts become eligible for a parole review after serving at least one-third of their prison sentences.

The review panel considers parole candidates' ages, criminal motives, criminal charges, the duration of their terms and the risks of second offenses when determining whether to grant parole. (Yonhap)
Lala Kent draped her baby bump in an elegant maternity dress when she surfaced in Los Angeles on Tuesday while awaiting the arrival of her second daughter.

She announced her latest pregnancy in March, posting a heart-melting snap of her three-year-old daughter Ocean beaming up at her burgeoning belly.

Lala is still locked in a rancorous custody battle with Ocean's father, movie producer Randall Emmett, more than two years after their split.

Bruised by her experiences and determined not to 'share my child again,' Lala opted for artificial insemination with a sperm donor.

This week, she stepped out for a green juice while modeling a stylish fossil grey dress, jazzed up with a couple of gleaming necklaces that caught the sunlight.

Lala Kent draped her baby bump in an elegant maternity dress when she surfaced in Los Angeles on Tuesday while awaiting the arrival of her second daughter

This week, she stepped out for a green juice while modeling a stylish fossil grey dress, jazzed up with a couple of gleaming necklaces that caught the sunlight

The appearance came before Vanderpump Rules aired its explosive finale - in which Lala raged at her co-star Ariana Madix for her 'bulls***' over 'Scandoval,' per People.

In March 2023, Ariana left her boyfriend of nine years Tom Sandoval when she learned he was having an affair with her friend Rachel Leviss, then known as Raquel.

The roiling fallout of 'Scandoval' has continued through the latest season, culminating in Ariana's fiery outburst on the finale.

When Tom approached her and attempted to apologize, Ariana refused to hear him out, declaring that he 'does not deserve to speak to me.'

In a confessional, she explained: 'Whatever it is that Tom is trying to get for me, it's not for me, it's for him. I am the final boss in his video game of redemption and because he can't get to the final boss, he's f***ing pissed.'

Lala ultimately became incensed at Ariana for not filming with Tom - pointing out that the two exes were still able to live in the same house.

'This happened to her. The world rallied around her. She now thinks she is Beyonce,' Lala sneered. Its bulls*** that she cant film with someone because she stays under the same roof. Its a lot. Its a lot that shes saying dont f*** with Tom Sandoval But, Im gonna sleep down the hall from Tom Sandoval.'

She added: 'I get it, he f***ing cheated. You did a really f***ing s***y thing. It was weird how you looked us all in the eye and said a lot of s***.'

She announced her latest pregnancy last month, posting a heart-melting snap of her three-year-old daughter Ocean beaming up at her burgeoning belly

However she noted Tom 'did not kill somebody,' rounding off her point: 'I never in my life experienced someone who gets cheated on and suddenly she becomes God.'

Last month she posted a sweet video from her gender reveal party showing the exact moment she discovered she was having a daughter.

Her brother Easton Burningham sliced into a vanilla cake and excitedly announced to the room that the frosting inside was pink.

'It's pink?' Lala said in shock, before leaning forward to catch a glimpse of the inside of the cake and then shrieking joyfully when she confirmed the news.

The party included Lala's mother Lisa Burningham, as well as friends including her former Vanderpump Rules co-star Stassi Schroeder.

She previously explained on Amazon Live: 'I did not pick the gender because I did IUI [Intrauterine insemination], which is where my eggs stay inside my body.'

Lala said: 'I we'nt to a doctor, they put a little tube up there with the goods and I get what I get, so I didn't get embryos created like they do with IVF [in vitro fertilization].'

She recently threw a birthday party for little Ocean and welcomed her old Vanderpump Rules co-stars Stassi, Katie Maloney and Scheana Shay.

Last momth, she posted a sweet video from her gender reveal party showing the exact moment she discovered she was having a daughter

Stassi and her husband Beau Clark brought their three-year-old daughter Hartford, while Scheana and her husband Brock Davies arrived at the party with their two-year-old daughter Summer, ensuring the birthday girl had company her own age.

Lala also invited Ambyr Childers - Randall's ex-wife - as well as Ambyr and Randall's daughters London and Rylee, who are Ocean's half-sisters.

In a recent Amazon Live appearance, Lala shed some light on why she conceived via artificial insemination rather than doing so naturally.

'The best part about my baby daddy is that he does not exist. I have been pretty open about wanting to really have full control of - I guess not my child, but having them around me all the time,' she explained.

'I went through a really hard time with my past and just with Ocean,' she noted without mention Randall's name. 'For me, my child will never be up for grabs again.'

Lala and Randall broke up in 2021 amid a swirl of allegations that he had cheated on her, and the consequent custody battle is still thundering ahead.

By 2022 she was so disillusioned with the idea of co-parenting that she declared she would only have her next child with a sperm donor.

'I will not even attempt to try and do it a different way. I don't want another person involved,' she said on Scheana's podcast Scheananigans.

Although there was always the chance a boyfriend could 'come into my life,' she was 'not taking a chance' on raising a child with someone else again.

'There's such a high chance of it not working out, especially where we live. Like, I am so scarred from all of this s*** that has happened in my life.'
Russian model Daria 'Dasha' Konovalova has raised eyebrows with her X-rated look at Richie Akiva's Met Gala afterparty amid a slew of celebrities wearing skin-baring looks to the event this year.

The socialite, who is based in New York, turned heads as she attended the star-studded bash in a see-through blue gown by Alaia worn without a bra.

Her frock, worth $2,910, featured an open back and built-in underpants that revealed a generous glimpse of derriere.

Daria paired her look with pointy-toed blue pumps, a matching evening bag and stud earrings.

She slicked her hair back into a bun and enhanced her facial features with dramatic bronzer, blush and eye shadow.

Russian model Daria 'Dasha' Konovalova raised eyebrows with her X-rated look at Richie Akiva's Met Gala afterparty on Monday, amid a slew of celebrities wearing skin-baring looks this year

Daria later shared a series of uncensored photos of herself posing in the X-rated outfit, which Daily Mail Australia has chosen to censor.

'The First Monday in May,' she simply captioned the post.

The mother-of-two received mixed responses from her followers, with some claiming the look was 'classless' and 'cheap', while others applauded her for taking such a daring sartorial risk.

The socialite, who is based in New York, turned heads as she attended the star-studded bash in a see-through blue gown by Alaia, worn without a bra

It comes as fashion experts announce they've had 'enough' of the naked looks after a slew of A-listers showed up to the 2024 Met Gala in nearly-nude ensembles.

Dubbed by some as the biggest night in fashion, a series of A-listers gather in their most extravagant looks for a lavish party hosted by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

But this year, some of the stars shocked the world when they opted for see-through or barely-there outfits - including Emily Ratajkowski, Jennifer Lopez, Rita Ora, and Doja Cat - and some fashion industry professionals are not fans of the latest trend.

Her frock, worth $2,910, featured an open back and built-in underpants that revealed a generous glimpse of derriere

Afterwards, X, formerly Twitter, was flooded with posts slamming the surplus of risque looks at the coveted ball.

One person pointed out that fashion is 'all about wearing clothes' and not the lack there-of, while another said the stars were 'relying' on the shock value of the nude looks and 'falling short'.

A fashion blogger who goes by ModernGurlz online tweeted, while reposting a snap of Jennifer's look, 'We need to ban glittery naked dresses from the Met Gala.'

Daria her look with a pair of pointy-toed blue pumps, a matching evening bag and stud earrings

Daria later shared a series of uncensored photos of herself posing in the X-rated outfit, which Daily Mail Australia has chosen to censor

A woman named Linda who writes 'fashion reviews and news' agreed with her, replying, 'Like, enough.'

A professional tailor for Broadway, film, and TV, named Alexa, then chimed in, writing, 'I don't want to disparage how much work these dresses take when done well but I'm over the naked dress as a concept.

'It's a just a dress with some hidden corsetry and people find it appealing because the shiny activates the magpie brain.'

It comes as fashion experts announce they've had 'enough' of the naked looks after a slew of A-listers showed up to the 2024 Met Gala in nearly-nude ensembles. (Left is Rita Ora and right is Emily Ratajkowski - both attending the 2024 Met Gala)

'IDK... call me crazy, but isn't fashion and dressing-up for ball all about wearing clothes? Why go naked to the Met Gala?' a street style photographer named M.C. O'Connor asked.

Ellice Ellis, a producer, podcast host, and culture writer, stated, 'A lot of people (Kim [Kardashian], Emrata, JLo) are relying on their typical red carpet tricks tonight and its falling short.

'If a theme open to multiple interpretations leaves you with nothing better than a cinched waist, naked dress, or showgirl ensemble, it's time to rethink your approach.'

Journalist Liz Jones told DailyMail.com that she thought the 'utterly desperate' women believed 'they have to be naked to be noticed.'

'It is meant to be a showcase for creativity. It is meant to demonstrate how the fashion industry really is a great art form, which these days is wholly inclusive of different shapes, races, genders and ages,' she said of the event.

'Its purpose is to raise funds for the museum's work... but this year's frocks, and the bodies shoehorned into them, have in one fell swoop managed to set the cause of responsible, female-friendly fashion back by more than 100 years.

'I am talking about the rubber-stamping by powerful stars of the belief that a woman has to be naked in order to be noticed.

'That the kind of publicity that actresses, models and talented individuals need and want can only be attained through self-exposure of the most literal kind.'

She added, 'These women have careers, fame, money and fans, so I wonder, scrolling the parade of pubic bones, what makes them go out dressed like this? Not one looks joyous or comfortable.

'Why, after the decade of MeToo, after the focus on shattering the equal pay ceiling in Hollywood, do the most powerful, beautiful women in the world want so willingly, wantonly to humiliate themselves?'

TV host, author and comedian Lisa 'Kennedy' Montgomery, on the other hand, wondered if Doja Cat was 'auditioning to be an extra on Kanye West's porn shoot.'
While the full reviews won't be in until closer to the May 24 release date, early reactions to Furiosa from a wide swath of film critics is quite strong.

The new film from director George Miller is a prequel to his lauded 2015 blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road, providing an origin story for the title character, played by Charlize Theron in the previous film.

Anya Taylor-Joy takes over as the younger Furiosa, which is set between 15 and 20 years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road.

Early reactions from critics on X (formerly Twitter) shell out universal praise for both Taylor Joy, 28, and her co-star Chris Hemsworth, 40, following the Australian premiere.

The film follows Furiosa as she's snatched by a ruthless biker gang headed up by Dr. Dementus (Hemsworth) as she tries to make her way back home to the Wastelands.

While the full reviews won't be in until closer to the May 24 release date, early reactions to Furiosa from a wide swath of film critics is quite strong

Early reactions from critics on X (formerly Twitter ) shell out universal praise for both Taylor Joy, 28, and her co-star Chris Hemsworth , 40, following the Australian premiere

Nick's Flix Fix tweeted, '#Furiosa is EPIC in every sense of the word! The world building and lore expansion of the Mad Max universe is front and centre to a bombastic film that has some explosive, exciting action.'

The critic added, 'Taylor-Joy is great, but Hemsworth truly shines in a way he hasnt before!'

MTV's Josh Horowitz added, 'FURIOSA is not FURY ROAD and thats ok. Its not trying to be. What it is is something uniquely gnarly and yes, epic.'

He added, 'I cant wait to see it again and again and really dig in. All hail George Miller. As for performances, Anya and Hemsworth are fantastic. Tom Burke impresses.'

CinemaBlend's Sean O'Connell made it clear that this is not just a carbon copy of Mad Max: Fury Road.

'Set expectations. FURIOSA is not FURY ROAD. It's wildly different. More focus and emphasis on story, world-building, and connecting of threads to FURY ROAD without trying to replicate that rush. When the action arrives, it delivers. Miller, as usual, paints with his own brush,' he said.

Den of Geek's David Crow also mentioned that this was nothing like Fury Road, in fact he said it was, 'an antithesis' to the 2015 film.

'WITNESS ME: Furiosa is a visual feast and spectacular marvel, an antithesis to Fury Road in that where that film is sparse this is verbose and epic, and where once was a nigh silent film is now a massive canvas of dystopia, despair, and glory,' he tweeted.

Nick's Flix Fix tweeted, '#Furiosa is EPIC in every sense of the word! The world building and lore expansion of the Mad Max universe is front and centre to a bombastic film that has some explosive, exciting action'

MTV's Josh Horowitz added, 'FURIOSA is not FURY ROAD and thats ok. Its not trying to be. What it is is something uniquely gnarly and yes, epic'

CinemaBlend's Sean O'Connell made it clear that this is not just a carbon copy of Mad Max: Fury Road

Den of Geek's David Crow also mentioned that this was nothing like Fury Road, in fact he said it was, 'an antithesis' to the 2015 film

IndieWire's David Ehrich said, 'brings me great joy to report that Furiosa is really, *really* f***ing good'

Fandango's Erik Davis added, 'George Millers #Furiosa is powerhouse action filmmaking at its absolute best!'

The Mary Sue's Rachel Leishman said, '#Furiosa is epic, beautiful, and everything I wanted for my queen. (This is a Scorpio's dream movie).'

Slashfilm's BJ Colangelo added, 'Great news, #Furiosa is a masterful examination of one of the greatest characters of the last 20 years. A phenomenal, powerful shift in approach from FURY ROAD that continues to prove Miller is the master of the modern myth. Hemsworth was born to play bad guys. LET HIM!!'

Australian critic Peter Gray added, 'Now that I can say so, #Furiosa is a BLAST! Made in the spirit of Fury Road, it's still its own beast that thrives on exaggerated action and characters. Anya Taylor-Joy makes the character her own, but this is Chris Hemsworthy's chance to prove his worth as a character actor.'

IndieWire's David Ehrich said, 'brings me great joy to report that Furiosa is really, *really* f***ing good.'

He added the film, 'operates in an extremely different gear than Fury Road (in ways that i suspect will frustrate some people), but also manages to make that movie even richer while carving its own legend in the wasteland.'

Fandango's Erik Davis added, 'George Millers #Furiosa is powerhouse action filmmaking at its absolute best! A ferocious & relentlessly paced epic that expands the story of Furiosa and the Wasteland while delivering the craziest chases, the most bombastic characters & just plain stunning cinematography. Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth equally dive all the way into the Wasteland, and both deliver some incredible stuff. Theres one War Rig sequence that blew my mind - an instant classic. I love the #MadMax movies and I loved this film. Start your engines.'

The Mary Sue's Rachel Leishman said, '#Furiosa is epic, beautiful, and everything I wanted for my queen. (This is a Scorpio's dream movie).'

Slashfilm's BJ Colangelo added, 'Great news, #Furiosa is a masterful examination of one of the greatest characters of the last 20 years. A phenomenal, powerful shift in approach from FURY ROAD that continues to prove Miller is the master of the modern myth. Hemsworth was born to play bad guys. LET HIM!!'

Australian critic Peter Gray added, 'Now that I can say so, #Furiosa is a BLAST! Made in the spirit of Fury Road, it's still its own beast that thrives on exaggerated action and characters. Anya Taylor-Joy makes the character her own, but this is Chris Hemsworthy's chance to prove his worth as a character actor.'
As if rocking an extreme corset weren't enough, Kim Kardashian also had to walk around Monday's star-studded Met Gala on her 'tiptoes.'

Inviting Vogue to her fitting two days before the soiree, Kardashian, 43, revealed that she would be wearing high heels with no heel under her Maison Margiela dress.

The SKIMS founder then explained the reason behind the 'clever' idea.

'It's clever because if I had a shoe with a heel, the heel gets stuck in the metal skirt,' she told the magazine. 'So that was our issue of walking.'

She then showed off the altered pair of clear platform heels that she'd be 'balancing' on for the duration of the event.

As if rocking an extreme corset weren't enough, Kim Kardashian also had to walk around Monday's star-studded Met Gala on her 'tiptoes'

Inviting Vogue to her fitting two days before the soiree, Kardashian, 43, revealed that she would be wearing high heels with no heel under her Maison Margiela dress

'So I'm going to have to put these on, and to wear these, you're on your tiptoes and you're balancing the whole time, flexing your calf muscles,' Kardashian explained.

She would be walking on her 'tippy toes' like a professional ballerina.

'But I think ballerinas do it and they probably have a lot of practice,' Kim said, adding that her pre-Met Gala fitting would be her 'only practice.'

Kardashian, who stands at 5foot2inches, was willing to sacrifice comfort because she felt that the look needed 'height.'

Giving the shoes a test drive, Kim told the cameras: 'We gotta do what we gotta do. I can't lean back and I'm on my toes from here on out.'

On Monday night, she wowed onlookers while displaying her impossibly slim waist in the silver custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano number at the annual soiree.

Despite landing on numerous 'Best Dressed' lists, the mother-of-four faced fierce concern from social media users - with one person predicting that she'd 'be in the hospital by the end of the night,' and another asking, 'How many ribs did she get removed?'

'It's clever because if I had a shoe with a heel, the heel gets stuck in the metal skirt,' she told the magazine. 'So that was our issue of walking'

She wore an altered pair of clear platform heels

Kardashian, who stands at 5foot2inches, was willing to sacrifice comfort because she felt that the look needed 'height'

Others fed into the rib removal theory as one said: 'Did she have a rib removed? Good Lordt.'

Another made referenced to the body transformations the SKIMS founder has undergone for previous Met Galas.

They wrote: 'Kim Kardashian does it again, I wonder how she breathes with that #MetGala'

They seemed to be referencing one of Kim's most iconic looks at the gala when she looked impossibly skinny to wear Marilyn Monroe's classic dress in 2022.

Kim was seen struggling to breathe in her 2024 Met Gala look in video capturing her preparations for the soiree by Vogue.

The video began with Kim taking long, slow exhales as she is asked by the director, 'How's the breathing going?'

'It's an art form. But I got it,' Kim replied.

Kim previously revealed she undertook corset breathing lessons to fit into a corseted dress by Thierry Mugler for the 2019 Met Gala.

She gushed: 'I learned so much about couture from this genius man [Thierry Mugler], it was beyond couture, it was art! 7 months in the making and fittings in Montreal, Paris and LA.

'Corset breathing lessons from none other than Mr. Pearl. It was worth it all!!!'

Kim traveled straight to Europe after the fashion bash as she was scheduled to speak at the 2024 OMR Festival in Hamburg, Germany on May 7 and 8th

'I went from there to the plane,' Kim - who also recently appeared at Tom Brady's roast - explained at the festival, according to People. 'Slept on the plane and here I am'

Although Kim has not confirmed if she underwent a corset breathing refresher lesson, Mr Pearl has previously worked with John Galliano, who designed her Met Gala outfit this year.

Kim traveled straight to Europe after the fashion bash as she was scheduled to speak at the 2024 OMR Festival in Hamburg, Germany on May 7 and 8th.

'I went from there to the plane,' Kim - who also recently appeared at Tom Brady's roast - explained at the festival, according to People. 'Slept on the plane and here I am.'

She added partying wasn't really for her: 'It was really good to not go to all the after parties. Its not really my thing to go out so it was the perfect excuse, because I really wanted to come here.'

Proving she really can do it all, Kim landed in Hamburg at 3pm on Tuesday after walking the red carpet at around 7pm New York time on Monday night.

Germany is six hours ahead of New York making her two appearances just 13 hours apart. The flight time from New York to Hamburg is around nine hours.
Gary Ablett Jr.'s wife Jordan has shared a heartwarming photo of her eldest children Grace, two, and Levi, five, cuddling at home.

Jordan, who is also mother to 10-month-old son Ezra, took to Instagram on Tuesday with the sweet image, which appeared to be taken inside the Queensland home she sharers with her AFL star husband.

In the photo, Grace could be seen posing in a ballet outfit while kissing the forehead of her giggling brother - who is battling a rare degenerative disease.

The adorable youngsters were also photographed in front of a wall covered in intimate family photos.

Jordan simply captioned the image with a love-heart emoji.

Gary Ablett Jr.'s wife Jordan shared this heartwarming photo of her eldest children Grace, two, and Levi, five, cuddling at home on Tuesday

Her friends and fans were quick to coo over the post, with one commenting: 'How gorgeous! And the pictures on the wall are stunning!'

'Such a beautiful, happy, smiling boy,' another wrote, while someone else commented: 'Oh that smile!! And that ballerina!'

Levi has a degenerative illness that severely impacts his respiratory system, and while Jordan hasn't disclosed what it is, she often shares the difficulties that come with his diagnosis.

Her friends and fans were quick to coo over the post, with one commenting: 'How gorgeous! And the pictures on the wall are stunning!'

Due to this illness, he has never been able to speak.

It comes after Jordan spoke warmly of the beautiful bond forming between Levi, and his sister Grace and brother Ezra.

'Grace is now nearly two-and-a-half and theyve got a super cute connection and even having Ez who is seven-months now, its nice to surround Levi with children,'she told The Herald Sun in March.

Levi has a degenerative illness that severely impacts his respiratory system, and while Jordan hasn't disclosed what it is, she often shares the difficulties that come with his diagnosis. (Gary and Jordan are pictured)

While the family cherishes the good times, Jordan acknowledged the growing complexities that come with Levi's condition as he gets older.

'Everyone keeps asking how he's doing and he's pretty much the same to be honest,' she shared.

'I feel like we sound a bit repetitive but he's getting older and he's growing which means there are more challenges that are arising but we're managing.'
Percy Hynes White confirmed he would not be returning for season two of Wednesday on Netflix.

On Tuesday, the actor, 22, took to his Instagram Story to repost a cast photo and wrote a caption about how he would be tuning in to the upcoming season, suggesting he was dropped from the cast.

White's exit comes after he faced sexual assault allegations last year after starring in the first season of the Addams Family spinoff series on Netflix and DailyMail.com exclusively reported that he was written out of the show.

'I had so much fun working on this show,' he penned alongside the snap originally posted by Wednesday co-creator Alfred Gough. 'I can't wait to watch season 2 :) Much love.'

Early Tuesday morning, the showrunner had posted a snap of leading star Jenna Ortega, 21, alongside the rest of the cast as he announced that production for the upcoming season had officially kicked off in Ireland.

Percy Hynes White, 22, confirmed he would not be returning for season two of Wednesday

In the first season, White played Xavier Thorpe, and it is currently unknown how his character's storyline will play out in the upcoming season

In the first season, White played Xavier Thorpe, and it is currently unknown how his character's storyline will play out in the upcoming season.

He played a psychic Nevermore student, who was one of the two main male leads and a romantic interest for Wednesday (Ortega).

That following September, DailyMail.com exclusively reported that he was written out of the show after he was accused of purposefully getting women drunk at a Toronto party he hosted so he could have sex with them.

In early 2023, White faced a series of sexual assault allegations  which he adamantly denied as a 'campaign of misinformation.'

In June last year, he issued a statement regarding the since-deleted anonymous social media posts from that past January.

In his impassioned post, he wrote: 'Earlier this year, somebody I've never met started a campaign of misinformation about me online. Because of this, my family has been doxxed, and my friends have received death threats. Underage photos of me were used, and examples of me acting in character were presented as hateful.'

He then went on about how one of his friends was 'falsely portrayed as a victim' and condemned the 'baseless, harmful claims.'

Even though he would not be returning to Wednesday, he does have other projects in the pipeline, including Winter Spring Summer or Fall  a romantic comedy he filed with Ortega in Utah earlier last year and is set for release in June 2024.

He played a psychic Nevermore student, who was one of the two main male leads and a romantic interest for Wednesday (Ortega)

On Tuesday, the actor took to his Instagram Story to repost a cast photo and wrote a caption about how he would be tuning in to the upcoming season, suggesting he was dropped from the cast

Even though he would not be returning to Wednesday, he does have other projects in the pipeline, including Winter Spring Summer or Fall  a romantic comedy he filed with Ortega in Utah earlier last year and is set for release in June 2024; seen in January 2023

Ortega  who is starring in the upcoming, highly anticipated Beetlejuice sequel  will be returning as Wednesday Addams.

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzman, Isaac Ordonez and Luyanda Unati Lewis Nyawo will be upped to series regulars for the upcoming season.

Zeta-Jones plays Wednesday's mother Morticia while Guzman plays father Gomez and Ordonez plays little brother Pugsley.

Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Hunter Doohan, Victor Dorobantu, Moosa Mostafa, and Georgie Farmer will also be returning.

Fred Armisen and Jamie McShane will be making appearances in guest roles.

Other new series regulars will include Billie Piper (Scoop), Evie Templeton (Return to Silent Hill), Owen Painter (The Handmaid's Tale) and Noah Taylor (Law & Order: Organized Crime).

Fargo star Steve Buscemi, 66, will also be a new series regular, and Thandiwe Newton was recently cast for a guest star role.

Naomi J. Ogawa is exiting the series, according to Deadline.

Jamie McShane will also be leaving his full capacity role, but he will be making minor guest appearances as his character Sheriff Donovan Galpin.
Ada Nicodemou has been spotted for the first time since photos of the actress kissing co-star James Stewart surfaced, confirming their secret romance.

The Home And Away star, 46, whose split from partner-of-eight-years Adam Rigby became public last week, was spotted enjoying a day to herself as she went shopping at Westfield in Sydney on Wednesday.

Looking chic in a denim midi-dress and black leather sneakers, the mother-of-one splashed her cash on makeup and skincare products.

She completed her look with gold necklaces, a matching watch and a cross-body handbag by Louis Vuitton worth around $4,100.

For makeup, the soap star enhanced her age-defying features with dewy foundation, blush, mascara and a slick of taupe lipstick.

Ada Nicodemou, 46, (pictured) stepped out for a solo shopping session in Sydney on Wednesday after photos surfaced of the Home And Away actress kissing her co-star James Stewart, 48, surfaced

Earlier in the day, Ada was spotted parking her car outside the shopping centre and climbing out of the driver's seat while chatting on the phone.

She pulled a number of animated expressions as she chatted away, before closing the door and making her way inside the centre.

It's the first time Ada has been sighted since New Idea magazine published photos of the brunette kissing her on-screen lover James Stewart - who outside a Sydney pub on April 25.

Looking chic in a denim midi-dress and black leather sneakers, the mother-of-one splashed her cash on makeup and skincare products

She completed her look with gold necklaces, a matching watch and a cross-body handbag by Louis Vuitton worth around $4,100

For makeup, the soap star enhanced her age-defying features with dewy foundation, blush, mascara and a slick of taupe lipstick

The pair were reportedly seen enjoying Anzac Day drinks with friends at the Royal hotel Randwick, before enjoying a romantic dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant.

As the night came to an end, the couple took a stroll before James pulled Ada in for a steamy kiss.

Days earlier, on April 20, James' ex-wife Sarah Roberts confirmed to Stellar magazine she and the actor had split after five years of marriage, and that their divorce had been finalised in March.

Earlier in the day, Ada was spotted parking her car outside the shopping centre and climbing out of the driver's seat while chatting on the phone

She pulled a number of animated expressions as she chatted away, before closing the door and making her way inside the centre

It's the first time Ada has been sighted since New Idea magazine published photos of the brunette kissing her on-screen lover James Stewart - who outside a Sydney pub on April 25

'I just want to say that I am divorced,' she told the publication, adding: 'Sometimes people grow apart and that's okay... I got to a point where I realised I couldn't grow in the way I wanted to within this particular relationship.'

On April 7, Ada and James were also spotted enjoying a day out at Luna Park with their respective children.

In a cosy photo of the outing that surfaced earlier this week, James sat opposite Ada at a table at the theme park, next to his daughter Scout, 11, who he shares with ex Jessica Marais.

The pair were reportedly seen enjoying Anzac Day drinks with friends at the Royal hotel Randwick, before enjoying a romantic dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant

Ada meanwhile sat next to her son Johnas, 12, who she shares with ex-husband Chrys Xipolitas.

Rumours of James and Ada's romance first emerged over the weekend after sources close to the pair said their on-screen chemistry had blossomed into a real-life connection.

The romance however only commenced after James divorce from Sarah.

Ada was previously in an eight-year relationship with Sydney businessman Adam Rigby, but the couple reportedly parted ways at the end of 2022.

Despite the separation, insiders close to the former couple have revealed the pair share no bad blood and are on good terms.
Only a 'select group' of reality stars will attend 2024 Australian Fashion Week next week, with the rest blacklisted to protect the event's reputation.

Just a handful of brides from this year's season of Married At First Sight have been invited, after previous years saw a deluge of fame-hungry participants flock to Sydney's Carriageworks venue.

Eden Harper, Lauren Dunn and Sara Mesa are among the lucky few invited.

Jade Pywell, Madeline Maxwell and groom Tristan Black are also confirmed to attend several shows and after parties.

These VIPs will be rubbing shoulders with Australia's fashion elite, who get to sit in the first two rows at all the runway presentations.

Just a handful of brides from this year's season of Married At First Sight have been invited to attend Australian Fashion Week next week, after previous years saw a deluge of fame-hungry participants flock to Sydney's Carriageworks venue. Pictured Eden Harper

Industry stories have told Daily Mail this year designers are taking caution and want nothing to do with 'fame hungry MAFS stars desperate to be seen at fashion week.'

'You won't see the likes of Tori and Jack front row at any of our shows,' said one source.

Fans expecting to see 'cheaters' Ellie Dix and Jono McCullough, Ben Walters or Collins Christian will also be disappointed.

Perth-based bride Lauren Dunn and Sara Mesa were among the few brides to make the list

'This year's cast have really struggled to gain any traction and it's such a massive gamble to bank on any of them to be honest.'

With only an elite group of glamorous and well-edited MAFS stars attending Fashion Week this year, the rest of the cast is said to be 'feeling the FOMO'.

For 27 years, fashion leaders and international stars were snapped alongside the runway - but now it's been taken over by reality stars and micro-influencers crowding the shows and the coveted front row.

Top fashionistas were nowhere to be seen on the first two days of the 2023 event.

'It girl' and front row regular Nadia Fairfax-Wayne, Bondi influencer Elle Ferguson, and celebrity stylist Elliot Garnaut notable were all no-shows.

And while the Kardashians, Paris Hilton and Bella Hadid have been seen along the runway in recent years, don't expect them to show up again.

'Influencers' and former MAFS contestant Nasser Sultan (yellow shirt) attend the AFW 2023
Farmer Wants A Wife viewers have slammed the show's producers.

Taking to social media, fans of the Channel Seven program have criticised the producers claiming they are 'trying to make the show like MAFS'.

'I think the new producer is trying to make the show like MAFS,' one social media user wrote.

'They can edit it any way they want and make both the men and women out to be something they aren't. All the kissing, etc, this year and the sexual innuendos are more like MAFS than in previous seasons.'

'It will be the end of the show if they keep pushing it to be another MAFS,' another user agreed.

Farmer Wants A Wife viewers have slammed the show's producers

'I have watched FWAW since season 1, and this season is just mind-blowing wrong.'

'I agree with all these statements, especially after watching the first seasons when it was REALLY a great show and it was really about farmers finding love, not trying to imitate MAFS,' another commented.

'The problem is that the ratings are so good, the producers and 7 won't change the format unless the ratings drop.'

Taking to social media, fans of the Channel Seven program have criticised the producers claiming they are 'trying to make the show like MAFS'

It comes after the reality series lost yet another contestant on Monday night.

A heartbroken Farmer Joe was ditched by love interest Calya when she admitted that country life was not for her.

'I'm not going to lie, it's been hard,' she confessed during a heart to heart with the cattle and sheep farmer from Bombala, NSW.

'I think the new producer is trying to make the show like MAFS,' one social media user wrote

'I felt so good after our date and I was here and present, but then after the days of processing... I'm just so focused on what I want to achieve. I don't see myself full-time on a farm,' she continued, breaking down.

'A lifestyle here with me would be holding you back from your full potential,' Joe admitted, and accepted her reasons for leaving.

The pair said their heartfelt goodbyes, with the NSW fashion stylist exiting the farm for good.
Filming for the next season of Real Housewives of Sydney is well underway, with some of the ladies spotted in Noosa this week.

Sydney socialite Caroline Gaultier was captured soaking up the Sunshine Coast rays on a beach as she met up with a new cast member.

Caroline strutted her stuff in a white knitted top that showcased her eye-popping assets, matching it with white linen pants.

She wore hoop earrings and tied her dark hair back loosely as she met up with the new Housewife for a chat by the sea.

Meanwhile, the mystery woman, a beauty influencer who is known only as 'Martine' on Instagram, carried a gold parasol and wore a black patterned sun dress.

Filming for the next season of Real Housewives of Sydney is well underway, with some of the ladies spotted in Noosa this week. Pictured: Caroline Gaultier

Sydney socialite Caroline Gaultier was captured soaking up the Sunshine Coast rays on a beach as she met up with a new cast member. Both pictured

She held her blonde tresses back from her face with a white patterned headband, and completed her look with statement sunglasses.

Later, Martine was spotted taking a selfie under the shade of her parasol.

It comes as Krissy Marsh and Nicole O'Neil teased that the upcoming series could see some more familiar faces return to the franchise.

'We're super proud of what we've created. It's been highly entertaining and has sold to so many countries,' Krissy told Daily Mail Australia last year.

Caroline strutted her stuff in a white knitted top that showcased her eye-popping assets, matching it with white linen pants

She wore hoop earrings and tied her dark hair back loosely as she met up with the new Housewife for a chat by the sea

The original season of The Real Housewives of Sydney aired in 2017 before being cancelled for being 'too mean'.

It was famously rejected by U.S. network Bravo, who opted not to air it because the extreme catfights and bad language was deemed far too extreme.

'A lot of the women in this show were nasty for nastys sake and have no redeeming features,' Foxtel boss Brian Walsh said at the time.

Meanwhile, the mystery woman, a beauty influencer who is known only as 'Martine' on Instagram, carried a gold parasol and wore a black patterned sun dress

Lisa Oldfield and Athena X Levendi were particularly singled out for their foul-mouthed antics, which even turned physical on one occasion.

Producers only brought back Krissy and Nicole from the original series, opening space for Kate Adams, Terry Biviano, Caroline Gaultier, and Sally Obermeder to come on board.

Krissy emphasised to Daily Mail Australia that the strong ensemble of the seven cast members have collectively contributed to a show they are all proud of this time around.

She held her blonde tresses back from her face with a white patterned headband, and completed her look with statement sunglasses

Later, Martine was spotted taking a selfie under the shade of her parasol

'And they're all amazing women. Including us!' she added with a smile.

The stars also teased a fresh angle for the upcoming season, suggesting a shift in focus.

'The daughters are taking over next season,' they revealed, indicating a possible new dynamic where their children might play a more prominent role.

The upcoming season promises to delve deeper into their lives, with the assurance of retaining the essence of what fans have loved about the show.

'Next season there's going to be pretty much the same, but more into our lives,' they hinted.

The original season of The Real Housewives of Sydney aired in 2017 before being cancelled for being 'too mean'

It was famously rejected by U.S. network Bravo, who opted not to air it because the extreme catfights and bad language was deemed far too extreme
President Yoon Suk Yeol will kick off his third year in office this week amid mixed assessments of his foreign and domestic policies but a clear need to improve communication with the public after a resounding defeat in general elections seen as a midterm referendum on him.

In the past year, Yoon helped restore trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and pushed for medical reforms to address the chronic shortage of doctors in the country.

While stronger South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation was welcomed by some, it was criticized by others for further alienating China, Russia and North Korea. Increasing the number of doctors, meanwhile, was popular with the general public but fiercely resisted by doctors' groups, leading to major disruptions to health care services.

"I agree with the direction in which he ran state affairs, but there was a lot lacking in the process of gaining the people's consent," said Shin Yul, a professor of political science at Myongji University.

The lack of effective communication proved to be costly.

On April 10, exactly one month before the administration's two-year mark, the ruling People Power Party suffered a crushing defeat in the general elections. With only 108 seats won in the 300-member National Assembly, the PPP again yielded control of parliament to the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, leaving Yoon to work with an opposition-controlled parliament for all five years of his term.

Yoon acknowledged the need to reset his running of state affairs.

"Although in the two years since my inauguration, I have looked only to the people and taken the path for our national interest, I fell short of the people's expectations," he said during a Cabinet meeting six days after the elections.

"I will communicate more with a humbler and more flexible attitude, and be the first to listen carefully to the public sentiment," he said.

Among other things, Yoon proposed a meeting with DPK leader Lee Jae-myung at the presidential office, the first time he agreed to sit down for talks with the opposition leader since taking office.

The two held wide-ranging discussions, including on the DPK's calls for a special counsel investigation into suspicions surrounding a Marine's death, but differed on almost every issue except for the need for medical reform.

In the days following the meeting, the ruling and opposition parties reached a compromise on a special bill mandating a new investigation into the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush that claimed 159 lives, a decision that was welcomed by the presidential office as the first fruit of the Yoon-Lee meeting.

In a sign of the difficulties that still lie ahead, however, the opposition-controlled National Assembly also passed a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military's response to the Marine's death, despite a boycott by the ruling party.

"Whether you like it or not, we're seeing a situation where the legislative authority and the executive authority have to be jointly responsible for the running of state affairs," Shin, the professor, said.

"Be it through another meeting between the president and the opposition leader, or through the formation of a consultative body involving the ruling and opposition parties and the government, they have to continue dialogue," he said. "It's not a choice but a necessity."

The public's assessment of Yoon's job performance was shown not only in the election result but also in his low approval ratings throughout the last year.

Most polls found Yoon's approval rating consistently hovering in the 30 percent range before it fell further to the 20 percent range after the elections.

To better gauge the public sentiment, Yoon revived the position of senior presidential secretary for civil affairs on Tuesday. On Thursday, he is set to hold his first press conference since August 2022. (Yonhap)
Drake and Kendrick Lamar's ongoing heated feud is not being mediated by their shared music label Universal Music Group.

Recent rumors suggested that UMG wanted the Canadian hip hop star, 37, and the Pulitzer Prize winning rapper, 36, to cease their conflict, which has been dubbed the 'Rap Civil War.'

But TMZ reports that the label has no plans to get involved and 'doesn't think it's their place to step in.'

The rumors first started circulating when a blind item claimed to have information regarding an alleged meeting between Kendrick, Drake and Universal Music Group, which both stars are technically signed to via distribution subsidiaries.

Among bullet points listed in the blind item was the suggestion that UMG bosses tried to force Kendrick to apologize to Drake.

Drake, 37, and Kendrick Lamar's, 36, ongoing heated feud is not being mediated by their shared music label Universal Music Group; (L) Drake seen in 2022, (R) Kendrick seen in 2022

It was also claimed that UMG wanted the Compton born hitmaker to issue a statement taking back his latest diss, which accused the Degrassi star of being a 'pedophile.'

The blind item alleged that UMG honchos believed the conflict was bad for business where Drake was concerned, and could cost them money.

However, sources told TMZ there is no truth to the speculation, and that Universal 'would never jump into something like this.'

They added the label never even considered doing so.

In fact, the recent back-and-forth music drops and diss tracks have created a lot of streams and plays, which would be financially beneficial and not detrimental to the label.

It's unclear if the conflict between the two hip hop giants will continue, after Drake released what many are calling a surrender song on Sunday, titled 'The Heart Part 6' on which he rapped at one point, 'I don't wanna diss you anymore.'

The Grammy Award winner fired back at Kendrick for calling him a 'certified pedophile', rapping, 'I've never been with no one underage' and adding, 'Just for clarity, I feel disgusted, I'm too respected / If I was f*****g young girls, I promise I'd have been arrested / I'm way too famous for this s**t you just suggested.'

However that happened before a shooting took place at Drake's house on Tuesday.

Drake's security guard is fighting for his life after being gunned down outside the rapper's $100 million Toronto mansion in a drive-by shooting, reports say.

Recent rumors suggested that UMG wanted the Canadian star and the Pulitzer Prize winning rapper to cease their conflict, which has been dubbed the 'Rap Civil War'; Drake seen in 2019

But TMZ reports that the label has no plans to get involved and 'doesn't think it's their place to step in'; Kendrick seen in 2023

The blind item claimed UMG bosses wanted Kendrick to apologize to Drake because they thought the conflict was bad for business; Lamar seen in 2017

It comes after Drake's security guard was gunned down outside the rapper's $100 million Toronto mansion in a drive-by shooting, and is currently in the hospital; A heavy police presence was seen outside the mansion throughout Tuesday

The incident unfolded in the upscale neighborhood of Bridle Path shortly after 2am Tuesday, as the unnamed 48-year-old man was rushed to hospital after being found 'outside the gates of the home' with life-threatening injuries.

Toronto Police told DailyMail.com they could not confirm if the rapper was home at the time of the shooting.

A suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, and reports indicate they are still at large.

Sources told the Toronto Sun that the victim was Drake's security guard, and witnesses said he was shot multiple times during a 'drive-by shooting.'

Although officials have not indicated any early link to the shooting, Drake is said to be 'cooperating' with investigators.

The area around Drake's mansion, built by the star in 2015 for a reported $100 million, was restricted by a police perimeter amid the ongoing investigation.

The victim was said to have been 'standing outside the gates of the home' when he was hit by several gunshots, and was found on the street with serious injuries.

He was raced to Sunnybrook Hospital and received emergency surgery, with one of the wounds believed to be to the upper chest. Officials later described his condition as 'life threatening.'

The location of the shooting at Drake's Toronto mansion comes amid his ongoing feud with rival rapper Kendrick, who used the same mansion to taunt Drake this week.

Drake fired back at Kendrick for calling him a 'certified pedophile' in the latest diss track, responding with his own song 'The Heart Part 6' on Sunday; seen in 2019

Earlier this week Kendrick shared the cover for his diss track 'Not Like Us', featuring Drake's mansion covered in markers for a sex offender app

As the two men have released 'diss tracks' against each other the last few weeks, Lamar shared the cover for his track 'Not Like Us', featuring Drake's mansion covered in markers for a sex offender app.

At a Tuesday press conference, Inspector Paul Krawczyk said there is no known evidence at this time that the shooting is related to Drake's viral feud with Lamar, and the motive remains unclear.

'It is so early in the investigation that we don't have a motive at this time,' he said.

The suspect in the shooting fled the scene, police said, and investigators have yet to release any descriptions of either the gunman or the vehicle.

Discussions to set up police interviews inside the huge mansion are taking place, reports the Toronto Sun.

Drake - real name Aubrey Graham - made headlines when he set out to build the palatial home in 2015, and purchased the plot of land it sits on for $6.7 million.

He then spent a reported $100 million constructing the huge estate, which is situated on one of the highest value streets in all of Canada.
Married at First Sight star Cyrell Paule has joined the cast of Channel 10's The Amazing Race Australia.

The 34-year-old reality star has been seen filming the travel competition in Buenos Aires, Argentina with her partner Eden Dally, 31, according to the Reality TV Fan site.

A picture leaked to Instagram shows a crowd in front the Presidential residence, the Casa Rosada, with a caption announcing the start of production.

'Amazing Race Australia: Celeb Edition 2 has begun filming!' the post reads.

Cyrell rose to fame in season 6 of Married at First Sight when she was paired with Nic Jovanovic and attracted the nickname 'Cyclone Cyrell'.

Married at First Sight star Cyrell Paule has joined the cast of Channel 10's The Amazing Race Australia. The 34-year-old reality star has been seen filming the travel competition in Buenos Aires, Argentina with her partner Eden Dally, 31, according to the Reality TV Fan site. Both Pictured

This picture leaked to Instagram shows a crowd in front the Presidential residence, the Casa Rosada, with a caption announcing the start of production

Elsewhere on the fan site, blogger Adam Klein leaked a number of other cast members for the 2024 season including pop star Natalie Bassingthwaighte, 48, and her sister Melinda.

Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe appears set to take part in the real life adventure series, as well as comedian Peter Helliar and his wife Bridget.

Also, according to the leak, Would I Lie to You? star Luke McGregor will be joined by his mum.

They will be racing alongside Ironman Jett Kenny and his girlfriend, model Lily Brown and former AFL star Billy Brownless and his son Oscar.

Meanwhile, Channel 10 has yet to make any official announcement of the cast of reality show.

Blogger Adam Klein leaked a number of other cast members for the 2024 season including pop star Natalie Bassingthwaighte, 48, (pictured) and her sister Melinda

Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe (pictured) appears set to take part in the new season

The Amazing Race Australia will be seen later this year on Channel 10

The much-hyped Celebrity Edition of The Amazing Race Australia launched last year and featured Grant Denyer and his wife Chez, former Wiggle Emma Watkins and her sister Hayley and WAG Bec Judd and her sister Kate Twigley.

In all their were 11 teams racing across India, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Borneo, with hopes of winning $100,000 to be donated to their chosen charity.

In the end TV presenter Darren McMullen, 41, and his nephew Tristan Dougan, 26, were first to make it to the winning mat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and were greeted by host Beau Ryan.

However, upon arrival, Darren and Tristan made the selfless decision to not step on the winning mat until the other finalists - Emma and Hayley Watkins and Alli and Angie Simpson - arrived so the prize money could be split between their charities.

It comes after Cyrell recently revealed last year that her long-time partner Eden had proposed to her after she filmed Channel 10's reality program The Challenge in 2022.

Cyrell and Eden began dating following the show, and she later moved into his Sydney home.

The couple announced they were expecting their first child together in August 2019.

They welcomed son Boston in February 2020.
Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven were left horrified on Monday when the flight they caught to Thailand flew into an electrical storm.

The Married At First Sight couple were excited to finally go on their honeymoon 15 months after tying the knot, but said the trip overseas was a nightmare.

Taking to Instagram with a video documenting the ordeal, Melissa, 33, said their plane had to change course twice and refuel before it could land in Bangkok.

'We had to divert twice because we flew into an electrical storm. For the first time ever on a flight I've been terrified,' she said, still sitting on the plane.

Melissa then turned the camera to her husband Bryce, 35, and said 'he was fine' during the horrific ordeal which saw their travel time double.

Melissa Rawson, 33, and Bryce Ruthven, 35, (both pictured) were left horrified on Monday when the flight they caught to Thailand flew into an electrical storm

She went on to say: 'We have to wait for this electrical storm to pass before we make this third attempt... third time lucky.'

Hours later, Melissa revealed to her followers 'it took four hours' for the plane to refuel at a secondary airport before they could land at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

'Six hours later, what a f**king s**t show, my god. We were told it would take 10 minutes to refuel  it took four hours,' she said.

The Married At First Sight couple were excited to finally go on their honeymoon 15 months after tying the knot, but said the trip overseas was a nightmare

'Every plane that came in after us took off before us. We couldn't get off the plane. No communication, food or water the entire time,' she added.

The mother-of-two, who shared twin boys Levi and Tate with Bryce, said her heart went out to the babies who were stuck on the plane.

While the couple were eventually able to land and get into the airport, the mayhem didn't stop there, with Melissa sharing yet another update.

Taking to Instagram with a video documenting the ordeal, Melissa said their plane had to change course twice and refuel before it could land in Bangkok

'The queues, the noise, no one understood each other, the pigheaded Aussie man... who thought yelling at the young people for just doing their job,' she wrote.

Despite having a less than desirable start to their honeymoon, Melissa and Bryce are determined to have a better week in Koh Samui, Thailand.

The couple first met on MAFS in 2021 and were considered the most controversial couple during the explosive eighth season.

They welcomed their two boys to the world in October 2021 and tied the knot for real in February last year at a beachside wedding in Sorrento, Victoria.
Netflix fans can't get enough of a new horror series and are hailing it a '10/10' as they insist that 'everyone needs to and go watch it'.

Dead Boy Detectives, which is part of the DC Comics Sandman universe, follows teen ghosts, Edwin Paine and Charles Roland, as they work alongside Crystal the clairvoyant to solve mysteries for their supernatural clientele.

The eight-episode series, which dropped onto Netflix UK and Ireland on April 25, has already proved a huge hit with both horror and mystery fans.

Obscure and compelling, the show currently has an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 93 per cent on the Tomatometer and 87 per cent on audience ratings.

It stars a young cast of George Rexstrew who plays Edwin Payne, Jayden Revri who plays Charles Rowland and Kassius Nelson as Crystal Palace.

Netflix fans can't get enough of a new horror series and are hailing it a '10/10' as they insist that 'everyone' needs to 'go watch it' (Pictured L-R: George Rexstrew as Edwin Payne, Kassius Nelson as Crystal Palace, Yuyu Kitamura as Niko Sasaki, and Jayden Revri as Charles Rowland)

The eight-episode series, which dropped onto Netflix UK and Ireland on April 25, has already proved a huge hit with both horror and mystery fans

Dead Boy Detectives, which is part of the DC Comics Sandman universe, follows teen ghosts, Edwin Paine and Charles Roland, as they work alongside Crystal the clairvoyant to solve mysteries for their supernatural clientele.

Yuyu Kitamura takes on the role of Niko Sasak, who plays Crystal's manga-loving neighbour and the newest member of the agency.

Shortly after season one arrived, fans flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to express their love for the new drama, writing:

'I've been watching the Dead Boy Detectives on Netflix and 10/10 for me'; 'Omg I loved #DeadBoyDetectives SO freaking much they better renew it or I'll riot';

'Dead Boy Betectives was so cute netflix 10/10'; 'I will not shut up about this. I need everyone to go watch #DeadBoyDetectives on Netflix'; I know I'm late, but Dead Boy Detectives is 10/10.'

'#DeadBoyDetectives is excellent. Love the mix of fantasy and sweary adult drama'; Sometimes it feels like the more fantasy a show is, the less it explores in real life human themes. But bring on season two!'

Meanwhile, some fans are already begging the streaming platform to commission a second season:

'Y'all i actually can't think of Dead Boy Detectives not getting a season two or the people from the psych ward will come get me again I'm so attached to the characters.

Obscure and compelling, the show currently has an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 93 per cent on the Tomatometer and 87 per cent on audience ratings

The popular series is created by acclaimed fantasy writer Neil Gaiman, however long-time fans have assured that anyone can watch it, without having read the comics or having watched anything from the Sandman universe

Shortly after season one arrived, fans flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to express their love for the new drama

'The detective storyline is SO good it's a 10/10 show it doesn't have a single flaw this is a TV miracle???'

'I hope Netflix can see the great potential of this show. Renew it for a season two, let the fandom keep growing and I can assure that it will be a very big win for this platform, because it has already grown very quickly in just 10 days.'

'Listen I will literally sell my soul to Netflix at this point if it will get them to renew #DeadBoyDetectives.'

'Begging Netflix for the 197494748475th time to renew #DeadBoyDetectives for a second season because it truly is brills.'

The popular series is based on the DC comics created by acclaimed fantasy writer Neil Gaiman, however long-time fans have assured that anyone can watch it, without having read the comics or having watched anything from the Sandman universe.

It comes just as Baby Reindeer has been dethroned for the number one spot on the Netflix most-watched list.

The miniseries, which became available to stream on April 11, became the second most-watched television show following the release of A Man in Full on May 2.

Jeff Daniels stars in the all-new miniseries about a real estate mogul who is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Daniels' new drama was enough to beat out Baby Reindeer, but the two miniseries have since been bumped down to number three and four on Netflix's most-watched list.
The cast of Baby Reindeer continued to ride the wave of the show being a huge Netflix hit as they attended the photo call for the screening in LA on Tuesday.

Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning beamed as they posed arm in arm and joined Nava Mau and others for a Q and A on stage.

In the show, Richard's stalker is revealed as a Scottish woman in her 40s called Martha Scott living in Camden, played by actress Jessica, 38.

The actress had a glamorous Hollywood makeover for the trip and looked worlds away from Martha.

Jessica looked lovely in a green chiffon jumpsuit which have a deep V neckline and fluted sleeves while Richard, who plays show lead Donny Dunn in the real life story, rocked a grey suit with white shirt to the screening.

Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning continued to ride the wave of Baby Reindeer being a huge Netflix hit as they attended the photo call for the screening in LA on Tuesday

Sent from my iPhone! Richard and Nava appeared in a playful mood as they snapped selfies

The actress looked worlds away from her role as Martha and had a glamorous Hollywood makeover as they took to the stage

Jessica had a bouncy blow-dry for the screening and opted for a full face of make-up.

Richard and Nava, who looked effortlessly stylish in a burgundy trench coat, appeared in a playful mood as they snapped selfies.

The programme shows Martha's obsession developing as she emails Donny hundreds of times a day, turning up outside his house and harassing his family and friends. It is based on Richard's real life experience.

The trip comes after Richard says he has banned his parents from watching his unexpected Netflix smash hit.

He said he struggled to have his concerns about the woman, named Martha in the show, taken seriously by police because, he says, the idea of a man being stalked by a female admirer can be 'trivialised'.

But while 14 million people have pored over every detail of the show, Richard's parents in his native Fife are not among them - as the comedian has banned them from watching it and pays for their Netflix, so will know if they do.

But he says making the show with Netflix, based on two critically acclaimed shows he wrote and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, was cathartic and helped him come to terms with what happened earlier in his life.

'If people see it they will know almost everything about me. They might judge, they might not agree, and that innately comes with some degree of anxiety, but that's what I signed up for,' he told The Times.

Jessica looked lovely in a green chiffon jumpsuit which have a deep V neckline and fluted sleeves

The trio beamed as they posed for photos after heading to Los Angeles following the huge success of the show

Richard and Nava, who looked effortlessly stylish in a burgundy trench coat, appeared in a playful mood as they snapped selfies and posed for photos together

Richard plays his alter-ego Donny Dunn in Netflix's Baby Reindeer, which has captivated millions

Nava plays Donny's partner Teri in Baby Reindeer. The show follows Donny date Teri, an American therapist and trans woman who he meets on a dating app

Jessica , Weronika Tofilska, Richard, Nava and Peter Oliver all posed for a photo

The programme shows Martha's obsession developing as she emails Donny hundreds of times a day, turning up outside his house and harassing his family and friends

He pitched the show to Netflix after combining two critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe shows, Baby Reindeer and Monkey See, Monkey Do, which addressed his stalking and sexual assault respectively.

Over a period of four-and-a-half years, the actor said he received 41,071 emails, 744 tweets, letters totalling 106 pages and 350 hours of voicemail messages.Richard told the Times police did not take his concerns seriously despite his worries about how far the real-life Martha might go in her twisted pursuits.

'When a man gets stalked it can be portrayed in films and television as a sexy thing, like a femme fatale who gradually becomes more sinister. It doesn't carry as much threat of physical violence, is less common and can be trivialised,' he said.

He now says he is less likely to trust people after his adverse experiences with both men and women.

Richard concluded: 'I used to enter situations with such abandonment, never thinking ahead and throwing my trust into people, and I got burnt. Now getting close to people can be hard.'
AnnaLynne McCord looked sensational as she attended the One Humanity Foundation Global launch event in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The actress, 36, who recently confirmed her romance with former England Rugby star Danny Cipriani, wore an orange and black patterned cape dress.

She elevated her height with black patent heels, while accessorising with dainty gold jewellery.

AnnaLynne was joined at the event by actress Caitlin O'Connor, who showed off her figure in a brown midi dress.

It comes after Danny proudly flaunted his romance with new girlfriend AnnaLynne days after his estranged wife Victoria took a swipe at him.

AnnaLynne McCord looked sensational as she attended the One Humanity Foundation Global launch event in Los Angeles on Tuesday

The actress, 36, recently confirmed her romance with former England Rugby star Danny Cipriani

She wore an orange and black patterned cape dress and elevated her height with black patent heels

The former England rugby star, 36, recently revealed he was in a relationship with AnnaLynne, 36, and on Wednesday he looked well and truly smitten as he packed on the PDA with the American actress on a lunch date in Los Angeles .

Danny couldn't keep his hands to himself on the outing as he embraced AnnaLynne before leaning in for a series of kisses outside Urth Cafe in Pasadena.

The 90210 star was wrapped up for the outing as she layered a paisley print pashmina over a navy summer dress.

She allowed her natural beauty to shine through by going makeup-free, while she finished off the look with a pair of fluffy red sliders.

Danny was casually clad in all-white, pairing an embroidered jacket with a button down shirt and linen trousers.

He looked in good spirits on the outing despite his estranged wife's social media swipe.

Earlier in the week, Victoria Cipriani, 42, hit out at her husband's declaration that he has found new love, sarcastically telling her fans 'nice to see my husband moved on' before swiftly deleting the post.

The former England rugby star revealed he was in a relationship with AnnaLynne last week after sharing a series of affectionate photos taken while the couple holidayed in Egypt .

Yet in a now deleted post, his estranged wife slated her husband for 'moving on' just six months after the split.

AnnaLynne was joined at the event by actress Caitlin O'Connor, who showed off her figure in a brown midi dress

Howie Mandel put on an animated display on the red carpet

Jaime King looked typically chic in a black and white patterned co-ord

CJ Franco flashed her abs in a dazzling white crop top and maxi skirt

Saint Heart put on a leggy display in a thigh-high split pink satin dress

'Nice to see my husband has moved on' alongside an emoji displaying her surprise before adding: 'But his belongings and clothes in our house, in our drawers still haven't moved on.'

In a direct message to the rugby ace she added: 'Can you send me a miracle, please? Can you answer the lawyer's letter so I can keep my car? All the best. Lots of love your ever patient wife.'

The photos of Danny and AnnaLynne kissing and cosying up to each other on a spiritual retreat in Egypt come just six months after the divorce was announced.

A source close to Victoria slammed Danny for 'showing off his girlfriend' while there are still a number 'loose ends' to fix in their marriage - including the fact they are not yet legally divorced .

'He has walked out on her and now he's showing off his new girlfriend, it is not easy for Victoria although she does not want him back,' an insider told MailOnline.

'She's having a few financial problems because of the Mercedes that is in his name.

'The last time she saw him was in February when he turned up to collect a pair of shoes.

'All his stuff is still in the Kent home, so he hasn't really moved in that aspect.

'It is all going to end in divorce and lawyers are involved, but it has been only since November that they split.

'Danny appears to be showing off his new girlfriend, but there are several loose ends to be tied up in his marriage. She is still his wife.'

Danny's estranged wife Victoria Rose also holidayed in Egypt at the same time as her former flame and his new love and hit out after Danny posted about his new love

In a now deleted post, wife Victoria, 42, slated her husband for 'moving on' just six months after the split and claimed his belongings were still in their marital home

The pictures of Danny and AnnaLynne confirmed suspicions that the pair were romantically linked after they were spotted together arm in arm while at the skincare brand Clarins' product launch.

Sharing the holiday pictures on Saturday, where the couple appear to be in matching white, linen outfits, he wrote: 'My Miracle Loving you is the easiest thing in the world'.

The actress runs regular retreats from Egypt and Danny has joined the latest trip after the pair 'bonded deeply' over their shared love of 'meditation.'

The Sun report that AnnaLynne and Danny have known each other for over ten years but started 'hooking up' at the start of last month.

The couple are also believed to have travelled to another spiritual hotspot over Easter weekend - Glastonbury, Somerset, where they took part in a meditation ceremony with a spiritual guide.

Danny and Victoria, who were married for over two years, called time on their marriage in November following a series of 'rows over text messages' she saw on his phone .

AnnaLynne first gained prominence as the scheming Eden Lord in 12 episodes of FX's Nip/Tuck between 2007-2009 but found mainstream fame as Naomi Clark in the reboot of 90210 between 2008-2013.

AnnaLynne also had a recurring role in the soap opera Dallas in 2014.

Prior to his marriage to Victoria, Danny also had well documented relationships with Kelly Brook, Katie Price, Lindsay Lohan and Kirsty Gallacher.

The former England rugby star revealed he was in a relationship with AnnaLynne last week after sharing a series of affectionate photos taken while the couple holidayed in Egypt

Danny shared a romantic snap as he leaned in for a kiss with his new flame

Danny and Victoria, who were married for over two years, called time on their marriage in November 2023 following a series of 'difficult' rows over text messages she saw on his phone

Last year the ex rugby player shared shocking details of his well-documented sex life and romantic dalliances in his autobiography Who Am I?

Victoria previously claimed she had no idea her husband was going to divorce her until he made the public announcement.

She wrote on Instagram in November in another now-deleted post: 'Danny publicly announced our split without any prior notice or discussion with me.

'I was made aware of the situation at the same time as the public, and this has caused me a great deal of pain. I apologise if my reactions and responses have seemed reactive or emotionally charged.

'The truth is, I am still going through a difficult time, and it is challenging for me to see Danny speaking about our separation publicly while I have not yet found the strength to process it, adjust or heal.'

A source in their inner circle and close to the couple revealed that up until the summer, all had been well in the marriage.

But the source added: 'Victoria had been increasingly unhappy over the last few months. Things got tense and then she saw some text messages on his phone and it led to some difficult rows between them and they have now split up.'
Sienna Miller's makeup artist has shared the 34 secret behind her stunning Met Gala glow, after she joined a star-studded lineup at the red carpet on Monday night.

The actress, 42, showed off her boho-inspired fashion sense in a flowing white lace gown, four months after giving birth to her second child.

Now, makeup artist Wendy Rowe has shared the exact product she used to create Sienna's barely-there look with The Mirror.

She began Sienna's transformation by applying the Code8 Beauty's Radiate BB Cream to create a refreshed and radiant look, with a combination of the shades NW30 and W20 to match her skin tone.

The foundation is said to give 'long-lasting coverage, dewy radiance and enhanced skin nourishment', and is enriched with Argan Seed Oil.

Sienna Miller's makeup artist has shared the secret behind her stunning Met Gala glow, after she joined a star-studded lineup at the red carpet on Monday night

Wendy then revealed that she used the Code8 Seamless Cover Concealer to conceal any blemishes and dark circles.

She said: 'I used the Seamless Cover Concealer in NC15 under her eyes. I then added the Bronzer in shade Summer Glow. Following this, I set Sienna's face using the Matte Velour Powder in Medium, concentrating on the T-Zone.'

Using Highlight and Sculpt on her cheekbones, the bridge of her nose and the cupid's bow to accentuate her features, Wendy then moved onto Sienna's eyes.

Wendy added: 'For the eyes I used Eye Shadow Palette Iconoclast 1 on the lid, and in the socket line 2. Carbon Black Eyeliner was applied super skinny close to the lashes,' followed by the Lash Sophisticate Mascara.

Finishing her flawless look, Sienna's lips were lined with the Salvador Lip Liner and filled them in with the Colour Brilliance Lipstick in St Germain.

The fashionista and her boyfriend Oli Green, 27, welcomed their first child together, a baby girl, in January. Sienna also has a daughter Marlowe, 10.

The actress has barely aged a day since starring in Layer Cake and Alfie more than twenty years ago - and previously credited yoga and her love of Marmite as the secret to her age-defying looks.

Sienna joined the likes of make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury and models Poppy Delevingne and Cora Corre at Lady Lola Bute's 25th birthday party, held at the family's Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute.

The actress showed off her boho-inspired fashion sense in a flowing white lace gown, four months after giving birth to her second child

Now, makeup artist Wendy Rowe has shared the exact product she used to create Sienna's barely-there look

Sienna stood out from the crowd in a 3,900 floor length silk mesh dress created by Annie Doble of Annie's Ibiza.

It featured hand-beaded crystals in the shape of a cobweb and a backless design, while the sheer nature of the dress highlighted her lithe figure.

She teamed the look with a nude bodysuit and a bronzed tan, having just got back from a family holiday in Croatia.

The designer also produced a custom-made outfit in a 1920s Egyptian fabric for Lady Lola.

As Lola and Annie shared photos of the bash on Instagram, Sienna firmly cemented her status as a fashion icon as she posed for a photo with Annie and Camille Charriere.

Sienna previously gave an insight into her health and fitness regime and told Vogue: 'I do yoga three times a weekmore because I'm just searching for some equanimity. It's very easy to feel exhausted by these schedules and time zones.'

The actress, who lives in New York, said at the time she wasn't a big fan of the spin class SoulCycle.

She said: 'Sometimes I cringe a little bit at the motivational aspect of it, but that's just because I'm English and we're not used to saying, 'You see your dream! Go get it''.

'Cooking is a focus for me,' Sienna shared, 'But I wouldn't say healthy  I'm more of a home cook: roasts, some Asian food, pastas and sauces and soups. In terms of, like, chia seed and whatever grains, no. I'm like, 'Fried eggs and Marmite toast'.'
Adult content creators have come forward to reveal the biggest mistake Australian men make with women in the bedroom.

Annie Knight, who claims to be the country's most sexually active woman, said male lovers Down Under have a 'jump straight in' approach to sex.

The racy creator, 26, who once said she slept with 300 men in 12 months, said foreplay is a foreign concept to Aussie guys, reported news.com.au on Wednesday.

'What they don't understand is you have to go slowly. Start by kissing and light touching,' she told the publication.

Fellow X-rated creator Kay Manuel agreed with the sentiment, adding that men only wanted to 'rush' to reach the finish and force women to 'fake' orgasms.

Adult content creators have come forward to reveal the biggest mistake Australian men make with women in the bedroom. Pictured: Annie Knight, 26

Poll Do you think Aussie blokes are crap in the sack? Yes No Do you think Aussie blokes are crap in the sack? Yes 255 votes

No 190 votes Now share your opinion





'Honestly, it derails the whole experience. We are made to feel that stroking their ego by faking it will make for better sex. But that only serves them,' she said.

Another online sex worker, who was once a correctional officer before her raunchy career change, added that Australian men were too 'egotistical' about sex.

Alicia Davis said the Down Under male only worries about 'getting in and getting the job done' and doesn't often focus on their female partner's sexual needs.

Fellow X-rated creator Kay Manuel (pictured) said Australian men only wanted to 'rush' to reach the finish and force women to 'fake' orgasms

The adult content creator, 31, then put salt in the wound by claiming European men were much better lovers in her experience.

'Whenever I've slept with an Irish or British guy, they have been much more communicative and sensual. It makes a world of difference,' she said.

It comes after Annie said she wanted to beat her own record this year by sleeping with 365 men - one a day on average.

Alicia Davis, 31, (pictured) said the Down Under male only worries about 'getting in and getting the job done' and doesn't often focus on their female partner's sexual needs, adding that European men were much better lovers

The Gold Coast-based adult model sent TikTok into meltdown last year when she shared the wild details of her active sex life, but has now set the bar even higher.

Annie may well exceed her goal as she had already slept with around 70 men by mid-February.

The blonde beauty, who was sacked from her job in marketing when her online side hustle was revealed, claimed she never had 'much of a dating life' in the past.

She said: 'I used to go on about three dates a year, so that's why I want to do this. I've never been much of a dater, so I wanted to give myself an incentive.'
She's already won over fans with her chic high street looks.

And Cat Deeley put on yet another stylish display as she joined Ben Shephard to front the latest episode of This Morning on Wednesday.

The presenter, 47, opted for a sparkly red vintage shirt teamed with a brown crocodile leather skirt, but gave up on her towering heels as she headed into the sunshine to film an outside segment.

Cat showed off her sophisticated fashion sense in the eye-catching red shirt with a shimmering gold overlay.

She teamed the look with nude suede strapped heels, and an elegant gold necklace.

Cat Deeley put on yet another stylish display as she joined Ben Shephard to front the latest episode of This Morning on Wednesday

The presenter opted for a sparkly red vintage shirt teamed with a brown leather skirt, but gave up on her towering heels as they headed into the sunshine to film an outside segment

Later in the show, both Cat and Ben sported sunglasses as they headed into the balmy May weather to film a segment on camping supplies.

Clearly worn out by her towering heels, Cat opted to ditch the shoes and went barefoot during the show.

Since making her debut as This Morning's host back in March, Cat has impressed viewers with her sense of style.

While her predecessor Holly Willoughby favoured designer items, Cat has won fans over by wearing brands such as Zara and John Lewis.

In Monday's episode last week, 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, Cat wore a white lace minidress from Mint Velvet, costing 199, and on Thursday she wore a cargo mini dress from Zara for 89.

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).

Cat showed off her sophisticated fashion sense in the eye-catching red shirt with a shimmering gold overlay

She teamed the look with nude suede strapped heels, and an elegant gold necklace

The presenter opted for a sparkly red vintage shirt teamed with a brown leather crocodile skirt

Cat uses ITV's own stylist David O'Brien, who has also dressed her co-stars Josie Gibson and Alison Hammond

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.

Holly, who quit This Morning in October, used her private stylist Danielle Whiteman on the show. The pair have worked together for years and Danielle now helps with Holly's lifestyle brand Wylde Moon.

During her 14 years on This Morning, Cat would regularly wear clothing from the likes of Ted Baker, LK Bennett and Jaeger.

But Cat uses ITV's own stylist David O'Brien, who has also dressed her co-stars Josie Gibson and Alison Hammond.

Last year Alison Hammond was also praised for her low-budget wardrobe on the show, wearing clothes from I Saw It First and Asos.

On one of Cat'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.'
Karl Stefanovic has savaged the troll who attacked Channel 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs.

The 49-year-old Channel Nine star defended Jacobs, 48, after she was mocked by a viewer for an outfit she wore on air during a news broadcast on Tuesday.

Describing Jacobs as 'great', Stefanovic called out the rampant sexism that female TV presenters regularly cop from keyboard warriors over how they look and what they wear.

'Narelda is a great newsreader. Full stop,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

During his chat, Stefanovic recalled how he once wore the same suit on air every day for a year.

Karl Stefanovic (pictured) has savaged the troll who attacked Channel 10 presenter Narelda Jacob. 'Narelda is a great newsreader. Full stop,' he told The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday

The popular presenter pulled the stunt ten years ago as an 'experiment' to see whether men would be held up to the same scrutiny as women by viewers over their appearance.

He found that no fan ever made a comment or seemed to notice what he was wearing.

'Nothing has changed for women in the media since then,' Stefanovic told the publication.

The 49-year-old Channel Nine star defended Jacobs, 48, after she was mocked for an outfit she wore on air during a news broadcast on Tuesday. Pictured: Jacobs on the red carpet in 2023

'My colleagues Sarah [Abo] and Brooke [Boney] cop it every day from trolls... they are incredible professionals and wonderful people. They dont deserve it.

'Platforms should not allow it. Trolls shouldnt have a voice. They dont deserve one. 'It infuriates me what [my female colleagues] deal with,' he continued.

It comes after Jacobs called out the shocking email that was sent to the newsroom during a broadcast on Tuesday.

Describing Jacobs as 'great', Stefanovic called out the rampant sexism that female TV presenters regularly cop from keyboard warriors over how they look and what they wear. Pictured: Jacobs in the outfit that one troll condemned as 'inappropriate'

The respected Australian journalist who is the host of the midday bulletin 10 News First was wearing a V-neck blouse paired with a patterned blazer.

A viewer branded the outfit 'inappropriate' in a message sent via email that ended up being seen by the broadcaster and the entire newsroom.

'Inappropriate dress sense for reading the news. Cleavage is for the nightclub,' the email read.

Stefanovic said that his Today show colleagues Sarah Abo and Brooke Boney are constantly trolled over their appearance by viewers

Responding to this unsolicited advice, Jacobs expressed her dismay.

'Yes, we still receive emails like this,' she wrote.

'Yes, it went to the entire newsroom. Yes, I was on air at the time. Yes, it is intended to shame and humiliate me. No, what I'm wearing is not inappropriate but your email sure is.'

The post garnered immediate support from Jacobs' followers and colleagues, with many sharing their own experiences of unwarranted criticism.

Dessert Masters judge Melissa Leong commented: 'File under 'When you really hate yourself, so you decide to email random strangers to tell them.'

Similarly, retired swimmer and former weather presenter Giaan Rooney reflected on her own experiences.

'Yep. The number of emails the newsroom used to get attacking everything about my appearance when I was presenting the weather was incredible,' she stated.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) demanded Wednesday that President Yoon Suk Yeol agree to its proposal to provide cash handouts to the entire population and a special counsel probe into suspicions over a Marine's death when he holds a press conference this week.

Rep. Park Chan-dae made the calls during a meeting of the party's Supreme Council at the National Assembly, a day before Yoon holds the press conference Thursday to mark the second anniversary of his presidency.

The press conference comes after Yoon's ruling People Power Party suffered a crushing defeat in last month's parliamentary elections, winning only 108 seats in the 300-member National Assembly while the DPK secured 192 seats.

"The result of the general elections is the grade list that our people gave about the running of state affairs over the past two years," Park said. "We hope the press conference isn't one that insists in claiming the wrong answer as correct."

Park then urged Yoon to accept DPK leader Lee Jae-myung's election pledge to provide cash handouts of 250,000 won ($183.2) to the entire population to help improve people's livelihoods.

"We also urge (Yoon) to fully accept the bill mandating a special counsel probe of Chae," referring to Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died in July last year while on a search mission amid heavy downpours.

The bill, which was passed unilaterally by the DPK last week, calls for the appointment of a special counsel to look into allegations that Yoon's office and the Ministry of Defense inappropriately interfered in a military investigation into the death of the Marine. (Yonhap)
Scarlett Moffatt took to her Instagram story on Tuesday to post a swimsuit-clad selfie and reminded her fans to 'embrace the boob gap'.

The former Gogglebox star, 33, was on holiday in Torremolinos for a bachelor party and she took to her Instagram to pose up in a tropical one-piece swimsuit.

The star looked incredible in the black swimsuit which showcased her cleavage as she said: 'Just a little reminder to embrace the boob gap this summer ladies'.

In the snap, Scarlett had her ample cleavage on display and sported a pair of oversized black shades.

Scarlett tied up her brunette locks in a loose messy bun as she chilled by her hotel pool.

Scarlett Moffatt took to her Instagram story on Tuesday to post a swimsuit-clad selfie and reminded her fans to 'embrace the boob gap'

The former Gogglebox star, 33, was on holiday in Torremolinos for a bachelor party (pictured third from right) and shared an insight into her trip on Instagram

Scarlett also took to her Instagram this week to post several group snaps from the bachelor weekend.

She tagged the sweet snaps with '48 hours in torromolinos. Two of our best friends are getting married & to celebrate weve had a weekend of belly laughs, dancing, sunshine, sambuca & bread & aioli. Stick with the friends that feel like sunshine'.

It comes after the star posed in a plunging top and declared 'Let's normalise boob gaps' in an empowering body confidence post back in 2021.

The TV personality who was holidaying in Antigua at the time, looked incredible in a black dress which showcased her cleavage as she said: 'Let those t**taysssss loose my loves.'

The star posted a further snap, pointing at her cleavage and writing: 'Did I mention t**y gaps are nothing to be embarrassed about?'

The star said her break away boosted her confidence and that she finally felt comfortable enough to wear a bikini for the first time in years.

It comes after Scarlett posed in a plunging top and told fans to 'let those t**s loose' in empowering body confidence post

The TV personality who was holidaying in Antigua at the time, looked incredible in a black dress which showcased her cleavage

The star posted another selfie snap showcasing her boobs and said 'Let's normalise boob gaps'

Last month, Scarlett suffered a hilarious wardrobe malfunction live on television during the finale episode of Ant & Dec 's Saturday Night Takeaway

In the final moments of Saturday's episode, former Gogglebox star Scarlett could be seen dancing alongside a number of other stars to the 1980 hit Celebration by Kool & The Gang

As she skipped into the studio, she was helped up onto the stage in front of the audience by radio star Jordan North , 34, only to lose one of her trainers

Last month, Scarlett suffered a hilarious wardrobe malfunction live on television during the finale episode of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

The television presenter joined hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, both 48, for the last episode of the series after the pair announced last year that they would be 'resting' the programme and putting it on a hiatus.

In the final moments of Saturday's episode, Scarlett could be seen dancing alongside several other stars to the 1980 hit Celebration by Kool & The Gang.

She wore an orange dress which finished just below her knee and wrapped around at the front while cinching in her waist.

As she skipped into the studio, she was helped up onto the stage in front of the audience by radio star Jordan North, 34, only to lose one of her trainers as it got caught and slid off her foot.

Ever the professional, she took the advice of This Morning's Alison Hammond to carry on as if nothing had happened, with Scarlett dancing on stage next to Ant and Dec with one trainer on and one bare foot.

Former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! winner Scarlett took to her Instagram Stories once the show had ended to talk about the incident.

She said: 'It is wrap party time! That was honestly one of the best experiences ever, being part of the finale of Saturday Night Takeaway.

'Yes, for everyone asking I did lose my shoe! Jordan helped us up and then me and Alison were vibing and my shoe just flung off, and Alison was like, "Just go with it", so I felt like I had to just vibe with one shoe on.

'I hope that everyone loved the finale as much as I think everyone here in the studio loved it, and thanks for watching!'
Former A Place In The Sun presenter Danni Menzies has made a surprising career move with a new project.

The Scottish star, 36, began co-hosted A Place In The Sun in 2016 and announced her departure from the programme earlier this year.

Now, in conjunction with The Health Lottery, Danni will spearhead an 'inspirational' podcast where she will speak to personalities such as Loose Womens Kaye Adams.

Danni told The Scottish Sun: 'Im thrilled to be anchoring my first ever podcast series with The Health Lottery.

'I cannot wait to share uplifting and entertaining stories of kindness, resilience and celebrating achievements with people from all walks of life.'

Former A Place In The Sun presenter Danni Menzies has announced a surprising career move with a new project

The Scottish star, 36, began co-hosted A Place In The Sun in 2016 and announced her departure from the programme earlier this year (pictured on the show in 2023)

Also appearing on the pod will be award-winning filmmaker and photographer Doug Allan, Michelin star chef Andy Beynon, and bestselling author Chris Brookmyre.

Dannis show will be available on all platforms including Apple, Spotify and Amazon Music from May 23.

Her show is part of the Pay it Forward campaign launched by The Health Lottery which has raised over 130 million for wellbeing causes across the UK.

Mark Nash, the company's marketing director, has said: 'We hope this podcast will inspire listeners to embrace the joy of giving back and celebrating lifes wins, big and small. Its a great showcase for what The Health Lottery is all about.'

Danni recently confirmed that she's single and shared she was just enjoying life after a brief relationship with Love Island star Jay Younger, 30 - also a Scot.

She proved this in April when she shared gorgeous photos from her solo trip to the Cayman Islands to see a friend.

Danni said: 'Things didn't work out with Jay but that's fine. Travelling a lot for work does make it trickier to meet someone.'

Her fond memories of A Place In The Sun were soured by the untimely death of co-star Jonnie Irwin.

In February, Danni paid a heartfelt tribute to Jonnie who died at age 50 after a battle with terminal lung cancer.

In February, Danni paid a heartfelt tribute to her A Place In The Sun co-star Jonnie Irwin following his tragic death from cancer aged 50

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Danni shared a poem by Ida Banks and told her followers how her former colleague would 'continue to exist in those who loved him'.

The post read: 'When we die I want to believe that we are scattered throughout all the people that have ever loved us'.

'That we will continue to exist in them, in their bloodstreams, for generations, for lifetimes.'

Danni added over the top: 'You will Jonnie xxx'.
Riley Keough was spotted frolicking around the streets of New York City with her gal pals in a trendy ensemble on Wednesday just after Monday's Met Gala.

The 34-year-old actress - who rocked a sequined floral dress with a see-through panel to the star studded event - sported a pastel pink cardigan over a white crop top during the outing.

She wore a pair of light washed ankle length jeans and black Mary Jane flats.

Her dark brown locks were tied back into a low bun showing off her smile and dainty earrings.

The granddaughter of music icon Elvis Presley sported a pair of dark sunglasses and snapped selfies with her two friends.

Riley Keough was spotted frolicking around the streets of New York with her gal pals in a trendy ensemble just after the Met Gala on Wednesday

The 34-year-old actress sported a pastel pink cardigan over a white crop top during the outing

The granddaughter of music icon Elvis Presley sported a pair of dark sunglasses and snapped selfies with her two friends

The brunette beauty threw a Chanel purse of her shoulder walking just outside of American Museum of Natural History.

In her left arm she carried a bag of merchandise from the famous museum.

While in The Big Apple, Keough took a stroll in Central Park with her accompanying girl friends Jadan Huter and Georgie Flores.

The three donned similar looks, matching their straight legged 90s style jeans and carrying designer purses.

Georgie wore a lime green cardigan over a matching plunging blouse while wearing a camera around her neck.

The 27-year-old actress wore light makeup that showed off her pink cheeks and summer ready tan.

Her dark wavy locks were styled half up half down, accessorizing with a pair of sunglasses and gold jewelry.

Jadan looked every inch classy in a textured white blouse and dark jeans while she smiled for a selfie with The King's granddaughter.

Her dark locks were curled and parted down the middle pairing well with her gold necklace and matching rings.

The freelance photographer wore minimal makeup during the outing.

Riley took to her Instagram story to post a photo of her and Jadan smiling at each other on the subway, both sat cross legged for the sweet snap

In another image, we see the two looking off into the Museum of Natural History from the back as the iconic blue whale hung from the ceiling

Throughout the weekend, the close friends shared snaps of their mini vacation.

Riley took to her Instagram story to post a photo of her and Jadan smiling at each other on the subway, both sat cross legged for the sweet snap.

In another image, we see the two looking off into the Museum of Natural History from the back as the iconic blue whale hung from the ceiling.

While in their shared hotel room, Keough snapped a photo of her pals while relaxing in bath robes.

She captioned the photo, 'Then we go home,' while tagging them.

The three women also displayed their casual evening as they rested their legs on a coffee table while still in their robes enjoying a cup of tea.

While in their shared hotel room, Keough snapped a photo of her pals while relaxing in bath robes and tagging them

The three women also displayed their casual evening as they rested their legs on a coffee table while still in their robes, enjoying a cup of tea

Riley was then spotted solo after making a wardrobe change just hours later on Tuesday.

She put on a very leggy display in a navy plaid mini skirt and grey floral vest while waving to the camera.

The Magic Mike actress let her honey-brown locks loose wearing the same pair of sunglasses and gold jewelry she was spotted in earlier.

She added a grey button-up underneath adding a touch of elegance to the look.

Her black pumps with crystal clear heels stole the show, making her look like she was walking on air, as she casually continued her tour of The Big Apple.

Riley was then spotted solo after making a wardrobe change just hours later on Tuesday

She put on a very leggy display in a navy plaid mini skirt and sporting a grey floral vest

Her black pumps with crystal clear heels stole the show, making her look like she was walking on air

Riley at the Met Gala with, from left, Lauren Sanchez, Gigi Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski

Riley is the daughter of the late Lisa Marie Presley, who died at age 54 in January 2023.

Lisa Marie is the daughter of Priscilla Presley, 78, and Elvis Presley, who died in 1977 at age 42.

She shares a daughter, Tupelo Storm Smith-Petersen, one, with her actor husband Ben Smith-Petersen and is expecting a second child via surrogate.
Kim Kardashian declared 'free everybody' after she was interrupted by a protester campaigning for a free Palestine during her talk at the OMR business festival in Hamburg on Tuesday.

The businesswoman, 43, visited the German city to speak at the OMR digital and marketing trade fair just hours after her shock appearance at the Met Gala in New York on Monday night.

After taking to the stage, Kim was interrupted by a protester in the audience who began repeatedly shouting 'Free Palestine'.

As security ushered the protester out of the venue, the host could be heard apologizing to Kim as she insisted: 'It's ok,' before adding 'Free everybody'.

Kim reportedly later added: 'I sympathize with the people of Israel and with those in Palestine. I sympathize with everybody. All we want is for everyone to feel safe and free.'

Kim Kardashian declared 'free everybody' after she was interrupted by a protester campaigning for a free Palestine during her talk at the OMR business festival in Hamburg on Tuesday

'Feel safe. And be good people and treat them in the same respectful way you want to be treated. These are definitely scary times.'

According the German publication Morgen Post, the female protestor was then escorted out of the hall full of 7,000 people by security forces.

According to German publication Bild, the US star's appearance at the festival, which is described as an event for 'information, inspiration and networking on all things digital business', will cost more than 1,000,000.

Kim herself will receive a generous fee of 700,000 plus the expenses for her private jet and her entourage.

But DailyMail.com can confirm that Kim will actually be receiving several million dollars as her fee.

Kim was at the event for a 40 minute appearance where she spoke about the success of her company SKIMS as well as how she built her own personal brand to continuously garner worldwide attention.

Discussing the importance of authenticity she told the crowd: 'It has to be so authentic to you and you have to really fill that void of what is missing and know how to come up with that solution.

'I mean authenticity is just everything right? You can have a great idea but if you don't also know how to connect to it and relate and get that out there, then it is just an idea.

As security ushered the protester out of the venue, the host could be heard apologizing to Kim as she insisted: 'It's ok,' before adding 'Free everybody'

During #KimKardashian's speech at #OMR24 in Hamburg, a livestream interruption occurred due to a protester shouting for Palestine's freedom and was escorted out by security. @KimKardashian @officially_omr pic.twitter.com/TAUx1zbokA  PK (@p_kiloalpha) May 7, 2024

However after taking to the stage, Kim was interrupted by a protester in the audience who began repeatedly shouting 'Free Palestine'

The woman was then escorted out of the hall full of 7,000 people by security forces as Kim told the audience: 'Free everybody'

Kim reportedly later added: 'I sympathize with the people of Israel and with those in Palestine. I sympathize with everybody. All we want is for everyone to feel safe and free'

On Monday evening the reality star wowed on the red carpet where she showed off her impossibly slim waist in the silver custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano number

Kim herself will receive a generous fee of 700,000 plus the expenses for her private jet and her entourage

'So having something that is so authentic to you at your core, is so believable and that is where the beginning of a good product comes about really.'

The star also discussed how SKIMS began solely dependent on her but explained 'the goal was to take myself out of that position so that it can sustain with or without me.'

Kim was first approached to speak at the event after the founder Philipp Westermeyer approached her team during a trip to the US.

In an interview with Stern, the Head of Content at OMR, Roland Eisenbrand explained it was a month-long process to secure Kim as a guest.

He said: 'Even though there was a lot of talk and Kim Kardashian of course receives a reasonable fee, it has to be said quite clearly that she would certainly not need to come to the OMR Festival from a purely financial point of view. Obviously, we have already convinced them with our concept.'

Gushing about the success of Kim's empire, Roland added: 'She had a mobile game with millions in sales. She has 364 million followers on Instagram. She has managed to generate reach and attention over the years, and she is very adept at monetizing them.

'Her underwear brand Skims is now said to be worth four billion US dollars and is about to go public. All of this makes her very interesting to us, and we believe that anyone who works in marketing can learn something from Kim Kardashian.'

Proving she really can do it all, Kim landed in Hamburg landed in Hamburg at 3pm on Tuesday after walking the red carpet at around 7pm New York time on Monday night.

Germany is six hours ahead of New York making her two appearances just 13 hours apart. The flight time from New York to Hamburg is around nine hours.

The reality star wowed on the red carpet where she showed off her impossibly slim waist in the silver custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano number.

But she chose not to attend any raucous afterparties in the Big Apple and instead hopped straight on her private jet to head to Europe on a redeye.

She still looked immaculate as she arrived at the airport in Hamburg to her adoring fans and even took time to sign autographs after the long flight.

She wore a long black padded coat and striped jogging bottoms and donned dark shades.

Her blonde tresses still looked perfectly styled in loose waves over her shoulders.

The star looked positively radiant despite the nine hour flight and six hour time difference as she took a cheeky selfie with the event host

Proving she really can do it all, Kim landed in Hamburg landed in Hamburg at 3pm on Tuesday after walking the red carpet at around 7pm New York time on Monday night

Kim chose not to attend any raucous afterparties in the Big Apple and instead hopped straight on her private jet to head to Europe

On Monday night Kim sparked a shock reaction for her astonishingly tiny waist in a silver corset on the star-studded red carpet of the Met Gala 2024 in New York City.

The reality star - who is known for her curvaceous figure and bodacious behind - showcased a wild body transformation in custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano.

John Galliano, creative director of Maison Margiela, fashioned Kim - who attended his recent Artisanal show and sat in the front row - the stunning dress.

Just a day after Kim was booed at the Tom Brady Netflix Roast, many took to social media to react to the wild look as one wrote: 'how many ribs did Kim get removed????'

Her tiny torso look featured a shiny metallic silver corset which flowed into a sheer lacy skirt which showed off her legs.

She teamed the strapless number with matching shiny silver platform heels.

She is in Hamburg to speak at the OMR digital trade fair which is described as an event for 'information, inspiration and networking on all things digital business'

The flight time from New York to Hamburg is around nine hours (her private jet is seen touching down in Germany)

Kim sparked a shock reaction for her astonishingly tiny waist in a silver corset at the Met Gala on Monday - just 13 hour before landing in Hamburg

One interesting fashion choice that the A-lister made was wrapping herself in a grey knit cropped sweater which felt a bit disjoined from the rest of the look.

Kim wore her newly-dyed platinum blonde locks down in a middle-part which showed off her dark roots, having once again teamed up with her longtime hairstylist Chris Appleton.

Her make-up was complementary to her face and topped off with a swipe of shiny nude lip.

However the thing that was most talked about on social media was her tiny waist.

One X (formally Twitter) user wrote: 'Jesus, she's gonna be in the hospital by the end of the night. Did they remove a rib or 2?!?!?'

Others fed into the rib removal theory as one said: 'Did she have a rib removed? Good Lord.'

Another made referenced to the body transformations the SKIMS founder has undergone for previous Met Galas.

They wrote: 'Kim Kardashian does it again, I wonder how she breathes with that #MetGala'

They seemed to be referencing one of Kim's most iconic looks at the gala when she looked impossibly skinny to wear Marilyn Monroe's classic dress in 2022.

Months later in an episode of The Kardashians which aired in November, she even called herself a 'shapeshifter' as she did all that she could to fit into the frock.

She tried on a replica of the dress Marilyn wore in 1962 to serenade then-President John F. Kennedy on his 45th birthday on the episode.

Kim said: 'If this does not fit me, I can't even try the original. So I've Googled her measurements, I'm looking at my measurements.'

She backed her shapeshifting claims as she said that the width of her shoulders would allow her to 'squeeze into anything.'

The influencer - who is known for her curvaceous figure and bodacious behind - showcased a wild body transformation in custom Maison Margiela

She put on a busty display in the low-cut number as she left her hotel to head to the red carpet event

The mother-of-four said: 'No one trusted us; for years, they would never send samples. And then once I would get to Paris and try on the samples, they would be like, "Oh, wait, she actually fits in our stuff."

'So I don't know how to convince the guy who owns the original Marilyn dress that I'm a shapeshifter.'

Kim kept a low profile while returning to The Ritz-Carlton hotel after the event on Monday. A bodyguard held a white towel in front of the star as she attempted to shield her impossibly thin waist.

The Costume Institute's spring exhibition falls on the first Monday in May every year and is held at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Kim Kardashian proudly put herself back in a very tight corset on Wednesday, as she shared a fresh new look from the same designer of her controversial Met Gala outfit the sparked concerns she couldn't breathe.

Despite the drama of the outfit, Kim, 43, posted a slew of new images to her Instagram account and even referred to herself as a 'broken doll' in the caption.

'Margiela Broken Doll,' the mother-of-four wrote to her 363M followers, referring to the fashion label Maison Margiela.

The reality star's super slim waist at Monday's Met Gala drew attention from fans, with one asking online, 'How many ribs did she get removed?'

Kim Kardashian is BACK cinching her waist in a corset after controversial Met Gala look - as she calls herself a 'broken doll' wearing Maison Margiela

Then, Vogue shared video of Kim struggling to breathe as she prepared for fashion's biggest night.

The video began with Kim taking long, slow exhales as she is asked by the director, 'How's the breathing going?'

'It's an art form. But I got it,' Kim replied.

She then flew to Germany to a business conference where she was reportedly paid millions to attend - but now seems to be back basking in her knack for her slipping into extremely tight outfits.

Kim proudly shared another corseted look in snaps from a Wednesday Instagram post

'Margiela Broken Doll,' the mother-of-four wrote to her 363M followers, referring to the fashion label Maison Margiela.

The reality star wowed on the red carpet where she showed off her impossibly slim waist in the silver custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano number

Kim traveled straight to Europe after the fashion bash as she was scheduled to speak at the 2024 OMR Festival in Hamburg, Germany on May 7 and 8th.

'I went from there to the plane,' Kim - who also recently appeared at Tom Brady's roast - explained at the festival, according to People. 'Slept on the plane and here I am.'

She added partying wasn't really for her: 'It was really good to not go to all the after parties. Its not really my thing to go out so it was the perfect excuse, because I really wanted to come here.'

The star gets some last minute touches for her latest look

Kim traveled straight to Europe after the fashion bash as she was scheduled to speak at the 2024 OMR Festival in Hamburg, Germany

It's all in the details... and Kim shared them all with fans

The reality star is seen tended to by stylists

Proving she really can do it all, Kim landed in Hamburg at 3pm on Tuesday after walking the red carpet at around 7pm New York time on Monday night.

Germany is six hours ahead of New York making her two appearances just 13 hours apart. The flight time from New York to Hamburg is around nine hours.

The reality star wowed on the red carpet where she showed off her impossibly slim waist in the silver custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano number.

But she chose not to attend any raucous afterparties in the Big Apple and instead hopped straight on her private jet to head to Europe on a redeye.

She still looked immaculate as she arrived at the airport in Hamburg to her adoring fans and even took time to sign autographs after the long flight.

Kim's Met Gala ensemble sparked fierce concern from social media users - with one person predicting that she'd 'be in the hospital by the end of the night,'
Lindsay Lohan is home in Dubai getting ready to celebrate her first Mother's Day with son Luai, 10 months, and husband Bader Shammas.

The Irish Wish star, 37, shared a parenting tip on Instagram in honor of the milestone.

Lindsey  who Bette Midler blamed for the cancelation of her sitcom Bette  sat in her son's bedroom holding two baby bottles on a twin bed that had stuffed animals gathered in one corner of it.

The Freaky Friday actress wore white leggings with a black stripe down the side and a matching track jacket with a black tank top underneath.

Her trademark fiery red hair was pulled back into a low ponytail.

Lindsay Lohan is home in Dubai getting ready to celebrate her first Mother's Day with son Luai, 10 months, and husband Bader Shammas

Lindsay met Bader in a restaurant in Dubai shortly after she moved there

'After a busy few months with work, it's great to be back home in time for my first Mother's Day!,' she captioned the post.

'I'm loving the little things with my baby, from walks and baths to our feeding times together that are now such a breeze with @tommeetippeenorthamericabottles,' she continued.

'New parents, it may not always be easy, but just know you've got this!,' she enthusiastically concluded in the joint post with the brand.

The Parent Trap actress sat down for an interview with Bustle in March and opened up about motherhood.

'It's a whole new, different kind of love you thought you could never experience,' she gushed.

She also discussed feeling proud of her postpartum body and told the outlet that her main focus has been on her son, rather than trying to 'snap back' when it comes to fitness.

'I was so attached to [Luai] that my last thought was going on a treadmill,' the mother-of-one expressed.

The Parent Trap actress sat down for an interview with Bustle in March and opened up about motherhood

'I feel like we put so much pressure on ourselves to have to look 'good' so soon, but you look so beautiful [postpartum]. Give yourself time.'

In the interview, the Georgia Rule star also talked about how marriage and family have changed her approach to her acting career.

Specifically, her emotions are always just at the surface, waiting to bubble over.

'I had a scene where I was crying, and then my husband surprised me with the baby on set, so then I was crying again, happy tears,' she told the outlet.

'It's a whole new, different kind of love you thought you could never experience,' she gushed

She also discussed feeling proud of her postpartum body and told the outlet that her main focus has been on her son, rather than trying to 'snap back' when it comes to fitness

'I was so attached to [Luai] that my last thought was going on a treadmill,' the mother-of-one expressed. 'I feel like we put so much pressure on ourselves to have to look 'good' so soon, but you look so beautiful [postpartum]. Give yourself time'

She also spoke about the height of her fame when she was in her teens and early 20s and how stepping away from the spotlight and finding love has helped ground her enough to return.

Dubai has a strict ban on paparazzi and also on most of the substances Lohan struggled with when she was younger.

'I feel like some of [my work] got overshadowed by paparazzi and all that kind of stuff when I was younger, and thats kind of annoying. I wish that part didnt happen,' she admitted.

'I feel like that kind of took on a life of its own. So thats why I wanted to disappear. I was like, Unless theres no story here, theyre not going to focus on just my work,' she added.
Legendary music producer Steve Albini, best known for recording with Nirvana, has passed away aged 61.

Albini died from a heart attack on Tuesday, May 7, his music studio staff told Pitchfork.

He led a storied decades-long career in the studio, while also performing as a frontman for Big Black and Shellac, the latter he was reportedly releasing an album with next week as they prepared for an upcoming tour.

The producer was credited for his role in the rise of alternative rock and punk music in the 80s and 90s, also including work with the Pixies, Jarvis Cocker, and PJ Harvey.

Legendary music producer Steve Albini, best known for recording with Nirvana, has passed away aged 61

Outside the studio Albini performed as a frontman for Big Black and The Shellac, the latter he was reportedly preparing an upcoming tour with before his death

Despite his success in the recording studio, Albini's later career was also marked by his outspoken criticism of the music industry.

He notably took aim at predatory practices from music executives, arguing that young bands are often lured into exploitative deals early in their careers.

Albini was known for his preference to the term 'music engineer' over producer, and left his mark on iconic music from the grunge era - including recording Nirvana's album 'In Utero.'

Those that worked with him said he was not afraid to show his distaste at the music he was producing, and he famously described the Pixies in 1988 as 'four cows more anxious to be led around by their nose rings.'

In the weeks before his death, Albini had been preparing to tour with his band Shellac, and the band had recorded their first album in a decade that is scheduled for release next week.

Born in California, Albini grew up in Missoula, Montana with a 'normal' childhood - that he said all changed when a friend introduced him to The Ramones as a teenager.

'It was the first time I felt like there was any part of culture that represented the irreverence and goofiness and kind of mania that my friends and I were displaying,' he recalled to The Guardian.

From there, he began recording with Big Black, while ostensibly seeking controversy with his work, including a short stint with the band name 'Rapeman', a title he said he later regretted.

Known for bringing a raw, high-energy sound to his work, Albini was influential in the rock and metal scenes for decades

Albini (seen performing in June 2023 in Spain) courted controversy throughout his career, and later said he regretted some of his actions taken 'from an ignorant position'

In his early producing work with bands such as Slint and The Breeders, he rose to prominence with his high energy, raw productions that became better known with artists like Nirvana.

In the 1980s, his alt-rock sound saw him work on the early albums of Jesus Lizard, and he went on to 'engineer' hundreds of albums in subsequent decades.

The music producer lived in Chicago with his wife, film director Heather Whinna.

In an interview with AV Club in 2000, he revealed he suffered from a deformed right leg as a result of a car accident when he was 18.

Despite spending decades with grunge rockers like Kurt Cobain, Albini also revealed in 2022 that he avoided drugs and alcohol, particularly because of his father's struggle with alcoholism.

He told Noise Delays Recovery that he felt 'extremely lucky' not to have fallen into the pits of addiction.

'I don't like the taste of alcohol, don't like being drunk, and never liked any of the drug states I've experienced enough to prefer them over being straight in the moment with clarity,' he said.

Aside from music, he was also noted as a successful poker player, once winning a World Series of Poker gold bracelet in a 2022 competition where he won over $196,000 in prize money, beating 773 other players.

In 2018, he also reportedly won a poker tournament that netted him over $105,000.

Despite spending decades with grunge rockers like Kurt Cobain, Albini revealed that he avoided drugs and alcohol, particularly because of his father's struggle with alcoholism

Albini became synonymous with controversial work early in his career, producing songs such as 'Pray I Don't Kill You F*****' and naming one of his bands, 'Run N***** Run', according to Pitchfork.

In his later years he would apologize for some of his offensive antics, tweeting in 2021: 'A lot of things I said and did from an ignorant position of comfort and privilege are clearly awful and I regret them.

'Its nobodys obligation to overlook that, and I do feel an obligation to redeem myself.

'Im overdue for a conversation about my role in inspiring edgelord s***. Believe me, Ive met my share of punishers at gigs and I sympathize with anybody who isnt me but still had to suffer them.'

Albini used his prominence in the music scene to call out what he saw as exploitative practices among recording studios.

Writing for The Baffler in a now-famous article around the punk scene called 'The Problem with Music', he declared that 'all that's required to be a full-fledged 'producer' is the gall it takes to claim to be one.'
After wowing on the Met Gala red carpet on Monday, Gigi Hadid made on another stylish outing.

The model, 29, served a chic look in a white sheer button-down dress paired with worn-in jeans as she stepped out on Wednesday at CBS Studios in New York City.

Her long-sleeve collared dress was unbuttoned from the waist down, revealing her midriff and straight-leg jeans.

Hadid accessorized the ankle-length dress and pants with a gold chain belt, finishing with a pair of sheer jeweled heels.

The Next In Fashion co-host completed the look with a pair of thin brown sunglasses, gold earrings, flashy necklaces and matching rings by Jacquie Aiche, while carrying a nude leather Miu Miu handbag.

Gigi Hadid served a chic look in a white button-down dress paired with jeans as she stepped out on Wednesday at CBS Studios in New York City

Her long-sleeve collared dress was unbuttoned from the waist down, revealing her midriff and straight-leg jeans

Hadid accessorized the ankle-length dress and pants with a gold chain belt, finishing with a pair of sheer jeweled heels. The Next In Fashion co-host completed the look with a pair of thin brown sunglasses, gold earrings, flashy necklaces and matching rings, while carrying a nude leather Miu Miu handbag

Following Monday's Costume Institute Benefit, Hadid shared some behind-the-scenes photos on Wednesday of the final fitting for her Thom Browne gown.

'Final fit in the world of @thombrowne,' Hadid captioned the photos on Instagram.

Her white off-the-shoulder dress featured an hourglass silhouette with a flower and leaves embroidered at the waist.

Hadid included some detailed photos of the beaded plants before they were sewn onto the number.

The long billowy skirt train was layered with a white deconstructed tuxedo jacket trimmed in black, pulled down below her hips.

After unveiling the look on Monday's red carpet, Hadid previously shared photos from the exclusive event.

'It was an honor to represent the work of 70 people in this truly magnificent piece by @thombrowne - definitely worthy of a night (or on display) at the @metmuseum,' she wrote on Instagram.

'Thank you always to Anna [Wintour] and @voguemagazine & of course to everyone who put their hands and hearts towards this moment,' added Hadid. 'Grateful to the teams, big love to mine.'

Although she attended the event without boyfriend Bradley Cooper, Hadid enjoyed a birthday trip to Las Vegas and Carmel, California last month with the Academy Award nominee.

The fun jewelry is by Jacquie Aiche

Hadid seemed to be holding the dress back to show off her tummy and belt

Following Monday's Met Gala, Hadid shared some behind-the-scenes photos on Wednesday of the final fitting for her Thom Browne gown

'Final fit in the world of @thombrowne,' Hadid captioned the photos on Instagram. Her white off-the-shoulder dress featured an hourglass silhouette with a flower and leaves embroidered at the waist

'Definitely worthy of a night (or on display) at the @metmuseum,' Hadid previously raved on Instagram

The long billowy skirt train was layered with a white deconstructed tuxedo jacket trimmed in black, pulled down below her hips

Hadid included some detailed photos of the beaded plants before they were sewn onto the number. She revealed on Instagram that it took 70 people to construct the 'truly magnificent piece'

'Twas my bday (week) feelin so grateful,' the model wrote on Instagram with photos from the trip, which showed did not include Cooper.

The pair was also joined by Hadid's close pal Taylor Swift and her boyfriend Travis Kelce for both stops.

Hadid and Cooper, 49, were first romantically linked in October and have continued to grow closer while recently putting on some PDA.

Last month, a source told ET that the pair is 'in love' and connected 'in a deep way,' describing their relationship as 'easy, fun and normal.'

'Things have continued to blossom between Gigi and Bradley and have gotten serious,' the insider said. 'Everyone around them sees their natural connection.

'They bond over family, friends, conversations about life, parenting, living in the public eye, humor, and more,' they added.

Although she attended the event without boyfriend Bradley Cooper, Hadid enjoyed a birthday trip to Las Vegas and Carmel, California last month with the Academy Award nominee

Hadid and Cooper, 49, were first romantically linked in October and have continued to grow closer while recently putting on some PDA

Although Hadid was not able to attend the 96th Academy Awards with Cooper in March, the pair was reportedly planning to 'hard launch' their relationship at the awards show.

Cooper, who was nominated for three awards, instead brought his mother Gloria as his red carpet date.

Cooper shares 7-year-old daughter Lea De Seine with Russian model Irina Shayk, with whom he was in a relationship from 2015 to 2019.

Hadid shares 3-year-old daughter Khai with ex Zayn Malik, whom she dated off-and-on from 2015 to 2021. She has also dated Cody Simpson, Joe Jonas and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Brooke Shields might be celebrating her 59th birthday at the end of this month, but she proved she still knows how to pose for a sexy, high fashion magazine spread shot by photography duo Caleb & Gladys.

The former child star flashed her Intimissimi bra, Naked Cashmere briefs, and Falke stockings beneath a black Givenchy coat selected by stylist Tiffany Reid.

Hairstylist Sky Kim slicked back Brooke's brunette mane and make-up artist Mark de los Reyes fully contoured her bronzed complexion.

Shields announced to The Zoe Report on Wednesday that she just 'turned in a manuscript for a new book' on a mystery topic and, Beginning is Now, her wellness and lifestyle brand focusing on women over 40 will officially 'launch this summer.'

The Pretty Baby star - whom TIME called the face of the 1980s - is famed for her iconic bushy brows, which have begun sprouting grey hairs much to her horror.

Brooke Shields might be celebrating her 59th birthday at the end of this month, but she proved she still knows how to pose for a sexy, high fashion magazine spread shot by photography duo Caleb & Gladys

The former child star flashed her Intimissimi bra, Naked Cashmere briefs, and Falke stockings beneath a black Givenchy coat selected by stylist Tiffany Reid

'I'm battling now with having grey eyebrows. I'm like, "Why?! When did that happen?!" So that's my next project. Watch, I'll look like Groucho Marx the next time you see me,' wisecracked Brooke.

Shields urges young women to never alter their brows because of a trend like bleaching or skinny, the latter of which she jokingly called 'a personal affront' that she 'took very personally' back in the nineties.

The native New Yorker and her husband of 23 years, film producer Chris Henchy, are proud parents of two very different daughters - 21-year-old college student Rowan and 18-year-old model Grier.

'One of them [Grier] is obsessed with beauty and the other [Rowan], just does not spend the time on herself,' Brooke explained.

'But I think it's just to really try to stay as much their individual selves as possible. Everybody sort of is looking the same, and their individuality to me, is what I always stressed to them to maintain and honor it.'

Shields has walked a lot of red carpets but her favorite dress she ever wore was a 'beautiful' custom red strapless number from Australian designer Richard Tyler that she donned for the 1998 Golden Globe Awards.

'I got yelled at the next day by the agency because they said I looked too much like a movie star and not like an actress, and that I shouldn't have worn red on the carpet,' the 6ft stunner recalled.

'The next year, everybody wore red on that same carpet, and then some 30-something years later, my older daughter wore it to her prom.'

Hairstylist Sky Kim slicked back Brooke's brunette mane and make-up artist Mark de los Reyes fully contoured her bronzed complexion

Shields announced to The Zoe Report on Wednesday that she just 'turned in a manuscript for a new book' on a mystery topic and, Beginning is Now, her wellness and lifestyle brand focusing on women over 40 will officially 'launch this summer'

The Pretty Baby star - whom TIME called the face of the 1980s - is famed for her iconic bushy brows, which have begun sprouting grey hairs much to her horror

'I'm battling now with having grey eyebrows. I'm like, "Why?! When did that happen?!" So that's my next project. Watch, I'll look like Groucho Marx the next time you see me,' wisecracked Brooke

Shields urges young women to never alter their brows because of a trend like bleaching or skinny, the latter of which she jokingly called 'a personal affront' that she 'took very personally' back in the nineties

The native New Yorker and her husband of 23 years, film producer Chris Henchy (2-R, pictured December 26), are proud parents of two very different daughters - 21-year-old college student Rowan (2-L) and 18-year-old model Grier (R)

Brooke explained: 'One of them [Grier] is obsessed with beauty and the other [Rowan], just does not spend the time on herself. But I think it's just to really try to stay as much their individual selves as possible'

Shields has walked a lot of red carpets but her favorite dress she ever wore was a 'beautiful' custom red strapless number from Australian designer Richard Tyler that she donned for the 1998 Golden Globe Awards

The 6ft stunner recalled: 'I got yelled at the next day by the agency because they said I looked too much like a movie star and not like an actress, and that I shouldn't have worn red on the carpet'

She continued: 'The next year, everybody wore red on that same carpet, and then some 30-something years later, my older daughter (R, pictured in 2021) wore it to her prom'

Brooke executive produced and stars as the titular Lana in Mark Waters' Thailand-set rom-com Mother of the Bride - premiering this Thursday on Netflix - alongside Miranda Cosgrove (R), Benjamin Bratt, and Chad Michael Murray

Shields said: 'Lana knows enough that she doesn't want to get shut out, so she has to pivot if she still wants to be in her daughter's life and be a part of it. You learn that as a mom, because you can put such an iron fist down that you're left out of all of it. Once they start leaving you, it's the worst feeling in the world'

The self-described 'laugh whore' promoted her Zoe Report cover by triumphantly declaring to her 2M Instagram followers: 'I'm funny, damn it!'

Brooke explained: 'There's a thing that happens with comedy. It's like a wave: You get it, and then you get it again, and sometimes, you even get a third, but you've got to be really careful because then you could take a dive'

Shields continued: '[Starring in the Broadway musical Wonderful Town in 2004-2005] was just such a source of pride and levity and also being really in the pocket of what I love to do  what I do the best out of all the stuff that I can do'

Brooke executive produced and stars as the titular Lana in Mark Waters' Thailand-set rom-com Mother of the Bride - premiering this Thursday on Netflix - alongside Miranda Cosgrove, Benjamin Bratt, and Chad Michael Murray.

'Lana knows enough that she doesn't want to get shut out, so she has to pivot if she still wants to be in her daughter's life and be a part of it,' Shields said of her character.

'You learn that as a mom, because you can put such an iron fist down that you're left out of all of it. Once they start leaving you, it's the worst feeling in the world.'

The self-described 'laugh whore' promoted her Zoe Report cover by triumphantly declaring to her 2M Instagram followers: 'I'm funny, damn it!'

'There's a thing that happens with comedy. It's like a wave: You get it, and then you get it again, and sometimes, you even get a third, but you've got to be really careful because then you could take a dive,' Brooke explained.

'That period of time was just such a source of pride and levity and also being really in the pocket of what I love to do  what I do the best out of all the stuff that I can do.'

Shields also voices Willow in Kevin Donovan and Gottfried Roodt's animated film Gracie and Pedro: Pets to the Rescue - hitting US theaters in August - alongside Susan Sarandon, Alicia Silverstone, and Bill Nighy.

The two-time Golden Globe nominee's other upcoming films include Kelsey Bascom and Arnon Manor's comedy Quarter and Guy Jacobson's double jeopardy comedy Out of Order!
Elizabeth Hurley was joined by none other than her two exes Hugh Grant and Arun Nayar for the London screening of her joint film project with son Damian on Wednesday - which shows her in lesbian sex scenes.

The actress, who looked incredible in a racy green sequin dress, stars in her son's directorial debut Strictly Confidential, with much ado made over Damian directing his mother, 58, in the steamy scenes.

In the audience for Wednesday's screening at Chelsea's Everyman cinema were two of Liz's exes - Hugh and Arun.

There was little sign of any discomfort among the glitzy crowd as they settled down to watch Damian's debut, full of 'sex, duplicity and betrayal'.

Liz was in great spirits as she chatted away with Hugh and Arun after posing up a storm with her lookalike son on the red carpet.

Elizabeth Hurley was joined by her nearest and dearest for the London screening of her joint film project with son Damian on Wednesday

The actress, who looked incredible in a racy green sequin dress, stars in her son's directorial debut Strictly Confidential

Hugh, who is godfather to Damian, 22, looked thrilled as they posed on the red carpet together.

Elizabeth and Hugh have remained good friends over the years following their split over 20 years ago.

Hugh is now happily married to television producer, Anna Elisabet Eberstein, after the pair tied the knot in 2018, with the couple arriving hand in hand for Wednesday's event.

Liz was also supported during the evening by her ex-husband Arun. She and the multi-millionaire textile heir, 59, were married from 2007 to 2011, but have remained good friends after their divorce.

Arun is not Damian's biological father, but Elizabeth has previously said she always considered him to be his dad after the former couple got married when Damian was five.

The pair have a close relationship and during some summers they have holidayed together alongside Damian, whose biological father is the late Steve Bing.

Damian's movie, which was shot over 20 days in the Caribbean back in 2022, follows Mia, played by CBBC star Georgia Lock, as she is drawn into a 'world of sex, duplicity and betrayal' while trying to uncover the mystery surrounding her best friend Rebecca's death near her family home.

Much ado has been made over Damian directing Elizabeth in her lesbian sex scenes with co-star Pear Chiravara who, at age 28, is is 30 years younger than her.

Much ado has been made over Damian directing Elizabeth in her lesbian sex scenes with co-star Pear Chiravara who, at age 28, is is 30 years younger than her

In the audience for Wednesday's screening was none other than two of Liz's exes - Hugh Grant and Arun Nayar

Elizabeth Hurley was supported by ex partners who showed no sign of discomfort at the thought of watching their ex's racy sex scenes

Hugh, who is godfather to Elizabeth's son Damian, 22, who directed and wrote the new film, looked thrilled as they posed on the red carpet together

Elizabeth and Hugh have remained good friends over the years following their split over 20 years ago (pictured 1994)

Hugh is now happily married to television producer, Anna Elisabet Eberstein, after the pair tied the knot in 2018, with the couple arriving hand in hand for Wednesday's event

But the model has defended his decision to direct his mother in the film's racier moments, revealing they didn't even have an intimacy co-ordinator on set.

He insisted that while it may appear 'strange' to regular people, for those who have grown up in the industry as celebrity offspring, it is routine.

Liz has explained how she had 'always promised' Damian she would star in his first film after he 'chased her around' making films in his childhood.

She told The Telegraph: 'People have got their knickers in a twist about it a bit. But actually for us it wasnt a big deal at all, just one of the seven scenes we were shooting on that day.

'It seemed like a very natural progression of the relationship wed had. Being a single mother of a single child has meant by default that we have spent quite a great deal of time together, even though he was at boarding school for 10 years.

Arun is not Damian's biological father, but Elizabeth has previously said she always considered him to be his dad after the former couple got married when Damian was five

Liz's glamorous dress featured a daring cut out across the chest and an eye catching thigh high split

Elizabeth added inches to her frame in a pair of silver heels and accessorised with a pair of matching drop earrings

Leaving her long brunette tresses loose, the model applied a stunning palette of makeup including a dark smoky eye shadow

Elizabeth was joined by co-star Georgia Lock who looked amazing in a gold sequin gown

Meanwhile her son Damian, who directed and wrote the film, dressed smart in a black suit complete with an open collar matching shirt

Speaking to The Sunday Times about filming his mother's racy scenes, Damian admitted: 'I hate to say that it felt totally normal. I don't know what that says about us.'

'I was speaking to a lot of my friends who are also second generation of parents in the industry. They say exactly the same thing: that things to outsiders that may seem totally strange and extraordinary, for us we'll just have grown up with in everyday life.'

Damian added that there was no need for intimacy co-ordinators on set, claiming 'everyone was very comfortable'.

Damian's godfather seemed in high spirits as he held up two thumbs while posing at the star-studded event

The Notting Hill actor dressed to impress in a smart blue suit as he was joined by film director and Elton John's husband David James Furnish (R)

He added that Elizabeth taught him about sex when he was 'ludicrously young', insisting that it is a 'beautiful and natural' act, but banning him from watching violence in films.

Detailing their relationship, he explained that the pair were more like 'siblings' than parent and child, because it was just the two of them as he was growing up, admitting that their closeness has been even more acute and vital in recent years.

He added that they have 'twin telepathy' to the extent that they can 'have complete conversations just nodding and shaking our heads', saying they are 'extraordinarily alike and in tune'.

Talulah Riley and Thomas Brodie-Sangster looked more loved-up than ever at the screening as they posed on the red carpet

The St Trinian's actress looked stunning in a white floral dress which she teamed with matching heels and a leopard print handbag

Meanwhile the Maze Runner actor looked dapper in a navy suit and a brown satin open collar shirt

Elsewhere Abbey Clancy looked sensational in a off-white semi-sheer dress which featured a halter neckline

Talulah Riley and Thomas Brodie-Sangster looked more loved-up than ever at Wednesday night's screening of the movie as they posed on the red carpet.

The St Trinian's actress looked stunning in a white floral dress which she teamed with matching heels and a leopard print handbag.

Meanwhile the Maze Runner actor looked dapper in a navy suit and a brown satin open collar shirt.

Elsewhere Abbey Clancy looked sensational in a white semi-sheer dress which featured a halter neckline.

The model, 38, added inches to her frame in a pair of black heels as she posed on the red carpet

Abbey seemed in good spirits as she later posed with leading lady Elizabeth at the screening

Meanwhile Trinny Woodall looked stylish in a white three-piece suit complete with a fitted waist coast, an oversized blazer and flared matching trousers

She was all smiles as she accessorised by layering a number of pearl necklaces

Tamara Beckwith looked typically chic in a black blazer and matching trousers, teamed with heels

Michelle Visage cut a low-key figure at the event wearing a black figure hugging jumpsuit and boots

Abbey was joined by stylish sister Elle

Abbey and Ellie beamed as they posed for a selfie while enjoying a glass of wine

Thomas and Talulah arrived hand-in-hand

Abbey looked cool as she added a pair of black sunglasses to her ensemble

Elizabeth wore a pair of large sunglasses as she departed following the screening with co-star Georgia

Talulah was all smiles as she held onto Thomas' arm as they departed the screening

Abbey headed home for the evening
Reform initiatives in labor, education, pension go adrift without outcomes

By Nam Hyun-woo

President Yoon Suk Yeol will mark the second anniversary of his inauguration on Friday, but the presidential office seems to be devoid of any celebratory mood, with Yoons top initiatives of reforming Koreas labor, education and pension largely stalling amid ongoing partisan conflicts.

Awaiting Yoon is a challenging political landscape for the remaining three years of his presidency, as opposition parties will hold 192 out of 300 seats in the 22nd National Assembly, set to convene later this month.

Against that backdrop, the president is advised to start by clarifying his political agenda and policy direction and subsequently begin talks with the opposition to prevent the country from wasting three more years in an unproductive political stalemate.

Since his inauguration in May 2022, Yoon has been stressing his reform initiative in the countrys labor, education and pension systems, labeling them as the three major reforms.

The president said in his administration's first address at the National Assembly right after taking office that the three reforms are tasks which can no longer be postponed. He reiterated that message in his New Year addresses of last year and this year.

Despite Yoons push for the reform initiatives, experts are saying there have been no tangible outcomes so far, mostly because they started off without setting clear objectives.

Under the goal of setting up a sustainable and future-oriented labor market, Yoon attempted to extend the maximum workweek to 69 hours in March last year, but ended up facing strong opposition from not only civic groups but also the general public.

After stirring controversy, related debates have lost traction, and in November, the government ultimately decided to maintain the current 52-hour workweek and add complementary measures.

In education, Yoon caused controversy in June after saying that the countrys College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) should not contain extremely difficult questions most test-sitters could not solve on their own, in order to be fairer for students who cannot attend expensive cram schools. Additionally, the government launched tax audits on large cram schools later that month.

However, the actual test in November was widely assessed as one of the most difficult CSATs in the countrys history, and media interviews revealed that most of the top scorers had attended expensive cram schools.

The pension reform effort is even criticized as being negligent. The government asked the Assembly to form a committee to debate and formulate a reform plan for the national pension.

The committee members initially narrowed their differences in the way of paying less premiums and receiving more compensation, but failed to reach an agreement on Tuesday after the ruling People Power Party (PPP) echoed the governments concerns over sustainability.

During a meeting with main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung, Yoon said that the pension reform should be discussed more in the next Assembly.

Starting this year, Yoon added medical reform to his list, pushing his policy of increasing the number of doctors in the country by expanding the admissions quota of medical schools, despite a nationwide walkout by junior doctors and subsequent disruptions in major teaching hospitals medical services.

The fundamental problem is that the president is engaging in those reforms without setting up a clear agenda or policy directions with which he wants to guide the nation, said Ha Shang-eung, a politics professor at Sogang University.

It is difficult to understand what the president wants and what the benefits of his reform push are.

While the reform initiatives have gone adrift, partisan conflicts worsened, leading the president and his staff to concentrate on countering the oppositions political offensives, rather than addressing state affairs related to people's livelihoods.

In doing so, Yoon refused to communicate with the opposition, rejecting nine bills that passed the Assembly upon the DPKs endorsement, including a nursing act in May last year and a pro-labor bill limiting companies from making damage claims against legitimate labor union disputes in December.

In January, Yoon also exercised his veto power on a bill launching a special counsel to look into first lady Kim Keon Hees alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scandal and another to investigate the Itaewon crowd crush, which resulted in the deaths of 159 people in Seoul's Itaewon area in October 2022.

While threatening to propose those bills again in the next Assembly, the DPK is now urging Yoon to accept a special counsel probe into the government's alleged interference in the militarys investigation into the death of a Marine during a rescue operation. Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun died in a flash flood during a search and rescue operation around a flooded stream last July.

Amid the partisan conflict, the PPP suffered a crushing defeat in the April 10 general elections, securing only 108 seats in the 300-member Assembly, a result that forced Yoon to promise that he will change his political philosophy and way of running the government.

With the opposition bloc set to extend its legislative control for the next four years, political analysts are already casting a skeptical outlook over Yoon's ability to come up new policy tasks, and they suggest the president will have to find ways to cooperate with the opposition.

While the opposition is increasing its pressure on Yoon, his grip on the ruling party is also waning, as its lawmakers-elect openly opposed a Yoon loyalists bid to run for the PPPs floor leader post.

Yoons press conference scheduled for Thursday is gaining attention as it could serve as a barometer showing how Yoon will handle state affairs in the future.

There's no need to elaborate further on the importance of cooperation with the opposition, Ha said. However, before such cooperation can occur, he should clearly outline his political agenda and policy direction, so that the opposition can understand his objectives and work toward finding common ground through compromises.
Kourtney Kardashian revealed she was petrified to undergo emergency fetal surgery during her pregnancy with fourth child, Rocky Thirteen Barker, now six months.

In the first trailer for season 5 of The Kardashians, which dropped on Wednesday, the 45-year-old reality star opened up about the scary medical situation.

'This is the best blessing in the world,' the Poosh founder says. 'But it's also a high-risk pregnancy,' Kourtney says as footage pans of her Disneyland-themed baby shower and backstage at a Blink-182 concert.

The cameras also seemed to capture the moment her mother, Kris Jenner, learned her eldest child needed emergency surgery, which Kourtney previously revealed saved her son's life.

Kourtney Kardashian revealed she was petrified to undergo emergency fetal surgery during her pregnancy with fourth child, Rocky Thirteen Barker, now six months

'This is really crazy, so I just want Kourtney to be OK,' the momager said to one of the cameraman.

Following the procedure, Kourtney, who was recorded laying in a hospital gown as she held her spouse's hand, said in a confessional that going in for fetal surgery 'was terrifying.'

During the preview, her younger sister, Khloe Kardashian, revealed she made the decision to stay home while 'the whole family is out of the country' to stay close to Kourtney, who was approaching 'the very end of her pregnancy.'

'Someone has to be here  even for all the kids,' the TV personality mused, nodding to the 12 Kardashian-Jenner grandkids.

At the time, Kourtney kept fans updated on her health after being rushed to the hospital during the final trimester of pregnancy.

'I will be forever grateful to my incredible doctors for saving our baby's life,' she wrote on Instagram. 'I am eternally grateful to my husband who rushed to my side from tour to be with me in the hospital and take care of me afterwards, my rock. And to my mom, thank you for holding my hand through this.'

Kourtney then went on to reveal that despite having pregnancy complications before she still wasn't ready for what had happened.

The mother-of-four continued: 'As someone who has had three really easy pregnancies in the past, I wasn't prepared for the fear of rushing into urgent fetal surgery.

In the first trailer for season 5 of The Kardashians, which dropped on Wednesday, the 45-year-old reality star opened up about the scary medical situation

The cameras also seemed to capture the moment her mother, Kris Jenner, learned her eldest child needed emergency surgery, which Kourtney previously revealed saved their son's life

Following the procedure, Kourtney said in a confessional that going in for fetal surgery 'was terrifying'

'I don't think anyone who hasn't been through a similar situation can begin to understand that feeling of fear. I have a whole new understanding and respect for the mamas who have had to fight for their babies while pregnant.

'Praise be to God. Walking out of the hospital with my baby boy in my tummy and safe was the truest blessing.'

A month after undergoing surgery to save her unborn baby's life, she and Barker welcomed their first child together.

It was a long road for Kardashian and Barker as they spent two years trying to conceive their baby.

Kourtney tried IVF several times and she did not get pregnant until she finally stopped all treatments in late 2022.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians veteran has said in the past that she feels getting pregnant naturally was 'God's plan.'

The Poosh founder also called her pregnancy 'the best blessing in the world'

In addition to documenting the scary fetal surgery, her baby shower was documented for their series

At the time, Kardashian kept fans updated on her health after being rushed to the hospital during the final trimester of pregnancy as she thanked her 'incredible doctors' for saving her son's life

In mid-October she told Vanity Fair Italia she had conceived naturally after failed attempts at IVF for two years.

'I just say: how could you question God's plan? Because that's how I see this pregnancy, which came when both Travis and I weren't even thinking about it anymore and a year after we stopped IVF,' she said.

Kourtney revealed last December that she'd officially stopped her IVF journey 10 months prior after she said it caused her to spiral into a deep depression among other symptoms.

The reality star revealed her pregnancy news to the public while Barker performed on stage at his concert as she held up a sign that read: 'Travis, I'm Pregnant.'

A month after undergoing surgery to save her unborn baby's life, she and Barker welcomed their first child together

It was a long road for Kardashian and Barker as they spent two years trying to conceive their baby

It was a nod to the band's iconic All The Small Things music video, in which a similar sign appears.

After catching a glimpse of his wife's message, Travis jumped down off the stage, made his way towards her and the couple shared a passionate kiss.

Kourtney and Travis became romantically involved in late 2020 after nearly a decade of friendship. They made their relationship Instagram official in February 2021 and were engaged by that October.

The couple wed at a courthouse in Santa Barbara in May 2022 before jetting off to Portofino, Italy a week later to hold a lavish wedding at the Dolce & Gabbana mansion in front of their friends and family.
Elizabeth Hurley was supported by ex partners Hugh Grant and Arun Nayar at her latest film Strictly Confidential's London screening on Wednesday.

The actress, 58, was in great spirits as she chatted away to the Notting Hill actor, 63, who she dated for 13 years before splitting in 2000.

She looked incredible in a green sequin dress which featured a bold cut out across the chest and a daring thigh high split.

While Hugh cut a dapper figure in a black suit and a smart white open collar shirt.

Hugh, who is godfather to Elizabeth's son Damian, 22, who directed and wrote the new film, looked thrilled as they posed on the red carpet together.

Elizabeth Hurley was supported by ex partners Hugh Grant and Arun Nayar (pictured) at her latest film Strictly Confidential's London screening on Wednesday

The actress, 58, was in great spirits as she chatted away to the Notting Hill actor, 63, who she dated for 13 years before splitting in 2000

Elizabeth and Hugh have remained good friends over the years following their split over 20 years ago.

Hugh is now happily married to television producer, Anna Elisabet Eberstein, after the pair tied the knot in 2018.

Elizabeth was also supported during the evening by her ex-husband Arun, who cut a casual figure in jeans and a khaki jacket.

The model and the multi-millionaire textile heir, 59, were married from 2007 to 2011, but have remained good friends after their divorce.

Arun is not Damian's biological father, but Elizabeth has previously said she always considered him to be his dad after the former couple got married when Damian was five.

During a previous interview with the Daily Mail's YOU magazine in 2018, Elizabeth said of Arun: 'Arun is Damian's daddy and a very good one too, they see each other a lot.'

The pair have a close relationship and during some summers they have holidayed together alongside Damian, whose biological father is the late Steve Bing.

Hugh, who is godfather to Elizabeth's son Damian, 22, who directed and wrote the new film, looked thrilled as they posed on the red carpet together

Elizabeth and Hugh have remained good friends over the years following their split over 20 years ago (pictured 1994)

The former couple dressed to impress for the evening as Elizabeth wowed in a cut out sequin green gown while Hugh looked smart in a black suit

Hugh is now happily married to television producer, Anna Elisabet Eberstein, after the pair tied the knot in 2018

On June 22 2020, the movie producer died by suicide at the age of 55.

Damian was born after an 18-month relationship between millionaire businessman Bing and Elizabeth in the early 2000s.

The pair split amid a bitter paternity row and a subsequent DNA test confirmed Bing was Damian's father.

Strictly Confidential follows Mia, played by CBBC star Georgia Lock, as she is drawn into a 'world of sex, duplicity and betrayal' while trying to uncover the mystery surrounding her best friend Rebecca's death near her family home in the Caribbean.

Much ado has been made over Damian directing Elizabeth in her lesbian sex scenes with co-star Pear Chiravara who, at age 28, is is 30 years younger than her.

But the model has defended his decision to direct his mother in the film's racier moments, revealing they didn't even have an intimacy co-ordinator on set.

Elizabeth was also supported during the evening by her ex-husband Arun, who cut a casual figure in jeans and a khaki jacket

The former couple (pictured in 2010) were married from 2007 to 2011, but have remained good friends after their divorce

Arun is not Damian's biological father, but Elizabeth has previously said she always considered him to be his dad after the former couple got married when Damian was five

Much ado has been made over Damian directing Elizabeth in her lesbian sex scenes with co-star Pear Chiravara who, at age 28, is is 30 years younger than her

He insisted that while it may appear 'strange' to regular people, for those who have grown up in the industry as celebrity offspring, it is routine.

Liz has explained how she had 'always promised' Damian she would star in his first film after he 'chased her around' making films in his childhood.

She told The Telegraph: 'People have got their knickers in a twist about it a bit. But actually for us it wasnt a big deal at all, just one of the seven scenes we were shooting on that day.

'It seemed like a very natural progression of the relationship wed had. Being a single mother of a single child has meant by default that we have spent quite a great deal of time together, even though he was at boarding school for 10 years.
Cameron Diaz was back at work as she was seen on the set of her new film Outcome for the first time.

The actress, 51, was seen shooting the dark comedy with Keanu Reeves and Matt Bomer in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

She wore a brown corset style dress and leopard print leggings with her feet slipped into Birkenstocks.

It comes just over a month after Cameron announced she and her husband Benji Madden, 45, had welcomed their second child together, a son named Cardinal.

Outcomes follows Reef (Reeves), described by Deadline as 'a damaged Hollywood star who must dive into the dark depths of his past to confront his demons and make amends after he is extorted with a mysterious video clip.'

Cameron Diaz was back at work as she was seen on the set of her new film Outcome for the first time in Los Angeles on Thursday

Keanu Reeves and Matt Bomer were also spotted on the set

It's unknown what role Cameron is playing in the film.

The project also stars Jonah Hill, who is set to direct the movie.

Cameron appeared in high spirits as she prepared to throw herself into character, a huge smile on her face as she emerged from a building with the production crew gathered around.

Her long, blonde locks were perfectly styled into a sleek 'do with a stylish center part. At times she rocked a pair of smart spectacles.

Keanu donned a white T-shirt, jeans, and suede footwear for his day on set.

The Matrix alum strode across the set alongside Matt, who sported a quirky get-up consisting of a floral print button down and yellow jeans.

The sighting comes after Cameron un-retired from acting to star opposite Jamie Foxx in the upcoming film Back In Action.

It also comes after Cameron announced the arrival of her second child with husband Benji.

Cameron appeared in high spirits as she prepared to throw herself into character, a huge smile on her face as she emerged from a building with the production crew gathered around

The Matrix alum strode across the set alongside Matt, who sported a quirky get-up consisting of a floral print button down and yellow jeans

She announced his arrival on Instagram back in March, gushing her newborn is 'really cute' but adding she wouldn't be posting photos for his 'safety and privacy.'

Cameron did not reveal Cardinal's date of birth or how he was conceived.

The couple, who wed back in 2015, also share four-year-old daughter Raddix.

'We are blessed and excited to announce the birth of our Son, Cardinal Madden,' wrote Cameron, who included a piece of artwork that read: 'A little bird whispered to me.'

Diaz announced the arrival of her second child in March

She continued: 'He is awesome and We are all so happy he is here! For the kids safety and privacy we won't be posting any pictures- but he's a really cute

'We are feeling so blessed and grateful Sending much love from our fam to yours Best wishes and Good Afternoon!!' Cameron concluded.

The announcement was accompanied by a drawing with the words: 'A little bird whispered to me,' written on the front.
Glen Powell's stardom continues to ascend as he gears up to headline a new film alongside a few Hollywood heavyweights.

The Anyone But You actor, 35  who recently admitted he 'leaned into' those Sydney Sweeney romance rumors  is set to star in Monsanto, a new legal drama from writer-director John Lee Hancock featuring Anthony Mackie and Oscar-winner Laura Dern.

The film follows the journey of Brent Wisner (Powell), a young attorney, as he confronts the formidable chemical company Monsanto in a case represented by Dewayne 'Lee' Johnson (Mackie), a high school groundskeeper unknowingly affected by the company's product, Roundup.

Throughout the trial, Dr. Melinda Rogers (Dern), Monsanto's chief toxicologist, staunchly defends Roundup's safety.

'Ive always been fascinated by true stories of ordinary people against extraordinary odds,' Powell said in a statement. 'This story encapsulates that spirit with a critical issue that affects us all. And its a privilege to bring it to audiences with an exceptional filmmaker and powerful cast.'

Glen Powell 's stardom continues to ascend as he gears up to headline a new film alongside a few Hollywood heavyweights; seen in January

Powell is set to star in Monsanto, a new legal drama from writer-director John Lee Hancock featuring Anthony Mackie and Oscar-winner Laura Dern; Mackie (L) in May, Dern (R) in January

Dern added: 'Ive loved my collaborations with John Lee and look forward to working with him again. There couldnt be a more vital story to be a part of.'

'I was drawn to this contemporary David vs. Goliath true story because I found it dramatic, moving, quite funny and of critical importance in todays world,' said Hancock.

'My ambitions are to deliver a smart, thoughtful and commercial legal drama that takes the audience on a human journey.'

Adam McKay is producing the screenplay written by Hancock, Michael Wisner, Alexandra Duparc and Ned Benson.

'These days stories about the "little guy" taking on huge institutions seem few and far between, both in real life and on the big screen,' said McKay in a statement.

'So, when a story as riveting and inspiring as this one shows up on our desks we get excited. Why? Because people love and need these movies. They always have and always will.

'Erin Brockovich, Silkwood, Its a Wonderful Life, Spotlight, 12 Angry Men, Moneyball, Norma Rae I legitimately think I can list 200 wildly successful and beloved films about real people standing up against overwhelming odds with only fairness and truth on their side. So, lets make number 201.'

Lately, Powell has been riding a wave of success in Tinseltown.

Having graced the screens of hits like Hidden Figures, Everybody Wants Some, and Top Gun: Maverick, Powell soared into the spotlight with the recent rom-com Anyone But You.

Blind Side's John Lee Hancock is set to direct

Lately, Powell has been riding a wave of success in Tinseltown; seen with Sidney Sweeney in Anyone But You

Powell graced the screens of hits like Hidden Figures, Everybody Wants Some, and Top Gun: Maverick

His first big role came in the TV series Scream Queens

Up next, he dives into Netflix's Hit Man, a project he not only stars in but also co-wrote alongside director Richard Linklater, before embarking on Universal's adrenaline-fueled Twisters.

Amidst this whirlwind, he's currently filming the gripping revenge tale Huntington in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Mackie is set to make his grand entrance onto the big screen as Captain America in marvel's Captain America: Brave New World in February 2025.

Dern will next appear in Lonely Planet for Netflix; as well as an untitled Noah Baumbach project.
Jenelle Evans makes her 'mom-umental return' to the Teen Mom franchise with a 'special appearance' in the second season of The Next Chapter, which premieres May 30 on MTV.

The 32-year-old reality TV veteran - who boasts 9.3M social media followers - wrote via Instastory on Wednesday: 'Yayyyy, I can finally say yes... I'm back!'

Jenelle - who made a cameo last season - showed up at the end of the newly-dropped teaser, where she declared: 'I think it'll be good to have a fresh start.'

Season two stars Amber Portwood, Ashley Jones Siren, Briana Dejesus, Catelynn Lowell Baltierra, Cheyenne Floyd, Jade Cline, Leah Messer, Maci Bookout McKinney, and Mackenzie McKee Taylor.

Last Saturday, Evans got ready for her close-up with a Coolaser facial resurfacing treatment at Epoine in Beverly Hills run by Dr. Simon Ourian - the same cosmetic dermatologist who's treated the Kardashian-Jenner clan, Lady Gaga, and Megan Fox.

Jenelle Evans makes her 'mom-umental return' to the Teen Mom franchise with a 'special appearance' in the second season of The Next Chapter, which premieres May 30 on MTV

The 32-year-old reality TV veteran - who boasts 9.3M social media followers - wrote via Instastory on Wednesday: 'Yayyyy, I can finally say yes... I'm back!'

Audiences were first introduced to the North Carolina native back in 2010 when she appeared in the second season of MTV reality show, 16 and Pregnant.

Jenelle went on to star in the spin-off Teen Mom 2 for nine seasons until she was fired in 2019 after her estranged second husband, David Eason, shot and killed their French Bulldog Nugget.

The 35-year-old Black River Metal and Wood designer - who was fired by MTV in 2018 - is currently facing one count of misdemeanor child abuse and one count of felony assault by strangulation against Evans' 14-year-old son Jace (with ex Andrew Lewis) on September 28.

On February 23, the former medical assistant filed for divorce from David after six years of marriage, listing February 16 as their separation date, and they're parents of seven-year-old daughter Ensley - according to The US Sun.

In legal docs, Jenelle claimed Eason - who just got 'homesick' tattooed on his knuckles - 'refuses to work' and is living on her docked boat 'spending his days drinking liquor at a bar near the marina.'

In the comments of Teen Mom's Instagram account, some fans were 'excited' and 'interested to see Jenelle's growth' while others blasted MTV for bringing back 'someone who allowed her husband to choke her kid.'

'I'm here for Jenelle's comeback. Just please don't hurt any animals I beg you,' @sharlyshar commented.

While @xoxoraquel_ scoffed: 'I think bringing back @j_evans1219 is a horrible idea... she's gonna get back with @easondavid88 tomorrow.'

Jenelle - who made a cameo last season - showed up at the end of the newly-dropped teaser, where she declared: 'I think it'll be good to have a fresh start'

Season two stars Amber Portwood (M), Ashley Jones Siren, Briana Dejesus, Catelynn Lowell Baltierra, Cheyenne Floyd, Jade Cline, Leah Messer, Maci Bookout McKinney, and Mackenzie McKee Taylor

Last Saturday, Evans got ready for her close-up with a Coolaser facial resurfacing treatment at Epoine in Beverly Hills run by Dr. Simon Ourian - the same cosmetic dermatologist who's treated the Kardashian-Jenner clan, Lady Gaga, and Megan Fox

Audiences were first introduced to the North Carolina native back in 2010 when she appeared in the second season of MTV reality show, 16 and Pregnant

Jenelle went on to star in the spin-off Teen Mom 2 for nine seasons until she was fired in 2019 after her estranged second husband, David Eason (L, pictured in 2019), shot and killed their French Bulldog Nugget (R)

The 35-year-old Black River Metal and Wood designer (2-L) - who was fired by MTV in 2018 - is currently facing one count of misdemeanor child abuse and one count of felony assault by strangulation against Evans' 14-year-old son Jace (2-R, with ex Andrew Lewis) on September 28 (pictured September 28)

On February 23, the former medical assistant filed for divorce from David (pictured last Friday) after six years of marriage, listing February 16 as their separation date, and they're parents of seven-year-old daughter Ensley

In the comments of Teen Mom's Instagram account, some fans were 'excited' and 'interested to see Jenelle's growth' while others blasted MTV for bringing back 'someone who allowed her husband to choke her kid'

Evans - who was arrested four times between 2010-2012 - is also mother to son Kaiser aka Bubba (L, pictured November 23) - turning 10 next month - from her relationship with ex-fiance Nathan Griffith, which ended in 2015

Last month, the content creator cryptically revealed she pulled all three of her 'stressed' children out of public school until summer break for their 'safety' but 'wouldn't go into detail about that' other than 'we're going to do homeschooling' (pictured March 3)

'I'm all for giving Jenelle a clean slate, but I [swear to God] if she gets with another guy. I give up,' @_.jessie111_ wrote.

Evans - who was arrested four times between 2010-2012 - is also mother to son Kaiser aka Bubba - turning 10 next month - from her relationship with ex-fiance Nathan Griffith, which ended in 2015.

Last month, the content creator cryptically revealed she pulled all three of her 'stressed' children out of public school until summer break for their 'safety' but 'wouldn't go into detail about that' other than 'we're going to do homeschooling.'

Aside from TV gigs, Jenelle commands $250/video on Cameo and $20/month on the XXX platform OnlyFans.
Jenna Dewan bared baby bump - with just one month to go until the arrival of her third child.

The actress - who is expecting her second child with fiance Steve Kazee and third overall - posed completely naked before a window with just her hands protecting her modesty.

She popped her leg as she gazed outside, her hands clasping her cleavage.

'One more month,' she captioned the post with a white heart emoji.

Jenna, 43, has son Callum, four, with her fiance Steve and daughter Everly, 10, with ex-husband Channing Tatum.

Jenna Dewan bared baby bump - with just one month to go until the arrival of her third child

Dewan and Tatum were married for just under 10 years before the actress filed for divorce in 2018.

While Dewan and Tatum were officially divorced in November 2019, issues including Magic Mike earnings, division of assets, spousal support and child support for their daughter Everly remain unresolved despite years of legal battles.

The legal battle has gotten uglier with Jenna's rep accusing Tatum of 'bullying' after he objected to her request to bifurcate a trial.

In response to Tatum denying claims Dewan made against him in her recently filed Request For Order, her rep told ET: 'Is Channing really calling Jenna a "liar" for trying to get back an asset that he effectively stole from her in clear violation of California family law?

'These latest smears and falsehoods are really just more of the same bullying and gaslighting Jenna has been subjected to for years. Regardless of whether Channing chooses to do the right thing, Jenna is confident that the law and the facts are on her side and she hopes this will soon come to a proper and honest conclusion.'

The legal battle has seen Tatum fighting back against Dewan's demands for a bigger slice of the profits from his 'billion dollar' Magic Mike movies and live shows.

Six years after they split up, Dewan is claiming that Tatum secretly plotted with others to hide his earning from the sexy male stripper franchise which was created when the two were still married.

But in new court documents exclusively discovered by DailyMail.com Tatum vehemently challenges the accusation, saying: 'I have always agreed for her to have an interest in the Magic Mike intellectual property and related entities.

While Dewan and Tatum were officially divorced in November 2019, issues including Magic Mike earnings, division of assets, spousal support and child support for their 10 year-old daughter Everly remain unresolved despite years of legal battles; pictured 2017

'I have never denied her share of any community assets or income. Her claims that I have "colluded with third parties" are completely false.

'She has had complete access to all our financial records for all activities during our marriage and since separation. I continue to provide her with updates regarding Magic Mike financial matters.'

While the couple were officially divorced in November 2019, issues including Magic Mike earnings, division of assets, spousal support and child support for their 10 year-old daughter Everly remain unresolved despite years of legal battles.

Now, Dewan has filed a motion asking LA Superior Court for the Magic Mike revenue issue be 'bifurcated' which means it would be dealt with in a trial separate from the other issues.

Dewan is expecting her second child with fiance Steve Kazee; pictured last month in Beverly Hills

Tatum meanwhile opposes bifurcation and wants all their disputes settled together, 'to finalize our divorce case without further delay' and accuses his ex of 'delaying tactics to prolong resolution of our financial settlementand to seek a windfall from me.'

Now engaged to actress Zoe Kravitz, 35, Tatum is also against paying spousal support to his former wife, saying in his new court filing, 'I do not believe (Dewan's) request for spousal support is appropriate.

'We had a short term marriage of eight years and eight months and separated over six years ago. Dewan started co-habiting with her fiance (Steve Kazee) shortly after our separation five and a half years ago.

'Dewan works, is able to contribute to her own support and will receive one half of the community property, residuals and royalties and income from other investments.

'She will also have substantial investment income fro the cash assets she has received in our divorce. She has received millions of dollars in cash assets.

Tatum has since moved on and is now engaged to Zoe Kravitz; pictured 2021

'She will receive additional cash assets when the remainder of our estate is divided and post separation accounting is finalized.

'There are not, nor have there ever been, any orders for temporary spousal support. I believe she is now requesting spousal support from me to further delay our financial settlement.'

The Magic Mike success story - based on Tatum's own earlier experiences as stripper in Florida - started in 2012 with the first movie. He and the film's director, Steven Soderbergh, co-financed the project.

Their $7 million investment turned into a blockbuster, earning $167 million worldwide. Then came two more films, followed by touring striptease shows that have also been a big hit.

At a hearing last month, Dewan's attorney, Samantha Spector, described the Magic Mike business as 'a potential billion dollar asset.'

Tatum's attorney Jacqueline Combs, insists that the Magic Mike franchise made most of its money after he and Dewan had already separated.

During their marriage, they welcomed daughter Everly together; pictured 2017

And in his 64 pages of new court documents, Tatum says that while he and several third party business partners had invested money, time and effort into making the Magic Mike brand a success, 'Dewan has not contributed any efforts to enhance the Magic Mike intellectual property.

'Contrary to Dewan's allegations, I have only acted in the best interest of the community throughout our marriage and since separation.

'I have expended substantial post-separation efforts to enhance the Magic Mike intellectual property and I have also licensed my name and likeness to the related business.

'I believe these post-separation efforts give rise to my separate property claims to those assets but they have also benefitted the community. Without my post-separation efforts, the Magic Mike entities would have failed.'

As for Dewan's claim that he was secretly hiding money in a trust, Tatum adds, 'She is wrong.

'Together, Dewan and I established an irrevocable trust to invest in certain businesses and made Everly the sole beneficiary. This was done with Dewan's knowledge and involvement.'

The former couple are due back in court May 15 for a judge to hear Dewan's bifurcation motion. A trial is scheduled for December.
Anti-vaxxer influencer Mitch Orval has claimed vindication after a Covid jab was withdrawn globally due to its potential side effects.

On Tuesday, AstraZeneca announced it was removing its Covid vaccine worldwide, a week after the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical giant conceded the vaccine can cause fatal blood clots and low platelet counts.

Gold Coast-based Mitch, 27, who openly flouted Covid mandates including masks and vaccines during the pandemic, was quick to gloat over the news via Instagram on Wednesday.

'I received written death threats to my house for not taking this,' he wrote next to a stock photo of AstraZeneca vaccine bottles.

'I lost all of my brand deals, I am still blacklisted from working with companies, I was scruitinised online, had people taking photos of me at cafes and restaurants to send to authorities for "breaking the law",' he continued.

Anti-vaxxer influencer Mitch Orval, 27, (pictured) claimed vindication on Wednesday after the AstraZeneca Covid jab was withdrawn globally due to its potential side effects

'I received written death threats to my house for not taking this,' he wrote next to a stock photo of AstraZeneca vaccine bottles

Mitch said his experience taught him to 'listen to his intuition' when you 'believe in something', regardless of what others say.

'If you survived the social pressure of not taking this bulls**t, congratulations. I admire you!' he added.

Mitch proceeded to share a message to his haters while sharing a photo of himself flipping the birdie while wearing a hat emblazoned with the phrase: 'We are creations of God'.

'To all y'all who made mine and my family's life hell for years, thanks - you made us stronger,' wrote the YouTuber, who shares two children with fellow influencer and anti-vaxxer Chloe Szepanowski.

Mitch proceeded to share a message to his haters while sharing a photo of himself flipping the birdie while wearing a hat emblazoned with the phrase: 'We are creations of God'

Mitch then quoted a bible passage about God 'putting you back together right in front of the people who broke you', before sharing another post in which he rejoiced: 'All those people promoting the vax and telling their followers they are selfish are real quite now hey'

'The same level you tore me down with, will now build me up. I will now wear the label anti vaxxer with pride,' he declared.

Mitch then quoted a bible passage about God 'putting you back together right in front of the people who broke you', before sharing another post in which he rejoiced: 'All those people promoting the vax and telling their followers they are selfish are real quite now hey'.

Mitch and Chloe made headlines during the pandemic for publicly ignoring Covid rules and emphasising their 'pro-choice' stance on social media.

Mitch and Chloe (right) made headlines during the pandemic for publicly ignoring Covid rules and emphasising their 'pro-choice' stance on social media

In November 2021, Mitch Orval reportedly caused a scene at the buffet area of a Gold Coast resort staff asked him to wear a face mask and shoes.

In August the same year, Chloe and Mitch were also slammed online for sharing a YouTube video of themselves shopping in Queensland without wearing masks.

While credited with saving more than 6million lives, the AstraZeneca Covid jab  known as Vaxzevria  has come under intense scrutiny in recent months over a rare but fatal side effect.

In August 2021 the couple were slammed online for sharing a YouTube video of themselves shopping in Queensland without wearing masks

In February, the pharmaceutical titan admitted in documents lodged with the UK High Court that it 'can, in very rare cases, cause thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)'.

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Authority previously discontinued use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in April 2023.

However, this week an Australian advocate of the coronavirus vaccines argued that avoiding that particular jab caused more deaths than it saved.

'Overall, its safety profile is not as high as Pfizer due to clotting, but we need to keep this in perspective,' Professor Peter Collignon told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday.

Researchers believe the rare side effect occurs due to the modified cold virus lurking in the jab having an adverse effect on platelets in the blood, triggering clotting

'For females aged 30-50 there is a 1-in-40,000 chance of a death from taking the AstraZeneca vaccine, but the overall death rate from taking it is 1-in-100,000.'

Prof Collignon said some commonly available drugs such as aspirin have similar death rates.

He said the producers of the vaccine and regulators could not have been expected to know the full potential side effects at a time when there appeared to be an urgent need to get it distributed.

'You can't test 100,000 in a trial, which is why it is importance to have surveillance after a drug becomes available,' he said.

'The side effect is real, we need to know these things, but it is a very rare side effect.'

Prof Collignon said that in the early days of the virus an '80-year-old caught Covid, they had a 1-in-10 chance of dying, but it would have been 1-in-100,000 if they had taken the AstraZeneca vaccine'.

The AstraZeneca jab was soon superseded in the public mind by Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines, and many therefore rejected it and waited for the supposedly improved treatments to arrive in Australia.

He said people put their health at risk during the pandemic by not taking the AstraZeneca vaccine even though it was available.

'People waiting for the Pfizer vaccine caused a few hundred more deaths in Australia than we needed to have due to the adverse publicity,' Prof Collignon, who lectures at the Australian National University's medical school, said.
Coronation Street's Sally Dynevor has appeared to confirm her daughter Phoebe Dynevor's engagement.

The actress, who plays Sally Metcalfe in the long-running ITV soap, shared an Instagram snap of the Bridgerton actress jumping into her rumoured fiance Cameron Fullers arms in what could be a post-proposal shot.

Phoebe looked on cloud nine as she wrapped her arms around Cameron - who is also an actor and son of Hollywood producer Brad Fuller - and flicked her leg behind her.

She cut a stylish figure in a trench coat while her partner donned an all black outfit as they beamed for a photo, at what looked like a country estate, as a rainbow appeared in the sky behind them.

Sally did not caption the sweet photo of the couple who are notoriously private and have largely kept their romance under wraps.

Coronation Street 's Sally Dynevor has appeared to confirm her daughter Phoebe Dynevor 's engagement by sharing a snap of the Bridgerton actress jumping into her rumoured fiance Cameron Fullers arms

Sally did not caption the sweet photo of the couple who are notoriously private and have largely kept their romance under wraps

Phoebe first sparked engagement rumours when she attended the star-studded Met Gala on Monday with a huge diamond ring on her left hand.

The actress looked ethereal for the fashion event held at New York's Metropolitan Museum in a pale pink gown, which was the first custom dress by Victoria Beckham.

The elegant tulle number boasted a long flowing train adorned with a lace floral design and ruffles.

Despite her stunning ensemble, eyes were drawn to her left hand, where she wore a dazzling diamond ring on her fourth finger.

After seeing the ring on her engagement finger, many have begun to speculate if it means Phoebe is set to tie the knot.

Phoebe has been dating the son of Hollywood producer Brad Fuller, 28, for a year after first being spotted together leaving a hotel in March 2023.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Phoebe Dynevor for comment.

Phoebe and Cameron made their first public appearance as couple at Wimbledon in July last year.

Sally, who regularly shared proud snaps of her daughter, is pictured with Phoebe

Phoebe first sparked rumours as she attended the star-studded Met Gala on Monday w ith a huge dazzling ring on her engagement finger

Phoebe and fellow actor Cameron have kept their relationship private after first being pictured together last year (pictured together in February)

Despite her stunning ensemble, eyes were drawn to her left hand, where she wore a dazzling diamond ring on her fourth finger

The actress looked ethereal in a custom pale pink gown by Victoria Beckham. The elegant tulle number boasted a long flowing train adorned with a lace floral design and ruffles

The pair then made another rare appearance together in February this year at the 2024 BAFTAs, where Phoebe was nominated for the EE Rising Star Award.

Cameron has starred in a handful of US television shows with a major role in The Last Ship, which his father was an executive producer for.

He is also known for his YouTube channel with real life best friend Gregg Sulkin.

Before dating Cameron, Phoebe was briefly linked to Andrew Garfield in 2022, after they met at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards in London.

The actress was said to have hit it off with the former Spiderman star, who is 12 years her senior, during the star-studded after party for the bash.

She also previously dated US comedian Pete Davidson for around five months, but they split up in 2021.

'It was wild while it lasted and they both really care for each other,' an insider told The Sun at the time.

'But the distance has put a strain on them. Their mates think they make a great couple but the distance has made it completely unworkable.'

Meanwhile, Cameron sparked dating rumours with actress Lucy Hale in 2022 as they were pictured out on dinner dates several times.

He also dated fellow internet personality Lauren Elizabeth for nearly three years.

Phoebe has been dating the son of Hollywood producer Brad Fuller, 28, for a year after first being spotted together leaving a hotel in March 2023 (pictured)
A former MTV star has said farewell to the Golden State and hello to a popular city with lower taxes.

Steve-O, who was born Stephen Glover, listed his three-bedroom, three-bathroom Hollywood Hills home and has already moved into a ranch in the Southeast.

'I got this ranch in Tennessee, which I love so much. I just had to say Hollywood, it's been cool, but I'm out,' he said in a YouTube video that he posted on May 2.

Steve-O appeared to be living the dream in Tennessee and he hinted that one of the biggest reasons for the move is to stop paying California taxes.

Listing agent Cesar Melendrez from Jason Mitchell Real Estate is in charge of selling the 2,398-square-foot property that's listed for $1.799 million.

A Hollywood Hills home that was the home of former MTV star Steve-O is currently on the market. Cesar Melendrez is the listing agent for the 2,398-square-foot home, which is currently for sale at $1.799 million

Steve-O first announced that the house would be going up for sale during a house tour video he posted on April 4. His former three-bedroom, three-bathroom home included a skate ramp and goat barn. However, before it was put on the market, nearly every room in the house got a makeover, including the backyard

Steve-O first announced that he planned to sell the property in the description of his California house video tour on YouTube.

'I worked on this video for years, and only stopped because I decided to sell the house,' he wrote.

He showed off his open floor plan on the first floor with a chef's kitchen and living room.

He also displayed his former game room, which he said was 'reimagined masterfully' to use as an extra storage space.

Deer print wallpaper covered the walls near the stairway that led up to Steve-O's bedroom with a comfy bed and a massage chair.

He even gave viewers a peak into a remodeled production room with fun pictures and unique curtains.

Steve-O concluded his tour by showing off his small skate ramp that he and his friends used in multiple YouTube videos he's posted over the years.

Now that the house is up for sale, it's been turned upside-down into a property that viewers may not be able to recognize.

Steve-O pointed out that the California property is located right near the Hollywood sign. According to the property description, the house is 'atop a private hillside' and it's just minutes away from the Hollywood Reservoir and the Sunset Strip

The outside of the house was featured in both of Steve-O's videos. Hardly any changes were made to the front of the house and its fence that partially blocks off the property was unchanged during the renovations

The open floor plan that was noticeable in Steve-O's video on the lower level still exists inside the remodeled house. However, all of the walls have been painted. The wooden beams on the living room ceiling were painted black to match the fireplace that had once been covered with a light blue fabric. The rustic wooden floors and the placement of windows stayed the same, which gives the area great natural light

The modern furniture and new fireplace color were the final touches made to the living room before it was put on the market. However, Steve-O decided to hang up custom artwork in the room in order to add a bit of his personality into the living room

The chef's kitchen includes white marble countertops that match the drawers built in next to the stainless steel oven. The island, cabinets and lights were already in the home prior to it being put on the market. However, like the living room, the wooden beams that were hardly noticeable in the kitchen have been painted black

'It's just about unrecognizable... Everything's painted, they cleaned out my goat barn, the ramp's gone, and it will be listed within the next week,' he confirmed.

However, the prankster decided to keep the deer print wallpaper at the stairwell.

Steve-O was sad about the move and told the cameraman that it was 'bittersweet' right before he left.

He and his fiancee, Lux Wright, had their belongings placed into moving trucks, and despite the partial struggle to get their goats together, the pair left California.

'Its been an honor to see Steve-Os growth as a person, this move represents him starting a new life with his fiance and his passion for creating an animal sanctuary,' Melendrez told TMZ.

Steve-O's new Nashville home has more space that's fit for an outdoorsman and animal lover.

The bedrooms in Steve-O's old California property were completely redone and include new white furniture and bedding with hints of color that bring out the ambiance of the room. The window next to one of the beds provides amazing natural light

The all-new master suite is different from Steve-O's old bedroom that consisted of a bed, dark colors and a massage chair. This suite now features light colors and modern furniture with a clearer view from the private balcony. If one looks close enough, they can see some of the other houses near the Hollywood sign from the balcony

The master bathroom includes a long and narrow bathroom including luxurious bathtub

The garage is spacious and will get the job done for anyone who needs to park their cars or store any necessary items like tools, toys or in Steve-O's case, accessories for his goat barn that was once on the property

What was once an area for a skate ramp became an outdoor oasis for anyone that is looking to entertain guests while watching a sunset

The porch looks up to the private balconies, including that of the master suite

Steve-O had a big smile on his face almost the entire time he showed off his new Tennessee retreat.

'Everything is an upgrade. Our goats have a brand new barn, a dope new pen, and we decided to let them out of the pen and just hang out on the property,' he said.

Other than their four goats, Steve-O and Lux own two pigs, two dogs and four cats.

Their animal caretaker, Daniel, also moved with couple, who according to Steve-O, 'gets things done quickly.'

'I love our life on the ranch so much that I never want to leave,' he added.

The entertainer and Lux decided to celebrate their move with an updated bedroom, which includes a new mattress and bed set.

However, he did bring all the furniture and decor from the California bedroom to Tennessee and placed it into the couple's guest bedroom.

'The only thing about the radical ranch which has not been upgraded is our video production room,' said Steve-O.

'Now, we transfer all of footage to our top secret new location in California.'
The results released this week pertain to the period of time from 2019 to 2022

The wealth gap between white families and households of other races has widened by more than $1 million, startling new statistics show.

The data comes straight from the Federal Reserve, and its Survey of Consumer Finances.

The in-depth study is administered every three years, and tracks the difference in wealth held by white, Black, and Hispanic families.

The results released this week pertain to the period of time between 2019 and 2022, during which the average wealth of white families reached $1.4million. That was more than $1 million higher than the $211,596 average attributed to Black families, and the $227,544 attributed to Hispanics.

Put another way, white families had three times the average wealth of both their Black and Hispanic counterparts put together - a cause for concern as the racial wealth gap continues to widen.

The wealth gap between white families and households of other races has widened by more than $1 million, starling new statistics released by the federal government this week show

It showed that white families, on average, have three times the wealth of both their Black and Hispanic counterparts, put together

'Wealth translates into opportunity,' said Signe-Mary McKernan, vice president for labor, human services and population at a think tank that analyzed the results, said.

'It translates into mobility. [Wealth] enables people to reach their full potential,' s

The inequities, she said, 'lie in the policies' - pointing to structural racism as a major player as a major contributor.

Singling out exclusionary homeownership policies such as redlining that have largely affected Blacks and Hispanics, she said these practices have 'created pathways to building wealth for white families while creating barriers for other families of color,'

Redlining refers to the refusal of a loan or insurance to someone due to their living in an area deemed to be a poor financial risk, a practice that fuels financial disparities.

Education also plays a factor, McKernan said - bringing up how some equate it to a silver bullet that could stop inequality in its tracks.

However, the DC-based Urban Institute staffer said it not the solution everyone seeks, citing how Hispanics have had the fastest growth in advanced degrees of any ethnic group over the past 20 years, but are still well behind their white counterparts.

'Education is seen as a silver bullet, and it will make a huge difference in your earnings, but what education doesnt do is close the wealth gaps,' she explained.

The inequities, one expert said, 'lie in the policies' - pointing to structural racism as a major player as a major contributor

The Fed also found how Black and Hispanic families have far less retirement (right) and emergency savings (left) than white families

'In a society that professes that those who work hard and play by the rules should be rewarded with social and economic upward mobility, this is a stark reminder that we still have work to do.'

And work to do she is right, with other numbers showing how pronounced the wealth gap is.

White families have a median wealth of $284,310, the fed found - a number more than four times that of Latinos, pegged at $62,120.

Moreover, the analysis found the wealth gap also widens as families age, with whites on average accumulating more wealth over their lives than Latino families in the same age bracket.

It also found that Black and Hispanic families have far less retirement and emergency savings than white families, as well as drastically lower rates of homeownership.

Things like inheritances were also markedly less common in Black and Hispanic families, the fed discerned - a reality that, like the other trends, has been present for decades.

McKernan's think tank looked at the results through a lens rooted in economic and social policy research, and aired some possible solutions to address the ever-widening racial gap, like starting wealth-building accounts early on.

A think tank looked at the results through a lens rooted in economic and social policy research, and aired some possible solutions to address the ever-widening racial gap, like starting wealth-building accounts early on

Things like inheritances were also markedly less common in Black and Hispanic families, the fed discerned - a reality that, like the other trends, has been present for decades.

'In a society that professes that those who work hard and play by the rules should be rewarded with social and economic upward mobility, this is a stark reminder that we still have work to do,' a researcher who looked at the results said this week

Wealth is not just for the wealthy. Wealth is insurance against tough times. Its tuition to get a better education and a better job,' she said, citing initiatives like Oakland-Alameda Countys Brilliant Baby program, which sets up college savings accounts for during infancy.

'It is the capital to build a small business. Its savings to retire on, and its a springboard into the middle class,' McKernan continued.

She also highlighted other programs available in California, like the Hope, Opportunity, Perseverance, and Empowerment for Children Trust Account Program that aims to close the racial wealth gap for children who have lost a parent to COVID-19, and the San Francisco Kindergarten to College program, the countrys first universal child savings account program.

Taking advantage of such programs is the best course of action for comparatively disenfranchised families to eventually build wealth, she said - but, of course, that takes time.

Embedding emergency savings accounts into retirement accounts could be another option, she said - allowing employees to navigate unexpected financial crises without compromising their retirement funds with emergency withdrawals.

In addition, automatic enrollment in emergency savings accounts nearly doubles the likelihood that people will save, she said.

Automatic stabilizers that would need to be offered by the government like expanded refundable tax credits and enhanced unemployment benefits would also help these families, the expert concluded.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday denied a news report that unofficial envoys were involved in setting up last week's talks between him and President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Lee, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), made the remark a day after a local media report said two professors at Korea University and Kyonggi University had acted as "secret envoys" to coordinate Lee's first-ever talks with Yoon since Yoon came into office.

"The only consultations made in regard to the talks were between the chief of staff and the presidential office," Lee told reporters.

Shortly after Tuesday's report, an official at the presidential office also stressed that the meeting was coordinated via "official" communication channels, and no special figures were involved behind-the-scenes.

Yoon first proposed the meeting with Lee last month after the ruling People Power Party's humiliating defeat to Lee's DPK in the April 10 parliamentary elections. (Yonhap)
Chevron CEO Mike Wirth confirmed that, gas-guzzling Americans will ensure demand for oil grows despite uncertainty in the market.

At the 27th annual Milken Institute Global Conference, Wirth discussed his expectations for strong financial performance and higher oil production through the remainder of the year with 'Mornings with Maria' host Maria Bartiromo.

'Markets are relatively balanced. Demand growth is strong. Last year was all-time record demand. We'll see demand grow again this year,' Chevron CEO Mike Wirth said.

'So, the end of the oil age is not yet upon us.'

On national average, gas prices have risen to $3.67 per gallon in the past week. This is 14 cents higher than this time last month and 8 cents from this time last year, according to AAA.

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth confirmed that, regarding America's consumption and output of oil, uncertainty in the market will not stop the need for gas

Gas prices have risen to $3.67 per gallon in the past week, which is 14 cents higher than this time last month and 8 cents from this time last year

The demand for gas increased from 8.42 million barrels per day to 8.62 million barrels per day

According to Energy Information Administration data, the demand for gas increased that same week, from 8.42 million barrels per day to 8.62 million barrels per day.

He also said that risks associated with geopolitical events, such as the conflicts in the Red Sea, Israel-Hamas, and Russia-Ukraine, 'are things to pay attention to because they could impact markets in the short term.'

'We did see some impact on our supply of natural gas into Israel during the early days of the conflict,' he said.

'We now have both platforms online and are meeting all the needs not only for Israel's domestic market, but also for Jordan and Egypt, where the gas goes as well the risks in a situation like this are that, through some sort of an escalation [or] miscalculation, you could see impacts on physical supply in an area that supplies so much of the world's oil. And that's a real concern.'

Wirth said that Chevron expects to generate 10% compound annual growth in free cash flow over the next few years by bracing for this 'volatility.'

He also emphasized the importance of having a balance sheet that can handle these 'very low prices.'

'Driven by the Permian, driven by some other shale assets in our portfolio, projects in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, we've got a number of other assets that are delivering growth,' he said.

'The combination with Hess only strengthens our cash flow longer into the future, not only to the end of this decade, but well into the next.'

A merger between Chevron and Hess was announced last October and is expected to close within the next year.

The Chevron and Hess merger is expected to close within the next year

Wirth told Maria that the merger is good for company shareholders and the country

'This is a good deal for shareholders of both companies, it's a good deal for the industry, it's a good deal for the country of Guyana,' Wirth told Bartiromo at the Global conference.

'We are very confident that the deal will close.'

Wirth said that the company culture at Hess, which 'values safety, integrity, and protecting the environment,' directly align with his company's goals.

He also mentioned that while Chevron has a strong business presence in the Gulf of Mexico, Hess has a presence in North Dakota.

'The combination will create a premiere energy company that will be good for our country,' Wirth said.
23 percent of people would leave a tip for a service with no human interaction

The average American tips more than want to six times a month

Americans are spending an average $453 more a year on gratuities than they would like to thanks to 'guilt-tipping.'

Guilt-tipping, paying a tip out of awkwardness or pressure when you would rather not, is on the rise.

Consumers say they have paid an average of $37.80 a month on reluctant tips because they would feel guilty about not doing so, according to new research. The amount is on top of what they wanted to tip, which was not specified.

A new poll by Talker Research found that over a quarter of the 2,000 surveyed said they are 'always or often forced to tip more than they would like.'

Typically, the average respondent had tipped more than wanted to six times in the past month alone.

A quarter of Americans admit paying a tip out of awkwardness or pressure

Americans are spending an average $500 more a year on reluctant gratuities

The study also found that Gen Z and millennials 'were almost twice as likely to say they 'always' feel pressure to tip than older generations.'

In comparison just 9 percent of Gen X and 5 percent of Boomers felt the same way.

'We know that tipping has been a hot topic,' Van Darden, head of media relations at Talker Research, told USA TODAY.

'It's trended on TikTok, there's all kinds of online conversation about it, it's been in the news as people transitioned out of the high peaks of COVID and delivery services' Darden explained.

'Whether it's the watchful eyes of a barista, the hastily swiveled tablet or the waiter handing you the card machine, more than half (56 [percent]) of respondents note that pressure to tip higher is a regular occurrence,' Talker Research wrote in their research.

Almost a quarter of respondents felt so beholden to guilt-tipping that they would leave a tip for a service that requires no human interaction, such as a vending machine.

The survey also found that customers were becoming frustrated by the amounts they were expected to tip as well as how often.

Forty-nine percent of survey respondents said the tipping percentages offered on tablets had increased in the last month alone.

The poll also found that a third of people were asked to tip for a service that they wouldn't normally consider doing so for.

Gen Z and millennials 'were almost twice as likely to say they 'always' feel pressure to tip than older generations.'

Three-quarters of Americans believe tipping culture has gone too far and most say minimum wage should be increased to off-set the need for gratuity, a new study by CouponBirds shows

The findings come amidst a widespread backlash against 'tipflation' which has seen tipping culture spill out from bars and restaurants and into stores, takeout chains and even self-service machines

Another recent study found that three-quarters of Americans believe tipping culture has gone too far.

The findings come amidst a widespread backlash against 'tipflation' which has seen tipping culture spill out from bars and restaurants and into stores, takeout chains and even self-service machines.

84 percent of respondents to the CouponBirds survey argued that the minimum wage should be increased to off-set the need for gratuity.

Across the board, tipping was most common for restaurant service. Some 59 percent of consumers said they would tip at dinner while 43.8 percent they would for food delivery.

It was followed by hairdressing and beauty services - which 41.1 percent of individuals said they would tip for.

Some 39.6 percent said they would add gratuity in a taxi while 36.8 percent said they would tip at a bar.

The least likely place shoppers would tip was at a convenience store or Bodega. Some 4.9 percent of survey respondents said they would add gratuity in this instance.
A 24-year-old man has complained about having no self worth after inheriting $7 million.

'I have had an incredibly easy and spoilt life and it is coming back to bite me' the anonymous millionaire wrote on Reddit.

The poster explained how his parents, who own a medium-large company, have gifted him assets and cash worth $7 million despite him 'having earnt none of it.'

'Ive never had a job and have never had to work for anything which has severely affected my sense of self worth and also social skills' the post reads.

'My parents are actually amazing people and I dont place the entirety of the blame on them for the position I am in today, but they have a massive blind spot as to how this has effected me.

A 24-year-old millionaire claims to have no self worth after inheriting $7 million

'Of course I could always refuse their help or give them everything back,' the poster acknowledged before adding 'but I honestly really struggle to do this.'

The millionaire admitted that it was 'tone deaf' to complain about his situation but added that he was 'in a state of despair'.

He also argued that his situation might 'offer an interesting perspective for some.'

Some Reddit users were sympathetic to the poster, offering potential solutions, while others were bemused by the situation.

'Take a part time job at like a coffee shop or something just to have a sense of purpose and something to do!' one Reddit user suggested in the comments.

Adding: 'On the other end of it, have you gone to college? You could probably take classes and get a degree in something if you havent already.'

'7 million dollars is somehow not good enough' another poster wrote.

'I'd feel depressed and rightly hate myself too if I did absolutely nothing altruistic after such a tremendous gift as 7 million dollars' they added.

'Here's an idea: Be thankful that you don't have to worry about money and get your s*** together and live the life you want. Freaking pathetic' a third commented.

Another user offered a different perspective: 'Many can understand why you would feel guilty but if you purchased a lottery ticket and hit the jackpot would you feel guilty? I doubt it.'

Adding: 'I am pretty confident that your parents would not want you to feel guilty as they would have known that life is short, money does not equal happiness, and just live responsibly.

'Feeling guilty is useless.'

The young millionaire was gifted the cash from his business-owning parents

The story of the young millionaire on Reddit is very different to that of Nvidia founder Jensen Huang. He is a self-made billionaire and is famed for always in his trademark black leather jackets and with a tattoo of the Nvidia logo on his left arm

Huang's life now is world's away from his childhood which was, by his own admission, steeped in adversity. Pictured: Huang's Hawaii home

The story of the young millionaire who posted on Reddit differs vastly from that of self-made billionaire Jensen Huang, who founded Nvidia.

Huang, an immigrant, went from minimum wage at Denny's to running a $2 TRILLION colossus of the AI revolution and a $44M mansion on San Fran's Billionaires' Row and another in Hawaii.

Nvidia's unlikely success story from a niche tech firm to America's third biggest company has catapulted Huang to the 20th richest person on the planet with a net worth of $69.7 billion, Bloomberg estimates.

It marks an astonishing reversal of fortune for a shy former Denny's worker who was bullied at his Kentucky school after arriving from Thailand when he was nine.
Sweeping changes brought in after National Association of Realtors was sued

House hunters will be required to sign an agreement with their real estate agents before they begin touring homes under sweeping regulatory changes.

The homebuying process has been forced into overhaul due to a $418 million ruling that found home sellers had historically been overcharged by brokers.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) - which counts 1.5 million members - has ended the practice of the seller's agent offering commissions to the buyer's broker. The concern was that buyers were steered to homes that landed their agent a bigger fee.

The new rules means home buyers and their brokers must sit down together to agree on money before they start looking at homes. They will take effect on August 17.

However, experts speculate the changes will likely cost buyers. Until now, buyers have not had to pay their broker a fee - but that all changes now.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) - which counts 1.5 million members - has also agreed to ban the practice of seller's agent offering commissions to the buyer's via Multiple Listing Services (MLSs). Pictured: NAR president: Kevin Sears

Agents in the US charge home sellers an average commission of between 5 and 6 percent of the sale price of their property. That is more than twice the average fees charged in the UK, according to investment bank Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

Under the old system, commissions were paid entirely by the seller but, in accordance with standards specified by the NAR, is split down the middle between the two brokers on both sides.

But the new rules mean a seller cannot be required to cover the commission to the buyer's agent.

Instead, the buyer will enter into a separate agreement with their agent regarding their commission.

Laura Ellis, president of residential sales at Chicago-based Baird & Warner, told Crain's Detroit Business

One expert said buyers will likely be thinking: 'Wait a minute, Ive been scraping to save up the 10 percent, 20 percent downpayment, and now youre telling me I have to pay you 2.5 percent, 3 percent on top of that?'

That is the view of Laura Ellis, president of residential sales at Chicago-based Baird & Warner.

Speaking to the Crain's Detroit Business, she added: 'All the surveys weve seen say buyers arent against the broker getting paid.

'They just want to know what theyre paying for.'

Home sellers in Missouri sued the NAR in a landmark case which paved the way for multiple copycat lawsuits.

The case centered around a common practice whereby seller's agents list the commission their client is willing to pay on an Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

In theory, the old system allowed agents to 'steer' buyers to homes on which the commission is higher so they can profit more from a sale.

Agents in the US charge home sellers an average commission of between 5 and 6 percent of the sale price of their property - more than twice the average fees charged in the UK, for example.

According to a survey by consulting firm 1000watt, more than 76 percent of 640 real estate agents in the US said buyers' agents would be more likely to show a property if they knew the seller was paying higher commission.

But after a settlement over the Missouri case was preliminarily approved by US district judge Stephen R. Bough, the NAR has brought in several changes.

On its website, the trade body says agents are required to 'work with buyers' to secure a signed agreement before 'touring a home.'

The agreements must specify both agents' services and their expected compensation.

A listing that is put forth by a seller's agent cannot specify the amount of the commission to be paid to the buyer's agent and cannot require that the commission of the buyer's agent be paid by the seller.

On its website, the NAR says agents are required to 'work with buyers' to secure a signed agreement before 'touring a home'

The buyer's agent can see which properties have the best sales commission and 'steer' buyers to them. More than 76 percent of real estate agents said buyer's agents would be more likely to show a property if the seller was offering a higher commission

The buyer's agent may still - but cannot be required to - receive a portion of the commission paid by the seller to the seller's agent as part of their compensation.

But this can only happen if that arrangement is freely negotiated on the basis of one individual transaction, and with the agreement of the buyer.

A driving factor behind the settlement was the theory that by removing the burden of the total commission from the seller, the price would be reduced.

However, it remains to be seen whether these price reductions will materialize in practice.

It comes as the final details of the NAR compensation are still being finalized.

Homeowners who sold properties in the last seven years may now qualify for a payout - though they must submit a claim by May 9, 2025.

Eligible sellers must have listed the home on a multiple listing service (MLS) and paid a commission to a real estate brokerage.
While every step of the new Senegalese president is scrutinized, as his political intentions still remain a mystery a month after he took power, his visit to Abidjan, Tuesday May 7, was by far the most anticipated trip abroad. A priori, Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Alassane Ouattara do not have much in common. The first claims to be a left-wing pan-Africanist, while the second is an unabashed right-wing liberal; the Senegalese, 44, intends to embody the rupture, while the Ivorian president, 82, advocates continuity.

Finally, Mr. Diomaye Faye has just democratically imposed alternation in Senegal, while Alassane Ouattara is serving his third term, and has still not said whether he will run for a fourth in 2025. Two men who are few things seem similar at first glance, but at the head of the French-speaking heavyweights of West Africa, two states historically linked and politically aligned in West Africa, a region in the midst of crisis since the series of coups detat in Sahel.

Despite their differences, the Ivorian and the Senegalese showed their closeness at the end of their first tete-a-tete, ensuring that they were determined to continue the excellent and fraternal relationship between their countries. The Ivorian president sent his warm congratulations on [the] brilliant election of his new counterpart, on March 24, with whom he shares a total convergence of points of view and is completely in tune on international and political issues. regional cooperation.

Work to dispel misunderstandings

Bassirou Diomaye Faye immediately illustrated this convergence by lifting the veil for the first time on his position in the face-to-face confrontation between the juntas in power in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and the rest of the Economic Community of States of West Africa (ECOWAS), which they claimed to leave. ECOWAS is a formidable integration tool that we will benefit from preserving, declared the Senegalese president during a press briefing, also saying he was convinced that we must continue to act in solidarity within the ECOWAS area, to make the necessary reforms and to work to dispel the misunderstandings which cannot fail to arise.

According to Caroline Roussy, research director at the Africas program at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), Bassirou Diomaye Faye seems to want to pose as a mediator to prevent the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) from leaving definitely from ECOWAS. The new leader says he is aware of the risk of decay of the regional community whose links he wishes to strengthen.

Democratically elected and supported by young people to whom he promised a policy of rupture and more sovereignty, a popular speech in the Sahel, the Senegalese president embodies a political renewal which could facilitate exchanges with military regimes. He shares with them aspirations that are as symbolic as they are strategic in West Africa, such as the exit of the CFA franc, considered a colonial heritage.

The subject, technically complex, was not discussed with Alassane Ouattara, according to the two heads of state. The Senegalese president only mentioned necessary reforms to be undertaken within the regional spaces that we share, including the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). The Ivorian president could be in favor of a change of currency, at least in its denomination initially. The former senior official of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) himself announced, alongside Emmanuel Macron in December 2019, the creation of the Eco to replace the CFA franc.

Proximity diplomacy

Bassirou Diomaye Faye is in a position that requires a lot of diplomatic intelligence, recognizes Mamadou Hady Deme, political science researcher at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, for whom the challenge is not to crisp the juntas. . Tuesday, he said he was counting on the wisdom of his elder to work for the stability of a region shaken by insecurity and the coming to power in Mali (2020), Burkina Faso (2022) and Niger (2023) of putschists who delay any democratic process and harden their exercise of power.

But while Alassane Ouattara maintains frosty relations with the Sahelian military regimes, it is Senegal, a rare country in the region to be able to speak to all heads of state, which could be the key to peace. appeasement in West Africa. Ousmane Sonko, the Senegalese Prime Minister, announced on Monday that he will soon visit Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Regional policy is already establishing itself as a priority of the new Senegalese regime. After traveling to Mauritania, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, the choice of a trip to Ivory Coast for the first visit of Bassirou Diomaye Faye to a country not bordering Senegal illustrates the local diplomacy that Dakar now intends to give priority, indicates Mamadou Hady Deme, who recalls the eagerness that Mr. Fayes predecessors had to go to France: three weeks after his election in 2012, the outgoing president Macky Sall (2012-2024) was welcomed by Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee. Its a first break, underlines the academic.
Will the new Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko be the thread and the needle that will reconnect the ties in a torn West Africa or the explosive and the detonator that will explode what remains closely? of half a century of regional construction?

While the young Senegalese head of state traveled on Tuesday April 7 to Ivory Coast, the other French-speaking power in the area, to give a speech celebrating the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) as a formidable integration tool that we will benefit from preserving, the man who was his political mentor announced on Sunday evening his next tour in the quartet of juntas  Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger , breaking with the regional order.

An initiative which is part of the local diplomacy established by the new power in Dakar, keen to talk to everyone, while in January, the military in command in Bamako, Niamey and Ouagadougou announced the immediate departure of their country from ECOWAS, raising fears of the disappearance of an organization whose two pillars, free economic movement and then the promotion of democracy, are fractured by tensions between regimes.

Building on its triumphant election on a sovereignist program and a promise to break with previous regimes, the duo at the head of the Senegalese executive has the assets to serve as an intermediary with a putschist bloc, in resonance with the themes it defends. Especially since time is running out to prevent disintegration.

The juntas refuse the outstretched hand

The sub-regional organization has a period of twelve months to approve the exit of one of its members after they have notified their decision. Faced with this prospect, rescue operations are increasing. At the end of April, around thirty political figures from the region met in Abidjan to reflect on the survival of the organization.

After two days of retreat, the ECOWAS council of elders called on the three dissident countries to reconsider their position, considering a high-level mediation, composed of former Nigerian presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Yakubu Gowon or even the Senegalese Abdoulaye Bathily, to visit the authorities of these countries soon.

The idea is to go to each capital to meet the leaders and deliver a simple message to them: the return to constitutional order and the maintenance of the unity of ECOWAS, explains a regional diplomatic source. We are hopeful that once they have their schedule set, they will come back to us. Especially since the adventure of separation turns out to be hazardous for these landlocked countries which are very economically linked to the sub-region. 

However, the chances of success of such an initiative already raise serious doubts. ECOWAS has always been open to discussion. The tone hardened for a time when Nigeria threatened military intervention in Niger to restore President Mohamed Bazoum. But the juntas refuse the outstretched hand because, leaving ECOWAS is a way of escaping any commitment aimed at returning power to civilians, warns Rahmane Idrissa, researcher in political science at the African Studies Center of the Leiden University, Netherlands.

An embryonic alliance in the Sahel

An analysis shared by an Ivorian diplomat who considers that these countries are mainly looking for pretexts not to organize elections. Ideology here is just an illusion.

The fact remains that for the West African institution, and even more so for the heads of state who lead it, there is an urgent need to counter the influence of the juntas supported by Russia, now united within the Alliance of States of the Sahel (AES). Although embryonic, the latter has caused some cold sweats among certain current presidents, as in Senegal during the recent pre-electoral unrest.

The Senegalese army remained unshakeable. However, his intervention in the conflict was wanted on the side of certain putschists in the Sahel. Evidence of contacts between officers of the Senegalese army and Nigerien and Malian counterparts were intercepted by the Senegalese general staff, reveals Francis Laloupo, associate researcher at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS).

Although being a club of juntas without established institutions, the AES remains a political fact which carries the intoxicating idea among certain African elites that they embody true sovereignty, adds researcher Rahmane Idrissa. Driven by these regimes, these hotheads could find support where before they would have been simply marginalized. 

A different situation in Central Africa

Beyond the borders of ECOWAS, in Central Africa, it is in Gabon that we must look for the reasons for the concern of leaders who have most often clung to power for decades. When, in the summer of 2023, General Brice Oligui Nguema overthrew Ali Bongo, ending half a century of family rule, the heads of neighboring states of Cameroon, Congo and Equatorial Guinea may have feared a response which would take away their twilight regime.

The fall of Ali Bongo was that of the heir sitting uneasily on his throne. However, some leaders feared that this coup would create a precedent because they themselves have heirs who suffer from a deficit of legitimacy, explains Benoit Olembele, who specializes in supporting transitions within a French-speaking institution.

However, the Sahelian phenomenon has little risk of occurring in Central Africa, judges Francis Laloupo. The regimes in place have been able to integrate their senior officers into a co-management of power. They are collaborators and they have access to resources. This very clever combination is also found outside this area, particularly in Togo.

Just one year shy of its fiftieth anniversary, ECOWAS now only has to highlight the peoples attachment to the free movement of goods and people within the borders of its fifteen member states. I dont sense a desire to reintroduce the model. Centrifugal forces prevailed over the desire to be together, judges an Ivorian diplomat, driven by the hope that the weariness of the Sahelian populations in the face of economic difficulties will be the best advocate for regional integration and open elections to all.
When the Government expects foreign companies to do almost everything that a retailer does, how can it deny these firms the right to sell?

Way back in 2019, Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh (DVM) an organisation of retail traders in the national capital had lodged a complaint with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) alleging anti-competitive behaviour by Amazon Seller Services (ASS) and Flipkart Internet Private Limited (FIPL).

The CCI is an authority established under the Competition Act, of 2002. The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position by enterprises and regulates mergers, amalgamations acquisitions etc to ensure that there is no adverse effect on competition. Amazon and Flipkart are global giants operating e-commerce marketplaces in India through their subsidiaries, the ASS and the FIPL.

DVM argued that ASS and FIPL had entered into exclusive sales agreements with smartphone makers to sell certain phones through a small number of preferred sellers. It also alleged that they had given preferential treatment to certain sellers by giving them higher search rankings and offering to pay for part of the discount that such sellers would offer during key sales periods such as Flipkarts Big Billion Days and Amazons Prime Day.

On January 13, 2020, the CCI initiated an investigation under Section 26(1) of the Competition Act, 2002. Prima facie, the CCI agreed with DVMs contention and ordered a probe by the Director General (DG) - Investigation. ASS and FIPL approached the Karnataka High Court (KHC) with a plea to quash the CCI order. The KHC refused to quash it. The duo challenged the order in the Supreme Court (SC). In August 2021, the SC too dismissed their applications and ordered that the CCI - DG will complete the probe.

Now, the CCI-DG has come up with its findings.

The investigation has charged Amazon and Flipkart with violation of antitrust laws. Leveraging their substantial financial resources, they have indulged in predatory pricing and forged exclusive partnerships with selective sellers. Predatory pricing is the illegal business practice of setting prices extremely low albeit by offering heavy discounts to consumers in an attempt to eliminate the competition and establish a monopoly. This has resulted in the shutdown of thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

It has specifically targeted Amazon for certain practices, especially with Cloudtail India Pvt Ltd (a firm set up by a JV namely Prione Business Services (PBS) established by Amazon, in collaboration with an Indian entity owned by Narayan Murthy of Infosys) a preferred seller on Amazons marketplace and other in-house sellers. Similarly, Flipkart has been investigated for its links to platform sellers, which contravenes new e-commerce regulations.

What has led to the violations?

This cant be attributed solely to the use of financial muscle by these companies as alluded to by the CCI - DG. This has a lot to do with the rules introduced in early 2016, through which the Government allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) under the so-called e-commerce marketplace model.

The marketplace is a platform where vendors sell their products directly to consumers even as its owner (read: Amazon/Flipkart) merely acts as a facilitator by providing services such as booking orders, raising invoices, arranging delivery, accepting rejections etc. She cant hold inventory or undertake direct selling. The policy intent was abundantly clear. The foreign investor in the marketplace wasnt supposed to invest in the inventory model.

However, the intent wasnt reflected in the Press Note (PN) issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industries. While drafting the fine print, a clever bureaucrat blurred the demarcation between the marketplace where 100 per cent FDI was allowed and the inventory model where it wasnt. The PN (2016) prescribed two conditions. First, the foreign entity owning marketplace cannot permit more than 25 per cent of total sales on the marketplace from one vendor or its group companies. Two, it cannot directly or indirectly influence the sale price.

In the absence of specifying who that vendor should be, it made way for a company linked to the owner of the marketplace to get in. The latter could set up four companies (call them subsidiaries or JVs) and control 25 per cent of each of the total sales on the platform. Contrary to the policy intent, which prohibited foreign investors from direct selling, the fine print did just the opposite.

Having allowed its entities to control almost all of the sales made on the marketplace, it would be naive to expect that an anti-competition situation wont emerge. With such rules in place, it was a foregone conclusion that Amazon et al would have exclusive partnerships with selective sellers who - acting in concert with the former - would indulge in predatory pricing and give heavy discounts leading to the annihilation of thousands of SMEs. Following a complaint from the SMEs, on December 26, 2018, the DPIIT clarified that the owner of the marketplace or its subsidiary or its joint venture (JV) with an Indian company cant have ownership of the seller. Further, a seller on the platform cant source more than 25 percent of its inventory from a firm connected with the latter.

Foreign investors can circumvent the first rider by having less than 50 per cent shareholding in the seller firm and arguing that they have no control (majority) over the latter. The marketplace owner can also sell his own product - albeit through its wholesale arm - on the platform. All that the wholesale arm needs to ensure is to restrict supplies to the seller within the 25 per cent threshold.

The clarification/modification in the conditions through December 26, 2018, hasnt helped much in improving the situation.

A few sellers, some of them still maintaining connection with the marketplace owner continue to dominate the e-commerce platform. For instance, only three dozen firms out of the 400,000 sellers on the ASS platform account for 67 per cent of sales on it. Meanwhile, in 2020, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, issued the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, under Section 101 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The rules bar affiliated entities from selling on e-commerce platforms, restrict flash sales, and disallow sellers from using the name or brand associated with the marketplace e-commerce entities for the promotion of goods. In 2021, DCA made amendments to restrict business-to-business, or B2B, sales in e-commerce and a provision to prevent an abuse of dominant position by e-commerce firms. The Government is also working on a comprehensive policy on FDI in e-commerce that will give primacy to the above rules. If it goes ahead with such a policy, it will be tantamount to a retrospective change of policy and send a wrong signal to foreign investors.

The present mess owes it to the very idea of the marketplace which is flawed. When, the Government expects foreign companies to do almost everything that a retailer does viz. booking orders, raising the invoices, arranging the delivery, accepting rejections and so on, how can the former deny the latter right to sell?

The way forward is to shun this idea; instead, allow 100 per cent FDI in retail. The bureaucrats had already done it but in a subtle way. The Government should make it obvious and straightforward. Moreover, 100 per cent FDI should be permitted to all retailers, online or offline, big or small for a level playing field.

(The writer is a policy analyst; views are personal)
As the nation braces for a new Government, all eyes are on the horizon of challenges awaiting the new administration

Keeping in view the confidence of Prime Minister, Narender Modi, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah and the BJP to cross a magic figure of Chaar Sau Paar nothing is certain in politics but a new regime will take shape in New Delhi after the results of general elections on June 4.

In this backdrop none can deny that the new regime is poised to confront hordes of new challenges which include giving top priority to advancements in emerging technologies, adapting to shifting geopolitical equations, the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and formulating a long-term strategy to counter Chinas expansionist policies and security threats in the region. These challenges are pivotal for Indias aspirations to join the League of developed nations in the future.

Experts say that Indian PM, Narender Modis push for digital technologies which proved a boon during Covid19 crisis for the delivery of services besides emphasising renewable energy, a mission mode to put India back on the map of semiconductors production, setting a new target in space arena and formulation of a strategy to accelerate Indias capabilities in AI has helped India to position itself to give a fillip to innovate and catch up with the US and China which have been trying to master the technological revolution to be relevant in future.

Foreign policy experts highlight Indias growing concerns over Chinas increasing influence in the region, particularly its impact on security along the Line of Control (LOC). Consequently, the new administration must focus on devising a strategic plan, possibly in collaboration with the United States, to address these concerns. Chinas recent tactics involve enticing Indias neighbours with debt policies and offering substantial loans for projects like the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and defence-related ventures. For instance, China signed a military assistance deal with the Maldives, providing non-lethal weapons and free training to Maldivian security forces, a significant departure from the earlier training provided by India and the United States.

Ahead lies the crucial task for New Delhi to formulate an ambitious and practical long-term plan to counter Chinas advancements in new productive forces, a term coined by President Xi Jinping. This involves focusing on economic development through innovation in advanced sectors. Chinas aim to surpass the United States in the production of advanced science and technologies poses challenges for India as well. Therefore, India must intensify its efforts to support the United States in its global technology coalitions with allies like Japan, Australia and India, along with the CHIP Alliance, while fostering deep bilateral partnerships in emerging critical technologies.

Chinas expanding ties in the region are evident and India needs to tread cautiously to counter its influence, as seen in the case of Nepal. The recent political shift in Nepal towards a communist Government ideologically aligned with China is concerning, especially considering Chinas Debt Trap strategy. Pakistan serves as a stark example, with China extending a massive debt of $23 billion, a substantial portion of which is tied to the Belt and Road Initiative. Pakistans mounting debt to China, totalling $67.2 billion from 2000 to 2021, underscores the risks associated with this debt dependency. Despite facing economic collapse, Pakistan remains indebted to China, highlighting the potential peril of falling into a debt trap.

Experts suggest that the incoming Government in Delhi may find solace in the recent normalisation of ties with Sri Lanka. A severe economic crisis in Sri Lanka had pushed it perilously close to the edge, but India stepped in with a $4 billion economic assistance package and humanitarian aid, surpassing even the IMFs 48-month special package to stabilise the country. This move showcased Indias commitment beyond traditional diplomacy and responded to the dire needs of its neighbour. Its noteworthy that China, previously involved, withdrew its support, while Indias intervention has been perceived positively, reflecting a shift in Sri Lankas outlook. Interestingly, former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa had blamed India for interfering in the Sri Lanka elections which led to his ouster in 2015. The trend continued when Gotabaya Rajapaksa, president cancelled the East Container Terminal ECT) agreement in the Colombo airport in violation of a 2019 project contract signed amongst three partners including Japan, India and Sri Lanka. Now Sri Lankas speaker, Mehinda Yapa Abeywardera thanked India for saving his country from the blood path hence China stands exposed in the eyes of the people of this country.

Indias relations with Bangladesh remain strong, exemplified by Prime Minister Narendra Modis efforts. During a joint event on November 23, 2023, Modi referred to India as Bangladeshs largest development partner, emphasising mutual benefits..

One of the notable features of election campaigning by all parties, unlike developed nations, is the lack of debates, discussions and narratives to enlighten the people about the relevance and significance of foreign policy. The manifestoes may dwell upon foreign relations and future strategy but no effort is made to emphasise its importance in achieving the goal of joining the elite club of developed nations. Indias independent stand to import crude oil from Russia, despite economic sanctions by the United States and allies owing to the Ukraine war, has demonstrated to the world that such decisions are primarily governed by keeping national interest supreme. Indias strategic approach towards Maldives and Nepal needs to be flexible and innovative to counter Chinas growing influence effectively.

(The writer is a journalist and political analyst, views are personal)
Following the trend of low voter turnout continuing in the Lok Sabha elections, even in the third phase, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a frontal attack on the Opposition led by Congress, claiming their campaign was funded by black money.

This prompted a terse response from the Congress, which said the BJP has realised it is "shaking" after three phases and has now started attacking its own "friends," showing the "real trend" of the result."

In a public speech, the PM asked the INDIA Bloc leader Rahul Gandhi as to why he has stopped criticising corporate giants like Adani and Ambani?. Modi on Wednesday for the first time during the election campaign accused the Congress of having a nexus with "Ambani and Adani", and asked if the party has received "tempo loads of black money" from the two businessmen as Rahul has now stopped "abusing" them.

In what appeared to be changing the narrative on the issue that was until now used by the Congress to attack Modi and his Government at the Centre, the PM also demanded that the party should explain to people why it has stopped raising the 'Ambani-Adani' issue as its 'shehzada' used to do for the past five years and asked if it has struck a 'sauda' (deal).

The Congress has been accusing the Prime Minister of favouring the top five industrialists in the country, including Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani. Congress said the 'man' who collected `8,200 crore of Electoral Bonds for his party  a scam so egregious that even the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional  is today levelling allegations on others.

"Since his Rafale issue got grounded, he started chanting about 'five industrialists'. Then he started saying Ambani-Adani. But ever since elections have been announced, these people (Congress) have stopped abusing Ambani-Adani. I want to ask from Telangana soil, let the shehzada announce how much has been lifted from Ambani-Adani. Has tempo loads of money reached the Congress? What deal has been arrived at, that abusing Ambani-Adani has stopped overnight?" he said while addressing an election rally at Vemulawada in Telangana.

"Certainly something is fishy. For five years, (they) abused Adani-Ambani and it stopped overnight. It means you have received some tempo loads of 'chori ka maal' (loot)...Kaale dhan ki kitni boriya bharkar ke rupaye maare hai (how many sacks of black money you have taken) You have to answer the nation," the PM said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the times are changing. "Dost dost na raha...! (Friends are no longer friends!) After the completion of three phases of elections, today the Prime Minister has started attacking his own friends. It is becoming clear that Modi's chair is shaking. This is the real trend of the results," Kharge said in a social media post.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also said the PM knows that people now understand the reality that he has handed over all wealth to big businessmen and he is clarifying after getting nervous.

Another party leader Pawan Khera said Modi is disturbed after three phases of elections and realises that the ground is shaking. He claimed the PM had collected Rs 8,200 crore from his "friends" and when he was losing the polls, he had turned against them. "When you cannot be theirs, how can you be ours or anyone else's in the country," he posed, adding that the Congress does not fear anyone or anything.
PITRODA SAYS SOUTH INDIANS LOOK LIKE AFRICANS, QUITS AFTER OUTRAGE

In the midst of a high-voltage Lok Sabha poll campaign, Congress leader Sam Pitroda once again handed enough ammunition to the BJP with his analogy depicting India's diversity. Slamming his comments as "racist", Prime Minister Narendra Modi pounced on Pitroda's comment to hit out at the grand old party and asserted that people will not tolerate attempts to insult them based on their skin colour.

Later Pitroda was forced to resign as the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress after his controversial remarks as the INDIA Bloc leaders too disapproved of his 'racist' comments. Congress chief spokesman Jairam Ramesh said party chief Mallikarjun Kharge has accepted Pitroda's decision.

At his rallies in Telangana, Modi said he is livid with the racial profiling of Indians by the US-based "philosopher and uncle of shehzada (Rahul Gandhi)", and linked the Congress's opposition to Droupadi Murmu's presidential bid to its mindset, which saw her as an "African" because of the colour of her skin.

"I am very angry today. I do not get angry if someone abuses me. Today, the philosopher of 'shehzada' (prince) has inflicted such a big abuse that I am full of anger. Will people's abilities in our country be decided by the colour of their skin? Who has allowed the shehzada to play this game of skin?" Modi said.

As Pitroda's remarks went viral and triggered a political firestorm, the Congress once again in a weeks' time distanced itself from its overseas wing chairperson's remarks and even criticised those as "most unfortunate and unacceptable".

The BJP dismissed the Congress's stand as meaningless as it cited Pitroda's close association with the Gandhi family and launched a blistering attack.

Pitroda's comments at a podcast landed his party in yet another soup, soon after his reference to inheritance tax in the United States as an "interesting law" while discussing the Congress's Lok Sabha poll manifesto gave the ruling BJP a potent handle to accuse the opposition party of eying citizens' assets as part of its "redistribution of wealth" policy.

Pitroda, an advisor to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, said, "We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside a few fights here and there. We could hold the country as diverse as India together. Where people in the east look like the Chinese, people in the west look like the Arabs, people in the north look like, maybe, white and people in the south look like Africans."

"It does not matter. All of us are brothers and sisters. We respect different languages, different religions, different customs, different food," Pitroda said in the interview that was widely circulated on social media.

As a row erupted, Congress chief spokesman Jairam Ramesh said the analogies drawn by Pitroda to illustrate India's diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies."

The BJP dismissed the Congress's disassociation with the controversial comments as it noted at a press conference that Pitroda has a history of making "insulting and demeaning" comments, including on terrorism and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

His "hua to hua" (so what) reaction to a question on the 1984 communal violence and "it happens all the time" reference to the Pulwama terror attack, both in 2019 as the country was gearing up for the general election, had also created massive rows, while his party had sought to distance itself from those.
By Choe Chong-dae

Nearly eight decades after Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, both nations are actively working to create a mutually amicable framework for reconciliation. The ideal approach involves fostering reconciliation over shared historical experiences and cultivating a forward-looking vision for future collaboration. Despite pending issues and occasional strained postwar relations, observers are closely monitoring the diplomatic steps taken by Seoul and Tokyo.

One inspiring story amidst this historical backdrop is that of Chizuko Tauchi, later embraced by the Korean name Yoon Hak-ja (1912-1968), known as the "Japanese mother of Korean orphans."

Born in Wakamatsu City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, Tauchi and her mother relocated to Korea in 1918 to join her father, a colonial government official in Mokpo, a port city in South Jeolla Province. She received her education there, benefiting from the privileged colonial education reserved for Japanese citizens.

Tauchis awareness of the harsh colonial realities was sparked during conversations with Mr. Takao Matsutaro, her high school English teacher. Upon graduating from high school in 1929, Tauchi began her career as a music teacher at Jeongmyeong Girls' High School in Mokpo. At the suggestion of Takao, she volunteered at the Gongsaengwon orphanage on the city's outskirts, teaching music and the Japanese language to Korean orphans.

Notably, the Gongsaengwon orphanage managed by Yoon Chi-ho, known as the "leader of beggars," became a significant part of Tauchi's life. In 1938, she married Chi-ho, with him embracing her Korean name, Yoon Hak-ja

They had four children together. Following Korea's liberation from Japan in 1945, Tauchi returned to Japan in 1946. After two years in her hometown, she came back to the Gongsaengwon orphanage with the children in 1948. Upon her return to the orphanage, she embarked on a new chapter in liberated Korea. Placing her own children in the orphanage's quarters, she initiated a practice of treating them on par with the other children in the facility.

In a heartening display of compassion and solidarity, President Yoon Suk Yeol and the First Lady Kim Keon Hee recently graced the Gongsaengwon orphanage in Mokpo to mark its 95th anniversary on October 13, 2023. The occasion was not merely a commemoration of nearly a century of providing care and support to vulnerable children but a poignant acknowledgment of an enduring legacy.

Founded in 1928, Gongsaengwon later became an orphanage under the care of Christian evangelist Yoon Chi-ho. Operated by his wife, it served as a refuge for numerous vulnerable children.

The seeds of their mission, initially sown by Yoon the evangelist, thrived under his wife. The narrative took a poignant turn during the Korean War (1950-53) when Yoon went missing. Undeterred, his wife persevered in the noble mission, embodying an extraordinary philanthropic spirit by personally caring for and nurturing approximately 4,000 Korean orphans until her passing at the age of 56 in 1968.

To commemorate her philanthropic dedication to Korea, Mokpo City held a citizen's funeral at the Plaza of Mokpo City Hall, reportedly gathering nearly 30,000 mourners from across Korea for the first time since the opening of its port. She was celebrated as "a Japanese mother to Korean orphans."

We deeply appreciate the Yoon family's affection and dedication, as well as the ongoing commitment of the orphanage staff. Our gratitude extends to Gongsaengwon, symbolizing the enduring friendship between Korea and Japan and embodying a vision where compassion and cooperation thrive.

In honoring the past, we wish well for the Yoon family's legacy and set the stage for a future where love, dedication, and unity continue to shape Gongsaengwon's destiny, inspiring us all.

Yoon Hak-ja's (Chizuko Tauchi) philanthropic efforts have played a significant role in fostering amicable relations between Korea and Japan, showcasing an affection for Korea that surpasses even that of many Koreans.

Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and founding director of the Korean-Swedish Association.
Hundreds of passengers, including political leaders and workers, were left stranded and staged protests at various airports across the nation after Air India Express cancelled over 86 flights due to the cabin crew going on a "mass sick leave" on Tuesday night.

The major airports  Kochi, Calicut, Delhi and Bengaluru  witnessed chaotic scenes as most flight disruptions happened here. The international and domestic flights were cancelled after about 300 senior cabin crew members reported sick at the last minute and switched off their mobile phones. According to sources, southern regions have reported major cancellations.

Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh said there will be more curtailment of flights over the next few days amid cabin crew woes. "Flight curtailment being done to cope with non-availability of crew, recover schedules," the CEO said in a statement.

Many of them said the delayed flights could result in them losing their jobs as their work visas were about to expire while some political leaders and workers could not reach their destinations to attend the rally of their leaders in the upcoming fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

Passengers also complained that the airline provided no accommodation, leaving them stranded until their rescheduled flight takes off. Some passengers claimed they were forced to spend the night at the airport. Some of them claimed that they were informed about the cancellations after the completion of security checks.

Taking note of the incident, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Wednesday sought a report from Air India Express on cancellation of flights after a section of cabin crew reported sick evidently to protest against changes in the human resources policy. Meanwhile, Air India Express has offered a full refund or flight rescheduling but some passengers are demanding instant refunds and same-day rescheduling.

This is the second time in about a month that a Tata Group owned airline is facing flight disruptions (Vistara too had to cancel flights due to crew unavailability in the first week of April).

Among thousands of flyers who were hit by the sudden cancellations of the Air India Express flights on Wednesday was Jammu & Kashmir former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who said Air India should be shut and nothing will come out of it because its culture is bad. The stinging comment came from a former Civil Aviation Minister who said he never travelled by Air India.

Videos of furious passengers gathered at Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram airports have gone viral on social media.

The videos show flyers in heated arguments with airport staff as they claimed their flights were cancelled last minute.

In Delhi, a video showed a group of passengers swarming the Air India Express counter and shouting at the ground official with their luggage in their hands.

Several flyers took to social media platforms on May 8 to complain about the sudden cancellation of flights. In response to a passenger's post on X, Air India Express apologised and said the flight was cancelled "due to operational reasons". A section of our cabin crew has reported sick at the last minute, starting last night, resulting in flight delays and cancellations.

An Air India Express spokesperson said the airline is engaging with the cabin crew members to understand the reasons for reporting sickness and also apologised for the flight disruptions.

In a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Congress leader KC Venugopal said the flight cancellations are causing agony to fellow citizens, especially those going to the Middle East.

He said Air India Express is a low cost airline that is essential to connect our hard working middle class workers across the world to their homeland. Hundreds of passengers were left stranded in various airports in the country including Delhi, Kochi, Kannur, Varanasi, and Thiruvananthapuram, he said, adding that flights from major international airports such as Sharjah, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain to various sectors in the country were also cancelled.
A study titled "Share of Religious Minorities - A Cross Country Analysis ( 1950-2015) by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has revealed that the population share of the majority religion in India (Hindus) declined sharply by 7.8 per cent between 1950 and 2015, while a number of neighbouring countries saw a jump in the population of their majority community.

While the Hindu population shrunk in India, the share of minorities, including Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Sikhs, went up. However, the number of Jains and Parsis in the population saw mix decrease. Between 1950 and 2015, the Muslim population share in India surged by 43.15 per cent, Christians saw a 5.38 per cent increase, Sikhs a 6.58 per cent rise, and Buddhists a slight increase.

The study, released in May 2024, assessed trends in 167 countries across the world. The authors of the study say, "India's performance is consistent with the larger global trends." The study highlighted that the share of the majority Hindu population decreased by 7.82 per cent between 1950 and 2015 (from 84.68 per cent to 78.06 per cent) in India. The share of Hindus in India's population saw a decrease from 84 per cent in 1950 to 78 per cent in 2015, while that of Muslims witnessed an increase from 9.84 per cent to 14.09 per cent in the same period (of 65 years).

"The share of Muslim population in 1950 was 9.84 per cent and increased to 14.09 per cent in 2015  a 43.15 per cent increase in their share. The share of Christian population rose from 2.24 per cent to 2.36 per cent  an increase of 5.38 per cent between 1950 and 2015.The share of Sikh population increased from 1.24 per cent in 1950 to 1.85 per cent in 2015  a 6.58 per cent rise in their share. Even the share of the Buddhist population witnessed a noticeable increase from 0.05 per cent in 1950 to 0.81 per cent. On the other hand, the share of Jains in the population of India decreased from 0.45 per cent in 1950 to 0.36 per cent in 2015. The share of the Parsi population in India witnessed a stark 85 per cent decline, reducing from 0.03 per cent share in 1950 to 0.004 per cent in 2015," it said

The shrinking of the majority population in India (by 7.8 per cent) is the second most significant decline in the immediate neighbourhood, just after Myanmar's 10 per cent.

Apart from India, Nepal's majority community (Hindu) saw a 3.6 per cent decline in its share of the country's population. Buddhists, who constituted 11 per cent of the population in 1950 also witnessed a 25 per cent decrease and their share was reduced to 8 per cent in 2015. On the other hand, the share of Muslim population increased from 2.6 per cent to 4.6 per cent  a jump of 75 per cent. In 1950, the share of Christian population in Nepal was approximately zero.

By 2015, it had grown to almost two percent of the total population.

On the Indian subcontinent, all the Muslim majority countries witnessed an increase in the share of the majority religious denomination except Maldives where the share of the majority group (Shafi'i Sunnis) declined by 1.47 per cent. In Bangladesh, there was an 18 per cent increase in the share of the majority religious group which is the largest such increase in the Indian subcontinent.

Pakistan witnessed an increase of 3.75 per cent in the share of the majority religious denomination (Hanafi Muslim) and a 10 per cent increase in the share of total Muslim population despite the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. The demographic shocks inflicted upon the Hindu population in Pakistan is evidenced by a decline in their share - from constituting 13 per cent in 1950 to just 2 per cent in 2015. This is a monstrous 80 per cent decrease over a 65-year period where minorities on average increased by 22 per cent globally. Intriguingly, the share of Christians in Pakistan almost doubled from 1 to 2 per cent in the same period.

The share of the Buddhist population in Myanmar declined by 10 per cent from 84 per cent in 1950 to 75 per cent in 2015. In the same period, the share of Christian population almost doubled (from 4 per cent to 8 per cent) and the share of indigenous religions (such as Animism and Shamanism) witnessed a 25 per cent increase (from 7 per cent to 9 per cent).

"Of the 45 major countries, the share of the majority population has decreased in 32 countries between 1950 and 2015 while the religious majority has increased its share in the population in 13 countries," the study said.

"Contrary to the noise in several quarters, careful analysis of the data shows that minorities are not just protected, but indeed thriving in India," the authors said.

For the 167 countries in our analysis, the average value for the share of the majority religious denomination in the baseline year of 1950 is 75 per cent. This means that globally the share of the majority religious denomination has gone down by approximately 22 per cent. In other words, the world has become more heterogeneous in the period under study.
On Tuesday, Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan along with his wife Smita Rajan voted at polling station no. 210 located at Char Imli, Bhopal. Rajan visited the lucky coupon draw counter set up at the polling booth to encourage voters and also participated in the competition by filling the coupons.

Chief Electoral Officer Rajan flagged off an auto rally from the polling station located at Char Imli to create awareness among the voters.

Chief Electoral Officer Rajan has appealed voters to vote with enthusiasm.

He said that voting is your constitutional right in a democracy. Extensive arrangements have been made to ensure that the voters coming to the polling stations do not face any kind of problem in the heat.
Former Delhi Congress Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely, who returned to BJP on Saturday, made scathing remarks against the Congress while stating that the party which was once used to be a nationalistic and patriotic party has now leaders of the tukde tukde gang.

Lovely, who resigned from his post in Congress on March 28, shared an anecdote of his college days when he used to be in the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and said that they were made to hear a recording of a speech by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In my NSUI days we were made to hear a recording of Indira Gandhis speech in which she said mai apne khoon ka katra katra is desh k liye lagati hu. Now the ideology of the party has changed from Katra,Katra to tukde, tukde, he said while taking a jibe at joint INDIA alliance and Congress candidate Kanhaiya Kumar from Northeast Delhi.

Previously, he had quit the Congress and joined the BJP along with Malik in April 2017. However, within a few months he switched back to the Congress in 2018. Since then he was in the Congress that he left over differences with the party leadership over choice of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Delhi.

Last time I had taken the decision to quit the Congress due to anger. This time, however, we have taken the decision with a cool head and much thought. Now, we will do politics here (in BJP) only or quit politics instead of leaving the party, Lovely told reporters at Delhi BJP office.

He further said that once if you talked in favour of the nation, people assumed you were a Congress supporter but its not the same anymore. When we used to talk about anything which is related to the nations growth and development, people assumed you were from the Congress party but it is not the same anymore. Now when you say so, people assume you are from BJP, he said.

Moreover, he also attacked the joint INDIA alliance and Congress candidate Udit Raj for the North west Delhi seat and claimed he asked Dalit to not go to the temple. What can you say to someone like that? he asked. Lovely, who has switched sides for the third time, also asserted that if he doesnt remain in BJP, he will even then not join the Congress. I will give up my political career rather than going anywhere other than BJP, he said.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, who accompanied Lovely, said that he and other leaders will be free to decide their role in the party. Lovely said that in any party, the role of a worker is most important and he will assume that role and campaign for the party wherever he is asked to go. Further, the former Delhi Minister has also been named as the star campaigner by the saffron party ahead of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections.

Former Congress MLAs Raj Kumar Chauhan, Naseeb Singh and Neeraj Basoya and former Youth Congress President Amit Mallik were also present at the event .

He also called the INDIA alliance unnatural between parties. Taking a dig at the opposition bloc, Lovely said that recently the Delhi unit chief of the NCP, Yoganand Shastri, was weaned away by the Congress. The NCP is a constituent of the INDIA bloc. I dont understand how alliance partners can break each others party. What is this alliance? Hence, I say it doesnt come together well, he remarked.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Delhi BJP for his entry into the saffron outfit, saying he earlier also had friendly relations with many leaders in the party. Lovely asserted that after joining of former Congress leaders like himself and Chauhan, there was no contest left in East Delhi and North East Delhi constituencies lying in trans Yamuna part of the city, hinting to the role they would play to spoil the chances of the INDIA bloc candidates on the two seats.

Lovely claimed that the AAP campaigning in four seats in Delhi was not even using the name of the Congress and its leaders and was still expecting to get the votes of the party workers and supporters which was not going to happen this time.
Wanted accused having a reward of Rs 5000 were arrested by Jehangirabad police station, Bhopal, found more than 32 liters of illicit country made liquor was seized. The liquor recovered from smugglers is estimated to be worth Rs 7000.

Based on the information of the informer on Tuesday accused Sameer (27) was nabbed near a railway under construction bridge on Raisen Road Jahangirabad Bhopal. Javed Qureshi (25) and Faizan(27) were detained and recovered 32 liters of illegal country liquor in three plastic cans.

The three accused are habitual offender and have been booked by different police stations of Bhopal district.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 02 had announced a reward of Rs 5000 for the arrest of the accused who were absconding under the Cruelty to Animals Act.

The accused Javed Qureshi works as van driver, Sameer works as a conductor on bus and Faizan works at a furniture shop at Bharat Talkies.

Javed has been booked thrice under section 4,6,9, Prohibition of cow slaughter Act.11 Prevention of cruelty to animals Act.1960, he was also booked under 49A Excise Act by Jahangirabad police.

Sameer was booked under section 323, 427, 506 and 34 of the IPC by Jehangirabad police, section 25 of the Arms Act by Talaiya police, section 379 of the IPC 4,6,10 Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act 2004 by Jahangirabad and Govindpura police, section 49A Excise Act by Jehangirabad police,

Faizan was booked under section 25 Arms Act by Talaiya police, under section 294,324 and 506 of the IPC by Mangalwara and Talaiya, under section 294,323, 327, 329, 341 and 506 of the IPC by Talaiya police and under section 379 of the IPC and section 4,6,10 Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act 2004 by Jehangirabad police.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda will campaign between May 16 to May 22 for the seven seats in the national Capital. The elections in the national Capital will be held on May 25.

According to BJP sources, the Prime Minister is expected to hold rallies in the Capital between May 18 to May 20 on two different locations in which one can be held in the Ramlila Maidan.

BJP stalwart and Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday campaigned for two candidates of the BJP in the national capital. While he took part in a jansabha (public meeting) for the BJP candidate for Chandni Chowk Praveen Khandelwal in Delhis Shastri Nagar area, he addressed the public in Burari area to support BJPs South Delhi Candidate Ramvir Singh Bidhuri.

Along with Gadkari, former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore also campaigned for different BJP candidates in the city. While Rathore held a road show to campaign for the partys East Delhi candidate Harsh Malhotra, the former Haryana CM addressed a public gathering to support the BJPs South Delhi Candidate Ramvir Singh Bidhuri.

With four leaders of the ruling party already on the ground to facilitate BJPs aim to win all seven candidates in the national Capital and repeat their two times successive win, more leaders are expected to campaign for the parties in the successive days.

According to sources, it is expected that apart from the big leaders or the grade one leaders, rest will be on the ground campaigning for the party and its candidate before May 16.

Several Union Ministers including Piyush Goyal, Hardeep Singh Puri, Smriti Irani and Arjun Ram Meghwal are also included in the list of star campaigners. Further, Chief Ministers of various states will also be taking part in the processions and campaigns by BJP. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma are also included in the list.

The list encompasses various senior BJP leaders as part of the campaign in Delhi where AAP and Congress have come together under the INDIA alliance to present a joint opposition against the saffron party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly attacked the anti-national and divisive mentality of Congress while addressing public meetings organized in Khargone and Dhar of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday.

In these programs, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, State BJP President and Khajuraho MP Vishnudatt Sharma also addressed the gathering.

During this, Khargone candidate Gajendra Singh Patel, Khandwa Lok Sabha candidate Dnyaneshwar Patil, Dhar candidate Savitri Thakur and Ratlam candidate Anita Chauhan and other distinguished leaders of the party were present.

Modi said that he has come today to seek blessings from the public for the resolve of a developed India. This trend has been going on for centuries that a person living on the banks of Narmada never disappoints anyone who asks for it.

Taking a jibe at the INDIA alliance, Modi said that the Indi alliance members are contesting elections only to save their legacy and to hand over their party to their children. They do not care about the happiness and sorrow of the people. The leaders of the alliance follow the principle of get your work done and let the public go to hell. Today India stands at an important turning point in history and the people have to decide whether vote jihad or Ram Rajya will continue in India.

By listening to the leaders who left Congress after being in the party for 20 years, it can be understood that the conspiracy of Congress is extremely dangerous. Congress leaders have harassed a Congress leader going to Ram Temple so much that she had to leave the Congress. Apart from this, other leaders who left Congress have said that Congress has been captured by Maoists, Rahul Gandhi intends to overturn the Supreme Court decision on Ram Temple like the Shah Bano case decision overturned by Rajiv Gandhi and in the last 2 years Since then Congress is engaged in a big conspiracy to make false allegations against Modi, that is why lies are being spread these days regarding the Constitution.

Former Congress Chief Minister of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi has said that the Indian Army itself carries out terrorist attacks and Pakistan is innocent. No citizen of the country can tolerate this insult to the country's army.

Rahul Gandhi will have to answer this and tell what is the intention behind so much love for Pakistan and so much hatred for the army. That is why people say that Congress is in power  Pakistan Zindabad.

Taking a dig at the INDIA alliance, Modi said that in despair of defeat, Congress is spreading a new rumor that if Modi gets 400 seats, he will change the Constitution. Modi has had the support of 400 seats in the form of NDA and used it to remove 370, extend SC/ST reservation by 10 years, make a tribal daughter the President of the country for the first time and women's reservation.

The illustrious Prime Minister said that Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is serving a sentence in the fodder scam, is talking about giving complete reservation of SC, ST and OBC to a particular class.

Modi opened accounts of 50 crore poor people and gave loans worth about Rs 30 lakh crore under the Mudra scheme without taking any guarantee. BJP follows the mantra of development as well as heritage, but Congress opposed every work of heritage and faith.

Congress opposed even the Mahakal Corridor. That is why BJP is expanding facilities at places like Dhar's Bhojshala, Bagh Caves and Mandu's Jahaz Mahal.

Every parent in the country works hard all their life and saves some money for their children, but Rahul Gandhi wants to snatch this inheritance also by imposing 55 percent tax.
The Supreme Court will deliver its order on granting interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam on May 10. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who headed the bench which heard Kejriwals petition against his arrest in the case, said, We will pronounce the interim order (on interim bail) on Friday. The main matter related to the challenge to arrest will also be taken on the same day.

Justice Khanna, who was sitting in a different combination with Justices MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi, made the remark after Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who was appearing for the Centre in a matter related to Goods and Services Tax, sought clarification on the listing of Kejriwals plea. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader was arrested on March 21 and is currently lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who also appeared for the probe agency, had staunchly opposed showing any leniency to Kejriwal on account of the Lok Sabha polls and said granting interim bail to the AAP national convenor would amount to creating a separate class for politicians. The bench has divided the hearing on Kejriwals petition against his arrest into two parts.

During the hearing Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the Supreme Court that the agency has evidence against the AAP chief. The ASG further asserted that the ED was in no way concerned with the politics surrounding his arrest.

On May 7, the bench, also comprising Justice Dipankar Datta, had reserved its verdict on interim bail to Kejriwal. The two-judge bench had risen without pronouncing order on granting Kejriwal interim bail to enable him to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections.

The bench had reserved its decision after hearing the arguments put forth by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi and Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, who appeared for Kejriwal and the Enforcement Directorate, respectively.

His main petition challenges his arrest by the ED and seeks it to be declared as illegal, while the second aspect pertains to grant of interim bail keeping in mind the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. The court reserved the order on the issue of grant of interim bail.

On Tuesday, a Delhi court has extended Kejriwals judicial custody in the money laundering case till May 20. The Delhi High Court had on April 9 upheld Kejriwals arrest, saying there was no illegality and the ED was left with little option after he skipped repeated summonses and refused to join the investigation. The matter relates to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi governments now-scrapped excise policy for 2021-22.
By Rabia Akhtar

The Asia-Pacific region, a critical arena for international politics due to its economic dynamism and strategic maritime routes, is currently witnessing an intensifying rivalry between the United States and China. This competition is reshaping the geopolitical landscape, influencing regional security and affecting the global balance of power. The rivalry is multifaceted, encompassing trade, technology, military capabilities and diplomatic relations with other states in the region, with several dimensions having broader implications for regional and global stability.

Trade and economic dimensions

The economic aspect of the U.S.-China rivalry is perhaps the most visible, characterized by a tense and sometimes confrontational trade relationship. The trade war initiated during the Trump administration, which saw both countries imposing tariffs on billions of dollars worth of each other's goods, underscores the deep economic tensions. While there have been efforts to smooth over these issues, such as the Phase One Trade Agreement signed in January 2020, fundamental disagreements over trade practices, access to markets and intellectual property rights remain unresolved. These economic tensions are exacerbated by efforts to decouple key aspects of the two economies, particularly in technology and supply chains. The United States has expressed concerns about dependence on Chinese-manufactured goods and technology, citing national security risks. This has led to significant shifts, such as restrictions on Chinese technology firms and incentives for reshoring manufacturing capabilities to the United States or diversifying to other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Technology and cybersecurity

Technology is another critical front in the U.S.-China rivalry. Both nations view technological superiority as essential to economic and military leadership in the 21st century. The United States has taken significant steps to curb the influence of Chinese technology companies, exemplified by actions against firms like Huawei and TikTok, which it accuses of posing national security threats. Conversely, China has been promoting its "Digital Silk Road" and striving for technological self-reliance, as outlined in its "Made in China 2025" initiative. Cybersecurity is intertwined with these technological concerns, with both countries accusing each other of cyber espionage. The U.S. has frequently charged China with stealing intellectual property to bolster its technological industries, a claim that has intensified mutual suspicions and fueled a cybersecurity arms race in the region.

Military buildup and strategic posturing

The military dimension of the U.S.-China rivalry involves a significant buildup of capabilities and increased strategic posturing in the Asia-Pacific. The United States, through its alliances with Japan, South Korea and Australia, among others, maintains a substantial military presence in the region. This includes naval patrols in the South China Sea, intended to assert freedom of navigation in the face of expansive Chinese territorial claims. China, for its part, has rapidly expanded and modernized its military, particularly its navy and missile capabilities. The establishment of military outposts on artificial islands in the South China Sea and the frequent incursions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone are seen as direct challenges to U.S. influence and commitments in the region.

Support for regional states

The U.S.-China rivalry in the Asia-Pacific has profound implications for countries in the region, especially India and Pakistan, shaping their strategic, economic and diplomatic landscapes. For India, this rivalry presents an opportunity to enhance its strategic posture and economic ties with the U.S., positioning itself as a pivotal counterbalance to China in the region. While this alignment attracts investments and security assurances, it also risks escalating tensions with China, as evidenced by border disputes between the two nations. Conversely, Pakistan, leveraging its longstanding alliance with China, has seen strengthened economic and military support, exemplified by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), defense procurements and joint military hardware development plans. Pakistan is one of the largest recipients of Chinese military hardware, including fighter jets like the JF-17 Thunder which is co-produced by both countries. This collaboration extends to tanks, surface-to-air missile systems and naval vessels, including submarines. The U.S.-China dynamics could intensify the strategic calculus for both India and Pakistan, pushing them towards firmer alignments that could either stabilize or destabilize regional security architecture.

Uncertain future

The U.S.-China rivalry in the Asia-Pacific is a defining aspect of contemporary international relations, with profound implications for regional and global stability. The competition touches upon the vital interests of both nations and involves a complex interplay of economic, technological, military and diplomatic factors. As this rivalry evolves, it will continue to shape the strategic choices of countries in the Asia-Pacific and beyond, posing both challenges and opportunities for managing peaceful coexistence and cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world.

Dr. Rabia Akhtar serves as the founding Director of the Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research at the University of Lahore, Pakistan, as well as a member of the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (APLN). This essay is published in cooperation with the APLN (www.apln.network).
New system needed to check NK nukes buildup

By Troy Stangarone

On April 30, the mandate for the U.N. Panel of Experts on North Korea expired, leaving the international community without an international mechanism to monitor North Korean sanctions evasion. Developing a new tool to monitor and enforce U.N. sanctions on North Korea is important, but sanctions enforcement faces challenges beyond Russias decision to veto a renewal of the panels mandate.

Russias decision to end the panels mandate is easy to understand. Moscow needs North Korean artillery to win its war against Ukraine, a significant sanctions violation in itself, and had lost interest in the continuation of a U.N. panel tasked with monitoring and reporting its own growing list of sanctions violations. These include providing North Korea with access to the international financial system, the transfer of military technology, the continued use of North Korean labor and likely transfers of petroleum in excess of U.N. limits.

While the war in Ukraine may have been the proximate reason for Russia to end the panel, its primary motivation predates the war.

With the panels mandate now expired, former panel members are beginning to describe some of the challenges they faced while serving on the panel, going back years. According to former panel member Eric Penton-Voak in a recent article for 38 North, one of these challenges was that neither Russia nor China has shown interest in maintaining or enforcing sanctions on North Korea since 2019.

This suggests a strategic shift by China and Russia after the failure of the Hanoi summit and the formal breakdown of talks in Stockholm between the United States and North Korea in October 2019. The deterioration in relations between China and the United States likely also played a factor, at least in Chinas shift.

The decisions by Russia and China to not enforce sanctions against North Korea severely weakened the sanctions regime. Now, a failure to develop a new system for monitoring and enforcing sanctions would essentially hand Beijing and Moscow, likely the two largest sanctions violators, the ability to unilaterally eviscerate international sanctions.

The primary question is how to move forward, knowing that broader geopolitics are unlikely to change in the near future. Because Russia and China have now spent years undermining sanctions, any new efforts to monitor and enforce sanctions must be outside of the U.N. structure and without their involvement.

While Russia and China will complain of bias, allowing them to be part of any new process would be the equivalent of having the accused run the investigation into their crimes.

Because Russia and China will not want any new sanctions enforcement grouping to have validity, the United States, South Korea and other states supportive of the U.N. sanctions regime will need to prepare to combat both disinformation, a key component of any Russian strategy, and likely economic coercion on smaller states to dissuade them from cooperating.

The United States will need to be willing to do something it has not done in the past  place significant sanctions on China related to North Korea. In a talk with the North Korea Economic Forum, for which I am a member of the steering committee, Penton-Voak also pointed out one key aspect of sanctions enforcement that could help avoid escalation. Ultimately, sanctions evasion requires illicit actors to be able to move money within the financial system. Most banks and firms do not want to be caught on the wrong side of the law. It would require long and patient work, but highlighting for banks and firms their connections to illicit North Korean activities would cut off points of access for North Korea.

Cutting off North Korean access, however, will be challenging. First, not all firms North Korea deals with in Russia and China have international operations, but those that do will be more vulnerable, even those in China. Major Chinese banks, for example, are cutting off payments for transactions that could fall afoul of U.S. sanctions on Russia, making it increasingly difficult for Chinese firms to supply Russia with the parts it needs to build weapons. The second difficulty, however, is that Russia and China hope to build payment systems outside the reach of the United States. Over time, these new systems could become central to North Korean financial flows.

Developing a new system to monitor and enforce U.N. sanctions on North Korea remains critical to slowing its weapons development. North Korean ballistic missiles found on the battlefield in Ukraine have contained parts produced in major developed economies in the last few years, demonstrating the need to disrupt North Koreas sanctions evasion better and limit the regimes ability to gain access to the technology it needs to advance its programs. However, with Russia and China willing to countenance sanctions evasion, a new system will need to be developed that excludes them from monitoring and holds Moscow and Beijing accountable.

Troy Stangarone (ts@keia.org) is the senior director of congressional affairs and trade at the Korea Economic Institute. He is a guest editorial writer at The Korea Times.












By Ko Dong-hwan

Saengong, a Korean household products brand, has signed a supply deal with a major ice cream maker and distributor in Kazakhstan to expand its presence in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region, the Korean company said Tuesday.

Saengong CEO Kim Ji-seon met Shin Line Group Chairman Andrey Shin in the country's capital, Almaty, Thursday and signed a memorandum of agreement for the $2.3 million three-year deal.

With the deal, Saengong has paved the way to expanding its market to the region.

Shin Line will exclusively distribute the Korean firm's products  from everyday household products to beauty and cosmetics, beverages and snacks  to Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Shin Line Group is the biggest ice cream firm in Kazakhstan and fifth-largest in the CIS region. It registered $230 million in sales last year.

It also manufactures dairy products, dough, pastries and instant noodles and exports them to Russia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and China.

Last year, Shin Line signed a deal with BGF Retail, which operates CU, one of the biggest convenience store chains in Korea, to distribute CU's products to Kazakhstan.

Under its latest deal with Saengong, the group has agreed to distribute Saengong's products through new CU stores to be launched across the CIS region.

Saengong said both companies have agreed to sustain their partnership for shared objectives and further discuss jointly launching a consortium and a plant in Kazakhstan to boost their partnership.

The Saengong CEO said Shin Line Group had acknowledged his company's brand power and competitiveness and expressed a strong interest in a partnership with his company.

"Saengong will support Shin Line Group from behind so the Kazakhstani company can make its presence bigger throughout the region," Kim said. "We, at the same time, anticipate our brand's global competitiveness to grow by debuting in the CIS region."

Saengong currently exports to 10 countries, including four E-Mart stores, Korea's large-scale supermarket chain in Mongolia.
SK Telecom, a major Korean mobile carrier, said Wednesday its first-quarter net income rose 19.6 percent from a year earlier mainly thanks to non-operating profit from investment.

Its net profit came to 361.9 billion won ($264.8 million) in the January-March period, up 19.6 percent from 302.5 billion won a year ago.

The operating profit was up 0.8 percent on-year to 498.5 billion won and revenue rose 2.3 percent to 4.47 trillion won.

The earnings exceeded market expectations. The average estimate of net profit by analysts stood at 341.8 billion won, according to a survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency.

The company said its mainstay mobile business continued to show robust performance, while its artificial intelligence (AI) businesses grew sharply.

Its AI enterprise and AI infrastructure units posted 10 percent and 26 percent growth in sales, respectively, in the first quarter, the company explained.

SK Telecom said it plans to further expand its AI business by deepening cooperation with global tech companies, such as U.S. server manufacturer Supermicro and cloud computing company Lambda.

The Korean company also has plans to unveil a large language model (LLM) tailored to the needs of domestic telecommunications companies in June and is also developing a global telco-specific LLM in collaboration with the Global Telco AI Alliance.

"We will further strengthen our foundation on wired and wireless businesses, while focusing on increasing our profitability and efficiency and creating tangible achievements in the AI business to improve the corporate value," SK Telecom's Chief Financial Officer Kim Yang-seob said. (Yonhap)
According to Stormy Daniels, Mr. Trump is a bit of a traditionalist and only performs the deed in missionary position. For this, he was given kudos points by Evangelical church members in the trials audience.

Reverend Enos Cooter, from the Alabama Baptist Third Coming of Christ Episcopal Jesus of Nazareth Church, praised Trump when Stormy revealed everything to the court.

Bless our Donald Trump in the name of Jesus, he only uses our Lords ascribed missionary position whilst conducting adultery with a porn star slash prostitute. No, he did not do the devils doggy style or any other freaky ass Satan shit. Jesus would approve. We are 110% behind Donald Trump for his pure missionary Christian ways, and he even turned the light out as well. Hawt diggedy damn! Praise the lord!

The courts Stormy Daniels revelations have now given a renewed impetus amongst the right wing evangelical Christian followers of Donald Trump, who all praised his limited usage of sexual positions and traditional Christian stance.

Evangelical preacher Johnson Pedrofial from the Church of Giving in Nashville was excited about Mr. Trumps chances in the coming election.

By the horns of Beelzebubba, I gotta say this gave our church the best injection of cash I ever saw in my years. Our collection increased by over 350% because of the power of Donald Trump and his missionary position on that porno star. Jesus himself would have approved. Now, excuse me, I gotta private jet flight with 15 underage prostitutes shipped in from Guatemala to catch myself. All in the name of Jesus, of course, tee hee hee.
Tech-savvy 'new farmer' in NE China enjoys fruits of modern agriculture

People's Daily Online) 09:49, May 08, 2024

The drone has saved my back and legs from the strain. With a drone, I can spray 15 mu (1 hectare) of crops with pesticide per hour effortlessly," said Han Chunming, a tech-savvy "new farmer" in Lishu county, Siping city, northeast China's Jilin Province.

The 35-year-old farmer has been driving agricultural machinery for a local agricultural cooperative for years, and has been savoring the benefits of modern agriculture.

In 2023, he began learning how to operate plant-protection drones. He obtained the necessary certification, and has become a professional drone operator for agricultural applications.

Han Chunming checks and repairs a plant-protection drone. (Photo/Cheng Yuran)

Plant-protection drones have not only reduced labor costs, but have greatly improved the precision and efficiency of pesticide application and fertilization, according to Han.

"In the past, we had to carry backpack sprayers and spray pesticides manually. We'd be bent double with exhaustion after a day's work, covering just a small area. Now we can control pests and diseases much faster," he told People's Daily Online.

In 2019, drone pilots were officially recognized as a new profession in China, motivating more "new farmers" to add drone operating skills to their repertoire.

"I was amazed watching others control the drones with a remote. By tapping the screen and toggling the joysticks, they could make drones take off. It seemed magical," Han recalled.

In order to learn the theories and rules and regulations on operating drones, he studied and practiced whenever he had the chance, gradually figuring it out, said Han, admitting it was no easy feat for him to master the skills.

Han Chunming demonstrates how a plant-protection drone works. (Photo/Cheng Yuran)

The new skills have made Han busier, and have boosted his income as well. Previously, he was busy only during planting and harvesting seasons. He now also works the remaining months handling pesticide applications and fertilization with drones.

"Sometimes I even get bonus rewards from my boss," he said.

Fenghuang Mountain agricultural machinery cooperative, where Han works, has 24 multi-function monitoring stations, two drones, and 15 sets of automated agricultural machinery operating equipment, which allows for mechanical seeding, drone pesticide spraying, and remote monitoring of crop growth through a mobile app.

Enjoying the fruits of modern agriculture, Han is eager to learn even more, taking advantage of new technologies in farming.

"I'm still a novice who needs to learn from the 'veteran pilots' to master more skills," he said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Shinsegae, the operator of Korea's second-biggest department store chain, said Wednesday its first-quarter net profit rose 0.8 percent from a year earlier on equity gains from its affiliates.

Net profit for the three months ended in March rose to 129.6 billion won ($94.9 million) from 128.58 billion won during the same period of last year, the company said in a statement.

"Increased shareholding gains from (Shinsegae's) online shopping channel, sleeping gear firm, and other affiliates propped up the bottom line. The department store division also posted robust sales in the past quarter," a company spokesperson said.

Operating profit rose 7 percent to 163 billion won in the first quarter from 152.41 billion won a year ago. Sales were up 2.6 percent to 1.6 trillion won from 1.56 trillion won.

Faced with a growing demand for online shopping platforms, Shinsegae will focus on improving synergies between its existing Shinsegae Department Store outlets and the department store's online malls, the statement said. (Yonhap)
By Park Jae-hyuk

SK E&S finished the construction of the worlds largest liquefied hydrogen plant in Incheon that can produce up to 30,000 tons of the eco-friendly energy source annually, the company said Wednesday.

Its capacity is considered large enough to operate 5,000 hydrogen-powered buses for a year.

The plant is therefore expected to boost the supply of hydrogen-powered buses in Korea, allowing the country to avoid a shortage of hydrogen for vehicles, which occurred last November after a malfunction at hydrogen production facilities here.

The completed construction of the Incheon liquefied hydrogen plant is the starting point to make our dream of the hydrogen era come true, SK E&S CEO Choo Hyeong-wook said. The year 2024 will be remembered as the first year of the era of liquefied hydrogen, which will change the course of the history of Koreas energy industry.

Since SK Group announced its plan to build the plant at a meeting for the prime minister-led hydrogen economy committee in March 2021, the conglomerate has made efforts to create a hydrogen ecosystem in Korea.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said at that time that the business group would fulfill its corporate responsibility to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Under the plan, SK E&S also seeks to build around 40 hydrogen charging stations nationwide, to commence the operation of about 20 stations by the end of this year. The stations will source hydrogen from the new Incheon plant, to supply the energy source to their consumers.

Through the transition to hydrogen-powered public transportation, the Incheon plant will contribute to the reduction in greenhouse gases, an SK E&S official said.
Key Points:

The Ukrainian parliament has passed a law allowing the voluntary mobilization of certain prisoners into the armed forces.

The legislation excludes individuals convicted of serious offenses and limits eligibility to those with less than three years remaining on their sentences.

Concerns have been raised regarding the ethical implications of using prisoners in combat and the potential for abuse within specialized units.

Ukraine Approves Prisoner Mobilization

In a controversial move, the Ukrainian parliament has passed legislation permitting the mobilization of certain prisoners into the armed forces. This decision comes as the nation grapples with a critical personnel shortage in its ongoing conflict with Russia. The bill, which awaits the signatures of the parliamentary chairperson and President Zelenskyy, marks a significant shift in Ukraines stance. Previously, Kyiv had condemned Russias use of prisoners in combat, highlighting the ethical concerns and potential human rights violations associated with such practices.

Get alerts:

Voluntary Mobilization with Restrictions

The legislation outlines a framework for voluntary enlisting incarcerated individuals into the Ukrainian armed forces, subject to specific eligibility requirements. To mitigate potential security risks, the legislation explicitly excludes individuals convicted of serious offenses, including those involving sexual violence, multiple homicides, high-level corruption, and individuals who previously held positions of significant authority within the government. This exclusionary criterion aims to prevent the integration of individuals who may threaten public safety or national security.

Furthermore, the legislation restricts eligibility to incarcerated individuals nearing the conclusion of their sentences, specifically those with less than three years remaining. This temporal limitation seeks to balance the objectives of augmenting military personnel with individuals possessing combat capabilities while ensuring that the duration of their service remains commensurate with their original sentences. Upon successful completion of their military service, eligible individuals will be granted parole rather than a full pardon, reflecting an approach to reintegration that acknowledges both their contributions to national defense and the severity of their prior offenses.

Ethical Concerns and Potential Abuse

This measured approach to prisoner mobilization has generated support and apprehension within Ukraine. Proponents highlight the necessity of expanding the pool of potential recruits to address the pressing personnel shortage within the armed forces, emphasizing the voluntary nature of the program and the stringent eligibility criteria designed to maintain security and public safety. Conversely, opponents express concerns regarding the potential ramifications of incorporating convicted individuals into the military, citing possible risks to unit cohesion, discipline, and the overall reputation of the armed forces.

Advocacy groups, such as Protection for Prisoners of Ukraine, have expressed reservations about the legislation. While supporting the general idea, they criticize the specifics of the adopted text as discriminatory. One major concern is the lack of clarity regarding the duration of service for mobilized prisoners. There are fears that they may be obligated to fight until the war ends, potentially exceeding their original prison sentences.

Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for abuse within specialized units created for these mobilized soldiers. Critics draw parallels to the practices of the Wagner Group in Russia, where convicts are reportedly sent into dangerous assaults with little regard for their lives. This raises questions about the ethical implications of utilizing prisoners in combat and the potential for human rights violations.

A Response to Escalating Conflict

The decision to mobilize prisoners underscores the severity of Ukraines manpower shortage as the conflict with Russia intensifies. Despite receiving significant military aid from Western partners, Kyiv struggles to maintain its defenses against a larger, better-equipped adversary.

In recent months, Ukraine has implemented various measures to bolster its troop numbers, including tightening regulations against draft evasion and lowering the draft age. The mobilization of prisoners represents another step in this ongoing effort, albeit controversial.


A charity motorbike run is due to take place on May 19 in memory of County Derry motorcyclist, Aidan Clarkin, who sadly lost his life, following a collision on the Lisnamuck Road, Tobermore on May 5 2023.

Aidan Clarkin, known by friends and family as Aidy, was a true bike lover, from travelling to Spain to take part in racing events, and to Germany to take part in a tour with his biking friends, Aidy enjoyed sharing the beautiful sights with those he loved back home.

The Ballinasreen man's passion was his bikes, even including his dog Diesel out on family bike days and organising special trips and making valuable memories with family and friends which will be cherished forever.

Organised by The Sperrin Bikers RC and Aidys sister Louise Donnelly to raise vital funds for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, the run is planned to set off from Main Street, Draperstown, covering Maghera, Castledawson, Ballymena, Armoy, Ballycastle, Portrush, Garvagh and ends with a return to Draperstown.

The Sperrin Bikers RC raised 5,687 last year through a fundraiser.

His sister, Louise, looks forward to the event saying: Im nearly a year into being on the bike myself so I could be a part of these events in memory of Aidy, it means so much and The Sperrin Bikers RC have really looked after me.

The Sperrin Bikers RC hosted a run last year in aid of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, raising an amazing 5,687 to help fund the vital service.

The charity Air Ambulance NI, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for Northern Ireland. The service brings urgent medical assistance attending to patients who are seriously ill or injured, bringing emergency pre-hospital care direct to the casualty with the aim of saving lives, brains and limbs. Air Ambulance operates seven days a week for 12 hours per day. The aircraft can reach anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes. On average, the doctor and paramedic team are tasked twice a day whether that is as a result of a serious road traffic collision, farm or workplace accident, sport and leisure incident or a serious medical emergency, to name a few.

Katrina Hughes, Area Fundraising Manager, commented on the upcoming event, saying: "We're incredibly grateful for the continued support from The Sperrin Bikers RC, it is something we never take for granted. It costs nearly 7,000 a day to maintain the service, and every penny raised makes a difference. Were looking forward to another successful event for the Sperrin Bikers and would ask anyone who can to come out and support however they can.

The charity aspires to raise 2.5m per year through continued public support, to ensure that the service continues to be there for everyone and that is why support for these amazing community events are vital.

If you would like to find out more about how you can support Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, please contact the team on 028 9262 2677 or email info@airambulanceni.org
The number of tourists travelling into Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic has almost doubled in a year, new figures have indicated.

Tourism NI welcomed the figures relating to numbers of overnight visitors from the Republic as unprecedented.

According to figures released by the Republics Central Statistics Office, 1.3 million overnight trips were taken by visitors from the Republic to Northern Ireland in 2023, up 46% compared to 2022.

These trips translated into almost three million overnight stays and spending of more than 267m, an increase of 48% on the numbers recorded in 2022.

The CSO data also indicated that all types of tourism grew rapidly in 2023, from holiday trips to visiting friends and relatives, and business tourism.

Tourism NI chief executive, John McGrillen said the figures demonstrate the potential growth in the sector.

These results are exceptional, especially given the tough economic climate and the increased levels of competition from other destinations, he said.

We are clearly reaping the rewards of additional investment in new visitor experiences in recent years, and increased marketing and promotion in the Republic of Ireland.

Our research shows that every part of Northern Ireland is benefiting from this investment and the very strong growth in visitor numbers and spend which has resulted from it.

While there continue to be challenges for the industry, these results demonstrate tourisms growth potential as we look to the future.
A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court has said that he has been assured there is no need for anyone to beg in this city.

The comments by District Judge Barney McElholm came in the case if a Romanian national Agape Petru (54) of Mount Street in Derry who admitted begging in Ferryquay Street on January 11.

The court heard that the defendant had previous convictions for similar offences.

Defence solicitor Shannon Doherty said her client does not receive any benefits here and added that his wife in Romania was 'very ill' and that was why he had taken to begging.

Judge McElholm asked if his wife was so ill in Romania why was he here?

He added that he used to have some sympathy for beggars but after meetings with Derry City Council he was told there were gangs of professional beggars in the city.

He said that the council assured him there was no need for anyone to beg here.

The judge said that anyone in need could get allowances and accommodation if required.

He fined Petru 500.
Students at the Queens University Belfast have staged a sit-in protest on campus calling for the removal of Hillary Clinton as chancellor.

In a statement the QUB Palestine Assembly said they want to see a democratic election process for the next chancellor.

The group is also calling for Queens to end all ties with universities in Israel, to issue a statement condemning Israels mass killing of Palestinians and deliberate destruction of Gazas educational infrastructure and offer sanctuary status to Palestinian academics and students.

Breaking news Students have just occupied the main Lanyon Building at @QUBelfast in solidarity with the Palestinian people QUB Palestine Assembly demands are below pic.twitter.com/ZOrgFjcksr  John Barry is part of UCU Rising (@ProfJohnBarry) May 7, 2024

They have also condemned terminology and some content used in the universitys deeply divided societies course around Palestine.

The group said further action will be discussed among members.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll attended the sit-in.

I think its very, very important that theyve done this, he said.

Hopefully the students can force management to act. This place, as many universities do, has a history of people standing up against oppression and these students are following their friends and fellow students in America and at Trinity (College, Dublin). I want to commend them and extend whatever solidarity I can to them.

Responding, a Queens University spokesperson said they recognise and defend the right to protest, but said it is essential that those who want to go about their business on campus can do so.

Queens University Belfast is committed to freedom of expression, the right to hold a range of views, and the promotion and protection of the right to protest, they said.

This applies to our students, academics and professional staff, and indeed the wider public.

During recent months, we have met individuals and representatives of many organisations, including trade unions, students union and many other interest groups.

We have had constructive discussions, listened to concerns and ideas, and exchanged views in an atmosphere of mutual respect, with a genuine desire to find solutions and common ground on a range of issues, and we will continue to do so.

We accept there are different views on the Middle East. Queens University is committed to freedom of thought and expression for students and staff within a framework of respect for the rights of other persons.

While we will recognise and defend the right to protest and have voices heard, in a respectful and legal way, it is essential that those who want to go about their normal business on campus can freely and safely do so without interference.
Cash-strapped building developer faces lawsuit from serviced apartment buyers

By Park Jae-hyuk

Lotte E&C is witnessing a deterioration of the image regarding its apartment brand, Lotte Castle, after the recent collapse of one of its underground parking garages at a serviced apartment complex in western Seoul, according to industry officials, Wednesday.

Last Friday, two workers were injured in an accident while carrying out concreting work at the parking garage of Lotte Castle Lewest, which is comprised of five 15-story buildings with six underground floors.

Following the accident, buyers of its apartment units urged the Gangseo District Office on Wednesday to order Lotte E&C to halt construction and conduct a thorough safety inspection. However, both the district office and the construction firm denied there being enough defects to warrant a halt in construction.

Concrete flowed down while filling a hole used to move materials from the upper to lower floors, a Lotte E&C official said. The accident differs from the collapse of an underground parking garage of an apartment complex under construction by GS E&C in Incheon.

The company added that it would resume construction after checking the safety of the building.

Last month, the apartment buyers asked a court to order the cancelation of their contracts with Lotte E&C as well as receive compensation from the construction firm, as they were not allowed to reside in the rooms that they had bought.

In 2021, the government revised the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act to prohibit the use of serviced apartments as houses. Therefore, Lotte Castle Lewest's use should be similar to that of a hotel once its construction is finished in August.

If the buyers live in the facility, they will have to pay annual fines equivalent to 10 percent of the prices of their serviced apartment units. In addition, the governments measure prompted banks to reduce the maximum amount of mortgages being lent to buyers.

The buyers claimed that Lotte E&C had promoted the serviced apartments as a place where they could live full time. Before the lawsuit, the buyers held a series of rallies denouncing the construction firm.

However, Lotte E&C refuted the claim, saying that the buyers were aware of the fact that they could not use the facility as their primary home.

When the company sold the rooms in 2021, the price of a 49-square-meter room reached up to 962 million won ($704,000). The price of an 88-square-meter room cost 1.7 billion won.

Despite the controversy about the facilitys valuation, 575,950 people participated in bids for 876 serviced apartment units, as the nations housing market was overheated at that time.
Snow Patrols Gary Lightbody has said the arts are essential for the survival of the soul as he backed a new 10-year strategic vision to develop a more financially stable sector in Northern Ireland.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland said its strategy calling for further investment in the sector had been informed by extensive consultation with the public, across the arts community, and government.

Launching the strategy in Belfast, Mr Lightbody spoke of imagining a world without the arts.

He said: The feeling I get sometimes when I speak to politicians is that art is a luxury, art is extra, a societal appendage, something frivolous.

No-ones ever said to me in so many words, but the intimation is that art is something we will have time and money for once we fix everything else.

He added: Picture the best life for yourself and now from that great canvas of your best imaginable life that youve painted in your mind, take away music, take away poetry and prose, remove dance and dancing, and theatre and film, get rid of all the great towering works of art carved into sculpture or canvas, erase all the arts from that picture of your perfect life; how close to perfect is it now?

So while I agree that art is not essential for survival, it is essential for the survival of the soul.

Our best days are made better with music, our worst days are made better with music.

To do right by our people, their mental health, their hearts, their souls, art is not something society can afford to neglect.

Explaining the new strategy, Arts Council chair Liam Hannaway said: We have consulted more widely than ever before, and listened carefully to feedback over the last eight months.

The Arts Councils strategic plan for 2024-2034 is an ambitious  but realistic  long-term road-map.

It charts six outcomes and 10 priorities that will help us achieve our vision  a vision of a society where all people can experience a thriving arts sector that is recognised as essential to creativity, well-being, and social and economic prosperity.

We need to ensure we have an arts sector that is valued publicly by leaders and decision-makers across Northern Ireland and internationally.

The Arts Council will use our expertise to support the thousands of artists and arts organisations across Northern Ireland, to invest, advocate and evidence the positive impacts of the arts sector, socially, culturally and economically.

Roisin McDonough, chief executive of the Arts Council, said: This strategy outlines our mission to develop and champion the arts in Northern Ireland through investment and advocacy.

It states our commitment to supporting artists, promoting inclusivity and diversity, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that the arts are accessible to all.

If we are to fulfil our strategic ambitions and establish a more financially stable arts sector, we do need to find additional investment  we hope the minister will listen, and help open doors across government to allow the arts to contribute to the delivery of wider programme for government outcomes, as many of our artists do already in the areas of health, cultural tourism and the economy.

Our artists contribute so much to society in return for a comparatively small amount of exchequer funding, think how much more we can do over the next 10-years with more strategic support?

Over the coming decade, with the Arts Councils strategic plan 2024-34, we can build a brighter, more vibrant, and more culturally rich Northern Ireland.

To develop the strategy, consultation was undertaken with 162 responses received via an online survey, and a further nine standalone written submissions were received on behalf of organisations, arts organisations, public bodies, private sector, and the public.

Three quarters of responses came from three categories: artists (30%); arts and arts resource organisation (28%); and members of the public currently engaged in the arts (20%).
A former Sinn Fein minister has accepted she should not have attended the funeral of senior republican Bobby Storey in Belfast while lockdown restrictions were in place.

Caral Ni Chuilin, who was Stormonts communities minister in June 2020, apologised at the Covid-19 Inquiry to the families of victims of the virus, and also said she should not have travelled to the funeral in a ministerial car.

It came after two former DUP ministers told the inquiry they believed the presence of Sinn Fein ministers at the funeral had undermined the public health message during the pandemic and increased the virus spread.

The funeral sparked political controversy after then deputy first minister Michelle ONeill and other Sinn Fein ministers attended, despite lockdown restrictions limiting gatherings.

Ms Ni Chuilin was questioned about the funeral by Brenda Campbell KC, on behalf of Northern Ireland Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, who asked her if she accepted her actions had caused anger and resentment.

The Sinn Fein politician said: I can. I just want to take the opportunity again to apologise to the families who lost a loved one.

I am very sorry. I absolutely do see the impact and I also recognise that people were more than angry. I accept that and I really am sorry.

Ms Campbell said the consequences of Ms Ni Chuilins actions must have been foreseen.

She responded: I think that is a fair point.

Ms Ni Chuilin then said she had travelled to the funeral in a ministerial car, but had reimbursed the department for its use.

She said: I had business in the Assembly straight after the funeral. I had to go to the Assembly and bring in regulations.

I accept I should not have gone to the funeral in a ministerial car.

Ms Campbell said: Is is further than that? Do you accept you should not have gone to the funeral at all given your role as a minister for our communities?

Ms Ni Chuilin said: I can see the hurt and the anger and I accept that now. Yes, I do.

Giving evidence earlier, former DUP economy minister Diane Dodds said that in the run up to the funeral, former first minister Arlene Foster and deputy first minister Ms ONeill had communicated the public health message effectively to the public.

She added: Then we had the funeral of Mr Storey, where we had thousands of people on the streets, where we had a memorial at Milltown Cemetery and where on the same day that other families had to bury their loved ones, the Storey family were allowed into the crematorium, but others werent.

I think in that act there was almost the signal that you can do as I say but not as I do.

I dont have scientific data for it but I do think it was very, very significant.

Asked about the impact on ministerial relations, Mrs Dodds said: People felt let down about what had happened, people felt annoyed.

It was really difficult then to stand at another press conference and say we are going to allow you to do this when all of this had taken place just a few days before.

I think there was real anger. Executive ministers expressed the view that we were severely damaged by this particular event.

Former DUP education minister Lord Weir told the inquiry that the funeral had undermined public confidence in lockdown measures more than disputes between Stormont ministers.

He said: From the basis that people look to what example is produced by those who are giving the laws, and if they see a level of divergence from that, people come to a conclusion is it one rule for them, meaning the political class, and is it another rule for the people?

That was a much greater level of undermining of public confidence.
Vision Pro Gen 2 rumored for 2026; Apple searching for less expensive Micro OLEDs

Latest reports indicated that Apple is developing a new iteration of its mixed reality (MR) headset Vision Pro but it may not be available until the end of 2026 at the earliest.

According to reports from Bloomberg, 9to5Mac, and Wccftech, despite Vision Pro seeing a gradual decline in sales and even some returns, Apple's commitment to the long-term goal of "spatial computing" development remains steadfast. It has continued to invest in new products and technological R&D, pledging that it will create the most suitable and outstanding device on the market.

However, general analyses believe that for Vision Pro to become a mass-market product and rapidly penetrate the market, the first problem Apple needs to solve is very clear: the high price of US$3,499. To address this, Apple must reduce component costs as much as possible. However, according to previous teardown analysis reports, the current hardware cost of Vision Pro is estimated to be as high as US$1,542. Lowering the price to the range of the Meta Quest Pro (US$999) will be rather difficult.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, besides the existing supplier in Sony, Apple is attempting to bring in more Micro OLED panel suppliers. It is currently evaluating two Chinese companies, with the condition that their quality needs to meet Apple's standards.

Previously, The Information reported that these two Chinese panel suppliers could be SeeYA Technology and BOE. This move aims to reduce the cost of the current Sony 4K Micro OLED panel, which costs US$350 per panel (each Vision Pro requires two panels). The goal is to reduce it by at least half.

In other words, lowering the manufacturing cost of Vision Pro will largely depend on the cost of Micro OLED and whether or not Apple chooses to use lower-cost OLED displays, despite potentially sacrificing resolution, lightweight, and comfort.

Reports indicate that Apple's product roadmap for Extended Reality (XR) devices does not specify launching the second-generation Vision Pro by the end of 2026, but this is the direction Apple is currently working towards. One key factor for this is evaluating whether the price of the second-generation Vision Pro can be lowered to a range of US$1,500 to US$2,500.

Moreover, there are rumors that Apple may launch an affordable MR device as early as 2025, which will have significant differences from Vision Pro. For instance, it could use the iPhone's A-series chips instead of the Mac's M-series chips. It could also use LCDs instead of dual 4K Micro OLEDs.

Apple may also consider removing the external display for the EyeSight function to further reduce costs. This product's primary purpose will be to boost sales and expand the visionOS ecosystem.

Besides new products, Vision Pro is also expected to continue to enter more markets by the end of 2024, including China, which is expected to boost overall sales performance.
EU's AI Act: a milestone in legislation or a regulatory nightmare?

The European Parliament made a significant announcement on March 13, 2024, declaring the passage of the "AI Act," set to be implemented in phases beginning in mid-2025.

With the EU taking the lead in AI legislation, there is optimism that it could replicate the achievements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), serving as a model for lawmakers globally as they craft their regulatory frameworks for the technology.

However, the AI Act also underscores the current regulatory challenges. Even fundamental issues such as what constitutes an AI system still spark lengthy debates.

Varying degrees of risks

The EU categorizes AI systems into four risk levels: Unacceptable Risk, High Risk, Limited Risk, and Minimal Risk. The higher the risk level, the greater the responsibility for companies, with some uses even outright banned. Conversely, lower-risk AI systems carry less weighty responsibilities.

AI systems deemed as unacceptable risks will be completely prohibited. For example, AI cannot harm specific groups based on gender, religion, or race, nor conduct social credit scoring. Biometric recognition under certain circumstances is also prohibited.

In November 2023, US President Joe Biden's executive order highlighted the risks of biometric recognition in AI and planned to establish guidelines to prevent misuse.

High-risk AI systems involve health, safety, or other fundamental rights information, critical to people's daily lives. For instance, AI related to basic infrastructure affects public safety, while using AI to scan and screen resumes during recruitment could yield unfair results.

Banks using AI to determine individual loan eligibility that could infringe on personal rights also fall under such categories. Such High-risk AI requires rigorous risk assessments and testing to operate in the EU.

The transparency of GenAI

Generative AI chatbots fall into the Limited Risk category, along with image generation and deepfake technologies. Limited Risk AI emphasizes transparency, requiring companies to disclose to users when they interact with AI and when an image is AI-generated to prevent deception.

OpenAI and Google have begun supporting AI-generated image watermarking features for easier identification. OpenAI's DALL-E 3 will support the C2PA standard, providing watermarked images and AI-created metadata. C2PA, endorsed by the AIGC, includes members like Microsoft, Google, Adobe, Arm, Intel, Sony, BBC, and the Publicis Group.

Google DeepMind's SynthID tool, developed in collaboration with Google Cloud, offers subtle watermarking between pixels, invisible to the naked eye but detectable with tools, addressing aesthetic concerns.

With 2024 being an election year for many countries, tech companies are gearing up to avoid accusations of influencing election results. While watermarking tools could help identify AI-generated images, they still require verification on the users' part.

The Minimal Risk category includes recommendation systems and spam blockers, requiring compliance with EU general laws, with the AI Act not specifically regulating them. While search engine and e-commerce ranking systems may be off the hook, precise advertising systems may still toe the line.

The AI Act also defines "General Purpose AI Models" (GPAI), which require transparency, completion of risk assessments, and compliance with copyright regulations.

Regulation difficulties

A violation of the AI Act could result in fines of up to EUR 30 million or 6% of the company's global revenue. However, enforcing it across the board might prove more challenging than anticipated as EU member states must designate supervisory authorities, which could strain smaller states financially and operationally.

Moreover, criticism from both industry and academia highlights the broad and ambiguous definitions of AI systems, leading to regulatory uncertainty that makes investors and developers wary of the EU market due to potential compliance costs. Concerns within the industry also revolve around the law potentially hindering AI industry growth in the EU, with questions arising about the culpability in cases of unlawful use of open-source models throughout the AI industry chain.

Consequently, there's a growing demand for the EU to develop effective, measurable regulatory methods focusing on the consequences of AI rather than solely on the technology itself. Academic opinions on the matter vary, with some echoing industry concerns about overregulation while others find current regulations insufficient. Additionally, if AI systems are regarded as "technically neutral," there's a risk of overlooking the potential of AI development.

On a different note, post-Brexit UK is crafting AI legislation, emphasizing LLM development. Unlike the EU, the UK government's national AI strategy explicitly aims to "encourage innovation," as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stressed the need to avoid hasty AI regulation. In late 2023, the UK hosted an AI Summit, drawing over 20 countries and nearly a hundred major companies to declare its ambition to become Europe's AI hub.

Embracing innovation, the UK government attracted OpenAI to establish an office in London. Amidst US-China competition, the EU must strategize how to support its businesses, quickly catch up, and ensure regulations foster rather than stifle the industry environment.
Save my User ID and Password

Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site.

Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site.
Murata sees smartphone components recovery in 2024

MLCC manufacturer Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. stated that demand for components in smartphones is recovering, and there is also expected growth in demand related to automotive electrification. Therefore, Murata anticipates an increase in revenue and profit margin for the fiscal year 2024 (April 2024 to March 2025).

According to reports from Kyodo News and Nikkei, as well as information from Murata's official website, Murata's latest financial report showed a 2.8% decrease in revenue and a 27.8% decrease in profit for the fiscal year 2023.

For the fiscal year 2024, revenue is expected to increase by 3.6%, and profit is projected to increase by 39.2%. In the fiscal year 2023, despite increased demand in the automotive and smartphone sectors, a decline in demand for products such as power tools, PCs, and industrial machinery led to a decrease in annual revenue.

The decrease in operating profit was due to factors such as low utilization rates of production lines, price reductions for products, and impairment losses related to cylindrical lithium-ion secondary battery equipment, amounting to a loss of JPY49.5 billion (US$318.63 million). The cylindrical lithium-ion battery business was acquired by Murata from Sony for JPY17.5 billion in 2017.

Murata invested in expansion at its factory in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, to meet the demand generated by the stay-at-home economy during the pandemic. However, after the boom subsided, there was a downturn, particularly in the sales of batteries for power tools, which had previously shown high growth rates, leading to equipment impairment. The cylindrical lithium-ion secondary battery business aims to reduce production costs and continue operations.

Murata's main product is MLCC and other components used in smartphones, thus the performance of the smartphone market significantly impacts Murata. The company estimates that smartphone demand will increase from 1.14 billion units in fiscal year 2023 to 1.18 billion units in fiscal year 2024, representing a 3% annual increase.

During an online financial results briefing, Murata's Chairman, Tsuneo Murata, stated that shipments of smartphone components, which had previously stagnated in China, are recovering, with an increase in demand for components for low-end and specific high-end models.

This has also improved the utilization rate of MLCC factories. The utilization rate, originally 80-85% in the fiscal year 2023, is expected to increase to around 85-90% in fiscal year 2024. It is estimated that increasing the utilization rate will result in an additional operating profit of JPY156 billion.

In addition to smartphones, the automotive component business also contributes to Murata's performance. Demand for MLCCs used in electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing, and there is also rising demand for fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), for safety driving assistance functions.

Murata's sales of automotive components for the fiscal year 2024 are expected to increase by 10.1%. This is the highest growth rate among Murata's five business segments (automotive, communication, computing, home appliances, industrial, and others) for the fiscal year 2024, and the revenue share is also expected to increase from 26% in the fiscal year 2023 to 28%.

Furthermore, reducing inventory levels also contributes to profit recovery. Murata utilizes its connections with major smartphone manufacturers to adjust utilization rates flexibly, resulting in a reduction of approximately 10% in inventory assets for the fiscal year 2023 compared to the same period in the fiscal year 2022.
Robust aftermarket drives Tong Yang's automotive parts sales

Taiwan-based Tong Yang Group announced its operating results for April 2024 on May 7. The leading car components supplier also revealed that it had purchased land at the Cigu Technology Industrial Park in southern Taiwan to expand production.

Tong Yang bought land with NT$595 million (US$18.3 million) at another industrial park nearby in 2023. As for the purchase announced on Tuesday, the company plans to build a plant for aftermarket (AM) production on the property. The two land purchases cost close to NT$1.6 billion.

According to Tong Yang, demand for AM parts has stayed strong since 2023. Orders continue to grow even in the second quarter of 2024 when sales are usually slow. Crispin Wu, Tong Yang's CEO, has asked the company to accelerate production expansion to satisfy the growing market demand and increase sales.

Tong Yang has developed its active grille shutter (AGS) business. AGS, which can improve wind resistance and save energy, was adopted mostly by high-end vehicle models. It has also penetrated middle- and entry-level cars recently.

According to Tong Yang, deliveries of its AM parts have reached 80 shipping containers daily and about 2,000 containers every month. The company estimated that its annual production of vehicle bumpers will increase by 5% to 9.68 million units in 2024. Production of fenders is estimated to increase by 6% to 5.2 million units.

Tong Yang's consolidated revenue reached NT$2.1 billion last month, up 20% from 2023. It accumulated NT$8.28 billion in consolidated revenue for the first four months of 2024, a 13% growth from 2023. Both annual growth rates were record-high.

In April, Tong Yang's AM business achieved a consolidated revenue of NT$1.51 billion, a 14% growth from 2023. The business unit accumulated NT$6.19 billion of consolidated revenue from January to April, up 17% from last year.
Dixon expands electronics manufacturing partnership with global brands

Dixon Technologies, a major EMS and ODM provider in India, is broadening its manufacturing footprint through strategic partnerships. The company has joined forces with Nokia and is reportedly in discussions to produce notebooks for HP, marking a significant expansion in its manufacturing business.

According to Business Today and Daiji World, on May 6, Dixon announced that its subsidiary, Dixon Electro Appliances Private Limited, partnered with Nokia Solutions and Network OY. The agreement entails developing and manufacturing telecom products for Nokia through Dixon.

Atul B Lall, chairman and managing director of Dixon, said the company was ecstatic to announce the partnership, which gives a strong impetus to India's manufacturing competitiveness. Lall highlighted the vast potential in the telecom products market and expressed confidence that Nokia's customers will benefit from their vision and stringent industry-leading processes, combined with Dixon's manufacturing expertise.

Furthermore, Business Standard, citing unnamed sources, reported that HP India, an approved applicant for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for IT hardware 2.0, is reportedly discussing assembling its notebooks locally with VVDN Technologies and Dixon Technologies.

According to the report, HP, currently collaborating with US-based Flex for notebook manufacturing in India, is exploring assembly-only agreements with Dixon and VVDN, which qualify for PLI incentives. HP has also teamed up with Intel for locally manufactured notebooks. Under these agreements, HP would provide all required components for assembly.

Global electronics brands are partnering with India-based manufacturers amid the growing electronics ecosystem in India. Dixon secured a contract to assemble notebooks for Lenovo in India in December 2023. Additionally, Dixon is assembling Motorola feature phones for HMD India. In 2021, Dixon forged a partnership to assemble Acer laptops in India.

Furthermore, Padget Electronics, a subsidiary of Dixon Technologies, has inked a manufacturing agreement with China-based Longcheer, the second-largest smartphone ODM globally, to make mobile phones in India. This collaboration follows Dixon's acquisition of a majority stake in Ismartu India Private, responsible for manufacturing Transsion's mobile phones in India.
Korea's science minister said Wednesday the government will keep making efforts to protect domestic companies from "unfair treatment" in overseas markets, concerning Japan's pressure on tech giant Naver following last year's data leakage incident.

"Regarding Japan's administrative guidance to LY, we have been in close consultations with Naver to support its decision as much as possible," Science Minister Lee Jong-ho told reporters in a press conference.

"The Ministry of Science and ICT will put a priority on helping our companies' overseas business and investment avoid unfair treatment," Lee said.

But Lee said the government is taking a cautious approach as Naver is involved "in a matter concerning national interests."

Earlier this year, Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications issued the administrative guidance to LY, regarding the data leak, urging it to decrease its capital dependence on Naver.

LY, the operator of Line, Japan's top mobile messenger, and internet portal Yahoo Japan, is controlled by A Holdings, a 50-50 joint venture between Naver and Japan's SoftBank Group.

Japan's actions drew criticism in Korea, with many viewing them as an attempt to diminish foreign influence on the widely used online platform in the country.

Line, developed by Naver in 2011, had around 96 million users in Japan, or 78 percent of the country's population, as of last year, according to Line Plus, Naver's affiliate that operates the application in Korea.

Last week, Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon said her company "has yet to determine its stance on the matter," calling the Japanese move "very exceptional."

"Rather than determining whether to follow the guidance or not, we see the matter as a decision that needs to be made according to our mid-to-long-term business strategy, and we are still pondering the matter," Choi said.

Seoul's foreign ministry has also said it was in talks with Japan based on the position that there should be no discriminatory measures against the Korean company over the matter. (Yonhap)
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.
Hollywood star Jenna Ortega has been spotted in Ireland while filming season two of hit Netflix show Wednesday.

The Emmy-winning show follows Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega as she adjusts to life among her supernatural peers at Nevermore Academy.

The first season of the fantastical teen comedy, which is directed by quirky horror king Tim Burton rocketed to the top of Netflix's Most Watched list, with over 250 million views.

The production of the popular show has moved from Romania to Ireland due to logistical issues, with most of the filming reportedly due to take place at Ardmore and Ashford Studio in Co Wicklow.

Jenna was spotted in Dublin, enjoying some food with co-star Georgie Farmer where she posed for a picture with fans.

My pretty girl Jenna Ortega with a fan in Dublin pic.twitter.com/L4T9zvf0eS  JHOANCSR (@jhoancsr) April 29, 2024

Tim Burton was also spotted enjoying a meal in at the Guinea Pig restaurant in Dalkey, Co Dublin.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guinea Pig Restaurant (@guineapigrestaurant)

Sharing an image to Instagram, they said: "Tonight we had the pleasure of looking after Tim Burton, a gentleman, who also took the time for a photo with us. Lovely to have you".
KT, a major Korean mobile carrier, said Wednesday it has joined hands with Finnish telecommunications firm Nokia for sixth-generation (6G) communications network research.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at co-developing open radio access network and ultra-wideband wireless technologies as part of efforts to take global leadership in the 6G market, expected to span out from 2030, KT said.

"With the 6G partnership with Nokia, KT looks forward to leading the development of telecommunications technologies directly connected to the next-generation cloud and artificial intelligence," said Lee Jong-sik, head of KT's network research center. (Yonhap)
An arsonist who targeted two patrol cars parked outside Dundalk Garda Station has been jailed for four and a half years at Dundalk Circuit Court.

The court was told that Jason Corr, who is originally from Drogheda, was homeless at the time and was staying in emergency accommodation in a B&B at The Crescent, across the road from the garda station.

The court heard how the 34-year-old set fire to one marked and one unmarked patrol car, causing over 24,000 in damage on August 18th 2021.

When gardai called to the B&B to view CCTV footage, Jason Corr, who was wearing a distinctive t-shirt, walked past them and introduced himself.

He was linked to the incident after a report of a man pumping 7 worth of fuel into a plastic bag at the Applegreen service station on the Newry Road.

He had 11 previous convictions including two from the Circuit Court for sexual assault and assault causing harm and has been in custody since the date of the incident.

The Defence barrister said his client was vulnerable at the time in terms of his intellect and homelessness, and there was a significant history of drug use in the background and "there was some frustration with the way he found himself".

The lawyer described the defendant's actions as 'a form of protest' as he explained that he finds it difficult to cope with emergency accommodation.

Judge Dara Hayes, who noted with time spent in custody, the defendant had effectively with remission served a sentence of between three and a half and four years, imposed a five and a half year sentence with the final 12 months suspended.

The judge noted the short period that Jason Corr would remain in custody would allow the Probation Service to develop some structure for him post-release.
A retired garda who sent his ex-wife's solicitor bullets and threatened to kill his children has been jailed for two years.

Maurice O'Carroll (63), with an address in Co Wexford, was found guilty by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of two counts of harassment and two counts of threatening to kill the solicitor and his wife on dates between December 2019 and September 2020 following a trial last November.

Detective Garda Barry Brennan told Kieran Kelly BL, prosecuting, that O'Carroll harassed and threatened to kill the family of the solicitor who represented his ex-wife in divorce proceedings.

The court heard O'Carroll developed an animosity towards the solicitor, and he sent five letters to the man's home address where he lived with his family.

The first letter was addressed to the solicitor's wife and alleged that her husband was a gambler, a cheater and was involved in genocide, gun-running, and arms dealing.

The letter said: Your world and that of especially your children, is about to come crumbling down and that the children would be targeted, saying a tremendous amount of pain and suffering will befall them.

Another letter asked the solicitor's wife to pick one of (her) children to die, while another alleged that her husband was involved with a lowkey, private prostitute in Wexford.

The final letter the wife received contained a live and a spent bullet, and said: You won't even see it coming. That's a promise.

Sentencing O'Carroll, Judge Sarah Berkeley said: For someone to behave in this fashion as an ex-member of An Garda Siochana, having an unblemished history, is quite incredible.

She noted O'Carroll made things extremely difficult for his victims, who knew he was a former garda and that he knew their address. The effects were extremely profound, and O'Carroll took away their sense of security and imposed fear.

The judge noted that O'Carroll, who represented himself at trial, presented as a pleasant man and was not difficult to deal with. The court heard O'Carroll had written a letter of apology and had 20,000 for his victims, which they declined to accept.

The judge handed down a sentence of three years and suspended the final year on a number of conditions, including that he refrain from contacting his victims for a period of five years.

In a victim impact statement handed into the court and read out on his behalf, the solicitor described how the harassment and threats were a huge concern for him, leading him to install security cameras at his home and take great care going about his daily business.

The solicitor said O'Carroll has never shown any remorse and expressed apprehension that he would continue his campaign against him.

His wife also handed in a victim impact statement to the court. I was scared stiff of the threats O'Carroll made, she said.

I really feared that he was capable of violence. I still do not feel safe, she added.

John Griffin BL, defending, said his client had a long and unblemished work history as a member of An Garda Siochana. He had 30 years of exemplary service before he retired in 2013, the court heard. He has no prior convictions and has been in custody since last November.

Mr Griffin submitted his client was remorseful but agreed with Judge Sarah Berkeley that it was worrying that a Probation Services report before the court asserted that while O'Carroll is remorseful for the hurt he caused the solicitor's wife, he still has anger issues against the solicitor.
Five men charged in connection with the biggest drug seizure in the history of the State will be tried at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

This was confirmed at Mallow District Court this Tuesday, as Garda Inspector Tony O'Sullivan said the Director of Public Prosecutions had instructed that the men go forward for trial on indictment to the Special Criminal Court.

All five men have been charged in relation to the seizure of more than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, with an estimated value of over 157m, that was discovered aboard the MV Matthew off the Cork coast last September.

A new charge was preferred this Tuesday against four of the men - Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, Iranian Saeid Hassani, 38, and Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk, 31, and Vitaliy Vlosoi, 31.

All were charged that they had participated in, or contributed to, activity intending to facilitate a serious offence by a criminal organisation on 24 September 2023.

Inspector O'Sullivan said the State's application was to remand all four in custody until Tuesday 14 May and on the other charges until May 21, when the book of evidence is due be ready.

The fifth crew member, 30-year-old Filippino national, Harold Estoesta, is remanded in custody and due to appear again before the district court via video link next Tuesday, May 14.
The following deaths have occurred:-

 James (Alan) Black, 6 Cadogen Park, Kilfennan, Derry

 Greta Cooke (nee McQuaid), Galliagh Park, Derry (Updated Arrangements)

 Iris Corby (nee Sinclair), 38 Inglewood Avenue, Coleraine

 Johnny Doherty, 2 Drumkill Gardens, Kilrea

 Mary Gallagher (nee ODonnell), Glasgow

 Patsy Kelly, 26 Pellipar Park, Dungiven

 Martha Roddy McCarron, 1C Abbey Park, Derry

 Nancy Moran, (nee Gallagher), 23 Lindenwood Park, Derry

 Joan OConnell (nee Canavan), Foxrock (late of Derry)

 Doreen Frances Stockman (nee Hyndman), 16 Loughill Park, Tobermore

 Kathleen White, 35 Malin Gardens, Derry

James (Alan) Black, 6 Cadogen Park, Kilfennan, Derry

The death has taken place of the late James (Alan) Black, May 7th 2024, Suddenly at Altnagelvin Hospital, (surrounded by his loving family his family in his 73rd year) much loved son of the late James (Jim) and Kathleen (Cissie), dear brother of Alma, loving brother-in-law of Gareth. A Service of Thanksgiving for his life will take place in his late home, 6 Cadogen Park, Kilfennan, Derry on Thursday, 9th May at 2.00pm, burial afterwards in Altnagelvin Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired to All Saints Clooney Parish Church (cheques made payable to All Saints Clooney Select Vestry) c/o Mrs Ruth Hay, Funeral Director, 24A Church Road, Altnagelvin, Derry, BT47 3QQ. Dearly loved and will be sadly missed by his entire family circle. "To know him was to love him. In heavenly love abiding.

Greta Cooke (nee McQuaid), Galliagh Park, Derry (Updated Arrangements)

The death has taken place of the late Greta Cooke (nee McQuaid), 5th May 2024, peacefully at Edenballymore Lodge Care Home, (late of Galliagh Park, formerly of Westland Avenue), beloved mother of Brenda, Monica, Jeffrey, Eoin, Deirdre and Denise. Funeral leaving there on Wednesday, 7th May at 9.30am to St. Columbas Church, Longtower for Requiem Mass at 10:00am. A private cremation will take place in Lakelands Crematorium, Co. Cavan on Thursday. No flowers please. Therese of Lisieux pray for her. Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam.

Iris Corby (nee Sinclair), 38 Inglewood Avenue, Coleraine

The death has taken place of the late Iris Corby (nee Sinclair), 5th May 2024, (suddenly) at her home, 38 Inglewood Avenue, Coleraine, dearly loved wife of Geoff much loved mother of Terry and Fiancee Connie, Kirsty and Partner Keith. Devoted grandmother of Nicole and fiance Jordan, Ross, Kaitlyn and the late Gemma and great-grandmother of Poppy Iris. Service in her home on Friday at 11.00am followed by a private family cremation. Donations in lieu if desired for N.I.C.H.S. C/O Mrs Mona Murdock 31 Bushmills Road, Coleraine. Deeply regretted and very sadly missed by her loving family and entire family circle.

Johnny Doherty, 2 Drumkill Gardens, Kilrea

The death has taken place of the late Johnny Doherty (Kilrea), suddenly but peacefully at hospital, beloved son of the late William and Susan, grandson of the late Annie and dear brother of Ann, Brian, Bernie, Paddy and the late Christine and Mary Teresa. Wake will commence on Wednesday from 11.00am to 10.00pm at his late residence, 2 Drumkill Gardens, Kilrea. Funeral from above on Thursday at 11.15am for 12noon requiem Mass in St Mary's Church, Drumagarner. Interment afterwards in adjoining church yard. On his soul sweet Jesus have mercy. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing brothers, sisters, Davy, Martin, Jody, nephews, nieces and family circle. Enquiries to Dempsey Funeral Directors ,11 Coleraine Street, Kilrea, 02829540226.

Mary Gallagher (nee ODonnell), Glasgow

We regret to inform you that the death has taken place of Mary Gallagher (nee ODonnell), peacefully in Glasgow on 24th April 2024. May she rest in peace. Beloved wife of the late John Joseph R.I.P. Loving mother of Pamela, Philomena and the late Sean- Anthony and Maureen R.I.P. Daughter of the late Hugh and Ann-Jane R.I.P and dear sister of Teresa, Joe and the late Hugh, John, Sam, Suzanna, James, Tommy and infant Philomena R.I.P. Marys remains will arrive at St Josephs Church Banagher at approximately 11.30am, Wednesday, 8th May 2024 for interment in the adjoining graveyard. St Padre Pio pray for her. Enquires to Mc Laughlin Funeral Directors Dungiven 07747046084 or 07840052022.

Patsy Kelly, 26 Pellipar Park, Dungiven

We regret to inform you that the death has taken place of the late Patsy Kelly, peacefully at Rush Hall Care Home surrounded by his loving family on 7th May 2024. May he rest in peace. Late of 26 Pellipar Park, Dungiven, Co Derry. Beloved husband of the late Madeline R.I.P and loving father of Martin, Kieran, Cathal and late Mary R.I.P. Fond father in law of Terrance and Dymphna. Much loved grandfather of Fionnula, Ryan, Eileen, Catherine and Fiachra. Dear brother of Maureen, Christy and the late Gerard, Carmel, Denis, Kevin, Colm, Ann, and infant Jimmy R.I.P. Deeply regretted by the entire family circle. Reposing at his late home, funeral from there on Thursday, 9th May leaving at 10.15am for 11.00am Requiem Mass in St Patricks Church Dungiven , interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Link https://www.dungivenparish.com/webcam/. St Padre Pio pray for him. Enquiries to McLaughlin Funeral Directors Dungiven 07747046084 or 07840052022.

Martha Roddy McCarron, 1C Abbey Park, Derry

The death has occurred of the late Martha Roddy McCarron, 6th May 2024, at Altnagelvin Hospital. Beloved wife of John, loving mother of Dougie, Alex, Denise and the late Bernadette. A much loved Grandmother of Toni, Jodi, Murryn, Shelena, Kiera and great grandmother of Gary John and Zoe. Martha will be reposing at her home, 1C Abbey Park. Funeral from there on Friday at 9.30am to St Eugene's Cathedral for Requiem Mass 10.00am. Interment afterwards in the City Cemetery. Funeral Mass can be viewed on the following link: http://www.steugenescathedral.com/webcam.html. Deeply regretted and will be sadly missed by all her family and everyone that knew her. Sacred Heart of Jesus have Mercy on her soul. Our lady of knock pray for her.

Nancy Moran, (nee Gallagher), 23 Lindenwood Park, Derry

The death has taken place of the late Nancy Moran, (nee Gallagher), 7th May 2024, peacefully at her home, 23 Lindenwood Park, beloved wife of the late Danny, loving mother of Teresa, Gerard and Cathy, devoted grandmother of Anne, Joe, Maria, Conor, Ryan and Emmett and great-grandmother of Cadhla, Joe and Aodhan, cherished sister of Maureen and Bernadette. Loved and will be sadly missed by the wider family circle. Funeral leaving her home on Thursday, 9th May at 9.20am to Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty for Requiem Mass at 10.00am. Interment afterwards in the City Cemetery. House Private Please. Sacred Heart Of Jesus have mercy on her soul. Our Lady Of Lourdes intercede for her.

Joan OConnell (nee Canavan), Foxrock (late of Derry)



The death has occurred of the late Joan OConnell (nee Canavan), May 7th 2024, (Foxrock, D18 and late of Derry) (peacefully) in the kind care of all the staff of the Blackrock Clinic. Joan, beloved wife of the late Sean, loving mother of Shane, Breiffne, Bronagh, Colm and Clodagh. Sadly missed by her devoted children, daughters-in-law Tracy and Beth, sons-in-law Graham and Gavin, adored grandchildren Molly, Lucy, Bryan, Sean, Sophie, Maude, Isobel, Harry, Rosa, Callum and Leon, her brother Micheal, sister Patricia, extended family, neighbours and friends. Remembering also her late siblings Ivor, Colm, Maeve and Carmel. Reposing Friday, May 10th, in Quinns of Glasthule from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Removal Saturday, May 11th, to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Church, Foxrock arriving for 10.00am Funeral Mass which can be viewed online at Foxrock Church Webcam followed by cremation in Mount Jerome Crematorium. I remembered her head bent towards my head ... Never closer the whole rest of our lives. Seamus Heaney

Doreen Frances Stockman (nee Hyndman), 16 Loughill Park, Tobermore

The death has taken place of the late Doreen Frances Stockman (nee Hyndman), 5th May 2024, (suddenly) at her home, 16 Loughill Park, Tobermore, dearly beloved Wife of the late Mervyn, devoted Mum of Neil, loving Mother-in-Law of Abi, proud and much adored Granny Doe of Maisie and Fraser, a cherished Foster Mum and dearest Sister of Lorna, Ronnie, Gerald, Sharyn and the late Glenda. All welcome at the Family home on Wednesday (May 8th) from 12noon to 9.00pm. Funeral will take place from her home on Thursday, May 9th at 2.30pm, to Kilcronaghan Parish Church for service at 3.00pm, followed by burial in the adjoining Churchyard. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Macmillan Cancer Support and Mid Ulster Community First Responders, can be made online or payable to D. Watters (Donations A/c), 55 Main Street, Tobermore Magherafelt BT45 5PP. Love you always

Kathleen White, 35 Malin Gardens, Derry

We regret to inform you that the death has taken place of Kathleen White, peacefully at her home, on 6th May 2024. Late of 35 Malin Gardens and formerly of Hamilton Street and 47 Leenan Gardens. May she rest in peace. Beloved partner of Peter. Devoted mother of Cathal, Sinead, Cathy, Peter, Liam and the late Gary. A much loved mother-in-law of Roisin, Ailish and the late Lisa. Loving granny to all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Deeply regretted and sadly missed by all of her wider family circle and friends. Kathleens remains will be reposing at her late home, 35 Malin Gardens. Funeral leaving from there on Thursday. 9th May at 10.20am for 11.00am Requiem Mass in St. Marys Church, Creggan. Burial will take place immediately afterwards in the City Cemetery. Wake house will be private from 9.00pm until 11.30am. Kathleens Requiem Mass can be streamed live via the link: https://www.churchservices.tv/creggan. St. Anthony Pray For Her. Our Lady Of Fatima Intercede For Her. All Enquiries to Mr. Kieran Connor, McClafferty Funeral Directors, 02871262823.
A decision to refuse planning permission for a holiday village in Ballintra has been overturned by An Bord Pleanala.

C&C Property Investment Limited were initially denied permission by Donegal County Council, but they have now been given the go ahead for the development at Lower Main Street, Ballintra.

The developer plans to change 10 dwellings houses (eight existing and two proposed) to a commercial holiday village.

The planning documents, submitted in 2023, included provision for connection to existing services and all associated works.

C and C Property Investments Limited, care of Harley Planning Consultants Limited of 1 Melmount Park, Strabane, County Tyrone, appealed the decision of Donegal County Council to An Bord Pleanala.

The permission is subject to three conditions.

The development shall be carried out and completed in accordance with the plans and particulars lodged with the application.

The units in the commercial holiday village shall not be sold off separately. The applicant, or its successor in title, shall control this commercial holiday village for short-term lettings to visitors.

Prior to the change of use to a commercial holiday village, the applicant, or its successor in title, shall submit to the planning authority for written agreement, a management plan for this holiday village, which shall set out the obligations upon visitors who short-term let.

Previously, Donegal County Council felt that granting permission would set an undesirable precedent for similar developments and that it would materially contravene the policy provisions of the Co Donegal Development Plan and would thereby be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The Council told the developer that giving the green light would be detrimental to regeneration and potential use of existing residential stock in Ballintra and detract from established resource-related tourism accommodation elsewhere in the county.

However, An Bord Pleanala has found that the development as proposed would not materially contravene and would otherwise accord with relevant tourism objectives and policies of the development plan.

The planning body say that, subject to the conditions it attached, the proposed holiday accommodation would be compatible with the residential amenities of the area.
The United States believes the remaining differences between Israel and Hamas can be bridged in negotiations over the Palestinian militant group's latest cease-fire proposal, as talks resume in Cairo on Wednesday.

Israeli forces on Tuesday seized the main border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than one million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter during Israel's seven-month-old offensive. This cut off a vital route for aid into the tiny enclave, where hundreds of thousands of people are homeless and hungry.

In Cairo, all five delegations participating in cease-fire talks on Tuesday  Hamas, Israel, the U.S., Egypt and Qatar  reacted positively to the resumption of negotiations, and meetings were expected to continue on Wednesday morning, two Egyptian sources said.

CIA Director Bill Burns was to travel from Cairo to Israel later on Wednesday to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli officials, a source familiar with his travel said.

Israel on Monday declared that a three-phase proposal approved by Hamas was unacceptable because terms had been softened.

White House spokesperson John Kirby said Hamas presented a revised proposal, and the new text suggests the remaining gaps can "absolutely be closed." Speaking on Tuesday, he declined to specify what those were.

Since the only pause in the conflict so far, a week-long cease-fire in November, the two sides have been blocked by Hamas' refusal to free more Israeli hostages without a promise of a permanent end to the conflict and Israel's insistence that it would discuss only a temporary halt.

Israeli army footage on Tuesday showed tanks rolling through the Rafah crossing complex between Gaza and Egypt, and the Israeli flag raised on the Gaza side. Israel says Rafah is Hamas fighters' last stronghold.

Hamas official Osama Hamdan, speaking to reporters in Beirut on Tuesday, warned that if Israel's military aggression continued in Rafah, there would be no truce agreement.

Israel's military said it was conducting a limited operation in Rafah to kill fighters and dismantle infrastructure used by Hamas, which runs Gaza. It told civilians, many of whom were previously displaced from other parts of Gaza earlier in the conflict, to go to an "expanded humanitarian zone" some 20 km (12 miles) away.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to Israel and Hamas to spare no effort to agree to a truce. "Make no mistake  a full-scale assault on Rafah would be a human catastrophe," Guterres said.

In Geneva, U.N. humanitarian office spokesperson Jens Laerke said "panic and despair" were gripping the people in Rafah.

Heavy shelling in Rafah

Residents reported heavy tank shelling on Tuesday evening in some areas of eastern Rafah. A Rafah municipal building caught fire after Israeli shelling, and one Palestinian was killed and several wounded, medics said. An Israeli strike also killed two Palestinians on a motorcycle, they said.

Health officials said Abu Yousef Al-Najar, the main hospital in Rafah, closed on Tuesday after heavy bombardment nearby led medical staff and around 200 patients to flee.

"They have gone crazy. Tanks are firing shells and smoke bombs cover the skies," said Emad Joudat, 55, a Gaza City resident displaced in Rafah.

The U.N. and other international aid agencies said the closing of the two crossings into southern Gaza - Rafah and Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom - virtually cut the enclave off from outside aid and very few stores were available inside.

Families have been crammed into tented camps and makeshift shelters, suffering from shortages of food, water, medicine and other essentials.

Red Crescent sources in Egypt said shipments had completely halted. "These crossings are a lifeline... They need to be reopened without any delay," Philippe Lazzarini, head of U.N. aid agency UNRWA, said on X.

The White House said it had been told the Kerem Shalom crossing would re-open on Wednesday and fuel deliveries through Rafah would resume then too. According to Hamas officials, a draft proposal and an official briefed on the talks, the proposal that Hamas approved on Monday included a first phase with a six-week cease-fire, an influx of aid to Gaza, the return of 33 Israeli hostages, alive or dead, and release by Israel of 30 detained Palestinian children and women for each released Israeli hostage.

Critics of the Gaza war have urged U.S. President Joe Biden to pressure Israel to change course. The U.S., Israeli's closest ally and main weapons supplier, has delayed some arms shipments to Israel for two weeks, according to four sources on Tuesday.

The White House and Pentagon declined comment, but this would be the first such delay since the Biden administration offered its full support to Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.

Israel's offensive has killed 34,789 Palestinians, most of them civilians, in the conflict, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

The war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and abducting about 250 others, of whom 133 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. (Reuters)
Chinese leader Xi Jinping's visit to European ally Serbia on Tuesday falls on a symbolic date: the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade during NATO's air war over Kosovo.

U.S. jets dropped five bombs on the Chinese Embassy compound in the Serbian capital on May 7, 1999, setting it ablaze and killing three Chinese nationals. Twenty other people were injured in the bombing, which has burdened relations between the two powers ever since.

Xi referred to the bombing in an op-ed published in Serbias Politika newspaper on Tuesday, saying that we must not forget that 25 years ago today, NATO brazenly bombed the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia, according to translations carried by Chinese state media.

The Chinese people value peace but will never allow historical tragedies to happen again," Xi added.

The Western military alliance had launched the air war in March that year to force then Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic to end a brutal onslaught against ethnic Albanian rebels in Kosovo.

The U.S. at the time apologized and said the embassy bombing was a mistake that happened due to faulty intelligence. The intended target, Washington said, was the headquarters of a Serbian state arms exporter located on the same street, a few blocks away.

Imagine that somebody would, even by accident, strike an American Embassy somewhere around the world. The reaction would be immediate, said Sven Biscop, a professor of European foreign and security policy at the Ghent University and Egmont Institute.

So for a country like China, it is also clear that this is a big thing," he added. "And, of course, it has not been forgotten.

Angry protesters in China stormed U.S. diplomatic installations as the bombing fueled anti-American sentiments and speculation that the attack was intentional rather than accidental. Mistrust over the incident has endured to this day.

We will probably never really conclusively know either way," Biscop said. But one thing is sure. In war, incidents like that do happen, and I usually tend to go for the most simple explanation rather than try to invent complicated theories.

While straining Beijing's relations with the U.S., the embassy bombing brought China and Serbia closer together. China has emerged as Serbias largest provider of foreign direct investment and its second-largest trading partner after the European Union.

Beijing opposed the NATO bombing campaign and has since backed Belgrade's bid to counter the Western-backed push for independence in Kosovo, a former Serbian province. In return, Serbia has been a loyal ally to Beijing and has opened its doors without restraint to billions of dollars of Chinese investment, even as it formally seeks EU membership.

"The friendship forged in blood between the peoples of China and Serbia has become the common memory of the two peoples and will inspire both sides to move forward together, Xi wrote. We are willing to work with our Serbian friends to stay true to our original aspirations, join hands in progress, write a new chapter in national development and revitalization, and build a China-Serbia community with a shared future for mankind in the new era.

Signs of pro-China sentiments were clearly visible ahead of Xi's visit on Tuesday and Wednesday. In Belgrade, a huge Chinese flag was placed on a skyscraper along a roadway leading into the city from the airport. Smaller Chinese and Serbian flags could be seen downtown and along a highway.

Serbia's air force MiG-29 jets escorted Xi's presidential plane to the Belgrade airport.

Xi arrived from France and will later travel to Hungary as part of his first European tour in five years.

He is expected to visit the site of the former embassy and pay his respects to the bombing victims. A Chinese cultural center now stands at the spot where the embassy was once located.

The sprawling complex reportedly includes a Confucius Institute, workshops, exhibitions, offices, residential space and a hotel. It is seen as a symbol of China's growing influence in Serbia and across Europe.

Near the institute, a group of visitors from China last weekend bowed in front of a simple black-marble monument and laid flowers in honor of the victims of the 1999 bombing. An inscription on the monument in both Chinese and English reads: Honor Martyrs, Cherish Peace. (Yonhap)
The U.S. on Tuesday said it revoked some licenses that allow companies to ship goods, such as chips, to sanctioned Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei Technologies.

Some companies were notified on Tuesday that their licenses were revoked effective immediately, according to one person familiar with the matter.

The move comes after the release last month of Huawei's first AI-enabled laptop, the MateBook X Pro powered by Intel's new Core Ultra 9 processor.

The laptop launch drew fire from Republican lawmakers, who said it suggested to them that the Commerce Department had given the green light to Intel to sell the chip to Huawei.

"We have revoked certain licenses for exports to Huawei," the Commerce Department said in a statement, declining to specify which ones it had withdrawn.

The move, first reported by Reuters, comes after concerted pressure by Republican China hawks in Congress who have been urging the Biden administration to take tougher action to thwart Huawei.

"This action will bolster U.S. national security, protect American ingenuity, and diminish Communist Chinas ability to advance its technology," Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said in a statement.

Depending on which licenses were revoked, the move could also hurt Huawei which still relies on Intel chips to power its laptops, and could hurt U.S. suppliers that do business with the company.

A spokesperson for Intel declined to comment. Huawei did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Huawei was placed on a U.S. trade restriction list in 2019 amid fears it could spy on Americans, part of a broader effort to handicap China's ability to bolster its military. Being added to the list means the company's suppliers have to seek a special, difficult-to-obtain license before shipping.

Even so, suppliers to Huawei have received licenses worth billions of dollars to sell Huawei goods and technology, including one particularly controversial authorization, issued by the Trump administration, which has allowed Intel to ship central processors to Huawei for use in its laptops since 2020.

Qualcomm has sold older 4G chips to handsets since receiving a license from U.S. officials in 2020. In regulatory filing earlier this month, Qualcomm had said it did not expect to receive more chip revenue from Huawei beyond this year.

However, Qualcomm still licenses its portfolio of 5G technologies to Huawei, which last year began using a 5G chip designed by its HiSilicon unit that most analysts believe is manufactured in violation of U.S. sanctions. Qualcomm said in the filing this month that its patent deal with Huawei expires early in Qualcomm's fiscal 2025 and that it has started negotiations to renew the deal.

Qualcomm did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Critics argue such licenses have contributed to the company's resurgence. Huawei shocked industry last August with a new phone powered by a sophisticated chip manufactured by Chinese chipmaker SMIC, despite U.S. export restrictions on both companies.

The phone helped Huawei smartphone sales spike 64 percent year on year in the first six weeks of 2024, according to research firm Counterpoint. Its smart car component business has also contributed to Huawei's resurgence, with the company notching its fastest revenue growth in four years in 2023. (Reuters)
Siobhan OLeary, founder of SOL Learning, a company specialising in transforming learning experiences through technology and creativity, has successfully completed the ACORNS programme.

This initiative supports female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland to grow their businesses.

The ACORNS programme, running for six months part-time, is designed to empower early-stage businesswomen like Ms OLeary.

Participants benefit from the shared knowledge of more than 350 female entrepreneurs who have previously participated. Her enrolment in ACORNS 9, which ran from October 2023 to April 2024, proved to be a valuable experience.

The ACORNS programme encouraged me to focus on the core elements of my business, said Ms OLeary. The chance to network with other inspiring businesswomen was hugely beneficial.

She highlighted the programmes supportive environment, particularly the roundtable setting that allowed her to exchange ideas with a peer group of like-minded ambitious business women while learning to balance business and family life.

Each roundtable is led by a highly successful Lead Entrepreneur offering advice, support and a space to discuss in confidence the challenges and celebrate successes.

Ms OLearys group was led by Caroline Reidy, CEO and founder of The HR suite.

SOL Learning bridges the gap between technical knowledge and creative design to create exceptional learning programmes. Our comprehensive programme development framework helps businesses transform their existing training materials into engaging and effective Learning experiences, said Ms OLeary.

Partnering with SOL Learning offers a range of benefits, including:

Increased employee engagement and retention.

Improved training accessibility and flexibility.

Reduced training costs and increased efficiency.

Reaching a wider audience and expanding learning reach.

Positioning your organisation as a leader in eLearning innovation.

Ms OLeary brings a wealth of experience to SOL Learning. With more than 13 years in the pharmaceutical sector, she possesses a strong background in engineering and project management. After taking time out to raise her family, Siobhan returned to education, completing a Masters in Technical Communication & eLearning. This qualification, combined with her existing skills, allows Siobhan to seamlessly convert traditional learning programmes into engaging digital formats.

Ms OLeary is a member of several professional organisations, including Network Cork, The Learning & Development Institute (Ireland), The Learning & Performance Institute (UK) and Tech Alliance.
Where did you grow up and where are you based now?

I grew up on a dairy and beef farm five miles out the Drinagh Road in Skibbereen. The townland is called Maulatrahane - not much there but cows and wonderful country air.

I live in Cheltenham, which is a town 50 miles south of Birmingham in the south-west of England.

A long and winding journey to Cheltenham I moved to Cheltenham about a year ago, from Southampton. I lived in Southampton for three years.

To paint the picture of how I ended up here, we have to go back to 2007. I was doing my Leaving Cert at Bruce College, living on the Old Youghal road. I absolutely loved the vibrancy of Cork city in the year that I lived there doing my Leaving Certificate.

As an 18/19 year-old, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I did such a broad array of subjects for my Leaving, it was baffling even to the career guidance lad at the school.

I choose Stockbroking, Business and Journalism as my three subjects for CAO.

Results day came, and I didnt get any of them. You could say I wasnt focused enough, but I had no idea where or what to focus on.

I had also applied for UCAS (the UK version of CAO). I got offered Journalism & Politics at De Montfort University in Leicester.

All I knew about Leicester was that it had a damn good rugby team. But just to make sure Leicester was actually a real place, and there was actually a university there, my mum and myself flew over in August, 2007, to check it out.

It was in fact a real place, and it felt nice, cosy and welcoming. A small city like Cork, with a big heart.

Three weeks later, I was living there and I was going to uni (which is what they call college over here). And three years later I had a degree in Journalism and Politics.

I worked in bars all the way through my time at uni, but I didnt go to uni to finish work at 4am, so I did that for a few months and came back to Ireland at the end of 2010.

Probably the worst timing - Ireland was broke and in recession. I sold life assurance for a year, painting the scene to people of their own death.

That wasnt much fun, so I went doing something a bit happier, managing the Murphys Ice Cream shop in Killarney. That was fun, but the winter isnt the most exciting time in an ice cream shop.

It was at this point whilst living in Killarney that I started to fall in love with beer (not in the way you think). I used to go to Torc Brewing and Killarney Brewing Company and it fascinated me.

Donncha Burke with Claire.

I left Ireland again in 2012 to work in an Irish bar in Germany, again with no idea what I wanted to do in my life. I was just trying to escape and explore and figure it out, if that meant working in a stereotypical job for an Irish guy, so be it, I was still in my 20s.

I spent three years in Frankfurt, I improved my German and started to delve deeper into beer. I used to visit a local brewery called Braustill and pick the brewers brains, and I was also doing my own research online. I wanted to get into the industry but didnt know how.

Fast forward to 2015, I was now married to a girl from California that I met in Germany. I was after quitting everything in Germany and was looking to start afresh in Nashville, Tennessee.

But wait, it couldnt be that easy could it?

Turns out not, she had messed something up on my green card application and we had to come back to Europe to sort it out. We ended up staying at a friends house in Birmingham.

It was here that I finally bit the bullet and bought a home brew kit and taught myself how to brew. Whilst we waited for the nine-month process of visa applications I perfected my skills on this kit.

I was working at Jamie Olivers restaurant and I created a brand for my beers and was selling them to guests for cash whilst I was working there. I never went to America, and that relationship fizzled out.

Having started working with Dig Brew Co, six months later I got made Head Brewer and six months after that I won a prestigious beer competition, coming out top of 149 breweries.

The brewery was propelled nationally and in 2019 I got headhunted by a brewery in Shrewsbury called Evolution which gave me a hefty pay rise.

In 2021, during the second lockdown, I set up my own brewery, Crop Beer. I rented a little brewery in the back of a pub in Portsmouth (about 40 minutes from Southampton). I was working 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday in Southampton, and evenings and weekends on my own project.

Crop was going from strength to strength. The beers were being well received, and I was gaining traction. I was hoping that one day I would be 100% working for myself with Crop.

In December, 2022, Saoirse was born, a beautiful baby girl for Claire and I. Everything was great.

Then, in February, 2023, the pub that I was renting the brewery at went into liquidation and the equipment was sold. This was two months after our baby girl was born, stressed would have been an understatement.

That day, I saw a job advertised at Hawkstone, TV presenter Jeremy Clarksons brewery. I screenshotted it and sent it to Claire and immediately she said I should go for it.

We are both massive Jeremy Clarkson fans, we watch all the Grand Tour series and Clarksons Farm. We had also made separate five hour round trip pilgrimages to his farm, Diddly Squat, and Hawkstone previous to this.

It meant Claire was giving up living around the city that shed always lived in, her family and her friends are all there. She was prepared to make this massive sacrifice for my dreams, and that meant the world to me.

I dont think she even knows now how eternally grateful I am for this.

Donncha Burke and Claire.

Ive been here a year now and three months ago I got promoted to Director of Brewing. It is an amazing place to work, unlike any other brewery Ive worked at, and growing at breakneck speed. Also, on my first week I had a pint with Jezza. Very surreal.

So thats how I ended up in Cheltenham!

What is life like in your new home?

Cheltenham is stunning. It is just at the edge of the Cotswolds, which has some cute little villages and the most spectacular countryside. Its not too dissimilar to West Cork. Its the perfect place to bring up a family.

What has been the biggest challenge? And how have you tackled it?

Moving away from Claires family and friend support, and my family being across the Irish sea. We have flown my mum over to babysit and may do it a bit more as its so easy with airports in Birmingham and Bristol offering great links to Cork.

What has been your most memorable moment in your new location so far?

Seeing Saoirse take her first steps beside the pumphouse in Cheltenham town centre.

Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork?

Id like to shout out to my mum and dad, Anne and Patrick Burke, for believing in me.

If you were back in Cork for one day, what would be the ideal day for you?

Go to Caseys in Baltimore for lunch and a couple of pints of Sherkin Lass by West Cork Brewing Company, which is in their basement. Then take a ferry to Cape Clear and go for a lovely walk with Claire, Saoirse and my mum.

Then go to Ballydehob in the evening with my dad and my brother, listening to some live music in the pubs there.

What are you looking forward to in the coming months?

Road trip to Cornwall and building sandcastles on the beach with Claire and Saoirse.

Is there anything that you especially miss about Cork?

Fields Sliced Pan, I always get my mum to bring some over when she flies over.

It is an amazing place to work, unlike any other brewery Ive worked at, and growing at break-neck speed. Also, on my first week I had a pint with Jezza. Very surreal.
MORE than 750 children in Cork were overdue an assessment of needs under the Disability Act 2005 by the end of March this year.

The figures have prompted calls for intervention to address the backlog, with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare saying it has engaged private providers who can provide additional assessments.

An assessment of needs (AON) is a two-stage statutory process carried out by the HSE to identify the health and education needs of children who may have a disability.

At the end of the first quarter of the year, there were 765 children overdue for completion of AONs across the four Cork Local Health Office areas within the Cork Kerry Community Health Organisation (CHO) region.

In the Cork North Lee LHO, 388 children were overdue completion of their assessments on March 31.

That figure was higher than the combined total number of children, 377, who were overdue completion of their assessments in the three other Cork LHOs.

Cork North had the second-highest number of children awaiting completion of their AONs, 192, while Cork South Lee had 161 and Cork West had 24.

Overdue

The HSE defines stage 1 of the process as an initial desktop assessment that determines the type of assessment needed by each child, while it says the AON commences at stage 2 when the assessment officer arranges the clinical assessment.

The first stage of the process is to be completed within three months, with three months also provided for the second stage.

Of the 765 children overdue for completion of their AONs in Cork during the first quarter of this year, the HSE said 22 cases were overdue because of exceptional circumstances, but in 743 cases the HSE said there were no exceptional circumstances causing the delay.

A total of 81 children were waiting for less than one month, while 105 were waiting between one and three months, and 579 were waiting for more than three months for completion of their AONs.

The greatest number of children waiting for more than three months for completion of their assessments at the end of March, 297, were in the Cork North Lee LHO.

There were 31 children overdue to commence stage 2 of their AONs in Cork in the first quarter of this year, with nine overdue by less than one month, nine overdue by one to three months, and 13 overdue by more than three months.

The greatest number of children awaiting stage 2 of their assessments, 18, were in the Cork North Lee LHO.

New applications

The HSE received 332 new AON applications in Cork during the first three months of 2024, against 262 in the last quarter of 2023.

In the first quarter, 220 reports were completed in the Cork LHOs, from which 42 children, or 20%, were deemed to have no disability, and 178 were found to have a disability under the act.

Nationally, the HSE completed 849 AON reports in the first three months of this year, and a breakdown of the reports shows that 339 children, or 40%, were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, while 188, or 22%, were found to have no disability.

A further 181 children, or 21%, were diagnosed with multiple disabilities, while 89, or 11%, were deemed no category specified at this stage.

Among the other categories represented were mental health, intellectual, and specific learning disabilities.

'HSE failing to meet challenges'

Padraig OSullivan, Fianna Fail TD for Cork North-Central, said it was clear to him that the HSE was failing to meet the challenges before it.

In 2021, significant additional investment was provided to tackle the backlogs that were there at that time, and I think it is appropriate that such an intervention would be considered once more to help keep pace with the demand for assessments, said Mr OSullivan.

Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North-Central, said more action is needed, saying: The State has a legal obligation to provide children with an assessment of need in the timeline set out in legislation. That is not a target, it is a requirement.

He said it is harrowing to hear stories of parents and families forced to fight tooth and nail for their childrens most basic rights.

A spokesperson for the HSE in Cork and Kerry said they regretted that any child was waiting for three months for an AON.

Cork Kerry Community Healthcare has engaged with private providers who can provide additional clinical assessments, the spokesperson said.

This will help to address the current delays in AON.

The spokesperson noted that the AON process does not provide any access to intervention.

They also noted that individuals do not need to get an AON to access HSE services and that people can apply directly to services outside of the AON process.
A French man caught distributing thousands of images of child sex abuse from his home in Cork claimed that he was trying to entrap others with the intention of passing on the information to gardai and to the FBI in America.

Maxime Fabres senior counsel Ray Boland said that, bizarrely, another reason the 40-year-old gave for his involvement with child sex abuse images was to make his mother and sister hate him so that it would be less disturbing for them if he died by suicide.

Fabre was jailed for two years by Judge Jonathan Dunphy at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The judge imposed a total sentence of three and a half years, with the last 18 months suspended.

The accused ultimately admitted the distribution of child pornography and also to a count of dealing cannabis.

Mr Boland SC said the accused had a traumatic childhood in France, he abused cannabis to go through the day on auto-pilot and that this created its own difficulties over time.

Objectively, he gave bizarre reasons for his offending, Mr Boland said. But the psychologist concluded that there was nothing to indicate he has a sexual interest in children and commented that it was possible that he accessed it for the purposes described. He is also described in the psychological report as a psychologically vulnerable man.

The defence senior counsel added: He has a history of poor mental health and suicide attempts associated with these offences.

Prosecution barrister Mary ODwyer said that the offence of distribution of child pornography carries a possible maximum sentence of 14 years.

The 40-year-old man admitted the charge of distributing child pornography and having cannabis for sale or supply. The first charge states that he did knowingly have in his possession child pornography, namely 926 image files and 240 video files at his home on October 18, 2020, did distribute child pornography on July 21, 2019, and had cannabis and possessed the drug for the purpose of sale or supply at his home on October 18, 2020.

He pleaded guilty to all four charges.

Judge Dunphy said: An aggravating factor is that it is abundantly clear the effect this has on juvenile victims in this dark and criminal underworld.

Detective Garda Paul Cogan said the accused man used Kik to upload child sexual abuse images obtained through various social media.

When computer devices were seized from his home at Bruach Na Laoi, Union Quay, Cork, on October 18, 2020, cannabis with a street value of 1,700 was also found.

He claimed he was trying to entrap others and he was going to pass on the information to gardai, said Det Gda Cogan.

He said he was sharing thousands of images in an effort to track down these people.
The death has been announced of Canon Michael Riordan who served in the priesthood for more than 50 years.

Canon Riordan passed peacefully on Monday at Cork University Hospital.

A native of Kilmichael parish, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1959 in the Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, and began his ministry on temporary mission in the archdiocese of Calabar, in Nigeria, for two years.

On returning to the diocese, he ministered as assistant curate in Ballingeary, curate in Muintir Bhaire and Passage West.

He then served in the Cork and Ross South American mission in El Porvenir, Trujillo, Peru, from 1965 until 1971.

On his return home, he ministered as curate in Watergrasshill, Carrigaline and St Patricks parish.

Canon Michael returned to Peru to again serve with the Cork and Ross South American mission this time in La Esperenza, Trujillo, from 1985 until 1991.

He then ministered as parish priest in Togher Parish from 1991 until 2011.

Many parishes across Cork paid tribute to Canon Riordan following his passing, including St Michaels parish who said the late Canon was in their prayers.

May he rest in the peace of the Lord whom he so faithfully served in the diocese and on the missions, the parish added.

Canon Riordan will lie in rest in the Church of the Way of the Cross in Togher this evening from 6pm until the Celebration of Vespers at 7pm.

The funeral mass takes place in the church at noon tomorrow.
Russia said Wednesday it had captured two more frontline villages in Ukraine, including in the northeast Kharkiv region where its troops had been pushed back two years ago.

Moscow has made a string of gains on the front in recent months, pressing its manpower and weapons advantage on the battlefield as Kyiv waits for critical supplies of Western aid.

The Russian defense ministry said its army units had "liberated the village of Kyslivka in the Kharkiv region" and "Novokalynove in the Donetsk People's Republic."

Kyslivka is about 20 kilometers from the embattled Ukrainian stronghold of Kupiansk, while Novokalynove is about 10 kilometers north of Avdiivka, captured by Moscow in February.

Officials in Ukraine are worried Russia may be preparing a fresh offensive in the northeast, taking advantage of severe ammunition shortages in the Ukrainian army.

Ukraine's commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged in April that Kyiv had pulled back from three villages and was building a new line of fortifications to defend the front.

Separately, the Russian defense ministry said it had launched retaliatory strikes against Ukrainian energy and military facilities, after Kyiv reported a wave of aerial attacks overnight.

"In response to the Kyiv regime's attempt to damage Russian energy facilities, this morning the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a group strike against energy facilities and enterprises of Ukraine's military-industrial complex," it said. (AFP)




A 35-YEAR-old woman facing the prospect of a trial by judge and jury on a charge of robbing a 15-year-old girl of a 300 Confirmation necklace at the skate park in the Mardyke has confessed to the crime and she will be sentenced on June 5.

Michelle Harrington was arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on that count of robbery and two related charges and she pleaded guilty to all three.

Jane Hyland, defence senior counsel, suggested that sentencing would be adjourned: There will be testimonials she would like to gather.

Mary ODwyer, prosecution barrister, said victim impact statements would have to be prepared.

The accused had been facing trial by judge and jury at the circuit court but pleaded guilty to all counts on the indictment.

Michelle Harrington, of Ravensdale Road, Mahon, Cork, admitted the robbery on a 15-year-old girl at around 4pm on September 3, 2023.

Garda Conor Cronin testified during a bail objection on an earlier date: At approximately 4pm two females aged 15 and 16 and a male aged 18 were together in an area beside the skate park at Mardyke Walk, talking and enjoying the sun.

She (the 15-year-old) was boxed in the face and body numerous times and kicked into the back (Ms Harrington) caught the injured party in a head-lock and removed a chain from around her neck. She had got this for her Confirmation.

Arising out of these allegations, Ms Harrington was charged with robbery of the three teenagers.
A TOWN Hall was held for the Ireland South Constituency ahead of the European Elections on June 7, in the the UCC Centre for Executive Education.

European Movement Ireland, in co-operation with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, hosted a panel discussion which was moderated by Oireachtas TVs Flor MacCarthy.

Dr Theresa Reidy, senior lecturer in the Department of Government and Politics at UCC, said that there was an all time high number of candidates running across Ireland, with 23 in the South, and shared predictions as to who will win the five seats.

Its my job to make predictions, and I would think that theres a very good chance that Sean Kelly and Billy Kelleher will be returned, and then for the rest of it its going to be an absolutely fascinating race.

There is probably a seat for Sinn Fein, who didnt have a great election last time around, but this time its fairly certain theyre going to pick up a seat in each of the three constituencies, she said, adding that they have an outside shot of a second seat in Ireland South.

Also contesting the event are second party candidates for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, sitting TDs, candidates from existing parties and new micro parties, she said, adding its going to be quite a different election. Gerard Arthurs, lecturer in International Relations & Politics at Southeast Technological University, Waterford, said that name recognition was important in the EU elections as you cant go door to door across the entire Ireland South region, saying that this was why celebrity candidates were popular.

Karen Coleman, the editor of EU News Radio also shared expertise based off polling across EU countries, saying in Europe, we are likely to see a significant shift not just to the right but to the far right in many countries. Polls predicted that the Greens and Renew Europe group, which Fianna Fail are a member of, would lose seats on a EU-wide level, she said but the Irish polls are interestingly showing an increase in the left vote. This event was part of European Movement Irelands Can Vote, Will Vote campaign, which aims to increase voter participation. Turn-out in the 2019 EU elections in Ireland was 49.7%, a drop in comparison to the 2014 turnout of 52.44%, and lower than the European average of 50.66%.

The event was attended by candidates Billy Kelleher, Niamh Hourigan, Lorna Bogue, Derek Blighe, Mary Fitzgibbon, Ross Lahive, Michael McNamara, Patrick Murphy, Grace OSullivan and Eddie Punch.

Candidates

AT THE Ireland South Town Hall event, organised by European Movement Ireland and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, 10 out of 23 candidates were present at the UCC Centre for Executive Education, and each were given a one minute timeslot to give a pitch to the audience.

First was Ireland First candidate Derek Blighe, who criticised the panellists for using the term far right when discussing political groups in other European countries, before saying, My name is Derek Blighe, Im a married father of three, Im a bricklayer. He explained, we joined the EEC in 1972 which was a trading bloc, what we have now is something completely different, were losing control of our borders, were losing control of our fishing grounds, were losing control of our farms.

What has been happening to this country over the last 20 or 30 years is drastic, and I would like to see reform.

Next was Independent candidate Mary Fitzgibbon, a nurse, midwife and lecturer, who said sovereignty, immigration, neutrality, family life, agriculture, and small business are my interests. She said that, as a mother, I dont want any of my four sons in a war, dying on the battlefields of Europe, and criticised the sitting Irish MEPs for voting for abortion as a human right.

Niamh Hourigan of Labour explained that her party is currently the only Irish party aligned to the socialists and democrats group in the EU, the second biggest group in the parliament. Because we have no Labour MEP, we have no representation in that group, and groups matter  I am running on the basis of protecting workers rights, particularly low-paid workers, fairness in the climate transition and protecting Irish neutrality.

She explained that she is from Limerick and worked in higher education for 25 years, concluding, Im a sociologist and Im also a socialist whos passionate about equality.

Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher said,

Im running again because Europe matters to the Irish people and the Irish people have been very attached to the European project, but it is a project that is always evolving and so we have to steer it in the direction were comfortable with. It has transformed this country, and I think most people in Ireland are centrists at heart and thats where Fianna Fail is located, he said, explaining that a vote for him is a vote for centrist policies and the challenges facing Ireland and Europe.

Ross Lahive from the Irish Peoples Party said he was getting his feet wet, continuing, when we take a look around and see the establishment parties, the whole lot of them, people have lost faith in them. He also criticised the term far right used by the panellists.

Independent Michael McNamara said as a TD, more and more of the decisions that affect peoples lives on a daily basis are decided in Europe, calling for Ireland to utilise its opt-out to make more of its own decisions, adding that he is a farmer and farmers dont feel represented in Europe.

Patrick Murphy of Aontu introduced himself as a father, farmer, fisherman and agriculturalist, saying that the European Union helped him set up an organic mussel business so I know the importance of Europe.

The common fishery policy is in situ for 50 years and it has destroyed our country its happening to our farming industries as well, he said, also calling for the amount of young people leaving Ireland to be addressed in the European Parliament.

Sitting Green MEP Grace OSullivan introduced herself as a mother of three from Limerick, and member of Greenpeace for 20 years.

Since joining formal politics and moving from law-breaker to law-maker, Ive worked on the 8th Environment Action Programme, the Nature Restoration Law and Packaging Waste Regulation to name just a few, I feel Ive a lot more to do in the fight of a fairer and greener future for all.

Finally, Independent Ireland candidate Eddie Punch said, Ive worked for 25 years representing the food sector in Brussels, so I know how the institutions work, I want to see the food and family farm model defended, I think the institutions have lost touch with the people on the ground. He also wants to work on the EU disability strategy and regional development, he said, adding I believe in some regulations at EU level but not too much, too much red tape strangles small to medium enterprises and I want to get that balanced out.
CORK City South-East councillor Lorna Bogue will be running in the upcoming European elections for Ireland South.

Ms Bogue, the founding member of then An Rabharta Glas party, explained: After five years of being a councillor in Cork city, I know that real politics doesnt take place in a council chamber, but in workplaces, communities and homes every single day.

I want to be a voice for two million people across the Ireland South constituency and to use my time as MEP to lay the groundwork for mass representation of workers and carers in Ireland.

Her nomination papers were signed by more than 60 firefighters, librarians, artists, trade unionists, socialists, workers and carers, and Ms Bogue said: I am looking forward to advancing their concerns in the campaign and as MEP as my principal priority.

Speaking at the Cork Trade Union Council demonstration on May 1, International Workers Day, Ms Bogue said that she is running in the European election to provide a platform for the political representation of workers and carers across the country.

She said: Workers and carers do not have mainstream political representation at a time when housing and the cost of living are pressurising people like never before.

It is increasingly clear that both government and opposition parties are content to allow crises to hit hardest the people who can afford it the least in order to maintain a business environment for foreign direct investments.

She called for a response to this and to the rightward shift in the political discourse, which speaks to the problems people experience in their everyday lives.
IRELAND needs to ramp up the installation of electric vehicle public chargers to honour its climate commitments.

This is a big statement, I know, but I do believe it is something we as a country must focus on in the coming years. I think that if we focus on this as a priority more people will be willing to make the switch to electric vehicles.

A 2023 all Ireland study by the Irish EV Association (IEVA) showed more than four in five respondents had low confidence in the infrastructure available to facilitate the adoption of EVs. The study also showed that 72% of those surveyed believe targets of one million EVs in Ireland by 2030 will not be achieved.

While the majority of EV users charge at home, I believe there exists a pressing need for more public charge points, to serve those who dont have access to a charger at home or in the workplace, and to facilitate longer journeys. The government aims to have 180,000 EVs on our roads by the end of next year, and while public chargers are being installed by private companies on a continuous basis, the pace of this is behind what it needs to be, to adequately serve those who might want to go electric but dont feel confident doing so yet because of a lack of public infrastructure.

A recent study by the European Federation for Transport and Environment sustainable transport umbrella group Transport & Environment (T&E), has shown that there has been a three-fold increase in the number of EV public chargers in the EU in the last three years, with the charging network growing faster last year than the electric vehicle fleet.

However, Ireland lags behind its European counterparts in this regard, meeting less than 50% of its targets.

In February, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan announced a new 21 million grant scheme to boost EV charging infrastructure on big interurban routes, targeting motorway and dual carriageway networks.

If we want to propel the movement of EV driving in Ireland, we need to prioritise the rollout of public charging, not just on motorways and in major urban areas, but in small towns and villages up and down the country. Green transport is a crucial part of the countrys climate policy and were not taking it seriously enough.Theres been a significant uptake in EV sales in Ireland in recent years, but consumer confidence is dipping, and will continue to do so, if the government doesnt work in tandem with the private sector in moving on with much needed infrastructure.

I am a first-time candidate for the European Elections for Fine Gael and I am entering politics from a business and civic background. I founded renewable energy company, Amarenco in 2013 and was nominated as an EY Entrepreneur of the year in 2019. I also served as Chairman of the Port of Cork and was Chief Executive of Bord Gais Eireann from December 2007 until the end of 2012. During this time, BGE established a significant electricity business and developed significant renewable and conventional generation assets. I have held other senior management positions with ESB, ESB International, PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK) and NTR plc.

Although I live in Cork and grew up in Cork, firstly on Barrack Street and then Knocknaheeny and Bishopstown, I have been travelling the constituency of Ireland South the last few months chatting to people about what they would like to see their representatives in Europe do for them.

One of my main priorities if I am elected will also be to ensure that consumers in Ireland can get more access to banks from across Europe which would cut costs and bring more competition into the market. Just like airlines being able to operate in other countries under the Open Skies policy, so too should banks under an Open Banking policy.

We need to focus on bringing more competition for consumers into the banking market in Ireland.

Currently, we really have just three consumer banks operating here in Ireland. We have seen how successful Revolut has been since it came here but we need more than that. With very little competition in any market it is essentially the consumer who suffers and that is what is happening with banking in Ireland right now.

I believe it is possible for European banks to operate in Ireland as banks in Europe are regulated by one entity, which is the European Central Bank (ECB). We need to start exploring options on how we can do this and help consumers in Ireland get cheaper mortgage and lending rates and higher deposit rates for their savings. There should be no reason people in Ireland cannot get mortgages from banks in Central Europe at cheaper rates than they are currently being offered by widening out the market.

In addition, we need more European telecommunications, energy and insurance companies to follow suit and create real value for customers.
Kenneth Fox

Ireland's Bambie Thug has qualified for the final of Eurovision 2024 with their song 'Doomsday Blue' in tonight's first Eurovision semi-finals in Malmo in Sweden.

The artist has become the first Irish contestant to make the Eurovision Song Contest final since 2018.

Others to qualify for Saturday night's final were Serbia, Portugal, Slovenia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Finland, Cyprus, and Luxembourg. The second semi-final takes place on Thursday night.

Bambie went on stage fourth - and wowed audiences across Europe with a spectacular lights show and dramatic costume change on set.

'Crown The Witch' was the cry from the crowd, as the lights faded on tonight's Irish performance.

Bambie Thug's highly staged performance won votes from around the world. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images

Bambie Thug has tapped into their witchy persona as their staging in Malmo featured a ring of lights.

Their male dancers also looked almost devil-like with blue paint, highly exaggerated ears and fake teeth.

Halfway through the end of the song, Bambie also revealed the trans flag on their costume ahead of fire being set around the stage.

In the interval between voting Johnny Logan performed and paid tribute to his fellow two-time Eurovision Song Contest champion by singing Loreens Euphoria at Malmo Arena.

Loreen, who was crowned for a second time in Liverpool with Tattoo, first won the competition in 2012 for Sweden.

Logan, 69, had a full orchestra as he opted to make the lyrics more emotional and was greeted by applause from the audience.

Earlier, Tanaiste Micheal Martin wished them the best of luck, saying it is great to see such a unique and talented performer fly the flag for Ireland - and Cork - in this year's competition.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

Laguna El Suero, a glacial lake in Venezuela's Sierra Nevada National Park, on the slopes of moraines carved by the Humboldt glacier on Dec.13, 2011. Wilfredorrh / Flickr

Scientists have reclassified what was the last remaining glacier in Venezuela to an ice field, following significant shrinkage. The reclassification means that Venezuela is believed to be the first Andean country, and the first country globally, to lose all of its glaciers.

The Humboldt glacier, or La Corona, had been the only remaining glacier in Venezuela since 2011. By that year, five other glaciers in Venezuela had been lost, The Guardian reported.

As of 1910, Venezuela was home to six glaciers, which spanned about 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles), IFL Science reported. But over time, amid global warming, the glaciers have shrunk until they no longer met the criteria to be classified as a glacier. Typically, a glacier is considered to be at least 10 hectares.

In the case of the Humboldt glacier, it shrank from an initial 450 hectares to only 2 hectares, as Phys.org reported.

In Venezuela there are no more glaciers, Julio Cesar Centeno, professor at the University of the Andes (ULA), told AFP in March 2024. What we have is a piece of ice that is 0.4 percent of its original size.

By the end of 2023, the government announced plans to slow thawing of the Humboldt glacier by covering it in sheets of polypropylene plastic. However, scientists are planning to ask Venezuelas highest court to overturn the project due to concerns over microplastics and their impacts on what remains of the ice and the surrounding environment.

These microplastics are practically invisible, they end up in the soil and from there they go to crops, lagoons, into the air, so people will end up eating and breathing that, Centeno told AFP.

Scientists originally believed the glacier would last at least another 10 years before being reclassified, but political turmoil and the glaciers remote location put observations on hold in recent years, The Guardian reported.

From the previous observations in 2019 to the following observations at the end of 2023, scientists discovered the glacier had lost about 2 hectares.

Other countries lost their glaciers several decades ago after the end of the little ice age but Venezuela is arguably the first one to lose them in modern times, said Maximiliano Herrera, a climatologist and weather historian, as reported by The Guardian.

Now, experts believe what remains of what was the Humboldt glacier will disappear entirely in five years at best, or two years at worse.

In addition to impacting local ecosystems, the disappearing ice is also expected to affect tourism in Venezuela. The ice cover of the countrys second highest mountain, Pico Humboldt, was a big draw for visitors.

Now everything is rock, and what remains is so deteriorated that it is risky to step on it, Susana Rodriguez, a forestry engineer, told AFP. There are cracks.
Much of the recent AI hype train has centered around mesmerizing digital content generated from simple prompts, alongside concerns about its ability to decimate the workforce and make malicious propaganda much more convincing. (Fun!) However, some of AIs most promising  and potentially much less ominous  work lies in medicine. A new update to Googles AlphaFold software could lead to new disease research and treatment breakthroughs.

AlphaFold software, from Google DeepMind and (the also Alphabet-owned) Isomorphic Labs, has already demonstrated that it can predict how proteins fold with shocking accuracy. Its cataloged a staggering 200 million known proteins, and Google says millions of researchers have used previous versions to make discoveries in areas like malaria vaccines, cancer treatment and enzyme designs.

Knowing a proteins shape and structure determines how it interacts with the human body, allowing scientists to create new drugs or improve existing ones. But the new version, AlphaFold 3, can model other crucial molecules, including DNA. It can also chart interactions between drugs and diseases, which could open exciting new doors for researchers. And Google says it does so with 50 percent better accuracy than existing models.

AlphaFold 3 takes us beyond proteins to a broad spectrum of biomolecules, Googles DeepMind research team wrote in a blog post. This leap could unlock more transformative science, from developing biorenewable materials and more resilient crops, to accelerating drug design and genomics research.

How do proteins respond to DNA damage; how do they find, repair it? Google DeepMind project leader John Jumper told Wired. We can start to answer these questions.

Before AI, scientists could only study protein structures through electron microscopes and elaborate methods like X-ray crystallography. Machine learning streamlines much of that process by using patterns recognized from its training (often imperceptible to humans and our standard instruments) to predict protein shapes based on their amino acids.

Google says part of AlphaFold 3s advancements come from applying diffusion models to its molecular predictions. Diffusion models are central pieces of AI image generators like Midjourney, Googles Gemini and OpenAIs DALL-E 3. Incorporating these algorithms into AlphaFold sharpens the molecular structures the software generates, as Wired explains. In other words, it takes a formation that looks fuzzy or vague and makes highly educated guesses based on patterns from its training data to clear it up.

This is a big advance for us, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis told Wired. This is exactly what you need for drug discovery: You need to see how a small molecule is going to bind to a drug, how strongly, and also what else it might bind to.

AlphaFold 3 uses a color-coded scale to label its confidence level in its prediction, allowing researchers to exercise appropriate caution with results that are less likely to be accurate. Blue means high confidence; red means its less certain.

Google is making AlphaFold 3 free for researchers to use for non-commercial research. However, unlike with past versions, the company isnt open-sourcing the project. One prominent researcher who makes similar software, University of Washington professor David Baker, expressed disappointment to Wired that Google chose that route. However, he was also wowed by the softwares capabilities. The structure prediction performance of AlphaFold 3 is very impressive, he said.

As for whats next, Google says Isomorphic Labs is already collaborating with pharmaceutical companies to apply it to real-world drug design challenges and, ultimately, develop new life-changing treatments for patients.
Top procuratorate orders arrest of former Guangxi legislator for suspected bribery

Xinhua) 11:02, May 08, 2024

BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) has ordered the arrest of Zhang Xiulong, a former regional legislator of Guangxi in south China, on suspicion of taking bribes.

Zhang was a deputy secretary of the leading Party members group of the standing committee of the people's congress of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and a former vice chairman of the standing committee.

The case was transferred to the procuratorial authorities for review and possible prosecution after the National Commission of Supervision concluded its investigation, the SPP said on Wednesday.

Further investigation into this case is still underway.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Princess Catharina-Amalia shared her decision to accept government reimbursement for her living expenses.

According to the Netherlands Times, since her 18th birthday in December 2021, the prospective queen has had the right to request reimbursement of up to 1,509,000 euros for expenses and a salary of 322,000 euros.

However, prior to reaching adulthood, she reportedly made it clear that she would decline the payments unless there was a notable rise in the expenses associated with her position.

Earlier this week, the princess composed a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Rutte detailing her altered stance on the matter.

"With the passage of time and after surprising circumstances, it is now foreseeable that I will have to take into account personnel and material expenses with a view to an independent and autonomous fulfillment of my position, including administrative staff, and reservations for a living and working accommodation," the 20-year-old wrote.

According to the publication, the princess has decided to defer accepting her salary until she completes her studies.

Catharina-Amalia is enrolled at the University of Amsterdam where she is studying politics, psychology, law, and economics.

In a report last month, it emerged that the prospective queen had to reside in Spain for a year as a precaution against kidnapping threats.

Following the commencement of her course in 2022, the princess reportedly had to vacate her university residence and was placed under increased security measures at her parents' residence in The Hague.

Subsequent to the incident, she has purportedly returned to Amsterdam to continue her academic pursuits.

Addressing the situation during her inaugural royal tour in the Dutch Caribbean alongside her royal parents, Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander, the princess said in February 2023 how she misses "the normal life, the life of a student. Walking the streets, being able to go to a store."
The vacation rental firm is striving to stay competitive in a highly established market by introducing a new "Icons" category.

Airbnb's latest offerings will showcase a diverse array of experiences, ranging from exclusive stays at Prince's mansion to guided tours with reggaeton sensation Feid, and even overnight accommodations in Disney and Pixar-themed residences.

With competitors such as Austin's VRBO and San Francisco's Kindred making strides, alongside stricter regulations favoring hotels in urban centers, Airbnb is amplifying its commitment to innovation to maintain its relevance amidst escalating competition in the short-term rental sector.

"They're saying, we're going to do something that nobody else can duplicate," said Cait Lamberton, a marketing professor at The Wharton School. "And that gives you a way to keep growing in a very mature, competitive market."

Lamberton points out the challenge of innovating in a mature market for short-term stays. While companies can attempt to enhance features or quality, there are constraints, particularly considering consumers' emphasis on affordability.

"Every category has a lifecycle, every single one of them," Lamberton explains. "When a category goes from growth into maturity, there are more competitors in the space, which puts downward pressure on prices."

During the last five years, Airbnb has introduced over 90 distinctive and exclusive accommodations and experiences, as evidenced by its recent disclosure of a Q4 2023 revenue totaling $2.22 billion. In the previous year alone, 35 of these unique listings, among them the widely popular Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse, collectively amassed 4.7 million views.

"In fact, three times as many articles were written about the Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse as Airbnb's IPO, just to give you a sense," CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky said during a recent earnings call.

"Icons is a compelling new way to do marketing...and help shift the brand to be more than just a place to stay and create space to offer new products and services," Chesky shared with Reuters.

The famous house from 'Up,' Disney's 2009 adventure comedy, can now be rented out.

The listing, titled "Drift off in the Up house," is "hosted" by Carl Fredickson from the movie.

"Hello, I'm Carl Fredricksen. I'm retired and live with Dug, my dog who likes to talk...a lot. I've been on my fair share of adventures over the years, but never one as great as the adventure my wife Ellie and I shared in the house we built together," the listing reads. "Join me as I give the old balloon house another whirl, and I'll help you add to your own book of travel memories and list of shenanigans."
US President Joe Biden warned that the threat of antisemitism is growing in the country, including on college campuses.
Israel's military says its forces are in operational control of the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, pressing their offensive into the southern city on Tuesday as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remain precarious.
Flying Across Siberia in Single & Twin Aircraft Right After the Collapse of the Soviet Union

Santa Monica, CAThe word Siberia evokes many different images and notions, with the words 'Cold' and 'Gulag' prominent as the first reactions for most everyone. But what about July, what about flying over some of the most desolate, unhospitable terrain in the world. Ever wonder what it might be like to fly across Siberia in single engine aircraftwell five of them did just that right after the Soviet Union collapsed in July 1992, that one positive summer when the world prayed for a positive outcome from the demise of the Bolshevik regime.

A new book, Round the World & Across Russia in 21 Days, 30 Years Later: 12 Planes & 22 Aviators Thru 11 Countries When the Soviet Union Fell & Russia Returned, is the detailed telling of small planes crossing Siberia with few navigation aids, stray Russian aircraft wandering about and often surly, uncooperative air traffic controllers making life and death decisions. Documented and written by Michael B. Butler, this group of small planes became the first private group to circumnavigate while crossing the entire landmass of Russia.

One of our pilots, Dr. Howard Wisner out of Dallas flying a single Bonanza with his partner Janice Sullivan, flew over huge portions of Siberia at under 500 feet and often at less than 50 feet. In fact, while flying up the Lena River he wrapped some kind of wire around a wing. This was just one of the many wild experiences and close calls we had flying across Russia and Siberia.

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, the author constructed the book using seven major pilot journals, five ancillary journals, 25 hours of video tape, interviews and what he recalled. Details and color slide shows can be found at www.MichaelButlerBooks.com.

Here is a small section of us entering Siberian airspace, the big step into the unknown for our World Flight Across Russia.

Reverse back a few hours and we will get into the heart of those slogging ahead and continually recalculating their fuel consumption and headwinds. Tension rises as fuel becomes precious, with total darkness falling around 11:00 pm local this time of year in that section of Western Siberia. Russian VP Rutskoi's influence was of little help to us with varying degrees of panic settling in all the way down the line.



The Italians hear the chatter as they get passed by. Umberto Bernardini also relates in his book, A Baby Around the World, their unique method of transferring fuel from jerry cans in the aircraft cabin, "We left Syktyvkar first, but even without seeing them we hear over the radio that the others are gradually overtaking us, but we also hear that some are experiencing difficulties due to fuel shortages. Giorgio and I, however, have plenty of fuel, having filled our jerry cans as well as the internal tank. But while the Avgas is transferred by dropping it from the additional to the normal tank, transfer from the cans takes place using pressure generated by a small bike pump. Giorgio does this quite admirably, but with difficulty, due to his uncomfortable position in the cramped cabin space.



"Thousands, no millions, of trees flow beneath us. Geographical maps we have show only a small portion of the numerous waterways that form a dense web below. Nothing human can be seen anywhere; people, houses, artifacts or roads, nothing. Landing in these areas presents more risks than ditching in the open sea. After the headwinds we also have to face a big dance, which fortunately doesn't last too long. Hours pass slowly, the sun is setting behind us; perhaps it too is tired like Giorgio and I as it goes to sleep below the horizon line."



Temple, Sullens and Leavelle in the twin Cessna 421 Ultimate Trip have every right to be worried as Bob describes, "Valentin Perfiliev, Advisor to VP of Russian Federation or the CIS, Commonwealth of Independent States, replaced Soviet Union, at least for now already on the ground and Nicholai on the King Air support craft his influence is questionable, where is Valentin when we need him? no doubt he can obtain clearance if needed, but where is he? Sully hands me the chart, suggests I locate a couple of alternates within 200 miles of Novosibirsk just in case! I looked carefully there isn't any no airports at all our GPS operates from satellites and gives position within 20 feet anywhere in the world will be handy also gives me the closest airport our departure airport next closest our destination WOW! what now it's likely that airports exist for 70 years the Russians haven't told the rest of the world much including Jeppesen who have made their charts for years.



"5:03 pm we have a sudden strange noise in our plane engines are smooth gauges OK possibly pressurization control valve Norm and Mario, ahead in twin Cessna 340A, report 15 minutes of fuel reserve, amount in reserve upon landing we still have 45 minutes or better it's three hours and 12 minutes to Novosibirsk ETA 8:10 pm according to my watch I keep forgetting to adjust it for the time zone dislocation actually it will be midnight local at arrival therefore actually 9:03 pm local and not 5:03 Norm tells controller in his lawyerly voice he will land post haste on arrival on Runway 7 say's he will not accept delay out of gas controller does not respond! "



The King Air began to catch up to the pack while Nicholai, our Tushino Russian liaison on board, has been no help working with Paul requesting alternative airports for Rally aircraft and possibly the King Air, whose fuel supply also looked dire. In the back we can hear the back-and-forth chatter with Nicholai proclaiming, 'No Problem,' and then getting shut down by controllers. Looming on Paul's mind was that controllers at Novosibirsk grant immediate clearance upon the arrival of all the fuel critical aircraft. Nicholai again proffers the standard 'no problem,' he has limited authority and their trust in him was wilting by the minute.

Media Interviews: For review copies or interviews please contact Eric Blair Enterprises at MichaelButlerBooks@pm.me or 213-534-7292.
You know there is hope when you start reading stories like the one on my phone tonight. It says that the market lows were in March, and we are in a good rally.

Under a title Is corn ready for a seasonal pre-summer rally? Don Dawson from Barchart posits that good news may be ahead after a March when the spec funds took the biggest short positions since 2019.

Interestingly, the day this appeared, grain markets took off after some recent improvement. During the day session May 6, May corn futures gained a dime, May soybeans gained 33 cents and May wheat gained 33 cents, also.

Stormy weather

Weather has stopped planting in northeast Ohio since significant rain fell over the weekend. It remains to be seen what happens this week. Most of the Midwest and even areas as far south as Atlanta look ugly on the forecast map right now.

By the time the reader gets this, the severe weather that is forecast over most of the country will have arrived.

Right now, the map shows it missing northeast Ohio, but nothing that happens in northeast Ohio amounts to a hill of, um, corn, although corn has not been planted in hills for a long time.

So, it is possible that we get some clear weather that nobody else sees. Last year, it was the Eastern Corn Belt that was wet early, but we caught up.

This week, the forecast shows that most of the Eastern Corn Belt will get what the rest of the Midwest gets.

In the meantime, it was wet enough that the quick start to planting in the Corn Belt has stalled, and we are now a little behind the average planting pace. The five-year average for the U.S. has 39% of the crop in by now. In fact, we have 36%, which is not much of a lag, but not much may be planted this week, suggesting that next week we could be noticeably behind.

Ohio is actually a winner in the weather sweepstakes so far. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that as of the evening of May 5, we have 26% of our corn in.

This is remarkable, since the average planting for this date is just 12%. Also, we planted 20% in one week.

The soybean planting numbers for Ohio are similar to the corn numbers. We planted 13% of the soybeans this week, to get to 20% planted.

The average is 10%, so we are a state that is ahead of normal progress in both corn and soybeans.

It is not just our weather that is moving markets. In Brazil the heavy rains have stalled harvest of soybeans, as fields are flooded.

This will not only stall harvest, but hurt the crop in condition and yield. Then there is Russia, where the rains are hurting the wheat crops.

By the numbers

Looking at numbers, we see that corn has been up most of the last 11 sessions. We are currently trading May corn futures at $4.58 3/4 at midnight going into May 7. We have fallen a long way, $1.17, this spring and winter since the futures high of $5.28 3/4 on Oct. 20. Near the end of February, we traded at $4.11 3/4, and it felt like we could drop into the 3s. In fact, we are most of 50 cents higher.

The soybeans are a little uglier, even after being up 33 cents May 6. When farmers admit it, they say they have piles of soybeans left unsold.

When the futures were over $14, the hope was for $15. Now we are trading, at midnight going into May 7 again, at $12.43 3/4. We had a high a few minutes ago at $12.55, the highest of this move. Sadly, we fell from $14.21 in the middle of November to $11.40 1/2 Feb. 29. That is most of $3!

Soybean projections

If you are one of the producers that still have a lot of soybeans, there is no shame in it.

We do not normally have a high at harvest, and when we do, it is normally because we have a yield that surprises us in early harvest. That was not the case this year; it was just the fact that a lot of factors got the crowd going cheap.

We still have the reality that we are not projecting a big carryout and will likely import beans into Charleston in late summer.

That means that, depending upon our spring, which is starting to look sketchy, we do have legitimate hope for higher prices of soybeans. We just have to get them planted, established and through the critical month of August in good shape.

Wheat futures

Chicago May wheat futures have been remarkably volatile recently. The big high was back on Dec. 6 at $6.60 1/2. We had steady declines until a low the end of April at $5.77 3/4.

However, in the last few minutes, we have traded at $6.32 1/2. That is a staggering gain of over 26 cents in the last few hours. I have no idea why we are seeing this spike, but I know it puts us within one day trading of the December high.

It may be time to be grateful for this big bounce and sell any crumbs of wheat remaining. Maybe a new crop sale is appropriate. We have made big gains and need to reward them.
Farmers must be aware of the facts and avoid misinformation to prevent unnecessary actions and costs when combatting the 'very high' threat of bluetongue, experts say.

This is according to a recent technical meeting by the AHDB and Ruminant Health & Welfare, which looked at the bluetongue situation in the UK.

Government vets have concluded there is a 'very high' probability of new bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) infections due to the arrival of biting midges from northern Europe.

There have been over 120 bluetongue cases in England across 73 premises in four counties since November 2023, with the last case confirmed on 8 March 2024.

Lesley Stubbings, sheep consultant and adviser for Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep, who attended the meeting, said farmers must understand the current facts surrounding the disease.

The fact is, a single bite from a single infected midge will reliably transmit BTV-3," she explained.

This means that trying to control midges is futile and is not going to impact on the risk of BTV-3 transmission. It is crucial that we 'ACT' with this knowledge in mind.

At the meeting, farmers and the industry were told to remain Aware, apply Caution and use evidence-based Tactics to 'ACT' and mitigate against BTV-3.

Speaking as a spokesperson for Ruminant Health & Welfare, Ms Stubbings said the group was recommending farmers to be aware of the facts and avoid misinformation.

She said: As an emerging new strain of bluetongue, with no vaccine currently available, the industry is taking learnings from research, science and our EU counterparts, who experienced clinical cases during 2023, to provide the most up-to-date advice and guidance.

Many have questioned the role of insecticides in controlling midges and in controlling BTV-3 transmission. They are not the same. There needs to be clear distinction between midge control and BTV-3 control.

There is no evidence that insecticides can prevent infection as they do not kill Culicoides midges (the specific type of midge that transmits bluetongue) fast enough to prevent the first bite."

Similarly, the technical meeting heard that there is no evidence that insecticides prevented onward transmission of bluetongue.

There is also no evidence that insect repellents - which deter insects - have any effect on the transmission of BTV-3.

Therefore, the use of insecticides or repellents to try to prevent BTV-3 infection is not recommended," Ms Stubbings said, adding that they could have detrimental effects on the environment as well as being an unnecessary cost.

Farmers will not be able to significantly reduce the number of midges in a specific area, nor for long enough to prevent BTV-3 transmission.

When it comes to tactics for midge control, air movement is key, the technical meeting heard, as midges are most active during dusk and dawn.

Farmers should act to maximise natural ventilation, particularly by taking advantage of hills, wind and rain.

Farmers in the Netherlands favoured housing animals with powerful fans, providing air flow of more than 3m/s, for example.

Ms Stubbings said: Midge control through increased wind speed may reduce midge biting rate but it wont eliminate all biting and therefore wont necessarily prevent bluetongue transmission.

"As we know, it only takes a single bite from a single infected midge to reliably transmit BTV-3, she explained.

This small practical insight from the Netherlands feels better than doing nothing and will be a tactic farmers can act on to potentially help midge control on-farm.

Currently, there are no products licensed for Culicoides midge control, the meeting heard, meaning that any products sold for this purpose would be off licence.

What is the current advice?

Ruminant Health & Welfare and AHDB brought together experts, including scientists, research and veterinary professionals, to ensure the right information is available for farmers.

They are advising farmers to ACT on BTV-3 by being aware of how bluetongue is transmitted as a vector-borne disease, while providing caution against misinformation, and promoting evidence-based tactics on-farm.

 Awareness of how BTV-3 is transmitted as a vector-borne disease

 Caution against any misinformation, but instead view the latest facts

 Tactics on-farm to help with midge control must be evidence-based
A Welsh farming couple are experimenting with growing nuts on their land as the crop becomes more economically viable in the UK.

Martyn Williams and Alison Harwood have planted walnut and sweet chestnut trees on a one-hectare south facing slope overlooking the River Towy.

The Carmarthenshire-based couple have chosen varieties that are a good match for conditions at Old Castle Farm, Llangain.

Nuts are being grown commercially more than ever in the UK as the climate heats, making products more economically viable.

But what is less understood is how well suited this enterprise is to weather conditions in west Wales, or the free-draining and slightly acidic loam soils at Old Castle Farm.

To examine this, Martyn and Alison have been awarded funding from the Farming Connect Try Out Fund, an initiative that encourages farmers to experiment with ideas.

They have planted 20 walnut trees and 20 sweet chestnut trees, varieties selected for growth characteristics matched to the latitude in this region.

Establishment is now being monitored and, to give the trees the best chance to thrive, the area around them is being kept weed-free to prevent competition for nutrients and moisture.

The plan is to explore the use of alternative mulches, such as wool, even shells from a local beach, to balance the soil temperature and retain moisture.

Nut trees are helpful for providing biodiversity on farms but compared to other European regions, Wales has a very small economy in food production from trees.

Climate change coupled with proposed changes to the Welsh government farming policy means that alternative types of food production are being investigated.

It is likely to be five years before the trees produce any quantity of nuts, if indeed they do, but Martyn says planting trees is as much a legacy for future generations as the pleasure they bring to the current one.

It is likely to be five years before the trees produce any quantity of nuts, if indeed they do.

Speaking about the initiative, Martyn says planting trees is as much a legacy for future generations as the pleasure they bring to the current one.

I love planting trees, they could be around for hundreds of years, long after we have gone," he said.

"I get that farmers need to produce food to feed us but this will be our legacy."

He added that the couple were grateful to the Try Out Fund for helping to bring the project at Old Castle Farm to life.

It has given us a bit of a free rein, taking the pressure off trialling an enterprise that might or might not be viable."
Farmers who require private kill services in Scotland, and the abattoirs providing them, face a variety of challenges and hurdles, a new report has concluded.

A survey of Scottish producers who utilise private kill services is included in the report, as well as interviews with representatives from Scottish abattoirs providing private kill services.

Key recommendations emerged from the outputs of the survey, which the industry hopes could address the vulnerability of private kill services across Scotland.

Around 40% of farmer respondents said the constricted nature of the private kill abattoir network limited what they could process.

Welfare concerns due to travel times, traceability, and communication, were also highlighted as issues.

The survey found that limited access to butchery services affects the ability of producers to supply added-value product into local supply chains.

The report was conducted by the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) on behalf of the Small Producers Pilot Fund Steering Group.

It found that undertaking private kill was not the main focus for most of the mainland abattoir facilities and they often found it challenging to service this market.

Demand, location, difficulty in employing and retaining a skilled workforce, and operating structure were also key challenges to running viable abattoirs for private kill.

Responding to the findings, SAOSs Fergus Younger said that collaborative working - between producers, abattoirs, and butchery operators - was vital to addressing the challenges of servicing the private kill market.

He said: "Improving co-ordination in throughput could not only improve the economics of existing facilities but could offer the producer a simpler route to access abattoir services.

"The steering group is keen that assistance be focused on the areas of greatest need and improve the options for producers looking to utilise these facilities.

Scotland's Agriculture Minister, Jim Fairlie, said an analysis of the research's data was now underway which the Scottish government would use to inform future decisions.

Small producers are a crucial lynchpin of our rural economy and it is vital that we improve their access to Scotlands wider food supply chain.

"This will help bolster our food security whilst improving fairness for our small rural businesses."

Following the report, SAOS has been working with Mull slaughterhouse, based on the Isle of Mull, to trial whether additional private kill co-ordination support could help producers secure better access and help the abattoir operate a more efficient business.

Similarly, SAOS has been working with Munros of Dingwall to help to understand the costs associated with servicing the private kill sector.
Heightened vigilance and preventative measures on-farm are needed when dealing with the growing threat of animal activism, according to an expert.

Incidents of animal activism continue to rise within the UK agri-food sector, with both farm businesses and processors being increasingly targeted.

Aled Owen, an agricultural solicitor who has first-hand experience of advising on recent cases, reinforces the importance of heightened vigilance.

Animal activists are more sophisticated than ever before, explained Mr Owen, who is at partner in HCR Law.

And as recently highlighted by National Pig Association Chair, Rob Mutimer, they are increasingly targeting both farm businesses and processors.

While encountering activists on-farm is extremely challenging, Mr Owen said it was essential for famers to remain calm in the heat of the moment and take the right steps to help protect their business.

When activists are present on farm, it may be tempting to engage with them. However, it is crucial to refrain from doing so, he explained.

Prompt involvement of the police not only helps manage the situation but also eliminates the necessity for any commentary due to the incidence being subject to police inquiry.

And, although activists have the right to protest, the methods they employ may sometimes lead to legal violations. It's therefore important to let the police handle these matters professionally.

He advised that all farms and processors adopt more robust preventative measures to protect their operations and proactively mitigate potential disruptions.

"Security measures such as CCTV, security lighting, and fencing are essential. However, what often gets overlooked is the importance of thoroughly vetting potential employees.

I'd recommend conducting thorough background checks and scrutinising potential employees, especially when their experience appears questionable or misaligned with the job they are seeking, or when their qualifications do not match the job requirements.

Make sure employment contracts include specific conditions that prohibit employees from working with third parties, as any breach of these terms constitutes fraud.

Mr Owen concluded that the issue of animal activism trespassing on-farm or on-site was 'unlikely to go away'.

"Id therefore suggest that all farm businesses and processors employ preventative measures and take the right steps in the event of being targeted, to help protect themselves and their businesses.
Tom Sandoval "tried to take full accountability" for his cheating scandal.

Tom Sandoval accepts responsibility for the cheating scandal

The 40-year-old TV star split from Ariana Madix after it emerged that he had a months-long affair with Rachel Leviss, but Tom has now insisted that he's taken full responsibility for his actions.

During an appearance on 'Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen', Tom said: "I tried to take full accountability for what I did with Rachel and tried to learn from it and still continuing to learn."

Tom has also rubbished suggestions that his cheating scandal was part of a "big scheme" to get what he wanted.

He explained: "That this was some sort of like, I dont know, I think people think this was just some sort of big scheme or big elaborate, put on, but it wasnt. Obviously, making decisions but also getting lost in the motions and wanting to escape."

Earlier this year, Ariana accused Tom of refusing to accept responsibility for his actions.

The 38-year-old star - who dated Tom for almost a decade - said on an episode of 'Vanderpump Rules': "He still will not take responsibility for what he did. So ease up?! I'm not gonna be like, 'Hey everybody, it's me Ariana on my Instagram Story, if you guys could just like, be nice to my ex-boyfriend who did all these things...' that's not happening."

Tom has spoken openly about his mental health struggles over the last year.

And while Ariana has some sympathy for her ex-boyfriend, she also believes that he only has himself to blame.

She said: "I can understand that he has had some thoughts and some feelings, but those thoughts and those feelings are based on a situation he created."
Four thousand five hundred seventy seven workers from 10 companies have been retrenched and 500 put on forced leave in the first four months this year, the Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) said recently.

CONWEP executive director Maritess Jocson-Agoncillo said the retrenchments were done for various reasons like a soft market, the lack of orders or orders pulled out because of cheaper costs in other countries, contentions on US non-tariff policies and detention due to the US Customs Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act (UFLPA).

CONWEP member companies have been affected, with order worth $5million-$6 million compromised, she was cited as saying by domestic media reports.

The Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines recently said 4,577 workers from 10 firms have been retrenched and 500 put on forced leave in the first four months this year. The reasons included a soft market, the lack of or cancelled orders, contentions on US non-tariff policies and detention due to the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act.

Nine of the factories reported retrenchment or implemented forced leave of 3,077 workers between January and April. Five hundred of them were put on forced leave, but will hopefully be recalled back once orders resume.

CONWEP's largest member company Luen Thais factory in Clark, Pampanga, retrenched 2,000 workers due to detained orders in the United States, barred by the UFLPA.

As of February, nearly $5 million worth of shipments from the factory have been detained, most of which were orders due in December last year.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The Vermont Senate has concurred with a House proposal to impose stringent regulations on the use of hazardous chemicals in consumer products, including textiles, cosmetics, menstrual products, and artificial turf. The bill was passed unanimously in both the Vermont Senate and House, signalling strong bipartisan support, and it is now awaiting the governor's approval.

The new legislation, known as the Act on Regulating Consumer Products Containing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Other Chemicals, is set to take effect in stages starting January 1, 2026. It aims to curb the presence of toxic substances such as bisphenols, ortho-phthalates, PFAS, formaldehyde, mercury, and lead, which are commonly found in everyday products.

Vermont Senate has approved a House bill imposing strict limits on hazardous chemicals in consumer goods, including textiles and menstrual products. Unanimously supported by both chambers, the legislation awaits the governor's approval. Set to commence on January 1, 2026, the law prohibits chemicals like PFAS, bisphenols, and mercury in various products.

Under the proposed law, manufacturers will be prohibited from adding these chemicals to a wide range of consumer goods. The ban extends to both the production and sale of items containing these substances within the state. Notably, the legislation also sets specific conditions for products that may contain trace quantities of these chemicals due to unavoidable circumstances such as impurities or packaging migration.

The law will also introduce a new subchapter specifically targeting PFAS, a group of chemicals known for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. PFAS have been associated with several health issues, including cancer and immune system disruption. The new regulations will not only affect the composition of products like rugs, carpets, cookware, and ski wax but also include detailed provisions for firefighting foams and equipment.

To ensure compliance, the Vermont Attorney General's Office will have the authority to request certificates of compliance from manufacturers, conduct civil investigations, and take legal action against violators.

Community engagement plans are also part of the legislation, aimed at educating the public about the risks associated with these chemicals and the new regulatory measures.

Today, the Legislature took a critical step to protect Vermonters health by restricting the use of toxic chemicals like PFAS in a range of products we use every day  from cosmetics to cookware, clothing, and childrens products. This bill continues Vermonts leadership role in acting to reduce Vermonters unnecessary exposure to dangerous chemicals, Lauren Hierl, executive director of Vermont Conservation Voters, said in a press release.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
The Bridgerton stars had a small reunion as Jonathan Bailey and Phoebe Dynevor left onlookers awestruck by their Met Gala 2024 after party looks. The former co-stars were spotted leaving the Mark hotel after donning new outfits for the Met Gala 2024 after party. The actors worked in the renowned Netflix series Bridgerton.

The British actor is seen leading the way while heading to the party on May 6 in New York City. Jonathan Bailey, known for his role of Anthony Bridgerton, aces the all white look with ease. The actor dons a white tank paired with similar hued jeans.

The Wicked star who plays Dynevors elder brother in the series, completes his casual yet chic attire with a stylish pair of sunglasses as he holds the actresss hand while walking past the crowd. Phoebe, who plays the role of Lady Daphne Bridgerton, on the other hand, kept it simple yet super stylish in a black mini-dress featuring a dramatic sweetheart neckline, looking all set for a night of dancing. For the Met Gala 2024 she donned a custom pink lace gown by Victoria Beckham.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2024) - Ring Premier, the esteemed jewelry brand renowned for its exquisite designs and unparalleled craftsmanship, is proud to announce its collaboration with Nicole Arbour, the multifaceted musician, comedian, and influencer, to create a one-of-a-kind replacement engagement ring.

Ring Premier collaborates with Nicole Arbour to design a replacement engagement ring



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9276/208293_9af609d3e46b0962_001full.jpg

"I was deeply touched by Nicole's story, and I knew that we had to do something special to turn this unfortunate event into a moment of celebration," said Manat Kaur, CEO of Ring Premier. "Our collaboration aims to create a symbol of love and resilience, a ring that not only signifies the bond between Nicole and Simon but also serves as a testament to the power of positivity and collaboration."

The collaboration between Ring Premier and Nicole Arbour marks the union of two creative powerhouses, each bringing their expertise and passion to the table. With Ring Premier's mastery in jewelry craftsmanship and Nicole Arbour's artistic vision, the result promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.

"I am beyond excited that Manat stepped in to turn this awful experience into a really fun opportunity." expressed Nicole Arbour. "It feels like I'm in a fairytale and she's the Godmother. Who loses their new engagement ring, and has one of the top designers in the world create a new one with you? Just incredible. This isn't just about jewelry - it's about transforming a really sad moment into the happy ending every woman dreams of."

The upcoming collaboration between Ring Premier and Nicole Arbour signifies a union of hearts and minds, a testament to the transformative power of art and love. Stay tuned as these two icons come together to unveil a symbol of resilience, beauty, and everlasting love.

Contact Details:

Ring Premier

Manat Kaur

info@ringpremier.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208293

SOURCE: 500Newswire, LLC
ONGold Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "ONGold") announces that further to its April 2, 2024 and April 30, 2024 press releases regarding receipt of conditional approval to list on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange" or "TSXV") following the Company's transaction with Northern Superior Resources Inc. ("Northern Superior") which closed on April 26, 2024 (the "Transaction"), the Company has received final approval to list the Company's common shares ("Common Shares") on the Exchange. Under the policies of the Exchange, the Company will be classified as a Tier 2 Mining Issuer.

The Company expects that the Common Shares will commence trading on the Exchange at the opening of the market on May 8, 2024 under the symbol "ONAU".

Appointment of Kyle Stanfield to Board of Directors and as CEO

The Company is also pleased to announce that Mr. Kyle Stanfield has been appointed as a new member of the Company's board of directors, as well as the Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Rodney Barber, President of ONGold, stated: "We are pleased to have Kyle join us as CEO and director as we commence trading on the TSXV. Kyle brings over 25 years of experience in the mining sector that includes working with several publicly listed junior mining and exploration companies."

Mr. Stanfield, ONGold CEO, commented: "I am thrilled to join ONGold as Chief Executive Officer and to serve on the board of directors as we launch this new Ontario-focused exploration company. Having spent over two decades in the mining sector, particularly in roles that enhanced collaboration with indigenous communities and fostered sustainable project development, I am eager to leverage this experience at ONGold. My experiences successfully collaborating with numerous First Nations and Metis communities have profoundly shaped my approach to sustainable exploration and mining practices, and I am eager to apply this perspective to maximize the potential of ONGold's impressive portfolio in Northern Ontario. Together with the board and our dedicated team, I look forward to steering our projects through successful and responsible exploration phases."

Kyle Stanfield

Mr. Stanfield brings over 25 years of extensive experience in mineral exploration and project development with a particularly strong focus on project planning, indigenous consultation and agreements, as well as regulatory engagement. Mr. Stanfield has worked collaboratively with over 30 First Nations and Metis communities in Ontario and British Columbia in support of mineral resource exploration and project development. Earlier in his career, he played a pivotal role at the Musselwhite gold mine in Northern Ontario, currently operated by Newmont Corporation, consulting with the five Musselwhite Agreement signatory First Nations. In British Columbia, he was instrumental in leading the operational launch of the Tahltan First Nation environmental joint venture including facilitating an environmental training program for Tahltan elders and youth at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, his alma mater. In recent years, Mr. Stanfield spearheaded environmental assessments, indigenous consultation and permitting programs for both the Rainy River mine, located in Ontario and operated by New Gold Inc., as well as Argonaut Gold Inc.'s Magino mine, which recently achieved commercial production, also in Ontario.

Issue of Options

ONGold announces that it has issued an aggregate of 3,300,000 options to purchase Common Shares (the "Options") to eligible directors, officers and consultants pursuant to its omnibus incentive award plan. The Options are exercisable at a price of $0.51 per Option, and expire five years from the date of their issuance. The Options will vest as follows: (a) 50% of the Options will vest on May 7, 2025, (b) 25% of the Options will vest on November 7, 2025, and (c) 25% of the Options will vest on May 7, 2026.

About ONGold Resources Ltd.

ONGold Resources Ltd. (formerly 1348515 B.C. Ltd.) is a reporting issuer in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta with no current activities or operations. ONGold owns significant exploration assets in Northern Ontario, highlighted by the district-scale TPK Project and October Gold Project. These projects represent a strategic footprint in one of Canada's most prolific gold-producing regions.

The TPK Project, known for its extensive gold mineralization, covers 47,976 of hectares in a highly favourable geological setting, and has shown promising exploration results from historical drilling and recent surveys. The project area is situated in a region renowned for its mineral potential.

Similarly, the October Gold Project, consisting of 1,281 claims covering an area of 265km2, holds substantial promise with its favorable geological setting for large-scale gold deposits and is located approximately 35 km along strike from the Cote Lake Mine. The project has undergone preliminary exploration activities, which have indicated the presence of mineralized zones with significant gold anomalies. ONGold also holds a 100% interest in additional Properties in northwestern Ontario, known as Rapson Bay, Thorne-Ellard and Meston Lake. Together, these comprise 2,334 cell claims, covering 43,791 ha.

ONGold is committed to responsible exploration practices and sustainable development, emphasizing strong partnerships with local communities and stakeholders. By adhering to high standards of environmental stewardship and community engagement, ONGold aims to not only explore and develop its assets but also contribute positively to the regions in which it operates.

ONGold received final approval to list the Company's Common Shares on the TSXV and trading will commence under the symbol "ONAU" on May 8, 2024. With a seasoned management team led by industry veterans and a strategic focus on high-potential mining assets, ONGold Resources Ltd. is well-positioned to become a leader in the development of next-generation mines in Canada's prolific mining sectors.

Contact Information

Rodney Barber

President

Telephone: 1 (855) 525-0992

Email: info@ongoldresources.com

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution, or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. Unless otherwise noted, references to "$" or dollars in this news release are to Canadian dollars.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Company's listing statement dated April 29, 2024, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

Cautionary Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the proposed transaction; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward-looking information". Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", "management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward- looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company, and at the time it was made, involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the companies to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the ability of the Company to list the Common Shares on the Exchange for trading on May 8, 2024 and risks related to the Exchange's approval of the appointment of Kyle Stanfield as CEO and director. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the parties cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither party nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. Neither party undertakes, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE: ONGold Resources Ltd.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2024) - GoldHaven Resources Corp. (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF) (FSE: 4QS0) ("GoldHaven" or the "Company") announces that the Company has filed on SEDAR an independent technical report (the "Report") prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") which concluded that the Powerline Uranium Project (the "Property") is a property of merit that warrants an extensive multi-phased exploration and drill program.

GoldHaven CEO, Bonn Smith, states, "The first drill hole will be carried out close to the historic Samson well near the centre of the Powerline Property, as the gamma ray readings in that well at certain depths are quite literally off the charts (see Figure 1). Once we gather core from the anomalous depths (the red zones in Figure 1) we will be able to determine continuity of the uranium mineralization in this section of the Property, as well as increase our confidence in the estimated uranium grade throughout the Powerline Project."





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7246/208344_f4b19db2c476da48_002full.jpg

Attractive Uranium Grades

The Powerline Uranium Project lies within sedimentary rocks (sandstone) of the Colorado Plateau. With sandstone-style uranium deposits, grades in the 0.01% U3O8 range can be attractive due to the advent of In-Situ Leaching (ISL) mining practices.

Historical gamma ray geophysical logs within the Samson well (near the centre of the Powerline Property) indicate a 35.4 m (116 ft) thick zone of uranium mineralization within which a 19.0 m (62.4 ft) thick section is estimated to have uranium grade of 0.0258% U3O8 (Hite, 2015).

This estimate of uranium grade is based upon interpretation of gamma ray geophysical logs carried out in the well when it was drilled in 2007. The information from these logs is considered reliable and relevant to uranium mineralization since the logging instrument was calibrated to detect shale units that are of interest in oil and gas drilling and are likely to under estimate the uranium content in the anomalous zone.

A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify these historical grade estimates as accurate and the issuer is not treating the historical estimates as valid. A drill hole planned in phase 1 is designed to recover core for assay and carry out new gamma ray logging to provide calibration data for more precise grade interpretation.

The full Report dated April 15, 2024, and entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Powerline Uranium Project, Grand County, Utah, USA", can be found on the Company's website at https://goldhavenresources.com/uranium/powerline-uranium-project-utah/ and on SEDAR under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

Qualified Person

Seymour M. Sears, B.A., B.Sc., PGO, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has read and approved all technical and scientific information contained in this news release.

About GoldHaven Resources Corp.

GoldHaven Resources Corp. is a Canadian junior metals exploration Company focused on acquiring and exploring mineral exploration targets in North America. The Company is making exploration progress at its Smoke Mountain property which is located in the highly prospective Central British Columbia Porphyry-Epithermal Belt, where a new 2.5-Kilometre-long Cu-Au-Zn mineralization trend has been identified. Proactive engagement with stakeholders and Indigenous rightsholders to achieve mutually beneficial relationships is an integral part of GoldHaven's strategy.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Bonn Smith, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Bonn Smith, CEO

www.GoldHavenresources.com

bsmith@goldhavenresources.com

Office Direct: (604) 638-3073

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE-Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

News Release References

Hite, R.J., 2015: Private Calculation in the Files of Ameranium Resources Corp.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, the intended use of the proceeds received from the Offering, the possible acquisition of the Projects, the Company's expectation that it will be successful in enacting its business plans, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled", or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that investor interest will be sufficient to close the Offering, and the receipt of any necessary regulatory or corporate approvals in connection with the Offering and the Assignment, that there will be investor interest in future financings, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration and development of the Company's projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the exploration and development of the Company's projects and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the inability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing required to conduct its business and affairs, as currently contemplated, the inability to close the Offering, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including by the Exchange, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208344

SOURCE: GoldHaven Resources Corp.
Kupfer wird oft als das Gold der Energiewende bezeichnet, weil es aufgrund seiner hervorragenden elektrischen Leitfahigkeit eine zentrale Rolle in vielen Technologien spielt, die fur nachhaltige Energiesysteme entscheidend sind. Experten gehen aufgrund der Angebotsknappheit von einem Superzyklus aus.

Korrektur als Einstiegschance

Nach Hochststanden im Mai korrigierte das rote Metall stark. Die Abwartsspirale verstarkte sich in den vergangenen Tagen aufgrund schwacher Konjunkturdaten aus den USA und China. Langfristig konnte sich die aktuell laufende Korrektur als exzellente Einstiegsmoglichkeit herausstellen.

3 Kupferaktien mit hohem Potential

Im neuen, kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir drei aussichtsreiche Unternehmen vor, die bei einem weiteren Anstieg uberproportional profitieren konnten.

Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report!
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2024) - Rome Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RMR) (FSE: 33R) ("Rome" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases of November 29, 2023 and April 16, 2024, the Company has entered into an arrangement agreement ("Arrangement Agreement") dated May 7, 2024 with Pathfinder Minerals Plc ("Pathfinder") and its wholly-owned subsidiary 1475033 B.C. Ltd., pursuant to which Pathfinder will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (each, a "Rome Share") by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Arrangement" or the "Transaction").

Under the terms of the Transaction, Rome shareholders will receive 19.54 ordinary shares of Pathfinder with a par value of 0.001 each (based on an implied share price of 0.5p) ("Consideration Shares") for each Rome Share held (the "Exchange Ratio") with Pathfinder expected to issue a total of 2,351,579,421 Consideration Shares for a total purchase price payable to Rome shareholders of 11,757,897 or C$20,223,583 using a 1.72 GBP-CAD foreign exchange rate. Existing shareholders of Rome will own approximately 68.98% of the outstanding shares of the post-Transaction company upon completion of the Transaction (excluding the effect of the issuance of shares by Pathfinder pursuant to a fundraise proposed to be completed concurrent with completion of the Transaction).

The strategic rationale for the Transaction is to give the Company increased access to capital through Pathfinder's listing on AIM, with direct access to the London international capital markets and to a broader range of investors - including a range of institutional investors - than offered by the TSX Venture Exchange on which Rome's shares are listed. The Transaction will need to be approved by the Supreme Court of British Columbia and by Rome's shareholders at the Rome Meeting (see details below).

After consultation with its financial and legal advisors, Rome's board of directors ("Rome Board") unanimously determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of Rome and its shareholders, and approved the Arrangement Agreement. Accordingly, the Rome Board recommends that Rome's shareholders vote in favour of the resolution (the "Arrangement Resolution") to approve the Arrangement.

Evans & Evans, Inc., accredited professional business valuators, provided a fairness opinion to the Rome Board stating that, as of the date of its opinion, and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such opinion, the consideration to be paid under the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to Rome securityholders. The full text of the fairness opinion, which describes, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, factors considered and limitations and qualifications on the review undertaken, and the terms and conditions of the Arrangement, will be included in the management information circular of Rome (the "Rome Circular"), to be delivered to Rome securityholders in respect of a special meeting of Rome Shareholders to consider the Arrangement (the "Rome Meeting"), which is scheduled to be held on June 24, 2024.

Transaction Summary

The Arrangement will be effected by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), requiring the approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and the approval, at the Rome Meeting, of (i) 662/3% of the votes cast on the Arrangement Resolution by Rome shareholders; and (ii) a simple majority of the votes cast on the Arrangement Resolution by Rome shareholders, excluding Rome Shares held or controlled by persons described in items (a) through (d) of Section 8.1(2) of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions.

Each of the directors and executive officers of Rome, along with certain key Rome shareholders, who collectively hold an aggregate of approximately 62.9% of the issued and outstanding Rome Shares, have entered into voting support agreements with Pathfinder, pursuant to which they have agreed, among other things, to vote, or use best efforts to cause to be voted, at the Rome Meeting, all of the Rome Shares held or controlled by them in favour of the Arrangement.

The Arrangement Agreement includes customary representations and warranties for a transaction of this nature as well as customary interim period covenants regarding the operation of Rome's and Pathfinder's respective businesses. The Arrangement Agreement also provides for customary deal-protection measures. In addition to shareholder and court approvals, closing of the Transaction is subject to applicable regulatory approvals, including, but not limited to, TSX Venture Exchange approval and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions. Subject to the satisfaction of these conditions, Rome expects that the Transaction will be completed in late June 2024. Details regarding these and other terms of the Transaction are set out in the Arrangement Agreement, which will be available, after it is filed, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under Rome's profile.

Following the completion of the Arrangement, and subject to approval by the requisite majority of shareholders of Pathfinder, the enlarged share capital of the post-Transaction Pathfinder (including the shares to be issued as Consideration Shares) will be admitted to AIM, and the Rome Shares will be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Amended Interim Financial Statements & MD&A Filed

Rome has filed amended interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the period ended December 31, 2023 on SEDAR+ to reflect that Medidoc RD-Congo SARLU is a subsidiary of the Company rather than Rome holding an interest in Medidoc RD-Congo SARLU by way of investment in an associate.

About Rome Resources

Rome Resources Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that has entered into two option agreements and a binding term sheet where it has acquired 51% indirect interests in two contiguous properties situated in the Walikale District of the North Kivu Province in eastern DRC, which are collectively referred to as the "Bisie North Tin Project". Rome has completed an initial phase of drilling on the project where it is responsible to fund exploration up to the completion of a definitive feasibility study.

Contacts

Investors / Shareholders

Mark Gasson

President, CEO & Director

P: (604) 687-6140

Media

E: info@romeresources.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although Rome Resources Ltd believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, Rome Resources Ltd disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208347

SOURCE: Rome Resources Ltd.
BEIJING, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily

The Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school was established in Budapest, capital of Hungary, in September 2004. It is the first full-time public school in Central and Eastern Europe that uses Chinese and the local language for instruction. Over the past nearly 20 years, the school has played a unique role in promoting cultural exchanges between China and Hungary over the past two decades.

In early 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from the students of the school, encouraging the Hungarian youths to learn more about China and become envoys of the China-Hungary friendship.

When the school was just founded, it had around 100 students, and now the figure has surged to more than 500. More and more Hungarian students are embracing the Chinese language and culture, and many of them have been admitted to Chinese universities.

"Our goal is to nurture a batch of 'builders of Hungary-China friendship,'" said Zsuzsanna Erdelyi, principal of Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school.

She told People's Daily that apart from local students, the school also enrolls those from China, so that students from the two countries can learn and play together, which not only helps improve their academic performance, but also fosters profound friendship between them.

When a class was over, eleventh-grade students Sanyi and Li Fulin started playing Chinese chess in a corridor. Sanyi once lived in China with his father. He was sent to the bilingual school by his parents after they saw the prospering development of China and the huge potential of Hungary-China cooperation.

"It was so difficult for me to learn Chinese as a beginner," Sanyi said. However, as he gained more and more Chinese friends, he has gradually developed a passion in speaking Chinese.

"Last year I had a study tour to China, during which I visited Nanjing University. I like it very much and hope I can be admitted to the university one day," Sanyi told People's Daily.

To create a better learning atmosphere for the students, the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school holds rich and splendid cultural activities that invite parents and all sectors of Hungarian society.

For instance, it has opened a Chinese language class for parents and hosts "Chinese open days" during traditional Chinese holidays, to encourage students and their parents to join fun cultural activities such as Chinese tea brewing, paper cutting and lantern making.

Erdelyi said the Chinese culture is charming and joining these activities offers so much fun.

Papp Nora and Papp Dora are a pair of twins who have been learning at the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school since they were very young. The two eighth-grade students consider the school their second home.

"The teachers always help me with patience and answer my questions," Papp Dora said, adding that Chinese is a very beautiful language. According to her, she likes Chinese calligraphy while her sister loves traditional Chinese costumes. The two practice Chinese together every day.

Educated by the school, the twins have developed carefulness, diligence and resilience, which are all important qualities in any stage of life, said Trippon Mariann, mother of the twins, and chief economist of a Hungarian bank. She's very optimistic about the potential of the Chinese economy, and believes that learning Chinese would gain her children more advantages for their future development.

Li Elizabet Fanni studies at Fudan University, Shanghai. She is one of the earliest students of the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school to study in China. Recently, she served the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, as a volunteer, offering services for Chinese and Hungarian enterprises.

"I hope more young Hungarians can visit China and see with their own eyes the development of the country," she said, adding that she and other students will work to contribute to and carry on the Hungary-China friendship.

After nearly 20 years of development, the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school has become an important witness to the bilateral relations between Hungary and China, Erdelyi said, adding that Xi's first-ever state visit to Hungary will bring huge encouragement and inspiration to students of the school.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407430/FYL01112.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407431/FYL01142.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bilingual-school-in-budapest-nurtures-envoys-of-china-hungary-friendship-302139047.html
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!
OSLO, Norway, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Multiconsult ASA (OSE: MULTI)



Multiconsult delivered a strong first quarter, continuing the positive development with high activity and good operational performance. The first quarter EBITA came in at NOK 136.8 million (216.3), equal to an EBITA margin of 10.0 per cent. The performance was influenced by high activity, with a billing ratio of 73.5 per cent, 2.5 percentage points higher than the comparable quarter last year. Net operating revenues grew by 4.3 per cent to NOK 1 366.9 million, the organic revenue growth was 9.8 per cent adjusted for the calendar effect. There was an impact of six fewer working days compared to the same period last year, with an estimated negative effect of NOK 113.7 million on net operating revenues and EBITA. The order intake was solid at NOK 1 847 million resulting in an order backlog of NOK 5 086 million.

FIRST QUARTER 2024

Good quarter with high order

Net operating revenues increased by 4.3 per cent to NOK 1 366.9 million (1 310.2)

The organic revenue growth adjusted for the calendar effect was 9.8 per cent

EBITA of NOK 136.8 million (216.3), equal to an EBITA margin of 10.0 per cent (16.5)

Net revenues and EBITA impacted negatively by NOK 113.7 million from the calendar effect compared with Q1 2023

Significantly improved billing ratio of 73.5 per cent (71.0), up 2.5pp

Solid order intake of NOK 1 847 million (2 573)

Order backlog of NOK 5 086 million (4 654)

Full-time equivalents (FTE) increased by 9.9 per cent, to 3 550 (3 230)

Net profit of NOK 95.5 million (158.1)

Earnings per share NOK 3.52 (5.76)

The overall market outlook remains stable

intake, strong operational performance and results

EXTRACT OF COMMENTS FROM CEO, GRETHE BERGLY:

Multiconsult started the year with a strong quarter, continuing the momentum from the end of 2023. Delivering a good result and solid figures on order intake, organic growth, and general overall good operational performance. The performance was influenced by high activity, with a billing ratio of 73.5 per cent, 2.5 percentage points higher than the comparable quarter last year. Our skilled and dedicated employees continued to deliver projects with high value for clients and society, and the demand for our services remains strong.

In our strategy, we aim to significantly influence our industry and collaborate with clients who have the courage to pursue unconventional and innovative projects. A prime example of this approach is the solar plant at Isfjord Radio in Svalbard, which recently was awarded the Solar Energy Award - Facility of the Year. I am impressed by how our employees leveraged their professional skills to assist the client in establishing such a facility in a harsh climate with artic conditions and in a particularly vulnerable wildlife and natural environment. The operational success of this facility demonstrates that solar power can play a role in contributing to the green shift in arctic climates.

Multiconsult's services remains in high demand, as reflected by the solid order intake at NOK 1.85 billion in the quarter. The order intake results in a high and increased order backlog, reaching NOK 5.09 billion, with a diversified portfolio distributed among all business areas. The overall market outlook remains stable. There are geographical differences and while the housing and real-estate market remains challenging, the overall building and property market shows signs of levelling off. As for the architecture business, we maintain the close monitoring and make necessary adjustments to staffing levels. There is a continued solid market outlook within the remaining business areas.

For a full review of comments from CEO, please refer first quarter 2024 report.

FINANCIAL REVIEW, FIRST QUARTER 2024:

Net operating revenues amounted to NOK 1 366.9 million (1 310.2), an increase of 4.3 per cent compared to the same quarter last year. The organic revenue growth amounted to 9.8 per cent, adjusted for calendar effect and acquisition. The increase in net operating revenues was driven by higher billing ratio, increased capacity, and higher billing rates. The billing ratio exceeded last year's comparable quarter by 2.5 percentage points, reaching 73.5 per cent (71.0). Higher capacity, reflected by an increase in full-time equivalents (FTE) of 9.9 per cent and higher billing rates, contributed positively to growth in net operating revenues.

Operating expenses consist of employee benefit expenses and other operating expenses. Operating expenses increased by 12.7 per cent to NOK 1 170.9 million (1 039.1) compared to the same quarter in 2023. Employee benefit expenses increased by 13.2 per cent in line with ordinary salary adjustment, increased manning level from acquisitions, and significant increase in net recruitment. Other operating expenses increased to NOK 153.0 million (140.2), an increase of 9.1 per cent mainly due to higher office expenditure including office expenditures related to acquired companies, consultancy and IT-cost, and cost increase in general.

EBITDA was NOK 196.1 million (271.1), a decrease of 27.7 per cent compared to the same period last year, reflecting an EBITDA margin of 14.3 per cent (20.7) in the quarter.

EBITA was NOK 136.8 million (216.3), a decrease of 36.8 per cent year-over-year, reflecting an EBITA margin of 10.0 per cent (16.5) in the quarter.

OUTLOOK

The overall market outlook remains stable. While the housing and real-estate market remains challenging and the overall building and property market is stable with continued uncertainty, there is a continued solid market outlook within the remaining business areas.

For a full review of outlook and report, please refer to first quarter 2024 report.

Presentations today 8 May 2024:

Participants are invited to attend the Norwegian presentation that will be held at Hotel Continental, Stortingsgata 24/26, Oslo, Norway at 08:30 (CEST). The results will also be presented through a live webcast: In Norwegian at 08:30 and in English presentation at 09:30. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions online throughout the webcast sessions.

The Norwegian presentation at 08:30 can be accessed at: https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20240508_11/

The English presentation at 09:30 can be accessed at: https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20240508_10/

Live webcasts, complete report, presentation and a recording of the webcast will be available on www.multiconsult-ir.com and https://newsweb.oslobors.no/

For further information, please contact:



Investor relations:

Ove B. Haupberg, CFO

Phone: +47 401 00 900

E-mail: oveb.haupberg@multiconsult.no



Media:

Gaute Christensen, VP Communications

Phone: +47 911 70 188

E-mail: gaute.christensen@multiconsult.no

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/multiconsult/r/multiconsult-first-quarter-2024---improved-performance,c3975446

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/12394/3975446/2784901.pdf Multi Q124 Stock market annoncement https://mb.cision.com/Public/12394/3975446/9d5b4a1f91c1ea14.pdf Multi Q124 presentation https://mb.cision.com/Public/12394/3975446/9e7521b3c251add1.pdf Multi Q124 report print

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/multiconsult-first-quarter-2024--improved-performance-302139242.html
Der Goldpreis haussiert und schwingt sich von Hoch zu Hoch. Getrieben von geopolitischen Unsicherheiten sowie der Aussicht auf eine lockere Geldpolitik der FED gehen Experten aktuell von weiter steigenden Notierungen bis sogar in den Bereich von 3.000 US-Dollar je Unze Gold aus.



Im Schatten des Basispreises notieren Goldproduzenten aus der zweiten Reihe sowie Explorationsunternehmen noch weit weg von ihren historischen Hochststanden entfernt und bieten dadurch erhebliches Aufholpotential.



In diesem kostenlosen Report geben wir Ihnen Favoriten an die Hand, die aufgrund von Sondersituation die Chance auf eine Kursvervielfachung besitzen.



Handeln Sie Jetzt!



Fordern Sie jetzt den brandneuen Spezialreport an und profitieren Sie von dem weiter steigenden Kurs des Edelmetalls.



Sichern Sie sich jetzt Ihren kostenfreien Report.
Erinnern Sie sich, als Moderna und BioNTech von unbekannten Unternehmen zu globalen Marktfuhrern wurden und fruhzeitige Investoren reich belohnt haben?



Die Branche steht vor einem erneuten Innovationsschub  von bahnbrechenden Medikamenten bis hin zu revolutionaren Therapien.



Warum sollten Sie dabei sein?



Sie sollten jetzt in Biotech-Aktien einsteigen, weil wir am Beginn einer neuen Ara der medizinischen Innovation stehen konnten! Gen- und Zelltherapien, personalisierte Medizin und bahnbrechende Technologien konnten das Gesundheitswesen revolutionieren  und die Aktienkurse in die Hohe schieen lassen.



Die nachste Erfolgsgeschichte im Biotechbereich warten nur darauf, entdeckt zu werden. Wer jetzt investiert, hat die Chance, von gigantischen Durchbruchen und enormen Renditen zu profitieren. Warten Sie nicht, bis es zu spat ist - der nachste Biotech-Superstar konnte morgen schon durchstarten!



Verpassen Sie nicht diese Chance!



Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Biotech-Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 3 Biotech-Aktien das riesige Potenzial haben, Ihren finanziellen Erfolg zu sichern. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen zukunftstrachtige Investments im Biotech-Sektor.



Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report!
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Bambuser AB (STO:BUSER)(FRA:5JL) Bambuser reports a Q1 2024 ARR of SEK 98.9 million, representing a quarter over quarter decline of 8% at constant exchange rates ("CER"). The Adjusted EBITDA was SEK -24.8 million, in line with implemented cost enhancements. The free cash flow for the quarter ended at SEK -24.7 million, a year over year improvement of SEK 6 million. The cash balance closed at SEK 247.3 million, which is sufficient to take Bambuser to positive cash flow.

Bambuser's One-to-One solution, which is evolving into a full Digital Clienteling solution, experienced a significant increase in net new bookings. Notably, this growth included securing a master service agreement with the world's largest beauty company headquartered in France.



Bambuser signed several new contracts with enterprise customers in the quarter, including UK's largest consumer electronics retailer, WearThat (personalized fashion company), and Mela Platforms (video commerce technology experts). The Company further renewed and expanded its partnership with the LVMH group.



Q1 Key highlights

ARR of SEK 98.9 million, -24% y/y and -8% q/q at constant exchange rates ("CER").

Net Sales SaaS of SEK 26.7 million (34.2) representing a growth of -22% y/y and -6% q/q.

Adjusted EBITDA of SEK -24.8 million (-31.0), representing a -93% margin, -4%p. y/y and +2%p. q/q.

Free Cash Flow of SEK -24.7 million (-30.6), representing a -93% FCF margin, -33%p. y/y and -7%p. q/q.

End of quarter Cash Balance of SEK 247.3 million (347.8), which is sufficient to take Bambuser to positive cash flow.

Net new bookings for Q1 2024 ended on a positive for the first time since Q4 2022.

Significant events after the quarter

In April 2024, Bambuser acquired Klarna's virtual shopping solution. This solution provides personalized customer experiences in e-commerce through insight driven chat and video calls.

The full Q1 2024 report is published at https://ir.bambuser.com/report-archive

About Bambuser

Bambuser is the world's leading video commerce company with the largest customer base in its industry. More than 250 brands from 40+ countries leverage Bambuser's best-in-class solutions.



Bambuser is truly global with headquarters in Stockholm and offices in New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, and Turku, and with a passionate team speaking more than 30 languages. Founded in 2007 as a livestreaming pioneer, trusted by the world's leading news agencies, Bambuser pivoted to Live Shopping in 2019, leveraging its legacy as the industry leader in video-first technology.

Contact information

Corporate Communications, Bambuser AB

+46 8 400 160 00 | ir@bambuser.com

Certified Adviser

Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ)

This information is information that Bambuser AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 2024-05-08 08:00 CEST.

Attachments

Bambuser InterimReport Q12024

SOURCE: Bambuser AB

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Adding an omnichannel layer to authentication with RCS Business Messaging

Leading ride-sharing company Bolt prioritizes security and innovation for drivers and customers. It was exploring Two Factor Authentication (2FA) delivery options via rich media channels that could offer a frictionless, branded experience. It chose RCS Business Messaging, with SMS as a backup channel for a smooth omnichannel solution through global communications platform Infobip.

Infobip's partnership with Google and Mobile Network Operators (Telefonica, Vodafone, and Deutsche Telekom) in Germany enabled Bolt to integrate RCS Business Messaging into their channel mix. Bolt now provides their drivers and customers an engaging authentication experience, with the benefit of end-to-end encryption during:

Onboarding: When a new driver or customer signs up for Bolt's services, an one-time password (OTP) can be sent via RCS Business Messaging to verify their phone number.

When a new driver or customer signs up for Bolt's services, an one-time password (OTP) can be sent via RCS Business Messaging to verify their phone number. Password reset: If a driver forgets their password, they can initiate a reset process. An OTP can be securely delivered via RCS Business Messaging to their phone for verification before allowing them to choose a new password.

If a driver forgets their password, they can initiate a reset process. An OTP can be securely delivered via RCS Business Messaging to their phone for verification before allowing them to choose a new password. Registration updates: For actions requiring additional security, like linking a new payment method, Bolt can send an OTP through RCS Business Messaging to confirm the user's identity before finalizing the change.

Andre Ludgero, Product Manager, Bolt, said:"As a transformative leader in the ride-hailing industry, Bolt has always provided driver and customer experiences that are innovative and secure. Authenticating drivers and customers in a seamless manner is crucial to maintaining brand trust, which is why we decided to give our drivers and customers an omnichannel authentication experience with RCS Business Messaging and SMS as a backup channel for OTPs. Sending OTPs over RCS Business Messages with Infobip Authenticate adds an extra layer of security due to the verified profile and ability to add our logo. The omnichannel approach guarantees OTP delivery, fosters trust and brand love with every login."

For more information: https://www.infobip.com/blog/securing-on-demand-ride-sharing-and-food-delivery

About Infobip

Infobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected experiences across all stages of the customer journey. Accessed through a single platform, Infobip's omnichannel engagement, identity, user authentication and contact centre solutions help businesses and partners overcome the complexity of consumer communications to grow business and increase loyalty.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508620688/en/

Contacts:

Marcelo Nahime

Infobip Global Public Relations Manager

marcelo.nahime@infobip.com
On Sunday, 12 May 2024, Chipotle is offering a BUY-ONE-GET-ONE-FREE (BOGOF) deal on entrees to all National Health Service (NHS) professionals in celebration of International Nurses Day*

LONDON, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill UK, the fast-casual restaurant chain that serves burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, and salads made with real ingredients, is celebrating International Nurses Day with a BUY-ONE-GET-ONE-FREE (BOGOF) on all entrees for NHS workers*. NHS healthcare professionals can enjoy this offer exclusively in all UK restaurants excluding the London Wall and King Williams Street restaurants, from 11:00am to 11:00pm on Sunday, 12 May 2024.

NHS staff can redeem their BOGOF offer when purchasing another full price entree by showing their NHS identity badge at the cash register. See here for a full list of participating Chipotle locations in the UK: https://locations.chipotle.co.uk/.

"NHS healthcare professionals have overcome countless challenges in recent years while continuing to show up and selflessly serve our communities," said Jacob Sumner, Director of European Operations at Chipotle. "We're proud to support these dedicated individuals and want to express our gratitude with a fresh and convenient meal."

In the past year and a half, Chipotle has opened eight new restaurants in the UK, increasing its footprint by nearly 73%. The company will continue to prioritize community support as it grows its presence in the market.

*Valid for one (1) free salad, burrito, bowl, quesadilla, or order of tacos with a purchase of a salad, burrito, bowl, quesadilla, or order of tacos. Must show valid NHS healthcare professional ID at checkout. Promotion expires on 12 May 2024 at 11:00pm. Valid only in all UK restaurants excluding the London Wall and King Williams Street locations. Redemption subject to availability. Not valid for online ordering or delivery orders through third-party platforms. May not be combined with other offers. Additional restrictions may apply; void where prohibited. Please note, this offer is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, authorised, or sponsored by the National Health Service. NHS is the registered trade mark of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The use of the NHS trade mark is for identification, instructional and reference purposes only and does not imply any association with the trade mark holder or the National Health Service.

About Chipotle

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. There are nearly 3,500 Chipotle restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Kuwait and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. Chipotle is ranked on the Fortune 500 and is recognized on Fortune's Most Admired Companies 2024 list and Time Magazine's Most Influential Companies. With over 120,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit http://www.chipotle.co.uk.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407384/International_Nurses_Day_BOGOF_PR_Asset.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/624816/4693810/Chipotle_Mexican_Grill_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/chipotle-celebrates-nhs-workers-with-a-buy-one-get-one-free-offer-on-international-nurses-day-302139182.html
WILMINGTON, Del., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The rising popularity of biodegradable tableware and the growing emphasis on dining experiences & home aesthetics are projected to drive the global tableware market's growth during the forecast period. The Europe region is predicted to witness prominent growth by 2032.

Allied Market Research has recently published a report, titled, "Tableware Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Type, by Distribution Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032." According to the report, the global tableware market generated $45.6 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $109.9 billion by 2032, rising at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2023 to 2032.

Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A62339

Prime Determinants of Growth

The increase in popularity of biodegradable tableware and the growing emphasis on dining experiences & home aesthetics are the factors expected to drive the growth of the global tableware market in the forecast period from 2023 to 2032. However, the fragility, safety concerns, and maintenance requirements associated with certain tableware materials may restrict market growth in the coming future. On the contrary, technological advancements and the rising trend towards eco-friendly & personalized dining experiences are expected to offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the tableware market during the forecast period.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $45.6 billion Market Size in 2032 $109.9 billion CAGR 9.3 % No. of Pages in Report 310 Segments covered Type, Distribution Channel, and Region Drivers Growing emphasis on dining experiences and home aesthetics Rising consumer demand for customized and sustainable products Increase in popularity of biodegradable tableware Opportunities Technological advancements in manufacturing processes Growing trend towards eco-friendly and personalized dining experiences Restraints Fragility and safety concerns

Procure Complete Report (310 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://tinyurl.com/35bhaznk

Type: Glassware Sub-segment to Hold Major Market Share by 2032

The glassware sub-segment accounted for the largest global tableware market share of 28.0% in 2022 and is expected to continue to hold major share by 2032. This significant growth is mainly because glassware offers elegance and versatility, suitable for both special occasions and everyday use. Besides, glass tableware is low-maintenance and easy to clean, making it practical for busy households. Moreover, glass dishes add sophistication to the dining table and are appreciated for their eco-friendliness and non-toxic nature, contributing to their positive impact on the market.

Distribution Channel: Offline Sub-segment to Flourish Immensely During the Forecast Period

The offline sub-segment held the largest market share of 60.8% in 2022 and is predicted to continue to account for the major share by 2032. This growth is majorly owing to the immediate product availability with offline shopping, allowing customers to purchase desired tableware without delay. Additionally, the physical experience of offline shopping enables customers to assess product quality and aesthetics firsthand, contributing to a satisfying shopping experience. Moreover, the accessibility of offline stores caters to individuals with limited digital literacy, further driving offline tableware sales.

Region: Europe Market to witness Significant Growth by 2032

The Europe tableware market accounted for the largest share of 32.4% in 2022 and is predicted to continue to dominate in terms of market share by 2032. This growth is mainly because European culture emphasizes dining as a social activity, fostering demand for well-crafted tableware to enhance the dining experience. Besides, Europe's rich history of craftsmanship, particularly in countries like France, Italy, and the UK, contributes to the allure of tableware, with consumers valuing heritage and artistry. Moreover, Europeans prioritize quality and durability, investing in high-quality materials like porcelain and ceramic for long-lasting pieces.

Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A62339

Leading Players in the Tableware Market:

PORCEL S.A.

Rosenthal GmbH

PITO

Steelite International

Lenox Corporation

Noritake Co., Ltd.

Dudson

La Opala RG Limited

Villeroy & Boch

Wedgwood

FIESTA TABLEWARE

The report provides a detailed analysis of the key players of the global tableware market. These players are employing various strategies including launching new products, entering collaborations, expanding operations, forming joint ventures, and signing agreements, all aimed at boosting their market share and securing their competitive position across different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Similar Reports We Have on Consumer Goods Industry:

Handmade Jewelry Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Luxury Travel Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Luxury Furniture Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Diamond Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Lab Grown Diamonds Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Luxury Yacht Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2031

Luxury Apparels Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2031

About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

Contact:

David Correa

United States

1209 Orange Street,

Corporation Trust Center,

Wilmington, New Castle,

Delaware 19801 USA.

Int'l: +1-503-894-6022

Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285

Fax: +1-800-792-5285

help@alliedmarketresearch.com

Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com

Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com

Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube |





Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tableware-market-to-reach-109-9-billion-globally-by-2032-at-9-3-cagr-allied-market-research-302139396.html
TOLREMO therapeutics AG (TOLREMO) today announced the appointment of Alan Sandler, M.D., to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. Sandler, a leading expert in oncology research and pharmaceutical development, was most recently Chief Medical Officer at Mirati Therapeutics, which was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2024. He joins the SAB as an important addition to TOLREMO's internal resources to support the development of an innovative approach to preventing transcriptional cancer drug resistance. The company's lead candidate, TT125-802, is a small molecule CBP/p300 bromodomain inhibitor currently advancing through a Phase 1 clinical trial.

"Alan brings extensive experience in drug development, including clinical development experience with one of the leading KRAS inhibitors," said Stefanie Fluckiger-Mangual, PhD, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of TOLREMO. "We welcome his insights as we make important progress toward delivering a novel therapeutic solution to addressing resistance to targeted cancer therapies."

"I have been impressed with TOLREMO's work. The team has discovered an exciting pivotal mechanism that governs critical transcriptional resistance pathways," said Alan Sandler, M.D., Scientific Advisory Board member at TOLREMO. "Over the course of my career, I have seen the need for an innovative approach to address this form of drug resistance, and I look forward to supporting the development of TT125-802 as a backbone for resistance-preventing combination therapies."

Dr. Alan Sandler is a distinguished leader in oncology and drug development with extensive experience in both industry and academia. His expertise spans clinical development and operations, regulatory affairs, drug safety and development strategies. Dr. Sandler previously held the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer at Mirati Therapeutics, a Bristol Myers Squibb company. Before joining Mirati, he was the President, Global Head of Development in Oncology at Zai Lab. Prior to that, Dr. Sandler held roles of progressive responsibility at Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, where he ultimately served as Senior Vice President and Global Head, Product Development of Oncology Solid Tumors. His academic positions include roles at Oregon Health and Science University, where he served as Professor of Medicine and Head of the Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology; Vanderbilt University as an Associate Professor of Medicine; and Indiana University as Assistant Professor of Medicine. Dr. Sandler earned his M.D. from Rush Medical College and completed his training in internal medicine and a fellowship in medical oncology at Yale-New Haven Medical Center. An active contributor to the medical field, he has authored over 300 publications, including peer-reviewed articles, reviews, abstracts, and book chapters.

About TOLREMO

TOLREMO therapeutics' mission is to prevent non-genetic cancer drug resistance by dismantling the earliest defense to targeted therapies. Led by phenotypic insights, we discovered a pivotal mechanism that governs critical transcriptional resistance pathways. Our clinical compound TT125-802 is an orally available small molecule inhibitor designed to block these survival techniques to significantly improve the response rates and durability of established treatments. By stopping cancer drug resistance as it emerges, we aim to surmount a universal challenge for current and future targeted therapies for lasting patient benefit.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508482286/en/

Contacts:

TOLREMO therapeutics AG

Dr. Stefanie Fluckiger-Mangual, CEO and co-founder

stefanie.flueckiger@tolremo.com



Trophic Communications

Dr. Alison Opalko or Gretchen Schweitzer

+49 151 54041130 or +49 172 861 8540

tolremo@trophic.eu
Checkout.com's 'Flow', leverages billions of transactions processed to offer consumers their preferred payment experience at the moment of checkout

Using Flow, merchants will be able to future-proof their payment needs by being ready for any changes in the payment landscape

Flow simplifies the process of integrating new payment methods and lets businesses benefit from Checkout.com's expanding network of payment options

Flow saves businesses time by staying up to date with PCI-DSS 4.0 compliance and local card scheme and payment requirements

LONDON, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Checkout.com, a leading global digital payments provider, today launched its latest product designed for global enterprises. Flow's customizable building blocks help businesses present the right payment methods to the right customer at the right time, enter new markets by easily integrating new payment methods, and improve security by staying up-to-date with PCI compliance, GDPR rules, and card scheme requirements.

Almost 60% of consumers say they have been permanently put off from returning to a site because it did not have their preferred payment method[1].

Flow is the result of extensive research performed across billions of transactions, aiming to simplify customer experiences at the checkout. Businesses can boost their conversion rates by offering a buyer their preferred payment method based on location, currency, and the type of device users are using. Additionally, Flow optimizes input fields so that payment information is captured in the right format to reduce cart abandonment. In the future, Flow will benefit from the billions of payments transactions processed on the Checkout.com network, leverage AI and Machine Learning services and integration with the Intelligent Acceptance product which optimizes payment performance.

Businesses integrating Flow can easily tailor the experience to align with their brand identity, including font styles and color schemes. With minimal configuration, Flow also adapts to a user's local needs by adjusting the checkout process to the relevant language, ensuring multilingual support. Furthermore, Flow supports cross-browser and cross-device experiences, adapting seamlessly across devices and screen sizes.

Businesses adopting Flow can expand into new markets faster with a one-time integration allowing them to access their payment methods of choice. Flow is easy to maintain; a business doesn't have to complete additional coding to support new geographies and payment methods. Included at launch are all major card schemes, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Sofort, iDEAL, Bancontact, Giropay, EPS, Multibanco, Przelewy24, and KNET. Additional payment methods will be added to the service continually, giving merchants the ability to support global diverse payment experiences with minimal effort.

Finally, Flow helps businesses stay in line with PCI compliance, GDPR rules, and local card scheme and payment requirements - reducing complexity for merchants and saving them time.

Meron Colbeci, Chief Product Officer at Checkout.com, said: "Flow makes building your payment page extremely simple, staying true to your brand while keeping your business safe. We have put years of experience towards designing a smoother checkout experience."

About Checkout.com

Checkout.com processes payments for thousands of companies that shape the digital economy. Our global digital payments network supports over 145 currencies and delivers high-performance payment solutions across the world, processing billions of transactions annually.

With flexible and scalable technology, we help enterprise merchants boost acceptance rates, reduce processing costs, combat fraud, and turn payments into a major revenue driver. Headquartered in London and with 16 offices worldwide, Checkout.com is trusted by leading brands such as Sony, Shein, Sainsbury's, Wise, Patreon, GE Healthcare, Rail Europe, and The Financial Times.

Checkout.com. Where the world checks out.

[1] https://www.checkout.com/guides-and-reports/the-new-state-of-retail

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/checkoutcom-launches-flow-a-simple-way-to-boost-conversion-online-and-improve-the-checkout-flow-302139417.html
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WEST MINING CORP. ("WEST" OR THE "COMPANY")(CSE: WEST) (OTC: WESMF) (FRA: 1HL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Lonsdale-Hands to its advisory board. Mr. Lonsdale-Hands is a seasoned investor with over 50 years of experience in investment banking, resources and property management. He has held many significant roles of director, president, managing director and advisor with multiple small and large capitalization companies throughout his career.



Mr. Lonsdale-Hands has managed funds for Robeco, ADIA, BMA, AMP, The Prudential Assurance Co PLC and many other institutional and private clients. He has held and currently holds a number of directorships in companies related to investments made by ADT, ADC, AASF and RFMJ, and has been a guest speaker on European Business at the Dallas Ambassadors Conference 1996. Other notable roles he's had include being Director of the Chambord Fund, Director of Orco Property Group, and Director of FIPP SA. He has also acted as adviser to numerous worldwide pension funds, asset managers and insurance companies. He is fluent in English and French and spends most of his time between Luxembourg, London and the south of France.

Nader Vatanchi, West Mining's Chief Executive Officer, said, "We welcome Mr. Lonsdale-Hands and his years of experience to the Company. Mr. Lonsdale-Hands brings invaluable insights and strategic guidance to our team from a European standpoint. We look forward to working with him as we continue to progress the Company."

About West Mining Corp.

West Mining Corp. is a mineral exploration company acquiring and developing advanced and early-stage exploration projects. Its flagship project is its 100% owned, 9000-hectare prospective Kena Project located near Nelson, British Columbia. The Kena Project comprises three adjoining Properties: Kena, Daylight and Athabasca. A recent NI43-101 resource estimate for Kena gave 561,900 oz Au indicated and 2,773,100 oz Au inferred in the Gold Mountain, Kena Gold, and Daylight Zones. The Daylight property contains the historic past producing Daylight, Starlight, Victoria, Irene, and Great Eastern gold mines. Along trend to the north is the Athabasca Property, with the historic Athabasca Gold Mine. The Company also holds a 100% interest in its Spanish Mountain and Junker properties.

For additional information, please refer to the Company's public disclosure record available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com .

West Mining Corp.

Nader Vatanchi

778-881-4631

CEO

nadervatanchi@hotmail.com

TheCanadianSecuritiesExchangeacceptsnoresponsibilityfortheadequacy or accuracyofthisrelease.

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is definedin applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "potential", "will","seek", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions as they relate totheCompany,areintendedtoidentifyforward-lookinginformation.Allstatementsotherthanstatementsofhistoricalfact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Company's current views and intentions withrespecttofutureevents,andcurrentinformationavailabletothem,andaresubjecttocertainrisks,uncertaintiesandassumptions, including, without limitation: the potential of the Company's mineral properties; the estimation ofcapital requirements; the estimation of operating costs; the timing and amount of future business expenditures; andtheavailabilityofnecessaryfinancing.Manyfactorscouldcausetheactualresults,performanceorachievementsthatmay be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information to vary from those described herein should one ormore of these risks or uncertainties materialize. Such factors include but are not limited to: changes in economicconditionsorfinancialmarkets;increasesincosts;litigation;legislative,environmentalandotherjudicial,regulatory, political and competitive developments; andexploration or operational difficulties. This list is notexhaustive of the factors that may affect forward-looking information. These and other factors should be consideredcarefully,andreadersshouldnotplaceunduerelianceonsuchforward-lookinginformation.Shouldanyfactoraffectthe Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information proveincorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company doesnotassumeresponsibilityfortheaccuracyorcompletenessofsuchforward-lookinginformation.Theforward-lookinginformationincludedinthis pressreleaseismadeasofthedateofthispressreleaseandtheCompanyundertakes noobligationtopublicly updateorrevise any forward-looking information,otherthan asrequiredby applicable law.
SINGAPORE, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fintica AI Ltd, a leading provider of next-generation AI for the financial industry, and Spark Systems Pte. Ltd, a leading global foreign exchange trading platform, have announced a strategic partnership.

This strategic partnership will enable Spark Systems to accelerate its business development and market reach in Singapore and globally by bringing Fintica AI's unique unsupervised artificial intelligence technology to its client base.

The finance sector in Singapore has witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent years, with the growing importance and relevance of AI technology as well as a rapidly expanding foreign exchange market at its forefront. Singapore has positioned itself as a global financial hub, and its financial institutions are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to pursue efficiency and profitability. AI-powered solutions, such as those created by Fintica AI, have revolutionized various aspects of finance, from AI-augmented investment decision and risk management to enhanced market liquidity and monitoring.

Fintica AI's solutions enable analysis of vast amounts of data, giving financial institutions greater leverage to make data-driven decisions swiftly and accurately. This move therefore holds the potential to make Singapore's financial sector not only more competitive, but also more innovative in the global arena.

The decision of Spark Systems to partner with Fintica AI is a key example of how the Singapore ecosystem is investing in becoming one of the most dynamic financial sectors in the world, driving further innovation and cementing the city-state's reputation as a cutting-edge financial center.

Wong Joo Seng, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer at Spark Systems, said: "Spark Systems is pleased to partner with Fintica AI and its cutting-edge AI technology team that is focused on trading financial markets. Artificial intelligence is neither artificial nor science fiction anymore, it's real and happening now. Traders armed with AI will possess the most significant edge the industry has seen to date."

"We are thrilled to partner with our esteemed Singapore counterpart to spearhead transformative initiatives in the foreign exchange trading space," said Philippe Metoudi, Chief Executive Officer of Fintica AI. "This partnership will enable us to leverage each other's strengths, tap into the immense potential of Singapore's financial institutions and fintech ecosystem, and deliver innovative solutions that will shape the future of foreign exchange."

About Fintica AI Ltd:

Fintica AI is a fintech firm dedicated to developing cutting-edge autonomous AI technology for capital markets. Among the company's core solutions are Orion, an AI-augmented foreign exchange hedging solution tailored for corporate and institutional clients; Spectrum MRI, a platform for identifying market regimes across various asset classes, and providing predictive analytics and risk decision support tools for investment managers; and Bluestream, a liquidity enhancement solution designed for market infrastructures. Headquartered in Tel Aviv, Fintica AI maintains a presence in several global financial hubs.

About Spark Systems Pte. Ltd:

Headquartered in Singapore, Spark Systems is a builder of next-generation; fast, smart and efficient trading platforms. From local banks to hedge funds, and retail traders to corporate treasuries, Spark Systems aims to serve specific requirements of the various FX trading sub groups. Its objective is to enhance usability and improve trading efficiency to perfect the user experience by providing a stable, ultra-low latency aggregator with algorithms for optimized execution. Spark Systems provides an innovative solution to today's segmented and under-served FX market participants.

For further information:

Visit www.fintica-ai.com / email enquiry@fintica-ai.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fintica-ai-and-spark-systems-of-singapore-form-strategic-partnership-302139545.html
This partnership provides the industry with cutting-edge options for mammalian-expressed products.

ExcellGene SA, a leading Swiss biotech service provider specializing in mammalian cell line development for more than two decades, proudly announces its strategic collaboration with Cytovance Biologics, a renowned Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) based in the USA.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508752875/en/

Cytovance Biologics, an established US-based CDMO, is joining forces with ExcellGene SA, a leader in mammalian cell line development. Their collaboration brings ExcellGene's advanced transposon technologies to customers looking to optimize CHO and HEK cell lines for biopharma production. (Photo: Business Wire)

As CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) and HEK (Human Embryonic Kidney) cells are the most well-suited mammalian cell lines for recombinant protein production and biological research, this partnership represents a significant milestone in advancing biopharmaceutical development by providing ExcellGene's pioneering transposon technologies to Cytovance's biopharma customers.

ExcellGene's bespoke CHO and HEK cell lines can be used to optimize protein quality, quantity, development timelines, and scalability for biomanufacturing through custom engineering to the specific requirements of a protein. Combining these engineered cell lines with Cytovance's cGMP manufacturing expertise, the companies expect to deliver a higher yield range of up to 10 g/L, empowering customers to rapidly advance their therapeutics from upstream development to clinical and commercial scale operations.

"We are thrilled to partner with Cytovance Biologics, a company that shares our commitment to excellence and innovation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing," said Maria Wurm, CEO of ExcellGene SA. "Much like the team at Cytovance, I am proud to say that we have incredible experts in our company who are capable of mastering every challenge. Our top priority is to provide seamless services and cost-effective solutions tailormade for our clients' needs."

Stephanie Wickham, PhD, Senior Director of Technology at Cytovance, shared that, "Coupling our organizations' respective 50+ years of experience in delivering solutions to the industry, we are very much looking forward to shepherding critical proteins expressed in one of ExcellGene's exceptional host cell lines through process development and eventually, into our 2000L tanks. This partnership is part of our intentional effort to expand our 'best of breed' network and build a robust selection of cell and strain options so that our clients can always find the perfect fit for their target protein."

Both organizations will be attending the BIO International Convention in San Diego and look forward to spotlighting the power of this partnership.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508752875/en/

Contacts:

For ExcellGene media inquiries, please contact:

contact@excellgene.com

For Cytovance media inquiries, please contact:

sworcester@elementcg.co
HERO to integrate Muck Rack journalist profiles on source queries for easy research and added layer of verification

Muck Rack, the company that enables organizations to build trust, tell their stories and demonstrate the unique value of earned media through its public relations management platform, and Help Every Reporter Out (HERO), the platform founded by Peter Shankman that makes it easy for journalists and sources to connect, announced today that they have partnered to help journalists and PR professionals tell their stories.

Through the partnership, HERO will integrate journalist profiles from Muck Rack's industry-leading media database into its daily emails to subscribers, allowing PR professionals to easily research a querying journalist with one click.

HERO launched to great fanfare in late April gaining 15k+ subscribers within the first week. Free for users, HERO sends subscribers up to three emails a day featuring queries from journalists from various media outlets. If a source is or represents someone knowledgeable about a query, they may reply directly to the source with the potential to participate in the story.

Muck Rack's database indexes hundreds of millions of data points on journalists and media outlets across digital, broadcast, print, podcasts and podcasters, newsletters and social media, adding an extra layer of information to HERO queries. Access to this real time data can help journalists share more information about themselves and their work, which will empower PR professionals to send better, more targeted pitches more likely to result in coverage.

Muck Rack has a long-standing manual verification process conducted by its editorial team, in which journalists and outlets are vetted against its strict set of criteria. Queries from Muck Rack-verified journalists will be prioritized at the top of every HERO issue, signaling that those journalists are legitimate.

"My goal is to help businesses get the press they're looking for and for journalists to get the sources they need when they're being asked to do so much more with so much less," said Peter Shankman, founder of HERO. "Muck Rack profiles on HERO will allow sources to be able to know that they're dealing with an actual reporter, guaranteeing the integrity of the query."

Greg Galant, cofounder and CEO of Muck Rack added, "The more content there is, and the more new technologies like AI emerge, the more crucial it is to know if that content was created by a credible journalist for a credible publication. It's our aim to foster trust and build relationships between journalists and PR professionals, and we could think of no better partner than Peter and HERO to leverage Muck Rack verification."

In time, Muck Rack will index HERO queries on its platform, alerting Muck Rack customers when one of their contacts has an active HERO query. The partnership is the first of a number of new feature enhancements coming to the journalist experience on Muck Rack.

Founded as a journalist resource, Muck Rack has committed to providing journalists with free tools forever, to help them showcase their portfolios, analyze news about any topic and measure the impact of their stories. Verified journalists are able to search for other journalists and outlets, set alerts when their stories are picked up or shared, and track stories and Tweets about any company, brand, story angle and more. To ensure the integrity of its listings, Muck Rack's editors review all verification requests and vet them against its strict criteria.

About HERO

Launched in April of 2024 by serial entrepreneur Peter Shankman, HERO has quickly become the goto source repository for journalists on deadline around the world, and for businesses looking to gain attention from the media. Famous for its "no strikes" policy, HERO is designed to eliminate the friction between journalists and sources, by creating a trusted space for both to find the benefits of working together in a seamless environment. Always and forever free, sources and reporters can sign up for HERO emails at helpeveryreporter.com.

About Muck Rack

Muck Rack enables organizations to build trust, tell their stories and demonstrate the unique value of earned media. The only public relations management platform powered by intuitive technology and the most accurate, comprehensive data provided by journalists themselves, Muck Rack combines media database, monitoring and reporting for seamless team collaboration, pitching and measurement. Purpose-built for communications and public relations, Muck Rack helps more than 5,000 companies worldwide analyze and report on the impact of their media relations. Thousands of journalists use Muck Rack's free tools to showcase their portfolios, analyze news about any topic and measure the impact of their stories. Learn more at muckrack.com.

We're Hiring!

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508148020/en/

Contacts:

For Muck Rack:

Linda Zebian

linda@muckrack.com

For HERO:

Peter Shankman

peter@shankman.com
Leveraging Infosys Cobalt to drive Yunex Traffic's SAP S/4HANA transformation across 16 countries

BENGALURU, India, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced its collaboration with Yunex Traffic, a global leader in intelligent traffic solutions, to help accelerate their SAP S/4HANA-led digital transformation journey across 16 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany. This strategic collaboration will help advance the 'Yunex OneERP' program, which aims to drive harmonization across diverse business units. In addition, Infosys will help Yunex Traffic consolidate disparate business processes and IT systems in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) space into a cloud-based unified system powered by Infosys Cobalt, a set of services, solutions and platforms for enterprises to accelerate their cloud journey.

In its mission to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable with tech-driven smart city ecosystems, Yunex Traffic chose Infosys for its proven track record in offering industry-standard solutions and delivering similar programs with a clear, well-defined approach. With this collaboration, Yunex Traffic aims to enhance business efficiency, enable real-time reporting and analytics, reduce maintenance costs, and accelerate time-to-market.

Sebastian Weinig, CIO and Vice President IT, Yunex Traffic, said, "At Yunex Traffic, our goal has always been to revolutionize mobility on a global scale and provide innovative solutions to solve the mobility challenges of our customers and partners. To ensure highest business excellence in everything we do, our team at Yunex Traffic relies on a dynamic and flexible work environment that maximizes productivity. The collaboration with Infosys is pivotal in streamlining our ERP transformation journey, ensuring a smoother transition to SAP S/4HANA across geographies. Infosys' expertise and commitment to delivering tailored solutions will play a critical role in enhancing our operational efficiency, enabling us to innovate and deliver seamless traffic solutions to communities worldwide."

Jasmeet Singh, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Manufacturing, Infosys, said, "The endeavor of global enterprises to modernize and transform core processes and technology stack is driving mobility solutions providers like Yunex Traffic to collaborate with Infosys. It is our privilege to work with Yunex Traffic to help them overcome efficiency hurdles, achieve integrated global reporting, and spur seamless operations and cross-functional collaboration across geographies."

About Yunex Traffic

Yunex Traffic is a separately managed company of the Mundys Group. It is a global leader in the field of intelligent traffic systems, offering the widest end-to-end portfolio of solutions for adaptive traffic control and management, highway and tunnel automation, as well as smart solutions for V2X and road user charging tolling. Yunex Traffic has 3500 employees from 62 nations and is active in over 40 countries worldwide. Its intelligent mobility solutions are currently being used in major cities across the world, including Dubai, London, Berlin and Bogota. Yunex Traffic has successfully concentrated its efforts on mastering technologies in the three segments of hardware, software, and service, and is subsequently the only supplier who is capable of meeting all major regional standards in Europe, UK, Asia and America such as OCIT, SCOOT, SCATS. Further information is available at: www.yunextraffic.com

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, our ability to attract and retain personnel, our transition to hybrid work model, economic uncertainties, technological innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/4364085/Infosys_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infosys-to-accelerate-yunex-traffics-erp-transformation-302139629.html
2024 Highlights at Soledad Project Include:

Two shallow holes completed to test the grade of the Estremadoyro tourmaline breccia pipe with mineralized intercepts of: 17.7 m @ 0.55 g/t Au, 0.77% Cu, and 39.7 g/t Ag (1.48% Cu-EQ) in hole SDH24-284 23.0 m @ 0.61 g/t Au, 1.02% Cu, and 26.1 g/t Ag (1.65% Cu-EQ) in hole SDH24-285

First reported occurrence of: bornite associated with chalcopyrite in breccia mineralization low-grade copper halo in wall rock of breccia

Drilling is now underway 900 m southwest in the Mega-Gold target area with 2 holes completed and the third hole in progress (assays pending)

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Chakana Copper Corp. (TSXV: PERU) (OTCQB: CHKKF) (FSE: 1ZX) (the "Company" or "Chakana"), is pleased to report results from two exploration holes drilled in the Estremadoyro breccia pipe and provide an update on drilling in the Mega-Gold target area at the Soledad project, Ancash, Peru. These are the first drill results reported for the southern half of the Soledad project based on a new expanded drill permit that was approved in June 2023 and is part of the ongoing fully funded 3,000 m drill program that started April 5, 2024.

"We are excited to see excellent grades at Estremadoyro, comparable to the grade of our published resource from 2022. We are also very encouraged to see bornite mineralization and mineralization extending into the wall rock away from the breccia contact. We know from our drilling that the breccia pipes are vertically extensive so these grades certainly support additional drilling in the future to determine what tonnage potential the Estremadoyro breccia may have. In addition, the drilling at Meg-Gold is progressing well with extensive alteration identified in the drilling to date. Importantly, we have confirmed that the strong induced polarization chargeability response is related to sulfides and chalcopyrite-molybdenite mineralization has been identified in all three holes thus far," stated President and CEO David Kelley.

Results

Estremadoyro Breccia

DDH # From - To (m) Core Length (m) Au

g/t Ag

g/t Cu % Cu-eq

%* Au-eq g/t* SDH24-284 54.2 71.9 17.7 0.55 39.7 0.77 1.48 2.24 and 73.0 85.15 12.15 0.085 9.76 0.16 0.30 0.46 SDH24-285 12.00 35.00 23.00 0.61 26.1 1.02 1.65 2.50 * Cu_eq and Au_eq values were calculated using copper, gold, and silver. Long-term CIBC metal prices (January 2, 2024) were utilized for the calculations: Cu - US$3.81/lb, Au - US$1,724/oz, and Ag - US$22.71/oz. No adjustments were made for recovery as the project is an early-stage exploration project and metallurgical data to allow for estimation of recoveries are not yet available. The formulas utilized to calculate equivalent values are Cu-eq (%) = Cu% + (Au g/t * 0.65977) + (Ag g/t * 0.00869) and Au-eq (g/t) = Au g/t + (Cu% * 1.51567) + (Ag g/t * 0.01317).

Estremadoyro Breccia Pipe

The Estremadoyro breccia pipe is road-accessible and located in the central part of the project at an elevation of 3,860 m within the new drill permit area for the southern half of the Soledad project (Figure 1). The breccia pipe is exposed at the lowest elevation of any breccia tested to date, is strongly mineralized at surface in gold, copper, and silver, and is the closest mapped breccia to the Mega-Gold porphyry target area currently being drilled.

Two shallow holes totaling 142.8m were completed to determine the grade of mineralization hosted within the breccia pipe (Figures 2 and 3). Hole SDH24-284 was collared west of the exposed breccia pipe and drilled back to the east, intersecting the breccia at 54.2 m depth and cutting 17.7 m of mineralized breccia. Hole SDH24-285 was collared on the east side of the exposed breccia and drilled steeply to the west. This hole cut 19.45 m of breccia from 14.2 m depth with mineralization extending 2.2 m into the wall rock on the east side, and 1.35 m on the west side. Examples of mineralized drill core from these holes are shown in Figure 4.

Chakana's previous drilling on seven breccia pipes on the north half of the project led to an initial inferred resource (see news release dated January 11, 2022) and showed that the breccias are vertically extensive features with additional drilling warranted if the grade profile is considered significant. Based on the mineralized intercepts reported here, additional drilling should be conducted to determine the tonnage potential and grade of this discovery.

In addition to the significant grades encountered in drilling, the Estremadoyro breccia has the first identified occurrence of bornite intergrown with chalcopyrite in drilling to date at Soledad. Bornite has a copper content of 63.3% compared to Chalcopyrite with 34.6%. Another notable difference at Estremadoyro is a low-grade copper halo in the wall rock adjacent to the breccia pipe. Normally the grade drops abruptly at the contact between breccia and wall rock due to the permeability contrast, but in the case of drill hole SDH24-284, a zone of chalcopyrite-pyrite mineralization in wall rock was encountered from 73.00 m to 85.15 m (12.15 m) with a grade of 0.30% copper-equivalent. This indicates the potential for a greater volume of mineralization surrounding the breccia pipe at depth.

Exploration Drill Program Update

Two drill holes have been completed to date at Mega-Gold with the third hole in progress (Figure 5, assays pending). The Mega-Gold target covers a very large area occupying 2.5 km2 with anomalous gold and molybdenum in soil overlying pervasive tourmaline-quartz-white mica alteration, overprinted by localized advanced argillic alteration zones and tourmaline breccias. Within the soil anomaly are distinct Offset (3D) induced polarization chargeability responses.

Hole MGDH24-001 was drilled to the northeast to a depth of 353.8 metres. The hole targeted strong soil geochemistry responses up to 0.325 g/t gold and 54 ppm molybdenum. Both gold and molybdenum are stable in acid oxidizing conditions and useful for drill targeting purposes. The hole also targeted a strong induced polarization chargeability response of >40 millivolts per second, interpreted to indicate the presence of sulfides. Volcanic units of the Calipuy Formation were encountered along the entire extent of the drill hole, consisting predominantly of andesitic tuff, with lessor amounts of porphyritic dacite and volcanic breccia. The hole is notable for having moderate to intense alteration along its entire length, with deep oxidation to 92 m depth consisting of moderate to intense argillic alteration and up to 70% iron oxides. This alteration is interpreted to be supergene in origin owing to the weathering of a sulfide-rich parent rock. At 113 m depth, moderate to strong quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration occurs and continues to the end of the hole. Pyrite occurs as disseminations and in association with quartz veins, and quartz-tourmaline veins. Pyrite varies from 3% to 15% to the end of the hole. Molybdenite-pyrite in association with sugary-textured quartz veins occur sporadically from 181 m depth to the end of the hole. Chalcopyrite-pyrite occurs sporadically in quartz and quartz-tourmaline veins from 228 m depth to the end of the hole.

Hole MGDH24-002 was drilled to the south from the same platform as MGDH24-001 to a depth of 453.15 metres. This hole targeted a magnetic body surrounded by strong induced polarization chargeability to the north and south (Figure 5). The hole cut a similar volcanic rock sequence as MGDH24-001 to a depth of 225.8 where younger granodiorite is in contact with the andesitic tuff. Oxidation from surface to 54.15 m depth is associated with moderate to intense argillic alteration with up to 80% iron oxides. The alteration transitions to quartz-sericite-pyrite beneath the zone of oxidation with pyrite reaching 10% in pyrite veinlets, quartz-pyrite-tourmaline veinlets, and disseminations. Quartz-pyrite-molybdenite veinlets are noted below 118.8m depth. Tourmaline breccia cuts the andesitic tuff at 167.65 m depth over 9.4 m associated with pyrite and traces of molybdenite. The granodiorite exhibits chlorite alteration overprinted by quartz-sericite-tourmaline-pyrite in veins and zones of replacement with molybdenite and chalcopyrite as disseminations and in quartz-tourmaline veins. The granodiorite is cut by 105.1 m of tourmaline breccia with highly altered quartz-tourmaline-replaced granodiorite clasts with pyrite and traces of chalcopyrite and molybdenite. Beneath the breccia the granodiorite exhibits zones of strong tourmaline replacement and veining with 0.5-1.0% chalcopyrite in quartz-tourmaline veinlets and disseminations from 399.85-409.05 m depth. Trace chalcopyrite and molybdenite associated with quartz-tourmaline veinlets occurs to the end of the hole.

Hole MGDH24-003 is being drilled from a platform 100 m south of MDGH24-001/002, testing a moderate strength chargeability response adjacent to the same magnetic high (Figure 5). The hole is currently at 137.65 m depth with oxidation to 46.3 m depth and up to 80% iron oxides in argillic alteration. Andesitic tuff occurs from surface to 130.5 m depth, with moderate to strong quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration. Chalcopyrite is associated with quartz-pyrite-tourmaline veinlets starting at 99.15 m depth and traces of disseminated molybdenite starting at 120.4 m depth. At 130.5 m depth the tuff is cut by a mineralized structure with 70% pyrite and a hydrothermal breccia to the current depth.

About Chakana Copper

Chakana Copper Corp is a Canadian-based minerals exploration Company that is currently advancing the Soledad Project located in the Ancash region of Peru, a highly favorable mining jurisdiction with supportive communities. The Soledad Project is notable for the high-grade copper-gold-silver mineralization that is hosted in tourmaline breccia pipes. An initial mineral resource estimate for seven breccia pipes was announced in Q1 2022 (see news release dated February 23, 2022), with an Inferred Resource of 4.8 million tonnes grading 0.72 g/t gold, 61 g/t silver and 0.97% copper assumed to be extractable by underground mining methods, plus an additional Inferred Resource of 1.9 million tonnes grading 1.29 g/t gold, 37.1 g/t silver and 0.65% copper assumed to be extractable by open pit mining methods. The total initial Inferred Resource contains 191,000 ounces of gold, 11.7 million ounces of silver, and 130 million pounds of copper.

In addition, extensive multidisciplinary exploration has defined 154 exploration targets, 28 of which have been tested to date (18%), confirming that Soledad is a large, well-endowed mineral system with strong exploration upside. Chakana's investors are well positioned as the Soledad Project provides exposure to copper and precious metals. For more information on the Soledad project, please visit the website at www.chakanacopper.com.

Results of an initial inferred mineral resource estimate and additional information concerning the Project, including a technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, are available on Chakana's profile at www.sedar.com.

Sampling and Analytical Procedures

Chakana follows rigorous sampling and analytical protocols that meet or exceed industry standards. Core samples are stored in a secured area until transport in batches to the ALS facility in Callao, Lima, Peru. Sample batches include certified reference materials, blank, and duplicate samples that are then processed under the control of ALS. All samples are analyzed using the ME-MS41 (ICP technique that provides a comprehensive multi-element overview of the rock geochemistry), while gold is analyzed by AA24 and GRA22 when values exceed 10 g/t by AA24. Over-limit silver, copper, lead and zinc are analyzed using the OG-46 procedure. Over-limit sulfur is determined by oxidation, induction furnace and infrared spectroscopy (S-IR08). Soil samples are analyzed by 4-acid (ME-MS61) and for gold by Fire Assay on a 30g sample (Au-ICP21).

Results of previous drilling and additional information concerning the Project, including a technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, are made available on Chakana's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Qualified Person

David Kelley, an officer and a director of Chakana, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

(signed) "David Kelley"

David Kelley

President and CEO

For further information contact:

Phone: 720-233-2166

Email: info@chakanacopper.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking Statement Advisory: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Chakana to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements or information relates to, among other things, the interpretation of the nature of the mineralization at the Soledad copper-gold-silver project (the "Project"), the potential to expand the mineralization, and to develop and grow a resource within the Project, the planning for further exploration work, the ability to de-risk the potential exploration targets, and our belief in the potential for mineralization within unexplored parts of the Project. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward- looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law.

Figure 1 - Map showing defined targets by type for the Soledad project. Principal target areas on the south side that are being drill tested in the current campaign include the Estremadoyro tourmaline breccia pipe, the Mega-Gold porphyry target area, and the La Joya high-sulfidation epithermal alteration zone. Breccia pipes included in the initial inferred resource estimate labeled in dark blue.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/208343_0a67672894061b21_001full.jpg

Figure 2 - Map showing drill holes reported in this release and modeled breccia pipe at Estremadoyro (light red shape) based on surface outcrop and drill intercepts. Light grey topography contours are at 5m intervals. Blue rectangle in the inset map shows the area of Figure 2 within the overall Soledad property.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/208343_0a67672894061b21_002full.jpg

Figure 3 - 3D sectional view of Estremadoyro looking north. Light red 3D shape shows inferred breccia pipe geometry based on surface outcrops and drill intercepts.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/208343_0a67672894061b21_003full.jpg

Figure 4 - Select core photos from Estremadoyro reported in this release: SDH24-284 (65.0-67.3m) sulfide-tourmaline-cemented mosaic breccia with chalcopyrite-pyrite-arsenopyrite; SDH24-284 (84.9m) chalcopyrite-pyrite mineralization in granodiorite wall rock adjacent to breccia pipe; SDH24-285 (14.2m) semi-massive sulfide with chalcopyrite-pyrite-arsenopyrite in matrix of mosaic breccia; SDH24-285 (18.9-23.4m) chalcopyrite-pyrite cemented tourmaline breccia. Core diameter is 6.35cm (HQ) in all instances.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/208343_0a67672894061b21_004full.jpg

Figure 5 - Plan view and section for Mega-Gold drilling to date. Plan view shows location of drill holes and section lines overlain on gold in soil. Section shows fence diagram for completed holes (MGHD24-001 and MGDH24-002) and hole in progress (MGDH24-003) overlain on induced polarization chargeability. Assays pending.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/208343_0a67672894061b21_005full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208343

SOURCE: Chakana Copper Corp.
The demand for wood coatings is closely linked to the construction industry, particularly residential and commercial construction. Economic growth, urbanization, and increasing construction activities drive the demand for wood coatings used in flooring, furniture, doors, windows, and other architectural woodwork.

WILMINGTON, Del., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Wood Coatings Market by Resin Type (Polyurethane, Acrylics, Nitrocellulose, Unsaturated Polyester, Others), Technology (Waterborne, Conventional Solid Solvent Borne, High Solid Solvent Borne, Powder Coating, Radiation Cured, Others), and End-Use (Furniture, Joinery, Flooring, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2033". According to the report, the "wood coatings market" was valued at $10.6 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $17.8 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2023 to 2033.

Prime determinants of growth

The global wood coatings market is driven by rise in renovation and remodeling projects in both residential and commercial sector. The growing modern theme-based building & construction sector has led to rise in the demand for renovation activities. As homeowners and businesses seek to update and enhance the appearance of existing structures, they often utilize wood coatings for refinishing and restoration purposes. However, volatility in prices of wood coatings may hamper the growth of the wood coatings market during the forecast period.

Download Sample Pages of Research Overview:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/4672

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $10.6 billion Market Size in 2033 $17.8 billion CAGR 5.3 % No. of Pages in Report 450 Segments covered Resin Type, Technology, End-Use, and Region. Drivers Increase in demand from construction sector Technological advancements Global furniture industry trends Opportunities Rise in preference for wood products Rise in renovation and remodeling activities Restraints Volatility in prices of wood coatings

The polyurethane segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period.

Based on resin type, the polyurethane segment accounted for the largest share in 2023, contributing to two-fifths of the global wood coatings market revenue. Polyurethane coatings offer excellent durability and resistance to wear, scratches, and chemicals. This makes them highly desirable for protecting wood surfaces in various applications such as furniture, flooring, and cabinetry. Furthermore, polyurethane coatings can be formulated in different ways to achieve various finishes, from glossy to satin or matte. This versatility allows manufacturers and consumers to customize the appearance of wood surfaces according to their preferences.

The conventional solid solvent borne segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period.

Based on the technology, the conventional solid solvent borne segment accounted for the largest share in 2023, contributing to more than one-third of the global wood coatings market revenue. Solvent-borne coatings have a long history of proven performance in the wood coatings industry. They offer excellent durability, adhesion, and resistance to wear, making them a preferred choice for demanding applications such as flooring and outdoor furniture. Furthermore, solvent-borne coatings typically dry faster than water-based alternatives, which can be advantageous for manufacturers looking to increase production efficiency and throughput. Additionally, solvent-borne coatings often exhibit good flow and leveling properties, resulting in smooth and uniform finishes. This ease of application can be beneficial for both industrial-scale production and on-site application.

Procure Complete Report (450 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/wood-coatings-market

The furniture segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period.

Based on the end-use, the furniture segment accounted for the largest share in 2023, contributing to more than four-sevenths of the global wood coatings market revenue. Wood coatings play a crucial role in enhancing the aesthetic appeal of furniture. They can provide various finishes, including glossy, satin, or matte, allowing manufacturers to cater to diverse consumer preferences and design trends. Furthermore, coatings offer protection against wear and tear, scratches, moisture, and UV radiation, thereby extending the lifespan of furniture pieces. In a market where consumers value longevity and quality, durable coatings are essential for maintaining the appearance and structural integrity of wooden furniture.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032.

Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2023, accounting for more than four-ninths of the global wood coatings market and is projected to register the highest CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid urbanization and industrialization, leading to increased construction activities. This growth in construction, particularly in residential and commercial sectors, fuels the demand for wood coatings used in furniture, flooring, and interior finishes. Furthermore, the rising middle class in many Asia-Pacific countries has led to increased consumer spending on housing, home furnishings, and interior decor. As people seek to improve their living standards, there is a greater demand for high-quality furniture and wood products, driving the need for coatings to enhance their appearance and durability. Additionally, Asia-Pacific countries, particularly China, India, and Vietnam, are major producers and exporters of furniture globally. The growth of the furniture industry in these countries is driving the demand for wood coatings to protect and enhance the aesthetic appeal of furniture products destined for domestic and international markets.

Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/wood-coatings-market/purchase-options

Leading Market Players: -

The Sherwin-Williams Company

AKZO NOBEL N.V.

PPG Industries Inc.

Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd

DowDuPont INC

Eastman Chemical Company

RPM International Inc

Kansai Paint Co., Ltd

BASF SE

Axalta Coating Systems

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global wood coatings market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Similar Reports:

Solar Panel Coatings Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030

Polymer Coatings Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031

Polyurea Coatings Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Nanocoatings Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030

Decorative Coatings Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

Contact:

David Correa

United States

1209 Orange Street,

Corporation Trust Center,

Wilmington, New Castle,

Delaware 19801 USA.

Int'l: +1-503-894-6022

Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285

Fax: +1-800-792-5285

help@alliedmarketresearch.com

Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com

Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com

Blog: https://www.newsguards.com/

Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube |

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/wood-coatings-market-to-reach-17-8-billion-globally-by-2033-at-5-3-cagr-allied-market-research-302139639.html
ANN ARBOR, MI / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Zomedica Corp. (NYSE American:ZOM) ("Zomedica" or the "Company"), a veterinary health company offering point-of-care diagnostics and therapeutic products for equine and companion animals, will be participating in the EF Hutton Annual Global Conference, which will take place on May 15, 2024 at The Plaza Hotel in New York.

Larry Heaton, Chief Executive Officer of Zomedica, will be presenting as well as holding one-on-one investor meetings throughout the day on May 15th. Interested parties can register to attend here.

About Zomedica

Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Zomedica (NYSE American:ZOM) is a veterinary health company creating products for horses, dogs, and cats by focusing on the unmet needs of clinical veterinarians. Zomedica's product portfolio includes innovative diagnostics and medical devices that emphasize patient health and practice health. Zomedica's mission is to provide veterinarians the opportunity to increase productivity and grow revenue while better serving the animals in their care. For more information, visit www.zomedica.com.

Follow Zomedica

Email Alerts: http://investors.zomedica.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zomedica

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/zomedica

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/zomedica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zomedica_inc

Investor Relations Contact:

Zomedica Investor Relations

investors@zomedica.com

1-734-369-2555

SOURCE: Zomedica Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - GT Resources Inc. (TSXV: GT) (OTCQB: CGTRF) (FSE: 7N1) (the "Company" or "GT Resources") is pleased to announce that it has changed its OTC Markets ticker symbol to "CGTRF" from "NKORF" and has begun trading under the new symbol effective today, May 8th, 2024.

The change to a new ticker symbol on the OTC Markets better reflects the new name, GT Resources, which was changed as part of the Company's rebrand on March 4, 2024. Shareholders are not required to take any action regarding the change in ticker symbol.

About GT Resources Inc.

With a focus on climate change risks and opportunities, GT Resources Inc.'s (TSXV: GT) strategy is to discover and ultimately produce critical Green Transportation Metals, including but not limited to sulphide nickel, copper, palladium, platinum and cobalt. A Canadian mineral exploration and development company, GT Resources is advancing district scale deposits in Canada and Finland. The Lantinen Koillismaa (LK) Project in north-central Finland, is a PGE-copper-nickel project that has existing NI43-101 Mineral Resources, while both the Tyko and Canalask high-grade nickel-copper projects are located in Ontario and the Yukon, Canada, respectively. Our strategy includes delivering Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas ("GHG") emissions considering the full life cycle of exploration, development, mining activities and that of the metals we strive to produce.

Follow GT Resources on LinkedIn, Twitter, and at www.gtresourcesinc.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Derrick Weyrauch"

President & CEO, Director

For further information contact:

Derrick Weyrauch, President & CEO

Email: info@gtresourcesinc.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States of America. The common shares of GT Resources Inc. have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.

Information set forth in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company's expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in mineral and commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume; and the impact of governmental entities. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208256

SOURCE: GT Resources Inc.
Move to Multifonds SaaS enables Citi Securities Services to manage its global business efficiently on a single platform

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 08, 2024delivered as SaaS.

Citi Securities Services provides end-to-end services for asset managers globally, using Multifonds as part of its existing investment accounting platform.

The move to a global operating model for its global fund services business and from an on-premise system to Multifonds SaaS enables Citi Securities Services to manage its business across multiple geographies and asset classes efficiently on a single platform which includes delivering fund accounting services earlier in the day across all time zones.

Citi's Global Head of Securities Services, Okan Pekin, commented: "The move to SaaS for our global fund services business enables Citi Securities Services to deliver global consistency in our client delivery as we continue to drive our data strategy forward and move to the cloud for core products and processes."

Oded Weiss, Managing Director - Multifonds, Temenos, said: "We have been partnering with Citi Securities Services for over 20 years. This program is a natural part of the evolution of moving into SaaS, where our clients can achieve greater efficiencies and economies of scale to deliver better and faster data and services to their clients."

Temenos Multifonds supports traditional and alternative funds and combines key asset servicing, position keeping, valuation and accounting functions for all structures of pooled vehicles and funds, across multiple jurisdictions.

The platform offers a flexible, real-time investment accounting engine with integrated Investment Book of Records (IBOR) and Accounting Book of Records (ABOR) views, enabling seamless support and services to middle and back offices throughout each day.

About Temenos

Temenos (SIX: TEMN) is the world's leading platform for composable banking, serving clients in 150 countries by helping them build new banking services and state-of-the-art customer experiences. Top performing banks using Temenos software achieve cost-income ratios almost half the industry average and returns on equity 2X the industry average. Their IT spend on growth and innovation is also 2X the industry average.

For more information, please visit www.temenos.com
LONDON, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Collinson Group today announces a new global Joint Venture (JV) with WithU Global, the leading FitTech disruptor.

Under the agreement, The Collinson Group's venture capital arm, Collinson Investments Ltd, and WithU Global have joined forces to create an industry-first end-to-end digital travel wellness proposition, set to launch later in 2024.

The innovative wellness proposition will offer intelligent health and wellbeing recommendations specifically tailored to travel, designed to enhance customer wellness at every stage of any journey.

Able to fully integrate into any existing platform, the cutting-edge product will enable partners to serve customers with an end-to-end optimised wellness experience wherever they are in the world, directly within the partners' own tech ecosystem.

This partnership sees The Collinson Group enter the wellness space as an extension of its existing travel offering, which includes airport and travel enhancement products, Priority Pass and LoungeKey, as well as loyalty and customer engagement and insurance and protection arms.

David Evans, Collinson Investments Ltd CEO comments, "At Collinson, we're extremely passionate about driving innovation that leads to the evolution of the travel industry.

"Investing in traveller wellness with this partnership allows us to break new ground when it comes to creating exceptional experiences for travellers, as we equip partners and consumers alike with the tools they need to travel more healthily and confidently."

Steve Clarke, WithU Global co-founder and CEO adds, "WithU Global was built to disrupt the fitness industry, with the ultimate goal to empower people to lead a healthier life.

"Overhauling wellness within the travel sector is no mean feat, but working in partnership with the team at Collinson, it's one we're hitting the ground running with. With our advanced FitTech capabilities and their decades of knowledge in the sector, we're confident that the launch of our first travel proposition later this year will be the first step that ultimately leads to a significantly healthier travel experience for all."

Edward Hewett, WithU Global co-founder and JV CEO, adds, "The creation of this joint venture reflects the tremendous potential of wellness within the travel sector, as well as the demand from brands to have completely personalised wellness experiences. We are looking forward to sharing more information about the product in due course and launching to the market by late 2024."

Notes to Editors

About The Collinson Group

The Collinson Group is the parent company to a collection of businesses that have been at the forefront of a number of firsts in the travel and loyalty space. These include the world's first airport lounge membership programme (Priority Pass), the first business to sell travel insurance direct to consumers (Columbus Direct), and the first company to deliver COVID testing at airports.

A family-owned business formed 35 years ago, it now has five distinct operating companies that generate a combined annual revenue of over 1.5bn, employ more than 1,700 people across 14 countries, and boasts a client list of 1,400+ banks, 90+ airlines and 20+ hotel groups.

About Collinson Investments Limited

Collinson Investments Limited is the venture capital arm of The Collinson Group, that strives to invest primarily in new and emerging travel and loyalty-related businesses.

Founded in 2018, it has invested over 10m in a range of sectors including a digital food and beverage ordering company focused on airports (Servy), a digital duty-free business (Inflyter), and an Australian insurtech company (Cover Genius).

It remains committed to growing its portfolio of investments and welcomes receiving investment opportunities directly.

For more information on The Collinson Group please visit www.collinsongroup.com or email PR@collinsongroup.com

About WithU Global

WithU Global is a FitTech company on a mission to empower the world to choose fitness.

Originally founded in 2019 as audio-first fitness app WithU, having made a footprint in the fitness industry, the company elevated to WithU Global in 2023. Reflecting the launch of the company's joint venture with Sky with the launch of Mvmnt, international expansion into the global health and wellbeing market and the creation of its technical and content delivery service arm.

WithU Global is a global FitTech disruptor whose clients include Sky, Visa, McDonald's, Samsung, Vodafone, Orange and John Lewis & Partners. The WithU Global product portfolio includes audio fitness app, WithU (available in English, Spanish & Portuguese language versions), Mvmnt, a joint venture with Sky, and a partnership Samsung Health TV.

For more information, email WithU Global's Press & Communications Manager, Chelsea Snell, chelsea@withutraining.com .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2406721/Collinson_and_WithU.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-collinson-group-announces-new-global-jv-with-fittech-leader-withu-global-302139655.html
The Alliance Will Focus Initially on Six Areas of Interest in the Southwest United States

BHP to Contribute $15 Million of Exploration Capital over Initial Three-year Term

Ivanhoe Electric will Provide Access to its New Generation Typhoon Geophysical Survey System and Computational Geosciences' Inversion Software

Ivanhoe Electric will Operate the Alliance During the Exploration Phase, with any Joint Ventures Formed Owned 50/50

Ivanhoe Electric Inc. ("Ivanhoe Electric") (NYSE American:IE)(TSX:IE) Executive Chairman Robert Friedland, and President and Chief Executive Officer Taylor Melvin, are pleased to announce the signing of a definitive Exploration Alliance Agreement or "the Alliance" with a subsidiary of BHP (ASX: BHP, NYSE: BHP, LSE: BHP).

The Exploration Alliance Agreement sets out the framework for BHP and Ivanhoe Electric to explore mutually agreed "Areas of Interest" or AOIs in the United States to identify projects within those AOIs that may become 50/50 owned joint ventures. The initial AOIs are in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

The Alliance is for a term of three years, which may be extended. BHP (through a wholly owned subsidiary) will provide the initial funding of $15 million and any subsequent funding would be on a 50/50 basis. Ivanhoe Electric will provide the Alliance with access to one of its new generation Typhoon geophysical survey systems as well as themachine learning algorithmic software and data inversion services of its subsidiary, Computational Geosciences (CGI).

Mr. Friedland commented: "Today we announce an important Alliance with BHP, one of the world's leading mining companies, to explore the untapped mineral wealth of the United States using our Typhoon and CGI technologies. BHP and Ivanhoe Electric have a common goal to find new sources of the critical minerals necessary to meet growing demand associated with the energy transition and the electrification revolution. We are excited to work together."

Mr. Melvin commented: "Partnering with BHP to explore for new discoveries of critical metals in the United States is a tremendous opportunity for Ivanhoe Electric. Our Alliance with BHP is an important confirmation of Ivanhoe Electric's disruptive exploration technologies and our experienced team of exploration professionals. Our teams have been working together to identify the first exploration areas for the Alliance, and we see today's announcement as the first step in what we expect to be a long and successful partnership between Ivanhoe Electric and BHP."

Sonia Scarselli, BHP's Vice President Exploration said: "BHP's exploration alliance with Ivanhoe Electric supports our strategy to pursue growth in future-facing commodities such as copper. Technology is set to play an increasingly important role in discovering the resources the world will need in the decades to come. This alliance offers a great opportunity to work with Ivanhoe Electric and the innovative technologies they have built."

Key Terms of the Exploration Alliance

BHP (through a wholly owned subsidiary) will provide $15 million to fund the Alliance for its initial three-year term, which term may be extended by mutual agreement.

Any funding beyond the initial $15 million provided by BHP would be on a 50/50 basis.

Ivanhoe Electric will provide access to one of its new generation Typhoon geophysical surveying systems and CGI inversions for use by the Alliance.

The Alliance will operate in two stages - a Project Generation Phase and a Joint Venture Phase.

Ivanhoe Electric will be the operator of the Alliance during the Project Generation Phase. Operatorship of any project in the Joint Venture Phase will be mutually agreed upon in the future.

The parties have agreed to six initial AOIs which cover an area of approximately 3,655 km 2 . Both parties have agreed that their activities within the AOIs during the Project Generation Phase will be conducted exclusively for the benefit of the Alliance.

. Both parties have agreed that their activities within the AOIs during the Project Generation Phase will be conducted exclusively for the benefit of the Alliance. The Alliance will be governed by an Alliance Management Committee, composed of an equal number of members from Ivanhoe Electric and BHP.

Any Joint Venture that is agreed to be established will have 50/50 ownership.

Exploration Alliance in the United States

During the Project Generation Phase, the Alliance will conduct early-stage generative exploration activities in the six initial AOIs. The goal of these initial activities is to identify and stake mineral rights within the AOIs to form a project and/or acquire such mineral rights from third parties. Except for one AOI where an affiliate of Ivanhoe Electric currently holds staked mineral rights that will be transferred to the Alliance, no mineral rights are presently held in the initial AOIs.

Early-stage activities currently contemplated by the Alliance's initial work plan for 2024 include airborne geophysical surveys, supporting geological fieldwork, as well as ground-based geophysical surveys, including with Ivanhoe Electric's proprietary Typhoon system.

Once mineral rights are acquired a "project" will be formed which the Alliance will continue to fund and explore. There may be multiple projects identified within a single AOI.

The Alliance will operate through an Alliance Management Committee in the Project Generation Phase, as well as through a Technical Committee. The Alliance Management Committee will be composed of an equal number of members from Ivanhoe Electric and BHP. Ivanhoe Electric will, however, have a deciding vote in this phase where the matter does not require unanimous approval. Unanimous matters include certain health, safety, and environmental matters, approval of the annual work plan and budget, and proposals to form new AOIs or acquire rights within an AOI.

The Joint Venture Phase will commence when a project within an AOI is approved by the Alliance Management Committee to become a "Joint Venture Project". With that approval, a Joint Venture will be formed between Ivanhoe Electric and BHP over that specific Joint Venture Project within an AOI. Until a joint venture is formed, Ivanhoe Electric through affiliates will be the legal owner of the various project rights. If formed, each Joint Venture will be conducted through a special purpose limited liability company.

If a proposal to form a Joint Venture is not approved by the Alliance Management Committee and more than $3 million has been spent in the relevant AOI, then the nominating party may independently pursue the project, and the mineral rights will be transferred to the nominating party for no consideration, ending the Alliance concerning that project. However, if more than $5 million has been spent in the relevant AOI, then the other party will retain a 1% net smelter royalty over the project should it not wish to proceed to form a joint venture.

The purpose of the Joint Venture Phase is to further explore and evaluate the exploration results to assess its technical and economic merit, and if agreed upon, to develop and operate a mine and associated infrastructure.

The Alliance will deploy Typhoon on a wide scale across the United States in the search for deep, undercover mineral deposits

Typhoon is the brand name for Ivanhoe Electric's proprietary electrical geophysical surveying transmitter. Typhoon achieves its results through its unique specifications, which include a current output of up to 200 amps and a voltage output of up to 10,000 volts. The transmitter uses switches and capacitance systems, which generate a very pure and stable transmitted signal, resulting in an extremely high signal-to-noise ratio.

Typhoon was developed specifically to identify deep geophysical anomalies in environments that have highly resistive surface conditions and to detect the presence of sulfide minerals containing copper, nickel, gold and silver in areas where potential deposits are hidden by cover and where target depths exceed the range of conventional geophysical surveying systems. Ivanhoe Electric has deployed Typhoon at its Santa Cruz, Tintic, Hog Heaven and White Hill projects in Arizona, Utah, Montana and Nevada respectively, as well as its 50/50-owned joint venture with Saudi Arabian Mining Company Ma'aden in Saudi Arabia.

The new generation of Typhoon that the Alliance will deploy has more modern switches, diodes, capacitors and transformers in the unit, as well as improved cooling systems, which will increase reliability and running time in hotter environments, such as the Southwest United States and Saudi Arabia.

Figure 1. Typhoon in resource exploration.

Ivanhoe Electric believes the next generation of major mineral discoveries in the United States will likely be made deep beneath the surface, in areas where younger, unmineralized cover overlays the older underlying prospective geology. Typhoon is well-suited to identify sulfide mineral deposits at great depths using its proprietary design. TyphoonTM has the ability to deliver a stronger, cleaner electrical current than competing systems, allowing it to achieve industry-leading effective depth penetration to over 1.5 km. CGI's advanced, machine learning-based inversion software utilizes complex algorithms to quickly and efficiently convert the data provided by TyphoonTM into detailed images of chargeability anomalies. Other Terms of the Alliance Other terms of the Exploration Alliance Agreement during the Project Generation Phase include: Either party may terminate the Alliance once the initial $15 million BHP funding commitment has been spent or the three-year initial term has ended. In these circumstances, neither party may pursue any activities in the AOIs for one year. If a party breaches this requirement, the non-breaching party may call for the re-establishment of the Alliance in respect of any interest acquired.

If the agreement terminates once the initial funding commitment from BHP is spent, BHP retains a 12-month back-in right over projects that are not joint ventures. BHP can back into a project by paying Ivanhoe Electric 50% of its expenditures following the date of termination. In limited circumstances the back-in right may extend for two years. For more detailed information related to the terms of the Exploration Alliance Agreement, please see the Form 8-K filed with the SEC. About Ivanhoe Electric We are a U.S. company that combines advanced mineral exploration technologies with electric metals exploration projects predominantly located in the United States. We use our accurate and powerful Typhoon geophysical surveying system, together with advanced data analytics provided by our subsidiary, Computational Geosciences Inc., to accelerate and de-risk the mineral exploration process as we seek to discover new deposits of critical metals that may otherwise be undetectable by traditional exploration technologies. We believe the United States is significantly underexplored and has the potential to yield major new discoveries of critical metals. Our mineral exploration efforts focus on copper as well as other metals including nickel, vanadium, cobalt, platinum group elements, gold and silver. Through the advancement of our portfolio of electric metals exploration projects, headlined by the Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona and the Tintic Copper-Gold Project in Utah, as well as other exploration projects in the United States, we intend to support United States supply chain independence by finding and delivering the critical metals necessary for the electrification of the economy. We also operate a 50/50 joint venture with Saudi Arabian Mining Company Ma'aden to explore for minerals on ~48,500 km2 of underexplored Arabian Shield in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Website: www.ivanhoeelectric.com. About BHP BHP is a world-leading resources company. We work in more than 90 locations worldwide and our products are sold globally. We've positioned our business to support the megatrends shaping our world. Iron ore and metallurgical coal for the steel needed for global infrastructure and the energy transition. Copper for renewable energy and potash to support more sustainable farming. A resource mix for today - and critical to the future. Website: www.BHP.com. Contact Information Ivanhoe Electric:

Email: info@ivanhoeelectric.com BHP

Email: investor.relations@bhp.com Follow us on X Ivanhoe Electric's Executive Chairman Robert Friedland: @robert_ivanhoe Ivanhoe Electric: @ivanhoeelectric Ivanhoe Electric's investor relations website located at www.ivanhoeelectric.com should be considered Ivanhoe Electric's recognized distribution channel for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation FD. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable US and Canadian securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Ivanhoe Electric, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect Ivanhoe Electric's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. Such statements in this news release include, without limitation statements regarding subsequent funding of the Alliance, exploration activities in the six initial AOIs, including geophysical surveys and supporting geological fieldwork, the addition of new AOIs, the results of exploration activities within the AOIs, the establishment of a joint venture for any of the AOIs, the operatorship of any Joint Venture if established, and the use of and effectiveness of Typhoon for exploration activities within the AOIs. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including changes in the prices of copper or other metals Ivanhoe Electric is exploring for; the results of exploration and drilling activities and/or the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations; the final assessment of exploration results and information that is preliminary; the significant risk and hazards associated with any future mining operations, extensive regulation by the US government as well as local governments; changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with Ivanhoe Electric to perform as agreed; and the impact of political, economic and other uncertainties associated with operating in foreign countries, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economy. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements and risk factors described in Ivanhoe Electric's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Ivanhoe Electric cautions you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable securities laws, Ivanhoe Electric does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release, and Ivanhoe Electric expressly disclaims any requirement to do so. No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Ivanhoe Electric cautions you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable securities laws, Ivanhoe Electric does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release, and Ivanhoe Electric expressly disclaims any requirement to do so. SOURCE: Ivanhoe Electric Inc. Ivanhoe Electric Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Keepit wins in four cybersecurity categories in 12th annual Global InfoSec Awards at the RSA Conference 2024

Keepit, a global leader in SaaS data protection, is proud to announce it has secured coveted awards at the 2024 Global Infosec Awards, cementing its status as industry leader. Keepit was named winner in four cybersecurity categories: "Most Innovative Compliance," "Publisher's Choice Cyber Resilience," "Best Product Data Recovery," and "Hot Company Ransomware Recovery."

Headquartered in Copenhagen with offices and data centers globally, Keepit protects cloud data for organizations, ensuring business continuity and access to information.

"Keepit embodies three major features we judges look for to become winners: understanding tomorrow's threats, today, providing a cost-effective solution and innovating in unexpected ways that can help mitigate cyber risk and get one step ahead of the next breach," said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine.

"These accolades underscore that the Keepit platform is the solution of choice for companies looking to future proof their backup and recovery capabilities against ransomware attacks and ever-increasing compliance regulations. We're thrilled to receive these coveted cybersecurity awards from Cyber Defense Magazine," says Michele Hayes, CMO at Keepit.

In addition to these awards for their platform solution, Keepit Backup and Recovery for Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) has won several awards recently, including: "Risk management solution provider of the year" from 2023 CyberSecurity Breakthrough Awards; "2023 Product of the Year" from Redmond Magazine; "Data Loss Prevention" and "Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity" categories from Security Today's CyberSecured Awards, and the "Azure Cloud Security" category from the 2024 Globee Awards for Cybersecurity.

The Keepit platform is also garnering international awards, including "Best Cybersecurity Backup Service" by Business Awards UK, 2024 Cybersecurity and Resilience Awards and Best Security Solution for Data Management/ Data Protection by the Cloud Security Awards 2024.

For more information about Keepit and its award-winning solutions, please visit www.keepit.com

About Keepit

Keepit provides next-level SaaS data protection for companies with data stored in the cloud. Keepit's vendor-independent cloud dedicated to SaaS data protection is based on a blockchain-verified solution. Keepit protects data in key business applications including Microsoft 365, Microsoft Entra ID, Google, and Salesforce. Headquartered in Copenhagen with offices and data centers globally, Keepit is trusted by thousands of companies worldwide to protect and manage their cloud data. For more information visit www.keepit.com or follow Keepit on LinkedIn.

About CDM InfoSec Awards

This is Cyber Defense Magazine's twelfth year of honoring InfoSec innovators from around the Globe. Our submission requirements are for any startup, early stage, later stage, or public companies in the INFORMATION SECURITY (INFOSEC) space who believe they have a unique and compelling value proposition for their product or service. Learn more at www.cyberdefenseawards.com

About the Judging

The judges are CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, certified security professionals who voted based on their independent review of the company submitted materials on the website of each submission including but not limited to data sheets, white papers, product literature and other market variables. CDM has a flexible philosophy to find more innovative players with new and unique technologies, than the one with the most customers or money in the bank. CDM is always asking "What's Next?" so we are looking for best of breed, next generation InfoSec solutions.

About Cyber Defense Magazine

Cyber Defense Magazine is the premier source of cyber security news and information for InfoSec professions in business and government. We are managed and published by and for ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting-edge knowledge, real-world stories and awards on the best ideas, products, and services in the information technology industry. We deliver electronic magazines every month online for free, and special editions exclusively for the RSA Conferences. CDM is a proud member of the Cyber Defense Media Group. Learn more about us at https://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com and visit https://www.cyberdefensetv.com and https://www.cyberdefenseradio.com to see and hear some of the most informative interviews of many of these winning company executives. Join a webinar at https://www.cyberdefensewebinars.com and realize that infosec knowledge is power.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508234183/en/

Contacts:

RedIron PR for Keepit

Kari Ritacco

kari@redironpr.com
Maria and Jarkko Jokelainen are building Kuori Oy into a true global disruptor in the enterprise digital display market, with their products now operating in more than 30 countries worldwide.

ESPOO, Finland, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Suomen Yrittajat, Finland's largest business confederation, has nominated its annual Espoo Entrepreneur of the Year award to entrepreneur couple and Kuori Oy founders Maria and Jarkko Jokelainen at this morning's Economic Development Forum.

The Entrepreneur of the Year award highlights entrepreneurship's importance and appreciation while honouring business owners' work. As a recognition from fellow entrepreneurs, the award is highly valued by its recipients for their determination, dedication and hard work.

Established in 2015, Kuori produces a full range of indoor and outdoor displays, digital posters, payment terminals, and custom-tailored OEM solutions for enterprises worldwide. Built to survive some of the most demanding weather conditions and being remote management enabled, Kuori products' modular designs also ensure longevity, easy maintenance and endless possibilities for customisations.

Origins in the healthcare sector

In addition to their combined passion for entrepreneurship, Maria and Jarkko are also parents to three children on the autism spectrum. This offered unique challenges in their daily lives and work and helped serve as the cornerstone for their business idea prior to launching.

The company's initial product was a large touchscreen designed for the healthcare segment. Maria and Jarkko soon realised, during the product development phase at home, how the oversized tablet significantly improved their children's learning, focus, and communication abilities.

Kuori has since developed into a genuine challenger in the digital display market worldwide, led by the founders' forward-thinking expectations of where the market was going.

From concept to 14M business in 8 years-and growing

Some have even put Maria and Jarkko ahead of their time, having the foresight to predict where the digital display market would take shape. This has allowed them to succeed in developing numerous patents, including the company's thermodynamics know-how and expertise.

They've since leveraged Kuori as an official Google EDLA (Enterprise Devices Licensing Agreement) partner, allowing their Certified Android OS to deliver secure and compatible software while guaranteeing the best possible performance.

With a first-year turnover of just 9000, Maria and Jarkko together have rapidly built Kuori into an agile, smooth-operating global brand. By the end of the 2023 calendar year - just eight years later - they had increased Kuori's turnover to an astounding 14 million.

Kuori today has grown to over 70 employees, with Maria and Jarkko taking tremendous pride in the international and diverse culture, which is something they plan to continue embracing and ramping up.

The 2024 Espoo Entrepreneur of the Year recipients also remain fully committed to Kuori staying in Finland for the long run. They look forward to relocating to their newly designed headquarters in Espoo's symbolically growing Leppavaara area later this month.

Contact:

More information

ronja.martikainen@kuori.tech

www.kuori.tech

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/espoo-based-kuori-oy-founders-win-2024-entrepreneur-of-the-year-award-302139687.html
Ashton Under Lyne, Greater Manchester--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Camhirst Robots, a pioneering robotics company, has announced the opening of its new headquarters in Ashton Under Lyne and its inaugural manufacturing facility in Stalybridge. Positioned in the heart of Greater Manchester, the company is poised to revolutionize global home construction with its advanced 3D Construction Printing Robots.

Adam Ahmed Camhirst CEO with Ambassadors from Mexico, outside Camhirst Robots head office in Ashton Under Lyne, Greater Manchester.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9578/207590_7c16573df44dd865_001full.jpg

Adam Ahmed, CEO and co-founder of Camhirst Robots, expressed the company's commitment: "Our initiative is designed to address the pressing issue of accessible and affordable housing globally. By employing innovative building methods, we aim to construct homes more efficiently and sustainably."

After years of intensive research and development, supported by substantial investment, Camhirst Robots has developed technology capable of constructing the walls of a house within just 48 to 72 hours-a significant improvement over traditional construction methods. This advancement not only addresses labor shortages but is also expected to reduce construction costs by up to 35% in Europe while minimizing environmental impact.

Camhirst Robots factory in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester held an open day, which attracted construction companies and investors from different areas of the UK.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9578/207590_7c16573df44dd865_002full.jpg

As the housing crisis intensifies, Camhirst Robots is dedicated to ensuring that safe, sustainable housing is a standard accessible to all. Adam Ahmed emphasized, "Our objective is to establish safe, sustainable housing as a universal standard."

In October 2023, the company gained international attention when Adam Ahmed was featured on the National Television Channel AIT Business in Nigeria and met with the Nigerian housing minister. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with an organization in Abuja to facilitate the construction of one million social homes using Camhirst's technology, with projects commencing across Nigeria in 2024. "Let's build a future where everyone has a place to call home," concludes the Camhirst team.

Camhirst Robots seeks support from global investors and partners to help address significant housing and homelessness challenges worldwide.

For further information, please contact:

Adam Ahmed (CEO & Co-founder)

Camhirst Robots

Email: info@camhirst.com | adam@camhirst.com

Website: www.camhirstrobots.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/207590

SOURCE: Elite Discoveries Digital Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company"), a British Columbia copper-gold explorer, is pleased to announce today the appointment of Mr. Andrew Lee to the Board of Directors effective immediately.

Mr. Andrew Lee currently serves as the Director of Finance at Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. Prior to joining Wheaton, he held several analytical positions at BHP Group Limited in Singapore. With over 15 years of experience in mining finance, Mr. Lee brings a wealth of expertise to Pacific Empire. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, complemented by a Double Major Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Mathematics and Economics from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Pacific Empire's President and CEO, Brad Peters: "We are delighted Andrew has joined the Pacific Empire board. Andrew brings a passion and skill for corporate growth which fits with Pacific Empire's focus on advancing its Trident copper-gold-silver porphyry project towards discovery in 2024."

About Pacific Empire

Pacific Empire is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The Company has a district scale land position in north-central British Columbia totaling 22,541 hectares.

British Columbia is a "Green" copper jurisdiction with abundant hydroelectric power, access and infrastructure in close proximity to the end market.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

"Brad Peters"

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. Tel: +1-604-356-6246

brad@pemcorp.ca

www.pemcorp.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208319

SOURCE: Pacific Empire Minerals Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - ALX Resources Corp. (TSXV: AL) (FSE: 6LLN) (OTC: ALXEF) ("ALX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the execution of a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") for an option earn-in transaction (the "Transaction") on its 100%-owned Gibbons Creek Uranium Project ("Gibbons Creek", or the "Project") located in the northern Athabasca Basin near Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan. ALX has executed the Definitive Agreement with Trinex Lithium Ltd. ("Trinex Canada"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trinex Minerals Limited, which is a publicly-traded mineral exploration company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Under the terms of the Definitive Agreement, Trinex Canada can earn an initial 51% interest and up to a 75% participating interest in the Project in two stages over a period of five years by making cash payments and common shares payments to ALX, and by incurring exploration expenditures as shown in the table below.

Details of the Option Earn-In Transaction

Trinex Canada can earn an initial 51% participating interest1, and up to a 75% participating interest2 in the Project according to the schedule of cash and common shares payments and exploration expenditures, as follows:

Option

Stages Cash

Payments

(CAD) Value of

Share Payments

(CAD) Annual

Exploration

Expenditures

(CAD) Participating

Interest

Earned by

Trinex Upon signing the

Letter Agreement (Feb/2024) $50,000 (paid) - - - Upon signing the

Definitive Agreement

(the "Effective Date", May 7/2024) $50,000 (paid) $250,000 (paid) - - On or before 1st Anniversary of the Effective date $150,000 $300,000 $1,000,000 - On or before 2nd Anniversary of the Effective date $200,000 $350,000 $1,000,000 - On or before 3rd Anniversary of the Effective date $250,000 $400,000 $1,000,000 51% On or before 4th Anniversary of the Effective date $300,000 $450,000 $1,250,000 - On or before 5th Anniversary of the Effective date $350,000 $500,000 $1,250,000 75% TOTALS $1,350,000 $2,250,000 $5,500,000 75%

1,2 Star Minerals Group Ltd. ("SMG") has underlying rights under a Mineral Property Option Agreement dated November 5, 2013 (the "SMG Agreement") to buy-back a 25% interest in dispositions S-107355 and S-108135 (the "Legacy Claims") in accordance with the terms of the SMG Agreement. The Definitive Agreement contains terms dealing with SMG's right to buy-back a 25% interest in the Legacy Claims, including that Trinex Canada and ALX will each transfer its proportionate share (based on its respective interest in the Legacy Claims at the time) of the 25% interest in the Legacy Claims that is required to be transferred to SMG in accordance with the SMG Agreement if SMG exercises that buy-back right.

To satisfy the initial payment terms of the Definitive Agreement, Trinex Canada has paid ALX a total of CAD$100,000 cash, which includes $50,000 in cash paid upon execution of the letter agreement in February 2024 and an additional $50,000 in cash paid upon the execution of the Definitive Agreement. In addition, Trinex Minerals Limited, the parent company of Trinex Canada, has issued 68,743,011 fully paid ordinary shares to ALX representing a value of CAD$250,000 (the "Shares"). The Shares will be held in voluntary escrow for 12 months.

If Trinex Canada meets its payment and expenditure obligations in relation to the initial option interest, it may elect by written notice to receive a 51% interest in the Project (the "Initial Option Interest"), (subject to the provisions of the Definitive Agreement dealing with the SMG's buy-back rights in respect of the Legacy Claims as stated in the footnote above) transferred to it from ALX for no further consideration, and at its option the parties would form an unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Project pursuant to a joint venture agreement to be agreed between the parties or, if not agreed, joint venture terms described in the Definitive Agreement.

Trinex also holds the right to elect to earn an additional 24% interest in the Project (the "Second Option Interest") following completion of the Initial Option Interest (to take its total interest to 75%) by making additional cash and share payments to ALX and meeting minimum aggregate expenditures each as described in the table above.

Where payments are to be made in shares, the number of shares will be determined by reference to the 10-trading day volume weighted average price (or "VWAP") of Trinex Minerals Limited ordinary shares up to the end of the business day before the date of issue.

The timing by which Trinex Canada must incur the minimum exploration expenditures will be extended in circumstances where Trinex Canada is prevented from undertaking work and activities on the Project due to encountering any force majeure events.

Trinex Canada may withdraw from the Initial Option Interest or Second Option Interest at any time. If Trinex Canada withdraws after earning a 51% interest in the Project or a 75% interest in the Project (as the case may be), then it will retain its 51% Project interest or its 75% Project interest, as applicable, notwithstanding the withdrawal. If Trinex Canada withdraws prior to earning the 51% Project interest, then it will not acquire any interest in the Project.

2024 Exploration Program

In March 2024, ALX initiated a diamond drilling program at the Project and completed five holes totaling 905.4 metres (see Figure 1). Under the terms of the Definitive Agreement, Trinex Canada will assume operatorship of exploration at Gibbons Creek and will reimburse ALX for the costs of the 2024 program, which totalled approximately CAD$500,000. The costs incurred by ALX will be applicable towards Trinex Canada's first year's minimum expenditure obligations.

Four of the five 2024 drill holes intersected uranium mineralization at or near the unconformity, based upon hand-held scintillometer readings on drill core, downhole gamma probe results, and visual observation of uranium minerals by ALX's geological team (see ALX's news release dated April 25, 2024). Core samples were shipped to Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, SK for geochemical analysis. Results will be released after their receipt, compilation and interpretation.





Figure 1. Gibbons Creek Uranium Project: 2024 Drilling Plan



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3046/208342_7d4d3e7b547b8ba6_001full.jpg

About Gibbons Creek

Gibbons Creek consists of eight mineral claims comprising 13,864 hectares (34,259 acres) located along the northern margin of the Athabasca Basin.

The Project is located in a region that hosts numerous historical uranium occurrences, such as the Black Lake discoveries in several drill holes beginning in 2004, and the historical Nisto Mine, from which 500 tons of ore was shipped in 1950 to the historical Lorado Mill at Uranium City, SK, including 106 tons grading 1.6% U3O8 (Source: Saskatchewan Mineral Deposits Index, #1621). ALX holds an exploration permit for Gibbons Creek, good until October 2025, which allows for up to 20 diamond drill holes totaling approximately 5,000 metres, along with ground-based geophysics, prospecting, and geochemical sampling. Access to Gibbons Creek is via roads and trails that lead from the community of Stony Rapids, SK, which is connected to all-weather Highway 905, thereby creating flexibility for either summer or winter exploration programs. Stony Rapids has readily-available fuel, supplies and accommodations for field personnel, and an airport with daily flights to cities and towns in southern Saskatchewan.

ALX carried out a comprehensive review of Gibbons Creek historical exploration data and integrated that information with the high-resolution magnetic and Soil Gas Hydrocarbon (or "SGH") geochemical surveys completed in November 2023.

The historical data review by ALX included the results from the following survey methods:

DC resistivity surveys;

Ground gravity survey;

Ground electromagnetic surveys;

Radon in soil survey;

Digitized drill traces and the radiometric and geochemical results of historical drill holes by Famok (1969), Eldorado Nuclear (1979,1980), and ALX (2015).

The historical data and the results of ALX's ground surveys on the 2023 exploration grid show important characteristics of the Project's potential to host uranium mineralization, which is demonstrated by the mineralization found in ALX's 2015 hole GC15-03 (0.13% U3O8 over 0.23 metres from 107.67 metres to 107.90 metres), in Eldorado Nuclear's 1979 hole GC-15 (0.179% U3O8 over 0.13 metres from 134.11 to 134.24 metres) (see Figure 1), and in the holes drilled in the 2024 program.

To view maps and photos of Gibbons Creek click here

Statement of Qualified Person

Geochemical analyses on samples from ALX's 2015 drill hole described in this news release were carried out by Activation Laboratories in Ancaster, Ontario using Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry ("ICP-MS") methods on both partial and total digestions. Eldorado's 1979 geochemical analyses were carried out by Bondar-Clegg & Company Ltd. Laboratories, Ottawa, Ontario using Atomic Absorption, Colormetric, Fluorometric and XRF methods, which were standard methods of that exploration era.

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Robert Campbell, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101.

About ALX

ALX is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and its common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AL", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "6LLN" and in the United States OTC market under the symbol "ALXEF".

ALX's mandate is to provide shareholders with multiple opportunities for discovery by exploring a portfolio of prospective mineral properties in Canada, which include uranium, lithium, nickel-copper-cobalt and gold projects. The Company uses the latest exploration technologies and holds interests in over 240,000 hectares of prospective lands in Saskatchewan, a stable jurisdiction that hosts the highest-grade uranium mines in the world, a producing gold mine, diamond deposits, and historical production from base metals mines.

ALX's uranium holdings in northern Saskatchewan include 100% interests in the Gibbons Creek Uranium Project (currently the subject of an option earn-in agreement with Trinex Minerals Ltd.), the Sabre Uranium Project, the Bradley Uranium Project, and the Javelin and McKenzie Lake Uranium Projects, a 40% interest in the Black Lake Uranium Project (a joint venture with Uranium Energy Corporation and Orano Canada Inc.), and a 20% interest in the Hook-Carter Uranium Project, located within the uranium-rich Patterson Lake Corridor with Denison Mines Corp. (80% interest) as operator of exploration since 2016.

ALX also owns 100% interests in the Firebird Nickel Project, the Flying Vee Nickel/Gold and Sceptre Gold projects, and can earn up to an 80% interest in the Alligator Lake Gold Project, all located in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. ALX owns, or can earn, up to 100% interests in the Electra Nickel Project and the Cannon Copper Project located in historic mining districts of Ontario, Canada, and in the Vixen Gold Project (now under option to First Mining Gold Corp., who can earn up to a 100% interest in two stages).

ALX owns a 50% interest in eight lithium exploration properties staked in 2022-2023 collectively known as the Hydra Lithium Project, located in the James Bay region of northern Quebec, Canada, a 100% interest in the Anchor Lithium Project in Nova Scotia, Canada, and 100% interests in the Crystal Lithium Project and the Reindeer Lithium Project, both located in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

For more information about the Company, please visit the ALX corporate website at www.alxresources.com or contact Roger Leschuk, Manager, Corporate Communications at: PH: 604.629.0293 or Toll-Free: 866.629.8368, or by email: rleschuk@alxresources.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of ALX Resources Corp.

"Warren Stanyer"

Warren Stanyer, CEO and Chairman

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this document which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include: ALX's 2023-2024 exploration plans and preliminary results at the Gibbons Creek Uranium Project, ALX's ability to continue to expend funds on its mineral exploration projects; the reimbursement by Trinex Canada for expenditures ALX has incurred for the 2024 exploration program; the payments, share issuances and expenditures to be made or incurred by Trinex Canada pursuant to the Definitive Agreement and the timing thereof. It is important to note that the Company's actual business outcomes and exploration results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements, and that Trinex Canada may not exercise its option(s) pursuant to the Definitive Agreement. Risks and uncertainties include that ALX may not be able to fully finance exploration on our exploration projects, including drilling; our initial findings at our exploration projects may prove to be unworthy of further expenditures; commodity prices may not support further exploration expenditures; exploration programs may be delayed or changed due to any delays experienced in consultation and engagement activities with First Nations, Metis communities and local landowners in the region, and the results of such consultations; and economic, competitive, governmental, societal, public health, weather, environmental and technological factors may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and share price. Even if we explore and develop our projects, and even if uranium, lithium, nickel, copper, gold or other metals or minerals are discovered in quantity, ALX's projects may not be commercially viable. Additional risk factors are discussed in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the Year Ended December 31, 2023, which is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Except as required by law, we will not update these forward-looking statement risk factors.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208342

SOURCE: ALX Resources Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Trigon Metals Inc. (TSXV: TM) (FSE: TZU2) is pleased to announce the company is participating in the upcoming 121 Mining Investment Conference in London. Jed Richardson, CEO & Executive Chairman of Trigon Metals Inc. will be presenting about the Company's recent and future planned activities.

121 Mining Investment London will be hosting over 100 mining companies and more than 400 sophisticated investors for two days of pre-arranged, targeted 1-2-1 meetings.

Alongside the curated schedule of pre-booked meetings matching investors with appropriate projects, the conference programme will provide expert commentary and the latest market intelligence on key industry developments.

This year's event is being held on May 15-16.

Any investors who would like to attend 121 Mining Investment London can register for a free pass here: https://www.weare121.com/121mininginvestment-london/

About 121 Mining Investment

The 121 Mining Investment global event series connects portfolio managers and analysts from institutional funds, private equity groups and family offices with mining company management teams for 1-2-1, private in-person meetings.

121 Mining Investment has an ever-expanding global portfolio, currently covering London, New York, Cape Town, Singapore, and Dubai, as well as online editions throughout the year.

About Trigon Metals Inc.

Trigon is a publicly-traded Canadian exploration and development company with its core business focused on copper and silver holdings in mine-friendly African jurisdictions. Currently, the company has operations in Namibia and Morocco. In Namibia, the Company holds an 80% interest in five mining licences in the Otavi Mountainland, an area of Namibia widely recognized for its high-grade copper deposits, where the Company is focused on exploration and re-development of the previously producing Kombat Mine.

For additional information, please contact:

Trigon Metals Inc.

Aidan Sullivan

VP Investor Relations

6472766002 x 1123

IR@trigonmetals.com

www.trigonmetals.com

SOURCE: 121 Mining Investment Conference
The 4-year $100M competition catalyzed the industry toward game-changing carbon negative solutions

LOS ANGELES, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- XPRIZE , the world's leader in designing and operating large-scale incentive competitions to solve humanity's grand challenges, today announced the 20 finalist teams selected to compete in the last stage of its XPRIZE Carbon Removal . The four-year global competition is designed to combat climate change by rebalancing Earth's carbon cycle, offering $100 million to innovators who can create and demonstrate solutions that remove carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere or the oceans and sequester it durably and sustainably. The prize helped catalyze the growth of an entire new industry, galvanizing over 1,300 teams to develop new ideas for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). These 20 finalists represent leading CDR solutions with the potential to make meaningful contributions to a diverse, global, sustainable, gigatonne-scale CDR effort.

Excess CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere and oceans is the main driver of climate change, with human-produced CO2 emissions accounting for roughly two-thirds (71%) of all greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to dramatic emissions reductions, sustainable and scalable carbon removal solutions will be needed to prevent average global temperatures from rising above 1.5C, and avoid the risk of extreme heat, abnormal weather patterns, and stresses on food production and access to water, among other challenges. Without significant climate interventions, the global average temperature could increase by 6C within this century.

"For the world to effectively address greenhouse gas emissions, carbon removal is an essential element of the path to Net Zero. There's no way to reverse humanity's impact on the climate without extracting carbon from our atmosphere and oceans," said Anousheh Ansari, chief executive officer, XPRIZE. "We need a range of bold, innovative CDR solutions to manage the vast quantities of CO2 released into our environment and impacting our planet. The teams that have been competing for this Prize are all part of building a set of robust and effective solutions and our 20 teams advancing to the final stage of XPRIZE Carbon Removal will have an opportunity to demonstrate their potential to have a significant impact on the climate."

The finalists were selected based upon their performance in three key areas: operations, sustainability, and cost. The finalists demonstrated their ability to execute a substantial demonstration that approaches the competition's goal of removing 1,000 net tonnes of CO2 in the final year of the competition, and a viable pathway to reaching megatonne scale in the coming years and eventually gigatonne scale with an understanding of their environmental and social impacts.

The 20 finalist teams included below are listed by the competition's four removal pathway tracks: Air, Rocks, Oceans, Land, Oceans.

Air, Direct Air Capture (DAC)

1. Airhive - HQ Location: UK, Demo Location: Canada

Airhive technology provides rapid CO2 removal via a low-cost, non-toxic metal oxide-based sorbent. Airhive is partnering with CO2 storage provider Exterra, who will react Airhive's air-captured CO2 with mine tailings through their proprietary process.

2. Heirloom - HQ Location: US, Demo Location: US

Heirloom pioneers a low-cost DAC technology capable of permanently removing CO2 at a billion-tonne scale by rapidly accelerating the natural process of capturing CO2 from the atmosphere, forming limestone within days.

3.Octavia Carbon - HQ Location: Kenya, Demo Location: Kenya

Octavia Carbon is the Global South's premier DAC company, specializing in designing, building, and deploying highly modular machines that extract CO2 directly from the atmosphere using advanced DAC technology.

4. Project Hajar ( 44.01 & Air Capture ) - HQ Locations: Oman and US, Demo Location: Oman

Project Hajar, a collaboration between 44.01 and AirCapture, combines state-of-the-art DAC technology deployed by AirCapture in Oman with 44.01's pioneering CO2 mineralization technology, aiming to turn captured CO2 into rock.

5.Skyrenu - HQ Location: Canada, Demo Location: Canada

Skyrenu combines a DAC system with a rock carbonation process to treat asbestos mine tailings in order to lock away carbon forever.



Rocks

6. Arca - HQ Location: Canada, Demo Location: Australia

Arca's patented technology accelerates carbon mineralization in mine tailings and waste rock, creating an industrial-scale carbon dioxide removal solution by activating magnesium silicate minerals to transform ultramafic mine waste into a massive carbon sink.

7. Lithos - HQ Location US, Demo Location: US

Lithos Carbon accelerates the Earth's natural carbon cycle, deploying enhanced rock weathering (ERW) in agriculture to permanently remove CO2 from the air, while improving crop yields and soil health for farmers, utilizing organic-grade volcanic basalt dust and state-of-the-art science to measure CO2 removal, aiming to decarbonize the food system.

8. Mati - HQ Location: US, Demo Location: India

Mati durably removes carbon from the atmosphere using basalt based enhanced rock weathering (ERW) in smallholder rice paddy farms. This process removes atmospheric CO2 while adding key nutrients in the soil helping to restore degraded soils to benefit smallholder farmers.

9.Silicate - HQ: Ireland, Demo Location: Ireland

Silicate Carbon utilizes surplus concrete from the building industry to amend agricultural land, harnessing natural geochemical processes to permanently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere via accelerated mineral weathering, while also enhancing soil pH, boosting crop productivity, and reducing reliance on pesticides and fertilizers.

10. UNDO - HQ Location: UK, Demo Location: UK

With nature-enabled enhanced rock weathering (ERW) technology, UNDO generates permanent, high-quality carbon removal credits with added co-benefits to support businesses on their pathway to net zero.

11. Yuanchu - HQ Location: China, Demo Location: China

Yuanchu is a pioneering startup focused on developing disruptive direct air mineralization (DAM) technology, aimed at removing CO2 from the air and permanently sequestering it into solid carbonated material on a gigatonne scale, with a cost of less than $200 per ton of CO2 and stable mineralization products lasting for 1000 years.

Land

12. Climate Robotics - HQ Location: US, Demo Location: US

Climate Robotics enables broad-scale agriculture adoption of biochar which builds soil health and removes excess carbon from the atmosphere. The company's mobile technology converts crop residues into durable biochar on the fly and in the field, making the economics work for farmers and our ecosystems.

13. Mash Makes - HQ Location: Denmark, Demo Location: India

MASH Makes pioneers pyrolysis and gasification technology, which converts agricultural waste into carbon-negative energy and biochar for soil amendment, actively combating carbon emissions

14. Net Zero - HQ Location: France Demo Location: Brazil

NetZero's mission is to scale up biochar as a climate and agricultural solution by focusing on the abundant unused crop residues in the tropics. They leverage its proprietary technology of mid-size, automated, highly optimized, and easily replicable pyrolysis plants, and operate an end-to-end model that fosters local farmer involvement as both suppliers of biomass and clients of biochar. This thereby streamlines logistics, enhances traceability, and promotes local buy-in.

15. Takachar - HQ Location: India, Demo Location: Kenya

Takachar utilizes MIT technology to construct a decentralized internet-of-things-enabled reactor network, facilitating rapid and profitable scaling of biochar deployment independent of carbon offset credits. They use patent-pending, low-cost, and portable hardware. This enables village-based production of customizable biochar-based fertilizers from locally available crop residues, ultimately improving farmers' crop yields by up to 30% and net income by 50%, thereby advancing climate justice.

16. Vaulted Deep - HQ Location: US, Demo Location: US

Vaulted delivers scalable, permanent, carbon removal by geologically sequestering carbon-filled organic wastes. Their patented slurry sequestration, which involves the geological injection of minimally processed wastes for permanent (10,000+ year) carbon removal.

Oceans

17. Captura - HQ Location: US, Demo Location: US

Captura provides a scalable, low-cost direct ocean capture (DOC) carbon removal solution, producing a measurable stream of CO2 for sequestration, using only seawater and renewable energy, with no other external additives or by-products produced. DOC requires no freshwater, has a minimal land footprint and can operate with intermittent power.

18. Ebb - HQ Location: US, Demo Location: US

Ebb Carbon is pioneering a new carbon removal solution by enhancing the ocean's natural ability to safely store CO2. This electrochemical ocean alkalinity enhancement method has the potential to be one of the largest scale and lowest cost approaches to removing excess CO2, while reducing ocean acidity.

19. Kelp Blue - HQ Location: Netherlands, Demo Location: Namibia

Kelp Blue cultivates giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) in offshore farms off the coasts of Namibia, New Zealand, and soon Alaska, utilizing innovative submerged structures to overcome scaling limits of sheltered water and benefitting from local nutrient upwelling systems, with the harvested canopy biomass processed into sustainable agricultural and packaging products while the remaining biomass naturally sequesters carbon, supports biodiversity, and provides ecological benefits.

20. Planetary - HQ Location: Canada, Demo Location: Canada

Planetary leverages ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) to enhance the ocean's natural carbon removal capabilities, developing global projects in collaboration with stakeholders and utilizing the ocean carbon platform (OCP) to qualify alkalinity sources, automate operations, ensure ocean safety, and measure and monetize carbon removal.

"This cohort of exceptional teams represents a diversity of innovations and solutions across a range of CDR pathways, and shows the significant progress the industry is making in a short period of time," said Nikki Batchelor, executive director, XPRIZE Carbon Removal. "Over the past three years, this competition has helped accelerate the pace of technology development for a whole new industry of high-potential solutions aimed at reversing climate change."

Additionally, the judges selected three "XFactor Teams" - Metalplant , Gigablue , and Alaska Future Ecology Institute - who will not be advancing in the Finals, but are pursuing exciting and novel concepts with significant potential impact. XPRIZE also released a list of the Top 100 teams that represent a new generation of promising solutions across a range of carbon removal pathways.

Since the inception of XPRIZE Carbon Removal in 2021, over 1,300 teams from 88 countries have participated across the competition's four removal pathway tracks. These teams, totaling over 8,400 members, represent various backgrounds including scientists, engineers, technologists, students, and newcomers.

"When it comes to reaching gigaton-scale removals, it is imperative for many innovators to be in the mix, each making a concerted, collaborative push to restore the climate. The XPRIZE Carbon Removal prize is the catalyst that this industry has been waiting for to drive innovation," said Ben Rubin, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Carbon Business Council and key partner of the Carbon Removal prize. "The efforts of these teams are helping to supercharge first of their kind carbon removal pathways. We look forward to the impact that comes not only from the winning teams, but from the competition overall."

The final stage of the competition will take place over the next year, wherein finalist teams are challenged to demonstrate 1,000 net tonnes of CO2 removal and will be judged based on their fully considered cost, operational performance, and against sustainable scalability requirements. To date, XPRIZE Carbon Removal awarded $20M, with $5M distributed to 23 student teams, and $15M awarded to 15 milestone winners. The grand prize winner will take home $50M, and $30M will be distributed amongst runners up chosen by the competition judges in April 2025.

XPRIZE Carbon Removal builds on XPRIZE's previous work in the carbon management sector, which includes its NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE that offered $20M to innovators to develop breakthrough technologies that captured and converted industrial CO2 emissions into usable products. Awarded in 2021, the competition resulted in winning technologies that mineralize carbon into concrete to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment.

XPRIZE Carbon Removal is funded by the Musk Foundation.

Learn more and get involved at xprize.org/carbonremoval .

About XPRIZE

XPRIZE is an established global leader in designing, launching, and executing large-scale competitions to solve humanity's greatest challenges. Our unique model democratizes innovation by incentivizing crowd-sourced, scientifically viable solutions to create a more equitable and abundant future for all. Donate, learn more, or join a team at xprize.org .

About the Musk Foundation

The Musk Foundation creates grants made in support of: renewable energy research and advocacy; human space exploration research and advocacy; pediatric research; science and engineering education; and development of safe artificial intelligence to benefit humanity.

Contact:

Katy Frame

kframe@brgcommunications.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2406919/XPRIZE_Carbon_Removal_1_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/20-finalists-announced-in-xprize-carbon-removal-racing-to-reverse-climate-change-302138969.html
USAID-funded TRANSFORM project has united 26 organizations in antimicrobial use stewardship in an effort to combat antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial use in animals or humans could lead to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which weakens our ability to prevent and treat future infections. Recognizing the responsibility to safeguard the efficacy of these essential medicines, the following organizations announce their endorsement for science-based antimicrobial use stewardship principles that promote the health of poultry to avoid the need to use antimicrobials:

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508319906/en/

USAID-funded TRANSFORM project has united 26 organizations in antimicrobial use stewardship in an effort to combat antimicrobial resistance (Graphic: Business Wire)

Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU Countries (AVEC)

Baromfi Termek Tanacs (BTT), a Hungarian poultry association

Bundesverband der Geflugelschlachtereien e.V (BVG), a German poultry association

Federation des Industries Avicoles (FIA), a French poultry industry federation

Krajowa Rada Drobiarstwa Izba Gospodarcza, the National Poultry Council for Poland

Vereniging van de Nederlandse Pluimveeverwerkende Industrie (NEPLUVI), a Dutch poultry association

Yum! Brands

A cornerstone of the United States Agency of International Development (USAID)'s Transformational Strategies for Farm Output Risk Mitigation (TRANSFORM) project led by Cargill, the antimicrobial use stewardship principles were developed by the International Poultry Council (IPC) to drive global change throughout the animal agriculture industry by guiding actions to avoid the need to use, but when needed, ensure proper use of antimicrobials. By generating support from the global poultry industry of science-based principles to address antimicrobial use, the industry is acting to combat AMR and reduce its impact on global health security.

These seven organizations join 19 other organizations in endorsing or adopting antimicrobial use stewardship principles that reduce the need to use antimicrobials at the farm level. Previously announced supporters include the Animal Husbandry Association of Vietnam (AHAV), Asociacion Latinoamericana de Avicultura (ALA), Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), British Poultry Council (BPC), Canadian Poultry Egg Processors (CPEP), Cargill, Inc., Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC), DABACO Group, Federacion Nacional de Avicultores de Colombia (FENAVI), Hoa Phat, Kenchic Limited, McDonald's, Poultry Federation of India (PFI), Srinivasa Farms, Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association (TBA), Turkey Farmers of Canada (TFC), Tyson Foods, Unione Nazionale Filiere Agroalimentari Carni e Uova (UNAITALIA), and Vietnam Poultry Association (VIPA).

"By proactively supporting science-based antimicrobial use principles, the private sector is sending a clear message that antimicrobial stewardship is good business," said Ricardo Santin, IPC President. "We hope others are inspired to make the same commitments to stewardship, adopting science-based practices that both improve animal health and deliver benefits to their bottom line."

Collectively, 26 organizations have supported the antimicrobial use stewardship principles, reaching over 140 countries and representing over 40% of global poultry meat production spanning all sectors of poultry production from fully integrated systems to small farms. Each of these organizations are demonstrating industry leadership in their commitment to these principles, recognizing that action starts at the farm.

By adopting or endorsing the principles, organizations are committed to encouraging or taking action that centers around four key points. First, organizations agree to take a risk-based approach around each instance of antimicrobial use and consider why, when, which and how much to administer. Second, organizations agree to adopt farm management practices that improve animal health and would reduce the need for antimicrobial use. Third, organizations commit to using antimicrobials only in compliance with national authorizations and, fourth, that antimicrobials critically important for human medicine should only be used under a supervising veterinarian's diagnosis and oversight.

"AMR is a global issue, and it will take a global response to ensure antibiotics remain a viable option to treat diseases in both animals and humans," said Annie Kneedler, TRANSFORM Chief of Party. "By working across the public and private sector, we can identify market-driven solutions that improve animal health, both reducing the risk of AMR and helping safeguard global health security from other emerging disease threats."

Led by a private-sector consortium that includes Cargill, Heifer International and IPC, TRANSFORM works in Kenya, India and Vietnam to advance market-driven animal health solutions that increase global health security by combatting zoonotic disease and AMR. By working throughout the value chain leveraging a total systems approach, TRANSFORM aims to drive lasting, systemic change through on-farm practices, holistic animal nutrition research, antimicrobial use stewardship, and access to finance to support animal health and economic sustainability.

Since TRANSFORM launched in 2021, it has provided training to over 80,000 farmers in India and Kenya, with 96% reporting reduced animal mortality and nearly one third reporting an increased income after adopting one new biosecurity or farm management practice. TRANSFORM has worked with nearly 50 organizations in India and Kenya to improve financial products and services for farmers, deploying nearly $1 million in financing to farmers. TRANSFORM's research portfolio includes 22 trials to study the impact of animal nutrition on priority pathogens and antimicrobial resistant genes.

For more information about TRANSFORM, visit www.cargill.com/sustainability/transform.

About USAID

USAID is the world's premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID's work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. The purpose of foreign aid should be ending the need for its existence, and we provide development assistance to help partner countries on their own development journey to self-reliance looking at ways to help lift lives, build communities, and establish self-sufficiency.

About Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU Countries (AVEC)

AVEC is the voice of the European poultry meat sector. It facilitates communication and exchange between international organizations and decision-makers, focusing on key areas like animal health and welfare, food safety and quality, trade and sustainable development. With 19 members (national poultry meat associations) in 17 European countries, AVEC represents 95% of the poultry meat produced in Europe.

About Baromfi Termek Tanacs (BTT)

The Poultry Product Board in Hungary was established in 1993 and has grown to span six member associations including broiler, turkey, duck, goose, table egg and free-range chicken. Its over 2,000 members represent the full spectrum of poultry production, from breeding and hatcheries to farms, slaughterhouses and other processors.

About Bundesverband der Geflugelschlachtereien e.V (BVG)

BVG (or ZDG) is the central association of the German poultry industry representing the interests of the entire German poultry industry. BVG represents the entire range of commercial poultry in Germany chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and laying hens. Its 8,000 members cover all stages of German egg and poultry meat production: farmers of broiler poultry and laying hens, breeding companies, hatcheries, slaughterhouses, packing stations and marketers. This interconnectedness and integrity of the industry is unique in the German agriculture and food industry and is an important point of contact for politicians and the public at federal and EU level.

About Federation des Industries Avicoles (FIA)

The purpose of the Federation of Poultry Industries is to defend the material, economic and moral interests of slaughterhouses, processing centres, cutting plants and packaging centres and, more generally, of all professions related to the production or marketing of poultry or backyard products. In addition, FIA seeks to coordinate and represent the interests of its members vis-a-vis the French public authorities, European and international bodies and all French and foreign inter-professional bodies, social partners, employers' organisations, European and international institutions and all organisations with professional aims.

About Krajowa Rada Drobiarstwa Izba Gospodarcza (KRD-IG)

KRG-IG is the leading poultry sector organization in Poland. It was established on the 11th of March, 1998. Currently, KRD-IG consists of over 100 members of various specializations from the poultry industry with members including agricultural universities, associations of poultry farmers and producers, poultry meat processing plants, feed production plants, and individual poultry farmers and producers. They represent every field of the Polish poultry business sector: farming, breeding, hatching, poultry and egg production, poultry meat and egg processing, trade in poultry, poultry meat products, and poultry feed production.

About Vereniging van de Nederlandse Pluimveeverwerkende Industrie (NEPLUVI) Netherlands

NEPLUVI is the Dutch Association of the Poultry Processing Industries and is a board member of the Dutch association which represents the interest of the whole poultry sector. NEPLUVI represents the interest of all the poultry processors in the Netherlands. These companies not only process Dutch poultry meat but also poultry from countries abroad. There are over 10,000 people working at the companies of the members of NEPLUVI.

About Yum! Brands

Yum! Brands, based in Louisville, Kentucky, and its subsidiaries franchise or operate a system of over 58,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries and territories under the company's concepts KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and the Habit Burger Grill. The Company's KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands are global leaders of the chicken, Mexican-style food, and pizza categories, respectively. The Habit Burger Grill is a fast casual restaurant concept specializing in made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches and more.

About Cargill

Cargill helps the world's food system work for you. We connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients and families with daily essentials-from the foods they eat to the floors they walk on. Our 160,000-plus team members around the world innovate with purpose, empowering our partners and communities as we work to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, sustainable way.

From feed that reduces methane emissions to waste-based renewable fuels, the possibilities are boundless. But our values remain the same. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing. It's how we've met the needs of the people we call neighbors and the planet we call home for 158 years-and how we'll do so for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

About International Poultry Council

The International Poultry Council is the unified voice of the global poultry sector that represents 86% of poultry meat exports and 73% of the volume of poultry meat production. IPC works to strengthen communication between the industries of different countries, promotes a common global understanding of and confidence in poultry products, represents the global poultry sector with international organizations and agencies, shares science-based solutions and information across the whole poultry supply chain, promotes a balanced regulatory framework to support a fair global playing field and promotes, supports and encourages the sustainable development of animal production for global food security.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508319906/en/

Contacts:

media@cargill.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Advanced Gold Exploration (CSE: AUEX) has issued the following press release in response to the recent increases in the price of copper and the continuing interest in this very important metal in EV development and Greenhouse Gas emission reduction. We are highlighting our very exciting copper property - Buck Lake.

Highlights:

Copper is Instrumental in the Commodities Supercycle.

The world needs more copper and exploration will be important in the supply.

Ontario has a past history of copper production.

AUEX's Buck Lake Property is a VMS -style copper prospect with high-grade copper intersections in drill holes and channel samples.

The property is large, covering nearly 4000 Ha with multiple copper and zinc showings from past work and recent prospecting.

James Atkinson CEO of Advanced Gold Exploration states: "Although we are focused on gold - we have copper! Our Buck Lake Project consists of a partially drilled VMS -style of copper deposit. We are actively looking for a partner to join us in the exploration of this exciting project. This is an opportunity to continue to expand the known mineralization but also to apply modern exploration techniques to this large property with many mineralized occurrences."

To highlight the growing interest in copper we quote the following information from Katusa Research, a well-respected analyst in the mining space.

Mr Katusa states: "Of all the commodities, however, one that's particularly important to focus on is copper.

"Dubbed 'Doctor Copper' for its ability to gauge economic health

"As one of the key building blocks of our modern society, if there's any commodity you'd expect to lead the way in a commodity rally, it'd be copper.

The world needs a lot more copper, but it's not going to get it for $3 a pound."

He continues: "It's forecast that copper demand could grow by nearly 10 million tonnes, representing roughly 35% growth.

"This is due to its importance in everything from power grids to batteries, demand for copper is expected to see between 4-6% annual growth over the next 8 years.

"To put things into perspective the average annual growth in copper demand between 2010 and now is just 2.5%."

In other words:

From here on out global demand for copper is expected to grow at twice the rate it has in the past decade and a half.

It's forecast that copper demand could grow by nearly 10 million tonnes, representing roughly 35% growth.

Global Copper Consumption Expected to Surge

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8072/208369_6fd6cc8a3461ebac_001full.jpg

Look at the following chart from Katusa Research.

Copper Prices Are on the Rise

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8072/208369_6fd6cc8a3461ebac_002full.jpg

To quote Katusa once again, "Total investment fund long positions set a new all-time high of 70,293 contracts, 70,293 contracts is the biggest shared bet ever made by funds on copper prices going higher since the LME started publishing their Commitment of Traders report in 2018.

"Things were similar at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, where net non-commercial positions (contracts not bought for hedging production) rocked up to nearly 32,000 contracts long.

"In the USA, massive investments in clean energy and power infrastructure upgrades need to be made, all of which will require vast quantities of copper.

"The Biden administration recently allocated $3.5 billion for electric grid upgrades, signaling potential future investments.

"This all comes at a time when some of the world's largest copper mines are faltering.

"Chile, once the Saudi Arabia of the copper world, hit a 25-year low in copper production in 2023.

"High debt and low copper grades combined with a socialist stance have created a firestorm of challenges within the state-run Chilean copper miner."

These worldwide events bode well for high grade Canadian copper projects. Like Buck Lake.

About Buck Lake

The Property is located approximately 62 linear km northeast of Sault Ste. Marie in the Province of Ontario. The Property consists of a total of 180 single-cell mining claims that covers 3,886 hectares located in Lunkie and Gapp Townships.

The Property is located in the Wawa-Abitibi Subprovince within of the Superior Province of Canada. The Property is situated within the Batchawana Greenstone Belt ("BGB") that comprises a small portion of the Wawa-Abitibi Subprovince. The BGB is an arcuate-shaped, expansive belt located in the southern-central part of the Wawa-Abitibi Subprovince on the eastern shore of Lake Superior. This BGB is an Archean-aged greenstone belt consisting of a ick succession of supracrustal rocks. The property is situated in the Batchawana Volcanic Domain which hosts prospective sequences of felsic and mafic volcanics.

The Technical Report states that the geological environment of the Property is favourable for the presence of Archean volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits ("VMS"), iron deposits and orogenic gold deposits, namely banded iron formation ("BIF") hosted gold deposits due to the fact that BIF's are present on the Property. The focus of exploration has historically been on VMS-type deposits, but other deposit model types should not be dismissed.

The Property contains at least 8 areas of potential based on the presence of Base Metal Mineralization based on historical or recent activities. Including areas of copper and zinc mineralization.

An extensive stripping and channel sampling program over one of the zones in (the Noranda Trend) in 2022 identified several mineral horizons and provided invaluable clues to the geological environment of Cu-Zn mineralization. Highlights of the channel sampling include 4.94% Zn, 367 ppm Cu, 0.77% Pb and 45.6 g/t Ag over 1.0 m at trench G and <0.01% Zn, 1.58% Cu and 27.4 g/t Ag over 1.1 m.

These programs were followed-up by diamond drilling in 2022 consisting of 15 diamond drill holes totaling 2,545 m. The objective of the drilling was to test sulphide mineralization documented on surface at depth and along strike of the Noranda trend. The VLF anomalies outlined along the Noranda trend in 2022 were also tested.

Highlights of the drill program include 1.51% Cu over 11.75 m in hole BL-22-06 and 2.38% Cu over 2.95 m in hole BL-22-15.

The success of this program prompted the expansion of the property to cover known airborne anomalies and other areas of past drilling which had identified base metal mineralization.

Mr. Jim Atkinson, CEO of AUEX, notes that, "The Author of the 43-101 Technical Report has reviewed the available information on the property and has stated in the Report 'that the following salient features of the Buck Lake Property makes this a property of high merit for VMS-type Cu-Zn deposits:

A greenstone belt hosting supracrustal Archean-aged rocks within the metal endowed Wawa-Abitibi Subprovince. A geological environment consistent with other VMS deposits of the Wawa-Abitibi Subprovince which includes felsic to intermediate volcanics, dacitic flows, tuffs and breccias and sediments in an extensional arc environment. Confirmed Cu-Zn bearing massive sulphide mineralization in surface channel sampling and diamond drilling. Cu-Zn bearing +/- massive pyrite-pyrrhotite mineralization stratigraphically proximal to cherty exhalative horizons and BIF (Figure 8.1, right-hand side) (Photo 7). Limited modern-day VMS-deposit model exploration.'

This is very positive for the project. The author goes on to say, "It is of the Author's opinion that the Property be continued to be explored for VMS-type massive sulphide deposits as indications are favorable for success."

Mr. Atkinson also stated, "We believe in the potential of the Buck Lake Property and in the light of our newly stated focus on Gold exploration we will continue discussions with potential partners to advance the project freeing us to concentrate on our exciting gold projects."

QUALIFIED PERSON

James Atkinson M.Sc., P. Geo., a Qualified Person ("QP") as such term is defined NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release. The Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify all historic information on the Property, particularly with regards to historical sampling, drill results, and technical work provided by Carolina Gold Resources and others. The Qualified Person assumes that sampling and analytical results were completed to industry standard practices. The information provides an indication of the exploration potential of the Property but may not be representative of expected results.

ABOUT ADVANCED GOLD EXPLORATION INC.

Advanced Gold Exploration (Formerly Advance United Holdings Inc.) brings an entirely different approach to the mining industry. We don't mine. Rather, we've acquired a portfolio of undervalued gold properties and are increasing their value through the application of modern technology. We have a growing pipeline of similar properties that we are looking to acquire. We are involved exclusively in the acquisition and advancement of past projects - with no intent to bring them back into production or to mine them ourselves. Our expertise is in identifying and acquiring undervalued properties with significant historical work, which were uneconomic at the time, but we believe have economic value at today's prices. We fund the re-working historic data and applying modern technology to underwrite new qualified reports, document quantifiable resources and reserves to current standards, thereby recognizing the current value. Our purpose is to bring immediate and long-term value to our partners and shareholders while seeking to eliminate exploration risk, so that we can all advance in the shortest possible time frame. For additional information about us, our projects, or to find out how we can assist in the advancement of your project contact our CEO.

Contact Information

James Atkinson, M.Sc., P. Geo.,

CEO Advanced Gold Exploration Inc.

Email: geomancer55@gmail.com

Tel: (647) 278-7502

Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208369

SOURCE: Advanced Gold Exploration Inc.
-Includes data from Phase 3 LIGHTHOUSE trial evaluating POSLUMA in newly diagnosed prostate cancer-

Blue Earth Diagnostics, a Bracco company and recognized leader in the development and commercialization of innovative PET radiopharmaceuticals, today announced the signing of a non-exclusive data-sharing agreement with Siemens Healthineers for anonymized POSLUMA (flotufolastat F 18) injection (formerly known as 18F-rhPSMA-7.3) clinical data and images from Blue Earth Diagnostics' Phase 3 LIGHTHOUSE trial in newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Siemens Healthineers plans to evaluate the data to enhance its analytics and artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithms for prostate cancer image quantification and interpretation across its advanced PET/CT imaging software. 18F-flotufolastatis an optimized, high-affinity radiohybrid (rh) Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-targeted agent approved in the United States for positron emission tomography (PET) of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positive lesions in men with prostate cancer with suspected metastasis who are candidates for initial definitive therapy or with suspected recurrence based on elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508168622/en/

(Graphic: Business Wire)

"Blue Earth Diagnostics is committed to helping men with prostate cancer across the care continuum, and we recognize the importance of AI in advancing healthcare," said David Gauden, D.Phil., Chief Executive Officer, Blue Earth Diagnostics. "AI-based algorithms have the potential to streamline the PET/CT analytical workflow for hospitals and imaging centers by efficiently providing physicians with information critical to patient management and care. Blue Earth Diagnostics has a long-standing relationship with Siemens Healthineers, a leading medical technology company pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare."

Dr. Gauden continued, "We are excited to provide these anonymized POSLUMA data from our LIGHTHOUSE trial, for use in enhancing the Siemens Healthineers syngo.via platform. We also plan to make analytical data from the Phase 3 SPOTLIGHT trial of POSLUMA available in the future. POSLUMA represents a new class of high-affinity PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceuticals based on novel radiohybrid technology, and provides physicians with clinically useful information based on its performance at low PSA levels, PSMA binding and low urinary bladder activity. Our product is included in nationally recognized clinical oncology guidelines for prostate cancer, alongside and for all the same categories as the other currently FDA-approved PSMA PET radiopharmaceuticals, and covered by the vast majority of insurance plans. POSLUMA is labeled with the radioisotope fluorine-18 (18F) to leverage high image quality and to enable broad, readily available geographic access for patients via the manufacturing and distribution network of our commercial U.S. manufacturer and distributor, PETNET Solutions Inc, A Siemens Healthineers Company."

"We believe that the LIGHTHOUSE trial data will be enormously helpful in tailoring our AI technology to support the quantification and clinical interpretation of POSLUMA PET/CT images and are pleased to collaborate with Blue Earth Diagnostics on this data-sharing agreement," said Bruce Spottiswoode, Ph.D., Director, Clinical Applications Research, Siemens Healthineers. "The neural networks we are using have been shown to learn radiotracer-specific PET uptake, and we expect them to more efficiently identify clinically relevant features in 18F-flotufolastat images."

The LIGHTHOUSE clinical trial (NC04186819) was an open-label, prospective, Phase 3, multi-center, single-dose, imaging study investigating the safety and diagnostic performance of POSLUMA PET imaging in men with newly diagnosed unfavorable intermediate-risk, high-risk, or very high-risk prostate cancer. The study enrolled 356 patients at clinical sites in the United States and Europe. The SPOTLIGHT study (NCT04186845) was an open-label, prospective, Phase 3, multi-center, single-dose, imaging study investigating the safety and efficacy of POSLUMA PET imaging in men with suspected prostate cancer recurrence. The study enrolled 391 patients at clinical sites in the United States and Europe.

About Radiohybrid Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (rhPSMA)

Radiohybrid Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (rhPSMA) compounds consist of a radiohybrid ("rh") Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-targeted receptor ligand which attaches to and is internalized by prostate cancer cells, and they may be radiolabeled with imaging isotopes for PET imaging, or with therapeutic isotopes for therapeutic use providing the potential for creating a true theranostic technology. Radiohybrid technology and rhPSMA originated from the Technical University of Munich, Germany. Blue Earth Diagnostics acquired exclusive, worldwide rights to rhPSMA diagnostic imaging technology from Scintomics GmbH in 2018, and therapeutic rights in 2020, and sublicensed the therapeutic application to its sister company Blue Earth Therapeutics. Blue Earth Diagnostics received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for its radiohybrid PET diagnostic imaging product for use in prostate cancer in 2023. rhPSMA compounds for potential therapeutic use are investigational and have not received regulatory approval.

Indication and Important Safety Information About POSLUMA

INDICATION

POSLUMA (flotufolastat F 18) injection is indicated for positron emission tomography (PET) of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positive lesions in men with prostate cancer

with suspected metastasis who are candidates for initial definitive therapy

with suspected recurrence based on elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Image interpretation errors can occur with POSLUMA PET. A negative image does not rule out the presence of prostate cancer and a positive image does not confirm the presence of prostate cancer. The performance of POSLUMA for imaging metastatic pelvic lymph nodes in patients prior to initial definitive therapy seems to be affected by serum PSA levels and risk grouping. The performance of POSLUMA for imaging patients with biochemical evidence of recurrence of prostate cancer seems to be affected by serum PSA levels. Flotufolastat F 18 uptake is not specific for prostate cancer and may occur in other types of cancer, in non-malignant processes, and in normal tissues. Clinical correlation, which may include histopathological evaluation, is recommended.

The performance of POSLUMA for imaging patients with biochemical evidence of recurrence of prostate cancer seems to be affected by serum PSA levels. Flotufolastat F 18 uptake is not specific for prostate cancer and may occur in other types of cancer, in non-malignant processes, and in normal tissues. Clinical correlation, which may include histopathological evaluation, is recommended. Risk of Image Misinterpretation in Patients with Suspected Prostate Cancer Recurrence: The interpretation of POSLUMA PET may differ depending on imaging readers, particularly in the prostate/prostate bed region. Because of the associated risk of false positive interpretation, consider multidisciplinary consultation and histopathological confirmation when clinical decision-making hinges on flotufolastat F 18 uptake only in the prostate/prostate bed region or only on uptake interpreted as borderline.

POSLUMA use contributes to a patient's overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure. Long-term cumulative radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk for cancer. Advise patients to hydrate before and after administration and to void frequently after administration. Ensure safe handling to minimize radiation exposure to the patient and health care providers.

The adverse reactions reported in =0.4% of patients in clinical studies were diarrhea, blood pressure increase and injection site pain.

Drug Interactions: androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and other therapies targeting the androgen pathway, such as androgen receptor antagonists, may result in changes in uptake of flotufolastat F 18 in prostate cancer. The effect of these therapies on performance of POSLUMA PET has not been established.

To report suspected adverse reactions to POSLUMA, call 1-844-POSLUMA (1-844-767-5862) or contact FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Full POSLUMA prescribing information is available at www.posluma.com/prescribing-information.pdf.

About Blue Earth Diagnostics

Blue Earth Diagnostics, an indirect subsidiary of Bracco Imaging S.p.A., is a growing international molecular imaging company focused on delivering innovative, well-differentiated diagnostic solutions that inform patient care. Formed in 2014, the Company's success is driven by its management expertise and supported by a demonstrated track record of rapid development and commercialization of positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals. Blue Earth Diagnostics' expanding oncology portfolio encompasses a variety of disease states, including prostate cancer and neuro-oncology. Blue Earth Diagnostics is committed to the timely development and commercialization of precision radiopharmaceuticals for potential use in imaging and therapy. For more information, please visit: www.blueearthdiagnostics.com.

About Bracco Imaging

Bracco Imaging S.p.A., part of the Bracco Group, is a world-leading diagnostic imaging provider. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Bracco Imaging develops, manufactures and markets diagnostic imaging agents and solutions. It offers a product and solution portfolio for all key diagnostic imaging modalities: X-ray imaging (including Computed Tomography-CT, Interventional Radiology, and Cardiac Catheterization), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS), and Nuclear Medicine through radioactive tracers and novel PET imaging agents to inform clinical management and guide care for cancer patients in areas of unmet medical need. Our continually evolving portfolio is completed by a range of medical devices, advanced administration systems and dose-management software. In 2019 Bracco Imaging enriched its product portfolio by expanding the range of oncology nuclear imaging solutions in the urology segment and other specialties with the acquisition of Blue Earth Diagnostics. In 2021, Bracco Imaging established Blue Earth Therapeutics as a separate, cutting-edge biotechnology vehicle to develop radiopharmaceutical therapies. Visit: www.braccoimaging.com.

POSLUMA is a registered trademark of Blue Earth Diagnostics Ltd.

PP-rh-US-0481

This press release is for U.S. audiences only

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508168622/en/

Contacts:

For Blue Earth Diagnostics (U.S.)

Priscilla Harlan

Vice President, Corporate Communications

(M) (781) 799-7917

priscilla.harlan@blueearthdx.com

For Blue Earth Diagnostics (UK)

Clare Gidley

Associate Director Marketing and Communications

Tel: +44 (0)1865 784186

clare.gidley@blueearthdx.com

Media

Sam Brown Inc.

Mike Beyer

(M) (312) 961-2502

mikebeyer@sambrown.com
SHANGHAI, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE), hailed as an access point for global companies looking to expand their presence in the Chinese market, is scheduled to take place this November in Shanghai.

"To date, over 800 companies from more than 60 countries and regions have signed up for the seventh CIIE, with the total exhibition area reaching nearly 270,000 square meters," said Sun Chenghai, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, when the expo embraced its 200-day countdown on April 18.

MNCs see fruitful results at past CIIEs

Over the years, companies from 173 countries and regions have made appearances at the CIIE and carried out tentative transactions worth $424.23 billion.

"The CIIE is an ideal platform for foreign companies looking to establish connections with Chinese customers and expand their presence in China," said Wu Yanbing, director of public relations at Hyundai Motor Group (China), South Korea's largest automaker.

The debut of the American Food and Agriculture Pavilion at CIIE 2023 is a testament to the significant role the expo plays in bilateral trade cooperation.

Covering more than 200 square meters, the American Food and Agriculture Pavilion featured 17 exhibitors, highlighting an assortment of American agricultural products, from meats and almonds to wines and health supplements.

Last year, the expo saw the participation of over 230 US companies, including major companies such as Ford, Tesla, and Johnson & Johnson, making it the largest US delegation in history.

In addition to the Business Exhibition, 72 countries and international organizations wowed visitors with their scientific and technological achievements, culture and art at the Country Exhibition of the sixth CIIE in 2023.

"I am impressed by how many countries are involved in the expo and proud of the Finnish Pavilion, which comprises 17 companies and highlights lactose-free dairy products," said Sari Essayah, Finland's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, during her visit to the expo last year.

Hongqiao Forum spotlights global issues

As a crucial part of the annual CIIE, the sixth Hongqiao Forum in 2023 saw a record attendance of more than 8,000 people and featured 22 subforums on a range of subjects such as financial reform and innovation, digital governance and green investment.

To make the forum more impactful, organizers have held a series of symposiums and salons over the last several months and invited important figures, including UN representatives, government officials, scholars, and member companies to contribute to this year's themes and topics.

CIIE 2024 seeks the participation of more companies

The seventh CIIE will hold another series of global roadshows in Finland, Iceland, Norway, the United States, Japan and South Korea in May to promote the grand event to companies with an interest in exporting to China and highlight the CIIE's supporting policies.

The first list of exhibitors of the seventh CIIE, including 252 companies and institutions specializing in food, automobiles, green energy, artificial intelligence, chemicals, electronic components, consumer goods and other fields, has been officially released.

Be sure to grab your spot now at: https://www.ciie.org/exhibition/f/book/register?locale=en&from=press

Contact: Ms. Cui Yan

Tel.:0086-21-968888

Email: exhibition@ciie.org

Website: http://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ciieonline

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ciieonline

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407696/CIIE_National_Exhibition_Convention_Center.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1938442/4694480/CIIE_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/preparations-for-ciie-2024-in-full-swing-302139780.html
Kestrel Gold Inc. ("Kestrel" or the "Corporation,"(TSXV:KGC) is pleased to announce the signing of an option agreement ("Agreement") with Thompson Creek Metals Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Centerra Gold Inc. ("Centerra"), whereby Centerra is granted the option to earn a 75% interest in the QCM gold property ("QCM") located in the in the Manson-Germanson area of central British Columbia.

Rob Solinger, President and CEO of Kestrel, states: "We are pleased to have signed this Agreement which will see QCM advanced by a well funded and technically strong option partner. Positive results from previous reverse circulation drilling by the Corporation at QCM, combined with continued strength in the price of gold and Centerra's decision to enter into this Agreement reinforces Kestrel's belief in QCM."

QCM Project Highlights:

QCM is comprised of 8,729 hectares covering an approximate 15-kilometre strike length of the Manson Fault Zone which is thought to be a controlling structure for much of the gold mineralization in the district.

Peak values from historical drilling completed within the Main Zone were found within hole QCM04-002 which intersected an interval of 2.86 g/t Au over 110.95 metres, including a high-grade interval of 173 g/t Au over 1.5 metres, true widths unknown.

Prospecting during 2022 resulted in the discovery of the 14 Vein showing, drilling of which returned 2.33 g/t Au over 44.19 metres. Geology consists of silica and carbonate altered argillite cut by sheeted quartz veins. For details see Kestrel's October 25, 2022 news release: https://www.kestrelgold.com/news/oct-2-2022

Numerous historical showings occur throughout the project area, including Farrell where historical values of up to 1,777 g/t Au and 3,560 g/t Ag were returned from grab samples of a 3.0-metre wide quartz vein and Flagstaff where historical values of up to 5.9 g/t Au and 1,153 g/t Ag were reported for grab samples of quartz veins and stockworks.

Kestrel recently earned a 100% interest in the QCM Property. For details see Kestrel's March 22, 2024, news release: https://www.kestrelgold.com/news/march-22-2024

Recently completed logging and associated road building has significantly improved access throughout the property which is proving of significant value to exploration efforts.

Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Centerra has the right to acquire a 75% interest in the Property by making cash payments totaling $900,000 and incurring mineral exploration costs totaling $6,500,000 on QCM, over 5 years. Mineral exploration costs must include a minimum of 13,500 metres of diamond drilling or reverse circulation drilling on the Property. Centerra will be the project operator during the initial earn in period. If Centerra earns a 75% interest, then Kestrel and Centerra will enter into a standard joint venture agreement with Centerra and Kestrel sharing pro rata funding requirements.

In the event that either member of the joint venture is diluted to 10% or less then that member's interest will automatically convert to a 1.0% NSR Royalty over the Property, and their interest in the Property shall be transferred to the other member. The undiluted member will have the right, exercisable at any time, to purchase 50% of the NSR Royalty for $1,000,000.

About Kestrel Gold

Kestrel Gold Inc. is an exploration company headquartered in western Canada and focused on the Canadian Cordillera. Kestrel has earned a 100% interest in the QCM Property which is an orogenic gold target located in the Manson-Germanson placer district and are earning a 100% interest in the Fireweed Property located in the Babine Lake area, an advanced stage silver rich polymetallic epithermal target. Kestrel also owns a 100% interest in the KSD Property which is an orogenic gold target located in the Yukon portion of the Tintina Gold Belt. Kestrel is listed on the TSX Venture exchange under the symbol KGC. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Corporation's website "www.kestrelgold.com" for further information.

Qualified Person

Derek Torgerson P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information and statements in this news release contain certain forward-looking information. This forward-looking information relates to future events or the Corporation's future performance including exploration activity that could take place on the Corporation's properties or projects. This forward-looking information is subject to certain risks and uncertainties and may be based on assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking information. The Corporation's forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

For further information contact:

Rob Solinger, President, and CEO

Office: (403) 816-2141

Email: rob@kestrelgold.com

SOURCE: Kestrel Gold Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Exploits Discovery Corp. (CSE: NFLD) (OTCQB: NFLDF) (FSE: 634) ("Exploits" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has engaged DGI Geoscience Inc. ("DGI") to complete an optical televiewer downhole survey on approximately a dozen previously drilled holes at the Bullseye exploration property in Central Newfoundland. The purpose is to further refine the 3D orientation of the Company's new drill targets at Bullseye for the 2024 phase II drill program. The Company plans to release further details of the upcoming drill program upon receipt of interpretation of the televiewer survey.

Jeff Swinoga, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The results of DGI's optical televiewer downhole survey will assist orientation of our future drilling programs at Bullseye. Our team has prioritized numerous drilling targets, and this survey should provide more directional accuracy of the local gold zones such as our 2023 Horseshoe gold discovery."

Chris Drielsma, President and Chief Executive Officer of DGI, commented, "DGI's experienced geoscientists will work closely with the Exploits team to provide critical orientation information on potential structural controls. Televiewers provide digital oriented core, allowing for geological features to be visualized in-situ and their true orientations determined. Results are available in near real time and are a cost effective and technically superior to traditional oriented core."

Televiewer Overview

Televiewers produce oriented images downhole, allowing measurement of both planar and linear structural features in situ. Orientation is accurate and consistent, and televiewer can be used in any hole, including core, non-core, historic holes, wells, utility lines, etc. Data can be visualized as 3D "virtual core" or as 2D "unwrapped core," and structures can be measured very quickly on a computer. Data is catalogued automatically, ready to import into 3D modelling programs. Common features analyzed include veins, contacts, bedding/foliation, fractures/joints, faults, fold limbs and hinges.

Figure 1: Property-scale map displaying locations of Exploits 2023-2024 drill holes - many of which will be visited and surveyed by the DGI technicians over the next few weeks.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6393/208363_ed9dce859434eb85_002full.jpg

About Exploits Discovery Corp.

Exploits is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Exploits is utilizing its experienced, talented local team and geologic understanding with the vision to become one of the most successful explorers in Canada.

On Behalf of the Board

/s/ "Jeff Swinoga"

President and CEO

For more information, please contact:

Shanda Kilborn

VP, Corporate Development & Investor Relations

+1 (778) 819-2708

shanda@exploits.gold

https://exploitsdiscovery.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law.

Acknowledgments

Exploits Discovery would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program from the Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208363

SOURCE: Exploits Discovery Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Outback Goldfields Corp. (TSXV: OZ) (OTC Pink: OZBKF) (the "Company" or "Outback") is pleased to announce that, further to its announcement of the Letter of Intent to acquire S2 Resources' gold assets located in the Central Lapland district of Finland (see March 1, 2024 news release), Mr. George Salamis has agreed join Outback as a strategic and technical advisor.

Mr. Salamis offers a wealth of technical and strategic expertise in the Central Lapland district, having worked as Vice President of Riddarhyttan Resources AB and advancing what is now known as the Kittila Mine until its sale to Agnico Eagle in 2006. The Kittila mine is Europe's largest producing gold mine, originally discovered by the Finish Geological Survey (GTK) in the late 1990's and then sold to Riddarhyttan as a small, shallow resource of less than 300,000 ounces of gold1. Riddarhyttan conducted extensive drilling and engineering studies on the project, growing it to over 2.8 million ounces of contained gold by 20041. Agnico went on to acquire Riddarhyttan in 2005 and since then, has identified over 7.9 million ounces of gold resources on the project1. In 2023, the Kittila mine produced 234,402 ounces of gold, and is expected to produce 230,000 ounces in 20242.

"Mr. Salamis' experience in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of northern Finland will be invaluable to Outback as we complete this transformative acquisition of a world-class portfolio of gold projects and start to advance the projects," commented Chris Donaldson, CEO of Outback.

About George Salamis

George Salamis has over 30 years of experience in the mining and resource exploration industry and has been involved in over $2 billion of M&A transactions over the course of his career. Mr. Salamis is currently the Executive Chairman of Integra Resources and was Executive Chairman of Integra Gold Corp. which was sold to Eldorado Gold Corporation for C$590 million in 2017. Mr. Salamis co-led the efforts behind the 2016 Integra Gold Rush Challenge and the 2017 DisruptMining initiatives that encouraged innovation and technology disruption in the mining industry and went on to co-found VRIFY Technologies, a company specializing in creating immersive digital experiences and Artificial Intelligence driven mining exploration targeting solutions. Mr. Salamis holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from University of Montreal - Ecole Polytechnique and began his career working for two major mining companies (Placer Dome and Cameco Corp). He also currently serves with the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist as well as serving as a director of the Canadian Armed Forces Liaison Counsel.

About Outback

Outback is an exploration mining company that is acquiring a portfolio of highly prospective gold assets in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of Finland.

Contact Information

For more information please contact:

Chris Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Tel: (604) 813-3931 | Email: cdonaldson@outbackgoldfields.com

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Outback should be considered highly speculative.

The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

References

Doucet, D., Girard, D, Grondin, L., and Matte, P., 2010, Technical Report on the December 31, 2009, Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimate and the Suuri Extension Project, Kittila Mine, Finland, Prepared for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, agnicoeagle.com (summary of historical work) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited website, 2024, agnicoeagle.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this news release include but are not limited to: obtaining the necessary approvals required for the Transaction and the Offering; completion of the Transaction and the Offering and the timing thereof; final terms of the Transaction and Offering; the benefits of the Transaction and the Offering; and exploration activities.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the benefits of the Transaction and the Offering; the Company's ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of required approvals; the price of metals; the integration of assets acquired by the Company; and the Company's ability to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include but are not limited to: the Company's early stage of development; the fluctuation of the price of metals; the availability of additional funding as and when required; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; the timing and ability to maintain and, where necessary, obtain necessary permits and licenses; the uncertainty in geologic, hydrological, metallurgical and geotechnical studies and opinions; infrastructure risks, including access to water and power; environmental risks and hazards; risks associated with negative operating cash flow; and risks associated with dilution. For a further discussion of risks relevant to the Company, see the Company's other public disclosure documents.

Although management has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There is no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as, and to the extent required by, applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208327

SOURCE: Outback Goldfields Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Hypercharge Networks Corp. (TSXV: HC) (OTCQB: HCNWF) (FSE: PB7) (the "Company" or "Hypercharge"), a leading, smart electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions provider and network operator, is pleased to announce it will host a business update call on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

David Bibby, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Navraj Dosanjh, Chief Financial Officer, will provide an overview of the Company's strategy and growth initiatives as well as upcoming milestones.

The conference call will be accompanied by a presentation, which can be viewed during the webcast or accessed via the investor relations section of the Company's website here.

Business Update Call

Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 Time: 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time Dial-in: +1 (877) 407-0784 / +1 (201) 689-8560 Conference ID: 13746530 Webcast: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1670276&tp_key=751662529c

A telephone replay will be available approximately three hours after the call and will run through Thursday, August 22, 2024, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 from the U.S., or 1-412-317-6671 from international locations, and entering replay PIN: 13746530. The replay can also be viewed through the webinar webcast link above.

-##-

About Hypercharge

Hypercharge Networks Corp. (TSXV: HC) (OTCQB: HCNWF) (FSE: PB7) is a leading provider of smart electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions for residential and commercial buildings, fleet operations, and other rapidly growing sectors. Driven by its mission to accelerate EV adoption and enable the shift towards a carbon neutral economy, Hypercharge is committed to offering seamless, simple solutions including industry-leading hardware, innovative and integrated software, and comprehensive services, backed by a robust network of public and private charging stations. Learn more: https://hypercharge.com/.

On behalf of the company,

Hypercharge Networks Corp.

David Bibby, President & CEO

Contacts

Investor Relations:

Chris Tyson | Executive Vice President | MZ Group

invest@hypercharge.com | (949) 491-8235

Media Contact:

Kyle Kingsnorth | Head of Marketing | Hypercharge

kyle.kingsnorth@hypercharge.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208331

SOURCE: Hypercharge Networks Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Homerun Resources Inc. (TSXV: HMR) (OTCQB: HMRFF) ("Homerun" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Nancy Zhao, as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Company.

Nancy Zhao, has over nine years of experience working with public companies, including having served as the CFO for several publicly traded entities and contributing her financial acumen to organizations such as First Hydrogen Corp (TSXV: FHYD), and Neo Battery Materials Ltd (TSXV: NBM). Ms. Zhao is currently a board member of First Hydrogen Corp.

Holding the designation of CPA, Ms. Zhao has a comprehensive educational background, including a diploma in Financial Management from British Columbia Institute of Technology, and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Tianjin University of Technology. Ms. Zhao's professional journey encompasses diverse roles, including years of valuable experience as a procurement agent for Sinopec in China.

Brian Leeners, CEO of Homerun, stated, "First, we want to thank Edward Low for his years of professional service on behalf of Homerun. Edward is one of those standout professionals in our industry, who has a team-first focus and always delivers through both thick and thin times. We now welcome Nancy to the growing team and look forward to scaling the Company under her financial and accounting guidance. Nancy, has both a professional and educational history that will provide a new focus on building the requisite systems that are key to managing growth in a vertically integrated materials company."

About Homerun Resources

Homerun Resources is focused on the development of its business within the critical and energy materials sectors. With a steadfast commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and building shareholder value, Homerun Resources Inc. is poised to make a lasting impact in these industries.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of

Homerun Resources Inc.

"Brian Leeners"

Brian Leeners, CEO & Director

brianleeners@gmail.com / +1 604-862-4184 (WhatsApp)

FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208365

SOURCE: Homerun Resources Inc.
AGFA HealthCare's Enterprise Imaging advancements and innovations enhance the delivery of patient care and promote clinician wellbeing by increasing the efficiency of radiologists' workflow

MORTSEL, BELGIUM / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / AGFA HealthCare's Enterprise Imaging Platform offers near-real-time access to images, powerful diagnostic and Artificial Intelligence tools, smart workflows that enable seamless sharing between sites, enhanced collaboration and more. Radiologists can increase their productivity and wellbeing while focusing on what's most important - diagnosing and treating patients, and a "life in flow."

At UKIO 2024, AGFA HealthCare will demonstrate how its commitment to delivering "any image anywhere, any time" increases the day-to-day performance and job satisfaction of radiologists, radiographers and clinical teams. By harnessing the power of today's technology, AGFA HealthCare Enterprise Imaging creates a unified Imaging Health Record (IHR) that supports healthcare institutions to achieve their organisational goals, enabling clinical collaboration to support the patient pathway and empowering radiologists to meet their daily challenges.

"In today's world, enabling patient and clinician wellbeing depends on finding the 'sweet spot' where patient care and technology intersect. By empowering radiologists and radiographers with tools and workflows that cut through the noise, we help them stay focused on patient care and making confident diagnoses, while supporting their own work/life balance. Our vision is to provide innovative technology that feels like an extension of their thought processes, bringing them to that moment at work when distractions fade away, they are at one with the technology, and everything just works," says Roberto Anello, Regional President for Northern Europe at AGFA HealthCare.

Enhanced productivity and wellbeing

At UKIO 2024, visitors can discover how the right solutions can help redefine the radiologist's flow by increasing the efficiency of their workflow, enhancing their productivity, and boosting the value of their work:

The power of Streaming : The explosion in medical imaging data requires solutions that make critical information readily available, regardless of location and time. Web-based streaming technology makes images available in seconds, wherever they are needed. Radiologists break free from geographical constraints, and all members of the care team are empowered to collaborate seamlessly.

The explosion in medical imaging data requires solutions that make critical information readily available, regardless of location and time. Web-based streaming technology makes images available in seconds, wherever they are needed. Radiologists break free from geographical constraints, and all members of the care team are empowered to collaborate seamlessly. Leveraging the benefits of Cloud : Enterprise Imaging Cloud seamlessly closes the image management infrastructure gap, delivering a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that is secure, scalable, and accessible; easy to maintain and use; at a predictable cost.

: Enterprise Imaging Cloud seamlessly closes the image management infrastructure gap, delivering a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that is secure, scalable, and accessible; easy to maintain and use; at a predictable cost. Teach & Research and Peer Learning : Carefully crafted modules let you turn the radiology department into a continuous learning environment that plays its role in facilitating scientific research, clinical trials, collaboration with AI vendors and more.

: Carefully crafted modules let you turn the radiology department into a that plays its role in facilitating scientific research, clinical trials, collaboration with AI vendors and more. RUBEE AI packages : AGFA HealthCare's expanded portfolio of curated AI packages demonstrates the power of embedding AI into Enterprise Imaging workflows. Discover how our customers are leveraging these innovations in their daily practice and becoming more productive.

AGFA HealthCare's expanded portfolio of curated AI packages demonstrates the power of embedding AI into Enterprise Imaging workflows. Discover how our customers are leveraging these innovations in their daily practice and becoming more productive. Connecting partners in healthcare : Enterprise Imaging Cloud facilitates the creation of an Imaging Health Network (IHN) , which makes images available to all members of the care team, at all times, no matter where they are located, including on compatible mobile devices.

: Enterprise Imaging Cloud facilitates the creation of an which makes images available to all members of the care team, at all times, no matter where they are located, including on compatible mobile devices. Don't forget to engage with our Subject Matter Experts during the event. We are offering a series of insight sessions at our booth, all led by our regional Enterprise Imaging pioneers.

"Novel Methods for Image Access and Workflow Sharing across UK Imaging Networks" will be presented by Paige Miller, Pre-Sales Consultant.

will be presented by Paige Miller, Pre-Sales Consultant. "A novel Peer Learning tool to support and supervise clinical reporters; REALM and Candour as part of good radiology service governance" will be delivered by Dr. Nick Spencer, Chief Clinical Information Officer.

will be delivered by Dr. Nick Spencer, Chief Clinical Information Officer. "New Technology for Image Distribution and Reporting" will be hosted by Lee Storey, Support & Managed Services Manager.

Session timings will be announced in the coming weeks - bookmark our News section to be kept up to date on more information.

Reach out to us at UKIO 2024 to see how to bring flow to your health organization - June 10-12, 2024, ACC Liverpool, booth B23

About AGFA HealthCare

At AGFA HealthCare, we are transforming the delivery of care - supporting healthcare professionals across the globe with secure, effective, and sustainable imaging data management. As a company, we are dedicated to our customers, and we have harnessed a value framework of Mission, Vision and Customer Delivery Principles into our routine operations. Through these principles, we commit a consistent high-yield code of conduct to our associates - channelling our experience and aspirations to all of our stakeholders. Our Empowerer profile supports our focus on creating an exceptional experience through the power of technology and is an integral foundation to our company standards. AGFA HealthCare is a division of the Agfa-Gevaert Group. For more information on AGFA HealthCare, please visit www.agfahealthcare.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

AGFA and the Agfa rhombus are registered trademarks of Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Belgium or its affiliates. Imaging Health Network is a trademark and RUBEE is a registered trademark of AGFA HealthCare N.V. All rights reserved. All information contained herein is intended for guidance purposes only, and the characteristics of the products and services described in this publication can be changed at any time without notice. Products and services may not be available for your local area. Please contact your local sales representative for availability information. AGFA HealthCare diligently strives to provide as accurate information as possible but shall not be responsible for any typographical error.

Contact Information:

Buse Kayar

buse.kayar@issuerdirect.com

SOURCE: AGFA Healthcare

View the original press release on newswire.com.
WidePoint is Among 7 Companies Selected by the U.S. Navy to Provide Wireless and Telecommunications Services.

FAIRFAX, VA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / WidePoint Corporation (NYSE American:WYY), the innovative enterprise security and mobile technology provider, announced that the U.S. Navy has included the company in the fourth iteration of the Wireless and Telecommunications Services vehicle ("Spiral 4").

WidePoint, along with six other companies including the U.S. "Big Three" wireless carriers, was awarded a position on a 10-year, $2.7 billion Spiral 4 contract to provide a full range of wireless and telecommunication services to military personnel and federal civilian employees stationed within the country and U.S. territories. The Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center San Diego launched a full-and-open competition in late January for the indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, which includes hardware, software, firmware and related IT equipment and services. The U.S. Department of Defense announced the firm-fixed-price, IDIQ contract has a one-year base period valued at approximately $267 million and nine one-year option periods that would run through May 2034 if all options are exercised.

Jin Kang, WidePoint's CEO, stated: "WidePoint is honored to be included in this award group. As an agnostic provider of Managed Mobility Services (MMS) to the U.S. Federal Government, WidePoint is uniquely poised to deliver on this new IDIQ contract. We look forward to each opportunity to provide wireless and telecommunications services to U.S. Navy personnel and civilian team members. Additionally, we remain focused on continuing to execute our sales and marketing strategy in what is shaping to be a very strong year for our organization."

About WidePoint

WidePoint Corporation (NYSE American:WYY) is a leading technology Managed Solution Provider (MSP) dedicated to securing and protecting the mobile workforce and enterprise landscape. WidePoint is recognized for pioneering technology solutions that include Identity and Access Management (IAM, Mobility Managed Services (MMS, Telecom Management, Information Technology as a Service (ITaaS, Cloud Security, and Analytics & Billing as a Service (ABaaS). For more information, visit widepoint.com.

WidePoint Investor Relations:

Gateway Group, Inc.

Matt Glover or John Yi

949-574-3860

WYY@gatewayir.com

SOURCE: WidePoint Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
2025 Event Scheduled for April 16-17 back at the Music City Center

Last week, nearly 4,000 manufacturing professionals convened at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN to source products from 250 exhibiting companies at the 2nd annual ASSEMBLY Show SOUTH and the newly launched QUALITY Show SOUTH. The trade shows, produced by BNP Media's ASSEMBLY Magazine and Quality Magazine, featured hundreds of new products, dozens of educational sessions, and networking at several special events. Photos are available at this link.

"Our second year in Nashville proved to be amazing - the trade show floor was double the size from our 2023 event which included the addition of the Quality Show South, and our registration increased by 20%, these are all solid indications that Nashville is a great venue for this southern focused manufacturing event," said Bill DeYoe, Publisher, ASSEMBLY Magazine, producers of the event. "We thank our exhibitors, sponsors, attendees, partners, and speakers for supporting our initiative to support the booming Southeast Manufacturing market."

The two events featured 250 leading vendors in the Exhibit Hall with working machinery and live demonstrations for attendees to interact with. Exhibitors for both The ASSEMBLY Show and QUALITY Show are excited to come back to Nashville with over 50% of exhibiting firms already committing to the 2025 event. Additionally, Adhesives in Action will be a new segment added for the 2025 event which will be produced by Adhesive & Sealants Magazine, serving the global adhesive and sealant formulator, manufacturer, and end user.

Several awards winners were announced during the trade show. Quality Magazine presented The Quality Professional of the Year Award to Milt Krivokuca, Interim Program Coordinator, Master of Science Quality Assurance, California State University for the contributions he has made to the industry throughout his career. The magazine's editors also presented the Quality Plant of the Year Award to Rob Glassburn, VP of Operations for 3D Engineering for their world-class quality technology, equipment, services and techniques used to improve quality standards.

In addition, John Sprovieri, Editor in Chief of ASSEMBLY Magazine announced the Best in Show Award winners. The program featured new products which were selected by the magazine editors. Attendees voted throughout the event and the following companies were announced the winners:

1st place winner: MS Automation for their 3D Bin Picking for Automated Stud Welding.

2nd place winner: Rivet King for their Rivet Tool for Robots

3rd place winner: Rhino Tool House for their new technology the allows material to move itself.

During the first day of the event five FIRST in Tennessee Robotics Teams, from across the state of Tennessee, demonstrated robots students designed, built and programmed as part of FIRST Inspires. High school students represented Team Flagship, Team Pioneers, Team Secret City Wildbots, Team SoKno Robo and Team HVA Robo Hawks.

The event opened to a packed Keynote Address presented by, Leifje Dighton, Executive Director and Plant Manager of GE Appliance's Refrigerator Assembly Plant in Decatur, AL. Ms., Dighton discussed transforming productivity at GE appliances through AI highlighting personal effectiveness to manufacturing excellence to a packed room of engaged attendees.

There were five pre-conference workshops; two were held in partnership with the Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (TMEP) focused on I4.0 and a Culture of Innovation and People Development Systems. The editors of ASSEMBLY Magazine offered two additional workshops on Automated Assembly and Bolted Joints. The Quality Show offered a fifth workshop on GD&T Fundamentals - Position Tolerances presented by Assurance Technologies (ATI). Following the workshops, attendees and exhibitors had the opportunity to network at the Welcome Reception.

Over a dozen exhibitors demonstrated their company's expertise related to the latest technological advances in two Learning Theaters on the show floor. Subject matter experts shared their knowledge on automation, robotic precision, Industry 4.0, supply chain, scalability, industrial automation and a special workshop on Collaborative Robots technology in The ASSEMBLY Show Learning Theater. The Quality Show Learning Theater featured sessions on using data, the role of Kaizen, vision solutions, advanced 3D systems, ethics & NDT, process mapping, and educating the next generation of quality professionals.

Attendees and exhibitors enjoyed two Networking Receptions including the opening night Welcome Reception and a reception in the Exhibit Hall sponsored by Atlas Copco. On Thursday morning Desoutter sponsored the Morning Mingle & Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall where additional connections were made.

The ASSEMBLY Show South show floor featured Gold Sponsor Promess; Silver Sponsors Atlas Copco and Desoutter Industrial Tools; and Bronze Sponsors Schmidt Technology, UJIGAMI by Tutelar Technologies, and Weiss North America. The QUALITY Show South show floor feature Gold Sponsor Deltek in addition to Hexagon, InnovMetric, FARO Technologies, 1factory, ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions and many others.

In 2025 The ASSEMBLY Show South, The Quality Show, and Adhesives in Action will be held Wednesday, April 16 and Thursday, April 17, 2025. All three events are produced by BNP Media (www.bnpmedia.com), one of the country's leading business-to-business media companies serving industry professionals across 60+ industries through magazines, custom media, e-newsletters, webinars, events and market research.

The ASSEMBLY Show South is sponsored by ASSEMBLY (www.assemblymag.com) the leading brand covering the processes, technologies, and strategies for assembling discrete parts into finished products. The magazine also produces The ASSEMBLY Show scheduled for October 22-24, 2024, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.The QUALITY Show South is sponsored by Quality (www.qualitymag.com), the leading resource for manufacturing professionals focused on quality assurance and process improvement.

# # #

For Further Information, Contact:

Amy Riemer, Media Relations Representative

978-502-4895 (cell)

amy@riemercommunications.com

SOURCE: Assembly Show South

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Xtra Energy Corp. (OTC Pink:XTPT) is pleased to announce that it has engaged Avrom E. Howard, MSc, PGeo, to prepare a technical report on XTPT's American Antimony Project in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of National Instrument 43-101. This marks a significant step forward in the exploration and potential development of the American Antimony Project. "American Antimony" is located approximately 31 miles northeast of Eastgate, Nevada. Xtra Energy Corporation holds 100% ownership in a 207-lode, 4276-acre property that comprises a cluster of historical antimony mines and prospects, including the centrally located King Solomon mine.

Avrom E. Howard, MSc, P.Geo, is an exploration geologist with extensive international expertise in various mineral commodities and geological settings around the world. Mr. Howard has worked on antimony and gold-antimony deposits in Turkey, one of which is currently being placed into production (Tavsan Project, Ariana PLC).

Mr. Howard received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Toronto in 1979 and a Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1992. In 2001, he obtained his Diploma in Gemology from the Gemological Association and Gem Testing Laboratory of Great Britain.

Avrom E. Howard, MSc, PGeo is a Practicing Member in good standing of the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (member no. 0380), and is deemed a Qualified Person ("QP") by the Exchange as defined in NI 43-101 to provide this report by virtue of being in possession of the necessary and relevant education, experience, knowledge and professional standing.

Xtra Energy's Chairman and CEO, Mac J. Shahsavar, P.Eng., commented, "As we venture into the next phase of exploration, we recognize the critical importance of precise geological insight. We are pleased to welcome an expert geologist with a wealth of experience to prepare an Exchange-compliant NI 43-101 technical report. His expertise will help guide our strategic decisions in the future."

Contact & Learn More:

Xtra Energy Corporation

Phone: 512-412-3636

Corporate Website: https://americanantimony.com/

Corporate Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtra-energy-corp/

Corporate Twitter: https://twitter.com/xtra_corp

Corporate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtraenergycorp/

Corporate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093057374695

About Xtra Energy Corporation

Xtra Energy Corporation is an antimony exploration company focused on developing its flagship project "American Antimony", approximately 31 miles northeast of Eastgate, Nevada. Xtra Energy Corporation holds a 100% ownership in a 207 lode claim, 4276 acre antimony project surrounding the historically documented Antimony King Mine and covering all other documented antimony producers of the Bernice Mining District. The Company is seeking to develop this expanding portfolio of antimony-rich assets to become a major supplier of antimony based products.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future events, including our ability to raise capital, or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause materially different results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the OTC Markets Group Inc. Our public filings with the OTC Markets Group Inc are available from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the OTC Markets at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/XTPT/disclosure

SOURCE: Xtra Energy Corp.
ROCKY MOUNT, NC / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Cummins Inc.:

Cummins

Global power technology leader Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) announced a $580 million project to drive economic and job growth in the Nash County community. Cummins has received approval for tax incentives to help move the project forward and the incentives received from the Nash County Commissioners office will support the continued investment within the area.

This strategic investment is set to generate approximately 80 additional new jobs, fostering both short-term employment opportunities and long-term job stability. As Cummins continues towards its Destination Zero Strategy and its plan to achieve zero emissions across its products, the investment will involve installing new equipment for the future of manufacturing and upgrading the assembly line for next generation products. This investment is part of Cummins recent investment of more than $1 billion across its U.S. manufacturing network.

"We are excited to be driving continued growth within Nash County and creating jobs that rely on high caliber technology for the future," said Steve Pinkston, Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant Manager. "Cummins is focused on Destination Zero and getting there as quickly as possible. We need engagement from federal, state, and local governments like Nash County to achieve our goals and we are grateful for their support. When we receive engagement from local partners like this, it helps us move faster toward a more sustainable future."

With a rich history of production for more than 40 years and producing over 5 million engines at RMEP, this milestone investment reaffirms Cummins' dedication to the region's economic vitality and sustaining its impactful presence for the foreseeable future. Currently, there are 2,000 employees contributing to the success and growth of Cummins at the RMEP facility.

Decarbonization is a growth opportunity for Cummins and the fuel-agnostic engine platform is a key component to help customers decarbonize today and make it easier to adopt alternative fuel types. These products are instrumental in supporting fleets on their journey toward Destination Zero by providing products that are economically viable, scalable and deliver the power, performance and durability with the evolving needs of customers.

Cummins is committed to improving the communities in which it operates to have a direct impact on the lives of its employees and the broader community. Over the past two years, RMEP employees have collectively devoted more than 20,000 hours to community engagement, forging meaningful alliances with educational institutions in surrounding districts. These partnerships extend to community colleges, public school systems, libraries, and various community organizations. RMEP takes pride in its collaboration with community partners, including the Boys & Girls Club of the Tar River Region, United Way Tar River Region, Strategic Twin-Counties Education Partnership (STEP), Down East Partnership for Children, Carolina Gateway Partnership, and the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce.

"This investment is not just about engines; it's a testament to our unwavering commitment to the community and our vision for a sustainable and impactful future," said Pinkston. "It means RMEP and Cummins are here to stay and we take pride in being the one of the largest employers in the tri-county area. Our role extends beyond the production floor; it's about cultivating a thriving community where everyone can succeed. As we invest in innovation and growth, we're also investing in the community that has been our home for four decades and counting."

About the fuel-agnostic platform

The new fuel-agnostic engine platforms feature a series of engine versions that are derived from a common base engine, which means they have a high degree of parts commonality. Below the head gasket of each engine will largely have similar components and above the head gasket will have different components for different fuel types. Each engine version will operate using a different, single fuel. This new design approach will be applied across the company's legendary engine portfolios including the B6.7 and the X15, and the new 10-liter portfolio called the X10.

About the facility

Rocky Mount Engine Plant is 1.3M square foot manufacturing plant that employs over 2,000 people and produces mid-range engines for a multitude of markets. The plant has been in operation since 1983 when it started as a joint venture with Case named Consolidated Diesel Company. In 2008, Cummins bought out CASE and RMEP became a wholly owned Cummins entity. RMEP is the first Cummins plant to produce 5 million engines and has produced more than 1 million more engines than any other Cummins Engine facility.

In addition to the five millionth engine, RMEP is recently celebrated facility improvements and renovations, including its 3.62 megawatt (MW) solar farm, which was recognized with a 2023 Better Project Award. The recognition highlights projects in the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings/Better Plants initiative for accomplishments in implementing and promoting practices, principles and procedures around sustainable energy management.

Cummins implemented a water strategy in 2014 for its plants and facilities (including RMEP) and has been improving its stewardship ever since, achieving a 53 percent reduction in direct water use, adjusted by hours worked, in 2020 compared to a 2010 baseline. That reduction surpassed the company's 2020 goal of 50 percent reduction compared to 2010, again adjusted for hours worked.

About Cummins Inc.

Cummins Inc., a global power solutions leader, is comprised of five business segments - Components, Engine, Distribution, Power Systems and Accelera by Cummins - supported by our global manufacturing and extensive service and support network, skilled workforce and vast technological expertise. Cummins is committed to its Destination Zero strategy, which is grounded in the company's commitment to sustainability and helping its customers successfully navigate the energy transition with its broad portfolio of products. The products range from advanced diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains and powertrain-related components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, valvetrain technologies, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, axles, drivelines, brakes, suspension systems, electric power generation systems, batteries, electrified power systems, hydrogen production technologies and fuel cell products. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 75,500 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned about $735 million on sales of $34.1 billion in 2023. See how Cummins is powering a world that's always on by accessing news releases and more information at https://www.cummins.com/.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cummins Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Cummins Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cummins-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Cummins Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
CBRE

By Jen Siebrits Toby Radcliffe

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / The UK transition to net zero relies on increasing the use of renewably generated electricity. But with electricity demand predicted to double the in UK by 2050, renewable energy generation and power infrastructure will have to scale up rapidly. And so, there is a clear investment opportunity. However, traditional renewables investments can be challenging, with some connection dates as far away as 2035.

This is where real estate can play an important role. Specifically, capitalising on roof space for solar energy generation. While commercial rooftop solar will always require a grid connection, the timelines tend to be significantly shorter than utility scale generation sites (albeit there are still limitations for large systems on warehouse roofs).

So that's the what and why, but what about the where? We know the need will increase in all cities, but demand will rise in some more than others. For a better understanding, we analysed ESO (Electricity System Operator) data to discover the minimum and maximum increase in electricity demand at city level.

The highest forecast, which shows changes on a trajectory to achieve net zero by 2050, suggests an average 24% increase in electricity demand across our cities in the next six years alone. Edinburgh and Glasgow had the highest increases of over 30%, which partly reflects its colder temperatures, but all cities show a significant increase. However, these estimates rely on improved energy efficiency, use of electricity for heating and an overall reduction in consumer demand. If this doesn't happen, the pattern of demand will be different. For example, under a scenario where the UK fails to achieve net zero by 2050, the demand for electricity will be lower. However, even so, there is still an estimated 8% increase in electricity demand across our cities by 2030.

Regardless, in any case, in just six years electricity demand will have risen significantly. Because growth in grid capacity moves slower than this, these forecasts suggest that investing in rooftop solar in UK cities is a good strategy for utilising unused space and securing low carbon electricity as demand surges. However, solar installation is not always straight forward so site and location assessments are recommended to find the best opportunities.

Notes: The minimum and a maximum increase in electricity use reflect the different ways in which the UK power grid decarbonises. The higher range - the consumer transformation scenario - assumes the UK is on path to achieving net zero net zero by 2050 by electrifying heating, achieving high energy efficiency and reducing consumer demand. The lower estimate reflects a 'falling short' scenario, whereby the UK does not achieve net zero by 2050 and only takes limited steps to decarbonise power generation.

Courtesy CBRE

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CBRE Group, Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CBRE Group, Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cbre-group-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: CBRE Group, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Sandia National Laboratories is Among the First Customers Using SpiNNaker2 for Research and Development in Nuclear Deterrence Field and Other AI Applications

DRESDEN, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Today, in advance of ISC High Performance 2024, SpiNNcloud Systems announced the commercial availability of its SpiNNaker2 platform, a supercomputer-level hybrid AI high-performance computer system based on principles of the human brain. Pioneered by Steve Furber, designer of the original ARM and SpiNNaker1 architectures, the SpiNNaker2 supercomputing platform uses a large number of low-power processors for efficiently computing AI and other workloads.

SpiNNcloud Board

First-generation SpiNNaker1 architecture is currently used in dozens of research groups across 23 countries worldwide. Sandia National Laboratories, Technical University of Munchen and Universitat Gottingen are among the first customers placing orders for SpiNNaker2, which was developed around commercialized IP invented in the Human Brain Project, a billion-euro research project funded by the European Union to design intelligent, efficient artificial systems.

"Brain-like computation requires programmable dynamics, event-based communication, and extreme scale," said Fred Rothganger from Sandia National Labs. "SpiNNaker2 is the most flexible neural supercomputer architecture available today. At Sandia, we are excited to build applications on this amazing system."

Technical specifications for SpiNNaker2 include:

The SpiNNcloud server board consists of 48 SpiNNaker2 chips. Each chip contains a low-power mesh of 152 Arm-based cores with a wide variety of accelerators including distributed GPU-like units designed to boost neuromorphic, hybrid, and mainstream AI model computations.

The hybrid capabilities of SpiNNaker2 allow it to combine practical algorithms from Machine Learning, energy efficiency from an event-based operation, and the trustworthiness of rule-based layers governing the backend of applications.

The commercial system is intended to be scaled up through a multi-rack setup, each composed of 90 SpiNNcloud server boards to enable at least 10 billion interconnected neurons firing in real-time. As a supercomputer designed to also allocate Machine Learning workloads, the pre-exascale system can support up to 0.3 exaops.

SpiNNaker2 differentiates from GPU solutions by being more versatile, having a better performance, having a lower cost to run and having a better availability.

In contrast to GPU solutions, SpiNNaker2 uses a large number of asynchronous low-power units to tackle workloads. This leads to more versatility, energy-proportional operation, efficient communication, and lower operation cost. SpiNNcloud is the first to make this neuromorphic supercomputing architecture broadly available and at scales that exceed any other neuromorphic system.

SpiNNaker2 goes beyond neuromorphic architecture by offering hybrid AI acceleration, crucial for designing systems "in the third wave of AI," defined by DARPA as systems that understand the context and environment in which they operate, and over time build underlying explanatory models that allow them to characterize real-world phenomena.

SpiNNaker2 will be initially available as a cloud platform solution, enabling early customers to get access to the technology as cost efficiently as possible.

"Our vision is to pioneer the future of artificial intelligence through brain-inspired supercomputer technology, and to create systems that are not only powerful but also transparent and explainable," said Hector Gonzalez, co-founder and co-CEO at SpiNNcloud Systems. "We're building the most advanced brain-like supercomputing platform on the market, which positions us as the market leader in hybrid AI HPC. And it enables us to drive the development of reliable, efficient hybrid AI systems, opening up entirely new markets in next-generation defense, drug discovery, quantum emulation, smart city applications and more."

The company's cloud service will be available in the second half of 2024, and full production systems will be available for shipment in the first half of 2025. To learn more about SpiNNcloud and inquire about the new SpiNNaker2 system available for preorder now, visit SpiNNcloud's website, read their blog or watch the video.

Attendees at ISC High Performance 2024 can also visit SpiNNcloud's booth L19 during the conference.

Contact Information

Forrest Carman

forrestc@owenmedia.com

(206) 859-3118

Related Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt7AQlNDTjs

SOURCE: SpiNNcloud Systems

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Impact Development Group Inc. (TSXV: IMPT) (formerly Yubba Capital Corp.) ("Impact Development Group" or the "Company") announced today that the Ontario Securities Commission as its principal regulator, has issued a failure to file cease trade order ("FFCTO"), prohibiting the trading by any person of any securities of the Company in Canada, including trades in the Company's common shares made through the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), in accordance with the principles and guidance set out in National Policy 12-307 Failure-to-File Cease Trade Orders and Revocations in Multiple Jurisdictions of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

The FFCTO was issued as a result of the Company's delay in the filing of its audited financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and the related Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certifications for the Company's financial year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Annual Filings"), beyond the filing date.

As disclosed in the Company's new release dated May 2, 2024, the Company is working diligently to facilitate the completion of the Annual Filings with the auditors as soon as practicable. The Company anticipates that the FFCTO will remain in place until such time as the Annual Filings are filed.

Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, please contact:

Tom Wenz, Director and CEO

Phone: + 1 (702) 329-8038

Email: twenz@ihcpanama.com

Forward-Looking Information

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to trading in the common shares of the Company and the ability for the Company to complete the Annual Filings. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Risks and uncertainties exist that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: the limited business history of the Company; reliance on key management; risks related to the Company's growth strategy; dependence on and availability of the auditors; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; unanticipated costs and expenses; and general market and industry conditions. The forward-looking statements, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the Company and the auditors' ability to complete the Annual Filings and whether the Company will be able to carry out its business plan as contemplated. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, they can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208378

SOURCE: Impact Development Group Inc.
Terminal's commercial operations scheduled to start in September 2024

Cai Mep LNG Terminal will provide integrated LNG supply solution through AG&P LNG and Hai Linh downstream joint venture - Vietfirst Gas.

Vietfirst Gas also signed second definitive agreement with prominent demand aggregator at the 'Cai Mep LNG Terminal Commissioning Symposium'. The first definitive agreement for 1 MTPA offtake was signed with HPP power plant in March 2024.

The 3 MTPA Cai Mep LNG Terminal, expandable to 6 MTPA, is one of only two existing LNG terminals located in Vietnam. The Cai Mep LNG Terminal is located in in Vung Tau district .

Earlier this year in March, AG&P LNG, subsidiary of Nebula Energy, acquired a 49% stake in the fully constructed Cai Mep terminal developed by Hai Linh Company Limited.

HANOI, Vietnam, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading LNG terminals and downstream infrastructure company, AG&P LNG, a subsidiary of Nebula Energy, along with its partner, Hai Linh Company Limited, a prominent petroleum product import terminal and trader, in Vietnam today announced the start of the commissioning of the Cai Mep LNG Terminal in an elaborate 'Cai Mep LNG Terminal Commissioning Symposium' hosted at the terminal.

The detailed milestones of the commissioning phase were announced, leading up to the start of commercial operations of the Cai Mep LNG Terminal targeted for September 2024. The symposium demonstrated AG&P LNG's singular integrated LNG ecosystem with participation from customers, LNG suppliers, gas aggregators, and network partners, connecting the end-to-end LNG value chain, from sourcing to last mile delivery.

Mr. Karthik Sathyamoorthy, CEO, AG&P LNG, said, "I am thrilled to announce the start of the commissioning of the Cap Mep LNG Terminal. We are now also on track to start the commercial operations of the Terminal in September 2024. The hard work and can-do spirit of the team from Hai Linh, AG&P LNG and Nebula Energy to meet our commitment of LNG delivery by Q3 2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary. In a testament to our remarkable team, I am equally delighted to share another exciting development. Today, at our Cai Mep LNG Terminal Commissioning Symposium, we signed our second definitive LNG offtake agreement with one of the demand aggregators in Vietnam. We had signed our first definitive agreement for 1 MTPA offtake with HPP power plant earlier this year in March. Very soon, we will be able to provide reliable LNG supply and immediately serve power and nearby industrial customers."

AG&P LNG has six additional executed Letters of Intent (LOIs) with six more demand aggregators for downstream LNG distribution since it acquired 49% stake in the Terminal in March earlier this year. The Cai Mep LNG Terminal is connected to nearby Phu My industrial zone and has pipeline connectivity to Vietnam's largest power generation complex, Phu My, which has gas-fired capacity of 3.9 GW. The Terminal is strategically located near the Mekong River Delta and has a 220,000 m3 of LNG storage, and LNG break-bulk capabilities that allows it to reload LNG into smaller vessels. The Cai Mep Terminal initially set at 3 MTPA and expandable to 6 MTPA, has 14 truck-loading bays for LNG and CNG filling.

Mr. Le Van Tam, CEO, Hai Linh Company Limited, said, "I am excited to announce the commissioning of our Cai Mep LNG Terminal. We at Hai Linh are privileged to have AG&P LNG and Nebula Energy as our partners as we work towards unlocking the potential LNG demand across multiple sectors and help reinforce energy security in the country."

Earlier this week, Cai Mep LNG launched the Expression of Interest (EOI) for supplying commissioning LNG cargo to the Terminal. The tender for the commissioning cargo is to be issued early June and awarded by end June 2024.

About AG&P LNG

AG&P LNG is a global leader in developing and running LNG and gas logistics and distribution solutions. AG&P provides the infrastructure to access natural gas safely and easily in new and growing markets. We act as an owner and service provider covering the development, financing, engineering, procurement, project management and construction of onshore and offshore gas infrastructure, linking suppliers to downstream customers. www.agplng.com

About Nebula Energy

Nebula Energy is a fully integrated investment, development, shipping and asset management organization that delivers creative and value-added resource solutions to utilities, private sector companies, cooperatives and municipalities to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

Our projects provide significant social, environmental and economic value by reducing emissions, lowering carbon footprint, and enhancing the overall reliability of energy infrastructure. In developing countries, Nebula Energy provides the capital required for total energy solutions for critical energy to help bridge the gap between supply and demand. www.nebulaenergy.net

About Hai Linh Company

Established in 1999, Hai Linh Company Limited is a private enterprise involved in import, export and distribution of oil, gas and petroleum products. The company is one of the domestic licensed wholesale petroleum importers in Vietnam. In 2022, Hai Linh Co., Ltd. ranked 68th among the 500 largest enterprises in Vietnam and ranked 33rd among the 500 largest private enterprises in Vietnam.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407781/Cai_Mep_LNG_Symposium.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/agp-lng-and-hai-linh-announce-the-start-of-the-commissioning-of-their-cai-mep-lng-terminal-in-vietnam-302139883.html
For National Women's Health Month, we're getting to know Walgreens Healthcare Supervisor La Vonia Cannon, who is also the vice chair of the Women of WBA-US business resource group.

Originally published by Walgreens Boots Alliance

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / My journey to Walgreens traces back to a pivotal moment in my childhood-a chance encounter at my local pharmacy that sparked a lifelong passion for healthcare. As a young girl, I accompanied my mother on a routine trip to Walgreens, unaware that this visit would shape the course of my future.

As we stood in line at the pharmacy counter, my attention was drawn to the sight of a pharmacist engaged in conversation with a patient. Fascinated by the pharmacist's ability to offer guidance and support, I felt a sense of purpose and possibility.

In that moment, a seed was planted-an aspiration to make a meaningful difference in people's lives through healthcare. Inspired by what I had witnessed, I began to envision myself in a similar role, dedicated to serving others with compassion and expertise.

Today, I'm 24 years into an amazing career at Walgreens. In 2000, I started as a pharmacist and was soon promoted to pharmacy manager. From there I became a district pharmacy supervisor and ultimately a healthcare supervisor. In this role, I oversee 62 stores and support four district managers in Northwest Houston and surrounding areas. My work days can vary, but typically I spend my time identifying how my stores are helping to improve patient health outcomes and where the opportunities are to close gaps in care. I also visit stores regularly to provide clinical expertise and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.

When I'm not visiting stores, I'm leading meetings with my pharmacy managers to celebrate wins and identify opportunities for improvement. Or I'm participating in regional and corporate-level meetings for strategic planning to bring our organization's purpose to life.

Empowering women's leadership and wellness

Becoming a member and leader within the Women of WBA (WoWBA) business resource group was driven by my desire to connect with fellow women leaders to find a sense of community; have a direct impact on Walgreens' diversity, equity and inclusion strategy; and enhance my own leadership skills. As the vice chair of WoWBA-US, I'm devoted to fostering inclusion and inspiring women within the organization to own and celebrate their uniqueness and achievements. It's important to challenge yourself to grow and to be the best version of yourself. I'm dedicated to lifelong learning and personal development, and I encourage women of all ages to embrace the power of education. I've truly enjoyed supporting the professional development of the many team members I have worked with over the years.

As a leader, I am committed to not only championing women's professional growth, but also supporting their health and wellness. With May being Women's Health Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, it's such a fitting time to encourage women to also prioritize their health. As women, we often take on numerous roles in our personal and professional lives, but it's essential that we remember to prioritize our own wellbeing. From reproductive health to mental wellness and beyond, this month serves as a reminder for women to take charge of their health journeys.

I am incredibly proud of the series of events WoWBA-US has planned for this month, which includes a panel discussion focused on work-life balance and decreasing stress, as well as a meditation event and virtual art exhibit. By advocating for regular check-ups, screenings and healthy lifestyle choices, we empower ourselves and others to lead fulfilling and vibrant lives.

My commitment to women's health extends beyond the workplace. As a mother, I strive to set an example for my daughter, showing her the importance of prioritizing self-care and personal wellbeing.

Fun awaits beyond the office

Traveling with my daughter is one of my greatest joys. Each year, we take on a handful of adventures together. Our recent ski trip to Canada was one for the ages. It was such a fun time to relax while playing in the snow. In addition to our love for travel, my daughter and I share a passion for the arts and music. This year, we're anticipating our upcoming trip to Las Vegas to see New Edition in concert.

Our trips are a source of happiness and inspiration for both of us. When I'm fulfilled outside of work, I find that I'm more creative, more motivated and more able to tackle professional challenges. As I lead my team, I carry with me the joy from our mother-daughter adventures. They remind me of the importance of finding harmony in both my personal and professional lives, and how that can positively impact everything I do.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Walgreens Boots Alliance on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Walgreens Boots Alliance

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/walgreens-boots-alliance

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Walgreens Boots Alliance

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Mohammad S., Marketing, Taco Bell Foundation

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Yum! Brands



Taco Bell blog

April was officially recognized as National Arab American Heritage Month in 2021, celebrating the heritage of Arab communities and their many contributions to society.

To amplify this historic month, we'll be spotlighting Arab Americans within Taco Bell and their inspiring career and life journeys.

"My dad came to America from Egypt on a music tour as he was a professional violinist... [that's] where he immediately fell in love with the SoCal charm -- and that's how my family ended up in Los Angeles."

Mohammad S. is a first-generation Egyptian who grew up in an Arabic speaking household within L.A county.

"I was that kid who brought lunch from home that smelled differently compared to other kids who had Lunchables."

Although he was surrounded by a tight-knit community of Arab friends and family, it wasn't until his first visit to Egypt after college when he received a culture shock, placing him in between the two distinct worlds. This opened Mohammad's perception of the people around him as he realized that no matter the ethnicity, many second-generation Americans go through similar feelings, thus creating a shared experience.

"When I went to Egypt and met my extended family, I realized I wasn't Egyptian enough, but not completely American either - something I think a lot of us second - generation kids struggle with. At the same time, it's helped me appreciate my own culture and understand other people while embracing our differences knowing that everyone person has their own story and heritage."

Today, Mohammad celebrates both the American and Arab cultures. One of his favorite events is Ramadan, a time of fasting and self-reflection that ends in a big celebration on Eid-Al-Fitr with food, music and familial traditions. This time is a great way to connect with others in the Arab community, but also share learnings with those looking to explore the Arab culture.

"We're in the middle of Ramadan with Eid around the corner, and I'm excited to eat my favorite Egyptian homecooked foods. Food is a great way to learn about my culture, as it's truly a love language. In particular, Egyptian food has influences from Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and vice versa, which is a fun crossover."

April also marks Mohammad's 14-month work anniversary doing marketing for Taco Bell Foundation!

"I love the fact that Taco Bell embraces differences and celebrates diversity in all forms. Seeing the impact the Taco Bell Foundation has on the community is truly inspiring."

Looking to the future, Mohammad hopes to continue helping the local community and leave a positive impact on the people he meets, giving them a safe space to learn and grow.

"I hope to be remembered as a person who helped create a space of belonging in the world for others."

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Yum! Brands on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Yum! Brands

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/yum-brands

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Yum! Brands

View the original press release on accesswire.com
New Contractor Portal Available for Streamlining Collaboration and Security for Independent Workforce Management

CANTON, OH / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Patriot Software, a provider of online accounting and payroll software for American businesses, announced the launch of the 1099 contractor portal to streamline information between clients and their independent contractors.

The 1099 contractor portal is a secure self-service platform for 1099 contract workers granting them access to view and edit their personal and direct deposit information, and their payment history from clients.

"The 1099 contractor portal was a highly requested feature," said Amie Scarpitti, Product Manager at Patriot Software. "We understand the challenges of managing 1099 contractors. The portal ensures that contractors have easy digital access to essential information for transparency and accuracy."

Patriot's new feature release comes as independent worker numbers are increasing annually. Last year, it was reported there were over 36 million independent workers, up 15.6 million from 2020.

The contractor portal is a free feature for both accounting software and payroll software customers who pay 1099 independent contractors. Clients can invite their 1099 workers to the contractor portal. Once invited, they set up usernames and passwords. The contractor portal employs the same multi-factor authentication as the employee portal, ensuring the security of personal and banking information.

The contractor portal will continue to be enhanced in the future, most notably with the ability for clients to post 1099s to the contractors' portals in time for next year's tax filing season.

To learn more, visit www.patriotsoftware.com . The website offers multiple ways to demo the software, including a self-guided demo, video demo, or personal demo. Plus, every new account enjoys a 30-day no-obligation free trial.

##

About Patriot Software:

Patriot Software offers cloud-based accounting, payroll , HR, and time and attendance solutions designed to help American businesses with up to 500 employees simplify their administrative tasks. Patriot Software is disrupting the accounting and payroll industry by eliminating complex processes and steep learning curves with its intuitive software. Patriot Software is dedicated to providing USA-based customer service and development, serving tens of thousands of businesses nationwide since 2002.

For more information, please contact:

Patriot Software, LLC

Rachel Blakely-Gray

marketing@patriotsoftware.com

https://www.patriotsoftware.com

SOURCE: Patriot Software, LLC

View the original press release on accesswire.com
K?rber also recognized as a Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice in 2023 Gartner Peer Insights 'Voice of the Customer' for Warehouse Management Systems

Korber, a global provider of warehouse management system (WMS) solutions, announced today that it has been positioned as a Leader for its Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems report again this year.

Korber was also recently acknowledged in the 2023 Gartner Peer Insights Voice of the Customer for Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). The 'Voice of the Customer' report, which aggregates user reviews into actionable insights, highlighted Korber with an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 41 reviews, with 95% of reviewers willing to recommend Korber as of 31st August 2023. Placed in the upper-right corner of the "Voice of the Customer" grid, Korber was recognized as a Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice.

Korber provides a suite of end-to-end solutions spanning warehouse management, warehouse control, order management, robotics, voice and simulation to empower global businesses to further digitize and automate warehouses to meet today's extensive supply chain pressures.

"More than 70% of companies state that their supply chain complexity has grown over the past year and more than 80% recognize the supply chain is mission critical," said Sean Elliott, CTO Software, Korber Business Area Supply Chain. "We view our placement as a Leader in the Gartner Magic QuadrantTM for Warehouse Management Systems as another milestone in our journey to enable companies to build and future-proof agile, efficient and resilient supply chains."

As companies scramble to address rising consumer expectations, effective supply chain technology is of vital importance. Korber's WMS solutions make it possible to meet and exceed their outcomes across all levels of complexity and scale, by catering to the unique needs of small businesses, global enterprises and third-party logistics providers, all driving to meet end consumer expectations. Korber's comprehensive suite of supply chain solutions combine to ensure businesses have the technology at their fingertips to revolutionize the end-to-end supply chain--from source to doorstep delivery.

Examples include:

Fabfitfun: US-based subscription business that deployed Korber's WMS solution to manage enormous order volumes during multiple peak seasons each year.

Les Grands Chais de France (LGCF): French wine exporting company relies on Korber's WMS, Warehouse Control System (WCS), Voice and Gamification solutions to accelerate performance at 14 sites.

Officeworks: Australian store chain offering office supplies, furniture and technology harnessed Korber's WMS and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) to modernize their supply chain operations.

REWE International: Austrian food and drugstore retailer deployed Korber's WMS at 40 locations across Austria and Eastern Europe, bringing maximum flexibility to meet the grocery retail industry's multi-layered demands.

Titan Brands: American online retail company joined Korber to optimize the end customer experience through an integrated interplay of Korber's WMS and Order Management System (OMS).

View a complimentary copy of the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) report at https://www.koerber-supplychain-software.com/en/landing-pages/gartner-magic-quadrant

*Source: Gartner, "2024 Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems," Simon Tunstall, Dwight Klappich, Rishabh Narang, Federica Stufano 2 May 2024.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner and Magic Quadrant is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About the Korber Business Area Supply Chain

Supply chains are growing more complex by the day. Korber uniquely provides a broad range of proven end-to-end solutions tailored to help manage the supply chain as a competitive advantage. Fitting any business size, strategy or industry, our customers conquer the complexity of the supply chain thanks to our portfolio of software, voice, and robotics solutions plus the expertise to tie it all together. Conquer supply chain complexity, with Korber. Find out more on www.koerber-supplychain-software.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508097278/en/

Contacts:

Kathleen Fischer

Director, Corporate Communications Software

Korber Business Area Supply Chain

kathleen.fischer@koerber-supplychain.com

330.289.3342
Travelers can enter to become a tourist for the year and snag 25% off flights

PLAY, a low-cost airline operating flights between the United States and Europe, today announced it is giving away free flights for one year to make a lucky winner a "tourist for the year." PLAY is celebrating National Tourist Appreciation Day all week long with this giveaway plus 25% off flights to 10 destinations.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508827097/en/

Travelers can enter PLAY's giveaway to become a tourist for the year. (Photo: Business Wire)

Today through May 12 at 11:59 p.m. ET, travelers can enter to win free PLAY flights for one year from Boston, New York, and D.C. to more than 40 destinations. With flight costs covered by PLAY, the winner of this giveaway can embark on spontaneous trips, plan getaways to dream destinations, and experience new cultures at incredible destinations without spending their budget to fly across the Atlantic. Aspiring tourists can enter PLAY's giveaway at https://www.flyplay.com/en-us/tourist-for-a-year-giveaway. The lucky winner will be selected randomly and announced on May 16, 2024. PLAY will notify the winner via email.

With low-cost flights, PLAY makes travel to Iceland and other incredible European destinations, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, London, Paris, Venice, and more, accessible and affordable for all travelers. While only one person can win the Tourist for a Year Giveaway, PLAY invites all travelers to add another trip to their 2024 travel schedule with 25% off flights to 10 destinations: Iceland, Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Gothenburg, Hamburg, London, Paris, and Stockholm. Passengers can book now to explore a new tourist destination or revisit their favorite place, spending even less than PLAY's already low fares with this incredible discount.

"We want to celebrate all of our travelers and passengers with this exciting promotion," said PLAY CEO Einar Orn Olafsson. "Travelers can take advantage of this discount on our already affordable flights to visit more tourist destinations this year and enter for the chance to fly with us for free for a whole year."

The 25% flight discount begins today and ends on May 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The booking periods for discounted flights from New York Stewart International Airport are June through December 2024 or July through December 2024 for flights from Boston Logan International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport; both exclude Thanksgiving. The offer applies to airfare (not taxes, fees, additional services and carrier charges). Restrictions and baggage fees apply, additional details of this promotion are available at https://www.flyplay.com/en-us/tourist-for-a-year-giveaway.

Learn more about PLAY or book a flight here.

About PLAY

PLAY is a low-cost airline operating flights between Iceland and Europe, and North America as of 2022. Founded in Reykjavik in 2019 by a management team with significant experience in the aviation industry, the company operates flights on new Airbus A321NEO and A320NEO aircraft, offering streamlined, no-frills service that allows travelers to pay less and "play more." Safety comes first for PLAY. On-time performance, simplicity, happiness and low prices are the airline's core principles.

The airline seeks to enable passengers to see the world, but not without considering its environmental impact. PLAY is being developed with sustainability initiatives and benchmarks in place to track and reduce fuel consumption, offset carbon emissions, and limit waste. Learn more or book a flight at www.flyplay.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508827097/en/

Contacts:

U.S. Press Contact

Laura Shubel

BIG FISH PR for PLAY

617-713-3800

play@bigfishpr.com
HOUSTON and LONDON, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LyondellBasell today announced the formal launch of a strategic review of the European assets of its Olefins & Polyolefins and Intermediates & Derivatives business units. The assessment will evaluate the assets through the lens of the company's strategy to Grow & Upgrade the Core, Build a Profitable Circular and Low Carbon Solutions Business, and Step Up Performance & Culture.

"At the 2023 Capital Markets Day, we stated our intent to concentrate our portfolio around businesses with long-lasting competitive advantage and to reinvest around those advantaged areas generating superior returns at meaningful scale," said Peter Vanacker, LyondellBasell chief executive officer. "These criteria have not changed."

The company's investments in a commercial-scale MoReTec plant, LyondellBasell's proprietary technology to convert plastic waste into liquid raw materials, and the development of a circularity hub in the Cologne, Germany region will continue as planned. LyondellBasell will also continue to invest and leverage its differential technology position as a key enabler to grow and upgrade the core asset base.

"The company will prioritize its investments to align operations with our circularity and net zero ambitions," Vanacker added. "We understand that strategic assessments can create uncertainty for our employees and customers, but we are committed to operate our assets safely and reliably throughout this process."

Media Inquiries

LyondellBasell Media Relations

Phone: +1 713 309 4791

Email:mediarelations@lyondellbasell.com

Or:

Robert Kleissen, External Affairs Europe

Phone: +31 6 273 573 98

Email: robert.kleissen@lyondellbasell.com

About LyondellBasell?

We are LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) - a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors and society. As one of the world's largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit www.lyondellbasell.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management of LyondellBasell which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially based on factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, our ability to successfully implement initiatives identified pursuant to our Value Enhancement Program and generate anticipated earnings; our ability to meet our sustainability goals, including the ability to increase production of recycled and renewable-based polymers to meet our targets and forecasts, and reduce our emissions and achieve net zero emissions by the time set in our goals; the successful construction and operation of any proposed facilities described; competitive product and pricing pressures; our ability to identify, evaluate and complete any strategic alternative related to the European assets. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which can be found at www.LyondellBasell.com on the Investor Relations page and on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov. There is no assurance that any of the actions, events or results of the forward-looking statements will occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and are based on the estimates and opinions of management of LyondellBasell at the time the statements are made. LyondellBasell does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change, except as required by law.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/558633/LyondellBasell_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lyondellbasell-weighs-strategic-options-for-european-assets-302139316.html
REDDING, Calif., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report titled, 'Genomics Market by Technology (Sequencing, Microarray, PCR, Nucleic Acid Extraction) Application (Drug Discovery, Diagnostic, Research) End User (Pharmaceutical, Hospital, Academic) Offering (Instrument, Consumable, Software) - Global Forecast to 2031,' published by Meticulous Research, the genomics market is expected to register a CAGR of 11.1% from 2024 to 2031 to reach $70.52 billion by 2031.

Download Sample Report- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=1262

Genomics is the study of genes and their function, including genome organization, structure, function, and evolution. It involves analyzing the DNA sequence and studying the interactions between genes, environmental factors, and individual characteristics to gain a comprehensive understanding of the biological systems and processes that regulate life. Genomics plays an essential role in personalized medicine, genetic counseling, biotechnology, and drug development.

Key market players are implementing various market strategies such as acquisitions and collaborations. For instance, in May 2022, Illumina, Inc. (U.S.) collaborated with Allegheny Health Network (U.S.) to enhance patient care by evaluating the impact of in-house comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP).

The report offers a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the offerings, geographic presences, and key growth strategies adopted by leading market players over the past three to four years.

The key players operating in the global genomics market are Agilent Technologies, Inc. (U.S.), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (U.S.), Danaher Corporation (U.S.), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.), Illumina, Inc. (U.S.), QIAGEN N.V. (Netherlands), Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (U.S.), Oxford Nanopore Technologies Plc. (U.K.), Eppendorf SE (Germany), Myriad Genetics, Inc. (U.S.), Revvity, Inc. (Formerly PerkinElmer, Inc.) (U.S.), and BGI Genomics Co. Ltd (China).

Decreasing Cost of Sequencing to Drive the Genomics Market's Growth

The cost of sequencing genomics has steadily decreased over the past several years, making it feasible for researchers to sequence the genomes of more individuals and organisms, leading to new discoveries and insights. Since the first human genome was sequenced in 2001 at the cost of several billion dollars, the price of sequencing a genome has decreased dramatically. Today, it is possible to sequence a human genome for under USD 1,000. The decrease in cost has been driven by advances in sequencing technology and improvements in the efficiency of the sequencing process.

As the cost of sequencing has decreased, it has become more feasible to sequence the genomes of large populations, leading to new discoveries in fields such as population genetics and personalized medicine. It has also made it possible to sequence the genomes of many different species, which has led to new insights into the evolution of life on Earth. One of the most significant implications of the falling cost of sequencing is that it has made genomic medicine more accessible. Sequencing a patient's genome enables doctors to identify genetic variations that may contribute to the patient's disease, allowing them to develop personalized treatment plans. This process has the potential to revolutionize medicine and improve patient outcomes significantly. Thus, the declining cost of genomics sequencing has significantly impacted scientific research and opened up new possibilities for personalized medicine.

The global genomics market is segmented based on Offering (Systems, Consumables, Software, and Services), Technology (Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Sequencing [Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Other Sequencing Technologies], Nucleic Acid Extraction and Purification, Microarray and Other Technologies), Application (Diagnostics, Drug Discovery & Development, Life Science Research [Cancer Research, Stem Cell Research, and Other Life Science Research], and Other Applications), End User (Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic Laboratories, Contract Research Organizations (CROs), Academic & Research Institutes, and Other End Users), and Geography. The study also evaluates industry competitors and analyzes the market at the global and regional levels.

Get a Glimpse Inside: Request Sample Pages- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-sample-report/cp_id=1262

Among all the offerings studied in this report, in 2024, the consumables segment is expected to account for the largest share of 69% of the overall genomics market. Increased demand for consumables due to the surge in genomic research and the rising adoption of genomics in drug discovery & development, sample preparation, and quality control in laboratories contribute to the large market share of this segment. Sample preparation is a critical step in genomic analysis, and it often requires consumables such as DNA extraction kits and purification columns. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute (U.S.), it is estimated that genomics research will generate between 2 and 40 exabytes of data within the next decade. As more samples are being processed in genomic research, the demand for these consumables is increasing.

Among all the technologies studied in this report, the sequencing segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 15% during the forecast period. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the increasing availability and affordability of sequencing technology, coupled with advances in data analysis and expanding applications in diverse fields. Sequencing technology is utilized to sequence the genomes of large populations, leading to new discoveries in fields like population genetics and personalized medicine.

Have Specific Research Needs? Request a Customized Report-

https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-customization/cp_id=1262

Among all the applications studied in this report, the drug discovery & development segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Additionally, genomics also plays an important role in the development of personalized medicine. Genomic data can identify genetic variations associated with an increased risk of certain diseases. The funding for the development of personalized medicine supports the segment's growth. For instance, in November 2021, Closed Loop Medicine Ltd (U.K.) announced the closing of a USD 17 million investment from the U.K. and European venture capital investors. The investment was utilized for the development of personalized drug + digital therapy (DTx) combination products.

Among all end users studied in this report, in 2024, the pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment is expected to account for the largest share of 25% of the genomics market. Increased attention towards personalized medicine, smart drug delivery, and biomarker discovery contributes to the large market share of this segment. Moreover, various companies are securing funding in the field of genomics aimed at scaling their technologies, enhancing customer focus, and supporting ongoing product innovations. For instance, in April 2023, Zetta Genomics Limited (U.K.) secured USD 2.4 million (GBP 1.9 million) in a second seed funding round. The funding is intended to help improve research, medical, and healthcare outcomes of genomics studies.

Among all geographies studied in this report, in 2024, North America is expected to hold the largest share of 53% of the genomics market. The North America genomics market is estimated to be worth USD 18 billion in 2024. North America's major market share can be attributed to technological innovations, the presence of key players, and high investments in R&D. The region has a strong base of genomics expertise, including academic researchers and industry leaders. The U.S. government is continuously focusing on genomic research to develop novel research approaches, creating opportunities for the use of genomic products. For instance, in March 2022, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced funding of USD 89 million for advancing genome editing projects to develop new technologies and novel research approaches in the somatic cell genome editing program.

However, the Asia-Pacific genomics market is expected to register the highest CAGR of 14% during the forecast period. Rising government spending to increase testing capacities, increasing cases of inherited diseases such as Down Syndrome, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, colon (colorectal) cancer, and breast cancer; growing awareness about the significance of genetic tests; and increasing government initiatives promoting genetic testing contribute to the growth of the market.

Browse the In-depth Report- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/genomics-market-1262

Scope of the Report:

Genomics Market Assessment-by Offering

Systems

Consumables

Software

Services

Genomics Market Assessment-by Technology

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Sequencing NGS Other Sequencing Technologies

Nucleic Acid Extraction and Purification

Microarray

Other Technologies

Note: Other sequencing technologies include pyrosequencing, degradome sequencing, sanger sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing, and methylation sequencing.

Note: Other technologies include cell counting, transfection, and gene editing.

Genomics Market Assessment-by Application

Diagnostics

Drug Discovery & Development

Life Science Research Cancer Research Stem Cell Research Other Life Science Research

Other Applications

Note: Other life science research applications include cardiovascular research, osteoporosis, immunology, neurobiology, cellular and molecular biology, and diabetes

Note: Other applications include agriculture, forensics, and environmental applications.

Genomics Market Assessment-by End User

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

Hospitals & Clinics

Diagnostics Laboratories

Contract Research Organizations (CROs)

Academic & Research Institutes

Other End Users

Note: Other end users include food & beverage companies, agriculture companies, and forensics.

Genomics Market Assessment-by Geography

North America U.S. Canada

Europe Germany France U.K. Italy Spain Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific China Japan India Rest of APAC

Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

Unlock Opportunities: Buy Now- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/61289368

Related Reports:

NGS Library Preparation Market By Product (Kits, Reagents, Instruments), Sequencing Type (Genome, Exome, Targeted), Application (Diagnostics, Discovery), End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Pharmaceutical, Academic) - Global Forecast to 2030

Artificial Intelligence in Genomics Market by Offering (Software, Services), Functionality (Sequencing, Gene Editing), Application (Diagnostics, Precision Medicine, Drug Discovery and Development), Delivery Mode (On-premise, Cloud), and End User- Global Forecast to 2029

Genetic Testing Market By Product & Service (Consumables, Reagents, Instruments, Services), Test Type (Diagnostic, Prenatal, Carrier, Newborn, Preimplantation), Method (Molecular, Chromosomal), End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories) - Global Forecast to 2029

Liquid Handling Systems Market By Type (Automated, Electronic, Manual), Product (Pipette, Consumables, Burette, Software, Microplate), Application (Drug Discovery, Cancer & Genomics, Clinical), End User (Hospital, Diagnostic Lab) - Global Forecast to 2029

NGS Automation Market By Product (Platform, Consumables), Sequencing Type (Whole Genome, Exome, Targeted), Application (Drug Discovery, Diagnostics), End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Pharmaceutical, Academic) - Global Forecast to 2029

Next-generation Sequencing Services Market by Type (Targeted Sequencing, Exome, RNA-Seq, ChIP Sequencing), Technology (Sequencing by Synthesis, Nanopore, SMRT), Application (Clinical Diagnosis, Biomarker Discovery), & End User - Forecast to 2028

Latin America Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)Market by Type (Consumables, NGS Platform), Sequencing Type (Whole Genome, Targeted), Technology (Sequencing by Synthesis, Sequencing by Ligation), Application (Clinical, Research), End User - Forecast to 2027

Next Generation Sequencing Market by Type (Consumables, NGS Platform, Software), Sequencing Type (Whole Genome, Targeted), Technology (Sequencing by Synthesis, Sequencing by Ligation), Application (Clinical, Research), End User - Global Forecasts to 2025

Related Blogs:

Top 10 Companies In Genomics Market

Genomics: A Revolution in Diagnostics & Drug Discovery

About Meticulous Research

Meticulous Research was founded in 2010 and incorporated as Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. in 2013 as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 1956. Since its incorporation, the company has become the leading provider of premium market intelligence in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

The name of our company defines our services, strengths, and values. Since the inception, we have only thrived to research, analyze, and present the critical market data with great attention to details. With the meticulous primary and secondary research techniques, we have built strong capabilities in data collection, interpretation, and analysis of data including qualitative and quantitative research with the finest team of analysts. We design our meticulously analyzed intelligent and value-driven syndicate market research reports, custom studies, quick turnaround research, and consulting solutions to address business challenges of sustainable growth.

Contact:

Mr. Khushal Bombe

Meticulous Market Research Inc.

1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding,

California, 96001, U.S.

USA: +1-646-781-8004

Europe: +44-203-868-8738

APAC: +91 744-7780008

Email- sales@meticulousresearch.com

Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/

Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research

Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/245/genomics-market-2031

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1757980/Meticulous_Research_Logo_1.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/genomics-market-to-be-worth-70-52-billion-by-2031exclusive-report-by-meticulous-research-302139947.html
Indian Diamond Brand Celebrates Achievement of its First Net Zero Certified Facilities Six Years Ahead of Schedule

SURAT, India, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally-renowned natural diamond crafting company Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. (SRK) announced today a trailblazing achievement toward emissions elimination. Initially set to reach net zero at its two flagship crafting facilities SRK House and SRK Empire in 2030, SRK joined forces with the Global Network for Zero ( GNFZ ) to accelerate its target to 2024, becoming the first in the world to achieve the landmark net zero building certification.

Already two of the highest performing LEED certified buildings in the world, SRK House and SRK Empire have long been the shining example of the brand's commitment to proactively reducing its carbon footprint. And today, after teaming up with GNFZ, a revolutionary net zero certification body founded by former U.S. Green Building Council President and CEO, Mahesh Ramanujam, SRK has successfully accelerated the net zero certification of both buildings more than six years ahead of schedule.

"In 2015, the world outlined its ambitious Paris Agreement targets. But these rigorous timelines and interim benchmarks are based on data our warming world has already outpaced. Our partnership with GNFZ presents an opportunity for us to lead by example, accelerate the decarbonization of the diamond sector, and share our best practices with colleagues pursuing net zero around the world," says SRK Brand Custodian Shreyans Dholakia.

Strategies SRK employed at their facilities to certify include installing an off-site 6 MW solar power plant to mitigate their Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and, for Scope 3, converting all cars owned by SRK to electric, installing solar-power electric vehicle charging stations, creating an app to track employee daily commute modes and practices, and planting trees over a 200-acre land area.

SRK's certification reaffirms their enduring commitment to pursuing and sustaining a zero emissions future. The trailblazing decarbonization work of SRK is a signal to the global diamond sector and business community at large that, as GNFZ cites in their mission, now is the time to bring "net zero within reach" for all. The GNFZ team will continually monitor the company's data, verify its net zero achievements, and ensure it charts a perpetual path for sustaining world class zero emissions performance.

About Shree Ramkrishna Exports

Founded by Shri Govind Dholakia aka Govindkaka, SRK is one of the world's leading diamond crafting and exporting conglomerates. Valued at nearly 1.8 billion USD, SRK employs over 6,000 people and has played a pivotal role in transforming India's contribution to the global economy over the last six decades. A purpose driven organization committed to what it calls 'PURE' trust, transparency, and tenacity, SRK is leading the gems and jewelry industry to prioritize sustainable practices, compliances, and shedding light on the urgent and necessary acceleration efforts for a zero emissions India and beyond. SRK is recognized as the most compliant company in the industry with the highest number of ISO, System & Process certifications Additionally, nearly 4.5% of SRK's profits?are contributed to various philanthropic and community welfare initiatives. Rooted in Govindkaka's lifelong pursuit of equitable opportunity, upward mobility, and universal living standards, the pioneering diamond entity holds a dedication to ensuring sustainability and human welfare remain the cornerstones of its growing empire for good.

Media Contact:

Email ID: anvesha.ac@srkexp.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407809/SRK_Empire_and_SRK_House.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1926750/FINAL_SRK_LOGO_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/srk-accelerates-new-sustainability-standard-becomes-the-1st-to-achieve-landmark-net-zero-certification-in-global-diamond-sector-302139952.html
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Glow LifeTech Corp. (CSE: GLOW) (OTCQB: GLWLF) ("Glow" or the "Company") announces that, further to its press release of April 18, 2024, the Ontario Securities Commission (the "OSC") has issued a failure to file cease trade order against the Company in respect of the Company's securities under Multilateral Instrument 11-103 Failure-to-File Cease Trade Orders in Multiple Jurisdictions (the "CTO").

The CTO was issued as a result of the Company's failure to file its audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, annual management's discussion and analysis for the same period and management certifications of annual filings (collectively, the "Annual Filings") before the April 29, 2024 filing deadline.

Despite the CTO, a beneficial holder of a security of the Company who is not, and was not as of the date of the CTO, an insider or control person of the Company may sell securities of the Company acquired before the date of the CTO if: (a) the sale is made through a "foreign organized regulated market", as defined in section 1.1 of the Universal Market Integrity Rules of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada; and (b) the sale is made through an investment dealer registered in a jurisdiction of Canada in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Holders of the Company's securities are urged to consult with their own investment advisors or legal counsel about the implications of the CTO.

The Company does not expect an interruption of the operations of the Company during the CTO. Revocation of the CTO is expected to occur within a few days after the Annual Filings are made.

Until the Company has filed the Annual Filings, members of the Company's management and other insiders are subject to an insider trading black-out. The Company confirms that, other than as disclosed in prior press releases and material change reports, there have been no material business developments since the filing of the Company's latest interim financial report.

SUBSCRIBE: For more information on Glow or to subscribe to the Company's mail list visit: https://www.glowlifetech.com/news

About Glow LifeTech Corp.

Glow LifeTech is a Canadian-based biotechnology company focused on producing nutraceutical and cannabinoid-based products with dramatically enhanced bioavailability, absorption and effectiveness. Glow has rights to the groundbreaking, plant-based MyCell Technology delivery system, which transforms poorly absorbed natural compounds into enhanced water-compatible concentrates that unlock the full healing potential of the valuable compounds.

Website: www.glowlifetech.com

Contact:

James Van Staveren

Glow LifeTech Corp.

TF. 855-442-GLOW (4569)

ir@glowlifetech.com

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for the technology described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208383

SOURCE: Glow LifeTech Corp.
Arcadis 2024 Annual General Meeting

Arcadis' shareholders appoint board members and approve dividend

Virginie Duperat-Vergne reappointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for an additional four-year term

Deanna Goodwin reappointed to the Arcadis Supervisory Board for a an additional two-year term

Shareholders approved the company's dividend proposal of 0.85 per ordinary share





Amsterdam, 8 May 2024 - Arcadis (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the world's leading company delivering data-driven sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets, confirms that all resolutions that were brought up for vote were adopted during its annual General Meeting earlier today.

Virginie Duperat-Vergne was reappointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Arcadis N.V. for an additional period of four years. She will continue to be a member of the Executive Board and member of the Arcadis Executive Leadership Team. Ms. Duperat joined Arcadis in 2020 and has been serving as the CFO since then.

In addition, Deanna Goodwin was reappointed to the Supervisory Board for an additional two-year term. Ms. Goodwin has been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2016 and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee since 2022.

Shareholders approved the company's dividend proposal of 0.85 per ordinary share, representing 34% of net income from operations in 2023. The proposal is in accordance with Arcadis' dividend policy which aims for a pay-out of 30-40% of net income from operations.

The voting outcome per agenda item will be published on the Arcadis website in the coming days.

ARCADIS INVESTOR RELATIONS

Christine Disch | +31

ABOUT ARCADIS

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering data-driven sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 36,000 architects, data analysts, designers, engineers, project planners, water management and sustainability experts, all driven by our passion for improving quality of life. As part of our commitment to accelerating a planet positive future, we work with our clients to make sustainable project choices, combining digital and human innovation, and embracing future-focused skills across the environment, energy and water, buildings, transport, and infrastructure sectors. We operate in over 30 countries, and in 2023 reported 5.0 billion in gross revenues. www.arcadis.com?

Attachment
HR professionals focusing on maintaining employee engagement and retaining top talent in 2024

According to the 2023-24 SHRM State of the Workplace Report, upskilling an evolving workforce and maintaining employee engagement are among the two most critical issues facing organizations today*. To address these key issues, Open Education participated in the SHRM Talent Conference & Expo 2024 to offer its accessible, cost-effective and scalable corporate training solution. Through high quality, live language instruction, Open Education enables organizations to enhance both employee satisfaction and productivity.

With the Baby Boomer generation nearing retirement and advancing technologies giving rise to new automation tools, there's an unprecedented knowledge and skills gap within the workforce. Unsurprisingly, upskilling or reskilling the current workforce is a top 2024 priority for 53 percent of organizations, yet only 21 percent were very or extremely effective at upskilling or reskilling in 2023, according to SHRM's report*. To combat these rising concerns, Open Education enables organizations to adequately address skills gaps, while cultivating a workforce equipped for the evolving language demands of the workplace.

"The advantages of Open Education extend beyond immediate cost savings. By providing employees access to valuable educational resources, organizations can foster a culture of continuous learning," commented Andres Moreno, founder, chairman and CEO of the company. "This not only enhances employee skill sets, but also boosts employee engagement."

As reported by SHRM, maintaining high levels of employee engagement is another key factor in organizational success. In fact, when HR professionals were asked what they believed their organizations would prioritize in 2024, the two most common answers were "maintaining employee morale and engagement," and "retaining top talent*." To do so, employers must recognize the importance of tools that emphasize employee recognition as a way to boost performance.

"When employees feel their organization invests in their development, they're more likely to be satisfied and productive," shared Moreno. "Through Open Education, we seamlessly integrate recognition tools and resources in our learning software to publicly acknowledge employee achievements and contributions, which fosters a sense of value and belonging among employees."

By partnering with Open Education to upskill their workforce and maintain employees engaged, organizations can get one step closer to cultivating a highly skilled, motivated and adaptable workforce.

For more details on Open Education, visit https://www.openeducation.com.

*2023-24 SHRM State of the Workplace Report, SHRM Enterprise Solutions, 2022

Contact Information

Thais Oliveira

VP, Brand Marketing

press@openenglish.com

SOURCE: Open Education

View the original press release on newswire.com.
MENOMONEE FALLS, WI / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / MTE Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Steel Partners and leading global supplier of power quality solutions, is proud to announce that they have been named a Top Workplace by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This esteemed award highlights outstanding businesses in Southeastern Wisconsin, and MTE Corporation is honored to be counted among the distinguished recipients.

"Our team is ecstatic to be acknowledged as a premier workplace in our region," stated Ahsan Javed, President. "This distinction underscores the tireless dedication and passion of our employees. Moving forward, we will continue to provide our team with a supportive and engaging workplace experience that enables us to chart a course to even greater accomplishments."

For 2024, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel invited 2,890 organizations to survey their employees, and based on empirical feedback, 169 firms earned recognition as top workplaces. Employers receive the Top Workplaces recognition when their employee benchmarks exceed national standards.

Highlighting the significance of the award, Charlene Franz, Vice President of Human Resources and Environment, Health, & Safety at MTE Corporation, emphasized, "This honor speaks volumes about our company culture, which is anchored in the values of teamwork, integrity, respect, and commitment. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are dedicated to maintaining a workplace environment that fosters their well-being and continuous professional development."

MTE team members participated in a confidential survey, rating the company on various aspects such as leadership, career advancement opportunities, workplace flexibility, compensation, benefits, and the impact of company policies on innovation and morale.

Click here to view the Top Workplaces special section in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

About MTE Corporation

MTE Corporation is a global supplier of power quality products designed to improve the reliability of power electronic systems. MTE designs, manufactures, and distributes passive harmonic filters, line/load reactors, link chokes, dV/dt and sinewave motor protection filters, TEAL Power Conditioning and Distribution Units, and custom magnetic products for the most demanding industries. MTE Corporation is an operating company within the Diversified Industrial Segment of Steel Partners Holding L.P. For more information, please visit www.mtecorpstaging.wpenginepowered.com.

About Steel Partners

Steel Partners Holdings L.P. is a diversified global holding company that owns and operates businesses, including diversified industrial products, energy, defense, supply chain management and logistics, banking, and youth sports. For more information about Steel Partners, please visit www.steelpartners.com.

To learn about working at MTE Corporation, visit our Careers page at mtecorp.com.

Contact Information

Molly Zeller

Marketing Generalist

marketing@mtecorp.com

(262) 946-2867





SOURCE: MTE Corporation

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Bilingual school in Budapest nurtures envoys of China-Hungary friendship

11:11, May 08, 2024 By Yan Huan, Han Shuo, Liu Zhonghua ( People's Daily

The Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school was established in Budapest, capital of Hungary, in September 2004. It is the first full-time public school in Central and Eastern Europe that uses Chinese and the local language for instruction. Over the past nearly 20 years, the school has played a unique role in promoting cultural exchanges between China and Hungary.

In early 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from the students of the school, encouraging the Hungarian youths to learn more about China and become envoys of the China-Hungary friendship.

Second-grade students of the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school in Budapest, Hungary have a Chinese language class. (Photo/Yi Lin)

When the school was just founded, it had around 100 students, and now the figure has surged to more than 500. More and more Hungarian students are embracing the Chinese language and culture, and many of them have been admitted to Chinese universities.

"Our goal is to nurture a batch of 'builders of Hungary-China friendship,'" said Zsuzsanna Erdelyi, principal of Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school.

She told People's Daily that apart from local students, the school also enrolls those from China, so that students from the two countries can learn and play together, which not only helps improve their academic performance, but also fosters profound friendship between them.

When a class was over, eleventh-grade students Sanyi and Li Fulin started playing Chinese chess in a corridor. Sanyi once lived in China with his father. He was sent to the bilingual school by his parents after they saw the prospering development of China and the huge potential of Hungary-China cooperation.

"It was so difficult for me to learn Chinese as a beginner," Sanyi said. However, as he gained more and more Chinese friends, he has gradually developed a passion in speaking Chinese.

Tenth-grade student Erdos Artur of the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school in Budapest, Hungary has a Chinese tea culture class. (Photo/Yi Lin)

"Last year I had a study tour to China, during which I visited Nanjing University. I like it very much and hope I can be admitted to the university one day," Sanyi told People's Daily.

To create a better learning atmosphere for the students, the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school holds rich and splendid cultural activities that invite parents and all sectors of Hungarian society.

For instance, it has opened a Chinese language class for parents and hosts "Chinese open days" during traditional Chinese holidays, to encourage students and their parents to join fun cultural activities such as Chinese tea brewing, paper cutting and lantern making.

Erdelyi said the Chinese culture is charming and joining these activities offers so much fun.

Papp Nora and Papp Dora are a pair of twins who have been learning at the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school since they were very young. The two eighth-grade students consider the school their second home.

Eleventh-grade students Sanyi (left) and Li Fulin of the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school in Budapest, Hungary play Chinese chess after a class. (Photo/Yi Lin)

"The teachers always help me with patience and answer my questions," Papp Dora said, adding that Chinese is a very beautiful language. According to her, she likes Chinese calligraphy while her sister loves traditional Chinese costumes. The two practice Chinese together every day.

Educated by the school, the twins have developed carefulness, diligence and resilience, which are all important qualities in any stage of life, said Trippon Mariann, mother of the twins and chief economist of a Hungarian bank. She's very optimistic about the potential of the Chinese economy, and believes that learning Chinese would gain her children more advantages for their future development.

Li Elizabet Fanni studies at Fudan University, Shanghai. She is one of the earliest students of the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school to study in China. Recently, she served the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, as a volunteer, offering services for Chinese and Hungarian enterprises.

"I hope more young Hungarians can visit China and see with their own eyes the development of the country," she said, adding that she and other students will work to contribute to and carry on the Hungary-China friendship.

After nearly 20 years of development, the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school has become an important witness to the bilateral relations between Hungary and China, Erdelyi said, adding that Xi's first-ever state visit to Hungary will bring huge encouragement and inspiration to students of the school.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Austin, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Maxwell Biosciences, a preclinical drug platform company focused on developing biomimetic therapeutics that improve upon natural immune system peptides based on its patented Claromer technology platform, today announced that they have entered into a second Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID)). Part of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, USAMRIID is the U.S Army's premier institution and facility for defensive research into countermeasures against biological warfare, located on Fort Detrick, Maryland.

USAMRIID will test Maxwell Biosciences' Claromer peptoids for use as an antiviral therapeutic agent in USAMRIID's established in vivo infection models and as an antibacterial therapeutic against USAMRIID's bacterial select agent collection. Pending successful results from initial testing and by mutual agreement, small animal dosing and tolerability tests would also be performed by USAMRIID.

"Entering a second collaborative research and development agreement with USAMRIID, the world's preeminent biodefense research organization, demonstrates the remarkable momentum behind Maxwell's Claromer platform technology," said J.Scotch McClure, CEO of Maxwell Biosciences.

"Our CRADAs with USAMRIID accelerate research into how Maxwell's technology may be a crucial biodefense tool with impacts for both military and civilian populations," continued McClure. "With infectious disease threats like Avian Flu continuing to emerge - these agreements set America firmly in a global leadership position by developing effective therapeutics against existential pathogens."

About USAMRIID

Since 1969, USAMRIID has provided leading edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological threat agents. The Institute is the only laboratory in the Department of Defense equipped to safely study highly hazardous viruses requiring maximum containment at Biosafety Level 4. Research conducted at USAMRIID leads to vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and training programs that protect both Warfighters and civilians. The Institute's unique science and technology base serves not only to address current threats to our Armed Forces but also is an essential element in the medical response to any future biological threats that may confront our nation. For more information, visit: https://usamriid.health.mil/.

About Maxwell Biosciences

Founded in 2016, Maxwell Biosciences is a pre-clinical drug platform company that develops biomimetic therapeutics-synthetic compounds that mimic and improve upon natural immune system peptides. Inspired by nature, these small molecules have been shown to be effective against Ebola, pan-coronavirus, pan-Influenza A (avian, swine, and human) in destroying not just viruses, but also all tested bacteria, fungi and biofilms with a single compound, while safely avoiding healthy cells. This "One Drug for Many Bugs" technology has been shown to be well-tolerated in human tissues in vitro, and in multiple animal studies, are shelf-stable and do not require a cold-chain. The compounds imitate key components of the immune system, humanity's greatest asset in fighting disease. Maxwell's technology is protected by numerous granted and pending patents and is led by a world-class team of scientists, military veterans, and experienced life science executives.

To learn more about Maxwell Biosciences, visit MaxwellBiosciences.com, or follow us on X.

Contact Info: 1-855-629-2461; investor.relations@maxwellbiosciences.com

The information contained in this press release does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the Government and no official endorsement should be inferred.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208303

SOURCE: Maxwell Biosciences, Inc.
Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 08

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

8 May 2024

REDDE NORTHGATE PLC

("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 8 May 2024 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 50,000 Weighted average purchase price paid 397.64 pence per share Highest purchase price paid 397.75 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid 397.5 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 19,239,362 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 226,852,061 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions (as at 8 May 2024)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 28,000 22,000 397.75 397.50 11:05:39 15:04:34 00069865015TRLO0 00069870690TRLO0 LSE LSE

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden.

Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals.

Further information please visit the Company's website:
BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 08

BH Macro Limited (the "Company")

(a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 46235)

Transaction in Own Shares

8 May 2024

BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc:

Ordinary Shares: - Share Class Sterling Sterling Date of purchase: 8 May 2024 8 May 2024 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 43,975 120,100 Lowest price per share (pence) 356.5 355.5 Highest price per share (pence) 356.5 357 Trading venue JPSI LSE Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 43,975 120,100 Weighted average price per day per trading venue (pence): 356.5000 356.4411

The Company intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury.

Following the above share transactions of the relevant US Dollar and Sterling Shares, the total number of shares in issue in each share class of the Company will be as follows:

Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding Treasury) Ordinary Shares held in Treasury 358,768,236 Sterling Shares 15,270,229 Sterling Shares 29,235,299 Dollar Shares Nil Dollar Shares

From 8 May 2024, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 549,984,444.

Enquiries:

Company website: www.bhmacro.com

William Simmonds

JPMorgan Cazenove

Tel: 020 7588 2828

The Company Secretary

Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited

Tel: 01481 745001
Securitas AB (publ) held an Annual General Meeting (AGM) today, May 8, 2024, in Stockholm.

STOCKHOLM, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Appropriation of profit and discharge from liability

The Annual General Meeting adopted the Statement of Income and the Balance Sheet for the Parent Company as well as the Consolidated Statement of Income and the Consolidated Balance Sheet as per December 31, 2023. In accordance with the proposal of the Board, the AGM resolved to pay a dividend of SEK 3.80 per share, to be distributed to the shareholders in two payments of SEK 1.90 per share, respectively. Record date is May 13, 2024, for the first dividend and November 18, 2024, for the second dividend. The first dividend is estimated to be distributed by Euroclear Sweden AB starting on May 16, 2024, for the first dividend and November 21, 2024, for the second dividend. The AGM discharged the Board of Directors and the President from liability for the financial year of 2023.

Board of Directors

The AGM resolved that the number of Board members shall be eight, with no deputy members. The AGM re-elected Asa Bergman, John Brandon, Fredrik Cappelen, Gunilla Fransson, Sofia Schorling Hogberg, Harry Klagsbrun, Johan Menckel and Jan Svensson as Board members. Jan Svensson was re-elected Chair of the Board. The fee to the Board members was determined to SEK 10 830 000 in total (including fees for committee work) apportioned so that the Chair of the Board shall receive SEK 2 900 000 and the other Board members SEK 960 000 each. The Chair of the Audit Committee shall receive SEK 450 000, the Chair of the Remuneration Committee SEK 120 000, the members of the Audit Committee each SEK 290 000 and the members of the Remuneration Committee each SEK 60 000.

Auditor

As auditors, the AGM decided to re-elect the auditing firm Ernst & Young AB, Stockholm, with authorized accountant Rickard Andersson as auditor in charge, for a period up to and including the AGM for 2025. The auditor's fees are to be paid as per agreement.

Remuneration report and incentive program

The AGM approved the Board of Directors' report regarding remuneration. The AGM also resolved, in accordance with the Board's proposal and in line with resolutions at the AGMs since 2019, respectively, to implement a long-term incentive program (LTI 2024/2026).

Authorization of the Board to resolve on acquisition and transfer of the company's shares

In accordance with the Board's proposal, the AGM resolved to authorize the Board to resolve upon acquisitions and transfers of the company's own shares of Series B.

Guidelines for remuneration to members of Group Management

In accordance with the Board's proposal, the AGM resolved to adopt guidelines for remuneration to members of Securitas Group Management, replacing the remuneration guidelines adopted by the AGM 2021.

Further information:

Investors: Micaela Sjokvist, Vice President, Investor Relations, +46 76 116 7443 or email micaela.sjokvist@securitas.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/securitas/r/decisions-at-securitas--annual-general-meeting-2024,c3975193

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/1062/3975193/2787127.pdf Bulletin AGM 2024

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/decisions-at-securitas-annual-general-meeting-2024-302140099.html
Regulatory News:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) today held its Annual General Meeting of shareholders ("AGM") at Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3QL. At the AGM, shareholders passed resolutions to: receive the annual report and the financial statements, re-appoint PSH's auditor, authorize the Directors to determine the remuneration of the auditor, re-elect all of the existing Directors with the exception of Anne Farlow, elect Charlotte Denton, renew PSH's share buyback authority, and permit the disapplication of shareholders' pre-emption rights for any share issuance of 10% or less. All resolutions were passed on a poll.

The specifics of those resolutions can be found in the Notice of Annual General Meeting available on the Company's website: https://pershingsquareholdings.com/company-reports/notices-shareholders/.

The results of the proxy voting of PSH's shares are noted in the chart below. A vote withheld is not a vote in law and has not been counted in the votes for or against a resolution. PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited ("VoteCo") voted its Special Voting Share in favour of the resolutions. VoteCo is not permitted to vote on resolutions 4 and 10 which are Specified Matters for purposes of the UK Listing Rules.

Resolution For Against Votes Withheld Resolution 1: To receive the annual report and the financial statements Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 292,226,866 1,211 1,989 Resolution 2: To re-appoint the Company's auditor Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 292,214,711 13,183 2,172 Resolution 3: To authorise the directors to determine the remuneration of the auditor Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 292,216,837 10,627 2,602 Resolution 4: To re-elect Nicholas Botta as a Director Ordinary Resolution of the holders of Public Shares 103,442,328 4,042,928 4,958 Resolution 5: To re-elect Bronwyn Curtis as a Director Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 292,195,861 29,247 4,958 Resolution 6: To re-elect Andrew Henton as a Director Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 292,195,852 29,256 4,958 Resolution 7: To re-elect Tope Lawani as a Director Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 290,674,539 1,550,569 4,958 Resolution 8: To re-elect Rupert Morley as a Director Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 291,142,938 30,137 1,056,991 Resolution 9: To elect Charlotte Denton as a Director Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 292,221,032 4,076 4,958 Resolution 10: To authorise the Company to buy back shares Special Resolution of the holders of Public Shares 105,884,780 1,603,003 2,431 Resolution 11: To permit the disapplication of pre-emption rights Special Resolution of all Voting Shares 292,104,825 51,603 73,638

A copy of the special resolutions passed at the AGM has been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

PSH also confirmed today that the next quarterly dividend of $0.1456 per Public Share, as previously announced, is payable as follows:

Record Date Payment Date USD Dividend Per Share DRIP Enrollment Deadline Currency Election Deadline 17/5/2024 14/6/2024 $0.1456 24/5/2024 17/5/2024

A proportionate quarterly dividend will be paid to the Special Voting Share, based on its net asset value.

Shareholders may automatically reinvest cash dividends into PSH Public Shares through a Dividend Reinvestment Programme ("DRIP") whereby shares are purchased in the open market by the administrator of the DRIP. Details about the DRIP are available at https://pershingsquareholdings.com/psh-dividend-information/ and through shareholders' brokers.

Dividends will be paid in US dollars unless a shareholder elects to be paid in GBP. Shareholders electing GBP dividends must do so no later than the Currency Election Deadline. Further details about the currency election are available at Pershing Square Holdings' website https://pershingsquareholdings.com/psh-dividend-information/.

Additional Information

The payment of each dividend is subject to the Company being satisfied that the following conditions are met:

the Company will meet the solvency requirements under Companies (Guernsey) Law, immediately after the payment of the dividend;

the Company's total indebtedness will be less than one-third of the Company's total capitalisation after the payment of the relevant interim dividend.

The decision as to whether PSH pays a dividend in the future will be made by the PSH Board with the consent of the Investment Manager. While PSH intends to pay a quarterly dividend going forward, there is no guarantee that PSH will continue to do so. PSH's Board's decision to pay a dividend should not be interpreted to mean that PSH will be profitable in the future.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund.

Category: (PSH:CorporateActions)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508754797/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Camarco

Ed Gascoigne-Pees Julia Tilley +44 (0)20 3781 8339, Media-PershingSquareHoldings@camarco.co.uk
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Qualcomm

Exploring the role of edge devices in reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainability in AI systems

Written by Angela Baker

The economic value of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to the world is immense. Research from McKinsey estimates that generative AI could add the equivalent of $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion annually.1

But the energy cost of AI and its environmental impact can also be extensive unless our technology approach evolves to effectively tackle these challenges.

Current projections vary, but there are startling analyses of generative AI's energy use and its impact on the environment. A peer-reviewed report in Joule projects AI energy use growing to over 85 terawatt-hours annually, more than the usage of many small countries (Ireland is the example given).2 Popular studies, like those from Gartner, paint dire pictures of the environmental impact and the expense of adapting our computing infrastructure to generative AI. Gartner's report predicts that by 2030, AI could consume up to 3.5% of the world's electricity.3

Additionally, data center processing requires cooling, and cooling consumes water. In its latest environmental report, Microsoft disclosed that its global water consumption spiked 34% from 2021 to 2022, an increase that outside researchers tie to AI.

It is imperative to find ways to make AI processing more energy efficient and sustainable. But most reports focus almost entirely on the energy used by AI in the cloud and in data centers.

Increasing Efficiency by Running AI Models in Devices

Generative AI does not have to run exclusively in the cloud.

Currently, training a consumer-grade generative AI model requires a massive cluster of AI hardware and the power to run it. A researcher at the University of Washington estimated that training a model like ChatGPT-3 could use up to 10 gigawatt-hours, roughly equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 1,000 U.S. households.4

But once an AI model is trained, it can be reduced and optimized to run on a significantly less power-hungry piece of hardware, like a smartphone or battery-powered laptop.

For instance, research by analyst firm Creative Strategies5 concludes that Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a flagship processor for smartphones, is 30 times more efficient than a data center on image generation tasks. For laptop PCs, the same report states that Snapdragon X Elite Compute Platform is nearly 28 times more efficient than running the AI task on the data center.

Running AI on local, private devices also saves the expense of sending queries and data across the network (and through the internal data-routing systems at a cloud provider) and sending the answers back.

Finally, the limited processing power of local devices, compared to massive resources available to run queries in cloud data centers, enforces a form of AI discipline on AI software companies, app developers and users. Not all generative AI queries require the resources of cloud-based ChatGPT-4 or its equivalent. By reallocating a portion of AI tasks to the edge, we can leverage the benefits of on-device AI processing, which offers efficient computations with minimal power consumption. A balanced strategy, involving a deliberate distribution of AI workloads across the cloud and edge, can enhance performance efficiency and minimize energy consumption.

As technology providers begin to distribute generative AI capabilities to personal devices and start to gather data on the economics of various query types and where those queries run, we expect that they will start to surface these calculations for users, allowing people to make individual cost-based decisions about how much AI processing power they consume.

Taking Efficient Edge AI Technologies to the Cloud

The technology that enables edge devices, such as smartphones and tablets, has evolved to be both powerful and power-efficient. Users expect these devices to be fast, responsive, and capable of lasting a full day on a single battery charge.

In fact, modern smartphones have surpassed the power of IBM's Deep Blue supercomputer, which gained fame for defeating chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1997.6 What's even more impressive is that these powerful mobile devices consume significantly less energy than an LED light bulb.7

This remarkable energy efficiency is the result of decades of innovation in the field. Lean computing instruction sets have been developed to process data using fewer operations, while systems-on-chip integrate multiple components into a single chip to reduce power consumption.

Such innovations have allowed Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to deliver record-breaking power-efficient cloud AI processing products. This showcases the significant potential of edge technologies in addressing the energy challenge associated with processing AI models in the cloud.

AI might mitigate its own efficiency problems

AI tools are well-suited to optimizing complex systems and can be used to reduce energy requirements and environmental impacts.8 There's a possibility that AI tools can help offset some of the impacts of human-caused climate change. Research from the Boston Consulting Group says that, "AI can accelerate climate action by taking climate modeling to the next level, enabling new approaches to climate education, and supporting breakthroughs in climate science, climate economics, and fundamental research."9

At the moment, the world is still gathering data on the environmental costs and benefits of our new AI tools. The recent COP 28 - UN Climate Change conference highlighted these data gaps to an extent. We are heartened that progress is being made and that AI can help; as Microsoft's Brad Smith put it, "You can't fix what you can't measure, and these new AI and data tools will allow nations to measure emissions far better than they can today."10

In the meantime, it's imperative that we get a better handle on AI's energy use itself, and do what we can to reduce that use - when possible - by running AI models on lower-power devices, and by using models that simply require less power.

At Qualcomm, we believe that AI systems should be designed, developed and deployed in a way that is mindful of environmental impact throughout their lifecycle and value chain. We are working to allow edge devices to run AI processing more efficiently, with leading performance per watt.

Learn more about Qualcomm's responsible AI principles

Read about Qualcomm's sustainability efforts

Opinions expressed in the content posted here are the personal opinions of the original authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of Qualcomm Incorporated or its subsidiaries ("Qualcomm"). The content is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to be an endorsement or representation by Qualcomm or any other party. This site may also provide links or references to non-Qualcomm sites and resources. Qualcomm makes no representations, warranties, or other commitments whatsoever about any non-Qualcomm sites or third-party resources that may be referenced, accessible from, or linked to this site.

Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

References:

1: McKinsey & Company. (Jun 14, 2023). The economic potential of generative AI: The next productivity frontier. Retrieved on Jan 12, 2024 from: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-economic-potential-of-generative-ai-the-next-productivity-frontierintroduction

2: Alex de Vries. (Oct 10, 2023). The growing energy footprint of artificial intelligence. Retrieved on Jan 12, 2024 from: https://www.cell.com/joule/abstract/S2542-4351(23)00365-3

3: Gartner. (Nov 7, 2023). Gartner says CIOs must balance the environmental promises and risks of AI. Retrieved on Jan 12, 2024 from: https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-11-07-gartner-says-cios-must-balance-the-environmental-promises-and-risks-of-ai

4: University of Washington. (Jul 27, 2023). Q&A: UW researcher discusses just how much energy ChatGPT uses. Retrieved on Jan 12, 2024 from: https://www.washington.edu/news/2023/07/27/how-much-energy-does-chatgpt-use/

5: Max Weinbach, Creative Strategies. (Apr 3, 2024). The Power of Efficiency: Edge Al's Role in Sustainable Generative Al Adoption. Retrieved on Apr 11, 2024 from: https://creativestrategies.com/research/gen-ai-edge-testing/

6: ZME Science. (May 11, 2023). Your smartphone is millions of times more powerful than the Apollo 11 guidance computers. Retrieved on Apr 8, 2024 from: https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/technology-articles/computer-science/smartphone-power-compared-to-apollo-432/

7: TechFow. (Nov 17, 2022). How Many Watts Does a Phone Use Per Hour. Retrieved on Apr 8, 2024 from: https://www.techfow.com/how-many-watts-does-a-phone-use-per-hour-beginners-guide/

8: Earth.org. (Sep 27, 2023). 7 Ways AI can support energy conservation efforts. Retrieved on Jan 12, 2024 from: https://earth.org/7-ways-ai-can-support-energy-conservation-efforts/

9: Boston Consulting Group. (Nov 20, 2023). How AI can speed climate action. Retrieved on Jan 12, 2024 from: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2023/how-ai-can-speedup-climate-action

10: Microsoft. (Nov 29, 2023). UNFCCC partners with Microsoft to use AI and advanced data technology to track global carbon emissions and assess progress under the Paris Agreement. Retrieved on Jan 12, 2024 from: https://news.microsoft.com/2023/11/29/unfccc-partners-with-microsoft-to-use-ai-and-advanced-data-technology-to-track-global-carbon-emissions-and-assess-progress-under-the-paris-agreement/

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Qualcomm on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Qualcomm

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/qualcomm

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Qualcomm

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / DOW

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode, entrepreneurs David Roubach and Felix Bobbink share their sustainability innovations within the plastics industry and how they are revolutionizing plastics at both consumer and industrial levels. Dow Global Business Development Director Christophe Marche highlights the need for large businesses to pivot and become disruptive, and University of California, Berkeley professor Dr. Ting Xu shares how at the core of all this disruptive innovation is science and research.

EPISODE NOTES

From compostable fashion developed in the Middle East to simplifying waste into feedstock in Switzerland to reduce fossil fuels in plastics, entrepreneurs David Roubach and Felix Bobbink share their journey of being disrupters in an industry grappling with waste management. But as Dow Global Business Director Christophe Marche explains, scaling disruptive solutions will require incumbent industry leaders to take risks, invest in disrupters and pivot their business models. University of California, Berkeley professor Dr. Ting Xu shares how it will also require the industry to look into the research and science behind scalable solutions.

SHOW CONTRIBUTORS

Host: Maithreyi Seetharaman

Show Producer: Lisa Desai

Sound Production: PhiLipp Schweidler, Department of Noise

Communications Advisor: Jonny West-Symes, Teneo

Artwork: Dow Creative Element

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from DOW on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: DOW

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/dow

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: DOW

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) is launching a series of landmark workshops on hate, starting in British Columbia. The initiative is the first of its kind in Canada and represents a significant milestone in addressing hate across the country.

In British Columbia alone, hate crime rose 62% from 2019 to 2022. Communities disproportionately impacted by hate have flagged rising rates as cause for serious concern. The CRRF, supported by British Columbia's provincial government, is taking decisive action to provide crucial education for law enforcement and support for communities.

Co-developed by the CRRF and Statistics Canada, these workshops have been designed to accomplish three key goals:

Educate communities on how hate is understood and addressed through the criminal justice system.

Provide shared learnings and best practices on how to support victims of hate, either through community support or by going to the police.

Increase awareness and education of hate crimes and incidents to police forces across Canada.

Workshops will take place over two days. The first day will be led by Statistics Canada, and will focus on training the policing community on identifying and recording hate crimes. The second day will be led by the CRRF and will include a technical briefing from Statistics Canada for community members and civil sector practitioners. The workshops will also share valuable information on the Criminal Code and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Applications to attend workshops based in Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia, have now officially opened. Members of community organizations and practitioners who work with individuals who have experienced hate are strongly encouraged to apply. More information on registration and what to expect can be found on the CRRF website.

Key Quotes:

"Let me be clear, we will not tolerate hate in B.C.," said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. "Too many in B.C. are reluctant to report hate crimes to police out of fear or the feeling that nothing will be done. It is crucial that we train law enforcement and community organizations to recognize hate crimes and create spaces for people to come together to address hate. We are pleased to support the CRRF and Statistics Canada to help equip everyone with the tools necessary to identify and stop hate crimes from happening."

"We're looking forward to kicking off our first set of workshops in British Columbia," said Mohammed Hashim, CEO of the CRRF. "These workshops are the culmination of intensive and focused efforts to build bridges across and within communities in Canada. We are striving to advance anti-racism policies and initiatives to better protect and support all those who have experienced hate instances and crimes."

"We are pleased to collaborate with the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and law enforcement across the country to continue to advance the collection and reporting of hate crime incidents," said Andre Loranger, Chief Statistician of Canada.

Quick Facts:

According to Statistics Canada, from 2019 to 2022, the number of police-reported hate crimes across the country rose by 83%.

Police-reported data from 2022 indicated that the most frequently reported hate-motivated criminal offences were: mischief to property, assault and criminal harassment.

Self-reported victimization data from 2019 showed that approximately 80% of what was perceived by victims as a hate-motivated crime had not been reported to police in the 12 months preceding the survey.

Rates of hate in British Columbia in 2022 was 10.2 incidents per 100,000 population.

Overall, hate crime in BC rose 62% from 2019 to 2022.

- 30 -

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) is a federal Crown corporation committed to fighting systemic racism in Canada. The CRRF's mission is to create systemic solutions and advance public policy on anti-racism through partnership engagement, creating awareness and mobilization. For more information, visit https://crrf-fcrr.ca/

Statistics Canada is the national statistical office. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers. For more information about Statistics Canada, visit https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/start

Media contact info

Jayme Wilson

905-320-1291

Statistics Canada

Media Relations

statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208395

SOURCE: Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF)
The long-planned attack on Rafah has begun. On Monday 6 May, the IDF launched airstrikes on the city and issued calls for the evacuation of around 100,000 Palestinians from its eastern neighbourhoods to the so-called humanitarian zones of al-Mawasi towards the coast, and an area west of Khan Younis.

Civilians who have been forced to evacuate Gaza City, then Khan Younis, are now once again desperately fleeing from Rafah. On Tuesday, a tank brigade seized the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing into Egypt. So far, the operation has been limited, with IDF forces poised on the brink of all-out invasion. Why the delay?

Netanyahu is walking a tightrope. He is balancing his own needs (which means appeasing his far-right partners in government), with the pressure he is under from the Biden Administration, which is concerned that a full-on attack on Rafah could have undesired effects from the point of view of US imperialist interests.

An onslaught that risks massively increasing the number of civilian deaths in Gaza would ratchet up the pressure from the masses on, for example, the regimes in Jordan and Egypt. This could open up crises and revolutionary upheavals that could even spell their downfall, risking a domino effect throughout the region, threatening US geopolitical interests and the fragile world economy.

It would also further radicalise the already enraged youth of the United States: a generation whose coast-to-coast encampment protests have provided a lead to the youth of the world. The country is deeply divided. In the final analysis, this is a reflection of widening class divisions, and above all the youth is radicalising in opposition to the genocidal war waged by Israel with the support of the Biden Administration. People are asking themselves: why is there always money for war and destruction, but not for jobs, social services, and decent infrastructure? Why does law and order only seem to apply when police are silencing protestors with batons and tear gas, but not when allies of the US commit war crimes?

While the US ruling class has, so far, backed Netanyahus bloody war, the youth of America have been on the other side of the barricade. They are a sensitive barometer of the wider mood in society, and their courageous stand on Gaza is getting a wide echo among US workers. Already, the powerful UAW union, which organises workers on US campuses, has offered solidarity and pledged action. The movement of the youth is a harbinger of a much wider movement of the US working class. This is a significant factor in the thinking of the US ruling class.

Netanyahu defies his imperialist backers

These pressures explain the delay in the attack on Rafah. Netanyahu has been consistent in his declarations that the attack will eventually take place. The problem he has come up against has nothing to do with any humanitarian concerns on his part. Rather, the issue is: how to go ahead with the attack, while maintaining US support?

An article in the Financial Times points out:

The decision [to commence the attack on Rafah] marks one of the biggest gambles of Netanyahus long career. Halting the fighting to release the hostages would leave Hamas jubilant  and many of its leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, at large. Turning down the deal to push further into Rafah would risk a fundamental breach with the US and leave the fate of the hostages uncertain. It has made the fate of the 132 hostages still held by Hamas one of the thorniest dilemmas of Netanyahus premiership, one in which his political career and Israels security are inextricably intertwined.

The Israeli government is coming into conflict with its main imperialist backer, the United States. They have publicly stated that they are very unhappy with the way US negotiators have gone about the talks with Hamas. The US has, in turn, (via anonymous officials) replied that Netanyahu and the war cabinet have not appeared to approach the latest negotiations in good faith.

Biden has also repeatedly stated his administration will not support a major military operation absent an effective plan to make sure that civilians are not harmed [our emphasis]. Of course, such a guarantee is impossible to provide when we speak of a full-blown attack in a densely-populated city full of men, women, children and the elderly.

According to an anonymous US official, the Biden Administration went as far as pausing weapons shipments to Israel last week. This move, which provoked outrage from the Israeli government and some of the most hardline Zionists in Washington, was a stark reminder to Netanyahu about who funds and facilitates his war, and what would happen if the supply of arms was cut off.

The threat of holding back weapons shipments to Israel should it launch an all-out offensive in Rafah is also a clear indication of the anti-war mood in the United States that the ruling class is having to manoeuvre around.

Netanyahus game

There is also division within Israel over the question of the hostages, which the Hamas leaders have tried to exploit. A big majority in Israel still backs the IDFs attack on Gaza, but a narrow majority (56 percent) think that a hostage deal should be prioritised over a military offensive on Rafah.

It is abundantly clear, however, that Netanyahu, and especially his far-right friends in government, have no real concern for the hostages. The far-right see the present situation as an opportunity to push forward with their agenda of taking the whole of historical Palestine and creating a Greater Israel. By allowing these far-right to determine the agenda, Netanyahu is defying the demands of his imperialist benefactors, and risking a conflagration spreading across the whole of the Middle East.

Hours before the commencement of Israeli military operations in Gaza, Hamas announced it was prepared to accept a three-phase truce, spread over three successive six-week periods, involving the gradual release of hostages. But the sticking point remains the same as in all previous attempts to reach a deal.

Hamas wants solid guarantees from the United States and other powers that the truce would lead to a permanent ceasefire. The Netanyahu government keeps reiterating that it would only consider a temporary ceasefire to recover Israeli hostages, before resuming the war to achieve its goal of totally destroying Hamas.

This approach is determined by Netanyahus own domestic considerations. He can only hold his coalition government together by refusing to compromise with Hamas. A long, drawn-out ceasefire would make it difficult for his government to recommence the war after the three phases are completed.

The far-right Zionist extremists in his coalition have made it clear that they would bring his government down if he accepts such a ceasefire. That would mean the end of Netanyahu politically, and would also expose him further in ongoing court cases for corruption.

With both his career and potentially his personal freedom on the line, his back is up against the wall. This is why he has defiantly stated that Israel would go it alone and attack Rafah, even at the cost of the international isolation of the country.

Prospect of horror in Rafah

Should a full-blown invasion commence, the results would be apocalyptic. It has been reported that Israel has ordered 40,000 tents for the two humanitarian areas, which could house up to 400,000 people. But there are at least 1.5 million people huddled in and around Rafah. With the border to Egypt in Israels grip, many Palestinian families are asking: where are we supposed to go?

Rafah was also the main entry point for aid trucks into Gaza. This is significant because Israel has used its control of other border crossings to severely restrict the delivery of aid, effectively besieging the population. Now that it has direct control over the Rafah crossing, Israel can squeeze the Palestinians of Gaza even further.

A spokesman for the Gaza Border Crossing Authority, Hisham Edwan, has stated that this action has sentenced the residents of the [Gaza] Strip to death. This death sentence is already being carried out, from the commencement of bombardment, to the rising threat of famine. 1.1 million people  half of Gazas pre-war population  are living through catastrophic food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food-Security Phase Classification (IPC).

The advance into Rafah is expected to take place in stages. For now, the evacuation order applies only to the east of the city. IDF officials have, however, stated that they are going after the six remaining battalions of Hamas fighters they claim are hiding in the south, north, west and east of Rafah. Destroying them would involve a systematic attack on one neighbourhood after another: in other words, the all-out assault that Biden has been hoping to avoid.

It goes without saying that the real aim of Netanyahu is not merely the destruction of Hamas, as he has been claiming since day one. The IDF has been systematically reducing everything of value to the Palestinians in Gaza to rubble  housing, schools, universities, hospitals, heritage, water and energy supplies, and any existing infrastructure.

The IDF has issued warnings that anyone going anywhere near the eastern and southern border fences, and anyone remaining within the designated evacuation zone, would be putting themselves in danger. It is a clear warning that they consider everyone in these areas to be a legitimate target.

The number of people killed so far by the Israeli military is at least 35,000. If the attack proceeds across the whole of Rafah, we can expect this to significantly increase, unless the attack is stopped.

Mass opposition

The United States government is experiencing mass opposition to its policy over Gaza, in particular from the courageous movement of the university students, which has faced brutal repression from the state forces and Zionist mobs. We have stated many times in our previous articles that the situation in Gaza is acting as a catalyst in the process of mass radicalisation of workers and youth around the world.

Now, a movement that began at Columbia University in New York, spreading from there across the whole of the US, has now spilled over the border into Canada, and across oceans, with encampments cropping up in the UK, France, Switzerland, the Spanish State, Australia, Japan and many other places.

We have also begun to see students take solidarity action in the Middle East and North Africa: in Cairo, Beirut, Kuwait and elsewhere, protesting against regimes that pay lip service to supporting Palestine, while taking no action. In all, this wave of protest has reached almost 100 campuses globally.

In the US, the movement has begun to spread to the high schools, as seen in Boston, where students from around 12 high schools, inspired by the university students, have been joining the protests.

It is evident to this generation of youth that UN resolutions have no effect on Israels actions, and that decisions of the International Court of Justice are mere gestures. They understand that, when their governments express mealy-mouthed concern for the Palestinian people being bombed in Gaza, they are merely putting on a show. They judge their ruling class not by what they say, but by what they do.

And their actions speak very clearly. They have been backing Netanyahus war machine with financial aid, and with all the weapons he needs. That is why the protest movement is so strong in the United States. The students are fighting the US government as a concrete means of helping the Palestinian people.

They are demanding that all economic and financial connections between US universities and companies, and Israel be made public. They are demanding that all such connections cease and that pressure be brought on the Israeli government to end its genocidal war.

Escalate the movement!

The youth in all countries correctly understand the need for concrete action. They have been on many marches and protests, but the war on Gaza continues. Now we are facing the real threat of the initial attack on Rafah becoming a generalised one. The Israeli ruling class is ruthlessly proceeding in defence of its own interests. It will not be stopped by a limited student movement. A political programme and a plan of action is therefore needed in order to escalate the movement.

Where an encampment is set up, there must be an open debate among all those participating about the programme of demands, and how to concretely advance.

At each encampment, teams of students should be organised to go into all the faculties with leaflets, posters, and speakers, explaining what the movement is about and calling on students to join the movement.

Delegations should be sent to those campuses where no movement has yet developed. All the reports coming in show how quickly a mobilisation can take place on a campus, even when they start with very small numbers. This should be built on.

The university students should also organise teams to discuss with academic and non-academic staff on the campuses. In many places, there has been a great response from professors and lecturers, who have come out to defend the students against police repression. Teams should also go to all the nearby high schools, talk to the students, and invite them to participate in the protests, and to set up action committees to organise assemblies in their schools.

The main emphasis should be to make the movement on the campuses into a mighty mass movement of youth. This would send a clear message to the US ruling class that, if they continue to back Netanyahu, they will be facing a huge backlash on the home front.

The movement is on the right path. The mobilisation of students; rallies and marches; encampments, and so on, are all excellent ways of putting pressure on the authorities. And there is huge potential for involving ever wider layers of students in one campus after another, in one country after another. But even this is not enough. Students do not have the leverage to paralyse society, in order to frustrate the ruling class plans. Therefore, the movement must connect with and involve wider layers of workers.

History shows that a youth movement of such proportions has the potential to spread to the working class as a whole. The student radicalisation of the 1960s culminated in the famous 1968 movement, which saw the massive involvement of workers.

In France, we saw the powerful May 68 general strike and millions of workers occupying the factories. This started as a student movement, which then became the spark that ignited the class struggle on a grand scale. A similar process was seen in Italy, Mexico, Pakistan and many other countries in 1968-69. Such a scenario is not excluded today.

Under the present conditions of crisis affecting the whole system, this movement has the potential to spread well beyond the campuses and across national borders. That is why the students must give structure to their movement, discuss and vote on resolutions that are then taken to all the workplaces, trade unions and working-class neighbourhoods.

In some instances, we have seen workers taking action in solidarity with Palestine (including dockers tasked with shipping weapons, and tech workers developing computer systems for Israels defence capabilities). By reaching such layers, the movement could deal a material blow to the Israeli war machine.

The US authorities were hoping to stop the movement by using brutal repressive measures. But this only served to spread it further. Now that an attack on Rafah has begun, there is no telling how far the struggle could advance.

The concerns of US imperialism about an attack on Rafah are partly determined by the potential for such a movement to erupt. Developing this struggle is a concrete way of showing the ruling class that, if they continue to support the genocidal war in Gaza, then they will be facing revolutionary upheaval on the home front. Faced with such a threat, they could be forced to back off.

Taking the fight to the bosses and bourgeois politicians at home is the best way of helping the Palestinian people in their hour of need. The imperialists must be brought to a situation where they have more to lose than they have to gain from continuing their support for the war.
A fifth-generation farmer, Thomas Neblett shares the importance of passion, sustainability and trusting your instincts.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / From his earliest days, Thomas Neblett could usually be found on a farm - often out among the soybeans, corn, cotton and rice fields of his family's 9,000 acres in the Mississippi Delta.

Today, he is up before dawn and working well into the evening hours managing his own farming operation Sunrise Farms Partnership, with approximately 3,600 acres in Jonestown, Mississippi. But it wasn't always a given that Neblett would go into the family business. His father Rives Neblett was a successful attorney and wasn't hands-on in his farming operation the way many farm owners may be. The younger Neblett knew he was free to explore the world and discover his own passion and way once he graduated from high school, but that the farm would always be there.

"We're a little different in that my dad was a farmer, landowner, a lawyer, a real estate guy, commodity trader and he didn't have his hands directly in the pie on the farm," said Thomas Neblett. "He let me know you don't have to drive a tractor and be out on that farm if that's not what you want to do. And he let it be known early on that he didn't want me to feel like I had to farm or that that was what he wanted me to do."

When Thomas Neblett graduated from high school, he took the path that many Americans follow, and he headed off to college. While a freshman at the University of Mississippi, Thomas went into kidney failure and needed an emergency transplant. That confirmed his growing belief that college was not the path to his future.

I knew then that farming was what I wanted to do - I can tell you for a fact - but this land we own and what my family has been doing for four generations, I think is literally in my blood.

Thomas Neblett

Farming in His Blood

"School was not for me and by the time I got to college, I was over it," noted Thomas Neblett. "I knew then that farming was what I wanted to do - I can tell you for a fact - but this land we own and what my family has been doing for four generations, I think is literally in my blood."

His father, Rives, would agree. His own grandfather, also a lawyer, launched the farming family dynasty in the late 1920s when he began acquiring farmland while practicing law. And on Thomas' mother's side of the family, the farming gene reaches back to his grandfather Charlie Lowrance who was a successful farmer and ginner in Arkansas.

"Thomas has grown up in the operation, worked on the farm in the summers and over the holidays and was active in learning the ropes through my farm managers," shared Rives Neblett, owner of Allendale Planting Company in Shelby, Mississippi, one of the premier farming operations in the Delta. "I had hoped Thomas would finish college, but when he came home at 19 and said he wanted to go into farming, I knew his mind was made up."

Rives Neblett shared his own farming family history and some of the best advice he had ever received from his own father.

"He told me, you can't come back and farm for five years until you have proven yourself in another profession working for someone else," said Rives. "It was the best advice that anyone ever gave me because it would have been tempting to return and start farming for my father right after college. Knowing that I couldn't, I went to law school, got a degree and went to work for IRS for a few years, then for a firm in Mississippi. I took a similar approach with Thomas when he decided to go into farming."

Failure Wasn't an Option

Rather than having Thomas work for him on the family farm, Rives Neblett turned to his longtime Regions Agriculture Banking Leader Alan Sims.

"I took Thomas to the bank and asked to borrow enough money to farm about 2,400 acres - a stretch for me, Thomas, Alan and the bank given Thomas was only 20 years old - but I had developed a relationship with Regions, and if I was putting Thomas in that position, I'd make sure he was succeeding," shared Rives.

Sims concurred.

"Even with the existing relationship, a bank doesn't make a loan to someone simply because they can pay it back, the business plan had to make sense - and it did," said Sims.

It seemed there was nothing to worry about from the very beginning, Thomas Neblett confirmed.

"I was confident enough in myself - I wouldn't allow myself to do it if I didn't think I could make it," Thomas said. "I love what I do. I didn't realize you could have a passion about something and not consider it work. The work is there - and it can be tiring and frustrating, but there is never a day I wake up and don't want to go and do it."

When I got started, we knew we were working with Regions. There are a lot of turnovers in banking, but Regions hasn't changed.

Thomas Neblett

All About the Relationship

"My dad has been a long-time Regions customer and has a great relationship with the bank," said Thomas. "When I got started, we knew we were working with Regions. There are a lot of turnovers in banking, but Regions hasn't changed. Alan has been able to keep a close eye on our business."

Sims agreed.

"I remember that meeting: Rives, long-tenured relationship, asking for that start-up loan with Thomas. We sat down and Rives had a well-prepared loan request we reviewed and tweaked, and we were able to make the loan," said Sims. "The rest is history."

Sims noted on that day, Rives pulled him aside and said, I can teach him farming, but I'd like you to teach him the rest.

"Thomas has a work ethic like no other and has done really well," said Sims. "He's made tremendous yields on his farm and has been very successful since starting his farming operation a decade ago."

Sustainability is Key

"From the very beginning in the 1970s, we stressed land forming in our operation and irrigation," shared Rives Neblett. "We were some of the first people to start an actual program of land forming - engineering/forming the land so you can thoroughly irrigate it."

He explained that in the Delta, that was the way to go given the climate. They had to have the ability to irrigate. Allendale Planting Company started that program and as they developed the land forming of the land, they worked with the soil conservation services putting highly erodible land next to streams into a Conservation Reserve Program for conservation and recreational purposes.

Thomas Neblett has continued and expanded the processes to ensure sustainability and soil health.

"One of the biggest things I have learned since I started this business is how important drainage is - getting the water off my fields quickly and efficiently so I can grow my crops," Thomas Neblett noted. "My dad and his farm managers have been pioneers in developing land and putting in pipes, digging new ditches and keeping that land from eroding."

My dad has told me my whole life, in order to stay where you are in the world, you have to work harder than everyone else - if you do that, it will pay off.

Thomas Neblett

Trusting Your Instincts

Thomas Neblett credits some of his success with his ability to assess the appropriate risks that have the potential to yield strong rewards.

"One major thing I've learned is that what you read and what people can tell you doesn't mean anything. It is what you can do and what you believe yourself that matters," said Thomas. "I've picked up land that people have said was worthless and turned it profitable. More often than not, I've made it work. I've made mistakes, but the good decision have outweighed the missteps."

And he credits his dad with instilling in him the strong work ethic that has driven his success.

"My dad has told me my whole life, in order to stay where you are in the world, you have to work harder than everyone else - if you do that, it will pay off."

Thomas and his wife Beth are instilling this same work ethic in their three girls, ages 4 through 12, who represent a sixth generation of this farming family.

Experiences and opinions stated by customers are their own. Customers were told in advance they might be featured in an article when they were asked about their experiences with Regions. References to companies in this video not owned by Regions do not imply endorsement.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Regions Bank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Regions Bank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/regions-bank

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Regions Bank

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Management to Host Conference Call Today at 5 p.m. ET

Management to Host Investor Day on Monday, May 20 in New York City

CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / (NYSE:KFS) Kingsway Financial Services Inc. ("Kingsway" or the "Company") today announced its operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

First Quarter 2024 Consolidated Financial Highlights

Consolidated revenue decreased 0.9% to $26.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $26.4 million in the prior year period Extended Warranty revenue was $16.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2023 KSX revenue decreased by 2.5% to $9.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $9.7 million in the first quarter of 2023

Consolidated net loss was $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to net income of $27.9 million, inclusive of a $31.6 million non-recurring gain on the extinguishment of debt, in the prior year period.

Twelve month run-rate adjusted EBITDA for the operating companies of $16 million to $17 million; run-rate is intended to capture the 12-month earnings of what the company currently owns or has recently acquired and is not intended to be forward-looking guidance

Adjusted consolidated EBITDA was $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $2.4 million in the prior year period Combined adjusted EBITDA for the Extended Warranty segment and KSX segment was a total of $3.0 million compared to $3.5 million in the year ago period Extended Warranty adjusted EBITDA was $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $1.8million in the year ago period. The decrease was due to higher claims expense, which was partially offset by diligent expense management. KSX adjusted EBITDA was $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $1.7 million in the year ago period. The year-over-year decrease was primarily related to ongoing softness at our nurse staffing business.



Recent Business Highlights

On March 22, 2024, the Company entered into a one-year extension of its existing share repurchase program. As amended, the share repurchase program will now expire on March 21, 2025.

John T. Fitzgerald, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kingsway, said, "Our first quarter financial results are largely in-line with our expectations given the macro-economic trends that have impacted our businesses for the past several quarters. Revenues were essentially flat, and EBITDA at our operating companies declined modestly. We are pleased that tight expense management allowed us to deliver improved Operating Income both sequentially and year over year. Our warranty businesses are improving and we expect more favorable comparisons in the quarters ahead. Within KSX, Ravix, SPI and DDI are all performing well, while the teams at CSuite and SNS are executing strategies aimed at igniting revenue growth and implementing improvements to business operations. Looking ahead, we continue to expect positive momentum within our existing portfolio of businesses in 2024.

"Importantly, we remain committed to growing our portfolio of businesses and delivering sustainable long-term growth in cash from operations by targeting two to three new acquisitions per year that will generate annualized EBITDA in the range of $1 million to $3 million each."

Balance Sheet Highlights

Through May 8, 2024, repurchased 8,000 shares of its common stock at a combined cost of $0.1 million under its securities repurchase program.

The Company had total net debt of $34.9 million as of March 31, 2024, compared with $35.3 million as of December 31, 2023.

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will host a conference call at 5 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss the results and host a live Q&A session. Additionally, investors may also submit questions via email to: James@HaydenIR.com.

Conference Call Information

Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Time: 5 p.m. Eastern Time

Toll Free: 877-545-0523; Code: 869604

International: 973-528-0016; Code: 869604

Live Webcast Link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2928/50588

Conference Call Replay Information

Toll Free: 877-481-4010

International: 919-882-2331

Replay Passcode: 50588

Replay Webcast Link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2928/50588

Save the Date: Kingsway to Host Investor Day on May 20, 2024 in New York City

The investor day will take place at the New York Stock Exchange (RSVP required) and will also be available virtually at the investors section on the company's website: kingsway-financial.com. Individuals interested in attending the in-person investor day, as well as the offsite cocktail reception, may RSVP by emailing James@HaydenIR.com. A live webcast, including video, audio and presentation slides, will be accessible on kingsway-financial.com at the time of the meeting.

About the Company

Kingsway is a holding company that owns or controls subsidiaries primarily in the extended warranty and business services industries. The common shares of Kingsway are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "KFS."

The Company serves the extended warranty industry through its operating subsidiaries IWS (iwsgroup.com), Penn Warranty (pennwarranty.com), Preferred Warranties (preferredwarranties.com) and Trinity Warranty Solutions (trinitywarranty.com).

The Company serves the business services industry through its operating subsidiaries CSuite (csuitefinancialpartners.com), Ravix (ravixgroup.com), Secure Nursing Service (securenursing.com), SPI Software (spisoftware.com) and Digital Diagnostics, Inc (ddimagingusa.com).

Non U.S. GAAP Financial Measure

Management believes that non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, provides useful information about the Company's operating results and enhances the overall ability to assess the Company's financial performance. Management uses non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, together with other measures of performance under GAAP, to compare the relative performance of operations in planning, budgeting and reviewing the performance of its business. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA allows investors to make a more meaningful comparison between the Company's core business operating results over different periods of time. Management believes that non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, when viewed with the Company's results under GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations, provides useful information about the Company's business without regard to potential distortions. By eliminating potential differences in results of operations between periods caused by the factors listed in the attached schedules, Management believes that non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA can provide useful additional basis for comparing the current performance of the underlying operations being evaluated. Investors should consider this non-GAAP measure in addition to, not as a substitute for or as superior to, financial reporting measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP to understand the Company's performance taking into account all relevant factors.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. Words such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "seeks" and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements; however, the absence of any such words does not mean that a statement is a not a forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect Kingsway management's current beliefs, based on information currently available. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Additional Information

Additional information about Kingsway, including a copy of its Annual Reports can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, on the Canadian Securities Administrators' website at www.sedar.com, or through the Company's website at www.kingsway-financial.com.

Kingsway Financial Services Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA

(in thousands)

(UNAUDITED)



Twelve

Months

Ended For the Three Months Ended

3/31/2024 3/31/2024 12/31/2023 9/30/2023 6/30/2023 GAAP Net Income (Loss) $ (6,155 ) $ (2,328 ) $ (1,485 ) $ (675 ) $ (1,667 )

Non-GAAP Adjustments: Discontinued operations 1,858 213 1,877 (122 ) (110 ) Gain on sale of PWSC (1) (342 ) - - (342 ) - Changes in fair value; realized gains/losses (2) (423 ) 411 217 174 (1,225 ) Employee related expenses (3) 2,069 467 755 479 368 Other items (4) 3,109 61 1,081 334 1,633 Depreciation, amortization, tax and interest expense 8,687 3,280 177 2,450 2,780 Total Non-GAAP Adjustments 14,958 4,432 4,107 2,973 3,446

Non-GAAP Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA $ 8,803 $ 2,104 $ 2,622 $ 2,298 $ 1,779





Twelve

Months

Ended For the Three Months Ended

3/31/2023 3/31/2023 12/31/2022 9/30/2022 6/30/2022 GAAP Net Income (Loss) $ 45,408 $ 27,839 $ (17,339 ) $ 37,273 $ (2,365 )

Non-GAAP Adjustments: Discontinued operations 16,455 (107 ) 15,678 1,670 (786 ) Gain on extinguishment of debt (5) (31,616 ) (31,616 ) - - - Gain on sale of PWSC (1) (26,447 ) - - (26,447 ) - Changes in fair value; realized gains/losses (2) (11,576 ) 145 (1,249 ) (12,951 ) 2,479 Employee related expenses (3) 1,881 383 670 321 507 Other items (4) 2,393 591 1,532 184 86 Depreciation, amortization, tax and interest expense 16,008 5,164 4,053 3,573 3,218 Total Non-GAAP Adjustments (32,902 ) (25,440 ) 20,684 (33,650 ) 5,504

Non-GAAP Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA (6) $ 12,506 $ 2,399 $ 3,345 $ 3,623 $ 3,139







(1) Gain on sale of PWSC, net of transaction expenses that are included in consolidated operating expenses, as well as income taxes associated with the sale. The Company estimates that had the gain not occurred, the Company would have recorded a tax benefit; therefore taxes of $6.1 million are included in this line item for the three months ended 9/30/22. (2) Includes realized and unrealized gains and losses on non-core investments; change in the fair value of subordinated debt (net of the portion of the change attributable to instrument-specific credit risk); unrealized gain on the change in fair value of the trust preferred security options; and change in the fair value of the Ravix earn-out (changes in fair value recorded as other income or expense). (3) Employee related expenses includes charges relating to severance and consulting agreements pertaining to former key employees; non-cash expense arising from the grant and modification of stock-based awards to employees; and costs associated with employees assisting during a transition period and are not expected to be replaced once transition period has ended (approximately one year from acquisition date). (4) Other items include: legal expenses associated with the Company's defense against significant litigation matters; acquisition-related expenses; expense relating to the settlement of all remaining Amigo claims; and other non-recurring items. (5) Gain on extinguishment of debt consists of a $31.6 million gain related to the repurchase of TruPs debt having a principal amount of $75.5 million and results from removing the fair value of the debt ($56.1 million), deferred interest payable ($23.0 million) and accumulated other comprehensive income ($27.2 million) liabilities; the trust preferred debt repurchase options ($17.7 million) and accrued income receivable ($0.6 million) assets. See Note 11 "Debt," to the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements, for further discussion. (6) Includes the results of PWSC through the date of sale (end of July 2022).





Kingsway Financial Services Inc.

Reconciliation of Extended Warranty Segment Operating Income to

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA and Pro Forma Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

(in thousands)

(UNAUDITED)



Twelve

Months

Ended For the Three Months Ended

3/31/2024 3/31/2024 12/31/2023 9/30/2023 6/30/2023 GAAP Operating Income for Extended Warranty segment $ 6,627 $ 1,076 $ 2,381 $ 1,778 $ 1,392

Non-GAAP Adjustments: Investment income (1) 1,141 311 301 273 256 Gain (loss) on sale of investments (2) 48 9 13 14 12 Depreciation 233 52 62 57 62 Total Non-GAAP Adjustments 1,422 372 376 344 330

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for Extended Warranty segment $ 8,049 $ 1,448 $ 2,757 $ 2,122 $ 1,722



Twelve

Months

Ended For the Three Months Ended

3/31/2023 3/31/2023 12/31/2022 9/30/2022 6/30/2022 GAAP Operating Income for Extended Warranty segment $ 9,588 $ 1,432 $ 2,759 $ 2,461 $ 2,936

Non-GAAP Adjustments: Investment income (1) 665 231 193 145 96 Gain (loss) on sale of investments (2) 1,020 98 (23 ) 961 (16 ) Depreciation 282 64 61 70 87 Total Non-GAAP Adjustments 1,967 393 231 1,176 167

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for Extended Warranty segment $ 11,555 $ 1,825 $ 2,990 $ 3,637 $ 3,103 PWSC operating income (3) (590 ) - - 147 (737 ) PWSC depreciation (3) (33 ) - - (8 ) (25 ) Pro forma Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for Extended Warranty segment $ 10,932 $ 1,825 $ 2,990 $ 3,776 $ 2,341

(1) Investment income arising as part of Extended Warranty segment's minimum holding requirements. (2) Realized Gains (losses) resulting from investments either held in trust as part of Extended Warranty segment's minimum holding requirements or from the deployment of excess cash. (3) Amounts relating to the sale of PWSC (end of July 2022) in order to remove PWSC from all periods presented.





Kingsway Financial Services Inc.

Reconciliation of KSX Segment Operating Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

(in thousands)

(UNAUDITED)



Twelve

Months

Ended For the Three Months Ended

3/31/2024 3/31/2024 12/31/2023 9/30/2023 6/30/2023 GAAP Operating Income for KSX segment $ 5,018 $ 1,343 $ 1,056 $ 1,003 $ 1,616

Non-GAAP Adjustments: Employee costs (1) 431 138 128 87 78 Depreciation 88 64 24 - - Total Non-GAAP Adjustments 519 202 152 87 78

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for KSX segment $ 5,537 $ 1,545 $ 1,208 $ 1,090 $ 1,694



Twelve Months Ended For the Three Months Ended

3/31/2023 3/31/2023 12/31/2022 9/30/2022 6/30/2022 GAAP Operating Income for KSX segment $ 4,319 $ 1,577 $ 1,126 $ 723 $ 893

Non-GAAP Adjustments: Employee costs (1) 267 87 70 55 55 Total Non-GAAP Adjustments 267 87 70 55 55

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for KSX segment $ 4,586 $ 1,664 $ 1,196 $ 778 $ 948

(1) Costs associated with employees assisting during a transition period and are not expected to be replaced once transition period has ended (approximately one year from acquisition date).

SOURCE: Kingsway Financial Services, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV: SM) (OTCQX: SMDRF) ("Sierra Madre" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Majestic") has today advanced the Company a non-revolving, secured term loan ("Loan") in the amount of US$5 million pursuant to the terms of a loan agreement entered into by the Company and First Majestic.

Since acquiring the La Guitarra Silver-Gold Mine Complex in Estado de Mexico, Mexico in March 2023, the Company has made notable advancements to the facilities, equipment, and infrastructure at the mine site. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Loan to complete this work, which will include: lead orders for critical mining equipment, processing facility upgrades, mill repairs, full staffing arrangements, and final underground development readied for operational restart.

Alex Langer, Sierra Madre's President and CEO, states: "After a thorough and extensive process, we are very pleased to announce this non-equity, non-dilutive financing. The Loan will allow us to complete all necessary steps for the possible restart of the fully permitted La Guitarra Silver and Gold mine. We would very much like to thank First Majestic for providing this funding, and for their continued support of La Guitarra."

Loan Details

The Loan is for a two (2) year term, and bears interest at a rate of 15% per annum, compounded monthly, which will be due and payable to the lender starting six (6) months from the commencement date of the Loan, and due on the last day of each calendar month thereafter. The Company may pay back the Loan plus accrued and unpaid interest to the lender at any time, without penalty.

As security for the Loan and the Company's performance of its obligations under the loan agreement, the Company has agreed to pledge all of the shares of its wholly-owned subsidiary that owns La Guitarra in favour of First Majestic, and the Company and certain of its subsidiaries have entered into general security agreements in favour of First Majestic.

About Sierra Madre

Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV: SM) (OTCQX: SMDRF) is a precious metals development and exploration company focused on evaluating the potential of restarting the La Guitarra Mine in the Temascaltepec mining district, Mexico, and the exploration and development of its Tepic property in Nayarit, Mexico. The La Guitarra Mine is a permitted, past-producing underground mine, which includes a 500 t/d processing facility that operated until mid-2018.

The +2,600 ha Tepic Project hosts low-sulphidation epithermal gold and silver mineralization with an existing historic resource.

Sierra Madre's management team has played key roles in managing the exploration and development of more than 22Moz gold and 600Moz silver in combined mineral reserves and mineral resources. Sierra Madre's team of professionals has collectively raised over $1 billion for mining companies.

On behalf of the board of directors of Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd.,

"Alexander Langer"

Alexander Langer

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

1-604-765-1604

Contact:

investor@sierramadregoldandsilver.com

Cautionary Note

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this news release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the anticipated use of the proceeds of the Loan, the payment of interest related to the Loan and the future repayment of the Loan.

In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including that the Company will use the proceeds of the Loan as announced or at all. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein.

Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

SOURCE: Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208456

SOURCE: Sierra Madre Gold & Silver
DUBAI, UAE, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei unveiled its inaugural HUAWEI XMAGE Global Exhibition, titled "A Heartwarming World - 12 Years of Huawei Photography" on May 8th, 2024, at the cultural district of Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, UAE, which marks the largest photography exhibition in Huawei's history.

HUAWEI XMAGE Awards 2024, the annual competition that celebrates Huawei's open platform for smartphone photographic excellence, was also kicked-off officially during the exhibition opening ceremony. Now in its eighth consecutive year, the competition aims to inspire consumers to fully unleash their creativity and imagination by leveraging Huawei's leading XMAGE imaging technology, infusing each photograph with deeper emotional and cultural resonance.

"A Heartwarming World - 12 Years of Huawei Photography"

Debuting under the theme "A Heartwarming World," the exhibition showcases nearly 300 photographs taken by Huawei smartphones, selected through millions of submissions. These images displaying moments of warmth, tranquillity, and brightness from every corner of the globe, as well as the genuine relatability of ordinary people and encapsulating HUAWEI XMAGE's new brand philosophy, 'The Power of Image'. The philosophy aims to ignite consumers' imagination, creativity, and appreciation with supreme imaging technology and experiences, showcase its powerful impact beyond what's captured.

The past decade has been a period of rapid development for mobile photography. This exhibition features works from Huawei smartphone series across the past 12 years. During this time, Huawei has driven the evolution and development of mobile imaging technology through continual innovation. Moreover, Huawei has continually engaged in global activities such as photography competitions, community events, and trend reports, promoting the worldwide spread of mobile photography culture.

Today, HUAWEI P Series is upgraded to HUAWEI Pura Series. The HUAWEI Pura Series restarts with a new attitude, perfectly integrating the ultimate photography, aesthetic design and unique style. According to the latest DXOMARK review, the HUAWEI Pura 70 Ultra secures the top spot on DXOMARK Smartphone Camera Rankings with an impressive score of 163 points. 1

With the HUAWEI Pura 70 Series setting a new benchmark, HUAWEI XMAGE continues to push the boundaries of technology and experience alongside global users, taking smart photography to new heights.

Keith Ladzinski, a photographer with National Geographic, shared during the opening ceremony: "Photography, as a universal language, it can capture beauty and inspire conversation. This exhibition reflects Huawei's contemplation on 'technology' and 'art,' presenting a genuinely heartfelt brand philosophy."

The exhibition explores eight different themes: "The Secrets of Mother Nature" "Landscapes and Spaces" "A Dialogue with Animals" "The Story of Life" "You and Me" "The Joy of Sports" "The Power of Moments" and "The World of Youth".

"In an era dominated by technology and speed, it's easy for people to be overwhelmed by external noise and stress," noted Chen Xiaobo, exhibition curator and 9th Vice President of China Photographers Association. "It's reassuring to see creators worldwide capturing and conveying heartwarming moments with Huawei smartphones. These images acts as bridges that resonate with souls, transmitting genuine warmth and beauty."

"A Heartwarming World - 12 Years of Huawei Photography" will run from May 8th to 10th. Exceptional works will be displayed across Huawei's official platforms such as, @HuaweiXmageAwards on Instagram, @HuaweiMobile on Instagram, X, and Facebook.

HUAWEI XMAGE Awards 2024: Inspiring Inspirations, Leading Global Photography Culture

HUAWEI XMAGE Awards 2024 officially kicked off during the exhibition opening ceremony. As an open platform for smartphone photographic excellence, the annual competition encourages the use of unique perspectives and unlimited creativity to give mobile photography a deeper artistic significance and aesthetic expression. Since 2017, users from more than 170 countries and regions have participated in the yearly competition, contributing nearly 4 million entries to date. This makes the HUAWEI XMAGE Awards a cultural heritage of its own, containing fragments of human history from worldwide perspectives.

This year's XMAGE Awards introduces new categories "Moments" "Faces" "So Far So Close" and "Style" showcasing Huawei's leadership in Snapshot, Portrait photography, telephoto and macro photography, and colour styling. Additionally, new awards such as "Best of Pura Series and "Best of Mate series" have been created to encourage artists to explore diverse expressive forms and themes using Huawei's flagship imaging capabilities. All winners may have their work featured on global advertising platforms and HUAWEI Pay transit card, among other opportunities.

The competition also welcomes a new panel of esteemed judges, including Chen Xiaobo -- 9th Vice President of China Photographers Association, Keith Ladzinski -- National Geographic Photographer and Emmy Nominated Director, James Perolls -- Fashion Photographer and Director, Susi Belianska -- Portrait Photographer and Visual Artist, Li Changzhu -- Huawei Consumer Business Group, who will collectively select the most compelling photographic stories based on their profound insights into image expression.

Registration for the HUAWEI XMAGE Awards 2024 is now open, with entries closing on September 15, 2024, at 24:00 Beijing time (GMT+8). For more information and to enter the competition, please visit: https://consumer.huawei.com/en/campaign/xmage

1 DXOMARK is rated for commercial smartphones released by the time of 8 May 2024.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2408127/Opening_Ceremony.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2408125/Photo_of_keith.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2408126/Photo_of_Chen_Xiaobo.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2408129/2024_XMAGE_Campaign_Launch_KV.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/a-heartwarming-world-huawei-xmage-global-exhibition-officially-launched-302140445.html
Oakville, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - FendX Technologies Inc. (CSE: FNDX) (OTCQB: FDXTF) (FSE: E8D) (the "Company" or "FendX"), a nanotechnology company developing surface protection coatings, announces that further to its news releases dated December 20, 2023, February 2, 2024 and March 25, 2024, it has completed the final closing of its non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") and has issued 2,625,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.20 per Unit raising gross proceeds of $525,000. The Company has raised aggregate gross proceeds of $2,025,000 pursuant to the closings of the Offering.

Each Unit is comprised of one common share (each, a "Share") in the capital of the Company and one transferable share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable for one Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.40 per Warrant Share for a period of three years after the closing date, subject to an acceleration right, as described in the Company's press release dated December 20, 2023. In connection with the closing, the Company paid finders fees to eligible finders comprised of 202,000 finder units and issued 202,000 finder warrants. Each finder unit is comprised of one Unit and each finder warrant is exercisable into one common share at an exercise price of $0.20 for 36 months from the closing date of the Offering.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to advance the Company's scale-up activities on its REPELWRAP film, continue development of its spray technology and for general corporate purposes, including investor relations.

Closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including from the CSE. All securities issued in relation to the Offering are subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day after the closing date, in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The securities issued under the Offering have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About FendX Technologies Inc.

FendX is a Canada-based nanotechnology company focused on developing products to make people's lives safer by reducing the spread of pathogens. The Company is developing both film and spray products to protect surfaces from contamination. The lead product under development, REPELWRAP film, is a protective surface coating film that, due to its repelling properties, prevents the adhesion of pathogens and reduces their transmission on surfaces prone to contamination. The spray nanotechnology is a bifunctional spray coating being developed to reduce contamination on surfaces by repelling and killing pathogens. The Company is conducting research and development activities using its nanotechnology in collaboration with industry-leading partners, including McMaster University. The Company has an exclusive worldwide license to its technology and IP portfolio from McMaster, which encompass both film and spray coating nanotechnology formulations.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Carolyn Myers"

Carolyn Myers

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Contacts:

Dr. Carolyn Myers, CEO and Director

1-800-344-9868

Alyssa Barry, Investor Relations

1-833-947-5227

investor@fendxtech.com

For more information, please visit https://fendxtech.com/ and the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to: the plans of the Company; the Offering and its terms; the proposed use of funds of the Offering; and products under development and any pathogen reduction benefits related thereto. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and involve several risks and uncertainties, including that the Offering may not close on additional tranches or on the terms announced; that the Company may use the proceeds of the Offering for purposes other than those disclosed in this news release; adverse market conditions; and other factors beyond the control of the Company. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate, and that actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include: product candidates only being in formulation/reformulation stages; limited operating history; research and development activities; dependence on collaborative partners, licensors and others; effect of general economic and political conditions; and other risk factors set forth in the Company's public filings which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, the reader is urged to refer to the Company's such filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208455

SOURCE: FendX Technologies Inc.
Toronto, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Biosenta Inc. (CSE: ZRO) ("Biosenta" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a strategic milestone, having entered into a license agreement (the "License Agreement") with 2581776 Ontario Inc. (dba Lightweight Concrete Solutions) ("Lightweight Concrete Solutions") pursuant to which Biosenta granted to Lightweight Concrete Solutions a license to use Biosenta's Tri-Filler technology in connection with certain specialty concrete products on an exclusive basis and in connection with other concrete products on a non-exclusive basis. Pursuant to the terms of the License Agreement, Lightweight Concrete Solutions will pay Biosenta a one-time license access fee of C$200,000 as well as royalties based on sales of the licensed products.

This licensing arrangement not only recognizes the unique value of Biosenta's Tri-Filler technology but also opens new avenues for its application across diverse industry sectors. It provides an upfront financial revenue benefit but also ties future earnings to the commercial success of the products developed under this agreement.

CEO's Perspective on the Milestone

Am Gill, CEO of Biosenta Inc., shared his enthusiasm about this new development:

"This licensing agreement with Lightweight Concrete Solutions not only marks a pivotal advancement in the commercialization of our Tri-Filler technology but also embodies our collaborative spirit. We are incredibly proud to partner with a team that reflects our diverse and innovative culture. This arrangement allows us to broaden the application of Tri-Filler within the construction industry, significantly advancing our mission to support solutions to global health challenges like antimicrobial resistance. We believe this license agreement is a testament to the versatility and effectiveness of Tri-Filler, demonstrating its potential in building materials while promoting sustainability and innovation."

About Biosenta Inc.

Biosenta Inc. develops innovative antimicrobial products that offer environmentally friendly solutions to a global market. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the company is dedicated to the advancement of technology that combats microbial growth in various materials. Biosenta's flagship product, Tri-Filler, represents a breakthrough in antimicrobial technology, providing durable protection against a wide spectrum of bacteria, molds, and fungi.

About Lightweight Concrete Solutions

Lightweight Concrete Solutions, based in Toronto, Canada, is a pioneer in the lightweight concrete industry with their revolutionary eco-friendly concrete technologies using post-consumer recycled materials.

Driven by a commitment to reduce the environmental impact of concrete production, a significant source of global CO2 emissions, Lightweight Concrete Solutions offers lightweight concrete mix designs that reduce CO2 emissions and provide superior compressive strength.

In partnership with Cor-Tuf UHPC, their joint venture has developed Ultra High-Performance Lightweights with a minimum of 20% weight reductions and a minimum compressive strength of 120mpa.

Lightweight Concrete Solutions works closely with clients to customize mix designs to meet specific project needs, ensuring both performance and sustainability are maintained. Their innovative approach to traditional concrete positions Lightweight Concrete Solutions as a leader in sustainable construction technologies.

For further inquiries, please contact:

Am Gill, President and CEO, Biosenta Inc.

Email: info@biosenta.com

Phone: 416-410-2019

For more information, visit our website: www.biosenta.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"), including forward-looking statements relating the completion of the Transaction. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. If any such risks actually occur, they could impact the potential for discussion, agreement or completion of the Transaction and/or materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of the Company's common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purposes of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

Disclaimer

The CSE has in no way passed upon the contents of this news release and further, has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208460

SOURCE: Biosenta Inc.
(All amounts expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated)

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Torex") (TSX: TXG) reports the Company's financial and operational results for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Torex will host a conference call tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM (ET) to discuss the results.

Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex, stated:

"2024 is off to a solid start with production and costs tracking to full-year guidance. Operational results were in line with expectations, with quarterly gold production of 115,494 ounces ("oz") at all-in sustaining costs1 of $1,202 per oz. Our cost performance, combined with a record quarterly average realized gold price1 of $2,023 per oz, resulted in an impressive all-in sustaining costs margin1 of 39%. With decreasing costs expected through 2024 as open pit stripping winds down, we are well-positioned to deliver even stronger margins should the gold price remain at current levels.

"The strong operational performance resulted in robust free cash flow1 of $77 million prior to expenditures on the Media Luna Project ($126 million), which includes $44 million of annual tax and royalty payments related to fiscal 2023. We exited the quarter with $405 million in available liquidity1 (including $113 million in cash), which more than covers the $257 million of upfront expenditures remaining on the Media Luna Project and our objective to maintain at least $100 million of liquidity on the balance sheet.

"Steady progress was made at Media Luna with the project close to 70% complete at quarter end. As of March 31, 95% of upfront costs had been committed including 71% incurred. Development and construction activities are tracking to plan with first concentrate production anticipated before year end and commercial production expected early next year. With this year expected to be the final year of elevated capital expenditures, we are well-positioned to return to positive free cash flow in mid-2025.

"With consistently solid operational results from ELG, Media Luna construction advancing as planned, and a funding surplus in-hand to complete Media Luna on time and on budget, our first quarter results have laid the foundation for what we expect will be a transformational year for the Company and our shareholders."

FIRST QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Strong safety performance continues: The Company exited the quarter with one lost-time ankle injury at the Media Luna Project and reached 14 million hours lost-time injury free at the El Limon Guajes ("ELG") Mine Complex. As at March 31, 2024, the lost-time injury frequency ("LTIF") for the Morelos Complex was 0.15 per million hours worked for both employees and contractors on a rolling 12-month basis.





The Company exited the quarter with one lost-time ankle injury at the Media Luna Project and reached 14 million hours lost-time injury free at the El Limon Guajes ("ELG") Mine Complex. As at March 31, 2024, the lost-time injury frequency ("LTIF") for the Morelos Complex was 0.15 per million hours worked for both employees and contractors on a rolling 12-month basis. Gold production: Delivered gold production of 115,494 oz for the quarter driven by a record average gold recovery of 90.7%, the highest level achieved to date. Throughput rates remained above 13,000 tonnes per day ("tpd") for the fifth consecutive quarter, averaging 13,118 tpd. With the solid start to the year, the Company is on track to achieve annual production guidance of 400,000 to 450,000 oz. On a gold equivalent ounce basis ("oz AuEq"), the Company produced 117,306 oz AuEq 2 and is on track to achieve guidance of 410,000 to 460,000 oz AuEq 2 .





Delivered gold production of 115,494 oz for the quarter driven by a record average gold recovery of 90.7%, the highest level achieved to date. Throughput rates remained above 13,000 tonnes per day ("tpd") for the fifth consecutive quarter, averaging 13,118 tpd. With the solid start to the year, the Company is on track to achieve annual production guidance of 400,000 to 450,000 oz. On a gold equivalent ounce basis ("oz AuEq"), the Company produced 117,306 oz AuEq and is on track to achieve guidance of 410,000 to 460,000 oz AuEq . Gold sold: Sold 111,642 oz of gold at an average realized gold price 1 of $2,023 per oz, contributing to revenue of $236.5 million. On a gold equivalent ounce basis, the Company sold 114,199 oz AuEq 2 .





Sold 111,642 oz of gold at an average realized gold price of $2,023 per oz, contributing to revenue of $236.5 million. On a gold equivalent ounce basis, the Company sold 114,199 oz AuEq . Total cash costs 1 and all-in sustaining costs 1 : Total cash costs of $918 per oz sold and all-in sustaining costs of $1,202 per oz sold. All-in sustaining costs margin 1 of $821 per oz sold, implying an all-in sustaining costs margin 1 of 39%. Cost of sales was $157.4 million or $1,410 per oz sold in the quarter, primarily impacted by the appreciation of the Mexican peso. Costs are expected to decrease through 2024 as stripping requirements continue to decline with the wind down of the open pits and as such, the Company is on track to achieve full year total cash costs guidance of $860 to $910 per oz and all-in sustaining costs guidance of $1,100 to $1,160 per oz. On a gold equivalent ounce basis, total cash costs of $943 per oz AuEq sold 2 and all-in sustaining costs of $1,221 per oz AuEq sold 2 relative to guidance of $900 to $950 per oz AuEq sold 2 and $1,130 to $1,190 per oz AuEq sold 2 , respectively.





Total cash costs of $918 per oz sold and all-in sustaining costs of $1,202 per oz sold. All-in sustaining costs margin of $821 per oz sold, implying an all-in sustaining costs margin of 39%. Cost of sales was $157.4 million or $1,410 per oz sold in the quarter, primarily impacted by the appreciation of the Mexican peso. Costs are expected to decrease through 2024 as stripping requirements continue to decline with the wind down of the open pits and as such, the Company is on track to achieve full year total cash costs guidance of $860 to $910 per oz and all-in sustaining costs guidance of $1,100 to $1,160 per oz. On a gold equivalent ounce basis, total cash costs of $943 per oz AuEq sold and all-in sustaining costs of $1,221 per oz AuEq sold relative to guidance of $900 to $950 per oz AuEq sold and $1,130 to $1,190 per oz AuEq sold , respectively. Net income and adjusted net earnings 1 : Reported net income of $43.1 million or earnings of $0.50 per share on both a basic and diluted basis. Adjusted net earnings of $35.9 million or $0.42 per share on both a basic and diluted basis. Net income includes a derivative loss of $16.2 million related to gold forward contracts and foreign exchange collar contracts entered into to mitigate downside price risk during the construction of the Media Luna Project.





Reported net income of $43.1 million or earnings of $0.50 per share on both a basic and diluted basis. Adjusted net earnings of $35.9 million or $0.42 per share on both a basic and diluted basis. Net income includes a derivative loss of $16.2 million related to gold forward contracts and foreign exchange collar contracts entered into to mitigate downside price risk during the construction of the Media Luna Project. EBITDA 1 and adjusted EBITDA 1 : Generated EBITDA of $98.0 million and adjusted EBITDA of $113.2 million.





Generated EBITDA of $98.0 million and adjusted EBITDA of $113.2 million. Cash flow generation: Net cash generated from operating activities totalled $79.8 million and $72.5 million before changes in non-cash operating working capital, including income taxes paid of $43.9 million including the 7.5% Mexican mining royalty for 2023 of $24.8 million. Negative free cash flow 1 of $49.1 million is net of cash outlays for capital expenditures, lease payments and interest, including borrowing costs capitalized. Negative free cash flow was a direct result of $126.4 million invested in the Media Luna Project.





Net cash generated from operating activities totalled $79.8 million and $72.5 million before changes in non-cash operating working capital, including income taxes paid of $43.9 million including the 7.5% Mexican mining royalty for 2023 of $24.8 million. Negative free cash flow of $49.1 million is net of cash outlays for capital expenditures, lease payments and interest, including borrowing costs capitalized. Negative free cash flow was a direct result of $126.4 million invested in the Media Luna Project. Strong financial liquidity: The quarter closed with net cash 1 of $69.2 million, including $113.2 million in cash and $44.0 million of lease-related obligations, no borrowings on the credit facilities of $300.0 million as at March 31, 2024 and letters of credit outstanding of $7.9 million, providing $405.3 million in available liquidity 1 .





The quarter closed with net cash of $69.2 million, including $113.2 million in cash and $44.0 million of lease-related obligations, no borrowings on the credit facilities of $300.0 million as at March 31, 2024 and letters of credit outstanding of $7.9 million, providing $405.3 million in available liquidity . Media Luna Project: During the quarter, Media Luna Project expenditures totalled $126.4 million, with a remaining project spend of $257.1 million. As of March 31, 2024, physical progress on the Project was approximately 69%, with detailed engineering, procurement activities, underground development, and surface construction advancing. With 95% of upfront expenditures committed as at March 31, 2024 (including 71% incurred), expenditures to date have tracked reasonably well to the initial budget of $874.5 million, noting the strength of the Mexican peso remains a headwind to contend with. Quarterly expenditures are expected to remain above $100 million through Q3 2024 before declining in Q4 2024 as Media Luna nears completion and commercial production is subsequently declared. There has been no change to full-year guidance of $350.0 to $400.0 million on project capital expenditures.





During the quarter, Media Luna Project expenditures totalled $126.4 million, with a remaining project spend of $257.1 million. As of March 31, 2024, physical progress on the Project was approximately 69%, with detailed engineering, procurement activities, underground development, and surface construction advancing. With 95% of upfront expenditures committed as at March 31, 2024 (including 71% incurred), expenditures to date have tracked reasonably well to the initial budget of $874.5 million, noting the strength of the Mexican peso remains a headwind to contend with. Quarterly expenditures are expected to remain above $100 million through Q3 2024 before declining in Q4 2024 as Media Luna nears completion and commercial production is subsequently declared. There has been no change to full-year guidance of $350.0 to $400.0 million on project capital expenditures. Year-end Mineral Reserves & Resources 3 : At ELG Underground, Proven and Probable reserves increased to 654 koz AuEq, extending the reserve life out to late 2028. Measured and Indicated resources expanded by 432 koz AuEq (570 koz AuEq prior to mined depletion), while Inferred resources increased by 119 koz AuEq. The resource growth was a direct result of the successful 2023 drilling program as well as the assumption of a lower cut-off grade, reflecting higher metal price assumptions and lower costs due to steady increases in underground mining rates. At EPO, infill drilling was successful in upgrading Inferred resources, while step-out drilling expanded the overall mineralized footprint. Indicated resources increased by 481 koz AuEq. The updated resource will form the basis of an internal prefeasibility study to be completed in the second half of 2024. The positive results from the 2023 drilling program support the Company's goal to maintain annual production of more than 450,000 oz AuEq beyond 2027 and extend the overall life of the Morelos Complex well beyond 2033.





At ELG Underground, Proven and Probable reserves increased to 654 koz AuEq, extending the reserve life out to late 2028. Measured and Indicated resources expanded by 432 koz AuEq (570 koz AuEq prior to mined depletion), while Inferred resources increased by 119 koz AuEq. The resource growth was a direct result of the successful 2023 drilling program as well as the assumption of a lower cut-off grade, reflecting higher metal price assumptions and lower costs due to steady increases in underground mining rates. At EPO, infill drilling was successful in upgrading Inferred resources, while step-out drilling expanded the overall mineralized footprint. Indicated resources increased by 481 koz AuEq. The updated resource will form the basis of an internal prefeasibility study to be completed in the second half of 2024. The positive results from the 2023 drilling program support the Company's goal to maintain annual production of more than 450,000 oz AuEq beyond 2027 and extend the overall life of the Morelos Complex well beyond 2033. ESG rating improvements: The Company's MSCI ESG rating improved from 'A' to 'AA', with governance practices noted as 'leading global peers' (96th percentile). In addition, the Company's overall Sustainalytics ESG Risk Rating score improved from 31.5 for 2023 (classified as High risk) to 28.5 for 2024 (now categorized as Medium risk) and the CDP Climate Change Score improved from 'C' (Awareness level) in 2022 to 'B-' (Management level) in 2023.

These measures are Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures or Non-GAAP ratios (collectively, "Non-GAAP Measures"). For a detailed reconciliation of each Non-GAAP Measure to its most directly comparable IFRS financial measure see Tables 2 to 11 of this press release. For additional information on these Non-GAAP Measures, please refer to the Company's management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for the three months ended March 31, 2024, dated May 7, 2024. The MD&A, and the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024, are available on Torex's website (www.torexgold.com) and under the Company's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca). Gold equivalent ounces produced and sold includes production of silver and copper converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average realized prices for each commodity sold in the period. Refer to "Gold Equivalent Reporting" on page 6 of the Company's MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2024, dated May 7, 2024, for the relevant average realized prices by commodity and "Guidance" on page 7 of the Company's MD&A for 2024 guidance assumptions. Mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates for the Morelos Complex can be found in tables 12 and 13, respectively, of this press release. AuEq values account for underlying metal prices and metallurgical recoveries used in reserve and resource estimates. For more information on the mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates for the Morelos Complex, please see the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023, or the Company's news release titled "Torex Gold Reports Year-end 2023 Reserves & Resources" issued on March 26, 2024, and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com.

Table 1: Operating and Financial Highlights















Three Months Ended













Mar 31,



Dec 31,



Mar 31,

In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted



2024



2023



2023

Safety

























Lost-time injury frequency1



/million hours



0.15



0.31



0.53

Total recordable injury frequency1



/million hours



0.97



1.23



1.87

Operating Results - Gold only basis

















Gold produced



oz



115,494



137,993



122,918

Gold sold



oz



111,642



138,794



118,455

Total cash costs2



$/oz



918



885



709

All-in sustaining costs2



$/oz



1,202



1,073



1,079

Average realized gold price2



$/oz



2,023



1,995



1,899

Operating Results - Gold Equivalent basis

















Gold equivalent produced3



oz AuEq



117,306



139,418



124,871

Gold equivalent sold3



oz AuEq



114,199



139,854



120,748

Total cash costs2,3



$/oz AuEq



943



893



732

All-in sustaining costs2,3



$/oz AuEq



1,221



1,080



1,095

Financial Results

















Revenue



$



236.5



282.4



228.8

Cost of sales



$



157.4



191.6



137.4

Earnings from mine operations



$



79.1



90.8



91.4

Net income



$



43.1



50.4



68.2

Per share - Basic



$/share



0.50



0.59



0.79

Per share - Diluted



$/share



0.50



0.58



0.79

Adjusted net earnings2



$



35.9



49.1



50.3

Per share - Basic2



$/share



0.42



0.57



0.59

Per share - Diluted2



$/share



0.42



0.57



0.58

EBITDA2



$



98.0



115.4



102.5

Adjusted EBITDA2



$



113.2



142.6



132.7

Cost of sales - gold only basis



$/oz



1,410



1,380



1,160

Net cash generated from operating activities









79.8



120.0



47.0

Net cash generated from operating activities before changes

in non-cash operating working capital



$



72.5



133.5



61.9

Free cash flow2



$



(49.1)



(24.3)



(54.0)

Cash and cash equivalents



$



113.2



172.8



321.9

Lease-related obligations



$



44.0



32.0



3.5

Net cash2



$



69.2



140.8



318.4

Available liquidity2



$



405.3



464.9



564.0

On a 12-month rolling basis, per million hours worked. These measures are Non-GAAP Measures. For a detailed reconciliation of each Non-GAAP Measure to its most directly comparable measure in accordance with the IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board see Tables 2 to 11 of this press release. For additional information on these Non-GAAP Measures, please refer to the Company's MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2024, dated May 7, 2024. The MD&A and the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024, are available on Torex's website (www.torexgold.com) and under the Company's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca). Gold equivalent ounces produced and sold includes production of silver and copper converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average realized prices for each commodity sold in the period. Refer to "Gold Equivalent Reporting" on page 6 of the Company's MD&A for the relevant average realized prices by commodity.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS

The Company will host a conference call tomorrow at 9:00 AM (ET) where senior management will discuss the first quarter operating and financial results. For expedited access to the conference call, registration is open to obtain an access code in advance, which will allow participants to join the call directly at the scheduled time. Alternatively, dial-in details are as follows:

Toronto local or International: 1-647-484-8814

Toll-Free (North America): 1-844-763-8274

A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's website at https://torexgold.com/investors/upcoming-events/. The webcast will be archived on the Company's website.

Table 2: Reconciliation of Total Cash Costs and All-in Sustaining Costs to Production Costs and Royalties















Three Months Ended













Mar 31,



Dec 31,



Mar 31,

In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted









2024



2023



2023

Gold sold



oz



111,642



138,794



118,455

Total cash costs per oz sold

























Production costs



$



100.8



116.5



81.5

Royalties



$



6.9



8.4



6.9

Less: Silver sales



$



(1.5)



(0.9)



(1.5)

Less: Copper sales



$



(3.7)



(1.2)



(2.9)

Total cash costs



$



102.5



122.8



84.0

Total cash costs per oz sold



$/oz



918



885



709



















All-in sustaining costs per oz sold

















Total cash costs



$



102.5



122.8



84.0

General and administrative costs1



$



8.0



7.3



6.6

Reclamation and remediation costs



$



1.3



1.5



1.4

Sustaining capital expenditure



$



22.4



17.3



35.8

Total all-in sustaining costs



$



134.2



148.9



127.8

Total all-in sustaining costs per oz sold



$/oz



1,202



1,073



1,079



















Gold equivalent sold2



oz AuEq



114,199



139,854



120,748



















Total cash costs per oz AuEq sold

















Production costs



$



100.8



116.5



81.5

Royalties



$



6.9



8.4



6.9

Total cash costs



$



107.7



124.9



88.4

Total cash costs per oz AuEq sold2



$/oz AuEq



943



893



732



















All-in sustaining costs per oz AuEq sold

















Total cash costs



$



107.7



124.9



88.4

General and administrative costs1



$



8.0



7.3



6.6

Reclamation and remediation costs



$



1.3



1.5



1.4

Sustaining capital expenditure



$



22.4



17.3



35.8

Total all-in sustaining costs



$



139.4



151.0



132.2

Total all-in sustaining costs per oz AuEq sold2



$/oz AuEq



1,221



1,080



1,095

This amount excludes a loss of $4.2 million, gain of $0.5 million and loss of $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023, respectively, in relation to the remeasurement of share-based payments. This amount also excludes corporate depreciation and amortization expenses totalling $0.1 million, $nil and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023, respectively, within general and administrative costs. Included in general and administrative costs is share-based compensation expense in the amount of $2.3 million or $21/oz for the three months ended March 31, 2024, $1.1 million or $8/oz for the three months ended December 31, 2023, $1.9 million or $16/oz for the three months ended March 31, 2023. This amount excludes other expenses totalling $1.2 million, $2.1 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023, respectively. Gold equivalent ounces produced and sold includes production of silver and copper converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average realized prices for each commodity sold in the period. Refer to "Gold Equivalent Reporting" on page 6 of the Company's MD&A for the relevant average realized prices by commodity.

Table 3: Reconciliation of Sustaining and Non-Sustaining Costs to Capital Expenditures









Three Months Ended







Mar 31,



Dec 31,



Mar 31,

In millions of U.S. dollars



2024



2023



2023

Sustaining

$ 21.6



17.3



14.6

Capitalized Stripping (Sustaining)

$ 0.8



-



21.2

Non-sustaining

$ -



0.3



0.7

Total ELG

$ 22.4



17.6



36.5

Media Luna Project1

$ 126.4



124.0



66.4

Media Luna Cluster Drilling/Other

$ 1.3



3.8



3.1

Working Capital Changes & Other

$ (24.0)



(4.0)



(6.3)

Capital expenditures2

$ 126.1



141.4



99.7

This amount includes a realized gain (or a reduction in the capitalized expenditures) of $0.8 million, $0.3 million and $nil for the three months ended March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023, respectively, in relation to the settlement of foreign exchange zero cost collars that were entered into to manage the capital expenditure risk related to a further strengthening of the Mexican peso. The amount of cash expended on additions to property, plant and equipment in the period as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows.

Table 4: Reconciliation of Average Realized Gold Price and Total Cash Costs Margin to Revenue















Three Months Ended













Mar 31,



Dec 31,



Mar 31,

In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted









2024



2023



2023

Gold sold



oz



111,642



138,794



118,455

Revenue



$



236.5



282.4



228.8

Less: Silver sales



$



(1.5)



(0.9)



(1.5)

Less: Copper sales



$



(3.7)



(1.2)



(2.9)

Less: Realized (loss) gain on gold contracts



$



(5.4)



(3.4)



0.5

Total proceeds



$



225.9



276.9



224.9

Total average realized gold price



$/oz



2,023



1,995



1,899



















Less: Total cash costs



$/oz



918



885



709

Total cash costs margin



$/oz



1,105



1,110



1,190

Total cash costs margin



%



55



56



63



















Gold equivalent sold1



oz AuEq



114,199



139,854



120,748



















Revenue



$



236.5



282.4



228.8

Less: Realized (loss) gain on gold contracts



$



(5.4)



(3.4)



0.5

Total proceeds



$



231.1



279.0



229.3

Total average realized gold price



$/oz



2,023



1,995



1,899



















Less: Total cash costs1



$/oz AuEq



943



893



732

Total cash costs margin1



$/oz AuEq



1,080



1,102



1,167

Total cash costs margin



%



53



55



61

Gold equivalent ounces produced and sold includes production of silver and copper converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average realized prices for each commodity sold in the period. Refer to "Gold Equivalent Reporting" on page 6 of the Company's MD&A for the relevant average realized prices by commodity.

Table 5: Reconciliation of All-in Sustaining Costs Margin to Revenue















Three Months Ended













Mar 31,



Dec 31,



Mar 31,

In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted









2024



2023



2023

Gold sold



oz



111,642



138,794



118,455

Revenue



$



236.5



282.4



228.8

Less: Silver sales



$



(1.5)



(0.9)



(1.5)

Less: Copper sales



$



(3.7)



(1.2)



(2.9)

Less: Realized (loss) gain on gold contracts



$



(5.4)



(3.4)



0.5

Less: All-in sustaining costs



$



(134.2)



(148.9)



(127.8)

All-in sustaining costs margin



$



91.7



128.0



97.1

Total all-in sustaining costs margin



$/oz



821



922



820

Total all-in sustaining costs margin



%



39



45



42



















Gold equivalent sold1



oz AuEq



114,199



139,854



120,748



















Revenue



$



236.5



282.4



228.8

Less: Realized (loss) gain on gold contracts



$



(5.4)



(3.4)



0.5

Less: All-in sustaining costs



$



(139.4)



(151.0)



(132.2)

All-in sustaining costs margin



$



91.7



128.0



97.1

Total all-in sustaining costs margin1



$/oz AuEq



802



915



804

Total all-in sustaining costs margin



%



39



45



42

Gold equivalent ounces produced and sold includes production of silver and copper converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average realized prices for each commodity sold in the period. Refer to "Gold Equivalent Reporting" on page 6 of the Company's MD&A for the relevant average realized prices by commodity.

Table 6: Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Earnings to Net Income















Three Months Ended

In millions of U.S. dollars, unless

otherwise noted









Mar 31,



Dec 31,



Mar 31,







2024



2023



2023

Basic weighted average shares outstanding



shares



85,949,559



85,885,453



85,869,276

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding



shares



86,499,360



86,410,111



86,398,732



















Net income



$



43.1



50.4



68.2



















Adjustments:

















Unrealized foreign exchange gain



$



(0.6)



(0.7)



(0.5)

Unrealized loss on derivative contracts



$



11.6



28.4



27.1

Remeasurement of share-based payments



$



4.2



(0.5)



3.6

Derecognition of provisions for uncertain tax positions



$



(12.1)



-



(15.2)

Tax effect of above adjustments



$



(3.3)



(8.3)



(9.0)

Tax effect of currency translation on tax base



$



(7.0)



(20.2)



(23.9)

Adjusted net earnings



$



35.9



49.1



50.3

Per share - Basic



$/share



0.42



0.57



0.59

Per share - Diluted



$/share



0.42



0.57



0.58

Table 7: Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income







Three Months Ended





Mar 31,



Dec 31,



Mar 31, In millions of U.S. dollars



2024



2023



2023 Net income $

43.1



50.4



68.2













Finance income, net $

(1.7)



(2.0)



(3.0) Depreciation and amortization1 $

49.8



66.8



49.1 Current income tax expense $

26.2



50.5



16.8 Deferred income tax recovery $

(19.4)



(50.3)



(28.6) EBITDA $

98.0



115.4



102.5













Adjustments:











Unrealized loss on derivative contracts $

11.6



28.4



27.1 Unrealized foreign exchange gain $

(0.6)



(0.7)



(0.5) Remeasurement of share-based payments $

4.2



(0.5)



3.6 Adjusted EBITDA $

113.2



142.6



132.7

Includes depreciation and amortization included in cost of sales, general and administrative expenses and exploration and evaluation expenses.

Table 8: Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to Net Cash Generated from Operating Activities









Three Months Ended







Mar 31,



Dec 31,



Mar 31,

In millions of U.S. dollars



2024



2023



2023

Net cash generated from operating activities

$ 79.8



120.0



47.0

Less:













Additions to property, plant and equipment1

$ (126.1)



(141.4)



(99.7)

Lease payments

$ (1.4)



(1.6)



(0.8)

Interest paid2

$ (1.4)



(1.3)



(0.5)

Free cash flow

$ (49.1)



(24.3)



(54.0)

The amount of cash expended on additions to property, plant and equipment in the period as reported on the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows. Including borrowing costs capitalized to property, plant and equipment.

Table 9: Reconciliation of Net Cash to Cash and Cash Equivalents









Mar 31,



Dec 31,



Mar 31,

In millions of U.S. dollars



2024



2023



2023

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 113.2



172.8



321.9

Less: Lease-related obligations

$ (44.0)



(32.0)



(3.5)

Net cash

$ 69.2



140.8



318.4

Table 10: Reconciliation of Available Liquidity to Cash and Cash Equivalents









Mar 31,



Dec 31,



Mar 31,

In millions of U.S. dollars



2024



2023



2023

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 113.2



172.8



321.9

Add: Available credit of the Debt Facility

$ 292.1



292.1



242.1

Available liquidity

$ 405.3



464.9



564.0

Table 11: Reconciliation of Unit Cost Measures to Production Costs



Three Months Ended In millions of U.S. dollars, unless

otherwise noted Mar 31,

2024



Dec 31,

2023









Mar 31,

2023





Gold sold (oz) 111,642



138,794









118,455





Tonnes mined - open pit (kt) 8,981



9,626









9,354





Tonnes mined - underground (kt) 168



212









156





Tonnes processed (kt) 1,194



1,218







1,177



Total cash costs:

















Total cash costs ($) 102.5



122.8







84.0



Total cash costs per oz sold ($) 918



885







709



Breakdown of production costs $ $/t

$



$/t



$



$/t Mining - open pit 31.6 3.52

33.8



3.51



28.4



3.03 Mining - underground 13.8 82.34

16.3



77.02



12.6



80.42 Processing 42.5 35.64

45.5



37.36



39.7



33.72 Site support 14.3 12.00

14.1



11.58



12.1



10.25 Mexican profit sharing (PTU) 3.0 2.50

6.4



5.26



5.5



4.64 Capitalized stripping (0.8)



-







(21.2)



Inventory movement (4.3)



-







3.5



Other 0.7



0.4







0.9



Production costs 100.8



116.5







81.5





Table 12: Mineral Reserve Estimate - Morelos Complex (December 31, 2023)



Tonnes Au Ag Cu Au Ag Cu AuEq AuEq

(kt) (gpt) (gpt) (%) (koz) (koz) (Mlb) (gpt) (koz) Media Luna Underground

















Proven 2,001 4.28 33.1 1.09 276 2,129 48 6.48 417 Probable 21,568 2.56 24.2 0.84 1,775 16,749 401 4.24 2,943 Proven & Probable 23,569 2.71 24.9 0.86 2,050 18,877 448 4.43 3,360 ELG Underground

















Proven 1,497 5.77 8.0 0.30 277 385 10 6.28 302 Probable 2,007 4.91 7.5 0.29 317 482 13 5.46 352 Proven & Probable 3,504 5.28 7.7 0.30 594 867 23 5.81 654 ELG Open Pit

















Proven 1,813 4.30 5.4 0.16 251 313 6 4.36 254 Probable 3,741 2.51 4.5 0.20 302 538 16 2.58 310 Proven & Probable 5,553 3.09 4.8 0.18 552 851 23 3.16 565 Surface Stockpiles

















Proven 4,972 1.17 2.8 0.07 187 443 8 1.20 192 Probable - - - - - - - - - Proven & Probable 4,972 1.17 2.8 0.07 187 443 8 1.20 192 Total Morelos Complex

















Proven 10,283 3.00 9.9 0.32 991 3,269 72 3.52 1,165 Probable 27,316 2.73 20.2 0.71 2,393 17,769 430 4.11 3,606 Proven & Probable 37,598 2.80 17.4 0.61 3,384 21,038 502 3.95 4,771

Notes to accompany the mineral reserve table:

Mineral reserves were developed in accordance with CIM (2014) guidelines. Rounding may result in apparent summation differences between tonnes, grade, and contained metal content. Surface stockpile mineral reserves are estimated using production and survey data and apply the same gold equivalent ("AuEq") formula as ELG Open Pits. AuEq of total reserves is established from combined contributions of the various deposits. The qualified person for the mineral reserve estimate is Johannes (Gertjan) Bekkers, P. Eng., VP of Mines Technical Services. The qualified person is not aware of mining, metallurgical, infrastructure, permitting, or other factors that materially affect the mineral reserve estimates.

Notes to accompany the Media Luna Underground mineral reserves:

Mineral reserves are based on Media Luna Measured & Indicated mineral resources with an effective date of December 31, 2023. Media Luna Underground mineral reserves are reported above an in-situ ore cut-off grade of 2.4 g/t AuEq. Media Luna Underground cut-off grades and mining shapes are considered appropriate for a metal price of $1,500/oz gold ("Au"), $19/oz silver ("Ag") and $3.50/lb copper ("Cu") and metal recoveries of 90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu. Mineral reserves within designed mine shapes assume long-hole open stoping, supplemented with mechanized cut-and-fill mining and includes estimates for dilution and mining losses. Media Luna Underground AuEq = Au (g/t) + Ag (g/t) * (0.0121) + Cu (%) * (1.6533), accounting for metal prices and metallurgical recoveries.

Notes to accompany the ELG Underground mineral reserves:

Mineral reserves are founded on Measured and Indicated mineral resources, with an effective date of December 31, 2023, for ELG Underground (including Sub-Sill, El Limon Deep and El Limon Sur Trend deposits). ELG Underground mineral reserves are reported above an in-situ ore cut-off grade of 2.8 g/t AuEq and an in-situ incremental cut-off grade of 1.6 g/t AuEq. Cut-off grades and mining shapes are considered appropriate for a metal price of $1,500/oz gold ("Au"), $19/oz silver ("Ag") and $3.50/lb copper ("Cu") and metal recoveries of 90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu, accounting for the planned copper concentrator. Mineral reserves within designed mine shapes assume mechanized cut and fill mining method and include estimates for dilution and mining losses. Mineral reserves are reported using an Au price of US$1,500/oz, Ag price of US$19/oz, and Cu price of US$3.50/lb. ELG Underground AuEq = Au (g/t) + Ag (g/t) * (0.0121) + Cu (%) * (1.6533), accounting for metal prices and metallurgical recoveries.

Notes to accompany the ELG Open Pit mineral reserves and Surface Stockpiles:

Mineral reserves are founded on Measured and Indicated mineral resources, with an effective date of December 31, 2023, for El Limon and El Limon Sur deposits. ELG Open Pit mineral reserves are reported above an in-situ cut-off grade of 1.2 g/t Au. ELG Low Grade mineral reserves are reported above an in-situ cut-off grade of 0.88 g/t Au. It is planned that ELG Low Grade mineral reserves within the designed pits will be stockpiled during pit operation and processed during pit closure. Mineral reserves within the designed pits include assumed estimates for dilution and ore losses. Cut-off grades and designed pits are considered appropriate for a metal price of $1,500/oz Au and metal recovery of 89% Au. Mineral reserves are reported using an Au price of US$1,500/oz, Ag price of US$19/oz, and Cu price of US$3.50/lb. Average metallurgical recoveries of 89% for Au, 30% for Ag, and 15% for Cu. ELG Open Pit (including surface stockpiles) AuEq = Au (g/t) + Ag (g/t) * (0.0043) + Cu (%) * (0.2697), accounting for metal prices and metallurgical recoveries.

Table 13: Mineral Resource Estimate - Morelos Complex (December 31, 2023)



Tonnes Au Ag Cu Au Ag Cu AuEq AuEq

(kt) (gpt) (gpt) (%) (koz) (koz) (Mlb) (gpt) (koz) Media Luna Underground

















Measured 1,835 5.26 41.7 1.37 310 2,463 55 8.00 472 Indicated 25,616 2.99 29.5 1.04 2,463 24,328 585 5.03 4,146 Measured & Indicated 27,451 3.14 30.4 1.06 2,774 26,791 640 5.23 4,618 Inferred 7,330 2.54 23.0 0.88 598 5,408 142 4.25 1,001 ELG Underground

















Measured 3,451 5.48 7.9 0.32 608 876 24 6.10 677 Indicated 4,725 4.46 7.4 0.30 677 1,126 31 5.03 765 Measured & Indicated 8,176 4.89 7.6 0.31 1,285 2,002 55 5.48 1,441 Inferred 2,396 4.60 8.0 0.35 355 620 19 5.28 407 EPO Underground

















Measured - - - - - - - - - Indicated 6,979 2.66 30.0 1.27 597 6,728 195 5.14 1,153 Measured & Indicated 6,979 2.66 30.0 1.27 597 6,728 195 5.14 1,153 Inferred 4,960 2.00 37.0 1.24 318 5,908 136 4.52 721 ELG Open Pit

















Measured 1,812 4.41 5.5 0.16 257 323 6 4.47 261 Indicated 4,299 2.50 4.4 0.18 346 606 17 2.57 355 Measured & Indicated 6,110 3.07 4.7 0.17 602 929 23 3.13 615 Inferred 399 2.06 1.5 0.05 26 19 0 2.08 27 Total Morelos Complex

















Measured 7,098 5.15 16.0 0.55 1,175 3,662 86 6.18 1,409 Indicated 41,619 3.05 24.5 0.90 4,083 32,787 827 4.80 6,418 Measured & Indicated 48,717 3.36 23.3 0.85 5,258 36,449 913 5.00 7,828 Inferred 15,085 2.67 24.7 0.89 1,297 11,955 297 4.45 2,156

Notes to accompany the mineral resource table:

CIM (2014) definitions were followed for mineral resources. Mineral resources are depleted above a mining surface or to the as-mined solids as of December 31, 2023. Gold equivalent ("AuEq") of total mineral resources is established from combined contributions of the various deposits. Mineral resources for all deposits are based on an underlying gold ("Au") price of US$1,650/oz, silver ("Ag") price of US$22/oz, and copper ("Cu") price of US$3.75/lb. Mineral resources are inclusive of mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Numbers may not add due to rounding. The estimate was prepared by Ms. Carolina Milla, P.Eng. (Alberta), Principal, Mineral Resources

Notes to accompany Media Luna Underground mineral resources:

The effective date of the estimate is December 31, 2023. Mineral resources for Media Luna Underground are reported above a 2.0 g/t AuEq cut-off grade. Metallurgical recoveries at Media Luna Underground average 90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu. The assumed mining method is from underground methods, using a combination of long-hole open stoping and mechanized cut-and-fill. Media Luna Underground AuEq = Au (g/t) + (Ag (g/t) * 0.0127) + (Cu (%) * 1.6104), accounting for underlying metal prices and metallurgical recoveries for Media Luna Underground.

Notes to accompany ELG Underground mineral resources:

The effective date of the estimate is December 31, 2023. Mineral resources for ELG Underground are reported above a cut-off grade of 2.2 g/t AuEq. Average metallurgical recoveries are 90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu, accounting for recoveries with planned copper concentrator. The assumed mining method is underground cut and fill. ELG Underground AuEq = Au (g/t) + (Ag (g/t) * 0.0127) + (Cu (%) * 1.6104), accounting for underlying metal prices and metallurgical recoveries for ELG Underground.

Notes to accompany EPO Underground mineral resources:

The effective date of the estimate is December 31, 2023. Mineral resources for EPO Underground are reported above a 2.0 g/t AuEq cut-off grade. Metallurgical recoveries at EPO average 87% Au, 85% Ag, and 92% Cu. The assumed mining method is from underground methods, using long-hole open stoping. EPO Underground AuEq = Au (g/t) + (Ag (g/t) * 0.0130) + (Cu (%) * 1.6480), accounting for underlying metal prices and metallurgical recoveries for EPO Underground.

Notes to accompany the ELG Open Pit mineral resources:

The effective date of the estimate is December 31, 2023. Mineral resources for ELG Open Pit are reported above an in-situ cut-off grade of 0.78 g/t Au. Average metallurgical recoveries are 89% Au, 30% Ag, and 15% Cu. Mineral resources are reported inside an optimized pit shell, underground mineral reserves at ELD within the El Limon pit shell have been excluded from the open pit mineral resources. ELG Open Pit AuEq = Au (g/t) + (Ag (g/t) * 0.0045) + (Cu (%) * 0.2627), accounting for underlying metal prices and metallurgical recoveries for ELG Open Pit.

ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.

Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City. The Company's principal asset is the Morelos Complex, which includes the El Limon Guajes ("ELG") Mine Complex, the Media Luna Project, a processing plant, and related infrastructure. Commercial production from the Morelos Complex commenced on April 1, 2016 and an updated Technical Report for the Morelos Complex was released in March 2022. Torex's key strategic objectives are: integrate and optimize the Morelos Property; deliver Media Luna to full production; grow reserves and resources; disciplined growth and capital allocation; retain and attract best industry talent; and build on ESG excellence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.

Jody Kuzenko

President and CEO

Direct: (647) 725-9982

jody.kuzenko@torexgold.com

Dan Rollins

Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Direct: (647) 260-1503

dan.rollins@torexgold.com

QUALIFIED PERSONS

The scientific and technical information contained in this press release pertaining to mineral reserves and mineral resources has been reviewed and approved by Johannes (Gertjan) Bekkers, P.Eng., Vice President, Mine Technical Services of Torex Gold Resources Inc. and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

CAUTIONARY NOTES ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information also includes, but is not limited to, statements that: the Company is on track to deliver on full-year production and cost guidance with funding surplus in-hand to complete the Media Luna Project; with decreasing costs expected through 2024 as open pit stripping winds down, we are well-positioned to deliver even stronger margins should the gold price remain at current levels; development and construction activities are tracking to plan with first concentrate production anticipated before year end and commercial production expected early next year; we are well-positioned to return to positive free cash flow in mid-2025; our first quarter results have laid the foundation for what we expect will be a transformational year for the Company and our shareholders; the Company is on track to achieve annual production guidance of 400,000 to 450,000 oz; the Company is on track to achieve guidance of 410,000 to 460,000 oz AuEq; costs are expected to decrease through 2024 as stripping requirements continue to decline with the wind down of the open pits and as such, the Company is on track to achieve full year total cash costs guidance of $860 to $910 per oz and all-in sustaining costs guidance of $1,100 to $1,160 per oz; quarterly expenditures are expected to remain above $100 million through 2024 before declining in Q4 2024 as the Media Luna Project nears completion and commercial production is subsequently declared; there has been no change in full year guidance of $350.0 to $400.0 million on project capital expenditures; and the positive results from the 2023 drilling program support the Company's goal to maintain annual production of more than 450,000 oz AuEq beyond 2027 and extend the overall life of the Morelos Complex well beyond 2033; and key strategic objectives are: integrate and optimize the Morelos Property; deliver Media Luna to full production; grow reserves and resources; disciplined growth and capital allocation; retain and attract best industry talent; and build on ESG excellence. Generally, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "forecast," "plans," "expects," or "does not expect," "is expected," "strategic" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "may," "could," "would," "might," or "on track,", or "well positioned to" occur. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties identified in the technical report (the "Technical Report") released on March 31, 2022, entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report ELG Mine Complex Life Of Mine Plan and Media Luna Feasibility Study", which has an effective date of March 16, 2022, and the Company's annual information form ("AIF") and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. Forward-looking information and statements are based on the assumptions discussed in the Technical Report, AIF and MD&A and such other reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. The Technical Report, MD&A and AIF are filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and available on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208382

SOURCE: Torex Gold Resources Inc.
TORONTO, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mandalay Resources Corporation ("Mandalay" or the "Company") (TSX: MND) (OTCQB: MNDJF) is pleased to announce financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, supported by solid production results, disciplined capital allocation, and favorable metal prices.

The Company's condensed and consolidated interim financial result for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, together with its Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the corresponding period, can be accessed under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.mandalayresources.com. All currency references in this press release are in U.S. dollars except as otherwise indicated.

First Quarter 2024 Highlights:

Significant strengthening of Balance Sheet with cash balance of $47.1 million;

Growing net cash position 1 now at $19.4 million;

now at $19.4 million; Generated $29.5 million and $16.1 million in cash flow from operating activities and free cash flow 1 , respectively;

, respectively; Consolidated revenue up 32% and 10% as compared to Q1 2023 and Q4 2023 respectively, reaching $55.5 million;

Bjorkdal recorded its highest ever quarterly revenue of $24.9 million;

Costerfield generated $30.6 million in quarterly revenue, its highest since Q2 2022;

Consolidated quarterly adjusted EBITDA 1 of $26.7 million, two-fold increase as compared to corresponding quarter last year;

of $26.7 million, two-fold increase as compared to corresponding quarter last year; Consolidated cash operating cost 1 per gold equivalent ounce produced decreased 15% to $1,039 per ounce in Q1 2024 compared $1,222 in Q1 2023;

per gold equivalent ounce produced decreased 15% to $1,039 per ounce in Q1 2024 compared $1,222 in Q1 2023; All-in sustaining cost decreased to $1,430 per gold equivalent ounce produced in Q1 2024, compared to $1,612 in Q1 2023; and

Consolidated net income was $5.9 million ($0.06 or C$0.09 per share).

Frazer Bourchier, President, and CEO commented:

"Our strong production results, coupled with a stable cost structure, led to strong cash generation in the quarter. As compared with the previous quarter, Mandalay significantly bolstered its cash balance by over $20 million, resulting in $47.1 million in cash with a net cash position of $19.4 million in Q1 2024.

"At Bjorkdal, the site achieved its highest quarterly revenue yet, nearing $25 million. This was primarily driven by increased tonnage processed and a 9% increase in average gold head grade in Q1 2024, as compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, at Costerfield, the site recorded its second consecutive quarter-over-quarter revenue increase, reaching $30.6 million."

____________________ 1 Gold equivalent production, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, net cash, cash operating costs and all-in sustaining costs are non-GAAP financial performance measures with no standard definition under IFRS. Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures" at the end of this press release for further information.

Hashim Ahmed, CFO commented:

"On a consolidated basis, the Company generated $16.1 million in free cash flow during Q1 2024, equating to approximately $636 per ounce of gold equivalent sold. This was supported by a twofold increase in cash flow from operating activities during the same period, amounting to $29.5 million by the end of Q1 2024.

"Our consolidated cash and all-in sustaining costs per ounce of gold equivalent produced during Q1 2024 were $1,039 and $1,430, respectively, marking a decrease compared to the corresponding quarter last year, primarily due to increased gold equivalent production and a stable cost base.

"Mandalay remains committed to a disciplined approach towards capital expenditure, prioritizing projects and initiatives that offer significant returns that align with our long-term growth objectives. In line with this commitment, exploration expenditure is anticipated to remain on course, with an expected full-year spending of $12 - $15 million across both operational sites. Additionally, we have successfully renegotiated an extension to our Revolving Credit Facility with Scotiabank, now until 2027, bolstering our financial flexibility to further support these objectives.

Mr. Bourchier continued: "The Company looks forward to building upon its established track record of success by maintaining operational controls and disciplined capital allocation at both mines. This approach will solidify the Company's position for sustained cash flow generation and value creation for its stakeholders. A stronger balance sheet also enables the Company to continue to look for M&A opportunities in the sector."

First Quarter 2024 Financial Summary

The following table summarizes the Company's consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023:

($ thousands, except where indicated) Q1 2024 Q1 2023 Revenue 55,511 42,179 Cost of sales 27,031 26,606 Adjusted EBITDA (1) 26,735 12,945 Adjusted net income (1) 12,152 518 Consolidated net income 5,888 554 Capital expenditure 13,145 8,776 Total assets 300,354 279,413 Total liabilities 106,049 94,907 Adjusted net income per share (1) 0.13 0.01 Consolidated net income per share 0.06 0.01

1. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share are non-GAAP financial performance measures with no standard definition under IFRS. Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures" at the end of this press release for further information.

In Q1 2024, Mandalay generated consolidated revenue of $55.5 million, 32% higher than the first quarter of 2023. The increase in revenue was due to an increase in gold production contributing to higher gold equivalent ounces sold of 25,277 ounces in Q1 2024 as compared to 21,769 ounces in Q1 2023. Another contributing factor to the increased revenue was the higher average realized prices: $2,200 per ounce for gold and $13,823 per tonne for antimony in Q1 2024 compared to $1,943 per ounce and $12,823 per tonne in Q1 2023. In Q1 2024, Mandalay sold 3,508 more gold equivalent ounces than in Q1 2023.

Consolidated cash operating cost per ounce of gold equivalent produced decreased 15% to $1,039 per ounce in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $1,222 in the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in cash operating cost was due to a 25% increase of gold equivalent production in Q1 2024 to 24,936 ounces produced compared to 19,986 ounces in Q1 2023, partly offset by 6% increase in cash operating costs. Cost of sales including change in inventory during the first quarter of 2024 versus the first quarter of 2023 were $0.2 million higher at Costerfield and $0.2 million higher at Bjorkdal. Consolidated general and administrative costs were $0.9 million lower compared to the first quarter of 2023.

Mandalay generated adjusted EBITDA of $26.7 million in the first quarter of 2024, twice as high compared to the adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2023. The increase in adjusted EBITDA was due to higher revenue in the current quarter. Adjusted net income was $12.2 million in the first quarter of 2024, which excludes a $6.0 million loss on financial instruments and $0.3 million of write-off of assets, compared to an adjusted net income of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Consolidated net income was $5.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, versus $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. Mandalay ended the first quarter of 2024 with $47.1 million in cash and cash equivalents.

First Quarter Operational Summary

The table below summarizes the Company's operations, capital expenditures and operational unit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023:

($ thousands, except where indicated) Q1 2024 Q1 2023 Costerfield



Gold produced (oz) 11,976 7,368 Antimony produced (t) 404 544 Gold equivalent produced (oz) 14,566 11,017 Cash operating cost (1) per oz gold eq. produced ($) 780 921 All-in sustaining cost (1) per oz gold eq. produced ($) 1,005 1,101 Capital development 854 865 Property, plant and equipment purchases 853 508 Capitalized exploration 1,948 2,151 Bjorkdal



Gold produced (oz) 10,370 8,969 Cash operating cost (1) per oz gold produced ($) 1,403 1,592 All-in sustaining cost (1,3) per oz gold produced ($) 1,868 1,937 Capital development 2,681 1,809 Property, plant and equipment purchases 1,408 2,583

















($ thousands, except where indicated) Q1 2024 Q1 2023 Bjorkdal continued



Capitalized exploration 599 794





Consolidated



Gold equivalent produced (oz) 24,936 19,986 Cash operating cost (1) per oz gold eq. produced ($) 1,039 1,222 All-in sustaining cost (1,3) per oz gold eq. produced ($) 1,430 1,612 Capital development 3,535 2,674 Property, plant and equipment purchases 7,007 3,091 Capitalized exploration (2) 2,603 3,011

1. Cash operating cost and all-in sustaining cost are non-GAAP financial performance measures with no standard definition under IFRS. Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures" at the end of this press release for further information. 2. Includes capitalized exploration relating to other non-core assets. 3. All-in sustaining costs in the current year includes tailings dam amortization, accordingly the 2023 comparative figures have been updated.

Costerfield gold-antimony mine, Victoria, Australia

Costerfield produced 11,976 ounces of gold and 404 tonnes of antimony for 14,566 gold equivalent ounces in the first quarter of 2024. Cash operating and all-in sustaining costs at Costerfield of $780/oz and $1,005/oz, respectively, compared to cash and all-in sustaining costs of $921/oz and $1,101/oz, respectively, in the first quarter of 2023.

During Q1 2024, Costerfield generated $30.6 million in revenue and $18.6 million in adjusted EBITDA, which resulted in net income of $10.0 million. Head grades during Q1 2024, which averaged 12.4 g/t gold and 2.2% antimony. Compared to Q1 2023, Costerfield's gold equivalent production increased significantly, primarily due to the higher milled gold head grade during the quarter.

Bjorkdal gold mine, Skelleftea, Sweden

Bjorkdal produced 10,370 ounces of gold in the first quarter of 2024. Cash and all-in sustaining costs at Bjorkdal were $1,403/oz and $1,868/oz, respectively, compared to cash and all-in sustaining costs of $1,592/oz and $1,937/oz, respectively, in the first quarter of 2023.

Bjorkdal continues to show improvement in production and sales figures. During Q1 2024, Bjorkdal generated $24.9 million in revenue and $9.8 million in adjusted EBITDA, which resulted in net loss of $0.6 million. The production of 10,370 ounces was higher than the 8,969 ounces produced in the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher throughput and higher milled gold head grade.

Lupin, Nunavut, Canada

Care and maintenance spending at Lupin was less than $0.1 million during Q1 2024 and Q1 2023. Reclamation spending at Lupin was $0.1 million during Q1 2024 and Q1 2023. There will be increased reclamation spend in the remaining year 2024 at Lupin relative to the 2023 year, but the majority of this reclamation work to achieve the majority of closure obligations, is expected to take place in the 2025 calendar year. Lupin is currently in the process of final closure and reclamation activities, which are partly funded by progressive security reductions held by the Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

La Quebrada, Chile

No work was carried out on the La Quebrada development property during Q1 2024.

Conference Call

A conference call with Frazer Bourchier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mandalay, for investors and analysts on May 9, 2024, at 8:00 AM (Toronto time). Interested investors may join by using the following dial-in number:

Participant Number (North America toll free): 1-800-836-8184 Conference ID: 24355

Alternatively, please register for the webcast here. A replay of the conference call will be available until 11:59 PM (Toronto time), May 16, 2024, and can be accessed using the following dial-in numbers:

Encore Number (Canada Toll free): 1-888-660-6345 Encore Replay Code: 24355 #

About Mandalay Resources Corporation

Mandalay Resources is a Canadian-based natural resource company with producing assets in Australia (Costerfield gold-antimony mine) and Sweden (Bjorkdal gold mine). The Company is focused on growing its production and reducing costs to generate significant positive cashflow. Mandalay is committed to operating safely and in an environmentally responsible manner, while developing a high level of community and employee engagement.

Mandalay's mission is to create shareholder value through the profitable operation and regional exploration programs, at both its Costerfield and Bjorkdal mines. Currently, the Company's main objectives are to continue mining the high-grade Youle and Shepherd veins at Costerfield, and to extend Mineral Reserves. At Bjorkdal, the Company will aim to increase production from the Eastern Extension area and other higher-grade areas in the coming years, in order to maximize profit margins from the mine.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in 2024. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, changes in commodity prices and general market and economic conditions. The factors identified above are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Mandalay. A description of additional risks that could result in actual results and developments differing from those contemplated by forward-looking statements in this news release can be found under the heading "Risk Factors" in Mandalay's annual information form dated March 31, 2024, a copy of which is available under Mandalay's profile at www.sedar.com. In addition, there can be no assurance that any inferred resources that are discovered as a result of additional drilling will ever be upgraded to proven or probable reserves. Although Mandalay has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Performance Measures

This news release may contain references to Income from mine operations before depreciation & depletion, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, free cash flow, cash operating cost per ounce of gold equivalent produced and all-in sustaining cost all of which are non-GAAP performance measures and do not have standardized meanings under IFRS. Therefore, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

Management uses adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow as measures of operating performance to assist in assessing the Company's ability to generate liquidity through operating cash flow to fund future working capital needs and to fund future capital expenditures, as well as to assist in comparing financial performance from period to period on a consistent basis. Management uses adjusted net income in order to facilitate an understanding of the Company's financial performance prior to the impact of non-recurring or special items. The Company believes that these measures are used by and are useful to investors and other users of the Company's financial statements in evaluating the Company's operating and cash performance because they allow for analysis of its financial results without regard to special, non-cash and other non-core items, which can vary substantially from company to company and over different periods.

The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as income from mine operations, net of administration costs, and before interest, taxes, non-cash charges/(income), intercompany charges and finance costs. The Company defines adjusted net income as net income before special items. Special items are items of income and expense that are presented separately due to their nature and, in some cases, expected infrequency of the events giving rise to them. A reconciliation between adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income, on the one hand, and consolidated net income, on the other hand, is included in the MD&A.

The Company defines free cash flow as a measure of the Company's ability to generate and manage liquidity. It is calculated starting with the net cash flows from operating activities (as per IFRS) and then subtracting capital expenditures and lease payments. Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures" section of the MD&A for a reconciliation between free cash flow and net cash flows from operating activities.

For Costerfield, equivalent gold ounces produced is calculated by adding to gold ounces produced, the antimony tonnes produced times the average antimony price in the period divided by the average gold price in the period. The total cash operating cost associated with the production of these equivalent ounces produced in the period is then divided by the equivalent gold ounces produced to yield the cash operating cost per equivalent ounce produced. The cash operating cost excludes royalty expenses. Site all-in sustaining costs include total cash operating costs, sustaining mining capital, royalty expense, accretion of reclamation provision and tailings dam amortization. Sustaining capital reflects the capital required to maintain each site's current level of operations. The site's all-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold equivalent in a period equals the all-in sustaining cost divided by the equivalent gold ounces produced in the period.

For Bjorkdal, the total cash operating cost associated with the production of gold ounces produced in the period is then divided by the gold ounces produced to yield the cash operating cost per gold ounce produced. The cash operating cost excludes royalty expenses. Site all-in sustaining costs include total cash operating costs, sustaining mining capital, royalty expense, accretion of reclamation provision and tailings dam amortization. Sustaining capital reflects the capital required to maintain each site's current level of operations. The site's all-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold equivalent in a period equals the all-in sustaining cost divided by the equivalent gold ounces produced in the period.

For the Company as a whole, cash operating cost per gold equivalent ounce is calculated by summing the gold equivalent ounces produced by each site and dividing the total by the sum of cash operating costs at the sites. Consolidated cash operating cost excludes royalty and corporate level general and administrative expenses. This definition was updated in the third quarter of 2020 to exclude corporate general and administrative expenses to better align with industry standard. All-in sustaining cost per ounce gold equivalent in the period equals the sum of cash operating costs associated with the production of gold equivalent ounces at all operating sites in the period plus corporate overhead expense in the period plus sustaining mining capital, royalty expense, accretion of reclamation provision and tailings dam amortization, divided by the total gold equivalent ounces produced in the period. A reconciliation between cost of sales and cash operating costs, and also cash operating cost to all-in sustaining costs are included in the MD&A.

CONTACT: Frazer Bourchier, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer; Edison Nguyen, Director, Business Valuations and IR, Contact: +1 (647) 258 9722

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2408295/Mandalay_Resources_Corporation_Mandalay_Resources_Delivers_Stron.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mandalay-resources-delivers-strong-first-quarter-2024-financial-results-302140527.html
Pursuit NW Stands United for Israel

SEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / The Pursuit NW, under the leadership of Pastor Russell Johnson, is proud to announce its continued commitment to advocating for Israel with the upcoming "United for Israel" rally at the University of Washington on Sunday, May 12th, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. The rally will start at Red Square, with a march through the campus and will conclude at the Pursuit Seattle campus located on UW's frat row.

Pro-Israel March

Interfaith Rally

Pastor Russell spearheaded the impactful University of Washington march, which convened shortly after the October 7th attacks on Israel. The Seattle event, in collaboration with StandWithUs and Oregon for Israel, featured distinguished guest speaker Mosab Hassan Yousef, renowned for his courageous stance as the "Son of Hamas."

He went on to direct the recent Pro-Israel rallies at Columbia University and the University of Southern California in collaboration with Sean Feucht, Let Us Worship, Hold the Line, StandWithUs, and various Jewish and Christian groups. The resoundingly successful events drew thousands of attendees representing various faiths. Since the events, the organization has been inundated with requests for similar initiatives to counter the alarming rise of antisemitism on college campuses across America.

Pastor Russell brings a wealth of experience and passion to Pro-Israel initiatives and is excited to return to his home base in Seattle, where the initiative first came to fruition. The Pursuit aims to provide a platform for the majority voice in America amidst media portrayals influenced by minority extremist perspectives. Pastor Johnson emphasizes the rally's focus on essential issues, including Israel's right to self-defense, the immediate release of all remaining hostages, and the restoration of lasting peace in the region.

About:

The Pursuit, based in Washington state, is a non-denominational church across multiple campuses, including Seattle, Kirkland, Snohomish, and an online presence. The church's mission centers on glorifying Jesus and bringing people into an encounter with the presence of God. It's no coincidence that their Seattle Campus is on the University of Washington's Frat Row.

Contact:

Pursuit NW Church | 9051 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA. 98033

Emma LaMarche | emma.l@thepursuitnw.com

Media Intake Coordinator | 425-205-7428 | www.thepursuitnw.com

Contact Information

Emma LaMarche

Media Intake Coordinator

emma.l@thepursuitnw.com

425-205-7428

SOURCE: Pursuit NW

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Altera, a Los Angeles, CA-based artificial intelligence company creating digital human beings, closed a $9m seed funding round.

The round, which brought total funding to $11.1m since inception in December 2023, was led by Patron and First Spark Ventures with participation from a16z SPEEDRUN, Mitch Lasky, Stephen Lim, Greg Harper, Bob Meese, Rich Aldrich, Vamos Ventures, Alumni Ventures, etc.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its development efforts.

Founded in December 2023 by Dr. Robert Yang, CEO, CSO Dr. Andrew Ahn, CTO Shuying Luo and CBO Nico Christie, Altera is building an AI agent capable of playing Minecraft, alongside human players. The company aims to build digital humans offering empathy, friendship and fun, and who are are capable and autonomous in the long term.

FinSMEs

08/05/2024
Craig Goodwin and Steve Daniels, Cofounders of Bleach

Bleach Cyber, a San Francisco, CA-based company which specializes in cybersecurity for startups and small businesses, raised $2M in Pre-Seed funding.

Backers included Everywhere VC, The Fund Austin, Rain Tree Roots Capital, BlueWing Ventures, Concept Ventures, Tynrose, and Acadian Capital Ventures, with support from angel investors including Don Douglas, Scott Nicholson, Nick Santora, Sam Murdoch, and Bill Tyndall.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts.

Co-founded in 2022 by CEO, Craig Goodwin and Steve Daniels, Bleach Cyber helps startups and small businesses manage security and compliance and provides a one-stop, streamlined solution for managing cyber security across applications and networks. The process for using Bleach Cyber starts with a thorough analysis of a customers security & compliance through fast integrations with their existing tools. Using advanced algorithms, the company works to identify any potential vulnerabilities within a users systems in only a few minutes. Once completed, customers are provided with fast and effective remediations for compliance requirements and risks.

Bleach Cyber is a 2023 Techstars graduate.

FinSMEs

08/05/2024
NSG BioLabs, a Singapore-based provider of biotech co-working laboratory and office space, raised US$14.5M in funding.

The round was led by Celadon Partners with participation from ClavystBio.

The company intends to use the funds to augment its infrastructure, services, and benefits for residents, as well as support the expansion of its co-working laboratory and office spaces.

Led by CEO and Founder Daphne Teo, NSG BioLabs offers equipment, efficient operations, capital efficiency, the expertise of teams and global networks to assist life sciences companies. The R&D environment contains fully-equipped, certified BSL-2 laboratory and office infrastructure across 35,000 sq ft in the prime location of Biopolis in Singapore. Since 2019, the company has been assisting innovators in creating solutions in the health, biomedical, agrifood, and industrial biotechnology sectors, working in areas such as precision medicine, nucleic acids, AI-enabled drug discovery, and synthetic biology. It has helped over 40 companies as residents, of which the startups have achieved nearly US$400M funding in total alongside significant business milestones.

Commenting on the news, Daphne Tea said: We are thankful for the recognition from our strategic investors, Celadon Partners and ClavystBio, and look forward to further empowering our residents in their innovation efforts through expanded facilities, enhanced value-add offerings, and greater exposure to valuable industry networking and mentorship experiences.

FinSMEs

08/05/2024
Provable Markets, a NYC- and Amsterdam, the Netherlands-based provider of front, middle, and back-office technology solutions for Securities Finance, raised $8M in Series A funding.

The round was led by Dialectic Capital Management, with participation and support of current investors Inkef Capital and Anthemis. John Fichthorn, Founder of Dialectic Capital Management, will join the Board of Directors, which has also added industry pioneers Steve Greenblatt and Derek Penn as independent Directors over the past year.

The company intends to use the funds to scale the product offering and network.

Led by CEO Matt Cohen, Provable Markets offers a focus on market structure, leveraging subject matter expertise on its team from the evolution of electronic trading in equities. The platform is positioned with direct venue to settlement connectivity enhanced by the securities lending markets first open source API library and ability to route orders to all participant types. Customers can transact in cleared and non-cleared Securities Lending transactions with real-time lifecycle management and settlement messaging to the depository trust company (DTC) that is managed as ongoing open interest via its SEC registered alternative trading system (ATS).

Commenting on the news, Matt Cohen said: In many ways, it is the first of the traditional capital markets ecosystems that rely on T-0, real-time settlement. Our platform is designed to work both independently and within the confines of the existing infrastructure to more flexibly support this dynamic execution and post-trade relationship.

FinSMEs

08/05/2024
After 80 years of D-Day, French women have come forward to narrate harrowing accounts of rape and assault by American soldiers. Historian Mary Louise Roberts, estimated that hundreds, if not thousands, of rapes occurred between 1944 and the departure of the GIs in 1946, which largely went unreported read more

French people greeted the arrival of US soldiers, but for some women the joy didn't last. Many were raped by American soldiers known as GIs. File photo/AFP

Buried under the rubble of history lie some untold tales of suffering. A World World II victory against Germany had brought glory to the US, but some harrowing rape and assault accounts of French women by US soldiers narrate a darker story.

It will be 80 years since the Normandy landings in June 1944. For many in France, the historic event brings back dreadful memories. One of them is Aimee Dupre.

A dreadful chapter of history

Advertisement

Dupre was a 19-year-old living in Montours, a village in Brittany, and was delighted to see the liberators arrive near Frances Normandy landings in June 1944.

Nearly a million US, British, Canadian, and French soldiers landed on the Normandy coast in the weeks after D-Day in an operation that was to herald the end of Nazi Germanys grip on Europe.

But then her joy soon evaporated as her story, took a tragic turn on 10 August, when two American soldiers (known as GIs) raped her mother at the familys farm. They were drunk and they wanted a woman, Aimee, now 99, told AFP, producing a letter that her mother, also called Aimee, wrote. So nothing is forgotten.

In her neat handwriting, Aimee Helaudais Honore described the events of that night. How the soldiers fired their guns in the direction of her husband, ripping holes in his cap, and how they menacingly approached her daughter Aimee.

To protect her daughter, she agreed to leave the house with the GIs. She wrote. They took me to a field and took turns raping me, four times each.

Aimees voice broke as she read from the letter. Oh mother, how you suffered, and me too, I think about this every day, she said.

My mother sacrificed herself to protect me, she said. While they raped her in the night, we waited, not knowing whether she would come back alive or whether they would shoot her dead.

Advertisement

Many women decided to remain silent, Aimee said, who decided to speak about the brutal assault after 80 years. There was the shame, as often with rape.

She said the stark contrast of their experience with the joy felt everywhere over the American victory made it especially hard to speak up.

American troops land on Omaha beach on D-day. File photo/Reuters

A rape epidemic

However, this was not an isolated case. American historian Mary Louise Roberts, estimated that hundreds, if not thousands, of rapes occurred between 1944 and the departure of the GIs in 1946, which largely went unreported.

Following the Normandy battles victory in October 1944, US military authorities prosecuted 152 soldiers for the rape of French women.

Advertisement

Roberts also blames the army leadership who, she said, promised soldiers a country with women who were easy to get to add to their motivation to fight.

The US Army newspaper Stars and Stripes was full of pictures showing French women kissing victorious Americans. Heres What Were Fighting For, read a headline on 9 September 1944, alongside a picture of cheering French women and the caption: The French are nuts about the Yanks."

The incentive of sex was to motivate American soldiers, Roberts said. Sex, and I mean prostitution and rape, was a way for Americans to show domination over France, dominating French men, as they had been unable to protect their country and their women from the Germans, she added.

Advertisement

Brutality by American GIs

In Plabennec, near Brest on the westernmost tip of Frances Britanny, Jeanne Pengam, nee Tournellec, remembers as if it was yesterday how her sister Catherine was raped and their father murdered by a GI.

The Black American wanted to rape my older sister. My father stood in his way and he shot him dead. The guy managed to break down the door and enter the house, 89-year-old Jeanne told AFP.

Nine at the time, she ran to a nearby US garrison to alert them.

I told them he was German, but I was wrong. When they examined the bullets the next day, they immediately understood that he was American, she said.

Advertisement

Jeanne says her sister Catherine narrated her ordeal

Her sister Catherine kept the terrible secret that poisoned her whole life until shortly before her death, said one of her daughters, Jeannine Plassard.

Lying on her hospital bed she told me, I was raped during the war, during the Liberation, Plassard told AFP.

Asked whether she ever told anybody, her mother replied: Tell anybody? It was the Liberation, everybody was happy, I was not going to talk about something like this, that would have been cruel, she said.

The shadow of racism

French writer Louis Guilloux worked as a translator for US troops after the landings, an experience he described in his 1976 novel OK Joe!, including the trials of GIs for rape in military courts.

Those sentenced to death were almost all Black, said Philippe Baron, who made a documentary about the book.

Those found guilty, including the rapists of Aimee Helaudais Honore and Catherine Tournellec, were hanged publicly in French villages.

Behind the taboo surrounding rapes by the liberators, there was the shameful secret of a segregationist American army, said Baron.

Once a Black soldier was brought to trial, he had practically no chance of acquittal, he said. This, said Roberts, allowed the military hierarchy to protect the reputation of white Americans by scapegoating many African-American soldiers.

Of the 29 soldiers sentenced to death for rape in 1944 and 1945, 25 were Black GIs, she said.

Racial stereotypes on sexuality facilitated the condemnation of Blacks for rape. White soldiers, meanwhile, often belonged to mobile units, making them harder to track down than their black comrades who were mostly stationary.

After her book What Soldiers Do: Sex and the American GI in World War II France appeared in 2013, Roberts said the reaction in the US was so hostile that the police would have to regularly check on her.

People were angry at my book because they didnt want to lose this ideal of the good war, of the good GI, she said. Even if it means we have to keep on lying."

With inputs from AFP
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday relieved her nephew Akash Anand from the position of national coordinator and her political successor until he attains maturity. The surprise move comes barely five months after she declared him as an apparent heir read more

Mayawati's decision also came on the polling day for the third phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha election 2024. Image Courtesy: @AnandAkash_BSP/X

In a surprise move, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday relieved her nephew Akash Anand from the position of national coordinator and her political successor.

The sacking comes barely five months after she declared him as an apparent heir after a key meeting of party office bearers in Lucknow in December 2023.

Mayawatis decision also came on the polling day for the third phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha election 2024 .

Advertisement

Heres what happened.

What did Mayawati say?

In her post on X, Mayawati said, It is known that the BSP, apart from being a party, is also a movement for self-respect and self-esteem of Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and social change for which Honourable Shri Kanshi Ram Ji and I have dedicated our entire lives and a new generation is also being prepared to give it momentum.

1.                -            .                              Mayawati (@Mayawati) May 7, 2024

In this direction, along with promoting other people in the party, I had declared Shri Akash Anand as the National Coordinator and my successor, but in the larger interest of the party and the movement, he is being divested of both these important responsibilities until he attains full maturity, she added.

Advertisement

2.     ,        ,           ,           (maturity)                Mayawati (@Mayawati) May 7, 2024

The BSP chief continued that Anand Kumar, father of Akash Anand, will continue to fulfil his responsibilities in the party and the movement as before.

3.                                .                      Mayawati (@Mayawati) May 7, 2024

The BSP leadership is not going to shy away from making every sacrifice in the interest of the party and the movement and in taking forward the caravan of Baba Saheb Dr Ambedkar, she said.

What prompted her to sack her heir?

The reason behind Mayawatis decision is unclear.

However, the sacking of her nephew comes just 10 days after 29-year-old Akash Anand, along with other party leaders, was booked by Sitapur police in Uttar Pradesh for the violation of the Model Code of Conduct after he allegedly promoted hatred and enmity, as per NDTV.

In a video of his address at an election rally, Anand was heard saying, This government is a bulldozer government and a government of traitors. The party that leaves its youth hungry and enslaves its elderly is a terrorist government. Taliban runs such a government in Afghanistan.

Advertisement

As per Hindustan Times, further citing the National Crime Records Bureau (NCB) report of 16,000 kidnapping incidents in the state, Anand accused the government of failing to ensure the safety of women and children.

He further alleged the ruling saffron party at the Centre is a party of thieves who took Rs 16,000 crores through electoral bonds.

The district administration, taking note of the speech, booked a case against Anand and four others on 28 April.

After the case was filed, Anand returned to Delhi, and all his upcoming rallies in different constituencies were cancelled, as per the Indian Express.

Who is Akash Anand?

Mayawatis nephew, Akash Anand, entered politics in 2017 at the young age of 22.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati with her nephew Akash Anand arrives for a meeting of partys office bearers ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, at the party office in Lucknow, Sunday, 10 December 2023. PTI

He is an MBA graduate from London, as per another NDTV report.

His political debut was with Mayawati at a rally in UPs Saharanpur. He shared the dais with Akhilesh Yadav and Ajit Singh.

According to Hindustan Times, on 16 April 2019, he addressed his first rally at Kothi Meena Bazar ground in Agra.

The BSP was then a part of the Mahagathbandhan, led by the Samajwadi Partys Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati with Ajit Singhs Rashtriya Lok Dal. It was an anti-Congress and anti-BJP alliance formed in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Three days later, Anand was also seen at Mainpuris Christian College ground event when SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati shared the dais after about two decades since the infamous guest house incident in Lucknow in June 1995.

Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav exchanges greetings with Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati as SP President Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawatis nephew Akash Anand look on during their joint election campaign rally in Mainpuri, Friday, 19 April 2019. Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati have been bitter rivals since 1995 when SP cadres allegedly attacked the state guest house where the BSP chief had been camping with her supporters. PTI

In June 2019s party national executive meeting, Anand was appointed the national coordinator of the party.

Several media reports suggest that Mayawati was grooming Anand for the long haul.

She even hinted the same on her 66th birthday on 15 January 2022, by saying that the BSP was preparing a bigger role for Anand in the party. As per HT, she said, He is young and gaining political maturity. The party has entrusted him with the task of spreading the base of the party in the states where assembly elections will be held later. During the appropriate time, Anand will get the opportunity to contest the election.

As per Livemint, Anand was tasked with the partys social media handling during the campaign for the 2022 UP assembly elections.

Anand is also credited with bringing in a major shift in not organising padayatras, after he launched a 14-day Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay Sankalp Yatra in 2023. The move had repositioned the BSPs strategy ahead of the Rajasthan assembly polls and the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, as per the Indian Express.

He also worked extensively for the party in other states, including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, launching the poll campaign covering issues facing Dalits, religious minorities, OBCs, and tribals.

In December last year, the 29-year-old was named Mayawatis political heir.

Anand tied the knot with Pragya Siddharth, former BSP MP Ashok Siddharths daughter, at a ceremony in Gurugram on 26 March 2023, as per HT.

For the Lok Sabha polls 2024, Anand was going to be the BSPs key campaigner until the case was registered against him and about 20 rallies were cancelled.

Meanwhile, the BSP, which enjoys support from a chunk of UPs Dalits, is going solo in this election.

How are other parties reacting?

Congress leader Surendra Singh Rajput said, The way BSP chief Mayawati has removed her nephew Akash Anand from party coordinator post is very shocking. Did you take this step under some pressure from the BJP? Though this is an internal matter of your party, you should issue a clarification about this.

VIDEO | "The way BSP chief Mayawati has removed her nephew Akash Anand from party coordinator post is very shocking. Did you take this step under some pressure from the BJP? Though this is an internal matter of your party, you should issue a clarification about this," says pic.twitter.com/E7Rhp7LLqd  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 7, 2024

SP leader Fakhrul Hasan Chaand alleged that the BSP and the BJP are in an undeclared alliance, and the way Akash Anand was removed from his position has proved it. People can see this, and they will give a befitting reply to it.

VIDEO | "The BSP and the BJP are in an undeclared alliance, and the way Akash Anand was removed from his position has proved it. People can see and they will give a befitting reply to this," says Samajwadi Party leader Fakhrul Hasan Chaand (@chaandsamajwadi). pic.twitter.com/HSvvgHAWj2  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 7, 2024

BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi's reaction on the removal of Akash Anand from his post



"Mayawati runs BSP like a private limited company.

Mayawati ji is free to make decisions as she pleases.

There was huge public outrage over the comments against the BJP. @rakeshbjpup pic.twitter.com/amHEPXheGb    / Jay Krishna (@JaykrishnaPTI) May 7, 2024

BJP leader Rakesh Tripathi told PTI, Mayawati runs the party like a private limited organisation, and she can make any decision anytime. Because of Akash Anands irresponsible remarks and his statements against the BJP, there was an anger among the people (against BSP), and thats why Mayawati relieved her nephew of his responsibilities as the partys national coordinator.

With inputs from agencies
The Sensex lost over 1,000 points, while the Nifty was down by nearly 350 points on Thursday. While speculation regarding electoral results has been a key driver of market sentiment, experts say uncertainty is causing profit booking and that the market will likely adjust going forward based on emerging political and economic data read more

The Indian stock market has been volatile. Low voter turnouts in the general elections may be part of the reason. Image used for representational purposes/Reuters

Thursday saw another blood bath on Dalal Street.

The Sensex lost over 1,000 points, while the Nifty was down by nearly 350 points.

The development comes on the heels of the stock market consistently dropping over the past few trading days and in the backdrop of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

But is there a connection between the two?

Have reports of poor voter turnout in the early phases of voting signalled concerns about the National Democratic Alliances (NDA) and the electoral prospects of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party?

Advertisement

Lets take a closer look:

Bears rule on D-Street

The India VIX (volatility index) is often referred to as the fear gauge for the countrys stock markets.

It is a barometer for market volatility based on equity option prices. This month, India VIX marked its longest streak of increases since March 2020.

Until Tuesday, the index had gone up for 9 consecutive sessions.

From hitting a record low only two weeks ago, it is now nearing its highest closing since early 2023. Such spikes in the VIX often indicate investor uncertainty and a bearish outlook in the short term.

Even the benchmark indices in Indian stock market have been closing in the red. The 30-share Sensex, in the three trading days from Friday last week to Tuesday, shed over 1,000 points. The broader Nifty 50 index registered a drop of almost 1 per cent on Tuesday and is heading towards its lowest close since the elections began on 19 April.

Thursday itself witnessed investors wealth fall by Rs 7.34 lakh, while the market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies eroded by Rs 7,34,513.48 crore.

This after the market cap of BSE-listed firms reached an all-time peak of Rs 4,08,49,767.90 crore on 2 May.

This decline coincides with the electoral uncertainties fueled by lower-than-expected voter turnout, which, some believe, may dampen a decisive victory for Modi and the NDA.

Advertisement

Low turnout affecting market confidence

Speculation regarding the implications of voter turnout on electoral results has been a key driver of market sentiments, according to several media reports and experts. Initial reports indicated a decrease in voter turnout compared to previous elections.

Low voter turnout has affected investor sentiment, dragging the stock market down. Pixabay

The voter turnout for the first two phases of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was reported at 66.1 per cent and 66.7 per cent, respectively. This is lower than the voter turnout for the same phases in the 2019 elections, where the turnout in the first phase was 69.4 per cent and 69.2 per cent.

The low turnout has prompted fears of a less emphatic performance by the ruling BJP. Such a scenario is viewed as a destabilising factor for the markets. After all, the market anticipates challenges to the continuity of economic reforms and policy initiatives in case the BJP comes to power with fewer seats.

Advertisement

Beyond the ballot data

However, the actual situation may be less dire than it appears. SBI Research has countered the prevailing narrative by pointing out that the number of absolute voters has increased, despite the lower turnout percentage. What that means is that while percentage of total registered voters casting their ballots has gone down, the overall number of people voting this election has gone up.

Another important factor to note is that apart from the low voter turnout and the speculation over what that could mean, there are other factors behind the dip in the markets.

Indian stocks have outperformed regional peers for an extended period, and the recent downturn may simply reflect a market correction following this phase of growth.

Advertisement

Additionally, global economic factors have also played a significant role. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) have offloaded Indian stocks worth Rs 5,525 crore in early May, influenced by rising US bond yields and adjustments in the timeline for anticipated rate cuts.

Furthermore, the quarterly earnings reports for the March quarter have largely met expectations. There have been no significant positive surprises. That could have potentially contributed to the bearish outlook.

In a nutshell

The reports around voter turnout and its impact on market stability is compelling.

However, it is important to recognise the various other factors at play. Indian financial markets are currently navigating through an intersection of domestic political uncertainties and global economic shifts. As such, investors and market analysts must consider a broad spectrum of influences.

Advertisement

As the election progresses towards its conclusion on 4 June, the markets focus will likely adjust based on emerging political and economic data.

Markets buckled under relentless selling pressure as investors turned risk averse in the ongoing poll season and further lightened their equity exposure to avoid being caught off guard. As the election season is heating up, investors are trimming their equity exposure at a faster pace, which can be seen from the drubbing that mid and small-caps received, said Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd.
After admitting that its vaccine causes a rare side effect, AstraZeneca is withdrawing the jab across the world. The UK-headquartered company has said that its decision was for commercial reasons, as other alternatives have superseded its COVID-19 shot. Is there more to it? read more

A woman receives an AstraZeneca vaccine against in Huelva, Spain in March 2021. The pharma company has now announced that it is withdrawing its vaccine worldwide. File photo/Reuters

How safe is the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine? It is a question that is being asked too often these days. Now the vaccine has been withdrawn worldwide.

The move comes weeks after the UK-headquartered pharmaceutical giant admitted that Oxford-AstraZenecas novel coronavirus shot caused a rare side effect , triggering panic. Jointly developed by the firm and Oxford University, the vaccine is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and sold as Covishield.

So whats going on? We explain.

Advertisement

Why has AstraZeneca withdrawn its vaccine?

AstraZeneca has said that its vaccine has been removed from the markets for commercial reasons, according to a report in The Telegraph. The vaccine will no longer be manufactured or supplied as there are newer vaccines that have been adapted to target newer variants of COVID-19.

The pharma company will withdraw marketing authorisations in the UK and other countries where it has regulatory approval, reports The Telegraph. It would first proceed to withdraw the vaccine, also sold as Vaxzevria, within Europe.

As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines, AstraZeneca said, adding that this had led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

The firms application to withdraw the vaccine was made on 5 March and came into effect on 7 May, according to The Telegraph, which first reported the development.

A medical worker holds a vial of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre in Ronquieres, Belgium. The company has said it is withdrawing the jab for commercial reasons. File photo/Reuters

The authorisation of the anti-Covid vaccine Vaxzevria by AstraZeneca will be withdrawn and the process has already officially started with the European Commission. This is in line with the expectations that no-longer-used and updated vaccines will be withdrawn, as per our indication, Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccines at the European Medicines Agency, the body which is responsible for drug and medicine safety within the EU was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

According to Cavaleri, all monovalent vaccines, which dealt with the original COVID-19 strain  the Wuhan virus  are expected to be withdrawn in time.

Advertisement

Also read: AstraZeneca vaccines side effects. Why Covishield takers shouldnt worry

Which countries used the AstraZeneca vaccine?

The AstraZeneca vaccine was authorised for use for those aged 18 and above. Two jabs of the vaccine were given at least three months apart. The vaccine was distributed to at least 70 countries.

According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and over 3bn doses were supplied globally, the statement by AstraZeneca said.

The vaccine was used in the UK. However, the government to a large extent stopped giving the shots by September 2021. Until then, 50 million doses were delivered in the UK.

Advertisement

The country replaced it with Pfizer and Moderna jabs for the booster campaign, which started at the end of 2021.

In high-income countries, the use of the vaccine became limited. It was perceived that mRNA vaccines like those manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna were more effective than AstraZeneca. The vaccines reputation was questioned after some people who took it developed blood clots, according to a report in The Conversation.

Also read: AstraZenecas COVID vaccine windfall: Whats behind quiet departure to other profit zones?

In March 2021, Canada suspended AstraZeneca for those under 55 after recommendations from its immunisation advisory panel which cited concerns over blood clots. In April 2021, Denmark became the first European country to stop using the vaccine. Norway followed in its footsteps.

Advertisement

In Australia, it was not available for use since March 2023. The country started phasing out its use from June 2021 because of the availability of other vaccines, reports The Guardian.

A woman receives a dose of AstraZenecas Covishield vaccine, produced by the Serum Institute of India, during a vaccination campaign at a medical centre in Mumbai, in September 2021. File photo/Reuters

In India, Covishied was widely used during the pandemic and reportedly 1.75 billion (175 crore) doses were delivered. The Serum Institute of India stopped manufacturing the vaccine in December 2021. In April last year, it started remaking the doses as COVID-19 cases rose in the country.

SII CEO Adar Poonawala said in April last year that the vaccine manufacturer would make six to seven million doses available in 90 days. Just as a precaution, at risk we have done it so that people have Covishield as a choice if they want it, he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Advertisement

In February 2021, South Africa suspended its AstraZeneca inoculation programme over concerns the shot did not work nearly as well against the new variant of the coronavirus.

However, the vaccine was used widely in other developing countries. By March 2022, of the jabs administered in Ghana, 57 per cent were those developed by AstraZeneca.

How safe is the AstraZeneca vaccine?

AstraZeneca recently admitted in court documents that the vaccine causes side effects such as blood clots and low blood platelet counts.

A report in The Telegraph on 28 April spoke about a class action suit brought against the company. AstraZeneca has admitted for the first time in court documents that its Covid vaccine can cause a rare side effect, it said.

The side effect was identified as a condition called Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), which translates to blood clots and low levels of platelets, a type of blood cell that prevents bleeding.

TTS has been linked to at least 81 deaths in the UK and hundreds of serious injuries. Fifty-one cases have reportedly been filed so far in the UK with victims and grieving relatives seeking damages estimated to be worth up to 100 million, reports The Telegraph.

A healthcare worker prepares to administer a dose of Covishield, in Santiago, Dominican Republic. AstraZeneca admitted that its vaccine causes a rare side effect. File photo/Reuters

In India, parents of a young woman who died allegedly after receiving Covishied are planning to sue SII and AstraZeneca . Venugopalan Govindan lost his 20-year-old daughter Karunya in 2021. He said that AstraZenecas admission about the side effect was too late and came after so many lives have been lost.

In an online post, he said the Serum Institute should have stopped the vaccine supply after the 15 European countries had restricted its usage over deaths from blood clots.

However, experts emphasise that the side effect is rare. According to Dr Raman Gangakhedka, a former scientist of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a very small number of people may face the risk of Covishield. Only seven to eight individuals out of 10 lakh who receive the Covishield vaccine face the risk of experiencing the rare side effect Gangakhedkar told News18.

The risk is highest when you get the first dose. It lowers with the second dose and is lowest with the third," he said.

Has AstraZeneca withdrawn its vaccine because of the side effects?

AstraZeneca has insisted the decision to withdraw the vaccine is not linked to the court case or its admission that it can cause TTS. It said the timing was pure coincidence, reports The Telegraph.

A worker leaves the AstraZeneca research facility in Loughborough. The company has begun the worldwide withdrawal of its Covid-19 vaccine. File photo/Reuters

As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied. AstraZeneca has therefore taken the decision to initiate withdrawal of the marketing authorisations for Vaxzevria within Europe, the company said in a statement.

We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic.

With inputs from agencies
Boy Scouts of America is renaming itself as Scouting America after 114 years. The rebranding is part of a series of changes within the organisation, including allowing gay members and leaders, welcoming girls into the scouting programmes, and affirming a policy of acceptance for transgender youth read more

Merit badges and a rainbow-coloured neckerchief slider are affixed on a Boy Scout uniform outside the headquarters of Amazon in Seattle. The US organisation, which now welcomes girls into the programme and allows them to work toward the coveted Eagle Scout rank, announced that it will change its name to Scouting America as it focuses on inclusion. AP

The Boy Scouts of America, a longstanding institution founded 114 years ago, is undergoing a significant transformation, renaming itself as Scouting America.

The move marks a major shift for an organisation that has traditionally been resistant to change. It comes amid a backdrop of challenges, including sexual abuse claims, bankruptcy, and evolving societal norms.

The rebranding is part of a series of changes within the youth body, including allowing gay members and leaders, welcoming girls into the scouting programmes, and affirming a policy of acceptance for transgender youth.

Advertisement

It sends this really strong message to everyone in America that they can come to this programme, they can bring their authentic self, they can be who they are and they will be welcomed here, said Roger Krone, who took over last fall as president and chief executive officer.

The change was announced Tuesday at the Boy Scouts national meeting in Florida but wont take effect until February 2025.

Heres a look at what led up to the change and why it matters:

Why the name change?

The new name puts a focus on inclusivity. Krone told The Associated Press that they wanted a name going forward that made clear that all children and teens are very, very welcome. He added that when people question why the organisation needs a new name, he points to historically low membership numbers.

Like other organisations, the scouts lost members during the pandemic, when participation was difficult. The high point over the past decade was in 2018 when there were more than two million members. Currently, the organisation serves just over one million young people, including more than 176,000 girls and teens. Membership peaked in 1972 at almost five million.

Krone said that although the name is changing, the core of the organisation is staying the same. Our mission remains unchanged: we are committed to teaching young people to be prepared for life, he said in a written statement.

How else has the Body Scouts changed?

Advertisement

The organisation began allowing in gay members in 2013 and ended a blanket ban on gay adult leaders in 2015. In 2017, it made the historic announcement that girls would be accepted as Cub Scouts as of 2018 and two years later, into the flagship Boy Scout program  renamed Scouts BSA.

A Boy Scout uniform is displayed in the retail store at the headquarters for the French Creek Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Summit Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The organisation serves just over one million young people, including more than 176,000 girls and teens. AP

Over 6,000 girls have now achieved the vaunted Eagle Scout rank.

There were nearly 1,000 teens and young women in the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts in 2021.

Before it was announced in 2017 that girls would be allowed throughout the ranks, the Boy Scouts announced that they would allow transgender boys to enrol in their boys-only programs.

Advertisement

The organisation said this week that all young people, including transgender children, are welcomed as part of their membership policy.

What about the bankruptcy and sex abuse claims?

When it sought bankruptcy protection in 2020, the Boy Scouts of America had been named in about 275 lawsuits and told insurers it was aware of another 1,400 claims.

Last year a federal judge upheld the $2.4 billion (Rs 2,00,37 crore) bankruptcy plan allowing the organisation to keep operating while compensating more than 80,000 men who filed claims saying they were sexually abused as children and teen scouts.

What do people think of the rebrand?

Rebranding can risk alienating supporters who think the change is unnecessary, said David Aaker, vice chair of the national branding and marketing firm Prophet. But he described the Boy Scouts rebranding as savvy, saying it kickstarts a new conversation about the organisation while not being so drastic that it strays too far from its original scouting mission.

Advertisement

Its a one-time chance to tell a new story, said Aaker, who is also a professor emeritus at the University of California-Berkeley Haas Business School.

Selby Chipman, 20-year-old, speaks to the Boys Scouts of America annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. Chipman, a student at the University of Missouri, is an inaugural female Eagle Scout and the Assistant Scoutmaster for an all-girls troop 8219 in Oak Ridge, North Carolina. AP

The US National Organisation for Women had urged the Boy Scouts to open membership to girls throughout its ranks. Bear Atwood, vice president of NOW, said the name change signals that not only are girls allowed to join, but they are welcome to join.

Reactions online Tuesday ranged from those excited and supportive to those decrying that boy no longer appears in the name. Wokeness destroys everything it touches, wrote state US representative Andrew Clyde, a Georgia Republican, on the social platform X.

Advertisement

What about Girl Scouts?

The Girl Scouts of the USA  a separate organisation from the Boy Scouts of America  had taken issue with the Boy Scouts opening its doors to girls throughout the ranks, and had filed a lawsuit saying it created marketplace confusion and damaged their recruitment efforts. The two organisations reached a settlement agreement after a judge rejected those claims, saying both groups are free to use words like scouts and scouting.

With that settlement in 2022, the Girl Scouts said both organisations were looking forward to focusing on their respective missions, while the Boy Scouts said the agreement would bring a new period of cooperation between the organisations.

The Girl Scouts did not immediately offer comment on the Boy Scouts name change.

When is the new name official?

The Boy Scouts of America wont officially become Scouting America until 8 February 2025, the organisations 115th birthday. But Krone said he expects people will start immediately using the name.

With inputs from AP
Scientists globally have observed a concerning trend: fish are getting smaller. Overfishing and the impacts of human-induced climate change are contributing factors to the shrinking size of adult fish. This phenomenon poses a significant threat to the food security of over 3 billion individuals who depend on seafood as a crucial protein source read more

Scientists around the world have begun to notice something: fish are getting smaller. Image used for representational purposes/Pixabay

In oceans worldwide, a puzzling trend is emerging: fish are getting smaller in size, posing significant concerns for ecosystems and human populations reliant on seafood. Despite this observable phenomenon, the exact reasons behind this shrinkage remain elusive, stirring debates among scientists and fisheries experts alike.

Recent analyses indicate a widespread reduction in the average body size of marine fish populations sampled from 1960 to 2020, reported Washington Post. This trend extends from salmon populations near the Arctic Circle to skate in the Atlantic Ocean.

Advertisement

Nearly three-fourths of marine fish populations studied have experienced a decrease in size, raising alarms about the sustainability of seafood as a vital protein source for over 3 billion people globally.

Who is to blame?

Two primary culprits emerge as potential drivers behind the shrinking fish phenomenon: overfishing and human-induced climate change. The relentless pursuit of large fish by recreational and commercial fisheries leaves smaller individuals behind.

Additionally, rising ocean temperatures due to climate change pose a threat to marine life, impacting their size and, consequently, the global food supply chain.

Dead fish lie on the beach in Chumphon, Thailand. File Image/Reuters

One prevalent theory attributes the size reduction in fish to the temperature-size rule. According to this theory, warmer waters lead to increased oxygen demand in fish, potentially limiting their growth. However, recent experiments challenge this notion, suggesting that factors beyond gill capacity may contribute to fish shrinkage.

What do the experts have to say?

Scientists are striving to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying fish shrinkage in response to environmental stressors. Lisa Komoroske, a conservation biologist at the University of Massachusetts, emphasises the urgency of this inquiry, noting the fundamental question remains unanswered despite years of research.

Daniel Pauly, a prominent marine biologist, stands by the gill oxygen limitation theory, arguing that gill capacity restricts fish growth in warmer waters. Despite conflicting interpretations, researchers like Komoroske emphasise the collaborative nature of scientific inquiry, aiming to refine theories through rigorous experimentation.

A worker pulls in a net of sardines at Newlyn Harbour in Newlyn, UK. File Image/Reuters

Were blinded to fixing problems if we dont understand whats causing them in the first place, Timothy Clark, a professor at Deakin University in Australia who has conducted similar experiments on fish and temperature told Washington Post.

Advertisement

What will the impact be?

The shrinking fish phenomenon has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and economies. Smaller fish sizes could disrupt predator-prey dynamics, alter reproductive strategies, and impact market prices for seafood products.

Understanding the drivers of fish shrinkage is crucial for effective fisheries management and aquaculture practices. Without addressing the root causes, efforts to mitigate overfishing and sustainably harvest marine resources may fall short, exacerbating food security challenges.

Its a problem for the fishery, Art Bloom, a salmon fisherman in Alaskas Bristol Bay with more than three decades of experience told Washington Post. They dont present as well in the supermarket. During his career, he has had to switch from using nets with 5 inch openings to ones with 4 inch openings as the salmon he caught got smaller.

Advertisement

A vendor selling seafood prepares fish as she serves her customers, at a traditional market in Jakarta, Indonesia. File Image/Reuters

Smaller fish produce less offspring than larger fish and therefore less productive fish populations. Fishermen will catch smaller fish. This will in turn reduce the global fish supply. This adds to the problems fisheries face from overfishing, pollution, and habitat degradation. In addition to warming, climate change makes the oceans more acidic.

Despite these challenges, some species demonstrate resilience, highlighting the complex nature of ecosystem responses to environmental changes.

Ines Martins, an ecologist at the University of York in England, observed that nearly three-fourths of marine fish were diminishing in size. However, she noted that despite this trend, many of the same species are experiencing an increase in abundance, even as their average body sizes decrease.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies
The seven-month war between Israel and Hamas has killed over 34,000 people, caused catastrophic levels of hunger and injury, and destroyed massive amounts of material in Gaza. Heres the full picture in numbers read more

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters

The Gaza war has reached its seventh month. With each passing day, the war claims more civilian casualties. Not only has it killed over 34,000 people, but it also caused widespread hunger and injury.

The rate of damage being registered is unlike anything we have studied before. It is much faster and more extensive than anything we have mapped, said Corey Scher, a PhD candidate at the City University of New York, who has been researching satellite imagery of Gaza.

Advertisement

And its unclear how much more destruction and death Gaza will face before peace is restored in the troubled enclave, as Israel launches an offensive on Rafah , the last population centre in Gaza yet to be entered by ground troops.

Heres what the numbers show about the devastation in Gaza following Hamas unprecedented 7 October attack.

Three-quarters of Gaza City destroyed

Gaza is one of the most densely populated places on the planet, where before the war 2.3 million people had been living on a 365-square-kilometre (140-square-mile) strip of land.

According to satellite analyses by Scher and Jamon Van Den Hoek, an associate professor of geography at Oregon State University, 56.9 per cent of Gaza buildings were damaged or destroyed as of 21 April, making a total of 160,000.

An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from southern Israel towards the Gaza Strip, in a position near the Israel-Gaza border, Tuesday, 7 May, 2024. AP

The fastest rates of destruction were in the first two to three months of the bombardment, Scher told AFP.

In Gaza City, home to some 600,000 people before the war, the situation is dire: almost three-quarters (74.3 per cent) of its buildings have been damaged or destroyed.

Five hospitals now rubble

During the war, Gazas hospitals have been repeatedly attacked by Israel, which accuses Hamas of using them for military purposes, a charge the militant group denies.

In the first six weeks of the war sparked by the Hamas attack, which killed more than 1,170 people according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures, 60 per cent of healthcare facilities were indicated as damaged or destroyed, Scher said.

Advertisement

The territorys largest hospital, Al-Shifa in Gaza City, was targeted in two offensives by the Israeli army, the first in November, the second in March.

The World Health Organisation said the second operation reduced the hospital to an empty shell strewn with human remains.

Five hospitals have been completely destroyed, according to figures compiled by AFP from the OpenStreetMap project, the Hamas health ministry and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT). Fewer than one in three hospitals  28 per cent  are partially functioning, according to the UN.

Over 70 per cent of schools damaged

Advertisement

The territorys largely UN-run schools, where many civilians have sought refuge from the fighting, have also paid a heavy price.

As of 25 April, UNICEF counted 408 schools damaged, representing at least 72.5 per cent of its count of 563 facilities.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on buildings near the separating wall between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. AP

Of those, 53 school buildings have been completely destroyed and 274 others have been damaged by direct fire.

The UN estimates that two-thirds of the schools will need total or major reconstruction to be functional again.

Regarding places of worship, combined data from UNOSAT and OpenStreetMap show 61.5 per cent of mosques have been damaged or destroyed.

More bombed-out than Dresden

The level of destruction in northern Gaza has surpassed that of the German city of Dresden, which was firebombed by Allied forces in 1945 in one of the most controversial Allied acts of World War II.

Advertisement

According to a US military study from 1954, quoted by the Financial Times, the bombing campaign at the end of World War II damaged 59 per cent of Dresdens buildings.

In late April, the head of the UN mine clearance programme in the Palestinian territories, Mungo Birch, said there was more rubble to clear in Gaza than in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia more than two years ago.

The UN estimated that as of the start of May, the post-war reconstruction of Gaza would cost between 30 billion and 40 billion dollars.

With inputs from AFP
Israel sent tanks into Gazas Rafah on Tuesday and has taken control of the region. The move, dubbed by many as escalatory, comes when ceasefire talks are still being hammered out. Will the Jewish nations actions halt peace talks? What happens to the Palestinians living there? read more

On Tuesday, residents in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza shuddered as they heard Israeli tanks rolling in along with troops belonging to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Hours after a column of tanks and other armoured vehicles pushed into the city , the IDF in a statement said that it had taken operational control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the capture of the crossing an important step toward dismantling Hamas military and governing capabilities.

Advertisement

Heres what we know so far about the operation and the implications of it on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Israels operation in Rafah

Early Tuesday morning Israels 401st Brigade entered the Rafah crossing and in hours took control of the city.

Israeli authorities called Tuesdays actions a pinpoint operation against the Hamas terror group. It is important to note that this is not the broad Rafah offensive that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised Israel would carry out, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with Israels plan.

Video footage showed Israeli troops raising their flag at the crossing. An AP report further stated that sporadic explosions and gunfire could be heard in the area overnight, including two large blasts early Wednesday.

The Israeli military later in a statement said had killed about 20 people in Rafah, who they termed as Hamas terrorists. It said that in addition to killing 20 fighters and destroying Hamas infrastructure in the area, its forces also located three operational shafts.

The forces of the 401st Divisional Combat Team and the Divisional Combat Team of the Givati Brigade continue to operate in the area against terrorists and terrorist infrastructures, it said in a post on X.

Advertisement

Moreover, the troops were searching the area for Hamas infrastructure and preparing for additional missions.

Notably, Israels operation began hours after Hamas announced it had accepted a truce proposal , prompting cheering crowds to take to the streets  despite Israel saying it was far from plans it had previously agreed to.

Israel has been vowing action on Rafah for some time now, claiming that it is being used for terrorist activities. According to defence experts, a presence there brings Israel closer to cutting off any Hamas leaders in Rafah and allows control of aid convoys as well as other traffic.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on buildings near the separating wall between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. AP

Reactions to Israels operation

Advertisement

Hours after a column of tanks rolled into Rafah, Osama Hamdan, a Hamas official in Beirut was quoted as telling the AP that the group would not respond to military pressure or threats and would not accept any occupying force at the Rafah crossing.

Meanwhile, Israels closest ally, the United States, said the operation along the Gaza-Egypt border in eastern Rafah was not a full-on Israeli invasion of the city. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Israel described it as an operation of limited scale and duration aimed at cutting off Hamas arms smuggling.

However, the US has paused a shipment of arms to Israel, raising questions on Washingtons support to Israel amid the war.

Advertisement

Egypts foreign ministry termed Israels actions as a dangerous escalation that threatens the lives of more than a million Palestinians. It further said, as per an AP report, that an Israeli military seizure of the Gaza-Egypt border or any move to push Palestinians into Egypt would threaten its four-decade-old peace agreement with Israel.

Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on residential building in Rafah, Gaza Strip. AP

Daunting future ahead

Rafah is an important city in Gaza. It currently is housing an estimated 1.3 million Palestinians  more than half of Gazas population. Hours before it began its military operation in Rafah, Israel had ordered Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah, moving them to areas in Khan Yunis in Al Mawasi.

Advertisement

However, the United Nations and other aid organisations say Al Muwasi is not ready to shelter the tens of thousands who might seek refuge there. People living there have complained that toilets are few and theres little to no running water. As UNRWAs commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini said on X: The area of Al-Mawasi is overcrowded with more than 400,000 people. It does not have the facilities to take more people & is not safer than other parts of Gaza.

Moreover, Israel has closed the Rafah crossing after its operation, a move slammed by aid organisations. The Rafah crossing is a lifeline to the outside world for Palestinians in Gaza and closing it is a death sentence against the people of Gaza, particularly the ill and injured, the Palestinian-run Gaza Crossings Authority says. The only other crossing point in the south  Kerem Shalom  through which most aid to Gaza has been delivered recently, has also been closed after a Hamas rocket attack.

Palestinians flee from the eastern side of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Hours after Israel called for evacuation of the area, it rolled down a column of tanks and took operational control of the city. AP

Progress on the peace talks

Israels Rafah move comes amid discussions on a proposed ceasefire deal. While the Jewish nation rejected the previous draft, it has said that it will send a delegation to Cairo to discuss it with mediators.

Antonio Guterres, the United Nations secretary-general, on Tuesday had said: We are at a decisive moment for the Palestinian and Israeli people and for the fate of the entire region. It would be tragic if weeks of intense diplomatic activity for peace in Gaza yield no cease-fire. No release of hostages. And a devastating offensive in Rafah.

With inputs from agencies
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan embarked on a foreign trip with his family on Monday. The trip abroad comes just 10 days after the southern state voted in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on 26 April. The tour, which will reportedly cover the UAE, Indonesia and Singapore, has triggered a row, with the Congress and the BJP questioning its timing and expenses read more

Millions of Indians began voting on 19 April to choose a new parliament for the next five years.

The 18th Lok Sabha election is taking place in seven phases.

Amid this mammoth elections, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan embarked on a three-nation trip with his family on Monday, 6 May.

The trip has triggered a row, with the Congress and the BJP questioning its timing and expenses.

Lets take a closer look.

Kerala CMs foreign trip

Advertisement

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with his wife Kamala and grandson Ishan, left the Kochi airport for a trip that will reportedly cover the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Singapore, as per Deccan Herald.

The trip abroad comes just 10 days after the southern state voted in the second phase of the general elections 2024 on 26 April, Friday.

According to the Indian Express, Vijayans son-in-law and state public works minister PA Mohammed Riyas has already left for a family holiday abroad a few days ago.

The 78-year-old leader, as per The Hindu, is expected to return on 21 May.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a polling booth after casting his vote for the second phase of Lok Sabha polls, in Kannur, Friday, 26 April 2024. PTI

Since the tour is unofficial, the Chief Ministers Office has not disclosed the CMs itinerary.

However, they have revealed that he has not handed over the charge to any other minister.

When he had been in the US for month-long medical treatment, the charge of the CM was not handed over to any of his Cabinet colleagues, Indian Express quoted officials as saying.

Criticism

With four more election phases pending in other parts of the country, Vijayans three-nation trip has raised eyebrows.

Especially because at the national level, his Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) is part of the Opposition INDIA bloc, which is led by the Indian National Congress. He has not campaigned for the alliance outside the state.

Advertisement

In Kerala, Vijayan led the Lefts campaign against the Congress and BJP.

Both the BJP and the Congress have intensified their attack against the CM, and have sought answers on whether it was a sponsored trip, as per PTI.

The Congress also alleged that the Chief Minister was evading his responsibilities when a crucial general election was progressing in the country and the state had been reeling under an acute financial crunch.

KPCC Chief K Sudhakaran also criticised the CM over the trip and sought to know why he was taking his family members along.

I suspect that it is a sponsored trip. Even if it is a sponsored trip, why is Vijayan keeping everything a secret? Why is he evading responsibility, Sudhakaran asked.

Advertisement

Congress state vice president T Siddique said, The CPI(M)s agenda in this election was only to speak against Rahul Gandhi. After polling in Kerala is over, all CPI(M) leaders are resting. Vijayan has gone for a foreign tour. Why dont they go to other states to campaign for the INDIA bloc? Their reluctance shows that the CPI(M)s concern is limited to Kerala and to defeating Congress.

The saffron party wanted to know who the sponsor of the trip was and why CM Vijayan, his son-in-law and minister Riyas didnt hand over their official responsibilities to anyone.

BJP state president K Surendran questioned about the trips finance. He asked, Can CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury or party state secretary MV Govindan say where Vijayan has gone?

Advertisement

Coming down heavily on Vijayan, senior BJP leader V Muraleedharan alleged that the CM and his family were celebrating beach tourism when people fell down and died in scorching heat in Kerala.

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram: On Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan going on a foreign trip, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Attingal Lok Sabha seat, V Muraleedharan says, "Kerala CM with his son-in-law, who is also the state tourism minister, and his family are on a private tour pic.twitter.com/SoQinWJH5F  ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2024

Comparing the Marxist veteran with Roman Emperor Nero (notorious for his extravagance), Muraleedharan urged CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and state secretary M V Govindan to explain their stance on the lavish trip.

If it is a sponsored trip, let the people know who is sponsoring it. The CM and Public Works Minister will be away from the state for 19 days. Why was no press statement issued about the trip, Muraleedharan asked while talking to reporters.

He wanted the Marxist partys stance on the foreign tour when the state was facing a financial crisis.

CPI(M)s response

CPI(M) strongly rejected the claims, with party central committee member AK Balan stating that many Congress leaders had also gone on private foreign tours while holding posts of chief minister and ministers.

LDF convener EP Jayarjan said Vijayans trip was undertaken as per norms.

CM Vijayan is a person who strictly adheres to rules and regulations in every matter. He didnt violate any rule in the case of the present foreign tour as well, he told reporters, as per PTI.

He said the CM went abroad after informing the party and there is no need for him to share every detail with the media.

When asked about Vijayans absence from the campaign trail for Left candidates in other states, Jayarjan, according to Indian Express, said, We (the party) will decide which leader will go where and speak.

Voting in Kerala

The polling in Kerala took place in a single poll in the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls 2024, along with 13 other states on 26 April.

Out of its 20 constituencies, two seats  Alathur and Mavelikara  are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates.

From the Left Democratic Parties (LDF), the CPI(M) is contesting for 15 seats, the CPI for four seats and Kerala Congress M (KCEM) for one seat, as per The Hindu.

From the United Democratic Front (UDF), the Indian National Congress is contesting for 16 seats, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for two seats, the Kerala Congress (KEC) and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) for one seat.

While INC is leading the INDIA bloc, the LDF is extending its support to the alliance.

From the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the BJP is contesting for 16 seats and the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) for four seats.

With inputs from agencies
So far, voter turnout for the first three phases of the Lok Sabha elections has dropped compared to the 2019 polls. While some blame the extreme heat, urban apathy is also a factor. However, data shows that poor poll participation is not a new concern read more

People arrive to cast their votes at a polling station after the end of the third phase of the general election, in Valia village in Bharuch district in the western state of Gujarat, on 7 May 2024. Reuters File Photo

India has completed three out of the seven phases of polling for the Lok Sabha elections. According to the figures available on Tuesday (7 May) night, 64.4 per cent voter turnout was recorded during the third phase of voting in 93 constituencies across 11 states and Union Territories.

This is a 2.9 per cent dip in the voting figures as these constituencies had recorded a turnout of 67.33 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, noted Indian Express. The first two phases of the general elections also saw a plunge in voter turnout data compared to 2019.

Advertisement

But why is this happening? Lets understand better.

Voter turnout figures in first two phases

The Election Commission of India (ECI) data reveals that the final voter turnout for the first phase, wherein 102 constituencies went to polls, held on 19 April was 66.14 per cent, a drop from 69.4 per cent in the 2019 polls.

As per the poll body, 66.71 per cent of the electorate in 88 seats cast their votes in the second phase on 26 April, a decrease of about three percentage points from 2019 when 69.2 per cent voter turnout was recorded.

The EC shared these figures on 30 April  11 days after the first phase of polling, and four days after the second phase ended.

Is low voter turnout a problem just in 2024?

No.

The poll bodys data shows that Lok Sabha elections in India have been marked by poor voter turnout.

According to the ECI, Indias first general election, conducted between October 1951 and February 1952, saw a national voter turnout of 45.67 per cent.

Since then, voter turnout has increased but has not crossed the 70 per cent mark yet.

In fact, as per the ECI figures, the highest voter turnout was recorded in the 2019 general elections  67.4 per cent. However, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand had a voter turnout below this national average, as per the Election Commission.

Advertisement

In 2014, the final voter turnout was 66.44 per cent for all 543 Lok Sabha seats, an 8.23 per cent rise from 2009 (58.21 per cent).

Why is voter turnout low in 2024?

The final voter turnout for phase 3 could surge but whether it would surpass the figures reported in 2019 remains to be seen.

So far, the turnout has been lower for the first two phases compared to the last Lok Sabha elections.

One of the reasons can be the apathy of urban voters. The voter turnout in urban seats was poor in the first two phases of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Not only that, it further fell this time.

Advertisement

Uttar Pradeshs Ghaziabad, which logged 55.88 per cent turnout in 2019, reported 49.88 per cent voting figures in 2024. In Karnataka, Bangalore Central saw a turnout of 54.06 per cent, compared to 54.31 per cent in the last general elections.

From 53.69 per cent in 2019, Bangalore South witnessed a marginal drop to 53.17 per cent this time.

People line up to vote during the second phase of the general elections, at Bengaluru, in Karnataka, on 26 April 2024. Reuters File Photo

The Election Commission expressed disappointment with voters apathy in metros for the lower turnout in the first two phases.

Commission is disappointed with the turnout level in some metropolitan cities in phase 2 polls, a pointer to the rigid levels of apathy in Indias high-tech city. Cities in NCR have fared no better. ECI last month assembled many metro Commissioners in Delhi to work out a strategy to fight urban apathy. An exclusive action plan has been taken up. The Commission hopes that urban centres going to polls in next phases turn the tide. Commission will constantly follow up with concerned city administrations, the poll body said in a statement last week, as per Indian Express.

Advertisement

ALSO READ: Are low voter turnouts leaving the Indian stock market jittery?

This urban apathy was also visible in the 2019 general elections. Of the 50 constituencies that recorded the lowest turnout, 17 were in metropolitans or major cities, as per the poll body.

In 2019, when Indias voter turnout had reached a record high, 30 crore electors did not cast their ballots, including a big chunk of migrant workers. The voter turnout was lower in states with larger immigration rates and populations in the last general election, according to the statistics report of the EC, News18 reported.

The voter turnout in General Elections 2019 was 67.4 per cent and the Election Commission of India is concerned about the issue of over 30 crore electors not exercising their franchise and also differential voter turnout in various States/UTs, the poll body reportedly said in its report.

Advertisement

Inability to vote due to internal migration (domestic migrants) is one of the prominent reasons to be addressed to improve voter turnout and ensure participative elections, it added.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar noted that Uttar Pradesh has Indias largest voter base but one of the lowest voter participation, reported News18.

The cost of travelling to their hometown to vote, unpaid leave and wage loss are some of the factors hampering migrants from exercising their franchise. Remote voting for migrants could be a way to address this issue and increase voter turnout.

Extreme heat could also be a reason for voters not turning up at polling booths. Temperatures in some parts of India have already crossed 40 degrees Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heatwaves lasting 10 to 20 days, unlike the normal four to eight days, are expected between April and June. The polling will continue till next month amid the intense heat, with the seventh and last phase on 1 June.

What does low voter turnout indicate?

Historically, lower voter turnout has often suggested troubles for the ruling party, but experts say this is not always true.

It is difficult to read voters minds if the turnout is low. The thumb rule is if the voting percentage is low by up to 5 per cent we perceive people do not want change and there is a lack of inertia. In that scenario, local issues play an important role resulting in sometimes astounding results. Kuch bhi ho sakta hai (anything can happen), Nomita P Kumar of Giri Institute of Development Studies told Moneycontrol.

With inputs from agencies
The anti-Israel protests have stirred up a storm on US campuses, upending the lives of hundreds and thousands of students. Indians are the second-largest group of international scholars, but many are wary of joining the demonstrations. They fear deportation, revoking of their scholarships and more read more

Students in universities across the US have been protesting against Israel's attack on Gaza. AP

It started at Columbia University and has spread to campuses across the US and beyond. The anti-Israel student protests have been unlike any we have seen in recent decades.

These demonstrations, sparked by the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, have seen students vociferously demanding that their institutions sever financial ties with companies supporting Israeli military actions in Gaza. The protests gained momentum following a significant event at Columbia University, where student activists, after meticulous planning, set up encampments on university grounds for a round-the-clock protest. In recent weeks, other top US institutions like Yale and the University of Southern California (USC) have joined in. Indian students, who represent the second-largest group of international scholars in the US after the Chinese, find themselves in a complex situation.

Advertisement

The experiences of these students are varied: while few have actively participated in the protests, a significant number have chosen to remain on the sidelines. Indian students reactions have been tempered by ideological stances, fear over the revoking of scholarships, and the threat of deportation.

We take a look.

Indians at protests in the US

The protests at US university campuses, especially news of encampments, started making headlines in India last month. It was in late April that a video of a woman protester sloganeering in Hindi started doing the rounds on social media.

She was chanting the Azadi song, heard in Indian higher education institutions like Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University (DU) during protests. That prompted speculation that the woman in the video was an Indian student studying abroad.

Around the same time that the video was going viral, Achinthya Sivalingans name popped up. Sivalingan, a student at Princeton University, was arrested moments after protesters set up the first tents for the pro-Palestine encampment. Sivalingan is an Indian-origin woman, not an Indian citizen. She was born in Tamil Nadu and raised in Columbus, US.

Advertisement

Being an Indian-origin person with US citizenship and being an Indian citizen in the US on a student visa means a world of difference when it comes to participation in protests

Deportation, scholarship cancellation are top concerns

Darpan*, an Indian student pursuing his Masters degree at New York University (NYU), said that Indian students were staying away from the protests, given how sensitive a topic it is. He has also observed that it is largely the undergraduate students who are at the protests.

Anna*, an Indian student completing her Masters at USC, said she was near the campus during the protest but stayed home. I just didnt participate. If I get caught, Ill be deported, she told Firstpost.

Advertisement

As far as I know, none of the Indian students will be at the protest. But we did see some holding a silent protest, she added.

The silent protest she is referring to saw several USC students wearing face masks to show that the university was silencing their voices. The demonstrations were prompted after USC cancelled the valedictorian speech of Asna Tabassum, a first-generation South Asian-American Muslim, out of security concerns.

In USC, protests intensified after valedictorian Asna Tabassum, a Muslim student, was asked not to give her speech due to security concerns. AP

Wearing a mask in public, without being a part of a large protest gathering could serve as a contribution to the protest, without being so obvious as to invite disciplinary action

Its not just deportation that students are concerned about.

Advertisement

Darpan pointed out that if a student on scholarship is involved in something controversial, like a protest, the financial aid they receive is the first to take a hit.

Media reports suggest that several students who wish to show their support are holding back on account of these concerns. Others have shown passive support, like helping fundraising initiatives.

Anna, too, said, I honestly want to support these protests in a lawful way. In USC, students do it in a very unlawful way, like putting up tents inside the campus and creating a ruckus. But yeah, I feel even if I join protest in a proper way, as an international student, there is the fear of being deported, which results in a huge loss of money and everything.

Advertisement

Citing these reasons, she opined that international stay away from protests and all. However, she pointed out that they show their support in a different way, like signing petitions and supporting them via social media.

The fears of deportation and scholarships being revoked are not unfounded. Saurabh Arora, CEO & Founder, University Living, a global student housing marketplace, told Firstpost, Engaging in protests while studying abroad, particularly in countries like the US, may have serious repercussions for students [] Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, consequences can range from fines and probation to deportation and being barred from re-entering the US.

Back home, parents fret

Students arent the only ones concerned. Back home, parents have been quite worried about the demonstrations on campus. I know my parents are quite concerned. My mom, especially. My parents are of the view that in the US, it is quite easy to get deported if you do the wrong thing. They believe rules here are much more extreme than in India. They are super scared that I might get arrested because Im at the wrong place at the wrong time, said Satyarth*, a Masters student at Columbia University, where the protests have arguably been the most intense.

They keep telling me to not go to college if I dont have to. I guess their concerns might be valid, but I dont think that would happen that I get arrested because Im at the wrong place at the wrong time, he added.

Anna had a similar tale to tell. My mom was in Dubai. The first thing she did when she woke up and saw the news, was to give me a call. It was 5 am in Dubai then. She asked if I went out for the protest. She was relieved after I said no. She told me not to go to the area of the campus where the protests are happening, just out of precaution.

Peer pressure, exam stress, and frustration over online classes

Those not ideologically inclined towards the protest point to other frustrations.

There is peer pressure, lack of access to study spaces, and some dissatisfaction with classes shifting online.

At NYU, as in other universities, students are demanding that their universities divest from companies that are profiting from the war in Gaza. Reuters

Satyarth said he knows people who are facing some pressure to join the protest. There are people who are actively telling others to get involved and its difficult to express different views if you do want to do that. He also pointed to discourse on Columbias unofficial subreddit around this.

Darpan and Anna did not report any such pressure. However, they spoke about classes being moved online.

On classes shifting online, Satyarth said, There are international students paying $80,000. The least you can expect is that you get to go to college and attend classes there instead of doing it over Zoom. He also pointed out how, during the time that protesters occupied Hamilton Hall, his classes, which mostly happen there, were disrupted.

Another issue at Columbia was that the access to the library was blocked out of security concerns amid the demonstrations. While some students do have space and an environment in their accommodation where they can study, others do not. For them, libraries are essential.

The campus protests come just days ahead of exams and are definitely a stressor. The uncertainty around the mode of the tests being online or offline, as well as how much professors would alter the difficulty level (since they might be worried about cheating in online exams) was also a concern. A fast-changing landscape

Several Indian students studying in the US, are now finding themselves in very dynamic and varied situations on campuses. In Columbia, NYU, and USC, the protestors have had confrontations with the police. Hundreds of students have been arrested throughout the country.

Several protestors have been removed by riot police from encampments on university campuses. AP

The scene is different in places like Brown, Northwestern and Rutgers. Here, universities have struck deals with the protesters and protest leaders. Some of these institutions have also committed to reviewing their investments in Israel. Others have promised to listen to calls to stop doing business with Israel.

For now, the war, protests, and exams, are all grinding on, affecting all those on campus  even if they are not chanting, Disclose, divest. We will not stop, we will not rest.

*Some names have been changed to provide anonymity
Key UK airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh, all confirmed issues with Border Force, resulting in delays for arriving passengers on Tuesday evening. Videos circulating on social media depicted lengthy queues at these airports. The crux of the issue was that e-gates had stopped functioning read more

People wait in line at Heathrow airport, after the Border Force suffered a nationwide technical issue that affected passport control, in London, Britain, 7 May, 2024. Reuters

A significant number of air travellers arriving at various airports across the United Kingdom met with extensive delays on Tuesday night, following yet another breakdown of the eGates system responsible for automated passport checks. The IT malfunction persisted for over four hours before being rectified, during which time substantial queues formed at affected airports.

The nationwide disruption of the eGates system began at 7:44 pm (UK time) on Tuesday evening, prompting the UK Home Office to implement a large-scale contingency response within six minutes.

Advertisement

Consequently, all passengers were required to undergo manual passport checks as planes continued to arrive at airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Luton, and Edinburgh. The influx of incoming flights led to prolonged queues at passport control.

A sign is seen at the arrivals passport control area of Terminal 5, at Heathrow Airport, London, UK. File Image/Reuters

At Heathrow Airport, space constraints within the terminal resulted in some passengers being kept onboard arriving aircraft for approximately thirty minutes.

Many travellers experienced wait times exceeding two hours, leading to difficulties in accessing public transportation, which had ceased operations for the night. The restoration of the eGates system occurred after midnight; however, clearing the backlog of passengers required additional time.

Following the Border Force national outage yesterday evening, all systems are now running as usual. Passengers can expect to travel through Heathrow smoothly. We apologise for any inconvenience caused pic.twitter.com/k0t3V1ehmu  Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) May 8, 2024

Despite the disruption, the UK Home Office assured that border security remained uncompromised, and said that there was no evidence of malicious cyber activity.

What are eGates and how do they work?

Nearly 300 eGates are strategically positioned at airports throughout the UK, along with installations at Eurostar rail terminals across Continental Europe, serving as the linchpin of the UK Border Forces operational framework.

Designed to authenticate passport validity and ownership, these eGates cater to a vast majority of inbound passengers, including individuals aged 10 or older from various regions such as the UK, the European Union, the wider Schengen Area, North America, Australasia, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan.

Advertisement

There are reportedly 293 e-gates across 13 UK airports and two Eurostar terminals. File Image

Utilising the eGates involves placing the photo page of ones passport onto the scanner and facing the camera for identity verification. This swift process typically takes around 15 seconds, allowing travellers seamless entry upon gate opening.

By automating the verification process for most arriving passengers, eGates afford passport control officers the opportunity to concentrate on scrutinising individuals of interest from other global regions.

Notably, the staffing schedules of the UK Border Force are predicated on the presumption that eGates will manage approximately 75 per cent of all passenger arrivals, streamlining operational efficiency at border entry points.

Also Read: What is GPS jamming, a growing concern for global aviation?

Advertisement

However, the recent breakdown is not an isolated incident, with previous failures, including a major collapse over the late May bank holiday weekend in 2023, underscoring the systems vulnerability to technical glitches.

Within the past two weeks another relatively brief eGates failure in the late afternoon led to queues of up to two hours at Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol and other airports, reported The Independent.

What did flyers have to say?

Upon emerging from International Arrivals in the early hours of the morning, passengers shared their experiences with various UK-based media outlets.

One Fleur Lauriot who was flying from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Heathrow to visit her family told The Independent: At the start of the queue, there was a kind of every man for themselves attitude. People were queue jumping, which wasnt good."

Advertisement

We were queuing what felt for an eternity. But you know, as Brits, we love to queue.

All systems down and thousands in queues across all terminals @HeathrowAirport. No plan in sight either. Water bottles are being handed out, never a good sign. Photo courtesy of my husband in Terminal 5. @SkyNews @BBCNews pic.twitter.com/j8QDl7M0mk  Molly Rosedale (@MRosedale) May 7, 2024

Mariella touched down at Heathrow from Athens at 8:30 pm and eventually emerged from International Arrivals shortly before 11pm. She told The Independent: It was just crazy for two-and-a-half hours. People lost their connection flights and had to go to hotels to sleep for the night.

Shenaz, a Londoner, arrived from Lisbon ahead of schedule at 9:10 pm. She finally cleared passport control two hours later. British Airways staff were very good, she said. The airport staff were good. Its a computer glitch. You blame the the higher authorities.

At Stansted airport, Jenny Barber said, It was chaotic. No communication, no direction once you got to gates, hardly any staff. Appalling.

Arriving passengers queue at UK Border Control at the Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport in London, UK. File Image/Reuters

Sam Morter, 32, who landed at Heathrows Terminal 3 at around 7:30 pm from Sri Lanka, told MailOnline that he saw airport staff scrambling to sort the situation after the technical issue caused significant disruption at airports across the country. He said, We headed to passport control where it already started to become pandemonium in there. All of the e-gates had just gone down and all of them had blank screens.

Big issues at Heathrow Passport Control with every single E-Gate not working. This is T3 pic.twitter.com/EkzcYGRckP  Sam Morter (@SamuelMorter) May 7, 2024

There was a lot of Border Force officials running and scrambling around. Four or five went to man the posts and start processing the UK passports manually. But at the same time, hundreds of passengers started to flood into passport control, so it all of a sudden became chaotic and they couldnt cope with the number of the people coming in.

A lot of disgruntled, angry and frustrated passengers and people coming off of long-haul flights very tired, so that didnt help. Not great scenes, he added.

Barrister Chris, 36, told Mirror he was stuck on a British Airways plane on the tarmac at Heathrow T5. He said, We arrived slightly early from Lisbon but have not been allowed to disembark. Sadly I have work in the morning - the crew doesnt know when theyll be able to let us off.

I cannot stress enough just how long the queue for passport control is at Manchester airport. Its insane. Pics dont highlight how far back the queue goes and we havent even got to the end of it pic.twitter.com/4AJ3qLLqps  Sam Lee (@SamLee) October 5, 2023

Chris, from North West London, added, We havent been given any refreshments yet. The toilet taps actually ran out of water, so people have had to use bottled water to wash their hands!

Also Read: UK airlines carbon emissions may touch record highs in 2024; Heres why

British Airways sent a message to its passengers waiting to get through Passport Control. The message read: We are sorry to inform you that due to an IT issue at Border Force UK, you might experience some delays in disembarking your plane and clearing immigration at London Heathrow. This is outside of our control, our teams are working with border force to ensure you can clear immigration as soon as possible.

With flight operations returning to normalcy, attention shifts to preventing future occurrences. Plans for enhanced automation, including passportless facial recognition technology, are underway to streamline passenger processing and minimise reliance on manual interventions.

With inputs from agencies
The US and Israel have had many a difference amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Now the Biden administration has postponed the sale of numerous precision weapons to Israel. The move has sparked questions about whether Washington is intentionally delaying arms to its ally in response to increasing domestic political pressures read more

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike east of Rafah, Gaza Strip on 6 May, 2024. AP

The Biden administration has taken a decisive step, delaying the sale of precision weapons to Israel, fueling speculation about the underlying dynamics of the US-Israel relationship. This move has sparked questions regarding whether the delay signifies a deliberate tactic to slow down the delivery of arms to Israel, its top Middle East ally, amidst increasing domestic political pressure.

Four sources told Reuters the shipments, which have been delayed for at least two weeks, involved Boeing-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions, which convert dumb bombs into precision-guided ones, as well as Small Diameter Bombs.

Advertisement

What was behind the US decision?

The decision to pause the shipment of bombs, comprising 1,800 2,000-pound and 1,700 500-pound bombs, was prompted by concerns over Israels potential launch of a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Also Read: Israel takes Al Jazeera off air: Who owns the media network? Why did Israel order its shutdown?

This move contradicts the wishes of the US, which has been advocating for restraint amid escalating tensions in the region. The focus of US concern revolves around the larger explosives and their potential impact in densely populated urban settings, where over a million civilians are seeking shelter.

The US position has been that Israel should not launch a major ground operation in Rafah, where more than a million people are sheltering with nowhere else to go, an unnamed White House administration official told BBC.

We have been engaging in a dialogue with Israel in our Strategic Consultative Group format on how they will meet the humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah, and how to operate differently against Hamas there than they have elsewhere in Gaza.

Those discussions are ongoing and have not fully addressed our concerns. As Israeli leaders seemed to approach a decision point on such an operation, we began to carefully review proposed transfers of particular weapons to Israel that might be used in Rafah. This began in April.

Advertisement

As a result of that review, we have paused one shipment of weapons last week. It consists of 1,800 2,000lb bombs and 1,700 500lb bombs. We are especially focused on the end-use of the 2,000-lb bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza. We have not made a final determination on how to proceed with this shipment.

Also Read: Why has Israel rejected three-phase ceasefire deal accepted by Hamas? What comes next?

The official added that for certain other cases at the State Department, including JDAM [Joint Direct Attack Munition] kits, we are continuing the review. None of these cases involve imminent transfers - they are about future transfers.

Advertisement

Is there a growing rift between Biden and Netanyahu?

The Biden administrations decision underscores a growing divide between the current US administration and the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite historical ties and extensive military aid provided by the US, the Biden administration has been vocal about urging Israel to exercise restraint and prioritise the protection of innocent civilians in Gaza.

The delay in the arms shipment represents a significant manifestation of the diverging approaches between the Biden administration and the Israeli government. This decision coincides with the Biden administrations forthcoming assessment of whether Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and restrictions on aid delivery have violated international and US laws aimed at minimising civilian casualties during conflicts.

Advertisement

US President Joe Biden speaks at the US Holocaust Memorial Museums Annual Days of Remembrance ceremony at the US Capitol on 7 May, 2024 in Washington. AP

Despite the arms holdup, US President Joe Biden reaffirmed US support for Israel, describing it as ironclad even amid disagreements. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have seized control of the Rafah border crossing , exacerbating tensions in the region. While the Biden administration remains engaged in tough diplomatic conversations with Israeli counterparts , the delay in arms shipments marks a significant development in the evolving dynamics of the US-Israel relationship.

Throughout history, the US-Israel relationship has endured moments of tension, with US leaders resorting to various measures to influence Israeli policies. Past instances include:

US President Dwight Eisenhower using the threat of sanctions to compel Israel to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula during the Suez Crisis in 1957.

Ronald Reagan postponing the delivery of F16 fighter jets to Israel during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East.

US President George H.W. Bush withholding $10 billion in loan guarantees to pressure Israel into halting settlement activity in the occupied territories.

What is the status of the shipment?

Although the US has put the shipment on hold, no final decision has been made regarding its ultimate fate. The State Department is separately reviewing the continued transfer of Joint Direct Attack Munition kits to Israel, which play a crucial role in enhancing the precision of bombs. The delay in the arms shipment is not related to the recently passed $95 billion national security bill , which includes significant military aid for Israel.

Advertisement

The Pentagon stated on Monday that there hasnt been an official policy decision to withhold arms from Israel.

However, these delays represent a departure from the Biden administrations previous stance of unequivocal support for Israel, notably following the Hamas attack on 7 October, which resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties and the abduction of around 250 individuals, with 133 still believed to be held captive in Gaza , according to Israeli reports.

A Palestinian man watches as smoke rises after Israeli strikes in the eastern part of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on 7 May, 2024. Reuters

Israels sustained military campaign against Hamas has resulted in a significant loss of life, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting that approximately 34,789 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, have been killed over the course of the seven-month conflict.

The dire humanitarian situation has pushed Gazas 2.3 million inhabitants to the brink of starvation, prompting protests in the United States calling for universities and Biden to withdraw support for Israel, including the provision of weaponry.

Also Read: How US universities are prepping for graduation ceremonies amid pro-Palestine protests

A senior Israeli official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, did not confirm any specific hold-up in arms supplies but appeared to take the reports in stride: As the prime minister has already said, if we have to fight with our fingernails, then well do what we have to do.

With inputs from agencies
The cost of your cup of coffee could rise as espresso bean prices have reached an all-time high. Robusta coffee, which forms the foundation of espresso and instant coffee, is primarily sourced from Vietnam. The Southeast Asian nation is grappling with heightened prices due to several factors. We explore read more

Vietnam is the world's leading producer and exporter of robusta coffee. File Image/Reuters

The International Coffee Organisation (ICO) reported that Robusta coffee prices have reached their highest levels in 45 years, with a 17% surge in wholesale prices during April alone. Vietnam, the largest producer of Robusta coffee, is facing significant supply challenges due to poor harvests in recent seasons.

The ICO highlighted the ongoing supply difficulties in Vietnam, a country that continues to grapple with drought and a transition among farmers from coffee to the increasingly popular durian fruit.

Advertisement

Freshly picked coffee beans at a coffee farm in Dak Lak province in Vietnam on 1 February, 2024. File Image/AP

Vietnams robusta coffee production has been dwindling due to several factors:

Many farmers have shifted from coffee to durian cultivation, driven by the fruits rising demand in China. Last year, Vietnams durian exports to China totaled $2.3 billion, a figure expected to increase to $3.5 billion this year.

This transition, combined with efforts to curb deforestation, has led to challenges in finding suitable land for coffee cultivation.

Moreover, droughts exacerbated by the El Nino phenomenon have further impacted Vietnams coffee production. The prolonged heatwave in Vietnam is damaging crops, leading to concerns about global shortages.

Another driver behind the surge in coffee prices is the increased consumption observed in Asian countries. From October 2022 to September 2023, coffee consumption in the Asia-Pacific region experienced a notable uptick, reaching 44.5 million bags. This represents a 12% increase compared to the previous four years and constitutes over 25% of global coffee consumption.

Additionally, attacks on ships in the Red Sea have disrupted shipping routes, forcing vessels to take longer journeys.

European roasters are stockpiling coffee ahead of a new EU law banning beans grown on deforested land, further straining the supply chain.

How has this affected coffee prices?

Domestic coffee prices in Vietnam have surpassed VN130,000 per kilogram, exceeding the price of black pepper. The countrys coffee exports have increased significantly, with the average export price rising by 48% compared to the previous year.

Robusta coffee prices in ak Lak Province were quoted at VN103,000 per kg last Friday, while in Lam ong Province it was VN102,500 a kg, reported Vietnam News.

Coffee beans are seen in a basket at a coffee farm in Dak Lak province in Vietnam on 1 February, 2024. File Image/AP

Statistics from the Vietnamese General Department of Customs showed that as of April 15, Viet Nam exported about 660,000 tonnes of coffee, with a value of over $2.23 billion. The average export price of coffee in the first quarter of 2024 reached $3,289 per tonne, a 48 per cent gain from the same period last year.

However, in the first half of April only, the average export coffee price soared to $3,790 per tonne.

Prices also rose in the global market, with the May robusta LRCc2 futures contract rising to an all-time high of $5,999 per ton and the May Arabica KCc1 to $4,186.5.

However, supply constraints and low stockpiles are expected to reduce export volumes in the coming months. Farmers in the Central Highlands in Vietnam are facing challenges due to the severe drought and restructuring of plantations.

Robusta coffee farmers in South India rejoice amidst high prices

Robusta coffee farmers in South India are experiencing record-high prices for their produce, with farmgate prices reaching 172 per kilogram in the Wayanad market. This represents a significant increase from 115 per kilogram during the same period last year, reported The Hindu.

Advertisement

Weather-related factors, including a decline in production in Vietnam and Indonesia, have contributed to the rise in prices. Additionally, the Arabica variety, traditionally priced higher, is now selling at a lower rate compared to Robusta due to its limited availability. Despite challenges such as erratic rainfall patterns affecting crop yields, coffee farmers in India are optimistic about future prospects, emphasising the need for sustainable practices to mitigate the impact of climate change on coffee cultivation.

Workers sort and grade coffee beans at a coffee factory in Dak Lak province in Vietnam on 1 February, 2024. File Image/AP

As per data from the Coffee Board of India, coffee production in India for the fiscal year 2022-23 amounted to 3,52,000 tonnes, with Robusta coffee contributing 2,52,000 tonnes to the total output. Indias coffee export revenues have witnessed a significant increase during the ongoing coffee season, rising to 5,279 crore from 3,982 crore recorded during the corresponding period in the previous season.

Advertisement

In 2022, India imported $169M in Coffee, mainly from Indonesia ($74.4M), Vietnam ($62.7M), Uganda ($17.9M), Honduras ($3.65M), and Guinea ($2.39M).

With inputs from agencies
According to a new study, flame retardants, which are known or suspected of causing cancer, may be in the air inside our cars. These chemicals are added to materials to either stop flames from starting or to slow their spread. They are found in the foam of your car seats read more

As per the latest study, seat foam is the source of the chemicals in the cabin automobile that cause cancer. Pixabay/Representative Image

For many, cars have become an essential part of their daily commute.

Few people are aware, though, that the air inside the vehicle could be harmful.

According to a new study, flame retardants known or suspected of causing cancer may be in the air inside our cars.

On 7 May, Duke University published a report about the troubling aspect of driving in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.

Lets take a closer look.

Harmful chemicals in car cabin

Advertisement

The researchers at Duke University analysed the cabin air of 101 electric, petrol and hybrid cars with model years ranging from 2015 to 2022.

They discovered that a flame retardant known as TCIPP, which is currently being looked into as a possible carcinogen by the US National Toxicology Programme, was present in 99 per cent of vehicles.

Two additional flame retardants, TCEP and TDCIPP, that are considered hazardous, were found in most cars.

Car manufacturers add these chemicals to seat foam and other materials to comply with a flammability standard that is outdated and has no demonstrable value for fire safety. Pixabay/Representative Image

According to the study, these flame retardants are associated with neurological and reproductive side effects.

Speaking to People magazine, Rebecca Hoehn, lead researcher and toxicology scientist at Duke University, said, Considering the average driver spends about an hour in the car every day, this is a significant public health issue.

Its particularly concerning for drivers with longer commutes as well as child passengers, who breathe more air pound for pound than adults, she added.

The study also discovered that because heat causes chemicals from automobile materials to leak more rapidly, summertime saw the highest concentrations of harmful flame retardants.

Also read: Why has India been dubbed the cancer capital of the world?

Flame retardants are to be blamed

Chemicals known as flame retardants are added to materials to either stop flames from starting or to slow their spread, as per News9.

Since the 1970s, flame retardants have been added to a variety of consumer goods, like furniture, electronics, building and construction materials, and car interiors, as per the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

Advertisement

As per the latest study, seat foam is the source of the chemicals in the cabin automobile that cause cancer.

Car manufacturers add these chemicals to seat foam and other materials to comply with a flammability standard that is outdated and has no demonstrable value for fire safety.

There could be serious health consequences from these chemicals.

According to epidemiological research, children who are exposed to some flame retardants may lose IQ points, and adults who are exposed to them may have an increased risk of cancer.

Other health effects may include endocrine and thyroid disruption, immunotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity, as per NIEHS.

Calls for change in rules

Advertisement

Patrick Morrison, director of health, safety and medicine for the International Association of Fire Fighters, told People, Firefighters are concerned that flame retardants contribute to their very high cancer rates. Filling products with these harmful chemicals does little to prevent fires for most uses and instead makes the blazes smokier and more toxic for victims, and especially for first responders.

I urge NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) to update their flammability standard to be met without flame retardant chemicals inside vehicles, he added.

In the study, researchers also insisted that these toxic chemicals have no benefit inside vehicles.

Lydia Jahl, study author and senior scientist at the Green Science Policy Institute said that people might be able to reduce their exposure to the toxic flame retardants by opening car windows and parking in the shade or in garages.

Advertisement

But whats really needed is reducing the amount of flame retardants being added to the cars in the first place. Commuting to work shouldnt come with a cancer risk, and children shouldnt breathe in chemicals that can harm their brains on their way to school, she was quoted by the magazine, as saying.

Rising cancer cases in India

India has now become the cancer capital of the world, according to a new report by Apollo Hospitals.

The study entitled Apollo Hospitals Health of Nation Report, found that non-communicable disease (NCDs) comprised 63 per cent of all deaths.

By 2030, the country will lose $3.55 trillion in economic output due to these diseases.

Advertisement

India recorded 13.9 lakh cancer cases in 2020, and the number is set to rise to 15.7 lakh by 2025, a sharp 13 per cent increase in five years.

With inputs from agencies
Both domestic and international flight of Air India Express were cancelled from Tuesday (May 7) night to Wednesday (May 8) morning and several others were delayed read more

Air India Express Spokesperson said 'guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling.' Source: AP.

More than 70 Air India Express flights, both domestic and international, were cancelled from Tuesday (May 7) night to Wednesday (May 8) morning and several others were delayed.

Following this, an Air India Express spokesperson has requested travellers flying with the airline on Wednesday (May 8) to check if their flight is affected, before heading to the airport.

But why are Air India Express flights getting cancelled?

The Tata Group-owned airline has cited a section of its cabin crew who reported sick at the last minute starting Tuesday night, as the reason for the cancellations.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, news agency ANI quoted sources in the aviation industry, who said that Air India Express international and domestic flights have been cancelled after senior crew members of the airline went on mass sick leave.

Sources to another news agency, PTI, said Air India Express flights have been cancelled due to a shortage of cabin crew members as a section of them are reporting sick to protest against alleged mismanagement.

As per reports, there has been discontentment brewing among a section of the cabin crew for some time now, especially since the start of the merger proceedings of Air India Express (AIX) Connect, formerly AirAsia India, with itself.

In April, Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), a registered union claiming to represent around 300 cabin crew members, mostly seniors, alleged that the airline is being mismanaged and there is a lack of equality in the treatment of the staff.

What Air India Express is saying about flight cancellation?

A section of our cabin crew has reported sick at the last minute, starting last night, resulting in flight delays and cancellations, said Air India Express, addressing the mounting concerns of its fliers.

While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result. We sincerely apologise to our guests for this unexpected disruption and emphasise that this situation does not reflect the standard of service we strive to provide, the airline said.

Advertisement

Will travelers of cancelled Air India Express flights get refund?

As per the spokesperson of Air India Express, guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date.

Angry passengers take to social media

Taking to X, several Air India Express passengers expressed their anger.

One of the users posted a video from Delhi Airport where passengers gathered in front of Air India Express counter for clarification after the airline cancelled 3 flights to Goa, Guwahati and Srinagar last moment and refused to provide any alternatives.

Delhi Airport Kalesh (Air India Express cancelled 3 flights to Goa, Guwahati and Srinagar last moment and refused to provide any alternatives. So,Kalesh ensued) pic.twitter.com/TdIJlMhmTt  Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) May 8, 2024

Advertisement

Another stranded passenger complained of no updates from the airline and customer care not answering to calls either.

@airindia It's been almost 3 hours since the flight landed in Tashkent. Still no updates. customer care not answering call either. Can't reach to our known ones who are on board. What kind of service are you actually providing here?  Rijul Gupta (@RijulGUIUC) May 8, 2024

Advertisement

Another user asked travellers not to book tickets in Air India Express following the delay and cancellation of flights after crew members reported sick at the last minute and switched off their mobile phones.

Friends planning for travel, please don't book ticket in #AirIndia Express because about 79 international & domestic Air India Express flights were canceled after 300 #cabin crew members reported sick at the last minute & switched off their mobile phones. May impact #Vistara also pic.twitter.com/Ma5AyDFEXH  satyendra soni (@soni_saty) May 8, 2024

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies
We all respect different languages, different religions, customs and food. Thats the India that I believe in, where everybody has a place and everybody compromises little bit, chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda said read more

Sam Pitroda, a senior Congress leader and chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, is fast appearing to be the controversy king for the grand old party. In the latest row, Pitroda made a racist remark while attempting to make a pitch for national unity. In seeking to explain the nuances of democracy, he compared Indians from different parts of the country to Chinese, Africans, Arabs and Whites.

Sam Pitrodas latest controversy

In an interview with The Statesman, Pitroda, while talking about India as a shining example of democracy in the world said the people of the country have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together leaving a few fights here and there.

Advertisement

We could hold together a country as diverse as India  where people in East look like Chinese, people in West look like Arab, people in North look like maybe White and people in South look like Africans, Pitroda said.

It doesnt matter. We are all brothers and sisters, he further said.

And Pitroda goes on

Pitroda went on to say, We all respect different languages, different religions, customs and food.

Thats the India that I believe in, where everybody has a place and everybody compromises little bit, he added.

Pitroda AGAIN faces backlash

Pitroda, whose comments last month on inheritance tax in the United States which sparked a massive fight with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), again was slammed by the leaders of the ruling party, including chief ministers.

Pitroda, INDI allainces shame!

Union Finance Minister and BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman said, I am from South India. I look Indian! My team has enthusiastic members from north east India. They look Indian! My colleagues from west India look Indian! But, for the racist who is the mentor of Rahul Gandhi we all look African, Chinese, Arab and the White! Thanks for revealing your mindset and your attitude. I.N.D.I alliances shame!

Advertisement

I am from South India. I look Indian! My team has enthusiastic members from north east India. They look Indian! My colleagues from west India look Indian!

But, for the racist who is the mentor of @RahulGandhi we all look African, Chinese, Arab and the White! Thanks for pic.twitter.com/UzXi4ndwhk  Nirmala Sitharaman (Modi Ka Parivar) (@nsitharaman) May 8, 2024

Shabd Uncle Sam ke, Soch Rahul ki

Slamming opposition Congress and its leader, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said the comment made by Pitroda is a shocking, despicable and disgusting.

He is the mentor of Rahul Gandhi. It is the word, spirit, vocabulary and ideology of Rahul Gandhi, Poonawalla said.

First, they divided on the basis of caste, religion and language. Now, they are dividing Indian vs. Indian. And to make a comment like Indians are like Chinese, isnt it a racist comment? Isnt it an insulting and objectionable comment? It shows that Congress ki Mohabbat ki Dukan actually has Nafrat and Racism ka Saman, Poonawalla added.

Advertisement

Shabd Uncle Sam ke

Soch Rahul ki



Pitting Bharatiya versus Bharatiya

Racism & nafrat ki dukaan



Comparing people of north east to Chinese! South to Africans!



Congress must sack him! And clarify .. he is a serial offender ! From Hua to Hua to this! pic.twitter.com/FHtiJoPgI9  Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) May 8, 2024

I can now understand why Rahul Gandhi speaks nonsense

Senior BJP leader and party MP Ravi Shankar Prasad also attacked Pitroda for his comments and said: It becomes clear again and again that what does Sam Pitroda understand about India. It is clear that he is a failure. He doesnt understand the country. He is Rahul Gandhis advisor. I can now understand why Rahul Gandhi speaks nonsenseThis is the frustration of defeat. They neither understand India nor its heritage.

#WATCH | On Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda's controversial "People in East look like Chinese, in South look like Africans..." remark, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "It becomes clear again and again that what does Sam Pitroda understand about India. It is pic.twitter.com/w7EvYZ1hiS  ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024

I look like an Indian

Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) said: Sam bhai, I am from the northeast, and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country - we may look different, but we are all one. Hamare desh ke bare mein thoda to samajh lo!

Sam bhai, I am from the North East and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country - we may look different but we are all one.



Hamare desh ke bare mein thoda to samajh lo! https://t.co/eXairi0n1n  Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) May 8, 2024

Congress has always tried to divide India

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh sought apology from the Congress and Pitroda and said: Such a mockery in the Indias diversity is highly unacceptable.

I condemn Congress leader, Sam Pitroidas racist comment against the people of Northeast. The Congress has always tried to divide India with their Divide and Rule policy. But they must know that NE has been a part of India and will always be, Singh said in a post on X.

I condemn Congress leader, Sam Pitroida's racist comment against the people of Northeast.



The Congress has always tried to divide India with their Divide and Rule policy. But they must know that NE has been a part of India and will always be.



Such a mockery in the India's  N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) May 8, 2024

Shame on Congress

Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, BJPs Lok Sabha candidate from Himachal Pradesh Mandi, also took a swipe at Pitroda for his racist and divisive jibes for Indians.

Sam Pitroda is Rahul Gandhis mentor. Listen to his racist & divisive jibes for Indians.



Their whole ideology is about divide & rule. It's sickening to call fellow Indians Chinese and African.



Shame on Congress! pic.twitter.com/WDSYAuFbht  Kangana Ranaut (Modi Ka Parivar) (@KanganaTeam) May 8, 2024

In April end, Pitroda triggered a political storm with his remarks where he expressed his support for the Congress stance on resource redistribution, drawing inspiration from the American system.

He said that in the United States, when a wealthy individual passes away, only a portion of their assets can be transferred to their children, while the government claims a significant share.

The Congress leader suggested that adopting a similar approach in India would be fair and beneficial for the public.

With inputs from agencies
The Denmark envoy gave vent to his feelings on a video posted on social media platform X which was captioned, Lovely and green New Delhi. Many words but no action. Saddened by this read more

The envoy expressed his disgust at the unattractive surroundings and urged the authorities to give tangible action priority in order to rectify the state of affairs Image Courtesy X/@svane_freddy

Freddy Svane, the Danish ambassador to India, has appealed for immediate action in response to the deteriorating state of cleanliness in the vicinity of the Danish and Greek embassies in New Delhi.

The envoy expressed his disgust at the unattractive surroundings and urged the authorities to give tangible action priority in order to rectify the state of affairs.

The Denmark envoy gave vent to his feelings on a video posted on social media platform X which was captioned, Lovely and green New Delhi. Many words but no action. Saddened by this.

Advertisement

Welcome to great green and trashy New Delhi. Here we have the Danish embassy, and we have the Greek embassy over there. This should be a service lane. But you see, its full of trash, and people are just dumping whatever they like to do here. So I hope somebody will listen to this and take action. No more nice words. Just action, Svane said in the video.

He had tagged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena in the video.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena voiced similar concerns earlier in March, prompting the envoys appeal for action.

Saxena had posted pictures of the national capitals civic problems, highlighting his responsibility to alert the chief minister to these problems.

In response to the comments, Arvind Kejriwal thanked Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena for bringing attention to the problems in the South Delhi neighborhood of Sangam Vihar. Kejriwal promised to solve the flaws that were found and acknowledged the significance of doing so within a week.
Lovely asserted that the Congress has embraced people who adhere to the tukde-tukde philosophy. The Congress was formerly recognized for leaders like Indira Gandhi who spoke of giving their lives for the nation read more

Lovely was accompanied by Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, who stated that leaders such as him will have the autonomy to determine their position within the party

Arvinder Singh Lovely, who just resigned as president of the Delhi Congress, stated on Wednesday that he would prefer to leave the BJP, which he has already joined, than to leave politics. Lovely joined the BJP last week along with other prominent Delhi Congress members, such as Amit Malik, Naseeb Singh, and former minister Raj Kumar Chauhan.

He had already left the Congress in April 2017 and joined Malik in the BJP. But in 2018, he returned to the Congress after a few months.

Advertisement

Since then, he has been a member of the Congress, which he left due to disagreements with the partys leadership on the selection of candidates for the Delhi Lok Sabha elections.

Last time I had taken the decision to quit the Congress due to anger. This time, however, we have taken the decision with a cool head and much thought. Now, we will do politics here (in BJP) only or quit politics instead of leaving the party, Lovely told reporters at Delhi BJP office.

Lovely was accompanied by Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, who stated that leaders such as him will have the autonomy to determine their position within the party.

Lovely stated that the workers position is crucial in any party, and he will fill it and represent the party wherever he is requested to.

Lovely is one of the 40 prominent BJP electoral campaigners in Delhi.

He made a suggestion that in the next days, a number of other Delhi Congress leaders might join the BJP.

Raj Kumar Chauhan is a big leader in North West Delhi but his influence is not limited to that constituency only. Similarly, myself and Naseeb Singh are based in trans Yamuna area where there are two seats. This is just the beginning, if the party allows our other friends too will come, he said.

Advertisement

Chauhan, a former minister in the administration of Sheila Dikshit, coincidentally joined the BJP prior to the Lok Sabha elections, having been refused a ticket for the North West constituency. He experienced a flashback when he was turned down for the same seat once more, which prompted him to leave the Congress and join the BJP alongside Lovely and other members.

Lovely asserted that the Congress has embraced people who adhere to the tukde-tukde philosophy. The Congress was formerly recognized for leaders like Indira Gandhi who spoke of giving their lives for the nation.

Earlier when someone talked of patriotism, people used to say the person must be from the Congress. Now, when some one expresses love for the nation, people say he must be from the BJP, said the former Delhi Congress president.

Advertisement

He expressed gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP leader JP Nadda, and the Delhi BJP for facilitating his admission into the saffron group, adding that he had previously maintained cordial ties with other party leaders.

Lovely claimed that there was no longer a contest in the East Delhi and North East Delhi constituencies, which are located in the trans Yamuna area of the city, following the entry of former Congress leaders like Chauhan and himself. This implied the role they would play in undermining the prospects of the INDIA bloc candidates for the two seats.

To give a direct fight to the BJP, the AAP and the Congress, which are members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, have filed candidates for four and three seats, respectively.

Advertisement

Taking a jab at the INDIA bloc, Lovely said that the Congress had lately peeled away NCP head for Delhi, Yoganand Shastri. One member of the INDIA bloc is the NCP.

What kind of alliance is this? Lovely asked.

He stated that the AAP was not even mentioning the Congress or its leaders during its four-seat campaign in Delhi and that they were still hoping to win over party workers and supporters, which they knew would not happen this time.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a decline in overseas remittances, although the study notes that they have now rebounded. An estimated $831 billion in international remittances were sent by migrants worldwide in 2022a substantial rise over the $791 billion sent in 2021 and much more than the $717 billion sent in 2020 read more

In 2022, India received $111 billion, the first country to reach and even surpass the $100 bn mark

Around 18 million people migrate internationally, with sizable diasporas residing in the US, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates from India.

It kept moving forward as the biggest recipient of remittances, but 2022 was especially noteworthy as the amount surpassed $100.

In 2022, India, Mexico, and China were the top three remittance recipient countries, followed by the Philippines, France and Pakistan, the World Migration Report, 2024 which was released in Dhaka today by UNs International Organization for Migration (IOM), read.

Advertisement

In 2022, India received $111 billion, the first country to reach and even surpass the $100 bn mark.

It had been granted $83 billion in 2020.

With $61 billion in remittances coming in, Mexico ranked as the second-biggest recipient in 2022. The year before, it had displaced China as the top recipient and was still in that position.

$51 billion in remittances from China were sent home in 2022.

A number of reasons have been cited for the decline in remittance flows to China and its fall to third place, including changes in the countrys demographics that have reduced the number of people in working age and the zero-COVID policy that forbade citizens from traveling overseas in search of employment.

Pakistan, which ranks sixth among Indias neighbors, received around $30 billion in foreign direct investment in 2022, while Bangladesh, which ranks eighth, received $21 billion.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a decline in overseas remittances, although the study notes that they have now rebounded. An estimated $831 billion in international remittances were sent by migrants worldwide in 2022a substantial rise over the $791 billion sent in 2021 and much more than the $717 billion sent in 2020.

Merely 84 million people worldwide were migrants in 1970, accounting for 2.3% of the global population. 3.6% of the worlds population, or around 280 million people, does not reside in their country of birth as of mid-2020 (the most recent data available).

Advertisement

India-United Arab Emirates is the fourth-biggest corridor. According to an interactive map made available by IOM, there were 3.47 million Indians living in the United Arab Emirates, 2.7 million in the United States (the sixth-largest international migration corridor), and 2.5 million in Saudi Arabia (ranked ninth).

Though it makes sense that the top diaspora countries would be the source of the majority of remittances to India, the study does not specifically list them. By the way, the top two nations on the list of those sending remittances abroad were the United States and Saudi Arabia. In 2022, the United States and Saudi Arabia transferred $79 billion and $39 billion, respectively, to foreign nations.

Advertisement

Between 2010 and 2021, the predicted net outflow of migrants for ten nations was more than one million. Temporary labor movements were the cause of outflows in many of these countries, including Bangladesh (2.9 million), Nepal (1.6 million), Sri Lanka (1.0 million), Pakistan (net flow of 16.5 million), India (3.5 million), and Bangladesh (2.9 million).

Remarkably, India, the nation with the greatest diasporanearly 18 million people, or 1.3% of the worlds populationranked thirteenth among destination nations, housing 4.48 million migrants, or 0.3% of the worlds population.
The Maldives is Indias key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and occupies a special place in its initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighbourhood First Policy of the Modi government. read more

Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer arrived in India on Wednesday on his very first official visit, discuss bilateral and regional issues and seek ways to provide impetus to our multifaceted relationship. This is the maiden high-level visit from Male since bilateral ties came under strain after President Mohamed Muizzu assumed office six months ago.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also shared details of his arrival on X saying. Warm welcome to FM @MoosaZameer of Maldives on his official visit to India. Discussions on bilateral & regional issues and seeking ways to provide impetus to our multifaceted relationship lie ahead.

Advertisement

According to the MEA release, the Maldivian Minister will hold a meeting with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss the bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives will be in India on an official visit on 09 May 2024. During his visit to New Delhi, Foreign Minister Zameer will meet the External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar for discussions on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest, MEA statement said."

Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. During his visit from May 8 to 10, Zameer will meet with Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and hold discussions on deepening and expanding the longstanding partnership between the Maldives and India.

This is Foreign Minister Zameers first official visit to India since assuming office. Departing to New Delhi on my very first bilateral official visit. Looking forward to meeting my counterpart Minister of External Affairs, Dr. @DrSJaishankar, and discuss deepening and enhancing cooperation between #Maldives and #India for the mutual benefit of our peoples, Zameer said in a post on X.

The Maldives is Indias key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and occupies a special place in its initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighbourhood First Policy of the Modi government.

The Foreign Minister Zameers visit is expected to lend further momentum to the bilateral cooperation between the two countries," it added.
Two persons allegedly involved in the human trafficking network that pushed Indians into the Russia-Ukraine war zone were arrested on Tuesday from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said in a statement read more

Two persons allegedly involved in the human trafficking network that pushed Indians into the Russia-Ukraine war zone were arrested on Tuesday from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said in a statement.

CBI has arrested four accused in a case related to the trafficking of Indian Nationals for combat role in the Russian Army. pic.twitter.com/CH4DZtpkai  ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024

Advertisement

The two accused, identified as Arun and Yesudas Junior, were arrested under Sections, 370, 420 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.

With these arrests, the total arrests in the case have gone up to four.

Two other accused, identified as Nijil Jobi Bensam, a resident of Kanyakumari, and Anthony Michael Elangovan, a resident of Mumbai, were arrested on 24 April and are in judicial custody.

On 06.04. 2024, CBI had busted a major human trafficking network running across the country targeting gullible youths on the promise of offering lucrative jobs abroad. These traffickers have been operating as organised network and were luring Indian nationals through social media channels like YouTube etc. and also through their local contacts/agents for highly paid jobs in Russia. Thereafter, the trafficked Indian nationals were trained in combat roles and deployed in front bases in Russia-Ukraine war zone against their wishes, thus putting their lives in great danger, the CBI said in a statement.

The statement also highlighted that some of the victims also got grievously injured in the war zone.

A case of human trafficking was registered against private visa consultancy firms and agents involved in trafficking of Indian nationals, added the statement.

The statement said that Bensam was working in Russia on contract basis as translator and was one of the key members of the network operating in Russia for facilitating recruitment of Indian nationals in Russian Army.

Elangovan was facilitating his co-accused Faisal Baba based in Dubai and others based in Russia in getting the visa processing done in Chennai and booking the air tickets for victims to go to Russia, it added.

Advertisement

The CBI said Arun and Yesudas Junior were the main recruiters of the Indian nationals from Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Investigation is on to arrest the other accused involved in the case, read the statement.

With inputs from agencies
The decision came after his racist comment on how Indians from different parts of the country look created a major political controversy amid the ongoing Lok Sabha election  with Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning him for his statement. read more

Sam Pitroda on Wednesday stepped down as the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress after a controversy erupted over his racist remarks. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has accepted his resignation.

The decision followed his racist comment on how Indians from different parts of the country look created controversy amid the ongoing Lok Sabha election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned him for his statement.

                            



Mr. Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 8, 2024

Advertisement

Pitrodas statement triggered controversy with his people of the east look like the Chinese and those of the south look like Africans remarks, with the ruling BJP latching on to his racist comments and claiming that those have exposed the opposition partys divisive politics.

The Congress, however, distanced itself from Pitrodas remarks, describing those as unfortunate and unacceptable, and saying the party completely dissociates itself from the comments.

In a podcast, Pitroda, the head of the Indian Overseas Congress, said, We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside a few fights here and there.

We could hold the country as diverse as India together. Where people in the east look like the Chinese, people in the west look like the Arabs, people in the north look like, maybe, white and people in the south look like Africans. It does not matter. All of us are brothers and sisters. We respect different languages, different religions, different customs, different food, Pitroda said in the interview that was widely circulated on social media.

Dissociating itself from Pitrodas remarks, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on X: The analogies drawn by Mr Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate Indias diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies.

Advertisement

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, latched on to Pitrodas remarks to hit out at the Congress and said the opposition party is getting increasingly unmasked as the Lok Sabha polls progress.

It claimed that Pitrodas racist comments have betrayed the Congresss bid to divide the country on the lines of race, religion and caste.

BJP leaders Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed that Pitroda has highlighted the idea of India that Congress bigwigs, such as Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, believe in.

Pitroda has been a mentor to Rahul Gandhi, who has often run down the Indian democracy and the countrys institutions during his foreign trips, Chandrasekhar said.

Advertisement

Trivedi said the ongoing Lok Sabha polls have now become a battle between those under the influence of a foreign mindset in their definition of India and an India that is aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) and brimming with self-pride.

Sam, Pity-roda on you! Union minister Anurag Thakur said on X. While for us, all Indians look like Indians, the Congress insists on categorising them based on foreign ethnic lines such as Chinese, Arab, White and African. Only a party with a colonial mindset like Congress could indulge in such deplorable racism.

Having failed to stir division between the north and the south, Congress now seems intent on sowing ethnic discord. Its only a matter of time before the Shehzada, following in the footsteps of his mentor, champions this divisive strategy, Thakur said.

Advertisement

In the podcast interview to a media house, Pitroda said, As a Gujarati, I love dosa, I love idli. That is my food, that is no longer south Indian food. That is the India I believe in, where everybody has a place and everybody compromises a little bit. That idea of India, which is rooted in democracy, freedom, liberty, fraternity, is being challenged by the Ram temple and Ram Navami and the prime minister going to temples all the time and talking not as a national leader, but as a leader of the BJP.

That view centres around the Ram temple, god, history, heritage, Bhagwan Hanuman, Bajrang Dal and all kinds of issues. I respect their view, he added.

Advertisement

There is another group which says our founding fathers fought against the British Raj not for a Hindu Rashtra, but for a secular nation. Pakistan decided to create a nation based on religion and see what happened to them. We are a shining example of democracy in the world, Pitroda said.

Earlier, the Congress leader had stirred up a controversy by talking about the inheritance tax, which the BJP turned into a poll issue.
If there is one country with which India needs to make a fresh beginning, it is Nepal read more

Nepals history in recent decades has been marked by tumultuous events and transformations, and its relations with India by sharp fluctuations. Many books on both subjects have been written by scholars and foreign policy practitioners, Nepalese as well as Indian. Yet, too many unanswered questions remain, about the hows and whys of the past, the depth and challenges of present trends, and prospects for the future, in an increasingly uncertain post-Covid world.

Advertisement

Nepal registered several significant turning points in a relatively short span of timeamong them achievement, at last, of full-fledged multi-party democracy after two popular upheavals and not a little help from across the southern border; a peaceful negotiated end to ten years of violent Maoist insurgency and the mainstreaming of Maoists into the democratic polity; adoption of a Constitution (albeit somewhat imperfect and hastily rushed through); a peaceful and in the end dignified exit of the institution of monarchy; the assertion of a new identity as a secular federal democratic republic.

High expectations were aroused of a new Nepal. Alas, these have not been fulfilled.

Nepal now seems stuck in an unending transition. Thoughtful Nepalese commentators who were in the forefront of those demanding change are the first to voice their acute sense of disappointment at how things are turning outthe poor quality of democracy, rampant corruption and mal-governance, institutional failures, economic mismanagement and chronic instability punctuated with revolving-door governments and little pretence of ideological consistency or adherence to political commitments.

Nepals internal institutional shortcomings are a cruel reality. Also cruel is the realisation that for democracy to be meaningful, it is not enough to have regular and reasonably credible elections or even a free press and the right to dissent, which undoubtedly exist to a laudable degree in Nepal today. Unless there are independent institutions which cannot be remote-controlled by the government of the day, there is a real danger of democracy becoming a caricature of itself.

Advertisement

Nevertheless, there is hope within and among friends outside Nepal, especially India, that it is on the right track, and that with patience, perseverance, experience and support, the kind of leadership and direction it desperately needs will emerge, and Nepal will experience a speedier and smoother transition to a minimum desirable level of governance and inclusive development.

There is also undoubtedly space for India and Nepal to jointly create a sustainable positive trajectory for bilateral ties which would do more justice to their exceptionally rich and unique civilizational links and economic complementarities and make a more meaningful contribution to a stronger sub-region.

Advertisement

We have attempted in this book to analyse how the situation unfolded in the way it did, and as to whether the principal actors (including India) might help shape a better future in keeping with the expectations and needs of the people on both sides of the border.

Both countries owe it to themselves to revisit the past and introspect, even if it means asking uncomfortable questions. It is more necessary than ever before to draw lessons from the past, for it has repeated itself far too often. We do need to reimagine, perhaps to repurpose an age-old relationship, so that it can fulfill its real potential in a geo-political and geo-economic landscape so completely different from the one it inherited when the British left India in 1947, and yet it is the latter which has somehow continued to shape mindsets and policies on both sides for so many decades.

Advertisement

One understanding that hopefully will flow out of this study is that realpolitik, bargaining style diplomacy of the transactional kind and knee-jerk responses need not and cannot be the basis for relations between two countries such as India and Nepal, with such unique and deep historical, familial, religious, cultural, geographical and economic ties.

Irritants, potential or real (including longstanding ones like the 1950 Treaty) and differences (for example on the border, which appears to be devoid of chances of a political or diplomatic solution given the resolution passed by Nepals Parliament), can and should be sought to be sorted out in the way hiccups within a family are tackled, keeping the basis as well as continuing need of unshakeable bonds always in mind.

Advertisement

Sporadic attempts through normal diplomatic exchanges on such issues have been going on for some time, with no signs of progress. A Track 2 initiative (High Level Expert Group) blessed by both Prime Ministers was set up a few years ago and managed to prepare a confidential joint report with recommendations, but the Report has yet to be presented to the Prime Ministers because of the controversy that would result from non-implementation.

If such issues are discussed keeping the larger picture of an unbreakable age-old relationship and a vision of long-term interests always in mind, they will hopefully be subsumed by the latter, just as the major irritant of the Tanakpur Barrage constructed by India was subsumed by the larger vision of the Mahakali Treaty of 1996 which, unlike the former, was negotiated in a spirit of equality and respect for mutual interests, needs and sensitivities.

In that sense, Defence Minister Rajnath Singhs relaxed and friendly response to Nepals strong objections to his inauguration of roads in border areas now claimed by Nepal, recommends itself over exchanging maps dating back to East India Company or British India days (Our History, Their History, Whose History? to borrow the title of Romila Thapars book), or issuing stern official statements and presenting counterclaims, which would be a standard official reaction.

Similarly, Nepal Ambassador Dr Shankar P Sharmas attendance of a New Delhi function to celebrate consecration of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, and his reflection that Nepals parallel claim to Rams birthplace being in Nepal (former PM KP Sharma Oli had in fact earlier protested that India was manipulating history to deny Nepal its rightful claims) should be taken simply as a confirmation of the rich shared cultural links between the two countries, commends itself over the strident condemnation of Olis claim in India.

We realise that some of our assessments and assertions will be contested. We are confident however that on many issues, some facts which are not yet in the public domain will get known in due course, and bear these out.

One area of special sensitivity has been Nepalese resentment of alleged Indian involvement in its internal affairs. Indian writers tend to lay a major portion of the blame on sections of the Nepalese elite who indulge in ultra-nationalism for short-term gains. We have tried to examine the facts as objectively as possible. It has been wisely said that the essence of strategy is choosing what not to do. This seems to have relevance for some actions of Nepal as well as of India, in the seven and half decades since Indias independence.

Indian diplomats would argue that its actions were well-intentioned and often in response to a felt need in Nepal. The fact however is that in hindsight, they might have best been avoided, for they have left a lasting impact on its perceptions of India.

We suggest this not as a mea culpa acknowledgement but rather in the spirit of External Affairs Minister S JaIshankars reflections in December 2023 (made in a wider context) of the importance of looking back and introspecting in order to keep correcting ourselves to set the foreign policy right, It is very important for us, after 75 years of Independence, to introspect about because often, we tend to think that the decisions which were taken, were the only decisions that could have been taken, which may not be entirely true.

As for Nepal, its political leaders will hopefully realise sooner rather than later that it is entirely in that countrys long-term interests to consolidate its position as South Asias dependable partner in Indias quest to sit at the global high table.

At the time of writing, while India is led by a strong Prime Minister in Narendra Modi, Nepal is headed by the shrewd Maoist leader Prachanda leading a coalition, his Maoist party being the third largest, in a climate of political instability. There is a welcome trend towards pragmatic national self-interest in bilateral ties with India, major agreements have been reached on bilateral and sub-regional energy cooperation with welcome new emphasis on delivery and follow-up, one must keep ones fingers crossed that this trend continues.

However, unfortunately, there seems to be a certain fatigue in expending political energy on self-destructive anti-India posturing, which cannot but pose new challenges to the continuance of a positive trajectory in bilateral ties. There are already ominous signs that the appetite for power at any cost may again lead to opportunistic political rearrangements with new uncertainties.

The relevance of the China factor in Indias foreign policy has only increased in recent years. Tibet is not the only reason for Chinese activism in Nepal. But Nepals traditional penchant for playing the China card to maximise benefits to itself from India has had to adjust to new factors. At the geopolitical level, the major Western powers are now much more alert to Chinese attempts to expand its influence and much more proactive in countering them as evidenced through mechanisms like the Quad and Indo-Pacific mechanisms. The Indian government itself under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is much more confident about dealing with China and much less vulnerable to blackmail tactics.

The Chinese have exposed themselves to Nepals political elite through fairly clumsy attempts at intervention in internal politics which have backfired on them. Even on the economic side, they are not finding it as easy as before to impress Nepalese businessmen, bureaucrats or politicians. Significantly, even seven years after BRI was launched and Nepal subscribed to it, not a single project has been negotiated by successive Kathmandu governments, each of which has found reasons to postpone decisions on Chinese terms.

Yet there is no reason for complacency. Neutralising Indias natural influence in its neighbourhood is clearly a high Chinese priority, and its actions in every neighbouring nation, (most recently Maldives) are confirmation, if confirmation was needed, that the String of Pearls concern is not in the realm of fanciful imagery but a strategic challenge to the India growth story.

Watching the frequent fluctuations in the graphs of Indias relations with its neighbours, South Asian scholars often pose the question, Is India losing South Asia? on the other hand, Indian diplomats with deep knowledge of Indias repeated efforts to improve relations with its neighbours usually pose the question the other way around, Is South Asia losing India? Chinas increasing footprint in the region, and the penchant for Indias neighbours to frequently encourage it is a subject of continuing debate. There is only one way to address this reality, and that is for India to get its act together, adjust its diplomatic functioning style, policies and priorities, create an ambiance of mutual trust, expand the thrust of Atmanirbharta to include at least selected close neighbours including Nepal, and give them their rightful place as co-passengers on the journey towards speedy inclusive development. Neighbourhood First needs to be perceived by our neighbours as a living day-to-day Indian foreign policy priority and not just a slogan.

But if there is one country with which India needs to make a fresh beginning, it is Nepal.

It is in that hope that this book has been written.

KV Rajan is Indias former Ambassador to Nepal and Atul K Thakur is a policy professional, columnist and writer with a special focus on South Asia. The above article is an edited extract from the authors recently published book, Kathmandu Chronicle: Reclaiming India-Nepal Relations (Penguin Random House India, 2024) that offers unique insights on Nepal and India-Nepal Relations. The views expressed are personal.
India needs to now engage with Ethnic Armed Organisations. Whether we like it or not, they have become the new stakeholders in Myanmars conflict read more

Three years after the military coup in Myanmar, there seems to be no signs of the conflict abating between the junta and the various Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) across the country. Especially after the successful launch of Operation 1027 against the military junta by the Three Brotherhood alliance members comprising the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) from the Kokang region of the Shan state, the Taang National Liberation Army also from the Shan state, and the Arakan Army (AA) based in the Rakhine state.

Advertisement

After the success of Operation 1027, the rebellion quickly spread across Myanmar and by November 7, 2023, with the launch of Operation 1107 in support of Operation 1027, many other insurgent groups across the country joined hands. This was perhaps one of the rare occasions in the troubled history of Myanmar where EAOs from a variety of ethnic groups had come together in a meticulously coordinated attack against the junta. Subsequently, many Myanmar observers debated the pushback by the rebel groups as a victory for democracy, with some reports stating only 30-40 per cent of Myanmar was under the control of the junta.

However, whether that means it is a victory in the real sense for the disparate groups that are fighting the junta is arguable. The junta has been relentless in its own offensive against EAOs. Not only does the junta have larger access to weapons but also has decades of experience in dealing with EAOs. It was evident in the recapture of Myawaddy, a border town and entry point for Thailand. A town destined to be a full international crossing as part of the Asian Highway Route Network AH1, that will extend to Tokyo, Japan. It also is a route for border trade of over $1 billion.

Advertisement

There were various reports that claimed that the strategic town of Myawaddy was actually never captured by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Though KNLA didnt claim it in explicit terms, through videos and strategic perception building, it gave the impression that it had captured the whole town. On the contrary, the truth might be that the town is actually under the control of the Border Guard Force (BGF), a Karen-dominated pro-junta militia group. And if not entirely pro-junta anymore, it is still playing a neutral role as the junta pays the salaries of its soldiers.

Earlier this week the BGF warned, saying: All foreigners who are doing online business around the Kayin state, Myawaddy township, must leave between May 1 (1-5-2024) and October 31 (31-10-2024). Foreigners who illegally cross the border must leave the country by the way they came. If found after October 31 (31-10-2024), effective action will be taken.

Advertisement

This warning was aimed at online scammers and gambling operations that have found place in Shwe Kokko Myaing, the new city that is a short distance from Myawaddy funded by Chinese money and BGF partnership. The notice was posted in Burmese, Chinese and English. The statement in itself is reminiscent of the fate of the four families of Laukkaing in the Shan state who were involved in cyber-crime, cyber slavery and gambling operations that adversely impacted China.

With the launch of Operation 1027, Tatmadaw looked towards the Chinese for support and in return withdrew support from the four families. Operation 1027 was launched by the Three Brotherhood alliance that included the China-backed MNDAA. Today, trade between Myanmar through the northern Shan state has resumed.

Advertisement

Similarly, in the case of Myawaddy it might be pertinent to note that the warning by the BGF has come less than a week after the visit of Lt Gen Yar Pyae, Union Minister for Home Affairs, to China. Lt Gen Yar Pyae met with Minister of Public Security Wang Xiahong and Xu Datong, Vice Minister of Public Security, China. They signed agreements on assistance worth RMB 5 million to the Myanmar police force. The Chinese side also made it clear that they view the China-Myanmar relationship from a strategic perspective.

Simultaneously, more than 500 Chinese nationals have arrived in Kyaukphyu Township in the troubled Rakhine state. Kyaukphyu, which has Chinese investments in various projects, particularly Myanmars long-delayed deep-water port project, supported by the CITIC Group, Chinas largest state owned transnational conglomerate. Kyaukphyu also has the China twin oil and gas pipeline that extends to the Yunnan province in China. Importantly, the EAOs, especially AA that is active in Rakhine, have given a guarantee of protection to these projects. The investments that go into billions of dollars will also give the junta a much-needed reinforcement.

Advertisement

India too has ambitions in Myanmar as a part of its Act East policy. India, Myanmar, and Thailand are building the Asian Trilateral Highway, which will connect India to ASEAN. The road is expected to boost trade and commerce in the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area, as well as with the rest of Southeast Asia. India is also building the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport, a road-river-port cargo transport project, to link Kolkata to Sittwe in Myanmar and from Myanmars Kaladan river to Indias Northeast, a project of strategic importance giving India an alternative route to the Siliguri Corridor. However, in May 2023, Adani Groups ports arm APSEZ had to sell its Myanmar port project for an enormous loss due to the sanctions imposed by the US on the junta-owned Myanmar Economic Corporation Limited. This project could have established Indias port footprint in Southeast Asia.

Therefore, India too, armed with experience in navigating through complex security matters, in a mature diplomatic move, has kept its channels of communications open with all parties involved. While asserting strategic autonomy India has advocated for peace and democracy. India understands that Chinas influence in Myanmar needs to be balanced. Naypyidaw is also playing a balancing act by keeping its channels of communication open with India to counter Chinas excessive influence.

India has been watching developments closely. Their proactive stance on Myanmar was reflected in a recent meeting between Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Myanmarese counterpart Admiral Moe Aung in St Petersburg, Russia. Incidentally, it was at the same time that Lt Gen Yar Pyae met with his Chinese counterpart. Both the NSAs reportedly discussed concerns regarding Indias infrastructure investments in Myanmar, the refugee influx to India, and the current situation in Myanmar. Problems that require a larger security lens are best discussed between experts and counterparts and India, while dealing with the junta, has followed this track.

What India additionally needs to focus on is engagement with the EAOs. The conflict in Myanmar might become a long-drawn situation with a deadlock and some areas controlled by the EAOs for the foreseeable future. India, in order to secure its investments, has to create a multi-layered strategic engagement involving military and security experts, diplomats and religious and humanitarian leaders with expertise in the region. The reality is even if the pro-democratic forces led by the National Unity Government (NUG) manage to gain power and influence in at least some regions, it is uncertain if they will be able to fulfil the aspirations of the EAOs and other diverse ethnicities.

Technically, the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar drafted by the Tatmadaw gives substantial power to the Army. The Constitution of Myanmar gives 25 per cent reservation to military officers. This includes in the upper and lower houses. They are unelected. It also has vested its powers in the Commander-in-Chief of the military to take power in case of emergencies. This includes the executive, legislature and judiciary. Amendments to Myanmars 2008 Constitution is also difficult to achieve as 75 per cent of the parliamentarians need to approve the amendments with the Tatmadaw responsible for the final veto power.

India, therefore, stands to only gain and resolve matters to its benefit if it continues its proactive approach towards all stakeholders. The strategic autonomy that India has asserted has not only allowed it to decide its relationships with its neighbours but also limit the interference of international lobbies in regional matters. All that India needs to do now is engage with the EAOs. Whether we like it or not, they have become the new stakeholders in Myanmars conflict.

The author is an anthropologist and a scholar of the northeast region of India. She is a columnist and author and presently Distinguished Fellow at India Foundation, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Firstpost.
Google is leveraging its Gemini AI for its cybersecurity-focused product called Google Threat Intelligence. The platform will also benefit from Googles Gemini 1.5 Pro AI model, which will assist it in curating data and insights from the platforms database read more

On Tuesday, Google unveiled its latest cybersecurity-focused product called Google Threat Intelligence. This new offering, part of the Google Cloud Security portfolio, aims to help cybersecurity professionals get a better understanding of global threats.

Leveraging the capabilities of Googles AI model Gemini, along with insights from Mandiant and VirusTotal, two security-focused subsidiaries, the platform promises to provide valuable insights into threat intelligence.

Introduced at the RCA conference in San Francisco, Google described Threat Intelligence as incorporating Gemini, their AI-powered agent, which enables conversational search across a vast repository of threat intelligence. This, Google claims, allows customers to gain insights and protect themselves from threats more efficiently than before.

Advertisement

Google emphasised that the visibility of threats is a major concern for cybersecurity professionals, requiring both a comprehensive view of the landscape and significant time to collect and process data into actionable insights.

Threat Intelligence aims to address these challenges by leveraging Googles extensive threat insight, which includes protecting billions of devices and email accounts from millions of phishing attempts daily. Additionally, Mandiant, known for incident response expertise, and VirusTotal, with its crowdsourced malware database, contribute insights to the product.

The platform will also benefit from Googles Gemini 1.5 Pro AI model, which acts as a conversational chatbot, assisting in curating data and insights from the platforms database.

According to Google, this enables customers to condense large data sets in seconds, quickly analyse suspicious files, and simplify manual threat intelligence tasks. The AI can even reverse engineer malware, as demonstrated by its ability to process the entire decompiled code of the WannaCry malware file and identify a killswitch in just 34 seconds.

Google Threat Intelligence is part of the Google Cloud Security portfolio, which includes offerings like Google Security Operations, Mandiant Consulting, Security Command Center Enterprise, and Chrome Enterprise. Organizations interested in adopting the platform can reach out to Google for further information.

(With inputs from agencies)
Once considered one of Chinas strongest ally when it came to developing AI, CEO of Alat, Saudi Arabias new investment fund to develop semicon and AI, has revealed they are ready to divest from China if the US asks them to read more

The US has been trying to cut China off from all major tech companies and tech businesses in order to stifle the Chinese military's technological growth. Image Credit: Reuters

Amit Midha, CEO of Alat, Saudi Arabias new investment fund for semiconductor and artificial intelligence technology, stated that the country would divest from China if requested by the US.

Alat is an investment firm backed by $100 billion in capital from the Public Investment Fund.

Midha emphasized that while current requests focus on maintaining separate manufacturing and supply chains, Saudi Arabia would comply with US concerns and divest if partnerships with China posed issues.

Advertisement

Reports from Bloomberg indicate that US officials have informed their Saudi counterparts of the need to choose between Chinese and American technology in developing the Saudi semiconductor industry, as part of ongoing discussions on national security matters.

In an interview with Bloomberg News during the Milken Institute Global Conference in California, Midha reiterated Saudi Arabias pursuit of trusted and secure partnerships in the US. He emphasized the US as the primary partner and market for AI, chips, and semiconductor industries.

Saudi Arabia is actively competing for regional leadership in advanced technology, aiming to establish data centres, AI companies, and semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. This endeavour coincides with increasing US scrutiny of the Middle Easts connections to China, amid concerns that countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates could facilitate Beijings access to technology barred from purchase by Chinese firms in the US.

In a move reflecting this scrutiny, the US has urged Abu Dhabi-based AI firm G42 to divest from Chinese technology. In exchange, G42 would maintain access to US systems powering AI applications. This agreement facilitated a significant $1.5 billion investment by Microsoft in G42.

Meanwhile, Alat, the Saudi investment firm, is poised to announce partnerships with two US tech companies by the end of June. These partnerships will involve co-investment alongside a US investment firm, as revealed by Midha. Details regarding the companies involved or the focus areas of these collaborations have not been disclosed.
The US started to further tighten the screws on Chinas Huawei and has cancelled several licenses that allowed certain companies to deal with them in a limited capacity read more

Huawei is already under heavy sanctions from the US, for its close ties to the Chinese Army. Image Credit: AFP

The US has cancelled permits that allowed Huawei Technologies Co. to purchase semiconductors from Qualcomm Inc. and Intel Corp., tightening restrictions on the Chinese tech giant.

Although the impact on chip sales may not be significant, it highlights the US governments commitment to limiting Chinas access to semiconductor technology. Additionally, officials are considering sanctions against six Chinese companies suspected of supplying chips to Huawei, which has faced US trade restrictions since 2019.

Advertisement

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul underscored the strategic importance of this decision, highlighting its role in hindering Chinas progress in artificial intelligence.

While the immediate impact on chip sales may not be substantial, the decision serves as a stark reminder of the US governments commitment to constraining Chinas access to semiconductor technology. In addition to revoking licenses, US officials are actively considering imposing sanctions on six Chinese companies suspected of supplying chips to Huawei.

This move reflects the broader strategy of the US to exert pressure on Chinese tech companies, particularly those like Huawei, which have been subject to US trade restrictions since 2019.

The US Commerce Department has confirmed the withdrawal of certain licenses for exports to Huawei, but specific details regarding the extent of these restrictions have not been disclosed. The Biden administration, facing mounting pressure to take a tougher stance on Huawei and other Chinese tech firms, continues to evaluate measures to safeguard national security and foreign policy interests.

Qualcomm, a key supplier of chips to Huawei, has already indicated that its business with the Chinese company is dwindling, and is now primarily limited to providing older-generation 4G network chips rather than advanced 5G technology. Soon, it may completely their business may be wiped out.

Advertisement

Similarly, Intel, another major player in the semiconductor industry, has seen minimal impact on its revenue from Huawei, as the Chinese company represents a small fraction of its customer base.

Despite these limitations, the US continues to urge its allies, namely Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Germany, to further tighten control on the sale and maintenance of chip manufacturing tools, with Huawei as the primary target of these efforts. This coordinated approach seeks further to restrict Huaweis access to critical semiconductor technologies, thereby diminishing its influence in global markets.

Republican lawmakers, led by figures like McCaul, Elise Stefanik, and Marco Rubio, have been vocal in their calls for stricter measures against Huawei. The unveiling of a smartphone powered by a Chinese-made processor during a visit by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to China in August further fueled concerns about the potential violations of US law.

Advertisement

In response to these concerns, the Biden administration has initiated an investigation into the origin of the purported 7-nanometer chip used in the Huawei smartphone. If it is found that the chip was supplied by Chinese chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), it could constitute a violation of US law. This incident underscores the challenges of enforcing restrictions on semiconductor technology, particularly when global supply chains are intricately intertwined.

Despite Chinas efforts to develop a domestic semiconductor supply chain, it remains reliant on foreign technology, as evidenced by the use of Dutch and American tools in manufacturing advanced chips. This reliance highlights the complexities of efforts to restrict Chinas access to semiconductor technology and underscores the need for continued vigilance in safeguarding critical technologies vital to national security and economic competitiveness.
Just weeks after stating that it was exploring its legal options to fight the USs new law that would force the sale of TikTok, ByteDance has finally sued the Biden-led administration, arguing that the law is illegal as it goes against the US Constitution and the right to free speech read more

TikTok is also claiming that it has already spent over $2 billion in protecting the data of US citizens, and was actively working with CFIUS, before they stopped engaging with ByteDance. Image Credit: Reuters

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance are standing up against a new law signed by President Biden. This law demands that TikTok sells part of its business in the US or faces being banned, which would affect about 170 million users.

Theyve brought their fight to a federal court in the District of Columbia, arguing that the law goes against the US Constitution. Theyre especially worried that it could violate the free speech rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. President Biden signed the law on April 24th, giving ByteDance until January 19th to sell TikTok.

Advertisement

TikTok has shared a copy of the lawsuit with Reuters, which is a significant move in the ongoing disagreement between the social media platform and US regulators.

TikTok argues that its nearly impossible to follow the new law, both financially and legally. Theyre cautioning that if the law is enforced, TikTok might have to shut down by January 19, 2025, leaving 170 million American users without their beloved communication platform.

Congress quickly passed the law due to concerns about China potentially accessing American data or spying through TikTok. It states that app stores can no longer offer TikTok, and internet hosting services cant support it unless ByteDance sells part of TikTok by the deadline.

The lawsuit also mentions that ByteDance is under pressure from the Chinese government, which opposes the sale of TikToks vital recommendation engine in the US

TikTok has invested a hefty $2 billion to ensure the protection of American users data. Theyve been in talks with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and have a draft agreement that allows the US government to shut down TikTok if it violates certain rules.

This lawsuit indicates how complex and serious the situation is, raising concerns about national security. As the legal process unfolds, many are left wondering about TikToks fate in the US and how it will impact millions of users and social media regulations.

Advertisement

The lawsuit also outlines a timeline of discussions between ByteDance and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). These talks stopped suddenly in August 2022, leaving ByteDance in a difficult position. By March 2023, CFIUS demanded that ByteDance divest its TikTok operations within the United States. This shows how seriously national security and data privacy concerns are taken.

CFIUS, led by the US Treasury Department, plays a crucial role in protecting American interests by reviewing foreign investments in US businesses and real estate. Their insistence on divestiture highlights the gravity of the situation regarding TikTok.

The legal battle over TikToks future is further complicated by President Bidens authority. He can extend the January 19 deadline by three months, giving him significant influence over the outcome. His decision will likely depend on ByteDances progress in addressing security concerns.

Advertisement

This legal dispute is reminiscent of former President Trumps attempts to ban TikTok and WeChat in 2020, which were thwarted by the courts. Trumps recent change in approach, focusing on security issues without resorting to bans, adds another layer of complexity.

Questions arise about finding a buyer for TikToks US operations amidst financial and regulatory hurdles. Uncertainties persist about approval from both Chinese authorities and US government agencies, highlighting the challenges TikTok faces in navigating international business and diplomacy.

The lawsuit also mentions the difficulty of moving TikToks source code to the United States, which would require significant time and resources.

The four-year legal battle over TikTok represents a significant battleground in the broader US-China conflict over the internet and technology. Recent events, such as Chinas directive to remove WhatsApp and Threads from Apples App Store, further highlight the tensions and complexities in this arena.
The US$3 billion Glide Phase Interceptor project is being co-developed with the US to counteract advanced weapons such as hypersonic missiles read more

A hypersonic anti-ballistic missile developed under the US-Israeli Arrow 3 project is test-fired at an undisclosed location in Alaska. The US is now looking to develop a similar system with Japan. AFP File

Amid growing concerns over the deployment of advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles, by rivals, Japan is poised to invest $1 billion in a $3 billion missile-intercepting system under joint development with the US.

According to a South China Morning Post report, citing analysts, this is a strategic response to the escalating arms race in the region, drawing lessons from recent conflicts such as the successful neutralisation of Irans drone and missile attack on Israel.

Advertisement

Tokyos focus lies on addressing territorial disputes with countries like Russia, reportedly receiving missiles from North Korea for its conflict in Ukraine, and China, escalating tensions in contested waters.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden had finalised the agreements details during Kishidas visit to Washington in August last year.

According to the report, citing the 2025 budget estimates released by the US Department of Defence in March, the US will fork over an estimated $2 billion for the Glide Phase Interceptor project.

The goal set by Washington and Tokyo is to attain full operational capability for the system by 2032. The objective is for missiles launched from US Navy warships to intercept hypersonic projectiles during their vulnerable glide phase.

According to the report, in a recent Sankei newspaper op-ed, US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel had said that both Japan and the US need to learn lessons from Irans April 13 attack, where approximately 300 missiles and drones were launched at Israel, most of which were intercepted by its Iron Dome system and other air defences.

Emanuel advocated for establishing a robust collective deterrence to counteract Chinas aggressive posturing towards its neighbors and North Koreas unpredictable behavior, particularly its ballistic missile tests in waters surrounding Japan.

Emanuel underscored the urgency of advancing next-generation technology to effectively tackle emerging missile and drone threats, emphasising the importance of developing an integrated air-and-missile defense framework in the Indo-Pacific.

Advertisement

Highlighting the significance of the Glide Phase Interceptor system, he also stressed the need to foster stronger regional partnerships and conducting more frequent training exercises to prepare for potential future conflicts.

Yakov Zinberg, an international-relations professor at Kokushikan University in Tokyo, told South China Morning Post that lessons were being learned from the conflicts currently being waged around the globe.

Russias propaganda machine has been loudly claiming that they have perfected a hypersonic missile and that they are using it in Ukraine, so it is extremely important for the US and Japan to find a way to detect and counter that new ability, he was quoted as saying.

Advertisement

They also see having a countermeasure as an effective way of countering [Russian President Vladimir] Putins rhetoric, added Zinberg.

Japan is apprehensive about the advancements in hypersonic weapons by China and North Korea. Both Beijing and Pyongyang assert the readiness of their respective hypersonic arsenal, raising alarm in Tokyo.

Theres a strong likelihood that Russia has been aiding North Korea in the development of sophisticated weaponry, possibly in exchange for support in Ukraine.

But there is no question in my mind that we are now seeing an arms race in the Asia-Pacific region, and that it is more dangerous than the Cold War  The Cold War was between two superpowers who were aware of the dangers, but that is not the case today, South China Morning Post quoted Zinberg as saying.

Advertisement

Growing apprehensions within the US regarding the technological progress of its adversaries have intensified the urgency surrounding the Glide Phase Interceptor project. Earlier this year, the US Congress sanctioned a twofold increase in funding for the project to hasten its development and deployment.

Much like existing anti-missile systems, the collaborative endeavor between the US and Japan necessitates the establishment of a sophisticated detection and tracking infrastructure, with the creation of a long-range radar ranking high on the agenda.

Concurrently, as plans for the interceptor project materialise, other defence initiatives are also gaining traction. One notable example is the joint US-Israeli Iron Beam system, which employs laser-based directed-energy technology to neutralize a broad spectrum of aerial threats, ranging from drones to ballistic missiles.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies
For AstraZeneca, the heyday of its COVID-19 vaccine has come and gone read more

(File) A healthcare worker holds a vial of the AstraZeneca vaccine during a ceremony to announce the AstraZeneca vaccine being produced in the country by Fiocruz Institute, in Brasilia, Brazil on 22 February, 2022. Reuters

As India awakened on Wednesday morning, news alerts on TV and mobile screens were ablaze with a headline announcing AstraZenecas initiation of a global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine.

According to Reuters, the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical giant cited the emergence of multiple variant vaccines as the reason behind this move, stating that the availability of newer, updated vaccines had led to a surplus in the market. Consequently, demand for AstraZenecas Vaxzevria vaccine had dwindled, prompting the company to cease its manufacturing and supply. Additionally, AstraZeneca announced its intention to withdraw the marketing authorisations for Vaxzevria within Europe.

Advertisement

AstraZeneca earlier admitted in court documents that the vaccine causes side effects such as blood clots and low blood platelet counts. The companys application to withdraw the vaccine was made on 5 March and came into effect on 7 May, according to the Telegraph.

Before celebrating AstraZenecas decision, consider this: the companys move to withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine might not solely stem from an abundance of vaccines in the global market. Instead, some speculate it could be a response to the escalating reports of side effects associated with the vaccine. However, delving into the specifics of these claims falls under the purview of medical experts.

COVID and coffers

Regardless of the vaccines impact on peoples health, AstraZeneca appears content with its financial gains. In February 2022, AstraZeneca boasted record-breaking revenues with a significant portion attributed to its COVID-19 vaccine and the sales resulting from its acquisition of Alexion, a rare disease company worth $39 billion, a Financial Times report said. In 2021 alone, AstraZeneca reported a total revenue of $37 billion, marking a 38 per cent increase from the previous year, with $4 billion stemming from its COVID-19 vaccine, developed in collaboration with Oxford University. Ironically, even amid these financial successes, AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine garnered attention due to reports of rare blood-clotting side effects.

Advertisement

In a press release dated April 30, 2021, AstraZeneca disclosed that its vaccine, developed in partnership with the University of Oxford, generated $275 million in sales from approximately 68 million doses administered in the initial three months of 2021.

In 2020, AstraZeneca vowed not to capitalise on its vaccine during the pandemic, maintaining the discretion to decide when the crisis had abated. The University of Oxford collaborated with AstraZeneca due to its commitment to keep vaccine prices low. The company affirmed it would only seek profit once COVID-19 ceased to be a global threat. CEO Pascal Soriot reiterated this stance to the BBC, emphasizing their priority of safeguarding public health.

Advertisement

However, by November 2021, AstraZeneca began departing from its not-for-profit vaccine provision approach.

Responding to this shift, Nick Dearden, director of campaign group Global Justice Now, criticised AstraZenecas move, highlighting the dangers of entrusting publicly-funded science to pharmaceutical giants.

As of November 2021, AstraZeneca had generated $2.2 billion in sales from its vaccine during the initial nine months of the year. In the quarter ending on 30 September, 2021, the vaccine recorded sales of $1.05 billion, adding one cent to earnings per share, CNN reported.

Why AstraZeneca is a global pharmaceutical giant?

AstraZeneca is a revenue machine when it comes to global pharmaceutical companies.

AstraZenecas extensive portfolio spans various prescription drugs encompassing treatments for cardiovascular, respiratory, oncological, neurological and gastrointestinal ailments among others. Leveraging its global distribution network, the company strategically enters diverse markets worldwide, utilising robust sales and marketing strategies and significant investments to secure a prominent position globally. Additionally, collaborations and licensing agreements with fellow pharmaceutical entities contribute to its revenue streams.

Advertisement

The firms intellectual property holdings play a crucial role as it grants manufacturing and sales rights to other entities, further enhancing its financial performance. AstraZeneca also benefits from funding provided by government agencies, NGOs and research institutions, bolstering its fiscal health, a Pitchgrade report said.

A big focus for AstraZeneca is making new drugs resulting in the continual introduction of novel drugs to the market.

COVID dream run ends for AstraZeneca, but not for its money machine

AstraZeneca revealed impressive earnings for the first quarter of this year on 25 April this year, exceeding market expectations. The strong performance was fuelled by high demand for its popular drugs and consistent sales from partnerships. Notably, the companys oncology division, its top-performing segment, saw a significant 26 per cent increase in sales to $5.12 billion. However, there was a decline in revenue from Vaccines and Infectious Diseases (V&I) due to reduced sales of COVID-19 mAbs and Vaxzevria.

Advertisement

AstraZeneca had a very strong start in 2024 with substantial Total Revenue growth of 19% in the first quarter. Our strong pipeline momentum continued and already this year we announced positive trial results for Imfinzi and Tagrisso that were unprecedented in lung cancer, the data from both of these studies will be presented during the ASCO plenary in June. We are also looking forward to seeing the results of several other important trials throughout the year. At our Annual General Meeting we were pleased to announce a 7% increase in the annual dividend, and at our Investor Day on 21 May 2024 we will outline the evolution of our company, underscoring our confidence in sustaining industry-leading growth, said AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot commenting on the results.

For AstraZeneca, the heyday of its COVID-19 vaccine has come and gone. Despite lingering concerns about vaccine side effects, the company has quietly redirected its attention to new avenues of profit much before the world knew.
Justin Trudeau and Canadas ex-defence minister Harjit Sajjan wanted to avoid Capt. Amarinder Singh because he had described Sajjans father as a terrorist owing to the elder Sajjans previous position leading the World Sikh Organisation read more

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his former defence minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, who were on their way to Amritsar, a city in northern Indias Punjab, in 2018, were reportedly told that their plane wont be allowed to land unless they agreed to meet with the then Congress leader and chief minister Capt. Amarinder Singh.

A Canadian news outlet - The Globe and Mail - cited a source with direct knowledge claiming, India refused to let PM Trudeaus plan land in Punjab unless he and his defence minister agreed to meet a government official who wanted to air grievances about Sikh separatists in Canada.

Advertisement

Interestingly, the report comes within days after the arrest of three Indian nationals accused of killing Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was designated as a terrorist by India. Karan Brar (22) Kamalpreet Singh (22) and Karanpreet Singh (28), all residing in Edmonton, were charged on Friday last week with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

The meeting happened

The report quoted the source as saying that Trudeau and Sajjan wanted to avoid Capt. Singh because he had described Sajjans father as a terrorist owing to the elder Sajjans previous position leading the World Sikh Organisation (WSO).

But Trudeau and Sajjan ultimately met Capt. Singh. During the meeting, Singh handed them a dossier containing the names of 10 Sikh separatists, including Nijjars, whose activities the Indian government wanted to be curtailed and wanted Canada to deport or rein in them.

The Canadian daily claimed that the dossier which was handed over to Trudeau was part of a longstanding effort by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government to urge Canada to take legal action against Sikh separatists.

Tensions between India and Canada escalated after Nijjar was killed in June 2023, with Trudeau, months later, claiming Indias involvement in his death.

On Tuesday, Canadas foreign minister Melanie Joly said Canada stands by the allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Nijjar.

Canadas position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents, Joly said.

Advertisement

Also Read: We stand by allegations that Nijjar was killed by Indian agents, says Canadas foreign minister

For Canada, the discussion with Capt. Singh was not pleasant

The Canadian daily quoted the source claiming that the discussion with Capt. Singh was not pleasant and Trudeau assured that they would look at the list presented by India which was previously shared with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

The dossier was shared at a time when CSIS had been working with Indias intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), to investigate the activities of Sikh separatists living in Canada, including possible fundraising efforts and any links to terrorism, The Globe and Mail report claimed.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, in 2023, when Trudeau alleged Indian hand in Nijjars killing, Capt. Singh said in a post on X that the claims were completely baseless and hes (Trudeau) only playing to the vote bank gallery.

During his visit to Amritsar in 2018, I had brought to the notice of Justin Trudeau as to how the Canadian land was being used against India, still the Canadian govt failed to take any remedial measures so far, Capt. Singh had said.

The claims by the Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau that there was an Indian hand in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjer are completely baseless and he's only playing to the vote bank gallery.



During his visit to Amritsar in 2018, I had brought to the notice of Mr Justin Trudeau as to  Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) September 19, 2023

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies
The summit, to which Russia has not been invited, is to take place in Switzerland on June 15-16, and Ukraine hopes to marshal broad support to persuade Moscow to agree to terms that Kyiv deems acceptable read more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that the island state of Cape Verde had become the first African country to agree to attend a world peace summit aimed at finding a solution to Ukraines more than two-year-old war against Russia.

The summit, to which Russia has not been invited, is to take place in Switzerland on June 15-16, and Ukraine hopes to marshal broad support to persuade Moscow to agree to terms that Kyiv deems acceptable.

Ukraine has been deploying great efforts to bring countries from the Global South onside, though Russia benefits from longstanding ties with Moscow from Soviet times.

Advertisement

In a post on the Telegram messaging app, Zelenskyy said he thanked Cape Verde Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva during a telephone conversation.

I thanked him for his support for the peace formula and his personal principled position on the Russia invasion, Zelenskyy wrote. Cape Verde is the first African country to confirm its participation in the peace summit.

The president, who made a brief stopover in Cape Verde last year on his way to Argentina, also mentioned the conversation in his nightly address as a step in organising the June gathering.

Every continent will be represented at our summit in Switzerland, different nations, small or large, those who have clearly shown their support for international law and those who will do so, he said.

Zelenskyy stands by a peace plan calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops, the restoration of Ukraines post-Soviet borders and a process to bring Russia to account for its actions. He hopes more than 80 countries will attend.

Russia says the plan takes no account of new realities in Ukraine and dismisses the summit as meaningless if Moscow is not a party.

The Swiss government said last week that a peace process without Russia is not possible. The aim of the meeting, it said, was to inspire a future peace process.
The two countries also signed 29 agreements to promote legal, regulatory and economic cooperation. Notably, Serbia is set to become the first European country in years to enter into a free trade agreement with China, with the deal signed last year expected to take effect on July 1. read more

In this photo provided by the Serbian Presidential Press Service, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, right, welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and his wife Peng Liyuan during a welcome ceremony upon his arrival at the Nikola Tesla airport in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. - AP

China and Serbia agreed to follow a shared future as President Xi Jinping visited the Balkan nation as part of his efforts to strengthen ties with allies on the fringes of the European Union. Xi hailed the visit, which marks the second leg of his European tour, as the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral relations during his meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday morning.

The two countries pledged to deepen and enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership, announcing their intention to build a community with a shared future.

Advertisement

The two countries also signed 29 agreements to promote legal, regulatory and economic cooperation. Notably, Serbia is set to become the first European country in years to enter into a free trade agreement with China, with the deal signed last year expected to take effect on July 1.

Eight years ago, Serbia became Chinas first comprehensive strategic partner in the Central and Eastern European region, and today Serbia is the first European country to build a community of destiny with China, fully reflecting the strategic, special and high level of China-Serbia relations, Xi said during a press conference after signing the agreement.

It was not immediately clear how the EU would respond to Serbia getting even closer to China. Russias war on Ukraine has pushed the integration of six Western Balkan countries, including Serbia, into the EU at the top of the 27-nation blocs agenda.

China has claimed neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, but has refused to call the Russian assault an invasion and has been accused of bolstering Russias military capacity. Serbia has condemned the Russian invasion but has refused to join international sanctions against Moscow.

Xi arrived in Serbia to a warm welcome on Tuesday evening from France, where he had a high-stakes state visit dominated by trade disputes and Russias war in Ukraine. Thousands of people, chanting China-Serbia and waving flags, were transported from across Serbia to attend a welcoming ceremony for Xi in front of the Serbia Palace on Wednesday, held in the new part of Belgrade where the talks took place.

Advertisement

Pro-China sentiments were evident throughout the Serbian capital, with a large Chinese flag displayed on a skyscraper along the roadway from the airport into the city. Smaller Chinese and Serbian flags adorned downtown and highway areas.

China has made significant investments in Serbia, pouring billions of dollars into sectors like mining and infrastructure through investments and loans. The two countries established a strategic partnership in 2016 and signed a free trade agreement last year. However, some agreements, including the free trade pact, do not align with EU membership conditions. Despite formally expressing a desire to join the 27-nation bloc, Serbia has been veering away from that path.

Advertisement

Situated in the heart of the Balkans, Serbia holds strategic importance in Chinas Belt and Road initiative aimed at enhancing Beijings influence in Europe through economic investments. Critics view Serbia as a potential Trojan horse and gateway for Chinas expansion into Europe.

With inputs from agencies.
It took three weeks of negotiations for the conservative HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union), which won 61 seats in the 151-seat assembly, to agree a ruling coalition with the Homeland Movement (DP), which emerged as a kingmaker after the vote. read more

Croatias ruling HDZ party has agreed to form a coalition with a far-right party following the parliamentary election in April, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who also heads the HDZ, said on Wednesday.

It took three weeks of negotiations for the conservative HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union), which won 61 seats in the 151-seat assembly, to agree a ruling coalition with the Homeland Movement (DP), which emerged as a kingmaker after the vote.

DP, which won 14 seats, had said it would not join any government that included the Serb minority party SDSS, a former ally of HDZ, or the leftist green Mozemo party. HDZ accepted those conditions, drawing criticism from opposition parties.

Advertisement

The new coalition needs 76 votes to win parliamentary approval. Plenkovic said he expects to retain the support of parties representing national minorities who were HDZ allies in previous mandates.

Plenkovic, who will serve a third term as prime minister if the new coalition is approved, added that the HDZ and DP would canvass support among lawmakers in the coming days ahead of the confirmation vote. He gave no further details.DP leader Ivan Penava, confirming the coalition deal, said his party would head the agriculture ministry, a new ministry of demography, and part of the economy ministry. It is the first time the DP has entered government.

The anti-immigrant DP campaigned in the election on a platform of defending traditional family values and against allowing the minority Serb party to join any future coalition.

It took three weeks of negotiations for the conservative HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union), which won 61 seats in the 151-seat assembly, to agree a ruling coalition with the Homeland Movement (DP), which emerged as a kingmaker after the vote.

DP, which won 14 seats, had said it would not join any government that included the Serb minority party SDSS, a former ally of HDZ, or the leftist green Mozemo party. HDZ accepted those conditions, drawing criticism from opposition parties.The new coalition needs 76 votes to win parliamentary approval. Plenkovic said he expects to retain the support of parties representing national minorities who were HDZ allies in previous mandates.

Advertisement

Plenkovic, who will serve a third term as prime minister if the new coalition is approved, added that the HDZ and DP would canvass support among lawmakers in the coming days ahead of the confirmation vote. He gave no further details. DP leader Ivan Penava, confirming the coalition deal, said his party would head the agriculture ministry, a new ministry of demography, and part of the economy ministry.

It is the first time the DP has entered government. The anti-immigrant DP campaigned in the election on a platform of defending traditional family values and against allowing the minority Serb party to join any future coalition.
The agreement among the 27 EU ambassadors was announced by Belgium, which holds most of the frozen assets in the bloc. It came after weeks of tough negotiations among member states, which were made more complicated by the stringent financial limits on using such funds. read more

European Union (EU) member states reached an agreement in principle on a plan to use Russian assets frozen in the EU to finance military aid for Ukraine, the Belgian government said Wednesday.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that there could be no stronger symbol and no greater use for that money than to make Ukraine and all of Europe a safer place to live.

EU ambassadors agreed in principle on measures concerning extraordinary revenues stemming from Russias immobilized assets, it wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The money will serve to support Ukraines recovery and military defence in the context of the Russian aggression.

Advertisement

 EU ambassadors agreed in principle on measures concerning extraordinary revenues stemming from Russias immobilised assets.



 The money will serve to support #Ukraine's recovery and military defence in the context of the Russian aggression.  Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2024 (@EU2024BE) May 8, 2024

Leaders of the 27-nation EU agreed in March to move ahead with the proposal expected to unlock some three billion euros ($3.3 billion) a year for Kyiv  but diplomats had yet to hammer out details of the plan.

The EU is holding around 210 billion euros ($225 billion) in Russian central bank assets, most of it frozen in Belgium, in retaliation for Moscows war against Ukraine. Kyiv has long been urging that those funds be used to get vital military supplies as it struggles to stave off renewed Russian attacks.

A small group of member states, especially Hungary, refuse to supply weapons to Ukraine so special safeguards had to be included in the deal to allow for some 10% of the funds to be considered general aid. EU member states still need to officially endorse the ambassadors agreement.

Under the deal, to be submitted to EU ministers for formal approval, 90 of the interest will go to a central fund used to pay for weapons for Ukraine, the European Peace Facility, while 10 percent will go to the EUs separate Ukraine Facility.

Advertisement

About 90 percent of the funds frozen in the EU are held by the international deposit organisation Euroclear, based in Belgium.

As part of the agreement, diplomats said Belgium agreed to send Ukraine the totality of the tax revenues generated by the profits  which had been a sticking point in negotiations.

That is expected to free up an additional 1.7 billion euros in tax revenues for Ukraine in 2024.

Euroclears fee for handling the assets was also slashed tenfold, to 0.3 percent of profits, as part of the deal, diplomats said.

With inputs from agencies.
On March 26, when the Dali lost power and slammed into one of the bridges support columns, the steel span fell into the ships bow. Baltimores busiest port has been restricted to most maritime traffic since the ship became stranded amidst the wreckage read more

The crew of the Dali will stay on board the grounded container ship, according to officials, while workers carry out a controlled demolition to destroy the greatest portion of the collapsed bridge Image Courtesy AP

Officials said on Tuesday, as demolition crews readied themselves to deploy explosives in the ongoing cleanup effort, that the corpse of the final missing construction worker killed in the collapse of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge in March had been found.

The crew of the Dali will stay on board the grounded container ship, according to officials, while workers carry out a controlled demolition to destroy the greatest portion of the collapsed bridge.

Advertisement

On March 26, when the Dali lost power and slammed into one of the bridges support columns, the steel span fell into the ships bow. Baltimores busiest port has been restricted to most maritime traffic since the ship became stranded amidst the wreckage.

In the collapse, six construction workers lost their lives. Jose Mynor Lopez, 37, was found dead on Tuesday, according to a statement released by authorities that evening. The victims were all immigrants from Latin America who were fixing potholes on the bridge throughout the night. Just before the fall, police were able to stop traffic, but they were unable to warn the workers in time.

Lopez left Guatemala to relocate to the US. Last month, at a ceremony remembering the dead whose families were still seeking answers, mourners raised a Guatemalan flag in his honor with the help of a crane.

Salvage divers found his remains and notified state authorities, according to officials.

With heavy hearts, today marks a significant milestone in our recovery efforts and providing closure to the loved ones of the six workers who lost their lives in this tragic event, Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Roland Butler Jr. said in a statement.

According to officials, the controlled demolition is scheduled within the upcoming days and will enable the Dali to be refloated and navigated back into the Port of Baltimore. Maritime traffic will resume normally after the ship is evacuated, which will be a relief for thousands of longshoremen, truck drivers, and small business owners whose jobs have been harmed by the closure.

Advertisement

Officials previously said they hoped to remove the Dali by May 10 and reopen the ports 50-foot (15.2-meter) main channel by the end of May.

The Dalis 21-member crew will shelter in place aboard the ship while the explosives are detonated, said Petty Officer Ronald Hodges of the Coast Guard.

For weeks, engineers have been trying to figure out the best approach to take down this final, significant portion of the collapsed bridge. It is going to fall into the water due to the explosives. The resulting sections of steel will then be lifted onto barges by a giant hydraulic grabber.

Complete stretches of road were visible sitting on the ships deck in video footage that Coast Guard officers published last week.

Advertisement

Hodges said the crews safety was a top concern as officials considered whether they should remain on the ship during the demolition. He said engineers are using precision cuts to control how the trusses break down.

The last thing anybody wants is for something to happen to the crew members, Hodges said.

Since the catastrophe, they have been prohibited from leaving the Dali. The ships maintenance and the investigators assistance have occupied officials time, they claimed. Twenty of the crew are Indian, while one is Sri Lankan.

The FBI and the National Transportation Safety Board are looking into the collapse of the bridge.

The Dali was chartered by the massive Danish shipping company Maersk to travel from Baltimore to Sri Lanka, but it never made it that far. The crew reported losing power and losing control of the steering system in a mayday call. The ship struck the bridge shortly after.

Advertisement

The safety boards probe, according to officials, would concentrate on the ships electrical system, especially whether or whether it had power problems prior to sailing from Baltimore.

Last Monday, officials from Maryland announced their intention to reconstruct the bridge by autumn 2028.
After Thunberg refused to leave the main gate, where she had been demonstrating for many days with a small group of activists, police had to remove her on March 12 and 14. MPs may still enter the premises through side doors read more

Thunberg was forced to pay 1,000 kronor in damages and interest by the court, in addition to being fined 6,000 Swedish kronor ($551) Image Courtesy AFP

Greta Thunberg, a climate activist, was fined by a Stockholm court on Wednesday for defying police orders after barring the entrance to Swedens parliament during a demonstration.

After Thunberg refused to leave the main gate, where she had been demonstrating for many days with a small group of activists, police had to remove her on March 12 and 14. MPs may still enter the premises through side doors.

Thunberg was forced to pay 1,000 kronor in damages and interest by the court, in addition to being fined 6,000 Swedish kronor ($551).

Advertisement

Asked by the judge why she had not obeyed police orders, she replied: Because there was a (climate) emergency and there still is. And in an emergency, we all have a duty to act.

The current laws protect the extractive industries instead of protecting people and the planet, which is what I believe should be the case, she said as she left the courtroom.

In July and October of 2023, Thunberg was fined once before in Sweden for his civil disobedience during related demonstrations.

In October, she disrupted a protest against the oil business in the British capital; however, in February, a court in London dismissed the accusations against her.
Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals residing in Edmonton, were arrested and charged on Friday with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder read more

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, are seen in a combination of undated photographs released by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). IHIT/Handout via Reuters, File

Three Indian nationals accused of killing Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year appeared before a Canadian court on Tuesday through video for the first time to face homicide charges as hundreds of local Khalistan supporters showed up at the courthouse.

Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals residing in Edmonton, were arrested and charged on Friday with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

The three - believed to be members of an alleged hit squad - appeared before the Surrey Provincial Court in British Columbia province, the Vancouver Sun reported.

Advertisement

Each of them appeared separately from North Fraser Pretrial Centre wearing jail-issued red T-shirts or sweatshirts and sweatpants.

All three agreed to have the proceedings heard in English and each of them nodded that they understood the charges of first-degree murder and conspiring to murder Nijjar, the report said.

Hundreds of local Khalistan supporters showed up at the courthouse. A separate overflow room inside the courthouse was opened to accommodate an additional 50 people who wanted to witness the hearing.

Another 100 or so people outside the courthouse waved Khalistan flags and carried posters supporting Sikh separatism.

Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023.

The indictments Friday allege the conspiracy unfolded in both Surrey and Edmonton between May 1, 2023, and the date of Nijjars killing.

The alleged hitmen entered Canada over the past five years and were suspected of involvement in the world of drug trafficking and violence, according to local police.

India had on Thursday rejected fresh comments by Prime Minister Justin 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.

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Trudeaus allegations in September last year of the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of 45-year-old Nijjar.

Advertisement

India has dismissed Trudeaus charges as absurd and motivated.

The presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada has long frustrated India, which had designated Nijjar a terrorist.

After three Indian nationals were arrested in connection with the murder, Police in Canada said they had worked with US law enforcement agencies, without giving additional details.

The police suggested more arrests might be coming. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, the forces commander for the Pacific region, said Friday that he wouldnt comment on the alleged links between the three men arrested and Indian officials but noted the force is investigating connections to the government of India.

Advertisement

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said what is happening in poll-bound Canada over the killing of Nijjar is mostly due to their internal politics and has nothing to do with India.

He said a section of pro-Khalistan people are using Canadas democracy, creating a lobby and have become a vote bank.

The ruling party in Canada has no majority in Parliament and some parties depend on pro-Khalistan leaders, he said.

We have convinced them several times not to give visa, legitimacy or political space to such people which is causing problems for them (Canada), for us and also for our relationship, Jaishankar said.

Advertisement

But the Canadian government has not done anything, Jaishankar said, adding that India sought the extradition of 25 people, most of whom are pro-Khalistan, but they did not pay any heed.

Canada did not give any proof. They do not share any evidence with us in certain cases, police agencies also do not cooperate with us. It is their political compulsion in Canada to blame India. As elections are coming in Canada, they indulge in vote bank politics, the minister said.
Canadas foreign minister Melanie Joly said her country will continue to stand by first protecting Canadians, making sure that we also protect our sovereignty and in the end also we need to protect our rule of law read more

Canada stands by the allegations that Indian agents were involved in killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, said the countrys foreign minister Melanie Joly.

Talking to reporters on Parliament Hill before the federal Cabinets weekly meeting, Canadas foreign minister Joly said: Canadas position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents.

It is worth mentioning that Canada has still not provided any proof of Indias involvement in Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing.

Advertisement

Investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is being done. I wont further comment and no other officials from my government will further comment. What I am telling though on the question of relationship with India is, I think that its always better when diplomacy remains in private and Canada will continue to stand by first protecting Canadians, making sure that we also protect our sovereignty and in the end also we need to protect our rule of law, she said.

Joly was responding to a question where she was asked about the arrest of three Indian nationals by Canada on Friday who were charged over Nijjars murder.

The three men were identified as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22, all of them living in Edmonton, Alberta from where they were taken into custody.

On Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India will wait for the Canadian Police to share information on the arrest of the three Indian nationals, adding that the suspects apparently are Indians of some kind of gang background.

Well have to wait for the police to tell us. But, as I said, one of our concerns which we have been telling them is that, you know, they have allowed organised crime from India, specifically from Punjab, to operate in Canada, Jaishankar said.

Advertisement

EAM Jaishankar also criticised the Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government for issuing visas to people with links to organised crimes for political purposes despite warnings from the Indian government.

Indias foreign minister said the Trudeau government has given legitimacy to extremism, separatism and advocates of violence" in the name of free speech.

The minister further called Canada Indias biggest problem because in Canada, actually, today the party in power in Canada, and other parties in Canada have given these kinds of extremism, separatism, and advocates of violence a certain legitimacy in the name of free speech. See, when you tell them something, their answer is no no we are a democratic country but it is free speech.

Advertisement

Jaishankars remarks were countered by Canadas Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who said: We are not lax. The Indian foreign minister is entitled to his opinion. I am going to let him speak his mind. Its just not accurate.

With inputs from agencies
The US, Egypt and Qatar are meanwhile ramping up efforts to close the gaps in a possible agreement for at least a temporary ceasefire and the release of some of the scores of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. Israel has linked the threatened Rafah operation to the fate of those negotiations read more

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers nearby.

An Israeli tank brigade seized the nearby Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt early Tuesday, and it remained closed, but that limited incursion does not appear to be the start of the full-scale invasion of the crowded southern city that Israel has repeatedly promised.

Advertisement

The looming operation threatens to widen a rift between Israel and its main backer, the United States, which says it is concerned over the fate of around 1.3 million Palestinians crammed into Rafah, most of whom fled fighting elsewhere. Israel says Rafah is Hamas last stronghold and that a wider offensive there is needed to dismantle the groups military and governing capabilities.

The US paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on Rafah, a senior Biden administration official said on Tuesday.

The US, Egypt and Qatar are meanwhile ramping up efforts to close the gaps in a possible agreement for at least a temporary ceasefire and the release of some of the scores of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. Israel has linked the threatened Rafah operation to the fate of those negotiations.

The Rafah crossing has been a vital conduit for humanitarian aid since the start of the war and is the only place where people can enter and exit. Israel now controls all of Gazas border crossings for the first time since it withdrew troops and settlers from the territory nearly two decades ago, though it has maintained a blockade with Egypts cooperation for most of that time.

Associated Press journalists heard sporadic explosions and gunfire in the area of the Rafah crossing overnight, including two large blasts early on Wednesday. The Israeli military reported six launches from Rafah toward the Kerem Shalom crossing on Tuesday.

Advertisement

Gazas Health Ministry meanwhile said at least 46 patients and wounded people who had been scheduled to leave Tuesday for medical treatment have been left stranded.

UN agencies and aid groups have ramped up humanitarian assistance in recent weeks as Israel has lifted some restrictions and opened an additional crossing in the north under pressure from the United States, its closest ally. But aid workers say the closure of Rafah, which is the only gateway for the entry of fuel for trucks and generators, could have severe repercussions.

The UN says northern Gaza is already in a state of full-blown famine.

The war began when Hamas militants breached Israels defences on October 7 and swept through nearby army bases and farming communities, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Hamas is still believed to be holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others, after most of the rest were released during a November ceasefire.

Advertisement

The war has killed more than 34,700 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, and has driven some 80 per cent of Gazas population of 2.3 million Palestinians from their homes. Israels military campaign has been one of the deadliest and most destructive in recent history, reducing large parts of Gaza to rubble.

Biden has repeatedly warned Netanyahu against launching an invasion of Rafah. But Netanyahus far-right coalition partners have threatened to bring down his government if he calls off an offensive or makes too many concessions in the ceasefire talks.

The US has historically provided Israel enormous amounts of military aid, which has only accelerated since the start of the war.

Advertisement

The paused shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 bombs weighing 900-kilogram (2,000-pounds) and 1,700 smaller ones, with the US concern focused on how the larger bombs could be used in a dense urban setting, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. The official said no final decision had been made yet on proceeding with the shipment.

The pausing of the aid shipment is the most striking manifestation of the growing daylight between Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and the administration of President Joe Biden, which has called on Israel to do far more to protect the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza.
At the end of April, Dan Poulter, a doctor and Central Suffolk and North Ipswich member of Parliament for the Tories, had announced he was switching his allegiance to Labour before standing down as a parliamentarian at the next general election because he can no longer defend the Tory governments track record on the National Health Service (NHS) read more

A Tory MP crossed the House of Commons floor to join the opposition Labour party on Wednesday, causing British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to suffer a humiliating defection from his party benches Image Courtesy AP

A Tory MP crossed the House of Commons floor to join the opposition Labour party on Wednesday, causing British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to suffer a humiliating defection from his party benches.

Before the weekly Prime Ministers Questions (PMQs), Dover MP Natalie Elphicke said in a resignation statement that Sunaks Tories have become a byword for incompetence and division.

A Tory MP crossed the House of Commons floor to join the opposition Labour party on Wednesday, causing British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to suffer a humiliating defection from his party benches.

Advertisement

In a resignation statement, Dover MP Natalie Elphicke noted that the Tories under Sunak have become a byword for incompetence and division.

When I was elected in 2019, the Conservative Party occupied the centre ground of British politics. The party was about building the future and making the most of the opportunities that lay ahead for our country, Elphicke, a staunch critic of the Labour Party until only a few days ago, said in her resignation letter.

Since then, many things have changed. The elected prime minister was ousted in a coup led by the unelected Rishi Sunak. Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division. The centre ground has been abandoned and key pledges of the 2019 manifesto have been ditched, she said.

She added that the Labour Party under Starmer has changed out of all recognition and its policies can be trusted.

We need to move on from the broken promises of Rishi Sunaks tired and chaotic government, she declared.

The dramatic moment of her crossing the floor of the House was followed by Starmer asking Sunak: What is the point of this failed government staggering on when the Tory MP on the front line of the small boats migration crisis on the coastline of Dover has openly attacked Sunaks handling of a priority issue like illegal migration.

If he thinks his own MPs joining the Labour Party are wrong if he thinks anyone believes any of the nonsense that he spouts, why doesnt he put it to the test and call a general election, questioned Starmer, in a series of stinging attacks during PMQs.

Advertisement

Sunak chose to ignore the question, instead accusing his opponent of having out of touch values with the British people.

He snipes from the sidelines, the Conservatives are building a better future, said Sunak.

At the end of April, Dan Poulter, a doctor and Central Suffolk and North Ipswich member of Parliament for the Tories, had announced he was switching his allegiance to Labour before standing down as a parliamentarian at the next general election because he can no longer defend the Tory governments track record on the National Health Service (NHS).

According to reports, Labour will retain its existing candidate in the newly carved Dover and Deal constituency at the next general election later this year and Elphicke will stand down, with her future plans unclear.

Advertisement

The people of Dover and Deal will be disappointed having felt the impact of illegal immigration. They did have an MP who sat with the party fighting to tackle this issue head-on, now they have an MP in a party that has worked to block our plans to tackle illegal immigration 139 times, a Conservative Party spokesperson said.

(With agency inputs)
My concern is national security, and threats emanating from the land of Canada, these threats are largely emanating from the Canadian citizenswe are ready to sit down on the table any day, and we are doing that. And, we are trying to resolve this issue, said Sanjay Kumar Verma, High Commissioner of India to Canada read more

The High Commissioner of India to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma has said that threats emanation from the land of Canada are largely being issued by the Canadian citizens and hes concerned about national security.

These are Vermas first remarks since the RCMPs arrest of three Indian nationals in connection with Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing.

Addressing an event in Montreal on Tuesday, Verma said, My concern is national security, and threats emanating from the land of Canada, these threats are largely emanating from the Canadian citizenswe are ready to sit down on the table any day, and we are doing that. And, we are trying to resolve this issue, Verma said.

Advertisement

Talking about the discussions happening at the government level, he said things are moving through diplomatic channels which are not open to the public.

These channels are not open to the public and they are trying to find solutions and resolutions to the issues of concern on both sides. And the way in which it is moving, I think it will come to both sides to see the virtue of resolving the issues, satisfying the concerns of both sides, said the Indian envoy.

Speaking on the current state of ties between Ottawa and New Delhi, Verma said the two countries are having decade-old issues that have resurfaced, with unfortunate crimes, and threats emanating from the land of Canada.

The Indian envoy said that Indians will decide what will happen to India and not the foreigners.

If those people who are Indians living abroad want to decide the fate of India, better to go back and participate in the election process. Every five years, India goes through an election process at the national level, almost every five years. Similarly, states, which are provinces, as we call them here, in India also go through similar exercises, he said.

Verma said when we call two countries in bilateral relations as partners, strategic partners, friends, we expect both the countries to understand each others perspectives, each others concerns respect the cultural diversity of each other.

Advertisement

Unfortunately, there have been issues, and this is nothing new, decades-old issues have resurfaced, re-emerged and there have been unfortunate crimes wherein those who are currently Canadian citizens, largely have their origin in India, added the envoy.

The envoy noted that India does not have dual nationality, which is why someone is given Canadian citizenship, for India, the person is technically a foreigner.

So therefore, if someone becomes a Canadian citizen or citizen of any other country, he or she is no longer an Indian citizen. So for us, technically the person is a foreigner. So the foreigners having, if I can call it, an evil eye on the territorial integrity of India, that is a big red line for us, said Verma

Advertisement

Amid escalating tensions between India and Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed a strong condemnation regarding the float used in the Nagar Kirtan parade in Ontario and said the celebration and glorification of violence shouldnt be accepted in a civilised society.

The MEA on Tuesday, also raised concerns about the security of Indias diplomatic representatives in Canada, further expecting the Justin Trudeau government to ensure they carry out their responsibilities without fear.

This comes after some Khalistani supporters chanted anti-India slogans during the Nagar Kirtan Parade organised by the Ontario Gurudwara Committee (OGC) in Canada.

The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, called upon the Canadian government to stop providing criminals a safe haven.

Advertisement

We continue to remain concerned about the security of our diplomatic representatives in Canada and expect the Government of Canada to ensure that they are able to carry out their responsibilities without fear, he said.

Notably, multiple incidents of Khalistan extremism have been reported in Canada over the past few years. Even when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in India for G20 Summit, a so-called Referendum was held by Khalistani secessionists in Surrey British Columbia.

In June last year, a tableau parade was organised in Canada celebrating the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi, which drew severe criticism from New Delhi. In March this year, Khalistan supporters held a protest outside the Indian Embassy in Canada.

Advertisement

They raised pro-Khalistan slogans and allegedly assaulted Indian-origin journalists present on the spot.

Multiple temples have also been vandalised in Canada by pro-Khalistani protestors, with anti-India graffiti.

With inputs from agencies
The new constitution comes days after the election commission on Saturday announced that President Faure Gnassingbes ruling party had won a majority of parliament seats read more

Togos president has signed a new constitution eliminating presidential elections, his office said late Monday, a move that opponents say will allow him to extend his familys six-decade rule. Civil society groups in the West African nation have called for protests.

Parliament will now choose the president. The new constitution comes days after the election commission on Saturday announced that President Faure Gnassingbes ruling party had won a majority of parliament seats.

Advertisement

There was a crackdown on civic and media freedoms ahead of the vote. The government banned protests against the proposed new constitution and arrested opposition figures. The electoral commission banned the Catholic Church from deploying election observers. Togos media regulator suspended the accreditation process for foreign journalists.

The new constitution also increases presidential terms from five to six years and introduces a single-term limit. But the nearly 20 years that Gnassingbe has served in office would not count, and the political opposition, religious leaders and civil society say its likely that Gnassingbe will stay in power when his mandate expires in 2025.

Togo has been ruled by the same family for 57 years, first by Eyadema Gnassingbe and then by his son. Faure Gnassingbe took office after elections that the opposition described as a sham.

The new constitution also creates a figure similar to a prime minister, to be selected by the ruling party. Critics fear that could become another way for Gnassingbe to extend his grip on power.

A group of about 20 civil society organizations in Togo have called for protests to reinstate the previous constitution.

We will never accept this new constitution, even after its promulgation, David Dosseh, a spokesperson for the civil society groups, told The Associated Press, calling the 2025 election absolutely necessary for the people to choose a new president and finally achieve a democratic transition in Togo.
The move comes with the UK concerned at an apparent increase in malign Russian activity on UK soil, including an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business allegedly orchestrated by the Kremlin. read more

The UK government on Wednesday said it would expel a Russian defence attache for being an undeclared Russian military intelligence officer from the country. The government also announced the closure of several Russian diplomatic premises and to implement of new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including a limit on the duration of stay for Russian diplomats in the UK in response to a growing threat.

Interior Minister James Cleverly informed parliament that the UK would revoke the diplomatic status of several Russian-owned properties, including one in Sussex, southern England, and another in London, which are believed to have been utilised for intelligence activities.

Advertisement

The decision comes amid growing concerns in the UK regarding an uptick in malign Russian activities on British soil, including an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business allegedly orchestrated by the Kremlin. Last month, a British individual with purported connections to the Wagner Group was charged in connection with this incident.

London has previously accused Moscow of various offenses, including the poisoning of two Russian former agents on UK soil and involvement in cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. These actions underscore the UKs determination to address and counter Russian aggression and interference within its borders.

The UK is currently a staunch NATO backer of Ukraine, providing training for troops and military equipment in the fightback against Russia.

Cleverly said the new package of measures was intended to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations. He warned that Moscow would make accusations of Russophobia and spread conspiracy theories in response to his announcement.

This is not new and the British people and the British Government will not fall for it, and will not be taken for fools by (President Vladimir) Putins bots, trolls and lackeys. Russias explanation was totally inadequate. Our response will be resolute and firm.

Our message to Russia is clear: stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies.
NATO has backed Ukraine in the war by providing it with increasingly powerful weapons including tanks and long-range missiles, but has not intervened directly with troops - something that US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have both warned could lead to World War 3. read more

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, rescuers work at a damaged building after a Russian missile attack in Kyiv region, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.- AP

Russia on Tuesday warned that the deployment of NATO troops into Ukraine would pose significant dangers, emphasising that Moscow was monitoring a Ukrainian petition advocating for such intervention very closely.

The petition, posted on the Ukrainian presidents website calls for assistance from the United States, Britain, and other nations to help fend off Russias invasion.

Addressing the media during his daily briefing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has repeatedly said that direct intervention on the ground in this conflict by the military of NATO countries potentially carries enormous danger, so we consider this an extremely challenging provocation, nothing less, and, of course, we are watching this very carefully.

Advertisement

He said it was unclear if the petition would gather the required number of votes - 25,000 - to require President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to respond by either approving or rejecting it. As of Wednesday morning, it had attracted 1,594 votes.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently suggested that the possibility of Western troop deployment in Ukraine would be legitimate should Russia breach Ukrainian defenses and Kyiv request assistance.

The Russian Foreign Ministry responded to Macrons comments, warning that any French soldiers sent to Ukraine would be viewed as legitimate targets. According to the Ministry, an increasing number of French citizens have been among the battlefield casualties on the Ukrainian side.

While NATO has supported Ukraine by providing advanced weaponry, including tanks and long-range missiles, direct troop intervention has not occurred. Both US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have cautioned against such intervention, citing the risk of triggering a catastrophic global conflict.
Russia denies targeting civilians, but many have been killed and injured in its strikes during the 26-month-long full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On Wednesday, a school stadium in northeastern Kharkiv was struck by a Russian air strike, injuring at least four children and three adults, according to officials read more

Two teenagers were hospitalized in serious condition, Oleh Synehubov stated on the Telegram messenger. The prosecutor's general office added that the school and surrounding residential buildings were damaged in the attack Image Courtesy Reuters

The second-largest city in Ukraine, Kharkiv, and the surrounding area have long been targets of Russian attacks, but the intensity of these strikes has increased recently, striking civilian and energy infrastructure.

Russia denies targeting civilians, but many have been killed and injured in its strikes during the 26-month-long full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On Wednesday, a school stadium in northeastern Kharkiv was struck by a Russian air strike, injuring at least four children and three adults, according to officials.

Advertisement

Two teenagers were hospitalized in serious condition, Oleh Synehubov stated on the Telegram messenger. The prosecutors general office added that the school and surrounding residential buildings were damaged in the attack.
Israeli forces on Tuesday seized the main border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than one million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter during Israels seven-month-old offensive read more

This photo provided by the Israel Defense Forces shows a tank with an Israel flag on it entering the Gazan side of the Rafah border crossing on May 7, 2024. Israel Defense Forces via AP

The United States believes the remaining differences between Israel and Hamas can be bridged in negotiations over the Palestinian militant groups latest ceasefire proposal, as talks resume in Cairo on Wednesday.

Israeli forces on Tuesday seized the main border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than one million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter during Israels seven-month-old offensive. This cut off a vital route for aid into the tiny enclave, where hundreds of thousands of people are homeless and hungry.

Advertisement

In Cairo, all five delegations participating in ceasefire talks on Tuesday - Hamas, Israel, the U.S., Egypt and Qatar - reacted positively to the resumption of negotiations, and meetings were expected to continue on Wednesday morning, two Egyptian sources said.

CIA Director Bill Burns was to travel from Cairo to Israel later on Wednesday to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli officials, a source familiar with his travel said.

Israel on Monday declared that a three-phase proposal approved by Hamas was unacceptable because terms had been softened.

White House spokesperson John Kirby said Hamas presented a revised proposal, and the new text suggests the remaining gaps can absolutely be closed. Speaking on Tuesday, he declined to specify what those were.

Since the only pause in the conflict so far, a week-long ceasefire in November, the two sides have been blocked by Hamas refusal to free more Israeli hostages without a promise of a permanent end to the conflict and Israels insistence that it would discuss only a temporary halt.

Israeli army footage on Tuesday showed tanks rolling through the Rafah crossing complex between Gaza and Egypt, and the Israeli flag raised on the Gaza side. Israel says Rafah is Hamas fighters last stronghold.

Hamas official Osama Hamdan, speaking to reporters in Beirut on Tuesday, warned that if Israels military aggression continued in Rafah, there would be no truce agreement.

Israels military said it was conducting a limited operation in Rafah to kill fighters and dismantle infrastructure used by Hamas, which runs Gaza. It told civilians, many of whom were previously displaced from other parts of Gaza earlier in the conflict, to go to an expanded humanitarian zone some 20 km (12 miles) away.

Advertisement

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to Israel and Hamas to spare no effort to agree to a truce. Make no mistake  a full-scale assault on Rafah would be a human catastrophe, Guterres said.

In Geneva, U.N. humanitarian office spokesperson Jens Laerke said panic and despair were gripping the people in Rafah.

Heavy shelling in Rafah

Residents reported heavy tank shelling on Tuesday evening in some areas of eastern Rafah. A Rafah municipal building caught fire after Israeli shelling, and one Palestinian was killed and several wounded, medics said. An Israeli strike also killed two Palestinians on a motorcycle, they said.

Health officials said Abu Yousef Al-Najar, the main hospital in Rafah, closed on Tuesday after heavy bombardment nearby led medical staff and around 200 patients to flee.

Advertisement

They have gone crazy. Tanks are firing shells and smoke bombs cover the skies, said Emad Joudat, 55, a Gaza City resident displaced in Rafah.

The U.N. and other international aid agencies said the closing of the two crossings into southern Gaza - Rafah and Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom - virtually cut the enclave off from outside aid and very few stores were available inside.

Families have been crammed into tented camps and makeshift shelters, suffering from shortages of food, water, medicine and other essentials.

Red Crescent sources in Egypt said shipments had completely halted. These crossings are a lifeline They need to be reopened without any delay, Philippe Lazzarini, head of U.N. aid agency UNRWA, said on X.

Advertisement

The White House said it had been told the Kerem Shalom crossing would re-open on Wednesday and fuel deliveries through Rafah would resume then too.

According to Hamas officials, a draft proposal and an official briefed on the talks, the proposal that Hamas approved on Monday included a first phase with a six-week ceasefire, an influx of aid to Gaza, the return of 33 Israeli hostages, alive or dead, and release by Israel of 30 detained Palestinian children and women for each released Israeli hostage.

Critics of the Gaza war have urged U.S. President Joe Biden to pressure Israel to change course. The U.S., Israelis closest ally and main weapons supplier, has delayed some arms shipments to Israel for two weeks, according to four sources on Tuesday.

Advertisement

The White House and Pentagon declined comment, but this would be the first such delay since the Biden administration offered its full support to Israel after Hamas Oct. 7 attack.

Israels offensive has killed 34,789 Palestinians, most of them civilians, in the conflict, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

The war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and abducting about 250 others, of whom 133 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel sent tanks into the southern Gaza city of Rafah and seized control of the crossing, a key aid passage, while warning it will deepen its operation if truce talks fail to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas read more

The White House said Tuesday that key ally Israel must reopen Gazas Rafah border crossing with Egypt, while expressing hope that a ceasefire deal with Hamas was within reach.

Israel sent tanks into the southern Gaza city of Rafah and seized control of the crossing, a key aid passage, while warning it will deepen its operation if truce talks fail to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

President Joe Biden declined to answer questions on the ceasefire talks and the operation in Rafah as he met his Romanian counterpart in the Oval Office, merely smiling at reporters.

Advertisement

The crossings that have been closed need to be reopened, it is unacceptable for them to be closed, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told a briefing.

We believe Rafah border crossing should be quickly reopened for the movement of humanitarian assistance, Jean-Pierre added.

Israel had already committed to reopening another crossing at Kerem Shalom, which was closed after a rocket attack on Sunday killed four Israeli troops, on Wednesday, she added.

The United States, Israels main military and diplomatic backer, has repeatedly said it opposes a major offensive in Rafah, where more than 1.2 million displaced Palestinians are living.

But the White House said Israel had told it that the current operation was of limited scope, scale and duration.

What weve been told by our Israeli counterparts is that this operation last night was limited and designed to cut off Hamass ability to smuggle weapons into Gaza," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Washington would closely monitor the situation, he added.

- Remaining gaps -

The Israeli militarys thrust into the eastern sector of the city came shortly after the Palestinian militant group Hamas said it had accepted a ceasefire proposal, but Israel demurred.

The talks got back underway on Tuesday amid high hopes and tensions after more than seven months of conflict.

A close assessment of the two sides positions suggests that they should be able to close the remaining gaps, and were going to do everything we can to support that process, Kirby said.

Advertisement

The fact that all parties, including CIA chief Bill Burns, were present at the talks in Cairo indicated they were at an advanced stage, he added.

Everybodys coming to the table, Kirby said. Thats not insignificant.

The White House hoped for news very, very soon but it would be foolhardy to predict when the negotiations might bear fruit, he added.

The war was sparked by Hamass October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel launched a retaliatory offensive that has killed at least 34,789 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry.
Israel relies heavily on military imports from the US, with approximately 70 per cent of its military equipment coming from America. Since the conflict began in October, the US has made over 200 deliveries to Israel. read more

Amid concerns that Israel might be considering a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, arms suppliers including Italy, Spain and Canada have reportedly stopped sales to Israel and the recent decision by the US to pause delivery of bombs has sparked a debate about the need for Israels self-reliance in terms of weapon production.

Israel relies heavily on military imports from the US, with approximately 70 per cent of its military equipment coming from America. Since the conflict began in October, the US has made over 200 deliveries to Israel.

Advertisement

Zeev Landau, head of the Defense Ministrys procurement department, said in a recent newspaper interview that Israels goal for the day after the Gaza war is independence, mainly in the area of aircraft bombs, currently purchased entirely from the US., as reported by Bloomberg.

In January this year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the need for Israel to decrease its reliance on imported military equipment. He stated that Israel was working to bolster its defense industries to reduce dependence on foreign sources, especially given the increased defense spending necessitated by the conflict with Hamas. Considering the importance of being self-reliance in weapon production, Netanyahu highlighted the importance of investing in a long-term plan to achieve self-sufficiency in defense procurement.

However, transitioning to a domestic arms industry capable of producing aerial munitions currently supplied by the US presents significant challenges, particularly in the short term. While efforts have been made to establish teams within the Finance Ministry to address this goal, concrete frameworks and timelines have yet to be established.

The US has historically provided sizeable amounts of military aid to Israel. That has only accelerated in the aftermath of Hamas Oct. 7 attack that killed some 1,200 in Israel and led to about 250 being taken captive by militants. The delay in sending the aid shipment is the most striking manifestation of the growing daylight between Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and the administration of President Joe Biden, which has called on Israel to do far more to protect the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza.

Advertisement

It also comes as the Biden administration is due to deliver a first-of-its-kind formal verdict this week on whether the airstrikes on Gaza and restrictions on delivery of aid have violated international and U.S. laws designed to spare civilians from the worst horrors of war. A decision against Israel would further add to pressure on Biden to curb the flow of weapons and money to Israels military.

Biden signed off on the pause in an order conveyed last week to the Pentagon, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to comment on the matter. The White House National Security Council sought to keep the decision out of the public eye for several days until it had a better understanding of the scope of Israels intensified military operations in Rafah and until Biden could deliver a long-planned speech on Tuesday to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Advertisement

Bidens administration in April began reviewing future transfers of military assistance as Netanyahus government appeared to move closer toward an invasion of Rafah, despite months of opposition from the White House. The official said the decision to pause the shipment was made last week and no final decision had been made yet on whether to proceed with the shipment at a later date.

The Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza was still closed Wednesday, a day after an Israeli tank brigade captured the main entry point for vital humanitarian aid. The United Nations says northern Gaza is already in a full-blown famine.

Advertisement

Israeli troops on Tuesday seized control of Gazas vital Rafah border crossing in what the White House described as a limited operation that stopped short of the full-on Israeli invasion of the city that Biden has repeatedly warned against on humanitarian grounds, most recently in a Monday call with Netanyahu.

With inputs from agencies.
The detention of Gordon Black, who the Pentagon said travelled to Russia without authorization, presents yet another diplomatic headache for the United States, which has warned US citizens against all travel to Russia read more

Gordon Black, a U.S. serviceman detained in Russia, poses for a selfie in this picture obtained from social media, in an unspecified location. Reuters File

US soldier Gordon Black, who has been detained the Russian city of Vladivostok until July 2, has been charged with theft causing significant damage, a Russian court said.

The detention of Black, who the Pentagon said travelled to Russia without authorization, presents yet another diplomatic headache for the United States, which has warned US citizens against all travel to Russia.

He was detained in early May in Vladivostok, in Russias Far East.

The Pervomaisky District Court of Vladivostok said in a statement that it had decided on the preventive measure to detain Black until July 2 for secretly stealing the property of citizen T., causing the latter significant damage.

Advertisement

When choosing the preventive measure in the form of detention, the court came to the conclusion that US citizen B. (Black) - under the weight of the charges - could hide from the preliminary investigation authorities and the court to avoid responsibility, the court said in the statement.

Earlier, the courts press service identified the soldier as Gordon Black.

The Russian interior ministry in Vladivostok said on Tuesday that a 32-year-old woman had filed a complaint against the 34-year-old suspect.

The two had met in South Korea. The American had come to Vladivostok to visit her, the two had an argument, and she later filed a police report accusing him of stealing money, it said. He was arrested in a local hotel, having bought a plane ticket to return home.

The Pentagon said on Tuesday that before his arrest in Russia, Black not only broke Army rules by travelling to the Russian city of Vladivostok without authorization, but he did so after passing through China.
Google announced the Pixel Tablet, the companys first Pixel tablet in the Pixel series, at the Google I/O last year. Along with the Pixel 8a, Google also announced that the Pixel Tablet is available without the Charging Speaker Dock, making it cheaper.

Google Pixel Tablet specifications

10.95-inch (2560 x 1600) WQXGA 16:10 aspect ratio, 276 PPI, 500 nits (standard value) brightness, antifouling coating, USI 2.0 touch pen compatible

Google Tensor G2 processor with Titan M2 security coprocessor

8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128 GB / 256 GB UFS 3.1 storage

8MP 84 rear camera with LED flash, /2.0 aperture

8MP 84 front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture, Portrait mode

Quad speakers, 3 microphones (for calls, recording, Google Assistant)

Fingerprint sensor

Wi-Fi 6 802.11 ax (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.2, USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1, 4-pin accessory connector

Magnetic dock with pogo pin connection, 43.5 mm full-range speaker

27 Wh battery, Up to 12 hours of video streaming, USB-C charger (sold separately)

Pricing and availability

The Google Pixel Tablet comes in Hazel and Porcelain colours and is priced at $399 (Rs. 33,315 approx.) for the 128GB model and the 256GB model costs $499 (Rs. 41,665 approx.) without the charging dock, making it $100 cheaper.

The Pixel Tablet without the charging dock is available to order in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Australia (AU), Canada (CA), Denmark (DK), France (FR), Germany (DE), Italy (IT), Japan (JP), Netherlands (NL), Norway (NO), Spain (ES) and Sweden (SE)
HUAWEI introduced the Pura 70 series in China recently. Now, three models from the seriesPura 70, Pura 70 Pro, and Pura 70 Ultraare out globally, leaving Pura 70 Pro Plus exclusive to China.

HUAWEIs Pura 70 Series flaunts modern design with a unique triangular camera module. The standard version is flat, while Pro models have curved edges.

All feature high refresh rate displays, from 6.6-inch to 6.8-inch quad-curved OLED. LTPO tech ensures dynamic refresh rates (1-120Hz) and 1440Hz PWM dimming, with 300Hz sampling for responsiveness, all shielded by Kunlun glass.

Under the XMAGE branding, the Pura 70 series offers diverse camera setups:

Pura 70: Triple rear camera system with a 50MP primary sensor, 13MP ultrawide-angle lens, and a 12MP periscope telephoto unit.

Pura 70 Pro: Share a 50MP main camera, a 12.5MP ultrawide-angle lens, and a third 48MP macro telephoto camera. They all support variable aperture (f/1.4 to f/4.0) and OIS stabilization for main and telephoto sensors.

Pura 70 Ultra: Features a 1-inch camera with a retractable lens, offering a variable aperture (f/1.6 to f/4.0) and a sensor shift anti-shake feature. It includes a 50MP main camera, a 40MP ultrawide sensor, and a 50MP macro telephoto lens with up to 100x digital zoom.

Powered by the Kirin 9010 chip and Maleoon 910 GPU, the standard Pura 70 packs a 4900mAh battery supporting 66W wired fast charging, 50W wireless charging, and reverse charging.

The Pro model offers a 5050mAh battery, while the Ultra variant boasts a 5200mAh battery with 100W wired fast charging, 80W wireless charging, and reverse charging support.

All models feature an IP68 rating, in-screen fingerprint sensor, dual SIM capability, Wi-Fi 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1). These devices run on EMUI 14.2 (HarmonyOS 4.2  in China).

Notably, the global versions of these smartphones lack support for Beidou Satellite Calling and Messaging, exclusive to the Chinese market.

Quick specifications: HUAWEI Pura 70 Ultra

Quick specifications: HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro

Quick specifications: HUAWEI Pura 70

Pricing and availability

Pre-orders are live in select European countries, with regular sales starting on May 22, 2024, at the following prices:
Google has announced that starting today, Android users in India can use Google Wallet for easier access to daily essentials right from their phones. While Google Pay remains the go-to app for payments, Google Wallet adds more convenience to the Android experience in India, said Google.

With Google Wallet, you get one place for quick, secure access to your everyday needs like boarding passes, loyalty cards, event tickets, and more. Its all about making life simpler when youre on the go.

Google has teamed up with over 20 top Indian brands to offer a wide range of options. And theyre planning to add even more partners soon. Google emphasizes that Wallet prioritizes security and privacy, giving users control over stored information and its usage.

Heres how you can utilize Google Wallet:

Save Movie or Event Tickets: You can now add movie and event tickets from partners like PVR and INOX to your Google Wallet.

Access Boarding Passes: Airlines such as Air India and travel platforms like MakeMyTrip are partnering with Google, so travelers can easily save and access their mobile boarding passes.

Redeem Loyalty or Gift Cards: Whether its Flipkart, Dominos, or Shoppers Stop, Google Wallet lets you store and use digital copies of loyalty and gift cards.

Ride Public Transport: Google has teamed up with Hyderabad Metro, Kochi Metro, and others to help you buy and store public transport tickets.

Use Your Android Phone as Your Corporate Badge: Thanks to partnerships with system integrators, accessing the workplace is now easier with your corporate badge stored in Google Wallet.

Digitize Physical Documents: You can create digital passes in Wallet from images containing barcodes or QR codes, like boarding passes and parking receipts.

Automatically View Tickets from Gmail: Select tickets and passes you receive in Gmail will automatically appear in your Google Wallet if you have smart personalization settings turned on.

In India, Google Wallet wont handle payments; Google Pay remains the payment platform. Google Wallet, as described on its FAQ page, is a secure digital wallet for quick access to loyalty cards, tickets, and IDs.

It allows users to tap for payments where Google Pay is accepted, utilize loyalty cards, and board flights, all via their phone.

Availability

You can now download the Google Wallet app from the Play Store.
Stinky tofu tycoon a Changsha success story

China Daily) 13:35, May 08, 2024

Employees prepare stinky tofu snacks at a Hey Hey Black store in Changsha, Hunan province, in May 2023. [Photo/China Daily]

For most, it smells somewhat odd, yet tastes delicious.

If every city had its own unique dish or snack, the one defining Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan province, should be its "fragrant" stinky tofu.

The popular offering is made after soybeans undergo various processes such as sifting, soaking, grinding, filtering, boiling and fermenting. Raw bean curd is soaked in brine, emitting a pungent smell that can be a turnoff for the uninitiated.

In fact, frankly put, people either love it or hate it.

Stinky tofu is what has helped the business venture of Lu Lucheng, CEO of Hey Hey Black, transform from a street stall in 2009 into a food chain with more than 1,800 locations nationwide.

Every day, more than 800,000 squares of stinky tofu are sold by the company, making it a representative for local food in Changsha.

The company's sales revenue reached more than 500 million yuan ($69 million) last year, which means it has basically recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, Lu said.

Changsha stinky tofu dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) when a woman began frying discarded tofu in tea oil and stumbled upon a dish that would become a pillar of Hunan's thriving street food culture.

The black tofu cubes with a funky odor possess unique qualities for seasoned local chefs. By examining the color, shape, scent and texture, they select the best bean curds and deep-fry them with oil. This is how a bowl of crispy stinky tofu is made.

There are numerous stinky tofu stores in the city, but what makes Lu's shops special is that his products are poked with holes and filled with broth and local chili sauce, before being garnished with coriander and diced radish.

"We also stick to the traditional way of making stinky tofu and adhere to it to the extreme," he said.

The tofu is super crispy on the surface, just like crackers, and tender on the inside, maintaining the original softness of tofu, he said.

"When you go to the extreme, the iconic Changsha stinky tofu becomes delightful for visitors, who find the dish lives up to its reputation."

At Huangxing South Road pedestrian street, a bustling commercial section of Changsha's Tianxin district, 19-year-old Luo Cuiti bought a bowl of stinky tofu from a Hey Hey Black shop recently.

Tourists holding bowls of stinky tofu were seen everywhere, with many lining up to buy freshly made servings at the company's stores along the street.

The company also owns dozens of stores in Wuyi business center where the street is located, a must-visit for tourists.

Luo traveled to Changsha from Guangdong province and could not wait to try the famous stinky tofu after arriving in the city.

"It tastes very good and spicy, perfect for someone like me who prefers food with a strong taste," she said.

Luo said she had seen posts of the stinky tofu pictures on social media platforms and had been longing to try some for a long time, and it did not let her down.

Liu Rong, a Hunan native, also bought the stinky tofu from Hey Hey Black, which she said tastes better than other brands she has tried before.

The 32-year-old also bought other prepackaged foods from the store, which she intended to give to her colleagues in Guangzhou, Guangdong.

"Many of my colleagues know about the brand as it has really become very popular, and they have asked me to buy some for them," she said.

The prepackaged food has been a key business for the company, which now accounts for around 60 percent of its sales revenue, Lu said.

The company sells more than 130 types of prepackaged local foods at its stores and it wants to bring Hunan's local food nationwide and even to the whole world, he said.

It conducted much research and product searches across the province to select the most representative food items to be sold in its stores, he said.

The company first started to sell prepackaged foods because just selling stinky tofu, which usually is sold at around 10 yuan a serving, could not cover rent and overhead.

The rent for their first store, which is only 8 square meters along Huangxing South Road, was 6,000 yuan per month, and it could only make 300 to 500 yuan a day, barely covering costs, he said.

There are large numbers of people on the street who want to buy stinky tofu, but it has always been a cheap snack, meaning that even if the chefs work really hard to fry the tofu, sales revenue can not be very high, so it started to sell other local foods at higher prices, Lu said.

Therefore, stinky tofu became the perfect item to attract customers to its stores, which are also filled with other more expensive local prepackaged foods, thus successfully increasing sales volume at its stores, he said.

Meanwhile, another key to the company's success is standardization.

"We want standardized stinky tofu so that customers can taste the same standard product every time they buy our product. We also made efforts to standardize our packaging, store design and the taste of other prepackaged foods," he said.

Crowds throng a Hey Hey Black stinky tofu store on Huangxing South Road in Changsha, Hunan province, in May 2023. [Photo/China Daily]

Looking back to his journey of entrepreneurship which started as a college student start-up, Lu said it is very difficult for college students to start a successful business alone and luckily, he had done so with a team of friends.

He would not recommend college students who do not have clear plans and grit to try entrepreneurship and they need to be fully prepared in resources, connections, intelligence and interpersonal skills.

They should also conduct field research in targeted industries before venturing into a business, and closely follow government policies, he said.

The local government in Changsha has given his business venture subsidies of 80,000 yuan and the local Communist Youth League of China also offered a grant of 60,000 yuan during the early stages of starting the business, which has helped greatly, he said.

Meanwhile, as Changsha wants to build itself into a popular tourist city, it has offered great support to brick-and-mortar consumer-based stores, and has been very supportive of companies that think outside the box in terms of store decor, he said.

Since the early stages of its entrepreneurship, the company has benefited from the popularity of Changsha as it attracts a large number of visitors, Lu said.

"People come to the city to relax and enjoy delicious food, beautiful scenery and a cozy environment. It is one of the most vibrant and relaxing cities in the country. You do not need to prepare much before coming to Changsha for a couple of days and can never be dull in a city that never sleeps.

"The company utilizes livestreaming sessions, e-commerce, online stores and offline sales as its popularity is still limited to Changsha," he said.

It wants to pursue a more stable development this year and a major focus for the company is to enter overseas markets as it has tried all kinds of ways to expand domestic market sales.

"We want to bring Hunan's tofu products and chili sauce to overseas markets. The first target market is Southeast Asia where there is a large population of people with Chinese origins," he said.

"We are still exploring and might come up with a more detailed plan in the next half of this year, but we are certain about venturing into overseas markets."

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
Mountain bicyclists unmount their bikes to walk up a hike a bike area along Chutes and Ladders, while a crew with the Mesa County Health Division moves rocks and boulders to make the route ridable both up and down the trail. The year-round crew  who maintain trails all throughout the county  often interacts with cyclists on the trails they are working on.
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby

May 06, 2024

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

2:28 P.M. EDT



MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Good afternoon, everyone.

Q Good afternoon.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, you just heard from my colleague over at the State Department who has confirmed that Hamas sent a response. I'm going to turn things over very quickly to my colleague, Admiral John Kirby, who will share more updates in the region.

Okay.

MR. KIRBY: Thanks, Karine.

Good afternoon, everybody.

Q Good afternoon.

MR. KIRBY: As Karine noted, there has been a response from Hamas to the hostage deal. We're currently reviewing that response, and we're discussing it with our partners in the region.

Director Burns, as you know, is there, and he's working this in real time on the ground. I won't be able to comment any further on this until we know where things stand. I hope you can understand that. I know everybody is curious about what's in this response, what the Israeli reaction to it is. I'm just not going to get ahead of the process.

We want to get these hostages out. We want to get a ceasefire in place for six weeks. We want to increase humanitarian assistance. And the last thing that I want to do is say anything at this podium that's going to put that process at risk.

Regardless, as we've said before, we still believe that reaching an agreement is the absolute best outcome not only for the hostages but for the Palestinian people. And we're not going to stop working to that outcome.

Now, as you know, the President talked with Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning. The call lasted about 30 minutes and was constructive.

The President reaffirmed his message on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. The two leaders discussed the shared commitment of Israel and the United States to remember the 6 million Jews who were systematically targeted and slaughtered in the Holocaust, one of the darkest chapters in human history, and to forcefully act against antisemitism and all forms of hate-fueled violence.

Now, of course, the two leaders spoke about our efforts to secure the hostage deal, including through these ongoing talks today.

During the call, at the President's urging, Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to ensure that the Kerem Shalom crossing is back open for humanitarian assistance for those in need.

And I also want to take a moment to address the latest reports now out of Rafah, which was also a topic of discussion on the  on the call.

I'll reiterate again that we cannot and we will not speak for IDF operations. But we've made clear our views about operations in Rafah that could potentially put more than a million innocent people at greater risk. During his call with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the President again made this clear.

He also made clear that we continue to believe that the hostage deal is the best way to avoid that sort of an outcome while securing the release of those hostages. And as I said, those conversations continue.

Just one more thing: President Biden hosted His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for lunch at the White House. That probably wrapped up here just recently. They discussed the strong partnership between the United States and Jordan. They also spoke about the situation in Gaza, of course, including efforts to secure the hostage deal and to get more humanitarian assistance into the civilians of Gaza.

Now, we're going to have a more detailed readout of that conversation here very, very soon. Just don't have it right now. But you'll be seeing it shortly.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Steve.

Q As far as you can tell, which proposal did Hamas accept?

MR. KIRBY: I'm not going to get into that, Steve.

Q And is the issue over how long a ceasefire would last?

MR. KIRBY: Again, you're asking me for the parameters around the response and the deal itself, and I'm just not going to do that.

Q Lastly, Israel has called on people in  in Rafah to evacuate. Is  does that presage a full-scale assault? What  what are we seeing?

MR. KIRBY: As I said in my opening statement, I'm not going to speak for IDF operations or their military intentions and plans. They should be the ones to answer those kinds of questions.

What I can only reiterate is that we've been consistent and the President was consistent again this morning that we don't support ground operations in Rafah that would put the majority or even any of the  the civilians there at any greater risk. We want to see their safety and security allowed for and factored in.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Seung Min.

Q Noting your caveats at the top, are you able to say whether Hamas was agreeing to something that had been discussed over the last several days?

MR. KIRBY: Again, without getting into the details of it  and Director Burns is still talking to partners about this  there have been ongoing negotiations and talks here for weeks. And the Director traveled recently to see if we can't bring this thing home.

And, again, without speaking about the details of the response by Hamas, I think it's safe to conclude that that response came as a result or at the end of these continued discussions that Director Burns was part of.

Q And when do you think you'll have a better sense of what is happening? When will you get a readout from Director Burns? Later today? Early tomorrow?

MR. KIRBY: I don't know. The President has been briefed on  on the response. He's aware of where the situation and where the process is. What you're asking me is like when are we going to get, like, a final  you know 

Q Like, what is the answer? Yeah. (Laughter.)

MR. KIRBY: Yeah  a final, you know, table slap here. There is a  there's a process that has  that  that has been worked in the past and will be worked this time. You get a response by Hamas. We're going to have to evaluate that. We're going to see what's in it. Certainly, the Israelis get it  must have a chance to look at this and to evaluate it.

And Director Burns, as  as we speak  literally, as you and I are talking  are having these conversations with partners in the region. You know, it would be great  I'm sure we'd all like to have an answer as soon as possible. But I just don't want to get ahead of that process.

Q And a quick follow-up on the readout. When do you expect the Kerem  Kerem Shalom crossing to reopen? Or is it already reopened?

MR. KIRBY: It should be open very, very soon. Prime Minister Netanyahu committed to opening it on the call this morning. So, at 2:30, is it open? I don't know. But he assured the President that it would be reopened. It had been closed for several days.

Q Okay. And one more. Cindy McCain, the executive director of the World Food Programme, said over the weekend that Northern Gaza is in a, quote, "full-fledged famine." Is that the assessment of the U.S. government as well?

MR. KIRBY: The U.N. has not declared a famine in Gaza writ large. But I don't want to understate the degree of need here and the  the dire situation that so many people in Gaza are in, particularly with respect to food and water. So, it is not a great situation, clearly. And that's why, again, we're working so hard to get this deal in place, so we can keep that humanitarian assistance up at a higher level.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Mary.

Q Thank you.

Q I understand you don't want to get into the specifics here. But is it your understanding that this is Hamas's final offer? I mean, is there still room to negotiate here?

MR. KIRBY: I think it's going to depend on our evaluation and the Israelis' evaluation of the response and where we go from here.

Q And as Steve mentioned, the Israelis are already warning people to evacuate Gaza. If they do go through with this operation, is the U.S. willing to consider putting limits or conditions on aid to Israel?

MR. KIRBY: I won't get ahead of where we are right now, Mary, in the process here, and I'm certainly not going to speak to hypothetical operations that haven't happened yet. I think we just have to see what transpires.

The President was very direct  and consistently so  this morning that we don't want to see major ground operations in Rafah that put these people at greater risk.

Q But, you know, a month ago, the administration did make clear that the U.S. would change its approach  right?  if Israel didn't take significant steps to address the humanitarian crisis.

MR. KIRBY: That's right.

Q Does that still hold? Is it possible that the U.S. could change course 

MR. KIRBY: Of course.

Q  if the humanitarian process isn't improved?

MR. KIRBY: Of course. We always 

Q And presumably, a Raf- 

MR. KIRBY: No, no. We always have the right to adjust our policies as appropriate, and that has not changed, no.

Q And presumably, an operation in Rafah would jeopardize steps to address the humanitarian crisis?

MR. KIRBY: All I can say is we've been very direct and very consistent in our views of concerns about operations in Rafah.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, M.J.

Q Does the U.S. currently have any sense of whether Israel is inclined or not inclined to accept this deal? (Laughter.)

MR. KIRBY: I  I won't speak for the Israelis.

Q The  when the President and the Prime Minister spoke earlier today, was this specific framework discussed? And did the President encourage, put pressure on the Prime Minister to accept this framework?

MR. KIRBY: You're talking about the  what the  what Hamas says they responded to?

Q Yes.

MR. KIRBY: So, just  and just so you have the tick-tock here, by the  when they were talking this morning, we did not have news that Hamas had responded. So, that news broke after their call.

That said, as I mentioned in my opening statement, of course they talked about the hostage deal and the importance of getting it secured.

Q So, you're saying when the two leaders spoke, Hamas had not yet accepted 

MR. KIRBY: It would be wrong 

Q  this framework 

MR. KIRBY: Yeah.

Q  so the President would not have specifically asked the Prime Minister to 

MR. KIRBY: Correct.

Q  potentially accept this framework?

MR. KIRBY: It would be wrong for you to conclude that  that the call this morning was about having the Israelis accept the Hamas response. The Hamas response hadn't happened yet.

Q Did he broadly encourage the Prime Minister to get, yes, to some sort of deal?

MR. KIRBY: He, as he has consistently with Prime Minister Netanyahu, urged that we get this deal secured. But it wasn't a  it wasn't a pressure call. It wasn't about twisting his arm towards a certain set of parameters.

Director Burns is in the region having these conversations with the Israelis, the Qataris, the Egyptians, as  again, as we speak. And  and that's the forum for working out the parameters of it. But the President clearly talked to the Prime Minister about the importance of getting a deal done, yeah.

Q And, John, what is the President's position on a limited operation into Rafah?

MR. KIRBY: I think I  I don't think I can answer it any differently than I did with Mary. We've been very clear that we don't support a major ground operation in Rafah, operations in general that put at greater risk the more than a million people that are sheltering there.

And the question right now is a hypothetical. I mean, we're aware that they've dropped leaflets. We're aware that they're  that they're warning people to evacuate. I'll let them speak to their operations and to their intents  intentions.

Nothing has changed about where we are with respect to operations in Rafah that could put those people at greater risk.

Q Right. But you know that they are asking people in the area to evacuate and the possibility of a limited Rafah operation is on the table. So, I'm asking: Does the President believe that Israel can execute a limited operation into Rafah while adequately protecting the lives of civilians there?

MR. KIRBY: The President doesn't want to see operations in Rafah that put at greater risk the more than a million people that are seeking refu-  refuge there.

Q So, he wouldn't support a limited operation into Rafah?

MR. KIRBY: I think I've answered the question.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Francesca.

Q In the back.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Francesca, go ahead.

Q Picking up on the timeline. So, prior to Hamas saying that they accepted this proposal, what, as you understood them to be, were the sticking points for either Hamas or the Israelis in the  the deal that had been on the table?

MR. KIRBY: I'm not going to get into that.

Q Okay. Did it involve Rafah in any way?

MR. KIRBY: I'm not going to talk about the parameters of the proposal that was worked before this Hamas response, and I'm certainly not going to talk about the response right now.

I mean, I do understand the curiosity. And you guys are all asking exactly the right questions  all very fair. But I really do hope you understand that the last thing I would ever want to do from this podium is say something that could put this very sensitive process at greater risk.

We are at a critical stage right now. We got a response from Hamas. Now Director Burns is working through that, trying to assess it, working with the Israelis.

I mean, my goodness, folks, I don't know that it gets any more sensitive than right now. And the worst thing that we can do is start speculating about what's in it.

Q And one more thing on Rafah. What was your understanding why the Israelis were only evacuating part of Rafah at this time?

MR. KIRBY: You'd have to talk to the Israelis.



MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Danny.

Q Thanks, Karine. Thanks, Admiral. You've previously said several times that the ball is in the court of Hamas at previous stages of negotiations. Would it be fair to say now that the ball is in Israel's court?

MR. KIRBY: It's going to depend on what the response actually says and the conversations that we have with the Israelis about what  where we go from here.

Q And just one other thing. If I can ask, I mean, is  do you have any sense that Israel is currently using this threat or the start of an operation in Rafah as a means of putting pressure on Hamas at this stage of the negotiations?

MR. KIRBY: Again, you'd have to talk to the Israelis about their intentions.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Franco.

Q You said that they  that  that you did not know the news during the call. But were you surprised by  was the White House surprised by Hamas saying that they've reached a deal or agreeing to the agreement?

MR. KIRBY: It wasn't like we had a heads up about it. We  we knew that, as I said publicly, they had a proposal in front of them, and as was just remi-  I was just reminded of the fact that I said many times it was  the ball was in Hamas's court. So, we certainly knew that they had it before them, and we were waiting on word.

We had hoped that there would be word very, very soon. We certainly hope that there could be word today. But did we know the exact moment that Al Jazeera was able to break the news that Hamas had a response? No, we didn't predict that particular moment.

Q Are you encouraged that that  that there  that you are at this sensitive point? You've been talking about it's a very sensitive point, it's important 

MR. KIRBY: We'll be encouraged when we get a deal in place and we can start seeing hostages get back with their families. That'll be encouraging.

Q And if I can, what role, if any, do you feel like the leaflets and the pressure of an evacuation or the evacu-  the announcement of evacuating, do you think that had any role in  in triggering Hamas to do 



MR. KIRBY: I don't think we know that.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead.

Q John, can you talk a little bit about the timeline, as the administration understands it, of those evacuations? How much time do people have to leave? Do you  did you guys put any demands on the Israelis in terms of how those evacuations are to take place under the parameters that you guys have talked

about previously?

MR. KIRBY: We're asking questions of the Israelis about what their intentions are here and what the  what the larger purpose of this evacuation is and sort of where they're wan-  wanting to go.

I think to answer your question, though, you'd really have to go to the Israelis and to  to speak to their military operations and plans. I'm not going to get ahead of that.

But are we curious about the timing and the intent and where they're going? Yes, absolutely. And the President expressed our curiosity about that on the call today.

Q But more than curiosity, are you expressing what you want to see happen in terms of those evacuations, how they take place, whether Israel is prepared for people moving around within Rafah?

MR. KIRBY: I would just say  again, without  without  I don't want to get ahead of operations that haven't happened. I don't want to speak for the Israeli military. I can just say that we don't want to see operations in and around Rafah that make it harder for the people that are seeking refuge there and shelter to be safe and secure. And we have made that case privately to the Israelis. The President did it again today with the Prime Minister directly. We certainly made it publicly. We've been very, very consistent about that.



MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Jacqui.

Q Thank you, Karine. John, noting everything that you've said about the concerns expressed by the U.S. about the risk to Palestinians in Gaza with a full-scale operation, is the U.S. still aligned with Israel in its intention to eliminate the terrorist threat posed by Hamas?

MR. KIRBY: Of course.

Q And is there any feeling that Hamas may be trying to trick the public in some way? You heard Israeli officials commenting on this latest proposal as  as a trick, and 

MR. KIRBY: Oh 

Q  there's been a lot of pressure to  go ahead.

MR. KIRBY: Yeah, no, I'm just  go ahead. Sorry. I'm listening.

Q Well, there's  there's been, you know, pressure on the administration to make sure that the needs of Palestinians are  are being served and that the U.S. support for Israel isn't, you know, overhanded. And you had the  the report come out earlier today or maybe yesterday that the U.S. was potentially weighing withholding an arms shipment to Israel. Is there any concern that Hamas was trying to capitalize on that public pressure and, you know, "play a trick," as Israeli officials put it?

MR. KIRBY: I mean, I don't think there's any possible way I can answer that question unless I got between the ears of Mr. Sinwar, and that's a place I really don't want to be. I think that is a great question for him.

You know, it's interesting. I stand up here and answer questions, Karine does, Matt Miller at the State Department, Pentagon colleagues, the President does, Prime Minister Netanyahu does, and the IDF military spokesman does.

You know who hasn't answered a single question about his intentions and what games he might be playing or where he intends to take this? Mr. Sinwar, the head of Hamas. And I think it's  I think it's high time that he answers some of these questions and he come clean about what his intentions are. I don't know.

All I know is we got a response. Bill Burns is looking at that response. He's talking to the Israelis about it. And we'll see where this goes. Hopefully  hopefully  whatever is in this thing, hopefully it can lead to those hostages getting out real, real soon with their families where they need to be.

And as each new  as each day passes, their lives get further at risk. So, time is really of the essence here.

Q Well, noting your answer, is it still a good idea to try to negotiate with terrorists, then?

MR. KIRBY: It's  it's not  it's not like  it's not like we sit down pie in the sky and say, "Hey, today's a good day. Let's negotiate with terrorists." You  you got to negotiate with who you got to negotiate to get people back with their family.

So, frankly, if  if there's a better idea to get those hostages home with their families, I think we'd love to hear them. I just don't think there's another way to do it. There's no other way to do it, quite frankly.

You got to negotiate through Qatar with Hamas to get those folks back with their families. And it  does  you know, that's the hard work of diplomacy, qu-  you know, sometimes it means you got to sit across the table from some really bad folks that you'd rather not have to talk to. But they got those hostages, and we want them back.

Q But the U.S. backs Israel's intention to eliminate Hamas?

MR. KIRBY: We, of course, back their right and responsibility to go after the Hamas threat, to eliminate that threat.

Now, look, Jacqui, I've said many times here, you're not going to eliminate an ideology through military operations. But does Israel have a right and responsibility to eliminate a threat that they suffered on the 7th of October? A hundred percent. Absolutely, they do. And we've been nothing but  but very steadfast on that.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Gabe.

Q Thanks, Karine. Thanks, John. Speaking about a tick-tock, what prompted this morning's call?

MR. KIRBY: I think you've heard me say many times now, they talk as appropriate. And given where we were in the hostage deal negotiations, given where we were with humanitarian assistance and Kerom  Kerem Shalom being shut down for several days, certainly given where we were with expectations in Rafah, this made all the sense in the world for today to be the day that the President and Prime Minister Netanyahu speak.

Q But when exactly was the call set up? Was it this morning? Was it yesterday after the rocket attack that killed the three Israelis? Or what  what specifically prompted it?

MR. KIRBY: I would tell you the initial planning for the call took place late in the weekend, is about what I'd say.

Q And one more on a different topic. Why did the U.S. halt an ammunition shipment to Israel last week?

MR. KIRBY: Yeah, look, I've seen the press reporting on this. All I can tell you is that  to Jacqui's question  our support for Israel's security remains ironclad. And I'm not going to get into the specifics of  of one shipment over another.

Q It's our  NBC is reporting that it included 2,000-pound bombs that may have been used in Rafah. Did concerns over Rafah and what the Israelis could use this ammunition for  did that play any role in halting that shipment?

MR. KIRBY: I don't have a better answer for you other than the one I just gave you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead.

Q I just want to go at that question one more time. Did the United States put a pause on an arms shipment to Israel? Is that  is that reporting correct?

MR. KIRBY: I'm not going to confirm that report.

Q Okay. Just another on another topic. Well, same topic, different question. Over the weekend, the Queen of Jordan said in an interview that the United States is giving the world mixed messages, offering both expressions of concern and support for Gaza in addition to providing arms to Israel. Can you  can you comment at all on this  on her criticism or her critique of the United States' position?

MR. KIRBY: I'm  I'm not going to  I don't think it'd be appropriate to get into a back-and-forth here from the podium on this.

We have said that two things can be true at once, and they are. Israel has a right and a responsibility to defend itself, and we're going to continue to provide for their security and help them with that. And at the same time, they have a right and obligation to be careful about civilian casualties and getting more humanitarian assistance in.

And that's why we're working so hard on this hostage deal. And that's why the American  the President and the United States continue to lead the world in terms of actually making a difference in that outcome, making life better for the Palestinian people. No other country is doing more than the United States to try to increase that  that assistance and get this  get this ceasefire in place.

Q And just really quickly, the Israelis stopped a broadcast of Al Jazeera over the weekend. Can you comment on whether that's an appropriate action for a United States ally?

MR. KIRBY: We don't support that action. As we said very clearly on World Press Freedom Day on Friday  I know Karine talked about this  the work of independent journalism around the world is absolutely vital. It's important to an informed citizenry and public, but it's also important to  to help inform the policymaking process.

So, we don't support that at all.

Q And did the President bring it up at all in his call with 

MR. KIRBY: The focus of the call was on the hostage deal and on Rafah.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Okay. I'm going to give it to Al Jazeera.

MR. KIRBY: You saw my  sorry. You saw, I 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Sorry.

MR. KIRBY:  I think I put a statement out this morning on that. So, we have officially reacted to it. Sorry.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Al Jazeera.

Q Thank you so much, Karine. Thank you, John. Is the administration planning on discussing the banning of Al Jazeera in Israel with the Israeli government?

We just celebrated the freedom of the press here in the United States and across the globe. And then this decision came, and it was really a big shock.

MR. KIRBY: As I just said, we don't 

Q Would the administration raise this issue with the government of Israel?

MR. KIRBY: We have raised this issue, and I made a public statement about it.

Q And on  on the  on Rafah. Has Israel presented or provided the administration with a comprehensive plan for the (inaudible)?

MR. KIRBY: No.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Ed.

Q I want to take you back to this report on whether shipments were paused.

MR. KIRBY: Okay.

Q Are the reports wrong?

MR. KIRBY: I'm not going to confirm the press reporting, Ed. What I've said is our security commitments to Israel are ironclad. The President pushed very hard to get that supplemental funding so that we could continue to help Israel with its security needs and 

Q You can appreciate the ambiguity makes it sound like it's true.

MR. KIRBY: I can't 

Q That we held it up.

MR. KIRBY: I can't speak for what you appreciate in my answer. (Laughter.) All I can do is tell you that my answer is not going to change.

Q All right. What is the definition of a assault or attack on Rafah, in the view of the White House, that would be seen as impermissible?

MR. KIRBY: There hasn't been an assault or an attack 

Q Well, there's reports tonight that there are 

MR. KIRBY:  in terms of a ground operation at this time.

Q Okay.

MR. KIRBY: So, let's not get ahead of where we are. The President did express, again, our concerns about operations in Rafah that would put at risk these  these people finding or trying to find shelter there.

I think it would be a futile e-  exercise for me to get up here and  and give you a laundry list of what would or would not compose some kind of ground operation in Rafah. We have to  well, let me put it another way  the IDF has to speak to what their intentions and their plans are.

Q But it's still ground operation versus missiles that may be landing over Rafah tonight, which is what we're hearing.

MR. KIRBY: Well, it doesn't matter whether it's missiles or rockets. Things that kill innocent people  that's not okay. And, again, the President made it clear that we don't want to see operations in Rafah that put at risk 

Q And how does 

MR. KIRBY:  those million and a half people that are there.

Q How does the President assess Bill Burns's ongoing attempts to make sure this deal comes together?

MR. KIRBY: It's a nice side way of getting at sort of talking to the parameters of the deal. I appreciate that. He's very grateful for 

Q Oh, no, I was  I was more genuinely interested in what he thinks 

MR. KIRBY: Oh, really?

Q  of the CIA Director's work on this, yes. (Laughter.)

MR. KIRBY: Excellent. I'm sorry. I impugned your question. (Laughter.)

The  look, I think he's very grateful for the  the work that Director Burns and the whole team has been doing to try to get us to this point. But it only really matters if we can get the deal in place  and I'm sure Director Burns would agree me  would agree with me on that  and those hostages can get home.

But he's  he's done terrific work thus far, and I know that he wants to see th-  get this across the finish line, as this  just as much as we do.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Jonathan.

Q Thank you, Karine. Admiral, on a different topic. Reports breaking just the last few minutes that a U.S. soldier has been detained in Russia. This apparently happened in the last few days. The reporting is he had been stationed in Korea, traveled to Russia on his own. He's being accused of some sort of theft. Are  is the administration aware of this report?

MR. KIRBY: Yes.

Q What can you tell us about what happened?

MR. KIRBY: I can't really say much about it right now, Jonathan. I hope you can understand that. And, certainly, it's a better question put to our DOD colleagues. But we are aware of this case.

Q And other matter just related to Russia. There has been threats from Moscow in the last couple days about striting  striking British military facilities because of the  and also simulating nuclear drills, as it sharply rises tensions because of weapons manufactured in the UK being used in the conflict. This says it could potentially apply to other ally countries as well  theoretically, the United States.

Do you have a response to that?

MR. KIRBY: Well, what I'd say, number one, is it's just reckless and irresponsible for the leader of a major nuclear-armed power to be saber-rattling the way that he is with respect to potential use for  for nuclear weapons.

We're  obviously, we monitor this and have continued to monitor this very closely. I can tell you we've seen nothing, even despite the reckless rhetoric, that would cause us to change our strategic deterrent posture.

And, look, lastly, if  if Mr. Putin and Russian officials are worried about their troops in Ukraine getting hit with weapons from other countries, then the easiest thing to do is just take your troops and leave.

Q Thank you.

Q There are reports of AFP right now that Israel is committing airstrikes on Rafah  intense airstrikes on Rafah right now. What would that timing mean to the relationship between the President and the Prime Minister?

MR. KIRBY: Well, (inaudible), you  you know something I don't know. I haven't seen those reports. I can't confirm it. I'll just go back to what I've said, I don't know, half a dozen, if not more, times today: We don't support operations in Rafah that put people at greater risk.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead.

Q Thank you. Thank you, Karine, and thank you, John. I just wanted to make it clear that regarding the limit on the refined petroleum provided by Russia to North Korea, the annual refined petroleum limit under U.N. sanctions against North Korea is 500,000 barrels. But last week, you say that the limit was exceeding that 6-  165,000 barrels in March alone. So, how many barrels were supplied in January and February?

MR. KIRBY: I will have to take that question and get back to you. I didn't bring the barrel data with me today.

Q And one one more quick question again. State  yes, State Department Spokesperson Miller said that the sanctions against this will be imposed through these months, and a North Korea oil tanker sanctioned by the U.N. is currently staying in Chinese water. So, is China included in the sanctions this time? Or U.N. sanctions against Russia and sanctions against China are together?

MR. KIRBY: I  I will admit that I will owe you now yet another answer. I'll get back to you with something more detailed.

I will only just say, to exit myself from this question gracefully, that  (laughter)  that  that we want everybody to enforce the sanctions that are against North Korea appropriately and consistently. And not everybody does. And North Korea has benefited from sanctions evasions by countries in the region and beyond the region. I'll leave it at that.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Okay. I'm going to  we're going to have to start wrapping it up.

Q Thank you very much, Karine. Thank you very much, John. I have a question on Russia and growing ties between China and Russia. Putin is reportedly visiting China this month, and right before this visit, just last week, we learned that Russian police raided the homes of Falun Gong practitioners in Russia  this is a group persecuted in China  and detained several of them.

Does  does the White House have any reaction to this? And then I have a follow-up one.

MR. KIRBY: I haven't seen the reports about the detention of these individuals. If the  if they're true, certainly, that would be concerning to us. But I'd probably refer you to the State Department to speak a little bit more about that than  than I can.

Just, again, writ  writ large, we have seen China and Russia try to go  grow closer together. We believe a big reason for that is, frankly, the United States and  and putting themselves in positions to  to either oppose our foreign policy objectives or to try to be an obstacle to them in many, many different ways.

So, it's  it's concerning to us.

The most specific concern that we have right now is the fact that some Chinese companies are providing microelectronics and components so that Mr. Putin can continue his defense industrial base improvements and developments and put weapons in the field that just kill innocent Ukrainians.

And, again, we've been  we've made those concerns clear directly to our Chinese counterparts and at the U.N.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: All right. Jared. Ja-  oh, yeah 

Q Oh 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: You have the last question.

Q Yeah, I did want to ask just a clarification, first, on the King's visit. Is he meeting with any other senior administra-  Defense Department, anybody?

MR. KIRBY: I  I  not that I'm aware of.

Q So, this wasn't, like, a broader bilateral, kind of 

MR. KIRBY: No. No, the President hosted him for lunch. They've done this before in the past.

Q And, secondly, can you give us a 

MR. KIRBY: I  I can't  but, look, I  I can't speak to his whole schedule while he's in town. So, I'm not aware of any other meetings, but that doesn't mean that he's got something 

Q But it wasn't, like, a broader bilateral here at the White House?

MR. KIRBY: No.

Q And on the pier, the temporary pier, if you could give us an update on that and whether or not, like, a ceasefire would need to be in place for that to be fully implemented and operational.

MR. KIRBY: A ceasefire doesn't have to be in place for the pier to operate. Now, obviously, somewhat  it's a whole heck of a lot easier if there's no fighting going on. But it doesn't have to be.

In fact, one of the big issues that we are still working out is what the force protection laydown would look like and how the  not  not just the people operating the pier but the material itself can be safe from any  any attack.

As far as I know  and, again, you should go to the Pentagon for more detail  the  essentially, the pier itself has been constructed. It is not in place because, last week, they had some weather issues in the Eastern Med, so they weren't able to put it in place.

You should go to the Pentagon for, like, where it is right now. As I understand it, it's still not being put into place.

Then you've got to anchor it, and you've got to make sure you build a causeway so you can get to and from it. And so, there's still a lot of work that has to be done to get it operational, and that would include the force protection laydown.

But no, the short answer to your question is you don't have to have a ceasefire in place to use the temporary pier.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Thank you, Admiral. Appreciate it.

MR. KIRBY: Thank you, Karine. Appreciate your  appreciate your patience.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: No, you're all good. Thank you.

Q Thank you.

Q Thank you, John.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Thanks.

All right. I do have a couple of things at the top. I wanted to get to the  to the Admiral at the beginning.

So  so, tomorrow, the President will deliver remarks during the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's annual Days of Remembrance ceremony. You can expect the President to make clear that during these sacred days of remembrance, we honor the memory of the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and we recommit to heeding the lessons of this dark chapter: Never again.

He will speak to the horrors of October 7th, when Hamas unleashed the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust.

And he will speak to how, since October 7th, we've seen an alarming rise in antisemitism in the U.S.  in our cities, our communities, and our  and on our campuses.

The President will touch on how his National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism is putting the full force of the federal government behind protecting the Jewish community and that all Americans must stand united against antisemitism.

He will reaffirm that we respect and protect the fundamental right to free speech, but there is no place on any campus or anywhere for antisemitism. There is no place for hate speech or threats of violence against  against the Jewish people.

Next, today, as part of the Economic Opportunity Tour, Vice President Harris is traveling to Michigan to announce $100 million in funding and resources for small- and medium-size auto manufacturers and auto workers.

The Vice President will also announce actions to expand workforce training and improve job quality in the EV supply chain.

For decades, trickle-down econ-  e-  economics drove manufacturers overseas. Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration's Investing in America agenda, companies are making historic investments in EV battery supply manufacturing. More than 20 auto and battery plants have been announced, after no net new plants opened under the previous administration.

Historic contracts secured the  by the UAW and the Big Three automakers in Detroit, as well as recent organizing victories, like Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee, ensure that these jobs of the future will provide comp-  comparable wages, retirement security, and respect at work.

These actions build on the Biden-Harris administration's ongoing work to ensure that the workers and businesses that built the auto industry remain community anchors for generations to come.

And, finally, I want to acknowledge some important news. While the previous administrations oversaw the largest one-year increase in murders ever recorded, under the President's  this President's leadership, President Biden, violent crime is at a nearly 50-year low.

Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of law enforcement and community leaders, Americas are safe  Americans are safer from violent crime today than they were a year ago. Violent crime declined across every category in the first quarter of 2024, and murders are down 17 percent.

Let me be clear here: This reduction in crime is no accident. President Biden and his administration are taking historic action to make our communities safer and give our law enforcement officers the tools they need to protect and serve.

We are stopping the flow of illegal guns and making the largest-ever federal investment in fighting and preventing crime through the American Rescue Plan, which every Republican in Congress voted against. But we can't stop now.

Through the Safe [Safer] America  America Plan, the President is calling on Congress to invest $37 billion to support law enforcement and crime prevention. Every family deserves to live in a safe community.

With that, Seung Min.

Q Thanks. You had another school, Columbia University, announce this morning that they're canceling commencement ceremonies. I'm wondering if the White House is concerned that the situation on college campuses is not calming down, despite what the President said last week.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I want to quote what the President said from last week, as you laid that out for me. And here's the quote: "Peaceful protest in America  violent protest is not protected; peaceful protest is. It's against the law when violence occurs. Destroying property is not a peaceful protest. It's against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations  none of this is a peaceful protest."

And it is unfortunate that a small group  a small group of people went too far and cost their classmates this important event. We've talked about it many times from here. When it's  when it comes to commencement day and when it comes to speaking at commencement events, this is something that the President has done for some time now. And he understands that this is a moment of joy, a moment of celebration. And  and we feel for them. We feel for each of the graduates.

And  and we're going to continue to reiterate the President's comments and statements and what we've said from this podium to call for protest peacefully. And that's what we're going to continue to do.

But we do feel for them. These are graduates who are going to miss out on an incredibly important day of commencement.

Q Quick follow-up. Does the White House anticipate any issues  or how are you preparing for any potential issues when he delivers the remarks at Morehouse later this month?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, I'm not going to get into  I'm not going to speculate on what might happen, might not happen. Obviously, when it comes to any type of  when it comes to events and security, that's something that Secret Service obviously is going to  going to deal with and  and figure that out on their end. But I'm not going to get into specu-  to speculate from here.

I'm just going to reiterate what I just said about how the President truly enjoys doing commencement speeches. He understands how important  not just for the graduate but the families and the loved ones that are there to celebrate a really, truly important day. And so, that's what we're looking forward to.

As you know, the President is also going to go to West Point and honor  honor those who serve to protect our country. And  and so  and we'll continue to do that, obviously. And so, that's what he's going to look forward to: really being there for the graduates and lifting them up in this moment.

Q Thank you, Karine. Congressman Ro Khanna said that the President should and will be out visiting these campus among the protests  amid the protests. Is there any plan for him to get out there and talk to students 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: No.

Q  right now? Okay.

And then, separately, GW's president has called for Metro Police in D.C. to intervene to dismantle what they've deemed an illegal encampment. And D.C. police have so far refused to respond to that call. It's happening in the President's backyard. Is there any reaction from the White House on what should happen?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, that is something that I'm going to leave to the local law enforcement and universities. That's for them to figure out, for them to work it through. They know what is happening on the ground. And we've always been very clear about that. And we'll continue to be clear about that.

We're going to continue to call for peaceful protest. And, you know, dissent cannot lead to disorder. And so, going to continue to be very, very clear, as the President has been, as I have been, as so many of us here on  in this administration has been.

Q Any idea why D.C. police would not respond 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I would 

Q  to this call?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I would refer you to the D.C. police. That's something for them to speak to.

Q Okay.

Q In the back.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Okay.

Q And then, j-  lastly, on these reported plans for the U.S. to bring over Palestinian refugees, potentially. Is there anything you can tell us about where we are in the works with that? And what  I know it would have to depend on coordination with Egypt, which so far has been resistant to cooperate on this. What  what can you tell us about this plan?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I don't have anything further to announce. I know I was asked this question a couple of times last week. I just don't have anything else to share.

Go ahead, Steve.

Q Karine, the  the speech tomorrow, is it a broad-brush speech or will he get into some of the specifics of the Gaza conflict?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I'm not going to get ahead of the President too much. Obviously, it is a day of remembrance. You know the term. We  as I just stated at the top: Never forget  or never again.

And so, certainly the President will  will talk about that day and how horrific it was for the Jewish  Jewish Americans, Jewish community.

I just don't want to get too far ahead. But obviously, it's an important day for  for not just Jewish Americans but Americans more broadly.

Q Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Karen.

Q Thanks, Karine. Given the key role that Jordan has played over the last several months in the Middle East  especially on humanitarian aid  and the day's development, there was obviously a lot of news value to the King's visit today.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q Why didn't we see the President and the King together for a photo op? Why was that closed press?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, we try to do everything that we can, obviously, to give you all as much access, give the press as much access. It is sometimes the  the visitor  the visiting country have  you know, they have their own requests, and we try to certainly accommodate their request as well.

And so, look, we will try all  every  at every turn, at every of these events to make sure that there is press  there is press access.

In this particular instance, it's a  it was a private lunch. And we tried to also accommodate the visitors that come here as well.

Q So, the King did not want to do anything on camera today?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I  I would leave it up to  to the King and his team to speak to that. But, again, we try to also accommodate the visiting country as well.

Q And if there's any news from the Israeli side on this  the  where things stand, should we expect to hear from the President today or this evening on this?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I don't have anything to  of note or any changes to the President's schedule at this time. Obviously, if there i-  are any changes, we  you all will be one of the first, if not the first, to know. I just don't have anything at this time.

The President was going to speak tomorrow. So, stay tuned.

AIDE: Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead. Go ahead.

Q Thank you. I just wanted to go again at the speech the President is 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q  is exp-  is giving tomorrow. I mean, just given the context in which he's giving it, where there's  you know, 34,000 people have died in Gaza. He's going to be talking about "never again" and a genocide. And he's protested almost everywhere he goes, you know, with that moniker of  of "Genocide Joe."

And it's a  I'm just wondering: How is he going to sort of thread the needle of  of address-  of addressing a genocide that happened quite a while ago while there are some people who are saying that there is one happening right now that he bears some responsibility for?

I mean, I understand that that's not the view of the administration, but it's still a very tricky line to  to walk. And I'm just wondering if you can share any sort of thought as to whether he may be trying to send us a subtle message with the speech at all or if there's any sort of nod to the broader context in which the speech is being given.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I'm going to let the President speak for himself. I gave a broad stroke of the day 

Q Yes.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  and how important it's going to be for the President to speak on this Day of Remembrance, the ceremony. So, just going to be really mindful there.

On your broader question, look, the President understands that this is an incredibly painful time. And we have said that over and over again, and we understand that. And he also respects the right of all Americans to peacefully protest and also with the understanding and  and the knowledge of having those conversations, those sometimes really tough conversations with community leaders.

And we have done that on the White  White House  you've heard from senior White House officials  or you've heard us talk about senior White House officials going across the country, having those conversations with Muslim leaders, Arab leaders, Palestinian leaders in talking through this painful moment.

And I would also  also say that this is why this hostage deal is so important. This is why we continue to work around the clock. This is why Director Burns is there meeting  and obviously meeting  continuing to meet with partners in the region to try to get to this deal so we can get that all-important humanitarian aid, get that ceasefire that is much needed, and also make sure that we get the hostages home, which also  American hostages are part of those hostages, and we need to get them home to their loved ones.

So, that's what we're going to continue to do. The President will speak for himself tomorrow. So, I would say: Tune in. Listen to what he has to say. But we understand how painful this is for many, many communities across this country.

Thanks.

Q Has he had an input from any of those communities that you mentioned? Like, as he's been sort of wrestling with his speech and working on it, have any of those communities had any input into what he should say or what (inaudible) 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I can't speak  I can't to  to that  that question about input from communities. But the President understands how important this moment is. And I would say this is a president that tends to meet the moment when it comes to speeches and remarks like these. He understands what's going on, has the finger  his finger is on the pulse as far as what people are feeling.

And so, I'm just not going to get beyond that. And I would say: Tune in.

Go ahead, Gabe.

Q Karine, just really quickly.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q What's your response to Kristi Noem's comments implying that Commander should be put down?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Look, you know, when we learned last week, obviously, like all of you, in her book that she killed her puppy, you heard me say that was very, very sad.

We find her comments from yesterday disturbing. We find them absurd. And  and here, this is a country that loves dogs. And you have a leader talking about putting dogs down, killing them. And that's a disturbing statement to say.

I would say to  I would say to her  is she should  probably should stop digging herself in a hole.

Thanks, everybody.

Q Where  where is Commander now?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Who? Oh. So, Commander  we said this back in the fall. Commander is living with family members.

Q Where?

Q In Delaware?

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yes. We said this before.

All right. Thanks, everybody.

3:14 P.M. EDT

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






AFRICOM Commander Visits Benin to Strengthen Bilateral Security Partnership

General Langley's visit underscores our diverse expanding partnership to help the Beninese people by our joint efforts to defend against violent extremism and to promote economic development

By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Cotonou, Benin May 07, 2024

Cotonou, Benin -- U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader visited Benin May 1-3, 2024, on his first trip to Benin since taking command.

This historic first visit marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the two nations, highlighting their shared commitment to strengthen democratic institutions, respect human rights, and foster prosperity for the people of Benin.

U.S. Ambassador to Benin Brian Shukan welcomed General Langley on his first visit to Cotonou in his current role. He stated, "General Langley's visit underscores our diverse expanding partnership to help the Beninese people by our joint efforts to defend against violent extremism and to promote economic development."

General Langley engaged in constructive dialogues with senior Benin civilian and military leadership, including the President of Benin Patrice Talon, as well as the Chief of Defense Staff Major General Fructueux Gbaguidi, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing common security challenges and advancing mutual interests. "Benin holds a strategic position in West Africa, and our partnership with the Benin defense forces is crucial in countering violent extremism and promoting stability in the region. This visit has further solidified our commitment to working alongside our Beninese counterparts in enhancing security cooperation and addressing emerging threats."

The U.S. partnership with Benin spans over six decades, dating back to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960. The U.S. remains steadfast in its support for Benin's efforts to promote democracy, enhance security, and improve the prosperity of its citizens.

Langley added, "The U.S. values its longstanding relationship with Benin, which is rooted in shared democratic values and a commitment to regional security. We are proud to support Benin in its endeavors to strengthen democratic institutions, promote economic development, and enhance the well-being of its people."

This visit also celebrates the 10th year of partnership between Benin's military and North Dakota National Guard. This enduring partnership has facilitated exchanges of expertise, training, and resources, enhancing interoperability and capacity building. Through joint exercises and cultural exchanges, the program has strengthened bonds between North Dakota and Benin, further bolstering the broader US-Benin partnership and contributing to regional stability.

Through professionalization and capacity building assistance, the U.S. continues to support the development of Benin's military and security forces, with a focus on enhancing domestic and regional security. This collaborative approach underscores the shared commitment to promoting peace and stability in West Africa.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, each with a geographic or functional mission that provides command and control of military forces in peace and war. U.S. Africa Command employs the broad-reaching diplomacy, development, and defense approach to foster interagency efforts and help negate the drivers of conflict and extremism in Africa.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






May 7 USCENTCOM, Royal Jordanian Air Force Conduct Humanitarian Air Drops into Gaza

U.S. Central Command

Press Release | May 7, 2024

USCENTCOM

May 07, 2024

Release Number 20240507-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on May 7, 2024, at 1:15 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict.

The combined joint operation included Jordanian provided food and three U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft. U.S. C-130's dropped more than 25,000 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), providing life-saving humanitarian assistance in Northern Gaza. Additionally, more than 13,000 meal equivalents of Jordanian food supplies were also delivered. To date the U.S. has dropped 1,200 tons of humanitarian assistance.

The DoD humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






May 7, 2024

By C. Todd Lopez, DOD News

Floating Piers, Cargo Ship With Aid for Gaza Face Weather Delays

Construction of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, system on the Mediterranean Sea, which will streamline delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, is now complete, the deputy Pentagon press secretary said today.

"The U.S. military has completed the offshore construction of the Trident pier section, or 'the causeway,' which is the component that will eventually be anchored to the Gaza shore," said Sabrina Singh during a briefing today. "As I mentioned last week, construction of the floating pier section has also been completed. So as of today, the construction of the two portions of the JLOTS  the floating pier and the Trident pier  are complete and awaiting final movement offshore."

At the same time, she said, the cargo ship MV Sagamore is at port in Cyprus being loaded with humanitarian aid supplies bound for Gaza.

"The Sagamore is a cargo vessel that will use the JLOTS system and will make trips between Cyprus and the offshore floating pier as USAID and other partners collect aid from around the world," she said.

Singh explained that the Sagamore, a commercial ship registered in the U.S., will be loaded with humanitarian aid in Cyprus and will then travel from Cyprus to a temporary floating pier several miles off the coast of Gaza. There, at sea, cargo will be unloaded from the Sagamore onto trucks that are onboard Army-owned landing craft utility ships, or LCUs, and logistic support vessels, or LSVs.

The Army ships will then travel toward Gaza where they will meet up with the Trident pier. There, the trucks onboard the LCUs and LSVs will drive onto the pier and onto the shore of Gaza where the humanitarian aid supplies can then be staged for delivery inside Gaza.

It's expected that initially about 90 truckloads of supplies will transit the causeway each day and make their way into Gaza. When the operation reaches full capacity, as many as 150 trucks will make their way into Gaza daily.

"I think what you're going to see at the very beginning is a 'crawl, walk, run' scenario," Singh said. "We're going to start with an additional small amount of aid trucks to flow in to make sure that the system works, that the distribution works, and then you'll see that increase ... when we get to full operational capacity."

While the JLOTS system may eventually deliver substantial capacity, Singh said it's neither the only way nor the best way to get much-needed supplies into Gaza.

"The best way [is] through those land routes, and we do want to see those opened up," she said. "We do want to see aid continue to flow in through those land crossings. This is just one [way.] It's meant to help augment, to help complement, other ways that aid can get in."

The Gaza Strip, which is about 25 miles long, lies entirely inside Israel and shares a border to the south with Egypt. There are three locations along its border where humanitarian supplies could move into Gaza from either Egypt or Israel. Those locations include the Erez crossing in northern Gaza and the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza. Both of those crossings connect Gaza to Israel. The Rafah crossing is on the Gaza border with Egypt.

Since March 2, U.S. Central Command, in coordination with the Royal Jordanian Air Force, has carried out nearly 40 humanitarian missions to airdrop nearly 1,200 tons of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

While the JLOTS construction is now complete, that capability has not yet been deployed due to weather conditions, Singh said. Right now, the two piers are floating on the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Israel near the Port of Ashdod  about 18 miles north of Gaza. Weather conditions, Singh said, prevent moving either of them to their final location.

"Late last week, Centcom temporarily paused moving the floating pier and Trident pier toward the vicinity of Gaza due to sea state considerations," she said. "Today there are still forecasted high winds and high sea swells, which are causing unsafe conditions for the JLOTS components to be moved."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Foreign Affairs Council (Development): Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival

European External Action Service (EEAS)

07.05.2024

Brussels, Belgium

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Today, as always, [we will discuss] Ukraine and Gaza [and] other crises also. We have to look at what is happening in Africa, in particular, in Sudan.

But the main issue today will be to discuss the Ukrainian Plan, presented by the Ukrainian government, in order to see how the reconstruction and the reforms have to go hand in hand.

But as I said many times, maybe it is more important to avoid destruction. The best thing [to do so that] you do not have to reconstruct, [is] just to avoid destruction. And at the moment, Ukraine is being destroyed, is being bombed. The electricity system is being absolutely destroyed.

We have to continue supporting Ukraine, first militarily - well, yesterday, we did that at the conference for the defence industry [EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum] and today, we will see how do we mobilise the 50 billion to support Ukraine's reforms and to support Ukraine as a country working.

The other issues which the Ministers will discuss is the situation in Gaza and our cooperation with the Palestinian Authority.

I think time has come for retaking the support to UNRWA. The [European] Commission paid a first tranche, waiting for the Colonna report. Now, the Colonna report is there, I do not see any reason for not starting again the full payments to UNRWA.

Yesterday, I got a letter from [UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe] Lazzarini, asking for this [funding] to be restarted and I hope - I am sure - that the Ministers will support it. In fact, all Member States have re-started the support to UNRWA. Once and again, UNRWA is a critical institution for the support of hundreds of thousands, of millions of people.

The idea of cutting funding to UNRWA has no basis. The report [led by Catherine] Colonna is clear about that. So, Member States have retaken the support to UNRWA, restarted the payments which were put on hold. This, we will discuss and at the next Foreign Affairs Council too.

And also, the support to the Palestinian Authority. It is a critical moment in the West Bank, and we are asking the Palestinian Authority to make reforms. We have to continue with the financial support. There are more than 200,000 Palestinian people who lost their job. The West Bank is a boiler, it can explode at any moment.

And last, the last sad news is that there is not an agreement for a ceasefire. Hamas accepted, Israel rejected and the land offensive against Rafah has started again, in spite of all the requests of the international community - the United States, the EU Member States, everybody asking [the Prime Minister of Israel, Benyamin] Netanyahu not to attack Rafah.

In spite of these warnings and these requests, the attack started yesterday night. I am afraid that this is going to cause again a lot of casualties, civilian casualties, whatever they say. There are 600,000 children in Gaza. They will be pushed to so-called "safety zones" - there are no safe zones in Gaza.

The Ministers will discuss about how to increase our support but at the next Foreign Affairs Council, the political dimension of this crisis will be, once again, taken into consideration.

Q&A

Q. Are you considering for the European Union taking any action after this attack on Rafah?

Well, today it is the Ministers of Cooperation. It is the Foreign Affairs Ministers to discuss. But certainly, the situation is very much worrisome. I cannot anticipate the humanitarian losses that this will create. It is clear that, the will to continue the war will produce another great humanitarian crisis, still bigger than it is already. Let's see how we can try to mitigate the consequences of this situation.

Q. You said yesterday that the European Union should and can do something to avoid it. Should we understand it as you will propose sanctions against Israel?

This is not the place to discuss about sanctions. This is about cooperation and support. Let's see [at the] next Foreign Affairs Council.

Another thing, important thing, is the inauguration of Putin. After a lot of discussions with Members States, I sent a message to all of them saying that in my understanding, the right thing to do is not to attend this inauguration. My advice was not to do it and I think that most of the Member States will not attend. I think it is the right thing to do. In the end, Putin is someone wanted by the International Criminal Court. At the beginning, there was a discussion about Member States [on whether] we had to attend, not to attend, at which level - Ambassadors, Charges d'affaires.

But for me, the position was clear. It was going to be very difficult for the Ukrainians and for many people around the world to understand that we consider Putin someone indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), responsible for the war in Ukraine, elections that we contest because they were neither free nor fair elections, and then to attend the inauguration, it would be a clear contradiction. My advice to the Member States was not to attend, and I hope that many of them, most of them, will follow this indication. But each Member State is fully sovereign to decide to go or not to go. I hope most of them will not go.

Q. Senor Borrell, Cree que se tendria que retomar la peticion de Espana e Irlanda de revisar el Acuerdo de Asociaciones? Es el paso que deberia de dar ahora la Union Europea?

Until now, as far as I know, the President of the Commission [Ursula von der Leyen] has not answered the letters from Spain and Ireland. You know that I presented the issue to the [Member States in the] Foreign Affairs Council. They refused to call for an Association Council meeting with Israel in order to ask for explanations. I continue working on that. The Special Representative for Human Rights [Olof Skoog] is in touch with the United Nations Special Representative to see the situation in the ground. I will go back to the Council to present the report, the analysis. We are not on the ground. We do not have the information. You know what you know through the press, but there is no press. How many journalists have been killed, [and now the] Al Jazeera offices [in Israel] have been closed. So, who knows what is going on in the territories, besides the press' information? Well, the United Nations. The United Nations have the capacity to evaluate the situation there. We are in touch with them, and certainly, what is happening in Gaza, sooner or later, the International Criminal Court will have to say something.

And by the way, I fully condemn any kind of intimidation to the International Criminal Court. Enough is enough. Some statements threatening the International Criminal Court and threatening to retaliate against the Palestinian Authority if the International Criminal Court is deciding whatever it has to decide, are fully rejectable. When the International Criminal Court indicted President Putin, we applauded. So, either we respect the International Criminal Court or not. And [if] we respect the ICC, it has to be in any case, on any occasion, with respect to anyone. So, stop trying to intimidate the judges of the ICC.

Q. So, do you expect some of the ICC soon?

I do not know. I do not expect anything. The only thing I am saying is that the judges have to be able to do their work without [anyone] putting [them under] pressure, and without intimidation.

Q. Mr Borrell, you have been in Jeddah, and you listened to the Arab counterparts there. With Mr Blinken, you discussed the Middle East and Gaza. Did you have a clear peace plan presented there? Do you have this kind of plan?

Look, at the moment, there is not, unhappily, the possibility of starting to discuss about peace plans. What we have to do is continue working for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and then, the start of a political process. I think that the next Foreign Affairs Council will be important for that.

Thank you.

Link to video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-257004

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Panama: Statement by the Spokesperson on the presidential elections

European External Action Service (EEAS)

07.05.2024

Panama

Strategic Communications

The European Union congratulates the people of Panama on the democratic and orderly elections held on Sunday 5 May and for their strong commitment to democracy, as demonstrated by the high voter turnout. The provisional results published by the Electoral Tribunal show a clear result and have been already recognised by all presidential contenders as well as by the current President.

The EU congratulates winning candidate Jose Raul Mulino on his victory and looks forward to working with the new President and his administration. Panama and the EU are like-minded partners, sharing commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The EU wants to continue engaging together to advance bilateral cooperation and promote international relations based on multilateralism and international law.

The EU deployed an Election Expert Mission to make a technical assessment of the electoral process.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






EU allocates 125 million in humanitarian aid for most vulnerable in Yemen

European Commission

Press release

7 May 2024

Brussels

The Commission is providing 125 million in new EU humanitarian funding to address the most pressing needs of people in Yemen amidst the ongoing crisis and escalating tensions in the region. The announcement comes on the occasion of the sixth Senior Officials Meeting on Yemen, chaired by Commissioner Janez Lenarcic in Brussels.

The funding will be channelled exclusively through the EU's humanitarian partners, including UN agencies and NGOs actively involved in the response, supporting vulnerable communities affected by Yemen's decade-long conflict, displacement, and climate emergencies.

Aid will support food security and assistance for malnutrition, health and specialised protection services and demining activities among others. Dedicated programmes for education and child protection will also be supported.

To respond to the urgent health crisis triggered by outbreaks of infectious diseases in Yemen, since February this year the EU has also organised 13 Humanitarian Air Bridge flights and is in the process of launching another operation this month consisting of 24 flights. These aid deliveries have amongst others helped tackle the cholera outbreak in the country.

Background

Yemen continues to be of the world's most severe and protracted humanitarian crises, with an estimated 18,2 million people - over half of the population - in need of humanitarian assistance and protection services. This dire situation, compounded by years of conflict, continued displacement and severe funding shortages, underscores the critical need for immediate and sustained humanitarian interventions and support from development actors.

In response to these pressing challenges, the European Union has remained steadfast in its support for the people of Yemen. Since 2015, the EU has contributed almost 1.5 billion to address the Yemeni crisis, including over 1 billion in humanitarian aid.

Quote(s)

As Yemen approaches a decade of devastating conflict, it is yet again the innocent people of Yemen who continue to pay the most devastating price. Over half of its population continues to suffer the consequences of conflict, an economic collapse, natural hazards and disease outbreaks. While a political solution is crucial, it is our duty to provide life-saving assistance to those in need and ensure amore sustained support from the humanitarian and development communities. That is why we have gathered today and I am glad to reaffirm the European Union's contribution of 125 million in humanitarian aid to ease the crisis. Yemenis cannot wait.

Janez Lenarcic, Commissioner for Crisis Management

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Chinese military takes legal, professional and safe operations to warn against provocations by Australian helicopter: FM

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: May 07, 2024 10:46 PM

In refuting accusations from Australia which claimed that a Chinese fighter jet fired flares into the path of an Australian naval helicopter last weekend over the Yellow Sea, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday clarified that the truth is that an Australian military aircraft deliberately flew within close range of China's airspace in a provocative move that endangered China's maritime and air security in the name of enforcing UN Security Council's resolutions.

The Chinese military took necessary measures at the scene to warn and alert the Australian side. The way the situation was handled was consistent with Chinese laws and regulations, professional and safe, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday.

Lin stated that China has lodged serious protests to the Australian side on its risky moves, while urging Australia to immediately stop the provocations and hypes to prevent misunderstanding and miscalculation.

The Chinese spokesperson's remarks came after Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said Monday that a Chinese Chengdu J-10 fighter jet released flares in the flight path of an Australian navy Seahawk helicopter deployed from the Australian air warfare destroyer HMAS Hobart, according to Western media outlets, including AP News. The media outlets claimed that the Australian air warfare destroyer on Saturday was "enforcing UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea in international waters in the Yellow Sea." According to media outlets, there were no injuries or damage reported.

"We've just made it very clear to China that this is unprofessional and that it's unacceptable," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Nine Network television.

Also on Tuesday, China's Ministry of National Defense debunked the Australian accusations.

"We are firmly opposed to what the Australian side has said, which distorts black and white," said Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense.

According to Zhang, from May 3 to 4, during the training of Chinese naval vessels in relevant waters of the Yellow Sea, the Australian guided-missile destroyer HMAS Hobart sent shipborne helicopters three times to conduct close-in reconnaissance and disturb the normal training activities of the Chinese side.

The Chinese military issued warnings and forced them away. The relevant operations were reasonable, professional and safe, and fully in line with international law and practice, Zhang stated.

We urge the Australian side to earnestly respect China's sovereign security concerns, stop spreading false narratives, strictly restrain naval and air force operations, and stop all dangerous and provocative actions so as not to undermine the overall relationship between the two countries and two militaries, Zhang said.

Chinese military experts pointed out that Australia's actions under the guise of implementing UNSC sanctions against North Korea are in fact provocation, probing, and reconnaissance against China.

Military expert Zhang Xuefeng told the Global Times on Tuesday that the fact that Australian warships have travelled so far into the Yellow Sea, so close to China's territorial waters and inland seas, is itself a sign of the growing aggressiveness.

It is not the first time that Australia has conducted close-in reconnaissance against China and been expelled after not listening to warnings, Zhang Xuefeng noted. The Australian military is responsible for all the consequences by those provocations, he warned.

Last November, Australia claimed that a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) destroyer used sonar to force divers from an Australian frigate to exit the water. In response, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on November 20, 2023 that "The Chinese military is strictly disciplined and always operates professionally in accordance with the international law and international common practices. We hope relevant parties will stop making trouble in front of China's doorsteps and work with China to preserve the momentum of improving and growing China-Australia ties."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China, France issue joint statement on Middle East situation, condemn all violations of intl humanitarian law

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 07, 2024 08:01 PM

China and France have issued a joint statement on the situation in the Middle East, condemning all violations of international humanitarian law, including all acts of terrorist violence and indiscriminate attacks against civilians.

The statement was released during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France, where Xi and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged in-depth views on the situation in the Middle East.

China and France condemn all violations of international humanitarian law, including all acts of terrorist violence and indiscriminate attacks against civilians. They recall the absolute imperative of protecting civilians in Gaza in accordance with international humanitarian law. The two heads of state expressed their opposition to an Israeli offensive on Rafah, which would lead to a humanitarian disaster on a larger scale, as well as to forced displacement of Palestinian civilians, according to the joint statement.

The two heads of state stressed that an immediate and sustainable ceasefire is urgently needed to enable the delivery of large-scale humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip. They called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the guarantee of humanitarian access to meet their medical and other humanitarian needs, as well as respect for international law with regard to all detainees, it said.

The two heads of state called on all parties to refrain from unilateral measures on the ground that might aggravate tensions, and in this respect condemned Israel's policy of settlement construction, which violates international law and constitutes a major obstacle to lasting peace as well as to the possibility of establishing a viable and contiguous State of Palestine. The two heads of state reiterated that the future governance of Gaza cannot be dissociated from a comprehensive political settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-State solution, according to the statement.

The two heads of state called for a decisive and irreversible relaunch of a political process to concretely implement the two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, both with Jerusalem as their capital, and the establishment of a viable, independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders. The two heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to this solution, which is the only way to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian people for lasting peace and security, it said.

China and France reaffirm their commitment to promoting a political and diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action concluded in 2015 is a major outcome of multilateral diplomacy. The two countries are concerned about the risks of escalation, recall the importance of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and facilitation of diplomatic efforts, and reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding the international non-proliferation regime and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, according to the statement.

The statement was issued as Israeli military forces have taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a key strategic objective and the sole gateway between Egypt and Gaza for humanitarian aid, the Guardian quoted Israeli military officials as saying on Tuesday.

In response to Israeli military operations in Rafah, Lin Jian, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a Tuesday briefing that China expresses serious concern over Israel's action, and strongly urges Israel to listen to the overwhelming calls from the international community to cease the attack on Rafah and to prevent a more serious humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.

The spokesperson stated that the Gaza conflict has been going on for over 200 days, resulting in a shocking humanitarian crisis, which is a test of human conscience. War and violence cannot fundamentally solve problems and bring real security, but only exacerbate hatred. The international community must take action. The immediate priority is to effectively implement UN Security Council Resolution 2728, immediately cease fire, ensure humanitarian aid returns as soon as possible, and return to the basis of the two-state solution to politically resolve the Palestinian question.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Gaza: ICRC calls for protection of civilians while hoping for an agreement amidst evacuations, military operations and negotiations



ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

07 May 2024

Geneva (ICRC) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned in February that a significant Israeli military operation in Rafah would pose a disastrous risk to the civilian population given the more than 1 million displaced Palestinians now living in the southern Gaza Strip.

News release

07 May 2024

Israel and the occupied territories

As instructions to evacuate certain areas in Rafah were issued on Monday by Israel, the ICRC reiterates that all must be done to spare civilian lives, and to ensure they have access to the basic necessities for life, including food, water, and medical care. It is necessary to ensure that steps taken in recent weeks to increase the flow of aid into Gaza remain in place. The ICRC reiterates the need to protect the medical mission - inclusive of facilities, ambulances, doctors and nurses - and calls on all parties to the conflict to fully protect and respect this essential and life-saving service.

At the same time as evacuations and operations are being conducted, news reports indicate negotiations continue on a potential political agreement which could include a release of hostages, detainees, and a ceasefire. While the ICRC continues to demand the outright and unconditional release of the hostages, it also recognizes this is unlikely without an agreement. The ICRC hopes an agreement will be reached that reunites families and provides respite and aid to all people affected by the conflict. The ICRC stands ready to play its role as a neutral intermediary in fulfilling humanitarian aspects of an agreement.

If military operations continue, it is critical that the parties to the conflict account for the reality of large numbers of people moving across damaged roads and through areas possibly contaminated by unexploded weapons. Evacuations must be carried out in a way that ensures civilians arrive safely and have satisfactory conditions of hygiene, health, safety and nutrition; family members should not be separated. People must be able to return to their homes as soon as hostilities have stopped.

Most people did not arrive in Rafah directly, but have been displaced two, three, or four times before. Coupled with constant stress and fear, and considering injuries, age, and disabilities, many residents are in a weakened state and at elevated risk of dying from common infections or diseases.

Questions such as how to safely transport the disabled, the elderly, and the sick, and where such a large population can move and reside safely with basic needs met, remain unanswered. Not all people may be able to evacuate due to age, disability, or illness.

Civilians who remain in the area -whether voluntarily or not - remain protected and must be spared the effects of hostilities.

These realities need to be kept in mind as the next steps in the conflict unfold. The evacuation instructions have already prompted deep anxiety and fear. Long lines of people are fleeing Rafah in cars, carts pulled by donkey and on foot, with people and vehicles loaded with personal items.

The ICRC calls on all parties to the conflict to respect their legal obligations as stipulated by international humanitarian law to protect and preserve civilian life and civilian objects.

ICRC teams are on the ground and are responding to humanitarian needs. In Rafah, the ICRC is helping people, including by providing meals, drinking water, tents, mattresses, and medical care.

The ICRC is committed to remaining close to those in need throughout the conflict.

About the ICRC

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral, impartial and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering, often alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran, Oman FMs discuss ties, Gaza over phone

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi have held a phone conversation to discuss the latest developments in bilateral ties and the situation in Gaza where the Israeli regime continues with a devastating military campaign against the Palestinian people.

Amirabdollahian and Busaidi insisted in their Tuesday phone call that current efforts for expansion of bilateral relations between Iran and Oman should continue in the future.

The two also reiterated the need for putting an end to the Israeli crimes against the Palestinians in Gaza through an immediate ceasefire which can cover the release of captives and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people in the territory.

2050**4261



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Hamas: Attack on Rafah shows occupiers intend to foil agreement

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian Hamas Resistance Movement in a statement condemned the Israeli army's attack on the east of Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip and considered it as an indication of the regime's intention to thwart a possible ceasefire agreement between the two sides.

According to the "Sama" news agency, the statement of Hamas stresses that the attack of the occupying regime's army on the Rafah border crossing with Egypt is a dangerous escalation of tension against a civilian center under the protection of international laws, which aims to intensify the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip by closing this crossing and prevent the transfer of emergency relief aid through it.

"This crime, which takes place directly after the announcement of the agreement of the Hamas movement with the proposal of the mediators, reveals the purpose and intention of the occupiers to disrupt the efforts of the mediators in order to achieve a ceasefire and the release of prisoners in line with the personal interests of Netanyahu and his extreme cabinet," the statement added.

This statement continued that "we ask the American government and the international community to put pressure on the occupying regime" to stop this escalation of tension that threatens the lives of hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians in Rafah and the entire Gaza Strip.

The Zionist regime's war cabinet confirmed on Monday the ground attack on the city of Rafah, located in the south of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army announced on Tuesday morning that it occupied the Palestinian part of the Rafah crossing on the southern border of the Gaza Strip with Egypt.

The spokesman of the crossings board of the Gaza Strip also said that this crossing was closed due to the presence of the tanks of the Zionist regime inside it.

2050



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran strongly condemns Israeli attacks on Rafah

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has strongly condemned the Israeli regime's attacks on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, where about 1.4 million displaced Palestinians have been sheltering amid intense bombings in other parts of the besieged territory.

Kanaani said on Tuesday that the Israeli incursion into Rafah was aimed at sabotaging the international efforts to stop the genocidal war in Gaza.

The Israeli army stepped up attacks in Rafah on Monday hours after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, which runs Gaza, announced it had accepted the terms of a ceasefire proposal by mediators Qatar and Egypt.

The offensive in Rafah has sparked fears of a new massacre and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where nearly 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since early October last year.

Kanaani said the attacks on Gaza's southern most city on the border with Egypt , despite strong global opposition, shows the savagery of a rogue regime that is not committed to any international norm, and is the main threat to international peace and security.

"As we have repeatedly stated before, the key to peace and security in the region is the immediate and unconditional cessation of the war against the innocent people of Palestine in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank," he said.

He further called on international actors to mount pressure on the Israeli regime to stop the war in Gaza.

Kanaani added that the responsibility for any new bloodshed in Gaza, especially in Rafah, lies with the Israeli regime and its main military supporter, the United States.

Iran once again calls on the international legal and judicial organization to investigate the crimes against humanity committed by the apartheid regime and to bring its leaders to trial, he said.

4353**2050







NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Yemen says Zionists to receive sharper slap

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Secretary of Yemen's Supreme Political Council Yasser al-Houri has announced that Israel and its backers will receive a more painful response during the fourth phase of Yemen's Armed Forces' operation against the Zionist regime.

The intensity of operations depends on [the depth of] the Zionist regime's stupidity; the stupidity which will lead to Israel's annihilation, the Yemeni official told IRNA on Tuesday.

Yemen's Armed Forces launch operations based on the needs and developments, he added.

He went on to say that since the onset of the Zionist aggression against Gaza in October 2023, the Yemeni forces have not shown the quality and quantity of their operations against the Israeli regime.

He went on to say that since the onset of the Zionist regime's invasion of the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, the Yemeni armed forces have continually expanded their operations both quantitatively and qualitatively, which has taken the regime and its supporters by surprise. He added that the operations are evolve in the future.

Yemen's anti-Zionist regime operations are conducted in line with doing religious and humane duty towards the Palestinian nation and in response to the crimes daily committed by the Zionist occupiers in the Palestinian lands, he noted.

Yemen continues its operations till the end of Israel's crimes being committed under the full-out support of the United States and the West, al-Houri stressed.

A few days ago, the leader of Yemen's ruling Houthi Ansarullah movement, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, said if Israel's aggression against Gaza and the US bullying behavior continue, Yemen will be ready to launch a new round of operation.

1483**9417

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






US Air Force fleet moves fighter jets from UAE to Qatar

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Pentagon is shifting jet fighters, armed drones, and other aircraft to Qatar, repositioning its forces to get around restrictions on conducting airstrikes from an air base long used by the US in the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE informed the United States in February that it would no longer allow American Air Force aircraft and drones based at the Al-Dhafra air base to strike Yemen and Iraq.

"Restrictions have been imposed on strike missions against targets in Iraq and Yemen," a UAE official told the Wall Street Journal, adding, "These measures were taken in the interests of self-defense."

According to US officials, it was this decision that prompted the American command to send planes to the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, where there are no such bans.

As the newspaper notes, this situation highlights "growing tensions between Washington and some Gulf countries," which have allowed American troops to be based on their territory but are afraid of being drawn into a regional conflict.

6125**9417



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israeli regime says occupied Palestinian side of Rafah crossing

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Zionist regime's army claims to have occupied the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in the southern Gaza Strip.

According to the Palestinian Sama news agency, a spokesperson of the Zionist army claimed that its 401st Armored Brigade captured the Gaza border crossing with Egypt this morning.

A spokesperson for the committee of the Gaza Strip crossings also confirmed that the Rafah crossing has been closed due to the presence of the Zionist regime's tanks.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan Ayman Safadi warned on Tuesday that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu jeopardizes the ongoing talks on the prisoner swap and truce deal in Gaza.

"Tremendous effort has been made to produce an exchange deal that'll release hostages & realize a ceasefire. Hamas has put out an offer. If Netanyahu genuinely wants a deal, he will negotiate the offer in earnest. Instead, he is jeopardizing the deal by bombing Rafah," Safadi wrote on social media platform X.

On Monday night, the Jordanian foreign minister urged the international community to take effective measures in the face of a new wave of massacres in Rafah city.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh also announced on Monday that this movement accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

UN agencies and aid groups warn of the devastating consequences of any Israeli military assault on Rafah.

At least 12 people have been reported martyred in attacks on Rafah overnight as the Zionist regime's tanks have pushed close to Rafah's border crossing with Egypt.

At least 34,735 people have been martyred and 78,108 wounded in the Israeli regime's attacks on Gaza since October 7.

4208**4354



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iraqi resistance conducts 4th attack on Israeli-occupied territories

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iraq's Islamic Resistance has targeted a Zionist military base in its 4th attack on the Israeli-occupied territories in 12 hours.

The Iraqi resistance in a statement announced that its fighters conducted a drone strike against the Israeli air base in Eilat to confront the Zionist regime's occupation, help the residents of Gaza, and in response to the killing of the Palestinian civilians by the Zionists.

This is the fourth attack by the Iraqi resistance on occupied territories in less than 12 hours.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Iraqi resistance announced that the Israeli base "Jonathan" was targeted in a drone strike.

The umbrella group of resistance factions in Iraq also released a video of its drone attack on the air base of the Zionist military in the port of Eilat (Um al-Rasrash), south of occupied Palestine in the early hours of Monday.

Since the onset of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, regional resistance groups including Iraq's Islamic Resistance keep targeting US and Israeli interests.

9376**4354

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Zionist war cabinet okays Rafah invasion despite truce talks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's office said on Monday night that the Zionist regime's war cabinet has approved the ground invasion of the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

The war cabinet unanimously decided to continue the operation in Rafah in order to put military pressure on Hamas to release Israeli captives and achieve other goals, according IRNA citing media reports on the statement from Netanyahu's office.

Simultaneously with the continuation of the military operation in Rafah, the war cabinet decided to send the negotiating team to Cairo to review the proposal for a ceasefire, the statement said.

Soon after the statement, Daniel Hagari, spokesman of the Zionist regime's army though announced that forces launched a sudden attack on the eastern part of Rafah.

He did not specify the details but the Palestinian media reported that Israeli tanks shelled a building in the Rafah crossing. The report also said that Zionist tanks are in a state of battle and deployed just 200 meters from the Rafah crossing.

Earlier, a well-informed source in the Palestinian resistance warned the Israeli regime that any ground attack on the city of Rafah may lead to a halt in negotiations to reach a ceasefire.

The Hamas movement has emphasized that the threat of a ground attack on Rafah will not exert any pressure on the movement and will not have any positive effect on the peace negotiations, he said.

US opposed to Rafah offensive

However, the administration of US President Joe Biden has once again voiced concern for any potential Israeli attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

John Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator of the White House's National Security Council, said on Monday that the United States does not support a ground attack on Rafah without considering civilians.

We do not support ground military operations in Rafah that do not consider the safety of civilians, he said, adding that Netanyahu, in a conversation with Biden, pledged to reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing for aid to Gaza.

Regarding the acceptance of the ceasefire by Hamas, Kirby said that Washington is currently examining Hamas' response to this agreement and having dialogue with regional partners.

President Biden has been informed of Hamas' response, and we will evaluate it and discuss its consequences, he said.

Meanwhile, an American official revealed about the latest Israeli attack on Rafah on Tuesday morning but claimed that the new attack was likely not "a major military operation". The official, whose name was disclosed by Reuters, however expressed concern about any full-fledged Israeli attack on the city of Rafah

He added that the United States is focused on preventing a major military operation in Rafah, and it does not seem that the Israelis will do such a thing.

4399

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran welcomes Hamas' positive response to Gaza ceasefire plan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson has welcomed the response of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas movement to a plan put forth by parties mediating a ceasefire to stop the Zionist regime's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

According to IRNA, Nasser Kanaani, while hailing the Hamas' response to the peace proposal, described the move yet another manifestation of the resistance's political intelligence and its field strength.

The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the plan that has been presented for the realization of the rights of the Palestinian people, including the immediate and permanent cessation of the attacks and crimes of the Zionist regime, the lifting of the cruel blockade on Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the complete and unconditional withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces from the Strip as well as the reconstruction of war ruins, Kanaani said.

The Iranian foreign ministry's statement followed the Hamas' announcement on Monday night that it has agreed to Egypt and Qatar's proposal for a ceasefire.

According to IRNA, Hamas political bureau chief had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Seyed Abbas Kamel, the head of the Egyptian Intelligence, in which, he announced that Hamas agreed to the proposal put forth by the two negotiating countries on the Gaza ceasefire.

Media reports quoted one of the leaders of the Palestinian resistance that the mediators and the Hamas movement reached a new and firm formula regarding the establishment of a ceasefire.

The Zionist regime has yet to officially announce its response to the hard-fought political proposal to bring an end to war and bloodshed in Gaza.

4399



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iraqi resistance targets another Israeli base with drone

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iraq's Islamic Resistance has carried out yet another attack on an Israeli base in the north of the occupied territories in solidarity with Palestinians, especially the people in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Israeli base "Jonathan" was targeted with a drone, a second attack on the occupied territories in the past few hours, according to IRNA, citing the media of the Iraqi resistance forces.

The umbrella group of resistance factions in Iraq also released a video of its drone attack on the air base of the Zionist military in the port of Eilat (Um al-Rasrash), south of occupied Palestine in the early hours of Monday.

In a statement, the group said the strike on Eilat was part of its continued approach in confronting the occupation of the Zionist regime, helping the residents of Gaza and in response to the killing of Palestinian civilians.

The Islamic Resistance had also previously announced that it targeted an important Israeli position on the occupied Syrian Golan Heights with a drone.

Since the onset of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, regional resistance groups including Iraq's Islamic Resistance keep targeting US and Israeli interests.

According to the infographic recently published by the resistance media, the Islamic resistance of Iraq has carried out 243 attacks on 90 targets in Iraq, 65 attacks on targets in the occupied territories.

4399

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Group of experts publishes report on NATO's southern neighbourhood

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

07 May. 2024

Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana underlined the importance of NATO's southern neighbourhood at an event hosted by the German Marshall Fund in Brussels on Tuesday (7 May 2024). What happens in the region directly affects the security of the Euro-Atlantic region, he stressed.

At the event an independent group of experts appointed to support NATO's reflection on its southern neighbourhood published its final report and key findings, marking the end of its work. The report contains several recommendations to shape NATO's approach in areas including the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel.

The report can be accessed here.

The group of eleven experts, chaired by Professor Ana Santos Pinto, presented its findings to the North Atlantic Council in March and NATO Foreign Ministers provided feedback during their meeting in April. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has now presented concrete proposals to Allies, with the aim to agree a set of measures to strengthen the Alliance's approach to its southern neighbourhood in time for the NATO Summit in Washington in July.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya meets NATO Secretary General, addresses Allies

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

07 May. 2024

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya of Belarus to NATO HQ on Tuesday (7 May 2024) for an exchange of views. Ms Tsikhanouskaya also addressed the North Atlantic Council.

Mr Stoltenberg commended Ms Tsikhanouskaya's courage and leadership in standing up for democracy and human rights in Belarus. He expressed concern about the renewed crackdown by President Lukashenka's regime on the opposition and on civil society. The Secretary General reiterated that the people of Belarus have the right to live in freedom and democracy.

The Secretary General also discussed Ms Tsikhanouskaya's opposition to the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory. "Minsk's support has been instrumental to Russia, providing territory and infrastructure for Russian forces to attack Ukraine and sustain the war of aggression", he said. NATO Allies have called on Belarus to end its complicity in Russia's war and to comply with international law. Allies have also condemned Russia's announced intention to deploy nuclear weapons and nuclear capable systems on Belarusian territory.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israeli army takes control of Rafah crossing in Gaza

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 16:14, May 07, 2024

JERUSALEM, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said on Tuesday that it had started "a precise counterterrorism operation" in Rafah city in the south of the Gaza Strip and assumed "operational control" over the Rafah crossing in Gaza.

The crossing, which has served as a passage for humanitarian aid from Egypt to war-torn Gaza, was out of service.

Since the beginning of the assault overnight Monday, Israel said it has taken control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, with the Israeli forces killing at least 20 militants.

Israeli forces attacked the Rafah city from the ground and air, the military said, as residents reported heavy and relentless bombardments.

The military said it had struck "military structures, underground infrastructure, and three operational tunnel shafts."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Rafah crossing from Egyptian side closed indefinitely for aid, individual passage: source

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 16:13, May 07, 2024

CAIRO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The Rafah crossing, the only link between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, is closed for aid and individual passage indefinitely after an Israeli military operation close by from the Palestinian side early Tuesday, a high-ranking security source told Xinhua.

Bombing and strikes have not stopped in the eastern area of the Palestinian city Rafah that accommodates the crossing, and all workers in the crossing have left amid direct targeting by the Israeli forces, the source said on condition of anonymity because he was unauthorized to speak to the media.

"The movement of passengers and delivery of aid completely stopped to the Gaza Strip since yesterday evening," the source added.

He believed that the Israeli operation in search of Hamas tunnels and Israeli hostages might take a few days.

However, another security source confirmed to Xinhua that "Egypt has inquired about the Israeli incursion in the vicinity of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, and Israel responded that the operation will end on Tuesday morning," he said, adding that Israel will not break into the crossing or control it.

Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV channel reported that Israeli tanks stood at a close distance from the crossing in southern Gaza. "Three Israeli tanks are positioned 200 meters far from the crossing and bombarded the crossing wall. Meanwhile, sounds of firing and strikes were heard near the crossing."

Egypt will host a new round of talks with Hamas and Israel on Tuesday over the implementation of a three-stage ceasefire deal based on an Egyptian proposal that was agreed upon by Hamas.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iraq resistance carries out retaliatory attack in Israeli port city

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 11:24 PM

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says it has conducted a new retaliatory attack on an Israeli position in the occupied lands.

The Iraqi umbrella group of anti-terror groups announced in a statement published on its Telegram channel Tuesday.

The group confirmed it launched a drone attack on a vital target in the port city of Umm al-Rashrash, also known as Eilat, on Tuesday evening.

The resistance group said the operation was in response to the Israeli massacre of Palestinian civilians including women, children and the elderly in Gaza.

In early Tuesday, the resistance coalition also released a statement, saying it had struck the "Speer military site" in the occupied territories, "using drones."

Earlier, it had reported attacking three Israeli military bases in the occupied Palestinian territories and Syria's Tel Aviv-occupied Golan Heights, as well as the Leviathan gas platform in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of occupied Palestine.

The operations, the group said, came "in support of our people in Gaza, and in response to the massacres committed by the usurping entity against Palestinian civilians, including children, women, and the elderly."

The coalition was referring to the Israeli regime's October-present war against the Gaza Strip.

Nearly 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed so far as a result of the war that the regime began following a retaliatory operation by Gaza's resistance groups.

On Monday, the Iraqi resistance said it had targeted two Israeli military bases in the occupied territories with drones.

The Iraqi group vowed to continue retaliatory attacks on Israeli targets.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has conducted a series of retaliatory attacks against Israeli positions since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza in early October.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has also struck major American military bases in Syria and Iraq amid anger over the US support for Israel's onslaught on Gaza.

Israel started its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023 after the territory's resistance fighters carried out Operation al-Aqsa Storm against the apartheid regime in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

The Tel Aviv regime has also imposed a complete siege on the territory, cutting off fuel, medicine, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Forced displacement of Palestinians a war crime: UN rights office

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 6:35 PM

The UN human rights office says Israel has strict obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the safety of civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said on Tuesday, according to international law, Israel must ensure civilians have access to medical care, adequate food, safe water and sanitation.

"Failure to meet these obligations may amount to forced displacement, which is a war crime," Shamdasani said. "There are strong indications that this [Rafah offensive] is being conducted in violation of international humanitarian law."

The remarks came hours after Israeli forces seized the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in a push against the southern city.

The medical staff in the southern city say they are concerned by the closure of the Rafah crossing amid Israeli threats of a ground invasion.

The UN and aid agencies have urged Israel to halt Rafah incursion, warning Gaza is on brink of famine and needs humanitarian aid.

The UN human rights office says Israel has denied the agency access to two main crossings into the Gaza Strip, warning that only one day of fuel is available inside the territory.

Meanwhile, the UN rights chief said the latest Israeli order for Palestinians to evacuate eastern Rafah was inhuman.

Volker Turk warned Israel's failure to meet the obligations of international humanitarian law with regard to the displaced civilians may amount to a war crime.

The World Health Organization has also said the evacuation order will create an unprecedented level of humanitarian need.

Reactions are pouring in over the Israeli invasion of Rafah.

The EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has said he is dismayed by Israel's total disregard of calls from the international community.

China has also reacted to the invasion of Rafah. A foreign ministry spokesperson said Beijing strongly calls on Israel to heed the overwhelming demands of the international community and stop attacking Rafah.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UN chief urges Israel to halt escalation, engage in ceasefire talks

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 4:48 PM

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over Israel's military attack on the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, urging the occupying regime to stop further escalation and engage in the ongoing ceasefire talks.

Guterres made the remarks in a press conference on Tuesday, after the Israeli military shut down the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings with Egypt.

"I am disturbed and distressed by the renewed military activity in Rafah. The closure of both the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings is especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation. They must be re-opened immediately."

The UN chief further warned Israel that an assault on the southern city of Rafah would "be a strategic mistake, a political calamity, and a humanitarian nightmare."

He also called on the Israeli regime "to stop any escalation, and engage constructively in the ongoing diplomatic talks," stressing that "civilians have suffered enough death and destruction" since the war began in early October last year.

"Make no mistake - a full-scale assault on Rafah will be a human catastrophe," he said.

On Tuesday, the Israeli military seized control of the Rafah border crossing after advancing during the night through heavy bombardment of residential areas.

The incursion came after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators Qatar and Egypt.

About 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering in Rafah. The city had been designated a "safe zone" by the Israeli military.

Palestinians are now struggling to evacuate Rafah since the Israeli military dropped leaflets ordering them to leave.

UN agencies and humanitarian organizations are warning about the severe impact of an Israeli military operation in Rafah.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Hamas warns Israel's invasion of Rafah pushing region toward disaster

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 4:15 PM

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says the Israeli raid into Rafah in southern Gaza will exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe across the besieged territory.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the resistance movement said Israel's incursion into the Rafah crossing is aimed at undermining the ongoing ceasefire efforts.

Israeli forces have killed at least 35 civilians, including women and children, in 12 hours.

"By deciding to close the Rafah and Kerem Shalom [Karem Abu Salem] border crossing, Israel is leading the region toward a disaster and continues its policy of starvation and persecution of [Palestinians]," the statement read.

Reports say Rafah invasion would further displace more than 1 million Palestinians, cut off aid from the region, and block sick and wounded Palestinians from getting treatment outside the besieged territory.

The incursion came after Hamas said it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators Qatar and Egypt. But the regime says the proposed deal falls short of its demands. Israel says it will soon send a delegation to Egypt to discuss the proposal with mediators.

The Palestinian resistance movement said Benjamin Netanyahu only considers the interests of himself and his extremist cabinet.

Hamas holds US responsible for continuation of Israeli war

Elsewhere in the statement, Hamas held the administration of US President Joe Biden and the international community fully responsible for the continuation of hostilities.

Meanwhile, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority, called on the US to pressure Israel to abandon the Rafah invasion. He said the invasion threatens to double the suffering of Gaza's displaced population.

Abu Rudeineh censured the US for providing Israel with "weapons, money and political cover" even as it creates an "unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






World on edge as Netanyahu orders invasion of Rafah

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 3:42 PM

Global condemnation and concern mount as Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has ordered the military to proceed with the invasion of Rafah even as Hamas accepted a Qatari-Egyptian brokered ceasefire proposal.

Netanyahu brushed off urgent warnings from the international community and Israel's close allies and ordered the military to invade the southern city overnight, right after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas informed Qatari and Egyptian mediators that the group accepted their proposal for a ceasefire.

On Tuesday, the regime's military said it had sent tanks into Rafah and established control over the Gaza side of the border crossing with Egypt.

Rafah is home to about 1.4 million displaced Palestinians, who have taken refuge in the border town and its surroundings after they fled their hometowns elsewhere in the territory to escape the regime's onslaught and now face another move.

UN agencies and aid groups have already warned of devastating consequences of any military assault on the cramped border city.

UN chief calls for end to Gaza 'tragedy'

In his speech on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Guterres urged Israel's allies to press Netanyahu to stop the war on the besieged territory.

"I appeal to all those with influence over Israel to do everything in their power to help avert even more tragedy."

Guterres said, "It is time for the parties to seize the opportunity and secure a deal for the sake of their own people."

UN access to Rafah crossing 'denied' by Israel

In the meantime, the United Nations said the regime's authorities have denied access to the Rafah crossing.

"We currently do not have any physical presence at the Rafah crossing as our access ... has been denied," said Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN's humanitarian agency OCHA.

Rafah border closure means 'people will die'

Mustafa Barghouti, the secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, said Israel's closure of the Rafah border crossing will have a "terrible impact" on the people of Gaza.

He said the move will deplete already scarce humanitarian aid supplies and cut off the only exit point for thousands of sick and wounded Palestinians.

"People will die," Barghouti said. "Die because of these Israeli measures, in addition of course to the possible massacre that could take place if Israel continues its military operation in Rafah."

"It's a terrible disaster," he told Al Jazeera. "This all happens at a time when Hamas declares it has accepted the ceasefire agreement."

Rafah invasion added to Israel war crime records

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said in a post on X that the regime's ground operation against Rafah marks another war crime by Israel.

"By carrying out a ground attack on Rafah, just a day after Hamas approved Qatar and Egypt's proposal for a ceasefire deal, Israel has added another to the war crimes it has committed in Palestinian territories since October 7."

Yilmaz said Ankara vows to continue working for the Israeli leadership to be legally punished.

Another massacre of Palestinians in the making: Jordan

Jordan called for immediate, strong action by the UN Security Council to prevent another massacre in Rafah.

Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi took to the social media platform on Tuesday, warning that anther "massacre of the Palestinians is in the making."

"Israel is warning Palestinians to leave Rafah as it threatens an attack. All must act now to prevent it."

Egypt vehemently denounces Rafah invasion

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Cairo "vehemently denounces the Israeli military operation in Palestine Rafah, which has resulted in Israel controlling the Palestinian side of the border."

The ministry deplored such dangerous escalation which threatens the lives of over one million Palestinians depending on the crossing as an artery of life.

It urged all impactful international players to intervene and exercise pressure to defuse the current crisis and offer a chance for diplomatic efforts to reach the aspired goals.

ICC urged to issue arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Rashida Rlain, the only Palestinian-American lawmaker in the US Congress, called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for the head of the regime and other senior Israeli officials.

Tlaib said on Tuesday ICC has to "finally hold them accountable for this genocide, as is obviously warranted by these well-documented violations of the Genocide Convention under international law."

He said the United States is "actively participating in genocide."

"For months, Netanyahu made his intent to invade Rafah clear, yet the majority of my colleagues and President Biden sent more weapons to enable the massacre."

Last month, Biden authorized the transfer of over 1,000 500-pound bombs and over 1,000 small-diameter bombs to Israel, CNN cited sources familiar with the matter.

Palestinians are human being, not pawns

Amnesty International warned Tuesday that Israel's long-threatened ground operation in Rafah would further compound "the unspeakable suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza."

"Palestinian civilians in Gaza are human beings, not pawns to be moved around a chessboard at the whim of the Israeli authorities."

"The notion that displaced civilians are safe anywhere in Gaza has proved a fallacy time and again as the Israeli military has attacked areas it had previously designated as safe."

On Monday, Israel's military issued a call for residents and displaced people to evacuate eastern neighborhoods of Rafah.

1.5 million people 'cannot simply vanish into thin air': Germany

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on X, "I warn against a major offensive on Rafah," in a message on X.

She said, "A million people cannot simply vanish into thin air. They need protection. They need more humanitarian aid urgently... the Rafah and Kerem Shalom [Karem Abu Salem] border crossings must immediately be reopened."

Brazil slams Israel for not respecting human rights

The Brazilian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that by invading Rafah, Tel Aviv once again "shows disregard for respecting the basic principles of human rights and humanitarian law."

It said Israel "deliberately escalate[s] the conflict in an area where there is a high concentration of civilian population."

Brazil urged the UN Security Council to overcome the indifference and paralysis that have allowed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza to deepen.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






In attacking Rafah, Israel is sabotaging global efforts to stop Gaza war: Iran

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 2:29 PM

Iran has strongly condemned Israel's incursion into the densely-populated city of Rafah in southern Gaza despite international warnings that it would create a humanitarian catastrophe.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said the move is aimed at sabotaging international efforts to stop the regime's genocidal war in Gaza.

The Iranian official made the remarks in a statement on Tuesday, after Israeli forces seized control of the Rafah border crossing, cutting off a vital route for humanitarian aid for an estimated 1.5 million Palestinians sheltering in the city bordering Egypt.

Kan'ani said Israel's invasion of the crossing shows the savagery of a rogue regime holding no commitment to any international norm and threatening international peace and security.

"This move by the (Israeli) regime has been made to render international efforts at the cessation of war and ending the genocide in Gaza futile and with the sole purpose of serving the individual and collective interests of the Zionists," he said.

The Iranian official reiterated that the key to peace and security in the region is the "immediate and unconditional" cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.

He urged all international actors to mount pressure on the Israeli regime to stop the war.

Kan'ani said the responsibility for the crimes and bloodshed in Rafah lies with the Israeli regime and its main supporter, the United States.

"Iran once again calls on the international legal institutions to investigate the crimes against humanity committed by the apartheid regime and to bring its leaders to trial."

The Israeli military seized control of the Rafah border crossing after advancing during the night through heavy bombardment of residential areas.

The regime says it would continue the operation in Rafah regardless of an agreement by the resistance movement Hamas to a ceasefire proposal put forward by Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

About 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering in Rafah. The city had been designated a "safe zone" by the Israeli military.

Palestinians are now struggling to evacuate Rafah since the Israeli military dropped leaflets ordering them to leave.

UN agencies and humanitarian organizations are cautioning about the severe impact of an Israeli military operation in Rafah.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israel exacerbating crisis by blocking aid, targeting hospitals and schools: Gaza media office

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 11:11 AM

Gaza's media office says the Israeli regime is intentionally worsening the humanitarian crisis by blocking aid entry, after shutting down the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings with Egypt, and is attacking hospitals and schools in the eastern part of the border.

Tel Aviv's occupation regime has opted to intensify the humanitarian crisis by escalating the genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of over 35 civilians, including women and children, within the past 12 hours, a brutal campaign spanning from the northern to the southern regions of the Gaza Strip.

"The occupation has also halted the entry of aid and closed the Rafah and "Kerem Shalom" crossings. It has put hospitals out of service and targeted schools sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced people by designating them as targets," Gaza government's media office said.

It reported the situation in the eastern part of the Rafah governorate indicates a severe humanitarian crisis, not only limited to Rafah but also affecting all the governorates in the Gaza Strip, which have been enduring a prolonged period of distress, characterized by widespread hunger, deprivation, and a critical lack of essential resources and assistance for the past seven months.

The Israeli occupation forces' decision to cease assistance and shut down the border crossings has significantly exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, requiring swift and urgent international action to compel the occupying force to cease its aggression, end the violence, and put an end to the genocidal conflict targeting innocent civilians, including children and women.

While condemning the brutal occupation's atrocities against Gazans by barring the border gates and halting aid, the media cell accused the United States and the international communities responsible for enabling Israel commit the horrendous acts of crimes against humanity.

"We hold the American administration, the international community, and the Israeli occupation fully responsible for this ongoing aggression against the civilians of our Palestinian people, and for the continuation of the genocide in which the American administration is engaged and which the international community has failed to stop over the course of seven continuous months," it said.

It further urged the world nations to "condemn this new crime" by pressuring Tel Aviv against escalating its unending genocide, and to make aid accessible to Gazans by unlocking the gates at the Rafah border.

"We urge the whole world to condemn this new crime of forced eviction of homes and properties and the threat to continue killing and committing massacres against civilians, especially children and women," Gaza's media wing said.

"We demand that all free countries of the world pressure the occupation to stop the aggression on Rafah, stop the genocide war, and open the crossings for the movement of travelers, goods, and aid, before a real humanitarian disaster occurs in the eastern part of the Rafah governorate, a disaster for which the world would bear responsibility."

On Monday, despite international warnings and Hamas's accepting a ceasefire proposal put forward by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, Israel launched its full scale invasion against the Rafah border crossing by pounding the area early Tuesday and deploying military tanks.

UN agencies and humanitarian organizations are cautioning about the severe impact that an Israeli military operation in Rafah could have, following the evacuation orders given to tens of thousands of Palestinians.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






May 6: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 7:19 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 34,700 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 Monday, May 6, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on May 6:

Bombed a gathering of Israeli forces positioned in the "Netzarim" axis with 107mm short-range rockets.

In a joint operation with the Martyr Jihad Jibril Brigades, targeted Israeli military positions in the "Netzarim" axis with a barrage of mortar shells.

Targeted a gathering of Israeli forces positioned on the "Netzarim" axis with the Rajoom rocket system.

Targeted Israeli soldiers positioned on the "Netzarim" axis with 107-type rockets in a joint operation with the Al-Quds Brigades.

In a joint operation with the Martyr Jihad Jibril Brigades, targeted the Israeli command and control room in the "Netzarim" axis with 107-type short-range rockets.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on May 6:

Bombed positions of Israeli forces and their military vehicles in the "Netzarim" axis with a barrage of heavy-caliber mortar shells

Targeted a gathering of Israeli forces positioned on the "Netzarim" axis with concentrated rocket barrages from multiple axes.

Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with several mortar shells on the "Netzarim" axis, south of Gaza City.

Bombed several positions of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in the "Netzarim" axis with a barrage of heavy-caliber mortar shells.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli soldiers after they stormed the Askar camp and the vicinity of Balata camp, east of the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, with machine guns.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on May 6:

Launched a barrage of rockets at "Sderot," "Nir Am," and the settlements of the Gaza envelope.

Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles south of the Sheikh Ajlin area in the "Netzarim" axis, southwest of Gaza City, with a barrage of mortar shells.

Bombed "Sderot", "Meflasim" and the settlements of the Gaza envelope with rockets.

Sniped an Israeli regime soldier east of the Shuja'iyya neighborhood in Gaza City

Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in the "Netzarim" axis with a volley of heavy-caliber mortar shells.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on May 6:

Bombed the command and control headquarters of the Israeli military in the "Netzarim" axis with a barrage of rockets for the second time in 24 hours.

In a joint operation with the Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, bombed the headquarters of the Israeli forces in the "Netzarim" axis with a barrage of short-range rockets

Martyr Jihad Jibril Brigades' operations on May 6:

In a joint operation with the Al-Qassam Brigades, targeted Israeli forces positioned on the "Netzarim" axis with a barrage of mortar shells.

Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades' operations on May 6:

Bombed a gathering of Israeli forces in the "Netzarim" axis with rocket shells.

In a joint operation with the Mujahideen Brigades, bombed the headquarters of the Israeli military in the "Netzarim" axis with short-range rockets

Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on May 6:

A barrage of heavy-caliber mortar shells were fired at the "Sofa" military site of the Israeli army, destroying many military vehicles.

In a joint operation with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and the Martyr Abdel Qader Al-Husseini Brigades, bombed the "Zikim" military site with C5K rockets.

Al-Asifah Forces' operations on May 6:

Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles along the supply line of the "Netzarim" axis with a barrage of heavy-mortar shells.

Hezbollah's operations on May 6:



Eastern sector:

At around 09:00 local time, the headquarters of the Golan Division (210) of the Israel military at Nafah base was targeted with dozens of Katyusha rockets.

At around 11:30 local time, Israeli soldiers south of the Metula settlement were targeted with a barrage of drones.

Western sector:

At around 12:05 local time, the surveillance equipment of the Israeli forces at the Hadab Yarin site was targeted with appropriate weapons.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq's operations on May 6:

Targeted the "Yarden" base of the Israeli military in the occupied Golan with a barrage of drones.

Targeted the "Yonatan" base of the Israeli military in occupied Palestinian territories with a barrage of drones.

Targeted the "Leviathan" gas platform of the Israeli regime in the occupied Palestinian territories with a barrage of drones.

Targeted the Asqalan Oil Port in occupied Palestinian territories with an Arqab advanced cruise missile.

Targeted an Israeli military facility in the occupied Palestinian territories with drones.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israeli forces capture Rafah crossing as tanks roll in after heavy bombardment

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 6:25 AM

The Israeli military says it has taken full control of the Rafah crossing, which borders Egypt.

Israeli tanks took over the crossing after advancing during the night following heavy bombardment of residential areas.

The military said the crossing is now disconnected from the Salah a-Din road in eastern Rafah, which was seized before.

Tel Aviv said it would continue the operation in Rafah even after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said it had agreed to a proposal on ceasefire in Gaza put forward by Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

Earlier, Israeli military aircraft heavily bombed Rafah accompanied with ground advances shortly after Hamas said it had accepted the ceasefire proposal.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa and Egyptian media said Israeli military vehicles advanced towards the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, as well as the Karem Shalom crossing with the Israeli-occupied territories.

A Palestinian security official and an Egyptian authority have told the Associated Press news agency that Israeli tanks have entered Rafah, reaching as close as 200 meters from Rafah's border crossing with neighboring Egypt.

The Israeli military has said it was conducting "targeted strikes" against Hamas in eastern Rafah.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has also said "Israel is continuing the operation in Rafah to exert military pressure on Hamas" in order to advance the release of captives and what it called "the other objectives of the war."

In the meantime, it described the proposal on ceasefire as "far from Israel's essential demands," but added that it would send negotiators for talks "to exhaust the potential for arriving at an agreement."

The military strikes on Rafah came ahead of talks in Egypt on Tuesday aimed at sealing a truce proposal accepted by Hamas, which was put forward by Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

According to a copy of the proposal, there will be three phases to ending Israel's onslaught against Gaza.

The first phase calls for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Netzarim corridor and the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes. The second phase involves an announcement of a permanent cessation of military operations. In the last phase, there would be a complete end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip.

In return, Israel would be required to release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners, withdraw its troops from certain regions of the Gaza Strip, and allow Palestinians to travel from the south of the coastal sliver to the north.

About 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering in Rafah, once designated a "safe zone" by the Israeli military. Palestinians are now struggling to evacuate the city, after the Israeli military dropped leaflets ordering them to leave as a large-scale assault on the city is planned.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that a ground invasion of Rafah would be "intolerable" and called on Israel and Hamas "to go an extra mile" to reach a truce deal.

"This is an opportunity that cannot be missed, and a ground invasion in Rafah would be intolerable because of its devastating humanitarian consequences, and because of its destabilizing impact in the region," Guterres told reporters on Monday ahead of a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in New York.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has also warned that Israel is "jeopardizing the deal by bombing Rafah."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UN: Israeli invasion of Rafah would be 'intolerable'

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 12:08 AM

The United Nations has once again strongly warned the Israeli regime against going ahead with a ground invasion that it has threatened to carry out against the refugee-packed city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

"This is an opportunity that cannot be missed, and a ground invasion in Rafah would be intolerable," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday.

Guterres discouraged the invasion "because of its devastating humanitarian consequences, and because of its destabilizing impact in the region."

Also on Monday, the Israeli regime began forcibly evacuating around 100,000 Palestinians from the eastern part of Rafah amid the prospect of the invasion.

The city is hosting around 1.5 million Palestinians, who are taking refuge there after fleeing from the ravages of a devastating war that the regime has been waging against Gaza since October 7.

Nearly 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed so far as a result of the war that the regime began following a retaliatory operation by Gaza's resistance groups.

Guterres called on the Israeli regime and the Gaza-based resistance movement of Hamas, which are engaged in indirect negotiations aimed at agreeing on a potential ceasefire, "to go an extra mile" to reach a deal.

Earlier in the day, Hamas said it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal that has been put forward by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, however, said that the proposal was "far from Israel's essential demands."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Philippine naval commander takes leave amid alleged South China Sea deal

The Philippine military denies link to alleged agreement between Manila and Beijing over Second Thomas Shoal.

By Camille Elemia for BenarNews 2024.05.07 -- The military commander who oversees most Philippine-claimed territories in the South China Sea took a leave of absence days after Beijing claimed that his regional command and other government agencies had agreed with it on a "new model" for resupply missions to a contested shoal.

Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, chief of the Western Command, or WESCOM, filed for a personal leave, but it had no connection to the controversy focused on maritime missions to a Philippine outpost at Second Thomas Shoal, also called the Ayungin Shoal, according to a military spokeswoman.

"Let's respect his decision. It is an inherent right of every individual to go on leave for whatever reasons," Col. France Margareth Padilla told reporters on Tuesday.

Carlos will return to his post after his personal leave, Padilla said, although it was not clear when he had filed for leave. Carlos did not immediately respond to requests for comment from BenarNews.

On May 4, the military designated Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr. as the acting WESCOM commander, effective May 6. Torres will also continue to handle his duties as commander of the Naval Education and Training Command in San Antonio, Zambales province, according to Padilla.

The Department of National Defense said it had no information to share on the matter.

WESCOM oversees Manila's defense of the Palawan and Kalayaan islands, including the disputed Spratly chain.

Second Thomas Shoal is claimed by the Philippines, China, Taiwan and Vietnam. In 1999, Manila deliberately grounded an old navy ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, to serve as its military outpost at the shoal.

The Philippines regularly dispatches boats to the Sierra Madre to deliver fresh supplies to military personnel stationed on board.

No deal

In recent days, China claimed that Manila and Beijing had agreed on a model for resupply missions to the Second Thomas Shoal "after multiple rounds of discussions through the diplomatic channel and the AFP WESCOM."

"The Philippine military has made repeated confirmation[s] that the new model has been approved by all key officials in the Philippine chain of command, including the Secretary of National Defense and the National Security Advisor," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a press briefing on Monday.

Lin said that the Philippines had carried out one resupply mission under this new model on Feb. 2, 2023, "before abandoning it as well."

But the Philippines' defense and foreign affairs departments, as well as the National Security Council, denied having struck such a deal with Beijing on Second Thomas Shoal.

"The [Department of Foreign Affairs] wishes to emphasize that only the President of the Republic of the Philippines can approve or authorize agreements entered into by the Philippine government on matters pertaining to the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea," the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.

The West Philippine Sea is how Manila refers to South China Sea waters that lie within its exclusive economic zone.

The department "can confirm that no cabinet-level official of the Marcos administration has agreed to any proposal pertaining to the Ayungin Shoal. As far as the Philippine government is concerned, no such document, record or deal exists, as purported by the Chinese Embassy," it said.

Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general at the Philippine National Security Council, said there was no reason to probe Carlos over China's alleged deal with his military command.

Carlos, he added, was a decorated officer with the Philippine Navy.

"I don't think there is any cause for the investigation because this narrative coming from China is simply ... there to create dissent and sow disinformation to our fellow Filipinos," Malaya said in a televised briefing on Monday.

Duterte-Xi deal on Scarborough Shoal

There were other informal or undocumented deals, according to China.

On May 4, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Beijing had entered into an unwritten 2016 deal with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, allowing small-scale fishing around Scarborough Shoal  another disputed area in the South China Sea  while restricting entry of government ships and planes within 12 nautical miles of the resource-rich shoal.

No less than Duterte himself alluded to this in October 2016 after returning from his state visit to China. Duterte said that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had discussed Filipinos' fishing rights in the Scarborough Shoal, which has been under China's effective control since 2012. He, however, refused to give details because the meeting was confidential.

In 2022, fishermen told BenarNews that they were able to move more freely  although still under the watchful eyes of the China Coast Guard  near the shoal during the Duterte administration.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said that the Philippines had abided with the deal for several years until the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disrupted the arrangement.

Marcos Jr. earlier denied knowing of any secret arrangements with China on the West Philippine Sea and said he would seek clarification from officials of the Duterte administration.

Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the South China Sea, also denied the existence of an unwritten deal under the Marcos administration.

"Let us not be influenced by their fabricated stories once again, which aim to confuse the Filipino people and divert the public discourse from the real issue of their harassment and provocative actions in Bajo De Masinloc," he said, referring to Scarborough Shoal.

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






Biden Welcomes Romania's Iohannis To White House, Praises Efforts To Aid Ukraine

By RFE/RL May 07, 2024

U.S. President Joe Biden on May 7 welcomed Romanian President Klaus Iohannis to the White House, praising him for allowing NATO troops to be stationed in his country and for Bucharest's support for Ukraine in that nation's battle against Russia's full-scale invasion.

The meeting, part of Iohannis's three-day U.S. trip, was timed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Romania joining the NATO military alliance.

"The United States is committed to standing with you," Biden told Iohannis in the Oval Office.

As the meeting began, Biden joked that he had pressed for Romania's NATO membership when he was a senator "180 years ago." Some Biden critics have said that the 81-year-old president is too old to run for reelection in the November presidential race.

Biden said that the United States and Romanian fought and trained alongside each other during various deployments over the years and he thanked Romania for having "stepped up" efforts to aid Kyiv in its war against Russia's invasion.

Iohannis called the NATO alliance "a cornerstone of our democratic way of life" and said the most important issue of the day was "to find a way to reinstall peace" in Europe and ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn't win in his invasion of Ukraine.

Following his talks with Biden, the Romanian leader said he was open to supplying Ukraine with U.S.-made Patriot air-defense missiles.

Germany and Spain have vowed to send additional Patriot systems to Ukraine.

Other NATO nations -- including Romania, Greece, the Netherlands, and Sweden -- also have systems, and Kyiv has appealed for additional weapons to bolster its air defenses.

"There has been a discussion about who can send Patriot systems to Ukraine," Iohannis told reporters. "President Biden mentioned it...in our meeting, and I said I was open to discussion."

"I must discuss it in the Supreme Defense Council to see what we can offer and what we can get in return, because it is unacceptable to leave Romania without air defenses."

Iohannis is also scheduled to receive the Distinguished International Leadership Award for 2024 at the Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Award gala.

In March, Iohannis -- whose presidential term ends in December -- expressed his desire to run for the post of NATO secretary-general to succeed Jens Stoltenberg.

Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is considered the favorite to replace Stoltenberg and reportedly has the support of most NATO members, including the United States.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby, when asked earlier about the NATO post, said, "Nothing's changed about our support for Mr. Rutte to be the next secretary-general."

The Romanian president is at the White House for the second time, after his visit during his first term in 2019, when Donald Trump was president.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Romanian Service, AP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-iohannis-biden- ukraine-nato/32937068.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






Locals Protest After Taliban Crackdown Roils Northeast Afghan Province

By Faiza Ibrahimi May 07, 2024

Residents of two remote districts in the northeastern Afghan province of Badakhshan have demanded more accountability and better treatment from the authorities after a Taliban crackdown on protests killed at least two people.

Protests broke on May 3 and 4 in the Darayim and Argo districts when the Taliban attempted to forcefully eradicate the poppy crop. The hard-line Islamist group banned poppy cultivation in April 2022 after returning to power in August 2021.

"People are willing to cooperate in eradicating their opium crops peacefully," Shamsuddin Mubarez, a young activist in Argo, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi on May 6.

"People responsible for destroying the poppy crops should be locals from Badakhshan," he added while outlining their demands.

A resolution adopted by the residents of Argo also demands that Taliban authorities arrest and punish the perpetrators of the shooting that killed Abdul Basit, 23, a local farmer.

In Darayim, a resident speaking on condition of anonymity said that residents refused to talk to a Taliban delegation made up of provincial officials on May 5.

Nizamuddin, a farmer in Darayim's Qarlaq village, was killed. Three more protesters were injured after the Taliban fighters attempted to quell the protest that erupted after they began destroying the poppy crop on May 3.

"People want the Taliban government to hear our voice," a resident of Darayim told Radio Azadi. "But they acted dictatorially and didn't listen to us."

Abdul Matin Qane, the spokesman for the Taliban-led Interior Ministry, told the BBC that local demands for prosecuting the Taliban security forces responsible for the killings in Badakhshan were "completely justified."

The Taliban government has appointed its army's chief of staff, Fasihuddin Fitrat, a native of Badakhshan, to head a delegation to negotiate with the protesting farmers in the province.

In a purported audio message on May 6, he urged locals to "urgently" end their protests because their agitation would be seen as a rebellion, which could prompt the Taliban to send security forces to quell any unrest.

At least one person was killed in similar protests in Badakhshan last year.

The Taliban ban has pushed the price of illicit opium in Afghanistan to $1,000. But it has pushed tens of thousands of impoverished farmers to extreme poverty because poppies were the best cash crop in the arid, mountainous country.

The Talibans internationally isolated government has so far failed to attract any significant international aid or investments to help Afghan poppy farmers.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-badakhshan- crackdown-poppy-farmers/32936636.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






Norway To Aid Moldova's Drive Toward Energy Independence

By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service May 07, 2024

Norway and Moldova on May 7 signed an agreement to strengthen their cooperation in the energy sector and step up the Southeastern European country's energy security.

The memorandum of understanding was signed in Oslo by Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland and his Moldovan counterpart, Victor Parlicov, on the sidelines of a two-day state visit to Norway by Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

Moldova's energy sector has been reliant on Russia ever since the former Soviet republic declared independence in 1991, and Russia, through its state-controlled gas monopoly Gazprom, has used Chisinau's dependence on Russian supplies as a tool for political pressure.

With the pro-Western Sandu's accession to the presidency following the defeat of Moscow-backed incumbent Igor Dodon in 2020, Moldova has embarked on a path to limit Russia's influence, especially since the Kremlin's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, with which it shares a 1,2220-kilometer border.

Gas- and oil-rich Norway has become Europe's top gas supplier since the invasion, with Russian exports falling under Western sanctions.

Since the start of the war, Chisinau has also benefited from a $6.8 billion financial aid program launched by Oslo to support Ukraine that includes funding for Moldova as a country affected by the war. Under the program, Chisinau was given some $36.87 million to purchase gas last year.

To reduce its dependence on Russian gas, Chisinau has also been moving aggressively toward renewable energy sources, managing to increase the share of solar- and wind-generated electricity threefold from 2021 until last year, when it amounted to 10.5 percent of the total, official figures show.

In line with this trend, the memorandum signed in Oslo on May 7, while mentioning the need of secure gas supplies, is centered on the further development of "energy efficiency, renewable energy, and smart digital solutions for the green energy transition as areas of cooperation," the Norwegian government said in a statement.

Furthermore, the Norwegian government announced in a separate statement an extra $32.2 million in assistance to Moldova under the Ukraine aid program.

"I am both proud and humbled that Moldova seeks a closer partnership with Norway in the energy sector. I believe Norway and Norwegian companies have something significant to offer Moldova for their challenges within energy," Aasland said after the signing of the memorandum.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/chisinau-sandu- norway-energy/32936456.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






China, France Call for Cessation of Attacks on Civilian Ships in Red Sea

Sputnik News

20240507

BEIJING (Sputnik) - China and France call for an immediate end to attacks on the civilian vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the countries said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

"The heads of the both countries stressed the importance of preserving freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and called for an immediate cessation of attacks on the civilian ships in order to protect maritime security and global trade, preventing regional tensions, humanitarian and ecological risks," the document, published by the Chinese government, read.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a visit to France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5-10 at the invitation of the European leaders. His first trip to Europe in nearly five years comes as the European Union continues piling pressure on Beijing over its support and cooperation with Russia. On Sunday, the Chinese leader arrived in France, where he will stay until Wednesday.

Yemen's Houthi rebels vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until it halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. This led the US to announce a multinational operation in December for carrying out strikes against Houthi targets in order to degrade the rebel movement's capacity to target commercial vessels. The EU launched its own mission in February.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israel Declines Ceasefire Proposal, Continues Rafah Operation to Pressure Hamas

Sputnik News

20240507

TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - The Israeli war cabinet has unanimously decided to continue operation in Rafah in southern Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas on the issue of release of hostages, the government's press office said on Monday.

"The war cabinet unanimously decided that Israel continues the operation in Rafah in order to put military pressure on Hamas, to facilitate the release of our hostages and to achieve other war objectives. At the same time, even though the Hamas proposal is far from Israel's mandatory requirements, Israel will send a delegation to the talks to seize the opportunity to reach an agreement on terms acceptable to Israel," the press office said.

The Israeli military carried out strikes against targets belonging to the Hamas movement in the eastern Rafah on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

"The IDF is currently conducting targeted strikes against Hamas terror targets in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Details to follow," the IDF wrote on its Telegram channel.

Palestinian movement Hamas agreed to release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners as part of the first stage of the ceasefire deal, according to a document obtained by Sputnik.

"As part of the first stage, Hamas will release 33 Israeli prisoners (alive or dead) from among women (civilians and female soldiers), children (under the age of 19, excluding soldiers), elderly persons (over 50 years old) and sick persons in exchange for a number of prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention centers," the document said.

Palestinian movement Hamas is ready to exchange every captured female Israel Defense Forces soldier for 50 Palestinian prisoners as part of the first stage of the ceasefire agreement, according to the document.

"Hamas will release all surviving Israeli female soldiers, Israel will release 50 inmates from its prisons for every Israeli female soldier released (30 life prisoners, 20 convicts) from the lists provided by Hamas," the document said.

Moreover, the ceasefire agreement with Israel, approved by Palestinian movement Hamas, allows at least 50 of the movement's fighters to leave the Gaza Strip for treatment as part of the first stage of the deal, the document said.

"Starting from the first day of this phase, an agreed number (at least 50) of wounded military personnel will be allowed to pass through the Rafah border crossing to receive medical care abroad," the document said.

In addition, the Rafah checkpoint will be expanded, exit restrictions will be lifted, and the movement of goods and trade will be carried out without limitations, the document added.

The ceasefire deal provides for a complete cessation of hostilities in the second month from the moment it comes into force, according to the document.

"Announcement of the restoration of a sustainable ceasefire (permanent cessation of military and hostile operations) and its entry into force until the exchange of hostages and prisoners between the two sides from among all surviving Israeli men (civilians and soldiers) ... as well as a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip," the document said.

The third phase of the Hamas-approved agreement with Israel provides for complete lifting of blockade on the Gaza Strip and envisages restoration of the exclave within 3-5 years.

On Monday, Hamas said that it had agreed to the provisions of the Gaza ceasefire deal, proposed by mediators from Egypt and Qatar. The deal will include three stages, each lasting 42 days. The movement added that it now awaits Israel's response.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Secretary Blinken's Call with President-elect Mulino of Panama

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

May 7, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Panamanian President-elect Jose Raul Mulino by phone today. Secretary Blinken and the President-elect discussed the importance of working together to safely and humanely manage migration. Secretary Blinken underscored strong U.S. support for Panama's efforts to tackle corruption and organized crime and expressed the U.S. commitment to ensuring the continued success of the Panama Canal, including support for efforts to enhance the Canal's resilience to climate change. The Secretary and the President-elect affirmed that bilateral cooperation is essential to ensure economic development and the region's future prosperity.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Guatemalan President Arevalo

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

May 7, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo. The Secretary thanked President Arevalo for hosting the third Ministerial meeting of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. The Secretary and President Arevalo emphasized the importance of lawful pathways, robust border enforcement, and safe, orderly, and humane migration options. Expanding options and pathways benefits regional competitiveness and complements U.S. efforts under the Root Causes Strategy. The Secretary and President Arevalo also reinforced their shared commitment to enhance democracy, inclusive economic prosperity, and security in Guatemala and the region.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UNRWA Situation Report #106 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 25-28 April 2024, is valid as of 29-5 May 2024, is valid as of 5 May 2024 at 22:30 (local time)

UNRWA

7 May 2024

Day 206-212 of Hostilities

Key Points

Israeli Security Forces (ISF) operations from air, land and sea continue across the Gaza Strip, resulting in further civilian casualties, infrastructure damage and displacement.

On 5 May, UNRWA's Commissioner-General released a statement highlighting the continual denial of humanitarian access by the Israeli Authorities, which is in violation of humanitarian law. For the second time UNRWA Commissioner-General has been denied entry to the Gaza Strip to meet UNRWA teams including those on the front line. Over the past two weeks, UNRWA has recorded over 10 incidents involving shooting at convoys and bullying and harassment of UN staff.

On 30 April, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of "serious" consequences of a potential military operation on Rafah. Similarly on 3 May, the Global Protection Cluster released a statement that up to 2.3 million people in the Gaza Strip face death and injury from Israeli strikes, explosive ordnances and collapsing buildings. They added that the potential military incursion in Rafah and the magnitude of consequences make the already catastrophic situation impossible.

On 3 May, WHO confirmed[1] that only one third of Gaza's 36 hospitals and 30 per cent of primary health care centers are functional in some capacity amid repeated attacks and shortages of vital medical supplies, fuel, and staff. UNRWA currently operates eight out of 23 health centres across the Gaza Strip.

On 1 May, OCHA released its weekly Humanitarian Needs and Response Update. Across Health, Education, Protection, Education and Nutrition Clusters, the same challenges continue to persist, with continued restrictions on the entry of critical lifesaving supplies and/or continued access and security concerns.

In April, the highest volume of humanitarian and commercial supplies entered the Gaza Strip since the opening of land routes on 21 October 2023. The total number of trucks in April was 5,671 trucks (an average of 189 trucks per day) via Kerem Shalom and Rafah land crossings into the Gaza Strip. The first five days of May have seen a greater number of trucks entering with an average of 252 trucks per day. This is still much less than the daily average of 500 trucks per day needed.

As of 5 May, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is 188, an increase of six since the last report.

As of 5 May, up to 1.7 million* people (over 75 per cent of the population)** have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, the majority multiple times.*** Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. Following intense Israeli bombardments and fighting in Khan Younis and the Middle Area in recent weeks, a significant number of displaced people have moved further south.

*This includes 1 million people living in or near emergency shelters or informal shelters. As of 12 October, approximately 160,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were recorded in UNRWA shelters in Northern Gaza and Gaza City governorates. UNRWA currently estimates that the population of Northern Gaza and Gaza City governorates is up to 300,000 people. The ability of UNRWA to provide humanitarian support and updated data in these areas has been severely restricted. The ongoing hostilities, evacuation orders issued by ISF, and the constant need for safer locations have resulted in people being displaced multiple times.

**UNRWA reported on 15 January in Situation Report 64 that up to 1.9 million IDPs were either residing in 154 UNRWA shelters or near these shelters. Due to the continued escalation of fighting and evacuation orders, some households have moved away from the shelters where they were initially registered.

*** There are instances where the same IDPs are registered in multiple shelters due to the fluid movement of populations; hereafter, estimates are used for these shelters. UNRWA plans to conduct a more accurate count of IDPs in shelters, including informal shelters, as soon as the security situation allows.

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem update will shift to once a week, every Monday.

Between 29 April and 5 May there were at least 159 ISF search and arrest operations recorded across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. At least 105 Palestinians, including Palestine Refugees, were detained during this period. At least five Palestinians were reportedly killed in Deir al Ghusun, in the northern West Bank, on the night of 3-4 May following an exchange of fire between ISF and Palestinians. Anti-tank grenades were used against a house targeted in an ISF operation. A resident of Nur Shams Camp was killed in an exchange of fire with the Palestinian National Security Forces (PSF) on 1 Mayin Tulkarm, in the northern West Bank.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israeli troops seize Gaza side of Rafah crossing; US hopeful of progress in cease-fire talks

By VOA News May 07, 2024

The White House expressed hope Tuesday that Israel and Hamas could close any gaps in cease-fire negotiations, as Israel warned it could "deepen" its operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah if talks fail to secure the release of hostages.

"A close assessment of the two sides' positions suggests that they should be able to close the remaining gaps, and we're going to do everything we can to support that process," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Israel's military said Tuesday its forces had taken control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, a day after ordering tens of thousands of Palestinians to leave the area and launching repeated airstrikes.

The Israeli operation comes after weeks of Israeli officials saying an offensive in Rafah was necessary to achieve their goal of defeating Hamas, while the United States, the United Nations and others warned that launching an offensive in an area crowded with Palestinian civilians could create a humanitarian disaster.

Kirby said Israeli officials have indicated the operation was limited in scope.

But Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned of more extensive operations in Rafah unless cease-fire talks taking place in Cairo result in the release of hostages held by Hamas.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said an assault on Rafah would be a "strategic mistake, a political calamity, and a humanitarian nightmare" at a time when famine is looming over northern Gaza.

"It would be tragic if weeks of intense diplomatic activity for peace in Gaza yields no cease-fire, no release of hostages, and a devastating offensive in Rafah," he told reporters at the United Nations.

He urged both the Israeli government and Hamas to show "the political courage" to secure a deal and stop the bloodshed and urged countries with influence over the parties to use it.

He said the two main aid crossings into Gaza  Rafah and Kerem Shalom  must be reopened immediately.

Jordan's foreign minister said on social media platform X that instead of giving negotiations a chance, Israel occupied the Rafah crossing and closed it to humanitarian aid. He called for the U.N. Security Council to "act firmly & immediately." And he called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "face real consequences."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Aid to Gaza choked off as border crossings closed

By Lisa Schlein May 07, 2024

U.N. humanitarian agencies say both the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings into the Gaza Strip are "closed to goods and people" in both directions, essentially cutting off a lifeline for more than 2 million civilians in the embattled Palestinian territory.

"We currently have no physical presence at the Rafah crossing as our access to go to that area for coordination has been denied by COGAT," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. COGAT is the Israeli agency that coordinates government activities in the Palestinian territories.

"That means that the two main arteries for getting aid into Gaza have been choked off," he said.

"We are seeing the beginning of a military incursion. Rafah is in the crosshairs. IDF is ignoring all warnings about what this could mean for civilians  and the humanitarian operation  in Rafah and the entire strip," he said, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

Laerke told journalists in Geneva Tuesday that Rafah is the only entry point for fuel, noting that without diesel for trucks to transport aid inside Gaza, and without fuel to run generators, equipment, and communication, "the entire aid operation is in jeopardy."

"We have been told that there is about one day of fuel available for all of Gaza," he said. "If no fuel comes in for a long, prolonged period of time, it would be a very effective way of putting the humanitarian operation in its grave."

Israel ordered 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate eastern Rafah Monday to so-called safe zones, in advance of a military offensive in the southern Gaza city. This, despite Hamas agreeing Monday to a truce proposal that would see some Israeli hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's office said the cease-fire proposal was "far from Israel's essential demands," but that Israel would send negotiators to Cairo on Tuesday to continue talks.

The United Nations says that the IDF has designated 76% of Gaza's territory as "an evacuation zone." That, it warns, will have terrible repercussions for the 1.2 million people in Rafah as many of the obligations enshrined in international humanitarian law governing evacuation orders are not being met.

"What this means in humanitarian terms is that people are being forcibly relocated, yet again, sometimes for the fourth, fifth, sixth time, to places that are not safe," said Ravina Shamdasani, U.N. human rights spokesperson.

"These people include people who have been disabled as a result of the conduct of hostilities," she said. "They are being relocated to places that do not have the infrastructure or the resources to be able to host the mass displacement of this large number of people with such diverse needs.

"Israel has strict obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the safety and access of these individuals to medical care, to adequate food, to sanitation," she said. "Failure to meet these obligations may amount to forced displacement, which is a war crime."

UNICEF warns that a military incursion in Rafah "would pose catastrophic risks" to hundreds of thousands of children sheltering in the enclave.

"Rafah is a city of children. More than half of every single girl and boy in Gaza live in Rafah," said James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson.

"Our worst fear  Gazans' nightmare  appears to be a reality," he said. "If we define safety  as International Humanitarian Law says we must  as freedom from bombardment, as well as access to safe water, sufficient food, shelter and medicine then there is nowhere safe on the Gaza strip to go to.

"Families' coping capacity has been smashed. They are hanging on  physically and psychologically  by a thread," he said. "People are exhausted. People are malnourished. Children are sick.

"In fact, hundreds of thousands of children in Rafah have a disability or vulnerability that puts them in even greater jeopardy and makes it that much more difficult for them to relocate, even if there was somewhere left to go."

The World Health Organization says only three hospitals currently are functioning in the Rafah area and "all are overwhelmed" and receiving more cases than they can handle.

WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said Israel has advised people in El-Najar hospital in Rafah to leave. "Now they are not moving. They are staying open and continuing to accept patients," she said.

"They are also the only place now in Gaza where dialysis is taking place. They are doing around 200 dialyses per day. So, again, if they are no longer functioning if they are shut down, it means that those people will die simply from kidney failure because that is what is keeping them alive."

UNICEF's Elder said children in Gaza are suffering from "an unprecedented level of trauma," especially after this weekend's events, which saw the continued killing of children, more attacks from the warring parties, "and now evacuation orders."

"That is what we are seeing again in these children who are told pick up your last surviving remnants of your life and we move from tent to tent. That is also what is happening to children in Rafah now.

"That has to change. Indeed, this is the last chance for this to change," he said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Mozambique's ruling party nominates presidential candidate

By Charles Mangwiro May 07, 2024

Mozambique's ruling Frelimo party picked Daniel Francisco Chapo, the 47-year-old governor of a southern province, to be its candidate for October's presidential election, after heated internal debates that lasted three days.

Sunday's selection of Chapo halted speculation that President Filipe Nyusi planned to cling to power at the conclusion of his term through an amendment to the constitution.

Nyusi said the endorsement puts an end to a soap opera of rumors, including talk of a possible third term. Frelimo respects the laws, he added, so there was no reason to speculate about new term limits.

Nyusi also encouraged party members to support Chapo in the upcoming elections.

Since Mozambique's independence in 1975, all heads of state have been nominated by Frelimo.

The party has won all elections since multi-party democracy was introduced 30 years ago at the end of a crippling 16-year civil war which left over one million people dead and five million others internally displaced.

Chapo has been governor of Inhambane province since 2016. He holds a master's degree in development management from a university in Mozambique. Prior to entering politics, he taught constitutional law and political science at the Universidade Catolica in the port city of Beira, and worked as an announcer at a private radio station in the same city.

After being confirmed as Frelimo's candidate, Chapo promised to work to promote the country's economic development.

If elected, Chapo will become Mozambique's fourth democratically elected head of state.

Chapo is viewed by analysts as a leader who may be able to restore security in the troubled oil- and gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado, where Islamic State-linked insurgents have been terrorizing civilians and destroying public infrastructure since 2017, forcing the interruption of multibillion-dollar projects.

The violence has continued despite support by troops from other countries of the Southern African Development Community, and soldiers from Rwanda.

Economic analyst and university lecturer Alcidio Bachita has high hopes for Chapo.

"He is an individual who has not been accused of any corruption schemes," Bachita said. "And I believe that this change of leadership will open a new page in the history of Mozambique, given that he is a young man and was born after [the] independence period of the country. So I believe that the economy of Mozambique will witness a great performance in the coming years."

Mozambique will hold its seventh presidential and legislative elections on October 9.

The deadline for presenting lists of candidates for president to the Constitutional Council is June 10.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Anti-corruption advocates worry over dropping of Malawi VP case

By Lameck Masina May 07, 2024

Malawi's Vice President Saulos Chilima was arrested in November of 2022 after being named among 84 individuals suspected to have received bribes from a U.K.-based businessman, Zuneth Sattar.

Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau accused Chilima of receiving kickbacks from Sattar in exchange for government contracts.

However, early this month, Director of Public Prosecutions Masauko Chamkakala filed a notice to the High Court to drop the case in which Chilima had not taken a plea after 18 months.

An order from High Court Judge Redson Kapindu issued Monday says all charges Chilima was answering to in connection to the case have been dropped.

Moses Mkandawire, the chairperson for the National Alliance Against Corruption, told VOA that the Malawi government should have let the case proceed in court if it wants to be taken seriously in its efforts to curb corruption.

"We have to look at what the law says if someone has offended, violated, abused a particular law," Mkandawire said. "It's extremely important that that person is brought before the courts of law because otherwise, we are just paying lip service to the fight against corruption."

Mkandawire said it's unfortunate that Malawi's fight against corruption continues to favor high-profile individuals despite commitments by President Lazarus Chakwera to fight corruption without fear or favor.

In May of last year, the DPP dropped a corruption case against former President Bakili Muluzi, who was accused of diverting $11 million donation to his personal bank account while in office between 1994 and 2004.

This came a month after President Chakwera pardoned a former minister of homeland security, Uladi Mussa, as an act of mercy during Easter. Musa was jailed in 2020 for corruption and placed on a U.S. travel ban.

In July of last year, Chakwera also pardoned the country's former minister of information Henry Mussa on poor health grounds. He was serving a nine-year jail term after being convicted of conspiracy to steal government property.

George Phiri, a former lecturer of political science at the University of Livingstonia, said dropping the case against Chilima is detrimental to the fight against corruption.

"Discontinuing a high-profile case, forgiving people whom the court has justified that they were guilty of an offense, I think, does not send a good message in the fight against corruption in Malawi," he said.

Malawian government authorities said dropping court cases is constitutional because the country's laws give the director of public prosecution the power to discontinue any case.

Reacting to the development, members of the United Transformation Movement party of Chilima on Tuesday took to the streets of the capital, Lilongwe, to celebrate the discontinuation of the case.

"We are excited of course as a party but the chief factor in this whole thing is the behavior of the vice president during the process," said party spokesperson Felix Njawala. "We have understood that really he is a man who respects the rule of law because he advised members of the party not to interfere with the process."

According to the court order, the director of public prosecutions must brief parliament on the reason for dropping the case against Chilima within 10 days.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Readout of President Biden's Meeting with President Iohannis of Romania

May 07, 2024

President Biden welcomed Romanian President Klaus Iohannis to the White House today to celebrate Romania's 20th anniversary as a member of the NATO Alliance. President Biden thanked Romania for graciously hosting U.S. servicemembers and for its commitment to security in NATO's Eastern Flank, including in the Black Sea region. President Biden applauded Romania's defense investments, which have consistently exceeded its NATO pledge to spend at least 2 percent of its GDP on defense. The leaders reaffirmed their steadfast support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia's senseless aggression, and President Biden expressed his appreciation for Romania's support to Ukrainian refugees and efforts to move Ukrainian grain to market.

Both leaders agreed that bilateral cooperation on energy security is critical. They noted this is one of many areas of our growing economic and commercial relationship.

###

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UN chief urges Israel, Hamas to cease fire, show political courage amidst Gaza crisis

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:13, May 08, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- As tensions continue to escalate in Gaza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday once again called for Israel and Hamas to demonstrate "political courage" and work towards securing a ceasefire.

Speaking to reporters at UN headquarters in New York, Guterres highlighted the critical situation in the Gaza Strip, especially in Rafah, which borders Egypt and is currently overwhelmed with displaced Palestinians.

Guterres expressed concern about the humanitarian situation, noting that essential aid and fuel supplies are nearly depleted. "The closure of both the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings is especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation. They must be re-opened immediately," he stated.

With over 1,100 Israelis and 34,000 Palestinians reported killed due to recent conflicts, Guterres emphasized the staggering cost of the ongoing violence. "Haven't we seen enough?" he implored, stressing the immediate need for both sides to engage in diplomacy rather than further escalation.

The UN chief underscored the severe consequences of continued fighting, particularly any potential full-scale assault on Rafah, which he described as a looming "human catastrophe." He warned, "Countless more civilian casualties. Countless more families forced to flee yet again -- with nowhere safe to go. Because there is no safe place in Gaza."

Guterres's remarks reflect deep concern about the impact of the conflict not only on Gaza but also on the broader Middle East. "Even the best friends of Israel are clear: An assault on Rafah would be a strategic mistake, a political calamity, and a humanitarian nightmare," he said, calling on those with influence over Israel to help avert further tragedy.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russo-Ukraine War - 06 May 2024 - Day 803

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that it is likely that around 9,000 personnel are currently serving in pro-Russian Chechen units in Ukraine.

Pro-Russian Chechen forces have been fighting in Ukraine since 2014. Additional Chechen formations were dispatched to Ukraine at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. However, suffering initial heavy losses, Chechen units became largely relegated to conducting rear area security operations and became derided as 'TikTok' troops for their social media antics. Since the withdrawal of Russia's private military company Wagner from the frontlines from May 2023, Chechen units have been pressed back into frontline service.

It is likely that Chechen special forces units bear the brunt of frontline fighting, whilst the bulk of Chechen forces continue to conduct rear area security operations. Besides providing personnel, Chechnya's other key contribution to Russia's war against Ukraine is in providing training for Russian personnel. The Russian Special Forces University in Gudermes, Chechnya, has provided training for around 42,000 Russian personnel since 2022, according to Chechnya's leadership. However, it is likely personnel only receive up to 10 days training at the university, bringing the effectiveness of the training and institution into doubt.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of May 6, there were 87x tactical engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 2x missile and 69x air strikes, 52x MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have wounded civilians. Residential apartment blocks and private houses, as well as other infrastructure, got destroyed and damaged.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the russian areas bordering Ukraine. Russia conducts subversion, continues shelling of Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the concentration of mining operations along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Oleksiivka, Minakove, Bilopillya (Sumy oblast), Zolochiv (Kharkiv oblast). More than 20x settlements, including, Khotiivka (Chernihiv oblast), Velyka Rybytsya, Zapsillya, Mala Rybytsya, Krasnopillya (Sumy oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Kup'yans'k and Lyman axes: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 9x attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka, Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast), Stel'makhivka (Luhansk oblast), where Russian forces, using air attacks, attempted to improve its tactical position. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x attacks in the vicinities of Nevs'ke, Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Terny (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Makiivka, Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 11x attacks in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Vyimka, Rozdolivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, attempted to improve its tactical position. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Druzhba and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Klishchiivka, Chasiv Yar (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 22x attacks in the vicinities of Novooleksandrivka, Novopokrovs'ke, Umans'ke, Yasnobrodivka, Netailove, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, made attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Prohres, Sokil, Kalynove (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Kalynove, Novooleksandrivka, Novopokrovs'ke, Umans'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces near Krasnohorivka, Paraskoviivka, Vodyane and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian invaders, using air attacks, made 14x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The invaders launched an air strike in the vicinity of Antonivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Maksymil'yanivka, Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast).

Orikhiv axis: Russian forces launched 5x assaults on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast) and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Malynivka, Chervone, Robotyne, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Kherson axis: Russia does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River. In particular during the day of May 6, the Russian invaders, with air support, executed 2x unsuccessful assaults on positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Krynky (Kherson oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Chervonyi Mayak and Ivanivka (Kherson oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 20 settlements, including L'vove, Inzhenerne, Antonivka (Kherson oblast).

During the day of May 6, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 11x concentrations of Russian troops, meanwhile the Ukrainian Missile Forces hit 1x Russian artillery system. Ukrainian air defense forces shot down 1x Kh-59 guided air-launched missile.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russo-Ukraine War - 07 May 2024 - Day 804

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that it is likely that around 9,000 personnel are currently serving in pro-Russian Chechen units in Ukraine

Pro-Russian Chechen forces have been fighting in Ukraine since 2014. Additional Chechen formations were dispatched to Ukraine at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. However, suffering initial heavy losses, Chechen units became largely relegated to conducting rear area security operations and became derided as 'TikTok' troops for their social media antics. Since the withdrawal of Russia's private military company Wagner from the frontlines from May 2023, Chechen units have been pressed back into frontline service.

It is likely that Chechen special forces units bear the brunt of frontline fighting, whilst the bulk of Chechen forces continue to conduct rear area security operations.

Besides providing personnel, Chechnya's other key contribution to Russia's war against Ukraine is in providing training for Russian personnel. The Russian Special Forces University in Gudermes, Chechnya, has provided training for around 42,000 Russian personnel since 2022, according to Chechnya's leadership. However, it is likely personnel only receive up to 10 days training at the university, bringing the effectiveness of the training and institution into doubt.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of May 7, there were 64x tactical engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 1x missile and 40x air strikes, 72x MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have wounded civilians. Residential apartment blocks and private houses, as well as other infrastructure, got destroyed and damaged.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the russian areas bordering Ukraine. Russia conducts subversion, continues shelling of Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the concentration of mining operations along the state border of Ukraine. More than 10x settlements, including Bilopillya, Khotin', Zapsillya (Sumy oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Kup'yans'k and Lyman axes: the Ukrainian defenders repelled x attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka, Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast), Stel'makhivka (Luhansk oblast), where Russian forces, using air attacks, attempted to improve its tactical position. The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 2x attacks in the vicinity of Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Makiivka, Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 10x attacks in the vicinities of Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Vyimka, Spirne, Rozdolivka, Ivanivske, Novyi, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, attempted to improve its tactical position. The Russian adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Druzhba (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Klishchiivka, Chasiv Yar (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 18x attacks in the vicinities of Oleksandropil', Novooleksandrivka, Prohres, Yevhenivka, Novoselivka Persha, Umans'ke, Netailove (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, made attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. The Russian adversary launched an air strike northwest of Ocheretyne (Donetsk oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Kalynove, Novooleksandrivka, Novopokrovs'ke, Umans'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces near Krasnohorivka, Kostyantynivka, Vodyane and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, using air attacks, made 7x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian invaders launched an air strike in the vicinity of Paraskoviivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Maksymil'yanivka, Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast).

Orikhiv axis: Russian forces launched 4x assaults on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast), Robotyne and northwest of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Komyshuvakha (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Malynivka, Chervone, Robotyne, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Kherson axis: Russia does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River. In particular during the day of May 7, the Russian invaders, with air support, executed 2x unsuccessful assaults on positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Krynky (Kherson oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Chervonyi Mayak, Ivanivka and Dniprovs'ke (Kherson oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 20 settlements, including L'vove, Inzhenerne, Antonivka (Kherson oblast).

During the day of May 7, the Ukrainian Air Force and Missile Forces launched strikes on 1x 2S4 Tyulpan self-propelled mortar, 1x command post, 5x concentrations of Russian troops

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






U.S. Charges Russian National with Developing and Operating LockBit Ransomware

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Alleged LockBit Developer Created and Operated Most Prolific Ransomware Variant Under Aliases "LockBit" and "LockBitSupp"; U.S State Department Offers Reward Up to $10M; U.S. Department of Treasury Designates LockBit Administrator for Sanctions

The U.S. Justice Department unsealed charges today against a Russian national for his alleged role as the creator, developer, and administrator of the LockBit ransomware group from its inception in September 2019 through the present. At times, LockBit was the most prolific ransomware group in the world.

"Earlier this year, the Justice Department and our U.K. law enforcement partners disrupted LockBit, a ransomware group responsible for attacks on victims across the United States and around the world," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "Today we are going a step further, charging the individual who we allege developed and administered this malicious cyber scheme, which has targeted over 2,000 victims and stolen more than $100 million in ransomware payments. We will continue to work closely alongside our partners, across the U.S. government and around the world to disrupt cybercrime operations like LockBit and to find and hold accountable those responsible for them."

"As part of our unrelenting efforts to dismantle ransomware groups and protect victims, the Justice Department has brought over two dozen criminal charges against the administrator of LockBit, one of the world's most dangerous ransomware organizations," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. "Working with U.S. and international partners, we are using all our tools to hold ransomware actors accountableaand we continue to encourage victims to report cyberattacks to the FBI when they happen. Reporting an attack could make all the difference in preventing the next one."

Dimitry Yuryevich Khoroshev (NN NNN NN), also known as LockBitSupp, LockBit, and putinkrab, 31, of Voronezh, Russia, is charged by a 26-count indictment returned by a grand jury in the District of New Jersey.

"Today's indictment of LockBit developer and operator Dimitry Yuryevich Khoroshev continues the FBI's ongoing disruption of the LockBit criminal ecosystem," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "The LockBit ransomware group represented one of the most prolific ransomware variants across the globe, causing billions of dollars in losses and wreaking havoc on critical infrastructure, including schools and hospitals. The charges announced today reflect the FBI's unyielding commitment to disrupting ransomware organizations and holding the perpetrators accountable."

The indictment against Khoroshev unsealed today follows a recent disruption of LockBit ransomware in February by the U.K. National Crime Agency's (NCA) Cyber Division, which worked in cooperation with the Justice Department, FBI, and other international law enforcement partners. As previously announced by the Department, authorities disrupted LockBit by seizing numerous public-facing websites used by LockBit to connect to the organization's infrastructure and by seizing control of servers used by LockBit administrators, thereby disrupting the ability of LockBit actors to attack and encrypt networks and extort victims by threatening to publish stolen data. That disruption succeeded in greatly diminishing LockBit's reputation and its ability to attack further victims, as alleged by the indictment unsealed today.

"Dmitry Khoroshev conceived, developed, and administered Lockbit, the most prolific ransomware variant and group in the world, enabling himself and his affiliates to wreak havoc and cause billions of dollars in damage to thousands of victims around the globe," said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. "He thought he could do so hidden by his notorious moniker 'LockBitSupp,' anonymous and free of any consequence, while he personally pocketed $100 million extorted from Lockbit's victims. Through relentless investigation and coordination with our partners at the Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the FBI and abroad, we have proven him and his coconspirators wrong. Today's indictment marks a significant milestone in the investigation and prosecution of LockBit, which has already led to charges against five other LockBit affiliatesatwo of whom are in custody awaiting trialaand a major disruption of the now discredited LockBit operation."

In addition, as previously announced, law enforcement developed decryption capabilities that may enable hundreds of victims around the world to restore systems encrypted using the LockBit ransomware variant. Victims targeted by this malware are encouraged to contact the FBI at https://lockbitvictims.ic3.gov/

to enable law enforcement to determine whether affected systems can be successfully decrypted.

According to the indictment and other documents previously unsealed in the District of New Jersey:

Khoroshev and the LockBit Ransomware Group

Khoroshev allegedly acted as the LockBit ransomware group's developer and administrator from its inception in or around September 2019 through May 2024. Khoroshev and his affiliate coconspirators, grew LockBit into what was, at times, the most active and destructive ransomware variant in the world. The LockBit ransomware group attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries, including 1,800 victims in the United States. LockBit victims included individuals, small businesses, multinational corporations, hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, critical infrastructure, and government and law-enforcement agencies. Khoroshev and his co-conspirators extracted at least $500 million in ransom payments from their victims and caused billions of dollars in broader losses, such as lost revenue, incident response, and recovery.

Khoroshev allegedly designed LockBit to operate in the "ransomware-as-a-service" (RaaS) model. In his role as the LockBit developer and administrator, Khoroshev arranged for the design of the LockBit ransomware code itself, recruited other LockBit membersacalled affiliatesato deploy it against victims, and maintained the LockBit infrastructure, including an online software dashboard called a "control panel" to provide the affiliates with the tools necessary to deploy LockBit. Khoroshev also maintained LockBit's public-facing websiteacalled a "data leak site"afor the publication of data stolen from victims who refused to pay a ransom.

As alleged in the indictment, Khoroshevaas the LockBit developeratypically received a 20% share of each ransom payment extorted from LockBit victims. The affiliate responsible for an attack would receive the remaining 80%. During the scheme, Khoroshev alone allegedly received at least $100 million in disbursements of digital currency through his developer shares of LockBit ransom payments.

LockBit infrastructure seized by law enforcement through the February 2024 disruption allegedly showed that Khoroshev retained copies of data stolen from LockBit victims who had paid the demanded ransom.

Khoroshev and his affiliate co-conspirators had falsely promised those victims that their stolen data would be deleted after payment. Moreover, after the February 2024 disruption, Khoroshev allegedly communicated with law enforcement and urged them to disclose the identities of his RaaS competitorsawhom Khoroshev called his "enemies"ain exchange for his services.

Khoroshev is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud, extortion, and related activity in connection with computers; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; eight counts of intentional damage to a protected computer; eight counts of extortion in relation to confidential information from a protected computer; and eight counts of extortion in relation to damage to a protected computer. In total, those charges carry a maximum penalty of 185 years in prison. Each of the 26 counts charged by the indictment also carries a maximum fine of the greatest of $250,000, pecuniary gain to the offender, or pecuniary harm to the victim.

The LockBit Investigation

With the indictment unsealed today, a total of six LockBit members have now been charged for their participation in the LockBit conspiracy:

In February 2024, an indictment was unsealed in the District of New Jersey charging Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev, also known as Bassterlord, with deploying LockBit against numerous victims throughout the United States, including businesses nationwide in the manufacturing and other industries.

In June 2023, a criminal complaint was filed in the District of New Jersey charging Ruslan Magomedovich Astamirov, a Russian national, in connection with his participation in the LockBit group. Astamirov is currently in custody awaiting trial.

In May 2023, two indictments were unsealed in Washington, D.C., and the District of New Jersey charging Mikhail Matveev, also known as "Wazawaka," "m1x," "Boriselcin," and "Uhodiransomwar," with using different ransomware variants, including LockBit, to attack numerous victims throughout the United States, including the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department. Matveev is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State's Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at tips.fbi.gov/

.

Finally, in November 2022, a criminal complaint was filed in the District of New Jersey charging Mikhail Vasiliev in connection with his participation in the LockBit ransomware group. Vasiliev, a dual Russian-Canadian national, is currently in custody in Canada awaiting extradition to the United States.

The FBI Newark Field Office is investigating the LockBit ransomware variant.

Trial Attorneys Jessica C. Peck, Debra Ireland, and Jorge Gonzalez of the Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly, David E. Malagold, and Vinay Limbachia for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the charges against Khoroshev.

The Justice Department's Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust, Office of International Affairs, and National Security Division also provided significant assistance.

Additionally, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced today that it is designating Khoroshev for his role in launching cyberattacks. For more information, visit https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2326

. Authorities in the United Kingdom and Australia also announced sanctions today against Khoroshev.

The Department of State also announced today a reward of up to $10 million for information that leads to the apprehension of Khoroshev. Information that may be eligible for this award can be submitted by email at fbisupp@fbi.gov, Telegram at @LockbitRewards, Signal at @FBISupp.01, and tox B0B98577F0541160C745B464E42C9AB782B036682FAD59D5F228EA75BF71691BE68A8E08BD55. The reward announced today supplements a previous reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification of any individual who holds a leadership position in the criminal group behind LockBit ransomware. For more information on this reward, visit Reward for Information: LockBit Ransomware-as-a-Service

.

Victims of LockBit should contact the FBI at https://lockbitvictims.ic3.gov

for further information. Additional details on protecting networks against LockBit ransomware are available at StopRansomware.gov. These include Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Advisories AA23-325A, AA23-165A, and AA23-075A.

An indictment is merely an allegation. Under U.S. law, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Indictment

Topic: Cybercrime

Components: Criminal Division

Criminal - Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section

Criminal - Office of International Affairs

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - New Jersey

Press Release Number: 24-578

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China refutes the UK's smear of its involvement in cyber attack

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 07, 2024 09:29 PM

China on Tuesday lodged a stern condemnation against UK's allegations that China hacked into a database holding the personal information of the UK's armed forces, saying China rejects the use of cybersecurity problems to smear other countries for political purposes.

According to media reports, the UK's Ministry of Defence has been targeted in a cyber attack on a third-party payroll system including the details of tens of thousands of British armed forces and veterans.

Some British government officials blame China for the attack and the UK security services are investigating whether China was trying to build profiles of members of the armed forces and people in other sensitive roles through a series of hacks of different databases holding personal information.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a Tuesday press briefing that the UK politicians' accusation is purely unfounded.

China firmly opposes and fights all forms of cyber attacks. We also firmly reject using the cybersecurity issue politically to smear and vilify other countries, Lin said.

A spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the UK said that the said accusation made by the UK side is nothing but a fabricated and malicious slander. It is extremely absurd and despicable. China strongly condemns it.

China has all along been fighting cyber attacks according to law. We firmly oppose any groundless accusations against China out of political motives, the spokesperson said.

We urge the UK side to stop spreading disinformation, and stop such self-staged political farces, the spokesperson added.

The recent briefings from British politicians have started a new round of "China threat" hype with the focus on cybersecurity. Chinese observers said the smear campaign is not deviant from their long-term anti-China stance but intensified by the upcoming general election.

Hyping "cyber attacks from China" continues on the anti-China path of Conservatives and is not very different from the UK's past smear campaigns against Chinese firms or products. Basically their argument is "anything from China can constitute a threat," according to Li Guanjie, a research fellow with the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies under the Shanghai International Studies University.

Analysts said painting China as a security threat also paves to protectionist policies in the economic realm.

As global geopolitics become "Cold War-alike," such camp-based rather than fact-based rows will continue, analysts said, but China will firmly reject such smear campaigns and defend its own interests in line with the law.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






LockBit leader unmasked and sanctioned

A leader of what was once the world's most harmful cyber crime group has been unmasked and sanctioned by the UK, US and Australia, following a National Crime Agency-led international disruption campaign.

The sanctions against Russian national Dmitry Khoroshev (pictured), the administrator and developer of the LockBit ransomware group, are being announced today by the FCDO alongside the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs.

Khoroshev, AKA LockBitSupp, who thrived on anonymity and offered a $10 million reward to anyone who could reveal his identity, will now be subject to a series of asset freezes and travel bans.

US partners have also unsealed an indictment against him and are offering a reward of up to $10m for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction.

The actions targeting Khoroshev form part of an extensive and ongoing investigation into the LockBit group by the NCA, FBI, and international partners who form the Operation Cronos taskforce.

LockBit provided ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) to a global network of hackers or 'affiliates', supplying them with the tools and infrastructure to carry out attacks.

In February the NCA announced that it had infiltrated the group's network and taken control of its services, including its leak site on the dark web, which compromised the entire criminal enterprise.

The true impact of LockBit's criminality was previously unknown, but data obtained from their systems showed that between June 2022 and February 2024, more than 7,000 attacks were built using their services. The top five countries hit were the US, UK, France, Germany and China.

Pictured: the NCA took control of the group's services including its leak site on the dark web

Attacks targeted over 100 hospitals and healthcare companies and at least 2,110 victims were forced into in some degree of negotiation by cyber criminals.

The group has attempted to rebuild over the last two months, however the NCA assesses that as a result of this investigation, they are currently running at limited capacity and the global threat from LockBit has significantly reduced.

LockBit have created a new leak site on which they have inflated apparent activity by publishing victims targeted prior to the NCA taking control of its services in February, as well as taking credit for attacks perpetrated using other ransomware strains.

Data shows that the average number of monthly LockBit attacks has reduced by 73% in the UK since February's action, with other countries also reporting reductions. Attacks appear to have been carried out by less sophisticated affiliates with lower levels of impact.

As well as uncovering the real-world identity of LockBitSupp, the Operation Cronos investigation has given the NCA and partners a deep insight into LockBit's operations and network.

Of the 194 affiliates identified as using LockBit's services up until February 2024:

148 built attacks.

119 engaged in negotiations with victims, meaning they definitely deployed attacks.

Of the 119 who began negotiations, there are 39 who appear not to have ever received a ransom payment.

75 did not engage in any negotiation, so also appear not to have received any ransom payments.

This means up to 114 affiliates paid thousands to join the LockBit programme and caused unknown levels of damage, meaning they will targeted by law enforcement, but never made any money from their criminality.

Active affiliate numbers have also significantly reduced, to 69, since February.

The NCA uncovered numerous examples of attacks where the decryptor provided by LockBit to victims who had paid ransoms failed to work, and where they received no support from affiliates or LockBit, further highlighting their untrustworthiness.

In one affiliate attack against a children's hospital in December 2022, LockBitSupp issued an apologetic statement on their leak site and confirmed it had provided the decryptor to the victim for free.

It said the attacker had "violated our rules", had been blocked and was no longer in their affiliate programme. In fact, they remained an active LockBit affiliate up until the February 2024 disruption, with NCA analysis showing they went on to build 127 unique attacks, engage in 50 negotiations with victims and received multiple ransom payments.

Finally, as was established by investigators, LockBit did not routinely delete stolen data once a ransom was paid.

NCA Director General Graeme Biggar said: "These sanctions are hugely significant and show that there is no hiding place for cyber criminals like Dmitry Khoroshev, who wreak havoc across the globe. He was certain he could remain anonymous, but he was wrong.

"We know our work to disrupt LockBit thus far has been extremely successful in degrading their capability and credibility among the criminal community. The group's attempt at rebuilding has resulted in a much less sophisticated enterprise with significantly reduced impact.

"Today's announcement puts another huge nail in the LockBit coffin and our investigation into them continues. We are also now targeting affiliates who have used LockBit services to inflict devastating ransomware attacks on schools, hospitals and major companies around the world.

"Working with our international partners, we will use all the tools at our disposal to target other groups like LockBit, expose their leadership and undermine their operations to protect the public."

Sanctions Minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: "Together with our allies we will continue to crack down on hostile cyber activity which is destroying livelihoods and businesses across the world.

"In sanctioning one of the leaders of LockBit we are taking direct action against those who continue to threaten global security, while simultaneously exposing the malicious cyber-criminal activity emanating from Russia."

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said: "Cyber criminals think they are untouchable, hiding behind anonymous accounts as they try to extort money from their victims.

"By exposing one of the leaders of LockBit, we are sending a clear message to these callous criminals. You cannot hide. You will face justice."

The NCA and international partners are now in possession of over 2,500 decryption keys and are continuing to contact LockBit victims to offer support. The Agency has so far proactively reached out to nearly 240 LockBit victims in the UK.

Public reporting is absolutely vital in supporting global law enforcement to tackle ransomware effectively. If you are in the UK, you should use the Government's Cyber Incident Signposting Site as soon as possible, for direction on which agencies to report your incident to.

The Operation Cronos taskforce includes the NCA, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU), and Metropolitan Police Service in the UK; FBI and the Department of Justice in the US; Europol, Eurojust, and law enforcement partners in France (Gendarmerie), Germany (LKA and BKA), Switzerland (Fedpol and Zurich Cantonal Police), Japan (National Police Agency), Australia (Australian Federal Police), Sweden (Swedish Police Authority), Canada (RCMP), and the Netherlands (National Police - Politie).

This operation was also supported by the National Bureau of Investigation in Finland.

07 May 2024

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UK defense ministry comes under major cyber attack

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 9:57 AM

Britain's Ministry of Defense has been hit by a major data breach, resulting in the unauthorized access of personal information of UK military personnel.

The ministry's servers were infiltrated by hackers, who obtained data on officials and current service personnel, with British media suggesting that the cyber attack was carried out by China.

Hackers successfully infiltrated payroll systems, compromising the personal information of ministry officials, current service personnel, and veterans. The breached data included their names and bank details, Sky News reported, claiming that China-affiliated individuals were behind the cyber attack.

"The government will not name the country involved, but Sky News understands this to be China," read the Sky News report.

Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative MP and former soldier, told Sky News that China "was probably looking at the financially vulnerable with a view that they may be coerced in exchange for cash."

In reaction, China's foreign ministry said it "firmly opposes and fights all forms of cyber attacks" and "rejects the use of this issue politically to smear other countries."

The UK ministry became aware of the attack a few days ago and has been diligently investigating its magnitude and consequences.

Reports stated that officials from the United Kingdom government will address Parliament regarding the attack on Tuesday, with Grant Shapps, defense secretary, expected to make a statement in the afternoon.

Back in March, London accused Beijing of directing attacks against the UK's Electoral Commission watchdog in 2021 and orchestrating a series of online "reconnaissance" efforts targeting the email accounts of British lawmakers, a charge China denies.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






United States Sanctions Senior Leader of the LockBit Ransomware Group

U.S. Department of the Treasury

May 7, 2024

The United States reveals the identity of and imposes sanctions on Dmitry Khoroshev, a senior leader of the LockBit ransomware group

WASHINGTON a Today, the United States designated Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, a Russian national and a leader of the Russia-based LockBit group, for his role in developing and distributing LockBit ransomware. This designation is the result of a collaborative effort with the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United Kingdom's National Crime Agency, the Australian Federal Police, and other international partners. Concurrently, the Department of Justice is unsealing an indictment and the Department of State is announcing a reward offer for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Khoroshev. The United Kingdom and Australia are also announcing the designation of Khoroshev.

"Today's action reaffirms our commitment to dismantling the ransomware ecosystem and exposing those who seek to conduct these attacks against the United States, our critical infrastructure, and our citizens," saidUnder Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "The United States, in close coordination with our British and Australian partners, will continue to hold accountable the individuals responsible for these disruptive and threatening activities."

This designation follows several other recent U.S. Government actions against Russian cybercriminals involved in ransomware, including the disruption of the LockBit ransomware infrastructure and sanctions against LockBit group affiliates. Russia, where groups such as LockBit are free to launch ransomware attacks against the United States, and its allies and partners, continues to offer safe harbor for cybercriminals. The United States has previously stressed that Russia must take concrete steps to prevent cyber criminals from freely operating in its jurisdiction. Today's actions reflect the commitment of the United States to a long-term, coordinated, and sustained approach to disrupt and degrade the ransomware ecosystem.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of State (State) announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to Russian national Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev's arrest and/or conviction for participating in, conspiring to participate in or attempting to participate in, transnational organized crime. On February 20, 2024, the Department of State announced reward offers (up to $10 million) seeking information leading to the identity and location of key leaders of the LockBit ransomware variant group as well as information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of members of the LockBit ransomware variant group (up to $5 million).

LockBit: ONE OF the most prolific ransomware groupS in the world

The Russia-based LockBit ransomware group is one of the most active ransomware groups in the world and is best known for its ransomware variant of the same name. According to the Department of Justice, LockBit has targeted over 2,500 victims worldwide and is alleged to have received more than $500 million in ransom payments.Since January 2020, affiliates using LockBit have attacked organizations across an array of critical infrastructure sectors, including financial services, education, emergency services, and healthcare.

LockBit operates on a Ransomware-as-a-Service model, where the group licenses its ransomware software to affiliated cybercriminals in exchange for payment, including a percentage of the paid ransoms. A Ransomware-as-a-Service cybercrime group maintains the functionality of a particular ransomware variant, sells access to that ransomware variant to individuals or groups of operators (often referred to as "affiliates"), and supports affiliates' deployment of ransomware in exchange for upfront payment, subscription fees, a portion of profits, or a combination of upfront payment, subscription fees, and a portion of profits. Additionally, LockBit is known for its double extortion tactics, where its cybercriminals exfiltrate large amounts of data from its victims before encrypting the victim's computer systems and demanding ransom payments.

cybercriminal responsible for the lockbit ransomware variant Exposed

Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev (Khoroshev), a Russian national and a leader of LockBit, is the primary operator of the well-known and public-facing LockBit-related cybercrime moniker, "LockBitSupp." As a core LockBit group leader and developer of the LockBit ransomware, Khoroshev has performed a variety of operational and administrative roles for the cybercrime group, and has benefited financially from the LockBit ransomware attacks. In addition, Khoroshev has facilitated the upgrading of the LockBit infrastructure, recruited new developers for the ransomware, and managed LockBit affiliates. He is also responsible for LockBit's efforts to continue operations after their disruption by the U.S. and its allies earlier this year.

OFAC is designating Khoroshev pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, as amended by E.O. 13757, for being responsible for or complicit in, or having engaged in, directly or indirectly, cyber-enabled activities described in subsection (a)(ii)(D) of section 1 of E.O. 13694, as amended.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of this individual that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons. In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the individual designated today may themselves be exposed to designation.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from its ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

See OFAC's Updated Advisory on Potential Sanctions Risks for Facilitating Ransomware Payments for information on the actions that OFAC would consider to be mitigating factors in any related enforcement action involving ransomware payments with a potential sanctions nexus. As laid out in the advisory, OFAC strongly encourages all ransomware victims to contact relevant government agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to report a ransomware attack. For information on complying with sanctions applicable to virtual currency, see OFAC's Sanctions Compliance Guidance for the Virtual Currency Industry.

Further, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency in conjunction with other U.S. Departments and Agencies and foreign partners published two cybersecurity advisories, "Understanding Ransomware Threat Actors: LockBit" and "LockBit 3.0 Ransomware Affiliates Exploit CVE 2023-4966 Citrix Bleed Vulnerability." These advisories detail the threats posed by this group and provide recommendations to reduce the likelihood and impact of future ransomware incidents.

For more information on the individuals designated today, click here.

###

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UK and allies sanction prolific cyber hacker

The UK, US and Australia have sanctioned the Russian leader of cyber-crime gang LockBit.

7 May 2024

UK, US and Australia sanction Russian leader of cyber-crime gang LockBit

LockBit were one of the most prolific ransomware groups in recent years, responsible for attacks on over 200 UK businesses and major public service providers

UK and Allies crack down on malicious cyber-criminal activity emanating from Russia that seeks to undermine global integrity, prosperity and security

The UK, US and Australia have today (Tuesday 7 May) sanctioned a senior Russia-based leader of LockBit, once one of the world's most pernicious cybercrime gangs.

Today's sanctions target Russian national Dmitry Khoroshev who has been identified, as part of an ongoing international law enforcement investigation, as one of the leaders of LockBit, the ransomware group responsible for extorting over $1 billion from thousands of victims globally.

In February the NCA announced that it had infiltrated the group's network and taken control of its services, compromising the entire criminal enterprise. The group has attempted to rebuild over the last 2 months, however the NCA assesses that as a result of this investigation, they are currently running at limited capacity and the global threat from LockBit has significantly reduced.

The gang was responsible for 25% of ransomware attacks globally last year, targeting thousands of victims over the years including over 200 UK businesses. LockBit orchestrated a malicious online campaign, illegally stealing and using sensitive data to extract billions of dollars from business and individuals.

Today's measures will directly target a senior leader of the gang responsible for these atrocious attacks. Khoroshev will now be subject to a series of asset freezes and travel bans.

Sanctions Minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

Together with our allies we will continue to crack down on hostile cyber activity which is destroying livelihoods and businesses across the world. In sanctioning one of the leaders of LockBit we are taking direct action against those who continue to threaten global security, while simultaneously exposing the malicious cyber-criminal activity emanating from Russia.

National Crime Agency Director General Graeme Biggar said:

These sanctions are an important moment in our fight against cyber criminals behind the LockBit ransomware group, which is now on its knees following our disruption earlier this year. They have caused untold damage to schools, hospitals and major companies across the world, who've had to pick up the pieces following devastating cyber attacks. Dmitry Khoroshev thought he was beyond reproach, even offering $10 million to anyone who could reveal his identity, but these actions dispel that myth. Our investigation into LockBit and its affiliates continues and, working with our international partners, we'll do everything we can to undermine their operations and protect the public.

Eleanor Fairford, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Deputy Director for Incident Management, said:

Ransomware attacks pose a massive threat to UK businesses and their impacts can be severe and long-lasting, disrupting operations and putting potentially sensitive data at risk. It is crucial organisations ensure they have strong online defences to reduce their risk of falling victim and to protect the information they are responsible for. Prevention is the most effective mitigation, and we urge all organisations to follow the NCSC's ransomware guidance to help protect their networks and improve their resilience to attacks. The UK has sanctioned Khoroshev as part of our wider commitment to cracking down on malicious cyber activity and working with our international partners to promote international security and stability in cyberspace.

These sanctions have been delivered jointly with Australia and the US and are the latest in our efforts to counter malicious cyber-criminal activity emanating from Russia that seek to undermine the integrity, prosperity and security of the UK and our allies.

Background

the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the National Crime Agency (NCA) assess that LockBit was the leading ransomware threat to the UK and globally since the demise of the Conti ransomware strain in mid 2022. The strain first emerged at the end of 2019 and by 2022 was the most frequently used variant across the world

LockBit caused significant disruption to many UK organisations and services, having severe short to medium term impact on prominent services within the private sector. The organised crime group responsible for LockBit, as well as the affiliates using the malware represented a significant threat to victims' data due to their tactic of stealing data and publishing it on its darkweb data leaks site (DLS)

according to industry sources, LockBit have leaked data from more victims on their DLS than any other ransomware group since records began, with more than 2000 victims worldwide listed

you can report a suspected cyber crime online: where to report a cyber incident

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russian hacker sanctioned by UK, US, Australia

By VOA News May 07, 2024

Britain, the United States and Australia imposed sanctions against a senior Russian leader of the cybercrime gang LockBit, British and U.S. authorities said Tuesday.

Dmitry Khoroshev was unmasked as one of the leaders of LockBit, a cybercriminal group which has stolen more than $1 billion from victims in its four-year lifespan. Britain said Khoroshev will face asset freezes and travel bans.

"These sanctions are hugely significant and show that there is no hiding place for cyber criminals like Dmitry Khoroshev, who wreak havoc across the globe," Graeme Biggar, Britain's National Crime Agency director general, said in a statement.

LockBit makes money by hacking into computer systems, stealing sensitive data and threatening to leak it if victims fail to pay a ransom. It has targeted more than 2,500 victims worldwide, including large companies.

Khoroshev received at least $100 million in Bitcoin payments from LockBit's activity, according to a 26-count U.S. indictment unsealed on Tuesday.

LockBit infrastructure was first seized by law enforcement in February in a campaign by the NCA, U.S. Department of Justice, FBI and Europol. The ransomware group's site was hijacked by police and used to leak internal information about the group and its operators.

The U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest of Khoroshev. It is offering the same award for the identification or location of other leaders in the LockBit group.

"Russia continues to offer safe harbor for cybercriminals where groups such as LockBit are free to launch ransomware attacks against the United States, its allies, and partners," a U.S. Treasury Department statement said.

Some information for this report came from Reuters.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Belarus Says It's Checking Preparedness Of Its Tactical Nuclear Forces

By RFE/RL's Belarus Service May 07, 2024

The Belarusian Defense Ministry said on May 7 that it had started to check the preparedness of it tactical nuclear forces, a day after Russia announced a similar move.

First Deputy Defense Minister Viktar Hulevich said some Belarusian armed forces and aircraft will be redeployed to a reserve airfield during the exercises.

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Khrenin said the checks for preparedness of the carriers of the tactical nuclear weapons started at the order of authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

"To carry out the task, a division of the operative-tactical Iskander missile complex and a utility squadron of SU-25 military planes have been allocated," Khrenin said.

Lukashenka supported Russia's ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022 and allowed Russian armed forces to use Belarusian territory, military infrastructure, and airspace during the invasion.

A day before the announcement from Minsk, Russia's Defense Ministry announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons for the first time since it launched its aggression against Ukraine more than two years ago.

Russia said it was running the military exercises because of "unprecedented" and "provocative" statements from Britain and France that Moscow said showed their growing involvement in the war in Ukraine.

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron repeated a statement that his country cannot rule out sending troops into Ukraine to help it in the war.

Meanwhile, officials in the United Kingdom last week appeared to give Kyiv the green light to use long-range weapons sent to Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia. So far in the conflict, the U.K. has given guidance to Ukraine implying that long-range weapons should only be used within sovereign Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has been subjected to almost daily Russian missile and drone strikes that have caused huge damage to its civilian and energy infrastructure and killed and wounded numerous civilians, including children.

In response, Kyiv has targeted energy infrastructure inside Russia, especially oil refining installations.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-nuclear-weapons-russia- ukraine/32936784.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






Belarus Starts Surprise Inspection of Non-Strategic Nuclear Arms Carriers - Defense Ministry

Sputnik News

20240507

MINSK (Sputnik) - A surprise inspection of non-strategic nuclear weapons carriers has begun in Belarus, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"In accordance with the order of President of Belarus [Alexander Lukashenko], a sudden inspection of non-strategic nuclear weapons carriers is being carried out in the armed forces," the ministry wrote on Telegram.

A division of the Iskander tactical complex and a squadron of Su-25 aircraft are being prepared to carry out their intended missions, the ministry said, adding that the inspection will be carried out in accordance with strict time regulations established by the commander-in-chief.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Belarus conducts checks on tactical nuclear weapons with Russia

By VOA News May 07, 2024

Belarus said Tuesday it started checks on its army's readiness to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on orders of President Alexander Lukashenko.

The announcement comes a day after Russia's Defense Ministry said it plans to hold drills involving tactical nuclear weapons.

Belarus does not have nuclear weapons, but it agreed to host Russian tactical warheads on its territory last year amid Russia's escalating war with Ukraine.

"Several dozen" Russian tactical nuclear weapons were deployed in Belarus under an agreement last year, Lukashenko said in April. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last June that Moscow had positioned bombs in Belarus as a warning to the West.

Lukashenko ordered a surprise inspection of forces in charge of such weapons.

During the checks, "the entire range of activities from planning, preparation and use of strikes with tactical nuclear weapons will be checked," Belarusian Defense Minister Defense Viktor Khrenin said.

Tactical nuclear weapons are designed for use against troops on battlefields. They are less powerful than nuclear warheads fitted to long-range ballistic missiles, which are intended to obliterate entire cities. By late 2022, Russia had already deployed Iskander missiles, which are nuclear capable, to Belarus.

Russia said Monday it would practice the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in a military exercise after Moscow said there were threats from Britain, France and the United States.

Kyiv is used to these drills as "nuclear blackmail is a constant practice of Putin's regime," a Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson said.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China signs 18 deals with France to expand economic cooperation, opening up wider for France, Europe

Global Times

By Qi Xijia and Chen Qingrui Published: May 07, 2024 09:30 PM

China and France have signed 18 cooperation agreements between government agencies, covering areas such as aviation, agriculture, people-to-people exchanges, green development and SME cooperation during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France.

At the closing ceremony of a key business council meeting in Paris on Monday, the Chinese top leader vowed to enrich the economic and trade dimensions of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, open the Chinese market wider to create more opportunities for companies from France, Europe and beyond, while urging China and France to jointly oppose attempts to turn business relations into political, ideological or security issues.

The remarks and cooperation agreements underscore China's open and cooperative attitude, as well as its sincerity and goodwill to foster China-France and China-Europe cooperation and represent a positive signal for European entrepreneurs and a stabilizer to China-Europe trade ties against decoupling push, experts said.

China will work with France to enrich the economic and trade dimensions of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, deepen China-Europe mutually beneficial cooperation, and remains ready to join hands with France to tackle global challenges, President Xi made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the sixth meeting of the China-France Business Council in Paris local time Monday.

China will further open up the service sector including telecommunication and medical services, and open its market wider to create more opportunities for companies from France, Europe and beyond, Xi said, according to a readout released on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website.

Xi also said that China and Europe are two major forces in building a multipolar world, two big markets that promote globalization, and two great civilizations that advocate cultural diversity.

China-Europe relations are crucial for peace, stability and prosperity of the world. The two sides should always define China-Europe relations as a comprehensive strategic partnership, continue to enhance political mutual trust, remove various distractions, and jointly oppose attempts to turn business relations into political, ideological or security issues, Xi said.

Xi's speech sent a clear signal that China's market is open and inclusive, and that China seeks mutual achievements and win-win cooperation with France and the EU, Zhang Jian, a vice president of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The remarks played a significant role in promoting stable, long-term cooperation between China and France as well as China and Europe against decoupling pushes, Zhang said.

New stage of cooperation

Some key highlights of economic and trade cooperation include collaboration in agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI) and green development.

In terms of agricultural cooperation, China will continue to make full use of the "French farm to Chinese dining table" whole-chain rapid coordination mechanism, and bring more cheese, ham, wine and other quality agricultural products from France to the dining tables of Chinese families.

In terms of AI cooperation, China and France have agreed to enhance global governance of AI to promote the development of AI for the public good and effectively address the risks associated with AI, according to a joint statement.

China also signed agreements with French departments to deepen collaboration in green development and aviation.

The deals highlight the successful progress of traditional cooperation projects between China and France. At the same time, they also point to great potential for new areas, innovative models, fostering growth in various sectors, experts said.

"The economic and trade achievements of this visit are very fruitful, reflecting the upgrading and expansion of China-French economic and trade cooperation on the existing basis," Cui Hongjian, a professor with the Academy of Regional and Global Governance with Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Although nuclear energy and aerospace industries have become landmark projects of China-French economic and trade cooperation over the years, the cooperation directions covered in the deals have expanded into some new areas, offering new opportunities, Cui said.

The 18 agreements signed during the state visit were thrilling as they precisely identified the key aspects of development between China, France and Europe, which include high-tech collaborations and green development, Zhao Junjie, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of European Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Zhao said there is potential for France and the EU to increase collaboration with China in high-end technology and agricultural products, as the increasing living standards and purchasing power of Chinese people align with this trend.

The signing of the deals comes as China and France are celebrating the 60th anniversary of China-France relations, during which the trade ties between the two sides have flourished.

The bilateral trade has expanded by nearly 800 times since the establishment of diplomatic relations, reaching $78.9 billion. Cumulative two-way investment has exceeded $26 billion. More than 2,000 French companies have woven themselves into the fabric of the Chinese market. China is the largest trading partner of France outside the EU, and France is a major EU trading partner of China.

Rejection of decoupling

The collaboration between Chinese and the French business sectors also demonstrates a rejection of the decoupling efforts pushed by the US. This collaboration is anticipated to pave the way for a positive and mutually beneficial relationship between China and Europe, experts said.

French companies are interested in collaborating with Chinese companies in various fields, despite the push of decoupling and cutting off industrial chains from the US, they said.

A survey of French companies in China conducted by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China in 2023 showed that members' willingness to operate in China over the coming three years had increased, with 47 percent saying they planned to further invest in the Chinese market.

Practical cooperation between China and France is a key aspect of China-EU relations, and it contributes positively to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships between China and Europe, Cui said.

While Europe may face competitive pressures from China in some areas, it is essential to manage this competition in a healthy and constructive manner and turn it into opportunities for cooperation between China and Europe, Cui said.

"Efforts should be made to control the competition within a reasonable range and prevent it from spilling over. At the same time, both sides can use their complementary advantages and form a strong alliance in third party cooperation," Cui said.

It is important for the European side to recognize the benefits of economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe, rather than resorting to tactics of suppression toward China, which could harm the stability and development of both parties, Zhao said.

"It is crucial for Europe to adhere to its own principles and cultivate its own strengths in certain market sectors," Zhao said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Xi recalls NATO's bombing of Chinese Embassy in Serbia

China's leader is touring European countries seen as most sympathetic to Beijing.

By RFA Mandarin 2024.05.07 -- Xi Jinping's tour of potential sympathizers in Europe took a gloomy turn Tuesday, as the Chinese president headed to Serbia with an apparent warning to the United States on the 25th anniversary of the NATO bombing of Beijing's Embassy in its capital, Belgrade.

"Twenty-five years ago today, NATO flagrantly bombed the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia, killing three Chinese journalists," Xi wrote in the Serbian daily Politika prior to his arrival on a flight from Paris.

"This we should never forget," Xi wrote. "The Chinese people cherish peace, but we will never allow such tragic history to repeat itself."

Three Chinese journalists were killed and 20 Chinese nationals were wounded in the May 7, 1999, attack during the Kosovo War, which prompted outrage in China and an apology from then-U.S. President Bill Clinton.

The embassy was hit during a campaign against the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to force late Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic to end a crackdown on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

The United States blamed the bombing on a CIA mapping error.

Xi's warnings about the "flagrant" NATO aggression come as Beijing steadfastly stands by Moscow amid its invasion of Ukraine.

China has repeatedly amplified Russian claims its invasion of Ukraine was forced by the expansion into Eastern Europe of NATO, which the United States and other NATO members insist is a defensive pact but Moscow slams as a threat to its "legitimate security interests."

European tour

Xi's visit to Serbia is the second stop of three in Europe - after France and before Hungary - as Beijing tries to cleave off the continent from decades of geopolitical alliance with Washington.

In Politika, Xi also hailed the "iron-clad friendship" between China and Serbia, which he said was "forged with the blood of our compatriots."

China has poured billions into Serbia and neighboring Balkan countries - in particular into mining and manufacturing sectors - and last year Beijing and EU-applicant Belgrade signed a free trade agreement.

On Monday in Paris, Xi met French President Emmanuel Macron, who has publicly promoted the idea of France and the European Union pursuing geopolitical "strategic autonomy" from the United States.

Last year, speaking about a potential dispute over Taiwan between Beijing and Washington, Macron said Europe should not allow itself to become a U.S. "vassal" and be drawn into any conflict.

In Paris, crowds of protesters turned out on the streets to greet Xi, wave flags and express their anger over China's persecution of Tibetans and Uyghurs as well as its clampdown on freedoms in Hong Kong.

Xi next travels to Hungary, whose authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been a thorn in the side of NATO as it attempts to support Ukraine's defense against the invasion by Russian forces.

Unlike Serbia, Hungary is also a member of the European Union and NATO, and has blocked several EU resolutions critical of China in recent years, including about Beijing's crackdown in Hong Kong.

Edited by Alex Willemyns and 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






A tale of two slogans

Judicial bodies in China no longer serve the people, but instead pledge to serve 'the overall situation.'

By Chen Zifei for RFA Mandarin 2024.05.07 -- Emblazoned in huge gold characters at the gate of the ruling Chinese Communist Party headquarters at Zhongnanhai, the words "to serve the people" has a different meaning in China depending on whom you talk to.

The phrase is often echoed by supporters of late supreme leader Mao Zedong, and often used sarcastically to highlight official wrongdoing by people with grievances. It's now being quietly ditched by the country's top judicial bodies in favor of the much more nebulous "to serve the overall situation."

A May 2 article signed by China's top prosecutor Ying Yong in the Communist Party's ideological magazine Qiushi was titled "Serve the overall situation, deliver justice to the people, take responsibility for the rule of law."

The article came as the Supreme People's Procuratorate and other judicial bodies also replaced the slogan "Serve the People" on official documents and in public buildings with the words "Serve the Overall Situation," according to social media posts in recent weeks.

Some comments quipped that the "overall situation" refers to the "boss," while others played on a character in the word for "situation" that is also in the word for "bureau."

"What bureau is more important than the people?" one Netease user commented sarcastically on a blog post about the slogan change.

The phrase "To serve the people" comes from a 1944 speech by late supreme leader Mao Zedong, and was intended to describe idealistic Communist Party officials and People's Liberation Army soldiers who are willing to do anything to bring about a better society, known at the time as the "New China."

"If we have shortcomings, we don't fear criticism from others, regardless of who it is pointing it out, because we serve the people," says the speech.

"The Chinese people are suffering. We have the responsibility to save them, and we must work hard."

'Safeguarding the status' of the Party

The phrase has since become something like a national motto, inscribed, often in Mao's own calligraphy, in big gold letters or large red characters on official buildings, including the entrance to Zhongnanhai.

It has also been turned around as a form of criticism of government corruption and wrongdoing, particularly by the army of ordinary Chinese who seek redress through official channels as petitioners.

In 2008, a caller to a RFA Mandarin talk show said the tainted baby formula scandal that sickened hundreds of infants showed that "Chinese officials do not serve the people."

In 2009, former People's Liberation Army soldier-turned-whistleblower Zhang Shijun accused the ruling party of hypocrisy for claiming that the army served the people after he wrote about being sent to Beijing in 1989 to enforce martial law during the pro-democracy movement on Tiananmen Square.

More recently, the phrase popped up during three years of strict zero-COVID restrictions that included grueling urban lockdowns, mass quarantine camps and compulsory daily testing regimes, this time to criticize the white-clad "enforcers" who at times welded people into their own apartments in a bid to prevent local outbreaks from the virus.

U.S.-based rights lawyer Wu Shaoping said the judicial agencies and courts once used the slogan "to serve the people" far more frequently, and that the move highlights a shift in attitude at the very top.

"The people have been booted out ... and they have brought in a bunch of evil laws like the Patriotic Education Law, the Counterespionage Law, and national security laws to serve the Chinese Communist Party's overall interests, calling it the rule of law," Wu said.

"The people are increasingly losing out, so the overall situation means they are willing to sacrifice lives to ensure their own safety," he said.

Independent political commentator Chen Daoyin said there wasn't much difference between the two phrases in practice, because the slogan "to serve the people" is rarely implemented in practice.

"A realistic way of seeing this might be that ... safeguarding national security is the top priority right now, which means safeguarding the status of the Communist Party regime," Chen said. "That is their fundamental interest."

'Anything can be the overall situation'

Feng Chongyi, a professor at the University of Technology in Sydney, agreed, saying that the claim that the ruling party served the people had always been a dubious one.

"To serve the people has always been a lie and a scam," Feng said. "The overall situation is a very pragmatic idea, because anything can be the overall situation."

"Under Mao Zedong, it would have meant maintaining Mao's absolute power, while in the wake of Deng Xiaoping's suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests, it would have meant the dictatorship of the Communist Party," he said.

"Today, the overall situation is the one-man dictatorship [of Xi Jinping], which means that the party will destroy whatever it needs to destroy, and strip people of whatever rights they have to maintain it," Feng said.

The topic has also prompted a number of comments on social media as people tried to figure out what the new phrase actually means.

"Some netizens have quipped that the overall situation ... is that some people have wealth beyond the imagination of most people, but they have to keep it secret," blogger "Looking at History, Looking at Reality," wrote on the Netease blogging platform.

"Meanwhile, some people are so poor that they struggle to get enough to eat, but they have to be kept a secret too."

The blog post quoted another answer as saying: "Some people have amassed a large amount of wealth through various means and methods, and through family relationships, and they need to hide it and even transfer their wealth out of the country, to avoid public resentment."

"Of course, these are joke answers, but I personally think there's some truth in it," the blogger wrote.

Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie.

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






What Is Behind Serbia And China's 'Ironclad Friendship'?

By Ljudmila Cvetkovic and Andy Heil May 07, 2024

BELGRADE -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's rare European visit this week is being widely regarded as Beijing's attempt to present itself as an eager and pragmatic alternative to U.S. and even Russian influence.

And Xi's inclusion of Belgrade on his list of destinations alongside EU members France and Hungary also highlights the increasingly important ties between Serbia and China, as Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic continues to forge a path between Russia and the West in light of the conflict in Ukraine.

"Serbia has demonstrated once again that China, not Russia, is its most important partner in the East at the moment, especially with Russian-Serbian ties under constant scrutiny because of Ukraine," Vuk Vuksanovic, a senior researcher at the Belgrade Center for Security Policy, told RFE/RL's Balkan Service.

Vucic has repeatedly rejected Western appeals to join the unprecedented international sanctions since Russian troops launched the continent's first full-scale invasion since World War II, although he and other Serbian officials have expressed support for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Just last week, the appointment of a new cabinet under Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) leader Prime Minister Milos Vucevic drove home what critics say is Vucic and his allies' desire to "sit on two chairs" when it comes to foreign policy.

'A Milestone Of Bilateral Relations'

Vuksanovic and other political observers in the region say Xi's visit will remind Russia, the West, and the rest of the world that Belgrade is keeping its trade and diplomatic options open, even as it continues to pursue EU membership.

Xi and Vucic have boasted of an "ironclad friendship" between their nations since 2020, and China's People's Daily last week labeled the two-day state visit, which begins on May 7, "a milestone in bilateral relations."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian last week called Serbia China's "first comprehensive strategic partner in Central and Eastern Europe" and said further deepening those relations "is in the fundamental and long-term interest of both countries and peoples."

China-Serbia relations have gradually been strengthened since Vucic's SNS party came to power 12 years ago. They were further galvanized in 2016 by the first visit to Belgrade by a Chinese leader in three decades and joint resistance to Western-led responses to the COVID-19 pandemic that erupted in 2020.

"China sees in Hungary and Serbia the two most important partners in Europe, a kind of door that opens up space to a wider European market and to some strategic investments," said Vedran Dzihic, a senior lecturer at the University of Vienna and senior researcher at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs.

Much of China's cooperation with Serbia revolves around infrastructure, a focus of the massive Belt And Road Initiative that was adopted in 2013 as a linchpin of Xi's diplomatic and economic outreach around the world.

Dzihic said Beijing is seeking any path to the European market and to increase its influence on the continent.

Vucic has stressed the visit's potential to boost technological development in areas such as robotics and satellites. Ahead of Xi's trip, the Serbian president called it "a way to keep pace with the world and further develop our best relations."

The Serbian government also announced recently it had adopted measures to improve cooperation with China in areas such as science, education, and innovation, as well as economic and technical cooperation in infrastructure.

But aside from any trade and economic benefits, Dzihic said, there is a political message underlying Serbia's hosting of Xi that is connected to broader efforts -- notably by Moscow and Beijing -- to challenge U.S. influence and potentially reshape the international order.

"[The message is] that Serbia is striving to work on deepening relations with actors outside the West and, in that sense, is a kind of autonomous player in the new geopolitical constellation," Dzihic said.

Anniversary Of NATO Bombing

Xi's arrival on May 7 coincides with the 25th anniversary of NATO's bombing of the Chinese Embassy in the Serbian capital, an event that united Belgrade and Beijing in outrage at Western policies and intervention during the Balkan wars of the 1990s.

The 1999 NATO air strikes, which targeted military and civilian infrastructure in Slobodan Milosevic's Yugoslavia, were the Western military alliance's response to the humanitarian crisis in Kosovo and reports of atrocities by Serbian forces against the ethnic Albanian population.

University of Vienna lecturer Dzihic noted that the NATO bombardment is an ongoing source of anti-Western sentiment that perpetuates the idea of a "conflict" pitting the West against Russia, China, and other countries. He said it is a narrative "in which Serbia, that is, the Serbian president, first tries to navigate between these two poles, and then relies on partners from the East once there is significant pressure from the West."

Dzihic said he believed the West had become "much, much more critical of Vucic's regime than it was a few years ago."

During his previous state visit to Serbia, in 2016, Xi laid a wreath at the monument in Belgrade to the three people killed and at least 20 others injured in the 1999 bombing of the Chinese Embassy, an incident for which Washington apologized. (A Chinese cultural center, which is among the largest in Europe, has since arisen at the site.)

On that same visit, Xi signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership with Vucic's presidential predecessor and fellow SNS member, Tomislav Nikolic. In 2023, with Vucic unquestionably steering foreign policy, the two sides signed a free-trade agreement that critics feared created a new path for Chinese military exports to Europe. There were also fears the agreement would "lock" Serbia into a closer long-term relationship with Beijing and "further distance" the country from its European neighbors.

More than $5 billion in Chinese investments has flowed into Serbia in the past decade, according to Serbian Trade Minister Tomislav Momirovic.

Many of those deals have been dogged by controversy. In some cases, local protests have targeted Chinese investors' hiring practices or environmental standards. Critics have also questioned the financing of infrastructure projects through Chinese loans agreed between the two governments without competitive bidding and whose terms remain undisclosed. The Export-Import Bank of China is now among Serbia's largest creditors.

But in one of the most recent polls to track Serbians' views of China, two-thirds of respondents said they welcomed Chinese investment, with young people more likely to respond positively. The same survey, published in October 2023 by a Belgrade-based nonprofit, the Institute for European Affairs, said three-quarters of Serbians regard China as a friendly country.

Vucic boasted during a visit to China last year that he was proud Serbia was "the only country in Europe that had never joined declarations criticizing or attacking China on any issue."

Vuksanovic, the researcher at the Belgrade Center for Security Policy, described Serbia's key challenge as maintaining some sort of proportionality in its relations with China and the United States. He said Belgrade appeared to have found a formula whereby Washington is its dominant partner in the areas of security and, potentially, relations with its former province Kosovo, which declared independence over Serbian objections in 2008.

"They think they can maintain a balance with China as long as it is reduced exclusively to economic cooperation and high-level diplomatic exchange," Vuksanovic said, and "as long as there are no deeper provocative moves toward Washington."

Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL Balkan Service correspondent Ljudmila Cvetkovic in Belgrade

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-xi-visit- china-relations-vucic-russia/32936674.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






China's Xi Arrives In Belgrade In Push For Greater Influence In Europe

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service May 07, 2024

BELGRADE -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived late on May 7 in Belgrade for a two-day visit to Serbia as part of his drive to increase Beijing's influence in Europe's economic and political affairs.

Xi was traveling from France, where he met with President Emmanuel Macron, who pressed him to loosen China's trade restrictions and to use his influence with Russia to halt the Kremlin's war on Ukraine.

The Chinese leader is likely to receive less pushback in Belgrade from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has sought to maintain close ties with both China and Russia, even as he attempts to lead his country to eventual EU membership.

Xi was greeted at the airport by Vucic, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, Speaker of the National Assembly Ana Brnabic, Foreign Minister Marko Duric, former President Tomislav Nikolic, and Ambassador to China Maja Stefanovic.

Following his stay in Serbia, Xi will travel on to Budapest, where he is also expected to receive a warm welcome from Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who also has kept close ties with Russia and China despite Hungary being an EU member.

Xi, in his second state visit to Serbia in the past eight years, is likely to discuss a wide range of topics -- from foreign policy, to economy, technology, and culture - with Vucic, whose nationalistic, Russia-friendly policies have raised alarms in the West.

Officials from both countries describe the visit as "strengthening the iron-clad friendship," reflected in infrastructure cooperation as well as alliance in political matters, and they announced that more than 30 agreements have already been negotiated by the two sides.

Serbian media reported that extensive security measures have been taken for the visit -- with some 3,400 security personnel securing Xi's delegation, which consists of 400 members.

Members of the Chinese delegation, ministers, and institutional representatives arrived in Belgrade before Xi, where they were welcomed at the airport by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali and Trade Minister Tomislav Momirovic.

Ahead of the Chinese president's arrival, Belgrade was decorated with flags of Serbia and China, and welcome messages were set up along the route from the airport to the city center in Serbian and Chinese.

Xi's plane was escorted by MiG-29 fighters upon entering Serbian airspace, and a guard of the Serbian Army was organized at Belgrade Airport in his honor.

A ceremonial reception of the delegation in front of the Palace of Serbia will be organized the following day.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belgrade-serbia- vucic-china-xi/32937111.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






Xi, in France, offers few concessions on trade, support for Russia

By Henry Ridgwell May 07, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping offered few concessions to his counterpart and host Emmanuel Macron as he wrapped up a two-day visit to France on Tuesday evening. Both presidents are seeking to mend ties on Xi's first trip to Europe in five years, after relations were soured by trade disputes and Beijing's support for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

Macron invited Xi high into the Pyrenees Mountains, the home region of the French president's maternal grandmother. Beneath snowy peaks shrouded in fog, the two leaders and their wives watched traditional dancers before dining on locally produced ham, lamb, cheese and blueberry pie.

French officials said the mountain trip on Tuesday would provide a chance for less- formal one-on-one discussions after the pomp and ceremony of Xi's official state welcome in Paris on Monday.

Relations have worsened significantly since Xi last visited the region in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic. Europe accuses Beijing of subsidizing industries that are undercutting its own companies in areas such as electric vehicles a but Macron told his Chinese guests that the European Union is not seeking to cut economic ties.

"Our shared objective is to continue our relationship," Macron told delegates Monday at the Franco-Chinese Business Council in Paris. "There is no logic in decoupling from China. It's a desire to preserve our national security, just as you do for your own. It's a desire for mutual respect and understanding, and a desire to continue to open up trade, but to ensure that it is fully fair at all times, whether in terms of tariffs, aid or access to markets."

China's response

Xi made no immediate concessions, said analyst Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies.

"Xi Jinping does not feel that China has an overcapacity issue. And he feels that the European position on Chinese EVs, for example, is unreasonable. But then of course he is also trying to engage with the French and potentially having a leading Chinese car manufacturer setting up facilities in France, as a kind of incentive to persuade that maybe it's in France's interest to engage with China and welcome Chinese EVs," Tsang told VOA.

The trade relationship is tilted in Beijing's favor, according to Nicholas Bequelin, a senior fellow at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center.

China "has a major export economy towards Europe. The trade deficit in Europe is huge and growing. The de-risking or anti-subsidy policies that the European Union wants to put in place will take a lot of time a and because they affect the different countries in the European Union differently, it is very difficult to get to an agreement," Bequelin said.

Russia threat

Europe faces the more pressing security threat of Russia, as the Kremlin's forces slowly advance in eastern Ukraine. China has given Moscow diplomatic and economic support, despite Western appeals for Beijing to help end the illegal invasion.

Xi declared a "no limits" partnership when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing in February 2022, just days before the Kremlin's tanks rolled across the Ukrainian frontier.

A recent U.S. assessment concluded that China is providing vital components such as machine tools and microelectronics that Russia is using to make weapons. Last year, trade between China and Russia hit a record $240 billion.

Speaking in Paris Monday, Xi rejected European accusations that China was aiding Russia's war.

"China is neither the creator of the crisis, nor a party, a participant of the war. However, we didn't just watch the fire burning across the river but have been playing an active role in achieving peace," Xi told reporters.

Europe's message

China's claim is demonstrably false a and European leaders must take a tougher line, said analyst Igor Merheim-Eyre, a policy adviser at the European Parliament and research fellow at the University of Kent.

"We've already had [German] Chancellor Olaf Scholz, we've had Macron, we've had Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, we have [EU Commission] President [Ursula] von der Leyen, all making trips to Beijing and repeating the same message: that China should not be supporting Russia in its aggression against Ukraine. And in those two years, I see no change," Merheim-Eyre told VOA.

"What they've really failed at is spelling out to Xi Jinping what will be the cost of China supporting Russia's war of aggression a which it clearly is. I mean if it wasn't, we wouldn't already have four Chinese companies on the EU sanction list. And the circumventions are much broader than that," he said.

Costs for China

Europe should make the costs clear, said analyst Tsang, because China's "policy has always been one of declaring neutrality, supporting Putin and refusing to pay a price for that."

Sanctioning Chinese companies that are supplying Russia's military would likely be effective, he said. "For Xi Jinping, the important thing is that he stays in power, and that means he has to keep the Chinese economy on an even keel. Supporting Putin is a desirable thing a but fundamentally staying in power overrides the aspirational goal of undermining U.S. global preeminence and leadership." Tsang said.

"Shared interest"

Von der Leyen on Monday urged Beijing to help end the war. "We agree that Europe and China have a shared interest in peace and security. We count on China to use all its influence on Russia to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," she said in a recorded video address.

But European leaders should be more realistic about Beijing's ambitions, argued analyst Merheim-Eyre.

"I'm looking at my world map, and I'm trying to see where exactly this common interest lies. Because wherever I look, from Africa to the South China Sea to Ukraine, China is playing a destructive role, and I do not see common areas of interest in these matters."

After visiting France, Xi was headed Tuesday for Serbia, a key Balkan partner in Beijing's Belt and Road investment program. On Wednesday, Xi is due to travel to Hungary, his closest European ally and a longtime thorn in the side of EU unity on Russia and China policy.

VOA's Mandarin Service contributed to this story.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Xi Jinping's visits to Serbia, Hungary reflect China-EU tensions

By Yang Letian May 07, 2024

After "frank" discussions in France where President Emmanuel Macron pressed him on Russia's war in Ukraine, trade disputes and human rights, China's President Xi Jinping heads Tuesday to meet more pro-Beijing governments in Serbia and Hungary.

Both countries have developed close ties with China and Russia under Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

China has been investing billions in both countries, with projects ranging from factories and mining to electric vehicles and a railway to connect their capitals  Belgrade and Budapest.

China is both Hungary and Serbia's largest trading partner outside the European Union.

Xi arrives in Serbia for the 25th anniversary of the NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade in 1999. The U.S. apologized for what it called a "mistaken" bombing that killed three Chinese nationals and injured 20.

Xi is expected to pay tribute to those killed at the site, which was turned into a Chinese cultural center.

Ja Ian Chong, associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, told VOA, "Xi will probably try to stress the PRC's [People's Republic of China] role in supporting stability and maybe suggest but not openly accuse the United States of being destabilizing and unnecessarily aggressive."

But analysts say Xi's visits to Serbia and Hungary also reflect Beijing's limitations amid the ups and downs in China-EU relations.

Francesco Sisci, an Italian sinologist, told VOA, "It's interesting that ... China didn't manage to secure more significant countries for Xi's visit to Europe. It seems that China is having greater difficulties in its ties with European countries, and it has good ties with two governments who have also good ties with Moscow. That is  Europe is moving faster away from China as it sees it too close to Moscow."

Like Beijing, both Serbia and Hungary have spoken against sanctions by the U.S. and EU on Moscow over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, though Hungary has voted for them.

Orban, despite leading a nation that is both a member of the EU and NATO, has friendly relations with Russia's President Vladimir Putin and held talks with him on the sidelines of a forum in Beijing in October. Hungary buys most of its fuel from Russia and, unlike other EU members, has shown no interest in stopping. Serbia is a candidate to join the EU.

During the third Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum, Xi also met with Orban, the only EU leader who attended.

Dragana Mitrovic, a political science professor at the University of Belgrade, says those relations have sparked tensions with Hungary's partners in the West.

"In this moment of tense geopolitical competition and measuring economic and overall cooperation by strategic gains and losses, Hungary will continue to be under pressure from Brussels and Washington when pursuing cooperation with China," she said to VOA.

While Hungary has benefited from billions in EU aid, Mitrovic notes Hungary is also one of the world's biggest recipients of Chinese foreign investment.

China's BYD, which last year sold more electric vehicles than Tesla, plans to build its first plant in Europe in Hungary. By building cars inside the EU, Beijing could avoid the threat of tariffs on electric cars imported from China.

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






INDIAN NAVAL SHIPS DELHI, SHAKTI, AND KILTAN ARRIVED AT SINGAPORE, AS A PART OF EASTERN FLEET DEPLOYMENT TO SOUTH CHINA SEA

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 11:11AM by PIB Delhi

Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan led by RAdm Rajesh Dhankhar, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet arrived at Singapore on 06 May 24 to a warm welcome by personnel of Republic of Singapore Navy and the High Commissioner of India in Singapore. The visit is part of the Operational Deployment of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet to the South China sea. This visit is poised to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two maritime nations through a series of engagements and activities.

During the ships' stay in harbour, various activities planned to be undertaken include interactions with the High Commission of India, professional interactions with the Republic of Singapore Navy as also academia and community outreach amongst other activities, reflecting the shared values of both navies.

The Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy have had robust relations spanning three decades of cooperation, coordination and collaboration with regular visits, exchange of best practices, and reciprocal training arrangements. The current deployment underscores the strong linkages between both the navies.

___________________________

VM/SPS 88/24

(Release ID: 2019815)

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Raisi: Strong Iran can remove military option from table

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi considered the operation of 'True Promise' to be a cause of national pride and a very clear manifestation of revolutionary rationality and emphasized that a strong Iran can remove the military option from the table.

On Tuesday night, in the 10th live televised interview of President Raisi with the people about Operation True Promise, President Raisi said that the dimensions of Operation True Promise should be discussed and investigated in various meetings and scientific, research, political and security circles.

The Iranian president considered the operation to be a source of national pride, and said, "Everyone praised this operation. This operation can lead to solving problems, building consensus and national pride in other areas."

President Raisi stressed that Gaza is a manifestation of brightness, resistance and standing, patience and love for God.

"According to all political experts in the world, the winner of this field is the resistant people of Palestine, and the losers of this field are the Zionist regime and its supporters," he added.

He pointed out that this operation was a beautiful manifestation of cooperation between field, diplomacy and media.

"All sectors cooperated in this operation and proved that a strong Iran can remove the shadow of war from the country and can remove the military option from the table," he further added.

2050



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran nuclear chief hails IAEA deal as good basis for cooperation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami says the agreement reached between the Islamic Republic and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in March is a good basis for mutual cooperation.

Eslami made the remarks in a joint presser with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, in Tehran on Tuesday, a day after the IAEA chief arrived in the Iranian capital for high-level talks with Iranian officials.

"Although Iran's ill-wishers are always dissatisfied with the country's interactions with the agency and seek to downplay the measures and decisions through stigmatization and destructive literature, both sides believe that the recent joint statement is a good basis for cooperation," he said.

He lamented that the process of interaction between the two sides has slowed down over certain issues, but noted that the Islamic Republic and the agency have voiced hope to work based on the agreement.

The first part of our talks is about previous issues that had been finalized in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under PMD (Possible Military Dimensions), he said, dismissing those issues as highly "political" and "peripheral".

In this regard, Eslami continued, the important issue is the remaining two places while the issues related to two other places have been resolved.

"The second part is about the existing situation and we should take mutual and coordinated measures for the existing shortcomings and expectations within the framework of the safeguards agreement and NPT and the considerations that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has," Eslami said.

He added that the third part is future steps and mutual expectations and the role of the IAEA director general, which can be effective in removing the obstacles that are mainly political.

"We agreed that to draft these three parts, the deputies of both sides should discuss the timelines and the details," he further explained.

Eslami: IAEA must not take Israeli claims seriously

Another important issue is to be vigilant that the hostile actions of the Zionist regime against Iran's nuclear program would not affect the two sides' interactions, Eslami stated.

This is very important because the Zionist regime is the ring leader of these issues raised in the media, he added.

"At this point, when the nature of this regime has been revealed more than ever to the world and protests are taking place all over the world, we must pay attention to the fact that this destructive regime has been behind anti-Iran actions, and we should no longer use the Zionist regime's remarks and positions as a criterion," the AEOI chief maintained.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Eslami said Grossi's presence in Iran is in line with the ongoing interactions between the two sides within the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the safeguards agreement.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has not withdrawn from the JCPOA, Eslami said, adding that it was the United States that pulled out of the agreement, also known as the Iran nuclear deal.

The US has not fulfilled its commitments and has not allowed others to honor their commitments, he said, adding that three European countries also followed suit.

He noted that the strategic law to terminate the sanctions is the basis of Tehran's nuclear measures and Grossi is aware of the considerations and framework.

"Our interactions are pursued based on the strategic law, the NPT and the safeguards agreement," he underscored.

Considering his legal status and personality, the IAEA chief can play a good role in this regard, he underlined.

Resolving remaining issues requires serious efforts: Grossi

For his part, Grossi said that he held very important meetings with the top negotiator and the Iranian foreign minister during his two-day stay in Iran.

"We exchanged views on starting and strengthening relations between the two sides," he noted. "Last year, we agreed on a statement concerning our future road, and cooperation in the areas of monitoring and safeguards."

Resolving the remaining issues requires serious efforts from both sides, he said.

Grossi also said that despite the existing shortcomings, interactions are underway and that he presented a proposal that is the operational steps that will clarify the future path, adding that the two teams are currently in contact with each other to draw the future path.

According to the IAEA chief, the two sides do not intend to have a new document, but rather, will continue to cooperate based on the March document, which has the capacity to resolve the remaining issues of the two sides.

Regarding Iran's concern about Israel's destructive role in its nuclear program, he said the IAEA does not pay attention to foreign actors and only focuses on its interactions with Iran.

At the same time, Grossi said the IAEA pays attention to regional interests and security.

He said the agency strives to remove any doubts about Iran's nuclear program and to move forward in the right direction with the Islamic Republic.

7129**9376**4354

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






FM lauds IAEA role in restoring regional security, stability

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has appreciated the International Atomic Energy Agency chief's role in restoring security and stable stability in the region.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, was the second special guest today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amirabdollahian wrote on his X account on Tuesday.

Referring to his important and constructive role in a realistic and fair view of Iran's strong cooperation with the IAEA, he said, Grossi's impartial and professional stance as the Director General of the IAEA, in addition to his effective contribution to the cooperation between Iran and the IAEA is also effective in restoring security and stable stability in the region.

Grossi arrived in Iran for high-level talks with Iranian officials on Monday. Upon his arrival in Tehran on Monday, Grossi was welcomed by Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). Grossi will have a tight schedule during his trip to Iran.

9376**9417



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israel's hostile acts should not affect Iran-IAEA ties: Nuclear chief

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 11:27 AM

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says Israel's "hostile" acts should not affect the interaction between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Speaking during a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Isfahan on Tuesday, Mohammad Eslami warned against attempts by "ill-wishers" to devalue and paint a black picture of Iran's cooperation with the UN nuclear agency.

"Hostile measures against Iran, with a Zionist root, should be watched so as they do not affect the interaction between the two sides," he said.

"The nature of the [Israeli] regime has been exposed to the world... and this is the same nature that supports a destructive trend against Iran."

In March 2023, Iran and the IAEA issued a joint statement in which both sides recognized that bilateral positive engagements can pave the way for wider agreements among state parties.

They also agreed that bilateral interactions will be carried out in a spirit of collaboration, and in full conformity with the competencies of the IAEA and the rights and obligations of Iran based on the comprehensive safeguards agreement.

Eslami hailed his "constructive" talks with Grossi and described last year's joint statement as a roadmap for cooperation between Iran and the IAEA.

He also emphasized that Iran will continue its interaction with the IAEA in three areas, saying, the first one is related to the past issues, with a focus on solving the issue of two locations.

"The second one is about the current situation and following up expectations and shortcomings within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Safeguards Agreement... The responsibility for third one lies on Grossi and he should take steps for the future."

At a news conference in Isfahan later in the day, Grossi said he had proposed "very practical and tangible measures" to speed up cooperation between the IAEA and Iran.

"What we are looking at is concrete measures that could make this operational," he said.

Eslami again stressed that the talks with the IAEA chief had been positive and productive, calling on Grossi to take "necessary actions to settle the problems that are mainly political."

"We continue interactions over unresolved issues," he added.

Over the past years, Iran has recorded many achievements in its peaceful nuclear energy program in defiance of US sanctions as well as hurdles created by the West.

The country has also been closely cooperating with the IAEA as a signatory to the NPT.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






No Veil, No Sale: Iran Links Pharmacies' Drug Quotas To Hijab Compliance

By Kian Sharifi May 07, 2024

Iran has fined and shut down scores of businesses for allegedly flouting the country's controversial hijab law in recent years.

Among them were pharmacies accused of failing to impose the Islamic head scarf on their female staff and customers.

Now, in their latest attempt to encourage compliance, the authorities have said that pharmacies could receive reduced drug quotas if they do not adhere to the hijab requirement.

A new directive issued by the Health Ministry on May 5 directly links a pharmacy's compliance with the hijab law to its allocation of medicine. A chronic drug shortage has forced the authorities to allocate medicine among thousands of pharmacies across the country.

The move has been widely mocked in Iran, where some have criticized the clerical establishment for politicizing people's access to medicine.

'Deterrent Measures'

Heydar Mohammadi, head of Iran's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said on May 5 that pharmacies are obliged to ensure "proper attire" is observed on their premises.

"Compliance with [dress] norms is among the issues that play a role in pharmacies' quotas," said Mohammadi, a deputy health minister, during a public forum in the capital, Tehran.

The exact details of the directive are unclear. But Mohammadi said reduced quotas are among the "deterrent measures" used to ensure pharmacies followed the hijab law.

"If those measures do not work, violators will be prosecuted," he added.

In an apparent attempt at damage control, the FDA in a May 6 statement accused the media of misrepresenting the deputy health minister's comments. It added that the issue of attire pertained to the "professional outfits" worn by the pharmacies' staff.

An FDA official, who spoke to RFE/RL's Radio Farda on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said there were "too many" pharmacies in the country and the Health Ministry was struggling to distribute enough medicine to them.

'Entirely Illegal'

The FDA's statement has done little to stem the tide of criticism.

U.S.-based legal analyst Pegah Banihashemi said the decision to link pharmacies' drug quotas to compliance with the hijab law "is entirely illegal" and a violation of people's rights.

"Patients who need to procure medicine will become victims of an illegal action by the Health Ministry," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Sadra Mohaqeq, a pro-reformist journalist, accused the authorities of taking people's health "hostage."

Hamed Bidi, head of Karzar Net, an online petition website, said the measure amounts to a "crime against humanity."

Tehran-based activist Reza Saliani posted on X an imaginary conversation between a customer and a pharmacist, who said that he does not have a particular drug because "we don't have enough hijabs to afford it."

Hijab Crackdown

The authorities have intensified their enforcement of the hijab since monthslong nationwide antiestablishment protests rocked the country in 2022.

The unprecedented demonstrations were triggered by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was accused of improperly wearing her head scarf. During the protests, women and girls removed and burned their hijabs.

As an increasing number of women flout the hijab rules, officials have threatened violators with hefty fines and imprisonment.

The authorities have also shut down scores of businesses, including retail stores, restaurants, and pharmacies, for failure to comply with the hijab law.

Last month, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) established a new unit in Tehran to enforce Islamic dress codes amid a fresh crackdown on women not wearing the head scarf.

Kianush Farid of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-hijab-drugs- pharmacies-fine/32936666.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






Exploring treasures of splendid ancient Chinese civilization at Liangzhu culture site

People's Daily Online) 13:46, May 08, 2024

Alvaro Lago, a reporter from People's Daily Online, recently visited the Archeological Ruins of Liangzhu City park in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. He successfully excavated pottery shards under the guidance of experts during a public archeological activity.

The Liangzhu ruins have gained the world's recognition as a testimony to the existence of Chinese civilization at least 5,000 years ago. They have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Archaeological research, public archaeological displays and interactive activities at the park bring the heritage "to life", allowing visitors to immerse themselves in experiencing the splendour of ancient Chinese civilization.

(Xing Yawen, as an intern, contributed to this story.)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Du Mingming)
US Delays Sale of Thousands of Precision-Guided Weapons to Israel - Reports

Sputnik News

20240507

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States has put off selling thousands of precision-guided weapons to Israel amid growing tensions in the Gaza Strip, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.

Washington was expected to sell about 6,500 JDAM systems to Israel, the news outlet added in a report published on Monday.

On Monday, Israel started a military operation in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the operation would disrupt the ongoing humanitarian assistance delivery to Gaza.

On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted during the attack. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages.

Over 34,700 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Myanmar helicopter crash ends in shootout, killing pilot, anti-junta group says

Rebels claim to have shot down eighth junta aircraft since a 2021 coup.

By RFA Burmese 2024.05.07 -- An insurgent group in eastern Myanmar said on Tuesday it shot down a junta military helicopter and killed its pilot then clashed with junta forces on the ground.

The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force insurgent group said they opened fire on two helicopters delivering reinforcements and rations to a junta base in the town of Hpasawng in Kayah State on Monday. One helicopter was hit and came down in Bawlake township, an insurgent officer told Radio Free Asia.

"The helicopter blew smoke and crashed after it was hit," said the officer, who declined to be identified for security reasons. "The pilot was killed when we opened fire."

RFA has not been able to independently confirm the officer's account.

The Kayah State-based news site Kantarawaddy Times reported that two pilots had been killed.

The junta did not release any information about such an incident and Kayah State's junta spokesperson, Zar Ni Maung, did not answer his telephone when RFA tried to call for information.

Junta spokesmen have in the past dismissed claims by insurgent forces of shooting down aircraft, which they have now done eight times since the latest round of war in Myanmar began after the army overthrew an elected government in early 2021.

The Karenni officer said at least 10 soldiers in the second helicopter had parachuted to the ground after the first helicopter was hit, and battled Karenni forces.

Though junta forces have the advantage of air power, the insurgents have been making gains in several different parts of the country since late last year, including in Kayah State, on the Thai border.

As of Tuesday morning, allied insurgents were monitoring the crash site but there had been no further reports of casualties, said a Karenni Nationalities Defense Force news and information official.

The junta and Karenni forces have been battling since the rebels launched an offensive to capture two infantry battalion positions near Hpasawng on Saturday. The junta's army has launched more than 20 airstrikes in its defense of Hpasawng, a Karenni officer said.

Anti-junta forces have claimed responsibility for shooting down a total of eight junta aircraft, including a transport helicopter and fighter jets, in Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, and Rakhine states, since 2021, according to data compiled by RFA.

Kayah State, home to various insurgent factions battling to take territory from junta forces, has seen escalating violence in recent months, with landmines claiming more victims and accusations of rights abuses leveled against junta forces.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.

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






Junta troops and Rohingya militia jointly raid Rakhine village

Residents say more than 10 houses were burned and a young mother was shot dead.

By RFA Burmese 2024.05.07 -- Junta troops accompanied by a newly recruited ethnic Rohingya militia raided a village in western Myanmar's Rakhine state on Monday night, torching buildings and killing a young mother of two children, according to residents.

The attack on Maungdaw township's Wai Thar Li village came amid widespread gains in Rakhine state by the rebel Arakan Army, or AA, that prompted the military regime to implement a draft to shore up depleted troop losses.

As part of its efforts, the military has reportedly forcibly recruited Rohingyas into pro-junta militias which it says must be formed to protect their Muslim faith in majority Buddhist Rakhine state.

But observers say the junta is trying to stoke ethnic tensions in the region to slow the advance of the ethnic Rakhine AA.

A resident of Wai Thar Li, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, told RFA Burmese that the combined junta forces and Rohingya militia set fire to the village on Monday night and shot a 30-year-old woman dead as she fled from the raid.

"They raided the village last night. The military troops included junta forces and the newly recruited Rohingya militia," said the resident. "After they entered the village firing their guns, the residents ran away. When they couldn't [arrest] the residents, they set fire to their houses. More than 10 houses were destroyed. A woman was also shot and killed as she fled."

The woman was the mother of two children, aged 3 and 7, said the resident, who identified her husband as villager Awine Chay. The woman's name was not immediately clear.

Other residents of Wai Thar Li told RFA that the attack was carried out by junta troops from the No. 5 Border Guard Police Battalion and Rohingya recruits who received training at the battalion.

They said most residents of the 70-house village had already left the area the previous night, ahead of the raid.

RFA has been unable to independently confirm claims that junta troops and Rohingya forces were responsible for the arson and death of the woman.

Attempts by RFA to contact Hla Thein, the junta's attorney general and spokesperson for Rakhine state, for comment on the attack went unanswered Tuesday.

AA gains in Rakhine

Monday's raid came on the same day that the AA, which ended a year-long ceasefire in November that had been in place since the military seized power in a February 2021 coup d'etat, released video footage that it said showed at least 200 junta troops surrendering.

The AA said that some of the soldiers pictured in the videos were captured from five battalions in late March and April, identifying the battalions as the 552, 564, 565 and 551.

Junta soldiers as well as some Rohingya Muslims could also be seen in the video footage released by the AA.

Some Rohingya have complained of being forced into the junta's army, which just seven years earlier, tortured, raped and killed thousands of Rohingya in Rakhine state and sent nearly 1 million fleeing into neighboring Bangladesh.

Since November, the Arakan Army has captured nine townships across Rakhine state. Fighting continues in Ann, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and Kyaukpyu townships.

The AA recently seized No. 1 Border Guard Force headquarters in Maungdaw's Kyee Kan Pyin village, which is the biggest military outpost in the township.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and 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






Pakistan won't give in to outside pressure on Iran gas pipeline: FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 7, 2024

Islamabad, IRNA -- Pakistan's foreign minister says Islamabad will not give in to any outside pressure to stop a major gas pipeline deal with neighboring Iran.

Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who is also Pakistan's deputy prime minister, told reporters in Islamabad on Tuesday that Pakistan is determined to meet its rising energy needs based on national interests.

He emphasized that any move to advance Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline will be decided by the Pakistani government and that Islamabad will never accept foreign dictation.

The gas pipeline is a proposed 1,900-kilometer pipeline project designed to deliver natural gas from Iran's South Pars gas field to Pakistan. Iran says it has constructed the pipeline on its side of the border, making it ready to export.

The United States has threatened Pakistan with sanctions if it goes ahead with a plan to build the pipeline to import gas from Iran.

In February, Islamabad approved the construction of an 80-kilometer section of the pipeline to avoid having to pay Iran some $18 billion in penalties for years of delays.

4353**2050



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Pakistan to deter any external interference on Iran gas project: FM

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 6:04 PM

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has reiterated that the country will deter external interference when it comes to complying with the terms of a natural gas import contract with neighboring Iran.

Dar said in a press conference on Tuesday that Pakistan, as a sovereign nation, is committed to making decisions in its best interests to address energy demands and to meet international obligations.

He was responding to a question about Pakistan's actions on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline case.

Pakistan approved earlier this year to start the construction of an 80-kilometer pipeline from its border with Iran to its southwestern port city of Gwadar. That came just as the country was nearing a deadline set by Iran to start pipeline construction under the 2009 agreement or face international legal action.

The announcement triggered a negative reaction from the United States, which maintains a harsh regime of economic sanctions on Iran.

US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu told a congressional hearing in early April that the US government was working to prevent the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. He said that Islamabad had not requested a waiver from US sanctions on Iran to conduct gas trade with its western neighbor.

Pakistani officials have indicated that the country does not need a sanctions waiver to build pipelines to import natural gas from Iran.

The gas pipeline project has an old and complicated history and Pakistan makes any decisions based on its national interests and will never accept foreign dictation, said Dar, according to a translation of his Tuesday remarks provided by the Islamabad correspondent of Iran's official IRNA news agency.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Pakistan will not succumb to pressure on Iran gas pipeline, foreign minister says

By Sarah Zaman May 07, 2024

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Tuesday his country will not back off from building a much-delayed gas pipeline with Iran.

"We will not let anyone use their veto," Dar said at a press briefing Tuesday, without naming the United States.

Pakistan and Iran signed a Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement in June of 2009 for a pipeline that would supply 750 million to 1,000 million cubic feet per day of gas to energy-starved Pakistan from Iran's South Pars Field.

While Iran claimed in 2011 that it had completed its side of the pipeline, construction delays continue on the Pakistani side, primarily for fear of invoking U.S. sanctions.

The Biden administration has repeatedly said it does not support the Pakistan-Iran pipeline as Tehran is under U.S. sanctions for its nuclear program.

"The government will decide what, when, and how to do anything based on Pakistan's interests. It cannot be dictated to us," Pakistan's foreign minister told reporters in Islamabad.

In February, Pakistan's outgoing caretaker government approved building a small patch of the pipeline from the Iranian border into Pakistani territory to avoid billions of dollars in penalties for project delays.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government, which took office in March, has not begun construction on the project.

The pipeline received only a passing mention in a lengthy joint statement issued at the end of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Pakistan in late April, prompting speculation the project was not on track.

"We have to watch our interest. We have to look at our commitments," Dar said, rejecting the notion Pakistan was delaying the project under U.S. pressure. However, he conceded the pipeline is "an issue that is quite complicated."

After Raisi's visit in which both sides agreed to boost bilateral trade to $10 billion dollars, the U.S. State Department warned, yet again, that Islamabad could face trouble for doing business with Tehran.

"Broadly we advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions," Vedant Patel, State Department deputy spokesperson, said during a briefing last month.

Energy-starved and cash-strapped, the South Asian nation of some 240 million people needs cheap fuel from its neighbor. Pakistan currently meets much of its needs with expensive oil and gas imports from Gulf countries.

Iran's arch-rival Saudi Arabia, on whom Pakistan relies heavily for financial support, is also widely believed to be opposed to the pipeline.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson of Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, told media in late April that Islamabad was in talks with Washington to address concerns surrounding the pipeline.

"We have noted some statements have been made by the United States. We are also engaged with the United States and discussed the various aspects of Pakistan's energy needs," Baloch said at a weekly press briefing.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs contended in the past that Islamabad does not need a sanctions waiver from Washington to build the pipeline with Tehran.

However, experts say sanctions will kick in once gas is pumped.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Energy have not confirmed if Islamabad has applied for a sanctions waiver from Washington.

Donald Lu, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs, told a Congressional hearing in March that Pakistan had not requested the waiver to purchase Iranian gas.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Pakistan: Afghan-based terrorists planned suicide attack on Chinese engineers

By Ayaz Gul May 07, 2024

Pakistan said Tuesday that recent militant attacks in the country, including a deadly suicide car bombing on Chinese engineers, were planned from "terrorist sanctuaries" in Afghanistan.

Major-General Ahmed Sharif, spokesperson for Pakistan's military, leveled the allegations during a live broadcast news conference. He said Afghanistan's Taliban government has failed to prevent the use of Afghan soil for cross-border terrorism despite repeated protests and sharing of "solid evidence" with them through diplomatic channels.

In late March, a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into a convoy of Chinese engineers and workers in northwestern Pakistan, killing five of them and their local driver. The slain Chinese nationals were working on a major dam project.

"This attack was planned in Afghanistan, and terrorists and their facilitators were also being controlled from there," said Sharif. "The car used in it was readied in Afghanistan, and the suicide bomber was also an Afghan national."

The spokesperson also said Pakistani security forces captured and killed several Afghan nationals who were carrying out recent terrorist attacks, adding that members of the Afghan-based, anti-Pakistan Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, along with other fugitive insurgents, orchestrated the cross-border terror attacks.

Explaining that the Afghanistan-based terror group is aiming to undermine peace and stability in Pakistan, Sharif said, "The main reason for the new wave of terrorism in Pakistan is the facilitation and supply of modern weapons to the TTP" by elements in the Taliban government.

The Taliban's Defense Ministry spokesperson rejected as "irresponsible and far from reality" the Pakistani military's claims that Afghan soil was used in the attack against the Chinese workers.

Enayatullah Khwarizmi asserted in a statement that the killing of Chinese citizens occurred deep inside Pakistan and "shows the weakness" of Pakistani security agencies.

"The Islamic Emirate has assured China on this matter, and the country has also understood that Afghans are not involved in such issues," Khwarizmi claimed, using the official title of the Taliban administration. Beijing has not immediately commented on the Taliban assertions.

Surging TTP and other insurgent attacks have strained Islamabad's ties with Kabul.

TTP, designated as a global terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations, is a close ally of Afghanistan's fundamentalist Taliban rulers.

The group is known to have provided recruits and shelter to Taliban leaders in Pakistani border areas when the Taliban was staging insurgent attacks against the U.S.-led NATO troops in Afghanistan for almost two decades. The Taliban seized power in 2021 as all foreign forces withdrew from the country.

Pakistani officials and the latest United Nations assessments have documented the presence of thousands of TTP fighters on Afghan soil since the Taliban takeover.

Sharif said Tuesday that growing incidents of terrorism in Pakistan prompted the government to evict undocumented Afghans and send them back to their native country. He noted that more than 563,000 Afghans living illegally in Pakistan had gone home since October, when Islamabad began its crackdown on undocumented migrants.

The crackdown is not targeting an estimated 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees in the country and the more than 800,000 others carrying government-approved Afghan citizenship cards.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Putin starts new term amid tension between Russia, West

Global Times

Vowing interests, security of Russian people above all else

By GT staff reporters Published: May 07, 2024 11:10 PM

Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a new six-year term as Russian president on Tuesday at an inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin, marking the fifth oath of office he has taken since 2000. Chinese experts said that Putin's primary policy agenda will be maintaining the current high level of domestic unity while addressing Western sanctions.

While Russia's relations with the West have deteriorated to their lowest point since the Cold War ended, with significant divisions within the West over their Russia stance, Russia's ties with China remain stable and unaffected by the rapidly changing global landscape, observers noted.

During his inauguration speech, Putin assured that the interests and security of the people of Russia will be above all else for him, Russian news agency Sputnik reported.

"I am confident that we will pass through this entire difficult, milestone period with dignity, become even stronger and will definitely implement long-term plans and large-scale projects aimed at achieving development goals," the president said.

In terms of internal affairs, Putin's new term will focus on maintaining the unity, stability and security of his country, as well as the development of the national economy and public welfare, Yang Jin, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday. "That means tackling a number of problems in the development of industry, trading and agriculture, and improving people's livelihoods," Yang said.

As for external relations, "the first step would be to overcome the challenges brought by the sanctions imposed by the West," the expert said.

In response to the significant external pressures, Russia will make some diplomatic adjustments with relevant countries, including prioritizing traditional friendly nations and enhancing partnerships with neighboring states. This will extend to bolstering relations with Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as other traditional allies in the Middle East and Northeast Asia, Yang said.

Upon the new presidency, how Russia shapes its policy direction with the West and China have become the key focus of the world.

As Russia-West tensions escalate, Yang said relations between the two sides have dropped to the lowest level since the end of the Cold War and the situation of sanctions and counter-sanctions will not see the tide turned in the short term.

At the inauguration, Putin declared that Russia does not refuse dialogue with Western countries saying "the choice is theirs." A conversation on security issues, strategic stability is possible, but not from a position of strength, but only on equal terms, Putin stated, Sputnik reported.

In contrast, the relationship between Russia and China remains clear and certain. "As their partnership is strategic despite not being an alliance, this type of relationship provides both parties with significant flexibility. Given the current convergence of interests between the two sides, our outlook on the future of China-Russia relations remains healthy, steady and positive, unaffected by global landscape changes," Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

President Aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed on Tuesday after the swearing-in ceremony that Putin's first overseas visit for this term will be to China, according to media reports.

When Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited China in February, he reaffirmed that deepening the partnership with China is "the top priority for Moscow," the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Envoys from France, Hungary and Slovakia among several other EU member states were expected to attend the ceremony, Reuters reported on Tuesday, while other Western powers including the US refused to take part.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that "We are not at war with Russia or the Russian people, and we have no desire for regime change in Moscow."

The varying diplomatic response has underscored divisions on how to develop relations with Moscow against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis. The Western stance toward Russia is not set in stone. Despite attempts to resist Putin's authority, Russia's status as a major global player and Putin's leadership has never been truly negated when it comes to matters concerning global and European interests. The "boycott" is actually a "stage play," Cui said.

However, for countries like France which maintain an independent and pragmatic stance, they have grasped a better initiative for their future dealings with Russia, the expert noted.

Following the inauguration, the Russian government resigned to the newly elected president by a decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until a new government is appointed, according to a TASS report.

In 2000, the 47-year-old Putin garnered backing from 52.94 percent of the Russian voters. This support increased to 71.31 percent in 2004, 63.6 percent in 2012, and 76.7 percent in 2018. By the March 2024 elections, the 71-year-old candidate saw a record-high support rate of 87.28 percent.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Putin sworn in for 5th term as Russia's president, begins 6-year tenure

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 4:14 PM

Vladimir Putin has been sworn in for a record-breaking fifth term as Russia's president, beginning another six-year tenure amid an unprecedented confrontation with the West over the war in Ukraine.

The ceremony on Tuesday, widely boycotted by Western diplomats, was held at Andreyevsky Hall in the Grand Kremlin Palace, where 71-year-old swore an oath of allegiance by placing his right hand on Russia's constitution.

On his orders, the Russian military launched its "special military operation" in neighboring Ukraine in February 2022 to "de-Nazify" and "de-militarize" the ex-Soviet republic seeking NATO membership.

Since the onset of the war, the West, and most notably the United States, supported Ukraine with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities. The US, alone, has pledged more than $44 billion in security aid to Kiev.

In his speech on Tuesday, Putin, who is in power as president or prime minister since 1999, said he wanted to "bow" before Russian soldiers there, stressing that his landslide re-election in March was proof Russia was united and on the right track.

"You, citizens of Russia, have confirmed the correctness of the country's course. This is of great importance right now, when we are faced with serious challenges," he said at the lavish ceremony.

"I see in this a deep understanding of our common historical goals, a determination to adamantly defend our choice, our values, freedom and the national interests of Russia," Putin said.

Although the war has severely strained ties between Russia and the West, Putin said that he was not rejecting dialog with the West, including on nuclear weapons.

"The choice is theirs: do they intend to continue trying to restrain the development of Russia, continue the policy of aggression, incessant pressure on our country for years, or look for a path to cooperation and peace?" said Putin, whose troops are advancing gradually in eastern Ukraine.

Among others, the US has sent Ukraine the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and HIMARS launchers, capable of firing ATACMS missiles.

The long-range ATACMS missiles have a range of about 300 kilometers roughly four times the range of the missiles used by the mobile HIMARS systems that the US began sending to Ukraine in 2022.

Ukraine says the ATACMS missiles will help its forces strike Russian positions far behind the front lines.

This is while Moscow has repeatedly warned that such a flow of weapons to Kiev will only prolong the war.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






2 U.S. Citizens, Including Soldier, Join List Of Americans Being Held In Russia

By Current Time May 07, 2024

Russian officials said two U.S. nationals were arrested in separate cases, including a serving army member, raising renewed questions over whether Moscow is targeting Americans to detain and later use as bargaining chips in prisoner swaps.

The Pervomaisky district court in Russia's Far East city of Vladivostok ordered the arrest of U.S. Staff Sergeant Gordon Black and sent him to pretrial detention until at least July 2, court spokeswoman Yelena Oleneva said on May 7.

U.S. authorities confirmed that Black had been arrested in Russia and had been accused of stealing from a woman after traveling from South Korea -- where he was stationed -- without informing his superiors. The Pentagon said the soldier traveled to Vladivostok through China without official clearance.

Russian authorities separately disclosed on May 7 that another American, identified by court officials as William Russell Nycum, had been detained 10 days ago in an unrelated case and was in custody in Moscow on "petty hooliganism" and alcohol charges.

Daniel Kanigan, deputy spokesman at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, told RFE/RL in an e-mail that "we can confirm that two U.S. citizens have been detained in Russia in the past week." He did not confirm the name of either of the detained Americans.

The White House on May 7 also confirmed that two U.S. citizens had been detained in Russia and said the State Department was actively seeking consular access to both.

The detentions add to a list of U.S. citizens being held in Russia under various circumstances and comes as tensions between Moscow and Washington are at the highest levels since the Cold War.

Among those being held are journalists Alsu Kurmasheva of RFE/RL and Evan Gershkovich of The Wall Street Journal, who have been detained on charges they, their employers, and their supporters reject as politically motivated. Also being held is Paul Whelan, who in 2020 was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges that he and the U.S. government have repeatedly rejected.

Russia's Foreign Ministry, however, said the two news cases were not political and that neither is accused of espionage.

Black was charged with "theft causing significant damage to a citizen," Kommersant cited Oleneva as saying. The maximum penalty for the charge is five years in prison.

Black's mother told the ABC TV network that her 35-year-old son had been visiting his girlfriend in Russia at the time of his arrest.

Melody Jones said Black was on a two-week leave from his base in South Korea when he traveled to Russia. She said he was pulled aside as he arrived at the Vladivostok airport and questioned for nine hours by authorities.

U.S. Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith confirmed that Black was detained four days earlier in Vladivostok, a military and commercial port in Russia's Far East, on charges of criminal misconduct.

"The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations," Smith said in the statement. "The army notified his family and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the soldier in Russia."

She gave no further details in the statement due to "the sensitivity of this matter."

It wasn't immediately clear if the detained soldier was being considered as absent without leave (AWOL) by the U.S. military.

Officials confirmed that the soldier had been stationed in South Korea -- where the U.S. military has about 28,500 troops based -- and was in the process of returning home to Fort Cavazos, Texas, but traveled instead to Russia.

Smith added that there was no indication that "Black intended to remain in Russia" after his two-week leave time ended.

She said Black enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2008 and that he had served in Iraq for about 11 months ending in September 2010 and in Afghanistan from June 2013 to March 2014.

U.S. Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "I am deeply concerned by reports that a U.S. Army officer has been detained in Russia. Putin has a long history of holding American citizens hostage."

The State Department in September 2023 issued a "Do Not Travel" warning to U.S. citizens in the background of American support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's full-scale invasion of that country. The note cited "the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials" in its warning.

Asked about the incident, a State Department spokesperson would only confirm that "a U.S. citizen has been detained in Russia."

"We reiterate our strong warnings about the danger posed to U.S. citizens inside the Russian Federation. U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately, as stated in our Travel Advisory for Russia," the spokesperson said.

The latest incident comes less than a year after U.S. soldier Travis King, also stationed in South Korea at the time, slipped into North Korea across the heavily fortified demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas.

North Korea later expelled King, who was returned to the United States and eventually charged with desertion.

With reporting by AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-russia-vladivostok-two- americans-detained/32935533.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






Putin Inaugurated In Ceremony Marked By Western Boycott

By RFE/RL's Russian Service May 07, 2024

Vladimir Putin was sworn in as president of Russia for a fifth time on May 7, in a ceremony to kick off a new six-year term that was boycotted by most Western countries over his war in Ukraine and an election victory they rejected as being orchestrated to provide him a landslide result.

The 71-year-old Putin took the presidential oath of office in an ornate ceremony in Moscow's Grand Kremlin Palace attended by senior Russian politicians other dignitaries, though noticeably absent were representatives from the United States, Britain, Canada and most European Union members.

Putin -- who has ruled as either president or prime minister since 2000 -- is set to surpass Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's nearly 30-year reign by the end of his new term to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than two centuries.

He was able to contest the March election, where he won over 87 percent of the vote, by taking advantage of a raft of 2020 constitutional reforms that gave him the right to seek two more six-year terms, meaning he could stay in office until 2036.

Russian elections are tightly controlled by the Kremlin and are neither free nor fair but are viewed by the government as necessary to convey a sense of legitimacy. They are marred by the exclusion of opposition candidates, voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, and other means of manipulation.

"We certainly did not consider that election free and fair but he is the president of Russia and he is going to continue in that capacity," U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said ahead of the inauguration.

The election was the first since Putin launched his war against neighboring Ukraine in February 2022, and two anti-war candidates were barred from running against him on technicalities.

Meanwhile, his greatest political foe, Aleksei Navalny, died while in a Siberian prison a month before Russians took to the polls.

"War, political assassinations, impoverishment of Russians. There is no prosperity for Russia, no peace and freedom for our citizens," Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, said in a social media post on May 7.

"Our country is being led by a liar, a thief, and a murderer. But this will definitely come to an end."

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched, relations between Moscow and the West have deteriorated to their lowest level since the end of the Cold War, with Kyiv's Western allies throwing their support behind Ukraine's struggle to repel overwhelmingly superior Russian forces.

Speaking after he took the oath of office, Putin said he wouldn't rule out dialogue with the West, but it needed to be on equal terms and in the meantime, Russia was open to developing relations with other countries he called "the world's majority."

"We believe that the isolation of Russia, and especially of its criminal leader, must be continued," Lithuania's foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, said in explaining his country's decision to boycott the ceremony.

"Participation in Putin's inauguration is not acceptable for Lithuania. Our priority remains support for Ukraine and its people fighting against Russian aggression."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-inauguration- western-boycott-russia/32936441.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






Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone Timothy Musa Kabba

7 May 2024 17:01

845-07-05-2024

Mr Minister,

Friends,

We are delighted to see you in the Russian Federation.

Our relations have always been friendly, based on trust and strong historical ties. Sierra Leone is one of Russia's reliable partners in Africa. We appreciate your active participation in the events designed to strengthen ties between our country and the African continent.

Vladimir Putin was inaugurated as President of Russia today. On his behalf, I would like to extend best wishes and warmest greetings to President Julius Maada Bio.

President Vladimir Putin asked me to convey his gratitude to your President for the congratulations on his re-election as well as for the condolences that the President of Sierra Leone extended to us following the Crocus City Hall attack.

We have a busy agenda. Russia and Sierra Leone cooperate in international organisations to promote justice and democracy on the world stage. There are a number of other bilateral issues that we would to like to address to boost our trade, economic and investment cooperation.

I consider your visit timelier than ever and I am looking forward to productive talks.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Putin Takes Office as President of Russia

Sputnik News

20240507

The Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow is hosting a solemn ceremony where Vladimir Putin is being sworn in as Russia's incumbent leader.

Vladimir Putin has been sworn in as President of the Russian Federation.

The tradition of holding the official inauguration ceremony on May 7 at the Kremlin dates back to 2000. In 2024, the tradition continued, with the presence of numerous prominent Russian officials, judges, and parliament members in attendance.

The procedure of inaugurating Russia's new elected president is held in strict accordance with the law "On the election of the President of the Russian Federation", and is carried out at the close of six years after the national leader's predecessor assumed office.

The ceremony started with the ceremonial introduction of the Russian national flag, the standard of the president, the Russian Constitution and the insignia of the Russian president into the St. Andrew's Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.

In total, about 2,600 people have been invited to the ceremony, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Putin will hold the office for the next six years until 2030.

Snippets From Vladimir Putin's Speech at the Ceremony

"Russia does not refuse dialogue with Western countries, the choice is theirs", Putin said

Vladimir Putin assured that the interests of the security of the people of Russia will be above all else for him. "We will determine the fate of Russia by ourselves and only ourselves, for the sake of today's and future generations," the president noted.

"A conversation on security issues, strategic stability is possible, but not from a position of strength, but only on equal terms", Putin stated.

Putin: Russia will continue to work with partners to form a multipolar world order

"Together with our partners in Eurasian integration and other sovereign development centers, we will continue to work to form a multipolar world order, equal and indivisible security system," Putin said at the ceremony.

The president underlined that Russia's state system must be flexible and allow for forward movement. "It is necessary to ensure reliable continuity of the country's development for decades to come," he noted.

Russia has to answer to thousands of years of history and ancestors who took inaccessible heights, Putin said.

Russia has to answer to thousands of years of history and ancestors who took inaccessible heights, Putin said.

The president highlighted the importance of ensuring reliable continuity in the country's development.

"We must ensure reliable continuity in the development of the country for decades to come, raise and educate young generations who will strengthen the power of Russia, develop our statehood, which is based on interethnic harmony, preserving the traditions of all peoples living in Russia," he noted.

Vladimir Putin noted that his government had never turned down an offer of dialogue from the West despite its efforts to contain Russia's development.

"We have always been open to the prospect of deepening friendly relations with all countries that see Russia as a reliable and honest partner. They are the global majority. We do not refuse to have a dialogue with Western countries. The choice is theirs," Putin said.

"Will they continue trying to contain Russia's development and insisting on their policy of aggression, their years-long pressure on our country or will they look for opportunities for cooperation and peace?" the president added.

Commenting on the Russia-West dialogue on security and strategic stability, the leader noted that it is possible only on equal terms.

"A conversation [between Western countries and Russia], including on issues of security and strategic stability, is possible, but not from a position of force, without any arrogance, conceit and personal exclusivity, but only on equal terms, respecting each other's interests," Putin said.

Russia looks forward with confidence, plans its future, outlines new projects and programs, Putin added.

"We look forward with confidence, plan our future, outline and are already implementing new projects and programs that are designed to make our development even more dynamic, even more powerful," he stressed.

Vladimir Putin vowed he would do everything in his power to justify voters' trust but stressed that the outcome of his new six-year term depended on national unity.

"I stress that results of this work primarily depend on our unity, our overall ambition to be of benefit to our Fatherland, to protect it and to work as hard as we can," the president said.

Putin: We are a united and great people; together, we will win!

After the inauguration ceremony, the president took part in the parade of the Presidential Regiment.

Following the inauguration and parade of the Presidential Regiment, Putin attended a thanksgiving prayer service in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin, which was conducted by Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill.

Patriarch Kirill presented Putin with an icon of the Virgin Mary as a blessing for his new presidential term.

"We are sincerely praying for you," Russia's Patriarch Kirill blessed the president after the thanksgiving prayer.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






US soldier detained in Russia; White House says 2nd American newly detained

By Carla Babb May 07, 2024

The U.S. Army has confirmed that a U.S. soldier was arrested last week during an unauthorized visit to the Russian far eastern port city of Vladivostok, one of two recently detained Americans in Russia.

Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said Tuesday Staff Sergeant Gordon C. Black had been stationed in South Korea and signed out on permanent change of station leave on April 10 en route to Fort Cavazos, Texas. Instead of returning to the continental United States, Black flew through China to Vladivostok for "personal reasons."

"Black did not request official clearance, and [the Department of Defense] did not authorize his travel to China and Russia, Smith added.

U.S. officials told VOA he appeared to have traveled to Russia to see a woman whom he was romantically involved with.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Tuesday the Army is investigating the incident and that any leave to Russia was "strictly prohibited," according to the Department of Defense's foreign clearance guide.

The White House said on Tuesday it confirmed "two separate cases" of U.S. citizens being detained in Russia, without identifying the second detainee.

Russian officials identified the second American as William Russell Nycum. He was detained 10 days ago in Moscow on petty hooliganism and alcohol charges, according to the Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti.

"The State Department is actively seeking consular access to both individuals, neither of whom are in Russia on behalf or in affiliation with the U.S. government," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

A Russian Ministry of Interior official informed the U.S. Embassy in Moscow on May 3 that Black was arrested a day earlier in Vladivostok for theft of personal property. Smith said the Army has no further information about the charge at this time and that Black will remain in a pretrial detention facility until his next hearing.

According to RFE/RL a TikTok account of Black's romantic partner, Vladivostok native Aleksandra Vashchuk, contains numerous videos of the couple together in South Korea. In one video, Black is wearing his U.S. Army fatigues and kisses the camera of a woman, presumably Vashchuk, as she speaks in Russian.

RFE/RL says Vashchuk refers to Black as her husband and affectionately as "pindos," a Russian slang word for Americans that roughly translates to "Yankee punk."

The Associated Press reports that unnamed officials say Black is accused of stealing from his "girlfriend."

The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Michael McCaul, said he is "deeply concerned" by reports of the detainment.

"Putin has a long history of holding American citizens hostage," McCaul said in a post shared on X. "A warning to all Americans a as the State Department has said, it is not safe to travel to Russia."

Among those being held are journalists Alsu Kurmasheva of RFE/RL and Evan Gershkovich of The Wall Street Journal, who have been detained on charges that they, their employers and their supporters reject as politically motivated.

Also being held is Paul Whelan, who in 2020 was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges, which he and the U.S. government have repeatedly rejected.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Canada repatriates 6 Canadian children from northeastern Syria

Global Affairs Canada

Statement

May 7, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement:

"Canada remains committed to taking every possible step to ensure the safety and security of Canadians both at home and abroad.

"The Government of Canada has taken extraordinary measures to repatriate 6 Canadian children from northeastern Syria. The focus is now on protecting the children's privacy and ensuring they receive the support and care needed to begin a new life here in Canada.

"Canada thanks the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria for its cooperation in conducting another operation under extremely challenging security conditions.

"We also extend our gratitude to the United States for its assistance in the repatriation of Canadians and for its valuable support throughout this process.

"Global Affairs Canada works with multiple Canadian provincial authorities, NGOs, and social services, including child welfare services and local shelters, to facilitate reception, accommodation and other support services.

"Due to privacy considerations, we cannot provide information about the repatriated individuals, and for operational security reasons, we cannot share details of the repatriation."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Finland repatriates Finnish citizen deported from northeast Syria

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

Press releases, 7.5.2024

On Monday 6 May, the autonomous administration of northeast Syria deported a Finnish citizen it had detained to Finland. The person in question is an adult man who was taken to Syria as a child in 2014. He is not suspected of criminal activity in Finland or in Syria.

The Finnish authorities received the deported person and escorted him to Finland. Finland made the arrangements in international collaboration with authorities from allied countries, the United States in particular.

Under section 9 of the Constitution of Finland, Finnish citizens must not be prevented from entering Finland. The competent Finnish authorities cannot refuse to cooperate with the deporting party in situations where a refusal would mean actually preventing the return travel of a Finnish citizen.

The person will pay for his return transport at his own cost in accordance with the Finnish Consular Services Act.

The consular services of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs have prepared the matter in close cooperation with security authorities and with authorities within the administrative branch of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Readout of the meeting between Commissioner Kadri Simson and Ukraine's Minister of Energy German Galushchenko

European Commission

Statement

6 May 2024

Kyiv

Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson discussed today with Ukraine's Energy Minister German Galushchenko, during an official visit to Kyiv, their cooperation to strengthen the resilience of the Ukrainian energy system and preparations for the next heating season.

Minister Galushchenko emphasized that the situation in the power system after the massive Russian attacks is quite complicated:

"We have already lost more than 8 GW. But we are working to restore the affected facilities and will restore as much as possible. Urgent solutions also include an increase in generation by next winter, in particular, maneuvering capacities."

Commissioner Kadri Simson noted that the European Union will support Ukraine in rebuilding its energy infrastructure so that industry and households do not face any restrictions on electricity supply. The Parties discussed the needs of the Ukrainian energy sector for equipment that can be provided by European partners. Particular attention was focused on financial support, particularly through the mechanisms of the Ukraine Energy Support Fund established under the Energy Community Secretariat. In addition, the importance of the potential of interconnections between Ukraine and European countries was emphasized, which makes it possible to attract electricity from partner countries to balance the energy system.

The meeting today also focused on coordinating international cooperation to increase pressure on Russia and oust the aggressor country from global energy markets. Specifically, the Commissioner and Minister discussed the termination of the contract for the transit of Russian gas to Europe later this year. "The EU has been preparing for this for two years. We know that Russia is an unreliable gas supplier", the Commissioner emphasized, recalling that Russia has repeatedly manipulated prices on the gas market.

The Commissioner also announced the European Commission's intention to have a new package of sanctions against Russia.

Minister Galushchenko added"Sanctions should deprive Russia of the opportunity to be any kind of player in the world markets".

The meeting also focused on the future integration of Ukrainian energy markets into the European market and the relevant regulatory and legal preparations.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






New Danish humanitarian support package to ensure urgent and life-saving emergency relief for the most vulnerable Ukrainians

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

7.5.2024 10:49:26 CEST | News from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

More than two years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, nearly 15 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN. This represents about 40% of the population still in Ukraine. The war particularly affects the most vulnerable Ukrainians, including women, children, and people displaced by the war. Therefore, the Danish government is contributing with a new humanitarian support package of 250 million Danish kroner to help meet the basic needs of the most affected Ukrainians.

While Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Dan JArgensen, and his European counterparts meet in Brussels today to discuss, among other things, the war in Ukraine, the Danish government is announcing a new humanitarian support package for Ukraine.

"The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is extremely serious. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, thousands of homes have been destroyed, hospitals have been bombed, and basic necessities such as water, heating, and electricity are scarce resources for many Ukrainians. In areas close to the front line the situation has especially reached a catastrophic level. Many women and children are particularly vulnerable. With this new support package, we aim to ensure urgent and life-saving humanitarian aid and protection for the most vulnerable groups," says Dan JArgensen.

The package provides basic emergency assistance such as food, medicine, water, and shelter to Ukrainians in the hardest hit areas.

The support focuses especially on protection of the most vulnerable Ukrainians. This includes the millions of children who suffer from the consequences of the war and are in need of a safe environment, social activities, and support to continue their education even as the war rages.

The support package also contributes to efforts to prevent, mitigate and respond to the particular risks faced by women and girls - including the risk of sexual and gender-based violence - and contributes towards provision of e.g. psychosocial support and maternal health care.

The support package will include:

Humanitarian efforts through Danish civil society partners, who have been present in Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

The Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, which supports broad humanitarian efforts and ensures the involvement of local Ukrainian partners (OCHA).

Humanitarian efforts through UNHCR in support of internally displaced people in Ukraine and refugees in the neighboring country of Moldova.

Humanitarian efforts through UNICEF focused on children and vulnerable families, including protection, health, and education.

UNFPA's work to prevent, mitigate and respond to sexual and gender-based violence and ensure access to essential sexual and reproductive health services.

Background

Distribution of the humanitarian support package:

100 million DKK through strategic Danish civil society partners present in Ukraine

42 million DKK through the Ukraine humanitarian fund (OCHA)

42 million DKK through the UNHCR in Ukraine and Moldova

41 million DKK through UNICEF in Ukraine

25 million DKK through UNFPA in Ukraine

In addition, the support package focuses on strengthening Ukrainians' ability to sustain themselves through the coming winter. Ukrainian winters are harsh and cold with temperatures dropping below minus 20 degrees. Over the past few months, Russia has intensified its airstrikes on Ukraine, including on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure that provides both electricity and heating to the population. Initiatives that prepare Ukrainians to get through the cold months are already needed at this point.

Denmark also supports humanitarian mine action in Ukraine. Up to 156,000 km2 - more than three times Denmark's area - is feared to be contaminated with mines and other explosive remnants of war. The extensive presence of mines and explosive remnants of war in civilian areas poses a serious threat to civilians' safety and their return to previously war-affected areas. Mine contamination also poses a serious challenge to humanitarian access and reconstruction efforts in the country.

The contribution is financed through the Ukraine Fund. For press inquiries, contact the press duty officer at pressevagten@um.dk or +45 61 97 92 47.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Ukraine also remains a priority for the coming years - Baiba BraAe notes at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (Development)

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

07.05.2024

On 7 May 2024 in Brussels, Belgium, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba BraAe, took part in the meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in its development configuration, which focused on the situation in Ukraine and the Ukraine Plan.

Baiba BraAe pointed out that support to Ukraine remains a priority for the coming years as well. The Minister underlined that upon taking up her present post her first ever foreign visit had been to Ukraine, since it was vital to demonstrate unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, including support in the reform process. The Minister emphasised the need to enlist all the support Ukraine needs to help it win the war and move ahead on its course towards EU membership. The Ukraine Plan is an instrument of strategic importance for Ukraine to implement reforms and receive EUR 50 billion in EU funding from 2024 to 2027.

Discussions also were held on the current situation in Palestine and the provision of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, as well as on the EU and its Member States rendering development cooperation support in fragile and unstable regions, especially in Africa.

Background information

The Foreign Affairs Council in its development configuration addresses the matters of development cooperation and humanitarian aid. The meetings, held on a biannual basis, are chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Policy and Security Policy,Josep Borrell.

addresses the matters of development cooperation and humanitarian aid. The meetings, held on a biannual basis, are chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Policy and Security Policy,Josep Borrell. The Ukraine Plan: On 18 March 2024, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers approved the Ukraine Plan that unblocks the disbursement of EU funding (EUR 50 billion under the EU Ukraine Facility from 2024 to 2027). The plan provides for support to Ukraine's budget (around EUR 38 billion) and business development (EUR 6.97 billion), as well as for the implementation of reforms and promotion of EU integration (EUR 4.76 billion). The plan envisages reforms in a number of areas, including public administration, fighting corruption, public finance management, business environment, the agri-food, energy and transport sectors.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Statement on Ukraine from the OPCW Spokesperson

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

7 May 2024

Statement attributable to the spokesperson for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

The Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has been monitoring the situation on the territory of Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022 in relation to allegations of use of toxic chemicals as weapons.

Both the Russian Federation and Ukraine have accused one another and reported allegations of use of chemical weapons to the Organisation.

A compendium of all official correspondence by States Parties on such allegations and accusations has been made available on the OPCW public website and is regularly updated.

The information provided to the Organisation so far by both sides, together with the information available to the Secretariat, is insufficiently substantiated.

Still, the situation remains volatile and extremely concerning regarding the possible re-emergence of use of toxic chemicals as weapons.

The destruction of all declared chemical weapons stockpiles in the world was achieved in July 2023 under strict verification of the OPCW Secretariat.

This does not mean that chemical weapons do not exist anymore.

Under the Chemical Weapons Convention, any toxic chemical, used for its toxic properties with the purpose to cause harm or death is considered a chemical weapon.

This includes the diversion of dual-use toxic chemicals produced worldwide by the chemical industry from their declared non-prohibited purposes.

Additionally, under the Convention, States Parties have the obligation to declare all toxic chemical agents they hold for riot control purposes.

It is against the Convention to use riot control agents at war on the battlefield. If used as a method of warfare, these agents are considered chemical weapons and, hence, are prohibited under the Convention.

Moreover, under Article II, paragraph 7 of the Convention, a Riot Control Agent is defined as any chemical not listed in a Schedule, which can produce rapidly in humans sensory irritation or disabling effects which disappear within a short time following termination of exposure.

Accordingly, any use, as a Riot Control Agent, of a toxic chemical belonging to one of the three Schedules listed in the Annex to the Convention on Chemicals would be contrary to the Convention.

On 1 May, the United States of America announced that it had imposed new measures on the Russian Federation for its full-scale war and use of chemical weapons against Ukraine, including for its use of chloropicrin, a chemical belonging to Schedule 3 of the Convention, as well as riot control agents as a method of warfare.

For its part, the Russian Federation has denied making use of such weapons.

It is recalled that, to conduct any activities pertaining to allegations of use of toxic chemicals as weapons, the Secretariat of the OPCW would need to be formally seized of a request to conduct such activity by States Parties.

So far, the Secretariat has not received any such request for action.

We will continue to monitor the situation and maintain our readiness to deploy.

We remain in contact with concerned States Parties and invite those that may have substantiated information to share it with the Secretariat.

In the meantime, the OPCW will continue to provide support to Ukraine, upon its request, in the field of assistance and protection against chemical weapons under Article X of the Convention.

In this framework, the Secretariat has been working on delivering training courses on emergency response, and the provision of protective, detection, and identification equipment, together with the relevant training.

All 193 OPCW Member States, thus including the Russian Federation and Ukraine, have committed never to develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, transfer or use chemical weapons.

States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention have declared that any use of chemical weapons is totally unacceptable and would violate the legal norms and standards of the international community.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Germany backs EU proposal to use frozen Russian assets to finance arms for Ukraine

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 May 2024 7:19 AM

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says the revenue accrued from Russian assets frozen by the European Union should be allocated for weapons purchases for Ukraine.

Backing EU's previous suggestion of utilizing the interest revenues from Russian assets to enhance Ukraine's military capabilities, Scholz said on Monday that 90% of the income derived from frozen Russian assets should be allocated towards acquiring arms for Kiev.

"It is important that we also agree that this money can be used for arms purchases not only in the EU, but for purchases worldwide," Scholz told journalists after a meeting with members of the three Baltic governments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in Riga.

In February 2022, as Russia launched the Ukraine war, the United States and its allies prohibited transactions with Russia's central bank and finance ministry and the Russian assets in the West worth approximately $300 billion were blocked by the US and its allies. However, rather than confiscating the funds entirely, the EU suggested redirecting the interest towards Kiev.

Scholz endorsed the proposal made by Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, who suggested in March to transfer 90% of the revenues from Russian assets frozen in Europe to an EU-managed fund that supports the provision of weapons to Ukraine.

He further said that Germany along with the three Baltic states want to see a ramp-up of weapons production in the EU.

Over the past two years, the US and its allies have committed billions of dollars in military and financial assistance to Kiev, emphasizing the importance of Moscow experiencing a "strategic defeat" in the conflict, while denying any direct involvement in the conflict.

Around 70% of Russian assets frozen in Western countries are held in Euroclear, a Belgian-based securities depository, which has the equivalent of approximately $204 billion worth of Russian central bank securities and cash.

Moscow has repeatedly denounced the confiscation of Russian assets as "theft", asserting that it constitutes expropriation and a breach of international law.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, has said that Russia is determined to take all necessary measures to reclaim the seized assets.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Ukraine Says It Thwarted Russian Plan To Kill Zelenskiy, Top Officials

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service May 07, 2024

KYIV - Ukraine's SBU security service said it "thwarted" an assassination attempt against President Volodymyr Zelenskiy by a network of five Ukrainian agents linked to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor agency to the Soviet-era KGB.

Kyiv on May 7 said the alleged agents, members of Ukraine's state guard service, also had targeted SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk, military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, and other high-ranking Ukrainian officials.

The developments come on the heels of an announcement on May 4 by Russia's Interior Ministry that it had opened a "criminal investigation" against Zelenskiy, ex-President Petro Poroshenko, and other Ukrainian government officials and placed them on its wanted list.

Poroshenko and Zelenskiy, who has led his country through Russia's full-scale invasion that began in February 2022, joined a long list of foreign officials placed under various criminal warrants, including many others from Ukraine and leaders from Central and Eastern Europe.

It was not immediately clear if the developments were directly linked.

According to the SBU, two colonels from the administration of the State Guard of Ukraine (UDO), whose names were not disclosed, were charged with high treason committed during wartime and preparing a terrorist act.

The two men were arrested after their homes were searched. If found guilty, they face life in prison.

"Counterintelligence and SBU investigators thwarted the FSB's plans to eliminate the president of Ukraine and other representatives of the top military and political leadership," SBU said on Telegram.

"One of the tasks of the FSB agent network was to find performers among the military close to the president's protection who could take the head of state hostage and then kill him," it said.

Separately, Russia and Ukraine accused each other of using banned toxins on the battlefield, according to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

However, the OPCW said the accusations were "insufficiently substantiated." It added, though, that "the situation remains volatile and extremely concerning regarding the possible reemergence of use of toxic chemicals as weapons."

The Chemical Weapons Convention states that any toxic chemical used with the intention of causing harm is considered a chemical weapon.

Moscow and Kyiv have not formally asked the OPCW to investigate the allegations, it said.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Russian shelling killed one civilian and wounded eight in several Ukrainian regions, officials reported early on May 7.

One man was killed in Petrivka in the Donetsk region, local administration head Vadym Filashkin said on Telegram, adding that four people were wounded in Kostyantynivka.

Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov said three people -- including a 16-year-old girl -- were wounded when a guided aerial bomb struck the village of Borova in the Izyum district.

Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported one wounded in his region, while in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian troops shelled the city of Nikopol four times overnight, damaging a gas pipeline, according to regional head Serhiy Lysak.

Early on May 8, Kremlin-installed leader Leonid Pasechnik said an oil depot had caught fire in the Russia-occupied eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk, blaming the attack on Ukrainian shells.

Another Russia-installed official claimed without providing evidence that Ukraine had used a U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, in the attack. Further information was not available, and Kyiv did not immediately comment.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-fsb-plot-kill- zelenskiy/32936546.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






Ukraine's Total Military Casualties in Donetsk Reach Up to 1,165 in Past Day - MoD

Sputnik News

20240507

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian armed forces suffered up to 1,165 military casualties in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in the past 24 hours as a result of operations by the Russian armed forces, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Tuesday.

"[As a result of actions by the Battlegroup Yug], enemy losses amounted to up to 600 military personnel, a tank, three armored combat vehicles, ten cars [among other military losses]," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Battlefroup Tsentr repelled one Ukrainian counterattack in the DPR, while Kiev lost up to 395 soldiers.

Battlegroup Vostok also improved its tactical positions in the DPR, while Kiev lost up to 170 soldiers.

Additionally, as a result of operations by the Battlegroup Zapad, Kiev lost up to 335 soldiers in the Kharkov region and the Lugansk People's Republic.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Specific Proposals on Ukraine's Future NATO Membership: Yermak-Rasmussen International Group Held a Meeting

President of Ukraine

7 May 2024 - 23:24

The Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak and the Secretary General of NATO in 2009-2014 Anders Fogh Rasmussen held an online regular meeting of the International Working Group on security issues and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.

The participants discussed the draft report of the International Working Group, which contains a detailed justification and specific proposals for Ukraine's future membership in NATO, ensuring sustainable peace and deterring the aggressor country. The report will be made public in the near future.

Andriy Yermak also spoke about the preparations for the inaugural Peace Summit that will take place in Switzerland this June.

"The summit is aimed at creating a platform to discuss different views on the peace process and at giving a high-level political start to the preparation of a joint peace foundation that should restore peace in Ukraine. Based on all the discussions held earlier, we want to develop a joint peace plan supported by all the countries," the Head of the Presidential Office said.

He emphasized the importance of involving as many countries as possible, including the representatives of the Global South, in the Global Peace Summit. Andriy Yermak urged the members of the International Working Group to spread the idea of supporting the Summit and to encourage state leaders' participation in it.

The Head of the Presidential Office informed the participants about the situation on the battlefield and the specific defense needs of our country, he also noted the importance of security agreements that Ukraine concludes with partner countries.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated that the draft report of the International Working Group demonstrates strong support for the Ukrainian course towards NATO membership. According to him, the document contains specific proposals regarding our country's future membership in the Alliance as a key commitment to the security of Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic region.

"Strong and clear decisions at the Washington Summit will be extremely important. They will provide good motivation for our people. We truly want NATO's unity to be exceptionally strong. Thank you very much for your help and support," the Head of the Presidential Office said.

The meeting was attended by the former President of Poland Aleksander KwaAniewski, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin, the former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and others.

The Ukrainian side was represented by the Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva and the Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Oleksandr Bevz.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Spain, Belgium, Latvia and Finland Confirmed Their Participation in the Global Peace Summit

President of Ukraine

7 May 2024 - 19:34

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held telephone conversations with the President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb, the President of the Latvian Republic Edgars Rinkevics, the Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez and the Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo. All of them confirmed their participation in the Global Peace Summit that will be held in Switzerland this June.

The Ukrainian Head of State thanked Alexander Stubb for his leadership in implementing the Ecological Safety provision of the Peace Formula and the active involvement of Finland in other areas. The Presidents also discussed the continuation of defense cooperation and the possibility of engaging Finnish experience in the construction of civilian shelters.

The leaders of Ukraine and Latvia exchanged views on the consolidation of support for the Peace Summit by countries from around the globe. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked his counterpart for signing a bilateral security agreement within the framework of the G7 Vilnius Declaration and acknowledged Latvia's commitment to allocate 0.25% of GDP annually to support our country.

The President of Ukraine thanked the Prime Minister of Spain for his active support of the Peace Formula, its promotion among Latin American and African countries, and for all the defense assistance, in particular for the strengthening of air defense. The leaders noted the completion of negotiations on the text of the bilateral security agreement within the framework of the G7 Vilnius Declaration.

The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Belgium discussed defense and political cooperation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukraine appreciates the decision of the Belgian government to start the transfer of F-16 aircraft this year. The Head of State also praised the important role of the Belgian EU Presidency in the context of the integration of Ukraine and stated that our country anticipates the actual start of accession negotiations in June.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Ukraine thwarts Zelenskyy assassination plot by Russia, says Kyiv counterintelligence

By VOA News May 07, 2024

Ukrainian counterintelligence investigators said Tuesday that they thwarted a plan by Russian agents to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other high-level officials.

Two colonels in the State Guard of Ukraine, which protects top officials, were arrested on suspicion of treason for enacting the plan, Ukraine's state security service said in a prepared statement, which added that the plot was drawn up by Russia's Federal Security Service.

Moscow did not immediately comment on the reports, which indicate that the colonels were recruited prior to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"The terrorist attack, which was supposed to be a gift to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin for the inauguration, was indeed a failure of Russian special services," Vasyl Maliuk, head of Ukraine's State Security Service, told his agency via Telegram.

The United States and most European Union countries skipped Putin's 6th term swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday.

The inauguration comes more than two years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said in 2022 that there had been at least 10 attempts to assassinate him. A Polish man was arrested in April on allegations of working with Russia's GRU military intelligence on an alleged plot to assassinate the Ukrainian president.

Zelenskyy is leading Ukraine's effort to fight off Russia's aggression as the war enters its third year.

Overnight attack

Russia's defense ministry said Tuesday the country's air defense shot down a Ukrainian drone over the Belgorod region.

The drone intercept was the second to take place over Belgorod in less than 12 hours, after Russian air defenses shot down another drone overnight.

Belgorod's regional governor reported air sirens but no further information about damage from drone debris.

Belgorod, located along the border between Russia and Ukraine, is a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks.

Moscow threatens UK

Russia threatened Monday to strike British military targets inside Ukraine and elsewhere if Ukraine's military uses British-supplied long-range missiles against Russian targets.

During a visit to Kyiv last week, Cameron said Ukrainian forces will be able to use British long-range weapons to strike targets inside Russia.

"Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure it's defending itself," Cameron said in an interview with Reuters last week.

Cameron also said that London did not put "caveats" on how Ukrainian forces use weapons supplied by Britain.

The Russian foreign ministry announced in a statement it had summoned British Ambassador Nigel Casey in Moscow and warned him that if Ukrainian forces use British-supplied weapons to strike Russia, Moscow could retaliate at "any U.K. military facility and equipment on Ukrainian territory and beyond."

"The ambassador was urged to reflect on the inevitable catastrophic consequences of such hostile steps by London and to immediately refute in the strongest and most unequivocal manner the bellicose provocative statements by the head of the Foreign Office," the statement said.

Russia also announced earlier that it was planning new nuclear weapons drills near Ukraine's borders, citing "threats" made by Western leaders, including French leader Emmanuel Macron and British officials, and in response to NATO's expansive military exercises close to the Russian borders.

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






Washington, D.C., May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas denied nearly all of the governments motion to dismiss NCLAs lawsuit, The Daily Wire, The Federalist, Texas v. State Dept., which alleges massive violations of free speech and press rights. The Court also granted NCLAs request for expedited discovery and rejected the governments request to transfer venue to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

In ruling in favor of NCLAs clients, The Daily Wire and The Federalist, the Courts opinion quoted the First Amendment: Congress shall make no law  abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press[.] As the Court stressed, this provision enshrines [o]ur profound national commitment to the free exchange of ideas. The U.S. State Department has funded the development, testing, and marketing of censorship technology used to suppress First Amendment-protected speech by media outlets whose viewpoint the government disfavors, including The Daily Wire and The Federalist. NCLA looks forward to revealing the true depth of this egregious censorship regime via expedited discovery, and to stopping the State Department from abridging Americans civil liberties.

The State Department uses its Global Engagement Center (GEC) to finance the development and promotion of censorship technology and enterprises, including working with third parties like NewsGuard and the Global Disinformation Index, both of which blacklist American news organizations. These government-funded and government-promoted censorship technologies and enterprises target media outlets that oppose the governments narrative, including The Daily Wire and The Federalist, suppressing their readership by demoting and labeling their stories as risky or unreliable, which deprives them of advertising.

The State Departments censorship regime violates the First Amendment rights of The Daily Wire, The Federalist, numerous similar outlets, and their readers. NCLAs clients are very likely to succeed in their First Amendment claims. When this practice was first disclosed in 2023 at the State Departments National Endowment for Democracy, NEDs board immediately shuttered that unconstitutional program. NCLA is also pursuing injunctive relief to halt this scheme which continues to irreparably harm the affected media outlets. Expedited discovery will enable our clients to win a preliminary injunction enjoining Defendants unconstitutional and ultra vires conduct.

The State of Texas has joined NCLA in bringing this lawsuit, recognizing that the State Department and its GEC lack authority to fund and market censorship technologies for use against domestic targets and that doing so interferes with its sovereign interest in enforcing Texas law. A preliminary injunction should put a stop to this infringement on Texass sovereign interests.

NCLA released the following statements:

The First Amendment forbids the State Departments suppression of Americans rights to free speech and a free press. Federal law confines the State Department to foreign affairs, so it may not use taxpayer dollars to fund, promote, and deploy government tools and technology to blacklist disfavored domestic press. NCLA looks forward to expedited discovery on this unlawful weaponization of government resources and power.

 Peggy Little, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA

The State Department and its Global Engagement Center lost sight of the Constitutions foundational principles, executing a secretive censorship scheme that funded, tested, and promoted technologies that demonetize American media outlets and silence the speech of ordinary Americans. The expedited discovery ordered today will allow NCLA to bring to light the governments unconstitutional conductand put a halt to it.

 Margot Cleveland, Of Counsel, NCLA

For more information visit the case page here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.

###
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rubicon Organics Inc. (TSXV: ROMJ) (OTCQX: ROMJF) (Rubicon Organics or the Company), a licensed producer focused on cultivating and selling organic certified, premium cannabis products, is pleased to announce that it will be reporting its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (Q1 2024) after market close on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.



The Company will be hosting a conference call to discuss Q1 2024 results on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Conference call details are as follows:

Time: 7:00 AM PT / 10:00 AM ET Conference ID: 30069 Local dial-in: +1 (289) 514 5100 Toll Free N. America: +1 (800) 717 1738 Webcast: https://onlinexperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=A8F14C29-EF4E-4A50-B4E1-292C04F7E127

ABOUT RUBICON ORGANICS INC.

Rubicon Organics Inc. is the global brand leader in premium organic cannabis products. The Company is vertically integrated through its wholly owned subsidiary Rubicon Holdings Corp., a licensed producer. Rubicon Organics is focused on achieving industry leading profitability through its premium cannabis flower, product innovation and brand portfolio management, including three flagship brands: its super-premium brand Simply Bare Organic, its premium brand 1964 Supply Co, and its cannabis wellness brand Wildflower in addition to the Companys mainstream brand Homestead Cannabis Supply.

The Company ensures the quality of its supply chain by cultivating, processing, branding and selling organic certified, sustainably produced, super-premium cannabis products from its state-of-the-art glass roofed facility located in Delta, BC, Canada.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Margaret Brodie

CEO

Phone: +1 (437) 929-1964

Email: ir@rubiconorganics.com

The TSX Venture Exchange or its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, statements regarding Rubicon Organics goal of achieving industry leading profitability are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as will or variations of such word or statements that certain actions, events or results will be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. The forward-looking information in this press release is based upon certain assumptions that management considers reasonable in the circumstances, the impact on revenue of new products and brands entering the market, and the timing of achieving Adjusted EBITDA profitability and cash flow positive. Risks and uncertainties associated with the forward looking information in this press release include, among others, dependence on obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals, including acquiring and renewing federal, provincial, local or other licenses and any inability to obtain all necessary governmental approvals licenses and permits for construction at its facilities in a timely manner; regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including bureaucratic delays or inefficiencies or any other reasons; any other factors or developments which may hinder market growth; Rubicon Organics limited operating history and lack of historical profits; reliance on management; the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability; the Companys ability to attract and retain skilled staff; competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; the need to secure and maintain corporate alliances and partnerships, including with customers and suppliers.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although Rubicon Organics has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. Rubicon Organics assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law.
Dublin, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Vaccines Market by Type (Monovalent Vaccine, Multivalent Vaccine), Technology Type (Inactivated Vaccines, Live-Attenuated Vaccines, Messenger RNA (mRNA) Vaccines), Indication, Route of administration, Age Group - Forecast 2024-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Vaccines Market was estimated at USD 55.66 billion in 2023, USD 59.94 billion in 2024, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.79% to reach USD 94.14 billion by 2030.



The rising incidence of infectious diseases globally and the rise in immunization programs worldwide significantly influence this growth. Moreover, favorable government initiatives and policies for vaccine development are also driving market growth. High development costs, lengthy testing and approval process issues over product recalls, and inaccessibility in a few regions pose challenges to the growth of the vaccine market. Integration of adjuvants in vaccines, development of therapeutic vaccines, and growth in the contract manufacturing of the vaccines are expected to create significant growth opportunities in the market.





Regional Insights



In Asia-Pacific, robust economies such as China, India, and Japan have exhibited significant growth in vaccine markets due to large population densities and high prevalence of infectious diseases, necessitating comprehensive immunization drives. There's a high need for vaccines in the Americas, comprising countries such as the United States and Canada, owing to the demographic makeup and an expansive public health infrastructure. Significant investments in research and development (R&D) of vaccines, recent patents, and initiatives further fuel the growth. The EMEA region, with diverse economic landscapes, displays varying consumer behavior. The European Union, with well-funded health systems, necessitates extensive immunization programs. The Middle East and Africa possess a significant potential for market growth. Initiatives such as the collaboration between the Serum Institute of India and the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Trust in 2022 to supply COVID-19 vaccines are pivotal changes reshaping this landscape.



FPNV Positioning Matrix



The FPNV Positioning Matrix is pivotal in evaluating the Vaccines Market. It offers a comprehensive assessment of vendors, examining key metrics related to Business Strategy and Product Satisfaction. This in-depth analysis empowers users to make well-informed decisions aligned with their requirements. Based on the evaluation, the vendors are then categorized into four distinct quadrants representing varying levels of success: Forefront (F), Pathfinder (P), Niche (N), or Vital (V).



Market Share Analysis



The Market Share Analysis is a comprehensive tool that provides an insightful and in-depth examination of the current state of vendors in the Vaccines Market. By meticulously comparing and analyzing vendor contributions in terms of overall revenue, customer base, and other key metrics, we can offer companies a greater understanding of their performance and the challenges they face when competing for market share. Additionally, this analysis provides valuable insights into the competitive nature of the sector, including factors such as accumulation, fragmentation dominance, and amalgamation traits observed over the base year period studied. With this expanded level of detail, vendors can make more informed decisions and devise effective strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.



Key Company Profiles



The report delves into recent significant developments in the Vaccines Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include:

Abbott Laboratories

Astellas Pharma Inc.

AstraZeneca PLC

Bavarian Nordic A/S

Bharat Biotech Ltd.

Biological E. Limited

Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co. Ltd.

CSL Limited

CureVac SE

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc.

Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Limited

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.

Merck KGaA

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation

Moderna Inc.

Novavax, Inc.

Pfizer Inc.

Sanofi Group

Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.

Sinovac Biotech Ltd.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Zydus Lifesciences Limited

Market Segmentation & Coverage



This research report categorizes the Vaccines Market to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-markets:

Type Monovalent Vaccine Multivalent Vaccine

Technology Type Inactivated Vaccines Live-Attenuated Vaccines Messenger RNA (mRNA) Vaccines Subunit, Recombinant, Polysaccharide, & Conjugate Vaccines Toxoid Vaccines Viral Vector Vaccines

Indication DPT Hepatitis Human Papillomavirus Influenza Measles Meningococcal Disease Mumps & Rubella Pneumococcal Disease Polio Rotavirus Varicella

Route of administration Intramuscular & Subcutaneous Oral

Age Group Adults Pediatric



Region Americas Asia-Pacific Europe, Middle East & Africa



Market Dynamics

Drivers Rising Incidence of Infectious Diseases Globally Favorable Government Initiatives and Policies for Vaccine Development Growing Focus on Immunization Across the World

Restraints High Development Costs, Lengthy Testing and Approval Processes

Opportunities Integration of Adjuvants in Vaccines and Development of Therapeutic Vaccines Growth in the Contract Manufacturing of the Vaccines

Challenges Issues Over Product Recalls and Inaccessibility in Few Regions



Market Segmentation Analysis

Type: Significant Preference for Monovalent Vaccines for Specific Disease Prevention

Technology Type: Rising Development in the Conjugate Vaccines as an Viable Alternative

Indication: Growing Need for DPT Vaccine for Protection Against Serious Respiratory Ailments

Route of Administration: Increasing Adoption of Oral Vaccines for Longer-Lasting Immune Responses

Age Group: Wider Adoption of Pediatric Vaccine as a Preventive Measure Owing to Rising HPV Vaccine Usability

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 181 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $59.94 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $94.14 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.7% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ugohwg

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Asia-Pacific Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market: Focus on Application, Technology, Installation Type, Vessel Type, and Country - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Asia-Pacific wind-assisted propulsion market (excluding China) is projected to reach $3,717.0 million by 2032 from $17.8 million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 81.01% during the forecast period 2023-2032.

The market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transportation. With environmental concerns at the forefront, there's a growing demand for sustainable solutions like wind-assisted propulsion. Furthermore, the rise in sea trade amplifies the need for efficient and eco-friendly propulsion systems, further driving the adoption of wind-assisted technologies in the maritime industry.







The Asia-Pacific (APAC) Wind-Assisted Propulsion market is witnessing substantial growth driven by the region's burgeoning maritime sector and increasing focus on sustainability. With the APAC region being a hub for international trade and shipping, there's a growing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transportation. This drive towards sustainability is fueling the demand for wind-assisted propulsion technologies.

Moreover, rising fuel costs and stringent environmental regulations are incentivizing maritime operators in APAC countries to invest in wind-assisted systems to lower operational costs and minimize their carbon footprint. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are emerging as key players in the adoption of wind-assisted propulsion solutions, supported by government initiatives promoting green shipping practices. As the APAC region continues to prioritize environmental conservation and sustainable development, the Wind-Assisted Propulsion market is poised for significant expansion and innovation in the coming years.

How can this report add value to an organization?

Product/Innovation Strategy: The product segment helps the reader understand the different technologies, installation types, and vessel types involved in the wind-assisted propulsion market. The technology segment has been segmented into towing kites, sails (soft-wing sails, hard-wing sails), flettner rotors, suction wings, and others. The installation type segment has been segmented into retrofit and new installation. The vessel type segment has been segmented into wind-assisted motor vessels and purely wind vessels.

Moreover, the study provides the reader with a detailed understanding of the Asia-Pacific wind-assisted propulsion market based on application, including cargo ships (tankers, car carriers/ro-ro vessels, container ships, general cargo vessels), passenger ships, fishing vessels, and bulk carriers. The increasing adoption of wind-assisted propulsion in bulk carriers and cargo ships is expected to fuel market growth in the future.



Growth/Marketing Strategy: The wind-assisted propulsion market has seen major development by key players operating in the market, such as business expansions, partnerships, collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures. The favored strategy for the companies has been business partnerships to strengthen their position in the Asia-Pacific wind-assisted propulsion market.



Competitive Strategy: Key players in the Asia-Pacific wind-assisted propulsion market analyzed and profiled in the study involve wind-assisted propulsion manufacturers and the overall ecosystem. Moreover, a detailed competitive benchmarking of the players operating in the Asia-Pacific wind-assisted propulsion market has been done to help the reader understand how players stack against each other, presenting a clear market landscape. Additionally, comprehensive competitive strategies such as partnerships, agreements, acquisitions, and collaborations will aid the reader in understanding the untapped revenue pockets in the market.



Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 86 Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $17.8 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $3717 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 81.0%

Companies Featured

Eco Marine Power Co. Ltd.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines

Key Topics Covered:



Executive Summary



Scope of the Study



1 Markets

1.1 Industry Outlook

1.1.1 Trends: Current and Future

1.1.1.1 Technological Innovations in Shipping Industry

1.1.1.2 Increasing Investment in Wind-Assisted Propulsion

1.1.2 Supply Chain Analysis

1.1.3 Ecosystem of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market

1.1.3.1 Consortiums and Associations

1.1.3.2 Regulatory/Certification Bodies

1.1.3.3 Government Programs

1.1.3.4 Programs by Research Institutions and Universities

1.1.4 Economic Impact of Wind-Assisted Propulsion

1.2 Business Dynamics

1.2.1 Business Drivers

1.2.1.1 Increasing Need for Reducing GHG Emissions

1.2.1.2 Rise in Sea Trade

1.2.2 Business Challenges

1.2.2.1 High Installation Cost of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems

1.2.2.2 Technical Challenges Resisting the Adoption of Wind-Assisted Propulsion

1.2.3 Business Strategies

1.2.3.1 Product and Market Developments

1.2.4 Corporate Strategies

1.2.4.1 Mergers and Acquisitions, Partnerships, and Joint Ventures

1.2.5 Business Opportunities

1.2.5.1 Increasing Preference for Environmental-Friendly Shipping Services

1.2.5.2 Offsetting High Cost of Fossil and Green Fuels

1.3 Start-Up Landscape

1.3.1 Key Start-Ups in the Ecosystem



2 Regions

2.1 China

2.1.1 Market

2.1.1.1 Key Producers and Suppliers in China

2.1.1.2 Business Drivers

2.1.1.3 Business Challenges

2.1.2 Application

2.1.2.1 China Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Application), Volume and Value Data

2.1.3 Product

2.1.3.1 China Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Technology), Volume and Value Data

2.1.3.2 China Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Installation Type), Volume and Value Data

2.1.3.3 China Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Vessel Type), Volume and Value Data

2.2 Asia-Pacific and Japan

2.2.1 Market

2.2.1.1 Key Producers and Suppliers in Asia-Pacific and Japan

2.2.1.2 Business Drivers

2.2.1.3 Business Challenges

2.2.2 Application

2.2.2.1 Asia-Pacific and Japan Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Application), Volume and Value Data

2.2.3 Product

2.2.3.1 Asia-Pacific and Japan Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Technology), Volume and Value Data

2.2.3.2 Asia-Pacific and Japan Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Installation Type), Volume and Value Data

2.2.3.3 Asia-Pacific and Japan Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Vessel Type), Volume and Value Data

2.2.4 Asia-Pacific and Japan (by Country)

2.2.4.1 Japan

2.2.4.2 South Korea

2.2.4.3 Singapore

2.2.4.4 Rest-of-Asia-Pacific and Japan



3 Markets - Competitive Benchmarking & Company Profiles

3.1 Competitive Benchmarking

3.1.1 Competitive Position Matrix

3.1.2 Product Matrix of Key Companies (by Technology)

3.1.3 Market Share Analysis of Key Companies, 2022

3.2 Company Profiles

3.2.1 Eco Marine Power Co. Ltd.

3.2.1.1 Company Overview

3.2.1.1.1 Role of Eco Marine Power Co. Ltd. in the Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market

3.2.1.1.2 Product Portfolio

3.2.1.2 Business Strategies

3.2.1.2.1 Market Developments and Product Developments

3.2.1.3 Corporate Strategies

3.2.1.3.1 Mergers and Acquisitions, Collaborations, Partnerships, and Joint Ventures

3.2.1.4 Analyst View

3.2.2 Mitsui O.S.K. Lines

3.2.2.1 Company Overview

3.2.2.1.1 Role of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines in the Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market

3.2.2.1.2 Product Portfolio

3.2.2.2 Analyst View



4 Research Methodology



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/f6ly87

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United Arab Emirates Cement Industry Market Size & Forecast by Value and Volume Across 50+ Market Segments by Cement Products, Distribution Channel, Market Share, Import Export, End Markets - Q2 2023 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Cement industry in United Arab Emirates is expected to grow by 3.2% on an annual basis to reach US$ 1.84 billion in 2023.



The medium to long term growth story in country remains intact. The cement industry in country is expected to grow steadily over the next four quarters. The growth momentum is expected to continue over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 3.3% during 2023-2027. The cement output in the country is expected to increase from US$ 1.78 billion in 2022 to reach US$ 2.09 billion by 2027.



The growing investment toward the development of infrastructure is driving cement consumption in the United Arab Emirates. Even the hospitality sector has increased its investment in the Emirati nation to increase the supply of hotel rooms, as the country continues to diversify its economy from oil and gas to travel and tourism. This will further drive cement consumption in the Emirates over the next five years.



Cement makers are expected to benefit from the macroeconomic environment, as cement prices are projected to further increase over the next 12 months. In 2023, cement manufacturers are also projected to shift towards the usage of alternative fuels in their operations, as the Emirati nation aims to reduce harmful emissions. Overall, the outlook for the cement industry remains strong over the next three to four years.



Cement manufacturers have reported strong growth in the bottom line owing to price rise in 2022



Construction material costs, including the prices of cement, increased significantly in 2022 due to various macroeconomic factors. The resultant price rise has had a positive impact on the bottom line of cement manufacturers in the Emirati nation.

Apex Investment Company, the cement manufacturer in the UAE, reported more than US$51 million or AED 187.19 million in profits in 2022. During the 12 months, the firm, formerly known as Ras Al Khaimah Cement (RAK Cement), reported a revenue of AED 820.29 million, up from AED 166.74 million. Higher demand for cement, coupled with the surge in prices, has led to the significant growth achieved by the firm in its bottom line.

In April 2022, RAK Cement also raised an investment of US$101.1 million from UltraTech Cement Middle East Investments. As part of the investment, UltraTech Cement has acquired a 29.39% stake in RAK Cement.

In 2023, the publisher expects the cement consumption trend to further continue, as the Emirati nation continues to make a significant investment in its infrastructure development. This coupled with the boom in the luxury housing segment and commercial constructions sector will keep driving cement demand higher over the next 12 months.



Four cement manufacturers have committed to partially use alternative fuels in their manufacturing operations



As part of their efforts to reduce carbon emissions and move toward their goal of achieving net zero goals, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Emirates RDF entered into an agreement with four cement manufacturers in the Emirati nation.

Fujairah Cement Industries, JSW Cement, Lafarge Emirates, and Star Cement signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the ministry in October 2022. In the United Arab Emirates, the ministry is encouraging cement manufacturers to meet 10% of their total energy needs from alternative fuels. This is part of their strategy to implement integrated waste management and reduce carbon emissions.

The decarbonization efforts in the Emirati nation are expected to drive more cement manufacturers towards the adoption of alternative fuels in their manufacturing operations from the short to medium-term perspective.



Firms are entering into acquisition deals to ensure raw material availability in the United Arab Emirates



To further strengthen their position in the Middle East market and to capitalize on the growing demand for cement, firms are entering into mergers and acquisition deals in the region. For instance,

In January 2023, UltraTech Cement Middle East Investments, the subsidiary of UltraTech Cement based in India, announced that the firm had entered into an acquisition deal to buyout 70% of the equity shares in Duqm Cement Project International, a firm based in Oman. The cost of the acquisition is US$2.25 million and is part of UltraTech Cement's strategy to ensure raw material security. The acquisition of Duqm Cement Project International is projected to complete within 90 days from the date of the share sale and purchase agreement.

Scope



United Arab Emirates by Cement Markets, 2018-2027

Residential Buildings

Non-Residential Buildings

Infrastructure & Other Markets

United Arab Emirates by Cement End-User, 2018-2027

Ready-Mix Concrete Producers

Consumers

Concrete Product Manufacturers

Other End Users

United Arab Emirates by Distribution Channel, 2018-2027

Direct Channel

Indirect Channel

United Arab Emirates by Cement Product, 2018-2027

Portland cement

Blended Cement

Type IS (X), Portland-Slag Cement

Type IP (X), Portland-Pozzolan Cement

Type IL (X), Portland-Limestone Cement

Type IT, Ternary Blended Cement

Specialty Cement

Rapid Hardening Cement

High Alumina Cement

White Cement

Sulphate Resistant Cement

Others

Green Cement

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yaqkyj

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Epigenetic Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Global Epigenetic Marketwas valued at USD 1.75. Billion in 2023 and is anticipated to project impressive growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 8.05% through 2029

The Epigenetic Market, a crucial sector within genomics and personalized medicine, is experiencing remarkable growth and transformation. Epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, plays a pivotal role in various biological processes and disease progression. This market encompasses technologies, therapies, and services related to epigenetic research and applications, reshaping healthcare and biomedical research landscapes.







A primary driver fueling the epigenetic market is the increasing incidence of cancer. Epigenetic alterations are prevalent in cancer cells, contributing to tumorigenesis and disease advancement. Researchers and clinicians utilize epigenetic profiling to identify specific modifications associated with various cancer types, enabling the development of targeted therapies tailored to individual patients' epigenetic signatures.

With the global cancer burden rising, the demand for precise epigenetic treatments continues to grow, driving market expansion. Advancements in epigenetic research have significantly contributed to market growth. Innovations in technologies like next-generation sequencing and DNA methylation analysis enable scientists to explore epigenetic modifications accurately and at scale. Integration of these technologies into research and diagnostic workflows accelerates discovery of biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and diagnostic tools, propelling the market forward.



Increased funding for epigenetics research is another significant driver. Government, private, and academic funding supports large-scale projects, collaborative research, and clinical trials focused on epigenetic therapies. These investments foster groundbreaking discoveries and innovation, translating research findings into clinical applications and driving market growth. The rising geriatric population also drives the epigenetic market. Aging is associated with complex epigenetic changes contributing to age-related diseases. Understanding these modifications is crucial for developing interventions to mitigate disease risks, driving market demand for technologies and therapies addressing age-related epigenetic alterations.



The demand for personalized medicine boosts epigenetic profiling adoption in clinical practice. Epigenetic biomarkers offer insights into disease susceptibility, prognosis, and treatment response, enabling tailored treatments based on individual patients' epigenetic profiles. This trend toward personalized medicine fosters development of innovative diagnostic assays and therapies, augmenting the epigenetic market.

The Epigenetic Market is undergoing transformative changes driven by technological advancements, increased research funding, and focus on personalized medicine. Epigenetic research and interventions hold promise for revolutionizing disease diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes, positioning the market as a key driver in advancing healthcare and personalized medicine.

North America asserts dominance in the epigenetic market owing to its advanced healthcare infrastructure, substantial research funding, and a robust biotechnology sector. The region houses prominent pharmaceutical and biotech companies actively engaged in epigenetic research and drug development. Leading research institutions and universities, coupled with strategic collaborations between academia and industry, drive innovation in epigenetic technologies. Secondarily, supportive government policies, well-defined regulatory frameworks, and a high prevalence of chronic diseases fuel the demand for epigenetic diagnostics and therapies. The availability of skilled professionals and cutting-edge research facilities further solidify North America's position as a hub for epigenetic advancements, propelling its dominance in the global epigenetic market.



Key Market Trends

Targeted epigenetic therapies



Targeted epigenetic therapies have emerged as a prominent trend in the epigenetic market. Unlike conventional treatments, these therapies focus on modifying specific epigenetic marks associated with diseases, enabling precise interventions. Advancements in epigenetic research have led to the development of drugs targeting enzymes and proteins involved in epigenetic regulation.

These therapies hold immense potential for various conditions, including cancer, where aberrant epigenetic modifications play a significant role. By modulating gene expression patterns, targeted epigenetic therapies offer personalized and more effective treatment options. Pharmaceutical companies invest in research and development, driving innovation in this field, thereby reshaping the landscape of disease management and contributing to the growth of the epigenetic market.



Epigenomic biomarker discovery



Epigenomic biomarker discovery stands as a pivotal trend in the epigenetic market. Researchers are increasingly focusing on identifying specific epigenetic modifications associated with diseases, paving the way for precise diagnostics and targeted therapies. These biomarkers offer valuable insights into disease risk, progression, and treatment response. Advanced technologies, such as high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics, empower scientists to analyze vast epigenomic datasets, accelerating biomarker discovery.

Pharmaceutical companies and diagnostic firms are investing in these endeavors, driving innovation and the development of diagnostic assays. Epigenomic biomarkers not only enhance disease detection but also enable personalized treatment strategies, making them a cornerstone in the evolving landscape of healthcare and fueling the growth of the epigenetic market.



Integration of epigenetics in drug development



The integration of epigenetics in drug development has emerged as a transformative trend in the epigenetic market. Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly incorporating epigenetic research into their drug discovery processes. By understanding the role of epigenetic modifications in diseases, researchers can design targeted therapies, leading to more effective and safer treatments. Epigenetic insights enable the identification of novel drug targets and the development of precision medicines tailored to specific patient profiles.

This trend fosters collaborations between academia and industry, driving innovation and accelerating the development of epigenetic drugs. The integration of epigenetics in drug development signifies a paradigm shift, offering promising avenues for personalized therapies and reshaping the future of medicine, thus propelling the epigenetic market forward.



Rise in epigenetic diagnostics



The rise in epigenetic diagnostics represents a significant trend in the epigenetic market. Advances in epigenomic profiling techniques enable the identification of unique epigenetic signatures associated with diseases, revolutionizing diagnostic approaches. Epigenetic biomarkers provide precise disease insights, aiding in early detection, prognosis, and treatment selection.

These non-invasive, highly specific tests offer a deeper understanding of patients' conditions, allowing for personalized treatment strategies. Pharmaceutical companies and diagnostic laboratories invest in research and development, driving the commercialization of epigenetic diagnostic assays. The increasing adoption of epigenetic diagnostics signifies a paradigm shift towards more accurate, tailored healthcare solutions, fueling market growth and enhancing patient outcomes within the epigenetic market.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 180 Forecast Period 2024 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $1.75 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $2.79 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.0%



Competitive Landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Epigenetic Market.

Abcam Limited

Active Motif Inc

Hologic, Inc.

F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Illumina, Inc.

Qiagen N.V.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

Novartis AG

Element Biosciences

Dovetail Genomics LLC

Report Scope:



Epigenetic Market, By Product Service:

Kits Reagents

Enzymes

Instruments Accessories

Software

Services

Epigenetic Market, By Technology:

DNA Methylation

Histone Methylation

Others

Epigenetic Market, By End user:

Academic and Research Institutes

Pharmaceutical Companies and Biotechnology Companies

Contract Research Organizations

Others

Epigenetic Market, By Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Mexico

Europe

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Germany

Spain

Asia-Pacific

China

India

Japan

Australia

South Korea

South America

Brazil

Argentina

Colombia

Middle East Africa

South Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/shjgo8

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Toronto, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interviews available with RTOERO experts, Canadian and international speakers.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 15 (79PM)

Thursday, May 16 (8:30AM8PM)

Friday, May 17 (8:30AM12:15PM)

WHERE: Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre

525 Bay Street, Toronto





WHAT: Future of Aging Summit www.agingsummit.rtoero.ca

Is Canada ready to meet the needs of its aging population? Seniors comprise one in every five persons in Canada, yet there are only 300 Geriatricians in the country, half of whom are based in Ontario. With a continuing demographic shift towards an aging population, the need for innovative solutions to improve later life is critical.

RTOERO, Canadas trusted voice on healthy, active aging, is addressing this need by bringing together global leaders to discuss, share and create strategies to improve later life. RTOEROs inaugural Future of Aging Summit has 14 speakers from nine countries speaking on five themes:

Redesigning workplaces and rethinking retirement policies

Healthcare for aging populations

Impact of inequity on healthy aging

Age-tech: assistive technology designed to improve the lives of older adults

Community redesign for highly aged societies

Attachment
SAN FRANCISCO, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FHLBank San Francisco (Bank) today announced that its board of directors has named Alanna McCargo as the Banks next president and chief executive officer. McCargo was most recently the President of the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), a federal government corporation that connects the United States housing market to capital markets, providing low-cost financing for federal housing programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Federal Housing Administration and Office of Public and Indian Housing, and the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Housing Service. McCargo made history as the first woman and first woman of color appointed to lead Ginnie Mae.



We are very excited that Alanna is joining the Bank at this pivotal moment in time for us and our industry, said Dan Siciliano, chair of the Banks board of directors. Alanna is the type of transformative leader we need to continue the innovative and impactful programs the Bank has been delivering under the leadership of Teresa Bryce Bazemore, our current president and CEO. Alanna brings a wealth of hands-on experience from both the private and public sectors. Throughout her career she has demonstrated a passion for advancing national policy directed at solving this countrys affordable housing issues. She has been a strong advocate for closing both the racial homeownership and wealth gaps and has a deep understanding of the irreplaceable role the FHLBank System plays in maintaining the economic health of our financial system and strengthening the communities we serve.

McCargo is a pioneer in the financial services industry with a distinguished career. Prior to her position as President of Ginnie Mae  to which she was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support  she served as senior advisor for housing finance at the Department of Housing and Urban Development under former Secretary Marcia Fudge and was vice president of the Housing Finance Policy Center at the Urban Institute. McCargo previously held leadership positions at CoreLogic, JP Morgan Chase, and Fannie Mae.

I am looking forward to joining the team at the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and leading the critical work of providing reliable access to liquidity to Bank members and fulfilling the public mission to support affordable housing and deepen community investment, said McCargo. The role of the FHLBanks is essential to our financial system and contributes to the economic strength and stability of communities in our nation. Throughout my career, Ive driven efforts to improve housing affordability and economic opportunity while managing the risks and the complexities of our housing finance system. I am excited to bring a new perspective to the Bank and, alongside my colleagues in the FHLBank System, work to solve the persistent housing challenges impacting the country. Together well strengthen the value the Bank brings in meeting the liquidity demands of members and supporting affordable housing and community investment within Arizona, California, Nevada, and beyond. I am thrilled to be joining the Bank at this pivotal time.

Throughout her career, McCargo has been committed to advancing access to safe and affordable housing and to promoting evidence-based policies that foster a more equitable housing finance system for all. She has advocated for safe, fair, and sustainable housing and broadening opportunities that enable credit building, asset accumulation, and wealth creation, especially for the most historically underserved populations. McCargo has been instrumental in mortgage policy related to foreclosure prevention, loan restructuring, and distressed asset management, and has been a voice for ensuring the financial system underpinning Americas communities remains strong and resilient through all economic cycles.

Alanna played a critical role for the nation in her tenure as my senior advisor for housing finance, and we are all better thanks to her leadership and vision as president of Ginnie Mae, said former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge. She centered the agencys work on its core mission, strengthened alliances across the globe and within the housing industry, and built a strong foundation for the future. Alanna found a way to make the system work for all Americans. Her decades of housing experience and broad areas of expertise, together with the relationships she has built across the entire housing finance system, will be a tremendous asset in her new role as president and CEO of FHLBank San Francisco.

McCargo will officially join the Bank on June 10, 2024. To ensure a smooth leadership transition, Teresa Bryce Bazemore, the Banks current president and CEO, has agreed to continue to lead the Bank until McCargos first day on the job. Then, Bazemore will stay on through the end of June as executive vice president and senior advisor. Bazemore has also agreed to serve as a consultant for the Bank for a term beginning July 1 through the end of August 2024.

Teresa has been an exceptional leader. She built a strong management team that worked with her to successfully guide the Bank through an extraordinarily challenging time, said Siciliano. On behalf of the Banks members, the entire board of directors, and the Banks management and internal teams, I want to express our enormous gratitude for her substantial contributions to evolving the Bank into a more dynamic, solutions-based organization that is committed to innovation and delivering on our Congressionally mandated dual mission of providing critical liquidity to our members and resources for affordable housing, homeownership, and economic development.

About Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a private member-owned cooperative, providing critical on-demand liquidity to help local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create economic opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutionscommercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions (CDFIs)propel homeownership, expand access to quality housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/74cfce6b-5345-41e7-afa3-ccac75091d6e
VERO BEACH, Fla., May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery proudly announces that Dr. Alan Durkin, MD, distinguished dual board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, will be joining Suneva Medical as a Key Opinion Leader at the upcoming 12th Chinese Annual Meeting of Minimally-Invasive Aesthetic Medicine (MIAM) in Beijing, China. Dr. Durkin will showcase his vast clinical expertise with Bellafill, symbolizing a monumental milestone for both Suneva and the global aesthetic industry.



Suneva's journey to introduce Bellafill to the Chinese market has been marked by dedication and commitment. After an extensive five-year process, Suneva received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China on January 17, 2024. Now, Suneva's license partner, Raily Aesthetic Medicine International, is organizing the official launch of Bellafill during the MIAM conference, scheduled for May 17-19, 2024, at the Beijing Jiuhua Conference Center.

Dr. Durkin's selection as a Key Opinion Leader is a testament to his exceptional expertise and profound impact on the field of facial aesthetics. With a career spanning years of dedicated service, Dr. Durkin has earned widespread recognition for his innovative approaches and transformative contributions to aesthetic medicine and surgery. As the founder of Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, and MedSpa, Dr. Durkin has not only provided unparalleled care to his patients but has also cultivated a reputation for excellence and integrity within the medical community.

Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Durkin's visionary leadership extends to the establishment of the MedSpa Network, a pioneering national training organization committed to elevating standards and fostering excellence in aesthetic practices throughout the United States. Through MedSpa Network, Dr. Durkin has empowered countless healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to deliver exceptional care and achieve optimal patient outcomes. Dr. Durkin's multifaceted role as a clinician, educator, and mentor underscores his unwavering commitment to advancing the field of facial aesthetics. His dedication to innovation, education, and patient-centered care has positioned him as a thought leader and trailblazer, shaping the future of aesthetic medicine and inspiring generations of practitioners to strive for excellence.

"We are excited to partner with Dr. Alan Durkin, a major thought leader within the medical aesthetic space, to launch Bellafill into China," stated Pat Altavilla, CEO of Suneva Medical. The approval in this market represents yet another significant milestone for Bellafill and proof of a growing global demand for a long-lasting biostimulatory filler."

During the conference, Dr. Durkin will share his insights and clinical findings on Bellafill, offering attendees a comprehensive understanding of its efficacy and benefits. With over sixty peer-reviewed articles and six book chapters on aesthetic medicine and surgery, Dr. Durkin's expertise will undoubtedly enrich the discourse at the MIAM conference.

ABOUT DR. DURKIN

Dr. Alan Durkin, a dual board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, is a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and American Board of Surgery, with expertise in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery of the face and breast. Named one of "The Best Doctors in America" by Castle Connolly, Dr. Durkin's work has been featured in Vogue, New York Times, Shape, Cosmopolitan, and Martha Stewart Living. With a steadfast commitment to safety, innovation, and patient care, Dr. Durkin continues to shape the landscape of plastic surgery both locally and nationally.

ABOUT OCEAN DRIVE PLASTIC SURGERY

Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery is Floridas premiere center for cosmetic surgery, with a 30-year history of providing safe surgical and non-surgical cosmetic services on Floridas Treasure Coast. Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery combines style and elegance with a state-of-the-art surgical facility, Laser Center, Medical Spa, and Make-up Studio in a warm and welcoming office environment. The office provides a beautiful, private, and relaxed oceanside atmosphere to experience while being seen by any one of the centers doctors and medical specialists. Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery is a state-certified Surgery Center featuring an advanced surgical suite where all cosmetic procedures can be performed in privacy. When choosing Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery for cosmetic surgery, you will enjoy the private overnight suites. To learn more about Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery, visit oceandriveplasticsurgery.com .

ABOUT SUNEVA MEDICAL, INC.

Suneva Medical, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, is a leader in regenerative aesthetics. It is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded products for providers and their patients. Suneva Medical offers a portfolio of products to address the impact of the aging process to deliver solutions that leverage the bodys own restorative capacity. The product portfolio is composed of several only and first to market solutions with both FDA PMA approval and 510(k) clearance. For more information, visit sunevamedical.com .

CONTACT: Kim@echomediateam.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5844f97a-1f25-4501-8d70-85607b08fbf1
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is currently hosting an online auction for a 2011 GovDeals, the leading marketplace for government agencies to sell vehicles and other surplus assets. The auction is live now and closes on May 20 at 4:03 p.m. ET. Grove GMK-5275 crane on GovDeals, the leading marketplace for government agencies to sell vehicles and other surplus assets. The auction is live now and closes on May 20 at 4:03 p.m. ET.



The crane is in fully operational working condition with 9,707 hours on it. Prospective bidders may schedule an inspection of the crane prior to bidding by contacting TVA directly. Contact information for a TVA representative is available directly on the auction page.

The online marketplace offered by GovDeals opens up this opportunity to a greater number of bidders and dramatically increases our chances of selling niche surplus items like this crane, said TVA Spokesperson Anna-Hayes Bruce. Our office serves 10 million people across Tennessee, and with no taxpayer funding, the proceeds generated from surplus sales like this provide real support to our budget.

TVA reserves the right to reject all bids in this auction. Following the auction, TVA must receive payment before the item is removed. The winning bidder must then arrange removal with TVA directly prior to it taking place.

To bid on the crane, interested parties must first create a free bidder account on GovDeals. New bidder registrations can be completed at govdeals.com/register.

About GovDeals

GovDeals is the worlds leading marketplace for surplus government and educational assets, ranging from heavy equipment and transportation to industrial machinery and real estate. The platform specializes in surplus disposition technology, partnering with government agencies and related entities to sell "as is, where is" surplus equipment and materials in a transparent fashion. Sellers can directly launch and manage their listings in just days with more control and lower fees than traditional auction solutions. Buyers have direct access to all the surplus assets across Liquidity Services network of marketplaces in one centralized location. GovDeals is powered by Liquidity Services (NASDAQ:LQDT), one of the most experienced and trusted companies supporting millions of customers in the circular economy across the globe.
Detroit, Michigan, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), a subsidiary of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the Company) (OTCPK:AITX), is pleased to announce that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement with Commend Americas (Commend), outlining the details of the strategic relationship between the two companies for mutual collaboration and growth.



Commend, a global leader in Integrated Communication Systems since 1971, is known for safeguarding people, buildings, and assets worldwide and is renowned for its hands-free voice communication systems, making it the preferred choice globally.

The agreement establishes a framework for the collaboration between RAD and Commend to explore and potentially integrate their respective technologies and services. This collaboration aims to enhance product offerings, expand market reach, and explore joint solutions.

This agreement marks the beginning of what we believe will be a highly fruitful partnership, presenting both parties with a wealth of exciting opportunities, expressed Tom Reilly, President of Commend Americas. We're optimistic about the prospects ahead and are eager to collaborate closely with the team at RAD to unlock the full potential of this venture.

The two Companies are expected to begin working on integrations of RAD's popular RAD Light My Way safety and security application with Commend's communications systems, as well as the integration of RAD-G's RADPack.

I was introduced to Commend 25 years ago when I was a low voltage integrator focused on the corrections market. Commend had, and still holds, the esteemed position of simply being the best with audio and more, commented Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO of AITX and RAD. This MOU allows us to share technology which should benefit our clients and expand our markets further, particularly in healthcare and higher education.

As the first collaborative manufacturer partner with RAD were looking forward to exploring the sales opportunities arising from this collaboration, said Mark Folmer, CPP, PSP, FSyI, President of RAD. We look forward to sharing more as it develops.

The award-winning RAD Light My Way from RAD is an integrated mobile app and hardware solution that empowers users by placing the control of their safety and security firmly in their own hands. With RAD Light My Way, users gain instant access to emergency services, real-time threat detection, and the ability to summon assistance swiftly through nearby RAD Light My Way compatible communication devices.

AITX, through its subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), is redefining the $25 billion (US) security and guarding services industry through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industrys existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. RAD delivers these tremendous cost savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house.

About Commend Americas

At Commend, we are passionate about innovating and perfecting communication and security technology. Our mission is to translate this passion into intercom and public address solutions that you can always trust to support and protect your business, reputation, assets and lives. For 50 years, your voice, your needs and your trust has been our inspiration in all we do, from research and production to installation and after-sales services. The result are high-class products that are built around your requirements to serve your business and safety needs  whether in road tunnels, on the factory floor or in the operating room, on ships or trains, and in places from car parks to office buildings and Smart Cities. All this is made possible by over 700 passionate individuals that work together as one across a worldwide support network, dedicated to ensuring that our mission is acted upon. For further information visit us online at www.commend.com.

About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX)

AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITXs RAD, RAD-R, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staff and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai, www.radsecurity.com , www.stevereinharz.com, www.radgroup.ai, www.raddog.ai, and www.radlightmyway.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz .

CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the Company). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Companys future revenues, results of operations, or stock price.

###
Dublin, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Fertilizers Market, By Country, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Europe Fertilizers Market was valued at USD 54.86 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 4.42% through 2029

The European fertilizers sector is currently witnessing robust expansion, fueled by the adoption of intensive agricultural methods geared towards maximizing crop yields and satisfying the growing demand for premium-quality produce. Farmers are increasingly turning to fertilizers to boost agricultural output and enhance the caliber of their harvests.







In addition to this ongoing growth trend, the European Commission has recently launched the EU Fertilizers Market Observatory initiative. This initiative is designed to enhance transparency, predictability, and regular monitoring of the fertilizers market across the European Union. By fostering collaboration among key industry stakeholders, the observatory aims to provide valuable insights and analysis to facilitate informed decision-making processes.



The European fertilizers market is poised for sustained growth in the foreseeable future. The convergence of intensive farming techniques, sustainable agriculture practices, and supportive governmental programs is propelling the market forward. Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the market has exhibited notable resilience, highlighting its pivotal role in both the European and global agricultural domains. With its unwavering focus on innovation, efficacy, and environmental stewardship, the Europe fertilizers market is well-equipped to address the evolving demands of farmers and contribute to the advancement of a more sustainable and productive agricultural sector.

Germany emerged as the dominant country in the Europe Fertilizers Market in 2023, holding the largest market share in terms of both value and volume. Germany, renowned for its extensive agricultural heritage, boasts a flourishing tradition of intensive cultivation in both field and horticultural crops. The nation prides itself on its diverse agricultural landscape, characterized by large-scale production of staples like wheat, barley, and potatoes. This steadfast commitment to crop cultivation not only satisfies food demand but also fuels the necessity for fertilizers, positioning Germany at a significant position in agricultural market.



Key Market Drivers

Rise in Agricultural Practices



The European fertilizers industry is witnessing robust expansion, primarily propelled by the surging demand for sustainable agricultural methodologies. This demand stems from a growing recognition among farmers regarding the significance of environmental preservation alongside achieving optimal crop output. Through the adoption of sustainable farming approaches like organic fertilizers and precise nutrient management, European farmers are able to enhance soil fertility, minimize ecological impact, and elevate the overall quality of their agricultural yields.



With a population exceeding 749 million inhabitants, Europe is experiencing a mounting requirement for efficient and eco-friendly farming techniques, directly influencing the fertilizers market's growth trajectory. As urbanization continues to encroach upon arable land, farmers confront the imperative of enhancing food production within resource-constrained environments. The utilization of advanced fertilizers that optimize nutrient absorption while curbing nutrient loss becomes essential, facilitating heightened crop productivity while mitigating environmental harm.



The proliferation of sustainable agricultural practices stands as a key catalyst propelling the European fertilizers sector forward. In the face of diminishing arable land and a burgeoning population, the demand for efficient and eco-conscious fertilizers is poised to escalate. Despite encountering challenges such as regulatory limitations and market volatility, the market's resilience underscores its indispensable role within the European agricultural milieu.



Surge in Crop Diversification



Crop diversification entails cultivating a variety of crops within a specific area to bolster biodiversity and reduce dependence on a single crop species. This approach encompasses techniques like crop rotation, intercropping, and multiple cropping, all of which offer numerous ecological advantages, including enhanced soil health, decreased occurrences of pests and diseases, and heightened resilience to climate fluctuations.



The burgeoning trend of crop diversification directly influences the fertilizers market. Diverse cropping systems often necessitate tailored fertilizer solutions to optimize economic returns. As farmers transition from monoculture practices to more diversified cropping systems, there is a corresponding uptick in demand for a broader spectrum of fertilizers, thereby shaping market dynamics.



Key Market Challenges

Complexities Associated with Nutrient Management



In the European Union (EU) context, heavy reliance on imported fertilizers exposes both EU farmers and the European fertilizer sector to market instability. A recent example of this vulnerability is evident in the sanctions imposed on potash imports from Belarus by both the EU and the United States, triggering widespread ramifications across the global fertilizer market. These sanctions have disrupted supply chains, altered demand patterns, and impacted pricing dynamics, underscoring the susceptibility of the sector to external geopolitical factors.



The use of fertilizers, particularly nitrogen-based ones, has raised significant environmental concerns. Issues such as water and air pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, are linked to the inadequate management of these nutrients. This highlights the imperative for implementing effective nutrient management strategies that strike a delicate balance between maximizing crop yields and minimizing environmental degradation. Achieving this equilibrium demands ongoing innovation and diligent implementation of sustainable practices within the agricultural sector.



Key Market Trends

Growing Demand of Smart Fertilizers



Smart fertilizers, also referred to as controlled-release or slow-release fertilizers, are formulated to administer nutrients to crops gradually over an extended period. These pioneering fertilizers adapt to the conditions of the soil and the nutritional requirements of the plants, ensuring optimal nutrient absorption while minimizing nutrient loss into the environment.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 130 Forecast Period 2024 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $54.86 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $71.86 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.4%



Competitive Landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Europe Fertilizers Market.

BASF Services Europe GmbH

Syngenta France SAS

Yara International ASA

EuroChem Group

Anwil S.A.

FKL Fertilizers

Report Scope:



Europe Fertilizers Market, By Crop Type:

Grains Cereals

Pulses Oilseeds

Commercial Crops

Fruits Vegetables

Others

Europe Fertilizers Market, By Mode of Application:

Foliar Spraying

Fertigation

Sowing

Drip Method

Others

Europe Fertilizers Market, By Country:

Germany

United Kingdom

France

Russia

Spain

Italy

Rest of Europe

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xpd5o

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
MONTREAL, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Please note that on Wednesday, May 8th, Brunswick Exploration (TSX-V: BRW, OTCQB: BRWXF) issued the incorrect version of a press release under the same headline. The corrected release follows:



Brunswick Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: BRW, OTCQB: BRWXF; BRW or the Company) is pleased to report more significant results from the Mirage winter drilling campaign. The Mirage Project is located in the Eeyou Istchee-James Bay region of Quebec approximately 40 kilometres south from the Trans-Taiga Road. The winter drill campaign focused on the Central Zone and has continued to intersect multiple wide and well mineralized intervals within the MR-6 dyke and its vicinity, where it remains open in all directions.



Highlights include:

Best interval to date at Mirage with 1.55% Li2O over 93.45 meters in drill hole MR-24-62 starting at surface and which extends the flat dipping MR-6 dyke a further 80 meters to the south-west.

in drill hole MR-24-62 starting at surface and which extends the flat dipping MR-6 dyke a further 80 meters to the south-west. The MR-6 dyke was also extended 135 meters to the north of MR-24-62 where BRW intersected 1.05% Li2O over 34.05 meters in drill hole MR-24-65.

in drill hole MR-24-65. MR-6 has now been drill traced over 220 meters of strike extent with true thickness varying from 25 meters and up to 70 meters. The dyke remains open in multiple directions with the strongest potential to the northeast and southwest.

New MR-8 dyke confirmed in the North zone with 1.27% Li2O over 18.6 meters in drill hole MR-24-43 and 1.42% Li2O over 11.5 meters in drill hole MR-24-55.

in drill hole MR-24-43 and in drill hole MR-24-55. New exploration drill hole located approximately 800 meters northeast of MR-6 intersected anomalous lithium values in drill hole MR-24-53 within a zone of stacked dykes. These intercepts continue to extend the central corridor of prospective dykes towards a spodumene bearing outcrop located 3.5 kilometers to the northeast, that has yet to be drill tested.

A total of 26 drills holes results were received to date and 9 drills holes results style pending.

Mr. Killian Charles, President and CEO of BRW, commented: With this latest set of results, MR-6 is rapidly becoming a top priority for Brunswick Exploration and will be the core focus of our next drill campaign. This is another very significant intercept which begins at surface and adds to the prior results of 58 meters at 1.59% Li2O and 37 meters at 1.80% Li2O. all starting from surface as well. Our understanding of the Mirage Project has grown tremendously over the last six months and we are extremely excited to announce our future plans for the project over the forthcoming weeks and months as we continue to see important exploration potential across the project and outside the drill program area.

Figure 1: Surface Map of the Mirage Project and Drill Holes Completed to Date





Table 1: Highlights from 2024 Winter Drilling Program Mentioned in this Release

Hole ID Zone Dyke From (m) To (m) Lenght (m) Li 2 O% Ta 2 O 5 (ppm) MR-24-43 North

MR-8

9.85 28.45 18.6 1.27 81 and 83.95 86.7 2.75 0.99 101 MR-24-44B 14.4 31 16.6 0.95 81 MR-24-46 35.4 52 16.6 0.87 97 MR-24-48 43 61.5 18.5 0.80 93 MR-24-53







225 227.2 2.2 0.55 143 and 251 274 23 0.33 95 MR-24-54 North

MR-8

66.55 71.35 4.8 1.10 198 MR-24-55 67.6 79.1 11.5 1.42 166 MR-24-56 49.05 59 9.95 0.32 44 MR-24-62 Central

MR-6

6.35 99.8 93.45 1.55 160 MR-24-64 55.45 78.3 22.85 N/A 223 MR-24-65 44.4 78.45 34.05 1.05 125



Figure 2: Central Zone of the Mirage Project





Mirage Project Drilling Overview

The Mirage Project comprises 427 claims located roughly 40 kilometers south of the Trans-Taiga Highway in Quebecs James Bay region and 34 kilometers northeast of Winsome Resources Adina Project. At Mirage, a spodumene-bearing pegmatite boulder field extends over 3.0 kilometers in a northeast direction and several dozen well-mineralized pegmatite outcrops have been observed along a 2.5 kilometers-long trend further to the northeast. Both the extent of the outcrops and boulder train remain open in all directions (See August 21, 2023 press release).

The Central Zone sits on a synformal fold hinge axis, oriented east-northeast, where multiple wide high grade pegmatite dykes were intercepted, predominantly in MR-3 and MR-6. MR-6 is interpreted to be a large, thick, sub-horizontal dyke with a higher-grade core with potential evidence of zonation to the northwest. Latest results confirm a thickening of the MR-6 dyke to the southwest in MR-24-62 where drilling intercepted 93.45 meters at 1.55% Li2O. This new hole significantly extends MR-6 to the southwest where the dyke remains open. Moreover, BRW believes there is extensive potential to expand the MR-6 dyke to the northeast where it also remains open. The higher-grade core which is generally oriented southwest-northeast was extended northwest of MR-24-62 with 34.05 meters at 1.05% Li2O. The true thickness varys between 75% and 95% of intersected intervals. This core is defined by coarser and more prevalent spodumene mineralization and is thicker than other portions of the dyke. Interestingly, a fence of holes continued to intersect the MR-6 dyke up to 350 meters north of MR-24-62 where it remains open and the results are still pending (see Figure 3). In this region, the MR-6 dyke appears to be more heterogenous with changing mineralization and highly variable spodumene concentration. MR-24-64 appears to be at the boundary of this new zone of the MR-6 dyke and outside of the high-grade core. Spodumene mineralization is observed in MR-24-66 indicating the possibility of economic grades outside of the core.

There is potential to extend MR-6 350 meters to the west where it remains open towards the MR-3 dyke. The MR-3 dyke demonstrates significant apparent thicknesses of up to 50.6 meters at 1.06% Li2O (See December 4, 2023 press release) in core with a moderate dip of 50 degrees towards the south with true thickness estimated at 95% in all reported holes. MR-3 is oriented NE and reaches the surface where it can be traced continuously for more than 400 meters of strike with consistent thickness of 40 meters.

Potential to extend Central Zone 800 meters to the east where MR-24-53 intersected the volcanic-sedimentary contact to test a similar geological context as the MR-4 dyke in the South Zone. Drill hole MR-24-53 returned 0.33% Li2O over 23 meters within evidence of dyke stacking. Although this intercept is not related to the MR-4 dyke (located 2 km to the southwest), the drillhole highlights the lithium potential of the lithological contact throughout the project and further to the northeast.

Figure 3: Cross Sections A to A





The North Zone is located on the north limb of a regional fold, where a newly drilled dyke, MR-8, was extended over 250 meters in strike (See figure 4 and 5) with 1.27% Li2O over 18.6 meters in drill hole MR-24-43 and 1.42% Li2O over 11.5 meters in drill hole MR-24-55. The dyke remains open to the southwest and to the northeast with 0.84% Li2O over 6.5 meters in drill hole MR-24-57 (See April 25, 2024 press release).

Figure 4: Surface map project of the MR-8 dyke





Figure 5: Cross Sections B to B





QAQC

All drill core samples were collected under the supervision of BRW employees and contractors. The drill core was transported by helicopter and by truck from the drill platform to the core logging facility in Val-dOr. Each core was then logged, photographed, tagged, and split by diamond saw before being sampled. All pegmatite intervals were sampled at approximately 1-meter intervals to ensure representativity. Samples were bagged; duplicated on  core splits, blanks and certified reference materials for lithium were inserted every 20 samples. Samples were bagged and groups of samples were placed in larger bags, sealed with numbered tags, in order to maintain a chain of custody. The sample bags were transported from the BRW contractor facility to the ALS laboratory in Val-dOr. All sample preparation and analytical work was performed by ALS by ICP-AES according to the ALS method ME-MS89L. All results passed the QA/QC screening at the lab and all inserted standard and blanks returned results that were within acceptable limits. All reported drill intersections are calculated based on a lower cutoff grade of 0.3% Li2O, with maximum internal dilution of 5 meters. Host basalts adjacent to the dykes may grade up to 0.3% Li2O but were excluded from the reported intersections.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Simon T. Hebert, VP Development. He is a Professional Geologist registered in Quebec and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Brunswick Exploration

Brunswick Exploration is a Montreal-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V under symbol BRW. The Company is focused on grassroots exploration for lithium in Canada, a critical metal necessary to global decarbonization and energy transition. The company is rapidly advancing the most extensive grassroots lithium property portfolio in Canada and Greenland.

Investor Relations/information

Mr. Killian Charles, President and CEO (info@brwexplo.ca)

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; changes in equity markets; inflation; fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in the development of projects; the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry; and those risks set out in the Corporations public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Corporation believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5cc55a85-6e76-4085-8d65-5777109c6a76

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/459018c8-6d33-47d1-939f-989b02625cc3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/32aec448-9670-47dc-83e3-be0bb9fcc76c

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c957a2f9-3ffe-4dee-9c0b-15c0d52021e1

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ffb1ce5b-1de1-47c0-abf9-0c530f233c11




115 recipients were awarded a $17,500 merit-based scholarship from the Vector Institute for the 2024-25 academic year

Over 682 scholarships have been awarded since the Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence program launched in 2018

Over 90 percent of graduates are hired and remain in Ontario after graduation





TORONTO, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Vector Institute announced the 115 recipients of the 2024-25 Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence (VSAI). These $17,500 merit-based scholarships are awarded to top candidates enrolled in Vector-recognized master's programs or pursuing individualized AI study paths at universities across Ontario.

"Vector is exceptionally proud of the high caliber and rich diversity of this year's student cohort. Our Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence is a key part of Vectors commitment to nurturing the next generation of AI experts. By equipping them with the most sought-after AI skills and cultivating an ecosystem that encourages them to build their future in Ontario, Vector is ensuring that the top-AI talent strengthens Canada's economy as we drive AI adoption and reinforce our position as a global AI leader."

-Melissa Judd, Vectors Vice President, Research Operations and Academic Partnerships

This year's VSAI recipients come from diverse academic backgrounds including engineering, computer science, health informatics, and business analytics. Upon graduation, they will join Ontario's growing community of highly-skilled AI talent. In total, the 2024-25 cohort was awarded over $2 million in scholarship funding.

Beyond financial support, VSAI recipients and students enrolled in masters programs recognized by the Vector Institute can attend events and talks that put them face-to-face with top AI researchers and teams from top Canadian employers, providing unique career opportunities. The masters students are also given access to Vectors Digital Talent Hub, networking events, and AI-specific professional development programming to ensure they are ready to join the workforce. Since 2018, Ontario companies and organizations have hired more than 2,000 Vector-affiliated students from AI masters programs, including VSAI recipients.

It is an honour to be recognized by the Vector Institute, and I am grateful for the opportunity that this award affords me to continue my research in artificial intelligence. It is no secret that AI is reshaping the world around us, and I am excited to be a part of the local community working to leverage its power in innovative ways.

-Charlotte Barnes, MSc in Computer Science, University of Guelph

This seventh round of VSAI recipients will attend 14 universities across Ontario. Six hundred and eighty two have been awarded since the program launched in 2018, and the number of Vector-recognized AI master's programs has grown to 26 across Ontario, reflecting the rising need for AI talent.

This marks the third year in a row that Ontario universities have surpassed the provinces ambitious AI talent goal of 1,000 AI master's graduates per year. These graduates are also in high demand, with over 90 percent building their careers here in Ontarios vibrant AI ecosystem.

On behalf of the Government of Ontario, wed like to congratulate the 115 talented students who are recipients of the Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence. Ontario is a leading source of tech and AI talent, and by fostering innovation in critical technologies, we are enabling domestic companies to compete and win on the global stage. Thank you, Vector Institute, for your continued support of the next generation of Ontarios AI talent.

-Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

This years scholarship program was supported by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. The 2025-26 scholarship nomination dates will be announced in Fall 2024. Learn more about the Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence

Vectors 2024 s cholarship recipients

Carleton University

Yassin, Yousef - Master of Computer Science





Lakehead University

Boyle, Tanner - MSc in Computer Science, Applied AI





McMaster University

Falahati, Ali - MASc in Computational Science and Engineering

Trandinh, Winnie - MASc in Software Engineering

Xue, Yuanqi - MSc in Computer Science





Queens University

Asad, Ali - MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Field of study in AI

Bayley, Adam - MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Field of study in AI

Shama, Ethan - MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Field of study in AI

De Venezia, Rebecca - MSc in Computing, Field of study in AI

Ilie, Teo - MSc in Computing, Field of study in AI

Vandergrift, Matthew - MSc in Computing, Field of study in AI

Babayan, Irina - MSc in Physics





Queens University, Smith School of Business

Bingeman, Laura - Master of Management in AI

Battu, Ranveer - Master of Management Analytics

Belimova, Tatiana - Master of Management Analytics





Toronto Metropolitan University

Meyappan, Vaishali Meena - MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering, AI Concentration

Das, Sharmi - MSc in Data Science and Analytics

Parmar, Tanish - MSc in Data Science and Analytics





University of Guelph

Kopel, Kayla - MSc in Applied Statistics, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Barnes, Charlotte - MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Chereddy, Spandana - MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Vinden, Nicholas - MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in AI





University of Ottawa

Albarham, Mohammad - MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Applied AI

Zhang, Yueteng - MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Applied AI

Faghihi, Armina - MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Applied AI

Sabourin, Nicole - MSc in Computer Science, Concentration in Applied AI

Xu, Ximei - MSc in Computer Science, Concentration in Applied AI





University of Toronto

Myslik, Frank - Executive Master of Health Informatics

Wong, Jonathan - Executive Master of Health Informatics

Jiao, Aoran - MASc in Aerospace Science and Engineering, Robotics and AI

Sahak, Hshmat - MASc in Aerospace Science and Engineering, Robotics and AI

Khaki, Samir - MASc in Electrical & Computer Engineering

Aquino, Laurel - MSc in Applied Computing

Aubry, Murdock - MSc in Applied Computing

Chen, Daniel - MSc in Applied Computing

Chen, Elsie - MSc in Applied Computing

Dormer, Will - MSc in Applied Computing

Lee, Sumin - MSc in Applied Computing

Li, Muhan - MSc in Applied Computing

Liu, Alex - MSc in Applied Computing

Liu, Andy - MSc in Applied Computing

Memon, Sameer - MSc in Applied Computing

Qi, Sipu - MSc in Applied Computing

Sen, Ujan - MSc in Applied Computing

Bromley, David - MSc in Computer Science

Zhu, Kelly - MSc in Computer Science

Kazari, Kamyar - MSc in Health Systems Research, Health Systems AI

Rostami, AmirHosein - MSc in Health Systems Research, Health Systems AI





University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management

Choi, Jiwon - Master of Management Analytics

Hou, Sophie - Master of Management Analytics

Lalani, Armaan - Master of Management Analytics

Sethi, Tanmay - Master of Management Analytics

Tan, Zheng - Master of Management Analytics

Woodman, Olivia - Master of Management Analytics





University of Waterloo

Brandon Jaipersaud - MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering

MohammadHossein Koosheshi - MASc in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

Kurien, Joshua - MASc in Systems Design Engineering

Bhalla, Kareena - Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Kang, Yuxin - Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Song, Steven - Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Gill, Lovepreet Singh - MEng Electrical and Computer Engineering

Schneider, Benjamin - MMath in Computer Science

Sheta, Hala - MMath in Computer Science

Yan, Xin - MMath in Computer Science

Seebach, Lily - MMath in Data Science

Wang, Carolyn - MMath in Data Science





University of Windsor

Rice, Steven - MSc in Computer Science, Concentration in AI





Western University

Sandhu, Suharsh - Master of Data Analytics, Specialization in AI

Moftah, Mahira - MEng in Software Engineering, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Hartman, Lucas - MESc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Meawad, Mohamed - MSc in Cell biology, Collaborative Specialization in ML in Health and Biomedical Sciences

Mei, Zhimin - MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in ML in Health and Biomedical Sciences





York University

Luther, Andrew - MSc in Computer Science

Noroozi, Alireza - MSc in Computer Science





York University, Schulich School of Business

Neve, Dishita Pranaykumar - Master of Business Analytics

Patel, Mansi - Master of Business Analytics

Saklani, Akrit - Master of Business Analytics

Wu, Jiayi - Master of Business Analytics

Luo, Cheng- Master of Management in AI

Tang, Christine - Master of Management in AI





The Vector Institute

Launched in 2017, the Vector Institute works with industry, institutions, startups, and governments to build AI talent and drive research excellence in AI to develop and sustain AI-based innovation to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians.

Vector aims to advance AI research, increase adoption in industry and health through programs for talent, commercialization, and application, and lead Canada towards the responsible use of AI. Programs for industry, led by top AI practitioners, offer foundations for applications in products and processes, company-specific guidance, training for professionals, and connections to workforce-ready talent. Vector is funded by the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada through the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, and leading industry sponsors from across multiple sectors of Canadian Industry.
Smithtown, New York, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- America's VetDogs, a national nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, announced a new partnership with IHOP to celebrate Military Appreciation Month.

Throughout the month of May, customers at all 19 Long Island IHOP restaurants, representing each IHOP franchisee in Nassau and Suffolk counties, will be able to buy a coupon booklet with a $40 value for only $5. IHOP will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the coupon booklet sales to Americas VetDogs to assist in providing more life-changing service and guide dogs to our nations heroes.

We are grateful to IHOP, its Long Island franchisees, and IHOP restaurant staff and customers for joining us in supporting and raising awareness of the work we do to help Americas veterans, service members, and first responders, said John Miller, president and CEO, Americas VetDogs. As we commemorate Military Appreciation Month, we invite our Long Island community to visit their nearby IHOPs, not only to savor delicious meals but also to unite in appreciation and awareness for the vital work we undertake together to honor our nations veterans, military, and first responders."

Americas VetDogs is proud to be one of a select few accredited assistance dog schools in the United States that is now able to provide a veteran or first responder with a specially trained service dog in 12-months or less. With approximately 170,000 veterans and thousands of first responders living on Long Island, Americas VetDogs is dedicated to providing life-changing service dogs to our nations heroes with disabilities faster and at no charge to the individuals being served. Americas VetDogs offers essential services to our heroes, including dedicated service dogs for physical disabilities and mobility challenges, PTSD support, guide dogs for the visually impaired, hearing dogs for those with hearing loss, seizure response dogs, and animal-assisted therapy through facility dogs at military and VA healthcare facilities, promoting healing and well-being for our nation's veterans and first responders.

About International House of Pancakes, LLC

For more than 65 years, IHOP has been a leader, innovator and expert in all things breakfast, lunch and dinner. The chain offers 65 different signature, fresh, made-to-order breakfast options, a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items, including Ultimate Steakburgers, Hand Crafted Melts, Burritos & Bowls and more. IHOP restaurants offer guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. As of September 30, 2023, there are 1,794 IHOP restaurants around the world, including restaurants in all 50 states, two U.S. territories and 13 countries outside the United States. IHOP restaurants are franchised by affiliates of Pasadena, Calif.-based Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).

About Americas VetDogs

For more than 20 years, Americas VetDogs (www.VetDogs.org) has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, Americas VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel. Americas VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves individuals from across the United States. Americas VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live with dignity and independence. It costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but Americas VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. Americas VetDogs has been accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.

Attachments
BOSTON, MA, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Todd Chambers, an accomplished senior marketing executive, will once again apply his extensive technology, SaaS, finance, and business services industry experience to drive client revenue growth as a Fractional CMO for Chief Outsiders. Recently, Chambers rejoined Chief Outsiders team of more than 120 Fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Fractional Chief Sales Officers (CSOs). He was previously a Chief Outsiders Partner and Fractional CMO from 2012 to 2017.

With more than 30 years of marketing experience in both client and agency environments, Todd brings an extensive marketing toolkit to Chief Outsiders, said Deborah Fell, Managing Partner, Chief Outsiders. Were excited to add his deep technology and services industry experience to our battle-tested network of marketing professionals.

As a Chief Outsiders technology focused Fractional CMO, Chambers brings extensive industry experience to drive growth at client companies. His expertise includes strategy, lead generation, branding and positioning, advertising and communications, public relations, and marketing automation. He applies his depth in digital marketing and social media to drive market share growth and increase shareholder value. His deep technology solutions expertise ranges from IT and storage to computer-aided design, HR, CRM, and security.

Technology Marketing Leadership

At Chief Outsiders, Chambers works with the CEOs of middle-market technology, SaaS, finance, and business services companies to accelerate sales and market share growth. Prior to joining Chief Outsiders, as the Chief Marketing Officer at Onyx Software, he delivered the first profitable year and positioned the company as an up-and-comer, taking the company private. And as Vice President of Marketing at Authoria, Inc., he was a key contributor to 250% revenue growth, driving the company from $18 to $50 million in two years.

Chambers recently served as Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at BrightView Landscapes, Chief Marketing Officer at Courion Corporation, and Chief Marketing Officer at Presstek. Significant prior experience includes Vice President, Americas Marketing for Parametric Technology Corporation and Senior Partner at Ogilvy & Mather/Chairman of OgilvyInteractive Asia Pacific.

Prior to his successful executive marketing career, Chambers earned a BA in Political Science & Computer Science from the University of Colorado in Boulder and attended Executive Development Programs at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

About Chief Outsiders

Chief Outsiders, the nations leading Executives-as-a-Service firm, helps CEOs identify and deploy the fractional marketing and sales executives they need to accelerate growth. The firms cohesive team of more than 120 fractional executives act as Strategic Operators to achieve results. They blend insight, strategy, and execution to deliver revenue engines that drive long-term profitable growth for businesses.

Chief Outsiders fractional executives drive growth strategy and execution plans by offering instant access to talent with highly customized and flexible engagements. Having served on the executive teams of more than 1,850 client companies, each Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Sales Officer has led marketing or sales at a diverse set of large corporations, including many Fortune 500 firms. Inc. Magazine has recognized Chief Outsiders for ten consecutive years as one of the 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies in the US. The company was also recognized as a Forbes Small Giant in 2019.

The Growth Gears: Using a Market-Based Framework to Drive Business Success, is an Amazon #1 best-seller for business owners and CEOs co-authored by Chief Outsiders CEO Art Saxby and Principal Pete Hayes. For additional information about the companies and CEOs who trust Chief Outsiders as their premier source for business growth acceleration, visit us at www.chiefoutsiders.com.

Attachment
TORONTO, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On May 2, leading voices from labour, industry, and government met as social partners in Toronto to discuss the Decent Work Guidelines for the Agrifood Sector, as recently established by the International Labour Organization (ILO). In addition to the social partners, experts from academia and civil society also contributed to this milestone event and discussion.



UFCW Canada hosted the meeting in conjunction with the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF), a global union federation of agrifood workers.

The promotion of decent work for all is a key objective of the UNs 2030 sustainable development goals. Goal 8 states to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

The ILO has called for organizations to host events that foster discussion about using social dialogue to advance the guidelines. While Europe has held social partner discussions on decent work for many years, this forum was the first of its kind for Canadian stakeholders.

Canada must be a leader in advancing decent work, said National President Shawn Haggerty in his opening remarks, We have the leadership here today to make it happen. Together, we are best positioned to advance decent work throughout the food system and supply chain.

This forum brought together social partners from unions, employers, and governments. Labour groups included the Canadian Labour Congress, the Teamsters, RWDSU, IUF and UFCW. Representatives from key agrifood employers included Loblaws, Metro, Maple Leaf Foods, and the Canadian Meat Council. And government was represented by Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

Dr. Elvis Beytullayev of the ILO led sessions on the relationship between the guidelines and core ILO conventions, which have all been largely ratified by Canada including C098: Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention  ratified by Canada in 2017. In addition to Dr. Beytullayev, experts from the European Commission also joined the forum to demonstrate the economic, social and environmental benefits of advanced social dialogue.

Canada has made a firm commitment to the UNs 2030 agenda, added Haggerty. It will only be possible to realize its ambitious objectives with the full cooperation and collaboration of industry, labour and government.

Contact:

Derek Johnstone

Special Assistant to the National President, UFCW Canada

416-649-3417

derek.johnstone@ufcw.ca
TORONTO, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sprott Inc. (Sprott) (NYSE/TSX: SII) announced today the results of its Annual Meeting of shareholders held on May 8, 2024 (the Meeting). Sprott is pleased to announce that all resolutions put forward in the Management Information Circular dated March 19, 2024 (the Circular) to its shareholders were approved.



Results of the matters voted on at the Meeting are set out below.

Election of Directors

Sprotts seven (7) director nominees were elected:

Nominee Votes For (percent) Votes Withheld (percent) Ronald Dewhurst 91.842% 8.158% Graham Birch 99.208% 0.792% Barbara Connolly Keady 91.521% 8.479% Dinaz Dadyburjor 93.729% 6.271% Whitney George 99.168% 0.832% Judith OConnell 92.246% 7.754% Catherine Raw 98.954% 1.046%



Appointment of Auditors

KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, was re-appointed as auditor of Sprott and the board of directors of Sprott was authorized to fix the auditors remuneration and terms of engagement.

Votes For (percent): 98.881%

Votes Withheld (percent): 1.119%

For further details on each of the above matters, please refer to the Circular available under Sprotts profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.com.

Final voting results on all matters voted on at the Meeting will be filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

About Sprott

Sprott is a global leader in precious metal and critical materials investments. We are specialists. Our in-depth knowledge, experience and relationships separate us from the generalists. Our investment strategies include Exchange Listed Products, Managed Equities and Private Strategies. Sprott has offices in Toronto, New York, Connecticut and California and the companys common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol (SII). For more information, please visit www.sprott.com.

Investor contact information:

Glen Williams

Managing Partner

Investor and Institutional Client Relations;

Head of Corporate Communications

(416) 943-4394

gwilliams@sprott.com
Kansas City, MO, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Governors Universitys (WGU) Michael O. Leavitt School of Health (LSH) today opened a new nursing simulation and learning laboratory in Kansas City, Missouri, that will provide high-quality, clinical nursing education to students from Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa.

The lab is part of WGUs efforts to address the nursing shortage crisis in the United States by expanding access to education, helping students gain degrees that position them to serve their communities, and advancing health equity with additional competent professionals to the community workforce. With the launch of this laboratory, the university aims to train and educate more than 500 new nurses in the region by 2026, and up to 3,000 per year in the long-term.

We commend Western Governors University for its efforts to support critical workforce needs while also expanding higher education opportunities, said Gov. Mike Parson, who signed legislation providing $2 million in state funds for the Missouri nursing simulation and learning laboratory. Nurses are vital to improving health outcomes in our state and region, and WGUs innovative educational options will help more individuals who wish to fill crucial roles in the future of our state.

The nearly 18,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility features advanced hi-fidelity medical education simulation equipment across five simulation rooms and two skills labs with 17 patient beds, four patient exam rooms, five student-focused debriefing rooms, and a large multipurpose room for training and teaching. The total cost of the Missouri lab, inclusive of construction and equipment, exceeded $5 million. WGU received a $2 million grant for the lab's construction, thanks to the generous support from Gov. Mike Parson and the Missouri General Assembly. This grant was administered in partnership with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. WGU provided the remaining funds in alignment with plans to expand access to LSHs innovative nursing programs nationwide.

Global consulting firm McKinsey & Company estimates that the U.S. could have a shortfall of direct patient care nurses ranging from 200,000 to 450,000 by 2025. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics echoes similar projections and reports that employment opportunities for nurses will grow at 9 percent, faster than all other occupations from 2016 through 2026. According to the Missouri Hospital Associations 2023 Workforce Report, the staff registered nurse (R.N.) vacancy increased to 17.4 percent in 2023 from 11 percent in 2019. The Kansas Department of Labor Occupational Outlook data also states that R.N.s are expected to witness the largest number of new jobs with more than 3,100 positions expected to be created by 2030. In Iowa, the jobs for R.N.s and nursing assistants dominate the market. According to Radio Iowa, 13 percent of U.S. nursing homes that closed in 2022 were in Iowa.

This new nursing laboratory reflects WGUs commitment to expanding access and preparing nurses who serve on the front lines of healthcare, that are needed both now and, in the future, said WGUs Chief Academic Officer and Provost Dr. Courtney Hills McBeth. Because our model adapts to students' needs and pacing instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, we can help our students fulfill their career dreams, often more quickly, so they can begin working to meet the healthcare needs of their communities.

"This lab would not have been possible without the support of so many people. Id like to congratulate my WGU colleagues and offer deepest thanks to Gov. Mike Parson, the Missouri General Assembly, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Missouri Partnership, Kansas City Area Development Council, Platte County Economic Development Council and all our Missouri and local Kansas City partners.

Missouri Hospital Association data shows more than 10,000 nursing students were enrolled in Missouri prelicensure programs in 2020; however, nearly 1,300 qualified applicants were turned away. According to the Missouri State Board of Nursing the states nurse faculty shortages are more than critical. The situation, though, is not limited to a single state. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that more than 65,000 qualified applications (not applicants) were turned away from schools of nursing nationwide in 2023. While AACN mentions that the students submitting these applications may have been accepted and enrolled elsewhere, the report emphasizes that a multitude of reasons stall nurse education, including the lack of infrastructure and faculty. WGUs Leavitt School of Health and its clinical sites are designed to add capacity and offer flexible, affordable options for nursing students.

WGU expanded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Prelicensure) degree program in 2023 to add new competent nurses to the workforce and address the workforce shortage gripping the country. The program is available in 17 states, including Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa, and the number continues to grow. These regional nursing laboratories are easily approachable for students and promote the concept of attaining education within and around community, that, in turn, aims to boost in-community and regional employment. These laboratories will initially serve the universitys prelicensure students, followed by students enrolled in the various masters degree nurse practitioner programs. With the launch and expansion of these innovative programs, WGU aims to add more than 3,000 newly qualified nursing graduates to the workforce by 2027.

Infrastructure and faculty shortages are gigantic challenges that cripple the healthcare system and lead to limited student enrollments and, ultimately, result in the lack of competent professionals. WGU is removing these barriers that prevent access to nursing degrees to grow the pipeline of new, highly qualified nurses that are well-prepared to enter the workforce and serve the communities in which they live, said LSH Senior Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Programs Kimberly Kelly-Cortez. LSH nursing labs are the simulation and learning centers focused on upskilling and reskilling the workforce.

The establishment of this laboratory will not only serve the aspiring students within and around their communities, but also boost the economy of Missouri. Platte County, where the laboratory opened, is among the fastest-growing counties in Missouri. In collaboration with the state and local leaders and health advocates, the Missouri nursing laboratory aims to address the high demand for healthcare professionals, both nationally and regionally, in the Kansas City metropolitan area. These simulation and learning centers include various simulation tools, models, patient mannequins, and training experts to impart practical, patient-focused education that boosts expertise to yield competent professionals.

Presently enrolled in WGUs BSN Prelicensure program, Kayla Stroup from Clever, Missouri, said, I am excited to be able to attend my practical classes at the new nursing laboratory in Missouri. I have been visiting the universitys out-of-state laboratory and that is a great place to learn, but having this location, right within my reach, is such great news. This will not only significantly reduce my travel time and cost, but also enhance the overall experience of learning in my home state.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing states that approximately 100,000 R.N.s left the workforce since the COVID-19 pandemic and more than 600,000 intend to leave by 2027 because of stress, burnout, and retirement. Because nurses are leaving the field, increasing access, removing barriers, and expanding innovative, high-quality health and nurse education programs that positively impact society are prime LSH goals.

WGUs Missouri lab will enhance rural and urban health equity and benefit the health system of the regions served. In 2023, WGU received the Platte County Business Excellence Award for its efforts to positively impact the quality of life and the regions job market with the establishment of the Missouri nursing laboratory. The university launched its first nursing simulation laboratory in Houston, Texas, in 2019 and opened a new facility last year in Salt Lake City, Utah, with additional laboratories scheduled to open next year.

About Michael O. Leavitt School of Health (LSH) : The school, named in honor of the former governor of Utah and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, was established in 2006 with the mission to make a difference in the fields of healthcare, nursing, and higher education through competency-based education. According to the Utah Foundation Research Brief, LSH represents more than 170,000 jobs in the healthcare industry and the school produced a whopping 17 percent of the nations registered nurses earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2021. With more than 100,000 graduates and over 115,000 degrees already conferred by LSH, the school presently serves nearly 25,000 students nationwide. Learn more at Leavitt School of Health (wgu.edu).

About Western Governors University (WGU): A nonprofit, online university established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, WGU now serves more than 175,000 students nationwide and has awarded more than 365,000 degrees to nearly 328,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nations leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In less than 30 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in todays rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Companys Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News and CNN and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu and wgu.edu/impact.

###
NEW YORK, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds those who held the common stock of Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp. n/k/a The Lion Electric Company (NYSE: NGA, LEV) as of the record date of March 18, 2021 for the merger with the then-private The Lion Electric Company of the important June 10, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you held Northern Genesis common stock as of the record date of March 18, 2021 for the merger with the then-private The Lion Electric Company, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Northern Genesis class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=23699 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 10, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants: (1) used materially deceptive risk factor statements to withhold the truth about problems facing the then-private The Lion Electric Company (Legacy Lion Electric), including supply chain problems with its suppliers and sub-suppliers; (2) misled Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp.s (NGA) stockholders about Legacy Lion Electrics prospects using grossly unrealistic financial projections; and (3) failed to provide NGA stockholders with the net cash value of their shares  the key disclosure about the fundamental purchasing power their NGA shares represented. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Northern Genesis class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=23699 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

case@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
MIAMI, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ONEflight International, a leader in the Private Jet Travel, proudly welcomed its members to the highly anticipated Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, treating them to an unparalleled experience from the exclusive vantage points of the Chairman's Garage Level Suite and Rooftop located in the Paddock Club. Notable attendees included ONEflight Brand Ambassador Kevin O'Leary, renowned entrepreneur, and television personality.



The three-day extravaganza, held from May 4th to May 6th at the Miami International Autodrome, showcased ultimate luxury and adrenaline as attendees witnessed the heart-pounding action of Formula 1 racing upfront and in person. With prime views and unparalleled hospitality, ONEflight members savored every moment of the electrifying event.

Among the highlights was the presence of Kevin O'Leary, whose partnership with ONEflight continues to exemplify a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. O'Leary's presence added an extra layer of excitement and sophistication to an already unforgettable experience for attendees.

Commenting on the event, Ferren Rajput, CEO of ONEflight International, expressed his enthusiasm: "We were thrilled to host our esteemed members at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, offering them an unrivaled experience that embodies the essence of luxury and excitement. This event exemplifies our dedication to providing unparalleled service and access to exclusive events for our valued members."

In a thrilling finale to the weekend, McLaren emerged victorious, claiming the top spot on the podium, and adding to the excitement and spirit of attendees.

Visit www.ONEflight.net for more information.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Dave Rajyagor  VP Strategic Initiatives

DaveRajyagor@oneflight.net

720.575.4303



About ONEflight International: ONEflight International is a global private aviation company revolutionizing the luxury private jet travel industry since the companys founding in 2010. It is the fastest growing market leader developing and implementing technological solutions for non-commercial air travel through BAJit, its proprietary online Book a Jet platform. With over 700 world-class selected aircraft charter operator partnerships and a network of 7,000 private jets worldwide, ONEflight empowers members to seamlessly search, select and book a private flight with a fleet of aircraft at their disposal and excellent customer service from booking to disembarking.

ONEflight firmly believes you dont need to OWN; you just need to FLY.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/210a0f3d-344d-4959-97a5-e700aaef3406

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/69559ec4-9a32-45d8-940b-4d73ace4c2c0

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cc81fc49-a239-485d-974b-c16cbc756422
MONTREAL, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Knight Therapeutics Inc. (TSX:GUD) ("Knight" or the "Corporation") a leading pan-American (ex-US) specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today the voting results from the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders held virtually in Montreal, Quebec ("Meeting").



Election of Directors

Each director nominee listed in the Management Information Circular dated April 3, 2024 ("Circular") was elected as Director of the Corporation at the Meeting. Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting voted as follows:

DIRECTOR NOMINEE OUTCOME VOTES FOR % FOR VOTES AGAINST % AGAINST Jonathan Ross Goodman Elected 70,117,624 97.12% 2,080,311 2.88% James C. Gale Elected 71,705,717 99.32% 492,219 0.68% Samira Sakhia Elected 72,036,607 99.78% 161,329 0.22% Robert N. Lande Elected 71,861,489 99.53% 336,446 0.47% Michael J. Tremblay Elected 71,037,851 98.39% 1,160,084 1.61% Nicolas Sujoy Elected 71,977,433 99.69% 220,502 0.31% Janice Murray Elected 71,977,013 99.69% 220,922 0.31%



Appointment of external Auditors



Ernst & Young LLP were appointed as external auditors of the Corporation for the next year by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders present or represented by proxy, and the directors were authorized to determine their remuneration. Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting voted as follows:

OUTCOME VOTES FOR % FOR VOTES WITHHELD % WITHHELD Appointed 72,324,784 99.85% 105,117 0.15%



Renewal of unallocated rights under the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

The resolution to approve the renewal of unallocated rights under the Corporations Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as described in the Circular, was approved by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders present or represented by proxy. Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting voted as follows:

OUTCOME VOTES FOR % FOR VOTES AGAINST % WITHHELD Approved 63,353,978 87.75% 8,843,958 12.2%



The results of the final votes regarding all matters subject to a vote during the Meeting will also be made available on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca).

About Knight Therapeutics Inc.

Knight Therapeutics Inc., headquartered in Montreal, Canada, is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring or in-licensing and commercializing pharmaceutical products for Canada and Latin America. Knights Latin American subsidiaries operate under United Medical, Biotoscana Farma and Laboratorio LKM. Knight Therapeutics Inc.'s shares trade on TSX under the symbol GUD. For more information about Knight Therapeutics Inc., please visit the company's web site at www.knighttx.com or www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-Looking Statement

This document contains forward-looking statements for Knight Therapeutics Inc. and its subsidiaries. These forward-looking statements, by their nature, necessarily involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Knight Therapeutics Inc. considers the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based to be reasonable at the time they were prepared but cautions the reader that these assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of Knight Therapeutics Inc. and its subsidiaries, may ultimately prove to be incorrect. Factors and risks which could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations are discussed in Knight Therapeutics Inc.'s Annual Report and in Knight Therapeutics Inc.'s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed on www.sedarplus.ca. Knight Therapeutics Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events, except as required by law.
Vancouver, May 7, 2024 - GoldHaven Resources Corp. (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF) (FSE: 4QS0) ("GoldHaven" or the "Company") announces that the Company has filed on SEDAR an independent technical report (the "Report") prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") which concluded that the Powerline Uranium Project (the "Property") is a property of merit that warrants an extensive multi-phased exploration and drill program.

GoldHaven CEO, Bonn Smith, states, "The first drill hole will be carried out close to the historic Samson well near the centre of the Powerline Property, as the gamma ray readings in that well at certain depths are quite literally off the charts (see Figure 1). Once we gather core from the anomalous depths (the red zones in Figure 1) we will be able to determine continuity of the uranium mineralization in this section of the Property, as well as increase our confidence in the estimated uranium grade throughout the Powerline Project."





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7246/208344_f4b19db2c476da48_002full.jpg

Attractive Uranium Grades

The Powerline Uranium Project lies within sedimentary rocks (sandstone) of the Colorado Plateau. With sandstone-style uranium deposits, grades in the 0.01% U 3 O 8 range can be attractive due to the advent of In-Situ Leaching (ISL) mining practices.

Historical gamma ray geophysical logs within the Samson well (near the centre of the Powerline Property) indicate a 35.4 m (116 ft) thick zone of uranium mineralization within which a 19.0 m (62.4 ft) thick section is estimated to have uranium grade of 0.0258% U 3 O 8 (Hite, 2015).

This estimate of uranium grade is based upon interpretation of gamma ray geophysical logs carried out in the well when it was drilled in 2007. The information from these logs is considered reliable and relevant to uranium mineralization since the logging instrument was calibrated to detect shale units that are of interest in oil and gas drilling and are likely to under estimate the uranium content in the anomalous zone.

A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify these historical grade estimates as accurate and the issuer is not treating the historical estimates as valid. A drill hole planned in phase 1 is designed to recover core for assay and carry out new gamma ray logging to provide calibration data for more precise grade interpretation.

The full Report dated April 15, 2024, and entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Powerline Uranium Project, Grand County, Utah, USA", can be found on the Company's website at https://goldhavenresources.com/uranium/powerline-uranium-project-utah/ and on SEDAR under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

Qualified Person

Seymour M. Sears, B.A., B.Sc., PGO, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has read and approved all technical and scientific information contained in this news release.

About GoldHaven Resources Corp.

GoldHaven Resources Corp. is a Canadian junior metals exploration Company focused on acquiring and exploring mineral exploration targets in North America. The Company is making exploration progress at its Smoke Mountain property which is located in the highly prospective Central British Columbia Porphyry-Epithermal Belt, where a new 2.5-Kilometre-long Cu-Au-Zn mineralization trend has been identified. Proactive engagement with stakeholders and Indigenous rightsholders to achieve mutually beneficial relationships is an integral part of GoldHaven's strategy.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Bonn Smith, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Bonn Smith, CEO

www.GoldHavenresources.com

bsmith@goldhavenresources.com

Office Direct: (604) 638-3073

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE-Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

News Release References

Hite, R.J., 2015: Private Calculation in the Files of Ameranium Resources Corp.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, the intended use of the proceeds received from the Offering, the possible acquisition of the Projects, the Company's expectation that it will be successful in enacting its business plans, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled", or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that investor interest will be sufficient to close the Offering, and the receipt of any necessary regulatory or corporate approvals in connection with the Offering and the Assignment, that there will be investor interest in future financings, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration and development of the Company's projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the exploration and development of the Company's projects and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the inability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing required to conduct its business and affairs, as currently contemplated, the inability to close the Offering, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including by the Exchange, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.


Vancouver, May 8, 2024 - Outback Goldfields Corp. (TSXV: OZ) (OTC Pink: OZBKF) (the "Company" or "Outback") is pleased to announce that, further to its announcement of the Letter of Intent to acquire S2 Resources' gold assets located in the Central Lapland district of Finland (see March 1, 2024 news release), Mr. George Salamis has agreed join Outback as a strategic and technical advisor.

Mr. Salamis offers a wealth of technical and strategic expertise in the Central Lapland district, having worked as Vice President of Riddarhyttan Resources AB and advancing what is now known as the Kittila Mine until its sale to Agnico Eagle in 2006. The Kittila mine is Europe's largest producing gold mine, originally discovered by the Finish Geological Survey (GTK) in the late 1990's and then sold to Riddarhyttan as a small, shallow resource of less than 300,000 ounces of gold1. Riddarhyttan conducted extensive drilling and engineering studies on the project, growing it to over 2.8 million ounces of contained gold by 20041. Agnico went on to acquire Riddarhyttan in 2005 and since then, has identified over 7.9 million ounces of gold resources on the project1. In 2023, the Kittila mine produced 234,402 ounces of gold, and is expected to produce 230,000 ounces in 20242.

"Mr. Salamis' experience in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of northern Finland will be invaluable to Outback as we complete this transformative acquisition of a world-class portfolio of gold projects and start to advance the projects," commented Chris Donaldson, CEO of Outback.

About George Salamis

George Salamis has over 30 years of experience in the mining and resource exploration industry and has been involved in over $2 billion of M&A transactions over the course of his career. Mr. Salamis is currently the Executive Chairman of Integra Resources and was Executive Chairman of Integra Gold Corp. which was sold to Eldorado Gold Corporation for C$590 million in 2017. Mr. Salamis co-led the efforts behind the 2016 Integra Gold Rush Challenge and the 2017 #DisruptMining initiatives that encouraged innovation and technology disruption in the mining industry and went on to co-found VRIFY Technologies, a company specializing in creating immersive digital experiences and Artificial Intelligence driven mining exploration targeting solutions. Mr. Salamis holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from University of Montreal - Ecole Polytechnique and began his career working for two major mining companies (Placer Dome and Cameco Corp). He also currently serves with the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist as well as serving as a director of the Canadian Armed Forces Liaison Counsel.

About Outback

Outback is an exploration mining company that is acquiring a portfolio of highly prospective gold assets in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of Finland.

Contact Information

For more information please contact:

Chris Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Tel: (604) 813-3931 | Email: cdonaldson@outbackgoldfields.com

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Outback should be considered highly speculative.

The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

References

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this news release include but are not limited to: obtaining the necessary approvals required for the Transaction and the Offering; completion of the Transaction and the Offering and the timing thereof; final terms of the Transaction and Offering; the benefits of the Transaction and the Offering; and exploration activities.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the benefits of the Transaction and the Offering; the Company's ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of required approvals; the price of metals; the integration of assets acquired by the Company; and the Company's ability to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include but are not limited to: the Company's early stage of development; the fluctuation of the price of metals; the availability of additional funding as and when required; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; the timing and ability to maintain and, where necessary, obtain necessary permits and licenses; the uncertainty in geologic, hydrological, metallurgical and geotechnical studies and opinions; infrastructure risks, including access to water and power; environmental risks and hazards; risks associated with negative operating cash flow; and risks associated with dilution. For a further discussion of risks relevant to the Company, see the Company's other public disclosure documents.

Although management has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There is no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as, and to the extent required by, applicable securities laws.


VAL-D'OR, QC, May 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Orbit Garant Drilling Inc. (TSX: OGD) ("Orbit Garant" or the "Company") today announced its financial results for the three-month ("Q3 2024") and nine-month periods ended March 31, 2024. All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

Financial Highlights

($ amounts in millions, except per share amounts) Three months ended

March 31, 2024 Three months ended

March 31, 2023 Nine months ended

March 31, 2024 Nine months ended

March 31, 2023 Revenue 48.2 49.3 135.9 154.2 Gross Profit 6.2 4.6 13.1 17.7 Gross Margin (%) 12.8 9.4 9.6 11.5 Adjusted Gross Margin (%) 17.3 14.4 15.0 16.3 EBITDA 3.9 4.5 8.0 17.3 Net earnings (loss) 2.0 0.2 (0.1) 3.4 Net earnings (loss) per share







- Basic and diluted ($) 0.05 0.01 0.00 0.09

(1)This is a non-IFRS measure and is not a standardized financial measure. The Company's method of calculating such financial measures may differ from the methods used by other issuers and, accordingly, the definition of these non-IFRS financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Refer to "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS financial measures" on page 3 of this news release for more information about each non-IFRS measure and for the reconciliations to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures.

"Our profitability improved year-over-year in the third quarter, a seasonally slower period for our business, as our drilling activity in Canada remained relatively stable, our activity in Chile increased and we had no further activity in West Africa," said Pierre Alexandre, President and CEO of Orbit Garant. "In Canada, our operations normalized during the quarter as the projects that were temporarily suspended or reduced due to customer decisions in the first half of Fiscal 2024 were fully resumed by January. Subsequent to quarter end, we secured two large copper contract renewals in Chile with senior mining companies. One of the contract renewals is for a term of three years, with a customer option to extend for two years, and the other, which represents our largest contract in Chile, is for a term of five years.

"With our West African operations now ceased, we expect our margins to improve as we focus on our core Canadian operations and attractive projects in South America, while carefully managing our costs. The price of gold has recently traded at record levels above US$2,400 per ounce and copper prices have increased significantly since the start of January. With these current high metals prices, we expect to see continued strong demand for our services from senior mining companies. However, financing conditions remain challenging for junior exploration companies, and for certain intermediates. Accordingly, we are primarily focusing on senior and well-financed intermediate customers, from which we derived 87% of our revenue in the first nine months of Fiscal 2024."

Third Quarter Results

Revenue for Q3 2024 totalled $48.2 million, a decrease of 2.3% compared to $49.3 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 ("Q3 2023"). Canada revenue totalled $37.2 million in Q3 2024, a decline of 3.5% compared to $38.5 million in Q3 2023. The decline was primarily attributable to reduced drilling activity on certain projects. International revenue increased 1.4% to $11.0 million in Q3 2024 from $10.8 million in Q3 2023, reflecting increased drilling activity in Chile and Guyana, partially offset by the termination of drilling activity in Guinea and Burkina Faso.

Gross profit for Q3 2024 was $6.2 million, or 12.8% of revenue, an increase of 32.7% compared to $4.6 million, or 9.4% of revenue, in Q3 2023. Depreciation expenses totalling $2.2 million are included in the cost of contract revenue for Q3 2024, compared to depreciation expenses of $2.5 million in Q3 2023. Adjusted gross margin, excluding depreciation expenses, was 17.3% in Q3 2024, compared to adjusted gross margin of 14.4% in Q3 2023. The increase in gross profit, gross margin, and adjusted gross margin primarily reflects increased drilling revenue in Chile and the cessation of drilling activity in Burkina Faso, partially offset by reduced drilling activity on certain projects in Canada and certain current costs related to the termination of drilling activities in Guinea.

General and Administrative expenses were $3.5 million, or 7.3% of revenue, in Q3 2024, compared to $3.6 million, or 7.2% of revenue, in Q3 2023.

EBITDA totalled $3.9 million in Q3 2024, compared to $4.5 million in Q3 2023. The decrease primarily reflects a $1.8 million negative foreign exchange variance in the quarter, partially offset by positive operating earnings in the Company's international operations. Net earnings for Q3 2024 increased to $2.0 million, or $0.05 per share, compared to $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share, in Q3 2023. The increase primarily reflects positive operating earnings in the Company's international operations and a $1.3 million income tax recovery in the quarter, partially offset by the $1.8 million negative foreign exchange variance.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company repaid a net amount of $1.3 million on its Credit Facility in Q3 2024, compared to a withdrawal of $2.6 million in Q3 2023. The Company's long-term debt under the Credit Facility, including US$3.0 million ($4.1 million) drawn from the US$5.0 million revolving credit facility and the current portion, was $23.4 million as at March 31, 2024, compared to $22.2 million as at June 30, 2023.

As at March 31, 2024, the Company's working capital totalled $48.8 million, compared to $50.4 million as at June 30, 2023. Orbit Garant's working capital requirements are primarily related to the funding of inventory and the financing of accounts receivable. As at March 31, 2024, Orbit Garant had 37,372,756 common shares issued and outstanding.

Orbit Garant's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for Q3 2024 are available via the Company's website at www.orbitgarant.com or SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Conference Call

Pierre Alexandre, President and CEO, and Daniel Maheu, CFO, will host a conference call for analysts and investors on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (ET). To join the conference call without operator assistance, you can register and enter your phone number at https://emportal.ink/4cNlOIO to receive an instant automated call back. Alternatively, you can dial 416-764-8688 or 1-888-390-0546 to reach a live operator that will join you into the call.

A live webcast of the call will be available on Orbit Garant's website at: http://www.orbitgarant.com/en/events. The webcast will be archived following conclusion of the call. To access a replay of the conference call dial 416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541, passcode: 467540 #. The replay will be available until May 16, 2024.

RECONCILIATION OF NON - IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

Financial data has been prepared in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). However, certain measures used in this discussion and analysis do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and could be calculated differently by other companies. The Company believes that certain non-IFRS financial measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable IFRS financial measures, are useful to investors and other readers because the information is an appropriate measure to evaluate the Company's operating performance. Internally, the Company uses this non-IFRS financial information as an indicator of business performance. These measures are provided for information purposes, in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

EBITDA and EBITDA Margin

EBITDA and EBITDA margin: Net earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Management believes that EBITDA is an important measure when analyzing its operating profitability, as it removes the impact of financing costs, certain non-cash items and income taxes. As a result, Management considers it a useful and comparable benchmark for evaluating the Company's performance, as companies rarely have the same capital and financing structure.

Reconciliation of EBITDA and EBITDA Margin

(unaudited) (in millions of dollars) 3 months ended March 31, 2024 3 months ended March 31, 2023 9 months ended March 31, 2024 9 months ended March 31, 2023 Net (loss) earnings for the period 2.0 0.2 (0.1) 3.4 Add:







Finance costs 0.9 0.9 2.6 2.4 Income tax (recovery) expense (1.3) 0.7 (2.5) 3.2 Depreciation and amortization 2.3 2.7 8.0 8.3 EBITDA 3.9 4.5 8.0 17.3 Contract Revenue 48.2 49.3 135.9 154.2 EBITDA margin (%) (1) 8.2 9.2 5.9 11.2

(1) EBITDA, divided by contract revenue x 100

Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Margin

Adjusted gross profit and margin: Contract revenue, less operating costs. Operating expenses comprise material and service expenses, personnel expenses, other operating expenses, excluding depreciation.

Although adjusted gross profit and adjusted gross margin are not recognized financial measures defined by IFRS, Management considers them to be important measures as they represent the Company's core profitability, without the impact of depreciation expense. As a result, Management believes they provide a useful and comparable benchmark for evaluating the Company's performance.

Reconciliation of Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Margin

(unaudited) (in millions of dollars) 3 months ended March 31, 2024 3 months ended March 31, 2023 9 months ended March 31, 2024 9 months ended March 31, 2023 Contract revenue 48.2 49.3 135.9 154.2 Cost of contract revenue (including depreciation) 42.0 44.7 122.8 136.5 Less depreciation (2.2) (2.5) (7.3) (7.5) Direct costs 39.8 42.2 115.5 129.0 Adjusted gross profit 8.4 7.1 20.4 25.2 Adjusted gross margin (%) (1) 17.3 14.4 15.0 16.3

(1) Adjusted gross profit, divided by contract revenue X 100

About Orbit Garant

Headquartered in Val-d'Or, Quebec, Orbit Garant is one of the largest Canadian-based mineral drilling companies, providing both underground and surface drilling services in Canada and internationally through its 203 drill rigs and approximately 1,000 employees. Orbit Garant provides services to major, intermediate and junior mining companies, through each stage of mining exploration, development and production. The Company also provides geotechnical drilling services to mining or mineral exploration companies, engineering and environmental consultant firms, and government agencies. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.orbitgarant.com.

Forward-looking information

This news release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to business of Orbit Garant Drilling Inc. (the "Company") and the environment in which it operates. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "will", "may" and other similar expressions. These statements are based on the Company's expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include the world economic climate as it relates to the mining industry; the Canadian economic environment; the Company's ability to attract and retain customers and to manage its assets and operating costs; the political situation in certain jurisdictions in which the Company operates and the operating environment in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates as well as the risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's regulatory filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, a forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any such statement or to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Orbit Garant Drilling Inc.
Ferrari CEO comments on Newey-to-Ferrari rumours

Christian Horner says he has "no concerns" about the ongoing health of Red Bull Racing, even though key rivals are predicting a staff exodus.

Adrian Newey, Saudi Arabian GP 2024

 Red Bull

Design guru Adrian Newey has stepped down from his Formula 1 duties at the energy drink company's premier team - without naming his next destination.

A clear frontrunner is Ferrari.

But the Maranello marque's CEO Benedetto Vigna told Formula Passion: "He (Newey) is one of our clients, participating in track events.

But a lot of things are always said in the newspapers, he added.

Another rumour is that Red Bull's long-time sporting director Jonathan Wheatley could be the next to depart, with McLaren boss Zak Brown claiming last weekend in Miami that multiple CVs are currently flying about in the paddock.

Zak is absolutely right, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff agrees. We are seeing resumes from Red Bull at all levels.

It's even been said that Newey's departure may have unsettled Ford - Red Bull's works manufacturer partner for the team's own engine program for 2026 and beyond.

Ford's motorsport boss Mark Rushbrook said in Miami: "We believe Red Bull is the best team to work with in F1, even with the things going on behind the scenes currently.

We're committed to helping them succeed.

As for team boss Horner, he insists he has no concerns about the strength and depth of Red Bull's personnel setup. He also revealed that Red Bull poached more than 200 staff from Mercedes for its engine project.

I'd be a little more worried about 220 people than one or two CVs, he said, adding that Wolff and Brown have been talking a lot recently.

(GMM)
No Porsche seat for Vettel at 2024 Le Mans

Sebastian Vettel will not launch a return to premier motorsport this year at Le Mans.

Sebastian Vettel, Italian GP 2022

 Aston Martin Racing

The retired quadruple world champion recently tested Porsche's Le Mans-ready 963 hypercar, amid speculation he may join the driver line-up for the marque's third car entry.

It was even suggested that Porsche had delayed the planned announcement of that third car's driver lineup while the German camp waited for 36-year-old Vettel's decision.

However, the specialist Motorsport Aktuell magazine published a month ago that Porsche factory drivers have apparently already been informed that the third car will be driven by Mathieu Jaminet, Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy as originally planned .

That has now finally been confirmed by Porsche, who made no mention of Vettel in the official statement.

After announcing the entry of a third car in Le Mans, we still had two driver positions available, said boss Urs Kuratle. "The decision was not easy for us given our very strong and equally skilled squad.

Ultimately, one of the deciding factors was having Le Mans experience.

(GMM)
Motorola's Razr 40 Ultra made its debut in June last year, and we're now in May so its successor is bound to appear soon. Ahead of its release, today the Razr 50 Ultra's price for the Eurozone has been leaked, purportedly from an Italian retailer.

The screenshot below is allegedly from said unnamed retailer's internal systems, and shows that the Razr 50 Ultra will be priced at 1,200. That currently translates into $1,288, but keep in mind that the US pricing definitely won't be that, as it's not how international price conversions work. If it's going to be 1,200 indeed, then expect it to be $1,200 or possibly even less.

For comparison's sake, note that the Razr 40 Ultra last year arrived in the EU at exactly the same price, but there's a twist - that model charged as much for a version with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the Razr 50 Ultra will give you 12/512GB for the same money, which is definitely welcome.

The Razr 50 Ultra may also be offered in other RAM/storage combos of course. It looks like it will be available in three colors: blue, green, and Motorola's favorite Pantone-approved Peach Fuzz.

No other details about it are known yet - a full spec list hasn't been leaked as of now - but we expect these to appear shortly, considering the fact that the launch is definitely nearing.

Source
These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales.
The US government has allegedly revoked Qualcomm's and Intel's licenses to sell chips to Huawei, according to a new report from Reuters today. While the US Commerce Department has issued a statement saying it's "revoked certain licenses for exports to Huawei", it hasn't named names.

Still, if today's report is accurate, it most likely means Huawei won't be able to use chips from either Qualcomm or Intel going forward, which will basically ensure it can't make any more laptops, unless there's some workaround that hasn't yet been detailed.

Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024

The revokation of the licenses is apparently effective immediately, which puts into question how many of the recently announced MateBook X Pro laptops the Chinese company can sell (which depends on how many Intel chips it already has in its possession, since more aren't coming).

Qualcomm, Intel, and Huawei haven't responded with comments yet, but this is a developing story so that may change in the next few hours or days.

The Chinese foreign ministry did issue a statement saying: "China resolutely opposes the United States overstretching the concept of national security and abusing export controls to suppress Chinese companies without justification".

Huawei's woes started back in 2019, when it was placed on a US trade restriction list, a move which was justified by fears it could spy on Americans. Following that move, Huawei's suppliers have had to seek a special, and allegedly difficult to obtain license before shipping - and such licenses have now reportedly been revoked for Qualcomm and Intel.

These two companies received their respective licenses in 2020, but Qualcomm was only able to sell older 4G chips to Huawei. However, Huawei still pays Qualcomm to license its portfolio of 5G technologies, part of a patent deal that expires in Qualcomm's fiscal 2025. It's unclear if that was in part used to develop Huawei's latest Kirin chips for smartphones or not.

Source
In a press release by Samsung and Synopsys, the two companies announced that Samsung's foundries are preparing for the mass production of the first 3nm Exynos chip. Although, the press release isn't explicitly clear about the Exynos part.

Samsung has collaborated with Synopsys, which is a firm specializing in electronics design automation, to fine-tune the whole manufacturing process and thus maximizing yields and improving the chip's performance.

The press release says the two tech companies are in the final process of designing, called "taping out". Essentially, that means the final design is being sent to the foundry so it can adapt the production lines for the mass production process.

This is going to be Samsung's first complex and high-performance chip based on the 3nm node using Samsung's Gate All Around (GAA) process. Samsung's foundries have already been manufacturing 3nm chips since 2022, but those are simple chips used for cryptocurrency mining, whereas the SoC used on mobile devices is a more complex piece of hardware requiring different design and manufacturing processes.

If everything goes to plan, Samsung's foundries should start mass production of the next-generation SoC in a few months' time. However, it's unclear whether the first 3nm chip will actually be the Exynos 2500 for the Galaxy S25 lineup or another SoC. For example, the Galaxy Watch7 is just around the corner and may get an upgrade with Samsung's most recent hardware.

Source
The Office of the Governor of Guam announced the release of its Guam Five-Year Action Plan for the future of faster, higher-quality and more affordable internet, leading to a straightforward commitment of connectivity for all.
Co-defendant Davidson Yoichi took the witness stand for the government on Tuesday to testify against Jeff Meitawan, who is accused of stealing an ambulance from the Guam Fire Department.

Yoichi, who said he drove the ambulance but did not steal it, faced felony charges for theft by receiving a motor vehicle and for damaging government property. He also faced two misdemeanor charges for graffiti and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, with a special allegation of a crime against the community.

GFD medics testified that on Aug. 27, 2023, they responded to a sick person on Ministry Street in Mangilao. Following protocol, they left the engine running while attending to a sick woman inside.

As they were ready to transport the woman, they noticed the ambulance was missing. They made the necessary calls to superiors to report the incident and the woman they were attending to, found a ride to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Guam Police Department officers headed north to follow up on a call from a witness who said it was parked near a residence along Chalan Mataguac in Yigo, and the witness said they saw Davidson and another person leave with the stolen ambulance.

On the stand, Yoichi said that when he woke up later, it was the first time he saw the ambulance. It was parked in front of a house where a friend was staying, and the homeowner did not want it parked there. Yoichi said he jumped in and drove away, with Meitawan as his passenger.

Yoichi said they went to a paintball field, Meitawan left, and Yoichi backed the ambulance into a nearby jungle right before police arrived, to get rid of it.

Police caught Yoichi first, and later apprehended Meitawan. Meitawan said he was being set up, according to the magistrates complaint.

The government also called Jack Paul to the witness stand. When the court officer asked him to raise his hand and reply to the request to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, he answered emphatically, No.

Paul said he didnt remember giving a statement, and that he never saw Meitawan near the ambulance.

The government also called up the police crime scene investigator, who said he didnt bother to fingerprint the scene. Yoichi admitted to defacing the ambulance by driving next to trees, and also by writing in the ambulance interior.

Closing arguments are scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday in Superior Court Presiding Judge Alberto C. Lamorena IIIs courtroom.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Banned enoki mushrooms from the Republic of Korea and China were distributed in 38 stores and restaurants on Guam, but the Department of Public Health and Social Services on Wednesday said it hasnt received any reports of local injuries or illnesses linked to possible contaminated enoki mushrooms.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned enoki mushrooms from Korea and China because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection may cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Public Health on Wednesday said Carson Guam Corporation, the identified distributor of the enoki mushrooms manufactured by Mushroom Korea Corporation, has determined that the banned products were distributed and sold from Feb. 1, 2024 to May 5, 2024 to the following 38 food establishments on Guam:

7-Day Supermarket  Harmon Pacific Island Club  Tumon Bio Water and Ice  Harmon Papaniyoc Store/Cafe  Merizo Blaze  Tumon Payless Supermarket  Dededo Bom Market  Yigo Payless Supermarket  Maite California Mart  Tamuning Payless Supermarket  Mangilao Cheong Dam Restaurant  Tumon Payless Supermarket  Micronesia Mall Cho Won Korean Restaurant  Tamuning Payless Supermarket  Sumay Crust Pizzeria Napoletana  Agana Payless Supermarket  Tamuning Dae Jang Keum Restaurant  Harmon R Daily Mart  Harmon Day Buy Day  Yona Se Jong Korean Restaurant  Upper Tumon Don Don Donki  Tamuning Seoul Mart  Agana Shopping Center Hafa Adai Market  Yigo Seoul Mart  Tamuning Hilton Guam Resort & Spa Hotel  Tumon Seoul-Jung Restaurant  Tumon Hoshino Resorts Guam  Tamuning SJ Market  Tamuning Hotel Nikko Guam  Tumon Hyatt Regency Guam  Tumon Tsubaki Tower  Tumon Kimi Market 2  Mangilao UR Market  NCS Dededo New Jck Market  Yigo Village Pantry  Dededo Olympia Mart  Upper Tumon Waka Sakura  Village of Donki

Public Health in a list said Super Happy Mart in Barrigada was one of the establishments with the enoki mushrooms, however Super Happy Mart said the store never purchased enoki mushroom from Carson Guam Corp. nor carry the brand in question.

According to the distributor, all remaining affected products have been removed from the establishments listed above and are being held at the distributors warehouse for destruction or return to the manufacturer, Public Health said in a press release.

As a reminder, consumers who have purchased any of the affected products are urged not to consume them.

The product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase, Public Health said. To date, the Department has not received any local reports of injuries or illnesses associated with the use of these potentially affected products.

Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact their healthcare provider, the department said.

DPH Division of Environmental Healths Consumer Commodities Program received a report on May 3, 2024 that enoki mushrooms manufactured by Mushroom Korea Corporation were being sold in Guam.

The products are part of the import ban issued by the FDA due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

For more information or inquiries, contact the DEHs Consumer Commodities Program at (671) 300-9579.
An inmate sustained severe injuries and had to undergo extensive surgery after he was beaten up in his cell at the Department of Corrections recently, his lawyer said.

That inmate, Rickey McIntosh, said he fears for his life.

On Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Alberto E. Tolentino granted house arrest with 24-hour electronic monitoring for McIntosh.

McIntosh has been in jail since May 2022, in pretrial detention for another case involving drug possession and eluding a police officer.

About a year later, hes among three inmates facing charges of promoting controlled substances as major prison contraband.

His defense attorney, Mark Smith, said McIntosh was the victim of a beating at DOC about two weeks ago, a beating that almost killed him.

My client was attacked inside of his jail cell. They beat him so bad, he has plates inside of his head, and he still has another surgery coming up, Smith said. He went unconscious when the beating started and whoever did it probably just kept on beating him.

McIntosh appeared in front of the judge two days after his release from Guam Memorial Hospital, where he underwent extensive surgery.

DOC: Injured person

DOC Director Fred Bordallo Jr. said that on April 20, he was briefed by the warden of an injured inmate at Post 5.

He said the Guam Police Department was called and now has the incident documented for investigation purposes.

Our Internal Affairs were briefed of the incident, so far, only classified as an injured person, Bordallo said. I recommended verify with GPD if other details are being given. So far, no updates from GPD.

McIntosh suffered broken ribs, a mangled face, a broken eye socket and various injuries that appeared to come from a relentless beating, Smith said.

He feared for his clients life, which is why he asked Tolentino for a release to a third-party custodian.

Lawyer: Prison contraband case

McIntosh was sent to jail in May 2022. At the time, he was on pretrial detention for a case involving drug possession and eluding a police officer.

But in June 2023, McIntosh, along with fellow inmates Alvin Nash Quinata and Thomas Mark Taitano, were indicted by a grand jury and now face charges of promoting a controlled substance as major prison contraband as a second-degree felony and promoting prison contraband as a misdemeanor.

Smith believes that the prison contraband case is at the root of the beating.

He said Post 5, where McIntosh had a cell, is a locked down area of the facility. Smith said guards have the keys to cells, not inmates.

I believe hes gonna finger some people. The governments already approaching me about cooperation. Thats what kind of triggered a lot of that for me, said Smith. So what  it just happened? He got attacked? And you gotta remember that I didnt even hear about this from DOC. My client had to call me up right before he went into surgery. Wow.
With a stated mission to make hope, healing and wellbeing accessible to every person as an expression of Gods love, Jacksonvilles Baptist Health System just agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle allegations it defrauded the government under the False Claims Act.

As opposed to for-profit organizations, the nonprofit, tax exempt, Baptist Health System was created to serve the medical needs of the community  not to generate profit for shareholders.

Its network includes seven hospitals across Northeast Florida, the Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center in Jacksonville, as well as nearly 2,000 physicians and more than 200 patient centers and clinics.

Medicare, a federal health insurance program used by many patients aged 65 and older, typically covers a significant portion of health care costs, leaving the patient responsible for paying the remainder.

But the Department of Justice alleges that from Jan 1, 2016, to Aug. 15, 2022, Baptist Health intentionally directed its subsidiaries to offer discounts to Medicare patients, regardless of their financial need, entitling them to more than 50% off their portion of the bill  in return for their commitment to use or recommend Baptist Healths services.

Combating health care fraud

Nonprofit health care systems are typically created by charitable groups or religious organizations. In this case, the Baptist Health System was established after members of the Southern Baptist Convention responded to a hospital-bed shortage by building Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville.

Because they must offer more community oriented health programs, like free or reduced care for those unable to pay, nonprofit health systems are pivotal in providing care to underserved populations and ensuring health care accessibility to all patients, regardless of their financial situation.

In the fight against corruption, the False Claims Act allows the government to hold organizations accountable for defrauding government programs. The federal Anti-Kickback Statute makes it illegal for anyone involved in federal health care programs to offer, pay, or accept any form of payment in exchange for referring people to specific health care services that the government pays for.

Baptist Health voluntarily discloses potential violations

On July 15, 22, Baptist Health voluntarily disclosed that some of their legacy patient discount policies could potentially violate federal fraud laws  and willingly discontinued them.

They also conducted an internal compliance review and provided the government with a detailed supplemental disclosure  significant steps according to the DOJ, that entitled Baptist Health to some credit for cooperating with the investigation.

In a news release announcing the settlement on May 3, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division, said, We encourage providers to mitigate the consequences of prior improper conduct by making timely self-disclosures, cooperating with our investigations and adopting enhanced compliance procedures.

Further, U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg said the settlement serves as a great example of his offices commitment to protecting and preserving taxpayer funded health care programs, adding that self-disclosures like this not only help crucial federal health care programs to recoup funds, but are also in the best interests of health care providers themselves.

As noted in court documents, the agreement, is neither an admission of liability by Baptist Health nor a concession by the government that its claims are not well founded.

Per the settlement, Baptist Health must pay $1,500,000, plus interest, to the government by May 18, 2024.
China's aircraft carrier Fujian completes maiden sea trials

Xinhua) 15:31, May 08, 2024

An aerial drone photo taken on May 7, 2024 shows China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, during its maiden sea trials. China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, completed maiden sea trials on Wednesday. (Photo by Ding Ziyu/Xinhua)

BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, returned to Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard at around 3 p.m. Wednesday after completing its maiden sea trials.

During the eight-day sea trials, the Fujian tested its propulsion and electrical systems and other equipment, and achieved the expected results.

In the next stage, the aircraft carrier will conduct follow-up tests according to established plans.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)




Haiti - Security : The DR is strengthening the border like never before...





President Luis Abinader declared this week that the various Dominican military authorities were preparing to strengthen the border in terms of security, in anticipation of the arrival of troops from the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti



"We were preparing to strengthen the border like never before, in all aspects, both in terms of personnel and in terms of equipment and infrastructure."



As part of this reinforcement Abinader mentioned better equipment for the Armed Forces, evoking the integration of URO armored vehicles model VAMTAC (High Mobility Tactical Vehicle) ST5, which have armor against heavy weapons and explosives, as well as than a range of more than 600 kilometers and speeds of up to 135 kilometers per hour, fully charged in rugged geographic areas, predominant at the border We also use drones in places where there is no no fence; our armed forces are today better equipped than ever."



Regarding the improvement of border infrastructure, he cited the expansion of the Beller Fortress, in Dajabon, as well as the creation of a common area at each kilometer of the perimeter fence, equipped with detachments.



Regarding the participation of the Dominican Republic in the pacification operations of Haiti, Abinader affirmed that the Dominican Republic will not serve as a base for foreign interventionists. He clarified that his country will only be linked in terms of logistics and information due to its territorial proximity, in order to know when the forces led by Kenya will act "We are also in coordination with the forces that will pacify Haiti, when there will be special actions [...] we must be ready to know when they are going to do it."



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42169-haiti-flash-the-dominican-republic-increased-its-military-spending-by-14.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41806-haiti-security-the-dominican-republic-strengthens-border-surveillance.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41767-haiti-politic-president-abinader-promises-to-deliver-the-border-wall-with-haiti-in-the-coming-weeks.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41629-haiti-insecurity-the-dominican-army-has-installed-posts-fortified-with-machine-gun-on-the-border.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-41620-icihaiti-border-the-dominicans-deploy-an-important-military-surveillance-system.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politic : The CPT asks Kenya to deploy the Multinational Mission in Haiti





Members of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) for whom security is a priority, wrote to the President of Kenya, William Ruto, to reiterate the request to send the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti "We wrote on Monday May 6 to President William Ruto to inform him that we have taken charge of the file of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti and that we are awaiting the contribution of his country," indicated two presidential advisors.



Let's recall that on March 13, 2024, the President of Kenya assured that his country "is ready and willing" to send police officers to help restore order in Haiti after the installation of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41880-haiti-flash-kenya-promises-to-deploy-the-mission-after-the-establishment-of-the-presidential-transitional-council.html



"Kenya assures the TPC of Haiti of its full support as it shepherds the country through this complex interregnum [...] Kenya stands ready and willing- in concert with a broad alliance of nations in Africa and CARICOM- committed to Haiti's stability, to rapidly execute the security support infrastructure envisaged under UN Security Council 2699 (2023)," declared President Ruto on April 25 after the swearing-in of the CPT advisors https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42201-haiti-politic-statement-by-the-president-of-kenya.html



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42272-haiti-security-suriname-ready-to-send-police-and-soldiers-to-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42270-haiti-flash-$60-million-of-american-military-equipment-for-the-mission-some-details.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42250-haiti-security-the-first-kenyan-troops-land-on-may-26-2024-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42217-haiti-flash-7-countries-from-africa-asia-and-the-caribbean-will-support-the-pnh.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42201-haiti-politic-statement-by-the-president-of-kenya.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41880-haiti-flash-kenya-promises-to-deploy-the-mission-after-the-establishment-of-the-presidential-transitional-council.html



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - IMPORTANT : Resumption of the learning compensation system





Taking into account the current situation, disrupting the school calendar and map, affecting the teaching-learning process of students, and in accordance with the provisions announced in March 2024, the Ministry of National Education informs the public, in general, and the educational community, in particular, that it is resuming the targeted learning compensation system. This action will mainly affect students who have missed the greatest number of school days, especially in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince and certain school districts in Artibonite.



In addition to classroom learning, the MENFP will use video capsules, radio, web radio and television broadcasts, its digital resources platform and other platforms from partner institutions for the success of these courses.



To this end, the Ministry invites teachers interested in participating in this learning support program to register with their school principal, the only body authorized to register them on the ministry's platform. The Ministry will give priority to teachers who have already taken part in previous similar operations, with convincing results and who have several years of experience under their belt.



The same goes for the recruitment of teaching staff interested in participating in State exams, which like last year, will be done exclusively online. These registrations will begin on Monday May 13, 2024 and will end on Sunday May 19, 2024.



Reminder : only schools registered on the Ministry platform will be able to register their teachers, using their unique code generated by the platform.



The Ministry welcomes the gradual resumption of school activities in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince and continues to mobilize for schools and students in difficult situations.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Artificial intelligence (AI) should help YouTube users to skip to the interesting sequences in videos. All too often, films are annoying with logorrhea, which not only puts viewers off, but also creates unnecessary load on YouTube's servers. The company's own search engine Google has therefore been linking directly to "important sequences" in selected YouTube videos for years. Now, a similar function called Jump Ahead is being introduced in the YouTube app for Android users in the USA.

Anzeige

Jump Ahead is still an experimental feature and must be activated via youtube.com/new . If the user then makes a double tap  usually an instruction to fast-forward by ten seconds  the Jump Ahead option can also appear. According to information from March, Jump Ahead combines data on previously observed viewer behavior with AI algorithms. The AI tries to guess which part of the YouTube video the user actually wants to advance to.

Only for US premium subscriptions

Jump Ahead is only available to US users who pay for a YouTube Premium subscription, and even then, only in the YouTube app for Android for certain English-language videos. Since the end of March, the data company has made the feature available to a small group of selected users on a trial basis, and is now starting a larger test with those who register at youtube.com/new .

In this way, YouTube sometimes tries out things that later become a general offer or disappear again. While Jump Ahead was available for self-uploaded videos without a Premium subscription in the March test, heise online has not yet been able to activate the test function with a US account without a Premium subscription.

Last year, the streaming platform introduced new AI tools for video production, YouTube Create and Dream Screen, which make it easier to create videos. Dream Screen can generate backgrounds for shorts, the short videos on YouTube, from a text template. Dream Track is an experiment in which a generative AI creates music. Over the course of this year, YouTube intends to further support its video producers with additional AI features.

(ds)
A CRIMINAL INQUIRY has been opened into suspected malfeasance linked to intelligence operations at the Finnish Armed Forces and Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo), report Iltalehti and Helsingin Sanomat .

The data security ombudsman submitted a request for inquiry on the matter with the office of the deputy prosecutor general in February. The deputy prosecutor general has opened an inquiry into the matter, a spokesperson at Supo told YLE on Tuesday.

Supo has at no point had reason to believe that anyone has worked for a foreign state, but the objective of the operations has at all times been to guarantee national security. The inquiry will now determine whether the operational methods have been lawful.

Iltalehti on Tuesday reported that the deputy prosecutor general is investigating the actions of Pertti Haaksluoto, the chief of counter-intelligence operations at Supo, and Antti Pelttari, the director general of Supo in 20112023. The investigation, it added, relates to the legality of informant activities and a computer break-in that resulted in the disclosure of classified information to third parties.

Haaksluoto has been suspended from duty due to the suspicions, according to information obtained by Iltalehti. Pelttari is presently the secretary general of the Finnish Parliament.

Helsingin Sanomat on Tuesday wrote that Supo has suspended from duty a superintendent, the title of the officer in charge of counter-intelligence operations. It could not, though, confirm whether or not the suspended officer is Haaksluoto.

Both newspapers wrote that the suspension took effect on 23 April.

Helsingin Sanomat reported that it has obtained documents pertaining to the suspension but that they have been edited to remove names and other identifying information on the superintendent. While the superintendent denied in interrogations to having committed any offences, they recognised the grounds for the suspension.

As far as I see, the service as an employer doesnt have too many options here, and in effect this suspicion makes it impossible to perform the duties in question, they remarked according to the newspaper.

Helsingin Sanomat wrote about two internal inquiries at Supo in April. According to Iltalehti, the internal processes were launched after a Russian television show broadcast claims made by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) about Russian spies recruited by Supo. The show indicated that the informants were handled by a counter-intelligence veteran who had retired years ago from Supo.

Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen (PS) declined to comment on any details of the case when reached by YLE on Tuesday. She did estimate, however, that the inquiry indicates that the system is functioning properly.

If there are some kind of suspicions about the legality of actions, then of course the matter has to be investigated, she remarked. Supo is perfectly capable of operating at the moment. Now well naturally have to wait and see what the inquiry finds and draw conclusions after it.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The Finnish capital registered fewer than two million overnight stays by foreign visitors in 2023, corresponding with 78 per cent of the total for 2019. In Copenhagen, Hamburg, Oslo and Stockholm, the number of foreign visitors has recovered noticeably faster, already exceeding pre-pandemic levels in Copenhagen and Oslo.

HELSINKI has fallen well behind its regional rivals in terms of tourism growth in the post-pandemic era, reveals a study carried out by the Helsinki Tourism Foundation.

The study found a notable difference in the amounts invested in marketing the cities as travel destinations.

Helsinki Partners, a marketing and talent attraction company owned by the City of Helsinki, has allocated about 2.2 million euros of its annual budget of 8.4 million euros for attracting foreign visitors. In Hamburg, Oslo and Stockholm, the tourism marketing organisations have access to 59 million euros a year  in Copenhagen, to as much as 36 million euros.

Mikko Leisti, the board chairperson at the Helsinki Tourism Foundation, said the Finnish capital has fallen behind its rivals especially after the pandemic.

Helsinki has for years invested in hotel capacity and other tourism infrastructure, and the restaurant offering does not shy away from comparison with its peer cities. The study does show, however, that the tourism sector in the city has tremendous potential that is not being realised, he said in a press release according to Helsingin Sanomat.

Although the tourism marketing budgets of the cities are not directly comparable, the foundation believes additional investments in marketing are required to boost tourism growth in Helsinki. Such investments could have substantial economic effects, with tourism generating 1.2 billion euros in direct revenue and another 800 million euros in indirect revenue in 2022.

Finland is widely considered a great tourism destination by foreign visitors, Timo Lappi, the managing director of the Finnish Hospitality Association (Mara), reminded in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat on Monday. The ongoing effort to increase hotel capacity, he added, serves as evidence of widespread confidence in continued growth before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In the capital region alone, therell be almost 7,000 more hotel rooms by the end of 2026 than there were in 2018, he noted.

Helsinki fared worse than its rival cities also in terms of overnight stays by domestic visitors, according to the Helsinki Tourism Foundation. The number of overnight stays was about two times higher in Oslo and Copenhagen, three times higher in Stockholm and almost six times higher in Hamburg.

Lappi stated to Helsingin Sanomat that Finland has a relatively small budget for international tourism marketing especially now that the government has decided to shave two million euros off the budget of Visit Finland.

The budget has thus contracted to eight million euros, having peaked at 17 million euros around 2010.

Lappi said the decision to cut the budget is incredulous particularly because it coincides with the crumbling of the two bedrocks of tourism to Finland: visitors from Russia and Finnairs ability to fly Asian passengers conveniently over Russia. Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has forced Finnair to effectively re-devise its strategy and halted the inflow of visitors from China and Japan.

Also policy action is required to respond to the development, argued Lappi.

According to Lappi, Finland is the only Nordic country that has registered a decline in tourism due to the war of aggression prosecuted by Russia. Had inbound tourism continued to grow at the same rate it did until 2019, the country would have raked in an additional 13.6 billion euros in tourism revenue in 20202023, he calculated.

Travel accounts portray an even more alarming picture of the situation, reported Helsingin Sanomat. The accounts reflects the difference between the amount of money foreign visitors bring to a country and the amount of money locals take to other countries.

In Finland, the accounts have been negative for years. The balance of payments was in the red by 445 million euros in 2002 and by about two billion euros in 2022. Last year, the deficit widened dramatically to 2.85 billion euros.

It widened by 850 million euros in a single year. Thats an enormous amount. And it also has an impact on tax revenue. Tourism exports are the third largest sector for service exports, said Lappi.

He pointed out that global competition for foreign visitors is intense given the spending power of foreign visitors. A Finnish study, for example, found that the restaurant and accommodation sector had a tax footprint of about 2.9 billion euros before the coronavirus pandemic.

That illustrates just how massive an impact the sector has on tax revenue.

Finnish accommodation service providers are also hit by the recent government decision to raise the value-added tax on accommodation services from 10 to 14 per cent, the second highest level in the European Economic Area (EEA), added Lappi. In Denmark, accommodation services are subjected to a value-added tax of 25 per cent.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Sitting at Assi Ghat in Banaras and watching the Ganga flow calmly past is an experience thats not to be missed. The city famous for its religious significance flows just like the river, carrying with it all kinds of music, literature and art. It was to celebrate this quality that the Nav Bharat Nirman Samiti organized the second edition of the Banaras Lit Fest from 10 to 12 February, 2024 at the Rudraksh International Convention Centre. Journalist Santosh Singh in conversation with Vinay Kumar, author, Yakshini. (Banaras Literature Festival)

The first session that I attended was Itihas, Mithak evam Kavita(History, Myth and Poetry) where Hindi poet and psychiatrist Vinay Kumar recited from Yakshini, his famous collection published by Rajkamal Prakashan. Later, in a conversation with journalist Santosh Singh, he talked about how he viewed history as a living arena to which his artistic mind travels to have tea with Akbar and take a stroll with Ashok before returning to reality. He also spoke about being inspired to write the entire series of poems after seeing the ancient statue of the Didarganj Yakshi at Patnas Bihar Museum.

In the following session, author Divya Prakash Dubey spoke about his journey into writing and responded with insightful replies to questions about building a literary career and the workings of the industry raised by an eager young audience member. The day ended with a session on celebrating Bhartendu Harishchandra and his contribution to Hindi. Dipali Rajkrishna, a descendant of Harishchandra and the author of Bhartendu, a book encompassing several aspects of his life, spoke about the experience of growing up in such a family. She stressed that even though he was a traditionalist, he stayed away from communalism and believed Ram and Rahim to be one, something that her family still follows. The panel included Shyam Bihari Shyamal, who is also working on a book on Bhartendu Harishchandra. Shyamal said he aims to highlight several forgotten names associated with Harishchandra. These include Teg Ali, a dacoit turned Robin Hood, who used to write devotionally about Krishna.

The session entitled India Now and In Transition  The Way Forward for Indian Democracy comprised writers (from left) Omair Ahmad and Utpal Kumar, moderator Atul K Thakur, writer Ghazala Wahab, and academic Banibrata Mahanta. (Baranras Literature Festival)

The second day began early with a multilingual poetry recitation. While Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Majhi and Badri Narayan presented poems in Hindi, HS Shivprakash recited in Kannada and Uday Narayan held forth in Maithili. The panel for the following session, entitled India Now and In Transition  The Way Forward for Indian Democracy, comprised writers Ghazala Wahab, Utpal Kumar and Omair Ahmad and academic Banibrata Mahanta. Ahmad spoke about the ideals on which Indian democracy was envisioned and about the need to focus on where we might be lacking and work towards making ourselves better. He stated that if we wanted to excel, we need to equip our population with the skills to compete with China. Kumar said he believed that India is indeed moving in the right direction. This was contradicted by Wahab, who stated that post-truth has unfortunately become a reality and that while the youth is the strongest asset of our nation, there are no opportunities to utilize that force. She also revealed the dismal budget allocated to research and development and explained how that hinders progress. Dr Mahanta approached the conversation through another angle when he spoke about how Banaras was the nerve of democracy even during the freedom struggle. He added that, in recent times, the space for minorities has been shrinking, which needs to be negotiated.

The session entitled Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam had panelists discussing the importance of world peace and holistic development. Invoking the Bhagavad Gita, academic Sadanand Shahi stated that Krishna says that only someone who considers everyone as their own can only meet him. Writer Ashok Anand focused on the need to instil positive values in young people so that hatred can vanquished.

Another session, Sahitya, Loktantra evam Rashtravad (Literature, Democracy and Nationalism) featured film critic Sangam Pandey talking about how nationalism in India has been limited to reminiscing about the past. Academic Badri Narayan spoke about the need to consider oral and written traditions together while veteran journalist Om Thanvi recalled Rabindranath Tagores thoughts on nationalism which he labelled an illness. Literature should always be secular, he said.

The session on Literature, Democracy and Nationalism featured (from left) Deenbandhu Tiwari, Om Thanvi, Badri Narayan and Sangam Pandey. (Banaras Literature Festival)

Bhikhari Thakurs epic play Bidesia, directed by Ashish Trivedi, was staged on the last day. A unique session on the challenges of organising literature festivals took place with a panel of organisers of such events from across the country. The panel included Farhat Ahsas of Jashn-e-Rekhta, Monika Singh of Deccan Lit Fest, Kunwar Ranjit Singh of Jashn-e-adab and Banaras Literature Festivals own Brijesh Singh. The conversation revolved around the economical constraints and the challenge of attracting an audience.

In her session, Sharmishtha Mukherjee, author of Pranab, My Father, spoke about her book on the former president and about her own life as an artist. Next, writer Vineet Kumar stressed on the need for digital detoxes. He also spoke about how the fear of missing out (FOMO) has induced people to become addicted to a superficial reality.

All in all, the Banaras Literature Festival was an intellectually stimulating experience in an eternal city.

Chittajit Mitra (he/him) is a queer writer, translator and editor from Allahabad. He is co-founder of RAQS, an organization working on gender, sexuality and mental health.
Keeping track of, and paying all your bills on time should be quite simple. However, experience tells us that this is not often the case. Bill payment requires that you track multiple due dates, and your available funds and account for unplanned expenses as well. While this might seem quite challenging to do, with the right support, and a little planning it can be quite simple to manage. So what are some of the ideas that you could implement to help you pay your bills on time? We've listed down a few tips below:

Ways to Keep Up With Your Bill Payments

Digital payment solutions like PayZapp have simplified bill payments. As long as you have a smartphone, and the right mobile payment app downloaded on it, you can ensure your bills are paid before the pay by date. PayZapp by HDFC Bank is one such payment solution that can assist with timely bill payments.

Using PayZapp to Organise, Manage and Make Bill Payments

A smartphone, an active internet connection and linked payment methods are all you need to pay your bills via PayZapp by HDFC Bank. Once you have downloaded and installed the app, you can then sign in, select the biller of your choice and then enter details such as your consumer number. Payzapp will then retrieve your bills, and allow you to make payments via your preferred payment method.

How PayZapp helps with timely bill payments:

Worried about missing a notification, text or email about your bills? With AutoPay, you can automate bill payments and never have to worry about them being paid again. It may take an initial investment in terms of time, but the end result is zero-stress about bills in the future. You can also consider:

Making a List of Each Bill

Organise your bills. A bill organiser wors great for physical bills, and helps you keep track of who money is owed to, and when you need to make payments.

Sign up for Reminders

Most service provides in India provide online bill payment reminder services that you can sign up for. This way you can get notified when the bill is generated, and a few times before the due date.

Consolidate Your Bills

Is your mobile service provider also your internet and cable service provider? You could request them to consolidate your bills and then set up automated payments.

Remember Your Billing Cycle

After youve paid a few bills, you may notice a pattern. Your electricity bills may be due before the 10th of each month, while your cable service provider may be billing you towards the end of the month. Once you recognize the billing pattern, youll remember your bill dates.

Download Online Payment Apps

There are many online payment app options to choose from, such as PayZapp, which allow you to make payments for all kinds of bills. With Payzapp however, there's a lot more on offer than just bill payments.

Choose Payment Aggregator Apps

If you prefer not to use multiple online payment apps and wish to pay your bills on a single platform, you can use online payment aggregator apps like PayZapp by HDFC Bank. PayZapp allows you to pay all kinds of bills and recharge your various devices/accounts on a single, user-friendly platform.

Why Choose PayZapp

It is a one-stop solution for all bill payments and recharging needs.

You can find all your billers  electricity, gas, water, mobile/landline, rent, etc., listed here.

Once you pay a bill, you dont have to enter your consumer details for subsequent payments.

You can use PayZapp Passbooks section to track your bills and know whats pending and paid.

You can find all your billers on PayZapps homepage, so you never forget to pay your bills.

How Timely Bill Payments Benefits You

Helps you avoid late payment fees and penalties.

Prevents potential interruptions or disconnection of services.

Enhances your credit score, especially in the context of loans and credit card bills.

Saves you money on interest charges.

Assists with building trust with service providers for better terms in future.

Late Bill Payments and Things to Remember

If you expect delays in paying your bills for whatever reasons, consider the following:

Inform your biller about prospective delays to get an extension on the due date.

Consider paying a security deposit when you have extra funds, so your bills are adjusted with the deposit amount.

Try to make at least a partial payment so your services remain uninterrupted.

With so many online payment apps and digital solutions available at your fingertips, it is almost impossible to miss a bill payment. If youd rather avoid the clutter of multiple payment apps, PayZapp by HDFC Bank is the app for you. You can download PayZapp from the Apple iOS or Android Google Play Store, set it up with your bank accounts, and pay your bills effortlessly.

*Disclaimer: Terms and conditions apply. The information provided in this article is generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. The article does not constitute financial advice.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk slammed a Canadian law that will attempt to curb online hate content and create stronger online protection, especially for children. Tweeting a news article that said the new law in Canada would give power to the police to arrest anyone who posts hate speech, Elon Musk said, This sounds insane if accurate! @CommunityNotes, please check. Community Notes is the X' crowdsourced fact checking service. Elon Musk, co-founder of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of X Holdings Corp., speaks at the Milken Institute's Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.(AFP)

What is the Canadian bill Elon Musk countered?

The bill is called Online Harms Act and was introduced by the Justin Trudeau-led government on February 26. The government had then said, "The bill would create stronger online protections for children and better safeguard everyone in Canada from online hate and other types of harmful content. It would hold online platforms, including livestreaming and user-uploaded adult content services, accountable for reducing users exposure to harmful content on their platforms and help prevent its spread."

The new law will also push for removal of content which sexually victimises a child or revictimises a survivor and intimate content communicated without consent, the Canadian government said.

Additionally, maximum sentences for illegal hate speech will also increase as per the new legislation. Citizens will also be able to report discriminatory speech to a human rights tribunal and receive a compensation up to 20,000 Canadian dollars or a fine of 50,000 Canadian dollars, it was reported.
Tech titan Google on Wednesday launched the Google Wallet app for Android users in India, allowing them to securely store essentials like boarding passes, loyalty cards, event tickets, and public transport passes. Google Wallet is different from Google Pay app which helps manage money and finances.

The digital wallet, which becomes operational in India from Wednesday, comes as a complementary service to existing payment app Google Pay, a top official said.

"Google Pay is not going anywhere, it will remain our primary payment app, Google Wallet is specifically tailored for non-payment use cases," Ram Papatla, GM and India Engineering Lead, Android at Google, said.

He said the idea behind the service was "to create an open software where carriers, OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), and developers can build amazing products".

For the new service, Google has partnered with 20 Indian brands in the likes of Air India, IndiGo, Flipkart, Pine Labs, Kochi Metro, PVR and INOX, and said more partners would be onboarded in the months to come.

Google Wallet will allow users to save movie/event tickets, access boarding passes, store metro tickets, store office/corporate badges, and digitise physical documents.

"Google Wallet offers users a single, organised location for fast, secure access to everyday essentials like boarding passes, loyalty cards, event tickets, public transport passes, gift cards, and more," Google said in a statement.

Papatla further said the tech giant will surely ideate in future on building an all-in-one app that allows both payment and non-payment use cases.

He said the company's top priority currently is value and engagement creation, onboarding partners, and gaining trust.

"Google Wallet is built on the foundation of security and privacy," he said, adding that Google remains committed to its "promise of providing openness, choice, and safety".

Google Wallet is currently operational in about 80 countries.
JSW Energy share price: Shares of JSW Energy rose 6 per cent today (May 8) after the company declared March quarter results and announced its final dividend for FY23. The company board also approved raising of funds not exceeding 10,000 crore in one or more tranches. JSW Energy share price: JSW Energy reported a 22.4 per cent YoY rise in net profit at  345.30 crore for the March quarter.

JSW Energy Q4 results

JSW Energy reported a 22.4 per cent YoY rise in net profit at 345.30 crore for the March quarter. In the same period, revenue rose 3.2 per cent YoY at 2,755.90 crore.

Kotak Institutional Equities on JSW Energy

Kotak Institutional Equities said that JSW Energy continues to focus on an aggressive growth path, with investments in new thermal and renewable assets. It maintained Sell on the stock with a revised SoTP-based fair value of 275 per share from 235 per share earlier- a 56 per cent potential downside for the stock.

JM Financial on JSW Energy

JM Financial said that JSW Energy's revenue growth was led by improvement in net generation, RE additions, higher thermal generation and acquired assets.

It said, It is also securing the wind energy supply chain with the signing of a technology licensing agreement with SANY Renewable Energy, China. We believe the company is right on track to achieve its target of 10GW/20GW RE capacity by 2025/2030. We maintain our BUY rating on the stock, with a SOTP-based target price of 648.
* Olam Agri makes new offer for Australia's Namoi as bidding war escalates

Olam Agri raises offer to A$0.70 per share

*

Olam Agri offer 3 Aussie cents above rival LDC bid

*

Namoi shares hit highest in nearly 25 years

By Roshan Thomas and Megha Rani

May 8 - Olam Agri on Wednesday increased its offer for Australia's Namoi Cotton as an international bidding war heats up between the Singapore-based agribusiness and Dutch company Louis Dreyfus Co .

Olam Agri will now offer Namoi shareholders A$0.70 apiece, a three cents lift from Louis Dreyfus' last bid, valuing the Australian firm at A$144.9 million , the Singapore-based firm said in a statement.

Namoi shares rose as much as 5.5% to A$0.77 earlier in the day, hitting a near 25-year high. Shares were last up 1.4%.

The affiliate Singapore's Olam Group had offered A$0.66 a share for Namoi last week and had indicated it would bump that up to A$0.70 a share if it secures at least 90% support from the target's shareholders.

Rotterdam-based LDC, which already owns 17% in Namoi, refused to accept Olam's new bid a day later, leading to the deepening of the bidding war. LDC and Olam have been bidding back and forth to gain control of Namoi since January this year.

"The market appears confident that there will be another bid from Louis Dreyfus", said Henry Jennings, senior market analyst at Marcus Today.

"LDC, to get recommendation will need to increase offer price up to A$0.80 per share," he added.

The off-market deal requires Foreign Investment Review Board and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission approval and will test the regulator's appetite in letting either of the deals pass.

FIRB has taken a cautious approach to overseas buyers acquiring Australian agricultural assets, in the past.

The deal for both the bidders would help expansion of their footprint Down Under. Olam already owns ginning facilities in parts of the country, whereas Louis Dreyfus previously acquired U.S. based Dunavant Enterprises' cotton operations in Australia.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
As France hosts its 7th edition of the "Choose France Forum" on May 13 in Versailles, the forum is set to have a specific session for the India Inc. It has been reported that seven Indian CEO's will meet France's president Emmanuel Macron on May 13 and during the Franco-India forum Indian CEOs will also interact with French CEOs. Business Today reported that the forum is aimed at welcoming more and more Indian investments in France and increase partnership between both the countries. France's President Emmanuel Macron is seen. (AFP)

Citing officials in the know, the report claimed that seven Indian CEOs who will be traveling to Versailles to attend the forum. As per the report, Chairperson of Bharti Enterprises Sunil Bharti Mittal, Managing Director of Hero Cycles Pankaj Munjal, founder & Co-Chairman of Jubilant Bharti group Hari Bhatia, Chairman of Tata Sons N. Chandrasekharan, Chairman of Torrent Group Samir Mehta, Lupin Ltd. CEO Vinita D. Gupta and Laksh Vaaman Sehgal of Samvardhana Motherson Group.

The report claimed, "The private dialogue between Indian and French CEOs will be conducted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, France, and the topic of discussion is going to be on Green city & consumption."

Following the private dialogue, French President Macron will address the CEOs as well as the country may announce more investment projects this year that could likely cross 13 billion Euros as it was in 2023, the report claimed.
Accusing chief minister Bhagwant Mann and Union home minister Amit Shah of working hand in glove, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday said Mann would part ways with AAP to form a parallel party with BJPs support soon. Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal with party candidate Anil Joshi during a rally on the outskrits of Amritsar. (PTI)

Addressing massive gatherings in Ajnala and Raja Sansi in support of partys candidate Anil Joshi, the SAD president said, The CM has been holding talks with the Union home minister. It is a just a matter of time before he ditches AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to form his own parallel party in Punjab.

Also Read | Smriti Irani targets Rahul Gandhi over Pak leader's post: Chunaav desh mein, samarthan videsh mein

Urging Punjabis to unite to thwart this conspiracy, Badal appealed to them to seal the borders of the state with their votes just like the BJPs government had sealed the borders to prevent farmers from reaching Delhi in league with the AAP government in Punjab.

We will continue to fight to safeguard the rights of Punjab come what may, he said. Badal also accused the BJP of attacking the Khalsa Panth. This started immediately after we left the NDA government in support of farmers and against the three black laws, he said.

Senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia also condemned the BJP and its Punjab president Sunil Jakhar for insulting farmers by calling them anti-nationals in a representation to the Election Commission. This seems to be a sinister attempt to get the election postponed by giving one excuse or the other. But in reality, the truth is that the BJP wants to run away from contesting the election as it is being shunned by Punjabis, he said.

The SAD leader also lambasted BJP candidate Taranjit Singh Sandhu for calling farmers goons and anti-nationals for protesting against the BJP because they have been denied justice by the BJP-led central government.
Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said his government is not in any trouble and working strongly, a day after three Independent MLAs withdrew support to the BJP dispensation. Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said his government is not in any trouble and working strongly, a day after three Independent MLAs withdrew support to the BJP dispensation. (HT file photo)

He blamed the Congress for creating confusion that his government is in trouble. The government is not in any trouble, it is working strongly, Saini told reporters in Sirsa when asked to comment on the withdrawal of support.

The chief minister was in Sirsa to campaign for Ashok Tanwar, the BJPs Lok Sabha candidate.

Also read: JJP leader Dushyant Chautala promises support to bring down Haryana government

Independent MLAs Sombir Sangwan (Dadri), Randhir Golan (Pundri) and Dharampal Gonder (Nilokheri) withdrew support to the BJP government in Haryana on Tuesday and announced that they would back the Congress, reducing the government to a minority in the assembly.

The Congress knows that it cannot fulfil the aspirations of people and misleads them. It tries to create a state of confusion that the (state) government is in minority. The government is not in trouble and is functioning strongly, he asserted.

The Haryana Congress has said it will write to the governor, stating that the Saini government is in minority and should be dismissed, Presidents Rule be imposed in the state and fresh assembly elections be announced.

The government, which has the support of two other Independents, is now two short of the majority mark in the 90-member House that has a current strength of 88. The BJP has 40 MLAs, the Congress 30, the Jan Nayak Janata Party 10, the Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) and the Indian National Lok Dal one each besides six Independents. The BJP, which had 41 MLAs initially, was reduced to 40 when the Karnal seat fell vacant following the resignation of former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who is the partys Karnal Lok Sabha candidate.

Ex-CM Khattar says several leaders standing in support

On three Independent MLAs withdrawing support, Khattar said: We cant do anything about Independent candidates. Several leaders are standing in our support and they should keep their leaders safe, it will be known soon how many are in contact with us.

Many people are also in contact with us, be it the main opposition party that has 30 members. What do they want to do with 30 members? Even if 30 members bring a no-confidence motion, nothing is going to happen. They dont know how many leaders of the other parties will stand with us, he said on the sidelines of a roadshow in Karnal on Wednesday.
The Punjab Agri-Business Incubator (PABI) at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana on Wednesday convened a meeting with representatives of a Netherlands-based organisation to discuss future collaborations and strategies to enhance incubation initiatives in the agricultural sector. Both parties emphasised the importance of leveraging technology and digital solutions to address contemporary challenges farmers and agri-entrepreneurs face. (HT File)

The meeting was attended by KR Jain, representing PUM Netherlandsan organisation dedicated to sustainable development in agricultureand Dr TS Riar from PABI. It served as a platform to exchange ideas and experiences, and explore avenues for mutual growth and innovation.

Speaking on behalf of PABI, business manager Karanvir Gill expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration and said, This partnership marks a significant milestone in our endeavour to nurture agricultural startups and promote entrepreneurship in Punjab. With PUM Netherlands expertise and global perspective, we aim to amplify our efforts in fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability in the agricultural domain.

The discussions with the PABI team, including Rahul Gupta, assistant manager, revolved around various facets of agricultural incubation, including technology adoption, market linkages, capacity building and sustainable practices. Both parties emphasised the importance of leveraging technology and digital solutions to address contemporary challenges farmers and agri-entrepreneurs face.

Jain highlighted PUM Netherlands commitment to supporting agribusinesses worldwide. He underscored the organisational dedication to sharing knowledge and expertise to empower agricultural communities globally. In this regard, collaboration with PABI and other stakeholders in PAU shall catalyse innovation and promote inclusive growth in the agricultural sector.

The meeting concluded with remarks from Dr TS Riar, principal investigator-cum-additional director of communication, to discuss further aspects to formalise the partnership through joint initiatives, knowledge exchange programmes and collaborative projects aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Punjabs agricultural landscape.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, who has been accused of molesting an office employee, has decided to air the relevant CCTV footage to 100 citizens, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee or the police excluded, inside Raj Bhavan premises on Thursday. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose (File)

Governor CV Ananda Bose has launched a program Sach Ke Saamne in the background of the mischievous and fabricated allegations by the police that Raj Bhavan is not sharing the CCTV footage of an incident which is under the illegal and unconstitutional investigation of the police, the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata posted on X handle on Wednesday.

On May 2, Bose was accused by a temporary employee of Raj Bhavan of molestation on two occasions. The next day Kolkata Police set up an enquiry team to probe the allegations. Police said that they sought CCTV footage from Raj Bhavan and also planned to speak to some Raj Bhavan staff.

On May 5, Bose asked the staff at Raj Bhavan to ignore the police inquiry citing Article 361 of the Constitution which says that no criminal proceedings can be initiated against the President and the governor of a state as long as they are in office.

In the circumstances, all staff/ employees including part-time, temporary, DRW (Daily Rated Workers) or those engaged in Raj Bhavan in any manner are hereby directed to ignore any communication from the police in this respect and refrain from giving any statement online, offline, in person, over phone or in any other manner, Bose told the Raj Bhavan staff in a letter which was uploaded on social media.

On Wednesdays post on X handle the Raj Bhavan said that the Governor has decided that the CCTV footage can be seen by any citizen of West Bengal  except Mamata Banerjee and the police.

The post also said that anyone who wants to see the footage can send a mail to Raj Bhavan and that the first 100 to do so would be invited for the screening at 11.30am on Thursday inside Raj Bhavan.

A young woman has lodged a complaint of sexual harassment against him. As per the present law of India any such complaint by a woman will be prima facie accepted as true unless proven otherwise. The Governor is denying that natural course of justice by virtue of his post. He is blocking the investigation and creating a wall, said Jay Prakash Majumdar, TMC state vice president and spokesperson.

None could imagine that the TMC could stoop to such levels. This is totally a conspiracy and a planted story. They have done the same thing in Sandeshkhali also, said Rahul Sinha, a BJP leader.
Kolkata: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday launched a portal to assist genuine candidates who could be affected by the Calcutta high courts order in which appointments of 25,753 people were cancelled. A division bench of the Calcutta high court on April 22 cancelled the appointment of all 25,753 teachers (Representative Photo)

A division bench of the Calcutta high court on April 22 cancelled the appointment of all 25,753 teachers empanelled in 2016 for various categories of jobs at secondary and higher secondary schools in West Bengal.

On May 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing an election rally in Burdwan, directed the state BJP unit to set up a separate legal cell to provide help to genuine candidates who have lost jobs due to the School Service Commission (SSC) scam.

The BJP will assist the people who got the jobs on the basis of their merit. The Prime Minister had announced it. We have launched a portal and a helpline for the genuine candidates, said Samik Bhattacharya, BJP spokesperson.

Also Read: SC stays order cancelling 25k jobs in Bengal

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the Calcutta high courts order to terminate the teaching and non-teaching posts in state-run and state-aided schools of West Bengal.

The decision came as a relief to thousands of individuals whose jobs were in jeopardy following the high courts ruling on April 22. The order also came as a relief for the Mamata Banerjee-led government, which is facing the heat in the teacher recruitment scam probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following orders passed by the Calcutta high court.

The issue has become a major flashpoint between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal. While the BJP has been accusing the TMC of a multi-crore recruitment scam, in which at least three TMC legislators have been arrested, the TMC has held the BJP responsible for the appointments getting cancelled.

We have heard of man-eating tigers. Ever heard of a job-eating political party? The BJP has eaten away the jobs. They stopped central funds to deprive Bengal, have not cleared dues worth thousands of crores of rupees and have now eaten away jobs. I felt relieved when the Supreme Court put a stay on the high courts order, said Mamata Banerjee, TMC supremo while addressing an election rally in Hooghly on Wednesday.
LUCKNOW District magistrate Surya Pal Gangwar on Wednesday discussed a slew of measures to boost voter turnout in Lucknow that goes to polls on May 20 in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections. Polling will be held between 7am and 6pm. He said the district administration has introduced two online platforms - (https://boothlocation.in) and [ElectoralSearch.ECI.gov.in] - to help voters determine their booth location and check their registration status. The DM said a written order will be issued to the police to allow private vehicles to come within 100metres of polling stations. (Deepak Gupta/HT Photo)

Gangwar urged people to free their domestic help/driver for some time to enable them to cast their vote. There are 2 lakh voters in the unorganised sector in Lucknow who will matter a lot if enlightened citizens encourage them to cast their vote, he said during an interactive session, HT Spotlight  Elections 2024, organised by Hindustan Times, Lucknow at its office.

The DM said a written order will be issued to the police to allow private vehicles to come within 100metres of polling stations, allowing people to carry mobile phones till there. A few private schools, which will have polling stations, will be asked to keep their air conditioners functional.

To incentivize voting, the district administration is open to the idea of allowing voters free entry to various parks of Lucknow after polling by showing their inked finger. The administration is also trying to make provisions for a third queue for the transgender community at polling booths while there will be a waiting area with chairs for voters to wait for their turn, he said.

City-based social media influencers and Fever FM also joined HTs initiative to motivate around 40 lakh eligible voters of Lucknow to set an example by exercising their franchise in record numbers.

Lucknow has always been known for its Pehle Aap culture. But its time that this is changed to Pehle Hum (in terms of voting) to make democracy stronger than ever, said the DM, adding that polling stations will also be set up in 14 high-rise apartment complexes that have 300-800 voters.

As Mohanlalganj voters have done better than their Lucknow counterparts in terms of turnout, this time the challenge would be to up voter turnout in the state capital.

Last month, the district administration collaborated with a popular influencer Anurag Dobhal alias Babu Bhaiya for the same purpose at KD Singh Babu Stadium where hundreds of followers gathered to catch a glimpse of the youtuber. Hindustan Times also roped in social media influencers to pursue the common cause: how to increase voter turnout in Lucknow.

RETURN HOME TO CAST VOTE

Aadya Srivastava, a Lucknow-based content creator with 332K followers on Instagram, suggested that women, who recently got married and shifted to their in-laws place, should come back to their homes to exercise their franchise.

Saubhagya Dixit, a Lucknow-based fashion and comedy blogger known for her quirky videos in the UP dialect, expressed willingness to create content for mass voter awareness.

HOW ABOUT A THIRD QUEUE?

RJ Prateek suggested adding a third queue for transgenders, in a step towards inclusivity at the booths. RJ Rafat, a voice artiste who runs InstaRadio on Instagram, expressed her commitment to sharing authentic electoral information through her social media handles. Taking a leaf out of an initiative from Indore, she advocated incentivization of voters through perks like free entry to public parks with a show of inked fingers on election day, to which the DM gave his consent.

Saquib Khan, whose I Love Lucknow page on Instagram has 160K followers, pointed to the need for spreading the word about the AMF (Assured Minimum Facilities) for voters at polling booths, as underscored by the DM.

FOLLOW VOTING TRENDS

Shishta Maurya, who makes videos on fashion, said she intends to encourage citizens to follow voting trends, instead of trending trends. She said social media will be one of the useful tools to reach out to the new-age voters who are hooked up online.

Journalist Naval Kant Sinha called upon everyone present to use hashtags like #VoteLucknow, to reach out to maximum voters. Photojournalist Ashutosh Tripathi called for attention towards the difficulty faced by certain voters due to mobile phones not being allowed inside polling centres. Though phones are strictly prohibited inside polling booths within stations, rules permit phones in other areas of stations, the DM remarked, assuring to relay the same to the police to avoid inconvenience to voters.

LKO NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

Poll percentage of 2019

54.26% voter turnout in Lucknow in 2019 that was around 4.43% less than the state average of 59.21%. But it was slightly higher than 2014, when only 53.06% of voters chose to cast their vote.

35.3% voter turnout in 2004 Lok Sabha polls

35.56% turnout in 2009

*When comparing the numbers from 2014 and 2019 to the elections in the decade before that, the turnout shows an encouraging increase.

*Between 2004 and 2014, Lucknows voter turnout shifted from being less than 40% to well above 50%.

*But it still falls short of the national average, which is in excess of 60%.

62.46% turnout in Mohanlalganj in 2019
Targeting Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav and his INDIA bloc partner Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said both would have to go to jail if they indulge in corruption. Union minister Amit Shah at a poll rally in Hardoi on Wednesday. (ANI PHOTO)

Asserting that Modi has crossed 190 seats in three phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha election held so far, Shah also said the game is over for the SP, BSP and the Congress.

He addressed rallies in Hardoi, Kannauj, where Akhilesh Yadav is contesting for the fourth time, and Kheri. All three constituencies vote in the fourth phase on May 13.

I want to tell Rahul (Gandhi) and Akhilesh (Yadav), if you do corruption you will be caught and go to jail. No one can stop this, he said in Hardoi on the oppositions attack on alleged misuse of ED and CBI.

He alleged INDIA bloc leaders were involved in corruption of 12 lakh crore.

On one hand, there are these people involved in 12 lakh crore, on the other there is Narendra Modi who is untainted by any such accusation despite being a chief minister and prime minister for the past 23 years, the senior BJP leader said.

Blaming the Congress and SP for keeping Ram Lalla under a tent for 70 years, he said Modi not only won the legal dispute involving the Ram Janmabhoomi but also performed the bhoomi puja (groundbreaking ceremony) of the Ram temple and the pran pratishtha (consecration) was held in January.

If these two princes come to power, then be sure they will put the Babri lock on the Ram temple, he said, adding that Akhilesh, his wife Dimple, Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra did not accept the invite for the consecration ceremony.

They feared their vote bank, but we do not fear that vote bank, he said, adding Modi was reviving every centre of faith with dedication and he built Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor that was destroyed by Aurangzeb.

He attacked Akhilesh for calling Mohammad Ali Jinnah a great leader in 2021, and suggested all was not well within the SP.

He said violent altercations were taking place in the SP meetings amid internal discord. His statement comes a day after Akhilesh Yadav alleged internal strife in the BJP and said pictures of chief minister Yogi Adityanath were missing from hoardings sent from Delhi.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Shah said the Congress leader would be defeated in Rae Bareli after which he could settle down in Italy.

On praises for Rahul from Pakistan, Shah said he was the one pushing the Pakistani agenda.

That is why he opposes everything Modi does such as surgical strike, abolition of Article 370, Balakot strike and gives a clean chit to terrorists, Shah said, adding that they (INDIA bloc) would reinstate Article 370 and triple talaq, if voted to power.

Shah alleged that Rahul Gandhi takes a vacation and goes to Thailand in summer while Modi has not taken a single day of leave and even celebrates Diwali with troops on the border.

In Kannauj, his attacks became sharper on the SP and Akhilesh Yadav. Shah questioned how many times Mulayam Singh Yadavs family visited the district despite decades of public support.

The family never showed up when they won nor after getting defeated, he said, asserting Aklhilesh Yadav was not even in the race.

Accusing the Samajwadi Party of being a dynastic party, Shah said Akhilesh Yadav is contesting from Kannauj, his wife Dimple Yadav from Manipuri, Aditya Yadav from Budaun, Akshay Yadav from Firozabad and Dharmendra Yadav from Azamgarh.

Once their children grow up, they will contest all 80 seats (in Uttar Pradesh), he said.

He cautioned the Yadav community that the family and the party are not their well-wishers.

In his 17-minute speech, Shah said Kannauj has been renowned for centuries for its fragrances, which reaches every corner of the world

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had gifted perfume from Kannauj to world leaders at the G20 summit. The sandal that is used for teeka of Ram Lalla also goes from Kannauj, he said.

He criticised Yadav for allegedly instigating people against the Covid vaccine by calling it Modis vaccine.

Shah campaigned for BJP candidates Subrat Pathak in Kannauj, Jai Prakash in Hardoi and Ashok Rawat in Mishrikh (Sitapur).

At a rally in support of Union minister of state for home Ajay Mishra, the BJP candidate from Kheri, Shah accused the Congress, SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) of defaming the saffron party and Narendra Modi by saying if the prime minister gets 400 seats in the ongoing election, reservation will be done away with.

Shah said that before the elections, the Congress took out the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra but after the polls, a Congress Dhoondho Yatra would have to be taken out.

He also said Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh were claiming they would repeal the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), but the truth was that not even Rahul, let alone any force in the country, could repeal the CAA.

He noted that SP chief Akhilesh Yadav did not go to pay homage to a leader like Kalyan Singh even 500 metres from his house, but went 500 kilometers to condole Mukhtar Ansaris death.

When the INDIA bloc was in power in Uttar Pradesh, goons and mafia had captured land across the state, there were power cuts on Holi and Diwali, but 24-hour electricity was available during Ramzan, Shah said.

But now, the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, he said, was providing 24-hour electricity even on Holi and Diwali. During the previous governments in the state, the public had to migrate, but in Yogijis rule, it is the mafia who are migrating, he added.
LUCKNOW: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday, pitched the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as Ram bhakts (Ram believers) vs Ram drohis (disbelievers), even as he maintained that after the first three rounds of polling, the stage was well and truly set for another BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the centre. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (Sourced)

Addressing an election rally in the Akbarpur Lok Sabha constituency at Ghatampurs Patara Railway Station ground, he said: When the opposition fails to comprehend anything, they resort to conspiracies against India. Statements from these opposition parties indicate that the electoral contest is between Ram Bhakts and Ramdrohis. Those who are Ram Bhakts are Rashtra Bhakts too, he said.

He also hinted at the possibility of renaming Akbarpur, stating, The mere mention of the name Akbarpur often evokes hesitation, which is why all of this will change. We must put an end to the signs of slavery and honour our heritage. This region needs to be integrated with the mainstream of development. To achieve this goal, active participation through voting in the ongoing national campaign is essential.

Expanding on his Ram believers vs disbelievers theory, Adityanath said, It is an eternal truth that Ramdrohis have always met their downfall, and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls will confirm this. While Ramdrohis are working to divide the people on caste lines, glorifying terrorists and the mafia, PM Modi is striving for a developed, self-reliant India.

Adityanath also said that a conspiracy was underway to grant the rights of scheduled castes, tribes, and backward castes to minorities; a line that is taken by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his election campaign where he has also slammed Congress for attempting to initiate religious quota.

The Congress and SP did not condole the demise of former UP CM Kalyan Singh. They kept quiet on the murder of Raju Pal and advocate Umesh Pal in Prayagraj. Now, the mafia has been eradicated and justice has been served. Yet, sympathy of the opposition lies with mafia and Ramdrohis, he added.
Two runways of the Mumbai International Airport will be closed for a six-hour period on May 9 to carry out pre-monsoon maintenance work. The two runways will be closed for six hours from 1100 (11am) to 1700 (5pm) hours on May 9, airport operator MIAL (Mumbai International Airport Ltd) said in a release earlier Mumbai airport(ANI)

"As part of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport's (CSMIA) monsoon contingency plan, the primary runway 09/27 and the secondary runway 14/32 will remain temporarily non-operational on 9th May 2024, for pre-monsoon maintenance and repair work," the release said.

A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) was also issued in December to inform airlines and other stakeholders to arrange flight rescheduling in advance.

" Maintenance and repair work of the runway will not impact any flight movement or cause inconvenience to its passengers," the release said.

The two cross runways - primary runway, 09/27, and secondary runway 14/32 - will remain non-operational from 11am to 5pm.

According to the release, the maintenance includes inspecting the runway surface for micro texture and macro texture wear and tear resulting from daily operations. This process also aids in reinforcing the airside strip.

The airport handles around 950 flight movements per day.

Earlier too, the runway of the Mumbai airport was closed for a day as a part of the monsoon contingency plan. "The airport's both runways 14/32 and 09/27 will remain non-operational for pre-monsoon maintenance and repair work," a CSMIA spokesperson said.

The runway closure is a yearly practice and a contingency plan is aimed to help maintain operational continuity.

(With inputs from PTI)
Noida, Three suspects allegedly involved in the murder of a Greater Noida-based businessman's teenage son were arrested on Wednesday, police said. HT Image

Two of them were held in the night after a gunfight with the police in which one of them received a bullet wound, they said.

Police said the encounter took place near the Dadha roundabout when the accused, who were on their way to destroy evidence related to the crime, were intercepted on the basis of a tip-off.

Both the accused were known to Kunal Sharma, 14, who was found dead along the Gang Canal in adjoining Bulandshahr district on Sunday, five days after he went missing from outside the restaurant run by his father Krishna Kumar Sharma in Greater Noida's Beta 2 area.

"Officials of Beta 2 Police Station and the SWAT team were continuously working on the case. Today we got an information that the accused are in a car and on their way to dispose evidence related to the case," Deputy Commissioner of Police Saad Miya Khan said.

"We were carrying out combing operation in the wake of the information and in the evening, we held the two suspects after an encounter. During the gunfight, accused Kunal suffered injuries. His friend Himanshu was also arrested," Khan said.

The officer said the two had a dispute with the teen over a money deal.

A third named Manoj has also been arrested in connection with the case, Khan said, adding, a fourth, a woman, is yet to be held.

"Prime facie, the interest money of the financial deal between the deceased teenager and the accused and also the control of the restaurant of the victim have emerged as the point of conflict in the case," Khan said

Sharma, who runs 'Shiva Da Dhaba,' had lodged a missing person's complaint at the local Beta 2 Police Station on May 1 after a woman came to the eatery and called his son.

Police lodged an FIR under IPC section 363 against unidentified persons the same night and launched an investigation. The FIR was later converted to IPC 364.

A CCTV footage that surfaced on social media purportedly showed the boy walking to a car and sitting inside it on his own.

On Monday, the in-charge of the Beta 2 Police Station in Greater Noida was shunted and a departmental inquiry initiated in the case.

An explanation has been sought from the assistant commissioner of police of the area, officials said.

BJP leader and Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh also shot off a letter to the UP government, demanding a high level probe into the whole episode.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Totally oblivious of the election heat, Vishwanath Rai, 51, is busy irrigating the land near Angar Ghat to save his crop of maize from the continued heat spell. PM Modi blesses Shambhavi Choudhary, the NDA nominee from Samastipur Lok Sabha seat, during his rally in Darbhanga on May 4. (HT photo)

Every year, it is turning out to be a losing bargain as a sharecropper due to excessively hot weather and lack of irrigation facility. Now I feel it is not my cup of tea, laments Rai, who has a family of 14 to feed, including three married sons and grandchildren.

Rais sons, all graduates, go to Mumbai to work as labourers every year.

Here, there is no avenue. Their earnings is also not enough to sustain their families. I somehow manage, but now I think I will also better go to Punjab or Mumbai, as agriculture is becoming a big challenge. Even for proper voltage to run the boring, one has to wait for hours. It takes a long time to irrigate even one katha of land, he says, showing his wilting crop of maize.

Subsistence agriculture and growing unpredictability have abetted migration in Samastipur despite the apparent development in terms of roads, bridges and electricity in the region. This is the story across Mithilanchal, once famous for maachh (fish), Makhana (fox nut) and paan, besides abundance of water bodies.

We will vote for whoever our society decides, but we know there is none to think of farmers. Voting preferences are decided at the last moment and things can change fast. We dont know the candidates much, says Saraswati Devi, 61, a daily wage labourer.

Ganga Sagar, 65, also a labourer, says they have heard about election between phool and haath.

It is altogether a different matter that Shambhavi Choudhary, 25, has got the LJP-R ticket with helicopter as poll symbol as the NDA candidate against the Congress (Hand symbol) candidate Sunny Hazari.

Both candidates are children of JD- ministers in the Nitish Kumar cabinet, but in the electoral field, they are up against each other.

At village Hirni, locals told Shambhavi that they would vote for Kamal (lotus, the BJP symbol), after which she had to make them understand how voting for her would require them to press the button of helicopter (LJP-R) symbol.

The people in general are, however, mostly indifferent about election.

The usual banners, posters and miking are also missing. They know free ration, aspire for Ayushman card, but are upset with corruption at the lower strata, which makes them pay even for the PM housing scheme or get the names enrolled for ration card or the old age pension.

We will vote for Narendra Modi, not any candidate, as the Opposition also does not offer much hope. Modi is at least doing something for the nation, says Sagar.

Rajiv Kumar Singh, a former Sarpanch, however, says that Maheshwar Hazaris long association with the area will go in the favour of his son Sunny Hazari, even though he may not be able to campaign openly due to his association with the JD-U.

Sunny was also trying for LJP-R ticket, but when he was denied he had no option. Here LJP has traditionally been a strong force, but with split in the party the voters and supporters are not happy. The fight will be direct, he says.

Shambhavis father and JD-U minister Ashok Choudhary is campaigning hard for her. Her father-in-law Acharya Kishor Kunal, former IPS officer and secretary of the Mahavir Mandir Trust, has also stepped in for her.

I never had any penchant for politics even though many people wanted me to join. But my daughter-in-law is here to script history as the youngest candidate and I wish she wins with the highest margin. Its like my son is in the fray, says Kunal.

Shambhavi, 25, is the youngest candidate in the ongoing parliamentary polls in the country.

Samastipur (reserved) seat goes to polls in the fourth phase on May 13. Though there are 14 candidates in the fray, the contest is largely between Shambhavi Choudhary and Sunny Hazari.

A Delhi University alumnus, Shambhavi says that the charisma and performance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the development work of chief minister Nitish Kumar, especially for the womens empowerment, would make Samastipur go for a deserving daughter this time to herald a refreshing change.

Sunny Hazari, 33, an engineer from NIT Patna, is himself a block pramukh and has a family legacy in the district, with father and grandfather late Ram Sevak Hazari having been elected as MP in the past. He calls himself a son of the soil to give the election colour of local versus outsider.

LJP-R chief Chirag Paswans cousin Prince Raj, the sitting MP who won the Samastipur seat after the death of his father Ramchandra Paswan, is not contesting after being denied ticket for siding with the Pashupati Kumar Paras camp. Congress leader Ashok Kumar, who finished second in the last three elections from Samastipur, is also not in the fray this time.

Samastipur seat was once represented by former CM Karpoori Thakur, who posthumously got Bharat Ratna this year and is regarded as the harbinger of subaltern revolution in the state politics that finds its echo to date. Ramnath Thakur, son of Karpoori Thakur, had accompanied Shambhavi when she filed nomination.

CM Kumar also campaigned for her and attacked his cabinet colleague Hazari for anti-party activities. PM modi addressed a public meeting in the neighbouring Darbhanga on May 4 and Shambhavi was also present at the dais. He asked the people to ensure her victory to make her the youngest MP.
More than 80 per cent of candidates in Bihar have forfeited their security deposits in the last two parliamentary elections in the country as well as the assembly polls in the state, as per information available with the Election Commission of India (ECI). Satyendra Baitha, an Independent candidate, rode a donkey to file his nomination for Gopalganj Lok Sabha seat recently.

The increase in the number of candidates losing their deposits is a pointer to the fact that the Election Commission of India (ECI)s decision to increase the nomination fee and raise the expenditure bar of candidates to weed away non-serious candidates has had little impact on them, said Gyanendra Yadav, an associate professor of sociology at the College of Commerce, Arts and Science in Patna.

A candidate who fails to secure 1/6th of the total eligible votes polled forfeits the deposit submitted at the time of filing his/her nomination papers to the returning officer.

The security deposit for a Lok Sabha election candidate is currently 25,000 for general category candidates and 12,500 for SC/STs.

In assembly elections, the security deposit is 10,000 for general candidates and 5,000 for reserved category candidates.

Bihar sends 40 MPs to the Lok Sabha and has 243 seats in its legislative assembly.

In the 2014 parliamentary polls, there were a total of 607 candidates in Bihar, of which 512 (84.35%) forfeited their deposits. In 2019, 546 (87.22%) of the total 626 candidates lost their deposits, as per the ECI data.

Coming to assembly polls, 2,935 candidates (85.07%) of the total 3,450 lost their deposits in 2015. In 2020, the figure increased to 3,205 (85.86%) of the total 3,733 candidates.

Women equally undeterred

Womens interest in fighting polls has also grown over the years. And so has the number of them losing their deposits.

Of the 47 women who contested the 2014 parliamentary polls from Bihar, 36 (76.60%) had forfeited their deposits. In 2019, this figure rose by 6.26%, as 58 (82.86%) of the total 70 women candidates lost their deposits, as per data available with ECI.

Similarly, 221 (80.95%) of the 273 contesting female candidates forfeited their deposits in the Bihar legislative assembly elections in 2015. This rose to 81.62%, as 302 of the 370 contesting female candidates lost their deposit in 2020.

Sometimes established parties put up non-serious or dummy candidates just to use them as vote katuwas (to split votes) because of their caste or local influence. Such candidates join the fray for pecuniary gains and either withdraw or remain inert during campaigning because their objective is different and not to win an election, said Yadav.

Some non-serious candidates throw their hat in the political ring to convert their black money into white or even to grab media attention to gain popularity and brighten their future, said Yadav, adding that the EC move to increase the cap on poll expenditure to 95 lakh per candidate in parliamentary elections and 40 lakh for assembly elections, has had little bearing to dissuade non-serious candidates.
Baramati/Pune: The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) functionaries in Baramati parliamentary constituency which went for polls on May 7 levelled allegations of voter intimidation, booth capture, use of muscle and money power and other irregularities by Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Ajit Pawar with his wife and NCP Baramati candidate Sunetra Pawar cast their votes early on Tuesday. NCP (SP) functionaries in Baramati parliamentary constituency levelled allegations of voter intimidation, booth capture, use of muscle and money power and other irregularities by Ajit Pawar-led NCP. (AJIT/X)

Some of these complaints were made to Election Commission and the police even as Ajit and his party members denied the allegations.

Full coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024

Kavita Dwivedi, returning officer, Baramati parliamentary constituency, said, At least 26 cases related to irregularities were lodged by the Sharad Pawar-led party members against their opponent side within 24 hours ending 5.30 pm on Tuesday during polling. The complaints largely pertain to violation of model code of conduct, money distribution, bogus voting, intimidation, and polling time extension. In some cases, we have already taken action like in Bhor where a police complaint has been filed while other complaints are being examined as per the EC guidelines.

We are investigating into these complaints and necessary action will be taken, district election officer Suhas Diwase said.

In one such case, Pune rural registered a non-cognisable offence against five persons after NCP (SP) alleged that some individuals belonging to the Ajit-led NCP distributed cash to voters in Bhor town of the district ahead of the polling for Baramati Lok Sabha seat.

Pankaj Deshmukh, superintendent of police (Pune Rural), said, A non-cognisable offence has been registered against five for reportedly distributing cash in Bhor during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. Some locals alleged that a few people came in two to three cars and were involved in distributing cash.

The cars were stopped and occupants taken out of the vehicles. They had a minor scuffle at midnight. Meanwhile, a police team reached the spot and during the panchnama of the vehicle, 1,500 cash and a party stole were found in the car, he said.

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar claimed that in the past three days, his party members have lodged at least 300 complaints with the administration.

Meanwhile, Ajit said, There is no substance in any of the charges made against the party members. Rohit has a strong social media team. Since he belongs to the new generation, he makes optimum usage of social media. While he is active on social media, I am in direct contact with people on ground. He creates misunderstanding amongst people and keeps manipulating information for his ulterior motives.

Ajit said that polls at the fag end will be driven by emotions.

I have received three notices and have replied to all of them, he said.

Referring to Velhe branch of Pune District Central Cooperative (PDCC) Bank issue and using the bank premises overnight to allegedly influence voters in a video shared by Rohit, the deputy CM said, The poll commission must examine CCTV camera footage to ascertain facts as to what happened at the bank.

Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar resigned as a director of the Pune District Central Cooperative (PDCC) Bank in October 2023.

Meanwhile, a video of Ajit Pawars aide and Indapur MLA Datta Bharne has surfaced in which he is purportedly heard threatening a political worker.

Rohit tweeted alleging that the Ajit-led party was distributing money for votes in the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. He also shared a video backing his claim. Ajit said, Those making allegations know such things. They see their defeat.

In another dig at the role of police during elections, Rohit stated, In Baramati constituency, there is a rain of money under police security... In this regard, I am sharing some videos from Bhor taluka In this, the office-bearers of Ajitdada Mitra Mandal from Bhor taluka and the activists of a leader from Maval are also seen... Was this why Y level security was required?

In a series of posts on X, the young legislator also tweeted, PDCC Velhe branch of the bank is mostly shut. Even though it is 12 midnight now, the bank is open... maybe open all night as it is overtime today due to polling tomorrow... Do you see this, Election Commission? But the common voter will make the right decision.
The Ranchi Police in Jharkhand have registered an abetment to suicide case after a second-year forestry student at Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) died by suicide during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, two months after she was gang-raped by her acquaintances. The deceased woman *in her suicide note accused two of her acquaintances of raping her and blamed the duo for her suicide. (Representative Image)

A police official familiar with the incident said a first information report (FIR) was registered on the statement of her mother, who lodged a complaint on Tuesday, a day after the last rites of the woman was conducted following autopsy at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

The officer-in-charge of Sadar police station, Kuldeep Kumar, said, THe FIR was registered under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) of IPC (Indian Penal Code) and a probe has started.

Police and the womans family had no information about the gang-rape though according to two suicide notes written at an interval of one month provided by womans family, a gang rape was committed on March 6. The suicide note names two youth involved in the gang rape. We are trying to ascertain under which circumstances the woman, who did not inform anyone about the gangrape, wrote suicide note two months before committing suicide, Kumar said.

A police official familiar with the case said: On May 5, the woman went to sleep in her room after dinner. The next morning (May 6) when her rooms door did not open till late in the morning, her parents sensed something wrong and broke open the door. They found the woman dead. Police were informed and her body was sent for autopsy. The next day, on the basis of a written statement of the womans mother, an FIR was registered.

The police official said: According to the suicide note, two youngsters of Kathitand under Ratu police station, Anand Minz and Arvind Kindo, called the woman on March 6 and committed gangrape at a place near Kokar Chowk under Sadar police station.

A police official said the suicide note did not mention how the rapists managed to call the woman.

According to police, the woman blamed the duo for her suicide. Reason behind my suicide is Anand Minz and Arvind Kindo, who are residents of Kathitand. On March 6, they lured me to go inside Kokar Chowk and then gang-raped me. I will not be able to survive the suffocation. Hence, I am going. Sorry to all...! Sorry mother....! Everything is captured on CCTV, she said in her suicide note.

If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.

Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669;

Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918,

Roshni Foundation (Secundrabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000,

ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290
Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan announced Kerala SSLC result 2024. The Kerala 10th results can be checked by candidates on results.kite.kerala.gov.in and also at pareekshabhavan.kerala.gov.in. Kerala SSLC Results 2024 LIVE Updates Kerala 10th Result 2024 declared. Check pass percentage and other details. (PTI)

Officials conducted a press conference where the results were declared along with details like pass percentage, gender-wise pass percentage, best-performing districts and other information.

This year the overall pass percentage is 99.69%. A total of 425563 candidates passed the Class 10 board examination out of 4,27,153 students who wrote the exam. 71831 students got A+ in all subjects.

The highest pass percentage this year is of Kottayam district with 99.92% and lowest is of Trivandrum district at 99.08%. Pala education district recorded highest pass percentage of 100% while Attingal recorded lowest at 99%.

Kerala Class 10 SSLC exams took place from March 4, 2024, to March 25, 2024.

In 2023, 4.5 lakh students appeared for the SSLC public examination and the overall pass percentage was 99.70%.

Kerala 10th Result 2024: Steps to check
Meghalaya Board of School Education has declared MBOSE HSSLC Result 2024 on May 8, 2024. Candidates who have appeared for Meghalaya Class 12 board examination across the state can check the results on the official website of Meghalaya results at megresults.nic.in. Details can also be checked at mbose.in. MBOSE HSSLC Result 2024 Live Updates MBOSE HSSLC Result 2024: Meghalaya Class 12 results declared(Arvind Yadav/HT photo)

The Results of the Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination, 2024 (HSSLC) of Science, Commerce and Vocational Streams, conducted by the Meghalaya Board of School Education, Tura was announced today.

Candidates who have appeared for the Class 12 board examination for any stream can check the results by following the steps given below.

MBOSE HSSLC Result 2024: How to check

Visit the official website of Meghalaya results at megresults.nic.in.

Click on MBOSE HSSLC Result 2024 link available on the home page.

Enter the login details and click on submit.

Your result will be displayed on the screen.

Check the result and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

The Meghalaya Class 12 board examination across the state was conducted from March 1 to March 27, 2024. The examination was conducted from 10 am to 1 pm on all days. The question papers were distributed at 9.45 am and answer scripts at 9.50 am. For more related details candidates can check the official website of MBOSE.
The blocking committee of the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) confirmed the emergency blocking order of the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Jharkhand Congress on Thursday (May 2) for tweeting the doctored video of Union home minister and Bharatiya Janata Paty (BJP) leader Amit Shah on April 28, people aware of the matter said. Jharkhand Congress X account has been blocked by Meity

The final order is a temporary blocking order under which the @INCJharkhand will not be accessible within India until the end of the elections after which the account can be restored. The account remains visible outside India.

This blocking order was requested by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the ministry of home affairs. The I4Cs threat analysis unit has been looking at the case of Shahs doctored video.

In Thursdays meeting, this was the only blocking order that was discussed. This is the first time Section 69A of the Information Technology Act has been used to block a political partys social media account. This act comes amidst the ongoing general elections.

According to Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, the government is empowered to block content online for six specific reasons  in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, or to prevent incitement to the commission of any cognisable offence relating to above.

There was some apprehension among committee members if such a blocking order could be seen as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

There was also discussion about whether only the tweet should be blocked or the entire account, and to assess that, HT has learnt, the members discussed if there was any direct correlation between the virality of the doctored video and the Jharkhand Congress account.

Discussion was also held on the origin of the video, and if the Jharkhand Congress account should be blocked even if the account did not create the video itself.

To be sure, X labelled Jharkhand Congresss tweet as Manipulated media, which is, as per its policy, any synthetic, manipulated, or out-of-context media that may deceive or confuse people and lead to harm.

Multiple legal experts HT spoke to agreed that this is a disproportionate response from MeitY, whose effect is compounded by the ongoing elections.

The action taken here is terribly disproportional. Taking down the tweet would have fulfilled the objective but blocking an entire account, that too an account of an opposition party while the elections are underway, spells trouble for our democratic ecosystem, Radhika Roy, litigation counsel at the Internet Freedom Foundation, had said on Wednesday, after the emergency order was issued.

If the only ground for blocking the account is that the tweet is misleading, that does not fall within the grounds specified in Section 69A. At the minimum, it would require a threat to public order but that has not been demonstrated, especially when Twitters own internal mechanisms had already marked the tweet as manipulated media, thereby blunting the effect on public order. This, therefore, appears to be a disproportionate response, Gautam Bhatia, lawyer and adjunct professor at Jindal Global Law School, said.

Shahs video has been erroneously described as a deepfake when the video was actually edited to make it seem as if he had said, When the BJP government will come into power, we will end the unconstitutional reservation for SC, ST and OBC.

In the unedited video, he could be heard saying, When the BJP government will come into power, we will end the unconstitutional reservation for Muslims. This is the right of Telanganas SC, ST and OBC. This right will be given to them, and we will end reservations for Muslims. No new content was added, but it was edited to change the meaning of the speech.

Polls in Jharkhand's 14 Lok Sabha seats are yet to happen. The state will go to polls across the last four phases on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.
Shekhar Suman and Kangana Ranaut are now in the same political party. The Heeramandi actor joined the Bhartiya Janata Party on Tuesday, following in the footsteps of his son Adhyayan Suman's ex-girlfriend Kangana Ranaut, who is contesting the Lok Sabha Elections from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. (Also Read  Kangana Ranaut reacts to those objecting her comparison to Amitabh Bachchan: If not me, then who? Khans, Kapoors?) Shekhar Suman says he's ready to campaign for Kangana Ranaut if invited

Will Shekhar campaign for Kangana?

During his induction into the party, Shekhar was asked by news agency IANS if he'd campaign for Kangana in Mandi, given their past differences. He promptly responded, Agar bulayengi toh kyu nahi jayenge? Ye toh mera farz hai, aur haq bhi (If she invites me then why wouldn't I go? This is my duty, and my right as well).

Kangana dated Adhyayan for a few months in 2008-09 after working together on Raaz: The Mystery Continues. After they broke up, later, both Adhyayan and Shekhar levelled allegations that Kangana did black magic on her ex-boyfriend.

Keeping that in mind, several X users couldn't wrap their heads around Shekhar and Kangana joining the same political party. This is interesting. This new BJP leader Shekhar Suman had accused senior BJP leader Kangana Ranaut of performing black magic against his son, using menstrual blood. I wonder if Shekhar and Kangana will campaign together for old times sake (teary-eyed laughter emojis). Another wrote, Shekhar Suman & Kangana in same Party (teary-eyed laughter cat emojis) Strange. Shekhar Suman in an interview had said Kangana Ranaut abused & did black magic on his son. Now both #ShekharSuman & #KanganaRanaut are in the same party - BJP. Hope Shekhar Suman does not later say that BJP had done black magic on him, stated a third tweet.

Shekhar on Kangana before joining BJP

Before Shekar joined BJP, he extended an olive branch to Kangana in an interview with Zoom. He said, We are not holding on to anything at all. Not the family, not Adhyayan. I think it is pointless talking about it. I said it was just a phase. It happens, and then it's over.

While Shekhar was last seen in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, Kangana will appear next as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Emergency, her solo directorial debut.
The first reviews of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga are here! The prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, which is helmed by acclaimed director George Miller, had an early screening this week, and if first reviews are to be believed, it appears that another action epic is on the hands this summer. (Also read: George Miller's 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' set for world premiere at Cannes Film Fest) Anya Taylor-Joy in a still from Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

First reviews for Furiosa

IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich took to his X handle and wrote, "Brings me great joy to report that Furiosa is really, really f*****g good. Operates in an extremely different gear than Fury Road (in ways that I suspect will frustrate some people), but also manages to make that movie even richer while carving its own legend in the wasteland.

Rotten Tomatoes critic Erik Davis praised the performances and wrote, George Millers #Furiosa is powerhouse action filmmaking at its absolute best! A ferocious & relentlessly paced epic that expands the story of Furiosa and the Wasteland while delivering the craziest chases, the most bombastic characters & just plain stunning cinematography. Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth equally dive all the way into the Wasteland, and both deliver some incredible stuff. Theres one War Rig sequence that blew my mind - an instant classic. I love the #MadMax movies and I loved this film. Start your engines!

Comparison with Mad Max: Fury Road

Therese Lacson of Collider pointed to the comparisons with the 2015 release and said, I would and could easily watch 15 hours of Anya Taylor Joy and Alyla Browne as #Furiosa, however much of her film struggles with inconsistent pacing due to the segmented story. This won't match up to Fury Road's splendor but it also doesn't need to.

Critic Simon Thompson said, Jesus George Miller! #Furiosa engulfs you. At times it almost seems to exceed the canvas of the #IMAX format it is THAT big - and yet at times has a deeply affecting intimacy. Echoing cinematic elements from the 50s through the 80s, its a rich, smart vision the cast revels in.

Praise for Chris Hemsworth

Peter Grey of The AU Review also praised the film and wrote in particular praise for Chris Hemsworth, Now that I can say so, #Furiosa is a BLAST! Made in the spirit of FURY ROAD, its still its own beast that thrives on exaggerated action and characters. Anya Taylor-Joy makes the character her own, but this is Chris Hemsworths chance to prove his worth as a character actor.

The strong early praise has left fans excited for the prequel. Mad Max: Fury Road also opened to wide acclaim in 2015 and ended up winning 6 Oscars, including Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design.

Furiosa will have its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival this month. It releases in Indian theatres on May 23.
Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas has wrapped up filming for her upcoming Hollywood film Heads of State. She took to Instagram to share a glimpse of the films wrap, sharing a reel of pictures and videos taken during the shoot. Her co-star Idris Elba also took to his Instagram stories to thank her for a special gift. (Also Read: Priyanka Chopra does squats with Malti on her shoulders, wants to be her 'safe space') Priyanka Chopra and Idris Elba co-star in Heads of Star.(Instagram)

Idris thanks Priyanka

Idris took to his Instagram stories to share a picture of his gift, tagging Priyankas account with thank you emojis. The picture shows a gift wrapped in ivory and gold wrapping paper with an envelope addressed to him. The envelope also shows that Priyanka personally hand-wrote it for Idris, making fans curious on whats inside the gift.

A screen grab of Idris Elba's Instagram stories.

Priyanka wraps shoot

Priyanka shared her experience shooting for the film with her daughter Malti Marie in tow, writing, And its a wrap.. its been a year.. well, a lot happened but here we are. Tonight I wrapped on a set that was always so full of laughter and professionalism. That rare combination doesnt happen always..

She added that shooting for the film was a ball because everyone came prepped on set, writing, This movie was a breeze because the cast and crew came prepared with their A game, everyday. Its been an honour to work with some legends in our business on this one. Hope yall have as much fun watching it as we did making it. Heads of state will be on @primevideo .. when u ask me? Above my pay grade. lol. Gratitude.

About Heads of State

Directed by Ilya Naishuller, Heads of State will also star John Cena, Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Sarah Niles, Richard Coyle, Clare Foster, Katrina Durden and Aleksandr Kuznetsov. The script for the Amazon Prime film has been penned by Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec. It will be produced by Peter Safran and John Rickard under Safran Company. John also serves as executive producer on the project.
Kim Kardashian had to face a pro-Palestine protester while attending the OMR business festival in Hamburg, Germany on Tuesday, May 7. She was at the event to speak about the digital and marketing trade. Shortly before attending the event, the SKIMS founder made headlines for her appearance at the Met Gala in New York City. Kim Kardashian reacted to a pro-Palestine protester interrupting her (Christian Charisius/dpa via AP)(AP)

A viral video of Kim at OMR shows a protester yelling, calling for Palestine's freedom. Kardashian is heard replying, Free everybody.

The female protester was escorted out of the venue by security, according to Morgen Post. The hall was full of about 7,000 people.

Kardashian then said, "I sympathize with the people of Israel and with those in Palestine. I sympathize with everybody. All we want is for everyone to feel safe and free."

Feel safe. And be good people and treat them in the same respectful way you want to be treated. These are definitely scary times, she added.

Kardahsian went on to talk about the success of SKIMS, saying, "It has to be so authentic to you and you have to really fill that void of what is missing and know how to come up with that solution. I mean authenticity is just everything right? You can have a great idea but if you don't also know how to connect to it and relate and get that out there, then it is just an idea."

"So having something that is so authentic to you at your core, is so believable and that is where the beginning of a good product comes about really, she added.

The OMR video was shared to X by Pop Crave, and people flocked to the comment section to criticise Kardashian for her free everybody comment.

Arent a lot of us free already?

LOL this such a kardashian response, one user commented. Another said, She to scared to pick a side. the difference between Palestinians and everybody is that everybody is not being brutally slaughtered every day. thats the reality for palestine, one user noted.

No Kim it's Free Palestine...you are free, no one is dropping bombs on your city and killing babies in your city because they will grow up and resist an occupying apartheid state. So it is Free Palestine, one user said, while another wrote, Arent a lot of us free already? like what does that even mean? one user said.
Its official! Silambarasan TR, popularly known as Simbu, has been signed on to play a pivotal role in Mani Ratnams Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life. Mani Ratnam's highly anticipated Kamal Haasan-starrer, Thug Life. The news was unveiled on Wednesday with a captivating introductory video, marking a significant addition to the cast. (Also Read: Kamal Haasan and Silambarasans picture from sets of Thug Life leaks online) Silambarasan in a still from Mani Ratnam's Thug Life.

Simbu in Thug Life

In the Realms of Dust, a New Thug Arises! STR @SilambarasanTR_ makes his Mark, wrote Kamals Raaj Kamal Films, one of the film's producers, while Manis Madras Talkies wrote, From the ashes of rage, the new thug in town arises! Welcoming @SilambarasanTR_ onboard #ThugLife. The 40-second-long video released by the makers sees Simbu in an SUV, raising dust before he pulls out a gun. This still was also released as a poster by the makers.

Fans who had seen leaked stills of Kamal and Simbu shooting for the film in Delhi a few days ago were not surprised by the announcement. The leak saw Kamal in a new look with Simbu sporting long hair. The latest announcement confirms that Dulquer Salmaan and Jayam Ravi are no longer associated with the project. Buzz is that Ashok Selvan might also be roped in, but an official announcement is awaited.

About Thug Life

The team of Thug Life has been shooting for the film in Delhi since the last week of April. Kamal shot with Ali Fazal and Pankaj Tripathi, reports HT City. The film will also be shot in Chennai soon. Thug Life also stars Trisha, Gautham Karthik, Joju George and Aishwarya Lekshmi. Composer AR Rahman, cinematographer Ravi K Chandran and editor Sreekar Prasad form the crew. The film marks Kamal and Manis reunion after 36 years.

Upcoming work

Simbu, who was last seen in the 2023 film Pathu Thala, will soon play dual roles in a yet-to-be-titled project helmed by Desingh Periyasamy. Kamal will soon star in Nag Ashwins Kalki 2898 AD with Prabhas, Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan, apart from Shankars Indian 2 with Kajal Aggarwal, Siddharth and Rakul Preet Singh.
Allu Arjun might be Allu Ramalingaiahs grandson and Chiranjeevis nephew, but he didnt have it easy in the early days of his career. Allu, who debuted in 2003 with the K Raghavendra Rao-directorial Gangotri, revealed how he initially didnt get great scripts due to how he looked. (Also Read: Allu Arjun says hell teach David Warner Pushpa Pushpa's hook step: Its easy) Allu Arjun debuted in 2003 with K Raghavendra Rao's Gangotri.

Gangotri was a hit but I didnt make a mark

Getting candid at an event in Hyderabad celebrating 20 years since Sukumars Arya released, Allu revealed how his career didnt amount to much till he agreed to star in the 2004 romantic drama.

He said, Naa Gangotri cinema hit aindi. Nen ekkado chudadaniki pedda goppa ga lenu anesi naku pedda great films raledu (Gangotri was a hit but I didnt look great, so good films didnt come my way) The film was a blockbuster but its my failure as an artiste that I couldnt make a mark. I went from 0 to -100, I was a nobody. The actor also detailed that even after his debut, he was roaming the RTC crossroads in Hyderabad, watching new releases and hearing scripts that failed to draw him in.

But all that changed when he attended the screening of Nithiin-starrer Dil a month later with his friend and actor Tarun. Thats where Sukumar approached me for Arya, he was a debut director but I liked what he had written. Chiranjeevi also heard the script, I also received a shield from him when the film completed 125 days in theatres against all odds. When I watched Ravi Tejas Idiot, I wanted to star in a cool film like that. Arya is my Idiot. I knew I could dance well and I just wanted the opportunity to prove it. I got that with the song, Thakadhimithom, he revealed.

Sukumar changed my life forever

Allu kept it brief when it came to praising Sukumar, stating that he will say just enough for people to grasp how much the director means to him. He said, If theres one person in my life who has changed it forever and had the maximum impact, from Arya to Pushpa, its Sukumar. Irrespective of me delivering hits or flops, he is the one who helped me get on track to becoming an actor.

Arya was a massive hit when it was released and changed the course of career for both the actor and the director. Music composer Devi Sri Prasad was the only one from the films team who had some experience, already famous for films like Khadgam, Manmadhudu and Varsham.

Sukumar is now directing Allu in Pushpa: The Rule, the sequel of the 2022 film Pushpa: The Rise. The film also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil in the lead roles.
Renowned for his portrayal of Kevan Lannister in HBO's epic series 'Game of Thrones', actor Ian Gelder has passed away at the age of 74. Tributes pour in for beloved actor Ian Gelder, known for his warmth and talent(Game of Thrones/HBO)

The news of Gelder's demise was confirmed by his husband, Ben Daniels, who shared the heartbreaking announcement on social media.

In a post on Instagram, Daniels expressed his profound grief, stating, "It is with huge huge sadness and a heavy heart broken into a million pieces that I'm leaving this post to announce the passing of my darling husband and life partner Ian Gelder."

Ian was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in December and yesterday he passed at 13.07. Id stopped all work to be his carer but neither of us had any idea that it would all be so fast. He was my absolute rock and wed been partners for more than 30 years. If we werent together we spoke to each other everyday. He was the kindest, most generous spirited and loving human being. He was a wonderful wonderful actor and everyone who worked with him was touched by his heart and light. I honestly dont know what Ill do without him by my side.

ALSO READ| Furiosa first reviews: George Miller's Mad Max prequel hailed as a triumph with particular praise for Chris Hemsworth

Daniels revealed that Gelder had been battling bile duct cancer since December, and his passing came swiftly.

Describing Gelder as his "absolute rock," Daniels reminisced about their three-decade-long partnership, emphasizing Gelder's kindness, generosity, and unwavering love.

Hollywood in tears, pouring tributes for Ian

Tributes began pouring in from fellow actors and industry peers, offering condolences and sharing fond memories of Gelder.

Matt Lanter extended his love and prayers to Daniels, while Richard E. Grant expressed sorrow over the loss of Ian.

Leslie Bibb and Missi Pyle also conveyed their heartfelt condolences, reflecting on Gelder's immense light and compassion.

ALSO READ| K-pop star Hyuna reveals how she survived only on a one-piece sushi

Ian Gelder's talent and warmth endeared him to audiences worldwide, particularly his portrayal of Kevan Lannister in 'Game Of Thrones', a character that earned him admiration from fans and colleagues alike. (ANI)
Despite its weekday timeslot, Lovely Runner is witnessing a gradual surge in popularity each week. With the conclusion of tvN's weekend hit series Queen of Tears, there's even more room to celebrate the swoon-worthy beauty of the time-travel drama series that is hitting all the right notes with the global audience right now. New still from the Episode 9-10 broadcast of Lovely Runner on tvN.(tvN)

Scoring a sky-high topicality of 65.43% (TV), Lovely Runner has darted forth, increasing the distance between titles trailing behind it on the list of the most buzzworthy dramas of May Week 1. The Good Data Corporation revealed its survey for the first week of the new month on May 8.

The chart also opened up spots for new premieres, including Frankly Speaking and The Atypical Family, while also reserving ranks for March and April releases, such as Chief Detective 1958, Missing Crown Prince, The Escape of the Seven Season 2 and others on the TV index.

OTT debuts like Netflix's Goodbye Earth and Disney Plus' Blood Free also held steady on the TV-OTT index.

Also read | 2024 Baeksang Arts Awards winners: Kim Soo Hyun and IVE's Yujin are Popular choices, Lee Do Hyun crowned Best New Actor

Lovely Runner's journey to the top

For weeks, tvN's Monday-Tuesday drama Lovely Runner, starring Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, has been trailing closely behind the network's weekend sensational hit Queen of Tears. With Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won's romantic comedy-drama wrapping up its final chapters on April 28, 2024, the top spot swiftly opened up in Lovely Runner's favour.

For the first time since its April 8 premiere, the time-travel romance fantasy series claimed the top spot on the list of the most buzzworthy ongoing dramas on Good Data Corporation's May 8 FUNdex update.

Lovely Runner rose atop the TV and TV-OTT indexes in the Drama category. On top of that, Byeon Woo Seok (No. 1) and Kim Hye Yoon (No. 2) correspondingly rose to the top of the most buzzworthy actors chart, finally replacing Soo Hyun and Ji Won.

Additionally, supporting cast members Song Geon Hee and Lee Seung Hyub, who play Tae Sung and In Hyuk, respectively, secured the 7th and 10th spot on the most popular actors chart for the week.

Also read | How well did Haikyuu, Spy X Family, Detective Conan films perform in US and Japan; Anime box office rankings revealed

New K-drama premieres on the Top 10 buzzworthy chart

JTBC's Wednesday-Thursday comedy series Frankly Speaking and Saturday-Sunday drama The Atypical Family premiered in the first week of May 2024. Both series are also streaming on Netflix. In addition to the JTBC shows making it to the list of the most buzzworthy dramas, their leading pairs also clinched spots on the actor's list.

The former, starring Go Kyung Pyo and Kang Han Na, opened its course of action on May 1 and debuted on the most buzzworthy drama list at the 3rd rank. On the other hand, The Atypical Family, led by Jang Ki Yong, Chun Woo Hee, Go Doo Shim and Claudia Kim, premiered on May 4. The buzz around its opening week helped it gain the 4th spot on the list.

MBC TV's The Brave Yong Soo Jung was yet another recent premiere of the month. Starring Uhm Hyun Kyung in the titular role, this romance-revenge series has aired every Monday to Friday since its first episode dropped on May 6. Closing the Top 10 rankings, it found the last spot on the roster this week.

Also read | Cha Eun Woo, Seventeen, Park Bo Young and others dominate at 2024 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards. Winners list out!

Top 10 Kdramas that generated the most buzz in the first week of May

TV TV-OTT 1. Lovely Runner 1. Lovely Runner 2. Chief Detective 1958 2. Chief Detective 1958 3. Frankly Speaking 3. Frankly Speaking 4. The Atypical Family 4. The Atypical Family 5. Beauty and Mr Romantic 5. Beauty and Mr Romantic 6. The Escape of the Seven: Resurrection 6. Goodbye Earth 7. The Third Marriage 7. Blood Free 8. Missing Crown Prince 8. The Escape of the Seven: Resurrection 9. Nothing Uncovered 9. The Third Marriage 10. The Brave Yong Soo Jung 10. Missing Crown Prince

Top 10 drama actors, who generated the most buzz in the first week of May

Actor Drama 1. Byeon Woo Seok Lovely Runner 2. Kim Hye Yoon Lovely Runner 3. Go Kyung Pyo Frankly Speaking 4. Jang Ki Yong The Atypical Family 5. Chun Woo Hee The Atypical Family 6. Lee Je Hoon Chief Detective 1958 7. Song Geon Hee Lovely Runner 8. Im Soo Hyang Beauty and Mr Romantic 9. Kang Han Na Frankly Speaking 10. Lee Seung Hyub Lovely Runner

Source: Good Data Corporation's FUNdex
Actor Auroshikha Dey is on cloud nine right now, as her latest project, Bulgarian film The Shameless has been selected to premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival this year in the Un Certain Regard section. Set in India and directed by Bulgarian director Konstantin Bojanov, the film stars an ensemble cast from India and Nepal. Auroshikha Dey on The Shameless premiering at the Cannes Film Festival 2024

I was just stunned when I first heard the big news. I didnt know how to react. I was finding an expression to express. I was over the moon when my producer and director shared the news with me. I am on top of the world right now, so excited and happy, gushes Dey, best known for her film The Warrior Queen Of Jhansi (2019).

The actor feels that the opportunity to be part of a film thats being showcased as such a prestigious global platform is not just an honour, but also a chance for her to represent both the film and her country to a wider audience.

Cannes is one of the biggest film festivals in the world, and when you are representing the film, and the country as well, to the global audience, theres an added advantage. I hope we get to showcase the film in India as well, and premiering at Cannes does make a lot of difference, she notes.

Dey also acknowledges the struggle of Indie films to gain recognition, and emphasises on the importance of international exposure. She elucidates, It is true that until and unless you go to bigger platforms, many small films go unnoticed. Nobody makes an effort to watch it; you have to make a name for the movie. It is an irony! You make a film in India and you have to make it go outside the country for the Indian people to accept it. I dont know why it happens. Maybe because there are no big faces so they are scared or doubtful to put their money or time into something which is not known to them or their territory, because they wouldnt know how good the director is, or how the actors have performed.

Urging for greater support for Indie films, Dey adds, We need investors and audiences to take risks on lesser-known projects. One should take an effort and that extra risk to contribute in such Indie films, thats how the film and actors grow.

Despite all the challenges, Dey remains optimistic about the future of The Shameless, which tells the story of an Indian sex worker, on a pilgrimage to a remote temple, where she confronts her past, including a love affair with Renuka, now imprisoned for murder in Bangalore.

Makers are still running to get the film noticed, and focusing on International OTT platforms as well. We will make sure it goes to many big festivals across the country. We dont our project to be something that came and went without making any impact. Cannes has accepted it in such a prestigious section, I am sure it makes a lot of difference, that means the story and film has meaning. So, going there itself has given us the first tick. Now, how the audience will take it, its all up to them.
Torn between the urge to raise the roof while maintaining a steady academic graph, students of Delhi University (DU) are encountering internal exams while multi-tasking for college fests. The exam fever clashing with an extended fest season has created a conundrum in the lives of youngsters. Our fest is being held for the first time since the pandemic pause, and the same is the case in a few other colleges as well, says Priya Sharma, a final-year student of BA (Hons) English at Kirori Mal College, and continues, Hopefully, this is the last time that we face this clash because it is too hot to enjoy any fest in May! This year, the fest season has extended to May, and DU students are trying to judiciously divide their time between revelry and internal exams.(Photos: Dhruv Sethi and Shantanu Bhattacharya/HT)

Talking about the pressure of juggling the two equally important tangents of college life, Prabha Jha, a second-year student of BA (Hons) Political Science at Miranda House, shares, When I was attending Mecca, the Hindu College fest, my thrill was overshadowed by the stress of internals. I remember I kept updating and checking my study schedule because it felt never-ending! But at the same time, I am also excited about Ramjas Mosaic tonight.

For Sanyam Yadav, a first-year student of BSc (Hons) Mathematics at Ramjas College, the difficult decision entails temporarily prioritising his commitment to his colleges dance society. He shares, Our fest is here, and I cant let down my peers at dance soc! For the time being, Ive put all of my assignments and test prep on the back burner. Once the fest is over, the real life will set in. Tab dekhenge ki kya karna hai.

Doing her best while keeping her chin up, Nikita, a first-year student of BCom (Hons) at Shri Ram College of Commerce and member of the organising team of Crossroads, the colleges cultural fest, says, Managing both academics and core team duties can be a daunting task. For the past few weeks, Ive been waking up early to be on top of my submissions and revisions. I do this because I know, once I reach my college, I would have to have to dedicate all my time towards preparing for the fest.

It's not a joke for the young guns who have to complete multiple assignments at the same time. Take for instance, Jaibir Singh Brar who has eight submissions to make this week! Teamwork offers a great solution, says this second-year student of BA (Hons) Political Science at Hindu College, adding, Half of my assignments were group projects, so we divided the work among ourselves and took charge of one assignment each. Ab aise hi karna padega.

For more, follow @htcity.delhijunction
You can call him the man who made Thai food famous today  he is credited with helping helped the restaurant Nahm earn the first-ever Michelin star for a Thai restaurant in 2002! Meet David Thompson, celebrated chef, cookbook author, TV presenter and literally the first name in Thai gastronomy. In New Delhi for a pop-up, he makes time for a chat on all things Thai, of course! I think its so fantastic that anybody who eats Thai food simply loves it! Im among those people who fell in love with it. Im beguiled and bewitched by it. My aim is to showcase a facet of Thai cuisine that often goes unexplored in mainstream Thai eateries, he says.

David Thompson, Michelin-star chef and one of the first names today, in Thai cuisine(David Thompson)

The well-known chef has been delighting folks with his masterful rendition of Thai fare in Fireback Goa, where he is culinary director (David Thompson)

Every time I eat Thai food, it is thrilling and satisfying

Its clear to see that the Thompson finds his heart and soul in Thai, and serves that up with a flair at Fireback Goa, where he is culinary director. What makes this cuisine so exciting to him, we ask? Well, I can talk about the sophisticated cuisine, its history, its magnificent array of ingredients and the generations of cooks whove garnished a culinary tradition that sings across the globe. But really what makes Thai food so exciting is how it tastes, says David, adding. Every time I eat it and so many other people eat it, it is just so damn good. It is thrilling, exciting, delicious and satisfying.



Finding a balance between Thai and Indian food

In todays global culinary scene, Thai fares just as well as Western and Indian fare. Sharing more on this, he reveals, Both Thai and Western food complement each other, but approach it from different ways. Thai food chases a taste and it builds taste and uses techniques to arrive at that taste. Western food follows technique and constructs a recipe or a dish.

Are Thai and Indian similar, we ask? Replies the chef, Id say Thai food and Indian food are like cousins; they differ a lot. The two cuisines share some common tastes and ingredients, but their cooking techniques and seasoning methods are distinct. Achieving the right balance between them is an exercise in diplomacy, and I see myself as both a culinary diplomat and your cook.

He adds, Im besotted by Indian food. It boasts the same wealth, richness of taste, texture, depth of character, and cultural influence as Thai cuisine, making it simply addictive. I keep coming back to India to indulge in more of its authentic dishes.

His philosophy? Going local

If Thompson had to choose one culinary philosophy it would be this  a belief in local cooking, customs and traditions. Yes, absolutely. If food is to be fresh and relevant, its got to be local, he says.

Currently in the Capital, he adds, Im excited to be in India for the summer menu in Goa and our pop-up in Delhi with Conosh at Pullman New Delhi, Aerocity, giving me the chance to explore all the incredible Indian cuisine. I havent had a chance to travel around India, but am planning an extensive trip for it.
Kolkata: 12 killed as thunderstorm andlightning lash parts of Bengal

At least 12 people were killed in thunderstorm and lightning in West Bengal on Monday evening, even as the India Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued a warning of more thunderstorms in the next few days in many districts in the eastern state.

While five persons were killed in East Burdwan district, two each were killed in West Midnapore and Purulia. In Nadia, two persons died due to wall collapses and one person was killed in South 24 Parganas after an uprooted tree fell on him.

Our district administrations everywhere have been working on disaster management mode round the clock and are taking actions to provide relief and ex gratia as per guidelines. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families of the 12 fellow citizens of Bengal, chief minister Mamata Banerjee wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

A cyclonic circulation has developed over neighbouring Bangladesh and a second one is active over Madhya Pradesh. A low pressure area has also developed from over Jharkhand to Rajasthan, the weather bureau said.

These systems are sucking in moisture from the Bay of Bengal and triggering thunderstorms and squalls. More such activities are expected over the next few days, an official of the regional weather office in Kolkata said, declining to be named.

The bureau forecast heavy rain, thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds likely to hit the districts of Jhargram, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, South 24 Parganas, Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum and North 24 Parganas till around May 11. The districts in northern Bengal are also expected to see thunderstorms.

Most of the districts in southern Bengal were reeling under severe heatwave conditions till last week. On April 30, the day temperature at Kalaikunda in West Midnapore district had touched 47.2 degrees Celsius, which was 10.4 degrees above normal. The day temperature in Kolkata touched 43 degrees. It was the second highest April temperature recorded in the city in 70 years.

In the first week of April, thunderstorms killed five in northern Bengal and left around 300 injured. Several houses were damaged as well.
As many as 13 people were killed in separate incidents after unseasonal rainfall hit parts of Telangana on Tuesday night, police said. Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy expressed his condolences on the deaths. (HT photo sourced)

At Bachupally, located on the outskirts of Hyderabad, seven persons including a woman and a child were killed when a wall collapsed at an under-construction apartment complex.

An official of the Bachupally police station said the victims were identified as Tirupati (22), Shanker (22), Raju (25) Khushi (25) Ram Yadav (34), Geeta (32), and Himanshu (4).

The deceased were migrant workers hailing from Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

All of them were staying in makeshift sheds made of asbestos sheets in the same site.

Due to heavy rain on Tuesday night, the retaining wall of the building collapsed on the rooms of the workers, resulting in the deaths of seven persons, the police official said.

Police along with disaster response force teams of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) rushed to the spot to take up rescue operations with the help of a JCB machine.

Also Read: Telangana records highest ever rainfall in a single day as state battles floods

The debris was cleared by Wednesday morning and seven bodies were recovered from the spot. The bodies were taken to Gandhi Hospital mortuary. We have registered a case of accident due to negligence and are investigating, the police official said, adding that further details will be known during the investigation.

Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident leading to the deaths of seven construction workers.

He spoke to the GHMC and police authorities asking them to take stern action against the construction company, if found guilty in the construction of the building.

He assured that the government will extend all possible help to the victims families.

Meanwhile, the bodies of two persons were found in Begumpet drain at Customs Colony on Wednesday morning.

According to police, they might have accidentally fallen into the open drain during the heavy rainfall last night. The bodies were shifted to Gandhi Hospital mortuary and efforts were underway to identify them.

In another related incident, two persons died in a wall collapse at Railapur village of Kowdipally mandal in Medak district. The two workers, Vasulu Subramanyam (42) and Madasu Nagu (37), were identified.

Another person was also killed after lighting struck him at Kukunoorpally in Siddipet district early on Tuesday morning. He was identified as Kumari Mallesham (33).

Another death was reported from Illanda village of Warangal district where a 22-year-old man died after a tree branch fell on him while he was returning home on a tractor.

In Hyderabad, heavy rains ranging from 30mm up to 109mm lashed different parts, disrupting power supply at most of the places with trees being uprooted causing traffic disruption till midnight.
A 19-year-old woman was allegedly abducted and gang-raped by two men, who also attacked her with a sword on her head and chopped off her fingers, in Banswara district of Rajasthan on Sunday, police said on Wednesday. Police said the survivor received more than 30 stitches on her head and is in a stable condition (Getty Images)

While no arrests have been made so far, a first information report (FIR) has been registered against the accused, one of whom is known to the survivor. A detailed probe is underway, police added.

According to Banswara deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Suryaveer Singh, the alleged incident took place at around 12.30am on Sunday under Danpur police station circle when the survivor was returning home after attending a wedding.

In her statement, the woman said the accused, in their early 20s, abducted her and took her to an isolated place near her house where they took turns to rape her. They also attacked her with a sword and chopped off her fingers on her right hand when she tried to escape, Singh said.

It was when her brother, who was at home, heard her screams and alerted his mother that both rushed outside and found the woman lying in a pool of blood around 200 metres away. They rushed her to a hospital where she is undergoing treatment, he added.

Police said the survivor received more than 30 stitches on her head and is in a stable condition.

She said that one of the accused, Kalu, was forcing her to marry him. She had refused his proposal, following which he and his associate, Jitu, raped her, the DSP said.

A case has been registered against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 376 (rape), 307 (attempt to murder) and 363 (abduction). We will arrest the accused shortly as a detailed probe is underway, he added.
Mumbai police have arrested two food vendors, Anand Kamble and Ahmed Sheikh, in connection with the death of a 19-year-old in the city. The deceased, Prathamesh Bhokse, reportedly died after eating chicken shawarma bought from their stall in the Trombay area on May 3. Bhokse complained of stomach ache and vomited after he ate the shawarma. He then also went to a municipal hospital nearby to get medical treatment. Bhokse later felt unwell again, following which his family members took him to the civic-run KEM Hospital on May 5. The deceased, Prathamesh Bhokse, reportedly died after eating 'chicken shawarma' bought from a stall in the Trombay area of Mumbai on May 3rd.

The doctor initially treated him and sent him home. However, due to his persistent ill-health, Bhokse was admitted to the hospital. He subsequently died on Monday.

The hospital authorities informed the police, leading to the registration of an FIR against unidentified individuals under sections 336 and 273 of the Indian Penal Code.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, 12 people were admitted to a hospital for suspected food poisoning in the last two days after they ate a non-vegetarian street food item in the Goregaon area of Mumbai. The incident occurred at Satellite Tower in Santosh Nagar area of Goregaon (East) on Friday. The people reportedly consumed chicken shawarma.

"Twelve people complained of food poisoning on Friday and Saturday. They were admitted to a hospital. While nine people were discharged, three others are undergoing treatment," the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said without elaborating on whether the food was consumed by the 12 people at a hotel or shop.

Read More: UK Pokemon fans rare card collection from 1990s to 2000s sells for over 57 lakh in auction

Symptoms of food poisoning can vary widely depending on the source of contamination of food but often include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, and sometimes even more severe symptoms.

Preventing food poisoning involves proper food handling, storage, and cooking techniques, as well as avoiding risky foods like undercooked meats, unpasteurized dairy, and foods left at room temperature for too long.

(With inputs from PTI)
CHENNAI: Two more cases have been registered against Tamil YouTuber Savukku Shankar who was arrested on May 4 by the Coimbatore police on charges of making defamatory remarks against women police officers. The woman journalist, whose complaint formed the basis of the FIR against Savukku Shankar, later thanked the police. (X/Videograb/savukkuofficial)

Shankar was remanded in judicial custody till May 17.

On Wednesday, the Greater Chennai Police said it registered two cases based on a complaint by a woman editor of a private media company and Tamilar Munnetra Padai leader.

Felix Gerald who manages a YouTube channel Redpix has also been named as a co-accused.

Investigation is going on in both the cases, the Greater Chennai Police said in a statement.

In a post on X, the woman editor later thanked the police for acting on her complaint first made six years ago. Police said Shankar has been booked under sections 294(b) (obscene acts), 509 (action intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code read with section 4 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act.

Shankar, a former employee of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), later started Savukku Media comprising a web portal and a YouTube channel.

A team from the Coimbatore City Cybercrime wing arrested Shankar from Theni on May 4 and was being brought to Coimbatore when the vehicle met with an accident Dharapuram in Tiruppur district, leading to some injuries.

In 2022, Shankar spent more than two months behind bars after being sentenced to six months jail for contempt of court following his statement accusing the entire higher judiciary of corruption.

After his arrest last week, Shankars mother A Kamala moved the Madras high court claiming that he was assaulted by prison authorities at the Coimbatore Central Prison. Police officers have denied the charge and attributed the injuries to the road accident on May 4.
The third phase of the Lok Sabha polls concluded on Tuesday with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claiming it will get a huge mandate while the Congress has inked a new slogan south mein BJP saaf, North mein BJP half (BJP will be swept out in southern India while their tally will be halved in the northern states) 4th phase of the Lok Sabha polls will take place on May 13. (PTI file photo)

BJP govt in minority in Haryana

Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government in Haryana is in crisis after three independent legislators withdrew their support on Tuesday and declared that they will campaign for the Congress party in the ongoing general election.

The rebel MLAs include Randhir Golan from Pundri, Dharmpal Gonder from Nilokheri and Sombir Singh Sangwan from Dadri.

The BJP, which has been accused by the Congress of toppling at least six Congress-led governments in the last ten years, faces such a crisis for the first time in these years.

The chief minister accused the Congress of fulfilling some peoples wishes.

I have received this information. Maybe Congress is engaged in fulfilling some peoples wishes now. Congress has nothing to do with the wishes of the public, he told news agency ANI.

Why Mayawati demoted her nephew?

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, in a surprise move, announced on Tuesday night the removal of her nephew Akash Anand, who had been critical of the BJP, from the position of national coordinator and her political successor, barely five months after she had appointed him.

The BSP supremo, announcing it on X (formally Twitter), said she has taken the decision in the interest of the party and the movement till the time Anand gains full maturity.

She said, In this direction, along with promoting other people in the party, I had declared Shri Akash Anand as the National Coordinator and his successor, but in the larger interest of the party and the movement, he is being divested of both these important responsibilities until he attains full maturity.

Mayawati said Anand will continue to fulfil his responsibilities in the party and the movement as before.

Therefore, the leadership of BSP is not going to shy away from making every kind of sacrifice in the interest of the party and the movement and in taking forward the caravan of Baba Saheb Dr Ambedkar, Mayawati said in another post.

SC hints at interim bail for Kejriwal

The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated willingness to grant interim bail to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case amid the ongoing general elections but expressed reservations about allowing him to discharge his official functions as the CM during the period of interim bail, saying it will lead to conflict and may have a cascading effect.

While the Enforcement Directorate (ED) urged the court not to release Kejriwal on bail by treating politicians as a class different from ordinary citizens, the court acknowledged Kejriwals unique position as both the CM and the convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the ongoing polls, describing it as an extraordinary situation warranting consideration for interim bail.

AAP supporters raise slogans in IPL match, detained

Several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters were detained by the Delhi Police on Tuesday, after they allegedly raised slogans against chief minister Kejriwals arrest during a Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals IPL match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly called Feroz Shah Kotla stadium). The AAP supporters were detained for creating a public nuisance at one of the audience stands at the stadium.

The official X account of AAP posted a video of a group of AAP supporters can be seen chanting slogans supporting Kejriwal, as well as Bharat Mata ki Jai. In the clip, the supporters are seen wearing t-shirts with a photo depicting Kejriwal behind bars, and a slogan jail ka jawab vote se.
Imphal: The Manipur government has detected 5,457 illegal immigrants in a district in the state, and out of them, biometric data of 5,173 immigrants have been collected, said chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday. The Manipur government has detected 5,457 illegal immigrants in a district in the state (Twitter/@NBirenSingh)

Taking to X, Singh wrote, The Government has detected a total of 5457 illegal immigrants in Kamjong District, Manipur as on May 7th, 2024. Out of the total, the biometric data of 5173 such illegal immigrants have been collected so far.

He said that the deportation of illegal immigrants from Manipur is underway.

Also Read: N Biren Singh says Manipur to deport those who arrived after 1961

Deportation process is underway. We have been giving humanitarian aides to all the illegal immigrants who were detected so far. Despite being an alarming situation, we have been handling it with utmost sensitivity, Singh added.

On May 2, Singh informed that the first phase of deportation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar has been completed in Manipur, with 38 immigrants exiting the country via Moreh, a border town located about 110 km south of Imphal in Manipurs Tengnoupal district which borders Myanmar. He even shared a social media post in this regard.

In March this year, there were also reports of deporting seven Myanmar nationals, including women by airlifting them from Imphal International Airport to Moreh, a border town.

The chief minister had last month highlighted the report on the unnatural growth of 996 new villages with illegal immigration population while mentioning how it posed a threat to the indigenous people and national security.

In the last state assembly session, CM Singh, responding to a question by the opposition, informed that 6,746 illegal Myanmarese were detected in the state from May 3 last year till February 27 this year.
As many as 90 Air India Express flights were cancelled on Wednesday after hundreds of crew members went on mass sick leaves in protest against the Tata management over the merger of the low-cost domestic service with AirAsia India. Passengers wait at the airport as several flights cancelled after a section of Air India Express cabin crew reported sick to protest against alleged mismanagement of its HR policies, in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. (ANI)

This is the second time in around a month that a Tata Group-owned airline is facing flight disruptions due to crew unavailability. In the first week of April, Vistara too had to cancel flights due to crew unavailability and had to eventually scale down operations after pilots called in sick en masse.

A section of our cabin crew reported sick at the last minute, starting last night, resulting in flight delays and cancellations. While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience to our guests, an Air India Express spokesperson said.

In a letter to employees, Aloke Singh, CEO of Air India Express, said the strike was by about 100 staffers, which led a disproportionate impact on 90+ flights, even though other colleagues reported for duty.

This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty and serve our guests with dedication and pride. I am thankful to all who are standing by the airline in this hour of crisis, Singh wrote, and added that if there are concerns that need to be addressed, the company leadership is available for any discussions.

Singh said curtailed schedules will be rolled out for the next few days.

Air India Express operates over 2,500 flights weekly across 31 domestic and 14 international airports, with a fleet of over 70 aircraft comprising Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s. The airline has 2,600 cabin crew out of which 327 reported sick on Wednesday, said an official at the airline, asking not to be named.

Offering refunds for the affected flights, the spokesperson said, ...Guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date. Guests flying with us today are requested to check if their flight is affected, before heading to the airport.

All these 327 are senior cabin crew who reported sick a few hours before their flights and then switched off their phones so that they could not be contacted. The situation almost remains the same even now, this person added.

The salt-to-steel conglomerate now runs Air India, its lower-cost sister Air India Express, Vistara and AirAsia India.

Tensions were brimming for a week now and the situation worsened last night. The cabin crew are protesting the alleged mismanagement of the airline during the merger process which is feared to cost jobs of a significant number of staff, this person added.

A second person with the airline said there are major cancellations at all airports in southern India.

In Delhi, 14 flights were cancelled till 4pm.

The government said it had sought a report from the airline. MoCA has called for a report from Air India Express regarding cancellation of flights and asked them to resolve issues promptly. They have also been advised to ensure facilities to passengers as per DGCA norms, a ministry official said.

The flight disruptions are likely to continue on Thursday as well. The airline, officials close to the development said, is expected to scale down its departures for passenger convenience, similar to what Vistara had done.

A third airline official said employees of Air India Express are particularly upset with all positions having gone to the AirAsia India employees and the HR too being controlled by the erstwhile HR of AirAsia India.

The staff of Air India Express have been overlooked in all kinds of internal jobs; promotions etc. There is huge dissatisfaction and discrimination and they have and they wrote to the HR, CEO, COO, chairman of Tata Sons N Chandrasekaran and also to the ministry, this person added.

The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) in its letter to Chandrasekaran on April 26, highlighted several issues and sought an appointment. The letter, seen by HT, said that the several employees with impeccable records were terminated, contrary to the condition set by the government that no sackings will be done for two years after Air India and Air India Express were taken over by the Tata Group.
Six-time lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab resigned from Odishas ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in March saying the party had deviated from the path it had set out on. Now contesting from Cuttack on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, Mahtab says he sees no future for the BJD. In an interview with HT, Mahtab spoke about BJD and why he switched sides. Edited excerpts: Six-time BJD lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab joined BJP in March. (X)

Why did you quit BJD? You were considered close to chief minister Naveen Patnaik...

I resigned on March 22. After six days, the BJP asked me to join the party. The reason for joining is that the party (BJD), which was our pride and meant to bring change economically, socially, and even politically, has diverted from it. During the last 6-7 years, all power was concentrated with only one or two people. The chief minister, who was adored by the people, went into a cocoon or was forced to. There was no direct contact with the party leaders and workers and what to say of the people. BJD was founded to bring about change from the corruption and hooliganism of Congress. Subsequently, it became a victim of all these during the last 6-7 years. The party was under the shadow of corruption. The same thing went for ministers...those against whom there were allegations of murder, rape... they continue. There is no action. Some of them have been repeated as candidates in this election which shows the party has digressed.

BJP has alleged the chief minister is missing. He is not seen making any administrative decisions...

That is very clear. This is the development of the last 6-7 years. The person who was in the drivers seat, leading the state and the party has been relegated to the background. A person who was once upon a time his private secretary is now controlling the party.

You are referring to VK Pandian, who says he is the most fitting successor to Patnaik. How does this sound to an average BJD worker?

That is the reason why everybody is upset.

BJPs narrative of Odia pride seems to be pivoted on this one person...

No. It is not against one person. That is an impression that he wants to give that the BJP is against him. That is not true. When you play with Lord Jagannath, when you are dragging him on the streets to collect a handful of rice, that is where the Odia pride is hurt. Odia pride is seriously hurt when you close three doors of the temple and only allow one door for the devotees to enter. The last point which I will mention is there is a Ratna Bhandar or a treasury. It was last indexed in 1979. The law says that every 12 years, it has to be updated. The government says the key to it is lost. This is hurting the sentiment of all Odias.

Hundreds of acres of land were given to construct a university by Vedant. It was not even registered. Despite the high court decision to return the land, 13 months have passed... the land has not been returned to the temple.

As somebody who has seen BJD grow and what has transpired in the last 5-6 years, how do you see its future?

It has no future. It is not because I am not there, but I see how. We formed that party in 1997 after the demise of Biju Patnaik. There was a gradual increase in the support base for the party. In 2014, we had 20 members in Parliament out of 21 in 2019, it came down to 12. That was an indication of something wrong.

Are you trying to say BJD may not win for the sixth time?

I can see from the general publics faces and how they are coming out openly.

Odisha government says its welfare schemes are so good they can be replicated nationally. But BJP says they repackage the central schemes...

Take the case of the Har Ghar Jal scheme of the Centre....it has been touted as Vasudha. Anyone coming from outside will only see these programmes and say these are state-specific but all of these programmes are central government schemes. When 108 Ambulance Service was rolled out, the sticker said it was because of the Odisha government, and finally, the BJP had to complain. Why should we indulge in this type of politics.

What will be BJPs main poll plank?

It is [Prime Minister Narendra] Modis guarantee. Educated people are now seeing what is happening in states like Uttar Pradesh. In the last 10 years, it has become peaceful. Large investments are going there, unemployment to a great extent has subsided and the number of religious places upgraded. And in that respect, within the last 10 years, when we have a stable government in the state, which has a huge majority in the assembly, there is total subservience of bureaucracy. Why is the state not attracting investments...We have the minerals, electricity, and water. There are hardly any labour union problems still we are not attracting that much investment. What is pinching everyone is that most of the youths are running away to get employed elsewhere. They are skilled and go to Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Why cannot we provide them with jobs? In my constituency, I tried to reopen a textile mill, which was there earlier and shut down in 2002. A sugar and spinning mill were shut down but no attention was paid despite my repeated reminders.

Was it difficult convincing your supporters why you shifted to BJP?

Most of my supporters and the people in my constituency know why I have taken this decision. Before I took this decision, I had interacted privately with many of my friends, even those still in BJD. Most people are happy that at least I have come to the right party now and personally I am happy.
As many as 86 flights of the Air India Express were cancelled on Wednesday after several crew members of the airline went on mass sick leaves in protest against the Tata management over the merger of AIX Connect (AirAsia India with Air India Express), two officials aware of the matter confirmed. An Air India Express aircraft on the runway. (PTI File Photo)

A section of our cabin crew reported sick at the last minute, starting last night, resulting in flight delays and cancellations. While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience to our guests, an Air India Express spokesperson said.

Offering refunds for the affected flights, the spokesperson said, ...Guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date. Guests flying with us today are requested to check if their flight is affected, before heading to the airport.

Tensions were brimming for a week now and the situation worsened last night. The cabin crew are protesting the alleged mismanagement of the airline during the merger process which is feared to cost jobs of a significant number of staff, one of the officials said.

This is the second time in about a month that a Tata Group owned airline is facing flight disruptions (Vistara too had to cancel flights due to crew unavailability in the first week of April).

This has happened because of the massive mistreatment of employees of Air India Express by the merged entity. All the positions have gone to the AirAsia India people and the HR is controlled by the former HR of AirAsia. Air India Express staff have been overlooked in all kinds of internal jobs, promotions, etc. There is a huge dissatisfaction and discrimination here and they feel it badly. They have written to everyone, including the HR, CEO, COO, chairman of Tata and to the aviation minister, an airline official said.

Air India Express operates over 2,500 flights weekly across 31 domestic and 14 international airports, with a fleet of over 70 aircraft comprising Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s.

There are major cancellations at all airports in southern India, a second official said.

Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), a registered body that consists of senior cabin crew members, alleged that mismanagement by the airline owner has affected the morale of the employees.
Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday moved the state high court against the orders of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to defer crediting of 847.22 crore into the accounts of farmers towards agriculture input subsidy and another 610.79 crore into the accounts of students towards post-matric scholarships under Jagananna Vidya Deevena scheme, till the completion of election process in the state, people familiar with the matter said. The YSR Congress Party government argued that the schemes under which financial assistance was being given were not new (PTI)

Andhra Pradesh is going to simultaneous polls on 175 state assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha seats in the fourth phase on May 13.

In a lunch motion petition filed before the state high court, the YSR Congress Party government argued that the schemes under which financial assistance was being given were not new but ongoing schemes and hence, crediting of money into the accounts of beneficiaries could not be stopped. It said if the amount was not credited by May end, it would be lapsed, the state governments counsel said.

Counsel for EC said the commission had not stopped the schemes, but only asked the government to defer the payment till the completion of elections next Monday. There is no need for release of money so urgently, the counsel said.

The high court said there were still 23 days left for the month to end and the government could wait. It asked the government to give a clarification to the EC and posted the hearing to Thursday, saying it would take up further hearing depending on the EC response.

On Monday night, the EC issued instructions to the state revenue department to defer depositing 847.22 crore towards input subsidy for the farmers, whose crops were damaged due to drought in the Kharif season in 2023.

Similarly, the commission also deferred the release of 610.79 crore for the students belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities for the academic year 2023-24 under Post Matric Scholarships (Vidya Deevena) till the completion of election process in the state.

YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday made a strong exception to the ECs decision to defer deposition of money into the accounts of farmers and students. He alleged that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was responsible for the ECs decision to stop the ongoing welfare distribution in the state.

They are putting pressure on the EC to stall DBT financial assistance on ongoing welfare schemes of the state like pensions, and input subsidy among others, he said.

Senior TDP leader and former Rajya Sabha member Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar said Jagan had approved the release of financial assistance to farmers and students in March itself. But the money was not credited then. Now, just before the elections, he ordered crediting of money into the accounts of beneficiaries. He wanted to buy the votes with government money, Kumar alleged.

Meanwhile, chief electoral officer MK Meena clarified to the reporters that the EC had not ordered stopping of any of the government schemes. It only wanted the government to wait till the completion of elections on May 13, he said.
After ex-Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, another Congress leader, the party's state chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, has targeted the ruling BJP over the recent Poonch terror attack, saying that the saffron party can do anything during elections. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. (HT File)

Pulwama attack still remains a mystery, about which even the then Lieutenant Governor (then Jammu and Kashmir governor Satyapal Malik) has raised questions. There is nothing new in this. The BJP can do anything during elections, Warring, who is contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections from the Ludhiana seat, told reporters on Tuesday.

The February 2019 Pulwama attack, carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad, took place on the eve of Lok Sabha polls that year. Days later, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted retaliatory strikes in Balakot inside Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP won a second successive majority in the elections.

Citing Malik's recent statements, opposition parties have repeatedly alleged that the BJP government allowed the terrorist attack to reap electoral benefits, a charge dismissed by the ruling party.

In last Saturday's Poonch attack, in which terrorists targeted a convoy of vehicles belonging to the IAF, one soldier was killed in action, while five of his colleagues sustained injuries. The operation to nab the terrorists is currently underway.

A day later, Channi, the Congress party's candidate from the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat, accused the BJP government of stuntbaazi.

When elections come, such stunts are done to make the BJP win. These are pre-planned attacks, there is no truth in them, he said.

After his statement triggered a row, the former CM backtracked, and stateed how proud he was of the jawans who "join the armed forces to safeguard the country."

To date, the government has not identified the perpetrators responsible for Pulwama. I would like to ask, who are the perpetrators? Why haven't they been brought to justice? Why do intelligence failures keep happening? Soldiers have lost their lives once again. My point is, why is this being turned into a political stunt by the BJP? he asked.

(With ANI inputs)
The Bengaluru Police has summoned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda and the partys IT cell head, Amit Malviya, in connection with an animated clip posted by the partys state unit that showed the Congress appeasing Muslims at the cost of other faiths and castes, people aware of the matter said on Wednesday. BJP national president JP Nadda

The police summon came against the backdrop of the Congresss Ramesh Babu filing a case against Nadda, Malviya and the BJPs Karnataka chief BY Vijayendra under the Indian Penal Codes (IPC) Section 505(2) (statement conducing public mischief), and the Representation of People Acts Section 125 (promoting enmity between classes).

The act of the accused person (s) is to wantonly provoke rioting and promote enmity between different religions and is prejudicial to maintenance of harmony apart from intimidating members of SC/ST community not to vote for particular candidate and causing enmity against members of SC/ST community, the complaint said.

In its summon, the police asked the BJP leaders to appear before it within a week as part of the investigation.

This is to inform you that on May 5, 2024, Ramesh Babu lodged a complaint at High Grounds Police Station. A video was posted on May 4, 2024 on the official social network @bjp4karnataka of the Bharatiya Janata Party on the X Platform. The content of the video is deemed to incite animosity, aversion, and ill-will against members of the SC/ST community. Therefore, an FIR has been registered at High Grounds Police Station Accordingly, you are hereby directed to appear before the undersigned investigating officer at 11.00 am at High Grounds police station within 7 days of receiving this notice, the summon addressed to Malviya and Nadda said.

There was no immediate reaction from the two BJP leaders.

In a complaint to the Karnataka chief electoral officer, the Congress said that the BJP intended to promote enmity between communities through the clip.

It is clear that the video social media post by them is to intimidate members of SC/ST community not to vote for Congress party by projecting that funds reserved for them will be usurped by Muslims, it said in the letter.

The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday wrote to social media platform X, asking it to take down the controversial video. The video was no longer available on the partys official Karnataka unit handle on Wednesday night.

This is the second video in the last few days from an official social media account of the BJP to attract significant criticism. On May 1, BJPs official Instagram handle posted an animated video making similar claims, and then took it down.
Profile: The challenged Chinese youngster with an art work displayed in the Louvre

Xinhua) 16:05, May 08, 2024

YINCHUAN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Zuo Wenjun has never been to France. However, a painting by the 34-year-old man had crossed the continent and was on exhibit in the Louvre in France, some 8,000 kilometers away.

The painting, Mount Kangrinboqe, was shown at a three-day La Lumiere exhibition in April, and was completed by the man from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was a child.

Admitting that he hasn't been to Xizang, where Mount Kangrinboqe is located, Zuo said that the art work was based on his "observation of photos and philosophical thinking." "Painting is the best thing that I can do," said the man proudly.

Born into a working class family, Zuo found it hard to balance his body from a young age due to the illness, later he only learned to walk at the age of eight. The scars on his knees are visible even today.

Not able to run around like other children, he fell in love with reading. Reminiscing, his parents gave him a box of chalks to play with, and he drew a few squares on the ground with his hands shaking. All these activities stirred him to begin his painting dream.

He became an art student in junior high school. When learning sketching, he tried his best to draw straight lines but often found himself unable to control his hands well. He used a dozen pencils a day, which meant his mother had to spend a couple of hours in the evening sharpening pencils for him.

"I had good ideas but I couldn't control my hands, which made me really fretful," Zuo recalled. "However, the harder it was, the more I wanted to break the limit of my body."

Practice makes perfect. Zuo later became a student at Ningxia University majoring in art, before pursuing further studies at the Chinese National Academy of Art in Beijing.

His wife Ma Chanyuan was a good companion during the process, as she encouraged him to pursue his dream. "I am very grateful to her. Without her I wouldn't be brave enough to go to Beijing," Zuo said emotionally. On her birthday, he copied Van Gogh's "Irises" as a gift for her, and the flower stands for "the messenger of love."

Ma, an accounting major, has spent three years learning painting from her husband. "He is optimistic and cheerful, but at the same time he thinks deep. He gave me a lot of guidance and made me fall in love with art."

Now studying psychology, she aims to help more people living with disabilities as well as encourage them to learn the art of painting with her husband.

Zuo has donated more than 400,000 yuan (about 55,420 U.S. dollars) he earned from painting sales to support children living with disabilities to afford medical operations. He also teaches painting to people living with disabilities, and assists them with selling their art work to supplement their income.

"During my journey I received a lot of love and help, which I would like to pass on," said Zuo, who is now working in a studio provided by the Rongjinyuan community of Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia, for free.

Now the man still has difficulty holding his cup steadily and washing his hair by himself, apart from that he needs to concentrate when using chopsticks. But his surrealist oil paintings are very delicate. His most recent large-scale painting, "Asking the Sky," which took him two months to complete, depicts a space station and seven astronauts above the Earth, and contains his reflections on ancient Chinese philosophy with the details resembling a high-definition photograph.

To him, creating art works is a way to extend one's life, because it can live forever.

"Life is like a painting," said Zuo, adding that whether it is beautiful or not depends largely on details of the dark parts.

He hopes that in the future he could have a solo exhibition overseas like in the Louvre. "I want to exchange my ideas with people from around the world."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
AHMEDABAD: Union minister Parshottam Rupala, whose remarks on Kshatriyas sparked widespread protests by the Rajput community in Gujarat, on Wednesday again apologised for his remark, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party got entangled in the controversy that followed. BJP leader and union minister Parshottam Rupala, who hails from the Patidar community, landed in a huge political row over his remarks at a small Dalit gathering on March 22 (X/PRupala)

It was very painful for me because the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi suffered because of me, Rupala told a news conference on Wednesday, a day after Gujarat voted in the Lok Sabha elections.

The minister, who described the just-concluded elections as the toughest period of the four-decade-long political career, said he decided to apologise again a day after polling to underscore that his apology wasnt just to gain an electoral advantage.

Also Read: HistoriCity | What explains the brouhaha over Rupalas statements

Today, one more time, I tender a humble apology, he said.

Rupala, who hails from the Patidar community, landed in a huge political row over his remarks at a small Dalit gathering on March 22. Maharajas had given their daughters to foreign rulers and the British and broke bread with them while us Dalits neither gave up our religion nor made any relations with them, we are the true inheritors of Sanatan dharma, he said.

Also Read: How Rupalas remarks triggered caste-based challenges for BJP in Gujarat

The Rajput community promptly demanded that the BJP drop Rupala as a candidate in the Lok Sabha elections from Rajkot but the party did not back down, angering the Kshatriya-Rajput community.

Rupala said his oratory skills, which were once an asset for the BJP, proved troublesome this time with one comment about the Rajput community. I admit that and take full responsibility. I am human, and to err is human. I apologised immediately, even before Rajputs protested. Later, I apologised before the community, he said.

Also Read: Why is the BJP not afraid of protests by the Rajput community

The BJP leader also praised the Kshatriya community for not blocking voting on May 7. Their yesterdays conduct was highly praiseworthy, and I want to thank the Kshatriya community as they did not create any hurdles in the election process yesterday.

Rajkot recorded 59.6% voting.

Rupala was pitted against Congress leader Paresh Dhanani, who belongs to the powerful Leuva Patidar community for the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday firmly stated that it would not permit the courtroom to become a ground for advancing political arguments, as it heard a suit moved by West Bengal against the central governments directive allowing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct investigations in the state. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta represented the Centre in the matter while senior counsel Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for the Mamata Banerjee government. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

Asserting that the court is concerned only with legal principles and not political manoeuvering, a bench of justices Bhushan R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta asked the counsel for the state as well as the central government to refrain from making political arguments.

We are only deciding legal issues in this matter. We wont permit either of the parties to raise political issues or arguments. We dont want this forum to become a stage for political battles. We will never allow this, stressed the bench even as it reserved its decision on the Centres objection to the maintainability of the states suit.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta represented the Centre in the matter while senior counsel Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for the Mamata Banerjee government.

The second day of the hearing in the suit filed by the state in 2021 commenced with SG Mehta raising objections to Sibals previous statement regarding subsequent involvement of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in cases whenever CBI entered the state. There is a case where 50 crore was recovered from a sitting minister of the state. Perhaps, this is why my learned friend (Sibal) made a political statement about ED on the last date, Mehta contended. The SG was apparently referring to the alleged recovery of 50 crore by ED in 2022 from West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, who was arrested in connection with financial irregularities in teachers recruitment in the state.

While Sibal said that he does not wish to respond to SGs statements, the bench intervened to emphasise the importance of objectivity of the judicial process. We are on a neat question of law...We will hear both sides only on law. We will not permit any political argument in this court.

The West Bengal government, in its suit filed through advocate Astha Sharma, contends that the actions of the central government and the involvement of CBI in state matters are an overreach of power and infringes upon state sovereignty. Filed in August 2021, the states suit underlined that the Trinamool Congress government had in November 2018 withdrawn general consent for CBI to carry out a probe in the territory of the state, and that registration of 12 cases by the central agency despite this was an instance of constitutional overreach by the Centre.

Responding, SG Mehta argued last week that that CBI, which is not listed as a defendant by the state in its suit, operates with a degree of independence, thus questioning the causal connection between the Unions actions and the grievances cited by West Bengal.

CBI is not Union of India nor is controlled by the latter. CBI is an independent legal person and has a separate legal identity outside the Union of India, Mehta argued on May 2, accusing the West Bengal government of suppression of facts and misleading the court and demanding dismissal of the suit for not having a cause of action against the central government when all FIRs were filed by an independent agency .

Rebutting the SGs submissions, Sibal on Wednesday banked on Section 4 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, under which the central government retains superintendence and control over CBI. This includes authority over classifying offences and deciding the geographic areas where the agency can operate.

The source of power for CBI to act is the central government. CBI is only an investigating agency. It is for the Union to specify offences that CBI can investigate as well as the latters jurisdiction and both these subjects are decided by the central government through notifications. How can the central government say it has nothing to do with CBI, Sibal asked.

The senior counsel argued that the DSPE provision clearly demonstrates the Centres overarching control and contradicts its assertion of limited involvement in the agencys deployment in state matters. He added that such control underscores the need for the Centre to respect state boundaries and protocols before permitting CBI interventions in states where consent stands withdrawn.

The act of CBI to enter my jurisdiction is unconstitutional and its at the instance of the central government which controls the agency under Section 4...the issue here is of encroachment of jurisdiction; encroachment of legal rights and questions of federalism, contended Sibal, emphasising the state has a clear cause of action against the Centre.

Responding, Mehta reiterated that CBI cannot be called a police force of the central government and that the latter had no control over functional autonomy of the agency.

To this, the bench asked Mehta a few questions regarding Sections 5 of DSPE Act that authorises the Centre to extend the powers and jurisdiction of CBI to different territories members for the investigation of any offences, and reserved its judgment on the issue of maintainability of the suit.
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the probe into the murder case of Indian National Lok Dals (INLD) Haryana unit president Nafe Singh Rathee and party worker Jai Kishan, officials aware of the matter said. (Representative Photo)

The agency had named seven suspects, including former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Naresh Kaushik and five unknown persons for the attack in its first information report (FIR) filed on May 1 after taking over the probe on the recommendation of the Haryana government.

Rathee, a former MLA was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jhajjars Bahadurgarh on February 25. Kishan, an INLD worker, who was travelling with him in the same vehicle, also died in the attack.

Also Read: Two shooters arrested from Goa for INLD leader Nafe Singh Rathees murder

During the attack, three private gunmen hired by Rathee for security also sustained injuries when the assailants opened fire on the former MLAs SUV.

To be sure, the CBI has re-registered the FIR filed by Haryana Police and will now investigate the matter in depth, said officials mentioned above.

Apart from Kaushik, others named in the FIR include Karambir Rathee, Ramesh Rathee, Satish Rathee, Gaurav Rathee, Rahul and Kamal.

According to the FIR, based on the statement of the surviving driver, Rakesh, a white-coloured car was following their vehicle. Rakesh tried to speed away but had to stop as the Barahi railway crossing was shut.

Suddenly, five assailants came out of the car and shouted that they were teaching them a lesson for their enmity with Satish, Karambir, Ramesh and Naresh and opened fire at them, Rakesh said in his complaint, which is a part of the CBIs FIR.

In early March, two alleged assailants, Ashish and Saurabh, were arrested from Goa in a joint operation by the Haryana Polices Special Task Force, the district police and the Delhi Polices Special Cell.
New Delhi: Bangladeshs plans to dredge and develop its section of the cross-border Teesta River have become a source of contestation between India and China at a time of increased rivalry between the two Asian powers across the neighbourhood. Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration project (Representative Photo)

Beijing has been eyeing Dhakas planned Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration project, with an estimated cost of $1 billion, for the past few years and has submitted a formal proposal for implementing the project. The Indian side too, has evinced interest in carrying out the work, given the importance of the cross-border river.

Moves by India and China have picked up pace following the re-election of Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina as Bangladeshs premier in January, people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity. The Bangladesh government is yet to take a call on who will implement the massive project or when work on it will begin.

Asked about interest shown by both India and China in the Teesta project during an event at Ananta Centre on April 30, Bangladesh high commissioner Mustafizur Rahman said Dhaka is yet to receive a formal proposal from New Delhi.

I am aware of the Chinese proposal, I dont know officially about the Indian proposal. Once it is placed and proposed, then I am sure that the concerned authorities [in Bangladesh] will look into it and see the viability and other aspects of that, Rahman said without going into details.

The people cited above said while the Indian side has not submitted a formal proposal, the matter has been taken up with Bangladesh, both formally and informally, at several meetings. We would definitely not like this project to be given to China given the strategic and security implications, one of the people mentioned above said.

Most such big-ticket projects awarded to China are implemented by state-run firms and India has concerns about the possibility of water flow data and other crucial information being scooped up by the Chinese side. The site of the proposed Teesta project in Bangladesh will also allow Chinese personnel to establish a presence near the Siliguri Corridor or so-called chickens neck, the narrow strip of land that links the rest of India with the strategic northeastern region.

Indias concerns in this regard have been conveyed to the Bangladesh side, the people said. The Indian side has also kept a wary eye on efforts by Chinese diplomats to pressure Bangladesh on the Teesta project.

Also Read: Resetting India-China ties in an era of tensions

Last December, Chinas envoy to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, caused a stir by announcing that Beijing has received several proposals for developing the Teesta basin.

In October 2022, Yaos predecessor, Li Jiming, visited the Teesta barrage in Lalmonirhat district and said Chinese engineers were exploring the possibility of dredging the river and studying conditions to set a timeframe for the project.

Bangladeshs foreign ministry spokesperson responded to Yaos remarks by saying that Dhaka will take into cognisance the geopolitical issues before deciding on the Teesta project.

During a visit to New Delhi last year, Prime Minister Hasina told reporters that Bangladesh is not required to consult the Indian side for any works on its section of the Teesta, one of the 54 cross-border rivers shared by the two countries. It is also the only river on which the two sides have not been able to reach a water-sharing agreement.

India and Bangladesh were set to ink a pact on sharing Teesta waters in 2011, but it had to be put off due to opposition from West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Under Indias Constitution, the concurrence of state governments is mandatory for agreements on sharing waters of cross-border rivers. Banerjee contended the treaty would leave parts of West Bengal dry.

Bangladesh, the biggest beneficiary of Indias Neighbourhood First policy through connectivity initiatives that have resulted in the creation of energy pipelines and road and rail links, has struck a cautious balance in accepting development aid from India and China.

Japan, Indias partners in the Quad, has closely aligned its development efforts in Indias northeastern states and Bangladesh with an eye on China. Japan has extended loans worth $1.2 billion to Bangladesh for building the Matarbari deep seaport in Coxs Bazar district with an eye to creating a new industrial value chain that will benefit the northeastern states.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has launched an attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government, criticising its decision to appoint a non-Hindu individual as a member of the Avimukteswara Brahmarathotsav Samiti, a government-run religious organisation, in Hoskote town of Bengaluru Rural district. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah with deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar (PTI)

The move has sparked outrage within the BJP ranks, with MLA Sarath Bachegowda initially requesting the formation of a committee to oversee the developmental initiatives for the Avimukteswara Brahmarathotsava.

In response to Bachegowdas request, the Hoskote tehsildar appointed 12 members to the committee, among whom a Muslim man identified as Nawaz was included. The selection drew sharp condemnation from the BJP, which has expressed concerns over the perceived encroachment on Hindu religious affairs by non-Hindu entities.

The state BJP unit, on social media platforms criticised the Congress governments decision, highlighting it as yet another instance of what they perceive as an assault on Hindu traditions and beliefs. In an official statement shared on X, the BJP called out the need for vigilance against what they perceive as the Congress agenda to undermine Hindu interests. However, the post was deleted after being called out by the Congress.

Accusing the Congress of pursuing an agenda that allegedly favours specific communities at the expense of Hindu rights, the BJP warned against the potential ramifications of such appointments, suggesting that it could set a precedent for similar actions across the country.

This latest controversy has reignited tensions between the BJP and Congress in Karnataka, with the BJP leveraging the issue to bolster its standing among Hindu voters. Emphasising their commitment to safeguarding Hindu interests, the BJP has issued a stern warning that appointments of non-Hindu individuals to Hindu temples will not be tolerated.

In its reaction, Congress responded, saying, Despite reprimands from the Election Commission and international authorities regarding their dissemination of false and malicious content, it appears that the BJPs propaganda machinery remains unyielding. The appointment of an individual from a different religious background to the Avimukteswara Brahmakalashotsava Samiti in Hoskote is not a departure from tradition but rather a longstanding practice.

In both 2020 and 2022, individuals from minority communities were appointed to the committee, with recommendations coming from BJP MLA MTB Nagaraj, even when the state was under BJP governance. The BJP must address the appointments made during their tenure if they wish to raise concerns about the current situation. The people are the ultimate arbiters, and they will not be swayed by deceptive tactics, the statement concluded.

The party also put out details of a non-Hindu being appointed in 2020 and 2021 as well when the BJP was in power in the state and the recommendation was by a BJP MLA in both instances.

Taking to social media platforms to address this issue, chief minister Siddaramaiah queried, BJP leaders, why do you keep handing us the hammer to hit back at you? He challenged them to stop their dissemination of falsehoods and face the repercussions in society.

The Avimukteswara Swamy Temple in Hoskote epitomizes the Hindu ethos of inclusivity towards all religions. People of diverse faiths participate devoutly and respectfully in every religious event there, he said. He recounted instances where the BJP government, during their reign in 2020 and 2022, appointed individuals from minority communities to the same Brahmarathotsava committee.
Congress leader and Karnataka's deputy chief minister, DK Shivakumar on Wednesday accused HD Kumaraswamy of plotting to circulate thousands of pen drives containing the purported explicit videos of the latter's nephew, Prajwal Revanna. DK Shivakumar has blamed HD Kumaraswamy for the scandal. (ANI file photo)

A day after the JD(S) leader accused him of circulating 25000 pen drives before the Lok Sabha elections, DK Shivakumar called the former Karnataka chief minister the king of blackmailing.

DK Shivakumar said HD Kumaraswamy was the lead, director and producer of the story. He claimed HD Kumaraswamy knew about the pen drives. He said finishing people's political careers and blackmailing others were Kumaraswamy's job.

"Kumaraswamy knows about the pen-drive (containing explicit video clips) matter completely. A lawyer (Devaraje Gowda) and others are speaking. Kumaranna (Kumaraswamy) wants my resignation, it seems there is competition for the Vokkaliga leadership. Let me give resignation, as he wants it," Shivakumar said sarcastically.

Also read: Prajwal Revanna sex videos: HD Kumaraswamy alleges 25000 pen drives plot

"Finishing (politically) one after the other is his (Kumaraswamy) job. Blackmailing, (Kumaraswamy is) king of blackmail...he is threatening everyone, officers, politicians Let him do it, there is time to discuss all this, let's discuss in the Assembly," he added.

Prajwal Revanna is accused of featuring in or recording thousands of sexually explicit videos. The state government has formed an SIT to probe the allegations of sexual abuse against the Hassan MP. The authorities have arrested HD Revanna, Prajwal's father, in connection with the kidnapping of a woman.

On Tuesday, HD Kumaraswamy claimed 25,000 pen drives with videos of women being sexually abused -- allegedly by his nephew -- were circulated across Karnataka ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. He accused chief minister Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar of hatching a conspiracy.

DK Shivakumar pointed out that HD Kumaraswamy had called the SIT -- "Shivakumar Investigation team and Siddaramaiah Investigation Team".

"He is the lead of the story, he is the director, he is the producer, he is everything. We know what he is up to," Shivakumar added.

DK Shivakumar said HD Kumaraswamy was getting these things done by the BJP.

Prajwal Revanna is missing since April 27, when his cook filed a sexual harassment complaint against him and his father. He reportedly fled abroad on a diplomatic passport. The authorities have issued a Blue Corner notice to find out about his whereabouts.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday directed the Telangana government to defer disbursement of funds to farmers under Rythu Bharosa scheme till Lok Sabha polls are held in the state on May 13, while maintaining that chief minister A Revanth Reddy has violated the model code of conduct by publicly referring to the payouts in his elections campaigns. The poll body has further asked the ruling Congress in the state to submit a compliance report on the matter by 5 pm on Tuesday. The poll body has further asked the ruling Congress in the state to submit a compliance report on the matter by 5 pm on Tuesday. (Bloomberg)

Full coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024

Formerly called Rythu Bandhu, the scheme was launched by the then BRS government in May 2018 and later the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government renamed it Rythu Bharosa. Under the scheme, the state government disburses 10,000 per acre per year to each farmer at the rate of 5,000 per season  Kharif and Rabi. In June 2023, the government paid 5,000 per acre to each farmer. However, after ECs notice, balance instalment for rabi season of 2023 will now be disbursed only after May 13.

In a notice sent to the Telangana chief electoral officer, EC said Reddy had violated the model code of conduct by publicly speaking about the ensuing disbursement under the scheme during a roadshow on May 4.

Though, Rythu Bandhu is an ongoing scheme and the disbursement of Rabi season 2023 must have been completed by January 2024 according to past precedents. This decision comes in response to an inexplicable and abnormal delay in the disbursement process which usually happens in the months of November and December, coupled with concerns over attempts to politicise the ongoing scheme during the general elections. Such actions are deemed as attempts to influence voters and disturb the level playing field, the notice said.

In the above premise and clear violation of Model Code of Conduct by Sh. Revanth Reddy, President, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) and Star Campaigner and Chief Minister, the Commission has directed that disbursement of balance instalment under the Rythu Bharosa scheme for Rabi season of 2023 will be affected only after completion of poll in the State of Telangana on 13.05.2024, it added.

According to the notice, ECs direction came a day after one N Venukumar lodged a complaint with the poll body against Reddys remarks at a roadshow.

This decision comes in response to an inexplicable and abnormal delay in the disbursement process which usually happens in the month of November and December, coupled with concerns over attempts to politicise the ongoing scheme during the General Election 2024. Such actions are deemed as attempts to influence voters and disturb the level playing field, an EC official said on the condition of anonymity.

During the assembly elections in November 2023, the EC had similarly withdrawn permission for disbursement under the scheme due to MCC violations by the then Telangana finance minister T Harish Rao (BRS) who also spoke of the impending disbursement at election rallies. At that time, the Congress had complained to the EC about MCC violation by Rao.

Senior Congress leader and Telangana backward classes minister Ponnam Prabhakar accused the BJP of playing dirty politics in preventing the crediting of Rythu Bandhu amount into the accounts of farmers by lodging a complaint with the Election Commission of India.

In a statement, Prabhakar said the Rythu Bandhu was an ongoing scheme under which money was being credited into the accounts of farmers in a phased manner for the last four months.

The state government has taken permission from the EC to pay the money to the farmers who could not get the assistance till now. On Monday itself, an amount of 900 crore was credited into the accounts of some of the farmers. But the BJP leaders have opposed it on flimsy grounds and moved the EC to get the payment stalled, he said, adding that the farmers would teach a fitting lesson to the opposition parties.
New Delhi, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Wednesday said an effective defence-industry ecosystem is taking shape in the country and veterans with their field experience are "ideally suited" for incorporation into indigenous research and manufacturing of technological solutions required by the force. Effective defence-industry ecosystem taking shape in the country: Gen Pande

In his address at the Army Welfare Placement Organisation Summit 2024 held at the Manekshaw Centre here, he said the Army's responsibility towards its veterans remains a "sacred commitment".

The aim of the summit was to bring together different stakeholders on a common platform, to narrow down the gap between enterprise requirements, veteran competencies and the pursuits of AWPO.

"While the demand for skilled and experienced workforce exists at the industry end, at the same time, a human resource pool of veterans with adequate experience and unique skill sets is also available, after they exit from active service each year. The endeavour is to synergise the two as well as strengthen the linkages that can facilitate veteran absorption into not only the industry, but also PSUs and quasi-government organisations," the Army chief said.

He said the veterans with their field experience and insights into operational conditions, logistics of the systems and weapon platforms "are ideally suited for incorporation into indigenous research, development, innovation and manufacturing of technological solutions required by the Indian Army."

They also bring to the table, leadership qualities, a very sound understanding of the human element and can contribute towards ergonomics and user interface design, aspects which are critical to produce user-friendly equipment, Gen Pande said.

He emphasised the invaluable contributions of veterans to the nation's prosperity.

Gen Pande said that services to the nation by the veterans "do not end" when they bid farewell to military life, instead it transitions into "a new chapter" or second innings of commitment to the society and nation building.

The Army chief underscored that the Army has undertaken the process of holistic skill certification, as per the core competency of each individual, in collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

He also mentioned initiatives such as 'Project KAUSHALVEER' that he said help serving personnel in acquiring certification for skill sets as per established industry standards.

Gen Pande praised the 'Veer Naris', who he said also bring with them unparalleled determination and resilience.

He urged the entrepreneurs to integrate them too as part of their initiatives on human capital intake.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Lakshmi Tirupatamma has a ritual. On the first of every month, the 22-year-old grabs a bulging folder from her cupboard and her old workhorse of an Android phone before setting out on a familiar trek of 50 households. In her suburb of Navaluru, a peri-urban sprawl that sits at the edge of Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh, everyone knows everyone. Birthdays and weddings are communal, as is gossip about unmarried men and women seen holding hands over frosted bottles of soft drinks. A volunteer collects data during the caste survey. (HT photo)

Though she is only a high school graduate, Lakshmi is an expert at small-talk, straddling expertly cosmopolitan aspirations and small-town morality like most of the towns 25,000 residents. Its a skill that serves her well, as a volunteer with the village panchayat secretariat office who is entrusted by the state government with a set of tasks  visiting 50 households, identifying beneficiaries of government schemes, facilitating the creation of all requisite identity cards, delivering pensions and ensuring the last-mile delivery of all welfare schemes.

For this, she earns 5,000 a month. But more than that, the volunteers receive instant and universal recognition, an Android mobile phone, a government ID that can open almost every door in rural Andhra Pradesh, and the considerable bragging rights of their government job. For a high-school graduate who had to drop out due to poor finances, it is a godsend.

I was very glad to be employed, Tirupatamma said.

Last November, though, her already full plate threatened to spill over as the state government announced a caste survey  the second full-fledged such exercise after Bihar. In an eight-page letter to all senior government functionaries seen by HT, chief secretary KS Jawahar Reddy laid out the states plan that hinged largely on the 266,000-strong army of quasi government employees such as Tirupatamma who form the backbone of the welfare delivery system in Andhra Pradesh. After two sets of delays, the survey across the state was finally completed in February, putting Andhra Pradesh in a small club of states that have attempted to physically enumerate all castes, a colonial practice that independent India eschewed.

The outward goal of the exercise was straightforward  understand the penetration of welfare schemes among marginalised communities and take corrective action. The caste survey has the potential to reveal the development gaps and disparities in the social and economic opportunities within various castes and can play a crucial role in enabling customised development strategies for the historically marginalised communities, said the letter signed by Reddy.

But also entwined in this were the shifting caste dynamics in the southern state where assembly polls are being held alongside the general elections and where chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is hoping to become the first CM since his father, YS Rajasekhara Reddy, to win a second consecutive term  a feat no one has managed in 15 years. It held some similarities with an identical exercise in Bihar that was carried out for similar overt political purposes, but its fallout has been uncertain, courtesy the starkly different caste dynamics on either side of the Vindhyas.

The politics of Andhra Pradesh has revolved around the dominant Reddy and Kamma communities.

The enumeration

In a pink salwar-kameez, Tirupatamma flicked unruly strands of hair off her face one searing afternoon in February. She was nearing the end of her round when she reached the house of K Nagaraju, already familiar with the family, their three-room house with its pale yellow peeling paint and faux-marble tiles. I come here on the first of each month to hand over the family pension and ration, she said.

This time, though, the exercise was more elaborate, and sensitive. Lakshmi flipped her phone open and logged on to the government app, Citizen Outreach. Lakshmi had to fill in the survey in two stages  the household and the member  with 14 questions each.

The household section sought details such as number of family members, type of house, access to toilets, drinking water and cooking gas, and if the family reared any animals. The member section asked an identical number of questions, including personal details, gender, age, caste, sub caste, religion, ration card number, educational qualification, job and extent of land ownership.

Since I come here regularly, basic details such as name, age, and number of people living in the house were already inputted. However, before proceeding to seek information on the availability of basic facilities and services such as drinking water and toilets, I had to ratify Nagarajus credentials, she said.

But this was not like the other times. Keenly aware of the stakes involved, two officers were peering over her shoulder  the cluster monitoring officer and the taluk or zonal officer  to ensure that the most important question of all (that of caste) was asked and answered without controversy. Yet, as was the case with Bihar, the knowledge of caste is ubiquitous in villages, and the only hesitation is from those lowest on the caste rung.

We all know each other. The volunteers are from our villages. We look forward to their visit on the first of every month. So, for me this process is just another task, Nagaraju said.

By now, the sun was searing overhead, and Lakshmi was tapping away on her screen furiously; she had to double-check if Nagaraju owns chicken or cattle, and the data she uploaded on the app would have to be verified at two stages, before she could break for lunch. And she still had one house left.

The politics

Since it was carved out of the erstwhile Madras state in 1956, the politics of Andhra Pradesh has revolved around the dominant Reddy and Kamma communities, the former backing the Congress (and then switching over to the YSR Congress) and the latter the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which have largely alternated in power. The land-owning Reddys rarely see eye to eye with the Kammas, who are local business magnates.

Nowhere is this more visible than in the rice bowl districts of coastal Andhra such as Guntur. One February afternoon, Venkat Kumar Jasti was quiet and cooperative as he spelt out his land holdings and the number of cows in his goshala. However, just as the mandal parishad development officer Pranavi made her way out of his house, the dam burst. I moved from Visakhapatnam to Eluru three years ago after my father passed away but I havent been given my voter card yet despite requesting the officials quite a few times. Is it because I am a Kamma and the state is ruled by a Reddy? he asked angrily.

Yet, the shifting sands of caste in the bifurcated state  it lost 10 districts and the financial powerhouse of Hyderabad to Telangana in 2014  have made old patterns unreliable, forcing major parties to hunt for new social coalitions. Crucial in this new churning are scheduled castes (SCs) and other backward classes (OBC).

The OBCs were first politically empowered by NT Rama Rao who figured that backward and Kamma vote was the only way to break the dominance of the Reddys who were with the Congress. Even today, a significant number of OBC community leaders are with the TDP. This is the pattern Jagan was trying to break, said Sambaiah Gundimeda, a professor at Krea University.

Caste enumeration was a key node of this strategy. The government kept the sanctioned overhead low  10 crore, compared to Bihars 500 crore  and leveraged its grassroots network of welfare volunteers to enumerate the 723 notified caste categories (Bihar had 215).

On this sensitive question, all four major parties - the YSR Congress, TDP, Jana Sena (which professes to represent the interest of the dominant Kapus) and the BJP  initially backed the caste survey, but the TDP soon raised objections, fearing that the government was using its welfare infrastructure to canvas for votes. Basically, Jagan Reddy wanted to know who will vote for them and who wont, senior TDP leader Pattabhi Ram said.

The battle in Guntur is a straight fight between the TDP, which is in alliance with the Jana Sena and the BJP, and the YSR Congress. (AP Photo)

North vs south

A tussle over the Oppositions promise of a nationwide caste survey is a central theme of the nationwide general elections. Yet, the contours of caste look very different as one crosses from the heartland to the peninsula.

Take the two caste surveys. Bihars exercise was protracted and contested, and stretched over six months and a messy legal battle that spanned the high court and the Supreme Court. The survey was instrumental in upping the caste-based quota to 65% with an eye especially on the extremely backward castes (EBC) and Dalits, two segments chief minister Nitish Kumar has assiduously cultivated to re-ignite Mandal-era consolidations. To be sure, much of the surveys fallout has been negated by Kumars return to the NDA.

In contrast, though, Andhra Pradeshs process ended in two weeks. The results are not out even after three months, and general consensus on the ground is that it will have no major impact on social dynamics. In the beginning, we felt that it might help our community but look at these elections. Only the Reddys and Kammas are calling the shots, said Anand N, a Dalit autorickshaw driver in Guntur town.

In no election rally has CM Reddy talked about the survey as a major achievement of his government. It now seems that the exercise was to sharpen YSR Congresss welfare politics because the CM was looking at a last-minute push to overcome anti-incumbency, said Kiran Kumar Gowd, president of the All India OBC Students Association.

At the root of these differing dynamics is the trajectory of caste politics in south India, which has very little in common to the Mandal churn responsible for widening space for backward castes in the heartland. Erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh, for example, got Indias first Dalit chief minister in Damodaram Sanjivayya in 1960 (north India had to wait till Mayawati in 1995). The first stirrings of OBC politics began in Andhra in the late 1970s and consolidated in 1982 with the formation of the TDP. In two years, the community had tasted power when NT Rama Rao swept the assembly polls. Caste politics in this region is the confluence of diverse factors such as the Naxal movement, caste violence, local resistance movements and land ownership, said Vageeshan Harathi, an assistant professor at NALSAR University in Hyderabad.

One consequence of this complex history is sub-categorisation of backward classes quota  a conversation that is still in nascent stages in the heartland. In Andhra Pradesh, for example, the OBC quota is classified into five groups  A, B, C, D and E  with 7%, 10%, 1%, 7% and 4% respectively. In theory, this means better targeted delivery of quota benefits. But this has also caused a splintering of political power, with backward communities vying against each other for more reservation benefits. In effect, this means that no EBC-type macro mobilisation is possible because caste groups are vying with each other within each bracket.

A second consequence is a very different understanding of what caste and religion mean. Mary Rathnakumari, for instance, classifies herself as SC but is Christian. When the enumerator asked her to produce her Baptism certificate, she said she never got it from the church because she did not want to lose out on quota benefits. There are many like her who straddle both worlds, a staff member of the chief planning officer said, requesting anonymity.

Fierce battle

These three intertwined narratives of caste, welfare and politics come together in the parliamentary constituency of Guntur, among the most fiercely contested seats this time.

Since 1999, when assembly and Lok Sabha elections have coincided in the state, the party or alliance that has done well in the former has also done well in the former, even as this correlation has frayed in other states where voters now make distinct choices based on whether they are voting for the government at the Centre or in the state.

The battle in Guntur is a straight fight between the TDP, which is in alliance with the Jana Sena and the BJP, and the YSR Congress, which is fighting alone. The TDPs sitting MP Jayadev Galla, one of only three party candidates to win in 2019, abruptly declared his retirement months ahead of the polls.

The party has named Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, a medical doctor who is among the richest candidates in the Lok Sabha fray in the state, to defend a seat it won by a wafer-thin margin of 4,200 votes the last time. To add to the partys core vote of Kamma, dominant and peasant castes, the party is talking about its development plan for the state, focussing on Prime Minister Narendra Modis pitch of Viksit Bharat, hoping that economic aspirations in a city that sits close to the states largest commercial hub of Vijayawada will trump caste allegiances. The Kapus, who form around 10% of the state, are a crucial element in this equation.

The YSRCP, on the other hand, has nominated K Venkata Rosaiah, who is the incumbent lawmaker from the Ponnur legislative assembly seat, one of the seven segments that make up the Lok Sabha. The party holds six of these seven assembly constituencies. The party has repeatedly focussed on its welfare architecture  known as navaratnalu or nine stars that include health care, monthly financial support, payments to farmers, pension and housing support  and promised to expand it if it comes back to power. Welfare is a key pitch because Dalits and tribals, many of whom are poor, make up the core of the partys base, alongside the dominant Reddys.

Holding the balance are the 140-odd castes that form the OBC grouping in the state. The CSDS-Lokniti Post-Poll Survey 2019 suggested that backwards were almost evenly split between the two major formations. The YSRCP has underlined its record in setting up 50-plus backward caste corporations while the TDP alliance released a separate backward classes declaration, promising a separate law to protect the community, expanded finances and more quota benefits.

These are all promises that Chaitanya N has heard before. The small tin-roofed shanty that he shares with three other men, all labourers from the hinterland who have migrated to Guntur, comes alive every night as the friends open the cornucopia of videos and clips theyve received on WhatsApp and Instagram. As elections approach, videos of politicians  sometimes dubbed and edited  are slowly squeezing out their usual fare of actors, reels and movie clips. The 23-year-old doesnt have the time to go to a rally, but for the sake of his primary school teacher father, he has made a voter identity card. They keep talking about (Microsoft CEO Satya) Nadella and the IT boom, but here, Id be happy with a permanent municipal job. When the caste survey guys came, they said it was to ensure we could demand what was our due, he said. But we have since heard nothing, only promises of more doles. Where are our jobs?

In that respect, at least, the north and south seem united.

This is the 20th in a series of election reports from the field that look at national and local issues through an electoral lens.
A video showing people chanting "Jai Shree Ram" and "Modi, Modi" slogans as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appears to be coming out of a temple is going viral as a recent incident. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi can be seen coming out of a temple.

What have users said?: Sharing the video, social media users have said, Pappu became Brahmin again after filing nominations today and went to Ayodhya! People welcomed him with Jai Shree Ram and Modi Modi chants.

At the time of writing this report, the post had garnered over 21 thousand views on the platform.

Archives of similar claims can be viewed here, here, and here.

What is the truth?: Neither is this video recent nor is it from Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya.

It could be traced back to February of this year and reportedly shows people raising slogans during Gandhi's visit to Baba Baidyanath Dham temple in Jharkhand's Deoghar.

How did we find out?: We performed a Google Lens search on the keyframes of the video and found the same visuals shared on the official X handle of BJP leader Nishikant Dubey.

The video was published on February 3 with a caption in Hindi which translated to, Against the politics of Muslim appeasement, my Godda Lok Sabha is only full of the Prime Minister i.e. Modi. Here, the devotees respect Modi ji, like you, Rahul Gandhi ji, the vote of the devotee is a boycott, not an insult.

News reports: We found a video report published on the official YouTube channel of ANI News.

-It was titled, "Crowd raises 'Modi, Modi' chants as Rahul Gandhi visits Baba Baidyanath Dham in Jharkhand" and was published on February 3.

-The report mentioned that Congress' 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' had entered Jharkhand, where Gandhi visited the temple to offer prayers.

-It said that the crowd was first seen chanting 'Rahul Gandhi Zindabad', however it soon turned into pro-Modi slogans.

Conclusion: It is evident that the video is old and is being falsely shared as Gandhi recently visited Ayodhya after filing his nomination for Lok Sabha Elections.

Disclaimer: This story was originally published by The Quint, and republished by HT Digital as part of the Shakti Collective.
Among thousands of flyers who were hit by the sudden cancellations of the Air India Express flights on Wednesday was J&K former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who said Air India should be shut and nothing will come out of it because its culture is bad. The stinging comment came from a former civil aviation minister who said he never travelled by Air India. "When I was the civil aviation minister, Air India pilots called for a strike for 40 days. Then we brought the private airlines. But they (Air India) learnt no lesson," Ghulam Nabi Azad said. Ghulam Nabi Azad was stuck in New Delhi for hours on Wednesday morning as his Delhi-Srinagar Air India Express flight was cancelled. (PTI)

Air India Express is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India.

The J&K politician's Delhi-Srinagar flight was cancelled on Wednesday morning following which he took an IndiGo flight after waiting 3-4 hours in Delhi. "If the flights have been cancelled, they should have informed us in the morning itself. Why fool the passengers? So many people are being harassed," Azad said.

Air India Express had to cancel nearly 90 flights since Tuesday night as a section of cabin crew members called in sick  in a protest against the alleged mismanagement at the airline. As passengers grappled at the last minute to arrange alternative flights to reach their destination, the civil aviation ministry called for a report from Air India Express regarding the cancellations.

Air India Express apologised for the flight disruption and said the airline was engaging with the cabin crew members to find the reasons for reporting sick. The airline said it will offer a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date.

The protest of the cabin crew came after the process to merge Air India Express with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia) started. Last month, a union representing a section of the Air India Express cabin crew alleged that the airline was being mismanaged and there was a lack of equality in the treatment of the staff.
Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly said Ottawa continues to stand by the allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar despite no evidence that shows New Delhi's involvement, even as three Indian nationals accused of killing the India-designated terrorist appeared before a Canadian court through video on Tuesday for the first time. Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh and Karanpreet Singh, the three Indians charged with first-degree murder in relation to the killing of Khalistanin separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, are seen in a combination of photographs released by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). (REUTERS)

Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals residing in Edmonton, were arrested and charged on Friday last week with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Speaking to reporters, Melanie Joly said the investigation into the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar is being conducted by Royal Canadian Mounted Police. She added that Canada will continue to protect its citizens, CPAC reported.

Also Read | Canadian minister responds to Jaishankar's criticism: Let him speak his mind



Canada's position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents. Now, the investigation by the RCMP is being done, Melanie Joly said.

Her statement comes after Canadian Police announced the arrest of the three accused. However, Canadian Police personnel have also not given any evidence of any link to India as was being speculated in Canadian media.

Members of the Sikh Community from British Columbia crowded a Surrey courtroom on Tuesday as three Indian nationals accused of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing made their first court appearance by video, according to Globe and Mail, a Canada-based news website.

Also Read | Hardeep Nijjar's killing: US says India should take it 'seriously and probe'

As the trio, dressed in orange jumpsuits, appeared before court, pro-Khalistani protesters chanted slogans and held placards, outside the Surrey provincial court, blaming India's government for the killing.

Judge Delaram Jahani questioned the three suspects, Karan Brar, Karanpreet Singh, and Kamalpreet Singh, in brief. Through their attorneys, Brar and Karanpreet Singh decided to appear again on May 21. The court, however, is yet to decide on a new date for Kamalpreet Singh who has sought legal counsel, the Globe and Mail reported.

Each of them appeared separately from North Fraser Pretrial Centre.

Also Read | Violent imagery: India protests Khalistan float at Canadas Khalsa Day parade

All three agreed to have the proceedings heard in English and each of them nodded that they understood the charges of first-degree murder and conspiring to murder Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The court granted the Crown prosecutors request for a no-contact order naming seven people under a Canada Criminal Code section that bans the accused from communicating directly or indirectly with any of them.

Those named on the order are Nijjars son Balraj Nijjar, 21, and Harjinder Nijjar, Mehtab Nijjar, Sarandeep Sehaj, Harsimranjeet Singh, Arshdeep Kapoor and Malkit Singh, the report added.

If found not guilty, they could still be deported, according to a Supreme Court of Canada ruling in September in which the nine judges unanimously ruled that a foreign national could be deemed inadmissible to Canada on security grounds under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of being a danger to the security of Canada, according to Canadian Lawyer Magazine, the Vancouver Sun report said.

Hundreds of local Khalistan supporters showed up at the courthouse. A separate overflow room inside the courthouse was opened to accommodate an additional 50 people who wanted to witness the hearing. Another 100 or so people outside the courthouse waved Khalistan flags and carried posters supporting Sikh separatism.

Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023.

India had on Thursday rejected fresh comments by Prime Minister Justin 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.

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Trudeau's allegations in September last year of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of 45-year-old Nijjar. India has dismissed Trudeau's charges as "absurd" and "motivated."
Seven people, including a four-year-old child, were killed after a wall of an under-construction apartment collapsed amid incessant rainfall in Hyderabad's Bachupally area on Tuesday evening. Hyderabad: Vehicles move on a flooded road following heavy rain, in Hyderabad, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (PTI Photo)(PTI05_07_2024_000563B)(PTI)

According to the police, the deceased were migrant workers belonging to Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The victims' bodies were recovered on Wednesday morning from under the debris, the police, reported news agency PTI.

Several parts of Telangana have been witnessing heavy rainfall since Tuesday, causing waterlogging and traffic across the state. According to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation officials, the Disaster Relief Force (DRF) teams were deployed in the city to help clear water stagnation and fallen trees.

On Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert in Telangana, indicating moderate to light rainfall in the state.

Also read: Heavy rain triggers waterlogging and traffic chaos in Bengaluru

Isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm & lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) very likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Rayalaseema, Telangana and Karnataka during next five days, the weather department wrote in its bulletin on Tuesday.

It added, scattered to fairly widespread rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) over Kerala and Mahe during 07th  12th May, 2024.

Heatwave in India

A scorching heatwave has gripped several parts of India for the last several weeks. According to the IMD, heatwave conditions are likely to prevail over Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh from May 8 to May 10, however, it will start to abate in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, and Karnataka starting Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Rajasthan recorded a scorching heat of 45.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 44.8 degrees Celsius. Delhi also recorded a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius - the highest maximum temperature so far this summer season, the IMD said. The previous hottest day in the national capital was recorded on May 6, with a maximum temperature of 41.1 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the month of April witnessed record-smashing maximum temperatures in east, northeast and south peninsular India, prompting health warnings from government agencies. Some states also suspended in-person classes in schools and urged for work from home for government employees.

(With inputs from agencies)
How many of you have got free ration given by Prime Minister Modi ji? Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Partys Amethi candidate Smriti Irani asks a small crowd in Khairahni Pahargarh village. Several women raise their hands. Irani repeats the question for Covid vaccines. More hands are raised this time. Union minister Smriti Irani. (PTI)

Price of each vaccine is 600. For a family of four people, could you spend 4,800 on vaccines? If PM Modi had not given free vaccines, would poor people have survived? Irani asks the crowd who listens to her with rapt attention.

Full coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024

The welfare pitch, however, comes with frequent barbs for laapata saansad (missing MP), an oblique reference to Rahul Gandhi, who is the candidate for the Congress from Raebareli this time.

After Iranis biggest electoral achievementdefeating Gandhi, who was then the Congress president, from the Gandhi familys bastion of Amethi in 2019now comes an easier but less spectacular electoral proposition: she is pitted against the familys local manager, Kishori Lal Sharma.

There might be far fewer posters and banners of Sharma on the walls, but his strength comes from working in this seat since the 1980s. All Congress leaders know Sharma. He is one of us, said party worker Rajesh Tiwari outside the Congress office on Amethi-Durgapur Road.

Opinion is divided about Sharma at a sugarcane juice shop. Sharma is a good candidate as he knows the place like the palm of his hand, said Vaibhav Gupta, a local merchant. But another area resident, Randhir Singh, a farmer, argued, Priyanka (Gandhi Vadra) didi is not fighting the election. Sharma might be popular among the Congress leaders, but no one knows him in the villages.

Also Read | Smriti Irani targets Rahul Gandhi over Pak leader's post: Chunaav desh mein, samarthan videsh mein

With less than a fortnight left for the polling on May 20, Sharmas campaign received a boost on Monday when Gandhi Vadra arrived in Uttar Pradesh to campaign for the party in Amethi and Raebareli. She will camp in that area till May 18, a Congress leader said, declining to be named. On the day of the nomination, Gandhi Vadra held a roadshow with Sharma, lending support to the old family loyalist.

Gandhi Vadra, who hit the campaign trail in Amethi and Rae Bareli, announced, Till May 18, 5 pm, when the EC (election commission) will ask me to leave, I am not going anywhere. We will tour the constituencies throughout the day. In the evening, I will hold meetings with party workers to discuss their issues.

In his campaign, Sharma harps on his long association with Amethi. I am here for 40 years. It is 40 vs 10 (years of Smriti Irani in Amethi), Sharma told ANI news agency, Those who have joined politics recently dont know that I came here in 1983 through the Indian Youth Congress.

But for Irani and local BJP workers in Amethi, the feverish poll campaign is still centred around an Irani vs Gandhi narrative. She makes it a point to repeat how Rahul Gandhi has run away to Raebareli after the 2019 defeat and underlines how the Congress refused to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

How many of you got the prasad of Ram Lala? Did any of you refuse to take the prasad? When the Congress, however, was invited for the consecration of Ram mandir, they refused to attend. Jo sacche man se Ram ka nehi, humare kisi kaam ka nehi (whoever is not with Ram, is not with us), said Irani.

At Miyapur, the women and child development minister, who underlines she has a house in Amethi, also narrates the work undertaken during her tenure. Hundreds of colonies have been constructed, 1.14 lakh awas (houses under PMAY) and 4 lakh toilets have been constructed in this constituency, 3.5 lakh houses have water supply. 1.5 lakh families got power and 2 lakh women got gas connection, she pointed out.

Sharmas campaign, two Congress strategists said, is more localized and based on his personal equation with party workers. We have not given a walkover to Irani in Amethi, a strategist said, countering an oft-heard sentiment among analysts and commentators. Sharma will give Irani a run for her money.
Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leader and former deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala on Wednesday promised support to bring down the government in Haryana if former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda thinks it needs to be done. He asked Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini to either prove his majority or resign on moral grounds since his government has been reduced to a minority. JJP leader Dushyant Chautala. (X)

JJP withdrew support to the then Manohar Lal Khattar government in March, prompting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to appoint Saini as the chief minister.

Hooda said a Congress delegation will meet Haryana governor Bandaru Dattatreya seeking a vote of no confidence if JJP gives in writing that it will not support BJP in the assembly. If the JJP is not the B team of the ruling BJP, then they should write to the governor immediately, said Hooda.

Hooda said the government is now in a minority while reiterating his demand for the imposition of the Presidents rule. The Presidents rule should be imposed in the state and an election should be held, he said in response to a question whether the Congress would ally with JJP to form the government.

Saini won the trust vote on March 13 a day after being appointed. The maximum period between two sessions of the assembly cannot exceed six months. This means that the governor will have to summon the House before September 13. Saini could face a floor test just weeks before assembly elections are scheduled in the state.

If the BJP wins the assembly by-election on May 25, then the government will have a majority of one in the 90-member House even as another independent was expected to join the dissidents.

The BJP government in Haryana tottered on the brink of collapse after independent lawmakers Randhir Golan, Dharmpal Gonder, and Sombir Singh Sangwan said they would back Hooda and have written to Dattatreya withdrawing their support from the Saini government. The three said they would campaign for the opposition Congress in the ongoing national elections.

All 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state will go to the polls on May 25 while the assembly elections are due in October-November this year.

Two seats in the 90-member assembly are vacant. Of them, Karnal is going for by-elections on May 25. The BJP has 40 members and the support of two independents and Gopal Kanda of the Haryana Lokhit Party. That takes its strength to 43, two short of the majority mark of 45.

The Congress has 30 lawmakers, the JJP 10, and the Indian National Lok Dal one. One independent legislator has not made his position clear. If they all oppose the government, there will be 45 votes against the state government.

On Tuesday, JJP leader Digvijay Singh Chautala asked Hooda to meet the governor. Now, we are in Opposition and the JJP will work to topple this government. Hooda should talk to JJP and independents and stake claim to form the new government, he added.

Family members of JJP legislators Ram Karan Kala and Ishwar Singh have joined the Congress while a third, Jogi Ram Sihag, has announced that he would campaign for the BJP. If the JJP abstains, it will help the ruling party.
A video journalist working with a Malayalam television news channel was killed in a wild elephant attack while filming a herd crossing a river in Kottekkad area in Keralas Palakkad district early Wednesday. AV Mukesh. (File)

The deceased was identified as AV Mukesh (34) who worked as a cameraman in the Palakkad bureau of Mathrubhumi News.

According to the TV network, Mukesh was rushed to the Palakkad district hospital after sustaining injuries in the tusker attack, but he could not be saved.

He was a native of Parappanangadi in Malappuram district and is survived by his wife Tisha.

Before his stint in Palakkad, Mukesh also worked in the Delhi bureau of the TV channel, it said.

Kerala forest minister AK Saseendran paid condolences to Mukeshs family and termed his death extremely saddening.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan, ministers M B Rajesh, Saji Cheriyan and others also condoled the demise of the video journalist.
Lok Sabha Election 2024 Highlights: A voter turnout of 64.4 percent was recorded across 11 states and union territories in Phase 3 of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the country, with northeastern state of Assam leading in voter turnout. Voting took place in 93 constituencies on Tuesday, with the fate of over 1300 candidates in fray. There were next to no reports of violence during the third phase of the general elections in India. The third phase of voting witnessed a 2.9 percent dip in voter turnout, as compared to that of the 2019 general elections in the country. ...Read More

The highest voter turnout of 81.61 per cent was recorded in Assam where four constituencies went to the polls in this phase and the lowest, 57.34 per cent, was recorded in Uttar Pradesh, where 10 constituencies went to the polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among the first voters of the day on Tuesday, casting their votes in Ahmedabad. After casting his vote, PM Modi urged all the voters to boost the turnout in this election, asking them to make these polls more vibrant.

After the third phase of the Lok Sabha polls, the fate of 283 out of the total 543 seats in the lower house of the Parliament is sealed. The fourth phase of the election will take place on May 13, where 10 states will cast their votes.
West Bengal chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are paying money to people to buy votes. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee addresses a public meeting for Lok Sabha elections in Durgapur.(PTI)

Speaking at an election rally at Arambagh in support of Trinamool Congress candidate Mitali Bagh, Mamata Banerjee alleged that the saffron party is paying between 5,000 to 15,000 to people to purchase their votes. Follow full coverage of the Lok Sabha elections here.

"The BJP leaders at present are former CPI(M) 'harmads' (anti-socials). If you don't want a reign of terror to usher in, then refrain from voting for the BJP", Banerjee was quoted as saying by PTI.

She also said that the ongoing Lok Sabha elections are meant to change the power equation in Delhi. "This power equation in Delhi has to be altered and change has to be brought in", she said.

Further criticising the BJP, Mamata said the saffron party is in the habit of "defaming" the people of Bengal. "See how they have dishonoured the women of Sandeshkhali by paying money to make false rape allegations", she alleged.

Training guns at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said that the prime minister is resorting to lies from morning till night.

Also Read | Mamata Banerjee reaches out to Muslims in Malda LS seats that TMC never won

"The BJP will drive away people using CAA and NRC. Minorities, advasis and OBCs will face existential crisis if Modi comes to power again", she said.

In March, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government implemented the CAA, which makes it easier for non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan  who entered India before December 31  to get Indian citizenship. The development came four years after Parliament passed the law in December 2019.

The notification of the Act triggered criticism from Opposition leaders, who claimed that the notified rules were unconstitutional, discriminatory and violative of the secular principle of citizenship enshrined in the Constitution.
Voting in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections concluded on Tuesday across 93 Lok Sabha constituencies covering 10 states and two Union territories. According to the Election Commission data, the third phase recorded a voter turnout of 64.4 per cent - the lowest compared to the first two phases (66.14 per cent and 66.71 per cent respectively). While Assam recorded the highest voter turnout, Uttar Pradesh witnessed the lowest. India General Elections 2024: A finger of a voter is marked with indelible ink after casting a ballot at a polling station during the third phase of voting for national elections.(Prakash Singh/Bloomberg)

The Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases - with the first three phases concluded on April 19, April 26, and May 7. The fourth phase will be held on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1. The result for all the Lok Sabha seats will be declared on June 4.

Here are the key takeaways from the Phase 3 of the Lok Sabha polling:

According to the Election Commission data updated on Tuesday night, Assam, in the third phase of voting for the Lok Sabha election, recorded a voter turnout of 81.61 per cent, followed by West Bengal at 75.79 per cent, Goa at 75.20 per cent, Chhattisgarh at 71.06 per cent, Karnataka at 70.41 per cent, Maharashtra at 66.05 per cent, Madhya Pradesh at 66.05 per cent, Gujarat at 58.98 per cent, Bihar at 58.18 per cent, and the lowest in Uttar Pradesh at 57.34 per cent. The Election Commission, in a statement, said that the third phase of polling was held smoothly and peacefully in all states and union territories, including in the naxal-affected areas in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The EC ordered re-polling at a polling booth in Rajasthan's Barmer on Wednesday due to a breach of vote confidentiality. Four members of the polling party have also been suspended in this case. According to the EC, at least 75 international delegates from 23 countries visited several polling stations in six states during the polling process. The delegates witnessed the process of dispatching polling materials and machines to the polling teams and were appreciative of the magnitude, transparency and, most importantly, the festive mood of voters, the EC said, reported PTI. A total of 1,331 candidates, including 120 women, were in the electoral fray in the third phase. Some of the key candidates included bigwigs such as union ministers Amit Shah, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Mansukh Mandaviya, Parshottam Rupala, Pralhad Joshi, and SP Singh Baghel. Former Madhya Pradesh chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Digvijaya Singh also contested the election in Madhya Pradesh, while several members of Mulayam Singh Yadav's family also contested in Uttar Pradesh. Several officials across the country came up with innovative bids to entice voters and urge them to exercise their franchise. The Shimoga Zilla Panchayat in Karnataka had a polling booth with majestic thrones reserved for voters. At the same time, proprietors of an ice cream shop in the Hubbali city of Dharwad offered ice creams free of charge to voters. Meanwhile, food shops in Madhya Pradesh's Indore offered free poha, jalebis, and ice cream to those who cast their votes in the early hours of polling. In Maharashtra, several food establishments offered discounts to customers with ink marks on their fingers.

(With inputs from PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday counterattacked Rahul Gandhi over the latter's crony capitalism charge, wondering why the Congress leader had stopped abusing industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani since the Lok Sabha elections were declared. "What deal has been made?" asked PM Modi, addressing a rally in Telangana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election campaign rally in Karimnagar.(PTI)

"Shehzada of Congress (Rahul Gandhi) have been saying the same thing for last 5 years. After his Rafale charge grounded, he started taking Ambani-Adani's name. But since the elections were declared, he has stopped abusing Ambani and Adani. I want to ask him how much money he has got? What deal has been made? There is something wrong. You will have to answer to people," PM Modi said.

Rahul Gandhi accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government of favouring industrialists' interests over those from the marginalized sections of the society.

PM Modi further said that after the third phase of the elections, the "third fuse of the Congress and INDI alliance has blown up".

He said the BJP-led NDA was moving towards victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

PM Modi accused the Congress of destroying India's capability.

"You tell me the Congress destroyed the country's economy or not? Agriculture and textile sectors were India's strength since ages, Congress destroyed them too. Congress is the mother of all problems in the country," he said.

PM Modi said the Congress and the BRS gave Hyderabad on lease to Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM.

Also read: Sam Pitroda row: PM Modi says India won't tolerate disrespect on basis of skin colour

"If someone has challenged the AIMIM for the first time, it's BJP. More than AIMIM, it's Congress & BRS who are rattled by the challenge from the BJP. Both are helping AIMIM to win in Hyderabad," he added.

Taking a veiled dig at Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy, he alleged there were about 'double R' tax "from Telangana to Delhi".

"From Telangana to Delhi, there is a lot of discussion about 'double R' (RR) tax. A film named 'RRR' was released a few days back in the Telugu language, someone told me that 'RR' has left behind 'RRR' in the collection. It is reported that 'RRR' has a lifetime collection of over 1000 crore, but this much money is just a few days collection of 'RR' tax," he added.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday dared Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin to break ties with the Congress over Sam Pitroda's remark that "people in the South look like Africans". Prime Minister Narendra Modi(PTI file photo)

Sam Pitroda, in a controversial remark, also said that those from the North East resemble the Chinese.

"A close aide of Congress and biggest adviser of 'Prince' (Rahul Gandhi), what he said is very shameful. Congress feels that people of Northeast look like Chinese. Can a country accept such things? Congress feels that the people of South India look like Africans. I want to ask the Congress chief ministers of Karnataka and Telangana, can they accept such opinions?" he said at an election rally.

PM Modi said MK Stalin often talks about Tamil Nadu culture but didn't have the guts to break ties with the Congress for Tamil self-respect.

"I want to ask the Tamil Nadu CM who keeps talking about Tamil Nadu culture, such a big allegation has been made, will DMK break alliance with Congress for the self-respect of Tamil, does he have the guts for that?... Congress feels people of the West look like Arabs, I want to ask the 'fake Shiv Sena chief', remember about Balasaheb Thackeray...will Maharashtra people accept it?...Congress is now making racist statements," he added.

What did Sam Pitroda said?

In a podcast, Sam Pitroda, the chairman of India Overseas Congress, used the analogy of different skin colours to highlight India's unity in diversity.

"We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside a few fights here and there. We could hold the country as diverse as India together. Where people in the east look like the Chinese, people in the west look like the Arabs, people in the north look like, maybe, white and people in the south look like Africans. It does not matter. All of us are brothers and sisters. We respect different languages, different religions, different customs, different food," he said.

Congress reaction to Sam Pitroda's remark

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh called the remark unfortunate and unacceptable. He said his party "completely dissociates itself" from the remark.

BJP's reaction

Union minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar said Sam Pitroda was explaining Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi's idea of India.

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said Sam Pitroda was ignorant about India's fundamental identity.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she is from South India and she looks Indian.

"I am from South India. I look Indian! My team has enthusiastic members from northeast India. They look Indian! My colleagues from west India look Indian! But, for the racist who is the mentor of Rahul Gandhi we all look African, Chinese, Arab and the White! Thanks for revealing your mindset and your attitude. INDI alliance's shame!" she wrote on X.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
New Delhi, The National Archives of India has acquired the private paper collection of former Union minister Rafi Ahmad Kidwai, comprising his original correspondences with several eminent leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhai Patel, officials said on Wednesday. National Archives acquires private paper collection of Rafi Ahmad Kidwai

These papers were handed over to Director General, NAI, by Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, additional secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in the presence of Tazeen Kidwai, daughter of the late Hussain Kamil Kidwai, youngest brother Rafi Ahmad Kidwai and Sarah Manaal Kidwai, the Culture Ministry said in a statement.

National Archives is the custodian of the non-current records of the Government of India and holds them in trust for the use of administrators and researchers as per the provision of Public Record Act 1993.

As a premier archival institution, the NAI plays a key role in guiding and shaping archival consciousness. Apart from the vast collection of public records, it has a rich and ever-growing collection of private papers of eminent Indians from all walks of life, who have made significant contributions to the country.

The NAI has acquired the private paper collection of Rafi Ahmad Kidwai, comprising his original correspondences with other eminent leaders like Nehru, Patel, Syama Prasad Mookerjee and P D Tandon, it said.

Kidwai was a man of vivacity, brilliance and charm who is known for his ceaseless efforts towards independence of the country and for refuting communalism and superstitions of every type, the statement said.

Born on February 18, 1894, in Masauli, Uttar Pradesh, he hailed from a middle-class zamindar family. His political journey began in 1920 with his involvement in the Khilafat Movement and the Non-Cooperation Movement, leading to imprisonment.

Kidwai served as the private secretary to Motilal Nehru, pre-independence Congress leader and Jawaharlal Nehru's father, and later held significant positions in the Congress Legislative Assembly and the United Provinces Congress Committee, it added.

His political acumen led him to become a minister in Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant's cabinet, where he managed revenue and jail portfolios.

Post-independence, he served as India's first minister for communications in Nehru's cabinet, launching initiatives like the "own your telephone" service and night air mail. In 1952, he took charge of the food and agriculture portfolio, successfully tackling food rationing challenges with his administrative skills, the statement said.

Kidwai's dedication to liberal India and strengthening the nation remained unwavering throughout his political career. His contributions were recognised with the creation of the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in 1956, the ministry said.

Kidwai's tenure as communication minister earned him a reputation for innovation and effectiveness, while his leadership in the food ministry was hailed as a triumph over adversity, earning him the moniker of a 'magician and a miracle man', it added.

He embodied action and dedication in his pursuit of Indian independence and later in his administrative roles, the statement said. His ability to swiftly address crises and implement innovative solutions highlights his remarkable leadership qualities, it said.

His contributions to various sectors, from communications to agriculture, left a lasting impact on the nation's development and his legacy as a committed freedom fighter and a skilled administrator continues to inspire generations, it added.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Days after terrorists targeted a convoy of Indian Air Force (IAF) vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, an eyewitness to the May 4 attack has shared details of what went down during the attack. A damaged IAF truck in Poonch on Saturday. (ANI)

While one IAF personnel, Corporal Vikky Pahade, succumbed to his injuries, five of his colleagues are undergoing treatment.

The gunfight between the security forces and terrorists continues for around 20 minutes. My children started cryingI later came to know that a few of our soldiers were injured and one of them later succumbed to his injuries, a local from Poonch's Jaran Wali Gali, who identified himself only as Asgar, told ANI.

Asgar stated that it would not be possible for him to say exactly how many terrorists were there, attributing this to dense foliage.

It was the first such encounter in the area. I fear for my children's safety. Now, vehicles ferrying essential supplies to this remote area have stopped coming, giving us more worries over our daily supplies. The forces are still carrying out searches everywhere for the terrorists. I pray that God gives better sense to people who believe in such senseless violence, he further said.

"The officer who lost his life'

Asgar, the eyewitness, paid tribute to Corporal Pahade, saying that the latter too, was someone's husband, brother, and son.

The Air Force personnel often stop to catch up with my children and give them toffees. May the wrath of God befall those who orchestrated this attack, he said.

The Corporal's last rites were performed on Monday in his hometown, Chhindwara, in Madhya Pradesh, with full military honours.

The army has, meanwhile, released sketches of the two Pakistani terrorists suspected to be involved in last Saturday's ambush.
The Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) said on Wednesday that it will vote against the embattled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana in a no-confidence motion, adding to the churn in the northern state that was gripped by a political crisis a day ago when three independent lawmakers withdrew support. The crisis began on Tuesday after three independent lawmakers  Randhir Golan from Pundri, Dharmpal Gonder from Nilokheri and Sombir Singh Sangwan from Dadri  said they had decided to back Hooda of the Congress. (ANI)

The offer by the JJP, a former BJP ally which abruptly pulled out of the government in March, prompted the Congress to ask for an assurance in writing even as chief minister Nayab Singh Saini asserted that his government was safe.

Former deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala said that the JJP, which has 10 lawmakers, will cast its votes against the BJP if a no-confidence motion is moved.

In two months time, Nayab Saini has emerged as a weak chief minister and five MLAs have been reduced from BJPs tally. Either the chief minister proves his majority or submit his resignation. We will meet the governor and urge him to direct Nayab Singh Saini to prove his majority, he added.

Now, Congress has to think whether they will take a step to bring down the BJP government, Chautala said.

Former chief minister and leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the JJP was working as the BJPs B team and, therefore, Chautala should write to the governor and say they will oppose the BJP government, if a non-confidence motion is moved.

The BJP government is in minority and 45 MLAs are presently against this government, Hooda said in Rohtak.

For his part, Saini  who took oath as chief minister in March, replacing his mentor Manohar Lal Khattar  asserted that his government was safe.

The government is not in any trouble, it is working strongly, Saini told reporters in Sirsa.

The Congress knows that it cannot fulfil the aspirations of people and misleads them. It tries to create a state of confusion that the (state) government is in minority. The government is in no trouble and it is functioning strongly, he added.

The latest chapter of the crisis that sparked off in March began on Tuesday after three independent lawmakers  Randhir Golan from Pundri, Dharmpal Gonder from Nilokheri and Sombir Singh Sangwan from Dadri  said they had decided to back Hooda of the Congress and written to governor Bandaru Dattatreya pulling their support from the Saini government.

We are withdrawing support to the government. We are extending our support to the Congress, Gonder said.

Assembly elections are scheduled in the state in October-November this year. All 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state go to the polls on May 25.

In the 90-member assembly, two seats are vacant, of which Karnal is going for by-elections on May 25.

The BJP has 40 members, and has the support of two independents  Nayan Pal Rawat from Prithla and Rakesh Daulatabad from Badshahpur  and Gopal Kanda of the Haryana Lokhit Party. That takes it to 43, two short of the majority mark of 45 in the assembly that currently has a strength of 88.

The Congress has 30 lawmakers, the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) has 10, and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has one. In addition, one independent legislator  Balraj Kundu from Meham  has not made his position clear.

If they all oppose the government, there will be 45 votes against the state government.

INLDs lone lawmaker Abhay Singh Chautala said that either the government should prove it had a majority or else governors rule should be imposed.

In the middle of the uncertainty, all eyes are on the governor.

Through a series of judgments, including the Constitution bench rulings in SR Bommai (1994), Nebam Rebia (2016) and Subhash Desai (Maharashtra political crisis, in 2023) cases, the Supreme Court has maintained that the governor has the authority to call for a floor test if it is clear from the materials at his disposal that a floor test is necessary to determine if the government is worthy of the Houses confidence.

In a situation where the governor has reasons to believe that the chief minister and his council of ministers have lost the confidence of the House, it is open to the governor to require the chief minister and his council of ministers to prove their majority in the House, by a floor test, the Nebam Rebia judgment held.

Following these precedents, in Shivraj Singh Chouhan Vs Speaker, Madhya Pradesh Assembly (2020), the apex court further clarified that the power under Article 174 of the Constitution to summon the House and to prorogue it is one which is exercised by the governor on the aid and advice of the council of ministers. But in a situation where the governor has reasons to believe that the council of ministers, headed by the chief minister, has lost the confidence of the House, constitutional propriety requires that the issue be resolved by calling for a floor test. The governor in calling for a floor test cannot be construed to have acted beyond the bounds of constitutional authority, it underlined.

The continuous existence of that confidence is crucial to the legitimacy and hence survival of the government, the court said in the 2020 judgment, adding it is a matter which can brook no delay since the authority of the government presided over by the chief minister depends on the council of ministers continuing to have the faith of the legislative body as a collective entity.

Saini won the trust vote in a special session of the assembly on March 13, a day after being appointed in place of Khattar. The maximum period between two sessions of the assembly cannot exceed six months, which means that the governor will have to summon the House before September 13. At that time, Saini could face a no-confidence motion  just weeks before assembly elections are scheduled in the state.

Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan said the party will write to the governor stating that the Saini government is in a minority and that it should be dismissed, the Presidents Rule imposed in the state and fresh polls announced.

Likewise, the JJP should also write a letter that the government be dismissed. INLDs Abhay Singh Chautala and Independent MLA Balraj Kundu, who claim to be opposing the government, should also write similar letters to the governor, he added.

But the BJP indicated that it was in no mood to give up without a fight.

In Chandigarh, while replying to a question, Haryana speaker Gian Chand Gupta said that the Saini government won the trust vote on March 13.How can we say that the government is in a minority? It is intact and running as it was earlier, he told reporters.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Adani-Ambani jibe. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.(X/Congress)

In a video message, Gandhi claimed that this was the first instance when the prime minister took the name of industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani publicly. Follow full coverage of the Lok Sabha election here.

Earlier today, Modi attacked Gandhi over his crony capitalism charge at his government, saying that he wondered why Rahul Gandhi stopped taking the names of Adani and Ambani since the declaration of the Lok Sabha elections.

He also questioned if "tempo loads of notes (money)" have reached the Congress.

Also Read | Sam Pitroda resigns from Indian Overseas Congress post amid racist remark row

Hours later, Gandi challenged the prime minister to launch a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) against the industrialists.

Normally, you (Modi) take the name of Ambani-Adani behind closed doors. You took their names in public for the first time, Gandhi said. "You also know that Adani-Ambani send money in tempo? Is this your personal experience? Do one thing: send CBI and ED to them. Get a thorough investigation done, don't panic.

He added: The amount of money that PM Modi has given to them, we will give the same to the poor in India. We will make many 'lakhpatis' with the 'Mahalakshmi Yojna' and 'Pehli Naukri Yojana'

Earlier today, Congress party's national general secretary Priyanka Gandhi had also reacted to PM Modi's remark, saying that her brother speaks about them daily.

In an election rally in Rae Bareli, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the Modi government of waiving loans worth 16 lakh crore for billionaires when farmers in Uttar Pradesh were dying due to suicide.

What PM Modi said



"Ever since elections have been announced, these people (Congress) have stopped abusing Ambani-Adani. I want to ask from Telangana soil, let the Shehzada announce, how much has been lifted from Ambani-Adani. Has tempo loads of notes (currency) reached the Congress? What deal has been arrived at, that abusing Ambani-Adani has stopped overnight?" PM Modi asked while addressing a poll rally in Telangana earlier today.

The PM further added: Certainly something is fishy. For five years, (they) abused Adani-Ambani and it stopped overnight. It means you have received some tempo loads of 'chori ka maal' (loot). You have to answer the nation.
Heavy rainfall and hailstorms that continued for about a week in the northeastern states has claimed several lives and caused large-scale property damage, official records show. Rains wreak havoc in north eastern states

In Assam, at least five people died due to lightning in Cachar district and some other areas, while one Tripura resident died in Assams Dima Hasao district last week.

In Barpeta district, a 60-year-old lady and her 20-year-old daughter died on Sunday due to a lightning strike. The deceased, Momiron Nessa (60) and Joshna Khatun (20), were working outside their house when the lightning strike happened, according to officials of the district disaster management authority (DDMA).

An 11-year-old boy from the family, Iqbal Hussain, also sustained injuries. They were taken Barpeta civil hospital, where the doctors declared the women dead, police said.

In Cachar district, two boys died last week due to lightning strike. Two other boys sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment at Silchar Medical College and Hospital.

On May 2, a bus travelling from Agartala to Guwahati met with an accident in landslide-affected Dima Hasao districts Ditokcherra in which a 27-year-old Tripura resident identified as D Devburman died. Around 30 other passengers sustained injuries and six among them were shifted to a government hospital.

The Barak valley in Assam, along with Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram, were partially disconnected by road and railways from the rest of the country due to multiple landslides in Dima Hasao and Meghalaya for the entire week.

Several trains were cancelled because railway tracks were damaged, according to officials of Northeast Frontier Railway. However, trains stranded in various stations were passed through after the initial repairs.

The tracks were damaged by the heavy flow of mud in several areas and restoration work was being carried out, railway officials said.

Our teams are on the spot, but due to incessant rainfall, we are not able to work. Several trains from Barak valley and Tripura, which were stuck in Dima Hasao, have been passed. We havent cancelled the other scheduled trains but, considering the situation, some have been rescheduled, an official said, seeking anonymity.

There would be heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds in Assam and neighbouring states till May 11, the India Meteorological Department predicted on Sunday.

This additional rainfall may worsen the situation in the coming days, officials of local administrations in Assam said. Several districts, including Dima Hasao, Barpeta and Dibrugarh, have issued public warnings.

The situation was under control but considering the weather forecast, the district administration has advised citizens to stay at home and avoid travelling, according to Simanta Kumar Das district commissioner of Dima Hasao. We are well-equipped to face any further situation. As of now, things are under control. From the Haflong municipality to other departments, all are alert. Assam Rifles and other security agencies are also ready, he said.

In Manipur, one person died and two sustained injuries after they were struck by lightning during rains on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as H Nilakanta (45), a resident of Yangdong Awang Leikai in Manipurs Kakching district.

As many as 15,425 houses have been severely damaged in Manipur so far, official data showed. The government has taken up many measures through the deputy commissioners concerned, chief minister N Biren Singh said on Monday evening.

There was property damage in parts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur,Thoubal and Churachandpur districts. Around 6,053 houses were damaged in Imphal West, 5,600 in Imphal East,1,079 in Bishnupur, 800 in Thoubal,120 in Kakching,100 in Kamjong, 540 in Churachandpur, 100 in Noney, 292 in Kangpokpi, 16 in Chandel and 275 in Tengnoupal.

In Mizoram, around 500 houses were damaged due to storms followed by heavy rainfall, according to official records. At least seven districts, including Aizawl, Lunglei, Champhai, were affected by the natural calamity, disaster management authorities said.

About a thousand people in 29 villages have lost houses, they said. The state government has asked the district administrations to take necessary action on relief distribution and assistance to the affected people.
Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress and the decision has been accepted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh announced adding that the decision was taken on his own accord. The decision came after his racist comment on how Indians from different parts of the country look created a major political controversy amid the ongoing Lok Sabha election  with Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning him for his statement. Sam Pitroda steps down as Indian Overseas Congress chairman in the wake of a major political row over his statement.

Sam Pitroda, now based in the United States, was Rajiv Gandhi's advisor when Rajiv was the prime minister. After UPA's win in the 2004 election, Sam Pitroda was invited by then prime minister Manmohan Singh to head the National Knowledge Commission of India. In 2009, he became an advisor to Manmohan Singh on public information infrastructure.

Sam Pitroda is not new to controversies but this time his flub went beyond any damage control as the Congress distanced itself from what he said and called his statement unfortunate.

What Sam Pitroda said

In an interview, Sam Pitroda was talking about how Indians lived together unitedly in the last 75 years because the Congress held the country with so much diversity together. Then elaborating on the differences, he said the people in the east look like the Chinese, West like the Arabs etc. "We could hold the country as diverse as India together. Where people in the east look like the Chinese, people in the west look like the Arabs, people in the north look like, maybe, white and people in the south look like Africans. It does not matter. All of us are brothers and sisters. We respect different languages, different religions, different customs, different food," Pitroda said.

Congress said Sam Pitroda's comment unfortunate

Jairam Ramesh said the analogy that was given by Sam Pitroda to hammer home the subject of unity in diversity is unacceptable, unfortunate and absolutely wrong. "The analogies drawn by Mr. Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate India's diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies," Jairam Ramesh said.

Rahul Gandhi's uncle Sam: PM Modi mentions president Murmu

PM Modi -- at his rallies in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh -- said he was angry over what Rahul Gandhi's Sam uncle said on the skin colour of Indians. PM Modi mentioned President Droupadi Murmu and said the Congress opposed her presidential bid because they saw her as an African owing to her dark skin. PM Modi asked if the Congress chief ministers of Telangana and Karnataka would accept the analogy and whether Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin won't snap DMK's ties with the Congress.

Racial comment after inheritance tax row

Sam Pitroda's racial comment came even before the row over his inheritance tax remark could die down. Discussing the Congress manifesto, Sam Pitroda talked about the concept of inheritance tax prevailing in America. "In America, there is an inheritance tax. If one has 100 million USD worth of wealth and when he dies he can only transfer 45 per cent to his children, 55 per cent is grabbed by the government. That's an interesting law. It says you in your generation, made wealth and you are leaving now, you must leave your wealth for the public, not all of it, half of it, which to me sounds fair," Sam Pitroda said.
Sam Pitroda, the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, has courted yet another controversy with his remark that people in the eastern part of India look like the Chinese. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called the remark "racist and divisive". Congress leader Sam Pitrodas comments sparked the debate on inheritance tax. (HT PHOTO)

Sam Pitroda, whom the BJP calls Rahul Gandhi's political guru, was elaborating on India's diversity when he made the remark.

"One view centers around Ram Temple, god, history, heritage, bhagwan, Hanuman, Bajrang Dal and all kinds of issues... there is another group which says our founding father fought the British Raj, not for a Hindu Rashtra, but for a secular nation... We are the shining example of democracy in the world," he said in an interview with The Statesman, earlier this month.

Sam Pitroda further said people with different appearances live in India in harmony.

"We have survived 70-75 years, in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside few fights here and there. We could hold the country together, as diverse as India -- where people in East look like Chinese, people in West look like Arab, people in North look like, maybe White, and people in South look like Africans. It doesn't matter. We are all brothers and sisters," he said.

Also read: Sam Pitroda row: PM Modi says won't tolerate disrespect on basis of skin colour

Sharply reacting to the remark, BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said he is from the North East but looks like an Indian. He said Sam Pitroda must learn about India.

Also read: Who is Congress's Sam Pitroda, leader behind inheritance tax remark?

"Sam brother, I am from the North East and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country - we may look different but we are all one. Please learn something about our country," he wrote on X.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad called Sam Pitroda a failure.

"It becomes clear again and again that what does Sam Pitroda understand about India. It is clear that he is a failure. He doesn't understand the country. He is Rahul Gandhi's advisor. I can now understand why Rahul Gandhi speaks nonsense...This is the frustration of defeat. They neither understand India nor its heritage," he told ANI.

Actor-turned-politician and BJP candidate, Kangana Ranaut accused Sam Pitroda of taking racist and divisive jibes at Indians.

Also read: Sam Pitroda's inheritance tax remarks spark huge row, Congress responds; BJP hits back

"Sam Pitroda is Rahul Gandhis mentor. Listen to his racist & divisive jibes for Indians. Their whole ideology is about divide & rule. It's sickening to call fellow Indians Chinese and African. Shame on Congress!," she wrote on X.

Last month, Sam Pitroda sparked a huge controversy when he talked about inheritance tax levied in the United States. The BJP later claimed the Congress had promised to snatch away people's property and distribute them among Muslims.
Even as his party's government in Haryana finds itself in minority after three independent legislators withdrew their support a day ago, senior BJP leader and ex-Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Wednesday that several MLAs were in touch with the ruling party as well. Former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar. (HT File)

There will be no impact of who is going where amid the election season. Several MLAs are in touch with us too. There should be no worry, Khattar said in Karnal, where he held a roadshow seeking support from people for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP's first chief minister in Haryana, the politician, 70, who held the office twice, is contesting Lok Sabha polls from the Karnal constituency. He resigned from the top post in March, paving the way for party colleague and state unit chief Nayab Singh Saini to succeed him.

On Tuesday, however, the three independent legislators withdrew their support to the Saini government, reducing it to a minority administration. The MLAs  Randhir Golan (Pundri), Dharmpal Gonder (Nilokheri) and Sombir Singh Sangwan (Dadri)  declared that they will campaign for the Congress in the general elections.

In the 90-seat Haryana assembly, as many as 80 members are from the BJP (40), Congress (30) and Jannayak Janta Party (10). In October 2019, the BJP-JJP came together to form a coalition government, but split in March this year.

Also Read | Dushyant Chautala's JJP calls for toppling Haryana govt as 3 Independent MLAs exit BJP camp

The state's 10 Lok Sabha seats  nine are held by the saffron party, while one was vacated by Saini to become CM  will vote in a single phase on May 25, the sixth of the seven-phase nationwide polling. Haryana will also hold assembly elections in October to elect its next government. While the BJP secured a majority on its own here in 2014, it emerged as the single-largest party in 2019, and formed an alliance government with the JJP.
Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) stopped manufacturing its anti-Covid-19 vaccine Covishield in 2021, according to a statement issued by the company on Wednesday after British-Swedish pharmaceutical manufacturer AstraZeneca announced it was withdrawing its vaccine against Covid, Vaxzevria, due to commercial reasons as demand for it decreased globally. The Serum Institute of India building at Hadapsar, Pune. (Rahul Raut/HT PHOTO)

Serum Institute of India locally manufactured Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine under the brand name Covishield.

With India achieving high vaccination rates in 2021 and 2022, coupled with the emergence of new mutant variant strains, the demand for previous vaccines diminished significantly. Consequently, since December 2021, we have stopped the manufacturing and supply of additional doses of Covishield, an SII spokesperson said in the statement.

Of the two Covid-19 vaccines Covaxin and Covishield that were largely used in India under the nationwide Covid-19 immunisation programme, SIIs Covishield was administered the most with at least 170 crore doses administered so far since January 2021. The Covishield vaccine is a recombinant chimpanzee adenovirus vector vaccine.

Indias drugs regulator approved both Covishield and Covaxin for restricted use in emergency situation in the country on January 3, 2021. Indias National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, which is the worlds largest vaccination programme, began on January 16, 2021, initially with the aim of covering the adult population of the country.

We fully understand the ongoing concerns and its crucial to emphasize our commitment to transparency and safety. From the outset, we have disclosed all rare to very rare side effects, including Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, in the packaging insert in 2021. Despite the challenges faced during the global pandemic, the safety of the vaccine remains paramount. Regardless of whether its AstraZenecas Vaxzervria or our own Covishield, both vaccines have been instrumental in saving millions of lives worldwide. We commend the collaborative efforts of governments and ministries in facilitating a unified global response to the pandemic, said the SII statement.

An AstraZeneca spokesperson said in a statement, We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria played in ending the global pandemic. According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and over three billion doses were supplied globally. Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic. As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzervria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic, added the statement.

The AstraZeneca spokesperson said the group had begun the process by taking it off the market in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMA) region.

The AstraZenecas recent disclosure in UK Court about its anti-Covid19 vaccine causing Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) in very rare cases created uproar.

The Daily Telegraph reported that in a legal document submitted to the high court in London in February for a class action being fought, AstraZeneca admitted that their vaccine developed in partnership with the University of Oxford to protect against Covid-19 may cause Thrombosis with TTS in very rare cases.

TTS (Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome) is a rare syndrome wherein thrombosis (formation of blood clots in the blood vessels) and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) occur.

According to the European Medicine Agency document on side-effects of the Vaxzevria vaccine, thrombosis in combination with thrombocytopenia (thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, TTS) and Guillain-Barre syndrome (a neurological disorder in which the bodys immune system damages nerve cells) may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people.

The company is fighting a class action suit wherein 51 cases seeking damages worth nearly 100 million pounds have been filed with the high court. Jamie Scott filed the first case in 2023. Scott had been left with a permanent brain injury after developing a blood clot and a bleed on the brain, since April 2021 when he received the vaccine.

Experts, however, dismissed the concern saying anti-covid vaccines proved more beneficial in saving lives than a health hazard,

Vaccine safety is important and is a primary focus of study for all vaccines. But it is always important to balance benefit and risk, and all licensed vaccines deliver much more benefit and very small risk, said vaccine scientist, Dr Gagandeep Kang.
Stepping in after cancellation of multiple Air India Express flights led to chaos at airports across the country, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on Wednesday directed the airline to submit a report on the cancellations, and to ensure facilities for passengers as per the norms laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). An Air India Express aircraft on the runway. (PTI File Photo)

Additionally, the ministry asked the carrier, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, to resolve the issue promptly.

At least 86 Air India Express flights have been cancelled since Tuesday night, after several cabin crews went on mass sick leaves. According to officials aware of the matter, the sick leaves are in protest against the management of Air India owners Tata, over the merger of AIX Connect (AirAsia India with Air India Express).

One of the officials said that tensions had been brimming over for a week.

Also Read | Air India Express cancellations: Monopoly routes will be hit the most

The situation, however, worsened last night. The cabin crew are protesting the alleged mismanagement of the airline during the merger process which is feared to cost jobs of a significant number of staff, the official told Hindustan Times.

An Air India Express spokesperson, meanwhile, said that the airline was engaging with the protesting crew members, and passengers can seek refunds for the affected flights.

Our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience to our guests, the spokesperson noted.

Also Read | Chaos at airports as passengers protest after Air India Express cancels over 80 flights. Videos

As per Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), a registered body that consists of senior cabin crew members, the mismanagement by the Tatas has affected the morale of the employees.

The carrier operates more than 2500 flights weekly across 31 domestic and 14 international airports, with a fleet of over 70 aircraft comprising Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday told the Uttarakhand government that depending on the rain god was not the solution for the forest fires in the state. The court also said that the authorities will have to take some preventive measures to deal with the issue. Indian Air Force's helicopter fills Bambi Bucket to douse the raging forest fire in the forests of Advani by taking water from the Alaknanda River in Srinagar. (ANI)

The Uttarakhand government told the apex court that 398 forest fires were reported in the state since last November.

Deputy Advocate General of Uttarakhand, Jatinder Kumar Sethi said the forest fires were man-made, and 388 criminal cases had been filed and 60 people were arrested for violation of rules.

The lawyer said only 0.1 percent of wildlife cover was on fire. He also blamed man-made causes for the fires.

The court said the government can't rely on cloud seeding.

"Cloud seeding or depending on the rain god is not the answer. He (applicant) is right in saying that you have to take preventive measures," the bench said.

When the bench asked the lawyer how people died in the fires, he replied five.

A lawyer, who has filed an application for impleadment in the matter, told the bench that the state was painting a "very rosy picture" but media reports claim that the entire machinery involved in tackling forest fires is busy in election-related work.

"The state of affairs is pathetic. People who go to douse the fires do not even have proper equipment," he said.

The bench later posted the matter for hearing on May 15.

Earlier this month, forest fires reached dangerously close to a residential area in Uttarakhand's Nainital. Boating was temporarily halted for fire-fighting operations. The Indian Air Forces' helicopters and army's personnel were pressed into the operation.

Nainital is one of the most famous hill stations across the country. It is known for its Naini Lake.

The forest fires are still raging in several places in Uttarakhand. The authorities are trying to douse the blaze.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Thane, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said those speaking Pakistan's language while living in India should be charged with treason and put behind bars as he dubbed the statements of opposition leaders Vijay Wadettiwar and Farooq Abdullah their frustration about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rise. Those speaking Pakistan's language should be charged with treason, sent to jail: Shinde

"These people are speaking Pakistan's language. Is it not treason against the nation? They are not able to tolerate the wave of patriotism that has spread out across the country under PM Modi's leadership. It's like Congress ka haath, Pakistan ke saath," Shinde told PTI here.

He also hit out at former Maharashtra Chief Minister and former Union minister Sharad Pawar for doing "nothing" for the state during his long stints in the state and Centre.

"He has been in Maharashtra politics, national politics for such a long time. Maharashtra should have progressed so much during this time. He was also the agriculture minister. What our government has done for farmers, no other government has been able to do so far. That I can say with full confidence," Shinde said.

He said 6,000 is being given by the Centre and the state government is adding another 6,000 to it, making it 12,000 for farmers every year.

"They are getting crop insurance for free. There are so many schemes for farmers and our government gives them top priority," he said.

On what he called anti-India statements by several opposition leaders, the Shiv Sena leader said, "They are speaking in Pakistan's favour and in their language. This is their misfortune only. But we will not leave those who speak against our country. These people should be jailed after being charged with treason."

"These people live in India and praise Pakistan. If Farooq Abdullah asks whether Pakistan is wearing bangles, who are these people? Are they Pakistani or Hindustani? Are they traitors or our own citizens? Such people should be put behind bars after charging them with treason," Shinde told PTI.

"Similarly, what kind of patriotism is raising questions about the death of a martyr, Hemant Karkare? Saying that it was not Kasab's bullet that hit him, is the same as what Pakistan used to say. Pakistan was also saying that Kasab was not their man but in the end, they had to accept he was a Pakistani citizen," he added.

Shinde was responding to recent comments made by National Conference chief Abdullah, Congress' Wadettiwar and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

Wadettiwar, the leader of opposition in the Maharashtra state assembly, recently claimed that Karkare, who was the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad chief during the 26/11 terror attack, wasn't killed by Kasab's bullet but by one fired by a policeman affiliated to RSS.

The Congress leader made the statement while attacking the BJP's Mumbai North Central candidate Ujjwal Nikam, who was the special public prosecutor in the 26/11 trial.

NC president Abdullah, on the other hand, had said that dialogue is the only way to resolve issues between India and Pakistan as any confrontation will have serious consequences for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Reacting to a recent statement of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on taking back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir , the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister on Sunday said no one is going to stop him.

"Let the defence minister do it. Who is going to stop him? In any case, they will not ask us. But let them remember that they are not wearing bangles, they also have an atom bomb. The unfortunate part is that the atom bomb will fall on us," he said.

In an exclusive interview with PTI, Singh said India will never give up its claim on PoK but it will not have to capture it with force because the people of the region, on their own, would want to be part of the country after seeing the development in Kashmir.

Channi, while replying to a question on the attack on the Indian Air Force's convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, had said, "'Yeh stuntbaazi ho rahi hai, hamle nahi ho rahe' ."

"Whenever elections are near, such stunts are performed to make the BJP win. There is no truth in it," he had said.

One Indian Air Force corporal was killed and four were injured as terrorists ambushed their convoy in Poonch district on Saturday, three weeks ahead of polling in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency.

Under fire over his "poll stunt" remark, the Congress leader later said he was proud of the country's soldiers but targeted the Centre over the 2019 Pulwama terror strike, saying the government could not ascertain who carried out the attack.

Shinde said the work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 10 years is for everyone to see and these include schemes for women and youth, infrastructure projects, and road, rail, air and water connectivity.

"Today, India is talked about with respect in the entire world. That change has taken place. Today, India speaks and the world listens. It was not the case earlier. It's no more a majboor sarkar, it's a majboot sarkar. That's why we could avenge Pulwama with a Balakote surgical strike. "It's the prowess of our country that the opposition is not liking. They are not able to digest it," he said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Whisky isnt whisky unless it spends at least three years in a cask, believe some countries  a belief that has become one of the contentious issues holding up at least two trade deals in which India is the other party.

UK says that a spirit cannot be called whisky if it is not matured for minimum three years in wooden casks. But the speed of maturation for alcoholic beverages is not same across geographies. (REUTERS)
Mayawati of the Bahujan Samaj Party, in a surprise move, announced on Tuesday night the removal of her nephew Akash Anand from the position of national coordinator and her political successor, barely five months after she had anointed him. The BSP supremo, announcing it on X (formally Twitter), said she has taken the decision in the interest of the party and the movement till the time Anand gains full maturity. BSP leader Akash Anand addresses a public meeting ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Agra on April 11. (PTI)

Mayawati said her brother and Akash Anand's father, Anand Kumar, will continue to fulfil his responsibilities as before.

In her series of X posts, while Mayawati didn't mention the exact reason behind 29-year-old Akash Anand's removal, the surprise decision came on the day voting was held for the third phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024 across the country.

Also Read | Interview: Dalits not forgetful, Mayawati not missing, says BSP's Akash Anand

What did Mayawati say about Akash Anand?

In a post in Hindi on X, Mayawati said, The BSP is also a movement for self-respect and self-esteem of Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and social change for which Shri Kanshi Ram ji and I have dedicated our entire lives and a new generation is also being prepared to give it momentum.

Also Read | Akash Anand rallies in UP postponed following FIR in hate speech case

She said, "In this direction, along with promoting other people in the party, I had declared Shri Akash Anand as the National Coordinator and his successor, but in the larger interest of the party and the movement, he is being divested of both these important responsibilities until he attains full maturity."

Mayawati said Anand Kumar will continue to fulfil his responsibilities in the party and the movement as before.

"Therefore, the leadership of BSP is not going to shy away from making every kind of sacrifice in the interest of the party and the movement and in taking forward the caravan of Baba Saheb Dr Ambedkar," Mayawati said in another post.

Who is Akash Anand?

Akash Anand studied MBA at an institute in London. Akash made his debut speech during the Lok Sabha campaign on April 16, 2019, at Kothi Meena Bazar ground in Agra. Sharing the platform with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and then Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh, Akash garnered attention, particularly from BSP supporters, donned in a white shirt and jeans. Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, he addressed the crowd, marked by chants of support from BSP followers. With his message capped off by 'Jai Bhim' and 'Jai Bharat', Akash earned accolades from senior alliance figures, including Akhilesh Yadav and Ajit Singh, who prominently mentioned him at the start of their speeches. Three days later, on April 19, 2019, Akash was also part of the historic moment at Christian College ground in Mainpuri when SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati shared the stage after a gap of over two decades since the infamous guest house incident in Lucknow on June 2, 1995. In the BSP national executive meeting held in June 2019, Mayawati had appointed him partys national coordinator. On her 66th birthday programme on January 15, 2022, Mayawati had said, The BSP is preparing Akash Anand for bigger role in the party. He is young and gaining political maturity. The party has entrusted him with the task of spreading the base of the party in the states where assembly elections will be held later. During appropriate time, Akash will get the opportunity to contest the election. During the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the name of Akash Anand was at number three position on the list of BSP star campaigners but in the 2022 UP.assembly election, he was elevated to second position above party national general secretary SC Mishra. On March 26, 2023, Akash was married to Pragya Siddharth, the daughter of former BSP MP Ashok Siddharth, at a ceremony in Gurugram.

When Akash Anand was booked for using objectionable language

On April 28, 2024, Akash Anand was booked in a case of violation of Model Code of Conduct along with four others for allegedly using objectionable language at a poll rally in Sitapur.

The action had come after the district administration's took suo motu cognisance of Akash's speech at the rally.

"This BJP government is a bulldozer government and a government of traitors. The party that leaves its youth hungry and enslaves its elderly is a terrorist government. Taliban runs such a government in Afghanistan," he had said in criticism of the BJP-led state government.

Besides Anand, BSP candidates Mahendra Yadav, Shyam Awasthi, and Akshay Kalra and rally organiser Vikas Rajvanshi were booked in the matter, Superintendent of Police (Sitapur) Chakresh Mishra had then said.

The case was registered under sections IPC 171C (undue influence at elections), 153B (imputation, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and section 125 of the Representation of People Act.

Opposition questions Akash Anand's removal

Congress leader Surendra Singh Rajput said, The way BSP chief Mayawati has removed her nephew Akash Anand from party coordinator post is very shocking. Did you take this step under some pressure from the BJP? Though this is an internal matter of your party, you should issue a clarification about this.

Samajwadi Party leader Fakhrul Hasan Chaand alleged that the BSP and the BJP are in an undeclared alliance, and the way Akash Anand was removed from his position has proved it. People can see this, and they will give a befitting reply to it.

BJP reacts

Taking a dig at the BSP chief, BJP leader Rakesh Tripathi said, "Mayawati runs the party like a private limited organisation, and she can make any decision anytime. Because of Akash Anand's irresponsible remarks and his statements against the BJP, there was an anger among the people (against BSP), and that's why Mayawati relieved her nephew of his responsibilities as the party's national co-ordinator."
Former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said Sharad Pawar will try to merge his party with the Congress but zero plus zero remains zero. Sanjay Nirupam who recently joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena made these comments as he reacted to Sharad Pawar's statement that many regional parties -- after the 2024 elections -- would move closer to the Congress, or even merge -- changing the political landscape. Sanjay Nirupam said this was Sharad Pawar expressing his own desire as he attempted previously as well. Sharad Pawar said there is no ideological difference between his party and the Congress.

"I want to expose this mystery that several years ago, Sharad Pawar wanted to merge with the Congress -- and several times. But the roadblock was his daughter Supriya Sule because he wanted the Congress to give Maharashtra leadership to Supriya. Now also after they lose the election, they would want their party to merge with the Congress. But with due respect, I want to say that Supriya Sule is not able to lead a party in Maharashtra. And even if they merge, zero plus zero remains zero only," Sanjay Nirupam said.

Lok Sabha election 2024: Full coverage

What Sharad Pawar said on regional parties merging with the Congress

"In the next couple of years, several regional parties will associate more closely with the Congress. Or they may look at the option of merging with the Congress if they believe that is the best for their party," Sharad Pawar said as quoted by Indian Express.

On the possibility of his NCP merging with the Congress, Sharad Pawar said, "I don't see any difference between the Congress and us...Ideologically, we belong to the Gandhi, Nehru line of thinking."

"I am not saying anything now...Without consulting colleagues, I shouldn't say anything. Ideologically, we are close to them (the Congress) -- any decision on strategy of the next steps will be taken collectively. It is difficult to adjust and digest Modi," Pawar said.
Sauntering through the hallways of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the way to cocktails, James Corden spread his arms out comically, like he owned the place. Let me know if you want me to talk you through any of this, he said, pointing to the precious art on the walls, joking around with Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sanchez, who happened to be walking behind him. It was all in fun, but Corden, like many celebrities, is a Met Gala regular. Then there are the first-timers. These guests, no matter how famous in their field, often profess a bit of starstruck wonder at the concentration of celebrity around them, and even some nerves, like a kid arriving at a new school. Bad Bunny, from left, Lana Del Rey, and Zendaya appear at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibition on Monday, May 6, 2024, in New York. (Photos by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

For example: Stray Kids. The K-pop band arrived at their first gala en masse, all eight dressed by designer Tommy Hilfiger in different iterations of red, navy and white. Entering the museum they ascended the grand interior staircase, hit the receiving line, and then headed to cocktails, where, they said, they slowly started to relax. (Also read: Met Gala 2024: From Alia Bhatt to Zendaya; 8 best-dressed celebs who stole the spotlight at fashion's biggest night )

We were nervous at first. said band number Bang Chan. We didnt know what to expect, who we would meet, added bandmate Felix. But they were settling in nicely, and had already spoken to Chris Hemsworth, Steven Yeun and Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons. Then there was Ayo Edebiri, star of The Bear, who has been a multiple winner on the awards circuit this year but was attending her first gala. She seemed almost out of breath after greeting hosts Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, Hemsworth and Vogue's Anna Wintour, who was overseeing the whole affair as always, at the top of the stairs.

Im really, really, really excited to be here, she said. This is another really beautiful thing that I will try to do my best to remember. Dressed in a lacy floral gown by Loewe, one of the evening's sponsors along with TikTok, Edebiri headed off to cocktails in the airy Charles Engelhard Court in the museum's American wing. What with the usual commotion outside on the carpet, guests were initially slow to trickle in, leaving the receiving line with little to do in the early moments (Lopez and Bad Bunny snapped a few joint selfies.)

Among the early birds were Australian director Baz Luhrmann and his wife, costume designer Catherine Martin, who served as creative advisers for the evening. They both spoke passionately about the gala's function as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute and its benefit to the museum overall  not to mention the potential of drawing young people around the globe, who Luhrmann noted were watching the carpet online, to the arts. Met officials said Tuesday the evening had raised more than $26 million, a record and an enormous sum for a fundraiser. Some other memorable moments and scenes from inside the gala:

A MAGICAL FOREST

Though the name of the party's accompanying exhibit was Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, it wasn't really about Princess Aurora from our fairytales. Rather, it was about highlighting and illuminating fragile garments from the museums collection that were now being awakened to the world. Still, its safe to say the museum went all in on the fairytale vibe.

Entering the Great Hall, guests passed a huge centerpiece, 32 feet tall, representing a whimsical tree. Huge green flowers made of fabric sprouted over a forest-like undergrowth with twisted branches that looked just like the foliage Sleeping Beautys prince had to hack through to give her a true love's kiss. Guests then walked through a live string orchestra and a tableau of performers dressed as woodland creatures  in tunics and tights  frolicking in the forest.

FASHION AS ART

Given the choice of viewing the exhibit or heading straight to cocktails, most guests chose the latter. But some did head to the show, a multi-sensory fashion experience involving not only sight but sound, smell and touch. Lena Waithe spent time alone inspecting the garments, and said she was just blown away by the work that Im seeing.

The actor/producer added that she, as many, often thinks of fashion as fun and light. But then I come here and am reminded that its an art form, she said. And she recalled a speech Meryl Streep, as a Wintour-like character, makes to Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada," about the clothes we wear having been chosen for us. I think we need to be reminded of that, that our style is influenced by people who are long gone, Waithe said.

SETH MEYERS STAYS IN HIS LANE

Late-night host Meyers, attending the gala with wife, said it was a nice break to get an evening away from childcare. But he also jokingly asked why his little ones  ages 8, 6 and 2  werent invited. I think its very rude that Vogue didn't invite them, Meyers quipped. It's so kid-friendly here. And they're so good at keeping their mitts off things.

Meyers said what he most enjoyed abut the gala was seeing a lot of people that I'm a fan of, or have interviewed on the show. But as for fashion, he likes to play it straight, he said: Nobody wants a guy like me taking a big swing. I stay in my lane."

THE BROADWAY CROWD

Theres always a strong Broadway contingent at the Met Gala, because Wintour is a huge theater fan. At this gala, Jonathan Groff, fresh off a Tony nomination for Merrily We Roll Along, laughed and joked with good friend and fellow Glee alum (and Funny Girl" star) Lea Michele, expecting her second child and resplendent in baby blue Rodarte. Groff reminisced about former Met Galas hes attended, including one where he performed from the show Hair, and another in 2016 where guest Beyonce had just released Lemonade about a week earlier. That," he recalled, was epic.

LITTLE ME WOULD BE SO HAPPY

A table away sat another Broadway star, J. Harrison Ghee. Last year Ghee attended their first gala, a month or so before winning the Tony for best actor in Some Like it Hot. Ghee wore a dramatic feathered look by designer Howie B inspired, they said, by a caddis worm  perfectly in sync with the nature theme of the evening. The night, Ghee said, was proof that fashion was a vital and expressive art. And they added; Little me would be so happy. I check in with them all the time  would they be proud? They would.

A DRESS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS (BROKEN) PARTS

As Sanchez and Bezos toured the exhibit, her distinctive dress made an equally distinctive noise as it scraped across the floor. We wont lose you, joked Bezos. Sanchez said she had burst into tears when she first tried on the eye-popping design by Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim of Oscar de la Renta. The voluminous skirt had pearl and mirrored appliques and was meant to evoke Tiffany glass. If you need a mirror just use my dress, Sanchez quipped. She added that she felt the dress symbolized life  where everything is a bit broken, and it depends on what you do with the pieces. And she was misty-eyed when she described trying the dress on for Bezos: "He told me I had never looked so beautiful, she said.

Fun fact: Sanchez said Garcia had told her he needed an item to fix the dress, and had ordered it on Amazon.

A CLARION CALL TO DINNER

How do you get hundreds of chatting celebrities to hike across the museum for dinner? Organizers have tried a number of ways. One year, it was a team of buglers. Another year, Jon Batiste and his melodica led a band snaking through the crowd. Last year, David Byrne did the honors. On Monday it was a huge choir that emerged, singing original music entitled Future of Us," accompanied by dancers. Then a bell rang, and the performers called out: To dinner! And off the crowd went  slowly  to the Temple of Dendur, where the fairytale motif continued with tables featuring enchanted candelabras entwined with flower arrangements.

WHATS TO EAT?

Arriving late is still fashionable; Some guests were still arriving at 9 p.m. and even much later. But for those who made it for dinnertime, heres what was on the menu: a main course of filet of beef, pea tortellini, morels and spring vegetables, followed by a dessert of petits fours inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairytale of, yep, Sleeping Beauty  along with confections in the shape of bespoke hats."
In a new paper in Nature Medicine, an international team of neurologists makes the compelling case that people with two copies of a gene called APOE4 arent just at risk of Alzheimers  they have a distinct form of the disease and are almost certain to develop its tell-tale brain plaques by age 65. (Also Read | How specific T cells in brain slow progression of Alzheimers disease: Study) Researchers have known for decades that people who harbour APOE4 have a higher risk of developing the neurological condition of Alzheimers disease. (Shutterstock)

The finding comes with caveats, but still has near-term implications for studying, diagnosing and treating the disease  especially given the advent of drugs like Leqembi, made by Eisai and Biogen, and donanemab, made by Eli Lilly & Co. It should also motivate the field to push further into treatments that specifically target the protein encoded by this gene.

It also raises a critical question for the public: Should more of us know whether we are carriers of these genes?

Researchers have known for decades that people who harbour APOE4 have a higher risk of developing the neurological condition. One copy raises the chances of getting the disease as much as threefold, while two copies increases the risk by a factor of 10 or more. Many will recall movie star Chris Hemsworths 2022 revelation that he carried two copies of the gene, news that reportedly prompted him to approach his life with a bit more intention.

This new study puts a finer point on that risk. Using two datasets that encompass over 10,000 patients and over 3,000 brain donors, the researchers show that people with two copies of the gene will almost inevitably develop biological signs of the disease. Some 95% had build-up of a protein called amyloid, a hallmark of Alzheimers disease, in their brains and spinal fluid by the time they are 65. For that reason, the authors argue, it should be considered a distinct genetic form of the disease.

Those data make it tempting to consider these gene variants as causing the disease. But its worth stopping short of that  for now, at least. One big stumbling block is that while the study makes clear that nearly everyone in this group has amyloid plaque on their brains, we still cant predict when theyll develop symptoms like confusion and forgetfulness, if at all.

The other big caveat is that the people included in the study all came from the US or Europe, and were predominantly White, leaving open the question of whether having two copies of the gene is a cause of the disease or if other genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development in this population, points out Jason Karlawish, co-director of the Penn Memory Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

Still, Karlawish said via email, its a provocative study that posits a conclusion, which, if verified, will transform how we categorize, diagnose and treat Alzheimers disease.

The most immediate impact could be on rethinking when and how to use approved and experimental drugs. This concrete evidence that Alzheimers can be detected in the brain years before symptoms start is an incredible opportunity to try to intervene, says Reisa Sperling, director of the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Brigham and Womens Hospital, and an author on the study. The benefits could be significant: Some 23% of the population has two copies of APOE4, and it accounts for as many as 1520% of the people with Alzheimers.

But intervening with existing drugs will be a bit tricky. Although the Food and Drug Administration last year approved Leqembi, a drug that clears amyloid plaques, it carries a warning that it can cause serious side effects in people with two copies of APOE4. And Lillys donanemab, which is currently under FDA review, carries a similar risk.

Patients with two copies of the gene are more likely to experience dangerous brain swelling or bleeds if taking the drugs. And in clinical studies, Leqembi didnt do much to slow their cognitive decline, likely because so much amyloid had built up on their brains by the time theyd been treated. Sperling thinks these new data suggest its worth using these drugs in this group of patients  but earlier, very carefully, and ideally within the context of clinical trials focused on prevention.

Future studies should separate out people with one and two copies of APOE4, as their disease trajectory differs. Careful study of these patients over time could also offer broad lessons about how the disease manifests  and where and when to intervene. And more effort should be put into treatments tailored to people harbouring these genes. A small pipeline has emerged of APOE4-targeted treatments, including gene therapies designed to increase production of APOE2, a form of the protein that is known to be protective against the disease.

The public will undoubtedly wonder whether this means they should go out and get tested for the gene.

The question is one of deep debate. On the one hand, without a treatment to disrupt the course of the disease, the results might simply cause anxiety. On the other, people could make lifestyle changes, prepare for a future where they might need long-term care, or even seek out a clinical trial.

It would be worth being more liberal in testing for people showing up at their doctors offices with vague symptoms, even if theyre young. And certainly, testing should become widespread if studies can untangle when and why the biological signs will lead to cognitive decline.

In the meantime, its worth being hopeful: Drug development is advancing and studies like these could speed not only treatments for Alzheimers, but ways to prevent it.
When it comes to travelling, men prefer easy-to-operate, sturdy and lightweight travel bags. Best men's travel bags make travel hassle-free. Without a reliable and comfortable bag, you can encounter several issues that may disrupt your travel experience. Imagine struggling to fit all your belongings into a cramped bag, or dealing with a broken strap halfway through your trip. Not only can these issues be frustrating, but they can also lead to damage or loss of your valuables. Pack up and venture out with the best men's travel bags by your side.(Pexels)

Investing in a high-quality travel bag can alleviate these concerns and enhance your overall travel experience. The best men's travel bags are designed with durability, functionality, and comfort in mind. With features like sturdy construction, ample storage space, and ergonomic designs, these bags ensure that you can pack efficiently and travel comfortably.

Whether you're embarking on a short weekend getaway or a long-haul journey, the right travel bag can make all the difference. From organised compartments to padded straps and reinforced handles, these bags provide convenience, security, and peace of mind throughout your travels. So, choose the best men's travel bag for your needs and embark on your adventures with confidence and ease. Check out all the options mentioned below and bring home one of these bags to make your travel experience hassle free.

Gear Cross Training Travel Duffel is your ultimate companion for adventures on the go. Crafted with durable materials and thoughtful design, this duffel offers ample space for your essentials while keeping them organised and secure. Its versatile features include multiple compartments, adjustable straps, and reinforced handles for easy carrying. Whether you're hitting the gym, going on a weekend getaway, or embarking on an outdoor expedition, this duffel ensures you're always prepared. With its sleek and practical design, the Gear Cross Training Travel Duffel is perfect for the modern traveller who values style, functionality, and durability. Dont waste time and purchase this mens travel bag for yourself.

Specifications of Gear Cross Training Travel Duffel

Material: Durable fabric

Dimensions: 22 x 10 x 12 inches

Capacity: 40 litres

Weight: 1.5 kg

Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Ample storage space May be too large for everyday use Durable construction Comfortable to carry Versatile design for various activities

Enhance your travel experience with the Fur Jaden Brown Textured Leatherette Weekender Duffle Bag. This stylish and spacious bag is crafted from premium leatherette, ensuring durability and timeless elegance. With its versatile design, it's perfect for weekend getaways, business trips, or even daily use. The bag features multiple compartments to keep your essentials organised, while the adjustable shoulder strap provides comfort during travel. Whether you're jet-setting for a weekend escape or heading to the gym, this duffle bag combines style and functionality seamlessly. Make a statement with the Fur Jaden Weekender Duffle Bag and travel in confidence wherever you go.

Specifications of Fur Jaden Brown Textured Leatherette Duffle Bag for Travel

Material: Leatherette

Colour: Brown

Closure: Zipper

Features: Multiple compartments, adjustable shoulder strap

Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Stylish and durable design Limited colour options Spacious interior with multiple compartments May be too large for daily use Adjustable shoulder strap for comfort Versatile for weekend getaways and business trips

Looking for a great option for a men's travel bag then meet the JFK 66cm Hardsided Check-In Trolley Bag, a sustainable travel companion crafted from eco polycarbonate material. With its sturdy build and 8-wheel design, navigating through airports and terminals is a breeze. The innovative Speed Wheel feature enhances manoeuvrability, while the spacious interior offers ample room for all your belongings. Available in a stylish teal blue hue, this suitcase not only stands out on the luggage carousel but also comes with a generous 2000-day warranty for added assurance. Whether you're jetting off for business or leisure, this travel bag ensures durability, functionality, and eco-friendliness throughout your travels.

Specifications of uppercase Jfk 66 cm Hardsided Check-In Trolley Bag

Size: 66cm

Material: Eco Polycarbonate

Wheels: 8

Warranty: 2000 Days

Colour: Teal Blue

Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Durable eco polycarbonate construction May be heavier than soft-sided luggage 8-wheel design for easy manoeuvrability Limited colour options Spacious interior for ample storage May be too large for short trips Innovative Speed Wheel for smooth rolling Potential issues with warranty claims

Also Read: Best luggage brands in India: Top luggage brands in India and their best products for you to explore

Ideal for weekend getaways or short trips, the Fur Jaden Weekender Travel Duffle Bag is designed to cater to the needs of modern travellers. Made from premium vegan leather, this duffle bag exudes sophistication and durability. Its spacious main compartment offers ample storage for your essentials, while the separate shoe/laundry compartment ensures organisation and hygiene. With an adjustable shoulder strap for comfort and convenience, this versatile bag is suitable for both men and women. Whether you're jetting off for a business trip or a leisurely escape, the Fur Jaden Weekender Travel Duffle Bag is the perfect companion for your travels.

Specifications of Fur Jaden Weekender Travel Duffle Bag:

Material: Vegan leather

Dimensions:

Main compartment with separate shoe/laundry compartment

Adjustable shoulder strap

Stylish and durable design

Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid High-quality vegan leather May be heavier than nylon bags Separate shoe/laundry compartment Limited colour options Versatile functionality Potential for long-term durability concerns Gender-neutral design Size may be too large for short trips

Also Read: Best Tommy Hilfiger luggage you can buy today: Top 10 stylish and evergreen options

The Nautica Duffle Bag for Travel combines style and functionality for your travel needs. Crafted from premium leatherette, this duffle bag exudes sophistication while offering durability for long-lasting use. Its compact design makes it ideal for travel, fitting easily into overhead compartments or car trunks. The bag features a spacious main compartment to accommodate your belongings, with additional pockets for organisation. Its comfortable shoulder strap ensures easy carrying, while the dark green colour adds a touch of elegance. Suitable for both men and women, this versatile duffle bag is perfect for weekend getaways, business trips, or gym sessions.

Specifications of Nautica Duffle Bag for Travel:

Material: Leatherette

Colour: Dark Green

Dimensions: 15 cm

Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Stylish and sophisticated design May not be suitable for extended travel due to size limitations Compact and easy to carry Limited colour options available Spacious main compartment for storage Suitable for both men and women

Embark on a journey of unparalleled convenience and style with the Aristocrat Cadet 52Cm Polyester Cabin Luggage Navy Blue Duffle Bag. Imbued with the essence of durability, this cabin luggage crafted from robust polyester seamlessly blends fashion with functionality. Featuring a capacious main compartment complemented by numerous pockets, it effortlessly accommodates all your travel essentials. The sophisticated navy blue hue exudes an aura of elegance, elevating your travel ensemble to new heights. Whether it's a brief excursion or a leisurely weekend getaway, rest assured that this duffle bag will accompany you with unwavering ease and sophistication throughout your voyage.

Specifications of Aristocrat Cadet 52 cm Polyester Cabin Luggage Travel Bag

Material: Polyester

Colour: Navy Blue

Dimensions: 52 x 28 x 28 cms

Type: Cabin Luggage Duffle Bag

Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Spacious main compartment Limited colour options available Durable polyester construction Stylish navy blue design Convenient size for cabin luggage

Also Read: Best leather luggage bags: Ensure that your belongings remain protected throughout your journey with our top 8 picks

Enhance your travel and gym experiences with the Fur Jaden Tan Leatherette Gym Bag. Meticulously crafted for both functionality and style, this versatile duffle bag caters to everyone, regardless of gender or age. Boasting a generous 23L capacity, it easily accommodates all your essentials for travel and workouts. The luxurious tan leatherette exterior adds a touch of sophistication, making it a chic accessory for any outing. Whether you're off to the gym or setting out on a weekend adventure, this bag ensures you do so with ease and flair. Make this your travel companion for your every journey.

Specifications of Fur Jaden Tan Leatherette Travel Duffle Bag

Material: Leatherette

Capacity: 23L

Colour: Tan

Gender: Unisex

Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Spacious capacity for travel and gym use No dimensions provided for size reference Stylish tan leatherette exterior Versatile design suitable for all genders Durable construction for long-lasting use Ideal for both travel and gym essential

Meet the Fur Jaden Weekender Travel Duffle Bag, a versatile companion crafted for both men and women seeking style and utility. Made from premium vegan leather, this duffle bag boasts a separate shoe/laundry compartment, ensuring organisation and convenience during your journeys. With its sleek and contemporary design, it effortlessly complements any attire or travel ensemble. Its capacious interior offers ample space for all your essentials, making it perfect for weekend getaways or short trips. Whether you're embarking on an adventure or hitting the gym, the Fur Jaden Weekender Travel Duffle Bag promises a harmonious blend of fashion and practicality.

Specifications of Fur Jaden Weekender Travel Duffle Bag

Material: Vegan leather

Separate shoe/laundry compartment: Yes

Gender: Unisex

Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Stylish and practical design Specific dimensions and capacity not provided Separate compartment for shoes or laundry Colour options not specified Durable vegan leather construction Versatile functionality for travel

Also Read: Best men's luggage bags: Discover the top 9 picks for effortless travel, packed with style and functionality

Are you in search of a versatile laptop bag that seamlessly transitions between office and travel use? Look no further than the FATMUG Laptop Bag For Men. Crafted from high-quality Oxford fabric, this multi-colour bag offers the perfect blend of style and functionality. Its convertible design allows it to be used as both a backpack and a sleek office carry, providing flexibility for various situations. With ample storage space and multiple compartments, it accommodates laptops, tablets, documents, and other essentials. The ergonomic shoulder straps ensure comfort during long commutes or travels. Whether you're heading to the office or embarking on a business trip, this bag combines functionality with style to meet your every need.

Specifications of FATMUG Laptop Bag for Office and Travel

Material: Oxford Fabric

Colour: Multi-Colour

Type: Convertible Backpack

Suitable For: Men

Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Versatile design for office and travel Specific dimensions and capacity not provided High-quality Oxford fabric construction Limited information on colour options Ample storage space for essentials Lack of detailed specifications Ergonomic shoulder straps for comfort

Top 3 features of the best mens travel bag:

Mens Travel Bags Material Capacity Weight Gear Cross Training Travel Duffel Polyester Medium Light Fur Jaden Brown Textured Leatherette Duffle Bag Leatherette Medium Moderate UPPERCASE JFK 66 cm Hardside Check-In Trolley Bag Polycarbonate Large Heavy Fur Jaden Weekender Travel Duffle Bag Vegan Leather Large Moderate Nautica Duffle Bag for Travel Leatherette Medium Light Aristocrat Cadet 52 cm Polyester Cabin Luggage Travel Bag Polyester Medium Moderate Fur Jaden Tan Leatherette Travel Duffle Bag Leatherette Medium Light Fur Jaden Weekender Travel Duffle Bag Vegan Leather Large Moderate FATMUG Laptop Bag for Office and Travel Oxford Fabric Small Light

Best value for money mens travel bag:

Fur Jaden Brown Textured Leatherette Duffle Travel Bag

The Fur Jaden Brown Textured Leatherette Duffle Bag for Travel offers exceptional value for money. Made from high-quality leatherette, this duffle bag combines durability and style at an affordable price. With its spacious capacity and moderate weight, it provides ample room for your travel essentials without compromising on comfort. Whether you're heading for a weekend getaway or a business trip, this bag offers versatility and functionality without breaking the bank. Its brown textured design adds a touch of sophistication to your travels, making it a smart investment for those seeking quality and affordability in their travel gear.

Best overall mens travel bag:

Gear Cross Training Travel Duffel Bag

The Gear Cross Training Travel Duffel emerges as the ultimate choice for travellers, offering a seamless blend of style, durability, and functionality. Crafted with precision, this duffel bag caters to the diverse needs of modern adventurers. Its robust material ensures longevity, while the ample capacity accommodates all essentials for a hassle-free journey. With a lightweight design, it offers convenience without compromising on quality. Whether for a weekend getaway or an extended trip, the Gear Cross Training Travel Duffel stands out as the epitome of reliability and value for money, making it the top choice for discerning travellers seeking unmatched versatility and performance.

How to find the best mens travel bag?

To find the best mens travel bag, start by considering your specific travel needs, such as duration, destination, and type of activities. Look for bags made from durable materials like nylon or polyester for longevity. Ensure it has ample storage space and organisation features like compartments and pockets. Opt for a bag that is lightweight and easy to carry, with comfortable straps or handles. Additionally, consider the bag's size, versatility, and style to suit your preferences. Research customer reviews and ratings to gauge quality and performance before making a decision.

FAQs on the best mens travel bag:

What size should I look for in a men's travel bag?

The ideal size depends on your travel needs. For short trips, a compact carry-on or weekender bag may suffice, while longer journeys may require larger checked luggage.

Are there any specific features I should consider for different types of travel?

Yes, consider features like compartments for organisation, TSA-approved locks for security, and waterproof materials for outdoor adventures.

How can I ensure durability and longevity in a travel bag?

Look for bags made from sturdy materials like nylon or leather, reinforced stitching, and quality hardware such as zippers and handles.

Are there any restrictions or guidelines for carry-on luggage?

Yes, airlines have specific size and weight restrictions for carry-on bags, so check with your airline before packing.

What are the best materials for travel bags in terms of both style and functionality?

Materials like leather, canvas, and durable synthetic fabrics strike a balance between style and durability, offering both aesthetic appeal and practicality for travel.

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times 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, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Americans Harold Terens and Jeanne Swerlin promise their courtship is "better than Romeo and Juliet": He is 100, she's 96, and they marry next month in France, where the groom-to-be served during World War II. Americans Harold Terens and Jeanne Swerlin in Carentan-les-Marais, close to the beaches where thousands of soldiers waded ashore, and many died, in 1944.(Representative image)

US Air Force veteran Terens will be honored on June 6 at a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, the historic Allied operation that changed the course of the war.

Two days later Harold and Jeanne will exchange vows in Carentan-les-Marais, close to the beaches where thousands of soldiers waded ashore -- and many died -- that day in 1944. The town's mayor will preside over the ceremony.

"It's a love story like you've never heard before," Terens assures AFP.

During an interview at Swerlin's home in Boca Raton, Florida, they exchange glances, hold hands and smooch like teenagers.

"He's an unbelievable guy, I love everything about him," Swerlin says of her fiance. "He's handsome -- and he's a good kisser."

The youthful centenarian is also cheerful, witty, and gifted with a prodigious and vivid memory, recalling dates and locations and events without hesitation -- a living history book of sorts.

Shortly after Terens turned 18, Japan bombed the US Navy base at Pearl Harbor. He, like many young American men, was keen to enlist.

By age 20 he was an expert in Morse code and aboard a ship bound for England, where he was assigned to a squadron of four P-47 Thunderbolt fighters. Terens was responsible for their ground-to-air communication.

"We were losing the war by losing a lot of planes and a lot of pilots... These pilots became friends and they got killed," he laments. "They were all young kids."

His company lost half of its 60 planes during the Normandy operation. Soon after, Terens volunteered to travel to that region of northern France to help transport German prisoners of war and liberated Allied troops to England.

Secret mission

One day Terens received an envelope with instructions not to open it until he reached a certain destination. Thus began a remarkable journey that took him to Soviet Ukraine via Casablanca, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Cairo, Baghdad and Tehran.

When he finally arrived in Poltava, a city east of Kyiv, a Russian officer informed him he was part of a secret mission. US B-17 aircraft were taking off from England bound for Romania, where they would bomb Axis oil fields controlled by Nazi Germany.

Terens was part of the resupply team in Ukraine that provided the Flying Fortresses with fuel and ordnance.

The operation lasted 24 hours until the Germans discovered the Allied base in Ukraine and attacked it.

Terens says he escaped but was left in no-man's land. He contracted dysentery, and only survived thanks to the help of a local farming family.

Returning to England, he cheated death once more. When a pub proprietor refused to serve him a drink because she was about to close, he shrugged and left. He had barely walked two blocks when a German rocket destroyed the establishment.

Luckiest guy in the world

After the war he returned stateside and married Thelma, his wife of 70 years with whom he raised three children.

Terens worked for a British multinational, and when he and Thelma retired, they settled in Florida.

Her death in 2018 sank Terens, and he endured "three years of feeling sorry for myself and mourning my wife," he recalls.

But life offered him a fresh start. In 2021 a friend introduced him to Jeanne Swerlin, a charismatic woman who had also been widowed.

Sparks did not fly. On their first meeting Terens could barely look at Swerlin.

But persistence paid off. A second date changed everything, and they haven't been apart since.

"She lights up my life, she makes everything beautiful," he says. "She makes life worth living."

Terens, wearing a World War II cap with "100 Year Old Vet" embroidered on the side, is over the moon about returning to France, where President Emmanuel Macron bestowed on him the nation's highest distinction, the Legion of Honor, in 2019.

He is also thrilled, of course, about getting married. Surrounded by family and friends, December lovebirds Jeanne and Harold will say "I do" at a ceremony in which a Terens' granddaughter will sing "I Will Always Love You" as a great-grand-daughter scatters flower petals on the ground.

At 100, this decorated military veteran acknowledges his good fortune.

"I got it all," he says. I'm probably the luckiest guy in the world.
X user Rohan Das took to the microblogging platform to share an incident with Amazon India. Das alleged that the company is "selling used products as new ones". He shared that he has ordered a laptop from the platform, however he ended up receiving a refurbished one. After he expressed his disappointment with the company on social media, many people flocked to the comments section of the post and reacted to it. The man received an old laptop from the company. (REUTERS)

"I was scammed by Amazon! @amazonIN selling used products as new. Today I received a 'new' laptop from Amazon, but it had already been used and the warranty started in December 2023," wrote Das in his post. He also shared a video of the laptop alongside. The video shows him presenting the warranty and the condition of the laptop to people. He also claims that the seller sent him a used product. (Also Read: Amazon, retailer fined 45,000 for refund delay of laptop: Here's what happened)

Take a look at the post shared by Das here:

This post was shared on May 7. Since being posted, it has gained more than one lakh views, and the numbers are only increasing. The post also has over 1,100 likes and numerous comments. The official handle of Amazon also took to the comments and apologised for the same. They also asked Das for his order details.

Here's how other people reacted:

An individual wrote, "@amazonIN Do you resell the laptops you have already sold to the customers? Is this not dangerous from a security point of view? How can a customer trust you like this?"

A second added, "Take this issue to 'consumer courts', write an application using words 'cheating' 'manipulating public trust: a non-technical person would have never realised the scam' 'mental agony' ask for 10lakhs compensation."

"Please write a review about the seller and your experience on Amazon so that others will not go through such an experience and won't buy from that seller," commented a third.

A fourth added," I was thinking about ordering a new laptop from Amazon. Thank you, I will buy from a local vendor."
A zoo in China has come under fire after it was revealed that they painted chow chow dogs to look like pandas. The zoo, located in Jiangsu Province, showcased the "panda dog" on Labor Day holidays from May 1 to May 5. While thousands of people came to see supposed pandas, a few thought that their behaviour was strange as they shook their heads like dogs. Nevertheless, many people believe that they are real pandas, as per reports. Snapshot of the "panda dog" at the China zoo. (X/@pandadogcoin)

Visitors' clips seemed to depict the puppies as having black limbs, ears, and eye rings, but their doglike characteristics were still clearly visible. Angry visitors claimed they were tricked into thinking they would see real pandas, which led to a surge of complaints against Taizhou Zoo over the dyed pets. They also wondered if painting the puppies would be considered mistreating the animals because some dyes can contain dangerous substances, reported The Sun.

As per VN Express, the zoo did put up a sign saying that people are visiting "panda dogs", instead of real dogs. (Also Read: World's first and only all-white panda captured in China's Wolong Nature Reserve)

A Strait Times report said that a signboard at the zoo read, "Panda dogs are not an actual dog breed. They are rather pet dogs that have been groomed to look like pandas or that were born with coat patterns similar to those of pandas. Such canines will often have a white undercoat with black markings around the eye rims and ears, mimicking the facial features of a giant panda."

A zoo worker told the media that they are yet to get actual giant pandas since the area is too small for them.

As per The Sun chow chows are among the most recognisable and ancient breeds to have originated in China, they enjoy great popularity there. In Chinese history and culture, chow chows are revered and frequently portrayed in literary works.
Scientists studying the sperm whales that live around the Caribbean island of Dominica have described for the first time the basic elements of how they might be talking to each other, in an effort that could one day help better protect them. Light shines on a sperm whale swimming off the coast of Dominica. Scientists studying the sperm whales have described for the first time the basic elements of how they might be talking to each other. (AP)

Like many whales and dolphins, sperm whales are highly social mammals and communicate by squeezing air through their respiratory systems to make strings of rapid clicks that can sound like an extremely loud zipper underwater. The clicks are also used as a form of echolocation to help them track their prey.

Scientists have been trying for decades to understand what those clicks might mean, with only minimal progress. While they still don't know, they now think there are sets of clicks they believe make up a phonetic alphabet that the whales can use to build the very rough equivalent of what people think of as words and phrases.

We're now starting to find the first building blocks of whale language," said David Gruber, founder and president of the Cetacean Translation Initiative or CETI, an effort devoted to translating the communication of sperm whales.

In a study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, researchers analyzed more than 8,700 snippets of sperm whale clicks, known as codas. They say they have found four basic components they think make up this phonetic alphabet.

Pratyusha Sharma, the paper's lead researcher, said this alphabet could then be used by the whales in an unlimited number of combinations.

It doesnt appear that they have a fixed set of codas, said Sharma, an artificial intelligence and computer science expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. That gives the whales access to a much larger communication system, she said, explaining it was as if the whales had a very large dictionary.

Sperm whales have the biggest brains of any animal on the planet at up to 20 pounds, as much as six times the size of an average human brain. Thy live in matriarchal groups of about 10 and sometimes meet up with hundreds or thousands of other whales. Sperm whales can grow up to 60 feet (18 meters) long and dive to nearly 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) to hunt for squid. They sleep vertically, in groups.

Gruber, a biology professor at the City University of New York, said sperm whales seem to have sophisticated social ties and deciphering their communication systems could reveal parallels with human language and society.

To get enough examples of the sperm whale clicks in Dominica, where there is a resident population of about 200 whales, scientists created a giant underwater recording studio with microphones at different depths. Tags on the whales also record what position they are in when clicking  for example diving, sleeping, breathing at the surface  and if there are any other whales nearby they might be communicating with.

Jeremy Goldbogen, an associate professor of oceans at Stanford University, called the new research extraordinary, saying it had vast implications for how we understand ocean giants.

Goldbogen, who was not involved in the study, said that if we were one day able to understand what sperm whales were saying, that knowledge should be used for conservation purposes, like minimizing their risk of being hit by ships or reducing ocean noise levels.

Sperm whales are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The whales were hunted for centuries for the oil contained in their giant heads and the species is still recovering.

Diana Reiss, a marine mammal behavior and communication expert at the City University of New York, said that scientists understand certain aspects of marine animals' communication reasonably well, including the whistles used by dolphins and the songs sung by humpback whales.

But when it comes to sperm whales, even that basic knowledge is lacking.

What's new in this study is that they are trying to look at the basis for the whales' communication system ... not just particular calls they're making, she said.

Reiss, who was not involved in the new research, said she hoped we would one day be able to match the whales clicks to behavior.

We will never understand what the clicks mean to another whale, but we may be able to understand what the clicks mean enough to predict their behavior, she said. That alone would be an amazing achievement, she said.

CETI founder Gruber said millions and possibly billions of whale codas would be needed to collect enough data to try to work out what the whales are saying, but he expects AI to help speed the analysis. He said other sperm whale populations  the whales are found in deep oceans from the Arctic to the Antarctic  likely communicate in slightly different ways.
An engineer from Hyderabad took to X and shared how his mental health improved by miles when he decided to move to the US. Abhirath Batra explained his reasoning and added that it is mainly because he has to do everything himself, from cooking to cleaning his house. His post has promoted a flurry of responses on X. The Hyderabad engineer's post on improving mental health after moving to the US has gone viral. (X/@AbhirathB)

It all started with a post by another X user on mens mental health. Whats the tweet thats like 'This is why we need men in mental health because Gandalf immediately knows Theoden needs to swing a sword around for a bit'? the X user wrote.

While replying to this, Batra posted, My mental health has improved by miles the moment I moved to the US because I'm back to using my hands.

I'm cooking, washing dishes, vacuuming and before I know it, my mind is calm, and I'm humming a song. I have been the happiest building the massive load of IKEA deliveries today. Busy hands, quiet mind, he added.

Take a look at his post here:

X post by a man on how his mental health improved after he moved to the US. (X/@AbhirathB)

Since being shared a day ago, the post has collected more than nine lakh views - and the numbers are only increasing. The share has further accumulated nearly 500 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the share.

What did X users write about this mans post on mental health?

Was anything stopping you from doing those when you were not in the US? asked an X user.

Enough manual work in India if we want. What keeps you from doing this in India? joined another.

Well, somehow this feels less of empowerment and more of majboori (compulsion) because of high-cost household support staff, added a third.

I swear! Ive been cooking all my meals myself in preparation for the USA later this year. I made dosa for the first time today, and it felt so good! All food you cook tastes at least 5x better than the one that you get easily. Call it fruits of your labour, agreed a fourth.

Agree! Although it's just my personal experience and might not apply to everyone, moving to a new country and living alone felt surprisingly natural to me, contrary to my own concerns. Ig living independently anywhere really makes you feel like you're in the driver's seat of life, wrote a fifth.

In a follow-up post, Batra addressed the questions by other X users and shared that he is aware that he can do all these chores by himself from anywhere but felt the difference strongly when he moved to the US.

I know being in the US isn't required to work with your hands. I did my own cooking and chores when I lived away from my parents in Hyderabad, too. It just so happens that I felt this difference strongly when I moved abroad, he posted.
A video of a fight between a passenger and a bus driver has gone viral. As per reports, the woman attacked the driver over an alleged fare dispute in South Los Angeles. Reportedly, the woman refused to pay for her ride. However, Dash buses are currently free of charge. Hence, the cause of the dispute remains unclear. The image shows a fight between a bus driver and a passenger over an alleged fare dispute. (Screengrab)

In the video going viral, the passenger is seen pulling the driver out of the bus and then punching her. The driver fights back and tries kicking the woman. This goes on till the end of the video.

Fox News shared the video on Instagram with a caption that reads, Bus passenger attacks driver for refusing to accept money even though rides are free.

Take a look at the video of the fight here:

Since being shared, the video has collected tons of views and likes. It has also accumulated several comments from people.

What did Instagram users say about this viral video?

Wait. So she was fighting for the driver to take her money? This legit just matches the energy of everything else that completely makes no damn sense in this world today, joked an Instagram user.

Have you ever noticed there is always someone around to videotape things like this but never to help, wondered another.

Also Read: Ugly scene unfolds on Delhi Metro as women fight for space to stand

Why are people not helping? How horrible are you recording and not helping the lady? This is so sad! joined a third.

No way Im reading the caption right. They fought because she didnt want to take money for a free ride!? wrote a fourth.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the woman who attacked the bus driver is homeless.

Bus drivers across the country are facing increasing hostility from passengers, reported the outlet. The number of transit workers being assaulted has tripled in the last 15 years.
The Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has been hit by torrential rains, which has caused floods resulting in the death of at least 90 people. Over 130 are missing and more than 370 are injured. The evacuation of residents is currently underway with the help of volunteers and relief crews. In response to the tragic situation, Apples CEO, Tim Cook, announced that the company would donate to support the flood victims in Southern Brazil. However, the exact amount of the donation has not been disclosed. Apple CEO Tim Cook said that his heart goes out to those affected by Brazil floods. (Reuters)

Our hearts go out to those affected by the devastating and tragic floods in Brazil. Apple will be donating to relief efforts on the ground, wrote Cook on X.

Take a look at the post shared by Tim Cook below:

The post, since being shared on May 8, has accumulated over 8.3 lakh views and still counting. Many even took to the comments section of the post to thank Tim Cook.

Check out a few reactions here:

Thanks for helping Brazil during this climatic crisis. We are facing the worst part of climate change. Climate change is real, posted an individual.

Another added, We from Brazil thank you.

Thank you so much, Tim, expressed a third.

A fourth commented, Thank you for the donation that you are making to Brazil by Apple Corporation. A thousand thanks to you and the entire Apple corporation. Blessing.

Heartfelt condolences to all affected by the floods in Brazil. Thank you, Apple, for stepping up to support relief efforts during this challenging time, said a fifth.

The flooding in Southern Brazil is the worst in 80 years. Nearly 25,000 residents have been forced to leave their homes in Rio Grande do Sul since April 27, the day since the storms began. In some cities, the water levels are at their highest in 150 years, reported BBC.

However, according to the Brazilian Geological Service, the amount of rain has now started to decrease.
A TV hosts reply to a troll trying to humiliate her over her choice of clothing while on-air has gone viral. Australian journalist Narelda Jacobs took to Instagram to share a shocking email she received from a viewer complaining how her attire was inappropriate. She also added her reply to the body shaming email. The image shows the email that a TV host received from a troll. (Instagram/@narelda_jacobs)

A screenshot Narelda Jacobs shared shows the attire she wore to do one of her segments. She also shared the screenshot of an email she received during it. The email reads, Inappropriate dress sense for reading the news. Cleavage is for the nightclubs.

Jacobs wrote in her posts caption, Yes, we still receive emails like this. Yes, it went to the entire newsroom. Yes, I was on air at the time. Yes, it is intended to shame and humiliate me. No, what Im wearing is not inappropriate but your email sure is.

Take a look at her post here:

The post was shared about 19 hours ago. Since then, it has accumulated more than 6,800 likes. The share has further collected tons of comments from people.

What did Instagram users say about this TV hosts response?

Some people are sad and small and spray their sad smallness around. Good thing the sound of their sad smallness is like a mozzie on helium, and the sound of your radiance is the entire brass section of a whole goddamn orchestra, posted an Instagram user.

Aside from you looking perfect. I mean Of all the things in the world today to get upset about its this? shared another.

Yep. The number of emails the newsroom used to get attacking everything about my appearance when I was presenting the weather was incredible, expressed a third.

Love you Narelda! They can go to Hades. Wouldnt it be great to find out where they work and send them some company-wide feedback? commented a fourth.

In the words of Dr Suess , those that mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind'," wrote a fifth.

According to Narelda Jacobs LinkedIn profile, she is a Whadjuk Noongar journalist, presenter, MC, keynote speaker and commentator. She has been associated with Network 10 for over two decades, hosting and co-hosting various shows.
Brazil police arrested a woman who went to a bank with the corpse of her uncle in a wheelchair to get him sign a loan. Erika de Souza Vieira Nunes, who spent 16 days in prison before being released on bail last week, has now opened up for the first time about what has happened. The woman held her uncle's hand to sign off the documents to get loan in her name. (x/@RestrictedVids)

The days away from my family have been horrible, very difficult. I didnt realise my uncle was dead. Its absurd what people are saying. Im not that person people are talking about; Im not that monster, Metro quoted Nunes telling the Brazilian TV programme Fantastico.

Nunes said that she only realised that her uncle was dead when an ambulance worker confirmed it after being called to assist. She further said that she clearly doesnt remember the incident, adding, I dont know if it was the effect of the pills I had taken that day and I took from time to time. As Im undergoing treatment, I was taking a sleeping pill called Zolpidem and took more than I should have.

Her son Lucas Nunes backed her claims, saying that she has been experiencing disorders.

Also Read|

She claimed that her uncle wanted the loan and that she didnt need the money. We always lived without my uncle having any income. My family always helped him. He only did odd jobs here and there but didnt have any fixed income, UNILAD quoted Nunes as saying.

Nunes added that her uncle was independent and did what he wanted. She continued, He wasnt a wheelchair user and I wasnt his carer as people have said. I was never his carer.

Ana de Souza, her lawyer, believes that Nunes wont be convicted at all. The case has barely started and there is already a punishment prior to a sentencing decision. That is, she is already being punished before she is even convicted, if she is going to be convicted at all, UNILAD quoted her as saying.
NAIROBI, Kenya  Kenya's government has begun bulldozing homes built in flood-prone areas and promising evicted families the equivalent of $75 to relocate after a deadline passed to evacuate amid deadly rains. Anguish as Kenya's government demolishes houses in flood-prone areas and offers $75 in aid

In the capital, Nairobi, a bulldozer ripped through iron-sheet walls as people watched in despair. Security forces with guns and batons stood guard and fired tear gas at some residents. The government last week told thousands of people living near rivers, dams and other flood-prone areas to vacate as heavy rains that have left 238 people dead in recent weeks continue to pound.

Most of those whose houses are demolished say they do not know where to go, even though the government claims they were notified about options. Human Rights Watch has accused the government of an inadequate response.

Now what are we going to do? We love our president, and that is why we supported him. He should come to our aid," Jekenke Jegeke told The Associated Press.

President William Ruto, who visited the vast Mathare informal settlement along the Nairobi River on Monday, said those whose houses had been demolished would be given 10,000 Kenyan shillings to help them resettle elsewhere.

Three people, including two children, have died in Mathare after being run over by bulldozers in the demolitions  one before the president's visit and two after it  according to civil society groups.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga last week warned the government against demolishing more houses without a resettlement plan in place.

The number of those affected by the flooding in Kenya has risen to 235,000, with most of them living in camps.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday reiterated an evacuation order to 200 families living in the Kijabe area an hours's drive from Nairobi, where about 60 people were killed and houses were swept away when water broke through a blocked railway tunnel last week.

That disaster prompted the governments evacuation order. It is not clear how many homes across Kenya have been demolished since then.

Meanwhile, Kenya's Cabinet has said that water levels in the countrys two major hydroelectric dams  Masinga and Kiambere  have risen to historic levels, with people living downstream on the Tana River told to leave.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Amid the safety concerns over AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine Covishield and Vaxzevria, the pharmaceutical giant on Tuesday said it has initiated to withdraw its Vaxzevria vaccine globally, The Telegraph reported. The company, however, said the move is due to a surplus of available updated vaccines since the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that this has led to the decline in demand for the vaccine. Amid safety concerns, AstraZeneca withdraws Covid vaccine worldwide: Report(REUTERS/File photo )

The Telegraph report added that AstraZeneca's application to withdraw the Vaxzervria vaccine was made on March 5 and came into effect on May 7.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the company also withdrew marketing authorisation for the vaccine within Europe, reported Reuters.

AstraZeneca admits safety issues

AstraZeneca's latest move comes days after the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker admitted in a legal document submitted that its Covid vaccines, in very rare cases, can cause Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) - a rare syndrome characterized by blood clots (thrombosis) and low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia).

However, it also noted that the syndrome can be detected, even if there is no vaccination, adding that expert testimony will be required to determine causation in every case.

Despite this, the company maintained that extensive clinical trial data and real-world evidence consistently support the vaccine's safety and efficacy. It also reaffirmed that the company's first priority is patient safety.

Our sympathy goes out to anyone who has lost loved ones or reported health problems. Patient safety is our highest priority, and regulatory authorities have clear and stringent standards to ensure the safe use of all medicines, including vaccines, a spokesperson for AstraZeneca said in a statement last week.

Lawsuits against AstraZeneca

The pharmaceutical company has been fighting a class action lawsuit against its Covid-19 vaccines, allegedly leading to several deaths across the world. It first began after a man, identified as Jamie Scott, filed a complaint against AstraZeneca, saying that he developed a blood clot and bleed on his brain, which left him with a severe brain impairment after injecting the vaccine.

Additionally, over 50 cases have been filed in the court against AstraZeneca over its vaccine effects.

The Telegraph earlier reported that AstraZeneca has admitted in court papers that its Covid vaccine, Covishield, can cause rare side effect. Covishield was developed by AstraZeneca and was produced by the Serum Institute of India.

The Supreme Court will soon hear a petition on the rare side effects associated with Covishield. While a hearing date has not yet been set, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has acknowledged the petition demanding an expert panel to investigate the vaccine's side effects.

(With inputs from Reuters)
WHEN JIHADIST gunmen shot their way through Crocus City Hall in Moscow on March 22nd, killing more than 140 concert-goers and setting the venue alight, intelligence agencies across the West were aghast. It was the clearest warning that the Islamic State (IS), seemingly smashed five years ago, is returning to spectacular acts of international terrorism. Western countries fear becoming targets.

The dread is deepest in France and Germany, which are hosting two of the worlds biggest sporting events this summer: the Olympic games and the Euro 2024 football championship. The floating ceremony along the Seine to open the Paris Olympics has been curtailed to limit the risk; a Plan B is in the works, too. If you can do Moscow, you can do Paris, explains Gilles Kepel, an expert on jihadism. Moscow could be a training run for the Olympics.

Terrorism is a grisly theatre of violence, for which mega-events offer a tempting stage. Black September, a Palestinian group, gripped the worlds attention when it took nine Israeli athletes hostage at the Munich Olympics in 1972. IS likes to strike at big, crowded venues: the Bataclan Theatre in Paris in 2015, the Manchester Arena in 2017 and now Crocus City Hall.

These days the West has largely turned away from the long war on terror, having expended much blood and treasure to destroy the main jihadist groups. But extremists are on the march again. They have re-emerged in havens old and new, and are also thriving online. Furthermore, Israels war in Gaza is all but certain to radicalise a new generation.

The history of global jihadism is one of reinvention under pressure from the West. After September 11th 2001, America and its allies overthrew the Taliban in Afghanistan and evicted al-Qaeda. American forces killed its leader, Osama bin Laden, in Pakistan in 2011. Then his successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri, was eliminated by a drone strike in Kabul in 2022. Al-Qaeda has yet to name a new leader. Meanwhile IS, al-Qaedas even more wanton progeny, caused a sensation by carving out a caliphate across swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014, drawing volunteers from Europe and elsewhere. Its last redoubt was destroyed in 2019 and IS has lost four leaders since that year began.

Even so, jihadists fight on. They still revile the West and feed insurgencies from Mali to the Philippines. Of the two brands, IS is the more dynamic. In the war of ideas Islamic State has defeated al-Qaeda, especially among young people, says Aaron Zelin of the Washington Institute, an American think-tank. IS created the caliphate, even if it was destroyed. Al-Qaeda only talked about it.

All this, says Mr Kepel, has produced three overlapping phases of violence: attacks directed by al-Qaeda in the 2000s; strikes enabled or assisted by looser networks linked to IS in the 2010s; and what he calls ambient jihad, the leaderless, self-started violence predominant in recent years. The greater the degree of organisation, the greater the carnage jihadists can generally inflict. Without a guiding hand, lone-wolf attacks are typically less deadly, but they are harder to detect and can be horrifying nonetheless. In France, a school-teacher was beheaded in 2020 and another was stabbed to death last year. And many fret about the growing number of minors drawn to militancy.

The jihadist movement is dispersed and fluid. Some factions focus on fighting the near enemy, ie, local governments, and seizing control of territories. Others are again turning towards the far enemy, the West. Today, as before 9/11, Afghanistan is exporting terrorism. President Joe Bidens chaotic withdrawal in 2021, seeking to end Americas endless wars, led to the Talibans return to power. The killing of Zawahiri was evidence that the Taliban are once again sheltering al-Qaeda figures, who are lying low.

The big headache is the Islamic States franchise in Afghanistan, Khorasan Province (ISKP). It burst to prominence during Americas retreat from Kabul, when a suicide bomber killed more than 180 people, among them 13 American soldiers. Unlike al-Qaeda, ISKP is suppressed by the Taliban, though not entirely. It has exploited networks in neighbouring countries. By Mr Zelins count, ISKP conducted or attempted one attack abroad in 2021, four in 2022, 12 last year and 15 so far this year.

Among its recent targets, it bombed a commemoration in Iran for Qassem Suleimani, an Iranian general slain by America, killing more than 90 in January. It was also behind the Moscow attack, signalling its desire and capacity to cause harm ever farther afield, say Western officials. ISKP strikes where it sees an opportunity, says Hugo Micheron of Sciences Po University in Paris. If it has not attacked in Europe it is because it has been thwarted so far.

The situation is all the graver given other geopolitical complexities. American forces in Iraq and Syria are thinly spread and may be drawn down further, not least because they have been repeatedly attacked by Irans allies. America is renegotiating the status of its forces in Iraq. And an American withdrawal from Syriaadvocated by Mr Trump and seemingly discussed by Mr Bidencould gravely weaken Kurdish allies and result in the break-out of thousands of jihadist fighters held in their prison camps.

In the Sahel, meanwhile, coups have forced French forces to leave Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. UN peacekeepers have also withdrawn from Mali; American troops are likely to leave Niger and perhaps Chad, too. In their place, Russias Wagner mercenary outfit is protecting the putschists. Whether it can beat back jihadists is doubtful. A recent UN report warns that regional branches of al-Qaeda are gaining ground, threatening west African coastal states, and may establish a terrorist sanctuary. Spooks fret that, in both regions, jihadists could turn to attacking the West. A similar worry applies to al-Qaedas powerful ally in Somalia, al-Shabab, and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), its branch in Yemen, which has a history of cross-border terrorism.

The battle is underway in the digital realm, too. The physical caliphate may have gone, but the virtual one is potent. Jihadist tracts and videos are distributed in many languages. With the war in Gaza, the torrent has turned into a flood, as al-Qaeda and IS try to exploit fury over the suffering of Palestinians.

The ferment is likely to radicalise a new generation of Muslims. On April 25th a Moroccan asylum-seeker was convicted of killing a British pensioner because Israel was killing children. New terrorist groups are probably forming as we speak, says Christine Abizaid, director of Americas National Counter-Terrorism Centre, the main intelligence hub on jihadists. For all the horror Hamas inflicted on Israel on October 7th, she added, Palestinian groups dont seem inclined to attack the West.

Upstaged by Hamas, which it disdains, yet unable to land a blow on Israel, ISKP is inciting its followers to strike wherever they can. Lions of Islam: Chase your prey whether Jewish, Christian or their allies, urged ISKP in January.

So what next? Jihadist plots in Europe, successful and failed, abated with the waning of the caliphate, according to Petter Nesser of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (see chart). As jihadists regroup, however, the more organised sort of attack may return to the fore. In Europe, France is most vulnerable, in part because of the clash between French state secularism and Muslim public religiosity. Britain and, increasingly, Germany, may be next on the hit list. Sweden and Denmark have drawn ire because of their Koran-burning protests. Russia is prominent, adds Mr Nesser, given its intervention in Syria in 2015 and its alliance with Iran.

Suspected jihadists have been arrested across Europe, often with ISKP links. The group operates in part through a diaspora of Muslims from ex-Soviet lands in Central Asia and the Caucasus, a change from earlier cycles of terrorism that often involved extremists of north African and Pakistani extraction. Some ISKP figures in Turkey form what the UN calls a logistical hub for [ISKP] operations in Europe, not least by moving funds through cryptocurrencies.

Military experience, whether in training camps or actual jihadist battles, increases the zeal and deadliness of attackers. Fortunately, the flow of Western volunteers to war zones has slowed to a dribble, say security sources. But militants jailed for terrorism offences during earlier periods of violence can inspire and organise others once released from prison.

Some jihadists may be lurking among the mass of migrants moving to Europe and America. Nine people of Central Asian extraction, arrested in Germany and the Netherlands last July for allegedly plotting attacks on behalf of IS, had come from Ukraine. In America, hundreds of people with possible links to terrorism have been found crossing the Mexican and Canadian borders since 2022. But Ms Abizaid says there is no evidence of known operatives trying to slip across land borders.

If jihadists do attack, officials fear they might import technologies from foreign battlefields, such as drones that drop munitions and bombs without metal parts. Encrypted communicationsin messaging apps and video gamesmake it easier for militants to organise. Artificial intelligence, perhaps including deepfakes, facilitates the production and translation of jihadist propaganda.

Always alert

Western intelligence agencies thus have a daunting task, tracking a mosaic of jihadists abroad while trying to spot self-starting ones at home. They must also watch far-right terrorists, usually self-radicalised, who both hate Muslims and often learn from jihadist manuals. And they must monitor an older threat: terrorism sponsored by radical states such as Iran.

Ultimately jihadism reflects the profound problems of the greater Middle East. The West lacks the power to fix them and has often made them worse. Part of the answer lies in close intelligence cooperation. America warned Russia of the looming attack in Moscow, a sign of its central role in global counter-terrorism. The strike on Zawahiri, moreover, showed Americas ability to hit terrorists over the horizon. However, funds and personnel have been shifted to other priorities, such as confronting the threats from Russia and China. The West may have hoped to end the war on terrorism. But the terrorists are still fighting.

Stay on top of our defence and international security coverage with The War Room, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
BOGOTA -A front of Colombian leftist rebel group the National Liberation Army has broken ranks with the group's central command, becoming the guerrillas' first dissident faction, as Colombia's government on Wednesday recognized it as an independent organization. Colombia recognizes dissident ELN faction as independent organization

The Southern Community Front, which operates in Colombia's Narino province, announced its split with the wider ELN on Tuesday. It was confirmed almost immediately by Pablo Beltran, head of the rebel group's peace delegation.

Analysts say the splintering of the ELN could cause obstacles for the total peace policy pushed by the government of leftist President Gustavo Petro, which wants to end the group's part in Colombia's six decades of internal conflict which have killed at least 450,000 people.

"Consequently, will treat this group from Narino as a distinct and independent organization from the national organization, with which it holds political negotiations," the government's peace commissioner's office said in a statement.

On Monday, the ELN said it would end its suspension on kidnappings, blaming the government for a delay in establishing a multi-donor fund meant to finance the peace process.

Although six rounds of talks have taken place since the end of 2022, crisis hit negotiations after the government advanced meetings with the faction in Narino province, which sought to negotiate the group's handing over weapons and reintegrating into society.

The peace commissioner's office said it would work to make sure the ELN does not abandon its pledge to give up kidnappings.

Negotiations between previous governments and the ELN - considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union - broke down due to the group's radical positions, diffuse chain of command, and dissent in its ranks.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NEW YORK  One-time movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was returned to a New York City jail in what his publicist said Tuesday was the result from a published report claiming he was getting VIP treatment during his 10-day stay at a hospital. Harvey Weinstein is back at NYC's Rikers Island jail after hospital stay

The publicist, Juda Engelmeyer, said Weinstein was moved late Monday from Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan to an infirmary at the citys Rikers Island jail complex.

The move came hours after The City, a nonprofit news outlet, reported that Weinstein was housed in a private room in the hospitals intensive care unit with a television, phone and a bathroom rather than a separate floor where inmates normally reside.

Engelmeyer disputed the account, saying Weinstein wasnt getting preferential or VIP treatment and wasn't housed in what could be characterized as a hospital suite. Engelmeyer said he'd been housed on the floor for inmates where everyone has access to a room with phones and a television room.

Hes been moved back to Rikers largely due to pressure, I believe, due to pressure because of the news about what somebody thought was VIP treatment, he said.

Weinstein was brought to Bellevue Hospital only hours after he was transferred on April 26 from the Mohawk Correctional Facility, about 100 miles northwest of Albany, to Rikers less than a day after the New York Court of Appeals vacated his conviction.

The appeals court ruled that a Manhattan trial judge permitted jurors to see and hear too much evidence not directly related to the charges he faced, and it ordered a new trial, negating his 23-year prison sentence. However, he remained jailed because he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of another rape and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

While prosecutors have asked for a September retrial on charges that he forcibly performed oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and raped an aspiring actor in 2013, it was unclear if key trial witnesses would return for a new trial. Weinstein has disputed the allegations.

Frank Dwyer, a New York City Department of Correction spokesperson, said Weinstein was originally taken to Bellevue for medical care and was returned to the West Facility, a Rikers Island jail in Queens, when the treatment was completed.

The West Facility houses 140 specially air-controlled housing units for inmates with contagious diseases such as tuberculosis, according to a city website, though the jail has reportedly also been used for inmates that need to be isolated from the general jail population for other reasons.

Craig Rothfeld, a jail consultant working with Weinstein attorneys, responded to an email sent to a Weinstein lawyer by saying the decision to return Weinstein to Rikers was made by medical staff "who are more than qualified to make these medical decisions.

He said there are no more updates to provide regarding Weinstein's health, and all of his health conditions continue to be closely monitored by city jail and health officials.

We have every confidence in their decision-making ability regarding Mr. Weinstein's safety and well-being and are grateful for their continued communication, Rothfeld said.

Engelmeyer said Weinstein had been treated at the hospital for pneumonia, a recurring issue related to his heart troubles, along with his other medical issues, including diabetes.

He appreciates the care he was getting in Bellevue, he said.

Engelmeyer said Weinstein was disappointed at his return to Rikers and was uncomfortable there, where the spokesperson described Weinstein's housing as more like an infirmary.

He said Weinstein was regularly speaking by phone with his lawyers when he was at the hospital as other inmates awaiting trial are allowed to do.

"He didn't get any treatment different from others. He wasnt talking to his friends and buddies and having a good time, Engelmeyer said.

Engelmeyer said Weinstein gained some relief and hope from the appeals ruling, but he knows he faces a long prison term from the California case and an appeal of that conviction won't be heard for another year.

His spirits are up, but he also knows he has a long, long trip ahead of him, Engelmeyer said. He knows that he won't be getting out soon.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
A royal expert has claimed that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ruined Charles first year as king. Charles celebrated the first anniversary of his coronation on May 6, 2024. He is now battling cancer. How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ruined Charles' first year as king (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP, REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo)

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has said Harry and Meghan were the ones to put Charles through the most testing times. He said he believes the Duke and Duchess of Sussex retaliated after their Frogmore Cottage eviction, a residence they thought would always be there for them.

The facts simply are with Harry and Meghan that after Spare, enough was enough, so he had them evicted from Frogmore Cottage, and I dont think they expected it, Fitzwilliams told The Sun. And they certainly didnt like it. But the revelations in Spare, and not only the attacks on the royal family in that book and in the interviews surrounding it, which large numbers of people watched, of course, that Harry was responsible for, and it was his memoir.

It was important that the king acted as he did

Fitzwilliams said that after Harrys memoir was released in January last year, its revelations had a great impact on Charles reign. Spare was so badly planned, you felt that hed not had advice, but to attack Queen Camilla was clearly a red line, as was pointed out by the press that hes so hostile to, he said. Therefore it was important that the king acted as he did.

Fitzwilliams also claimed Harry and Meghan monetised their links to the Windsor clan. Theres no doubt that evicting the Sussexes from their domicile in the UK was something that showed immense royal displeasure, he said, declaring that it was absolutely right to have done it.

Theres also no doubt that the row with her with Omid Scobie later in the year and all of that was also very, very unhelpful, he continued. But what ones not going to get now and the Sussexes they monetize their connections with the royal family.

He added, They will forever, it seems, be in the news and precisely how they behave and what they decide to do a matter for them obviously.
The mother of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli forces, has opened up after pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University renamed its iconic Hamilton Hall to Hind Hall. Student protesters were seen unfurling a banner, which read Hind Hall, over Hamilton Hall's facade. Hind Rajab was a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli forces (Palestine Red Crescent Society/ Family Handout via REUTERS) (via REUTERS)

In a video going viral on X, Rajabs mom says, I started crying because I wanted all of these movements and support to come while Hind was still alive. She says that she hoped protests do not stop till a permanent ceasefire, adding, Wake up now! Why are others like Hind still going through this?

What happened to Hind Rajab?

Rajabs story came to light after a phone recording went viral on social media. The audio revealed the final moment of interaction the little girl had before her death.

Rajab, her aunt, uncle and three cousins tried to flee Gaza amid the violence when their car was targeted by Israeli tanks. Her relatives died, and she was the only survivor. Rajabs mom and older sibling had reportedly fled on foot.

Rajab frantically reached out to emergency services for more than three hours. Her last words were, I am so scared, please come, before the call suddenly ended.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) dispatched two paramedics to help Rajab after her calls, but the paramedics died after their ambulance was destroyed. Rajab was later found dead, having been killed by shelling and gunfire.

Rajabs mother told BBC in the past, For every person who heard my voice and my daughters pleading voice, yet did not rescue her, I will question them before God on the Day of Judgement.

She added, Netanyahu, Biden, and all those who collaborated against us, against Gaza and its people, I pray against them from the depths of my heart.

The PRCS alleged that Israel deliberately targeted the medical team, but the Israeli military dismissed the allegations. They denied involvement saying their forces were not in proximity to the vehicle when the incident took place.
Toronto: Canadas foreign minister has reiterated the allegation that Indian agents were connected to the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 last year, even as Indias envoy to the country has described as a red line the threat to its territorial integrity posed by Canadian citizens. Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly attends a meeting on the second day of a G7 foreign ministers meeting on Capri island, Italy. (AP)

Speaking to the media in Ottawa, Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, said, Canadas position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents.

That statement came in the context of a question relating to the arrest of three Indian nationals by law enforcement for their alleged involvement in the murder.

India has described those accusations, first made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the House of Commons on September 18, as absurd and motivated.

On Tuesday, Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma addressed the matter of the threat originating from pro-Khalistan elements in Canada. Speaking at the Conseil des relations internationales de Montreal or the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations, he said, My concern is national security, threats emanating from the land of Canada. These threats are largely emanating from Canadian citizens. These two are my red lines.

He also said while some may have been Indian citizens earlier, they were now Canadians who were casting an evil eye on the territorial integrity of India.

Verma attributed the differences between the governments to Canada ignoring New Delhis point of view, as he said, The origin is the lack of understanding of Indias concerns.

However, he added, channels of communication between them remained open. There are a lot of discussions at the government level happening, through the diplomatic channels, not open to public. Both sides, he said were trying to find solutions and resolutions to the issues of concern.

Joly reiterated on Tuesday, Its always better when diplomacy remains in private.

Meanwhile, Canadas Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan has described as not accurate a media report that India refused to allow a flight carrying him and Trudeau to land in Punjab in February 2018 till they agreed to a meeting with then Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

Speaking during an event in Ottawa on budget measures addressing climate crisis, Sajjan, who was then the Minister of National Defence, described that report as not accurate.

The meeting was held in Amritsar, and Trudeau, Sajjan and three other Indo-Canadian ministers met the Punjab CM.

Sajjan said, That report is not accurate. However, he added, There has been significant misinformation and disinformation by India on individuals including on myself and my family as well.

Sajjan also said the Canadian government took any allegations or information by any country very seriously when it comes to any type of criminal activity thats potentially taking place in our country. But, he echoed what Trudeau has said earlier, that Canadians, of any origin, have the right to express their viewpoints if that is done peacefully.
Russia hit critical energy infrastructure in Stryi district and a power generation facility in Chervonohrad district in western Ukraine on Wednesday, Lviv governor said in a statement on Telegram messaging app. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (Reuters)(REUTERS)

The missile strike caused a fire at the power generation facility, with emergency services working on site, he said. No casualties were reported in the attack on Lviv region at the time.

Russia's air attack caused serious equipment damage at three thermal power plants, DTEK, Ukraine's largest private electricity company, said on Wednesday.

"The equipment is seriously damaged," DTEK said on the Telegram messaging app. "Power engineers are currently working on eliminating the consequences of the attack."

Russia used more than 50 missiles and 20 drones in overnight attack on Ukraine's infrastructure on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram.

The attack took place on the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation.

"The whole world must clearly understand who is who. The whole world has no right to give Nazism another chance," Zelenskiy wrote.
An F-16 jet belonging to the Singapore Air Force crashed during takeoff at a military airbase on Wednesday, the ministry of defence in Singapore said in a statement. The defence ministry said that the plane had experienced an issue during take-off at about 12.35 pm. "The pilot successfully ejected and the plane crashed thereafter within Tengah Air Base The pilot is conscious and able to walk. He is receiving medical attention. No other personnel are hurt," the ministry said. The pilot successfully ejected and the plane crashed thereafter within Tengah Air Base.

It also added that investigations are ongoing in connection with the incident and that it will provide updates on the incident as soon as they become available. According to Channel News Asia report, Singapore has operated the F-16 for more than 30 years. Such incidents are rare in the city-state, which has the most advanced air force in Southeast Asia.

In 2010, a military helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in an open field close to a residential area because of engine problems.

ALSO READ | IAF's Tejas aircraft crashes near Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, pilot ejects safely

Meanwhile, during a night training mission in May 2004, an RSAF F-16C aircraft crashed in the US state of Arizona, resulting in the tragic loss of the 25-year-old Singaporean pilot who was initially reported missing. A board of inquiry determined that the incident stemmed from human factors, suggesting that the pilot may have encountered gravity-induced loss of consciousness or spatial disorientation, leading to his inability to regain control of the aircraft from an inverted position.

Singapore's F-16 fleet reportedly underwent recent upgrades aimed at enhancing its capabilities and ensuring operational readiness until the mid-2030s. Among the enhancements are the integration of Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar, enabling the F-16 to track and engage multiple targets at greater distances. Additionally, there's the incorporation of all-weather, ground-attack capability, facilitating precision strikes with more advanced munitions.

ALSO READ | Two IAF pilots killed in Pilatus trainer aircraft crash in Hyderabad

In February, Singapore announced its intention to purchase eight F-35A jets, complementing a previous order of 12 F-35 jets of the "B" variant, reportedly slated to replace the F-16 fleet.

(With inputs from PTI)
SEOUL, South Korea  Kim Ki Nam, a North Korean propaganda chief who helped build personality cults around the countrys three dynastic leaders, has died at 94, the Norths state media said. The North Korean official whose propaganda helped build the Kim dynasty dies at 94

North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said the countrys current leader, Kim Jong Un, visited the body of Kim Ki Nam at a funeral hall in the capital, Pyongyang, early Wednesday and expressed condolences to family members. The agency said Kim Jong Un will lead the state funeral committee for Kim Ki Nam, who will be buried on Thursday.

KCNA said Kim Ki Nam, a former secretary of the ruling Workers Partys central committee, "devoted his all to the sacred struggle for defending and strengthening the ideological purity of our revolution and firmly guaranteeing the steady victory of the socialist cause. The agency said he died Tuesday after being treated for age-related illnesses and multiple organ dysfunctions for the past year.

Kim Ki Nams role as the countrys chief propagandist earned him notoriety in South Korea, where media nicknamed him the North Korean Goebbels, after Nazi Germanys propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.

He also led the delegation to South Korea in 2009 that attended the funeral of former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who had pursued engagement with the North and held a summit with former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, the father of the current ruler.

Kim Ki Nam was one of the seven senior officials who joined Kim Jong Un in accompanying the hearse of the late leader Kim Jong Il following his death in 2011.

Kim Ki Nam was a professor at Kim Il Sung University and the chief editorial writer of the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper before taking leadership roles in the ruling Workers Partys propaganda departments starting in the 1980s.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Toronto: Three Indian nationals, charged with alleged involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, appeared in a Canadian court on Tuesday, after their arrests on Friday. 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 appeared via a video link before a British Columbia provincial court in Surrey, where Nijjar was killed. They made their appearances before Judge Delaram Jahani. Nearly 100 protesters, many brandishing Khalistani flags and anti-India posters, also gathered in front of the courthouse.

The accused Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all residents of Edmonton, are facing charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Nijjar was killed in the parking area of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey on June 18 last year and some of the protesters came from that temple.

Their appearance from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre was procedural as they were informed of the charges against them.

Brar and Karanpreet Singh already have lawyers representing them while Kamalpreet Singh doesnt. All three are scheduled to make their next appearance before the court on May 21.

The agency Canadian Press quoted Karanpreet Singhs lawyer Jay Michi as saying that everyone, whether a citizen or not, was entitled to due process protection. Brars lawyer Richard Fowler said, That level of community interest makes me even more resolved to ensure that those charged with these offences have a fair trial.

All three were dressed in prison uniform and an interpreter was at hand for helping with translating exchanges in English into Punjabi and vice versa.

The posters displayed by pro-Khalistan protesters included those showing the three accused and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others featuring Indias senior-most diplomats in Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and officers from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has said the probe is ongoing.

Canadian investigators have not, as yet, announced any link to the Indian government in relation to the murder. However, on Friday, Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, Commander of the Federal Policing Program in the Pacific Region, said there were separate and distinct investigations ongoing including investigating connections to the Government of India.

The killing of Nijjar on June 18, in Surrey, British Columbia, caused India-Canada relations to rupture after Trudeaus statement in the House of Commons three months later that there were credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and the murder. India reacted by saying those charges were absurd and motivated.

Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma has described the arrests as an internal matter for Canada.
The death toll from devastating floods that have ravaged southern Brazil for days reached 100 on Wednesday, authorities said, as the search continued for dozens of people still missing. Rescuers sail by boat looking for people at the Humaita neighbourhood in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, on May 7, 2024.(AFP)

Nearly 400 municipalities have been affected by the worst natural calamity ever to hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul, with hundreds of people injured and 160,000 forced from their homes.

Many have no access to drinking water or electricity -- or even the means to call for help with telephone and internet services down in many places.

On Tuesday, state governor Eduardo Leite had warned the human toll was likely to rise as "the emergency is continuing to develop" in the state capital of Porto Alegre and other cities and towns.

Some 15,000 soldiers, firefighters, police and volunteers were at work across the state, many in boats, and even jet skis, to rescue those trapped and transport aid.

Authorities urged people not to return to affected areas due to possible landslide and health hazards.

Many people are loath to leave their homes for the safety of shelters amid reports of abandoned properties being looted.

"Contaminated water can transmit diseases," civil defense spokeswoman Sabrina Ribas warned on Wednesday.

The National Confederation of Municipalities said nearly 100,000 homes had been damaged or destroyed by unprecedented rains and floods in the state, with losses estimated at about 4.6 billion reais (more than $900 million.)

Also Read | Heavy rain leads to flooding and closed roads in southeast Texas

Porto Alegre is home to about 1.4 million people and the larger metropolitan area has more than double that number.

The state's Guaiba River, which runs through Porto Alegre, reached historic levels and five dams are at risk of rupturing.

- 'A parallel universe' -

There were queues at public taps and wells as officials warned that the most urgent need of people stranded by impassable roads, collapsed bridges and flooded homes was drinking water.

Only two of Porto Alegre's six water treatment plants were functioning, the mayor's office said Tuesday, and hospitals and shelters were being supplied by tankers.

Helicopters were delivering water and food to communities most in need, while work continued on restoring road access.

The Brazilian Navy was to send its "Atlantic" vessel -- Latin America's largest -- to Rio Grande do Sul on Wednesday with two mobile water treatment stations.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has vowed there would be "no lack of resources to meet the needs of Rio Grande do Sul."

In Gasometro, a part of Porto Alegre popular with tourists, the water continued to rise Wednesday, complicating rescue efforts.

"You can only cross on foot or by boat. There is no other way," 30-year-old resident Luan Pas told AFP next to a street turned into a stagnant, smelly river.

Operations at the port of Porto Alegre have been suspended, and its international airport indefinitely closed.

The Air Force said the military base outside town will receive commercial flights transporting aid and passengers.

In a rare dry spot in Porto Alegre's historic center, dozens of people gathered around a generator rented by a pharmacy to charge their cell phones.

"This is a parallel universe," said one of them, university professor Daniela da Silva, 30.

The Inmet meteorological institute has warned of more storms with heavy rains and winds in the south of the state and downpours over the weekend in the Porto Alegre region.

The World Meteorological Organization in a report Wednesday, said Latin American and the Caribbean had recorded its warmest year on record in 2023 -- "a year of record climatic hazards" for the region due to climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon.

Many towns and cities in Brazil, it said, were hit by "exceptional rainfall" that caused displacement and massive upheavals.

Due to climate change, extreme or rare events "are becoming more frequent and more extreme," Jose Marengo, research coordinator at Brazil's National Center for Natural Disaster Monitoring (Cemaden) told AFP.

According to weather agency MetSul, the flooding has "changed the map of the metropolitan region" of Porto Alegre.
May 7 - Ukrainian forces attacked an oil storage depot and sparked a large fire, injuring five people late on Tuesday on the outskirts of the Russian-held city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, the region's Russia-installed leader said. Ukraine hits oil depot in Russian-held city, local leader says

"Late at night, the enemy made a strike on the peaceful city of Luhansk, shelling an oil storage depot on the edge of the city," Leonid Pasechnik, head of the Luhansk People's Republic, wrote on Telegram.

He later reported that five employees of the depot were taken to hospital. All units from the local division of Russia's Emergencies Ministry were deployed to put out the fire and keep nearby buildings safe.

Pasechnik suggested, without providing any evidence, that the strike had been carried out by a U.S.-supplied ATACM .

"Efforts to provide medical assistance to the injured are compounded by the large fire," he wrote.

There was no official Ukrainian statement on the incident.

Video posted on the sites of both Russian and Ukrainian war bloggers showed a large fire burning some distance from apartment buildings.

Ukrainian war bloggers reported the strike, one suggesting it was carried out by a missile.

Separatist fighters backed and financed by Russia seized control of large chunks of Luhansk and Donetsk regions in eastern Ukraine in 2014 after Moscow annexed Crimea.

Pasechnik became head of the separatist region before Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Russia annexed both regions - as well as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions - in September 2022, though it does not have full control of any of them.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Severe storms battered the Midwest on Tuesday, unleashing a curtain of heavy rain, gusty winds and tornadoes throughout the region a day after a deadly twister ripped through a small Oklahoma town and killed at least one person. Lightning strikes in the distance as a thunderstorm passes over downtown Kansas City, Mo., July 30, 2023. Tens of millions of Americans stretching from Lincoln, Neb., to Baltimore could face strong thunderstorms Monday night, April 15, 2024, through Wednesday, April 17, with tornadoes possible in some states. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)(AP)

Tornadoes were spotted after dark Tuesday in parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, while portions of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri were also under a tornado watch, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters warned that the storms could stretch late into the night with the possibility of more twisters and large hail.

In southwestern Michigan, two tornadoes blitzed the city of Portage near Kalamazoo. The sheriffs office there said multiple trees and power lines were down in the area. A FedEx building was destroyed, debris left resting on delivery vehicles, but a company spokesperson said there were no serious injuries despite the severe damage.

An estimated 50 people were trapped inside the FedEx facility as of 9:30 p.m., said Taylor Koopman, a spokesperson for the county administrator.

First responders are actively looking for ways to get them out, but there are wires down in the building that they need the power company to clear before they can safely go in, Koopman said, citing the sheriffs office.

Meanwhile, entire homes were destroyed in the Pavilion Estates mobile home park, she said.

ALSO READ| Biden administration halts ammunition delivery to Israel, US officials say it is intentional

Tornadoes wreak havoc across Central US

The National Weather Services Storm Prediction Center has cited more than a dozen reports of tornadoes from Monday evening through early Tuesday in the central part of the United States. Eight of the twisters were in Oklahoma, while Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Tennessee all saw at least one tornado.

The powerful storms come amid a wild swing in severe weather across the globe that includes some of the worst-ever flooding in Brazil and a brutal Asian heat wave.

The deadly tornado that touched down Monday night in Oklahoma ripped through the 1,000-person town of Barnsdall, about a 40-minute drive north of Tulsa. The National Weather Service there had warned Monday evening that a large and life-threatening tornado was headed toward Barnsdall and the nearby town of Bartlesville.

It was the second tornado to hit Barnsdall in five weeks  a twister on April 1 with maximum wind speeds of 90 to 100 mph (145 to 161 kph) damaged homes and blew down trees and power poles.

Barnsdall Mayor Johnny Kelley said one person was dead while one man was missing after Monday's twister. Authorities launched a secondary search Tuesday morning for the missing man.

The toughest thing on me as the mayor is this is a small community, Kelley said. I know 75% to 80% of the people in this town.

ALSO READ| AstraZeneca to withdraw Covid vaccine worldwide amid safety issues: Report

Oklahomans are resilient: Governor

At least 30 to 40 homes in the Barnsdall area were damaged Monday night, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.

Aerial videos showed several well-built homes reduced to piles of rubble and others with roofs torn off and damaged walls still standing. The powerful twister tossed vehicles, downed power lines and stripped limbs and bark from trees across the town. A 160-acre (65-hectare) wax manufacturing facility in the community also sustained heavy damage.

First responders rescued about 25 people, including children, from heavily damaged homes where buildings had collapsed on or around them, Kelley said. About a half dozen people suffered injuries, he said.

The Barnsdall Nursing Home said it evacuated residents because a gas leak could not be turned off due to storm damage. It later posted online that all residents were accounted for with no injuries, and they were being taken to other facilities.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who toured the twister's damage on Tuesday, said it was rated by weather researchers as a violent tornado with wind speeds up to 200 mph (322 kph). Stitt said he and legislative leaders have agreed to set aside $45 million in this year's budget to help storm-damaged communities.

Oklahomans are resilient," Stitt said, "and we're going to rebuild.

At the Hampton Inn in Bartlesville, several splintered 2x4s were driven into the south side of the building. Chunks of insulation, twisted metal and other debris were scattered over the hotels lawn, and vehicles in the parking lot were heavily damaged with smashed-out windows.

Matthew Macedo, who was staying at the hotel, said he was ushered into the hotel laundry room to wait out the storm.

When the impact occurred, it was incredibly sudden," he said.

ALSO READ| Harvey Weinstein is back at NYC's Rikers Island jail after hospital stay

The storms tore through Oklahoma as areas, including Sulphur and Holdenville, were still recovering from a tornado that killed four and left thousands without power late last month. Both the Plains and Midwest have been hammered by tornadoes this spring.

Oklahoma and Kansas had been under a high-risk weather warning Monday. The last time such a warning was issued was March 31, 2023, when a massive storm system tore through parts of the South and Midwest including Arkansas, Illinois and rural Indiana.

The entire week is looking stormy across the U.S. The eastern U.S. and the South are expected to get the brunt of the bad weather through the rest of the week, including in Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis and Cincinnati, cities where more than 21 million people live. It should be clear over the weekend.
An Air France plane carrying passengers was stranded in Canada's deep north following an emergency landing Tuesday. The Boeing 787, bound for Seattle from Paris, was redirected to Iqaluit in Nunavut territory after a burning smell was detected in the cabin. The remote town, which has a total population of less than 8,000, is often known as Canada's Arctic Captial. The airline launched a rescue operation after the plane was left stranded in the isolated region. Air France's Boeing 787 made an emergency landing in the remote Canadian town of Iqaluit on Tuesday(X, formerly Twitter/ @tattuinee)

Air France's Boeing 787 makes emergency landing in remote Canadian town Iqaluit

About six hours into what should have been a nine-and-a-half-hour flight to Seattle, a burning smell and smoke were detected onboard, including the cockpit. Pilots quickly resorted to their oxygen masks and prepared for an emergency landing at the nearest available airport, which happened to be in Iqaluit, per Business Insider.

As the plane made it safely to the redirected airport, a video of the emergency landing was shared on X, formerly Twitter. The viral clip as garnered over 500K views on the platform as of now.

The passengers aboard the stranded Boeing 787 were transported to New York via a different aircraft. According to Flightradar24 data, a Boeing 777 bound for Paris from Montreal was cancelled and rerouted to Iqaluit. The aircraft departed for New York nearly 11 hours after the emergency landing. While the destination was not what the passengers intended, Air France made sure that they reached the United States.

The airline expressed its regret over the situation, issuing an apology for the inconvenience caused. Air France regrets the inconvenience caused by this situation and reiterates that the safety of its customers and crews is its absolute imperative, the statement reads. The faulty Boeing 787 is grounded in Iqaluit for the time being as the crew investigates the cause.
Explosives will have to be detonated to free cargo ship Dali from the Francis Scott Key Bridges wreckage, a report has said. Salvage crews will use the explosives to separate a huge chunk of the bridges truss that has been lying on ships bough ever since the bridge collapsed, Unified Commands Petty Officer Ronald Hodges told WBAL-TV. Explosives will be detonated to free cargo ship Dali from Francis Scott Key Bridges wreckage (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(AFP)

Since the wreck, Dalis crew has been living on the ship. Officials have confirmed that they can remain on board safely during the explosion. They will not have to be evacuated.

What theyre doing are best practices and historic best practices, and the way that you remove large amounts of steel, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told reporters on Tuesday, May 7, according to New York Post. We know that as soon as that operation, that precision cutting is done, then we also have the tools to be able to remove that steel from the water, to safely refloat the Dali, and to reopen up the federal channel.

Sources claimed that placing the precision explosives on the truss will take up to several days. A massive hydraulic claw and precision-cutting tools have been used by Unified Command to clear much of the wreckage.

Sixth worker's body recovered

On March 30, the Dali smashed into the nearly 50-year-old bridge. As many as six construction workers were killed. The body of the sixth missing worker, Jose Mynor Lopez, was recovered on Tuesday.

With heavy hearts, today marks a significant milestone in our recovery efforts and providing closure to the loved ones of the six workers who lost their lives in this tragic event, said Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police.

As we mourn with the families, we honor the memory of Jose Mynor Lopez, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, Carlos Daniel Hernandez Estrella, and Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, he added.
The Biden administration is making Israel wait for ammunition to be delivered, according to the statements of a few US officials to ABC News on Tuesday, and this is most probably the first time since the Oct 7 Hamas attacks that the US does not provide weapons to its ally. Israel kept waiting for ammunition as Biden administration aims to prevent escalation in Rafah. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko(REUTERS)

The rationale behind this move is understood to be the administrations attempt to dissuade Israel from initiating a comprehensive invasion of Rafah, located in the southern part of Gaza.

The Biden administration is advocating for a well-founded strategy to safeguard the multitude of civilians currently taking shelter in the region.

The news of the ammunition shipment delay was initially brought to light by Axios on Sunday.

Israeli authorities have commenced what they describe as a precise operation within Rafah.

ALSO READ| Basic tips for H1B visa holders amid US tech layoffs: Immigration experts explain what to do

Why US holding back arms delivery

An official from the US disclosed that the White House National Security Council (NSC) has instructed the US Air Force to halt the transfer of already sanctioned ammunition, which was poised for shipment from Dover Air Force Base.

This pause in munitions delivery has been corroborated by a second US official, who affirmed that the NSC initiated the suspension.

The US officials have emphasized that this delay is intentional, although the NSC has not publicly confirmed the decision or elucidated the reasons for the holdup. The officials have reiterated that the overarching U.S. policy towards Israel remains unchanged.

White House spokesperson John Kirby said, Our commitment to Israels security remains ironclad. We dont as a matter of course talk about individual shipments one way or the other. But again, nothings changed about our commitment to Israel security.

Some Democrats have urged for conditions to be imposed on future arms transfers to Israel, while Republicans have expressed swift disapproval.

House Speaker Mike Johnson disclosed that he had received a ground report from Israel indicating that a shipload of munitions and precision weapons, which are to be used to help protect civilians and Rafah, is being withheld.

He criticized the action, saying, This is not the will of Congress. This is an underhanded attempt to withhold aid, without facing accountability. Its undermining what Congress intended.

ALSO READ| Biden condemns ferocious surge of antisemitism in US at Holocaust remembrance ceremony

In a letter to President Joe Biden, Republican Senators Jodi Ernst and Ted Budd conveyed they are shocked and deeply concerned regarding the administrations alleged failure to inform Congress prior to the suspension of ammunition to Israel.

They stated, If these reports are true, then you have once again broken your promise to an American ally.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that military operations in Rafah are both inevitable and essential for the eradication of Hamas.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is slated to appear before a Senate committee on Wednesday, where he is expected to face inquiries regarding the U.S. policy towards Israel.
New Jersey dad Christopher Gregor, whose son died after he forced the child to run on a treadmill, casually left the room as medics struggled to revive the boy, testimony from his trial has revealed. Gregor allegedly callously walked out of the room as nurses tried to keep six-year-old Corey Micciolo alive. He eventually died surrounded by strangers. Christopher Gregor callously walked out as medics struggled to revive his son (Law&Crime Trials screenshot/YouTube)

We were the only ones with him, testified Lindsay Carnevale, a nurse at the Southern Ocean County Medical Center who helped Micciolo when he was brought to the hospital back in April 2021.

Carnevale said the father was emotionless when he brought Micciolo in, according to the Asbury Park Press. He simply left the child, returned briefly and then walked out again.

Less than 20 minutes later, Micciolo was declared dead. Surveillance footage showed Gregor driving away from the hospital.

Corey Micciolos death

Another disturbing video revealed the moment Gregor carried his sons limp body into the hospital. Days earlier, Gregor, who is now standing trial for murder, made him run on a treadmill because he thought the child was too fat. The video shows the dad carrying the child, who was hardly moving, and approaching the front desk at Southern Ocean Medical Center on April 2, 2021.

William Doyle, a registered nurse who was on duty at the hospital at the time, testified that the child took dire, almost end-of-life breaths. A video previously released showed Gregor making the child run on a treadmill. Gregor placed the child back on the machine every time he fell down.

Doyle said Micciolo was not showing any signs that he was verbal. The childs head tilted backward while he was being brought into an examination room. He was an all-hands-on-deck situation, Doyle said.

Micciolo suffered a seizure during a CT scan and eventually died. The child died as a result of blunt force injuries with cardiac and liver contusions with acute inflammation and sepsis, according to an initial autopsy. In July 2021, his father was arrested on child neglect charges.
Donald Trump appeared to curse as Stormy Daniels confronted him in a Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday, May 7, and gave away details about their alleged affair. Her testimony was so explicit that the judge asked her to tone it down. Donald Trump seen cursing audibly and shaking his head during the trial (Photo by Win McNamee / POOL / AFP)(AFP)

Daniels detailed how she spanked the former president with a rolled up magazine with his face on the cover. I took it and turned him around and swatted him, Daniels said, causing at least two jurors to struggle to keep straight faces. Trump, on the other hand, was seen mouthing thats bullsh-t to his lawyers.

That's contemptuous

Trump sat shaking his head when Daniels testified that he told her not to worry about his wife Melania because the two of them didnt even sleep in the same room. Later, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan told Trumps lawyer Todd Blanche that the former president was cursing audibly and shaking his head visually. Merchan warned that if Trump did not stop, he would be held in contempt for influencing the jury.

"I understand that your client is upset at this point, but he is cursing audibly, and he is shaking his head visually, and that's contemptuous," the judge said.

You need to speak to him. I wont tolerate that, he added during a sidebar at the judges bench.

As Daniels detailed their sex acts, Trumps attorneys raised several objections. Most of the time, Merchan ruled in their favour.

Trump spoke with reporters after the days proceedings, saying the case is a disgrace and that he "should be out campaigning right now.

Meanwhile, Trump enjoyed yet another legal win after US District Judge Aileen Cannon on Tuesday, May 7, delayed his classified documents case indefinitely. Cannon had been appointed by the former president. Legal experts and political strategists told Business Insider that Cannons move did not come as a surprise as on earlier occasions too, she has sided with the former president.
Drake's OVO store in London was recently vandalised, with someone spray-painting the front with phrases from Kendrick Lamar's latest Drizzy Diss tune, They Not Like Us. Drake's OVO store in London vandalised, with the phrase"They Not Like Us." spray-painted(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)(Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

There may have been debates among the fans as to who is winning the rap battle with the release of "Family Matters" and "Meet the Grahams," but there is no doubt who is ahead in the eyes of the people. Especially with the release of Not Like Us.

It is currently the most popular song in the world, and everyone is screaming, "They don't like us!" They do not like us! They do not like us!"

The photo that surfaced on Tuesday shows the outside of Drizzy's OVO store in London. During the ongoing feud between the OVO CEO and Kendrick Lamar, an anti-Drake rap fan vandalised the storefront in support of Lamar.

While the vandal responsible for the graffiti is currently unknown, the not-so-subtle message to Drake is in direct reference to Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," one of the many diss tracks released in the ongoing battle.

The Kendrick Lamar-focused vandalism at Drake's retail store arrives directly on the heels of some more disturbing news involving the OVO camp. Just after 2 a.m. on Tuesday, a shooting outside Drake's Toronto estate left a security guard with severe injuries.

ALSO READ| Drake's Toronto home taped off by cops following shooting that left 1 injured

While the vandal responsible for the graffiti is still unknown, the not-so-subtle message to Drake is an obvious reference to Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," one of the many diss tracks released in the ongoing battle.

Shooting outside Drake's Toronto estate leaves security guard injured

The destruction at Drake's retail outlet focuses on Kendrick Lamar and comes after alarming news about the OVO camp. A shooting outside Drake's Toronto estate occurred shortly after 2 a.m. on Tuesday, injuring a security guard severely.

The guard was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to CTV News Toronto.

Inspector Paul Krawczyk of the Toronto police department stated at a press conference that the guard needed emergency surgery after being shot in the upper chest. It has been stated that he does not currently have life-threatening injuries.

ALSO READ| Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud complete timeline: Big 3 to certified paedophile

Adding that they are expecting to acquire the footage of the incident and that they have spoken with Drake's staff.

Krawczyk was unable to verify if Drake was at home when the incident occurred. He added that it is premature to determine a motive at this point in the investigation.
Donald Trump enjoyed yet another legal win after US District Judge Aileen Cannon on Tuesday, May 7, delayed his classified documents case indefinitely. Trump had appointed Cannon, who previously decided that the cases jury selection would begin on May 20. Legal win for Donald Trump as classified documents case delayed indefinitely (Photo by WIN MCNAMEE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

On Tuesday, however, the judge went on to schedule over a dozen additional hearings and deadlines for lawyers through July. She said she could rule on "myriad and interconnected pre-trial and CIPA issues before the trial started, referring to the Classified Information Procedures Act.

Legal experts and political strategists told Business Insider that Cannons move did not come as a surprise as on earlier occasions too, she has sided with the former president. "With Judge Canon reversing her own decision today, there is a high likelihood the case will get pushed out past the election," litigation and appeals attorney Katie Charleston said.

If this is the case, Trump might dodge the trial completely if he is elected president in November. He might as well get rid of the cases brought against him by the Justice Department.

The former president has been charged with as many as 37 counts, including 31 alleged violations of the Espionage Act for "willful retention of national defense information in connection with his handling of classified documents that were taken to his Mar-a-Lago club. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

Aileen Cannons decisions questioned

Cannon had previously ruled that the classified document should be reviewed by a special master. However, the decision was reversed in an opinion by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. In the past, Cannon also refused to comply with the special counsel's request to hide the names of the cases potential witnesses. However, last month, she agreed to redact witness names. She said that witness statements, however, will be disclosed in pretrial motions.

Cannon's critics have wondered whether her favouring Trump is due to bias, inexperience, or "analysis paralysis, as noted by CNN's chief legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid. Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, said, "Judge Cannon has ruled in Trump's favor at almost every possible turn, so I'm not surprised that she delayed the trial indefinitely. She is inexperienced and seems in over her head. She's made a number of bizarre rulings that aren't supported by logic or the law, and she has already been overturned by the 11th Circuit multiple times."

Rahmani said that the delay is indeed a win for Trump, "especially in the middle of another trial and the presidential campaign," making this ruling "yet another win for Trump in South Florida."

Ty Cobb, a former Trump White House attorney, said that the judges latest decision was "a combination of bias and incompetence, according to CNN. "I think it was always her objective, frankly, to prevent this from going to trial," he said.

Doron Kalir, a professor at Cleveland State University College of Law, echoed the others thoughts, saying Trumps egal strategy in his four criminal cases is "delay, delay, delay.
Accra, Ghana (PANA) - Ghana Captain Andre Ayew has thrown his weight behind Ghana's emerging crop of players, insisting that the Black Stars will bounce back from their recent struggles to reclaim their status as an African powerhouse
On Wednesday, May 8, a new letter penned (and under-signed) by hundreds of Jewish students at Columbia University surfaced on social media. Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at the Columbia Business School (as it says on his X/Twitter bio), shared the Google document on the microblogging platform. In this grab taken from video, protestors protesting the Israel-Hamas war stand outside near the campus of George Washington University, in Washington, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Tensions have continued to ratchet up in standoffs with protesters on campuses across the U.S. and increasingly, in Europe, nearly three weeks into a movement launched by a protest at Columbia University. (WJLA via AP)(AP)

Linking the document to his post, he wrote: "Hundreds of Jewish students at @Columbia just published one of the most incredible student letters I have ever read.

It's not only magnificently written, but it also clearly articulates their experiences on campus for the past six months.

Their letter tells the story of what's it like being a Jewish student right now better than any professor like myself could ever do.

Please take 4-5 minutes to read their letter. Give Jewish students a voice."

What's in the letter shared by Jewish students at Columbia University?

Titled, In Our Name: A Message from Jewish Students at Columbia University, the publicly shared letter opens with the message that many have spoken in their community's name. This statement may be seen as a dig at those Jewish students standing in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

These claims can be linked to a previous report of a Jewish student addressing concerns of anti-Semitism on US campuses. On April 23, Jared Kannel, yet another fellow Jewish student, spoke to TRT World and asserted that he felt 100% safe on university grounds.

Also read | Pro-Palestine protesters arrested at NYC's Fashion Institute of Technology as Israel moves into Rafah

Kannel, who's been partaking in pro-Palestinian protests and joined the demonstration in the Gaza encampment at Columbia University, said, "I'm a Jewish student at Columbia. When we talk about antisemitism on campus, that's taking the spotlight away from Gaza, away from Palestine and Palestinian students on campus, and putting it back onto me. I am perfectly safe here. And this has all been a distraction because they don't want us talking about the nonstop massacre of Gaza, of Palestinian civilians

However, the new letter from hundreds of Columbia students of Jewish faith highlighted that such people claiming to represent real Jewish values delegitimize (their) lived experiences of antisemitism.

The letter addresses that most of these students did not choose to be political activists, and are average students trying to make it through finals. However, with the other side of the narrative allegedly demonizing them under the cloak of anti-Zionism, they've forced these students into their activism and forced (them) to publicly defend our Jewish identities.

The letter continues: We proudly believe in the Jewish Peoples right to self-determination in our historic homeland as a fundamental tenet of our Jewish identity. This particular huge group of Jewish students at Columbia claims that Judaism cannot be separated from Israel. Adding on to that, they also declare, Zionism is, simply put, the manifestation of that belief.

Moving on, they foreground that their religious texts are filled with references to Israel, Zion and Jerusalem" and that Israel is replete with archaeological remnant of a Jewish presence spanning centuries.

Also read | Watch: Police use bulldozer to halt pro-Palestine protest at Amsterdam University

Also underlining how, despite most of them not being religiously observant, Zionism remains a pillar of (their) Jewish identities.

Addressing generations of suffered trauma, the students underscore a sense of collective alienation tied to their community. Eventually, they proclaim that Israel isn't merely their ancestral homeland, but also the only place in the modern world where Jews can safely take ownership of their own destiny.

Prevalent cases of alleged antisemitism highlighted

Thereafter, the students correlate the essence of Hitler's antisemitism with the evil irony of today's antisemitism, which is addressed as a twisted reversal of (their) Holocaust legacy as pro-Palestine protesters have allegedly dehumanized them on campus and imposed the white colonizer's title on them, as mentioned in the letter.

What other claims have been made in the letter?

Columbia's students of the Jewish faith alleged that these antisemitic slurs have branded them as the oppressors of all brown people, while others have supposedly hurled the Holocaust wasn't special claims at them.

Additionally, the student body reportedly also included how their fellow university mates at Columbia have chanted the following lines:

We don't want no Zionists here.

Death to the Zionist State.

Go back to Poland (where [their] relatives lie in mass grave)

In another statement, they've also pointed out alleged instances of demonstrators holding up a sign telling Jewish students they were Hamas' next targets.t

The ones writing this letter also spoke of a CUAD encampment leader declaring, "Zionists don't deserve to live," and that (they're) lucky that (anti-Israel protesters) are not just going out and murdering Zionists.

The Jewish student body further goes on to accuse society of blaming and scapegoating Jewish people as responsible for societal evil of the time.

The lengthy petition addressed to the Columbia community then lists several instances of the violent history faced by Jews, as the students label themselves victims of genocide for not being European enough. Their claims again drive the divisive wedge between them and their fellow college-mates, who're standing with the Gaza cause and claim Palestinians to be the victims of a genocide fuelled by Israel.

Other statements also allege that many misuse the word Zionist as a sanitized slur, which is believed to be synonymously associated with being racist, oppressive or genocidal. Notably speaking of how antisemitism is shapeshifting, these students proudly hold on to their firm love for Israel

Before signing off, this group of Jewish students also accused students and faculty of physically blocking access to the campus entrance.

Are there any pro-Palestinian Jewish protesters?

Beyond the claims made in this latest letter update, other media reports have previously spotlighted other Jewish students standing in support of the pro-Palestine campus protests.

CommonDreams.Org shared an open letter signed by another set of hundreds of Jewish students at US universities condemning Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza.

An extract from this particular open letter in solidarity with student encampments for Gaza, read: We demand that academic and political leaders stop misrepresenting and demonizing protests and their organizers

The original five Jewish student authors of this letter reportedly highlight that they are from different college campuses in the US. However, identifying themselves as members of Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNow, and Students for Justice in Palestine chapters and a number of independent campus organizations, they claim that this letter has been penned independently and does not share any affiliations with the aforementioned organizations.

Their public address further states, We reject the ways that these encampments have been smeared as antisemitic, and we call on our institutions to take action to stop Israels assault on Gaza.

Also, taking note of those people who've spread violent, hateful, and antisemitic messages, the signers assert they wholeheartedly reject the claim that these encampments are antisemitic and that they are an inherent threat to Jewish student safety.

Sources:
Prince Harry will not meet his father, King Charles III, due to full programme during his visit to London for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, and he hopes to see him soon. Britain's Prince Harry will not visit his father during the London visit. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS)

A spokesperson for the duke confirmed that Charles busy schedule prevents a meeting between the two.

It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty's full programme, the duke's spokesperson said.

The Duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.

The duke's visit was announced by a royal editor Chris Ship on X (formerly Twitter), who revealed Prince Harry will also be attending some Invictus-related events today.

ALSO READ| Here's how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ruined Charles' first year as king

The last time Prince Harry and Charles saw each other was in February when the duke flew to London after His Majesty's cancer diagnosis of an undisclosed type of cancer. During that visit, Harry spent less than an hour with Charles, staying overnight in a hotel before departing from Londons Heathrow Airport.

In an interview with ABC News Will Reeve following his visit, Harry expressed his desire to see Charles again soon. I've got other trips planned that will take me through the U.K., or back to the U.K., and so I'll stop in and see my family as much as I can, he said.

Royal rift between Prince Harry and William

However, Prince Harry did not see his older brother, Prince William, during his visit with Charles. The rift between the two brothers has been strained, and it remains uncertain whether they will cross paths while duke is in London this week.

Before February, Prince Harry had not seen his 75-year-old father since Charles coronation last May at Westminster Abbey.

This week, Prince Harry travelled to London alone, leaving behind his wife, Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

As part of the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, Harry is scheduled to attend a service of Thanksgiving at St. Pauls Cathedral on May 8.

ALSO READ| King Charles feels uncomfortable to call Prince Archie because of

The Invictus Games, founded by Harry in 2014, is a Paralympic-style competition for wounded service members. It originated in London as an international version of the U.S. Department of Defenses Warrior Games, which Harry attended in 2013. Since its inception, the Invictus Games have been held in various cities, including Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, Dusseldorf, and The Hague.

Following his London visit, Prince Harry will travel to Nigeria, where he will be joined by Meghan.
New York Police Department, in full riot gear, arrested several pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside NYC's Fashion Institute of Technology on Tuesday night. Protesters lay a banner on the sidewalk outside the Fashion Institute of Technology, Friday, April 26, 2024, in New York. As the death toll mounts in the war in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis worsens, protesters at universities across the country are demanding schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies they say are enabling the conflict. (AP Photo/Karen Matthews)(AP)

According to CBS News, hundreds of protesters reportedly gathered in Union Square, demanding a ceasefire as Israel entered Rafah city in southern Gaza.

Raising alarms about northern Gaza already facing the worst case of a full-blown famine, UN officials slammed Israeli forces' seizure of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and southern Gaza (per Aljazeera).

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday: The closure of both the Rafah and Kerem Shalom [Karem Abu Salem] crossings is especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation. They must be reopened immediately."

What happened at NYC's Fashion Institute of Technology?

Despite the initial peaceful march, police closely followed the demonstration, ultimately arresting numerous people. The exact number of arrests wasn't revealed at the time of writing.

Also read | What is FLiRT, new COVID-19 variant threatening US?

After coming together in Union Square, the anti-Israel procession headed to the institute in Chelsea and reassembled around pro-Palestinian encampments.

CBS correspondent Dan Rice reported that the authorities eventually took apart the encampment.

Protest organizer Layan Fuleihan spoke about the surge of New York pro-Palestinian protests: It's all part of putting political pressure on the system. They further explained, The past months have shown that actually when we get organized and we get together, we have a lot more power than we think.

Meanwhile, the FIT arrests made headlines on the same day as NYC Mayor Eric Adams addressed the desecration of a World War I statue on the Upper East Side. He also announced that he'd be putting up $5,000 of his own money for information on those who targeted the memorial.

CBS News further reported the statue at the corner of 67th Street and Fifth Avenue was marred with spray paint as vandals wrote words like Gaza," Free Palestine", and Let Gaza live. According to US media reports, police suspect this move to have been an attempt at disrupting the Met Gala.
TUCSON, Ariz.  A jury has been seated for the trial of a former University of Arizona graduate student accused of fatally shooting a professor in 2022 after he was banned from campus because of harassment complaints. Trial begins for ex-University of Arizona grad student accused of fatally shooting professor in 2022

Murad Dervish faces seven felony charges including first-degree murder in the death of Thomas Meixner, who was shot several times inside a building on Oct. 5, 2022.

Meixner, 52, had headed the universitys Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences and was an expert on desert water issues. Dervish, 48, had been a graduate student in the hydrology program before he was expelled.

Campus police said the shooting occurred inside the Harshbarger Building, which houses the hydrology department.

According to a criminal complaint, a flyer with a photograph of Dervish had been circulated to university staff in February 2022 with instructions to call 911 if he ever entered the building.

The complaint also said Dervish was barred from being on school property, and he had been the subject of several reports of harassment and threats to staff members working at Harshbarger.

Lawyers for the Meixners family said Dervish had threatened the professor in the past and entered the building without being stopped or followed.

University President Robert Robbins said campus police tried to get Dervish charged two separate times before the shooting and took the complaints to Pima County prosecutors. But they were told there wasnt enough evidence.

Dervish fled the shooting scene. But he was arrested after his car was stopped on a highway more than 120 miles northwest of Tucson. A loaded 9mm handgun was found in the vehicle, and the ammunition was consistent with the shell casings found at the scene, according to the criminal complaint.

Meixners family filed a $9 million notice of claim  a precursor to a lawsuit  in March 2023, saying there were numerous ways the university failed to protect him and the rest of the community.

The school and the Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees the states three public universities, reached a $2.5 million settlement with Meixners family last January.

Dervishs trial is expected to last two weeks.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that there is an unfamiliar set of COVID-19 variants spreading across the US, which they collectively called FLiRT. CDC updates guidelines as FLiRT variants spread. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)(AP)

Among these, the KP.2 variant has become particularly prevalent, accounting for approximately 25% of COVID-19 cases in the United States from April 14 to April 27.

As the favoured strain, JN is trailed by the more common one of the two strains and is the less dominant one. A single variant, which manifested in 9 out of 10 cases in early times.

Another variant within the FLiRT group is an element of genetic drift, a phenomenon that caused a new variation called KP. 1. Overall, 1 is about 7, and the depression will greatly continue if interventions are not taken. Following CDC findings, these cases constituted as much as 5% of cases in the two-week period.

ALSO READ| Understanding the data and science behind JN.1 and the threat it poses

Megan L. Ranney, the dean of the Yale School of Public Health and a physician, expressed concerns over FLiRT variants to WebMDand made note of the changing spike protein in particular.

Despite the ongoing threat posed by new variants, vaccination rates remain low

The CDC reports that only 22.6% of adults in the U.S. have received the updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine since its availability in September 2023. The data also indicates that older populations have higher vaccination coverage, with the highest rates observed among adults aged 75 and above.

Thomas A. Russo, the chief of infectious disease at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo told WebMD, Weve got a population of people with waning immunity, which increases our susceptibility to a wave.

Symptoms of FLiRT

The symptoms of FLiRT variant closely resemble those of JN.1.

Fever or chills Persistent cough Sore throat Nasal congestion or runny nose Headache Muscle aches Difficulty breathing Fatigue New loss of taste or smell Mental fog (feeling less alert and focused) Gastrointestinal issues (such as upset stomach, mild diarrhea, vomiting)

The CDC emphasizes that this list is not exhaustive and that symptoms can vary among individuals and may evolve with new variants.

ALSO READ| New Covid variant FLiRT spreads in US; do we need to worry? All you need to know

How FLiRT transmits

Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospitals Parel Mumbai told Indian Express, This variant spreads via respiratory droplets of the person to others, or touching infected surfaces such as faucets, furniture, elevator buttons, kitchen countertops, or coming in close contact with the person who is sick with this variant.

The CDC updated its guidelines in March 2024, removing the previous recommendation for a five-day isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19. Instead, the focus has shifted to broader measures aimed at mitigating the spread of common respiratory viruses, including influenza, RSV, and COVID-19.
The police and pro-Palestine protestors clashed inside the campus of Amsterdam University when the march turned violent. Police were seen using batons on protestors when they attempted to march past the Holocaust Monument on their way to Amsterdam's city centre. Students and employees of the University of Amsterdam take part in a pro-Palestine rally on campus (Reuters)(REUTERS)

Thousands marched in Amsterdam on Tuesday, finally convening at a central university and putting barricades on the narrow canal-facing road in front of the campus buildings. However, the Dutch police resorted to using bulldozers to knock down these barricades to avoid escalations in the march.

Videos from the protest showed the police using bulldozers to remove the barricades set up by pro-Palestine protestors, with officers wielding batons and shieled beating up protestors and removing tents.

Earlier in the day a crowd of several hundred had gathered, chanting slogans against the war in Gaza and denouncing Israels ongoing military operations. "Free, Free Palestine!", protesters shouted. "The people united will never be defeated."

"Students and staff describe the use of pepper spray, police batons, police dogs and bulldozers to forcefully remove them. People were injured because of this excessive violence," a group calling itself Dutch Scholars for Palestine said in a statement.

The University of Amsterdam also said in a statement that what started out as a peaceful march to show solidarity with Palestine soon turned violent, with protestors turning hostile, getting violent and burning an Israeli flag.

Protesters had ignored requests by the university and the mayor to leave the campus, police said. They further said that a total of 169 people were detained from the rally, and all but four of the protestors were released a few hours later.

One officer suffered hearing damage, a police spokeswoman said, adding that it was still unclear how many other people may have been injured. "The police's input was necessary to restore order. We see the footage on social media. We understand that those images may appear as intense," police said.

Tensions remain high in universities across the United States, now spreading to Europe, after a pro-Palestine movement launched by Columbia University nearly a month ago. Since April 18, just over 2,600 people have been arrested on 50 campuses, figures based on AP reporting and statements from universities and law enforcement agencies.

(With inputs from Reuters, AP)
In an interesting development, NASA has given us a look into what might happen if we were to fall into a black hole. Simulations released by NASA on Monday, May 6, help us imagine what we may see while falling into a black hole. The visualisations were created by Jeremy Schnittman, an astrophysicist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Wonder how it feels to plunge into a black hole? (Pixabay - representational image)

People often ask about this, and simulating these difficult-to-imagine processes helps me connect the mathematics of relativity to actual consequences in the real universe, Schnittman said, according to NASA. So I simulated two different scenarios, one where a camera  a stand-in for a daring astronaut  just misses the event horizon and slingshots back out, and one where it crosses the boundary, sealing its fate.

In the first simulation, the viewer approaches the black hole from about 400 million miles away. They fall into the event horizon. The other simulation shows the viewer orbiting near the event horizon. However, they manage to escape to safety.

NASA describes a black hole as an area of such immense gravity that nothing -- not even light -- can escape from it. Schnittman teamed up with Goddard scientist Brian Powell to create the visualisations. What they used in the process was the Discover supercomputer at the NASA Center for Climate Simulation.

The destination is a supermassive black hole with 4.3 million times the mass of our Sun, equivalent to the monster located at the center of our Milky Way galaxy, said NASA.

The plunge

If you have the choice, you want to fall into a supermassive black hole, Schnittman explained. Stellar-mass black holes, which contain up to about 30 solar masses, possess much smaller event horizons and stronger tidal forces, which can rip apart approaching objects before they get to the horizon.

The gravitational pull on the end of an object that is near the black hole happens to be stronger than an object that is on the other end. It is said that infalling objects stretch out in a process known as spaghettification.

NASA said that the event horizon of the simulated black hole spans about 25 million kilometres. This is about 17% of the distance between the Sun and the Earth.

A flat, swirling cloud of hot, glowing gas called an accretion disk surrounds it and serves as a visual reference during the fall. So do glowing structures called photon rings, which form closer to the black hole from light that has orbited it one or more times. A backdrop of the starry sky as seen from Earth completes the scene, NASA said.

The alternative scenario

The camera orbits close to the horizon in the alternative scenario but does not cross over. If an astronaut flew a spacecraft on this 6-hour round trip while her colleagues on a mothership remained far from the black hole, shed return 36 minutes younger than her colleagues, NASA said.

This happens because while near a strong gravitational source, time passes slowly. Time also passes slowly when it moves near the speed of light.

This situation can be even more extreme, Schnittman said. If the black hole were rapidly rotating, like the one shown in the 2014 movie Interstellar, she would return many years younger than her shipmates.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Serbia on the second leg of his European tour as he sought to tighten Beijings embrace of the Balkan nation in contrast with a more difficult relationship with most of Europe. Xi Arrives in Serbia to Bolster Relations With Europes East

The Chinese leader landed in Belgrade on Tuesday night, and was greeted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and most of the government ministers. Xi completed a two-day trip to France, where he held talks with President Emmanuel Macron as the European Union takes a tougher stance on trade with China.

In Serbia, Xi will aim to bolster economic and political ties with a country thats thrown open its arms to Chinese trade and investment. He will finish up his five-day trip with a stop in Hungary, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban stands nearly alone among EU leaders in drawing closer to China.

Xi said in a statement after landing in Belgrade that China-Serbia cooperation serves the fundamental and long-term interests of both countries. He added that he looked forward to speaking with Vucic about relations between their nations and other issues of mutual interest.

His visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the deadly US bombing of the Chinese embassy during the 1999 NATO operation aimed at pushing Yugoslav troops out of Kosovo. That event, which the White House later called a mistake and blamed on faulty maps, triggered widespread protests in China.

Xi vowed to never forget the bombing in an article published Tuesday in Politika, Serbias oldest daily newspaper. Twenty-five years ago today, NATO flagrantly bombed the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia, killing three Chinese journalists, Xi said.

Read More: Xi Says China Will Never Forget the US Bombing of Its Embassy

Chinese and Serbian flags fluttered along the highway leading to the city center ahead of the meetings on Wednesday, when the two sides are expected to sign as many as 30 agreements, the government in Belgrade said without elaborating.

Xis trip will highlight projects such as the new high-speed railway linking Belgrade to Budapest. Direct Chinese investment in Hungary and Serbia exceeds $15 billion with more coming, ranging from car battery plants in Hungary to copper mining in Serbia.

We are completely open to Chinese investment, Serbian Deputy Premier Sinisa Mali told state broadcaster RTS shortly before Xis arrival. China is one of the two biggest powers in the world, and Xi is the most important statesman coming to Serbia in the last several years.

Read More: Chinas Billions Help Xi Make Useful Friends in Eastern Europe

Xi on Monday also met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who told him that the EU is prepared to deploy all tools available to defend its economies if China fails to offer fair access to its markets. She drove home the EUs position that heavily subsidized Chinese products such as electric vehicles and steel are flooding Europe.

With assistance from Jing Li and Philip Glamann.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Mine Action Centre (LibMAC) chaired the Arab Discussion Group of the "National Directors' Day" session organized by the United Nations during the twenty-seventh meeting of national mine action programme directors and United Nations advisors
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The First Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Agriculture and Livestock in the Government of National Unity, Hussein al-Gatrani, has discussed the proposed project for the digital transformation of the agriculture and livestock sector (2030)
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain, soon to be Hotel Champlain, is pleased to announce the appointment of Justin Chapman as the new General Manager of the hotel. Bringing over 14 years of hospitality experience, Justin has moved up through Aimbridge Hospitality to step into the role of General Manager at Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain, soon to be Hotel Champlain. He was previously General Manager of the Embassy Suites by Hilton at Destiny USA in Syracuse, New York, another Aimbridge Hospitality property.

Justin comes at a pivotal moment with the hotel set to transition into a Curio Collection by Hilton property this Summer. As he steps into the role of General Manager, he will be leading the rebranding of the hotel and the recently opened, regionally inspired all-day eatery, Lily May's Coffee & Cafe, as well as the soon to launch signature restaurant Original Skiff Fish + Oyster.

Justin has consistently proven himself as a leader in the hospitality sector, having held various positions as General Manager starting from the age of 22. While managing hotels, Justin has continued to further his education by earning both a master's in business administration and Certified Hospitality Administrator certification.
Singaporean company to expand clean energy deployment in China

Xinhua) 16:07, May 08, 2024

SINGAPORE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's SP Group entered a strategic alliance with China Merchants Bank (CMB) Financial Leasing to support the deployment of renewable energy solutions in China, the energy supplier announced Wednesday.

The SP Group is expected to receive up to 8 billion yuan (1.12 billion U.S. dollars) in the following three years to support its projects, including solar farms, distributed solar photovoltaic, energy storage, and district cooling and heating.

"SP Group is committed to empowering a clean energy future for China and looks forward to working with like-minded financiers to advance the clean energy transition," said Loong Hui Chee, chief financial officer of SP Group.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA)  South African Cabinet Minister Zizi Kodwa has instructed governments legal department to investigate legal steps to be taken against the official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) for its controversial burning flag television commercial
Today, Hilton announces the appointment of Manuela Fahringer as general manager of Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, representing the Curio Collection by Hilton brand's first all-inclusive property in the Dominican Republic. In her new role, Fahringer will steer operations of the new-build resort overlooking Playa Esmeralda, spanning six four-story buildings with 502 guestrooms, 20 freestanding beach bungalows, more than 9,500 square feet of event space, 12 restaurants and bars, a full-service spa, several pools and a water park.

A seasoned industry professional with more than 15 years of hospitality experience, Fahringer previously served as the general manager of The Excellence Punta Cana. Under her leadership, the hotel received top industry recognition with esteemed accolades such as the EarthCheck Silver certification for three consecutive years of unparalleled sustainability efforts. Career highlights span multiple hospitality brands, including Hotel Riu Bambu Punta Cana, Bahia Principe Bavaro Punta Cana, Luxury Bouganville La Romana, Luxury Bahia Principe Samana and more. She holds a degree in Hotel and Tourism from the Tourismusschule Am Wilden Kaiser in Austria.
HotelRunner and Alesayi Hospitality Company (AHC), with the endorsement of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), have joined forces with a Memorandum of Understanding for a globally connected and sustainable Kingdom of Saudi Arabia travel ecosystem powered by data, AI, and automation.

HotelRunner, a global leader in hospitality and travel technologies, and Alesayi Hospitality Company, a prominent hotel management and hospitality consulting firm, have signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to propel the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's travel industry into a new era of innovation and growth. The signing ceremony took place amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the STAs stand at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on May 7th.

The partnership between HotelRunner and AHC, with the esteemed support of the STA, is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the Kingdom's evolving travel landscape. Embracing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and enhance societal well-being, the partnership underscores the shared vision of both entities towards the transformational goals of the Kingdom.

HotelRunner's proven track record of leveraging technology to drive sustainable growth in the travel industry is a testament to its commitment to advancing the Kingdom's tourism. Ali Beklen, Founder and Managing Partner of HotelRunner, stated, We believe in the power of innovative technology to unlock new opportunities. This partnership represents a strategic milestone in our mission to build a more vibrant and interconnected travel economy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Arden Agopyan, Founder and Managing Partner of HotelRunner, added, Our goal is to create a strong travel ecosystem that fosters innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development. Through this partnership, we are committed to delivering unparalleled value to each stakeholder through the implementation and enablement of high technology.

Hatem Alesayi, Deputy CEO of Alesayi Hospitality Company, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative potential of the partnership. Our partnership signifies a pivotal moment in our mission to showcase Saudi Arabia's tourism potential to the world. By leveraging HotelRunner's technology and our regional expertise, we're primed to offer remarkable experiences and advance the objectives of Vision 2030.

Within the scope of the Memorandum of Understanding, HotelRunner and Alesayi Hospitality Company will equip hotels, travel agencies, and tourism professionals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the latest technology infrastructure powered by data, AI, and automation, supporting them in the transition from local to global, reinforcing the country's position as a dynamic and progressive global destination.

About HotelRunner

HotelRunner is a data-driven SaaS-enabled unified sales, operations, and distribution management platform and B2B network for accommodations, travel agencies, and payment providers. HotelRunner has thousands of accommodation and travel agency partners globally. HotelRunner is a Booking.com Premier Connectivity Partner and Best Overall Performing Partner, Expedia Elite Connectivity Partner, Airbnb Software Partner, Agoda Innovative Supplier, Oracle, Hotelbeds, trivago, and Google Hotel Ads strategic partner.

For more about HotelRunner, visit the website.

Media relations contact: [email protected]

HotelRunner Media

View source
Right in time for IPW, the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) shared updated forecasts that affirm the resurgence of international visits to the United States. According to NTTO, there were 66.5 million international visits the U.S. in 2023, reflecting 31% annual growth, but still at just 84% of pre-pandemic inbound visitation levels.

Looking ahead, international inbound visits to the U.S. are expected to continue to rebound. In 2024, a 17% increase is forecast to 77.7 million, just 2% shy of the 79.4 million in 2019 prior to COVIDs impact.

 Source: U.S. Travel Association

International visitors are vital to the U.S. economy. Visitors from many countries spend an average of over $4,000 per visit, and collectively contribute $155 billion in U.S. travel spending every year. International visits also help balance the U.S. trade deficit, as travel spending is one of the biggest export services for the United States.

The NTTO figures also shed light on which countries and regions are visiting the U.S. the most, and the markets that continue to lag. During Q1 of 2024, visits from Europe and the Americas (including the Caribbean) already exceeded pre-pandemic levels. The Middle East and Africa have recovered to 90% of 2019 levels. But visits from Asia continue to lag significantlywith visits from China and Japan still only half of 2019 levels, resulting in 4 million fewer visitors annually. NTTO forecasts that visits from those countries wont fully recover until late 2025 or 2026. India, on the other hand, had terrific growth and already significantly exceeded pre-pandemic visitor levels.

 Source: U.S. Travel Association

Just like the NTTO visitor data, IPW registrations show signs of strength, with a more than 20% increase in attendance from IPW 2023. Further, registrations from China and Japan have more than doubled compared with last year, and India is up over 50%.

These figures highlight the importance of U.S. Travels IPWa critical opportunity to drive future international travel to the United States (the top international destination). The conference is responsible for $5.5 billion in future travel spending in the U.S. This year, 5,700 delegates are convening in Los Angelesincluding over 2,000 international media and buyers from nearly 70 countries.

About U.S. Travel Association

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.3 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for information and recovery-related data.

Greg Staley

U.S. Travel Association
Report highlights the role of high-net-worth travelers in boosting the travel and hospitality industry

Over a third (38%) of luxury seekers are willing to pay 30-50% more for sustainable travel features 1

Affluent travelers in the MENA region are power users of loyalty and membership card programs

GCC tourists are some of the highest spenders, whether vacationing within the region or further afield

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has emerged as one of the main regions driving growth in affluent travel, recording high spends, while also displaying an appetite for sustainable eco-luxury and meaningful cultural experiences. Mastercards latest report, Affluent Travel: A Middle East Perspective, released during the Arabian Travel Market 2024,unpacks some of the key trends.

The appetite for new experiences in unexplored destinations, micro-trips and bleisure will likely drive the growth of the global luxury travel market, which is expected to grow by 7.9% (CAGR) between 2024 and 2030, according to Grand View Research 2. While the world awaits the emergence of the first trillionaires, high-net-worth travelers contribute approximately 36% of the global spend on travel as stated in a Jones Lang LaSalle study 3.

At Mastercard, we are committed to connecting people to their passion for travel. This report gives a great snapshot of how high-net-worth individuals choose to travel, and its wonderful to see sustainability, cultural immersion and purpose as key considerations, along with quality accommodation, seamless technology and loyalty benefits. We will continue to harness the power of partnerships with leading industry players to come up with innovative solutions that unlock access to a whole new world of unparalleled travel experiences, said Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development EEMEA, Mastercard.

As per YouGov research, over a third (36%) of luxury travelers say they want to experience different cultures 4. The combination of business and leisure, or bleisure, is also resulting in more remote-work trips as digital nomads change the face of travel. Affluent travelers are almost twice as likely as the global average to have taken a vacation as an extension to a business trip 4. Furthermore, Marriott Bonvoy research also showed that solo travel is being embraced, with 70% of respondents in the UAE and 69% in Saudi Arabia saying theyve travelled solo 5.

Seeking out sustainable credentials and authentic eco-luxury

Affluent consumers are keen adopters of the conscious travel trend and place a premium on the authenticity of eco-luxury experiences. These include associating with travel brands that support local communities. Globally, one in 10 consumers have stayed in luxury eco-friendly accommodation in the last three years, compared to five of 10 among 1834-year-old affluents. According to Euromonitor, a sizeable 38% of luxury seekers are willing to pay between 30% and 50% more for sustainable travel features such as energy-efficient services. A quarter would pay even higher to find less carbon-intensive transport 1.

Meaningful experiences over material things

The YouGov report notes that this discerning segment places more emphasis on experiences than on physical goods. More than half of affluent travelers, compared to 43% of the global total, prioritize meaningful travel experiences over shopping and souvenirs 4. Close to a quarter say that they are willing to pay more for a remote destination experience, customized tours to connect with local culture, and eco-friendly resorts 4.

Personalization, privacy and pampering

Luxury travelers are prioritizing unique personalized experiences over location. However, they also want their moneys worth in the form of exemplary customer service and pampering. Quality luxury accommodation is a high priority, with 27% saying they would pay more for villas and chalets in secluded and private locations and 21% happy to splurge on luxury stays on a private island 4. Younger affluent travelers are more likely to pay more for Michelin-starred or unique gourmet experiences. According to Marriott Bonvoy research, light, air, temperature, and sound in future hospitality spaces guided through digital concierges will recognize and respond to guests in real-time, based on mood, schedules, and health requirements.

High-spending loyalty supporters

Based on average spend per card by origin market, GCC travelers are among the highest spenders. According to a 2023 Mastercard Economics Institute report, Kuwaiti tourists, for instance, spend on average of $3,390 per card in Paris, five times as much as their American counterparts. High-net-worth individuals are also power users of loyalty schemes and membership cards  34% versus the overall average of 24%6. Exclusive airport lounges, as well as priority check-in and boarding, are among the most used perks of loyalty membership, highlights the Euromonitor report 1.

As wealth migrates to younger generations, Millennials (aged 30 to 44 years) now comprise the highest percentage of luxury seekers, followed by Gen Z (aged 15 to 29)1. Within the GCC, however, Gen X (aged 43 to 58 years) is expected to make the highest contribution to travel growth, according to Arabian Travel Market 7. While much of the world is still catching up to pre-pandemic travel levels, MENA is the only region to show airport arrivals at 22% above 2019 numbers. According to the World Tourism Barometer, specific destinations such as Qatar (+90%) and Saudi Arabia (+56%) have contributed to this surge 8.

To read more about the report, please visit here.

Notes to the editor

Mastercards Affluent Travel: A Middle East Perspective report was written by White Paper Media Consulting. Sources and data include Mastercard Economics Institute, Marriott Bonvoy, YouGov, Adara, Euromonitor.

References

*Source: AETOSWire
Jumeirah unveils its new brand identity marking a key milestone in its growth strategy to double the size of the portfolio by 2030. The new visual identity is the first stage in a journey of brand evolution designed to inspire a new perspective of luxury for discerning travellers. Building on its origins and reputation for generous hospitality, the move will see Jumeirah reaffirm its position as an industry pioneer, with curated experiences that shape perceptions and trends.

As part of its accelerated growth strategy, Jumeirah has recently announced new properties including Jumeirah Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in the United Arab Emirates and Jumeirah Le Richemond Geneva in Switzerland. Jumeirahs renewed vision and investment strategy will also see a focus on boutique style properties featuring up to 150 keys, prioritising suite category rooms and villas and residences. The luxury hospitality brand is actively targeting owner and operator opportunities in gateway cities and resort destinations in Europe, The Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Twenty-five years ago, we opened the iconic Jumeirah Burj Al Arab with ambitions to redefine luxury hospitality and over the years we have built an exceptional portfolio of properties across three continents. Today we look to the future of our brand and business with the same pioneering spirit and a robust strategy that will enable the next stage of sustainable growth for Jumeirah. Refining our visual identity and enhancing our guest experience is the first step on a journey of regional and international expansion, that will captivate the most discerning of traveller. We have strong foundations to build from and an exceptionally talented team that I am confident will see Jumeirah reaffirm its reputation as a leader in luxury hospitality. Thomas Meier, Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer at Jumeirah

To celebrate this pivotal moment, Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is the striking backdrop for the unveiling of the brands new visual identity. The billowing sail of the architectural masterpiece lights up this week with a mesmerizing projection that tells Jumeirahs origin story while looking ahead to its next chapter. The illumination concludes with a reveal of the re-designed Jumeirah signature and reimagined symbol  which blends traditional calligraphy inspired by the brands heritage with a contemporary aesthetic to symbolise its future ambitions  displayed on the global icon of luxury hospitality for all to see.

Jumeirahs brand story is born from a rich heritage of hospitality, originating from a time when travellers to the region were offered shelter and the opportunity to share ideas, knowledge, and wisdom. That spirit of warm and generous hospitality and strong sense of community shapes what the Jumeirah brand is today. As we enter our next chapter, we want to continue sharing that legacy while enriching the experience to bring joy to our guests from around the world. By inspiring conversation and connection, we aim to build our reputation as a globally revered and influential hospitality brand. Micheal Grieve, Chief Brand Officer for Jumeirah

Follow the journey on Jumeirahs Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Threads and YouTube with new handle @Jumeirah

About Jumeirah

Jumeirah, a global leader in luxury hospitality and a member of Dubai Holding, operates an exceptional portfolio of 26 properties across the Middle East, Europe and Asia. In 1999, Jumeirah changed the face of luxury hospitality with the opening of the iconic Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and the brand is now renowned worldwide for its distinguished beachfront resorts, esteemed city hotels and luxury residences. From the contemporary Maldivian island paradise at Jumeirah Olhahali Island to the art-inspired Jumeirah Capri Palace in Italy and the modern twist on a British classic at Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London, the brand has become synonymous with warm and generous service and the ability to craft distinctive and purposeful experiences that bring joy to guests from across the world. As part of its business strategy, Jumeirah plans to double the size of its portfolio with a focus on gateway cities and resort destinations in Europe, The Americas, Africa and Asia.
Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide, the premier hospitality company providing authentic travel experiences in Japan and beyond, today unveils Seibu Prince Global Rewards, a new loyalty program offering unparalleled benefits to guests worldwide. Seibu Prince Global Rewards replaces the companys existing membership programs  Seibu Prince Club emi, StayWell Rewards and Prince Preferred  and affords guests the opportunity to earn points and attain status without previous regional restrictions.

"The launch of Seibu Prince Global Rewards marks another stride forward as we propel the company from a domestic brand to an international one," stated Yoshiki Kaneda, President and CEO of Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide. "In recent years, weve endeavored to meet the evolving needs of global travelers with significant openings in new markets and infrastructural changes. The introduction of an integrated membership program is the natural next step, which will deliver greater value to guests no matter where in the world they visit.

Seibu Prince Global Rewards opens doors to unparalleled experiences and unprecedented value at over 80 Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts. Whether guests are enjoying an urban escape at the newly renovated The Prince Kitano New York, a cultural retreat at The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu or a business trip at The Prince Akatoki London, they can earn points, achieve elite membership status and receive exclusive benefits, such as best rate guarantees, complimentary room upgrades and other members-only offers.

To simplify the guest experience, Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide has introduced a new mobile companion app, available for download now on iOS and Android platforms. The Seibu Prince Mobile Rewards app features an intuitive interface and convenient functionalities, empowering guests to make reservations, check their status, and redeem points at the touch of a finger. The company has additionally launched a revamped website with optimized user design, refreshed visuals and an enhanced booking engine, consolidating all properties under the Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts brand umbrella into a single digital destination and simplifying the booking process for guests.

In celebration of the debut of Seibu Prince Global Rewards, the brand is offering a limited-time promotion for guests to accrue extra points. From April 25 to September 30, 2024, members can earn triple the amount of points on the total spend at participating hotels and leisure facilities worldwide, including but not limited to The Prince Akatoki London, Prince Waikiki, The Prince Park Tower Tokyo and The Prince Kitano New York. Members who take advantage of the special campaign can earn points faster and use them toward discounted overnight stays, culinary discoveries and other experiential offerings.

To explore the revamped website, learn more about Seibu Prince Global Rewards, download the app and delve into details regarding the bonus points promotion, please visit www.seibuprince.com/loyalty.

Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide Inc.

Based in Tokyo, Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide is a pioneering company in the global hospitality industry for over 100 years. The company and its subsidiaries operate Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts, a collection of hotels, resorts, and leisure travel destinations on four continents. Its portfolio encompasses over 80 properties across 10 brands, including luxury brands The Prince and The Prince Akatoki; the upper-upscale Grand Prince Hotel, Park Regis by Prince and Policy; refined lifestyle concepts Prince Hotel and Park Regis; and midscale brands Prince Smart Inn, Park Proxi and Leisure Inn. Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts provide the highest quality of service rooted in omotenashi, a Japanese style of hospitality characterized by warmth, sincerity and attention-to-detail. For more information, please visit https://www.seibuprince.com.
HMH increases its number of hotel rooms from 1,162 to 2,476 in one year

HMH plans to open four hotels in Mecca, Madina, and Yanbu with a total of 1,314 hotel rooms over the next two years

Dubai, UAE - The Hospitality Management Holding (HMH), pioneer in the hotel management in the Middle East and North Africa, has taken the centre stage in the mega event of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 ongoing at the Dubai International and Convention Centre. The four-day show, kicked off on May 6 with over 2,000 exhibitors from more than 160 countries, is expected to see a huge footfall of not less than 50,000 global visitors.

Hospitality Management Holding (HMH), a renowned name in the hospitality industry, has made a participated at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, taking place from May 6 to May 9. With a staggering lineup of over 2,000 exhibitors representing more than 160 countries, this year's ATM promises to be an unparalleled showcase of global hospitality excellence, drawing an estimated 50,000 visitors from around the world.

HMH is proud to take center stage at this prestigious event, showcasing its remarkable growth and expansion, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). With a commitment to excellence and a vision for unparalleled guest experiences, HMH has seen a remarkable surge in its portfolio, solidifying its position in the industry.

Over 1,300 New Keys Added by HMH

In 2023, HMH boasted a total of 1,162 keys across its properties. Fast forward to 2024, and that number has more than doubled, reaching an impressive 2,476 keys. This extraordinary growth is a testament to HMH's dedication to providing exceptional hospitality and exceeding guest expectations.

Expansion to KSA

But the excitement doesn't stop there. HMH is gearing up for a series of grand openings, each promising to elevate the hospitality landscape in their respective regions. Among these highly anticipated openings is the Corp Yanbu Hotel & Residence, slated to welcome guests by June 2024, offering 104 keys of unparalleled luxury and comfort.

In the pipeline for Q4 2024 is the Corp Madinah Hotel, featuring 150 keys of exquisite accommodations designed to provide guests with a memorable stay in the heart of Madinah. And looking ahead to Q1 2025, HMH is set to unveil the Corp Makkah Al Naseem Hotel, adding a staggering 460 keys to its already impressive portfolio in Makkah. But HMH's expansion doesn't end there.

In Q1 2026, guests can look forward to the grand opening of the Corp Madinah Al Naqaa Hotel, boasting an impressive 600 keys and setting new standards for hospitality excellence in Madinah.

With each new property, HMH reaffirms its commitment to delivering unparalleled guest experiences and setting new benchmarks for luxury and comfort in the hospitality industry. As the Arabian Travel Market 2024 unfolds, HMH invites visitors to experience the future of hospitality firsthand and embark on a journey of unparalleled luxury and hospitality.

About HMH

Founded in 2003 in Dubai, HMH  Hospitality Management Holding is a fully integrated hotel management company that prides itself for being the largest operator in the dry sector within the region. HMH provides hotel owners and developers a broad spectrum of world-class management solutions with five distinct, yet complementary, hotel brands catering to varied market segments from luxury to lifestyle. These include Bahi Hotels & Resorts, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels. HMH's strategic expansion in the Middle East and North Africa has been successful in unlocking a world of opportunities while creating value for its stakeholders, associates, staff members and customers. The existing portfolio is located in some of the most desirable destinations across the MENA region, with a pipeline of hotels under development to grow HMH's regional footprint even further.

For more information about HMH please visit http://www.hmhhotelgroup.com/.
Moxy Halifax Downtown



Company focused on lifestyle, upper midscale and extended stay brands, as well as market-specific loyalty offerings

Marriott Internationals presence in the Canadian market strengthened, as the company celebrated a 36 percent year over year increase in hotel-level leisure revenue in 2023. With 274 hotels currently open and 90 in the pipeline, several factors, including a dedicated focus on lifestyle, upper midscale and extended stay brands; as well as market-specific loyalty program offerings and partnerships, continue to drive the companys success in Canada.

Lifestyle Brands Driving Success

In an effort to meet the increased demand for leisure travel, Marriott continues to focus on the lifestyle sector with conversion-friendly collection brands such as Autograph Collection and Tribute Portfolio. These soft brands offer design flexibility and can provide excellent opportunities for developers and hotel owners wishing to target leisure guests seeking distinctive and unique experiences in stunning locations. One notable example is the HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel with its art-deco-inspired design and blend of vintage and modern amenities, ideally situated in the heart of downtown Montreal.

In addition to development teams in Eastern and Western Canada, Marriott International has dedicated sales and marketing teams across Canada, says Paul Cahill, Senior Vice President, Canada Operations, Marriott International. Our Canadian-based team engages with owners, developers, customers and guests to truly understand whats important to these stakeholders in this market. Were focused on growing our presence in Canada with new openings, localized Marriott Bonvoy partnerships and programming.

Marriott recently enhanced its leisure offerings in Canada with the introduction of Moxy Hotels, launching its first two properties with the opening of Moxy Halifax Downtown in January 2024 and Moxy Banff which debuted this spring. Moxy Hotels are also planned for various gateway cities throughout Canada including Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa over the next three years.

Strategic Focus on Upper Midscale and Extended Stay Brands

With a full operating team and development team for both managed and franchised hotels in Canada, the company is well-positioned to address underserved segments in the Canadian hotel market, including extended stay, upper midscale and midscale properties. Two of the marquee brands in these segments, Fairfield by Marriott (31 hotels open in Canada) and TownePlace Suites by Marriott (21 hotels open in Canada), are amongst the fastest-growing brands in the country, with 24 and 25 properties in Marriotts pipeline, respectively.

Marriott International has experienced strong momentum in Canada due to our dedicated focus on conversions and upper midscale and extended stay brands, says Noah Silverman, Global Development Officer, U.S. & Canada at Marriott International. Were expecting leisure demand in Canada to remain strong throughout 2024, particularly in destinations like Vancouver Island, the Okanagan Valley, Atlantic Canada and the Niagara Region.

Loyalty Enrollment Contributing to Increased Growth

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott's highly awarded travel program with around 203 million members worldwide, offers guests access to more than 30 hotel brands and 10,000 destinations, an unparalleled array of experiences, and robust benefits. There are numerous ways for members to maximize their membership through everyday activities, such as credit card purchases and dining out, that will lead to more rewarding travel. Marriott Bonvoy offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences with the best in entertainment, sports, arts, culture, culinary and wellness from Marriott Bonvoy Moments. Members can redeem these experiences by using points accumulated from travel and other activities.

With a deep understanding of the market-specific needs of guests, Marriott Bonvoy has developed a loyal following among Canadians. Through localized marketing efforts and strategic relationships with Live Nation Canada, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Montreal Canadiens and others, engagement with Canadian members is strong. Canadian members can also benefit from global offerings such as the opportunity to bid on access to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team during the Montreal race weekend or experiences with Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour including the opportunity to win a trip to Vancouver including air travel, hotel accommodations, two (2) concert tickets, and a Marriott Bonvoy welcome gift.
Apex Hotels acquires Meldrum House Country Hotel in Scotland



A summary of European hotel transactions provided by HVS

Azora acquires hostels in Dublin and Barcelona from BlackRock

Madrid-based investment firm Azora, through their Azora European Hotel & Lodging Fund (AEHL), has acquired the two-star, 412-bed Jacobs Inn Dublin in Ireland and the two-star, 149-bed Jacobs Inn Barcelona in Spain, from a European fund managed by BlackRock. The price was undisclosed. Currently operated by Siggis Capital, the assets have been sold unencumbered and are expected to be operated by Madrid-based hostel specialist Latroupe, which is owned by the AEHL fund. This acquisition marks Azoras first entry into Ireland, and follows its purchase of two hotels in Brussels last month (April 2024). BlackRock acquired the Jacobs Inn Dublin in early 2020 for approximately 30 million (73,000 per bed) from Patron Capital. Azoras hospitality and leisure portfolio comprises approximately 4.2 billion in assets under management in the USA and nine key western and southern European markets, totalling over 26,600 rooms across more than 100 assets.

Leonardo Hotels acquires Hotel Cicerone in Rome from Banco BPM

Leonardo Hotels, the European division of Israels Fattal Hotel Group, has acquired the four-star, 292-room Hotel Cicerone Roma in the Italian capital from domestic bank Gruppo Banco BPM for a reported 70 million (240,000 per room). The city-centre hotel comprises eight floors which house a restaurant and bar, a courtyard terrace, and meeting rooms able to accommodate 100 guests. Following refurbishment, the hotel is set to resume trading in early 2025 as the NYX Hotel Rome by Leonardo Hotels under the groups lifestyle concept brand. The brand currently has twelve hotels across major European cities such as London, Madrid and Prague, and is already established in Italy with its NYX Hotel Milan property. Fattal Hotel Groups full portfolio comprises some 270 hotels totalling 48,000 rooms across 20 European countries and Israel.

OD Group sells Ocean Drive Barcelona

Spanish owner operator OD Group, led by CEO and Founder Marc Rahola Matutes, has sold the five-star, 98-bed Ocean Drive Barcelona in Spain for a reported 55 million (561,000 per room), to a confidential eastern European investment firm. Situated in the city-centre of Barcelona within a short walk of the Sagrada Familia and Placa de Catalunya, the hotel was purchased by the OD Group in 2015 for approximately 20 million (204,000 per room), after which it underwent renovations until its opening in 2017. With this disposition, the OD Hotels brand is left with five hotels across Spain, including three on the Balearic island of Ibiza, one in Madrid and one in Seville.

Turenne sells Hotel Mercure Lyon Centre Chateau Perrache to Sohoma

French investment firm Turenne Hotellerie, through its Turenne Hotellerie 2 fund, has sold the four-star, 120-room Hotel Mercure Lyon Centre Chateau Perrache in Lyon, France, to French hotel group Sohoma, for over 24 million (200,000 per room). Located within five minutes walk from the main Lyon train station, the hotel comprises over 10,000 sqm of floor area. The heritage monument building was constructed in 1904, and recently underwent refurbishment to meet higher sustainability standards. Established in 2012, Turenne Hotellerie currently has a portfolio of 26 hotels across France and primarily targets urban centres, with an investment horizon of 6 to 9 years.

Francam Invest acquires Hotel Monsieur in Paris

French real estate investment firm Francam Invest, led by its president Jean-Marc Pommier, has acquired the four-star, 31-room Hotel Monsieur in Paris, France, from an undisclosed seller. The purchase price is understood to have been agreed somewhere between 10  15 million (323,000 - 484,000 per room). Located in the 8th district, the hotel is a ten-minute walk from the Palais Garnier and the Place de la Concorde. The acquisition comes as Paris awaits the start of the 2024 Olympic Games in July.

Extendam and partners acquire Best Western Plus Hotel Villa dEst in Strasbourg

French real estate investors Extendam, Hermann Immeubles and Atalante have acquired the four-star, 46-room Best Western Plus Hotel Villa dEst in Strasbourg, France. Located in the northern part of the city centre and off the A35 highway, the hotel includes a bar, meeting rooms, a fitness centre and sauna. Following a light refurbishment program, the hotel will be managed by Atalante Hotels, who already own and operate 26 hotels totalling roughly 2,000 rooms across France and Italy. Extendam targets investments with a value-add opportunity, and this asset had been identified as having strong ESG improvement potential, with a target to achieve the Green Key label certificate.

Apex Hotels acquires Meldrum House Country Hotel in Scotland

Scottish owner-operator Apex Hotels has acquired the four-star, 51-room Meldrum House Country Hotel & Golf Course in Inverurie, Scotland, from businessmen Bob Edwards and the Buchan brothers. Located some 32 kilometres north from Aberdeen, Scotlands third most populous city, the 800-year-old hotel includes four F&B outlets and an 18-hole, 6,000-metre long golf course. This acquisition marks Apex Hotels 10th property and follows the group's strategy to diversify its portfolio through rural investments, following its purchase of the four-star Pine Trees Hotel in Pitlochry, Scotland, in July 2023. Apex Hotels portfolio also includes four-star, city-centre hotels across London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Bath.

HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com.
Pittsfield Health Board Continues Mosquito Plan Approval

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Board of Health wants to handle mosquito control as a city, not just as a board.



The panel continued its vote on the 2024 mosquito control plan during its regular meeting on Wednesday, two days after a public hearing with divided input on adulticide spraying.



Rather than approving the same one from last year, Director of Public Health Andy Cambi wants a 2024 plan that incorporates improvements for better mosquito management and collaboration with city officials.



"In writing, what is the board's authority, having the conversations that we are going to have in the following weeks. I'm happy to set those up with everyone to join me," he said.



"And then being clear in our final step of what is going to happen."



The city remains under a no-spraying order, as it has since 2021, but health officials would like to work with city officials and residents to see if they can come up with a plan that works for everyone.



In Massachusetts, local health boards are responsible for disease prevention and control. The city has contracted with the Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project for more than a decade and the 2023 plan included the addition of mechanical source reduction and two products for larval and adult control.



Those in favor of spraying see it as crucial for managing the sometimes oppressive amount of mosquitos in the area while mitigating disease and those against have environmental concerns and argue that mosquito-borne illnesses are not prevalent.



Six mosquitos tested positive for West Nile Virus last year and the board unsuccessfully requested that the City Council allow spraying to be resumed. The WNV-positive mosquitos were found in catch basins in the area of Onota Lake, Pittsfield Cemetery, Crane Ave. and North St., Elm St. and Williams St., Pittsfield Airport, and lower South St.
Logitech G, a brand of Logitech and leading innovator of gaming technologies and gear, celebrates the 10th year anniversary of its best-selling gaming mouse, the Logitech G502.

The G502, and all its models, has revolutionized the gaming experience for millions of gamers worldwide for years.

Thanks to its innovative design, the G502 offers a multitude of features that prioritize user comfort, customization and performance that made it one of the most desirable gaming devices in the market. With its sleek and futuristic appearance, the G502 stands out from the crowd, providing pro-level precision and responsiveness that has become a staple for esport professionals and fanatics alike.

Excellence over the years

The G502 is the ultimate gaming companion that caters to the diverse needs of every gamer, delivering exceptional tracking accuracy, response rate and versatility that can match all playstyles. With its every iteration, the G502 has been progressively engineered to meet the evolving requirements of the competitive gaming space.

In 2014, LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting was one of the first innovations to be incorporated, providing gamers access to a full array of approximately 16.8 million colors that sync with their gameplay, audio and screen color.

Later in 2016, the HERO 25K Sensor was introduced, boasting a tracking speed of over 400 IPS spanning the upgraded 25,600 DPI range and was the highest-performing sensor at the time.

In 2019, LIGHTSPEED WIRELESS was added along with POWERPLAY wireless charging, providing ultra-fast response rate and zero-latency connectivity to ensure unparalleled performance.

Logitechs dedication in reinventing G502 throughout the years was underscored by Ujesh Desai, general manager of Logitech G, stating, At Logitech G, we take great pride in what we have accomplished over the last decade. What sets G502 apartcutting-edge technology and innovative designhas become the gold standard for gaming mice across the board.

Celebrate with Logitech

In line with this celebration, Logitech extends its gratitude to all users who have supported the brand. Starting May 3, gamers can buy a G502 X Plus mouse, bundled with G640 SE mousepad, available at SRP of P7,995 at Logitechs official Lazada and Shopee stores, as well as at select retail partners Datablitz, Octagon and PC Express.

More events are also in the works such as special activations, giveaways, celebrations and an exclusive partnership with KRAFTONs PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, a global leader in the battle royale genre. The collaboration is set to host a multi-stage tournament with tons of products and cash prizes including limited edition G502 X PLUS mice and G640 mousepads.

For more information about the G502, other Logitech products and future promos, please visit the official website of Logitech and its official Facebook page. For inquiries on how to participate in the upcoming activities, check out Logitech Gs Discord channel, or follow @LogitechG.
While preparations for the new school year are underway, an upgrade on productivity essentials to empower learners through the demands of schoolwork is vital. Whether its to widen your creativity, increase productivity or achieve a higher level of multitasking, Lenovo has students of all ages covered.

From May 1 to June 30, 2024, buyers can enjoy up to 5,295 worth of freebies with select Lenovo devices, perfect for upgrading a students learning set up.

Equipped with the latest technology, the Lenovo IdeaPad, Lenovo LOQ, Lenovo Yoga and Lenovo Legion provide users with a smarter way of learning. These devices boast power, performance, and portability, guaranteeing to help students maximize their potential.

With any purchase of the participating devices, buyers can select a free add-on item from the following choices: the Lenovo Go USBC-C Wireless Mouse, Peripage Mini Printer, Canon Pixma MG2570S, Lenovo D24-40 monitor or an 8GB ADATA free RAM upgrade. The add-on products have been carefully curated to enrich a students learning journey, to help them achieve higher educational performance.

Be ready for the new school year and enhance your learning experience with Lenovo. Head on to promotions.lenovo.com for the complete list of participating products, and follow Lenovo Philippines on Facebook for more information.
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

Rap fan Seth Rogen summarised the ongoing beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar during his show at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday (7 May).

The Pineapple Express star was hosting Seth Smokes The Bowl, a Hilarity For Charity benefit event as part of Los Angeles Netflix Is a Joke Fest.

If youre a rap fan, theres some crazy s*** going on right now, Rogen began his set by saying.

He then outlined the back-and-forth between the two rappers, which has materialised in a series of diss tracks over the past few weeks.

The way rappers fight with each other is they write mean rhymes, he said, which is an objectively funny way to fight with another person.

In his latest track, The Heart Part 6, released on Sunday, Drake denied pursuing underage women after Lamar called him a certified paedophile in his third diss track, Not Like Us.

You dont hear defensive rapping that often, Rogen said at the Bowl. Rappings usually pretty aggressive. You dont hear rap thats like, I am a good father. I should not be a registered sex offender. I would say as soon as you are asserting in a rap song that you should not be a registered sex offender, youve lost the rap battle. Thats not a good sign.

open image in gallery Seth Rogen ( Getty Images )

He continued: Whats crazy is these are not, like, personal correspondences: These are songs! These are hit songs! These are No 1 and 2 on iTunes, like, right now! These are songs the Apple algorithm is telling my mother to listen to while working out.

He then compared Lamars track to Alanis Morissettes 1995 hit You Oughta Know, which is famously believed to be about Full House star Dave Coulier, whom Morissette dated in the Nineties.

Alanis wouldnt cop to it, Rogen said of Morissette, who never directly confirmed the track to be about Coulier.

But now Kendrick is like, F*** you Drake, youre a pedophile. And these are hit people are dancing to these songs! he added.

Could you imagine going to a club and seeing a room full of people dancing to a song about you being a pedophile? Especially if you were one? I dont know if he is, but if he was, I assume thatd be a very alarming moment in your life. Oh no, theyre on to me.

open image in gallery Drake (left) and Kendrick Lamar ( Getty Images )

The artwork for Not Like Us features an aerial shot of Drakes mansion with sex offender targets overlaid. There is no evidence to support the allegations being made against Drake but it is typical for rappers to make false claims in diss tracks to try and humiliate or insult their opponents.

On Tuesday, a security guard was shot in a drive-by shooting at Drakes mansion in Toronto days after its location was doxxed by Lamar.

The security guard, who has not been named, suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was not conscious when officers arrived at the home, police said. He was transported to a hospital with serious injuries.

It is not clear if Drake was home at the time but his team is said to be cooperating with investigators.

Paul Krawczyk of the Toronto Police Services Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force said that the motive behind the shooting at Drakes home remains under investigation.
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 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

The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Rebel Wilson has addressed the timing of Isla Fishers divorce from Sacha Baron Cohen in the wake of her claims against the Borat actor.

The Pitch Perfect star also hinted her friendship with Fisher, whom she starred alongside in 2012 film Bachelorette, is now over.

Last month, Wedding Crashers actor Fisher and Ali G star Cohen announced they had split up in 2023  and the timing of the news raised eyebrows due to its proximity to allegations made by Wilson in her book.

Wilson branded Cohen a massive a**hole and accused him of trying to bully her into silence over a contentious chapter in her memoir, which details allegations of misconduct on the set of 2016 comedy film Grimsby. In the UK edition of the book, the actors biggest claims are redacted.

Cohen denied all allegations, with his representatives telling The Independent: While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence, including contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of Grimsby.

Wilson has now revealed she does not think the couples divorce had anything to do with her claims, but she did say the timing wasnt great for Cohen.

I dont feel like Im the reason, but it might have just been his general treatment to women, she told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Wednesday (8 May).

The Australian star also admitted that she has not spoken to Fisher since she announced her divorce from Cohen, but acknowledged that they used to be friends after working together on a film in 2012.

I havent spoken to her, Wilson said on the programme.

Hinting that their friendship was over, she added: Obviously, I used to be friends with her before all this happened. We did a movie together called Bachelorette.

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

Rebel Wilson has addresses her friendship with Isla Fisher ( Getty Images )

Sources were previously conflicted on whether Wilsons claims had impacted the divorce announcement.

One source told The Sun that the headlines were the catalyst in their decision to share the news, claiming Fisher was starting to get embarrassed by the claims. However, US Weekly reported that there was no link and that the announcement had nothing to do with Wilson.

They have been living separate lives since last year but wanted to give this space and time for their children to be OK with this before the news came out and they got all this attention, a source told US Weekly.

But a source told The Sun: Rebels book was a catalyst in Isla deciding to announce this to the world; shes got her own career and reputation to worry about.

Those close to her said it was starting to get embarrassing with all of the allegations that were spilling out of Rebels book. So she felt as though it was the right thing to do to inform everyone of their decision.

Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher ( AFP via Getty Images )

Sacha, on the other hand, did not want that. He has been making as though its business as usual before they made this announcement.

The couple, who have three children, are said to have battled to make things work for the sake of their family ahead of their decision to split in 2023.

This decision wasnt taken lightly and they remain incredibly close  theres still a lot of love there, a source told The Sun.
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

Grand Designs has played host to many brilliant ideas that have dramatically failed to come to fruition.

In some cases, the would-be dream properties showcased have ruined marriages, caused heart attacks, left their owners in financial ruin and, in one instance, even washed up on a beach.

Following the news that Edward Shorts dream lighthouse mansion has once again hit the market for a knock-down price of 5.5m, we are looking back at the shows five biggest costly renovations that went sour.

1. The lighthouse that broke a marriage and a man

One of the most famous disasters ever featured by Grand Designs is Shorts mansion, which starred in what viewers dubbed the saddest ever episode of the show in 2019.

What began as a grand plan to allow the Short family a slower pace of life in North Devon than in London ultimately broke up Edward and his wife Hollys decades-long marriage, leaving him an estimated 7m in debt.

The ambitious project, which was located in a tricky coastal location, was deemed a dangerous lesson in overreaching by host Kevin McCloud, who admitted that he doubted it would be possible to complete the home in its planned timeframe of just 18 months.

Instead, the home took over 12 years to build and it still remains incomplete, with areas such as the kitchen reportedly still requiring work.

open image in gallery The saddest ever Grand Designs home is currently up for sale for a knock-down price ( Tom Wren SWNS )

While it has had some interested buyers including Michael Jacksons former bodyguard and Harry Styles, Chesil Cliff House remains on the market, with its previous asking price of 10m ultimately deemed too high.

However, it is worth noting that it was only recently relisted, so it may well find a new owner soon.

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

Edward told Devon Live: I have got used to being a millionaire in debt. Ive been doing this build for more than 10 years  so have gone past headaches now and built a lot of resilience.

I can not make any plans of what I do next until it is sold  but I would be very surprised if they involved any more big build projects. I think I need a physiatrist and help with PTSD.

open image in gallery The house is pile-driven to save it from falling into the sea when the cliffs erode ( Knight Frank )

2. The Eco Barge

The Eco Barge began as a brilliant idea  a floating home made entirely from recycled materials that would provide a London dwelling for a fraction of the price of just about anywhere else.

However, as Chris Miller and his wife Sze Liu Lai began the project without a plan, it quickly went awry and resulted in many angry builders and dock owners.

One builder said in the memorable 2007 episode said the barge looks s*** while McCloud couldnt help but dub the home a floating scrapheap challenge.

open image in gallery The Eco Barge was described as a floating scrapheap challenge ( BBC )

The barge seemingly met its end on the banks of the River Thames in 2011, windows broken after being looted and used as a brief party spot by squatters.

However, in 2021, it was reported that it had been purchased by new owners, Sarah and Rob Burch, who planned to finally make a success of the project, beginning with a solid plan for the former Thames barge.

But at the time of writing, there are no further updates on the barges fate.

3. The converted church

Another failed Grand Designs home that led to a divorce was the 18th century St Martins Church in West Yorkshire, which Dean Marks, his wife Hilary and their daughter hoped would become their dream home.

The 2007 conversion suffered from various setbacks including struggles to obtain planning permission and vandals  all of which took a toll on the couples marriage.

I admit I worked hard on it, Marks told the MailOnline. I did not have a large amount of quality time with Hilary but that was a small price to pay.

open image in gallery The church conversion cost its owner a lot more than just money ( Channel 4 )

But if a divorce wasnt already a big enough price to pay for a house, Marks also suffered two heart attacks because of the stress of the build and, later, went on to develop testicular cancer.

open image in gallery Mark ended up losing his wife and having two heart attacks because of the stress of his Grand Designs home ( Channel 4 )

4. The Hux Shard

Grand Designs has proven time and time again that properties often go over budget, but one of the shows most disastrous examples was The Hux Shard in Devon, which cost 199 percent more than planned.

Initially planned to cost a total of 835,000, the unusual-looking property cost 2.5m to build.

McCloud couldnt help but admit that it was an example of Joe and Claire Pridays arguably having more money than sense when they spent 125,000 on just the kitchen.

open image in gallery The Hux Shard went 199 percent over budget ( Channel 4 )

The home, which was made from giant zinc shards, was not well received by viewers of the 2021 episode either.

In all seriousness, that was one sickening Grand Design. Everything about it highlighted the gulf between the haves and have-nots. What he spent on just a kitchen??! And what about the environmental cost? slammed one viewer.

5. The Thunderbirds Home

Taking inspiration from the Thunderbirds, this home, in theory, was a sci-fi fans dream, but the reality ended up being more than a little lacklustre.

open image in gallery The Thunderbirds-style home was described as the ugliest house one viewer ever had ever seen ( Channel 4 )

The property, while beloved by its owners, whose only critique was that it wobbled in stormy weather, was slammed by viewers for its appearance in 2021.

One called the converted steel-clad water tower the ugliest house Ive ever seen.

Its owners, Dennis Pedersen and Misa Godebska, however, likened the Norfolk property to a Bond lair.

Pedersen admitted: I did watch a lot of Thunderbirds.
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

Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd has been questioned  and cleared  by producers over a controversy related to the show.

The biographical series, written by and starring comedian Gadd, follows struggling comic Donny Dunn as he is relentlessly harassed and stalked by Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning) for more than four years.

Since the seven-episode shows release on 11 April, it has become a word-of-mouth sensation, shooting to the top of the streaming services most-watched charts with very little promotion.

However, as the real-life element of the story piqued the interest of viewers, the unprecedented success came with a caveat: as more people viewed the show, more people attempted to discover the real-life inspirations behind the shows characters, including Martha, in a move that Gadd himself has criticised.

Before that, though, a post on X/Twitter, shared by an actor who was in the running to play a role in the series, placed Gadds alleged behaviour in the spotlight. Reece Lyons said she was left feeling hurt after a romance with Gadd, whom she said conflated a work opportunity with a dating dynamic.

Lyons said that, after meeting Gadd, who has since been cleared of any wrongdoing: He began to tell me about his upcoming Netflix show that he had written. The role in question was that of his ex-girlfriend, a trans woman. I told him I was interested in auditioning and asked him to get in touch with my agent.

As the audition process continued, Lyons cooled things off with Gadd, who she said text her two weeks later to see if she wanted to resume their romance. Lyons said she felt conflicted about this development as she was concerned it would affect her chances of being in the show.

The role ultimately went to Generation actor Nava Mau, with Gadd tellying Lyons that producers wanted a more established star to play the role of Teri. When Lyons asked Gadd where they stood personally, she claims Gadd told her: Its not going to work. Youre too confrontational for me.

In the post, Lyons did not name Gadd, but heavily suggested he was the person she was referring to  something Deadline claims to have verified.

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

Its now been reported by the outlet that Clerkenwell Films, the production company behind the show, investigated Gadds professional conduct after Lyonss post went viral on social media in April, and found that the comedian did not act unprofessionally.

open image in gallery Richard Gadd in Baby Reindeer ( Netflix )

A source for Clerkenwell Films, which also produced The End of the F***ing World, said the account of Lyons, who was not interviewed as part of the investigation, as well as other evidence, cleared Gadd of any misconduct.

Furthermore, it was found that the casting decisions for the show were not affected.

Gadd has declined to comment.
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

A new Mr Bates vs The Post Office-style series about the News of the World phone hacking scandal is in the works, an investigative journalist who first uncovered the story has revealed.

Journalist Nick Davies made the revelation on LBC this afternoon (8 May) amid the long-standing allegations that Rupert Murdochs News UK organisation hacked into the phones of celebrities during the 00s  before embarking on a widescale cover-up.

Following the damning revelations in 2009, Murdochs company accepted that journalists at News of the World were involved in phone hacking and the paper closed two years later, with damages paid to hundreds of victims. Those targeted included the murdered teenager Milly Dowler and celebrities such as Sienna Miller and members of the royal family.

Now, the journalist has revealed a series is already in production which TV bosses hope will grip the nation in the same way as the ITV series highlighting the plight of wrongly accused Sub-postmasters.

When asked whether a TV adaptation was in the works, Mr Davies said: Yes, theres a big TV drama project about the phone hacking being filmed at the moment.

Theres some really brilliant people, Mr Davies added. One important thing is theyre filming and it takes ages to edit. I think youre talking late next year at the earliest before this hits the screen.

open image in gallery Rupert Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks are at the heart of the ongoing scandal ( PA )

Meanwhile, Mr Davies also alleged that the scale of the cover-up of phone hacking continues to this day.

All sorts of extraordinary new stuff has emerged, he said today.

He added: While we all know various journalists were hacking into the phones of famous people to get stories about their personal and sex lives, over on the other side of the Murdoch building, on the commercial side, somebody was hacking into the mobile phones of politicians not for stories, but for intelligence.

Mr Davies claims that this information was being used to make money and interfere with politics, a revelation that he describes as breathtaking in its arrogance.

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

Civil court documents revealed last week showed News UK deleted emails at the time of the initial investigation, with 31 million emails lost between 2010 and 2011.

Nine million of those were irretrievably lost, with the publisher insisting that it was clearing out old computer servers rather than engaging in a corporate cover-up.

The revelation prompted former PM Gordon Brown to call for a new police investigation into whether the publisher covered up phone hacking.

Among the new documents are allegations that Mr Brown was involved in a conspiracy to obtain internal emails at the company, which led them to delete editor Rebekah Brooks emails to prevent further leaks.

This included allegations that Labour MP Tom Watson, who was close to Mr Brown, had been handling stolen data from Mrs Brooks and bribing an employee to get hold of emails.

In 2014, Mrs Brooks was found not guilty on all charges related to phone hacking after a trial at the Old Bailey, with prosecutors discovered no evidence of corporate wrongdoing at News UK in 2015.

open image in gallery The final edition of the News of the World, following its closure amid the 2011 phone hacking scandal ( AFP via Getty Images )

Mr Davies revealed in a recent article for Prospect Magazine that while NGN continues to insist that it has not engaged in destruction or concealment with the intention of covering up crimes, there is evidence that it has done so.

He explains NGN has tried to justify the deletion of emails by claiming its servers were overloaded.

But during a raid of editor Rebekah Brookss office, police allegedly discovered a private dressing room with a vanity cabinet. They moved the cabinet and found the door to an underfloor safe. When they opened it, they found it was filled with hard drives and computers.

In another recent article for Prospect Magazine, Mr Davies adds that Murdochs company bought silence after destroying evidence of its alleged wrongdoing.

He claims that to avoid further scandal, senior journalists were paid off by the company so that its executives would not be implicated.

One of these people was Brookes, who has consistently denied knowing that journalists targeted the family of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

But David Sherborne, the counsel for the claimants currently suing the company, told the High Court: We say Ms Brooks... was well aware of the Dowler story and the basis on which it was obtained.

It isnt a story about journalists committing minor crimes, Davies asserted of the new revelations, its all about power and who uses it.

The Independent has reached out to News Group Newspapers for comment.
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

A Hong Kong appeals court has granted the governments request to ban the popular protest song Glory to Hong Kong, overturning a previous ruling.

The song, sung during the 2019 anti-government protests, was mistakenly played as the citys anthem at international ceremonies instead of Chinas March of the Volunteers, causing controversy and concern in Beijing.

Judge Anthony Chan last year struck down the city governments request to ban the song from the internet. I believe that the intrusion to freedom of expression here, especially to innocent third parties, is what is referred to in public law as chilling effects, he said.

The latest ruling marks the first time a song has been banned since the territorys handover to China in 1997.

The governments critics argue that the ban further restricts freedom of expression in Hong Kong.

The appeals courts decision was reportedly based on the songs perceived intent as a weapon and the need to address perceived criminal activities associated with it.

We accept the assessment of the executive that prosecutions alone are clearly not adequate to tackle the acute criminal problems and that there is a compelling need for an injunction, judge Jeremy Poon said in his ruling.

He added the interlocutory injunction was necessary to persuade internet platform operators to remove problematic videos in connection with the song.

The ban specifically focuses on distribution of material advocating for the separation of Hong Kong from China and any misrepresentation of the song as the citys national anthem. However, there are exemptions for lawful journalistic and academic use.

The ruling warns that failure to adhere to these restrictions could lead to fines or imprisonment.

Previously, people have been arrested for playing Glory to Hong Kong in public, cited for offences like playing a musical instrument without a permit.

The song, however, remains accessible on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

Beijings implementation of a national security law in 2020 sparked a protest and led to the arrest of several activists in Hong Kong while a local security law further raised concerns about the erosion of civil liberties in the city.

The governments push to ban the protest song follows its failed attempt to prioritise Chinas national anthem over it in online searches.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday that the ban on the song was a necessary measure by (Hong Kong) to fulfil its responsibility of safeguarding national security.

Additional reporting by agencies
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

Kim Ki-nam, a North Korean propaganda chief who helped build personality cults around the countrys three dynastic leaders, has died at 94, the Norths state media said.

North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said the countrys current leader, Kim Jong-un, visited the body of Ki-nam at a funeral hall in the capital, Pyongyang, early Wednesday and expressed condolences to family members. The agency said Mr Kim will lead the state funeral committee for Ki-nam, who will be buried on Thursday.

KCNA said Ki-nam, a former secretary of the ruling Workers Partys central committee, "devoted his all to the sacred struggle for defending and strengthening the ideological purity of our revolution and firmly guaranteeing the steady victory of the socialist cause.

The agency said he died Tuesday after being treated for age-related illnesses and multiple organ dysfunctions for the past year.

Ki-nams role as the countrys chief propagandist earned him notoriety in South Korea, where media nicknamed him the North Korean Goebbels, after Nazi Germanys propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.

He also led the delegation to South Korea in 2009 that attended the funeral of former South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, who had pursued engagement with the North and held a summit with former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the father of the current ruler.

Ki-nam was one of the seven senior officials who joined Mr Kim in accompanying the hearse of the late leader Kim Jong-il following his death in 2011.

Ki-nam was a professor at Kim Il Sung University and the chief editorial writer of the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper before taking leadership roles in the ruling Workers Partys propaganda departments starting in the 1980s.
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

An emergency text message warning that 70 ferocious dogs were on the loose in South Korea has had to be quickly withdrawn after it turned out it related to three dogs that had wandered off a local farm.

An alert was issued on Wednesday morning from the Dong-gu district office in Daejeon, located roughly 100 miles south of Seoul, following a report from the civic emergency service.

They had passed on information given to them by a civilian caller, who reported they had seen 70 large dogs roaming an area on the citys outskirts.

But officials quickly realised that the alert had been false when a police officer stationed in the area reported that,

The officer confirmed that the not very large animals, none of which appeared to be aggressive, had been returned to the farm.

They were then forced to issue a second alert 20 minutes after the first to say that only three dogs had escaped from the farm, as opposed to 70 large dogs, and that they had been returned to the farm.

An official from the district office, who spoke to Reuters but declined to be identified, said they were erring on the side of caution when they issued the initial warning.

They said that they took the civilians report at face value due to the pressing nature of the possible emergency.

We were trying to get the word out for people to be cautious, since they said it was 70 large dogs, the official said.

Hundreds of farms in South Korea keep dogs, but in this case the animals appeared to have been pets or working dogs.
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

A television cameraperson was trampled to death while shooting wild elephants crossing a river in southern India.

AV Mukesh, 34, who was a columnist and cameraperson for Malayalam language TV Mathrubhumi was filming elephants in a forest area in Keralas Palakkad on Wednesday when he was attacked by an elephant.

The incident is among the latest in a series of man-human conflicts that have sparked increasing anger among the people in the state. The government, however, attributes the rising incidents to climate change and ecological imbalance.

Mukesh was filming a herd of elephants crossing a river when he tripped and fell, catching the attention of an agitated elephant, according to Ommcom News.

Mukesh suffered severe injuries in the attack and was rushed to hospital where he received treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries.

The details of the attack and the extent of his injuries are not known yet.

Minister for Forests and Wildlife Protection, AK Saseendran, expressed shock over the death of the video journalist and praised him for bringing public attention to the sorrows and sufferings of those neglected by society.

We are all deeply saddened by the news of the tragic incident. The forest department staff on hearing about the incident did their best to save him, said Mr Saseendran.

Known for its heavy forest cover, frequent killing in animal attacks is a major issue in the Indian state of Kerala. Although the state comprises merely 1.2 per cent of Indias land area, it contributes to 2.3 per cent of the countrys forest cover.

Mr Saseendran has previously blamed habitat loss and climate change on the growing incidents of human-animal conflicts.

On 10 February, Ajeesh Joseph, a 42-year-old farmer, was trampled to death by a radio-collared wild elephant in the hilly Wayanad district of Kerala.

It was the second death in an elephant attack in that district in just three weeks.

These incidents have caused anger among the community members who have held sporadic protests demanding protection from such incidents.

The people in the state have demanded strong boundary walls, elephant-proof trenches, warning electronic systems and radio-collaring of all wild elephants.
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 reprimanded Canada for allowing a controversial rally in Malton where a tableau showed prime minister Narendra Modi lodged behind bars, deepening the diplomatic rift between the two countries.

New Delhi expressed concern over violent imagery being used by extremist elements in Canada against Indian political leaders at the rally led by Sikh secessionistsin Ontarios Malton area on Sunday.

The religious parade saw slogans and symbols linked to the Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent homeland for the Sikh minority in India.

It featured banners displaying a map of Khalistan, the name for the proposed homeland, and calling for a referendum on the demand.

The parade also saw a float of Mr Modi dressed in prison garb standing behind bars as hundreds of people raised pro-Khalistan slogans.

Indias relations with Canada have been strained since Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian government agents were involved in the assassination of a Canadian Sikh last year.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was shot dead outside a Sikh gurdwara in Surrey, Vancouver, last June. Nijjar was a wanted terrorist in India but a popular campaigner for an independent Sikh homeland in Canada.

India denied the allegation and has frequently traded barbs with Canada since.

We have repeatedly raised our strong concerns regarding the violent imagery being used by extremist elements in Canada against our political leadership, Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for Indias foreign ministry, said on Tuesday. Display of posters of Indian diplomats have also been put out across Canada threatening violence against them.

Celebration and glorification of violence should not be a part of any civilized society, the spokesperson said. Democratic countries which respect the rule of law should not allow intimidation by radical elements in the name of freedom of expression.

He expressed concern over the security of our diplomatic representatives in Canada and called on Ottawa to stop giving space to criminal and secessionist elements.

The latest row came the same day that three Indians charged with Nijjars murder appeared in a Canadian court.

open image in gallery Blue and yellow flags of the Khalistan movement ( Reuters )

A group of protesters gathered outside the court and held placards honouring Nijjar and waved the Khalistani flags.

The three suspects  Karan Brar, Karanpreet Singh and Kamalpreet Singh  appeared via a video link, wearing orange jumpsuits, from the prison. They face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Canadian police said they were probing whether the accused had ties to the Indian government.

Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday that India would wait for Canadian police to share information on the accused.

"One of our concerns which we have been telling them is that, you know, they have allowed organized crime from India, specifically from Punjab, to operate in Canada," Mr Jaishankar said.

The Canadian foreign minister said Ottawa stands by the allegations that Indian agents were involved in Nijjars assassination.

Canadas position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents, Melanie Joly told reporters on Wednesday.
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

Thailand has made a U-turn on its laws on cannabis, just two years after announcing them.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Wednesday that cannabis would be re-listed as a narcotic by end of 2024, in a stunning U-turn for the country two years after it became the first in the region to decriminalise its recreational use.

I want the health ministry to amend the rules and re-list cannabis as a narcotic, Srettha said on social media platform X. The ministry should quickly issue a rule to allow its usage for health and medical purposes only.

Srettha, a property mogul, has voiced his opposition to the recreational use of cannabis since taking office last year, arguing it could exacerbate existing drug abuse problems in Thailand.

Cannabis was decriminalized for medical use in 2018 and recreational use in 2022 under a previous government, leading to rapid growth of small businesses selling cannabis products, which now number in the tens of thousands.

Critics have complained policies were changed in a haphazard way, with widespread confusion about how to regulate its sale and use, for which there are no laws, only ministerial rules.

open image in gallery Founder of Highland cafe Rattapon Sanrak prepares flower bud of marijuana for customers at his shop in Bangkok, Thailand ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

On Sunday, Sretthas government, which took office less than a year ago, announced its first Cabinet shuffle.

Thailands foreign minister abruptly resigned in dissatisfaction over the reshuffle that removed him as one of the countrys deputy prime ministers.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the report of the resignation of Parnpree Bahiddha-Nugara, saying that he respected the decision, and that he has already started looking for a replacement.

Srettha said it was normal that some people would be upset by the reshuffle, adding that he already sent a message to Parnpree, apologizing and thanking him for his work.

For his work that has been in the good interest of the country, I believe that the new minister will continue these good efforts, he said, but did not say when the next appointee would take up the post.

Shortly afterwards, the media circulated a document said to be a letter of resignation from Parnpree, dated Sunday, indicating his dissatisfaction that he was removed from the position of deputy prime minister and only remained foreign minister.
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

A $20 crossbody bag that fits a 300-page book, a small umbrella, keys, a phone, a wallet, an EpiPen, and headphones has been dubbed as the Millennial Birkin.

A young generation obsessed with fit, function, and fast access has found Uniqlos Round Mini Shoulder Bag more enticing than the iconic Hermes bag, which comes with a minimum resale price tag of $11,000 for its smallest size.

In 2022, TikToker Caitlin Phillimore-Price posted a video to show just how much her Uniqlo accessory held, unintentionally catapulting the simple item into cult-favourite status. Buy this Uniqulo bag, she said in her post thats now been viewed more than one million times - and thats exactly what TikTok users did.

Legit just went and ordered straight away, one shopper wrote.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Kanoko Takenokuchi - the global merchandising director for Uniqlo - discussed the immediate purchase effect they saw take place after Caitlins video went viral. While their bag was officially released in 2020, it wasnt until the young shopper informed her followers about the inexpensive bag that they began flying off the shelves.

That was the moment I realised the power of social media, Takenokuchi said about Caitlins post. Instead of just putting out advertisements from our company, we should put out a product that customers really love and that will spread and create a cycle of people buying more and more.

Takenokuchi works for Uniqlo, but her role falls under the advisory of Fast Retailing Co, a Japanese multinational retail holding company. According to Fast Retailing, the shoulder bag is still one of Uniqlos top-selling items in multiple markets.

Customers appreciate that its much cheaper than designer bags but that the product still has value, Taku Sugawara, a financial services analyst for Iwai Cosmo Securities Co, told Bloomberg.

Two years into the staggering hype, one Conde Nast Traveler writer - who admittedly buys designer and works primarily in luxury fashion - came to the same conclusion about Uniqlos Round Mini Shoulder Bag.

On 11 January 2024, Sarah Leigh Bannerman published her unfiltered, honest opinion about the Uniqlo bag from the perspective of someone who wouldnt have thought to purchase it for herself.

Aside from its price, the best thing about this unisex bag is how light it is when empty, she wrote. A feature often overlooked, especially when shopping online, it makes the weight of travel essentials manageable. Comfort is also key. The curved shape sits close to the body and offers a feeling of security.

Bannerman continued: Im glad I got my hands on it before it sold out again. This cleverly constructed, affordable accessory is the perfect travel companion and is now the most practical small bag I own.

She agreed with Phillimore, and the rest of TikTok, that the $20 bag held unimaginable value despite its relatively low cost.

Takenokuchi told Bloomberg that Uniqlo had plans to build their promotional efforts by introducing more custom offerings, like theyve implemented in Edinburgh, Scotland, with the Irn-Bru embroidery.

To make a product that will be loved for a while, we have to think hard and come up with new ideas for it because thats part of the fun for the customers, Takenokuchi remarked. I have a feeling that its not just a passing trend but is becoming a permanent item that will stay in peoples lives for a long time.

The Independent has contacted Phillimore for comment.
Had we not had the Covid pandemic, thousands of cancer patients may still be waiting for the breakthrough in medicine which would save their lives. As it is, thirty hospitals have so far signed up to the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad which will match patients with vaccine trials drawing on mRNA technology used to create current Covid jabs.

Designed to prime the immune system to recognise and destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of the disease recurring in years to come. More than 200 patients in the UK, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Sweden will be recruited to the trial and will receive up to 15 doses of the personalised vaccine. The study is not due to be completed until 2027, but Dr Victoria Kunene, trial principal investigator from Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, told the BBC: I think this is a new era. The science behind this makes sense.

The truth is, cancer has never been so survivable. The facts speak for themselves. In the 1970s, only one in four people in the UK survived their cancer for a decade or more. Today, at least half of cancer patients will do the same. Figures from 2020 show that more than 75 per cent of people with cancer survived at least one year after diagnosis. And thanks to astonishing scientific breakthroughs, things will only get better.

As one in two of us will face a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime, this is very good news. Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research London (ICR), says: We are living in an era of incredible scientific and technological innovation. We can now see the disease in unprecedented detail, uncovering how it changes and evolves and discovering potential new routes to treatment.

Smarter and faster diagnostics are bringing dramatic improvements in early detection and artificial intelligence is revolutionising our ability to analyse complex scans and spot subtle abnormalities that could signal cancer.

With treatments rapidly advancing  personalised medicine based on genetic testing, targeted drugs and tailored immunotherapies, and cutting-edge radiotherapies that spare healthy tissue surrounding tumours  you can see why more people are feeling hopeful.

Kevin Harrington, honorary consultant oncologist at the Royal Marsden and St Georges Hospital in London says, In 20 years, I confidently expect we will cure substantially larger numbers of cancer patients with far smarter and kinder treatments than current approaches.

Miracle vaccines

Dame Kate Bingham, the pandemic vaccine tsar, recently said that she envisaged a future in which people will be able to get a blood test to look for signs of early cancer, then a vaccine to cure it. Science fiction? No.

With the current trials now underway, experts believe these vaccines could be widely available to all within the next decade. We tend to think of vaccines as jabs we have when we are healthy to prevent diseases from ever occurring. But a more accurate definition of a vaccine is a treatment that teaches our immune system to fight specific diseases. And these diseases now include cancer.

The cancer vaccines currently being developed and trialled employ the same mRNA technology made famous by Covid-19 vaccines. A trial of the worlds first personalised mRNA vaccine is now underway in the UK and will be completed in 2027.

Cancer Research UK is also funding another trial of a vaccine dubbed LungVax, which is the worlds first vaccine to prevent lung cancer in people with a high risk of the disease. Trials are also underway for patients with liver, kidney, bladder, bowel, pancreatic and breast cancer.

In the same way that traditional vaccines use part of a virus to train our bodies to fight disease, cancer vaccines use harmless proteins from the surface of cancer cells, known as neoantigens, as a target. The vaccine teaches the immune system to recognise these neoantigens on abnormal cells, so it can kill the cells and then recognise any stray remaining cancer cells and destroy them and so improve the chances of him being cancer free in years to come.

Cancer is a disease of our own bodies and its hard for the immune system to distinguish between whats normal and whats cancer, said Professor Tim Elliott, research lead for the LungVax project.

If we can replicate the kind of success seen in trials during the pandemic, we could save the lives of tens of thousands of people every year in the UK alone.

Cancer often kills when it recurs after initial treatment. The ultimate hope is that vaccines will train the immune system to destroy cancer cells before they have a chance to develop into tumours.

In 2022, news broke of another vaccine success story from the US. Author and poet Stephanie Gangi, 68, who lives in New York, was first treated for breast cancer in 1999, but her cancer returned. In 2021, a tumour the size of a grapefruit appeared on her adrenal gland. At this stage breast cancer is called metastatic and normally considered incurable. Yet today, scans show Gangi is cancer-free, thanks to a bespoke experimental vaccine that first destroyed the tumour and then taught her immune system to recognise and attack tumour cells in her body.

Starving the disease

A new type of immunotherapy that targets non-cancerous cells could help prevent the growth and spread of breast cancer tumours, according to new research funded by the charity Breast Cancer Now and developed at the Toby Robins Research Centre at the ICR.

Scientists have found that targeting a protein called endosialin disrupts a tumours food or blood supply. The novel aspect of this treatment is that it doesnt attack the cancer cells themselves, but the structures they need to survive.

This treatment may also have fewer side effects than traditional chemo and in experiments with mice, targeting endosialin successfully reduced the breast cancers growth and spread. The treatment has also been tested on lung cancer tumours with similar results, and other types of cancer could benefit in future. Being developed further, the hope is that this treatment can soon be tested in clinical trials.

Blocking brain cancer signals

A drug derived from oleic acid  which naturally occurs in olive oil  has shown promise for patients with an aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma who often die one year after diagnosis.

Cancer cells are unique in having the ability to communicate via electrical signals that trigger deadly growth. This new drug alters the walls of cancer cells, preventing cells from talking to each other. It is the first new gliobastoma drug to be developed in 20 years and is currently being trialled in a global study on newly diagnosed patients.

Cancer matchmaking with AI

Talk about artificial intelligences dangers has often overshadowed its lifesaving potential. But, a computer algorithm can process far more images far faster than any human, and as Prof Helin puts it: Artificial intelligence is revolutionising our ability to analyse complex scans to spot subtle abnormalities that could signal cancer.

In the process, it can learn to recognise tiny changes so cancer can be diagnosed earlier. A study published in The Lancet Oncology showed that AI could be around twice as accurate as an invasive biopsy at grading the aggressiveness of some sarcomas which develop in bones and soft tissues.

Research also suggests that the technology could recognise subtypes of the disease, speeding up diagnosis as a result and can rapidly learn which specific tumour types respond best to certain drugs which will stop the delay and trauma of trial-and-error failures. TRACERx is a major 14m research programme into lung cancer, led by Cancer Research UK, which will use AI to help identify patients who could benefit from trials of new targeted treatments.

New generation radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is an important curative treatment for cancer, but treatments can cause permanent damage to healthy cells. New types of radiotherapy could be far quicker, more targeted and safer.

One type, stereotactic body radiotherapy, could cut treatment time for prostate cancer patients by up to 75 per cent, reducing it from a month to just a week. Another treatment in development, FLASH radiotherapy, is delivered a thousand times faster than conventional radiotherapy. This intensity damages the DNA in cancer cells but is up to 50 per cent less harmful to normal cells.

With FLASH, patients could tolerate much higher doses of radiotherapy and it could be used to treat cancers in sensitive organs such as the brain, lungs or gastrointestinal area and reduce side effects. FLASH is currently in trials but could be routine within a decade, says Dr Claire Bromley of Cancer Research UK.

The cancer protein destroyer

Many cancers are driven by abnormal proteins in the body  mutated proteins that hijack the machinery of normal cells and cause them to proliferate out of control, create tumours and potentially spread through the body.

Scientists have created many protein-inhibiting drugs which effectively block the action of these deadly proteins. However, over time cancers often find ways around them. So, scientists came up with a better idea. Why not, instead of merely blocking the proteins, destroy them permanently?

Protein degraders do clever things like dissolving the biological glue that holds proteins together, so they can be disposed of by the bodys own natural rubbish disposal systems. A new potent protein degrader has been created at the ICR which can destroy a protein involved in B-cell lymphoma. It is now in trials and could form the basis of a revolutionary new cancer drug.

open image in gallery Angelina Jolie carries a gene mutation linked to having a high chance of developing breast cancer ( Getty )

A drug for carriers of Angelina Jolie cancer genes

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered the immune cells in breast tissue of healthy women carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations show early signs of malfunction known as exhaustion.

Their studies suggest that the immune cells cant clear out damaged breast cells, which can eventually develop into breast cancer and raise the possibility of using existing immunotherapy drugs as early intervention to prevent breast cancer from developing, in carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations.

Studies are underway with mice, which, if effective, will be moved to a clinical trial in women carrying the Angelina Jolie mutations. If successful, drugs may be an alternative to the life-changing mastectomies currently offered to women to cut their risk of developing breast cancer.

Giving cancer a deadly disease first

This table-turning possibility is now becoming a reality. Scientists are working on a new breed of engineered viruses which can be injected into the heart of tumours and infect cancer cells causing them to explode and die, without infecting healthy tissues.

In a pleasing double whammy, infected cancer cells also become more visible to our immune system which then attacks them. Cancer viruses are being trialled on a number of different cancers including skin, eye, oesophageal and head and neck cancers with promising results. They could become available on the NHS within the next three to five years.
Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Rage rituals are the latest wellness trend among women on TikTok.

A new trend is gaining traction online, where women are paying a fortune to go to the woods and smash things, which wellness experts have dubbed rage rituals. Some exclusive wellness retreats now include these stress-relieving ceremonies, where participants scream and beat large sticks on the forests ground. Since the forest is far away from residential areas, participants have the freedom to fully embody their rage.

For years, self-described Spiritual Fairy Godmother Mia Magik has led rage rituals in Scotland. She began doing them for herself and her friends, before adding them as an option to her wellness retreats. These days-long excursions typically include a range of activities and are priced between $2,000 to $4,000. However, she does include a one-day option at $222 per ticket, according to USA Today.

During the rage ritual, Magik guides the participants to sit with their deepest emotions, walking them through warm-ups and deep breaths. Typically, she tells them to conjure every person whos ever crossed you, whos ever hurt you, whos ever ignored your boundaries or taken advantage of you or abused you in any way.

When people do this and give themselves permission to release their anger, their capacity for joy actually expands, Magik - whos real name is Mia Banducci - told the outlet. Theyre able to feel more happiness and pleasure, and they go home to their families with more gratitude and ease and peace.

The rituals have resonated with women on social media, as many comment below viral videos on how much of a relief it is to channel their anger - especially in a society that frowns upon women embracing their ugliest emotions.

Why did I have an immediate visceral reaction and start crying? one woman wrote.

I literally cried seeing this I NEED this, another said.

As a now middle aged woman with even more rage, I need this!! commented someone else.

Reflecting on the positive reaction to her videos, Banducci said it made sense that her rage rituals have resonated with so many women.

Its like, Dont be a b**** or dont be angry or dont be aggressive or dont stand up for yourself. Dont protect your integrity. Dont tell anyone that they dont have consent to touch your body or speak to you in a certain way, she explained. There are particular emotions that are accepted in the gender binary that we each need to feel. Men need to cry - and its so healthy for men to cry - and women need to be able to get angry.

Banducci isnt the only one to host rage rituals, with wellness group Secret Sanctuary planning an upcoming Sacred Rage Ceremony in Alberta, Canada, in July. Author and mystic Jessica Ricchetti is also reportedly hosting a womens Secret Rage retreat in North Carolina in June.

Experts note that rage rituals likely wont work for everyone. Depending on the person, rage can be better exorcised with active strategies like a high-intensity workout, while others can benefit from more soothing activities like a sound bath.

Primal scream therapy, which is an important aspect of the rage ritual, was developed in the 1970s by psychologist Arthur Yanov to release repressed trauma, and was touted by the likes of power couple John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Despite it being previously maligned by mainstream psychology, Vogue writes that spiritual gurus like Rachel Pringle - a tantra teacher and the creator of the spiritual workshop Wild Woman - find that physical expressions of rage, such as primal screams, can be therapeutic when expressed in a safe way, a rage ritual can be a gateway to pleasure, power, creativity.
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

Prince Harrys relationship with the royal family has grown increasingly fractured since he and the Duchess of Sussex stepped down as working royals in 2020.

At the time, the couple promised to still regularly visit the UK, but after leaving almost four years ago, they have only returned from their new home in California a handful of times.

Meghan has not been in the country since the Queens funeral in September 2020 and she chose to skip King Charless coronation in May of last year.

She has also skipped the UK celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, which Prince Harry is currently attending, and will instead join him in a few days time for the Nigerian events.

While it was hoped that King Charless recent cancer diagnosis would go some way to repairing fractured relations, and this appeared to be the case when Harry flew over after learning of his illness, this now seems unlikely.

Since arriving back in the UK yesterday (7 May), the Duke of Sussex has endured two apparent snubs from his family  with his father claiming that he is too busy to meet him on his current visit and the news today that Prince William is being made colonel-in-chief of Harrys old military regiment.

This is a timeline of how relations between the couple and the firm have played out following whats better known as Megxit.

open image in gallery Harry and Meghans relationship with the royal family has soured since they stepped down as working royals in 2020 (Yaroslav Sabitov/PA) ( PA Wire )

June 2020, The Departure

Following Harry and Meghans announcement that they were stepping down as senior royals in January 2020, they left the UK for California that June.

At the time, they cited their reasons for leaving as being press intrusion and a desire to be financially independent. They also believed that they could give their son, Prince Archie, a more peaceful upbringing in the US.

While they lost their HRH titles, they remained the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

March 2021, That interview with Oprah

Harry and Meghan opened up in explicit detail about why they chose to leave the firm almost a year after their departure in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.

They cited racism as a reason for leaving, revealing that an unnamed member of the royal family speculated about the colour of Prince Archies skin before he was born.

Meghan also revealed for the first time that she suffered from suicidal ideation while working for the royals and did not receive the support she needed to get better.

I was really ashamed to say it at the time, and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry especially because I know how much loss he has suffered. But I knew that if I didnt say it, that I would do it  and I just didnt want to be alive anymore, she said.

open image in gallery The couple accused the royal family of racism (Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions/PA) ( PA Media )

June 2022, The Platinum Jubilee

The couple kept a low profile at the Queens Platinum Jubilee, but their presence was considered a move in the right direction as it was their first major event since stepping down in 2020.

It also provided the couple with an opportunity to introduce their then-one-year-old daughter Lilibet to her family, including the Queen, who she had not met until this point.

open image in gallery Harry and Meghan were not present for Jubilee balcony celebrations after stepping down as working royals ( Getty Images )

September 2022, The Queens funeral and Meghans last time on British soil

The couple returned to the UK later in 2022 to carry out other engagements in the UK and this ended up coinciding with the Queens death. Following her passing, they chose to stay in the country until after her state funeral.

Meghan previously spoke about the high regard in which she held the Queen to Oprah.

The Queen has always been wonderful to me, she said. I just really loved being in her company ... shes always been warm and inviting and really welcoming.

January 2023, Spare

Prince Harry further opened up about his life in the royal family in his memoir Spare, which detailed his life growing up in his brothers shadow, his mothers death, and his eventual time in the military.

He also recounted his relationship with Meghan and their ultimate decision to leave the royal life behind.

Harry wrote with the help of a ghostwriter: The Heir and the Spare  there was no judgment about it, but also no ambiguity. I was the shadow, the support, the Plan B. I was brought into the world in case something happened to Willy.

I was summoned to provide backup, distraction, diversion and, if necessary, a spare part. Kidney, perhaps. Blood transfusion, Speck of bone marrow. This was all made explicitly clear to me from the start of lifes journey.

open image in gallery Spare was criticised by some for providing too much unnecessary detail about the goings on in the royal family ( Maureen McLean/Shutterstock )

June 2023, The loss of Frogmore Cottage

In June of last year, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Harry and Meghan had vacated Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate, which had been gifted to the couple by the Queen.

They were asked to leave and their departure left them without an address in the UK.

The home was initially renovated at a cost of 2.4m to the taxpayer, but the couple repaid this sum after choosing to leave previous roles as working royals in 2020.

Sir Michael Stevens, keeper of the Privy Purse, said: We can confirm that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have vacated Frogmore Cottage.

We will not be going into any detail on those arrangements here.

Safe to say that, as has previously been stated, the Duke and Duchess have paid for the expenditure incurred by the Sovereign Grant in relation to the renovation of Frogmore Cottage, thus leaving the Crown with a greatly enhanced asset.

Following the loss of the cottage last June, Harry changed his place of typical residence from the UK to the US for the first time.

open image in gallery Harry and Meghan no longer have a home in the UK ( Alamy Stock Photo )

December 2023, A further race row

The subject of alleged racism within the royal family came up once again in December of last year when an author favoured by the Sussexes appeared to disclose the name of the family member who speculated about the colour of Archies skin.

Omid Scobie later claimed he had no idea a Dutch translation of his book Endgame would appear to name King Charles and the Princess of Wales people responsible for the comments.

February 2024, The Kings cancer diagnosis

While the relationship between the Sussexes and their wider family appeared bleak for some time, renewed hope of a true reconciliation came earlier this year when King Charles announced that he has cancer.

Harry told Good Morning America at the time: I think any illness, any sickness brings families together.

After learning of his fathers illness, Harry immediately travelled to the UK and the pair spent a reported 45 minutes together.

The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, Im grateful for that, Harry admitted.

open image in gallery Harry is back in the UK but he appears to have been snubbed twice ( Getty Images for The Invictus Ga )

May 2024, The snubs

Despite returning to the UK this week for an event of huge personal importance  the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, which Harry founded in 2014  Harry will not be joined at the thanksgiving ceremony by any members of his immediate family, it has been confirmed.

While it was expected that he was unlikely to see Prince William and Kate Middleton, who is also battling cancer herself, many believed that Harry would see the King on the trip, who only last week returned to work after making sufficient progress in his own cancer journey.

But it emerged yesterday that the King simply has too many engagements to see his youngest son, despite the Palace announcing that he was undertaking a reduced summer schedule to avoid over-exertion.

open image in gallery King Charles is too busy to see his youngest son ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

This turn of events mirrors the opinion of former BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole, who asserted ahead of this weeks trip that a true reconciliation in the near future was unlikely.

After so much bad blood, it is very difficult indeed to see any sort of reconciliation between the Sussexes and the Royal Family happening [this] week - or for the foreseeable future, he admitted.
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

Prince William will be made colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps  despite Prince Harry having served with the unit in Afghanistan.

Buckingham Palace announced that the Prince of Wales would succeed King Charles as head of the regiment on Tuesday in what represents a second blow for Harry on his brief return to the UK.

According to reports, the honour would have likely been given to Harry had he not chosen to step down as a working member of the royal family in 2020.

Both brothers are trained military pilots, however, Harry personally served in the Army Air Corps during his second tour of Afghanistan up until 2014.

His Majesty the King will officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the palace said in a statement.

In August 2023, following His Majestys Accession, the King was pleased to announce military appointments including that the Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. The role was previously held by His Majesty the King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years.

Harry previously received praise from Lieutenant Colonel Tom de la Rue, who commanded him in the Army Air Corps.

Captain Wales has reached the pinnacle of flying excellence as an Apache pilot, he said, particularly in Afghanistan, and, in the process, has proved to be a real inspiration to the many Army Air Corps officers and soldiers who have come to know him so well.

open image in gallery Harry revealed that he killed 25 people while serving as an Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan (John Stillwell/PA) ( PA Archive )

As heir to the throne, Prince William was not involved in active conflict during his time in the military. He did, however, serve as a search and rescue pilot and later as an air ambulance pilot.

The snub comes after it emerged yesterday that the King will not see his youngest son on his current UK visit, which marks the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Harry founded the sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service people in 2014 and is set to give a speech at a thanksgiving ceremony at St Pauls Cathedral today (8 May).

open image in gallery Prince Harry is currently in the UK celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games ( Getty Images for The Invictus Ga )

This event will be attended by none of the fifth in line to the thrones immediate family, it has been confirmed.

A spokesperson for Harry revealed that the King will not be able to see him on his current trip due to his busy schedule.

They said: In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majestys full programme.

The duke of course is understanding of his fathers diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.

open image in gallery King Charles is too busy to see Prince Harry after returning to work last week ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The revelation comes after the King returned to work last week following the news that he has now made sufficient progress in his cancer treatment.

He will, however, be undertaking a reduced summer programme to avoid over-exerting himself as he is still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of the disease.

Harry and the King last saw each other for a reported 45 minutes in February when Harry rushed to the UK after learning of his fathers cancer diagnosis.
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 }}

While France celebrated the anniversary of victory over the Nazis on Wednesday, Algeria commemorated a more somber anniversary: The crackdown by French colonial forces on Algerian independence activists the same day 79 years ago.

Both events took place on May 8, 1945.

In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron lay a wreath Wednesday at the eternal flame beneath the Napoleon-era Arc de Triomphe, honoring those killed fighting the Nazis and marking the end of World War II in Europe.

At the time of the war, Algeria was the crown jewel in Frances colonial empire, and Algerian soldiers were among those sent to fight for France in Europe. The end of World War II unleashed independence movements across the former French and British empires.

In Algiers on Wednesday, ceremonies were being held to honor demonstrators who took to the streets in the towns of Guelma, Setif and Kherrata to call for freedom from French rule.

On this day we are remembering the massacres of May 8, 1945, committed by the colonizer with extreme brutality and cruelty, to repress a growing national activist movement that had resulted in massive demonstrations expressing the revolt of the Algerian people and its aspiration to freedom and emancipation, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said in a statement.

They were unusually strong remarks from the Algerian leader, and a reminder of the lingering tensions with France more than 60 years after Algeria won its independence in a painful 1954-1962 war.

Algeria and France today have close economic, security and energy ties, but the question of historical justice remains a sore spot.

Tebboune is expected to raise it on a trip to France later this year. The issue of historical memory will remain at the center of our concerns until it enjoys an objective treatment that pays justice to historical truth, Tebboune said in his statement this week.

During a visit to Algeria in 2022, Macron struck a chummy rapport with Tebboune and agreed to create a commission of historians from both countries to make proposals for reconciliation. The commission released proposals this year, including returning documents and artifacts from French archives to Algeria.

Algerian politicians have also sought financial reparations over French nuclear tests in the Sahara  and, most importantly, an official apology from France for colonial-era crimes.

As Frances first leader born after that era, Macron has sought to confront his countrys past wrongdoing while pivoting to a new era of relations with former colonies. But he has faced criticism at home, amid growing public support for far-right nationalists who champion the grievances of some French descendants of colonizers.
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 }}

Croatia s ruling conservatives on Wednesday agreed to form a coalition with an extreme party, which would push the country further to the right ahead of next month's European parliamentary election.

The governing Croatian Democratic Union, or HDZ, and the far-right Homeland Movement reached the agreement weeks after an inconclusive parliamentary vote that has stirred political uncertainty.

Croatia's dominant HDZ won most votes at the election but not enough to stay in power on their own.

Ruling party officials said the new government, to be headed for a third consecutive term by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, could be approved in parliament as soon as next week.

The Homeland Movement, or DP, is a relatively new political party made up largely of radical nationalists and social conservatives who had left the center-right HDZ. The party is led by the hard-line mayor of the eastern town of Vukovar, which was destroyed during Croatia's 1991 war for independence after it split from the former Yugoslavia.

For the first time in years, Croatia's government will not include a party representing minority Serbs because DP opposed their inclusion, which has fueled some concerns about ethnic tensions stemming from the conflict in the 1990s.

HDZ has largely held office since Croatia gained independence. The Balkan nation became an EU member in 2013, and joined Europes passport-free travel area and the eurozone last year.
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 }}

Kenya's public hospital doctors union on Wednesday signed a return to work agreement with the government, ending a national strike that began in mid-March and had left patients in limbo.

Davji Atellah, the union secretary general, said the doctors agreed to trust the government to implement an agreement to ensure the labor issues that caused the strike, including poor remuneration and working conditions, are resolved.

A labor court on Tuesday had given doctors and the government 48 hours to sign a return to work agreement, failure to which the matter would be determined by the court.

Kenya's Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha said the doctors had proved to be better negotiators than the government side, adding that they had put up quite a fight.

The end of the strike comes as a relief to millions of Kenyans seeking health services from public hospitals that had been crippled by the strike.

Some hospitals had decided to hire temporary doctors for emergency services.

In 2017, doctors at Kenyas public hospitals held a 100-day strike  the longest ever held in the country  to demand better wages and for the government to restore the countrys dilapidated public-health facilities.

Kenya is currently dealing with the devastating effects of flooding that has affected 235,000 people since mid-March when the rainy season started.

____

Follow APs Africa coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
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 }}

Street vendors in Mali's capital of Bamako peddle water sachets, ubiquitous for this part of West Africa during the hottest months. This year, an unprecedented heat wave has led to a surge in deaths, experts say, warning of more scorching weather ahead as effects of climate change roil the continent.

The heat wave began in late March, as many in this Muslim majority country observed the holy Islamic month of Ramadan with dawn-to-dusk fasting.

On Thursday, temperatures in Bamako reached 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) and weather forecasts say it's not letting up anytime soon.

The city's Gabriel-Toure Hospital reported 102 deaths in the first four days of the month, compared to 130 deaths in all of April last year. It's unknown how many of the fatalities were due to the extreme weather as such data cannot be made public under the regulations imposed by the country's military rulers.

Cheikh A Traore, Malis general director for health, said significantly more elderly people have died during this period although there were no statistics available due to the measures.

Mali has experienced two coups since 2020, leading a wave of political instability that has swept across West and Central Africa in recent years. Along with its political troubles, the country is also in the grip of a worsening insurgency by militants linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

The Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre says that a lack of data in Mali and other West Africa countries affected by this month's heat wave makes it impossible to know how many heat-related deaths there were but estimated that the death toll was likely in the hundreds if not thousands.

The heat is also endangering already vulnerable children in Mali  1 million under the age of 5 were at risk of acute malnutrition at the end of 2023 due to protracted violence, internal displacement, and restricted access to humanitarian aid, according to the World Food Program.

Professor Boubacar Togo, head of pediatrics at Gabriel-Toure, told The Associated Press that the hospital has had six cases of meningitis in children in the last week, an unusually high number. He also added that there were many illnesses with diarrhea as a leading symptom. Togo did not elaborate or offer specific data.

To protect children from the worst of the heat, Mali's military rulers have shortened the school day, to end before 1 p.m. instead of at 5.30 p.m. during the heat wave. But on the streets of Bamako, workers say they have no choice but to go out and brave the extreme heat.

Either I work and risk my health or I stop working for the most of the day and I earn nothing, said 25-year-old driver Amadou Coulibaly, who offers rides on his motorbike for a small fee.

With the political instability, many foreign investors are leaving Mali. Rolling power cuts and fuel shortages have forced companies to shut doors, exacerbating an already dire economic situation.

Despite the heat, 30-year-old welder Somaila Traore worked in his shop alongside a dozen employees, urging them to work faster.

Weve got to finish the job before the power cuts, he said.

An analysis published Thursday by the World Weather Attribution  an international team of scientists looking at how human-induced climate change impacts extreme weather  said the latest heat wave in the Sahel, a region in Africa south of the Sahara that suffers from periodic droughts, is more than just a Malian record-breaker.

Our study found that the extreme temperatures across the region simply wouldnt have been possible without human-caused warming, said Clair Barnes, the lead author and a researcher at Imperial College London.

The researchers say climate change has made maximum temperatures in Burkina Faso and Mali hotter by 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit)  something that may not have happened if humans had not warmed the planet by burning fossil fuels.

With sustained warming temperatures, the trend would continue, with similar events likely once every 20 years, the study said.

This result is a warning for both the region and the world," Barnes said. "Extreme heat can be incredibly dangerous and will become more of a threat as the world continues to warm.

___

Mureithi reported from Nairobi.

Read more of APs climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment
The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the

Independent Voices email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

AstraZeneca is withdrawing its Covid-19 vaccine worldwide, months after the pharma giant admitted the drug could cause very rare, but life-threatening, injuries.

The British-Swedish drugmaker has already withdrawn its EU marketing authorisation for the vaccine, branded Vaxzevria since 2021. The authorisation is the approval to market a drug in EUs member states. The withdrawal was due to a surplus of available updated vaccines against new variants of the novel coronavirus, the company said.

The application to withdraw the vaccine from the EU was made on 5 March and came into effect on 7 May.

As multiple variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed theres a surplus of available updated vaccines," AstraZeneca said, adding that this led to a fall in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer manufactured or supplied.

AstraZeneca recently admitted that its vaccine, initially called Covishield, could cause very rare side effects like blood clots and low blood platelet counts, The Telegraph reported.

The admission came after the company was slapped with a class action lawsuit in the UK, which claimed that the vaccine had caused deaths and severe injuries and sought damages up to 100m for about 50 victims.

It is admitted that the AZ vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS. The causal mechanism is not known, AstraZeneca said in court documents in February, the newspaper reported.

TTS is thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, which is characterised by blood clots and low blood platelet counts in humans.

AstraZenecas vaccine was developed in collaboration with Oxford University and produced by the Serum Institute of India. It was widely administered in over 150 countries, including Britain and India.

Some studies conducted during the pandemic found the vaccine was 60 to 80 per cent effective in protecting against the novel coronavirus.

But subsequent research found that it caused some people to develop potentially fatal blood clots.

AstraZenecas admission that the vaccine could potentially prove lethal ran counter to its insistence in 2023 that it would not accept that TTS is caused by the vaccine at a generic level.

In April 2021, the World Health Organisation also confirmed that the vaccine could have fatal side effects. A very rare adverse event called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, involving unusual and severe blood clotting events associated with low platelet counts, has been reported after vaccination with this vaccine.

In a statement, AstraZeneca said: We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria played in ending the global pandemic. According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone, and over three billion doses were supplied globally.

Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic.
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 }}

Four British women who claim they are victims of rape and serious sexual and physical assaults by Andrew Tate are suing the social media influencer in the High Court in London.

Lawyers for the women served Tate with civil proceedings at his home in Romania. The former kickboxer, along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian women, was charged last June in Romania with human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women  allegations they have denied.

The claims by the four British women, which are separate from those charges, centre on abuse that allegedly took place between 2013 and 2016, before he rose to prominence on social media.

Andrew Tate denies the allegations against him ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Three of the women reported him to Hertfordshire Police but after a four-year investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service did not bring charges in 2019. Tate has denied the allegations and is threatening to sue the women for defamation. The Hertfordshire investigation was closed in 2019.

Lawyers for the women said: Despite additional evidence, the CPS have declined the womens recent requests to review its decision. The criminal justice system let these women down; civil action is their last remaining route to justice.

Their solicitor, Matthew Jury at McCue Jury & Partners, said Tates public profile had grown since the women came forward, and that they had seen children copying his mannerisms as he became a martyr of masculinity.

On a crowdfunding website, the women wrote: Following the service of our letter before action on Tate last year, our claim has now been issued by the High Court in London.

We have also served Tate with an order granted by the court protecting our anonymity. The Court agreed that it is necessary to protect us from possible harassment and abuse by Tate and his followers.

This is a monumental step in our case as it means that the litigation against Tate for the allegations we are bringing against him for rape and physical assault has formally begun.

Tate and his brother Tristain are facing charges in Romania ( AFP via Getty Images )

After lawyers for the four women have set out all their allegations against him, Tate must file his defence, saying whether he admits liability or, if not, why not, before the case goes to court.

A letter written last year in response to the pre-litigation notice warned that he would resist the womens attempts to claim anonymity.

The four wrote to supporters on their crowdfunding site: We cannot thank you enough for supporting our fight for justice. This is not just about us but about all women who have suffered at the hands of sexual violence.

The Tate brothers also face criminal prosecution in the UK on rape and human-trafficking charges after British authorities issued a European arrest warrant as part of an investigation by Bedfordshire Police.

In March, a Romanian court approved a request from Britain to extradite the brothers on allegations of sexual aggression dating back to 2012-15, but only after the Romanian trial proceedings had finished.

Last month, a Bucharest court formally gave the go-ahead for Tate and the other three in Romania to be tried on human-trafficking charges.

The Tates representatives said no date had been set for the trial, but that the brothers would appeal against the ruling.

A representative for the brothers said they unequivocally deny all allegations, and are fully committed to challenging these accusations with unwavering determination and resolve.

Andrew Tate has gained millions of fans by promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle that critics say denigrates women. His accounts have been removed from TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
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 }}

The Nottingham triple killers sentence should be changed to life imprisonment after criticism his punishment was unduly lenient, the Court of Appeal was told.

Valdo Calocane, 32, took the lives of two students and a caretaker as he embarked on a terrifying knife rampage around the city last June.

Calocane was given an indefinite hospital order for manslaughter in January by reason of diminished responsibility after he stabbed students Barnaby Webber, Grace OMalley-Kumar, both aged 19, and caretaker Ian Coates, 65, to death.

Prosecutors accepted his pleas after medical evidence showed he has paranoid schizophrenia, however, the sentence was criticised by grieving family members and the public for failing to send him to prison.

Barristers argued on Wednesday that Calocane should instead be given a hybrid order, meaning he would be treated in hospital before being transferred to a regular prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Ian Coates, left, Barnaby Webber, centre, and Grace OMalley-Kumar were killed ( Nottinghamshire Police/PA )

The seriousness of triple-killer Calocanes crimes required an element of punishment in his sentence, the Court of Appeal heard.

Deanna Heer KC, representing the Attorney Generals Office (AGO), said it was bringing a bid to challenge Calocanes sentence as unduly lenient.

She said: The exceptional level of seriousness of the offences was such that the case required the imposition of a sentence with a penal element, an element of punishment.

The AGO added: Whilst it is accepted that his ability to exercise self-control and form a rational judgment was substantially impaired, he understood the nature of his conduct and that it was wrong, even in the context of his psychotic beliefs.

It argued that Calocane should receive a life prison sentence as part of a hybrid order under Section 45A of the Mental Health Act.

Calocanes barrister argued that he would not have committed his crimes if he had not been suffering from his mental health condition. Calocane has been suffering from paranoid schizophrenia since 2019 and was formally diagnosed in 2020.

Valdo Calocane was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court to a hospital order ( Nottinghamshire Police/PA )

Peter Joyce KC said: What is plain is that any planning took place under the influence of the psychosis... but for the psychosis, these offences, none of them, would have been committed.

However, the three judges hearing the bid reserved their judgment until a later date and said they hoped to give their decision within seven days.

Lady chief justice Baroness Carr said: This has been a short but very effective hearing.

We are going to reserve our decision and our judgment, but obviously we recognise how extremely distressing this case is for all concerned.

What we hope to be able to do is to hand down judgment within seven days or so.

Aspiring medic Miss OMalley-Kumar and history student Mr Webber had been returning home from a night out celebrating the end of exams when they encountered Calocane at around 4am on 13 June last year.

Family members sobbed in the public gallery at Januarys trial as they heard how Miss OMalley-Kumar had shown incredible bravery by defending Mr Webber after he was stabbed with a dagger before Calocane turned his attention towards her.

James Coates, son of Ian Coates, Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber and Dr Sanjoy Kumar, father of Grace OMalley-Kumar ( PA Wire )

Witness evidence read to the court described an awful, blood-curdling scream as Calocane, dressed all in black, inflicted at least 10 stab wounds on Mr Webber and then 23 separate dagger wounds on Miss OMalley-Kumar.

After inflicting grave injuries upon them both, he calmly walked away and made his way to Magdala Road, where he violently attacked school caretaker Ian Coates.

The 65-year-old, who was due to retire in five months, was repeatedly stabbed before his Vauxhall van was stolen by Calocane, while he was left to die in the street.

The killer then drove into Nottingham city centre, where he used the van to mow down three pedestrians, who all survived the attack.

He was tasered and arrested a few minutes later after the van was pursued and boxed in by police vehicles.

The sentencing judge, Mr Justice Turner, told Calocane at the citys crown court that his sickening crimes meant he would likely be detained indefinitely in a high-security hospital, very probably for the rest of your life.

He also ruled Calocane should be subject to further restrictions if he is ever discharged from hospital, which would need to be approved by the justice secretary or a mental health tribunal.
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 }}

A much-loved son and uncle has been named as the victim of a fatal stabbing in east London.

Jack Hague, 38, was killed after a fight broke out on Corfield Street in Tower Hamlets at 8.20pm on Sunday, 5 May.

Police officers were called with paramedics discovering Mr Hague with a stab injury. Despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family continue to be supported by specialist officers while a post-mortem examination is due to take place. No arrests have been made, with the investigation ongoing.

In a tribute, Jacks mother said: His smile was amazing - he was loving, funny, giving of his time and loved being Uncle Jack to his niece and two nephews best of all.

He is my son, my blue-eyed boy and will live in me until the day I die.

Police confirmed he was from the local area.

Detective chief inspector Neil John who leads one of the Mets murder investigation teams said: Jacks family are understandably devastated by his murder and we will continue to support them over the coming weeks and months.

My team of experienced detectives are working tirelessly to apprehend those responsible for this heinous attack and I am still keen to hear from anyone who could help progress our investigation.

If you were in the area around the time of this incident, or have doorbell or CCTV footage that may have captured events, then I would urge you to get in touch immediately.

Anyone with information or footage is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 6482/05May. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously 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 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 }}

Schoolchildren are pretending to eat out of empty lunchboxes and eating rubbers because they do not qualify for free school meals, MPs have heard.

At least 900,000 children living in poverty in England are said to be missing out on free school meals due to the threshold set by the government, the Child Poverty Action Group claims.

Liberal Democrat education spokesperson, Munira Wilson, told a commons debate on the provision of free school meals: A child pretending to eat out of an empty lunchbox because they do not qualify for free school meals and do not want their friends to know that there is no food at home.

A child coming into school having not eaten anything since lunch the day before, so hungry that they are eating rubbers at school; and a child hiding in the playground because they do not think they can get a mealall stories from schools in England today. This has to stop.

Have you been affected by this? Email jabed.ahmed@independent.co.uk

Currently, all children at state schools in England are entitled to free school lunches from reception up to Year 2. Pupils in Year 3 to 6 from households in receipt of eligible benefits are also entitled to free lunches under existing government rules.

Ms Wilson told MPs that free lunches can be life-changing as it helps children eat healthy, improve their concentration and save their parents money.

Research by PwC commissioned by Impact on Urban Health found that every 1 spent on free school meals for the poorest children generates 1.38 in core benefits, including a boost to the lifetime earnings of those children by almost 3 billion.

Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson ( Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire )

Free school meals are incredible, and we should give one to every child living in poverty, whether in primary or secondary school, because hunger and poverty do not stop at the age of 11, the MP for Twickenham said.

Ms Wilson told a story of a mother in her constituency who had fled her abusive partner, and was skipping her mental health medication so she could save to pay for her daughters lunch.

That is a mother taking the responsibility to feed her child seriously and she is paying the price with her health and wellbeing. Im afraid the Conservative Government is forcing parents to make impossible choices such as these.

She said those who criticise parents for not taking enough responsibility are insulting every parent who cant afford to feed their child.

Ms Wilson added: That a free school meal may be the only hot meal a child eats in a day in this country is a scandal. In a country such as England families are struggling with this basic human need and that is appalling. The Government should hang its head in shame.

Schools Minister Damian Hinds said he was proud the government had extended free school meals eligibility more than any other.

We spend over 1billion per annum delivering free school lunches to the greatest ever proportion of school children - over a third, he said.

That is in contrast to the one in six who were receiving a free school meal in 2010. This change is despite unemployment being down by a million, more than 600,000 fewer children being in workless households since 2010 and the proportion of people in low hourly pay having halved since 2015.

In January, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced the extension of Universal Free School Meals for state primary school children across the capital. This programme costs the Greater London Authority approximately 130m a year.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

New government plans to free prisoners up to 70 days early to free up space in full-to-bursting jails pose an increasing risk to public safety, the probation union has said.

Justice secretary Alex Chalk first unveiled plans in October to free inmates early up to 18 days early to ease pressure on the buckling prison system, before quietly extending this to around 35-60 days in March, when The Independent revealed leaked documents showing that womens prisons were also eligible.

Emails to prison and probation staff leaked to The Times now show the government has once again been forced to extend the so-called end of supervised custody licence (ECSL) scheme, this time to 70 days, starting from 23 May.

The government insisted the newly revealed changes were entirely transparent ( iStock/Getty )

Dubbing the new rollout under a cloak of secrecy a national scandal, Labours Shabana Mahmood told MPs: The government is releasing prisoners but not the facts. The strategy is clear for all to see  say nothing, try to get away with it, and get to the other side of the general election. Its shameless and frankly a disgrace.

Insisting to the Commons that the new extension was entirely transparent and in line with Mr Chalks previous statements on the scheme, prisons minister Edward Argar cited the fact that operational guidance had been sent out in advance to prison and probation leaders, including the probation union Napo.

But speaking to The Independent, the unions general secretary Ian Lawrence said: I think the minster is being economical with the truth in terms of so-called engagement with my union.

Of course weve been involved with consultation to try and shape the schemes to deal with issues [arising from the ECSL scheme]. But that does not mean we agree, he said, calling for an urgent meeting with Mr Chalk  whom he last met in November.

He added: We have spent many months trying to convince the secretary of state that in order for early release schemes to work in an effective and safe manner, it has to be recognised that the probation service is also over capacity, and that the members we represent are also now at breaking point.

Releasing prisoners early merely kicks the can down the road, the Prison Governors Association warned ( Getty/The Independent )

The ECSL scheme is an unmitigated failure and has not only been extended without parliamentary scrutiny but represents an increasing risk to public safety.

Alleging that ministers had failed to heed our warnings on relieving the workload of probation staff and improving their pay, Mr Lawrence warned that the union was now considering whether to ballot members for potential industrial action.

And he warned that Napo was also exploring the possibility of mounting a legal challenge to the government over the early-release scheme, telling The Independent: We dont believe our members are able to safely manage these offenders.

Weve never been against the idea of people coming off sentences early, he said. We just dont believe our people can cope with it to the extent theyre being asked. That just means mistakes will happen, people will go on to reoffend and could well mean serious further offences down the track. Thats our major concern.

Also citing the huge burden on probation officers, Prison Governors Association chief Tom Wheatley similarly warned that the early-release schemes multiple extensions mean that ensuring that the public are protected is becoming more difficult.

ECSL doesnt solve the problem of prison capacity, it simply kicks the can down the road and allows the system to limp on, Mr Wheatley told The Independent.

As we limp along, more and more effort is needed to keep going; this is continually distracting our members away from their duty to rehabilitate prisoners. The criminal justice system is in a death spiral.

But due to poor planning and brinksmanship by successive governments, there is no other option but to extend the scheme, Mr Wheatley said, adding: It just so happens that it is this government which holds the cards as we go bust.

Urging ministers to take a longer-term approach to reducing the prison population, the veteran prison governor said: Drastic action is needed now to avert irreversible damage being done and there must be cross party co-operation to introduce meaningful headroom in prisons.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: We will always ensure there is enough capacity to keep dangerous offenders behind bars. We are carrying out the biggest prison expansion programme in a hundred years, opening up 20,000 modern places, and ramping up work to remove foreign national offenders.

To ease the short-term pressures on prisons, in March we announced an increase in the number of days governors could, under existing powers, move some offenders at the end of their prison term on to licence. These offenders will continue to be supervised under strict conditions such as tagging and curfews.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Residents of a town in Devon are furious due to a huge pothole being badly fixed after it became a listed tourist attraction on TripAdvisor.

Locals in Totnes took to the review site after they became fed up with what they dubbed the UKs version of the Grand Canyon outside their local Morrisons supermarket.

The listing ranked in the top 50 things to do in Totnes before it was removed last week, and the campaign appeared to have been successful when the council was seen filling in the hole - which has been there for months - on Friday evening.

But people claimed the repair was not done properly and was an attempt to appease the online criticism, and are calling for the council to return to redo the job.

Weve had a minor victory in Totnes getting a quick patch up to a big pothole in town by getting it listed on Trip Advisor as a local attraction, local resident Matthew Jee told The Independent. Its not a proper job though, and frankly a mere PR exercise and waste of money.

He said that within a day of the TripAdvisor page being covered by local media, the council had taken action - but labelled it as a quick, cheap and messy repair job and a waste of taxpayer funds.

Locals said the repair was quick, cheap and messy ( Members of Totnesians Facebook group )

He said: They have not even dug out the edges to make sure the tarmac they poured will grip.

The repair came around after locals coordinated in a local Facebook group to discuss the best way to finally get the councils attention.

After deciding to register the pothole as a local landmark, gleaming reviews soon came pouring in for the Morrisons pothole Totnes on TripAdvisor.

One sightseer wrote: Fantastic how over millions of years these beautiful craters in the earth form. Ive seen canyons around the world and this has got to be my favourite so far! Brilliant day out, will be coming again. The nearby Morrisons cafe is alright and there is parking available.

Another said: I took a group of friends here for a day out. It was a sight to behold. Arizona has the Grand Canyon, Australia has Uluru, and Zambia has the Victoria Falls, but Totnes has the Great Morrisons Pothole.

Some residents claimed they suffered damage to their cars from the pothole, which is said to have worsened in the last six months. One person said that the hole cost him 96 for a new tyre, while another blamed it for his vehicles failed suspension.

Locals seemed optimistic on Friday evening when they spotted the repairs taking place.

However, they were underwhelmed by the result of the repairs - with many calling it a bodge job and asking the council to return.

A Devon County Council spokesperson said the fix was temporary, writing in a statement: This repair was the result of our reactive emergency procedure. This defect needed urgent attention to ensure it was made safe.

The immediate surrounding area will require a larger machine-laid patch to prevent further deterioration. This will be delivered as soon as we are able.
Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent 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

The Race Report email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The UKs largest independent supplier of laboratory materials has removed an N-word racist slur describing some of its products and launched an audit into language used within its organisation following enquiries by The Independent.

Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) advertised cells belonging to people of African ancestry with racially offensive terms in their description.

Skin embryo cells, liver cancer cells and breast cancer cells were referred to as Human n***oid skin embryo, human n***oid hepatocyte carcino and n***oid human breast carcinoma.

N***oid is widely accepted to be a racist term thats used to describe Black people.

Coined by colonialists and particularly common in archaic science texts, it is part of a discredited human classification system which wrongly asserts that race is a scientific construct rather than a social one and that people of African ancestry are genetically inferior.

The company said the offensive terms came about due to a data processing oversight, whereby SLS loaded a file from a third-party supplier without checking the language.

As a distributor of laboratory products, SLS says it has over half a million items on its system and the vast majority of product descriptions are provided by suppliers.

The products in question were created on its system in 2009 and 2023 and were provided in data files by the manufacturer Sigma-Aldrich and Merck (Sigma-Aldrich was later acquired by Merck KGaA in 2015 in a multi-billion dollar deal).

N***oid is widely accepted to be a racist term thats used to describe Black people. ( Screenshot )

SLS Managing Director, Ian Roulstone, told The Independent: SLS is a business that is proud of its ethics and integrity so we were very disappointed to find that this terminology was used anywhere within our business systems.

I would like to ensure you that your email prompted emergency action at the highest level in SLS, with the immediate formation of a team of senior managers and Board members from across our business and the establishment of an action plan which both removes the offensive term and puts in place a robust system to ensure that there is no repeat of this in the future.

Whilst we do not believe it is in the interests of science to remove the products from sale, they should certainly be presented in a way that does not cause any offence so on behalf of us all at SLS, I do sincerely apologise for any offence caused by our failure to screen out this terminology.

Products from Merck KGaA are predominantly directly shipped to customers by the manufacturer and SLS only ever sold this product to one customer who purchased it once in 2011 and then again in 2012, according to a spokesperson.

As a result of The Independents enquiries, SLS, which operates across the UK and has an office in Kenya, says its now overhauled its internal processes to include a systematic review of product files to ensure that offensive slurs do not appear in its inventory again.

This process will cover its entire catalogue of over 600,000 products, a spokesperson confirmed.

As a result of The Independen ts enquiries, SLS says its now overhauled its internal processes to include a systematic review of product files to ensure that offensive slurs do not appear in its inventory again. ( Screenshot )

Cell culture lines, across a range of ethnicities, are widely used in scientific research to better understand the human body, improve human health and ensure that drugs work correctly across different groups.

Merck KGaA, a pharmaceutical giant based in Germany, develops and produces medicines, vaccines and therapies, plus supplies biochemical material to researchers around the globe.

The company, which describes itself as a leading supplier to the global Life Science industry, has been approached by The Independent for comment.

The development comes after The Independent uncovered racist slurs being used in a slew of official UK government documents, the Met Office and the Royal Collection of jewels, last year.

Addressing both uses of the slur in the documents, political activist Professor Gus John told The Independent: Racism and the language of racism continues to exist in structural, cultural, institutional and personal manifestations because Britain stubbornly refuses to deal with the legacy of empire and of colonialism.

N***oid .... does not connote a geographical place or region, but a people whose standing in the human realm has been defined as primitive, undeveloped, backward and not as human as the rest of humanity, thus qualifying to be used as chattels, or for experimentation by eugenicists.
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 Russian spy will be expelled from the UK, the Home Secretary has said as he announced a raft of restrictions.

Moscows defence attache, described as an undeclared military intelligence officer, would be immediately excluded, while several Russian diplomatic premises would also be closed, James Cleverly said as he told MPs: Our message to Russia is clear. Stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity.

The defence attache, named as Colonel Maxim Elovik, appears to have been in the UK since at least 2014 and has been pictured at wreath-laying ceremonies commemorating Russian war dead in 2020 and 2023.

Prior to his posting in London, Colonel Elovik served as an assistant military attache at Russias embassy in Washington DC.

The tougher measures were the latest step in response to a pattern of alleged Russian malign activity across the UK and Europe in a bid to target and dismantle Russian intelligence-gathering operations, the Home Office said.

Today, in conjunction with the Foreign Secretary, I am announcing a package of measures to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations Home Secretary James Cleverly

It comes after five people were charged over conspiring to commit espionage activities in the UK on behalf of Russia under the National Security Act, the first prosecutions of this kind under the new laws.

Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Mr Cleverly said: Today, in conjunction with the Foreign Secretary, I am announcing a package of measures to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations.

I can tell the House that we will expel the Russian defence attache, who is an undeclared military intelligence officer.

We will remove diplomatic premises status from several Russian-owned properties in the UK, including Seacox Heath house, a Russian-owned property in Sussex, and the trade and defence section in Highgate, which we believe have been used for intelligence purposes.

We are imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK.

The Russian Ambassador had been summoned to relay the measures and to reiterate that Russias actions will not be tolerated, according to the Home Office.

The Kremlin would make accusations of Russophobia while spreading conspiracy theories and hysteria in the coming days, the Home Secretary warned, adding: This is not new and the British people and the British Government will not fall for it, and will not be taken for fools by Putins bots, trolls and lackeys.

The Government would look closely to see what response Russia puts forward to see if they seek to escalate this, he added.

We echo the Home Secretarys strong condemnation of Russian interference and hostile activity here in the UK and throughout Europe Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper

We always make sure that we protect our ability to have lines of communication with Russia, even during these most challenging of times, routes for de-escalation, of error avoidance and the avoidance of miscalculations are really important, Mr Cleverly said.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Labour wholeheartedly supported the move, telling MPs: We echo the Home Secretarys strong condemnation of Russian interference and hostile activity here in the UK and throughout Europe.

Repeatedly, we have seen a brazen disregard by Russia for the rule of law, for the UK, for our allies, for our domestic security.

Conservative former minister Rehman Chishti questioned if the UK would bring in legislation to seize Russian assets, adding: Its absolutely crucial we do everything we can to cut off Putins finances and make sure that he pays for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Mr Cleverly replied: We have absolutely made it clear, we will be incredibly imaginative, we will work hard to ensure that the regime and the people that have funded the brutal attack on Ukraine are also those that fund the rebuilding of Ukraine, and we work with our international partners to make that a reality.
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 }}

James Cleverly has announced the expulsion of a senior Russian diplomat from the UK over allegations of spying.

The home secretary told the Commons that the Russian defence attache had been linked to an attack on a commercial property in London owned by a Ukrainian. Five people have been arrested over the incident.

Mr Cleverly said that the attack was part of a pattern of suspected Russian activity across Europe.

James Cleverly has announced measures against Russias diplomatic presence in the UK ( Getty )

He went on: Since the invasions, the actions and threats from Russia have only increased. These activities are designed by Russia to bring the war [in Ukraine] home across Europe.

While investigations are ongoing and criminal court proceedings are under way, Mr Cleverly insisted that he had enough evidence to take action against Russia.

This included removing diplomatic status from Russian buildings in the UK, including its trade and defence building in Highgate.

He has also imposed restrictions on diplomatic visas for Russia, shortening the maximum length diplomats can be based in the UK.

The home secretary said: In the coming days, we should expect accusations of Russophobia, conspiracy theories and hysteria from the Russian government.

This is not new and the British people and the British government will not fall for it, and will not be taken for fools by Putins bots, trolls and lackeys.

Russias explanation was totally inadequate. Our response will be resolute and firm.

Our message to Russia is clear: stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity.

Putins Russia is trying to bring the Ukraine war to Europe and the UK, the home secretary has warned ( Pool )

Despite the new package of measures, there was pressure from the Tory benches for tougher actions in response to Vladimir Putins regime.

Conservative former minister Rehman Chishti questioned whether the UK would bring in legislation to seize Russian assets, adding: Its absolutely crucial we do everything we can to cut off Putins finances and make sure that he pays for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Mr Cleverly replied: We have absolutely made it clear, we will be incredibly imaginative, we will work hard to ensure that the regime and the people that have funded the brutal attack on Ukraine are also those that fund the rebuilding of Ukraine, and we work with our international partners to make thats a reality.

SNP home affairs spokesperson Stuart McDonald said: Really, what we need is new thinking, new doctrines, new institutions, in order to compete against threats that are ever-evolving, becoming more sophisticated, more aggressive, and also extremely well funded.

Mr McDonald asked for a written statement to parliament on hostile disinformation on a regular basis, informing members of where that threat is and whats being done to meet it.

Mr Cleverly said he would take on board the idea of regular updates because disinformation and distortions of our democracy and society have a more direct and immediate effect in the UK.

Labour former minister Sir Chris Bryant said: Why is there still Russian oil coming into the UK? Why is Russia still exporting the same amount of oil as it did before sanctions were introduced?

Why have we still not gone as far as the Americans and the Canadians? In seeking to not just freeze, but seize Russian assets, state assets, so that they can be used for the development of Ukraine.

Why has the [former Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich money still not gone to Ukraine? Because that would be more than 3bn more than the amount the UK has so far devoted.

And finally, can he just say a word about Vladimir Kara-Murza, a man many of us have met here, very, very brave: we want to make sure that the UK government is doing everything in its power to make sure that he is protected in Russia.

Mr Cleverly replied: Sanctions evasion and the fight against sanctions evasion is by nature an international act. As I say, enforcement is predominantly a [Treasury] competency, and the international cooperation falls very much within the remits of the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] but of course, we all work to try and ensure that sanctions evasion does not happen.
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 }}

Suspended Labour MP Kate Osamor has had the party whip restored four months after a controversial Holocaust Memorial Day post suggesting the Israeli action in Gaza is genocide.

Ms Osamor, a shadow minister under Jeremy Corbyn, subsequently apologised and instead referred to a humanitarian disaster.

But she was placed under investigation over the post, which also likened Israels war in the beseiged enclave to genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda and Bosnia.

Labour confirmed Ms Osamor had been given the whip following "a full investigation.

For her part she said she wanted to unreservedly apologise again for my comments. I made remarks which were insensitive, inappropriate, and which I apologise for and regret.

The Independent revealed late last month that Ms Osamor would be given the Labour whip again within days.

But the decision has been condemned by the Jewish Labour Movement, one of the oldest socialist societies affiliated to the Labour Party.

A JLM spokesperson said: "Kate Osamor's original actions and non-apology were disgraceful and smeared the memory of all those who died in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Darfur, Rwanda and Bosnia, as commemorated by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.

He added that the onus was now on her to engage with her local Jewish community... and the wider community, properly. Given her previous record and comments in this area, this will require a sincere and honest approach. Until and unless this happens, the jury is still out."

Edmonton MP Kate Osamor has had the Labour whip reinstated (Richard Townshend/UK Parliament/PA) ( PA Media )

It is not the first time Ms Osamor has caused controversy. In 2020 she was ordered to apologise to the House of Commons after telling a journalist: "I should have come down here with a f****** bat and smashed your face open".

She was also found to have twice breached parliamentary rules in relation to events surrounding her son, whom she employed in her office, and who in 2018 pleaded guilty to having 2,500-worth of drugs at a music festival.

The move comes a month after Andy McDonald, who was suspended over remarks he made at a pro-Palestine rally, was also brought back into the parliamentary party.

The MP for Middlesbrough had been suspended from the party in October after he used the controversial phrase between the river and the sea during a speech at a demonstration.

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald has also had the Labour whip restored (Richard Townshend/UK Parliament/PA) ( PA Media )

But, after an investigation into his comments, Labour concluded he had not engaged in conduct that was against the partys rulebook.

The party said it had reminded him that MPs had to be mindful of what they say and how their comments may be interpreted.

Mr McDonald said it was never my intention to use language that would cause anyone distress and that he bitterly regrets the pain and hurt caused.
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 }}

Natalie Elphickes defection to Labour has raised concerns among some in Keir Starmers party who condemned her defence of her former husband who was imprisoned after being charged with sexual assault.

After Charlie Elphicke was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault against two women, the MP for Dover said he had been punished for being attractive and being attracted to women.

Ms Elphicke, who defected to the Labour Party on Wednesday, was temporarily suspended from the Commons in 2021 for trying to influence his trial and was forced to apologise.

Charlotte Cornell, a Labour councillor who ran against Ms Elphicke in Dover in 2019, told The Independent: Her comments minimised what was predatory behaviour and sexual abuse.

It is one of the reasons I find today really hard to understand. I know there will be women in the local area who are incredibly upset by todays decision.

Ms Cornell, who is a cabinet member on Canterbury City Council, accused Ms Elphicke of gaslighting other women during and around the time of the trial of her former husband.

She added: She has held fervent anti-union positions. She has mocked Marcus Rashford and anti-child poverty initiatives.

Ms Elphicke criticised Mr Rashford for missing a penalty in the Euro 2020 final, saying he should be perfecting his game rather than playing politics after he campaigned against child food poverty.

Ms Cornell argued there are huge questions surrounding the political views which Ms Elphicke holds.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer with former Tory MP Natalie Elphicke in his parliamentary office (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire )

Her defection comes as a huge shock to many of us and is currently making me feel incredibly uneasy, she added. I suppose peoples politics can change and I would welcome Ms Elphicke making some bold statements to correct her previously taken political positions.

Ms Elphicke won her seat with 56.9 per cent of the vote after standing in Dover in the wake of her now ex-husband being suspended from the Tory Party after he was charged with sexual assault.

A Labour source told The Independent: Welcoming with open arms someone who has publicly questioned the experiences of victims of sexual assault completely undermines Labour's commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

Victims across the country will look at this and see a party that simply doesn't take accusations seriously.

Announcing her decision to defect, Ms Elphicke said changes that the Tory party has undergone since she became an MP have been dramatic and cannot be ignored, with Sir Keir welcoming her to the party.

After her ex-husbands conviction, she sought to defend him in an interview with The Sun, saying he was attractive, and attracted to women and this meant he was an easy target for dirty politics and false allegations. Her ex-husband was sentenced to two years in prison.

Ms Elphicke and two Tory MPs were ordered to apologise and temporarily suspended from the House of Commons for a day back in July 2021 after they were found to have attempted to influence a judge overseeing the trial of Charlie Elphicke.
 Close Starmer welcomes Natalie Elphicke after Labour MP defects from Conservatives

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 }}

Ms Elphicke has defected hitting out at the broken promises of Rishi Sunaks tired and chaotic Government.

The Dover MP astonishingly crossed the floor in the Commons just moments before Prime Ministers Questions.

She said in a statement: I have carefully considered this decision. The change has been dramatic and cannot be ignored.

For me key deciding factors have been housing and the safety and security of our borders.

The move has been hit at from all sides, with MPs slamming Sir Keir Starmer for welcoming the right wing politician with open arms and Tory members branding the decision idiotic.

Despite ferocious criticism, Labour has defended Ms Elphicke and said it is happy to have the Tory MP on board.

In a new humiliating blow for Rishi, Ms Elphickle joins Dr Dan Poulter and Christian Wakeford in joining the opposition.

The walk-out was took place during the first face off since last weeks local election results, where Sir Keir Starmer hit out at the Conservatives for losing nearly 500 council seats in last weeks elections.
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 MP Natalie Elphicke has defected to Labour, hitting out at the broken promises of Rishi Sunaks tired and chaotic Government.

The Dover MP crossed the floor in the Commons just moments before Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday.

Here is the statement she released in full following her defection:

When I was elected in 2019, the Conservative Party occupied the centre ground of British politics. The party was about building the future and making the most of the opportunities that lay ahead for our country.

Since then, many things have changed. The elected Prime Minister was ousted in a coup led by the unelected Rishi Sunak. Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division. The centre ground has been abandoned and key pledges of the 2019 manifesto have been ditched.

Meanwhile the Labour Party has changed out of all recognition. Since 2019, it has moved on from Jeremy Corbyn and now, under Keir Starmer, occupies the centre ground of British politics. It has accepted Brexit and its economic policies and defence policies are responsible and can be trusted.

Most significantly for me, the modern Labour Party looks to the future - to building a Britain of hope, optimism, opportunity and fairness. A Britain everyone can be part of.

I have carefully considered this decision. The change has been dramatic and cannot be ignored. For me key deciding factors have been housing and the safety and security of our borders.

Natalie Elphicke with then-Home Office minister Robert Jenrick during a visit to meet residents in Dover in November 2022 ( PA Wire )

From small boats to biosecurity, Rishi Sunaks government is failing to keep our borders safe and secure. Lives are being lost in the English Channel while small boat arrivals are once again at record levels. Its clear they have failed to keep our borders secure and cannot be trusted.

On housing, Rishi Sunaks Government is now failing to build the homes we need. Last year saw the largest fall of new housing starts in England in a single year since the credit crunch. The manifesto committed to 300,000 homes next year - but only around half that number are now set to be built. Renters and leaseholders have been betrayed as manifesto pledges to end no-fault evictions and abolish ground rents have not been delivered as promised.

The last couple of years have also seen a huge rise in homelessness, in temporary accommodation and rough sleeping - with record numbers of children now in temporary accommodation, without a secure roof over their head.

Meanwhile Labour plan to build the homes we need, help young people onto the housing ladder and care about the vulnerable and homeless. Thats why Im honoured to have been asked to work with Keir and the team to help deliver the homes we need.

We need to move on from the broken promises of Rishi Sunaks tired and chaotic Government. Britain needs a Government that will build a future of hope, optimism, opportunity and fairness. A Britain everyone can be part of, that will make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead. Thats why its time for change. Time for a Labour government led by Keir Starmer. The general election cannot come soon enough.

Natalie Elphicke, who has defected from the Conservative Party to Labour, released the following statement: Today I announce that I have decided to join the Labour Party and that I will sit in Parliament as a Labour MP.
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 }}

Rishi Sunak was rocked by another day of drama in parliament as Tory MP Natalie Elphicke ambushed him at the start of Prime Ministers Questions by crossing the floor to Labour.

The shock move by a previously hard-right Conservative was kept secret to the last second by Sir Keir Starmers inner circle, but left MPs on both sides of the House stunned.

Ms Elphickes decision came on a day when the prime minister had hoped to re-galvanise his party back into a fighting machine with the first of two briefings on the local elections.

But with scores of Tory MPs boycotting the event, it emerged later that a group is in discussions to get the 52 letters needed to trigger a vote of confidence in Mr Sunak. Plotters are understood to have set a deadline of Wednesday next week (15 May) to get the necessary letters in.

The prime minister and senior party figures avoided any direct mention of Ms Elphicke at the No 10 briefing, but her defection to Labour also left many in opposition questioning why Sir Keir had accepted her.

Natalie Elphickes defection to Labour left many of her new colleagues on the opposition benches asking questions ( Parliament TV )

In a damning indictment of Mr Sunaks government, Ms Elphicke said: Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division. The centre ground has been abandoned and key pledges of the 2019 manifesto have been ditched.

While many Tory MPs mocked her defection by pulling out the Dover MPs past tweets and articles attacking Labour over immigration and referring to a coalition of chaos with the SNP and Lib Dems, as well as those in which she aimed her fire at trade unions, the mood was more sombre at the briefing with the prime minister.

The Independent understands that Mr Sunak remained smiling and upbeat throughout the hour-long session, in which he, election strategist Isaac Levido and party chair Richard Holden addressed around 60 Tory MPs. Pointedly, none of them mentioned Ms Elphicke, and they instead focused on polling in a bid to make the case that the party can still win.

Mr Sunak told them that the local election results were disappointing... but all to play for.

One MP noted: I think it was more about bringing people together and trying to calm nerves. Critics of the prime minister either stayed away or remained silent, they said, with only lick asses standing up to say Rishi is doing a wonderful job.

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke was previously seen as very right-wing ( PA Archive )

But a number of MPs who did not attend made their feelings clear, with one describing the event as a waste of time, adding: The national message doesnt work. To win: go local!

A red-wall MP accused the party under Sunak of disengaging with the working classes and stated that they would definitely not go. One despondent MP said: Whats the point? We have lost anyway.

The prime ministers painful predicament was ruthlessly mocked by Sir Keir at the start of PMQs as Ms Elphicke went to sit behind the opposition leader in the packed back benches.

The triumphant Labour leader, who already had a new MP from the Blackpool South by-election joining his ranks, said: May I also warmly welcome the new Labour MP, the member for Dover, to these benches?

Pointing out that she followed Suffolk MP Dr Dan Poulter, who defected to Labour 11 days ago, Sir Keir said: If one week a Tory MP who is also a doctor says that the prime minister cannot be trusted with the NHS and joins Labour, and the next week the Tory MP for Dover  on the front line of the small boats crisis  says that the prime minister cannot be trusted with our borders and joins Labour, what is the point of this failed government staggering on?

But while Tory MPs questioned why their most right-wing colleague had been welcomed into the Labour Party, there was also a backlash from Sir Keirs own MPs and activists.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak was under fire at PMQs ( PA Wire )

Jenny Symmons, a Labour staffer who is also the chair of the GMB branch for members staff, has asked for a meeting with the chief whip about the vetting of those who wish to become Labour MPs.

Reflecting the anguish of many Labour activists who had posted on social media, former shadow chancellor John McDonnell called Ms Elphickes defection a stunt that he said reveals Labour values at the moment.

He told LBC that the move damages the Tories, theres no doubt about that, but it also has implications for the Labour Party as well, adding: Im a great believer in the powers of conversion, but I think this one would have strained the generosity of spirit of John the Baptist, quite honestly.

He went on: This is a useful political stunt, maybe in the short term, but in the longer term it does say something about Labour values at the moment. Thats why I think restoring the whip to Diane [Abbott] and to Jeremy if its possible  I think it would rebalance things.

Canterbury Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who has been snubbed by Sir Keir over her views on the trans debate, tweeted: Well, at least one woman from Kent got a meeting!

Later in the day, Sir Keir also allowed MP Kate Osamor to rejoin the party after a three-month suspension over a controversial tweet about the Holocaust.
Blog Archive: Oct 2024 (60) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (156) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55)
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 }}

Voters in North Macedonia were casting ballots on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and a presidential runoff dominated by issues including the country's path toward European Union membership, corruption and the economy.

The 61-year-old incumbent in the presidential election, Stevo Pendarovski, faces Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, 70. Pendarovski is supported by the ruling center-left coalition, while Siljanovska-Davkova is backed by the center-right opposition.

Pendarovski and Siljanovska-Davkova squared off in the last election, in 2019, and Pendarovski had won with 53.8% of the vote.

The first round of the latest presidential election, on April 24, was seen as a barometer for the parliamentary election. It gave a clear lead to Siljanovska-Davkova, who garnered 41.2%, compared to 20.5% for Pendarovski. Turnout must be at least 40% in the runoff for the result to be valid.

With the presidency being a largely ceremonial post, the parliamentary election is considered the more important one.

More than 1,700 candidates are vying for the 120 seats in the unicameral assembly. There are also three seats reserved for expatriates, but last time around, in 2020, turnout was too low for them to be filled. Voters will be heading to 3,400 polling stations across the country.

Polls have consistently shown the center-right VMRO-DPMNE party, at the head of a 22-party coalition called Your Macedonia, with a double-digit lead over the coalition For A European Future led by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, or SDSM.

There are also two coalitions representing ethnic Albanians, who account for a quarter of North Macedonias population: European Front is led by the Democratic Union of Integration (DUI), which has been the coalition partner of all governments of the past 20 years, whether center-right or center left. But VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski has expressed the desire to ally with the VLEN (Worth) four-party coalition, which has positioned itself to the right of DUI.

The month-long campaign focused on North Macedonias progress toward joining the 27-nation EU, the rule of law, corruption, fighting poverty and tackling the countrys sluggish economy.

North Macedonias path to the EU is being blocked by neighboring Bulgaria, which demands that the constitution be amended to recognize a Bulgarian minority. And while the center-left has agreed to the demand, VMRO DPMNE has denounced the government's capitulation (to) Bulgarian dictates.

Just over 3,500 people out of nearly 1.84 million identified themselves as Bulgarians in North Macedonias latest census, in 2021.

North Macedonia has been a candidate to join the EU since 2005, but was blocked for years by neighboring Greece in a dispute over the countrys name. That was resolved in 2018, but Bulgaria is now the one blocking the process  it has said it will only lift its veto once the constitution is amended.

EU membership negotiations with North Macedonia  and fellow-candidate Albania  began in 2022 and the process is expected to take years.

Corruption is the other hot-button issue.

A European Commission report last year said that corruption remains prevalent in many areas of North Macedonia. In December, U.S. Ambassador Angela Aggeler said there was an epidemic of corruption in this country that has affected every sector, every organization, and only by exposing the corrupt actors can we begin to help the country address these issues.

Mickoski has accused the ruling SDSM and DUI of a corruption pandemic. Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski has said he is aware that people are not satisfied and promised anti-corruption measures.

The State Electoral commission expects that more than 2,300 domestic and international observers will monitor the elections.

Preliminary results weren't expected earlier than Thursday.
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 }}

Penny Mordaunt gave a speech in central London last night warning Tory MPs that their factionalism is the main reason Labour is expected to win the general election.

The leader of the House of Commons recently dismissed claims that she is positioning herself as a unity candidate to replace Rishi Sunak as leader.

However, questions have been asked about Mr Sunaks future after a drubbing at a local elections. He is due to meet Tory MPs in a briefing this afternoon to try to persuade them a win is still possible.

In what was her 86th fundraiser event for the party since Mr Sunak became prime minister, Ms Mordaunt told the Westminster Conservative Association that a general election win for the party is not impossible if the factions end their civil war.

Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt has dispelled rumours of a leadership bid (Danny Lawson/PA) ( PA Archive )

She said: For Keir Starmer to win, he needs us to be defeated and divided.

On party unity she said: There is a reason Im not a member of any caucus- because I recognise the strength of our party is that it is a broad church.

Its guiding principles are based on the nature and ambitions of the British people.

Our greatest success is not that we stamped a political vision on to this nation, rather, because the vision were offered was shaped by Britain- its people, its institutions, its values. We are pragmatic. We deliver for people.

She added: You cant salami-slice Conservatism. If we do that, we lose our the power of our offer. We lose our appeal and relevance.

Ms Mordaunt went on to warn that ideology detached from reality and the real needs of people, we leave to other parties.

She also made a joke about being in the RAF club where the event took place pointing out its lessons for her own party.

To be effective, to be our best, we need both wings. As members of this club will tell you - those are the only kinds of planes people want to travel on.

Ms Mordaunt insisted: Labour win at the general election is not inevitable. It is not. A Conservative win at the general election is not impossible. But right now few can imagine it.

"It is sometimes the people who no one imagines anything of that do the things no one can imagine.
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 }}

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was accused Wednesday of leading a chaotic government as another one of his Conservative lawmakers defected to the main opposition Labour Party ahead of a looming general election.

In a stunning move just ahead of weekly prime minister's questions, Natalie Elphicke crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the ranks of Keir Starmer's Labour Party, which appears to be heading to return to power after 14 years in opposition.

Elphicke, who represents the constituency of Dover, which is at the front-line of migrant crossings from France, lashed out at the broken promises of Rishi Sunaks tired and chaotic government" and said that Labour now occupies the center ground of British politics.

From small boats to biosecurity, Rishi Sunaks government is failing to keep our borders safe and secure," she said. "Lives are being lost in the English Channel while small boat arrivals are once again at record levels."

Sunak has made stopping small boat arrivals one of his main priorities, notably with his controversial plan to send some asylum-seekers to Rwanda.

Starmer welcomed Elphicke to the Labour benches as well as Chris Webb, the party's new lawmaker in Blackpool South in northwest England following his big victory in a special election last Thursday.

Elphicke is the second Conservative lawmaker to defect to Labour in two weeks after Dan Poulter quit in anger over the governments handling of the National Health Service.

Starmer called on Sunak to call a general election now as he wondered what was the point of this failed government staggering on when even the Conservative lawmaker on the front line of small boats crisis says the prime minister cannot be trusted with our borders and joins Labour?

Last week, the Conservatives suffered a historic drubbing in local elections, losing nearly half of its candidates, while Labour made gains and won most of the key mayoral races it fought, including in London.

In the U.K., the date of the general election rests in the hands of the prime minister. It has to take place by January, and Sunak has repeatedly said that his working assumption was that it would take place in the second half of 2024.
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 }}

Rishi Sunak has suffered another humiliating blow as Dover MP Natalie Elphicke defected to Labour moments before PMQs.

Ms Elphicke has joined Dr Dan Poulter and Christian Wakeford in crossing the floor.

The move is a shock from an MP who had been part of the rightwing Common Sense Group but whose seat was set to be lost to Labour according to the polls.

The announcement saw Kents preniously only Labour MP Rosie Duffileld, who has been repeatedly snubbed by Sir Keir Starmer over her views on trans issues, put out a sarcastic tweet: At least one woman from Kent got a meeting.

Sir Keir Starmer, who held talks with Ms Elphicke in the run up to the defection, welcomed his new MP at the start of prime ministers questions (PMQs) in a rowdy session in the Commons.

Natalie Elphicke has defected to Labour from the Tories (David Woolfall/UK Parliament) ( PA Media )

Rightwing Tories made it clear they feel betrayed by Natalie Elphicke who was seen as one of their wing of the party.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a Boris Johnson supporter, tweeted: Natalie Elphicke you were a centre right Conservative, Labour want to give asylum to 50,000 plus people. I thought you had more conviction than to join the lefty labour lot you despised so much!

She attached an article from Ms Elphicke saying Labour cant be trusted on immigration in which she called Starmer Sir Softie.

No 10 also hit back. The prime ministers press secretary said the Dover MP had to explain why she believes Labour do have a plan given she has spent the last two years attacking their lack of a plan (on small boats). And Labour MPs were furious at the decision, with one reportedly having broken into tears at the news of the defection.

But in a statement, Ms Elphicke appeared to suggest that part of her reason to switch to Labour was the ousting of Boris Johnson.

She said: When I was elected in 2019, the Conservative Party occupied the centre ground of British politics. The party was about building the future and making the most of the opportunities that lay ahead for our country.

Since then, many things have changed. The elected prime minister was ousted in a coup led by the unelected Rishi Sunak. Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division. The centre ground has been abandoned and key pledges of the 2019 manifesto have been ditched.

Ms Elphicke went on: Meanwhile the Labour Party has changed out of all recognition. Since 2019, it has moved on from Jeremy Corbyn and now, under Keir Starmer, occupies the centre ground of British politics. It has accepted Brexit and its economic policies and defence policies are responsible and can be trusted.

Most significantly for me, the modern Labour Party looks to the future  to building a Britain of hope, optimism, opportunity and fairness. A Britain everyone can be part of.

I have carefully considered this decision. The change has been dramatic and cannot be ignored. For me key deciding factors have been housing and the safety and security of our borders. She has not been offered a seat by Labour, Sir Keirs official spokesman said, but is able to apply for selection if one comes up. She has denied being offered a peerage by the party.

The Dover MP, who replaced her husband Charlie after he was forced to step down as an MP, listed what she considers to be a number of failures by the governent.

From small boats to biosecurity, Rishi Sunaks government is failing to keep our borders safe and secure. Lives are being lost in the English Channel while small boat arrivals are once again at record levels. Its clear they have failed to keep our borders secure and cannot be trusted.

On housing, Rishi Sunaks Government is now failing to build the homes we need. Last year saw the largest fall of new housing starts in England in a single year since the credit crunch. The manifesto committed to 300,000 homes next year  but only around half that number are now set to be built. Renters and leaseholders have been betrayed as manifesto pledges to end no fault evictions and abolish ground rents have not been delivered as promised.

The last couple of years have also seen a huge rise in homelessness, in temporary accommodation and rough sleeping - with record numbers of children now in temporary accommodation, without a secure roof over their head.

Meanwhile Labour plan to build the homes we need, help young people onto the housing ladder and care about the vulnerable and homeless. Thats why Im honoured to have been asked to work with Keir and the team to help deliver the homes we need.

More follow on this breaking story...
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 }}

James Cleverly has announced the expulsion of a senior Russian diplomat from the UK over allegations of spying.

The home secretary told the Commons that the Russian defence attache had been linked to an attack on a commercial property in London owned by a Ukrainian. Five people have been arrested over the incident.

Mr Cleverly said that the attack was part of a pattern of suspected Russian activity across Europe.

James Cleverly has announced measures against Russias diplomatic presence in the UK ( Getty )

He went on: Since the invasions, the actions and threats from Russia have only increased. These activities are designed by Russia to bring the war [in Ukraine] home across Europe.

While investigations are ongoing and criminal court proceedings are under way, Mr Cleverly insisted that he had enough evidence to take action against Russia.

This included removing diplomatic status from Russian buildings in the UK, including its trade and defence building in Highgate.

He has also imposed restrictions on diplomatic visas for Russia, shortening the maximum length diplomats can be based in the UK.

The home secretary said: In the coming days, we should expect accusations of Russophobia, conspiracy theories and hysteria from the Russian government.

This is not new and the British people and the British government will not fall for it, and will not be taken for fools by Putins bots, trolls and lackeys.

Russias explanation was totally inadequate. Our response will be resolute and firm.

Our message to Russia is clear: stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity.

Putins Russia is trying to bring the Ukraine war to Europe and the UK, the home secretary has warned ( Pool )

Despite the new package of measures, there was pressure from the Tory benches for tougher actions in response to Vladimir Putins regime.

Conservative former minister Rehman Chishti questioned whether the UK would bring in legislation to seize Russian assets, adding: Its absolutely crucial we do everything we can to cut off Putins finances and make sure that he pays for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Mr Cleverly replied: We have absolutely made it clear, we will be incredibly imaginative, we will work hard to ensure that the regime and the people that have funded the brutal attack on Ukraine are also those that fund the rebuilding of Ukraine, and we work with our international partners to make thats a reality.

SNP home affairs spokesperson Stuart McDonald said: Really, what we need is new thinking, new doctrines, new institutions, in order to compete against threats that are ever-evolving, becoming more sophisticated, more aggressive, and also extremely well funded.

Mr McDonald asked for a written statement to parliament on hostile disinformation on a regular basis, informing members of where that threat is and whats being done to meet it.

Mr Cleverly said he would take on board the idea of regular updates because disinformation and distortions of our democracy and society have a more direct and immediate effect in the UK.

Labour former minister Sir Chris Bryant said: Why is there still Russian oil coming into the UK? Why is Russia still exporting the same amount of oil as it did before sanctions were introduced?

Why have we still not gone as far as the Americans and the Canadians? In seeking to not just freeze, but seize Russian assets, state assets, so that they can be used for the development of Ukraine.

Why has the [former Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich money still not gone to Ukraine? Because that would be more than 3bn more than the amount the UK has so far devoted.

And finally, can he just say a word about Vladimir Kara-Murza, a man many of us have met here, very, very brave: we want to make sure that the UK government is doing everything in its power to make sure that he is protected in Russia.

Mr Cleverly replied: Sanctions evasion and the fight against sanctions evasion is by nature an international act. As I say, enforcement is predominantly a [Treasury] competency, and the international cooperation falls very much within the remits of the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] but of course, we all work to try and ensure that sanctions evasion does not happen.
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 UK national security adviser has criticised Rishi Sunak for failing to suspend arms sales to Israel after the US paused a shipment of bombs overnight.

Crossbench peer Peter Ricketts said it was unfortunate that Britain had not taken a stand, adding that it should have been ahead of the US on the decision.

The prime minister is facing mounting pressure, including from within his own party, to immediately suspend arms to Israel amid a growing outcry at the number of Palestinian civilians killed in its war on Hamas.

The Biden administration halted the munitions shipment as concerns grew about Israels plan to launch a full-scale assault on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. More than a million civilians are sheltering in the area after they were forced to leave other parts of the strip.

A senior official in the US  a huge contributor of military aid to Israel  said a final decision had not yet been taken on whether the shipment of 1,800 2,000lb bombs and 1,700 500lb bombs would go ahead as planned.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on buildings near the separating wall between Egypt and Rafah ( AP )

In the wake of the decision to pause the shipment, Lord Ricketts said the UK government should suspend its own arms sales to Israel, adding: It was a pity the government could not have taken a stand on this and got out ahead of the US. That remains the step I think the UK should take.

His call was echoed by former cabinet minister and Tory MP David Jones, who told The Independent: We should give similar consideration to a pause. Anyone viewing the distressing scenes in Gaza will want to see an end to the fighting. Hamas is, in reality, beaten. Now is the time for diplomacy to bring this dreadful conflict to an end.

Tory MP Mark Logan, a parliamentary private secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, said: I have said the fighting must end now, [and] many of my constituents in Bolton have consistently called for an immediate ceasefire. The UK should have no part in an offensive in Rafah.

Mr Sunak was challenged on the issue during Prime Ministers Questions.

SNP leader Stephen Flynn asked him: As we await the imminent Israeli incursion into Rafah, with [its] 1.6 million children, it has been reported the US has paused an arms shipment. The UK will follow suit wont it?

But Mr Sunak rejected the call to suspend arms sales to Israel, saying ministers had recently assessed Israels commitment to international law and the situation was unchanged.

No 10 later said that the prime minister was focused on both Israel and Hamas reaching a pause in the fighting.

A pity: Peter Ricketts says the UK should have suspended its arms sales to Israel ahead of the US decision to halt a weapons shipment ( Getty )

On Tuesday, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy inched Labour closer to calling for an outright ban on arms sales to Israel.

With his party under pressure from its own MPs and activists to take a harder line against the country, he used an urgent question in the Commons to ratchet up Labours position.

Hamas is a terrorist organisation, its cowardly tactics are reprehensible, but that does not stop Israels obligation to follow the rules of war or the governments obligation on arms exports, said Mr Lammy.

Can the minister say why he thinks an attack on Rafah does not present a clear risk of a serious breach of international humanitarian law? Can he confirm whether he has received any assessment that the threshold has already been met?

His intervention followed concerns among the party leadership that Muslims and others are not voting Labour because of its position on the conflict.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy used an urgent question to ratchet up Labours position ( PA Archive )

Left-wing Labour MP Richard Burgon said: With this US decision, it is increasingly clear that the writing is on the wall for arms exports to Israel, especially given the clear risk that these could be used to carry out war crimes in Rafah.

Our government should immediately pull the plug on arms sales. A failure to do so will not only leave it in breach of UK law but make it complicit in Israels violations of international law.

A Biden official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that as Israeli leaders appeared to approach a decision on a Rafah incursion, we began to carefully review proposed transfers of particular weapons to Israel that might be used in Rafah.

As a result of that review, we have paused one shipment of weapons last week. It consists of 1,800 2,000lb bombs and 1,700 500lb bombs, the official said.

We are especially focused on the end use of the 2,000lb bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza. We have not made a final determination on how to proceed with this shipment.

The shipment is thought to have been delayed for at least two weeks.

Last month, Mr Sunak condemned the deaths of seven aid workers employed by World Central Kitchen (WCK)  including three Britons  in an Israeli airstrike. He told Israels prime minister that he was appalled by the killings and the intolerable situation in the Middle East. He also told Benjamin Netanyahu that Israels rightful aim of defeating Hamas would not be achieved by allowing a humanitarian catastrophe.
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 }}

Watch as rescue efforts continue after six people were killed and dozens left trapped when a building under construction collapsed in South Africa.

Teams worked through the night searching for dozens of construction workers buried under the rubble of concrete after a multi-story apartment complex that was being built collapsed on Monday 6 May in the coastal city of George.

More than 100 emergency personnel and other responders were on the scene, using sniffer dogs to try to locate the workers, some of whom were feared buried under huge slabs of concrete that fell on them when the five-storey building came down.

Large cranes and other heavy lifting equipment were brought to the site to help with the rescue effort and tall spotlights were erected to allow search and rescue personnel to work through the night.

There were 75 workers on the construction site when the building collapsed, the George municipality said. It added three teams of rescuers were working at separate sites around the collapsed building where they believed construction workers were likely to be.

Authorities said early Tuesday that 49 workers remained unaccounted for in the mangled wreckage of the building, while 21 had been rescued.
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 FBIs kidnapping case against a Florida man, whose estranged wife disappeared in Spain in February, shows she thought he was monitoring her and that investigators believe he used his Colombian girlfriend to translate fake text messages from her into Spanish.

David Knezevich, 36, was arrested over the weekend, after returning to the United States from his native Serbia, in connection with the disappearance of Ana Knezevich in Madrid on 2 February.

Court documents unsealed on Monday and seen by The Independent have revealed more details of what the FBI believes happened to Ms Knezevich.

The US citizen had travelled to Madrid from Miami on 26 December, where she lived for nearly two months and stayed in touch with her friends and family back home before they lost contact with her on 2 February.

She had left the US after separating from her husband of 13 years who did not want to split the marital assets evenly with her, the FBI said.

David Knezevich, 36, after his arrest by US Marshals at the Miami International Airport on 6 May in connection with his estranged wifes disappearance in Spain ( FBI handout )

The victim was very fearful of Knezevich and believed that he was surreptitiously monitoring her whereabouts, the documents said.

Ms Knezevichs last known movements include a credit card payment for flowers on or about 2 February, as well as security camera footage of her entering her apartment building at around 2.20pm that day.

The FBI says she was not seen alive again.

Friends received suspicious texts

Ana Knezevich reportedly believed her estranged husband was monitoring her wherebaouts ( AP/Manu Fernandez )

On 3 February, two of the victims friends received strange text messages from her, explaining that she was running off for a few days with a man she had just met.

I met someone wonderful, the message said in Spanish. He has a summer house about 2h from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there.

There is barely any signal though. Ill call you when I come back. Kisses.

The message also said that she had gone for a walk after therapy, a man had approached her to flirt and they had an incredible connection, again in Spanish.

Her friends flagged these messages to law enforcement, saying they did not think Ms Knezevich had written them.

Those messages were allegedly the result of Mr Knezevich asking his Colombian girlfriend for help in translating a message in English into perfect Colombian.

This undated image provided by Sanna Rameau, shows Ana Maria Knezevich, right, and Rameau

He claimed that he needed help translating some lines for a Serbian friend who was writing a script about a Colombian character.

The girlfriend, referred to as Individual 1 in court documents, had met the suspect online in October 2023. She called law enforcement when her mother saw a news article about Ms Knezevich with a text message matching the one her daughter had translated for the suspect.

Suspect drove thousands of miles to Madrid

Investigators allege that Mr Knezevich left Miami on 27 January and travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, where he then drove to his native Serbia.

A few days later, he left in a hired vehicle, before returning to Belgrade, Serbia, on 5 February. It would take around 26 hours to drive the 2,592 kilometres, or 1,610 miles, from Belgrade to Madrid, the FBI said.

The Peugeot 308 was rented by the suspect on 29 January and, when it was returned on 15 March, the hire company told investigators Mr Knezevich had clocked up 7,677km (roughly 4,000 miles).

The FBI said that security cameras picked up suspicious activity at Ms Knezevichs apartment building in Madrid during this time, late in the evening on 2 February.

Those same cameras showed a man wearing a helmet entering the building at around 9.27pm, before heading downstairs and using a can of spray paint to cover a security camera.

The lens was not completely obscured and he was seen fastening a piece of duct tape to the entrance door lock, to keep it open.

Notably, the male, who looks directly at the camera, has physical characteristics that resemble those of Knezevich, the documents said.

That man was seen leaving the building around an hour later with what appears to be a suitcase.

Around the time Ms Knezevich vanished, a local in Spain reported their licence plates had been stolen.

These were later seen on the street where Ms Knezevichs apartment was. They were also spotted at toll booths in the middle of the night on 2 February into 3 February on a vehicle matching the description of the Peugeot Mr Knezevich had hired.

Impersonations of Ana Knezevich

Then just over a month after Ms Knezevich vanished, an insurance provider got a call from someone claiming to be her, asking for three insurance policies related to the couples IT support business in Fort Lauderdale to be cancelled.

During the call, children could be heard in the background speaking to the Caller, the documents said. The Victim does not have any children.

The phone number used to make the call was registered to Mr Knezevich, the FBI said, and is linked to the business.

One of his employees then told investigators that around 24 April, the suspect asked them to impersonate his missing wife to open a new bank account, even providing the employee with her social security number.

The employee told Mr Knezevich that they felt uncomfortable doing this, as Ms Knezevich was missing still, with the suspect replying that this was not serious and that he could not call as he sounded like a guy.

The FBI said that all of this had led them to believe that Mr Knezevich kidnapped Ana Knezevich and they arrested him at Miami International Airport as he returned to the US on Saturday.

Mr Knezevichs attorney Ken Padowitz told The Associated Press that his client had been doing everything he could to help find his estranged wife and that he had no role in her disappearance.

He is being held pending a bail hearing on Friday 10 May, with an arraignment hearing set for 20 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 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 family of bears recently visited a family in Monrovia, about 30 minutes from Los Angeles, and took a dip in their backyard pool.

As temperatures rose in southern California, the bear family was captured on video cooling off in the pool.

The video was taken by the homeowner Rick Martinez at about 12.30pm on Monday.

The footage shows the bears, an adult and two cubs, exploring the area, with the adult taking a dip in the pool while the cubs look on curiously.

Martinez and his partner, Brian Gordon, are reportedly accustomed to bear visits since moving into their home near a national forest in 2022.

The two have learned that the bears prefer to keep their distance from humans and merely pass through their property.

They are just doing their own thing, Mr Martinez was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

I just happened to be home by chance. I ran home to grab something and while I was eating my lunch I heard a noise, Mr Martinez said.

Taking precautions like securing trash and keeping a respectful distance, Mr Martinez and Mr Gordon enjoy observing the bears visits, considering it a natural part of living in their environment.

We tend to get lots of wildlife crossing through here, Mr Martinez told NBC LA. We are always left in awe when we see the bears, especially a momma bear with cubs. We havent seen cubs that little before, and it was the cutest thing ever.

He anticipates more sightings as mating season approaches.

They are welcome here  they can come take a dip whenever.

This isnt the first time the adult bear has wandered into the neighbourhood. Her visits are so frequent that residents have affectionately named her Maddie, according to NBC LA. We see her often, Mr Gordon was quoted as saying.

I think one of the neighbours got 400,000 likes on Instagram. Shes swinging on a swing. She was at an open house in somebodys hot tub down the street. So, we see her quite a bit. Shes even crashed our pool parties. If were barbecuing, shell show up and scare everyone.

Wildlife experts say that during this season, bears awaken from their winter hibernation seeking food and frequently venture into residential areas, KTLA 5 reported.

The black bear population in California has surged over the past 20 years, from 10,000 to 15,000 in the early 1980s to 25,000 to 30,000 today, and thats considered a conservative estimate by the states Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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 }}

Watch as people in Brazil faced flooding and prepared for the devastation produced by the recent rains in Rio Grande do Sul state on Wednesday, 8 May.

At least 90 people have died and more than 130 others are missing in the extreme weather conditions.

State capital Porto Alegre has been largely cut off with the airport and bus station closed and main roads blocked due to the conditions.

This feed shows residents in Canoas wading through knee-deep water as efforts continue to rescue people stranded by the floods in the southern state.

Residents have been evacuated from affected areas by volunteers via boat.

Five of Porto Alegre's six water treatment facilities are not working, with around 80 per cent of the population left without running water.

The city's mayor Sebastiao Melo has ordered that water be used only for essential consumption.
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 countdown clock on Carter Rhoad and Natalie Weirtzs wedding website was still ticking away, counting down the minutes, hours and days until the couples big day at the end of the summer.

But tragically, that day will never come.

Rhoad, 30, was shot and killed alongside two Australian brothers, Callum Robinson, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, while they were on a surfing trip in Mexicos Baja California peninsula.

He was just three months away from getting married to his 32-year-old fiancee in mid August at a craft brewery in Columbus, Ohio, according to their wedding site.

The couples engagement from July 2023 was the final post on the American surfers Facebook page. Photos show Rhoad down on one knee in the sand at the edge of the ocean holding a ring up to his beaming fiancee.

Carter Rhoad ( Carter Redd Rhoad/Facebook )

Rhoad was a native of Georgia, but had been living in San Diego where he founded an online apparel company called Loma Apparel, according to his LinkedIn page, which made casual tees and caps. Most recently hed been a director at a business consulting company.

I love people, his LinkedIn bio reads. Im lucky to have found a job that fuels my passion for problem-solving by connecting the right people with the right companies.

Building genuine relationships is one of the most rewarding things in life, and I feel humbled every day by the people who surround me. Obstacles are just opportunities in costumes, they can be scary or they can be fun just depends on how you look at them.

Carter Rhoad ( LinkedIn/carterrhoad )

Last month, his fiancee, who is a designer, celebrated her bachelorette party in Florida with friends, according to her social media posts.

Now, her friends are rallying for the publics support to help her through the heartbreaking loss, according to a GoFundMe page that was created by one of her friends, Aubrey Byers.

In the wake of the heartbreaking loss of Carter Rhoad, Callum Robinson, and Jake Robinson, our hearts ache with grief for their families, friends, and community. Their presence brought immeasurable joy, love, and kindness to those around them, leaving a mark on our lives, the campaign reads.

Ms Byers explains why the GoFundMe was created.

Weve created this GoFundMe page for two purposes: the first is to rally support for Natalie during this unimaginably difficult time and provide essentials such as housing, food, transportation, and more, she wrote.

The second is to honor Carter by raising money for scholarships and donations he felt passionate about. No donation is too small, and every contribution is deeply appreciated.

( GoFundMe )

If youre unable to donate, please consider sharing this page with your community. Together, we can continue to surround this family with the love and support they need to navigate this challenging journey. Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and solidarity during this time of profound loss, Ms Byers concluded.

Another GoFundMe appeared to be specifically for the Rhoad family was created by Lee Penland, who wrote that hes a friend of Hal and Page Rhoad, Carters parents.

Weve created this GoFundMe to support the Rhoad family during this unimaginably difficult time and provide essentials such as housing, food, transportation, and more, he wrote. No donation is too small, and every contribution is deeply appreciated.

Rhoad, along with his friends, the Robinson brothers, were on a camping and surfing trip along a stretch of coast, south of the city of Ensenada, posting idyllic photos on social media of waves and isolated beaches, when they went missing on 27 April.

Jake Robinson, was a physician in Australia, and had traveled to San Diego to visit his brother Callum, who lived and worked in the San Diego area, where Rhoad also lived.

Images from Callums Instagram stories show the three men at Rosarito Beach, and another showed their white Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck  which was later found burnt out in the Santo Tomas area.

Aussie brothers Jake and Callum Robinson ( Supplied )

On the image of the truck on the beach, Callum wrote,  and it begins, alongside an emoji of the Mexican flag.

Family members said the men had booked an Airbnb in Rosarito Beach, but never showed up.

On 3 May, Mexican officials announced the tragic news that the surfers bodies had been found.

Chief state prosecutor Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez said on Sunday that she believed the killers drove by and saw the surfers pickup truck and tents, and wanted to steal the trucks tires. But when (the foreigners) came up and caught them, surely, they resisted, she added.

When they tried to get the vehicles, the victims opposed the robbery, she said. The robbers were armed with a firearm and then apparently shot the victims.

The thieves then allegedly went to what she called a site that is extremely hard to get to and dumped the bodies into a well, they apparently were familiar with, and covered the hole with boards.

It was literally almost impossible to find it, Ramirez said. She added that it took two hours to winch the bodies out of the well.

The prosecutor said that the relatives had viewed the bodies recovered from a remote well about 50 feet deep, and recognized them as their loved ones.

A fourth body was found with the young men. It is believed to be the remains of a rancher who owned the property and went missing two weeks earlier. His death is not believed to be linked to the case, authorities said.

Ms Andrade Ramirez said investigators were not ruling out the possibility that the same suspects dumped the fourth body in the well as part of a previous crime.

Investigators announced that three Mexican citizens had been charged with a crime equivalent to kidnapping in connection with the tourists disappearance.

They are Jesus Gerardo, whose alias is el Kekas, a slang word that means quesadillas; his partner Ari Gisel Garcia Cota; and Jesus brother, Cristian Alejandro Garcia. They have not been charged with murder.

On Sunday, surfers in Ensenada, Mexico led a paddle-out ceremony where they formed a circle on their boards in the ocean to pay their respects.

Back in San Diego, more than 150 people gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor the three surfers.

On Tuesday, the Robinson parents spoke out for the first time since their sons bodies were found.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Callum and Jake have been murdered, said their mother Debra, as she read out a statement in San Diego.

Our hearts are broken and the world has become a darker place for us.

We also mourn the loss of [Jack] Carter Rhoad, a close friend. They were young men enjoying their passion of surfing together.
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 have demanded that social-media sleuths back off as the search for a missing three-year-old boy in Wisconsin enters its third month, describing the efforts as a distraction.

Elijah Vue went missing on 20 February in Two Rivers, Wisconsin from the home of his mothers friend, where he had been staying for disciplinary reasons. His mother, Katrina Baur, and friend, Jesse Vang, have since been charged with chronic child neglect.

A large-scale effort to find Elijah has been underway since, with the Two Rivers police department, and the FBI among the lead agencies on the case. The Wisconsin department of justice division of criminal investigation (DCI) has now taken over, and search efforts have included drone flights and divers entering storm drains and rivers.

The only sign of the three-year-old has been the discovery of his red-and-white plaid blanket early in the investigation.

Police on Tuesday addressed rife social media rumors related to a volunteer group, Midwest EquuSearch, which claimed that it has been banned from taking part in searches for Elijah.

This is incorrect, misleading and serves as a distraction away from our efforts to find Elijah, Two Rivers Police Captain Andrew Raatz said in a statement on Facebook.

We have been in contact with many volunteer search organisations, as we work hand in hand to coordinate efforts.

In our conversation with EquuSearch we utilised their expertise and they confirmed we are currently using the best technology and resources available.

Elijah Vue, 3, was last seen in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, on 20 February 2024 ( FBI )

On Facebook, EquuSearch backed the police statement and described the case of the missing boy as a heartbreaking situation, while urging followers not to lose focus.

Investigators said on Tuesday that the search for Elijah is very much active.

The search for Elijah continues this week with searches conducted by canine units and the use of equestrian resources, Captain Raatz said.

In addition, we continue to follow up on tips and leads. Investigators continue analysing an extremely large amount of video and other data with assistance from federal and state agencies.

Captain Raatz said in his statement that, in Elijahs case, police would remain the sole source of factual information which will be released when available.

Thank you once again to our community, near and far, for all your efforts, he said. Your support and assistance are greatly appreciated as we all strive to achieve our mission of finding Elijah.

Elijah disappeared after being sent to the home of Mr Vang in Two Rivers, a two-hour drive from where he lived with his mother, Ms Baur, in Wisconsin Dells.

The mother sent the child off to learn to be a man, according to criminal complaint documents.

Mr Vang later told police that he subjected the boy to lengthy time-outs and threats of cold showers if he misbehaved.

In the days leading up to Elijahs disappearance, he was pictured wearing a blindfold with bruising on his face, neck and arm in photos investigators found on Ms Baurs phone, which she allegedly later deleted.

Ms Baur, 31, and Mr Vang, 39, have been charged with chronic child neglect and face separate trials this summer.

Jesse Vang and Katrina baur both face charges of chronic child neglect ( Manitowoc County Sheriffs Office )

Ms Baur recently asked for a second time to be released without bond - a motion which was denied by the judge.

Theres too much at stake, there are too many unanswered questions, Judge Robert Dewane said during the motion hearing on 30 April.

Detectives who gave testimony at an earlier hearing explained how the boy was banned from playing with the single toy at Mr Vangs home, because he was there as punishment, and left in dirty diapers.

Ms Baur made the two and a half hour journey from her Wisconsin Dells home to Two Rivers a few times in the days leading up to Elijahs disappearance, with the pair leaving him alone at the house at one point.

At Ms Baurs bond hearing last week, the boys uncle Orson Vue said the mother had allowed Elijah to suffer abuse and neglect.
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 man who pulled a gun on a Pittsburgh pastor is now the suspect in his cousins death, according to Allegheny County Police.

Police located the body of Derek Polite  Bernard Junior Polite's cousin  on Sunday after the incident at Jesus Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock.

We believe that the shooting death of Derek Polite occurred around 10am, before the incident later on that afternoon at the church, Allegheny Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns said, according to WTAE.

Bernard has been charged with criminal homicide for his cousins murder.

Mr Kearns said it appears that Derek was killed by a single gunshot he sustained while he was moving between floors.

It appears the victim was shot while walking up the stairs from the first floor to the second floor, he said.

Bernard Junior Polite, 26, has been charged for the death of his cousin, Derek Polite, who was found shot dead shortly after Bernard brandished a gun at a Pittsburgh church on 5 May ( Allegheny County Jail )

Police have not released a motive for the shooting at this time.

The decision to check Bernards home came after the 26-year-old was caught on livestream waving a gun around at a church and threatening to shoot pastor Glenn Germany.

Mr Germany told Pittsburghs Action News 4 that he spoke to Bernard after the incident and noted the man said he was listening to thoughts in his head.

I said, What made you do it? I mean, What were you thinking? And he said, I dont know, it was just a thought in my mind, thoughts coming to your head you just do what the thoughts say, Mr Germany said.

He later reportedly told Pennsylvania State Troopers that God had told him to shoot the pastor, ABC News reported.

The gun Bernard pulled at the church has been confirmed by police to be the same gun used to kill Derek.

Mr Germany said Bernard attempted to shoot him as well, but his gun jammed.

He pulled the trigger and a miracle of God happened that the gun got jammed. That bullet had a name on it, Mr Germany told ABCs Good Morning America.

Bernard was taken into custody after churchgoers wrestled him to the ground and disarmed him.

The pastor said that he had noticed the suspect enter the church and had even smiled at him before pulling out the gun.

I started to begin to preach and all of a sudden, from my left-hand side, I saw him move from the back to the front of the church, and he set up in the front corner of the church and smiled at me, Mr Germany told Action 4 News.

All of a sudden, I just saw a gun pointing right at me. And at that point, all I could try to do is try to run for cover.

When the gun failed, churchgoers held the man down until police arrived.

Court records seen by The Independent show the suspect has been charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, and attempted homicide.
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 former roommate of the slain University of Idaho students has broken her silence for the first time, revealing the moment she realized her friends were dead and the final text she sent to them.

Ashlin Couch told KXLY that she moved into the doomed off-campus house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, in 2020, with her friends Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen.

She moved out in May 2022 and Xana Kernodle took over the lease.

Six months later, in the early hours of 13 November 2022, Goncalves, 21, Mogen, 21, Kernodle, 20, and Kernodles boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, were stabbed to death inside the student home.

Two other female roommates were in the home at the time but were unharmed. One of the survivors  Dylan Mortensen  came face to face with the masked killer, dressed in head-to-toe black and with bushy eyebrows, as he left the home in the aftermath of the murders, according to the criminal affidavit.

In an emotional interview, Ms Couch recalled the moment that she received an alert that continues to haunt her.

It was a message from the University of Idaho, alerting her to a suspected murder on King Road  the address that she had moved out of mere months earlier.

Ashlin Couch breaks her silence about the murders of her friends ( KXLY )

She said she sent a final text to Mogen, asking: Are you okay?

I remember, I think, getting a second alert or I had been driving home and I texted like our group of friends, and I just had said, Has anyone heard from Maddie? And I remember, like my last text message to her was like, Are you okay? she said.

And I felt it like right then and there, I kind of just knew that something was wrong.

She later learned what had happened to her friends.

Six weeks later, Bryan Kohberger, a criminology PhD student at the nearby Washington State University, was arrested at his family home in Pennsylvania and charged with the murders. He is accused of breaking into the home and stabbing the four students to death with a large, military-style knife.

Now, more than one year on, Ms Couch is still traumatised by what happened in what used to be her bedroom  and the thought that she could have been there when it happened.

It crosses my mind more that that could have happened while I was there, she said. And, you know, you never know like how long someone is watching your house.

Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed in November 2022 ( Instagram )

For months after the murders, she said she was scared to walk to her car in the dark.

Now, she works to raise awareness and educate students on social media safety.

I couldnt even walk to my car in the dark for months after, you know, it happened, she said. Like, you just want to at least feel a little bit safer. And if we can help college students do that and just create more awareness of that and just help them feel a little bit safer knowing that something like this had happened, I think is helpful in any way.

Ms Couch said she also wanted to honor her friends. As co-founder of the Made With Kindness foundation, she helped create The Maddie Kaylee Scholarship fund to help support the lives of college students while spreading kindness and compassion.

I want to, you know, spread some kind of message and start something, help people, you know, just do something more with this life that we are grateful to still be living, she explained. I just wish that I could do is just give her one last hug just to be able to say goodbye.

Bryan Kohberger appears in court for a hearing in the murders case ( AP )

In May 2023, Mr Kohberger declined to enter a plea in the case, prompting a judge to enter his plea as not guilty.

Idaho prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty against Mr Kohberger.

In March, the Idaho Supreme Court denied a request from Mr Kohberger for his grand jury indictment to be thrown out.

A trial date has not been set.
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 suspect accused of killing 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley while she was out on on a run has been indicted on new charges, including one count of being a peeping tom on the day of the murder.

A grand jury returned the indictment in the Superior Court of Clarke County on Tuesday, charging Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, with 10 counts, including malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, obstructing or hindering a person making an emergency telephone call and tampering with evidence.

Mr Ibarra was also indicted on a charge of peeping over allegations that he unlawfully went onto the premises of a University of Georgia Athens campus housing building where he did peep through a window and spied upon and invaded the privacy of an individual inside.

The name of the alleged peeping victim is redacted in the court documents and so it is not clear if this incident is connected to Riley.

However, the peeping incident allegedly took place on 22 February  the day of Rileys murder.

Riley, a nursing student at Augusta University, set off on a run that day and never returned.

After the alarm was raised, authorities found her beaten body along her running route close to the University of Georgia campus.

Laken Riley was killed when she went for a run in February ( Augusta University )

Mr Ibarra was arrested and charged with her murder.

He is accused of causing her death by inflicting blunt force trauma and asphyxiating her, authorities said.

UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark said at the time of his arrest that Mr Ibarra and Riley are not thought to have known each other prior to her murder.

Mr Ibarra lived in an apartment building near the on-campus park where Riley went for a run. It would have taken him minutes to walk to the area, police said.

This was a crime of opportunity where he saw an individual, and bad things happened, the police chief said at a news conference.

Mr Ibarra, a Venezuelan immigrant, is currently being held in Clarke County Jail. He has decided to not seek bond in the case.

The Independent has reached out to the Western Judicial Circuit Public Defender Office for comment.
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 14-year-old girl has been arrested and charged with the murder of a Californian non-profit founders daughter more than a month after she was shot and killed.

Kendra McIntrye, 20, was fatally shot in a random killing in the early hours of 21 March while walking near the southeast corner of 70th Street and Figueroa Street, near a South Los Angeles elementary school.

She was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead, police said.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said that the victim was shot in the head and neck.

The female juvenile suspect was arrested on Monday without incident at the 77th Division station and was charged with murder the following day, according to LAPD.

Investigators have recovered the firearm allegedly used in the shooting and also believe that the killing appears to be random, reported CBS.

McIntyre is the daughter of Debra Rush, the co-founder of Fresno nonprofit Breaking the Chains, which helps people who are impacted by human trafficking.

On a GoFundMe set up on behalf of Ms Rush, the description writes that McIntyres life was taken from her in a senseless act of violence, leaving Debra and her family devastated.

Ms Rush is a survivor of human trafficking herself, having endured several months of trafficking in 1999, according to a profile on the nonprofits website.

In a statement around a week after her daughters death, Ms Rush wrote on Breaking the Chains Facebook page a tribute to her daughter, suggesting that McIntyre was also a victim of trafficking, the very crime her mother was working to eradicate.

Debra Rush, the co-founder of Breaking the Chains, said she believes the suspect could also be from the streets ( Your Central Valley/CBS )

I dont know when exactly the first trafficker was able to lore her in, I will probably never know that, but what I do know all too well is that once you walk through that door, it is an iron vault that can only be unlocked by the person within it, the statement read.

Her daughter had suffered early childhood trauma, had a severe mental health issue that emerged seemingly out of nowhere, and had been dealing with bipolar disorder since 14 years old.

"My daughter never got the chance to unlock her vault," Ms Rush wrote, in part. "Even though we stood outside, banging on the door, crying and pleading for her to open it."

While little was known about the suspect, Ms Rush has pondered whether the 14-year-old was also from the streets, despite detectives saying that the shooting appears to be a random attack.

I highly suspect this is another girl from the streets out there, Ms Rush told GV Wire. So Im very cautious because my heart hurts for her as well. I know its hard to say, but my heart hurts for this kid as well. Like I said, I highly doubt that this was something she did without provocation from somebody else.

After the arrest was announced, Ms Rush said in another statement on Wednesday that our hearts overflow with gratitude for the LAPD detectives, tirelessly working to bring closure.

Yet, amidst the relief, our sorrow remains. No justice can fill the void of losing our beautiful daughter, she added.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact South Bureau Homicide Division detectives at (323) 786-5100, during non-business hours or on weekends at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247) and anonymously to the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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 man is in custody after a baby was kidnapped and her mother and friend killed in New Mexico last week.

Alek Isaiah Collins, 26, was named as the main suspect in the case by the Clovis Police Department on Monday.

Mr Collins, from Houston, Texas, around 600 miles from Clovis. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and two counts of child abuse following the attacks. He is not believed to be related to the victims.

Alek Isaiah Collins, 26, has been arrested on charges of two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and two counts of child abuse ( Taylor County Sheriffs Department )

Authorities responded to a 911 call on 3 May reporting two deceased females at Ned Houk Park. Officers found two victims, identified as 23-year-old Samantha Cisneros, the childs mother, and Taryn Allen, also 23. The women are believed to have died from gunshot wounds.

Both women were from Texico, New Mexico. A girl was found at the scene with a head injury.

Eleia Maria Torres, a 10-month-old infant, was found four days after her mother was shot and killed in a New Mexico park. ( Clovis Police Department handout )

Police also found a baby car seat, stroller and baby bottle, and began combing the area for a missing infant.

Family members told authorities that Cisneros had a 10-month old baby, Eleia Maria Torres. An Amber Alert was then issued for the child.

The infant was found with Mr Collins at a residence in Abilene, Texas on Monday, police said, after being missing for four days. Authorities said that life-saving measures were administered on the child, who was transferred to a Lubbock, Texas hospital.

Mr Collins was arrested and is being detained at Taylor County Jail. Police are continuing to investigate the motive in the case.

Even though we have the suspect in custody, theres still a lot of work that has to be done, police said in a statement.
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 man has been charged with assault after he allegedly hit a Gaza protester with his car on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Tuesday, according to police.

Reuven Kahane, 57, was reportedly arguing with demonstrators from the group around 9am when he drove his car into 55-year-old Maryellen Novak. Demonstrators allegedly reacted by hitting Mr Kahane's car.

Mr Kahane has been charged with second-degree assault, the New York Times reports.

Ms Novak was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center where she was treated for minor injuries. She was later arrested and charged with criminal mischief and unlawful assembly.

A second protester involved in the argument, John Rozendaal, 63, was also arrested and charged with criminal mischief.

Mr Kahane faces arraignment on Wednesday morning. He has been released without bail.

Pro-Palestinian and Pro-israel face off in front of the entrance of Columbia University which is occupied by Pro-Palestinian protesters in New York on April 22, 2024. ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute the protesters, according to a statement.

Sara Shulevitz and Mindy Meyer, attorneys representing Mr Kahane, said that there was more to the story and that they were "confident that our client will be exonerated of all charges".

The protesters were among 25 people protesting Israel's actions in Gaza near 755 Park Avenue, according to police. The group was reportedly leaving the area when Mr Kahane became embroiled in a "verbal dispute" with two members of the group.

Student protesters from Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which was part of the protest, rejected the official police account of the incident. They issued a statement claiming that Mr Kahane drove up to the demonstrators and asked for a flier before grabbing the arm of a demonstrator.

They said that as they were leaving, Mr Kahane allegedly "circled the block to drive into our peaceful demonstration," which is when he hit Ms Novak.

The group said Ms Novak was the second member of their group in a week to have been assaulted and the fourth to be hospitalised since they have begun demonstrating.

Mr Rozendaal told the Times that he was assisting student protesters as a de-escalator, and that his job was "keeping people safe" during demonstrations.

He said that the group was approached by individuals who were "really, really angry" that they were protesting Israel.

It was a challenge during those two hours to have compassion for everybody on the scene because anger comes from fear and it doesnt come from nowhere, he told the Times. But it also felt like it was making people unsafe.

The incident comes on the heels of a numerous crackdowns on Gaza protesters at New York City universities.

Students protesting Israel at Columbia University kicked off a near two-week protest movement at universities around the world. Students set up encampments on campus and defied dispersal orders from school officials.

Protests have continued in New York City in the wake of the campus protests. On Tuesday, the NYPD said it took 45 protesters into custody after Gaza demonstrators gathered outside the Fashion Institute of Technology, CBS News reports.

That demonstration began in Union Square and proceeded to the FIT facility in response to Israel's incursion into the Gaza city of Rafah, where Palestinians fled in hopes of finding safety.
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 }}

As doctors struggled to revive his six-year-old son whose heart had stopped after being forced to run high speeds on a treadmill, Christopher Gregor walked out of the emergency room leaving him to die with strangers, a New Jersey jury heard this week.

Mr Gregor, 31, is on trial for the murder of his son Corey Micciolo, who investigators say suffered traumatic injuries  including a final blow to the heart just hours before his death  believed to stem from chronic child abuse at the hands of his father.

Corey, six, died on 2 April 2021 at the Southern Ocean County Medical Center.

In court on Tuesday 7 May, jurors heard that the child woke up that morning with slurred speech, trouble breathing and nausea.

His father took him to the hospital around 4pm but, just an hour later, he was dead.

Lindsay Carnevale, a nurse who was part of the medical team fighting to save the little boys life, testified in court on Tuesday that Mr Gregor was emotionless when he brought Corey in to the medical room.

He then left the boy for a period before briefly returning and then walking out again for a final time moments later, she said.

Abandoning his son in the emergency room, the nurse testified that he died minutes later surrounded only by medical staff.

Footage allegedly shows Christopher Gregor forcing his six-year-old son Corey Micciolo to run on a treadmill ( credit Court TV )

We were the only ones with him, she testified.

Video footage captured Mr Gregor driving away from the hospital less than 20 minutes after the boy was pronounced dead.

A week before Coreys death, his father had allegedly forced the boy to run at high speed on a treadmill because he thought he was too fat, according to disturbing video footage previously played at trial.

At one point in the video, the speed was turned up until the boy was thrown from the machine to the ground.

Mr Gregor was arrested on 9 March 2022. He faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murder.

Heres what we know so far about the case:

Video of six-year-old forced to run on treadmill

During the trial which began on Tuesday at Superior Court in Ocean City, the court was shown surveillance from Atlantic Heights fitness centre, located in Barnegat, where Mr Gregor appears to be forcing little Corey onto a treadmill.

Coreys mother, Bre Micciolo, who was the first witness on the stand, burst into tears as she watched her son allegedly being abused by his father in the footage.

The footage, filmed on 20 March 2021, shows the little boy forced to run increasingly fast on the exercise equipment as his dad sharply steepens the incline.

Unable to keep up with the conveyor belt beneath, Coreys legs buckles and he falls to the floor.

Mr Gregor is then seen picking up his son, who is struggling to stay upright, and forcing him back onto the machine. The father then appears to bite his son  which was also noted on the arrest warrant  on the top of his head before finally decreasing the machines speed and incline.

Christopher Gregor seen in court during his murder trial ( Court TV )

Days later, Ms Micciolo, who shared custody of her son with Mr Gregor, allegedly reported the boys injuries to the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, she told the court.

He was taken to the hospital on 1 April 2021  one day before his death.

During that hospital visit, the six-year-old made a key claim about why he was forced to run: his father told him he was too fat.

How did Corey Micciolo die?

The following day, Mr Gregor brought the six-year-old back to hospital due to his concerning symptoms.

While in hospital, the little boy suffered a seizure during a CT scan. Medical staff desperately tried in vain to save his life.

An initial autopsy found that Coreys death was the result of sustaining blunt force injuries with cardiac and liver contusions, acute inflammation and sepsis.

Forensic pathologist Dr Thomas Andrew ruled the boys death to be a homicide in September 2021 stemming from chronic abuse.

Dr Andrew believes Corey suffered an acute traumatic injury to the heart four to 12 hours before his death.

Father on trial

Mr Gregor was arrested on 9 March 2022 on child neglect charges following an investigation into the gym footage.

He is being held in the Ocean County Jail.

If convicted of murder, he faces between 30 years to life without the possibility of parole in prison.

He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of child endangerment.
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 }}

An intruder tried to break into the mansion of rapper Drake just one day after a security guard was shot outside the property in Canada.

The Toronto Police Service said officers responded to the hip-hop stars luxurious home on Wednesday, the same location where the drive-by shooting took place a day earlier.

Officers were called after a person attempted to gain access to the property at around 2pm a spokesperson for the agency told The Independent.

A suspect was detained at the scene, apprehended under Canadas Mental Health Act and taken for medical evaluation.

On Tuesday morning, police responded to a drive-by shooting at the rappers home in the prominent Bridle Path neighbourhood in the city. When officers arrived they discovered that a security guard, who has not been named, had been shot in the chest and was unconscious.

Toronto police say that a person attempted to break into Drakes home one day after drive-by shooting happened outside of the residence ( CP24/Getty )

The guard was standing outside of the gates in front of the property when he was shot. He was later transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

One suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, Paul Krawczyk, of the police services Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force, told reporters at a news conference.

The official could not confirm whether Drake was home at the time of the shooting but said that the rappers team is cooperating with the investigation.

The shooting took place just days after rapper Kendrick Lamar used an image of Drakes lavish property in cover art for his new diss track against the rapper. The Los Angeles-born rapper then created three diss tracks about Drake in just 36 hours.

Lamars fans have also been engaging in the feud. Several different parts of Drakes neighbourhood were renamed on Google Maps after Lamar over the weekend.

Toronto police patrol outside the home of Canadian rapper Drake after reports of a shooting early on Tuesday ( AFP via Getty Images )

On one pin, fans wrote kendrickownsdrake. Meanwhile, other nearby homes were renamed CertifiedKidLover, Kendricks Pool, and ChildMOE-lester.

A representative for Google said: Our team is constantly monitoring Maps for suspicious activities. Were aware of this issue and are actively removing policy-violating contributions.

The rap battle between the two stars started last month when Lamar hit out at the Canadian rapper and J Cole in his song First Person Shooter.

Drake responded to the song with a diss track accusing Lamar of domestic violence. Lamar in turn has accused Drake of having a secret daughter.

In another song titled, Not Like Us, Lamar calls Drake a certified paedophile and makes multiple references to alleged interactions with younger women.

An investigation into the shooting remains ongoing. Mr Krawczyk said its unclear whether the feud was related to the incident.

The Independent has emailed representatives for Drake and Lamar for comment.
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 security guard has been injured in a drive-by shooting at Drakes mansion in Toronto just days after Kendrick Lamar used an image of the lavish property in cover art for his new diss track against the rapper.

The shooting unfolded at around 2am ET on Tuesday morning at the rappers lavish Park Lane Circle residence in the citys prominent Bridle Path neighborhood of Canada.

Toronto police said that the security guard was standing outside of the gates in front of the property when he was shot by an unknown assailant.

One suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, according to information posted by the Toronto Police Service on X.

The security guard, who has not been named, suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was not conscious when officers arrived at the home, police said. He was transported to a hospital with serious injuries.

It is not clear if Drake was home at the time but his team is said to be cooperating with investigators.

Law enforcement tape off Drakes Toronto mansion after the shooting on Tuesday morning ( AFP via Getty Images )

Toronto Police investigate a shooting outside the mansion of rapper Drake in Torontos Bridle Path neighborhood ( AP )

The shooting came just days after rival Lamar doxxed Drakes home in a diss track against him amid an ongoing feud between the two rappers. Lamar created three similar diss songs about Drake in just 36 hours.

Following the diss tracks release, Lamar fans took to Google Maps to rename parts of Drakes neighborhood after Lamar.

On one pin, fans wrote kendrickownsdrake meanwhile other nearby homes were renamed CertifiedKidLover, Kendricks Pool, and ChildMOE-lester.

The feud between the two stars began a month ago when Lamar hit out at the Canadian rapper and J Cole in his song First Person Shooter.

Drake has responded with a diss track accusing Lamar of domestic violence. Lamar in turn has accused Drake of having a secret daughter.

In another song titled, Not Like Us, the Humble rapper calls Drake a certified paedophile and makes multiple references to alleged interactions with younger women.

Drake poses at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 1 2019 ( Invision )

Say, Drake, I hear you like em young, Lamar starts, stating that Drake would struggle because of his alleged interests. You better not ever go to cell block one.

Paul Krawczyk of the police services Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force said that the motive behind the shooting at Drakes home remains under investigation.

The Independent has emailed a representative for Google for comment.
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 }}

Elon Musk has waded into the debate about a new Canadian hate speech bill that would allow citizens to seek financial compensation from anyone who posts "discriminatory" content online.

The new Online Harms Bill, unveiled in February by Canada's ruling Liberal Party and championed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, would create a government body charged with regulating hate speech and protecting children on social media.

Separately, it would also raise the maximum sentences for illegal hate speech, while allowing citizens to report discriminatory speech to a human rights tribunal with the power to award compensation of up to C$20,000 or a fine of up to C$50,000.

On Tuesday, Mr Musk retweeted what appears to be an untrue claim about the bill: that it gives police the power to arrest anyone who has ever posted hate speech, even if it happened before the bill was passed.

"This sounds insane if accurate! @CommunityNotes, please check," said Mr Musk on X (formerly Twitter), tagging in the social network's crowdsourced fact checking service to examine the claim.

Certain forms of hate speech are already illegal in Canada, and The Independent could find no evidence that the bill gives police new powers to arrest people for retrospective breaches.

Mr Musk frequently shares dubious claims or theories with his more than 182 million followers, often coupled with a request for a fact check from X's community volunteers.

In a recent defamation lawsuit over some of his previous tweets, the X owner and Tesla boss argued that his decision to tag in Community Notes was evidence that he had only boosted false information in a "good faith" attempt to ascertain whether or not it was true.

The Online Harms Bill, which would regulate X as well as other social networks, has been controversial in Canada, with civil rights groups accusing it of "draconian" provisions that could "criminalise political activism".

Among other things, the bill would make promoting genocide punishable by life in prison, raise the maximum prison sentence for other hate speech crimes from two years to five years, and allow courts to impose a life sentence for any other crime if it is motivated by hatred based on protected characteristics.

One particularly contentious provision would let a judge put someone under house arrest if they believe the person would commit a hate crime in future  although this would need to be approved by the attorney general.

Canada's justice minister has argued that these provisions would only be invoked in the most extreme cases and that they are necessary to prevent people with a long record of bigoted behaviour from escalating into harassment or violence.

Another part of the bill would allow the Canadian Human Rights Commission to examine complaints about online hate speech, and impose fines or a court order where they consider it appropriate.

The claim retweeted by Mr Musk is a distorted version of one made in an opinion article by the British conservative commentator Toby Young, which argues that this complaints procedure would apply to "anything youve posted, ever, dating back to the dawn of the internet".

"In other words, its a gold-embossed invitation to offence archaeologists to do their worst, with the prospect of a $20,000 reward if they hit paydirt. The only way to protect yourself is to go through all your social media accounts and painstakingly delete anything remotely controversial youve ever said," wrote Mr Young.

The text of the bill says that past hate speech can be examined by the Commission, "so long as the hate speech remains public and the person can remove or block access to it".

But its not clear whether that would actually apply to posts made before the Bill became law, as opposed to posts that the author has refused to take down after it came into force.

Generally speaking, laws don't have a retroactive effect... in Canada, Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, executive director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, told The Independent.

If that provision did have a retroactive effect, that would have a very, very broad reach. And it should not have a retroactive effect; that would be a bad interpretation of that provision, which [we] would stand against.

The Canadian Department of Justice did not immediately respond to questions from The Independent.

This story was updated at 9:14pm Eastern Time on Tuesday 7 May 2024 to add a statement from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
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 }}

Law enforcement began to clear a Gaza tent encampment at George Washington University in Washington DC on Wednesday, hours after protesters left the camp to march to the home of Ellen Granberg, the universitys president.

The GW Hatchet, the universitys independent student-run newspaper, reported that officers gave demonstrators a third and final warning to leave at about 3.30am, saying all those who remained in the U-Yard and the stretch of H Street would be arrested.

University officials have warned of possible suspensions of students who engage in protest activities on University Yard, the Associated Press reported.

While the university is committed to protecting students rights to free expression, the encampment had evolved into an unlawful activity, with participants in direct violation of multiple university policies and city regulations, the university said.

Police deployed pepper spray, with some demonstrators rushing to clear their eyes with water and others vomited, according to NBC Washington.

A police spokesperson told the website that police used pepper spray on the streets but not in the encampment area and used it when protesters lined up against officers.

The Washington DC Metro Police told the outlet that some people were arrested for unlawful entry and assault on a police officer, although they did not immediately say how many arrests the officers made.

Protesters told the local news outlet that they believe dozens were arrested.

They came in full riot gear  hundreds of cops, demonstrator Mimi Ziad told News4, claiming that police shoved demonstrators and sprayed them with pepper spray.

Barricades torn down by demonstrators piled in the centre of an encampment by students protesting against the Israel-Hamas war at George Washington University on 29 April ( Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The police said that they removed protesters after a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest.

The Department has worked to pursue non-arrest methods to de-escalate tensions during this time and ensure the safety of the GW students and campus, The Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement to NBC.

Based on incidents and information, there has been a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest. Therefore, this morning, working closely with the GW administration and police, MPD moved to disperse the demonstrators from the GW campus and surrounding streets.

On Tuesday evening, protesters marched over to Ms Granbergs home and police were called to maintain the crowd. However, no arrests were made.

Around 200 protesters spent an hour outside Ms Granbergs house before returning to the encampment at University Yard, WUSA9 reported.

A student encampment protests against the Israel-Hamas war at George Washington University on 30 April ( Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The protest outside the presidents yard comes days after Ms Granberg released a letter outlining how she supports the community to speak out on these important issues but believes that the protest is no longer peaceful.

I fully support and encourage our community to speak out and engage in controversial and critical dialogues on these crucial issues  as long as they occur within the limits of our universitys policies and the Districts laws, Ms Granberg said on Sunday.

However, what is currently happening at GW is not a peaceful protest protected by the first amendment or our universitys policies. The demonstration, like many around the country, has grown into what can only be classified as an illegal and potentially dangerous occupation of GW property.

Tensions have continued to rise between pro-Palestinian demonstrators, university officials and law enforcement across campuses in the United States, with over 2000 people arrested as a result.

The Independent has contacted the Washington Metropolitan Poice Department and George Washington University for comment.
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 New York City have found a severed head floating in the water, which may belong to a headless body discovered in the same area nearly one month ago.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) said the head had been spotted by a member of the public around 10.10am on Tuesday near the mouth of the Shellbank Basin in Jamaica Bay, just west of JFK International Airport.

Officers are now investigating whether it belonged to Lukasz Mikolajewicz, 46, whose headless corpse was fished out of the Bay not far away on 12 April.

The city's medical examiner has ruled Mikolajewicz's death a suicide, and the NYPD has described CCTV footage and items found at the scene that appear to back up that conclusion.

Last month, NYPD chief of detectives Joseph Kenny said: "The body that we recovered is headless, but wearing the same clothes as the male that was walking on the bridge."

He added that Mikolajewicz's family members said he had attempted to kill himself four times previously.

The medical examiner will now conduct DNA testing to determine whether the body parts belonged to the same person.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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 University of Mississippi student who was caught on camera making monkey noises at a Black, female protester during a campus Gaza demonstration has been named by the colleges NAACP chapter.

The man has been identified as James JP Staples on the Instagram page of the universitys chapter of the human rights group, which named him along with two other students and called for their expulsion.

It comes after shocking video footage captured a white student  alleged by outlets including MailOnline.com to be Mr Staples  jumping up and down and making ape noises toward the Black protester. The footage shows him among a group of white counter-protesters at the demonstration at Ole Miss.

The incident of the racist trope and other aggressive behaviour towards the woman was filmed and later shared online.

In the NAACP Instagram post on Sunday, Mr Staples was identified as being from the Dallas area, and as a member of the Ole Miss Phi Delta Theta fraternity. The organisations post included four identifying pictures, at least one of which was a screengrab taken from the video of the incident.

In light of Chancellor Glenn Boyces communication delivered on May 3rd, 2024, the University of Mississippis chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (UM NAACP) hereby requests the expulsion of individuals identified as the primary perpetrators of racist remarks and actions that constitute derogatory and offensive behavior, the post read.

UM NAACP aligns with Chancellor Glenn Boyce's declaration and emphasizes that individuals propagating hateful and racist rhetoric have no place for comfort and shelter on our campus, particularly within our growing diverse student community.

We are committed to ongoing efforts to identify other individuals who PUBLICLY participated in this hateful act therefore should & WILL be PUBLICLY identified.

The Phi Delta Theta fraternity previously announced that it had expelled a member, calling the incident offensive, outside the bounds of this discourse, and contradictory to our values. They did not name the member publicly.

The past few weeks have been challenging for many colleges and universities across the United States as they struggle to balance the protection of free speech with maintaining appropriate and respectful discourse among demonstrators and others within the campus community, the statement, updated on Monday, read.

As part of that community, Phi Delta Theta recognizes that freedom of expression is part of the collegiate experience; however, the Fraternity is committed to upholding its principles as a private membership organization.

The man was caught on camera making monkey noises towards a Black, female protester at a recent demonstration at the University of Mississippi ( Stacey Spiehler via YouTube )

After reviewing the incident, it was determined that the individuals behavior was unacceptable. The action in question was offensive, outside the bounds of this discourse, and contradictory to our values.

In partnership with local alumni, undergraduate leadership, and the university, disciplinary due process was initiated which resulted in the removal of membership. The situation will continue to be monitored in cooperation with any further investigation.

A spokesman from the University of Mississippi told The Independent it also could not confirm the identity of the student, but said at least one investigation into student conduct had been opened.

"Student privacy laws prohibit us from commenting on any specific student. We have opened one student conduct investigation, and are working to determine whether more cases are warranted, the statement read.

The Independent was unable to find up-to-date contact details for Mr Staples to request comment, and he appears to have deleted his social media account.
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 }}

Law students and undergraduates from Columbia University wont be getting jobs with 13 conservative federal judges, who say the college has become an incubator of bigotry following pro-Palestinian protests.

The group wrote to Columbia President Minouche Shafik and the dean of the universitys law school, Gillian Lester, on Monday, according to CNN and the National Review.

Considering recent events, and absent extraordinary change, we will not hire anyone who joins the Columbia University communitywhether as undergraduates or law studentsbeginning with the entering class of 2024, the letter signed by the thirteen justices said.

The New York school has been at the heart of demonstrations against the war in Gaza in recent weeks, starting with an encampment in the main quad. Students at other schools across the US have followed with protests that have included clashes between faculty, leadership and law enforcement.

Protests have seen students and faculty voice their concerns over ties institutions have to Israel or investors seen sas benefiting from Israels military actions.

Protestors occupy an encampment in support of Palestine on the grounds of Columbia University on April 22, 2024 in New York City ( Getty Images )

Since the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas, Columbia University has become ground zero for the explosion of student disruptions, anti-semitism, and hatred for diverse viewpoints on campuses across the Nation, the letter from the judges read.

As judges who hire law clerks every year to serve in the federal judiciary, we have lost confidence in Columbia as an institution of higher education. Columbia has instead become an incubator of bigotry, it continued. As a result, Columbia has disqualified itself from educating the future leaders of our country.

The Independent contacted Columbia University for comment on Tuesday.

Columbia Law School states on its website that students and alumni obtain some of the most coveted judicial clerkship positions in the country with roles on the US Supreme Court and federal circuit courts.

All of those who signed the letter were appointed by former president Donald Trump, and many of them sit on courts in Texas.

The three primary signatories were Elizabeth L. Branch, a Circuit Judge on the US Court of Appeals Eleventh Circuit; James C. Ho, a Circuit Judge on the US Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit; and Matthew H. Solomson, a judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims.

NYPD officers detain a person as pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside of Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

They argue that the boycott on hiring isnt because they dislike criticisms made by students but because Columbia needs to restore academic freedom.

In the letter, the justices offer three ways Columbia could address recent issues including rendering more severe punishments for students and faculty who have taken part in the protests.

After all, elite universities purport to train not just law-abiding citizens but future leaders, the group said. Universities should also identify students who engage in such conduct so that future employers can avoid hiring them.

Despite seeming to be speaking largely about pro-Palestinian demonstrations, the justices also argue that there should be neutrality and non-discrimination in the protection of freedom of speech, asserting that an uprising by anti-abortionists would be met with a very different response by the school.

Finally, the letter calls for a more diverse faculty and staff, to offer different viewpoints.

Riot police raid Columbia University over Gaza protests

Columbia has called in the New York City Police Department during the protests, with officers arresting dozens of students. In an announcement last week, Ms Shafik said that the drastic escalation after many months of protests had pushed the university to the brink and that she was sorry to have reached this point.

I hope that we can use the weeks ahead to restore calm, allow students to complete their academic work, and honour their achievements at Commencement, Ms Shafik said on 1 May.

We also must continue with urgency our ongoing dialogue on the important issues that have been raised in recent months, especially the balance between free speech and discrimination and the role of a university in contributing to better outcomes in the Middle East.
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 }}

For the longest time, Democrats have sounded like Susan Collins talking about Donald Trump when it came to Israels actions in Gaza: they wring their hands, express great dismay, and then do little to stop a catastrophic bombardment. Then they voted to give aid to Israel anyway.

Tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have now died in the packed region, most of them women and children.

Now, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus plans to attack Rafah seem to have given Democrats  not just President Joe Biden  the fortitude to draw a line in the sand.

This week, President Bidens administration paused its shipping of 1,800 bombs weighing around 2,000lbs (907kg) and 1,700 bombs weighing 500lbs (227kg) to Israel. The shipment was due to arrive in the Middle Eastern country last week.

The White House seemed to know that the move would cause a huge controversy on Capitol Hill. Indeed, when Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about the pause, he carefully chose his words, noting that the US commitment to Israel remains ironclad.

We are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of the ongoing events in Rafah, he said.

When further pressed, he added: Were assessing. We have not made any final decisions on this yet, but to answer your questions, yes, there are some things we are taking a closer look at.

It seems that the Biden administrations actions helped Senate Democrats who previously criticised the Israeli governments actions find their nerve.

In February, amid the first reports that Israel was considering attacking Rafah, Senator Elizabeth Warren told The Independent that Israel should not be attacking Rafah, period, but when pressed if that would affect her vote on the bill to provide aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, she said, Right now, the security package is about getting money to Ukraine. In the end, only three Senators in the Democratic caucus voted against the foreign aid package.

Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen, amid shortages of aid supplies, after Israeli forces launched a ground and air operation in the eastern part of Rafah ( REUTERS )

But when we spoke to her about the shipments, Warren praised the Biden administrations decision.

The Presidents actions are a reminder that the United States always conditions its foreign aid, she told The Independent. Warren added the pause served as a reminder to Israels government that the United States would no longer be a passive observer.

We have been clear our position on both a two-state solution and the importance of access to humanitarian relief, she said. Benjamin Netanyahu ignores the United States at his peril.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin became the first Democratic Senator to support a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas weeks ago  but he still voted to provide aid to Israel when push came to shove.

However, on Wednesday he said the Biden administrations actions were a positive step, given Israels plans to attack Rafah.

I think the administration has started doing that  holding some of the equipment and supplies  until they have an assurance [about what will happen in Rafah], the Illinois Democrat told The Independent.

There are two primary pathways that could lead to a limit or block on US aid to Israel.

The first, championed by progressive Senator Peter Welch, is the Leahy Law. Under the legislation, the US government cannot aid foreign security forces found committing a gross violations of human rights. The primary caveat of this law is that it does not apply to countries at large, but rather individual military units.

Welch told The Independent he wants the Leahy Law applied to the Israeli military. But he also sees value in the second option: the National Security Memorandum, known as NSM-20.

The NSM-20 memo will reveal the results of an investigation into potential Israeli war crimes in Gaza. It is now expected sometime next week, Welch told The Independent, after its initial release date of Wednesday was delayed.

If the report finds that Israel has violated international humanitarian law during its bombardment of Gaza, the Biden administration would need to reconsider foreign aid wholesale.

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland  who has said in the past that Israel is committing a war crime by deliberately withholding food from children in Gaza  told The Independent that the investigation offered an important benchmark.

This report will be a test of the Biden administrations credibility as to whether or not theyre willing to look at all the facts and apply the law to the war in Gaza, he said.

Elsewhere, some Democrats said there are limits to Americas ability to pressure Israel or control its actions.

We have some influence, but our views are not determinative on the Israeli by the Israeli government, Senator Chris Murphy told The Independent. I think theres too often a perception here that Israel will do what the United States wants them to do. Thats just not true.

Most Democrats have attempted not to undercut Biden when it comes to Israel, even if they have other objections. And the fact Ukraine aid was tied to Israel aid in a legislative package made it much harder for them to condition aid to Israel, given Republican hostility to Ukraine.

But it appears Bidens decision has given Democrats the permission to finally say there can be conditions on aid. That represents a huge change, even if it looks from the outside like baby steps.
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 Joe Bidens administration has indefinitely delayed a report investigating potential Israeli war crimes in Gaza, according to a Politico report that cites four sources with insider knowledge.

The development comes after the US State Department was expected to release the report on Wednesday.

If the State Department were to find that Israel violated international humanitarian law, the US may have to stop sending foreign aid. Under the Leahy Law, the US government cannot aid foreign security forces found committing gross violations of human rights.

President Joe Biden, pictured speaking on 7 May 2024. A new report reveals his administration has indefinitely halted an investigation into potential Israeli war crimes ( AP )

Democratic Senator Peter Welch, an outspoken critic of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conduct in Gaza, called on the Biden administration to halt Israeli aid on Tuesday. He argued the US is already in violation of the Leahy Law.

We write with concern regarding the US governments failure to apply the Leahy Law consistently to all recipients of US security assistance, Mr Welch wrote in a letter co-signed by eight other lawmakers.

Recent articles documented that successive administrations have neglected to implement the Leahy Law in Israel, he continued.

Last week, dozens of lawmakers also called on the Biden administration to reconsider aid to Israel.

A coalition of 88 Democratic members wrote to the White House on Friday, 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.

Last month, the White House said future US aid 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.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, which borders Egypt in southern Gaza, the Israeli military confirmed.

The Palestinian health ministry says Israels continued assault on Gaza has killed almost 35,000 people, most of whom were women and children. The United Nations also says that restrictions on humanitarian aid have created a man-made famine, with half the 2.3 million strong population of the strip at catastrophic levels of hunger.

The attacks on Gaza come after 7 October, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 people hostage.

Also this week, Hamas accepted a proposed ceasefire deal over the war in Gaza. Israel, however, has rejected it and talks over a truce are said to be continuing.

The Independent has contacted the National Security Council and the State Department 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 }}

The Biden administration says that it had repatriated a large family unit of Americans who had been living in the squalid refugee camps for families of ISIS fighters in northern Syria.

Eleven people in total, none of whom were former Islamic State (ISIS) fighters, were brought to the US as part of the effort, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Tuesday.

Its the largest single group to be repatriated to America from the refugee camps, where residents including many family members of ISIS militants live in horrid conditions as their futures remain in legal limbo. Many governments have resisted calls from the US to bring home citizens of their respective nations who have turned up in the camps after travelling to the Middle East.

Two women are pictured in the Al Hol refugee camp in Syria ( AP )

Approximately 30,000 individuals from more than 60 countries outside Syria remain in the al-Hol and Roj displaced persons camps, the majority of whom are children. As governments undertake repatriation of their nationals, we urge thoughtfulness and flexibility to ensure that to the maximum extent possible family units remain intact, said Mr Blinken.

The only durable solution to the humanitarian and security crisis in the displaced persons camps and detention facilities in northeast Syria is for countries to repatriate, rehabilitate, reintegrate, and where appropriate, ensure accountability for wrongdoing, he continued.

The United States remains committed to helping those nations which seek to repatriate their nationals from northeast Syria, and to finding solutions, including resettlement, for those who are unable to return to their communities or countries of origin.

The group includes one nine-year-old child, described as the brother of a US-born citizen, who does not himself have US citizenship. Theres no indication yet that any of the repatriated Americans are bound for prosecution by the federal government.

A spokesman for the State Department, Matthew Miller, reiterated those calls on Tuesday as he spoke about the announcement at his daily press briefing in Washington.

We urge all countries of origin to repatriate, rehabilitate, reintegrate and where appropriate, prosecute their nationals upon their return from Syria, Miller said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pictured on 1 May in Tel Aviv ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

He was also able to confirm that around 25 American citizens remain in the northern Syria camps including the infamous Al Hol camp, which The Independent visited in 2019.

Mr Miller took a second question in the briefing related to Austin Tice, an American freelance journalist and US military veteran who went missing in Syria in 2012. His answer reaffirmed the US governments belief that the Syrian government is either directly or indirectly responsible for Mr Tices continued captivity, and he called for his release.

We call on the Syrian regime to ensure that Austin Tice and every other US national held in Syria are able to return home, Miller said.

The move by the US government to repatriate its citizens was cheered by Austin Doctor, an expert with the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center. The organisation authored a report in 2023 which supported an organised process for repatriating the spouses and children of Islamic State fighters. The terrorist groups physical territory collapsed after a sustained international effort to dislodge its fighters from Iraq and Syria, however, the ISIS ideology continues to promulgate violence around the world.

Good news, & the result of dedicated hard work, Doctor wrote on Twitter.

Roughly 30,000 people, the majority of whom are children, remain scattered in refugee camps for ISIS family members in northern Syria, according to the US State Department.

In 2019, The Independent found that authorities still saw a dangerous undercurrent of ISISs radical Islamist ideology within the Al Hol camp. Detainees spoke of entire groups of refugees disappearing from the camp, with their escapes credited to Isis-contracted smugglers.

We can see it happening all the time. Everybody knows, said Umm Abdullah, a 37-year-old detainee from Khartoum, Sudan. Youll see one group disappear, and figure out that they left. Then another group will go. Good luck to them.
 Close Marjorie Taylor Greene exits second meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson

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 }}

Marjorie Taylor Greene said on Tuesday the outcome of her call to oust Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is now in his hands.

This development comes after the speaker, Ms Greene and her ally Representative Thomas Massie met for some 90 minutes on Tuesday afternoon. They previously met on Monday for over an hour.

After the second meeting, Ms Greene told reporters the ball is in Mr Johnsons court.

We will see, she told reporters. It is up to Mike Johnson.

The GOP duo want Mr Johnson to block future Ukraine aid. They also want him to defund Special Counsel Jack Smiths probes into Donald Trump. Mr Smith is investigating the classified documents case and the 6 January riots. These asks are largely symbolic because the US Senate and President Joe Biden would likely block them.

Before Tuesdays meeting, Ms Greene told The Independent the speaker has been working with Democrats the entire time.

[The Democrats] are ready to deliver the votes to save his speakership, because they support him because of what hes delivered for the Democrats and the Biden agenda, Ms Greene told The Independent.
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 }}

The House of Representatives killed Marjorie Taylor Greenes bid to remove Speaker Mike Johnson just minutes after she introduced the motion on Wednesday.

Ms Greenes coterie seemed excited as she approached the floor to begin the vote. As moderate Republicans took the steps, her press secretary lit a cigarette watching them criticise the right-wing firebrand. Her boyfriend Brian Glenn, the host of Right Side Broadcasting Network, came the Hill for votes and seemed excited for the fireworks.

I love it, I support it, Mr Glenn told The Independent.

In the end, an overwhelming number of Democrats and Republicans pushed back against Ms Greene. The House voted 359-43 against the Republican congresswomans ouster attempt, allowing Mr Johnson to stay in his position.

I'm proud of what I did today, Ms Greene told reporters soon after the defeat. And I'm thankful that all of this has been exposed for the American people.

At the same time, Florida Republican Representative Carlos Gimenez interrupted her saying youre not the Republican Party.

Because shes an idiot, Mr Gimenez told The Independent. That's all she wants is the attention..

Ms Greene introduced her motion around 5pm after publicly vowing to do so for the past week. She met with the speaker twice this week alongside one of her few allies, GOP Representative Thomas Massie.

We need Republicans that are finally going to stand up and stop this bulls***, she told reporters.

The motion was privileged which meant the House would have been forced to vote within 48 hours. But the vote commenced minutes after Ms Greene finished speaking.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, pictured speaking on the House floor on Wednesday, was defeated when she attempted to remove Speaker Mike Johnson ( C-SPAN )

Mr Johnson spoke to reporters soon after the vote ended and failed.

I appreciate the show of confidence from my colleagues to defeat this misguided effort, Mr Johnson said.

In this moment, the country desperately needs a functioning Congress, he continued. Thats what the overwhelming majority of the members in this body demonstrated today.

Democrats and some GOP members had vowed earlier this week to save Mr Johnson, making Wednesdays outcome unsurprising.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries defended the decision to save the archconservative Mr Johnson, a staunch ally of former president Donald Trump who worked to overturn the 2020 election results.

Our decision to stop Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from plunging the House of Representatives and the country into further chaos is rooted in our commitment to solving problems for everyday Americans in a bipartisan manner, Mr Jeffries said in a statement. We need more common sense and less chaos in Washington, D.C.

Even Mr Trump came out against the motion.

With a Majority of One, shortly growing to three or four, were not in a position of voting on a Motion to Vacate, he said on Truth Social. At some point, we may very well be, but this is not the time.

Only eleven GOP representatives voted against saving Mr Johnson.

It doesn't matter what the rest of the conference feels, they just want everything to be easy and simple for them, Ms Greene said after the vote. And it's not easy and simple...I think the number eleven should scream loudly to people that pay attention.

GOP members lambasted Ms Greenes motion moments after she announced it.

Its a gimmick, its a joke, its laughable, Republican Representative Max Miller of Ohio told reporters. We have real work to do.

Its going to sow discord...and by the way, its going to fail, GOP Congressman Dusty Johnson said on the House steps.

Ms Greene first filed her motion after Mr Johnson brokered an agreement with Democrats and the Senate to keep the government open until September. She said she would make her motion privileged after Mr Johnson worked with Democrats to pass a series of foreign aid bills that sent assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

Speaker Mike Johnson talks to reporters after Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to remove him on Wednesday afternoon. The House voted overwhelmingly to keep him in the leadership position ( Getty Images )

Ms Greene had told The Independent on Tuesday that the speaker has been working with Democrats the entire time.

[The Democrats] are ready to deliver the votes to save his speakership, because they support him because of what hes delivered for the Democrats and the Biden agenda, she said.

In their meetings earlier this week, Ms Greene and Mr Massie gave Mr Johnson a list of demands. The pair asked Mr Johnson to block future aid to Ukraine, as well as defund Special Counsel Jack Smiths probes into former president Donald Trump and that only bills that had the support of the majority of the House GOP conference receive a vote.

These asks were largely symbolic because the Senate and President Joe Biden would most likely have blocked them.

Democrats were also deeply critical of Ms Greene on Tuesday, before she filed the motion.

The other side levelled similar criticisms on Tuesday while it was still unclear when Ms Greene would bring her motion.

I can just speak for our side  were gonna be the side that wants to get s**t done, well be united, well deliver the votes, Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell told The Independent.

Mr Johnson, a GOP representative from Louisiana, became speaker in October 2023. He won the leadership position after 22 days of turmoil in the House following the removal of former speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (centre) and Thomas Massie (right) pictured on 1 May calling for the House to oust Speaker Mike Johnson while standing with pictures of Mr Johnson and Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries. The pair has criticised Mr Johnson for working with Democrats ( AP )

Ms Greene has been promising for weeks to bring the motion to vacate against the speaker. At a press conference, she blasted work between Mr Johnson and Mr Jeffries as a culmination of the uniparty and held up a hat brandished with MUGA.

The uniparty is Make Ukraine Great Again, Ms Greene said on 1 May. The uniparty is about funding every single foreign war. They think this is the business model that needs to be done.

But in a sign of how the divide within the GOP would not subside soon, Mr Gimenez and Ms Greenes spokesman Nick Dyer got into an argument about whether Ms Greene filed her motion for attention or for the good of the country.
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 GOP congressman appears to slap the phone out of an antiwar protesters hand while in the US Capitol, footage of the incident reveals.

Representative Mike Ezell of Mississippi was walking through a US Capitol building on Tuesday as protesters from the feminist antiwar organisation Code Pink approached him about the Israel-Hamas war, according to footage posted on X.

The video shows two Code Pink members, Medea Benjamin and Sumer Mobarak, walking with Mr Ezell. The video, filmed by Ms Mobarak, shows Ms Benjamin asking Mr Ezell about the war. The video then cuts to Ms Benjamin and Ms Mobarak walking behind the congressman.

Sumer Mobarak (left) and Medea Benjamin (centre), antiwar protesters with Code Pink, spoke to Congressman Mike Ezell (right) on Tuesday about the Israel-Hamas war. Video footage of the conversation indicates that Mr Ezell knocked the phone out of Ms Mobaraks hand ( Code Pink )

You want the killing of my people? asked Ms Mobarak, who is Palestinian-American.

Mr Ezell turns around to say, Shut up, back it off. He then appears to knock the phone out of Ms Mobaraks hand.

Ms Benjamin told The Independent the incident came as a shock.

This has never happened before, she said. And weve been doing this for six months.

The fact that Sumer is a Palestinian woman who wears a head covering makes us wonder, Ms Benjamin continued. Was this a race issue as well?

Congressman Mike Ezell, pictured in 2022, reportedly knocked the phone out of an antiwar protesters hand on Tuesday while in the US Capitol ( AP )

When The Independent asked Mr Ezell for his reaction to the incident, he said he would continue to stand by Israel in their war with Hamas.

These China-backed protesters want to harass and intimidate members of Congress into ending our support for Israel and our opposition to Hamas terrorists, Mr Ezell said. I will not be harassed or intimidated by the Chinese Communist Party, Hamas, or their supporters, and I will continue standing with our Israeli allies against terrorism.

The pair later confronted Mr Ezell inside a congressional hearing.

You are disgusting, racist, Ms Mobarak told him. Video footage showed that he did not respond.

Ms Benjamin said she hopes the Kentucky representative apologises to Ms Mobarak. That would be the minimum, she said.

The US Capitol Police told The Independent they are looking into the matter. Meanwhile, Ms Benjamin told The Independent that the Capitol Police took Ms Mobaraks report very seriously.

Ms Benjamin and Ms Mobarak are among the many antiwar activists protesting the Israel-Hamas war. The Palestinian health ministry says Israels continued assault on Gaza has killed almost 35,000 people, most of whom were women and children. The United Nations also says that restrictions on humanitarian aid have created a man-made famine, with half the 2.3 million strong population of the strip at catastrophic levels of hunger.

The attacks on Gaza come after 7 October, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 people hostage.
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 }}

US officials have played down their knowledge of Israels plans for military operations in Rafah, the last haven in Gaza for refugees fleeing the Israeli military siege which has devastated the northern part of the territory.

For weeks, the Biden administration has publicly warned Israels government against a sustained military assault on Rafah, which it argues cannot be undertaken without posing an existential threat to the more than one million refugees and residents of Rafah now sheltering in the area to avoid the violence.

Israeli officials had long indicated they planned to ignore those warnings and push ahead with an attack.

That attack came this week, with Israeli tanks entering Rafah early Tuesday morning. US officials who spoke to reporters appeared to be holding on to hope that it was not the beginning of a sustained operation, though they offered no statements from Israeli commanders to support the view.

What we've been told by our Israeli counterparts is that this operation last night was limited and designed to cut off Hamas ability to smuggle weapons and funds into Gaza, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a press conference. He had, just one day earlier, admonished a reporter for asking about the scope of the attack: There hasn't been an assault or an attack in terms of a ground operation at this time, so let's not get ahead of where we are.

Israels defence minister, Yoav Gallant, poured cold water on those optimistic assurances from US officials on Tuesday as he toured parts of Rafah: This operation will continue until we eliminate Hamas in the Rafah area and the entire Gaza Strip or until the first hostage returns.

We are willing to make compromises in order to bring back hostages, but if that option is removed, we will go on, he said.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Kerem Shalom border crossing in southern Israel on 1 May 2024 ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

At the State Department, spokesman Matthew Miller reiterated that the US did not believe a full-scale assault on Rafah was underway as Axios reported that White House officials were indicating that the US president, Joe Biden, did not see the attack as a violation of his red line.

It is not our assessment that a major military operation has begun, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller added at his own press briefing.

He did confirm, however, that the Israeli assault was intended with the goal of dismantling Hamass control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, currently a main passageway for humanitarian aid including food to Gaza where experts including Cindy McCain, head of the UNs World Food Programme, says a famine could be imminent.

Israel's occupation of the Rafah border crossing has a legitimate goal of preventing Hamas from taking control of the crossing, said Miller.

Meanwhile, one of Israels largest newspapers has reported that the end goal of the Rafah operation includes putting an American security firm in charge of the Gaza side of the crossing. Doing so would inextricably deepen US involvement in the conflict, while simultaneously freeing the Biden administration from direct responsibility.

Mr Kirby, questioned by reporters sat his briefing on Tuesday, denied knowledge of this: I know nothing about your [question]. Miller too denied knowing about those reported plans.

The death toll in Gaza is thought to be pushing 40,000 as reports from inside the territory have become increasingly sparse.

A Politico report on Tuesday separately indicated that a report investigating allegations of Israeli war crimes in Gaza, which the administration is due to present to Congress, is indefinitely delayed.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 }}

Anti-vaccine activist turned independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr has revealed that a worm ate part of his brain and then died inside his head.

According to The New York Times, Mr Kennedy made the bizarre admission during a deposition held as part of his 2012 divorce proceeding.

He reportedly said hed begun to experience cognitive problems and both short and long-term memory loss in 2010, not long after his uncle, the late Massachusetts senator Edward Kennedy, died from the effects of brain cancer.

The Times said the record of his 2012 deposition showed Mr Kennedy had initially feared he, too, had a brain tumour.

But he received a second opinion from a doctor in New York who told him the cause of his problems  and a dark spot on his brain scans  was a dead parasite.

Mr Kennedy testified that the doctor had told him that the dark spot on the scans was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks about environmental challenges during the Earth X conference in April 2024 ( EPA )

He also said in his 2012 deposition that he has suffered from mercury poisoning that has caused neurological issues.

I have cognitive problems, clearly, he said at the time. I have short-term memory loss, and I have longer-term memory loss that affects me.

RFK Jr, the son of late New York senator and attorney general Robert F Kennedy, told the Times in an interview that the poisoning was caused by eating too much fish.

I loved tuna fish sandwiches. I ate them all the time, he said.

The admission raises questions about RFK Jrs health at a time when the 70-year-old environmental lawyer and long-shot presidential hopeful has used his relative youth compared to his major-party rivals, President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump, to argue that he is healthier and fitter than both to run the country.

But the anti-vaccine activist and conspiracy theorist has had other health problems, including a history of drug addiction, which he has openly discussed in the past.
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 federal judge has indefinitely delayed the trial date in the special counsel case against Donald Trump for allegedly mishandling classified documents.

In a decision filed on Tuesday, US district judge Aileen M Cannon vacated a planned 20 May trial date, writing that a host of issues around evidence, discovery, and the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) still needed to be decided before the high-profile trial could commence.

Judge Cannon, a former federal prosecutor who was nominated to the bench by Trump in 2020, argued in her decision that extending the pre-trial process through the end of July would outweigh the best interest of the public and Defendants in a speedy trial.

The former president faces 40 separate federal charges in the case, stemming from allegedly holding onto hundreds of classified documents after leaving the White House for his private Mar-a-Lago home and club in Florida, then conspiring to obstruct government attempts to retrieve the materials. He has pleaded not guilty.

Outside of the trial date question, the classified documents case has yielded other revelations about Mr Trumps time since leaving office.

In documents unsealed this week, the former presidents valet and co-defendant, Walt Nauta, described Mr Trump essentially choosing at random which documents to return to the National Archives as he wrapped up his presidential affairs.

This image, contained in the indictment against former President Donald Trump, shows boxes of records stored in a bathroom and shower in the Lake Room at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla.

What I recall is every time he would leave for the evening, they would come up, and they would collect all the papers that he threw on the floor; or that  at the time  we understood that he didnt need any more, Mr Nauta told FBI agents investigating the case.

The decision from Judge Cannon means that the former presidents ongoing hush money trial in New York may be the only one of the many legal battles facing Mr Trump that will play out before the 2024 election is complete.

The other case from special counsel Jack Smith against Mr Trump, which accuses the former president of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results, is currently on hold as the Supreme Court weighs whether Mr Trump is protected by presidential immunity.

Meanwhile, in Georgia, a case accusing the former president and his associates of conspiring to interfere with the 2020 election results does not yet have a trial date, despite Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss stated goal of trying Mr Trump before the election.

The case there was derailed for weeks as courts considered the legal implications of a romantic relationship between Ms Willis and Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor who was involved in the Trump case and has since resigned.

The greatest immediate threat to Mr Trump is the New York case.

On Monday, Judge Juan Merchan found the former president in contempt of court and in violation of a trial-related gag order, fining Mr Trump $1,000 and threatening him with jail time if he continues to violate court orders around his public commentary on the case.
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 Georgia appeals court has granted Donald Trumps request for an appeal challenging the ruling that Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis can stay on the states election interference case against the former president and his allies.

After weeks of contentious hearings centred around the district attorneys romantic relationship with a fellow prosecutor, Judge Scott McAfee decided in March that Ms Willis could remain on the sprawling Rico case.

The former president and eight of his co-defendants then filed for permission to appeal against the decision, calling the courts refusal to disqualify her a plain legal error.

On Wednesday, the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia agreed to review the lower court ruling.

Mr Trump and his co-defendants had sought to oust the DA from the case following allegations of misconduct over her relationship with Nathan Wade, the prosecutor she had hired to lead the case.

Over the course of several days worth of hearings, the court heard about the romantic relationship between Ms Willis and Mr Wade.

Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case on 1 March 2024 in Atlanta ( AP )

Ultimately, Judge McAfee ruled that Ms Willis could stay on the case so long as Mr Wade withdrew from it in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Mr Wade stepped down from the case hours after the decision.

The defendants failed to meet their burden in proving a conflict of interest that would necessitate Ms Williss disqualification, the judge ruled.

In his decision, the judge noted: This finding is by no means an indication that the court condones this tremendous lapse in judgement or the unprofessional manner of the district attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing.

Its unclear how an appeal would affect the timing of the Georgia election interference case or whether it could go to trial before the 2024 presidential election.

Mr Trump was charged alongside former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, former chief of staff Mark Meadows, and several other prominent allies. Four former Trump loyalists, including Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell, have pleaded guilty in the case so far.

Mr Trump is facing 10 charges in the states case after a judge slashed three from the indictment in March.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 }}

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is privately considering a plan to deploy American assassination squads to Mexico to take out drug cartel leaders if he is re-elected in November, according to a report.

Three sources familiar with the former presidents proposal told Rolling Stone that he has insisted that the American military has tougher killers than they do and is mulling a similar plot to that carried out when US forces killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi back in 2019.

The deployment would be covert, the outlet reported, and would not rely on the Mexican governments consent.

Just earlier this year, one source recalled the former president saying that the US government should create a kill list of drug lords, consisting of the most notorious heads of drug cartels that a special-ops team would be tasked with killing or capturing, Rolling Stone reported.

Rolling Stones report expands upon Mr Trumps 2024 policy proposals, dubbed Agenda47.

That proposal includes an action plan to destroy the drug cartels in the form of a bulleted list.

One bullet states that Mr Trump would order the US Department of Defense to make appropriate use of special forces, cyber warfare, and other covert and overt actions to inflict maximum damage on cartel leadership, infrastructure, and operations.

Mr Trumps campaign website also says his administration would make it the official policy of the US to take down the drug cartels just as we took down ISIS.

The former president also said in a campaign video about this agenda item: Either we will get the full cooperation of other governments to stop this menaceor we will expose every bribe, every kickback, every payoff, and every bit of corruption that is allowing the cartels to preserve their brutal reign.

However on Wednesday, a Trump spokesperson said in an email: If you read the Agenda47 proposals, no where does it say what is being alleged in Rolling Stone.

Trumps Agenda47 that includes his action plan to destroy drug cartels ( Trump campaign )

This isnt the first time that Mr Trump has discussed his plans for tackling Mexicos gang violence.

In 2017, then-president Trump told then-Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in a phone call that he was prepared to send US troops to stop bad hombres down there, The Associated Press reported at the time. You arent doing enough to stop them. I think your military is scared. Our military isnt, so I just might send them down to take care of it.

In 2020, Mr Trump also asked his then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper if it would be possible for the US to launch missiles into Mexico to destroy the drug labs and demolish the cartels  and keep the USs involvement a secret, according to Mr Espers memoir A Sacred Oath.

Although Mr Trumps plans to take out Mexicos cartels have been discussed in private, Mr Trump has made his thoughts about Mexico  and the countrys citizens  very clear in public.

Donald Trump appears in court on 7 May at his hush money trial in New York ( 2024 Getty Images )

While running for the White House in 2015, Mr Trump accused Mexico of not sending their best to the US.

Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people, he said.

During his administration, Mr Trump also ordered the building of a border wall along the US-Mexico border.

Now, as he campaigns for the White House again, the former presidents anti-immigrant rhetoric continues to ramp up.

At an Iowa rally in September, he told supporters that, if he wins the 2024 election, he will use all resources needed to stop the invasion at the US-Mexico border, including moving thousands of troops currently stationed overseas.

Mr Trump has also been accused of echoing Nazi rhetoric by saying that migrants are poisoning the blood of the country, referring to migrants as animals, and suggesting that some migrants are not people.

Immigration is shaping up to be a major issue in the 2024 presidential election, with Mr Trump and Republicans hitting out at President Joe Biden over his handling of the US-Mexico border. In March 2024, there were nearly 190,000 encounters at the US southern border.

This article was updated following publication to include the Trump campaigns response.
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 }}

Italy said that planes used by charities to track migrant boats in difficulty would no longer be able to fly from airports on the islands of Sicily, Pantelleria and Lampedusa that are close to the shipping routes.

The decision, announced by the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), will make it much harder for non-governmental groups like Sea Watch to use its small planes to scour the central Mediterranean for boats in need of rescue.

(This is) an act of cowardice and cynicism by those who criminalize the NGOs for political propaganda, Sea Watch said in a statement on X, adding that it still planned to take to the skies to help migrants in distress.

In a written ordinance, ENAC said the planes were unwarranted, represented a burden for the official rescue teams and risked compromising the safety of undocumented migrants.

Flavio Di Giacomo, a spokesman for the UNs International Organization for Migration (IOM), said the Italian decision may hinder life-saving efforts, and added that his agency was waiting to understand its actual implementation.

The NGO spotter planes regularly find boats in distress and direct rescuers to their location. They have also documented aggressive pushbacks by Libyan coast guards, who receive European funding to prevent migrants from crossing the sea.

In this photo provided by Sea-Watch on Tuesday, August, 8, 2023, four migrant survivors wave for help as they are in distress at sea

Sea Watch said the ordinance was aimed at preventing the world from seeing what was happening.

This attack, which tramples international law, will not deter us from continuing to disrupt those who would prefer to keep secret what is happening each day in the Mediterranean, it said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni won office in 2022 promising to clamp down on migrant arrivals from Africa.

Since then, her government has made it increasingly difficult for charity ships to operate in the Mediterranean, limiting the number of rescues they can carry out and often forcing them to make huge detours to bring migrants ashore.

She has also worked with the European Union to persuade both Libya and Tunisia to slow the flows, and has signed an unprecedented deal with Albania to build migrant holding centres there.

The government says its measures are working and therefore reducing drownings during the dangerous crossing. So far this year, 17,666 boat migrants have reached Italy against 44,739 in the same period of 2023, official data shows.
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 }}

Watch as Emmanuel Macron attends Frances annual ceremony to commemorate the end of the Second World War on Wednesday 8 May.

The French president is expected to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe monument, as the 79th anniversary of the end of WW2 is marked.

The ceremony is taking place on the same day Russia warned France that if President Macron sent troops to Ukraine then they would be seen as legitimate targets by the Russian military.

Mr Macron caused controversy in February by saying he could not rule out the deployment of ground troops in Ukraine in the future.

He warned that if Russia wins in Ukraine then Europes credibility will be reduced to zero.

If the French appear in the conflict zone, they will inevitably become targets for the Russian armed forces. It seems to me that Paris already has proof of this, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.
Xi Focus-Closeup: An exchange of Spring Festival letters with Hungarian students

Xinhua) 18:19, May 08, 2024

BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian students Bonita Varga and Tamara Imre were thrilled to hear from Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2023, soon after they wrote to him ahead of the Spring Festival in January of that year.

"My wife and I were glad to receive your letter during the Spring Festival in the Year of the Rabbit. I still remember interacting with teachers and students at the Hungarian-Chinese Bilingual School in 2009," Xi said in his reply letter, referring to the school that Varga and Imre attended.

In their letter to Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, Varga and Imre expressed their gratitude after winning the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship for a second time, and conveyed festive greetings on behalf of all the students at the school.

The two Hungarians had been studying Chinese at the school for 12 years by that time. Varga, whose Chinese name is Hu Lingyue, describes learning the Chinese language as "a beautiful thing." And Imre, whose Chinese name is Song Zhixiao, says that she enjoys binge-watching Chinese video websites. They both have an appreciation for Chinese calligraphy.

Varga and Imre both hope to work as translators in the future, and they said that Xi's reply had been a source of encouragement to continue studying the Chinese language.

Their letter expressed their aspirations to study at Chinese universities and contribute to the Hungary-China friendship.

Commending their goals, Xi said that they were welcome to study at Chinese universities after graduating from high school.

The two Hungarians' hard work paid off. In September last year, they were admitted to Capital Normal University in Beijing.

In his reply letter, Xi also expressed the hope that more young Hungarians will learn about contemporary China, as well as the country's history and culture, and strive to become envoys carrying forward and developing the China-Hungary friendship.

Xi's ties with the bilingual school began in 2009 when he visited it during a trip to Hungary as China's vice president. It is the first full-time public school in Central and Eastern Europe that teaches through both its local language and Chinese. It has 20 classes and more than 500 students.

Zsuzsanna Erdelyi, head of the school, remembers that Xi smiled throughout his visit, speaking with the students about Chinese poems and songs for children.

"The temperature dropped suddenly that day," she said, noting that Xi had been aware of the change and urged the students to return inside as soon as possible.

Xi brought presents of teaching materials and educational tools, and assured the school that he would support and help with its development, Erdelyi said. "I think he fulfilled this promise to the maximum and created many opportunities for the students studying here so that they could be taught well."

When the bilingual school was founded in 2004, most of its students were native Chinese speakers or from multiracial families, she said. "Today, most of the students are native Hungarian speakers."

The Chinese language has been incorporated into Hungary's national educational system and has become a college entrance exam subject in the country, she added.

The school is a prime example of increased exchanges and cooperation between Hungary and China.

Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China and Hungary have in recent years maintained a high level of development in their relations.

Quality agricultural products from Hungary, such as beef and wine, have entered households in China, and technologies that Hungarian companies have developed to empower interaction have been applied in Chinese museums and exhibition venues. New electric vehicles from Chinese brands NIO and BYD can also be seen frequently on the streets of Hungary.

Hungary is the first European country to sign a Belt and Road cooperation document with China. And Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) for three consecutive times.

"China is willing to continue working with Hungary to be good friends and partners who trust each other and pursue win-win cooperation, and to take the China-Hungary comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels," Xi said when he met with Orban during the BRF last year.

As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, Xi's upcoming state visit to the European country is expected to elevate bilateral relations to a new level and yield more fruitful results.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Wu Chaolan)
By SA Commercial Prop News

Resilient share price continued its free fall, plummeting by 6% as the market reacted to a statement the Property group issued on Tuesday.



The share price of Resilient, the listed property group slid on the JSE on Wednesday after the company announced a statement on Tuesday.

The property group facing damning allegations of shady dealings, has begun a process to restate its financial results going back to 2017.

Its share price continued its free fall, plummeting by 6% to R55.40 on Wednesday morning as the market reacted to a statement the company issued at 5.45pm on Tuesday.

Resilient said it was restating its interim results for the six months to end-December released on January 26 to change the way it accounted for its black economic empowerment (BEE) trusts, the Siyakha Education Trust 1 and Siyakha Education Trust 2.

The restatement resulted in Resilients total liabilities increasing by R6.8bn as Siyakhas debt was moved to its parent companys books. This resulted in Resilients total liabilities increasing to R20bn from the previously reported R13bn.

The transfer of Siyakha to Resilients books saw its total assets growing to R59.8bn from R56bn.

The Siyakha trust has been at the centre of controversy with various fund managers accusing Resilient of loaning it money, which was used to inflate the share prices and trading volumes of Resilient, along with its associated Reits Fortress, Nepi Rockcastle and Greenbay.

Resilient was accused of doing this so as to artificially get its share included in the JSEs top 40 index whose constituents are bought by numerous exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other passive investment products.

Resilient said in Tuesday evenings statement that legal and accounting experts it consulted said that under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) rules, it controlled Siyakha.

Market watchers said the restatement also calls into question the audit opinion of Resilients external auditor Deloitte Africa, which has signed off on the groups financial results since 2009. This comes at a time when audit firms are being caught in accounting scandals, including Deloittes own audit of Steinhoff and African Bank.



The exact same information that is available today was available when they [Deloitte] signed off on the results. It wouldnt be a surprise if the company would have to relook at other prior financial statements. We cannot rely on the audit profession to give us what they are paid to do for investors and shareholders, said Garreth Elston, an analyst at Golden Section Capital.



Deloitte Africa CEO Lwazi Bam, said the audit firm didnt opine on Resilients restated interim results as they were issued unaudited.

Bam said in reevaluating the consolidation of the Siyakha trusts, Deloitte sought advice from its legal counsel on provisions in the trusts deed and documentation provided by Resilient and it sought an independent accounting opinion on the matter. On the basis of this reevaluation, we concluded that, on balance, there was no longer sufficient persuasive evidence that Resilient was not required to consolidate the trusts based on the relevant accounting standards.



Cy Jacobs, the founder of 36ONE, said Resilients restatement validates its extensive work on the affairs of the property group. The fact that the companys own auditor, undoubtedly prompted by our analysis, sought legal counsel that agrees with our assertions, is the first and clearest indication of the strength of our analysis.
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 }}

More than 50 missiles and 20 attack drones have rained down on Ukraine in Russias largest attack on the countrys energy industry in weeks.

The facilities targeted included power generation and transmission buildings in the Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia regions, Ukrainian energy minister German Galushchenko said on his Telegram channel. He called it another massive attack on our energy industry.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Nazi Putin had launched the onslaught on the same day that Ukraine joined the rest of Europe in marking the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War.

Over 50 missiles and more than 20 Shahed drones targeted infrastructure in Lviv, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. All necessary services are already working to mitigate the consequences of Russian terror, he said on Twitter/X.

The entire world must understand who is who. The world must not give a chance to new Nazism, the Ukrainian leader said.

Ukraines air force said it had shot down 39 of 55 missiles and 20 of 21 attack drones used in the attack.

All missiles targeting Kyiv were destroyed, according to Serhiy Popko, head of the citys military administration. Two people were injured in the Kyiv region, and one in the Kirovohrad region, interior minister Ihor Klymenko said.

Some 350 rescuers were racing to minimise the damage to energy facilities, 30 homes, public transport vehicles, cars, and a fire station, the interior ministry said.

Ukrenergo, the wartorn countrys national grid operator, confirmed damage from Russian strikes to one of its facilities in central Ukraine, but did not share more details in a bid to avoid revealing the impact of military attacks.

Officials in the central Poltava region said an energy infrastructure facility was hit by a drone attack, causing a fire.

In other targeted regions  Vinnytsia and Zaporizhzhia  governors said separately that critical civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged, without providing further detail.

Regional officials said that air defence systems were engaged in repelling the Russian attack over the Lviv region  bordering Nato member Poland  where several blasts took place.

Russia, which began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has launched a series of attacks on Ukrainian power facilities in recent months. After pounding the energy system in the first winter of the war, Russia renewed its aerial assault on the grid in March, as Ukraine was running low on stocks of sophisticated Western air defence missiles.

Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russian refineries this year despite apparent objections by the United States, as it tries to find a pressure point against the Kremlin, whose forces are slowly advancing in the eastern Donbas region, which contains Donetsk and Luhansk.

Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries may have disrupted more than 15 per cent of Russian oil refining capacity, a Nato military alliance official has said.

Reuters contributed to this report
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A Russian who has boasted about denouncing LGBT people and snitching on Kremlin critics to the authorities, is now in the line of fire himself.

Timur Bulatov has been charged with discrediting the Russian armed forces.

Bulatov has openly discussed his activity as a serial informer whose denunciations have led to a slew of civil and criminal cases being filed against individuals over the years.

Referred to as the gay fighter in some Russian media, Bulatov has long focused his denunciations on LGBTQ+ people. By his own account, at least 60 schoolteachers have lost their jobs after he found their social media profiles and reported them to authorities.

He calls himself a campaigner for morality in schools and regularly boasts about the dismissal of teachers.

Homosexuality is not criminalised in Russia but authorities have used laws against gay propaganda for over a decade to pursue civil and criminal cases against LGBT people.

A notice posted to Moscows court website showed Bulatov, an outspoken supporter of Russias special military operation in Ukraine, was charged under a censorship law that has been used to punish critics of the war.

He told the Ostorozhno Novosti Telegram channel that he did not understand the origin of the charge, which can incur a fine of up to 50,000 roubles ($545) for a first offence. Repeat offenders risk jail terms.

Where is the discrediting? he said. I am a person whose petitions (have led to) the imprisonment of about eight people in St Petersburg, and throughout Russia more than 20.

Russian President Vladimir Putin reviews honour guards of the Presidential regiment following his inauguration ceremony ( AP )

The official notice showed Bulatovs case was registered on Tuesday, but gave no further details.

Bulatovs campaigns extend beyond LGBT people.

Separate cases were opened against two individuals who posted photographs online of themselves standing partially unclothed in front of Russian Orthodox churches after Bulatov reported them to authorities, Ostorozhno Novosti said.

More recently, Russian independent media have linked Bulatov to denunciations of those seen as opposing the war in Ukraine.

The St Petersburg branch head of the PEN International writers association was fined under the discrediting article after Bulatov wrote online that she had been spreading lies about the Russian army.
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 }}

Italys president told the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that Russias invasion of Ukraine cant be solved by rewarding its aggression and peace can only come when Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity are restored.

Sergio Mattarella said Italy, which now heads the G7 meetings, and many international partners have come to Ukraines defense to support the principle that solidarity must be given to nations attacked by acts that violate international law and the U.N. Charter.

No state, no matter how powerful or how equipped it is with a menacing nuclear arsenal can think of violating principles, including the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of another country without facing sanctions, he said.

Mattarella said the end of two world wars and the collapse of the Soviet Union had brought new hope to Europe, and that Russia has taken on the great historic responsibility of having brought war back to the heart of the European continent.

The Italian president stressed that Russia's invasion of Ukraine isnt merely a regional conflict since Moscow wants to exercise global influence. Russia is a veto-wielding permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, which is charged with ensuring international peace and security.

The war in Ukraine, once one of the worlds main bread baskets, has created food and energy scarcities, especially in parts of Africa, he said.

Mattarella added that the peace dividends that incentivized the allocation of resources to development instead of arms after the end of the Cold War have been wasted as Russia turns back time and starts a new arms race.

With the war in Ukraine now in its third year, he said Italy, its international partners and people everywhere are committed to achieving a peaceful and long-lasting solution to the conflict.

Not just any solution, though, let alone a solution which would reward the aggressor and humiliate those being attacked, setting a dangerous precedent for everyone," Mattarella said.

If peace is to be fair and long lasting, it must be based on the noble and inalienable principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, he added.
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 }}

European countries have reported a surge in whooping coughc ases in first quarter of 2024, with 10 times as many identified as in each of the previous two years.

Nearly 60,000 cases were reported by European Union and European Economic Area countries over the period, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said on Wednesday, with 11 deaths in infants and eight among older adults.

In the UK cases of whooping cough could reach a 40-year high in 2024, experts have warned amid a rapid rise in cases.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the lungs and airways, and is endemic in Europe. It can be very dangerous for young babies or older people.

Bigger whooping cough epidemics are expected every 3-5 years even in countries with high vaccination rates, the ECDC said, although a slight dip in immunisation during the COVID-19 pandemic may have been a factor in the rise. Circulation of whooping cough was also very low during the pandemic and its related restrictions on movement, making the rise seem larger.

NHS whooping cough symptoms The first signs of whooping cough are similar to a cold, such as a runny nose and sore throat (a high temperature is uncommon). After about a week, you or your child: will get coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are worse at night

may make a whoop sound  a gasp for breath between coughs (young babies and some adults may not whoop)

may have difficulty breathing after a coughing bout and may turn blue or grey (young infants)

may bring up a thick mucus, which can make you vomit

may become very red in the face (more common in adults) The cough may last for several weeks or months.

The numbers are still historically high, though. In the first three months of 2024, there have already been as many cases as there were in an average year between 2012 and 2019.

The agency noted that much of the population had missed out on natural boosting of their immunity to whooping cough because they had not been exposed to it during the pandemic.

Babies under six months are at particular risk from the infection.

Vaccines

Its essential to remember the lives at stake, especially our little ones. Vaccines against pertussis have proven to be safe and effective, said ECDC Director Andrea Ammon.

Most European countries routinely immunise children against pertussis and many also vaccinate pregnant women to protect their babies.

The ECDC said some countries may want to consider giving boosters to older children and adults too, as immunity can wane.

Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia (UEA), said: For most adults the whooping cough is not life threatening, though can be very unpleasant.

This is a chronic repeated bout of coughing which can be so bad that people feel it a struggle to breathe in again.

It used to be much more common in the last century up until the vaccine was introduced.

However, this current year looks like we may see more cases than we have seen in any of the last 40 years.

Experts have called on pregnant women to get the whooping cough vaccine to protect their babies (PA) ( PA Archive )

Prof Hunter said that a number of factors could be behind the rise in cases, including: a drop in vaccine uptake; reduced population immunity due to a fall in cases linked to social distancing measures during the pandemic; and a scare over vaccines in the early 2000s which led to a group of people aged around 21 who did not complete their vaccination.

He added: The infection can affect anyone who is not vaccinated and even some that are.

However, the main risk of death or severe long-term complications is seen in young children, especially those under three months old.

It is this age group that are most at risk of death and developing longer-term problems such as brain damage.

The problem is that this age group is too young for the vaccine in most circumstances.

That is why we offer vaccine to pregnant women. Not to protect them but to protect their babies during the riskiest first months of life.

Vaccine uptake in pregnant women has been falling quite markedly in recent years.
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 }}

US president Joe Bidens administration halted a shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns that Israeli forces were going to launch a major ground offensive in Rafah, an official from the Biden administration revealed.

Israel was set to receive 1,800 bombs weighing around 2,000lbs (907kg) and 1,700 bombs weighing 500lbs (227kg) last week, the White House administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Officials in Israel have not fully addressed the concerns of humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah as flagged by Washington, the official said.

Despite pleas from its closest allies to hold off, Israel moved its tanks into east Rafah and captured the border crossing overnight on Tuesday, in what it called a limited operation meant to kill fighters and dismantle infrastructure used by Hamas militants.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was an important step toward dismantling Hamas. UN officials have issued a stark warning, saying Gaza has entered the darkest days of a seven-month nightmare. It stated that vital aid was being choked off after Israeli forces and tanks seized control of the main aid crossing in Rafah.

The US official said that the Biden administrations position has been that Israel should not launch a major ground operation in Rafah, where more than a million people are sheltering with nowhere else to go.

"We have been engaging in a dialogue with Israel in our Strategic Consultative Group format on how they will meet the humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah, and how to operate differently against Hamas there than they have elsewhere in Gaza, the official said.

The official said discussions were still continuing but as Israeli leaders seemed to approach a decision point on such an operation, we began to carefully review proposed transfers of particular weapons to Israel that might be used in Rafah.

"As a result of that review, we have paused one shipment of weapons last week. It consists of 1,800 2,000lbs bombs and 1,700 500lbs bombs. We are especially focused on the end-use of the 2,000-lb bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza, the official said.

The official said White House has not made a final determination on how to proceed with this shipment.

The White House and Pentagon declined comment to Reuters. Without addressing whether there had been a holdup in arms shipments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reaffirmed that Washingtons commitment to Israels security was ironclad.

This comes just hours after Hamas announced it had accepted an Egyptian-Qatari mediated ceasefire and hostage proposal. Mr Netanyahu said that the proposal fell far short of Israels essential demands. Negotiations for a truce in Cairo are ongoing  with Israel saying it had sent officials to the Egyptian capital.

Israel has not demonstrated to the UK how it will safeguard civilians if it mounts a full-scale assault on Rafah, Downing Street said.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak said he was deeply concerned about the potential humanitarian cost of an offensive around the city in southern Gaza which has become a refuge for Palestinians forced out of other areas in the war-ravaged territory.

The UK urged both sides in the Israel-Hamas conflict to focus on negotiations to end the bloodshed.
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 Canadian man of Jewish Israeli descent has been shot dead during a robbery in the Egyptian city of Alexandria and authorities are investigating the incident as a criminal case, a security source said on Tuesday.

The security source told Reuters the man had been killed with the motive of robbery. The source made no link between the shooting and the dead mans ethnic background.

The interior ministry confirmed the shooting and said the man had been a permanent resident of Egypt. Neither the ministry nor the source gave any further details.

A statement claiming the killing by a previously unknown group called Liberation Vanguards was circulating on social media, but security sources said they had no information on the existence of such a group or whether it had been involved in the incident.

One day after the war in Gaza began last October following an attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel, two Israeli tourists and their Egyptian guide were shot dead in Alexandria, in the first such attack on Israelis in Egypt in decades.

A policeman who said he had lost control was placed in custody regarding that incident.

The shooting happened on Tuesday as Israeli forces seized the main border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in Rafah, where more than one million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter during Israels seven-month-old offensive.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on buildings near the separating wall between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers nearby.

But the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said no aid has yet entered and there is no one to receive it on the Palestinian side. Workers fled during an incursion by an Israeli tank brigade on Tuesday that captured the nearby Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which remains closed.

That limited incursion did not appear to be the start of the full-scale invasion of Rafah that Israel has repeatedly promised. But the prolonged closure of the two main crossings could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the U.N. says a full-blown famine is already underway in the north.

The United States paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on Rafah, in a further widening of divisions between the two close allies.
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 }}

Palestinian civilians fleeing Israels assault on east Rafah have said they have been sentenced to death and are awaiting execution, as international pressure mounts on Israel to agree to a Gaza ceasefire.

On Monday Israel ordered a partial evacuation of Rafah, before tanks and troops moved in, seizing control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt. The military has pushed into eastern areas of the border city, which is sheltering 1.4 million people, the majority of whom are families displaced from other parts of the strip.

United Nations officials told The Independent that Israels military operation has severed the critical arteries of humanitarian aid to the besieged area, and that a further assault could lead to a bloodbath as civilians have nowhere safe to evacuate to.

The decision to go into Rafah came just hours after Israel rejected a ceasefire deal that Hamas agreed to, piling pressure on ongoing talks in Cairo.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has hailed the Rafah offensive as a very significant step towards destroying Hamas, is facing mounting domestic and international calls to agree to a halt to the fighting.

Protests have spread across the world. Qatar has asked for international intervention to prevent the rest of Rafah being invaded. And even the US, Israels closest ally and main weapons supplier, is withholding a delivery of bombs over the lack of civilian safeguards.

A Palestinian man gathers his belongings after an Israeli airstrike on a house in Rafah ( Reuters )

Washington has reportedly carefully reviewed the delivery of weapons that might be used in Rafah, and as a result paused a shipment consisting of 1,800 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each and 1,700 bombs weighing 500 pounds each.

Weve been very clear... from the very beginning that Israel shouldnt launch a major attack into Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians that are in that battlespace, the US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, told a Senate hearing on Wednesday.

And again, as we have assessed the situation, we have paused one shipment of high payload munitions.

In Rafah, where battles raged, families said that some prices had doubled due to the closure of the Rafah crossing. Israel said it has reopened another crossing, Kerem Shalom, but the UN said there had been no aid deliveries through it.

Sahar, who is five times displaced across Gaza, said her family were heading for so-called humanitarian zones identified by the Israeli military but even they were not safe she said, warning of hunger as some food and supply items like sugar, chickpeas and cooking gas had started disappearing from shelves.

Prices have increased, especially for baby milk and gas cooking, diapers, and olive oil too. There are people who cannot afford this, she said.

The negotiations were on the verge of success, and they told us that there was great progress. But suddenly, it failed and we appear to have gone right back to zero. We have no hope, she added.

Iyad, who also fled east Rafah, told The Independent panicked families had little hope Israel would agree to a ceasefire deal, before widening their offensive.

Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity in Rafah ( Reuters )

People fled carrying their tent, clothes and mattress and ran through the streets. I see we are sentenced to death and awaiting execution, he said in desperation.

I think the deal will be signed after they have finished the invasion of Rafah. Today a girl begged for my help getting a tent for her blind father. I am afraid that I will die and that no one will bury me.

Israel has launched a punishing assault on Gaza and imposed a siege in retaliation for the 7 October attacks by Hamas on southern Israel, during which around 1,100 people were killed and another 250, including children, taken hostage.

Since then, Palestinian health officials say Israels assault has killed nearly 35,000 people, the majority women and children. The UN has warned of a looming famine and said that more than half the 2.3 million strong population of Gaza is experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger.

Despite global calls for a ceasefire, Israel this week rejected an Egyptian and Qatari negotiated three-phase deal which Hamas accepted, saying it fell short of their demands.

The proposal reportedly includes a first phase with a six-week ceasefire, an influx of aid to Gaza, the return of 33 Israeli hostages, alive or dead, and the release by Israel of 30 detained Palestinian children and women for each released Israeli hostage.

According to Al Jazeera, the ceasefire text that Hamas agreed to would then include the release of older, sick and wounded civilian hostages in exchange for elderly and sick Palestinian prisoners. Then each female Israeli soldier hostage would be released in exchange for 50 Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences.

Israel said it was too watered down and talks continue in Cairo, where delegations from Hamas, Israel, the US, Egypt and Qatar are meeting.

Mr Netanyahu is facing increasing anger in Israel, where opinion is divided over the military offensive. Families of the hostages have held protests in Tel Aviv, demanding the government sign a deal to bring their loved ones home, and prioritise that over any military gains. Several family members told The Independent they were terrified that their loved ones would be killed in the crossfire.

Palestinians flee Rafah on Wednesday ( Hatem Khaled/Reuters )

CIA chief William Burns, who has been shuttling around the region for talks on the ceasefire deal, reportedly met Mr Netanahu on Wednesday for closed-door negotiations.

Qatars Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, said that it strongly condemns Israels Rafah incursion and called for international intervention to prevent the city from being invaded.

Gershon Baskin, a political activist and veteran negotiator who helped broker the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit from Gaza in 2011, said an ongoing military offensive will not bring home the hostages safe and alive.

The military offensive will only kill more hostages, he told The Independent bluntly, adding he was concerned there was no way to bridge the gaps between Hamas and Israels versions of a truce deal. Hamas wants an end to the war and Mr Netanyahus government does not, he said.

Theres a dead end here and I dont know how you get it around it, he added.

He said he believed the Israeli governments plan was to finish the military offensive before any truce and that Mr Netanyahu, whose popularity has plummeted, wants to prolong the war to stave off potential elections and to keep himself in power.

Israel has denied restrictions on aid or allegations civilians were dying in the Rafah offensive. Israeli government spokesperson Avi Hyman said on Wednesday that Israel opened the Kerem Shalom land crossing to Gaza and claimed there was surplus of aid in Gaza but that Hamas was restricting it.

But the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, said no aid was getting into Gaza, despite desperate need. Were not receiving any aid into the #GazaStrip, Scott Anderson, deputy director at UNRWA in Gaza, posted on X.

Ali, 46, who had fled to an area just past Israel's designated evacuation zone, said people in the south were starting to go hungry.

There are not enough places for tents and prices  which were already expensive  have increased, he said, describing the situation in east Rafah as frightening.

Hasan, 53, said he feared some would not be able to evacuate if the assault widened because they do not have enough money for transportation or tents.

We are preparing ourselves for the worst.

This article was amended on 10 May 2024 to include some more detail from the ceasefire deal reportedly under negotiation.
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 }}

David Cameron says he is not really interested in halting the UKs weapons shipments to Israel despite the US suspension earlier this week.

His comments came as his US counterpart, Anthony Blinken, said Israel lacked a credible plan to protect some 1.4 million Palestinian civilians trapped in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, ahead of an imminent Israeli ground offensive.

Mr Blinken also warned an Israeli attack could create an insurgency by failing to kill all Hamas fighters in the southern Gazan city.

Ahead of the offensive - Israeli tanks have already entered through the nearest crossings into Rafah, where they have now split the city into sections ready to invade - both the US and UK have faced calls to cease arming Israel.

The US announced it had suspended at least one shipment of weapons to Israel, including 1,800 900 kg bombs, earlier this week, before US President Joe Biden said he would halt further shipments if Israel proceeded with its plan to attack Rafah.

But Lord Cameron, speaking on Sunday morning, remained firm that the UK would not follow the US lead.

An Israeli tank moves near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Though he said the UK does not support an Israeli offensive in Rafah, because he has not seen a plan from the Israelis concerning how to protect people, Lord Cameron insisted that halting weapons shipments was a needless political exercise.

Just to simply announce today that we will change our approach on arms exports, it would make Hamas stronger and it would make a hostage deal less likely, he said, adding that he was not really interested in message sending through political moves like ending weapons sales.

He pointed to the fact that the UKs weapons shipments to Israel account for just one per cent of their total military support, compared to 68 per cent for the US.

He said he wanted instead to focus on hammering away every day on getting humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The United Nations human rights chief warned on Sunday that many of those residing in Rafah have nowhere to go as he emphasised the worsening humanitarian situation in the Strip.

Israel has ordered those remaining in the area to move away but Volker Turk said there was no safe place left in Gaza.

More than 300,000 Palestinians in Rafah have already fled to camps in central and western Gaza, but those areas have been hit by airstrikes since the evacuation notices were given.

A boy looks on as Palestinians prepare to flee Rafah after Israeli forces launched a ground and air operation in the eastern part of the southern Gaza city ( REUTERS )

The latest evacuation orders affect close to a million people in Rafah, he said in a statement. So where should they go now? There is no safe place in Gaza!

These exhausted, famished people, many of whom have been displaced many times already, have no good options.

He said a full-scale offensive could have a catastrophic impact  including the possibility of further atrocity crimes.

I can see no way that the latest evacuation orders, much less a full assault, in an area with an extremely dense presence of civilians, can be reconciled with the binding requirements of international humanitarian law and with the two sets of binding provisional measures ordered by the international court of justice, he said.

The UN warned just yesterday that much of the food supplies for southern Gaza would run out by the end of the weekend while Israel keeps the two border crossings in the region closed.

Both the Rafah and the Kerem Shalom crossings, the former from Egypt and the latter from Israel into Gaza, have been vital conduits for humanitarian aid.

But after Israeli tanks rolled through the crossings at the start of the week, they have been closed, meaning those in Gaza have been left to survive on what had already been delivered to the Strip.

The Israeli military announced on Sunday it had opened a new humanitarian aid crossing in coordination with the United States.

The crossing, called Western Erez, was opened in the northern Gaza Strip in order to transfer humanitarian aid, the military said in a statement.

But it is unclear when the crossing will become fully operational and how much aid will be delivered through the crossing.
Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Scientists have made astonishingly pure silicon  a new breakthrough material that could finally make quantum computers possible.

A new technique allows engineers to make highly purified silicon that is the perefect material to build large quantum computers, the scientists behind it say. Those quantum computers could eventually be transformative for humankind, solving problems that might take centuries with todays technology.

The breakthrough material will help overcome a problem that plagues attempts to build such computers, which is known as fragile quantum coherence. That refers to the fact that quantum computers tend to accumulate errors very quickly, which means that they can soon become unreliable.

Quantum bits or qubits are the building blocks of quantum computers, just like bits in a classical computer. But they can be affected by tiny variations in their environment, including changes in the temperature  so that even the quantum computers we have today, which are put into fridges that keep them at almost absolute zero, can only run without errors for a fraction of a second.

The creation of the new material could help overcome those problems. It uses qubits made out of phosphorous atoms that are then put into crystals of pure stable silicon, which makes them much more robust.

The process shoots a focused beam of pure silicon at a silicon chip, removing the unwanted atoms and replacing them with pure silicon. It reduced the amount of the unwanted atoms from 4.5 per cent to 0.0002 per cent.

The great news is to purify silicon to this level, we can now use a standard machine  an ion implanter  that you would find in any semiconductor fabrication lab, tuned to a specific configuration that we designed, said David Jamieson, from the University of Melbourne, who co-supervised the project.

The breakthrough may have sped up the work to build a useful quantum computer significantly, said Richard Curry, professor of advanced electronic materials at The University of Manchester, where much of the work was done. What might previously have been ten years away may now be done in five years or less, he said.

Scientists have used silicon to make the chips that power classical computers for decades. But natural silicon comes with small impurities that can cause qubits to lose information and make any quantum computer running on them unreliable.

The breakthrough from the University of Manchester removes those impurities, however, making the worlds purest silicon. That could eventually allow for a scaled-up quantum computer that could provide vast power in a small package.

Researchers pointed to a host of potential breakthroughs that would be enabled with practical quantum computers: new powers for artificial intelligence, communications, the creation of new drugs and new ways of using energy.

But first researchers must show that the pure silicon can be used to create a computer with many qubits that can keep their coherence all at the same time.
Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Social media firms must stop pushing harmful content to children online with aggressive algorithms, the online regulator has demanded.

Ofcom has published a new set of guidelines for tech companies to ensure that children are better protected online.

The suggestions include more robust age-checks for young users, and changes to social media algorithms to stop the promotion of harmful material.

It comes as online safety campaign group Internet Matters reveals that one in seven teens under 16 has experienced image-based sexual abuse online.

The mother of murdered schoolgirl Brianna Ghey, Esther Ghey, who has campaigned to protect children from online harm following her daughters death, welcomed the new guidelines as extremely positive but said they could go a step further.

Mrs Ghey told The Independent: Sitting down with Ofcom was really positive. I feel they really want to make a change and want this to be as successful as possible. They have got young peoples best interests at heart.

She said the guidance could be improved by requiring social media companies to allow parents to view content accessed by children, as well as the option of reporting problematic material on a childs behalf.

She added: Brianna was accessing self-harm sites and eating disorder pages on Twitter. If she wasnt able to access this, she probably wouldnt have been encouraged to harm herself in such a way.

The new guidance from Ofcom has been written to help companies comply with their duties in the Online Safety Act, which makes platforms legally responsible for keeping people safe online.

open image in gallery Social media giants should have effective age checking tools, Ofcom has said ( PA )

Under the rules, online media companies will need to assess whether children are likely to access their service and then complete a risk assessment to identify the risks that their products pose to children.

Ofcom has also said that firms must prevent children from seeing the most harmful content relating to suicide, self-harm, eating disorders and pornography. They should also minimise a childs exposure to serious harms such as violent, hateful or abusive material and bullying content.

Ofcom has set out a number of things they suggest firms do to meet their legal obligations under the Online Safety Act, such as tracking unusual increases in harmful content on their platforms and using a highly effective age assurance to make sure children are old enough to use their apps.

Social media firms dont have to follow the recommendations completely, but if they choose not to they will have to show how theyve met their legal duties in another way.

Other proposals from the regulator include making sure that children are not recommended increasingly harmful or violent content on their social media feeds. Ofcom said that social media companies use algorithms to determine how content is shown to users based on their characteristics, inferred interests and behaviour. This is the key way that children come across content about suicide, self-harm or eating disorders, the report said.

Ofcom wants social media companies to ensure that this type of content is not shown to children. They also want the rules to make it easier for children to report content while online. Children should be able to accept or decline an invitation to a group chat, disable comments on their own posts, and block or mute other people, Ofcom suggested.

Tech firms also need to get better at moderating content on their platforms and removing it faster when it is flagged as age-inappropriate, Ofcom said.

open image in gallery Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, has called for more regulation of social media firms ( PA )

Research from Internet Matters showed that 14 per cent of teenagers aged 16 and under said that they had experienced image-based sexual abuse. The findings come from a survey of 1,000 children aged 9-16.

The National Crime Agency recently issued a rare warning to schools about the rising dangers of criminals targetting children on social media and coercing them into sharing nude images. The fraudsters then threaten to share the photos unless money is paid.

Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom chief executive, said that for too long childrens experiences online have been blighted by seriously harmful content which they cant avoid or control.

Referring to the new code of conduct, Dame Melanie said tech firms will need to tame aggressive algorithms that push harmful content to children in their personalised feeds and introduce age-checks so children get an experience thats right for their age.

open image in gallery Technology secretary Michelle Donelan called on tech platforms to change their algorithms to keep children safe ( PA )

She said, once the guidelines are in force, we wont hesitate to use our full range of enforcement powers to hold platforms to account.

Technology secretary Michelle Donelan said that the Ofcom rules were clear, adding: Platforms must introduce the kinds of age-checks young people experience in the real world and address algorithms which too readily mean they come across harmful material online.

Sir Peter Wanless, CEO at the NSPCC, said the draft codes set high standards for tech companies to keep children safe.

Childrens commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said she hoped that the Ofcom guidelines, along with other protections in the Online Safety Act, will mark a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to safeguard children online.

This is the first draft of an online code to protect children that Ofcom has produced. It will now be consulted on and a final proposal will be published in spring 2025.
The McDonalds at 1330 Jackson St. in Oakland has been closed by Alameda County health officials because of a rat infestation. Google Street View

A rat infestation at a McDonalds restaurant in Oakland has led to a walkout by workers and suspension of operations by Alameda County health inspectors.

The county Department of Environmental Health confirmed Monday that the restaurant at 1330 Jackson St. was closed Friday after an inspection revealed evidence of rodents. The shutdown, first reported by KRON, followed a complaint by workers to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health alleging that the infestation had been going on since at least late 2022, and while exterminators had come a few times, the problem was never eliminated.

In the complaint to Cal-OSHA, filed May 1, workers Angelica Garcia and Oscar Rodriguez wrote:

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

We see rats in the kitchen every day. We see rats at the grill where we make the hamburgers, nibbling on pieces of bacon or on hamburgers that are ready to be sent to the customers, and we see rat droppings next to the bags of chicken nuggets, Big Macs, and the papers we wrap around cheeseburgers.

The signees alleged that they were warned by store management that they would be fired if they took pictures of rat evidence or filed a complaint.

The statement, accompanied by photographs of both live and dead rats on location, was sent to Wendy Hogle-Lui of Cal-OSHA. Subsequently, the Alameda County health department sent out an inspector. A dead rat was spotted in the kitchen during the inspection Friday, and the stores operating permit was suspended.

The restaurant cannot reopen until it corrects the violations and is approved by county health officials, and the owner has not yet called to request a new inspection, the department said.

A representative for McDonalds did not respond to a request for comment. Store owner Joseph Wong also could not be reached for comment.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

In Australias Cairns airport, David Attenborough looks down on us as we collect our bags. His familiar smiling face is on a huge billboard, with some of his equally huge quotes. They adore Sir David in this part of the world and its not hard to see why. He has described tropical North Queensland as his favourite place in the world.

It has, for a naturalist, everything he says. An amazing rainforest, which is quite unlike any other rainforest in the world. Not only that, he adds: Down on the coast it has the Great Barrier Reef.

I conclude that if its good enough for one of the worlds most travelled men, then it is more than good enough for my wife, two kids and me.

We are desperate to explore both reef and rainforest, two Unesco World Heritage sites side by side, but it is on the river where our Attenborough adventure begins.

Guys, dont ever go in the water, says the guide Marc as he takes us up the Daintree River in his solar-powered boat. We are on the hunt for Scarface, notorious king of the crocs, five metres long, with half a dozen girlfriends and thoroughly cold-blooded (literally).

open image in gallery The Daintree River is home to a huge crocodile known as Scarface ( Jonathan Samuels )

Suddenly there he is, his giant body slipping through the water with a slow flick of the tail, no ripples, no noise, just menacing eyes. Hes fine with us being here, says Marc, as long as we stay out of the water.

With those words ringing in our ears, the very next day we do the unthinkable. We go in the water.

North of Cairns, in the heart of Daintree National Park, is Mossman Gorge. Its beauty is as hard to comprehend as its ancient origins  up to 180 million years old.

Read more: Why you should book a holiday to Ningaloo, Australias other reef

Under the rainforest canopy, electric blue Ulysses butterflies flit past and camouflaged Boyds forest dragon reptiles (which are only found here) cling to the bark of ancient trees that strain, stretch and compete for the sunlight.

We are quite simply in awe as we run our fingers through soft moss and gaze up at strangler figs wrapped around red tulip oaks. The vegetation is a juicy hundred shades of green after a particularly wet period. There are 3,000 species of flora here, 700 of them unique to the Daintree, and thousands of birds, mammals and reptiles.

But no crocs; the water in this shady paradise is too cold.

open image in gallery Drift downstream in Daintree National Park ( Jonathan Samuels )

On inflatable rafts  think industrial-strength lilo  we drift downstream, through dappled sunlight, a lazy river ride like no other. We cant stop grinning, enveloped by this natural wonder, both exhilarating and supremely relaxing in equal measure.

Daintree Rainforest stretches 60 miles before giving way to golden beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. Visible from space, its 1,400 miles long and made up of 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands.

In keeping with our naturalist theme, we sign up to a be a marine biologist for the day programme with Passions of Paradise, the only locally owned company offering tours of the reef.

We are joined by our guide, the infectiously enthusiastic and knowledgeable Corinda de Mooij. As we head out to sea on an impressive sailing catamaran with around 70 other tourists, she explains how the crew assist with the Australian governments Eye on the Reef programme: Tourist agencies work with scientists to gather data. The more people who visit the reef and collect data, the more information can be gathered to get a better picture of the reefs condition.

Read more: How travellers are seeking out Australias hot springs at the Mornington Peninsula

Snorkelling among the vibrant coral and fish normally seen in an aquarium is truly mesmerising. Nothing prepares you for the colour, variety and otherworldliness of it all. With our waterproof pens and clipboards, we note rainbow fish and clownfish, clams and sea cucumbers, parrot fish and even white-tipped sharks. Far from a gimmick, all the information collected daily from our boat, and many others, is added into a huge database to, quite literally, get a deeper understanding of the health of this natural wonder facing climate change stress.

As well as his enthusiasm for North Queensland, David Attenborough also once said home is his other favourite spot on the globe. And when we get back to our home and reflect on our trip, we decide, like him, we share exactly the same thoughts on the two best locations in the world to spend our time.

open image in gallery North Queensland is home to otherworldly rainforests ( Solar Whisper )

What to do

Walk through the rainforest then drift down the Mossman River after a traditional Kuku Yalanji smoking ceremony where youll be cleansed of bad spirits. From A$270 (140) per adult

See the Daintree from the air on the Skyrail. The cable car gives you an amazing view, especially if you choose one with a glass bottom. Visit the hippy mountain town of Kuranda then take the Scenic Railway back down. Prices start from A$68 (35).

Snorkel, dive and sail around the reef with multi-award-winning Passions of Paradise. Prices start at A$260 (170) and include a fantastic lunch, refreshments and equipment.

Where to stay

Mantra PortSea resort in Port Douglas is great value. Its just moments from the beach and a 15-minute stroll to the town centre.

For a central location in Cairns, we think Crystalbrook Bailey would win an approving nod from Sir David with wooden key cards, waste-free bathrooms and an EarthCheck silver-level certification.

Sir David also said North Queensland has terrific wine and food, and hes not wrong. After driving through whispering sugarcane fields, we had a stunning lunch in the open-air restaurant at luxury bolthole Silky Oaks Lodge overlooking the Mossman River.

How to get there

There are daily flights to Cairns from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Or if you are feeling adventurous, take the Bruce Highway coast road from Brisbane to Cairns, covering 1,000 miles. A number or airlines fly from the UK to Australia, including British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines.

Read more: Australia travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The prospect of further airport chaos has been raised with a warning to the government that the e-gates system which automatically checks travellers passports is no longer reliable  following yet another nationwide meltdown.

Airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted and Edinburgh saw long queues and delays after the countrys Border Force passport e-gates were hit by a nationwide glitch on Tuesday.

It marks the second e-gates failure in as many weeks, and also follows the late May bank holiday outage of less than a year ago. But with the cause of the latest failure currently unknown, it is unclear whether the incidents are connected.

open image in gallery All clear? Electronic Travel Authorisations are required for an increasing number of nationalities seeking to travel to the UK ( Simon Calder )

In a statement early on Wednesday, the Home Office said: As soon as engineers detected a wider system network issue at 7.44pm last night, a large scale contingency response was activated within six minutes ... e-gates at UK airports came back online shortly after midnight.

Home Office minister Tom Pursglove told MPs on Wednesday that an investigation had determined the incident was caused by technical issues within the Home Office network.

At this stage, I can assure the House and the wider public that all security checks were maintained throughout. Border security was not compromised at any point and there is no indication of malicious cyber activity. Police access to operational systems was unaffected.

He further stated: I sincerely apologise for the disruption that occurred. I can assure the House that the Home Secretary and I will be unswerving in our determination to ensure that every possible lesson is learned, to ensure that this does not happen again.

But his Labour counterpart Dan Jarvis warned that the recent string of failures was unacceptable and brings into sharp focus how the current high capacity e-gates system is no longer reliable enough.

The system risks further damaging public trust in the governments management of our border security, Mr Jarvis warned, adding: Britains border system should at all times allow lawful entry into our country and stop illegal entry. The safety and security of our country depends on it.

Heathrow passenger discusses chaos of UK airport outage: Very torturous

IT and cyber experts appeared somewhat reassured by the Home Offices apparent speed in resolving Tuesdays meltdown  but also warned that future failures remained a possibility.

Without knowing the root of the outage, it is hard to predict whether it will happen again, although I am sure the company responsible will be doing everything it can to avoid repeat incidents, said Eran Shiff, a vice-president at cybersecurity firm AlgoSec.

Caroline Carruthers, chief executive of global data consultancy Carruthers and Jackson, added: Whenever the running of a vital operation is dependent on science and IT, there is never a guarantee of complete reliability, and there is always the possibility that something unexpected could occur.

While Ms Carruthers noted that a similar meltdown could repeat itself for one of a million reasons at some point in the future, she added: Im sure learning has been taken from this recent issue, so it could even be less likely that the problem repeats itself.

Its clear from the Home Offices response that, due to the potentially unreliable nature of technology, back up protocols were in place, as a manual contingency response was brought in quickly.

They effectively turned it around, and the system was fixed within hours, which is remarkable given the size and scale of the operation. Essentially, things are bound to go wrong when it comes to technology, but its how you react, and adapt that matters.

open image in gallery Waiting game: British Airways passengers queuing for UK Border Force at Heathrow Terminal 5 ( Fleur Lauriot )

E-gates are automated border gates that use facial recognition to check the identity of a person in order to let them enter the UK without talking to a Border Force officer  and were designed to enable quicker travel into the UK.

According to the governments website, there are 270 of them in total at 15 air and rail ports in the UK.

The latest round of disruption came after Border Force workers staged a four-day strike at Heathrow in a dispute over working conditions last week.

And it follows a major cyberattack targeting a third-party Ministry of Defence payroll database, in which some 270,000 serving personnel  as well as reservists and veterans  from all three military branches are believed to have been affected.

Additional reporting by PA
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The Home Office confirmed that it has resolved a nationwide issue with Border Force passport e-gates after an outage caused chaos at airports across Britain.

It also clarified that the glitch in the border control systems was not a cyber attack.

Airports on Tuesday saw long queues and delays after the countrys Border Force passport e-gates were hit by a nationwide glitch. eGates at UK airports came back online shortly after midnight, a Home Office spokesperson said in a statement early on Wednesday.

As soon as engineers detected a wider system network issue at 7.44pm last night, a large scale contingency response was activated within six minutes.

At no point was border security compromised, and there is no indication of malicious cyber activity.

Pictures on social media showed enormous queues in front of the gates at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Edinburgh and Manchester as thousands waited for their passports to be checked.

The Home Office spokesperson also apologised to travellers caught up in disruption and thanked partners, including airlines for their cooperation and support during the outage.

Paul Curievici, a traveller from Surrey, experienced delays at the Gatwick Airport after landing from Lyon on Tuesday. He waited in line for almost an hour at passport control though he found the prioritization of fast-track passengers frustrating.

There was an awkward moment  half of us had been funnelled into the all passports queue. When the system came back online they reopened almost all the UK/EU gates without opening any for us  I actually raised it with a member of staff and they finally opened one, He told the PA news agency.

Earlier, passenger Harmeet Singh, who arrived at Stansted on Tuesday evening, described the delays as complete madness with no one in charge.

He told The Independent: We noticed huge lawless queues with no one in charge. My wife has a back muscle injury and I asked staff three times for a chair but they were unhelpful.

Have you been affected? Email alexander.butler@independent.co.uk with stories and pictures

More and more passengers arrived, the walkways to the toilets were blocked, 10-15 disabled passengers were waiting and unhappy. It was complete madness.

Another passenger said he landed at Manchester Airport and faced huge queues for passport control and was told the terminals e-gates were down.

Mariella, a British Airways passenger from Athens, touched down on BA637 at 8.30pm. She eventually emerged from International Arrivals at Heathrow Terminal 5 shortly before 11pm, and told The Independent: They announced that everything was shut down, all the passports, whilst we were on the plane.

The told us the transit [which shuttles passengers from remote satellites to the main building] was also not working.Everything was just stuck. We were snailing like a helix. They were just sending us all the way back, and all the way back, and it was just crazy for two-and-a-half hours.

When Mariella, who has an EU passport, reached the officer, she was asked the purpose of her visit.

That felt quite strange because its normally something that you are asked at the US border so thats a first. Everybody queueing up was in good spirits, though, because we knew we were stuck. They were handing water to people.

People lost their connection flights and had to go to the hotels to sleep for the night.

Simon Calder, The Independents travel correspondent, said: The e-gates are a critical component of the UK Border Force operation at London Heathrow and all major airports  as well as the Eurostar terminal at Paris Gare du Nord.

A large majority of inbound passengers are able to use them: adults from the UK, the European Union, North America, Australasia, Singapore, South Korea and Japan.

Because most arriving travellers are processed automatically, it allows officers to focus on individuals from other parts of the world who need visas.

All the staffing arrangements are made on the assumption that e-gates will be taking care of most passengers. As we saw almost a year ago  over the late May bank holiday weekend in 2023  when they fail nationwide things unravel very quickly.

Shenaz, a Londoner, arrived from Lisbon ahead of schedule at 9.10pm. At 11.15pm she spoke to The Independent.

We were told were 25 minutes early, and then we were asked to sit in the plane because it was chaos, she said.

We were not allowed to leave the plane till approximately 9.30pm. And weve been in the queue since. Weve just come out.

At this time of the day, you want to get home and get into your bed, not queue up for a couple of hours.

She said that fellow passengers were very disciplined in the queue. I think everybody just took it in their own stride and just carried on.It is tiring, but I suppose the staff can cannot be blamed. One of those things - you just stay calm and carry on.

British Airways staff were very good. The airport staff were good. So you cant blame anyone. Its a computer glitch. You blame the the higher authorities.

The Home Office spokesperson confirmed in an email statement to Reuters early on Wednesday that at no point was border security compromised and there is no indication of malicious cyber activity.

A London Gatwick spokesperson said: Some passengers may experience delays at immigration due to a nationwide issue with UK Border Force e-gates.

Our staff are working with UK Border Force  who operate passport control including the e-gates  to provide assistance to passengers where necessary.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: Border Force is currently experiencing a nationwide issue which is impacting passengers being processed through the border.

Our teams are supporting Border Force with their contingency plans to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible and are on hand to provide passenger welfare. We apologise for any impact this is having to passenger journeys.

Manchester Airports statement read: We are aware of an issue with UK Border Forces systems across the country, affecting a significant number of airports.

Our resilience team and customer services colleagues are supporting passengers while UK Border Force and the Home Office fix the issue.

London Stansted and Edinburgh airports also said they had been affected by the issue, with UK Border Force working on fixing the glitch.

A Home Office spokesperson said: We are aware of a technical issue affecting e-gates across the country. We are working closely with Border Force and affected airports to resolve the issue as soon as possible and apologise to all passengers for the inconvenience caused.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A South African man has been arrested by the FBI after allegedly stabbing multiple people with medical scissors on a cruise ship.

Ntando Sogoni, 35, was working aboard the Norwegian Encore when other employees saw him trying to deploy a lifeboat on Sunday evening in waters west of Vancouver Island, prompting security to escort him to the ships medical centre for an assessment.

The worker was recently hired by Norwegian Cruise Line and had joined the ship in Seattle on Sunday, according to the arrest affidavit.

The cruise was set for a weeklong trip with stops scheduled in ports such as Juneau, Alaska and British Columbia in Canada.

When he arrived for his medical assessment, Mr Sogoni became irrational and attempted to leave, according to the affidavit.

open image in gallery Cruise worker charged with assault after the ship attack in Alaska ( Getty Images )

In the early hours of Monday, Mr Sogoni allegedly physically attacked a security guard and a nurse inside the examination room, before he ran to another room where a woman, a 75-year-old US citizen, was being examined, according to a news release from Alaskas District Attorneys Office said.

He grabbed a pair of scissors, the attorneys office said, and plunged them into the womans arm, hand and face, stabbing her multiple times.

Mr Sogoni then allegedly stabbed two security guards who intervened and were trying to detain him, stabbing one of them in the head and another in the back and shoulders, authorities said.

None of the injuries sustained by the victims were life-threatening.

The cruise ship worker was detained and held in the ships jail until the vessel arrived in Juneau on Tuesday.

He has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction.

If convicted, Mr Sogoni faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a $250,000 fine for each count.

In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line said that on Monday a newly employed crew member was observed exhibiting unusual and irrational behavior.

The spokesperson reiterated that the crew member became violent without provocation and attacked two members and a guest, who sustained non-life threatening injuries.

They added that law enforcement authorities were immediately contacted and took custody of the crew member once the ship arrived in Juneau.

We condemn violent behavior of this nature and are committed to the safety and security of all crew members and guests on our ships. We commend the onboard security team for their brave actions, the spokesperson added.

They said that senior ship leadership is closely monitoring all involved and senior company executives immediately travelled to Juneau to meet, escort and assist the guest.

We will continue to assist the relevant authorities in the ongoing investigation, the spokesperson concluded.

Online court records do not show an attorney for Mr Sogoni.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The killing of two Australian brothers and their American friend while on a surfing trip in the Baja California peninsula has raised safety concerns over travel to Mexico.

San Diego resident Jack Carter Rhoad, along with Jake and Callum Robinson failed to show up at their booked accommodation and were reported missing on Saturday, 27 April.

The trios bodies were later found at the bottom of a covered well in La Bocana, near Ensenada  an area popular with tourists, specifically surfers, but also known for cartel violence.

Local authorities believe that the three men were approached by an armed group who tried to carjack the tourists white pick-up truck when the encounter turned deadly. Three Mexican citizens have been charged with a crime equivalent to kidnapping in connection with the killings.

Mexico, a year-round hotspot for white sand, buzzing nightlife and world-class surf swells, attracts millions of tourists each year, and travellers with trips booked may be questioning the decision to holiday there.

Although the Foreign Office (FCDO) considers most of Mexico generally safe to travel to, heres the latest travel advice, plus all the key questions and answers.

What does the Foreign Office say?

Tourist resorts are generally considered safe as the Mexican government makes an effort to protect major traveller destinations including Cancun, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Nuevo Vallarta, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta.

However, the FCDO advise against all but essential travel to parts of Mexico.

Areas to avoid include:

Tijuana  except airside transit through Tijuana airport

Tecate

Within 40km of the Guatemalan border

Federal Highway 199

Chihuahua  except the city of Chihuahua

Colima  except the city of Manzanillo

Guanajuato  including all areas southwest of road 45D

Guerrero

Jalisco  including all areas south and southwest of Lake Chapala to the border with the state of Colima

Michoacan  except the city of Morelia and the town of Patzcuaro

Sinaloa  except the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlan

Tamaulipas

Zacatecas

The FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to these northern municipalities:

Bolanos

Chimaltitan

Colotlan

Hostotipaquillo

Huejucar

Huequilla el Alto

Mezquitic

San Martin de Bolanos

Santa Maria de los Angeles

Totatiche

Villa Guerrero

How to stay safe in Mexico?

The FCDO advises British tourists to remain vigilant at all times: There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets.

Among the listed safety and security risks to be aware of:

Violent political demonstrations, common in Mexico City

Street crime in tourist resort areas including pickpocketing

Withdrawing large amounts of money from an ATM

Extortion from police officers

Drink spiking

Sexual assault

Drug-related violence

Car-jackings by unofficial roadblocks along the Pacific Highway

To stay safe, the FCDO advises travellers to research destinations thoroughly, only travel during daylight hours when possible, monitor local media and inform trusted contacts of their travel plans.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A plane has made a dramatic emergency landing at Istanbul Airport after its front landing gear failed.

A video on social media showed the Boeing 767 belonging to FedEx Express using the back landing gear and then dipping its nose with the front portion of the fuselage.

The front landing gear did not deploy, but the pilot managed to stay on the runway, Turkeys transport ministry said, adding that there were no casualties.

Video footage showed sparks flying and smoke billowing as the front end of the plane scraped along the runway before being doused with firefighting foam.

The Boeing 767 aircraft, flying from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, informed the traffic control tower at Istanbul Airport that its landing gear failed to open and it landed with guidance from the tower, the ministry said in its statement.

Airport rescue and firefighter teams made necessary preparations on the runway before landing, and no one was injured, the ministry also said, without giving a reason for the failure.

The runway where the cargo plane landed has been temporarily closed to air traffic, but traffic on the other runways at the airport is continuing without any interruption, the airport operator IGA said.

open image in gallery A Boeing 767 passenger aircraft of Delta Air Lines arrives at JFK International Airport, New York ( AFP via Getty Images )

FedEx said in a statement it was coordinating with investigation authorities and would provide additional information as it is available.

The news comes a week after an emergency slide that fell off a Delta Air Lines flight shortly after takeoff from JFK International Airport in New York was reportedly washed up outside the beach house of a lawyer whose firm is suing Boeing over safety issues.

Jake Bissell-Linsk, a New York attorney whose firm is taking legal action against Boeing after an Alaska Airlines plane lost a door plug midair in January, said he was surprised when he saw the slide outside his oceanfront home in Belle Harbor, Queens on Sunday.

We are right on the beach, and I saw it was sitting on the breakers, Mr Bissell-Linsk told the New York Post. I didnt want to touch it, but I got close enough to get a close look at it, he said after he found the deflated yellow slide at his Atlantic Ocean facing home, six miles southeast of JFK Airport.

Our case is all about safety issues at Boeing, and this slide is literally right in front of my house.

Confirming the find, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation told The New York Times that the airlines recovered a large piece of debris near Beach 131st Street in Belle Harbor.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A month ahead of elections for the European Parliament, Ryanair is urging EU citizens to turn out and vote.

The carrier, which is Europes biggest budget airline, wants the electorate to signal their strong support for the EU single market.

A Boeing 737 has been decorated with stickers reading Vote for Europe  vote for low fares.

Ryanair owes its success to the EUs deregulation of air travel in the 1990s. The opening of the Continents skies allowed a then-tiny Irish airline to fly domestically within the UK and anywhere else it wished within Europe.

Michael OLeary, chief executive of Ryanair since that time, unveiled the campaign in Brussels  one of the two seats of the European Parliament, which alternates between the Belgian capital and Strasbourg in France.

He said: Low-fare air travel has been one of the great successes of the EU single market. Brexit has shown, however, that these freedoms and gains can be lost.

So it is imperative that all EU citizens, particularly Ryanairs 200 million passengers, turn out to vote in the EU elections on 6-9 June.

Ryanair previously became involved in politics on the eve of the UKs EU referendum, when Mr OLeary turned up in Westminster on the eve of the poll to urge a Remain vote.

Despite the subsequent setback, the Ryanair boss now says: We strongly encourage all EU citizens to vote in favour of those parties who support the deregulation of air travel and who support the growth of low-fare air travel, the freedom of movement of EU citizens across Europe.

Some parties and groupings are fiercely opposed to the unrestrained expansion of air travel.

The Left is calling for rail travel to be prioritised on shorter journeys and for more night trains to be revived.

The grouping has criticised European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen for using private jets more often than all 27 other EU commissioners combined  including on three separate occasions from Brussels to Strasbourg, despite a regular high-speed rail route between the two.

Ryanair does not fly between Brussels and Strasbourg.
John Krasinski described reuniting with Steve Carell as a "gift" as he celebrated the release of the pair's new film, If.

Speaking to The Independent at the London premiere on Tuesday, 7 May, The Office star reflected on having another opportunity to star alongside his Dunder Mifflin co-worker.

"He's one of the best people to ever work with on all levels and the fact that I get to do it multiple times is a gift," Krasinski said.

Krasinski directed and stars in the fantasy comedy film about a young girl (Cailey Fleming) and her neighbour (Ryan Reynolds) who find themselves able to see imaginary friends.
The mother of two Australian surfers killed in Mexico has paid a tearful tribute to her sons.

With her husband holding her hand, Debra Robinson spoke lovingly about her two sons, Callum and Jake, who were allegedly killed by car thieves in Baja California around 28 or 29 April.

She said: "Please live bigger, shine brighter, and love harder in their memory."

She also said the couple mourn the loss of their sons close friend who was killed with them, American Jack Rhoad.

The three men were on a camping and surfing trip when they were killed.
Tory minister Laura Trott branded an MP a Brexit zombie during a heated Commons debate on car insurance prices on Wednesday (7 May).

Addressing the Commons, SNP MP Drew Hendry said: Prices for car insurance have more than doubled in the UK compared to an 18 percent rise across the EU.

What is the reason? Is it Brexit, shameless profiteering or has Westminster just given up on people in the cost of living crisis.

Why is the government doing absolutely nothing to hold insurance companies to account?

Ms Trott replied: I think we've heard enough from the Brexit zombies.
San Jose Fire Department officials rushed to Sunrise Middle School following reports that multiple people were having trouble breathing. Google Street View

San Jose fire officials said Wednesday that they were called to a middle school following reports that multiple people were experiencing difficulty breathing.

San Jose Fire Department officials said first responders were at Sunrise Middle School addressing multiple patients who needed emergency assistance after a classroom was found to have contained elevated levels of carbon dioxide, officials said.

Officials said symptoms of people affected were abating, adding that at least some of the affected persons were juveniles.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Sunrise Middle School Principal Teresa Robinson said students and the teacher in a fifth grade class started coughing around 8:30 a.m.

By 11 a.m., a hazardous materials team had removed the source of the carbon dioxide and checked the classroom for other airborne contaminants. None were found, officials said.

Though the fire unit initially speculated the carbon dioxide levels could have been caused by vapors from chemistry chemicals that leaked out of a cabinet and into a nearby HVAC unit, the district said the two HVAC units were not at all connected, Robinson said.

Parents of two students asked that their children be evaluated at a local hospital because of continuing scratchy throats and coughing, but they were expected to be okay, she said. Robinson said the affected classroom was being kept vacant out of precaution.

The school is at 1149 E. Julian St. Traffic on the street was temporarily impacted while emergency crews responded, officials said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Crowds of people gathered close to Westfield Stratford in east London following a reported bomb scare on Wednesday morning (8 May).

Staff and customers were asked to leave the building at around 10am.

The Metropolitan Police said that they were alerted to a possible suspicious item at Stratford Place.

A spokesperson said: The item was found to be non-suspicious and the incident was stood down at 11.25am.

Footage posted online showed people gathered outside the steps of the bridge leading to the shopping centre near Stratford station.
Natalie Elphicke appeared to join in with protesters chants as she attended a demonstration against P&O Ferries decision to sack 800 seafarers, resurfaced footage from March 2022 shows.

The video was re-posted on social media after the MP for Dover defected from the Tories to Labour, heavily criticising the prime minister and her former party.

Footage showed Ms Elphicke being heckled by union members outside Maritime House in the Kent town, with other protesters shouting "You voted for fire and rehire," and "Shame on you."

Elaborating on her decision to defect, Ms Elphicke hit out at the broken promises of Rishi Sunaks tired and chaotic government."
Rishi Sunak warned Sir Keir Starmer he can be as cocky as he likes after the local election results, but when it comes to a general election it is policy that counts.

Mr Sunak reminded the Labour leader of Tony Blairs famous words during Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday 8 May, after Sir Keir began the clash by welcoming Natalie Elphicke and Chris Webb to the Labour benches.

Ms Elphicke has defected to Labour, hitting out at the broken promises of the government, while Mr Webb is the new Blackpool South MP after winning last weeks by-election.

Despite a mauling from the electorate last week, Mr Sunak remained defiant during his clash with Sir Keir.
Irish medtech firm Vertigenius has raised more than 2.1m in a recent funding round.

The company, founded by Dr Dara Meldrum, has developed a wearable head sensor for people suffering from vertigo.

It has also created a clinician portal to allow therapists to monitor symptoms and track exercises carried out by patients.

There is a dedicated app for patients that shows how to correctly complete these exercises.

Vertigo affects around 390 million people each year, the company reported. But a shortage of experts has contributed to delays for many seeking treatment, while the complexity of the exercises can lead to challenges.

Vertigenius said its technology can reduce waiting lists and visits.

It is used by clinics and more than 1,000 patients in Ireland.

The new funding round was led by Irish venture capital firm Atlantic Bridge. It also included investments from Enterprise Ireland and Galway venture capital firm Ascentifi.

Vertigenius plans to use the funds to move into the UK market in the coming months, as well as the US market early next year.

Product development remains a focus for the business, with Vertigenius set to launch a second version of the head sensor in 2025.

The company is also planning to add 10 employees to the existing team following the seed round.

This investment is a testament to the transformative potential of our products in revolutionising the treatment of vertigo, Vertigenius chief executive Mark Barry said. Worldwide, patients who have been diagnosed with vertigo can face months-long waiting lists or an inability to get access to treatment at all.

Dr Meldrum said the business mission is to deliver faster care through technology. Exercise programmes can be complicated for those in the midst of vertigo episodes, and our patients respond very well to the real-time guidance from our solution, she said.

Atlantic Bridge investment director Conor OSullivan said: The companys innovative approach, based on technology developed by Dr Dara Meldrum at Trinity College Dublin, combined with their experienced team led by Mark Barry, and strong market potential, positions the company for significant success.

Atlantic Bridge has 1.3bn of assets under management across a platform of eight funds. It invests in deep tech companies from seed to growth stage in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the US.
Plans by the operator of Dublin Weston Airport to locate a search-and-rescue (SAR) base there are facing opposition from a stud farm and nearby residents.

Weston Aviation Academy Ltd has lodged the plans for the SAR base at the airport near Lucan.

The base is to be used by the recently appointed new operators of the States SAR service, Bristow Ireland Ltd.

A planning report lodged with the application stated it was intended that the SAR base at Weston Airport will be one of four new bases and will be operational from July 1 next year.

The base is to comprise a hangar with capacity for two helicopters along with supporting infrastructure.

According to the planning report by KPMG Future Analytics, this will further enhance the commercial viability and effectiveness of the airport with a specialised services offering that will not result in any intensification or material change to the existing airport.

The planning report stated the development represents an efficient use of land within a suitable location.

The proposed facility is likely to accommodate 550 to 580 flights a year.

Weston Airport

However, stud farm operator Tony Doyle has told South Dublin County Council planners that the prospect of night-time fights at Weston Airport will have a drastic consequence for us, our animals and the people looking after them.

Mr Doyle has told the council that if any SAR helicopter flew over his property at Coneyboro Stud Farm, Celbridge, Co Kildare, at night while my horses are lying down/resting in the paddocks or being attended to in the stables, the consequences for us and our animals are insurmountable and will lead to fatalities on our farm.

The Laraghcon Residents Association, on behalf of 340 homes, has asked the council to refuse planning permission as the proposal is contrary to our climate change strategy.

In another objection, Gerard and Catriona Flannery stated they were saddened and despondent that the SAR service would be proposed for a site so close to residential communities.

In response to a council request for further information, consultants for the applicants stated it was to be expected that no adverse impact on horses at the nearby study farm would occur arising from the operation of the SAR base.

The report stated that flight paths were proposed to ensure that no SAR helicopter would pass over the stud arm.

A council decision on the application is expected shortly.
Upmarket shop was operated by firm owned by John Nagle and Bernard Somers

The Revenue Commissioners are seeking to wind up a company behind an upmarket coffee shop in Clifden that was backed by former tech entrepreneur John Nagle and ex-AIB and Central Bank director Bernard Somers.

The firm operated the Galway venue, called 12 Pins Coffee, up until recent months. The shop is now listed online as being closed permanently.

Mr Nagle did not respond to a request for comment. His son, Johnny, was also involved in the business. Shareholders included other family members, while Mr Somers owned a very small stake in the company behind it.

In early 2008 he was unceremoniously sacked from the company  by email

Revenue petitioned the High Court last week to have 12 Pins Coffee Company Ltd wound up. The petition is due to be heard next month.

In 1989, Mr Nagle was the founder of the electronic payments firm Alphyra.

In 2002, he teamed up with financier Barry Maloney to take full control of the business in what was a landmark management buyout.

Alphyra grew into one of the tech success stories of the decade. In 2005, the company was valued at around 450m, and 33pc of the shares were owned by the then CEO Mr Nagle and his management team. But in 2007, as the economy faltered, so did the company.

A reverse takeover of UK rival Cardpoint couldnt stop the rot  and within a year Mr Nagle was ousted from his own company, now trading as Payzone.

In early 2008 he was unceremoniously sacked from the company, by email.

Bernard Somers. Photo: Eamon Farrell

Details of the dismissal were eventually aired in the courts  and the removal of the Payzone CEO remains one of the most spectacular boardroom coups ever witnessed here.

In 2017, the former marital home of Mr Nagle and his wife Joan  in Shankill, Co Dublin  was repossessed by Bank of Ireland.

A court heard that the total debt on the mortgage stood at 5.7m, including arrears of 1.8m. The court was told that none of the monthly repayments of 22,600 had been made against the mortgage since 2010.

Mr Nagle had taken out a 5m loan against the Shankill property so he and his wife could build a lavish Miami-style home, once worth 12m, on Killiney Hill Road in Dalkey, Co Dublin.

The Nagles bought a property on Killiney Hill Road in 2004 for almost 4.9m and demolished it, replacing it with the mansion.

In 2018, a summary judgment application for 1.7m against Mr Somers was struck out in the Commercial Court, after an agreement was reached.

It related to a loan secured on various assets, including his home in Foxrock, Co Dublin.
An aerial view of Belfast. Visitors to Northern Ireland spent 268m in 2023, a 48pc increase on the previous years figure of 181m. Photo: Getty

The number of tourists travelling into Northern Ireland from the Republic almost doubled last year, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office.

There were 1.3 million overnight trips north in 2023, which was up 46pc on the figure from the previous year. These visitors to Northern Ireland spent a total of 268m (312m), a 48pc increase on the previous years figure of 181m.

There were almost three million overnight stays, ranging from business trips to holidays, another increase of two-fifths.

The findings were welcomed by Tourism NI, which says its own research found that the vast majority of visitors from the Republic had their expectations matched or exceeded. Among the aspects of the visits most highly rated were the range of things to see and do, the quality of food and drink, and the warmth of the welcome.

Tourism NI said the unprecedented number of visits had provided an important source of income for the sector at a time when the post-Covid recovery in visitors from other countries was much slower.

These results are exceptional, especially given the tough economic climate and the increased levels of competition from other destinations, Tourism NI CEO John McGrillen said. We are clearly reaping the rewards of additional investment in new visitor experiences in recent years, and increased marketing and promotion in the Republic of Ireland.

Our research shows that every part of NI is benefiting from this investment and the very strong growth in visitor numbers and spend which has resulted from it. While there continue to be challenges for the industry, these results demonstrate tourisms growth potential as we look to the future."

The south-north growth in tourism began during the Covid pandemic, when holidaymakers were forbidden by health regulations from flying overseas. Overall there has been a 145pc increase in overnight visits from the Republic since 2019, as the initial hike has turned into a more long-term trend.

The south was traditionally a difficult market for tourism authorities in Northern Ireland, with a reluctance to cross the border due to lingering concerns about the Troubles.

Speaking at a conference last month Northern Ireland Economy Minister Conor Murphy said he has been hugely impressed with the tourism industrys optimism, energy, and ambition. Tourism is truly a success story of the Good Friday Agreement, the Sinn Fein minister said.
If there was going to be a wave of business failures, wed have seen it by now

Many small businesses were affected by the lockdown, but it wasn't a deluge. Photo: Getty

A senior official at the Department of Enterprise has said it does not believe there is any clear evidence that Ireland is facing into a tsunami of insolvencies caused by a pandemic hangover.

Appearing before an Oireachtas committee hearing today, Fiona ODea  a principal officer at the Department of Enterprise  pointed out that previous analysis by the World Bank indicated that it took 13 quarters for the impact of the financial crisis to be felt before there was a peak of liquidations.

The IMF ranks Ireland 14 out of 60 countries in its indicator for crisis preparedness

We are now in that time lag  three years on from the pandemic, and we are not seeing that tsunami coming at us, she said.

Even if there is a spike, it is worth noting that the IMF ranks Ireland 14 out of 60 countries in its indicator for crisis preparedness of insolvency regimes.

Ms ODea said the PwC insolvency barometer shows that the current annual failure rate of Irish companies is 29 per 1,000  below pre-pandemic levels. The rate in 2019 was 36 per 1,000.

Obviously there has been an increase, but it still remains at historically low levels, she said.

The gradual return to pre-pandemic levels of insolvency is seeing a parallel upward trend in the number of companies availing of Scarp and examinership. The use of Scarp increased by 50pc in 2023, from 22 to 33 cases.

Scarp  the small company administrative rescue process  was introduced during the pandemic to help firms that were financially sound but in temporary difficulties with creditors.

PwC Ireland and Deloitte both recorded a marked increase in insolvencies during the first quarter of the year.

PwC said there were 223, up by over a third on the same period in 2023  and it predicted the total number of insolvencies will likely be close to 1,000 by the end of the year.

Deloitte Ireland concluded there are likely to be 800 insolvencies. It recorded 214 in the first quarter, up 47pc on the same period in 2023.

Revenue is pleased with business engagement in the run-up to end of debt warehousing

The rate of business failures hugely declined during Covid as a result of an array of state supports, including the debt warehousing scheme operated by Revenue.

It had been expected that the insolvency rate would increase once those supports were wound down or removed, while business leaders have also warned that a raft of expensive new measures, including a rise in the minimum wage, would put further pressure on firms.

However, Ms ODea pointed out that the Central Banks financial stability review of 2023 did not raise alarm bells about insolvencies.

That review notes that corporate insolvency has continued to rise from historical lows, but that this trend appears to relate primarily to firms that exited the pandemic in weak financial condition, she said.

It also reports that most companies entering insolvent liquidation in 2023 claimed wage subsidies during the pandemic.

As of April 24, she said, 62 small companies had availed of the Scarp process, resulting in a significant number of jobs being saved thus far. Only 10 had failed to emerge.

At the same Oireachtas committee hearing, a Revenue official said it was pleased with the level of engagement from businesses in the run-up to the May 1 deadline for the debt warehousing scheme.

Only 200m of debt, involving 11,000 customers, had not been covered by a Phased Payment Arrangement (PPA) or been paid in full by the deadline, he said  but the number would probably decrease further this week as a number of Revenue customers had engaged with them by phone or online.
Adrian Weckler: Why its not just Gen Z who are hung-up about answering the phone

In an era when there are many ways to stay in touch, the idea of picking up the phone for a chat seems more and more outdated

Call pressure: The time spent on phone calls in the Irish telecoms market has decreased by 30pc

Adrian Weckler Wed 8 May 2024 at 03:30

More than half of young people dislike talking on phones and a quarter never take a call as the telecom regulator reports a collapse of almost 30pc in calls on Irish mobiles over the last year
The new budget version of Googles Pixel 8 product line also has most of the AI features that come with the more expensive flagship devices

Although 50 dearer than last years Pixel 7a, the new device uses Googles most recent Tensor G3 chip and has most of the AI-infused camera features of the flagship devices, including Best Take and Magic Eraser.

The 6.1-inch smartphone also has Googles latest high definition Actua display, which has a 120hz refresh rate and is around 40pc brighter than the screen on the Pixel 7.

Other AI features on the phone include Circle To Search. On any screen on your phone  a photo, a web page youre on, or anything else  you can long press the home button and it will invite you to circle (with your finger) whatever you want on the screen. Once you do that, it will instantly call up results via a reverse Google image search.

On previous devices weve tried this on, it works very well for most things, from landmarks to celebrities to animals to food. You can quickly snap a photo of an actor and then look them up quicker than it would take to google [film] cast and then click on the right one.

It can also be potentially useful for those who scroll a lot of Instagram or TikTok, as it will throw up things like recipes for circle-searches you do around bits of food, or clothes-shopping sources for garments you circle.

New features on the Pixel 8a include something called Audio Emojis, which will make your phone calls more expressive and engaging than before. With Audio Emojis, just tap on an emoji to trigger an audio reaction and visual effect. Try using a hand- clap emoji to applaud a job well done or the laughing emoji after telling your best joke.

Like the other Pixel 8 models, the Pixel 8a is offering seven years of software support, including security updates and Android upgrades. Google is also saying that the Pixel 8a will benefit from all the new features and improvements in ongoing feature drops.

While the phone comes in a matte back and a polished aluminium frame, it has a few new colours  Aloe and Bay, as well as the usual obsidian and porcelain.

With an IP67 rating, there's also a larger storage capacity option at 256GB.

Available next week, the Pixel 8a will cost from 559.
Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants.
Arson, boycotts and murder: Myles Dungan argues that the battle for land was more important than our fight for sovereignty

In his book Land is All That Matters, the RTE broadcaster gives us a magisterial study of our agrarian conflicts

Eviction: A family being thrown out of their home in the 1870s. Illustration by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Andrew Lynch Wed 8 May 2024 at 03:30







Gone with the Wind, according to some opinion polls, is the United States favourite novel of all time. It is also a profoundly Irish story. In the opening scene of its 1939 film adaptation, Southern belle Scarlett OHara sneers at the Georgian cotton plantation which her immigrant father has nostalgically called Tara. He promptly issues a stern rebuke.
Theres no Barbie to turn the multiplexes pink this year, but between prequels and sequels, cartoons and action romps, there ought to be enough going on in the cinema to keep most of us happy

The bizarre mock rivalry of Barbenheimer made 2023 the most interesting summer blockbuster season in a long time. A welcome paucity of superhero movies cleared the field for more eccentric offerings, and if anyone had told you in advance that a comedy about a doll and a science-heavy atom bomb drama would gross a combined $2.5 billion, youd have told them to seek urgent psychiatric help.

Add to that the retro joys of Indiana Jones and the hectic bluster of Mission: Impossible 7 and there was a lot to savour in the cinemas last summer. This year looks, well, a little tamer by comparison, with sequels dominating the release schedule, and not a lot happening in the way of new ideas.

However, some will savour a new Mad Max adventure, and the reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise. Then theres MaXXXine, the final instalment of Ti Wests gloriously icky X trilogy, a Quiet Place prequel, and Twisters, a playful remake of the 1990s disaster movie.

Into the future: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Photos: Walt Disney Studios

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Seven years after the last Planet of the Apes film, this new adventure reboots the franchise by leaping 300 years into the future. While we humans have regressed into a feral state, the apes have created an impressive civilisation but are now led by a cruel emperor, Proximus, who has perverted Caesars code of ethics. However, a new alliance between an ape and a human girl may change everything. Out on May 9.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

In the labyrinthine world of action sequels, George Millers adventure is set 15 years before the excellent Mad Max: Fury Road, and stars Anya Taylor-Joy as a young Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Therons character in Fury Road), who is abducted from the Green Place by Dementus (Chris Hemsworth), a vicious warlord, and must get used to life in his dangerous camp as she plots his overthrow, and her escape. Looks handsome. Out on May 24.

Ransom 79

Right up to his death in March of this year, Charlie Bird was working away on a final story  a bizarre blackmail attempt kept secret by the Irish state for over 40 years. In 1979, an anonymous letter to the Department of Agriculture issued a threat to infect the national herd with foot and mouth disease if a 5m ransom was not paid. The threat was taken seriously, and a tense game of cat-and-mouse ensued as the late, great Charlie Bird discovers in this moving documentary. Out on May 24.

Hit Man

Any film from Richard Linklater is worth watching, and here he enters the unfamiliar territory of the romantic comedy in the company of Glen Powell. He plays an affable college professor who poses as a hit man in order to save a woman he has fallen in love with. Puerto Rican actress Adria Arjona co-stars, and early reviews have been very good, hinting at darker themes. Netflix, June 7.

Filmed in Ireland: The Watchers

The Watchers

Filmed in Ireland last year, and the directorial debut of M Night Shyamalans daughter Ishana, The Watchers stars Dakota Fanning as Mina, an artist who gets lost in a vast forest in western Ireland. Seeking shelter for the night, she meets three strangers who tell her that creatures in the woods are watching them. Unpleasantness seems bound to ensue. Georgina Campbell and Olwen Fouere co-star. Out on June 14.

Pixar's Inside Out 2

Inside Out 2

Pixar is not the infallible hit machine it once was, but will have high hopes for this sequel to their 2015 animation set inside the rapidly changing brain of an 11-year-old girl called Riley. In Inside Out 2, Riley hits adolescence, which means its battle stations for harried emotions Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, Disgust and the latest members of the team, Anxiety and Embarrassment. Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Phyllis Smith and Paul Walter Hauser are among the voice cast. Out on June 14.

Despicable Me 4

Anyone whos had a kid in the last 15 years or so will be all too familiar with the exploits of would-be Bond villain Gru and his herd of cute but irritating little yellow helpers. The junior critic in our house reckoned that Minions: The Rise of Gru was the weakest outing yet for a franchise that has tended to keep things fresh, but Gru is at his best when trying to hide the fact that hes an old sweetheart, and in this adventure adds a new baby to his ever-expanding family. Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig reprise their roles, and Will Ferrell will play a grandiose criminal, Maxine Le Mal. Out on July 12.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 8th

Fly Me to the Moon

Originally titled Project Artemis, this comic drama about the space race has had quite a few teething problems, from the abrupt departure of original director Jason Bateman to the replacing of original star Chris Evans due to schedule conflicts. Into his shoes steps Channing Tatum, who plays Nasa director Cole Davis, one of the men in charge of getting Americans to the moon before the Russians. But its going badly  so badly, in fact, that Daviss boss hires a marketing guru called Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson) to sell the moon mission to the masses. The trailer looks funny. Out on July 12.

A Quiet Place: Day One

Another prequel! At least this one is the third part of a sci-fi franchise with consistently high standards. In the original 2018 film, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt played a harried couple who must adapt to life in a world infested by flesh-eating aliens that hunt by sound. But this adventure returns to the first day of the invasion, as terrified city dwellers seek shelter from a sudden invasion from the sky. With Lupito Nyongo. Out on June 28.

Twisters is a sequel to the 1996 hit Twister

Twisters

The disaster movie Twister was one of the surprise summer hits of 1996, despite its rather basic plot about a group of storm chasers who unwisely follow a raging tornado across Oklahoma. We were an innocent, simple people back then. This sequel promises similarly straightforward fare, with state-of-the-art special effects and a cast that includes Daisy Edgar Jones, Glenn Powell and our own Daryl McCormack. Out on July 19.

Deadpool teams up with Wolverine this summer

Deadpool & Wolverine

Wait a second, I hear superhero scholars interject  didnt Wolverine die at the end of Logan? He did, but through the manipulation of timelines is here paired with Deadpool for an adventure that unites the Marvel and X-Men worlds for the first time. Hugh Jackmans Wolverine is grumpy, Ryan Reynolds Deadpool a tiresome smart ass, so relations are bound to be strained as they encounter a deadly new enemy. Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen co-star. Out on July 25.

MaXXXine

Im a huge fan of Ti Wests X series, horror films with a brain and a wicked sense of humour that feature superb performances from Mia Goth in the dual roles of Pearl, a farmgirl psychopath, and Maxine, a porno actress who dreams of bigger things. In MaXXXine she has come to Hollywood to find the life I deserve, but must avoid the attentions of a notorious serial killer. Elizabeth Debicki, Bobby Cannavale and Kevin Bacon co-star. Out on August 9.

Alien: Romulus

Not everyone was impressed by Ridley Scotts rather dry and technical Alien reboots Prometheus and Covenant, but here he yields the directing reins to horror specialist Fede Alvarez. Romulus is set between Scotts 1979 Alien and James Camerons 1986 sequel Aliens, and stars Cailee Spaney as one of a group of young colonists who are intrigued to find an empty space station, which has of course been deserted for a reason. Out on August 16.

Michael Keaton reprises the role that made him famous in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

The perennially marvellous Michael Keaton reprises the role that made him famous, teaming up with Tim Burton for this rather tardy sequel. In the 1988 original, Beetlejuice the bio-exorcist ghost was summoned by a recently deceased couple to scare off the couple whod moved into their house. Winona Ryder and Catherine OHara reprise their roles here, alongside newcomers Jenny Ortega and Willem Dafoe. If its half as funny as the original, it should be worth seeing. Out on September 6.

Joker: Folie a Deux

Lauded by the critics and accused by some of enabling toxic masculinity, Todd Phillips ultra-violent 2019 hit Joker gave Batmans most implacable enemy a back story. Poor old Arthur Fleck wanted to be a comedian, and took it to heart when no one found him funny. In this baroque sequel he returns, escaping from Arkham Asylum to form a romantic attachment to Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga), an unhinged psychologist. Should be quite the spectacle. Out on October 4.
Billed by producers as a #MeToo moment for men, the Channel 4 two-part documentary Spacey Unmasked interviewed 10 men who accuse the House of Cards actor of sexually inappropriate behaviour

Kevin Spacey addresses the media following his acquittal at Southwark Crown Court in 2023. Photo: Channel 4

At the very top of the first episode, the makers of Spacey Unmasked made a point of reminding us that the 64-year-old actor is, in the eyes of the law on both sides of the Atlantic, an innocent man. Photo: Channel 4

As the old adage has it, Theres no smoke without fire. By that token, there was enough smoke billowing from Spacey Unmasked (Channel 4, Monday/Tuesday, May 6/7; streaming now on channel4.com) to choke a herd of elephants

Three days before the two-part documentary aired, Spacey got his retaliation in first during an interview with Dan Wootton broadcast on Woottons YouTube channel.

I take full responsibility for my past behaviour and my actions, Spacey said, but I cannot and will not take responsibility or apologise to anyone whos made up stuff about me or exaggerated stories about me.

He added: 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.

Spacey reiterated that, whatever anyone may think about his behaviour, it wasnt illegal, and nor has it ever been alleged to have been illegal.

At the very top of the first episode, the makers of Spacey Unmasked made a point of reminding us that the 64-year-old actor is, in the eyes of the law on both sides of the Atlantic, an innocent man.

In a civil case in the US in 2022 brought by actor Anthony Rapp, whod accused Spacey of sexually inappropriate behaviour towards him in 1986 when he was 14 and the House of Cards star was 26, Spacey was found not liable for sexual battery.

After a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court last July, Spacey was found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men over a period of several years.

And yet... theres all that smoke that just wont go away. Spacey Unmasked, which its producers see as a #MeToo moment for men, interviewed 10 men who accuse Spacey of sexually inappropriate behaviour.

Their stories span several decades. Most of the men are American, although the second part features accounts of Spaceys unwanted advances to men working with him during his period in London (2003-15) as artistic director of the Old Vic.

Kevin Spacey addresses the media following his acquittal at Southwark Crown Court in 2023. Photo: Channel 4

None of the men were involved in the 2023 trial and all but one (the programme didnt specify which one) had never before spoken in public about what Spacey allegedly did to them.

As in Leaving Neverland, the 2019 documentary about Michael Jacksons alleged sexual abuse of young boys, a distinct pattern of behaviour  the groping, the lunging, the grinding his body into theirs  emerged from the individual mens accounts.

Several of them referred to Spaceys dead eyes and soulless expression as he forced himself on them.

Spacey was portrayed as a famous, powerful, influential man who used his lofty position to coerce young men into performing sexual favours, in return for a promise to help them in their careers  a promise he invariably reneged on.

Its the same toxic power dynamic in which the many female victims of Harvey Weinstein found themselves enmeshed.

A young actor who played a member of the security detail to Spaceys character Frank Underwood in House of Cards recalled how, on his first day on set, the star beckoned him to a private space for a chat, and immediately began groping his penis.

In what was possibly the most grotesque incident of all, another man told of Spacey masturbating beside him in a cinema during the harrowing opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan.

Some of the most horrific war footage ever recreated, he said, and this guy is rubbing one out!

With regard to why Spaceys victims didnt just walk away from trouble  or better still, deck him  one of them, a muscular ex-US Marine, said: Your first reaction is not violence. You feel youve done something wrong. Youve brought it on to yourself. You feel shame.

The stories here were overwhelmingly credible, but I cant help wondering if the documentary serves any real purpose.

None of the men seem interested in pursuing things further, which is perhaps understandable. Spacey is still the one with the power and wealth on his side. Maybe its enough for them to have their voices heard and, finally, believed.

In the end, though, a TV documentary is not a trial and viewers are not a jury. Without hard evidence of the fire, all thats left is smoke.
Tents set up on the banks of the Grand Canal in Dublin by men seeking international protection. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Asylum-seekers in Dublin have been offered an extra daily allowance to leave their tents and find private accommodation, the Dail was told.

The offer to pay the extra allowance was made with the added incentive that those who accept it will be provided with non-tented accommodation when the capacity shortage has passed.

However, this has been described as pathetic by Labour TD Aodhan O Riordain.

There are now 100 tents lining the Grand Canal in Dublin, just a week after a clearout of people camping in Mount Street in the city centre.

It is understood a notice has been posted in the offices of the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), where it can by seen by asylum-seekers.

A photograph of the notice, seen by the Irish Independent, shows it states the IPAS is experiencing an accommodation capacity shortage and is unable to accommodate all applicants. It then states that some residents in IPAS tented accommodation have indicated they would prefer to take up an increased weekly allowance payment totalling 113.80.

There is an apparent inference that these people will depart the system.

The notice states: Any [applicant] who wishes to voluntarily depart IPAS tented accommodation during the current accommodation capacity shortage will be eligible to receive an increase to the Daily Expense Allowance (DEA) in the amount of 75 per week, bringing the total payment to 113.80 per week.

When the capacity shortage has passed, a new offer of accommodation will be made to those who take up this option. This offer will not be to tented accommodation, but will be for standard accommodation.

Reportage artist documents migrant tents along Dublin's Grand Canal

An email address linked to the Department of Equality and Integration appears at the end of the notice. It asks those who want to enquire about the offer to use the term DEA offer in their subject line.

Commenting on the notice, Mr O Riordain said it looked like the Government was trying to buy people off.

He said: Is this the approach? Is this the answer? Its absolutely pathetic. It sounds again like a department who have absolutely no concept of how to deal with this issue long term.

Giving people a few bob so they wont add to the statistics. Its disgusting. Anybody looking at that would realise that its firefighting. Its not coherent and its not going to work.

Earlier, three opposition parties  Sinn Fein, Labour and the Social Democrats  demanded answers from Taoiseach Simon Harris on the tents issue.

Mr Harris said: We will act in relation to the Grand Canal.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the sight of 100 tents along the waterway was a monument to your abject failure to manage.

Ivana Bacik, leader of the Labour Party, also addressed the Grand Canal issue.

Clearly this is inhumane, it is unsustainable and your Government has failed to provide adequate accommodation, she said.

Referring to a notice offering people more money if they leave tents, Ms Bacik described it as a desperate stopgap.

But the Taoiseach said he was very pleased with the outcome of the Mount Street clearance operation, adding that nearly 300 people had been provided with better facilities.

Good action was taken by good government, he said. Im telling you now, we will deal with the Grand Canal  action will be taken.

But we have to have a broader discussion about immigration that is not just about accommodation, because if we provide more accommodation, it will quickly fill up.
A Dublin man who went to his local pub and used bolt cutters to remove a bar sign from the front wall and smash a CCTV camera was intoxicated and could not remember why he did it.
New tents spring up despite pledges from the Government that this would not be allowed to happen

The Taoiseach has promised to "deal with the Grand Canal" lines of tents, adding that "action will be taken," similar to the Mount Street clearance.

The emergence of a new 'tent city' along the Grand Canal in Dublin was decried in the Dail, with demands for a special debate.

Three Opposition parties, Sinn Fein, Labour and the Social Democrats, demanded answers from the Taoiseach, who said: "We will act in relation to the Grand Canal."

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said there were now 100 tents along the waterway and it was a deplorable, disgraceful situation.

"It is a monument to your abject failure to manage," she said.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik also raised the growing number of tents on the Grand Canal.

"Clearly this is inhumane, it is unsustainable, and your Government has failed to provide adequate accommodation," she said.

Jennifer Whitmore of the Social Democrats told Simon Harris: "All your policies to date have done is move tents from one part of the city to another.

But the Taoiseach said he was "very pleased" with the outcome of the Mount Street clearance operation, adding that nearly 300 people had been provided with better facilities. "Good action was taken by good Government," he said.

"I'm telling you now we will deal with the Grand Canal. Action will be taken," he said.

"But we have to have a broader discussions about immigration that is not just about accommodation, because if we will provide more accommodation it will quickly fill up."

He claimed Sinn Fein local election candidates were saying they would end the open border policy, but he didn't know what they meant.

He claimed a prominent Sinn Fein TD had appeared in a video promising to close open borders  which led to angry interruptions by the main Opposition party, insisting the charge was untrue.

It came after local residents spoke out against the growing encampment of asylum seekers along the Grand Canal.

There are now scores of tents pitched at the Grand Canal following the deconstruction of the tent city on Mount Street last week when nearly 300 people were provided with alternative accommodation.

Speaking to RTEs Morning Ireland, Kevin Byrne, the chair of the South Georgian Core Residents Association said today that while locals welcomed the clearing of the streets surrounding the International Protection Office, the encampment along the Grand Canal nearby is a growing concern.

He said residents can no longer tolerate a broken system thats failing both asylum seekers and residents, spinning chaos onto the capital streets.

The Taoiseach yesterday said a multi-agency response to the the encampment is ongoing and that the situation on the streets surrounding the International Protection Office will not be repeated at the Grand Canal.

He said the scenarios were not comparable as tent city on Mount Street was allowed to go on for weeks and weeks  months and months in fact and it would not be the situation in relation to the Grand Canal.

Mr Byrne said residents do not see a distinction between both encampments and the situation on Mount Street got out of control.

Some of the tents which have been pitched along the Grand Canal in Dublin. Photo: Collins

He added that while residents were grateful that Mr Harris ended the buck passing between agencies that allowed it to escalate, they were disappointed to see that so quickly after that, this new encampment started emerging just literally around the corner.

We would be concerned to see some of that buck passing between agencies coming back. Its quickly growing, which we expected, he said.

"It was reported to Waterways Ireland as soon as we saw tents appear there because we know from experience that if a small number are left it will quickly grow but we havent seen any action to resolve it yet.

Mr Byrne said residents "absolutely have sympathy for those who are seeking international protection in Ireland and must live on the streets due to a shortage of accommodation.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 8th

Throughout this we tried to put up with the situation on lower Mount Street initially out of sympathy with the men in the tents, Im very conscious of that. We did so on the basis of assuming the responsible agencies would be quickly looking to get a handle on the situation that emerged there and that didnt happen, it went on for 14 months.

He added that residents are speaking out sooner on this occasion as they do not want to see the situation repeat itself and they see no distinction between both encampments.

Theyre effectively the same encampment, it has just moved around the corner. While we give (Mr Harris) credit for dragging the agencies together on this, we dont want to see these two things be seen as distinct.

Mr Byrne said residents in the surrounding areas would like to see the processing of asylum applications moved away from Mount Street as the International Protection Office demonstrably cant handle the flow and facilitate the necessary security, sanitation and other basic services.

He added: We can no longer tolerate a broken system thats failing both asylum seekers and residents, spinning chaos onto the capital streets. That has to end.
The electronic shock collars operated by remote controls are to be banned, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue announced on Tuesday.

Following a public consultation, the Minister has made a decision to move to ban the use of electronic shock collars operated by hand-held remote controls on dogs and cats.

However, pet owners who already use the shock collars on their animals may continue to do so but only for those dogs.

These owners will need to register their dogs identity with the Department of Agriculture, exempting their dog from the new laws.

They would need to provide their dogs microchip ID and licence number to continue to use shock collars for the lifetime of that dog.

Dog owners would have to register their dogs within three months from the date of introduction of this regulation, which will also provide for exemptions allowing the use of these devices on deaf dogs.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 8th

The ban is to be enforced in the coming months, Mr McConalogue said.

Meanwhile, the ban does not relate to anti-bark collars, collars linked to boundary fences or remote fending to control other animals.

Dogs and cats are much-loved companions for so many of us in Ireland, and the use of manually operated remotely-controlled electronic shock collars is not an appropriate way to treat them, Minister McConalogue said.

Many organisations and individuals have highlighted the welfare problems these collars can cause.

"The Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare, which I set up in 2021, has also advised me on this matter and on that advice, I will be introducing a regulation in the coming months to ban their use.

While I believe these devices should not be used on dogs or cats for welfare reasons, I have listened carefully to those who have raised their concerns about a ban.

I recognise that some of the small number of dog owners, who currently use these shock collars, expressed worry about controlling their dogs if they stop using them.

For that reason, I intend to permit those who currently use shock collars on their dogs to continue to do so, but only for those dogs, he said.

The ISPCA has said they welcome the announcement to ban the electronic shock collars.

The organisation believes that positive reinforcement and reward-based methods should be used instead of negative reinforcement and aversive training methods to control companion animals.

Those negative reinforcement methods are based on applying an unpleasant stimulus to eliminate or prevent unwanted behaviour, including electric shock collars, choke chains, prong collars, or using high-pitched sonic devices.

In response to concerns expressed by farm organisations concerning dog attacks on sheep, Mr McConalogue has urged all dog owners to always keep their dogs under control if they are anywhere near livestock, especially sheep.

Dog owners must act responsibly in the countryside and should not exercise their dogs on farmland unless they have the clear permission of the farmer.

"It is a legal requirement that dogs are accompanied and kept under effectual control. For dogs on the list of controlled breeds (or their crosses), they must be kept on a short lead and muzzled while in public places.

No dog owner should ever put sheep at risk by acting irresponsibly or by exercising their dog off the lead in such a way that they cause stress and fear, even if the sheep are not physically attacked I say to dog owners: keep your dogs on a lead at all times if there are sheep nearby, he added.
Journalists arrive at court for hearing into claims they were spied on by police

Journalists arrive at court for hearing into claims they were spied on by police

Avril Kinsella Wed 8 May 2024 at 15:39







Journalists Trevor Birney (left) and Barry McCaffrey have arrived at court in London for a hearing of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal into allegations state authorities were involved in unlawful covert surveillance of their work.
Speed cameras could soon be used to tackle phone use. Photo: Getty

A legal question has arisen over plans to use speed cameras to also detect motorists who are on their phones.

Last month, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said traffic cameras would soon be used to spot the use of phones behind the wheel.

It would allow the issuing of automatic fines just as the camera set-up enables automatic fines for breaking the speed limit  although recipients of fixed notices can opt for a court appearance instead.

Ms McEntee said existing cameras could detect drivers with a phone to their ear, and would also be able to see unused phones in a drivers lap, resulting in separate action, because that is also an infringement.

She made the remarks after checking on the ability of cameras and the practicality of taking new steps in a meeting with the Road Safety Authority yesterday.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 8th

But it is understood legal advice is now being sought by the Department of Transport on whether legislative change is needed on the application of camera-based enforcement on the non-wearing of seatbelts and phone use.

If not, this will proceed, a government source said. But if legislation is required, it will be introduced urgently.

The Government is determined to allow speed cameras to catch people using their phone behind the wheel and not wearing a seatbelt, which is a legal requirement.

Taoiseach Simon Harris chaired a meeting of relevant ministers last week to discuss the number of road fatalities  and both the issue of phone use and declining seatbelt usage were mentioned in the wider context of increased speeding. It is understood the Taoiseach told the meeting that too many people had lost their lives on roads so far this year.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has, meanwhile, said extra cameras would be rolled out in Dublin and then nationwide to catch motorists ignoring red lights.

It will also tackle the issue of private cars driving in bus lanes in order to jump a queue of traffic, which is also a hazard to cyclists who legitimately share the public-transport corridors.

Meanwhile, the non-surrender of driving licences to the courts remains an issue, junior transport minister Jack Chambers has acknowledged.

A notification of disqualification is issued by the Courts Service for convicted drivers.

The notice includes the requirement to surrender the driving licence or learner permit to the NDLS within 14 days of the first day of disqualification.

In 2022, there were 7,867 disqualifications, but only 140 surrenders of a licence.

Last year, after increased warnings, there were 9,035 disqualifications, substantially up on the previous 12 months. The number surrendered virtually quintupled  but the 678 people who handed over their licences still amounts to only one driver in every 13 disqualified.

Despite the public defiance, An Garda Siochana has access to data on the departments National Vehicle and Driver File. This means gardai can detect and prosecute a driver who continues to drive while disqualified because the file shows the exclusion, even if the motorist produces the licence.

In a case where a licence has not been surrendered, gardai will impound the vehicle.
Micheal Martin has said he is horrified by events unfolding in Rafah, describing the levels of violence as unconscionable.

Israel has threatened to launch a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city.

More than one million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israels war in the region.

Protesters demonstrated outside Leinster House in Dublin calling on Israel not to invade Rafah (Niall Carson/PA)

The Israeli military seized control of Gazas vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Israeli troops said they had reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza  a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed nearly three days earlier after a Hamas rocket attack.

The Tanaiste said he was really horrified with the events.

Speaking at the Arbour Hill commemoration event, Mr Martin said: Its quite shocking, the level of human suffering.

The civilian causalities, death and very serious injuries on a daily basis being (endured) by the people of Gaza.

The taking of the Rafah crossing, for example, creates huge challenges for humanitarian aid getting into Gaza.

I have seen myself the amount of aid has been stopped already. There is an urgent need for medicines, for food and for the basics of life to get in for the people of Gaza.

Its only unconscionable that this level of violence continues.

Protesters called for sanctions against Israel (Niall Carson/PA)

We need an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages and then we need discussion on the political track on how Gaza is reconstructed because what the people have gone through there is quite horrific and it is shocking and unacceptable, it has to stop.

On Wednesday, protesters from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered outside Leinster House in support of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Rafah.

Demonstrators waved Palestine flags and called for Israel not to invade Rafah and to impose sanctions against Israel.

Meanwhile, Mr Martin today welcomed Colin and Eithne Bell, founders of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT) to Iveagh House.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Embassies and Consulates overseas, has developed a close working relationship with the KBRT.

The KBRT is the only charity of its kind on the island of Ireland and was established by Colin and Eithne Bell in memory of their son Kevin, who died tragically in New York in 2013.

I am pleased to recognise the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust for the important contribution it has made for over a decade, supporting the families of over 1,800 Irish citizens who have sadly died overseas. The solace and support the KBRT provides to bereaved families during the repatriation cannot be overstated, he said.

I particularly want to pay tribute to Colin and Eithne Bell, along with the rest of the Bell family. In the depths of their own grief at the tragic loss of their beloved son, Kevin, they extended the hand of friendship to other bereaved families by setting up the KBRT, providing support to those in need in the most difficult and devastating of circumstances.

"Today we also remember Kevin Bell, who tragically lost his life in 2013 at the young age of 26. While Kevins life was cut short, his legacy lives on through the KBRT.

I place great value on the strong partnership that exists between my Department and the KBRT. Today is an opportunity to thank all of the team and supporters of the KBRT.

The Tanaiste presented Colin and Eithne Bell with a sculpture made from ancient bog oak titled 'Homecoming.' 'Homecoming,' created by artist Kevin Casey, symbolises the hand of friendship and support that the KBRT has provided to families across Ireland since it was established in 2013.

The Tanaiste said: Sadly, my Department supports the families of many people each year who lose their lives while travelling abroad. Later this month I will launch a summer travel campaign to raise awareness among young people in particular to 'Make the Right Memories' by taking extra steps to protect their safety and wellbeing while abroad.

To the thousands of young people who will travel this summer, I encourage you to enjoy yourselves. Prepare for your travel by visiting www.ireland.ie/TravelWise. Remember to look out for yourself and your friends while overseas to ensure that you all come home with the best of memories.
A sign directs travelers to Oakland International Airport, which could soon get a new  and confusing  name. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle A sign for the BART station at Oakland International Airport, which could soon get a new name if port officials have their way Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

San Franciscos city attorney is again asking Oakland officials to reconsider their plan to rename their citys airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport ahead of this weeks final vote on the name change.

Last month, San Francisco filed a lawsuit against the city of Oakland over the proposed name change, arguing that it is a violation of San Francisco International Airports trademark and will confuse travelers. On Wednesday, City Attorney David Chiu sent a letter to Oakland port commissioners asking them to join with San Francisco officials and come up with a different name that would avoid litigation while still boosting business at the East Bay airport.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

San Francisco took no pleasure in filing this lawsuit, Chiu said in a news release. If we can work together on a name that meets the goals of both airports, we should do so for the good of all travelers and our region.

If Oakland officials ignore the request, he said, San Francisco will move forward with suing Oakland. The Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners is scheduled to make a final decision on the name change at a public meeting Thursday afternoon.

Oakland officials made the surprise announcement about the potential name change on March 29, saying that it would help travelers from outside the area understand that Oakland is part of  and a gateway to  the Bay Area. The proposal was supported by some East Bay leaders and business groups, but it drew swift backlash from San Francisco and San Mateo leaders and businesses.

Chiu previously sent a letter warning Oakland officials that San Francisco would pursue legal action if Oakland moved forward with the name change. Still, the port commission unanimously approved the proposal in an initial vote days later.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Some mothers are falling ill during maternity leave  but will soon be able to reclaim their lost time off from work.

Equality minister Roderic OGorman says he is bringing forward proposals to provide for a deferral of maternity leave, or any portion thereof.

It will apply where a mother falls ill, either while pregnant or during maternity leave. And post-partum depression could be an allowable condition.

Its essential that we support mothers during such a vulnerable time in their life, Minister OGorman said.

He added that he will also be taking the opportunity to legislate for maternity leave for Members of the Oireachtas  most recently exemplified by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

Mr OGorman also says he will be extending the entitlement to parents (paid) leave from August 1 this year. It will go from seven weeks to nine weeks, to be taken in the first few years of life.

There have been significant developments in entitlement to leave for working families in recent years.

The Government committed in the Programme for Government extending paid leave to allow parents to spend more time with their children during their earliest years.

Parents leave and benefit now provides seven weeks paid leave for each parent, to be taken within a childs first two years. This will now extend to nine weeks this summer.

Mr OGorman says he is committed to supporting working parents, and those who are breastfeeding, in particular. The Work Life Balance Act 2023 last year included amendments to the Maternity Protection Acts.

The changes provide for the extension of breastfeeding breaks for employees to two years after the birth of their child, which may not be refused by any workplace.

These regulations are to support those new mothers who are returning to work, knowing that they can be supported to continue breastfeeding their child, Mr OGorman said.

The Act also introduces five days leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12, and for carers. It also provides for a right to request flexible working for parents and carers.

The right to request remote working for all employees, was commenced on in March this year following the preparation of a Code of Practice by the Workplace Relations Commission.

There are no indications yet as to how well it has been working. There is an avenue of appeal in cases of refusal.

The Government says it is committed to reviewing the flexible working provisions after two years to consider extending the right to request to all employees, not just certain parents and carers.

Statutory domestic violence leave has also been introduced, making Ireland one of the first countries to grant such an authorised absence, intended to help a person relocate to a place of safety.

Victims of domestic violence are entitled to five days leave over a period of a year, and is to be paid at 100pc of the employees normal pay, to ensure their economic situation will not be altered.
Never been to New York? Teleport yourself through live portal in Dublin City Centre

Have you ever been to New York City? Now, you can, without even leaving Dublin City  and its cheaper than an Aer Lingus flight.

It is due to a brand-new live portal in the heart of Dublin city, connecting the Irish capital to the Big Apple.

The portal in Dublin faces OConnell Street at its junction with North Earl Street  capturing two iconic monuments  both the famous GPO building and the Spire.

Meanwhile, the portal in New York City has been installed on the Flatiron South Public Plaza at Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street  next to the famed Flatiron Building.

Both portals were launched this afternoon and went live simultaneously at 4.15pm.

Muskan Sahdev was holding a banner saying Hello Mom, as she saw her mother Purnima through the portal today, who has been living in New York City for six months.

"I waved at her and she was holding up the New York sign, it was lovely to see her! Muskan told the Irish Independent.

It's such an exciting concept and I feel like WhatsApp is a little bit too limiting but I can actually walk up here because I work so close by  Ill just walk up here and meet her.

I feel like its uniting people across borders and I think many mothers and daughters and families can connect. Its a wonderful feeling.

Deri Flood, whose daughter Aedi lives in New York, said it was lovely to see her daughter today.

She's working in New York on the Grad visa  she left college last summer and she's working as an engineer. I'm an engineer as well.

"I think people will make a point of coming to it in groups and just to see each other  particularly the Irish community over in New York.

"There's a lot of young people in New York now on those grad visas. They could just turn up here and then meet their families, and have a bit of craic, she said.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithi de Roiste has unveiled the sculpture this afternoon, with dancers performing in both Dublin and New York and providing visual concerts in each city.

Mr de Roiste has highlighted Dublin embracing the title of European Capital of Smart Tourism 2024.

"It shows the interconnectedness of our world, he said.

You can see the poignancy of it  we've had someone connecting with their mother here and with their sister.

"Despite the fact theyre only a couple of feet away, there are a million miles way across the Atlantic, but they are able to talk to them and see them through the portal.

From July, Dubliners will be able to travel to other destinations through the portal, as it will connect them to cities in Poland, Brazil and Lithuania.

The portal was designed by Lithuanian artist and entrepreneur Benediktas Gylys, who said they offer an opportunity to meet fellow humans outside of your social circle and culture and provide a window between distant locations.

"From the initial two cities of Vilnius, Lithuania and Lublin, Poland, portals are now expanding to be a global network, he said.

"This is just the beginning and our team will continue bringing portals to large cities and little towns of planet Earth.

"Portals aim to be a bridge to a united planet. I am grateful to the cities of Dublin and New York for pioneering innovation and welcoming their portal sculptures, which is a significant milestone after years of work, he added.
Pleasure Boys ban phones, hire extra security and call in documentary maker for latest show

Male stripper group back in Northern Ireland for the first time since Devenish controversy

A poster for the group's upcoming show

Niamh Campbell Wed 8 May 2024 at 07:34

A controversial male stripper group is returning to Northern Ireland this weekend  but with extra security guards and a documentary maker in tow.
Fine Gael members have raised concerns around security while on the election canvass at a parliamentary party meeting tonight.

One party member said he had been significantly harassed in public in recent days when out in public, while not actually involved in electioneering.

Other Deputies, and a female Senator, then expressed fears about the looming election campaign when the temperature might rise significantly  with the Taoiseach saying he was taking careful note of what people were saying.

There was criticism of an Oireachtas 5,000 security grant for greater protection of homes and offices, which members said wasnt working as intended because the authorities wanted a level of security authorisation that many qualified and accredited installers do not have.

Chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, Alan Farrell, said he would bring members concerns back to the Houses.

It was represented that the Oireachtas is still not enabling the proper protection of members as is its duty, he told the Irish Independent.

There are of increased safety concerns, both in Leinster House, at constituency level, and in the streets.

Also at tonights parliamentary party meeting, Taoiseach Simon Harris said there will be action taken very soon to resolve the numerous tents pitched alongside Dublins Grand Canal  echoing what he said in the Dail earlier.

The Fine Gael leader said the situation there wasnt comparable to what occurred at Mount Street, which was allowed to go for several months before a multi-agency operation intervened and moved the asylum seekers to tented accommodation at sites in Co Dublin and Co Wicklow.

Mr Harris said there is a role for every Government department to help resolve the migration issue in a coherent and collegiate fashion.

Mr Harris also said a Dublin city task force will report to him by the end of July with recommendations for Government, the local authority and other state agencies. He added that he hoped other parts of the country see the benefit of such a group.
Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 8, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled

The Tanaiste has deplored Israels seizure of the north gate of the Rafah crossing, where he visited just over a week ago.

Micheal Martin was making a special presentation to his Government colleagues in the Green Party and expressed his frustration at the heavy-handed restrictions Israel is putting on humanitarian aid into Gaza.

He said Ireland is putting pressure at international levels on this issue, with trucks on the Egyptian side now unable to cross.

Ireland will also vote in favour of Palestinian membership of the UN when the UN General Assembly considers this issue on Friday, Mr Martin said, adding that Irish officials expect this vote to be carried by a significant margin. A similar vote was vetoed by the US just three weeks ago.

TV footage worldwide has shown Israeli tanks crushing Gaza signage at the crossing, where Mr Martin was briefed by UNRWA and humanitarian officials only ten days ago.

As well as condemning the death toll in Gaza, he also spoke of his concern at the fact that there are now thousands of children who have lost their parents, while many of the adults who will be expected to rebuild Gaza have been traumatised by the destruction.

The Tanaiste outlined several of the important steps Ireland has taken to support the population of Gaza, including the decision in February to commit an additional 20m in funding to UNRWA.

He said this sent an important signal of support to the international community for the vital work it does in supporting Palestinian refugees. He said the agency is essential not just in providing humanitarian work during the current conflict but will also play a central role in the reconstruction of Gaza once the conflict ends.

In response to questions from TDs and Senators on recognition of Palestine, the Tanaiste outlined how the Government is working closely with likeminded countries such as Spain in order to be in a position to recognise a Palestinian state in the coming weeks.

He also told the Green Party meeting that Ireland will intervene in the genocide case at the International Court of Justice soon after South Africa has filed its substantive case, which he expects to happen by October.

The Tanaiste also outlined how Ireland is pushing the European Commission for a response to the letter sent by Ireland and Spain seeking a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
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
TD Michael McNamara said it was clear that vulnerable people in a precarious position "are being horribly exploited by bad actors

A scam agency is sending to foreign students from London to Ireland on a promise of permanent work - but the employer address provided turns out to the International Protection Office (IPO) building in Mount Street.

That was the claim made in the Dail today by Independent TD and European elections candidate Michael McNamara, who told of an Indian national who travelled to London on a student visa that allowed him to work ten hours a week.

He wanted to work longer and consulted an agency which told him he could have full employment in Ireland. It charged him 1,500 for the service, and retained his passport so that he would pay an additional 1,000 when he started work.

"They arranged his travel to Liverpool and from there a ferry to Belfast - from where he travelled down to Dublin," Mr McNamara said.

"He was given the Eircode and postal address of his employer. He turned up there and it was the IPO office in Dublin."

The IPO deals with applications for asylum.

The man didn't know that he was being sent to the IPO office, Mr McNamara said, and was one of five travelling in a similar way, organised by the same agents on the same day.

"He knows of 30 more people sent to Ireland by that agency in the same way. He's now in Ireland, trying to get out of the asylum system and back to the United Kingdom. He doesn't have his passport, he said.

Mr McNamara said it was clear that vulnerable people in a precarious position "are being horribly exploited by bad actors.

"But it's equally clear that our State is being exploited by those bad actors. If I know anything of the underworld, if there is one agency doing this in London, there are many doing it, he said.

He added: "We can talk about a rules-based system all we want. If those rules are not being applied, they are essentially irrelevant. Unfortunately bad actors in other states have cottoned on to that. We have a problem."

Taoiseach Simon Harris said it was a very serious matter that had been raised, although he did not have full details.

He said: "We will put a revised national referral mechanism on a statutory footing, making it easier for victims of trafficking to come forward to be identified and to access supports."

A Human Trafficking Bill had just gone through the Dail and was now going to the Seanad, he said, "very much showing how seriously this country wants to tackle this on a legislative basis.

"The issue you highlight is indeed extremely important. I want that individual that you mentioned to know that we do take it extraordinarily seriously, Mr Harris said.

"There is also very significant collaboration between An Garda Siochana and Europol, Interpol and of course the police forces in the United Kingdom."
The Taoiseach has responded after TD Danny Healy-Rae claimed that Ukrainian refugees are driving "flashy SUVs and high-powered cars" and going home on holiday to houses "we were told were bombed and blown out of existence.

Mr Healy-Rae made the remarks in the Dail on behalf of the Rural Independent Group, with the Taoiseach responding "I am not sure where to start," although he did not condemn the comments.

The Kerry deputy said it was clear the Government had lost control of the migration issue.

"At the same time, many of our own young men and women, boys and girls, are leaving this country to go to Australia, Dubai, Canada and other places because they cannot afford to build houses or to buy them, he said.

People in Kerry cannot even get planning permission to build houses, he said, while the young were deciding not to take over productive farms because of "constant vilification, demonisation and regulation being doled out by the Government, demanded and driven by the Green Party."

The tourism industry in Killarney and the county of Kerry was suffering because of the influx of migrants who are placed in hotels and guesthouses, he said.

"Some 36pc of bed-night availability is taken up by asylum seekers and refugees," he said, adding that many small restaurants, cafes, pubs and souvenir shops had closed.

"I have been canvassing since 1973. I have never met so many people raising the migration issue. Nobody objects to asylum seekers or refugees if they have a genuine case of distress."

But he added: "Who can explain how they salvaged their cats and dogs, if the bombs were dropping around them, or why our taxpayers are paying so much to quarantine these animals?

"Who can explain how they got time to bring their flashy SUVs and high-powered cars registered in Ukraine with them?

"They are going home for holidays and for Christmas. However, we were told their homes were bombed and blown out of existence," he claimed.

Mr Healy-Rae said people were objecting to people being placed in hotels, being paid full social welfare, "and having a good time inside those hotels.

Welfare rates paid to new Ukrainian arrivals have recently been cut significantly, while their time in state accommodation is also limited to 90 days.

The Taoiseach pointed out that Mr Healy-Rae had been with the Minister for Housing, Darragh O'Brien, at the opening of a new housing estate in Castleisland recently.

"I have been to Kerry, in many of the hospitality facilities there," he added. "As a result, I know how reliant we are on migrants to staff the tourism and hospitality sectors in Co Kerry.

"I am sure in his next comment the Deputy will acknowledge the very positive contribution of the many migrants who work in hotels, cafes, bars and souvenir shops and all the other wonderful facilities he mentioned in the Kingdom. It would be important for him to do that. "

He added that the Dingle Harbour Lodge and the Hotel Killarney, formerly used to accommodate Ukrainian people, were no longer doing so. In fact Ukrainian numbers in Ireland had fallen dramatically in recent times as people returned home.
Social Democrats TD Cian OCallaghan has defended the party deselecting Israeli woman Orli Degani as a local election candidate for the party in Dun Laoghaire over its stance on Gaza, which is highly critical of Israel.

Ms Degani was dropped as a candidate after mediation failed to resolve differences between her and the party. The business consultant said she had raised a concern that local Jewish people were feeling more and more unwelcome and unsafe in Ireland and in Dun Laoghaire.

Mr OCallaghan, the partys deputy leader and housing spokesperson, said Ms Degani and the party had been unable to reconcile their differing views on Gaza, and rejected the idea that her deselection was undemocratic. Ms Degani has said she is seeking legal advice on her deselection and now intends to run as an independent.
A demonstration was held outside RTE headquarters in Donnybrook on Wednesday afternoon calling for the broadcaster to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest due to Israels involvement.

Organised by campaign group Uplift, the demonstration saw a mobile billboard parked at the main entrance to the Donnybrook campus which read: RTE boycott Eurovision, dont let Israel artwash genocide.

Israel denies it is carrying out a genocide in Gaza.

Uplift campaigner Patrick Kelleher said the national broadcaster has ignored calls to boycott the contest for months.

Weve already been asking RTE to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest for months and until now theyve ignored us, Mr Kelleher said.

"The Eurovisions already started, at this point it is too late really for RTE to boycott. Theres still three days before the final, RTE still has time to do the right thing, it probably is too late but we still wanted to make sure RTE heard the message from us that they cant ignore us.

Its like an out of body experience  Bambie Thug

Three representatives of Uplift were met by RTE staff and delivered a petition signed by 17,000 people. Director general Kevin Bakhurst will be informed about the petition.

Other petitions have called for Irish act Bambie Thug to withdraw from the contest, however this campaign has focused specifically on RTE.

"Weve decided to focus on the broadcaster and we think the broadcasters are the ones with the most power here to actually enact change at Eurovision and get the European Broadcasting Union to kick Israel out.

"In the case of Bambie Thug, theyre an incredibly talented musician, theyre an amazing songwriter. Any other year I think wed all be jumping up and down rooting for them.

"Its a really tough position theyve been put in. Theyre an unmanaged artist, an independent artist, theyre in a very difficult position.

Mr Kelleher said bigger artists competing at Eurovision this year would be better placed to take the hit of boycotting the contest.

"Broadcasters like RTE by taking part, they legitimise having Israel in the contest given whats happening in Gaza, he said.

Swedish former Eurovision contestant Eric Saade wore a keffiyeh on his arm during his opening performance at Tuesdays semi-final, while Bambie Thug said they removed the words Ceasefire and Freedom for Palestine written in Ogham from their body following an order from the EBU.

The EBU said it regretted that Saade chose to compromise the non-political nature of the event by wearing the keffiyeh, a pro-Palestine symbol, on stage.

Mr Kelleher said the EBUs response to both Bambie Thug and Saade was disgraceful.

"Its hypocritical. I think the European Broadcasting Union has been incredibly inconsistent when it comes to deciding what is political and what is not political.

"A couple of years ago they made the decision to expel Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest because of the invasion of Ukraine. They have refused to do the same when it comes to Israel despite the fact more than 34,000 people have been killed since October in Gaza.

"I know theres a lot of different views on how to proceed with something like this but to even argue the Eurovision Song Contest isnt political is a bit of a fallacy at this point.

"Of course Eurovisions political, everybody knows its political. The European Broadcasting Union is just getting to call the shots on what they consider to be political and what is not considered political and its not good enough.

RTE declined to comment.
A pro-Palestinian supporter, who declined to give a name, rallies with several hundred demonstrators at UC Berkeleys Sproul Plaza on Tuesday. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle A pro-Palestinian supporter holds a sign while rallying with several hundred demonstrators at UC Berkeleys Sproul Plaza on Tuesday. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle A pro-Palestinian supporter rallies with several hundred demonstrators at UC Berkeleys Sproul Plaza on Tuesday. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle

Several hundred people gathered at UC Berkeleys famed Sproul Plaza on Tuesday afternoon to protest Israels war against Gaza, as the countrys military reportedly prepares for a major offensive in the city of Rafah.

The plaza, which is the site of a growing activist encampment after protesters moved into tents last month to push the university to divest from companies doing business in Israel, transformed into a sea of pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Many carried flags or hand drawn signs, and wore keffiyeh and other symbolic garments, as activists and leaders led chants and gave speeches.

The group chanted, Free Palestine! Israel is a terror state, Long live Intifada, and We dont want no two states. Some took aim at President Joe Biden, with calls like, Joe Biden, what did you say? How many kids did you kill today? Some people wore shirts that said, Not in our name. Jews say ceasefire now.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

We are here today in horror because they bombed Rafah! one of the activists on the microphone said. How many more of our babies have to die for the world to see? another said. One man shared a story about his niece, a 12-year-old Palestinian girl, dying in the siege.

Pro-Palestinian supporters chant in Sproul Plaza at UC Berkeley on Tuesday. Noah Berger Special to the Chronicle

Hamza Mahmoud, 20, a second-year student at the school, has been camping out on campus since the encampment began on April 22. A Palestinian-America from San Jose, Mahmoud said he believed that protesters would remain on the grounds until the university divested from companies and institutions that support Israel.

Until there is full of divestment, and it actually happens, were not going to stop protesting, he said, in an interview. He said that protesters had been negotiating with the university over some of their demands, but did not have more details.

UC Berkeley spokesperson Dan Mogulof said the university would adhere to guidance from the Regents of the University of California saying that the system would not heed the demand for divestment.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Regents of the University have issued clear guidance that there will be no suspension of any academic ties with Israel, and no divestment from Israel, Mogulof said.

Pro-Palestinian supporters rally with several hundred demonstrators at UC Berkeleys Sproul Plaza on Tuesday. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle

On Tuesday afternoon, UC Berkeley alerted students via its WarnMe system that an aggravated assault occurred at Sproul Plaza shortly after 5 p.m., though it was unclear if it was related to the rally. A male was struck by several other males with a skateboard, following a verbal confrontation, the university said.

The universitys encampment has grown as it entered its third week. Originally only a smattering of some 60 tents covering the grass and steps in front of Sproul Hall, a university administration building, the gathering has grown to include a plot of tents on the plaza itself, that protesters were calling alumni village.

But in contrast to universities around the country, where protesters have been met with aggressive responses from police called in by university administrators, and even violence from counter-protesters, UC Berkeley has been mostly calm. The universitys leadership has, thus far, permitted students to remain on campus, citing the schools belief in free speech, as security guards and police officers keep an eye on the site.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Shortly after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, most of the rallys attendees left the campus.

Israels 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 hostages.

Pro-Palestinian supporters link arms Tuesday while rallying with several hundred demonstrators at UC Berkeleys Sproul Plaza during a protest of Israels actions in Gaza. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle

Over the past month, students at campuses across the country have set up encampments to protest Israels actions. Tensions between the student protester and university administrators and police have erupted on some campuses with mass arrests, clearing of tents and attacks from counter-protesters. At Columbia University, where the first encampments began, police entered the campus and cleared students from an occupied building.

In California, UCLA has been the scene of attacks on protesters and hundreds of arrests. Cal Poly Humboldt last week cleared buildings that were occupied by students and arrested 31 protesters. Encampments at UC Berkeley and Stanford University have largely been left alone.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The student-run Daily Californian has reported that UC Berkeley protest leaders have met with university administrators to discuss a possible settlement.
The University of Limerick (UL) will apologise tomorrow for a controversial housing deal at the centre of a garda investigation and a possible fraud.

Officials from the college will admit management controls were bypassed and concerns were not properly considered before the purchase was completed.

UL provost Professor Shane Kilcommins will tell the Dails Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that the 11.44m purchase of 20 homes in Rhebogue, on the outskirts of Limerick, should never have been allowed to progress.

A value for money report shows UL overspent 5.2m on the homes.

Prof Kilcommins will tell the committee UL is justifiably going to be the subject of intense scrutiny for some time because of the deal.

His opening statement for Thursday mornings PAC meeting will also reflect shock, anger and sadness experienced by staff and students because of the overspend.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 8th

There was, in effect, an override of management controls and concerns expressed about this acquisition were not adequately considered, Mr Kilcommins is expected to tell the committee.

This acquisition should never have been allowed to progress.

Not everyone thought Rhebogue was a good idea, and they conveyed their concerns and objections to the project sponsors. Notwithstanding that, the sponsors progressed the project, ultimately to the governing authority for approval.

He will tell the committee a representative on behalf of Sivergrove Developments contacted UL chief commercial officer Andrew Flaherty late in 2021 with a proposal for the university to acquire the homes.

Mr Flaherty and UL chief financial and performance officer Gary Butler later became the main sponsors of the deal as it went through internal approval processes.

A higher than anticipated stamp duty bill brings the total cost of the homes to 12.56m  or 630,000 each on average, double the price of similar homes nearby.

ULs governing authority had approved a 10.88m spend on the homes, but a contract for 11.9m was signed. This was eventually reduced to 11.44m, but this was still 560,000 more than had been approved by the board.

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) said it appears UL president Professor Kerstin Mey sanctioned the additional spend.

The deal was completed last October when students were moved into the homes. However, they do not have planning permission to be used as student accommodation, and the matter is the subject of a planning review by An Bord Pleanala.

UL wrote to gardai last month to notify them of a possible fraud. The matter is currently the subject of ongoing assessment by the Garda Economic Crime Bureau to see if a criminal investigation is warranted.

Poison-pen letters sent to the university last year are the subject of a criminal investigation over the alleged harassment and intimidation of a whistleblower who questioned the purchase.

The letter writer is alleged to have tried to undermine doubts raised about the purchase, sparking fears of bullying and threats concerning the transaction.

A fact-finding review carried out by Niamh ODonoghue, a former secretary general at the Department of Social Protection, found legitimate questions about the purchase were undermined and ignored.

It found the acquisition was approved without a full awareness of risks being presented to key decision-makers.

A separate review by consultants Avison Young on behalf of the HEA found UL ignored a cheaper accommodation solution that would have delivered more student housing so it could instead pursue the Rhebogue plans.

The university is now the subject of a special HEA review of similar deals completed in the last 15 years. Governance, cultures and other issues of concern are also being examined.

UL chancellor Professor Brigid Laffan, who was appointed to her post late last year, will tell the PAC issues around the Rhebogue deal began to surface at the second governing authority meeting she chaired.

Members of the governing authority, a board responsible for planning and governance, expressed concerns around due diligence, the high price per house and assurances they were previously given, Prof Laffan will tell TDs and Senators.

I will not ask you to trust us or tell you that there is no need for considerable change within UL. Rather, I want to convey to you my determination and the determination of the governing authority to ensure that UL emerges from this as a stronger, better governed institution, she will tell the PAC.

I want to emphasise that the problems in UL do not arise from the core academic mission or academic programmes of the Institution.

PAC chairman Brian Stanley, a Sinn Fein TD, said he is keen to hear from ULs delegation.

Matters the committee wishes to examine include a governance review by the HEA, property acquisition due diligence and oversight of this by the HEA, student enrolment and retention, shortages in student accommodation, management of subsidiary operations and management of capital assets, Mr Stanley added.
Special Day Out

Expect some great old cars at the Malahide show on May 19

The Malahide Classic & Vintage Car Show returns next Sunday, May 19, with some special rare and expensive models on view.

Last years event was hugely successful while the portents for this year look good. Malahide Lions Club, which organises the event, have announced that the 2024 show will again be sponsored by Carole Nash Insurance. It will take place at the Grand Hotel in Malahide and will feature some really interesting vehicles.

This will be the 11th running of the event. You can expect to see as many as 100 beautiful old cars on display. Models range from American brands to old British classics such as Austins, Triumphs and Jaguars, as well as continental marques like Mercedes, Porsche, Renault, Volkswagen and TVR.

The show starts at 11am and admission costs 10 for an adult with no charge for those aged under 16.

All proceeds go to Childhood Cancer Ireland and ARC Cancer Support.
Green Party deputy leader wants exchequer funding but Fianna Fail leader wants to keep fee

Collectively, the three reports on RTE add up to exactly 414 pages worth of inquiry, narrative and recommendations  at a cost of 570,000.

Everything is in there, from the excesses of the barter accounts, the way the Ryan Tubridy payments were hidden, the lack of trust between the board and the management and how the pay scales work.
Chinese president Xi Jinping is visiting three European countries this week, looking for opportunities to loosen the continents bonds with the United States and forge greater influence in the world.

Over six days of his first trip to Europe in five years, he will visit France, Serbia and Hungary.

At first glance, that appears to be an eclectic, if not eccentric, choice but many EU diplomats see a great deal of method in this selection.

Chinese officials have told the media Xis mission is essentially about lessening growing trade tensions with Europe and trying to promote peace, with talks of ceasefires in conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza for the duration of the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.

Keener observers see the medium-term goal as lessening the cohesion between the EU and Nato, which would mean weakening US-EU links. Increasingly, the rise of China is seen in terms of a struggle for dominance with the US, so lessening American influence with key European states makes sense for Beijing.

EU leaders have become increasingly concerned about what they see as unfair trading practices involving China. On a visit to Beijing last month, German chancellor Olaf Scholz repeatedly stressed the need for fairer trade relations.

After meetings in Paris on Monday, which included French president Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president again warned China against flooding European markets with cheap consumer goods.

Trade relations became more fraught in recent times when the EU announced an investigation into state subsidies for electric vehicles and Beijing countered with probes into high-end French cognac imports.

The situation has led to fears that EU-China trade could go the same negative route of a very fraught relationship between China and the US. So, there are vital interests at stake on both sides of this equation.

The visit has an air of diplomatic pomp. But this will not mask the required tough talking.

Before this visit, Brussels diplomats were talking about EU tariffs ranging between 15pc and 30pc on electric vehicles. These could be applied provisionally at first before the necessary approval by member governments later in the year. Such a move would hit China hard and it has warned strongly against it.

Xi can be assured of a warmer welcome in Serbia, an EU membership applicant, and Hungary, the regular leader of the EU awkward squad. In both countries, substantial Chinese investment is seen as a benefit from close ties with Beijing. Unfortunately, that situation also highlights EU divisions on international policy and the crucial issue of relations with China.

For Ireland, which operates a small, open economy, effective management of these internal tensions, and the forging of a sensible and pragmatic EU-China trade framework, are vital to our continued prosperity.

For everyones sake, it is vital that this visit can help alter the trajectory of EU-Chinese trade relations.
With yesterdays Irish Independent in my hand, I read that the RTE barter account  the gift that keeps on giving  had yet another 654,000 sloshing around in it that nobody knew about.

The ongoing saga about how we pay, how much we pay and who collects the TV licence goes on.

Apparently, some of this 654,000 dates back to 2018 and 2019. Does that mean the published accounts from 2018 to date were books of fiction?

Yet another compelling reason why Dee Forbes should appear before an Oireachtas committee.

It would not surprise me at this stage if the picture coming from such an exercise would be even worse than it is now.

Until that is done, the review of the TV licence should be put to the side, as this taxpayer is in no humour to entertain such a PR exercise by the Government in the run-up to a general election.

Peter Carroll, Castleknock, Dublin 15

Taoiseach must do more to keep hard-working young people from emigrating

I recently returned from a holiday in Australia. I was visiting my daughter, who is living and working in Melbourne.

It was lovely to catch up with my daughter, her cousins and friends from Ireland. I met with many young Irish diaspora. I was so proud of them. They have a wonderful work ethic.

You will find young Irish adults in all walks of life: from accountancy to agriculture, doctors to drivers, from merchandisers to midwives, teachers to technology.

They are confident, professional, responsible and conscientious members of society. They are contributing significantly to the Australian economy.

I can understand the attraction of the Australian lifestyle. The weather, the job opportunities, the affordable rents, the reasonable car insurance and the work-life balance.

My concern is: will they come home? Can this country afford to lose a generation of well-educated, intelligent and hard-working young adults?

I dont believe we can. I understand Simon Harris has no control over the Irish weather, but I think immediate action is necessary to counteract the issues facing young people.

Aine Crowe, Ardfert, Co Kerry

Leinster House will be empty for summer, why not house migrants there?

It is both embarrassing and disgusting to see tent cities in our capital, making it look like an impoverished shanty town.

If we cant house our own, can we be reasonably expected to accommodate thousands of unwelcome or illegal migrants as well as the refugees from war-torn Ukraine?

As our political overlords desperately seek an answer to this problem, one doesnt see any of them offering a house or even a bed to these unfortunate people  but perhaps room could be found during the extra-long summer recess in Leinster House.

Its a good address, within walking distance of most amenities, plus theres an in-house gym, bar and dining facilities.

For those that really want to camp out, there are plenty of good sites near Aras an Uachtarain.

Will these sites be considered? Not on your nelly.

David Ryan, Co Meath

Irish people may just send more turkeys to Europe in next months elections

John Downing warns people about getting ready to be bribed with your own money as competition for votes heats up (Irish Independent, May 7).

There is no doubt the temperature has gone up out there in the last week as the time is getting closer.

Mr Downing wrote of his first election, when he got to vote in 1977. It was the last time a political party in Ireland won an overall majority, which is something I do not think will be ever achieved again thanks to proportional representation.

I do not think that election was won totally through bribery.

A year before that, the late Seamus Brennan, then the general secretary of Fianna Fail, had gone to the US and he returned with some very useful campaign tips.

Halls Pictorial Weekly, an oil crisis and a tired leader in government were some of the other factors that contributed to the historic victory.

However, history is the past and last month marked the 50th anniversary of Abba winning the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Waterloo.

I have been out knocking on doors during this campaign and I have a fear that Ireland could send more turkeys to Europe.

There are a lot of angry people out there and they could vent their anger by sending out a protest vote  it has happened before.

John Downing is right when he says there will not be a general election in autumn. It will most likely be held next spring, but right now its the rehearsal next month I am worried about.

Thomas Garvey, Claremorris, Co Mayo

Recognising Palestinian state would be a positive step towards lasting peace

Given the catastrophe we now see in Gaza, I think the Irish governments initiative to recognise Palestine as a state is a wise move.

The people of Palestine surely deserve a helping hand in rebuilding their destroyed houses, healthcare and other infrastructural facilities.

Hopefully, in time, they will be able to look forward to foreign investment to assist in developing their country, something they certainly will not expect from apartheid Israel, whose systematic oppression of Palestinians over the years has led to the tragic events we witness daily on our screens and in our newspapers.

Anthony McGeoughs assertion that such action would be a reward for Hamas (Recognition of Palestine would reward Hamas for its brutality on October 7, Letters, May 7) is incorrect.

I would suggest that with the right international management, as we have seen in other countries rebuilt after World War II, a right-minded and peaceful Palestine can be reconstituted without endangering any of its law-abiding neighbours.

David Murphy, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14

Sunny spell of weather a great opportunity to soft serve up some cool puns

Noel Kellys letter (Bank holiday sunshine was a real treat for those who enjoy their sundaes, Letters, May 7), ends with his pun on some ladies having ice cream: I wonder were they awayfer the long weekend?

I-scream at such puns.

Leo Gormley, Dundalk, Co Louth
Over 22 million people have watched the Netflix series Baby Reindeer which follows the real-life story of Richard Gadd, who was stalked and sexually assaulted by a female customer in a pub where he had worked.

For Dubliner Jarlath Rice, watching the show brought back memories of his own harrowing experience.

It was Easter 2007 and Jarlath had an innocent cup of coffee with a stranger that he bumped into at a cafe in Dublins Ranelagh.

As a date, it was fine, and they met up a couple of times after that. But Rice just had a gut feeling that they weren't a romantic match, and he made the mistake of feeling sorry for her.

What followed was ten years of hell as Jarlath, his family, friends and work colleagues all became victims of his female stalker.

Today on The Indo Daily, Ellen Coyne is joined by Jarlath Rice who tells his unbelievable story of being harassed by an extreme stalker and the toll that it took on his life. We'll also hear from Dr Ciara Staunton, a forensic psychologist and academic operations manager at University College Cork, who outlines some of the red flags to watch out for if you meet someone new. She also tells us what you should do if you find yourself the victim of a stalker.
A former County Donegal priest has been jailed for four years for sexually abusing a young boy over a period of five years.

Eamonn Crossan (73), a former priest of the Diocese of Raphoe, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court via Videolink from Castlerea Prison on Wednesday morning before Judge John Aylmer after pleading guilty to historic sexual offences.

He pleaded guilty to nine sample charges out of a total of 96 charges in relation to the victim on dates in the late 1980s and early 1990s at named locations within County Donegal.

The State entered a nolle prosequi in relation to 44 charges at Letterkenny Circuit Court while the guilty pleas related to seven counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault.

Follow Independent Donegal on Facebook

At sentencing on Wednesday, Judge John Aylmer sentenced Crossan to five years in prison with the final 12 months suspended.

The court previously heard how the victim endured scores of incidents of sexual abuse at the hands of Crossan, some at the boys home, over a five year period when he was aged between 10 and 15.

During a previous hearing the victim, who was accompanied to court by his wife, read out a powerful victim impact statement and told Crossan; I hope you return to rot where you came from.

The victim said he had any sense of a normal childhood stolen from him and he had to fight hard against his demons to function day to day due to the abuse he endured.

He said when he saw the name of the same priest who had abused him for years in the news, with each word it was like a punch in the face.

After today, I will not let you steal another day of my life, said the victim.

I hope you return to rot where you came from.

If there is a god, then there is most definitely a hell, and that is what is waiting on you.

The court heard that Crossan would regularly frequent the vicitms family home and the initial incident occurred while the boy was staying over with Crossan to look after him when he had the flu.

At the time, the victim outlined he was in the bed, had pyjamas on and didnt remember seeing Crossan masturbating, but saw that he had exposed himself.

In a statement, the victim said the abuse progressed quickly and Crossan would touch and sexually abuse him.

The victim said the abuse became normalised but he did not know for sure how many times the abuse occurred.

He said he would wear pyjamas to bed and would sometimes wake up wearing nothing.

He recalled an incident when he came out of the bathroom and he was met by Crossan who rubbed against him and referred to it as sword fighting.

He said there would be cuddling and kissing in the clerks room and a sacristy while he was an altar boy.

The victim said that on one occasion, he was in bed which Crossan got into and the victim told him he did not like the things that he was doing to him.

At the earlier hearing, Fiona Crawford BL for the prosecution said this began the end of the abuse.

In 2021, the victim told his wife about the abuse and he reported it to gardai.

The court heard that Crossan made certain admissions during the interview process but disputed some of the claims.

He told Gardai that the victim was good fun to be with.

Crossan said it was a friendship as he was in need of affection but denied a sexual element.

In regard to previous convictions, the court heard that Crossan was convicted in 2021 of indecent assault of a child and was sentenced to three years in prison with the final 12 months suspended.

Mr Peter Nolan BL (defending) told the court that Crossan was generally co-operative, but used different phrases which diminished the allegations.

Mr Nolan said Crossan could have been freed from prison in August 2022 but had been in custody on this matter since as he had nowhere else to go as there was no provision made by family or the church.

The court heard that Crossan had minimalised his culpability for sexually abusing the victim and had said that the victims statement is 99 per cent untrue and insisted his actions were not sexually motivated.

Mr Nolan said Crossan maintains the position that nothing sexual happened and explained he had previously attended the Granada Institute following a report of abuse and he underwent a sex offender treatment programme.

Crossan was relieved of the priesthood in 1998 and he had been permitted to remain in the accommodation and was moved to Kildare in 1999, until his committal to prison in January 2021.

However, the house in Kildare has been sold and he has concerns for his future as he has no family or friends.

A risk assessment placed him in the medium risk of reoffending category while he was deemed unfit for community service due to his health issues.

A governors report described him as an enhanced prisoner who presents no problem to staff or management, he has no disciplinary issues, goes to school in prison and works in horticulture.

Mr Nolan said he fully accepts that this has been a difficult situation for the victim and understands the victim had been greatly affected by his actions.

At the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Judge Aylmer explained that Crossan is before the court on a plea of guilty on seven counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault.

He explained the plea to the nine counts is on a representative basis of 52 counts of such offences spanning a period March 1987 and December 1992.

In sentencing, Judge Aylmer said the aggravating features of the case were the young age of the child victim who was aged between 10 and 15, the evidence established that the victim was sexually assaulted on a sustained manner on a weekly basis during an almost six year period, and the defendants position of authority as a priest.

The judge said the offending constituted a grave breach of trust and the more serious offending regularly involved the violation of the victim while in bed with the defendant when he would fondle the childs genitals while the accused masturbated himself.

Judge Aylmer said the sexual abuse had a devastating psychological impact on the child and it is an impact that continues to weigh upon him as an adult.

Judge Aylmer said the most serious incidents of indecent assault which related to the touching of the childs genitals carried a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and he placed the offence in the mid-range meriting six years in prison before mitigation.

In relation to the sexual assault, Judge Aylmer placed it at the mid-range of offending and said it merited a sentence of three years before mitigation.

In reference to the counts relating to kissing on the lips and cuddling, Judge Aylmer placed them at the lower end of the mid-range offending scale and said they merited a sentence of three years before mitigation.

While a further charge in relation to kissing and cuddling was found to merit a sentence of 18 months.

In mitigation, Judge Aylmer said a plea was entered on a trial date and he acknowledged it was a late plea but said it must be recognised nevertheless as it spared further trauma for the victim.

In relation to admissions, Judge Aylmer acknowledged they were limited but there was evidence that some admissions had been made but this had been somewhat tempered by a probation report which details he lacked victim empathy and had limited remorse.

The judge said that during the previous hearing, Mr Peter Nolan had told the court that when the accused heard the victim impact statement, he appeared for the first time to have some grasp of the impact his offending had had on the victim.

Judge Aylmer said the defendant had remained in custody following a sentence for a conviction of a similar nature which was completed in august 4, 2022.

He added he had consent to bail but had nowhere to go as his family are not in contact or supplying support and he has no accommodation available to him.

Judge Aylmer said Crossan made an admission in 1998 to the previous offending and has served a sentence and acknowledged he was put out of the priesthood and sent to Granada Institute which is also taken in to consideration in mitigation.

However, he added it would appear that due to the limited admissions, remorse and empathy shown in this case, that attendance at the Ramada institute appears not to have been very effective.

Judge Aylmer also noted that the defendant was 73, had become institutionalised in a prisoner setting and was subject to a positive governors report.

Having regard for these mitigating factors, Judge Aylmer reduced the headline sentence of six years in prison to one of five years in prison.

The other sentences are to be served concurrently.

The sentence is to be backdated to August 4, 2022.

Judge Aylmer said with having regard to the age of the accused and his ongoing need for rehabilitation and reintegration into society, he said he would suspend the final 12 months of the five year sentence, resulting in a total four years in prison.

Crossan was ordered to enter into a bond to a sum of 100 to keep the peace and be off good behaviour.

He must also remain under the supervision of probation during the 12 months after his release, comply with probation direction, attend appointments and keep probation notified of any changes to address or contact details.

He was also ordered not to place himself in unsupervised access with young people or children in relation to employment, leisure or sporting activities.

Following the sentencing, The Diocese of Raphoe issued a statement apologising to the victim and appealing to any other victims to come forward.

Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Diocesan Administrator, Diocese of Raphoe said, Today in Letterkenny Circuit Court, Eamonn Crossan, a former priest of the Diocese of Raphoe, was sentenced for crimes committed against a minor.

On behalf of the Diocese and with a deep sense of shame for his actions, I sincerely reiterate my apology to his victim.

"Conscious that the quest for justice is only one part of the journey of healing, nevertheless I hope that the vindication provided by today's sentencing will in some way bring support and consolation to them, their family and friends.

I encourage anyone who may have been abused, or is suspicious of any abuse, to report it to the state authorities, or the diocesan Safeguarding Office immediately.

To report a concern, or complaint of child abuse, either current or historical, please contact Margaret Northage, the Designated Liaison Person for the diocese, on 086 2183 011.

"Free counselling and support is available through Towards Healing, an independent organisation providing professional support for people who have experienced institutional, clerical or religious abuse in Ireland. Freephone 1800 303416, said Monsignor Gillespie.
Politicians and patient groups join protest outside HSE offices demanding action from CEO

Independent councillor Joe Behan, Brid Smith TD, Mark Ward TD, Fergus O'Dowd TD and Sinn Fein councillor Daithi Doolan joined the outside the HSE offices alongside family members of residents in Cherry Orchard Hospital

The group representing families of residents being moved temporarily from Cherry Orchard Hospital, has called for urgent action from the CEO of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to address their concerns.

In November last year, 68 residents and their families were told patients would have to be moved temporarily to allow structural work to be carried out.

To the knowledge of the group, 33 residents have so far been moved, while 16 remain at Cherry Orchard. Sadly, 19 other families have since been bereaved.

In 2022, a HIQA inspection discovered that the floors of the unit were weakening and there was concern that residents could be injured if a floor collapsed.

A separate fire risk assessment found residents were at great risk and a decision was taken by the HSE to move 68 residents in the Willow and Sycamore units to accommodation off the campus.

Thomas McGennis at the protest outside the HSE with a picture of his mother Catherine

Families pleaded with the HSE to keep residents in Cherry Orchard Hospital because some of them have dementia and were familiar with the staff and their surroundings.

Speaking at a protest outside the HSE Offices at Dr Steevens Hospital, opposite Heuston Station, Maria Stynes read from a letter addressed to Bernard Gloster, CEO of the HSE.

Her grandfather, John Sweeney (96), is one of the residents who remains in Cherry Orchard Hospital where he has been there for the past year.

For 27 weeks now we, as advocates, have tried to communicate concerns and resolve the issues, she said.

At this time families feel bullied and disrespected and no longer feel comfortable negotiating our loved ones care and needs and wishes further with the current team in place.

She added that families of the residents at Cherry Orchard are deeply concerned about the impact of recent transfers.

We believe these transfers were coercive and caused undue stress and trauma to the residents and their families, she said.

The three key asks from the group are to keep the remaining residents on-site at Cherry Orchard in the completed and safe rooms within the Willow East building.

They also ask that the HSE carry out a comprehensive, independent investigation into the human rights implications of the process and transfer employed by the public health body.

Addressing the CEO of the HSE, they ask to work directly with him to ensure a satisfactory solution for the remaining residents and appropriate recognition for the bereaved families.

Michelle Murtagh, the granddaughter of a woman who died following the transfer from Cherry Orchard, spoke today at the protest on their experience.

Concerned families have been protesting against moving residents from Cherry Orchard Hospital

Marthagh Murtagh was 94 years of age and had been in Cherry Orchard Hospital for six years. She passed away on January 12, a week after being transferred.

She was the most caring and reliable person you could ever meet in your life, and she didnt deserve to be treated the way she was, Michelle said.

She added that, just days after her grandmothers death, she got a bill for 127 for the transfer to the new nursing home and there was no empathy from the HSE.

Advocacy group Care Champions has been supporting families since they got notice that residents would be moved and were at the protest outside the HSE offices today.

Spokesperson Majella Beattie told the Irish Independent: We are urging Mr Gloster to directly address the families concerns and ensure the voice of the residents is finally heard and heeded by the HSE.

Care Champions believes the HSE has prioritised a purely medical viewpoint, neglecting the residents ability to participate in decisions about their care.

We believe the current process disrespects the Assisted Decision Making legislation and lacks transparency, planning, and family involvement.

This has caused unnecessary grief and trauma for families who have already lost loved ones in distressing and unfamiliar environments.

We hope that Mr Gloster will respond favourably to the three asks the families will present today.

The HSE has been contacted for comment.
The latest fire at the playground in Sean Moore Park. Pic: @GeogheganCllr

Another fire has broken out at a playground in south Dublin, the latest in countless incidents at the same location.

The playground, in Sean Moore Park beside Sandymount Strand, has been set on fire roughly 12 times in as many months, according to one councillor.

Fine Gael councillor James Geoghegan said the playground cost a quarter of a million euros to build.

He was sent a photograph of the scene of the fire from a resident in the area last night showing plumes of smoke emerging from the scene of the arson attack.

He is calling for CCTV cameras to be installed in the playground to ensure that this does not happen again.

The Minister for Justice recently announced an additional 1m to support community CCTV schemes, and Dublin City Council needs to avail of that funding, he said.

Including CCTV at any playground is obviously a last resort option, but the Sean Moore Park playground in Sandymount has been set alight so many times now, its a total nightmare.

This incredible investment for children in the area is being destroyed month after month with no consequence for the vandals involved.

He added that he contacted management within Dublin City Council this morning, calling for the installation of CCTV for the residents of Sandymount who value this space.

Dublin City Council, An Garda Siochana, and Dublin Fire Brigade have been contacted for comment.
Galway native Patrick ORourkes new mobile Irish pub is already proving a smash hit for parties in New York just weeks after its big launch.

67-year-old Patrick, who is originally from New Inn in County Galway but now lives in Staten Island, New York, explained to the Irish Independent that The Thatch Pub is a mobile Irish pub anyone can rent for any kind of party.

Patrick said: I had the idea for quite a while, and then when I retired a couple of years ago, I said let me put this thing into action.

Follow Independent Galway on Facebook

After buying the trailer, it took Patrick about six months to complete the project and he said he could not be happier with the result.

Patrick said: I didnt have any blueprints or anything, its all from my head and it all worked out unbelievable. I was born and brought up in a thatched cottage back home in Galway, in a dairy farm in a place called New Inn, between Athenry and Loughrea. So thats how I came out with the thatched roof on it and the stone-like siding.

Patrick ORourke at The Thatch Pub

The 16x8ft pub is not only meticulously crafted outside, but it is also full of unique details inside, as Patrick put together memorabilia from both the US and Ireland, including a Galway hurling stick and many pictures.

The Galway man explained: I collected stuff at yard sales in Boston, NewJersey, Florida, Pennsylvania. And I was in Ireland last October, I went to the Ballinasloe Horse Fair, I brought a lot of stuff over with me.

Inside The Thatch Pub

And theres a lot of pictures in there, with my parents, who have since passed away, my four kids, my grandchildren, they are all up on the wall there.

The hurling stick came from my brother in law, my nephew plays for the Galway team, he added.

Patrick explained that anyone can now rent The Thatch Pub, which comes with a keg chiller and gas for the taps, it has a smart TV and a speaker system which is Bluetooth enabled, air conditioning and heating are also available.

The pub also has a small electric fireplace, and there is seating for up to eight people in the corner snug, four short stools and two stools at the bar. A generator is used for the power.

The Thatch Pub

He explained: I drive it there, I drop it off, lets say noon time, and I come back 24 hours later to pick it up, unless they want an extra day.

I just supply the unit, I dont supply the alcohol or bartending, they get their own alcohol, glassware and all that.

Patrick said he is extremely satisfied with his job and is over the moon to hear all the great feedback hes getting from its first customers.

He said: Its unbelievable. People want to rent it, Im flat out, retiring parties, wedding parties, you name it!
John Waters, a part-time San Francisco resident, was injured in Maryland when his car was hit by a van that ran a red light. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Cult filmmaker John Waters is on the mend after a car accident in Maryland led to a brief hospitalization this week.

Since it hurts when I laugh I will have no witty answer about being in a car accident that no one has said was my fault, Waters, 78, wrote in a statement on Tuesday. Hope you understand. Im released from the hospital and all is OK.

The accident occurred on Monday in Timonium, just north of Waters native Baltimore, when a cargo van whose driver ran a red light rammed into the front drivers side corner of Waters car, according to a report by the Baltimore Sun.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Waters, who was kept in the hospital overnight, was examined for chest pain. The 25-year-old driver of the van, who admitted to entering the intersection on a red signal, according to a police report, was unharmed.

Waters, also known as the Pope of Trash, a title given to him by William Burroughs, is famous for cult classics like Pink Flamingos and Cry-Baby. He is a part-time resident of San Francisco and a recognized gay icon and author.

He is a familiar face in the Bay Area, hosting an annual Christmas show in San Francisco and the Mosswood Meltdown festival every summer in Oakland.

After rumors circulated on social media that he had suffered a critical head injury, Waters issued a statement clarifying his condition. He was in Baltimore the previous week for the Maryland Film Festival.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
A notorious Limerick criminal previously jailed for nailing a man to a kitchen floor has failed in an appeal against the severity of a separate three-and-a-half year sentence for possessing crime cash wrapped up with an encrypted phone.

Gerard Mackin with a previous address at Rhebogue Road in Limerick, was extradited from Alicante in Spain in December 2022 and pleaded guilty to laundering 4,780 as the proceeds of criminal behaviour at Rhebogue Road in Limerick, on April 17, 2019.

Imposing sentence at the Special Criminal Court last May, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said that Mackin handled the money "in the context of some form of serious organised criminality in the Limerick area". While the sum of money, 4,780, was "at the lower end of the scale" the judge said the circumstances were not and Mackin's previous conviction for assault causing harm was "relevant to this case in that it explains the background against which the proceeds of crime in this case were handled".

At the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, Michael OHiggins SC, for Mackin, argued that the overall sentence imposed by the court was excessive, the headline sentence of four years and eight months was overly severe and that the court erred in failing to suspend a portion of the sentence having regard to the mitigating factors in the case.

Mr OHiggins said the amount of money seized was low but was only one piece of the jigsaw. He said the context here was juxtaposing the very low amount with the fact that the money was bubble wrapped with two mobile phones, one of which was capable of encrypting data.

Mr OHiggins said that while there was no doubt that the fact the money was found bubble wrapped with two mobile phones - one of which was capable of encrypting data - was a troubling aspect, the difficulty here was in the weight the court had attached to this.

It was submitted that no evidence was given at the sentence hearing that this offence or the previous conviction was related to a serious criminal organisation.

He said the court did not have the clarity or the sure footing to bring the sentence from the ground floor to the top floor in the band in which it falls.

Counsel also submitted that the trial judges failed to give appropriate credit to the length of time that had passed since the commission of the offence, the guilty plea at the earliest possible opportunity, the appellants voluntary return to Ireland, his compliance with gardai and his personal circumstances.

The lawyer argued that the reduction of 25% given to the headline sentence should have been higher given the mitigating factors in the case, including the fact that Mackin had come before the court with a good work record, had struggled with alcohol difficulties in the past and the fact the court had accepted the operation was not a sophisticated one. He said the court had the discretion to reduce the sentence by a third.

The court also erred in failing to suspend a portion of the sentence, the lawyer stated, having regard to the mitigating factors and the principles of proportionality and rehabilitation. He said the trial judges noted the appellants intention to take himself out of the criminal milieu he had gotten himself into but had failed to structure a sentence that would incentivise this rehabilitation.

Fiona Murphy SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said no error in principle had been identified. She said there was clear evidence the appellant was involved in criminality and that was the background for this offending.

In relation to the discount given to the headline sentence, Ms Murphy said the court was entitled to consider all the circumstances and said there was a discretion as to what amount could be given for an early plea.

The court is entitled to give whatever deduction they feel is appropriate and the court clearly did so, she said.

Dismissing the appeal in a decision delivered this afternoon, Mr Justice John Edwards said the Special Criminal Court was entitled to take the view that the appellants involvement in crime was not minor and peripheral.

He said that while the amount of money involved was only 4,780, it was found with two phones - one with the capacity for encryption - encased in bubble wrap.

The judge also noted that Mackin told lies about the source of the money and the background, with initial suggestions that it was from the credit union and later claims that it was from the appellants work.

He said that while gardai accepted Mackin had an income, their evidence was it did not come from either of those sources and that it was the proceeds of crime.

Having regard to Mackins previous conviction, the judge said that while he had been punished already and there was no question of him being punished for a second time, it was a factor to be considered.

In regard to the argument that insufficient discount was given, he said the court had not been persuaded there the reduction was too low.

He said the plea of guilty was evidently of value to the court and the appellant had been afforded an overall discount of 25%.

The judge said the plea was the major item of mitigation and while there were other factors the extent to which they would have contributed would have been modest.

He said that while it was true the court did not reference the other mitigating factors such as his previous work history and family circumstances, they were not obliged to do so and there was no reason to believe they were not taken into account in arriving at the 25% discount.

Mr Justice Edwards said accordingly, the court dismissed the appeal against severity of sentence.

Mackin had pleaded guilty before the three-judge court to knowing or believing, or being reckless as to whether property, 4,780, was the proceeds of criminal conduct, did handle, acquire and/or possess the said property contrary to Section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act of 2010.

At the hearing in March 2023, Detective Sergeant Padraig O'Dwyer told Ms Murphy that two gardai on patrol had observed an Opel Insignia car suspiciously parked outside Mackin's house on April 17, 2019. The driver was searched and found to be in possession of 4,780 in cash, an Aquaris phone and an iPhone wrapped in bubble wrap and tied together with elastic bands.

The court heard that Mackin came out of his house and conversed with gardai telling them that the money belonged to him.

In January 2011, Mackin's retrial for the murder of Edward Burns, a taxi driver and 36-year-old father-of-five, dramatically collapsed at the Special Criminal Court after the State entered a 'nolle prosequi' [a decision not to prosecute]. Several of Mackin's supporters who were in court applauded and cheered while members of the victim's family openly wept.

The chief prosecution witness refused to give evidence at the trial after telling a Belfast High Court judge he was threatened that if he gave any evidence, he would be shot dead.

Mackin had pleaded not guilty to the murder at Bog Meadow, Falls Road, Belfast on March 12, 2007.

It was the second trial of Mackin after a 2008 conviction - which made Mackin the first person convicted in a Dublin court for an alleged murder in Belfast under a rarely-used cross border anti-terrorism law - was quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal and a retrial ordered.

In July 2013, another nolle prosequi was entered against Mackin at the non-jury court on a charge of IRA membership and demanding money with menaces on behalf of the INLA in Co Monaghan on May 18 and 21, 2012.
More than 600 people have signed a petition in opposition to the mast's development.

Locals in Scotstown have reacted with fury at the installation of a mast within yards of local homes and a short distance from a number of listed buildings.

Telecommunications giant Eir has revealed it has put on hold ongoing plans to install a 40ft high mobile phone mast in a county Monaghan village after incensed locals hit out at the move.

Irate homeowners and locals from the idyllic village of Scotshouse took aim at the development, which they say will directly impact a community that has been left reeling by the controversy.

In a letter penned by members from Scotshouse Community Group, locals said while the motive behind the Eir mast may be driven by technological advancement, the potential ramifications on the village, property values and all round aesthetics of the area have not been considered.

A view of the mast from a nearby bedroom window.

First and foremost, there are legitimate concerns about the health implications associated with the presence of such infrastructure in close proximity to residential areas, the group stated.

While the debate surrounding the health effects of electromagnetic radiation continues, it's essential to err on the side of caution and thoroughly assess the potential risks to our families and children. This mast has been erected a mere twelve feet from a childs bedroom.

A public meeting in opposition to the structure was held on Monday in Scotshouse Community Centre while a petition has already attracted over 600 signatures.

Locals have insisted they will continue their efforts in opposition to the masts installation and have even vowed to launch legal proceedings.

We invite all concerned to join and support us as we find ways to effectively communicate our objections, mobilise support, and explore legal avenues to challenge this proposal, added the group.

We believe it is our responsibility as residents to unite and oppose the erection of this mast. Our voices matter, and together, we have the power to advocate for the preservation of Scotshouse Village for generations to come.

More than 600 people have signed a petition in opposition to the mast's development.

In a statement to the Irish Independent website, an Eir spokesperson confirmed work on the proposed mast had been halted owing to local opposition at the development.

"Eir has temporarily paused the construction of a telecommunications mast in Scotshouse Village, County Monaghan due to local opposition concerning its location, said the spokesperson.

"This infrastructure upgrade, co-located at the local telephone exchange, is classified as exempt under Class 31 of the Planning and Development Regulations and aims to enhance mobile voice and data services, particularly indoor coverage in the area.

Follow Independent Monaghan on Facebook

The company said it now planned to to engage with local representatives to address concerns and explore solutions with a view to proceeding with enhancing the areas communication needs.
The Beach Bar in Templeboy, County Sligo will benefit from a 20,000 advertising package as part of an FBD Insurance small business support campaign.

The Beach Bar is located on the Beach at Aughris Head, in Templeboy and opened in 1974. It has established itself into an eatery enjoyed by locals and tourists alike run by Darren McDermott.

The Beach Bar prides itself on serving locally sourced food and is renowned for its delicious chowder and nacho dishes. The building is more than 300 years old and is rich in local history.

The Beach Bar is one of seven companies selected by FBD Insurance to take part in an advertising package worth 140,000 for seven Irish SMEs nationwide. Each business will avail of an advertising package valued at more than 20,000.

The selected SMEs represent diverse sectors, ranging from food and hospitality to retail, and hail from all corners of the country. This selection highlights FBDs dedication to fostering growth and sustainability across multiple industries and all geographic areas.

Each business taking part is an FBD customer and is benefitting from an advertising package placing them in a prime Out of Home billboard location to ensure they can reach the largest possible audience. The advertising bundle also includes radio, print and digital advertising.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 8th

All seven businesses will also be featured across Irelands largest Out Of Home billboard in Dublin City Centre which will enhance exposure of the businesses and help them reach new audiences.

Speaking about taking part in the campaign, Darren McDermott of The Beach Bar said: We are delighted to have been selected to take part in this important advertising campaign which shines a line on the importance of SMEs to the Irish economy. The advertising package is an invaluable contribution to our business and wed like to thank FBD for supporting Irish SMEs.

Sharon Treanor, Head of Marketing at FBD Insurance, added: Customers and communities across our 34 branches nationwide are at the heart of everything we do at FBD Insurance. We are always ready to support customers and are delighted to take this support one step further through the launch of this targeted advertising package which we hope goes some way to assist businesses through the current cost of doing business challenges.

Advertising is a key way for businesses to tell their story and reach new customers but can often be overlooked during challenging economic times, we look forward to seeing our customer stories featured all across the country as part of this campaign and are confident that this support will have a positive impact on their business growth journey.

SMEs currently make up 98% of the Irish business landscape* and are the backbone of the Irish economy. In recognition of the contribution SMEs make to the Irish economy and the rising cost of doing business they are experiencing, FBD Insurance has selected seven SMEs nationwide for an exclusive support initiative.
50th anniversary of Dublin bombings that killed 27 people including County Sligo woman

New RTE podcast, The Forgotten recalls the bombings in Dublin fifty years ago next week which claimed the lives of 27 people including that of Ballymote Civil Servant Ann Marren

Margaret OConnor at the Talbot Street memorial to the victims including her sister, Ann Marren.

Sligo Champion Wed 8 May 2024 at 07:00

On May 17th 1974 four no-warning car bombs exploded in Dublin and Monaghan, resulting in the deadliest attack of the Troubles. 34 people were killed and almost 300 were injured in both attacks.
New Queen Maeve Square set to become an iconic focal point of Sligo town

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD with Sligo Welcome Ambassadors, (l-r), Edward Durand, Sean Cunningham, Keville Burns and Gerry Tuohy at the official opening Queen Maeve Square.

(L-R), Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD with Frank Feighan TD, Marian Harkin TD and Martin Kenny TD at the official opening Queen Maeve Square.

Queen Maeve Square was officially opened on Friday by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD, in the company of Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Gerard Mullaney. It follows an investment of over 4million by Failte Ireland, the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage and Sligo County Council.

And, following its opening, the new public space was host to a week-end of music.

Queen Maeve Square has transformed the centre of Sligo into an attractive public space and orientation hub, and aims to encourage visitors to come to Sligo for events and festivals. It will also serve as an outdoor venue for concerts and other events, with a standing capacity of approximately 4,500.

Outdoor dining facilities for local businesses and attractive seating options ensure that the Square will attract visitors and encourage them to stay longer, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the centre of Sligo.

An iconic Sligo sign, which was unveiled during the launch, will become a focal point of Queen Maeve Square. It is expected to encourage visitors to stop for photo opportunities and spend more time in the area, while helping promote and raise the profile of the Square and Sligo.

Speaking at the official opening, Councillor Gerard Mullaney, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council said: Queen Maeve Square will play a key role in promoting Sligos attractions, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the visitor experience.

Located in the heart of Sligo, Queen Maeve Square is designed to be a versatile and functional space that caters to the diverse needs of the community. Queen Maeve Square stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity, inviting everyone to experience the magic of this remarkable town.

Minister Martin said: I am pleased to officially open Queen Maeve Square today in Sligo. The investment of over 4million in Queen Maeve Square helps transform the heart of the town and gives a central focus to many of Sligos attractions.

Sligo has so much to offer visitors, and Queen Maeve Square creates a fantastic focal point for the town, and is an exciting new addition to support Sligo hosting festivals and events, like the one being held here this weekend.

Queen Maeve Square is a wonderful amenity for visitors to enjoy and spend longer in the region and I look forward to seeing the tourism offering in Sligo continue to develop around this focal point and under the guidance of Failte Irelands recently launched 5-year Destination and Experience Development Plan for Sligo.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Housing, Darragh OBrien TD, said: Queen Maeve Square is one of a number of projects my Department, through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, is supporting across County Sligo.

Along with other URDF supported projects, such as the OConnell Street Enhancement works, this project will help drive regeneration and rejuvenation of the town centre and help make Sligo an even more attractive and vibrant place for people to live, work and invest in. Sligo County Council has been allocated over 57 million in total under the URDF and I look forward to continuing to work with them on the progression and completion of their remaining URDF projects

Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Failte Ireland added: Failte Ireland is committed to and focused on the sustainable development of tourism across Ireland which is an important economic driver and source of employment.

We look for every opportunity to develop destinations and invest in compelling visitor experiences with the potential to drive visitors across the regions. Queen Maeve Square, which has been developed by Failte Ireland in partnership with Sligo County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is a fantastic new amenity that will support the continued development of Sligos tourism offering.

The vision of this project is to create an attractive public space and central hub for Sligo which will serve as an outdoor venue for concerts and events and facilitate visitor orientation and information points to encourage visitors to learn more, stay longer and explore the wider region.

Chief Executive of Sligo County Council, Martin Lydon said: The opening of Queen Maeve Square marks a transformative moment for Sligo as we continue to position ourselves as a premier destination along the Wild Atlantic Way.

This new civic space is not just a beautiful public amenity - it is a testament to our communitys pride and ambition.

Queen Maeve Square will serve as a vibrant hub for residents and visitors alike, encouraging exploration of our rich history and natural assets. I am confident this project will be a catalyst for the sustainable renewal of our historic town centre, further enhancing Sligos reputation as a welcoming, culturally vibrant gateway to the northwest.

This is an exciting day for Sligo, and we look forward to the many events, activities and fond memories that will take place in this wonderful new public square.

The project is enhanced with four information points which detail Sligos rich history and inspires visitors to further explore the destination. These information points focus on different themes relevant to Sligo and the cut-out artwork for the metal signs was designed by students from ATU Sligo.

The Square will feature a map of Sligos Coastline etched in the pavement with ground lighting to mark the 7 nearby Discovery Points along the Wild Atlantic Way. An orientation sign designed by Sligo illustrator, Annie West provides further information to visitors, and at night, the Square will be illuminated by light projections offering an exciting, animated space.

The Queen Maeve Festival will be the first event to take place in the newly launched Square and will run from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th May, featuring musical acts Gavin James, Moncrieff, and Teada and Niamh Farrell.
The Wexford Food Producers Network were delighted to partner with the 2024 Enniscorthy Rockin Food & Fruit Festival which took place over the May Bank Holiday.

This years festival featured an Artisan Food Market with over eighty artisan vendors including many local Wexford food producers. A host of guests enjoyed a Drinks & Food Showcase presented by The Wexford Food Producers Network with a delicious and enticing display of the best food and beverages that are produced by Wexford companies.

Speaking at the event the Minister of State for the Department of Justice, James Browne said: It is very positive to see so many Wexford based food producers showcasing their produce across the town of Enniscorthy this weekend for the 2024 Enniscorthy Rockin Food & Fruit Festival. The food, drink & primary production sector accounted for 40 per cent of all export sales by Irish-owned companies, directly supporting 165,000 jobs, or 6.5 per cent of total employment, predominantly in rural and coastal communities. The Wexford Food Producers Network supports the development of the business of Wexford food. Their organisation contributes to building a sustainable food industry that works collaboratively to achieve a stronger economic impact not only for Wexford based companies but for the wider Irish economy.

Trudie Power, Chairperson, The Wexford Food Producers Network, said: On behalf of The Wexford Food Producers Network we would like to congratulate the 2024 Enniscorthy Rockin Food & Fruit Festival on a great success. We were delighted to partner with the festival this year to support our members, of which many were exhibiting their Wexford food produce for the duration of the festival.

We would like to congratulate the town of Enniscorthy for the successful staging of this festival and thank Festival Chairman Eric Barron and the festival committee for their support of our local Wexford food producers.

This year Wexford food producers will participate in various events across the country to engage with new audiences and spread the word of Wexford produced foods and beverages. We cannot do this without the support of our funding agencies and in this regard we would like to recognise and thank Wexford Co. Council, Wexford Local Enterprise Office and Wexford Local Development for their continued support. We would also like to thank our event sponsors Eno Wines and Pettitts SuperValu Enniscorthy for their support.

The Wexford Food Producers Network provides a centralised member led and member representative organisation with a core remit to promote and support the business of Wexford food. The organisation has over fifty members who are Wexford based sole traders, SMEs and large companies. Their continued aim is to support Wexford food producers, to build a sustainable food industry and to contribute significantly to the Irish economy on a local, regional, national and international level through the export markets.

The Wexford Food Producers Network is recognised and supported by Wexford County Council, Wexford Local Enterprise Office and Wexford Local Development. The Wexford Food Producers Network engages with the Department of Agriculture, Food & The Marine and with national agencies Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Ornua The Irish Dairy Board on various important issues for the Irish food and drinks sector.
With acts like The Wolfe Tones, Dec Pierces Block Rockin Beats and Green Road already confirmed for Wexfords newest festival, organisers have confirmed the latest act that will grace the stage under the big top at the far side of Wexford Bridge for Breakwater Festival in August.

With Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann set to envelope Wexford town on August 4 to 11, Lantern Events are looking to go for trad with a modern twist as The Whistlin Donkeys will perform at Breakwater Festival on Saturday, August 10.

This will be the biggest Wexford show that the Tyrone natives have done in the Model County to date and organisers are hoping that it will add to the electric atmosphere of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann and prove a hit with visitors and locals alike.

folk band The Whistlin Donkeys

The band has been performing together since 2011 and have gained a strong following in that time for their unique blend of Irish music and Celtic rock influences, creating their own distinctive, foot-stomping sound.

Performing fan-favourites like Bees Wing, Maniac 2000, South Australia and Can't Help Falling in Love, youll quickly see why theyve developed a following.

Tickets for the show go on general sale this Friday, May 10 at 10 a.m. from breakwaterfestival.ie and ticketmaster.ie.
Three plots of land which adjoin a housing estate in Bridgetown have been listed for sale on the website of a well-known real estate agent. The green areas, which are used by residents of Hazelwood, are being sold as one lot for 70,000 and are not subject to planning permission. While the lot is now on the open market, one Rosslare councillor has urged Wexford County Council to step in and purchase it on behalf of the people of the area.
Pastor Solomon Aroboto from the Arklow Christian Community Church makes a presentation to Denise Guilifoyle and Liam Wolohan from Arklow Community First Responders.

The Arklow Christian Community Church supported Arklow Community First Responders at their monthly Super Sunday event for April.

Praising the volunteers for their dedicated service to their community, Pastor Solomon Aroboto was delighted to present a cheque in person to Denise Guilifoyle and Liam Wolohan from Arklow Community First Responders.

Speaking after the presentation, the Tidy Towns volunteers said they were thrilled with the churchs generous contribution and felt supremely honoured to be chosen as recipients.

The Arklow Christian Community Church organises a Super Sunday fundraising event at their highly popular Sunday service every month.

The Arklow Christian Community Church has made sizeable donations to a variety of worthy local causes over the years, including Mens Sheds, Arklow Cancer Support, local scout groups, local schools, Arklow RNLI, The East Wicklow Youth Service, the Vault Youth Cafe, The Arklow Community Action Resource Centre and Arklow Tidy Towns  to name but a few.
Last year the Bay Areas best source for Roman-style pizza closed, leaving a rectangular hole in my heart. The style, also known as pizza al taglio, is cut by scissors and sold by weight.

But fret not, believers, for there is hope in the small Wine Country city of Sebastopol: Psychic Pie, a chapel that not only keeps the style alive but takes it in a fresh, Californian direction.

Opened by Nicholi Ludlow and Leith Leiser-Miller in 2022, Psychic Pie has filled the aching cavity in my chest left by Pollara Pizzeria. While the Berkeley outfit summoned Italy, Psychic veers off with exceptional sourdough and fun, off-the-wall topping combinations. From asparagus partnered with piquant pimento cheese to rich cured meats draped over beets, every option has its own flavorful story to tell. Not only is the pizza shop one of the finest in the Bay Area, it is unrivaled for the Roman-style experience.

Bread is the reason for being at Psychic Pie. Ludlow is, first and foremost, a bread baker, and the pizza is a stage to flaunt his skills. Crackly, strikingly tangy and full of bubbly ridges, the dough here is naturally leavened  Psychics key twist on the genre. A mix of grains creates divine flavor: Spelt and semolina bring nuttiness. Rye produces tang, while bread flour creates a beautiful gluten network, said Ludlow. Fermented for up to 72 hours, the dough has some similarities to focaccia, only with a much higher hydration level  as high as 90%.

Left: Buffalo milk soft serve ice cream is topped with olive oil and sea salt at Psychic Pie. Right: Co-owner Leith Leiser-Miller grates local cheese over pizza slices. Photos by Rachel Bujalski/Special To The Chronicle Above: Buffalo milk soft serve ice cream is topped with olive oil and sea salt at Psychic Pie. Below: Co-owner Leith Leiser-Miller grates local cheese over pizza slices. Photos by Rachel Bujalski/Special To The Chronicle

When you walk into Psychic Pie, youll see a parade of pizzas, with bountiful multicolored toppings, locked behind sneeze-guard protection. If youve never had Roman-style pizza, dont expect an experience that caters to your whims. All of the options are premade  ranging from meaty to vegetable-forward and vegan  and cannot be altered. What is customizable, however, are slice sizes, which can be measured, if youre so inclined, in fingers. (As a rule of thumb, three nubs is the smallest dimension allowed.) Each cut is weighed, returned to the oven and dressed with final embellishments like a shower of aged Parmesan-style cheese from Valley Ford Creamery, or a drizzle of olive oil.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Opt for the crunchy red pie (slice for ~$4), dressed only with tomato sauce and olives, or plain cheese (slice for ~$7.20) to survey the breadmaking at its purest. Its worth noting that the former is vegan, the chefs prefer naturally plant-based ingredients over faux meats and cheese.

If nostalgia is what you crave, the pepperoni slice (~$6.70) will make you happy. Better yet was the house-made sausage (slice for ~$9), whose tender richness was equalized by pickled onions.

The sleeper hit was the mushroom slice ($6.60), frosted with ricotta and funky goat cheese, and littered with a medley of crimini, shiitake and maitake mushrooms. A garnish of lemon zest brought zippy sunshine.

At Psychic Pie, customers can see all the rectangular pizzas available that day before ordering. Rachel Bujalski/Special to The Chronicle

The safer choices become a stepping stone to the more out-there options, many of which change seasonally and showcase produce from Sonoma farms. The shops creativity and attitude shines through standouts like the Morty-D (slice for ~$6.75), mortadella with nettle-pistachio pesto and stracciatella; capicola coupled with beets (slice for ~$6); and asparagus accompanied by salami and pimento cheese (slice for ~$6.70). Each component acted as a vital puzzle piece, contributing to the greater tasty image.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The only misstep I encountered was the kale salad ($16). The cruciferous green could have used some massaging or dicing to make the texture and bitterness a bit more palatable.

Ideally, the meal ends with buffalo milk soft serve ($5), drizzled with olive oil and flaky salt (+$1), and presented in a mug with a creepy, winking face. It had the thickness of fondant but was nowhere near as sweet. For even more contrast, try adding a few dots of spicy chile oil, found at every table, producing a taste similar to adding chile crisp to ice cream.

The pizzeria began as a pop-up in 2021, after Leiser-Miller got pregnant with the couples first child. During the pandemic, the couple worked together at Neapolitan pizzeria Del Popolo in San Francisco and delivered whole take-and-bake pies for the pop-up as a side gig. A year later, Psychic Pie transitioned to a brick-and-mortar. On the drink front, the pizza shop emphasizes natural wines and beers from small producers in California.

Leith Leiser-Miller cuts pizza with scissors, per the Roman-style tradition. Slices are sold by weight. Rachel Bujalski/Special to The Chronicle

The pizza shops quirky, easy-going vibe permeates the compact space. The ovens keep the place toasty; if you run hot (like me), outdoor seating is available. A pink-and-white color scheme adds whimsy, as does the logo, the all-seeing eye of a majestic pizza deity floating above a figure with crossed legs and raised arms. The vigilant gods gaze is unbroken. Its cheesy power, awesome.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Legend has it that this holy being is the power source of the pizzeria. OK, I made that up, but I believe it to be true. Psychic Pie is a sanctuary to behold, feel and, most importantly, taste this almightys glory.

Psychic Pie

980 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol. https://www.psychicpie.com/

Hours: 4-8 p.m. Wednesday. 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

Accessibility: Staircase near entrance with wheelchair ramp. Wheelchair accessible tables inside. Outdoor stool seating available.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Noise level: Mild.

Meal for two, without drinks: $30-$40.

What to order: Morty-D (slice for ~$6.70 or $26 per pound), sausage and pickled onions (slice for ~$6.50 or $25 per pound).

Meat-free options: Mushroom lemon pizza (slice for ~$6.60 or $22 per pound), vegan (slice for ~$3.60 or $20 per pound).

Transportation: Near 26 and 26 Bus routes. Parking lot.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Appeal launched for mother who watched daughter (5) die from gunshot wound as family fled Gaza

As fighting intensifies between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, a Co Wicklow teacher has started a GoFundMe to help a heartbroken mother, who now shares her harrowing story of escape to Ireland, during which her husband and five-year-old daughter died

Halla and Chahd Al Saqqa, in Bray. Photo: Leigh Anderson.

Tom Galvin Bray People Wed 8 May 2024 at 08:00

A teacher who lives in Bray is making a desperate appeal for a brave and beautiful young woman and her daughter from Gaza, who arrived here without the rest of their family, after they were shot while fleeing northern Gaza for what they were told by the Israeli Defense Forces was safe passage south.
Former residents of Greystones institution are denied access to the States redress scheme

Three former residents of the Westbank Orphanage, in Greystones, concluded their days-long campaign to raise awareness of their exclusion from the Mother and Baby Home Redress Scheme, which was was set up in 2002 to give compensation and support to people who were abused while resident in industrial schools, reformatories and other institutions.

Westbank Orphanage was based in Greystones, having relocated from Harolds Cross, Dublin in the 1940s, where it was known as the Protestant Orphan Home for Destitute Girls. The orphanage was associated with the Presbyterian Church, the Church of Ireland and with the Bray Gospel Hall, also known as the Christian Assembly Bray.

The campaign, led by Sidney Herdman, Colm Begley and Andrew Yates has been supported by Wicklow TDs Jennifer Whitmore and John Brady, who have called on Taoiseach Simon Harris to address the legacy of abuse in the orphanage, which was located in his hometown.

The campaigners embarked on three days of leafletting and postering in Bray and Greystones, handing out information at Evangelical, Presbyterian, Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic services on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Deputy Whitmore met with the three former residents as the campaign drew to a close and pledged to continue raising the Westbank Redress issue in the Dail.

While the three men received a positive reception from the public and at all of the churches they visited, at Bray Gospel Hall the Westbank Redress Facebook page reported that the church official, Gordon Lewis, objected to leaflets being handed out to those attending, while also refusing to allow a Westbank poster to be placed on a pole outside the Gospel Hall.

When contacted, Mr Lewis said: As a Christian church, we have always welcomed those in Westbank, (including former residents) to our Hall, and still do. However, he added that without any prejudice whatsoever to the campaign, it was disappointing to see church worship disturbed in that way.

The campaigners said that after the service, though still hostile to the message of the former residents, Gordon Lewis asked us in for some lunch, which they declined because of other engagements.

Deputy Whitmore has now called on the Government to support the survivors of Westbank Orphanage, following a debate in the Dail on the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024, which took place last Tuesday, April 30.

Survivors of the Westbank Orphanage have contacted me in recent weeks, Deputy Whitmore said. Their redress campaign should not have to be fought  this should have been addressed years ago. I want to pay tribute to the survivors who have not allowed this to be forgotten.

As children, they were subject to psychological and physical abuse in the orphanage. Many were sent out to work in the summers, illegally adopted and kept separate from their family members who were also in Westbank.

Westbank survivors were excluded from the initial Mother and Baby Home Redress Scheme; however, since then, in 2016, the Second Interim Report of the Mother and Baby Home Commission Inquiry, Section 5.14 of the report, stated that there is an argument that it (Westbank) should have been included in the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.

The final reports recommendations from the Oireachtas Joint Committee also stated that other institutions, including Westbank, not investigated by the Commission, were unfairly excluded from the scheme.

The Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 is an opportunity to recognise the orphanage survivors. As a Wicklow TD and a Greystones local, I know that while we cannot undo the harm that was done, we must, at the very least, do all we can to support these survivors now in adulthood.

I will continue to pursue redress for these victims and bring forward an amendment to the legislation in the weeks ahead seeking to address this gap in the redress scheme, concluded Deputy Whitmore.

Meanwhile, Wicklow Sinn Fein TD John Brady has called on Taoiseach Simon Harris, a native of Greystones, to use all of his power and influence to address the legacy of abuse in the orphanage.

Deputy Brady said the orphanage, for which the Irish state had a statutory responsibility, was a place where residents suffered horrific abuse, including sexual, emotional and physical abuse.

The record of suffering endured by the children who passed through the Westbank Orphanage in Wicklow is truly heartbreaking. Its story is one of young lives being destroyed by abuse and neglect, he said.

I am appealing to the Fine Gael Taoiseach Simon Harris, a Wicklow man, to offer his support to the survivors of the Westbank Orphanage. Many of whom have suffered an appalling litany of sexual and physical assaults, including forced starvation, along with wide-scale emotional abuse, in their campaign for inclusion in the Residential Institutions Redress scheme.

Both a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas, and the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation have called for the Westbank Orphanage to be included in the Residential Institutions Redress scheme. Westbank Orphanage was subject to state inspection, which led it to qualify for inclusion in the Residential Institutions Redress scheme. Continuing attempts to exclude the survivors is wrong on so many levels, he continued.

These were children who were beaten, starved, in some cases sexually abused, along with enduring terrible emotional abuse. Some of these children were taken across the border illegally to work as farm labourers, sometimes from as young as five years of age.

They were in many instances denied adoption. Children were lied to about their parents, often having their names changed. Many children had siblings in the orphanage that they knew nothing about, they were lied to and made to believe that they were alone in the world.

The Irish State had a statutory responsibility for the orphanage, to which all protestant denominations sent children. Today, the State has both a moral and legal responsibility towards these children, that cannot be allowed to be swept under the carpet. I am calling, indeed appealing to Taoiseach Simon Harris to give his support to the campaign of the survivors of this terrible abuse which took place in his own hometown of Greystones.

In the words of one survivor, the story of the Westbank Orphanage is a blot on the landscape of Wicklow. Taoiseach Simon Harris has the opportunity and the power to make this right, he concluded.
Members of the Donard community and its surrounds have rallied together to push through the reopening of their health centre, which the HSE is now seeking to progress under their Minor Capital Programme.

Following its closure several years ago, the Donard Health Centre in west Wicklow has become dilapidated and is in great need of attention, leading residents to call for the refurbishment of the building and the reinstitution of what was an integral and convenient community service.

Backing the push for the reopening of the centre, members of the Donard ICA (Irish Countrywomen's Association) recently expressed their disgust at its long closure and the inconvenience it has caused for residents in Donard and neighbouring Glen of Imaal who make 10 to 20-mile round trips to see a doctor.

Donard ICA has been trying for ages to get this health centre back, Guild Secretary Mary Manley said.

It closed when Covid hit, and we had two doctors in Dunlavin at that time. They used to come to Donard once a week on a Thursday for two hours but would come over as necessary as well.

They stopped coming out during the pandemic, and the health centre hasnt been open since, and in that time, those doctors have moved on.

We have a new doctor in Dunlavin  Dr Lee  who is very happy to come out to us if he has somewhere to come to.

Dunlavin is five miles away from us, and that is where people have had to go since the centre closed, and thats assuming you have some form of mode of transportation to get there, he continued

Then there are the people up at the head of the Glen of Imaal who are coming an extra five miles, and youre asking them to make a 20-mile round trip. Its a lot to ask, and we have an ageing population here as well.

For the people that don't drive, what are they meant to do? You cant always be asking people for lifts. Your family or neighbours will be very good to you, but you feel like a bit of a nuisance.

Continuing her quest to bring health services back to the community, local Councillor Avril Cronin recently received confirmation from the HSE that the works needed to reopen the centre are due for consideration under the HSE Minor Capital Programme.

The Health Service Executive can confirm that Donard Health Centre currently requires significant refurbishment in order to meet Health & Safety Requirements, the HSE correspondence reads.

The Health Service Executive has assessed the building and identified works which are due for consideration under the HSE Minor Capital Programme.

Reacting to the update, Mary said that she would believe it when I see it, but hoped the news would signify tangible progress and bring the reopening of the health centre a step closer to reality.

It's great that the HSE is looking at it now, and I hope they follow through on it, but about six months ago, we saw them cleaning and painting the outside the centre, and we thought, oh great, theyre going to open this up again, but they didnt, Mary said.

The closure of the centre is a recurring topic for us within the ICA. People talk about it in the community and will until something is done about it.

It was the same thing with our garda station and the post office, which we lost. We have gardai back for a limited time during the week now but the post office is gone for good, and we only have one shop in the village in OKeefees.

John stocks everything and anything and is so obliging. Hes from Hollywood, but we have claimed him as one of our own, and we would be lost without him. Like everything else in the village, we would never want to see him close.

With the local elections coming up, we think its a good time to be pushing for the health centre to reopen, she added.

Were hoping that the local election candidates, and we were saying this in a recent meeting, get behind it and see it as a good chance to push for it.

I know there are probably bigger things in their sights, fixing the roads and such, but this would be a very powerful thing for us if we got it back.

Having received several correspondences from Donard residents, as well as many local organisations and community groups advocating for the reopening of the health centre since her election to Wicklow County Council, Cllr Cronin reiterated the need for its reopening and the impact the closure has had on the local community.

The health centre has been closed for several years now, meaning that people living within the community of Donard have to travel to surrounding towns to access basic healthcare, Cllr Cronin began.

This is a huge challenge, especially for residents who do not drive, as well as well as families with young children.

Following on from my representations to the HSE and the Minister for Health, the HSE has confirmed to me that they have assessed the building and identified works needed to bring the building back to the required standard for the resumption of health services.

The building is in urgent need of repair, she continued.

It has been closed for several years now, allowing the building to become dilapidated and is currently not fit for purpose.

I have been consistently calling on the HSE to urgently carry out the necessary works to ensure that the building is at a satisfactory standard to allow GP services to resume within the village.

The Health Centre in Donard has great potential to bring back community health services to the village, and it also has the potential to provide additional community services within the same building.

 I am hopeful that we are slowly seeing progress being made, with the confirmation today from the HSE, but I will continue to work with the HSE and the local community in my efforts to reopen the health centre and allow the residents of Donard to access medical care within their own community.

I will be calling on the HSE to prioritise the reopening of vital service within the rural community of Donard.
Peter Stapleton with his parents, Richard and Naomi Stapleton, at the launch of his local election campaign in the Courthouse Art Centre, Tinahely. Photo: Joe Byrne

Baltinglass Local Electoral Area candidate for Fine Gael, Peter Stapleton, recently launched his campaign to a packed house in the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely.

A Tinahely local, Mr Stapleton has strong ties to south and west Wicklow through his great grandfather John The Boss Duffy, founder of Duffys of Hacketstown.

Treasurer of Tinahely GAA club and a midfielder for their Junior D, Junior B, and most recently Senior side, after a period working abroad, Mr Stapleton returned to run his familys landscaping business, Greenscene.

The 27-year-old was joined on his campaign launch night by MEP Sean Kelly, retiring Councillor Vincent Blake and Beibhinn Byrne, who acted as master of ceremonies for the event.

Speaking at the campaign launch, Cllr Blake said: I have been so impressed by Peters determination and efforts to meet people and really listen to them.

As one chapter closes, another opens, and I am delighted to support Peter knowing the positive contribution he can make for all if elected.

Peter will represent rural Ireland, its farmers, its business, its community organisations, its people  vote Peter Stapleton No.1, MEP Kelly added.

Reflecting on his campaign launch, Mr Stapleton said: My promise to fight for vibrant main streets, support small businesses and agriculture and back common sense solutions to improve our area is resonating with the public.

Many thanks to Cllr Vincent Blake and Sean Kelly MEP for their kind words. Both representatives have long supported stronger and more vibrant rural communities, and Im honoured that they are supporting my campaign.

There are so many thanks out there for the work you have done, and I think it is important that you and all of your family here tonight know that.

Mr Stapleton has recently called out the Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan, for his hypocrisy in granting exploration licences for lithium mining in Wicklow, while making a song and dance on the banning of oil and gas exploration, while also calling for action to be taken on establishment of a community centre in the old bank building in Carnew on the back of direct feedback from constituents.

Concluding his address at his campaign launch, Mr Stapleton thanked his grandparents, Matt and Diana, for being there on the night and for everything his family did for the community through Duffys of Hacketstown  a business that stood at the heart of the areas agri-business throughout the 20th century.

I would be so proud to represent an area in which my family have deep roots and a historic legacy, bringing new energy and commitment to the future of south-west Wicklow, Mr Stapleton said. I am not in the business of making promises. But if elected, I will work tirelessly for our communities.

I will never be afraid to speak loudly to represent our best interest, to get stuck in straight away and always have my constituents back. Im not making promises. But I promise you that.
Mother of Australian surfer brothers killed by car thieves in Mexico gives moving tribute to sons

Callum and Jake Robinson were allegedly killed by car thieves in Baja California, across the border from San Diego, somewhere around April 28 or 29

In this image taken from video, Australias Debra Robinson with her husband Martin, address the media on the beach in San Diego (Channel 9/POOL via AP)

Irish Independent Newsdesk Wed 8 May 2024 at 07:28







The mother of two Australian surfers killed in Mexico delivered a moving tribute to her sons on Tuesday at a beach in San Diego.
The Duke of Sussex will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at a special service at St Pauls Cathedral (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Britains Duke of Sussex Harry will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games with a service of thanksgiving at St Pauls Cathedral.

Harry has travelled to the UK to commemorate the milestone with members of the Invictus Games family and mark the decade-long support competitors in the paralympic-style tournament have received.

During the service, he will give a reading and actor Damian Lewis will recite the Invictus poem.

There was speculation the duke may have seen his father King Charles, but a spokesman for Harry said on Tuesday that the monarchs full programme meant the get-together would not happen.

Charles and Harry last met soon after the king announced his cancer diagnosis in February and his son, who now lives with his family in California, rushed from America to see his father.

A spokesperson for the duke said: In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majestys full programme.

The duke of course is understanding of his fathers diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.

Harry spent Tuesday in the capital attending a summit that reflected on the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games which stages sporting events for wounded, sick or injured veterans or serving military to aid their recovery.

He told delegates at the event, held at the Honourable Artillery Companys headquarters on the edge of the City of London: Sometimes you look back and go Look at what weve done.

But also given the state of the world, there is so much more to do and I think a lot of uncertainty  but what weve created is a global community.
John Swinney sworn in as Scotlands First Minister

He is now expected to appoint his Cabinet ministers

John Swinney with the Seals of Scotland as he is sworn in as First Minister (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Neil Pooran and Sarah Ward Wed 8 May 2024 at 12:04







John Swinney has been sworn in as the new First Minister of Scotland and is expected to appoint his Cabinet later.
A South African man has been arrested by the FBI after allegedly stabbing multiple people with medical scissors on a cruise ship.

Ntando Sogoni, 35, was working aboard the Norwegian Encore when other employees saw him trying to deploy a lifeboat on Sunday evening in waters west of Vancouver Island, prompting security to escort him to the ships medical centre for an assessment.
LATEST | U.S. pauses some weapons to Israel, as battles rage around Rafah

Hamas fighters in gunfights with Israeli forces in eastern RafahWashington pauses some arms suppliesGunfights in central Gaza, tank shelling in northern GazaCeasefire talks resume in Cairo on Wednesday

US paused bomb shipment to Israel over Rafah invasion concerns, official says

Nidal al-Mughrabi, Steve Holland and Mohammad Salem Wed 8 May 2024 at 03:30







The United States has halted a shipment of powerful bombs to Israel, a U.S. official said, as Washington puts pressure on its ally to avoid a full-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip's crowded southern city of Rafah and give more time for ceasefire talks.
Harvey Weinstein was transferred to Rikers Island jail after corrections officials learned he had been allowed to stay in a private room while he got medical treatment at a New York City hospital.

Weinstein (72) was given special treatment and amenities that other inmates never receive during a medical stay at Bellevue Hospital, such as phone use, a private bathroom, and access to a television, The City reported.
Restaurants that use service fees to sustain employee wages and benefits, such as Che Fico in San Francisco, above, will have to instead fold them into menu prices starting July 1. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

The California Office of the Attorney General confirmed Wednesday in a much-anticipated FAQ on the states new junk fees law that all restaurant surcharges will be illegal starting July 1.

The guidance reiterates the attorney generals recent public interpretation of the state law, which customers have largely lauded for bringing transparency to restaurant pricing. But many restaurateurs have been hoping todays news wouldnt become a reality.

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association, San Franciscos trade group, has been meeting with the attorney generals office and legislators for months, fearing the impact the law would have on the dining industry. They and other industry groups are still advocating for an amendment or other last-minute change to allow restaurant surcharges.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Ending the ability for restaurants to use service charges (even if clearly and legibly listed on their menu) will have a very negative impact on the survival of this still struggling industry, the Golden Gate Restaurant Association said. Diners will not pay less, instead they will see significant menu price increases, which we believe will further cause them to pull back on dining out.  Not only will restaurants struggle, but workers will lose hours and jobs.

Under Senate Bill 478, which applies to hotels, concert tickets and other industries, restaurants will have to fold any surcharges, such as service fees or fees for local mandates, into listed menu prices. Restaurants cannot comply by disclosing fees ahead of time or after a diner pays, as is current common practice on menus, reservation platforms and receipts. The law also applies to fees businesses charge for local government mandates, such as San Franciscos health care ordinance, which requires employers to set aside money for worker health benefits. SB478 does not apply to taxes nor does it affect tips.

The price listed to the consumer must be the full price that the consumer is required to pay, the attorney general said.

Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, who co-authored the law along with Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and the attorney generals office, added in a press release accompanying the FAQ: A consumer shouldnt discover hidden fees made up by a business when they pay their bill.

In a statement, Matthew Sutton, the California Restaurant Associations senior vice president of government affairs and public policy, said the group strenuously disagrees with the AGs expansive interpretation of the law and is considering all available options to block implementation of SB 478 in the manner suggested by the AGs office.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Restaurant owners have expressed concerns that incorporating fees into the listed cost of dishes  while not technically changing the prices customers pay now  will cause sticker shock and upend longtime industry practices. In response, the attorney general stated in the press release that SB 478 has no effect on prices; the law does not ask businesses to charge less, the law does not require businesses to charge more.

The Department of Justices initial enforcement will not focus on restaurant service fees, the attorney general said  however, businesses may be liable in private actions.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the number of the Senate bill that takes effect July 1. It is SB478.
New Delhi Reviews Trade Agreements with Key Asian Partners

Indias main trading partners in Asia are members of the ASEAN bloc, Japan, and South Korea. However, India faces a trade deficit in each of these relationships, importing more than it exports. The economic ties between India and these East Asian nations have not reached their full potential despite the substantial scale of their economies and populations.

India has developed a comprehensive and strategic approach that integrates diplomacy, economics, and culture in its involvement with East Asian countries. The Act East Policy, introduced in 2014, aims to bolster economic and strategic relations with nations in Southeast Asia and East Asia.

In April 2024, high-ranking officials from India and South Korea discussed advancements in disarmament and non-proliferation concerning nuclear, chemical, and biological domains. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that the India-Republic of Korea Consultations on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation took place in Seoul.

It is reported that during the meeting, the two sides delved into developments in disarmament and non-proliferation fields, encompassing nuclear, chemical, and biological domains. In regard to non-proliferation issues, the two nations held discussions on outer space security concerns, conventional weapons, including artificial intelligence (AI) in military contexts, and multilateral export control regimes.

On April 24, 2024, top officials from India and Japan engaged in discussions regarding developments in disarmament and non-proliferation related to nuclear, chemical, and biological domains. The 10th round of India-Japan Consultations on Disarmament, Non-Proliferation, and Export Control took place in Tokyo.

India exports country-wise (East Asia) Value (in US$) Year Brunei 68.81 million 2022 Cambodia 227.35 million 2022 Indonesia 9.87 billion 2022 Laos 16.90 million 2022 Malayasia 7.19 billion 2022 Myanmar 765.16 million 2022 Philippines 2.16 billion 2022 Singapore 11.83 billion 2022 Thailand 6.04 billion 2022 Vietnam 5.88 billion 2022 South Korea 7.50 billion 2022 Japan 5.70 billion 2022

Data Source: Trading Economics

Find Business Support Build Your Asia Business with Turnkey Market Entry and Cross-Regional Support According to a recent report by the economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), an analysis of Indias three major Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN, South Korea, and Japansigned between 2010 and 2011reveals a significant increase in Indias merchandise trade deficit with these partners compared to its global trade deficit. The report also highlights that Indias exports to these FTA partners have seen slower growth compared to its imports.

Indias trade ties with South Korea

India and South Korea are set to commence another series of talks to enhance their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in May-June, following the completion of the 10th round of discussions earlier this year. As per media reports, India wants to secure increased market opportunities in South Korea for its key exports, such as rice, steel, and shrimp, as well as for sectors like healthcare and information technology (IT).

Back in 2009, the two countries signed the CEPA in Seoul with the aim of enhancing economic ties and streamlining trade. This agreement, which was the result of over three years of negotiations spanning 12 rounds, officially took effect in 2010.

Despite consistent efforts to strengthen bilateral trade relations, Indias exports to South Korea have lagged its exports. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, for the calendar year (CY) 2023, Indias exports to South Korea amounted to US$6.286 billion, marking a 16.61 percent decrease annually, while imports from South Korea reached US$21.361 billion, showing a 3.19 percent annual increase.

In the upcoming rounds of discussions, India is looking to narrow this trade gap.

South Korea, a key US ally in the Asia-Pacific region, has improved relations with India in recent years, marking their 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023.

At the end of the 2023 G20 summit in New Delhi, India and South Korea signed agreements to cooperate in the supply chains and military industries, as well as in space exploration.

India-Japan trade ties

In a media report published in April 2024, there is a likelihood of India revisiting its 2011 FTA with Japan in May, aiming to mitigate the trade imbalance with Tokyo.

According to data from the Commerce Ministry, Indias imports from Japan totaled US$17.506 billion in CY23, while exports to Japan amounted to US$5.084 billion. Since 2010-11, Japans exports to India have doubled from US$8.62 billion, whereas Indias exports to Japan have remained relatively stagnant.

Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indias Prime Minister Modi announced in March 2022 that they intended to bring US$32 billion in public and private investment and financing from Japan to India over the course of the following five years, in order to fund relevant public and commercial projects that would be of mutual interest.

India is presently involved in active trade discussions with a number of nations and groupings, such as the UK, the EU, Canada, Oman, and countries that are party to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). Market access, adherence to labor and environmental regulations, and roll-back of tariff and non-tariff barriers are the main points of contention in the FTA negotiations. FTAs, which provide both economic and geo-strategic benefits, have emerged as the cornerstone of Indias foreign trade policy. Yet, in all these trade negotiations, New Delhi is holding steady ground on prioritizing Indias expectations and opportunities for domestic industry players.

Trade and financial collaboration are at the center of Indias relationship with Japan. According to a survey conducted by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Japan views India as the most suitable foreign investment destination for the second year in a row.

The objective of the JBIC survey was to grasp the current situation, challenges, and outlook for overseas business development by Japanese manufacturing companies with a track record in overseas business operations. In the FY2023 survey, in addition to the regular themes of overseas business performance, business prospects for medium-term, and promising countries/regions, [the JBIC] also surveyed Japanese manufacturers perceptions of the shape of supply chains under fragmented global economy, impact of global price hikes on business development, and issues in sustainability in business development. The survey was conducted by sending questionnaires to 987 companies in July 2023, and the completed questionnaires were returned through September 2023. A total of 534 companies returned valid responses, putting the response rate at 54.1 percent. In the ranking of promising countries, India maintains the top position, far ahead of the others. The U.S. and China dropped in the rankings, with Vietnam in second place for the first time. Source: FY2023 JBIC Survey (35th) Report on Overseas Business Operations by Japanese Manufacturing Companies

Reviewing Indias trade relationship with ASEAN

During the 20th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers meeting on August 21, 2023, in Semarang, Indonesia, ministers from member countries assessed the bilateral trade and investment ties between India and ASEAN. They agreed to work towards strengthening this economic partnership to yield significant advantages for both parties.

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, bilateral trade between India and ASEAN amounted to US$131.5 billion in 2022-23, representing 11.3 percent of Indias global trade during that period.

Indian imports country-wise (East Asia) Value (in US$) Year Brunei 317.25 million 2022 Cambodia 120.43 million 2022 Indonesia 28.67 billion 2022 Laos 57.53 million 2022 Malayasia 13.54 billion 2022 Myanmar 1.03 billion 2022 Philippines 896.45 million 2022 Singapore 24.42 billion 2022 Thailand 11.25 billion 2022 Vietnam 9.00 billion 2022 South Korea 20.72 billion 2022 Japan 15.75 billion 2022

Data Source: Trading Economics

Indias current FTA agreement predominantly benefits ASEAN nations, leading to an imbalance that has irked New Delhi as it grapples with a widening trade deficit. Although exports from ASEAN nations have surged, imports into India from these countries have grown even more rapidly. The ongoing FTA review seeks to rectify this imbalance by considering concessions while also safeguarding Indian industries.

Outlook

Southeast Asia and East Asia represent some of the worlds fastest-growing regions, whose markets offer highly favorable environments for manufacturing, transporting, and sourcing of completed goods. This makes them indispensable players in the global economy.

With their location, sizable population, and rapidly growing economies, the ASEAN bloc in particular, has gained importance for Indias sourcing needs. South Korea and Japan, too, have played key roles in Indias burgeoning manufacturing sector and infrastructure modernization.

Now, New Delhi wants its commercial and trade engagement with these regions to be on more equal footing. For one, India doesnt wants its FTAs with these countries to be misused by third countries like China, and second, India seeks greater market access to benefit its export-oriented industries.

Ongoing FTA reviews will involve discussions regarding flexibility in determining product origin through product-specific rules (PSRs), improving market access for Indian products, reducing non-tariff barriers, and implementing value-added requirements for incoming shipments.

With inputs from Melissa Cyrill.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cautioned non-bank finance companies (NBFC) on Wednesday, advising them against providing cash loans exceeding the permitted threshold of Rs 20,000 ($240), media reported.

This action is expected to largely curtail cash disbursements to people borrowing against gold, reported Reuters.

The advisory from the central bank follows recent regulatory measures taken against IIFL Finance, the country's second-largest gold loan provider, for breaches related to cash disbursement and other regulations, said the report.

Retail credit in India has seen a rapid surge, notably with gold loans witnessing a threefold increase over the past four years.

According to at least a dozen sources speaking to Reuters, a significant portion of these gold loans is being disbursed in cash.

India prohibits lenders from providing cash loans exceeding 20,000 rupees to customers, in line with income tax regulations.

Despite this, non-bank finance companies (NBFCs) have been disregarding this rule, issuing substantial cash loans while having customers sign an 'indemnity' to accept liability against potential income tax repercussions, as per Reuters sources.

This has prompted the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to take a close look of non-compliant lenders, aiming to safeguard customer interests and prevent the accumulation of systemic risk, one of the sources told Reuters.

RBI in its letter reiterated the rule on Wednesday.

"Please refer to provisions of Section 269SS of Income Tax Act, 1961, which stipulates that no individual can receive more than 20,000 rupees as loan amount in cash," the central bank said.

"Consequently, no NBFC should disburse loan amount in excess of 20,000 rupees in cash."

The report citing sources said that non-bank lenders that give out loans against gold "have been facing intense competition from smaller players", pushing them to take "excessive risks like going above the cash disbursement limit", a source aware of the central bank's thinking said.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

The maker of Covishield, AstraZeneca , has decided to withdraw its Covid-19 vaccine citing "commercial reasons".

The company said the vaccine is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

In a statement, AstraZeneca said the decision was made because there is now a variety of newer vaccines available that have been adapted to target Covid-19 variants. This had led to a decline in demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied, reported The Guardian.

According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and over 3bn doses were supplied globally, the statement said.

Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic. We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In India, the vaccine was widely given to people under the name of Covishield.

Developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, it was manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

Meanwhile, AstraZeneca has decided to withdraw the vaccine just days after it confirmed in court documents that its COVID-19 vaccine can cause a rare side effect called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).

The vaccine has been admitted amid a class-action lawsuit claiming numerous deaths and injuries, with victims and their families seeking up to GBP 100 million (USD 124.8 million) in damages, UNI news agency reported earlier quoting the British newspaper.

According to Telegraph UK, The lawsuit was Initiated by Jamie Scott, a father of two, who suffered a permanent brain injury after developing a blood clot and a bleed on the brain following his vaccination in April 2021.

The legal battle has intensified, with 51 cases now lodged in the High Court, highlighting the devastating impact TTS has had on individuals and families.

The revelation raises concerns about vaccine safety and underscores the challenge of balancing public health concerns with potential vaccination risks.

What is thrombocytopenia syndrome?

According to Mayo Clinic website, Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which you have a low blood platelet count. Platelets (thrombocytes) are colourless blood cells that help blood clot.

Platelets stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs in blood vessel injuries, the website said.
Representational image from Wallpaper Cave

Washington/IBNS: Microsoft is developing a new large-scale AI language model called MAI-1, which could potentially rival state-of-the-art models from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, reports The Information.

According to reports, this marks the first time Microsoft is working on an in-house AI model of this magnitude since investing over $10 billion in OpenAI for the rights to reuse the startup's AI models.

OpenAI's multimodal large language model (LLM) GPT-4 powers not only ChatGPT but also Microsoft Copilot.

MAI-1's development is being led by Mustafa Suleyman, the former Google AI leader who recently served as CEO of the AI startup Inflection before Microsoft acquired the majority of the startup's staff and intellectual property for $650 million in March.

Although MAI-1 may build on techniques brought over by former Inflection staff, it is reportedly an entirely new LLM, Ars Technica reported, quoting two Microsoft employees familiar with the project.

MAI-1, with approximately 500 billion parameters, will be significantly larger than Microsoft's previous open source models, such as Phi-3, requiring more computing power and training data, according to reports.

Microsoft's MAI-1's development suggests a dual approach to AI within the tech giant, focusing on both small locally run language models for mobile devices and larger state-of-the-art models that are powered by the cloud.

Apple is reportedly exploring a similar approach, highlighting the company's willingness to explore AI development independently from OpenAI, whose technology currently powers Microsoft's most ambitious generative AI features, including a chatbot baked into Windows, reports said.

However, the exact purpose of MAI-1 has not been determined so far, and its most ideal use will depend on its performance, reports The Information citing its sources.

According to reports, Microsoft has been allocating a large cluster of servers with Nvidia GPUs to train the model and compiling training data from various sources, including text generated by OpenAI's GPT-4 and public Internet data.

Microsoft is likely to preview MAI-1 as early as its Build developer conference later this month, The Information reported citing its sources.
Representational image by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

California/IBNS: Google is planning to point artificial intelligence (AI) to cybersecurity and make threat reports easier to read.

The California-headquartered tech giant, at the RSA conference in San Francisco on Tuesday (May 7), announced a new cybersecurity product named Google Threat Intelligence that combines the expertise of its Mandiant cybersecurity unit and VirusTotal threat intelligence with the Googles in-house developed Gemini AI model, according to a blog post by Google.

Talking about Google's new cybersecurity product, Dave Gruber, principal analyst of Enterprise Strategy Group, said, "Google provides two of the most important pillars of threat intelligence in the industry today with VirusTotal and Mandiant."

"Integrating both into a single offering, enhanced with AI and Google threat insights, offers security teams a new means to operationalize actionable threat intelligence to better protect their organizations, Gruber added.

According to Google blog post, Google Threat Intelligence provides unparalleled visibility into the global threat landscape.

"We offer deep insights from Mandiants leading incident response and threat research team, and combine them with our massive user and device footprint and VirusTotals broad crowdsourced malware database," the blog post read.

"By combining our comprehensive view of the threat landscape with Gemini, we have supercharged the threat research processes, augmented defense capabilities, and reduced the time it takes to identify and protect against novel threats," Google wrote in the blog post, adding that customers now have the ability to condense large data sets in seconds, quickly analyze suspicious files, and simplify challenging manual threat intelligence tasks.

The US tech giant said Gemini 1.5 Pro is a valuable part of Google Threat Intelligence, and it has been integrated so that it can more efficiently and effectively assist security professionals in combating malware.

Google claimed that its new cybersecurity product can distill more than a decade of threat reports to produce comprehensive, custom summaries in seconds.

Google Threat Intelligence is part of Google Cloud Securitys comprehensive security portfolio, which includes Google Security Operations, Mandiant Consulting, Security Command Center Enterprise, and Chrome Enterprise, according to Google blog post.
Photo Courtesy: IHIT website

Three Indian nationals, who are accused in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar , appeared before a Canadian court on Tuesday (May 7, 2024) via video conference, media reports said.

The accused are identified as Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh and Karan Brar.

They appeared separately by video in front of a packed Surrey provincial court room to acknowledge the charges of first-degree murder and conspiring to commit murder and to agree to have their cases adjourned to May 21 to give them time to consult with their lawyers, Vancouver Sun reported.

The court granted the Crown prosecutors request for a no-contact order naming seven people under a Canada Criminal Code section that bans the accused from communicating directly or indirectly with any of them, the newspaper reported.

Nijjars son Balraj Nijjar, 21, and Harjinder Nijjar, Mehtab Nijjar, Sarandeep Sehaj, Harsimranjeet Singh, Arshdeep Kapoor and Malkit Singh have been named in the order.

Their next step would be to have their lawyers apply for bail, Surrey criminal and immigration lawyer Affan Bajwa told Vancouver Sun.

Bajwa said their chances of being released on bail would depend on whether their lawyers could make a strong case to the judge.

I think it may be difficult for them to be released on bail because of a possible flight risk and risk to public safety, he said.

Canadian Police Friday arrested the three members of an alleged gang linked to the murder of the Khalistani leader.

Nijjar, 45, was shot dead in June last year outside a gurdwara in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a large Sikh population.

A few months later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian government involvement, triggering a diplomatic crisis with New Delhi.
Photo Courtesy: Moosa Zameer X page

Maldive s Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer will visit India on May 9 amid strained relationship between the two nations in recent months.

"During his visit to New Delhi, Foreign Minister Zameer will meet the External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar for discussions on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

"Maldives is Indias key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and Foreign Minister Zameers visit is expected to lend further momentum to the bilateral cooperation between the two countries," the statement said.

Maldives and Indian soldiers

The Maldives government on Monday said 51 Indian soldiers have been repatriated as the deadline set by the Island Nation to New Delhi to remove its army men is scheduled to end on Friday.

The Chief Spokesperson of the President's Office Heena Waleed, in response to media questions regarding the issue, said a total of 51 Indian soldiers have been repatriated so far, Maldives' Sun news portal reported.

She did not reveal the exact number of Indian soldiers currently stationed in Maldives.

Diplomatic trouble

Diplomatic tensions reached a flashpoint in recent times between the two countries over remarks made by some Maldives ministers against Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, to promote the Indian Union Territory having the potential to compete with tourism major Maldives.

Last month, pro-China Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's Peoples National Congress (PNC) took control of the Parliament by winning the election clinching over 60 of the total 93 seats, highlighting the Island Nation's further tilt towards India's hostile rival China.

The Maldives, which comprises some 1,192 tiny coral islands scattered across 800 kilometres (500 miles) on the equator, is considered as one of the top beach destinations in the world.

Apart from its scenic beauty, the country is known for its luxury hotels and water villas.

The pro-China Maldivian President faced massive domestic criticism for his anti-India stance as the main opposition parties of the country, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats, slammed Muizzu for distancing from India, the island nation's "most long-standing ally " and source of tourists.

Departing to New Delhi on my very first bilateral official visit.



Looking forward to meeting my counterpart Minister of External Affairs, Dr. @DrSJaishankar, and discuss deepening and enhancing cooperation between #Maldives and #India for the mutual benefit of our peoples. pic.twitter.com/KJVcNcXQFF  Moosa Zameer (@MoosaZameer) May 8, 2024

Besides expressing concern over the new foreign policy of Muizzu-led government in Maldives, the opposition parties took to the street in January in protest.

After Muizzu set a March 15 deadline for Indian military personnel to withdraw from the islands, India has begun pulling out.

Muizzu has spelt out that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be allowed inside his country after May 10. Muizzu asked India to withdraw 90-odd military personnel from the Maldives.

India has agreed to replace the military personnel with civilians and to continue the operations of two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft provided to the country for humanitarian and medical evacuation services, media reports said.

Indian military personnel were sent to the Maldives at various times for training Maldivian troops, in both combat and reconnaissance and rescue-aid operations.

Muizzu alleged that his predecessor had compromised on national sovereignty by allowing Indian troops in the Maldivian islands.

However, the pro-China Maldives President has recently struck a reconciliatory tone and said India will continue to remain his country's closest ally as he had to urge New Delhi to provide debt relief to the country.
Photo courtesy: X/BJP4India

New Delhi: Cashing in on Sam Pitroda's comments 'people in south look like Africans', Prime Minister Narendra Modi dared DMK chief MK Stalin to cut ties with its ally Congress.

Will MK Stalin "dare to cut ties with the Congress," the Prime Minister questioned.

The DMK response was quick, and nuanced. While Pitroda's comment was "unacceptable", he was not altogether wrong, it said. "PM Modi was silent when a BJP MP made similar statements in the past," the DMK said.

Days after triggering a row with his inheritance remark, Overseas Congress chairperson Sam Pitroda has classified Indians and their looks regionally inviting jibes from the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the election season.

Speaking to The Statesman, Pitroda said, "... diverse country... where people on East look like Chinese, people on West look like Arab, people on North look like maybe White and people in South look like Africa."

Within hours, PM Modi used the comment as fresh ammunition while addressing a rally in Andhra Pradesh.

"They (the Congress) think people of northeast look like Chinese, South Indians look like Africans. I want to ask -- will the people accept comments like this? I want to ask Siddaramaiah -- is this ok? I want to ask the Telangana Chief Minister if he would accept. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, who talks of Tamil culture. Will DMK have the courage to cut ties with the Congress for the sake of Tamil culture and heritage?" PM Modi said.

"The leaders of the Congress have divisive thoughts. The Congress mindset is to see the country in pieces. This is why the Congress leaders refuse to consider it one country and talk of division," PM Modi said.

Congress' mindset has become 'divisive'. It wants to break India into pieces.



The recent racist remarks made by a 'special advisor' of Shehzada are absolutely shameful.



Congress has, time and again, proved that it is against India, and against the people of India.



- PM pic.twitter.com/hU1TC9YisI  BJP (@BJP4India) May 8, 2024

In response, DMK spokesperson Dr SAS Hafeezullah said: "Sam Pitroda's stereotyping comments are unacceptable. But his core concept of diversity isn't wrong That we are from different ethnic groups that united to form India is a fact. Sam Pitroda is nobody in India alliance, won't impact India Alliance's prospects."

PM Modi also banked on Pitroda's comment to attack Rahul Gandhi earlier in the day, saying the country "won't tolerate disrespect based on the colour of skin".

Countering Pitroda, Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader, Himanta Biswa Sarma, posted on X, "Sam bhai, I am from the North East and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country - we may look different but we are all one. Hamare desh ke bare mein thoda to samajh lo!"

Sam bhai, I am from the North East and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country - we may look different but we are all one.



Hamare desh ke bare mein thoda to samajh lo! https://t.co/eXairi0n1n  Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) May 8, 2024

Congress distances itself:

The Congress has distanced itself from Pitroda's remark stating it does not reflect the standpoint of the grand old party, which has been out of party for 10 years now.

Congress communications-in-charge Jairam Ramesh posted on X, "Mr Pitroda expresses his opinions freely on issues he feels strongly about. Surely, in a democracy an individual is at liberty to discuss, express, and debate his personal views.

"This does not mean that Mr. Pitroda's views always reflect the position of the Indian National Congress. Many times they do not. Sensationalising his comments now and tearing them out of context are deliberate and desperate attempts at diverting attention away from Mr. Narenda Modi's malicious and mischievous election campaign; that is anchored ONLY in lies and more lies."
Image Credit: Facebook/Sam Pitorda

New Delhi/IBNS: After creating a political storm with his 'diverse country' remarks, Congress veteran and overseas chairman Sam Pitroda Wednesday resigned from his post amid the mammoth seven-phase Lok Sabha election.

The announcement about Pitroda quitting was made by party's communications-in-charge Jairam Ramesh on X

"Mr. Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress President has accepted his decision," the post read.

                            



Mr. Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 8, 2024

Days after triggering a row with his inheritance remark, Sam Pitroda has classified Indians and their looks regionally inviting jibes from the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the election season.

Speaking to The Statesman, Pitroda said, "... diverse country... where people on East look like Chinese, people on West look like Arab, people on North look like maybe White and people in South look like Africa."

His comments were heavily criticised by the BJP leaders including PM Modi who attacked Rahul Gandhi, saying the country "won't tolerate disrespect based on the colour of skin".

Cashing in on Sam Pitroda's comments 'people in south look like Africans', PM Modi dared DMK chief MK Stalin to cut ties with its ally Congress.

Will MK Stalin "dare to cut ties with the Congress," the Prime Minister questioned.

"They (the Congress) think people of northeast look like Chinese, South Indians look like Africans. I want to ask -- will the people accept comments like this? I want to ask Siddaramaiah -- is this ok? I want to ask the Telangana Chief Minister if he would accept. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, who talks of Tamil culture. Will DMK have the courage to cut ties with the Congress for the sake of Tamil culture and heritage?" PM Modi said.

"The leaders of the Congress have divisive thoughts. The Congress mindset is to see the country in pieces. This is why the Congress leaders refuse to consider it one country and talk of division," PM Modi said.

The DMK response was quick, and nuanced. While Pitroda's comment was "unacceptable", he was not altogether wrong, it said. "PM Modi was silent when a BJP MP made similar statements in the past," the DMK said.

DMK spokesperson Dr SAS Hafeezullah said: "Sam Pitroda's stereotyping comments are unacceptable. But his core concept of diversity isn't wrong That we are from different ethnic groups that united to form India is a fact. Sam Pitroda is nobody in India alliance, won't impact India Alliance's prospects."

The Congress hadearlier distanced itself from Pitroda's remark stating it does not reflect the standpoint of the grand old party, which has been out of party for 10 years now.

Congress communications-in-charge Jairam Ramesh posted on X, "Mr Pitroda expresses his opinions freely on issues he feels strongly about. Surely, in a democracy an individual is at liberty to discuss, express, and debate his personal views.

"This does not mean that Mr. Pitroda's views always reflect the position of the Indian National Congress. Many times they do not. Sensationalising his comments now and tearing them out of context are deliberate and desperate attempts at diverting attention away from Mr. Narenda Modi's malicious and mischievous election campaign; that is anchored ONLY in lies and more lies."
The state Public Utilities Commission is proposing a $24 monthly fixed charge for most PG&E customers on top of their bill for gas and electricity usage. Nick Otto/Special to the Chronicle 2021

In June 2022, with little debate or opportunity for public input, California lawmakers approved and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB205, a sprawling, 21,000-word bill focused on energy policy. AB205 was a so-called trailer bill, a piece of legislation nominally attached to the state budget thats often used to sneakily pass sweeping policies without going through the traditional legislative and public review process.

Even lawmakers didnt appear to fully realize what was in AB205 because once the California Public Utilities Commission began following through with what the bill directed it to do  establish a fixed monthly charge, dependent on household income, for all Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison customers  hell broke loose.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

With furious constituents blowing up their phones, a group of Democratic lawmakers introduced AB1999, a bill to cap a fixed monthly fee at $10.

That bill, however, was stalled without a hearing  apparently at the behest of Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas  clearing the way for the Public Utilities Commissions vote scheduled for Thursday on a proposed decision that would set the monthly fixed charge at $24.15, $12 or $6, depending on household income, while lowering volumetric rates for the electricity you use by an average of 11.3% to 11.9%. If approved, the changes would go into effect in late 2025 and early 2026.

Supporters of the proposal say a fixed charge will make electricity bills fairer by more equitably dividing the costs of maintaining the system we all use. The costs of subsidy programs, new hookups, grid modernization, repairs and wildfire mitigation are all folded into the price of electricity. Californians who cant avoid using more energy  such as those living in hotter inland climates and those who cant afford or access rooftop solar panels  end up shouldering a disproportionate share of this burden.

Supporters also say the proposal will incentivize electrification. If you make power use cheaper, they argue, Californians will be more inclined to invest in electric heat pumps or electric vehicles, thus helping the state to reduce its reliance on polluting fossil fuels.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Unfortunately, the Public Utilities Commissions proposed decision will not bring the state meaningfully closer to achieving either goal.

Although some low-income customers will see cost savings, many households that arent wealthy by any stretch of the imagination will be stuck with the highest fixed charge.

The lowest $6 tier applies only to customers enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy program, which has an income limit of $39,440 for a household of up to two people and $49,720 for a family of three. The $12 tier applies to customers enrolled in the Family Electric Rates Assistance program, which has an income limit of $62,150 for a family of three.

These low thresholds mean many middle-class Californians  including those living paycheck to paycheck  will be hit hard.

Meanwhile, the amounts of the proposed fixed charges are largely arbitrary. No one we spoke to offered a convincing explanation for how $24.15 was decided upon. It just seems to have been the most politically palatable compromise: It wasnt as high as what the utilities originally proposed, and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District uses the exact same fixed charge.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

But, as the commissions own proposed decision notes, the figure doesnt account for all utility fixed costs. Nor does it account for wildfire mitigation initiatives. At least in the near term, the expensive undergrounding of power lines in high-risk areas will continue to be incorporated into electricity costs, pushing rates higher as more wildfire-hardening projects get approved.

Furthermore, it seems unlikely that the reduction in electricity usage rates will be enough to significantly move the needle on electrification. According to the proposed decision, even the utilities doubt it will. After all, PG&E hiked residential electricity rates by 20% in January alone. So even if rates were to drop by 11.9% in a few years, wed still be paying more for electricity overall.

Meanwhile, the solar industry correctly worries that a high fixed charge could further reduce incentives for people to install rooftop solar and home battery storage while discouraging energy conservation.

Alice Reynolds, the Public Utilities Commission president, told us shes surprised the proposed decision is getting so much attention, because this is not a huge change for anyone.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Which raises the question: Is it even necessary?

Yes, the proposed decision divides the pie of electricity costs differently. But it doesnt fundamentally address the underlying issue of why costs are rising so quickly in the first place.

The plans implicit premise is that everyone should stay on a mass grid largely run by private utilities, forever. But is that really what we want  dont forget that PG&E last year was Americas most hated utility  or what we need?

Instead of investing billions of dollars in undergrounding PG&E power lines in remote, fire-prone areas, it may ultimately be cheaper, safer and more sustainable  especially as climate change renders more and more areas uninsurable and perhaps uninhabitable  to focus on developing localized energy sources such as microgrids and community solar.

About Opinion The editorial positions of The Chronicle, including election recommendations, represent the consensus of the editorial board, consisting of the publisher, the editorial page editor and staff members of the opinion pages. Its judgments are made independent of the news operation, which covers the news without consideration of our editorial positions.

That doesnt necessarily mean scrapping the idea of a fixed charge, as there are clear inequities in Californias current billing system. But theres no need to rush an arbitrary plan  itself the result of a bill passed in haste and secrecy.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Photo courtesy: Videograbs of LeT terrorists

Srinagar/IBNS: Photographs of three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists involved in the attack on an Indian Air Force convoy in Jammu and Kashmir 's Poonch district last week leaving Corporal Vikky Pahade martyred and four of his colleagues injured, have been released from CCTV footage.

All three terrorists reportedly used high-powered assault rifles, United States-made M4s and Russian-made AK-47s, in the attack, which was the first major strike of the year in an area.

The three have been identified as Illiyas, a former Pakistan Army commando, a Pakistani terrorist called Hadoon (or Hadun), and Abu Hamza, the code-name of the commander of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba.

According to a sketch released by the J&K Police, Hamza is described as a 30-32-year-old man of medium build and fair complexion, sporting a trimmed haircut.

He was last seen wearing a Pathani suit with a brown shawl and an orange bag.

A reward of Rs. 10 lakh has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

The terrorist attack on the IAF convoy on May 4 followed numerous terrorist strikes in the Poonch and Rajouri areas over the past few weeks. In one of the targetted attacks in Rajouri, a 40-year-old man, a government employee, shot dead outside a mosque.

The 40-year-old man, Mohammad Razak, worked with the social welfare department, and his attackers used a United States-made M4 assault rifle and also a pistol.

Poonch is part of Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, which will vote in the sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha election on May 25.
Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr to make Broadway debut this year. Photo Courtesy: Robert Downey Jr Instagarm page

After thrilling cinegoers with the diversity of his performance onscreen, Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr will make his Broadway debut in 2024.

He will be part of a play based on Pulitzer prize winner Ayad Akhtar's work.

The Oscar-winning actor will play the lead in McNeal, the story of a writer struggling with an estranged son, a new novel, old axes to grind and an unhealthy fascination with artificial intelligence, reports The Guardian.

Theatre lovers will need to visit Lincoln Center Theater in New York to see Robert Downey Jr's performance onstage.

Directed by Bartlett Sher, the play will begin its preview show on September 5 and then open on Monday, September 30.

Robert had a significant start to the year when he won his first Oscar for best-supporting actor for his role in Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer.

Speaking on his Broadway debut, the actor wrote on Instagram: " I am making my Broadway debut in the new play MCNEAL at Lincoln Center Theater! I knew I wanted to do Ayads new play before I was done reading it, then hearing Bart would be directing at the Beaumont theater sealed the deal. Its been 40 years since I was last on 'the boards', but hopefully Ill knock the dust off quick. MCNEAL is a timely and important story about the future of creatives, and I intend to do it justice."
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: UNOCHA/Ismael Abu Dayyah

Amid ongoing uncertainty about a ceasefire in Gaza and an escalation of the military operation in Rafah, UN aid agencies expressed deep concerns on Tuesday that the two main access points into the enclave remained closed, while families are scared and hanging on psychologically and physically by a thread.

In its latest warning to the Israeli authorities not to pursue mass evacuation orders from eastern Rafah, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, insisted that a mass evacuation on such a scale would be impossible to carry out safely.

There are nine sites sheltering displaced people in the area. It is also home to three clinics and six warehouses, OCHA said in its latest update on the emergency, which noted that more than three quarters of the Gaza Strip is under evacuation orders.

Any escalation of hostilities resulting from a full-scale incursion into Rafah will push residents and displaced people currently living there past their breaking point.

The warning relating to Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings followed an urgent appeal from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres late Monday to both sides to go the extra mile and make an agreement to end seven months of devastating conflict, his spokesperson said in a statement.

In Geneva, Jens Laerke, spokesperson for OCHA, told journalists that permission had not been granted by the Israeli authorities to reach the Rafah crossing.

We currently do not have any physical presence at the Rafah crossing as our access to go to that area for coordination purposes has been denied by COGAT, he said, in reference to the Israeli Government organisation overseeing relief deliveries in Gaza. So, that means that currently the two main arteries for getting aid into Gaza have been choked off.

Mr. Laerke further warned that existing humanitarian stocks in Gaza could be expected to last no more than about a day. He also noted that Rafah is the only entry point for fuel, without which generators, trucks and communications equipment cannot function.

If no fuel comes in for a prolonged period of time, it would be a very effective way of putting the humanitarian operation in its grave, he continued, noting that Rafah is in crosshairs. IDF is ignoring all warnings about [what] this could mean for the humanitarian operation across the Strip.

Famine call

Echoing those concerns, the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) said that a military assault on Rafah would massively complicate aid delivery.

It is hard to see if [Rafah] closes for an extended period how aid agencies avert famine across the Gaza Stripfamilies' coping capacity has been smashed. Families are hanging on psychologically and physically by a thread. I do not remember meeting a single family, and I met scores, who hadnt lost a home, a loved one or both, UNICEF's spokesperson James Elder said.

Women bearing brunt

Meanwhile, UN humanitarians have issued new data confirming the wars major, negative impact on women and girls sheltering in Rafah.

According to UN Women, more than nine in 10 women interviewed in the southernmost governorate reported feelings of indescribable fear, while over half said they had medical conditions needing urgent attention.

Women and girls in Rafah, as in the rest of Gaza, are in a state of constant despair and fear already, the UN agency said, adding that an Israeli ground invasion would have caused further suffering among Rafahs 700,000 women and girls who have nowhere to go to escape the bombing and killing.

Seven months since Israeli strikes began in response to Hamas-led terror attacks, more than 10,000 women have been reportedly killed in Gaza, among them 6,000 mothers. Some 19,000 children have been orphaned, UN Women said.

The UN agencys survey of 360 respondents, including 182 women in Rafah, revealed disturbing data that more than six in 10 pregnant women reported complications, including 95 per cent with urinary tract infections and 80 per cent with anaemia. In households with nursing mothers, 72 per cent reported challenges in breastfeeding and in meeting the nutritional needs of their babies.

Compounding pressures

The UN agency data indicated that mothers also reported struggling to protect their children, both physically and mentally, while living in tents and overcrowded households.

According to eight in 10 of the surveys female and male respondents, mothers now take on more responsibility than men to provide emotional support for adult family members and children alike.
Photo Caption: UNOCHA/Ismael Abu Dayyah

The UN Secretary-General on Tuesday reiterated his appeal to Israel to stop any escalation in Gaza, amid reports that its forces have taken over key border crossings in Rafah.

In the far south of the Gaza Strip, bordering Egypt, the town of Rafah has been hosting hundreds of thousands of Palestinians driven from elsewhere in the enclave due to the ongoing Israeli military operation.

There are also grave concerns that humanitarian aid stocks are fast running out across the war-torn Strip, and fuel reserves will run out by the end of the day.

"The closure of both the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings is especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation. They must be re-opened immediately, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at a press stakeout at UN Headquarters in New York.

He called on the Israeli Government to stop any escalation and engage constructively in the ongoing diplomatic talks.

After more than 1,100 Israelis killed in the Hamas terror attacks of 7 October, after more than 34,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, havent we seen enough?

Agreement essential

Mr. Guterres underscored the need for an agreement between the Government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas to stop the unbearable suffering of both Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli hostages and their families.

It would be tragic if weeks of intense diplomatic activity for peace in Gaza, yield no ceasefire. No release of hostages. And a devastating offensive in Rafah, he said, stressing:

I reiterate my appeal for both parties to show the political courage and spare no effort to secure an agreement now.

Human catastrophe

The UN chief further emphasized that a full-scale assault on Rafah will be a human catastrophe.

Countless more civilian casualties. Countless more families forced to flee yet again  with nowhere safe to go. Because there is no safe place in Gaza, Mr. Guterres said.

Attacking Rafah will further upend our efforts to support people in dire humanitarian straits as famine looms.

Call on those with influence

Mr. Guterres also warned that the repercussions of an attack on Rafah will be felt far beyond the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank and the wider Middle East region.

Even the best friends of Israel are clear: An assault on Rafah would be a strategic mistake, a political calamity, and a humanitarian nightmare, he said.

I appeal to all those with influence over Israel to do everything in their power to help avert even more tragedy.
Photo Courtesy:  IOM/Gema Cortes

Money sent home by migrants abroad has surpassed foreign direct investment in boosting the gross domestic product (GDP) of developing countries, UN migration agency IOM said in the latest edition of its flagship report, released on Tuesday.

World Migration Report 2024 reveals a significant shift in global migration patterns, including a record number of people displaced due to conflict, violence, natural and other disasters.

Speaking at the launch in Dhaka, Bangladesh, IOM Director General Amy Pope said the report aims to demystify the complexity of human mobility through evidence-based data and analysis.

Driving development and growth

International migration remains a driver of human development and economic growth, as highlighted by a more than 650 per cent increase in international remittances from 2000 to 2022, rising from $128 billion to $831 billion.

Growth continued despite predictions that remittances would decrease substantially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of the money, $647 billion, was sent to low and middle-income countries, constituting a significant portion of their GDP  that is, the amount of money earned from the sale of all goods and services.

Globally, these remittances now surpass foreign direct investment in those countries.

Record displacement

The report also reveals ongoing challenges. Although most people continue to live in the country where they were born, an estimated 281 million people worldwide are international migrants, or roughly 3.6 per cent of the global population. Of this number, 117 million are displaced - the highest level yet.

IOM said migration is an intrinsic part of human history, but it is often overshadowed by sensationalized narratives and headlines that belie the reality on the ground.

Most migration is regular, safe, and regionally focused, directly linked to opportunities and livelihoods, the UN agency affirmed. Yet, misinformation and politicisation have clouded public discourse, necessitating a clear and accurate portrayal of migration dynamics.

Spotlight on Bangladesh

IOM chose Dhaka as the site for the reports launch to both highlight Bangladeshs efforts to support vulnerable migrants and promote pathways to regular migration and to recognize the countrys important role in shaping global migration discourse and policy.

As a champion of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, adopted in December 2018, Bangladesh has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing migration issues and implementing policies that safeguard migrants' rights, IOM said.

The countrys Foreign Minister, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, said Bangladesh will not only continue to act upon the pledges it has made for its domestic context but would also take up emerging issues and challenges pertaining to migration and development for informed deliberations at the international level.
Photo Caption: UN Photo/Mark Garten

The UNs second Trailblazer award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers has gone to Major Ahlem Bouzi, an officer with the UNs peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

First awarded in 2022, it acknowledges the exceptional contributions made by women justice and corrections officers serving from Member States across the world, who challenge gender stereotypes and barriers.

In an interview with UN News, Major Bouzi said she was deeply honoured and grateful to have been recognized for her efforts.

First of all, it means a lot to me and to my country, Tunisia. And also it encourages me to continue what I have started and to aspire for greater responsibility and more achievement, she said.

Combating stereotypes

Maj. Abouzi received her award on Tuesday at the UN Secretariat in New York.

In a video played following the ceremony, she said being a trailblazer means having the courage and desire to pave the way for women in order to eliminate the systematic and persistent obstacles such as stereotypes and gender discrimination that prevent women from fully participating on an equal footing with men in a significant way to peace operations.

When speaking to UN News, she detailed her daily commitments which include contributing to expanding support to authorities through cutting-edge technical expertise for investigations and fighting against impunity in attacks against UN peacekeepers, such as a recent incident in North Kivu.

She said she is the only woman working with the Justice Support section in regional capital Goma and in the military justice field - which comes with its own challenges.

But I find it's good to try to break down the gender barriers Maj. Bouzi said, and to embrace challenges and to show that women are capable to work as equally with men.

Further, she said, women make up half of our society and we can only achieve sustainable peace if women are included in all fields.

Advocating for womens inclusion

Major Bouzi said she is most proud of being the first armaments and ammunition expert working in the Prosecution Support Cell of her section and being the only female expert working with the Congolese military authorities.

She said she is not just an award recipient but a fervent advocate for women peacekeepers who continually make vital contributions in secondary roles.

I want them to strive to make meaningful contributions for sustainable peace, but also, in the decision-making positions and operations, Maj. Bouzi said, adding that she encourages all of them to be role models for women in the future.
Photo Courtesy: X page video grab

The Pakistan Army has alleged that the plot to kill Chinese engineers in a suicide attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Shangla region Mar 26 was hatched in Afghanistan.

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry was quoted as saying by Dawn News: "A sad incident took place on March 26 in Bisham, where a suicide bomber targeted a car carrying Chinese engineers working on the Dasu dam, as a result of which, five Chinese citizens and a Pakistani got killed."

" This suicide bombing also connects to across the border [in Afghanistan]; the planning of this terrorism [act] was done in Afghanistan. Terrorists and their facilitators were also being controlled from Afghanistan and the suicide bomber was also an Afghan [national]," he said.

Sharif said the army strongly condemned this ugly game of terrorism and was taking all necessary actions to bring its facilitators to justice.

Targeting the Taliban-ruled government of Afghanistan, Sharif said that despite all the efforts by Pakistan and despite raising the issue with the Afghan interim government on a state level, TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) terrorists are continuously committing acts of terrorism in Pakistan."

There is concrete evidence that TTP terrorists are still using Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan, Sharif said. In this regard, the Foreign Office has registered 12 protests and the army chief has taken a clear stance that Pakistan has its reservations on hideouts of banned outfits [in Afghanistan].

He said Pakistan will take all steps to eradicate terror networks from its soil.

Five Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver were killed after a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into their convoy.

The convoy consisting of 12 vehicles was travelling from Islamabad to Dasu Dam in Kohistan when the attack reportedly occurred.

Dasu is the site of a major dam in the country.
Photo Courtesy: Emmanuel Macron X page

The World Uyghur Congress has said it is opposed to the 'openness displayed' by Europe towards Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to European nations.

"Particularly, Hungarys position blocking the discussion on Chinas human rights abuses and the Uyghur genocide is of concern, as well as the recent news on the China-Europe Railway Express, a train set to transport agricultural goods produced by Uyghur forced labour which left East Turkistan for Salerno, Italy on May 3," WUC said in a statement.

"In light of the EU forced labour regulation and due diligence directive, products made by forced labour, produced inside and outside the EU and companies involved in these violations through their supply chains will face bigger scrutiny. Yet, one thing that is significantly missing is the focus on Uyghur forced labour. France should nevertheless raise Chinas state-import forced labour scheme and advocate for a strengthening of EUs trade tools against these violations," the statement said.

The WUC asked Macron and von der Leyen to explicitly raise Beijings abuses against Tibetans, Hong Kongers, and Uyghurs and take a strong stance against the CCPs growing transnational repression, which endangers the lives of the communitys diaspora and the security and sovereignty of European nations.

Xi Jinping recently visited France and met his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

France has the obligation to raise the continuous human rights abuses committed by the Chinese regime inside East Turkistan, Tibet, and Hong Kong, as well as across Europe with Chinas growing transnational repression, expressed World Uyghur Congress President Dolkun Isa ahead of Xi's visit to France.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

The Australian Government has expressed its concerns to the Chinese Government following an 'unsafe and unprofessional interaction' with a Peoples Liberation Army  Air Force (PLA-AF) fighter aircraft.

On 4 May 2024, HMAS Hobart was in international waters in the Yellow Sea undertaking routine activities as part of Operation Argos, Australias contribution to the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea, read a statement issued by the Australian Ministry of Defence.

During these activities, a Royal Australian Navy MH-60R helicopter launched from HMAS Hobart was intercepted by a PLA-AF fighter aircraft.

The PLA-AF aircraft released flares across the flight path of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) helicopter.

"This was an unsafe manoeuvre which posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel," read the statement.

While there were no injuries sustained by ADF personnel or damage caused to the MH-60R helicopter, the safety and wellbeing of our ADF personnel continues to be our utmost priority.

"Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner," the ministry said.

"Defence has, for decades, undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace," the statement said.
A student walks along a hallway at City College of San Franciscos Ocean campus in San Francisco on Oct. 11, 2023. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle 2023

Regarding My child had a 4.5 GPA. Heres why she chose California community college (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, May 6): Thank you for sharing the truth and myths about the value of attending a community college. I am a proud, successful product of our wonderful California Community Colleges system.

My parents werent able to financially assist me, and taking on student debt wasnt an option. My two years at the College of San Mateo gave me a solid foundation for my final two years at UC Berkeley for all the reasons stated in the Open Forum.

At Cal, I found that I was on equal footing with students who were in their third year. My preparation was as good or sometimes better than my classmates. My college experience was not diminished by two years at a community college, and I graduated without the burden of student loans.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Students, counselors and parents need to overcome the stigma that community colleges have. While I credit my education at Cal for much of my success, I also credit my two years at a community college  and the huge amount of money I saved.

Paul Giganti, Albany

Coyotes pose risk

Regarding Move S.F. coyotes out of the city before its too late  for them and humans (Letters to the Editor, SFChronicle.com, May 5): I join Gloria Judds opinion about the need to remove coyotes from Golden Gate Park.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

On a recent morning, in broad daylight, I was walking my leashed and elderly dog down the center of Middle Drive when a coyote confronted us. I followed the usual advice and grabbed a large stick, waving it over my head and shouting as I held my dog close. The coyote did not budge.

I knew it would be dangerous to turn away or try to pass the coyote. Luckily two other people came up and joined to protect us. The coyote walked a short distance but did not leave the road. One of the kind people stayed to keep watch on the coyote, and the other accompanied me as I hurried my dog to safety farther down the road.

Encouraging and allowing coyotes to live and breed in San Francisco is an unacceptable risk to safety in a public, urban park.

Susan Shors, San Francisco

Unprincipled move

Regarding Should S.F.s mayor get more power? Heres what one powerful moderate group is pushing (Politics, SFChronicle.com, May 1): TogetherSF Action withdrawing its initiative to give the mayor more power reminds me of Donald Trump convincing Republicans in Congress to withdraw their support for immigration reform because it might make President Joe Biden look good.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

TogetherSF Actions move is no less cynical. In pulling its initiative petition, which nearly 50,000 voters had already signed, after Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin entered the mayoral race and might win, the group proves it is not about principles but personalities.

Our initiative process should not be used in this way.

Marc Bruno, San Francisco

Make health care cheaper

Regarding Health care for all worth it (Letters to the Editor, May 6): I loved Joel Wieners call for our society to take the compassionate path to single-payer health care.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Correcting one fallacy in his proposal would make his argument even stronger. He says single-payer health care would require economic sacrifice when actually it would be cheaper.

Americans get half the health care for twice the cost as countries with universal coverage. Taking the profit out of the insurance business, reducing legal costs and overhead and getting rid of the bureaucracy of billing cut prices and keep people from going bankrupt.

Instituting preventive care and eliminating redundancy would save billions of dollars and much heartache, both literal and metaphorical.

John Ahlbach, Pacifica

Tipping not needed

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

Regarding This hit Bay Area bakery has gone tipless. But will customers get sticker shock? (Restaurants, SFChronicle.com, May 6): Thank you for publishing this valuable story about employers, pricing and customers. It is the working people who matter!

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The government pays for health care and other necessary benefits in other countries. Employers such as Backhaus bakery demonstrate a creative way that small businesses here can increase pay and benefits for workers.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

Farmers whose lands were located at the tail-end of Manharo minor (water channel) in Pakistan staged a sit-in to block Moro-Bandhi road outside a local press club near Bandhi on Monday in protest against what they described as artificial shortage of irrigation water.

The protesters leaders advocate Imtiaz Dahiri, Younis Awan, Lal Bux Dahiri and others said that their lands at the tail-end of the channel were turning barren due to the prolonged artificial shortage of irrigation water, reported Dawn News.

They accused officials of irrigation department of deliberately causing the water crisis by selling their share of the water to influential landlords of the area.

They said officials were not ready to provide them relief and continued with illegal closure of water despite several complaints made to them.

They said that they were growers and their livelihood solely depended on their land.

If their crop withered away due to water shortage it would great injustice to them, they said.

They directly the Sindh chief minister, irrigation minister and MPA Dr Bahadur Dahiri to take an immediate action against the corrupt people.
Image Credit: Ontario Provincial Police official Website

Ontario/IBNS: The Ontario Provincial Police arrested 64 suspects facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations across the province.

Launched in Feb 2024, the multi-jurisdictional case, dubbed Project Aquatic included 129 separate investigations, involving 27 police services from across the province, including those in the Greater Toronto Area, involving online sexual abuse material, said the police.

"These completed investigations demonstrate the scope of the issue regarding child sexual abuse material, which remains a pervasive safety issue that is often unseen by many members of the public," said a news release.

As part of the investigation, over 600 digital devices were seized, and 34 child victims were identified, detective Tim Brown told reporters Wednesday.

"With each passing year, the tools used by predators who wish to harm our children grow more sophisticated and harder to trace," Brown said.

As a result of Project Aquatic, police noted that another 30 children were safeguarded," which Brown defined as removing children from a dangerous position where they could be offended against.

The majority of the investigation being "reactive," with investigators responding to complaints from different electronic service providers.

"We are working tirelessly to continuously apply pressure to those who seek to harm our children," Brown told reporters. "These dangers are not confined to the shadowy corners of the internet. Predators go where children go."

About two to three thousand tips per month are received by Canada's tipline, Cybertip.ca, for reporting online child sexual abuse and exploitation, Signy Arnason, the Associate Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection said.

Through our work, we have observed growing networks of adults with problematic sexual interest in children... share child abuse sexual material...tactics that include how-to manuals...They normalize the sexual abuse and exploitation of children...and even stalk them well into adulthood..dark web fester...facilitate this conduct and AI generated images...already epidemic-sized issued," said Arnason.

She also told reporters Wedn that the number of AI-generated sexual abuse images her team is finding just keeps growing:

2,600 such images were found in 2022, she said, compared to 3,700 in 2023, and 500 in one month alone this year.

"So we're probably on course for 6,000 at least this year. To say it's a nightmare would be an understatement," she said.

AI-generated images have created a problem for investigators, Brown said, who now have to differentiate between what he called "real and synthetic victims."

A list of people charged linked to the case, which the police-provided, lists individuals from across the province, and one man from Alberta.

Those accused belonged to the age group from 16 to 89.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Videograbs of protests at George Washington University

Washington DC/IBNS: Washington Police Wednesday cleared an encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters at US's George Washington University after making several pre-dawn arrests, media reports said.

Just after 4:00 am local time, hundreds of officers moved in on a university quad, making arrests and using pepper spray, the student-run GW Hatchet newspaper reported.

According to a CNN report, around three dozen people were arrested and remained at the campus till 10 am.

As a part of clearing the encampment, tents were being dragged toward a garbage truck even as a student held a poster reading "Free Palestine" on the sidewalk.

The arrests came as the mayor and police chief from the nation's capital were expected to testify in front of Congress later in the day about why the encampment -- which had entered its second week -- had taken so long to clear.

In a statement, the police said it had tried to "deescalate tensions" without arrests, but based on "incidents and information, there has been a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest."

Campus protests have been on the rise across the US in recent weeks, with students demonstrating against the war in Gaza and calling on universities to cut direct or indirect financial ties with US weapons manufacturers and Israeli institutions.

Some Jewish students have reported threats and anti-Semitism, while pro-Israel counter-protesters at the University of California, Los Angeles, physically attacked demonstrators at an encampment.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden condemned a "ferocious surge" in anti-Semitism in a speech at the Capitol, saying "there's no place on any campus in America -- any place in America -- for anti-Semitism or hate speech or threats of violence of any kind."
Aavesham On OTT: As Malayalam cinema continues to impress audiences with its intriguing narratives and compelling performances, the anticipation for the OTT release of the action-packed thriller "Aavesham" has been building. While the movie will be streaming on Prime Video from May 9, fans of Malayalam cinema can indulge in a selection of similar films that are sure to keep them entertained. But before we get into the list, let's understand what the story plot of Aavesham is: Aavesham's story revolves around three teenagers who arrive in Bangaluru to pursue their engineering degrees but soon find themselves entangled in a fight. Seeking help, they turn to a local gangster for help.

5 Malayalam Movies That Are Similiar To Aavesham's Story, Fight Scenes And Aesthetics

Heres a list of must-watch movies that are similar to "Aavesham," all available on various OTT platforms.

1. Drishyam" (2013)

Still From Drishyam 2013/X

"Drishyam" (2013) is a Malayalam thriller film directed by Jeethu Joseph, featuring Mohanlal as Georgekutty, a local cable TV operator in a small Kerala village. He enjoys a peaceful life with his wife, Rani, and their two daughters, Anju and Anu. The tranquilly is shattered when Varun, the son of the Police Inspector General, secretly films Anju and later attempts to blackmail her. During a confrontation at their home, Varun is accidentally killed by Rani and Anju in self-defence. To protect his family, Georgekutty uses his knowledge of crime thrillers to meticulously cover up the incident.

Where To Watch Drishyam (2013)?

Drishyam is available on Disney+ Hotstar.



2. Lucifer (2019)

Poster Of Lucifer/X

Another Mohanlal starrer, "Lucifer," gets into the dark underbelly of politics and power. Directed by actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film features a stellar ensemble cast and a high-octane narrative that keeps you hooked till the very end. The movie begins with the death of a powerful politician, PK Ramdas, which creates a struggle for power in Kerala's political scene. As different groups try to take control, Stephen appears as a mysterious and strong character who starts to influence events. Although he first seems like a supportive figure to the politician's family, it becomes clear that he has his own agenda involving revenge and justice.

Also Read: Kalvan OTT Release: When And Where To Watch GV Prakash's Action-Adventure Tamil Film

Stephen battles against corrupt politicians and criminal networks as he tries to set things right. His journey reveals his deep connections to the dead politician and his true motives. The film just like Aavesham, features lots of action and complex characters, showing how they navigate through power struggles and moral challenges. "Lucifer" ends by setting up the possibility of a sequel, with Stephen emerging as a dark hero fighting against corruption. The movie is known for its intense drama and Mohanlal's powerful acting.

Where To Watch Lucifer (2019)?

Lucifer is available on Prime Video.

3. Take Off (2017)

Still From Take Off Movie/IMDb

Based on real events, "Take Off" is a compelling drama that showcases the ordeal of Indian nurses in Iraq during the city's capture by terrorists.

Back in India, the plight of the nurses catches the attention of the Indian ambassador to Iraq, played by Fahadh Faasil, who begins to coordinate with various diplomatic and military channels to plan a daring rescue mission. Just like Aavesham, Faasil here also helps others in need.

With powerful performances by Parvathy Thiruvothu and Fahadh Faasil, this film is praised for its emotional depth and realism.

Also Read: Manjummel Boys On OTT: Viewers Heap Praise On Malayalam Film, Call It A 'Must Watch'



Where To Watch Take Off (2017)?

The movie is available on Netflix.

4. Angamaly Diaries (2017)

Still From Angamaly Diaries/IMDb

"Angamaly Diaries" is a Malayalam action-drama film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by actor Chemban Vinod Jose. The film is notable for its raw portrayal of life in Angamaly, a town in Kerala, and for its cast of 86 debut actors, which adds to the authentic feel of the narrative.

The story revolves around Vincent Pepe, who dreams of leading a peaceful life but gets drawn into the local culture of gang rivalries and pork businesses in Angamaly. Pepe is a charismatic young man whose life is deeply intertwined with the town of Angamaly, its food, festivals, and, notably, its violent undercurrents.

Where Can You Watch Angamaly Diaries?

The movie is available on Netflix.

5. Ee.Ma.Yau (2018)

Poster Of Ee.Ma.Yau/X

Another gem by Lijo Jose Pellissery, "Ee.Ma.Yau," is a dark comedy that explores themes of death and familial relationships in a coastal Keralite community. This critically acclaimed film is known for its satirical narrative and exceptional cinematography.

Where Can You Watch Ee.Ma.Yau?

The movie is available on SonyLIV.

While the wait for "Aavesham" continues, these films offer a glimpse into the similar storyline of Aavesham and the rich storyline of Malayalam cinema, each with its own unique storytelling style and aesthetic. Stay tuned for further updates on when "Aavesham" will hit your favourite streaming platform, and get ready to dive into another thrilling Malayalam cinema experience.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Kalvan OTT Release Details: The Tamil action film "Kalvan," starring GV Prakash Kumar under the direction of PV Shankar, features strong performances from Bharathiraja, Ivana, and Dheena. Produced by G. Dilli Babu, it originally hit theatres on April 4th and is now getting released on OTT. For those who have not watched it on the big screen, it is time to get into the film's gripping story, which talks about a news report about elephants entering Panamkaadu forests from Kadambur, causing alarm. In the film, the villagers of Iruttipalayam are warned to avoid the forest. This scenario gives GV Prakash and Dheena's characters a perfect opportunity to implement their mysterious plans. As expected, their encounter with the elephant herd adds to the suspense.

The film's title, "Kalvan," translates to "thief." The trailer poses a thought-provoking question: Who is the real thief? Is it the humans intruding into the forest or the forest dwellers reclaiming what's theirs? Well, if this plot is enough for you to watch the film, here is when and where to watch it.



Kalvan OTT Release: When And Where To Watch This Tamil Film

When To Watch The Tamil Film "Kalvan"?

Kalvan will be available for streaming on May 10, 2024.

Also Read: Manjummel Boys On OTT: Viewers Heap Praise On Malayalam Film, Call It A 'Must Watch'

Where To Watch The Tamil Film "Kalvan"?

Kalvan will be available to watch on TENTKOTTA (Tentkotta is an online streaming service that primarily offers a wide range of Tamil movies. It caters to the Tamil-speaking audience worldwide, providing access to a vast library of films ranging from the latest releases to classic titles.)

Also Read: Panchayat Season 3 Release Date Is Now Confirmed! Here's What Jitendra Kumar Has To Say About The Show

According to industry trackers, Kalvan is lively in the first half and more emotional in the second half. The humour and adventure in the film were talk of the town when it came out first in April. Now after its OTT release next week, let's see how the small-screen audience will react to it.



For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


We have all seen the drama that has been unfolding about Delhi's viral Vada Pao girl. However, the story of his 10-year-old boy named Jaspreet is what the world need to hear. The little one is forced to sell rolls on the street that he learned to make from his father. When asked why his father doesn't come to his stall, he revealed he is no more.

Arjun Kapoor offers educational help to Delhi boy selling rolls after father's death

X

Setting an example of bravery and not giving up in difficult circumstances, Jaspreet has won the hearts of the people. So much so, that even actor Arjun Kapoor is impressed with his resilience and has offered to support his and his sister's education. " With a smile on his face, he's facing life ahead and all that will come with it.. I salute this 10-year-old for having the courage to stand up on his own and take over his father's work within 10 days of him passing away. I would love to help him out with his or his sister's education; if anyone knows about his whereabouts, do let me know," the Bollywood actor wrote on Twitter.

Jaspreet's mother doesn't live with him anymore

Courage, thy name is Jaspreet.



But his education shouldnt suffer.



I believe, hes in Tilak Nagar, Delhi. If anyone has access to his contact number please do share it.



The Mahindra foundation team will explore how we can support his education.



pic.twitter.com/MkYpJmvlPG  anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) May 6, 2024

In the video, originally captured by Sarabjeet Singh, which was then re-shared by business tycoon Anand Mahindra, AAP MLA Jarnail Singh, and local BJP leader Rajiv Babbar, Jaspreet revealed his father died of brain tuberculosis days ago, and that is why he is forced to sell rolls on the streets of Tilak Nagar in west Delhi. When asked about the family, he said he has an elder sister who is 14 years old. Their mother has gone back to Punjab to live with their maternal grandmother, while the kids are living with their paternal uncle.

When asked where he gets this courage from, he says he is the son of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and will fight till he has the strength to do so.

After Kids Video Went Viral On Different SM Platforms, Help And Support For Kid Is Pouring Out Huge...



Y'day @JarnailSinghAAP Reached The Kid And Assured Eveey Possible Help And Support For Him.



Thank You Everyone For Sharing Such Videos, You Friends Are A Huge Support.



 https://t.co/8DKP3G7QlF pic.twitter.com/Rs3sCnM5al    (@Hatindersinghr3) May 3, 2024

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Ian Gelder, known for his portrayal of Kevan Lannister, the younger brother of Lord Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones, has sadly passed away at the age of 74. His husband, Ben Daniels, shared the news of his demise via Instagram on Tuesday, May 7th.

He wrote, It is with huge huge sadness and a heavy heart broken into a million pieces that Im leaving this post to announce the passing of my darling husband and life partner Ian Gelder, Daniels' Instagram post read while informing his fans that, Ian was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in December and yesterday he passed at 13.07. Id stopped all work to be his carer but neither of us had any idea that it would all be so fast.



Also read: 3 Body Problem Trailer: Game Of Thrones Creators Present A Genre-Bending Sci-Fi Thriller!

One wrote, Very sad to hear that Ian Gelder, who played Kevan Lannister in Game of Thrones, amongst many other things, has passed away. Great actor. Anyone who's ever watched any British TV will have no doubt seen him in something, one of those actors who popped up in everything. RIP.



X

X

X

A second added. Ian Gelder was an incredibly lovely man. May he rest in peace.



Also read: House Of Dragon 2 Release Date: HBO Sets Release Month For Game Of Thrones Spinoff

A third went on to add, The sad thing of being on social media is when you hear about an actor leaving the world. Ian Gelder was in Endeavour pilot episode. He didn't share any scene with Sam Reid, but I liked his performance. R.I.P. and my condolences to his family and friends.



A fourth went on to add, I am heartbroken by the news that the wonderful Ian Gelder has passed away. Ian was one of the loveliest men you could ever wish to meet. Unfailingly kind, and a true gentleman who will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched. Rest In Peace, dear friend.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Hrithik Roshan and John Abraham have not shared screen space together but back in school, they were in the same class apparently. The two actors who have YRF Spy Universe and Dhoom franchise in common were schoolmates. Their group photo has gone viral on the internet.

Hrithik Roshan and John Abraham's childhood pic together goes viral

X

Hrithik and John studied together at Bombay Scottish School. If you're not able to spot them, the one in the second row is Hrithik and the one in the fourth row on the left-hand side is John.



Reacting to the picture, a fan wrote, "So they can actually use this photo in that spy-verse movie to show (reminisce) that Jim and Kabir go a long way..." Another one said, "Nice to know John grew up with that smile". Another user commented, "Proof that Hrithik has always looked amazing. Like damn what child is so adorable? I looked like a wild boar."

Also read: K-Dramas To Watch If You Are A Fan Of Real-Life-Based Stories: Taxi Driver, Signal & More On OTT



Hrithik Roshan on school days

Hrithik Roshan and John Abraham school days me pic.twitter.com/RmDRtDxhbb  Byomkesh (@byomkesbakshy) May 7, 2024

While talking about his school days, the actor had once told Indian Express how he was traumatised due to his stammering problem. "I have sometimes felt that life is very unfair. In school, I had such a bad stammer that I couldnt speak. I never had any friends, or girlfriends. I was very shy, and would come back from school and just cry. School days were very painfulon top of that, doctors told me that I couldnt become an actor. There were problems with my spine, doctors said you cannot dance. I was so broken, that I would wake up for months, and would think it is a dream, a lucid dream. It was so heartbreaking and relive that feeling of knowing that I could not become an actorI am disabled. So it was very traumatising."

Also read: Kalvan OTT Release: When And Where To Watch GV Prakash's Action-Adventure Tamil Film



He added, "Now when I look back, I thank god, thank you for giving me the problem where I could learn how to be strong, I learnt perseverance and if I did not have a broken spine and speech impedimentfor the day to be there, you have to have the night. When problems come, it becomes a game. I can hold on to this thought that I can learn from this pain, and it can shape my character. I come out stronger."

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Akshaya Tritiya 2024 Auspicious Timings: Akshaya Tritiya is an important Hindu festival celebrated in India and Nepal. It happens on the third day of the Hindu month of Vaishakha (April or May). The word Akshaya means never diminishing in Sanskrit, and it's thought that any good things done on this day bring lasting prosperity and luck. People often buy gold, silver, and other valuable things. There are some things you should and shouldn't do during this festival.

Akshaya Tritiya 2024 Date

The festival of Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, will be celebrated on May 10, 2024.

Puja muhurat for Akshaya Tritiya 2024

The auspicious timing for the Akshaya Tritiya puja in 2024 is from 05:33 am to 12:18 pm on May 10. The Tritiya Tithi begins at 04:17 am on May 10 and ends at 02:50 am the next day. The auspicious period for purchasing gold starts at 04:17 am on May 9 and extends until the conclusion of the Tritiya Tithi on May 11.

READ ALSO: City-wise Auspicious Timings For Buying Gold

Akshaya Tritiya 2024: Dos And Don'ts To Celebrate The Auspicious Hindu Festival

Things to Do on Akshaya Tritiya

1. Buy gold: Many buy gold on Akshaya Tritiya for wealth. You can choose gold coins, jewellery, or other gold items.

2. Start new ventures: It's seen as a good day to begin new ventures, businesses, or investments.

3. Do charity: Giving food, clothes, or money to the needy on Akshaya Tritiya is considered a good deed.

4. Pray: Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu or Lakshmi at home or in temples for blessings and luck.

5. Plant trees: Planting trees is seen as a good thing as it helps the environment and brings good karma.

Things to Avoid on Akshaya Tritiya

1. Don't eat non-veg: Many avoid eating non-veg as it's seen as unlucky on Akshaya Tritiya.

2. Don't cut nails or hair: Some believe cutting nails or hair on this day brings bad luck.

3. Don't borrow or lend money: It's thought to be unlucky to borrow or lend money on Akshaya Tritiya.

4. Avoid negativity: Stay positive as it's believed to attract good luck.

5. No arguing: It's said that arguments on this day can lead to negativity and conflicts.

Akshaya Tritiya 2024 Date

The festival of Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, will be celebrated on May 10, 2024.

ALSO READ: How Much Gold Can Married And Single Women Keep At Home?

City-wise Shubh muhurat for Akshaya Tritiya 2024

Puja muhurat for Akshaya Tritiya 2024

The auspicious timing for the Akshaya Tritiya puja in 2024 is from 05:33 am to 12:18 pm on May 10. The Tritiya Tithi begins at 04:17 am on May 10 and ends at 02:50 am the next day. The auspicious period for purchasing gold starts at 04:17 am on May 9 and extends until the conclusion of the Tritiya Tithi on May 11.

ALSO READ: Buying Gold Jewellery? Here's How To Check Purity Of Gold, Hallmark Details On BIS Care App

Akshaya Tritiya 2024: Significance

Akshaya Tritiya is also special for women in certain regions. They pray for the well-being of the men in their lives or for their future husbands. The festival also has a story about the god Krishna giving a magical bowl called the Akshaya Patra to Draupadi. Draupadi and her husband, the Pandava princes, were living in the forest during their exile and had no food to offer their guests. When the sage Durvasa, who was known for his quick temper, visited them, Krishna ate a small portion from the bowl. This pleased the sage and stopped him from cursing the Pandavas.



ALSO READ: Explained: How Is Gold Jewellery Price Calculated In India?

Short and sweet Akshaya Tritiya wishes 2024

Here's wishing you a very happy Akshaya Tritiya.

Wishing you all a very Happy Akshaya Tritiya.

May you progress in all your professional and personal endeavours. Happy Akshaya Tritiya.

Happy Akshaya Tritiya.

A very Happy Akshaya Tritiya to you and your family.

Akshaya Tritiya Greetings to you and your loved ones.

READ ALSO: Explained: How Is Gold Jewellery Price Calculated In India?



Akshaya Tritiya 2024: FAQs

When is Akshaya Tritiya 2024?

This year, Akshaya Tritiya falls on Friday, May 10th, 2024. The Tritiya Tithi (lunar day) begins at 4:17 AM on May 10th and ends at 2:50 AM on May 11th.

What is Akshaya Tritiya and why is it celebrated?

Akshaya Tritiya symbolises eternal prosperity and abundance. It is believed that any auspicious activity performed on this day ensures everlasting success and fortune. The term 'Akshaya' signifies eternal, while 'Tritiya' denotes the third day of the bright fortnight.

What to buy on Akshaya Tritiya?

Akshaya Tritiya, which is on May 10, has always seen fervent gold purchases stemming from the belief that investments made on this day would never diminish, thus bringing everlasting prosperity.

Which God got married on Akshaya Tritiya?

As per a South Indian legend, Goddess Madhura married God Sundaresha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.

What is the significance of Akshaya Tritiya?

Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. "Akshaya" means "eternal" and "Tritiya" refers to the third lunar day. It's believed that anything started on this day will bring everlasting prosperity. Here are some reasons why it's significant:

Marks the beginning of Satya Yuga: According to mythology, this day marks the start of the Satya Yuga, the first and golden age of humanity.

Birth of Lord Parasurama: It is believed to be the birthday of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Descent of the Ganges: The holy river Ganges is said to have descended from heaven on this day.

What are the puja timings for Akshaya Tritiya 2024?

The ideal puja muhurat (auspicious time) for Akshaya Tritiya 2024 varies depending on location. In major Indian cities, it falls between:

New Delhi: 5:33 AM to 12:18 PM

Mumbai: 6:06 AM to 12:35 PM

Kolkata: 4:59 AM to 11:33 AM

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.


Enikia Ford Morthel, superintendent of the Berkeley Unified School District, testifies Wednesday before the House Education & the Workforce subcommittee on early childhood, elementary and secondary education. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images David Banks, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, speaks Wednesday during a hearing of the House Education & the Workforce subcommittee on early childhood, elementary and secondary education. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

WASHINGTON  Berkeley Unifieds schools chief was among a group of K-12 leaders who forcefully pushed back Wednesday against House Republicans whove claimed their districts are hotbeds of unchecked antisemitism, the latest in a series of GOP-led sessions probing liberal academic institutions.

Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel told lawmakers she has received nine formal complaints of antisemitism since Oct. 7. However, she said, antisemitism is not pervasive in Berkeley Unified School District.

Our babies sometimes say hurtful things. We are mindful that all kids make mistakes. We know that our staff are not immune to missteps either, and we dont ignore them when they occur, Ford Morthel told the House Education & the Workforce subcommittee on early childhood, elementary and secondary education.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The hearing took place amid growing concerns about antisemitism in both K-12 schools and on college campuses, as well as tense standoffs on university campuses across the country as pro-Palestinian protesters call for school officials to divest from companies linked to Israel and support a cease-fire in Gaza.

Berkeley was one of the first K-12 school districts to see a civil rights complaint filed against it  submitted by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and the Anti-Defamation League  since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Dozens of universities have faced similar complaints, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis and Stanford University.

Berkeley schools are facing allegations that administrators ignored severe and persistent harassment of Jewish students, according to a complaint filed with the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights. The complaint alleges a wide variety of incidents, including that one student was told, You have a big nose because you are a stupid Jew and I dont like your people, while others allege that students chanted, Kill the Jews and KKK during a walkout in support of Palestine.

Ford Morthel said she believes the phrase from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free is antisemitic if it is calling for the elimination of the Jewish people in Israel. She added that it does have different meanings to different members of our community.

A supplement to the complaint filed Monday said the already-hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli students at BUSD took a turn for the worse after the initial filing.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Ford Morthel said she sees the complaint as an opportunity to reflect and grow and continue to move towards our mission and values.

Berkeley Unified is not alone in facing such allegations. The Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into Oakland Unified over discrimination complaints on Jan. 16, according to the Education Departments website.

Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin (Placer County), asked Ford Morthel how he could be confident that antisemitism was being adequately addressed if she did not believe antisemitism was pervasive in her district.

She said that there have been incidents of antisemitism in Berkeley Unified School District. And every single time that we are aware of such an instance, we take action and we follow up and we take appropriate action.

While the chancellor of New York City Public Schools and the president of Montgomery County Board of Education (Maryland) shared information about disciplinary actions taken in response to antisemitism by students and teachers, Ford Morthel did not.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

When investigations show that an antisemitic event has occurred, we take action to teach, correct and redirect our students. We do not publicly share our actions because student information is private and legally protected under federal and state law, she said.

Similarly, if a teacher crossed a line, we take appropriate action, but those actions are private and legally protected, Ford Morthel said. Nondisclosure can again be confused with inaction.

Accusations against Berkeley and other schools could take time for federal officials to untangle. Civil rights investigations filed with the U.S. Education Department take on average six to eight months to conclude, Secretary Miguel Cardona told lawmakers Tuesday. The agency has 145 open cases and has closed two cases related to antisemitism, he said.

Student free speech is protected unless there is unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic thats subjectively or objectively offensive and so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a persons ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program, American Civil Liberties Union senior staff attorney Emerson Sykes told lawmakers.

Congressional Republicans have accused universities and school districts of enabling antisemitism on their campuses. The House committee has been investigating several universities for possible antisemitism, including Columbia University, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In the wake of a tense December 2023 hearing involving the presidents of Harvard, Penn and MIT, all three faced intense pressure to resign. The presidents of Harvard and Penn acquiesced.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Now, the Republican lawmakers have moved on to targeting K-12 schools leaders, particularly in liberal areas.

Jewish teachers, students, and faculty have been denied a safe learning environment and forced to contend with antisemitic agitators due to district leaders inaction, subcommittee chair Aaron Bean, R-Fla., said in a statement before the hearing. This hearing will allow Committee members to hold the leaders of the most embattled school districts accountable for their failure to keep Jewish students and teachers safe.

But Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, said the hearing was merely Republican grandstanding.

The Republican majority continues to use their committee business time to get sound bites to post to their social media pages and talk about on Fox News. They have no real interest in solving the issue at hand, which is bigotry in schools, Lee, whose district includes Berkeley, told the Chronicle. I would welcome this new enthusiasm from our Republicans colleagues to address hate everywhere, but I am not inclined to believe they are acting in good faith.

Witnesses and Democratic lawmakers agreed.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

This convening  for so many people across America in education  feels like the ultimate gotcha moment. It doesnt sound like people are actually trying to solve for something that I believe we should be doing everything we can to solve for, David Banks, chancellor of New York City Public Schools, told lawmakers.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., said it was hypocritical for some lawmakers to say educators are teaching hate when art in the U.S. Capitol doesnt reference the Black people who built this country and when there are three statues of Black people in the building, compared with 12 Confederate ones.

I work in an institution that teaches hate, said Bowman, who taught in New York City public schools before joining Congress. Yet were scolding you as educators whove been doing an exemplary job fighting against hate within our schools.

Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, the leading Democrat on the subcommittee, pointed out that the witnesses are from what might be considered blue states and asked to include articles with antisemitic incidents in Republican-led states into the congressional record.
Maharana Pratap Jayanti 2024: Maharana Pratap Jayanti holds significant importance for the people of Rajasthan as it commemorates the birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap, one of the most revered warriors and rulers of the state. Born on May 9, 1540, in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan, Maharana Pratap's bravery and valour continue to be celebrated to this day.

Each year on May 9th, Maharana Pratap Jayanti is observed to honour this great warrior who bravely fought against the Mughal Empire, defending the freedom and dignity of his people. The people of Rajasthan pay tribute to his indomitable spirit and heroic deeds by organizing various events and programs dedicated to remembering his remarkable contributions to history.

Why is Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebrated twice in a year?

Maharana Pratap's birthdate is marked differently due to calendar changes over time. Originally, according to the Julian calendar, he was born on May 9, 1540. However, with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, his birthdate shifted to May 19, 1540. In current times, Maharana Pratap Jayanti is celebrated based on the Hindu calendar. According to the Drik Panchang, this year's Maharana Pratap Jayanti falls on June 9.



Early Life and Education:

Pratap received extensive training in martial arts, horse riding, and weaponry from a young age. His education focused on military strategies and governance, preparing him for future leadership responsibilities.



Maharana Pratap Jayanti History

Maharana Pratap hailed from the esteemed Sisodia clan of the Rajputs in Mewar. Born on May 9, 1540, to Udai Singh II and Jaiwanta Bai, he had younger brothers named Shakti Singh, Vikram Singh, and Jagmal Singh. Maharana Pratap tied the knot with Ajabde Punwar of Bijolia.

Maharana Pratap Jayanti | Photo: Freepik

Upon the demise of Udai Singh in 1572, a succession dispute emerged in Mewar. Despite competition from his stepbrothers, Maharana Pratap ascended the throne on March 1, 1572, as per the wishes of senior nobles due to his seniority.



Under Udai Singh II's rule, Mewar lost its eastern territory to the Mughals. However, the western half remained under Sisodia Rajput's control. Mughal Emperor Akbar sought to annex the remaining territory, leading to conflict as Maharana Pratap refused to submit.

The clash between Mewar and the Mughals culminated at the Battle of Haldighati near Rajsamand, Rajasthan which is also considered the most famous battle of Maharana Prataps life. Despite facing a larger Mughal force, Maharana Pratap's tactical retreat ensured the survival of his family and resistance.

Following the Mughal diversion to other regions, Maharana Pratap reclaimed Mewar's western territories. His lightning campaign resulted in the recapture of all 36 Mughal outposts, prompting Emperor Akbar to suspend further campaigns against Mewar.

Also Read; Maharana Pratap Jayanti 2024: Wishes, Images, Messages And Quotes

With the Mughals diverted, Maharana Pratap continued his reconquest efforts, reclaiming key regions and establishing a new capital at Chavand near modern Dungarpur.

Maharana Pratap breathed his last on January 19, 1597, at the age of 56, succeeded by his son Amar Singh I. Historians like Satish Chandra laud his solo struggle against the Mughals, highlighting his valor and spirit of self-sacrifice. Additionally, his guerrilla warfare tactics inspired future leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Signficance of Maharana Pratap Jayanti

Maharana Pratap Jayanti is a special day dedicated to honouring the remarkable contributions of this legendary warrior to the history of Rajasthan and India. His bravery and courage continue to inspire people, reflecting his unwavering determination and deep love for his people.

During this day, the people of Rajasthan come together to pay tribute to Maharana Pratap through various events and programs. Schools and colleges host speeches and debates to commemorate his legacy, while the government of Rajasthan organizes special events to acknowledge his significant contributions to the state and the nation. It's a time to reflect on his extraordinary life and the enduring impact he has left on the hearts of many.

Maharana Pratap: A Legendary Figure in Indian History

Maharana Pratap is renowned for his remarkable bravery and resilience, particularly showcased in the Battle of Haldighati. Here's a breakdown of his legacy:

Battle of Haldighati: Maharana Pratap's standout moment came during this famous battle in 1576. Despite facing overwhelming odds against the Mughal forces led by Raja Man Singh, he displayed extraordinary valour. Although the battle didn't result in a clear victory, it symbolized his unwavering determination to defend Mewar's independence.

Maharana Pratap's standout moment came during this famous battle in 1576. Despite facing overwhelming odds against the Mughal forces led by Raja Man Singh, he displayed extraordinary valour. Although the battle didn't result in a clear victory, it symbolized his unwavering determination to defend Mewar's independence. Exile and Struggle: After the loss at Haldighati, Maharana Pratap and his followers retreated to the hills and forests, where they continued their resistance. Despite hardships, Pratap never wavered in his fight against the Mughals.

After the loss at Haldighati, Maharana Pratap and his followers retreated to the hills and forests, where they continued their resistance. Despite hardships, Pratap never wavered in his fight against the Mughals. Chetak - The Loyal Steed: Chetak, Pratap's legendary horse, is known for its loyalty. During the Battle of Haldighati , Chetak saved Pratap's life but sacrificed his own.

The Loyal Steed: Chetak, Pratap's legendary horse, is known for its loyalty. During the , Chetak saved Pratap's life but sacrificed his own. Refusal to Submit to the Mughals: Maharana Pratap adamantly refused to acknowledge Mughal dominance and continued to rule independently, defying the mighty Mughal Empire. His principled stance earned him widespread admiration and established him as an iconic figure in the resistance against foreign rule.

Maharana Pratap adamantly refused to acknowledge Mughal dominance and continued to rule independently, defying the mighty Mughal Empire. His principled stance earned him widespread admiration and established him as an iconic figure in the resistance against foreign rule. Symbol of Rajput Valour: He is hailed as the epitome of Rajput chivalry, honour, and valour. His steadfast adherence to the Rajput code of conduct and his relentless efforts to safeguard his homeland have immortalized him in Rajput history.

He is hailed as the epitome of Rajput chivalry, honour, and valour. His steadfast adherence to the Rajput code of conduct and his relentless efforts to safeguard his homeland have immortalized him in Rajput history. Guerilla Warfare Tactics: Facing superior Mughal forces, Maharana Pratap employed guerilla warfare tactics, using the rugged terrain to his advantage. His hit-and-run strategies kept the Mughals off balance and prevented their control over the region.

Facing superior Mughal forces, Maharana Pratap employed guerilla warfare tactics, using the rugged terrain to his advantage. His hit-and-run strategies kept the Mughals off balance and prevented their control over the region. Legacy of Chittor: Chittorgarh, the historic capital, symbolizes Maharana Pratap's refusal to surrender to the Mughals. Despite losing the fort, his struggle represents the spirit of resistance against tyranny.

Chittorgarh, the historic capital, symbolizes Maharana Pratap's refusal to surrender to the Mughals. Despite losing the fort, his struggle represents the spirit of resistance against tyranny. Legacy of Independence: Maharana Pratap's legacy serves as an enduring source of inspiration, symbolizing independence and patriotism. His refusal to yield to external powers and his unwavering commitment to Mewar's sovereignty has left an indelible mark on Indian history.

Maharana Pratap's legacy serves as an enduring source of inspiration, symbolizing independence and patriotism. His refusal to yield to external powers and his unwavering commitment to Mewar's sovereignty has left an indelible mark on Indian history. Cultural and Historical Significance: He occupies a central place in Rajasthani and Indian folklore, with numerous ballads, stories, and legends celebrating his bravery and resilience. His life and legacy also serve as a source of pride for the Rajput community.

Best Maharana Pratap Jayanti Wishes and quotes to share
In March of this year, Australia made its student visa rules stricter due to a surge in migration, greatly impacting Indian students. This crackdown has led some Australian universities to revise their policies, even going as far as implementing a complete ban on Indian students.

One in five students have had visa denied recently

Representative image/ Unsplash

Following Australia's stricter student visa rules implemented in March, there have been reports of specific refusals of applications of Indian students.



The aim behind these tightened visa rules is to prevent unauthorised entry for work and permanent residency purposes.

Under the visa reforms, eligibility criteria have been made more stringent, including English-language proficiency tests.

Representational Image

Additionally, there are new regulations for education agents bringing international students to Australia.



According to a Guardian report citing official figures, one in five students had their visas denied this year (up to March), with many others facing prolonged waiting times.

Also read: Indian Students In The US, Including Those In Ivy League Colleges, Are Struggling To Find Even Internships: Here's Why

How the new rules are impacting Indian students specifically

Last year, the Indian High Commission in Canberra shared data showing that 122,000 students from India studied in Australia from January to September 2023.

Now reports suggest that the number of visas granted to Indian students dropped by 48% between December 2022 and December 2023, as Australia aims to reduce net migration by 2025.

Representative image/ Masterfile

According to a Guardian report, many students have had to defer or withdraw their applications due to processing delays.



Also read: Degree Not Enough For Job? Why Indian Students Aren't Getting Work In UK

Additionally, some universities have implemented a blanket ban on Indian students. For example, Central Queensland University has informed education agents that it will no longer offer English language programs to students from India.

It isn't just Indians, the crackdown is being felt by citizens of neighbouring countries too who wish to study abroad - Nepalese visas have dropped by 53% and Pakistani visas by 55% during the same timeframe.

For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education.
If you are scheduled to fly on an Air India Express flight you should probably check with the airline before leaving for the airport. That is because the Tata Group-owned budget carrier on Wednesday cancelled over 70 flights due to crew shortage, after a section of them went on a mass sick leave. Flight disruptions have been reported from various airports, including Kochi, Calicut and Bangalore, resulting in some protests by passengers.

Passengers protest at airports

Across the three international airports in Kerala, passengers, mostly travelling to the Gulf nations, claimed that they were informed about the cancellations after they completed their security check and were waiting to board the flight.

Up to 300 Air India Express (AIX) crew reported sick for work : Around 78 Air India Express flights cancelled on domestic, international routes owing to mass sick leave.



Air India Express : "A section of cabin crew has reported sick at the last minute, starting last night, Teams pic.twitter.com/numDb58nbV  FL360aero (@fl360aero) May 8, 2024

While Air India Express has offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date, passengers are not happy with that.

REUTERS

Many of them claimed that they could lose their jobs if they do not reach their place of work today, while some others' work visas are about to expire.

Also read: Air India Express Crew Fulfils Boy's Request Of A Birthday Surprise For Mom

Section of cabin crew reported sick

Air India Express on Wednesday blamed the flight disruptions on mass sick leave by a section of its crew.

"A section of our cabin crew reported sick at the last minute, starting last night (Tuesday), resulting in flight delays and cancellations. While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result, said the airline spokesperson.

AIR INDIA EXPRESS/ REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

Check flights before heading to airports

"We sincerely apologise to our guests for this unexpected disruption and emphasise that this situation does not reflect the standard of service we strive to provide. Guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date. Guests flying with us today are requested to check if their flight is affected, before heading to the airport, said the spokesperson.

Also read: Over 98 Per Cent Pilots Sign New Contracts, Vistara

Air India Express, which the Tata Group acquired in the Air India deal is in the process of being merged with AirAsia India. However, a section of the Air India Express crew is not happy with the changes and went on sick leave to mark their protest.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
It is that time of the year when corporate employees look forward to the annual appraisal. While most of us have high hopes about getting a good hike, there is no guarantee that this will happen. Still, there is nothing wrong with being optimistic. But how optimistic can you be about the appraisal? Definitely not as optimistic as the guy who e-mailed his boss asking for a 66.66 per cent hike.

Unsplash

Employee wants 66.66 per cent hike

A social media user has shared an email he received from an employee, about how much he was expecting his salary to go up after the annual appraisal.

Also read: Boss Uses Viral 'Look Between Your Keyboard' Trend To Share Appraisal Updates

"As you already know, I am working on Migrations Projects along with BI Support and Holidays Support, considering all these factors kindly revise the CTC to 50L PA," the employee wrote, in his email titled Revision of CTC.

"Received an email from an employee who is due for annual appraisal. He's asking for a 66.66% hike! He's already sitting at 30 lakhs/annum," Udit Bhandari, who goes by the name @GurugramDeals on X wrote.

Received an email from an employee who is due for annual appraisal. He's asking for a 66.66% hike! He's already sitting at 30 lakhs/annum. How should i respond? pic.twitter.com/HSU07vmGUQ  Gurugram Man (@GurugramDeals) May 7, 2024

Unprofessional say social media

Many on social media were left surprised by the unconventional way for the employee to ask for a hike.

"Looks unprofessional both the tone of email as well as conduct of asking for revision casually over an email. I'd think he has an alternate offer which is why the casual conduct. I'd suggest have a meeting and set expectations right. Be transparent in what can be offered," one person wrote.

Pexels

Make it variable pay

"Make the CTC 50 and make the entire 20 variable based on some concrete milestones you'd like him to achieve before commanding that salary," suggested another person.

Also read: Here's How You Can Negotiate Salary After Landing A Job Offer

Others pointed out that while the employee may have been wrong by asking for an unreasonable hike, the boss was equally wrong in posting the conversation on Twitter which can potentially reveal his identity.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
During elections, India showcases its diversity in a remarkable way. While some people are quick to criticise the government without even having a voting card and show little interest in voting, others, despite facing challenges, make it a priority to cast their vote. It's these individuals who stand out as truly extraordinary.

Gujarat man Ankit Soni is one such individual.

Casting vote with the toe

On Tuesday, during the Lok Sabha elections 2024, a man from Gujarat gave his vote.

Also read: Meet Mahant Haridasji Udasin, Who Has Polling Booth Set Up Just For Him Besides A Shiva Temple In Gir

What made his voting method unique was how he did it - he used his toe.

ANI

Ankit Soni from Gujarat lost both his hands in an electric shock accident 20 years ago. At the Nadiad polling booth, he had his toe marked with indelible ink for identification.



Also read: How Did Indelible Electoral Ink Come To Be Used In Indian Elections?

ANI

Speaking to news agency ANI, Soni said, "I lost both my hands due to an electric shock 20 years ago. With the blessings of my teachers and guru, I did my graduation and my MBA. I use my feet to do all the day-to-day tasks. I came here to vote today and I have been using my feet to cast my vote for years. So, I urge other voters, if you haven't already cast your vote, please visit your polling booth to do so because every vote is precious."

Watch the video here:

#WATCH | Nadiad, Gujarat: Ankit Soni, a voter, casts his vote through his feet at a polling booth in Nadiad



He says, "I lost both my hands due to electric shock 20 years ago. With the blessings of my teachers and guru, I did my graduation, CS... I appeal to people to come out pic.twitter.com/UPx8G5MTPz  ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2024

Lok Sabha elections 2024

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a staggering 96.8 crore individuals have the eligibility to cast their votes.

Within this massive electorate, there are 1.8 crore individuals who are exercising their voting rights for the first time.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024

The elections are being conducted in seven phases, spanning from April 19 (Friday) to June 1 (Saturday).



Presently, the nation is in the midst of the third phase of polling.

Important contenders for the Gujarat elections comprise Amit Shah contesting from Gandhinagar, Parshottam Rupala from Rajkot, Mansukh Mandaviya from Porbandar, CR Paatil from Navsari, and Mansukhbhai Vasava from Bharuch.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Are you still undecided about your next international vacation? Thailand has just made it easier for Indians to visit the country as it has extended a visa exemption programs for tourists for six more months. Thailand's cabinet on Thursday approved a plan to extend visa-free entry for tourists from India and Taiwan.

Pexels

Visa-free stay for 30 days

Under this, tourists from India and Taiwan will be able to enter Thailand without a visa until November 11. Travelers can stay for a maximum of 30 days at a time under the rules.

Also read: 7 Popular Places In Thailand To Visit

Thailand had initially rolled out a visa-free entry for Indian and Taiwanese tourists in November 2023. The waiver was only for six months and ended last.

Originally, tourists from India and Taiwan were allowed to stay in Thailand for only 15 days under a visa-on-arrival scheme, which has now been increased to 30 days.

Pexels

Tourism in Thailand

Tourism-reliant Thailand has been relaxing visa rules for travelers from some of its main markets including China and Russia. In the first four months of 2024, Thailand welcomed more than 12 million foreign tourists, representing a 39% increase from the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Thailands largest groups of visitors  those from China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea and India  accounted for half of the total arrivals this year.

Indian tourists in Thailand

India is one of the most important source markets for Thailand and in 2023, over 1.6 million Indian travelers visited the country.

Also read: Explore The Captivating Beauty Of Thailand's Vibrant Capital

In 2023, Thailand was one of the top international destinations for Indians, with Bangkok being the second most popular foreign destination after Dubai, according to travel agency Skyscanner.

Unsplash

The trend continued in 2024, and according to reports, till February, India ranked fifth among the more than 300,000 tourists who visited Thailand. For 2024, Thailand has set a target of attracting over 1.7 million Indian travelers to the country.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Pizza, a beloved comfort food for many, has taken on a new level of dedication in the life of Kenny Wildes, a man hailing from Connecticut, USA. For the past six years, Wildes has made it a daily ritual to consume at least one slice of pizza, claiming that despite this habit, he remains in good health.

Instagram

In an interview with The Guardian, Wildes revealed the origins of his pizza devotion. "My love for pizza started at a very young age," he said, recounting his father's ownership of a pizzeria named Kenny V's during his early years. The seed of his daily pizza habit, however, was planted during his time working for a heating and cooling company, when a colleague proposed a bet that he couldn't eat a slice of pizza every day. Wildes not only accepted the challenge but extended it to a month, demonstrating his commitment to the cheesy delight.



Unsplash| Representational Image

Contrary to expectations, despite his daily indulgence, Wildes maintains a slender physique. "Everyone assumed I was a big guy, but Im actually pretty skinny," he shared. "I guess I can thank my metabolism for that." Addressing concerns about the health implications of his habit, Wildes reassured, "Sometimes people will get in touch with concerns about the healthiness of my habit, but Im fit and healthy. I appreciate people worrying, though, because it means they care."

Also Read: Delhi's 'Vada Pav Girl' Cruises In Style With Rs 74.61 Lakh Ford Mustang

Unsplash| Representational Image

Also Read: Hilarious Viral Video Of Man Ironing Shirt With Pressure Cooker Sends Internet Into Fits Of Laughter

Wildes' pizza passion hasn't gone unnoticed on social media, where his story has garnered attention and even disbelief. To share his love for pizza with a wider audience, Wildes has taken to Instagram, where he documents his pizza adventures. This social media presence has led to collaborations with pizza-related brands, including a pizza box company, allowing Wildes to turn his passion into a full-time career. As a salesman, he travels across the USA, sampling pizzas from various outlets, living out his dream of a lifelong love affair with the iconic dish.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
A self-employed woman from Chelmsford, Essex, England is now making a substantial six-figure income solely through her Facebook group. Charlie Day, 35, provides sales advice to entrepreneurs and businesses through her Facebook Community, Sales Is Easy, assisting them in scaling their ventures. Her sales consulting agency has raked in over 1 million (Rs 10 crore) in sales. With this success, she can afford luxurious vacations for her family and employs a full-time nanny.

"I love to work and get stuck into my work and lifestyle goals first thing in the morning  I never wanted to do the school run, I hate it. So a full-time nanny is something I worked hard to pay for," shared Charlie Day with The Sun reporters.

Charlie Day

The disruption of the school run and interactions with other parents prompted Charlie to set ambitious financial goals for her sales business, aiming to transform her family's life. She aspires to increase her company's valuation to Rs 100 crore by 2029.



Charlie's entrepreneurial journey began at 21 when she started a children's theatre school, eventually expanding into four businesses. Her latest endeavor, Charlie Day Sales, is her most ambitious project yet.

Also Read: 'College Isn't End-All-Be-All': How 29-YO Built A Six-Figure Career In AI Despite No College Degree

"For me, those goals look like figures in the bank because I know with more money, I can make more change," explained Charlie, emphasizing her belief in the transformative power of financial success. Recognizing her knack for sales, she capitalized on it during the 2020 lockdown, keeping her theatre school operational through online strategies.



Charlie Day

With her expertise sought after by many, Charlie established the Entrepreneurs Growth Club Facebook group, offering exclusive paid content on business growth. Within a month, she earned approximately Rs 26,000, eventually reaching a six-figure income by the year's end.

Also Read: Glass-Eating Addict Shares Unusual Pleasure Behind Habit

In addition to her online presence, Charlie authored a book and recently launched Sales Made, a comprehensive sales agency boasting a team of eight. She aims to inspire women to excel in the male-dominated sales field, demonstrating that success knows no gender boundaries.



For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
A woman's unselfish service and dedication paid off when her spouse awoke from a coma after ten years. According to the South China Morning Post, Sun Hongxia of China's Anhui province refused to give up on her husband, who had drifted into semi-consciousness following a heart attack in 2014. She always felt that her husband would recover from his ordeal.

Man has been in a coma for 10 long years

A video clip of the couple that surfaced on social media in China | Image: Baido

According to Dawan News, years of sensitive and loving care assisted in his recovery. A video clip of the couple that surfaced on social media in China shows Ms Hongxia sitting next to her husband, who is awake and in bed.



Tears stream down his cheeks as his wife informs him about the past few years. "Although I'm tired, I feel that everything will make sense once the family is reunited," Hongxia told Dawan News. She recounted the shock and pain she felt when her husband had a sudden heart attack and went into a vegetative state.

The wife stayed positive for the sake of their two children

The couple has two children also | Image: Baido

Hongxia stated that the thought of her two children pushed her to remain strong and hopeful. She also stated that she hoped to provide a positive example to them.



(Also read: Woman Wakes Up From 5-Year Coma After Her Mother Tells Her A Joke)

Hongxia stated that her thoughts were focused on her husband, and she spent time and energy keeping him comfortable while he was unconscious.

A number of medical issues

The prolonged unconsciousness resulted in a number of medical issues, including the need for a tracheostomy and a urine catheter. Her passion remained unwavering, even though it required a great deal of hard work.

(Also read: Woman In Australia Ends Up In Coma After Biting Her Tongue, Find Out What Happened)

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.
A doctor from Bengaluru chastised a woman for calling nonsmokers 'losers' in a post on X. The doctor took a stand against insulting statements directed at nonsmokers, emphasizing the negative impacts of smoking on one's health. In a post on May 6, Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy told the case of a young patient, indicating that he sent a 23-year-old woman for triple bypass surgery due to her smoking habits.

Who called non-smokers losers in an X post?

A twitter user called non-smokers 'Losers' | Image: X

His post came after an X user shared a photo with the message, "Hey smokers and losers (non-smokers), what are you all doing?". The photograph depicted a person with a cigarette and a cup of tea.



(Also read: When The Groom Saw His Bride-to-be's Mother Smoking And Called Off The Wedding)

What did the doctor have to say?

The doctor clapped back in an X postThe doctor clapped back in an X post | Image: Canva

"The youngest patient I've sent for a triple bypass surgery was a 23-year-old girl smoker. #HeartAttack #MedTwitter Be a loser (as per this lady) and live healthily," reads the caption of the doctor's post.



How did people on the internet react?

Since being uploaded online, the post has gone popular, with over 8 lakh views on X. In response to his tweet, social media users left comments asking questions.

(Also read: Doctor's Post About Father 'Retiring' From Kirana Shop After 33 Years Goes Viral)

"Can the effect of smoking be reduced after quitting and methods to cure the damage done," a person asked. "I never understood why people smoke," another said.

The comment quickly got support from other people, who praised the doctor for standing up to damaging stereotypes and campaigning for public health awareness. Check the post here.

Hey smokers and losers (non smokers) wyd? pic.twitter.com/2HdWsy1JRc  desi theka (@sushihat3r) May 5, 2024

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.


The state Supreme Court seemed reluctant Wednesday to remove from the November ballot an initiative that would require voter approval for any tax increase. Justin Sullivan/TNS

The state Supreme Court seemed reluctant Wednesday to grant Democrats request to remove from the November ballot a business-supported initiative that would require voter approval for any increase in state and local taxes or fees. But the justices appeared willing to put the tax-cut provisions on hold if the measure passes and then decide their legality.

As the hearing began, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero asked a lawyer for Gov. Gavin Newsom and Legislative Democrats why the court should take the rare step of blocking the ballot measure instead of allowing the voters to consider it.

Justice Joshua Groban asked a similar question, and Justice Martin Jenkins said less-drastic actions were available, like a freeze on provisions that would slash government revenue. Justice Leondra Kruger noted that the court usually considers a ballot measures challenged sections individually rather than taking up the entire measure, and asked, Why shouldnt we do so here?

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The measure is already causing negative consequences, replied attorney Margaret Prinzing. Governments up and down the state have to balance their budgets  without knowing what revenue is available to them or whether they will need to ask their voters to approve every increase in taxes or fees.

But Sacramento attorney Thomas Hiltachk, the official proponent of the ballot measure, said its removal is being sought by people in government who do not want change. If it passes in November, he told the court, any provisions subject to challenge could be reviewed separately, leaving the rest of the measure in effect.

The Legislature now can increase state taxes by a two-thirds majority vote. The initiative would retain that standard but would also require a majority of California voters to approve the increase before it could take effect.

It would also require local voters to approve any increases in their taxes or licensing fees, with a two-thirds majority required to raise funds for specific programs. And it would apply retroactively to all taxes and fees since the start of 2022, canceling them unless approved within 12 months by the lawmakers and voters cited in the ballot measure.

The initiative was drafted as an amendment to the state Constitution and has gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. Newsom and legislative Democrats, joined by leaders of many local governments and by former Gov. Jerry Brown, contend the measure is so far-reaching that it would be a revision of the Constitution, which cannot be done by initiative but requires approval by two-thirds of the Assembly and Senate before being submitted to the voters.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

This measure takes away the Legislatures power over all taxes  a fundamental change in our governments structure, Prinzing told the justices.

Hiltachk disagreed. Since Californias voters established the initiative and referendum in 1911, he said, taxation, like other forms of lawmaking, has been a shared power. And it is now largely controlled by an administrative state which has far too much power, enabling unelected bureaucrats to take billions of dollars out of the economy.

But Justice Goodwin Liu said the measure was so far-reaching that it could require local lawmakers and voters to approve their citys park fees and library fines.

Doesnt this measure essentially shift us from a republican form of government toward a form of direct democracy? Liu asked, suggesting possible agreement with opponents arguments that it would amount to a constitutional revision. Referring to the three current branches of government  executive, legislative and judicial  he asked, Given how fundamental the power of taxation is, wouldnt your proposal create a fourth branch of government?

No, Hiltachk replied, in California the people have the last word.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A ruling is due by law within 90 days, but sponsors of the measure have asked the court for a decision by late June.
An engineer from Hyderabad took to X to tell how moving to the United States "improved his mental health by miles". Abhirath Batra expressed his explanation, stating that it is primarily because he must do everything himself, from cooking to cleaning his home. His post sparked a flurry of replies on X. It all began with a post by another X member on men's mental health.

What triggered the engineer to post his mental health update?

Hyderabad engineer says his mental heath improved by cooking in the US | Image: Canva

"What's the tweet that's like 'This is why we need men in mental health because Gandalf immediately knows Theoden needs to swing a sword around for a bit'?" the X user wrote.



(Also read: Software Engineer Loses 7,500 Browser Tabs She Had Open For 2 Years, Internet Gets 'Crazy Anxiety')

Batra responded to this by writing, "My mental health has improved by miles since I moved to the US because I'm back to using my hands." "I'm cooking, washing dishes, vacuuming, and then my mind relaxes and I start humming a melody. I was the happy today as I worked on the enormous load of IKEA delivery. "Busy hands, quiet mind," he explained.

The man also talked about doing dishes | Image: Unsplash

How did people on the internet react?

Since being shared a day ago, the post has had over 9 lakh views, and the figure is only growing. The share has received approximately 500 likes. People left various comments in response to the share.

(Also read: 'Rangoli' Omelette Makes The Internet Worry About Washing Dishes)

Was anything stopping you from doing those when you were not in the US? asked an user. Enough manual work in India if we want. What keeps you from doing this in India? said another.

Well, somehow this feels less of empowerment and more of majboori (compulsion) because of high-cost household support staff, wrote a third. Check the viral tweet here.



My mental health has improved by miles the moment I moved to the US because I'm back to using my hands



I'm cooking, washing dishes, vacuuming and before I know it my mind is calm and I'm humming a song.



I have been the happiest building the massive load of IKEA deliveries https://t.co/aJBfY8wtZQ  Abhirath Batra (@AbhirathB) May 7, 2024

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.
As they all say, love knows no boundaries, not even age. It transcends time and space, connecting souls in a beautiful dance of emotions. May we all cherish the love that finds us, regardless of age, for it is a precious gift that enriches our lives. Proving the same is a 100-year-old man getting ready to marry his 96-year-old sweetheart. Here's their story.



Who is the coveted couple tying the knot soon?

Harold Terens, 100, and Jeanne Swerlin, 96, are set to marry each other | Image: Harold Terens and Jeanne Swerlin

Harold Terens, 100, and Jeanne Swerlin, 96, guarantee that their courtship is "better than Romeo and Juliet." They will get married next month in France, where the groom-to-be served during WWII. Terens, a US Air Force veteran, will be honoured on June 6 during a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, the historic Allied operation that changed the course of the war.



Two days later, Harold and Jeanne will marry in Carentan-les-Marais, near the beaches where thousands of soldiers waded ashore that day in 1944, many of whom died. The town's mayor will preside over the ceremony.

What does the couple say about each other?

"It's a love story like you've never heard before," Terens told AFP

"It's a love story like you've never heard before," Terens told AFP. During an interview in Swerlin's house in Boca Raton, Florida, they exchange glances, hold hands, and kiss like teenagers. "He's an unbelievable guy, I love everything about him," Swerlin says of her fiance. "He's handsome -- and he's a good kisser."



(Also read: Flight Crew Love Story: Pilot Pops The Question To Flight Attendant Mid-Air, Internet Buzzes)

The young centenarian is also pleasant, humorous, and endowed with an extraordinary and vivid memory, recalling dates, locations, and events without hesitation -- a living history book of sorts. Shortly after Terens turned 18, Japan struck the US Navy facility in Pearl Harbor. He, like many young American men, wanted to enlist.

By age 20 he was an expert in Morse code and aboard a ship bound for England, where he was assigned to a squadron of four P-47 Thunderbolt fighters. Terens was responsible for their ground-to-air communication.

"We were losing the war by losing a lot of planes and a lot of pilots... These pilots became friends and they got killed," he laments. "They were all young kids."

How is the couple feeling about getting married?

December lovebirds Jeanne and Harold | Image: FREEPIK

He is also quite excited about getting married. Surrounded by family and friends, December lovebirds Jeanne and Harold will say "I do" at a ceremony in which a Terens granddaughter sings "I Will Always Love You" and a great-granddaughter scatters flower petals on the ground.



(Also read: In Sickness And In Health: The Enduring Love Story Of An Elderly Couple)

At 100, this renowned war veteran recognizes his fortunate fortune. "I got it all," he says. "I'm probably the luckiest guy in the world."

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.
Budget airline, Air India Express owned by the Tata Group, cancelled more than 70 flights in a day due to a shortage of crew. This shortage occurred after a group of crew members called in sick. Flight cancellations have affected multiple airports, including Kochi, Calicut, and Bangalore, leading to a lot of chaos.

What Can A Passenger Do In Such A Scenario?

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has established a particular Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) to address situations involving flight delays, cancellations, and overbooking.

REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

Flight Delays

In the event of flight delays, refreshments or meals may be provided to passengers based on the duration of the flight. Here are the criteria:

1. For flights with a block time of up to two and a half hours, if the delay exceeds two hours.

2. For flights with a block time between 2.5 and 5 hours, if the delay exceeds three hours.

3. For delays exceeding four hours for any flight.

For delays of six hours or more, the airline must inform passengers of the rescheduled departure time 24 hours in advance. Passengers have the option to request an alternative flight or a full refund of their ticket.

Passengers should be provided with accommodation if the flight is delayed for more than 24 hours. Similarly, if the flight departure is between 8:00 pm and 3:00 am and the delay exceeds six hours, the airline must also offer accommodation to passengers.

Airlines are exempt from paying compensation when delays are caused by factors such as Air Traffic Control (ATC) directives, security issues, natural disasters, or political disturbances. These circumstances are beyond the airline's control, and unlike other provisions, the specifics of ATC-related delays cannot be precisely defined.

Also Read: Meet Sanjiv Goenka, Owner Of Lucknow Super Giants

Cancellations

Unsplash

According to DGCA regulations, airlines must inform passengers of any flight cancellations at least fourteen days before the scheduled departure. They are then obligated to either arrange an alternative flight or offer a refund. If the cancellation occurs within the two-week window and up to 24 hours before the planned departure, the airline must still provide either an alternative flight or a refund.



If passengers are not informed of a flight cancellation or if they miss a connecting flight on the same ticket number (PNR), the airline is required to provide either an alternate flight or compensation. This compensation typically includes:

If passengers are not informed of a flight cancellation or if they miss a connecting flight on the same ticket number (PNR), the airline is required to provide either an alternate flight or compensation. This compensation typically includes:

1. For flights with a block time of up to one hour: a full refund and Rs 5,000 or the booked one-way basic fare, whichever is less.

2. For flights between one to two hours: a full refund and Rs 7,500 or the booked one-way basic fare, whichever is less.

3. For flights above two hours: a full refund and Rs 10,000 or the booked one-way basic fare, whichever is less.

4. In the case of alternate flights, the airline must also provide meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation, including transfers as required.

How To Cancel A Flight And Claim Full Refund? Step-By-Step Guide

Unsplash

To cancel a flight and claim a full refund, follow these steps:



1. Visit your airline's website and navigate to the 'Manage Booking' section.

2. Enter the PNR or booking reference number, which you can find on your ticket or booking receipt in your email, along with the last name of the passenger whose booking needs to be canceled.

3. Select the "Modify/Cancel" option and follow the prompts. Make sure to carefully review the cancellation terms and conditions.

If you experience cancellations or delays and wish to claim compensation, you can contact the nodal officer of the concerned airline. However, for refunds due to denied boarding, passengers must submit their claims within a month of the incident.

When filing a claim, ensure to provide all necessary documents as required by the airline. These typically include your contact details, credit card number used for purchase, ticket number, flight number, date of travel, and billing address.

If your complaint remains unresolved, there's an online reporting and tracking system for grievances related to airports, flights, and other air travel matters available at the AirSewa portal of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.





Also Read: Apple Faces Backlash Over iPad Pro Ad, Hollywood Celebs Call It 'Destructive'
In the bustling streets of India, a curious phenomenon is taking shape  the rise of ghost shopping malls. Once vibrant centres of commerce, these sprawling complexes now stand eerily empty, echoing the footfalls of a bygone era. As online shopping continues its meteoric ascent, traditional brick-and-mortar stores are left to grapple with an existential question: is the digital revolution sounding the death knell for offline shopping centres?



With a staggering 59% year-on-year increase in Ghost Shopping Malls by Gross Leasable Area (GLA) since 2022, India's prime markets are witnessing a profound transformation in their retail landscape. According to a recent report, the number of these spectral centres has risen to 64 by the end of 2023, marking a notable uptick from the 57 observed in 2022.



This surge in Ghost Shopping Malls also known as dead malls or abandoned malls, characterised by a vacancy rate of 40% or more, has significant financial implications. Knight Frank India estimates the loss of value to be a staggering Rs 67 billion (USD 798 million) in 2023 alone. This substantial figure underscores the magnitude of the impact that the rise of online shopping is having on traditional brick-and-mortar retail spaces.



What report say?

BCCL/Representational immage

The latest report of Knight Frank India, Think India Think Retail 2024 shows that in 2023, 64 shopping malls in India were called 'Ghost Shopping Malls' because they had a lot of empty space, totalling around 13.3 million square feet. This is a big increase of 58% compared to the previous year. The National Capital Region (NCR) had the most ghost malls, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru. But Hyderabad had fewer ghost malls, with a drop of 19%.



Ghost malls are malls with more than 40% of their space empty. According to Knight Frank India, the number of these malls went up from 57 in 2022 to 64 in 2023. This shows that small malls are struggling to get tenants and shoppers, especially as more people shop online. This is a big problem for traditional malls as they try to stay relevant.



This increase in ghost malls is a wake-up call for the retail industry. It's clear that changes need to happen to make malls more appealing to shoppers and businesses. So, it's important for everyone involved in the industry to work together to find solutions and keep offline shopping centres alive and thriving.



In the National Capital Region (NCR), there were the most ghost shopping centres, covering 5.3 million square feet, which is a 58% increase compared to the previous year. Mumbai and Bengaluru also had a significant number, with 2.1 million square feet (up 86% year-on-year) and 2 million square feet (an increase of 46% year-on-year) respectively. However, Hyderabad saw a decrease of 19%, with its ghost shopping centre space shrinking to 0.9 million square feet in 2023. The report looked at data from 340 shopping centres and 58 main streets in 29 Indian cities.



In the previous year, India had a total of 125 million square feet of ghost shopping centre space. The top 8 Indian cities accounted for 75% of this, totaling 94.3 million square feet across 263 shopping centres. In contrast, Tier 2 cities had 30.8 million square feet of ghost shopping centre space.



Impact

BCCL/Representational image

The rise of ghost shopping centres is hitting the retail sector hard, with Knight Frank estimating a loss of around Rs 6,700 crore or USD 798 million in 2023. This means big challenges for landlords and developers who are struggling to manage these struggling properties.



As more people turn to online shopping and consumer habits change, traditional malls are feeling the pressure. Landlords and developers are facing financial losses and the tough job of finding ways to make these underperforming properties successful again.



To tackle this problem, it's crucial for everyone involved to come up with new ideas and work together. By embracing digital tools, forming partnerships, and focusing on what customers want, we can overcome these challenges and create a stronger retail landscape for the future.



In 2023, despite the opening of 8 new retail centres, the total number of shopping centres in Tier I cities decreased to 263, with 16 centres shutting down. Reasons for closure varied, from underperformance to developers opting for residential or commercial projects instead.



Knight Frank's report sheds light on the hurdles confronting India's retail sector, especially the surge in ghost shopping malls. It highlights the necessity for landlords and developers to adjust to shifting consumer trends and market conditions to sustain the future viability of retail spaces.

For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here


In the realm of global economics, gold stands as a timeless symbol of stability amid financial uncertainty. Throughout history, nations have hoarded this precious metal not just for its beauty, but as a safeguard for their economies. From the days of the gold standard to today's unpredictable markets, the value of gold reserves remains steadfast, providing a lifeline during economic storms. As the world once again faces uncertainty, the allure of gold as a safe investment grows stronger. Join us as we explore the top 10 countries with the largest gold reserves, uncovering the treasures that underpin their economic strength and resilience.



1. United States of America (USA):

With a staggering 8133.46 tonnes of gold reserves as of March 2024, the USA proudly boasts the world's largest gold holdings. Despite fluctuations in global markets, there has been no significant change in America's gold reserves over the past three quarters, according to the World Gold Council.

2. Germany:

Unsplash/Representational image

Holding the second position globally, Germany holds 3352.31 tonnes of gold reserves by the end of March 2024. Although lower in quantity compared to the USA, Germany's gold reserves saw a slight decline from the previous quarter, as reported by the World Gold Council.



Also Read: Here's How To Check Purity Of Gold, Hallmark Details On BIS Care App

3. Italy:

Ranking third worldwide, Italy holds a substantial amount of gold reserves, totalling 2451.84 tonnes as of the first quarter of 2024. Remarkably, Italy's gold reserves have remained stable over the past three quarters, according to data from the World Gold Council.

4. France:

Holding the fourth spot globally, France maintains considerable gold reserves of 2,436.88 tonnes as of March 2024, with minimal fluctuations over recent quarters, according to the World Gold Council.

5. Russia:

Pixabay/Representational image

Positioned fifth on the global scale, Russia boasts a significant gold reserve of 2332.74 tonnes as of March 2024, based on data from the World Gold Council.



Also Read: How Is Gold Jewellery Price Calculated In India? Here's The Detailed Breakdown

6. China:

Noteworthy for its recent surge in gold purchases, China's central bank added 5 tonnes of gold in March 2024 alone, bringing its total gold reserves to 2262.45 tonnes by the end of the first quarter of the year.

7. Switzerland:

Holding the seventh position globally, Switzerland maintains a stable gold reserve of 1040 tonnes as of March 2024, with no significant changes reported over the past three quarters.

8. Japan:

Securing the eighth rank globally, Japan holds 845.97 tonnes of gold reserves as of March 2024.

Also Read: How Much Gold Can Married And Single Women Keep At Home?

9. India:

With aggressive gold purchasing strategies, India's gold reserves under the Reserve Bank of India stood at 822.09 tonnes by the end of March 2024, reflecting an increase of 18.51 tonnes compared to the previous quarter of 2023.

10. Netherlands:

Ranking as the world's tenth largest holder of gold reserves, the Netherlands maintained a stable reserve of 612.45 tonnes as of March 2024, according to the World Gold Council data.

For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis is urging the European Union to draw concern to the case of Fredi Beleri, an ethnic Greek mayor in Albania sentenced to two years imprisonment for vote-buying should concern all of Europe.

Mr. Beleri, elected mayor of the predominantly ethnic Greek

city of Himare, was accused of offering 40,000 Albanian leks to locals to secure eight votes. His conviction has escalated the strain betweenand Albania , withthreatening to block Albanias EU accession talks over the issue . Mr. Beleris lawyer has denounced the ruling as politically motivated and has filed an appeal.

Amidst this controversy, though,Jorgo Goro, the acting mayor of Himare, has resigned following allegations of abuse of office, implicated in a corruption scandal involving the transfer of state land to private individuals. Goro's resignation came shortly after his detention was ordered by Albanias anti-corruption judicial authorities.

Mr. Gerapetritis has highlighted the case as a test of Albanias adherence to European democratic standards, particularly as it seeks EU membership. The situation has raised questions about the rule of law in the region, with the Greek Foreign Minister urging that the matter be addressed in international forums.

his is not a bilateral [matter],  the foreign minister said. Whether a candidate country aspiring to join the European Union upholds the principles of the rule of law and respects the political rights of its citizens is not bilateral. It is a European matter, and we should perceive it as such and highlight it in all forums, he told Skai radio.

   iefimerida.gr
Ilias Kasidiaris, the former deputy leader of the outlawed neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, has filed for early release from prison, officials said. The request follows the conditional release of the groups leader, Nikos Michaloliakos, who served a partial sentence

for leading a criminal organisation linked to violent hate crimes.

Mr. Kasidiaris, sentenced to 13 years, applied for release on April 26 through the Domokos prison administration, sources reported. The application was referred to the Lamia prosecutors office.

Authorities said the decision would be made by the same judicial bodies that granted Mr. Michaloliakos release.

Kasidiaris is eligible for release, having served over half his term, and maintains a clean disciplinary record with approved prison leave, his attorney Vasso Pantazi stated.

Mr. Michaloliakos release last week provoked widespread condemnation. The judicial council approved it despite the public prosecutors objections, who argued that the former neo-Nazi leader did not meet the necessary criteria and showed no remorse, citing his claims of political persecution.

Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said on Wednesday that the case of Fredi Beleri, a mayor from Albanias Greek minority who was recently sentenced to two years in prison for buying votes, should be viewed as a European concern rather than a bilateral issue between the two Balkan neighbors.

   iefimerida.gr
Greek Solution, a hard right political party, is calling on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to cancel his planned visit to Turkey and high-level talks with the countrys president there following his decision to convert the historic Chora Monastery into a mosque12.

The Chora Monastery, a Byzantine-era church known for its exquisite mosaics and frescoes, has been a museum for decades before the recent conversion.

The transformation has sparked international criticism, including from Greece, which has accused Turkey of insulting the character of a World Heritage Site1.

In a press release, Greek Solution highlighted a series of provocations by Turkey, including the desecration of the Chora Monastery, the shameful statement by a Turkish official Fidan about the oppression of the Turkish minority in Greece, and the inclusion of the controversial and expansionist Blue Homeland notion in Turkish school textbooks  an idea which Greece views as a direct threat1.

The party insists that these actions constitute an imminent threat as defined by Article 51 of the UN Charter, and that the Greek Foreign Ministry should demand an immediate reversal of Turkeys actions.

Despite these tensions, Prime Minister Mitsotakis appears to be proceeding with his visit, a decision the Greek Solution deems dangerous, warning that it could amount to national concession and legitimise Turkish claims.

   iefimerida.gr
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the importance of voters' active participation in the upcoming European Parliament elections, during his regular monthly meeting with the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou on Wednesday.

"We

are coming into the final stretch before the European elections on June 9 and on the occasion of our meeting I will repeat the need for the largest possible participation in a very important electoral process, which concerns every Greek , as the things that will be decided in Europe in the next five years will also have an impact within Greece," he said.

"Our continent is facing very important geopolitical challenges and, in comparison with the conditions in 2019 when we had the last Euroelections, many more clouds have gathered in Europe's sky and we will be asked to tackle these challenges with self-confidence and courage, whether we are speaking about defence policy, where we must channel more European funds, or the continuaton of a strict but fair policy for protecting the external borders, or the need to enhance Europe's competitiveness so we can compete with the USA and China on an equal footing," he added.

Mitsotakis also referred to his upcoming visit to Ankara on Monday, which returns a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Athens, and publicly expressed his displeasure over the "unnecessary conversion of a historic Byzantine temple, the Monastery of Chora, into a mosque. It is an action which insults Istanbul's rich history as a crossroads of civilisations and is an issue which, of course, I will put to President Erdogan when I meet him."

Furthermore, Mitsotakis added, the meeting will serve as an opportunity to assess the effort for a rapprochement between Greece and Turkiye, which he said has had "measurable results on many levels".

"We always approach our talks with Turkiye with self confidence and without delusions. The Turkish positions will not change from one day to the next. Nevertheless, I consider it a given that channels of communication should always be open so that we can discuss with sincerity and, when we disagree, do so without tensions and without this leading to an escalation in the field, as we have, unfortunately, seen happening in the last four years," the prime minister underlined.

   iefimerida.gr
With Europe facing complex issues such as defence policy, border security , and economic competitiveness, Mitsotakis underscored the importance of Greek engagement in European forums to assert the country's interests effectively.
One Market Plaza, one of San Franciscos most prominent office complexes, continues to see tenants exit  Autodesk, Visa and now Google. Roland Li

A downtown trophy office complex with sweeping views of San Francisco Bay is poised to lose a major tenant  its second in the span of a year.

Tech behemoth Google will be exiting the 300,000-square-foot office that it has occupied at One Market Plaza since 2018, once the companys lease for the space expires next April, a spokesperson for Google confirmed Tuesday. The move follows Visas exit from the three-building complex, as the company relocated its employees to Mission Rock.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Many of Googles employees are already working outside of the giant waterfront office, in light of the companys flexible approach to office attendance.

As one of the citys largest office properties and a prominent feature on its skyline, the 1.6-million-square-foot One Market Plaza complex features two high-rise towers and a 11-story office annex building known as the Landmark.

Ryan Lamont, a spokesperson for Google, said the company will be moving out of One Markets Spear Tower, but will continue to occupy the smaller Landmark building. He declined to comment on how long Google plans to remain in the latter.

As weve said before, were focused on investing in real estate efficiently to meet the current and future needs of our hybrid workforce, Lamont said in an email to the Chronicle. We remain committed to our long-term presence in San Francisco.

One Market Plazas six-story annex, known as the Landmark, has been home to some of Googles San Francisco office space. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle 2021

Real estate market participants who spoke with the Chronicle indicated that Google plans to consolidate much of its operations from One Market to nearby 345 Spear St., where the company leases about 400,000 square feet. These individuals said that Google will likely renew its lease at that property once it expires next year.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Lamont refused to comment on a potential lease renewal at 345 Spear St. on Tuesday.

News of Googles impending departure comes just months after Paramount and Blackstone successfully negotiated the extension of a $975 million loan for One Market Plaza that was scheduled to mature in February. The partners worked out a deal to extend the loan for three years, with an additional one-year option, in exchange for making a $125 million payment on the maturing debt.

A market participant said that working out such a deal would have likely been more challenging had Google announced its exit at that time.

This trophy asset continues to generate leasing demand at record rent levels, a spokesperson for Paramount and Blackstone told the Chronicle on Monday. This space is leased through April 2025, and we are already in active dialogue with potential new tenants. We recently extended the loan through 2028 on attractive terms.

One Market Plaza has been one of San Franciscos most valuable buildings. Roland Li

As office vacancy reached record levels in the city this year, surpassing 36%, effective rents at One Market Plaza are still about 20% higher than at other so-called trophy office buildings in the city, according to real estate market observers.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

One Market Plaza has long commanded some of the highest rents in the city  upward of $100 per square foot  from its impressive roster of good credit tenants. These included Visa and Autodesk, though both companies have announced plans to exit or downsize at the property.

Last year, Autodesk listed 73,000 square feet of the 284,000 square feet it occupies at One Market Plaza for sublease. And with its lease expiring in 2026, Visa also listed its entire 162,000-square-foot headquarters at the property for sublease last year, in preparation for its move to its brand-new office in Mission Rock.

While those tenants are not physically occupying their entire offices, their leases are still in place, and, coupled with a few new additions in recent years  such as a lease signed with Citi about two years into the pandemic, the complex is currently 92.5% occupied. However, vacancy is expected to rise unless the propertys owners manage to fill it up with new tenants.

But the recent issues suggest that no office property is spared from the roiling market, not even those deemed to be among the best in the city. And one thing appears certain: After Google departs from One Market Plaza, the valuable property will be emptier than it has been in many years.


The caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, on Tuesday, asked the States House of Assembly to resume its impeachment against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Recall that in December, the House withdrew its notice on impeaching Fubara after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu interceded on the rift between the Governor and Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Both men have been at loggerheads over control of the political structure in Rivers.

Advertisement

Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt, Tony Okocha, chair of the APC in the state, accused the governor of insulting Tinubu.

Itll be foolhardy for us to sit down and see someone way less than Mr President insult him under our very nose, he said.

READ ALSO: Current Rivers Assembly Is Unconstitutional, I Only Allowed Them To Exist, I Determine Your Existence  Fubara To Rivers Assembly

It is also an absurdity to see the governor espouse impunity and intimidation on people who are members of our political party, and we stand akimbo doing nothing.

As representatives of Mr President we wont sit here and see the governor insult the President. We wont sit here to see the governor declare on his own as if hes a court to declare Assembly members seats vacant.

To that extent, in consultation with my party, we are directing APC members who are in the Assembly to immediately commence the impeachment of Governor Sim Fubara.

And if they dont do that, theres what they call party discipline, and we shall invoke that section of the constitution and deal decisively with them, Okocha added.

Fubara had earlier expressed dismay over the attitude of the assembly members to his administration, adding that the lawmakers doesnt exist to him.
The Trade Union Congress has berated the National Assembly over the controversial cybersecurity levy recently introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the union also vowed to shutdown the economy if the Federal Government fails to cancel the banks charges.

In a statement signed by its President, Festus Osifo, on Wednesday, TUC slammed the directive by the CBN to banks imposing a 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy on all electronic transactions.

Advertisement

The union said it is disturbing that since the arrival of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, government policies have brought pain, anguish and sorrow to Nigerians.

The statement partly read, The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has received with a rude shock the recent directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in a circular to banks imposing a 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy on almost all electronic transactions.

READ MORE: Hardship: NLC Rejects New CBN Charges Fee On Bank Deposits, Demands Immediate Withdrawal

It is indeed illogical that this is coming at a time when Nigerians are grappling with the high cost of living that is imposed by the devaluation of the Naira, hyper hike in the cost of Petrol, supersonic increment in the cost of electricity tariff, etc.

We are quite disturbed that since the inception of this administration, its policies have brought pain, anguish and sorrow to Nigerians. Whereas a bank account holder in Nigeria today is currently charged stamp duty, transfer fee, VAT on transfer fee, and all forms of account maintenance levies by both government and the banks; this burden seems not to be enough as the government is poised to inflict further pain on the already battered Nigerians.

The National Assembly which ought to be the bastion of democracy and the protector of the citizens often times engages in collusion with elements within the executive to exploit the people.

How can such an obnoxious law see the light of day in a truly people-oriented legislative house? This is indeed a conspiracy of the oppressors against the masses and citizens of this country and it must be resisted by all well-meaning Nigerians.

We call on the federal government to give a marching order to the Central Bank of Nigeria to immediately withdraw the circular and cancel the planned levy forthwith; failure of which we will be left with no option but to mobilize all our members, stakeholders and indeed the entire masses to embark on the immediate protest that would culminate into the total shutdown of the Nigerian economy as this is one exploitation too many.
The Department of State Services, has reportedly arrested the embattled chairman of the Oyo State Park Management System, identified as Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as Auxiliary.

Recall that in May 2023, Auxiliary was arrested after being linked to an alleged attempt by his loyalists to cause trouble in the state, following the dissolution of the PMS committee by the Governor, Seyi Makinde.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the embattled transportation boss was arrested at about 4:00 pm on Tuesday at his residence in the Olodo area of Ibadan, the state capital.

Advertisement

According to PUNCH, Auxiliary was arrested following an interview he granted on Saturday, May 4, in which he called out Seye Famojuro, a trusted ally of Makinde, for being behind his woes.

READ MORE: You Cant Declare Me Wanted  Auxiliary Replies Police From Hideout

Speaking with Media personnel, Ajibola Akinyefa, in the Yoruba Language, Auxillary said: If he (Famojuro) is the governor or Seyi Makinde is, we will know. It is just a matter of time.

Everybody will face the consequences of their actions. The people he chose to manage the park are cheating themselves.

Seye will still go back to Ijesha because Ibadan is not his town. Only Governor Seyi Makinde and I will remain here because we wont run away. And I see that the bird is not working, but God feeds it. Seye will reap the seeds of his actions.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the newly introduced 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy to be charged on all bank transactions.

Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria, on Monday, issued a circular to all commercial, merchant, non-interest, and payment service banks, among others; noting that the implementation of the levy would start two weeks from Monday, May 6, 2024.

The circler reads: The levy shall be applied at the point of electronic transfer origination, then deducted and remitted by the financial institution. The deducted amount shall be reflected in the customers account with the narration, Cybersecurity Levy.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, the NLC, while reacting to the development on Tuesday, in a statement made available by its President, Joe Ajaero, demanded the immediate withdrawal of the levy, saying that it is another anti-people policy of the government amid excruciating economic hardship.

The statement reads: The Nigeria Labour Congress, vehemently condemns the recent directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to levy a 0.5 per cent Cybersecurity Levy on electronic transfers.

READ MORE: CBN Directs Banks To Deduct 0.5% Cybersecurity Levy From Customers Electronic Transfers

This levy, to be implemented by deduction at the transaction origination, is yet another burden on the shoulders of hardworking Nigerians.

In a circular issued by the CBN, the directive mandates banks and payment service operators to affect these deductions, effective next two weeks.

This move, ostensibly aimed at bolstering cybersecurity measures, threatens to exacerbate the financial strain already faced by the populace.
The operatives of the Niger State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, arrested four men suspected to be ritualists for allegedly gang-rapping a 13-year-old student.

According to PUNCH, the group was also alleged to have cut off the manhood of a three-year-old boy in the state.

It was gathered that the Second-in-Command of the Niger State NSCDC, Abdulhamid Kabara, made this known on Tuesday while parading the suspects and their victims, adding that luck ran against the suspects after the 13-year-old Fatima Usman escaped from an uncompleted building they took her to in Pandogari in Rafi Local Government Area.

Advertisement

The security agency also disclosed that they were on a manhunt for the witch doctor, Baba Sada who, they said, directed the suspects to get the male genitals for a charm to make them immune to gun shot or knife attacks.

Abdulhamid said: A girl of about 13 years old named Fatima Usman, a JSS 1 student of Government Day Secondary School Pandogari had an encounter with a gang of notorious boys who specialized in raping, maiming, and killing of school children.

Fatima Usman reported the matter to the school principal, Mohammed Aketa, after having received several threats from one of the gang members.

READ MORE: NSCDC Apprehends 85-Year-Old Kidnapper In Kano

On Thursday, 2nd May 2024, the principal however informed the security operatives about the development and a strategy was put in place, using the girl as bait, it worked out perfectly as the man threatening the girls life was arrested.

The arrested person identified himself as Aliyu Amiru, (M), 20 years of age, in the course of investigation mentioned other syndicate members.

Fatima Usman revealed that the arrested Aliyu Amiru and his syndicate members abducted her sometime in 2022, blindfolded and took her to an uncompleted building on the outskirts of the town.

She added that the syndicate took turns in raping her and while she was still in captivity, a little boy of less than 2 years old was brought in and in her presence, his manhood was cut off.

She was asked to cooperate; otherwise she would be met with the same fate as the boys. She was laid flat on the ground and a needle-like substance was used to prick the surroundings of her navel and lower abdomen, and the mutilated genitalia of the little boy were rubbed over the pierced area of her navel, mixing her blood and that of the boy, after which it was dropped inside a little sack. She however managed to escape and they chased her, but they stopped chasing her when she ran into a burial ground.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has attributed the situation to low refining capacity and inconsistent government policies in the sector.

Speaking on Tuesday, during an interview on Channels TV, IPMAN Deputy President, Zarma Mustapha, said that the scarcity is a result of the dwindling supply of petroleum products.

Mustapha added that the roots of the current fuel struggle can be traced back to the late 70s when the Nigerian government established IPMAN and other major marketers to alleviate supply challenges in the petroleum sector.

Advertisement

READ MORE: FG Govt Applying Quasi-Subsidy On Petrol  TUC President, Osifo

He said, Despite efforts to expand refining capacity and build infrastructure such as depots and refineries, the country has failed to keep pace with the growing demand for petroleum products, leading to recurrent shortages.

There is a need for continuous investment in refining infrastructure to meet the needs of Nigerias burgeoning population and economy.

Government policies have also played a significant role in exacerbating the fuel scarcity situation. Inconsistencies in pricing regulations, particularly regarding PMS, have deterred private investors from participating in the importation and distribution of petroleum products.

While certain products like Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and kerosene have been deregulated, PMS remains under the control of the NNPCL, further limiting competition and supply chain efficiency.

Despite efforts by some independent marketers to import petroleum products, the unfavourable foreign exchange rates and high operational costs have rendered such ventures unprofitable.

The disparity between the exchange rates at which NNPC imports fuel and the prevailing market rates has discouraged private importation, leaving NNPCL as the primary importer of PMS.

As a result, independent marketers like IPMAN are left to rely on NNPC for their supply, impacting their bottom line.

The current situation highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive review of government policies and increased investment in refining capacity to ensure a stable and reliable supply of petroleum products across Nigeria.

As citizens endure the inconvenience of fuel scarcity once again, stakeholders look to the government for effective solutions to address the underlying issues plaguing the countrys petroleum sector.
Filmmaker Lary Campbell plays his short film on his phone. The movie card is in the background. Lary was photographed in his Magnolia, N.J. home on Friday, May 3, 2024. Campbell directed and performed the short film, My Mother, My Self. It is the story of the day he told his mother he had HIV. Now the film is being shown at an international film festival in France. Read more

The man looks straight at the camera. There is no music, no props. Just him, his eyes, and his voice.

Its December 1991, and today I told my mother I was diagnosed with HIV, he says. Perhaps I shouldnt have.

Advertisement

What follows is a story that took over 30 years for actor and filmmaker Lary Campbell, now 68, to tell. That he lived to tell it is no small thing. All of this could have been lost to silence.

But next week, it will be heard.

My Mother, My Self will be shown at the Nice International Film Festival, in Nice, France, from May 13-15. The film and Campbell are nominated in five categories: best short film, best original screenplay, best actor, best director, and best editing.

It is a quiet but powerful film about the relationship between a mother and son, as well as the legacy of trauma. Lurking in the shadows are the early years of the AIDS epidemic, a time when many fragile people were left by their families and society to cope and often died alone..

Campbell, who lives in Magnolia., grew up in North Philadelphia. His father, James, died when he was 10, and his mother, Elizabeth, struggled to raise five children on survivors benefits.

We grew up on powdered milk because we couldnt afford milk, Campbell said. My sister remembers neighbors leaving canned goods on our porch.

Campbell said his mother didnt show her emotions. It was rough for her. Absolutely, But back then, you didnt go to therapy. Although she was a Catholic, she wouldnt even go to confession, Campbell said. She was not going to discuss feelings. She was not going to discuss personal stuff.

She had her reasons to keep up her emotional guard, Campbell said.

Campbells mother intervened when her own mother tried to hang herself. Campbells mother confided in one of his siblings, but never discussed it with him.

Campbell found his own outlet in the theater from an early age. At Cardinal Dougherty High School, he took a filmmaking class and started making his own movies. His mother discouraged his aspirations.

She would say stuff like, This isnt practical. Why do you think youre going to make it? These people are special, Campbell said. What mother doesnt think their child is special?

Yet she was supportive in other ways. When Campbell told his mother he was gay, she announced she was calling a family meeting with all his siblings. Which was incredible, he said. She was very accepting.

Campbell started working in home care and nursing, and lived in Los Angeles and New York City.

In the 1980s, in Manhattan, he was caring for patients who were mysteriously very sick and dying; the doctors didnt know what was wrong with them. Some called it the gay cancer or GRID  Gay-Related Immune Deficiency. When a hospital in upper Manhattan was looking for people to staff its first AIDS unit, Campbell said people were reluctant to work there. He was the second one hired and worked there for 10 years, until 1996.

During that time, he wrote an AIDs-related play called Robby that was produced Off Broadway. He also witnessed the horrors of the AIDS epidemic.

We were taking care of people our own age. I would see people that I dated, he said.

Sometimes, parents would come from far-off states and demand the hospital do something to save their dying sons.

It was during this time, tending to AIDS patients, that Campbell learned he was HIV positive.

I had an insensitive doctor, he recalled. He told me over the phone, rather than bring me into the office, while I was at work. So I had to go take care of people and imagine myself in the bed being taken care of. It was very, very difficult.

For many back then, that diagnosis was a death sentence. But Campbell said he would learn he was among a very fortunate, rare few. He is what is called an HIV elite controller  one of the less than 1% of individuals whose bodies can control the virus replication using their own immune system in the absence of antiretroviral therapy.

But he didnt know that when he called his mother to tell her he was HIV positive. The rest of that story is best for Campbells film to tell.

In the decades that followed, he studied film at the New School and worked as a nurse with psychiatric patients at Pennsylvania Hospitals Hall Mercer crisis center for 20 years until he retired in 2019. He also earned a certificate in LGBTQ health care from Drexel University and lectured health professionals on how to better serve those patients.

Over those years, Campbell has made seven films. The latest, Gary and Randy, is still in production.

Except for some comedic shorts, My Mother, My Self is the only film where Campbell is also the star. Memorizing the lines  essentially a monologue  and performing something so intimate was not easy.

The instinct is to avoid whats personally painful rather than to confront it, he said.

As both a witness to and survivor of the AIDS epidemic, he feels its important to add to the body of history and memory of that time.

Here is something that was a serious trauma to everyone that experienced it, but a lot of kids who have been brought up since dont know what it was like, he said. It dies with us when we die.

While some of his other work has earned prizes, he said hes honored that this film in particular is nominated for awards.

My mother was always saying I wasnt good enough, that I just didnt have the talent. So its an affirmation  things that I believed about myself, that I can make a good film, Campbell said. And also because I have my mothers eyes, he added. My eyes communicate very well. It would be ironic if I win something, and its all about her.
Tyshawn Sorey on the Penn campus. "A lot of composers, especially Black composers, go on misunderstood, overlooked or ignored completely, and its a blessing to see theres a lot of meritorious work receiving such recognition by the Pulitzer board and [like-minded] institutions, he said. Read more

The winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in music is a Penn professor and former Opera Philadelphia composer in residence. Tyshawn Sorey is receiving the honor for Adagio (For Wadada Leo Smith), a concerto for saxophone and orchestra, Columbia University announced Monday.

Sorey, 43, said the reward of being a composer is ultimately in the work itself, but its also nice to be acknowledged in this way. A lot of composers, especially Black composers, go on misunderstood, overlooked or ignored completely, and its a blessing to see theres a lot of meritorious work receiving such recognition by the Pulitzer board and [like-minded] institutions.

Advertisement

This years Pulitzer announcement in music came with other Philadelphia connections. Paper Pianos by Mary Kouyoumdjian was a finalist for the prize; Kouyoumdjian was one of the composers whose music comprised Unholy Wars, premiered by Opera Philadelphia in 2023. Soreys winning work, commissioned by the Lucerne Festival and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, was written for and premiered by Timothy McAllister, a member of the Philadelphia-based Prism saxophone quartet.

Sorey  who lives in Montgomery County with his wife and two daughters  said the concerto is an ode to Mississippi-born composer and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, and the term Adagio (which means slow) is a reference to what Smith is looking to capture in terms of his slowly developing pieces.

The approach aligns with Soreys own music, which he describes as having a frame of time long enough to get the listener immersed in the experience of music. Im a composer and artist who likes to take a long look at things, and who likes to take time.

Born in Newark, N.J., Sorey, in addition to being a composer, is a percussionist, pianist and conductor. He was a 2017 MacArthur Fellow, and, after the 2018 Opera Philadelphia premiere of his Cycles of My Being, a set of songs exploring the African American male experience, he was named the opera companys composer in residence from 2019 through 2023.

He moved to the Philadelphia region four years ago, and has developed relationships with several local groups and artists.

I love to teach, I love working with students at Penn, and of course Philly has such strong arts.

Hes working on a new project with the Prism quartet and has written a piece for Philadelphia pianist Jonathan Biss that he hopes will have its local premiere soon. Even though he has no official current affiliation with Opera Philadelphia, Sorey has been in discussions over a new opera project with the troupe and the Dutch National Opera.

The subject and story?

We dont know yet. Im in the midst of finding a librettist.

The Pulitzer award was something he didnt quite expect, Sorey said, but its definitely an honor for me. Many of the great composers who Ive admired have been on that list, as well, including finalists and people Im colleagues with, and a lot of people who have been my lifetime heroes.
Alfonso Aramburo admires the 8-foot cowboy boot outside of his store, Viejo Oeste #2, in South Philly. Read more

The first thing Alfonso Aramburo wanted to put on the sidewalk in front of his new Western wear store on Washington Avenue in the Italian Market was a life-size fiberglass horse. He had one outside of his store in Alabama years ago and it attracted a lot of attention.

But his wife had a different suggestion.

Advertisement

Why you dont bring a boot this time, because you dont sell stuff for horses  you sell boots, Aramburo recalled.

Thats how an 8-foot tall, 6-foot long, 250-pound fiberglass cowboy boot came to be bolted to the sidewalk outside of Aramburos store, Viejo Oeste #2, on Washington Avenue near Ninth Street.

It was delivered in March from a company in Arkansas, four months after Aramburo opened his store. The flatbed tractor trailer hauling the giant boot parked in the middle of Washington Avenue (as one does) and was filled with other massive fiberglass objects  including a cowboy hat, two horses, and a moose  going to other places, Aramburo said.

Since arriving outside of Viejo Oeste #2, the big boot, something more typically spotted on Broadway Street in Nashville than on the streets of South Philly, has been the subject of social media posts and frequent photo ops from passersby.

Last night I reviewed the cameras outside, and I see so many people stop to take pictures on the boot, Aramburo said.

The store

While the boot has a whole lot of sole, the real soul of the store is Aramburo, whos created a place that evokes memories in his clients, from the warm earthy smell of leather that permeates the shop to the vibrantly-patterned cowboy shirts within it.

People tell me, This is the smell of Mexico when they come in the store, Aramburo said.

Viejo Oeste #2 has an incredible array of mens and womens cowboy hats, the best of which are kept in cases, and an equally impressive collection of cowboy boots made from skins including, but not limited to, ostrich, snake, stingray, lizard, and alligator.

There are belt buckles featuring bull riders, steer, deer, eagles, Mexican flags, U.S. flags, and buckles with the Mexican and U.S. flags with a golden bull rider overlay.

On the outside and inside of the changing rooms are cowboy murals painted by local artist Gerardo Texcocano and on the front counter are bottles of Platini cologne, a statute of the Virgin Mary, and a painting of Jesus.

When Brazilian native Emerson Negao walked into the store Monday for the first time with a friend, he couldnt contain his excitement.

Woooow! he said as he opened the door, later adding that in Brazil, he always wear clothes like this.

Ropa vaquera

Growing up in Durango, Mexico, Aramburo said Western wear, called ropa vaquera, was very popular. In fact, the vaquero, or Mexican cowboy, predates the American cowboy, who was heavily influenced by the vaqueros style.

Aramburo first left Mexico at 17 and spent four years working construction jobs in Los Angeles, but the city never fit him right. He made money, but spent it just as quickly. He returned home for a year, during which time he met his wife, with whom he shares two sons, now ages 26 and 21.

In 1993 at the advice of a relative, the couple moved to Atlanta, where Aramburo found work in construction and then at a chicken plant.

One day, he brought in three piteado belts, Mexican leather belts embroidered with thread made from the century plant. The belts quickly sold to his Mexican coworkers and he saw a business opportunity.

I order another five belts. I sell those right away and then people started asking me for hats, for boots, for leather jackets, Aramburo said.

Inspired by the success of his side hustle, Aramburo opened his first Viejo Oeste Western wear store in Gainesville, Ga., in 1999. The name, which means Old West, was voted on by his coworkers at the chicken plant, he said.

In the succeeding years, he opened a second location in Gainesville and a third in Birmingham, Ala., all of which were named Viejo Oeste.

Business was good for a while, until the financial crisis of 2008 forced him to close all but the original location, and even that one struggled to rebound.

Id be sitting on my chair with no customers. I turn my head and see all my store and I said, This store is beautiful, but I dont have customers. Ive got to find another place, Aramburo said.

A friend living in Delaware suggested he try his luck there, perhaps at the New Castle Farmers Market. When he went to check it out, he saw many Latinos at the market and felt like it could be a good opportunity for his business.

In 2012, Aramburo closed his Gainesville store and moved to New Castle, where he set up Viejo Oeste (which is #1 of two right now, if youre counting) at the farmers market. Many of his customers, he began to notice, came from the Philly area.

They were always asking Why you dont open one of these stores in Philly? he said.

And so he did, in November of last year.

Viejo Oeste #2

He chose the location of his shop, which previously housed an appliance store and samba studio, because hed come to Ninth Street to eat at the Latino restaurants and saw a lot of foot traffic.

And most of the Mexican people, the Latino people who live out of this area, they know this area, he said. They come, even from Delaware, they come to Ninth Street, and everybody I know knows where the Italian Market is.

So far business has been good. Jaripeos at Lighthouse Field in North Philly, which are similar to rodeos and feature bull riding and live music, help bring in clientele and returning customers tell Aramburo their looks turn heads.

Especially in a city like Philly, when you see a man dressed up in Western, you have to turn your head to see, he said. And thats one of the main things I hear from the customers, they come and tell me, Oh, my God, I get the attention!
Three people were hurt in a hit-and-run crash Monday night in Kensington police said. A 56-year-old woman remains in critical condition. Now, officials are asking for help finding the driver. Read more

Three people were injured in a hit-and-run crash Monday night while trying to cross a street in Kensington, police said, including a 56-year-old woman who was critically injured. Now, officials are asking for help locating the driver.

About 9 p.m., a dark-colored minivan with red and white logos on both sides was traveling east on East Venango Street when the driver veered around another vehicle and struck two men, ages 59 and 32, and a woman who were crossing B Street, police said.

Advertisement

The minivan driver made a right onto B Street and the vehicle was last seen fleeing south down that street.

Police do not know the make or model of the vehicle, Capt. Robert Heinzeroth, a commanding officer for the Philadelphia Police Departments Crash Investigation Division, told reporters at a news conference Tuesday. But investigators said they believe that the logos on both sides of the minivans sliding doors will make it recognizable to someone.

I think this van with logos on the side is rather unique, he said. Someone will recognize this van.

According to Heinzeroth, the woman who was struck remains at Temple University Hospital with head trauma and internal injuries. The two other victims had minor wrist injuries and were in stable condition.

Based on the vehicles speed and the impact of the crash, there was no way the driver was unaware that three people had been struck, the police captain said.

To strike one person in a hit-and-run is unconscionable, Heinzeroth said. But to strike three and just keep going, its exceptionally callous.

Police ask that anyone with information contact the Crash Investigation Division at 215-685-3180.
San Francisco police said that they were investigating what they described as a womans suspicious death in the Tenderloin. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

San Francisco police said Wednesday that they were investigating what they described as a womans suspicious death in the Tenderloin.

Officers were summoned to a residence on the 200 block of Taylor Street just before noon on Sunday regarding an unconscious adult female, police said in a statement.

Paramedics declared the woman dead at the scene, and medical examiners ruled the death to be suspicious.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Peng Chao, chief of the charter office, presents on Franklin Towne Charter School last August. He said Tuesday the office understands the importance of being held accountable for establishing authorizing practices that are both compliant with applicable laws and implemented consistently. Read more

The Philadelphia School Districts Charter Schools Office  which has come under fire from some charter advocates who say that it opposes their schools and has discriminated against Black-led charters  followed a fair process when it evaluated applications to open new charters, the states auditor general said Tuesday.

Auditor General Timothy DeFoor said at a Harrisburg news conference announcing the audit findings that the office was also consistent with the state law and guidance, as well as its own procedures, while reviewing applications to renew charter schoolswhich are typically granted approval to operate for five-year termsand monitoring charters performance. The audit reviewed applications submitted to the district in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.

Advertisement

Still, DeFoor recommended some improvements for the charter office, including periodically reviewing the framework it uses to evaluate charter schools and more frequently auditing charter admission lotteries. That latter practice could have identified problems sooner at Franklin Towne Charter High School, DeFoor said.

The Inquirer reported last year that the Northeast Philadelphia charter had allegedly excluded students from numerous majority-non-white zip codes in its 2023 lottery; a review by the charter schools office found improprieties in prior years as well, and the school board voted to revoke its charter. A legal challenge is ongoing.

Peng Chao, chief of the charter office, said the office understands the importance of being held accountable for establishing authorizing practices that are both compliant with applicable laws and implemented consistently. He was pleased the audit found the office had complied with all applicable legal requirements and adhered to the standards in its charter evaluation framework.

We look forward to engaging with the recommendations, not just internally, but also with our broader stakeholders across the city to determine the best path forward for our students and the sector, Chao said in a statement.

Amy Hollister, director of community development at Philadelphia Charters for Excellence, an advocacy group representing most of the citys charters, said the group concluded from the report that the current charter framework needs reforming to improve charter authorizing, accountability, and equitable treatment for all schools.

Charter schools are public schools, open and accessible to all, and PCE looks forward to working with state leaders to enact common sense and overdue reforms to ensure that every Philadelphia public school student is able to attend a high-quality public school of their choice, Hollister said in a statement.

Charter schools, which enroll about one-third of Philadelphia public school students, are publicly funded but independently run. The school board is charged with approving new charter schools, and deciding whether to renew existing ones.

Black-led charters pushback

The audit comes at a time when charter schools, particularly Black-led charters, have suggested the office does not deal fairly with them.

Some charter supporters recently campaigned heavily against the candidacy of Joyce Wilkerson, the former school board president, for the school board, whose members are appointed by the mayor. Wilkerson was seen as not friendly to charter schools.

Ultimately, City Council declined to confirm Wilkerson, but Mayor Cherelle L. Parker asked Wilkerson to serve until she names her replacement, which means that Wilkerson could serve indefinitely.

The African American Charter School Coalition said the audit didnt appear to address concerns about disproportionate outcomes; most charters closed by the district over the past decade have been Black-led.

While the audit found the charter office followed policy and laws, it is a well-known fact that often systemic bias is found in laws and policies that appear neutral on their face, the group said in a statement.

The audit findings

The board has not approved any new charters since the 2017-18 school year. In the audit of seven applications for new charters submitted during the two school years reviewed, the auditor generals office said it found that the charter office followed a comprehensive evaluation process, and that there were no noticeable differences between the charter applications and the evaluation reports presented by the office to the board.

The reports included review items required by Pennsylvanias charter law, and the evaluations appeared reasonable, the audit said.

While the audit found the office followed state charter law in evaluating charter renewals  which consider academic, financial and organizational issues  it advised that the office seek input from an outside agency, like the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, to assess the standards and whether theyre equitable to all schools.

It also said the office should review charter lotteries more frequently  citing the Franklin Towne allegations and the need to ensure a fair process. Currently, those reviews are only conducted the year of a charters renewal, the audit said.

The audit looked at a sampling of existing schools that werent up for full renewals during the audit period, as well as a sampling of existing schools that were up for renewal. Among other information, it reviewed the offices evaluation reports, as well as whether the charters were able to provide feedback before the reports were released.

The evaluations were in compliance with the charter law, the audit found, although it recommended that the office allow charters to provide an official response to the evaluations that could be included in the reports issued by the office to the school board. That would increase transparency on issues included in these reports, the audit said.
An empty science classroom at Upper Darby High School in this 2022 file photo. New data on teacher vacancies give a fuller picture of the ongoing teacher shortage in Pennsylvania. Read more

More than 2,100 teaching positions were vacant in Pennsylvania as of October, according to newly released state data  and almost a quarter of those spots were filled not with full-time teachers, but with long-term substitutes.

The vacancies, reported by the state for the first time, are one indicator of the severity of Pennsylvanias ongoing teacher shortage  but not the extent of it. Accounting for the number of teachers leaving the profession each year as well as those who are teaching with emergency permits, Pennsylvania schools need to hire at least 15,000 teachers  nearly three times the number the state certified last year, according to a new report.

Advertisement

Were still in the midst of a pretty dire crisis, said Laura Boyce, Pennsylvania executive director of Teach Plus, an advocacy group that worked on the report with the Pa. Needs Teachers coalition.

Here are some takeaways from the report:

Philadelphias shortage is considered severe.

As the supply of new teachers has dwindled, districts across Pennsylvania have been challenged to hire qualified teachers. But the scope of the problem varies greatly between communities.

In Southeastern Pennsylvania, Bucks and Chester Counties have mild shortages, Montgomery County has a moderate shortage and Delaware County has a high shortage, according to the report, which compared the number of additional qualified teachers needed to the number of total teachers by county.

In Philadelphia, meanwhile, the shortage is severe.

The issue is disproportionately located in the Philadelphia labor market, and in particular Philadelphia County, where the school district has lots and lots of vacant positions, said Ed Fuller, a professor of education at Pennsylvania State University who also worked on the report. (The analysis doesnt include charter schools, which account for one-third of Philadelphia public school enrollment, and where teacher attrition rates are significantly higher than in district schools  further adding to labor market needs.)

The suburbs have milder shortages  but the problem could get worse.

While the suburbs arent currently lacking as great a share of qualified teachers as Philadelphia, they are threatened by the weakened teacher pipeline: Since 2012-13, the number of certified teachers produced by Pennsylvanias education programs each year has fallen from 16,614 to 5,577 in 2022-23  a 66% decline, the report said. (Last years figures are an improvement on a record-low 4,220 certifications in 2021-22, in what the report described as a slight rebound.)

Philadelphia and the four collar counties all rank very low in the supply of new teachers being certified by area teacher preparation programs, according to the report.

While the number of teachers leaving the profession declined slightly between 2022-23 and 2023-24  8,300, or 6.6% of teachers, compared to 7.7% the year prior  the departures still contributed to supply challenges. Three of the four suburban counties  Bucks, Chester, and Delaware  have high teacher attrition levels, according to the report. (Philadelphias level is very high.)

With the southeast portion of Pennsylvania growing, both in overall population and numbers of K-12 students, this suggests that many districts in this area of the commonwealth will continue to have difficulty addressing the shortage of teachers, the report said.

Funding inequities are fueling the disparities in shortages.

The report connects the differences in severity between Philadelphia and its suburbs to inequities in Pennsylvanias school funding system, which was found unconstitutional last year. Those funding gaps make it less attractive to work in Philadelphia, Boyce said.

The city cant afford the same teacher salaries as affluent suburban districts, and Philadelphia teachers face more challenging working conditions, larger class sizes, more inadequate facilities, Boyce said.

That disparity creates a ripple effect. Students in Philadelphia and other districts with similar challenges are learning from less experienced teachers, in systems with more turnover  contributing to inequitable outcomes and learning opportunities, Boyce said.

Even with more money, districts may struggle to hire teachers.

Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed a more than $1 billion school funding increase this year, with a new formula steering most of the money to districts deemed to be the least adequately funded.

But given the insufficient supply of teachers, districts will have a hard time using that money to hire needed staff, Boyce and Fuller said. Their report notes that their shortage estimates do not take into account the increased demand for qualified and certified teachers that would likely occur if districts receive potentially historic increases in state education funding in the wake of the school funding lawsuit and Basic Education Funding Commission.

Such an infusion of money would likely cause demand for teachers to skyrocket further, the report says.

The report offers solutions, but theres no quick fix.

The report calls on lawmakers to do more to increase the supply of new teachers, including by adding more money to a new stipend program for student teachers, and investing in school district grow-your-own programs that train high schoolers to become teachers.

Fuller  who noted a particular need for more special education teachers  said the state could subsidize people who get teaching certificates.

Because supply is hard to alter in a short period of time, he said, there really is no quick fix.
Annie Gadson, the building substitute teacher at Robeson High School in West Philadelphia, is surprised with an award for being the best sub in the region. Read more

Annie Gadson retired from a 40-year career in the Philadelphia School District in 2014, but after a few years of travel, it got old.

I missed the kids, said Gadson. She soon began substitute teaching in the district, and, two years ago, became the building sub at Paul Robeson High School in West Philadelphia, the teacher who shows up daily to cover absences or periods when educators need to be outside the classroom.

Advertisement

Gadson was honored as an extraordinary substitute teacher Tuesday, surprised with flowers, a crystal apple statue, raucous applause, and a giant cardboard check from ESS, the firm that partners with Philadelphia schools to hire and train substitute teachers for the district. ESS gave Gadson its 2024 Impact Award, naming her the best substitute teacher in its Eastern Region-Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

As part of the prize, Gadson won $1,000, and Robeson won $500.

When the adults at the front of the room announced why the student body had gathered in the Robeson auditorium, cheers erupted. Yo, Grandmom! someone yelled. Woohoo! I love you, Grandmom!

Gadson, 75, was floored, teary, effusive. She continues to teach because of her love for the work, for the students, for Robeson. She knows students names, every class personality, and she tells her young people: When I see you, I see my son, my daughter, my grandchildren.

Lawrence King, principal of Robeson High, said he cant overstate Gadsons importance to the school.

I cant do what I do without her, said King. It just gives me a level of ease, knowing that if a teacher cant be in a classroom, Mrs. Gadson can be there.

And while her affection for the students is plain, shes no pushover: In Grandmoms class, having a sub doesnt mean its time to goof off. Work will be assigned. Students will learn, she said.

Students tell other students, Grandmom aint gonna let you get away with anything, Gadson said. In the beginning, I tell them, Ive been around this bush too many times.

And so universal is Gadsons nickname that when she signed a hall pass Mrs. Gadson recently, a student recoiled. Whos Mrs. Gadson, the student asked? You have to write Grandmom.

The recognition felt like a dream, said Gadson, a Philadelphia native who graduated from West Philadelphia High, Community College of Philadelphia, La Salle University, and Cheyney University. She taught at the now-closed Drew Elementary, Kensington High School, Roxborough High School and Frankford High School.

I have never in my life received any type of award like this, Gadson said.

King underscored Gadsons flexibility and professionalism  shes called on to teach all grades, all subjects, and she does so with ease.

Theyve all been good, said Gadson. The students here are nice and respectful. Im learning each day, Im learning from each one of them.

And although some people might think about taking a slide at age 75, Gadson has no plans to do so. She needs knee surgery, but once shes back at it, shell be the Robeson building sub again next year, swapping classroom stories with her son, a math teacher in Memphis.

Joe Birmingham, vice president of operations for ESS, said Gadson was chosen from a pool of more than 1,000 substitutes, and stood out not just for her dedication and skill, but also for the way she is revered by the community.

Were proud of Ms. Gadson, said Birmingham. ESS filled 110,000 jobs in the district last year and is on track to fill 142,000 this year.

Gadsons steadfast service is notable in an era when schools have had a tough time filling substitute jobs. To date, of 163,491 substitute job, the fill rate is 58%; last year, 43% of the districts 251,956 total substitute jobs were filled.

But, Birmingham said, the trend lines are moving in the right direction, and the company is having an easier time finding willing substitutes.

We are getting people to come back into schools, said Birmingham.
In mid-April, a new banner was raised to greet Philadelphians to the Mexican community around Ninth Street. Read more

Signs written in Spanish are becoming less common along North Philadelphias Golden Block, or El Bloque de Oro  which runs along North Fifth Street from Lehigh Avenue to Allegheny Avenue and is considered the cultural center of the citys long-standing Puerto Rican community.

Meanwhile, Spanish and multilingual signs are rapidly increasing in the Italian Market area of South Philadelphia, which in recent decades has become a stronghold of the Mexican immigrant community.

Advertisement

And in Olney, the heart of Philadelphias Colombian diaspora, in upper North Philadelphia, Spanish signs are displayed among signs written in English and Korean  but have decreased and then increased again in recent years.

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Hispanic linguistics at Temple University, and I conducted whats called a linguistic landscapes study in these three neighborhoods from 2021 to 2023. I wandered through each neighborhood on foot several times each year, taking photographs of written signs in public spaces. By the end of my research, I had collected a total of 3,356 signs. These included business signage, posters and handwritten signs. My findings were published in the April 2024 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Languages.

 READ MORE: Bienvenidos a la Calle 9 Welcome Benvenuti: A new banner greets Philadelphians to the Mexican community around Ninth Street

I found that across all three neighborhoods, English dominates the linguistic landscape. Of the total 3,356 signs, about 62% were in English, while 24% were in Spanish and 13% were written in both Spanish and English. Only 29 signs  less than 1%  were multilingual, or written in three or more languages. Among these, Vietnamese was the most common third language.

Spanish signs became more common during my study, increasing from 19% in 2021 to 23% in 2022 and then jumping to 30% in 2023. Meanwhile, the number of signs in English dropped from 70% in 2021 to 61% in 2022 and then to 55% in 2023. Bilingual signs also increased, going from 10% in 2021 to 16% in 2022 and then dropping a bit to 14% in 2023.

The most dramatic shift I observed was in South Philadelphia, where English signs decreased steadily from 72% in 2021 to 51% in 2023, while Spanish signs doubled from 18% to 36%.

This linguistic shift most likely reflects the presence of immigrant communities that are still growing, particularly those from Cambodia and Mexico.

Why it matters

The Golden Block has been a political and cultural hub of Philadelphias Hispanic community since the mid 1970s. For decades, many have viewed it as the heart of Philadelphias Latino community.

However, ethnographic research I conducted in 2020 revealed that despite the presence of many Hispanic families and businesses, Spanish isnt always dominant in that area. Research shows a tendency for non-English speakers to lose their native language proficiency by the third generation.

 READ MORE: Some Philly street signs have a Liberty Bell. Heres how it got there.

And while Spanish use may be declining on the Golden Block, my study reveals that Spanish and other languages, like Khmer and Vietnamese, are gradually increasing overall across the three neighborhoods. This reflects the citys growing linguistic diversity and cultural globalization, and that various immigrant communities are making the Italian Market a new hub for linguistic and cultural diversity.

How I do my work

Typically, I begin with a classic ethnographic approach: walking through different areas, talking with locals and familiarizing myself with the environment. Once I am immersed in the area, patterns of language in specific contexts become apparent. It is at this point that one wears their linguist hat and begins formulating hypotheses to develop a study, and starts collecting data, which for me is the most enjoyable process of the research.

This article is republished from The Conversation. Read the original article here.
Susan C. Aldridge, a higher education consultant who has been serving as interim president at Thomas Jefferson University since July, has been elevated to the permanent post. Read more

Susan C. Aldridge, a higher education consultant and leader who has been serving as interim president at Thomas Jefferson University since July, has been elevated to the permanent post, the school announced Tuesday.

Aldridge, who has held leadership positions at several large universities, including Drexel and the University of Maryland system, becomes Thomas Jeffersons first female president as the school marks its bicentennial.

Advertisement

She replaces Mark Tykocinski, a molecular immunologist who resigned in July after coming under fire for liking controversial tweets about COVID-19 vaccines and gender reassignment surgery for children on his official presidential Twitter account.

 READ MORE: Thomas Jefferson University president who liked controversial tweets resigns

This is a pivotal moment in Jeffersons history and Dr. Aldridge is the best person to usher in a new era for Thomas Jefferson University, Joseph G. Cacchione, CEO of Thomas Jefferson, said in a statement.

Jefferson enrolls 8,400 students in more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs across 10 colleges and is home to the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce.

The university noted that Aldridge, who had been a member of the board of trustees before stepping in as interim president, completed the search for a new medical school dean that resulted in the hiring of Said Ibrahim, a physician whose research centers on health equity and disparities and who has a background in internal medicine, public health, and diversity and inclusion efforts. He became the schools first Black medical school dean.

 READ MORE: Thomas Jefferson University appoints its first Black medical school dean, a doctor with local ties and a background in diversity efforts

Aldridge also led the university through the first phase of a new strategic planning process, the university said.

This is such an extraordinary opportunity at this particular time with Jefferson growing at the rate it is growing, said Aldridge, 72, who has lived in the Philadelphia area for about a decade. This is a time when I felt I could make a difference, and this is a team that I really, really respect. ... I really felt that Jeffersons trajectory at this time was a good fit with my expertise.

Aldridge previously served as president of Drexel University Online for 5 years, president of the University of Maryland Global Campus for six years, and vice chancellor of Troy University in Alabama for 10 years. She once served on the faculty of the National University of Singapore and conducted research on health and aging in the United States and Asia.

And during the pandemic, she said, she consulted with university presidents and their boards regarding new business models and the use of technology in learning.

It was time to take my own suggestions, she said.

She also worked in other roles, including as a senior fellow at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and principal investigator for several U.S. Department of Health and Human Service grants. She co-authored Wired for Success, a book on innovative business models driving higher education.

Aldridge started her career working in a private consulting firm in the health-care field and went on to several other health-care and education-related positions, including investigating current health education strategies for the National Foundation March of Dimes and serving as project director for a think tank on self-care strategies in primary health care for National Planned Parenthood.

Aldridge, a native of Wisconsin, received her bachelors degree from the Colorado Womens College and her masters and doctorate in public administration from the University of Colorado.

She was appointed to Thomas Jeffersons board of trustees in 2022 and served on it until she stepped into the interim presidential role.

Aldridge acknowledged the significance of serving as the first female president, but said shed rather emphasize her more than 30 years of academic leadership experience.

I do understand Im a role model for many people who are excited to see me in this role, she said.

Last year, some Jefferson employees approached The Inquirer with concerns about Tykocinskis social media activity, given that it was on an account that clearly identified him as Jeffersons president and dean of the medical college.

He later apologized to the Jefferson community and deleted about half his likes. Cacchione said then that he was disappointed in the presidents careless use of his Twitter account and that he should have known better. Tykocinski resigned less than three months later.

Asked how she helped to heal the university following Tykocinskis resignation, Aldridge said that it was a matter of focusing the team on the future and opportunities we have moving forward. I really cant speak to the past. ... This is a future-focused university.

She said she plans to relocate to the presidents house on the East Falls campus.
Another attempt to schedule negotiations between the University of Pennsylvania leaders and pro-Palestinian encampment protesters nearly fell apart Tuesday after students asked that a city official and state representative be present for the talks.

But ultimately, the Penn leadership did meet for about two hours with eight encampment organizers Tuesday, both students and a university spokesperson confirmed.

Advertisement

It felt like we were making progress with the school, said Cece, a Penn graduate student who attended the meeting. She did not want to give her last name because of doxxing and privacy concerns.

Organizers said part of the meeting was dedicated to breaking down their demands for Penn to disclose and divest from companies profiting from the conflict in Gaza. Organizers would not elaborate on other sticking points in negotiations.

Penn declined to comment on the session.

Penn originally had told protesters they could have an outside representative during the negotiation session, but when protesters told the university they wanted District Attorney Larry Krasner and State Rep. Rick Krajewski as facilitators, Penn changed course, according to Krajewski.

Penn administrators said they would only meet with those affiliated with Penn, he said.

 READ MORE: Penn weighs risk of removing encampment, saying it is causing fear for many

Krajewski said Tuesday evening that he was glad they met anyway, even though he and Krasner could not attend.

At the end of the day, my position is trying to achieve a peaceful resolution that feels mutually satisfiable, he said. Them being able to meet is hopefully a sign that things are moving in the right direction. Im only interested in facilitating as part of getting to the goal. If both sides feel they can achieve that without me being in the room, thats fine.

Krasner was not immediately available.

The latest volley was part of a continued effort in recent days by city officials to urge Penn and encampment leaders to resume negotiations, as the encampment nears its two-week mark, finals begin, and graduation for the West Philadelphia Ivy League approaches.

Penns quest for support from city officials has also gotten some pushback, according to two sources close to the conversations. There remains a unified front among city leaders  including between Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, and Krasner  that the encampment protest in its current form should not be disbanded using force, and that Penn should resolve the matter peacefully, the sources said. Penn interim president J. Larry Jameson acknowledged the citys position in his statement Monday morning.

The sources, who asked not to be identified in order to discuss private conversations, said that city leaders want to avoid anything that could remotely resemble the confrontation between police and protesters at UCLA, Columbia, and other colleges over the past two weeks. More than 2,500 people have been arrested at campus protests since April 18, according to the New York Times tally.

 READ MORE: Is the call to divest feasible? Heres why there are hurdles to Penn protesters demands.

Penn has asked the Philadelphia Police Department to assist on any potential action against the encampment, but officials including Bethel have been hesitant to make any commitments, according to two people familiar with the discussions. Police have told Penn that officers will provide backup support in the event of any planned clearing  but that the university must provide 48 hours written notice for them to do so.

The sources said that city officials have also questioned why Penn would not use its own police force to take action  and there is a shared skepticism that it could be a set up. If PPD leads the clearing and something goes awry, Penn could in theory wash its hands of responsibility and blame the city, said the sources.

Philadelphia police have a memorandum of understanding with Penn  as they do with other area universities  that says while Penn police are the primary reporting agency for any crimes on campus or in the immediate area, PPD leads investigations and handles arrests. Though the MOU is not legally binding, city police would ultimately end up playing a central role in any forced disbandment, and as sources described it, dont want to be left holding the bag.

A spokesperson for the mayors office declined to comment.

 READ MORE: While a few other universities reach compromises with protesters, why cant Penn?

There is also concern among officials, according to the sources, that if law enforcement moves in to clear the encampment, the matter would not be resolved. Instead, the sources said, officials fear that protesters would only return in greater numbers, and that a law enforcement response could lead to unrest and potentially inspire opportunists to loot local business corridors.

Still, police are sympathetic to the position Penn is in, and are trying to balance students needs, protesters First Amendment rights, and prevent any city-wide escalation, one source said.

Until Tuesday, Penn administrators and leaders with the encampment have been at a stalemate. They had been giving each other a list of pre-meeting conditions that neither side would likely ever agree to meet. Penn had asked protesters to disband the encampment before they would consider their demands, while protesters feel the encampment is their only leverage.

Meanwhile, encampment representatives had asked Penn to drop disciplinary proceedings against students and agree not to use police to take the down the encampment. Penn has filed disciplinary charges against an additional nine students, bringing the total to 12, protesters said in a press release Tuesday.

Jameson in his Monday email to the campus said disciplinary procedures were continuing and could result in some students not being able to graduate or return to Penn to finish their education.

Despite the more positive outlook after Tuesdays meeting, organizers were not overly optimistic, calling it just one meeting. They declined to say when another meeting would take place but said members of the encampment were ready for prolonged stays, long after commencement, if necessary.

We are not intentionally planning to disrupt the graduation, said Cece, the graduate student. She added Penn should lay protesters demands at the forefront if they are concerned about the optics of the camp ahead of commencement.

Krajewski, a Penn alum and Democrat who represents parts of West Philadelphia that include the university, said Penn administrators have not been consistent in their conversations and conditions. He said he and Krasner were hoping to attend Tuesdays negotiations to observe and encourage ongoing conversations and, ultimately, a peaceful resolution.

I think the best path to addressing any safety concerns the university might have is to truly have open negotiations, he said earlier in the day Tuesday. I think the university can set an example for other institutions.

There are significant hurdles to reaching an agreement. Protesters want the university to commit to divesting its financial holdings from any companies profiting from Israels war on Hamas, and Penn has stated unequivocally and repeatedly that it opposes sanctions, boycotts, or disinvestment targeted against Israel.

If they do strike an agreement, Penn very likely could face another uproar from those opposed to negotiating with protesters. Rutgers president said Monday that the university has received thousands of emails since striking an agreement last week that voluntarily brought down its encampments, and some legislators have been critical, too.

Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article.
Weve found some last-minute brunch ideas for Sunday, in case youve put off Mothers Day plans. Also this week, were visiting the two new cat cafes, checking in on Vetri Cucina at a milestone, and chatting up a diner owner who has an order of his own. All this and ... pickle pop tarts?

 Mike Klein

Advertisement

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

Last-minute Mothers Day brunch ideas

Youve been planning to go out to Mothers Day brunch, but youve yet to hit the reserve button. Meanwhile, the books are full at many of the most popular restaurants, especially in the city  though you might slip into a swank spot like Forsythia, which had a few spots left for its $80 prix fixe. That crepe stuffed with kale, pumpkin, caramelized onions, Epoisses de Bourgogne, and truffle-pistachio honey sounds amazing.

I scoured reservation books through the region for solid ideas with decent availability; chains are not included. Ive included keys to the reservation sites (OT for OpenTable, Toast for Toast, Tock for Tock, R for Resy).

Philadelphia: Baken Bacon (Toast), Bar Jawn (R), Buccann (O), Cantina La Martina (Tock), Kick Axe Throwing (Tock), Le Virtu (R), Macaronis (Tock), Queen & Rook Game Cafe (R), Superfolie (Tock)

Bucks County: Blue Point Grill (R), Founding Fathers (O), Piccolos Trattoria (O), Triumph Brewing (O), Villa Barolo (O)

Chester County: Arugula (O), Fellini (O), Hilltop Crab House (O)

Delaware County: La Porta (R), Lariele (R), Off the Rail (O), Ridley House (O), Sophies BBQ/Four Birds (R)

Main Line: Dandan (R), Fiore Rosso (Tock), Otto by Polpo (O), White House Tajine (O)

Montgomery County: Cantina Feliz (R), Coyote Crossing (Tock), Farm & Fisherman (R), Enza (R), Gauchos Prime (O), Bar Sera (R), Via 417 (O), Salt (O), Vallini (R)

South Jersey: Bistro DiMarino (R), Black Olive (O), El Mariachi San Lucas (O), Il Fiore (O), Il Villagio (O), La Catrina (O), Marblehead Chowderhouse (O), Naan (O)

 Stuck? You can phone some restaurants. Most hold some tables from their online reservation service for walk-ins. Also remember that nowadays, its harder than ever to book a large party without a deposit.

 Cooking? Four noted Philly chefs  Joe Cicala, Chutatip Nok Suntaranon, Jose Garces, and Lou Boquila  shared meaningful Mothers Day recipes with us at the outset of the pandemic. Cicalas eggplant meatballs, Suntaranons pork, shrimp, and crab dumplings, Garces empanadas de verde con pollo, and Boquilas octopus escabeche would be welcome additions to your repertoire.

Two cat cafes have opened, coincidentally on the same day and in South Philadelphia: Get a Gato (catty-corner from Johns Water Ice at Seventh and Christian), which is a true cafe with espresso, Colombian baked goods, and gifts, and Whiskers Cat Cafe (catty-corner from the old Melrose Diner at 15th and Snyder), a lounge. Each is a nonprofit trying to find homes for the citys huge stray population; some days, there have been felines out the door.

Vetri Cucina, one of the most impactful Philadelphia restaurants of the last quarter-century, isnt afraid to keep evolving, writes critic Craig LaBan, who says it remains a gold standard for destination dining. As Marc Vetri told him: Were not slowing down because the Philly restaurant scene is vibrant as ever.

Cabbage Patch ... chefs?

South Street West farm-to-table BYOB Pumpkin is marking its 20th anniversary by calling on chefs to contribute cabbage recipes to run as specials on Pumpkins prix-fixe menus.

Cabbage? Its used in every culture, every cuisine, all year round, said chef-owner Ian Moroney, who, with Hillary Bor, opened Pumpkin on what was then a fairly unhappening block of South Street in 2004. Each dish will be on the $55 menu for one week, from Tuesday to Thursday.

The series will debut next week with Alex Yoon of Little Fish, the Bella Vista BYOB where Moroney and his father, John Tiplitz, made their mark decades ago. Later this month will be Ange Branca of Kampar, as she and Yoon mark AAPI Month. (Moroneys companion, Sharon Thompson-Schill, used AI to create the Cabbage Patch Kid version of Branca, shown above.)

Junes chefs will be Diana Widjojo and Joncarl Lachman of Rice & Sambal for Pride Month, and the promo will continue through the rest of the year. See Pumpkins Instagram for dates and dishes.

Want to buy Bobs Diner? Fine, says owner Jim Evans. Just dont think of bulldozing it. The Roxborough landmark must remain a diner, and he tells Jenn Ladd why hes laying down the law.

As an April Fools prank, Crust Vegan Bakery in Manayunk made pickle pop tarts, and the batch of 14 dozen sold out. Wait! Pickle pop tarts? With the icing, it kind of becomes a bread and butter pickle, cake decorator Jordan Fuchs told Jenn Ladd. Although owner Juli Van Brown says the pastries wont be on the regular menu soon, theres a chance of a reprise if the public clamors. One dilemma: Brown said she and co-owner Meagan Benz] could have an uphill battle with our deco team.

More pie! Little Susies, the coffee and hand-pie specialist, will expand to Kensington-Fishtown this summer with its fourth location: 1772 N. Front St., under the El and right by LMNO and Kalaya.

Scoop

The Fishtown-Kensington corridor cant stop, wont stop. Construction is underway on a long-planned boutique hotel taking over the former Fluehrs Furniture Store at 2205 N. Front St. in Kensington. On the first two floors will be a French-ish restaurant with chef George Sabatino at the stove. Atop that will be two hotel floors (each with three rooms), private dining, and a roof deck. Starr alums Joshua Mann and Graham Gernsheimer (most recently with Loco Pez) are behind the project, which has no menu or name yet. For the look, theyre taking inspiration from the buildings history and beauty, Mann said. This is one block from Lost Time Brewing Co.s forthcoming tasting room in the former Mighty Micks gym from the Rocky movies.

Nearby, sushi chef Mitsutaka Harada is tuning up for Fridays debut of Phillys first Sushi by Bou, the quick-and-quirky national omakase brand that offers budget priced one-hour experiences. (Chef David Bouhadana and partners premiered the concept six years ago in a 150-square-foot Manhattan hotel room.) Phillys Sushi by Bou  say Bou as if youre scaring someone  replaces the ownership groups 10-seat Sushi Suite in the back room of Izakaya Fishtown (1832 Frankford Ave.). Sushi Suites Roaring 20s look has been updated to 90s hip-hop for a $60 (12-course) or $125 (17-course Bou-gie upgrade) offering. Cocktail pairings, too. The fancier, pricier Sushi Suite will relocate to Center City, probably late summer, and another Sushi by Bou is on the way to Rittenhouse later this year. Opening weekend is sold out; reserve on OpenTable.

 Heres a guide to the Philly areas omakase experiences.

Restaurant report

The Little Hot Dog Wagon. Would you order a hot dog, even a Sabretts, mainly to savor the kraut served on top of it? You might be tempted to do that at Dawn Demrys new shop next to the BurgerFi in the food court of the Fashion District  an extension of her popular cart and wagon on the campuses of City University of New York and Columbia University, her alma mater. Foods pop under Demrys sweet-and-zesty (but not sour) kraut, which she sells by the jar at the stand and through NYC supermarkets.

Demry was a social worker who led internships and career counseling at CUNY, but suffered through a number of budget-induced layoffs. Her uncle had a small hot dog wagon that he had never used. I had been after this wagon forever, like, Uncle Roy, please let me use it, she said. Probably after about the fourth or the fifth time I was laid off, I couldnt even get the words out of my mouth when he said, Go ahead. Take it. That was six years ago, and shes added a larger wagon.

The dog you see above is the Philly cheesesteak ($12), which stuffs a Sabrett inside a roll topped with steak, grilled peppers and onions, and cheese. There are turkey and vegan hot dogs and sausages, plus beef/turkey/veggie sausages and a burger made out of wild-caught salmon, plus fountain drinks and pineapple lemonade, and, for dessert, vegan cookies and carrot cake.

The Little Hot Dog Wagon, in the food court of the Fashion District, 901 Market St. Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Last customer served 30 minutes before closing.

Almost Home. Last month, Robbie Doran took over the former Old City space of apparel company United By Blue with his syndicated coffee shop. Doran, who was in the New York spirits industry, quit and moved to Southeast Asia. Over there, he got heavily into coffee, working at a Thai farm and immersing himself in cafes.

Back in the States and living in Florida, he caught up with a friend in North Jersey who wanted to partner with him on a coffee shop. Doran decided to bike to New Jersey from Florida and turned it into a $35,000 fundraiser for other small businesses impacted by COVID-19. During the 1,800-mile ride, friends and loved ones frequently told him, Rob, youre one more day closer, almost home.

Now with six Almost Home locations, Doran has plans to expand in Philly, where he opened last month with a full breakfast and lunch menu. Partner Glu Hospitalitys liquor license allows cocktails and wines, and the new location serves dinner Thursday to Saturday.

Heres a sample menu, though chef Nihad Hajdarhodzic is mixing it up. Last Thursday, he put up a spring pasta dish, shown above, with local purple trumpet mushrooms, purple peas, Trevisan radicchio, tricolor local tomatoes, red sorrel, and mustard greens, all tossed with Agrumato lemon extra-virgin olive oil.

Almost Home, 205 Race St. Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.

Briefly noted

What happens to the leftovers from pop-up restaurants? Chef Kiki Aranita explains.

Chefs Valerie Erwin and April McGreger are taking preorders through May 9 for the Motherly Love Biscuit Pop Up, a benefit for the Peoples Kitchen. McGregers biscuits and jam and Erwins sweet rice beignets, plus accompaniments, will be available.

The Vendors Association of the Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park, which is in the process of becoming a nonprofit, will benefit from a dinner organized by Roland Bui, though his Com.Unity, and Liz Barrella. Eight vendors representing Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand will cook a seated dinner on May 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Boks new seventh-floor rooftop. Its $150, including drinks from Philadelphia Distilling, San Pellegrino, Vena Spirits, Rupee Beer, and Two Robbers. The dinner is designed to highlight the people behind the market by setting a stage for them to talk about themselves and their journeys, according to Bui. Its an effort to emphasize that Southeast Asian cuisines do not have to be deemed cheap, he says. Ticket info is here.

Chef Fran Costigan of Les Dames dEscoffier will lead a vegan baking class from 5-8 p.m. May 21 at Drexel. Its $85. Ticket info is here.

Pop quiz

Pats King of Steaks has added breakfast sandwiches and what other item to the menu?

A) roast pork

B) pizza rolls

C) chicken cheesesteaks

D) birria tacos

Find out if you know the answer.

Ask Mike anything

Have any family members carried on the tradition of the long-ago Minar Palace?  Jon C.

The Singh familys Minar Palace at 1605 Sansom St. was one of Center Citys most popular Indian restaurants from 1991 until it was forced out by the wrecking ball in 2006. (The photo above shows it in 2003, three years after the remainder of the block was razed.) The site, now part of the Sansom building, is Adolf Biecker day spa. Minar resurfaced in 2008 at 1304 Walnut St. (now Grandmas Philly) and enjoyed a 10-year run before the Singhs balked at a rent increase. Though owners Tarsem and Dharamjit Singh are retired, they offer small-scale personal catering. Email their son Daz at realtordaz@gmail.com with Minar Palace inquiry in the subject line.

 Have a question about food in Philly? Email your questions to me at mklein@inquirer.com for a chance to be featured in my newsletter.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Ayat, a Palestinian restaurant chain based in New York City, plans to open in the former Roxy Theater at 2021-23 Sansom St., on a restaurant row three blocks from Rittenhouse Square. It will be the only self-identified Palestinian restaurant in Center City, and one of few in the greater Philadelphia area.

The restaurant, which owner Abdul Elenani hopes to open within a year, will be the seventh Ayat in 3 years. There are three locations in Brooklyn, one in Staten Island, one in Lower Manhattan, and the newest, which opened in September, in Allentown, Pa.

Advertisement

While Ayat was recently named one of the best 100 restaurants in New York by Times critic Pete Wells (#74) for homey Palestinian food like mansaf (a lamb stew served over saj and rice) and maklouba (a six-layer, upside-down chicken and vegetable dish), it is best known, especially outside of New York, for being outspoken about its politics. From a mural at its original location that depicts Palestinian children being held prisoner by Israeli soldiers to an Instagram account that showcases fewer pictures of food than posts about events in Palestine, its message has always been as much a part of the offering as the shawarma  and has, at times, drawn far more attention.

Elenani, 31, got the idea to open a Palestinian restaurant in early 2020 to communicate the occupation and whats happening there to people that are closed off from the rest of the world, he said. Your average John Doe and Jane Doe, they have no idea.

A growing number of Palestinian chefs and restaurateurs have become more vocal about their identity and the roots of their food, especially amid the ascendancy of Israeli cuisine in recent years, which has left some feeling marginalized or even erased. Its not about the chickpeas or how you serve your hummus, the cookbook author Reem Kassis told Inquirer critic Craig LaBan in 2021. Its about the history of recipes my family cooked for generations before the state of Israel even existed.

Palestinian restaurants in the United States have not always identified themselves as such for a variety of reasons, including concerns over physical safety and avoiding prejudice. Google only began allowing restaurants to self-classify as Palestinian last February, for instance; previously, they were only able to list themselves as generically Middle Eastern, Israeli, Lebanese, and the like.

Elenani, who grew up in an Egyptian family in Brooklyn, was preparing to open the original Ayat when he dropped a surprise on his wife, Ayat Masoud: He was naming it after her, a Brooklyn-born lawyer raised in a Palestinian family from Jerusalem. That was more of a romantic move, but designed to lock her in and help me out, he said.

It was my wifes idea to incorporate as many traditional dishes as possible, Elenani said. Im the one thats always stopping her from adding more traditional dishes. The more of those dishes you add, the more complicated it gets. According to Elenani, Ayats top sellers are shawarma; the mansaf; and fattat jaj (also known as chicken fatteh), another six-layer dish, but of roasted chicken, rice, chickpeas, mint yogurt, garlic sauce, slivered almonds, and crispy pita. Ayat makes pita as well as saj, the unleavened flatbread, and serves pizzas with toppings like cauliflower shawarma and falafel.

Six months after Ayat opened, Masoud got too busy with the law, according to Elenani, so she yielded the kitchen to others while remaining an owner. As for his own role, Elenani describes himself as an orchestrator. In addition to Ayat, hes also an owner of Al Badawi, another Palestinian restaurant, and Fatta Mano, a halal Italian restaurant, in Brooklyn. Ill design the place, he said. Ill make sure it goes out with a certain look.

For Ayat, that look includes a lot of greenery and murals. The Philadelphia location, which like the others will be BYOB, will occupy side-by-side buildings. Elenani hopes to create a roof deck on one side. It will be next door to Bolo, a Puerto Rican restaurant, a few doors from Wilder, and down the street from Vic Sushi. It is also across from two Italian restaurants, Melograno and Porcini. On the corner of 20th and Sansom are Village Whiskey and a Shake Shack, and the Schulson Collective is planning Dear Daphni in the new Laurel high-rise.

Ayats profile has grown considerably in the last several months. Two days after the Oct. 7 attack, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis and instigated a war that has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, Ayat issued a call to end apartheid. A deluge of negative online reviews followed. In December, a reporter at the British tabloid Daily Mail pointed out that the seafood section of Ayats menu is called From the River to the Sea, a phrase seen by some as a call for the destruction of the state of Israel, prompting another wave of attention. After an outcry and threats to his safety, Elenani noted that it had been on the menu way before Oct. 7, and added a paragraph to the menu reading, This mantra stands for Palestinians to have equal rights and freedoms in their own country. In no way does this advocate any kind of violence. It signifies peace, and freedom.

Ayat has also seen a swell of supporters because of its messaging. Posts to its Instagram page, which has nearly 40,000 followers, regularly pull in thousands of likes and hundreds of positive comments. Two weeks after the controversy over the menu heading, gratified by what he called the outpouring of kindness and support, Elenani scheduled a Shabbat dinner at one of Ayats Brooklyn locations.

In the spirit of togetherness and understanding, we invite all our incredible neighbors, especially our Jewish neighbors, to a heartfelt Shabbat dinner at Ayat Restaurant, he wrote on Instagram. Its not just about breaking bread; its about breaking barriers, fostering dialogue, and connecting on a human level.

The free Shabbat dinner was preceded by a Shabbat service outside in a tent that Elenani had rented. More than 1,300 people showed up, the Guardian reported under the headline Everyone and their bubbe is here.

Months later, Elenani said he still fields negative reviews and stuff like that.

What does he do?

I respond with love, he said.
A new partnership between Cooper Health, Bayada Home Health Care, and Thomas Edison State University aims to address nursing shortage in New Jersey. Read more

Thomas Edison State University, Cooper University Health Care, and Bayada Home Health Care are teaming up to address the nursing shortage in South Jersey.

The new partnership will provide scholarships, clinical learning experiences, and jobs for qualified nursing graduates.

Advertisement

Students seeking Thomas Edisons accelerated nursing bachelors degree  a 15-month program for people who already have a bachelors degree in another field  can complete their clinical studies at Cooper, a large academic health center, and Bayada, a home health-care nonprofit.

 READ MORE: These two Philly-area nurses are on a mission to get nursing recognized as a STEM field

Cooper will offer jobs to students who meet certain requirements, such as passing the nursing licensure exam upon graduation.

The new partnership is supported by a $5 million donation from Mark Baiada, founder and chair of Bayada, and his wife Ann. The money will support marketing, students enrollment, and program operations.

Our community desperately needs more nurses, Mark Baiada said in a statement.

The program aims to increase the number of working nurses in the region. Nurses have been leaving patient-care positions since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, citing burnout as a key factor. New Jersey has thousands of unfilled nursing positions throughout the state.
The Transfer Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Wednesday, Mar. 27, 2024. Read more

This week, we explore how Penn is drawing more sick patients to its Philly flagship hospitals  and why thats good for business.

We also look at Leapfrogs most recent hospital safety grades, the latest gene-editing success (the stuff of sci-fi dreams), and the American Cancer Societys new connection to a retail empire best known for home shopping shows.

Advertisement

 Got tips, questions, or suggestions? For a chance to be featured in this newsletter, email us here.

If someone forwarded you this newsletter, sign up here.

 Abraham Gutman and Aubrey Whelan, Inquirer health reporters, @abrahamgutman and @aubreywhelan.

When Betty Hayes had a stroke at a Lansdale church in March, the ambulance took her to Grand View Hospital. But the community hospital could only stabilize her. Two hours later, the 71-year-old was in the OR at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Hayes was one of more than 5,800 patients transferred to Penns three Philadelphia hospitals in the nine months ending on March 31, according to Penn. Thats a 16% increase from the year before.

The transfers get patients to specialized care that can save lives, our colleague Harold Brubaker explains. Penn also benefits from a more lucrative business. The sicker the patient, the higher the reimbursement (generally speaking).

Consider this: Medicare would pay nearly $64K for a valve replacement performed by a cardiologist and following a hospital stay of up to five days. A hospital would bring in $13K for a nonsurgical cardiac patient who stays in the hospital for eight days.

America pays you more for advanced medicine, said Kevin Mahoney, Penn Medicines CEO.

The top service lines that receive transfers at Penn are heart and vascular (33%), gastrointestinal and general surgery (15%), neuroscience (11%), and oncology/hematology (9%).

How does Penn get the transfers? About one in four come from Penn-owned hospitals outside the city (Princeton, Chester County, Lancaster). Another 40% comes from affiliates like Grand View, Virtua, and Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic.

Read more in Harolds story, which takes you inside the Penn transfer command center.

The latest news to pay attention to

Fewer than half of Philly-area hospitals are acing crucial tests in patient safety.

The most recent hospital safety grades from the Leapfrog Group gave 20 regional hospitals an A grade.

No hospitals in the metro area earned an F, and two got a D score in the spring 2024 report: Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital, both owned by Crozer Health.

To be fair, these type of ratings have their critics, and can yield conflicting grades from different groups. With that in mind, we looked at how hospitals compared to this time last year.

Four hospitals were downgraded from an A to a C: Cooper University Hospital in New Jersey; Jefferson Frankford and Jefferson Torresdale (both owned by Jefferson Health); and Penns Pennsylvania Hospital.

Roxborough Memorial Hospital had the greatest improvement: a C to an A.

And notably, the Lehigh Valley area had the nations highest percent of hospitals with A grades  73%. (We will add that Lehigh Valley is where the Phillies Triple-A team plays. The order of things should be that Philly is on top, not the other way around )

Check out the grades that Leapfrog assigned every hospital in the area.

State inspectors who visited Montgomery Countys Holy Redeemer Hospital for inspections between September 2023 and February 2024 found no safety problems.

Cayaba Care, a venture-capital-backed Philadelphia company, is trying to help underserved communities navigate maternity care. It has supported nearly 2,000 births since 2021, deploying doulas as maternity navigators to assist people with private and Medicaid insurance through Independence Blue Cross companies.

Adaeze Enekwechi, Cayabas new CEO, discussed a business model designed to help people through their pregnancy journey.

Talk about a career change: the former president of HSN (formerly the Home Shopping Network) and QVC alum took a gig at the American Cancer Society. Based in Philly, Rob Muller began his tenure as the first-ever chief business transformation officer for the organization. He wants to reimagine how the ACS thinks about bringing in revenue.

Plus, Thomas Jefferson University has a new leader: interim president Susan Aldridge, a higher-ed consultant previously in leadership roles at Drexel and the University of Maryland, will become the schools permanent president. She is the first woman to fill the role.

Injecting something into a cell to change its DNA sounds straight out of a sci-fi movie.

CHOP physicians restored eyesight in two kids who had a genetic defect in their retina. The study  a collab between hospitals in five cities  focused on the safety of the procedure, but it also found the treatment could work. The results were published in NEJM earlier this week.

The study is another step for the use of CRISPR in vivo, aka without having to take the cells out of the body for the editing.

Thats it for us this week! Abraham got to spend some time with TowerDIRECT paramedics, which made him nostalgic for his past life as an EMS worker. It made us curious about your past jobs. Email us: Were you always on the path to work in health care or did you take detours?

 For a chance to be featured in this newsletter, email us here.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
A Cumberland Valley school board member has resigned after the district voted to allow gay actor Maulik Pancholy to speak at an anti-bullying assembly, reversing an earlier decision to cancel the event that sparked public backlash.

Brian Drapp, a member of the south central Pennsylvania school board since 2017, resigned Monday in a letter to his peers.

Advertisement

Enough is enough, Drapp told PennLive.

In his letter, Drapp said his frustrations bubbled when the school board narrowly voted two weeks ago to reverse a decision it had made at an earlier meeting to cancel Pancholys middle school assembly, citing the actors lifestyle and activism.

If you research this individual, he labels himself as an activist, longtime board member Bud Shaffner said at the April 15 meeting where the board voted to cancel Pancholys appearance. He is proud of his lifestyle, and I dont think that should be imposed upon our students, at any age.

Pancholy is an award-winning actor who has appeared on TV, films, and Broadway. Some of his best-known roles include Jonathan on 30 Rock, Sanjay on Weeds, and the voice of Baljeet on the popular Disney animated series, Phineas and Ferb. Hes penned two childrens books centered around gay Indian American boys grappling with bullying and self-discovery while growing up in small Midwest towns.

He served on then-President Barack Obamas Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and cofounded a campaign to combat AAPI bullying. On his website, Pancholy describes this role  along with his involvement in several similar AAPI awareness, Pride, and anti-bullying campaigns  as activism.

He has spoken at schools about bullying and diversity, according to his website.

Drapp said during the April 15 meeting that he worried Pancholys appearance would go against the districts informal policy about not hosting overtly political events. The rule was adopted after a rally for Donald Trump at the high school faced backlash in 2016.

But the decision to cancel Pancholys assembly  scheduled to take place on May 22 at Mountain View Middle School  radiated through national media and angered many district parents and students, and the board was accused of homophobia and censorship.

A petition calling to reverse the decision garnered nearly 10,000 signatures and Pancholy expressed his disappointment on social media.

 READ MORE: Actor Maulik Pancholy speaks out for first time after Pennsylvania school district cancels his anti-bullying assembly

Following public pressure, the school board scheduled a special meeting on April 24 to discuss the cancellation. The hour-long meeting featured lots of criticism from community members. Some students and alumni who identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community said hearing from figures like Pancholy would have made them feel more accepted on campus.

In a 5-4 vote, the school board reversed its decision. For Drapp, it marked a breaking point.

I voted twice against a political activist speaking to our middle school students, Drapp wrote in his resignation letter. I am very uncomfortable with assembling 12-, 13- and 14-year-old students to listen to someone who supports violent protests and the organization he co-founded overtly advocating in order to change the structure of our current education, legal and policing system, many find it necessary to upend the current system by any means necessary.

Drapp appeared to be referring to Pancholys nonprofit, Act to Change. The organizations website features a toolkit called Racism is a Virus, which contains tips for protesting safely. It is not written by Pancholy and does not mention violence as Drapp suggested.

Drapp later told PennLive he believes the reversal is a symptom of deeper issues within the school board.

I believe you have a board president thats basically just rubber-stamping anything the superintendent wants, and not consulting with the board, he told the news outlet.

Drapp also wrote in his resignation letter that he was disgusted by the special meeting, where the board was met by a lively mix of boos, jeers, and cheers. He called the audience disruptive.

By allowing adults, students and teachers to disrupt, disrespect and silence any differing points of views, and overtly ignoring rules and common decency norms, our silence and non-responsiveness have signaled to our students this type of behavior and actions are acceptable, he wrote.

According to the district, the board is working to fill Drapps seat.

Meanwhile, Pancholy has expressed his excitement to speak at Mountain View Middle School in the coming weeks.

My heart is with you as your community continues to come together. Please know that your actions have been an inspiration to myself and to so many who have been watching, Pancholy said in a video posted to his Instagram. I cannot wait to meet all of you in person.
A customer carries a Charged Lemonade from Panera Bread Co. at the Rego Center shopping mall in the Queens borough of New York in December. Read more

Panera Bread will discontinue the highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade drinks that recent lawsuits  including one filed by the family of a University of Pennsylvania student who died after consuming the beverage  have linked to death and serious injury.

The change comes amid a recent menu transformation, said a company spokesperson. It wasnt immediately clear whether the lawsuits were the cause of the drinks being discontinued, and no official timeline has been announced for when they would be removed from Paneras menu.

Advertisement

We listened to more than 30,000 guests about what they wanted from Panera, and are focusing next on the broad array of beverages we know our guests desire, a Panera spokesperson said.

In place of the Charged Lemonade beverages, Panera will launch a series of low-sugar and low-caffeine options, such as blueberry lavender lemonade, pomegranate hibiscus tea, and citrus tea.

Launched in 2022, Paneras Charged Lemonade beverages previously had as much as 390 milligrams of caffeine, according to lawsuits filed against the company. Currently, the company indicates online, the drinks have 155 milligrams to 302 milligrams of caffeine, depending on their flavor and size. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends healthy adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day.

The drinks gained notoriety in October, when the family of Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old Penn student, filed a lawsuit against Panera. The lawsuit alleged that Katz, who had a heart condition that made caffeine dangerous, died after consuming a Charged Lemonade from the companys store at 40th and Walnut Streets in 2022. She was unaware of the caffeine content of the drinks, the lawsuit said.

In December, the family of 46-year-old Florida man Dennis Brown filed a similar wrongful death lawsuit. Brown, the lawsuit said, died in October after having consumed three Charged Lemonade drinks from a Fleming Island, Fla., Panera location. The drinks allegedly contributed to a cardiac event that resulted in Browns death, the lawsuit said.

And in January, Lauren Skerritt, a 28-year-old Rhode Island woman, filed a lawsuit alleging that the beverages gave her permanent cardiac injuries.

Following the Katz and Brown lawsuits, Panera issued messages of sympathy for family members. But the company said it stood firmly by the safety of our products, and that the wrongful death lawsuits were without merit.

Elizabeth Crawford, a Philadelphia-based attorney with Kline & Specter who represents the plaintiffs in the lawsuits against the company, said the litigation helped inform the public about Paneras dangerous energy drink. The companys decision to discontinue the drinks will save lives, she added.

Though Paneras decision to pull this product will not revive Sarah Katz or Dennis Brown, nor will it return Lauren Skerritt to her previous way of life  it will help prevent future tragedies, Crawford said.
A video camera used by the Philadelphia Police Department at Jasper and Orleans streets. Read more

Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Happy Hump Day. We may see some showers this morning before sun later on, plus high temps near 85.

Our top story today comes from The Inquirers investigations team: Philly cops secretly used surveillance cameras in drug busts. The video proved their testimony false.

Advertisement

And Wildwoods mayor is opening up the beach to former President Donald Trump for a big rally on Saturday. Residents can rest assured, he said: No ones burning anything down here.

Lets dig into these stories and many more.

 Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

Narcotics investigations are a high-tech enterprise nowadays. In Philadelphia, police are using 4K-resolution, 360-degree cameras  7,000 of them throughout the city  that can be controlled via smartphone apps.

But the use of that technology is fraught.

An Inquirer report on how Philly narcotics cops used these cameras found that not only did officers on a squad of the Narcotics Strike Force not disclose their use of video surveillance to prosecutors, but some video recordings directly contradicted what officers claimed to have seen.

Scores of charges have been dropped amid ongoing investigations by the police and public defenders office.

Its an eye-opening report that both shows the scale of video surveillance use by local law enforcement, and raises questions about Philadelphians privacy rights. Read reporter Samantha Melameds full investigation here, and five big takeaways from the report here.

Six months before the high-stakes general election, former President Donald Trump is spending his Saturday at the Jersey Shore by way of a sure-to-be boisterous campaign rally.

 Why Wildwood? For one, its a red enclave in a blue state, and not too far from purple Pennsylvania.

 Mayor Ernie Troiano is also a fan, and suggested the beach venue that can hold 30,000 people to the Trump campaign. Plus, theres the economic boost its expected to bring.

 Take the politics out of it and people would bend over backward for this number of people to come to their town, Troiano, who is a Republican, told The Inquirer.

Politics reporter Julia Terruso explains how this weekends big event  a sequel to a packed 2020 rally held at the Wildwood Convention Center  came to be, and why two Wildwood mayors are under indictment at the same time as the former president.

What you should know today

 Trivia time

Which Black Philadelphian created the principles that guided companies worldwide doing business in apartheid-era South Africa?

A) Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander

B) Leon Higginbotham Jr.

C) Cecil B. Moore

D) Rev. Leon H. Sullivan

Think you know? Check your answer.

What (and who) were...

 Congratulating: The Montco-based winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in music.

 Cheering: Annie Gadson, aka Grandmom, just named Phillys best substitute teacher.

 Craving: Mansaf and maklouba from the forthcoming Rittenhouse restaurant Ayat.

 Unscramble the anagram

Susan C. Aldridge is the new permanent president of this Philly university named for a Founding Father.

EFFORT HAMS JONES

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Enid Krasner, who solved Tuesdays anagram: Philly AIDS Thrift. The eclectic Queen Village thrift store distributes sales proceeds of donated items as grants to organizations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Psst: Its one of 10 places in the Philly area where you can donate your books, too.

Photo of the day

Have you seen this 250-pound fiberglass cowboy boot stationed in the Italian Market? Columnist Stephanie Farr has the story behind the boot, and the man who put it there: Viejo Oeste Western Wear #2 owner Alfonso Aramburo.

Wishing you an easy Wednesday. See you tomorrow!

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
"Brown v. Board of Education" desegregated our schools. It also made it harder for Black teachers to succeed, argues Rann Miller. Read more

In April, Philadelphia hosted the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association. While the planners of the convening may have glowing remarks about its host city, researchers took Pennsylvania to task.

At the meeting, Travis Bristol of the University of California, Berkeley, and Sharif El-Mekki, CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development, reminded attendees that more than half of Pennsylvania schools have zero teachers of color. Statewide, more than 90% of all teachers are white, even though one-third of students are students of color  one of the biggest gaps between student and teacher demographics of any other state.

Advertisement

The national numbers arent much better.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of teachers has increased in the last 20 years, from three million to more than 3.7 million. However, the number of Black teachers remained the same: 228,000. Since more Black teachers werent being hired, the percentage of Black teachers decreased, from nearly 8% to around 6%.

These numbers didnt come about in a vacuum. They come as part of a legacy where Black teachers were excluded from classrooms across the country  ironically, in the name of integration. The consistent lack of Black educators across U.S. classrooms is thanks, in part, to the majority opinion in Brown v. Board of Education, issued May 17, 1954.

On the 70th anniversary of the case, we must reflect on its complicated legacy.

In his opinion for the majority, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren relied on the findings of a Delaware court to justify the courts rationale for the integration of schools. Warren cited a previous case, which found:

Segregation of white and colored children in public schools has a detrimental effect upon the colored children ... A sense of inferiority affects the motivation of a child to learn. Segregation with the sanction of law, therefore, has a tendency to [retard] the educational and mental development of negro children and to deprive them of some of the benefits they would receive in a racial[ly] integrated school system.

But that rationale didnt lead to full integration, in which white students attended Black schools with Black educators as Black students attended white schools with white educators. Rather, Black students were reluctantly assimilated into all-white schools. The implications of this, according to Leslie Fenwick, author of Jim Crows Pink Slip: The Untold Story of Black Principal and Teacher Leadership, were disastrous for the job prospects of Black teachers. As Fenwick told NPR in 2022:

... not only are Black educators at the time affected by being fired, demoted and dismissed, they also lose economic power because theyre not hired into the newly integrated system. This then means that the newly integrated system has been orchestrated to be a white space, a white controlled space where the levers of leadership, the levers of teaching, the levers of what the curriculum will include, the levels of funding are primarily controlled  almost exclusively controlled by white hands. And so students, what they experience then and now is a curriculum that is almost exclusively white in authorship, in imagery and content.

The unavoidable truth is the decision helped facilitate the mass removal of Black teachers from the education industry.

The Brown decision mandated that Black children attend white schools. However, no court decision mandated that Black educators be hired in newly integrated schools. As more Black children attended majority white schools, educators in those schools remained white. White educators never lost their jobs, and when there was a need to hire more educators, Black educators werent chosen to fill those vacant roles.

Brown v. Board of Education created a legacy that public education has yet to recover from because it has yet to do anything about it  other than pay lip service to the notion of increasing the number of Black teachers.

Let me be clear: Im not arguing that the Brown decision was wrong. Striking down the separate but equal doctrine was the right thing to do because the doctrine was imposed upon Black people by the white power structure. But that doesnt mean all aspects of Black education in 1954  at Black schools, by Black teachers  were inferior. Consider this: The activists of the civil rights movement  the brilliant, brave pioneers like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who we are still learning from today  received their education from Black educators in segregated schools.

As they did before, todays Black teachers could inspire a new civil rights movement among Black students. But they cant do that because they arent being hired  certainly not in Philadelphia, where district schools have lost 1,200 Black teachers in the last 20 years.

Increasing the number of Black teachers  as well as protecting the teaching of Black history  is the great educational challenge of our time.

Now, 70 years after Brown v. Board of Education, we need a new integration of our public schools  this time, of our teachers. To make this happen, we need more than just numbers and lip service and laments. We need action.

Rann Miller is an educator and freelance writer based in South Jersey. His Urban Education Mixtape blog supports urban educators and parents of children attending urban schools. Miller is also the author of Resistance Stories from Black History for Kids, reissued in 2024. @RealRannMiller
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker exits SEPTA's Allegheny Station before walking along Kensington Avenue on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Parker took the El to attend an event marking her 100th day in office in the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia. Read more

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has made an early commitment to shake up Philadelphias strategies for reducing crime in our toughest neighborhoods and cleaning up our dirtiest. Ive heard it called the crime and grime agenda, and it is to be lauded. But addressing crime and grime alone will not be enough without also overhauling how the city delivers care to its most vulnerable populations.

I have served in three mayoral administrations, and Ive witnessed the value and impact of similar overarching commitments in the past. Mayor W. Wilson Goode Sr. prioritized clean and green neighborhoods, making a point of removing abandoned cars and getting help for people experiencing homelessness. Mayor Ed Rendell revitalized Center City and eliminated a quarter-billion-dollar deficit. Mayor John Street sought to revitalize neighborhoods through the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative and protect Philadelphias children through the Childrens Investment Strategy.

Advertisement

Parkers agenda is perhaps the most ambitious of these initiatives. Reducing violent crime, especially among our youngest Philadelphians, is a tall order; Kensingtons drug culture has resisted many well-intentioned efforts to restore the neighborhood as a safe and healthy place to live. But most Philadelphians are holding their breath, hoping against hope that this time will be the charm.

But to Philadelphias struggling children and families seeking help from the citys beleaguered health and human services systems, fighting crime and grime will not be enough. Thousands of Philadelphias most vulnerable are stymied by convoluted and often insensitive city bureaucracies that, well-intentioned as they are, fail to provide efficient, effective help  not because they dont try, but because of ancient technology and lack of coordination.

Fixing how we do health and social services in city government can go a long way in reducing costly pain and suffering and, not incidentally, combating crime and grime.

Call it the care agenda.

Philadelphias major care systems  behavioral health, child welfare, homeless services, and public health  often get a pass when it comes to the great budget and policy debates in City Hall because they are overwhelmingly funded not by city tax dollars, but by state and federal governments. In my 40 years of interacting with city governments, mayors, managing directors, commissioners, and City Council members, all seem to believe that because those budgets are not paid for by city tax dollars, theres little the city can do to mold and manage those dollars with the same aplomb as they do police, the Department of Licenses and Inspections, and commerce.

Thats a significant mistake. Why? Because the solutions to our most intractable health and social challenges can be found in that money. And, by my calculations, it comes to over $3 billion every year.

Certainly, those billions come with strings attached, and there are lots of federal and state regulations and policies that must be honored in spending them. But time and time again, smaller initiatives being creative in how they use those billions have been proven to be more effective in helping people solve their problems.

Parker is at the beginning of what many of us hope will be an eight-year mayoral tenure. Thats plenty of time to step back and take a look at the billion-dollar bureaucracies that today make it hard to get the help you need. She should make them more efficient and focused, less complex for regular people and for those trying to help them.

For instance, at the Department of Human Services, those who used to be called social workers are now human services program managers, judging by a search of the citys personnel page. Thats because weve made access to health and social services so complex, involving several siloed bureaucracies, that we need a level of services just about making referrals. This means often passing a family back and forth in administrative limbo for hours or days or weeks because we have allowed each bureaucracy to create its own independent systems that rarely talk to each other. Millions of dollars support this referral bureaucracy  dollars that could otherwise be used to provide direct care to those who need it.

A 20-year-old homeless Philadelphian should not need to interact with two or three or five bureaucratic entities making referrals to each other just to get a place to sleep. A family involved with the Department of Human Services should not have to wait for the DHS worker to refer to a community case manager who then has to make a referral to the behavioral health case manager to get a therapy appointment months away. We should not be spending millions on new levels of administration that only get in the way of what people need: an integrated system that connects them with the solutions that help now.

Current technologies, including artificial intelligence, make it possible to integrate the work of a child welfare worker, a mental health counselor, a housing specialist, and a health worker. Such integration would make it so the individual or family in need can interact with a coordinated service response right away, rather than the client having to navigate multiple hidebound systems that usually rely on ancient technology.

Such a revolutionary change would not be easy or cheap, or perhaps even fully achievable in an eight-year mayoralty. But if we really want to be as efficient as possible with that $3 billion of our tax money that we spend on human services every year, and if we really want to make progress on our great social challenges, we need to start now and take advantage of the astounding new technologies becoming available every day.

Crime and grime has the advantage of being an easy rhyme to remember. Crime, grime, and care offers solutions that previous administrations could only dream of.

David Fair was a program director in the citys Departments of Health, Human Services, and Mental Health from 1996-2005.
Pedestrians make their way past a pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in April. Read more

True confession: The biggest battle I had with my parents before my 18th birthday was whether to attend Yale or Columbia. And I stuck it to the man  I went to the less prestigious Ivy League school.

The biggest reason was location: New York had a lot more going for it than New Haven, Conn. But I was also thinking about history. In 1968, 11 years before I arrived at Columbia, students had occupied five buildings there. I wrote a paper about them in high school, and I thought they were eloquent and brave and extremely cool. And I wanted to be like that.

Advertisement

Ive been thinking about them again over the past few weeks, as Columbia and other campuses burst into protest. I admire the new generation of student activists, too: their energy, engagement, and commitment. But theres also something missing, which you could hear loud and clear back in 1968.

Its called learning. The 60s student protesters imagined protest itself as an intellectual commune  to quote a veteran of the Columbia occupation  where people would critique, debate, and educate each other. That stood in stark contrast to their day-to-day classwork, which drowned inquiry and curiosity in dreary lectures from pedantic professors.

We associate the 60s protests with the anti-war and civil rights campaigns, and with good reason: At Columbia, for example, activists demanded that the university sever its ties to a military research agency and stop construction of a new gymnasium that would be open to Columbia students but not to the mostly Black and brown people in the adjacent community.

But student protesters also inveighed against their own education and imagined something better. In the 1962 Port Huron Statement, which became the iconic text of 60s protests, Tom Hayden denounced boring and irrelevant courses that ignored nuclear disarmament, racial injustice, and other pressing contemporary questions. Colleges should import major public issues into the curriculum and make debate and controversy, not dull pedantic cant, the common style for educational life, Hayden wrote.

Two years later, during the Free Speech Movement at the University of California, Berkeley, student leader Mario Savio condemned not just the universitys censorship of students but also the poor instruction they received. Berkeley viewed students as raw materials to be fed into the knowledge factory, Savio said, where all the rough edges are taken off and smooth, slick products come out.

Students needed to take control of their own education, Savio added, reinvigorating a traditional educational philosophy that had waned in modern times. We believe in a university of scholars and students, he told a 1964 audience, with inquiry as its defining characteristic, and freedom as its fundamental tool.

The same impulse  inquiry plus freedom  suffused the 1968 protests at Columbia. As Paul Cronins edited volume of first-person reflections shows, students debated each other throughout the protest. It was a contest of ideas, Cronin writes, making for an extraordinarily stimulating learning curve that no one had ever before experienced.

Across campus, conservative counterprotesters  calling themselves the Columbia Majority Coalition  rallied against their left-leaning classmates. And inside the occupied buildings, liberal champions of Democratic presidential hopefuls Robert F. Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy faced off against self-described revolutionaries. The liberals thought they could reform America by working within the System, while the radicals wanted to tear it down and start anew.

That dialogue was an on-site lesson in politics, one protester recalled, and vastly more educational than anything that happened in class. What is education, after all? another activist remembered. It was as if classes had ended and learning had begun.

Its hard to find that spirit in todays protests, which echo the anger of the 1960s without the open-ended sense of curiosity and possibility. Everyone seems to know exactly what they think, and nobody seems eager to speak outside their own circles.

Indeed, dialogue across differences has been framed as unsafe. Jewish students feel unsafe in the face of pro-Palestinian protesters, who likewise feel unsafe in the presence of Zionists. Best to wall yourself off from the enemy, lest you risk further harm.

Lets be clear: Some students have suffered physical injuries, either in scrapes with each other or with the police. And that happened in the 60s, as well. But heres the difference: The 1968 protesters eagerly embraced rough-and-tumble debate, while many students today see it as yet another danger to their well-being.

Nor do they have much to say about their classes, a key focus of discontent in the 60s. When Columbia moved instruction online  again, as a safety measure  there was little objection, just as only a few students protested Zoom classes during the coronavirus pandemic. Everybody knows students dont learn as much online as in person, especially if theyre from lower-income or underrepresented backgrounds. But almost nobody will say so.

To be fair, many of our courses now address the major public issues Hayden thought universities were ignoring. But a full and honest classroom discussion of these issues might raise hackles and cause yet more harm. The safer move for professors is to lecture at the students (a highly ineffective teaching method), give almost everyone a high grade, and send them on their way.

In 1962, Hayden wrote that universities had forsaken the liberating heritage of higher learning. In the ensuing decade, students revived it. Then it declined again, hampered by our fear of each other. We must work hard  and work together  to win it back.
Vice President Kamala Harris is joined by actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph, to speak on the stakes of the election for reproductive freedom at Salus University in Elkins Park, Pa., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Read more

Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph joined Vice President Kamala Harris in Montgomery County on Wednesday afternoon to discuss reproductive rights and the stakes of the 2024 election.

In a gymnasium at Salus University in Elkins Park, which specializes in health and science, the two women sat in front of a Biden-Harris campaign sign that said Reproductive Freedom, sandwiched between American and Pennsylvania flags.

Advertisement

They spoke about the Supreme Courts 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the countrys high maternal mortality rate and racial disparities within it, the Biden administrations efforts to expand postpartum Medicaid care, Planned Parenthood, trusting women, and the stakes of the election contest between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Harris and Ralph hit it off, and the vice president  who said the duo has long known each other  called the celebrity a girls girl.

Ralph is a Broadway star and Emmy-award winning actress who plays Mrs. Howard on Abbott Elementary, a mockumentary sitcom that is set in Philadelphia schools. She is married to State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D., Philadelphia) and spoke at the 2022 Bans Off Our Bodies rally in Harrisburg, as well as Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers January inauguration.

Wednesdays visit marked the fifth time in five weeks that Harris led a campaign event focused on reproductive rights, according to the campaign, and marked her 13th visit to Pennsylvania  a critical swing state  since taking office. She visited Philadelphia last month to promote a student debt relief plan.

Harris told of visiting a reproductive health clinic and telling reporters she would be shamelessly naming parts of the reproductive system and blurted out ovaries! Ralph joined in, and they took turns shouting body parts such as uterus! and fallopian tubes!

Weve got to have these conversations out loud Ralph said. Being a woman is not something to be ashamed of. Listen, if a man can get Viagra, I need health care, too!

Harris blamed Trump for the reversal of reproductive rights across the country because he appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court, who all voted to overturn Roe. Since the ruling, 21 states have enacted restrictions on abortion, and 14 of those states established full bans, according to the New York Times.

Ralph emphasized that Planned Parenthood, which is often a target for antiabortion conservatives, provides

other health care services to communities.

They dont go to these clinics just because theyve been a bad girl or a naughty lady, Ralph said. You go to clinics like this because you need health care.

Harris argued that abortion bans show a distrust in womens ability to make their own decisions.

We just have to call it for what it is, Harris said. Do you not trust women to know what is in their best interest?

After their conversation, Freedom by Jon Batiste blasted through speakers in the gymnasium.

Abortion rights has been a winning message for Democrats in Pennsylvania, such as in last years Supreme Court race when Justice Dan McCaffery, a Democrat, beat Republican candidate Carolyn Carluccio after campaigning almost exclusively on protecting abortion rights.

Biden spoke on abortion access and in vitro fertilization in Delaware County, the day after the State of the Union address.

Karoline Leavitt, a national press secretary for Trumps campaign, criticized the Wednesday event in a statement.

President Trump has long been consistent in supporting the rights of states to make decisions on abortion, Leavitt said. Joe Biden and the Democrats are radically out of touch with the majority of Americans in their support for abortion up until birth and even after birth, and forcing taxpayers to fund it.

In Elkins Park, local Democratic elected officials underscored Harris message about the stakes of the election.

It seems like each and every election cycle, my daughters future is hanging in the balance, said State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, who represents parts of Montgomery and Delaware Counties and was the first person to give birth while serving in the state Senate.
HARRISBURG  Top Republican leaders in the Pennsylvania House said Tuesday that they want the attorney generals office to investigate how Philadelphia law enforcement bungled a now-withdrawn arrest warrant for State Rep. Kevin Boyle just days before Aprils primary election  and whether their actions violated the states election laws.

House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster) submitted a letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry asking her to investigate District Attorney Larry Krasner and his office following a number of missteps in a domestic-related case that fell apart less than 24 hours before voters went to the polls that may have impacted the outcome of the election.

Advertisement

Republicans call for an investigation comes two weeks after Boyle lost the Democratic primary in his Northeast Philadelphia state House district to Sean Dougherty, who entered the race amid concerns about Boyles mental health.

It also represents House GOP leaders latest effort to attack Krasner, a progressive prosecutor whom they blame for an increase in violent crime during his tenure. The House, under Cutlers leadership, even took the unusual step of impeaching Krasner in 2022.

Krasner said Tuesday that this was just Republicans latest effort to persecute the city.

We are back to the same story all day long  lets try to find a way to pick on Philly, lets try to pick on an elected official in Philly, lets try to demoralize and discourage Philadelphia votes, he said.

A week before the April 23 primary, Philadelphia police announced that a warrant had been issued for Boyles arrest for allegedly violating a protection-from-abuse order filed by his then-wife. According to her lawyer, Boyle had texted her multiple times asking to see his children and threatened to visit her lawyers home, which they believed was a violation of an existing order.

But that order was no longer active. It had been expunged two years earlier, as Boyle sought a seventh term representing parts of Northeast Philadelphia.

Krasner and Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said law enforcement did not become aware of that fact until the day before the election. The DAs Office withdrew the warrant, and Bethel said the matter was under internal investigation.

As best we can tell, nobody lied. There is simply a gap in the information, Krasner said at the time.

Boyle remains under investigation, Krasner said.

A spokesperson for Henry said Tuesday that the attorney generals office had received the letter and would review it.

It remains unclear how such a large information gap could go unnoticed for nearly a week, and whether the detective assigned to investigate the case ever sought to verify the orders existence before the police department recommended charges. Multiple sources close to the matter have said all parties involved  including lawyers involved in the previous case  believed that the order was legitimate, and called the blunder a misunderstanding.

But Republicans said they want answers. In the letter to Henry, Cutler and other top Republican leaders said internal action is insufficient to address such a serious matter.

Republican leaders said they want the attorney general to investigate how prosecutors approved the warrant without verifying they had probable cause to issue it.

What we do not know is how this arrest warrant was issued with such a substantial error, Cutler said at a news conference Tuesday. We do not know what was the motivation behind making a major announcement about the warrant being withdrawn on the eve of the election, after a weeks worth of mail-in votes were cast.

When asked whether the Philadelphia police and its detective on the case  who are responsible for recommending charges to prosecutors  should also be investigated, Republican leaders said they believe Krasners office is the main agency that should be investigated. State Rep. Martina White (R., Philadelphia) said they want to make sure all the proper procedures were followed.

On Tuesday, Krasner criticized the Republicans who signed onto the effort to investigate the handling of the warrant against Boyle.

We are dealing with a group of people who have no love for democracy, he said. It smacks of opportunism. Theyre trying to weaponize anything and come up with fictional conspiracy theories.

Andrew Montroy, Boyles lawyer, previously said the flawed warrant and media coverage surrounding it caused tremendous professional damage to my client. He could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.

The warrant had more than just legal implications for Boyle.

It led Boyles brother, U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Pa.), to put out an emotional statement about how his brothers unspecified mental health condition has been a nightmare for me and our family.

News of Boyles impending arrest also caused partisan disagreement on the state House floor, as Democrats hold only a one-seat majority and Republicans argued that Boyle should not be allowed to cast a vote while a warrant was out for his arrest. (Democratic leaders contended that they could continue to vote on Boyles behalf under an agreement that all lawmakers sign at the start of a legislative session allowing legislative leaders from each caucus to vote on behalf of their members when they are not present.)

House Democrats took a step toward expelling Boyle from the House after the warrant was issued. No further action has been taking on that measure since the warrant was withdrawn.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker held a town hall meeting in Kensington on May, 7, 2024, the day before the city is scheduled to clear an encampment along Kensington Avenue. Read more

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker acknowledged Tuesday night that the rollout of her strategy to dismantle the entrenched open-air drug market in Kensington wont be perfect, likening the effort to building the plane while Im flying it.

But one day after lawmakers criticized her administration for presenting what they said is a vague plan, she stood in a Kensington community meeting and defended her approach, saying shes trying to do what this city of Philadelphia has never done before.

Advertisement

We made consistent investments in Band-Aid approaches to something that has been systemically occurring year and year after year, she said, and weve done nothing to change the trajectory of peoples lives to really try to put them on a path of self-sufficiency.

She vowed that, under her administration, that would change.

The mayor addressed a standing-room-only crowd of more than 200 people who gathered Tuesday night at the Rock Ministries, a chapel on Kensington Avenue that sits amid the neighborhoods infamous open-air drug market. It was part of a series of town hall events that the mayor is hosting throughout the city to tout her first budget proposal, and it took on added significance, given that the mayor has made ending the drug trade in Kensington a key part of her pledge to address what she describes as lawlessness in the city.

The meeting  the second time Parker visited Kensington in a month  came at a critical juncture.

Just two blocks from where the mayor addressed residents, the city is scheduled to dismantle an encampment Wednesday morning where a few dozen people have been living along a small stretch of Kensington Avenue.

Administration officials say the encampment clearing will be led by social service agencies and assisted by the Police Department. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel has said about 75 people were living in the targeted area, but that number has dwindled significantly over the last several weeks.

The clearing of the encampment is separate from the mayors longer-term strategy to stabilize the neighborhood, according to officials. Parkers broader initiative includes a police-driven enforcement phase that is expected to begin within weeks, which will include arrests for narcotics, prostitution, and other quality-of-life crimes.

Through her in-the-weeds explanation Tuesday of the budget, including such items as the stabilization reserve and an impending pension balloon payment, Parker often leaned on personal experience while touting her proposals. She talked of using food stamps while growing up and watching a close family member battle substance use.

When you know poverty and addiction because you read it from a white paper, its different than when youve experienced it, Parker said. Its different when youve been a child and you couldnt stop an adult who you loved.

The crowd was a mostly friendly one, with residents delivering a standing ovation when she entered the room. They broke out in cheers as Parker laid out her public safety proposal, including ramping up hiring in the police force and modernizing department technology. Buddy Osborne, the lead pastor at the Rock, opened the meeting by saying Parkers leadership gives him hope.

When we all do our job, he said, the community is going to buy into that, and then were going to have a community thats going to be a national model.

Parker also on Tuesday addressed one of the most controversial proposals in her budget plan: to strip nearly a million dollars worth of funding from Prevention Point Philadelphia, a Kensington-based nonprofit that, among other social services, provides sterile syringes to drug users. Health experts in her own administration have said syringe exchanges prevent the spread of HIV and other blood-borne illnesses  and that theyre preparing for a spike in disease.

The mayor has said syringe exchange services are an important part of the harm reduction strategy, but that her administration will not fund them.

You havent heard me refute any medical professionals, you havent heard me argue against the science, she said. To me, if you care about somebody who is suffering, then youve got to believe they can beat it with access to the right kind of care.
Philadelphia police and city workers dismantled a homeless encampment in Kensington early Wednesday morning and ordered people living on the street to leave the area, the most visible action that Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers new administration has taken as it seeks to end the open-air drug market in the neighborhood.

While city officials said the clearing of two blocks went off without incident, it drew criticism from advocates and people living on the street, as well as confusion from lawmakers and neighborhood stakeholders. City officials previously said the clearing would be led by outreach teams, but no city social service workers were on scene when police arrived and escorted away people who were living on the streets.

Advertisement

Dozens of people scattered, leaving outreach workers who later arrived to search the neighborhood Wednesday for those who were displaced so they could offer them shelter. Some people ended up on adjacent residential blocks, resting under awnings with their rain-soaked belongings, while others fled farther on foot.

Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer said officers came to the area first to secure it.

We all know theres drug dealers who are operating not far from here who are armed. This is dangerous work, he said. Were still trying to understand how all that played out.

In previous major Kensington encampment clearings, dating to 2018, police did not lead operations, and city outreach workers instead spent hours on the day of the eviction offering last-minute rides to treatment and shelter and putting residents belongings into tubs for storage. Then, sanitation workers moved in to clear what was left behind.

The city estimates that about 675 people are living on the street in Kensington, but fewer than 75 were consistently living in the targeted zone around the 3000 and 3100 blocks of Kensington Avenue before Wednesday. Over the last several weeks, there have been fewer than 10 tents on the street in that area.

 READ MORE: Mayor Parker defends Kensington plan at neighborhood meeting: Im building the plane while Im flying it

Geer said this was a good day. Geer said teams would keep trying to locate others who left the immediate area Wednesday.

City officials said in a news release Wednesday evening that its outreach workers had connected 55 people to housing services, including low-barrier shelter beds or recovery-focused shelter beds, in the 30-day period leading up to the encampment resolution. Four people had been connected to drug and alcohol treatment, the city said.

Of the 59 total people connected to housing or recovery services, 19 received such assistance on the day of the encampment clearing, Joe Grace, Parkers spokesperson, said in a statement. No one was arrested, the city said.

By late afternoon Wednesday, barricades were blocking the sidewalks and a handful of police patrolled. Just off Kensington Avenue, a woman in a wheelchair was injecting.

An eviction, then displacement

Amber Schweitzer, who is from Kensington but has been homeless in the neighborhood on and off for the last year, said police officers came through the intersection at Kensington and Allegheny early Wednesday and put up yellow tape.

They just said, You have to move, she said.

Eva Fitch, a harm reduction advocate who came to the scene to offer help to people living there, said there were about 30 unhoused people in the area at about 7 a.m. She said police told people that outreach workers were on their way, but many on the street left on their own as sanitation workers sprayed down the sidewalks.

Fitch said she was encircled by officers as she helped lift a woman who appeared to be suffering from a serious infection into a wheelchair.

As we were trying to move her, the cops surrounded us in a circle, about 20 cops to seven of us, she said. Street cleaners were spraying water next to her as she was trying to get into the chair.

And Aine Fox, a legal observer with the activist group Up Against the Law Legal Collective, said officers pushed her off Kensington Avenue using bicycles and shoved her in the back. Her account is corroborated by video footage.

There were people shouting, theyre here to help us move our stuff. Let them help us, Fox said. We didnt get an opportunity to help them.

 READ MORE: Ahead of the Kensington crackdown, aggressive policing intensified

Geer said he hadnt heard reports of any kind of physical contact by police.

These officers have training to deal with folks who are having a rough go at it, he said. Theyre trained, theyre patient, all of those things.

City Councilmember Nicolas ORourke was on the scene Wednesday morning and said he was taken aback by how the clearing  which the city calls an encampment resolution  was handled.

It seems like the strategy this morning was to preempt any resources actually getting here, he said.

Councilmember Mark Squilla said that he, too, was under the impression that it would be an outreach-led operation.

If there were mistakes made, then we have to adjust them and do it properly in the next resolution, Squilla said.

Barriers make treatment a challenge

The city has had a policy on clearing encampments since 2017, which includes giving people at least a 30-day notice. City outreach workers also created a list of everyone sleeping in the camp.

Noelle Foizen, the director of the citys Overdose Response Unit, said outreach workers offered people spaces in recovery houses, addiction treatment facilities, and shelters  including low-barrier ones where those who continue using drugs can stay.

These are at times really difficult conversations, she said. People dont always want to engage with the teams. But the fact they were able to have that many conversations and placements is a testament to the work of the outreach teams.

One woman, who said her name is Barb but declined to give her last name because of the stigma surrounding addiction, was standing near the encampment clearing Wednesday and said its difficult for many people addicted to consider entering treatment. Painful withdrawal from xylazine, the animal tranquilizer that has contaminated most of the fentanyl distributed in the city, is not often treated properly, she said.

And many people with serious medical conditions  including the wounds caused by xylazine  can go only to facilities that can accommodate their injuries.

Schweitzer said it was hard to find a suitable treatment option Wednesday. She said she and her husband told outreach workers from the Rock Ministries, a Christian group that sent people in jackets reading community chaplain to the Avenue on Wednesday, that they were interested in entering treatment together.

But, she said, city workers told them there were no slots for couples available.

So we left, Schweitzer said.

Buddy Osborn, a pastor and the founder of Rock Ministries, confirmed his 50-member outreach team  which is not funded by the city  arrived at 7 a.m. and worked the side streets outside the target zone. Nine people agreed to enter detox and three more agreed to go into treatment programs, he said.

They will come back

Top officials cast the encampment clearing as separate from Parkers longer-term plan for Kensington  one that includes a significant law enforcement component and arrests for some low-level offenses. That phase is expected to begin within weeks.

For now, Geer said, the city will monitor the area for encampments and continue to offer services to the homeless.

John Cacciola, who lives on Ruth Street near the encampment clearing, said he believed that hed been sold a false bill of goods. He thought people living at Kensington and Allegheny would be taken to treatment and shelter, but said Wednesday mornings operation pushed people onto streets such as his.

[The city] hasnt done anything today except the cops walking down the Avenue like the Gestapo, Cacciola said. I feel bad. These people are already having a rough day, and Im out here asking them to move. But there are kids on this block. We have to find a middle ground.

And Eddy Colon, who lives on nearby Clementine Street, was supportive of city officials attempts to clean the avenue, but said the plan wasnt properly executed.

Theyre pushing people in front of peoples houses, he said. I dont disagree with what the mayors doing, but I think shes picking on people at the bottom of the barrel.

Rosalind Pichardo, founder of the advocacy organization Operation Save Our City, said evicting people from the encampment amounts to moving people around like cattle.

They will come back, she said. Theres no real solution.
The Northern Liberties home was designed to maximize views of the nearby park, but the Browns also installed curtains to ensure they had privacy from their daughter's family, who live across the yard. Read more

Given the chance to move next door to their young grandchildren and live by a lovely park, Tracy and Jane Brown enthusiastically moved from Vermont to Northern Liberties in 2020.

We moved here to help out during COVID and built a house in back of our daughter and her family, said Jane. We even have a little bridge that goes from their house to our house.

Advertisement

Their son-in-law, Ralph Loielo, co-owner of Port Richmond-based Scribe Design Build, was eager to build a passive house and had enough land on his property to realize his dream. He worked with architect Lauren Thomsen and certified passive house consultant Matt Gindlesparger, both from Lauren Thomsen Design in Fitler Square, to build an 1,850-square-foot, three-story passive townhouse, plus lower level.

A passive house is based on five building principles: continuous insulation, airtight construction, optimized windows, balanced ventilation, and minimal mechanical.

Continuous fresh air is a central tenet of passive house design, said Thomsen. In this very small house, in lieu of having a dedicated fresh air system as well as a heating and cooling system, we were able to employ a single system which provides both heating and cooling as well as continuous fresh air. This means less ductwork, smaller chases, and greater efficiency overall.

Though supply chain problems from the pandemic caused some delays and headaches, the Browns moved into the home in May 2023. When plotting where the house would sit on the lot, southern-facing windows and outdoor spaces to enjoy views of the park was the priority, even at the expense of interior space.

From the homes entryway, a staircase leads to the first-floor living room with an outdoor terrace. Up another half flight of stairs are the kitchen and dining room. The second floor includes the bedroom their granddaughters share during sleepovers, a gym/piano room, laundry room, and full bathroom.

The primary bedroom with an en suite bathroom makes up the third floor, complete with an outdoor roof deck. The basement level features a workshop, storage area, full bathroom, and pergola-covered terrace out back.

Wanting a Scandinavian vibe, Jane went with Danish Reform, a design company specializing in kitchens and wardrobes. At the time, the couple traveled to the New York showroom, though the firm has since opened a Fishtown location. She wanted the room to blend into its surroundings rather than look like a traditional kitchen.

I didnt want the kitchen to overpower the dining room and living room, said Jane. Reform has this incredible way to cover the pantry and refrigerator where it looks like a piece of furniture.

Open shelving replaces upper cabinets and the gray linoleum drawers and doors, part of Reforms BASIS design, opens with a finger hook rather than a traditional knob or pull. The line is inspired by the Scandinavian architect kitchens of the 1960s.

An avid cook, Jane appreciates having two sinks and easy-care soapstone countertops. The appliances include a Fisher & Paykel induction cooktop, oven, and two-drawer dishwashers.

Three colorful acrylic paintings the Browns commissioned from abstract painter Steve Sharon hang throughout the house. Above the spalted sugarberry wood, live-edge dining room table hangs the couples M.C. Escher print Day and Night.

I have long been a fan of the artwork of M.C. Escher, said Tracy. My mother purchased that print for me as a housewarming gift for my first apartment in 1968 or so. Of all of Eschers work, this one is iconic.

The house features custom woodwork throughout, created by Scribe Designs carpenter, John Roderick. The banister, kitchen shelves, stair treads, landing, and vanities are made from Pennsylvania ash. The doors are stain-grade birch and the trim is painted finger-joint pine. The Pennsylvania white oak floors were manufactured in Europe.

The exterior wood cladding is made from Pennsylvania red oak that was thermally modified by a local lumber supplier. Black trim frames all of the windows. While many of the windows remain bare of window treatments to enjoy the natural view outside, the windows looking onto their daughters house were thoughtfully covered.

My daughter and I talked about boundaries and privacy, recalled Jane.

So far the arrangement has been a complete success. They all share a family dinner once a week and their granddaughters love coming over for piano lessons and time with J.J. and Skip  their terms of endearment for Jane and Tracy.

Living next door to our younger family keeps us active and involved and happy, Jane said. We arent just watching them. We are a part of their lives.

Is your house a Haven? Nominate your home by email (and send some digital photographs) at properties@inquirer.com.
We are delighted to welcome Alex and Tom to Fusion as we continue to expand our footprint in the specialty M&A insurance sector both here in the UK as well as in our other key markets in the US, Europe, Australia, and Asia, Shirley said. We are always seeking to identify and hire team members who have the unique skills for our specialty insurance business. Alex and Tom both have proven backgrounds in M&A, giving us the underwriting expertise to support our growing business.
Rogue towing is an outrageous and reprehensible practice that victimizes the most vulnerable in our communities. The Illinois Insurance Association is proud to support efforts to protect consumers and crack down on shady tow truck operators that prey on the helpless who need help. I urge the Committee on Public Safety to adopt a towing rotation system to combat rogue towers and protect our policyholders, Martin said.
Mike built RISE Partners on a foundation of relationships. Relationships are what we look for at Highstreet and we believe his team will continue to outperform the competition while still putting clients first. We couldnt be happier to welcome RISE Partners into the Highstreet family, Wick said.
Since its establishment in 1941, Marcus Insurance has committed itself to delivering superior service and customer satisfaction. The Wethersfield-based agency is renowned for its collaborations with both national and regional insurers in developing customized policies for business entities and individual clients alike.
DocMorris AG / Key word(s): Personnel

DocMorris AG: Daniel Wuest becomes new CFO at DocMorris



08-May-2024 / 07:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Frauenfeld, 8 May 2024

Press release

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

Daniel Wuest becomes new CFO at DocMorris

The Board of Directors of DocMorris AG has appointed Daniel Wuest to succeed Marcel Ziwica as CFO. Daniel Wuest will take over his new role on 1 October 2024.

Marcel Ziwica (49) will leave the company at his own request at the end of the year in order to reorient himself professionally after 23 years. Walter Oberhansli, Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented: We would like to express our sincere thanks to Marcel Ziwica. With him, a man from the very beginning is leaving the company, who has played a key role in all major projects of the last two decades and who has decidedly shaped the development of DocMorris. The company owes him a lot, both professionally and personally. We wish him all the best for his new start. With Daniel Wuest, DocMorris has been able to gain a competent successor and proven financial expert for this important position.

The Swiss economist Daniel Wuest (54) has spent the last five years as Group CFO of the listed building supplier Arbonia, where he was actively involved in the strategic and financial realignment of the Group through acquisitions and disposals. Prior to that, Daniel Wuest worked for UBS for more than twenty years in various investment banking positions, where he advised on numerous mergers, acquisitions, debt and equity financings, and IPOs.

CEO Walter Hess is pleased about the new member of the Executive Board: Daniel Wuest is a proven expert in corporate finance. His broad background of experience in the international corporate environment as well as in financial management and capital markets is extremely valuable to us. I am very much looking forward to working with him. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Marcel Ziwica for his excellent contribution, which is characterised by mutual respect and appreciation, which we will continue until his departure.

Investors and Analyst contact

Dr. Daniel Grigat, Head of Investor Relations & Sustainability

Email: ir@docmorris.com, phone: +41 52 560 58 10

Media contact

Torben Bonnke, Director Communications

Email: media@docmorris.com, phone: +49 171 864 888 1

Agenda

20 August 2024 2024 Half-year results (conference call/webcast) 15 October 2024 Q3/2024 Trading update

DocMorris

The Swiss-based DocMorris AG is a leading company in the fields of online pharmacy, marketplace and professional healthcare with strong brands in Germany and other European countries. Deliveries are mainly from the highly automated logistics centre in Heerlen, the Netherlands, with a capacity of over 27 million parcels per year. In Spain and France, the company operates the leading marketplace for health and personal care products in Southern Europe. With its business model, DocMorris offers its patients, customers and partners a broad range of products and services. In doing so, DocMorris is pursuing its vision of creating a digital health ecosystem for everyone to manage their health in one click. The company was renamed from Zur Rose Group AG to DocMorris AG in May 2023 after the Swiss business was sold to Migros/Medbase. Excluding the Swiss business, about 1,600 employees in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, France and Switzerland generated an external revenue of CHF 1,038 million serving over 9 million active customers in 2023. The shares of DocMorris AG are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (securities number 4261528, ISIN CH0042615283, ticker DOCM). For further information, please visit corporate.docmorris.com.
Consequently, AEILHCs senior bonds have been upgraded to BBB from BBB-, and its outstanding preferred shares now carry a BB+ rating, up from BB. Additionally, the rating for the existing senior bonds of American National Group LLC remains at BBB, with the credit watch also removed.
The technology aims to streamline the process of eligibility determination against the private market at both the point of sale and renewal phases, enabling agents to more efficiently assess coverage options from Citizens and other carriers in the state. It supports insurance agents in delivering customer service and exploring cross-selling opportunities. Meanwhile, it allows agents in Florida to input applicant data just once, after which it provides real-time home and dwelling fire quotes from multiple carriers within seconds.
A former Scranton attorney has been sentenced to prison for lying to clients who filed civil cases and for forging corresponding documents  including a judges signature.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry reported that James Conaboy, of Clarks Summit, previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor forgery and tampering with records. A Luzerne County judge sentenced Conaboy to 30 days to a year in prison, followed by four years of probation.

The attorney general offices investigation revealed that Conaboy lied to numerous clients about their cases, including making promises of settlements that never actually were reached.

Two cases involved Conaboy making representations about alleged six-figure settlement payouts, according to officials. In 2021, Conaboy told clients they had won a $700,000 settlement in a medical malpractice case  in reality, the case was terminated by the court because Conaboy did not serve the lawsuit. Prosecutors also said that Conaboy forged a judges signature on documents that showed the clients were successful.

The couple who brought that medical malpractice case sued Conaboy, as did others.

In another case, an employment suit, Conaboy told a client a $517,000 settlement had been negotiated whereas, in reality, the suit had been dismissed.

In a third case, another medical malpractice suit, Conaboy withdrew the suit, but told his client a $50,000 settlement was negotiated.

As a sworn officer of the court, this defendant was trusted to represent the best interests of clients  instead, he did the exact opposite, Attorney General Henry said. The defendant intentionally ignored all ethical obligations by cruelly misleading clients to believe they would receive large settlement sums.

Conaboy was with the Scranton law firm Abrahamsen, Conaboy, and Abrahamsen. Conaboy consented to his disbarment In April 2023, after the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board of the State Supreme Court initiated action. He is no longer listed as a member of the law firm.
The husband of a Connecticut visiting nurse who was killed during an appointment with a convicted rapist filed a wrongful death lawsuit Monday, alleging her employer repeatedly ignored workers safety concerns about treating dangerous patients.

Ronald Grayson sued Elara Caring, its affiliated companies and others over the killing of his wife, Joyce Grayson, a 63-year-old mother of six who was found dead in the basement of a halfway house in Willimantic on Oct. 28. She was strangled and suffered multiple blunt force injuries, authorities said.

Elara Caring, based in Dallas, Texas, denies the allegations.

For years prior to October 28, 2023, employees of Elara Caring affiliates experienced multiple, repeated instances in which they were verbally, physically and sexually harassed, assaulted, attacked, yelled at, chased, threatened, punched, kicked, grabbed and brushed up against by mentally unstable and/or violent patients of Elara Caring, according to the lawsuit, which seeks undisclosed damages.

Instead of addressing nurses concerns, the lawsuit alleges, the company encouraged employees to focus on increasing profitability while nurses were chastised, shamed and gaslit, led to believe that they were overreacting. Staff were required to treat patients who were dangerous, mentally unstable and, frequently, unsuitable for home health care services, the lawsuit says.

Probe Into Death of Nurse on Home Visit Alleges Employer Failed to Protect Workers

The suit, filed in Middletown Superior Court, also accuses the company of failing to implement a policy allowing escorts or other staff to accompany nurses when they visit potentially dangerous clients.

Joyce Graysons death was entirely preventable and those who failed to protect her from a violent offender should be held accountable, said Kelly Reardon, a lawyer for Graysons family.

Elara Caring called the allegations unwarranted in a statement released Monday. The company says it provides home care for more than 60,000 patients in 17 states.

Joyce Grayson had an appointment to administer medication to Michael Reese that morning. Reese, who was on probation after serving 14 years in prison for stabbing and sexually assaulting a woman in 2006 in New Haven, is charged with murder and other crimes in the nurses death. His lawyers have not returned messages seeking comment.

Elara repeated previous comments it made saying Connecticut officials determined Reese was not a danger to the community and were responsible for monitoring and managing his activities.

Elara Caring provided services only after Connecticuts Department of Correction, Board of Pardons and Parole, and the Judicial branch determined it was safe to put Reese back into the community, the statement said. Joyce Grayson was a trusted friend, colleague, and mentor. We remain devastated and angered by her loss.

The killing spurred a call for greater protections for home health care workers in Connecticut and across the country. Connecticut lawmakers are now considering a bill that would improve safety for health care workers.

Graysons family is also asking for permission to sue the state Judicial Branch, which oversees probation, and the Department of Correction for $25 million in connection with their oversight of Reese. The Judicial Branch declined to comment and the Correction Department did not return messages. People who want to sue the state need approval of the claims commissioners office and the legislature.

The lawsuit also names The Connection, which runs a community treatment program at the halfway house where Grayson was killed. The provider declined to comment on the lawsuits allegations.

The death of Joyce Grayson was a senseless crime, and The Connection continues to mourn her immeasurable loss, it said in a statement. We will let the legal process address the root causes of this tragedy.

Last week, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed fining Elara Caring about $161,000 after finding the company failed to protect Grayson.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Commercial Lines Business Insurance Connecticut
Full repairs to three submarine internet cables damaged in the Red Sea in February are being held up by disputes over who controls access to infrastructure in Yemeni waters.

The Yemeni government has granted permits for the repair of two out of three cables, but refused the third because of a dispute with one of the cables consortium members.

Repairs to the Seacom and EIG cables have been approved, but the consortium that runs AAE-1, which includes telecommunications company TeleYemen, was not granted a permit by Yemens internationally recognized government, according to documents seen by Bloomberg.

Houthi-Sunk Ship Seen as Likely Cause of Severed Red Sea Cables

Three out of more than a dozen cables that run through the Red Sea, a critical route for connecting Europes internet infrastructure to Asias, were knocked offline by the Houthi-sunk Rubymar vessel in late February. Although the telecommunications data that passes along the damaged cables was re-routed, the incident highlighted the vulnerability of critical subsea infrastructure and the challenges of making repairs in a conflict zone.

The dispute over the third cable derives from the split political control of TeleYemen, the countrys sole telecommunications provider, a reflection of the countrys broader geopolitical divisions. The company has two branches, one in Aden under control of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, and the other in Sanaa under the control of the Houthi militia group. The Yemeni government refused to cooperate with the Houthi-linked part of TeleYemen associated with the AAE-1 cable consortium and sought to appoint a representative from the Aden branch, according to the documents. But the consortium didnt approve the alternative representative and Yemens government declined to grant a permit, according to the documents.

E-Marine, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Telecommunications Group Co. PJSC, is contracted to carry out the repairs.

The Aden branch of TeleYemen, affiliated with the Yemeni government, wrote a letter to Yemens Telecommunications Ministry demanding that E-Marine provide a 10 million ($12.5 million) bank guarantee to ensure it would not carry out any repairs on the AAE-1 cable when the company was fixing the other two cables until the dispute was resolved. The ministry initially approved the condition, according to the documents, but Yemens cabinet decided it wasnt necessary, a senior government official told Bloomberg.

E-Marine did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Houthi telecommunications ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Its unclear if the Houthis, an Iran-backed militia group which controls much of Yemens Red Sea coastline, including the key port of Hodeida, will let E-Marine fix the two cables. The group, which has been attacking ships in the area with drones and missiles for months, has previously said only it can grant permission for the repairs.

The repair ships will take about a week to reach the cables and then approximately two days to fix each one, according to Seacom Ltd.s Prenesh Padayachee. The cables will be lifted to the surface and fresh cable will be spliced in to replace the damaged sections.

The repair crew will also assess the Rubymar, the Houthi-sunk ship whose anchor most likely severed the cables in February. Seacom estimates that the ship is currently about 1 kilometer away from its cable, Padayachee said, and seems to be stable.

But we dont want to do a repair and then have this vessel falling into the new cables, he said. In all likelihood it will have to be moved.

The three damaged cables carry about 25% of traffic in the region, according to estimates from Hong Kong-based internet provider HGC Global Communications, which uses the cables.

Related:

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
Ardonagh Group, the London-based independent insurance distribution platform, announced it has agreed to acquire Australias PSC Insurance Group Ltd., in a deal valued at A$2.3 billion (US$1.5 billion).

PSC is a diversified insurance services group that operates brokerage businesses and underwriting agencies, under more than 40 trading brands  primarily in Australia, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. It employs 900 people and manages more than A$2.59 billion (US$1.7 billion) in global gross written premium.

Under the terms of the deal, Ardonagh will acquire all of the issued ordinary shares in PSC for A$6.19 in cash per PSC share, which represents an implied equity value of A$2.256 billion ($1.5 billion) and enterprise value of A$2.429 billion ($1.6 billion).

Ardonagh intends to merge PSCs Australia and New Zealand operations with Envest Pty Ltd., which was acquired by the group in February 2023, becoming one of Australias largest privately owned insurance distribution platforms, placing A$3.3 billion ($2.2 billion) in gross written premium annually.

Envest CEO Greg Mullins will oversee the combined operations for Australia and New Zealand.

PSCs UK operations will be merged into Ardonagh Specialty and Ardonagh Advisory, further building the groups position as one of the leading players in UK wholesale and retail broking, Ardonagh said.

Ardonagh intends to fund the transaction with approximately 50% equity from existing shareholders, Madison Dearborn Partners and HPS Investment Partners, and 50% debt including existing and new facilities. The transaction is expected to be near leverage neutral on a pro forma basis, the company said.

Certain PSC directors and managers are rolling approximately 26% of their aggregate shareholdings in PSC into shares in The Ardonagh Group.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and PSC shareholder approval  all of which could be completed in late September.

PSC was founded in 2006 by Chairman Paul Dwyer who will join the Ardonagh senior management team upon completion of the deal and will work closely with the leadership teams in Australia and Ardonagh Specialty to integrate and grow the combined businesses.

Ardonagh made its first acquisition in Australia in February 2021 with the purchase of Resilium Insurance Broking. It acquired Brisbane-headquartered Envest in February 2023 and merged both businesses into the Envest platform.

Since then, Ardonagh has backed Envest to complete over 30 acquisitions, building gross written premium to more than A$2.1 billion across Australia.

Ardonaghs key platforms include MDS Group, a leading broker and risk management adviser across Portugal and Latin America; Arachas, one of the largest insurance brokers in Ireland, and Price Forbes, a major London-based insurance broker.

The Ardonagh Group places over US$15 billion of premium globally on behalf of its clients and operates in 30 countries.

The acquisition, which has secured the unanimous recommendation of PSCs board, is a significant milestone in the global growth of Ardonagh and underlines our strong commitment to the markets we serve, commented David Ross, CEO of The Ardonagh Group, in a statement.

Today marks an important day in PSCs history. This transaction recognises the quality and strength of PSCs people and business that has developed over the last 18 years, according to PSC Chairman Dwyer. We believe this transaction maximises value for PSC shareholders while also providing an excellent platform for growth for PSC employees and clients.

Together with Tony Robinson and the wider PSC leadership, we believe the scale and footprint we collectively bring to this next chapter is set to create huge opportunities to grow and innovate in the APAC region, said Greg Mullins, CEO of Envest.

PSCs teams and capabilities are highly complementary with what we have built in Price Forbes, and their commitment to providing a boutique service to clients is perfectly aligned with our own, said Andrew Wallin, Ardonagh Specialty CEO.

Macquarie Capital and Stanton Road Partners are acting as financial advisers to The Ardonagh Group on this transaction alongside legal advisers Herbert Smith Freehills and Ashurst.

PSC has operations in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, Vietnam, New Zealand and Bermuda. The company operates four business segments: Distribution, Agency, United Kingdom (International) and Group.

PSCs Distribution segment includes PSC Insurance Brokers, PSC Network Insurance Partners, PSC Life, and PSC Workers Compensation Services. Its Agency segment offers underwriting agencies, including Chase Underwriting, Breeze Underwriting, Chase Travel, and Medisure Indemnity Australia. Its United Kingdom (International) segment includes Paragon International Insurance Brokers, Paragon Bermuda, Carrolls, Breeze Underwriting (UK), Chase Underwriting (UK), PSC UK Insurance Brokers, PSC Europe, and the Hong Kong businesses. The companys Group segment includes various investments from non-operating assets.

The Ardonagh Group reported pro forma income for 2023 of $1.9 billion and pro forma adjusted EBITDA of $695 million, including completed and committed acquisitions to March 20, 2024. Ardonaghs shareholders are Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC (MDP) and HPS Investment Partners (HPS).

Source: The Ardonagh Group

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Australia
China-based ByteDance Ltd. made clear it wont comply with a new US law requiring it to sell its popular TikTok video-sharing app, setting up what likely will be a prolonged court battle pitting free-speech rights against national-security interests that could end up at the Supreme Court.

The company on Tuesday filed a legal challenge to the measure signed by President Joe Biden last month that will ban the app in the US if ByteDance hasnt divested from TikTok by Jan. 19  an ultimatum meant to address national security concerns that the Chinese government could access user data or influence whats seen on the platform.

The lawsuit indicates that ByteDance doesnt have any intention of trying to find a buyer for TikTok as the deadline approaches. Instead, ByteDance wants the law declared unconstitutional, saying it violates the First Amendment and represents an illegal punishment without due process or a presidential finding that the app is a national security threat.

If the law is treated as an effective ban on operating the platform, it will face considerable skepticism in court, said Timothy Zick, a constitutional law professor at William & Mary Law School.

The lawsuit marks the first legal challenge since Congress passed the law in April. For now, the app is allowed to operate in the US, meaning the company doesnt need to seek an emergency injunction. But as the deadline draws near, the company will likely have to ask for a court order postponing the ban.

The law violates First Amendment free-speech rights of TikToks 170 US million users

The law unfairly singles out and punishes a single company

Congress failed to show adequate proof of threat posed by TikTok

A qualified divestiture is unfeasible commercially, technically and legally

Congress ignored TikToks work to protect US data from foreign government influence

A ban will hurt millions of small business owners who use the platform TikToks Allegations at a Glance

The US could face an uphill battle in court, as the Biden administration may be forced to publicly reveal classified or sensitive information as to why the law is justified and needed. Until now, officials have said the algorithm powering the app represents a national security threat that could be used by the Chinese government to carry out mass influence operations in America. However, the administration hasnt publicly presented specific evidence to back up those claims.

In political debates, Congress has asserted a national security interest pertaining to Chinas access to user data, Zick said. But in a court the government will have to provide evidence these concerns are real and not speculative. And it will have to explain why it could not and did not pursue less speech-restrictive alternatives to address the asserted concerns.

TikTok has argued the law will stifle free speech and hurt creators and small business owners who benefit economically from the the platform. The company said that in response to data security concerns, it spent more than $2 billion to isolate its US operations and agreed to oversight by American company Oracle Corp.

The lawsuit was filed in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia against Attorney General Merrick Garland, who is charged with enforcing the law. The Justice Department didnt respond to requests for comment.

The lawsuit seized on the lack of public evidence that TikTok is a national security threat.

If Congress can do this, it can circumvent the First Amendment by invoking national security and ordering the publisher of any individual newspaper or website to sell to avoid being shut down, the company said in its 67-page complaint. And for TikTok, any such divestiture would disconnect Americans from the rest of the global community on a platform devoted to shared content  an outcome fundamentally at odds with the Constitutions commitment to both free speech and individual liberty.

The company also said a qualified divestiture as specified by the law is unfeasible commercially, technically and legally.

For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban, and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than 1 billion people worldwide, according to the suit.

TikTok, which is being represented by Covington & Burling LLP and Mayer Brown LLP, has argued that a ban would devastate 7 million businesses and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion annually to the US economy.

TikToks links to China have faced scrutiny under previous administrations. Former President Donald Trump used an executive order to try to force a sale of the app to an American company or face a ban. But his administration also faced multiple legal challenges and judges blocked the ban from taking place. When Biden became president, he put Trumps ban under fresh review.

A lobbying push against the law by TikTok Chief Executive Officer Shou Chew failed to persuade US lawmakers who worried about the national security threat of China potentially accessing user data and disseminating propaganda to 170 million Americansabout half the US population.

Advocates for TikTok praised Tuesdays lawsuit.

TikToks challenge to the ban is important, and we expect it to succeed, said Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. The First Amendment means the government cant restrict Americans access to ideas, information, or media from abroad without a very good reason for it  and no such reason exists here.

With the key deadline in January, its possible that the DC Circuit will expedite the case, said Matthew Schettenhelm, an analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence. And then if, after that, the Supreme Court grants review of the case, it could be decided by the second quarter of 2025.

We give TikTok a 30% shot to win and expect a ruling in an expedited case in 4Q, Schettenhelm wrote in a report. The D.C. Circuit judges arent national-security experts, and theyre likely to defer to Congress judgment unless they find a clear First-Amendment violation.

Montana became the first US state to enact a law that would ban residents from using the app. In December, a federal judge sympathized with TikToks free-speech argument in blocking the Montana measure while the legal challenge plays out.

Meanwhile, TikTok and other platforms face hundreds of lawsuits blaming them for addicting young people to social media and causing psychological distress.

Photo: A signage of TikTok in Singapore, in 2023. Photographer: Ore Huiying/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits USA
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Authorities have expanded an investigation of clergy sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans to include senior church officials suspected of shielding predatory priests for decades and failing to report their crimes to law enforcement.

Louisiana State Police carried out a sweeping search warrant in late April at the Archdiocese of New Orleans, seeking a long-secreted cache of church records and communications between local church leaders and the Vatican about the churchs handling of clergy sexual abuse.

The search signaled a new phase of the investigation that will seek to determine what particular church leaders, including Archbishop Gregory Aymond and his predecessors, knew about claims that the warrant describes as ignored and in many cases covered up.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans has been openly discussing the topic of sex abuse for over 20 years, Bill Kearney, an archdiocese spokesman, said in a statement. In keeping with this, we also are committed to working with law enforcement in these endeavors.

The warrant contained several new details about the sex-trafficking investigation, including claims that some victims were sexually assaulted in a seminary swimming pool after being ordered to skinny dip. Separately, the warrant says, predatory priests developed a system of sharing victims by giving them gifts that they were instructed to pass on to clergymen at other schools or churches.

It was said that the gift was a form of signaling to another priest that the person was a target for sexual abuse, state police investigator Scott Rodrigue wrote in an affidavit in support of the warrant.

The warrant sought an exhaustive range of personnel records, files contained in any and all safes and documents showing the extent to which the archdiocese continued supporting clergymen even after they were added to the so-called credibly accused list of suspected predators.

The warrant also confirmed a parallel FBI examination of clergy sexual abuse reported by The Associated Press nearly two years ago. That investigation has examined whether priests took children across state lines to molest them.

No one and no institution is above the law, especially when we are talking about protecting children from the horrors of child sexual abuse, said Kathryn Robb, executive director of Child USAdvocacy, a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of child sexual abuse accusers. This warrant is the necessary muscle of the criminal system to protect children.

Many of the most explosive church records surfaced in a flood of sexual abuse lawsuits that drove the archdiocese to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection four years ago. The documents chronicle years of abuse claims, interviews with accused clergy and a pattern of church leaders transferring problem priests, but they have been shielded under a sweeping confidentiality order in the bankruptcy case that has long hampered the state and federal investigations.

We have been forced, against our own professional obligations, to keep them secret, said attorneys Richard Trahant, Soren Gisleson and John Denenea, who represent the accusers.

The Vatican did not respond to a request for comment and rarely weighs in on developments in local clergy abuse cases. But for decades, the message from Rome to local church leaders was to keep clergy abuse files in the secret archives.

To date, the Vatican still has not required abuse cases to be reported to police around the world, though it now says local church leaders should comply with whatever civil reporting laws are in place. In addition, as the clergy abuse scandal has continued to cause a credibility crisis for the Catholic hierarchy worldwide, Pope Francis in 2019 removed the top-level secrecy that covered abuse cases, known as the pontifical secret.

Prior to that, local church leaders regularly invoked the pontifical secret as a reason to resist criminal subpoenas. In theory, the removal of the secret removed any official barrier to such cooperation.

In New Orleans, the search could deepen the legal peril for church leaders, exposing them to potential state court prosecutions even as the U.S. Justice Department has struggled to identify federally prosecutable crimes related to clergy sexual abuse.

Last year, an Orleans Parish grand jury indicted Lawrence Hecker, a now-92-year-old disgraced priest, on charges accusing him of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in 1975  an extraordinary prosecution that prompted the broader search of the archdiocese last week.

Hecker has pleaded not guilty to counts of rape, kidnapping, aggravated crime against nature and theft. He is accused of choking the teen unconscious under the guise of performing a wrestling move and sexually assaulting him.

The archdiocese failed to report Heckers admissions to law enforcement while permitting him to work around children until he quietly left the ministry in 2002. Church officials reassigned Hecker even after he was sent to a psychiatric facility in Pennsylvania and diagnosed as a pedophile, the warrant says.

Hecker was not the only member of the archdiocese sent to receive psychiatric testing based on allegations of child sexual abuse, Rodrigue wrote in the warrant.

The age of the Hecker case presents legal and evidentiary hurdles for prosecutors, who also face the political sensitivity of prosecuting a longtime clergyman in heavily Catholic New Orleans. Many predator priests have escaped criminal consequences in Louisiana for those reasons, making the scope of last weeks search even more notable.

One high-profile exception came in 2019 in the case of George F. Brignac, a longtime deacon and schoolteacher charged with sexually assaulting a then-altar boy in the 1970s. Brignac died in 2020 while awaiting trial at the age of 85. He had pleaded not guilty.

Litigation involving Brignac turned up thousands of still-secret emails documenting behind-the-scenes public relations work that New Orleans Saints executives did for the archdiocese in 2018 and 2019 to contain fallout from clergy abuse scandals.

___

Associated Press reporter Nicole Winfield contributed from Rome.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Leadership
Louisiana governor Jeff Landry signed a package of insurance reform bills Tuesday aimed at encouraging insurers to write more business in the states property market.

The legislation, endorsed by Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, will give property insurers more flexibility over policy cancellations, replace a prior approval rating method for a a file-and-use system, and establish a tighter process for insurers to initiate loss adjustments.

Louisiana is not healthy and its certainly not competitive, Temple said at a news conference. These bills were all designed to restore confidence back in the Louisiana marketplace.

The most controversial of the bills passed by lawmakers this session is House Bill 611, which repeals a law unique to Louisiana that prevents carriers from canceling, nonrenewing or raising deductibles on policies that have been in effect for more than three years, except under certain condition. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with such a law.

House Bill 611, authored by Rep. Gabe Firment, removes the three-year rule for new policies and allows insurers to nonrenew up to 5% of their three-year policies each year.

Temple has said that repealing the three-year-rule is a necessary step in attracting insurers back to the state.

Some of these bills arent popular but they bring Louisiana back into the mainstream, Temple said on Tuesday. Temple said that a greater availability of insurers will ultimately bring more affordability to Louisiana.

Senate Bill 295, authored by Sen. Heather Cloud, increases speed-to-market for insurance products and rate changes by updating the Louisiana Department of Insurances rate and form filing approval process from a prior approval method to a file-and-use system. Insurers will be able to immediately start selling policies as long as they meet current benchmarks.

Senate Bill 323 establishes that insurers will have 14 days to initiate loss adjustments for non-catastrophic claims and 30 days for post-catastrophe. The bill, authored by Senate Insurance Committee Chairman Kirk Talbot, creates a cure period to give parties more time to resolve disputes before turning to litigation.

Talbot said the legislation will make the claims process very streamlined for the consumer.

The final bill of the package, House Bill 120, authored by Rep. Matthew Willard, extends the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program, which offers grants of up to $10,000 to homeowners to retrofit their roofs to the Fortified standard set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.

The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program was introduced in 2023 under former commissioner Jim Donelon. State lawmakers allocated $30 million of funding for the first year of the program. Legislators still need to secure funding for the next round of grants.

Topics Louisiana Property
HOUSTON (AP)  Floodwaters in the Houston area and parts of Southeast Texas began to recede on Monday, allowing residents to begin returning to their homes and assess damages after days of heavy rainfall that pummeled the area and led to hundreds of rescues  including people who were stranded on rooftops.

While officials in Harris County, where Houston is located, reported no deaths or major injuries from the flooding, Gov. Greg Abbott said there were at least three deaths in the state. Among those killed was a 4-year-old boy in North Texas who died after riding in a car that was swept away in fast waters.

After days of heavy rainfall in the Houston area and other parts of Southeast Texas, Mondays weather was dominated by mostly sunny skies and little if any rain.

We can absolutely see the light at the end of the tunnel, and weve made it through the worst of this weather event, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the countys top elected official, told reporters Monday.

Areas near Lake Livingston, located northeast of Houston, received upwards of 23 inches (58 centimeters) of rain over the past week, National Weather Service meteorologist Jimmy Fowler said. Areas in northeastern Harris County, the nations third-largest county, had a range of between 6 inches (15 centimeters) to almost 17 inches (43 centimeters) of rain in that same period.

Hidalgo said 233 people and 186 pets had been rescued in Harris County over the last few days. Active rescues stopped Monday, and officials were transitioning from a response phase into recovery mode and cleanup, she said.

Across Texas, more than 600 people were rescued by local and state authorities, Abbott said. A disaster declaration was issued by Abbott for 91 counties impacted by the severe weather.

It has been heart wrenching to see our fellow Texans be literally inundated with record water fall, Abbott said.

While many of the impacted neighborhoods and subdivisions along the San Jacinto River in Harris County were accessible on Monday, others remained cut off by flooded roadways.

Were a resilient community. I know well continue to recover from this, said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

At least five school districts around the Houston area were closed on Monday due to the flooding.

Houston is one of the most flood-prone metro areas in the country. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 dumped historic rainfall that flooded thousands of homes and resulted in more than 60,000 rescues.

Most of the city of Houston was not heavily impacted by last weeks rainfall, except for the neighborhood of Kingwood, where some homes and roads flooded.

Abbott said preliminary reports showed at least 800 structures in the state had been damaged. But he expected that number to increase as officials in many impacted communities had not yet begun to assess the destruction.

Various counties and communities north and east of the Houston area on Monday were also transitioning from rescue to recovery.

I dont think this is going to be a short term recovery, thats for sure. Its going to be a very long term recovery, said Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy.

At least 174 water rescues were done in Polk County, where many areas still remained underwater on Monday, Murphy said.

In Walker County, water rescues had stopped, but swift-water rescue teams were checking on residents in about 100 homes who had decided not to evacuate but now couldnt leave because of high water, said Sherri Pegoda, the countys deputy emergency management coordinator. The rescue teams were taking food and water to these residents, she said.

Another week or maybe two before the waters recede enough for them to get out on their own, Pegoda said.

As he rode a boat through a rural flooded neighborhood in Trinity County on Sunday, Sheriff Woody Wallace said during a Facebook livestream that the residents in his county had suffered much.

During the livestream, partially submerged cars and street signs could be seen around Wallace. At one point, a game warden on the boat rescued an armadillo that had been swimming in the flood waters.

Poor little thing out here about to drown, Wallace said, adding they would take the armadillo, which he named Sam, to shore.

In Johnson County, south of Fort Worth, a 4-year-old boy died when he was swept away after the vehicle he was riding in became stuck in swift-moving water near the community of Lillian just before 2 a.m. Sunday, an official said. The Tarrant County medical examiners office said the cause of death of the child, who would have turned 5 later this month, was drowning.

Abbott said two other deaths tied to the severe weather were a man in Bosque County who was swept away by rushing waters and a Conroe Police Department officer who died after being injured when a tornado struck his home in Trinity County on April 28.

Murphy said she is tired of dealing with historic weather events, but whatever happens, whatever Mother Nature sends our way, then we will deal with.

___

Associated Press reporter Jamie Stengle in Dallas and videojournalist Lekan Oyekanmi in Houston contributed to this report.

Photo: Yanira Diaz stands in her muddy living room as she begins the clean up process of her flood-damaged home in the River Plantation neighborhood on Monday, May 6, 2024, in Conroe, Texas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Texas Flood
May 7, 2024: In April Israel initially considered a major counterattack on Iran after a major attack on Israeli failed, with nearly all the hundreds of cruise and ballistic missiles as well as slower armed UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) being destroyed. All Iran achieved was some minor damage on the runway of an Israel air base where some of Israels new American made F-35 fighters were based. Another Israeli air base had a C-130 transport suffer some minor damage.

Iran was dismayed at the extent of their failure and announced that their war with Israel was concluded. Israel did not agree but did not want to start a war with Iran that could drag on for months or years and cost both sides a lot of money and a few Iranian casualties. So, Israel attacked an air defense system guarding the Natanz nuclear weapons research facility. Israeli aircraft launched two missiles at the target but after the first one hit the target, Israel ordered the second missile to self-destruct in the air.

This demonstrated that Israel could attack any Iranian targets without risk because Israel used missiles launched from their aircraft flying outside Iranian airspace. The missiles were designed to fly low and avoid detection by ground radar. The only possible way to detect such attacks is to have AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft that can detect aircraft or missiles traveling close to the ground, usually to avoid detection by enemy air defense radars. Iran does not have any AWACS aircraft. Most of the recently designed and built AWACS aircraft have their equipment mounted in a twin-engine business jet. Because of numerous trade and military sanctions imposed on Iran, none of these new AWACS aircraft are available to Iran.

The original Israeli counterattack plan included attacking numerous targets in Iran, including many air defense systems, including those around Tehran, the Iranian capital. Israel realized that plan would probably result in a prolonged war with Iran. Israels main ally, the United States, agreed with Israel that a prolonged war with Iran was counterproductive, especially since the major Iranian attack on Israel was such a total failure.
Robert Kirby Wells, 64, of Woodland, California, was sentenced this week to two years in prison for aggravated identity theft.

Court documents show Wells was an insurance broker for a company in Denver, Colorado, that owned multifamily and commercial properties throughout the U.S.

Wells was responsible for obtaining several types of coverage for the companys properties, including umbrella liability coverage. Wells reportedly fraudulently represented to the company that he obtained umbrella coverage for properties. Wells then reportedly invoiced and was paid for purported premiums associated with the umbrella liability policies that he had never obtained.

At times, after Wells reportedly received full payment for premiums associated with coverage he obtained for the company, as well as umbrella coverage he did not obtain, Wells secured loans purportedly to pay for the same premiums. He did so by falsely representing that he was financing the premiums on the companys behalf and using the identities of a managing principal and employee of the company without their authorization.

The case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General, the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Thuesen prosecuted the case.

Topics California Agencies Fraud
HOUSTON, TEXAS - May 8, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) EnCap Energy Transition (EnCap) today announced it has successfully closed EnCap Energy Transition Fund II (EETF II) with commitments of approximately $1.5 billion. EnCap's second energy transition fund was created to invest in solutions to decarbonize the power industry, while also opportunistically investing in low carbon fuels and carbon management.

"The EnCap Energy Transition team is proud to have raised a sizeable pool of capital to continue to invest in the opportunity created by the shift to a lower-carbon energy system. We greatly appreciate the strong support from our existing investor base and are pleased to have added a number of new, high-quality investors, both domestically and internationally," said EnCap Energy Transition Managing Partner, Jim Hughes. "Since our inception in 2019, we now manage approximately $2.7 billion of capital commitments to invest in decarbonization and are excited for the opportunities ahead of us."

EnCap Managing Partner Jason DeLorenzo said "We are pleased EnCap has closed our second Energy Transition Fund and are proud as an organization to continue the tremendous success of the platform established in 2019. We continue to believe all sources of energy are needed to support the world's growing energy needs and that our Energy Transition Team will build off the significant success achieved to date."

EnCap has already made investment commitments to five portfolio companies through EETF II including Linea Energy, Parliament Solar, PowerTransitions, Arbor Renewable Gas, and Bildmore Renewables. EnCap also has a robust pipeline of other potential investment opportunities pursuing strategies in renewables, energy storage, clean fuels, and carbon solutions and expects to have 8-10 portfolio companies in EETF II in total.

The second energy transition fund follows EnCap Energy Transition Fund I that had $1.2 billion of total commitments with seven material portfolio company investments and four fund realizations to date including Broad Reach Power, Jupiter Power, Triple Oak, and Paloma Solar & Wind.

Vinson & Elkins LLP served as legal counsel to EnCap on the formation of the fund.

About EnCap Investments L.P.

Since 1988, EnCap Investments has been a leading provider of growth capital to the independent sector of the U.S. energy industry. The firm has raised 25 institutional investment funds totaling approximately $41 billion and currently manages capital on behalf of more than 350 U.S. and international investors. Founded in 2019, the EnCap Energy Transition platform is led by four Managing Partners, each with 30-35 years of experience in the development and operations of renewables and power generation. For more information, please visit www.encapinvestments.com.

Media Contact

Morgan Moritz

Pierpont Communications

512-745-2575

mmoritz@piercom.com

More Info:

Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions.

More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/

Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp
More than 500 workers at CNH Industrial's Basildon tractor factory will begin pay strikes in May, according to one of the UK's biggest trade unions.

CNH Industrial operates commercially through its brands, which include Case IH, New Holland Agriculture, New Holland Construction and CASE Construction Equipment.

It's expected the action will severely impact the supply of New Holland tractors, which have been made at the factory in England for more than 60 years.

Basildon is a key factory for the brand. According to New Holland, a complete tractor rolls off the Basildon assembly line every five minutes, where the T6 and T7 ranges, spanning 125-300hp, are manufactured. The site also manufactures the firm's biomethane-powered tractor.

Read More First biomethane tractor arrives in Ireland offering an alternative to diesel

Unite said that workers are angry that the company has "reneged" on an agreement struck in 2022, stating pay increases would be calculated by the average rate of inflation over the year.

A spokesman said: "CNH is instead offering 4% for 2024, rather than the 7.4% it should be under the original agreement. For 2025, the company is offering the rate of inflation as of December 2024.

"CNH Group reported record profits of 2.4bn in 2023, and profits are forecast to stay high for the next three years. Chief executive Scott Wine received a total compensation package of 19m in 2022, which was 310 times the pay of the average worker at CNH Group."

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: "The pay deal with CNH was agreed in good faith and the companys extremely healthy finances show that there is absolutely no reason whatsoever for it not to be adhered to.

CNH is simply trying to rake in even more profits by short-changing its workers.

The workers, comprising nearly the entire shopfloor of the factory, will strike on May 14-16, May 21-23, and May 28-30.

They say more strikes will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.

A CNH spokesman told the Irish Examiner the company was "disappointed" they had been unable to reach an agreement.

"We recognize the unions decision creates high anxiety among our represented employees in Basildon, as well as our other employees, our customers, and our community. During this period, we foresee no disruption to tractor supply," he said.

"The company remains committed to reaching an agreement, and we are keen to work with the Union to resolve this situation in a timely manner. We will continue to negotiate in good faith and trust that the Union will do the same."
The "scourge" of vaping is almost certain to lead to cancer and cardiovascular issues where there is long-term exposure, a new Irish study has concluded.

A new wave of chronic diseases could emerge in the next 15 to 20 years as a result of long-term exposure to toxic chemicals found in flavoured vapes, the report warned.

Those who vape will have a significantly higher risk of disease compared to those who do not.

The team at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) specifically highlighted the dangers emerging from the "cocktail of chemicals" found in the huge array of flavoured vapes that are widely available.

Flavoured vaping products include 180 different chemicals blended in various amounts and although the chemicals are primarily derived from the food industry, they were never intended to be heated to high temperatures and then inhaled.

The research, which used AI to simulate the effects of heating e-liquid flavour chemicals, predicted the new compounds that formed when the substances are heated within a vaping device immediately prior to inhalation.

The analysis recorded the formation of hazardous chemicals including 127 which are classified as Acute Toxic, 153 classed as Health Hazards, and 225 as Irritants.

These chemicals included a group called volatile carbonyls (VCs) which were predicted to be the most popular fruit, candy and dessert-flavoured products.

Lead author, Donal OShea, Professor of Chemistry and Head of Department at RCSI has called for flavours currently being sold to be limited to restrict the number of chemicals available in vapes.

"You don't need to be a medical doctor to see the dangers that are here," Prof O'Shea told RTE's Today with Colm O Mongain.

"In any flavoured vape there could be anywhere from half a dozen to 20 different chemicals to make up that commercial flavour."

The study, published in Scientific Reports, noted that the potential health risks are somewhat unpredictable given that vaping devices vary widely meaning the temperature control and resulting chemical reaction can differ.

Further research using the same AI framework is required to delve into the variabilities and it is hoped that this could lead to the development of risk reports for individual flavours.

With the growing popularity of flavoured vapes among non-smoking teens and young adults, it is important to understand their long-term effects on health, morbidity and mortality, said Prof O'Shea.

"Our findings indicate a significantly different profile of chemical hazards compared to what we are familiar with from traditional tobacco smoking," Prof OShea said.

Using tobacco smoking as the sole comparison for gauging vaping health risks is likely to give a false sense of security, especially for younger non-tobacco smokers, the report stated.

Prof O'Shea also said that there is no evidence to support claims that vaping is an adequate substitute for nicotine addiction. It is not recommended by the HSE. There is a substantial risk of transferring new health issues to younger generations unless comprehensive regulation is introduced, the report revealed.

It is plausible that we are on the cusp of a new wave of chronic diseases that will emerge 15 to 20 years from now due to these exposures," said Prof O'Shea.

"We hope this research will help people make more informed choices and contribute to the conversation on the potential long-term health risks and the regulation of vaping, which this research suggests should be comprehensive.

Since vaping is a new and "unprecedented stress" to the human body, it seems prudent to strictly limit the number of chemical entities in e-liquids, the report concluded.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has said it has no faith in HSE plans to fix staff shortages, with over half its members under pressure to regularly work extra shifts.

General secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said shortages leading to unsafe conditions for patients came up repeatedly in its Work and Wellbeing survey 2024.

It found 76% of nurses and midwives said the staffing levels and the skill mix of people on duty do not meet the clinical and patient needs of their workplaces. Among that group, 92% said patient safety is at risk as a result.

The impact of this on staff was also clear with just over one in five attending their GP for work-related stress. Some 63% of respondents said they had thought about leaving work in the last month and among them 44.5% linked this directly to workplace stress.

Ms Ni Sheaghdha said: The HSE has promised us it will produce a pay and numbers strategy.

What it is saying there is the amount of finance it has, it will translate that into the numbers it can recruit this year. It still hasn't produced it.

She added: So we dont have any faith in what the HSE tells us.

Under an agreed Safe Staffing Framework, numbers and the type of nurses or midwives on duty should match patient needs. However, she said, instead over three-quarters of INMO members are seeing a mismatch every day.

Derogations

A key issue for the INMO is the ongoing HSE recruitment freeze, and she criticised the limited impact of exemptions, known as derogations, on staffing issues. She said directors of nursing have advised the union that the application process for derogation can take up to four months.

Speaking to reporters on the first day of the INMO annual delegate conference at Croke Park, Ms Ni Sheaghdha said they have seen these delays pushing people to apply for work outside of the HSE.

She warned this is also affecting community care as numbers of Public Health Nurses are decreasing.

We are trying to move service from hospitals into community. That requires you to recruit more staff and the moratorium includes staff in the community," she said.

Patient safety

She called for progress on the Patient (Safety) Licencing Bill saying: We have to take the power away from the HSE and make sure that Hiqa, when it inspects, has the power to say thats whats safe so thats what you have to apply.

The Bill will give Hiqa, as regulator, extended authority to monitor and inspect public hospitals as well as private sites.

Out-going INMO president, Karen McGowan, also warned the findings show nurses and midwives are struggling.

More than four years on from the start of the covid pandemic, INMO members are still dealing with the effects in their workplaces, in their practise, and in their own health, she said.

Meanwhile, the government has failed to make progress on hospital overcrowding, and conditions for staff and patients in many places has gotten far worse than we could have imagined.
It is ludicrous that non-EEA nationals are waiting up to 12 months to hear whether they can join their immediate families in Ireland, a migrant rights organisation has said.

The latest figures from the Department of Justice show that applicants are currently waiting between four and 12 months across seven overseas visa offices to join their families.

The United Arab Emirates visa office is facing a wait time of up to 24 weeks to give a decision on the Rejoin Family visa application.

Those applying for the same visa through offices in Dublin, China, or Turkey are facing a wait time of up to 12 months.

The London office has a wait time of between four and six months, while people who make their applications through the New Delhi office are waiting eight months for a decision.

Campaigns Manager for the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, Neil Bruton, said it is ludicrous to think that people are waiting such long times to have their visas processed.

Any and all visa applications should be processed within a reasonable timeframe, he told the Irish Examiner.

We are particularly concerned about the very long processing times people face on their applications to join their immediate family here in Ireland.

This separates families for longer than necessary which has a huge impact on the people involved, Mr Bruton added.

He added that currently thousands of workers involved in essential jobs are being forced to live apart from their families for years on end because of this unfair system.

They face 12 months before they can even apply, a salary assessment that thousands cant meet and then an extremely long wait for their application to be processed, Mr Bruton said.

We believe this is extremely unfair and that all workers should be able to have their family with them from the start.

Meanwhile, visit visa applications, are experiencing a 12-week processing time if applying through the Dublin office. Those applying through the Abu Dhabi office are waiting up to four weeks to hear a decision while decisions at the New Delhi office take up to five weeks.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice added that processing times will vary by office as well as by the category of visa applied for. Additionally, student visas are seeing a four- to eight-week wait period across six of the seven visa offices globally.
An Irish mother of two children who were abducted by their father while on a family holiday in Egypt is set to take a landmark case in Cairo in September seeking their return to her care.

37-year-old Mandy Kelly from Dundalk has not seen her sons in two years, after their father locked her in an apartment and took them from her while they were in Cairo in February 2022.

Zayn Mohamed, 5, and his three-year-old brother Kareem, were born in Ireland.

However, during a visit to Egypt to see their grandmother their father, Ramy Gamal Maamoun Mohamed, took them away in a car and left their mother behind.

She has been waging a campaign since then to get them back.

Egypt is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on child abductions, which makes Ms Kellys case more challenging.

She told the Irish Examiner she is now taking her plight to the family courts in Cairo. It will be the first of its kind from a Irish parent.

Egypt is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on child abduction, making Dundalk woman Mandy Kellys case to get her two children back more challenging. Picture: Gareth Chaney

The papers are already lodged; we are due to go to court in September, she said. There have been delays in the case and the Egyptian legal system is slow.

The case was lodged in April, and I was given two days notice to be in court on April 11, but it has since been adjourned until September 4."

If successful in seeking the return of her children, Ms Kellys case could set a precedent for other similar cases.

I have not heard from my boys since they were taken. A welfare check was carried out in December, but my ex claimed he had two jobs and a new house. If thats the case, who is minding the children?

"Im physically and mentally exhausted, Ive my work and my case to get my children back going on in my life and thats it. That takes up every bit of my time."

International and domestic arrest warrants have been issued for Mr Mohamed so far.

However, Ms Kelly said her two sons Irish passports have not been cancelled by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

I am adamant that when I am there in Cairo I wont be departing without my children, and I want him arrested for what he did.

Ms Kelly has already raised her case with every politician in Ireland including Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Justice Minister Helen McEntee  and more recently she handed Taoiseach Simon Harris a letter with her concerns.

My ex has offered to let me talk to the children via zoom every Sunday after 4pm. Ive consulted with child psychologists here and that is a bad idea. It would be too stressful for the children, they have not seen me in two years.

He even refused to have the welfare check conducted in the childrens home there and said his mother is doing most of the work  that is wrong. So I dont even know where they live."

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the case and has provided extensive consular assistance, and continues to do so. As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the detail of individual cases".
The Defence Forces has withdrawn a decision to discharge an army corporal after he sought a judicial review.

Military chiefs have also agreed to withdraw an army medical board ruling that Corporal Owen McLaughlin, a veteran who has served in Liberia, Kosovo, and Lebanon, was unfit to serve.

Although the army informed Cpl McLaughlins legal team last week, the matter was formally resolved at a hearing in the High Court on Tuesday.

The judicial review will now not go ahead.

When the case was called, Ms Justice Niamh Hyland was told it had been resolved and could be struck out.

The serving soldier has been granted an Order of Certiorari which quashes the decision to medically discharge him.

Another such order has also been made, quashing an April 2022 decision to classify him as being below Defence Forces medical standards.

Issue raised in the Dail

The medical board reviews started after TD Marc Mac Sharry, on December 16, 2021, raised in the Dail the fact that an unnamed Sligo corporal  who was in fact Cpl McLoughlin  had been subject to a death threat from a superior" in 2017.

Mr Mac Sharry also raised the fact that Cpl McLoughlin had faced discrimination since he had complained about the way he had been treated.

The day after the deputy raised the case in the Dail, Cpl McLoughlin was phoned and told to attend a Defence Forces medical review on November 18, 2021.

On the day, a sergeant was assigned to drive him to the review, and make sure he attended.

The medical board decision to discharge him followed a report on that review, the contents of which Cpl McLoughlin contested.

Despite his objections, Cpl McLaughlin  whose father Dermot was killed by Israeli gunfire while UN peacekeeping in Lebanon in 1987  was then informed on November 11, 2022, he was going to be medically discharged.

Just 12 days later, the court martial of a more senior officer who allegedly threatened to shoot him opened at McKee Barracks in Dublin.

Company Sergeant (CS) Uel Fisher initially pleaded not guilty to five separate charges including one that he allegedly said to Corp McLoughlin: I will kill you. I will get my gun and I will fucking shoot you.

His trial was halted on its second day after he changed his plea and he was re-arraigned on three section 168 charges, which he admitted.

The Director of Military Prosecutions agreed to drop the charge of threatening to kill and another one of drunkenness.

The military court had heard the offences were committed between November 14 and November 15, 2017, in the Non Commissioned Officers mess at Finner Camp, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, where a Christmas party was being held.

The Department of Defence said it does not comment on individual cases. File picture

The court martial heard evidence that a soldier suffered a bleeding mouth after being punched in the face and a picture of President Michael D Higgins was smashed during events which left the mess looking like it had been ransacked.

CS Fisher was fined 5,000 at his sentencing in March 2023.

Although he had been promoted to CS in August 2020, his seniority was forfeited for a year, meaning that it only dated from August 2021.

Military judge, Colonel Michael Campion said CS Fishers conduct had been unwarranted and unacceptable.

During his court martial, the 55-year-old admitted three charges of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, contrary to section 168 of the Defence Act.

He pleaded guilty to throwing glasses and telling Cpl McLoughlin: I knew your father. He was a gentleman but you are a little prick.

In evidence, Cpl McLoughlin said CS Fisher became abusive and threatening towards him after he intervened in a struggle that broke out between soldiers over a decision to close the bar.

When asked for a comment about the judicial review application being struck out, a spokesperson for the Department of Defence stated: The Department does not comment on individual cases.
There were a total 651 hate crimes and hate related non-crime incidents reported to gardai in 2023, a 12% increase on the total reported in 2022.

According to new statistics published by An Garda Siochana on Wednesday, 548 hate crimes were reported to the force last year.

Some 103 hate related (non-crime) incidents were also reported.

A hate crime is classified as any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to, in whole or in part, be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on actual or perceived age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender.

Hate related non-crime incidents relate to incidents motivated by the same factors, but where no crime is committed.

Gardai say the 651 incidents reported last year involved all nine of these discriminatory motives.

Some 36% of of the incidents involved a racial motive, while 18% involved an anti-nationality motive.

Some 16% involved an anti-sexual orientation motive. Some incidents also involved more than one discriminatory motive.

Hate motives were also evident in a variety of reported crimes committed in 2023, gardai say, with the largest percentage being recorded in public order (27%), minor assaults (16%), criminal damage not by fire (9%) and criminal damage by fire (3%).

As in 2022, the majority of hate related incidents (44%) occurred in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.

Some 21% took place in the north-western region, 19% took place in the southern region, and 16% took place in the eastern region.

Alongside a statistical breakdown of these incidents, gardai also provided some case studies.

In one incident, a man walking in Dublin was verbally abused with homophobic slurs before being assaulted by a group.

Cases are before the courts. Picture: iStock

Charges related to this incident are currently pending before the Circuit Court.

Another incident saw a person working in a post office in the northwest contact gardai to report that a male was racially abusing a member of staff.

This male, who is aged in his 30s, has since been convicted in the District Court and received a two-month suspended sentence.

An incident reported to gardai in the south of the country saw a male victim threatened with a knife and verbally abused with homophobic slurs.

The perpetrator, a man in his 40s, was later convicted and sentenced to 14 days imprisonment.

In another incident in the northwest, one of a large group of youths gathered at a public area was observed shouting racial slurs towards another member of the public.

This young person was later identified by gardai and referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme.

Other incidents reported included:

A couple walking through a town in the northwest region being subjected to racial abuse by a male in his 30s. He was arrested and later convicted at District Court where he received a 350 fine.

A woman being verbally abusive towards a security guard working in a supermarket in the southeast of the country. She also spat at him. The woman, aged in her 30s was convicted by the District Court and fined 100.

And a woman in the northwest region reported being verbally abused by another female in relation to her clothing. Gardai identified the woman (70s) and she received an adult caution.

"These figures indicate a further increase in the reporting of hate crime in Ireland during 2023.

In one sense it is positive that victims are coming forward and speaking with An Garda Siochana about their experience of a crime motivated by hate, but it is disappointing that incidents of this nature occur at all, said Garda Chief Superintendent for community engagement, Padraic Jones.

"Being targeted because of a characteristic has an enormous and often life-altering impact on a victim, and as a society we must continue to reject hate and discrimination.

"Everyone has a right to live safely.

Chief Supt thanked those who support people of all ages and backgrounds who could be vulnerable to this crime, specifically those working in community-based groups, in schools, clubs and the voluntary sector who consistently demonstrate to people to live without prejudice toward one another.

He also encouraged anyone that has experienced or observed prejudice to please come forward and report those incidents to us.

"I can assure you that we will deal with it professionally and provide our support in any way we can, he added.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) asked Bambie Thug to change the pro-Palestinian markings displayed on their face and legs during their performance at last night's Eurovision semi-final.

Written in Ogham - an ancient Irish alphabet - the markings on their body translated to Ceasefire and Saoirse Don Phalistin.

The Cork-born performer, 31, became the first Irish act to qualify for the grand final since 2018.

Their dramatic performance of their alternative song Doomsday Blue at the semi-finals on Tuesday won one of the coveted places in the final.

Shortly after Ireland qualified for the grand final, the artist revealed that all three markings now read "Crown the Witch" ahead of their performance in Saturday night's final.

Speaking at the semi-final winner's press conference, they said: Unfortunately, I had to change those messages today to crown the witch only (which was an) order from the EBU.

When asked why they included those "hidden" messages in their performance, they said it was important to them as they are pro-justice and pro-peace.

A spokeswoman for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: The writing seen on Bambie Thugs body during dress rehearsals contravened contest rules that are designed to protect the non-political nature of the event.

After discussions with the Irish delegation, they agreed to change the text for the live show.

When asked why they included those hidden messages in their performance, they said it was important to them as they are pro-justice and pro-peace.

Bambie also noted that they are very proud to be the first non-binary person to represent Ireland in a Eurovision grand final. This comment was met by rapture applause and shouts of congratulations.

Draped in the tricolour, the artist, joined by dancer and choreographer Matt Williams, was elated throughout the conference and seen sharing jokes with Lithuanian representative, Silvester Belt.

In a question from online fans, Bambie Thug was asked what they thought "makes them special?".

The Cork artist replied, You know what makes me special? Im a queer. Which was again met by loud cheers from the room.

This is the first time that Ireland has qualified for a Eurovision final since Ryan OShaughnessy performed Together in 2018.

Bambie Thug said: Im super proud. Our team is very small and Im an independent artist. Its incredible that we reached here.

See you Saturday!

Bambie Thug pictured during the post-show press conference after they qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest Final on Saturday, May 11. Picture: Andres Poveda

Of the 15 competing countries, Ireland was one of the ten that gained enough votes from professional juries and the public to advance to Saturday night's grand final.

The other qualifying songs were from Cyprus, Slovenia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovenia, Finland, Portugal and Luxembourg.

Its now full steam ahead for Team Ireland towards Saturday night, and beyond that could we be bringing Eurovision back to Milstreet for 2025?

Tributes

The Taoiseach has hailed Bambie Thug and said it is time to bring the Eurovision back to Ireland.

Simon Harris expressed his delight in a post on the social media platform X.

Congratulations to Bambie Thug, who has qualified for the Eurovision final tonight, he wrote.

Bambie will become the first Irish act in the Eurovision finals since 2018. It is time to bring the Eurovision back to Ireland and Bambie is the act to do it! Earlier, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who represents a Cork constituency, voiced his pride.

He posted on X: Great to see such a unique & talented performer fly the flag for Ireland & Cork in this years competition. Cork College of FET described their past student as pure talent.

They posted: Congratulations to our past student Bambi Thug on an explosive and extraordinarily powerful performance tonight at the Eurovision. Pure talent.
May 7, 2024: Ukraine has been carrying out long range attacks into Russia against economic targets. It uses locally built UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to carry out these attacks, which have done considerable damage to Russian petroleum and natural gas supply sites. The losses have been so heavy that the U.S. government has given Russia relief from economic sanctions on its oil exports, the same as it has done for Iran. Currently worldwide oil production is 83 million barrels a day. The United States produces 13.3 billion barrels, followed by Russia with 10 million and Saudi Arabia with 9 million. The United States is also the largest consumer of oil, requiring 19 million barrels a day, followed by China at 14.3 million, India at 5.2 million, Saudi Arabia at 3.8 million and Russia at 3.6 million.

The destruction of Russian oil supplies is a major problem for Russia, although a minor one for American consumers. For the Ukrainians it is an example of how they are inflicting major damage on the Russian economy. Russia is also suffering from economic sanctions imposed by NATO nations. Russia is very dependent on technology and specialized equipment available only from NATO nations. Most of those items are no longer available to Russia, although Russia can arrange to smuggle in some items at great cost. China has reversed an earlier policy and is now supplying Russia with high tech equipment it can no longer obtain from NATO countries because of sanctions.

Russian leaders are dismayed at how effective the Ukrainians have been at destroying valuable Russian economic assets with long range UAVs attacks. Not only do most of the Ukrainian UAVs manage to evade Russian air defense systems, but the attacks on petroleum storage sites usually result in spectacular, difficult to extinguish and long lasting fires. These fires are visible to many Russian civilians who no longer accept the government explanation that the fires were the result of accidents. Sometimes the Russian oil storage sites are near factories that use that fuel for their operations. When the factories go up in flames along with the oil supplies, many Russians become unemployed. The damage is even more widespread because the large oil losses have caused shortages for Russian consumers. The Ukrainian attacks have reduced oil production and refining in Russia by twelve percent. Russia has banned Russian oil exports until the internal supplies of oil return to normal levels.
A lack of bus drivers and mechanics coupled with car congestion are threatening the operation of the countrys main bus companies, TDs have been told.

They have also been told a "lack of enforcement of bus priority and of illegal bus stop use is a negative input" into the issues affecting the provision of bus services around the country.

Bus Eireann CEO Stephen Kent says the company will need an extra 2,000 drivers to meet unprecedented demand over the next three years.

Mr Kent also said that despite trying to attract drivers from abroad, the lack of available housing was making that difficult.

Although it currently has over 3,000 employees from 51 different countries, drivers and mechanics are in short supply mainly in Dublin and Cork.

He added that, however, Cork is proving to be the most challenging region to get staff to work in.

Addressing the joint Oireachtas committee on transport and communications, he said: Staff shortages emerged as an issue for us last autumn.

Read More Cork bus routes to be reviewed amid reliability concerns

[This was] initially for school bus contractors and then for mechanics in our Dublin depot and drivers in our Cork depot which impacted service delivery, he said.

The recruitment of D licence holders is proving challenging as there is a more limited pool of these drivers available as high demand exists across the sector.

He said mechanics are also in short supply, in Cork and Dublin in particular. He said:

We have recruited nearly 500 drivers since the beginning of 2023 but we still have 66 vacancies across the country, with Cork proving to be the most challenging region today.

We have started and will continue with our intensive recruitment campaign.

We are also working with agencies who have networks outside Ireland to try and recruit drivers from other countries and will need to step up this activity.

However, low availability of suitable housing is hampering these efforts.

The bus station in Cork City. Picture: Chani Anderson

Despite all their efforts, Bus Eireann will need more personnel, and Mr Kent said there is a role for other state agencies such as the Education Training Boards, Solas and the National Apprenticeship Office to help.

Mr Kent added: Over the next three years, due to retirements and new services, I believe we will need well in excess of 2,000 drivers for PSO and School Transport services.

This level of demand requires a more concerted and structured programme, directed at employment creation where there is huge demand and urgent need for drivers. He warned that if the company cant get the staff it needs, it will be challenged in delivering the best possible service we can.

He also said another challenge the company is trying to cope with is car congestion.

He said: Lack of prioritisation measures outside of Dublin is a real challenge for Bus Eireann.

Compounded by the growth in population, especially in our regional cities, meeting our punctuality targets is proving extremely difficult to do on at least 50% of our Public Service Obligation routes."

He said what is needed is major infrastructural change and enforcement is needed for significant improvement.

He added: We can change timetables and do, but run times vary so much across the weekdays and weekends now as new travel patterns have developed due to hybrid working, that it is inevitable that we can run late on occasion when the bus is trapped in traffic.
Is there a real threat to democracy in Ireland? A far-right march in the centre of Dublin on Monday attracted hundreds of supporters, which is an illustration of the raised temperatures in Irish society.

It is also a milestone of an unwanted kind  five or 10 years ago it would have seemed inconceivable that extremists seeking to spread hate could gather in such numbers in the capital, but now such events have been all but normalised.

The authorities are stressing that the far right in Ireland is relatively small and composed of disparate elements  many of whom have made cause with fascist groups in other countries  but there are valid concerns about the security implications for the forthcoming elections, for. instance.

Intimidation at polling stations is an activity Irish people would traditionally associate with failed states or emerging democracies, but now it is something which must be evaluated before the forthcoming local and European elections, and the general election which is expected to follow.

The democratic process is based on citizens exercising their franchise and the peaceful transfer of power: Events such as the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol show clearly what happens when those principles are subverted.

Irish authorities have been forewarned and must take the necessary steps to ensure our democracy is not undermined.

Those steps should include ensuring the safety of our politicians, which has been acknowledged as a concern by the Irish security services.

Those services have stated that the threat to politicians is moderate, the second-lowest of the five threat levels, but the hostility embodied by that threat is having an effect.

Many of the public representatives who have announced they are leaving political life recently have instanced the toxic atmosphere in which politicians now operate.

There can be no doubt that that that toxicity is a major disincentive when people are considering politics.

Just as the events of January 6 show what happens when democracy breaks down, the killing of MP Jo Cox in Britain by an individual linked to far-right groups shows what can ultimately happen when politicians are targeted.

The threat to Irish democracy must be stopped for all our sakes.

Social media must play its part The prevalence of online fraud is a concern for many of us, particularly as we conduct more and more of our business and commercial affairs with our phones and laptops. In that light, it is sobering to consider the amounts involved in such fraud: Garda figures show that almost 60m was stolen from Irish victims in the past four years, for instance, which makes this a significant criminal enterprise with the capacity to steal from people no matter where they live in the country. It is important, therefore, to be aware of how these criminals are seeking to develop their modus operandi with a view to stealing even more. Many readers will have received emails with elaborate stories of prominent figures seeking to share millions of euro if the recipient shares their bank details, an approach so blatant it can be easy to ignore. Garda figures show that almost 60m was stolen from Irish victims in the past four years by fraudsters. Yet FraudSmart, the fraud awareness initiative led by Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, has revealed that there is now a further refinement to defrauding people. FraudSmart has revealed that, in one case, a man who lost 80,000 in an online scam lost a further 8,000 six months later. The man was called by a person who claimed to be from a refund recovery firm, telling him he could recover the funds he had lost if he paid an administration fee up front. However, when he paid the 8,000 fee, he also lost that money. Exploiting a natural inclination to try to recover ones losses is not the only focus of such gangs. FraudSmart has also pointed out that online fraudsters are selling on the information they have gathered online about individuals to other criminal operators to facilitate more theft. Such gangs are also focusing on people over 50 looking to make financial provision for their retirement. Safeguarding against such ruthless criminals is a challenge for us all, but it would be easier if some social media platforms did not facilitate such activity. Bank of Ireland pointed out last month that companies should not be generating advertising revenue from criminals regarding false online articles which contribute to such crime. It is hard to disagree with that point.

Eurovision controversy

For decades, the Eurovision has been must-see TV, with Irish viewers enjoying representatives as various as Dana, Johnny Logan, and Dustin the Turkey.

Though our competitiveness in the contest has ebbed in recent years, the event is still hugely popular.

This years event, which began in Malmo last night, is a little different.

With the war in Gaza ongoing, Israels participation has been hugely controversial and that controversy has exposed contradictions aplenty.

The contest organisers, for instance, have been criticised for their inconsistency, banning Russia for invading Ukraine two years ago but allowing Israel to take part.

Bambie Thug performing 'Doomsday Blue' at the Eurovision semi-final. Picture: Andres Poveda

Irish entry Bambie Thug responded to calls for a boycott by saying: I stand with anyone doing the boycott. I think if I wasnt in the competition I would also be boycotting.

Organisers say they reserve the right to remove any flags and banners waved by Palestine supporters.

Israels semi-final is Thursday, when well learn if theyll share a stage with Bambie Thug in Saturdays final.

Or which countries, if any, are willing to offer them douze points.
The mother of two Australian surfers killed in Mexico delivered a moving tribute to her sons on Tuesday at a beach in San Diego.

Our hearts are broken and the world has become a darker place for us, Debra Robinson said, fighting back tears.

They were young men enjoying their passion of surfing together.

Her sons, Callum and Jake, were allegedly killed by car thieves in Baja California, across the border from San Diego, somewhere around April 28 or 29.

Mrs Robinson also mourned the American who was killed with them, Jack Carter Rhoad.

Photos of Callum and Jake are placed on the beach in Ensenada, Mexico on Sunday, May 5 (Karen Castaneda/AP)

The beachside location where she spoke, across the border from the Baja California city of Tijuana, was no coincidence. She noted that her son Callum considered the United States his second home.

Mrs Robinson noted that her son Jake loved surfing so much that, as a doctor, he liked to work in hospitals near the beach.

Jakes passion was surfing, and it was no coincidence that many of his hospitals that he worked in were close to surfing beaches, she said.

Choking back tears, Mrs Robinson conveyed a final message that coincided with her sons adventurous lifestyles.

Live bigger, shine brighter, and love harder in their memory, she said.

Mrs Robinson thanked Australian officials and supporters there and in the United States.

While she thanked Mexicos ambassador to Australia, she notably did not thank the local officials in Baja California who eventually found the bodies of her sons and Carter Rhoad.

Their killers dumped the bodies of the men into a well about four miles (six kilometres) away from where they had been attacked at a beachside campsite.

Investigators were surprised when, underneath the bodies of the three foreigners, a fourth body was found that had been there much longer, suggesting the gang had been working in the area for some time.

Locals march to protest their disappearance (Karen Castaneda/AP)

The fact that such killers are not caught or stopped in the overwhelming majority of cases in Mexico suggests that authorities allow killers to roam free and only investigate such disappearances when they are high-profile cases involving foreigners.

Mrs Robinson said that her sons bodies, or their ashes, will eventually be taken back to Australia.

Now its time to bring them home to families and friends, she said. And the ocean waits in Australia.

Prosecutors have identified three people as potential suspects, two of whom were caught with methamphetamines. One of them, a woman, had one of the victims mobile phones when she was caught. Prosecutors said the two were being held pending drug charges but continue to be suspects in the killings.

A third man was arrested on charges of a crime equivalent to kidnapping, but that was before the bodies were found. It was unclear when or if he might face more charges.

The third man was believed to have directly participated in the killings. In keeping with Mexican law, prosecutors identified him by his first name, Jesus Gerardo, alias el Kekas, a slang word that means quesadillas, or cheese-filled tortillas.

Andrade Ramirez said he had a criminal record that included drug dealing, vehicle theft and domestic violence, adding: We are certain that more people were involved.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday he had requested an opportunity to speak to Mrs Robinson and her husband Martin.

This is a terrible tragedy and my heart goes out to them, Mr Albanese told reporters in the Queensland state town of Rockhampton.

In 2015, two Australian surfers, Adam Coleman and Dean Lucas, were killed in western Sinaloa state, across the Gulf of California  also known as the Sea of Cortez  from the Baja peninsula. Authorities said they were victims of highway bandits. Three suspects were arrested in that case.
The Israeli military said that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza  a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed nearly three days earlier after a Hamas rocket attack.

The attack happened over the weekend, killing four Israeli soldiers nearby.

An Israeli tank brigade seized the nearby Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Tuesday, and it remained closed.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on buildings near the separating wall between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip (Ramez Habboub/AP)

Associated Press journalists heard sporadic explosions and gunfire in the area overnight, including two large blasts on Wednesday morning.

Rafah has been a vital conduit for humanitarian aid since the start of the war and is the only place where people can enter and exit.

Israel now controls all of Gazas border crossings for the first time since it withdrew troops and settlers from the territory nearly two decades ago.

Gazas Health Ministry says at least 46 patients and wounded people who had been scheduled to leave for medical treatment have been left stranded.

UN agencies and aid groups have ramped up humanitarian assistance in recent weeks as Israel has lifted some restrictions and opened an additional crossing in the north under pressure from the US, its closest ally.

But aid workers say the closure of Rafah, which is the only gateway for the entry of fuel for trucks and generators, could have severe repercussions.

The UN says northern Gaza is already in a state of full-blown famine.

The operation to capture the crossing appears to have been a limited incursion and not the start of the massive invasion of Rafah that Israel has promised.

But Israel has said it will expand the operation if ongoing indirect talks with Hamas over a cease-fire and hostage release fail to make progress.
A Georgia appeals court has agreed to review a lower court ruling allowing Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis to continue to prosecute the election interference case she brought against former US president Donald Trump.

Mr Trump and some other defendants in the case had tried to get Ms Willis and her office removed from the case, saying her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade created a conflict of interest.

Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee in March found that no conflict of interest existed that should force Ms Willis off the case, but he granted a request from Mr Trump and the other defendants to seek an appeal of his ruling from the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Donald Trump is accused of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally try to overturn his narrow 2020 presidential election loss (Sarah Yenesel/AP)

That intermediate appeals court agreed to take up the case on Wednesday.

Once it rules, the losing side could ask the Georgia Supreme Court to consider an appeal.

Mr Trumps lead lawyer in Georgia, Steve Sadow, said in an email that the former president looks forward to presenting arguments to the appeals court as to why the case should be dismissed and why Ms Willis should be disqualified for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution.

A spokesperson for Ms Willis declined to comment on the Court of Appeals decision to take up the matter.

The appeals courts decision to consider the case seems likely to cause a delay and further reduce the possibility that it will get to trial before the November general election, when Mr Trump is expected to be the Republican nominee for president.

In his order, Judge McAfee said he planned to continue to address other pretrial motions regardless of whether the petition is granted and even if any subsequent appeal is expedited by the appellate court.

But Mr Trump and the others could ask the Court of Appeals to stay the case while the appeal is pending.

Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee presides over a hearing on March 1 in Atlanta, Georgia (Alex Slitz/AP)

Judge McAfee wrote in his order in March that the prosecution was encumbered by an appearance of impropriety.

He said Ms Willis could remain on the case only if Mr Wade left, and the special prosecutor submitted his resignation hours later.

The allegations that Ms Willis had improperly benefited from her romance with Mr Wade resulted in a tumultuous couple of months in the case as intimate details of Ms Willis and Mr Wades personal lives were aired in court in mid-February.

The serious charges in one of four criminal cases against the Republican former president were largely overshadowed by the love lives of the prosecutors.

Mr Trump and 18 others were indicted in August, accused of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally try to overturn his narrow 2020 presidential election loss to Democrat Joe Biden in Georgia.

All of the defendants were charged with violating Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations, or Rico, law, an expansive anti-racketeering statute.

Four people charged in the case have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors.

Senate Special Committee on Investigation meet for a hearing about district attorney Fani Willis at the Georgia State Capitol (Natrice Miller/AP)

Mr Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty.

Mr Trump and other defendants had argued in their appeal application that Judge McAfee was wrong not to remove both Ms Willis and Mr Wade, writing that providing DA Willis with the option to simply remove Wade confounds logic and is contrary to Georgia law.

The allegations against Ms Willis first surfaced in a motion filed in early January by Ashleigh Merchant, a lawyer for former Trump campaign staffer and onetime White House aide Michael Roman.

The motion alleged that Ms Willis and Mr Wade were involved in an inappropriate romantic relationship and that Ms Willis paid Mr Wade large sums for his work and then benefitted when he paid for lavish vacations.

Ms Willis and Mr Wade acknowledged the relationship but said they didnt begin dating until the spring of 2022, after Mr Wade was hired in November 2021, and their romance ended last summer.

They also said that they split travel costs roughly evenly, with Ms Willis often paying expenses or reimbursing Mr Wade in cash.
May 8, 2024: China has developed an international network of spies, local agents, and operatives. The foreigners working for this network are often unaware that they are working for China. This is part of Chinas concealment of the extent of their operations. China also obtains the services of internet hacking groups through a third party to conceal the fact that data is being stolen for the Chinese. Despite years of successful efforts to conceal the extent of their espionage network, that anonymity has unraveled during the last year and the process continues despite Chinese efforts to delay, disrupt, or stop it.

This result is that Chinese spies and espionage efforts are becoming known in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and south, southeast, and east Asia. An increasing number of arrests have taken place and subsequently been publicized. Its not just the espionage that annoys foreigners but the covert meddling the Chinese were engaged in worldwide. China sought to influence foreign governments to cooperate with local Chinese goals without knowing, or revealing what was being covertly done to benefit China.

Many of the operatives were nor local Chinese but ethnic locals covertly hired to support the local Chinese agenda. Many of the Chinese operatives convincingly presented themselves as anti-Chinese. This sort of deception was particularly useful when it came to sabotaging efforts by the major foreign intelligence and counterintelligence agencies of countries like the United States (FBI and CIA), Britain (SIS), Germany (BND), France (DGSE), and Turkey (MIT).

In Europe, the 27 members of the EU (European Union) concentrate on economic matters but are now more aware of the efforts and impact of foreign intelligence agencies and operatives. This is particularly true with the Chinese, who have the second largest economy in the world and want to obtain, one way or another, more market share from the United States, which has the largest economy in the world. American economic efforts are worth about $29 trillion while the Chinese economy is valued at nearly $19 trillion. The global economy is worth $86 trillion with the Americans controlling 34 percent of it and China 22 percent.

Government and corporate espionage are heavily involved with monitoring and sometimes disrupting foreign economies when it suits them. The countries with the largest economies, especially those in Europe and the Americas, also depend on non-government BI, or Business Intelligence. The Japanese pioneered the use of BI in the 1960s as they sought to establish foreign markets in the United States, Europe and, as the Chinese economy grew enormously from the 1980s to 2010, the Chinese commercial and consumer markets.

BI played a major role in exposing and documenting Chinese efforts to gain large shares of foreign markets in Europe and the United States. With this evidence available American and European efforts to disrupt and eliminate illegal Chinese trading practices have become effective and the Chinese dont like it. With China on the defense, the Chinese have to use BI and other forms of espionage to get themselves out of that mess. The Chinese are patient and willing to wait a decade or more to do whatever it takes to recover their market share in western countries.

European nations are now more aware of Chinese using BI as part of their economic trade practices. In the last few years European governments, as well as the Americans have come to realize the extent of the deceptive Chinese trade practices that brought great wealth to China without their foreign trading partners being aware of what was going on. Western BI efforts detected that something was up but not enough to act on. Chinese espionage was more effective at supporting Chinese economic efforts. Some European historians pointed out that, when Europeans began trading with China in the 1500s, the Europeans eventually realized that the Chinese were better at this trade business because they had an early version of BI while the Europeans were learning the hard way what they were up against. It took the Europeans several centuries to figure out how to deal with the Chinese trading practices and when the Americans came along in 1784, after the American Revolution, they started small but by 1844 had their first trade treaty with China and soon came to take a disproportionate share of foreign trade with China.

That didnt last long because in the 1860s China entered a century long cycle of civil war and economic disruption. China suffered greatly, with over 30 million Chinese dying and the economy collapsing. It wasnt until the 1980s that China began to rebuild their economy and trade with foreigners. Western BI was primitive during that period and the Americans and Europeans could not come up with an effective way to make it better. As large as the Chinese market was, the western nations prospered during the 19th and 20th centuries as they traded with each other and jointly created the largest economies the world had ever seen. That lasted until the late 20th century when the Chinese economy began to make a comeback.

The Chinese frequently used BI to maximize their internal and foreign trade. The trade advantages China gained began to weaken in the last few decades as corruption in China and more efficient trade practices developed outside of China, especially in South Korea and Japan. These two nations took more of the trade that had long gone to China. The Japanese made good use of the BI techniques they had pioneered. South Korea followed suit and also became a major exporter. Both Japan and South Korea joined the list of top exporters, with Japan at number five and South Korea at number six. China had surpassed the United States in exporting activity to take first place, with the Americans close behind. This development stirred more American firms to use BI to recover their export markets. That will take a while because the other major trading countries are also using BI.

The Americans also began to crack down on Chinese espionage. In 2023 the United States revealed that two American sailors were arrested and charged with spying for China. Both men were ethnic Chinese who were born in China but grew up in the United States, and one had applied to become a naturalized citizen. Both men provided confidential, not highly classified information, including technical manuals used by sailors to do their jobs on various warships. The two sailors also provided details on planned deployments of some ships. The mother of one of the sailors encouraged her son to cooperate with Chinese intelligence because that might enable him to move back to China and get a better civilian job. That will have to wait until they are out of custody. Both men were jailed pending trial because both were considered a flight risk to China.

Despite years of growing numbers of arrests and prosecutions of Americans accused of spying for China, the Chinese persist. While ethnic Chinese Americans are prime targets for Chinese recruiters of pies or informants, any foreigners with pro-Chinese attitudes are potential candidates for Chinese intelligence officers looking for potential recruits.

A favorite tactic of Chinese intel officers is to arrange for a financial arrangement between Chinese organizations and people China considers potential candidates for Chinese intelligence sources. Much of this effort is concentrated in large English speaking nations like the United States and Britain that have many trading relationships with Chinese firms and institutions. Western universities and faculty were always a prime target because these institutions and their key staff are not seen as a major target for Chinese influence operations. China understands that the staff of universities in the West are recognized by locals as a source of expert opinion on many matters. These faculty members can also be influenced by gifts of cash. These are not called gifts or, more accurately, bribes. Rather the money is considered a grant to support further academic studies on one subject or another. China arranges large grants for such purposes. Government and popular opposition to these programs has not eliminated them, just forced China to change how it implements the program. While Western intelligence agencies remain alert and aware of this program, few others in government or academia seem to be concerned. After several years of indifference by university administrators towards requests to monitor and block Chinese influence efforts, governments are becoming more energetic and aggressive about this.

This was a return to methods last employed over a decade ago. For example, in 2020 an American and two Chinese were indicted for secretly providing China with U.S. technology. The American was Charles Lieber, head of the Harvard Chemistry and Chemical Biology department. He was accused of secretly establishing a working relationship with a Chinese university at Wuhan. Lieber established research efforts at Harvard, recruiting top scientists to work on projects of interest to China and secretly passing research results to China. He also received millions of dollars from China to further this research. During the FBI investigation Lieber repeatedly lied about these activities, which did not prevent the FBI from eventually gathering all they needed to arrest Lieber and indict him. It is rare for China to convince a senior American academic, like Harvard department head Charles Lieber, to get involved in illegal research projects. Why Lieber got involved in such blatantly illegal activities was not disclosed and details probably wont emerge until his trial.

Also indicted for Harvard related espionage was a Chinese citizen, Zheng Zaosong, who was studying at Harvard on a student visa and was accused of trying to smuggle 21 vials of biological material and research data back to China. The third defendant was Yanqing Yeh, a Chinese student at nearby Boston University. She was also an active duty lieutenant in the Chinese Army who was supervised by a colonel at a Chinese military academy that was working on new technology for the Chinese military. This school was on an American list of Chinese educational institutions that were banned from working with anyone in the United States. Yeh was also caught trying to smuggle research data back to China. Yeh had lied about her military status when she applied for a student visa, asserting that she had been discharged from the army and left out her connections with the banned (in the U.S.) Chinese military academy she was working for as an army officer. She was also accused of being an unregistered foreign agent. Among the items uncovered by the FBI was that Yeh had been assigned to investigate one American academic at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School who was researching computer security. Given how active China has been using hackers to steal valuable data from the United States, that particular assignment was ominous. Yeh had presented herself as a student but further investigation showed she was a very active Chinese spy.

It is illegal for American academics and researchers to secretly work for Chinese government or commercial firms. These restrictions wont trigger similar measures for Americans in China because China has long assigned police and intel specialists to closely observe who visiting Americans visit. This surveillance often involves MSS (secret police) agents advising Chinese to refuse such meetings or only do it with an MSS agent present, usually pretending to be an employee of the firm.

Meanwhile, China has been making the most of their access. One recent FBI investigation documented the use of the Chinese Confucius Institute's cultural centers at American universities and how these programs were actually part of a widespread intelligence operation that employed visa fraud for Chinese visiting scholars who were actually MSS operatives. This program recruited Chinese-born businessmen, academics, and others, often naturalized American citizens, to participate in IP (Intellectual property) theft. Further encouragement was that some of these operatives could sometimes profit from it personally. Not all these recruits knew they were participating in espionage but the Chinese could effectively pressure their citizens to cooperate. Worse, the FBI discovered that many of the Chinese in the U.S. on J-1 visas (for visiting scholars) spent most of their time on espionage and a bare minimum on actual research.

As successful as this espionage effort was, most of the Chinese Americans approached by recruiters were not interested and politely declined. More importantly, many of them quietly reported their encounters to the FBI or to friends they knew could do it for them. The Chinese knew these alerts to the FBI posed a risk but considered it an acceptable risk given the amount of intellectual property that was being stolen and put to work back in China. The same thing happens when China seeks to recruit informants or spies in the American armed forces.

The United States has been prosecuting and convicting a growing number of Chinese-born men (and a few women) conspiring to commit or actually carrying out economic espionage in the United States. Some of these suspects are naturalized American citizens but a growing number are Chinese citizens here on legitimate visas. As more suspects were identified, patterns began to appear which revealed the inner workings of known Chinese intellectual property espionage efforts.

It was known that China had a state-sponsored program to make it easy for foreign-educated Chinese to return home and apply what they had learned in the West to start their own companies. China offered billions of dollars in venture capital for this program. This made it easier for Chinese moving back to China from the West to establish their own companies using what they learned in the West. This program helped create thousands of new firms. Many of these firms were using stolen trade secrets and patents that were being laundered. That is, changed sufficiently to make it difficult for the owners of the stolen intellectual property to easily prove theft.

The FBI and CIA again noted several interesting patterns. While many of the returning Chinese students were operating legally, a large number of those new Chinese firms were operating illegally by depending on stolen IP or Intellectual Property. There were other patterns as well. A lot of the stolen tech seemed to involve Chinese and Americans associated with various Chinese efforts that helped returning Chinese to profit from what they had learned in the West. These programs involved establishing hundreds of Confucius Institutes associated with Western universities, including a hundred in the United States. Plus the aggressive recruiting of Chinese and non-Chinese academics willing to help China perpetrate the largest IP theft in history.

Participating in this program has become riskier. The growing number of convictions are for conspiring to steal or actually stealing trade secrets. Many of the technologies involved are dual-use; for commercial and military applications. Many of these investigations began when American companies provided the FBI with documentation showing how the Chinese obtained and applied the trade secrets. What the American firms usually lack is information about who was getting the information, often including detailed manufacturing techniques, to the Chinese. The U.S. is not the only victim here. Many other Western nations are experiencing the same losses. Even Chinese neighbor and ally Russia has suffered heavy losses due to this Chinese economic espionage.

There have been a lot more court cases about this because Chinese firms have become bolder in how they exploit stolen software, trade secrets and other technology. In the past, the Chinese were careful in the use of stolen tech when exporting their own military equipment copied from Russian designs. The Chinese had started doing this during the Cold War, which sometimes got fairly hot (there were some deadly border skirmishes in the 1970s) because China and Russia developed some territorial and ideological disputes that did not settle down until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

The Russians are still angry about the continued Chinese theft of their tech, and growing Russian threats over this caused the Chinese to sign agreements in the last decade that declared Chinese firms would stop stealing and reselling Russian tech. In practice, this only slowed the Chinese down, but it placated the Russians for a while. Currently, the Americans are starting to sound like the Russians in the 1990s, but the Americans have more legal and economic clout to deploy and this situation is liable to get ugly before (if ever) it gets better.

By 2012 most American officials had come to openly admit that a whole lot of American military and commercial technical data has been stolen via Chinese internet (and more conventional) espionage efforts. Details of exactly all the evidence of this is unclear, but apparently, it was pretty convincing for many American politicians and senior officials who had previously been skeptical. The Chinese efforts have resulted in most major American weapons systems having tech details obtained by the Chinese, in addition to a lot of non-defense or dual-use technology. Its not just the United States that is being hit but most nations with anything worth stealing. Many of these nations are noticing that China is the source of most of this espionage and few are content to remain silent any longer.

Its no secret that Chinese intelligence collecting efforts since the late 1990s have been spectacularly successful. As the rest of the world comes to realize the extent of this success, there is a growing desire for retaliation. What form that payback takes remains to be seen. Collecting information, both military and commercial, often means breaking laws and striking or hacking back at the suspected attackers will involve even more felonies. China has broken a lot of laws. Technically, China has committed acts of war because of the degree to which it penetrated military networks and carried away copies of highly secret material. The U.S. and many other victims have been warning China there will be consequences. As the extent of Chinese espionage becomes known and understood, the call for consequences becomes louder.

China tries hard to conceal its espionage efforts. Not just denying anything and everything connected to hacking and conventional spying but also taking precautions. But as their success continued year after year, some of the Chinese hackers became cocky and sloppy. At the same time, the victims became more adept at detecting Chinese efforts and tracing them back to specific Chinese government organizations or non-government hackers inside China.

Undeterred, China has sought to keep its espionage effort going and has even expanded operations. For example, starting in 2008 China opened National Intelligence Colleges in many major universities. In effect, each of these is an Espionage Department where, each year, several hundred carefully selected applicants are accepted in each school, to be trained as spies and intelligence operatives. China has found that espionage is an enormously profitable way to obtain military and commercial secrets and now China trains and rewards those who have a talent for such things and make a career of it. The Internet-based operations, however, are only one part of Chinas espionage efforts.

While Chinese Cyber War operations in this area get a lot of publicity, the more conventional spying brings in a lot of stuff that is not reachable on the Internet. One indicator of this effort is the fact that American counter-intelligence efforts are snagging more Chinese spies. This is partly due to increased spying efforts by China, which puts more of their people out there to get caught, as well as more success by the FBI and CIA. All this espionage, in all its forms, has played a large part in turning China into one of the mightiest industrial and military powers on the planet. China is having a hard time hiding the source of the new technologies they are incorporating into their weapons and commercial products. Many of the victims initially had a hard time accepting the fact that the oh-so-eager (to export) Chinese were robbing their best customers of intellectual property on a grand scale. Now Western firms are a lot more wary about dealing with the Chinese.

China has been getting away with something the Soviet Union never accomplished, stealing Western technology, and then using it to move ahead of the West. The Soviets lacked the many essential supporting industries found in the West. These firms were largely founded and run by entrepreneurs, which was illegal in the Soviet Union. Because of that, the Russians were never able to acquire all the many pieces needed to match Western technical accomplishments. Soviet copies of American computers, for example, were crude, less reliable, and less powerful. It was the same situation with their jet fighters, tanks, and warships.

China got around this by making it seemingly profitable for Western firms to set up factories in China, where Chinese managers and workers were taught how to make things right. At the same time, China allows thousands of their best students to go to the United States to study. While many of these students will stay in America, where there are better jobs and more opportunities, a growing number are coming back to China and bringing American business and technical skills with them. Finally, China energetically uses the "thousand grains of sand" approach to espionage. This involves China trying to get all Chinese going overseas, and those of Chinese ancestry living outside the motherland, to spy for China, if only a tiny bit.

This approach to espionage is nothing new. Other nations have used similar systems for centuries. What is unusual is the scale of the Chinese effort, and that makes a difference. Supporting it all is a Chinese intelligence bureaucracy back home that is huge, with nearly 100,000 people working just to keep track of the many Chinese overseas and what they could, or should, be trying to grab for the motherland. This is where many of the graduates of the National Intelligence College program will work.

It begins when Chinese intelligence officials examine who is going overseas and for what purpose. Chinese citizens cannot leave the country legally without state security organizations being notified. The intel people are not being asked to give permission. They are being alerted in case they want to have a talk with students, tourists, or businesspeople before leaving the country. Interviews are often held when these people come back as well.

Those who might be coming in contact with useful information are asked to remember what they saw or bring back souvenirs, legal or otherwise. There are over a million Chinese students attending foreign universities. Even more Chinese go abroad as tourists or on business. Most of these people were not asked to actually act as spies but simply to share, with Chinese government officials, who are not always identified as intelligence personnel, whatever information they obtained. The more ambitious of these people are getting caught and prosecuted. But the majority are quite casual and individually bring back relatively little and are almost impossible to catch, much less prosecute.

Like the Russians, the Chinese are also employing the traditional methods, using people with diplomatic immunity to recruit spies, and offering cash, or whatever, to get people to sell them information. This is still effective and when combined with the "thousand grains of sand" method brings in a lot of secrets.

Not getting caught is becoming more important because that can lead to increasingly dangerous diplomatic and legal problems. When the Chinese steal some technology and produce something that the Western victims can prove was stolen via patents and prior use of the technology, legal action can make it impossible, or very difficult, to sell anything using the stolen tech outside of China. For that reason, the Chinese long preferred stealing military technology and tried to avoid using stolen commercial tech in a way that made it easy to determine the source of stolen data. This meant keeping stolen commercial tech inside China. And in some cases, like manufacturing technology, there's an advantage to not selling it outside of China. Because China is still a communist dictatorship, the courts do as they are told, and they are rarely told to honor foreign patent claims when stolen tech is discovered in China by its foreign owners.

Increasingly, Chinese firms are boldly using their stolen technology, daring foreign firms to try and use Chinese courts to get justice. Instead, the foreign firms are trying to muster support from their governments for lawsuits outside China. Naturally, the Chinese government will howl and insist that its all a plot to oppress China. This has worked for a long time, but many of the victims are now telling China that this conflict is being taken to a new, and more dangerous, level.
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.
May 8, 2024: As the war in Ukraine grinds on, mounting Russian losses and the fact that Russia invaded a neighbor has angered a growing number of Russians. The government has declared such objections illegal in Russia because operations in Ukraine are considered an internal matter. Russia does not recognize Ukraine as an independent state but a part of Russia that is being manipulated by NATO countries. This is absurd to Ukrainians and thats one of the many reasons why Ukraine wants nothing to do with Russia. NATO countries support Ukraine in that effort. Russia went to war with Ukraine in an expensive and so far, futile effort to settle the issue in Russias favor. More than two years of fighting have left more than a million people dead or injured, and both the Russian and Ukrainian economies badly damaged.

Inside Russia at least 20,000 Russians have been prosecuted and imprisoned for protesting or openly opposing the war. Most of the arrests took place during the first year of the war. There was a similar pattern of anti-war activity and arrests in 2014 when Russia seized Crimea and parts of two east Ukrainian provinces. In 2014 the Ukrainian quickly gathered what armed forces they could to block additional Russian advances into Ukrainian territory. The Russians returned in 2022 with an invasion meant to overrun all of Ukraine. That was halted and the Russian government insists it will not stop fighting until Ukraine is defeated and reabsorbed into Russia.

Ukrainian neighbors Poland and the three Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) are, according to Russia, the next targets. Attacking these countries would be a lot more difficult because these nations are members of NATO and have been increasing and upgrading their military forces. Russia seems unconcerned that the attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all 32 countries belonging to NATO. All but the United States and Canada are in Europe and all NATO countries have been supplying the Ukrainians with military and non-military aid. Poland has spent over $20 billion on new weapons and will soon have the largest force of modern tanks in Europe. Poland purchased the K2 tanks from South Korea along with hundreds of other armored vehicles, artillery, air defense and support equipment. Some equipment was purchased from the Americans, but the South Koreans have become a major manufacturer and exporter of modern weapons. Poland is now their biggest customer.

Russian civilians seem to pay more attention to the arms buildup in Poland than the Russian government. Russian leader Vladimir Putin dismisses the Polish military as insignificant. Historically, the Russian military has conquered Poland, or portions of Poland, many times. This time around Poland is better armed and more determined to resist Russian aggression than at any time in the past. Plus it is a member of NATO, which includes neighboring Germany and Denmark, as well as the Baltic States and on the other side of the Baltic Sea NATO members Sweden and Finland. Unlike World War II, when Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, Poland is not alone this time but Russia is. Poland has the 31 other NATO members as allies.

Putin dismisses the array of forces it faces as unlikely to fight or remain united. While that is the official attitude of the Russian government, most Russians did the math and realized Russia was greatly outnumbered by countries that had previously been attacked by Russian forces. During World War II Russia had allies like the United States, Britain, and many other European nations. Now Russia is alone and, while Vladimir Putin remains defiant, most other Russians are not willing to support a war against NATO any more than they support the war in Ukraine. Putins reaction is to remain defiant, no matter how many Russians will die. Arresting, prosecuting and jailing Russians who openly oppose Putin is a sign of weakness, not strength for Putin and his war effort in Ukraine.
05/08/2024



Incoming SGA President Kaitlyn Letson is sworn in by President Don C. Killingsworth, Jr.

The Jacksonville State University Student Government Association (SGA) proudly announces that Kaitlyn Letson has been sworn in as the new SGA President.

Originally from Moulton, Alabama, Letson brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new position. Currently pursuing her masters in public administration with a focus on Criminal Justice, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence and campus involvement.

Letson's personal journey at Jax State is a testament to her dedication and passion. Her active engagement in various organizations such as Delta Zeta, Collegiate Legislature, Freshman Forum and Lambda Sigma, showcases her multifaceted approach to campus life and her unwavering commitment to student advocacy and community service.

Before her presidency, Letson served as the SGA Vice President of Student Senate. Following the SGA Constitution, Letson's ascension to the presidency follows established protocols. As outlined, in the event of a vacancy or resignation, the Vice President of Student Senate assumes the role of SGA President. Consequently, Letson's elevation to this office reflects her personal merit and underscores the institutional framework that guides governance within the university.

Commenting on her unexpected transition to the presidency, Letson expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity to serve as a voice for all students. She stated, "Although SGA President was not the position I originally was elected to, I look forward to being a strong voice advocating for the needs and interests of the entire student body."

"Today we welcome Kaitlyn Letson into her new role as SGA President, stated Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. University President. Kaitlyn's dedication to student advocacy and her exemplary leadership makes her an invaluable asset to our university community. I have every confidence that she will serve with integrity and passion, representing the interests of our students with unwavering commitment.

As Letson steps into her role as SGA President, she is steadfast in her commitment to prioritize the concerns and aspirations of students. Her dedication to fostering an inclusive and vibrant campus community reassures us of a future marked by collaboration, innovation, and meaningful progress.

Looking ahead, a temporary Vice President of Student Senate will be appointed by President Letson, with a special election scheduled for the fall semester to fill the VPSS role.
Chicago (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  Pitching Pro-Palestine protest encampments on their campuses, students risk their futures and physical safety by putting their bodies on the line, demonstrating against their Universities fueling the Israeli war machine. Administrators have responded with consequences not imposed en masse for decades: suspensions, expulsions and arrests.

These brave anti-genocide protestors have taken to heart the words of Berkeley Free Speech leader Mario Savio, who said in 1964: Theres a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart that you cant take part! You cant even passively take part! And youve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus  and youve got to make it stop!

With moral conviction as the foundation of its outrage, the movement against the Vietnam massacre  the U.S. exterminated over a million Vietnamese civilians  began on college campuses, sustained its energy for years, and eventually grew, by 1969, into a majority of Americans who opposed the war.

Infuriated by their universities profiting off the Israeli genocide that has killed over 34,000 Palestinians with 2 million people at risk of starvation, protestors have called on their schools to divest from companies that support or profit from the Israeli military. For example, at Brown University, students insist that the school divest from eleven corporations, including RTX corporation  a weapons manufacturer and Northrop Grumman  a military company that makes air-launched missiles, interceptors, submarine-launched systems and hypersonic missile systems.

Opposition to the Vietnam war on college campuses initially took the form of an attack on universities complicity with the murderous assault in Vietnam. The U.S. committed war crimes on an industrial scale. Along with the use of carpet bombing, the US dropped napalm  liquid fire that clung to human bodies and melted flesh. The use of toxic herbicides, such as Agent Orange, defoliated over 7 million acres of forest while destroying crops. This ecocide resulted in 400,000 deaths caused by a range of cancers and 500,000 children born with serious birth defects.

The producer of napalm and Agent Orange was Dow Chemical. When the company came to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus in 1967, students seized the campus building where Dow was recruiting and demanded the University stop cooperating with Dow. Dozens of students were beaten bloody as Madison police brutally ejected and arrested them. Nevertheless, the boldness of the demonstration and the repressive violence of the police politicized thousands of previously apathetic students and helped to transform the Madison campus into one of the nations leading anti-war communities.

As one of the earliest examples of students stopping their Universitys complicity in war-making, the occupation of the UW building became a protest model utilized since then, most famously at Columbia University in 1968 and now in 2024. The current protest encampments  that occupy a small section of the campus  echo those building take-overs while also evoking the image of the squalid tent camps in Rafah where homeless Palestinians have been forced to live.

Just as the anti-Vietnam war peace movement was charged with being terrorist apologists and Communist sympathizers, the current student movement against Israels genocide is smeared as Hamas supporters and antisemitic oppressors.

This current vilification began in earnest when Columbia University president Minouche Shafik appeared before Congress in mid-April. Currying favor with the House committee led by MAGA stalwart Elise Stefanik  who has been known to float antisemitic conspiracy theories, Shafik defamed protesting students and two faculty as antisemitic for using chants like From the river to sea, Palestine will be free.

The transparently phony outrage of Republicans against antisemitism is part of a tactic to reinforce their decades-old racist attack on higher education with campaigns against critical race theory and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In its war on education and its ostentatious displays of grievance against woke universities, the far right is hostile to academic freedom, peaceful protest, and vast swaths of progressive speech.

Colluding with the congressional goon squad, Shafik invited New York police to attack and destroy the Pro-Palestine, protest encampment on her campus. She proved herself a willing ally of rightwing politicians who want to suppress politically disfavored speech that challenges Christian supremacist authoritarianism.

Treating demonstrating students as a terrorist-level threat, the police arrested more than a hundred students and booked them for trespassing  on their own campus. Despite sacrificing her faculty on the congressional altar and unleashing state violence on peaceful students, Shafik was denounced. House speaker Mike Johnson unsurprisingly demanded her resignation while calling out students as terrorist-supporters and asserting, the virus of antisemitism is spreading across other campuses. Capitulation does not work with MAGA fanatics like the Christian Nationalist, Zionist puppet Johnson.

This police attack was followed up in May when Shafik again called in New York cops. In an echo of Columbia 1968, anti-genocide students had once again occupied Hamilton Hall and re-named it Hinds Hall in honor of six-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed alongside her family by Israeli soldiers in Gaza. Mayor Eric Adams sent a small army of militarized police to forcibly remove the protestors. Calling law enforcement did not work at Berkeley in 1964, at Wisconsin in 1967, at Columbia in 1968, or at Kent State in 1970.

TRT World Video: Jewish student calls anti-Semitism claims distraction from Gaza genocide

Shafiks grotesque reenactment of her predecessors strong-arm tactics was weakly justified by alleged concerns about the safety of Jewish students. Images of keffiyeh-wearing students smashing windows provided the media with visuals that could recast the protest as violent, terrorist anarchy. Comparing protestors to ISIS fighters because of their garb, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) head Jonathan Greenblatt  a ubiquitous presence on cable news  falsely equated protests against Zionism with antisemitism. Greenblatt has also called for the National Guard to control campus protests  as have several US senators such as Zionist stooge Tom Cotton  both know full well that the last time that happened, at Kent State in 1970, four students were killed.

As with the University of Wisconsin in 1967, the Columbia University encampment as well as its authoritarian repression have inspired a mass uprising of students across the country. As of May 3, galvanized by the Israeli slaughter and the imminent invasion of Rafah, more than 80 schools report protest encampments. Though some schools such as Brown University, Northwestern University, and Rutgers have negotiated with protesters, others have called out police who have arrested more than 2500 students on 50 campuses nationwide. Most recently, on Monday night, the University of Chicago  self-described as a free speech bastion  called out cops to destroy a Pro-Palestine encampment based on vague policy violations. Social media has been filled with horrifying images of students and professors being violently dragged away by the police.

Rightwing media have relentlessly played up any and all claims of antisemitism at Pro-Palestine protests, in total disregard for the most basic standards of evidence. The Wall Street Journal incited a moral panic about young people daring to criticize Israels horrendous bloodbath in Gaza, writing Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and others are grooming activists in the U.S. and across the West. A critical conversation about U.S. support of genocide gets twisted into bizarre and unsubstantiated directions.

Looking backward, we remember the anti-Vietnam war protests as pure and untainted. Our memories elide some of the extreme tactics. During Vietnam era protests, some people broke windows, carried North Vietnamese flags, and voiced support for the National Liberation Front (NLF) insurgency that America wanted to destroy, chanting Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh, the NLF is gonna win. Used to stigmatize war protestors, this sentiment did not represent the peace movement.

Likewise, a tiny handful of Pro-Palestinian protesters, full of outrage at decades of brutal occupation, defend Hamass brutal October 7 attack against civilians. A Christian outlet breathlessly reported hearing pro-Hamas chants: Burn Tel Aviv to the ground and Hamas, we love you. We support your rockets too. As during the Vietnam era, such unrepresentative chants cannot be used to smear the vast protest movement.

However, they do make some Jewish students uncomfortable, even fearful. Yet the encampments are less a danger to Jewish students than the police crackdown. As one Jewish student said, I was raised as a Jewish person to call attention to injustice whenever I see it. Palestinians should be the focus, not my safety on campus. The only threat to my safety comes from the administration. Further, a large minority  34 percent  of young American Jews told pollsters, in 2021, that Israel is an apartheid state, while 22 percent agreed that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians.

Many encampment videos show peaceful, even joyful demonstrations or feature Jewish students who support the pro-Palestinian protests and declare that they feel safe on campus. As administrators call SWAT teams onto campuses to smother a new peace movement, we should keep in mind why we have forgotten the ugliest aspects of the Vietnam protests: Those memories have been replaced by an enduring horror and revulsion at what the U.S. did.

Every level of education in Gaza has been devastated by seven months of war. More than 80 percent of Gazas schools have been severely damaged or destroyed by fighting, including every one of its 12 universities. As Juan Cole said, in Informed Comment, No president of a major American University has deplored the Israeli Destruction of all Gaza Universities. Israel has made a comprehensive effort to destroy the Palestinian education system, an action known as scholasticide according to a group of 25 U.N. experts. While Gazas schools lie in ruins, it is notable that Israels universities are quiet. Without protest here, writes the Jewish newspaper Haaretz, Israels ostensibly enlightened academia will remain identified with Israels government.

Israels Prime Minister Netanyahu lambasted the U.S. protests as horrific antisemitism even equating them to anti-Jewish, Nazi rallies in Germany. This apparently led CNNs Dana Bash to solemnly denounce the destruction, violence and hate on college campuses across the country. Her voice dripping with hostility, Bash ominously described protest encampments as hearkening back to the 1930s in Europe obviously referring to Nazi rallies.

Tension between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian students does exist. But equating Judaism with the state of Israel makes it possible to label all opposition as antisemitic. Thus, any time a student with an Israeli flag is shouted down, this is painted as an act of antisemitism. This conflation has the effect of portraying Jews as a monolithic group that supports the bombing, torturing, and starving of tens of thousands of people.

While berating the protests as threatening to Jews, the media and American officials ignore the fact that white supremacists are the biggest threat facing the Jewish community, as reported by the ADL. When neo-Nazis marched through the streets of Charlottesville and shouted, Jews will not replace us, racist president Trump downplayed it. The anti-American traitor Trump, who dined with white nationalist Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, recently called that deadly Charlottesville rally a peanut compared to the antisemitic demonstrations happening across the U.S.

Meanwhile, pundits and politicians want to make the wave of protests fodder for grinding various culture-war axes about privileged Ivy League students  ignoring all the protests at non-elite campuses  or wokeness, or some brand-new form of left-wing insanity. Others mock these protestors as privileged students cosplaying as resistance fighters, while camping out in expensive North Face tents. One pundit worries, These proud anti-fascists are agitating against a country on another continent and abominating the only alternative to the fascist Trump.

The simple reality is that students now are protesting for the same reasons students took over the building at Madison in 1967 and Columbia in 1968, and the same reason there was a massive wave of student strikes and demonstrations around the country when Richard Nixon announced his illegal invasion of Cambodia in 1970. Theyre horrified to see their country and their universities participate in crimes against humanity.

To be clear, the protests of today do differ in significant ways from yesteryears protests. No protester is motivated by the fear that they could be drafted to fight in Gaza. Many students faced conscription during the Vietnam era. Further, the ethnic diversity and social inclusiveness differs from the predominantly white person protests of 1960s. On many campuses, Arab, Muslim, Jewish, Black, Native American and White students are standing shoulder to shoulder with their Palestinian peers in a unified stance.

The campus protests fill me with hope, said Peter Beinart, Jewish author and journalist. At the Columbia encampment, we saw Muslims praying, and Jews praying; of Jews holding Kabbalat Shabbat and Passover Seders alongside people of every different background and race and religion. This is a vision of hope that we desperately need.

Amid these dark times, what is happening across U.S. campuses fills me with inspiration and hope, said Palestinian law student Ahmad Ibsais. This is what a Palestinian future can look like: Jews performing Passover rituals along with Muslims praying Maghrib; people of all backgrounds taking part in collective liberation  a Palestine that existed before the British Mandate. The encampments imagine and rehearse a peaceful future for Palestinians and Jews.

In 1968, the campus protests ended when the semester did and students dispersed. But our opposition to the war did not end with the academic year. In the months leading up to the August 1968 Democratic convention, organizers planned a major protest, intended to be held regardless of whether it was allowed, drawing students from around the country. Before the convention, one of the organizers Rennie Davis said, No denial of a permit is going to prevent the tens of thousands of people who are coming to Chicago from expressing their convictions on these issues.

This is all playing out again. Students will leave for the summer, allowing more time and energy for their efforts to be focused on the August Democratic convention in Chicago. Antiwar groups are already planning large protests at the convention. Hatem Abudayyeh of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network recently told The Chicago Tribune: Well be marching with or without permits. This D.N.C. is the most important one since 1968, also in Chicago, when Vietnam War protesters and the Black liberation movement organized mass demonstrations that were violently repressed.

The Biden campaign seems to believe that it can simply wait the protesters out, that passions will eventually fade and that Democratic voters will fall in line when we get closer to Election Day and the choice between Biden and Donald Trump becomes more stark. That is a reckless gamble. Many believe that a president they supported is abetting a genocide. Their position will not easily be altered.

The current student uprising evokes the moral outrage of the anti-Vietnam War movement. As the past peace movement was proven right about Vietnam, the current one will also be favored by history. Like Vietnam in the 1960s, Palestine is the human rights issue of our time.
Committee on Academic Freedom | Middle East Studies Association

Asher Cohen

We write on behalf of the Committee on Academic Freedom of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) and the Association for Middle East Womens Studies (AMEWS) to express our grave concern over the 18 April 2024 arrest and detention of Prof. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian by Israeli police officers, and her subsequent interrogations. Police also searched her home, confiscating her mobile phone, laptop, and other personal items. This escalation is a direct result of decisions by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI), including demanding in November 2023 that Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkian resign from her position for signing a petition and illegally suspending her employment in March 2024 while denying her due process. MESAs Committee on Academic Freedom has written to you regarding these two incidents (see its letters dated 9 November 2023 and 21 March 2024 ). While the HUJI reversed Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkians suspension, the incident has compromised her security and safety, and that of her family members and students. Indeed, many extreme right-wing activists in Israel have threatened her and called for her to be prosecuted, most notably the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, who oversees the Police. Following her release from detention, she was summoned for further questioning by the Israeli police on 28 April 2024, 30 April and 2 May. Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkians arrest and the investigations into her opinions and academic work are a direct outcome of the universitys actions and threats.

MESA was founded in 1966 to promote scholarship and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa. The preeminent organization in the field, MESA publishes the International Journal of Middle East Studies and has close to 2800 members worldwide. MESA is committed to ensuring academic freedom and the freedom of expression, both within the region and in connection with the study of the region in North America and elsewhere.

President, Hebrew University of Jerusalem . . .

The Association for Middle East Womens Studies is the leading organization in academia dedicated to scholars and individuals with an interest in women and gender studies in the Middle East and North Africa. AMEWS is affiliated with the Middle East Studies Association of North America and, likewise, supports academic and free speech, human rights, equality and justice in the region and in the world. AMEWS publishes the Journal of Middle East Womens Studies at Duke University which furthers transnational feminist, gender, and sexuality scholarship.

Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkians arrest, based on charges that are both politically motivated and unsubstantiated, sets a dangerous precedent for the persecution of critical Israeli academics, especially the Palestinians among them. The charges rely on a podcast interview with her, as well as her numerous academic works, which are internationally renowned. According to the tenets of academic freedom and freedom of speech, Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkian has the right to express her views and protest the actions of the Government of Israel and its military forces. Moreover, Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkians scholarly work should not be the basis of the criminal case against her. The appropriate venue for discussion and debate about scholarly work is the academy and not criminal courts or the biased press . Particularly alarming is HUJIs involvement in this overt encroachment by the police on the academic sphere. Specifically, President Asher Cohen, Rector Tamir Shaefer, and Dean of Social Work Asher Ben Arieh are responsible for inciting the public campaign against Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkian, a tenured professor at the HUJI. Such actions contribute to eroding the values of academic freedom and freedom of thought that should be at the heart of the mission of any university.

We therefore call upon you to desist from further engaging in or encouraging the persecution of Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkian. We also call upon you to publicly apologize for your involvement in the disturbing events described above, welcome Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkian back at HUJI, and support her and her students, especially those undertaking doctoral studies. Finally, we urge you to safeguard the basic rights of freedom of opinion and expression enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that make academic scholarship and debate possible.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Asl U. Bali

MESA President

Professor, Yale Law School

Laurie Brand

Chair, Committee on Academic Freedom

Professor Emerita, University of Southern California

Sherine Hafez

AMEWS President

Professor, University of California Riverside

Miriam Cooke

Chair, Human Rights Task Force, AMEWS

Professor, Duke University

cc:

Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, MENA section

James Heenan, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ramallah

The Honorable Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders

Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression

Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories

Noha Bawazir, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative, UNESCO Liaison Office, Ramallah, Palestinian delegation to UNESCO

Josep Borrell-Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Dunja Mijatovic, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights



European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine

Viktor Almqvist, Press Officer, Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), European Parliament

Kati Piri, Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs, European Parliament

Maria Arena, Chair of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights

Yoav Kisch, Minister of Education, Israel

Gali Baharav-Miara, Attorney General, Government of Israel
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE: AG) (TSX: FR) (FSE: FMV) (the "Company" or "First Majestic") is pleased to announce the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial results of the Company for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. The full version of the financial statements and the management's discussion and analysis can be viewed on the Company's website at www.firstmajestic.com or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless stated otherwise.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Production of 5.2 million silver equivalent ("AgEq") ounces, consisting of 2.0 million silver ounces and 35,936 gold ounces, in line with the Company's 2024 production guidance plan as management anticipates improvements in the second half ("H2") of the year due to planned higher ore grades and throughput rates.

Quarterly revenues of $106.0 million, compared to $157.0 million in Q1 2023. The decrease in revenue is mainly driven by the temporary suspension of mining activities at the Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine in March 2023.

The Company held 729,771 silver ounces in finished goods inventory as at March 31, 2024, inclusive of coins and bullion. The fair value of this inventory at March 31, 2024 was $17.9 million.

Improved mine operating earnings of ($0.3) million compared to ($6.4) million in Q1 2023.

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital and taxes amounted to $12.6 million.

Consolidated cash costs of $15.00 per AgEq ounce and All-in sustaining costs ("AISC") of $21.53 per AgEq ounce represented a decrease of 1% and an increase of 3%, respectively, compared to Q1 2023.

At the end of the quarter, the Company had a cash and restricted cash balance of $229.3 million consisting of $102.1 million cash and cash equivalents and $127.2 million of restricted cash.

Declared a cash dividend payment of $0.0037 per common share for the first quarter of 2024 for shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 17, 2024, to be paid out on or about, June 7, 2024.

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Key Performance Metrics 2024-Q1 2023-Q4 Change

Q1 vs Q4 2023-Q1 Change

Q1 vs Q1 Operational Ore Processed / Tonnes Milled 588,651 652,731 (10%) 845,868 (30%) Silver Ounces Produced 1,975,176 2,612,416 (24%) 2,543,059 (22%) Gold Ounces Produced 35,936 46,585 (23%) 60,594 (41%) Silver Equivalent Ounces Produced 5,162,283 6,640,550 (22%) 7,627,105 (32%) Cash Costs per Silver Equivalent Ounce(1) $ 15.00 $ 13.01 15% $ 15.16 (1%) All-in Sustaining Cost per Silver Equivalent Ounce(1) $ 21.53 $ 18.50 16% $ 20.90 3% Total Production Cost per Tonne(1) $ 128.23 $ 122.76 4% $ 130.71 (2%) Average Realized Silver Price per Silver Equivalent Ounce(1) $ 23.72 $ 24.16 (2%) $ 21.98 8% Financial (in $millions) Revenues $ 106.0 $ 136.9 (23%) $ 157.0 (32%) Mine Operating (Loss) Earnings ($0.3 ) $ 17.9 (102%) ($6.4 ) 95% Net (Loss) Earnings ($13.6 ) $ 10.2 NM ($100.7 ) 87% Operating Cash Flows before Non-Cash Working Capital and Taxes $ 12.6 $ 36.3 (65%) $ 21.9 (42%) Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 102.1 $ 125.6 (19%) $ 104.8 (3%) Restricted Cash $ 127.2 $ 125.6 1% $ 131.1 (3%) Working Capital(1) $ 159.6 $ 188.9 (16%) $ 184.6 (14%) Free Cash Flow(1) $ 0.9 $ 3.8 (76%) ($26.7 ) 103% Shareholders (Loss) Earnings per Share ("EPS") - Basic ($0.05 ) $ 0.04 NM ($0.37 ) 87% Adjusted EPS(1) ($0.06 ) ($0.03 ) (100%) $ 0.00 NM

(1) The Company reports non-GAAP measures which include cash costs per silver equivalent ounce produced, cash costs per gold ounce produced, all-in sustaining cost per silver equivalent ounce produced, all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce produced, total production cost per tonne, average realized silver price per silver equivalent ounce sold, average realized gold price per ounce sold, working capital, adjusted EPS and free cash flow. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning under the Company's financial reporting framework and the methods used by the Company to calculate such measures may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions. See "Non-GAAP Measures" below for further details of these measures.

FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

Revenues generated during the quarter totaled $106.0 million compared to $157.0 million in the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in revenue was primarily attributable to a 37% decrease in the total number of payable AgEq ounces sold, resulting from the temporary suspension of mining activities at Jerritt Canyon in March 2023.

The Company realized an average price of $23.72 per AgEq ounce during the first quarter, representing an 8% increase compared to the first quarter of 2023 and a 2% decrease compared to the prior quarter.

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital and taxes in the quarter was $12.6 million compared to $21.9 million in the first quarter of 2023.

The Company reported mine operating earnings of $(0.3) million during the quarter compared to $(6.4) million in the first quarter of 2023. The improvement in mine operating earnings was primarily attributed to a decrease in operating loss of $29.7 million at Jerritt Canyon compared to the first quarter of 2023 following management's decision to temporarily suspend mining activities at Jerritt Canyon in March 2023.

Net earnings for the quarter amounted to $(13.6) million (EPS of $(0.05)) compared to $(100.7) million (EPS of $(0.37)) in the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted net earnings, normalized for non-cash or non-recurring items such as share-based payments, unrealized losses on marketable securities and non-recurring write-downs on mineral inventory for the quarter was $(18.4) million (adjusted EPS of $(0.06)) compared to $0.9 million (adjusted EPS of $0.00) in the first quarter of 2023.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had a cash and restricted cash balance of $229.3 million consisting of $102.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and $127.2 million of restricted cash.

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

The table below represents the quarterly operating and cost parameters at each of the Company's three producing mines during the quarter.

First Quarter Production Summary San

Dimas Santa

Elena La

Encantada Jerritt

Canyon(1) Consolidated Ore Processed / Tonnes Milled 178,957 224,394 185,298 - 588,651 Silver Ounces Produced 1,163,792 355,205 456,179 - 1,975,176 Gold Ounces Produced 13,543 21,713 33 647 35,936 Silver Equivalent Ounces Produced 2,364,875 2,280,739 459,110 57,559 5,162,283 Cash Costs per Silver Equivalent Ounce(2) $ 15.81 $ 12.13 $ 25.22 $ 14.16 $ 15.00 All-in Sustaining Cost per Silver Equivalent Ounce(2) $ 20.49 $ 14.70 $ 31.64 $ 14.16 $ 21.53 Cash Cost per Gold Ounce(2) N/A N/A N/A $ 1,260 N/A All-In Sustaining Costs per Gold Ounce(2) N/A N/A N/A $ 1,260 N/A Total Production Cost per Tonne(2) $ 200.72 $ 120.22 $ 67.80 $ - $ 128.23

(1) Jerritt Canyon was placed on temporary suspension in March 2023, in-circuit recovery efforts performed in Q1 2024 resulted in production of 647 gold ounces.

(2) See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures", below for further details of these measures.

Total production in the first quarter was 5.2 million AgEq ounces consisting of 2.0 million ounces of silver and 35,936 ounces of gold. The Company notes that silver and gold production is aligned with its 2024 guidance production plan and anticipates improvements in H2 2024 due to planned higher ore grades and throughput rates.

Cash cost for the quarter was $15.00 per AgEq ounce, compared to $13.01 per AgEq ounce in the previous quarter. The increase in cash costs per ounce was primarily attributable to a 22% decrease in AgEq production mainly from San Dimas in addition to the impact of the strengthening Mexican Peso. San Dimas production was impacted by reduced ore grades as mine sequencing transitioned from the Jessica and Victoria veins into the Roberta, Robertita and Elias vein systems. Additionally, ore flow and processing rates were impacted by slowdowns by union workers while negotiations on base pay, bonuses and headcount are ongoing and continuing into the second quarter. Management anticipates improved production and efficiencies in H2 2024 which is reflected in the current guidance plan.

AISC in the first quarter was $21.53 per AgEq ounce compared to $18.50 per AgEq ounce in the previous quarter. The 16% increase in AISC was primarily attributable to higher cash costs, lower production, and the continued strength of the Mexican Peso.

Total capital expenditures in the first quarter were $28.2 million, consisting of $13.3 million for underground development, $9.9 million in exploration, and $5.0 million in property, plant and equipment.

Q1 2024 DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT

The Company is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend payment in the amount of $0.0037 per common share for the first quarter of 2024. The first quarter cash dividend will be paid to holders of record of First Majestic's common shares as of the close of business on May 17, 2024, and will be paid out on or about June 7, 2024.

Under the Company's dividend policy, the quarterly dividend per common share is targeted to equal approximately 1% of the Company's net quarterly revenues divided by the number of the Company's common shares outstanding on the record date.

The amount and distribution dates of future dividends remain at the discretion of the Board of Directors. This dividend qualifies as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes. Dividends paid to shareholders outside Canada (non-resident investors) may be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding taxes.

The Company also announces that effective May 7, 2024, Jean des Rivieres has resigned as a director of the Company. The Company would like to thank Jean for his support and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

First Majestic is a publicly traded mining company focused on silver and gold production in Mexico and the United States. The Company presently owns and operates the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, and the La Encantada Silver Mine as well as a portfolio of development and exploration assets, including the Jerritt Canyon Gold project located in northeastern Nevada, U.S.A.

First Majestic is proud to own and operate its own minting facility, First Mint, LLC, and to offer a portion of its silver production for sale to the public. Bars, ingots, coins and medallions are available for purchase online at www.firstmint.com, at some of the lowest premiums available.

For further information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com or call our toll-free number 1.866.529.2807.

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

"signed"

Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release includes reference to certain financial measures which are not standardized measures under the Company's financial reporting framework. These measures include cash costs per silver equivalent ounce produced, all-in sustaining cost (or "AISC") per silver equivalent ounce produced, cash costs per gold ounce produced, AISC per gold ounce produced, total production cost per tonne, average realized silver price per ounce sold, average realized gold price per ounce sold, working capital, adjusted net earnings and EPS and free cash flow. The Company believes that these measures, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance but do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies. The data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. For a complete description of how the Company calculates such measures and a reconciliation of certain measures to GAAP terms please see "Non-GAAP Measures" in the Company's most recent management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forwardlooking information" and "forwardlooking statements" under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, "forwardlooking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forwardlooking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: improvements in production and efficiencies anticipated in H2 2024 due to planned higher ore grades and throughput rates in H2; and timing for the payment of the Company's next quarterly dividend. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, guidance cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon guidance and forwardlooking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable mineral reserves and mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forwardlooking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as and if the property is developed, and in the case of measured and indicated mineral resources or proven and probable mineral reserves, such statements reflect the conclusion based on certain assumptions that the mineral deposit can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forwardlooking statements".

Actual results may vary from forwardlooking statements. Forwardlooking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements, including but not limited to: the duration and effects of the COVID19, and any other pandemics on our operations and workforce, and the effects on global economies and society; general economic conditions including inflation risks; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; availability of sufficient water for operating purposes; actual performance of plant, equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; relations with local communities; changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable legislation or application thereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance coverage as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business  Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent AIF, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and Form 40F available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. Although First Majestic has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forwardlooking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (West Red Lake Gold or WRLG or the Company) (TSXV: WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Raymond James Ltd. as sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (collectively, the Underwriters), pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 27,778,000 units (the Units) and 11,236,000 charity-flow through units (the Charity Flow-Through Units) of the Company at a price of C$0.72 per Unit (the Unit Issue Price) and C$0.89 per Charity Flow-Through Unit (the Charity Flow-Through Issue Price), respectively, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately C$30 million (the Offering).

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (Common Shares) and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share of the Company for an exercise price of $1.00 per share for 24 months from the Closing Date. The Warrants will be subject to an acceleration provision pursuant to which, in the event that the ten (10) trading day volume weighted average closing price of the Companys Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSX-V) is equal to or greater than $1.70 (or such other price to be determined and agreed to by both RJL and the Company), then the Company will earn the right, by providing notice to the Warrant holder(s) (the Acceleration Notice), to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to that date which is 30 days from the date of the Acceleration Notice.

The Company has agreed to grant the Underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the aggregate number of Units at the Unit Issue Price, exercisable in whole or in part at any time for a period ending 30 days from the closing of the Offering.

The net proceeds pursuant to the issuance of the Units are expected to be used to continue to advance the development of a restart plan for the Madsen Gold Mine as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. The gross proceeds pursuant to the issuance of the Charity Flow-Through Units will be used to incur qualifying Canadian development expenses on the Companys assets.

The Units and Charity Flow-Through Units will be offered under the short form base shelf prospectus (the Base Prospectus) of the Company dated April 30, 2024, as supplemented by a shelf prospectus supplement (the Supplement) to be prepared and filed in each of the provinces of Canada, other than the Province of Quebec (collectively, the Jurisdictions). The Units will also be offered by way of a private placement in the United States, and in those jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States which are agreed to by the Company and the Underwriters, where the Units can be issued on a private placement basis, exempt from any prospectus, registration or other similar requirements.

The Offering is expected to close on or about May 15, 2024 and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with the requirements of an applicable exemption therefrom. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About West Red Lake Gold Mines

West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that is publicly traded and focused on advancing and developing its flagship Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the worlds richest gold deposits. WRLG also holds the wholly owned Rowan Property in Red Lake, with an expansive property position covering 31 km2 including three past producing gold mines  Rowan, Mount Jamie, and Red Summit.

On behalf of West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd.

Shane Williams

Shane Williams

President & Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Freddie Leigh

Tel: (604) 609-6132

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the Companys website at https://www.westredlakegold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward looking information

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by words such as anticipate, expect, estimate, forecast, planned, and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations of management; however, it is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release and include without limitation, statements relating to the closing of the Offering, the exercise of the over-allotment option and the expected closing date of the Offering. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Forwardlooking information involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Companys securities; fluctuations in commodity prices and changes in the Companys business plans. Forward-looking information is based on a number of key expectations and assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will continue with its stated business objectives and its ability to raise additional capital to proceed. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the Companys managements discussion and analysis for the year ended November 30, 2023, and the Companys annual information form for the year ended November 30, 2023, copies of which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking information reflects managements current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law.

For more information on the Company, investors should review the Companys continuous disclosure filings that are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) ("Lion One" or the "Company") is pleased to report significant new high-grade gold results from near-mine expansion drilling at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji.

Assay results are presented here for near-mine expansion drilling in the Murau down-dip extension and SKL areas of Tuvatu. Both areas are outside the current mine plan yet are close to current underground workings and are being brought into the mine plan for late 2024 and 2025. The Murau down-dip extension drilling represents an expansion of the Murau lode system in Zone 2, which will be entering production in CY Q3 2024. Previous drill results from the Murau system are available in news releases dated April 25, 2024 and October 19, 2023. The SKL area is in Zone 5 near the entrance to the historical exploration adit and is one of Lion One's priority resource expansion targets. High-grade results have been returned from both the Murau down-dip extension and the SKL target areas.

Highlights of near-mine drill results (3.0 g/t cutoff):

64.46 g/t Au over 8.1 m (including 268.36 g/t Au over 1.2 m) (TGC-0150, from 16.5 m depth)

(including 268.36 g/t Au over 1.2 m) (TGC-0150, from 16.5 m depth) 30.48 g/t Au over 4.8 m (including 104.55 g/t Au over 0.6 m) (TUDDH-732, from 36.1 m depth)

(including 104.55 g/t Au over 0.6 m) (TUDDH-732, from 36.1 m depth) 39.05 g/t Au over 3.3 m (including 223.05 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TUDDH-729, from 98.8 m depth)

(including 223.05 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TUDDH-729, from 98.8 m depth) 76.49 g/t Au over 1.2 m (TUDDH-715, from 174.8 m depth)

(TUDDH-715, from 174.8 m depth) 71.46 g/t Au over 0.9 m (TUDDH-704, from 84.9 m depth)

(TUDDH-704, from 84.9 m depth) 28.44 g/t Au over 2.1 m (including 45.96 g/t Au over 1.2 m) (TGC-0150, from 43.8 m depth)

(including 45.96 g/t Au over 1.2 m) (TGC-0150, from 43.8 m depth) 26.28 g/t Au over 2.1 m (including 66.32 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TUDDH-728, from 51.4 m depth)

(including 66.32 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TUDDH-728, from 51.4 m depth) 20.89 g/t Au over 2.4 m (including 38.76 g/t Au over 0.6 m) (TUDDH-710, from 75.2 m depth)

(including 38.76 g/t Au over 0.6 m) (TUDDH-710, from 75.2 m depth) 26.56 g/t Au over 1.8 m (including 52.34 g/t Au over 0.6 m) (TUDDH-710, from 101.3 m depth)

(including 52.34 g/t Au over 0.6 m) (TUDDH-710, from 101.3 m depth) 8.51 g/t Au over 5.0 m (including 54.34 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TUDDH-727, from 184.4 m depth)

*All drill intersects are downhole lengths

Figure 1. Location of Murau extension and SKL near-mine expansion drillholes. Left image: Plan view of Tuvatu showing Murau and SKL drillholes in relation to the mineralized lodes at Tuvatu, shown in grey. Right image: Oblique view of Murau and SKL drilling looking approximately northeast.

Table 1. Highlights of composited drill results in the Murau Extension and SKL areas, 3.0 g/t Au cutoff. For full results see Table 4 and Table 5 in the Appendix.

Hole ID From To Interval (m) Au (g/t) TGC-0150 (Murau) 16.5 24.6 8.1 64.46 including 16.5 17.7 1.2 7.57 and 17.7 18.6 0.9 15.89 and 18.6 19.5 0.9 21.50 and 19.5 20.7 1.2 268.36 and 20.7 21.6 0.9 31.47 and 21.6 22.5 0.9 38.79 and 22.5 23.7 1.2 60.66 and 23.7 24.6 0.9 23.78 TUDDH-732 (SKL) 36.1 40.9 4.8 30.48 including 36.1 36.4 0.3 10.88 and 36.4 36.7 0.3 10.63 and 36.7 37.3 0.6 11.47 and 37.3 37.9 0.6 39.34 and 37.9 38.5 0.6 35.92 and 38.5 39.1 0.6 22.23 and 39.1 39.7 0.6 104.55 and 39.7 40.9 1.2 9.79 TUDDH-729 (Murau) 98.8 102.1 3.3 39.05 including 98.8 99.1 0.3 34.52 and 99.1 99.4 0.3 31.78 and 100.0 100.3 0.3 14.28 and 100.3 100.6 0.3 223.05 and 101.2 101.8 0.6 29.88 and 101.8 102.1 0.3 56.34 TUDDH-715 (Murau) 174.8 176.0 1.2 76.49 TUDDH-704 (SKL) 84.9 85.8 0.9 71.46 TGC-0150 (Murau) 43.8 45.9 2.1 28.44 including 44.7 45.9 1.2 45.96 TUDDH-728 (SKL) 51.4 53.5 2.1 26.28 including 51.4 52.0 0.6 18.39 and 52.0 52.6 0.6 15.24 and 52.6 52.9 0.3 66.32 and 52.9 53.5 0.6 25.20 TUDDH-710 (SKL) 75.2 77.6 2.4 20.89 including 75.2 75.8 0.6 32.78 and 76.4 77.0 0.6 38.76 TUDDH-710 (SKL) 101.3 103.1 1.8 26.56 including 101.3 101.9 0.6 52.34 and 101.9 102.6 0.7 18.89 TUDDH-727 (Murau) 184.4 189.4 5.0 8.51 including 184.4 184.7 0.3 54.34 and 184.7 185.0 0.3 29.99 and 188.8 189.1 0.3 14.93 TGC-0174 (Murau) 83.7 86.1 2.4 15.60 including 83.7 84.0 0.3 38.46 and 84.3 84.6 0.3 30.99 and 84.6 84.9 0.3 10.27 and 84.9 85.5 0.6 11.32 and 85.5 86.1 0.6 10.68

*All drill intersects are downhole lengths

Murau Extension Drilling

The Murau lode system is located in the Zone 2 area of Tuvatu, in the northwest part of the deposit. It has historically been modelled as a series of relatively flat-lying lodes that strike approximately east-west and dip moderately to the south. The system is now understood to consist of a stockwork zone of mineralization dipping moderately to the SSW. Underground development has reached the upper portion of the Murau system and additional development is underway ahead of the start of production from the Murau system in Q3 2024.

The Murau drilling included in this release targeted the down-dip extension of the Murau system. A total of 34 Murau drillholes are included in this release, including 18 holes drilled from underground and 16 drilled from surface. The drilling targeted a down-dip area of the Murau system over a strike length of 50 m and a dip length of 115 m, with a drill density of 20 m. This area is outside the current mine plan and is being brought into the mine plan for late 2024 and 2025. The Murau system remains open at depth and along strike.

Figure 2. Murau down-dip extension drilling with high-grade intersects highlighted, 3.0 g/t gold cutoff.

SKL Drilling

The SKL lodes are located in the Zone 5 area of Tuvatu, in the northeast part of the deposit proximal to the historical exploration adit. They are north of the steeply dipping UR lodes, which are the primary lodes in Zone 5. Minor underground development and trial mining was conducted on the SKL lodes in the late 1990s, and some confirmatory infill drilling was completed in 2019. No significant drilling has been completed on the SKL lodes since 2019 and the SKL drilling reported here represents the start of the first modern systematic drill program targeting the area.

The SKL lodes have historically been modelled as a series of stacked flat-lying mineralized lodes, known as flatmakes. They typically have limited lateral extent, approximately 50 m to 100 m, but with very high bonanza grades (>30 g/t gold). These lodes are associated with stockwork veining, similar to the URW1 and Murau lodes in Zone 2. A total of 27 SKL lodes have been modelled at Tuvatu, including 11 SKLW lodes which are located west of the historical exploration adit, and 16 SKL lodes which are located proximal to and east of the exploration adit. The drilling reported in this news release targeted 11 of those lodes; SKL1 to SKL7, as well as SKL1A, SKL1B, SKL2A, and SKL7A. The SKL lodes are not included in the current mine plan at Tuvatu. The purpose of this drilling was to confirm the orientation of the mineralization so that a follow-up infill drill program can be designed. The goal of the infill drill program will be to bring the SKL mineralization into the mine plan for 2025. The current SKL drill program is ongoing.

Figure 3. SKL exploration drilling with high-grade intersects highlighted, 3.0 g/t gold cutoff. The SKL lode system has historically been modelled as a series of stacked flat-lying mineralized lodes (light brown). The drillholes reported here are the first modern drillholes designed to target the SKL lodes and represent near-mine expansion of the Tuvatu resource. View is to the northeast.

Qualified Person (NI43-101)

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"), Alex Nichol, MAIG, VP Geology and Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company, and has reviewed, validated, and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release.

Lion One Laboratories / QAQC

Lion One adheres to rigorous QAQC procedures above and beyond basic regulatory guidelines in conducting its drilling, sampling, testing, and analyses. The Company operates its own geochemical assay laboratory and its own fleet of 5 diamond drill rigs using PQ, HQ and NQ sized drill rods.

Diamond drill core samples are logged and split by Lion One personnel on site and delivered to the Lion One Laboratory for preparation and analysis. All samples are pulverized at the Lion One lab to 85% passing through 75 microns and gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that return grades greater than 10.00 g/t Au are re-analyzed by gravimetric method, which is considered more accurate for very high-grade samples.

Duplicates of 5% of samples with grades above 0.5 g/t Au are delivered to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations using the same methods (Au-AA26 and Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyses 33 pathfinder elements by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES (method ME-ICP61). The Lion One lab can test a range of up to 71 elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 23 important pathfinder elements with an aqua regia digest and ICP-OES finish.

About Lion One Metals Limited

Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Walter Berukoff, Chairman & CEO

Contact Information

Investor inquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone:1-855-805-1250 (toll free North America)

Website: www.liononemetals.com

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release

This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Appendix 1: Full Drill Results and Collar Information

Table 2. Collar coordinates for Murau Extension drillholes reported in this release. Coordinates are in Fiji map grid.

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth TGC-0135 1876280 3920765 118 263.0 -43.8 131.5 TGC-0138 1876280 3920764 118 246.2 -40.9 151.0 TGC-0140 1876280 3920764 118 236.3 -38.8 10.0 TGC-0142 1876280 3920764 118 234.6 -37.5 152.8 TGC-0144 1876280 3920765 119 253.4 -30.6 110.8 TGC-0146 1876280 3920764 119 239.4 -27.7 122.6 TGC-0148 1876279 3920765 119 259.9 -15.9 110.4 TGC-0150 1876280 3920764 119 244.4 -17.0 110.0 TGC-0152 1876280 3920765 120 253.0 0.1 100.0 TGC-0156 1876279 3920765 119 269.2 -2.8 95.0 TGC-0158 1876280 3920766 118 281.3 -45.7 200.1 TGC-0162 1876280 3920766 118 276.1 -53.1 140.1 TGC-0165 1876279 3920766 118 290.8 -32.0 180.0 TGC-0168 1876280 3920767 118 308.1 -31.0 10.9 TGC-0170 1876280 3920767 118 306.9 -31.6 8.1 TGC-0172 1876279 3920767 119 301.1 -15.4 110.0 TGC-0174 1876280 3920767 118 307.2 -30.8 120.0 TGC-0176 1876280 3920768 119 315.0 -16.7 130.0 TUDDH-703 1876177 3920728 199 82.4 -59.7 182.9 TUDDH-706 1876177 3920728 199 82.0 -53.2 182.8 TUDDH-708 1876177 3920728 199 76.2 -63.8 180.0 TUDDH-711 1876177 3920729 199 75.7 -50.7 175.0 TUDDH-712 1876177 3920728 199 79.2 -54.8 170.8 TUDDH-713 1876177 3920728 199 81.0 -65.6 191.9 TUDDH-715 1876176 3920727 199 92.6 -65.2 191.7 TUDDH-716 1876175 3920728 199 95.5 -71.2 200.6 TUDDH-719 1876175 3920728 199 95.1 -74.8 10.2 TUDDH-720 1876174 3920728 199 94.9 -75.3 215.7 TUDDH-721 1876174 3920728 199 110.5 -70.3 212.8 TUDDH-724 1876171 3920726 199 61.5 -80.5 210.0 TUDDH-725 1876172 3920726 199 60.6 -59.6 186.7 TUDDH-726 1876170 3920726 199 39.7 -77.2 20.0 TUDDH-727 1876170 3920726 199 40.2 -83.7 230.0 TUDDH-729 1876171 3920726 199 54.5 -65.1 185.0

Table 3. Collar coordinates for SKL drillholes reported in this release. Coordinates are in Fiji map grid.

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth TUDDH-701 1876430 3920902 222 91.4 -66.9 58.0 TUDDH-704 1876479 3920838 238 269.0 -59.8 127.7 TUDDH-710 1876480 3920838 238 308.8 -57.7 125.0 TUDDH-722 1876481 3920799 238 349.6 -65.1 76.5 TUDDH-728 1876482 3920799 238 20.5 -55.1 125.0 TUDDH-730 1876479 3920839 238 259.6 -63.7 125.8 TUDDH-732 1876479 3920840 239 69.9 -57.7 100.0

Table 4. Composited results from Murau Extension drillholes reported in this release (grade >3.0 g/t Au)

Hole ID From To Interval (m) Au (g/t) TGC-0135 3.3 4.2 0.9 9.26 TGC-0135 73.5 76.2 2.7 3.45 including 73.5 74.4 0.9 3.53 and 75.3 76.2 0.9 6.82 TGC-0135 120.3 121.2 0.9 4.71 TGC-0138 11.4 13.5 2.1 15.59 including 11.4 12.6 1.2 19.99 and 12.6 12.9 0.3 10.46 and 12.9 13.2 0.3 3.54 and 13.2 13.5 0.3 15.21 TGC-0138 86.4 87.3 0.9 25.84 including 86.4 86.7 0.3 20.63 and 86.7 87.0 0.3 48.99 and 87.0 87.3 0.3 7.90 TGC-0138 143.5 144.5 1.0 6.44 TGC-0144 17.1 18.0 0.9 15.89 TGC-0146 48.9 50.1 1.2 8.72 including 48.9 49.5 0.6 7.66 and 49.5 50.1 0.6 9.78 TGC-0146 54.6 55.8 1.2 20.14 including 54.6 54.9 0.3 3.48 and 54.9 55.8 0.9 25.70 TGC-0148 53.7 54.3 0.6 21.13 including 53.7 54.0 0.3 16.77 and 54.0 54.3 0.3 25.50 TGC-0148 81.3 82.2 0.9 3.98 TGC-0150 16.5 24.6 8.1 64.46 including 16.5 17.7 1.2 7.57 and 17.7 18.6 0.9 15.89 and 18.6 19.5 0.9 21.50 and 19.5 20.7 1.2 268.36 and 20.7 21.6 0.9 31.47 and 21.6 22.5 0.9 38.79 and 22.5 23.7 1.2 60.66 and 23.7 24.6 0.9 23.78 TGC-0150 26.7 27.6 0.9 21.45 TGC-0150 43.8 45.9 2.1 28.44 including 43.8 44.7 0.9 5.09 and 44.7 45.9 1.2 45.96 TGC-0150 53.7 54.6 0.9 13.93 TGC-0152 75.0 75.6 0.6 45.79 TGC-0152 78.3 80.1 1.8 7.06 including 78.3 78.9 0.6 14.36 and 78.9 79.5 0.6 3.24 and 79.5 80.1 0.6 3.58 TGC-0156 0.0 0.6 0.6 4.07 TGC-0156 3.3 4.2 0.9 18.14 TGC-0156 34.2 34.8 0.6 23.35 TGC-0156 43.8 44.7 0.9 4.58 TGC-0156 66.9 69.0 2.1 6.04 including 66.9 67.8 0.9 3.23 and 68.4 69.0 0.6 15.46 TGC-0158 0.6 1.5 0.9 8.66 TGC-0158 73.5 74.1 0.6 4.79 TGC-0162 1.2 1.8 0.6 15.87 TGC-0162 19.8 20.4 0.6 24.78 TGC-0162 25.2 25.8 0.6 25.78 TGC-0162 56.1 56.7 0.6 4.62 TGC-0162 94.5 97.8 3.3 3.02 including 94.5 95.1 0.6 5.11 and 96.0 96.9 0.9 3.81 and 96.9 97.8 0.9 3.64 TGC-0162 110.4 111.3 0.9 6.94 TGC-0162 113.1 114.0 0.9 5.86 TGC-0165 0.0 0.9 0.9 8.47 TGC-0165 16.2 17.4 1.2 13.46 TGC-0165 23.4 24.3 0.9 24.90 including 23.4 23.7 0.3 21.78 and 23.7 24.3 0.6 26.46 TGC-0172 32.1 36.0 3.9 8.67 including 32.1 33.0 0.9 10.56 and 33.0 34.2 1.2 4.13 and 34.2 35.1 0.9 12.29 and 35.1 36.0 0.9 9.22 TGC-0172 46.8 47.7 0.9 10.89 including 46.8 47.1 0.3 12.87 and 47.1 47.4 0.3 4.74 and 47.4 47.7 0.3 15.06 TGC-0172 63.0 63.3 0.3 75.63 TGC-0174 13.2 14.1 0.9 7.46 TGC-0174 17.1 18.0 0.9 3.35 TGC-0174 24.0 28.2 4.2 4.04 including 24.0 25.2 1.2 3.75 and 25.2 26.1 0.9 4.80 and 27.0 28.2 1.2 5.74 TGC-0174 83.7 86.1 2.4 15.60 including 83.7 84.0 0.3 38.46 and 84.3 84.6 0.3 30.99 and 84.6 84.9 0.3 10.27 and 84.9 85.5 0.6 11.32 and 85.5 86.1 0.6 10.68 TGC-0174 92.1 93.6 1.5 3.39 including 92.1 93.3 1.2 3.10 and 93.3 93.6 0.3 4.59 TGC-0176 17.1 18.0 0.9 5.58 TGC-0176 20.1 20.4 0.3 5.84 TGC-0176 24.0 25.2 1.2 4.60 TGC-0176 30.6 32.1 1.5 8.01 including 30.6 30.9 0.3 9.07 and 30.9 32.1 1.2 7.75 TGC-0176 33.9 34.2 0.3 3.25 TGC-0176 36.0 37.2 1.2 10.48 TGC-0176 74.1 76.5 2.4 3.78 including 74.1 75.0 0.9 4.89 and 75.9 76.2 0.3 6.60 and 76.2 76.5 0.3 6.99 TGC-0176 79.2 80.1 0.9 15.70 TUDDH-703 137.9 138.5 0.6 10.20 including and TUDDH-703 152.5 153.7 1.2 6.35 including 152.5 153.4 0.9 6.37 and 153.4 153.7 0.3 6.32 TUDDH-706 150.7 151.6 0.9 17.69 including 150.7 151.0 0.3 43.79 and 151.0 151.3 0.3 5.91 and 151.3 151.6 0.3 3.39 TUDDH-708 154.1 155.3 1.2 4.16 TUDDH-708 156.7 157.0 0.3 6.09 TUDDH-710 75.2 77.6 2.4 20.89 including 75.2 75.8 0.6 32.78 and 75.8 76.4 0.6 8.35 and 76.4 77.0 0.6 38.76 and 77.0 77.6 0.6 3.70 TUDDH-711 78.4 78.7 0.3 16.06 TUDDH-711 149.1 149.4 0.3 3.05 TUDDH-711 155.1 155.4 0.3 42.31 TUDDH-711 156.8 157.1 0.3 25.55 TUDDH-712 57.7 58 0.3 5.79 TUDDH-712 148.0 148.3 0.3 3.15 TUDDH-712 157.9 158.2 0.3 7.96 TUDDH-713 57.1 57.4 0.3 4.38 TUDDH-713 58.3 58.6 0.3 4.00 TUDDH-713 69.1 69.4 0.3 5.75 TUDDH-713 154.0 154.9 0.9 19.93 including 154.0 154.3 0.3 6.89 and 154.3 154.6 0.3 40.24 and 154.6 154.9 0.3 12.66 TUDDH-713 157.0 157.3 0.3 3.20 TUDDH-715 34.7 35.0 0.3 3.14 TUDDH-715 69.1 69.4 0.3 4.85 TUDDH-715 151.8 153.3 1.5 9.21 including 151.8 152.1 0.3 16.96 and 152.1 152.4 0.3 14.46 and 153.0 153.3 0.3 14.64 TUDDH-715 172.4 173.6 1.2 21.56 TUDDH-715 174.8 176.0 1.2 76.49 TUDDH-716 71.2 72.4 1.2 15.08 including 71.2 71.8 0.6 25.99 and 72.1 72.4 0.3 8.20 TUDDH-716 74.2 74.5 0.3 4.50 TUDDH-716 78.1 78.4 0.3 7.01 TUDDH-716 82.9 83.9 1.0 6.02 including 82.9 83.2 0.3 5.77 and 83.6 83.9 0.3 13.28 TUDDH-716 85.1 86.3 1.2 6.58 TUDDH-716 167.9 169.1 1.2 12.78 TUDDH-720 66.6 67.8 1.2 6.29 TUDDH-720 72.6 72.9 0.3 6.00 TUDDH-720 98.9 99.2 0.3 46.54 TUDDH-720 107.0 107.3 0.3 6.23 TUDDH-720 189.0 189.3 0.3 4.76 TUDDH-721 151.6 151.9 0.3 46.39 TUDDH-724 43.4 44.0 0.6 3.44 TUDDH-724 196.0 197.2 1.2 8.00 TUDDH-725 77.6 79.7 2.1 3.23 including 77.6 77.9 0.3 6.85 and 77.9 78.2 0.3 5.44 and 79.1 79.7 0.6 3.37 TUDDH-725 80.9 82.7 1.8 3.23 including 80.9 81.2 0.3 3.87 and 81.2 81.5 0.3 3.51 and 81.5 81.8 0.3 3.32 and 82.1 82.4 0.3 3.57 and 82.4 82.7 0.3 3.51 TUDDH-725 83.3 83.6 0.3 3.16 TUDDH-725 84.5 85.1 0.6 3.58 TUDDH-725 122.7 123.0 0.3 68.56 TUDDH-727 152.1 152.4 0.3 3.19 TUDDH-727 152.7 153.0 0.3 3.03 TUDDH-727 184.4 189.4 5.0 8.51 including 184.4 184.7 0.3 54.34 and 184.7 185.0 0.3 29.99 and 185.6 185.9 0.3 8.30 and 186.8 187.3 0.5 8.70 and 187.3 187.9 0.6 6.36 and 188.8 189.1 0.3 14.93 and 189.1 189.4 0.3 3.82 TUDDH-727 190.9 191.5 0.6 6.66 including 190.9 191.2 0.3 8.72 and 191.2 191.5 0.3 4.61 TUDDH-729 43.9 44.2 0.3 3.58 TUDDH-729 82.0 82.9 0.9 12.44 including 82.0 82.3 0.3 10.89 and 82.3 82.9 0.6 13.22 TUDDH-729 92.2 92.5 0.3 38.97 TUDDH-729 94.6 96.4 1.8 4.73 including 94.6 94.9 0.3 8.60 and 94.9 95.2 0.3 9.50 and 96.1 96.4 0.3 8.20 TUDDH-729 98.8 102.1 3.3 39.05 including 98.8 99.1 0.3 34.52 and 99.1 99.4 0.3 31.78 and 100.0 100.3 0.3 14.28 and 100.3 100.6 0.3 223.05 and 100.9 101.2 0.3 6.41 and 101.2 101.8 0.6 29.88 and 101.8 102.1 0.3 56.34 TUDDH-729 163.1 163.7 0.6 13.44

Table 5. Composited results from SKL drillholes reported in this release (grade >3.0 g/t Au)
Tonopah, Nevada / TheNewswire / May 8, 2024 - Allegiant Gold Ltd. (Allegiant or the Company) (AUAU: TSX-V) (AUXXF: OTCQX) is pleased to welcome the return of Mr. Norman Pitcher to the Board of Directors at Allegiant Gold effective immediately.

Peter Gianulis, CEO of Allegiant Gold, commented: I am very pleased to welcome Norm back to our Board. During the four years he was previously part of our Board, Norm was an important and invaluable part of our team. We look forward to having Norm back on the Board as we continue to advance the development of Eastside.

BACKGROUND: NORM PITCHER

Mr. Pitcher is a current director at Ensign Minerals and was a director of Allegiant Gold from 2017-2021. He is the former CEO & President of Mirasol Resources and was a non-executive director of Roxgold from 2016-2022. From 2012 to 2015, Mr. Pitcher served as the President of Eldorado Gold Corporation, a Canadian international mid-tier gold producer and prior to this was Eldorados Chief Operating Officer. During his 30-year career, Mr. Pitcher has also worked with Pan American Silver, H.A. Simons, Cornucopia Resources, and Pioneer Metals. He has extensive international expertise in exploration, evaluation and mining of open-pit and underground mineral deposits. Mr. Pitcher is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Geology.

ABOUT ALLEGIANT

Allegiant owns five highly prospective gold projects in the United States all of which are in the mining-friendly jurisdiction of Nevada. Allegiants flagship, district-scale Eastside project hosts a large and expanding gold resource and is in an area of excellent infrastructure. Preliminary metallurgical testing indicates that both oxide and sulphide gold mineralization at Eastside is amenable to heap leaching.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Peter Gianulis

CEO

For more information contact:

Investor Relations

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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.

Certain statements and information contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which are referred to collectively as "forward-looking statements". The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for certain forward-looking statements. Allegiant Gold Ltd.s (Allegiant) exploration plans for its gold exploration properties, the drill program at Allegiants Eastside project, the preparation and publication of an updated resource estimate in respect of the Original Zone at the Eastside project, Allegiants future exploration and development plans, including anticipated costs and timing thereof; Allegiants plans for growth through exploration activities, acquisitions or otherwise; and expectations regarding future maintenance and capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as seek, expect, anticipate, budget, plan, estimate, continue, forecast, intend, believe, predict, potential, target, may, could, would, might, will and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Some of the known risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are described in the sections entitled Risk Factors in Allegiants Listing Application, dated January 24, 2018, as filed with the TSX Venture Exchange and available on SEDAR under Allegiants profile at www.sedar.com. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Allegiant undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company"), a British Columbia copper-gold explorer, is pleased to announce today the appointment of Mr. Andrew Lee to the Board of Directors effective immediately.

Mr. Andrew Lee currently serves as the Director of Finance at Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. Prior to joining Wheaton, he held several analytical positions at BHP Group Limited in Singapore. With over 15 years of experience in mining finance, Mr. Lee brings a wealth of expertise to Pacific Empire. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, complemented by a Double Major Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Mathematics and Economics from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Pacific Empire's President and CEO, Brad Peters: "We are delighted Andrew has joined the Pacific Empire board. Andrew brings a passion and skill for corporate growth which fits with Pacific Empire's focus on advancing its Trident copper-gold-silver porphyry project towards discovery in 2024."

About Pacific Empire

Pacific Empire is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The Company has a district scale land position in north-central British Columbia totaling 22,541 hectares.

British Columbia is a "Green" copper jurisdiction with abundant hydroelectric power, access and infrastructure in close proximity to the end market.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

"Brad Peters"

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. Tel: +1-604-356-6246

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.pemcorp.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSXV: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) ("Vizsla Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to report results from six new drillholes targeting the La Luisa Vein ("La Luisa") located ~700 metres west of the Napoleon Area resource, at its 100%-owned flagship Panuco silver-gold project ("Panuco") in Mexico. Recently completed drilling continues to demonstrate continuity of high-grade mineralization.

Highlights

NP-24-430 returned 788 grams per tonne (g/t) silver equivalent (AgEq) over 1.30 metres true width (mTW) (682 g/t silver, 2.07 g/t gold, 0.17% lead and 0.23% zinc)

(682 g/t silver, 2.07 g/t gold, 0.17% lead and 0.23% zinc) NP-24-433 returned 1,038 g/t AgEq over 0.75 mTW (827 g/t silver, 2.78 g/t gold, 0.57% lead and 1.80% zinc) And, 338 g/t AgEq over 2.00 mTW (102 g/t silver, 2.94 g/t gold, 0.17 % lead and 1.08% zinc)

(827 g/t silver, 2.78 g/t gold, 0.57% lead and 1.80% zinc) NP-24-438 returned 7,307 g/t AgEq over 0.48 mTW (3,310 g/t silver, 61.60 g/t gold, 0.78% lead and 1.31% zinc) And, 657 g/t AgEq over 1.10 mTW (103 g/t silver, 7.79 g/t gold, 0.24% lead and 78% zinc)

(3,310 g/t silver, 61.60 g/t gold, 0.78% lead and 1.31% zinc)

"Our ongoing exploration campaign continues to expand and convert near-surface mineralization at La Luisa," commented Michael Konnert, President and CEO. "La Luisa is one of the newest discoveries Vizsla Silver has made in the Panuco district, and currently hosts 4 million ounces of indicated and 25 million ounces of inferred silver equivalent resources. Recent exploration has not only expanded the Luisa mineralized footprint well beyond the 2024 MRE boundary, but new mapping utilizing Terraspec technology to identify alteration minerals, has helped validate our local exploration model. We have now identified two potential feeder zones within a target depth horizon, which we will test in the near future as we continue to expand and de-risk the Panuco project ahead of the maiden project PEA in Q3 2024.

The La Luisa Vein is located approximately 700 metres to the west of Napoleon in the southwest portion of the Panuco district. The structure has been mapped on surface for approximately 1,500 metres with an average strike of N30W and dip of 70 - 80 to the northeast. To date, Vizsla Silver has reported 57 holes from La Luisa outlining a mineralized footprint approximately 1,670 metres long by 450 metres down dip with a weighted average grade of 407 g/t AgEq (150 g/t silver, 3.09 g/t gold, 0.36 % lead and 1.35 % zinc) and average width 2.56 mTW. La Luisa currently hosts Indicated Resources of 4.0 Moz AgEq at 459 g/t AgEq and Inferred Resources of 25.3 Moz AgEq at 386 g/t AgEq in the main La Luisa vein and the FW vein splay (please refer to our Technical Report on Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Panuco Ag-Au-Pb-Zn Project, Sinaloa State, Mexico, by Allan Armitage, Ben Eggers and Peter Mehrfert, dated February 12, 2024 and to our Companys press release dated January 8, 2024).

The upper levels of the vein are hosted primarily by rhyolite tuffs, whereas some deeper vein-intercepts occur in the more favourable diorite host rock. Initial shallow drilling at La Luisa returned vein intercepts with higher gold concentrations relative to silver and low concentrations of base metals. The low silver to gold ratios and low concentrations of base metals observed are analogous to the previously reported shallow "gold rich" horizon at the southern end of Napoleon (see the Company's press releases dated December 16, 2021, and October 12, 2022). Recent interpretations of the metal ratios observed along La Luisa Vein clearly define a tilted silver-rich band with silver to gold ratios greater than 100 (Ag/Au>100). The tilted silver-rich band is constrained by two Ag/Au=100 lines, an upper and lower boundary. The lower boundary line corresponds to the interface between a deeper, base metals rich zone and the silver-rich band above (Figure 5). Furthermore, preliminary analysis of trends on gold and base metals concentrations suggests two potential feeder zones (arrows pointing up in Figure 5).

Previous surface mapping and sampling at La Luisa has returned higher silver and gold anomalies at surface in the north. More recently, mapping with the use of Terraspec has aided in the characterization of alteration minerals located along strike, supporting the hypothesis that mineralization is tilted to the southwest (see surface samples on Figure 2 and alteration minerals represented by dotted lines in Figure 5). Shallow drilling completed in the northwest have confirmed vein mineralization in the north and expanded the potential strike length of La Luisa to 1,670 m; with an intermediate ~400 m drilling-gap between the high-grade shoot in the south and the recent drill intercepts to the north (see Figure 2). New analysis of metal ratios and alteration mineralogy, now allow us to define a more favorable target elevation (silver rich target) in the 400m gap, constrained by the Ag/Au=100 isolines, between the northern holes and the mineral resource footprint in the south. Vizsla intends to explore this refined up section target between the Ag/Au=100 isolines in an effort to further expand mineral resources at La Luisa.

Note: Ag/Au=100 means isovalue for silver to gold ratio=100, Ser= sericite, Kaol= kaolinite, Smec= smectite and Jaro= jarosite.

Drillhole From To Downhole

Length Estimated

True width Ag Au Pb Zn AgEq Vein (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) % % (g/t) NP-24-428 785.40 790.20 4.80 1.90 29 0.47 0.00 0.01 101 Main NP-24-430 No significant values HW NP-24-430 433.00 434.40 1.40 1.30 682 2.07 0.17 0.23 788 Main NP-24-430 451.65 452.75 1.10 1.00 65 0.69 0.03 0.16 114 FW NP-24-433 504.30 505.50 1.20 0.75 827 2.78 0.57 1.80 1,038 HW NP-24-433 516.00 519.60 3.60 2.00 102 2.94 0.17 1.08 338 Main Includes 517.10 518.10 1.00 0.56 78 7.96 0.35 1.48 674 NP-24-434 508.05 512.70 4.65 2.90 185 0.71 1.40 0.72 288 HW Includes 508.05 510.00 1.95 1.22 255 0.71 2.33 1.22 399 And 511.80 512.70 0.90 0.56 234 0.53 0.69 0.25 359 NP-24-434 526.10 530.60 4.50 2.11 33 0.93 0.25 1.85 156 Main NP-24-437 458.20 459.35 1.15 0.80 77 1.05 0.10 0.16 151 HW NP-24-437 513.00 519.00 6.00 2.70 52 0.42 0.21 0.58 104 Main NP-24-437 No significant values FW NP-24-438 445.80 446.40 0.60 0.48 3,310 61.60 0.78 1.33 7,307 HW NP-24-438 452.50 454.00 1.50 1.10 103 7.79 0.24 0.78 657 Main Includes 453.00 454.00 1.00 0.73 115 9.73 0.23 0.98 806 NP-24-438 488.45 489.25 0.80 0.46 63 1.01 0.29 0.94 169 FW

Table 1: Downhole drill intersections from the holes completed along the La Luisa vein.

Note: AgEq = Ag g/t x Ag rec. + ((Au g/t x Au Rec x Au price/gram)+(Pb% x Pb rec. X Pb price/t) + (Zn% x Zn rec. X Zn price/t))/Ag price/gram. Metal price assumptions are $24.00/oz silver, $1,800/oz gold, $2,424.4/t lead and $2,975.4/t zinc. Metallurgical recoveries assumed are 93% for silver, 90% for gold, 94% for lead and 94% for zinc. Metallurgical recoveries used in this release are from metallurgical test results of the Napoleon vein (see press release dated February 17, 2022).

Drillhole Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth NP-24-428 402,971 2,586,834 441 270 -55.6 852.0 NP-24-430 403,025 2,586,786 450 235 -38.9 499.5 NP-24-433 403,025 2,586,786 450 226 -45.4 598.5 NP-24-434 403,025 2,586,786 450 227 -47.9 627.0 NP-24-437 403,025 2,586,786 450 234 -47.2 574.5 NP-24-438 403,025 2,586,786 450 241 -43.0 531.0

Table 2: La Luisa vein drillhole details. Coordinates in WGS84, Zone 13.

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 (please refer to our Technical Report on Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Panuco Ag-Au-Pb-Zn Project, Sinaloa State, Mexico, by Allan Armitage, Ben Eggers and Peter Mehrfert, dated February 12, 2024 and to our Companys press release dated January 8, 2024).

About Vizsla Silver

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.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Drill core samples were shipped to ALS Limited in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico and in North Vancouver, Canada for sample preparation and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver and rock samples were shipped to SGS Lab in Durango Mexico for sample preparation and analysis. The ALS Zacatecas, North Vancouver facilities and SGS lab are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Silver and base metals were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish and gold was assayed by 30-gram fire assay with atomic absorption ("AA") spectroscopy finish. Over limit analyses for silver, lead and zinc were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with AA finish.

Control samples comprising certified reference samples, duplicates and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance / quality control protocol.

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.

Website: www.vizslasilvercorp.ca

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 Panuco, including plans for resource/discovery-based drilling designed to upgrade and expand the mineral resource.

Forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla, future growth potential for Vizsla 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; no escalation in the severity of public health crises; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.

These statements reflect Vizsla'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; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of public health crises; the economic and financial implications of public health crises to the Company; 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; the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine; general economic facts; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Silver's management discussion and analysis and other public disclosure documents. 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.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Turmalina Metals Corp. (Turmalina, or the Company; TBX-TSXV, TBXXF-OTCQX, 3RI-FSE) is pleased to provide an update on ongoing surface work at the Companys 403 km2 San Francisco project located in the prolific mining province of San Juan, Argentina (the Project or San Francisco). Following the discovery of the high-grade epithermal gold vein system at Veta Rica (see announcement dated October 10th, 2023; Figure 1) our exploration team has identified numerous new mineralized targets in the vicinity of Veta Rica and as far as 12 km north - highlighting the extent and scale of mineralization at this exciting new epithermal camp. Heavy equipment has now been mobilized to prepare drilling platforms, access roads and transect target mineralized structures.

Our teams have identified three new vein systems in the vicinity of Veta Rica namely: Veta Blanca, Veta 21 and Mosquete. These are new areas in addition to the Destino and Machete veins and the Tiki-Tiki Breccia that were discovered after drilling at the Veta Rica discovery and were described in the news release of 15 November 2023 (Figure 2). The historic Tocota vein area has also been mapped and sampled with encouraging results: Tocota is located 12 km to the north of Veta Rica and represents a northern extension of mineralized veins and structures in this mineralized belt.

We are currently advancing seven vein systems within a recognized epithermal gold belt. The Project area is situated 70 road kilometers north of Austral Gold's Casposo mine, the closest similar epithermal gold system to our Veta Rica discovery. Casposo produced 283,000 oz of gold and 9.6 M oz of silver with average grades of 4.8 g/t Au and 183 g/t Ag between 2011 and 2015 and another 32,000 oz of gold and 3 M oz of silver between 2017 and 2019 before the mill was placed back into care and maintenance (2017-2019 Austral Gold Annual Reports). The historic epithermal district of Castano Viejo is also located 20 km to the south of Veta Rica: Castano Viejo was operated by the National Lead Company S.A between 1956 and 1964, with an estimated reserve of 614,000 t @7.4% Pb, 7.5% Zn, 0.15% Cu and 72 g/t Ag (Angeleli 1984; Figure 1).

The seven vein systems that we are currently exploring are:

Veta Rica (initial epithermal discovery)

Recent mapping has traced the Veta Rica epithermal vein for over 700 m on surface with surface widths of 1 to 6 m: Surface rock chip gold assays are typically between 0.9 and 2.7 g/t Au but with higher grade zones of up to 56.6 g/t Au.

This mapping has also identified multiple mineralized veins adjacent to, and parallel with, the Veta Rica vein (Figures 2, 3 & 4) with similar average rock chip grades (typically 0.45 to 4 g/t Au). Detailed sampling is underway to identify potential high-grade zones in these newly discovered veins.

Initial drilling in 2023 at Veta Rica returned: 4.4 m @ 6.4 g/t Au ; SFDH-078 from 36.6 m.



Including 0.5 m @ 28.6 g/t Au from 36.6 m.

from 36.6 m. And 0.45 m @ 14.12 g/t Au from 38.85 m.

8.75 m @ 3.5 g/t Au; SFDH-079 from 42 m.

Including 6.0 m @ 4.6 g/t Au from 42 m.

from 42 m. Including 1.18 m @ 17.9 g/t Au from 42 m.

Veta Blanca (Figures 5, 6 & 7)

At Veta Blanca an epithermal vein system has been mapped and sampled in an area 300 meters wide by 1.2km long. Vein thickness reach locally up to 3 meters with typical epithermal textures such as lattice textures and crustiform/colloform banding.

Limited grab samples to date have a maximum value of 1.48 g/t Au, with anomalous Pb and Zn  features typical of intermediate sulphidation epithermal systems.

An access road is currently being prepared to facilitate detailed mapping and sampling, which will guide an initial drill program.

Veta 21 (Figures 8 & 9)

Additional sampling at the Veta 21 vein, which had returned initial rock chip samples of up 21.1 g/t Au, has confirmed presence of high-grade gold, with new rock chip samples returning assays of up to 5.2, 10.9 and 44.2 g/t Au.

The Veta 21 quartz-tourmaline vein, and adjacent sericite alteration, can be traced over a 1.2km strike length, and reaches up to 3 meters in vein thickness.

An access road is currently being constructed to provide better exposures of the vein, with a detailed mapping and sampling program planned to guide initial drilling.

Mosquete

Epithermal mineralization at Veta Rica is associated with a strong halo of elevated lead. Follow up investigation of a 300 by 700m lead soil anomaly at Mosquete has identified multiple epithermal quartz veins, up to 3 m wide and exposed over a 200m strike length, that have returned initial rock chip gold values of up to 5.6 g/t Au.

Destino (Figure 10)

Four parallel epithermal quartz veins, and two adjacent breccias, discovered in 2023, are located 3 km northwest of Veta Rica (Figures 2, 7, 8 & 9).

Initial rock chip sampling (56 samples) of the veins, each with over 200 m of strike length, returned similar gold grades to Veta Rica, with 10 samples over 1 g/t Au, up to a maximum of 6.1 g/t Au.

Tiki-Tiki Breccia (Figure 11)

The Tiki-Tiki tourmaline-quartz breccia pipe was discovered in 2023 in the southern portion of the Destino target area. 34 rock chip samples taken from the 200 by 150 m wide breccia pipe returned four samples over 1 g/t, up to a maximum of 32.8 g/t Au, 227 g/t Ag and 0.9% Pb.

Tocota Veins (Figures 12 & 13)

Tocota is located 12 km north of Veta Rica (Figure 2), with two east-west trending gold-arsenic vein systems that were mined in the 1940s.

The Tocota veins are hosted in the sediments - siltstones and sandstones of the Carboniferous Agua Negra Formation, which is intruded by the Tocota Batolith.

The veins are surrounded by a 2 to 6 meter wide sericite alteration halo, with abundant quartz veinlets.

Channel sampling of old mine workings has confirmed strong gold mineralization, with channel samples of up to 5 to 27 g/t Au.

Mr James Rogers, Chief Executive Officer, states:

The continued success of our exploration team in expanding the mineralized footprint of this newly discovered epithermal vein camp in San Juan, Argentina is a testament to the potential of our project. It is in a very accessible area of a prolifically-mineralized and pro-mining Province of Argentina.

Figure 1: Regional view to the east showing the block of properties controlled by Turmalina Metals with the main targets already drilled and drill targets for next campaign (red stars).

Current Field Work

Surface works are ongoing with the recent arrival of a bulldozer to the site to prepare drill pads, access roads and support exploration with trench works.

Grant of RSUs

The Company announces it has granted 150,000 restricted stock units (RSUs) to officers, directors, employees, and consultants of the Company under the terms of the Companys restricted share unit plan (the RSU Plan) and which have a two-year vesting period.

About The San Francisco Project

The 40,340 ha San Francisco project is located in the pro-mining province of San Juan, Argentina, a country where there are currently 12 operating mines, 5 in construction and 20 in pre-feasibility/feasibility stage. The project benefits from well-developed infrastructure and is 130 km northeast of the regional capital San Juan.

The San Francisco Project was assembled around, and includes, one of the highest-grade tourmaline breccias of the same name. The land position at San Francisco was expanded in 2022 and now includes multiple mineralized targets including more than 60 breccias, intrusion-related gold and epithermal vein-type targets.

Initial exploration efforts at San Francisco were focussed on breccia mineralization. Through the Companys extensive exploration work, led by Chico Azevedo, the project has greatly expanded into highly prospective areas containing a number of veins, intrusion-related, porphyry and breccia targets.

While the San Francisco breccia pipe remains one of the highest-grade tourmaline Cu-Au breccia pipes ever discovered (see select results in Table 1) the Company is most excited about the exploration potential for high-grade gold-silver and polymetallic vein types and other mineralization styles. The Veta Rica discovery exemplifies the style of epithermal mineralization commonly found in the district.

Turmalina has developed an operational centre in the village of Villa Nueva, where the local community welcomes new exploration efforts in the region.

Turmalina has several option agreements to acquire 100% of certain titles of the SFDLA project and a right to explore and exploit other titles from the government of San Juan.

Table 1: Selected highlight of previous Company drilling at the San Francisco Breccia Pipe

Hole ID Target From To Interval Au Ag Cu Pb Zn AuEq CuEq (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) g/t % SFDH-012 SF BX 12 121 109 4.94 109 1.13 0.23 0.06 8.00 5.49 SFDH-039 SF BX 397.7 470 72.3 0.71 100 3.47 0.31 0.69 7.07 4.85 SFDH-038 SF BX 0 81 81 2.33 63.94 0.23 0.23 0.38 3.50 2.40 SFDH-011 SF BX 25 108 83 4.4 82 0.43 0.74 0.52 6.09 4.18 SFDH-011 SF BX 27 68 41 7.03 91 0.51 0.23 0.02 8.96 6.14

*Intersections are not true widths and additional drilling and geological modelling of the mineralized zones in the breccia pipes is required to determine the true widths of the drill hole intersections. Intersections are selected based on a 0.5 g/t Au or 0.3% Cu cut-off grade, a minimum downhole length of 2m and a maximum waste inclusion of 2 consecutive meters. Equivalent gold (AuEq) and equivalent copper (CuEq) values are calculated assuming 100% recovery using USD$ 1770 oz Au, $23 oz Ag and $8300/t Cu (~$3.8/lb). Results from the drilling on this project can be found in Company News releases with the following dates: March 23, August 28, October 5 & December 7, 2020 and January 25, March 30, June 8 & August 30 2021.

On Behalf of the Company,

James Rogers

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Website: turmalinametals.com

Address: #1507 - 1030 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6E 3V7.

For Investor Relations enquiries, please contact Highland Contact at +1 833 923 3334 (toll free) or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Statements

About Turmalina Metals and our projects

Turmalina Metals is a TSXV-listed exploration company focused on developing our portfolio of high-grade gold-copper-silver projects in South America. Our focus is on tourmaline breccias, a deposit style overlooked by many explorers. Turmalina Metals is led by a team responsible for multiple gold-copper-silver discoveries who are highly experienced in this deposit style. Our projects are characterised by open high-grade mineralization on established mining licenses that present compelling drill targets. The principal project held by Turmalina is the San Francisco project in San Juan, Argentina. For further information on the San Francisco Project, refer to the technical report entitled NI43-101 Technical Report San Francisco Copper Gold Project, San Juan Province, Argentina dated November 17, 2019 under the Corporations profile at www.sedar.com.

Sampling and Analytic procedure

Turmalina Metals follows systematic sampling and analytical protocols which exceed industry standards and are summarized below.

For the collection of rock chip samples, geologists choose the best place to collect a sample based on local geology, point of interest, oxidization on surface, and other discerning features. With the aid of geological hammer, samples are broken from the outcrop and cleaned of vegetation and/or organic material. Sample descriptions are recorded and the UTM coordinate taken with a hand-held GPS. Samples are placed in a thick plastic bag and a pre-numbered sample tag placed in the bag. Sample mass is typically in the range of 3 to 5 kilograms. The outside of the bag is marked with permanent marker for easy reference. An aluminium tag with the sample number is placed at the location from where the sample was collected.

Turmalina Metals independently inserts certified control standards, coarse field blanks and duplicates into the sample stream to monitor data quality (QA/QC samples). These QA/QC samples are inserted blindly to the laboratory in the sample sequence prior to departure from the Turmalina Metals core storage facilities. For rock chip samples 4 QA/QC samples are inserted into each 80-sample dispatch: 1 blank sample, and 3 commercially-prepared standards.

The assay results for the QA/QC samples are checked and verified by the project geologist and the Qualified Person. All such QA/QC assay results from sample dispatches reported in this news release have been found to be within acceptable industry limits, and the Qualified Person is not aware of any sampling, recovery or any other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data.

Qualified Person

The scientific, technical and analytical data contained in this news release pertaining to the San Francisco project has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Rohan Wolfe, Technical Advisor, MAIG, who serves as the Qualified Person (QP) under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

Forward Looking Statement

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed", "positioned" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks (including those risk factors identified in the Corporations prospectus dated November 21, 2019) and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Corporation is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Figure 2: San Francisco project mining rights and the main prospects. Red stars show the targets to be drilled in the next campaign.



Figure 3: Location of Veta Rica and other targets discussed in this press release: exploration over the past 12 months has discovered a large number of epithermal veins around the initial Veta Rica discovery.

Figure 4: Veta Rica with location of discovery holes SFDH-078 and 079 and planned follow up drill holes.





Figure 5: Veta Blanca intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein, with rock chip assay results for Pb, and best assay results for Au, Cu, Ag and Zn.







Figure 6: Veta Blanca: a) Three meter wide quartz-rich vein outcrop which returned a rock chip assay of 1.48 g/t Au b), c) and d) Examples of colloform and crustiform banding between dark grey silica and quartz, with bladed/lattice textures that are indicative of boiling in near-surface epithermal systems, along with brecciation indicating multiples pulses of injection.

Figure 7: General view of Veta Blanca, with roads and recently prepared drill pads. Host rocks are granodiorites.





Figure 8: The Veta 21 quartz-tourmaline vein system has been traced over a 1.2 Km strike length, with rock chip gold assays of up to 44.2 g/t Au.

Figure 9: Veta 21 vein a) View westward, with sub-outcrop of quartz-tourmaline vein, locally to 3 m wide, hosted in granodiorite. Gold mineralization is focused within iron oxides along the brecciated margins of the vein. b) Rock chip sample of quartz-iron oxide breccia from vein margin that returned 5.2 g/t. c) Rock chip sample of brecciated quartz vein with a jarosite-rich matrix that that returned 21.1 g/t Au.

Figure 10: Map of Destino veins, with Tiki-Tiki breccia in the south. Veins are up to 3 meters thick, with rock chip gold assays of up to 6.2 g/t Au.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2024) - GoldHaven Resources Corp. (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF) (FSE: 4QS0) ("GoldHaven" or the "Company") announces that the Company has filed on SEDAR an independent technical report (the "Report") prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") which concluded that the Powerline Uranium Project (the "Property") is a property of merit that warrants an extensive multi-phased exploration and drill program.

GoldHaven CEO, Bonn Smith, states, "The first drill hole will be carried out close to the historic Samson well near the centre of the Powerline Property, as the gamma ray readings in that well at certain depths are quite literally off the charts (see Figure 1). Once we gather core from the anomalous depths (the red zones in Figure 1) we will be able to determine continuity of the uranium mineralization in this section of the Property, as well as increase our confidence in the estimated uranium grade throughout the Powerline Project."



Attractive Uranium Grades

The Powerline Uranium Project lies within sedimentary rocks (sandstone) of the Colorado Plateau. With sandstone-style uranium deposits, grades in the 0.01% U 3 O 8 range can be attractive due to the advent of In-Situ Leaching (ISL) mining practices.

Historical gamma ray geophysical logs within the Samson well (near the centre of the Powerline Property) indicate a 35.4 m (116 ft) thick zone of uranium mineralization within which a 19.0 m (62.4 ft) thick section is estimated to have uranium grade of 0.0258% U 3 O 8 (Hite, 2015).

This estimate of uranium grade is based upon interpretation of gamma ray geophysical logs carried out in the well when it was drilled in 2007. The information from these logs is considered reliable and relevant to uranium mineralization since the logging instrument was calibrated to detect shale units that are of interest in oil and gas drilling and are likely to under estimate the uranium content in the anomalous zone.

A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify these historical grade estimates as accurate and the issuer is not treating the historical estimates as valid. A drill hole planned in phase 1 is designed to recover core for assay and carry out new gamma ray logging to provide calibration data for more precise grade interpretation.

The full Report dated April 15, 2024, and entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Powerline Uranium Project, Grand County, Utah, USA", can be found on the Company's website at https://goldhavenresources.com/uranium/powerline-uranium-project-utah/ and on SEDAR under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

Qualified Person

Seymour M. Sears, B.A., B.Sc., PGO, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has read and approved all technical and scientific information contained in this news release.

About GoldHaven Resources Corp.

GoldHaven Resources Corp. is a Canadian junior metals exploration Company focused on acquiring and exploring mineral exploration targets in North America. The Company is making exploration progress at its Smoke Mountain property which is located in the highly prospective Central British Columbia Porphyry-Epithermal Belt, where a new 2.5-Kilometre-long Cu-Au-Zn mineralization trend has been identified. Proactive engagement with stakeholders and Indigenous rightsholders to achieve mutually beneficial relationships is an integral part of GoldHaven's strategy.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Bonn Smith, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Bonn Smith, CEO

www.GoldHavenresources.com

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Office Direct: (604) 638-3073

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE-Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

News Release References

Hite, R.J., 2015: Private Calculation in the Files of Ameranium Resources Corp.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, the intended use of the proceeds received from the Offering, the possible acquisition of the Projects, the Company's expectation that it will be successful in enacting its business plans, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled", or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that investor interest will be sufficient to close the Offering, and the receipt of any necessary regulatory or corporate approvals in connection with the Offering and the Assignment, that there will be investor interest in future financings, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration and development of the Company's projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the exploration and development of the Company's projects and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the inability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing required to conduct its business and affairs, as currently contemplated, the inability to close the Offering, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including by the Exchange, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - MineHub Technologies Inc. (TSXV: MHUB) (OTCQB: MHUBF) ("MineHub" or the "Company"), a leading provider of digital supply chain solutions for the commodity markets, is pleased to announce that its CEO Andrea Aranguren and industry veteran Troy Bullock have been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors.

"We are very pleased with the additions of Andrea and Troy to our Board," said Vince Sorace, Executive Chairman of MineHub. "Since being appointed CEO in July 2023, Andrea has successfully advanced MineHub's position as a global leader in providing mining and supply chain technology solutions. Her leadership skills, strategic mindset and industry expertise will greatly benefit MineHub's Board as we continue to digitize the evolving landscape of commodity supply chains and trading."

Mr. Sorace, commented on Troy Bullock's appointment, "Troy's exceptional leadership and extensive experience in the Canadian technology sector make him a valuable addition to our team. With a proven track record of success, he brings a wealth of strategic insight and strong governance background to our organization. Troy's deep understanding of go-to-market strategies and his proficiency in financial management will be instrumental as we continue to advance MineHub's mission and accelerate our growth trajectory. We look forward to his contributions as we chart the course for MineHub's future success."

Mr. Bullock is a recognized leader in the Canadian technology space with over 25 years of international finance leadership experience having previously served as the President and CEO of Nanotech Security Corp. ("Nanotech"), a publicly listed company that was acquired in 2021. During his tenure at Nanotech, he led the company from start-up, including developing and executing a clear strategy, driving revenues of over $50 million, and ultimately through a successful sale of the business for over $90 million. Before his tenure at Nanotech, Mr. Bullock was the CEO of Stormtech Performance Apparel where he played a pivotal role developing a new go-to market strategy and restructuring the business. Mr. Bullock's previous experience includes serving as the CFO and Director at TSX listed companies Ascalade Communications and Norsat International. Mr. Bullock has a proven track record of developing and executing a focussed go-to market strategy. Mr. Bullock is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.

Mr. Bullock commented, "I am honored and excited with the prospect of joining the Board of Directors of MineHub. The Company's commitment to driving innovation aligns perfectly with my passion for transformative change in the technology sector. I am eager to contribute my experience with go-to-market strategies to help MineHub achieve its ambitious goals. I am confident that together with the talented team at MineHub, we can unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable growth in the commodities industry. I look forward to collaborating with the board and management team to chart a course for MineHub's continued success."

In addition, the Company announces the grant of 925,000 stock options to senior officers, directors and consultants of the Company, with each option exercisable at a price of $0.25 cents per share for a period of five years. The stock options will be subject to vesting requirements, as determined by the Board of Directors. The options have been granted in accordance with the terms of the Company's current stock option plan and have a hold period of 4 months and a day from the date of issuance in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

MineHub also announces the resignations of Alison Graham and Arnoud Star Busman from its Board of Directors. Alison and Arnoud were instrumental in executing the acquisition strategy that has established MineHub as an industry leader. The Company would like to thank both for their contributions during their tenure on the board and wish them the best in their current and future endeavours.

About MineHub Technologies

MineHub is the digital supply chain platform for the commodity markets, making raw material supply chains more efficient, resilient and sustainable. MineHub provides enterprise-grade digital solutions that connect buyers, sellers, laboratories and financiers within physical commodities supply chains in a digitally integrated workflow powered by data that is useable, shareable, verifiable and unforgeable. Users of MineHub solutions are in full control of their supply chains, enabling them to optimize their use of resources, respond better and faster to disruptions, and provide a better customer service. Global enterprises already use MineHub solutions as part of their logistics, compliance, trade management and financing operations.

Andrea Aranguren

CEO, MineHub Technologies Inc.

For further information regarding MineHub, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website at www.minehub.com. Tel: (604) 628-5623

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains statements that are considered "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements") with respect to MineHub including, but not limited to, statements with respect to MineHub's future operational plans, the timing of such plans and anticipated customers. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts are generally, but not always, identied by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although MineHub believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to raise sucient capital to fund its operations, applications and for general working capital purposes, changes in economic conditions or nancial markets, changes in laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, dependence on its key management personnel and market competition. Other risk factors are identified in the Company's management discussion and analysis, available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. There may be other risk factors not presently known that management believes are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date included herein, and the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of MineHub's management on the date the statements are made. However, except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change.
TORONTO, May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premier American Uranium Inc. (PUR, the Company or Premier American Uranium) (TSXV: PUR) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced private placement announced on April 11, 2024, pursuant to which the Company sold 2,353,981 subscription receipts of PUR (each, a Subscription Receipt) at a price of C$2.45 per Subscription Receipt (the Offering Price) for gross proceeds of C$5,767,253 (the Offering), which includes the exercise of the Agents upsize option. The Offering was conducted by a syndicate of underwriters, led by Red Cloud Securities Inc., as lead agent and sole bookrunner, and including PI Financial Corp. (collectively, the Agents).

Each Subscription Receipt entitles the holder thereof to automatically receive, upon satisfaction or waiver, as applicable, of certain escrow release conditions (the Escrow Release Conditions), one unit of PUR (a Unit). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of PUR (each, a Unit Share) and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of PUR (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one common share of PUR (each, a Warrant Share) at a price of C$3.50 until May 7, 2026.

The Escrow Release Conditions include the satisfaction of all conditions precedent (other than conditions precedent that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until closing) to the completion of the pending transaction as announced by the Company in a press release dated March 20, 2024, pursuant to which the Company has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of American Future Fuel Corporation (AMPS) by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the Arrangement). Completion of the Arrangement is subject to, among other things, receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, court approvals, as well as the requisite approval of AMPS shareholders.

The proceeds of the Offering, net of the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Agents, are being held in escrow and will not be released to PUR until the Escrow Release Conditions are satisfied or waived, as applicable. If the Escrow Release Conditions have not been satisfied or waived, as applicable, on or prior August 30, 2024, the aggregate Offering Price of the Subscription Receipts (plus any interest earned thereon) will be returned to the holders (net of any applicable withholding taxes), and such Subscription Receipts will be automatically cancelled and be of no further force and effect. Following the satisfaction or waiver, as applicable, of the Escrow Release Conditions, the net proceeds of the Offering are expected to be used to fund the proposed exploration programs for PURs projects as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Offering is subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a hold period of four-month and one day from the closing date of the Offering.

As consideration for the services provided in connection with the Offering, the Agents will receive a cash fee in the amount of $172,000.88 representing 6.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering, other than with respect to certain presidents list purchasers identified by the Company and in respect of which nil fees are payable (the Cash Commission). The Corporation has also issued 70,204 compensation options of the Corporation (the Compensation Options) to the Agents, representing 6.0% of the number of Subscription Receipts sold under the Offering other than with respect to presidents list purchasers in respect of which nil Compensation Options were issued. Each Compensation Option is exercisable to acquire one common share of PUR at the Offering Price until May 7, 2026. The Compensation Options will only be exercisable and the Cash Commission will only be payable, upon the satisfaction or waiver, as applicable, of the Escrow Release Conditions.

None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

Related Party Disclosure

Insiders of the Company, Sachem Cove Opportunities Fund LP (Sachem Cove) and IsoEnergy Ltd. (IsoEnergy), participated in the Offering, acquiring an aggregate of 744,417 Subscription Receipts on the same terms as other investors for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $1,823,821.65 (the Insider Participation). The Insider Participation constitutes a related party transaction pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Company is exempt from the requirement to obtain a formal valuation or minority shareholder approval in connection with the Insider Participation under MI 61-101 in reliance on Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 due to the fair market value of the Insiders Participation being below 25% of the Companys market capitalization for purposes of MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the expected closing date of the Offering as the details of the Insider Participation in the Offering had not been finalized at that time. The Offering has been approved by the board of directors of the Company with each of Tim Rotolo, a director of the Company and principal of Sachem Cove, and Marty Tunney, a director of the Company and officer of IsoEnergy, having disclosed his interest in the Offering and abstaining from voting thereon. The Company has not received nor has it requested a valuation of its securities or the subject matter of the Insider Participation in the 24 months prior to the date hereof.

About Premier American Uranium

Premier American Uranium Inc. is focused on the consolidation, exploration, and development of uranium projects in the United States. One of PURs key strengths is the extensive land holdings in two prominent uranium-producing regions in the United States: the Great Divide Basin of Wyoming and the Uravan Mineral Belt of Colorado. With a rich history of past production and historic uranium mineral resources, PUR has work programs underway to advance its portfolio.

Backed by Sachem Cove Partners, IsoEnergy and additional institutional investors, and an unparalleled team with U.S. uranium experience, PURs entry into the market comes at a well-timed opportunity, as uranium fundamentals are currently the strongest they have been in a decade.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Premier American Uranium Inc.

Colin Healey

CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Toll-Free: 1-833-572-2333

Twitter: @PremierAUranium

www.premierur.com

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.



Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the satisfaction or waiver of the Escrow Release Conditions; the completion of the Arrangement; the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering; and other activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, or believes or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary regulatory, court and shareholder approvals; the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the completion of the Arrangement and the Offering; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, and that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Companys planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; expectations regarding negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, reliance on key management and other personnel, potential downturns in economic conditions, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, and risks generally associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals and the risk factors with respect to Premier American Uranium set out in the Companys listing application dated November 27, 2023 filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / ONGold Resources Ltd. ("ONGold" or the "Company") (TSXV:ONAU) is pleased to announce the appointment of John Kim Bell as Chairman of its board of directors, effective immediately, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Mr. Bell is one of the most decorated Indigenous leaders in Canada and an internationally recognized cultural leader and activist in First Nation resource development and environmental matters. His impressive career, spanning across arts, philanthropy, and the corporate world, has led him toward numerous energy and mining development projects, where he represented both First Nations and corporations alike. Notably, he was the leader of Indigenous Affairs for Brookfield Renewable Energy, Glencore, Hatch, and seated on several high-profile boards, including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ("CBC").

Similar to the recent appointment of Kyle Stanfield, a seasoned sustainability expert, as Chief Executive Officer, the addition of Mr. Bell to the board of directors of ONGold as Chairman further demonstrates the Company's commitment to a new and more inclusive approach to mineral exploration and development. This commitment to a progressive approach positions the Company to capitalize on the boundless opportunities within Ontario.

Kyle Stanfield, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of ONGold, commented: "I have had the privilege to collaborate with John Kim over the past number of years and I am extremely pleased that he has agreed to join our board of directors in this leadership role. Having such a distinguished Indigenous leader as Chairman sends a strong signal to the resource sector and the investment community alike that meaningful change starts with leadership. I look forward to continuing to work with John Kim and our board of directors as we advance our Ontario focused company with our current assets and beyond."

John Kim Bell, Chairman of ONGold, commented: "It is with great pride and a sense of purpose that I accepted the role of Chairman of ONGold, where I see an immense opportunity to advance meaningful change and promote a more inclusive and sustainable approach to mineral exploration and development in Ontario. Bonded by our shared values, I look forward to embracing new possibilities across the province with the ONGold team. I am committed to leveraging my multifaceted expertise and advocacy for Indigenous rights to drive ONGold's vision forward and I am honored to be a catalyst for positive change in this transformative endeavor."

John Kim Bell

Born on the Kahnawake Mohawk Reserve on the south shore of Montreal, Mr. Bell has received numerous awards for his extraordinary work as a philanthropist, including six honorary doctorates from different universities, namely the universities of Toronto, Alberta, Lakehead, Mount Allison, Trent, and Wilfred Laurier. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Order of Ontario.

Mr. Bell's initial career was as a conductor of Broadway musicals in New York having conducted for Gene Kelly, Vincent Price, Sonny Bono, and Lauren Bacall. He toured as the conductor for the Bee Gees before breaking new ground by being appointed Apprentice Conductor to the Toronto Symphony in 1980, making him the first person of Indigenous heritage to become a symphonic conductor of a major symphony orchestra.

His distinguished musical career led him to establish the Canadian Native Arts Foundation, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (known today as "Indspire"), and the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards. Over a period of twenty years, Mr. Bell built Indspire into Canada's premiere Indigenous charity, raising unprecedented financial support for an Indigenous organization. Under his leadership, his foundation sent tens of thousands of Indigenous students to college and university all over Canada, the United States, and Europe.

In addition to the CBC, Mr. Bell has served on the board of the Millennium Scholarship Foundation, the Canadian Council on Social Development, the organization Canadians for a New Partnership (CFNP), the Ontario College of Art & Design University, the Glenn Gould Foundation, the Corporation of Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall, and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Lastly, he is also a founder of Eeyou Power Management Limited, a Cree owned energy company in James Bay, Quebec.

He has engaged in numerous energy and mining development projects, representing both First Nations as well as corporations. Notably, he was the leader of Indigenous Affairs for Brookfield Renewable Energy from 2007 to 2018, and served in similar roles for Glencore, Hatch, and Horizon Legacy as stated initially.

About ONGold Resources Ltd.

ONGold Resources Ltd. (formerly 1348515 B.C. Ltd.) is a reporting issuer in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta with no current activities or operations. ONGold owns significant exploration assets in Northern Ontario, highlighted by the district-scale TPK Project and October Gold Project. These projects represent a strategic footprint in one of Canada's most prolific gold-producing regions.

The TPK Project, known for its extensive gold mineralization, covers 47,976 of hectares in a highly favourable geological setting, and has shown promising exploration results from historical drilling and recent surveys. The project area is situated in a region renowned for its mineral potential.

Similarly, the October Gold Project, consisting of 1,281 claims covering an area of 265km2, holds substantial promise with its favorable geological setting for large-scale gold deposits and is located approximately 35 km along strike from the Cote Lake Mine. The project has undergone preliminary exploration activities, which have indicated the presence of mineralized zones with significant gold anomalies. ONGold also holds a 100% interest in additional Properties in northwestern Ontario, known as Rapson Bay, Thorne-Ellard and Meston Lake. Together, these comprise 2,334 cell claims, covering 43,791 ha.

ONGold is committed to responsible exploration practices and sustainable development, emphasizing strong partnerships with local communities and stakeholders. By adhering to high standards of environmental stewardship and community engagement, ONGold aims to not only explore and develop its assets but also contribute positively to the regions in which it operates.

ONGold has received final approval to list the Company's Common Shares on the TSXV and commence trading under the symbol "ONAU" on May 7, 2024. With a seasoned management team led by industry veterans and a strategic focus on high-potential mining assets, ONGold Resources Ltd. is well-positioned to become a leader in the development of next-generation mines in Canada's prolific mining sectors.

Contact Information

Kyle Stanfield

Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: 1 (855) 525-0992

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution, or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. Unless otherwise noted, references to "$" or dollars in this news release are to Canadian dollars.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the proposed transaction; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward-looking information". Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", "management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward- looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company, and at the time it was made, involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the companies to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the approval of the newly appointed Chairman of the board of directors by the TSX Venture Exchange. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the parties cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither party nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. Neither party undertakes, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.
Vancouver, Canada, May 8, 2024  TheNewswire  Electrum Discovery Corp. ("Electrum", or the "Company") (TSX-V: ELY|FRA: R8N) is pleased to provide an update on its exploration activities.

Initial assay results from the Companys Timok East Project have identified a significant copper-gold anomaly in soils, located five kilometres east of Zijin Minings Veliki Krivelj copper-gold porphyry mine, on the Western Tethyan Belt.

The anomaly, named Bambino, measures up to 550 meters in length and over 100 meters in width and remains open in all directions, with copper in soils ranging from 500  8238 ppm copper and rock chip samples returning grades of 2.85% and 0.32% copper.

Electrum has initiated a regional strategic review of its 500 square kilometers Novo Tlamino Project, incorporating historic 670,000oz gold equivalent inferred resource estimate.

Further to its News Release of April, 8 2024, Electrum reports the receipt of results of its initial soil and rock chip sampling on the Timok East Project ("Timok East"), located within the prolific Western Tethyan Belt, in the Republic of Serbia, covering 123 square kilometers of exploration ground, including mineral rights approximately 5 kilometers from the world-class Bor copper-gold mining complex (See Figure 2).

Results from the recent rock chip sampling, have identified a significant copper-gold anomaly in soil, named Bambino. The Bambino anomaly occurs within a series of Lower Paleozoic-age schists and marbles, which include stockwork style veining in outcrops (See Figure 1), from which rock chip samples returned grades of 2.85% and 0.32% copper.

Figure 1. An example of stockwork boulder from the Bambino target

The anomaly measures approximately 550 meters in length and over 100 meters in width, following a southeast-northwest trend. Copper grades in soil display a high degree of continuity within this anomaly and are zoned outward from a central continuous core, ranging from 500  8238 ppm copper, which remains open in all directions. Gold anomalism in soils ranges up to 203ppb gold and remains open in all directions (See Figures 3 and 4).

Figure 2. Simplified schematic geology map showing the position of Bambino anomaly, April 2024, Electrum Discovery Corp.

Figure 3. Copper in Soil and Rock Chip Samples (ppm) at Bambino Target, April 2024, Electrum Discovery Corp.

Figure 4. Gold in Soil and Rock Chip Samples (ppm) at Bambino Target, April 2024, Electrum Discovery Corp.

The Company is presently engaged in geological interpretation of the Bambino anomaly and is planning follow-on exploration to target potential extensions of the anomalys footprint to the southeast and northeast.

The Novo Tlamino Project - Regional Strategic Review

In addition to Timok East, Electrum also owns a 100% interest in the Tlamino gold project which hosts an inferred mineral resource estimate of 7.1Mt @ 2.5g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag containing 570,000oz Au and 8.6Moz Ag or combined 670,000oz of AuEq at 2.9g/t AuEq. In 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) of the project returned an IRR of 69%, and a pre-tax NPV of US$101m at discount rate of 8%, using prices of US$1,500/oz Au and US$16.5/oz Ag1.

The Company holds an additional 307 square kilometers of exploration ground across four further exploration licenses, some contiguous with Tlamino that are also deemed to be of exploration potential, which together with Tlamino cover an area of 522 square kilometres and form the Novo Tlamino Project (Novo Tlamino).

The strengthening gold price has led the Company to pursue a review of the historic PEA for Tlamino gold project and to look closely at the regional potential of Novo Tlamino. The Company believes that historic Tlamino represents an excellent strategic cornerstone to a regional gold strategy in the underexplored belt in Southern Serbia. In the coming months, Electrum is planning to review all historic data available for the Novo Tlamino Project, with the objective of converting existing Inferred resources into Measured and Indicated, outlining further exploration targets and applying further metallurgical recovery techniques.

Sample Collection, QA/QC, Preparation and Analysis

Soil samples reported in this news release were collected from the B-horizon from a depth of between 15-40 centimetres. Each sample location was recorded using a Garmin handheld GPS with a nominal accuracy of 3 meters, and the location was then photographed with the labelled sample. Samples were prepared and analysed at SGS Serbia and Bulgaria. Soil samples were dried and pulverized in their entirety, with 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were then analysed using a combination of four-acid digest with an ICP-MS finish (49 elements) and 50g fire assay with an ICP-MS finish for gold analysis (1-2000ppb). Samples were submitted in batches of 45, made up of 40 samples, two CRMs, two blanks, and one duplicate. QA/QC samples performed well, with all batches passing Company criteria.

Rock chip samples reported in this news release were prepared and analysed at SGS Serbia and Bulgaria. Samples were prepared by drying, (<3.0 kg), crushing to 75% passing 2 mm, 250g was then split and pulverized to 85% passing 75 m. Samples were then analysed using a combination of four-acid digest with an ICP-MS finish (49 elements) and 50g fire assay with AAS finish for gold analysis (0.01-1000ppm). Samples were submitted in batches of 25, made up of 22 samples, one CRM, one blank, and one duplicate. QA/QC samples performed well and all batches passed predefined criteria.

About Electrum Discovery Corp.

Electrum Discovery Corp. is an emerging, Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company focused on copper and gold on the prolific Western Tethyan Belt with activities in the Republic of Serbia. The Company is currently pursuing two projects: the Timok East copper-gold project adjacent to the Bor copper-gold mining complex and the New Tlamino gold project, located in Southern Serbia.

Electrum's management team is focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition and advancement of a large portfolio of copper-gold assets, while fostering sustainability, governance and knowledge transfer in the region.

Additional information on Electrum Discovery Corp. can be found by reviewing the Company's page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

For more information contact:

Dr Elena Clarici, Chief Executive Officer and Director

T: +1 604 801 5432 | E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | W: electrumdiscovery.com

Qualified Person:

The scientific and technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Chris Wilson, B.Sc. (Hons), PhD, FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, FGS. Dr. Wilson is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Dr Wilson is a consultant to the Company.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information. Such statements include disclosure relating to the PEA for Tlamino and the Companys objectives to convert existing inferred resources at Tlamino into measured and indicated resources, along with Companys expected achievement of specified milestones, results of operations, and expected financial results of the Company. Often, but not always, this forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Electrum, to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, uncertainties inherent in the PEA and the estimation of mineral resources; risks related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in Electrum's quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under Electrum's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Electrum has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking information contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management. Forward-looking information has been made as of the date hereof and Electrum disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

1 Preliminary Economic Assessment and NI43-101 Technical Report for the Medgold Tlamino Project, January 7, 2021, www.sedarplus.ca. The effective date of the resource estimate is January 7, 2021. The PEA is preliminary in nature and it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be characterized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realised.




TORONTO, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX) today reported its first quarter (Q1) results for the period ended March 31st, 2024.

During a recent trip to Argentina, together with several members of our senior management, we had the distinct pleasure of meeting with President Milei. He spoke about his plans to improve the lives of people and stimulate the countrys economy through fiscal discipline and foreign-investment-friendly policies. We had a wide-ranging conversation about what steps could be taken to encourage large capital inflows to invest in productive assets that create a strong tax base and provide long-term high paying jobs. We spoke about our Los Azules copper project and how we have invested significant funds to advance it to the point where it could be producing large quantities of pure green copper cathodes by 2030.

It was very refreshing to meet a head of state who is an engaging communicator with plans based on sound economic principles designed to unburden the economy and get Argentina growing. I was a fan of Javier Milei before he was elected as President, when I saw videos of him campaigning brandishing a chainsaw and promising to cut the bureaucracy, free up the economy, and encourage domestic and foreign investment.

Today there exists an infectious optimism about Argentina that didnt exist before President Milei was elected. I wanted to share my impressions as I believe it bodes well for the continued appreciation of our largest asset, Los Azules, and for our joint venture mine San Jose. Relaxation of exchange controls is contemplated, and the legislative reforms currently working their way through government are beneficial to large infrastructure projects across many industries, including mining.

At Los Azules, we had 22 drills operating this season and we succeeded in drilling over 69,000 meters to date, an impressive achievement, putting us on track to deliver our final feasibility report in Q1 2025.

During Q1 our Gold Bar mine performed well achieving a low production cost/oz due to the mine sequence being light on waste movements, the Fox Complex grappled with lower-than-expected grades which produced higher than planned cost/oz, and the San Jose mine had higher production and lower cost/oz for the quarter, outperforming their seasonally weaker period, said Rob McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner.

Financial Results

McEwen Mining's ownership of McEwen Copper decreased from 51.9% to 47.7% after the October 2023 financing, and as a result the Companys financial statements no longer consolidate McEwen Copper on a 100% basis, and instead account for McEwen Copper as an equity investment.

Our gross profit in Q1 was $6.0 million, compared to a gross profit of $4.4 million in Q1 2023. A 15% increase in the gold price and a 3% increase in metal sold contributed to the improvement in gross profit.

Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $6.3 million, or $0.13 per share in Q1, compared to an adjusted EBITDA of negative $2.9 million, or ($0.06) per share in Q1 2023. Adjusted EBITDA removes the impact of our McEwen Copper investment and represents the results from our mining operations.

We reported a consolidated net loss of $20.4 million, or ($0.41) per share in Q1, compared to a net loss of $43.1 million, or ($0.91) per share in Q1 2023. The largest contributor to our net loss was an $18.0 million loss attributable to our investment in McEwen Copper. We also incurred $3.9 million in exploration expenses at our Fox Complex and Gold Bar mine operations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We reported consolidated cash and cash equivalents of $22.0 million and consolidated working capital of $14.1 million as at March 31, 2024, compared to the respective numbers of $23.0 million and $22.7 million at December 31, 2023. Total long-term debt was $40.0 million at the end of Q1, decreased from $65.0 million in Q1 2023.

Gold & Silver Production (See Table 1)

Consolidated production from our three operating mines was 32,725 gold equivalent ounces (GEOs)(3) in Q1, compared to 30,400 GEOs in Q1 2023. The average realized price of sales during Q1 was $2,131 per GEO for 100% owned mines and $2,214 per GEO for San Jose. Production guidance remains 130,000-145,000 GEOs for the full year 2024.

Individual Mine Performance:

Gold Bar Mine, Nevada (100% owned)

At Gold Bar, we produced 11,716 GEOs, an increase of 82% compared to Q1 2023, when production was adversely impacted by major flooding. The Gold Bar mine guidance is 40,000 to 43,000 GEOs for full year 2024.

Cash costs and AISC per GEO sold for the Gold Bar mine in Q1 were $1,088 and $1,201, respectively, which was significantly lower compared to full year guidance of $1,550 and $1,750, respectively. As operations move towards higher strip ratio mining areas in the second half of 2024, we expect to see our average unit costs increase closer to guidance values.

Fox Complex Mine, Ontario (100% owned)

At Fox, production was below plan at 7,486 GEOs, due to lower than expected mined grades. As a result of the lower mined and stockpile grades, our cash costs(2) and AISC per GEO(2) sold for Fox in Q1 were $1,555 and $1,928, respectively, higher than full year guidance of $1,325 and $1,550, respectively.

Subsequent to quarter end we have begun to see higher grades of gold production and we reiterate production cost/oz guidance at Fox of 40,000 to 42,000 GEOs for the full year 2024.

San Jose Mine (49% owned)

At San Jose, Q1 production increased by 15% compared to Q1 2023 due to an improvement in average grade processed. San Jose produced 12,934 attributable GEOs during Q1, exceeding their year-to-date plan. The next three quarters in 2024 are expected to achieve higher production. We reiterate full year guidance of 50,000 to 60,000 attributable GEOs.

Cash costs and AISC per GEO sold for San Jose in Q1 were $1,607 and $1,947, respectively, as compared to full year guidance of $1,500 and $1,700, respectively. As production increases through 2024, average unit costs are expected to trend lower to meet guidance.

San Jose Exploration

Near mine exploration drilling is being conducted underground at the Frea, Odin, and Remal N. veins. Recently, hole SJM-663 was drilled along the southeast extension of the Frea vein and hit 12 m of 12.7 g/t Au and 101 g/t Ag at a lower elevation within the vein. This has opened a new area for additional exploration, which is underway with 260-foot (80-meter) step-outs and the potential to extend over 2,300 ft. (700 m).

An open pit was constructed along the southeast portion of the Odin vein (Contorno OP) in an area where high grade mineralization was close to the surface. Mining from the Contorno OP was successful, therefore shallow drilling has been carried out 400 ft (120 m) along strike through a sequence of veins called Dalia, Odin, and Sigmoide Odin Sur (SOS) to determine if the pit can be extended, with some encouraging results summarized below (see Figure 1):

Hole ID Vein Assay Result SJD-2775 Dalia 2.8 m of 1.1 g/t Au and 221 g/t Ag Odin 1.0 m of 1.9 g/t Au and 216 g/t Ag SOS 1.5 m of 1.8 g/t Au and 166 g/t Ag SJD-2776 Dalia 2.6 m of 2.0 g/t Au and 513 g/t Ag Odin 1.3 m of 0.4 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag SOS 0.9 m of 0.1 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag SJD-2777 Dalia 3.5 m of 1.3 g/t Au and 86 g/t Ag Odin 2.3 m of 5.5 g/t Au and 70 g/t Ag SOS 0.9 m of 0.2 g/t Au and 43 g/t Ag SJD-2778 Dalia 1.7 m of 0.5 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag Odin 1.4 m of 0.3 g/t Au and 54 g/t Ag SOS 1.0 m of 1.4 g/t Au and 70 g/t Ag SJD-2788 Dalia 1.5 m of 4.8 g/t Au and 51 g/t Ag Odin 2.7 m of 7.6 g/t Au and 360 g/t Ag SOS 6.2 m of 23.3 g/t Au and 314 g/t Ag SJD-2789 Dalia 0.9 m of 1.4 g/t Au and 125 g/t Ag Odin 1.6 m of 3.2 g/t Au and 287 g/t Ag SOS 1.5 m of 3.5 g/t Au and 281 g/t Ag SJD-2795 Dalia 0.9 m of 0.6 g/t Au and 90 g/t Ag Odin 1.7 m of 2.8 g/t Au and 137 g/t Ag SOS 4.7 m of 2.6 g/t Au and 60 g/t Ag

Exploration programs were also conducted to the south of the San Jose mine adjacent to Newmonts Cerro Negro mine property. Mapping and sampling were completed on the El Retiro and Liv Este targets. Geophysics and four trenches (8,200 ft or 2,500 m in total) were also completed over El Retiro. Trench results, mapping and sampling reports are pending for both targets. These targets will be interpreted over the Argentinean winter, with the plan to drill both of them in the second half of the year.

Figure 1: Plan map of near surface veins and Contorno open pit

McEwen Copper (47.7% owned)

The Los Azules project is one of the worlds largest undeveloped copper porphyry copper deposits. From its creation in 2021 to the end of Q1 2024, McEwen Copper has invested over $230 million in exploration expenditures to advance the Los Azules project. Based on our financings in Q4 2023, McEwen Copper has an implied market value of $800 million.

Key highlights of our Q1 and recent activities at Los Azules:

Drilling Program

Our 2023-2024 drilling program began in October 2023. To date, we have completed approximately 227,000 feet (69,200 meters) of drilling consisting of resource, metallurgical, geotechnical, and hydrogeological targets, in addition to drilling for condemnation and stability. With the onset of winter, rigs are currently demobilizing, and the drilling season is coming to a close.

2023-2024 Preliminary Assay Results

Preliminary assay results from the 2023-2024 drilling season have been received and analyzed. These assay results include significant copper values over wide intercepts that generally correspond well with the resource block model used in the June 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for Los Azules. Selected drill highlights include:

257 m of 0.76% Cu, in the Enriched zone (Hole AZ23205)

of Cu, in the Enriched zone (Hole AZ23205) 446 m of 0.63% Cu, including 76 m of 0.92% Cu (Hole AZ23228)

of Cu, including of Cu (Hole AZ23228) 250 m of 0.68% Cu, in the Enriched zone, including 192 m of 0.83% Cu (Hole AZ23230)

Further details on our assay results were released in our press release dated February 26, 2024.

Improved Copper Recovery

Copper heap leaching metallurgical tests conducted at SGS Chile Limitada in Santiago, Chile supported an average copper recovery of 76.0% using conventional bio-heap leaching technology. This increase of 3.2% compared to the recovery rate utilized in the 2023 PEA represents a potential after-tax NPV(8%) increase of approximately $262 million. Additional details are included in our press release dated February 22, 2024.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The first presentation of the Environmental Impact Assessment to the Technical Evaluation Commission took place on November 24, 2023. In April 2024, McEwen Copper convened a technical meeting with members of the government's technical commission to discuss the assessment of the environmental impact report on exploitation.

Timberline Acquisition

On April 16, 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Timberline Resources Corporation (Timberline) by way of a merger between Timberline and the Company. If the transaction is approved by the Timberline shareholders at an upcoming special meeting they will have the right to receive 0.01 of a share of the Companys common stock for each share of Timberlines common stock. The acquisition of Timberline presents McEwen Mining with the opportunity to:

Strengthen its core portfolio of projects in Nevada, a very favorable mining jurisdiction;





Acquire gold resources at a low per-ounce cost, with the potential to contribute to McEwens gold production growth within 2 to 5 years depending on the mining scenario;





Grow our portfolio of prospective exploration targets, including deep sulfide gold targets and poly-metallic base metal targets;





Realize synergies between Timberlines projects and the Companys Gold Bar mine, including common technical personnel, procurement functions, shared mine infrastructure, synergies in recruiting and human resources in the region around Eureka, Nevada.

Management Conference Call

Management will discuss our Q1 financial results and project developments and follow with a question and answer session. Questions can be asked directly by participants over the phone during the webcast.

Thursday,

May 9th, 2024 at

11:00 AM EDT

Toll Free Dial-In North America: (888) 210-3454 Toll Free Dial-In Other Countries: https://events.q4irportal.com/custom/access/2324/ Toll Dial-In: (646) 960-0130 Conference ID Number: 3232920 Webcast Link: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/871742148

An archived replay of the webcast will be available approximately 2 hours following the conclusion of the live event. Access the replay on the Companys media page at https://www.mcewenmining.com/media.

Table 1 below provides production and cost results for Q1, with comparative results from Q1 2023 and our guidance range for 2024.

Q1 Full Year 2024

Guidance Range 2023 2024 Consolidated Production GEOs(2) 30,400 32,750(4) 130,000-145,000 Gold Bar Mine, Nevada GEOs 6,500 11,700 40,000-43,000 Cash Costs/GEO(1) $1,491 $1,088 $1,450-1,550 AISC/GEO(1) $1,725 $1,201 $1,650-1,750 Fox Complex, Canada GEOs 12,700 7,500 40,000-42,000 Cash Costs/GEO $1,088 $1,555 $1,225-1,325 AISC/GEO $1,311 $1,928 $1,450-1,550 Total Gold Bar + Fox GEOs 19,200 19,200 Cash Costs/GEO $1,220 $1,268 AISC/GEO $1,446 $1,481 San Jose Mine, Argentina (49%) GEOs 11,200 12,950 50,000-60,000 Cash Costs/GEO $1,800 $1,607 $1,300-1,500 AISC/GEO $2,234 $1,947 $1,500-1,700

Notes:

Cash gross profit, cash costs per ounce, all-in sustaining costs (AISC) per ounce, and adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA per share are non-GAAP financial performance measures with no standardized definition under U.S. GAAP. For definition of the non-GAAP measures see "Non-GAAP- Financial Measures" section in this press release; for the reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the closest U.S. GAAP measures, see the Management Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, filed on Edgar and SEDAR. 'Gold Equivalent Ounces' are calculated based on a gold to silver price ratio of 84:1 for Q1 2023 and 89:1 for Q1 2024. 2024 production guidance is calculated based on 85:1 gold to silver price ratio. Represents the portion attributable to us from our 49% interest in the San Jose Mine. Includes 600 oz Au from El Gallo pond cleanout that was paid in Q1 2024.

Technical Information

The technical content of this news release related to financial results, mining and development projects has been reviewed and approved by William (Bill) Shaver, P.Eng., COO of McEwen Mining and a Qualified Person as defined by SEC S-K 1300 and the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects."

Reliability of Information Regarding San Jose

Minera Santa Cruz S.A., the owner of the San Jose Mine, is responsible for and has supplied to the Company all reported results from the San Jose Mine. McEwen Minings joint venture partner, a subsidiary of Hochschild Mining plc, and its affiliates other than MSC do not accept responsibility for the use of project data or the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING NON-GAAP MEASURES

In this release, we have provided information prepared or calculated according to United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP), as well as provided some non-U.S. GAAP ("non-GAAP") performance measures. Because the non-GAAP performance measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

Cash Costs and All-in Sustaining Costs

Cash costs consist of mining, processing, on-site general and administrative costs, community and permitting costs related to current operations, royalty costs, refining and treatment charges (for both dore and concentrate products), sales costs, export taxes and operational stripping costs, and exclude depreciation and amortization. All-in sustaining costs consist of cash costs (as described above), plus accretion of retirement obligations and amortization of the asset retirement costs related to operating sites, sustaining exploration and development costs, sustaining capital expenditures, and sustaining lease payments. Both cash costs and all-in sustaining costs are divided by the gold equivalent ounces sold to determine cash costs and all-in sustaining costs on a per ounce basis. We use and report these measures to provide additional information regarding operational efficiencies on an individual mine basis, and believe that these measures provide investors and analysts with useful information about our underlying costs of operations. A reconciliation to production costs applicable to sales, the nearest U.S. GAAP measure is provided in McEwen Mining's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Three months ended March 31, 2024 Gold Bar Fox Complex Total (in thousands, except per ounce) Production costs applicable to sales - Cash costs (100% owned) $ 13,268 $ 11,842 $ 25,110 Inmine exploration 799  799 Capitalized underground mine development (sustaining)  2,302 2,302 Capital expenditures on plant and equipment (sustaining) 551  551 Sustaining leases 21 539 560 Allin sustaining costs $ 14,639 $ 14,683 $ 29,322 Ounces sold, including stream (GEO) 12.2 7.6 19.8 Cash cost per ounce sold ($/GEO) $ 1,088 $ 1,555 $ 1,268 AISC per ounce sold ($/GEO) $ 1,201 $ 1,928 $ 1,481

Three months ended March 31, 2023 Gold Bar Fox Complex Total (in thousands, except per ounce) Production costs applicable to sales - Cash costs (100% owned) $ 9,341 $ 14,072 $ 23,413 Mine site reclamation, accretion and amortization    Inmine exploration 482  482 Capitalized underground mine development (sustaining)  2,655 2,655 Capital expenditures on plant and equipment (sustaining) 693  693 Sustaining leases 289 222 511 Allin sustaining costs $ 10,805 $ 16,949 $ 27,754 Ounces sold, including stream (GEO) 6.3 12.9 19.2 Cash cost per ounce sold ($/GEO) $ 1,491 $ 1,088 $ 1,220 AISC per ounce sold ($/GEO) $ 1,725 $ 1,311 $ 1,446

Three months ended March 31, 2024

2023 San Jose mine cash costs (100% basis) (in thousands, except per ounce) Production costs applicable to sales - Cash costs $ 47,884 $ 41,124 Mine site reclamation, accretion and amortization 304 292 Site exploration expenses 2,104 1,952 Capitalized underground mine development (sustaining) 7,331 7,130 Less: Depreciation (799 ) (550 ) Capital expenditures (sustaining) 1,200 1,089 Allin sustaining costs $ 58,024 $ 51,036 Ounces sold (GEO) 29.8 22.8 Cash cost per ounce sold ($/GEO) $ 1,607 $ 1,800 AISC per ounce sold ($/GEO) $ 1,947 $ 2,234

Cash Gross Profit

Cash gross profit is a non-GAAP financial measure and does not have any standardized meaning. We use cash gross profit to evaluate our operating performance and ability to generate cash flow; we disclose cash gross profit as we believe this measure provides valuable assistance to investors and analysts in evaluating our ability to finance our ongoing business and capital activities. The most directly comparable measure prepared in accordance with GAAP is gross profit. Cash gross profit is calculated by adding depletion and depreciation to gross profit. A reconciliation to gross profit, the nearest U.S. GAAP measure is provided in McEwen Mining's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA per share

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) is a non-GAAP financial measure and does not have any standardized meaning. We use adjusted EBITDA to evaluate our operating performance and ability to generate cash flow from our wholly owned operations in production; we disclose this metric as we believe this measure provides valuable assistance to investors and analysts in evaluating our ability to finance our precious metal operations and capital activities separately from our copper exploration operations. The most directly comparable measure prepared in accordance with GAAP is net loss before income and mining taxes. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back McEwen Copper's income or loss impacts on our consolidated income or loss before income and mining taxes.

Three months ended March 31, 2024

2023 Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) Net loss before income and mining taxes $ (22,940 ) $ (36,946 ) Less: Depreciation and depletion 10,278 7,178 Loss from investment in McEwen Copper Inc. (Note 9) 18,012  Advanced Projects  McEwen Copper Inc.  31,880 General, interest and other  McEwen Copper Inc.  (6,313 ) Interest expense 972 1,347 Adjusted EBITDA $ 6,322 $ (2,854 ) Weighted average shares outstanding (thousands) 49,440 47,428 Adjusted EBITDA per share $ 0.13 $ (0.06 )

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and information, including "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements and information expressed, as at the date of this news release, McEwen Mining Inc.'s (the "Company") estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations or beliefs as to future events and results. Forward-looking statements and information are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies, and there can be no assurance that such statements and information will prove to be accurate. Therefore, actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and information. Risks and uncertainties that could cause results or future events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, fluctuations in the market price of precious metals, mining industry risks, political, economic, social and security risks associated with foreign operations, the ability of the Company to receive or receive in a timely manner permits or other approvals required in connection with operations, risks associated with the construction of mining operations and commencement of production and the projected costs thereof, risks related to litigation, the state of the capital markets, environmental risks and hazards, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral resources and reserves, foreign exchange volatility, foreign exchange controls, foreign currency risk, and other risks. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information included herein, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law. See McEwen Mining's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the caption "Risk Factors", for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and information regarding the Company. All forward-looking statements and information made in this news release are qualified by this cautionary statement.

The NYSE and TSX have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release, which has been prepared by management of McEwen Mining Inc.

ABOUT MCEWEN MINING

McEwen Mining is a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, Mexico and Argentina. McEwen Mining also holds a 47.7% interest in McEwen Copper, which is developing the large, advanced-stage Los Azules copper project in Argentina. The Companys goal is to improve the productivity and life of its assets with the objective of increasing the share price and providing a yield. Rob McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner, has a personal investment in the Company of US$220 million. His annual salary is US$1.

Want News Fast?

Subscribe to our email list by clicking here:

https://www.mcewenmining.com/contact-us/#section=followUs

and receive news as it happens!
Following "Queen of Tears," Kim Soo Hyun is ready to embark on another exciting journey. The heartthrob just announced his plans to add more cities to visit for his Asia Tour 2024!

Curious whether your city is included in his next stop? Then read on to find out!

Kim Soo Hyun Adds Another More Stops To His Asia Tour 2024

Gold Medalist announced that Kim Soo Hyun will have his fan meeting in Yokohama, Japan for two days, June 22 and 23. A few days later, the agency delivered another good news to the actor's fans.

On May 8, the label confirmed that more cities will be included in the places Kim Soo Hyun will visit for his Asian Fan Meeting this year.

The 2024 Kim Soo Hyun Tour "Eyes on You" is expected to be held in Bangkok, Thailand this June 15.

Delighting the fans more, Gold Medalist shared that they are already coordinating with other organizers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

The "My Love From the Star" actor continues the lingering emotion of his newly-concluded drama "Queen of Tears" with a fan meeting tour. It has been a decade already since 2014 when he held a large-scale fan meeting tour overseas.

According to the source, the actors/actresses are determined to use the dramas' overseas popularity as a stepping stone to further solidify their position as Hallyu stars.

Kim Soo Hyun To Visit the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Hong Kong

Gold Medalist stated that Kim Soo Hyun will hold his Asia tour fan meeting in Thailand on June 15 at Thunder Dome, which is considered one of Thailand's representative performance venues. It is already used by numerous K-pop groups, such as NCT 127, aespa, and IVE.

Then, on June 22 and 23, he will meet fans at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama, Japan. It has a 10,000 seating capacity, and ticket prices are set at 13,000 yen (about 84 USD).

To avoid inconvenience to fans, the ticket purchases were limited to a maximum of 4 tickets per person per show.

Gold Medalist is already coordinating locations and schedules for additional shows in Manila, Taipei, Jakarta, and Hong Kong. It is reported that discussions are continuing to increase the number of host cities.

Since it will be his first fan meeting tour after ten years, Kim Soo Hyun is showing his interest in meeting overseas fans in as many cities as possible before filming his next work.

Following "Queen of Tears," he is confirmed to work on the drama "Knock Off," and is reportedly to begin production in the second half of 2024.

Other details regarding the venues and additional cities for Kim Soo Hyun's Asia tour are yet to be announced.

Will you be seeing Kim Soo Hyun through his upcoming Asia Tour Fan Meeting? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai San Miguel wrote this.
Ryu Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok) discovered Im Sol's (Kim Hye Yoon) secret and hidden feelings for him in "Lovely Runner" Episode 10.

'Lovely Runner' Episode 10: Im Sol Denies Feelings for Ryu Sun Jae

Im Sol confessed to Ryu Sun Jae that she came from the future in 2023, revealing that it was her last time to change everything.

However, he misunderstood that it was her way to reject his feelings.

Sun Jae then stated that he would leave Korea for America, so Im Sol didn't need to feel uncomfortable, which broke her heart.

Meanwhile, Im Sol heard that Kim Young Soo's crime scene was burned down and he escaped, despite reporting it to the police. She became anxious and fearful that Sun Jae and Kim Young Soo might run into each other.

Even though Im Sol pushed Sun Jae away, she cared about his every move. Eventually, she misunderstood that Sun Jae and one of their classmates kissed. She felt jealous got drunk, and accidentally threw her slipper downstairs.

Sun Jae got her slipper and rushed to get it. There, she accidentally confessed that she was the person hiding under the table when Sun Jae was about to be kissed by a woman.

Sun Jae also used the chance to confront Im Sol. He was curious: if she was from the future, did she have no feelings for him at all?

Im Sol lied and said she never liked him.

Kim Tae Seong Battles With Ryu Sun Jae

Elsewhere, Kim Tae Seong (Song Geon Hee) appeared at Im Sol's house and offered to help the family over a water leak inside the DVD store.

Sun Jae, on the other hand, also joined in. As they fought over Im Sol, the two ended up in a scuffle.

Im Sol and her family stopped them, and when her mother offered Tae Seong to sleep at their house, Sun Jae chimed in and said that he would take care of Tae Seong and invited him home.

That was when Sun Jae knew that Im Sol asked Tae Seong to look after him.

As the episode neared its end, Im Sol followed Sun Jae at the airport. She failed to see him and was sorry for lying to him.

She conveyed her feelings that she was more afraid to lose him forever and had no choice but to push him away.

Ryu Sun Jae Discovers Im Sol's Hidden Feelings for Him

On her way home, Im Sol saw a truck in the alley and instinctively ran away.

Ryu Sun Jae, who was thought to have left, appeared in front of her. She started to cry and asked why he didn't go. Sun Jae said that he would not go anywhere as he already knew that Im Sol liked him, and that was why she kept pushing him away.

Sun Jae took out the wind-up watch from the time capsule and surprised Im Sol.

Sun Jae found out that he would die in 2023 by saving Im Sol. He confessed that him dying doesn't bother as long as he would die for Im Sol.

There, the two confirmed their feelings and shared a sweet and emotional kiss.

    ..

    ..



( ) 2024   .



[]  8:50 | tvN# #LovelyRunner pic.twitter.com/iaJ7vkrDLf  tvN drama (@CJnDrama) May 7, 2024

As of 2023, the news about Sun Jae's attack changed to the news of Eclipse's 5th album release, as well as an image of the band with three members without Sun Jae, giving viewers another thrill.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai San Miguel wrote this.
As the immensely popular drama "Queen of Tears" concluded, fans were left with a bitter aftertaste when the production team unveiled previously hidden kiss scenes between lead actors Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won.

What was meant to be a joyous celebration of the series' success turned into a sour issue as viewers expressed their frustration over the delayed revelation.

The special episodes, aired on May 4 and 5 following the drama's finale on April 28, served as a platform for the production team to showcase additional footage.

However, it was the inclusion of intimate moments between Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In, portrayed by Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won respectively, that ignited a firestorm of criticism.

Throughout the series, fans had eagerly anticipated deeper displays of affection between the main characters, particularly as their romance reached pivotal moments.

However, the absence of passionate kiss scenes became a sore point for many viewers, leading to disappointment even as the drama wrapped up with a happy ending featuring the birth of Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in's daughter.

READ ALSO: Kim Soo Hyun Adds More Cities for His Asia Tour 2024 + Check Details Here!

In a surprising turn of events, the production team chose to unveil these previously concealed moments in the special episodes, labeling them as "exclusively" available for viewing.

Scenes depicting the couple's honeymoon in Germany showcased tender and passionate exchanges that had been conspicuously absent from the original broadcast.

'Queen of Tears' Fans React To Belated Release of Kim Soo Hyun, Kim Ji Won's Kiss Scenes

This belated revelation left fans feeling betrayed and questioning the motives behind withholding such integral moments until after the drama's conclusion.

Many took to social media to express their frustration, stating that had these scenes been revealed earlier, they could have sparked more discussion and potentially boosted the drama's ratings even further.

'They have tons of kissing scene but they only lasted less than 5 second''

'They have robbed us so many good scene what will tvn do with the kissing scenes just give us'

'hahaha!!! were robbed'

'i can't believe they delete this scene from the whole series, they really have been scamming us at this rate'

'That car scene I want to see..... there is even a kiss in there..... get it back pleaseeeeee'

'SO WHAT WAS THE REASON DOING ALL THESE KISSING SCENES, TO ONLY SHOW 0.001 SECOND OF IT????'

'Really robbed!'

'its the way i love love love their fits here and wdym they actually kissed?!!!! TVN'

'WHY TVN JUST WHY'

While "Queen of Tears" enjoyed a successful season, the controversy surrounding the hidden kiss scenes threatens to overshadow its achievements.

The production team now faces the daunting task of addressing fans' disappointment and rebuilding trust within the dedicated audience who had invested their time and emotions into the series.

READ ALSO: Kim Soo Hyun, Kim Ji Won's Real Personalities Revealed By 'Queen of Tears' Co-Star

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Joana Cabigas.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme waits to appear before the House of Commons Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics committee, Tuesday, February 27, 2024 in Ottawa. Duheme says proposed federal legislation would equip the national police force with some "good tools" to address foreign interference. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The president of the University of British Columbia says its endowment fund doesn't directly own any stocks that are the target of divestment demands by pro-Palestinian protesters who have set up an encampment on the Vancouver campus. People look toward a student encampment for pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, April 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chuck Chiang






Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - A 21-year-old woman, Sindisiwe Buhle Mkhize, was allegedly shot dead by her boyfriend in Mabopane, Pretoria, South Africa.

Women For Change, a non-profit organization that advocates for the constitutional rights of women and children in South Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

The incident occurred on 3 May 2024.

According to the statement, the boyfriend fled the scene and has not been arrested as yet.

Sindisiwe left behind her little son.




Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has exposed county governments for defying agreements made in the coffee sector.

Speaking yesterday, the Second in Command singled out Kiambu and Uasin Gishu Counties for defying an agreement of licencing millers and coffee marketers, and in the process sabotaging President William Rutos government.

According to Gachagua, they had agreed that marketers should not be licensed as millers to avoid creating conflict.

However, the two counties have reportedly licensed marketers who are also serving as millers.

"In the coffee subsector reforms, we are a bit concerned from the national government that some counties have engaged in activities that undermine those reforms," Gachagua stated.

"Despite having agreed to that we shall not have multiple licences so that the sector is not captured. We did agree that those who mill should not market but some counties contrary to what we agreed have licensed everybody to be millers when they are marketers," he added.

Gachagua noted that defying the agreements waters down the progress in the coffee sector and is likely to cause a crisis in the sector.

He challenged the counties to honour the agreement and avoid undermining his work in coffee and tea reforms in the country as assigned by President William Ruto.

"This undermines the progress we have made so far. I want to request the counties to be part of the reforms and stick to what was agreed on otherwise we shall have a crisis," Gachagua explained.

"We have had problems in Kiambu and Uasin Gishu where the county governments have licensed everybody to be millers contrary to what had been agreed on. I really want to seek your indulgence and cooperation that for these reforms to succeed we need to be true to what was agreed on."

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - An elderly man was arrested after he choked his wife in a hospital bed, ultimately leading to her death, because he could not afford her medical bills.

Ronnie Wiggs, 76, is charged with second-degree murder in connection to the death of his wife, who died Saturday, May 4, in Independence, a Kansas City suburb, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Jackson County, Wiggs told police he killed the victim while she was at Centerpoint Medical Center for a new port for dialysis.

At around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, May 3, an off-duty police officer at a hospital in Independence, Missouri was called to the ICU due to an alleged assault.

The officer found a woman unresponsive and without a pulse, but hospital staff were able to revive her and transport her to the Intensive Care Unit, an Independence Police Department officer wrote in the affidavit.

According to court documents, medical staff told authorities that they overheard Ronnie Wiggs, the woman's husband, saying, "I did it. I killed her. I choked her."

Wiggs was arrested and taken to the Independence Police Department, according to WDAF.

Wiggs' wife was not pronounced dead at the time of his arrest, but was later taken off life support due to no reported brain function shortly after.

After Wiggs allegedly choked her unconscious, he left the hospital.

The suspect told authorities that he later asked a relative to pick him up and take him back to the hospital.

Upon returning to the hospital, the relative and staff told police that Wiggs had admitted to choking and killing his wife, according to WDAF.

The station, citing court documents, reported that another individual reported finding "suspicious" injuries, as well as fresh wounds on the victim's neck.

During an interview with detectives, police wrote, Wiggs said he choked his wife in the hospital bed, covering her nose and mouth to keep her from screaming.

Wiggs also allegedly admitted that he had attempted to kill his wife on two separate hospital and rehabilitation visits

On one occasion, he tried to strangle his wife while she was at a rehab facility, but "could not follow through with it."

Court papers show Wiggs told police the victim woke up after he choked her and told him not do that again.

Wiggs allegedly told authorities that he killed his wife due to depression.

He added that he couldn't take care of her or pay for her medical bills, according to the outlet.

On Tuesday, May 7, Wiggs was being held on $250,000 bond, prosecutors said, and was set to appear in court Thursday, May 9, for a hearing.


Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - President William Ruto is determined to get Kenyans out of the slums despite opposition from some quarters.

Speaking during the launch of the second Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) yesterday, Ruto said that he will stop at nothing to get Kenyans out of informal settlements.

According to Ruto, over 60 per cent of Kenyans living in urban areas are from informal settlements.

The President went on to say that with these people there, climate change continues to pose many threats against their lives.

"Climate change will continue to pose mounting challenges to our development and serious threats to human health and safety, especially in urban areas where 60 per cent of residents live in informal settlements," Ruto said.

"I say this 60 per cent with a very heavy heart because informal settlements are very unhygienic, very indecent livelihoods where Kenyans live and we must do whatever it takes, using the resources we have," he said.

Ruto insisted that there are enough resources to ensure the over seven million Kenyans in informal settlements live decent lives and in decent places.

Ruto noted that through KUSP they can be able to plan better and organise the informal settlements into decent places.

"The resources we have under KUSP will help us do planning, these resources will help us deal with stormwater, sewage, lighting, titling and organising our informal settlements and our housing plan will help us have decent homes for these Kenyans.

"We have close to seven million Kenyans living in informal settlements and they deserve our attention," he added.

Ruto noted that the ongoing floods due to the abnormally high rainfall have underscored the urgent need for the issue of housing in informal settlements to be addressed.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - The Government of President William Ruto, through the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA), has put on notice landlords and property owners who are denying entry to several Telecommunication Service Providers (TSPs) and courier service providers.

Notably, these two providers offer a wide variety of services to the users including internet, email, and door-to-door delivery of packages, and documents which can be international or local.

In a notice yesterday, Director General David Mugonyi explained that this violated the law and its guidelines.

"It has come to the attention of the Authority that some private, public entities and landlords are denying access, or limiting access or locking-in specific telecommunication service providers and services their premises," read part of the notice.

This behaviour contravenes Chapter Four of the Constitution, which gives each Kenyan free access to information and communication systems.

Mugonyi further added that the Kenya Information and Communication Act prohibits denial of access to communication services.

The act calls for equal opportunity for everyone to access the same type and quality of service to all customers. Additionally, it outlines regulations and guidelines for all service providers.

"No licensee under this Act shall deny access or service to a customer except for delinquency of payment of dues or any other just cause," reads part of the act.

CA also cautioned Kenyans, landlords, property owners, and managers against procuring telecommunication and courier services from non-registered providers.

All service providers are required to have a valid licence and an annual compliance certificate.

Anyone who operates without a licence commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh1 million or to imprisonment for five years or both.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - A chopper carrying Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura was forced to make an emergency landing due to poor weather conditions in the Kikuyu constituency.

In a statement on Wednesday, May 8, the government disclosed that the chopper was also carrying Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Idriss Ahmed.

The duo were coming from Kisumu, where they had gone to distribute relief food to people affected by floods.

The pilot of the chopper said he couldnt proceed with the journey due to poor visibility forcing him to land it at Gishungo Area in Kikuyu constituency.

"The spokesperson Isaac Mwaura is safe.

"The helicopter plane that he and Idriss Ahmed, the Kenya Red Cross SG, were using from Nyando, had to make an emergency landing in Gishungo, Kikuyu Constituency, due to poor weather conditions.

"They had gone to give relief to affected people," the government said.

Mwaura also took to social media to assure Kenyans that he and other occupants of the plane were safe.

"I am safe, fellow Kenyans. Our plane had to make an emergency landing in Gishungo, Kikuyu Constituency, due to poor weather conditions.

"We arrived home safely, and we thank GOD for this. Happy World Red Cross Day," Mwaura said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - British-born TV personality Jeremy Clarkson has said Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the worst airport in the world.

Clarkson, while reacting to a thread he instigated on X (formerly Twitter), hammered JKIA, in a response to what his followers thought was the 'stupidest airport in the world'.

According to Clarkson, the 'stupidest airport in the world' was in Madrid (Spain), but when a follower suggested Lagos, Nigeria, Clarkson had an immediate change of heart.

"Lagos, Nigeria, until you get stopped over 20 times between the door and your seat for no reason you cant have a true appreciation for how terrible an airport can be!" the follower wrote.

Seeing that the conversation had crossed over to Africa, Clarkson sought to clarify matters - at least from his perspective - saying that the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was worse than the Lagos airport.

"OK. Ill take Lagos but if we are in Africa, Ill raise you in Nairobi," he wrote.

Clarkson seems to agree with CNN journalist Larry Madowo, who has been criticizing JKIA, terming it as among the airports that are still in the stone age era

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - United States troops are in Haiti building barracks and other facilities ahead of the deployment of Kenyan police officers to the troubled nation.

According to the Caribbean media outlets, the US troops are among the contractors who are in the Caribbean nation to facilitate the stay of about 1,000 troops from Kenya.

On Friday, an aircraft from the US Southern Command landed in Haiti carrying civilian contractors.

These experts are consulting for the Pentagon and mapping out an area where Kenyan police officers will stay during the entirety of their peacekeeping mission.

Building the military base is expected to take 45 days.

An official from the US revealed that the troops from Kenya are expected in Haiti from May 24 at a time when President William Ruto will be in the US.

The official who spoke to the Miami Herald revealed that Ruto and his wife Rachel will be hosted by President Joe Biden and his spouse Jill while marking the 60th anniversary of US-Kenya diplomatic relations.

"The initial deployment will happen sometime around his state visit," the official stated without revealing the exact dates of the deployment.

The official emphasized that the US did not want to send the Kenyan troops to an area where they would not be adequately housed.

This development comes after the transitional council selected the new Prime Minister, Fritz Belizaire, who takes over Ariel Henry who resigned in March.

Belizaire has sought outside law enforcement officers to combat the gangs and restore peace in the troubled Caribbean nation.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - A tenant, Manlafy Danso, who is married with two children, has been accused of eloping with his landlord's 20-year-old daughter in Wellingara Coastal Road, in Gambia.

Danso, a native of Niamina Sotokoi, disappeared with the girl on Friday, May 3, 2024 in Wellingara Coastal Road.

Soon after, the girl's parents filed a complaint against him, and the search for both of them is still ongoing.

Expressing his distress, the father of the 20-year-old told a journalist that Danso used spiritual means to manipulate his daughter.

This is far from ordinary. He manipulated my daughter through some spiritual means. My daughter had just completed memorizing the Holy Quran, and we were even preparing to commemorate her achievement. We searched everywhere but couldn't find them. I am sure they are staying in a guest house. He is a criminal who is known to the police, he said.

Another relative of the girl disclosed: "Manlafy is a dangerous criminal. He abducted the girl."

The family is urging anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact the nearest police station.






Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - Microsoft is considering shutting its African Development Centre based in Lagos.

This move, if confirmed, would mean that at least 200 staff would be out of a job.

It would also have profound implications for Africas technological landscape, potentially impacting job opportunities and innovation in the sector.

According to industry insiders who spoke to The Guardian newspaper on Tuesday, May 7, Microsoft informed staff on Monday, May 6, of the closure plans.

Affected employees are slated to receive salary payments up until June and will continue to be covered by health insurance.

Sources suggest Nigerias challenging economic conditions likely played a role.

The closure appears to affect only the ADCs West Africa operations in Nigeria, not its East Africa facility here in Nairobi.

Microsoft launched its $100 million African Development Centers initiative in 2019, establishing facilities in both Lagos and Nairobi.

The Nigeria centre employed over 120 engineers upon launch in 2022, growing to more than 200 total staff members.




Wednesday, May 8, 2024  Canadian-based lawyer, Miguna Miguna, has shredded Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja into pieces, regarding his leadership that is riddled with incompetence and corruption.

Sakaja has faced scrutiny multiple times regarding his leadership in the nation's capital which is very much wanting.

Miguna Miguna joined the ranks of leaders questioning Sakaja's governance of the city.

Speaking with Oga Obinna during an interview, Miguna called out Sakaja, terming his leadership as the worst ever.

"Sakaja is orchestrating the worst governance disaster in the republic of Kenya. He is the worst performing governor," he said.

He also alleged that Nairobi is being looted compared to former Governors Kidero and Mike Sonko's regimes.

He further complained that the city is dirty and very disorganized, thanks to Sakajas leadership which lacks vision and mission.

As a result, Miguna accused Sakaja of being a letdown to Nairobians and a big liability to President William Ruto and his government.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - A mother has thrown her disabled six-year-old son into a crocodile-infested river where he has reportedly been mauled to death by reptiles.

Savitri Kumar, 26, from Uttara Kannada, a district in Karnataka, India, had a heated argument with the boy's father, Ravi Kumar, 27, who repeatedly ordered her to throw the child away, the Times of India reports.

Police say her husband allegedly questioned her decision to give birth to a child with a disability.

When the parents fought about their son again on Saturday evening, May 4, Savitri was distressed and reportedly threw her son into a waste canal that flows into the Kali river, which is infested with crocodiles. The Mother



Neighbours who witnessed this called the police, who deployed divers to search for the boy in the water, but to no avail, as it was dark.

They returned on Sunday morning, May 5, and found the child's body, which showed bite marks all over.

The boy suffered severe injuries and was missing a hand, which a police officer suggested indicated that the boy was mauled to death by one or more crocodiles. The Father



A post mortem has been ordered to determine the six-year-old's cause of death.

The couple also has another son aged two and is said to frequently fight about their older son's speech impediment.

Officers have launched an investigation into the incident. The victim as a toddler



A police officer told local media that it was a murder case and that both the husband and wife have been arrested.

Watch video below.


Wednesday, May 8, 2024  President William Ruto has begun talks to persuade Somalia to drop its African Union Commission candidate, Fawzia Yusuf Adam, in support of Raila Odinga.

This was evident during a meeting presided over by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who hosted Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre at his Karen residence in Nairobi.

According to a source privy to the lobby, there is a green light that Somalia could heed Kenya's wish and drop its candidate in support of Raila.

However, Somalia claims it has the support of the Organisation of Islamic Corporation, an intergovernmental organization that consists of more than 27 African states.

Kenya also plans a similar round of talks with Djibouti who also fronted a candidate for the same AU position. Ruto's side will be seeking to woo Djibouti out of the race in favour of the Azimio leader.

In early April, Djibouti announced its candidate for the AC Commission chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, to challenge Raila for the position.

The AU has also set a deadline for the submission of critical documents including Curriculum Vitae for those seeking to vie for the AU Commission role.

All candidates seeking the prestigious continental role will be required to submit their documents by August 6, 2024, by 5 pm, Addis Ababa time.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - Bumula Member of Parliament Jack Wamboka has pleaded with the United States and the European Union to issue a travel ban to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi over the fake fertilizer scandal.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, Wamboka, who is the mover of the motion to impeach Linturi, said it is high time the United States of America (USA) and the European countries disassociated themselves from Linturi, as MPs have already made a decision that they do not have confidence in him.

He said: We will be appealing to the donor partners such as the US and the EU to disassociate themselves with Linturi and henceforth cease dealing with him.

"Mithika Linturi should become persona non grata on grounds of having been impeached by 149 members.

He added: If Mithika was a gentleman he should have by now resigned because almost 80 percent of the MPs declared they have no confidence in him.

Parliament has formed a 14-member special committee that will look into Wambokas impeachment motion against Linturi and recommend whether he will be sent home or not.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - The reigning Miss United States of America (USA) Noelia Voigt has resigned her title, making the decision on mental health grounds.

Ms Voigt, who won the competition in September 2023, said she believed in making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health.

Never compromise your physical and mental wellbeing, she wrote on Instagram. Our health is our wealth.

The 24-year-old Venezuelan-American, of Utah, said that she hoped to continue to inspire others while starting a new chapter in life.

Prioritise your mental health, advocate for yourself and others by using your voice and never be afraid of what the future holds, even if it feels uncertain, Ms Voigt said.

She expressed her gratitude for her nine months as Miss USA, which she said gave her a platform  to make a difference as well as realise a lifelong dream and meet people all over the world.

Miss USA in a statement thanked Ms Voigt and said on Instagram that the well-being of our titleholders is a top priority.

The organisation said it was reviewing plans for the transition of responsibilities to a successor.




Wednesday, May 8, 2024  Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga seems to have gone back to his usual self.

After a scathing attack on President William Ruto and his inept government last week, Raila has vowed to take his threats a notch higher.

This is after he threatened to go back to the streets if Ruto doesn't resolve the ongoing doctors strike.

Addressing the press in Nairobi, Raila, through Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Kenya Kwanza government to resolve the doctors' strike.

Kalonzo urged the government to take advantage of the 48-hour window given by the courts and immediately reach an agreement with doctors.

According to Kalonzo, if the government were to fail in heeding their demands, Azimio would mobilise Kenyans into nationwide demonstrations.

"We, ask the Kenya Kwanza regime to take advantage of the 48-hour window given by the courts and immediately reach an agreement with doctors that will see a resumption of normalcy in public hospitals," Kalonzo stated.

"Failure to which, we shall mobilize the public and other unions to join in a national strife," he added.

Azimio in its statement noted despite efforts by the doctors to end the strike, the Opposition was yet to witness a commitment from the government to do the same.

In regards to the ongoing floods, Railas team demanded that the government declare floods a national disaster and further hike the monetary allocation for the affected families from Ksh1 billion to Ksh7 billion.

Ruto was also accused of forcefully ordering the eviction of affected families from their homes without providing alternative shelter.

In particular, the government was accused of instigating forceful evictions that led to the death of a young boy who was killed by a bulldozer in the Mathare area of Nairobi.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - The body of prominent Sagana businessman Samuel Kamau Kagwanja is yet to be retrieved after his vehicle plunged into river Sagana.

The 41-year-old businessman who runs the famous Chakaka Hotel located along the Nairobi-Sagana highway was driving home in his Nissan Double Cabin vehicle at night while coming from a drinking spree when his vehicle plunged into the flooded river.

Kamau reportedly lost control of his vehicle, veered off the Sagana Bridge, and plunged into the river.

His body and vehicle are yet to be recovered, six days after the tragedy.

Kamaus close friend, Njoroge Mwangi alias Buzeki, revealed details of their conversation before the tragedy.

Mwangi called Kamau to enquire about their planned meeting.

He heard him scream over the phone and calling God three times before his phone went off.

Kenya Defence Forces Disaster Response Battalion officers were deployed to search for his body and the vehicle.

However, they stopped the search operation citing strong currents in the river.

The river is also very deep.









Watch the report courtesy of Kameme TV.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - New details have emerged regarding the events preceding the collapse of the Uthiru building that housed 34 tenants.

The landlady, as well as the tenants, had noticed cracks in the building earlier in the day on Tuesday but the first engineer assessed the building and claimed that it was safe.

In a message the landlady later sent to the tenants' WhatsApp Group, she expressed worry that the heavy rains had affected backfilling soil sipping into the floor.

"Hi All. Engineer Chege has been and inspected the building. He stated that the building structure is safe. Due to the heavy rainfall, backfilling soil has soaked through, thus the floor breakage," read the message in part.

"I am concerned for all of us and I would not wish for anything wrong with our building. Please dont hesitate to call me if you have any concerns."

Shortly after, the landlady informed the tenants that she had enlisted the services of another engineer for a second opinion over the safety of the storey building.

"Ive booked another engineer to give us a second opinion. He will be here at 8 am (on Wednesday)," she added.

The four-storey building, located along Naivasha Road in Nairobi, collapsed at around 8: 00 pm. Fortunately, no life was lost.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - It is now confirmed that flashy Keroche Heiress Anerlisa Muigai got engaged to shady businessman Joe Kariuki, who was jailed in Tanzania for two years after defrauding a businessman of Ksh 13.3 million.

Anerlisa and Joe got engaged in March this year in a lavish ceremony attended by prominent female politicians.

A photo of Anerlisa alongside her fiance and mother at a function has surfaced.

She posted the photo on her Instagram stories and captioned it, Mum sometimes.

The photo was accompanied by laugh emojis.

Anerlisas love life has always been controversial.

Some time back, she dated flashy gold fraudster Ben Kangangi.

Kangangi convinced her to loan him Ksh 7 million and then dumped her.

Most of the men that Anerlisa dates end up heartbreaking her.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - Social media app, TikTok on Tuesday, May 7, sued to block a new US law that could force a nationwide ban of the popular app.

Tiktok's move comes after legal threats the company issued after US President Joe Biden signed the legislation last month.

The lawsuit sets up a historic legal battle, one that will determine whether US security concerns about TikToks links to China will be more important than the First Amendment rights of TikToks 170 million US users.

If TikTok loses the case, the company could be banned from US app stores unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the app to a non-Chinese entity by mid-January 2025.

In its petition filed at the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, TikTok and Bytedance allege the new law is unconstitutional because it stifles Americans speech and prevents them from accessing lawful information.

The petition claims the US government has taken the unprecedented step of expressly singling out and banning the short-form video app in an unconstitutional exercise of congressional power.

For the first time in history, the petition said, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban, and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than 1 billion people worldwide.

The lawsuit comes after years of US allegations that TikToks ties to China could expose Americans personal information to the Chinese government.

TikTok has strongly denied that it has ever given Chinese government officials access to US user data and says it has taken steps to protect that information by hosting the data on servers owned by US tech giant Oracle.

TikTok and ByteDance called the national security fears at the heart of the TikTok legislation speculative and analytically flawed, adding in the petition that the bills swift passage reflects how its congressional authors relied on speculation, not evidence, as the First Amendment requires, to make their case.

The US government has not publicly presented any concrete evidence showing Chinese government access of TikTok data to date but US lawmakers have received classified briefings by national security officials behind closed doors.








Wednesday, May 8, 2024  Former Prime Minister Raila Odingas Azimio has today issued a shocking statement regarding the death of former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Francis Ogolla.

Addressing the press in Nairobi, Raila, through Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka, demanded an immediate investigation into the cause of death of General Ogolla, saying his death may not have been an accident after all.

According to Azimio, Ogolla's death could be connected to sinister political machinations.

This comes even after his son, Joel, already ruled General Ogollas death as an accident that the government of President William Ruto had nothing to do with.

During Ogollas burial last month, Joel clashed with Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, who told him off for ruling the death as an accident even before investigations could be done.

Oburu demanded thorough investigations into Ogollas plane crash to prevent further mysterious deaths.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki has assured Kenyans that the government is about to resolve the murder of Meru-based blogger, Daniel Muthiani Bernard alias Sniper.

Appearing before the senate on Wednesday, Kindiki said the state has a water-tight case against five suspects in custody over the murder of Sniper.

He said the crime is complicated and the investigative agencies are looking at other possible participants.

The CS noted that for the five suspects already in custody, the state has a solid case against them.

"Honourable Speaker, investigations were commenced immediately after the report was made, and from the foregoing, it is not true that there has been a delay in investigations.

"What there has been is that we believe this is a very complicated crime," Kindiki said.

"There could have been other people beyond the five who may have been responsible but we are yet to establish any direct or circumstantial evidence to open additional charges for any additional people.

"For the five we have a watertight murder case against the five."

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - The White House has disclosed why the US halted the shipment of bombs to Israel last week.

Last week reports emerged that the US President Joe Bidens administration asked for the pause of a bomb shipment to Israel, which consisted of 1,800 2,000lb (907kg) bombs and 1,700 500lb bombs despite the US' proclaimed unwavering support to Israel.

But now, a White House official has come out to say that the pause was based on the unresolved issues of the humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah, southern Gaza.

The official said Israel has not fully addressed the US concerns on the plight of the people of Rafah, according to BBC.

On Monday Israel sent tanks to Rafah to begin a major ground operation and seized some key crossing areas even as Hamas accepts ceasefire deals brokered in Egypt.

Rafah has been a key entry point for aid and the only exit for people able to flee since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas last October.

The US position has been that Israel should not launch a major ground operation in Rafah, where more than a million people are sheltering with nowhere else to go, the White House administration official said according to the BBC.

We have been engaging in a dialogue with Israel in our Strategic Consultative Group format on how they will meet the humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah, and how to operate differently against Hamas there than they have elsewhere in Gaza.

Those discussions are ongoing and have not fully addressed our concerns. As Israeli leaders seemed to approach a decision point on such an operation, we began to carefully review proposed transfers of particular weapons to Israel that might be used in Rafah. This began in April.

As a result of that review, we have paused one shipment of weapons last week. It consists of 1,800 2,000lb bombs and 1,700 500lb bombs. We are especially focused on the end-use of the 2,000-lb bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza. We have not made a final determination on how to proceed with this shipment.

The unnamed official added, For certain other cases at the State Department, including JDAM [Joint Direct Attack Munition] kits, we are continuing the review. None of these cases involve imminent transfers  they are about future transfers.

The official said that the shipments were unrelated to last months landmark $17 billion military aid package, but had been drawn from previously appropriated funds.

Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza to destroy Hamas in response to the groups cross-border attack on southern Israel on 7 October, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others were taken hostage.

More than 34,780 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territorys Hamas-run health ministry.
Health care in the United States is in a state of turmoil. Many Americans are struggling to pay for health care. Even if they have health insurance, many have to pay high out-of-pocket copayments and, in the end, feel that what they do pay for is not worth the cost.

As a result of the COVID pandemic, many health care workers faced mounting mental health crises from burnout, physical and mental harassment, and lack of support from employers. This was reported by the Centers for Disease Control on November 3, 2023.

In addition, the ever-increasing assignment of administrative burdens, inadequate support in medical practices and health systems to lessen obstacles in day-to-day tasks, circulation of misinformation on social media, and political attacks on the value of medical science have all had a profound effect on the practice of medicine. The reduction of medical reimbursements from the government and third-party interference from pharmaceutical and insurance companies have further complicated the situation. All these factors have contributed to the dissolution of the patient-physician relationship and health care as we once knew it.

Many physicians and nurses have taken early retirement or left their professions for less stressful positions. As a result, the United States is experiencing a shortage of both primary care physicians and nurses. The shortage of physicians is also extending into some specialty areas, resulting in several-month wait times to secure an appointment slot. This has caused people who need medical care to crowd into emergency departments, impeding the care of those with serious illnesses.

I would like to have a straightforward talk with those considering entering medical school, those who will soon be entering residency programs, or those family medicine physicians who have been in the field for a while. In a few words, we, your patients, need you; our very lives depend on it!

As patients, we assume you have the academic credentials for admission into medical school and to secure your Doctor of Medicine degree. However, being a great primary care physician takes more than receiving good grades. It takes heart and compassion for the job.

Throughout your professional career, you will deliver difficult and life-changing diagnoses such as cancer, miscarriage, and autoimmune diseases for which there are no cures. Will you look at the computer screen as you say the words, or will you look into the eyes of your patient with concern and empathy?

Will you be there to walk beside your patient, as a partner, in helping him/her improve their health? Are you ready and willing to educate your patients so that potential illness/disease can be prevented, supplying both information and encouragement?

Are you using the full scope of your medical education and training to determine the root cause of your patients health issue? Or are you sending your patient off to an assortment of specialists who order numerous tests when you could have done the job yourself, saving your patient excess stress, anxiety, and financial hardship?

Are you willing to see your patient as more than charts and numbers on Epic? Can you see them as someone who has a family who loves them dearly or, at the other extreme, has no one who cares whether they live or die besides you?

Do you view this job as a calling? Does this mean that you not only talk the talk but, more importantly, walk the walk? With the burdens and stresses of the job, if your commitment isnt a strong one, your resolve will suffer, and you will be looking for a way out. This affects not only you but also your patients, who have come to trust in you.

This profession is not for the faint of heart. There will be joy, and there will be sadness. There will be times when you feel no one hears you or cares how difficult your job is. Over the years, as a patient, I have seen physicians who are truly committed to their patients and, at the same time, can balance their professional and personal lives. In these times of corporate health systems, this is not an easy task. Much of your daily routines are dictated by those who sit in board rooms rather than exam rooms. Those individuals who can achieve this delicate balance can draw satisfaction from the relationships and trust they have built with their patients and colleagues.

As patients, we appreciate primary care physicians who are genuinely committed to helping us lead healthier lives. We understand the dedication and challenges that come with this profession. However, we need assurance that we wont be seeing a new face at our next appointment, especially when we have already established a level of trust and comfort with our current physician.

If I had a magic wand and could eliminate all the intrusive interference that harms the doctor-patient relationship, I would have used it many times. Unfortunately, that only exists in fairy tales. Until then, both patients and physicians must continue to speak out and have their concerns addressed. Silence and inaction have only led to the practice of medicine being placed in bondage. The chains must be broken: Lives depend upon it.

Michele Luckenbaugh is a patient advocate.
The High Court in Kampala has set free a 75-year old man, Ssozi Godfrey after he asked for forgiveness and pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated defilement of his neighbors 7-year old child.

The frail Mzee Ssozi who was unable to walk and was just carried to court by his fellow inmate asked High Court Judge Margaret Mutonyi to have mercy on him and release him to go and spend his last days at home.

Court documents show that Ssozi suffers from HIV/AIDs.

Justice Muntonyi has been lenient enough to sentence Mzee Sozi to time spent on remand which is three years having been jailed in November 2021 at the age of 72 years.

Mzee Ssozi also promised the judge never to have sexually assault any other underage girl.

Both Godfrey Ssozi and his colleague, Sam Nyeba were defilement suspects on remand for three years and they were released on the same day after confessing and apologizing for their wrong doing.

I request for forgiveness and I apologize for the wrongdoing. But my prayer has always been that I be released and be allowed to spend my last days on earth in the hands of my relatives and at home, said Ssozi, an HIV patient.

They made their separate confessions before the same Judge Mutonyi who is presiding over the ongoing criminal session in Kampala.

Mzee Ssozi, a resident of Bulenga B Village in Wakiso District has been on remand since January 2021 following accusations of aggravated defilement until today when he has been convicted on his own volition but set free.

Court documents show that Ssozi confirmed having committed the offense while at the Local Council chairperson and asked for forgiveness before he was taken to police and subsequently charged in court.

Ssozis plea moved the presiding Judge Mutonyi to convict but set him free upon considering the three year remand period.

Justice Mutonyi held: This court hereby releases the convict (Ssozi) based on the ill-health because he is admitted at Luzira Murchison Bay Hospital. He cannot walk by himself without support. Both the convict (Ssozi) and the mother of the victim have reconciled after apologizing and being forgiven.

Court documents further indicate that Ssozi was found with the victim at the scene which led to his arrest by residents and taken to the area local council one chairperson where he (Ssozi ) asked forgiveness with the victim confirming that it was not the first time having sexual intercourse with him.

Justice Mutonyi also set free Nyeba and cautioned him against committing more offenses including claiming for the girl for whom he was imprisoned.

The judge said: I have released you but do not go back to look for the girl (victim). Do not reclaim the girl despite being of age saying that she is your wife who led to your imprisonment for three years. Do not fight because you will be imprisoned again.

According to court, Nyeba a resident of Lubyakiro Village in Wakiso District was accused of performing sexual acts with a 17 year old girl with him they had eloped.

Court records show that Nyeba was first charged with the offense of trafficking in persons which was later dropped and substituted with simple defilement for which he has been battling with.

However, when appeared before the judge, the 25-year old pleaded for forgiveness.

Court heard that on October 15 2020, Nyeba defiled a 17 year old girl after the victim disappeared from her home for a full week.

Juliet Kigongo Contributed.
Felix Ayinebyoona

Babies born on May 10, the first day of the 2024 National Housing and Population Census exercise will not be counted.

According to Dr. Albert Byamugisha, the Chairperson Board of Directors at Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the reference night for the people who will be counted is Thursday and anybody born on Friday will not be counted.

Dr Byamugisha was addressing LCIs and LCIIs of Mbarara City to assess their preparedness for the census exercise that kicks off on Friday.

Meanwhile, Francis Basiime, the Chairperson Kiswahili Cell in Mbarara City South division who doubles as chairperson of all LCs in Mbarara City says they are ready to assist the enumerators to ensure accuracy of data.

The 2024 National Housing and Population Census is set to run from May 10th-19th, with the first day gazetted as a public holiday.
The opposition Democratic Party (DP) has expressed concern about the governments strategy for managing the aftermath of disasters rather than the management of their actual causes.

On Thursday last week, the western districts of Kasese and Bunyangabu experienced heavy rainfall which lasted over four hours, causing devastating mudslides that claimed the lives of 8 people, while scores of others were displaced and several crop fields were submerged due to flash floods.

DPs acting spokesperson Ismail Kirya says over the years hundreds of people have died and property destroyed but there still seems to be no clear strategy for prevention or support for those affected by disasters.

The National Police for Disaster Preparedness and Management under the Office of the Prime Minister

details the mechanisms and structures aimed at effective management of disasters including: vulnerability assessments, mitigation, preparedness, and response and recovery.

However, Kirya says its not enough to simply have a policy. He says parliament should come up with a supplementary budget to bail out all these people displaced and those who have lost their crops in last weeks tragedy.

If I lose a dear one in a disaster the government should have a package for us or if I am displaced, it should be clear what I get, Kirya said.

However he calls upon everyone to protect all wetlands and government should be an example, because there is no way government will chase people from wetlands when its leading in destroying them through giving them to investors.
A group of Software Developers in Uganda wants the government to invest more in training of software engineers to bridge the current skills shortage.

Their effort is being driven by the 2020 Google Developer survey, which showed that Africa is home to a staggering 700,000 developers, with Uganda accounting for 11,003, Kenya for 58,175, Nigeria for 83,609, and South Africa for 118,541.

The group led by the Executive Director of the Refectory Company Micheal Niyetegyeka while briefing the media about the upcoming Uganda Developer Summit at the National ICT Innovation Hub -Nakawa on Tuesday, explained the growing interest in software development in Uganda, saying it is easy to set up a software industry compared to establishing an infrastructure company.

Niyetegyeka urged the government to focus on attracting investors in this industry to skill more youth in software development and inspire them to contribute to the global demand for skilled software engineers, we see the software industry as a low handling fruit for the Ugandan talent, so to set up a software company in uganda is not as complicated as setting up an infrastructure company.Niyetegyeka said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the ICT Association of Uganda Gideon Nkurunungi revealed that their target is to contribute 9% to the countrys economy, up from the current 7%.
A section of dissatisfied traders has vowed to close their businesses again over what they call unfair implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing system (EFRIS) by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

This follows their much-anticipated meeting with president Museveni yesterday at Kololo Independence Grounds, during which many had hoped to have their grievances addressed.

Some of the concerns they had earlier raised included corruption allegations against URA officials, over and double taxation, among others.

Specifically, the chairperson of the Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA), Mr. John Kabanda decried the high and unfavourable taxes imposed on them by URA.

However, the president said he did not see any form of double taxation as claimed by the traders. I dont see any double taxation here. You only pay once. And you dont pay what the other one has already paid, and I protects our factories. Now what you should study with your leaders and the tax people is what you said about EFRIS, he said.

According to the president, the policy of government on taxes is quite deliberate and they normally do not tax what builds Uganda and if they do, they impose a smaller tax. He encouraged the traders to instead embrace exporting locally manufactured products.

When we came from the bush, there was a tax on export in coffee, it was called coffee export tax, we abolished that tax. Theres no tax on the export of coffee or any other product which is sold outside and yet when NRM came into government that was the main source of tax. Show me just one tax on a Ugandan product, he said.

However, speaking to KFM, Kabanda said that they were not satisfied with the outcomes of yesterdays meeting because they expected the president to call off implementation of the controversial EFRIS.

they are going to meet as Traders and plan on the way forward, we need mindset change because that problem started sometime ago but we are trying to work on it and we have worked on it because it is not as it used to be but with time in know we are going to improve.Kabanda added.

Kabanda also requested the president to meet them annually for constructive interactions regarding their businesses.

In response, the president promised to hold another meeting with the traders on June 20, 2024 to give them a concrete Action Plan.
Fianna Fail councillor for Kilkenny City, John Coonan is calling on the public to be more mindful when parking near the local branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) on the College Road.

According to Cllr Coonan, the entrance and exit to the Irish Wheelchair Association premises are consistently blocked, posing serious risks to their buses, staff and members, and the local councillor believes immediate action is 'crucial' to ensure the safety and accessibility of the area.

"I've initiated discussions with the council for a comprehensive review of the parking situation in the vicinity and proposed solutions. However, immediate action is needed to ensure safety," he said.

"I am urging parents of nearby schools and anyone parking in the area to be mindful not to block this crucial entrance and exit," Cllr Coonan commented.

"Lets prioritise safety and accessibility for all members of our community," he added.

Parking has dominated local headlines over the past number of months with parking availability and charges causing much anger amongst the Kilkenny public.

Although not directly impacted by parking charges, the College Road location continues to feel the pressure of traffic congestion, especially around school opening and closing times as students and parent park their vehicles in the vicinity of the nearby secondary school, adding to congestion for road users visiting the city centre.

Cllr Coonan has urged any person who spots illegal parking to contact Kilkenny County Council parking management on 056- 7794000.

FOR MORE CITY NEWS, CLICK HERE
The Heraald reports:

NYU Stern Professor of Marketing Scott Galloway practices what he preaches. The prolific podcaster and Algebra of Wealth author has founded a string of tech, branding and education start-ups, which have pushed his estimated wealth to over $100 million. The Herald asked him for his verdict on New Zealands mobile phones-in-schools ban.

The ban kicked in this week and covers breaks and class time, as per Nationals campaign pledge.

Will it be good for students?

There are probably some apps and some tech that they wont be as apt at, Galloway said.

But on balance, I think its a fantastic idea. New Zealand gets it right again. (The academic and entrepreneur was also a fan of NZs move to ban most semi-automatic weapons after the Christchurch Mosque massacres.)

Im friends with and colleagues with Jonathan Haidt, who catalysed this global movement. Its inspiring to think that, in academia, we might occasionally get it right and have an impact, Galloway added.

Haidt  also a professor at New York University  is a social psychologist and author of a seminal 2019 essay called Get phones out of schools now  which associated a rise in teen anxiety and depression with the use of mobiles in schools.

Getting students attention was harder because they seemed permanently distracted and congenitally distractible. Drama, conflict, bullying, and scandal played out continually during the school day on platforms to which the staff had no access, Haidt wrote after talking to teachers and principals.

Many schools wanted bans but feared push-back from helicopter parents.

Galloway said he liked to think his colleagues work helped to inspire New Zealands move.

He added, It just makes sense. A 13-year-old girl doesnt need the high school cafeteria following around 24-7. Look at whats happened to teen depression and suicide. The moment it started escalating it was when social went on mobile.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
The Georgia Court of Appeals will consider an effort by Donald Trump and his co-defendants to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis from the 2020 election subversion case.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds a news conference at the NATO headquarters on April 4 in Brussels, Belgium.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially during the evening. Low 52F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially during the evening. Low 52F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly late. Low 53F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly late. Low 53F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
ADOR and HYBE are confirmed to proceed with the board of directors meeting.

Read more to learn further details.

ADOR, HYBE To Initiate Board Of Directors Meeting

The meeting between the board of directors is about to take place.

On May 7, Korean news outlets reported that ADOR had notified HYBE regarding the board of directors meeting. Sources state that ADOR will hold a board meeting on May 10, in Seoul, which will include ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, Vice President Shin, and Creative Director Kim.

Shin & Kim Law Firm, ADOR's legal representative, also shared that the company will also spearhead a meeting between general shareholders by the end of May.

"As prescribed, the board of directors will be held on May 10 and the general shareholders meeting will be held by the end of May," the law firm stated. "We will give additional information to the court by May 13."

Earlier on April 29, Min Hee Jin denied the board of directors meeting amid ADOR and HYBE's ongoing feud. K-media revealed that the CEO claimed that it was illegal for HYBE to change ADOR's officials and assign replacements.

Min Hee Jin also shared that the meeting was declined since the convention of the audited board of directors was unlawful, as well as outside of HYBE's legal boundaries. However, HYBE already had filed a call for a meeting between shareholders in the event of such cancellation.

If approved by the court, the emergency meeting will discuss the dismissal of Min Hee Jin as ADOR CEO, and at the same time, replace the company's current roster of board members.

HYBE also released a brief statement, which drew frustration towards Min Hee Jin's non-compliance with the meeting. The multi-label also shared that the auditor (HYBE), has complete authority to audit the performances of directors and officially convene a meeting.

On April 25, HYBE uploaded a statement announcing their plans to formally accuse Min Hee Jin, alongside her affiliates, of breach of trust. The company shared that credible proof has been found in the audit results, which relayed Min Hee Jin's attempts to seize control of its management.

In one of the results presented by auditors, sources state that Min Hee Jin tried to usurp management by contacting outside investors. The interim report also shared specific details such as how to attack HYBE during the audit process.

According to the audit results, it claimed that the management team was commanded by Min Hee Jin, who attempted to find ways to pressure HYBE into selling its ADOR shares.

This was trailed by exchanges of methods regarding contract termination with the artists, as well as Min Hee Jin and HYBE. Park Ji Won, CEO of HYBE, also apologized to everyone who was affected by the conflict.

What are your thoughts on the update? Let us know in the comments below!

For more intriguing K-pop news and exciting updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Min Hee Jin Reportedly Declines HYBE's Board of Directors Meeting - Here's What Happened

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Israel Monte
During a teaser for an upcoming variety show appearance, Cha Eunwoo was seen shedding tears as he mentions the late Moonbin, a fellow member of ASTRO.

In April 2023, the K-pop community was left in shock after it was reporter that Moonbin was found dead in his home at Ganganm-gu, Seoul, after failing to show up at rehearsals. The idol was found by his manager, who came to check on him.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: K-pop's Newest Heartthrob? THIS Idol's Resemblance to Cha Eun Woo Sets Social Media Ablaze

Following an investigation, it was reported that no signs of foul play were found in relation to his death, leading many to assume he took his own life. He was only 25 years old at the time of his death.

Ever since his death, the ASTRO members have done everything they can to share their love for Moonbin and his family. Most recently, the members were seen supporting Moonbin's younger sister, Moon Sua, at their concert back on May 4.

!!!    

 !!!        # # pic.twitter.com/aWIFhjBd7W  ASTRO  (@offclASTRO) May 4, 2024

FOR MORE INFORMATION: ASTRO Members Support Moon Sua In Billlie's 1st Fan Concert - And AROHAs, Belllie'ves Are Emotional

Back in January, Cha Eunwoo released a cover of "Love is Gone" by Slander and dedicated the cover to Moonbin. In the description box of the video, he also penned a letter for the late ASTRO member.

Now, the idol was seen tearing up as he mentioned Moonbin.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: 15 Most Popular K-pop Idols In April 2024: ASTRO Cha Eun Woo, BLACKPINK Jennie, More!

On May 8, 2024, a preview video for "You Quiz on the Block" was uploaded to their official channel, introducing Cha Eunwoo as their latest guest. During the video, Cha Eunwoo revealed his past aspirations, revealing he wanted to be a teacher, professor, or doctor.

Yoo Jae Suk stated that no matter what career he would have chosen, he would still appear on the show. Cha Eunwoo agreed and laughed, then pretended to act like a teacher and a doctor.

CHECK THIS OUT: Top 25 K-pop Songs Released In March 2024: 'Lucky,' 'FRI(END)S,' 'Wish You Hell,' More!

However, the pleasant mood did not last. Later on in the teaser, Cha Eunwoo is seen shedding tears, saying, "I think this is the reason why I felt nervous appearing on 'You Quiz.'"

The idol-actor continued, saying, "Last year, there was a..." He then went silent, unable to speak. It is believed he is alluding to Moonbin's death in 2023.

FOR YOU: Top 15 K-pop Male Dancers Of 2024 Ranked By Fans - Who Slayed Most?

After holding back tears, Cha Eunwoo tried to continue, saying, "Oh my... I should say what I want to say. I've been wanting to say this so badly."

The new episode of tvN's "You Quiz on the Block" will air on May 8, 2024, at 8:45 PM.

ALSO READ: 5 K-Pop Idols Who Own Luxurious Houses: BLACKPINK Lisa, BTS Jungkook, MORE!

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

KpopStarz Owns This

Written by Alexa Lopez
In the world of K-pop, idols are adored and idolized by millions worldwide. However, a recent incident involving RIIZE's Anton has sparked controversy and outrage among fans.

Despite his young age, Anton has captivated audiences with his talent and charisma on stage, earning him a dedicated fanbase.

A video circulating online captured the moment when a fan held up a sign at a recent RIIZE concert that read:

anton rejecting a fan when she asked him to marry her lmfao  pic.twitter.com/Bgxqf8SXte   (@daintoiny) May 8, 2024

"Anton daddy, marry me."

The seemingly innocent gesture quickly turned heads, with many expressing their discomfort and disapproval of the message directed at the 20-year-old idol.

Upon seeing the sign, Anton's reaction was serious as he shook his head in response. While some praised the idol for his handling of the situation, others condemned the inappropriate nature of the sign, particularly considering Anton's young age.

Many fans emphasized that such behavior not only makes idols uncomfortable but also takes advantage of their vulnerability during public appearances.

some of you are so embarrassing what the hell is that sign https://t.co/siPlQDhTMH May 8, 2024

This is just weird. I really hope these fans can respect idols by not being weird. Calling someone that word is also weird, I hope fans who are like this can stop using their weird fetishs towards idols, and respect their boundaries instead. https://t.co/zVL5Hgdd9o  orbitzen (@winwincatluver) May 8, 2024

I think ppl need to understand that many idols dont like being called daddy, ESPECIALLY from a fluent english speaker born and raised in america https://t.co/fjHe0eyPF3  eImada  (@babyIoner) May 8, 2024

calling a freshly turned 20 y/o boy that word publicly. y'all have no moral or shame whatsoever idgaf if you're the same age as him why would you pay to make your idol uncomfortable? https://t.co/TDuVnv19cR pic.twitter.com/dLClEie8eD May 8, 2024

riize finally putting the boo heejoo freaks in their places who else cheered https://t.co/qI7eAxFLHU  mj (@subakluver) May 8, 2024

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: Did Anton Hint at OT7 RIIZE? Here's What Happened

Speaking out against the incident, one netizen remarked, "Some of you are so embarrassing..." highlighting the discomfort felt by many within the fan community.

In a world where fan-idol interactions are cherished, instances like these serve as reminders of the boundaries that should be respected. Despite the admiration fans hold for their idols, it's essential to maintain a level of respect and consideration for their personal boundaries.

In recent news, RIIZE member Anton is under fire for his perceived lack of skills in dancing and singing, which intensified following leaked dating rumors. A photo of Anton holding hands with a girl surfaced online, leading to backlash given his status as a rookie in RIIZE.

Criticism mounted on March 14 when a post titled "Anton is f*cking bad" gained traction on a South Korean online forum, with users questioning his debut in light of his abilities.

Many echoed the sentiment that Anton's performance lacks variety, with some comparing him unfavorably to lower-tier trainees from popular talent shows. Some comments even suggested that ordinary individuals could outperform him. This controversy emerged amidst RIIZE's recent successes, including their single "Love 119" earning them their first music program wins and their Japanese debut.

YOU MIGHT BE ALSO INTERESTED IN: RIIZE Anton Younger Brother Garners Attention: 'Please debut...'

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.
Times Staff Writer

It was only 50 or so years ago that critics and intellectuals were busy constructing -- and redrawing, and shoring up -- hierarchies about what kinds of culture were good for us and which ones were bad.  Literary man Dwight Macdonald wrote a famous essay about Masscult and Midcult -- both, he said, were degrading real, traditional High Culture. Art critic Clement Greenberg, in an influential essay about modern painting, looked at Avant-garde and Kitsch, championing the former as essential to the human spirit and denouncing the latter as tinder for a fascist revolution.  But judging from my recent conversations with a handful of literary and intellectual types -- the heirs, you could say, to the Macdonald/Greenberg tradition -- we live, today, in a pleasingly hierarchy-free, almost utopian cultural world. Most people I know share my disparate taste, enjoying South Park alongside Franz Schubert, the crisply plotted novels of James M. Cain as well as the philosophically searching films of Antonioni.

Do guilt or shame still play a role in shaping peoples taste? The answer was a unanimous no. What I found instead when I asked my posse what culture they were consuming this summer was a sense of good feeling, an expectation of openness -- a lack of angst all around. (Writer Michael Chabon, whom I interview on Page F9, even said he hates the very phrase guilty pleasure.)

My reading in general is kind of heavy and pretentious, said New Yorker classical music critic Alex Ross, who favors modernist literary masterpieces. But when I go to the movies, I love to see bloated Hollywood blockbusters. I never worry too much about the category that those experiences fall into.

Advertisement

Ill probably go see Hellboy II,  said the unimpeachably smart Salon book critic Laura Miller. I like to see popcorn movies in the theater.

Pico Iyer, the eminent Japan-and-California-based travel writer, told me: One highlight of recent summers for me was Nacho Libre; I saw it in a packed house on opening night and subsequently hurried to see it again, so carried away was I by Jack Blacks impromptu hymn. Like a true 21st century man, Iyer likes to mix it up: This summer, his favorite has been 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, a grim Romanian art-house film (now on DVD) unlikely to be remade with Jack Black.

Not that it matters. To me, high and low, guilt and innocence, masscult and midcult are as out of date now as East and West and old and new, said Iyer, who thinks globalism and the Internet have shuffled all the decks. Many of the more interesting artists today, from a Salman Rushdie to a Sigur Ros, blur the distinctions in all kinds of ways til we dont know, exhilaratingly, if were being elevated or entertained.

Advertisement

Miller was more sober but no less decisive: There are still some people who are snobs about it, she said. But they are so few and they dont have much influence on anyone but other snobs.

Fast-tracked freedom

How THEN could this melting of the hierarchies have happened so quickly and so completely?

Ross thinks his own listening -- from Messiaen to Missy Elliott to Miles Davis -- is pretty typical these days. The most natural state is to have this curiosity and openness, he said, describing a deep-seated American impulse. It was only in the 20th century when people really tried to organize and divide different art forms off from each other.

Ross is fond of a scene that begins Lawrence Levines Highbrow / Lowbrow, which describes Shakespeare performances on the 19th century American frontier. There were scrambled programs, Ross said, with a Rossini aria, then a vaudeville pianist, and then a movement from a string quartet, and then dancers, and then something from Shakespeare. That kind of mix, he said, is very deeply rooted culturally, and todays eclecticism is just a return to the way things were before culture became sacred.

Advertisement

Novelist and Los Angeles magazine film critic Steve Erickson thinks the ice broke more recently. Mass media, as much as anything else, has broken down the distinction between high and low, he said. One of the reasons the Beatles took over the world was they came along at a certain point on the timeline, when they could appear on The Ed Sullivan Show, show up in magazines and record songs that would play all over the world with a then-unheard-of speed. Thanks to their interest in classical and experimental music, they made strict highbrow / lowbrow divisions look creaky: With 1966s Revolver album alone, said Erickson, The Beatles obliterated those distinctions.

Other distinctions are melting away as well. Formerly uncool musicians -- psychedelic cowboy Lee Hazlewood, for instance, who died last summer -- have become very cool today because people have gone back to listen with fresh ears and without those cultural biases, Erickson said. Kids today can see something on YouTube and get into it without looking over their shoulder.

But its taken awhile for other perceived bastions of the culture to catch up. One of the areas that lags behind the rest of the culture is literature, Erickson said, with the New York Times perpetuating those high / low distinctions, in the attention it gives to realistic, purportedly literary fiction over genre works rooted in fantasy, horror or pulp traditions.

This may be, but Miller, who writes often for that hidebound Times, doesnt think literary types worry all that much about these categories. They dont even consider pulpy work a guilty pleasure anymore. I think most people are so proud of themselves for reading anything, she said, that they dont make a huge distinction between high and low.

Instead, they feel guilty about things that seem to them morally reprehensible or utterly mindless.

What people feel sheepish about is that they watch 24 and cant stop. . . . Its so politically repellent, but you cant stop watching. As opposed to something that is just fluff. If I read something like a chick-lit book, I dont think Id feel guilty. Who really feels guilty about fluff anymore?

Advertisement

Americans, she said, began to see reading as morally improving about the time radio and movies began to dominate leisure time, and the arrival of television in the 50s made reading seem more virtuous still. As reading has been moved aside by the Internet and everything else, its connection to virtue has only increased.

Restoring some value

Iwonder sometimes if we may have succeeded too well in getting rid of distinctions, though. Its hard for me to avoid a low-grade worry that were losing our ability to recognize quality itself.

What we seem to have nowadays is more of a hierarchy of media, said Iyer, whereby, for example, dance, classical music, opera, and even theater and books, all of which commanded their own sections in Time magazine only a generation ago, are now regarded as lofty and remote subjects for only a handful of connoisseurs. Those pages, he said, are given over now to a Britney watch or extended investigations into the new iPhone.

Instead of feeling guilty about reading pulp novels, he said, we worry that weve become elitist if we go see chamber music or jazz. The culture as a whole seems to have decided which arts are elitist and which ones popular, and so made some people feel guilty to be watching European movies [otherwise known as art-house stuff] or to be reading novels not likely to be turned into screenplays.

Having some standards seems more and more important in a time when the traditional arts have lost a bit of their prestige, some of their audience, and all of their monopoly on perceived quality. As silly as the chaste, Victorian tones of the literary and high culture worlds could be in their heyday, we need a certain amount of seriousness in our lives. At least I do. If the marketplace is left entirely unfettered, well lose a lot of what we consider valuable -- not just J.S. Bach and John Coltrane but shows such as Deadwood and nonchain bookstores.

In California, among the least traditional of states, we have an unusual perch. For a long time, it has had a more flexible sense of what was valuable than Eastern elites did. But California became bound up in tyrannical ideas of hipness as well as a Cult of Now. The West Coast became a concept unto itself, Erickson said. And things that didnt conform to that were dismissed as passe.

Advertisement

The great 21st century work seems to me to merge this promiscuous blend of pop styles with a rigor and discipline that comes from the old-school approach to serious art. So I dont just mean, say, the exuberant, 1990s-style high / lowisms of Quentin Tarantino and Beck, whose films and music, respectively, are wonderful but driven by, lets face it, an adolescent sensibility. (Im leaving poignant, mature work such as Becks Sea Change and Tarantinos Jackie Brown out of this.)

What Im talking about -- what I hope the demise of rigid hierarchies is leading us to -- is a flowering of work that draws on the whole range of culture but with a genius of structure and sophistication as well: novels such as David Mitchells Cloud Atlas, from 2004, which merges a South Seas adventure story with a 70s-style corporate thriller with a science-fiction tale into an intricate whole, or Junot Diazs The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which rightly won this years Pulitzer Prize for its combination of trash-talking, comic book love and very serious Dominican history lesson.

Its what I expect to find when I see The Dark Knight, which, lets not forget, was made by Christopher Nolan, an outsider (and literature student) whose first masterpiece, Memento, was a bizarre personal vision made with very limited connections to the Hollywood mainstream.

Id dig those any time, any season.

--

scott.timberg@latimes.com
Drake is currently feuding with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar, but the Canadian rapper would have to put that feud on hold as his Toronto mansion was just attacked, leaving one of his security guards critically injured.

According to CP24, Toronto police have now taped off the rapper's mansion and have cordoned off the area which is located near Park Lane Circle and Post Road. Emergency crews were also called into the area after a shooting was reported there at around 2:09 AM. The attack was the one which led to the security guard being injured.

Police stated that the shots were fired from a vehicle that quickly fled the scene, making this a drive-by shooting. The shots hit the security guard, an adult male, and police noted his injuries were serious. They then later re-assessed his injuries as life-threatening soon after.

It is still unclear if Drake was inside his Toronto home during the time of the shooting, with police still not being able to release a description of the attackers. However, investigators say that they are currently reviewing the footage from nearby CCTV cameras and are already in contact with Drake and his team, who are cooperating with authorities.

It is still unclear if Kendrick Lamar, whom Drake is currently feuding with, is behind the attack. However, Lamar did reveal where Drake's Toronto mansion is located as the music video for his "Not Like Us" single featured a Google Maps image of Drake's Bridle Path mansion. Police are still investigating this angle.

"It is so early in the investigation that we don't have a motive at this time, Inspector Paul Krawczyk told reporters at the scene. Meanwhile, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow commented. "I hope the police will find the people that are violating the law and catch them."

READ MORE: Madonna Breaks Records with Massive Free Concert in Brazil That Drew 1.6 Million People

Drake Uninjured in the Mansion Attack But His Security Guard Needed Surgery

A representative for the former child actor and now Grammy-winning rapper has confirmed that Drake was not injured in the mansion attack but that representative also could not confirm if he was home when the incident happened in Toronto.

As for the security guard working for him, new details from authorities revealed that he "suffered a gunshot wound to the upper chest and was unconscious when officers arrived." A report noted that he underwent surgery in a nearby hospital soon after, according to Sky News.

Drake's Ongoing Beef with Kendrick Lamar

The attack on Drake's mansion has sparked theories that Kendrick Lamar may be involved, though police have said that while they are well aware of the feud, it is still too early to tell.

Drake has been feuding with Lamar for years and have been dissing each other on their rap songs for a while now. However, the feud just escalated with producer Metro Boomin and rapper Future's first joint album, "We Don't Trust You," on March 22, which called out many of the most popular rappers today, including Drake and Kendrick Lamar. J. Cole bowed out of the multi-way feud early with an apology, but the seething beef between Lamar and Drake only escalated, with the Canadian being called out for a rumored plastic surgery and rumored pedophilia.

Since "We Still Don't Trust You" came out, Drake and Lamar have come at each other with diss track after diss track and airing some dirty laundry in the process.

READ MORE: Taylor Swift Incident Helping Make Brazil Better Prepared for Heat Waves

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: The Drake and Kendrick Lamar Beef is Insane - Mogul Mail
The mayor of a major city in southern Brazil issued a heartfelt plea on Tuesday urging residents to adhere to water rationing regulations.

This call to action follows a catastrophic flood that has left approximately 80% of the population without access to running water, AP News reports.

The aftermath of the flooding has been grim, with at least 90 Brazil floods death toll and over 130 individuals missing.

In the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, rescue operations are in full swing to evacuate stranded individuals.

As the region braces for more rainfall, authorities are racing against time to reach those in need.

Porto Alegre, the capital city, finds itself virtually isolated, with key infrastructure like the airport and bus station shuttered due to rising floodwaters.

Amid the chaos, individuals like Maria Vitoria Jorge, a yoga teacher, are forced to make tough decisions.

With her apartment submerged and basic amenities inaccessible, she embarks on a journey to find temporary refuge for herself and her family.

Similarly, Adriano Hueck ventures into Brazil floods areas in a bid to salvage essential supplies, highlighting the resilience of communities in the face of adversity.

READ NEXT: Lula da Silva Calls for Emergency as Brazil Flood Deaths Reach 85, Dozens Missing

Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds

The situation on the ground paints a grim picture, with essential supplies like food and potable water running dangerously low.

Supermarkets in Porto Alegre witness long queues and depleted shelves as residents scramble to secure necessities, according to Reuters.

The scarcity extends beyond Porto Alegre, prompting neighboring states to mobilize relief efforts.

The inundation poses not only immediate threats but also long-term health risks.

Public health experts warn of potential outbreaks of diseases like dengue fever and leptospirosis as stagnant water becomes breeding grounds for pathogens.

Efforts to mitigate these risks are hindered by logistical challenges and overwhelmed healthcare systems.

Infrastructure Paralyzed

The Brazil floods wreak havoc on critical infrastructure, disrupting water and electricity services for millions.

In Porto Alegre alone, nearly half a million residents find themselves without power as utility companies prioritize safety measures in inundated areas.

Additionally, water treatment facilities face operational challenges, exacerbating the scarcity of clean water, Aljazeera noted.

The economic toll of the disaster is significant, with key facilities like the Porto Alegre airport forced to suspend operations indefinitely.

The closure of vital transportation hubs further compounds the challenges faced by residents and impedes relief efforts.

The intensity of the flooding is said to be the result of a combination of various climatic factors, according to experts including rising temperatures and humidity levels.

The impact of climate change exacerbates the vulnerability of regions like Rio Grande do Sul, increasing both the occurrence and strength of extreme weather phenomena.

As meteorological forecasts predict further rainfall, the specter of more extensive devastation looms large.

The impending cold front threatens to escalate the crisis, particularly in already beleaguered southern regions.

Despite the cessation of rainfall for the time being, the road to recovery remains fraught with challenges.

The flood-ravaged communities of southern Brazil are facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

As rescue efforts continue and relief supplies are mobilized, the resilience and solidarity of both residents and responders offer a glimmer of hope amid the devastation.

READ MORE: Death Toll in Brazil Floods Hits 78

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: What caused the deadly Brazil floods - From Business Standard
In a historic move, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) declared a transformative shift after 114 years by announcing its name change to Scouting America.

This rebranding, scheduled for February 8, 2025, on the organization's 115th anniversary, underscores its unwavering commitment to inclusivity and modernization.

BSA President and CEO Roger A. Krone emphasized that the name change reflects a natural evolution towards inclusivity, AP News reports.

The decision aims to ensure that all youth, regardless of gender, feel embraced and valued within the organization's framework.

With nearly 20% of its members being girls or young women, the rebrand aligns with the organization's mission to nurture ethical and moral values in America's youth.

The transition to Scouting America builds upon significant milestones in the organization's journey toward inclusivity.

Starting with the admission of gay youth in 2013 and the subsequent allowance of gay adult leaders in 2015, BSA further expanded its horizons by welcoming girls into its ranks in 2018.

Renaming the flagship Boy Scout program as Scouts BSA in 2019 marked a pivotal moment, enabling girls to pursue the esteemed rank of Eagle Scout.

Inaugural female Eagle Scout Selby Chipman highlighted the transformative impact of the program on her leadership skills.

With over 6,000 girls and young women achieving the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, Scouting America continues to empower future generations, irrespective of gender.

Bob Brady, Scoutmaster of an all-girls troop, emphasized the need for wider recognition of the organization's inclusive ethos, reflecting on his daughters' successful journeys to Eagle Scout.

READ NEXT: US Soldier Detained in Russia on Theft Allegations

Turning the Page on Turmoil

The rebranding initiative not only signals a shift towards inclusivity but also marks a pivotal moment in Boy Scouts of America's efforts to overcome challenges.

Following a tumultuous period marred by bankruptcy and a surge of sexual abuse claims, the organization embarked on a journey of renewal.

The establishment of a Victims Compensation Trust and the resolution of abuse claims underscore BSA's commitment to addressing past injustices and fostering a safer environment for all members.

Despite its rich history and tradition, BSA remains steadfast in its pursuit of innovation and relevance, according to CNN.

With a mission to equip young people with essential life skills and foster leadership development, Scouting America offers a diverse array of educational experiences beyond traditional camping activities.

The organization's resilience is evident in its enduring legacy, with over 130 million Americans having benefited from its programs since its inception in 1910.

Legacy of Leadership and Service

Scouting America's legacy is epitomized by the countless individuals who have attained the esteemed rank of Eagle Scout, Fox News noted.

From renowned figures like Neil Armstrong to everyday heroes, the Eagle Scout designation symbolizes a commitment to excellence, service, and leadership.

As the organization charts a new course under its rebranded identity, it remains rooted in the timeless values espoused by its founders.

The origins of Boy Scouts of America trace back to a serendipitous encounter in London in 1909, culminating in its official establishment on February 8, 1910.

Inspired by the altruism of a young boy scout, William Boyce envisioned a movement that would instill virtues of kindness, preparedness, and community service in American youth.

Over a century later, Scouting America continues to embody these principles, serving as a beacon of goodness and empowerment for generations to come.

READ MORE: Chicago Cinco de Mayo Parade Halted for Gang Violence, Gun Arrests Made

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Boy Scouts will change name to Scouting America in major rebrand - From Associated Press
The Jackson County Prosecutor, Jean Peters Baker, announced a second-degree murder charge against Ronnie Wiggs, a Missouri man, following the tragic death of his wife in a hospital.

Wiggs, 75, is accused of strangling his wife, Ellen Wiggs, 72, as she lay in her hospital bed, sparking a profound tragedy that has shaken the community, Fox News reports.

The distressing incident occurred at the CenterPoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri, where Ellen Wiggs had been admitted for a routine procedure related to her dialysis treatment.

On the evening of Friday, May 3, hospital staff responded to a "code blue" call, indicative of a life-threatening medical emergency.

Despite efforts to resuscitate her, Ellen Wiggs succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead the following morning.

READ NEXT: Missouri: Over 380K Signatures to Overturn Abortion Ban Submitted

Allegations of Intentional Harm

Investigations revealed disturbing details surrounding Ellen Wiggs' injuries, including bruising on her neck and a fresh wound on her throat.

Witnesses reported hearing a Missouri man confess to the chilling act, stating, "I did it, I killed her, I choked her."

Shocked medical personnel raised concerns that the injuries observed were inconsistent with life-saving measures, further deepening suspicions of foul play, according to the New York Times.

During police interrogation, Ronnie Wiggs confessed to the crime, citing financial and emotional distress as driving factors.

He admitted to attempting to strangle his wife on two previous occasions, underscoring a pattern of premeditation and escalating violence.

Wiggs expressed his inability to cope with mounting medical bills and the burdens of caregiving, shedding light on the tragic consequences of unchecked desperation.

Legal Ramifications and Societal Impact

Missouri man now faces a second-degree murder charge, with a bond set at $250,000.

If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison under Missouri law.

This instance highlights the serious repercussions of domestic violence and emphasizes the critical necessity for timely intervention and assistance for individuals facing mental health challenges and financial struggles.

The tragedy resonates against the backdrop of a nationwide crisis in medical debt, which affects millions of Americans each year.

Medical indebtedness has emerged as a leading cause of financial distress, often compelling individuals to make untenable choices between essential expenses.

The case of Ronnie Wiggs serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of healthcare affordability and accessibility, USA Today noted.

As legal proceedings unfold, advocates emphasize the need for comprehensive reforms to address systemic issues contributing to domestic violence and healthcare disparities.

Efforts to destigmatize mental health struggles and expand access to affordable care are paramount in preventing similar tragedies in the future.

Community support networks play an important role in offering assistance and resources to those in crisis.

The harrowing case of the Missouri man underscores the intersection of personal hardship, mental health challenges, and systemic inadequacies in the healthcare system.

As justice is sought for the victim and accountability demanded for the perpetrator, the broader societal implications serve as a catalyst for dialogue and action towards a more equitable and compassionate future.

READ MORE: New Mexico: Infant Found Alive, Suspect in Custody

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Woman killed by her husband at Kansas City area hospital - From KMBC 9
In its latest move to prevent the US government from banning its platform from the US completely, TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, filed a lawsuit that challenges the ban. The app was banned due to national security concerns, as China would effectively gain access to information from its users because it is owned by a Chinese company.

The lawsuit stated that the new law banning TikTok "vaguely paints its ownership of TikTok as a national security threat in order to circumvent the First Amendment," according to the Associated Press. Both ByteDance and TikTok argued that there is no evidence that the company poses a threat and called the law "obviously unconstitutional."

"For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban, and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than 1 billion people worldwide," the two companies asserted on the lawsuit.

President Joe Biden has already signed the bill into law as part of a larger foreign aid package as part of a larger foreign aid package. However, critics of the law argued that this type of action "would be expected from repressive regimes such as those in Iran and China."

The legal fight over TikTok is expected to be long and drawn out, and it could even end up before the US Supreme Court. However, should TikTok lose its case, the video-sharing social media platform must stop operating in the United States as early as next year.

The law would require ByteDance to sell TikTok to a US-approved buyer within nine months. If not, the platform would be banned. However, ByteDance has made it clear that it has no plans to sell the platform, and even if it wanted to sell the company, it would still require the Chinese government's blessing, which is not likely as well.

READ MORE: TikTok Ban: US Senators Look at Platform's Spying Potential

TikTok Already Losing Users Before Ban Was Even Signed Into Law

Even before the platform was banned by the US, many users have said that TikTok was "just not hitting like it used to" and was already starting to flop in the country.

"As TikTok faces a potential ban in the US, was the app already on its way out?" asked Kari Paul, a contributor for The Guardian, in an op-ed. She wrote that "the algorithm serves much less delight and serendipity than it used to" and that many agreed as the app has slowly been getting less and less used.

US Concerns Over Security Led to the TikTok Ban

US security experts, including FBI Director Christopher Wray, have repeatedly expressed their concerns regarding the app, with Wray telling Congress that he was "extremely concerned" the Chinese government could weaponize the data collected through TikTok.

While the platform maintains that the Chinese government does not get any of its US data, whistleblowers have previously stated otherwise, with the data from the US being sent to its servers back in China.

READ MORE: TikTok Ban: Influencers Scramble To Lobby Congress Against Banning Platform

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: TikTok Wages Legal Battle Against Biden BAN - The Hill
Renowned rapper Macklemore has made waves with his latest song, expressing support for the pro-Palestinian movement in the United States.

Titled "Hind's Hall," the track references the renaming of Hamilton Hall to honor a Palestinian child reportedly killed by Israeli forces.

In the song, Macklemore passionately advocates for peace and criticizes the Joe Biden Administration's support for Israel amid its conflict with Gaza.

Macklemore's Message

Macklemore new song, "Hind's Hall," slamming Joe Biden, takes a firm stance against Israel's actions in Gaza.

With lyrics condemning police intervention in student protests and accusing President Joe Biden of complicity, Macklemore doesn't hold back, USA Today reports.

He also challenges the music industry's silence on the issue and calls out the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism.

Notably, Macklemore has been vocal about his support for Palestine since the conflict began, emphasizing the need for peace and condemning violence on both sides.

READ NEXT: Arizona Bowl Secures Sponsorship from Snoop Dog's Gin & Juice

Macklemore's Political Stance

Known for his socially conscious music, Macklemore new song adds to his repertoire of politically charged songs.

In "Hind's Hall," he aligns himself with the pro-Palestinian movement, drawing attention to the ongoing protests at Columbia University and beyond.

His decision to donate all proceeds from the song to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency underscores his commitment to supporting Palestinian refugees, according to Fox News.

Macklemore's involvement reflects a growing trend of artists using their platform to address social and political issues.

Macklemore's song was inspired by the recent surge in pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses.

The renaming of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University symbolized the students' solidarity with Palestine and their demands for divestment from Israel.

The song's video includes footage from protests and highlights the voices of those advocating for justice.

Macklemore's lyrics challenge listeners to consider the human cost of the conflict and question their own stance on the issue.

Macklemore's "Hind's Hall" joins a long tradition of protest music in America.

From the abolitionist movement to the civil rights era and beyond, music has been a powerful tool for social change.

Macklemore's song follows in the footsteps of artists like Billie Holiday and Bob Dylan, using music to raise awareness and inspire action.

As protests continue to spread and the call for justice grows louder, Macklemore's song serves as a reminder of the power of music to unite and mobilize people for a cause.

By addressing complex political issues through his music, Macklemore is using his platform to amplify marginalized voices and advocate for change.

"Hind's Hall" is more than just a song; it's a call to action and a testament to the enduring power of music in the fight for justice.

Reactions to Macklemore's pro-Palestine song "Hind's Hall" are mainly positive, with former UN human rights official Craig Mokhiber praising it for its relevance and power, Time noted.

However, critics highlight Macklemore's past controversies and accuse him of benefiting from white privilege.

READ MORE: Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt Resigns Title Citing Mental Health Reasons

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: US rapper Macklemore releases track about college protests over Gaza | Al Jazeera Newsfeed - From Al Jazeera English
Construction of a planned 50,000-square-foot industrial site in Allentown will get a more than $1.1 million boost through an economic development pilot program championed by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Shapiro and state Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger were in Allentown on Wednesday to announce funding from the program called PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites).

The share for the Allentown site was part of $10.6 million in PA SITES funding that the governor and Siger detailed at a news conference.

The money will go to the Allentown Commercial and Industrial Development Authority to run utility extensions for water, sewer and natural gas from the existing city infrastructure about a half-mile to the proposed development site, the governors office said in a news release after the appearance.

The 6.5-acre site targeted to become shovel-ready through the investment is at 928 American Parkway.

Allentown Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Scott Unger said the AEDC plans to invest up to $12 million to prepare the property for an industrial use that could offer good-paying jobs, according to a report from lehighvalleynews.com.

The PA SITES pilot program started accepting applications in September 2023 for projects like the one in Allentown.

Last year, we launched a pilot program for site development through DCED, asked for applications, and made $10 million in grants available for developers and companies to begin that process, Shapiro said in a statement. These sites are key to growing our economy, creating more jobs and thriving communities, and helping Pennsylvania compete  and win.

The Allentown site was the only one selected in the Lehigh Valley.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.
Royal Caribbean is hiring 10,000 workers in 2024 to keep up with surging demand in cruise travel, according to a report from Reuters.

Tourists taking cruises hit a record in 2023, and there is no signs that tourism is slowing.

Therefore, Royal Caribbean is trying to bolster its labor force this year as it brings on three new ships.

The cruise liner is asking several partner universities in the Caribbean to shore up short-term courses and certifications so more people can be qualified to work at sea.

Royal Caribbean is also in talks with port authorities in St. Maarten, the British Virgin Islands and the Gambia Tourism Board to drum up support for additional staff.

Royal Caribbeans hiring spree comes as the cruise liner has hit some snafus with some of its itineraries and ships so far this year.

Royal Caribbean canceled a cruise to Alaska after passengers had already boarded due to a malfunction with the ship.

The cruise liner also stopped ships from docking at a private island port in Haiti due to ongoing violence in the region.

This decision by Royal Caribbean to change the itinerary on that cruise came after the U.S. issued a warning to tourists to avoid traveling to Haiti at this time due to an increase in gang-related violence.

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 Hanover Township, Lehigh County man is accused of raping a 19-year-old woman he met on an online dating app.

Lorens DeJesus Gomez, 22, of the 500 block of Cedar Hill Drive, also is charged with felony intercepting communications. Karen J. Schular, the public defender assigned to Gomez, didnt immediately return a request for comment Wednesday morning.

Pennsylvania State Police in Bethlehem were called to an area hospital for a reported sexual assault shortly after 4:30 a.m. April 25. The woman reported meeting Gomez in February on the app. The pair allegedly had a phone conversation and agreed to meet.

The woman said she told Gomez she wanted to braid his hair, but wasnt going to have sex with him during the meeting, authorities said

The woman arrived shortly after midnight April 25 to Gomezs township home and later fell asleep on his bed, court records state. She awoke around 3 a.m. to Gomez sexually assaulting her, police said. About an hour later, the woman was able to pretend she received a phone call from her father and left the home, state police said.

The woman was able to describe Gomezs bedroom to investigators. She also provided text messages and photos of Gomez. Texts from Gomez after the incident allegedly stated, U okay? and Im sorry with a sad face emoji, according to court records.

State police obtained a search warrant shortly before 10 p.m. April 25 for Gomezs home. Investigators seized various items from Gomezs bedroom into evidence, court records state.

Gomez in an interview with investigators at about 10 p.m. April 25 admitted to having sex with the victim and videotaping the encounter without her consent, authorities said. I dont know if she was okay with it ... I thought she was okay with it, Gomez allegedly stated.

Gomez was arraigned April 26 before District Judge Ronald S. Manescu, who set bail at $250,000. In lieu of bail, he was taken to the Lehigh County jail.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
If you placed a delivery order on the Panera app or website, you could be eligible for money or food vouchers as part of a class action settlement.

The agreement was reached to settle allegations about three different lawsuits that accused the companys representation of its delivery fees and menu prices between Oct. 1, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2021 of being false or misleading, the settlement website said.

The settlement website said Panera denied the alleged practice but agreed to the settlement to avoid the costs associated with the lawsuits.

Panera did not respond to requests for comment.

The deadline to join the settlement is June 10.

Eligible consumers should have received an email that included a code to sign up for the settlement. You can use that code to sign up online. If you did not receive the code, you can download a claim form on the settlement website, then print it and mail it in.

You can also call (833) 462-4684 with questions.

Eligible consumers have two choices. They can select to receive two vouchers for one free item from Paneras Soups & Mac menu  Panera has agreed to provide up to $2 million worth of vouchers  or they can choose to receive up to $12 cash after the payment of attorneys fees and expenses.

SEE ALSO:

Walmart settlement update: If you bought certain grocery items, you could get up to $500 back

Apple settlement update: Some iPhone users eligible for up to $349 over audio issues

Macys $10.5M settlement: The deadline is almost here.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.
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.

Among the cases PEMA investigated, according to the records, was a December 2021 report over a

We take all reports and we share it with the appropriate agencies to be able to investigate, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Randy 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 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.

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.
A Portarlington resident worked eight days straight before falling asleep behind the wheel and crashing into an oncoming motorbike in Laois.

Matthew Dabrowski, 25, of 7 Castlelea Avenue, Portarlington admitted dangerous driving on the Lea Road, Portarlington, Laois on May 19 last year.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the driver fell asleep, crossed the other side of the road and hit the motorbike.

He crossed over the white line and he collided with a motorcycle that was travelling the other way, he explained.

The driver of the motorcycle was taken to Tullamore Hospital with injuries which he said thankfully they werent life threatening. He explained that the motorcyclist had suffered a broken foot.

A solicitor for the accused said aside from falling asleep there werent any other aggravating factors. He said the car wasnt speeding and was insured and in good condition.

He attended for a voluntary statement and he set out what occurred, the solicitor said.

He explained that his client was living in Portarlington and had been working at an Aldi warehouse in Naas, Co Kildare. He said the man had worked eight days in a row prior to the collision.

In his statement to Garda Cleary it shows he was tormented by it, he said.

He said the man was originally from Poland and has lived in Ireland for seven years. He described his client as a hardworking man who was no longer with Aldi in Naas but was now working for a logistics company.

It is a serious matter and as the court quite rightly pointed out, could have been more serious, he conceded.

The solicitor said his client understood there was a mandatory disqualification for dangerous driving which he said would cause him difficulties. He asked that the court take into account his early plea of guilty and he said he fell asleep at the wheel but there were no aggravating factors in the offending.

Judge Nicola Andrews asked how many days in a row the man had been working and what hours he was doing.

The solicitor said his client had worked eight days in a row on shifts between 6am and 1pm.

He appealed to the judge to only impose a two year driving ban and to deal with the case as leniently as possible.

What occurred here is very serious and potentially could have been devastating, said Judge Andrews.

She decided to put the case back for a few weeks in order to consider the matter more carefully. She adjourned the case to June 11 for finalisation.
A member of the Laois Joint Policing Committee says racism is on the rise again in the county.

Public Participation Network(PPN) member Sara Rasool said that in her dealings with muslim women and ethnic minorities in Portlaoise, that racism is on the rise again.

She is aware of incidents where people driving past somebody shouting out the window of a passing vehicle.

Mrs Rasool said some students in Portlaoise were also experiencing abuse. They are also finding that they are being called names because of the colour of their skin, she said.

Ms Rasool explained that there can be a cultural barrier to be overcome in relation to reporting such crimes. She said education was needed particularly in relation to those in Direct Provision Centres.

They dont know to report when there is attacks or racist abuse, she said.

She expressed a belief that more police interaction with minority communities, increased education and diversity on the policing committee would help tackle such barriers.

Garda Superintendent Eamon Curley said I think you have identified the problem and most of the solution.

I would encourage anybody who feels they have been a victim to report it to gardai, he said.

Supt Curley explained that gardai hold information events in the Direct Provision Centres.

Mrs Rasool said she works with ethnic minorities in school and is in contact with others in the mosque and she said, they are afraid to come forward.

Supt Curley said we will come up with a solution and he suggested she could bridge that gap and bring any information forward in relation to any incidents she is aware of.

Meanwhile, Portlaoise Local Election candidate, Nigerian national, Bolagi Adeyanju, believes Laois is a progressive place. He says racists are active online but he believes the vast majority of these are not from Laois or even the Midlands.

I dont see it, particularly in terms of face-to-face, in the Midlands, in the Laois area, people are nice, he said.

Mr Adeyanju has lived in Laois for eight years and is resident in Ireland for 20 years. He has enjoyed canvassing for the local elections and he is particularly pleased that people are discussing issues like immigration.

It is really positive. People are not afraid to talk about immigration at the doors and that is important, we are engaging, Mr Adeyanju said.

An Garda Siochana recently published figures on Hate Crimes and Hate Related (non-crime) Incidents reported during 2023. The statistics showed a 12 percent increase in Hate Crime nationally.

The Garda Diversity and Integration Strategy outlines how Hate Crimes are recorded.

"Reports of Hate Crimes or Hate Incidents will be recorded and investigated as appropriate, where it is perceived that the perpetrators hostility or prejudice against any person, community or institution is on the grounds of the victims age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender.

Incidents were recorded across all nine of these discriminatory motives last year.

As some incidents have more than one discriminatory motive, 696 discriminatory motives were recorded last year. This is up from 617 in 2022 and 483 in 2021.

The most prevalent discriminatory motive was anti-race (36%), followed by anti-nationality (18%) and anti-sexual orientation (16%). These three motives have been the most common across in the past three years, however, anti-nationality overtook anti-sexual orientation to become the second most prevalent motive in 2023.

Once again during 2023, hate motives were evident in a variety of reported crime incident types. The largest percentage being recorded in public order (27%), minor assaults (16%) and criminal damage not by fire (9%) and criminal damage by fire (3%).

As was the case during 2022, the largest proportion (44%) of hate related incidents occurred in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. The three other operational regions recorded north-western (21%) southern (19%) and eastern (16%).

An Garda Siochana continues to strengthen its network of diversity officers to support victims and those affected by hate discrimination in communities around Ireland. At present there are over 500 Garda Diversity Officers working across the country who engage with minority communities and individuals on a daily basis to provide them with re-assurance and address issues of concern for them.
For the first time in the history of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE), online entry will open from today  three months earlier than ever before. This will allow more time for Kildare students to bring their ideas to life ahead of the 2025 Exhibition taking place in Dublin from January 8 - 11, 2025.

Secondary school students aged 12-19 years old are encouraged to start brainstorming ideas now, for submission to the 2025 exhibition. By extending the submission period, students will have more time to research and develop their ideas over the summer months.

The 2025 exhibition will showcase project entries from students in five categories: Technology, Social and Behavioural Science, Biological and Ecological Science, Chemical, Physical, Mathematical Science, and Health and Wellbeing. 250 prizes, across a total prize fund of 50,000, will be awarded across all five categories and all age groups, including the overall BT Young Scientist & Technologist of the Year Award, worth 7,500. The winner(s) will also go on to represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in 2025.

The 2025 exhibition marks a silver anniversary for BTs custodianship of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition and speaking on the call for entries to the BTYSTE 2025.

Managing Director of BT Ireland, Shay Walsh said, It has been a great privilege to have been custodians and organiser of the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition for the last twenty-five years. Over that time, the exhibition has produced amazing STEM talent and exported some of the worlds leading scientists and technologists. While BTYSTE alumni have gone on to develop innovative companies and contribute significantly to academic research, more importantly, the exhibition has provided a platform for students to develop a love of STEM and positively contribute to broader society. We are delighted to announce that entries will open earlier and give more time to students to get involved.

Physicist & Broadcaster, and long-time special act performer at the BTYSTE, Mark Langtry said, I have seen first-hand the positive impact that entering the BTYSTE has had on past participants, from the friends they make in the process to the valuable skills they learn and can use in any walk of life. Its a fantastic experience, and by giving early access to the entry system it gives more time to develop ideas before the submission deadline. I already cant wait to learn more about the ideas that next years entrants come up with!

Entrants will need to fill out an application form and the all-important one-page proposal outlining their idea. To submit a project to the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2025, please visit: btyoungscientist.com (https://enter. btyoungscientist.ie ). To find out more information on the Exhibition, please visit BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition or follow @BTYSTE on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and Snapchat (username BTYSTE).

Throughout BT Irelands 25 years as custodian and lead sponsor of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (YSTE), the company has made a huge impact on the exhibition as well as on the STEM sector in Ireland.

BT Ireland became lead sponsor of the YSTE at the turn of the 21st century in 2000, and just a year later introduced the Primary Science Fair, the first science exhibition of its kind in Ireland for primary school students. Since then, the Primary Science Fair annually encourages 3rd to 6th class primary school students to learn more about STEM in a non-competitive environment. It has always been BT Irelands goal to encourage as many young people as possible to get involved in STEM, and since the introduction of the Primary Science Fair, many thousands of primary school students have participated.

After the YSTE was in BT Irelands custodianship for several years, BT Ireland identified an opportunity for BTYSTE participants to develop their ideas further into successful commercial enterprises and created the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp in 2009. The bootcamp offers experts in the STEM sector to give guidance to the students on how they can turn their incredible ideas into reality.

In 2006, recognising that the exhibition might not be accessible to those living outside of Dublin, BT Ireland introduced the Accommodation Grant Scheme contributing 1.2 million to qualified projects from schools that are over 70kms from the exhibition venue. Since its establishment, the Accommodation Grant Scheme has provided more opportunities for schools across Ireland to take part.
Kildare businessman and charity founder Aubrey McCarthy has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards which take place next Tuesday, May 14.

The well known humanitarian is the founder and chairman of Tiglin which provides housing for over 200 people, it feeds over 500 homeless vulnerable individuals at its Lighthouse Cafe on Pearse Street (which Aubrey works at every Thursday & Friday) and also runs 4 residential centres for individuals overcoming life controlling substances. Tiglin also provides homes for over 100 Ukrainian Guests while also providing employment, schooling, drama school, sports. Recently Tiglin has set up a transitional Housing facility for youth homelessness in Naas, Co. kildare (Aubreys home town).

In 2024 Tiglin are launching the first Zero Carbon Social Housing Scheme located in Bluebell Dublin 12. Aubrey is Chair of Tiglin, CHAIR OF THE SWRDATF, Chair of DCM, board member of Tivoli Training, Board member of Casadh.

Deirdre Garvey, Secretary General for the Irish Red Cross, said, The aim of the Irish Red Cross Awards is to highlight the incredible and selfless efforts of people throughout Ireland who have gone out of their way to help those in urgent need  regardless of whether they are fleeing war or are struggling to cope within their own local community. We feel strongly that in this age of increasing conflict and devastation be it natural or man-made, we all need to focus squarely on the crucial need for unity, humanity, impartial support and volunteer service in aid of others.

The prestigious annual Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards will honour nominated finalists across five categories in addition to the Humanitarian Award. The awards recognise those who have had a positive impact on the lives of others by improving lives and reducing suffering. The aim of the Award is to highlight the efforts of those who have given a voice to these humanitarian issues. www.irchumanitarianawards.ie

In addition to the Humanitarian of the year Award, the IRC Humanitarian Awards feature five categories including:

Young Humanitarian

Innovation for Change Award

Journalism Excellence

Corporate Impact Award

Lifetime Achievement Award

With almost 3,000 volunteers and 78 branches across all 26 counties in the Republic, the Irish Red Cross provides a wide range of services including First Aid (delivery and training), Youth Services, Community Support, Emergency Relief (floods & extreme weather), Migration, Lake & Mountain Rescue; and Prison programmes. The Irish Red Cross collaborate with overseas Red Cross national societies, assisting in the provision of humanitarian relief in conflict and disaster situations.
Gardai are appealing for information on an electric motorbike linked to a fatal shooting which occurred in Dublin 12 on Monday (May 6).

The shooting occurred in the early hours of Monday morning on Knocknarea Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12.

A post-mortem has been completed on the body of the deceased male, the results of which are not being released for operational purposes.

A black Talaria Sting electric motorbike was observed in the vicinity of Dolphin Road, Crumlin Road and Davitt Road on Sunday night (May 5) and into the early hours of Monday morning.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have observed this motorbike in the vicinity of Dolphin Road in recent days.

The motorbike has been seized by investigating Gardai, who are also seeking the rightful owner of the vehicle.

Gardai are also appealing to any taxi drivers, public service vehicle (PSV) drivers and any motorists who observed pedestrians, or who may have been approached by pedestrians, on Davitt Road in the early hours of May 6.

The three males arrested as part of this investigation remain detained at Garda Stations in the Dublin Region under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939.

An incident room has been established at Sundrive Road Garda Station under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer.

Anyone with any information that can assist Gardai with their investigation is asked to contact Sundrive Road Garda Station on 01 666 6600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. Any information received will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
Douglas Emmett Releases First Quarter 2024 Earnings Results





Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE: DEI), a real estate investment trust (REIT), has released its First Quarter 2024 Earnings Results and Operating Information package by posting it to the investor relations section of its website at www.douglasemmett.com/investors.

As previously announced, Jordan Kaplan, CEO, Peter Seymour, CFO, Kevin Crummy, CIO, and Stuart McElhinney, Vice President Investor Relations will host a live conference call to discuss Douglas Emmett's financial results at 2:00 pm Eastern Time (11:00 am Pacific Time) on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Interested parties can listen to the call via the following:

INTERNET: Go to www.douglasemmett.com/investors at least fifteen minutes prior to the start time of the call in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

PHONE: 888-349-0488 (U.S.) or 412-542-4156 (International). Please ask to join the Douglas Emmett call.

REPLAY: A rebroadcast of the live call will be available for 90 days on our website at www.douglasemmett.com/investors

About Douglas Emmett, Inc.

Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. Please visit our website at www.douglasemmett.com for more information about Douglas Emmett.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the historical facts, the statements in this press release regarding Douglas Emmett's business activities are forward-looking statements based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to us about known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements to anticipate future results or trends. For a discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2023, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

7 may 2024 at 16:45

News published onand distributed by:
Future-Proofing Connectivity: Info-Tech Research Group Publishes Guide to Selecting Alternative Network Solutions





Info-Tech Research Group's latest blueprint provides key strategies for IT leaders evaluating and selecting network solutions, essential for organizations aiming to enhance connectivity and adapt to rapid technological changes. This research outlines actionable steps for optimizing network infrastructure, ensuring organizations are equipped for both current needs and future growth.

TORONTO, May 7, 2024 /CNW/ - Digital transformation has quickly become a critical factor in market success, heightening the demand for reliable and secure digital connectivity. Consequently, selecting the right network solutions is more crucial than ever for organizations to thrive and gain a competitive advantage. Info-Tech Research Group's latest blueprint, Evaluate and Select Alternative Network Solutions, provides IT leaders with timely guidance through the complexities of advanced networking technologies. This research will assist organizations with assessing and integrating alternative network solutions such as 5G and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, ensuring their network infrastructure is not only robust, but also primed for future technological advancements.

"The search for robust and scalable network solutions has become paramount. In the quest for cost efficiency, organizations might gravitate toward immediate, cheaper solutions. However, the true value lies in future-proofing," says John Donovan, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Beyond traditional multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and fiber optic connections, organizations are increasingly considering cellular networks, especially given the advancements in 5G, and innovative overlay solutions for enhanced connectivity and flexibility."

Info-Tech's latest findings emphasize the strategic integration of advanced network solutions into current IT infrastructures. This integration is crucial for organizations seeking to effectively leverage emerging technologies, such as 5G and LEO satellites. By adopting these advanced networking options, organizations can ensure greater operational agility and improved service reliability, which are essential for maintaining competitive advantage in the fast-paced digital economy.

"While criteria like speed, reliability, and cost remain pivotal, the added dimension of availability, especially with 5G's widespread reach and LEO's promise for remote areas, has become crucial," explains Donovan. "Systems such as Starlink, OneWeb, and 5G networks are not only reshaping the standards for connection speeds but are also bridging global digital gaps with their expansive coverage. As the world grows more interconnected, the blend of these alternative and traditional solutions will dictate the future of global communications."

When selecting alternative network solutions, Info-Tech advises organizations to embrace the principle that one size does not fit all. While there's a natural inclination to adopt widely recognized solutions, it's essential to match the unique operational demands of each organization with a tailored network approach, ensuring both optimal performance and cost-effectiveness in the long term.

Furthermore, the research explains that the journey toward implementing a new network solution isn't solely about the technology's prowess; it's equally about the transition. A smooth migration, characterized by phased rollouts, staff training, and contingencies for unexpected challenges, can spell the difference between operational disruptions and a seamless shift to enhanced capabilities.

By systematically evaluating networks through the following four criteria outlined in the blueprint, organizations can make informed decisions that align with operational needs and future growth. The four criteria are:

Connection Type ? Physical Limitations Consider if the types of connections are physically possible or practical at the specified location. Physical ? Examples: Fiber optic, ethernet Wireless ? Examples: LTE, 5G Overlay ? Examples: SD-WAN, VPN Satellite ? Examples: LEO (e.g. Starlink), GEO

Selection Criteria ? Technical Limitations Evaluate the technical merits of the possible solutions, including cost, availability, latency, etc. Cost ? Balancing financial feasibility with performance. Availability ? Ensuring consistent uptime and network reliability. Latency ? Minimizing data transmission delays for real-time applications. Bandwidth ? Providing adequate capacity for data-intensive transmission.

Deployment Method ? Trade-Offs Decide on deployment methodology, which could mean choosing between proprietary or open solutions, as well as determining if an in-house team could manage deployment or if a third-party vendor is needed. Build (DIY) Benefits: More control, potentially cost-effective long term, customized for specific needs. Drawbacks: Requires expertise, upfront investment, and maintenance responsibilities. Buy (Outsourced) Benefits: Quick deployment, expertly managed, less internal responsibility. Drawbacks: Potentially higher costs, less customization.

Success Factors ? Performance Metrics The implemented solution must align with broader success metrics. Evaluate the solution against the below factors to ensure it meets the requirements set out in the technical specs. High throughput: Essential for data-intensive operations. Low latency : Crucial for real-time applications. Flexible and focused bandwidth allocation : Allows prioritizing of essential services. Always-on connectivity : Ensure uninterrupted operations. Affordability : Balance performance with budget. Quick service deployment : Enables agility in adapting to changing needs.



Info-Tech explains in the new blueprint that selecting the right network solution is a strategic decision that involves weighing factors such as scalability, performance, and cost-effectiveness against emerging technological trends. By carefully assessing and selecting alternative network solutions, organizations can enhance connectivity and optimize their infrastructure to achieve current and future business demands and goals.

Investing in scalable and adaptable network solutions, even if they demand a higher initial cost, positions organizations to better accommodate growth and swiftly integrate with emerging technologies more effectively, ensuring long-term operational resilience and competitive advantage.

For exclusive and timely commentary on this topic from Info-Tech's experts and access to the complete Evaluate and Select Alternative Network Solutions blueprint, please contact [email protected].

Info-Tech LIVE 2024

Registration is now open for Info-Tech Research Group's annual IT conference, Info-Tech LIVE 2024, taking place September 17 to 19, 2024, at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas. This premier event offers journalists, podcasters, and media influencers access to exclusive content, the latest IT research and trends, and the opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers. To apply for media passes to attend the event or gain access to research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact [email protected].

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services, and SoftwareReviews for software-buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

7 may 2024 at 16:57

News published onand distributed by:
New Proposals to Help NASA Advance Knowledge of Our Changing Climate





WASHINGTON, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has selected four proposals for concept studies of missions to help us better understand Earth science key focus areas for the benefit of all including greenhouse gases, the ozone layer, ocean surface currents, and changes in ice and glaciers around the world.

These four investigations are part of the agency's new Earth System Explorers Program ? which conducts principal investigator-led space science missions as recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2017 Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space. The program is designed to enable high-quality Earth system science investigations to focus on previously identified key targets. For this set of missions, NASA is prioritizing greenhouse gases as one of its target observables.

"The proposals represent another example of NASA's holistic approach to studying our home planet," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "As we continue to confront our changing climate, and its impacts on humans and our environment, the need for data and scientific research could not be greater. These proposals will help us better prepare for the challenges we face today, and tomorrow."

As the first step of a two-step selection process, each of these proposals will receive $5 million to conduct a one-year mission concept study. After the study period, NASA will choose two proposals to go forward to launch with readiness dates expected in 2030 and 2032. The total mission cost cap is $310 million for each chosen investigation, excluding the rocket and access to space, which will be provided by NASA.

Most of what we know about our changing planet is rooted in more than 60 years of NASA's Earth observations. NASA currently has more than two dozen Earth-observing satellites and instruments in orbit. The missions ultimately selected from this set of proposals will make their own unique contributions to this great Earth observatory ? which works together to provide layers of complementary information on Earth's oceans, land, ice, and atmosphere.

The four proposals selected for concept studies are:

The Stratosphere Troposphere Response using Infrared Vertically-Resolved Light Explorer (STRIVE)

This mission would provide daily, near-global, high-resolution measurements of temperature, a variety of atmospheric elements, and aerosol properties from the upper troposphere to the mesosphere ? at a much higher spatial density than any previous mission. It would also measure vertical profiles of ozone and trace gasses needed to monitor and understand the recovery of the ozone layer ? another identified NASA Earth sciences target. The proposal is led by Lyatt Jaegle at the University of Washington in Seattle .

This mission would provide daily, near-global, high-resolution measurements of temperature, a variety of atmospheric elements, and aerosol properties from the upper troposphere to the mesosphere ? at a much higher spatial density than any previous mission. It would also measure vertical profiles of ozone and trace gasses needed to monitor and understand the recovery of the ozone layer ? another identified NASA Earth sciences target. The proposal is led by Lyatt Jaegle at the . The Ocean Dynamics and Surface Exchange with the Atmosphere (ODYSEA)

This satellite would simultaneously measure ocean surface currents and winds to improve our understanding of air-sea interactions and surface current processes that impact weather, climate, marine ecosystems, and human wellbeing. It aims to provide updated ocean wind data in less than three hours and ocean current data in less than six hours. The proposal is led by Sarah Gille at the University of California in San Diego .

This satellite would simultaneously measure ocean surface currents and winds to improve our understanding of air-sea interactions and surface current processes that impact weather, climate, marine ecosystems, and human wellbeing. It aims to provide updated ocean wind data in less than three hours and ocean current data in less than six hours. The proposal is led by at the . Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer (EDGE)

This mission would observe the three-dimensional structure of terrestrial ecosystems and the surface topography of glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice as they are changing in response to climate and human activity. The mission would provide a continuation of such measurements that are currently measured from space by ICESat-2 and GEDI (Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation). The proposal is led by Helen Amanda Fricker at the University of California in San Diego .

This mission would observe the three-dimensional structure of terrestrial ecosystems and the surface topography of glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice as they are changing in response to climate and human activity. The mission would provide a continuation of such measurements that are currently measured from space by ICESat-2 and GEDI (Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation). The proposal is led by at the . The Carbon Investigation (Carbon-I)

This investigation would enable simultaneous, multi-species measurements of critical greenhouse gases and potential quantification of ethane ? which could help study processes that drive natural and anthropogenic emissions. The mission would provide unprecedented spatial resolution and global coverage that would help us better understand the carbon cycle and the global methane budget. The proposal is led by Christian Frankenberg at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena .

For more information about the Earth System Explorers Program, visit:

https://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/2023ESE/

SOURCE NASA

7 may 2024 at 17:17

News published onand distributed by:
Denny's Canada invites guests to enjoy a sweet treat in support of women's health





VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of Mother's Day on May 12th, Denny's Canada is delighted to announce that they have partnered with Women's Health Collective Canada (WHCC) to host a special fundraiser. From May 7th to 12th, in participating stores across Canada, $2 from each Berry Stuffed French Toast Slam order will be donated to help shape a more inclusive future for women's health.







Founded in 2021, Women's Health Collective Canada (WHCC) is a strategic alliance of three of Canada's leading women's health and hospital foundations, the Alberta Women's Health Foundation (AWHF), BC Women's Health Foundation, and Women's College Hospital Foundation. The purpose of the WHCC is to raise awareness for equity in women's health research.



Through intentional collaboration and unified advocacy, WHCC brings resources together to address the legacy of inequity through the following;



Supporting medical research that addresses the unique needs of women

Raising awareness of the gender health gap, dispelling misconceptions about women's health, and highlighting how healthy women create a healthier Canada

Broadening the scope and reach of world-class women's health programs to connect with every woman

Creating higher standards of care for all women

"WHCC is pleased to partner with Denny's for their Mother's Day campaign, which celebrates mothers across the country and supports the work of WHCC to advance women's health research," says Sharlene Rutherford, President & CEO, of Alberta Women's Health Foundation. "We are grateful for Denny's commitment to making a difference in the lives of women, their families, and all Canadians as a result."







For over 70 years, Denny's has been a place where everyone is welcome to sit down and connect. The renowned restaurant brand prides itself on working and actively engaging with their guests to make a positive impact through collaboration with meaningful organizations. They believe that local businesses and communities grow together when there is partnership and support.



For the full list of participating locations and more details about the WHCC, please visit https://www.dennys.ca/promotions/mothers-day/.



ABOUT DENNY'S CANADA



Dencan Restaurants Inc., headquartered in Vancouver and owned by Northland Properties Corporation, currently operates and franchises 74 Denny's restaurants across Canada. Part of the highly regarded worldwide Denny's organization, Dencan Restaurants Inc. has a well-deserved reputation for high-quality food and guest satisfaction. From fluffy pancakes to crispy bacon, to juicy burgers, to something from the Fit Fare Menu, guests will always find delicious value and variety.



More information can be found at www.dennys.ca or on social @dennyscanada.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cce4f48b-e00d-45e1-a065-8d69c62dbe3a

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9a2e2339-0c01-4453-9e3d-05a2781a9a56

7 may 2024 at 18:00

News published onand distributed by:
Skanska builds data center in Georgia, USA, for USD 238M, about SEK 2.5 billion





STOCKHOLM, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a contract with an existing client to build a data center in Georgia, USA. The contract is worth USD 238M, about SEK 2.5 billion, which will be included in the US order bookings for the second quarter 2024.

The project includes the construction of a 22,700 square-meter data center, associated site work, and underground utilities on an existing campus. The scope also includes a fitout of an administration space and five data halls.

Work will begin in June 2024 and is scheduled for completion in May 2026.

For further information please contact:

Ashley Jeffery, Communications Manager, Skanska USA, tel +1 813 459 3682

Andreas Joons, Press Officer, Skanska Group, tel +46 (0)10 449 04 94

Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99

This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/skanska/r/skanska-builds-data-center-in-georgia--usa--for-usd-238m--about-sek-2-5-billion,c3975229

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3975229/2784149.pdf 20240508 US data center Georgia

SOURCE Skanska

8 may 2024 at 01:43

News published onand distributed by:
Softchoice Announces First Quarter 2024 Results





Softchoice Corporation ("Softchoice" or the "Company") (TSX: SFTC) today announced its financial results for the first quarter ("Q1 2024") ended March 31, 2024. Softchoice will hold a conference call/webcast to discuss its results today, May 8, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. ET. Unless otherwise noted, all dollar ($) amounts are in U.S. dollars.

Quarterly highlights1

Gross profit increased 3.3% year-over-year (YoY) with 9.4% growth in Software & Cloud, driven by a larger customer base and solid demand across strategic focus areas including public cloud and security solutions, which offset industry-wide Hardware spending reductions and the non-recurrence of two large software-related orders of approximately $3.4 million of gross profit on $31 million in Gross Sales recognized in Q1 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 4.3% to $15.1 million due to operating leverage, prudent cost containment and lower variable compensation offsetting the Company's growth investments including an expanded salesforce and the launch of an Artificial Intelligence ("AI") Solutions team.

Income from operations increased 10.3%, benefiting from lower amortization expense.

Net loss per share on a diluted basis was $0.02 compared with net income per share of $0.08 in Q1 2023 due to higher unrealized foreign exchange losses and deferred tax expense, while Adjusted EPS on a diluted basis was $0.07 compared with $0.12.

Signed new strategic partnership framework agreement with Microsoft to further enhance our capabilities and capacity to develop, sell, and deliver Microsoft's cloud and digital workplace AI and security solutions, including Microsoft Copilot.

Launched SAM+, a suite of software asset management solutions and services to efficiently manage the complexities of subscription-based licensing.

Received the 2024 Google Cloud Public Sector Partner of the Year award for Canada and was named VMware Geo Partner of the Year (North America) by VMware by Broadcom.

Subsequent to the quarter, was named a Best Workplace in Canadatm by Great Place to Work for the 19th year in a row in April 2024, ranking 9th among large employers.

Andrew Caprara, Softchoice's Chief Executive Officer, said: 2

"We executed successfully in the first quarter on our three strategic priority areas that we outlined for 2024. We continued building a world-class culture, recording increases in our overall team member retention, salesforce tenure and internal engagement scores, as well as having been named a top 10 workplace in Canada by Great Place to Work, recognizing our outstanding employee experience and workplace culture. Secondly, our customer growth has returned to pre-pandemic levels driven by a combination of higher retention underpinned by better satisfaction rates, and success in increasing new buying accounts across all sales channels driven by our expanded salesforce. Thirdly, our investments in advanced technical capabilities continued to drive deeper customer relationships and growth in our strategic focus areas of secure, AI-powered cloud and digital workplace solutions supported by our advanced software asset management methodology and capabilities.

"Customer demand for generative AI has been rapidly accelerating, which we are converting through the adoption of Copilot for Microsoft 365. We've taken a leadership position in this space, as measured by the volume of consulting engagements that prepare customers for Copilot adoption. And with the launch of our AI Solutions team in Q1, supported by the activation of our strategic partnership agreement with Microsoft, our focus is on moving customers from generative AI planning and pilot phases into more complex and long-term transformation programs."

Dividends Update 2

On May 7, 2024, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of Cdn. $0.13 per Common Share for the period from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024 to be paid on July 12, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 28, 2024, representing an approximate 18% increase over Q2 2023. The dividend to which this notice relates is an eligible dividend for tax purposes.

Supplementary Measures for the trailing twelve months (LTM) period ended March 31, 20241

Revenue Retention Rate was 98%, with the decline in Hardware Gross Sales offsetting increased Customer retention and increased Software & Cloud Gross Sales. SMB and Commercial revenue retention continued to trend at or above 100%, offset by a decline in Enterprise revenue retention driven by a decrease in Hardware Gross Sales.

Customers increased 4.6% to 4,952 at March 31, 2024, an increase of 216 compared to March 31, 2023, driven by an expanded salesforce.

Account Executives increased by 12% to 508 at March 31, 2024 compared with 453 a year prior. Average LTM Account Executives were 465, a 5% increase over the prior LTM period.

Gross Profit per Customer declined to approximately $67,000 from $69,000 in the prior LTM period primarily due to a decrease in Hardware Gross Profit Per Customer stemming from industry wide weakness.

Net cash from operating activities increased 148% to $93.3 million due to an increase in profits and effective working capital management. Free Cash Flow decreased by 9.3% to $48.8 million with the increase in Adjusted EBITDA offset by higher tax payments.

Financial Summary1 US$ M except per share amounts, percentages and ratios Operations Q1 2024 Q1 2023 Change % Change in Constant Currency* % Gross Sales 480.3 506.0 (5.1)% Net sales 169.8 208.8 (18.7)% Gross profit 76.6 74.2 3.3% 3.0% as a percentage of Gross Sales 16.0% 14.7% Adjusted EBITDA 15.1 14.5 4.3% 3.9% as a Percentage of Gross Profit 19.8% 19.6% Income from operations 10.6 9.6 10.3% Net (loss) income (1.0) 4.5 NMF Net (loss) income per Diluted Share ($0.02) $0.08 NMF Adjusted Net Income 4.4 7.1 (37.6%) Adjusted EPS (Diluted) $0.07 $0.12 (41.7%)

Cash flow Q1 2024 Q1 2023 Change % LTM to Mar. 31, 2024 LTM to Mar. 31, 2023 Change % Net cash provided by operating activities, excluding change in non-cash operating working capital 3.1 9.7 (67.7%) 58.2 50.5 15.1% Net cash provided by operating activities (23.6) (17.1) 38.3% 93.3 37.7 147.5% Free Cash Flow 48.8 53.8 (9.3%) Cdn. Cdn. Cdn. Cdn. Dividend per share $0.13 $0.11 18.2% $0.46 $0.38 21.1%

Financial Position, as at: Mar. 31, 2024 Mar. 31, 2023 Loans and borrowings less Cash 51.4 115.8 Consolidated net debt** to Adjusted EBITDA ratio 0.7 1.5

Gross Sales and Gross Profit by IT Solution Type and Sales Channel Q1 2024 Q1 2023 Change % Change in Constant Currency* % Gross Sales by IT Solution Type*: Software & Cloud 358.0 364.4 (1.8)% Services 28.0 27.6 1.8% Hardware 94.3 114.1 (17.3)% Gross Profit by IT Solution Type: Software & Cloud 53.0 48.4 9.4% 9.3% as a percentage of Gross Sales 14.8% 13.3% Services 8.0 7.9 1.3% 1.1% as a percentage of Gross Sales 28.5% 28.6% Hardware 15.6 17.9 (12.7)% (13.2)% as a percentage of Gross Sales 16.5% 15.7% Gross Sales by Sales Channel*: SMB 134.4 107.8 24.6% Commercial 238.3 244.5 (2.5)% Enterprise 107.6 153.7 (30.0)% Gross Profit by Sales Channel: SMB 20.7 16.7 23.8% 17.8% as a percentage of Gross Sales 15.4% 15.5% Commercial 42.1 41.0 2.5% 4.7% as a percentage of Gross Sales 17.7% 16.8% Enterprise 13.9 16.5 (15.8)% (16.1)% as a percentage of Gross Sales 12.9% 10.7% Amounts may not add to total due to rounding * Q1 2024 in Constant Currency is translated at the average foreign exchange rate of Q1 2023, which was $0.74 CAD/USD. ** Consolidated net debt equates to loans and borrowings plus lease liabilities less cash-on-hand

Quarterly Conference Call

Softchoice's management team will hold a conference call to discuss our Q1 2024 results today at 8:30 a.m. (ET).

DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 2024

TIME: 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time

WEBCAST: https://app.webinar.net/D4y2dzOQ387

A link to the webcast will also be available on the Events page of the Investors section of Softchoice's website at http://investors.softchoice.com. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to join the webcast. An archived replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days.

DIAL-IN: To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number at https://emportal.ink/3PKSecU to receive an instant automated call back. You can also dial direct to be entered to the call by an Operator: 416-764-8659 or 1-888-664-6392.

TAPED REPLAY: 416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541, Replay Code 504830 # (Available until May 15, 2024)

Capitalized Terms

Capitalized terms used in this release and terms we use to describe our IT solution types, including Software & Cloud, Services, and Hardware and sales channels including SMB, Commercial, and Enterprise, as well as other measures such as Customer, Gross Profit per Customer, Revenue Retention Rate, and Constant Currency, are described in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 (the "Q1 2024 MD&A"), and/or our annual information form dated March 27, 2024 (the "AIF") filed on SEDAR+ (as defined below) and available on the Company's investor relations website http://investors.softchoice.com.

1 Non-IFRS Measures

This news release makes reference to certain non-IFRS measures and other measures. These measures are not recognized measures under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of our results of operations from management's perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. We use non-IFRS measures, including "Gross Sales", "Adjusted EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA as a Percentage of Gross Profit", "Adjusted Cash Operating Expenses", "Adjusted Net Income (Loss)", "Adjusted EPS", and "Free Cash Flow". These non-IFRS measures and other measures are used to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and thus highlight trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. Our management uses these non-IFRS measures and other measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, to prepare annual operating budgets and forecasts and to determine components of management compensation. We also believe that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use certain of these non-IFRS measures and other measures in the evaluation of issuers. As required by Canadian securities laws, we reconcile the non-IFRS measures to the most comparable IFRS measures. For more information on non-IFRS measures and other measures, see the Q1 2024 MD&A filed on SEDAR+ and available on the Company's investor relations website http://investors.softchoice.com.

Reconciliations of Non-IFRS Financial Measures

(Information in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) Three Months Ended March 31, Reconciliation of Net Sales to Gross Sales 2024 2023 Net sales 169,760 208,816 Net adjustment for sales transacted as agent 310,557 297,226 Gross Sales 480,317 506,042 Reconciliation of Operating Expenses to Adjusted Cash Operating Expenses Operating expenses 65,985 64,559 Depreciation and amortization (2,413) (4,741) Equity-settled share-based compensation and other costs (1) (2,098) (160) Non-recurring compensation and other costs (2) ? (95) Business transformation non-recurring costs (3) ? (3) Non-recurring legal recovery (4) ? 115 Adjusted Cash Operating Expenses 61,474 59,675 Reconciliation of Income from operations to Adjusted EBITDA Income from operations 10,630 9,640 Depreciation and amortization 2,413 4,741 Equity-settled share-based compensation and other costs (1) 2,098 160 Non-recurring compensation and other costs (2) ? 95 Business transformation non-recurring costs (3) ? 3 Non-recurring legal recovery (4) ? (115) Adjusted EBITDA 15,141 14,524 Adjusted EBITDA as a Percentage of Gross Profit (5) 19.8% 19.6% Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income Net (loss) income (1,028) 4,537 Amortization of intangible assets 585 3,164 Equity-settled share-based compensation and other costs (1) 2,098 160 Non-recurring compensation and other costs (2) ? 95 Business transformation non-recurring costs (3) ? 3 Non-recurring legal recovery (4) ? (115) Loss on lease modification ? 4 Foreign exchange loss (6) 3,934 121 Related tax effects (7) (1,149) (848) Adjusted Net Income 4,440 7,121 Weighted Average Number of Shares (Basic) 59,814,323 58,058,765 Weighted Average Number of Shares (Diluted) 59,943,973 60,457,312 Adjusted EPS (Basic) (8) 0.07 0.12 Adjusted EPS (Diluted) (8) 0.07 0.12

The following measures are reported on a trailing twelve-month basis only:

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow Trailing Twelve-Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Net cash provided by operating activities 93,337 37,711 Adjusted for: Change in noncash working capital (35,175) 12,822 Maintenance Capex (3,182) (3,764) Principal lease payments (4,933) (4,905) Realized foreign exchange (gain) loss (1,234) 11,938 Free Cash Flow 48,813 53,802

Notes (Refer to the Q1 2024 MD&A for description of the sections with parentheses within these Notes)

(1) These expenses represent costs recognized in connection with the Company's legacy option plan and omnibus long-term equity incentive plan, pursuant to which options granted are fair valued at the time of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and adjusted for any plan modifications, and expenses related to Restricted share units ("RSUs") and Deferred share units ("DSUs") (as defined below). Beginning in Q3 2023, these expenses include the employer match contributions to the ESPP. (2) These expenses include compensation costs relating to severance and other costs comprised of professional, legal, consulting, accounting and management fees that are non-recurring and are sporadic in nature. (3) All non-recurring costs relating to the business transformation initiative were segregated for tracking purposes and are monitored on a regular basis. The costs relate to the implementation and system enhancements for the business transformation. A total of $51 million was invested in operating and capital expenditures towards the business transformation initiative and related system enhancements. (4) The Company has settled certain legal claims, without admission of liability or wrongdoing, in respect of U.S. wage and hour disputes and In Q1 2023, the Company received $0.1 million related to this matter. (5) Adjusted EBITDA as a Percentage of Gross Profit is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by gross profit. See "Non-IFRS Measures and Other Measures ? Non-IFRS Measures ? Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a Percentage of Gross Profit". (6) Foreign exchange loss includes both realized and unrealized amounts. (7) This relates to the tax effects of the adjusting items, which was calculated by applying the statutory tax rate of 26.5% and adjusting for any permanent differences and capital losses. (8) Basic Adjusted EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted Adjusted EPS includes the dilutive impact of the stock options in addition to the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. See "Non-IFRS Measures and Other Measures ? Non-IFRS Measures ? Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS".

2 Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada.

Forward-looking information may relate to our future business, financial outlook and anticipated events or results and may include information regarding our financial position, business strategy, growth strategies, addressable markets, market share, budgets, operations, financial results, taxes, dividend policy, Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB"), operating environment, business plans and objectives. Particularly, information regarding our expectations of future results, performance, growth, achievements, prospects or opportunities or the markets in which we operate is forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "outlook", "financial outlook", "forecasts", "projection", "prospects", "strategy", "intends", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding possible future events or circumstances.

Forward-looking information may include, among other things: (i) the Company's expectations regarding its financial performance and future market share growth, including among others, organic growth; (ii) the Company's expectations regarding industry and market trends, growth rates and growth strategies; (iii) the Company's business plans and strategies; (iv) the Company's ability to retain customers and increase margin per customer; (v) the Company's relationship and status with technology partners; (vi) the Company's growth strategies, future organic growth, and competitive position in the IT industry; (vii) the Company's dividend program, dividend rates, any special dividend and increases or progressive increases in dividends; (viii) the Company's NCIB program and the purchase of Common Shares in connection with such program; (ix) the impact of macroeconomic conditions and remote and hybrid work on our business, financial position, results of operations and/or cashflows; (x) the use, adoption, integration and growth of AI tools, products, services and solutions, including any growth, leadership position or business changes resulting from AI or the AI solutions team; and (xi) the leverage and range of net leverage and the Company's ability or desire to remain within any optimal leverage parameters.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, estimates and assumptions that we considered appropriate and reasonable as at the date such statements are made, and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the risk factors described in our Q4 2023 MD&A and under "Risk Factors" in the AIF. A copy of the AIF can be accessed under our profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR+") at www.sedarplus.ca and on our website at investors.softchoice.com. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as at the date made. Softchoice does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws.

About Softchoice

Softchoice (TSX: SFTC) is a software- and cloud-focused IT solutions provider that equips organizations to be agile, innovative, and secure, and people to be engaged, connected and creative at work. We do this by delivering secure, AI-powered cloud and digital workplace solutions supported by our advanced software asset management methodology and capabilities. Through our ROI customer success framework, we create value for our customers by reducing their IT spending, optimizing their technology, and supporting business-driven innovation. We are a highly engaged, high-performing team that is welcoming, inclusive, and diverse in thought and experience, and are a certified Great Place to Work in Canada and the United States. To learn more about us, visit www.softchoice.com.

8 may 2024 at 07:10

News published onand distributed by:
IntelGenx Announces Voting Results on Election of Directors





SAINT LAURENT, Quebec, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IntelGenx Technologies Corp. (TSX: IGX) (OTCQB: IGXT) (the "Company" or "IntelGenx") announces that, at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company held on May 7, 2024 (the "Annual Meeting"), shareholders voted in favour of all items of business put forth by the Company, including the election of the directors by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present or represented by proxy.



The Annual Meeting was held in a virtual-only format, for those who were shareholders of the Company at the close of business on March 11, 2024 (the "Record Date"), pursuant to notice and proxy materials duly communicated to them. As of the Record Date, there were 174,658,096 shares outstanding of the Company's common stock at $0.00001 par value (the "IntelGenx Common Stock"). Shareholders as of the Record Date holding 109,675,659 shares (62,794%) of the IntelGenx Common Stock were present at the Annual Meeting or per proxy. Each such shareholder was entitled to one vote for each share of the IntelGenx Common Stock held on the Record Date.

At the Annual Meeting, the following matters were submitted to votes of the Company's shareholders:

(i) the election of eight directors;



(ii) the ratification of Richter LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024;



(iii) the advisory vote on executive compensation; and



(iv) the passing of a resolution to approve all unallocated PRSUs.



Detailed voting results on the election of directors are as follows:



Name of Nominee For Against Abstain Number % Number % Number % Horst G. Zerbe, Ph.D. 75,711,268 96.96 1,982,893 2.54 388,516 0.50 Bernd J. Melchers 75,750,832 97.01 1,437,429 1.84 894,416 1.15 Clemens Mayr 76,121,283 97.49 1,469,578 1.88 491,816 0.63 Mark Nawacki 76,244,152 97.65 1,359,609 1.74 478,916 0.61 Monika Trzcinska, Ph.D. 76,447,263 97.91 1,157,118 1.48 478.296 0.61 Sahil Kirpekar, Ph.D. 76,298,523 97.71 1,255,347 1.61 528,807 0.68 Ryan Barrett. 76,142,943 97.52 1,378,427 1.76 561,307 0.72 Dwight Gorham 75,922,577 97.23 1,611,018 2.06 549,082 0.70





About IntelGenx

IntelGenx is a leading drug delivery company focused on the development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical films.

IntelGenx's superior film technologies, including VersaFilm, DisinteQtm, VetaFilm and transdermal VevaDermtm, allow for next generation pharmaceutical products that address unmet medical needs. IntelGenx's innovative product pipeline offers significant benefits to patients and physicians for many therapeutic conditions.

IntelGenx's highly skilled team provides comprehensive pharmaceuticals services to pharmaceutical partners, including R&D, analytical method development, clinical monitoring, IP and regulatory services. IntelGenx's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility offers full service by providing lab-scale to pilot- and commercial-scale production. For more information, visit www.intelgenx.com.

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This document may contain forward-looking information about IntelGenx's operating results and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about IntelGenx's plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, intentions or other characterizations of future events or circumstances and are generally identified by the words "may," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "could," "would," and similar expressions. All forward looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Because these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, IntelGenx's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in IntelGenx's annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov, and also filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedarplus.com. IntelGenx assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

Source: IntelGenx Technologies Corp.

For more information, please contact:

Stephen Kilmer

Investor Relations

(514) 331-7440 ext 232

[email protected]

Or

Ingrid Zerbe

Corporate Secretary

IntelGenx Technologies Corp.

[email protected]

8 may 2024 at 07:45

News published onand distributed by:
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Chooses SylogistMission





CALGARY, Alberta, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sylogist (TSX: SYZ) ("Sylogist" or the "Company"), a leading public sector SaaS company, is pleased to announce that its SylogistMission CRM platform has been selected by the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas ("UWMD") to support its goals of driving lasting, transformational change in education, income, and health throughout North Texas communities.



"Sylogist is proud to bring an exciting new technology solution to the United Way community, in which United Way of Metro Dallas is considered a leader," said Bill Wood, CEO of Sylogist. "By uniting all data in one place on a single Microsoft platform, SylogistMission will help UWMD more efficiently achieve its Aspire United 2030 goals by leveraging data-driven touchpoints and engagement with existing and new donors in a highly personalized manner."

UWMD is the second well-regarded United Way to select SylogistMission. United Way of King County (Seattle, WA) also selected Mission CRM and partnered with the company to develop capabilities that United Way requires.

About Sylogist

Sylogist provides mission-critical SaaS solutions to over 2,000 public sector customers globally across the government, nonprofit, and education verticals. The Company's stock is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SYZ. Information about Sylogist, inclusive of full financial statements together with Management's Discussion and Analysis, can be found at www.sylogist.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. These statements typically use words such as expect, foresee, believe, estimate, will, project, anticipate, plan, may, should, could and would, or the negative of these terms, variations thereof or similar terminology. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements made, if any, with respect to Sylogist's confidence in future quarters or future fiscal years. By their very nature, forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific in nature. It is therefore possible that the beliefs and plans and other forward-looking expectations expressed herein will not be achieved or will prove inaccurate. Although Sylogist believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it provides no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, its inability to attract key employees or enlist customer support, its inability to develop innovative technology, its inability to find opportunities to deploy free cash flow, impacts of public health crises, and economic turmoil. Additional information regarding some of these risks, uncertainties and other factors may be found in the Company's Annual Information Form for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2023, and in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Material assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, Sylogist's ability to attract and retain employees and customers and to realize on its investments, the ability to expand technology partner and customer relationships and the acceleration of organic and inorganic growth. Although Sylogist believes that the material assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur. Sylogist disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

For further information contact:

Madelyn Ellis, Business Development Representative

Sylogist Ltd.

[email protected]

Jennifer Smith, Investor Relations

LodeRock Advisors

(416) 491-8004

[email protected]

8 may 2024 at 08:00

News published onand distributed by:
Puma Launches 2024 Exploration Program at Jonpol Gold





RIMOUSKI, Quebec, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puma Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PUMA, OTCQB: PUMXF) (the "Company" or "Puma") is pleased to launch its 2024 exploration program at its 100%-owned Jonpol Gold property located 8 km east of its Williams Brook property in Northern New Brunswick.



As outlined in its News Release of January 17, 2024, Puma is expanding its regional exploration fieldwork to prospective areas of the Williams Brook Project to identify additional priority targets and add to the Williams Brook gold inventory. A focused exploration program will be deployed this summer at the Jonpol Gold property and its new expansion (see Figure 1) to advance the Company's understanding of the sizeable orogenic gold system at play in the region and identify additional potential gold deposits.

Figure 1. Williams Brook Project properties and other Puma holdings





The 2024 summer program at Jonpol aims to investigate and revisit gold showings found by previous operators using Puma's proven exploration strategy. These gold occurrences are associated with mafic intrusions along and parallel to structures closely related to the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault ("RBMF"), a major orogenic structure trending ENE and known to host numerous gold occurrences and deposits.

Grab samples* reported from historical trenches, dug 36 years ago (1985-88), graded up to 17.1 g/t Au, 14.8 g/t Au, 10.6 g/t Au, 6.8 g/t Au, 5.1 g/t Au, and 3.4 g/t Au. Puma has not done any field work on those gold showings since the acquisition of the property in 2019. *Readers are cautioned that grab samples are selective by nature and may not represent the true metal content of the mineralized zone.

Potential at Jonpol Gold

The Jonpol Gold property is located only 5 km NW from the Murray Brook Deposit, the largest advanced-stage polymetallic asset in New Brunswick recently acquired by Canadian Copper (CSE: CCI) (see February 5, 2024, News Release). Jonpol has seen little exploration work in the past. Puma flew a VTEM heliborne survey over the property in 2021 and completed a short prospection program that same year. Limited diamond drilling by previous operators returned 1.13 g/t Au over 12.0 m, 1.37 g/t Au over 6.0 m, 1.37 g/t Au over 1.4 m, 3.89 g/t Au over 1.0 m and 2.78 g/t Au over 1.5 m. The property is underlain by sedimentary rocks and intruded by mafic to intermediate intrusions. Recent data compilation of work conducted by previous operators on the property has highlighted a 4 km-long gold trend parallel to a major fault and along a contact between intrusive and sedimentary rocks (see Figure 2). The trend appears similar in size and nature to the Lynx Gold Trend and will be Puma's top priority for its upcoming work program.

Figure 2. VTEM Survey of the Jonpol Gold property with gold occurrences





Increasing the Jonpol Gold property package

Following its DEAR (Development, Exploration, Acquisition and Royalties) strategy, Puma always seeks opportunities to maximize its landholdings and increase shareholder value. The Company secured 54 units (1,173 hectares) that came up for staking at a minimal investment of $3,240. The 100%-owned land package now extends to 4,736 ha. The claims, only 10 km from the Company's flagship Williams Book property, are underlain by the same geology and butt up against the Murray Brook West property optioned to Canadian Copper (CSE: CCI) (see Figure 3).

Figure 3. Puma's landholdings in Northern New Brunswick





2024 Outlook

Puma is focused on growing the volume, scale, and grade of the Williams Brook Gold Project. Its 2024 plans include:

Prove the continuity of the high-grade gold mineralization sampled at surface at the Tiger Gold Zone along the 4.0km strike extension of the Lynx Gold Trend. Drilling along the Tiger and Cheetah gold zones has been completed, and assay results are pending. A drone magnetic survey (very detailed) was flown over 6 km of the Lynx Gold Trend, including the recently drilled 3.5 km extension (see April 25, 2024 News Release). Once interpreted, the new data will help direct Puma's summer trenching and stripping program and help identify targets for its upcoming 2024 Summer/Fall drilling program.



Expand to depth the high-grade mineralized intercepts drilled in 2023 at the Lynx Gold Zone. The 3D model of the Lynx Gold Zone mineralization, incorporating the results of the 2023 drilling at depth and along strike at the LGZ, is almost finalized. The updated model will provide Puma with additional high-grade drilling targets at the LGZ for future drilling.



Expand regional exploration to new areas of the property and newly acquired land packages to identify additional priority targets and add to the project's gold inventory. Demonstrate and continue to improve the gold recoveries at Williams Brook with conventional processing techniques (Prospection, mapping and trenching).



Puma continues to develop and derisk the Williams Brook Gold Project. Last year, metallurgical work was undertaken to understand and mitigate any issues with gold recoveries. This past winter, a small-scale simulation was conducted on a 3-tonne bulk sample. Results are encouraging, and a comprehensive review of the completed work will be announced shortly.



Upcoming Gold Investor Events

Puma will host an "Ask Me Anything" session on ceo.ca on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 12 p.m. EDT. If you are interested in learning more or want the Puma team to answer your questions, log into ceo.ca and post directly to the PUMA channel or send your questions to @CEOCA_Meaghan beforehand.

Shareholders and interested parties are also invited to stop by the booth or schedule a meeting at the upcoming conferences to discuss the Company's recent news and proposed developments:

The Mining Investment Event of the North

Quebec City, Quebec

June 4-6, 2024

About the Williams Brook Gold Project

Puma's flagship Williams Brook Gold Project comprises four properties covering over 50,000 ha in Northern New Brunswick?an established and mining-friendly jurisdiction near paved roads and excellent infrastructure. The land package is located near the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault ("RBMF"), a major regional structure formed during the Appalachian Orogeny and a significant control for gold deposition in the region.

Puma's successful exploration model returned, amongst others, 5.50 g/t gold over 50.15 m in hole WB21-02 (see Sept.15, 2021, News Release), 2.77 g/t gold over 42.80 m in hole WB 22-66 (see June 8, 2022, News Release), 2.49 g/t gold over 63.05 m in WB23-139 (see Oct. 31, 2023 News Release), 5.15 g/t gold over 23.15 m in WB23-142 and 1.24 g/t gold over 98.05 m in WB23-145 (see Nov. 16, 2023 News Release).

Since 2021, with less than C$15 M of exploration investment, Puma has made multiple gold discoveries at the Williams Brook property and believes it hosts an extensive orogenic gold system. Puma's ongoing exploration programs are focused on building a gold camp in Northern New Brunswick, Canada.

Dr. Gregg Morrison, a leading expert on intrusion-related, porphyry and epithermal gold systems, stated: "I believe Williams Brook is part of the same family of gold systems as Fosterville and Sunday Creek in Australia and Valentine Lake in Newfoundland. These other deposits are known for their structure-controlled mineralization, metal zoning, free gold in bonanza shoots and kilometre scale depth extent. The similarities to these more comprehensively explored deposits gives real confidence to deeper drilling in the Lynx Zone and continued exploration around the feeder structures in the Williams Brook District."

Qualified Person

Dominique Gagne, P.Geo, a consultant of Puma and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101?Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, reviewed and approved this release's technical information.

About Puma Exploration

Puma Exploration is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with precious metals projects in New Brunswick, near Canada's Famous Bathurst Mining Camp ("BMC"). Puma has a long history in Northern New Brunswick, having worked on regional projects for over 15 years. As a first mover, the Company quickly and strategically accumulated an impressive portfolio of prospective gold landholdings in the area. Puma's successful exploration methodology combines old prospecting methods with detailed trenching and up-to-date technology such as Artificial Intelligence ("AI") to facilitate an understanding of the geology and associated mineralized systems.

Armed with geophysical surveys, geochemical data and consultants' expertise, Puma has developed a perfect low-cost exploration tool to discover gold at shallow depths and maximize drilling results.

Connect with us on Facebook / X/ LinkedIn.

Visit www.explorationpuma.com for more information or contact:

Marcel Robillard, President and CEO.

(418) 750-8510; [email protected]

Mia Boiridy, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Development.

(250) 575-3305; [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve several known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Puma to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The quarterly and annual reports and the documents submitted to the securities administration describe these risks and uncertainties.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a81b173-8a74-4b48-81de-3d619a6427ed

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/248673ed-eadf-4ad8-a125-ca95e1589194

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0933cb6c-92a9-4e85-a5ba-b0aa3a2bb0c2

8 may 2024 at 08:00

News published onand distributed by:
BrainBox AI Celebrates Automated Emissions Reduction Success in LEED Gold Certified Loyola University Building in Chicago





MONTREAL, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BrainBox AI, a pioneer in autonomous AI technology for the built environment, is pleased to announce the significant results of its first Automated Emissions Reduction (AER) project in partnership with WattTime and The UC Berkeley Center for the Built Environment. In March 2021, BrainBox AI announced that it would be collaborating on a project funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund, to help buildings located in and around the Great Lakes reduce the mercury and GHG emissions caused by their electricity use. Following the news release, its AI for HVAC tech, layered with its proprietary Automated Emissions Reduction (AER) algorithm, was deployed in one of Loyola University's newest flagship buildings located in Chicago, Illinois. The goal of this deployment, using AER in conjunction with WattTime's Marginal Operating Emissions Rate (MOER), was to reduce the energy consumed by the building, the emissions resulting from that energy use, while also facilitating the integration of renewable energy during increased congestion periods.

As the percent of total energy production from renewables grows, the need to manage energy distribution and consumption becomes more and more critical to avoid wasted renewable energy. WattTime's MOER signal technology takes a granular view of electricity grids and forecasts the times when local electric grid experiences a surplus of renewables. During these congestion periods, transmission of some of the energy generated by these sources is intentionally reduced or stopped altogether. This act of letting this surplus energy generation go to waste is often referred to as a "curtailment". Consequently, this phenomenon feeds the grid concerns pertaining to energy supply along with environmental and financial concerns related to the wasted renewable energy. The need arises for a solution that captures and stores this surplus energy to avoid this renewable waste. This is where BrainBox AI's AER algorithm steps in. When deployed, it turns the building's HVAC system into a thermal battery that can be charged on the renewable energy that would otherwise be wasted and discharged later when grid emissions are high. This unlikely battery is unlocked by an AI-driven algorithm making it much cheaper than electric batteries (e.g. Li-ion). It provides an elegant solution that turns buildings into an asset for electric grids while also helping to accelerate the growth of renewables.

"Our work on this project is a clear example of the impact that our autonomous AI tech, combined with AER, can have in grid energy management." said Sam Ramadori, Chief Executive Officer at BrainBox AI. "We are excited by the fact that Autonomous AI opens a new chapter in building intelligence that unleashes greater opportunities and capabilities to support our transition towards full renewable energy."

Over the course of a year, BrainBox AI's autonomous AI-tech worked inside the LEED Gold certified Schrieber Center, a 10-story, 150,000 sq ft. building on the Loyola University campus. In a randomized controlled trial, the study compared three modes of the buildings management system (BMS) in relation to each other; results from the AER algorithm running paired with the BrainBox AI HVAC optimization algorithms, had the most impactful result. It showed that the building had achieved high returns related to CO2 emissions reductions, achieving a consistent 10% reduction in HVAC-related energy costs and emissions annually as well as reducing HVAC emissions by up to 15% during periods where renewables were being curtailed on the grid, plus a four-hour period after the curtailment ended. In addition, the test of the deployed AER algorithm revealed that the building itself could work as a viable unit for the storage of extra power during curtailment periods. "We're thrilled to see BrainBox AI bringing automated carbon reduction into existing commercial buildings." said Geoff Hancock, Product Manager at WattTime. "Equipped with this technology, buildings can be a resource to better utilize renewables on the grid, which promotes faster renewable growth."

In 2023, the results of this project were recognized by U.S.-based Center for the Built Environment as well as in a new ASHRAE Guide on the Role of Grid Interactivity in Decarbonization, marking yet another milestone for BrainBox AI and its pioneering technology for the built environment. "The Center for the Built Environment is excited about this study, its findings, and its potential as part of the solution to the challenges that the energy grid currently faces." shared Paul Raftery, Professional Researcher at the Center for the Built Environment, University of California Berkeley.

BrainBox AI has previously announced its work in this domain, in pilot projects and other initiatives, most notably when it entered and won the Tech for Our Planet Challenge at COP26 in 2021 under another pilot project. It continues to push the research and development of its AI-led technology further, driven by its mission to save the planet with AI. For a more in-depth account of the project and its results we invite you to read our case study.

About BrainBox AI

Founded in 2017, BrainBox AI was created to address two critical issues currently facing the built environment: carbon emissions and energy consumption. As innovators in the decarbonization movement, BrainBox AI's game-changing HVAC technology leverages AI to make buildings smarter, greener, and more efficient. Through strategic global relationships, BrainBox AI elevates real estate clients across various sectors from office buildings and hotels to commercial retail, grocery stores, airports, and more.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, a global AI hub, our workforce of over 170 employees, bring with them talent from all sectors with the common thread of being in business to heal our planet. BrainBox AI works in collaboration with research partners including MILA ? Quebec AI Institute, the Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO), as well as academic institutions including McGill University. For more information visit: https://brainboxai.com

Contact:

Liz Culley-Sullo

Director, Public Relations

[email protected]

8 may 2024 at 09:00

News published onand distributed by:
Irion and Orion Governance Form a Partnership to Enhance the Advanced Enterprise Data Management Platform





San Mateo, California, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Irion, a leader in the Enterprise Data Management market and producer of Irion EDM, a unified data management platform and Orion Governance, the Information Intelligence Company, and provider of the Enterprise Information Intelligence Graph (EIIG), a self-defined data fabric, have reached a partnership agreement to leverage the synergies between the two companies to offer the most advanced enterprise data management solutions.

With this partnership agreement, Irion will enrich its offering with advanced metadata-management and data lineage capabilities from Orion Governance's EIIG: Orion Governance's intelligent and automated ingestors will further enhance Irion EDM capabilities of connecting with any data source and legacy application within a complex organization. The two companies are also exploring possibilities of expanding the partnership to other areas of data management. By leveraging Irion EDM functionalities, Orion Governance can also enhance its solutions and bring new value to their customers.

"I am very confident that the partnership with Orion Governance will bring us new opportunities in our current market as well as in new ones," says Alberto Scavino, Co-founder and CEO at Irion. "EIIG's core capabilities can further enhance Irion EDM's active metadata management and data governance offerings. The new combined solution will enable our customers to harness the value of their data more quickly and efficiently. Irion will bring to the partnership over 20 years of experience and success in advanced data quality and data management, which I am sure will be of utmost importance for the growth plans of both companies."

Ramesh Shurma, Founder and CEO at Orion Governance, comments, "It is thrilling to see two innovative companies joining forces to build solutions to help enterprises manage and govern their data for AI-driven initiatives. We are looking forward to working with the Irion team to expand Orion Governance's footprint in Italy."

About Irion

Irion is an Italian software house established in 2004, highly skilled in Enterprise Data Management technologies and solutions. With over 20 years of experience, chosen by 8 out of 10 major Italian banking groups, half of the major insurance companies, and large energy and manufacturing customers, Irion EDM is the first end-to-end platform with a declarative paradigm for Enterprise Data Management.

Supporting a fully and natively metadata-driven working model, users can collect data from any source (on-prem or cloud), govern it to ensure its correct use, transform it and share it with various stakeholders. In addition, they can design complete vertical solutions to meet specific business needs. Gartner awarded Irion two Honorable Mentions: Data Quality Solutions and Data Integration Tools. Irion is headquartered in Turin, Italy, with offices in Milan and Madrid. www.irion-edm.com

About Orion Governance

Orion Governance was founded in 2017 with a mission to disrupt the information management space. The company's Enterprise Information Intelligence Graph (EIIG) leverages deep knowledge of technologies, AI/ML and LLM's in providing a vendor/technology/cloud agnostic single-pane view and near real time capabilities through the most comprehensive knowledge graph in the industry. The EIIG has persona-based visualizations to create a self-defined data fabric with detailed data lineage, cataloging, traceability, augmented data quality, and analytics capabilities; ML/AI automation enables enterprises to take control of their complex IT landscape in near real-time. Customers include Global 5000 companies in banking insurance, retail, healthcare, telecom, and information technology. Orion's technology has been pivotal to a number of Global banks in helping them comply with Basel III endgame and other critical regulations. In addition to this, key use cases include acceleration of cloud migration/modernization, data governance and regulatory compliance, and cost optimization. Orion is headquartered in San Mateo, California, with global offices in other US cities, Estonia, Sweden, Singapore, Germany, India, and Ecuador. www.oriongovernance.com

Attachment

8 may 2024 at 09:00

News published onand distributed by:
ULTIMATE JET VACATIONS ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC APPOINTMENTS IN NORTH AMERICAN REGIONS





Andrew Rein, Director of Business Development ? Northeast and Canada

Katie Lindblad, Director of Business Development ? Southeast

Kevin Peyrache, Director of Business Development ? West Coast and British Columbia

MIAMI, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultimate Jet Vacations (UJV), the premier luxury wholesale travel company specializing in global five-star experiences, announces new strategic appointments in North America as the brand continues its global expansion and customer-centric strategy intended to enhance its relationships and elevate service offerings for travel advisors and professionals. These appointments complement the existing business development team and underscore UJV's commitment to strategic growth, while highlighting the importance of the African and European markets.

UJV has appointed Andrew Rein as Director of Business Development, overseeing the Northeast and Canada regions. Rein brings a wealth of experience in the travel and hospitality industry with prestigious five-star international luxury hotels and resorts, including Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and the Peninsula Hotel New York. As Director of Travel Trade at Mandarin Oriental, Rein oversaw London and Paris properties, partnering with luxury travel advisors to drive increased revenue for the marquee hotels. Previously, he served as the Director of Business Development for Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, focusing on building meaningful relationships with industry partners, significantly increasing business for the brand over his seven-year tenure. In this new role, Rein will leverage his in-depth knowledge of the European market to further develop UJV's professional offerings for the luxury travel industry.

Katie Lindblad joins UJV as Director of Business Development overseeing the Southeast region. Lindblad brings a deep understanding of the African market, having recently spent eight years at Singita, overseeing sales in the United States and Canada. Through her dedication and expertise, Katie played an integral role in expanding Singita's presence in key markets, while fostering lasting partnerships and delivering a consistent level of service to discerning clientele. Previously, Lindblad served as the Business Development Manager Asia-Pacific for Virtuoso, a leading industry luxury travel network. Lindblad will leverage her expertise in the African market to elevate UJV's presence in Africa.

Leading the West Coast as Director of Business Development is Kevin Peyrache, who began his journey with UJV in 2018. Hailing from Lyon, France, Peyrache began his career a decade ago, offering a nuanced understanding of the European market and building high-end, bespoke travel itineraries. In his role, Peyrache will exclusively focus on the West Coast region and British Columbia as he continues to strengthen luxury travel partnerships and lead sales growth.

"As UJV continues its strategic development and expansion of services for luxury travel advisors, we are delighted to welcome three exceptional leaders who will be instrumental in driving the success and recognition of UJV in the luxury travel industry," said David Solis, Head of Business Development, Ultimate Jet Vacations. "Their expertise and knowledge will continue to elevate UJV's presence in the key regions, including Europe and Africa, as well as position the brand as a leading wholesale travel company focused on seamless travel booking process."

These appointments highlight UJV's commitment to nurturing partner relationships, offering turnkey white glove service, providing expertise in navigating complex markets, and creating an elevated framework to enhance offerings for the luxury travel industry. Most recently, UJV introduced the UJV Luxury Travel Advisor Top Producers Awards program, celebrating outstanding accomplishments in sales amongst luxury travel agents and agencies specializing in Africa, Europe, as well as the overall global market.

For more information on Ultimate Jet Vacations, please visit: www.ultimatejetvacations.com.

About Ultimate Jet Vacations (UJV)

Ultimate Jet Vacations (UJV), founded in 2008, is a service obsessed team of experts that works behind the scenes, engineering luxury travel experiences for travel advisors globally, in order to grow their business and meet their exclusive clients' expectations. UJV works with over 800 exclusive partners worldwide, offering an expansive network of curated partnerships in the luxury travel hospitality industry. With a mission to facilitate success for the luxury travel advisor community, UJV enhances the experience of booking travel. From Africa, Europe to the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America, UJV offers a highly curated portfolio of hotels, partners, and suppliers. To learn more about UJV, visit www.ultimatejetvacations.com.

SOURCE Ultimate Jet Vacations (UJV)

8 may 2024 at 09:00

News published onand distributed by:
Silicate Named as Finalist in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal Competition





Silicate, a terrestrial enhanced weathering company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that it has been named as one of 20 finalists in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition. The contest, which is funded by the Musk Foundation, evaluated teams across key areas of operations, sustainability, and cost, whittling down a list of around 200 entrants to just 20 finalists, who are now competing for a $50 million grand prize.

Silicate's carbon dioxide removal approach leverages existing agricultural value chains to durably sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide as dissolved bicarbonate by enhancing a natural and permanent carbon removal pathway ? weathering. Silicate is the first terrestrial enhanced weathering company globally to focus on carbonate-bearing materials, such as returned concrete and limestone.

Research by the company in Ireland and the U.S. Midwest in collaboration with academics from University College Dublin and Northwestern University, with the support of Breakthrough Energy Fellows, has helped the company to progress on milestones critical to enabling enhanced weathering to become a carbon removal pathway with climate-relevant potential.

"Being selected as a finalist in this prestigious competition is an exciting opportunity for our team to demonstrate the potential of terrestrial enhanced weathering with carbonate-bearing materials to durably sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide," said Silicate founder and director, Maurice Bryson.

"XPRIZE's recognition and support of our work is a boon to our mission to leverage agricultural value chains to durably remove excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while increasing soil productivity through pH amendment."

The top 20 finalists were evaluated and selected by the XPRIZE Carbon Removal team and a group of qualified judges to move forward into the final stage of the competition. To win the grand prize, teams must demonstrate a working solution at a scale of at least 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide removed per year; model their costs at a scale of 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide removed per year; and show a pathway to achieving a scale of gigatonnes of carbon dioxide removed per year in the future.

Last year, humans emitted a record 35.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere (Liu et al., 2024). Limiting global warming to 1.5C - we are currently at ~1.1C (Lee and Romero, 2023) ? will require not just urgent decarbonisation of the global economy, but also permanent removal of 20-660 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2100 (Shukla et al., 2022).

About Silicate

Silicate is a terrestrial enhanced weathering company accelerating a natural geological process ? the weathering of minerals ? to durably sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide and amend soil pH in farmland. The company mills alkaline materials, applies them to farmland, and measures the carbon removal it enables, facilitating companies to achieve their net zero ambitions, and agribusinesses to reduce and remove greenhouse gas emissions in their value chain, while also helping farmers to increase productivity by optimising soil pH for crop growth. Silicate is part of the Breakthrough Energy Fellows programme, and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with operations in Illinois, US.

About XPRIZE Carbon Removal

XPRIZE Carbon Removal is funded by the Musk Foundation, and is aimed at tackling the biggest threat facing humanity - fighting climate change and rebalancing Earth's carbon cycle. This four-year, $100 million global competition invites innovators and teams from anywhere on the planet to create and demonstrate solutions that can pull carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere or oceans and sequester it durably and sustainably.

8 may 2024 at 09:10

News published onand distributed by:
AG&P LNG and Hai Linh Announce the Start of the Commissioning of their Cai Mep LNG Terminal in Vietnam





Terminal's commercial operations scheduled to start in September 2024

Cai Mep LNG Terminal will provide integrated LNG supply solution through AG&P LNG and Hai Linh downstream joint venture ? Vietfirst Gas.

Vietfirst Gas also signed second definitive agreement with prominent demand aggregator at the 'Cai Mep LNG Terminal Commissioning Symposium'. The first definitive agreement for 1 MTPA offtake was signed with HPP power plant in March 2024 .

The 3 MTPA Cai Mep LNG Terminal, expandable to 6 MTPA, is one of only two existing LNG terminals located in Vietnam . The Cai Mep LNG Terminal is located in in V?ng Tau district .

Earlier this year in March, AG&P LNG, subsidiary of Nebula Energy, acquired a 49% stake in the fully constructed Cai Mep terminal developed by Hai Linh Company Limited.

HANOI, Vietnam, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading LNG terminals and downstream infrastructure company, AG&P LNG, a subsidiary of Nebula Energy, along with its partner, Hai Linh Company Limited, a prominent petroleum product import terminal and trader, in Vietnam today announced the start of the commissioning of the Cai Mep LNG Terminal in an elaborate 'Cai Mep LNG Terminal Commissioning Symposium' hosted at the terminal.

The detailed milestones of the commissioning phase were announced, leading up to the start of commercial operations of the Cai Mep LNG Terminal targeted for September 2024. The symposium demonstrated AG&P LNG's singular integrated LNG ecosystem with participation from customers, LNG suppliers, gas aggregators, and network partners, connecting the end-to-end LNG value chain, from sourcing to last mile delivery.

Mr. Karthik Sathyamoorthy, CEO, AG&P LNG, said, "I am thrilled to announce the start of the commissioning of the Cap Mep LNG Terminal. We are now also on track to start the commercial operations of the Terminal in September 2024. The hard work and can-do spirit of the team from Hai Linh, AG&P LNG and Nebula Energy to meet our commitment of LNG delivery by Q3 2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary. In a testament to our remarkable team, I am equally delighted to share another exciting development. Today, at our Cai Mep LNG Terminal Commissioning Symposium, we signed our second definitive LNG offtake agreement with one of the demand aggregators in Vietnam. We had signed our first definitive agreement for 1 MTPA offtake with HPP power plant earlier this year in March. Very soon, we will be able to provide reliable LNG supply and immediately serve power and nearby industrial customers."

AG&P LNG has six additional executed Letters of Intent (LOIs) with six more demand aggregators for downstream LNG distribution since it acquired 49% stake in the Terminal in March earlier this year. The Cai Mep LNG Terminal is connected to nearby Phu My industrial zone and has pipeline connectivity to Vietnam's largest power generation complex, Phu My, which has gas-fired capacity of 3.9 GW. The Terminal is strategically located near the Mekong River Delta and has a 220,000 m3 of LNG storage, and LNG break-bulk capabilities that allows it to reload LNG into smaller vessels. The Cai Mep Terminal initially set at 3 MTPA and expandable to 6 MTPA, has 14 truck-loading bays for LNG and CNG filling.

Mr. Le Van Tam, CEO, Hai Linh Company Limited, said, "I am excited to announce the commissioning of our Cai Mep LNG Terminal. We at Hai Linh are privileged to have AG&P LNG and Nebula Energy as our partners as we work towards unlocking the potential LNG demand across multiple sectors and help reinforce energy security in the country."

Earlier this week, Cai Mep LNG launched the Expression of Interest (EOI) for supplying commissioning LNG cargo to the Terminal. The tender for the commissioning cargo is to be issued early June and awarded by end June 2024.

About AG&P LNG

AG&P LNG is a global leader in developing and running LNG and gas logistics and distribution solutions. AG&P provides the infrastructure to access natural gas safely and easily in new and growing markets. We act as an owner and service provider covering the development, financing, engineering, procurement, project management and construction of onshore and offshore gas infrastructure, linking suppliers to downstream customers. www.agplng.com

About Nebula Energy

Nebula Energy is a fully integrated investment, development, shipping and asset management organization that delivers creative and value-added resource solutions to utilities, private sector companies, cooperatives and municipalities to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

Our projects provide significant social, environmental and economic value by reducing emissions, lowering carbon footprint, and enhancing the overall reliability of energy infrastructure. In developing countries, Nebula Energy provides the capital required for total energy solutions for critical energy to help bridge the gap between supply and demand. www.nebulaenergy.net

About Hai Linh Company

Established in 1999, Hai Linh Company Limited is a private enterprise involved in import, export and distribution of oil, gas and petroleum products. The company is one of the domestic licensed wholesale petroleum importers in Vietnam. In 2022, Hai Linh Co., Ltd. ranked 68th among the 500 largest enterprises in Vietnam and ranked 33rd among the 500 largest private enterprises in Vietnam.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407781/Cai_Mep_LNG_Symposium.jpg

8 may 2024 at 09:39

News published onand distributed by:
Royal Helium Announces Closing of $6 Million Bought-Deal Public Offering





/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

SASKATOON, SK, May 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Royal Helium Ltd. (TSXV: RHC) (OTCQB: RHCCF) ("Royal" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced bought deal public offering (the "Offering") of units of the Company (the "Units") for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,000,030. Pursuant to the Offering, a total of 66,667,000 Units were sold at a price of $0.09 per Unit.

Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.12 per Common Share for a period of 36 months following closing of the Offering. The Warrants will commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "RHC.WT.B" on or about May 13, 2024.

The Offering was completed pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated April 24, 2024 entered into among the Company and a syndicate of underwriters led by Research Capital Corporation as the lead underwriter and sole bookrunner (the "Lead Underwriter"), on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters, including Canaccord Genuity Corp., Cormark Securities Inc. and Eight Capital Corp. (together with the Lead Underwriter, the "Underwriters").

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for new high-impact drilling on the 40 Mile project in southern Alberta, development through the Saskatchewan helium corridor, completion and testing of an existing discovery at the Ogema project, working capital and general corporate purposes.

Pursuant to the Offering, certain management and insiders acquired 1,532,888 Units in total. Their participation is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ? Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61- 101"). The transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemptions contained in Section 5.5(a) and Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the securities to be distributed in the Offering nor the consideration to be received for those securities, in so far as the Offering involves the insiders, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of this Offering, as the Company was not aware of the level of insider participation in the Offering at such time.

The Units were issued by way of a prospectus supplement dated April 26, 2024 (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated September 28, 2022 (the "Base Shelf Prospectus"), filed in all of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec. Copies of the Prospectus Supplement and the Base Shelf Prospectus are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

The Company further announces that it has entered into an agreement with Triomphe Holdings Ltd. (dba Capital Analytica) ("Capital Analytica") for investor relations and communication services (the "Consulting Agreement"). The Consulting Agreement has an initial term of three months, commencing February 12, 2024, under which the Company will pay Capital Analytica a fee of $60,000 with the option to renew the Consulting Agreement for an additional three months for a fee of $60,000 unless terminated earlier in accordance with the Consulting Agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of the Consulting Agreement, Capital Analytica will provide ongoing capital markets consultation, ongoing social media consultation regarding engagement and enhancement, corporate video dissemination, and other related investor relations services. Capital Analytica is a Nanaimo based company owned and operated by Jeff French who is at arm's length to the Company and holds no securities, directly or indirectly of the Company.

About Royal Helium Ltd.

Royal Helium is an exploration, production, and infrastructure company with a primary focus on the development and production of helium and associated gases. The Company's extensive footprint includes prospective helium permits and leases across southern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta. Given the current and foreseeable global undersupplied nature of this critical and non-renewable product, Royal is well positioned to be a leading North American producer of this increasingly high value commodity.

Royal Helium's helium reservoirs are carried primarily with nitrogen. Nitrogen is not considered a greenhouse gas (GHG) and therefore the plant has a low GHG footprint when compared to plants in other jurisdictions that rely on large scale natural gas production for helium extraction. Helium extracted from wells in Saskatchewan and Alberta can be up to 90% less carbon intensive than helium extraction processes in other jurisdictions.

Andrew Davidson

Chief Executive Officer

Royal Helium Ltd.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release includes certain statements and information that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to the use of proceeds of the Offering, the timely receipt of all necessary approvals, including any requisite approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of the Company. Such statements can generally, but not always, be identified by words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "forecasts", "schedules", "prepares", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. All statements that describe the Company's plans relating to operations and potential strategic opportunities are forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. These statements address future events and conditions and are reliant on assumptions made by the Company's management, and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking information, actual results could materially differ from those currently projected, and there is no representation by the Company that the actual results realized in the future will be the same in whole or in part as those presented herein. the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Readers are referred to the additional information regarding the Company's business contained in the Company's reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on the Company and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

The Company provides no assurance that forward-looking statements and information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not undertake to update any for-ward looking statements, other than as required by law.

SOURCE Royal Helium Ltd.

8 may 2024 at 10:13

News published onand distributed by:
The TJX Companies, Inc. to Report Q1 FY25 Results May 22, 2024





The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TJX) today announced that it plans to release its first quarter Fiscal 2025 sales and earnings results on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, before 9:30 a.m. ET.

At 11:00 a.m. ET that day, Ernie Herrman, TJX's Chief Executive Officer and President, will hold a conference call to discuss the Company's first quarter Fiscal 2025 results, operations, and business trends. A real-time webcast of the call will be available to the public at TJX.com. A replay of the call will also be available by dialing (866) 367-5577 (toll free) or (203) 369-0233 through Tuesday, May 28, 2024, or at TJX.com.

About The TJX Companies, Inc.

The TJX Companies, Inc., a Fortune 100 company, is the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide. Our mission is to deliver great value to customers every day by offering a rapidly changing assortment of quality, fashionable, brand name, and designer merchandise at prices generally 20% to 60% below full-price retailers' regular prices on comparable merchandise. We operate over 4,900 stores across nine countries, including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Homesense, and Sierra, in the U.S.; Winners, HomeSense, and Marshalls in Canada; TK Maxx and Homesense in Europe, and TK Maxx in Australia. We also operate e-commerce sites for TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Sierra in the U.S. and three sites for TK Maxx in Europe. Our value mission extends to our corporate responsibility efforts, which are focused on supporting our Associates, giving back in the communities we serve, the environment, and operating ethically. Additional information about TJX's press releases, financial information, and corporate responsibility are available at TJX.com.

Important Information at Website

Archived versions of the Company's conference calls are available in the Investors section of TJX.com after they are no longer available by telephone as are reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures for applicable periods and other financial information. The Company routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the Investors section at TJX.com. The Company encourages investors to consult that section of its website regularly.

8 may 2024 at 11:05

News published onand distributed by:
Removing barriers for sperm and ova donors





OTTAWA, ON, May 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Many people including those experiencing infertility, single parents and same-sex couples, may choose assisted human reproduction, including the use of donated sperm and ova, as a way of growing their families.

Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, is announcing that Health Canada's updated screening criteria for sperm and ova donors have come into force, integrating the latest scientific evidence and input from consultations with subject-matter experts in donor screening, industry, patient associations, and 2SLGBTQIA+ groups.

In 2022, Health Canada approved submissions from Canada's two blood operators, Canadian Blood Services and Hema-Quebec, to eliminate the blood donor deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM) and other individuals affected by the previous deferral policies. Today's announcement builds on that progress and is a step forward in reducing barriers that prevented many individuals from donating sperm. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that its sperm and ova donation policy is safe, inclusive and scientifically based.

Health Canada is working with the Canadian Standards Association to discuss potential changes to the MSM donor screening criteria for cells, tissues and organs (CTOs), that are under current consideration by experts in the field of CTO donation. The Government of Canada is working toward a more inclusive donation system that is supported by the recent advancements in scientific evidence.

Quotes

"Our government is committed to continuing safe, inclusive, and scientifically-based sperm and ova donation policies. By following the latest evidence and science, we are ensuring that the sperm and ova supply is stable to allow all Canadians to grow their families."

The Honourable Mark Holland

Minister of Health

Associated Links

SOURCE Health Canada (HC)

8 may 2024 at 12:39

News published onand distributed by:
Alvopetro Announces Q1 2024 Results and Details for the Q1 2024 Earnings Call, April Sales Volumes, an Operational Update and Details for our Upcoming AGM





CALGARY, AB, May 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Alvopetro Energy Ltd. (TSXV: ALV) (OTCQX: ALVOF) announces April 2024 sales volumes, an operational update, financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and details for both our Q1 2024 earnings call and our upcoming annual general and special meeting.

All references herein to $ refer to United States dollars, unless otherwise stated and all tabular amounts are in thousands of United States dollars, except as otherwise noted.

April Sales Volumes

April sales volumes averaged 1,808 boepd, including natural gas sales of 10.3 MMcfpd, associated natural gas liquids sales from condensate of 79 bopd and oil sales of 18 bopd, based on field estimates.

Natural gas, NGLs and crude oil sales: April

2024 March

2024 Natural gas (Mcfpd), by field:



Cabure 9,773 10,437 Murucututu 492 462 Total natural gas (Mcfpd) 10,265 10,899 NGLs (bopd) 79 86 Oil (bopd) 18 8 Total (boepd) 1,808 1,911

Operational Update

We have completed the planned chemical injection program in our 197-1 well. This program was designed to enhance production from the well and we are in the process of bringing the back online to the field production facility. Following this project, we plan to recomplete our 183-1 well in an uphole Caruacu zone. We expect to initiate this project in the next two weeks, with production results anticipated in June. Following this, we also plan to finish the completion of our 183-A3 well. This well was drilled to a total measured depth of 3,540 metres and based on open-hole logs, the well encountered potential net natural gas pay in both the Caruacu Member of the Maracangalha Formation and the Gomo Member of the Candeias Formation, with an aggregate 127.7 metres total vertical depth of potential natural gas pay, using a 6% porosity cutoff, 50% Vshale cut-off and 50% water saturation cutoff. The 183-A3 work is expected to start at the beginning of the third quarter pending equipment availability.

On April 4, 2024, the independent expert appointed in connection with the redetermination of working interests in the unitized area which includes Alvopetro's Cabure natural gas field (the "Unit"), found in favour of Alvopetro, increasing Alvopetro's working interest from 49.1% to 56.2%. Our partner filed a notice of dispute seeking to stay the redetermination result. Alvopetro then filed an emergency arbitration request before the International Chamber of Commerce ("ICC") seeking an injunction to make the expert decision effective in the interim, starting on June 1, 2024, as provided for in our Unit Operating Agreement ("UOA"). The dispute may ultimately need to be decided by an arbitral tribunal pursuant to the Rules of Arbitration of the ICC as provided for under the terms of the UOA.

Financial and Operating Highlights ? First Quarter of 2024

Our daily sales averaged 1,701 boepd during the quarter, a decrease of 21% from Q4 2023 and 39% from Q1 2023 due to lower natural gas demand and reduced availability from the Unit.

Our average realized natural gas price was $12.57 /Mcf, a 4% increase from Q1 2023, and our overall realized price per boe was $75.94 (+4% from Q1 2023).

/Mcf, a 4% increase from Q1 2023, and our overall realized price per boe was (+4% from Q1 2023). With lower overall sales volumes, our natural gas, condensate and oil revenue was $11.8 million in Q1 2024, a decrease of $3.5 million (-23%) compared to Q4 2023 and a decrease of $6.4 million (-35%) compared to Q1 2023.

in Q1 2024, a decrease of (-23%) compared to Q4 2023 and a decrease of (-35%) compared to Q1 2023. Our operating netback in the quarter was $66.16 per boe (- $0.45 per boe from Q1 2023) with higher production expenses more than offsetting the increase in realized sales prices.

per boe (- per boe from Q1 2023) with higher production expenses more than offsetting the increase in realized sales prices. We generated funds flows from operations of $8.5 million ( $0.23 per basic and per diluted share), a decrease of $6.5 million compared to Q1 2023 and $3.9 million compared to Q4 2023.

( per basic and per diluted share), a decrease of compared to Q1 2023 and compared to Q4 2023. We reported net income of $4.6 million in Q1 2024, a decrease of $7.7 million compared to Q1 2023 and an increase of $3.9 million compared to Q4 2023.

in Q1 2024, a decrease of compared to Q1 2023 and an increase of compared to Q4 2023. Capital expenditures totaled $2.4 million , including completion costs for the 183-A3 well on our Murucututu natural gas field, site construction costs for a new well pad on the Murucututu field and equipment purchases for upcoming capital projects.

, including completion costs for the 183-A3 well on our Murucututu natural gas field, site construction costs for a new well pad on the Murucututu field and equipment purchases for upcoming capital projects. Consistent with lower overall sales volumes and funds flow from operations in the quarter, our Board of Directors decreased the quarterly dividend to $0.09 per share. The dividend was paid on April 15, 2024 to shareholders of record on March 28, 2024 .

per share. The dividend was paid on to shareholders of record on . Our working capital surplus was $15.0 million as of March 31, 2024 , increasing $1.9 million from December 31, 2023 .

The following table provides a summary of Alvopetro's financial and operating results for the periods noted. The consolidated financial statements with the Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") are available on our website at www.alvopetro.com and will be available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.





As at and Three Months Ended March 31,







2024 2023 Change (%) Financial











($000s, except where noted)











Natural gas, oil and condensate sales





11,752 18,160 (35) Net income





4,550 12,202 (63) Per share ? basic ($)(1)





0.12 0.34 (65) Per share ? diluted ($)(1)





0.12 0.33 (64) Cash flows from operating activities





8,213 13,856 (41) Per share ? basic ($)(1)





0.22 0.38 (42) Per share ? diluted ($)(1)





0.22 0.37 (41) Funds flow from operations (2)





8,513 14,972 (43) Per share ? basic ($)(1)





0.23 0.41 (44) Per share ? diluted ($)(1)





0.23 0.40 (43) Dividends declared





3,296 5,104 (35) Per share(1)





0.09 0.14 (36) Capital expenditures





2,439 3,291 (26) Cash and cash equivalents





17,450 24,623 (29) Net working capital(2)





15,047 20,915 (28) Weighted average shares outstanding











Basic (000s)(1)





37,282 36,323 3 Diluted (000s)(1)





37,693 37,470 1 Operations











Natural gas, NGLs and crude oil sales:











Natural gas (Mcfpd), by field:











Cabure (Mcfpd)





9,236 15,637 (41) Murucututu (Mcfpd)





430 158 172 Total natural gas (Mcfpd)





9,666 15,795 (39) NGLs ? condensate (bopd)





78 130 (40) Oil (bopd)





12 5 140 Total (boepd)





1,701 2,767 (39)













Average realized prices(2):











Natural gas ($/Mcf)





12.57 12.06 4 NGLs ? condensate ($/bbl)





87.89 84.10 5 Oil ($/bbl)





65.06 72.29 (10) Total ($/boe)





75.94 72.92 4













Operating netback ($/boe)(2)











Realized sales price





75.94 72.92 4 Royalties





(2.02) (2.34) (14) Production expenses





(7.76) (3.97) 95 Operating netback





66.16 66.61 (1) Operating netback margin(2)





87 % 91 % (4)





Notes: (1) Per share amounts are based on weighted average shares outstanding other than dividends per share, which is based on the number of common shares outstanding at each dividend record date. The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding in the computation of funds flow from operations and cash flows from operating activities per share is the same as for net income per share. (2) See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section within this news release.

Q1 2024 Results Webcast

Alvopetro will host a live webcast to discuss our Q1 2024 financial results at 9:00 am Mountain time on Thursday May 9, 2024. Details for joining the event are as follows:

DATE: May 9, 2024

TIME: 9:00 AM Mountain/11:00 AM Eastern

LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88909857820

DIAL-IN NUMBERS: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kwXOrGk7

WEBINAR ID: 889 0985 7820

The webcast will include a question-and-answer period. Online participants will be able to ask questions through the Zoom portal. Dial-in participants can email questions directly to [email protected].

Annual General Meeting

Alvopetro's annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at the Penn West Plaza Conference Centre (Suite 211, 207 9th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta) beginning at 9:30 a.m. Mountain time. The management information circular and all related materials will be available on our website and www.sedarplus.ca later this month.

All interested parties are invited to attend the Meeting. We will also be broadcasting the meeting via live webcast for the interest of all shareholders. Please be advised that shareholders will not be able to vote any shares through this webcast format. Details for joining the event are as follows:

DATE: June 18, 2024

TIME: 9:30 AM Mountain/11:30 AM Eastern

LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85643699805

DIAL-IN NUMBERS: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdTMTKlxry

WEBINAR ID: 856 4369 9805

Corporate Presentation

Alvopetro's updated corporate presentation is available on our website at:

http://www.alvopetro.com/corporate-presentation.

Social Media

Follow Alvopetro on our social media channels at the following links:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/AlvopetroEnergy

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alvopetro/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alvopetro-energy-ltd

Alvopetro Energy Ltd.'s vision is to become a leading independent upstream and midstream operator in Brazil. Our strategy is to unlock the on-shore natural gas potential in the state of Bahia in Brazil, building off the development of our Cabure and Murucututu natural gas fields and our strategic midstream infrastructure.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Abbreviations:

$000s = thousands of U.S. dollars boepd = barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") per day bopd = barrels of oil and/or natural gas liquids (condensate) per day BRL = Brazilian Real Mcf = thousand cubic feet Mcfpd = thousand cubic feet per day MMcf = million cubic feet MMcfpd = million cubic feet per day NGLs = natural gas liquids (condensate) Q1 2023 = three months ended March 31, 2023 Q1 2024 = three months ended March 31, 2024 Q4 2023 = three months ended December 31, 2023 USD = United States dollars GAAP = IFRS Accounting Standards

Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures

This news release contains references to various non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, capital management measures and supplementary financial measures as such terms are defined in National Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure. Such measures are not recognized measures under GAAP and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. While these measures may be common in the oil and gas industry, the Company's use of these terms may not be comparable to similarly defined measures presented by other companies. The non-GAAP and other financial measures referred to in this report should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than measures prescribed by IFRS and they are not meant to enhance the Company's reported financial performance or position. These are complementary measures that are used by management in assessing the Company's financial performance, efficiency and liquidity and they may be used by investors or other users of this document for the same purpose. Below is a description of the non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, capital management measures and supplementary financial measures used in this news release. For more information with respect to financial measures which have not been defined by GAAP, including reconciliations to the closest comparable GAAP measure, see the "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Financial Measures" section of the Company's MD&A which may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Operating netback

Operating netback is calculated as natural gas, oil and condensate revenues less royalties and production expenses. This calculation is provided in the "Operating Netback" section of the Company's MD&A using our IFRS measures. The Company's MD&A may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Operating netback is a common metric used in the oil and gas industry used to demonstrate profitability from operations.

Non-GAAP Financial Ratios

Operating netback per boe

Operating netback is calculated on a per unit basis, which is per barrel of oil equivalent ("boe"). It is a common non-GAAP measure used in the oil and gas industry and management believes this measurement assists in evaluating the operating performance of the Company. It is a measure of the economic quality of the Company's producing assets and is useful for evaluating variable costs as it provides a reliable measure regardless of fluctuations in production. Alvopetro calculated operating netback per boe as operating netback divided by total sales volumes (boe). This calculation is provided in the "Operating Netback" section of the Company's MD&A using our IFRS measures. The Company's MD&A may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Operating netback is a common metric used in the oil and gas industry used to demonstrate profitability from operations on a per boe basis.

Operating netback margin

Operating netback margin is calculated as operating netback per boe divided by the realized sales price per boe. Operating netback margin is a measure of the profitability per boe relative to natural gas, oil and condensate sales revenues per boe and is calculated as follows:





Three Months Ended March 31,





2024 2023 Operating netback - $ per boe



66.16 66.61 Average realized price - $ per boe



75.94 72.92 Operating netback margin



87 % 91 %

Funds Flow from Operations Per Share

Funds flow from operations per share is a non-GAAP ratio that includes all cash generated from operating activities and is calculated before changes in non-cash working capital, divided by the weighted the weighted average shares outstanding for the respective period. For the periods reported in this news release the cash flows from operating activities per share and funds flow from operations per share is as follows:





Three Months Ended March 31, $ per share



2024 2023 Per basic share:







Cash flows from operating activities



0.22 0.38 Funds flow from operations



0.23 0.41









Per diluted share:







Cash flows from operating activities



0.22 0.37 Funds flow from operations



0.23 0.40

Capital Management Measures

Funds Flow from Operations

Funds flow from operations is a non-GAAP capital management measure that includes all cash generated from operating activities and is calculated before changes in non-cash working capital. The most comparable GAAP measure to funds flow from operations is cash flows from operating activities. Management considers funds flow from operations important as it helps evaluate financial performance and demonstrates the Company's ability to generate sufficient cash to fund future growth opportunities. Funds flow from operations should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, cash flows from operating activities however management finds that the impact of working capital items on the cash flows reduces the comparability of the metric from period to period. A reconciliation of funds flow from operations to cash flows from operating activities is as follows:





Three Months Ended March 31,





2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities



8,213 13,856 Add back changes in non-cash working capital



300 1,116 Funds flow from operations



8,513 14,972

Net Working Capital

Net working capital is computed as current assets less current liabilities. Net working capital is a measure of liquidity, is used to evaluate financial resources, and is calculated as follows:





As at March 31,



2024 2023 Total current assets

24,149 33,264 Total current liabilities

(9,102) (12,349) Net working capital

15,047 20,915

Supplementary Financial Measures

"Average realized natural gas price - $/Mcf" is comprised of natural gas sales as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's natural gas sales volumes.

"Average realized NGL ? condensate price - $/bbl" is comprised of condensate sales as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's NGL sales volumes from condensate.

"Average realized oil price - $/bbl" is comprised of oil sales as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's oil sales volumes.

"Average realized price - $/boe" is comprised of natural gas, condensate and oil sales as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's total natural gas, NGL and oil sales volumes (barrels of oil equivalent).

"Dividends per share" is comprised of dividends declared, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the number of shares outstanding at the dividend record date.

"Royalties per boe" is comprised of royalties, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the total natural gas, NGL and oil sales volumes (barrels of oil equivalent).

"Production expenses per boe" is comprised of production expenses, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the total natural gas, NGL and oil sales volumes (barrels of oil equivalent).

BOE Disclosure

The term barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet per barrel (6 Mcf/bbl) of natural gas to barrels of oil equivalence is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. All boe conversions in this news release are derived from converting gas to oil in the ratio mix of six thousand cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil.

Testing and Well Results

Data obtained from the 183-A3 well identified in this press release including net pay and porosities should be considered to be preliminary. There is no representation by Alvopetro that the data relating to the 183-A3 well contained in this press release is necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. The reader is cautioned not to unduly rely on such data as such data may not be indicative of future performance of the well or of expected production or operational results for Alvopetro in the future.

Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Language

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "will", "expect", "intend" and other similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward?looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to vary significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect current assumptions and expectations regarding future events. Accordingly, when relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, Alvopetro cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the redetermination and Alvopetro's working interest share of the Unit, the arbitration procedures, plans relating to the Company's operational activities, proposed exploration development activities and the timing for such activities, the expected natural gas price, gas sales and gas deliveries under Alvopetro's long-term gas sales agreement, exploration and development prospects of Alvopetro, capital spending levels, future capital and operating costs, future production and sales volumes, production allocations from the Cabure natural gas field, anticipated timing for upcoming drilling and testing of other wells, projected financial results, and sources and availability of capital. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon assumptions and judgments with respect to the future including, but not limited to, expectations and assumptions concerning the timing of regulatory licenses and approvals, equipment availability, the success of future drilling, completion, testing, recompletion and development activities and the timing of such activities, the performance of producing wells and reservoirs, well development and operating performance, expectations regarding Alvopetro's working interest and the outcome of any redeterminations, environmental regulation, including regulation relating to hydraulic fracturing and stimulation, the ability to monetize hydrocarbons discovered, the outlook for commodity markets and ability to access capital markets, foreign exchange rates, general economic and business conditions, forecasted demand for oil and natural gas, the impact of global pandemics, weather and access to drilling locations, the availability and cost of labour and services, the regulatory and legal environment and other risks associated with oil and gas operations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Actual results achieved during the forecast period will vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. In addition, the declaration, timing, amount and payment of future dividends remain at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Although we believe that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because we can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, reliance on industry partners, availability of equipment and personnel, uncertainty surrounding timing for drilling and completion activities resulting from weather and other factors, changes in applicable regulatory regimes and health, safety and environmental risks), commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, market uncertainty associated with financial institution instability, and general economic conditions. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Although Alvopetro believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because Alvopetro can give no assurance that it will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on factors that could affect the operations or financial results of Alvopetro are included in our AIF which may be accessed on Alvopetro's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and Alvopetro undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Alvopetro Energy Ltd.

8 may 2024 at 17:03

News published onand distributed by:
Kneat Announces Record Revenue for First Quarter 2024





LIMERICK, Ireland, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- kneat.com, inc. (TSX: KSI, OTC: KSIOF) ("Kneat" or the "Company") a leader in digitizing and automating validation and quality processes, today announced financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024. All dollar amounts are presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

First-quarter 2024 total revenue reaches $10.8 million, an increase of 35% year over year

Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) 1 at March 31, 2024 grows 57% year over year, to $42.1 million

at March 31, 2024 grows 57% year over year, to $42.1 million SaaS ARR1 at March 31, 2024 reaches $41.8 million, an increase of 59% year over year



"Kneat is off to a solid start to what we expect to be another excellent year. Thousands of new licenses went to customers in the quarter, as many extended Kneat Gx to more sites and processes, and as new customers were added. Our pipeline is as strong as ever, after expanding and developing our sales team. And our team is making strides building Kneat Gx to make it the gold standard across all validation use cases for life science."

-said Eddie Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Kneat.

Q1 2024 Highlights

Total revenues increased 35% to $10.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $8.0 million for the first quarter of 2023.

SaaS revenue for the first quarter of 2024 grew 52% to $9.7 million, versus $6.4 million for the first quarter of 2023.

First-quarter 2024 gross profit was $7.9 million, up 48% from $5.4 million in gross profit for the first quarter of 2023.

Gross margin in the first quarter of 2024 was 74%, compared to 67% for the first quarter of 2023.

EBITDA 1 in the first quarter of 2024 was ($0.5) million, compared with ($0.6) million for the first quarter of 2023.

in the first quarter of 2024 was ($0.5) million, compared with ($0.6) million for the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA 1 in the first quarter of 2024 was $0.6 million, compared with ($1.1) million for the first quarter of 2023.

in the first quarter of 2024 was $0.6 million, compared with ($1.1) million for the first quarter of 2023. Net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was ($3.3) million, compared with ($2.5) million for the first quarter of 2023.

Total ARR 1 , which includes SaaS license and recurring maintenance fees, was $42.1 million at March 31, 2024, an increase of 57% from $26.9 million at March 31, 2023.

, which includes SaaS license and recurring maintenance fees, was $42.1 million at March 31, 2024, an increase of 57% from $26.9 million at March 31, 2023. SaaS ARR 1 , the proportion of ARR attributable to SaaS licenses, was $41.8 million at the end of the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 59% from $26.3 million at March 31, 2023.

, the proportion of ARR attributable to SaaS licenses, was $41.8 million at the end of the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 59% from $26.3 million at March 31, 2023. In January 2024, Kneat announced that it signed a three-year Master Services Agreement with a global manufacturer of consumer health and wellness products. Headquartered in Europe, with over 35,000 employees and operations in more than 50 countries, the company's goal is to digitize and harmonize their equipment and computer systems validation processes across their North America, European and the Asia-Pacific manufacturing sites. Implementation is ongoing at lead sites in the UK and the US, with initial go-live expected in Q2 2024.

In February 2024, Kneat announced that it signed a Master Services Agreement with a global provider of critical care products. Headquartered in the United States, with over 50,000 employees and operations in more than 20 countries, the company will leverage Kneat Gx beginning with its equipment validation processes. Implementation has begun at its lead site, and will follow at two additional sites, with initial go-live expected in Q3 2024.

Also in February 2024, Kneat completed an equity financing through an agreement with a syndicate of investment dealers led by Cormark Securities for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $20 million in exchange for 6,153,880 common shares from the treasury of the Company.

"With our recent financing and solid performance in the first quarter, we are in a strong financial position to continue doing what we do best, that is, executing on our growth strategy."

-said Hugh Kavanagh, Chief Financial Officer of Kneat.

Quarterly Conference Call



Eddie Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Kneat, and Hugh Kavanagh, Chief Financial Officer of Kneat, will host a conference call to discuss Kneat's first-quarter results and hold a Q&A for analysts and investors via webcast on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. ET.

Interested parties can register for the live webcast via the following link:

Register here

Supplementary and Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company uses supplementary financial measures as key performance indicators in its MD&A and other communications. Management uses both IFRS measures and supplementary, non-IFRS financial measures as key performance indicators when planning, monitoring and evaluating the Company's performance.

Annual Recurring Revenue ("ARR")

ARR is used by Kneat to assess the expected recurring annual revenues from the customers that are live on the Kneat Gx platform at the end of the period. ARR is calculated using the licenses delivered to customers at the period end, multiplied by the expected customer retention rate of 100% and multiplied by the full agreed annual SaaS license or maintenance fee. Since many of the customer contracts are in currencies other than the Canadian dollar, the Canadian dollar equivalent is calculated using the related period end exchange rate multiplied by the contracted currency amount.

Software-as-a-Service Annual Recurring Revenue ("SaaS ARR")

SaaS ARR is a component of ARR that is used by Kneat to assess the expected recurring revenues exclusively from license subscriptions to the Kneat Gx platform at the end of the period. SaaS ARR is calculated as the SaaS licenses delivered to customers at the period end, multiplied by the expected customer retention rate of 100% and multiplied by the full agreed SaaS license fee. Since many of the customer contracts are in currencies other than the Canadian dollar, the Canadian dollar equivalent is calculated using the related period end exchange rate multiplied by the contracted currency amount.

Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA")

EBITDA is calculated as net income (loss) attributable to kneat.com excluding interest income (expense), provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We provide and use this non-IFRS measure of our operating performance to highlight trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. A reconciliation of EBITDA to IFRS financial measures is provided in the financial statements accompanying this press release.

Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA")

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income (loss) attributable to kneat.com excluding interest income (expense), provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, foreign exchange gain or loss and stock-based compensation expense. We provide and use this non-IFRS measure of our operating performance to highlight trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures and to inform financial comparisons with other companies. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to IFRS financial measures is provided in the financial statements accompanying this press release.

About Kneat

Kneat Solutions provides leading companies in highly regulated industries with unparalleled efficiency in validation and compliance through its digital validation platform Kneat Gx. We lead the industry in customer satisfaction with an unblemished record for implementation, powered by our user-friendly design, expert support, and on-demand training academy. Kneat Gx is an industry-leading digital validation platform that enables highly regulated companies to manage any validation discipline from end-to-end. Kneat Gx is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified, fully validated, and 21 CFR Part 11/Annex 11 compliant. Multiple independent customer studies show a 40% or more reduction in validation cycle times, nearly 20% faster speed to market, and 80% reduced changeover time.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, certain information presented constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the relationship between Kneat and the customer, Kneat's business development activities, the use and implementation timelines of Kneat's software within the customer's validation processes, the ability and intent of the customer to scale the use of Kneat's software within the customer's organization, our ability to win business from new customers and expand business from existing customers, our expected use of the net proceeds from the IPF Facility and/or any future offering, the anticipated effects of the IPF Facility and/or any future offering on our business and operations, and the compliance of Kneat's platform under regulatory audit and inspection. These and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties may cause Kneat's actual results, performance, achievements and developments to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.

Material risks and uncertainties relating to our business are described under the headings "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information" and "Risk Factors" in our annual MD&A dated February 21, 2024, under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Information Form dated February 21, 2024 and in our other public documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are available at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are provided to help readers understand management's expectations as at the date of this release and may not be suitable for other purposes. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Kneat assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued forward-looking statement constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement. Continued reliance on forward-looking statements is at an investor's own risk.

For further information:

Katie Keita, Kneat Investor Relations

P: + 1 902-706-9074

E: [email protected]





kneat.com, inc. Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss (expressed in Canadian dollars) Three-month period ended Mar 31, 2024 Mar 31, 2023 Revenue SaaS License fees 9,718,501 6,387,635 On-premise license fees - 436,126 Maintenance fees 70,589 151,094 Professional services and other 977,910 990,053 Total Revenue 10,767,000 7,964,908 Cost of Revenue (2,834,015 ) (2,591,609 ) Gross Profit 7,932,985 5,373,299 Gross Margin 74 % 67 % Expenses Research and development (4,045,548 ) (3,863,685 ) Sales and marketing (4,031,684 ) (2,954,740 ) General and administrative (2,105,589 ) (1,905,882 ) Total Expenses (10,182,821 ) (8,724,307 ) Operating Loss (2,249,836 ) (3,351,008 ) Interest expense (867,451 ) (54,945 ) Interest income 35,076 1,933 Foreign exchange gain (loss) (238,763 ) 938,213 Loss before income taxes (3,320,974 ) (2,465,807 ) Income taxes (15,887 ) (8,550 ) Net loss for period (3,336,861 ) (2,474,357 ) Other comprehensive (loss) / income Foreign currency translation adjustment to presentation currency 190,894 (565,416 ) Comprehensive loss for the period (3,145,967 ) (3,039,773 ) Loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.04 ) $ (0.03 ) Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Basic and diluted 81,005,029 77,686,689 Reconciliation: Total loss for the period (3,336,861 ) (2,474,357 ) Interest expense 867,451 54,945 Interest income (35,076 ) (1,933 ) Income taxes 15,887 8,550 Depreciation expense 191,221 203,616 Amortization expense 1,834,211 1,564,303 EBITDA Loss (463,167 ) (644,876 ) Adjustments to EBITDA Foreign exchange loss (gain) 238,763 (938,213 ) Stock-based compensation expense 812,173 489,399 Adjusted EBITDA Loss 587,769 (1,093,690 )







kneat.com, inc. Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (expressed in Canadian dollars) as at March 31, Dec 31, 2024 2023 Assets Current assets Cash 37,507,949 15,252,526 Accounts receivable 15,557,613 11,601,558 Prepayments 1,100,664 1,138,382 54,166,226 27,992,466 Non-current assets Accounts receivable 2,352,759 1,650,795 Property and equipment 6,992,503 7,209,953 Intangible assets 29,471,354 27,642,752 Total assets 92,982,842 64,495,966 Liabilities Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 7,853,756 7,874,332 Contract liabilities 25,457,756 13,647,071 Lease liabilities 537,305 535,832 Loan payable 728,950 - 34,577,767 22,057,235 Non-current liabilities Contract liabilities 99,891 41,084 Lease liabilities 5,810,715 5,976,380 Loan payable and accrued interest 21,048,866 21,657,423 Total Liabilities 61,537,239 49,732,122 Equity Shareholders' equity 31,445,603 14,763,844 Total liabilities and equity 92,982,842 64,495,966







kneat.com, inc. Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (expressed in Canadian dollars) For the period ended 3 months 3 months March 31, March 31, 2024 2023 Operating activities Net loss for the period (3,336,861 ) (2,474,357 ) Charges to loss not involving cash: Depreciation of property and equipment 191,221 203,616 Share-based compensation expense 812,173 489,399 Interest expense 867,451 54,945 Tax expense 15,887 8,550 Amortization of the intangible asset 1,834,211 1,564,303 Amortization of loan issuance costs 36,957 - Write-off of property and equipment - 764 Foreign exchange loss/(gain) 238,763 (938,213 ) Increase/(Decrease) in non-current contract liabilities 58,319 (274,257 ) Net change in non-cash working capital related to operations 7,684,397 3,968,242 Net cash provided by operating activities 8,402,518 2,602,992 Financing activities Proceeds received from public equity financing 20,000,110 - Share issuance costs associated with equity financings (1,626,257 ) - Payment of principal and interest on the loan payable (621,996 ) - Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 641,700 24,000 Repayment of lease liabilities (181,158 ) (203,457 ) Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 18,212,399 (179,457 ) Investing activities Additions to the intangible asset (4,515,850 ) (4,099,009 ) Additions to property and equipment (8,163 ) (11,294 ) Net cash used in investing activities (4,524,013 ) (4,110,303 ) Effects of exchange rates on cash 164,519 12,728 Net change in cash during the period 22,255,423 (1,674,040 ) Cash - Beginning of period 15,252,526 12,282,478 Cash - End of period 37,507,949 10,608,438

______________________



1 ARR and SaaS ARR are supplementary measures. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS measures and are not recognized, defined or standardized measures under IFRS. These measures are defined in the "Supplementary and Non-IFRS Measures" section of this news release.

8 may 2024 at 17:35

News published onand distributed by:
American Aires Announces $3 Million Private Placement





Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States



TORONTO, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Americas Aires Inc. (CSE: WIFI) (OTCQB: AAIRF) (the "Company"), a pioneer in cutting-edge technology designed to protect against electromagnetic radiation and optimize human health, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Eight Capital dated May 8, 2024, pursuant to which the Eight Capital has agreed to act as agent, on a "best efforts" basis, in connection with a private placement of up to 3,158,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.95 per Unit (the "Issue Price") for gross proceeds of up to $3,000,100 (the "Offering").

Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $1.20 per Warrant Share for a period of 5 years following the closing of the Offering.

The Company has also granted Eight Capital the option to sell up to an additional 810,911 Units at the Issue Price, exercisable in whole or in part at any time up to 48 hours prior to the Closing Date (the "Agent's Option"). If the Agent's Option is exercised in its entirety, the total gross proceeds to the Company from the Offering will be C$3,770,465 from the sale of 3,968,911 Units.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for marketing, working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Offering is expected to close on or about May 16, 2024, or such other date as the Company and Eight Capital may agree and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary Canadian Securities Exchange, regulatory and other approvals.

Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 ? Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in Canada, other than Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). Because the Offering is being completed pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, the securities issued to Canadian resident subscribers in the Offering will not be subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Agent will also be entitled to offer the Units for sale in jurisdictions outside of Canada provided it is understood that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises in such other jurisdiction. All securities not issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities law, expiring four months and one day following the closing of the Offering.

There is an offering document related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.investors.airestech.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

Upon closing of the Offering, the Company shall pay to Eight Capital: (i) a cash commission equal to 7% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering; and (ii) non-transferrable broker warrants of the Company exercisable at any time prior to the date that is 24 months following the closing of the Offering to acquire that number of Units equal to 7% of the number of Units issued under the Offering at an exercise price equal to the Issue Price.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

About American Aires Inc.

American Aires Inc. is a Canadian-based nanotechnology company committed to enhancing well-being and environmental safety through science-led innovation, education, and advocacy. The company has developed a proprietary silicon-based resonator that protect against the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Aires' Lifetune products target EMR emitted by consumer electronic devices such as cellphones, computers, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi, including the more powerful and rapidly expanding high-speed 5G networks. Aires is listed on the CSE under the ticker 'WIFI' and on the OTCQB under the symbol 'AAIRF'. Learn more at www.investors.airestech.com.

On behalf of the board of directors

Company Contact:

Josh Bruni, CEO

Website: www.investors.airestech.com

Email: [email protected]

(415) 707-0102

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding closing and the expected closing date of the Offering; Canadian Securities Exchange approval of the Offering; exercise of the Agent's Option; exercise of the Warrants; exercise of the broker warrants to be issued to Eight Capital; use of proceeds from the Offering; and the business, strategy, products, corporate vision, plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals, including but not limited to approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements may be discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. We seek safe harbour.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

8 may 2024 at 18:25

News published onand distributed by:
THE FINAL countdown to the local, European and mayoral elections are under way, with campaign posters being erected across Limerick

Voters in Limerick and across Ireland will go to the polls on Friday, June 7.

Here in Limerick, there will be three elections - one for the local council, one for the European Parliament and, for the first time, a contest to decide who will become the city and county's first executive mayor.

In accordance with litter legislation, posters for the 2024 counts were permitted to be erected from this Wednesday morning at midnight - a full calendar month before polling day.

READ MORE: Limerick assault left man with facial injuries

These are permitted on suitable lamp standards, and most be removed within a week of the election day.

In this case, it means posters must be taken down by midnight on Friday, June 14.

If posters are in place outside of these dates, fines can be issued by the local authority at the rate of 150 per poster.

Already 14 candidates have declared in the race to become the first directly elected mayor of Limerick. The deadline for nominations for this election and the local election is later this month.

April 30 saw the close of nominations for candidates seeking to contest the European election.

There are 23 candidates running in the Ireland South constituency.
A FIRST-time candidate in this summers local election has defected from Fianna Fail to Richard ODonoghues new Independent Ireland party.

Esther Aherne, a health and safety officer based in Patrickswell has accused Fianna Fail of ongoing games and "mismanagement" of her campaign.

She also said the party has an "inadequate" support system for female election candidates.

Ms Aherne was the first candidate on the Fianna Fail ticket for Limerick City West last December, and started canvassing before Christmas.

However, at the end of January this year, the party announced her neighbour in Patrickswell, the former Fine Gael activist, Cllr Fergus Kilcoyne would join the party and contest City West.

Last month, Fianna Fail also re-selected metropolitan district leader, Cllr Azad Talukder, who will contest City West.

Local party bosses have already published a number of adverts featuring photos of councillors Kilcoyne and Talukder alongside Ms Aherne.

Its understood the party will not add a candidate to replace her at this late stage.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Esther Aherne (@estheraherne)

The mother-of-two has many years of activism in Fianna Fail. Her 86-year-old father Jerry Hayes is a lifelong member of the party.

But she said things were made difficult for her.

READ MORE: Final countdown to elections under way as campaign posters erected across Limerick

She claims she was left in the dark for a long time around who her running mates would be after being faced with the same questions from the people she was canvassing.

"This behaviour discredited my campaign from the start. It was not until a few weeks ago that I was verbally informed for definite who was in or who was out, even though I have been out on the doors for the past few months with very little support or guidance," added Ms Aherne.

The first-time candidate says the party were aware of her concerns - she had threatened to leave Fianna Fail in February if things did not improve.

"I simply could not work or grow with a party that did not support me along my journey. Its very disheartening because other female candidates, like me, have so much to offer, especially now during global turmoil and huge uncertainty."

Fianna Fail TD Niall Collins did not return a request for comment.

Independent Ireland general secretary Mr O'Donoghue, a former Fianna Fail member, said: "Shes a fantastic candidate with fantastic energy. Thats who we are looking for."
A SPECIAL Mass to mark the 120th anniversary of a city centre church has taken place.

The pews were packed at St Joseph's Church in O'Connell Avenue for the special celebration.

The Mass, which was followed by a reception in the neighbouring parish centre, was officiated by the Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy.

Joining him was retired Bishop of Killala John Fleming, as well as Dean Niall Sloane of St Marys Church of Ireland cathedral in the city centre.

READ MORE: Bus goes through rather than around Limerick roundabout

Former administrators of St Josephs parish and church were present, as will representatives of the citys various other Christian religious communities including the Augustinians, Redemptorists, Jesuits and Sacred Heart.

The St Josephs Church building dates back to 1904 and was part of the former St Michaels parish.

Current church administrator Fr Liam Enright described the building as an oasis of calm and prayer in the middle of the city.

The church is more than just bricks and mortar. It is the people of God. We gather in this place handed onto us. It is our legacy and our duty to continue to keep the doors open, the flame of faith alive, he said.
Ireland's weather will take a nice upturn this week with Met Eireann predicting temperatures as high as 22 degrees before the weekend.

In their latest update, Met Eireann says we will see some rain on Wednesday but Thursday looks like the start of a very brief warm spell.

Their outlook states: "High pressure will continue to dominate until later in the weekend, bringing dry settled weather, with a good lot of sunshine and it'll be warm with temperatures in the high teens to the low twenties. It looks like we'll see a gradual change to more unsettled weather later in the weekend or early next week and turning cooler."

They say Wednesday "will be mainly dry with a fair amount of cloud and some sunny spells. There will be some patchy light rain or drizzle at times in coastal areas of Connacht and Ulster. Highest temperatures of 13 to 18 degrees with light to moderate south to southwest breezes.

"Any rain and drizzle in northern parts, will clear early tonight, and the rest of the night will be dry with a mix of cloud and some clear spells. Some mist and fog patches will form. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees with light variable breezes."

Their forecast continues: "Thursday will be dry with any mist and fog clearing in the morning. Sunny spells will develop, the best of these in Leinster and Munster. There's a chance though of some sea fog at times along parts of south and east coasts. Warmer with highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees and mostly light southerly or variable breezes.

"Dry with a good lot of cloud for a time [Thursday night], but with good clear spells developing later in the night. There may be a few isolated mist and fog patches in southern parts. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in mostly light south to southeast breezes.

"Friday will be a dry day with plenty of sunshine developing. Highest temperatures generally of 18 to 22 degrees, warmest inland, a little cooler in coastal parts. Winds will be light to moderate and mostly southerly, with onshore sea breezes developing in some coastal parts.

"Friday night will be dry with long clear spells and with some mist and fog forming. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees in light southerly breezes.

"The mist and fog will clear early on Saturday morning and it'll be another dry, warm day. There'll be lots of sunshine once again, possibly turning a little hazy at times though. Highest temperatures generally of 19 to 22 degrees, warmest inland. It'll be a touch cooler in some coastal parts of the south and east. Winds will be mostly moderate southerly.

"It'll likely stay dry in most areas on Saturday night with some clears spells, though there's the chance of some showers or rain, mainly across the south and west. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees in light southerly or variable breezes.

"There's likely to more cloud around on Sunday with showers breaking out, some heavy, with the chance of a few thunderstorms, but a good lot of dry weather is likely too, with some further spells of sunshine. There's a lower possibility of a more persistent spell of rain moving in from the west. Still warm, especially in the midlands and east, with highest temperatures in these areas of 18 to 21 degrees, but temperatures dropping back to between 14 and 18 degrees across the northwest, west and southwest as winds become light to moderate northwesterly."

Their prediction beyond that says "it'll turn cooler for the early days of next week, with highest temperatures of 12 to 16 degrees in moderate to fresh northwest winds, and it'll become more unsettled with some rain or showers at times."

Meanwhile, Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel is predicting a nasty twist to our weather after the sunny days.

He says: "A classic Irish/British summer is often described rather colloquially as consisting of two fine days and thunderstorm. This weekend weather could well follow this pattern with two sunny days expected on Friday and Saturday, with another warm day on Sunday but with a risk of thunderstorms in some locations.

"Temperatures will be on the rise over the next few days with highest values reaching up to 19-20 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday with values reaching up to 20-23 degrees on Friday and Saturday. The highest values will be likely across the Midlands, Midwest and parts of Leinster away from the coast.

"Increasing humidity on Sunday due to a shallow area of low pressure will generate some intense downpours with a likelihood of some thunderstorms also, especially across parts of the Midlands, North and Northwest with Ireland's Weather Channel issuing weather advisories over the coming days due to the possibility of some local impacts," he concluded.
Reddit Inc. shares jumped more than 10% in extended trading after improvements to the social media platforms advertising system helped push quarterly sales higher than expected in its first results as a public company.

Revenue increased 48% to $243 million in the period ended March 31, the social media company said Tuesday in a statement. Analysts, on average, estimated $211.9 million, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Reddits initial public offering in March was one of the largest on a US exchange this year, raising about $748 million. Its strong debut was bolstered by the sites large user base and data licensing agreements with artificial intelligence companies, which will let those firms use Reddits data to train its AI systems. Reddit first filed confidentially for an IPO in 2021.

Strong Start The company projected revenue of $240 million to $255 million in the current period ending in June. Analysts, on average, estimated $227.6 million. Reddit said the growth was spurred by investments in making the site easier to use and improvements in its ad targeting technology.

It was a strong start to the year and a milestone quarter for Reddit and our communities, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Steve Huffman said in the statement. We see this as the beginning of a new chapter as we work toward building the next generation of Reddit.

The shares hit a high of $60.40 in extended trading after closing at $49.40 in New York. While the stock got an initial boost in its first day of trading March 21, raising the market value of the company to about $8 billion, it has since dropped 2%.

The text-based social media company said it now has more than 82.7 million global daily users  a jump of 37% from a year earlier  who post multiple times each day to the sites forums. Reddit was founded in 2005 before being acquired by Conde Nast a year later and then spun out as a private company again in 2011.

Reddits high-20% to mid-30% growth in daily average users seems sustainable on the steady increase of communities and content on its platform, which has boosted its relevance for training large language models, Mandeep Singh, a Bloomberg Intelligence senior analyst, said in a note after the results were released.

Reddit reported a net loss of $575.1 million in the quarter compared with a loss of $60.9 million a year earlier. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization were $10 million, compared with a loss of $50.2 million in the quarter a year earlier.

Plans to Diversify While Reddit has been popular among users, it has struggled to reach profitability. Last year, the company reported a net loss of $91 million on revenue of $804 million. Historically, about 98% of the companys sales have come from advertising.

Moving forward, Reddit plans to diversify its revenue streams by licensing its data to AI companies and boosting commerce on the platform. In its S-1 filing, the company said it entered into data licensing agreements worth $203 million, with terms ranging from two to three years. Reddit reported $20 million in data licensing revenue in the first quarter.

I think the next biggest business model for us is what we call the user economy, so this is users making money from other users on Reddit, Huffman said in an interview after the earnings release. Reddit users can currently make money from subscriptions, digital gifts and collectibles such as avatars.

The company also plans to increase sales by expanding internationally and translating Reddit posts to other languages, he said. About 50% of Reddits users come to the site from outside the US, but the company expects that number to grow to 80% to 90% in the future.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporations Satpur area, in Nashik, Maharashtra, is hardly remarkable. In fact, it is like any other industrial estate in India. A clang fills the atmosphere; the air is heavy with dust; numerous trucks dot the well-kept roads, ferrying raw material and finished goods. Add to it the unforgiving heat of central India.

But once you step inside industrial products maker ABB Indias factory in the area, theres a noticeable change. The temperature is regulated; the quintessential clatter and clang of a manufacturing unit is suspiciously missing; large windows let in abundant natural light, which coupled with the white walls, make the place resemble a laboratory more than a factory.

This factory is new, inaugurated just a year ago. It is an important piece in ABB Indias new strategy that focuses on products catering to engineering, procurement and construction projects. The strategy is centred around what the company calls fast-moving industrial goods (FMIG), a play on fast-moving consumer goods. The term is used to describe the companys focus on a products-led business that has a quick turnaround time and lower to even negative working capital requirement.

Some examples of FMIGs in ABBs portfolio include industrial staples like switches, miniature circuit breakers, flowmeters, soft starters, drives and motors, lighting solutions, isolators and relays.

View Full Image ABB Indias smart instrumentation factory in Peenya, Bengaluru.

The new strategy began with some tough decisions, taken by the ABB Group in Zurich. The group sold one of its biggest unitspower gridsto Hitachi in 2020. The same year, it also sold its solar inverter business to the Italian company FIMER SpA.

While the divestment allowed the companys management to focus on industrial products, it took a toll on its top line. The companys revenue in India declined from 8,210 crore in 2019 to 5,821 crore in 2020. The top line had hit a peak of 10,862 crore in 2018. Profit slid to 219 crore in 2020 from 303 crore in 2019.

Power Grid was almost 32% of our books; we let that go. Solar inverter segment was about 8% of our books; we let that go. Because we didnt see that to be core to our activities going forward," said Sanjeev Sharma, the managing director of ABB India Ltd.

The company subsequently also spun off its turbochargers business into a separate entity, to flesh out a business focused on fast-moving industrial products.

We continued to clean it and now we have a portfolio which is purely focused on electrification and automation," Sharma said.

How did the clean up impact the companys performance? Read on.

Less to more

View Full Image ABB India operates factories in Bengaluru, Nelamangala, Nashik, Vadodara and Faridabad.

Globally, ABBs history dates back 140 years. In India, it has been present for more than a century. The company started operations in India as ASEA (Swedish) and Brown Boveri (Swiss). The two entities eventually merged.

Today, ABB India operates factories in five manufacturing locationsin Bengaluru, Nelamangala, Nashik, Vadodara and Faridabad. Like we mentioned earlier, the company expanded in India but shrunk because of divestitures. Its new strategy was finalized in 2020 and since then, the company has tried to expand the industrial goods business to regain its top line.

This expansion involves the companys product portfolio as well as client base. ABB India went from around eight product lines in 2016, when Sharma joined the company, to 23 segments today.

Secondly, the company went beyond top-tier companies and tier-1 cities in search of new customers. This not only helped the company expand its business, but also decouple itself to an extent from the capital expenditure cycle of large companies.

The companys new strategy was finalized in 2020 and since then, it has tried to expand the industrial goods business to regain its top line.

With our new avatar, we needed to make sure that we were going deeper into the market and into tier-2 and tier-3 cities as well," Sharma said. Earlier, it was mostly restricted to large corporations who are placing orders out of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru or Kolkata, but thats totally gone. We have gone deep into the market and thats where the growth is coming from," he added.

For instance, when Raipur-based Real Ispat and Power Ltd wanted to enhance its business processes and performance, ABB supplied the company with 185 of its IE3 motors. Electric motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Similarly, when Shree Shanti Oil Mills in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, wanted to automate its oil extraction process, the company purchased ABBs ACS560 general purpose drives. Such drives help in controlling and automating machinery.

These companies were not the typical customers ABB sold to even a few years ago. The companys industrial products division was focused on large companies and turn-key projects rather than FMIGs. Today, about 37% of ABB Indias customers come from tier-3 cities.

We have gone deep into the market and thats where the growth is coming from. Sanjeev Sharma

The company also diversified its offerings to a wider bouquet of sectors to further expand business.

We were by default focused on the core sectors, which is metals, mining, pulp and paper," said T.K. Sridhar, the chief financial officer at ABB India.

The company started looking for customers in other industries such as food and beverage manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, renewables and data centres. We decided to play here because technology could be a larger differentiator in these sectors than in the core industries," Sridhar said.

The evolution

Meanwhile, there was yet another trigger for ABBs growth. Its customers were evolving.

Earlier, many of them imported completely-built machines. But with growing confidence in local capabilities, entrepreneurs are gradually transitioning to importing just the technology or even developing their own designs. This has led to growing demand for components that are both energy efficient and of premium quality. In turn, the trend is now bringing customers to ABBs doorstep, Sharma said.

Even the companys traditional large corporate customers are becoming bolder in terms of technological investments.

A very large base of customers are willing to try new technologies. We are used to seeing this in Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, where people know that in order to gain productivity, you have to participate in new technologies. That attitude is coming to India," he said.

To drive the point home, Sharma gave the anecdote of an Indian carmaker looking to invest in ABBs new PixelPaint spray technology that has only recently been piloted with an American carmaker. This technology speeds up the process of achieving dual-tone paint on cars as it doesnt require covering and uncovering painted areas to prevent the cross-contamination of two colours. While the technology was developed for the US and European markets, Sharma was pleasantly surprised to find an early customer in India.

Finally, the fruit

ABB India clocked revenue of 10,447 crore in 2023, nearly rescaling the pre-divestment peak of 2018, when it had a top line of 10,862 crore.

The wider customer and product base also meant that the companys new orders have surpassed the 2018 levels. The company received 12,319 crore worth of orders in 2023 compared to 10,115 crore in 2018.

ABBs 2023 profit of 1,242 crore was more than double the 2018 profit of 511 crore. Earnings per share went up from 24 to 59 during this period. We compared the numbers to 2018 as the companys performance dipped in 2019 before restructuring and the covid-19 pandemic impacted performance in 2020.

ABB is flush with cash that is sufficient to handle its present and future capital expenditure needs, analysts have noted. The company is investing in organic growth across its operations; the new Nashik factory being one example. At the same time, it is scouting for acquisition opportunities.

We have informed all our divisions that cash is held by the corporate. You find the targets for us. Micro, small, medium or largewe will fund it for you as long as it makes sense for our customers and adds more value to the portfolio," Sharma said.

ABB, meanwhile, has distributed a part of the higher earnings to shareholders as dividends. Its dividends went up from 4.8 per share in 2019 to 11 per share in 2023, including a special dividend of 5.5 per share. In February this year, the company declared a special dividend of 23.8 per share, the highest-ever in its history.

Investors have appreciated the turnaround and the dividends, with the ABB India stock becoming a favourite on the bourses. The stock has gained nearly 450% in the last five years to close at 7,184 on Wednesday. It has gained over 50% since the beginning of 2024.

To be sure, a growing middle India and buoyant stock markets have also helped the companys business and stock price. Its peer, Siemens India, which is into several businesses that ABB India is in, has seen an identical stock market performance over the last five years, gaining over 460% during this period. Meanwhile, the stocks of CG Power and Havells India, who also compete with ABB, have given returns in excess of 1,400% and 100%, respectively, over the same period.

Mixed feelings

View Full Image File photo from an ABB India factory.

We remain positive on ABB given increasing traction for energy efficient products, changing customer preference towards premium quality products, diversified business model, focus on high growth segments such as data centres, electronics, rail and metro, renewables, etc., and strong domestic order pipeline," analysts at Prabhudas Lilladher noted in February.

However, analysts at ICICI Securities hold a more muted outlook on the prospects of the stock. In a note released in April, the ICICI Securities analysts noted that while the companys order inflows in 2023 grew at a healthy clip of 29%, the share of long lead time orders has increased to 15% of the total order book compared to 7% a year ago. Thus, assuming 15% long lead order inflow in CY24, adjusted order inflow has grown at 8% year-on-year to 108 billion vs headline growth of 29%," the analysts noted.

Some analysts remain guarded about ABBs prospects. The uncertainty due to the ongoing elections could impact order inflow in the first half of 2024.

Coupled with uncertainty due to the ongoing general elections, the analysts expect order inflow in the first half of 2024 to remain subdued on the high base of last year. Thus, we expect revenue growth to remain muted in CY24E," the ICICI Securities noted.

Moreover, we believe operating margin may have peaked as most gains pertaining to easing raw material cost have been realized," they added.

Sharmas rumination

Sharma agrees that while the company has increased its focus on the high-growth market of smaller companies ordering its FMIG products, 40-45% of the companys business still comes from the low-growth segment of large companies. These orders typically have a longer lead time, although the specifics vary from order to order.

But he remains bullish. The high growth segments are the ones which give us accelerated volumes. And in the low growth segments, the moment there is a turnaround, they come up with a very large project. As this capex comes in, it will add to our growth story, going forward," he said.

View Full Image Sanjeev Sharma, the managing director of ABB India Ltd.

Back in Nashik, the relaxed pace of activity at the companys Satpur plant belies the companys frantic pace of business expansion. The plant works a single shift and production is anything but rushed. The plant has been set up keeping in mind the demand anticipated in the coming 10 years.

Sitting at the companys first plant at Nashik, a 44-year-old unit not far from the companys new plant, Sharma ruminated on the companys performance over the last four years.

What keeps him up at night is not how to bring in more business, but how to train the next tier of leadership; how to maintain the companys culture with its expanding roster.

As we expand our workforce, integrity is the most important element. We have zero tolerance to bribing and influencing anybody to get business," he said, adding that it was his top priority to imbibe this culture in the companys 10,000-strong workforce in India.

In December 2022, the ABB group reached a settlement with the National Director of Public Prosecution in South Africa, the US department of justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, over its role in a corruption scheme in South Africa. The settlements totalled $327 million.

Sharmas cultural tutoring could help ABB India stay clean.
Crypto exchange FTX will have between $14.5 billion to $16.3 billion to pay its creditors and customers, according to an amended reorganization plan filed by the company on Tuesday in a U.S. bankruptcy court.

FTX said it has anticipated the figure based on monetizing assets, most of which were investments owned by Alameda Research, a crypto-focused hedge fund controlled Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX Ventures businesses, and litigation claims.

The amount for distribution includes assets under the control of the chapter 11 debtors, as well as those controlled by liquidators of FTX Bahamas Digital Markets, Bahamas Securities Commission, liquidators of FTX's Australia unit, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and several private parties, the statement added.

The company said the amended plan focuses on a series of settlements reached consensually with the key stakeholders including cases that are still subject to court approval.

The plan put forward by FTX creates a "convenience class" for creditors with claims of $50,000 or lower, under which it anticipates that majority of the creditors will receive about 118% of the amount of their claims within 2 months if approved by the court.

"We are pleased to be in a position to propose a chapter 11 plan that contemplates the return of 100% of bankruptcy claim amounts plus interest for non-governmental creditors," CEO John Ray said.

In February, the distressed crypto currency trading platform had $6.4 billion in cash.

Earlier this year, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a judge for stealing $8 billion from customers.
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal's months-old interview on the start-up's hiring process is doing the rounds on social media and has been met with memes. Netizens are trolling his claim of "not hiring those looking for jobs" but rather "poaching or approaching" candidates that Zomato is interested in.

Speaking to Ranveer Allahabadia on YouTube, Goyal shared the food aggregator's hiring strategy, which has raised some eyebrows. Allahabadia is more commonly known as BeerBiceps in social media circles.

Hiring Differently When asked about how Zomato hires, Goyal responded, "The kind of workforce we hire is very different. Ideally we don't hire people who are looking for jobs. The kind of people we need, they don't search for jobs."

When questioned if "poaching" was the strategy, Goyal added, "Poaching or approaching. We look for good people; then we work on them, at least the mid to senior level. The hiring process is very long ... it's like "dating" for 6-12 months. Then we're able to get people."

On GenZ in the workforce, Goyal said he found them smarter but less patient. "GenZ's are way smarter than we were at that age. And the potential is huge, but they've less patience than us at that age. And patience is a virtue which is required at work," he added.

A screenshot of Goyal's words is now doing to rounds on social media with netizens, turning it into a meme.

Some even poked fun at the HR personnel's dilemma.

Some had no words.

And others reworded to make their humourous points.

In the News Goyal has most recently been in the news for his marriage to Mexico-born model-turned-entrepreneur Grecia Munoz in February this year, HT.com reported.

A former model, Munoz is now working on her own luxury consumer products startup. The couple returned from their honeymoon in February, a person familiar with the development told HT.com.

In her Instagram bio, Munoz says she is now at home in India". In her bio on Threads, Munoz describes herself as a television host. She is also winner of the Metropolitan Fashion Week in the United States in 2022.
The United States has revoked licenses that allowed companies including Intel and Qualcomm to ship chips used for laptops and handsets to sanctioned Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies, three people familiar with the matter said.

A fourth person said some of the companies were notified on Tuesday that their licenses were revoked effective immediately. The U.S. Commerce Department earlier in the day confirmed it had revoked some licenses but stopped short of naming the companies.

A spokesperson for Intel declined to comment. Qualcomm did not respond to a request for comment and Huawei did not immediately respond.

Licenses Revoked The move comes after the release last month of Huawei's first AI-enabled laptop, the MateBook X Pro powered by Intel's new Core Ultra 9 processor.

The laptop launch drew fire from Republican lawmakers, who said it suggested to them that the Commerce Department had given the green light to Intel to sell the chip to Huawei.

"We have revoked certain licenses for exports to Huawei," the Commerce Department said in a statement, declining to specify which ones it had withdrawn.

The Commerce Department's move, first reported by Reuters, comes after concerted pressure by Republican China hawks in Congress who have been urging the Biden administration to take tougher action to thwart Huawei.

"This action will bolster U.S. national security, protect American ingenuity, and diminish Communist Chinas ability to advance its technology," Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said in a statement.

Companies to Feel Hit The move could hurt Huawei which still relies on Intel chips to power its laptops, and could hurt U.S. suppliers that do business with the company.

Intel has also been facing weak demand for its traditional data center and PC chips. Last month, it lost $11 billion in stock market value after forecasting second-quarter revenue and profit below market estimates.

Huawei was placed on a U.S. trade restriction list in 2019 amid fears it could spy on Americans, part of a broader effort to handicap China's ability to bolster its military. Being added to the list means the company's suppliers have to seek a special, difficult-to-obtain license before shipping.

Even so, suppliers to Huawei have received licenses worth billions of dollars to sell Huawei goods and technology, including one particularly controversial authorization, issued by the Trump administration, which has allowed Intel to ship central processors to Huawei for use in its laptops since 2020.

Qualcomm has sold older 4G chips to handsets since receiving a license from U.S. officials in 2020. In regulatory filing earlier this month, Qualcomm had said it did not expect to receive more chip revenue from Huawei beyond this year.

However, Qualcomm still licenses its portfolio of 5G technologies to Huawei, which last year began using a 5G chip designed by its HiSilicon unit that most analysts believe is manufactured in violation of U.S. sanctions. Qualcomm said in the filing this month that its patent deal with Huawei expires early in Qualcomm's fiscal 2025 and that it has started negotiations to renew the deal.

Critics argue such licenses have contributed to the company's resurgence. Huawei shocked industry last August with a new phone powered by a sophisticated chip manufactured by Chinese chipmaker SMIC, despite U.S. export restrictions on both companies.
Mumbai: Government-owned Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) is days away from shutting operations, as supply of raw materials to its Visakhapatnam steel plant is held up due to protests at the adjoining Gangavaram Port run by the Adani Group, two people aware of the matter said.

About 700 crore worth of coking coal and limestone belonging to the steelmaker and crucial for its operations are stuck at the port where workers have been agitating for better wages.

If the situation is not resolved immediately, the plant could be forced to shut as early as this weekend, one of the two persons cited above said. Only one of RINLs three blast furnaces is running at present due to the shortage of coal.

The steelmakers management is running pillar to post to evacuate its goods from the port. The company plans to attempt evacuation of the supplies using trucks on Wednesday evening.

Workers at the Gangavaram port are on strike demanding higher wages. The strike started on 12 April.

It has been nearly a month that we have been operating in this throttled regime," said the second person. A company like us that is already not in a good position financially cannot continue to operate like this for long, especially with so much cargo that we have paid for being stuck like this."

The curtailed production has put additional pressure on the companys already strained financials, with its equipment operating below capacity. The company is likely to default on its fixed expenses like interest payments, power bill and employee wages if the situation isnt resolved immediately, this person said.

If RINL cant produce steel, it will not get cash. If it doesnt get cash, it will shut," the first person said.

Also read: King Coal is going nowhere; 30 GW projects on way

RINL and the Adani Group did not respond to Mints emails seeking comment.

To be sure, the company is importing supplies via the nearby Visakhapatnam Port Trust in the interim to keep its furnaces running. However, that port is already overloaded because of the shutdown of the Gangavaram port.

Gangavaram port is the primary route for raw materials import for RINL. A conveyor belt connects the steelmaker to the port for raw material transport.

Larger Issues

RINL is a Navratna company under the Union ministry of steel. The plant was established in 1982 with an objective to generate employment and boost industry in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The government had in 2021 identified the loss-making company as one of the assets that will be privatized as part of a wider divestment drive. However, no headway has been made on that front amidst local political opposition.

The unlisted company made a loss of over 2,859 crore in FY23. It needs 400-500 crore a month to run its operations, said the first of the two people cited above. This person estimated that the company has 6-12 months of runway before it runs into a serious financial trouble.

Also read: Coal is here to stay, but India needs to make its use cleaner

Meanwhile, recapitalization of the asset is not an option that the government is considering, according to a third person. All the three people spoke to Mint on the condition of anonymity.

The stalemate, if not resolved, could jeopardize more than 13,500 jobs at RINL.

Executives of private steel companies have earlier told Mint that the plant is an attractive acquisition target, given its proximity to the Gangavaram port and its valuable land bank. The fact that the plant produces long steel also adds to its allure. Currently, a majority of Indias large steelmakers are geared towards making flat steel products.

Long steel refers to products such as wires, rods and bars that are used in construction, automotive, and manufacturing sectors, whereas flat steel refers to coils and sheets of finished steel.
Raaj Kumar Anand, a minister in Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government in Delhi who joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on May 5, is the richest candidate from Delhi in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

The BSP leader and his family have movable and immovable assets worth 83.5 crore. He alone owns movable and immovable assets worth 17.8 crore, while his wife, Veena Anand, owns assets worth 64.7 crore.

Anand is a BSP candidate from the New Delhi seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. He will contest this year's poll against AAP's Somnath Bharti and Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Bansuri Swaraj.

Here are key takeaways from Delhi's richest candidate Anand's affidavit submitted to the Elections Commission for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Anand's total income drops in 5 years As per his affidavit, Anand's total income dropped by around 16 lakh in the last five years. In the financial year 2018-19, Anand declared a total income of 51,41,721. However, in the 2022-23 FY, his income plunged to 35,33,430. In the last year, Anand's declared income was the highest in FY 2021-22 at 62,55,310.

Criminal cases against Anand There are two pending criminal cases against Raaj Kumar Anand. He has been accused of being involved in a "petty quarrel in the party in a banquet hall". The other case against him is related to the "custom duty evasion on imports and misdeclaration of thickness and value of the goods imported".

Charges have been framed against him under Sections 325/323/427/34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in "petty quarrel" case. He has been under Sections 132, 135 (10 A), 135 (IB), punishable under sections 132, 135 (11A), 135 (11B) of the Customs Act 1962.

Anand declared in the affidavit that he has not been convicted of any criminal charges.

Movable assets Anand and his family collectively own movable assets worth 46 crore (exactly 46,04,50,650). While he owns movable assets worth 10,87,84,067 (10 crore), his wife Veena Anand owns more than him -- 34,25,15,197 (34 crore) -- and their children own assets worth 91,51,386.

According to the affidavit, Anand has shared in Rajashan Springs Private Limited, baba Leathers Impex Pvt Ltd, Devbhoomi Realtors Pvt Ltd, Effective Exim Pvt Ltd and RND Polycoaster (India) Ltd.

He owns a Tata Neson Car, purchased at 15,31,895, and his wife owns a Toyota Inova High Cross car, bought at 36,46,479.

Immovable assets Anand and his family together have immovable assets worth 37 crore ( 37,52,75,000 to be exact). While he owns immovable assets worth 7 crore, his wife owns immovable assets worth 30.5 crore.

Liabilities/loans Anand has a total liability of 9 crore ( 9,56,79,508 to be exact). This is the total amount of loans from banks, financial institutions and other sources. Meanwhile his wife has a liability worth 25 crore ( 25,96,58,325). A separate liability, mentioned under the sections HUF Raj Kumar and Sons, is worth 1,80,000. So, the total liability of Anand and his family amounts to 35 crore ( 35,55,17,833).
Bank holiday Today: May 8 marks Rabindra Jayanti, the birthday of the renowned Bengali poet, Rabindranath Tagore. This day holds immense cultural significance, especially in the Indian state of West Bengal. In observance of Rabindra Jayanti, a public holiday is declared in West Bengal. Banks in West Bengal will be closed.

On May 10th, banks will remain closed due to the Akshaya Tritiya festival. This Hindu festival, also known as Akti or Akha Teej, is considered auspicious for new beginnings and is celebrated across India.

May 11th is the second Saturday of the month, a designated bank holiday in India. Banks will remain closed on this day as usual.

May 12th is a Sunday, a weekly bank holiday across India. Therefore, banks will be closed on this day as well.

Rabindra Jayanti 2024 Today is Rabindra Jayanti, the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore, a prominent Bengali poet, writer, and philosopher. This day is primarily celebrated in the Indian state of West Bengal and Bangladesh.

In West Bengal, Rabindra Jayanti is a public holiday, and banks and government offices remain closed to mark the occasion. So, if you're referring to a bank holiday for Rabindra Nath Tagore's birthday, it would be in the state of West Bengal, India.

Other bank holidays in May 2024 May 8 bank holiday: Banks in West Bengal will be closed

May 10 bank holiday: Banks will be closed because of the Akshaya Tritiya festival.

May 11 bank holiday: Second Saturday

May 12 bank holiday: Sunday

May 18 bank holiday: Sunday

May 23 bank holiday: On the occasion of Buddha Purnima banks will remain closed.

May 25 bank holiday: Fourth Saturday

May 26 bank holiday: Sunday
NEW DELHI : The government is considering a proposal to scrap the import duty on business jets as the tax introduced a decade-and-half ago has approached the end of its intended tenure.

A tax of 2.5% is levied on private and business airplanes that are imported for so-called non-scheduled aircraft operations, while theres no such tax on commercial jets.

The civil aviation ministry wants to bring these two categories on par and in December wrote to the finance ministry suggesting the abolition of import duty on private and business planes, according to two officials familiar with the development.

The duty structure, albeit not too high and insignificant to the exchequer, is often blamed for Indias stagnant private charters industry. The total number of non-scheduled operators in the country has remained at 100-120 over the past 15 years.

Several large conglomerates including Reliance Industries Ltd, Tata Group, and Jindal Group own business jets and helicopters through subsidiary companies operating non-scheduled flights.

As per the latest data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, there were 381 aircraft and helicopters registered with 112 non-scheduled operators in India as of December.

Also read: Six business jets on way to Adani Group

The process started with a communication from the finance ministry last year about deciding the fate of the basic custom duty of 2.5% on the import of aircraft for non-scheduled operations," one of the officials mentioned earlier said. The civil aviation ministry in December wrote back in support of removing the basic custom duty. A decision will be taken once the new government comes to power."

The ministries of civil aviation and finance, and the chairperson of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs did not reply to queries from Mint.

Two finance ministry officials, declining to be identified, said any such proposal could be taken up only after the formation of a new government at the centre.

An aircraft with a non-scheduled operators permit can be used to ferry passengers on a per-seat basis, or the entire aircraft can be chartered on a per-flight basis. Non-scheduled flights do not have a fixed schedule as commercial airlines do.

Irrational duty

The Congress party-led United Progressive Alliance government in 2009 introduced a basic customs duty of 2.5% on the import of aircraft for non-scheduled flights operations. This included a sunset clause of 15 years, which expired on 31 March 2024.

The government needs to decide if the duty should continue or be allowed to lapse, said one of the first two officials familiar with the development.

The proposal from the civil aviation ministry is to remove the basic custom duty on the import of aircraft for (non-scheduled operators permit) and bring it at par with the 0% basic custom duty as applicable in case of aircraft imported by commercial airlines," said the second official mentioned earlier.

One of the finance ministry officials said removing the tax wouldnt affect government revenues much. The case for the government to take a revenue hit by way of duty cut in any case exists only where there is a chance of domestic demand getting a boost, which is not there in this case."

Also read: Want to co-own a jet? You could if fractional ownership policy takes wing

For industry stakeholders, however, zero import tax could provide a boost.

Removing this irrational duty, which has served no beneficial purpose, and aligning it with the zero-duty status of commercial airlines will incentivize investment in the (non-scheduled operators permit) industry," said Group Captain Rajesh K. Bali, managing director, Business Aircraft Operators Association.

This industry plays a crucial role in providing air connectivity to destinations not served by airlines," he added. Over the long term, rationalising custom duties will support the fractional ownership model and create new opportunities for growth in India's aviation sector."

Santosh Sharma, founder of Bookmyjet, an online platform for booking business jets, said the removal of the import duty would encourage more wealthy individuals and corporate houses to consider private jets for their professional as well as personal use.

There are some clients who are sitting on the fence thinking whether to buy or not buy their own private jet," Sharma said. The reduction in import duty would certainly push them to go ahead and buy one."
New Delhi: Lower-than-expected demand for enterprise 5G services, coupled with sustained caution in macroeconomic conditions, could see Indias $254-billion information technology (IT) services industry register slower growth from telecom clients than most had expected a year ago.

While the top five Indian IT services firms have already warned of a muted year ahead, a slowdown in tech spending by global telecom operators could deliver them yet another blow this fiscal year, given that telecommunications accounts for more than 10% of the top five IT firms annual revenue.

A Mint analysis of these firmsTata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, HCL Technologies, Wipro and Tech Mahindrarevealed that revenue from the communications and media vertical was down nearly 3% from $8.49 billion in FY23 to $8.25 billion in FY24.

Tech Mahindra was almost single-handedly responsible for this decline, having lost $320 million or 12.1% in annual revenue from telecom clients in FY24.

A consensus of three analysts compiled by Mint projected a further downside of 3-5% in telecom revenue for the industrys top five firms in FY25. At this rate, these firms could lose more than $400 million in net revenue from telecom clients  a substantial figure, given the already weak revenue growth projections for the fiscal year.

For context, Infosys expects overall revenue to grow 1-3% in constant currency terms, while HCL Technologies expects 3-5% revenue growth. Wipro, which only provides quarterly guidance, expects June-quarter revenue to decline 1.5% or grow 0.5% at best.

Also read: Can electric cars electrify muted IT firms in a dull year?

To be sure, the top five firms rely on telecom clients to varying degrees. Tech Mahindra earns more than one-third of its net revenue (36.9%) from telecom clients and could thus be hit the hardest if the projected revenue slowdown in this vertical materialises.

Infosys draws 12.3% of its annual revenue from telecom clients, while HCL Technologies gets 9.2% of its revenue from them. TCS earns 6.8% of its net revenue from telecom deals, while Wipro has the smallest telecom practice of the top five, with the sector accounting for just 4.2% of its net revenue. Wipro is also the only firm among the five for which telecom deals account for less than $1 billion in net annual revenue.

Bleak outlook

While Infosys and HCL Technologies did post revenue growth of 6.1% and 5.2%, respectively, from the telecom vertical, much of this was driven by large one-off deals.

Last August, Infosys won a $1.64-billion digital transformation deal from European telecom group Liberty. The same month, HCL won its largest deal ever from US telecom firm Verizon to manage digital services for its enterprise division.

Going forward, however, winning such large deals could be harder, industry experts said.

The macroeconomic environment is such that most telecom firms are looking at large, long-duration deals  but ones that are deferred," said Omkar Tanksale, senior equity analyst at brokerage firm Axis Securities. "This is because most telecom firms have already undertaken large capital expenditures for 5G deployment and AI adoption. With a low capex cycle expected in FY25, telecom revenue for IT firms could remain low."

Also read: Why IT firms are treating artificial intelligence as a poisoned chalice

Tanksales evaluation is on point. Industry body Nasscom warned in its 2024 Strategic Review that declining revenue profile of telecom companies, and unmaterialised investments in 5G" could slow down tech spending by telcos, apart from macroeconomic headwinds.

Nasscom also highlighted that telecom, one of the core sectors for Indias IT services industry, is growing 40% slower than the rest of the industry.

Queries emailed to TCS, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Wipro and Tech Mahindra on their present projection of revenue from telecom clients did not elicit immediate responses.

Challenges

The biggest challenge is the lack of use-case development, because of which adoption of private 5G infrastructure has been stunted," said Prashant Singhal, leader for tech, media and telecom as well as emerging markets at consultancy firm EY Global, said.

"Tech spending on adoption of captive 5G networks has been slow in North America due to macroeconomic concerns across multiple industriesincluding manufacturing, banking and healthcare. This weakness is also unlikely to disappear in the near term, so tech spends from the telecom vertical will likely remain weak through FY25 as well."

Also read: IT firms mustnt miss warning signals from Accenture

Apurva Prasad, vice-president of institutional research at brokerage firm HDFC Securities, said several large telecom carriers worldwide were carrying out margin-optimisation exercises.

There is a lot more thrust on improving margins with cost-cutting programmes that most such firms have already announced. This is why you will see enterprise clients of the telecom industry underperform compared to other industry verticals," he said. "Barring specific large deals, the volume and flow of deal announcements in the telecom vertical was much higher about a year-and-a-half ago."

Prasad also cautioned that the nature of future telecom deals could be very different from what the IT services industry has seen so far.

Most deals now will be on the cost optimisation side," he said. "Plus, there could be far greater competition for large deals from global rivals such as Accenture and Cognizant, given that there will be fewer such deals."

Also read: The good, bad and ugly: Decoding the IT packs Q4 show
New Delhi: Private sector hospitals in many states have reduced their services to beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) due to payment delays amid insufficient fund allocations from state governments towards the health insurance scheme.

The scheme, launched in 2018, is jointly funded by the Centre and states in the ratio of 60:40, with the union government allocating 7,500 crore to PMJAY this year.

Officials from NITI Aayog, health ministry, and private hospitals who held a review meeting of the scheme on 1 May raised concern over the inadequate release of funds by states for the insurance scheme, persons aware of the matter said.

The problem of untimely payments to the hospitals arose when some states like Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh merged their state health scheme into the PMJAY," said Girdhar Gyani, director general, Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI). which represents majority of healthcare providers in India.

The inordinate delay in receiving reimbursement has hampered the cash flow of these private hospitals and created serious operational issues, Gyani said.

The reduced participation of private hospitals in the Ayushman Bharat scheme could severely impact patients, especially as a brutal heatwave sweeps across many states, triggering a surge in heat-related illnesses.

Also Read: Amid global concerns over India-made drugs, Govt plans an exports revamp The government is positively reviewing the critical feedback of the scheme from the private sector, one of the persons cited above said. The National Health Authority has played its role. Now, the state government must finance the scheme to make PM-JAY sustainable for the private sector," one of the persons said.

Right now, private hospitals are feeling exhausted because of PM-JAY. Initially, the private sector thought that they would be able to fill their vacant beds at subsidized rates, but now it is consuming their profits, said the person, adding the government is trying to address the concerns raised.

Queries sent to the health ministry and NHA spokesperson remained unanswered till press time.

Pending bills of the hospitals are being reviewed by the finance department, said Lakshmi Shah, CEO, State Health Authority, Andhra Pradesh.

Cash concerns PMJAY currently has a network of 30,178 empaneled hospitalsboth private and publicwith a 12,881 share of private healthcare providers. They offer over 2,000 treatment procedures across 27 specialties.

Hospitals can sustain low health package rates, but if the cash flow is affected, they will not accept the scheme and will start avoiding the beneficiaries citing unavailability of beds, Gyani said, adding that a representation had been submitted to the government to resolve this matter as soon as possible.

"The central government has been consistently telling the states that if they want to bring additional population under PMJAY, then the additional amount must be given by the state government only and the central government will not contribute to it, said Gyani.

Ayushman Bharat aims to cover over 100 million poor and vulnerable families, or around 500 million individuals, providing coverage of up to 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
The earnings for the March quarter (Q4FY24) so far have been in line with estimates for the most part. Once again the earnings growth was propelled by domestic cyclicals, such as BFSI (bank, financial services, and insurance) and auto while oil & gas and metal sectors continued to drag, according to the interim earnings review report by domestic brokerage house Motilal Oswal (MOSL).

As of May 4, 2024, 28 companies from the Nifty50 index have announced their 4QFY24 results. These companies constitute: a) 62 percent of the estimated PAT for the Nifty Universe; b) 46 percent of India's market capitalisation; and c) 66 percent weightage in the Nifty, informed the report. For the 28 Nifty companies, earnings grew 13 percent vs expectations of 8 percent, it noted.

Read here: Dr Reddy's share price falls 5% post Q4 results: Should you Buy, Hold or Sell? The brokerage highlighted that the rise in earnings till now has been propelled by HDFC Bank, Coal India, ICICI Bank, Maruti Suzuki, and TCS. These five companies contributed 75 percent to the incremental YoY accretion in earnings. Conversely, Tech Mahindra, Reliance Industries, and Wipro contributed adversely to Nifty earnings, it stated.

As of May 4, 2024, 28 Nifty stocks posted notable growth across key financial metrics, surpassing initial estimates. These companies reported a year-over-year (YoY) increase in sales, EBITDA, profit before tax (PBT), and profit after tax (PAT) of 10%, 15%, 11%, and 13%, respectively. These figures were against expectations of 13%, 9%, 10%, and 8%, indicating strong performance within these companies.

Among the Nifty constituents, companies including Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, Coal India, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ultratech Cement, Bajaj Auto, Tech Mahindra, Nestle, and SBI Life Insurance exceeded profit estimates. Conversely, HCL Technologies, LTIMindtree, Titan, and HDFC Life Insurance missed profit estimates for Q4FY24.

Read here: Q4 Results Impact: IGL stock jumps 7% after PAT rises 9% in March quarter Nifty EPS stable: MOSL's Nifty EPS estimates for FY25/FY26 have been stable so far at 1,133/ 1,315 (vs 1,132/ 1,317).

Sector Overview The brokerage noted that the earnings growth was fueled by the domestic cyclicals, such as BFSI and Auto, as expected. BFSI clocked a 22 percent YoY growth, while Auto reported a growth of 38 percent YoY (in line with an estimate of +38 percent), driven by Maruti Suzuki and Bajaj Auto.

In contrast, the aggregate performance has been dragged down by the O&G sector, which posted a 20 percent earnings decline (IOCLs profit plunged 52 percent YoY). Excluding Metals and O&G, the Nifty has recorded a 15 percent YoY earnings growth (vs estimate of +12 percent), said the brokerage. The Cement sector also reported a healthy growth of 33 percent YoY (vs estimate of +25 percent YoY).

NBFCs  Lending: Most vehicle financiers have reported that the demand momentum in the vehicle segment, especially in CV, has been subdued because of the ongoing elections. Most of the NBFCs have reported a stable CoB or a decline.

Automobiles: The Q4FY24 results so far have been in line. The growth has largely been driven by: a) healthy volume growth across most of the segments, ex-CVs, b) better product mix, c) lower commodity costs, and d) operating leverage. MOSL believes that margin pressures will persist in the upcoming quarters due to the expected recurrence of certain costs.

Read here: IT stocks attractive after correction, recovery hopes pushed back to FY26: Kotak Technology: The Q4FY24 results for Tier-1 companies have remained weak so far due to lower-than-expected growth, weak demand, and the re-scope of contracts, as well as project cancellations. Discretionary spending shows no signs of picking up, and the near-term outlook remains bleak. The guidance for FY25 came in lower than expected, even with muted expectations.

Consumer: The Q4FY24 results thus far have been in line. While consumption has been improving, staple demand trends have remained largely similar to those seen in Q3FY24, with a marginal increase in volumes on a YoY basis. The impact of the price cuts will settle down in H1FY25 for most of the commodity-sensitive categories, and H2FY25 may see price hikes.

Oil & Gas: The sector has reported mixed 4QFY24 results so far. RIL beat MOSL's estimates primarily due to a strong O2C performance, while IOCL fell short of its earnings estimates owing to a weaker-than-estimated refining margin

Read here: Hindustan Petroleum Q4 results: Board to consider bonus equity share Upgrades/Downgrades Top FY25E upgrades: Coal India (15%), Axis Bank (3.8%), Maruti Suzuki (2%), Bajaj Auto (1.3%), and HDFC Bank (1.2%).

Top FY25E downgrades: Bajaj Finance (-7.8%), HCL Tech (-6.7%), LTI Mindtree (-6%), Titan (-5.7%), and Infosys (-5.7%).

View The corporate earnings scorecard for Q4FY24 has been in line so far, with heavyweights such as HDFC Bank, Coal India, ICICI Bank, Maruti Suzuki, and TCS driving the aggregate. However, growth has primarily been led by the BFSI and automobile sectors. Nifty is trading at a 12-month forward P/E of 19.3x, at a 5 percent discount to its own long-period average (LPA), said MOSL.

Read here: Kotak Bank's rollercoaster: From setbacks to a surging Q4 Its model portfolio remains aligned with the key domestic cyclical themes amid a consistent backdrop of earnings growth. MOSL remains Overweight on Financials, Consumption, Industrials and Real Estate. Industrials, Consumer Discretionary, Real Estate, and PSU Banks are its key preferred investment themes.
One a penny stock, Marsons has given multifold returns to its investors this year so far as well as in the last one year. The stock has skyrocketed around 602 percent in 2024 YTD from 7.75 in December 2023 to currently trade at its 52-week high 54.38.

Meanwhile, it has soared over 831 percent in the last one year.

This recent surge has led to the stock soar 998.5 percent from its 52-week low of 4.95, hit on July 25, 2023.

This year so far, the scrip has given positive returns in all 5 months till date. The stock has risen over 8 percent in May, extending gains for the fifth straight month. Meanwhile, it jumped almost 37 percent in April, 39 percent in March, 45 percent in February and gave multibagger 135.5 percent returns in January 2024.

Read here: Small-cap stock below  10: FIIs pick up stake in penny stock during Q4FY24 In the long term as well, the stock has performed splendidly, rising over 447 percent in 3 years (from 9.93 in April 2021) and over 543 percent in the last 5 years (from 8.45 in April 2019). However it is important to note that the stock is currently trading under ESM: Stage 2

What is ESM? The Enhanced Surveillance Measure (ESM) is a regulatory framework implemented by the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in India. It aims to enhance monitoring and surveillance of listed companies to ensure investor protection and market integrity.

Under Stage I, the trading of the securities is settled through a trade-for-trade mechanism with a price band of 5 percent, or 2 percent.

Read here: Multibagger: Jhandewalas Foods surged over 1,900% in 1 year, 310% in 2024 YTD Under Stage II, the surveillance action permits trading on all trading days under periodic call auctions with trade-for-trade settlement and 2 percent price band. Earlier this stage permitted trading just once a week.

About the firm Marsons Limited engages in manufacturing, supplying, erecting, testing, and commissioning of Power and Distribution transformers in India. It offers distribution and power transformers ranging from 10 KVA to 160 MVA, 220 KV; and arc, submerged arc, ladle, induction, and DC arc furnace transformers. The company provides USS, dry type, cast resin, solar, and instrumental transformers, as well as after-sales services. Marsons Limited was incorporated in 1976 and is based in Kolkata, India.

Earnings In the December quarter, the net profit of Marsons declined 74.58 percent year-on-year (YoY) to 0.15 crore from 0.59 crore in Q3FY23. Meanwhile, its sales also fell 64.5 percent YoY to 0.65 crore in the quarter under review as against 1.83 crore in the same quarter last year.

Read here: Multibagger: This penny stock jumped over 6,000% in 3 years; should you invest? Brokerage view According to ICICI Direct's analysis, Marsons exhibits several positive factors contributing to its strong momentum in the market. Firstly, the stock's price is performing well, as it is currently trading above its short-, medium-, and long-term moving averages, indicating an upward trend and positive market sentiment. Secondly, Marsons boasts strong annual earnings per share (EPS) growth, demonstrating its financial strength and ability to generate increasing profits over time.

Additionally, the stock has reached a new 52-week high today, signalling strong performance and attracting attention from investors. These factors suggest that Marsons is positioned for potential continued success in the market.

Meanwhile, its weaknesses, as per the brokerage, are:

- High Debt

- Degrowth in Quarterly Revenue and Profit in Recent Results(YoY)

- Fall in Quarterly Revenue and Net Profit (YoY)

Read here: Multibagger: This stock has skyrocketed over 29,000% in 3 years What is a penny stock? Penny stocks, trading for less than 10 per share in the Indian market, are shares of small companies with low market capitalization. They have limited liquidity, resulting in fewer transactions compared to larger stocks, and their low price offers the potential for significant gains. However, these speculative investments lack the rigorous financial reporting and oversight seen in larger companies, making them vulnerable to price manipulation and fraud.

Penny stocks tend to exhibit high volatility, increasing risks for investors. Thorough research and risk management are essential to navigate the uncertainties of penny stock trading and minimise potential losses.
The sell-off in Paytm shares, which commenced in early February, appears to be continuing, as the stock hit a new all-time low of 317.15 apiece in today's session as it was locked in the 5% lower circuit limit. The stock's previous all-time low of 318 was recorded in mid-February.

Today's downturn in One 97 Communications marks the 10th consecutive session of losses for the stock, which was the longest losing streak since listing in November 2021. During this period, the stock has fallen from 391.35 apiece to today's closing price of 317, translating into a drop of nearly 19%.

Also Read: Paytm: Two more top executives depart amid restructuring efforts

This downturn was attributed to the company's announcement over the weekend regarding the resignation of its President and Chief Operating Officer, Bhavesh Gupta. According to the company, Gupta's resignation, occurring just a year after his appointment, is attributed to personal reasons.

This marks the second high-profile resignation within a month, following the departure of Surinder Chawla, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Paytm Payments Bank, on April 9th.

UPI transaction volume down Adding to the challenges is the decline in the company's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions for the third consecutive month in April.

In April, the company processed 1,117.13 million transactions, marking a 9% month-on-month decrease from the 1,230.04 million transactions handled in March.

Consequently, the company's market share in the UPI ecosystem has contracted, Business Standard reported on Tuesday, citing data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Also Read: India recorded about 131 billion UPI transactions in FY24, says FM

In April, the company held an 8.4% market share in the UPI applications ecosystem, down from 10.8% and 9.13% in February and March, respectively. Despite this decline, the company remains the third largest player in the ecosystem, as other players are considerably smaller in comparison to the fintech major, the report said.

The decline in UPI transaction volume began after the RBI imposed restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank.

Also Read: Paytm completes merchant migration to new UPI ids

Down 85% from IPO price With the stock's current closing price of 317.15 per share, it is trading at an 85.25% discount compared to its issue price of 2,150 per share. This presents challenges for investors who participated in the initial public offering and have held onto their positions. The company's current market capitalisation is 20,164 crore.

Meanwhile, SoftBank entity SVF India Holdings significantly reduced its stake in the company from 6.46% in Q3 FY24 to 1.40% in the March quarter (Q4 FY24).

As of the end of Q4FY24, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) held a 60.4% stake in Paytm, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) held a 6.1% stake. Retail investors increased their stake in Q4 FY24 to 32.8% from 30.2% in Q3 FY24.

According to Trendlyne shareholding data, Paytm's founder and CEO, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, holds a 19% stake in the company, which includes a 9.88% stake held through Antfin (Netherlands) Holding B.V.
In the regular course of business, companies frequently propose resolutions related to corporate policies, board appointments, and various corporate actions. These resolutions must undergo shareholder approval, providing investors with the opportunity to participate in crucial decision-making processes.

Shareholders wield the power to vote on these resolutions, determining their fate by either endorsing or declining them. It's worth noting that only shareholders holding shares on the record date are entitled to exercise their voting rights, ensuring that the decisions reflect the current ownership structure of the company.

Shareholders receive notification of proposed resolutions, typically ahead of a company's annual general meeting (AGM) or other special meetings, and they have the opportunity to cast their votes. Shareholders can exercise their voting rights through various means, including in-person attendance, proxy voting, postal or mail-in ballots, and electronic voting.

Among all these, the most convenient way to vote is through electronic voting, as it reduces time and has efficiency.

Also Read: How does a demat account facilitate margin funding in trading? MintGenie explains

What is Electronic Voting? Electronic voting, also known as e-voting, refers to the process of casting votes using electronic means, such as the internet or specialised voting machines. It allows voters to submit their votes electronically instead of using traditional paper-based ballots.

Electronic voting offers several potential benefits, including increased accessibility and convenience for voters, faster and more efficient vote counting, reduced costs associated with printing and distributing paper ballots, and enhanced security measures to safeguard the integrity of the voting process.

Further, e-voting platform aims to improve transparency and corporate governance standards and also helps in reducing the administrative cost associated with postal ballots while facilitating the declaration of results immediately after the close of the voting.

Also Read: Demat Accounts: 12 key benefits of using auto pay facility for trade settlements

Moreover, investors enjoy the advantage of casting their votes until the last day from the convenience of their home or office, thereby reducing the risk of their votes being invalidated.

In compliance with directives from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), both Indian depositories, NSDL and CDSL, have established electronic infrastructure. This infrastructure allows shareholders to electronically cast their votes via the internet.

Process for Electronic Voting Notification: Shareholders receive notification from the company or their Depository Participant (DP) regarding an upcoming meeting and the agenda items to be discussed.

Voting Period: The company announces the voting period during which shareholders can cast their votes electronically. This period typically begins well in advance of the meeting date to allow shareholders sufficient time to review the agenda and make informed decisions.

Access to Voting Platform: Accessing the voting platform is simple for shareholders, who can do so through their demat account. Most depository participants in India offer e-voting services through demat accounts. When investors click on the "shareholder e-voting" tab in their demat account, they are redirected to the CDSL or NSDL page for e-voting.

Cast Votes: Once logged in, shareholders can view the agenda items and cast their votes electronically. They can vote in favor, against, or abstain from each agenda item as per their discretion.

Confirmation: After submitting their votes, shareholders receive a confirmation message acknowledging the receipt of their votes. This confirmation serves as a record of their participation in the voting process.

Vote Tabulation: The votes cast by shareholders electronically are tabulated and verified by the company's registrar and share transfer agent. The results are then announced during the meeting.

Shareholders can monitor current e-voting events via the CDSL website at https://www.evotingindia.com/onGoingStatus.jsp.

Alternatively, they can visit the NSDL website at https://www.evoting.nsdl.com/eVotingWeb/listActiveEvenReport.do to access the same information.

FAQs What is e-voting? e-voting is a method of voting conducted through an internet-based platform. Shareholders have the opportunity to cast their votes on resolutions proposed by companies in accordance with existing rules and regulations, eliminating the need to send their votes via postal mail.

Can a proxy vote be cast in the e-voting system? While the e-voting system offers flexibility and convenience for shareholders to cast their votes online, it eliminates the necessity of appointing a proxy. However, shareholders still have the option to appoint a proxy to attend the general meeting on their behalf and cast their vote at the venue, either by physical ballot or TAB-based electronic voting.

Is it possible for a shareholder to change a vote already cast before the closing of the e-voting cycle? No, according to the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014, once a vote has been cast, it is considered final and cannot be modified. However, shareholders can still cast their vote for any pending resolutions for which they have not yet voted.

Can companies offer tablet-based voting at general meeting venues? Yes, companies have the option to provide tablet-based voting facilities at general meeting venues. Members who attend the meeting and have not already cast their votes through remote e-voting are eligible to exercise their voting rights at the meeting using tablet-based voting.
Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund boasts of some top-performing funds. Its mid-cap fund has consistently delivered impressive returns over the past 10 years. But the fund house itself has been floundering for the last many years, with its growth style of investing taking a brutal beating.

This period also marked the departures of some key people. Fund managers took advantage of the situation and began deploying their own styles. Now, the asset management company (AMC) is setting its house in order.

The fund house hired Prateek Agrawal as executive director to resolve the crisis. Prior to his hiring in October 2022, the AMC witnessed the departures of key fund manager Taher Badshah in 2017 and its chief executive officer (CEO) Aashish Sommaiya in 2020, resulting in a power vacuum at the fund house.

Agrawal, former chief investment officer at ASK Investment Managers, has since been working to fix processes. The results have begun to show; Agrawal was recently promoted to the role of MD and CEO.

Motilal Oswal AMC will continue to adhere to a growth and quality style of investing even if there are periods during which it underperforms, according to the fund house.

The schemes will have concentrated portfolios of 20-30 stocks, even in the mid- and small-cap zone, albeit with some leeway in the small-cap space. It will not create funds with a value style or some other orientation merely to hedge itself during a style rotation. The schemes will complement the rest of the portfolio of a typical investor, the AMC said, adding. It will not try to occupy the entirety or bulk of an investors portfolio.

We are focusing on doing what we do best for our clients which is high conviction long period earnings growth focused investing across MF and alternatives platforms. Increasingly, our distribution partners are recognizing our high process orientation and the value add we can provide to their clients," said Agrawal.

View Full Image (Graphic: Mint)

Fund managers will run schemes within a narrow track. They will have to build about 65% of the portfolio around a few core themes such as healthcare and China plus one that the AMC has identified.

Look at the index. It mostly has tired old economy companies. Yet insurance and pension money is flowing into it. Motilal Oswal AMC portfolios have higher earnings growth than that even though their valuations are higher," said a person close to the development but did not want to be identified.

Another 25% of the portfolio is left to the fund manager to decide on the stock picks of his choice and the balance 10% will be used to reduce risk.

Agrawal will also allow higher churnboth to trim winners and cut losers (stop losses).

A stock which has soared in price, taking its weight from 2% to 15% is a happy problem to have. But investors dont care about past returns. We will trim such positions. Not let them generally exceed 7-8% of the portfolio. Similarly, we will exit positions that are down 20-25% unless there is some compelling reason to keep them. If we dont trim them, the entire conversation with investors becomes about that one loser stock," he said.

To put this in context, the AMC had been selling stocks like Paytm and Polycab which have seen a sharp decline in the recent past. "Dont look at 2010-2019 to identify the mid- and small-cap space. Earnings were stagnant more or less in that period. After 2020, they have increased sharply every year," he added.

From 2008 to 2021, the earnings per share (EPS) of large-cap funds grew consistently at a 5.1% annual rate, while that of mid-caps and small-caps grew at 4.2% and 2.8%, respectively. Unlike large caps, small and mid-caps did not show consecutive annual growth in EPS during this period, the fund house said.

To be sure, this period was marked by significant economic events like the introduction of goods and service tax, the implementation of the real estate regulation and development Act (RERA), demonetization, and the crisis pertaining to non-banking financial companies, leading many companies to reduce debt on their balance sheets.

However, between 2021 and 2024, the EPS growth for large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks increased each year, with the consumer sector being the largest contributor. This period coincided with a trend towards de-globalization and the China-plus-one policy shift, as investors began to diversify their investments in other emerging economies.

This shift was followed with a decline in foreign direct investments in China and a reduction in flights between China and the US, thus providing opportunities for Indian policymakers to support domestic industries. New themes like health, capital goods, defence, and manufacturing emerged, supported by initiatives like Make in India.

View Full Image (Graphic: Mint)

This emergence of new themes and faster earnings growth in mid- and small-cap companies is what Agrawals strategy takes note of, but with a caveat excessive valuations. For example, the consumer sector has seen higher EPS growth than the benchmark index but has underperformed due to higher price-to-equity ratios. Motilal Oswal AMC shifted away from consumer stocks in November 2022.

"The most marked change that Motilal Oswal AMC has gone through recently is that their portfolio turnover ratios have gone up, their marketing strategies now highlight their QGLP (quality, growth, longevity, reasonable price) framework approach which were earlier focused on their tagline which said, buy right, sit tight," said Nirav Karkera, head of research at Fisdom, a leading fintech platform for wealth management.

For a long time, Motilal Oswal AMC was famously known to stick to age-old stock bets and high conviction ideas. They were not receptive about new age stocks but of late their portfolios are taking positions in new age companies," he added.

"I think there was a bit of a vacuum when Badshah left them, and they didn't have a key investment figure on board. The QGLP philosophy and 'buy right sit tight' weren't really working, if you see the performance of the flexi-cap fund. There was also a confusion of narrativewere they advocating active or passive funds? I do see signs of a revivalbut in investment, remember that all things are cyclical," said Dhirendra Kumar, CEO, Value Research, a leading provider of investment research in India. Will the change of guard and strategy turn around the AMCs fortunes? This is something only time will tell.
TORONTO: The three men accused of murdering Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year in a killing that triggered a diplomatic crisis between Canada and India appeared briefly in a British Columbia courtroom on Tuesday.

Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22, all Indian nationals, face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

The three appeared via video link wearing orange prison uniforms.

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 prompted a diplomatic crisis with New Delhi when he cited evidence of Indian government involvement in Nijjar's death.

Canadian police said Friday they are probing whether the three accused had ties to the Indian government.

India has denied involvement in Nijjar's death. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Saturday India will wait for Canadian police to share information on the three accused.

"One of our concerns which we have been telling them is that, you know, they have allowed organized crime from India, specifically from Punjab, to operate in Canada," Jaishankar said.

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."
The Karnataka Police summoned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda and the party's IT-cell head, Amit Malviya, on Wednesday in connection with a tweet posted by BJP Karnataka allegedly against the SC/ST community.

The BJP leaders have been asked to appear before Bengaluru's High Grounds police station within seven days.

A notice issued by the Karnataka Police stated that a person named Ramesh Babu visited the High Grounds police station on May 5 and lodged a complaint regarding a video posted on the BJP's Karnataka X handle.

The notice stated that the said video has the intention to create feelings of enmity, hatred, and ill-will against members of the SC/ST community. An FIR was registered, and an investigation is underway.

You are hereby directed to appear before the under signed investigation officer at 11.00am at High grounds police station within 7 days of receipt of this notice, said the notice.

On Tuesday, the Election Commission of India wrote to the Nodal Officer of X platform, directing it to take down the "objectionable" social media post by BJP Karnataka "immediately".

"I am directed to inform that post of "BJP4Karnataka" is violative of extant legal framework (SIC)," the notice issued to the nodal officer, stated.

On May 4, the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) posted an animated video on the social media platform 'X', which depicted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah targetting the party over the reservation row, newswire ANI reported.

Following that, on May 5, the Congress party filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that BJP Karnataka intends to "provoke rioting and promote enmity".
As wildfires continue to devour forests in Uttarakhand, the Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the state government, saying that cloud seeding or depending on rain god is not an answer to the problem and the authorities will have to take preventive measures to tackle it.

The Uttarakhand government apprised the apex court bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta about the steps it took to control the forest fires.

Up to 0.1 per cent of the forest cover in Uttarakhand was affected by such incidents, the court was told.

Since November last year, there have been 398 forest fires in Uttarakhand, and five people were killed, the state government added.

Also read: Will rains bring relief from raging wildfires? CM Dhami bans fodder burning Deputy Advocate General of Uttarakhand Jatinder Kumar Sethi told the court that all the fires were man-made while jokingly invoking a Bollywood song, "There is a popular song, We didn't start the fire".

To this, Justice Mehta quickly responded with, Also one called, What goes around comes around.

A total of 388 criminal cases have been lodged in connection with the forest fires, Sethi said, adding that 60 people have been named in those.

Also read: 2.6 magnitude earthquake hits Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi "People say that 40 per cent of Uttarakhand is on fire, whereas 0.1 per cent of the forest cover was on fire. And all this was man-made. From November till today, we have 398 fires, all man-made," the counsel said.

"Cloud seeding or depending on the rain god is not the answer. He (the applicant) is right in saying that you have to take preventive measures," the bench told the state counsel.

To this, the Uttarakhand government shared with the bench an interim status report containing details of the various steps taken by authorities to deal with forest fires.

Also read: Patanjali ad case: SC slams Uttarakhand's Licensing Authority for inaction,  eyes shut deliberately Sethi said helicopters of the Indian Air Force were also pressed into service to extinguish the fires.
Bastar: The Naxal Story was released theatrically on March 15. Reportedly made with 15 crore, the political thriller couldearn 3.75 crore worldwide. However, the movie will now be on OTT for viewers who want to watch it online.

Also Read: Aavesham OTT release date: Check how to watch Fahadh Faasils blockbuster Malayalam movie online Bastar: The Naxal Story comes from the brave story tellers of The Kerala Story, according to the official poster for the movie. The movie, starring Adah Sharma, is directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah.

The movie is about Indian Maoists, also known as Naxals, who were allegedly responsible for thousands of deaths. The rebel group is accused of the destruction of assets worth trillions of dollars during the Bastar rebellion that started in what is now Chattisgarh, India.

Also read: Under the Bridge OTT release: How to watch true crime web series in India? It's about teenager Reena Virk's murder Bastar: The Naxal Story reviews The movie received mixed reviews from critics. Rohit Bhatnagar of The Free Press Journal called it a sloppy docudrama that is away from thrill, adventure and drama". India Todays Zinia Bandyopadhyay called the movie a "sensational, oversimplified film with no nuance".

Deepa Gahlot of Rediff.com thought the movie sought to reduce the movement to bullet points and stereotypes. The Times of Indias Abhishek Srivastava, however, called the film a hard-hitting crime drama.

Bastar: The Naxal Story OTT Release ZEE5 will start streaming Bastar: The Naxal Story OTT Release on May 17.
NHLANGANO  A 50-year-old man succumbed to his injuries after he was assaulted by a mob while he was trying to break into a shop.

The incident happened at Mathendele Township located in Nhlangano in the Shiselweni Region. The incident happened on Monday night, May 6, 2024. It was reliably established that the man was reportedly spotted by some residents who then raised the alarm. According to witnesses, more people were called, including those who were enjoying alcoholic beverages at a nearby drinking spot.

The man was allegedly caught red-handed and was assaulted by the mob.This publication gathered from people who witnessed the incident that the suspected burglar then became unconscious and police were called to the scene. The man was rushed to Nhlangano Health Centre, where he was certified dead upon arrival.

Concerned

A resident of the area told this publication that they were concerned about such break-in incidents as they were not safe. She stated that they were calling for local authorities to put in place community police members and have the place patrolled as the crime rate was high. Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the death of a 50-year-old man who died after he was attacked by a mob. Mnguni stated that police were still investigating the incident and that no one had been arrested yet.
Air India Express has cancelled more than 70 flights after facing disruptions since last night. It happened after some of the cabin crew had called in sick unexpectedly.

"A section of our cabin crew has reported sick at the last minute, starting last night, resulting in flight delays and cancellations. While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result," an Air India Express spokesperson told Mint.

The impacted customers will either get a full refund or receive complimentary rescheduling to another date, the spokesperson added.

"Guests flying with us today are requested to check if their flight is affected before heading to the airport," the spokesperson added.

The civil aviation ministry has called for a report from Air India Express regarding the cancellation of flights. It has asked the airline to resolve issues promptly. The ministry has also advised the airline to ensure facilities to passengers, as per DGCA norms.

Chaos at Delhi Airport Meanwhile, massive chaos was seen at the Delhi Airport after, as per a social media post, the airline had cancelled three flights to Goa. Passengers were seen crowding in front of an Air India Express desk.

Ye kya tareeka hai! Ky adekh rahe ho aap? Bewakuf bana rakha hai. Paagal bana rakha hai. (Is it how you do this! What are you checking? Do you think we are stupid? Do you think were crazy?), some passengers were heard screaming.

Netizens react Some social media users have reacted. While some wonder what the reason behind the cancellation may be, some are unhappy that it happened at the last moment.

It must have been cancelled due to bad weather. There shouldn't be any problem. No need for major panic, wrote one user.

Flight cancellations without consideration for passengers urgency are a real problem. They should offer other options or tell people earlier so they can make other plans. Cancelling at the last moment causes a lot of trouble wrote another.
(Bloomberg) -- The Massachusetts Institute of Technology said suspensions are in process for dozens of student protesters while the University of Chicago shut down a pro-Palestinian encampment amid persistent tensions on US campuses.

As we said previously, these actions are necessary to ensure the safety of our community, MIT Chancellor Melissa Nobles said in a statement Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, University of Chicago police cleared out tents as President Paul Alivisatos said security risks were increasing too rapidly for the status quo to hold. Police made no arrests, but the university will proceed with disciplinary action.

With many college commencements scheduled for this month, schools around the US are confronting encampments set up to protest Israels retaliatory attack on Gaza. The highly visible demonstrations have added to campus turmoil, partly due to accusations of antisemitism and concerns about free speech. Harvard University threatened protesters with suspension earlier this week.

The University of Chicago, which is known for its commitment to free expression, said intractable and inflexible aspects of the demands made by protesters were incompatible with the schools principle of institutional neutrality.

Safety concerns have mounted over the last few days, Alivisatos said. The university remains a place where dissenting voices have many avenues to express themselves, but we cannot enable an environment where the expression of some dominates and disrupts the healthy functioning of the community for the rest.

Turmoil on campuses began after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the US, and the Jewish states retaliatory response in Gaza.

In recent weeks, several universities have asked local police to help clear encampments, including at Columbia University in New York, the University of Virginia and Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

The University of Chicago initially sought help from city police, according to the mayors office. The Chicago police raised operational concerns and expressed an unwillingness to participate in a pre-dawn clearing of the encampment, Ronnie Reese, a spokesperson for Mayor Brandon Johnson, said in an emailed statement.

The university police ultimately decided to move forward independently with the removal, Reese said. The University of Chicago didnt immediately comment about the police request.

--With assistance from Miranda Davis.

(Updates with MIT suspensions in first paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
By Jonathan Stempel

May 8 - Hyundai's and Kia's American financing arm will pay $334,941 to settle charges it illegally repossessed vehicles belonging to military service members, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Wednesday.

According to papers filed in Los Angeles federal court, Hyundai Capital America violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act between 2015 and 2023 by repossessing 26 vehicles whose owners had begun paying off their loans prior to active duty.

The Justice Department said the law required the financing arm to obtain court permission before repossessing vehicles.

It cited as an example the 2017 repossession and sale of Navy Airman Jessica Johnson's three-year-old Hyundai Elantra, after the financing arm determined that she was on active duty but "not deployed."

Johnson still owed $13,796 on the car, and Hyundai Capital America realized in 2020 it should not have repossessed it, court papers show.

Members of our Armed Forces should not have to worry about having their cars repossessed while they are in military service," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement.

Without admitting wrongdoing, Hyundai Capital America will pay $10,000 plus lost vehicle equity to each of the 26 service members, and repair their credit. It will also pay $74,941 to the U.S. Treasury "to vindicate the public interest."

Neither the Irvine, California-based financing arm, nor Hyundai and Kia immediately responded to requests for comment.

The Justice Department in the last several years settled claims under the servicemembers law against several financing companies, including General Motors, Nissan and Wells Fargo finance arms.

The case is U.S. v. Hyundai Capital America, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 24-03818.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US has paused the supply of high-payload munitions to Israel over concerns about a potential military offensive on the Gazan city of Rafah.

The delivery was supposed to contain 3,500 bombs, split roughly evenly between 2,000-pound and 500-pound explosives, according to a senior administration official. Austin, speaking separately, said no final decision has been made on the shipment.

Israel needs to account for the protection of civilians in Rafah, where the US wants no major conflict take place, Austin told a Senate Appropriations panel on Wednesday. Washington is worried about the damage the large bombs could inflict on dense urban areas like Rafah, where about 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering from Israels war with Hamas.

Austin said a 2000-pound bomb could do a lot of collateral damage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office declined to comment on the weapons delay, and its unclear if it will have much impact on the militarys operations in Gaza. Still, it speaks to growing tensions between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden, whos voiced opposition to an attack on Rafah and reaffirmed that message in a call between the leaders on Monday.

Privately, Israeli officials have expressed deep frustration and warned their US counterparts the delay could jeopardize cease-fire and hostage negotiations at a crucial moment, according to a person briefed on the discussions. The Israelis told US officials that pressure should be put on Hamas, not on Israel, the person added, declining to be named in order to detail the sensitive discussions.

The US has stepped up its criticism of Israel in recent months, saying its not doing enough to protect civilians and allow aid into the besieged Palestinian territory, parts of which the United Nations says are on the verge of famine. There have been far too many casualties in this battle space, Austin said.

At the same time, Biden has said his support for Israel is ironclad, and hes defended its right to pursue a strategy of destroying Hamas, an Islamist group backed by Iran.

Austin was questioned about the weapons shipment by members of the congressional panel. Does this not send the wrong message to our ally Israel and embolden Iran and Iranian-backed groups? asked Senator Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican. We should not signal to our enemies that our support is conditional.

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine called the pause a decision that most members of Congress would take issue with.

But the Biden administration signaled it might hold up other shipments to Israel. In a briefing on Wednesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the US was reviewing other potential weapon systems, although he declined to go into detail.

Miller reiterated the administration doesnt support an Israeli invasion of Rafah given the lack of a credible plan to avoid civilian casualties. We just dont believe its possible to move those people to other places in Gaza, he said.

Moment of Discord

Bidens decision on the arms supplies marks one of the most significant moments of discord between Israel and its most important ally since Hamass Oct. 7 assault, which started the war. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the US, killed 1,200 people and abducted roughly 250 when its fighters stormed into southern Israel from Gaza.

Israels retaliatory bombardment and ground offensive on the Mediterranean enclave have killed almost 35,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Separately from the delayed bomb shipment, a pending arms sale has been under review for months at the State Department, according to a congressional aide and an administration official. Its a potential $260 million direct commercial sale between Boeing Co. and Israel for as many as 6,500 tail-kits to convert unguided bombs into GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or Jdams. The State Department would have to notify the House and Senate foreign relations committees before the sale could go forward. Delivery would take years, the officials said.

Past Pauses

It isnt the first time the US has delayed arms supplies to Israel, though its far from commonplace.

Former President Barack Obama held up the delivery of Hellfire missiles for several weeks in 2014 during a previous round of Gaza fighting. Before that, Ronald Reagan halted a shipment of cluster-type artillery shells after Israels invasion of Lebanon in 1982. And Richard Nixon held off providing arms for the first week of the 1973 Yom Kippur war.

Read more: Israel Edges Into Rafah With Tension High Over Stalled Talks

Biden told Netanyahu last month, following the killing of World Central Kitchen aid workers in an Israeli strike, that ongoing US support for the war would depend on new steps to protect civilians.

The US recently signed a foreign-aid package that contains billions of dollars of fresh assistance for Israel. The paused bomb shipment isnt connected to those funds, Austin said. Arms transfers that are under review were drawn from previously appropriated money, and the White House is committed to ensuring Israel gets all the new national security aid, he said.

The US has urged Israel not to attack Rafah unless it can move out civilians first. American officials have serious doubts that can be done quickly and safely.

This week, Israel told residents in some parts of eastern Rafah to move out immediately in a possible prelude to an assault. It urged them to travel north to a humanitarian area near the Gazan city of Khan Younis, much of which has been destroyed. Israel says its working to ensure there will be enough tents, food and medicine for the civilians.

Israels military also took control of and closed the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Tuesday. Its the main entry point for aid going into Gaza and the United Nations said it should be reopened quickly.

On Wednesday, Israel reopened the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing and said trucks with humanitarian supplies were moving into Gaza. But the Israel Defense Forces said numerous launches were identified from the area of Rafah toward the crossing, endangering civilians in Gaza and threatening Israeli troops

Rafah Talks

For now, Israeli officials are saying their operations in Rafah are limited and are downplaying the notion that a full-on offensive has begun.

Discussions between American and Israeli officials over Rafah are continuing and have yet to fully address Washingtons concerns, another US official said. William Burns, head of the Central Intelligence Agency, traveled to Jerusalem on Wednesday to speak to Netanyahu about his plans for the city and cease-fire negotiations with Hamas.

The truce talks remain stuck over Hamass demand that any pause in fighting is effectively permanent. Israel says the war cant end  even if theres a break for a weeks-long truce  until Hamas surrenders or is defeated as a military and governing organization.

Since the war started in October, the US has shipped more than 200 planeloads of weapons and ammunition to help Israel. The US is the biggest supplier of arms to Israel, and Biden has said there are no circumstances under which he would stop sending ammunition for Israels defense, including those used for the Iron Dome system, which intercepts rockets and missiles fired at the Jewish state.
(Bloomberg) -- President Xi Jinping touted his nations ties with eastern Europe as a boon for the worlds No. 2 economy as he arrived on the final legs of a tour designed to promote Chinas potential as a trade partner.

Xi landed in Hungary on Wednesday after visiting France and Serbia during his first trip to Europe in five years. Hes due to sign more than a dozen agreements in Budapest covering rail, road and energy projects, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbans cash-strapped government also looking to lock in financing for some of the investments.

The Chinese president called the stronger links with the region a move toward global stability and development, according to an op-ed published in the Hungarian ruling partys newspaper, Magyar Nemzet. Its a sign of the times and the general trend of development, Xi wrote, adding that Europes east provides a helpful addition to China-Europe relations.

Read more: Hungary, China Agreed to Cooperate on Nuclear Energy: Minister

The comments coincide with growing tension between Beijing and Brussels, with Western European leaders accusing Xis government of flooding their markets with cheap exports that threaten jobs. Xis support for Russia despite its war in Ukraine has thrown the relationship further off balance.

EV Plants

Hungary, a European Union member state, has gone all-in on economic links with China under Orbans leadership, attracting an estimated 10 billion ($10.8 billion) in investments in recent years, mostly in the electronic vehicle industry.

BYD Co., the Chinese EV giant, picked Hungary as the site of its first European car factory, an investment that had been coveted by other nations including Germany and France. Hungary is also a hub for car battery producers, with Chinas Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. currently building a 7.3 billion plant in the eastern city of Debrecen.

Orban has frequently clashed with the US and the EU over the rule of law as well as close ties to Russia and China, and has rejected Western pressure to reduce links with Beijing or to back a more critical approach on trade and human rights.

Hungarys position is firm: in order to maintain and improve competitiveness, both our country and Europe need to foster good relations with China, Balazs Orban, the Hungarian premiers chief political adviser, wrote on X. Instead of decoupling, we should aim for cooperation.

Territorial Integrity

During his earlier stay in Belgrade, Xi bolstered economic and political ties with another country thats thrown open its arms to Chinese trade and investment. He signed an agreement with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, to boost their strategic partnership to a community with a shared future in new era. Xi portrayed more trade with China as an inevitable direction of progress, even as the EU unleashes a salvo of probes into Beijings booming green sectors.

Serbia will boost exports to China with a free-trade deal, and expects infrastructure investment with some Chinese support worth as much as $27 billion.

The two nations also back each others territorial integrity, Vucic said in reference to Serbias claim over Kosovo, a former province that split unilaterally in 2008. In return, Serbia backs Beijings policy on Taiwan, the Serbian president said.

We could never get such an in-depth analysis of everything that is going on in the world from anyone, as we received from President Xi, Vucic said during a bilateral meeting, in which the leaders signed a raft of bilateral agreements. The sky is the limit for cooperation between China and Serbia, he added.

Xi earlier completed a two-day trip to France, where he held talks with President Emmanuel Macron as the EU takes a tougher stance on Chinas perceived national security risks.

Xi on Monday also met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who told him that the EU is prepared to deploy all tools available to defend its economies if China fails to offer fair access to its markets. She drove home the EUs position that heavily subsidized Chinese products such as electric vehicles and steel are flooding Europe.

--With assistance from Jing Li, Philip Glamann, Jacob Gu, Josh Xiao, Li Liu, Jasmina Kuzmanovic, Ilya Arkhipov and Jenni Marsh.

(Recasts after Xis arrival in Budapest)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
During the last few years, there have been a few instances of the write-down of debt capital instruments issued by banks in the Indian marketsuch as the Tier 1 bonds of Yes Bank in March 2020 and Tier 2 bonds of Lakshmi Vilas Bank in November 2020 after being declared non-viable by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Similarly, there have been precedents of the complete write-off of these instruments globally, the most recent being the Tier 1 bonds of Credit Suisse following its takeover by UBS.

Bondholders of Yes Banks Tier 1 instruments challenged the write-down and moved the judiciary on the matter. As they received a favourable judgement from the High Court of Bombay in January 2023, the bank, RBI and the government decided to move the Supreme Court of India against the order.

The matter remains sub-judice at present. The April 2024 order of the High Court of Madras has also directed RBI to take a fresh decision on the write-down of the Tier 2 bonds of Lakshmi Vilas Bank.

The financial strength of a bank in terms of safety is seen in how well capitalized it is. A rising capital adequacy ratio, for example, means a bigger capital base as a proportion of its risky assets (or loans). The bigger this cushion is, the more easily it can absorb losses. Sound banks tend to have more capital than required by regulation. It need not all be equity. RBI rules let banks issue debt instruments to fill capital cushions.

After the global financial crisis in 2008, the onus of bailing out failed banks in the West fell on governments. To address this, the Basel Committee of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) notified new debt capital instruments. These instruments, namely Basel 3 Tier 1 and Basel 3 Tier 2 bonds, have a complete write-down feature to bail out a troubled bank if it is declared non-viable by the central bank that exercises jurisdiction over it.

These bonds are also known as hybrid bonds as they have the features of debt as well as equity capital. Consider the risk of write-offs. In an event of stress, these bonds bear the brunt of value destruction even before the banks equity holders are called upon to take a loss, as per the terms of their issuance. This can lead to great losses borne by bondholders. In the Indian banking system, such debt capital instruments surpassed 4 trillion on 31 March 2024 (a fifth of the systems net worth of over 21 trillion), with Tier 1 bonds accounting for around 30% of total outstanding debt capital instruments.

Over the last decade, the covenants for coupon payments on Tier 1 bonds have undergone a change to ease the ability of banks to service them. This has also improved investor appetite for these bonds, which can be serviced only through the profits or accumulated profits of banks. As some banks suffered huge losses during Indias last phase of asset quality stress (from 2015-16 to 2019-20), many banks, including public sector lenders, came close to skipping coupon payments on these bonds.

Nevertheless, with large capital infusions from the government, several public sector banks were able to service these bonds. Hence, while these bonds always had a write-down feature, the onus of bailing out these banks fell on the government. Subsequently, prior government approval was made a prerequisite for public sector banks to issue such Tier 1 bonds from January 2018 onwards.

These debt capital instruments usually promise higher yields on account of the greater risk of holding them. However, the attractiveness of their yield premium over safer bonds is debatable, given recent instances of such instruments being written down, or in the backdrop of the extraordinary financial support extended by the government even to the weakest public sector lenders.

The Supreme Courts judgement on Yes Banks Tier 1 bonds will be under watch, as it will set a precedent for the fate of these debt instruments in future bank resolution cases. It could also offer clarity on the bank regulators jurisdiction over such matters. Clarity on these issues will be crucial not only for the regulator in performing its role, but also for investors in general of failed banks, as they would be better able to assess the liabilities they may need to take over while proposing a resolution.

In case the decision goes against such a write-down, it would give rise to the question of whether these hybrid bonds are good enough for inclusion in the capital count for compliance with Basel 3 guidelines. Another question would be whether these bonds offer depositors protection in the event of a banks failure. If these bonds cannot absorb losses, they are merely another form of borrowing, which means their inclusion in capital-ratio calculations will need to be reconsidered.

Despite these ambiguities, the regulatory stance of keeping the depositors interest paramount has ensured that peoples faith in the Indian banking system remains high. Going forward, perhaps it would be prudent if all stakeholdersincluding issuers, investors and the sectors regulatorreach a consensus on the risks involved in the use of such hybrid bonds before letting them be counted as part of the capital stock of banks for regulatory requirements.

If not, we many need to consider further restrictions on the use of such instruments by lenders.
Vietnams anti-corruption drive, which the ruling Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong likened to a blazing furnace," is running hot. This year alone, two of the four pillars of power, including the chairman of the parliament and the countrys president, left their posts amid graft allegations. Last month, Truong My Lan, a real estate tycoon and Vietnams richest woman, was sentenced to death for her role in a $12 billion fraud case that involved Saigon Commercial Bank, one of its largest lenders. Eighty-five others were sentenced on charges ranging from bribery to abuse of power.

There are now concerns among investors that Vietnam, perfectly positioned to gain from the US-China rivalry, is not all that politically stable. With Hanois power vacuum getting bigger, its unclear who will have the top job. Trong, at the age of 80, is widely expected to step down at the next Party Congress in January 2026.

Whats clear, however, is that this anti-graft campaign is moving prosperity closer to the Chinese border, while leaving Ho Chi Minh City, until recently the countrys commercial centre, in the dust. At this rate, only northern Vietnam may live up to its full potentialat the expense of the south.

As global manufacturers diversify their supply chains, money has been going to the northern region around the capital city of Hanoi and the eastern port of Haiphong. Quang Ninh, the northeast coastal province where the tourist hotspot of Halong Bay is located, was the largest recipient of foreign direct investments last year. Swedish auto-safety systems maker Autoliv is planning a $160 million factory there, as is Taiwan-headquartered auto supplier Boltun, just to name a few.

At issue in Vietnam is infrastructure, which smartphone and electric vehicle manufacturers need for their mega factories. Vietnam, shaped as a long and curvy letter S, still relies on roads that can be narrow, congested and bumpy for most freight traffic. It ranked 43rd in the World Banks latest Logistics Performance Index, down from 39th in 2018 when the US-China trade war began.

Trongs anti-graft campaign has an unfortunate side effectpublic procurements for infrastructure projects have stalled. Officials are too scared to make any decisions for fear of inciting scandal and punishment. In the first four months of this year, the government disbursed only 15% of what it had planned for public investments. To foreigners, the most glaring and disappointing example is Ho Chi Minh Citys much-anticipated first metro line, which began construction in 2012 and was originally scheduled for completion in 2018. It is still not open yet.

This has made Quang Ninh all the more attractive. Perhaps reflecting the top politicians own biasTrong grew up in Hanoi the government has spent more on infrastructure near the capital. A new deep-sea port at Haiphong and Expressway 04, which connects to Hanoi, began operations in 2018. The opening of Expressway 06 in 2022, which links Haiphong to the city of Mong Cai near the Chinese border, gave the area a significant tailwind, too.

Quang Ninhs geographical advantage is in full display especially if the new factories need essential stuff, such as electricity. With all the foreign manufacturers pouring in, power demand has been soaring. But almost no decisions on energy infrastructure have been taken since the anti-corruption campaign started in 2017, noted Gavekal Research.

A year ago, amid shortages exacerbated by scorching heat, Vietnam struck a deal to import electricity from Chinas neighbouring Guangxi province. This kind of emergency solution to avert production halts would not be possible if a factory was built in the south. Vietnam has been a net energy importer since 2015.

Lans death sentence has created some unease among businesspeople. A Saigon native and ethnic Chinese, she owned extensive property portfolios in the city. Her husband, Hong Kong property tycoon Eric Chu, went on a fire sale last year when Lan was arrested. Her companies were among the first major privately owned businesses that landed in the governments crosshairs, showing Hanoi was willing to take the campaign beyond its ranks.

Having gone through crackdowns of their own, Chinese entrepreneurs looking to enter Vietnam, for one, prefer to be aligned with the interests of the political elite, which does not appear to be in the south.

In many developing nations, a little bit of corruption can grease the wheels of commerce, and a lack of it could stall progress. Hanoi may want bamboo diplomacy and more friends than foes, as Vietnam becomes more dependent on China. But its internal politics seems to be turning the northern part of the country into a de-facto Chinese province. bloomberg
TikTok has become one of the worlds biggest stories in business and geo- politics. US President Joe Biden recently signed a law that will ban the massively popular app in nine months if its Chinese owner, ByteDance, does not sell it to a non-Chinese entity.

TikTok, for its part, has called the law political theatre," and it is probably right: there is always some theatrics in politics, and bashing China is currently one of the most popular shows in town. Almost no other issue can unite the two major parties. But, given the arrogance TikTok exhibited in the weeks and months leading up to the US bills passage, the companys leadership clearly has a fundamental misunderstanding of America and Americans.

Compared to policymakers in other countries, US lawmakers are usually reluctant to regulate business, and many had previously opposed a forced sale of TikTok for fear that it could create perceptions of corruption, reduce business and investor confidence in the US and undermine free speech. Most agree that when regulation does happen, it should clear the relatively high bar of serving the public interest.

Until a month ago, the main public-interest concern in America was data privacy. Questions such as who can access user data and whether that data can be put to malign uses are pertinent to all large social-media platforms. Over the past decade, the US Congress has held many hearings on the issue, often targeting large US companies such as Meta and Google.

But these concerns are amplified in TikToks case, because many US lawmakers assume that the Chinese government can force TikTok to hand over its American users data. Under laws China enacted in 2017 and 2021, all Chinese organizations are required to assist the governments intelligence-gathering and counterespionage work, if asked.

TikTok promised that it would store Americans data on servers outside China. That did not satisfy US lawmakers and security officials, who continued to worry about backdoors, an issue that contributed to the US Federal Trade Commissions decision two years ago to ban telecom equipment made by Huawei.

Still, at one point, there was hope for a workable solution whereby US regulators would conduct detailed examinations of the companys technology. Since data privacy is an industry-wide concern, TikTok could have played the issue to its advantage, such as by investing in data safeguards and supporting independent research of its own platform. It could have met US lawmakers halfway, and approached the issue proactively, transparently and in the spirit of collaboration. By doing so, Bytedance and TikTok could have been a positive force for change in the US technology industry.

Instead, TikTok adopted an aggressive stance, hired expensive lobbyists, and, in a catastrophic misstep, even mobilized its (predominantly young) American users to call their representatives in Congress on its behalf. Pop-up messages urged users to, Let Congress know what TikTok means to you and tell them to vote NO." Some congressional offices received more than 1,000 calls in the space of a day.

On the surface, this may have seemed like a savvy strategy, given Ubers earlier success in mobilizing its users to lobby against legislation it opposed. But TikTok overlooked a crucial difference: Uber is an American company. By intervening in the US political process, TikTok made the situation much worse for itself, highlighting a second major threat that its critics say it could pose to the public interest.

Over the past decade, ordinary Americans and lawmakers have grown increasingly concerned about social medias undue influence on users beliefs, behaviours and voting decisions, and on how hostile foreign actors can exploit the major platforms for their own purposes. This risk strikes at the heart of American democracy, and it is not just hypothetical. We already know that Russia and other governments regularly try to interfere in US and European elections.

Given this context, TikToks mobilization of its users wasnt just an annoyance to elected officials staffers; it was an alarm bell. Many of those who responded to the call seemed not even to know what they were protesting. A foreign-owned company had brazenly demonstrated just how easy it is to manipulate platform users to serve its own interests, confirming that it knew all along how much political influence it could exert in the US. Suddenly, and understandably, the focus in the US shifted from Russian voter manipulation to Chinese voter manipulation.

Perhaps nothing could have saved TikTok from the forced-sale legislation enacted by America, given the current geopolitical climate. We will never know what could have been. But it is clear that the companys aggressive strategy backfired. TikTok launched what many saw as an attack on American democracy, and ended up ensuring the majorities that were needed to push the bill through Congress.

TikToks future in America is now uncertain. Before it weighs its next moves, the company should fire its lobbyists and consultants, who should have advised it to be more respectful of Americans legitimate concerns about data privacy and threats to democracy. And all other non-US firms should learn from TikToks recent missteps on what not to do. 2024/project syndicate
Natalia Kruglova last spoke to her husband, Pvt. Ivan Petrov, on Sept. 29. The Russian army conscript told Kruglova he had been ordered back to the front lines in southeastern Ukraine. Then he disappeared.

Kruglova wrote to her husbands commanding officers, the Defense Ministry and even military prosecutors in search of news, but to no avail. Weeks later, the army declared Petrov missing but offered no explanation of what had happened to him.

Its as if no one owes you anything, no one cares," Kruglova, 45, said in an interview from her home in the Russian far eastern city of Magadan.

Since President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, Russia has dispatched hundreds of thousands of men to battlefields that have become charnel houses.

Now, the mothers and wives of servicemen whose fates are unknown have emerged as some of the most vocal critics of the Russian war effort, presenting a rare public challenge to Putin and the authoritarian system he has built.

Amplifying the grief and anger is the Russian governments lack of transparency about soldiers who are missing or presumed to be dead.

Groups involving tens of thousands of missing soldiers relatives and friends have sprouted up on Russian social media, where they share information in the hopes of discovering what happened to the missing men.

The specter of that many people in Russia searching for missing soldiersand airing grievances about the lack of help from the militarychallenges the Kremlins narrative that Russians support its war in Ukraine and are willing to sacrifice their loved ones for it.

While the tensions dont yet present a significant threat to Putin, they could eventually spill over into broader dissent.

The Kremlin has suppressed domestic coverage of the war and offers no official figure for soldiers missing in action. The last time Russias Defense Ministry provided a public accounting of the number of its soldiers killed in Ukraine was in September 2022, when it said 5,937 had died. The U.S. estimates that more than 300,000 Russian troops have been wounded or killed.

Under Russian law, soldiers arent declared dead unless their bodies are recovered, a medical examiner issues a death certificate, or a court officially rules on the individuals demise. In the chaos of Ukraine, many go unaccounted for. Thousands have deserted, according to advocacy groups that support Russian service personnel. Many others have become prisoners of war.

Last May, Ukrainian military officials said Russia turned down an offer to repatriate the remains of 3,000 soldiers early in the war. Russias Defense Ministry didnt respond to a request for comment on the claim.

Sergei Krivenko, head of Citizen.Army.Law, a Russian human-rights group that advocates for Russian soldiers, said the military didnt prepare for such a volume of losses" and lacks special units responsible for extracting fallen soldiers from the battlefield. Moreover, Russian units have sometimes been forced to withdraw without sufficient time to collect dead bodies, he said.

Russian antiwar commentators believe the Russian military abandons dead fighters to avoid paying compensation to the families. Putin has ordered that families of soldiers killed in Ukraine be paid 5 million rubles, the equivalent of $54,600, in addition to previously set compensation of around $26,000 for military personnel killed in battle.

Neither the Kremlin nor the Defense Ministry responded to a request for comment on allegations that Russia abandons its war dead and is deliberately undercounting its losses.

In a letter to The Wall Street Journal, Alexei Zlovedov, adviser to Russias human-rights commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, said the agency is in constant contact with Russias defense and foreign ministries, receives all the necessary information to inform relatives about the fate of their loved ones, and does everything possible to return wounded and captured military personnel."

The commission is also working with the International Committee of the Red Cross and its Russian counterpart to search for missing persons and reunite them with their relatives located in both Russia and Ukraine, Zlovedov said.

That is little comfort for Kruglova. Her grief and desperation echo that of thousands of mothers and wives whose stories flood social media.

Despite suffering two serious head injuries, including one from a blast wave that broke his jaw, knocked out his teeth and kept him out of service for weeks, Kruglovas husband wasnt allowed to return to their home in Magadan, she said.

Together for seven years, the couple spoke almost every day while Petrov, 41, a truck driver before the war, was deployed.

Their last conversation was tinged with foreboding.

He wanted to go home," said Kruglova, a civil servant, who has been on disability for the past decade after five surgeries on her spine. He understood everything, understood that they wouldnt let him leave there. He knew he wouldnt come back."

Aislu Almanova said her husband, Kurmangali Almanov, who volunteered to serve in Ukraine, disappeared in September last year. She appealed to the Telegram group Nash Vykhod, or Our Way Out, to help find Almanov, 49. The day before he went missing, he had been on a mission in Krasnohorivka in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.

Ive been to see all authorities," Almanova, a mother of three children who made clear she supports Putin and Moscows military campaign in Ukraine, said in an interview from her home in the southwestern Russian city of Orenburg. Now I suspect that my husband may be in captivity. Im looking for him in captivity."

Alexey Koptilovs brother-in-law Nikolay Prede went missing in late July after a battle near a village in Ukraines eastern Luhansk region. Prede, who volunteered and later signed a contract to fight in Ukraine, was seriously wounded by shrapnel to the lung in October 2022, Koptilov said. He was awarded a Medal of Courage for saving a man and spent five months undergoing treatment. Although he had serious problems breathing, Prede was returned to duty, Koptilov said.

Koptilov learned that several other soldiers also disappeared following the July battle in eastern Ukraine when Prede went missing. Koptilov and the relatives of the other missing men joined together, calling the military hotline every day and tracking down soldiers in the same unit as those who had disappeared. Koptilov traveled 700 miles to Moscow from his home in Ufa in western Russia with a relative to hand-deliver a letter to the Defense Ministry, pleading for assistance in finding his loved one.

We made so many appeals," Koptilov said.

On Nov. 1, the family finally received a formal notice that Prede had been captured in Ukraine. They have received no updates since.

News that Tatiana Kolodiys son Vadim had been killed on the front lines of Ukraine came first in a message from fellow soldiers to the young mans fiancee. It was less than two weeks after Russian soldiers invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Confirmation of the death of the 19-year-old contract soldier soon followed from the commander of his unit.

But without receiving his remains, Kolodiy said she couldnt believe that her son was gone. Moreover, without a body, he couldnt be officially declared dead.

For a month they fed me lies that they would bring me his body," Kolodiy said. It never came.

For a year, she searched for her sons body, writing to his commanders and visiting military morgues where she was shown corpses and piles of smoldering bones. She showed up at Putins office but was denied an audience.

She eventually learned from her sons comrades that he was among soldiers headed to Kyiv days after the invasions start with the mission of taking the city. A rocket flew into the gunners compartment of the armored reconnaissance vehicle in which Vadim was sitting. He died instantly, Kolodiy was told.

His remains were never recovered. A Russian court eventually ruled his death was official, after hearing testimony from members of his unit who were present when he was killed.

In April 2023, Russias State Duma adopted amendments to the civil code allowing soldiers fighting in Ukraine to be declared missing or dead within six months in the absence of information about their whereabouts. Previously, such a declaration occurred only two years following the end of a conflict.

Meanwhile, for Kruglova, it remains a waiting game.

You dont know whether you should look for the corpse or for your husband [or what]," she said.

Write to Ann M. Simmons at ann.simmons@wsj.com
A two-member bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday referred to a third judge the case of three Independent MLAs who want the assembly Speaker to accept their resignations. The three MLAs  K L Thakur, Hoshiyar Singh and Ashish Sharma  had approached the court seeking its directions to the Speaker to accept their resignations they tendered in March amid a political crisis in the state. But the division bench comprising Chief Justice M S Ramachandra Rao and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua offered differing views on whether the court can issue directions to the Speaker in this regard.

"The matter would now be decided by a third judge to be constituted by the chief justice who would hear the case on this particular point," said Advocate General Anup Rattan.

The division bench of the high court had last week reserved its order on the plea of the three Independent MLAs.

The three MLAs, who had voted in favour of the BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha polls switching political loyalties, had resigned from the assembly on March 22 and joined the BJP next day.

Maintaining that the authority to accept the resignations is vested only with the Speaker under Article 190(3)(b) of the Constitution, Chief Justice Rao declined to give any relief to the petitioners and said that no directions can be issued to the Speaker to take a decision on accepting the resignations within a fixed time frame.

The chief justice said that he has not expressed any opinion on "voluntariness or genuineness" of the resignations.

However, Justice Dua said that "ends of justice would be served" if directions are issued to the Speaker to take decision on resignations in reasonable time, two weeks from the date on which the judgment is intimated to him.
MBABANE  Magistrates feel neglected and are crying for help, as they were left out of the salary and allowances review for judges.

The magistrates raised their concerns after learning that the Royal Commission, which is tasked with reviewing the salaries and benefits of politicians and members of traditional advisory councils, would also review salaries of judges. The magistrates said they were concerned by not being included in the review. They mentioned that the last time their salaries were reviewed was in 2016, though some of the recommendations were not implemented for them. According to the government salary scale, magistrates are ranked between E3 to E5. A junior magistrate officer is paid between E340 239 to E382 645 per annum.

Senior magistrates earn between E447 691 to E503 879 per annum. principal magistrates earn between E512 970 to E577 351 per annum. These salaries are not accompanied by any form of allowances, such as car allowances or medical aid. According to some of the magistrates, who spoke on condition of anonymity in fear of being victimised, the last time they heard of anything close to a salary review was when the Chief Justice (CJ) was Richard Banda.

It was said thereafter, a firm was engaged to work on the review, but the recommendations only benefited the registrar and master of the High Court, while magistrates were left out. When they were asked if they benefited from the last salary review for civil servants, they mentioned that they did not.

In fact, they said it was for that reason why they felt they were left out and were likely to be left out from the current exercise, because it was unclear whether they were civil servants or under the Judiciary.

Appeals

Unfortunately, there was an exercise for review of salaries for public servants and magistrates were also left out. Though there were appeals, they were still left out. The outcry was that a directive of the review was that a review should be all inclusive. The argument is that The Constitution of Swaziland (Eswatini) Section 139 (1) defines what the Judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, the High Court and all other subordinate courts and Swazi Courts. The officers said they strongly believed they should form part of the review because magistrates fell under subordinate courts.

We want to know whether we fall under the Judiciary or civil servants. That has made us feel neglected, because we are orphans. We have witnessed the masters officers being offered a review, but nothing was offered to us. This is unfair; why are we overlooked, said another aggrieved magistrate.

Magistrate officers are among government employees who do not have an association to speak on their behalf on bread and butter issues. The last time there was an association it was led by former Magistrate Leo Dlamini, who was the Secretary General, but it became defunct over the years.

Dlamini said magistrates had been neglected for a long time. During our time, whenever we forwarded complaints about salaries they would review them for other judicial officers and leave magistrates. Most of the improvements that were requested by magistrates benefited others, he said.

He added that the continued neglect of magistrates had the potential to tempt them to enter into illegal activities, which could jeopardise their profession and defeat the ends of justice. Some magistrates earn less than some DPP officers, without allowances, he said.
The Indian National Congress (INC) on Wednesday distanced itself from the controversial remark made by Sam Pitroda, the Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, about how people in the South "look like Africans and those in the West look like Arabs and those in the East look like Chinese."

The analogies drawn by Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate India's diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable, said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Jairam Ramesh further added that The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies.

"We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside few fights here and there. We could hold a country together as diverse as India, where people on east look like Chinese, people on West look like Arab, people on North look like white and maybe people on South look like Africans," said Pitroda in an interview to 'The Statesman', reported ANI.

Reacting to Pitroda's remark, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asked him to understand a little about our country.

Sam bhai, I am from the North East and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country - we may look different but we are all one. Understand a little about our country!

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Thiruvananthapuram Rajeev Chandrasekhar termed Pitroda's remark as "shameless".

"This is how Rahul Gandhi has been taught to divide up and see India by his tutor and mentor -Sam Pitroda," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday counterattacked Rahul Gandhi's accusation of crony capitalism, asking, why Shehzada (Congress leader) stopped talking of Ambani and Adani in this election all of sudden?

Addressing an election rally in Telangana's Warangal today, PM Modi said, For years, Congress ke shehzade din raat ek mala japte the...'5 industrialists', 'Ambani', 'Adani'...But since the elections are declared, they have stopped abusing Ambani, Adani...

Why? I wish to ask the Shehzadey of Congress, how much black money have they received from Adani, Ambani? How much the Congress party has 'received' from those industrialists for the elections? the Prime Minister asked.

Rahul Gandhi often accuses Modi and his administration of prioritising the interests of industrialists over those of marginalised communities.

Here are top 10 quotes from PM Modi's speech in Telangana 1) The only thing that binds Congress and BRS is corruption. They both follow the zero governance model. We need to save Telangana from these corrupt parties.

2) Ever since Congress came to power, development of Telangana has been stalled. Where is the hard-earned money of people going? They are looting you under the guise of 'RR Tax', half of which goes to 'R' in Hyderabad and the other half to 'R' in Delhi

3) Nobody knows it better than Telangana how Congress deceives people. Congress had promised to waive off farm loans. Now, they are delaying it until the Lok Sabha elections are over so that they can keep that promise hanging in mid-air. They swear on our Gods to keep their promises, while on the other hand, they demean Sanatana Dharma

4) Let me explain this to you in a different way. Imagine 10 farmers gathered in Warangal, they called someone who could search where there is water in the land. Now 10 farmers asked that they want to extract water from the ground for water for 10 fields, he said you will have to go down 100 meters, and pipes will have to be installed, then the water will come out, and then a farmer said to put a 10-meter pipe to my field, another said, put a 10-meter pipe in my field. So all of them said that if we put 10-10 meter pipes in our 10 fields, it will be 100 meters. Tell me, will water come out of this?"

5) No one can forget the sins of the Congress central government of 10 years ago. Every few days, a scam worth thousands of crores of rupees came to light. There were serial bomb blasts in big cities of the country...

6) "This time, INDI alliance has come up with a formula of 5 years 5 pm. Just imagine, what will happen to the country if they get power. Every year there is a new PM, second year, second PM, third year, and third PM? What good can they do to the country."

7) "Today in front of you all is the dream of 'Viksit India' and 'Viksit Telangana'...There is instability, unrest and crisis everywhere in the world. In such a situation, can the command of the country be given to the wrong hands? This is why the country is saying, 'Phir ek baar Modi sarkaar'."

8) Two things have become clear after the third phase of elections, first- the public is taking NDA's 'Vijay Rath' forward at a fast pace. Second, Congress is searching their seats with magnifying glasses.

9) After seeing your enthusiasm in Telangana, today I can say one more thing, Congress's usual magnifying glass will not be sufficient to find their seats in the fourth phase. Congress will have to use a microscope to find its seats...

10) The Constitution, as was envisioned and drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar, is against the idea of reservation on the basis of religion. They want to steal from your quota, as guaranteed by the Constitution, and give it to their vote bank.
Following the molestation charge levelled by women employees against West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose, Kolkata Raj Bhavan on Wednesday said it is willing to show the CCTV footage related to the case to 100 people, but not to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and "her police".

Kolkata police had requested the Raj Bhavan to share the CCTV footage concerning the molestation charge. However, the Governor directed his staff not to cooperate with the police.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Raj Bhavan Kolkata informed that the Bengal Governor has launched a programme 'SACH KE SAAMNE'.

Also read: 'I pray, but...': Bengal Governor Ananda Bose says saving Mamata Banerjee 'difficult for God' amid molestation probe "Raj Bhavan is not sparing the CCTV footage of an incident which is under the illegal and unconstitutional investigation of the police," the post read.

The Raj Bhavan asked the public to send requests over email or phone to attend the programme and promised that the first 100 people would be allowed to see the footage inside the Governor's House on Thursday morning.

Also read: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose asks staff to disregard Kolkata police summons amid molestation probe "Governor has decided that the CCTV footage can be seen by any citizen of West Bengal  except politician Mamata Banerjee and her police for the stand they had taken, which is in public domain," the post added.

A contractual woman employee of the Raj Bhavan lodged a written complaint with the Kolkata Police alleging molestation by the governor in the Governors House.

Also read: I refuse to be cowed down by engineered narratives, Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose reacts to sex harassment allegation Earlier on Monday, Bose described the allegation as "absurd drama" and labelled Mamatas politics as "dirty.
The Congress party on Wednesday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's accusation that they were silent on discussing Ambani and Adani. The party claimed that Rahul Gandhi had mentioned (Gautam) Adani 103 times and (Mukesh) Ambani over 30 times since April 2024.

The tide of this election has turned so violently that the Pappa of Hum Do Hamare Do is turning on his own children, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge also slammed Modi over the remarks and said that the prime minister was in jittery after Phase 3 of Lok Sabha elections.

"Times are changing. Friends are no longer friends. After completion of three phases of elections, today the Prime Minister has started attacking his own friends. This is the real trend of the result," Kharge posted on X in Hindi.

Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh accused Modi of hypocrisy, citing the controversial Electoral Bonds and alleged cronyism in contracts.

The man who collected 8,200 crore of Electoral Bonds for his party - a scam so egregious that even the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional - is today leveling allegations on others. Remember that through his Chaar Raaste, the Prime Minister has given contracts and licenses worth 4 lakh crore to his cronies in return for their donations, Ramesh further posted on X.

Addressing a rally in Telangana on Wednesday, Modi questioned the sudden silence of Congress leaders on (Mukesh) Ambani and (Gautam) Adani in this (Lok Sabha) election.

"Since the Rafale issue grounded, they started talking about five industrialists. Then they started talking about Ambani and Adani. I wish to ask the Shehzada (Rahul Gandhi) of the Congress from the soil of Telangana, how much black money have they received from Adani, Ambani?" Modi asked.

He further asked what deal took place that abusing Ambani-Adani was stopped overnight.

How much (funding) did the party Congress received from them, Modi asked, adding that the Congress party will have to clarify it.
SEOULKim Ki Nam, the architect of North Koreas cult-of-personality propaganda and a childhood mentor of the regimes current leader, died on Tuesday. He was 94 years old.

Kim Ki Nams career as an influential Workers Party official spanned six different decades and included close collaboration with all three of North Koreas leaders. In 2011, he was one of eight officialsincluding current leader Kim Jong Unto walk alongside the state hearse carrying the late leader Kim Jong Ils casket.

In addition to his role as regime mouthpiece, Kim Ki Nam twice led North Korean delegations to Seoul, one as recently as 2009, when he met then-South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

Kim Ki Nam wasnt a blood relative of the ruling Kim family. But his passing was so significant that Kim Jong Un, the 40-year-old dictator, will make the rare move of leading the state funeral himself. State media praised Kim Ki Nam as boundlessly loyal" and as someone who had thoroughly established the monolithic leadership system of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un."

Kim Ki Nam was born in 1929 during Japans colonization of Korea, in an area that is now a northeast province of the North. State media described him as having a childhood of hardship, born into a stevedores family. He attended the elite Kim Il Sung Universitywhere he later served as a professorand studied abroad at a state university in Russia.

After leaving academia in the 1960s, Kim was appointed deputy director of the Workers Partys propaganda and agitation departmentserving directly under Kim Jong Il, the eventual second-generation leader. The two were known to be close drinking buddies.

The following decade, Kim Ki Nam assumed the editorship of the Norths main Rodong Sinmun newspaper where he oversaw a mythological overhaul of the countrys origin storyone that ideologically paved the way for Kim Jong Ils succession and established a hereditary transfer of power.

It was in the pages of Rodong Sinmun that Kim Jong Il was said to have been born on Mount Paektu, the nations most sacred mountain. State media at the time christened the second-generation heir apparent as the Shining Star." Historians outside North Korea believe Kim Jong Il was born in Khabarovsk, Russia, when his father was a Soviet officer.

But in article after article then, researchers were said to have found decades-old messages from Communist Revolutionaries taken from the sacred mountain and nearby towns, with some proclaiming, The Shining Star has risen over Mount Paektu." That was intended to cast Kim Jong Ils ascendancy to power as something akin to prophecy, close regime watchers say.

North Koreans, even now, are taught that the so-called Mount Paektu bloodline"or those who are direct descendants of the ruling Kimsrepresent an essential requirement for top leadership.

In the 1970s, North Koreas state ideology developed to become the core of all North Korean education and policies, and the propaganda department played a crucial role in shaping the Kim dynastys profile around that ideology," said Jung Won-hee, who researches North Korean politics and propaganda at South Koreas Kangwon Institute for Unification Studies.

There were other changes. Under Kim Ki Nams watch, only photos of then-leader Kim Il Sung were allowed on the front page of Rodong Sinmun, a break with the prior practice that permitted images of other officials.

His longevity was unique, too, as few North Korean officials held senior positions under all three Kim leaders. Many others have been purged, with even family members being executed after falling out of favor.

Kim Ki Nams closeness with the current leader and his sister was apparent in spring 2009. As state media started to present Kim Jong Un as a potential next leader, a grainy photo emerged of the then-twentysomething. It was one of the first public images ever shown of Kim Jong Un. He was flanked by his siblings, bodyguards and a single North Korean official: Kim Ki Nam.

Well into his 80s, Kim Ki Nam officially left his role as North Koreas propaganda chief in 2017, handing the reins to Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of the current leader, who is now a senior Workers Party official.

Kim Ki Nam made significant contributions to North Koreas succession by actively engaging in grooming the leaders," said Kim In-tae, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy, a government-affiliated think tank in Seoul.

Write to Dasl Yoon at dasl.yoon@wsj.com
Kerala's health department has reported West Nile fever cases in three districts. The state government has ordered all districts to be vigilant and issued directives to take mosquito control measures by stepping up pre-monsoon cleaning drives and surveillance activities.

As per health officials, five vector-borne disease cases were reported in the northern district of Kozhikode on Tuesday, May 6. Malappuram and Thrissur districts have also reported West Nile fever cases.

Also read: What is West Nile fever? How it spreads, symptoms, treatment, other details here Kozhikode district collector Snehil Kumar Singh said, Of the five cases reported so far in the district, four have recovered, and one is currently under treatment in the government medical college hospital, reported HT.

Cases of West Nile Fever have been reported in the district before. Its similar to dengue. There is no cause for alarm or panic right now. There are no hot spots, Snehil Kumar Singh told HT.

Also read: West Nile Fever scare after Kerala death: Expert on causes, symptoms and cure In the wake of these developments, State Health Minister Veena George confirmed in a statement that West Nile viral infection cases have been reported in the state. She urged all the district authorities to be vigilant. The authorities issued an order to take mosquito control measures to destroy their breeding grounds.

The viral fever is attributed to Culex species of mosquitoes. Citizens showing signs of fever or other symptoms of the West Nile infection have been urged to seek treatment immediately. Meanwhile, the health minister said that there was no need to be concerned.

Also read: What is West Nile virus? Russia warns of increase in cases The West Nile Virus transmission takes place via mosquito bites. Birds are considered the natural hosts of the virus on whom mosquitoes prey and become infected. The virus doesn't spread through human-to-human contact.

How ancient is West Nile fever? West Nile viral infection was first detected in Uganda in 1937. In 2019, a six-year-old boy from Malappuram, infected with a vector-borne disease, died due to West Nile viral infection.

In Kerala, it was first detected in 2011. Later, in 2022, a 47-year-old man from Thrissur district died of West Nile viral infection. Most of the infected people with West Nile virus may not show any symptoms, but it can cause a fatal neurological disease in humans.
Google just launched its much-awaited Pixel 8a smartphone in India with a starting price of 52,999. The smartphone runs on Google's own Tensor G3 chipset and comes with 7 years of promised OS updates, Gemini AI integration and a dual camera setup.

Pixel 8a price and specifications:

Google Pixel 8a features a 6.1 inch Full HD+ OLED HDR display with 120Hz refresh rate, a peak brightness of 2,000 nits and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection on the front. Pixel 8a runs on Google's own Tensor G3 chipset with support for up to 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage.

The latest premium midrange from Google runs on the Android 14 operating system, and the company promises 7 years of OS updates and security patches for this device, a commitment similar to the one it made with the Pixel 8 series.

In terms of optics, the Pixel 8a comes with a dual camera setup on the back, including a 64MP primary sensor with OIS and a 13MP ultra-wide angle lens. Moreover, there is a 13MP shooter to the front to handle all the selfie and video calling needs. The Pixel 8a is capable of shooting up to 4K 60fps videos from the rear cameras and 4k 30fps from the selfie shooter.

The smartphone starts at a price of 52,999 for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage variant and users can get the latest Pixel smartphone at a 4,000 discount using SBI bank credit cards.

OnePlus 12R price and specifications:

OnePlus 12R features a 6.78-inch AMOLED ProXDR display with support for LTPO 4.0 technology, meaning the smartphone can go from 1-120Hz, depending on the app running.

The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset paired with the Adreno 740 GPU for all graphics-intensive tasks. The OnePlus 12R comes with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The premium mid-range smartphone is powered by a 5,500mAh battery, which can be fast-charged via a 100W SUPERVOOC charger.

In terms of optics, the phone houses a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor with support for OIS and EIS, an 8MP ultra wide angle lens and a 2MP macro lens. There is also a 16MP front-facing camera on the smartphone to meet all the selfie and video calling needs.

The camera app on the OnePlus 12R comes with a host of features including Interval Shooting, Nightscape, Hi-Res Mode, Pro Mode, Movie Mode, Ultra Steady Mode, Dual-view Video, Portrait Mode, Video Portrait, Pano, Macro, Slo-mo, Time-lapse, Long Exposure, Text-scanner and more.

The OnePlus 12R is priced at 39,999 for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage variant and it can be purchased at a discount of 2,000 by making the payment using HDFC bank cards.

Also Read | OnePlus 12R review: Relatively affordable flagship killer that ticks all the right boxes

Nothing Phone 2 price and specifications:

Nothing Phone (2) features a 6.7-inch full-HD LTPO OLED display with a resolution of 1,080x2,412 pixels. The LTPO panel on the Nothing Phone 2 means it can switch from 1Hz to 120Hz. It is propelled by Qualcomm's 4nm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, accompanied by an Adreno 730 GPU and a RAM configuration of up to 12GB.

In the camera department, the Nothing Phone (2) is equipped with a dual rear camera arrangement, featuring a 50 MP primary camera incorporating a 1/1.56-inch Sony IMX890 sensor, complemented by both optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS). Additionally, there is a 50 MP ultra-wide-angle camera. On the front side, the device boasts a 32 MP camera dedicated to capturing selfies.

Boasting the distinctive Glyph Interface, the Nothing Phone (2) showcases LED strips beneath its transparent back panel. With storage options extending up to 512GB, the device is powered by a robust 4,700mAh battery, supporting 45W wired charging and 5W Qi wireless charging

Which is the best phone to buy under  50,000 in India?

While the OnePlus 12R stands out as the best overall phone in this price range, it also has a few drawbacks, including a lack of wireless charging support, no AI features and lower OS update support (compared to the Pixel 8a).

Meanwhile, for users who want a great camera experience and can live with a relatively less powerful chipset, there is probably no better phone in the sub- 50,000 price range that can match the picture quality of a Pixel device.

Nothing Phone (2), on the other hand, is a great alternative for users who want a cleaner software experience, a quirky design and wireless charging support without paying the premium for the Google Pixel device.

Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world  Click here to know more.

3.6 Crore Indians visited in a single day choosing us as India's undisputed platform for General Election Results. Explore the latest updates here!
The Idaho governors budget chief will take the helm of the states largest agency, according to an announcement that included other major staff and cabinet changes.

Gov. Brad Little announced on Tuesday that Alex Adams will be the new director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Adams had served as the administrator of the Division of Financial Management since 2019.

Lori Wolff, who has been Littles director of operations since 2023, was named the new administrator of DFM. Little also promoted Sara Stover, his director of cabinet affairs, to deputy chief of staff.

All three of these intelligent people are valued members of my team, Little said in a news release. I am grateful they continue to dedicate their talents to public service, and I am excited to see what they will accomplish for the people of Idaho in their new roles.

Adams, Wolff and Stover will officially be in their new roles June 5.

The health agency had been headed by interim director Dean Cameron since the beginning of 2024. The previous director, Dave Jeppesen, had announced his retirement in November 2023.

Adams had also served as interim director of the Idaho Public Charter School Commission and the executive director of the Idaho Board of Pharmacy.

Prior to his work with the state of Idaho, he was vice president of pharmacy programs at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, a national trade association.

Adams has a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Toledo in Ohio and a master of public health degree from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

As administrator of DFM, Adams has played a major role in helping craft the governors proposed budgets and was deeply involved in working with lawmakers to write legislation that included some of Littles top priorities.

A recent example was this years centerpiece school facilities funding bill, HB 521.

Wolff, who now steps into the budget chief role, had also been the administrator of the Division of Human Resources and interim director of the Governors Office of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Department of Administration.

She had worked for the health department for 18 years, including as the deputy director and division administrator. She was born in Salmon, Idaho, and has a masters degree in public administration from Idaho State University.

Stover took the role of director of cabinet affairs in 2022, in which she worked with agency directors to align agency operations with the Governors priorities, according to the news release. She has also served as Littles senior policy advisor for health care.

Stover has been working in the executive branch since 2001. She worked for the Division of Financial Management under previous Govs. Butch Otter, Jim Risch, and Dirk Kempthorne, and was also a policy aide for Risch and Kempthorne.
Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, was allegedly the target of manipulated audio messages over the weekend.

The Idaho State Senate Majority caucus released a statement Monday evening condemning the deepfake robocalls.

This call, crafted by an out-of-state group, was disseminated to constituents in Senator Winders district, spreading fabricated statements with the intent to manipulate voter perception ahead of the primary election, the emailed statement said.

The political action committee Make Liberty Win reportedly sent texts and left voicemails to voters over the weekend, targeting Winder and others, KTVB reported Monday. The texts were identified as coming from the Virginia-based committee, and were sent the same day as the voicemails, KTVB reported.

The voicemails seem to take audio from floor debate this year and play it out of context.

This year, the Legislature passed a law requiring synthetically generated calls that misleadingly represent candidates ahead of elections to disclose that the media was synthetically created or manipulated.

HB 664 was targeted at the rising prevalence of AI-generated images and audio and allows the candidate who has been misrepresented to seek injunctive relief from the courts or sue for damages against the group or individual who created the media.
HLATIKHULU  Four people died and seven were rushed to hospital after a truck crashed into a shop, which had over 10 people inside.

The incident happened at Esakeni, under Hlatikhulu, on the steep MR26 road that joins the MR9 Yithabantu Highway, at the bottom of the hill, around 3:30pm. It was gathered that the truck driver, who was transporting crush stones from Hlatikhulu to Nhlangano town lost control of the vehicle as he was driving down the slope. The truck then crashed into the shop and the people inside were crushed by the rubble.

Six of the people were rushed to Hlatikhulu Government Hospital where they were all reportedly admitted. There were four people who were trapped under the rubble as the truck landed on top of it. The Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (ENFRES) had a tough time retrieving the people from under the rubble but they did after hours of work.

Children

It was gathered that among the deceased were children aged eight, three and two years as well as a woman. The woman was in fact carrying the two-year-old on her back when the accident happened and they all died on the spot. Relatives who were at the scene were emotional as the bodies were retrieved. Some learnt at the scene that their relatives were involved in the accident. It was gathered that the driver was among the seven who were admitted to hospital.

Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the death of four people, while seven were rushed to a health facility, where they were admitted, including the truck driver.
Environmental and other groups and interested individuals who have filed objections or comments about the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests Land Management Plan began meeting virtually this week with agency officials to air their concerns.

The U.S. Forest Service plan guides land management decisions on the combined forests and is aimed at providing for social and economic needs while sustaining the health, diversity and productivity of the 4 million-acre forests for future generations, Forest Supervisor Cheryl Probert has said.

The plan is more than a decade in the making and updates the management direction adopted 36 years ago.

A coalition of conservation groups have criticized the plan for having a timber-first approach that would expand clear-cuts that are harmful to endangered species and climate mitigation, and open up wild areas to increased motorized recreation that would be damaging to wildlife.

Over the last several years, numerous individuals and conservation groups including Friends of the Clearwater, WildEarth Guardians, Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force and the Sierra Club submitted scientific and policy input urging the Forest Service to safeguard habitat for endangered and threatened species like grizzly bears, wolverine, chinook salmon, steelhead and a host of other important plants and animals.

Instead of looking to the future, the Forest Service produced an antiquated timber plan that will further imperil the forest for decades to come, Jeff Juel, forest policy director with Friends of the Clearwater, said in a news release Tuesday. The Revised Plan would more than double the maximum cut produced any year so far this century, and more than quadruple the regular limit on clearcuts to over 200 acres in size.

Julian Matthews, wildlife and lands coordinator for the Idaho chapter of the Sierra Club and coordinator of Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment, said the revised plan threatens animals that are sacred and important to the Nimiipuu people, including salmon, grizzlies, and elk. Its shameful to see the Forest Service propose actions that would actually take us backward on species recovery efforts that its supposed to move forward.

The environmental groups said the revised plan is critically important to ensure and direct grizzly bear recovery in the Northern Rockies for decades to come.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service emphasizes that true recovery of the grizzly population requires a robust population in the Bitterroot ecosystem, much of it on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest.
MOSCOW  It was never Anthony Dahlingers overarching drive to become chief of the Moscow Police Department, he said.

But when the opportunity arose, the 39-year-old Dahlinger saw it as a chance to better serve the department and the community that he put down roots in years ago.

Dahlinger, a University of Idaho alumnus, has been with the Moscow Police Department for more than 12 years and has nearly 17 years of experience in law enforcement. He was sworn in as chief during Mondays Moscow City Council meeting.

Dahlinger said he has the benefit of taking over a historically great agency that was previously led by James Fry, who retired from the position this spring.

I think were operating at a very high level for our profession, especially for a rural agency in a smaller town, he said.

Still, he encourages feedback from the community. Dahlinger said community engagement is important in helping police understand how were doing our job versus how we think were doing our job.

Community engagement also helps Moscow citizens better understand who the police are and how policing works, Dahlinger said.

Looking forward, his goal is to continue to keep his staff highly trained on new technology, tactics and policing ideas that are always evolving in law enforcement.

He called the department a tight-knit family, but it is difficult in his profession to keep that family together. Dahlinger said recruiting and retaining police officers is a challenge for departments across the country, partly because of societys negative outlook on law enforcement.

While Moscow may not offer the salaries of departments in bigger cities, Dahlinger said it does offer a community and a work environment that has a positive culture.
For 39 years, I lived in Idaho. For 27 years, I practiced medicine and was employed at Regence Blue Shield of Idaho. For another 12 years, I served in the Idaho House of Representatives.

Then I remarried and we moved to Clarkston because we found a condominium we both liked, which was a good place still here in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, close to friends and families.

But, boy, what a difference that state border makes.

Setting aside the obvious differences in income taxes and marijuana dispensaries, there are a multitude of changes we saw with the move.

Here are some I see, admittedly with a somewhat political eye.

First is voting by mail and open primary elections. It appears that while the GOP in Idaho is quite fearful of voter fraud, in Washington the concern is for better voter participation. A multitude of efforts have been made to limit voter participation in Idaho, from closed party primaries (with ever tighter restrictions to participate in those special group nominating elections) to limitations on absentee voting and even helping homebound people to vote. But in Washington, the mail ballot is available to anyone. The primary is open to all voters. And the candidates with the top two tallies in any given contest continue on to the general election.

Voting by mail makes it easier to participate and is especially useful for those who work or are in school during the time polls are open or have transportation issues getting to the polls. Multiple studies have shown better participation and the processes with mail-in voting are proven secure and as fraud-free as any election. Idaho even used no-excuse mail-in (absentee) voting during the COVID-19 pandemic with no problems. Idahos current antipathy toward mail-in ballots, in fact to greater voter participation, is likely due more to results than to process. When everyone participates, the result is less likely to be polarized and more likely to represent the wishes of the middle and to a majority of the whole population.

Secondly, there certainly seems to be a greatly different feel to government services and public support for programs serving the general good. Whether it is funding for education, participation in federal programs such as Medicaid, child care support or even school lunches for poor kids, Washington seems to accept and support people through programs that Congress and federal agencies have deemed valuable. You seldom hear that feeding hungry 7-year-olds fosters dependence on a welfare state from Washington legislators.
A northern Idaho lumber mill will close this summer as timber companies face strains from tight operating margins.

Despite still earning a profit at the mill, Stimson Lumber Company will permanently close its Plummer facility by August.

Mainly supplying Home Depot and Lowes, the mill specializes in making studs from smaller trees that are roughly 4 to 8 inches in diameter, according to Andrew Miller, Stimson Lumber CEO.

But recent market trends have decreased its returns tremendously.

Stimson has leased the property from the Coeur dAlene Tribe along U.S. Highway 95 since 2007, but Miller anticipates no tenant will ever reopen the mill.

We all know skilled labor is more and more difficult to attract and retain. So finding 80 or 90 people to start a mill is highly unlikely, he said. I wont say never. But once a sawmill closes, its almost never going to reopen.

At its peak, the mill once employed around 100 workers and produced about 100 million feet of lumber a year, Miller said. Today, those figures have reduced to 22 and 35 million, respectively. Its 22 workers will be offered positions at another one of Stimsons five locations in Idaho and Oregon.

Over time, the supply of the size of timber that that mill processes has declined, and so we reduced the production, Miller said. Weve been trying to match the output of the mill to the availability of the log supply. And after the pandemic, there was a significant downshift in supply.

The lumber industry made good profits during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Andy Dunham, director of sales for Idaho Forest Group. Builders were busy constructing new homes and renovating old ones, so demand was high.

Its economics 101, Dunham said. Demand for lumber was high, which pushed prices up. Everyone in the industry made a lot of money.

Because manufacturers were getting such good returns for their lumber, they produced a lot, he said.

Now that the market has cooled, manufacturers are feeling the repercussions. With an excess of inventory from overproduction, the cost of lumber has plummeted.

There is too much lumber out there, so prices have come down to historical levels, he said. We dont like it when competition goes away, but margins are shrinking. More closures are probably coming.

But Miller has more worries for Stimson and other manufacturers. Though inventory is high, he does not expect it to remain.
MBABANE  Police investigations have revealed how senior government officials, including principal secretaries, were tricked by the woman who allegedly committed fraudulent activities in Inkhosikati LaFogiyanes name.

The senior government officials, who were reportedly deceived by the woman, who sometimes pretended to be the inkhosikati, are principal secretaries (PSs) in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Service, as well as the under secretary (US) in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Intense police investigations revealed what each of the senior government officials did for the accused, Thobile Motsa (39), after she allegedly tricked them using the name of the inkhosikati.

Motsa of Ndzingeni, who is facing three counts of fraud, is alleged to have, using the name of the inkhosikati, managed to secure herself a job as an assistant immigration officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs. She also acquired herself an international passport and a government house for her husband, who is also a civil servant based in the Deputy Prime Ministers Office.

Deceived

In all these, she is alleged to have deceived the senior government officials that she was a maid of Inkhosikati LaFogiyane and she would sometimes call them pretending to be the inkhosikati herself. Investigations by the police also revealed that Motsa allegedly began her escapades by sending a WhatsApp text message to Nompumelelo Dlamini, who is the US in the Ministry of Home Affairs. In the text message, Motsa introduced herself as a maid of the inkhosikati. The message was reportedly sent through her cellphone number, 7801 1737 and it was sent to her (US) official government cellphone number.

In the text message, Motsa is said to have stated that the inkhosikati wanted to speak to the US, but she did not respond at that time as she merely ignored the message. According to the investigator of the case, Detective Sergeant Sihlongonyane, on the following day, the US received a call from a private number and the caller pretended to be the inkhosikati. The caller requested the US to assist her (inkhosikati) cousin (Motsas husband) Sikhumbuzo Sukati, with getting a government house around Mbabane. The caller is said to have introduced Sukati as the inkhosikatis cousin.

The US informed the caller that she was not responsible for that and the relevant office would be that of the principal secretary under the Ministry of Public Service. The caller requested that she refer the case to Sipho Tsabedze, the PS in the Ministry of Public Service and she complied, submitted the investigator. The investigations uncovered that the private number call that was received by the US was from Motsas number, 7801 1737.

Introduced

Sergeant Sihlongonyane narrated that on February 14, Motsa again sent a WhatsApp text to the US stating that the inkhosikati wanted to talk to her and, on that day she introduced herself as Tamati, who was a maid of the inkhosikati. In response, the US is said to have told her that she was away.

Upon her return, she again received a call from a private number and the person pretended to be the inkhosikati and the caller informed her that an arrangement had been made with the PS in the Ministry of Public Service that her relative should be hired in the Ministry of Home Affairs and that the PS had informed her that the Ministry of Home Affairs should assist since they had openings for recruitment, submitted the investigator.

As per the police investigations, the US is said to have then escalated the matter to the PS in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nhlanhla Nxumalo, and requested that they should address the issue at a higher level with the PS in the Ministry of Public Service. The US, as per the investigations, did all this because she was allegedly deceived by Motsa, who pretended to be the inkhosikati. It is alleged that Motsa would now and then request updates on the issues.

The PS in the Ministry of Home Affairs also fell into this trap and instructed the US to prepare a recommendation to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for the recruitment of Motsa, averred Sergeant Sihlongonyane. He highlighted that the CSC followed due process of recruitment and a letter of appointment was issued to Motsa.

Investigations

The investigator stated that as investigations intensified, he discovered that during the month of March 2024, the US received a call from someone who identified herself as Tamati. The caller is said to have informed the US that the inkhosikati wanted her relatives to be assisted with acquiring international passports and travel documents.

The caller is said to have informed the US that the trips would be funded by the inkhosikati and they overlooked the requirement for a bank statement.

Acting on the misrepresentation, she then gave instructions to her subordinates to issue the international passport and travel document to Motsa without following the procedures, submitted the investigator. The PS in the Ministry of Public Service, Tsabedze, is said to have confirmed that he got information from the US in the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the assistance that was requested by the person who pretended to be the inkhosikati or speaking on behalf of the inkhosikati.

Tsabedze, as per the investigator, is said to have also confirmed that he facilitated the process of swapping the government house for Motsas husband through the housing section under his ministry. It is alleged that he also facilitated the eventual employment of Motsa by the CSC. The PS also confirmed that he used to receive calls from Motsas cellphone number 7801 1737 through his official government cellphone number and the caller pretended to be the inkhosikati and he believed her and gave her all the assistance, said the investigator.

The law enforcer said all this was done through the deceit of the accused to the public officials. He said there was, therefore, sufficient evidence against Motsa and she would be convicted during trial. Our investigations have revealed that the person who was calling the government officials pretending to be the inkhosikati or acting on behalf of the inkhosikati was actually Motsa, contended Sergeant Sihlongonyane.
Legal action launched by the Irish government against a contentious UK law aimed at dealing with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles has been branded unnecessary and unhelpful by a British minister.

Speaking in Parliament, Lord Caine repeated that the Government profoundly regret the decision by Dublin to challenge the legislation in the European Court of Human Rights.

The Tory frontbencher argued the Irish governments stance was hard to reconcile given previous positions it had taken and its own record of dealing with Troubles-related cases.

The criticism by the Northern Ireland Office minister came after the new body responsible for investigating unresolved deaths from the turbulent period became operational.

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) was created by the Governments legacy legislation, which was introduced in the face of widespread opposition from political parties, victims organisations in Northern Ireland and the Irish government.

A key part of the Act, a provision for conditional immunity from prosecution for Troubles offences, was ruled unlawful by the High Court in Belfast earlier this year and struck out.

Separately, the Irish Government brought an interstate legal case against the UK, claiming the new law breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). That case is still to be heard.

Raising the issue in Parliament, Tory peer Lord Lexden, who worked as a political adviser to Airey Neave until the MPs murder by Republican terrorists in 1979, argued the UK Government should be entitled to take strong exception to the move by Dublin.

Responding, Lord Caine said: On the interstate case, the Government profoundly regret the decision of the Irish government to bring this unnecessary and unhelpful case against the UK, particularly when these matters are likely to be dealt with by the domestic courts long before the case ever reaches Strasbourg.

Highlighting the strong opposition to the controversial legislation, Labour former Northern Ireland secretary Lord Murphy of Torfaen said: The minister knows that you can move in Northern Ireland, eventually, only by consensus.

But Lord Caine argued the opposition had no coherent plan for dealing with legacy matters whatever, other than taking us back to square one.

The minister told peers: It is worth recalling that both the UK and Irish Governments have previously decided to make compromises on established criminal justice processes in the hope of moving the process forward, including decommissioning, prisoner releases and the search for the location of victims remains.

He added: The Irish Governments position is hard to reconcile in relation to the positions they have adopted on these matters in the past and, indeed, their own record of dealing with Troubles-related cases within their own jurisdiction, where, to the best of my knowledge, there has not been a single prosecution since April 1998.
The National Housing Company (NHC) has annoucned that it has signed a co-operation agreement with Chinas Citic Construction to establish an industrial city and logistics zones for building materials, comprising 12 factories in Saudi Arabia, to secure supply chains for residential projects.

According to NHC, the deal with Citic Construction is part of its efforts to secure supply chains for its residential projects, ensuring their timely implementation with high quality.

The project will attract 12 factories from major specialized manufacturers of building materials, benefiting from Chinese experiences.

In addition, several local factories will join to enhance the level of operations and attract the best service providers for various sectors of the company, its subsidiaries, and other projects, following the highest international standards, it stated.

The agreement was signed during the official visit of Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail to China, in the presence of the CEO of NHC, Mohammed bin Saleh Albuty.

According to NHC, the agreement will contribute to maximizing the economic and developmental impact of the real estate sector in the kingdom and developing and raising the quality of residential projects.

It will also promote the national transformation in the construction sector through these industrial cities and logistics zones, which will serve the Chinese factories in localizing the building materials industry, it stated.

Moreover, these facilities will provide opportunities for medium and small local factories to expand and help in providing direct production lines for the company's projects, as well as developing the local building materials industry and creating more opportunities in the sector, it added.

The Saudi group said the collaboration will help improve the quality of housing unit products in construction works, serving as an extension of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Saudi Arabia and China.

The partnership agreement between both countries was signed during the visit of the Chinese President to Saudi Arabia in December 2022. It includes an action plan to activate the provisions of a memorandum of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China in the housing field.-TradeArabia News Service
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: May 08 2024

The Town crews removed the signs from public right-of-ways, roadsides, utility poles and more as the signs were in violation of the Towns Illegal Road Sign law.

Recently, Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico, Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro and members of the Brookhaven Town Board welcomed a fleet of dump trucks filled with illegally placed signs. The Town crews removed the signs from public right-of-ways, roadsides, utility poles and more as the signs were in violation of the Towns Illegal Road Sign law.

In 2014, The New York State Court of Appeals unanimously reversed a lower court decision that had ruled the town law was unconstitutional. The court said the Brookhaven sign code "directly serves the town's valid interests in traffic safety and aesthetics."
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: May 08 2024

Final approval from the full Legislature may come as soon as Monday, May 20.

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D  Plainview) thanked his colleagues on the Legislatures Rules committee for joining him in voting unanimously on Monday, May 6 to approve a $13,500 Hotel-Motel Occupancy Tax Fund grant for the Sid Jacobson JCC in East Hills.

In addition to renovations and technological enhancements for the facilitys auditorium, the funds will be applied toward supporting JCC programs and community events like cafe nights, art exhibits, and storytelling and poetry slams. Past events at the JCC have featured countless films, authors such as Harlan Coban, Daniel silva and Kirsten Hannah; and guest speakers such as Joy Mangano and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak; Broadway stars, and acclaimed storytellers.

A vote to provide final approval for the grant could come as early as the regularly scheduled Monday, May 20 meeting of the full Legislature.
Holbrook Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Sale of Fentanyl That Led to 2022 Fatal Overdose of Chelsey Murray

Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: May 08 2024

Jaquan Casserly Pleaded Guilty in April to Selling Chelsea Murray Illicit Drugs Which Resulted in Her Untimely Death.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Jaquan Casserly, 34, of Holbrook, was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty in April to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, for selling fentanyl to Chelsey Murray, 31, of Lake Grove, that resulted in her fatal overdose in 2022.

This defendant is responsible for cutting a 31-year-old womans life short by selling her a deadly mix of fentanyl and heroin, said District Attorney Tierney. His conviction and sentence remove a dangerous individual from the streets of Suffolk County, but there is more work to be done. I will continue to stand by Chelsey Murrays heartbroken parents as I urge lawmakers to pass Chelseys Law, which provides additional penalties for causing overdose deaths.

Chelseys parents, Gene and Sue Murray recently joined District Attorney Tierney in Albany in January 2024 to call for New York State lawmakers to pass Chelseys Law, which if passed, would allow prosecutors to charge a drug dealer with manslaughter or aggravated manslaughter, for knowingly selling a drug that causes a victim to fatally overdose. Click here to view the press release from the January 2024 Albany rally.

According to court documents and the defendants admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on August 18, 2022, Chelsey was found unresponsive in the bathroom by her mother, and police responded to the Murrays residence. Chelsey was administered Narcan, which works to reverse the effects of fentanyl, and she regained a pulse. Chelsey was then transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where she ultimately passed away several days later as a result of a drug overdose.

Following Chelseys hospitalization, an undercover detective from the Suffolk County Police Department contacted Casserly and arranged for a sale of narcotics. Casserly then sold the undercover detective a combination of heroin and fentanyl contained in a red glassine envelope, which police were able to establish was similar to the one that Chelseys father Gene found in the bathroom where Chelsey overdosed.

On August 27, 2022, police executed a search warrant at Casserlys Holbrook residence and recovered a combination of heroin and fentanyl, a digital scale used to weigh narcotics, red and black glassine/wax envelopes used to package narcotics, a pair of metal knuckles, and Casserlys cell phone. The red envelopes were similar in appearance to the ones sold to the undercover detective. A search of Casserlys phone showed that he arranged to meet Chelsey on August 17, 2022, offering to sell her fetty mix, a street term used to describe a mix of fentanyl and heroin.

Prior to this case, Casserly was previously convicted of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 2018, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree in 2011.

On April 5, 2024, Casserly pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski. On May 8, 2024, Casserly was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision. He was represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Danielle Davis of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Michael DeMauro of the Suffolk County Police Departments Narcotics Section.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant meeting with IDF artillery troops in the field on May 7, 2024. (Ariel Hermoni/Israel Ministry of Defense)

The Israel Defense Forces sent an armored column to seize the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing approximately one mile north of the Israeli border with Gaza. The tanks moved from near the Israeli community of Kerem Shalom to take control of the key crossing. This is the main crossing from Egypt into Gaza, and the IDF said that the area was being used by Hamas terrorists.

The advance followed two intense days of decision-making in Israel. On May 5, Hamas fired twin projectiles which they said were 114mm rockets at IDF troops near Kerem Shalom, which had become a staging area in recent weeks as the IDF shifted forces out of other parts of Gaza and gathered them in the Negev. Israeli leaders had vowed for months to launch a Rafah operation, but they faced challenges about how to evacuate hundreds of thousands of Gazans who had fled to Rafah in the early months of the war.

After the rocket attack on May 5 killed four soldiers, Israels war cabinet was moved to act. Hamas and Israel were still conducting ceasefire talks which had dragged on for months, but the two sides were too far apart to make a deal. On May 6, the IDF called for around 100,000 people to evacuate eastern Rafah and head northeast toward the Mawasi humanitarian zone. On the evening of May 6, the IDF began operations in eastern Rafah. By the morning, the tanks had reached the crossing. Infantry also moved in along the flank, penetrating north toward an area called Al-Bayuk and seeking to take the Salah al-Din road, a key east-west road that links Rafah crossing with Khan Younis and Gaza City.

IDF ground troops began a precise counterterrorism operation based on IDF and ISA [Israel Security Agency] intelligence to eliminate Hamas terrorists and dismantle Hamas terrorist infrastructure within specific areas of eastern Rafah, the IDF said. Following intelligence that indicated that the Rafah Crossing in eastern Rafah was being used for terrorist purposes, IDF troops managed to establish operational control of the Gazan side of the crossing.

The first day of the Rafah offensive saw at least 20 terrorists eliminated, the IDF added. Tunnel shafts were struck and some fifty targets were hit around eastern Rafah and other areas of Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant went to observe the progress of the operation, meeting with IDF artillery in the field. Yesterday, I directed the IDF to enter the Rafah area, take the crossing, and carry out its missions. This operation will continue until we eliminate Hamas in the Rafah area and the entire Gaza strip, or until the first hostage returns, he said.

We are willing to make compromises in order to bring back hostages, but if that option is removed, we will go on and deepen the operation- this will happen all over the [Gaza] strip  in the south, in the center and in the north. Hamas only responds to force, so we will intensify our actions, and the military pressure will result in us crushing the Hamas [terrorist] organization.

Israel had to contend with rocket fire from Gaza on May 6 and 7. Three launches took place on May 6 and six more projectiles were fired from the Rafah area toward Kerem Shalom on May 7. Another dozen launches were detected targeting the border area of Reim. This appeared to be the sum of the Hamas response, at least initially. The group did not appear to try to hold onto the crossing or areas next to it, instead melting away into other areas of Rafah. This has been the general Hamas tactic throughout much of the war, after initial attempts to fight Israel in October and November.

On other fronts, Israel faced escalation from Hezbollah in the north as well as from Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. Hezbollah began using drones and then expanded their attacks in the early afternoon. Sirens sounded in two dozen Israeli communities. Hezbollah attacks continued close to midnight on May 7, illustrating that the group would continue escalation. Several drones were launched from Iraq, and the IDF said that it intercepted one aerial target near the southern Israeli city of Eilat on the evening of May 7. The IDF had also intercepted a drone on the evening of May 6 and May 7.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
2. Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (2021)  Best Mac keyboard with Touch ID

At first glance, the two Magic Keyboard models launched by Apple in mid-2021 look very similar to the original modelswhich are still available and reviewed here as well. However, these newer models bring a number of new features that arent available on the older Magic keyboards. For starters, these models are officially referred to by Apple as (1) the Magic Keyboard With Touch ID For Mac Models With Apple Silicon ($149/149), and (2) the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad for Mac Models with Apple Silicon ($179/179). Note there are Space Gray versions that cost more ($199/199) so make sure you select the white models if you want to save money.

(Apple Silicon means your Mac has an M-series processorfor example, an M2 iMacrather than an older Intel-based processor.

Apple is making it abundantly clear that the new keyboards are specifically designed for the latest Mac models that have Apples home-grown M1 processors. You can use these new keyboards with older Macs that have Intel processors, but youll really only be able to use them as basic QWERTY keyboards for typing, as most of the new featuresincluding the Touch ID sensor that sits in the top row of Function keys  wont work on Intel Macs.

The basic design of the two keyboards hasnt actually changed that much, with the same slimline design and month-long battery life as their predecessors. The smaller Magic Keyboard With Touch ID is priced at quite a premium for the Touch ID sensor. And, like the standard Magic Keyboard, it feels rather cramped, with a small Space bar and cursor keys. The lack of travel (the up and down movement of the keys as you press them) also makes the keyboard feel a bit lifeless for people who type a lot and need a bit more tactile feedback when theyre typing up a storm. Then again, you might feel that your fingers have to do less work compressing the key. Apple also introduced new versions of the Touch ID keyboard with black keys in early 2022.

The key feature of these new keyboards, though, is the Touch ID sensor, which sits by the F12 button on the top row of Function keys. This works just like the Touch ID sensors on the iPhone and iPad, andon Macs with Apple Siliconyoull see a new Touch ID panel appear in System Preferences when you first connect the keyboard. This allows you to store up to three fingerprints, which you can use to unlock your Mac, or to make secure payments on the Apple Store, or other online stores that support Apple Pay.

There are a few other new features as well, including an Emoji command on the Fn key in the bottom-left corner of the keyboard, which displays the Emoji viewer panel so that you can quickly add emojis to any document or message that youre typing. There are new Function commands too, for activating Spotlight, Dictation and Do Not Disturb.

As always, the larger version of the keyboard is even more expensive but the numeric keypad will be useful for people who do a lot of number crunching at work.

Theres more room to provide a larger Space bar too, and larger navigation keys. Even so, the thin keyboard panel means that the keys still feel a bit lifeless, so business users and budding novelists may prefer to look at one of the larger and more solidly built keyboards available from other manufacturers.
LIVONIA, MICH.  Madonna University held a special convocation ceremony to honor graduate nursing students. The ceremony included the presentation of white coats, a tradition signifying their entry into the nursing profession.

Sister Nancy Marie Jamroz delivered the invocation, and President Chris Dougherty extended his congratulations to the graduates. Interim Dean Dr. Deborah Dunn offered well wishes for the future of their careers.

The ceremony also recognized outstanding faculty and students with the presentation of Daisy Awards. Emily Bogart was presented with the Faculty Daisy Award, while Devona Kachi received the Graduate Student Daisy Award.

The Daisy Award, established by the Barnes family, honors exceptional nurses who demonstrate extraordinary clinical skills and compassion in patient care.
Dear Amy: After our teen years, my brother and I became close.

After my mother abruptly left town to be with another man, my brother and I were left to clean up the mess, literally and figuratively.

We worked well together. A year or two later he and his family moved far away. I did my best to keep in touch, but with schedule differences it became hard.

When we do talk, he keeps any conversation to about five minutes.

I noticed that Im usually the one reaching out.

I asked him about this, and he said he would try harder, and that he missed our closeness. But he doesnt try harder.

I have asked him if he doesnt want a relationship, and he always says he does, but that he is just busy.

However, I see him and his wife interacting with our mutual friends on social media. (They quit interacting with me on my social media posts a few years ago.) I do not like how these relationships feel one-sided. I especially feel hurt when mutual friends say that theyve talked with them recently.

After multiple attempts to get them to show up more in our relationships, I am feeling like I just need to walk away from any attempts to interact with them, since it feels like there is something that they are not being honest about.

They dont even know of the declining health of our parents because they dont reach out to them, either.

What should I do?

 Sad Sibling

Dear Sad: You have called out your brother and his wife, and youve presented their lack of interest as a binary: They are either in, or theyre out.

I think you should stop asking for or expecting anything more than youre getting from them  an occasional five minutes here or there.

Your brother does not want to be in touch more often. If he did want more, he would either initiate or ask for more  the way you do.

He is not in contact with your parents, and connecting with you reminds him of this choice, which he likely feels guilty about.

You are thinking about walking away from the relationship, but I suggest that you only walk away from your expectations. You want to be closer. He doesnt. This is a painful situation that you will have to work hard to accept. If you do less, he might do more  but there is no guarantee.

If you want to talk to your brother, reach out. Be honest about your own vulnerability: I wish we were closer because I enjoy you and I miss you. Thats it.

(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.comor send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter@askingamy or Facebook.)

2024 Amy Dickinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
There is only one city in the United States where people can catch the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, and that city just so happens to be in Massachusetts.

The international competition will return to Boston Seaport on June 7 and June 8 as the only U.S. stop of the series. This will also mark the 100th stop of the diving series since it started in 2009.

The event is open to the public and free of charge.

The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series will travel to eight cities across the globe, starting in Athens, Greece on May 26 and ending Nov. 10 in Sydney, Australia. Boston will be the second stop in the series.

At each stop of the 2024 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, 12 women and 12 men compete to earn points in their quest for the coveted King Kahekili Trophy. There will be eight female and eight male permanent divers as well as four wildcards for each division, meaning 24 divers will be fighting for the title.

For the third year in a row, the divers will showcase their talents in front of the Institute of Contemporary Art in Bostons Seaport neighborhood. While the event is open to the public, people should get there early for a prime viewing spot. Gates open at noon and the action kicks off at 1 p.m.

Those looking for an in-person VIP experience can purchase tickets for the exclusive VIP hospitality yacht that will live stream the event, have an outdoor deck and serve food and beverages. Tickets are available online.

Cant make it in person? Then you can catch the series live on Friday, June 7 from 12-3 p.m. on ESPN+ and and Saturday, June 8 from 12-3 p.m. on ESPN. The show will also be available on Red Bull TV after the ESPN broadcast.
Provincetown has earned a reputation as a one of the best places to celebrate Pride in Massachusetts and the country, so its natural for the annual celebration to reinvent itself with new offerings every year.

Provincetown is getting ready to celebrate its 7th Annual Pride from May 31 to June 2 with a new initiative that adds more art, film, music and discussion to this years festival.

Reimagining Queer Africa is this years new partnership between the Provincetown Business Guild (PBG) and Obodo. The nonprofit organization based in Lagos, Nigeria, advocates for the rights of queer Nigerians through art, technology and outreach.

Reimagining Queer Africa, an exhibition at the Provincetown Pride Center, will feature the work of five queer African artists from the Obodo Queer Artist Fund 2024 cohort. An opening reception for the show will take place at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 31. The exhibit will be up throughout June, and the art will be available for sale.

In addition Matthew Blaise, Obodos founder and director, will be in Provincetown from Nigeria to participate in the following Provincetown Pride programs:

Reimagining Queer Africa: OBODO Artist Collective Opening Reception at the Provincetown Pride Center

Selling goods from Africa at the Pride Marketplace

Film screening and panel discussion

Speaking at the Pride Rally

Other Pride highlights will include the Queer Comedy Showcase and the Feet Over Front Street 5K Pride Run & Walk, Pride parties and more. A full list of Provincetown Pride events can be found below:

Friday, May 31

Pride Bingo: 3 p.m. at The Governor Bradford ( Registration required

Reimagining Queer Africa: OBODO Artist Collective Opening Reception from 5-8 p.m. at the Provincetown Pride Center

Official Pride Crossing on Bay State Cruise Co., 5:30 p.m. at the World Trade Center on Seaport Blvd., Boston, to Provincetown

Full Spectrum Pride Kickoff Party. at 10 p.m. at Red Room ( Tickets required

Saturday, June 1

Pride Festival & Marketplace from 12-4 p.m. at Provincetown Town Hall

Reimagining Queer Africa Film & Panel at 1 p.m.

Pride Rally at 4 p.m. outside Town Hall

Sashay to Tea at 4:45 p.m./following Pride Rally

Queer Comedy Showcase at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.) at Town Hall ( Tickets required

Underwear Party with DJ Father Figure at 9 p.m. at Club Purgatory at Gifford House

Official Pride Dance Party at 10 p.m. at A-House

Sunday, June 2

Feet Over Front Street 5K - Pride Run & Walk from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Harbor Hotel ( Registration required

Babes & Bois: Passionfruits Porch Hang from 2-4 p.m. at Porch Bar at The Gifford House ( Tickets required

In addition Womxn of Color Weekend, a gathering for queer womxn of color, trans, nonbinary, and genderfluid people of color, will run from Thursday, May 30 through Sunday, June 2.

You can go online to purchase tickets or pre-registration for certain events, plan your trip and more.
Ahead of Adam Montgomerys sentencing for the murder of his daughter Harmony Montgomery in 2019, the adoptive fathers of Harmonys brother are speaking out on his behalf.

Blair Miller, one of Jamisons adoptive fathers, fears his son is being silenced by the New Hampshire courts due to limitations set by the judge.

Miller and Johnathon Bobbitt-Miller adopted Jamison and attempted to adopt Harmony. The two fathers have been outspoken about the impact Harmonys death has made on their family. They want Adam Montgomery to know that too.

... the monster needs to hear how this has impacted Jamison and how it will impact him for the rest of his life, a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, reads.

Harmony Montgomery, shown at age 5. (Manchester Police Department)

The court has asked Miller to read a statement written by Jamison directly, rather than writing and speaking on his behalf. Miller points to New Hampshire law stating if a person is too young a family member can make a statement.

Why are we being denied this opportunity to speak for Jamison without limitations? he wrote.

Adam Montgomery was found guilty on Feb. 22 of second-degree murder, second-degree assault, witness tampering, falsifying physical evidence and abuse of a corpse, all in connection with the death of his 5-year-old daughter, Harmony, after her reported disappearance in 2020 .

He was accused of beating and killing his daughter, Harmony, on Dec. 7, 2019, while the family was living in their Chrysler Sebring. Harmony had several bathroom accidents in the car and Adam Montgomery yelled and hit her in the head, according to prosecutors. He did not appear in court during the trial and on the day he was found guilty.

Adam Montgomery is already serving prison time on unrelated firearm charges. On Aug. 7, 2023, he was sentenced to 15-30 years in prison on two counts of armed career criminal charges. Montgomery also received an additional sentence of 7.5-15 years for two theft charges.

A judge is requiring Adam Montgomery to attend his sentencing on Thursday.

Specifically, the state provides notice that Harmony Montgomerys next of kin will be personally appearing in court along with other individuals victimized by the defendants crimes to address the court and provide the court with statements on the impact the defendants criminal actions has had upon them, the notice read. The defendants personal appearance in court on the day of his sentencing is thus mandatory.

The attorney generals office states that the law only requires victims to designate a representative to write or speak on a victims behalf, but it must be a reflection of the victims words or other expressions of their feelings.

The attorney generals office has worked with the family to help them write or record Jamisons own words, they told MassLive. Still, Miller hopes his words about Jamison are read in court  something the attorney generals office is bringing to the courts attention on Thursday.
A Watertown police officer charged with sexually assaulting a woman three years ago was acquitted by a jury last week, prosecutors confirmed.

But Officer Kevin Rooney, who remains suspended from duty, still has an uncertain future with the city police department.

Hes on administrative leave until we can complete our internal investigation, Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan told MassLive on Wednesday.

The Watertown police did not conduct an internal affairs investigation when the allegations against their officer first came to light, so as not to jeopardize the criminal investigation, Hanrahan said.

Once the internal investigation is complete, the department will decide whether Rooney keeps his job, he said.

Rooney faced two counts of rape and one count of indecent assault and battery, a spokesperson for the Middlesex District Attorneys office said. A Superior Court jury found him not guilty last week.

The charges against Rooney were first reported by Boston public radio station WBUR, which also published a narrative prepared by prosecutors detailing the allegations.

A woman told police she had been with friends at the South Boston restaurant Capo in June 2021 and consumed several alcoholic beverages before blacking out.

She woke up the next day in the bed of a man she did not recognize, who the prosecutions narrative said was later identified as Rooney, a Watertown police officer.

According to the woman, Rooney said they had met and danced together at the restaurant before taking a Lyft home to his house.

Rooney allegedly told the woman she vomited in the car and again at his home. He said they hooked up later that night, the woman told investigators.

After leaving Rooneys home, the woman said she contacted police and went to Tufts Medical Center for a sexual assault examination.

Rooney could not be reached for comment.

On Wednesday, a staff member in the Middlesex Superior Court clerks office said the case file had been sealed, meaning it was no longer available to the public.

Even if cleared of wrongdoing by his departments internal investigation, Rooneys return to duty could be jeopardized by state-level police oversight officials.

The states police watchdog, the Peace Office Standards and Training (POST) Commission, suspended Rooneys certification to work as a police officer when he was charged.

The board has broad authority over police officers and would need to lift Rooneys suspension before he could return to duty. As of Wednesday, he remained suspended, according to the POST Commissions website.
A federal grand jury in Boston indicted a Dartmouth woman for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from two of her employers, Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levys office announced.

Jasmyne Botelho, 41, was charged with two counts of wire fraud, Levys office said in a statement released Wednesday. In December 2023, Botelho was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint.

Between September 2017 and April 2020, Botelho stole at least $280,000 from her employer, Levys office said. She directed payments intended for the companys vendors to bank accounts she controlled and used company funds to make payments on personal credit cards and an auto loan.

Botelho hid her scheme by falsifying her employers books and records to have it appear as though the payments were in fact sent to legitimate vendors instead of Botelho, Levys office said.

Then between May 2022 and December 2023, she improperly inflated her payroll from another employer by over $160,000, Levys office said. She hid her scheme by manipulating her employers payroll and accounting software to hide her inflated payroll, along with fake reimbursements she paid herself.

The charge of wire fraud provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
A 24-year-old man facing several charges in connection with a stabbing in Barnstable Tuesday afternoon was identified in a court filing on Wednesday as Ygor Barboza, and prosecutors say he lived with the 62-year-old man he is accused of stabbing.

Barboza had not been arraigned as of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, pending a competency evaluation, a court clerk in Barnstable District Court told MassLive.

In a statement of facts filed in court obtained by MassLive, police detailed the bloody scene on Old Stage Road in the Centerville village of Barnstable on Tuesday.

Police received numerous 911 calls reporting a man chasing another man with a knife near Old Stage Road and Thoreau Drive and that one of the men appeared to have blood on their shirt.

A responding officer found one of the men, identified in the filing only by the last name Barboza, with multiple stab wounds. The man told police Ygor Barboza had stabbed him, according to the filing.

Police said earlier on Wednesday that the wounded man knew the person who stabbed him. The relationship between the two men is redacted in the filing.

WCVB-TV reported Ygor Barboza stabbed his father.

Officers later saw Ygor Barboza walk out the front door of the home carrying a bloody knife and repeatedly ordered him to drop the knife, according to the filing.

But, police wrote, Barboza ignored them and began spinning in circles. He was seen drooling/foaming at the mouth and closing his eyes often.

The other man was stabbed between six and 10 times, and suffered stab wounds to his hands, back and leg, according to police. He was flown to Rhode Island Hospital by medical helicopter with injuries described as life-threatening.

While police took Ygor Barboza to Cape Cod Hospital, he began speaking in Portuguese and, through a translator said, God made him do it and were all children of God.

An officer reported Ygor Barboza told them not to be afraid and began speaking in a language the interpreter could not understand, the filing reads.

A bus driver passing through the area at the time told police in an interview hours after the stabbing that she stopped the bus in the middle of the road after seeing a man holding what appeared to be a knife outside a home on Old Stage Road, according to the filing.

The driver said the injured man tried to board the bus and she attempted to provide aid, shoving paper towels into several of his stab wounds.

A witness told police he was walking home from the bank and the gas station when he saw a man bleeding and yelling in Portuguese.

The witness said the man was bleeding and asking for help while being chased by another man, who police say was identified as Ygor Barboza, carrying a large kitchen knife in his hand, according to the filing.

The witness told police Barboza was saying he was the king of Egypt.

Barboza is charged with armed assault to murder, assault and battery on a person over 60, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60.
A 62-year-old man was flown to a Rhode Island hospital on Tuesday with what police described as life-threatening injuries after he was stabbed multiple times at a residence in Centerville, one of Barnstables seven villages, according to police.

Barnstable police received multiple 911 calls around 3:50 p.m. Tuesday reporting the stabbing. When police arrived, they identified a 24-year-old man, who is known to the wounded man, as the suspect, according to a statement posted to the departments Facebook page. The 24-year-old, whose name was not released, is being charged with armed assault to murder, assault and battery on a person over 60, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60.

The 24-year-old man is being held without bail ahead of his arraignment on Wednesday in Barnstable District Court, police said.

The 62-year-old man was flown by medical helicopter to a Rhode Island hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to police.

The stabbing was not random and remains under investigation by Barnstable and State Police, according to the statement.

Police said the names of the two men involved were being withheld under an exemption of the states public records law, which governs the confidentiality of reports of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence; access by victim and certain individuals in performance of their duties, according to the statement and the legislatures website.
Voters in Marblehead rejected a zoning proposal to comply with the MBTA Communities Act and allow for more multifamily housing construction, joining a growing group of towns doing the same.

Town officials had proposed zoning for approximately 897 multifamily housing units across three districts totaling 58.4 acres, according to the Marblehead Current. Town meeting voters rejected the proposal with a 377 to 410 vote, leaving the town to create a new proposal by the end of the year or risk losing state funding due to noncompliance.

Im sure well be back before the end of the year, Town Moderator Jack Attridge said after the vote, according to the Current.

The MBTA Communities law, which passed in 2021, requires cities and towns served by the MBTA to have at least one zoning area where multifamily housing is allowed by right. No housing is guaranteed to be built under the law, and developments are still subject to the local planning process.

While Marblehead does not contain an MBTA station, it is classified as an adjacent community because it borders Swampscott and Salem, both of which have commuter rail stations. Like other adjacent communities, the town has until the end of 2024 to pass zoning rules allowing for a minimum of 897 new multifamily units.

On social media after the vote, many residents praised the decision.

Marblehead told the state of Massachusetts that we dont like being told what to do and we like our town the way it is, one person wrote in the Facebook group Anything Marblehead 01945.

While the majority of the 177 cities and towns affected by the law have passed zoning plans or are working toward doing so, a small but growing minority have rejected proposals or even refused to create one at all. Wakefield rejected its zoning plan last week, and Marshfield, Milton and Littleton have done the same. Officials in Holden have said they will not even create a proposal.

While Rockport passed a zoning proposal last week to comply with the law, two groups of residents there have filed lawsuits against the town and the state in an attempt to block the changes.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell filed a lawsuit in February against the town of Milton, which was required to comply with the law by the end of 2023, after its approved zoning district was overturned in a town-wide referendum vote. She has repeatedly said she does not wish to force communities into compliance through legal action and has indicated she will not sue towns that reject zoning proposals before the end-of-year deadline is up.

Despite the opposition, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities said last week that 44 communities have already passed zoning intended to comply with the MBTA Communities law, and another two dozen are expected to vote on proposals in May. Twenty-five cities and towns have submitted plans to the state for review and three  Arlington, Lexington and Salem  have been approved.

The overwhelming majority of communities are doing what they can to comply with the law, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus said on May 1. We are proud to see communities adopt zoning that is intended for compliance with the MBTA Communities law. For far too long, families have been boxed out of our more desirable neighborhoods. And this law will help us create livable communities with housing options for every income.
New Hampshire conservation officers continued searching for missing Massachusetts man William Donovan in the White Mountains over the weekend despite treacherous conditions.

Donovan, a 65-year-old Cambridge resident and avid hiker, is believed to have gone hiking near Bretton Woods around April 16, as his vehicle was found in the area, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said previously. Subsequent searches of several hiking trails in the area have so far come up empty.

Conservation officers were notified that Donovans vehicle had been found in the Crawford Path parking lot in Carroll, New Hampshire, on April 28, the department said. They searched the vehicle and found hiking gear appropriate for the White Mountains.

So far, authorities investigation indicates that Donovan arrived in the area on April 16, but his intentions and itinerary are not known, the department said. The Cambridge Police Department at some point conducted a welfare check at his home  where he lives by himself  and found a handwritten note indicating that he wanted to hike Mount Jefferson or Mount Adams.

On Friday, May 3, multiple search and rescue teams  including a K9 unit, drones and a National Guard helicopter  conducted extensive searches of nearby ridge lines, drainage areas and wilderness, but no sign of Donovan was found, the department said in a press release. Snow in the area is still very deep, and some water crossings are treacherous.

Any future searches will be determined by additional information that might help narrow the search area, the department wrote.

Donovan has been missing for about three weeks as of Wednesday.
A Randolph man with a 19-page arrest record was ordered held without bail in connection with threatening to stab a woman with a hypodermic needle at a bus stop in Boston on Monday, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Haydens office announced.

Marquis Alexander, 32, was charged with assault with a hypodermic, possession of heroin and possession of a Class E drug, Haydens office said in a statement released Thursday.

Judge James Stanton ordered him held on $2,500 bail and to stay away from the location of the offense, Haydens office said. Alexanders bail on a pending case in Roxbury where he was charged with possession with intent to distribute Class A, Class B and Class C drugs was revoked.

Alexander is due to return to Boston Municipal Court Central on June 5 for a probable cause hearing.

At around 1:02 p.m., a woman approached a Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority police officer assigned to a traffic detail at Atlantic Avenue and Essex Street, Haydens office said. The woman said a person just tried to stab her with a needle before she pointed to the man, Alexander.

She told police she was sitting at the Silver Line bus stop on Essex Street when Alexander asked her for the time but she did not respond, Haydens office said.

I know I am on drugs, but you can still talk to me, Alexander said before he raised a hypodermic syringe and said, If I stab you with this needle full of blood. The woman ran off.

The officer approached Alexander, who appeared to be hiding something with his right hand in his sweatshirt pocket, Haydens office said. When the officer told Alexander to drop the needle, he did so. A search yielded two more needles, a silver gum wrapper with a brown substance believed to be heroin and a clear plastic bag that officers believed contained crushed narcotic pills.

Alexander has a 19-page board of probation record dating back to 2003 and has been convicted of numerous violent and drug distribution offenses out of Boston, Brockton, and Quincy, Haydens office said. He was convicted in Suffolk Superior in 2019 for unarmed robbery and sentenced to three years in state prison.

Personal safety and security of place are our goals for all residents and visitors to Boston, whether theyre walking to work, shopping, sitting in a restaurant or waiting at a bus stop, Hayden said in the statement. We know that repeat offenders can have a pronounced role in degrading neighborhood quality of life, and we will continue our focus on holding them accountable.
A dark spot on brain scans taken of 2024 independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s brain in 2010 was not a tumor, as doctors concluded, but a dead worm, according to a deposition Kennedy gave in 2012, The New York Times reported.

Kennedys doctor at New York-Presbyterian Hospital called him while he was packing for a trip and said he thought the spot was a dead parasite.

The spot was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died, Kennedy said in the deposition, according to the Times.

In around 2010, Kennedy said he was also diagnosed with mercury poisoning as, he believed, a result of eating too much fish.

I have cognitive problems, clearly, he said in the 2012 deposition, according to the Times. I have short-term memory loss, and I have longer-term memory loss that affects me.

Kennedy spoke with the Times to confirm his memory loss and fogginess were gone, that he had no other side effects from the worm being in his head and required no treatment.

The deposition was given during divorce proceedings between Kennedy and his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, the Times wrote. He argued that his earning power had been diminished by his cognitive struggles.

After his doctor from New York-Presbyterian Hospital called him, Kennedy underwent several tests that determined the spot was a cyst that contained the remains of a parasite, which Kennedy suspected might have been contracted during a trip through South Asia.

In interviews between the Times, infectious disease experts, and neurosurgeons, the consensus was that the parasite could have been a pork tapeworm larva.

But Dr. Clinton White from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston told the Times microscopic tapeworm larvae can travel in the bloodstream but are unlikely to eat part of the brain.

Scott Gardner, curator of the Manter Laboratory for Parasitology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, did confirm with the Times that a worm could cause memory loss.

However, mercury poisoning can cause severe memory loss, which Kennedy said he experienced and that he had severe brain fog as a result, along with mercury levels 10 times above what the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe.

I loved tuna fish sandwiches. I ate them all the time, Kennedy told the Times,

Kennedy said he has also undergone chelation therapy, has had heart issues and the neurological disorder spasmodic dysphonia, in which the vocal cords squeeze close together and make the voice sound coarse and strained, the Times wrote.

The Times asked his campaign if his health issues could affect his fitness for the presidency, to which a campaign spokesperson replied, That is a hilarious suggestion, given the competition.

In the last year, Kennedy has lambasted the likely major party nominees President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

In April, he said Trumps rant against me is ... barely coherent and called him unhinged after Trump railed against him on his social media platform Truth Social, according to The Guardian. Trump called Kennedy a Democrat plant and a wasted protest vote.

On Biden, Kennedy said the president needs to prove he has the mental acuity to serve for four more years, The Hill reported in February.

This is a crisis. We need a president who is thinking about these things, who is articulating the solution for the American people, Kennedy told anchor Martha MacCallum on Fox Newss The Story on the same issue.
As the First Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments over the constitutionality of the Satanic Temple giving invocations at legislative meetings, the judges suggested their claim might be valid, Courthouse News Service reported on Tuesday.

The arguments stem from the temples claims that invitations to hold invocations at legislative meetings, including town or city council meetings, favor some religions over others and violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment, the news service wrote.

But during oral arguments, Bostons city lawyer Edward Whitesell argued that many religions are invited to give invocations at city council meetings.

Suppose this was 1920s Boston and Jewish temples werent invited to speak, U.S. Circuit Judge William Kayatta told Whitesell, according to the news service.

I think youd have a problem, Whitesell replied before he said many religions are invited.

But there might have been a lot of other religions back then, Kayatta said. Methodists. Lutherans. Isnt this the exact same thing except were substituting Jews for Satanists?

The temple would have to prove there was an intent to discriminate, Whitesell told the judges. However, it would be a problem if the selection criteria are whoever has the largest congregation, U.S. Circuit Chief Judge David Barron said. An intent to discriminate would have to be proven, Whitsell said according to the news service.

The Satanic Temples attorney Matthew Kezhaya of Minneapolis argued to the judges that Bostons policy was once said by a city councilor to be a political reward, which Kezhaya said was a problem.

Boston City Council meetings typically start with a prayer, poem or some other introduction that comes from a religious leader, with total discretion by the city councilors on who to invite, the news service wrote. The practice started in the 1800s, only speakers were given a small stipend at the time called pray-for-pay, which then-councilor Michelle Wu suggested be abolished in 2017.

The system is designed to further the political careers of the Boston city councilors by permitting them to invite whoever is politically advantageous, U.S. Circuit Judge Sandra Lynch said according to the news service. Lets assume  there is a consistent pattern of councilors choosing the majoritarian religion of their district and going on with effusive praise. Could there be an as-applied establishment clause problem?

Besides politics, Whitesell told the judges that the criteria also include recognizing civic leaders who have made a contribution to their communitys welfare, according to the news service.

Whitesell responded by insisting that the criteria are not merely political but also included recognizing civic leaders who had contributed to the welfare of the community. Kezhaya argued the city has endorsed specific religions in what he called religious gerrymandering.

One city councilor the news service did not name said it would be absurd to invite the Satanic Temple to speak since they are located in Salem, not Boston. Another unnamed city councilor told the news service that the request from the temple is a publicity stunt.

In August 2023, a federal judge sided with Boston city officials and ruled that they did not discriminate on the basis of religion when they declined to allow members of the organization to lead the traditional prayer session that opens the councils weekly meetings.

The temple filed that lawsuit in 2021 and claimed the Boston City Councils denial of the temples request to deliver the invocation was discriminatory. Then-candidate Wu posted on Twitter, now known as X, in October 2021 about how she would be slightly busy on this day, the day when the city filed an emergency motion seeking to block the organization from taking Michelle Wus deposition on Election Day.

Around the same time, Boston City Hall suspended its flag-raising policy despite the Boston Supreme Courts ruling that the city violated free speech rights when it refused to fly a Christian groups flag. The following May, the temple applied but the city would not allow it.

Religious liberty is a bedrock principle in a democracy, and religious liberty is dependent upon government viewpoint neutrality, Lucien Greaves, cofounder of The Satanic Temple, previously said in a statement at the time. When public officials are allowed to preference certain religious viewpoints over others, we do not have religious liberty, we have theocracy.

Though the Satanic Temple had been involved in community activities, including tabling at Boston Pride parades and organizing a winter clothing drive, the judge did not find evidence that councilors knew of these events.

However, Kezhaya reiterated the temples involvement at Boston Pride parades and handing out free tampons to people in need to the First Circuit judges, the news service wrote.

When Barron asked if the temple wants the prayer practice policy abolished or to have the city allow the temple to participate, Kezhaya replied, We want in, according to the news service.
A former state legislator and prosecutor will lead Bostons independent police watchdog office where he will work to improve transparency and accountability of the states largest municipal police force, Mayor Michelle Wus office said this week.

Evandro Carvalho will lead the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency, or OPAT, which was created in 2021 based on the citys Police Reform Task Force recommendations after the murder of George Floyd.
1.5 mln stimulant tablets seized in eastern Myanmar

Yangon, May 8 (UNI) Myanmar police have seized 1.5 million stimulant tablets in eastern Myanmar's Shan State, according to a statement by the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) late Tuesday.

In an operation based on a tip-off on May 3, police stopped and searched a light truck in the state's Nawnghkio township and discovered the drugs, according to the statement.

Police arrested the driver, who had tried to escape, but the truck crashed into a ravine near the Nawnghkio-Yatsauk road.
A judge ruled Tuesday that the bankrupt Steward Health Care system can meet Wednesdays payroll for its roughly 9,750 employees in Massachusetts and more than 20,000 others around the country, an early ruling in a court proceeding in which Massachusetts is among hundreds of interested parties.

The operator of the third-largest hospital system in Massachusetts, Steward filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas on Monday, seeking legal protection to restructure debt of between $1 billion and $10 billion while leaving its hospitals open.

The company operates eight Bay State hospitals and has been sinking under a pile of debt to vendors and its de facto landlord.

It has also been feeling the pressure from Massachusetts officials who are focused on making sure Bay Staters have appropriate access to care and that Stewards floundering does not worsen the capacity crunch at Massachusetts hospitals.

Judge Christopher Lopez of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas held a hearing on initial motions related to Stewards bankruptcy Tuesday, primarily requests from Steward to pay certain bills or meet specific obligations while its more than 100,000 creditors scramble to try to ensure they will be paid.

Among the motions was one to authorize (but not require) Steward to pay wages, salaries, employee benefits, expenses, and other compensation while the bankruptcy case moves ahead.

Lopez said he was comfortable with the request and approved it after the hearing in the absence of objections from creditors.

This case feels different. Its real patients who are showing up at the hospital like right now and I want them to feel comfortable that the physician that they are going to see, that there are nothing in the back of their mind other than their treatment and the care that theyre going to receive. I have no doubt the physicians would do their best and would honor their duties, the judge said. But Im going to make sure that any concerns are taken off the table, especially when the folks with the money on the line have not objected to this relief.

An attorney for Steward told the court that the company pays approximately $150 million a month in employee wages, mostly in arrears.

And as of Monday, Steward owed approximately $68 million for accrued, but unpaid, wages that had already been earned.

As of February, there were 9,753 employees on Stewards payroll in Massachusetts and 6,405 licensed independent practitioners working within Steward hospitals, the state said.

Massachusetts state government was represented at Tuesdays hearing by Andrew Troop, a lawyer who leads the Insolvency & Restructuring Practice Group in the New York office of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman.

The Amherst College graduate previously represented Massachusetts and other states in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Purdue Pharma and has served on the board for Greater Boston Legal Services for more than a decade.

Health care cases, as everyone has acknowledged, are not your typical cases. This is not an issue for someone in a manufacturing job, Troop said in support for the wages motion Tuesday. On this one, your honor, making sure that the people who provide critical care services leave today confident that their base pay is going to be paid in tomorrows payroll is both the right thing to do [and] well within your authority and power to execute on.

He added, Vendors are waiting for the outcome of this hearing. Patients are waiting for the outcome of this hearing.

Steward operates eight hospitals in Massachusetts: St. Elizabeths in Brighton, Carney Hospital in Dorchester, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Holy Family Hospital in Methuen and Haverhill Hospital in Haverhill, Morton Hospital in Taunton, Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Norwood Hospital (which is closed as it undergoes restoration work) and St. Annes in Fall River.

Gov. Maura Healey and other state leaders have said they want to see Steward exit the Massachusetts health care world but Healeys Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh has also noted that due to the companys debt and lease arrangements, People cant figure out what theyre buying.

One state filing in bankruptcy court said the states objective is to get results where Steward no longer operates hospitals in Massachusetts.

Steward has been working for months to find other operators interested in buying its hospitals.

Ray Schrock, Stewards lawyer from the firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges, told the court Tuesday that Steward faces a June 25 deadline to auction its hospitals in Massachusetts and other states except for Florida under the terms of a $75 million loan the company got from its landlord. But he also said that timeline isnt likely to be satisfied.

Well see how the timing goes. Well see whether or not this is revisited. Were going to keep our word and do everything we can to meet it. But Im here to tell you now, you cant close these hospital sales on the timeline of likely into June. Its not feasible, OK? Its not something that I can sit here and say that you can do it without violating state law. So well have to work with parties.

Schrock said Stewards sales strategy is the foundation of these cases, its going to be critical to maximizing recoveries for creditors, but that the company does not want to fire sale the assets.

I know that [landlord Medical Properties Trust] has a strong desire to get ... new tenants in here. But we want to proceed deliberately and we dont want to pursue a value-minimizing strategy, he said.

Because MPT owns the land that Stewards for-sale hospitals sit on, Schrock said he expects there will be tension between MPT and some of the stakeholders in these cases that were just going to have to work through.

MPT, listen, theyre here to maximize the real estate value and maximize the value of their claims. Thats their job. The other stakeholders are looking at the sale processes and say, Listen, theres an operational value thats really the crux of these hospitals and these operations. And how you sort between the operational value of a hospital and the real estate value of a hospital, Ill just say people could logically debate, Schrock said. He added, How you get that value between the [operating company] and the lease is something thats going to have to be resolved.

Since Stewards financial troubles came to the surface earlier this year, the Department of Public Health has conducted regular monitoring visits to all Steward hospitals, wanting to ensure the facilities continued to comply with state laws and regulations.

Based on the findings of the Departments monitoring, it has become clear that Stewards fiscal challenges have already presented patient safety and health challenges, which to date have been isolated, and DPH has been able to detect and remediate quickly. These challenges include maintaining the physical premises (e.g., fire safety equipment) as well as critical supplies and equipment, DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein wrote in a filing. For the most part, the cause of any issues the monitors have identified is lack of funding made available to the hospitals from the Steward corporate level.

Massachusetts filings in bankruptcy court shed a more detailed light on the financial problems at Steward.

Since 2022, there have been at least 21 lawsuits filed by vendors and staff against Steward and/or its Massachusetts hospitals for alleged nonpayment of more than $60 million, the state said. In November, Goldstein said, DPH learned that Stewards hospitals here owed a collective $540,908.16 to UMass Chan Medical Schools New England Newborn Screening Program for newborn screening tests performed from January 2022 to September 2023. As of April 30, Steward had accrued additional debt related to this program for a total balance of $766,691.99.

On Jan. 9, DPH found out that Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton owes $1.2 million to Brockton Hospital for nurses that Brockton Hospital provided on loan. Brockton Hospital also told the state that it was providing products, like sterile surgical drapes, to other Steward hospitals in Massachusetts.

And late last month, one critical vendor got in touch with DPH and Health and Human Services Secretary Walsh about an outstanding debt owed by Steward and threatened to cease servicing its equipment unless Steward made a cash payment by May 1. (The states filing does not indicate whether that payment was made).

Steward enters bankruptcy with its hospitals in Massachusetts compromised by fiscal and operational mismanagement, the nature and scale of which it actively concealed from both the government and the public. Steward created an untenable situation by over-leveraging its hospitals and imposing exorbitant and unsustainable rental obligations on each hospital. It is now clear that not long after creating this situation, hospital operations could not bear the excessive rent costs, Steward could not service the debt it had incurred, and Steward started to shirk its obligations to pay vendors and suppliers. All the while, Steward continued to enrich its investors and management, the state wrote in a brief.

Instead of advancing a global solution to stabilize its financial situation, Steward pivoted to a plan to sell its physician network to pay off its landlords and senior lenders, to whom Steward had leveraged all available accounts receivable and, in effect, given nearly exclusive control over the survival of Stewards Massachusetts Hospitals, the state wrote.
Theres little doubt that taxpayer funding for the MBTA and Massachusetts emergency shelter system are two of the biggest public policy challenges facing state lawmakers and the Democratic Healey administration.

But as policymakers move into the thick of the debate over the 2024-25 state budget, one thing also is clear: The $58 billion spending proposals advanced by Gov. Maura Healey, the state House and Senate still fall well short of addressing the towering financial needs of both the T and the shelter system.

So whats happening? There are a couple of things to know.

Families sleeping at Boston's Logan Airport on Monday, March 11, 2024.Luis Fieldman

First up, the shelter system.

Last year, Democrat Healeys office pegged the cost of the shelter system, which serves both permanent Massachusetts residents and an ever-growing number of migrant arrivals, at roughly $915 million a year for the next two years.

The budget plans advanced by lawmakers and the administration, however, set aside $325 million for it.

And even with the extra $175 million in funding included in a short-term spending bill that Healey signed into law last week, that still means the state is coming up $415 million short on its funding needs.

As the Senate rolled out its $57.9 billion spending plan on Tuesday, the chambers top budget writer, Sen. Michael J. Rodriques, D-1st Bristol/Plymouth, defended his chambers funding decision.

We want to keep the pressure on the administration to make [the system] more efficient and more affordable, Rodriques, who chairs the Senates Ways and Means Committee, said. Were saying Make it work. If they cant make it work, they need to come back to us and justify why they cant make it work.

State House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, whose chamber passed its $57.9 billion spending blueprint last month, has hinted that money might have to come out of other state programs to meet the ongoing and towering need.

Every program that we fund is susceptible to being tapped to fund the shelter program. Not in this budget but in the next because there will be no help coming. Theres no help coming. The federal government cant get its act together, Mariano said in March, according to the Boston Herald. They couldnt even agree on a vote to shut down the border.

But that still leaves the immediate need unresolved. And, to some extent, leaders on Beacon Hill are looking to Washington  and this Novembers general election  to solve their problem for them.

Its not a challenge that Massachusetts created, its something that was created because of inaction by the federal government and particularly Congress, Healey told WGBH radio during a live interview last week.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Rodriques also said he hoped a change in the political topography in the nations capital might yield results.

There is an election in November, he said. Were hoping that post-election the federal government will come to its senses. Immigration is controlled by the federal government ... all these legal migrants came to Massachusetts as a result of federal policy and the feds need to step up and support the policies they have implemented.

A red line MBTA subway train in Alewife station in Cambridge, Mass.Nicole Simmons/MassLive

Funding the MBTA

And then theres the T, whose funding needs Rodriques described Tuesday as insatiable, before quickly course-correcting to describe them as a still unsettling vast.

The mass transit agency, which sees tens of thousands of riders every day, is expected to run a more than $600 million deficit for the new fiscal year that starts in July, according to the Boston Herald.

The agency, under CEO and General Manager Phillip Eng, has been working to address ongoing safety and maintenance issues. Its making progress, but challenges remain.

Budget plans advanced by the House and Senate, along with Healey, provide some of the money the mass transit agency needs  but not all of it.

The budget plan that Senate Democrats unveiled Tuesday takes $127 million in Millionaires Tax revenue to double state support for the MBTA, providing a total of $361.5 million in funding, according to the Boston Herald.

Healeys proposal provides a total of $314 million in funding by doubling the state support by $127 million to $254 million, and throws in an additional $60 million in support, according to the Executive Office of Administration and Finance.

The Houses budget earmarks $250 million for the Commonwealth Transportation Fund Transfer, along with money for capital investments, workforce development, and a new MBTA Academy, for a total of $430 million, according to a House budget analysis. That money all comes from Millionaires Tax revenue.

Rodriques acknowledged the gap on Tuesday but insisted that lawmakers were making great strides, to address funding needs at the MBTA.

Healey, who has expressed confidence in Engs leadership, has stressed that a healthy T means a healthy region and, in turn, a healthy statewide economy.

We dont have a functioning economy without a functioning public transit system, Healey told MassLive late last year. Its really, really important. Its important for our residents. Its important for our employers. Its important for the state. And thats why I made it a priority.
SPRINGFIELD  The Hampden District Attorneys Office announced its first arrest stemming from a push to use advanced DNA science to solve decades-old cases.

Jamie A. Dodge, 47, formerly of Holland and a longtime Maine resident until recently, is expected to be arraigned on kidnapping and aggravated rape charges this morning in Hampden Superior Court.
HOLYOKE  Holyoke Community College is offering 30 full-time slots for a free Human Services Internship Program spanning two semesters, starting this fall.

A grant fully covers tuition, fees, books and supplies. The program also includes a paid internship at local social service partners, such as Gandara Center, Craigs Doors, Mental Health Association and Jewish Family Services of Western Massachusetts.
SPRINGFIELD  Twenty-three years ago, a woman was snatched, dragged into the woods and raped during her Sunday morning walk on Sand Hill Road in Holland.

On Wednesday, her alleged attacker appeared in Hampden Superior Court to answer charges of kidnapping and aggravated rape. Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni credited police work from decades ago and, more recently, new advances in DNA testing.
SPRINGFIELD  A man was shot four times in the torso and head Monday after a fight erupted in a gas station parking lot just after 10:30 a.m., according to newly released court records.

Tory Big Baby Bryant, 35, was arrested in connection with the shooting less than 2 miles from the scene, a police report says. The gunfire broke out at an Express Mart at 119 Boston Road.
More than 64 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested at the University of Massachusetts Amherst beginning late Tuesday night after students there set up an encampment to call for the university to cut ties with Israel and the defense contractor Raytheon, according to the Massachusetts Daily Collegian, the schools student-run newspaper.

The arrests began around 7:45 p.m., the paper reported, roughly six hours after the encampment was established on the universitys Student Union South lawn. Tuesday marked the second time students had created an encampment on campus, though protesters quickly took down the first encampment after the university warned students were trespassing.

A university spokesperson could not be reached to confirm the arrests Wednesday morning.
HOLYOKE  The Springfield Symphony Chorus will give a spring concert, Sing, Praise, Light II, on Saturday at 4 p.m. at St. Peters Lutheran Church, 34 Jarvis Ave.

Proceeds from the event will benefit The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
WESTFIELD  The School Committee on Monday voted 6-1 to approve a budget of more than $72 million, after adding $1 million from reserve accounts and free cash.

Committee member Michael Tirrell, the sole no vote, said he would not support the budget, because he felt strongly that one of the positions slated to be reduced should be restored.
Regulators, Policy Makers, Financial Industry Executives, Fintech Founders, leading innovators, investors, Climate Finance experts and Afroprenours from around the world will gather in Nairobi, Kenya for the 12th edition of the Africa Fintech Summit (AFTS). The summit will take place at the newly opened GTC JW Marriott Hotel in the heart of Nairobi, Kenya.

With participants who represent over $4.5bn in private equity and venture capital funding, the AFTS is the premier global initiative dedicated to financial technology in Africa. The bi-annual summit occurs each April in Washington, D.C., on the sideline of the WB/IMF Spring meeting, and each November in a different African city (most recently in Lusaka (2023), Cape Town (2022), Cairo (2021), Virtual (2020), Addis (2019) and Lagos (2018) and the 2024 continental summit will take place in Nairobi, Kenya on 04-06 September 2024!

We are very pleased to bring our premium summit to the land of MoMo innovation, Kenya and look forward to saying Karibu Kenya! to all our international delegates in September. In line with our theme for the year, Fintech in Every Industry, we will be focusing on Fintechs role in Climate Solutions, cross-border trade, e-commerce, mobile money & digital banking, Fintech powering digital health, agritech, mining and economic prosperity as well as investments under AfCFTA, said Sarah Kuruswo, Lead-USA: Africa Strategic Partnerships for AFTS.
Lakhimpur Kheri (Uttar Pradesh), May 8 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday attacked the INDIA alliance and its leaders and said that they neither have a leader, nor intention nor any policy and all they have is 'nepotism'.

Addressing an election rally in support of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Kheri Ajay Kumar Mishra 'Teni', the Home Minister said, "You tell me who will be the Prime Minister if INDIA alliance comes to power even by mistake.

Can Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin, Akhilesh Yadav or Rahul Gandhi become the PM? They don't have a candidate for the post of PM."

He said, "When asked by the journalists the leaders of INDIA alliance replied that one by one everyone will get a chance for one year. The country doesn't run like this. I want to tell Akhilesh Yadav that it's not a grocery shop, it's a country which needs strong leadership. And only one person can provide strong leadership, that is Narendra Modi.

Shah said that the people of Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) were defaming BJP and PM Modi by spreading canard that if the BJP gets 400 seats then the reservation will end. "If anyone committed dacoity on the reservation of the OBCs then it is Congress. They got majority in Karnataka and gave five percent reservation to Muslims from the share of OBCs," he said.

The Home Minister said, "Give majority to BJP and we will end this ant-Constitutional reservation to Muslims and that share will be given to OBCs. All I want to say is that Congress and its allies in UP are anti-backward and all the OBCs should understand it."

Shah said that Rahul Gandhi claims that he will alleviate poverty in one go. "I want to say that Rahul Gandhi should first see his track record. His grandmother imposed emergency in one stroke, his father re-introduced Triple Talaq in one stroke and your party snatched the reservation of OBCs in one stroke," he said.

The Senior BJP leader said that Modi brought the law Citizenship (Amendment) Act to give citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Sikhs and Jains coming from Pakistan. "Shouldn't these people get citizenship? Now Rahul and Akhilesh say that if elected to power they will remove CAA. I want to tell that no one can remove CAA," he said.

Shah claimed that the third round of Lok Sabha elections got over on Tuesday and with that PM Modi has crossed 190 seats mark and with the fourth phase BJP and NDA are strongly heading towards 400 mark. "SP, Congress and BSP have been wiped out. This election is all about making Modi the PM for the third time, to make 3 lakh sisters 'lakhpati', to give houses to 4 crore poor and make cattle breeders prosperous by setting up dairies in 3 lakh villages," he said.

Raising the issue of Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Home Minister said that Congress cheated the people for 70 years by making excuses about the court case. "You made Modi PM for the second time, the case was won in five years, bhoomi pujan ceremony of the temple was performed and on January 22 the consecration of Lord Ram was completed," he said.

He said that before the consecration ceremony Shri Ram Trust invited opposition leaders to attend the event. "But none of them attended the event as they are scared about their vote bank. I would like to tell Rahul and Akhilesh that UP will never stand with a person who is scared of doing the work of Lord Ram."

Taking a dig at Secretary General of SP Prof Ram Gopal Yadav, he said that the SP leader terms the Ram temple as useless. "I want to tell you that if you make a slight mistake they will put a lock of Babri's name on the Ram temple," Shah said.

The Minister said that when SP was in power in UP, mafia and goons used to call the shots and the public land was grabbed. "Today in the Yogi Adityanath government instead of the people, the mafias are forced to migrate out of the state. This is the BJP government," he said.

He said that Lakhimpur comes in the Terai belt of UP which is also the sugarcane belt and known as the sugar bowl. "When the BJP government came to power at the centre and in the state maximum payment of cane was done by PM Modi. 20 closed mills were re-started, 5 new mills were set up, capacity of 38 others was expanded and the cane area increased by 9 lakh hectares," Shah added.

UNI AB CS1610
Mahen Seeruttun a pris la parole lors de la partie des questions parlementaires aux ministres lors de la seance du 7 mai 2024.

B/281 The Honourable Second Member for Port Louis South and Port Louis Central (Mr Uteem)

To ask the Honourable Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security

Whether, in regard to the illegal construction on River St Louis at Cardinal No .5, Morcellement Raffay, Pailles, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Conservator of Forests, information as to the actions taken for the removal thereof?

B/283 The Honourable First Member for Port Louis South and Port Louis Central (Mr Osman Mohamed)

To ask the Honourable Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security

Whether, in regard to the case of Forestry Service v/s B. W. M., in connection with the illegal construction of poultry pen at Cardinal No. 5, Morcellement Raffray in Pailles, wherein judgement was delivered on 22 May 2008 ordering the demolition of the illegally built structures, he will state the actions taken in relation thereto?
Texas A&M University at Qatar, a Qatar Foundation partner university, graduated 144 engineers during commencement exercises held on 5 May at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

The Class of 2024 includes 136 students who graduated with bachelors degrees in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and petroleum engineering, and eight students who graduated with masters degrees in chemical engineering. The Class of 2024 includes 70 Qatari graduates and 73 female engineers, and represents 26 nationalities.

To date, Texas A&M at Qatar has awarded a total of 1,656 degrees, with 43.5 percent awarded to Qatari graduates and 44 percent to female graduates.

The nights invited speaker was Dr. Mohammed Al-Mulla, managing director and CEO of Qatar Petrochemical Company and Past Chair of the Texas A&M at Qatar Deans Development Council.

In his remarks to the graduates, Al-Mulla said,

This persistent journey of learning equips you to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving world, ensuring you remain at the forefront of innovation and leadership. The detection of knowledge does not stop upon graduation; rather, it marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of continuous learning and improvement.

He continued,

I encourage each of you to embrace this mindset of continuous growth and curiosity, understanding that every day presents a new opportunity to learn something valuable, not just about the world, but also about ourselves. As graduates of Texas A&M, you are now ambassadors of this transformative power of education, remember that your education is a beacon that guides your way, not just in your careers but as lifelong learners.

Khalid Al-Sada, a Class of 2024 chemical engineering graduate and president of the Student Government Association, was selected to address his fellow graduates during the ceremony. He highlighted how the Class of 2024 overcame several challenges including a global pandemic, and expressed his gratitude to his peers, family and faculty for their support during the undergraduate years.

Thank you to the faculty and staff, and our families, who have spent years shaping and building us into the emerging engineers we have become, Al-Sada said.

We have all matured and grown together, whether through laughing hysterically in the middle of the night studying or stressing over our grades. You have all been magnificent, not just as students, classmates or friends. But as people who have impacted me deeply. The lessons you have taught me, I will treasure dearly. It was you all who taught me not to hold on to the past for too long, and to embrace the future rather than worry about it.

Dr. Cesar Octavio Malave, dean of Texas A&M at Qatar, congratulated the graduates on their resilience and resourcefulness in completing their degree, and urged them to uphold the Aggie Core Values of Respect, Excellence, Loyalty, Leadership, Integrity and Selfless Service in everything they do.

Malave said,

A degree in engineering is one of the most challenging degrees a student can earn, and the Aggie engineers we recognize tonight have completed an intense course of study to fulfill the requirements for their engineering degree. And not just any engineering degree  an engineering degree from Texas A&M University, a globally recognized leader in engineering education and research. Your hard work has paid off, and tonight is the start of a lifetime of learning, leading and lending expertise to the challenges of the future. Its time for each of you to fulfill your potential as engineering leaders for Qatars knowledge economy and for the global energy transformation.

After the degrees were awarded, Texas A&M at Qatar alumnus Tabarak Al-Lami, a Class of 2018 petroleum engineering graduate and reservoir engineer at SLB, inducted the graduates into The Association of Former Students, Texas A&Ms alumni organization that comprises the nearly 575,000 graduates of the university worldwide and is known as the Aggie Network.
European election candidate, Maria Walsh MEP, has called for the introduction of age verification on TikTok.

The Midlands-North West candidate said the app must introduce age verification for all users across the EU.

In a meeting with senior TikTok executives, Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh called on the platform to introduce mandatory age verification for all users across the EU as a matter of urgency.

Having requested a meeting with TikToks international Global Trust and Safety division following recent RTE revelations, MEP Walsh met with TikTok in Dublin this week to discuss regulation of the platform, protections for young and vulnerable users, and the spread of misinformation during elections.

The current sitting MEP for Midlands-North West, said: Speaking with TikTok executives this week in Dublin, my main message was the urgent need to introduce age verification for all TikTok users, to ensure the minimum age requirement is properly implemented and content is age-specific and appropriate.

In response, TikTok said they would welcome increased regulation around age verification but would require a pan-European approach. The platform also confirmed that 49,000 accounts were removed during the second half of last year because they were cited as being underage, a proactive move by TikTok.

The Shrule native said the introduction of age verification regulations on a national and EU level is something she will commit to if re-elected, however, in the meantime, there is nothing stopping social media companies from putting verification processes in place.

Ms Walsh continued: I raised my concerns surrounding the findings of the recent RTE investigation into the ease of access minors on TikTok have to graphic and harmful content, which perpetuates a crisis of mental health in our young people.

TikTok informed me that they are reviewing the density and diversity of content shared to minors. They accepted they should have protections in place if vulnerable people use the app to seek out self-harm or excessively negative or harmful content, and I welcome the news that there are new models being developed to tackle this issue.

Speaking about the use of TikTok during elections, MEP Walsh said: I also raised my concerns around the impact of misinformation on the platform during election campaigns. Im happy to report that TikTok will have an Election Centre with a 24/7 staffing presence up and running from next Tuesday.

It is also on us as politicians to engage with users and provide them with factual information, particularly given that 50% of TikTok users in Ireland say they want and expect to see content from their government agencies and politicians on the platform, she concluded.
ONE of Irelands most important wooden sailing ships has docked at Westport Quay.

The AK Ilen, which plied the waters near the Falkland Islands after she launched back in 1926, is now under the care of an award-winning charity.

Since being restored and re-launched in May 2018, the Ilen has been part of Sailing Into Wellness, a charity which offers programmes for people with mental health and addiction challenges, intellectual and physical disabilities and those engaged with the criminal justice services.

James Lyons, General Manager and Co-founder of Sailing Into Wellness, said that the AK Ilen came to Westport as part of a pilot for a new addiction recovery program which combines, adventure therapy, sailing and psychotherapy.

After the week onboard the AK Ilen our participants will spend the weekend on Achill Island in a therapy setting, Mr Lyons explained.

After that we are joined by an amazing organisation, Safehaven, who work primarily with young people in direct provision. The young people will join us for a three-day voyage from Achill to Galway City.

Conor OBrien designed the AK Ilen after being the first to circumnavigate the globe in 1923-25 aboard another boat he designed, Saoirse - the first boat to enter many of the worlds ports and harbours flying the Irish tricolour.

His seagoing experiences were put to use in his design of the Ilen, which was built for the Falkland Islands as a service boat and launched in the spring of 1926.

Under Mr O Briens command, the Ilen reached the Falklands early in 1927, where she plied the waters doing inter-island trade for many years thereafter.

In 1998, she was brought back to the site where she was first built, on the River Ilen near Baltimore, Co Cork. There, she underwent a full restoration and was re-launched in May 2018.

The boat is due to depart for Galway on Saturday May, 11.
Putin takes oath as President for fifth time, says open to talks with West

Moscow, May 7 (UNI) Vladimir Putin took office as President of Russia for the fifth time on Tuesday in a grand ceremony at the Kremlin, and voiced confidence his country will emerge even stronger despite the tough conditions due to the Ukraine conflict. He also said Moscow is open to talks with the West, but not to negotiations from a position of strength.

Putin, whose new six-year presidential term lasts until 2030, took the oath to the people of Russia in the presence of Federation Council members, members of the State Duma and judges of the Russian Constitutional Court. Constitutional Court President Valery Zorkin officially declared Vladimir Putin as the new President of the Russian Federation.

Afterwards, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, reviewed the Presidential Regiment on Cathedral Square to mark his inauguration. The President congratulated the Presidential Regiment on its 88th anniversary.
by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, May 8, 2024

Like most established and emerging media technologies, AI is not without its risks. And now, thanks to an innovative threat mitigation startup, you can use a simple leaderboard visualization to track it.

The LLM Safety Leaderboard developed by two-year-old startup Enkrypt AI, tracks, rates and ranks the vulnerability and safety issues associated with 36 large language models based on five security flaws:

Jailbreak (a process that unlocks devices and gains access to their operating system)

Risk

Bias

Malware

advertisement advertisement Toxicity

Foundational LLMs go through adversarial and alignment training to learn not to generate malicious and toxic content.

As a result, Enkrypt CEO Sahil Agarwal says LLMs can mix different concepts, facts and topics to create a summarized response to a query that could be damaging.

He describes such false responses as hallucinations.

The positive side of hallucination is creativity, imagining something that doesnt exist, he explains, adding, But if youre using it in critical context like finance, life science or national elections, or anywhere when fact matter, hallucination become one of the worst effects of AI.

Enkrypt analysis is based on proprietary research, and Agarwal says the point isnt to scare people, but to give them accurate information about risks and how to solve them.

Even when enterprises see a flaw and fine-tune models  the risk increases, he says.

The research describes how LLMs have become popular and have found uses in many domains, such as chatbots, auto-task completion agents, and more.

The leaderboard provides a quick snapshot of the potential vulnerability ranking each LLM.

For example, GPT-4-turbo from OpenAI has a risk score of 15.23%, jailbreak score of 0.00%, bias score of 38.27%, malware score of 21.78%, and toxicity score of 0.86%.

The leaderboard also rates LLMs from The Block, Meta, InternLM, Anthropic, Abacus AI, PM, Rakuten, Cohere, Mistral AI, Nexusflow, Google, LoneStriker, Databricks, Qwen, Snowflake, HuggingFaceH4, Microsoft, AI21 Labs, and Equall.

The bias score is based on Enkrypts algorithm that generates the AI query prompt. When responses from the prompt on a specific query for a LLM model are returned, they are rated either positive or negative. The number of biased and unbiased responses are calculated to determine the score and ranking in each of the five categories for each LLM.

Research by Enkrypt shows the impact of downstream tasks such as fine-tuning and quantization on LLM vulnerability. To date, Enkrypts team has tested foundation models like Mistral, Llama, MosaicML, as well as their fine-tuned versions.

It also shows that fine-tuning and quantization reduces jailbreak resistance significantly, leading to increased LLM vulnerabilities, but jailbreaks are reduced, bias might rise.

Implicit biases in LLMs often reflect societal inequities present in training data sourced from the internet. There have been cases of Google's LLM appearing woke, highlighting the risks of overcorrecting these biases, for example.

In February, Google faced a backlash in response to its Gemini AI chatbot generating ethnically diverse images of historical characters such as Vikings, popes, knights, and even the founders of the company. It seemed that the historic information the GAI model was built on changed historical facts to rewrite the future.
by Danielle Oster , May 7, 2024

Talenti scooped up some high-profile Hollywood talent for its latest brand campaign.

The Unilever gelato and sorbetto brand named Oscar-nominated actor and director Bradley Cooper as its new brand ambassador. Cooper appears in a series of 15- and 6-second ads for the brand in a new Raise the Jar campaign created in partnership with LOLA MullenLowe.

The campaign touts processes the brand claims sets it apart and contribute to its status as the best-selling gelato in the country, according to Circana data  thus the campaign title punning on raise the bar. These include the brands purported unique slow cooking process, and use of authentic recipes -- including claiming to turn to one time-honored recipe from a real Argentinian grandmother for its dulce de leche flavor.

advertisement advertisement

A spokesperson told Marketing Daily the brand ambassador agreement with Cooper will run through the end of the campaign.

Cooper claimed in a statement that Talenti had been a favorite dessert for him and his family for years -- a lot easier to believe for a gelato and sorbetto brand than some other celeb endorsements) The actor is no stranger to marketing campaigns, having appeared on advertisings biggest stage in a 2023 T-Mobile Super Bowl ad.

that Cooper contributed his infectious energy and humor, as an authentic fan of the brand, to the campaign, Nicole Towner, associate director, Magnum and Talenti U.S. operations, told Marketing Daily. The campaign showcases the brands best-selling Gelato Layers flavor, Salted Caramel Truffle Layers, as well as its Alphonso Mango Sorbetto.

Towner explained that the suite of 15-second and 6-second assets featuring Cooper will be leveraged across the entire media landscape from TV to Tik Tok in 2024 and 2025.

As far as future installments, we are always looking ahead to the next trend and ways to showcase the uniqueness of gelato and specifically Talenti, Towner added. We would welcome any opportunity we have to work with Bradley in the future.

The campaign comes on the heels of Unilevers recent announcement that the company is spinning off its ice cream business, and anticipates cutting around 7,500 jobs.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, May 8, 2024

Omnicom Media Group agency Hearts & Science has been appointed U.S. media AOR for sustainable home furnishing brand The Lovesac Co. Marketsmith previously handled the business.

The companys annual media expenditure is estimated at $76 million, according to agency research firm COMvergence.

The remit includes integrated media strategy, planning, buying and measurement.

advertisement advertisement Deciding factors were said to include Omnicoms data platform Omni and Hearts & Sciences experience in retail.

Media has always been a major lever in Lovesacs growth strategy, said Lindsey Brink, vice president brand marketing & activation. To share the companys brand promise with more consumers in a meaningful way, added Brink, we were seeking an agency partner with next gen talent, tools and technology to sharpen our strategy and execution.
Highlights: APOE4 gene mutation may play a more significant role in Alzheimers disease than previously thought

Individuals with two copies of APOE4 gene have a substantially higher risk of developing Alzheimers pathology at a younger age

The reclassification of Alzheimers as genetically induced may influence treatment approaches and clinical trial designs

Did You Know?

The APOE4 gene mutation, dubbed the "Alzheimer's gene," isn't just a double-edged sword; it's more like a genetic Rubik's Cube, complicating the puzzle of Alzheimer's risk and treatment. #alzheimers #genetics #medindia

The APOE4 gene mutation, dubbed the "Alzheimer's gene," isn't just a double-edged sword; it's more like a genetic Rubik's Cube, complicating the puzzle of Alzheimer's risk and treatment. #alzheimers #genetics #medindia

Advertisement

Is Alzheimers Disease a Genetic Condition?

  Trusted Source

APOE4 homozygozity represents a distinct genetic form of Alzheimers disease



Go to source Trusted Source

Advertisement

Evidence that Alzheimers Disease Begins at a Young Age

Advertisement

Alzheimers Dementia is more Common in People with APOE4 Mutation

How Alzheimers Treatment Could Change for People With Two Copies of APOE4 Gene

Is Gene Editing the Future of Alzheimers Treatment?

Should People be Tested for APOE4 Gene to Assess the Risk of Alzheimers Disease?

APOE4 homozygozity represents a distinct genetic form of Alzheimers disease - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-02931-w)

Scientists are suggesting a new approach to studying Alzheimers disease genetics, which would imply that up to one-fifth of individuals would be classified as having a genetically induced type of the disease. Currently, the vast majority of Alzheimers patients lack a precisely defined cause. The new categorization, recommended in a published paper, might widen the scope of attempts to develop therapies, such as gene therapy , and influence clinical trial design. It could also imply that hundreds of thousands of people in the United States alone if they so desired, could be diagnosed with Alzheimers before experiencing any symptoms of cognitive deterioration, even though there are no treatments available at that time.According to medical experts, the new categorization would elevate this type of Alzheimers to one of the worlds most frequent genetic conditions. "This reconceptualization that were proposing affects not a small minority of people," said Dr. Juan Fortea, lead author of the study and head of the Sant Pau Memory Unit in Barcelona, Spain. "Sometimes we say that we dont know the cause of Alzheimers disease," but he stated that roughly 15-20% of cases "can be traced back to a cause, and the cause is in the genes."The hypothesis revolves around a gene mutation known as APOE4. Scientists have long known that inheriting one copy of the variation raises the risk of developing Alzheimers and that persons who inherit two copies, one from each parent, have a far higher risk. The current study, published in the journal, looked at data from over 500 patients who had two copies of APOE4, a substantially larger sample than prior studies. The researchers discovered that almost all of those patients developed the biological pathology of Alzheimers, and the authors conclude that two copies of APOE4 should now be considered a cause of Alzheimers rather than a risk factor ().According to the study, the patients developed Alzheimers pathology at a rather young age. By the age of 55, more than 95% had biochemical markers linked with the illness. By the age of 65, almost everyone had abnormal amounts of amyloid, a protein that builds plaques in the brain and is associated with Alzheimers disease. Many persons with the APOE4 mutation began to experience cognitive deterioration at the age of 65, which is younger than most people without it."The critical thing is that these individuals are often symptomatic 10 years earlier than other forms of Alzheimers disease," said Dr. Reisa Sperling, a neurologist at Mass General Brigham in Boston and the studys author. She continued, "By the time they are picked up and clinically diagnosed because theyre often younger, they have more pathology."People with two copies, known as APOE4 homozygotes, account for 2-3% of the general population but 15-20% of those with Alzheimers disease, according to researchers. People with one copy account for 15-25% of the general population and around 50% of Alzheimers dementia sufferers. The most prevalent version, known as APOE3, appears to have a neutral influence on Alzheimers risk. Approximately 75% of the general population carries one copy of APOE3, with more than half having two copies.Alzheimers researchers who were not involved in the study stated that designating the two-copy syndrome as genetically driven Alzheimers might have far-reaching consequences, including boosting medication development beyond the fields recent emphasis on treatments that target and eliminate amyloid.Dr. Samuel Gandy, an Alzheimers expert at Mount Sinai in New York who was not part of the study, stated that individuals with two copies of APOE4 had significantly higher safety concerns from anti-amyloid medications.When the FDA authorized the anti-amyloid medicine Leqembi in 2023, it mandated a black-box warning on the label stating that the prescription can cause "serious and life-threatening events" such as swelling and bleeding in the brain, particularly in those who had two copies of APOE4. Some treatment clinics have decided not to provide Leqembi, an intravenous infusion, to such individuals.Dr. Gandy and other researchers believe that categorizing these patients as having a separate hereditary form of Alzheimers may increase interest in creating treatments that are safe and effective for them, as well as add urgency to current efforts to prevent cognitive loss in people who do not yet have symptoms. "Rather than saying we have nothing for you, lets look for a trial," Dr. Gandy said, adding that such patients should be included in trials at a younger age, given how early their pathology develops.In addition to drug development, some researchers are investigating gene editing to turn APOE4 into a variation known as APOE2, which appears to protect against Alzheimers. Another gene-therapy option being investigated is injecting APOE2 into patients brains.The new study had numerous drawbacks, including a lack of variety, which may render the findings less generalizable. The majority of the patients in the research had European heritage. While two copies of APOE4 significantly raise Alzheimers risk in different ethnicities, the risk levels vary, according to Dr. Michael Greicius, a neurologist at Stanford University School of Medicine who was not involved in the study."One important argument against their interpretation is that the risk of Alzheimers disease in APOE4 homozygotes varies substantially across different genetic ancestries," said Dr. Greicius, who co-authored a study that found that white people with two copies of APOE4 had 13 times the risk of white people with two copies of APOE3, while black people with two copies of APOE4 had 6.5 times the risk of black people with two copies of APOE3."This has critical implications when counseling patients about their ancestry-informed genetic risk for Alzheimers disease," he stated, "and it also speaks to some yet-to-be-discovered genetics and biology that presumably drive this massive difference in risk."According to current genetic understanding of Alzheimers disease, less than 2% of cases are genetically driven. Some of these people acquired a mutation in one of three genes, and symptoms might appear as early as their 30s or 40s. Others are persons with Down syndrome, who have three copies of a chromosome harboring a protein that frequently causes Down syndrome-associated Alzheimers disease (DSAD).Dr. Sperling believes that the genetic changes in those cases contribute to amyloid formation, whereas APOE4 is thought to interfere with amyloid clearance. According to the researchers idea, possessing one copy of APOE4 would still be considered a risk factor, but not enough to induce Alzheimers, Dr. Fortea explained. It is unusual for diseases to follow a genetic pattern known as "semidominance," in which two copies of a variant cause the disease but one copy just increases risk, according to specialists.The new guideline will raise debates about whether people should be tested to see if they carry the APOE4 mutation. Dr. Greicius stated that unless there are treatments for those with two copies of APOE4 or trials of medications to prevent dementia, "My recommendation is if you dont have symptoms, you should definitely not figure out your APOE status." He continued, "It will only cause grief at this point."Finding strategies to help these people cant come fast enough, Dr. Sperling said, adding, "These individuals are desperate; theyve seen it in both of their parents frequently and really need therapies."Source-Medindia
  Trusted Source

Feeling Pressure to Be a Perfect Mother Relates to Parental Burnout and Career Ambitions



Go to source Trusted Source

Key Insights from "The Power of Positive Parenting" Study

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of parents self-reported burnout. Parental burnout is strongly associated with internal and external expectations, including whether one feels they are a good parent, perceived judgment from others, time to play with their children, the relationship with their spouse and keeping a clean house. The more free play time that parents spend with their children and the lighter the load of structured extracurricular activities, the fewer mental health issues in their children (i.e. anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, bipolar disorder). Parents mental health and behaviors strongly impact their childrens mental health. If their children have a mental health disorder, parents report a higher level of burnout and a greater likelihood for them to insult, criticize, scream at, curse at and/or physically harm their children (i.e. repeated spanking). Higher levels of self-reported parental burnout and harsh parenting practices are associated with more mental health problems in children.



Over 57% of parents experience burnout, leading to adverse effects on children's mental health. #positiveparenting #parentalwellbeing #medindia

The Impact of Social Media and the Culture of Achievement on Parental Burnout

Advertisement

Advertisement

Connection and active listening

Catching, checking and changing negative thoughts into positive ones

Readjusting expectations for the parent and the child

Reflecting and acting on priorities

Feeling Pressure to Be a Perfect Mother Relates to Parental Burnout and Career Ambitions - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6230657/)

Researchers from The Ohio State University College of Nursing and the universitys Office of the Chief Wellness Officer reject the notion of parental burnout and emphasize the detrimental effects of striving for perfection, as highlighted in a recent study ().The findings of a survey conducted between June 15 and July 28, 2023, involving over 700 parents across the nation, are outlined in the latest report titled "The Power of Positive Parenting: Evidence Supporting Parental and Child Well-Being." The data shows that:Kate Gawlik, DNP, one of the lead researchers on the study who pursues this research based on her experience as a working mother of four, said the illusion and expectations of perfect parenting can be deflating.I think social media has just really tipped the scales, said Gawlik, an associate clinical professor at the Ohio State College of Nursing. You can look at people on Instagram or you can even just see people walking around, and I always think, How do they do that? How do they seem to always have it all together when I dont?We have high expectations for ourselves as parents; we have high expectations for what our kids should be doing. Then on the flipside, youre comparing yourself to other people, other families, and theres a lot of judgment that goes on. And whether its intended or not, its still there.Data from the study shows that force of expectations from what Gawlik calls a culture of achievement leads to burnout (a state of physical and emotional exhaustion), which in turn leads to other, potentially debilitating issues.When parents are burned out, they have more depression, anxiety and stress , but their children also do behaviorally and emotionally worse, said Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, FAAN, vice president for health promotion and chief wellness officer at Ohio State. So its super important to face your true story if youre burning out as a parent and do something about it for better self-care.Gawlik and Melnyks new report brings critical updates to their initial study in 2022, which measured working parent burnout during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic . Gawlik and Melnyk created a first-of-its-kind Working Parent Burnout Scale, a 10-point survey that allows parents to measure their burnout in real time and use evidence-based solutions to help.That scale is included in the new report, along with new guidance on positive parenting strategies, techniques and tips to form deeper connections with ones children.Positive parenting is when you give your children a lot of love and warmth, but you also provide structure and guidance in their life, Melnyk explained. You gently teach them consequences of behaviors. So that is a much better goal to shoot for being a positive parent than a perfect parent.Among the strategies:If maybe youre prioritizing making sure your house is spotless all the time, but then you dont feel like you have time to go for a walk every night with your children, maybe you need to reorganize or find a way to make both of those things work, Gawlik suggested.Melnyk said these evidence-based approaches can help calm what she calls a public health epidemic of parental burnout.Parents do a great job caring for their children and everybody else, but they often dont prioritize their own self-care, Melnyk said. As parents, we cant keep pouring from an empty cup. If children see their parents taking good self-care, the chances are theyre going to grow up with that value as well. It has a ripple effect to the children and to the entire family.As one parent told me, Gawlik added, I would much rather have a happy kid than a perfect kid.Source-Eurekalert
Moscow, May 7 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin has been sworn in as head of state at the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin and takes office for the fifth time.

Putin will hold the office for the next six years, until 2030.

Putin thanks the people of Russia: 'In these solemn and crucial moments of assuming the office of the President, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the citizens of Russia across all regions of our country, as well as those living in the historical territories of Russia who have won their right to stand united with our Motherland.'

'I humbly honour our heroes, the participants in the special military operation, and all those who are fighting for our Fatherland. I would like to thank you again for the trust you have placed in me and for your unwavering support. These words are directed to every citizen of Russia.'

The president promised to implement long-term development projects.

UNI AKS
Sinan Richards in IAI:

Traditionally, love is seen as a profound and enduring connection. Yet, as Lacan and Deleuze describe, love is also a mad compulsion where we throw ourselves repeatedly against the wall between self and other. Insofar as love is necessary, Sinan Richards writes, it lies in identifying and seeking this madness in each other, and embracing imperfection. While writing The Dialectics of Love in Sartre and Lacan, I was living and teaching in Paris and would often travel to London by train to see friends and family. On one such trip, I was asked by a British Border Force agent at St Pancras International: What is it that you do, then? When I explained that I was working on a book on Jean-Paul Sartre and Jacques Lacan and how love was impossible, the border guard retorted scornfully, Thats the problem with you academics  you spend so much time thinking that you cant get on with it. This exchange still makes me chuckle, because, although rude, what if he was right?

Between 1988 and 1989, while filming LAbecedaire, Gilles Deleuze linked a fundamental aspect of love to madness. Deleuze says: if you dont get the little kernel of madness in someone, then you cant love them. If you dont seize their point of insanity, you fall short. The location of someones insanity is the source of all their charm. Deleuze is right: there is a remarkably close proximity between madness and love, and this was also true for Lacan.

More here.
Troops at Colorado Space Force Base Will Have to Bring Their Own To-Go Boxes for Dining Hall

While the initiative is aimed at reducing waste on base, the spokesperson added that they hope it will give troops on base...
MELBOURNE, Australia  Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday rejected China's argument that Australia was responsible for a dangerous weekend encounter between their military aircraft in international airspace over the Yellow Sea.

Both China and Australia lodged official protests and blamed each other for a Chinese warplanes extraordinary use of flares against an Australian navy helicopter on Saturday.

The Seahawks pilot had to take evasive action to avoid the flares, which were dropped in the helicopters flightpath by a Chinese Chengdu J-10 fighter jet, Australian officials said.

There were no injuries or damage, although experts warned the helicopter could have been forced to ditch at sea if an engine had been struck by a flare.

Australia accused China of unprofessional and unacceptable behavior, while China retorted that the Seahawk deliberately flew close to Chinas airspace in a provocative move.

Albanese said he rejected Chinas argument that the Australians had been at fault.

He highlighted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jians statement that the helicopter flew within close range of Chinas airspace.

Thats a confirmation that this chopper was in international air space, Albanese told Perth Radio 6PR.

Albanese also noted the helicopter had been upholding international law at the time as part of the crew of an Australian air warfare destroyer that was enforcing U.N. Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

This was unprofessional and unacceptable. And the Chinese spokespersons comments do nothing to undermine or to question what is the Australian Defense Forces assessment of the P.L.A.s unsafe behavior, Albanese said, referring to Chinas Peoples Liberation Army.

Chinas Ministry of National Defense added an accusation that the Australian destroyer had sent helicopter missions to carry out "close-in reconnaissance and disturbance of a Chinese navy training exercise.

China issued warnings and forced them to leave, ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said. He called the steps legitimate and in accordance with international law.

We firmly oppose the Australian sides statement confusing black and white and making unfounded countercharges, Zhang said in a statement.

The Australian government did not immediately respond to the Chinese suggestion of spying.

It was the most serious encounter between the two nations forces since Australia accused the Chinese destroyer CNS Ningbo of injuring Australian navy divers with sonar pulses in Japanese waters in November.

Albanese said the weekend encounter would be raised with Chinese Premier Li Qiang when he visits Australia next month.

___

Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this report.
A controversial proposal from the Air Force to move space units out of the National Guard and into the Space Force appears doomed in Congress as its key congressional backer softens his support amid mounting opposition.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., who previously offered a strong endorsement of the Air Force proposal, told Military.com on Tuesday that, while he still supports the idea, it's the Air Force's job to sway the naysayers.

"It's not my idea. I'm not campaigning for it. It's their job to sell it. If they can't sell it, that's their problem," Rogers said.

Read Next: Gordon and Aleksandra: Videos, Photos Show Relationship Between Detained Soldier and Russian Woman

Pressed on whether he envisions the proposal moving forward in this year's must-pass defense policy bill that his committee will debate later this month, Rogers told Military.com that he has "no idea," though he reportedly told Politico he plans to include it in his initial draft of the bill but won't fight if another lawmaker moves to take it out.

Rogers' comments come after every governor in the country and 85 House and Senate members came out in opposition to the proposal.

At issue is proposed legislation that Air Force officials submitted for consideration in Congress that would bypass governors to transfer space-focused, state-controlled units out of the Air National Guard to the Space Force, where they would become part of the active-duty military.

The idea is meant to build up the part-time active-duty service model that Congress approved for the Space Force last year in lieu of a new Space National Guard that some lawmakers have advocated for.

Backlash to the Air Force proposal was swift and has only grown in recent weeks.

Governors of 48 states and five U.S. territories sent a letter to the Pentagon last month arguing the proposal would usurp their authority over their National Guards. The only two governors who didn't sign that letter, Republicans Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas, have since sent their own letters opposing the plan.

Asked about the governors' opposition at a Senate hearing Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Air Force is working to explain the rationale behind the proposal to them.

"This measure will affect, I believe, a small number of people, but certainly I understand the governors' concerns, and we owe it to the governors to engage them on it, and that's why [the] secretary of the Air Force has recently engaged them personally on this issue," Austin said.

Rogers, for his part, said his support hasn't changed in light of Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, signing the letter.

The National Guard Association of the United States "has whipped up a lot of political opposition," Rogers said. "There's only six states that have these things in them. Alabama is not one of them. They got the [National] Governors Association to get a letter to get all the governors to sign it. My governor doesn't know or care much about this. She's wonderful. I love her. Trust me, she doesn't care. She just signed a letter the association asked her to."

Air National Guard leaders and enlisted Guardsmen also held a press call last week in which they called the proposal an "existential threat" to U.S. national security, pointing to an internal survey that found most of the affected personnel would rather retire or retrain than move into the Space Force.

And on Tuesday morning, 56 representatives and 29 senators from both parties sent a letter to Rogers and other leaders on the House and Senate armed services committees urging them to keep the "deeply flawed" proposal out of the defense bill.

"To be clear: When individuals sign up for the National Guard, they are serving their country and their community," the lawmakers wrote in the letter, underlining the last three words. "Congress shouldn't abandon this model."

The signatories included 14 members of the House committee and five members of the Senate panel.

The leaders of the House Appropriations Committee's defense subpanel also separately voiced skepticism about the proposal at a hearing last month with National Guard Bureau chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson, who himself noted the "big concern" among the states.

While Rogers said Tuesday he continues to believe the Air Force proposal is "wise," he also thinks the Space Force will be fine if it doesn't go through. Rogers was one of the first members of Congress to propose creating a military branch for space.

"It doesn't matter to me because the Space Force can stand this up organically," he said. "And that's probably what they'll do. And then the Air Force Guard units that have that mission won't have anything to do."

-- Thomas Novelly contributed to this story.

Related: 'Existential Threat': Air Guardsmen Slam Proposal to Move Their Units to Space Force
Graphene is a new material that has gained significant attention due to its unique properties and potential applications in various fields. According to a recent report by MarketsandMarkets, the global graphene market size was valued at $186 million in 2020 and is expected to reach $410 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 19% during the forecast period.







(which country is ahead in the graphene race)

While there is no single country that is leading the charge in the graphene race, several countries have made significant strides in developing and commercializing graphene technology. Some of these countries include:

* China: As the worlds second-largest economy, China has been one of the major players in the graphene industry. The Chinese government has provided incentives for the development of graphene technology, including tax breaks and subsidies. Furthermore, China has also established partnerships with international companies to promote the growth of the industry in the country.

* Netherlands: The Netherlands is another major player in the graphene industry, with several research institutions and companies working on the development of graphene-based products. The Dutch government has also supported the growth of the industry through initiatives such as funding research and development programs.

* Germany: Germany is known for its advanced manufacturing capabilities, which have enabled it to produce high-quality graphene products. German companies such as Evolus and GrapheneSpace are leaders in the industry, with innovative products such as graphene-based sensors and composites.

* United States: Although the US is not among the largest producers of graphene, it is home to several leading companies in the industry, including Carbon Inc. and Material Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL). These companies are focused on the development of graphene-based products, such as batteries and flexible electronics.







(which country is ahead in the graphene race)

In conclusion, while no single country is leading the charge in the graphene race, several countries have made significant strides in developing and commercializing graphene technology. These countries have achieved this success through a combination of government support, partnerships with international companies, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. It is likely that we will see continued growth and innovation in the graphene industry in the coming years, driven by advances in materials science and engineering, as well as increased demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products.

Inquiry us
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have announced theyre signing veteran defensive tackle Kyle Peko to a free-agent contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Peko began his career at Cerritos College, a community college in Southern California, before transferring to Oregon State. He wasnt drafted in 2016, but did sign with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted rookie free agent. Nine years later, Peko has carved out a nice career for himself, appearing in 42 games and making 13 starts during stints with the Broncos (twice), Bills, Colts, Titans (twice) and Raiders. Hes coming off one of the best seasons of his career, making a career-high 22 tackles in 13 games for Tennessee, including 10 starts.

A 6-foot-1 and 305 pounds, Peko will try to carve out a role in an interior rotation that also features Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike and Brodric Martin, along with rookie sixth-round pick Mekhi Wingo.

Peko is Detroits second addition of the day, joining safety/special teams ace C.J. Moore.
GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP, MI  Voters in the Jenison Public School District passed a 25-year, $117 million bond request on Tuesday, May 7, that will provide funds to build a new upper elementary school and make other building improvements across the district.

The ballot measure passed with 3,533 yes votes to 2,013 no votes in Tuesdays special election, according to unofficial election results from the Ottawa County Clerks Office.
KENT COUNTY, MI  A sheriffs deputy who left his gun in a Kenowa Hills High School restroom, where it was found by a student, will not be criminally charged, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said.

The student who found the firearm  a loaded Glock pistol with a mounted flashlight  pointed it out to another student before the two alerted school officials. Neither of them touched the gun.
JACKSON, MI  Duty. Honor. Sacrifice. These words lingered in the air in downtown Jackson Wednesday afternoon, as they were spoken by those who protect and serve others.

Clad in their finest dress uniforms, dozens of police officers, sheriffs deputies and Michigan State Police troopers gathered in tight rows May 8, for the annual Jackson Law Enforcement Memorial.

The event, at the TRUE Community City Square in Horace Blackman Park, 212 W. Michigan Ave., honors officers who have died in the line of duty.

Think about what it means to serve knowing that at a moments notice you may sacrifice your own life for the protection of others, Jackson Director of Police and Fire Services Elmer Hitt said.

The names of every Jackson County law enforcement officer who has died in the line of duty was read aloud during the annual event. As each name was read, a single white flower was placed on a wreath in remembrance.

In all, 11 officers connected to Jackson have been killed in the line of duty since 1906. Speakers and attendees agreed they were thankful no new names had been added to the list.

We are fortunate were not here today to add another name to the list of heroes on this wall, but the reality is one name is too many, the Rev. Andrew Walker, pastor of Encounter Church of Jackson, said. Nobody should have to pay the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duty.

The annual event precedes National Police Week, which is being recognized this year from Sunday, May 12, through Saturday, May 18.

Keynote speaker, Jackson County Magistrate Judge Jake Dickerson, spoke of the duality of someone working in law enforcement, reading a poem by Paul Harvey called Police Man about the challenges of being seen as a public servant who is not allowed to fail, yet is criticized if things seem to be working out too well for the officer.

A police officer must, from a single strand of hair, describe the crime, the weapon, the criminal and tell you where the criminal was hiding, but if they catch the criminal, they are lucky, if they dont they are a dunce, Dickerson said. Today we stand together as a community in mourning, but also in gratitude for the bravery, dedication and sacrifices these officers displayed through their careers.

The names of the fallen are:

Sgt. Frederick Booth, Jackson Police Department, 1906

Cpt. John Holzapfel, Jackson Police Department, 1907

Undersheriff Harry Worden, Jackson County Sheriffs Office, 1920

Officer Leonard Carey, Jackson Police Department, 1930

Deputy Fred Reilly, Jackson County Sheriffs Office, 1954

Lt. William James Nixon, Jackson Police Department, 1978

Trooper Tony L. Thames, Michigan State Police, 1983

Officer Niles Johantgen, Atlanta Police Department (Jackson resident), 1991

Trooper Manuel Fields, Jackson Police Department, 1994

Officer James Bonneau, Jackson Police Department, 2010

Trooper Chad Dermyer, Virginia State Police (former Jackson Police Department), 2016

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter.
UPDATE: As of 6:20 p.m. Wednesday, the number of Consumers outages has decreased to 9,223 households.

PORTAGE, MI -- Consumers Energy is working around the clock to restore power after one confirmed tornado and a reported second one tore through the city on Tuesday, May 7.

There are 160 electric line and 70 gas crews working in the region now, said Consumers Vice President of Operations Chris Laird.

Of the 30,000 customers without power last night, about 20,000 remain as of mid-Wednesday afternoon, Laird said. Consumers goal is to bring them back online by midnight. Those in the hardest hit areas may not get power back until Thursday, May 9, he said.

MORE: EF2 tornado confirmed in southern Michigan, peak wind hit 135 mph

About 5,800 Consumers customers in Portage, or 22.7%, are without power as of 5:25 p.m. This morning, about half of Portage was without power.

The storm and multiple tornadoes that swept through the region Tuesday really caused a lot of havoc for us, Laird said. Were having challenges getting down roads with all the trees that are down.

The process of safely detangling trees and power lines is slow, Laird said. Having done it himself as a former line worker and volunteer firefighter, he thanked crews and first responders for their efforts.

About 100 forester crews are working to clear trees, debris and more than 200 broken poles from roads.

Residents can continue to check the status of outages at ConsumersEnergy.com or sign up to get outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message online.

In the case of an electrical or gas emergency, customers can call 911 or 1-800-477-5050.

Shelter and aid is available to residents without power and whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the storm at Kalamazoo First Assembly of God church, 5550 Oakland Drive.

RELATED: For families displaced by reported tornado, community rushes to help

For more on Tuesdays tornadoes in Portage, click here.
PORTAGE, MI -- Powerful storms can bring large hail, damaging wind, tornados and scammers.

The Better Business Bureau in Western Michigan issued a warning for homeowners about scammers, sometimes called storm chasers, who offer services in the wake of a storm.

Homeowners should avoid hiring anyone going door-to-door offering storm cleanup assistance, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said.

People should also use caution while looking on social media for help after a storm.

Storm damage can prompt good-intentioned neighbors to lend each other a hand, but it can also bring out people looking to take advantage of others in a vulnerable time, the BBB said.

The Better Business Bureau offers these tips for people dealing with damage:

Assess the damage and document it with photos and videos

Contact your insurance company to ask about what expenses are covered

Do research to find reputable companies and only hire licensed and insured contractors

Resist high-pressure sales, get multiple bids and seek referrals

Get a written contract and read it

Never pay the full amount up front and dont sign insurance checks over to contractors

Debris cleanup

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) sent out guidelines on managing debris as people work to clean up after the storm.

In times of significant weather incidents, we are keeping the health and safety of Michiganders at the forefront of cleanup efforts, EGLE Director Phil Roos said.

Safe debris disposal helps protect the states environment, he said.

Michael Scott Beauparland stands outside his neighbor after two suspected tornadoes ripped through Portage on Tuesday, May 7.Aya Miller

EGLE advises people to check with local authorities before returning to an area after it has been evacuated, and look for any downed power lines upon returning.

EGLE offers these tips for debris disposal:

Use caution when walking through obstructions or large debris piles to avoid hidden hazards

Storm-related construction and demolition debris could contain asbestos, EGLE said, advising people to maintain it in a wet condition until disposal

Debris from homes and businesses should be collected for disposal

Storm-generated woody and vegetative debris such as trees and untreated wood should be sorted and allowed to dry

For more on Tuesdays tornadoes in Portage, click here.

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI  Over half of Consumers Energys customers in Portage remain without power early Wednesday, May 8, after suspected tornadoes damaged houses, took down power lines and uprooted trees.

Consumers Energy reported 13,194 customers in Portage, or 51.4 percent, were without power as of 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Nearly 19,000 were without power across Kalamazoo County, while nearly 4,000 were without power in St. Joseph County, which also sustained significant damage. Two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Related: Trapped workers at FedEx building escape after reported tornado

About 565 were without power in Branch County after the suspected tornadoes hit southwest Michigan Tuesday night.

The tornadoes did extensive damage to our system, with thousands of trees uprooted and more than 60 downed wires in these three counties alone, Norm Kapala, a Consumers Energy officer in charge, said in a statement. Over 115 crews worked to restore power to over 5,000 families and businesses in southwest Michigan.

The City of Portage asked residents to stay at home Wednesday. The Salvation Army has set up two shelters for displaced residents at First Assembly of God, 5550 Oakland Drive and at Radiant Church, 995 Romence Road.

Related: Portage asks residents in storm-damaged areas to stay home Wednesday, 2 shelters open

The hardest hit area is bounded by Centre Avenue, Oakland Drive, Schuring Road and Westnedge Avenue.

Meanwhile, workers who were trapped inside a damage FedEx building got out safely late Tuesday night. Up to 16 people suffered non-severe injuries at Pavilion Estates mobile-home community.

Two non-life-threatening injuries were reported in St. Joseph County, the Sheriffs Department said.

Portage Department of Public Safety said that the citys non-emergency offices are closed Wednesday. Police said that those who need help with shelter or other human-service needs, call 211. Residents with questions about city services such as brush pickup or cleanup assistance can call 269-329-4444.

For more coverage of Tuesday nights tornadoes, visit mlive.com/topic/portage-tornado/
PORTAGE, MI  At 6:05 p.m. Tuesday night, Alicia Beardsley received a text from one of her stylists at Judes Barbershop on West Centre Avenue.

It took the roof off, but were OK, it read.

Beardsley, an operations manager for Judes, stood in the parking lot of what was left of the business on Wednesday morning, May 8. She, like a half-dozen others on site, was assessing the damage caused by a reported tornado that ripped down West Centre Avenue the night before.

I dont know how everyone is safe, which Im very grateful they are, but holy cow, she said.

Scenes from Portage, Michigan on Wednesday, May 8, the day after a pair of reported tornadoes touched down.Ryan Boldrey

The front wall of the business was caved in. An exit sign dangled from the ceiling. Aside from a pair of panels that didnt come completely down, it was the only thing attached. Insulation covered the floor.

The back of the building was ripped clear off. The inside of the bathroom was visible beyond the caution tape stretched across the parking lot. Posters still hung on the blue walls and the toilet still sat in place.

Besides the bathroom, nothing else in the building seemed as it should.

Two doors down in the Portage strip mall, the shingles of the Pizza Hut roof above were nowhere to be seen. The wood framing of the roof had collapsed into the shop.

Mike Cory, general manager for the restaurant, told the Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive he had six employees inside when the storm hit. They took shelter in the walk-in freezer until the storm passed, he said.

We are beyond grateful that Nate Davis, our assistant manager, did the right thing and gathered everyone in the walk-in cooler, which is the safest location in a restaurant building, said Joyce Lunsford, owner of Trigo Hospitality, which owns the Pizza Hut.

Trigo does not own the building, but intends to rebuild at the same location and reopen as soon as possible, Lunsford said. All employees, she said, would be placed at other local Pizza Huts that Trigo owns in the meantime, so no one will lose employment as a result of the catastrophe.

Mike Cory, general manager of the Pizza Hut on West Centre Avenue, stares at what's left of his store in Portage, Michigan on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The store, like other shops in the strip mall was demolished by a tornado the night before.Ryan Boldrey | MLive.com

Its unreal, Cory said, looking over the damage. I was just here yesterday doing my normal thing ... and then the next day its gone. ... All my people are safe, theyre at home this morning and thats whats important. Nobody here was hurt.

All this broken stone and wood, who cares. At the end of the day, once its all said and done, you know, Ill get a new store.

Like the Pizza Hut, Judes also plans to relocate stylists to other Kalamazoo-area locations.

It just happened so fast, said Sandy Vandenboom, an operations manager for Judes. Our biggest thing was making sure all of our employees at all four of our locations here were safe.

Vandenboom said she was Facetiming with one of the stylists on site when the storm hit. She told her to make sure they were away from the windows and didnt try to leave the building.

I cant believe the building is still standing, she said Wednesday morning, while keeping a safe distance.

The other shops in the building include a vape shop, barre studio and State Farm insurance office, all of which were devastated by the damage.

For more on Tuesdays tornadoes in Portage, click here.

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter.
KALAMAZOO, MI  Some residents at the Pavilion Estates mobile home park rose with the sun Wednesday morning.

Others never slept.

The neighborhood was ravaged by a suspected tornado Tuesday evening, May 7. In total, the storm destroyed 17 homes and damaged 173 others in the mobile home park, the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office said.

The impact lifted and flipped homes completely and uprooted trees. Trailer homes were picked up and dropped in the middle of the street.

Cars were crushed under trees and trailers and water flooded onto the roads from broken pipes.

It was a surreal scene, as residents sifted through the damage Wednesday morning, still in shock from what they experienced the night before.

Related: Hell broke loose: Residents in shock after reported tornadoes rip through Portage

Rashonda Stapleton looks at what is left of home in Pavilion Estates community on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, after potential tornadoes hit the night before. Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

Rashonda Stapleton was in her home with her husband, four kids and nephew when she began to hear and feel a strong wind.

It was scary to have that happen with all your kids in here ... you cant help their screaming. It was horrible, Stapleton said. It was an experience I wouldnt even wish on my worst enemy. I still cant sleep because my anxiety is through the roof. All I can do is thank God.

Stapleton was back in her home the Wednesday morning. With no roof and the walls caving in, Stapleton said it will be demolished.

In the meantime, shes trying to find things inside with importance to her, like her mothers ashes.

Peyton Groetsema wasnt in his trailer when the tornado hit.

He came back at 11 p.m. when his shift ended at Eimo Technologies in Vicksburg. But when he arrived at the front of the neighborhood, he decided he didnt want to see the damage until the morning.

Upon his return Wednesday, Groetsema found his trailer in the middle of the road.

He had just moved back to Kalamazoo from Ohio a month ago. He lost all his belongings.

Im just glad my son wasnt here, Groetsema said.

The Pavilion Estates community addressed the aftermath of potential tornadoes on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The impact shredded through several trailer homes in Kalamazoo, Michigan the night before, causing injury and loss of belongings, cars and homes. Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

Throughout the mobile home park, there was a great deal of pain. Like Groetsema and Stapleton, many people lost everything.

But there was also a feeling of thankfulness surrounding those who examined their homes, knowing it could have been worse.

Troy Marble was in his house with his grandmother Tuesday night, watching the newscast to see the weather.

All of sudden we were walking and we heard the wind sound coming through our house like a tunnel. Then I felt one side hit and then another  trees, Marble said. Luckily, we made it.

The backside of his home was completely torn off, exposing his fathers bed and a dart board on the wall. The darts still clung on.

Its a loss. Im not gonna say that it doesnt hurt, but theres nothing I can really do but take it and try to move on, Marble said.

Once the first tornado hit, the most important thing for Marble was to help others. He got his grandmother into his car and picked up two others. He saw the tornado in his rearview mirror as he sped away.

Marble, as well as others who lost their homes to the tornadoes, are actively searching for a new place to live or stay. For now, hes staying with his other grandmother.

Stapleton is trying to find money to get her family into a hotel room.

Its sad. Everything is gone, Anthony Keesee said. Today is a rebuild our (homes) day.

Keesee, also a resident of the mobile home park, spent Wednesday morning helping others whose homes were more seriously damaged than his.

We have a lot of trees to cut down, a lot of things to fix and a lot of time to heal. We have lost a lot here in this trailer park today, Keesee said. I will not lie, waking up and seeing the outcome of this in the daytime when everything is settled is very sad.

The Pavilion Estates community addressed the aftermath of potential tornadoes on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The impact shredded through several trailer homes in Kalamazoo, Michigan the night before, causing injury and loss of belongings, cars and homes. Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

For more on Tuesdays tornadoes in Portage, click here.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for four Southwest Michigan counties after at least two confirmed tornadoes ripped through the area.

Whitmer issued the state of emergency late Tuesday, May 7, after the damage happened about 5:45 p.m.

The counties under the declaration are Kalamazoo, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch.

She said the storm brought hail as large as four inches in diameter and two confirmed tornadoes.

My heart goes out to all those impacted by tonights severe weather in southwest Michigan, she said in a prepared statement. State and local emergency teams are on the ground and working together to assist Michiganders. Ive declared a state of emergency to ensure resources are expedited to the area and activated our State Emergency Operations Center. We will continue monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts overnight. I want to thank all the first responders working hard to keep Michiganders safe. Well get through this together.

For more coverage, visit mlive.com/topic/portage-tornado/.
PORTAGE, MI -- After two tornadoes reportedly touched down in Portage on Tuesday, May 7, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited the aftermath, and said Michigan needs to be prepared for more climate change-fueled natural disasters.

Whitmer arrived in Kalamazoo County on Wednesday, May 8, to survey the damage from the tornadoes at Pavilion Estates mobile home park. Seventeen mobile homes were destroyed and 173 were damaged. A variety of services were on scene to assist residents who were displaced from their homes.

Its undeniable, Whitmer said, speaking to reporters in front of toppled trees. Were seeing intense impacts from climate change.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited the Pavilion Estates community in the aftermath of potential tornadoes on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The impact shredded through several trailer homes in Kalamazoo, Michigan the night before, causing injury and loss of belongings, cars and homes. Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

Whitmer cited the Gaylord tornado in 2022 and I-96 tornado in 2023 as examples. State Sen. Sean McCann also referenced the 2023 ice storm in Southwest Michigan as an example.

I do think its important that we acknowledge that as we try to build out systems that are safer, but curtail our impact on climate change as well, Whitmer said.

MORE: Reported tornado tears apart strip mall as employees watch from inside

Increased fortification of mobile homes in Michigan has already lessened tragic outcomes, Whitmer said. Mobile homes are now required to have hurricane strips on their foundations, she said. The addition of those made the difference between some homes being ripped off their foundation and others staying in place, Whitmer said.

Weve got to continue to evolve, Whitmer said. (We need to) think about how do we protect one another and combat these impacts.

Whitmer declared a state of emergency following Tuesdays storms. Thatll allow the state to better assess and mobilize resources as damage and impact assessments are done, Whitmer said.

Thus far, no fatalities have been reported. But many, in Pavilion Estates and beyond, lost everything. Being in person was far different from seeing snapped tree branches on the national news, she said.

Its eye opening, Whitmer said. You cant walk through here and not understand that.

After visiting the mobile home park, Whitmer stopped at a temporary shelter set up by the American Red Cross at the Kalamazoo First Assembly of God church, 5550 Oakland Drive.

Portage residents in need of assistance are encouraged to call 2-1-1.

RELATED: For families displaced by reported tornado, community rushes to help

For more on Tuesdays tornadoes in Portage, click here.
Celebrate Mothers Day early with a new episode of the hilarious mockumentary series Abbott Elementary. The new episode airs Wednesday, May 8, at 9 p.m. ET. You can watch for free with trials from Fubo and DIRECTV Stream. The series also airs the next day on Hulu via the Disney Duo Bundle.

About the show:

Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary-style series that dives into the world of education at a quirky Philadelphia public school. Although they are underfunded and outnumbered, passionate teachers help their students succeed, no matter how unconventional their methods may be.

In tonights episode, Mothers Day Barbara invites Gregory to her familys Mothers Day brunch. Meanwhile, Jacob is caught scrambling during the field trip planning process. Watch the new episode tonight, May 8, at 9/8C on ABC.

Where to watch:

Cast:
At least two tornadoes have touched down and damaged parts of southwest Lower Michigan between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Now the storms are moving into southeast Michigan. Will they produce tornadoes around Ann Arbor and Detroit and southeast Lower Michigan?

Here is the always updated radar.

RELATED: As reported tornadoes roll through Southwest Michigan, more than 25,000 without power

The thunderstorms will likely still be severe but to a much lower strength. The southeast part of Lower Michigan is not in the tornado watch. The atmosphere is a little more stable and not able to produce such strong severe weather.

RELATED: Possible tornado collapses part of building, downs power lines near Kalamazoo

So it does not look like southeast Lower, the Ann Arbor area and the Detroit area will have tornadic thunderstorms. The storms could still produce isolated hail to one inch and very spotty brief wind gusts.

Here is the radar forecast from 8 p.m. to midnight tonight. The storms are going to race through southeast Lower in the next two hours. Our storminess in southern Lower should be done by midnight.
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
*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
Though unseasonably warm weather forced researchers to end their fieldwork early, excellent visibility and settled conditions aided them in completing the 65th annual Isle Royale Winter Study. Survey estimates indicated 30 wolves and 840 moose, with the majority of both populations concentrated on the east end of Isle Royale National Park.

Michigan Technological Universitys annual winter study is a major component of the Isle Royale Wolf-Moose project. The longest-running predator-prey study in the world, the project is led by Sarah Hoy, John Vucetich and Rolf Peterson of Michigan Techs College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES). It has taken place every year since 1958 with the exception of 2021, when it was canceled due to COVID-19.

Key takeaways from the new winter study, released this week, include evidence of at least three wolf litters and four territorial packs. There was a significant drop in adult moose mortality rates attributed to starvation while death rates due to predation were up.

Study Curtailed, But Visibility Helps Compensate

Rather than their usual seven weeks of fieldwork, researchers had just shy of two, from Jan. 19 to 31, before the 2024 winter study was cut short. Persistent above-freezing temperatures caused deteriorating lake ice conditions that eventually made landing the ski plane used for the moose and wolf count impossible. At one point, the team helped haul the 820-pound Aeronca Champ off the melting ice onto land. The pilot was eventually able to fly out, and researchers hoped that conditions would improve, but the weather didnt cooperate. The team departed for the mainland via a helicopter, which does not require ice to land.

The plane used for aerial surveys was hauled to safety on land as ice conditions deteriorated. (Image credit: Sarah Hoy)

We were really disappointed. But obviously, the safety of all our crew is our top priority and we are all very used to having to change and adapt our fieldwork plans based on weather conditions, said Hoy.

Peterson said the irony of the shortest winter study on record was that it yielded exceptional results.

Despite the very short survey period and lack of ice and snow, we were able to complete one of the best moose surveys Ive seen in the past half century, he said.

The overcast skies and calm winds were exactly what we needed for flying and seeing moose on our census plots, and 10 inches of fresh fluffy snow came right before our arrival, providing a perfect backdrop for spotting moose.

Wolf Packs Go Where the Prey Is

Michigan Tech researchers observed a stabilized wolf population estimated at 30. Thats down from the 2022-23 study count of 31, up from 28 in 2021-22 and a vast change from a decade ago, when there were only two wolves on the island incapable of reproducing. The wolf population began its recovery after the National Park Service translocated 19 wolves to Isle Royale between 2018 and 2019.

Four wolves in the Northeast Pack were observed feeding on a moose carcass near Tobin Creek on Jan. 26, 2024. (Image credit: Rolf Peterson)

In 2024, for the first time in more than 15 years, researchers found evidence that suggests the wolf population includes four territorial packs: a West Pack with at least four wolves; a Middle Pack with at least seven wolves; an East Pack with at least 13 wolves; and a Northeast Pack with at least five wolves. In addition to the packs, researchers observed evidence suggesting there was at least one wolf that appeared to be living alone. A small number of lone wolves were reported in the previous winter study.

From their survey plane this year, researchers saw wolves that appeared to be 9-month-old pups in the Middle Pack, East Pack and Northeast Pack. They didnt observe any indications that the West Pack produced a litter last April, but said the lack of evidence is inconclusive due to the relatively short amount of time they were able to be on the island this winter.

"That the wolf population consists of four packs is really noteworthy  a strong sign that the wolves have plenty of food." John Vucetich, co-leader, Isle Royale wolf-moose project

Two-thirds of the wolves observed on the island were on the east end. Researchers said thats likely because thats where there are the most moose.

Weather  in this case, lack of snow cover on lake ice  also played a part in predation patterns. Researchers found evidence suggesting that wolves had killed at least seven moose over a three-week span in January, with four of the kills occurring shortly before the teams arrival.

About the Researchers Sarah Hoy srhoy@mtu.edu

906-487-3292 Specialties Predator-prey interactions

Animal ecology and conservation

Population biology

Life-history trade-offs Rolf Peterson ropeters@mtu.edu

906-487-2179 Researcher Profile John Vucetich javuceti@mtu.edu

906-487-1711 Areas of Expertise Demographic and genetic elements of population biology

Ecology of wolves and moose

Environmental ethics Researcher Profile

Several of those kills appeared to be the result of wolves chasing moose out onto glare ice, where wolves would likely have an important advantage because of the lack of traction that moose hooves have on ice when it is not covered in snow, said Hoy.

More Predation, Fewer Calves for Moose

While the moose population on Isle Royale dropped an estimated 14% from 2022-23, the rate of the year-over-year decline notably slowed, said Hoy. Last years population drop was roughly 28%. Overall, the moose population has declined by nearly 60% since 2019, when the moose population peaked at just over 2,000.

What is perhaps the most significant shift this year is that malnutrition is not the leading mortality factor for moose.

For the first time in many years, wolf predation is once again the main cause of mortality for adult moose, said Hoy.

Malnutrition was an important cause of death between 2019 and 2022. In the new study, researchers noted a dramatic decline in the proportion of adult moose dying from malnutrition in 2023, while the proportion killed by wolves greatly increased. Researchers gleaned the insight from data collected during necropsies of more than 170 moose that died over the past three years. The necropsies are conducted as part of Moosewatch, a long-term citizen science project.

The unusually high number of moose dying from malnutrition in recent years is thought to be largely due to food shortages, caused by a large moose population unchecked by predators as the wolf population dwindled. Moose can eat 30 to 40 pounds of vegetation daily. High levels of moose browsing for several consecutive years severely limited the growth and survival of tree and plant species that moose prefer to eat, including balsam fir.

It appears that restored wolf predation is now coming to bear on calf survival, greatly reducing the growth potential of the moose population, but offering hope that trees stunted by moose feeding might finally be able to grow, said Peterson.

Researchers said another factor in the ongoing decline in moose abundance is fewer calves being born and surviving until winter. Each year, researchers record how many 9-month-old moose calves they spot during the census and use that data to estimate recruitment rates, which is the proportion of the population that are calves. This winter, less than 6% of moose seen during the surveys were 9-month-old calves.

A moose calf during a previous season at Isle Royale National Park. (Image credit: Sarah Hoy)

Moose recruitment rates have been well below average for each of the past five years, said Hoy. This years recruitment rate of just under 6% is higher than last years estimate of 2%, but is still substantially lower than the long-term average recruitment rate of 13%. When recruitment rates are high we tend to observe cows raising twins  however, we did not observe any cows with twins this winter.

Project Moves Into Summer Fieldwork Phase

Researchers will continue to add to their observations and supplement findings.

Because the winter field season was cut short by warm weather, we hope to confirm and add insights in the upcoming months by summer field observations and our collaborators genetic analyses of wolf scats, Vucetich said.

Other collaborations continue to add depth and breadth to the project. This years study highlighted research that focuses on moose bones and what they can teach us about human diseases. The researchers are eager to see how the story of Isle Royales most famous inhabitants continues to unfold.

The western part of Isle Royale has fewer wolves and fewer moose  both kept low by the deeply impacted vegetation. But the eastern part of Isle Royale is a different story, where the vegetation, moose and wolves are all more abundant, said Vucetich. In the upcoming years, well pay attention to whether the wolves can limit the moose in the east or whether the vegetation can continue supporting this higher abundance of moose. As always, we look forward to what comes next.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
From left, Northern Marianas College Natural Resources Management Program coordinator and instructor Kelsey Lynn McClellan with NMC students Mark Terlaje Pangelinan, Kina Rangamar, Kianna Reyes, and Christopher Pangelinan at the 15th Annual Conference on Island Sustainability hosted by the University of Guams Center for Island Sustainability.
Reporter

Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

One of my flaws as a debater on the negative side was that I found it difficult to prepare for cases that I thought were really, really stupid. As a result, my rebuttals were not as crisp as they might have been. It may well be that the same bad attitude has carried over into my coverage of New York prosecutor Alvin Braggs oft-misnomered hush money care, People vs. Donald J. Trump. The good news is that in the course of researching for this case, I found the docket  thanks, Google. Not!  and so now I can go through all the filings, and better yet, the transcripts, before the verdict finally arrives. At last being able to do the reading will be a great relief to me and possibly to you, since news coverage has been utterly miserable, childishly personality-driven (unlike Colorado vs. the United States, which had legal minds from across the spectrum doing serious analysis although, to be fair, of another stupid case).

However, People v. Trump is not only stupid (and it is often stupid in the complex ways that certain operatives are stupid), it is bewildering and befogged. It feels like a good deal of the action has been taking place off-stage, and so its hard to blame even well-intentioned reporters for being confused. Take this oft-repeated talking point, with Byron York at the Washington Examiner giving a example:

Perhaps the weirdest, and by far the most unjust, thing about former President Donald Trumps trial in New York is that we do not know precisely what crime Trump is charged with committing. Were in the middle of the trial, with Trump facing a maximum of more than 100 years in prison, and we dont even know what the charges are! Its a surreal situation.

Surreal indeed, but what York writes is not quite true; Bragg had four (4) theories of the case, that is, four charges (now he has three (3) but well get to that). However, as we shall see, these theories have been presented in filings, and seem not to have been presented in open court, or presumably they would have been reported on.

Braggs architecture in People vs. Trump is what Just Security editor Asha Rangappa amusingly labeled a felony bump-up, described by Andrew McCarthy:

As weve noted many times, the actual charge against Trump (multiplied into 34 felonies by Bragg) is falsification of business records with fraudulent intent. That is a substantive offense, not a conspiracy (i.e., to be guilty, you actually have to carry out the criminal act, not just agree to do it). Business-records falsification is normally a misdemeanor under New York law (175.05) but it can be inflated into a felony  with a prison sentence of up to four years for each offense  if prosecutors can prove that the defendants fraudulent intent included the concealment of another crime.

So, as we showed in NC here, there are two layers to People vs. Trump: The Business Records Offense, and the Object Offense.[1] By itself, the business records offenses are misdemeanors; only when they are combined with one or more object offenses  Braggs theories of the case  do they become felonies (although, amusingingly, the object offense(s) can also be misdemeanor(s)).

Because I have not yet done the reading, this post will be informative, rather than analytical; I will look at the state of play using Braggs architecture. This is in itself newsworthy! First, I will look at the business records offenses, and then at the object offenses. I will then address the election conspiracy aspect of the case, then Molineux Rule, and conclude.

The Business Records Offenses

The business records offenses are accurately described by Andrew McCarthy:

Just to remind you, the allegation in the indictment is that Trump fraudulently caused his business records to be falsified eleven years after this encounter [between Stormy Daniels and Trump]. The encounter makes no difference to the proof of the charges. The states theory is that Trumps records are false because they described as ongoing legal services what was actually the reimbursement of a debt to Trumps lawyer [Michael Cohen] (in connection with a legal transaction in which the lawyer did, in fact, represent Trump). Whether the debt arose out of paying Stormy for an NDA or some other obligation is of no moment to the question of whether the book entry legal services accurately describes the payments to Cohen.

Here again my bias against stupid arguments may be working against me. That said, Cohen was lawyer and a fixer. Are we really really going to argue about whether a fixed performed legal services or not? (This argument reminds of Engorons view that there was only one real estate investor in Manhattan who ever engaged in puffery: Donald Trump.)

The Object Offense(s)

Lets start with the text of Judge Merchans Decision & Order, Feb. 15, 2024 (this seems to be in response to a Motion to Dismiss from the Trump team, but thats not on the docket, at least not earlier than the Decision and Order, as I would expect to be):

As you can see, the People (Bragg) have four theories for the object offense. Merchan then throws out the fourth, leaving three:

(Oddly, it seems that Merchan, in his decision and order, is doing a good deal of tidying up and summarizing of Braggs brief responding to Trumps Motion to Dismiss; its almost like hes directing Bragg on how to present his case.) Here, depressingly, is a diagram from Brookings Institution-adjacent entity Lawfare that summarizes the state of Braggs architecture[2] (Ive added some helpful annotations in red):

Lets go through each layer in turn. On  175.10, the statute reads:

A person is guilty of falsifying business records in the first degree when he commits the crime of falsifying business records in the second degree, and when his intent to defraud includes an intent to commit another crime [the object offense] or to aid or conceal the commission thereof.

McCarthy comments:

Yet, in his major pre-trial ruling, Merchan endorsed Braggs theory that because 175.10 says another crime rather than another New York crime, there is no bar to Braggs endeavoring to prove that Trump was concealing a federal crime. (See Merchans pre-trial opinion, pp. 1214.) By this loopy logic, Bragg similarly has jurisdiction to enforce, say, Chinese penal statutes, sharias hudud crimes, and perhaps even the criminal laws of Rome (after all, under the Bragg/Merchan rationale, the statute doesnt say the other crime must still be in existence).

I dont think thats a bad argument; well see how it goes on appeal (though, as we shall see, not all the object offenses are Federal).

So much for the business records layer. Now to the object offenses.

First, the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). McCarthy writes:

Judge Juan Merchan is orchestrating Trumps conviction of a crime that is not actually charged in the indictment [none was]: conspiracy to violate FECA (the Federal Election Campaign Act  specifically, its spending limits). That should not be possible in the United States, where the Constitutions Fifth Amendment mandates that an accused may only be tried for a felony offense if it has been outlined with specificity in an indictment, approved by a grand jury that has found probable cause for that offense. Yet, Judge Merchan has swallowed whole Braggs theory that he can enforce FECA. The judge not only ruled pre-trial that Bragg could prove the uncharged federal crime; he has abetted Braggs prosecutors in their framing of the case for the jury as a criminal conspiracy, notwithstanding that no conspiracy is actually charged in the indictment  under either federal or state law. And although the trial has been under way for just a week, Merchan has already made key rulings patently designed to convince the jury that Trumps complicity in a conspiracy to violate FECA has already been established.

LawFare comments:

Trump has leveled multiple legal challenges against Braggs use of FECA as an object offense, arguing in his motion to dismiss that a violation of federal law cant serve as the other crime under  175.10. Merchan, however, held it could. Trump also argued that FECA preempts state law and thus rules out prosecution under  175.10 with FECA as the object offense. Merchan rejected this argument as well, relying on a ruling last July to that effect by Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in the context of rejecting Trumps attempt to remove this case to federal court.

I think loopy, as above, is a fair word here. Under Federalism, do we really want the States enforcing (and, presumably, interpreting) Federal Law? How about the Espionage Act? Or closer to home, the Public Health Service Act in the midst of a pandemic? Again, well see how this fares on appeal[3].

Second, New York State Law  17-152:

Conspiracy to promote or prevent election. Any two or more persons who conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means and which conspiracy is acted upon by one or more of the parties thereto, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Note again that this can be the object offense, even if its a misdemeanor.) Braggs use of  17-152 has been described as novel and twisty. From NC:

Business Insider asked two veteran New York election-law attorneys  one a Republican, the other a Democrat  about the law, also known as Conspiracy to promote or prevent election. Neither one could recall a single time when it had been prosecuted. Two highly respected law professors specializing in New York election law said the same. However, while the two attorneys were highly skeptical of the DAs newly focused strategy, the two election law professors told BI they were confident it would lead to a conviction. Sure, 17-152 has never been used before, they said. But that doesnt mean it wont work now that the dust has been blown off. [Jeffrey M. Wice, who teaches state election law at New York Law School] noted that two judges  Merchan and Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, a Manhattan federal judge who rejected Trumps attempt to move the hush-money case to federal court  upheld the use of 17-152 in this case. But wait! Theres more! [W]hat if that underlying crime is section 17-152  conspiring to mess with an election through unlawful means? Things will get twisty, [Brooklyn attorney and former Democratic NY state Sen. Martin Connor] said, when prosecutors try to show that Trumps falsified business records are felonies because of an underlying crime  17-152  that itself needs proof of a conspiracy to do something unlawful. Youre having an underlying crime within an underlying crime to get to that felony, Connor told BI. Its novel, he said with a laugh. Its novel, he repeated. Section 17-152 needs its own underlying criminal conspiracy, he said. Two or more conspiring to elect or defeat a candidate  thats the definition of every political campaign, he joked. Its only when you conspire to do it by unlawful means that you violate this law. Having an election-conspiracy statute like 17-152 on the state election-law books makes little sense, he said. It would appear to cover something like three people getting together and saying, Lets break into our opponents headquarters and destroy all his equipment, Connor said.

Lawfare expands on twisty:

During opening statements on April 22, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo emphasized the role of  17-152 in the district attorneys case, declaring, This was a planned, coordinated long-running conspiracy to influence the 2016 election, to help Donald Trump get elected. Senior Trial Counsel Joshua Steinglass further underlined the importance of the statute the following day, describing  17-152 as the primary crime that we have alleged as an object offense. The entire case is predicated on the idea that there was a conspiracy to influence the election in 2016, Steinglass said. But  17-152 requires that a conspiracy be carried out by unlawful meansso what unlawful means is Bragg alleging? Here, the legal theory loops back around to point to the other three potential object offenses: FECA violations, tax fraud, and AMIs and Cohens misdemeanor falsifications of business records under  175.05.

Third, tax fraud. Lawfare comments:

The potential tax fraud arises from the particular method by which the Trump Organization reimbursed Cohen for his payments to Daniels. Bragg alleges that defendant reimbursed Cohen twice the amount he was owed for the payoff so Cohen could characterize the payments as income on his tax returns and still be left whole after paying approximately 50% in income taxes. Here, Bragg points to federal, state, and local prohibitions on providing knowingly incorrect tax information. The twist here is that because Cohen reported his income as greater than it actually was, he paid more in taxes, rather than lesswhich is probably not what most people have in mind when they think of tax fraud. On this point, Bragg argues that [u]nder New York law, criminal tax fraud in the fifth degree does not require financial injury to the state and that [f]ederal tax law also imposes criminal liability in instances that do not involve underpayment of taxes. Merchan seems to have been convinced, rejecting Trumps argument that the alleged New York State tax violation is of no consequence because the State of New York did not suffer any financial harm. He does not explain further, simply writing, This argument does not require further analysis.

Im totally not a tax lawyer, so I cant express a view (but I imagine its likely that there will be a member of the jury who was prosecuted by the IRS for paying too much tax).

Fourth,  175.05. This is the National Enquirer catch and kill scheme that so dominated early coverage of the trial, when David Pecker was a witness; Merchan tossed it out as an object offense, though as Lawfare notes:

Note that while Merchan ruled out these third-party  175.05 violations as object offenses for Trumps violation of  175.10, theyre still available to Bragg as a means by which to get to  17-152.)

(Lawfare also has an interesting discussion of whether, if Bragg presents all three remaining theories, the jury has to agree on all three, and what the burdens of proof for each are.)

Election Conspiracy

Matthew Colangelo, now working in Braggs office, formerly deputy director of the presidents National Economic Council, chief of staff at the Department of Labor, deputy assistant attorney general in the DOJs Civil Rights Division, and a campaign consultant for the DNC, opened People vs. Trump as follows. From the transcript (Ive added some helpful notes), the very beginning of the case:

This case is about a criminal conspiracy[1] and a cover-up. The defendant, Donald Trump, orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election[2]; then he covered up that criminal conspiracy by lying in his New York business records over and over and over again. In June of 2015, Donald Trump announced his candidacy for president in the 2016 election; a few months later this conspiracy began. He invited his friend, David Pecker, to a meeting at Trump Tower here in Manhattan. Mr. Pecker was the CEO of a media company that, among other things, owned and published the National Enquirer tabloid. Michael Cohen was also at that meeting. He worked for the defendant as the defendants special counsel at his company, the Trump Organization. And those three men formed a conspiracy at that meeting to influence the presidential election by concealing negative information about Mr. Trump[3] in order to help him get elected. As one part of that agreement, Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to an adult film actress named Stormy Daniels just a couple of weeks before the 2016 election to silence her and to make sure the public did not learn of the sexual encounter with the defendant. Cohen made that payment at the defendants direction, and he did it to influence the presidential election[4].

[1] This is the Catch and Kill scheme, which Merchan threw out as an object offense. So no wonder the case feels befogged and surreal, given that the Merchan threw out what Colangelo said the case was about. And if the case isnt about the Catch and Kill scheme, what is it about?

[2] Presumably not with business records falsified in 2017, so how did the corruption take place?

[3] How is this not how any candidate would handle oppo? How is more conspiratorial than, say, using a lawyerly cut-out to put the Steele dossier in play, leveraging the dossier to get a FISA warrant, and then infesting ones opponents campaign with spooks?

[4] Yes, its called campaigning. If Trump had gotten 51 intelligence officers to say Stormy Daniels was full of it, would that be OK?

Molineux Rule

Here is an explanation of the Molineux Rule, and how a judges violation of that rule led overturing Harvey Weinsteins conviction. From Robert Weisberg at Stanford Law:

The charges in the New York trial were for crimes against three complainants. Weinstein was convicted for raping one of them and sexually assaulting another. The trial judge permitted the DA to introduce several other witnesses who testified to alleged sexual assaults by Weinstein, but those allegations were not part of the criminal charges in the trial. Under New York states century old Molineux rule, there are severe restrictions on the admissibility of so-called prior bad acts that are not part of the current charges. The concern is that the jury will infer that the defendant has a so-called propensity to commit acts of this sort, thereby distorting their judgment on his guilt about the formally charged crimes. The New York law has a few exceptions, such as where the prior acts are very distinctly relevant to a contested issue about the defendants intent, or to show a very distinctive pattern to his behavior. Here, the majority concluded that the trial judge crossed the line and thereby denied Weinstein a fair trial. Also, because the judge admonished Weinstein that if he testified on his own behalf, he would be subject to cross examination on these uncharged acts, the court ruled that Weinstein was unfairly deterred from exercising his right to testify.

Judge Merchan allowed Daniels to present some pretty lurid testimony. From Jonathan Turley (who is mostly pounding the table these days, but thats an appropriate method here):

The prosecution fought with Trumps defense counsel to not only call porn star Stormy Daniels to the stand, but to ask her for lurid details on her alleged tryst with Trump. The only assurance that they would make to Judge Juan Merchan was that they would not go into details of genitalia. For Merchan, who has largely ruled against Trump on such motions, that was enough. He allowed the prosecutors to get into the details of the affair despite the immateriality of the evidence to any criminal theory. Neither the [catch and kill] NDA nor the payment to Daniels is being contested. It is also uncontested that Trump wanted to pay to get the story (and other stories, including untrue allegations) from being published. The value of the testimony was entirely sensational and gratuitous, yet Merchan was fine with humiliating Trump The most maddening moment for the defense came at the lunch break when Merchan stated, I agree that it would have been better if some of these things had been left unsaid. He then denied a motion for a mistrial based on the testimony and blamed the defense for not objecting more. That, of course, ignores the standing objection of the defense to Daniels even appearing, and specific objections to the broad scope allowed by the court. This is precisely what the defense said would happen when the prosecutors only agreed to avoid genitalia.  Merchan said that he is considering a limiting instruction for the jury to ignore aspects of the testimony. But that is little comfort for the defendant. The court was told that this would happen, it happened, and now the court wants to ask the jury to pretend that it did not happen. Merchan knows that there is no way for the jury to unhear the testimony.

Merchands potential violation of The Molineux Rule could relevant on appeal for two reasons: First, the obvious potential to distort the judgment of the jury, as Weisberg says. More subtly, it could unfairly deter Trump from exercising his right to testify. Trump he really going to take the stand so Bragg can question him about all matters of his sex life short of genitalia?

Conclusion

I hope this serves as a reasonable summary of the state of play on the various elements of Braggs architecture (besides giving an account of the befogged and bewildering nature of the trial generally). Lets close with a nasty twist of thought about the jury:

All it takes to block a conviction is one juror holding out. If members of the jury announce following deliberations that they cant reach a unanimous verdict, the judge can give them an Allen charge, sending them back to essentially try again. But that would be a controversial move, as it is often viewed as a judge pressuring the holdout to join with the majority. All that being said, this case would probably be a pretty quick conviction under normal circumstances. But imagine the incentives for a potential holdout: a book deal, traveling the country giving paid speeches to MAGA crowds, the prime-time interview on network television  and thats just the beginning.

The consensus, across the board, does seem to be for quick conviction, working on the assumption that jurors do their civic duty. However, I think its very likely that Merchan has given grounds for appeal; Surtout, pas trop de zele, as Talleyrand once said.

NOTES

[1] Judge Merchan writes: The object offense referenced by Defendant as well as the terms other crime and another crime carry equal meaning. In my earlier post, I used other crime, but I think object offense is the more descriptive term, so I will use it going forward.

[2] Note that this diagram is different in detail from the earlier diagram from Asha Rangappa, presented here.

[3] McCarthy also makes the political point:

The campaign laws are so complex that the FECs role includes the promulgation of regulations to implement and clarify these laws. For its part, the Justice Department has produced an exacting enforcement manual of well over 200 pages, which has been edited numerous times, in order to walk federal prosecutors through the complex web of statutes and regulations. Why does this matter? Well, if you werent born yesterday and you follow the news even casually, then you know that the Department of Justice is so territorial about its jurisdiction that it would make a tiger wilt in admiration. Similarly, the FEC jealously guards its turf. Do you really think for a moment that the Biden Justice Department and the FEC would sit in silent passivity if any other state prosecutor, besides Bragg in this particular case, usurped federal authority and undertook to enforce federal law  in a matter as to which the DOJ and FEC, after thoroughly investigating, had decided not to prosecute?

APPENDIX

I cant even:
Yves here. Confirming the thesis of this post, a new Garland Nixon interview with Laith Marouf of Free Palestine Video starts out (at 2:20) with a discussion of an armed Resistance in Bahrain, which has risen despite the size of its large US Navy base and airbase, and a large US army base nearby in Saudi Arabia. It raises the specter that supposedly safe US military installations my not be so.

Twitter is taking notice too:

 BREAKING The Islamic Resistance in Bahrain has declared war on Israel, and they have now joined Hamas Operation Al Aqsa Flood They posted this video of them targeting the Israeli transport company Track Net in Eilat What do you think  pic.twitter.com/uA2GCiAZuX  Alex Barnicoat (@mrbarnicoat) May 2, 2024

By Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies in the Department of Peace Studies and International Relations at Bradford University, and an Honorary Fellow at the Joint Service Command and Staff College. He is openDemocracys international security correspondent. He is on Twitter at: @ProfPRogers. Originally published at openDemocracy

Though many analysts feared an uncontrolled military escalation between Israel and Iran last month, this seems to have been avoided for now at least. Many states across the world are, however, witnessing a political escalation  not least those in North Africa and West Asia, which are often overlooked in conversations about protest.

The United States is the most obvious example of state-level controversy. Pro-Palestine protests and occupations are taking place at university campuses across the country  many of which have been met by violent police-led actions  as people take issue with Joe Bidens enabling Israel in its horrific seven-month assault on Gaza.

If unresolved by late summer, the likely beneficiary of these anti-Israel, anti-Biden protests will be Donald Trump. Should he be elected as president, Trump would rely on the support of Israel-supporting evangelical Christians and Christian Zionists  which could lead him to embolden the current or future Israeli government to take far greater control of Gaza and possibly also the occupied West Bank.

Widespread anger over the governments support for Israel appears to also be having a political impact in the UK. There have been several pro-Palestine protests of well over a hundred thousand people over the past seven months, exacerbated by British arms sales and other military links to Israel, and this discontent appears to have reared its head at the ballot box during the local elections in England and Wales last week.

Rishi Sunaks Conservative Party had an awful night, losing 474 councillors. But Keir Starmers Labour Party failed to win the majority of these, gaining only 186. The rest were scooped up by the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Independents  including many left-wingers who distanced themselves from Labour in part due to Starmers failure to meaningfully criticise Israel or call for an end to the war on Gaza.

It seems Labours massive lead in the opinion polls is a reflection of the Conservatives problems, rather than the partys popularity. The voting pattern seen last week will certainly extend in some manner to the General Election later this year, which will offer little voting choice and much dissatisfaction for millions of progressive voters.

But while much media attention has been given to the protests and voting habits on either side of the Atlantic, what is happening across the Arab world has been largely overlooked.

Israel has for decades played a thoroughly useful role for autocratic regimes seeking to maintain control. Arab leaders have been able to encourage the public to direct their anger at the Zionist treatment of the Palestinians, thereby reducing the risk of protests directed at themselves.

That broke down with the 2011 Arab Spring, when a region-wide movement of people turned out to protest against their leaders. Some regimes, including Egypt and especially Syria, attempted to maintain control through brute force, while others used a mixture of limited concession and repression. Others, such as Jordan and Morocco, were rather more concessionary at least in the short term, and one, Tunisia, saw a change of power with the end of the Ben Ali autocracy after its 23 years of control.

After the violence of the Hamas attack on 7 October last year, public reaction across Arab states was muted, but that changed rapidly as the sheer ferocity of the Israeli assault on Gaza and the Palestinians emerged.

This was a tricky time for autocratic leaders. It was impossible to control public anger given the intensity of the killing of thousands of Palestinians and the destruction of homes and public buildings in Gaza. Demonstrations were allowed, including some organised by the regimes themselves in the early weeks.

That period is now long gone, but the hour-by-hour media coverage of the wars impact on Palestinians means public anger cannot be assuaged. Many regimes across the region are now taking a tougher line as they fear risks to their own survival.

In Egypt and Morocco  where protesters have been critical of their countries increasingly close relations with Israel in recent years  authorities have clamped down on demonstrations and made arrests. In Jordan, meanwhile, 1,500 protesters have been arrested at protests outside the Israeli embassy since 7 October, according to Amnesty International.

Some regimes are conscious of the long-term link between the plight of Palestinians and the lack of rights in their own countries. As a report in The New York Times put it:

For decades, Arab activists have linked the struggle for justice for the Palestinians  a cause that unites Arabs of different political persuasions from Marrakesh to Baghdad  to the struggle for greater rights and freedoms at home. For them, Israel was an avatar of the authoritarian and colonialist forces that had thwarted their own societies growth.

For now, Arab regimes are retaining control  but this could change quickly. Israel this week launched an assault on Rafah, a city in southern Gaza that is sheltering 1.4 million Palestinians. And the bombardment of Rafah  which Israel said would be a safe zone when it ordered evacuations from northern Gaza last year  came as Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu rejected Hamass offer of a ceasefire.

There is another factor often overlooked in the West. Israels assault on Gaza followed a series of grievous failures by the Israeli Defence Force, border police and intelligence agencies on 7 October  which showed beyond doubt that Israels much-vaunted regional security supremacy is simply not what it seems. This feeling is only increasing as it is proving impossible for Israel to destroy Hamas. Many Arab activists are now thinking that if Israel can fail, why shouldnt their own elites?
In a sharp departure from established practice, Milei admits that the Falkland Islands, or Malvinas, are, to all intents and purposes, British. And he is no rush to change that.

For most Argentines, Margaret Thatcher is a controversial figure, to put it mildly. It was she who, as British Prime Minister, ordered the torpedoing of the ARA Belgrano, an Argentine cruiser, leading to the deaths of 323 people on board  practically half the total casualties suffered by Argentina during the 1982 war over the Falklands (or Malvinas, as they are known in Spanish). The attack took place outside the exclusion area the British Government had established around the islands. It is also the only case of a ship sunk in war by a nuclear submarine.

So, when Argentinas faux libertarian president, Javier Milei, described Thatcher as brilliant in an interview with the BBC this week, it turned a few heads:

Criticising someone because of their nationality or race is very intellectually precarious. I have heard lots of speeches by Margaret Thatcher. She was brilliant. So whats the problem?.. There was a war and we were the ones who lost. That does not mean that one cannot consider ones adversaries as people who did their job well.

This is not the first time that Milei has heaped praise on Thatcher in public, but it is, to my mind, the first time he has done so since becoming president. The fact that he made these remarks during an interview with the UKs national state broadcaster gave them added prominence. During the election campaign Milei described Thatcher as an idol who played a significant role in the fall of the Berlin Wall. He steadfastly ignores the fact that Thatchers legacy of failed privatisations and strict adherence (aka TINA) to monetarism, loose financial regulation and so-called free trade have left the British economy in tatters while, of course, being exported around the world, including to Argentina.

In the history of humanity, Milei told the BBC interviewer, there have been great leaders. Mrs Thatcher was one, as were Reagan, Churchill and De Gaulle.

In this latest interview, not only did Milei reiterate his admiration for the Iron Lady, he also did something that no other Argentine president of the post-Falklands War era has done: he admitted that the Falkland Islands, or Malvinas, are, to all intents and purposes, British. Asked if he considered the recent visit by UK Foreign Minister David Cameron to the Falklands to be a provocation, Milei said: No, because that territory today is in the hands of the United Kingdom. In other words, he has every right to [visit the Falklands].

Located 250 miles off the southern tip of Argentina and 8,000 miles from British shores, the Malvinas/Falklands, home to 3,500 mostly British people, have been the subject of a territorial dispute between the UK and Argentina ever since 1833, when a British expedition invaded the islands, evicted their inhabitants and planted the British flag. After the Suez disaster of 1956, the British government began divesting itself of most of its colonial holdings in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean (while, of course, building a vast web of tax havens in their place). However, London made sure to hold on to the Falklands, for its obvious geostrategic benefits.

Now classified as a British Overseas Territory, the islands are technically self-governing, with defence matters and foreign affairs handled by the UK government. London regularly wheels out the fact that almost 100% of the residents of the archipelago approved remaining under British control in a referendum held in 2013. During his visit to the islands in February, Cameron stated that he hopes that the territory will want to remain under the administration of the United Kingdom for a long time, possibly forever.

Milei, however, has a cunning plan, of the sort that even Blackadders Baldrick would be proud, to resolve this centuries-old territorial dispute once and for all, which he shared with the BBC during his interview. He and his ministers, he said, will talk about the issue to their British counterparts in an adult, cordial manner until the British finally agree to hand back the territory like true gentlemen. This despite the fact that the British government insists that sovereignty over the islands is not up for debate.

Heres a transcript of the brief exchange (the Spanish sections translated by your truly):

 You have promised Argentines a road map to making the Falklands, known here as the Malvinas, Argentinian. What specifically does that road map look like?  We believe this always must be done in a framework of peace and as the result of a long-term negotiation in which an adult discussion takes place between countries that have a great deal in common as well as a source of discord. And we have to try to resolve it in an adult way. Obviously this is not going to be an instant solution, it will take time. So we are not going to give up our sovereignty nor are we going to have a situation of conflict with the UK. What we are looking to do is to initiate a dialogue so that at some point the Falkland Islands become Argentinian.  What makes you think the UK will agree to that, because they have been very clear they do not want to negotiate it?  It could be that today they dont want to negotiate but some time later they do. Many of these positions have changed over time.  But how will you convince them. What tools would you use to convince them?  Im going to try to convince them that the territory is Argentinian. I am going to try to convince them that this territory is Argentine and that according to the specifications that are usually used to define it that way, Argentina has the right and sovereignty over the islands. But when they have said very clearly that they are not willing to negotiate and use the referendum held on the islands as proof that they do not want to discuss this issue again. How will you convince them? What tools would you use? Well, it wont be discussed now. It will be discussed later.

And that is pretty much it. In other words, Milei is going to appeal to the British establishments better nature without applying any kind of political or diplomatic pressure, as previous Argentinian governments have tried to do, albeit with little success. Nor does Milei appear to be in any hurry to press the issue. Now, he said, is not the time to discuss the territorial dispute, which, he added, could take decades to resolve.

It is, to all intents and purposes, the geopolitical equivalent of kicking the can as far down the road as possible while seemingly seeking to cosy up to the British government.

We have a lot of other issues on the agenda that [Argentina and the UK] can work on together and we are willing to do that. I think its the adult (yes, that word again) way to do things. It makes more sense, he added, to be working with the United Kingdom, rather than arguing and fighting over an issue that will take inordinate amounts of time to resolve.

In other words, Argentina, under Mileis government, will be working closely with its long-time adversary on a whole range of issues while consigning the Falklands dispute to the backburner. It is, to put it mildly, a sharp departure from traditional national policy regarding the Malvinas.

Argentinas claim to the Malvinas remains a major issue for most people. In a 2021 poll carried out by the consultancy firm, Julio Aurelio, more than 80% of the population supported Argentine sovereignty over the islands. Many have clung to a non-binding 1965 UN resolution that recognized a sovereignty dispute that invited the Argentine and UK governments to negotiate a solution.

I remember crossing into Argentina from Bolivia 20 years ago and seeing a giant billboard proclaiming: Las Malvinas son Argentinas. It was one of many I would see on my travels. Even Argentinas national constitution from 1994 has a section asserting the countrys claims of sovereignty over the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the corresponding maritime and island spaces, as they are an integral part of the national territory. The recovery of said territories, it says, and their full exercise of sovereignty constitute a permanent and inalienable objective of the Argentine people.

But not apparently for Argentinas new government. Mileis latest words should finally put to rest speculation, particularly in the English-language press, that Milei might one day repeat the follies of Argentinas military dictatorship and order the military to recapture the Falkland Islands. That is highly unlikely to happen. Although Milei insists that he has a clear roadmap for brining the Malvinas back into Argentine hands and has called for a new era of reconciliation with the armed forces, in reality the roadmap consists of kicking the can as far down the road as possible.

While Milei insists that his government is the first to have articulated a clear path for turning Argentina into a fully sovereign nation, in reality he has aligned his government with the West, particularly the US and Israel, in almost every possible way, even going so far as to apply to join NATO as a global partner. The notion that his government will one day take aggressive action of any kind against the US fellow Five-Eye nation and founding NATO member, the UK, is, to put it mildly, absurd.

Predictably, Mileis words have sparked a backlash from some of Argentinas Falkland War veterans. In one statement, the La Plata Centre for Former Malvinas Islands Combatants has warned that President Mileis dishonest and disgraceful words should be setting off flashing lights in our political system given that what is ultimately at risk is adequate institutional representation for the country:

The degree of irresponsibility evident in each of his statements is an affront to the millions of Argentinians who love our country. The conflict with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been going on since 1833 when they appropriated millions of square kilometres of territory on our continental platform, today in the hands of a neocolonial power that illegally occupied it with force. And that occupation DOES NOT GRANT IT RIGHTS! In denigrating terms President Milei is inviting the owners of speculative capital around the world to come to our country to do what they want with it, dishing up a program of grand investment incentives, all in the name of giving away our strategic resources.

Since coming into office in mid-December, the Milei government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States allowing members of the US Army Corps of Engineers to operate along the Parana-Paraguay Waterway, including large parts of the river Plata basin, upon which roughly 80% of all Argentine exports travel. It has agreed to buy $300 million of second-hand, 40-year-old F-16 fighters from Denmark. It has also announced the establishment of a US naval base in Ushuaia, on the southern tip of Tierra de Fuego, often described as the last stop before Antarctica.

Accused of selling out his countrys sovereignty for seemingly nothing in return, Milei argued, with a straight face, that allowing the installation of a US military base in Ushuaia is the greatest act of sovereignty of the past 40 years since it will strengthen Argentinas territorial claims over the Antarctic.
Like what you read?

Click here to become a member of the Scene !
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Wednesday (8 May 2024) to discuss preparations for the Washington Summit, including work to further strengthen NATO, achieve fairer burden-sharing, and provide more support to Ukraine.

The Secretary General praised Italys support to Ukraine, including its provision of a SAMP/T air defence system with France. Italy has also signed a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine, helping to enhance Ukraines defences, support its armament industry and counter hybrid threats.

The Secretary General commended Prime Minister Meloni for Italys many contributions to the Alliance, including its leadership of NATOs battlegroup in Bulgaria and its contribution of forces to battlegroups in Hungary and Latvia. Italy also regularly participates in Baltic Air Policing and NATO maritime operations. Mr Stoltenberg thanked Italy for its commitment to NATOs KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and NATOs training mission in Iraq. He also welcomed Italys key role in developing NATOs approach to its southern neighbourhood.
GENERAL

The United States will host a NATO Summit in Washington D.C. on 9-10-11 July 2024. The meetings will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General, and will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20001, United States. An International Media Centre (IMC) will be located on site and will be open 24 hours from 0900 on 9 July for accredited media to allow coverage of official Summit events, including the NATO Public Forum. All updates will be posted on the NATO website: www.nato.int. Updates will also be posted on twitter @NATOPress and @NATO.

MEDIA PROGRAMME

View the media programme. To help with media travel plans, a celebration of NATOs 75th Anniversary is expected to unfold on 9 July in the afternoon. The Summits formal events will start on 10 July in the morning, and the last press conferences will take place on 11 July in the afternoon. All summit media events will be transmitted live by the Summit Host TV to the IMC, online and via satellite. Bilateral events between delegations are not a part of the official Summit programme. Details of these bilateral events should be sought from the delegations concerned. The NATO Public Forum will take place on 10-11 July 2024 in the proximity of the Summits premises in Washington DC. More details on the program and coverage will be available at a later stage. Media wishing to cover the Public Forum need to follow the same accreditation process in this advisory

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

Media representatives wishing to cover the Summit and the Public Forum in person (including those with annual accreditation with NATO) will need to register via NATOs media accreditation platform: https://my.hq.nato.int AND the United States Secret Service credentialing platform  https://nato24dc.pvitl.com/registration/media. The deadline to register is no later than 21 June 2024 at 23:59 (CEST). Media representatives need to apply as soon as possible on both platforms to allow for sufficient time for processing their requests. For security reasons, late applications are unlikely to be successful. NATO will confirm the accreditation by email, using the email that was used to register, together with details about how media representatives can pick up their accreditation.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION OFFICE

A NATO Summit Accreditation Office will operate at the Washington Foreign Press Center, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20045 A media pass for the NATO Summit will be provided in person to accredited media at the NATO Summit Accreditation Office upon presentation of a valid national identification document (Passport or ID-card) and a valid national press card (or accreditation letter from a recognised media organisation). In accordance with NATO media accreditation procedures, NATO reserves the right to deny or withdraw accreditation of media representatives from media organisations who abuse their privileges, put the accreditation to improper use, or act in a way not consistent with the principles of the organisation.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CENTRE

The International Media Centre will be accessible from 9 July; early access begins on 08 July for broadcasters needing to bring in bulky broadcast equipment by appointment; please contact SummitMedia@state.gov. The IMC will include unassigned workspace and live shot/stand-up broadcast positions. Unassigned workstations are available at no charge on a first-come, first-serve basis, and will include complimentary wireless internet access and power outlets (North American 120V) with U.S. outlets. Additional services beyond those provided complimentary (e.g., high-speed wired internet, , additional power, or custom workspace) will be available on a fee-for-purchase basis through the media services rate card. Put NATO in the search for your show box. Please reach out to Laura Ewell at Laura.Ewell@freeman.com. The deadline for rate card orders is 21 June. Media organizations wishing to inquire about live/broadcast locations or parking availability for live transmission vehicles should reach out to SummitMedia@state.gov immediately as parking is highly restricted. Due to security restrictions, satellite trucks will be required to remain parked for the duration of the Summit. Wi-Fi will be available throughout the IMC, and stand up locations. Wired internet is available for purchase in the IMC and at the stand up positions.

POOLS

Visual journalists will be able to cover the main summit events based on a pool system. More details about pool opportunities will be provided closer to the event. Journalists accepting a NATO pool position must share immediately all information and material collected while in the pool with any accredited media that request it, at no charge and with no restriction on the use of the material for news purposes. Media organisations that want pooled images should first contact the wire service / photo agency of which they are a client. Media representatives and news organisations must identify that it is pooled material every time it is used. Pooled material can only be used for legitimate news purposes and it cannot be sold.

BROADCASTING

All media events will be streamed live, and footage will be available live via satellite and recorded. The U.S. State Department will provide Host TV feeds for the NATO Summit. The Host TV will deliver a single high quality HD/SDI signal (1080/50i and 1080/60i with embedded audio) live to the media centre for all Summit media events, free of charge. The feed will be available without added graphics or text inserts. The live programme signal will also be aired on closed circuit television screens throughout the media centre and Summit site, via the NATO and U.S. State Department websites and through the following: Video Downloads from the Cloud  Iconik The United States will post Host TV footage complementary for download (H264 broadcast quality) through the NATO Host TV Iconik cloud platform. These clips will be available for download within minutes following each event. The Host TV Iconik cloud link will be posted to this website shortly before the NATO Summit gets underway.

NATO International Media Center (IMC) Host TV distribution All Host TV opportunities will be displayed throughout the International Media Center. Direct signal distribution will be available free of charge for video at a central point in the IMC. Video Connection: BNC termination (with embedded audio of language channels) Broadcast Standard: HDSDI 1080/50i or 1080/60i

Live via Satellite (World Feed covering North America, Europe and Asia) Live feeds as well as recorded material will be available from all Summit public events. Satellite distribution for all HOST TV events during the course of the NATO Summit are planned for the same coordinates. Transmissions will be extended or modified as events warrant.

NATO HQ will also archive and distribute broadcast-quality B-roll from the event on NATO Multimedia. A number of unequipped indoor stand-up positions with a view of the general filing area will be available. Broadcasters interested in assigned standup positions and other services beyond those provided complimentary in the IMC will need to order through the media services rate card. Broadcasters can also reach out directly to Laura.Ewell@freeman.com. Bookings must be made no later than 21 June 2024. Additional media facilities including fully equipped standard edit booths are available at a charge through the media services rate card. All orders must be placed no later than 21 June 2024. A fully equipped TV studio is also available. Booking requests can be made only by national delegations. Handcarry or carted equipment can be brought into the IMC on 8 July. Anyone needing to freight ship equipment must contact Freeman (see below) for rates and process.

OPENING HOURS OF THE SUMMIT MEDIA ACCREDITATION OFFICE AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CENTRE

The Accreditation Office and the International Media Centre will be open as follows (exact timings will be communicated in June):

Accreditation Office Media Centre Monday 8 July Open (10:00 am  4:00 pm) Open for broadcasters only (upon appointment) Tuesday 9 July Open (10:00 am  4:00 pm) Open 24 h as of 9.00 Wednesday 10 July Open (10:00 am  1:00 pm) Open Thursday 11 July Closed Open Friday 12 July Closed Open on appointment only, for broadcasters picking up their equipment

TRAVELLING TO UNITED STATES FOR THE NATO SUMMIT  VISAS & EQUIPMENT

Visa: All media traveling to the U.S. who are not U.S. citizens, or who do not currently have authorization to work in the United States, must have an appropriate visa to travel to the United States. The Visa Waiver Program does not cover individuals coming to the United States to work, even for a short period of time. Additionally, the Visa Waiver Program is not applicable to persons traveling on diplomatic passports. Visit http://travel.state.gov for more information. Visa approval does not guarantee accreditation, nor vice-versa. Media Equipment: Media bringing in equipment (from outside the United States) should obtain a Temporary Importation Bond (TIB) or ATA Carnet. Additional information regarding TIB or ATA Carnet is available online at the Department of Homeland Security or International Chamber of Commerce.

NATO PUBLIC FORUM

The 2024 NATO Public Forum, a public event co-located with the Summit to increase understanding of Allies decisions, will take place on July 10-11. The event will be co-hosted with the US Government and the Atlantic Council, the Center for a New American Security, the German Marshall Fund of the United States, GLOBSEC and the Hudson Institute. An agenda will be available closer to the date of the Summit. Participation at the Public Forum is by invitation only, but the event will be livestreamed online and broadcast in the International Media Center. Media inquiries can be directed to: press@atlanticcouncil.org.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please send your enquiry to the appropriate email address, based on the topic of your question.

General logistics, pool access: Summitmediaoperations@hq.nato.int

Media accreditation: NATOAccreditations@hq.nato.int

Rate card questions (edit booths, standups, etc): Laura.Ewell@freeman.com

TV Studio: broadcastoperations@hq.nato.int

B-roll and video distribution: content@natomultimedia.tv

NATO Summit Media Coordination

Ms. Alina COCA  Summitmediaoperations@hq.nato.int

US Media Coordination

Ms Shanan Guinn  SummitMedia@state.gov

Media queries and / or requests for interviews of NATO officials:

NATO Press and Media Service  press@hq.nato.int

US: MediaInterviews@state.gov
Abbott slams Biden proposal to incorporate Air National Guard servicemembers into the Space Force

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has accused the administration of President Joe Biden of "power grabbing" with the White House's proposal to incorporate state Air National Guard servicemembers into the United States Space Force

Abbott is opposing Legislative Proposal 480, sent by the Department of Defense's Department of the Air Force to the Senate Armed Services Committee in March that asked Congress to override an existing law requiring governors to approve changes to National Guard units with the goal of shifting several hundred members of Air National Guard units into the Space Force.

"President Biden and his admin are making a power grab for the National Guard. They want to give the Secretaries unilateral authority to dismantle National Guard units on a whim. Governors must not be sidelined as commander-in-chief of our National Guards," Abbott wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

In a letter addressed to Biden, Abbott argued that Legislative Proposal 480 of the U.S. Air Force would give them unilateral authority to dismantle National Guard units at their discretion. Abbott warned that such a move would sideline governors, who traditionally serve as the commander-in-chief of their respective National Guards.

"In recent years, members of the Texas National Guard have heroically responded to hurricanes, wildfires and a variety of other disasters, including the one at the Texas-Mexico border. Legislative Proposal 480, put forth by the U.S. Department of the Air Force, poses an intolerable threat to the Texas National Guard. Congress has long required the consent of a governor before units can be transferred out of the National Guard he commands," wrote Abbott. (Related: Gov. Abbott, a neocon Zionist, sent TROOPS to Texas universities to brutally assault pro-Palestine students.)

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.

"By departing from this sensible arrangement and allowing the Secretaries to dismantle National Guard units on a whim, Legislative Proposal 480 would set a dangerous precedent. Members of the Texas National Guard must always stand ready to respond to natural disasters, civil disturbances and cartel activity that threaten our way of life. Instead of attempting such a power grab in Congress, the U.S. Department of the Air Force should work with the affected governors to build up the Space Force in a way that is consistent with federal law."

Governors unite against Legislative Proposal 480 of the U.S. Air Force

Abbott is not alone in his opposition to Legislative Proposal 480

A few days before he wrote a letter to Biden, governors representing 48 states, territories and commonwealths also wrote a letter addressed to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in opposition to the proposal.

"Legislation that sidesteps, eliminates or otherwise reduces Governors authority within their states and territories undermines longstanding partnerships, precedence, military readiness and operational efficacy," the letter stated. "This action also negatively affects the important relationships between Governors and DOD at a time when we need to have full trust and confidence between the two to meet the growing threats posed by the era of strategic competition as well as natural disasters."

"LP480 also poses a threat to the careers of state-based service members who will be forced to choose between state service or continuing in their current field at a time when there are already significant recruitment challenges. An action like this will violate the trust of the brave women and men who have volunteered to serve our states and our nation," the governors continued.

Aside from Abbott, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was the only one absent from the signatories. Instead, DeSantis penned his own letter addressed to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate and House Armed Services committees.

"This legislative proposal weakens that guarantee and sidesteps the authority of the Governor to ensure Floridians are prepared and protected to address whatever domestic emergencies may arise, especially as we approach another hurricane season," he wrote.

Watch this special report from the Next News Network as anchor Gary Franchi discusses the ongoing battle between Texas and Abbott and the federal government and the Supreme Court.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Texas goes full militant police state to silence critics of Israel.

Texas State Troopers violently assault Fox News cameraman as part of effort to suppress student protests, protect Israel's genocide in Gaza.

Texas National Guard member ARRESTED for smuggling illegal alien in government vehicle.

Texas judge strikes down attempt by Biden admin to track greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles on national highways.

Abbott insists on Texas' right to defend itself amid federal injunction on state law that allows state authorities to deport illegals.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

TheHill.com 1

TheHill.com 2

Brighteon.com
Al Jazeera condemns Israeli government decision to shut down local offices

Al Jazeera Media Network has condemned the Israeli governments decision to close its operations in Israel as a criminal act and warned that the countrys suppression of the free press stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law.

(Article republished from AlJazeera.com)

Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access of information. Al Jazeera affirms its right to continue to provide news and information to its global audiences, the network said in a statement on Sunday.

Israels ongoing suppression of the free press, seen as an effort to conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip, stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law. Israels direct targeting and killing of journalists, arrests, intimidation and threats will not deter Al Jazeera from its commitment to cover, whilst more than 140 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war on Gaza.

The Network vehemently rejects the allegations presented by Israeli authorities suggesting professional media standards have been violated. It reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values embodied by its Code of Ethics, it said.

The statement comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus cabinet voted unanimously to close Al Jazeeras operations in Israel, weeks after Israels parliament passed a law allowing the temporary closure of foreign broadcasters considered to be a threat to national security during the months-long war in Gaza.

Netanyahu announced the decision on X, formerly Twitter. The government headed by me unanimously decided: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel, he posted in Hebrew.

Israels Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi wrote on X that he had signed the orders against Al Jazeera, which would be effective immediately.

Karhi said he ordered the seizure of Al Jazeeras broadcasting equipment used to deliver the channels content, including editing and routing equipment, cameras, microphones, servers and laptops, as well as wireless transmission equipment and some mobile phones.

Later on Sunday, police raided Al Jazeeras premises in occupied East Jerusalem and satellite and cable providers took Al Jazeera off air.

Messages have appeared instead of Al Jazeeras broadcast on a number of satellite providers, including messages with the words Yes and Hot.

The message flagged with Yes reads: In accordance with the government decision, the Al Jazeera stations broadcasts have been stopped in Israel."

Israels decision escalates the countrys long-running feud against Al Jazeera. It also threatens to heighten tensions with Qatar, which funds the media network, at a time when Doha is playing a key role in mediation efforts to halt the war in Gaza.

Israel has long had a rocky relationship with Al Jazeera, accusing it of bias against it and collaboration with Hamas. The Qatar-based network has repeatedly rejected the accusations.

Al Jazeera is one of the few international media outlets to remain in Gaza throughout the war, broadcasting bloody scenes of air attacks and overcrowded hospitals, and accusing Israel of massacres.

Last month, Netanyahu had said he would act immediately to stop Al Jazeeras operations in Israel after its parliament approved a law that grants senior ministers powers to shut down foreign news networks deemed a security risk.

Al Jazeera harmed Israels security, actively participated in the October 7 massacre, and incited against Israeli soldiers, Netanyahu had posted on X.

The network accused Netanyahu of incitement, holding the Israeli leader responsible for the safety of its staff and network premises around the world, following his incitement and this false accusation in a disgraceful manner.

Al Jazeeras Zein Basravi, reporting from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, said the Palestine-Israel conflict is one of the main reasons that our network exists.

So to have our journalists, our operations, threatened in this way  Definitely, the worry here in the occupied West Bank is that we will be next, he said.

Atrocious

Press freedom groups condemned Israels decision to shut down Al Jazeera.

Tim Dawson, the deputy general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, told Al Jazeera from London, that it is utterly a retrograde and ridiculous decision.

Closing down media, closing down television stations is a sort of thing that despots do, he said.

Israel makes much of being a democracy and the idea that it can simply close down an international broadcaster of considerable reputation and history is atrocious, Dawson added.

Nour Odeh, a political analyst, warned that other media organisations could be targeted in the future.

People should be concerned, she said.

This is not just about Al Jazeera  I think this threatens a lot of organisations. Perhaps even a few progressive Israeli news organisations that have been critical of the war.

Raed more at: AlJazeera.com
Blinken blames social media for Israel losing PR war; Romney agrees, confirms TikTok ban is to help Israel

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has blamed social media and TikTok for Israel losing the PR war in Gaza.

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

While speaking before the McCain Institute on Friday, Blinken lamented that social media is allowing the world to see "the inescapable reality of people who have and continue to suffer grievously in Gaza," whereas in the past the "information environment" was controlled by a few newspapers and TV outlets who could shape the narrative.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), who was interviewing Blinken, concurred and added that the US banning TikTok is being done to help Israel in their PR war.

Why has the PR been so awful? typically the Israelis are good at PRwhats happened here, how have they and we been so ineffective at communicating the realities and our POV? some wonder why there was such overwhelming support for us to shut down potentially TikTok. pic.twitter.com/vBzuahukfs  austerity is theft ?? (@wideofthepost) May 5, 2024

Incredible historical document here: Blinken says Israels PR is failing because social media allows people a direct look at whats happening, shorn of the ability to mediate it, and it lands with emotional resonance. Romney then says yes, thats why we moved to ban TikTok https://t.co/NeykVeZVRd  Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) May 5, 2024

Romney talks about shutting down TikTok "or other entities of that nature." The demand to increase state control over & censor social media/the Web won't stop here, because contrary to his next point, TikTok is not exceptional for its pro-Palestinian content. https://t.co/QT28ZFRiCh  Branko Marcetic (@BMarchetich) May 5, 2024

Transcript via American Rhetoric:

SENATOR ROMNEY: Why has the PR been so awful? I know that's not your area of expertise, but you have to have some thoughts on that, which is, I mean, as you've said, why has Hamas disappeared in terms of public perception? An offer is on the table to have a ceasefire, and yet the world is screaming about Israel. It's like, why are they not screaming about Hamas? Accept the ceasefire and bring home the hostages. Instead, it's all the other way around. I mean, typically the Israelis are good at PR. What's happened here? How have they -- how have they/ and we/ been so ineffective at communicating the realities there and our point of view? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, I mean, there are two things. One is that, look, there is an inescapable reality, and that is the inescapable reality of people who have and continue to suffer grievously in Gaza. And that's real and we have to -- have to -- be focused on that and attentive to that. At the same time, how this narrative has evolved, yeah, it's a great question. I don't have a good answer to that. One can speculate about what some of the causes might be. I don't know. I can tell you this -- and we were talking about this a little bit over dinner with Cindy. I think in my time in Washington, which is a little bit over 30 years, the single biggest change has been in the information environment. And when I started out in the early 1990s, everyone did the same thing. You woke up in the morning, you opened the door of your apartment or your house, you picked up a hard copy of The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal. And then if you had a television in your office, you turned it on at 6:30 or 7 o'clock and watched the national network news. Now, of course, we are on an intravenous feed of information with new impulses, inputs every millisecond. And of course, the way this has played out on social media has dominated the narrative. And you have a social media ecosystem environment in which context, history, facts get lost, and the emotion, the impact of images dominates. And we can't -- we can't discount that, but I think it also has a very, very, very challenging effect on the narrative. SENATOR ROMNEY: A small parenthetical point, which is some wonder why there was such overwhelming support for us to shut down potentially TikTok or other entities of that nature. If you look at the postings on TikTok and the number of mentions of Palestinians relative to other social media sites, it's overwhelmingly so among TikTok broadcasts. So I'd note that's of real interest, and the President will get the chance to make action in that regard.

As Romney noted, the TikTok ban -- which was stuffed into the $95 billion giveaway for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan -- was done for Israel.

I come before you, not only as the U.S. Secretary of State, but also as a Jew. My grandfatherfled pogroms... My stepfathersurvived concentration camps. So...I understand...the harrowing echoes that Hamas massacres carry...for Jews everywhere.  Antony Blinken in Israel pic.twitter.com/GNyFbPx34c  Frum TikTok (@FrumTikTok) October 12, 2023

Ben Shapiro, who championed the TikTok ban, told his followers in March that it was an "anti-Semitic conspiracy theory" that the ban was done for Israel.

Multiple congressmen at the time had already stated explicitly that the TikTok ban was to help Israel because they were losing the PR war.

The Intercept reported on Saturday that Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), who co-sponsored the TikTok ban (and the Antisemitism Awareness Act) said in a closed-door meeting with the Israel-First "No Labels" party that Congress moved to ban TikTok because "you're seeing how these kids are being manipulated" to oppose Israel on the platform.

From The Intercept, "IN NO LABELS CALL, JOSH GOTTHEIMER, MIKE LAWLER, AND UNIVERSITY TRUSTEES AGREE: FBI SHOULD INVESTIGATE CAMPUS PROTESTS":

DURING A CALL hosted by the centrist political group No Labels, Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., spoke with close to 300 attendees, including trustees from several universities, about how Congress could help crack down further on student protesters  and how the FBI could get more involved. [...] Gottheimer said that he had been in touch with officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation about campus protests. "Based on my conversations with the FBI  there's activity I can't get into, you know, given my committee responsibilities, I can't get into more specifics  but I can just say that I think people are well aware this is an issue," said Gottheimer, who is on the House Intelligence Committee. "I can't speak for the local FBI field offices, but it's got to be all hands on deck," he added. "I believe following the money is the key. Gotta follow the money. A lot of these universities are not transparent at all, remotely, about where the money comes from, you know, they just, they want it  and that has to be a big part of this." [...] Lawler, who co-sponsored a recent bill to ban TikTok, repeated Berkley's claims about external organizers and said that was the type of thing that inspired Congress's efforts to ban the app. "I don't think there's any question that there has been a coordinated effort off these college campuses, and that you have outside paid agitators and activists," Lawler said. "It also highlights exactly why we included the TikTok bill in the foreign supplemental aid package because you're seeing how these kids are being manipulated by certain groups or entities or countries to foment hate on their behalf and really create a hostile environment here in the U.S." Lawler added that he would look into domestic groups funding protests. Gottheimer, for his part, said demonstrations at Columbia were "potentially" led by outsiders and repeated his frequent claim that the protesters support Hamas. Andrew Bursky, the board chair of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, said America's tradition of campus protests was "a positive thing," but that there's a "clear dark line" between allowing free speech and condoning antisemitism. "And I think you guys in Congress have darkened that line today with this piece of legislation," he added. Bursky did not specify what legislation he was referring to, but earlier that day, the House of Representatives passed a Republican-led bill that expanded the definition of antisemitism.

Ben Shapiro wants to cancel people and label them "anti-Semitic conspiracy theorists" for pointing these facts out and Congress is moving to make it a crime.

Read more at: InformationLiberation.com
BOMBSHELL: Google (and YouTube) funded COVID-19 bioweapon development, study reveals

It went largely unnoticed and unreported on, but 2018 research published in the journalreveals something major and previously unknown about Google's involvement in the creation of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

Researchers from Yale University, Metabiota Inc., EcoHealth Alliance, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the University of Washington Center for One Health Research  one of them is none other than Peter Daszak himself  wrote about another study out of China involving what sounds like gain-of-function research.

They explain how they looked at the transmission of pathogens "with pandemic potential in highly exposed human populations at the animal-human interface." They also conducted a risk factor and exposure survey along with a serology follow-up on the 1,312 individuals who were part of the study.

"The overall proportion of individuals seropositive to any of the tested wildlife pathogens was approximately 4.0%," the abstract reads. "However, persons employed as butchers demonstrated a seropositivity of 9.0% to at least one pathogen of interest."

"By contrast, individuals working as hunters had lower rates of seropositivity. Among the study population, a number of other behaviors showed correlation with seropositivity, including contact with particular wildlife species such as field rats. These results demonstrate the need to further explore zoonotic risks of particular activities regarding wildlife contact, and to better understand risks of persons working as butchers with wildlife species."

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. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power 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.

(Related: This would explain why YouTube announced a new "certification" protocol back in the fall of 2022 requiring all videos containing medical information to align with World Health Organization [WHO] dictates.)

Google, a rotten corporation

So far it all makes sense, right? But check out the conflict of interest statement, a screenshot of which you can see in the tweet below from Natalie Winters. It shows that Metabiota Inc. received funding from Google, one of the world's most powerful and corrupt corporate entities.

"This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials," the conflict of interest statement further reads.

? REVEALED: Google funded Wuhan lab partner EcoHealth Alliance for over a decade. A 2018 paper funded by the company - which heavily censored the lab leak theory - suggested a pandemic could originate in a Wuhan wet market. All that censorship seems quite convenient ?? pic.twitter.com/F1CcnKctSg  Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) May 3, 2024

Keep in mind that Google, as Winters also points out, heavily censored the "lab leak" theory of COVID when it first started to circulate. Perhaps Google was trying to protect itself from being implicated in the bioweapon's development?

It turns out that Google has been a silent partner of Daszak and EcoHealth for the better part of 14 some-odd years at least. A 2010 study on bat flaviviruses lists both Daszak and EcoHealth vice president Jonathan Epstein as authors  and like the 2018 study mentioned above, this 2010 study thanks Google for funding it.

Yet another paper on henipavirus spillover that was published in 2014 shows the same authors and funding from Google, demonstrating a lengthy relationship between these entities.

Winters' thread on all this  which lists two other papers, one published in 2015 and the other in 2018, tying Google to Daszak and EcoHealth  is such a bombshell that the Thread Reader App tweeted about its popularity.

"So did the Gates Foundation," tweeted someone named Jesse Matchey (@JesseMatchey) on X about another funding source for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

"It's no secret that Google regularly collaborates with intelligence agencies," wrote another, referring to Jigsaw, Google's intelligence agency, citing a 2021 report from Zero Hedge.

"They are a known NSA subcontractor. They launched Google Earth using a CIA spy satellite network. Their executive suite's revolving door with DARPA is well known."

By the way: If you're tired of all the censorship on YouTube, check out Brighteon.com, the free speech video alternative.

Sources for this article include:

Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Twitter.com

NaturalNews.com
Congress launches probe into controversial appointment of Trumps prosecutor Matthew Colangelo

The House Judiciary Committee, led by its chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), recently launched an investigation into the top prosecutor in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case against former President Donald Trump.

Jordan sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding communications and other records about the Department of Justice's (DOJ) coordination with Bragg as well as Matthew Colangelo's personnel files, including those related to his hiring and departure from the DOJ.

"Mr. Colangelo's recent employment history demonstrates his obsession with investigating a person rather than prosecuting a crime. At the New York Attorney General's Office, Mr. Colangelo ran investigations into President Trump, leading a wave of state litigation against Trump administration policies.' On January 20, 2021, the first day of the Biden Administration, Mr. Colangelo began serving as the Acting Associate Attorney General  the number three official in your department," the letter indicated. Bragg's politicized prosecution of President Trump has serious consequences for federal interests. That a former senior Biden Justice Department official is now leading the prosecution of President Biden's chief political rival only adds to the perception that the Biden Justice Department is politicized and weaponized." (Related: Republican lawmaker warns about former Biden attorney running DOJ prosecution of Trump.)

Colangelo's sudden switch from top DOJ official to a role with the DA's office in the Big Apple has particularly raised eyebrows. He was a senior Justice Department official in the Biden administration before joining the Manhattan district attorney's office in December 2022. It is suspected that he may serve as a go-between for federal officials and the DA's office. "It's very odd. Its usually the other way around. And frankly, that sounds to me like somebody who thought, 'Ah, here's an opportunity to go and get Donald Trump,'" attorney and former member of the Federal Election Commission, Hans von Spakovsky, told Fox News Digital in a phone interview last month.

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.

Experts also noted that it's rare to see successful attorneys willingly climb several steps down the career ladder. "It is a little unusual," Heritage Foundation senior legal fellow Zack Smith said. "Particularly, the position he had at the Justice Department was a fairly high ranking one. He spent some time in the New York Attorney General's office, he also spent some time as a career staffer in the DOJ Civil Rights Division. He was in leadership in the Justice Department, and then immediately from that leadership position  an acting leadership position  went to the DA's office."

Meanwhile, Trump is no fan of Colangelo's and he took to social media to label Colangelo a "top Democrat DOJ official." But under Trump's recent gag order, he can no longer single out Colangelo or other line prosecutors.

Colangelo: Trump, allies orchestrated "catch and kill" plot to conceal "criminal conduct"

During the opening salvo of Trump's hush money case, prosecutors alleged that the former POTUS tried to "corrupt" the 2016 election by getting his team to buy the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels for $130,000. She was threatening to go public with claims of an affair.

Colangelo, who delivered the opening argument, described the "catch and kill" plot allegedly orchestrated by Trump and his inner circle to "conceal his and others' criminal conduct." This was a planned, coordinated, long-running conspiracy?.?.?.?to help Donald Trump get elected through illegal expenditures?.?.?.?It was election fraud, pure and simple," he said.

Todd Blanche, Trump's lawyer, said the former president was "cloaked in innocence" and was just trying to protect his family, brand and reputation. Blanche added that Trump had "nothing to do" with how the payment was set up and was not on the hook for how it was recorded. "You will learn the companies do that all the time," Blanche told jurors. "There is nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It is called democracy."

National Enquirer's former publisher, David Pecker also spoke as the first witness. Prosecutors alleged that Pecker was involved in the scheme by buying exclusive rights to anti-Trump stories and preventing them from being published.

Trump expressed frustration that his legal obligations are keeping him off the campaign trail. He did, however, say it was "very unfair" that he was at the courthouse "instead of being able to be in Pennsylvania and Georgia and lots of other places campaigning."

Meanwhile, Trump's election campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) said they raised more than $76 million in April, over half of it from small donors. The monthly fundraising haul exceeded the $65.6 million raised in March by Trump and the RNC.

"With half of the funds raised coming from small-dollar donors, it is clear that our base is energized. The Republican Party is united, and voters nationwide are ready to fire Joe Biden and elect Donald J. Trump," Trump campaign senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles said in a statement.

Visit Trump.news for more stories related to the ongoing legal battles the former president is fighting.

Watch the video below that talks about how Trump is suppressed to respond to attacks under a gag order.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Alvin Bragg has his Trump trial, all he needs now is a crime.

NYT op-ed: 'I thought the Bragg case against Trump was a legal embarrassment. Now I think it's a historic mistake.'

Biden has his fat, grubby hands in all four sham indictments against his top political enemy.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

Judiciary.House.gov

FoxNews.com

FT.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
German Army confirms video conference security breach; recordings of over 6,000 meetings leaked online

The German Army has confirmed that it has discovered a security breach in the video conferencing system it uses , raising significant concerns about the privacy and security of military communications.

Over 6,000 meetings, including some highly classified sessions, can now easily be accessed through simple searches on the Federal Defense Forces' (Bundeswehr) customized version of the WebEx online platform, highlighting the vulnerabilities in the digital infrastructure of the Bundeswehr.

Despite the army's swift action to address the issue, questions remain about the extent to which sensitive information may have been exposed.

While the army spokesperson emphasized that accessing the video conferences would have required knowledge and permission from participants, previous incidents, such as the leaking of discussions involving missile transfers to Ukraine, underscore the potential risks associated with such breaches.

The fact that the vulnerability existed within the Bundeswehr's customized version of WebEx, which was designed to provide enhanced security features, has raised eyebrows. (Related: Germany to investigate leaked recording of Luftwaffe generals Crimean Bridge attack plan.)

The discovery that reporters were able to locate the online meeting room of Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz, whose identity had been previously revealed in a leak, further highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures within military organizations.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by governments and militaries in securing their digital communications infrastructure against cyber threats.

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.

It underscores the importance of constant vigilance, regular audits, and proactive measures to safeguard sensitive information in an increasingly digitized world.

Revelation of security breach comes months after classified call leaked by Russia

Germany's meticulous reputation took a severe blow when it was disclosed back in March that a Russian interception of a secret German military call occurred due to an official logging in through an insecure line.

The leaked 38-minute recording, aired on Russia's state broadcaster RT and later confirmed by the German government, featured discussions among German military officers regarding missile transfers to Ukraine.

The incident, reportedly involving Brig. Gen. Frank Grefe dialing into the WebEx call from a hotel room in Singapore, has thrown Berlin into crisis mode and garnered sharp criticism from international allies.

Christian Molling of the German Council of Foreign Relations noted that the hack revealed Russia's active role in shaping Germany's agenda, reflecting broader concerns about foreign influence.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius labeled the leak a "hybrid disinformation attack," emphasizing the need for enhanced communication security.

However, the irony was not lost when journalists were asked to input the password "1234" to access his statement, underscoring lapses in basic cybersecurity practices.

Pistorius maintained that the incident was isolated and that communication systems were not compromised, despite the breach occurring through WebEx, which typically offers end-to-end encryption.

The incident bears resemblance to previous hack-and-leak operations attributed to Moscow, underscoring its strategic impact on information warfare.

Guntram Wolff of the Brussel-based think tank Bruegel characterized it as an act of hybrid warfare against Germany, highlighting the broader geopolitical implications.

The leaked audio tape reignited debates over German missile deliveries to Ukraine and raised concerns about the security of government communications online.

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces Eva Hogl called for comprehensive measures to enhance military security and counter espionage, stressing the need for increased vigilance.

The incident also prompted scrutiny of communication platforms like WebEx, with past security vulnerabilities adding to concerns about confidential communications.

Watch this episode of "Evolutionary Energy Arts" warning of a major cyberattack coming to the United States.

This video is from the Evolutionary Energy Arts channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Xfinity notifies customers of data breach due to "software vulnerability."

Cyberattack breaches software platform used by 12 ministries in Norway.

Chinese hackers exploit Microsoft cloud bug to raid US government email accounts, including the Commerce Secretary's.

Sources include:

RMX.news

Politico.eu

Brighteon.com
Texas Rep. Cuellar and wife INDICTED following allegations they received BRIBES from Azerbaijan

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has finally released an indictment against long-time Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, for alleged bribery and money laundering

According to the indictment, the Cuellars accepted roughly $600,000 in bribes from a bank in Mexico and an oil and gas company linked to Azerbaijan in exchange for the congressman performing official acts from 2014 to 2021. These bribe payments were allegedly laundered through sham consulting contracts and a network of intermediary companies, with Imelda's shell companies serving as conduits.

Cuellar previously served as a co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus. In exchange for the bribes, Cuellar allegedly committed to influencing legislation concerning Azerbaijan's conflict with Armenia, inserting favorable language for Azerbaijan into security and economic aid programs, delivering a supportive speech on the House floor and providing consultation to Azerbaijani officials regarding their lobbying efforts in the U.S. government. (Related: Armenia and Azerbaijan on the brink of a FULL-SCALE WAR following alleged provocations.)

"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 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."

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. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power 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.

In turn, the Cuellars are each charged with 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; two counts of bribery of a federal official; two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; two counts of violating the ban on public officials acting as agents of a foreign principal; one count of conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering; and five counts of money laundering.

If found guilty, they could spend years or even decades in prison. But for the meantime, Cuellar will step aside from his position as the top Democrat in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

Cuellar vehemently denies bribery and money laundering accusations

Cuellar has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, even before the charges against him were publicized. He also stressed his wife's professional qualifications and denounced the allegations against her as baseless attacks on her character.

"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. "The actions I took in Congress were consistent with the actions of many of my colleagues and in the interest of the American people."

"Imelda and I have been married for 32 years. On top of being an amazing wife and mother, she's an accomplished businesswoman with two degrees," Cuellar continued. "She spent her career working with banking, tax and consulting. The allegation that she is anything but qualified and hardworking is both wrong and offensive."

Cuellar's defense attorneys echoed similar sentiments but also underscored that the timing of the incident occurred just six months before the upcoming November election.

"The governments decision to move forward with charges so close to the general election  and their decision to execute a search warrant 40 days before his [2022] primary  undermines the electorate and puts a thumb on the scale," said attorneys Chris Flood and Eric Reed.

But despite the legal cloud hanging over him, Cuellar remains resolute in seeking reelection in the upcoming election. "Let me be clear: Im running for re-election and will win this November," Cuellar boasted.

More of the latest news about the blatant political corruption in the U.S. government can be found at Corruption.news.

Watch this clip of refugees from the Armenian enclave of Artsakh discussing the war crimes Azerbaijani soldiers have committed against them.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

U.S. giving weapons to Israel, which is selling them to Azerbaijan to MASSACRE CHRISTIANS.

Blood money: The top ten politicians taking the most Israel lobby cash.

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife charged with BRIBERY.

America reaches new LOW with blatant political corruption gone wild.

Everything that is happening in America stems from CORRUPTION, says Tom Renz.

Sources include:

NBCNews.com

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
Moscow ridicules Zelenskys claim about God and Ukraine

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has apparently lost touch with reality, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested after the Ukrainian President described God as Kievs ally in the conflict with Moscow.

(Article republished from RT.com)

On Sunday, as Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter, Zelensky issued a video address in which he accused Moscow of violating all the commandments, claiming that God knows it.

We believe [that] God  wears a chevron with a Ukrainian flag on his shoulder, the president stated, referring to the higher power as Kievs ally, who would guarantee Ukraine victory in the ongoing standoff.

Zakharova ridiculed the statement, suggesting it was the result of a drug overdose.

A chevron on Gods [sleeve] is the same story as the rituals of ancient Ukrainians [performed] by them somewhere in Mesopotamia at a time when they discovered America, the spokeswoman said, apparently referring to some internet memes mocking Kievs narratives about the nations origins.

Zelenskys statements came amid the continued retreat of the Ukrainian military in Donbass, amid an ongoing Russian offensive. Earlier on Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that Moscows forces had taken control over the village of Ocheretino in the north of the Donetsk Peoples Republic  a major logistics hub for Kievs troops.

In February, Moscows forces liberated the strategic Donbass town of Avdeevka and have been steadily pushing westward ever since, taking control of several smaller settlements in the area.

In April, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said that Moscow's troops were firmly in control of the initiative in the conflict, and steadily pushing Kievs forces back. Earlier this week, he estimated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had lost 111,000 this year alone.

Ukraines top military commander, General Aleksandr Syrsky, told Kievs backers the same month that his nations armed forces face a difficult operational and strategic situation, which has a tendency to get worse.

Read more at: RT.com
Netanyahu warns Biden he will punish Palestinian Authority if ICC issues arrest warrants against Israeli leaders

The State of Palestine will suffer if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, the Israeli government warned President Joe Biden's administration.

The ICC, a permanent international court established to investigate and prosecute individuals accused of committing the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, has been investigating possible war crimes committed by both Israeli and Palestinian fighters since 2021, with the probe taking in events going back to the 2014 Gaza war. Said investigation has been extended to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and the war that has been raging in Gaza since then, according to the prosecutor's office.

Two Israeli officials reportedly said that Israel recently told the U.S. that it has information suggesting Palestinian Authority officials are pressing the ICC prosecutor to issue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, namely Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Herzi Halevi. Israel expressed that it will consider the Palestinian Authority (PA) responsible and retaliate with strong action that could lead to its collapse.

The sources, meanwhile, told Axios that the Biden administration has told ICC officials in private that "arrest warrants against Israeli leaders would be a mistake. White House assured them that the U.S. doesn't support the action."

"We are quietly encouraging the ICC not to do it. It will blow up everything. Israel will retaliate against the Palestinian Authority," a U.S. official said. One such action that Israel warned about is freezing the transfer of tax revenues Israel collects for the PA. Without these funds, the PA would be bankrupt.

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.

Meanwhile, the Israeli media has reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "frightened and unusually stressed" by the prospect of being issued with an arrest warrant. He was reported to have been acting like "an elephant in a China shop," hammering the phones and seeking to put pressure on the ICC by any means necessary.

In a televised speech for the opening ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day on Sunday, the prime minister said the ICC was "founded as a consequence of the Holocaust" and should not attempt to undermine Israel's fundamental right to self-defense. Any arrests would restrict Israel's ability to defend itself, calling it a "distortion of justice and history," he argued. "Even if Israel is forced to stand alone, we will stand alone, and we will continue to strike our enemies powerfully until victory. Even if we have to stand alone, we will continue to fight human evil," Netanyahu added.

Israel is not a member of the ICC and rejects the court's jurisdiction. That has not previously stopped the court from investigating its actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.

ICC calls to end court intimidation and threats

Amid its probe into war crimes being committed in Gaza, the prosecutor's office at the ICC has revealed it was experiencing threats. And so it appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offense against the "administration of justice" by the world's permanent war crimes court.

The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan did not mention Israel but the office's statement was issued after Israeli and U.S. officials warned of consequences against the ICC if it issues arrest warrants over Israel's war on Gaza. "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," it said. "That independence and impartiality is 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." It added that the Rome Statute, which outlines the ICC's structure and areas of jurisdiction, prohibits threats against the court and its officials.

The international court is empowered to prosecute individuals for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Since the Israeli military has killed nearly 35,000 people in Gaza and destroyed large parts of the territory since the start of the war on Oct. 7, the ICC proceeded to try the case.

Meanwhile, White House spokesman John Kirby was asked during a briefing about threats by Republican lawmakers to pass legislation against the ICC. According to Kirby, the U.S. is opposed to an ICC investigation against Israel but stressed it is also opposed to threats and intimidations against the court's judges. This alarmed Israeli officials and they asked the White House whether it represents a change in the U.S. position. The White House said there has been no change, Axios reported. (Related: Like THUGS, members of U.S. Congress make threats against ICC if arrest warrants are issued against Netanyahu for Israeli war crimes.)

Check out IsraelCollapse.com to read more stories on how Natanyahu's regime is starting to crumble as the conflict drags on.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

Axios.com

Edition.CNN.com

AlJazeera.com
Pro-Israel student screams Kill the Jews to invoke police crackdown on pro-Palestine protests

Students all over the United States continue to protest against Israels actions in Gaza at colleges throughout the nation, and in many cases, authorities are clearing out encampments on the grounds that they are fomenting antisemitism. However, it turns out that some anti-Jewish chants are actually coming from pro-Israel students who want protesters to be punished.

The Huntington News, an independent student newspaper of Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, reports that a pro-Israel counter-protester at the university's Boston campus made the Kill the Jews statement that resulted in a tense confrontation between opposing factions of demonstrators that was caught on video and later used by the university as part of its justification for clearing out the encampment at the schools Centennial Common.

In the video, a pro-Israel student demonstrator can be heard saying, Kill the Jews! and then asking the pro-Palestinian protesters Anybody on board?

This was cited in a statement by Northeastern after it cleared out the Gaza Solidarity encampment and detained more than 100 people. Those who were booked could face charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing and were brought in for processing. At its peak, the crowd of demonstrators numbered around 200, and the university cut power off to the area to stop demonstrators from using speakers, water heaters and phone chargers.

University officials wrote: The use of virulent antisemitic slurs, including Kill the Jews, crossed the line. We cannot tolerate this kind of hate on our campus. Earlier this morning the Northeastern University Police Department  in cooperation with local law enforcement partners  began clearing an unauthorized encampment on the universitys Boston campus.

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.

The student group Huskies for a Free Palestine  named after the school mascot  posted on social media that counter-protestors expressing Zionist and hate speech sentiments tried to instigate people to engage in confrontation and spread further hate speech not long after the university published its response.

Video footage showed two Jewish students with an Israeli flag shouting Kill the Jews after a microphone check by pro-Palestinian demonstrators aimed at getting the crowd to pay attention to them.

However, Huntington News later reported that when the two agitators asked if anybody was on board, the protesters started to shout and boo over them. Reporters for the publication say that they did not hear the statement made at any other time during the protest.

The pro-Palestine protesters urged demonstrators to avoid engaging with counter-protesters, who were calling for Israeli hostages to be released. They were later escorted out of the encampment by Northeastern police but were told they would not face arrest if they returned; they came back immediately.

Northeastern Vice President for Communications Renata Nyul confirmed that the Kill the Jews statement was made, saying: The Boston Globe, a trusted news organization, reported it as fact. There is also substantial video evidence. Any suggestion that repulsive antisemitic comments are sometimes acceptable depending on the context is reprehensible. That language has no place on any university campus.

The Boston Globe later issued a correction and admitted that a pro-Israel agitator was the source of the slur.

Antisemitism claims often used to silence critics of Israel

Pro-Israel agitators are increasingly taking this approach to provoke police to break up protests. Numerous universities have cited allegations of antisemitism as justification for shutting down pro-Palestinian protests, and even President Biden has said the protests are antisemitic.

Many people have accused pro-Israel apologists of weaponizing antisemitism as a way of silencing criticism of the Jewish state. It is all too easy to claim antisemitism and restrict peoples rights to freedom of expression, even when that is not a fair characterization of a persons intentions.

Sources for this article include:

Twitter.com

HuntNewsNU.com

BostonGlobe.com
Russia threatens retaliation against British targets if Kyiv uses UK-provided missiles to strike Russian territory

Russia is saying not so fast to remarks made by British Foreign Secretary David Cameron that Ukraine has a right to use United Kingdom-provided missiles to strike targets deep within Russian territory.

Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned London ambassador Nigel Casey following Cameron's remarks to let him know that should Great Britain follow through on this threat, Russia will retaliate accordingly by striking British targets in Ukraine and elsewhere.

"Casey was warned that the response to Ukrainian strikes using British weapons on Russian territory could be any British military facilities and equipment on the territory of Ukraine and beyond," reads a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Previously, the United States and its allies, including the UK, had stipulated that the long-range weapons they send to Ukraine can only be used on territories such as Crimea, the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, and the Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions that Ukraine claims as its own  and not on actual Russian territory as currently understood.

By making the comments he made, Cameron "de facto recognized his country as a party to the conflict," declared the Russian Foreign Ministry, adding that Cameron's comments serve as "evidence of a serious escalation and confirmation of London's increasing involvement in military operations on the side of Kyiv."

Russia reportedly urged Casey to "think about the inevitable catastrophic consequences of such hostile steps from London and to immediately refute in the most decisive and unequivocal manner the bellicose provocative statements of the head of the Foreign Office."

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. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power 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.

(Related: Volodymyr Zelensky is assuming the role of dictator by petitioning the Council of Europe to cancel elections and suspend human rights protections so he can stay in office forever and "stop Russia.")

Putin orders tactical nuclear tests following "provocative statements and threats" from West

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to these latest developments by ordering an exercise to test the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, calling these statements recently made by Western officials "provocative statements and threats."

These drills, Putin and his people said, aim to "cool down the 'hot heads' in Western capitals and help them understand the possible catastrophic consequences of the strategic risks they generate."

Russia's Foreign Ministry also stated that Western leaders need to know that any move in the direction Cameron said publicly will immediately draw Western powers right "into a direct armed confrontation with Russia."

"It would be a pity for London and Paris to become a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah," one RT commenter wrote about where all this is headed.

"No more free passes for the U.S. and its vassal states," wrote another. "Make them pay. No deterrent. They've no reason to stop. It's not complicated."

"These subservient pissants will keep upping the ante until Putin finally bloodies their noses," suggested another. "They are asking for it."

Someone else said these "tough solid words" are only "18 months too late," but better late than never.

"Meanwhile, Russian uranium fuel keeps heading to the U.S. and LNG (liquefied natural gas) to Europe," this person added.

"Without Uncle Sam, Macron would not dare to shoot his mouth off," wrote another, referring to a summons issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry against French Ambassador Pierre Levy, the details of which remain unknown.

Another commenter pointed out the convenient timing of all this in relation to the teetering Western financial markets, which are about to take a freefall.

"The U.S. financial system must be in more trouble than even we thought which is why Israel is targeting Rafah, and why these EU and UK puppets are stepping up their need to amass even greater profits before the whole U.S. system dies."

Zelensky's days are numbered. Find out more at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

NaturalNews.com
Russia declares Ukraine an illegal entity, puts Zelensky on ARREST list

For the first time since the start of the conflict in early 2022, Russia is calling out Ukraine as an "illegal entity" run by an illegitimate and criminal Volodymyr Zelensky government.

Russia's interior ministry added Zelensky to its wanted list over the weekend, though we do not yet know what charges he faces. We do know, however, that a criminal case has been opened against Zelensky, which means there are no further negotiations to be had.

Since the declaration of Kyiv being an illegal entity is now the government's official position  all of Russia's top leaders are in full agreement about it  the only thing Zelensky has left to do is surrender, followed by his arrest and a subsequent trial.

Up until now, Russia told Zelensky that it would be willing to negotiate a settlement, but Zelensky would not budge. Now, time is up and Zelensky has no more options than to come out with your hands up, followed by the Russian equivalent of his Miranda rights.

Russian law prohibits any further negotiations now that Ukraine has been dubbed a criminal entity. Again, the only option that remains for Zelensky is to surrender, or to duke it out and likely lose his life on the battlefield.

(Related: With his term coming to an end, Zelensky is pushing for martial law to cancel the election and suspend human rights protections in Ukraine.)

Kyiv using terrorist methods, Russia says

The website of Russia's interior ministry states that Zelensky is now wanted under a specific article of Russia's criminal code. Zelensky's criminal page shows his full name along with a photograph of him and his date and place of birth.

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 move came just one day after Aleksandr Litvinenko, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, was also added to Russia's wanted list. Litvinenko, by the way, assumed his position in March following a term by Aleksey Danilov, his predecessor.

"In this instance, too, no charge details have been specified," reported RT.

We kind of have an idea about what Litvinenko faces, though, after he claimed back in April that it was necessary for Ukraine to launch drone strikes deep within Russian territory to exert "pressure" on Moscow. This, Litvinenko said at the time, is a key element of Kyiv's strategy against Russia.

Russia, meanwhile, continues to argue that Ukraine has been employing terrorist methods throughout the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Zelensky's constant threats to destroy Russian civilian infrastructure serve as proof of Kyiv's terrorist ways.

All eyes are now on the Crimean Bridge, which has already sustained two major bomb attacks, both of which resulted in numerous civilian deaths.

Also added to Russia's wanted list over the weekend was former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko, who took office in June 2014 amid the post-Maidan coup. Poroshenko signed the Minsk agreements aimed at trying to reconcile Kyiv with the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions, which had rebelled against Kyiv in refusing to recognize the post-coup government.

Poroshenko admitted in 2023 that the agreements were used to buy extra time to arm Ukraine. During that time, Poroshenko defied the Minsk Agreements entirely and turned to NATO for help in arming Kyiv to the teeth in anticipation of a future conflict with Russia.

Two additional names that Russia added to its wanted list over the weekend include Aleksandr Shlapak, Ukraine's former finance minister; and Stepan Kubiv, Ukraine's former central bank head.

"Zelensky should be placed as MOST WANTED," one RT commenter wrote. "He should be arraigned and indicted for the deaths of tens of thousands of conscripts, insolvency or indebting of Ukraine, defalcation or peculation of Ukraine's exchequer or treasury."

Things are coming to a head both in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and in the Middle East. Learn more at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

NaturalNews.com
Swanky Hotel Le Jolie in NYC converted into shelter for ILLEGALS

Another hotel in New York City (NYC) has been converted into a shelter for illegal immigrants.

The Hotel Le Jolie in the fashionable Williamsburg neighborhood of NYC's Brooklyn borough has been selected as a sanctuary site for migrants by the office of NYC Mayor Eric Adams, according to the National Pulse. The city, through the NYC Department of Homeless Services (NYC DHS), awarded a $12.3 million contract for the hotel to serve as a "temporary" home for border crossers.

As part of the contract, the Brooklyn-based St. P.A.U.L.S. Inc. will manage the facility. A source familiar with the shelter operation told the New York Post: "They are having St. P.A.U.L.S. take over the operation. Nothing functionally changes."

The same source added that the NYC DHS was deploying temporary staff at the site, and expressed hope that the nonprofit would provide better services for migrant families. The Post reached out to Hotel Le Jolie management and St. P.A.U.L.S. for comment but received no reply as of press time.

The Hotel Le Jolie is not the only establishment that was converted into a migrant shelter by Adams' administration. Last May, the iconic Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan was reopened to accommodate migrants after its 2020 closure.

According to Adams, the hotel-turned-shelter will serve as a "centralized intake center for all arriving asylum seekers and providing migrants with access to a range of legal, medical and reconnection services, as well as placement, if needed, in a shelter or humanitarian relief center."

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. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power 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.

The mayor added that the Roosevelt Hotel would open up 175 rooms for children and families until it is scaled to approximately 850 rooms. An additional 100 to 150 rooms will be reserved for migrants in transition to other locations. Before its closure in December 2020 and subsequent reopening as a shelter almost three years later, the hotel boasted more than 1,000 rooms for guests.

NYC government inking deals with hotels to house migrants

The Big Apple has allocated $1.3 billion to the Hotel Association of NYC (HANYC) to make blocks of rooms available to illegal aliens in Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx. Over 100 hotels across the city are offering rooms to migrants under this scheme, many at taxpayers' expense.

In a recent development, the Adams administration inked a new emergency $76.69 million contract with the HANYC to provide "last resort" shelter to migrant families. According to the Post, 15 hotels in the three boroughs will make blocks of rooms available to asylum-seeking families for up to 28 days under the contract's "vouchering program." This program, the outlet added, would run through July.

Almost 200,000 migrants are believed to have entered NYC since the spring of 2022, with the Big Apple's public resources significantly strained as a result. A total of $2.4 billion has been carved out of the state budget to provide for them. But this involves significant waste, with thousands of free meals for migrants being discarded. (Related: NYC hotel discarding TONS OF FOOD meant for illegals.)

This influx of migrants has overwhelmed the city's shelter population and forced the NYC DHS to rely on hotels. The city agency has also resorted to setting up massive tent cities at Floyd Bennett Field, Creedmor Psychiatric Center and John F. Kennedy International Airport. According to recent data from New York City Hall, the Big Apple is shelling out an average of more than $387 every day to put up a single migrant household in taxpayer-funded shelters.

Adams once boasted that NYC would always be a "sanctuary city" under his leadership, praising President Joe Biden for halting border wall construction. The mayor has since changed his tune, warning that the migrant crisis will "destroy" his city and wanting to change its "sanctuary" status. Adams has also attacked the Biden administration for not doing enough to assist him.

Watch this video about NYC paying illegal immigrants with larger welfare checks than veterans.

This video is from the Vampire Slayer channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Picky guests: Illegals REFUSE accommodation in tent city, return to Manhattan HOTELS they were formerly housed in.

Stop by and see for yourself! NYC Mayor Adams invites Biden to visit "migrant hotel" in Big Apple.

NYC migrant crisis: Central Park being considered as HOUSING for migrants.

There's a massive migrant tent city in NYC that's hidden from the public.

NYC to LIMIT shelter stays for migrant families to 60 DAYS.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NYPost.com

ABCNews.go.com

Brighteon.com
The West has invented a magic phrase to hide its geopolitical games

The elites and mainstream media of the West are so addicted to double standards that spotting yet another one is hardly news. These are the people who have just given us genocide re-labeled as  self-defense , who abhor spheres of influence except when they are global and belong to Washington (with a sidekick role for Brussels), and who insist on the rule of law while threatening the International Criminal Court if it so much as dares look their way

(Article by Tarik Cyril Amar republished from RT.com)

Yet there is something special about the latest case of Western values schizophrenia, this time about the concept of civil society in conjunction with two political struggles, one in the US and the other in the Caucasus nation of Georgia.

In the US, students, professors, and others are protesting against the ongoing Israeli genocide of the Palestinians and against American participation in that crime. In Georgia, the issue at stake is a proposed law to impose transparency on the sprawling and unusually powerful NGO sector. Its critics denounce this law as a government power grab and as somehow Russian (which, spoiler alert, it is not).

The very different reactions to these two cases of intense public contention by the Wests political and mainstream media elites show that, for them, there are really two kinds of civil society: There is the vibrant variety, with vibrant an almost comically ossified cliche, used by the Washington Post Editorial Board, in EU statements, and by White House spokesman John Kirby, to name only a few. It is almost as if someone had sent around a memo on proper terminology. This vibrant, good kind of civil society is to be celebrated and supported.

And then there is the wrong kind of civil society, which must be shut down. US President Joe Biden has just expressed the essence of this attitude: We are a civil society, and order must prevail. This is, of course, a bizarre misreading of the idea of civil society. Ideally, its key features are autonomy from the state and the capacity to establish an effective counterweight, and even, if necessary, to offer resistance to it. Putting the emphasis on order instead is ignorant or dishonest. In reality, civil society makes no sense, even as an ideal, if it is not granted a substantial degree of freedom to be disorderly. A civil society that is so orderly as to disturb no one is a fig leaf for enforced conformism and  at least  incipient authoritarianism.

But lets set aside the mundane fact that Joe Biden says things that display ignorance or duplicity. What is more important is that order, in his usage, is a transparent euphemism: According to the New York Times, over the last two weeks, over 2,300 protesters have been arrested on almost 50 American campuses. Often, arrests have been made with demonstrative brutality. Police have used riot gear, stun grenades, and rubber bullets. They have assaulted students as well as some professors with massive aggression.

The most well-known individual case at this moment is that of Annelise Orleck, a professor at Dartmouth College. Orleck is 65 years old and attempted to protect students from police violence. In response, she was slammed into the ground in the worst MMA style, knelt on by beefy policemen, who clearly lack elementary decency, and dragged away with whiplash trauma, as if she had been in a serious car accident. Ironically (if thats the word), Orleck is Jewish and, at one time, used to be the head of her universities program in Jewish Studies.

In another, extremely disturbing development, at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a violent police crackdown  including use of rubber bullets  was preceded by a vicious attack by so-called pro-Israeli counter-protesters. In reality, this was a mob out to inflict maximum harm on the anti-genocide protesters, who, a New York Times investigation has found, maintained an almost entirely defensive stance. University security forces and the police failed to intervene for hours, letting the counter-protesters run wild. That is a pattern every historian of the rise of fascism in Weimar Germany will recognize: First the SA mobs of the rising Nazi party had a free hand to assault the Left, then the police would go after the same Left as well.

That is the real face of the order that President Biden and all too many in the Wests establishments endorse. But only at home. When it comes to the unrest in Georgia, their tone is entirely different. Make no mistake, there has been substantial violence  and what Biden would denounce as chaos if it happened in America  in Georgia. Indeed, while the US anti-genocide protesters have not been violent but disorderly (yes, those are very different things), the protesters in Georgia have used genuine violence, for instance, when they tried to storm the parliament.

Nothing remotely comparable has been done by the US anti-genocide protesters. Regarding the trespassing and causing public inconveniences that so agitate the US president, there has been plenty of that in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. By Bidens logic a protest must not even disturb or delay a campus graduation ceremony. What would that imply for blocking a central traffic node in the capital city?

Dont get me wrong: The Georgian protesters report violent police tactics used against them as well, and, more broadly, the rights or wrongs of their cause, or the draft law they reject are beyond the scope of this article. I do believe they are used by the West for a geopolitical play Color-Revolution-style, but that is not the point.

The pertinent point here is, once again, staggering Western hypocrisy: A West that thinks trying to storm parliament is part of having a vibrant civil society in Georgia, cannot mass-arrest and brutalize anti-genocide protesters on its own campuses. That is, of course, also the message of Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who clearly has had enough of the absurdity.

In a resonant post on X, Kobakhidze objected forcefully to American false statements about the controversial draft law as well as, more importantly, US interference in Georgian politics in general. The prime minister, in essence and very plausibly for the non-naive, named and shamed Washingtons habit of trying out a color revolution at regular intervals. Finally, he reminded his American interlocutors about a brutal crackdown of the students protest rally in New York City. With that phrase clearly standing for the totality of police repression against young Americans who object to genocide, Kobakhidze turned the tables.

And that is, perhaps, the most intriguing take-away from this fresh but not unprecedented episode of the long-running saga of Western double standards. To find condemnation and suppression of almost entirely peaceful protests against genocide, while more violent protests against a law to regulate NGOs are being celebrated  that is shameful but not new. As before, geopolitics trumps values.

But civil society used to be a key concept for projecting Western soft power by, in essence, subversion and manipulation. It was so useful because its ideological charge was so powerful that its mere invocation stifled resistance. Now, by displaying how it handles its own civil society at home, the West is ruining yet another useful illusion.

Read more at: RT.com
AMERICAN-MADE BOMB was used in Israeli strike that killed seven volunteer health workers in southern Lebanon

An investigation by the Guardian has revealed that the Israeli military used a bomb made in the United States in an airstrike that killed seven healthcare workers in southern Lebanon.

The attack, which targeted an ambulance center belonging to the Lebanese Succor Association in the town of Hebbariyeh on March 27, has been condemned by Human Rights Watch as a violation of international law. The airstrike claimed the lives of seven volunteer paramedics, all aged between 18 and 25. (Related: Israeli strikes target emergency health centers in southern Lebanon, killing paramedics.)

The strike targeted a residential structure housing the Emergency and Relief Corps of the Lebanese Succour Association, a local organization that has played a crucial role in providing emergency, rescue and first aid services.

Analysis of shrapnel recovered from the attack by the leading rights group Human Rights Watch indicated that one of the bombs used was the 500-pound MPR (multi-purpose rigid) bomb, a penetration and surface attack bomb that has been fitted with a joint direct attack munition (JDAM) missile guidance kit manufactured by Boeing.

Human Rights Watch analyzed the shrapnel and other weaponry remnants found at the attack sites in Lebanon and corroborated their findings with verified photographs and videos of the aftermath of the attack shared by Lebanese residents and local and international journalists. The visual evidence, combined with eyewitness testimonies, paints a harrowing picture of the devastation inflicted on the relief center and its personnel.

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. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power 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.

This revelation has raised concerns ahead of the May 8 deadline for the administration of President Joe Biden to deliver a report on whether Israel's use of American weapons constitutes a breach of U.S. or international law. Israel has contended that it has not violated either set of laws, prompting the administration to review and report its assessment to Congress.

Since the onset of Israel's war on Gaza and genocide against the Palestinian people last October, the Biden administration has provided unwavering diplomatic support to Israel and expedited arms shipments to the country.

The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. Israel has also inflated the conflict by engaging in cross-border confrontations in Yemen, Syria, Iran and against the Hezbollah movement in southern Lebanon.

U.S. law prohibits provision of military aid to countries that commit gross human rights violations

The targeting of medical workers and healthcare infrastructure violates international law, constituting war crimes. Under the Leahy laws, the U.S. is prohibited from assisting foreign security forces implicated in gross human rights violations.

Concerns have been raised that U.S.-supplied munitions may implicate Washington in allegations of Israeli war crimes.

In response, the Biden administration faces legal action within the U.S., with Palestinians alleging complicity in Israel's actions through the supply of weapons and military support.

Human Rights Watch's investigation into the Israeli airstrike on the emergency and relief center in south Lebanon revealed alarming details about the tragic incident.

In addition to condemning the unlawful attack, Human Rights Watch called for immediate action to suspend arms sales and military assistance to Israel.

The organization stressed the paramount importance of upholding legal and ethical standards in armed conflict to prevent further civilian casualties and human rights abuses.

The aftermath of the strike saw retaliatory actions from Hezbollah, further exacerbating tensions in the region and underscoring the urgent need for accountability measures. Human Rights Watch emphasized the obligation of all parties to the conflict to prioritize the protection of civilians and to refrain from targeting civilian infrastructure.

Watch this report from "Grafted In The Vine" discussing Israel's escalating cross-border strikes on targets in Lebanon.

This video is from the Grafted In The Vine channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Hezbollah leader says Israel's very existence is now at risk.

WAR FREAKS: Israeli warplanes strike villages in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah chief to Israel: "You have lost the war."

Israel airstrike kills Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon.

Israel will invade Lebanon in late spring if conflict continues to escalate, Biden's intel warns.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

EurasianReview.com

Brighteon.com
Bahraini Islamic Resistance group launches drone attacks against targets in Israel

A small Islamist organization from the Gulf State of Bahrain has claimed its first attack against Israeli targets

The Al-Ashtar Brigades, the paramilitary arm of the political opposition organization the Islamic Resistance in Bahrain, has claimed responsibility for its first attacks on Israel in support of the people of Gaza. The Al-Ashtar Brigades is a designated terrorist organization by the governments of Bahrain, the United States and multiple other nations due to its alleged ties to Iran.

The Al-Ashtar Brigades reportedly launched drones targeting the Israeli port city of Eilat in the Red Sea.

The group stated that it targeted the headquarters of the Israeli land transportation company "Trucknet." This move aims to disrupt diplomatic and economic ties between Bahrain and Israel, especially considering Trucknet's role in facilitating oil transfers between the two nations.

This attack underscores the complexities surrounding the normalization process between Bahrain and Israel. Despite initial progress, tensions escalated during the Gaza conflict in October, prompting Bahrain to recall its ambassador from Israel. However, by December, Bahrain signaled its commitment to maintaining normalized ties with Israel. (Related: Iranian president threatens to DESTROY ISRAEL if it tries to attack Iran again.)

Al-Ashtar Brigades launch second attack on Israel a week later

The Al-Ashtar Brigades claimed to have attacked Israeli positions a second time on May 2, with the organization once again claiming that the attack was meant to show support for the people of Palestine amid the ongoing Israeli-led genocide in Gaza.

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.

"The Islamic Resistance in Bahrain confirms that it is continuing its movement and support at all levels for our patient people in the resistant Gaza," said the organization. "And that it will not stop its operations unless the Zionist aggression against Gaza stops."

The attack targeted vital infrastructure in the Port of Eilat. There is no evidence that either its first or second attacks on targets in Eilat have been successful. The Al-Ashtar Brigades claims its first and second drone strikes caused damage to infrastructure.

Questions have also been raised regarding the possibility that the militant organization was not operating in Bahrain when it launched the drones, with analysts from the Washington Institute noting: "The open terrain and leisurely launch sequence of the drone makes it all but impossible that this drone was launched from Bahrain, an environment where it is difficult for Iran and [the Al-Ashtar Brigades] to smuggle even persons and light weapons or explosives into the country."

"More likely, Iraqi militias facilitated (and perhaps even entirely undertook) the launch, dedicating the effort to [the Al-Ashtar Brigades] to help keep their dimming brand alive," reported the Washington Institute.

Questions have also been raised regarding Iran's possible involvement in the Islamic Resistance in Bahrain's decision to be involved in the conflict, with the organization and its military wing considered to be proxies of Tehran.

"Iran is clearly trying to set the region aflame and is using its proxies to do so," warned senior correspondent and analyst Seth J. Frantzman for The Jerusalem Post. "It is admitting this openly as part of its goal to change the regional order and use the Oct. 7 attack as part of a shift in the new world order that Iran believes is arriving."

Learn more about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza at IsraelCollapse.com.

Watch this report from the Al-Ashtar Brigades announcing its attack on the Israeli city of Eilat.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Colombia CUTS diplomatic ties with Israel over continued genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel rewards Jordan with year-long extension of WATER AGREEMENT for helping shoot down Iranian drones.

We are just one step away from an apocalyptic war in the Middle East.

China strengthening ties in the Middle East while attempting to undermine British and American influence in the region.

Oil rises as tensions increase in the Middle East.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

JPost.com

Newsweek.com

Brighteon.com
Biden HALTS shipments of U.S.-made ammunition to Israel  first time since October 7

The United States is cutting Israel off from ammunition made here at home, this according to two Israeli officials familiar with the matter.

For the first time since October 7, the U.S., at the order of the Biden regime, canceled a shipment of ammo to the Jewish state that was intended to replenish Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Netanyahu regime, meanwhile, wants to know why.

It appears as though the Biden regime is having to grapple with overwhelming public opposition to America's support for Israel's actions in Gaza. The president and his people are trying to play both sides of the conflict, at times calling Netanyahu to account for how U.S.-made weapons and ammunition are being used.

With the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) seeking the arrest of Netanyahu and others in the Israeli government, President Biden continues to press Israel for reassurances that its military is using the arms in accordance with international law.

Back in March, Israel signed this letter assuring the Biden regime that all is fine and dandy in Gaza.

(Related: Congress is playing mafia on behalf of Israel with threats against ICC if arrest warrants are issued against Netanyahu and friends.)

White House refusing to comment

When pressed for answers about why the sudden change of heart concerning the ammo shipments, the White House reportedly refused to comment. The same non-response was issued by the Pentagon, the State Department and the Israeli Prime Minister's office, according to Axios.

The biggest concern seems to be Netanyahu's impending invasion of Rafah, a southern city in the Gaza Strip where the last remaining displaced Palestinians  around one million of them  are sheltering after being driven there from the northerly parts of Gaza by the IDF.

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.

Much of the world is concerned about the innocent lives in Rafah that stand to be slaughtered by the IDF, which could explain why the Biden regime is holding back all the ammo that was supposed to be sent there last week.

Netanyahu has made it unequivocally clear that no matter what kind of hostage deal is forged with Hamas, the Israeli military will invade Rafah and unleash what is sure to become the worst phase yet of the Gaza genocide and ethnic cleansing operation.

On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Netanyahu issued the following statement, which hints at tensions between his regime and the Biden regime over the Gaza genocide.

"In the terrible Holocaust, there were great world leaders who stood by idly; therefore, the first lesson of the Holocaust is: If we do not defend ourselves, nobody will defend us," Netanyahu said.

"And if we need to stand alone, we will stand alone."

Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Israel and had a "tough" conversation with Netanyahu about the Rafah operation. During the meeting, Blinken informed Netanyahu that "a major military operation" will not go over well publicly, and will only further erode U.S.-Israel relations.

Israeli leaders reportedly understand that Biden "is sincere," according to White House spokesman John Kirby, when he says changes to U.S. policy concerning Israel will come "should they move ahead with some sort of ground operation in Rafah that doesn't take into account the refugees."

Mediators in Egypt and Qatar continue to push forward in pursuit of a hostage deal that would lead to a pause in the fighting, though Netanyahu is insistent that the forging of one will not change his plans for Rafah in the coming days.

On Sunday, Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant visited Israeli military forces in Gaza, commenting that he saw "worrying signals" that Hamas is not planning to move toward an agreement on releasing any of the remaining hostages.

"This means that an operation in Rafah and in other parts of Gaza will take place in the very near future," Gallant commented.

Doesn't it just feel like something big is about to happen? Learn more at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

Axios.com 1

Axios.com 2

NaturalNews.com
Former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo suddenly becomes an anti-vaxxer, speaks up about his vaccine injury for the first time

Former CNN news anchor Chris Cuomo has suddenly become an anti-vaxxer. On an episode of News Nation , Cuomo opened up about his vaccine injury while interviewing a nurse who was also seriously injured by the COVID-19 vaccines. This is the first time Cuomo has spoken publicly about his ongoing vaccine injury. On air, Cuomo referred to himself as being sick from the vaccine and is undergoing extensive blood work to find out what is wrong with him. This is a shocking confession, especially since he spent time on air marginalizing antivaxxers and feeding into the narrative that they do not deserve to live or have basic rights in society.

Vaccine-pushing Chris Cuomo is suddenly talking about vaccine injury

Cuomo interviewed Nurse Practitioner Sean Barcavage - who was featured in a recent NYT article about vaccine injuries. Cuomo's introduction: We know that vaccines can have unintended consequences, aka side effects, but nobodys really talking about it, because theyre too afraid of blame. They just want it to go away. But the problem is, people like Sean and me and millions of others who still have weird stuff with their blood work, and their lives and their feelings, physically, are not going away.

This is the same Chris Cuomo who pushed for lockdowns, bodily restrictions and vaccine mandates, while partaking in narratives that were used to manipulate and harm millions of people. His brother, former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, was not only embroiled in sexual abuse allegations, but he also commandeered policies (and attempted to coverup the consequences of those policies) which ended up getting elderly people killed in nursing homes and leading to mass iatrogenic error in New York hospitals.

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.

Just like he tried to cover for his brother Andrew on the sexual abuse allegations, (and was subsequently fired from CNN for doing so) Chris Cuomo also used his CNN propaganda slot to cover up the governments unlawful vaccine mandate abuses, their horrendous censorship and all the other human rights abuses carried out in the name of safety. CNN has ignored millions of vaccine injuries that were the result of a global vaccination agenda that leveraged corporate media puppets like Cuomo to propagate bio-terror, to inflict human rights abuses and to enforce deadly experimentation with bioweapons disguised as vaccines.

Chris Cuomo could interview more vaccine injured people

Chriss brother Andrew, the disgraced former governor of New York, propagated vaccine lies and was unchallenged in his wild assertion that the unvaccinated are somehow spreading infections and killing old people. Maybe you go home and kiss your grandmother and wind-up killing your grandmother, he said infamously, before launching a series of vaccine mandates and passports systems that segregated innocent people. His brother Chris Cuomo amplified the messages on CNN and stood by silently as people were harmed en masse.

But now Chris Cuomo is opening up his eyes and admitting that COVID jab injuries are real. However, if he wants to be taken seriously on this issue, he could start by offering a formal apology for previously driving home narratives that caused mass vaccine injury and segregation, which cost people their lives and livelihoods. Instead, he will likely use the issue of vaccine injury to appear compassionate and garner sympathy, in a pitiful, last-ditch effort to save his reputation and rebuild trust with viewers.

Watch the interview here.

There are millions of people who suffered, died or continue to suffer from COVID-19 vaccine injuries. The NYT article that preceded this interview was disingenuous when the errant journalists referred to the thousands of people being injured by COVID-19 vaccines. Lawyers have had to sue to get the data on COVID-19 vaccine injuries from the government, and the data reveals that tens of millions have been injured -- not mere thousands.

Worse, millions more people have been gaslighted by the media and the medical system about their vaccine injuries and the vaccine's relationship to long COVID. These vaccines, the unlawful mandates and the suppression of efficacious early treatment were a horrendous crime against humanity. Chris Cuomo's coverage of this issue better be just as aggressive and enduring as his lockdown and vaccine push was in 2020-2o21.

Sources include:

Revolver.news

BBC.com

Twitter.com

NYTimes.com

ICanDecide.org
Hamas accepts U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal  Israel immediately REJECTS IT

Hamas has agreed to the terms of a United States-brokered ceasefire proposal that would see Israel halt its destructive seven-month campaign in Gaza for several weeks and Hamas release all Israeli captives in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Rather than immediately implementing the proposal, Israel claimed it has to review it more.

In a statement, Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh informed Qatar and Egypt  the two other mediators of the ceasefire proposal  of its acceptance of the plan.

Hamas said in a statement that "Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the Hamas movement's political bureau, had a phone call with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani and with the Egyptian Minister of Intelligence Abbas Kamel, and informed them of the Hamas movement's approval of their proposal regarding the ceasefire agreement."

Meanwhile, Israel has declared that no ceasefire has been agreed to even though earlier reports claimed that Israel was waiting for word from Hamas on whether the movement accepted the ceasefire proposal.

An Israeli official said that the proposal accepted by Hamas was a "softened" form of an Egyptian proposal that included "far-reaching" conclusions Israel cannot accept.

"This would appear to be a ruse intended to make Israel look like the side refusing a deal," the Israeli official said.

The report that Hamas agreed to a ceasefire arrives shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated plans for a ground military operation in Rafah regardless of a ceasefire agreement. (Related: Netanyahu: Israel WILL INVADE Rafah with or without ceasefire and agreement to release hostages)

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.

Israel and Hamas have not agreed to a ceasefire since last November

Israel and Hamas have not agreed to a ceasefire since a weeklong pause that happened last November.

In reaction to the Hamas statement, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said on X that the proposal was "far from meeting Israel's core demands" but that Israel would "dispatch a ranking delegation to Egypt in an effort to maximize the possibility of reaching an agreement on terms acceptable to Israel."

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed the Hamas reply was being considered and studied with "partners in the region."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a statement posted on X, said he welcomed Hamas' acceptance of the ceasefire proposal and asked Western nations to pressure Israel to accept the terms.

"During the call, in which I expressed that we found Hamas' decision based on Turkey's suggestions positive, we also emphasized that Israel should take steps for a permanent ceasefire. I call on all parties, especially Western countries, to put the necessary pressure on Israel for a ceasefire," Erdogan said.

Ceasefire mediators have not publicly elaborated on the full contents of the proposal, but the main points of the agreement include a six-week pause in fighting, during which Hamas would release most, if not all, of the Israeli captives it has held since Oct. 7.

In return, Israel is expected to release hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned or illegally held in detention, withdraw its troops from certain regions of the Gaza Strip and permit Palestinians to travel from southern to northern Gaza.

Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya stated that the first phase of the ceasefire asked for a total withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Netzarim corridor and the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes.

In the second phase, there would be a direct statement of a permanent stoppage of military operations before the remaining Israeli captives are traded for more Palestinian prisoners. During the last phase, a full lifting of the blockade of the Gaza Strip would be made.

Follow IsraelCollapse.com for more news about the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.

Watch this news clip from Hindustan Times reporting on Hamas' acceptance of the ceasefire proposal.

This video is from the CreeperStatus channel on Brighteon.com.

More related articles:

Biden to Netanyahu: Agree to an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza or lose U.S. support.

EVIL: Israel tricking Palestinian refugees into safe zones in Rafah, then bombing them to death.

CALL FOR GENOCIDE: Israeli minister demands "total annihilation" of Rafah  a city where 1.5 million Gazans are sheltering.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

HumanEvents.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Israeli invasion of Rafah under way following evacuation order on 100,000 residents

The anticipated Israeli invasion of Rafah is now under way after Israeli forces dropped leaflets on the eastern part of the city, ordering an evacuation to a so-called "safe zone" and warning that "extreme force" will be used against all who remain in Rafah.

The Israeli military announced that about 100,000 people in the eastern part of Rafah have to evacuate to the Al-Mawasi Refugee Camp on the Gazan coast.

Relief groups have warned that an evacuation of civilians from Rafah, which is protecting an estimated 1.4 million Palestinian civilians, is not feasible because there is nowhere to go due to Israel's indiscriminate destruction of Gaza. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) even warned that Al-Mawasi does not have the resources to take in an additional 100,000 evacuees.

The NRC said the "forced, unlawful" evacuation order could lead to "the deadliest phase of this conflict."

The international charity Oxfam also strongly criticized the Israeli evacuation order and mentioned that Israel has many times bombed areas it alleged were safe.

"Oxfam condemns this forced evacuation order, the potential Rafah offensive, and the Biden administrations unconditional support for Israel that has helped bring us to this point. There is nowhere safe to go: for over six months, Israel has routinely killed civilians and aid workers, including in clearly marked 'safe zones' and 'evacuation routes.' The notion that the 100,000 civilians being evacuated by Israel will be safe and protected is simply not credible," said Abby Maxman, CEO of Oxfam America.

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.

United States officials have declared they are against Israel invading Rafah without a definite plan to protect civilians.

Biden administration showing no signs of placing pressure on Netanyahu

The administration of President Joe Biden has shown no signs that it is interested in placing any kind of real pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, as Israel has already moved forward with the planned assault and U.S. weapons deliveries to Israel continue to arrive.

Israeli bombs battered Rafah before the evacuation order was released, with reports of no less than 22 civilians, along with eight children, being killed in the strikes. (Related: Israel strikes Rafah where all remaining Gaza refugees fled: 22 DEAD, most of them CHILDREN.)

Rafah residents said Israeli strikes hit the city after the evacuation order.

"They told us to evacuate, and here we are doing so. We hope that God will bring us goodness, God willing," said Mahmood Wahba as he prepared to flee with his family for the city of Khan Younis, near al-Mawasi.

Wahba said his family had learned about the order on the internet, while the IDF had also disseminated its message through air-dropped flyers, text messages and loudspeakers.

NRC spokesperson Samah Hadid said she feared the evacuation orders were the "start of the nightmare scenario that weve been dreading for months."

"We've been warning against a military operation in Rafah because the consequences will be deadly and devastating for the over one million IDPs [internally displaced persons] in the area," Hadid said in a phone interview early Monday, May 6.

Hadid also appealed to the Biden administration to "use its influence and leverage over Israel" to stop any military operation in Rafah.

"We need this to happen urgently so that the Israelis get a clear message from their strongest ally that a military offensive in one of the largest displacement sites in the world cannot take place. We have yet to see real pressure applied," Hadid said.

Follow Humanitarian.news for more news about the humanitarian groups working in Gaza.

Watch the video below about President Joe Biden saying the U.S. will not support Israel's operations in Rafah.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Netanyahu: Israel WILL INVADE Rafah with or without ceasefire and agreement to release hostages.

CALL FOR GENOCIDE: Israeli minister demands "total annihilation" of Rafah  a city where 1.5 million Gazans are sheltering.

Israel gears up for massive ground operation in Rafah despite growing global opposition.

Saudi Arabia warns of "VERY SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS" if Israel storms Rafah.

U.S. begins construction of humanitarian aid port off Gaza as Israeli invasion of Rafah looms.

Sources include:

News.Antiwar.com

NBCNews.com

Brighteon.com
Leftists panic after Trump reveals plan to use military to carry out MASS DEPORTATIONS of ILLEGALS

Former President Donald Trump's potential use of the military to enforce mass deportations of illegal immigrants if re-elected for a second term has sent leftists panicking

The 45th president laid out this plan in an interview with Time magazine's Eric Cortellessa, who claimed that Trump described "the outlines of an imperial presidency that would reshape America and its role in the world." He continued: "To carry out a deportation operation designed to remove more than 11 million people from the country, he would be willing to build migrant detention camps and deploy the U.S. military, both at the border and inland, Trump added."

Further pressing by Cortellessa about the use of military forces for such an operation led Trump to remark: "I don't think I'd have to do that. I think the National Guard would be able to do that. If they weren't able to, then I'd use the military."

"You know, we have a different situation. We have millions of people now that we didn't have two years ago. We're going to be moving them out as soon as we get to it."

Trump voiced out his intent to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which allows for summary deportation of any non-citizen from a foreign enemy country. He said he will apply the provision in the first instance against "known or suspected gang members, drug dealers, or cartel members."

Cortellessa then pointed out that the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 forbids the use of the military against civilians, to which Trump remarked: "Well, these aren't civilians. These are people that aren't legally in our country. We have to do whatever we have to do to stop the problem we have."

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.

"This is an invasion of our country, an invasion like probably no country has ever seen before. They're coming in by the millions  I believe we have 15 million now, and I think you'll have 20 million by the time this ends. That's bigger than [the population of] almost every state."

Leftists panic after Trump stresses NATIONAL SECURITY

Following Trump's interview with Time magazine, incumbent President Joe Biden and other leftists went on panic mode. They pointed to the interview as an example of the former president wanting to be a dictator. "We have to beat Trump and his anti-freedom agenda," Biden himself wrote in a post on X.

"This time, we need to take Trump at his word," said David Leopold, former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. "When he talks about mass deportation  in boxcars, bus loads, planes or whatever  that's what he's going to do."

But Stephen Miller, Trump's former senior White House policy adviser, said that the plans would push through despite the protests of leftists.

"I want everybody to understand this is going to happen," he told Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in a podcast interview. "If [former] President Trump is back in the Oval Office in January [2025], this is going to commence immediately."

With Trump and his team setting their sights on deporting more than a million people each year, the operation would inevitably require major infrastructure  including new detention camps. Miller said "large-scale staging grounds" would be constructed near the border, probably in Texas.

"You create this efficiency by having these standing facilities where planes are moving off the runway constantly, probably military aircraft," he told Kirk. (Related: Get ready for large-scale military-run concentration camps across America.)

Head over to Trump.news for more stories involving the former president.

Watch this segment from "TruNews" about former President Donald Trump promising to use the military to deport illegals.

This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Illegal immigrants use ROPE made from CLOTHES to cross Rio Grande into Texas.

Illegal immigrants in New York City are leaving their shelters to go door-to-door begging for money and food.

Trump to GO HARD against ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS and human traffickers if elected for a second term.

United Nations allocates $372 million for U.S.-bound immigrants in 2024.

Sources include:

Modernity.news

Brighteon.com
Trump brands Special Counsel Jack Smith a CRIMINAL, calls for his arrest

Former President Donald Trump has branded United States Attorney and Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith a criminal and has called for his arrest

Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to lambast Smith as a "criminal" and demand swift action in response to revelations that evidence may have been tampered in the case involving the classified documents the Federal Bureau of Investigation supposedly retrieved from Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

The controversy erupted after federal prosecutors conceded discrepancies in the condition of evidence boxes retrieved. These revelations prompted Trump's co-defendant, Walt Nauta, to seek a trial delay, citing challenges in pinpointing specific documents within the compromised evidence.

Trump seized upon the opportunity to escalate his ongoing feud with Smith, characterizing the situation as a blatant attempt to undermine his presidency. Accusing Smith of orchestrating an "Election Interference Scam," Trump painted himself as the victim of a politically motivated witch hunt. (Related: DOJ accused of gross double standard in decision not to file criminal charges against Biden over mishandling of classified documents.)

While Trump's accusations ignited a firestorm of controversy, Smith's office remained conspicuously silent, refraining from public comment amidst mounting scrutiny.

Federal prosecutors attempted to downplay the significance of the evidence discrepancies, attributing them to the logistics of handling sensitive materials.

In response, Trump's legal team continued to press their accusations of systematic malfeasance within the prosecution's ranks. They argued that the integrity of the case had been irreparably compromised, casting doubt on the validity of the whole proceeding.

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 the legal drama unfolded, all eyes remained fixed on Judge Aileen Cannon, who was tasked with adjudicating Nauta's request for a trial delay. The trial's start date, originally slated for May 20, hang in limbo as Cannon deliberates on the appropriate course of action in light of the latest developments.

Amid the turmoil, Trump, Nauta and Mar-a-Lago maintenance worker Carlos De Oliveira faced a litany of charges related to the alleged mishandling and obstruction of classified materials. The specter of a prolonged legal battle looms large, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the futures of those involved in the high-stakes legal saga.

Trump has been calling out Smith's criminality for a while now

Over the past couple of years, Trump hasn't held back in expressing his concerns over Smith's continued participation in the trial.

The former president has labeled the prosecutor a "thug" with a "mental state of derangement," among other derogatory terms. He's even gone as far as calling Smith a "mad dog psycho," an "animal" and a "lunatic," and has accused him of orchestrating a "treasonous" investigation deserving of "sanctions."

So, it wasn't surprising when Trump unleashed another round of insults at Smith during a closed-door donor retreat over the weekend. According to reports, Trump referred to Smith as an "evil thug" and "deranged," even going so far as to call him a "f------ a--hole."

This isn't the first time Trump has hinted at legal action against Smith. He previously suggested that Smith "may very well turn out to be a criminal."

Watch this clip of Fox News reporting on Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) launching an investigation into Special Counsel Jack Smith.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

UPDATE: Judge Cannon unseals MORE unredacted documents  exposes THREATS from Smith's office.

COLLUSION: Biden staffers met with top aide for Special Counsel Jack Smith at the White House before Trump indictment.

Special Counsel Jack Smith accused of deliberately impeding Trumps presidential campaign.

Jack Smiths indictments of President Trump are ill-founded and unconstitutional, judicial clerk explains why.

Special Counsel Jack Smith demanded private info about Americans who favorited or retweeted Trump tweets.

Sources include:

Newsweek.com

MSNBC.com

Brighteon.com
Will Macron go to war with Russia? 5 reasons why it could really happen

French President Emmanuel Macron recently said that the red lines drawn by the European Union to keep EU countries out of the war were a sign of weakness. Commentators and analysts are still quite skeptical about Macron entering the war in a decisive manner with French troops, but there are at least 5 reasons to believe that the French president may be willing to take the gamble of a lifetime.

(Article by John Cody republished from RMX.news)

A Russian breakthrough is a real possibility

A Russian breakthrough may indeed happen in the coming months, as Western intelligence services, politicians, and media outlets have been prepping the Western public for this possibility for some time. In such a scenario, if Russia were to take wide swathes of territory, attention would shift back to Macron and his repeated warnings that France would enter the war in favor of Ukraine in such as scenario. In turn, this would increase the pressure on him to react.

The question ultimately is whether Macron is deploying rhetoric for internal political purposes or seriously considering sending French troops to Ukraine in the case of a Russian breakthrough. Those doubtful of Macrons willingness to send troops to Ukraine have plenty of ammunition. For example, immediately after he claimed that the French could enter the war on the side of Ukraine, France also announced it would send a French envoy to attend Vladimir Putins inauguration ceremony in Moscow while most other EU countries are actively boycotting it.

We are not at war with Russia or the Russian people, and we have no desire for regime change in Moscow, said Macron while speaking with Chinese President Xi on Monday.

However, Macron could in theory enter the war on Ukraines behalf, maintain defensive positions, and still claim these troops represent no threat to Russia as long as Russian forces do not attack them. IN other words, Putin can stay in power, but France will not allow Ukraine to be overrun.

Macron put the ball in Ukraines court

One of the key factors to note is that Macron himself put the onus on Ukraine, a move that could force his hand. Macron specifically said if Ukraine requested support, France could respond with troops. If Ukraine openly requests French assistance, and Macron does not deliver, it will now make him look weak and blustery.

There are virtually countless scenarios now available to Ukraine to take Macron at his word and openly chide France into entering the war. In fact, Ukrainian President Zelensky would be remiss in his duties to not ask France to enter the war at the earliest possible moment, referencing Macrons past comments on the issue. Ukraine is under dire pressure with manpower and equipment shortages.

French public opinion doesnt matter

Many are also putting an overemphasis on French polling, which shows the French are overwhelmingly opposed to sending troops. For example, an Odexa poll showed that 68 percent of French respondents said Macrons comments on sending Western troops to Ukraine were wrong.

Many assume that this public stance will tie Macrons hands. This reading could not be further from the truth.

The reality is that the popular opinion does not count for much in the West. Take for example the issue of immigration. The French public has been overwhelmingly against mass immigration for decades, with even larger numbers of French opposed to continued mass immigration compared to those opposed to Macrons comments on sending troops to Ukraine.

What was the end result? Record numbers of immigrants into France.

Macron is a servant of elite opinion and interests, which has been enough to allow him to maintain his grip on power even in the face of abysmal approval ratings throughout his tenure.

Macron is also using the friendly media environment to launch a PR campaign around his recent hawkishness.

If Russia were to win, the lives of French people would change, Macron said during a prime-time television interview. We would no longer have security in Europe.

It is unlikely Macron can shift public opinion in his favor much, but perhaps enough with the people that matter to ensure his adventure in Ukraine has the backing of the pro-EU elite.'

Russia would have trouble responding militarily

Now that Russia is making advances on the battlefield, there are claims that Ukraine is on the verge of collapse and will lose significant territory.

I do not subscribe to this theory. I believe the West has dictated the pace of this war since the beginning. The West, if it wanted to, could quickly ensure a strategic defeat of Russia in a short time, which is why I buy into the idea that this is a fake war designed to pin down Russia and Ukraine in a bloody stalemate. The more dead Slavs, the better? Perhaps that is a part of it, but at the same time, there is also a lot of money to be made and laundered through Ukraine.

Russia is in a very difficult situation, one in which it cannot retreat, but also has to expend enormous amounts of material and manpower to make any gains at the front. The West can more or less dictate these gains with the flow of weapons.

It should not be forgotten that the West has sent very limited amounts of weaponry. Germany, for example, has never sent Taurus missiles. The U.S. has never sent Predator drones, stealth fighters, and advanced versions of its main battle tanks. In addition, even while Western main battle tanks have made their way to Ukraine, they have only arrived in limited numbers. The West is also slow-walking the promised F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. They could already be operational if the West wanted them in the skies over Ukraine, and there are plenty of reasons why they are not, despite all of the pretend training excuses and claims that Ukraines airfields do not have the proper infrastructure.

At the same time, Russia has already played its hand. There is no secret weapon that Russia is holding back. Its full military and domestic production is dedicated to the war in Ukraine. The only real spade is nuclear weapons, and Russia has ruled out using them.

Russia is still a formidable threat, and it has made great leaps in terms of its military progress in the last two years, but how would Russia respond to an escalation from France? Militarily, there are few options. Russia would have to resort to economic warfare, as its ability to punish its enemies through force is highly questionable at this moment in history.

France could claim its intervention is defensive

Certainly, Russia could kill French soldiers in Ukraine, but Russia actually threatening France itself is a very remote possibility. If France entered the war, Macron would have to ensure he is sending a military force capable of putting up a real fight if attacked. Despite naysayers, France deploying its most advanced military assets would be a formidable threat to Russia.

In all likelihood, Macron would attempt to deploy these forces in the most defensive manner possible and try as hard as he could to ensure they avoid open conflict. Russian forces may also balk at directly attacking a NATO member states armed forces. If Macron were able to stem a Ukrainian retreat and halt a Russian advance, his star would be tremendously bright in the EU, and there is no doubt that he would help put France back on the international map as a major player.

No matter what, the risks would be enormous.

However, critics have long claimed that Western tanks and artillery would lead to a dire Russian response, which has not happened as of yet. Russia has allowed many red lines to be crossed, which may encourage Macron to cross yet another one and enter the conflict directly.

It certainly looks like Macron is prepping the ground for actually moving forward with troops in limited numbers, waiting for Russias reaction, and then scaling up these numbers accordingly.

Read more at: RMX.news
UN World Food Program director warns there is full-blown famine in northern Gaza

The director of the United Nations World Food Program has warned that northern Gaza is currently in the throes of a full-blown famine that is spreading to the southern part of the country as Israels blockade and relentless bombing campaign on the enclave continues.

This is according to Cindy McCain, the widow of Senator John McCain, who serves as the head of the World Food Program. Speaking to NBC News, she explained that famine is not unusual in a war scenario and that a ceasefire would provide humanitarian organizations with access to give the people of Gaza the help they so urgently need.

What I can explain to you is  is that there is famine  full-blown famine  in the north, and its moving its way south. And so, what were asking for, and what weve continually asked for, is for a ceasefire and the ability to have unfettered access, she said.

Although there has not been an official famine declaration, for McCain, there is no doubt that there is a full-blown famine there and described the disturbing things that the World Food Program has witnessed there on the ground.

Its horror. Its  You know, its so hard to look at and its so hard to hear, also, she said.

Other people with direct knowledge of the situation agree with her assessment. Last month, for example, the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Samantha Power, said that northern Gaza was already hit by famine.

A spokesperson for the UN World Food Program told the Associated Press that northern Gaza already meets one of the three official benchmarks for an area to be declared in a formal famine. This is the condition of 20 percent of households experiencing an extreme lack of food.

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 area is close to meeting the second condition, which is at least 30 percent of children there suffering from wasting or acute malnutrition. The third condition, however, is more challenging because it requires two adults or four children for every 10,000 individuals to die each day of hunger and related complications; the death rate cannot be easily verified to make this determination.

Senior World Food Program Spokesman Steve Taravella said: The bottom line is that people are practically dying from a lack of food, water and medicines. If we are waiting for the moment when all the facts are in hand to verify the final conditions to scientifically declare a famine, it would be after thousands of people have perished.

Why is the U.S. still supporting this?

Despite these declarations, the U.S. continues to provide support to Israel as Palestinians in Gaza starve to death. Biden continues to ship weapons to Israel and refuses to work on a ceasefire if it does not involve a hostage release despite an American law that prohibits the U.S. from providing military assistance to countries that are blocking humanitarian assistance deliveries.

So far, nearly 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the attacks on Gaza that have been carried out by Israel since October 7. Countless more have gone missing under the rubble of demolished buildings, and it is not known how many will perish due to malnutrition as a result of the blockade and siege.

Although Israel claims that it is taking steps to help more aid flow into Gaza, aid officials insist that they are not doing enough to get people help. The country is coming under increasing pressure to allow more aid into Gaza after Israeli military strikes murdered seven staffers of the American-based World Central Kitchen charity that was delivering food to starving Palestinians.

Throughout the course of the war, nearly 2 million Palestinians have been forcibly displaced, and many are living in cramped conditions without access to food or proper sanitation. Dozens of children have already died due to dehydration and malnutrition.

Now, with Israel preparing to conduct military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where much of the population is currently concentrated, concerns are growing that the situation is about to become even worse there.

Sources for this article include:

News.AntiWar.com

CNN.com
Authorities recently said that the quantity of fish on the United States government's overfishing list fell to a record low last year and this indicates the state of health when it comes to American fisheries.

Major Milestone

Through its yearly "Status of the Stocks" study, which offers an evaluation of the populations of the seafood species that fishermen catch and consumers purchase, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published an updated review of American fisheries during the later period of last week.

The report said that 94% of the fish stocks are not overfished, which has been deemed as a little improvement when compared with the figure during the previous year.

According to a NOAA statement, the United States was able to take numerous significant fish stocks off the overfishing list.

The said list included the Atlantic mackerel stocks in the Gulf of Maine and Cape Hatteras, as well as the cubera snapper stock in the Gulf of Mexico.

The renowned Snohomish coho salmon also became the most recent population to be added to the rebuilt list last year, in what NOAA called "a major milestone."

According to the organization, the species of coho salmon are usually found in more than 20 distinct stocks in Alaska and the West Coast.

The release of NOAA's study coincides with efforts by non-governmental groups and international governments to combat illicit, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the world's oceans. The European Commission has also made it a priority to discourage unsustainable fishing methods throughout many areas in Europe.

Read Also: Tuna Species Face Uncertain Future Due to Climate Change and Overfishing

Making Progress

Rick Spinrad, administrator of NOAA, stated that the United States is making progress in terms of the removal of species off the overfishing list.

"By ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks, we are strengthening the value of U.S. fisheries to the economy, our communities and marine ecosystems," he added.

Additionally, in the recent years, the United States has already made headway in removing fish species from the list of overfished species. The list of overfished species includes those with an unsustainable high rate of harvest.

Moreover, NOAA has maintained a list when it comes to overfished stocks.

These species have an excessively small overall population. That figure decreased somewhat last year, according to the government. The organization further reported that over 80% of fish stocks have been considered as not overfished.

According to the agency, it was able to take coho salmon stocks from the Washington coast and bluefish from the Atlantic coast off the overfished list. The organization also claimed that it has also updated the listings with a few new species, such as Mid-Atlantic summer flounder.

Based on the data of the NOAA, commercial fishermen were able to harvest more than 8 billion pounds of seafood in 2022.

According to NOAA, it has a value of nearly $6 billion in the year 2022.

Related Article: Protected Fishing Areas Allow Great White Sharks to Grow up to 20 Feet Long and Tiger Sharks to 16 Feet
The president of global climate negotiations calls on developing nations to provide more transparent and easily accounted-for financial evidence for their demands for trillions of dollars in climate funding.

Transparency Urged

Azerbaijan's environment minister, Mukhtar Babayev, who will chair the COP29 United Nations climate conference in November, has encouraged poor nation governments to compile reports detailing their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the amount of money they have spent addressing the issue.

At COP29 in Baku, nations are anticipated to establish a new worldwide objective for climate finance to assist developing nations in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the effects of extreme weather. There are governments in the global south who want the amounts to go up to above $1 trillion annually.

Rich countries are unlikely to agree to contribute anything close to these amounts from their taxpayers, therefore, these commitments are expected to be the topic of intense negotiation at COP29. However, the role of alternative funding sources, notably the private sector, is still up for debate.

According to Babayev, significant financial resources would be needed to assist developing nations in updating their nationally determined contributions, or NDCs, to reduce emissions in accordance with the requirement to keep temperature increases to 1.5C over pre-industrial levels.

He believes that a critical first step is to increase the openness of accounting for spending on climate change and reductions in emissions.

"It's very important to build this correct, good and honest trust between the parties. It's a very, very important step, the creation of a transparency mechanism between the countries," he added.

Read Also: Over $42 Million California Funding to Help Fight Climate Change by Planting Trees, Green Spaces

Clear Accounting

One of the most contentious topics at the global climate negotiations is transparency, or clear accounting.

This is partially due to the challenges of keeping track of the numerous variables involved, such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate finance expenditures, but primarily due to intense national sovereignty sensitivities and resistance to being monitored by other countries.

However, there are other instances where international attempts to address the climate catastrophe are being hampered by a lack of transparency.

The International Energy Agency discovered in 2022 that emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas methane were 70% greater than countries had claimed. Greenhouse gas emissions have often been found to be far higher than those declared.

Spending on climate finance is encased in secrecy and prone to egregious distortions. For example, a journalistic investigation conducted last year revealed that Japan had provided funding for an airport expansion in Egypt and a coal-fired power plant in Bangladesh under the pretext of climate finance, while Italy had assisted in the establishment of an ice cream chain throughout Asia.

As per the Paris Agreement of 2015, nations are required to begin submitting updated transparency reports. Developed nations had to submit theirs by the end of this year, while poor nations had to do so by 2022.

In order to break the financial impasse, Babayev urges countries to turn in their reports as soon as possible, ideally well in advance of COP29 starting on November 11.

Developed nations will have less justification for refusing to provide poor countries with climate funding if the latter can demonstrate unequivocally that they are working to reduce emissions, adapt to the effects of the climate catastrophe, and account for whatever climate finance they receive.

Related Article: African Children Exposed To Environmental Shocks Making Them High Risk To Climate Change
The latest report raised concerns about the effects of intense heat on the population of bumblebees, which is crucial for the environment and food security.

Bumblebees might look small, but they play a significant role on the planet. According to recent reports, bumblebees are important pollinators that help crops and flowering plants. They can also help to ensure ecosystem health and food production.

In addition, bumblebees sustain and promote biodiversity, as many plans depend on them. It can benefit not only animals but also human livelihood and agriculture.

In the United States, there are about 49 species of bumblebees, according to a report. They are considered one of the common pollinators in North America.

Soaring Temperatures and Impacts on Bumblebees

Soaring temperatures pose a signficant threat to many species. Temperature fluctuations are challenging, and animals, including bumblebees, can likely struggle to survive.

Researchers from the University of Guelph studied the potential vulnerability of bumblebees to intense heat. The findings were published in Frontiers. Understanding the impacts on bumblebees is essential for conservation and protection plans.

The report warns that the intense heat exceeded the optimal range for bumblebees. While the species can adapt and undergo thermoregulation, soaring temperatures can threaten the hives, as temps reach 89.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to a study, Professor Peter Kevan explains the potential brood and nest overheating due to scorching heat. Bumblebees can likely suffer when the heat increases or reaches above 35 degrees Celcius.

In addition to hotter temperatures, the report emphasizes that bumblebees have suffered from the widespread use of pesticides and reduced wildflower availability.

Also Read: Can Honeybees Adapt? New Research Examines the Resilience of Pollinators in a Changing World

Other Ways Climate Change Affects Bees

Climate change has widespread impacts on many species due to changing weather conditions and extreme weather events. While other animals can adapt, the situation is different for bee populations.

Recent reports reveal that climate change can potentially alter the scents of plants, which is important for many bees. Plants can become more stressed due to climate change, causing a chance of their scents.

In addition, it can lead to widespread habitat loss, and bees could struggle to find possible food. Most bees stay in specific habitats, and the degradation can devastate their population.

The report also highlights that it could result in a mismatch in seasonal timing, affecting seed production and food shortages.

As bees are crucial for plants, flowers, humans, and animals, their decline in numbers has significant effects, particularly on biodiversity and food security.

The mitigation of climate change or warming trends is essential for bumblebees and can save them from threats of extinction. Additionally, continuous monitoring efforts are helpful to track down alarming risks to their populations.

Related Article: Bumblebees Show Resistance to Common Pesticides in Foraging Flights

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News
In the depths of the Earth, where darkness reigns and pressure mounts, a phenomenon known as rockbursts poses a significant threat to the safety of deep rock engineering projects.

The Hidden Dangers Beneath Our Feet

A recent study published in the journal Rock Mechanics Bulletin has shed light on the processes, characteristics, and triggering mechanisms of these violent events.

Rockbursts are explosive failures of rock that occur in highly stressed environments, often within deep tunnels or mines.

These catastrophic events can lead to the violent ejection of rock, causing damage to infrastructure and posing a grave risk to human life.

The study, conducted by a team of scientists from Southeast University in China and the University of Oulu in Finland, utilized a biaxial Hopkinson pressure bar system to simulate the conditions that lead to sidewall rockbursts in D-shape tunnels.

The findings revealed that the failure process involves both tensile and tensile-shear failure, regardless of the two-dimensional static stresses applied.

Interestingly, the severity of rockbursts decreased with increasing horizontal prestress, suggesting that the interaction between static stress and impact load is a key factor in triggering these events.

Study's Methodology

The study on rockburst processes, characteristics, and triggering mechanisms, as detailed in the provided links, employed a comprehensive experimental approach to understand the dynamics of sidewall rockbursts in D-shape tunnels under impact load. Here's a closer look at the methodology they used:

Experimental Setup

The researchers developed an experimental capability using the biaxial Hopkinson pressure bar system.

This system allowed them to simulate the conditions that lead to sidewall rockbursts triggered by impact loads, such as those from rock blasting or other mining-related dynamic disturbances.

Focus of the Study

The team concentrated on the sidewall rockburst process of D-shape specimens during the impact load loading process.

They examined the failure characteristics, strain field, and displacement deformation characteristics of the surrounding rock under different horizontal prestresses.

Findings on Failure Process

It was observed that the sidewall failure process of the D-shape specimen remained consistent under different two-dimensional static stresses, involving both tensile and tensile-shear failure.

However, the volume of the V-shape failure zone, the affected range of tensile strain concentration zone, and the severity of rockbursts decreased with increasing horizontal prestress.

Impact of Static Stress and Impact Load

The study highlighted that the interaction between static stress and impact load is crucial in triggering rockbursts.

The static prestresses established the initial stress and strain distribution, while the horizontal prestress influenced the affected range and strain values of the strain concentration zone.

The impact load disrupted the original stress equilibrium, leading to alterations in the stress and strain of the surrounding rock, which ultimately triggered rockbursts.

Anticipated Contributions

The research team expects that their findings will attract more attention in the field of deep tunnel rockburst disasters and offer valuable insights into understanding and preventing rockbursts.

Also Read: Environmental Scientists Warned of Environment Problems Due to Norway's Deep Sea Mining Plans

Towards Safer Deep Rock Engineering

The implications of this research are far-reaching, offering valuable insights into the prevention of rockbursts.

By understanding the initial stress and strain distribution established by static prestresses, engineers can better predict and mitigate the risks associated with these destructive occurrences.

The study's corresponding author, Fengqiang Gong, emphasizes the importance of their findings, stating that the impact load disrupts the original stress equilibrium, leading to alterations in the stress and strain of the surrounding rock, ultimately triggering rockbursts.

This knowledge is crucial for the construction and maintenance of safe deep rock engineering projects, where the persistent occurrence of rockbursts has long been a challenge.

In conclusion, the collaborative efforts of the international research team have not only advanced our understanding of rockbursts but also highlighted the need for continued investigation into the complex interplay of forces that govern these powerful earth processes.

As we delve deeper into the subterranean world, studies like these are vital in ensuring that our endeavors beneath the surface are grounded in safety and awareness.

Related article: Galapagos of Asia at Risk Because of Nickel Mining
It is expected that the distribution of venomous snake species will be significantly impacted by climate change, with changes in patterns of envenomation of domestic animals and humans as well as declines in biodiversity.

New Home For Dangerous Snakes

As climate change intensifies, certain people in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, and Florida may have to worry about an invasion of dangerous snakes in their area in addition to heat waves and rising sea levels.

According to a recent study, some venomous snakes, like the European asp and the west African gaboon viper, may find new homes in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa as a result of rising temperatures.

According to the researchers, when the climate warms, the most dangerous snake species from neighboring countries will move to China, Myanmar, Niger, Namibia, Nepal, and Niger.

The goal of the study was to determine where different snake species would find favorable climatic circumstances by 2070 by modeling the geographic distribution of 209 venomous snake species that are known to cause medical issues in humans.

The loss of tropical and subtropical ecosystems would cause the ranges of most poisonous snake species to shrink, but some species, like the west African gaboon viper, will see an expansion in habitat that could reach 250%.

By 2070, it was predicted that the ranges of the horned viper and the European asp would have more than doubled.

Nonetheless, it was predicted that some snakes will lose more than 70% of their territory, such as the hognosed pit viper of the Americas and the variable bush viper that is native to Africa.

"As more land is converted for agriculture and livestock rearing, it destroys and fragments the natural habitats that snakes rely on," said study authors Pablo Ariel Martinez at the Federal University of Sergipe in Brazil and Talita Amado at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research in Leipzig, Germany.

Read Also: Deadly Sea Snake Sightings Increase Along New South Wales Coast

Snake Bites

The World Health Organization has been keeping tabs on this trend as well.

According to estimates from the organization, between 1.8 and 2.7 million people are bitten by venomous snakes each year, resulting in at least 400,000 amputations, permanent impairments, and up to 138,000 fatalities. In 2017, the WHO designated snakebite envenomation as a neglected tropical illness with utmost concern.

In January, they issued a "call for urgent action," urging nations to begin storing antivenom and training those who may come into contact with the deadly reptiles in anticipation of a spike in snakebites.

"We are now finally getting a better handle on how snakes will change their distributions with climate change, but there is also a major concern that they will bite more people if warm temperatures, severe wet weather events, and flooding that displaces snakes and people get more frequent," said Anna Pintor, a research scientist with the WHO's neglected tropical diseases group.

Although not included in this study, scientists have already observed a rise in snake activity in Australia as shorter winters encourage snakes to emerge from their brumation, or time of relative hibernation, earlier each year. This has increased revenue for the nation's snake catchers.

Florida is being gradually invaded by Burmese pythons, which were first brought by humans in the 1980s, most likely by people who kept them as pets, according to scientists.

The US Geological Society predicts that they may be moving even further north due to climate change. According to a new study, since pythons burp with substantially less gas than cows, they may actually replace other proteins as a more accessible and environmentally friendly option.

Related Article: 240 Million Years Old Snake Ancestor Skeleton Discovered That Could Help Unlock Evolution Mysteries
Sorry, something doesn't look right.

Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support.
Calling the problem an isolated incident, Google also assured UniSuper members that the outage was not due to a cyber-attack and thus their sensitive data was not exposed to unauthorized entities.

What happened?

The provisioning issue caused a deletion of UniSupers Private Cloud subscription, which deleted the cloud in two geographies, one of which was aimed at providing protection against outages and loss, according to Google.

Restoring UniSupers Private Cloud instance has called for an incredible amount of focus, effort, and partnership between our teams to enable an extensive recovery of all the core systems, according to the email.

UniSuper also had backups in place with an additional service provider, which minimized the loss and is helping the companies during the restoration process.

Google Cloud sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience this has caused, and we continue to work around the clock with UniSuper to fully remediate the situation, with the goal of progressively restoring services as soon as possible, the email said.

Outages can cause reputational damage

Cloud and other network outages happen, with the major service providers  including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and others  all having experienced them at one time or another. For instance, in June 2023, AWS experienced a more than two-hour incident that impacted a number of services on the US East Coast. Microsoft Azure also had a data center outage in Australia in September of last year that prevented users from accessing Azure, Microsoft 365, and Power Platform services for more than 24 hours.
Dibyendu Bhattacharya loves homemade 'dal-chawal', 'khichdi' during shoots

A

ctor Dibyendu Bhattacharya, who recently wrapped up the first schedule for the upcoming film Gulabi starring Huma Qureshi, likes to dig into homemade food during shoots which brings him comfort.

The shooting of the film, which was announced on International Womens Day (March 8), began on April 15 in Ahmedabad.

Directed by Vipul Mehta, the film is inspired by a true incident and revolves around a brave auto-rickshaw driver who became the beacon of change, inspiring women to reclaim their destinies.

Talking about his favourite food, Dibyendu told IANS that more than often, he likes to eat homemade food, which includes 'dal' and 'chawal'.

During shoots, most of the time I try to eat homemade food, which is very simple... Like dal-chawal or maybe khichdi with curry," he said.

Talking about the first schedule of 'Gulabi', the actor said, I loved shooting in the beautiful city of Ahmedabad. Though the scorching heat made it challenging, it was a fantastic experience to shoot with Huma again."

We really have a nice team with Vipul Mehta as the director and Vishal Rana as the producer; overall, it was fun shooting in Ahmedabad, surrounded by delicious food and great people. I am looking forward to the next schedule in Mumbai, he added.

 Dibyendu Bhattacharya loves homemade 'dal-chawal', 'khichdi' during shoots

 Post your comments

 Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
"Based upon a review of the pleadings provided, the opportunity to intervene will not be pursued by the Office at this time."
Download Now

The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print.




Regional Superintendent Gary Lewis tells The News-Gazette that the five-person panel that will interviews candidates will include himself; Assistant Regional Superintendent Donna Kaufman; former Urbana Superintendent Preston Williams; former Champaign Assistant Superintendent Deloris Henry; and Giselle Martinez Negrette, an assistant professor with the UIs College of Education.
Firefighters may have an increased risk of prostate cancer due to on-the-job chemical exposures, according to new research from the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and University of Michigan in collaboration with fire service partners and researchers around the country through the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study.

Prostate cancer is the leading incident cancer among U.S. males. Firefighters are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a rate 1.21 times higher than the general population, possibly because of chemical exposures including smoke and firefighting foam during firefighting.

Some of those chemicals can affect how genes are expressed through a process called epigenetic modification, and certain epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, contribute to cancer development. Researchers found evidence that experienced firefighters had different epigenetic modifications than new firefighters in regions linked to prostate cancer.

With these published findings, we have clear evidence of the health risks that firefighters face due to cumulative exposure on the job." Jeff Burgess, MD, MPH, Director of the Center for Firefighter Health Collaborative Research and professor at the Zuckerman College of Public Health

The paper, "Firefighting, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and DNA methylation of genes associated with prostate cancer risk," was published in the journal Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis.

Burgess, also a member of the BIO5 Institute, has been investigating firefighter health for decades. He collaborated with lead author Margaret Quaid, MS, and researcher Jackie Goodrich, PhD, from the University of Michigan, who led the analysis on the methylation of genes.

They found that experienced firefighters had different epigenetic modifications at chromosome 8q24  a particular area of the genome where epigenetic modifications have been linked to prostate cancer risk  compared with new firefighters.

One class of chemicals that is linked with epigenetic modifications is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are used in firefighting foam as well as in many household items, including nonstick pans and water-resistant clothing. The research team also investigated whether there was a link between exposure to PFAS and epigenetic modification.

The results showed that, in many fire departments, new and experienced firefighters had similar exposure to PFAS. However, exposure to a specific PFAS chemical  branched perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA  was linked to epigenetic modifications.

"This study demonstrates the power of the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study to combine data across grants  in this case awards from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2014, 2015 and 2018  to more powerfully evaluate questions from the fire service, this time around exposures and increased prostate cancer risk," Burgess said.

Other co-authors from the Zuckerman College of Public Health include toxicologist Shawn Beitel, MSc, research program administrative officer of the Firefighter Health Collaborative Research Program, and Sally Littau, health research coordinator. John Gulotta and Darin Wallentine of the Tucson Fire Department also contributed. The research team included members from the University of Miami, Rutgers University, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Orange County Fire Authority, and the Fire Protection Research Foundation.
As part of the University of Colorado Department of Medicine's annual Research Day, held on April 23, faculty member Christine Swanson, MD, MCR, described her National Institutes of Health-funded clinical research on whether adequate sleep can help prevent osteoporosis.

"Osteoporosis can occur for many reasons such as hormonal changes, aging, and lifestyle factors," said Swanson, an associate professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes. "But some patients I see don't have an explanation for their osteoporosis.

"Therefore, it's important to look for novel risk factors and consider what else changes across the lifespan like bone does -; sleep is one of those," she added.

How bone density and sleep change over time

In people's early- to mid-20s, they reach what is called peak bone mineral density, which is higher for men than it is for women, Swanson said. This peak is one of the main determinants of fracture risk later in life.

After reaching this peak, a person's bone density remains roughly stable for a couple of decades. Then, when women enter the menopausal transition, they experience accelerated bone loss. Men also experience bone density decline as they age.

Sleep patterns also evolve over time. As people get older, their total sleep time decreases, and their sleep composition changes. For instance, sleep latency, which is the time it takes to fall asleep, increases with age. On the other hand, slow wave sleep, which is deep restorative sleep, decreases as we age.

"And it's not just sleep duration and composition that change. Circadian phase preference also changes across the lifespan in both men and women," Swanson said, referring to people's preference for when they go to sleep and when they wake up.

How can sleep relate to our bone health?

Genes that control our internal clock are present in all of our bone cells, Swanson said.

When these cells resorb and form bone, they release certain substances into the blood that let us estimate how much bone turnover is going on at a given time." Christine Swanson, MD, MCR, faculty member, University of Colorado Department of Medicine

These markers of bone resorption and formation follow a daily rhythm. The amplitude of this rhythm is larger for markers of bone resorption -; which refers to the process of breaking down bones -; than it is for markers of bone formation, she said.

"This rhythmicity is likely important for normal bone metabolism and suggests that sleep and circadian disturbance could directly affect bone health," she said.

Researching the connection between sleep and bone health

To further understand this relationship, Swanson and colleagues researched how markers of bone turnover responded to cumulative sleep restriction and circadian disruption.

For this study, participants lived in a completely controlled inpatient environment. The participants did not know what time it was, and they were put on a 28-hour schedule instead of a 24-hour day.

"This circadian disruption is designed to simulate the stresses endured during rotating night shift work and is roughly equivalent to flying four time zones west every day for three weeks," she said. "The protocol also caused participants to get less sleep."

The research team measured bone turnover markers at the beginning and end of this intervention and found significant detrimental changes in bone turnover in both men and women in response to the sleep and circadian disruption. The detrimental changes included declines in markers of bone formation that were significantly greater in younger individuals in both sexes compared to the older individuals.

In addition, young women showed significant increases in the bone resorption marker.

If a person is forming less bone while still resorbing the same amount -; or even more -; then, over time, that could lead to bone loss, osteoporosis, and increased fracture risk, Swanson said.

"And sex and age may play an important role, with younger women potentially being the most susceptible to the detrimental impact of poor sleep on bone health," she said.

Research in this area is ongoing, she added.
Newborns in Sweden are given antibiotics for suspected sepsis to an unjustified extent. This is according to a study by the University of Gothenburg in over one million newborns. Despite a significant reduction in sepsis rate in the group, the use of antibiotics has not decreased.

The study is published in the journal JAMA Network Open and is based on data on newborns in Sweden from 2012 to 2020. The study covers more than one million newborns with a gestational age greater than or equal to 34 weeks.

It should be highlighted that the study demonstrates relatively low antibiotic use in newborns in Sweden during the first week of life, while maintaining low morbidity and mortality from sepsis, compared to other countries.

However, the researchers argue that the level of treatment is still unjustifiably high. Despite the incidence of sepsis in newborns in Sweden during the study period was halved, there was no significant change in antibiotic use.

Potential to reduce

Johan Gyllensvard is a PhD student at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, a Pediatrician at Ryhov County Hospital in Jonkoping and one of the driving forces behind the study:

The findings suggest that a large number of newborns are treated with antibiotics without having sepsis and that there is potential to reduce antibiotic use. The treatment burden is too high compared to the number of cases and mortality rates from sepsis, he says.

In the basis material with data from over one million newborns, 647 cases of early-onset sepsis were recorded, 9 of which were fatal. This corresponds to 0.63 cases of sepsis per 1,000 newborns annually. During the study period from 2012 to 2020, the rate fell from 0.74 to 0.34 cases per 1,000 newborns annually.

An important balancing act

Sepsis, sometimes called blood poisoning, is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by the immune system's response to an infection. Organs such as the heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys can be affected, and treatment must be started immediately.

Antibiotics, on the other hand, disrupt the normal bacterial flora, which is sensitive in newborns and especially in premature babies. The overuse of antibiotics also increases the risk of becoming a carrier of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

What could potentially reduce unnecessary antibiotic use is a continuous screening of newborns with risk factors for infection but without symptoms. In cases of suspected sepsis, the period with antibiotic treatment can be shortened if the suspicion is significantly reduced and blood cultures remain negative. Johan Gyllensvard, PhD student at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg

Guidelines for antibiotic use in newborns need to be continuously evaluated to optimize the balance between effective sepsis care and minimizing unnecessary antibiotic treatment to improve long-term health, he concludes.
A growing number of states and territories in the United States have legalized medical and recreational cannabis use. As such, recreational cannabis has been associated with a lower perception of risk of harm in the general U.S. population.

However, in women of childbearing age, evidence has shown that cannabis use may increase the risk of adverse reproductive and perinatal health outcomes. Furthermore, research on the perception of risk from using cannabis among vulnerable populations such as those with disabilities is lacking.

Using data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine conducted a study to assess the perceived risk of harm associated with weekly cannabis use in a sample of 20,234 women ages 18 to 49 by disability status.

Disabilities included sensory (hearing and vision), cognitive (difficulty remembering and concentrating) and daily activities (e.g., walking and self-care). Researchers included race/ethnicity, age, marital status, federal poverty level, past-year health insurance gap, and whether the state of residence legalized medical cannabis. They also assessed perceived overall health status, past-year major depressive episode, past-month tobacco/alcohol use, and illicit drug use.

Results of the study, published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, showed that approximately 60% of women with disabilities who used cannabis in the past 12 months perceived no risk of harm from weekly cannabis use. A significantly higher percentage of women with any disability perceived no risk associated with weekly cannabis use (37.9%) compared to those with no disabilities (26.1%).

More than one-quarter (27.4%) of women perceived no risk of harm associated with weekly cannabis use. Overall, perceiving no risk associated with weekly cannabis use was evident among women ages 21 to 29 (34.4%), those who were never married (32%), were non-Hispanic Black (32.2%), living in poverty (31%), perceiving their health as fair/poor (35.1%), and experienced a past 12-month major depressive episode (36.4%). The likelihood of perceiving no risk also was higher among women using tobacco and those using both alcohol and tobacco.

Given women's attitudes toward cannabis as a harmless drug, the increasing rates of its use among those with disabilities, and the potential adverse health outcomes, it is imperative to monitor and understand perceptions of risk of harm from cannabis use among women with disabilities." Panagiota "Yiota" Kitsantas, Ph.D., senior author, professor and chair, Department of Population Health and Social Medicine, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine

Overall, women with disabilities and cannabis use in the past 12 months had 2.9 times higher odds of perceiving no risk associated with weekly use of cannabis compared to women without any disability and no cannabis use. The odds also were higher for those who did not have a disability but used cannabis in the past year, which indicates that cannabis exposure, in general, may increase a woman's likelihood of not perceiving any harm to her health from weekly use.

Exposure to cannabis use during pregnancy has been associated with adverse birth outcomes including low birth weight, preterm delivery, small for gestational age, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit and infant death. Cannabis use also may affect sex hormones essential to fertility and the timing of ovulation in reproductive age.

"As legalization of cannabis use becomes more prevalent across states, attitudes regarding the risk of cannabis use are changing," said Lea Sacca, Ph.D., co-author and an assistant professor in the Department of Population Health and Social Medicine, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine. "A multi-pronged approach to address cannabis use among vulnerable populations such as women of childbearing age with disabilities will require clinical guidance, provider and patient education and evidence-based public health programs."

Although research evidence shows that residents in states where cannabis is legal are more likely to believe that cannabis has benefits than those living in states with just medically legal cannabis or nonlegal states, this study suggests that living in a state that has legalized medical cannabis was associated with a decreased likelihood of perceiving no risk from using weekly cannabis relative to states with no legalized use of medical cannabis.

"There is an urgent need for effective cannabis screening and subsequent dissuasion of cannabis use for reproductive-aged women at risk of substance use. Obstetrician-gynecologists can play an important role by informing patients about healthy behaviors and encouraging long-term adoption as well as identifying patients abusing drugs for proper referral to addiction treatment professionals," said Kitsantas. "Importantly, health policies should include holistic programs to proactively educate the population, pharmacists, medical and public health professionals of the associated benefits and risks of cannabis use among reproductive-aged women with disabilities."

Study co-author is Salman M. Aljoudi, a health data analyst, a Ph.D. researcher and an instructor at George Mason University.
More Americans suffer from chronic pain than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. Yet, a shortage of pain medicine specialists persists, causing many pain sufferers to seek care in primary care settings.

Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine have found that an innovative tele-mentoring program can help address reliance on opioids in the management of pain, with potential benefits for patients, families and communities.

Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) is an innovative educational and mentoring model where primary care providers and other clinicians connect with experts via videoconferencing. Tele-mentoring facilitates knowledge sharing between academic medical centers, medical specialists, and community primary care providers. There are currently 45 pain-related ECHO programs in the United States, including at the University of Missouri.

MU School of Medicine researchers found significant differences in opioid prescribing patterns of Pain Management ECHO participant medical providers compared to non-participating providers for patients enrolled in Missouri's Medicaid program.

We observed statistically significant differences in prescription dosages for patients whose providers consulted with Pain Management ECHO hub team specialists compared to non- participating providers. ECHO participants' patterns of lower rates of opioid proscribing reflects greater adherence to evidence-based recommendations and best practices in safe opioid prescribing." Mirna Becevic, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and lead project evaluator for the Show-Me ECHO

While prior studies have shown that provider participation in ECHO has promising impacts on patient care, the evidence is largely limited to case and observational studies. In this study, Becevic and her fellow researchers analyzed the opioid prescribing patterns of pain management ECHO participants.

Becevic worked on this study with fellow MU colleagues Olabode Ogundele, doctoral student; Xing Song, PhD, assistant professor of Biomedical Informatics; Praveen Rao, PhD, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science; Suzanne Boren, PhD, professor at the College of Health Sciences; Tracy Greever-Rice, PhD, assistant research professor at the College of Health Sciences; Karen Edison, MD, senior medical director of the Missouri Telehealth Network; and Douglas Burgess, MD, a psychology professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Show-Me ECHO at the University of Missouri is part of the Missouri Telehealth Network. In addition to pain management, Show-Me ECHO programs include tele-mentoring for COVID-19, autism, dermatology and a variety of other health topics, including child health and behavioral health.

"We continue to find that Show-Me ECHO is a valuable tool for participating providers on a wide array of medical specialties," said Becevic. "Linking providers in rural Missouri with medical specialists is an important element in the University of Missouri School of Medicine's mission to save and improve lives, especially among underserved and vulnerable patient populations."

"Claims Data Analysis of Provider-to-Provider Tele-mentoring Program Impact on Opioid Prescribing in Missouri" was recently published in the Journal of Opioid Management.
Researchers know that fine motor skills decline with age, but despite the many daily tasks that are performed with the handsdressing, grooming, taking medicationsthere isnt much research on hand health in older adults.

Susan Brown, associate professor of movement science at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology, hopes to change that. Through her Motor Control Lab, Brown oversees the Hands and Health at Home program, where kinesiology students visit older adults in the Ann Arbor area twice a week to perform exercises to improve hand function.

Hands and Health at Home began as a grant proposal from Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels. The U-M Health Department of Community Health Services, which houses Meals on Wheels, had funding available for community organizations to address priority areas, including obesity and related illnesses.

Meals on Wheels and Browns lab sought to address this issue by improving older adults hand function and thus increasing their ability to access and consume healthy foods.

The initiative developed from there into a for credit experiential study course where students would visit older adults in their homes and teach them exercises focused on improving the dexterity and strength of their hands.

Rachel Logue Cook has run the program for five years. She recently successfully defended her doctoral dissertation.

When I heard about the program, I thought, Oh, this has teaching, this has aging, this has all the different aspects that I really enjoy in one project,' she said.

Before sending students into clients homes, Logue Cook teaches them how to perform the exercises and monitor their clients progress, and how to keep sessions on track while still engaging in meaningful conversations.

The program benefits students and older adults

Logue Cook collects data at each clients first and last session, which was used for her dissertation and also the larger work of Browns lab. A small pilot study of eight individuals who took the six-week training program was published in the Journal of Gerontology & Geriatrics Education in December.

The study found:

75% of clients reported better upper limb mobility after training.

Significant improvement in pinch strength was observed in most clients.

Dexterity and grip strength improved in several clients.

Modest improvements in psychosocial well-being occurred in three clients.

88% of trainers saw improvement in their clients function.

George Valenta volunteered for the program because at age 90, his hand strength had declined. By the end, he saw significant improvement, opening water bottles that once gave him trouble and gripping the rowing machine handles with more force.

I had absolutely outstanding students, he said, adding that he appreciated their dedication to developing a tailored program for him. We were the only group in the project that had perfect attendance. I had so much respect for them.

Researchers know that there are disparities in hand health, with older Black and Hispanic adults experiencing greater declines than older white adults. They also know that more than 90% of homebound older adults need assistance with at least one activity of daily living, so this type of training is of particular interest to this population, although its not just for homebound adults.

We have enough evidence now to say we could make recommendations. You know, Here are activities that you could be doing on your own. This could go into a nursing home. This doesnt have to be one-on-one in a home setting. Susan Brown, associate professor of movement science, University of Michigan School of Kinesiology

Program needs funding

Brown and Logue Cook are now working on securing long-term funding solutions to maintain and scale up the Hands and Health at Home program within U-Ms Movement Science curriculum. They are looking at ways to share their training with other organizationsfrom memory care facilities to rural senior centersthat might benefit.

We currently have funding to run the program next fall. In the absence of support past that, it will be difficult to continue, said Brown, who is looking for a part-time coordinator to work with the Meals on Wheels programs and with students.

Long-term goals include taking the program into local chronic care/memory care facilities and expanding to other Meals on Wheels programs. Brown would also like to reach people in the community with age-related hand impairments, such as stroke and Parkinsons disease.

While it may not result in improved hand function in specific clinical populations, the intergenerational model can help with mood and feelings of isolation, Brown said.

Theres a lot of different directions this program could go in, so right now its just, How do we build it up? Because we know it works, she said.
In a bid to improve sexual health and reduce health disparities in the St. Louis area, Washington University infectious diseases physicians are expanding testing and treatment services for sexually transmitted infections in north St. Louis County.

The St. Louis area has some of the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the country, with the burden falling particularly heavily on Black residents and people with sexual orientations and gender identities that are marginalized.

In a bid to reduce disparities and improve overall sexual health in the region, the Division of Infectious Diseases at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis will offer expanded STI testing and treatment services at its Village Square clinic, located in north St. Louis County, a historically medically underserved area. The effort is supported by a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is part of a national program to expand access to comprehensive sexual health services.

"St. Louis' STI rates are very concerning," said Hilary Reno, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine and the principal investigator on the grant. An STI specialist, Reno sees patients at the Village Square clinic. "Syphilis rates have more than doubled since 2015. We've started seeing more cases of congenital syphilis, which can cause babies to be born with physical deformities and neurological problems including blindness or deafness. We are not making the kind of progress we'd like toward ending the HIV epidemic. And the disparities are shocking. STI rates are 11 to 19 times higher among Black than white residents of St. Louis County. It is time for us in the public health community to recognize that what we're doing isn't enough and find better ways to get people the services that they need."

Part of the problem is that the parts of the St. Louis region with the highest rates of STIs  north St. Louis city and county  are also places with minimal access to sexual health-care. In the absence of specialized clinics, many people resort to hospital emergency departments for STI testing and treatment. While emergency departments can and do provide such services, they are not equipped to offer comprehensive STI care, such as follow-up care, contact tracing, and prevention education.

Expanding the services offered by the Village Square clinic in Hazelwood is a first step toward improving testing and care options for people in north St. Louis County. The clinic was established in 2023 primarily to provide care for people living with HIV, and offered limited walk-in HIV testing. With the support of this grant, the clinic aims to offer walk-in testing to anyone at no or low cost, as well as treatment, if needed, for walk-in patients and their sexual partners. The clinic also will provide the HIV preventive medication PrEP, which is taken routinely to reduce the risk of infection, as well as two medications that are taken in the hours after a potential exposure to an STI: PEP (for HIV) and doxyPEP (for syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea). Eventually, the plan is to expand prevention education at Village Square and establish mobile services to reach additional underserved communities in north St. Louis County.

The details of which services will be offered and how are yet to be worked out. The first year of the five-year project is dedicated to working in concert with community members to develop a plan tailored to the needs and preferences of the community. Priority will be given to meeting the needs of the most underserved members of the community, including people living with HIV; gender and sexual minorities; young adults; and people of color, especially Black women.

I once heard someone say, 'You dont need focus groups if you incorporate the right voices from the beginning. When people have symptoms of an STI, or theyve learned someone they've had sexual contact with has an STI, being able to be seen by a doctor and getting care and treatment very quickly is critically important. Not only does it make them feel better, but it also helps reduce transmission, which benefits the whole community. What we're hoping to do is build options for clinical care that the community really wants so we can meet their health-care needs and begin to bring STI rates in the region down." Hilary Reno, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and principal investigator on the grant

Along with Reno, the team includes Ernie-Paul Barrette, MD, a professor of medicine at Washington University and the medical director of the Village Square clinic, as well as the St. Louis County Department of Public Health; Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region; Christian Hospital, a BJC HealthCare hospital near the Village Square clinic; The SPOT, a Washington University clinic for youth and young adults; and the St. Louis STI/HIV Prevention Training Center.
Patients admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital get a monitoring device about the size of a half-dollar affixed to their chest  and an unwitting role in the expanding use of artificial intelligence in health care.

The slender, battery-powered gadget, called a BioButton, records vital signs including heart and breathing rates, then wirelessly sends the readings to nurses sitting in a 24-hour control room elsewhere in the hospital or in their homes. The device's software uses AI to analyze the voluminous data and detect signs a patient's condition is deteriorating.

Hospital officials say the BioButton has improved care and reduced the workload of bedside nurses since its rollout last year.

"Because we catch things earlier, patients are doing better, as we don't have to wait for the bedside team to notice if something is going wrong," said Sarah Pletcher, system vice president at Houston Methodist.

But some nurses fear the technology could wind up replacing them rather than supporting them  and harming patients. Houston Methodist, one of dozens of U.S. hospitals to employ the device, is the first to use the BioButton to monitor all patients except those in intensive care, Pletcher said.

"The hype around a lot of these devices is they provide care at scale for less labor costs," said Michelle Mahon, a registered nurse and an assistant director of National Nurses United, the profession's largest U.S. union. "This is a trend that we find disturbing," she said.

The rollout of BioButton is among the latest examples of hospitals deploying technology to improve efficiency and address a decades-old nursing shortage. But that transition has raised its own concerns, including about the device's use of AI; polls show the public is wary of health providers relying on it for patient care.

In December 2022 the FDA cleared the BioButton for use in adult patients who are not in critical care. It is one of many AI tools now used by hospitals for tasks like reading diagnostic imaging results.

In 2023, President Joe Biden directed the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan to regulate AI in hospitals, including by collecting reports of patients harmed by its use.

The leader of BioIntelliSense, which developed the BioButton, said its device is a huge advance compared with nurses walking into a room every few hours to measure vital signs. "With AI, you now move from 'I wonder why this patient crashed' to 'I can see this crash coming before it happens and intervene appropriately,'" said James Mault, CEO of the Golden, Colorado-based company.

The BioButton stays on the skin with an adhesive, is waterproof, and has up to a 30-day battery life. The company says the device  which allows providers to quickly notice deteriorating health by recording more than 1,000 measurements a day per patient  has been used on more than 80,000 hospital patients nationwide in the past year.

Hospitals pay BioIntelliSense an annual subscription fee for the devices and software.

Houston Methodist officials would not reveal how much the hospital pays for the technology, though Pletcher said it equates to less than a cup of coffee a day per patient.

For a hospital system that treats thousands of patients at a time  Houston Methodist has 2,653 non-ICU beds at its eight Houston-area hospitals  such an investment could still translate to millions of dollars a year.

Hospital officials say they have not made any changes in nurse staffing and have no plans to because of implementing the BioButton.

Inside the hospital's control center for virtual monitoring on a recent morning, about 15 nurses and technicians dressed in scrubs sat in front of large monitors showing the health status of hundreds of patients they were assigned to monitor.

A red checkmark next to a patient's name signaled the AI software had found readings trending outside normal. Staff members could click into a patient's medical record, showing patients' vital signs over time and other medical history. These virtual nurses, if you will, could contact nurses on the floor by phone or email, or even dial directly into the patient's room via video call.

Nutanben Gandhi, a technician who was watching 446 patients on her monitor that morning, said that when she gets an alert, she looks at the patient's health record to see if the anomaly can be easily explained by something in the patient's condition or if she needs to contact nurses on the patient's floor.

Oftentimes an alert can be easily dismissed. But identifying signs of deteriorating health can be tough, said Steve Klahn, Houston Methodist's clinical director of virtual medicine.

"We are looking for a needle in a haystack," he said.

Donald Eustes, 65, was admitted to Houston Methodist in March for prostate cancer treatment and has since been treated for a stroke. He is happy to wear the BioButton.

"You never know what can happen here, and having an extra set of eyes looking at you is a good thing," he said from his hospital bed. After being told the device uses AI, the Montgomery, Texas, man said he has no problem with its helping his clinical team. "This sounds like a good use of artificial intelligence."

Patients and nurses alike benefit from remote monitoring like the BioButton, said Pletcher of Houston Methodist.

The hospital has placed small cameras and microphones inside all patient rooms enabling nurses outside to communicate with patients and perform tasks such as helping with patient admissions and discharge instructions. Patients can include family members on the remote calls with nurses or a doctor, she said.

Virtual technology frees up on-duty nurses to provide more hands-on help, such as starting an intravenous line, Pletcher said. With the BioButton, nurses can wait to take routine vital signs every eight hours instead of every four, she said.

Pletcher said the device reduces nurses' stress in monitoring patients and allows some to work more flexible hours because virtual care can be done from home rather than coming to the hospital. Ultimately it helps retain nurses, not drive them away, she said.

Sheeba Roy, a nurse manager at Houston Methodist, said some members of the nursing staff were nervous about relying on the device and not checking patients' vital signs as often themselves. But testing has shown the device provides accurate information.

"After we implemented it, the staff loves it," Roy said.

Serena Bumpus, chief executive officer of the Texas Nurses Association, said her concern with any technology is that it can be more burdensome on nurses and take away time with patients.

"We have to be hypervigilant in ensuring that we are not leaning on this to replace the ability of nurses to critically think and assess patients and validate what this device is telling us is true," Bumpus said.

Houston Methodist this year plans to send the BioButton home with patients so the hospital can better track their progress in the weeks after discharge, measuring the quality of their sleep and checking their gait.

"We are not going to need less nurses in health care, but we have limited resources and we have to use those as thoughtfully as we can," Pletcher said. "Looking at projected demand and seeing the supply we have coming, we will not have enough to meet demand, so anything we can do to give time back to nurses is a good thing."
MS Australia has welcomed the Government's pledge to invest in health and medical research but is concerned that not enough attention or funding is being dedicated to neurological research.

Australia's national multiple sclerosis (MS) not-for-profit organization says neurological conditions must be considered a major national priority for medical research and has repeated its calls for the establishment of a dedicated Neurological Research Mission.

MS Australia CEO Rohan Greenland says the Health Research for a Future Made in Australia package promises to deliver a more strategic and coordinated approach to research funding.

"I'm very pleased to see the Government reaffirm its commitment to Research Missions through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) with the establishment of two new Missions.

Given the Governments position is to establish new missions, MS Australia will continue its calls to the Government to allocate funding to establish a MRFF Neurological Mission, Mr Greenland said.

Millions of Australians live with a progressive neurological or neuromuscular condition in Australia, with an annual cost to the Australian economy of over $36 billion.

MS Australia President Associate Professor Des Graham says Neurological conditions must be a major national priority for medical research.

"The establishment of an MRFF Neurological Mission would assist in bringing together key researchers, health professionals, stakeholders, industry partners and patients to tackle the health challenges related to neurological conditions," Associate Professor Graham said.

Last weeks Government announcement also included funding through the MRFF for CureMOG: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter phase III clinical trial for the treatment of MOGAD. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder affecting the brain and spinal cord. MOGAD is an MS-related condition which can sometimes be confused for MS. MS Australia was a partner on this application, which received $2,806,584. The trial is being led by Associate Professor Sudarshini Ramanathan from The University of Sydney.

MS Australia would also like to congratulate Dr Izanne Roos, The University of Melbourne, who was awarded an NHMRC Investigator Grant of $647,400. Her project is focusing on the evidence-based use of high-efficacy therapies in MS. Dr Roos is currently receiving an MS Australia fellowship focused on preventing disability in people with severe forms of MS.

Mr Greenland welcomed that investment and acknowledged a previous $18 million Commonwealth Government investment into Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) research

$18 million was allocated from the MRFF in the 2022-2023 budget to bolster research efforts focused on MS, to help provide access to clinical trials and accelerate the availability of effective therapeutics for the treatment of the EBV, an MS risk factor.

MS Australia partnered with Australian research teams in five successful bids for this government funding, totaling almost $10 million.

Part of this research will take advantage of large collections of biological samples and clinical information collected over many years within MS Australias National Collaborative Research Platforms.

Mr Greenland says MS Australia acknowledges and highly values the Commonwealth Governments significant investment into EBV research.
Today, TIME reveals the inaugural TIME100 Health list recognizing the 100 most influential individuals in health.

To assemble this list, TIME reporters and editors spent months consulting sources and experts around the world to select the 100 individuals who are most influential in the world of health right now. The result is the TIME100 Health, a community of leaders from across industriesscientists, doctors, advocates, educators and policy makers, among othersdedicated to creating tangible, credible change for a healthier world.

See the complete 2024 TIME100 Health list: time.com/time100health

See the TIME100 Health cover featuring an illustration by Peter Greenwood for TIME: https://bit.ly/3Uojcso

TIME Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs writes in his letter to readers: Together, the individuals on the TIME100 Health list are a reminder that many things are going right, and their work is enough to inspire the belief that the world of health is in the middle of a golden age of accomplishment and transformation. Health innovation, like this list, reflects humanity at its best: people using all their resourcefulness and ingenuity to help one another live better. Whether you are familiar with the individuals on this list or this is the first time youre reading about them, their work is changing the lives of people in your community and around the world.  https://bit.ly/4dnSJ7a

Highlights from the 2024 TIME100 health list:

The 2024 TIME100 Health list features CEOs, founders, and co-founders, including: Lars Fruergaard Jrgensen of Novo Nordisk, Albert Bourla of Pfizer, Alex Oshmyansky of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug, Dave Ricks of Eli Lilly, Dima Gazda of Esper Bionics, Dora Chomiak of Razom, Bobby Gaspar of Orchard Therapeutics, Greg Adams of Kaiser Permanente, Ivan Cheung of NextPoint Therapeutics, Kim Nolte of Migrant Clinicians Network, Akiko Iwasaki of ImmunoACT, and more.

Women featured on the list include: executive director of the NAAFA Tigress Osborn, chemist Svetlana Mojsov, VP of Health at Apple Sumbul Desai, educator Ruth Gottesman, instructor in the Department of Environmental Health Ronnie Levin, executive director of GIRE Rebeca Ramos, chief science officer at Salignostics Raluca Cohen, EVP of global operations, global IT and chief sustainability officer at AstraZeneca Pam Cheng.

The youngest individual recognized on the inaugural TIME100 Health list is 28-year-old Dale Whelehan, CEO of Four Day Week Global. On the other end is 99-year-old Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President, for his decades-long fight to eradicate Guinea worm, which is nearing completion.

The list also features creatives and entertainers including: actors Michael J. Fox, Halle Berry, and Olivia Munn, authors Alua Arthur and Peter Attia, and professor and author Jonathan Haidt.

Scientists, doctors, and researchers recognized on the list include those focused on health innovation: cancer researcher Thomas Powles; research scientist Jenna Forsyth; chief science officer of National Wastewater Surveillance System Amy Kirby; GLP-1 discoverers Dan Drucker, Joel Habener, Svetlana Mojsov, and Jens Juul Holst; neurosurgeon Jocelyne Bloch and neuroscientist Gregoire Courtine; executive director of Palestinian Red Crescent Bashar Murad, professor and researcher Hadiza Shehu Galadanci, and more.

Policy-makers and government officials on this years list include: President of France Emmanuel Macron, CDC Director Mandy Cohen, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Michael Regan, Governor of Ohio Mike DeWine, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, chief of Global Drug Facility Brenda Waning, and more.

See the full 2024 TIME100 Health list here: time.com/time100health

TIME will convene the TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Health, to spotlight an array of leaders including those featured on the new TIME100 Health list of 100 individuals on May 13th in New York City. The event will feature conversations on driving innovation and setting trends within the healthcare sector with appearances by actor, filmmaker and entrepreneur Halle Berry, medical scientist Marlena Fejzo, global health expert Alaa Murabit, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute Eric Topol and more.

The TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Health is presented by premier partner Eli Lilly and Company, signature partner Northwell Health and supporting partner On Purpose, A Podcast by Jay Shetty.
In a major relief for commuters between Bengaluru and Mumbai, a 72-Km stretch of the new six-lane highway in Karnataka, connecting Chitradurga to Davangere, is set to reduce travel time and enhance connectivity.

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, shared images of the stretch on Monday, hailing it as a lifeline linking the financial capital to the tech hub.

Gadkari emphasized the efficiency of the route, touting it as a time-saving, fuel-efficient, and eco-friendly mode of travel. Traverse the breathtaking vistas along the 6-lane Chitradurga-Davangere stretch, a lifeline linking Bangalore and Mumbai. This route isnt just about reaching destinations; its a symphony of time-saving, fuel-efficient, and eco-friendly travel, weaving through Karnatakas natural splendor, he expressed on X.

Traverse the breathtaking vistas along the 6-lane Chitradurga-Davangere stretch , a lifeline linking Bangalore and Mumbai. This route isnt just about reaching destinations; its a symphony of time-saving, fuel-efficient, and eco-friendly travel, weaving through Karnatakas pic.twitter.com/bBxNrJOSxW Nitin Gadkari (  ) (@nitin_gadkari) May 6, 2024

The project is estimated to cost around Rs 1400 crores. To lower future maintenance expenses, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) plans to utilize sustainable techniques and materials such as plastic in bituminous concrete and milling material in service roads, as reported by Times Now News.

Gadkari underscored that this project supplements the previous announcement of constructing a highway between Nelamangala and Devihalli in Karnataka, part of National Highway-75.

Apart from reducing travel time between Mumbai and Bengaluru, this new highway is expected to stimulate the real estate market in Chitradurga, Davangere, and other areas in North West Karnataka due to improved connectivity.
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday shot back at the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi over their repeated claims that public sector undertakings (PSUs) were being dismantled and were in disarray under the Narendra Modi government. In a post on social media site X, the minister said the Congress allegations were a textbook example of Ulta chor kotwal ko daante (The pot calling the kettle black) as the facts revealed a very different picture.

In her comprehensive article posted on the site, Sitharaman wrote that the PSUs suffered under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. The PSUs that were previously neglected under the UPA regime, such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), have seen a resurgence under the Modi government, she said.

Repeated claims from the @INCIndia ecosystem and @RahulGandhi in particular that Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are being dismantled & are in disarray under the current government are a textbook example of 'Ulta Chor Kotwal Ko Daante,' as the facts reveal a very different Nirmala Sitharaman (Modi Ka Parivar) (@nsitharaman) May 8, 2024

Transformation under Modi govt

The finance minister said that under the leadership of PM Modi, PSUs are thriving, benefiting significantly from the culture of professionalism infused in them along with increased operational freedom. The Modi governments focus on capital expenditure has also led to substantial growth in their stock performance, she said.

Sitharaman said the government strategy has helped improve the performance of the CPSEs and reposed investor confidence. The focus on infrastructure development, power, logistics, etc, has directly benefited PSUs in railways, roads, power, metals, construction, heavy equipment manufacturing, etc, she wrote.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader also said that the Modi governments initiatives have helped the public sector banks to recover from the banking crisis created by the UPA. GNPAs in PSBs have fallen to decadal lows of 3.2% and profits are at record highs, even as the push to financial inclusion brings formal banking to every corner of the country, she wrote.

Public Sector Undertakings: UPA versus NDA

Even under late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees government, shares of PSUs had performed better compared to UPA due to better management, the minister said. Sitharaman added that during 1999-2004 when the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was in power, the PSU index soared over 300%, vastly outperforming the BSE Sensexs 70% gain.

Then, during 2004-09 under the UPA 1 government, the PSU index rose by 60%, but this was only half the growth rate of the Sensex.

During 2009-14 under UPA 2, the index declined by 6%, while the Sensex surged by 73%, said Sitharaman.

The minister used facts and data to argue that the transformation in PSUs under the Modi government was evident from a comparison of parameters between FY 2022-23 and FY 2013-14. She wrote that the total market cap of all 81 listed PSUs (62 CPSEs, 12 PSBs, 3 Public Sector Insurance Companies and IDBI Bank) had grown by 225%.

Maliciously attacking HAL

In her X post, Sitharaman hit out at Rahul Gandhi for maliciously attacking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). She said that contrary to the Congress leaders claims, under PM Narendra Modi, HALs market valuation had skyrocketed by 1370% in merely four years, rising from Rs 17,398 crore in 2020 to Rs 2.5 lakh crore as of May 7, 2024.

HAL on March 31, 2024, announced its highest-ever revenue of more than Rs 29,810 crore for FY 2023-24 and has a robust order book of over Rs 94,000 crore.

Congress crippled institutions, says minister

Sitharaman, who has been at the helm of affairs at the finance ministry under the Modi 2.0 government, said that the figures hardly suggested a weakening institution but rather one experiencing significant fortification. Contrary to Rahul Gandhis claims, the finance minister said that it was the Congress party that left India crippled, relying heavily on imports rather than empowering its own institutions like HAL.

Historically, the Congress has shown a lack of faith in the nations scientists and engineers, fostering a dependency on imports that branded India as the worlds largest arms importer for many years, she said.

PM Modi ensured turnaround in defence sector

Nirmala Sitharaman wrote that it is only under PM Modi that there has been a significant shiftturning India from an import-dependent country to one thats now proudly stepping into the role of an arms exporter. The increased defence spending and aim of achieving Atmanirbharta in the sector have fuelled the growth of PSUs like BEL, HAL, Mazagon Dock, etc, she said.

In FY 2023-24 alone, India reported arms exports worth Rs 21,000 crore. This achievement showcases the governments robust confidence in Indias scientists and engineers, a stark contrast to the Congresss approach, said the minister.

False claims also are made with respect to people losing jobs after disinvestment, she added.

At the end of the article, Sitharaman said that all claims of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi with respect to PSUs fall flat, as they are baseless.

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.
The Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be concluding on June 1. This once-in-half-a-decade political event is significant for most Indians since it touches their lives in more ways than one, particularly their savings and investments.

There is no denying the fact that the Lok Sabha polls are an important event when seen through the lens of investing; therefore, they impact peoples financial goals  marginally, if not substantially.

With the general election of 2024 underway and the incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi vying for a historic third term, investors are bracing themselves for increased market volatility. Even though the markets have already priced in the return of the current BJP government to power, still some market movements cannot be ruled out during the elections and their results.

In an interview, Feroze Azeez, Deputy CEO, Anand Rathi Wealth Limited, tells News18.com how investors may need to rejig their portfolios if Modi-led NDA forms government again.

1) How was the Modi governments last 10 years from a stock market investors perspective?

India witnessed the highest-ever inflows from both foreign institutional investors and domestic investors during Modis 10-year stint. India has also improved its position within the MSCI emerging market index significantly to second place.

GDP growth

Real GDP in crores % Growth Real GDP in crores % Growth 2013-14 9,801,370 2019-20 14,534,641 3.9% 2014-15 10,527,674 7.4% 2020-21 13,694,869 -5.8% 2015-16 11,369,493 8.0% 2021-22 15,021,846 9.7% 2016-17 12,308,193 8.3% 2022-23 16,071,429 7.0% 2017-18 13,144,582 6.8% 2023-24 17,290,281 7.6% 2018-19 13,992,914 6.5% CAGR 5.8%

Fiscal Deficit

Year Fiscal Deficit as % of GDP 2016-17 3.5% 2017-18 3.5% 2018-19 3.4% 2019-20 4.6% 2020-21 9.2% 2021-22 6.7% 2022-23 6.4% 2023-24 5.8% 2024-25 5.1%

Return of the broader indices in the last 10 years

Benchmark 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years NIFTY 50  TRI 24.8 15.9 15.5 14.2 NIFTY 100  TRI 30.1 16.7 16.0 14.8 Nifty Midcap 150  TRI 54.1 26.9 25.7 21.7 Nifty Smallcap 250  TRI 62.6 28.1 25.2 19.5

Increase in FII and DII inflows  Strong FII and DII inflows

FY FPI Equity Inflows DII Equity Inflows 2014-15 111,333 -19264 2015-16 -14,172 78687 2016-17 55,703 29932 2017-18 25,635 114600 2018-19 -88 72407 2019-20 6,153 128208 2020-21 274,032 -132389 2021-22 -140,010 221660 2022-23 -37,632 255236 2023-24 208,212 209885

*INR crore

As we can see both macro and market have been in the positive, in the last 10 years.

2) What sectors gained prominence and provided more returns?

Sectors that have led the market in the last 10 years

Benchmark 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years NIFTY ENERGY  TRI 71.95 45.30 34.48 49.56 NIFTY REALTY  TRI 118.53 72.41 56.87 47.20 NIFTY METAL  TRI 58.33 32.93 44.32 35.77 Nifty India Consumption  TRI 39.50 28.02 25.77 34.59 Nifty Financial Services  TRI 15.02 14.57 15.90 34.48 NIFTY IT  TRI 21.73 12.28 23.90 33.72

(TRI: Total Return Index)

3) What are sunrise sectors that might get a push if the present government returns to power after the elections?

We are expecting renewable energy, space technology, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, semiconductor and chip manufacturing apart from traditional infrastructure like railways and highways to do well.

CAPEX Data  Top 3 CAPEX spent sectors

Particulars (INR crores) 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 Road Transport and Highways: Capital 89194.82 113311.6 205985.94 264525.53 Railways: Capital 109323.69 117270.54 159256.15 240000 Defence: Capital 139924.91 144786.26 150895.98 167770.95

PLI incentive sectors

Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Rs 38,650 Crores Automobiles & Auto Components: Department of Heavy Industry Rs 26,000 Crores High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Rs 24,000 Crores Advance Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery: Department of Heavy Industry Rs 18,100 Crores Electronic/Technology Products: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Rs 17,000 Crores

All these sectors outperforming will also significantly impact the financial services sector.

4) If the Modi government comes to power again, what addition and reduction would you suggest to investors in their portfolio?

Investors should not build portfolios based on short-term market conditions and think about wealth creation in the long term. One can begin planning by setting an asset allocation strategy in equity and debt.

Debt and Equity have a low correlation and a combination of these two assets can help in targeting a return of around 12% based on your horizon of investment. Equity MF has delivered an average return of 14% over a longer tenure and Debt MF has delivered approximately 6% return.

Goal Tenure Equity Debt Average Return Average Risk (Std Dev) Long Term (Greater than 5 year) 80% 20% 12.4% 10.7% Medium Term (3-5 years) 70% 30% 11.6% 9.6%

Under equity take exposure in different market caps exposure to create a balance at a portfolio level

Large Cap Mid Cap Small Cap 50-60% 20-30% 20%

Invest in diversified categories in equity  Analyze whether the funds strategy aligns with your investment goals. Create a diversified basket of mutual funds. This is where category selection plays a huge role.

Category Large Cap Large & Mid Cap Midcap Fund Flexi Cap Focused Multi Cap Small Cap Contra Dividend Yield Percentage of funds outperforming benchmark 33% 41% 42% 40% 42% 43% 71% 47% 48% Percentage of funds outperforming Nifty 50 37% 41% 46% 40% 42% 42% 47% 53% 47% Avg. Alpha to Nifty 50 by outperforming funds 3.02 4.98 6.88 6.04 5.20 7.42 12.81 5.12 4.48

Debt Funds: Opt for TMFs and Gilt funds the impact cost of debt MF from TMF category is lower when compared to other categories. The return differential of a debt mutual fund from TMF vs a debt MF from other categories is just 20-30 bps with relatively more stability.

Review and Rebalance: Revisit your initial investment targets set for different timeframes. Market conditions and life goals may have changed, so adjust your investment mix accordingly.

5) How do you see the domestic stock market in the next 5 years?

Indias GDP growth is expected to be around 7% per annum, and expected to continue to be the fastest-growing major economy.

Earnings growth potential of the benchmarks

Benchmark Nifty 50 Nifty Mid Cap 150 Nifty SmallCap 250 EPS Growth FY 24 18% 38% 34% EPS Growth FY 25 16% 11% 15% EPS Growth FY 26 13% 25% 19%

Nifty 50 and deliver Nifty 100 are expected to 15-16% earnings growth in 2024-25 while the growth of Midcap 150 and Small cap 250 are expected at 11-15%. Indian corporate profits are on a healthy growth path across the three segments therefore the market outlook is positive.
Higher grade boundaries (minimum grade to pass a subject), resitting exams, or downgraded results? These are some of the major concerns that have emerged among students across the globe and, in particular, for those in the Asia-Pacific region, writing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP)-2024 exam (equivalent to class 12), following the leaking of questions of some of the subject papers on a social media platform and a messaging app in one of the zones while the test was yet to take place in other time zones.

Over 4,000 students have signed an online petition titled Justice for all M24 IBDP students against this exam paper leak, urging the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)  a Switzerland-based non-profit that conducts the test across countries  to either cancel the examinations or take stringent action against those who leaked the questions while doing justice to the larger section of students who wrote the exam honestly.

According to reports, in an alleged case of time-zone cheating, mathematics and biology questions were leaked by students who wrote the exams on May 1-2 while the IBO found out about the leaks on May 3.

The IBO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and was founded in 1968. The diploma programme was the first course offered by the IBO board and is taught to students aged 16-19 years. It is governed by a Board of Governors representing cultural and geographical diversity. The IBO conducts the annual exams across three time zones  Zone A (Asia and Australia); Zone B (Europe and Africa); and Zone C (Americas).

The IBO board doesnt allow students to take question papers home and this is the first such case of online cheating that has surfaced since it was established.

In India, there are 210 IBO World Schools, with larger concentrations found in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

What do student petitioners say?

Students from India falling in the Asia-Pacific region are most concerned since the paper leak happened after they had taken the exam. Fears of re-writing the exam, extremely high-grade boundaries, or a downgraded result are what they have been apprehensive about, prompting a large number of them to join the petition against the leak.

This is a global issue that has put in jeopardy the efforts of all students who have worked hard for the past two years to get the diploma. Anyone with a working computer and minimal research skills can easily find these leaked papers. These papers have created a massive gap between those who gave the paper with all honesty and those who gave it upon the leaks. There is no point in using backup exams since it is speculated that many students have seen the leaked papers, which will naturally push the average score and increase the grade boundaries, again causing those who maintained academic honesty to suffer greatly, an Indian student, who started the petition, wrote.

Another student, aspiring to be an aerospace engineer, who signed the petition, said that his two years of preparation will go to waste if the results are downgraded by the IBO or the grade boundaries are too high. I have fought against the odds in life to study and work hard to realise my dream of becoming an aerospace engineer. Only I didnt know that I could be robbed of my dreams by some students who would leak the papers and those who wrote the exam honestly would have to suffer for it. If the grade boundaries go extremely high because of cheating, it will be the saddest thing for all of us, the student wrote.

If the IB grade boundaries go up, it will be really unfair to people in the Asia-Pacific region who had already taken the exam before the leak. Additionally, if they use predicted grades, final exams were our chance to try and improve our IB grades and that would again be unfair and maybe lead to a situation like the one that happened during the Covid pandemic, wrote another student while signing the petition.

The students urged News18 that they not be named in this article.

IBO responds

News18 also reached out to the IBO via email for its response to the students concerns as well as its next step forward to allow them a level playing field. Responding to this, the organisation said that it has opened a formal investigation into the matter. Those responsible for this activity will receive no marks for their examinations or no grade for the relevant subject, it said. There will be no award of a Diploma certificate and involved students will be banned from resitting the examinations.

On concerns about grade boundaries, the IBO said that to date, there is no evidence of widespread cheating. We are confident that no grades will be adversely impacted, so as things stand, we will not be changing the boundaries, it said.

In a statement to News 18, the IBO board further said that from its investigation, it has discovered that students have engaged in online time zone cheating. The board has identified the source and is taking appropriate steps to hold those responsible accountable.

We understand technology enables sharing and distribution, which amplifies the number of students posts might reach, before posts can be removed. Appropriate and timely measures are being taken to remove all related posts and render consequences to the students involved, it said.

Besides, the IBO said that to ensure fairness to students who didnt cheat, it will carefully review individual exam responses and otherwise mark papers as usual, to ensure students who acted with integrity are not penalised.

What are grade boundaries?

According to the IBO, grade boundaries of an International Baccalaureate exam are the minimum marks required to achieve a certain grade in a specific subject with 7 being the highest and 1 being the lowest. These boundaries are determined post-examination, factoring in elements such as the exams difficulty level and the performance of students.

In essence, grade boundaries serve as a yardstick, ensuring consistency and fairness throughout the assessment process. By setting these benchmarks, the IB programme maintains its integrity, guaranteeing that standards remain uniform across various exam sessions.

Stay Informed With Live Updates On HPBOSE 10th Results. Check Official Website , Passing Marks , Pass Percentages & Direct Link . Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website.
The Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan has released the results of the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) or class 10 examinations today, May 8, 2024, as per the notification issued by General Education Minister V. Sivankutty. The results were released at 3 PM. Students who took the board exams can check and download the Kerala SSLC marksheet 2024 from the official websites, keralaresults.nic.in and results.kite.kerala.gov.in.

Kerala SSLC 10th Result 2024 Live Updates

Kerala SSLC 2024 Result: How To Check

Step 1: Go to keralaresults.nic.in, the Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Educations (DHSE) official website.

Step 2: Select the results tab on the homepage.

Step 3: Select the Kerala Plus Two Results 2024 or SSLC link.

Step 4: Enter your information (birthdate, school code, roll number, etc.) on the result page.

Step 5: To continue, click the Submit button.

Step 6: The results of your Kerala SSLC exam will appear on the screen.

Step 7: Download the Kerala SSLC 2024 Result marksheet, and then print it out for your records.

Kerala SSLC 2024 Result: Passing marks

The overall score for the Kerala SSLC test is 650, according to the exam pattern. This includes the 480 points awarded for the written exam, the 130 points for the internal assessment, and the 40 points for IT. A+ grade is given to students who receive 90100 per cent. To pass the board exam, students must receive at least 35 per cent marks in aggregate and in each paper. D+ is the mark awarded to students who scored between 30 and 39 per cent. Those with a D or an E grade must improve their scores by opting for a supplementary exam.

The Kerala SSLC result 2024 for the Kerala 10th improvement examinations will be released by the KBPE board tentatively in June. Students can get the dates and time by visiting the Kerala boards official website. To get better scores, students are suggested to practise the Kerala SSLC previous year question papers.

Students who are dissatisfied with their Kerala SSLC results may also request a photocopy of their answer sheets or a reevaluation of their Kerala SSLC results. They must submit their online applications after the release of results. To apply, students must pay a certain amount with their details.

In 2023, the Kerala SSLC result was announced in Thiruvananthapuram on May 19. The Kerala SSLC exams were administered at 2,960 locations throughout the state for a total of 419,120 students. With an outstanding overall pass rate of 99.70 per cent, over 417,864 students qualified for higher education according to the Kerala SSLC 10th Result 2023.

Stay Informed With Live Updates On HPBOSE 10th Results. Check Official Website , Passing Marks , Pass Percentages & Direct Link . Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website.
The Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan has announced the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) results today, May 8. The Kerala board class 10 result 2024 was be declared at 3 pm. Students who appeared in the Class 10 board exams will be able to view and download the Kerala board exam results from the official website of Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan at pareekshabhavan.kerala.gov.in, keralaresults.nic.in or results.kite.kerala.gov.in.

Kerala SSLC 10th Result 2024 Live Updates

This year, a total of 4.7 lakh students appeared for the Class 10 board exams. The Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) Class 10 exams were conducted by the Kerala Board of Public Examinations (KBPE) from March 4 to March 25 in a single shift. The exams started at 9.30 am and ran until 11.15 AM or 12:15 AM (depending on the subject) across 2,971 examination centres, reported Onmanorama. Among these, 2,955 centres are situated in Kerala, while 9 centres are in Lakshadweep, and 7 centres are located in the Gulf region.

Students are required to score at least 35 percent in each paper and aggregate to qualify the board exam.

Kerala SSLC Results 2024: Heres How to Check

Step 1: Candidates need to visit the official website of Kerala Board at keralaresults.nic.in, results.kite.kerala.gov.in or pareekshabhavan.kerala.gov.in.

Step 2: Look for and click on Kerala SSLC Result link available on the webpage.

Step 3: Upon clicking, candidates will be redirected to a new page where they have to key in their hall ticket number and other details.

Step 4: Click on the submit button and your Kerala SSLC Results 2024 will be displayed on the screen.

Step 5: View your results carefully and download the same.

Step 6: Lastly, take a print out of the marksheets for further reference.

Kerala SSLC Results 2024: How to Check Via SMS

Step 1: Launch your mobile devices SMS app.

Step 2: Type KERALA10, then, after a space, your registration or roll number.

Step 3: Send the message to 56263.

Step 4: Your Kerala SSLC Result scorecard 2024 will be sent to you via text message soon.

Kerala SSLC Results 2024: How to Check Via Digilocker

Step 1: Go to digilocker.gov.in, the Digilocker website. On your smartphone, you may also download the Digilocker app.

Step 2: Next, click the sign up link located in the top left corner of the website.

Step 3: Type in the name on your Aadhaar card, your date of birth, your category, your email address, your Aadhar number, a working mobile phone number, and a six-digit security PIN.

Step 4: Enter your login information and sign in.

Step 5: Select Kerala SSLC from the education category.

Step 6: Select the category for the Kerala SSLC 10th exam results in 2024.

Step 7: A Kerala SSLC 10th exam results will appear on your screen after entering your Aadhaar card number.

Meanwhile, the Kerala board class 10 students had achieved a pass percentage of over 95 per cent in the last 8 years. The board recorded a pass percentage of 99.70 per cent in 2023, 99.47 per cent in 2021, and 99.26 per cent in the year 2022.

Stay Informed With Live Updates On HPBOSE 10th Results. Check Official Website , Passing Marks , Pass Percentages & Direct Link . Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website.
Parveen Shaikh, the principal of Somiaya School in Vidyavihar, Mumbai, was terminated on Tuesday shortly after she was embroiled in a controversy over her social media remarks about the state of affairs in Gaza and internal politics.

The schools management trust, Somaiya Vidyavihar, mentioned in a statement that Shaikhs social media actions were starkly misaligned with the values of the trust, and as a result, her services were terminated.

The school administration stated, Given the gravity of these concerns, and after careful consideration, the management has discontinued Ms. Parveen Shaikhs association with Somaiya Vidyavihar to ensure that our ethos of unity and inclusivity is not compromised.

According to an earlier OpIndia report, Shaikh supported Palestine in her remarks and activities on social media. The principal, however, stated that she was not aware of the report until the school administration brought it to her attention. She further stated that the publication hadnt previously gotten in touch with her.

After the OpIndia story caused a stir, Somaiya Trust acknowledged the issue and stated that they were not aware of the opinions stated until they were notified. The trust went on to say that it doesnt agree with Shaikhs stance on social media.

The trusts statement made clear that, although they firmly believe in the right to freedom of expression, they also understand that it has limitations and should be used responsibly and with consideration for others.

In a statement, Shaikh expressed her dissatisfaction with her sudden termination stating that she was shocked to know the news of her termination from social media even before receiving it from the management.

She further stated that the notice of termination for such reason is entirely wrongful and unjust and founded on defamatory allegations made against her.

I am disappointed that inspite of my hard work, dedication and sincere contribution to the schools growth over 12 years, the management chose not to stand by me in the face of this vitriolic public vilification campaign run against me, and instead fell prey to it and took this drastic and unwarranted action. This action appears to be politically motivated. I hold firm belief in our legal system and the Indian Constitution and I am currently considering my legal options, adds Shaikh.

The administration of the school had earlier on April 26 requested Parveen Shaikh to step down from the post of Principal. Nevertheless, Shaikh declined to step down after a 12-year affiliation with the Vidyavihar institution. It was seven years ago when she was appointed as the principal.

Stay Informed With Live Updates On HPBOSE 10th Results. Check Official Website , Passing Marks , Pass Percentages & Direct Link . Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website.
It was too hot to not handle. Finally, Sam Pitroda has stepped down as the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) chairman after his racist remarks created a furore. Sources say he was called to do so and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge did not waste time in accepting it. With the Lok Sabha elections on, it was difficult to just distance from his comments. The Congress needed to do more.

Pitrodas comments contradicted everything that his party leader Rahul Gandhi and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc stands for.

ALSO READ | Sam Pitroda, Controversys Favourite Child, Returns: Times When He Left Congress Red-Faced

The acronym INDIA was chosen to project the coalition as one that protects the idea of one India. However, Pitrodas comments on the North-East and South Indians navigated this idea. The Congress was quick to distance itself from his comments, with spokesperson Jairam Ramesh saying that they were his own and that the party does not subscribe to his views.

However, the damage was done as the comments came on a day when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was down South in Telangana and attacked them over it. He used the point that Pitroda has called South Indians with dark skin as Africans.

What was even more damaging was the fact that Gandhi is an MP from the southern state of Kerala. In contrast to the North, the Congress is more powerful in the South, with two governments  Karnataka and Telangana. So these comments by Pitroda could not just be wished away.

                            Mr. Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 8, 2024

RAHUL GANDHIS MENTOR

Rahul Gandhi had once publicly called Pitroda his mentor, referring to him as Sam. In his initial years, Pitroda played an important role in drafting the manifesto as well as the political strategy of the Congress.

In fact, as the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC), it was his job to ensure that the Congress footprint was strong abroad and that Gandhi had a global image just like the Prime Minister.

ALSO READ | Will Stalin, Uddhav Accept This: PM Modi Snipes At Congress Allies As Sam Pitrodas Remarks Spark Racism Row

The Congress had taken a strong stance against him earlier on his comment on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when the BJP claimed that instructions for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots came from Rajiv Gandhi, Pitroda, a close aide to the former Prime Minister, had denied the charge, saying, Ab kya hai 84 ka? Aapne kya kiya 5 saal mein, uski baat kariye. 84 mein hua to hua. Aapne kya kiya?

Gandhi had called him stupid and asked him to immediately apologise.

People In East Look Like Chinese, South Indians Like Africans: Sam Pitroda In Soup Again@_pallavighosh Shares All The Details#SamPitroda #Congress #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/CFVCqn0dNZ News18 (@CNNnews18) May 8, 2024

THE DAMAGE

Pitrodas comments were damaging because they destroyed the very fabric of Indias Constitution, which does not allow discrimination on the basis of colour or creed. The biggest visions of the BJP government at the Centre has been Mission North-East. It has accused the Congress of not being able to bring the region into the mainstream. As the Congress is virtually wiped out in that area, Pitrodas comments reinforced the apprehension and grudge among the Northeastern states that they are always looked upon as foreigners and considered to be Chinese.

The comment calling South Indians Africans was racist and discriminatory. While the Congress and its allies dismissed it as a non-issue, they realised that the longer Pitroda continued as the IOC chairman, the more it could hurt them.

ALSO READ | Wont Tolerate Insult On The Basis Of Skin Colour: PM Modi Tears Into Shehzades Philosopher Sam Pitroda

The thing is Pitroda was not just any other party functionary. He was first roped in by Rajiv Gandhi for being a telecom wizard. After his death, Rahul Gandhi continued to remain impressed by him and Pitroda, too, helped Gandhi make an impression abroad.

He has embarrassed the Congress many times. But Pitroda hai ki maanta hi nahin.
The Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency, located in Maharashtra, is among the 48 parliamentary constituencies in the state. Classified under the General category, it covers a portion of the Ahmednagar district. At present, the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency comprises six legislative assembly segments: Shevgaon, Rahuri, Parner, Ahmednagar City, Shrigonda, and Karjat Jamkhed, all situated within the Ahmednagar district which has recently been renamed as Ahilya Nagar. The current MP is Dr Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil of BJP since 2019. The candidates in the fray for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections are Vikhe-Patil and Nilesh Lanke of NCP-SP. The constituency will vote in phase 4 on May 13 and results will be declared on June 4.

Political Dynamics

BJP Banks on Vikhe-Patils Family Legacy: The BJP has nominated sitting MP Dr Sujay Vikhe Patil from the Ahmednagar constituency, a BJP bastion since 2009. In 2019, Vikhe had won the seat with a lead of 2,81,474 votes and a vote share of 58.5 per cent against his NCP opponent Sangram Arunkaka Jagtap. Sujay Vikhe, a neurosurgeon and fourth-generation leader, comes from a powerful political family in western Maharashtra. The Vikhe-Patils have maintained tremendous sway over Ahmednagar for decades and are credited with establishing Asias first cooperative sugar mill. The cooperative movement in the region was spearheaded by the Vikhe-Patils across four generations. Sujay Vikhe is the grandson of esteemed politician Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, who served as a Member of Parliament for seven terms. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil also held positions as Union Minister of State for Finance and as Union Cabinet Minister for Heavy Industries in the Government of India. His autobiography was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020, who said that stories of Vikhe Patils life are found in every region of Maharashtra citing his work towards the development and betterment of society. Sujay Vikhe-Patils father and former Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil is the current Minister for Revenue in the state and has served as an MLA for seven consecutive terms from the Shirdi Vidhan Sabha assembly seat in Ahmednagar district. The father-son duo was earlier in the Congress and defected to the BJP in 2019. Notably, he was the first minister to be sworn in during the expansion of the Eknath Shinde ministry on August 9, 2022, following Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis in the Cabinet Expansion.

The BJP has nominated sitting MP Dr Sujay Vikhe Patil from the Ahmednagar constituency, a BJP bastion since 2009. In 2019, Vikhe had won the seat with a lead of 2,81,474 votes and a vote share of 58.5 per cent against his NCP opponent Sangram Arunkaka Jagtap. Sujay Vikhe, a neurosurgeon and fourth-generation leader, comes from a powerful political family in western Maharashtra. The Vikhe-Patils have maintained tremendous sway over Ahmednagar for decades and are credited with establishing Asias first cooperative sugar mill. The cooperative movement in the region was spearheaded by the Vikhe-Patils across four generations. Sujay Vikhe is the grandson of esteemed politician Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, who served as a Member of Parliament for seven terms. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil also held positions as Union Minister of State for Finance and as Union Cabinet Minister for Heavy Industries in the Government of India. His autobiography was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020, who said that stories of Vikhe Patils life are found in every region of Maharashtra citing his work towards the development and betterment of society. Sujay Vikhe-Patils father and former Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil is the current Minister for Revenue in the state and has served as an MLA for seven consecutive terms from the Shirdi Vidhan Sabha assembly seat in Ahmednagar district. The father-son duo was earlier in the Congress and defected to the BJP in 2019. Notably, he was the first minister to be sworn in during the expansion of the Eknath Shinde ministry on August 9, 2022, following Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis in the Cabinet Expansion. Vikhes SWOT Analysis: Needless to say, Vikhe comes from a very well-established political family with deep pockets. As an MP, he has been credited with a plethora of development works, including widening of roads, improved highway connectivity and an enhanced internal road network penetrating deep inside rural areas. However, the leader has his own shortcomings contributing to the anti-incumbency factor. Most locals say that he is not accessible to the people and has lost touch with the people at the ground level. Moreover, as a former Congress leader, he faces some discord internally in the BJP ranks. One more challenge for the BJP is the brewing wrath of Maratha voters, who are allegedly miffed over how the Maratha Reservation agitation led by Manoj Jarange was handled by the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) government. The BJP, despite its decision to sign off on a 10 per cent separate quota for Marathas, is accused of dragging its feet on the matter, and reacting harshly towards Jaranges hunger strike. Marathas form a pivotal chunk, an estimated 30-35 per cent of the vote here, so it is a concerning issue for the party.

Needless to say, Vikhe comes from a very well-established political family with deep pockets. As an MP, he has been credited with a plethora of development works, including widening of roads, improved highway connectivity and an enhanced internal road network penetrating deep inside rural areas. However, the leader has his own shortcomings contributing to the anti-incumbency factor. Most locals say that he is not accessible to the people and has lost touch with the people at the ground level. Moreover, as a former Congress leader, he faces some discord internally in the BJP ranks. One more challenge for the BJP is the brewing wrath of Maratha voters, who are allegedly miffed over how the Maratha Reservation agitation led by Manoj Jarange was handled by the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) government. The BJP, despite its decision to sign off on a 10 per cent separate quota for Marathas, is accused of dragging its feet on the matter, and reacting harshly towards Jaranges hunger strike. Marathas form a pivotal chunk, an estimated 30-35 per cent of the vote here, so it is a concerning issue for the party. Unhappy Farmers: Farmers in the region are facing a problem of fallen revenues, especially with respect to onion prices. The governments decision to hike export duties on onions last year led to a drastic fall in prices in APMCs. This triggered a huge loss for farmers who had been storing onions for prices to surge. In reaction to this event, widespread protests ensued with all APMCs in Nashik and Ahmednagar districts closing down and protesting farmers blocking state highways. This has also dampened the Modi factor to some degree which is otherwise intact in urban areas. These issues have led to a sense of uncertainty surrounding the election, giving way to a tight contest for the BJP. However, the party still has the Modi factor, its Hindutva image, a formidable grassroots machinery and strong booth-level management in place to rely on. Moreover, the Vikhe-Patil family legacy has an emotional bearing on the people, especially among older voters. Take this for example  in 2022, the familys Dr Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Foundation adopted 285 families of farmers who had died by suicide in the district, providing economic support as well as education for the children of the deceased farmers. Its stories like these that have held the reputation of this family in place for four generations.

Farmers in the region are facing a problem of fallen revenues, especially with respect to onion prices. The governments decision to hike export duties on onions last year led to a drastic fall in prices in APMCs. This triggered a huge loss for farmers who had been storing onions for prices to surge. In reaction to this event, widespread protests ensued with all APMCs in Nashik and Ahmednagar districts closing down and protesting farmers blocking state highways. This has also dampened the Modi factor to some degree which is otherwise intact in urban areas. These issues have led to a sense of uncertainty surrounding the election, giving way to a tight contest for the BJP. However, the party still has the Modi factor, its Hindutva image, a formidable grassroots machinery and strong booth-level management in place to rely on. Moreover, the Vikhe-Patil family legacy has an emotional bearing on the people, especially among older voters. Take this for example  in 2022, the familys Dr Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Foundation adopted 285 families of farmers who had died by suicide in the district, providing economic support as well as education for the children of the deceased farmers. Its stories like these that have held the reputation of this family in place for four generations. Advantage of Split: Moreover, the BJP benefits from the split in the NCP and the Shiv Sena. The Mahayuti alliance currently has three MLAs, two from BJP and one from NCP (Ajit Pawar). With the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and the NCP-Ajit Pawar on its side this election, expectations are that the BJP candidate will scrape through with a narrowed margin against his Maha Vikas Aghadi rival.

Moreover, the BJP benefits from the split in the NCP and the Shiv Sena. The Mahayuti alliance currently has three MLAs, two from BJP and one from NCP (Ajit Pawar). With the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and the NCP-Ajit Pawar on its side this election, expectations are that the BJP candidate will scrape through with a narrowed margin against his Maha Vikas Aghadi rival. Vikhe Patil vs Pawar Feud: In the 1990s, a sensational feud played out within the Congress between Balasaheb Vikhe Patil and a young Sharad Pawar, the repercussions of which are reverberating till this day. In the 1980s, Pawar befriended two leaders, Yashwantrao Gadakh and Ramrao Adik, who were Balasaheb Vikhe-Patils political adversaries. Tensions came to a head between the two in 1991. As he gained control of the state Congress by the early 90s, Pawar ensured that Balasaheb was not given a ticket for Lok Sabha elections, who went on to contest independently and lost narrowly with Pawar backing Gadakh against him. During the campaign, the war of words heated up, and Pawar was taken to court by Vikhe Patil for defamation  a case that Vikhe Patil won, and which led to Sharad Pawar getting pulled up by the court and losing his right to vote in one election. Even after four decades, the political rivalry remains visible as Sharad Pawar recently mounted an attack on the family saying, Some people have been leading the Ahmednagar district for the last 50 years. Earlier generations were honest, but the next generation stopped the development of the district. The new generation behave rudely with seniors. He also accused the family of stopping the Nilwande dam project and the establishment of government medical colleges in the district.

In the 1990s, a sensational feud played out within the Congress between Balasaheb Vikhe Patil and a young Sharad Pawar, the repercussions of which are reverberating till this day. In the 1980s, Pawar befriended two leaders, Yashwantrao Gadakh and Ramrao Adik, who were Balasaheb Vikhe-Patils political adversaries. Tensions came to a head between the two in 1991. As he gained control of the state Congress by the early 90s, Pawar ensured that Balasaheb was not given a ticket for Lok Sabha elections, who went on to contest independently and lost narrowly with Pawar backing Gadakh against him. During the campaign, the war of words heated up, and Pawar was taken to court by Vikhe Patil for defamation  a case that Vikhe Patil won, and which led to Sharad Pawar getting pulled up by the court and losing his right to vote in one election. Even after four decades, the political rivalry remains visible as Sharad Pawar recently mounted an attack on the family saying, Some people have been leading the Ahmednagar district for the last 50 years. Earlier generations were honest, but the next generation stopped the development of the district. The new generation behave rudely with seniors. He also accused the family of stopping the Nilwande dam project and the establishment of government medical colleges in the district. Common Man Against Family Raj: The NCP-SP has chosen common man Nilesh Lanke as its candidate from the MVA, a first-generation politician who commenced his political journey as a gram panchayat member in 2010 and later became the MLA of the Parner assembly segment after joining the undivided NCP before the 2019 assembly elections. Despite initially siding with Ajit Pawar during the party split, Lanke switched back to the Sharad Pawar faction to contest the Lok Sabha elections and secured a ticket. When Ahmednagar was allotted to the BJP in the Mahayuti seat-sharing agreement, Sharad Pawar was certain that he must field a strong candidate against the BJPs likely candidate Sujay Vikhe Patil. For this reason, he pursued Parners MLA Lanke who had an impressive resume. Lanke is a young leader with considerable sway among the youth. Moreover, his performance as an MLA during the Covid-19 pandemic won him admiration across the nation. He ran a Covid-19 care centre where thousands of patients received treatment free of cost. This feat has apparently earned him a great reputation in a short time span. Lanke is also known to be an accessible leader to the common man which is an edge he has against his Mahayuti rival. He is strongly backed by Sharad Pawar who has been endorsing him vehemently, and mounting attacks on the Vikhe Patil family. With a stronghold in the Parner assembly seat, and the support of the other two NCP-SP MLAs in the constituency from Rahuri and Karjat Jamkhed, Lanke has a formidable base to lean on. Lanke is also poised to garner the support of a large part of the minority Muslim community. Lankes projected commitment to serving the common man and his grounded approach may work in his favour.

Key Issues

Communal Tensions: On May 15 last year, communal clashes broke out in Ahmednagar. People from both communities have lived peacefully for decades in the region but the clashes have changed the picture. More than 12 civilians and seven police personnel were injured during the clashes that broke out near the local mosque during a procession taken out to mark the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Shevgaon. This has been the case across Maharashtra where communal tensions have been rising over the last few years.

On May 15 last year, communal clashes broke out in Ahmednagar. People from both communities have lived peacefully for decades in the region but the clashes have changed the picture. More than 12 civilians and seven police personnel were injured during the clashes that broke out near the local mosque during a procession taken out to mark the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Shevgaon. This has been the case across Maharashtra where communal tensions have been rising over the last few years. Droughts: Ahmednagar is one of Indias most drought-prone areas. Erratic rains and longer and harsher summers have caused immense water scarcity in the region. In 2005, 2007, 2013 and 2016, Maharashtra faced massive droughts and Ahmednagar region was one of the worst-hit as people did not have access to potable water for days and in some areas for more than a week. Instead of the issue being addressed, acute water shortage has intensified in the region. According to reports, the frequency and intensity of extreme droughts have increased four times in the Ahmednagar district since 1970.

Ahmednagar is one of Indias most drought-prone areas. Erratic rains and longer and harsher summers have caused immense water scarcity in the region. In 2005, 2007, 2013 and 2016, Maharashtra faced massive droughts and Ahmednagar region was one of the worst-hit as people did not have access to potable water for days and in some areas for more than a week. Instead of the issue being addressed, acute water shortage has intensified in the region. According to reports, the frequency and intensity of extreme droughts have increased four times in the Ahmednagar district since 1970. Farmer Issues: Water scarcity and inability to irrigate their fields has become one of the most pressing issues for farmers in Ahmednagar. The soil in the region has low fertility and requires more fertilizers and pesticides, increasing the cost of production. In the last 10 years, many farmers have abandoned their fields and have moved towards urban centres such as Pune and Mumbai for work. With no traditional river water source, farmers have to depend on rainwater for their irrigation needs. Unpredictable and declining rainfall has made agriculture unviable. Those who could afford it have shifted to sustainable practices such as watershed management and using diffusers for effective irrigation. Another issue is the falling prices of onion, sugarcane and milk which has miffed farmers. Farmers in Ahmednagar and across Maharashtra have also protested against the hike in export duty of onions. Scarcity of water coupled with higher production costs, lower selling costs and high export tariff means farmers are not able to sell their produce for substantial profit, which exposes them to financial uncertainty.

Water scarcity and inability to irrigate their fields has become one of the most pressing issues for farmers in Ahmednagar. The soil in the region has low fertility and requires more fertilizers and pesticides, increasing the cost of production. In the last 10 years, many farmers have abandoned their fields and have moved towards urban centres such as Pune and Mumbai for work. With no traditional river water source, farmers have to depend on rainwater for their irrigation needs. Unpredictable and declining rainfall has made agriculture unviable. Those who could afford it have shifted to sustainable practices such as watershed management and using diffusers for effective irrigation. Another issue is the falling prices of onion, sugarcane and milk which has miffed farmers. Farmers in Ahmednagar and across Maharashtra have also protested against the hike in export duty of onions. Scarcity of water coupled with higher production costs, lower selling costs and high export tariff means farmers are not able to sell their produce for substantial profit, which exposes them to financial uncertainty. Garbage Disposal and Dumping: Ahmednagar faces a serious waste management crisis, generating over 110 metric tons of garbage per day, much of which is improperly disposed of in a depot or directly into the Sina River, resulting in unsanitary living conditions. The problem goes beyond the city, since the entire district lacks effective garbage disposal facilities, resulting in overflowing landfills that pose major health hazards from disease and poisons. The issue is made worse by inadequate sewage facilities, which expose citizens to illnesses and leave 60 per cent of the city without appropriate sanitation.

Ahmednagar faces a serious waste management crisis, generating over 110 metric tons of garbage per day, much of which is improperly disposed of in a depot or directly into the Sina River, resulting in unsanitary living conditions. The problem goes beyond the city, since the entire district lacks effective garbage disposal facilities, resulting in overflowing landfills that pose major health hazards from disease and poisons. The issue is made worse by inadequate sewage facilities, which expose citizens to illnesses and leave 60 per cent of the city without appropriate sanitation. Crumbling Infrastructure: The population growth rate has decreased to 14.10 percent during the last decade as a result of drop in employment opportunities in the city. However, infrastructural facility expansion is low and there is lack of infrastructure to meet the populations needs. Suburban and expanded areas lack adequate infrastructure. There are no asphalt roads, sewerage drainage, adequate and clean water supply, electricity, health facilities, or public toilets for the poor, among other things. The daily drinking water needed for the more than 3.5 lakh people is 89 million litres, but there is a 39 million-litre deficit. This indicates that only 50 million litres of water have been delivered to the city falling significantly short of meeting its needs.

The population growth rate has decreased to 14.10 percent during the last decade as a result of drop in employment opportunities in the city. However, infrastructural facility expansion is low and there is lack of infrastructure to meet the populations needs. Suburban and expanded areas lack adequate infrastructure. There are no asphalt roads, sewerage drainage, adequate and clean water supply, electricity, health facilities, or public toilets for the poor, among other things. The daily drinking water needed for the more than 3.5 lakh people is 89 million litres, but there is a 39 million-litre deficit. This indicates that only 50 million litres of water have been delivered to the city falling significantly short of meeting its needs. Encroachments and Congestion: Even today, Ahmednagars core area and neighbouring towns in the region suffer the challenges of small streets on the one hand, and congestion and traffic jams on the other. Streets were constructed long before motorised transportation, and a shortage of parking facilities is the primary source of congestion. Many hawkers and retailers line both sides of the highways, as do motorbikes, cars, tempos, and other vehicles. All of these limit movements to a small lane, and the number of narrow streets, sharp bends, and waits to enter into lanes of traffic slow down movement and cause even more congestion. The same issue has been witnessed between Central ST Stand and Chandani Chowk due to traffic congestion caused by various sorts of vehicles, particularly on market days and other festival days.

Even today, Ahmednagars core area and neighbouring towns in the region suffer the challenges of small streets on the one hand, and congestion and traffic jams on the other. Streets were constructed long before motorised transportation, and a shortage of parking facilities is the primary source of congestion. Many hawkers and retailers line both sides of the highways, as do motorbikes, cars, tempos, and other vehicles. All of these limit movements to a small lane, and the number of narrow streets, sharp bends, and waits to enter into lanes of traffic slow down movement and cause even more congestion. The same issue has been witnessed between Central ST Stand and Chandani Chowk due to traffic congestion caused by various sorts of vehicles, particularly on market days and other festival days. Maratha Reservation: Manoj Jarange Patils Maratha reservation agitation made significant waves in the Ahmednagar district despite it not being located in the Marathwada region. Since over 30 per cent of the vote comprises Marathas here, it has resonated with the population. A huge number of people attended Jaranges demonstration on January 20. The polices use of force against Jarange and other demonstrators in December last year infuriated the public, who sympathised with him because they thought he was defending Maharashtrian rights. Although the governments 10 per cent quota concession was a start in the right direction towards resolving community needs, the clamour for inclusion in the OBC category speaks to a deeper level of dissatisfaction. Voter dissatisfaction has been exacerbated by the impression that the BJP administration has been sluggish in addressing the issue.

Infrastructure Development

Flyover on National Highway-61: In November 2022, Gadkari inaugurated the construction of 3.8 km long four-lane elevated structure flyover at Ahmednagar at a cost of Rs 331.17 crore.

In November 2022, Gadkari inaugurated the construction of 3.8 km long four-lane elevated structure flyover at Ahmednagar at a cost of Rs 331.17 crore. Pune-Aurangabad Economic Corridor: It is an under-construction 222 km project, which passes through Shirur, Ahmednagar, Shani Shingnapur under the Bharatmala project of the Union government. It will provide better connectivity to the region and help connect Ahmednagar with major economic hubs.

It is an under-construction 222 km project, which passes through Shirur, Ahmednagar, Shani Shingnapur under the Bharatmala project of the Union government. It will provide better connectivity to the region and help connect Ahmednagar with major economic hubs. Khed-Sinnar Section of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor: It passes through 3 districts viz. Pune, Ahmednagar and Nashik. Four-laning of 109.5 km has been completed, including Nashik and Ahmednagar District. The whole project is being built at a cost of Rs 1,348.20 crore.

It passes through 3 districts viz. Pune, Ahmednagar and Nashik. Four-laning of 109.5 km has been completed, including Nashik and Ahmednagar District. The whole project is being built at a cost of Rs 1,348.20 crore. Sakri-Beed National highway: The New NH will connect Sakri to Beed via Ahmednagar. The total length of the project will be 308kms.

The New NH will connect Sakri to Beed via Ahmednagar. The total length of the project will be 308kms. NH-9: Another national highway is being built in Ahmednagar which will connect Ahmednagar with Tembhurni. The total length of the highway will be 150 kms.

Another national highway is being built in Ahmednagar which will connect Ahmednagar with Tembhurni. The total length of the highway will be 150 kms. Health Infrastructure: In 2023, three primary healthcare centres in Ahmednagar were inaugurated along with Dr Vikhe Patil Cancer Centre and Dr Vikhe Patil Nuclear Medicine Centre. Mansukh Mandaviya also inaugurated the construction of the main building & staff quarters of the Ralegan Siddhi Primary Health Care Centre (PHC).

In 2023, three primary healthcare centres in Ahmednagar were inaugurated along with Dr Vikhe Patil Cancer Centre and Dr Vikhe Patil Nuclear Medicine Centre. Mansukh Mandaviya also inaugurated the construction of the main building & staff quarters of the Ralegan Siddhi Primary Health Care Centre (PHC). Surat-Ahmednagar Greenfield project: The Surat-Ahmednagar segment of the green field project under PM Gati Shakti is projected to help the general socioeconomic development of tribal and backward areas like as Navsari, Valsad, and Nashik by providing quick and convenient connection.

The Surat-Ahmednagar segment of the green field project under PM Gati Shakti is projected to help the general socioeconomic development of tribal and backward areas like as Navsari, Valsad, and Nashik by providing quick and convenient connection. Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli Vaijnath new rail line: A new rail line is being constructed from Ahmednagar to Parli at a cost of Rs 4805.17 crore. It will enhance connectivity in the Marathwada region.

A new rail line is being constructed from Ahmednagar to Parli at a cost of Rs 4805.17 crore. It will enhance connectivity in the Marathwada region. Railway Infrastructure: LED lamps were installed across various locations, enhancing visibility and safety. Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) were constructed to eliminate level crossings and ease traffic flow. Ahmednagar station received escalators and improved platform covers, while other stations benefited from electronic train indicators, online booking facilities, and water vending machines. Daund-Manmad section saw track electrification and platform upgrades, along with the installation of butterfly type shelters for passengers.

Demographics

Total Voters: 1831537 (2019)

Social Composition

 SC: 12.6%

 ST: 8.3%

Religious Composition

 Hindus: 91%

 Muslims: 7.06%

 Buddhists: 0.75%

 Jains: 0.86%

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.
Beed Lok Sabha constituency is one of 48 parliamentary constituencies in Maharashtra. This is a General category seat and comprises entire Beed district. Six Assembly segments fall under the Beed Lok Sabha seat. Of these, the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP currently holds three (Majalgaon, Ashti and Parli) and the Sharad Pawar faction holds the Beed Assembly seat. The BJP holds two (Georai and Kaij-SC). The constituency, located in central Maharashtra, will vote in the fourth phase of general elections on May 13, 2024.

Sitting MP  Pritam Munde

Candidates  Pankaja Munde (BJP), Bajrang Sonawane (NCP-SP)

Political Dynamics

In the backdrop of the Maratha quota agitation, the Lok Sabha elections this time have been pitted as a political tussle between the Maratha and OBC communities.

Candidate selection for the Beed seat was a carefully thought-out process for both main contenders  the BJP, which is contesting in the ruling Mahayuti with the Shiv Sena-led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar-headed NCP, as well as the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), which is part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alongside the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) headed by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

BJP: For the Beed Lok Sabha seat, the BJP has named former Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde as its candidate, instead of her sister Pritam Gopinath Rao Munde who has been holding the seat for the last two terms.

For the Beed Lok Sabha seat, the BJP has named former Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde as its candidate, instead of her sister Pritam Gopinath Rao Munde who has been holding the seat for the last two terms. In 2019, Pankaja Munde was defeated in the Parli Assembly seat by her then estranged cousin and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde.

This time, however, she can count on her cousins support since both of them are on the same side. Dhananjay Munde is now with the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP which rebelled against Sharad Pawar. Dhananjay is serving as a state minister in the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP government.

On behalf of Pankaja, Dhananjay has pitched the election to voters as one for a Beed-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express.

Munde Family Influence: The Beed seat has been synonymous with the Munde family since 2009 when Gopinath Munde defeated NCPs Ramesh Adaska.

The Beed seat has been synonymous with the Munde family since 2009 when Gopinath Munde defeated NCPs Ramesh Adaska. Gopinath Munde had won the parliamentary constituency in 2014 as well. However, his death the same year led to his younger daughter Pritam Munde contesting and winning the by poll.

Pritam Munde had retained the seat in the 2019 elections. With Pankajas candidature now, the BJP has given the Beed ticket to the third member of the same family.

Presenting a united front in the 2024 elections despite the ticket switch, the Munde sisters say their top priority is now to win the seat.

Winning the seat on the basis of the Munde legacy alone, however, will be a tough task this time with the Maratha quota agitation heavily influencing the elections and because of the reported anti-incumbency after 15 years of the family rule.

Slogans were reportedly raised against Munde during campaigning in some villages, including Pavandham, Lavul, Kharat Aadgaon and Sakshalpimpari, over the Maratha quota row.

NCP-(Sharadchandra Pawar): The Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP fielded Bajrang Sonawane from Beed barely weeks after the leader jumped ship from the Ajit Pawar faction of the party.

The Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP fielded Bajrang Sonawane from Beed barely weeks after the leader jumped ship from the Ajit Pawar faction of the party. Sonawane had contested unsuccessfully against BJPs Pritam Munde, the sister of current candidate Pankaja Munde, from Beed in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

In big boost to Sonawanes campaign, former Maharashtra minister Suresh Navale resigned from the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde this week and announced support to the NCP-SPs Beed candidate. Navale hails from Beed.

The last time NCP won the Beed Lok Sabha seat was in 2004 general elections.

Maratha-OBC Tussle: In the backdrop of the Maratha quota agitation, the general elections in Beed this time are being seen as a political battle between the Maratha and OBC voters, two most dominant communities in the constituency.

In the backdrop of the Maratha quota agitation, the general elections in Beed this time are being seen as a political battle between the Maratha and OBC voters, two most dominant communities in the constituency. Led by activist Manoj Jarange, the Maratha community across the Marathwada region, including Beed, has been has been insisting on quota for the Marathas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

The OBCs, led by leaders like Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal, say they are not opposed to Marathas getting reservation but are against backdoor entry of the Maratha community into the OBC quota.

Given the composition of Beeds population, the issue took a violent turn last year when large-scale arson and vandalism was reported in the district in October-November.

Beed had emerged as the epicentre of the quota agitation and a curfew had to be imposed after two MLAs and a former state minister faced the ire of pro-quota protesters.

Beed police had registered more than 30 offences and arrested 99 people, with Jarenge alleging that Marathas who had nothing to do with the violence were being targeted.

Political observers say the cases filed against Jarange and other Maratha protesters coupled with the standoff on including Marathas in OBC reservations will weigh heavily in the minds of voters this election.

Jarange Factor: According to sources on the ground, there is resentment against the ruling alliance over the Maratha quota agitation.

According to sources on the ground, there is resentment against the ruling alliance over the Maratha quota agitation. Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange may have officially declared that he is staying away from the Lok Sabha poll fray  he hasnt endorsed or campaigned against any candidate  but continues to criticise the BJP-Eknath Shinde-Ajit Pawar Mahayuti.

I am not contesting the election this time, but the (Maratha) community knows who will win and lose, Jarange had said cryptically.

He has appealed to the Maratha community members to come out in large numbers to vote in the Lok Sabha polls.

The community must unite and vote with conviction. Defeat them with such force that they fear the Maratha vote. Defeating the candidates is a victory in itself, he said, but did not specify whether he was referring to candidates of the ruling side or the opposition.

He recently lashed out at Maharashtra deputy chief minister and home minister Devendra Fadnavis and lamented that the police continue to register cases against Maratha quota agitators for the November incidents.

In further repercussions for Maharashtra politics, Jarange has declared that the Maratha community members might contest the state assembly elections if they are not provided reservation in the form demanded till June 6.

He has threated to launch another hunger strike from June 5, a day after Lok Sabha results are announced, if the Maharashtra government fails to give the community reservation benefits.

Number Crunch: Marathas account for 7.5 lakh voters in the Beed Lok Sabha constituency, forming the biggest voting bloc.

Marathas account for 7.5 lakh voters in the Beed Lok Sabha constituency, forming the biggest voting bloc. According to political observers, the Maratha community may side with the NCP-SP candidate this time though the party has not announced any support to Jaranges demands.

But its candidate, Bajrang Sonawane, is a Maratha himself and this factor could be enough to bring the community onboard.

Next come the OBCs at 6 lakh to 6.5 lakh voters. The BJPs decision to field Pankaja Munde from Beed is a calculated move to consolidate the OBC voters. Pankaja, who has a following among her Vanjari community, is being looked at as an emerging OBC leader.

The BJP hopes Pankaja Munde can mobilise support from the OBC community not just in Beed, but also in seven other Lok Sabha seats in the Marathwada region.

On the Maratha and OBC quota row, Pankaja Munde has maintained that the government should provide reservations to the Maratha community that stands legal scrutiny.

As per local reporters, Muslim voters (around 3.5 lakh) may play a crucial role in deciding the outcome.

In previous elections, the Muslim community in Beed has supported the Munde family candidates but with polarisation reaching fever pitch in these elections, they may side with the Sharad Pawar-Congress-Uddhav Thackeray alliance.

Jain, Marwari, Brahmin and other communities add up to around 2 lakh.

VBA a Non-Factor: Unlike other seats in Maharashtra, Prakash Ambedkars Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) is a non-factor in Beed.

Unlike other seats in Maharashtra, Prakash Ambedkars Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) is a non-factor in Beed. The party has fielded a Kunbi-Maratha candidate in Ashok Hinge-Patil to dent the vote bank of both Munde and Sonawane, but neither Marathas nor OBCs in Beed are likely to break ranks.

Key Constituency Issues

Maratha Quota: The Maratha reservation demand has dominated Maharashtras political landscape since the Supreme Court struck down the 2018 Act of the state which provided quota in education and jobs to the Maratha community.

The Maratha reservation demand has dominated Maharashtras political landscape since the Supreme Court struck down the 2018 Act of the state which provided quota in education and jobs to the Maratha community. Activist Manoj Jarange is demanding that the entire Maratha community should be given quota in the OBC category by identifying them as Kunbi. Kunbis, an agrarian community, fall in the OBC category.

But Chhagan Bhujbal, a senior minister from the NCP and prominent OBC leader, opposed the demand, stating that Marathas should not get a share in the OBC quota.

Bhujbal took a defiant stand even though the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP government was sympathetic to the quota demand. It set up the Sandeep Shinde committee to examine pre-1967 Kunbi records.

Jarange has maintained that Marathas and Kunbis are socially and culturally very close.

The government subsequently enacted a fresh legislation providing 10% quota to Marathas. But some Maratha organisations claimed that it would not stand judicial scrutiny, and the overall quota in the state now exceeds 50%.

Drought: Analysis of data between 1986 and 2022 shows there has been an average annual decrease in rainfall of about 2.31 mm per year in Beed, part of the perennially water-starved Marathwada, with droughts becoming more frequent and more severe.

Analysis of data between 1986 and 2022 shows there has been an average annual decrease in rainfall of about 2.31 mm per year in Beed, part of the perennially water-starved Marathwada, with droughts becoming more frequent and more severe. The Marathwada region, which sees erratic rainfall, comprises eight districts  Beed, Hingoli, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad and Parbhani.

In October last year, 87 tankers were deployed by the government to supply water to 86 villages in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna and Beed districts. But now the authorities are deploying 188 such tankers in the three districts.

According to a report from the divisional commissioners office, the number of villages that were dependent on tankers for water supply was 86 on October 9, 2023. But the number of tanker-dependent villages has gone up to 193 by January 16, 2024.

In Beed, one village and three small settlements are depending on one tanker, the report says.

Migration: With no facilities to pursue higher education or industries set up to offer jobs, youth from Beed district have been consistently migrating to metro cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru for work.

With no facilities to pursue higher education or industries set up to offer jobs, youth from Beed district have been consistently migrating to metro cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru for work. There is mass migration among farm workers and labourers in the agriculture sector too. Village records and a survey by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) suggests a notable shift in such migration patterns, with 55.67% having started migrating in the last decade, up from 5.42% three decades ago.

This trend correlates with the increasing frequency and severity of drought conditions aggravated by climate change.

Exploitation of Farm Workers: Most of the farm workers who migrate work in the sugar industry. The majority of those migrating for work cut sugarcane during the harvest season.

Most of the farm workers who migrate work in the sugar industry. The majority of those migrating for work cut sugarcane during the harvest season. Local labour contractors  known as mukkadams  typically hire husband-and-wife teams or jodis to work in pairs, not through formal contracts but informal agreements.

A typical day for these labourers involves shifts ranging from 12 to 16 hours, throughout the six-month harvest period. Men usually cut the cane while the women tie and stack bundles.

They are often subjected to wage deductions for work missed, creating a fear of taking any leave.

Field Workers Forced to Get Hysterectomies: In the semi-arid lands of Beed district, scores of women have been forced to endure hysterectomies or risk losing their livelihoods.

In the semi-arid lands of Beed district, scores of women have been forced to endure hysterectomies or risk losing their livelihoods. Climate-induced droughts have ravaged the region, pushing families into poverty and forcing women to migrate in search of work in sugarcane fields.

The demanding nature of this physical labour, coupled with exploitative employment conditions, forces women to get their uterus surgically removed to avoid missing work and incurring financial penalties, according to a new paper from the IIED.

There have been reports of the women, who work as cane cutters, delivering babies in sugarcane fields since they are scared of taking maternity leaves because of khada (leave) charges.

The procedure, performed mostly in private clinics, leave many such women with lasting pain and mental health problems.

Sugar Factory Shutdown: A cooperative sugar mill controlled by the family of Pankaja Munde has been shut since 2019 over dues worth Rs 203.69 crore. State-owned Union Bank of India had even put out a notice for the e-auction of the sugar mill in January this year.

A cooperative sugar mill controlled by the family of Pankaja Munde has been shut since 2019 over dues worth Rs 203.69 crore. State-owned Union Bank of India had even put out a notice for the e-auction of the sugar mill in January this year. This has become a point of discomfort for Munde during campaigning with locals asking when the mill will resume functioning to mitigate some of the unemployment in the district.

In contrast, her rival Sonwane owns sugar mills that are up and running and recently claimed to also employ people from Mundes Vanjari community.

Voter Demographics

Social composition

SC  13.61%

ST  1.3%

Religious composition

Buddhist  2.65%

Christian  0.08%

Jain  0.34%

Muslim  12.39%

Sikh  0.03%

Literacy rate

66.48%

Major Infra Projects in Beed

Greenfield Transmission Project: India Grid Trust (IndiGrid) announced in April 2024 that it has operationalized its first greenfield project, Kallam Transmission Limited (KTL), in Beed.

India Grid Trust (IndiGrid) announced in April 2024 that it has operationalized its first greenfield project, Kallam Transmission Limited (KTL), in Beed. The project was won by IndiGrid in December 2021 through a Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process and will be developed on a build-own-operate-maintain (BOOM) basis for 35 years.

The project will evacuate 1 GW of power from renewable energy projects in the states Dharashiv area.

IndiGrid is Indias first and largest listed power sector infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) and owns 37 power projects, consisting of 46 transmission lines with more than 8,468 kms length.

Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli Vaijnath Railway Line: This is a 261.25km broad gauge railway line project in Maharashtra, a joint venture between the Government of India and the Maharashtra Government, with each party sharing 50% of the costs.

This is a 261.25km broad gauge railway line project in Maharashtra, a joint venture between the Government of India and the Maharashtra Government, with each party sharing 50% of the costs. The project is intended to improve connectivity for residents of the Ahmednagar-Parli belt and nearby areas.

As of November 2023, 66.18km of the line has been commissioned, and the project is 78% complete.

Land acquisition for the project is also 99% complete, with 1,821.56 out of 1,806.19 hectares secured.

Parli Vaijnath is a city and municipal council in the Beed district. It is the second largest city in the district by population and size, and is the headquarters of the Parli taluka.

Surat-Chennai NH Via Beed: The Surat-Chennai Expressway, a six-lane, partially access-controlled highway, will pass through 38km of Beed district. The expressway will connect Surat in Gujarat to Chennai in Tamil Nadu, passing through six states and districts.

The Surat-Chennai Expressway, a six-lane, partially access-controlled highway, will pass through 38km of Beed district. The expressway will connect Surat in Gujarat to Chennai in Tamil Nadu, passing through six states and districts. The expressway will be built at a cost of Rs 45,000 crore and is expected to be completed by December 2026.

Nagpur-Goa Expressway: The Nagpur-Goa Expressway, also known as the Shaktipeeth Expressway, will pass through Beed.

The Nagpur-Goa Expressway, also known as the Shaktipeeth Expressway, will pass through Beed. The 761km, six-lane expressway will connect 11 districts, including Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Latur, Beed, Osmanabad, Solapur, Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, and Patradevi (North Goa).

The expressway is expected to be completed in 202829 and will reduce travel time from 21 hours to 8 hours.

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.
Bengaluru Police on Tuesday summoned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda and the partys IT Cell chief Amit Malviya over an objectionable post made by the Karnataka unit of the party. The Investigating Officer of the citys Highgrounds Police issued the notice to the BJP leaders in the case about a video posted on the social media site X.

A notice was issued to the leaders by the Investigating Officer of the Highgrounds Police in Bengaluru on Wednesday. They have been given a week to appear for investigation.

For the purpose of investigation of the said case, you are hereby directed to appear before the undersigned investigation officer at 11 am at High Grounds police Station within seven days of receipt of this notice, the summons read.

The move came after an FIR was registered against Nadda, Malviya and Karnataka unit chief B Y Vijayendra on Monday in connection with a social media post allegedly intimidating members of the SC and ST communities not to vote for a particular candidate.

The police action came following a complaint lodged by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) with the Election Commission and police on Sunday alleging a violation of the model code of conduct.

BJP leaders were booked under the sections of the Representation of People Act and section 505 (2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code, a senior police officer said.

In the complaint, the KPCC cited a video uploaded on the social media platform X by the official account of Karnataka State BJP which, it alleged, is operated by Malviya, on instructions of Nadda, Vijayendra and Social Media in-charge  Karnataka BJP, on May 4.

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.
The Verdict: Fake

Andhra Pradesh BJP chief D Purandeswari made no such remarks. BBC Telugu has clarified that the purported news report s fabricated.

What is the claim?

A photo of a purported BBC Telugu news report is being circulated on social media platforms with the claim that D Purandeswari, president of Andhra Pradeshs Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit, called upon her party cadre to reject the manifesto of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena Party (JSP)  their alliance partners in the South Indian state. The purported image also claims that Purandeswari said that only the national manifesto of the BJP should be followed.

According to the screenshot of the purported BBC Telugu article, Purandeswari stated, There are unimplementable promises in Chandrababu and Pawan Kalyans manifesto. As these are Chandrababus last elections, he is trying to attain power by cheating people. Our party cadre should consider only the manifesto we released at the national level. Chandrababu Naidu is the chief of the TDP, and Pawan Kalyan is the head of the JSP. The TDP and JSP released their combined election manifesto on April 30.

The viral image is being shared just days ahead of the assembly and parliament elections scheduled in the state on May 13. While the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) is the incumbent party, the TDP, JSP, and the BJP have come together to form a tri-party alliance.

However, Purandeswari did not make such a remark. The viral BBC Telugu news image is fabricated.

What did we find?

We looked for news reports on Purandeswaris purported statement but came across none. We also combed through BBC Telugu reports to see if they have published such a news item, but our research yielded no such results.

We then looked closely at the image being shared online. Though the template used in the viral image resembles the one used by BBC Telugu, it has many discrepancies. This template, titled Meeremantaru (What do you say), is used by BBC Telugu to post a statement made by political leaders or a question on their social media accounts, inviting users opinions about the statement or the question.

The term Meeremantaru is usually placed on the left of the original BBC Telugu template. However, it is in the middle of the viral purported BBC Telugu article. Similarly, the font in the viral image differs from the font used by BBC Telugu in their templates. The font in the original template is thicker. Additionally, the BBC Telugu logo is brighter in the original template than the viral image.

BBC Telugu also clarified on their social media account (archived here) that the image is fake. They wrote, This was not published by BBC. This is fake news.

Row over the TDP-JSP manifesto

According to a report in NDTV, the manifesto released by the TDP-JSP combo had photographs of Naidu and Pawan Kalyan but no one from the third alliance partner, BJP, made it to the manifesto.

A report in The New Indian Express (TNIE) said that when the TDP-JSP manifesto was released on April 30, BJP Andhra Pradesh in-charge Siddharth Nath Singh refused to pose with a copy of the manifesto with Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan. This led to speculation that the BJP was distancing itself from the manifesto. However, Siddharth Nath Singh told the media at the event, Dont get confusedIt is the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance. TDP and JSP have released their manifesto, and I am here to support it.

The TNIE report also added that Naidu informed the media that while the BJP released its own manifesto at a national level, it gave inputs for the state manifesto, which were included. Later, BJP National General Secretary and Andhra Pradesh Co-ordinator Arun Singh endorsed the TDP-JSP manifesto in a post on X (archived here).

The verdict

A fabricated image of a BBC Telugu news report has been shared to claim that Andhra Pradesh BJP chief D Purandeswari called upon the party members to reject their alliance partners manifesto. However, she made no such comment, and the image is fake. Therefore, we have marked this claim as fake.

(This story was originally published by Logically Facts, and republished by News18 as part of the Shakti Collective)
Attacking his opponents over corruption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that everyone knows there was a movie named RRR, but he has been told that the Telangana to Delhi RR tax has collected more than the film.

The PMs speech was a veiled attack on Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy. Modi alleged that the money collected in the state through double R (RR) tax is being channelled to Delhi.

#WATCH | In his address to a public meeting in Telangana's Karimnagar, PM Narendra Modi says, "From Telangana to Delhi, there is a lot of discussion about 'double R' (RR) tax. A film named 'RRR' was released a few days back in the Telugu language, someone told me that 'RR' has pic.twitter.com/gMCZZTCozh ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024

Ek R Telangana mein lootata hai aur Dilli mein dusre R ko deta hai, PM Modi said during his election rally in Telangana.

The prime minister had made the same attack at his rally in Telanganas Zahirabad recently. He said that while the film RRR has brought Indias name to the forefront worldwide, the RR tax is bringing shame to the country.

There is widespread discussion about this RR tax in Telangana. It is alleged that industrialists and contractors in Telangana are required to pay a certain percentage of RR tax. It is claimed that a significant portion of the total collection here goes to Delhi as RR tax. I know you all are troubled by this RR Tax. I dont need to delve into further detail. The public is now questioning: Who is this R, and where does this R-tax end up in Delhi? PM Modi had said.

At Karimnagar rally, Modi further said, For all these years, both these parties (Congress and BRS) have given Hyderabad to AIMIM on lease. If someone has challenged the AIMIM for the first time, its BJP. More than AIMIM, its Congress and BRS who are rattled by the challenge from the BJP. Both are helping AIMIM to win in Hyderabad.

At his earlier rally too, the prime minister had called Congress and BRS two sides of the same corruption coin. This was evident in the Delhi liquor scam, where BRS members were involved with a party allied with Congress. When action was taken against this scam, members of this corruption racket came together in support of each other, Modi had added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister offered prayers at Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam in Vemulawada in Karimnagar district. PM Modi reached the southern state on Tuesday night and stayed at the Rajbhavan.

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.
Repoll has been ordered at two polling stations in Khagaria Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar where voting was disrupted on account of vandalisation of EVMs, the Election Commission said on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the office of Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar, polling will take place on May 10 at booth numbers 182 and 183, falling under Beldaur assembly segment.

Voting had on Tuesday taken place in five Lok Sabha seats of Bihar, including Khagaria, where Chirag Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is locked in a straight battle with CPI (M).

Notably, residents of Sahraun village in Khagaria, falling under Gogri sub-division, had announced that they were boycotting the polls to press the demand for a road.

On polling day, a group of unruly persons stormed the two booths and damaged the Electronic Voting Machines. Among the five Bihar seats that went to polls in the third phase, Khagaria has the lowest number of 18.40 lakh voters and the constituency registered a turnout of 58.20 per cent.

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.
An Army man has been arrested for allegedly offering Rs 2.5 crore to Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. He reportedly tried to lure Ambadas Danve for hacking Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Aurangabad being used for the Lok Sabha elections.

According to a report in Indian Express, the man has been identified as Maruti Dhakne, an Army Havaldar and a native of Ahmednagar district. He had allegedly sent Danve a message on his phone with an offer to hack EVMs.

The report further stated that he claimed he had a special chip through which he could ensure that all the votes from the EVM would go to his party, which is Uddhav Thackerays faction of Shiv Sena.

While Danve himself is not contesting the Lok Sabha elections, his party has fielded a candidate from Aurangabad Lok Sabha seat that will vote in the fourth phase on May 13.

The report stated that Danve approached the police who decided to lay a trap. An associate of Danve then went to meet Dhakne along with policemen.

According to IE, Dhakne told Danves associate, during the meeting, that he would be willing to hand over the chip for Rs 1.5 crore as well and that Danve would have to pay an advance of Rs 1 lakh on the same day.

As per prior police instructions, when Danve gave Rs 1 lakh to Dhakne, a police team along with the witnesses approached them and took Dhakne into custody. Dhakne has been taken into custody by the Economic Offence Wing of the police, the report stated.

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.
A voter allegedly tried to set an EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) on fire in Sangola tehsil of Solapur district when polling was underway for Madha Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra on Tuesday, an official said.

No damage was caused to the ballot unit, VVPT unit and control unit but the EVM was replaced, he said, adding there was no need for repolling at the concerned polling station. The voter was taken into police custody.

The incident occurred at a Badalwadi polling station in Sangola tehsil. A voter tried to set an EVM machine on fire in a polling booth number 86 at Badalwadi. The incident left a ballot unit slightly blackened, however, all three apparatus- ballot unit, control unit and VVPAT were intact and safe and it did not affect the polling process, said Solapur district collector Kumar Ashirwad. The collector said poll officials replaced the EVM with a new one to rule out any scope for doubt.

After replacing the EVM, the polling continued peacefully. The person, who tried to set the EVM on fire, was taken into custody by police for further probe, he said. He said the votes recorded in the affected EVM are intact and can be counted.  Thus there is no need for re-polling at the polling station.

A police official said the man carried some inflammable substance with him and tried to start fire. He was immediately overpowered by security personnel at the polling station. According to the official, the man is a Maratha quota supporter.

Polling was held in 11 of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra in the third phase on Tuesday. In Madha, BJPs sitting MP Ranjit Naik-Nimbalkar is locked in a close fight with Dhairyasheel Mohite Patil of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).
The seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections is set to be the most crucial in Uttar Pradesh with 13 key constituencies up for grabs, including Varanasi from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting.

Political experts said the seventh phase on June 1, for which filing of nominations began on Tuesday (April 7), will be a test for NDA allies Apna Dal (S) and other influential OBC leaders. What makes this phase even more important for Uttar Pradesh is that the seventh phase will include chief minister Yogi Adityanaths bastion of Gorakhpur, making the electoral battle all the more fierce.

Out of all the seven phases, I believe the last phase will be the most interesting of all as the poll battle will be in Prime Minister Narendra Modis constituency Varanasi as well as UP CM Yogi Adityanaths home turf Gorakhpur; other constituencies with recently inducted OBC leaders and BJP allies, including Apna Dal (S), will be put to the test, said political analyst Shashikant Pandey from Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow.

The 13 constituencies in seventh phase are Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC).

In 2019, too, the fight on these seats was equally tough when it was a face-off between the BJP and Mahagathbandhan  the grand alliance that included Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal. The Congress, however, preferred to go solo. Whereas in 2024, it is a face-off between BJP and INDIA bloc that includes the Congress and SP. The BSP preferred to go solo this time while the RLD is wielding considerable influence in several constituencies in western UP, Pandey said.

In the previous election, the NDA clinched 11 out of 13 of these seats. The BJP won Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon, Salempur, Ballia, Chandauli and Varanasi while its ally Apna Dal (S) were victorious in Mirzapur and Robertsganj. But the party, led by union minister Anupriya Patel and a long-time BJP ally, is yet to announce candidates on these two seats. Her husband Ashish Patel, who is a state cabinet minister and looks after the party affairs, said they will shortly make an announcement for Mirzapaur and Robertsganj.

This phase will be crucial for OBC leaders and NDA allies like Anupriya Patel, Om Prakash Rajbhar, Sanjay Nishad and Dara Singh Chauhan, as well as opposition leaders like Swami Prasad Maurya across the region. The challenge for the BJP is to reclaim the two seats it lost in 2019 while retaining others. The SP and Congress, meanwhile, face the challenge of opening their account in this region.

Varanasi is traditionally a BJP stronghold. Barring the 2004 general elections, when the Congress snatched this seat, Varanasi has always favoured the saffron party six times since 1996. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Modi secured a landslide victory in Varanasi obtaining 63 per cent of the total votes, while his closest competitor, Shalini Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, received 18.4 per cent.

Opting for Varanasi for the third consecutive election, the PM faces state Congress president Ajay Rai. This BJPs track record underscores its hold in the region and presents a formidable challenge to the opposition alliance.

Gorakhpur, which is a stronghold of Yogi Adityanath, has also favoured the BJP. The chief minister has won the seat four consecutive times from 1999 to 2009. Before him, his mentor Mahant Avaidyanath  representing the Hindu Mahasabha  held the seat thrice. But, the BJP faced a setback in 2017 when it lost the seat to the SP in a bypoll after Adityanath became chief minister.

Despite this loss, the BJP maintains influence in Gorakhpur with its MLAs representing all five assembly segments. In the 2019 elections, Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan secured victory for the BJP, and he has been nominated once again to contest from the seat. This indicates the BJPs determination to retain this prestigious seat and solidify its position in the region.

Other than this, the seventh phase will also test the influence of the Apna Dal (S). In the 2019 polls, the party won both Mirzapur and Robertsganj; its chief Anupriya Patel has twice emerged victorious from Mirzapur since 2014. She is likely to contest for the third time in this and faces competition from the SPs Rajendtra S Bind and BSPs Manish Tripathi.

Mirzapur holds a historical pattern of not re-electing candidates for a third consecutive term to the Lok Sabha, posing a challenge for Patel. Her aim to secure a hat-trick underscores the significance of this electoral battle while her candidacy represents the partys continued presence and influence in the region.

Competition from other parties indicates the diverse political landscape of Mirzapur, but the upcoming election will determine if Patel can break the historical trend and maintain her hold on the constituency. Robertsganj, however, is dominated by SC and ST voters; here, the Apna Dal is yet to announce the candidate.

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.
Nagarkurnool (SC) Lok Sabha constituency comprises 7 Legislative Assembly segments: Wanaparthy, Gadwal, Alampur (SC), Nagarkurnool, Achampet (SC), Kalwakurthy and Kollapur.

Current MP: Pothuganti Ramulu from BRS

Voting Factors

BRS: In 2019, Pothuganti Ramulu from BRS won the Nagarkurnool constituency, and is still considered a formidable leader. However, just recently, he and his son, Bharat Prasad jumped ship to the BJP. Bharat Prasad has since been given the BJP ticket for contesting the Lok Sabha polls from this seat.

In 2019, Pothuganti Ramulu from BRS won the Nagarkurnool constituency, and is still considered a formidable leader. However, just recently, he and his son, Bharat Prasad jumped ship to the BJP. Bharat Prasad has since been given the BJP ticket for contesting the Lok Sabha polls from this seat. The BJP has managed to engineer similar defections, including of the like of MPs Ajmeera Sitaram Naik (Mahbubabad) and Godam Nagesh (Adilabad), and two former MLAs, Jalagam Venkat Rao (Kothagudem) and S. Saidi Reddy (Huzurnagar). G. Srinivas, a BRS candidate who unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary elections from Peddapalli in 2009, has also joined the saffron party.

The defections by BRS leaders have rattled its top leadership at a time when the party is having a tough time finding strong candidates to contest the coming elections in the backdrop of its defeat in the assembly elections three months ago.

BRS is struggling to even find candidates to contest the coming Lok Sabha elections on its behalf. Although it has announced candidates on five seats of Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Khammam, Mahabubabad and Mahbubnagar; it is the remaining 12 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state where the pink party is facing a tough time zeroing in on the candidates. Even senior leaders including former ministers and MLAs, are showing a lack of interest in contesting.

It is perhaps in light of these developments that the BSP will contest the Hyderabad and Nagarkurnool Lok Sabha seats, out of the total 17 constituencies in Telangana, as part of its alliance with the BRS. In Hyderabad, the BRS has still not been able to recover from the BJPs sweeping victory in the GHMC elections.

BJP: The party appears to be in poll position to win the Nagarkurnool Lok Sabha constituency, now that it has heavyweight Pothuganti Ramulu and his son, Bharat Prasad in its ranks. Both remain popular leaders in the constituency whose image, ground inputs suggest, transcends that of ordinary politicians.

The party appears to be in poll position to win the Nagarkurnool Lok Sabha constituency, now that it has heavyweight Pothuganti Ramulu and his son, Bharat Prasad in its ranks. Both remain popular leaders in the constituency whose image, ground inputs suggest, transcends that of ordinary politicians. The BJP was also among the first major players in the fight to declare its candidate on the seat, even as the BRS abdicated this seat to its partner  the BSP. The BJP remains significantly ahead of its competitors in this constituency.

As is the case with lot of BJP candidates and MPs, Pothuganti Ramulu has facilitated the travel of people from Nagarkurnool to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Interestingly, the BJPs state and local units appear to have largely accepted the intake of Pothuganti Ramulu and his son into the party, further solidifying the duos chance of clinching the seat this election cycle. That being said, there has indeed been whispered dissent over the partys first list of Lok Sabha candidates from Telangana. However, the BJP is not breaking much sweat over the issue just yet and remains largely optimistic of emerging as the single largest party in the state in terms of Lok Sabha seats.

The SC and ST voters together constitute about 29% of the vote in Nagarkurnool. Traditionally sympathetic with the Congress and BRS, this vote is now shifting in favour of the BJP.

In Nagarkurnool, Modi remains the favoured candidate for becoming Prime Minister again.

According to the Network18 opinion poll, BJPs vote share in Telangana is expected to jump from 14% (which it scored in 2019) to about 28% this year.

Congress: Months after capturing power in Telangana, the Congress has set an ambitious target of winning at least 10-12 of the states 17 Lok Sabha seats. BJP has set a similar target for itself, with Amit Shah making it clear to state leadership that he was looking for 12 seats from Telangana.

Months after capturing power in Telangana, the Congress has set an ambitious target of winning at least 10-12 of the states 17 Lok Sabha seats. BJP has set a similar target for itself, with Amit Shah making it clear to state leadership that he was looking for 12 seats from Telangana. The Congress can take consolation in the fact that it won the assembly constituency. However, this does not mean the party is in a comfortable position to win the Lok Sabha seat, especially given how the contest in Telangana will be three-directional, potentially benefitting the BJP.

Mallu Ravi is the partys Lok Sabha candidate in Nagarkurnool. Ravi, who was appointed as the state governments special representative in Delhi, resigned from the post as he was aspiring for a ticket.

VOTER DEMOGRAPHICS

Total Voters of Nagarkurnool (SC) parliament seat as of 2019 Parliament Election: 1,588,111

Urban Voters: 165,164 (10.4%)

Rural Voters: 1,422,947 (89.6%)

Constituency literacy rate: 47.88%

Voters By Caste (approximate)

SC Voters: 311,270 (19.6%)

ST Voters: 150,871 (9.5%)

There are 134 Backward Classes in Telangana and they hold significant power in some seats.

Voters By Religion in Nagarkurnool District (approximate)

Hindus: 93.16%

Muslims: 5.70%

Christians: 0.44%

KEY CONSTITUENCY ISSUES

Nagarkurnool by far and far remains a backward constituency, with SCs, STs and other backward castes playing a big role in the electoral dynamics.

Nagarkurnool is a hub for labour, and many workers from the constituency work in urban centres across the state, especially in Hyderabad. On a related note, economic hardships do remains an importance electoral issue for the people in the constituency.

Irrigation-related shortcomings and a shortage of water are among significant electoral issues in Nagarkurnool, much like other parts of Telangana.

BRS is credited with taking some steps to alleviate the irrigation and water related woes of the people in this constituency. It is also known to have created employment opportunities. However, the defeat in the assembly polls suggested that this work was not enough to overcome the mighty incumbency that faced BRS.

BRS is unlikely to be able to withstand BJPs aggressive push and also setbacks like the arrest of it key leaders like K Kavitha.

Although there have been reported instances of crime, it does not appear to be among the deciding factors which will sway the voters in Nagarkurnool either towards a party or away from it.

The lack of basic health infrastructure in many areas of Telangana, especially the peripheral regions is a particular cause of concern. A suo-motu PIL taken up by the Telangana High Court in January over the death of a woman and her newborn child, after the pregnant woman was forced to travel 124 kilometres while in labour, served to highlight the lack of infrastructure in peripheral health centres.

DEVELOPMENT

In October last year, PM Modi inaugurated projects and laid the foundation stone for new infra schemes worth more than Rs 8,000 crore in Telangana. Among these were the laying of foundation stones for 20 critical care blocks (CCBs) under the Pradhan Mantri  Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. One of the CCB is being built in Nagarkurnool as well.

Previously, in July 2023, a decision was taken to strengthen the required infrastructure under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0, which aims at providing every household with access to a tap with a guaranteed supply of water and a sewer connection. This was a part of the plan to improve water supply service in 81 Urban Local Bodies across the State, including Nagarkurnool.

In 2022, then industries minister KT Rama Rao had laid the foundation and inaugurated development works worth Rs 670 crore, out of which Rs 470 crore worth works were planned and executed in Nagarkurnool constituency. However, despite such claimed work, the BRS lost the assembly seat of Nagarkurnool to the Congress.

Completion of BRS-initiated projects like Palamuru Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation Project are crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring water availability in the district.

KEY STATE ISSUES

Corruption: A major factor which affected the BRS performance in the state election was that of corruption. The involvement of BRS leaders in cases like the Delhi Liqour Scam have painted a poor picture. A CSDS-Lokniti post-poll study indicated that corruption emerged as a prominent source of dissatisfaction among voters. BRS is likely to still suffer from the stigma even in Lok Sabha polls.

A major factor which affected the BRS performance in the state election was that of corruption. The involvement of BRS leaders in cases like the Delhi Liqour Scam have painted a poor picture. A CSDS-Lokniti post-poll study indicated that corruption emerged as a prominent source of dissatisfaction among voters. BRS is likely to still suffer from the stigma even in Lok Sabha polls. Civic Infrastructure: Although the BRS claimed to have turned Hyderabad into a global city, the issue of water logging has been a major problem in the state capital. There have also been incidents of people being washed away into drains during drains during the monsoon season.

Although the BRS claimed to have turned Hyderabad into a global city, the issue of water logging has been a major problem in the state capital. There have also been incidents of people being washed away into drains during drains during the monsoon season. Though the previous state government has built several flyovers, there are still choke points at many important places. This was one factor that brought the Congress to power.

Water Shortage: With the summers setting in, the problem of water shortage in Telangana is once again being felt, especially in the states northern areas. Habitations in rural and urban local body limits have started facing the water shortage. Villages in remote and interior areas are facing an acute shortage. Lack of coordination between Mission Bhagiratha officials and other departments worsened the situation in undivided Adilabad, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts. ST communities are the worst hit, as water supply in tribal areas has become a real problem.

With the summers setting in, the problem of water shortage in Telangana is once again being felt, especially in the states northern areas. Habitations in rural and urban local body limits have started facing the water shortage. Villages in remote and interior areas are facing an acute shortage. Lack of coordination between Mission Bhagiratha officials and other departments worsened the situation in undivided Adilabad, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts. ST communities are the worst hit, as water supply in tribal areas has become a real problem. Job Creation: Telangana is struggling with a limited availability of formal sector employment. Both BJP and Congress promised the creation of jobs in their poll manifesto last year. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has appointed D Sridhar Babu as IT, BT minister. He is educated, young and dynamic, and the hope is that he will further Telanganas IT ambitions. Earlier, KTR had earlier claimed that under BRS government employees in IT industry in the state increased to nearly nine lakh from over three lakh in 2014.

Telangana is struggling with a limited availability of formal sector employment. Both BJP and Congress promised the creation of jobs in their poll manifesto last year. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has appointed D Sridhar Babu as IT, BT minister. He is educated, young and dynamic, and the hope is that he will further Telanganas IT ambitions. Earlier, KTR had earlier claimed that under BRS government employees in IT industry in the state increased to nearly nine lakh from over three lakh in 2014. Freebies: Like AP, Telangana also has a thriving freebie culture. KCR, during his 10-year rule survived mainly on freebies and the incumbent Congress government is also continuing with it in fact promising more freebies.

Like AP, Telangana also has a thriving freebie culture. KCR, during his 10-year rule survived mainly on freebies and the incumbent Congress government is also continuing with it in fact promising more freebies. From farm loans to free LPG cylinders and financial assistance to underprivileged people, guarantees around welfare schemes and the implementation of these schemes are likely to play a key role in shaping the political landscape of Telangana. There is a growing burden of state loans and the substantial financial commitments associated with various aid programs like Rythu Bandhu and Dalit Bandhu schemes.

Farmer Distress: Cultivation area for turmeric in Telangana has experienced a notable reduction in recent years due to unfavourable price trends. Farmers are not receiving even 6,000 per quintal of turmeric, which is below the production cost of approximately 8,000 per quintal. PM Modi had earlier promised to establish a National Turmeric Board, but there has been no action on this promise yet. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the issue had played a pivotal role.

Cultivation area for turmeric in Telangana has experienced a notable reduction in recent years due to unfavourable price trends. Farmers are not receiving even 6,000 per quintal of turmeric, which is below the production cost of approximately 8,000 per quintal. PM Modi had earlier promised to establish a National Turmeric Board, but there has been no action on this promise yet. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the issue had played a pivotal role. Polarisation: With the Ram Mandir issue taking a poll position in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, a national mood has been set. Telangana is not immune to religious politics. Hyderabad areas is especially vulnerable to polarisation, and the BJP has firebrand leaders to counter the influence of the Owaisi-led AIMIM.Telangana has better law and order situation now. Naxalism has been fully contained and the younger generation is not interested in violence or armed struggle being raked up of any kind.

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.
Narasapuram Lok Sabha constituency, one of the 25 parliamentary constituencies in Andhra Pradesh, falls under the General category and encompasses parts of West Godavari district. It comprises seven legislative assembly segments, namely Achanta, Palacole, Narasapuram, Bhimavaram, Undi Tanuku, Tanuku, and Tadepalligudem. The current MP is Kanumuru Raghu Rama Krishna Raju of YSRCP since 2019. He was preceded by Gokaraju Gangaraju of the BJP (2014). For the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the candidates in the fray are Guduri Uma Bala (YSRCP), Bupathiraju Srinivas Varma (BJP), and Korlapati Brahmananda Rao Naidu (INC). The constituency will vote in phase 4 of the polls on May 13 and results will be declared on June 4.

Political Dynamics

Can Alliance Pack A Punch? The TDP-JSP-BJP alliance is working in full swing to replace Jagan Mohan Reddys YSRCP as the state goes through state and parliamentary elections simultaneously. Narasapuram is all set to witness a tough battle between the TDP-led alliance and the YSRCP which currently holds five assembly segments out of seven in the constituency. While YSRCP had an upper hand in 2019, political sands have shifted dramatically since then with the emergence of the opposition alliance. This seat was historically a Congress party bastion, before converting into a TDP stronghold between 1984 and 1998, after which Narasapuram swung between Congress and BJP until the YSRCP finally registered a breakthrough in 2019.

The TDP-JSP-BJP alliance is working in full swing to replace Jagan Mohan Reddys YSRCP as the state goes through state and parliamentary elections simultaneously. Narasapuram is all set to witness a tough battle between the TDP-led alliance and the YSRCP which currently holds five assembly segments out of seven in the constituency. While YSRCP had an upper hand in 2019, political sands have shifted dramatically since then with the emergence of the opposition alliance. This seat was historically a Congress party bastion, before converting into a TDP stronghold between 1984 and 1998, after which Narasapuram swung between Congress and BJP until the YSRCP finally registered a breakthrough in 2019. BJP-TDP-JSP Divided Over Nominee: Initially, there were talks that sitting MP Kanumuru Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, who popularly goes by the name RRR, would be granted a ticket by the alliance after he rebelled against the YSRCP leadership and joined the TDP. However, the alliance settled on the BJPs Bupathiraju Srinivas Varma, a loyalist of the party, while RRR is being fielded in the legislative assembly elections from Undi, also in the Narasapuram constituency. While TDPs Chandrababu Naidu had taken it upon himself to convince the alliance, especially the BJP, of nominating RRR from the seat, the plan did not come through and RRR accused the BJP of being influenced by Jagan Mohan Reddy who ensured that RRR does not get a Lok Sabha ticket. Upon resigning from the party in February 2024, Raju penned a public letter to the chief minister, likening him to a maverick dictator. He expressed that the CMs persistent attempts to disqualify him from his parliamentary membership, akin to Mohammad Gazni, were unsuccessful. He went on to highlight his dedicated efforts in developing the Narasapuram constituency during his tenure as an MP.

Initially, there were talks that sitting MP Kanumuru Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, who popularly goes by the name RRR, would be granted a ticket by the alliance after he rebelled against the YSRCP leadership and joined the TDP. However, the alliance settled on the BJPs Bupathiraju Srinivas Varma, a loyalist of the party, while RRR is being fielded in the legislative assembly elections from Undi, also in the Narasapuram constituency. While TDPs Chandrababu Naidu had taken it upon himself to convince the alliance, especially the BJP, of nominating RRR from the seat, the plan did not come through and RRR accused the BJP of being influenced by Jagan Mohan Reddy who ensured that RRR does not get a Lok Sabha ticket. Upon resigning from the party in February 2024, Raju penned a public letter to the chief minister, likening him to a maverick dictator. He expressed that the CMs persistent attempts to disqualify him from his parliamentary membership, akin to Mohammad Gazni, were unsuccessful. He went on to highlight his dedicated efforts in developing the Narasapuram constituency during his tenure as an MP. Will This RRR Work? RRR, who won in 2019 with a margin of 31,909 votes on a YSRCP ticket, has been described as eccentric and a political firebrand who wields tremendous sway in the Narasapuram constituency. It was being said earlier that the alliances candidates in at least three of the assembly seats  Palakollu, Narasapuram and Tadepalligudem  depend on him to secure funding for their campaigns. This speaks of RRRs influence. Observers also point out the seat would have been an easy catch with RRR in the fray but with lesser-known Srinivas Varma, it may become difficult. Further, the BJP also has to combat the narrative that it was strong-armed by Jagan Mohan Reddy, which portrays an image of weakness in the party. TDP and JSP leaders expressed dissatisfaction over Varma receiving the ticket and did not attend his rally in the constituency. Following his nomination, Varma participated in a rally that passed through Aakiveedu, Undi, and Bhimavaram, with only BJP leaders in attendance. The absence of TDP and JSP leaders, as well as their flags, was notable. They have voiced their opposition to Varmas candidacy as the alliances MP. Meanwhile, BJP leaders questioned the authority of TDP and JSP in determining their partys candidate selection. TDP claims to have granted the seat to BJP under the condition that Raghu Rama Krishna Raju would be accommodated as promised by the party high command.

RRR, who won in 2019 with a margin of 31,909 votes on a YSRCP ticket, has been described as eccentric and a political firebrand who wields tremendous sway in the Narasapuram constituency. It was being said earlier that the alliances candidates in at least three of the assembly seats  Palakollu, Narasapuram and Tadepalligudem  depend on him to secure funding for their campaigns. This speaks of RRRs influence. Observers also point out the seat would have been an easy catch with RRR in the fray but with lesser-known Srinivas Varma, it may become difficult. Further, the BJP also has to combat the narrative that it was strong-armed by Jagan Mohan Reddy, which portrays an image of weakness in the party. TDP and JSP leaders expressed dissatisfaction over Varma receiving the ticket and did not attend his rally in the constituency. Following his nomination, Varma participated in a rally that passed through Aakiveedu, Undi, and Bhimavaram, with only BJP leaders in attendance. The absence of TDP and JSP leaders, as well as their flags, was notable. They have voiced their opposition to Varmas candidacy as the alliances MP. Meanwhile, BJP leaders questioned the authority of TDP and JSP in determining their partys candidate selection. TDP claims to have granted the seat to BJP under the condition that Raghu Rama Krishna Raju would be accommodated as promised by the party high command. Potential Victory on the Cards: Srinivas Varma, called by some as BJP Varma, made headlines when he reportedly got emotional and prostrated over the partys Lotus symbol as he thanked the BJP for selecting him. Known as a hardcore loyalist, Varma is the state secretary of Andhra Pradesh BJP and had been waiting for decades for the opportunity. He has an RSS background and had been keeping a low profile until his nomination. He said his candidature was a recognition of 30 years of hard work and patience. His main challenge is to become a known face in the constituency. The Jana Sena and the TDP are contesting in three and four seats respectively in the assembly elections in Narasapuram, while BJP settled with the Lok Sabha seat. One concern about this dynamic is whether the parties can ensure a vote transfer to the BJP candidate in the Lok Sabha elections. Statistically, however, there is tremendous potential in this alliance. In the 2019 parliamentary elections, the TDP and JSP were contesting separately, which benefited the YSRCP, handing it its first victory in Narasapuram. The YSRCP won 38.4 per cent of the votes, while the TDP bagged 35.8 per cent and the JSP got 21.5 per cent of the votes. With the latter two in an alliance along with the BJP, their combined vote share has the potential to dethrone the YSRCP.

Srinivas Varma, called by some as BJP Varma, made headlines when he reportedly got emotional and prostrated over the partys Lotus symbol as he thanked the BJP for selecting him. Known as a hardcore loyalist, Varma is the state secretary of Andhra Pradesh BJP and had been waiting for decades for the opportunity. He has an RSS background and had been keeping a low profile until his nomination. He said his candidature was a recognition of 30 years of hard work and patience. His main challenge is to become a known face in the constituency. The Jana Sena and the TDP are contesting in three and four seats respectively in the assembly elections in Narasapuram, while BJP settled with the Lok Sabha seat. One concern about this dynamic is whether the parties can ensure a vote transfer to the BJP candidate in the Lok Sabha elections. Statistically, however, there is tremendous potential in this alliance. In the 2019 parliamentary elections, the TDP and JSP were contesting separately, which benefited the YSRCP, handing it its first victory in Narasapuram. The YSRCP won 38.4 per cent of the votes, while the TDP bagged 35.8 per cent and the JSP got 21.5 per cent of the votes. With the latter two in an alliance along with the BJP, their combined vote share has the potential to dethrone the YSRCP. Caste Matrix: In this upper-caste dominated constituency, the Kshatriya community, with roughly one lakh votes, is the most influential, and Varma comes from this community. The alliance hopes to bank on RRRs might, especially among the influential Kshatriya Raju community, and his years of opposition to CM Jagan. As he contests from Undi, he is still very much in a position to influence the outcome in the Lok Sabha Election. Kapu voters, at around 2 lakh votes, also form a major vote bank here, and are expected to lean towards the alliance this election. Upper-caste voters in East and West Godavari regions are deeply influenced by Pawan Kalyan, while Chandrababu Naidu is popular among BCs and minority Christian voters also to a considerable extent. This further bolsters the alliances chances of registering a victory. Moreover, while Jagan faces a tide of anti-incumbency against his party, the Modi factor is on the rise especially among the youth. Welfare schemes initiated by the centre have made a considerable impact, and the BJPs development pitch finds deep resonance here.

In this upper-caste dominated constituency, the Kshatriya community, with roughly one lakh votes, is the most influential, and Varma comes from this community. The alliance hopes to bank on RRRs might, especially among the influential Kshatriya Raju community, and his years of opposition to CM Jagan. As he contests from Undi, he is still very much in a position to influence the outcome in the Lok Sabha Election. Kapu voters, at around 2 lakh votes, also form a major vote bank here, and are expected to lean towards the alliance this election. Upper-caste voters in East and West Godavari regions are deeply influenced by Pawan Kalyan, while Chandrababu Naidu is popular among BCs and minority Christian voters also to a considerable extent. This further bolsters the alliances chances of registering a victory. Moreover, while Jagan faces a tide of anti-incumbency against his party, the Modi factor is on the rise especially among the youth. Welfare schemes initiated by the centre have made a considerable impact, and the BJPs development pitch finds deep resonance here. No Cakewalk For YSRCP: The ruling YSRCP has nominated a BC candidate for upper-caste dominated Narasapuram Lok Sabha constituency, owing to which winning might not be easy. Guduri Umabala, from the Settibalija community, is an advocate and president of the YSRC womens wing, with significant influence in the constituency. Jagan Mohan Reddys decision to appoint BCs as candidates of upper caste-dominated constituencies is noteworthy, according to political analysts. The Kshatriya community has historically dominated Narasapuram, winning it 14 times out of 16. The Kapu community has won twice. Although the Kapu community is the largest in these constituencies, other BC communities and upper castes also play a significant role. It remains to be seen whether upper caste voters will support YSRCP candidates in the upcoming elections. Umabala, not a well-known face so far, is banking on the possibility of a BC vs non-BC polarisation to take place. However, her campaign has not been as energetic, and polarisation does not appear visible. Also, financially, she leans entirely on the party for campaign funds, which makes for a tough battle with the BJP-TDP-JSP trios better funded campaign. CM Reddy is faced with a solid challenge in this region as the trio in opposition comes with significant political and financial heft. Significant damage has been caused by RRRs direct beef with the chief minister as Kshatriya voters are swayed against the latter. Anti-incumbency is threatening the leaders standing even though he has welfare schemes to rely on like Amma Vodi, which involves money transfer of Rs 13,000 to parents to help with their childrens education.

Key Issues

Polavaram Irrigation Project: People are agitated at the slow progress of Polavaram irrigation. Work had started at the site back in 2004-05. However, delays and political war of wortds has now extended the project deadline to March 2026. The estimated funds rose significantly and now stand at Rs 47,725 crore. Moreover, according to reports, not even 50 per cent of the work has been completed and people believe that the deadline for the project will be extended beyond 2026. Both the previous and current Union and state governments have blamed each other for the massive delays, but ultimately it is the people who are suffering.

People are agitated at the slow progress of Polavaram irrigation. Work had started at the site back in 2004-05. However, delays and political war of wortds has now extended the project deadline to March 2026. The estimated funds rose significantly and now stand at Rs 47,725 crore. Moreover, according to reports, not even 50 per cent of the work has been completed and people believe that the deadline for the project will be extended beyond 2026. Both the previous and current Union and state governments have blamed each other for the massive delays, but ultimately it is the people who are suffering. TIDCO houses: The demolition of TIDCO houses is another political blame-game that is being played out in the region. The TDP government had constructed more than 4,000 flats at a cost of Rs 30 crore, which was to be handed over to people below the poverty line. The flats were constructed on 44 acres of land. However, before the beneficiaries could be allotted houses, the government changed in the state and now, the YSRCP government has allowed the demolition of the constructed buildings. This has angered the people who were given hope by the previous government of owning a flat. People have raised their voices and staged protests but to no avail. This is also in line with the YSRCP halting and failing to progress on the schemes launched by the previous government.

The demolition of TIDCO houses is another political blame-game that is being played out in the region. The TDP government had constructed more than 4,000 flats at a cost of Rs 30 crore, which was to be handed over to people below the poverty line. The flats were constructed on 44 acres of land. However, before the beneficiaries could be allotted houses, the government changed in the state and now, the YSRCP government has allowed the demolition of the constructed buildings. This has angered the people who were given hope by the previous government of owning a flat. People have raised their voices and staged protests but to no avail. This is also in line with the YSRCP halting and failing to progress on the schemes launched by the previous government. Dumping Ground: The issue of garbage dumping and unavailability of proper garbage dumping grounds has become one of major nuisances of Narasapuram. Mounds of garbage get selected at the side of the road by hawkers, construction debris, and household waste. The garbage dumping sites are overflowing and cause stink up to many kilometres. These also lead to major disease-carrying pathogens to breed in such unhygienic and unsanitary conditions leading to overall decline of health of the people.

The issue of garbage dumping and unavailability of proper garbage dumping grounds has become one of major nuisances of Narasapuram. Mounds of garbage get selected at the side of the road by hawkers, construction debris, and household waste. The garbage dumping sites are overflowing and cause stink up to many kilometres. These also lead to major disease-carrying pathogens to breed in such unhygienic and unsanitary conditions leading to overall decline of health of the people. Unemployment and Emigration: While the area has a couple of industrial parks, no major companies have opened their plant or offices in the region which has led to a rise in unemployment in the region. It is also in line with the massive unemployment in the state. Youth in the region often end up migrating to urban centres of nearby Bengaluru or Chennai. According to reports, a majority of urban households are affected due to migration.

While the area has a couple of industrial parks, no major companies have opened their plant or offices in the region which has led to a rise in unemployment in the region. It is also in line with the massive unemployment in the state. Youth in the region often end up migrating to urban centres of nearby Bengaluru or Chennai. According to reports, a majority of urban households are affected due to migration. Conversions: Conversions are a major issue in Narasapuram. Although the issue has not gained major traction in the mainstream media, locals are apparently miffed at the serial conversions taking place. A few decades ago, Christianity was unknown here. Now, churches outnumber temples. This massive conversion spree has targeted the SC and STs who are wooed with benefits and cash to convert. Despite pleas by the constituents to keep a check on the illegal conversions, the state government has refused to act.

Conversions are a major issue in Narasapuram. Although the issue has not gained major traction in the mainstream media, locals are apparently miffed at the serial conversions taking place. A few decades ago, Christianity was unknown here. Now, churches outnumber temples. This massive conversion spree has targeted the SC and STs who are wooed with benefits and cash to convert. Despite pleas by the constituents to keep a check on the illegal conversions, the state government has refused to act. Alankrutha Lace Park: The lace park was closed in recent years due to fraudulent practices and governments failure at marketing the product. There were a hue and cry as it was a major employer in the region for artisans. At least 20,000 artisans, mostly women, are registered with the 51 cooperative societies which worked at the park. Last year, the park was restarted under guidance from the local administration. It is also being reported that the state government plans to boost production and improve infrastructure by investing Rs 70 crore in the park. However, those promises have not yet borne fruit.

Infrastructure Development

Narasapuram Bypass: Construction of bypass to Narasapuram town on NH-216 is underway. It will help ease traffic congestions in the city, much to the relief of the locals.

Construction of bypass to Narasapuram town on NH-216 is underway. It will help ease traffic congestions in the city, much to the relief of the locals. High-Level Bridge: Construction of a high-level bridge across Mogadindi drain is underway. Another bridge is under construction on the Gonteru drain of Bhimavaram- Narasapuram road.

Construction of a high-level bridge across Mogadindi drain is underway. Another bridge is under construction on the Gonteru drain of Bhimavaram- Narasapuram road. Widening of major roads: Widening of Narasapuram-Aswaraopeta road and Bhimavaram- Narasapuram road from two lane to four lanes is currently underway.

Widening of Narasapuram-Aswaraopeta road and Bhimavaram- Narasapuram road from two lane to four lanes is currently underway. Railway Infrastructure: Proposals were made for new lines, including one connecting Kothapalli and Narasapuram. Existing lines like the Duvvada-Vijayawada and Vijayawada-Gudlavalleru-Machilipatnam, Nidadavole-Bhimavaram-Narasapuram, and Gudivada-Bhimavaram sections were slated for tripling, doubling, and electrification to improve connectivity and capacity. Additionally, enhancement projects aimed to expand platforms at Narasapuram station, while yard remodelling and loop extension works were undertaken at Navabpalem and Visakhapatnam stations.

Voter Demographics (2011 Census)

Total Voters (2019): 1438922

Urban Areas: 26.7%

Rural Areas: 73.3%

Literacy Rate: 67.37%

Social Composition:

SC: 16.2%

ST: 0.9%

Religious Composition:

Hindu: 86%

Muslim: 2.19%

Christian: 2.77%

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.
The Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency currently comprises seven Assembly segments  Armur, Bodhan, Nizamabad (Urban), Nizamabad (Rural), Balkonda, Koratla and Jagtial. Its current MP is Dharmapuri Arvind of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The constituency will vote in phase four on May 13.

Since its formation in 1952, the Nizamabad seat was a Congress stronghold, even while various parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) won it during different general elections. After the formation of Telangana, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) (then Telangana Rashtra Samithi) won the seat for the first time in 2014. BRS scion K Kavitha was unseated by BJPs Dharmapuri Arvind by a small margin in 2019.

Sitting MP: Dharmapuri Arvind (BJP)

Key candidates: Dharmapuri Arvind (BJP), T Jeevan Reddy (Congress) and BRS candidate Bajireddy Goverdhan

VOTING FACTORS

BJP: The BJP is going strong in Nizamabad. In 2019, the party had stunned observers by doubling its vote share to 45.22%. The rise in BJPs vote share not just in Nizamabad, but across Telangana has now convinced the saffron party that it can win a higher number of Lok Sabha seats from the state this time. In the Assembly polls last year, the BJP had managed to double its vote share from 6.98% in 2018 to almost 14%. This gave it the much-needed ground to begin the ambitious political project in the state that is likely to culminate with the party winning a lions share of Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Dharmapuri is making whirlwind tours in Nizamabad and Jagtial districts. Ground reports clearly indicate that the BJP is ahead in terms of poll preparedness and activity on the ground. Dharmapuri is trying to reach out to various sections of the voters. The BJP strength in Nizamabad is clear from the fact that the party has won five of the seven Assembly seats falling under the Lok Sabha constituency. Hindutva is a strong plank for the BJP in Nizamabad. On ground reports indicate that strategies like use of Shivaji statues in districts such as Adilabad, Nizamabad and Nirmal have helped consolidate support from the Hindu community. These districts border Maharashtra, and are also communally sensitive due to a high Muslim population. Dharmapuri has also been courting controversy with remarks like, Vote for BJP, or go to hell, and demanding the removal of the word secular from the preamble of the Constitution. He was defeated in the recent Assembly elections from Koratla by BRS candidate and spine surgeon Kalvakintla Sanjay. Dharmapuri had angered the BRS cadre and consolidated votes against him by commenting that the BJP would distribute money if K Chandrashekhar Rao and his son K T Rama Rao die. Dharmapuri had last year suffered some opposition from within the BJP ranks, but the murmurs of discontent eventually died down.

Congress: T Jeevan Reddy is the partys candidate from the constituency. Not many within the Congress were in favour of Jeevan Reddy getting the ticket from this seat though. In the Assembly election last year, the Congress emerged as the only real rival to the BJP. However, it must be remembered that the Congress performance in 2019 general elections was marked by a dramatic drop in vote share.

BRS: The BRS is a party in troubled waters. Nizamabad was represented by KCRs daughter K Kavitha, who now finds herself under arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi Liquor Scam case. Kavitha has dropped out of the polls. According to reports, internal surveys of the party showed that Kavitha would face a huge setback if she contested, which would also impact the partys future. One of the reasons being given for Kavitha not contesting the upcoming elections is that KCR is trying an image makeover of his party. The BRSs poll drubbing in the state elections has been attributed to the party getting branded as family-run enterprise with KCRs son KTR, nephews T Harish Rao and Santosh Kumar, and daughter Kavitha at the helm. This time, the BRS has fielded Bajireddy Govardhan from Nizamabad. His candidature has been welcomed by BRS activists in Nizamabad and Jagtial districts and is said to have enthused the cadre. Govardhan belongs to the Munnuru Kapu community, and he has roots in undivided Nizamabad and Jagtial districts. His family maintains ties with families in Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Jagtial and Rajanna Sircilla districts. In the 2019 parliamentary elections, Munnuru Kapu community members extended their support to Dharmapuri Arvind. Now, the BRS anticipates that Govardhans nomination will split the votes of the BJP and give the former a fighting chance. However, the BRS has bigger problems to deal with. The run-up to the Lok Sabha polls has been taxing for the party, as at least 40% of its sitting MPs have refused to contest. In many of the 17 parliamentary constituencies in the state, the party struggled to find suitable candidates due to a high rejection rate.

VOTER DEMOGRAPHICS

Total voters: 1,55,3385

Urban: 553,005 (35.6%)

Rural: 1,000,380 (64.4%)

Voters by caste

SC: 208,154 (13.4%)

ST: 86,990 (5.6%)

Voters by Religion

Hindu: 82.23%

Muslim: 17.4%

Christian: 0.77%

KEY ELECTION ISSUES

Agriculture: Turmeric cultivation remains the primary source of income for people in the Nizamabad constituencys rural areas. Fair prices for turmeric was dominant issue in 2019 general elections and the recent state elections. The failure of the BRS to ensure support for farmers cost them the elections.

There are around four Assembly segments in Nizamabad  Nizamabad Rural, Armoor, Balkonda, and Jagtial  where the turmeric issue can determine voting choices.

In October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the formation of the National Turmeric Board during a visit to Mahbubnagar. Ahead of the 2019 elections, it was Dharmapuri who signed a bond stating he would resign if the NTB was not announced after his election. The BJP can claim credit for the establishment of the NTB in these elections.

Outsider Vs Insider: Ahead of the Assembly elections last year, an issue began haunting candidates in at least five of the nine Assembly constituencies in old Nizamabad district  locals versus outsiders (non-locals) sentiment. The issue was visible in Yellareddy, Banswada, Nizamabad, Balkonda and Jukkal SC Assembly constituencies. The biggest concern among the people was that once elected, will these candidates  called parachute leaders  be accessible to them? The narrative could be a potential factor in the Lok Sabha elections as well.

Real Estate: The real estate business in undivided Nizamabad district has been on a steady decline. Sales of open plots and flats have sharply decreased in Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts. Meanwhile, from the time the Congress came to power, realtors have been waiting for announcements of new initiatives.

Crime: The crime rate within the Nizamabad Police Commissionerate area has increased sharply in 2023 compared to the two years before it. Property-related crimes, white collar crimes, apart from crimes against women, have increased. The Congress government has, so far, not been able to make a visible impact in crime prevention, and this could potentially become an election issue. The NIA recently arrested PFI leader Abdul Salim from Nizamabad.

Water Shortage: Like many areas in Telangana, and also because it borders drought-hit Maharashtra, Nizamabad has a drinking water problem. A lot of complaints have been lodged with the district officials. It has been found that Mission Bhagiratha water is not reaching every house in many places. Launched in 2016, Mission Bhagiratha is a safe drinking water project for every village in Telangana.

KEY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

In October last year, PM Modi had laid the foundation stone for a slew of development projects across key sectors of power, transport and health in Nizamabad. These included the dedication of an 800-MW unit under Telangana Super Thermal Power Project Phase-1 of NTPC, a new railway line connecting Manoharabad and Siddipet, and an electrification project on the Dharmabad-Manoharabad and Mahbubnagar-Kurnool routes. He also laid the foundation for 20 Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) across the state under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. The Congress government is hoping to capitalise on its bid to reopen a sugar factory in Nizamabad which was shut in 2015. Nizamabad Rural MLA R Bhupathi Reddy has assured people that the factory would not be privatised and called on farmers to cooperate with the government to ensure the plant is reopened. In July last year, the BRS government had allotted 26 acres to the Forest Development Corporation (TSFDC) for development of eco-tourism in Nizamabad district. Earlier in February, in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Nizamabad Urban MLA Bigala Ganesh Gupta had directed officials to complete all development works undertaken in the city within 45 days. These included works of Dubba Vaikuntha Dhamam, the municipal corporations new building complex, Khaleelwadi, Ahmadi Bazaar integrated vegetable and meat market yards, Kotagalli, Qilla, Arsapalli Vaikuntha Dhamams and Raghunatha Cheruvu mini tank bund works.

OTHER KEY STATE ISSUES

Corruption: A major factor which affected the BRSs performance in the state election was corruption. The involvement of BRS leaders in cases like the Delhi liqour scam have painted a poor picture. A CSDS-Lokniti post-poll study indicated that corruption emerged as a prominent source of dissatisfaction among voters. The BRS is likely to still suffer from the stigma even in the Lok Sabha polls.

Job creation: Telangana is struggling with limited availability of formal sector employment. Both the BJP and Congress promised creation of jobs in their poll manifesto last year. CM Revanth Reddy has appointed D Sridhar Babu as IT, BT minister. He is educated, young and dynamic, and the hope is that he will further Telanganas IT ambitions. Earlier, KTR had earlier claimed that under the BRS government, employees in IT industry in the state increased to nearly nine lakh from over three lakh in 2014.

Freebies: Like AP, Telangana also has a thriving freebie culture. KCR, during his 10-year rule, survived mainly on freebies and the incumbent Congress government is also continuing with it, promising more freebies. From farm loans to free LPG cylinders and financial assistance to underprivileged people, guarantees around welfare schemes and the implementation of these schemes are likely to play a key role in shaping the political landscape of Telangana. There is a growing burden of state loans and substantial financial commitments associated with various aid programmes such as Rythu Bandhu and Dalit Bandhu schemes.
Bhawanipatna/Rayagada: Asserting that the BJP will win all the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday claimed that poverty would be completely eradicated from India in the next 10-15 years and this is Modis guarantee

Singh addressed two election rallies in Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Kalahandi, and Rayagada.

Though all Congress leaders from Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh promised to end poverty, they failed. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started the process to end poverty, he claimed.

Noting that about 25 crore people have been lifted from below the poverty line under the Modi regime, the defence minister said that this is not the BJPs claim but as per the Niti Aayogs data.

No previous government had done what PM Modi did during his rule, he claimed.

No family in India will be without a pucca house, piped drinking water and LPG connection in the next five years, he asserted.

Singh said that earlier, articles were written on poverty tourism in Kalahandi as the district was known for hunger, starvation deaths and poverty but things have undergone a massive change under the Modi government.

Lauding the oratory skills of BJPs Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat candidate Malavika Devi, Singh appealed to the people of Kalahandi to cast their votes on the lotus symbol of the BJP for highlighting local issues at the national level.

Quoting former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on expenditure of public money, Singh said, If the Centre sent Rs 1, only 15 paise reached the poor. However, direct bank transfers under the Modi regime ended corruption and people get full amount sent by the Union government.

Appealing to people to install a BJP government in Odisha, he said that Ayushman Bharat health scheme would be implemented in the state if the party was voted to power.

The defence minister claimed that terrorism has almost come to an end under the BJP government due to stern action against terrorists and sporadic cases will completely vanish from Indian soil under the leadership of PM Modi.

Singh attacked the Congress for utterly failing to curb corruption despite remaining in power for decades.

Referring to Congresss allegation that the BJP would change the Constitution of India, Singh said, They (Congress) have changed the Constitution 80 times they had even changed the Preamble during the Emergency.

On alleged misuse of CBI and ED against opposition leaders, Singh said everybody is free to challenge the work of investigating agencies in the court of law if there is any violation.

Lok Sabha and Assembly elections would be held simultaneously in Odisha.

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.
Tirupati is one of the 25 Lok Sabha constituencies of Andhra Pradesh. It includes six Assembly segments in Tirupati district, while one Vidhan Sabha segment, Sarvepalli, is in Nellore district. The seven Assembly segments are  Sarvepalli (YSRCP), Gudur (YSRCP), Sullurpeta (YSRCP), Venkatagiri (vacant at present; won by YSRCP in 2019), Tirupati (YSRCP), Srikalahasti (YSRCP) and Satyavedu (YSRCP). The constituency will vote in phase four on May 13.

Current MP: Maddila Gurumoorthy of the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP)

Top Contenders: Maddila Gurumoorthy (YSRCP), V Varaprasad of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chinta Mohan (Congress)

POLITICAL DYNAMICS

Advantage YSRCP: Tirupati is one of Indias most famous temple towns, visited by millions every year. The town is set to witness a high-voltage electoral battle between the YSRCP and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The BJP, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena Party (JSP) are fighting for both parliamentary and Assembly constituencies in an alliance. While the fate of the Assembly segment hangs in balance, the YSRCP appears to have a lead on the Tirupati Lok Sabha seat. Ground reports suggest the Congress is an inconsequential player here.

The YSRCP has fielded its sitting MP, Maddila Gurumoorthy, from Tirupati. In both the 2019 general election and the subsequent 2021 parliamentary bypolls, Gurumoorthy defeated her TDP contenders by a margin of over two lakh votes. This was back when the TDP and BJP had parted ways. Now that they have joined hands, Gurumoorthys victory margin may come down. However, it will take much more for the NDA to unseat her.

For starters, the YSRCP has MLAs on all seven Assembly segments that fall under the Tirupati parliamentary constituency. This gives it a distinct advantage in reaching out to voters and leveraging the influence of its MLAs to harness votes in favour of Gurumoorthy.

In and around Tirupati, the state of roads has significantly improved, and so has the civic infrastructure. Most of this has happened owing to the initiative taken by Abhinay Reddy, YSRCPs candidate for the Tirupati Assembly constituency. The development work done by him as Deputy Mayor of the city is expected to galvanise voters across the parliamentary constituency in favour of the YSRCP.

Meanwhile, the biggest factor playing to the YSRCPs advantage is YSRCP chief and Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddys massive welfare programme. Ground inputs suggest that almost every household in Tirupati is getting some benefit from CM Reddys welfare schemes. In fact, the minimum amount every household in the state receives from the government every year is Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000.

Reddys welfare initiatives span across all sectors of society  from Amma Vodi, supporting mothers who send their kids to school, to Rythu Bharosa, aiding farmers and providing pensions for the elderly and disabled. Additionally, schemes like Vidya Deevena are helping students with fee reimbursement, while the YSR Sunna Vaddi programme benefits women self-help groups.

Other welfare programmes are aimed at different demographics, including weavers, lawyers, autorickshaw drivers, hawkers, and fishermen, which has helped solidify support for the YSRCP. The allocation of house sites for three million landless individuals and establishment of Jagananna colonies in the past year has further bolstered the YSRCPs position.

According to official figures, an amount of Rs 2.55 lakh crore was credited to the accounts of beneficiaries of 29 DBT schemes between June 2019 and January 2024. This is besides the Rs 1.71 lakh crore which was spent on various non-DBT schemes, including loans, scholarships, house sites, PDS rice, power subsidy and distribution of tabs to students. These massive payouts, however, have taken a toll on the Andhra exchequer.

Reddy has been saying that if anybody other than him comes to power in the state, all welfare schemes will be stopped.

One factor that could work to the YSRCPs disadvantage is the perception that Reddys government disproportionately provides representation to Reddys. Moreover, allegations of the Andhra government giving public works to Reddys are being used by the NDA to target the YSRCP. If this rhetoric upends the established caste dynamics, the YSRCP could be in for a surprise.

Uphill battle for BJP-TDP-JSP: The BJP had set its sights on Tirupati long before the election season set in. For the BJP, winning this constituency  associated with Shri Venkateshwaras Mandir  is a matter of prestige. If the saffron party is successful, Tirupati could also become the partys launchpad to start political expansion in Andhra Pradesh  a state which has eluded the BJP for long.

In Tirupati, a lot depends on how the BJP and its NDA partners  the TDP and Pawan Kalyan-led JSP  are able to perform. A sizable vote transfer from both these parties to the BJP and its candidate, V Varaprasad, is essential. However, the BJPs house isnt in order. There are differences between the three NDA partners at the cadre and local levels.

The bone of contention is the BJPs decision to field Varaprasad from Tirupati. Just when the TDP cadre and local leaders were beginning to make peace with the fact that TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu had given off both the Assembly and parliamentary constituencies to the JSP and BJP, respectively, the Varaprasad bomb was dropped on them. The biggest issue with Varaprasads candidature is that he is seen as an import from the YSRCP.

The BJP announced Varaprasads name for Tirupati within hours of the leader quitting the YSRCP, even as leaders from all NDA parties  BJP, TDP and JSP  were eyeing the seat. As a former YSRCP leader, Varaprasads name being announced by the BJP led to tension within the individual parties and also the NDA alliance. Such was the dissent that the BJP, at one point, was actively considering changing the candidate. However, no such change was made. Naidu got the TDPs house in order by meeting local leaders from Tirupati and convincing them that the interests of party workers and leaders will be looked into once the NDA comes to power.

Differences had also emerged over the JSPs choice for the Tirupati Assembly constituency. The JSP, too, fielded a former YSRCP leader, causing much heartburn within the NDA. However, tensions have simmered down since, and the NDAs campaign has picked up momentum.

Meanwhile, the NDA appears to be trying hard to break through the established caste dynamics in Tirupati and corner the YSRCP. Several caste associations have openly pledged support to the TDPBJPJSP alliance. Especially important is the support of the Balija community. JSPs Arani Srinivasulu recently held a meeting with leaders of the community, where he impressed upon them how the YSRCP had not allotted a single seat in the entire Rayalaseema region to the community, in spite of its huge population base.

Also, prominent leaders from the Brahmin community, such as K Ajay Kumar (BJP), B Ramprasad and Rama Raju (TDP), K Chakrapani (JSP) and Bhimas Balaji, representing the Tirupati Brahmana Samajam, have pledged support to the NDA alliance. Separately, Anna Ramachandra Yadav, a senior leader of Yadava community, jumped ship from the YSRCP to the TDP along with two family members who are serving as corporators in two divisions of Tirupati Municipal Corporation.

However, Tirupati does appear to be a challenging seat for the NDA as of now. Whether PM Modis campaign can tilt the scales in the alliances favour remains to be seen. A lot depends on how much of its voter base the TDP still holds on to, and whether it can transfer such votes to the BJP. The JSP, too, will have to pull a bunny out of its hat to help the BJP win. The NDA is hopeful of an undercurrent in their favour, as talks of a mighty anti-incumbency sentiment against Jagan Mohan Reddys government has been going on for months now. The onus, therefore, now shifts to the silent voter.

KEY ISSUES

BHEL: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) was sanctioned in Tirupati in 2007, but it wasnt until 2022 that BHEL got the approval from the government to set up a plant in the area. The plant is expected to provide around 5,000 jobs. People have expressed anger and disappointment over the long delay and have sought explanations. The state government has blamed the Centre for withholding approval.

Development: Development of civic and tourist amenities has been sub-par. Despite 50,000-100,000 tourists visiting the city daily, very little attention has been paid to develop the citys facilities to turn it into a hub of spiritual tourism. While time and again, state leaders have promised to develop Tirupati to meet its tourism potential, not much has been done to achieve this. This has also left the people disappointed as they feel that their biggest strength is not being fully tapped into.

Waste Management: Urbanisation has contributed to the generation of more solid waste, and the citys existing waste management infrastructure has failed to cater to the demand of the growing population. This has led to a degradation of the urban environment in Tirupati which is also a reason for rising diseases. People have voiced their concerns to the local municipal authorities, to no avail.

Encroachments: Encroachment of public land by hawkers, construction debris and other factors have led to cramped public spaces, which has exponentially increased the burden on the civic infrastructure. The pressure from illegal encroachments and unplanned visitor facilities has a negative impact on the site area. In addition, encroachment hampers the normal pedestrian movement.

Pollution: Pollution in the region has been increasing due to unplanned expansion and development work in the city. Air pollution in the city is 2.3 times higher than the recommended limit. Residents and tourists face numerous health hazards. According to reports, people have called for a sustainable and planned development model for Tirupati, however, no work has been carried out on this front.

Lack of Industries: Lack of industries is being seen as a major sore point. People are miffed at the Centre and state for failing to provide the region with industries despite it great air, road and rail connectivity. People are disappointed that they have to seek employment opportunities elsewhere.

Unemployment and Migration: Unemployment is a key issue in Tirupati. There are no major industrial hubs, manufacturing clusters or IT hubs in the region to provide employment to the rising youth population. Migration to Chennai has become a trend among those seeking employment opportunities. According to reports, a substantial number of households is affected by emigration.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Total voters: 16,50,003

Social Composition

SC: 415,801 (25.2%)

ST: 160,050 (9.7%)

Geographical Composition

Urban Voters: 521,401 (31.6%)

Rural Voters: 1,128,602 (68.4%)

Religious Composition

Hindus: 89.7%

Muslims: 9.65%

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Ankit Gupta, popularly known for his roles in television shows like Udaariyaan and Junooniyatt, is all set to make a comeback to the small screen, after a considerable break, with Maati Se Bandhi Dor. This new project will have him sharing the screen with Rutuja Bagwe and the filming is reportedly in the process. In an interview with Pinkvilla, the actor discussed the details of his character and the challenges he faced with the Marathi language for this role. For Ankit, Maati Se Bandhi Dor is not just a show; its an exploration of deep-rooted relationships and unique cultural nuances.

In the upcoming show, Ankit plays a character named Rannvijay (Rana) who comes from a wealthy farming family but lives in the city for his education. His family dynamics are complex, especially his relationship with his father, which lacks warmth but is balanced by a deep admiration for his mother.

During the conversation, Ankit revealed that the storyline takes an interesting turn when his character, Rana, falls in love with a city girl, only to have his mother already select a girl from their village, for him to marry. Despite his feelings, Rana agrees to the arranged marriage out of respect and admiration for his mother, leading to an intriguing plotline that explores the evolving dynamics between Rana and his father, along with his love story.

Ankit also opened up about his struggles with the Marathi language, citing Bombays mixed culture as a challenge in understanding the Marathi dialect spoken in Kolhapur.

Jab yeh shooting maine shuru ki tab mujhe thoda bahut Marathi culture samajh mein aaya. Kya unke festivals hote hain. Kaise wo log sochte hain (When I started this shooting, I started to understand a little bit of Marathi culture. What are their festivals? How do they think?), he explained.

However, he expressed relief that his character doesnt require him to speak Marathi dialogues, making it easier for him to connect with the role.

Apart from Ankit and Rutuja, Maati Se Bandhi Dor also features Gauravv Mukesh, known for his negative role in Imlie.

Other than this anticipated show, Ankit appeared in Bigg Boss 16 recently. His participation in the popular reality has already soared his popularity. His bond with Priyanka Chahar Choudhary during the show made headlines, showing a different side of his persona to the audience.
Kundali Bhagya, one of the longest-running shows on TV, has been loved by audiences for years now. Originally featuring the trio of Shraddha Arya, Dheeraj Dhoopar, and Manit Joura in the lead roles, the show has already taken a generation leap and introduced new faces. While Shraddha Arya remains a constant, others have marked their exit to welcome Paras Kalnawat, Sana Sayyad, and Baseer Ali as the second-generation lead. But, speculations are now rife that Kundali Bhagya is heading for another leap, and reportedly, the lead actors will no longer be a part of the show.

According to media reports, the shows new storyline has failed to generate decent TRPs, prompting the makers to bring another leap, after which Shraddha, along with Paras, Sana, and Baseer, will exit. Sana Sayyad is reportedly pregnant and is looking forward to welcoming her first child with her husband Imaad Shamsi and thus might not continue anymore.

On the other hand, Baseer Ali is also serving his notice period and is likely to follow in Sanas footsteps as he is not happy with the current storyline, according to a Pinkvilla report.

Shraddha Arya to exit Kundali Bhagya?

In the meantime, it is also being said that the shows leading lady, Shraddha Arya, will also mark her exit. However, a TellyChakkar report suggests that the actress will continue to be a part of the show post-leap. A confirmation from the actresss end is yet to be received.

Paras Kalnawat refutes rumours of exit

Amid rumours suggesting his exit from the show, Paras Kalnawat has cleared the air and confirmed his association with Kundali Bhagya. Taking to his Instagram stories, the Anupamaa actor shared a picture of himself as Rajveer and wrote, Do not pay attention to the rumours spreading around! I am not leaving the show! Rajveer is here to stay in your hearts!

In another video shared on his Instagram, the actor can be seen getting into a fun banter with his on-screen mom, Shraddha Arya. The video confirms that the show is headed for a four-year leap while also suggesting that Arya will continue with her character.

The ongoing rumours and speculations have left fans puzzled about Kundali Bhagyas fate. It is being said that the production house is already hunting replacements for the actors and will bring more engagement after the leap.
With the Lok Sabha Election 2024 reaching halfway mark as voting has taken place in 283 of the total 543 constituencies in three phases, the Election Commission (EC) and some political parties are combating the problem of deepfake and other forms of misinformation on social media.

The EC has formally directed political parties not to share deepfake or misinformation, and to take it down within three hours of the content being shared. It has also asked parties to act against those who share it.

The scale of spread of such misinformation has been observed to be dangerously unrestrained due to the availability of the option of forwarding/ re-sharing/ re-posting/ re-tweeting, the EC wrote to all recognised parties on May 6.

A BJP delegation comprising Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, spokesperson Anil Baluni, and senior leader Om Pathak had brought to the notice of EC the alleged deepfake videos of home minister Amit Shah and actors Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh.

The development came just days after the Delhi High Court had last week said it trusted the Election Commission to deal with the issue of deepfake and that it cannot devise a policy in the middle of elections.

Lets first understand a thing or two about a deefake.

It is a type of multimedia content being used online to modify a persons face, voice or make him or her appear as a different person to create a narrative or popularise an opinion or build a persona.

Actually, deepfake content was first termed as synthetic media in 2014 and later, as it grew in popularity, an anonymous Reddit user in 2017, started populating such videos into a playlist titled deepfake and since then, such content has been labelled the same.

Initially, deepfake content was taken in a jest, meant as a material for comedy. But now, it is being used to malign high-profile people such as politicians, celebrities and movie actors just so that the victim loses popularity before an election or a movie release and deprive them of opportunities in the future.

Although it is difficult to identify a deepfake, but there are telltale signs.

 Keep a close eye on the start of the video. Observe the facial expressions of the person. If it is a deepfake, you will notice irregular changes in expressions during a conversation or an act.

 Look for lip syncs issues. Usually, a deepfake will have minor issues. Always look at the viral videos a few times before concluding that it is a deefake.

 Deepfakes will have a minor variation of body posture, which may not be consistent with a real persons behaviour.

 Always check for the source of the video. Search the same content on search engine platforms to confirm and avoid jumping the gun.

What Has EC Said About Deepfakes

ERODE TRUST: The EC said the use of manipulated, distorted, edited content on social media platforms has the potential to wrongfully sway voter opinions, deepen societal divisions, and erode trust in electioneering process by attacking laid out instrumentalities of the electoral steps in terms of means and material.

DIGNITY OF WOMEN: The EC asked parties to not share on social media content that included impersonation of another person, including political parties or their representatives, and to not post or promote content that was derogatory to women or repugnant to the honour and dignity of women.

REPORT FAKE: Parties have been asked to report misinformation or wrong information and fake user accounts that look like their official handles on social media platforms.

GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE: In case of continued presence of such unlawful information or fake user account after reporting to social media platform, parties have been asked to approach the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) under Rule 3A of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The IT ministry had formed three GACs last year for users who were not satisfied by action taken by social media platforms on their reported content to seek redressal.

THREE-HOUR DEADLINE: The EC has directed that whenever such deepfake audios/ videos come to the notice of political parties, they shall immediately take down the post but maximum within a period of 3 hours and also identify and warn the responsible person within the party.

Will This Help?

The EC has reacted to the issue of deepfake after two phases of election are over. Also, what the real impact the ECs letter has in curbing the menace remains to be seen, as mentioned in an Indian Express report.

Also, it is unclear what the EC means that the parties should take down deepfakes when it comes to their notice. As the parties themselves are sharing content from their official handles.

The EC letter warns about deepfake or misinformation being shared on Facebook, X and Instagram, but nothing has been concretely said about disinformation being circulated on WhatsApp.

Parties have been using AI-based real-time calls to voters, as reported by The Indian Express, but the EC letter does not shed light on that aspect.

Deepfake Videos in Recent Times

In the latest video, posted by some user on X, shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking and dancing on a stage. The video was posted just hours before the third phase of election on May 7.

The PMs deepfake video came shortly after a similar spoof clip featuring West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee was shared online by two users on May 6. The users who shared Mamata Banerjees deepfake video were issued notices from the Cyber Crime division of Kolkata Police and were directed to immediately disclose their identity including name and residence. The cops later deleted the posts and the video continued to be circulated widely.

Recently, the Delhi Police arrested one Arun Reddy in the deepfake morphed video case related to home minister Amit Shah. The video was posted on X in which Shah is purportedly heard saying that the BJP stands against the reservations in the country. The BJP has since flagged the viral clip as fake.
Kerala is again on high alert as the state has been reporting cases of West Nile fever  a new vector-borne disease caused by mosquito bites. So far, five cases have reported but the authorities have already ramped up cleaning drives and surveillance activities ahead of monsoon.

The state government has named Malappuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur from where the cases are being reported. Kerala health minister Veena George, in a statement, confirmed that cases of the viral infection have been reported in the state and that all the districts have been asked to be vigilant.

Although George said there was no need to be concerned, but requested anyone showing signs of fever or other symptoms of the West Nile infection to seek treatment immediately.

What is West Nile Virus?

The single-strained RNA virus originates in birds and is propagated via the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes among humans and animals. The chances of human-to-human transmission are low.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, which circulate the virus in their blood for a few days. The virus eventually gets into the mosquitos salivary glands. During later blood meals (when mosquitoes bite), the virus may be injected into humans and animals, where it can multiply and possibly cause illness.

Unlike Japanese Encephalitis (often referred to as Japan fever), which primarily affects children, West Nile fever mostly impacts adults.

India has a history with the virus dating back to 1952 when antibodies against West Nile Virus were initially found in humans in Mumbai. The disease was first identified in Uganda in 1937 and has been reported sporadically in Kerala since 2011, with the first cases identified in Alappuzha district. Deaths related to the virus were reported in 2022 and 2019.

According to the US Centre for Disease Control, It is estimated that approximately 1 in 150 persons infected with the West Nile Virus will develop a more severe form of diseaseRecovery from severe illness might take several weeks or months. Some effects on the central nervous system might be permanent.

What are the Symptoms?

The disease shows no symptoms in around 80% of infected individuals, but the rest 20% who become infected with the virus will develop West Nile fever, as per WHO.

Those infected often experience dengue-like symptoms such as fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally a skin rash (on the bodys trunk), and swollen lymph glands.

Severe infections can lead to several neuroinvasive diseases, such as West Nile encephalitis, meningitis, or West Nile poliomyelitis, and in rare cases, death.

Preventive Measures and Treatment

There is no vaccine available for the disease. As per WHO, the treatment for the virus may involve only supportive measures including hospitalisation, intravenous fluids, respiratory support, and prevention of secondary infections.

People should prevent themselves from a mosquito bite. They should wear protective clothing, use mosquito nets, apply repellents, and use mosquito-repelling devices.

At home or office, one should ensure that the water is not stagnate or is not a potential mosquito breeding ground.

Why is Kerala a Hot Spot?

From Nipah, dengue, chikungunya, monkeypox to coronavirus and West Nile Fever, Kerala has seen epidemics of all kinds.

Kerala was the first state to report the Covid case in the country. As the state witnessed a climb in cases, it declared a health emergency and took significant steps to control the virus.

In September 2021, Kerala also saw a Nipah virus scare when a 12-year-old boy, who had contracted the disease, died in a private hospital in Kozhikode. Following which, the health authorities sprang into action and isolated people, took samples and sent them for testing. In 2018, the state recorded 18 confirmed cases in Kozhikode, of which, 17 resulted in death.

In August 2021, Kerala health officials battled Zika virus as the state recorded a total 66 cases, mostly from Thiruvananthapuram.

In July 2022, Kerala health authority also confirmed the presence of anthrax in Thrissur district. Subsequently, the state health department, the animal husbandry department and the forest department conducted an investigation. Samples were tested to confirm the case of anthrax infection, the health minister had said.

One of the main reasons why Kerala is prone to viral diseases is the number of Keralites spread across the world. A large number of doctors and nurses from Kerala work in various countries. There are students who pursue medical courses abroad. These categories face the occupational hazard of viral attacks.

According to Nature journal, depletion of forests, high population density of domestic animals and humans are triggers for viral diseases to spread.

A report in Malayalam newspaper Mathrubhumi quoted Dr TS Anish, community medicine chief of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, who said human expansion into forests of the Western Ghats and the reduction of fruits in the forests, attract bats to human settlements in Kerala. These bats could be carrying various diseases, hence making outbreaks even more possible.
The official X account of Assam Congress was allegedly hacked on Wednesday with the profile name changed to Tesla Event and the profile picture to American electric carmaker Teslas logo.

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee lodged a police complaint and demanded the arrest of the culprit.

We would like to inform you that our official Twitter (sic) handle, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, was hacked but has now been restored and is currently under review to ensure full security, APCC said in a post on X in the afternoon.

This attempted silencing by the government will not deter us. We remain committed to our principles and will continue our fight to speak the truth. Thank you for your unwavering support. Stay strong, we will not be silenced, APCC said.

In the complaint filed at Bhangagarh police station in Guwahati, APCC Social Media & IT Chairman Ratul Kalita said that the account was hacked around 4 am on Wednesday.

This Twitter (sic) handle has many data of our party through which we have reached out to lakhs of people. I demand that the culprit be arrested for this malicious intention, he added.

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.
Soon bars may be open till 4 am in Noida and Ghaziabad amid Uttar Pradesh governments plan to boost excise revenue and nightlife. Among Delhis neighbouring regions, bars in Haryanas Gurgaon and Faridabad are allowed to operate till 3 am, while those in UPs Noida and Ghaziabad are open till 1 am so far.

According to a report in Times of India, a five-member committee has been established by the state government to assess the feasibility of extending bar operating hours.

This came after the Noida restaurant owners association requested permission from the authorities to extend bar operating hours until 4 am.

The committee has reportedly been tasked with submitting a report within 15 days to explore additional revenue streams for the excise department, given the similarity in economic activities and per capita income across NCR cities like Noida and Ghaziabad.

A committee comprising Excise Commissioner Adarsh Singh, Joint Director of Statistics Jogendra Singh and Deputy Excise Commissioner Alok Kumar is studying the possible impact of extending bar hours, the report stated.

Earlier in 2022, the Delhi government in a move aimed at making the nightlife more happening, had taken a policy decision to allow bars to serve liquor till 3 am.

The government has issued necessary directions to the Excise department and an order is likely to be issued soon under the Excise Policy 2021-22, said a senior government officer. Around 550 independent restaurants in Delhi serve Indian and foreign liquor on being granted L-17 license from the excise department.

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.
Jilted lovers, affairs and an untimely death, these are the elements of the crime committed in Uttar Pradeshs Ghaziabad that left the daughter of an ailing mother dead.

An 18-year-old woman was killed by her mothers ex-lover in Ghaziabads Indirapuram, NDTV reported. The victim, Jyoti, had come from UPs Babrala town  from her in-laws home  to take care of her mother Champa Devi, who is a cancer patient.

Jyoti, was accompanied by her husband Lalitesh and an e-rickshaw driver to Champas home.

The accused, identified as Bobby, arrived at Champas home with another man and launched a knife attack at her. In a bid to protect her, Jyoti and Lalitesh tried to tackle Bobby. But unfortunately, the tussle led to Jyotis death and Lalitesh ended up sustaining severe injuries.

Jyoti and Lalitesh had been married for only six months.

What happened between Bobby and Champa Devi?

Reportedly, police said that Bobby was released from the Gautam Buddha Nagar jail just 15 days ago. He and Champa Devi had been in a romantic relationship. However, during his absence, Champas interest and affection moved towards another man named Ajay.

Notably, Champas first husband passed away and her second husband is a disabled person, who lives in Bihar.

Infuriated by Champas affair, Bobby first called and threatened Ajay before going to Champas home.

As Jyoti and Lalitesh were in a struggle with Bobby, Champa ran to the police station in her vicinity to get help. Soon after, police officials arrived at her residence and caught a hold of Bobby. They arrested the accused and rushed Jyoti to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

Police said that efforts are underway to track down Bobbys accomplice, adding that further probe is on.

In another crime in Ghaziabad, a 40-year-old man was stabbed to death near his house. The deceased, Vinay Tyagi, worked at a private firm and was returning home from his office on Friday evening when he was attacked.

He had asked his wife to pick him up from Rajendra Nagar Metro station, however, when she reached the spot she could not find him anywhere.

The family members have claimed that Tyagis mobile and laptop are missing. We have lodged a case regarding the matter and started investigations, said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Siddharth Gautam.

(With PTI inputs)

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.
A Bengaluru court remanded JD(S) MLA and former Minister H D Revanna, who is facing kidnapping charges, to judicial custody till May 14 on Wednesday. Also, his bail petition before a sessions court has been posted for Thursday.

After the completion of four days of police custody, the 66-year-old Revanna, son of JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, was produced before an Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. The court remanded him to judicial custody for seven days till May 14.

Amid the ongoing probe in the sex tape controversy in Karnataka, Revanna on Tuesday was rushed to a hospital after he complained of uneasiness. The son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Revanna is currently in the custody of the Special Investigative Team (SIT) after he was accused of allegedly kidnapping a woman, who used to work as a help at his house earlier, on April 29.

Revanna was taken to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday evening, where the doctors checked him and sent him back with the SIT officials.

Revanna was arrested by the SIT on May 5 after sexual assault allegations were levelled against him and his son, Prajwal. Following his arrest, the JD(S) leader was remanded in three-day police custody of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) till May 8.

The former Minister is accused of being involved in the abduction of one of the victims of alleged sexual assault by his son, who was a former maid at his house. She was allegedly raped by Prajwal Revanna, who also allegedly recorded the crime.

The Sex Tape Controversy in Karnataka | Updates

Former Karnataka Minister HD Revanna is accused of kidnapping and illegally confining a woman, who accused his son Prajwal Revanna of allegedly raping her.

Revanna was sent to Special Investigation Team (SIT) custody till May 8. His police custody is likely to end today.

Revanna has alleged that there is no evidence of his involvement in the kidnapping case and alleged that his arrest was a political conspiracy. There is no evidence against me. I have not done any harm to anyone. First, they registered a case against me on April 28, but when they could not do anything to me in that case, they registered another case just to arrest me. I have fought many battles in my 40-year career and will fight it out this time too, he said.

As per the kidnapping complaint lodged with the KR Nagar police against HD Revanna, the victims 20-year-old son claimed that HD Revannas close aide, Sathish Babanna, came to their home and took his mother away on a motorcycle on April 29. The son alleged that Babanna indicated that the MLA wished to meet her.

The boy further alleged that his mother was one of the women featured in the obscene videos surfacing on the internet. The video allegedly showed her mother being tied up and raped by Prajwal.

Meanwhile, his son Prajwal flew abroad following the allegations, suspected to be in Germany, has yet not returned to India.In efforts to bring JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna back to India, the CBI requested a blue corner notice to Interpol seeking information about the Hassan MP, who is accused of rape, sexual harassment, threats and blackmail.

A fresh FIR was filed against JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna based on the victims complaint on Wednesday. This was the third complaint registered against the Hassan MP.

The Interpol has responded to a blue corner notice request by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after it was sought by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the serial sex abuse case in Hassan, Deccan Herald reported citing its sources on Tuesday.

On obscene videos case involving JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna and allegations against him, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said, Pen drive and other things only HD Kumaraswamy knows. He knows everything. Thats why theyre doing all blackmail tactics. Let him stick to his words. He first said SIT is Shivakumar Investigation Team, Surjewala and Siddaramaiah Investigation Team. Is he a judge to decide?

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.
Photographs of three suspected terrorists believed to be involved in the May 4 attack on an Air Force convoy in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district have been released on Wednesday. The images of the suspected terrorists have been taken out from a CCTV footage clip.

In the attack on the two-vehicle IAF convoy at Surankote tehsil in Poonch district, one air warrior named Corporal Vikky Pahade was killed, while four other IAF personnel were injured.

As per media reports, three names have come up during the probe into the Poonch attack  Illiyas (a former Pakistan Army commando), Abu Hamza (code-name of the commander of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba), and Hadoon.

The police earlier released sketches of two terrorists suspected to be behind the attack, besides announcing a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any information that can lead to their arrest.

Meanwhile, the cordon and search operation (CASO) to track down terrorists responsible for attacking an IAF convoy entered the fifth day on Wednesday.

Security forces, including the Army, police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have further intensified combing and search operations in nearly 20 square kilometres area in Surankote belt and over five kilometres of the area has been searched, the officials said.

Armed with surveillance equipment, including drones and sniffer dogs, the search operation is underway in Shahsitar, Gursai, Sanai, Lasana, and Sheendara top in the Surankote belt and adjoining areas in Poonch district, officials said.

The security forces are seeking identification of the terrorists, whose three to four pictures  probably retrieved from the CCTV footage in the area  are public now, the officials said.

According to the officials, 26 persons have been detained for questioning and the authorities are reviewing some CCTV footage for leads.

The search operation by the security forces, launched on Tuesday, is also underway in Sada and Kandi areas of Rajouri district, they said.

(With Inputs from ANI and PTI)

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.
Mumbai police on Wednesday issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against drug supplier Salim Dola in connection with a Rs 252 crore mephedrone seizure in Maharashtras Sangli district, an official said.

Dola, once a close aide of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, was found to be the main drug supplier, and declared a wanted accused by the crime branch, he said.

He was also wanted in several other drug cases, the official added.

Police had earlier busted a mephedrone supply ring by raiding a manufacturing unit in western Maharashtras Sangli district.

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.
Amid an ongoing debate over the status of the Muslim population in India, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister has published a study this year  with an analysis of global datasets and scenario  that states that minorities are not just protected but thriving in India. On the other hand, it say that the Hindu, Jain and Parsi population in India has shrunk.

According to the paper, titled Share of religious minority  A cross country analysis (1950-2015), Contrary to the noise in several quarters, a careful analysis of the data shows that minorities are not just protected but indeed thriving in India. This is particularly remarkable given the wider context within the South Asian neighbourhood where the share of the majority religious denomination has increased and minority populations have shrunk alarmingly across countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Afghanistan. Indias performance suggests that there is a conducive environment to foster diversity in the society.

The study also explains that the Muslim population in India has increased while the percentage of Hindus has dropped over the decades. In India, the share of the majority Hindu population decreased by 7.82 per cent between 1950 and 2015 (from 84.68 per cent to 78.06 per cent), it said.

The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) is an independent body, which advises the prime minister and the government on economic and related issues. Council member Dr Shamika Ravi and two others  Abraham Jose, a young professional, and Apurv Kumar Mishra, a consultant  have done the analysis and written the paper, which was accessed by News18.

The paper analyses global and country-specific data. It said: It is not possible to promote better life outcomes for the disadvantaged sections of society without providing a nurturing environment and societal support through a bottom-up approach. By way of illustration, India is one of the few countries that has a legal definition of minorities and provides constitutionally protected rights for them. The outcomes of these progressive policies and inclusive institutions are reflected in the growing number of minority populations within India.

BJP Blames Congress For Shrinking Hindu Population

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has blamed the Congress for the shrink in Hindu population. Share of Hindus shrunk 7.8% between 1950 and 2015. Muslim population grew at 43%. This is what decades of Congress rule did to us. Left to them, there would be no country for Hindus, BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X (previously Twitter).

BJP candidate from Begusarai and Union Minister Giriraj Singh also expressed concern over the declining population of Hindus, saying that in the 65 years from 1950 to 2015, the population of Hindus has declined by more than 8%, which is a matter of concern. The entire responsibility for this lies with Congress because they gave shelter to Rohingya and other Muslims and no effort was ever made to control them, Singh said.

It seems that Congress and other opposition parties are preparing for Ghazwa-e-Hind and are working towards making India an Islamic state. These people only do vote bank politics and have nothing to do with the sovereignty of the country, he aadded.

India continues harbouring persecuted populations

The share of Muslim population in 1950 was 9.84 per cent and increased to 14.09 per cent in 2015  a 43.15 per cent increase in their share, the paper said.

The share of Christian population rose from 2.24 per cent to 2.36 per cent  an increase of 5.38 per cent between 1950 and 2015. The share of Sikh population increased from 1.24 per cent in 1950 to 1.85 per cent in 2015  a 6.58 per cent rise in their share. Even the share of the Buddhist population witnessed a noticeable increase from 0.05 per cent in 1950 to 0.81 per cent, it added.

The researchers, meanwhile, also found out that the share of Jains decreased from 0.45 per cent in 1950 to 0.36 per cent in 2015. The Parsi population has also witnessed a stark 85 per cent decline, reducing from 0.03 per cent in 1950 to 0.004 per cent in 2015.

The paper further showed how Muslims in India have flourished. Minority populations from across neighbouring nations have also come to India when in trouble, it said.

It is not surprising, therefore, that minority populations from across the neighborhood come to India during times of duress. India has been a nourishing environment for the Tibetian Buddhists who had to escape from China and have found a comfortable home in India in the last six decades, the paper said.

Similarly, Matuas who took refuge in India due to religious persecution in Bangladesh have been assimilated into Indian society. India also hosts a significant population of refugees from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar and Afghanistan. Given its plural, liberal and democratic nature, India has continued its civilisational tradition of harbouring persecuted populations from several countries over the last six decades, it added.

Demographic transitions underway across countries

The paper delved deep into factors related to the global economy and demographic transitions. Explaining the global scenario, it said: The global economy is in a phase of churn and being closely watched and analysed by economists and policymakers everywhere. There are, however, major demographic transitions that are also underway across countries  but mostly going unnoticed by analysts ranging from economy-watchers to democracy-watchers. These silent transformations have the power to reshape societies and states. Ironically, of the four megatrends whose cascading effects are bringing about these transformations  demography, technology, economy and climate change  the forecasts for demography are the most predictable.

Shifting demographic trends are aggravating economic disparity within and between countries, straining governance and fuelling friction between states and people. Political changes are mere symptoms of deeper structural changes that are happening in societies due to a variety of transformations, of which demographic evolution is an important component. The composition of populations in countries around the world is changing along several axes that are well-documented such as age, urbanisation and migration levels, the paper said.

According to the analysis of multiple datasets by the committee, the share of the majority religious denomination has decreased in four countries while its share has increased in five countries.

All the Muslim majority countries witnessed an increase in the share of the majority religious denomination except the Maldives, where the share of the majority group (Shafii Sunnis) declined by 1.47 per cent, said the document.

Among the five non-Muslim majority countries, Myanmar, India and Nepal saw a decline in the share of the majority religious denomination while Sri Lanka and Bhutan saw their share increase. The members of SAARC are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives. The range of the rate change in the share of the majority religion for this region spans from -9.84 per cent for Myanmar (where the share of Theravada Buddhist population fell from 79 to 71 per cent) to 18.55 per cent for Bangladesh (where the Hanafi Muslim witnessed an extraordinary rise from 74 to 88 per cent of the population), it added.

Catch Highlights of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Voting In Karnataka And Gujarat on our website.
Helpless and angry passengers spoke out on Wednesday after 80 Air India Express flights, domestic and international, were cancelled. This came after senior crew members of Air India Express went on a mass sick leave. The crew members started reporting sick since Monday evening, following which scores of flights were cancelled at various airports.

While the airline said it was trying its best to make sure there was no inconvenience caused, passengers suffered the brunt. There were videos of chaotic scenes at several airports as passengers sought answers and alternatives.

I had to fly to Muscat today morning at around 8 am, but my flight was cancelled. I had to urgently leave for Muscat as there was a medical emergency. After an argument with the airline staff, I was provided with a ticket for tomorrow. The passengers have been informed that there are no tickets till 17th May and a refund will also be provided after 14 days, said Amrita, a passenger at the Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala, who had to fly to attend to her sick husband.

#WATCH | A passenger, Amrita says I had to fly to Muscat today morning at around 8 am, but my flight was cancelled. I had to urgently leave for Muscat as there was a medical emergency. After an argument with the airline staff, I was provided with a ticket for tomorrow. The pic.twitter.com/GP90PwXjtf ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024

In another video, an elderly passenger complained how they had no clue about their flight to Srinagar and how there was no space at the Delhi airport to sit and wait. They havent even provided enough chairs for the passengers to sit and wait. Even the toilets are so far, she said.

Among those who had to bear the brunt of the flight cancellations was DPAP chief and former civil aviation minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. I was supposed to leave in the morning. But I am now leaving on an IndiGo flight after sitting here for 3-4 hoursIf the flights were cancelled, they should have informed us in the morning itself. Why did they fool everyone?Air India should be shutAir Indias basic culture is bad, nothing will become of it, he said.

#WATCH | Over 70 international & domestic flights of Air India Express cancelled after its senior crew member went on mass sick leave.DPAP chief Ghulam Nabi Azad, whose Delhi-Srinagar was also cancelled, says, I was supposed to leave in the morning. But I am now leaving pic.twitter.com/SWC9JnIX1d  ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024

A viral video on social media also showed passengers shouting at the airport staff at Delhi airport as Air India Express cancelled three flights to Goa, Guwahati and Srinagar and refused to provide any alternatives, as claimed by passengers. Similar scenes came from the Calicut airport where desperate passengers were seen seeking answers from the ground staff of Air India Express.

Delhi Airport Kalesh (Air India Express cancelled 3 flights to Goa, Guwahati and Srinagar last moment and refused to provide any alternatives. So,Kalesh ensued) pic.twitter.com/TdIJlMhmTt Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) May 8, 2024

Civil Aviation Ministry Seeks Report, Airline Apologises

As passengers suffered, the Ministry of Civil Aviation called for a report from Air India Express regarding the cancellation of flights and asked them to resolve the issues promptly. The Ministry also advised the airline to ensure facilities to passengers as per DGCA norms.

Air India Express also issued an apology to passengers. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by unprecedented flight delays and cancellations. While we are working hard to minimise disruptions, please check your flight status before heading to the airport, the airline said in a statement.

#ImportantUpdateWe sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by unprecedented flight delays and cancellations. While we are working hard to minimise disruptions, please check your flight status before heading to the airport. If your flight is impacted, please reach out pic.twitter.com/JySbD3trb0  Air India Express (@AirIndiaX) May 8, 2024

This comes a month after similar cancellations due to mass sick leaves had hit Air Vistara. Vistara had to cancel over 90 flights in two days last month due to unavailability of crew.

As airlines grapple with issues with their crew, passengers remain the ultimate sufferers.

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.
Delivering a strong message to neighbouring Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday reiterated the Narendra Modi governments commitment to returning the Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) to India.

During an address at Gargi College on Vishwa Bandhu Bharat, he said, People just assumed that 370 (Article) can not be changed and this is something that we have to accept. Now once we change it, the entire ground situation changes.

All I can say with respect to PoK, there is a parliament resolution, and every political party in the country is committed to ensuring that the POK which is part of India returns to India he added. But I do want to say one thing, I didnt used to get people to ask us this 10 years ago or even 5 years ago. It is when we put 370 to rest, now people understand PoK is also important.

#WATCH | Delivering an address at Gargi College on Vishwa Bandhu Bharat, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, There is a parliament resolution, and every political party in the country is committed to ensuring that the POK which is part of India returns to India pic.twitter.com/5l1mTIDAuj ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024

PoK is very much a part of India

These comments come days after Jaishankar on Sunday said that PoK has never been out of India and that people were made to forget about it. While responding to a question during an event in Cuttack in Odisha, he said, PoK has never been out of this country. It is part of this country. There is a resolution of the Indian Parliament that PoK is very much a part of India.

The minister said that India didnt tell Pakistan to vacate the region during the early years of independence, due to which the sorry state of affairs continued. Last week, Jaishankars remarks were echoed in the comments made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. In an exclusive interview with PTI, Rajnath said India will never give up its claim on PoK but it wont have to capture it with force because its people, on their own, would want to be part of India after seeing the development in Kashmir.

I think India will not have to do anything. The way the ground situation has changed in Jammu and Kashmir, the way the region is witnessing economic progress and the way peace has returned there, I think demands will emerge from people of PoK that they should merge with India, he said on Sunday.

We will not have to use force to take PoK as people would say that we must be merged with India. Such demands are now coming, he had said. The defence minister asserted that PoK was, is, and will remain ours.

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.
India is poised to become the economic powerhouse of the 21st century, offering a real alternative to China for investors looking for growth and manufacturers looking to reduce risks in their supply chains, according to a CNN report.

The report said industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi are playing a fundamental role in shaping the economic superpower that India will become in the coming decades.

Investors have been cheering Adani and Ambanis ability to adroitly bet on sectors prioritized for development by PM Modi, it said, adding that to spur growth, the ruling BJP government has begun a massive infrastructure transformation by spending billions on building roads, ports, airports and railways.

As per the report, digital connectivity- heavily promoted by the Modi government- can improve both commerce and daily life.

Both Adani and Ambani have become key allies as the country embarks on this revolution, it said.

Worth USD 3.7 trillion in 2023, India is the worlds fifth largest economy, jumping four spots in the rankings during PM Modis decade in office and leapfrogging the United Kingdom.

It is comfortably placed to expand at an annual rate of at least 6 per cent in the coming few years, but analysts say the country should be targeting growth of eight per cent or more if it wants to become an economic superpower. Sustained expansion will push India higher up the ranks of the worlds biggest economies, with some observers forecasting the South Asian nation to become number three behind only the US and China by 2027, CNN analysis said.

Reliance Industries and the Adani Group  the two sprawling conglomerates having valuations worth over USD 200 billion each, have established businesses in sectors ranging from fossil fuels and clean energy to media and technology.

Investors have been cheering the duos ability to adroitly bet on sectors prioritized for development by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently campaigning for his third consecutive term to lead India. The South Asian country is poised to become a 21st-century economic powerhouse, offering a real alternative to China for investors hunting for growth and manufacturers looking to reduce risks in their supply chains, the report said.

As a result, these three men  Modi, Ambani and Adani  are playing a fundamental role in shaping the economic superpower India will become in the coming decades, it added.

The report also pointed out that the kind of power and influence being enjoyed by the two Indian tycoons has been seen before in other countries experiencing periods of rapid industrialisation.

It said both Ambani and Adani are often compared by journalists to John D Rockefeller, who became Americas first billionaire during the Gilded Age, a 30-year period in the last decades of the 19th century.

India is in the middle of something that America and lots of other countries have already gone through. Britain in the 1820s, South Korea in the 1960s and 70s, and you could argue China in the 2000s, said James Crabtree, the author of The Billionaire Raj, a book about Indias wealthiest.

It is normal for developing nations to go through such a period of rapid growth, which sees income accumulation at the very top, rising inequality and lots of crony capitalism, he added.

Mumbai, which is considered Indias financial capital, has the imprint of the two tycoons everywhere, from high-rise apartment buildings branded with Adani Realty to cultural institutions named after the Ambani clan, and even the international airport, which is operated by Adani.

Some spaces need no names or bright labels, but their affiliations are just as obvious. Everyone in Mumbai knows who lives in Antilia  the personal skyscraper of Ambani and his family, which reportedly cost USD 2 billion to build and boasts a spa, three helipads and a 50-seat theatre. The 27-story building sits on a street dubbed Billionaires Row, its jutting geometric architecture looming over the neighborhood.

The CNN report also mentions the grand pre-wedding celebration of Mukesh Ambanis son Anant Ambani in March this year, when billionaires and movie stars from around the world jetted to Jamnagar.

Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Ivanka Trump were among the many high-profile celebrities in attendance. The three-day celebration, which saw performances by popstar Rihanna and magician David Blaine, transfixed India and further underscored Ambanis growing global clout.

Guido Cozzi, professor of macroeconomics at the University of St Gallen in Switzerland, said the these conglomerates are very, very important and very well connected, noting that both the Adani Group and Reliance Industries were founded years before Modi came to power.

They are not typical stagnant monopolistic conglomerates. They are pretty dynamic, Cozzi said.

Not only are they playing an important role in building infrastructure, which helps growth directly, but the two business groups are also helping the country expand indirectly by boosting connectivity through digital innovation, he explained.

Reliance was founded by Ambanis father, Dhirubhai, as a small yarn trading firm in Mumbai in 1957. Over the next few decades, it grew into a colossal conglomerate spanning energy, petrochemicals and telecommunications.

Mukesh Ambani has not only upended Indias telecom sector in less than a decade but also become a top player in sectors ranging from media to retail.

The report says that Mukesh Ambanis ambition and breathless pace of expansion is matched by Adani, a college drop-out who now helms businesses ranging from ports and power to defence and aerospace.

A first-generation entrepreneur, the 62-year-old began his career with diamond trading, before setting up a commodity trading business in 1988, which later evolved into Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL).

According to a January note by American brokerage firm Cantor Fitzgerald, AEL is at the core of everything India wants to accomplish.

The company functions as an incubator for Adanis businesses. Many have been spun out and become leading players in their respective sectors. According to Cantor, the firms current focus on airports, roads and energy make it a unique long-term investment opportunity.

The report notes that while both the barons built much of their fortune from fossil fuels, they are now investing billions in clean energy. Notably, their green energy pivot comes at a time when India has set itself some ambitious climate goals.

The report also notes that despite Indias success in terms of growth rate, soaring youth unemployment and inequality remain stubbornly persistent problems. In 2022, the country ranked a lowly 147 on gross domestic product (GDP) per person, a measure of living standards, according to the World Bank.

Opposition parties in India have targeted the BJP-led government alleging it has ties with the countrys super-rich and over meteoric rise of Adani.

In January 2023, American short-seller Hindenburg Research accused the Adani Group of engaging in fraud over decades. Adani denounced Hindenburgs report as baseless and malicious.

The report resulted in a stock market meltdown wiping over USD 100 billion off the value of its listed companies.

But, since then, Adani has made a remarkable comeback, with shares in some of his companies touching record highs and the group managing to attract billions from new foreign investors, the report added.

It said PM Modis perceived relationship with the billionaires is once again being questioned by rivals during the Lok Sabha polls.

Prasanna Tantri, associate professor of finance at the Indian School of Business, said he does not have reason to believe that things have become worse than before when it comes to crony capitalism in India.

Some processes, particularly more transparency in the allocation of Indias natural resources and the overhauling of the countrys bankruptcy laws, have seen important reforms under Modi, he added.

According to the report, some experts say that some amount of closeness between politicians and business elite can help in growing the nation faster.

The report also suggests that India needs to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation bringing more firms into the sphere, as a country, where millions of people join the labour force every month, cant be absorbed by a few conglomerates.

They are phenomenal  entrepreneurs, who have been able to sustain steady growth and development in a vibrant yet sometimes chaotic political and business environment that exists in India, said Rohit Lamba, an economist at Pennsylvania State University, who is also the co-author of Breaking the Mould, a 2023 book that examines how Indian economy can grow.

India cannot grow rich before it becomes old on the back of a few big firms like Adani or AmbaniIndia should make more firms, he added.

The report says India has other conglomerates as well. The 156-year-old Tata Group wields immense power over various key sectors ranging from steel to aviation, but it often does not invite the same scrutiny as the newer conglomerates, mainly because it is controlled by philanthropic trusts and not run as a family dynasty.

India has been the fastest-growing large economy in the last three financial years.

(With ANI Inputs)

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.
Six members of a family were killed and two others injured after their car was hit by a truck in Rajasthans Sawai Madhopur district on Sunday, police said. The accident occurred on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near the Banas river bridge.

The family was on its way to offer prayers at a Ganesh temple in Sawai Madhopur, police said.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, deputy CM Diya Kumari and RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal have expressed grief over the incident.

Trigger Warning: The video has violent content. Viewers discretion is advised

Six members of a family were killed on the spot while two children were injured. They have been referred to Jaipur and reportedly stable, Additional SP Dinesh Kumar said.

He said that a family which hailed from Khandela in Sikar district was on the way to offer prayers at Ganesh Temple in Sawai Madhopur.

According to the preliminary information, the accident occurred when a canter truck took a U-turn on the highway.

The canter truck driver was identified through CCTV footage and teams have been sent to search the accused, the ASP said.

Those killed in the accident are Manish Sharma and his wife Anita, Kailash Sharma and his wife Santosh, and Satish Sharma and his wife Poonam, police said.

The injured  Manan and Deepali, both children  have been hospitalised, they said.

The bodies have been sent for postmortem and it will be conducted after family members arrive.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Deputy CM Diya Kumari have expressed grief over the incident.

The news of the death of 6 people in a horrific road accident on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in the Baunli police station area of Sawai Madhopur district is extremely sad, Sharma said on X.

He said concerned officials have been instructed to provide all possible help to the affected people.

I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed souls in his feet and provide strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense sorrow. Om Shanti, he said.

Deputy CM Diya Kumari said, Sad news was received about the death of six people in a horrific road accident in the Baunli police station area of Sawai Madhopur I wish the injured a speedy recovery.

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.
There has been an uptick in incidents involving dogs attacking people, especially kids, resulting in death or grievous injuries across the country recently. Such incidents have become a concern for the society.

In addition to incidents of attacks by stray dogs, an increase in attacks by pet dogs, especially in housing societies, has raised numerous questions on how to ensure the safety of vulnerable people, mostly children and senior citizens.

ALSO READ: What Is Causing Stray Dog Problem In India? What Does The Law Say? How To Protect Yourself During An Attack

Lets Take a Look At Recent Incidents of Pet Dogs Attacking People 

A dog brutally attacked a girl in the elevator of a housing society in Uttar Pradeshs Noida on Tuesday. Caught on CCTV , the incident took place in the Lotus 300 Society in Noidas Sector 107.

, the incident took place in the Lotus 300 Society in Noidas Sector 107. A five-year-old girl suffered serious injuries in an attack by two Rottweiler dogs at a public park in Chennais Thousand Lights area on May 6. Police arrested the owner of the dogs and a case of negligence was registered.

at a public park in Chennais Thousand Lights area on May 6. Police arrested the owner of the dogs and a case of negligence was registered. On April 29, a 6-year-old girl was attacked by a German Shepherd  despite being on a leash, in Ajnara Integrity Society in Uttar Pradeshs Ghaziabad. CCTV footage of the incident showed the owner falling down in a bid to restrain the dog, which bit the girl on her arm.

 despite being on a leash, in Ajnara Integrity Society in Uttar Pradeshs Ghaziabad. CCTV footage of the incident showed the owner falling down in a bid to restrain the dog, which bit the girl on her arm. On April 9, a pet pit bull attacked the neighbours 15-year-old boy, leaving him seriously injured. CCTV footage of the incident showed the dog pinning the boy, Altaf, to the ground and attacking while a man and a woman looked on without raising an alarm or intervening.

Incidents Involving Attack By Stray Dogs

On March 18, a six-year-old boy was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs when he was going to his school in the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan. The boy was rushed to a nearby hospital by villagers where he succumbed to injuries, police said.

when he was going to his school in the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan. The boy was rushed to a nearby hospital by villagers where he succumbed to injuries, police said. In February 2024, a toddler was attacked and killed by stray dogs at midnight when the one-year-old came out of his hut in search of his mother in Telangana. The incident took place at Shamshabad municipal headquarters in Ranga Reddy district.

In March this year, the central government had directed states to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs, including Pitbull Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler and Mastiffs, amid rising instances of people dying due to dog attacks.

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.
Whats in a name, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday said dismissing a bunch of petitions challenging the Maharashtra governments decision to rename Aurangabad district as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv.

A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor said the petitions were bereft of merits and the notification issued by the state government (for renaming) does not warrant any interference.

We have no hesitation to hold that the notification issued by the state government renaming Aurangabad and Osmanabad does not suffer from any illegality or any legal vice, the bench said.

Quoting William Shakespeares play Romeo and Juliet, the bench in its judgement said, Whats in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

The bench said Shakespeare made a profound observation on the nature of names, and that a name does not change anything and calling a rose something different would not change the essence of the flower.

The bench in its judgement said the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code permits the state government to abolish any revenue area and to name/rename and alter the name of the area. The court said it has no hesitation to conclude that the government followed the statutory provisions before taking the decision to rename the two districts and cities.

The HC said it was of the opinion that the issue of alteration of name of a revenue area or even a city or town is not justiciable as courts lack the requisite tool to adjudicate such an issue. As to by what name a particular object or place is to be known cannot be judicially reviewed unless the name so proposed is atrocious, the high court said.

In 2022, the Maharashtra cabinet headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde approved the name of Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv. On July 16, 2022, a Government Resolution was passed by the two-member cabinet for changing names and then forwarded to the central government.

In February 2023, the Union Home Ministry gave a no objection letter for changing the names of the cities and districts and thereafter, a gazette notification was issued by the state government changing the names of Aurangabad and Osmanabad.

Several petitions were then filed by Aurangabad residents challenging the governments decision to rename the place as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Another PIL was filed by 17 residents of Osmanabad against the governments decision to rename it as Dharashiv. Both the petitions termed the governments decision as politically motivated.

The Maharashtra government had opposed the pleas, claiming the two places were renamed due to their history and not for any political reasons.

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.
Ashutosh and Preeti Jha, residents of Pune, were filled with joy as they welcomed their first child. But, just six months later, their joy turned to worry as their daughter Radhika began feeling tired and looking pale. Doctors diagnosed her with Thalassemia Major, a severe genetic blood disorder. The condition meant that Radhika would need life-long blood transfusions because her body couldnt produce enough haemoglobin on its own.

Witnessing our child go through regular blood transfusions at such a tender age and knowing that circle will never end was extremely painful and heart-breaking, the couple told News18.

According to government data, India tops the world in the number of children with Thalassemia Major, with approximately 1-1.5 lakh diagnosed cases and nearly 4.2 crore carriers of the beta thalassemia trait. As per the government estimates, each year, around 1-1.5 lakh babies are born with Thalassemia Major.

The only way to cure children like Radhika is a bone marrow transplant. However, in Radhikas case, that too was not possible as the procedure requires the bone marrow of a sibling.

Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue found inside certain bones in the body, such as the hip bones, skull, and spine and its crucial for the production of blood cells, including red blood cells. A sibling is considered a good match for such a transplant because there is a higher likelihood of genetic compatibility due to the shared genetic heritage of both parents.

The couple then decided to have another child. Two years later, Shivansh was born and seemed healthy during the check-ups but as he turned six months old, he started feeling sick  just like Radhika. He was also diagnosed with Thalassemia Major. Now, we were facing an even bigger challenge to find a cure for both our children, Ashutosh, who is an IT professional, said.

But we were determined not to give up. Thats why when we were given the option of haploidentical bone marrow transplantation (BMT), we accepted it and decided to see whats written next in our fate.

Haplo or half-identical bone marrow transplantation is an option when finding fully matched donors is very difficult. Two centres in Delhi gave us the option and we finally decided to go ahead with one of them.

The children underwent the transplant at Delhi-based Dharamshila Narayana Hospital where the procedure was conducted by Dr Suparno Chakrabarti, BMT specialist, head and program director  Haploidentical BMT and Dr Sarita Rani Jaiswal, program director for haploidentical BMT at the hospital.

While Chakrabarti was the first doctor to conduct a haploidentical bone marrow transplant in 2010 in India, Jaiswal represents India at multiple forums, including the European BMT Society and the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

Following the procedure, in 2018, the fathers bone marrow was transplanted in Radhika, while the mothers bone marrow was transplanted in Shivansh in 2022.

Witnessing the success of the procedure on Radhika, the parents wanted the same for Shivansh. But then came the pandemic, which threw a spanner in the plans. However, they persevered, and on January 30, 2022, Preeti donated her bone marrow to Shivansh, Chakrabarti recalled.

Now, both children are free from the disease and living a normal life as such transplants do not require life-long immuno-suppressive medicines like other transplants. They are living a normal life, Jaiswal told News18.

The cost of running such a procedure hovers between approximately Rs 15-Rs 20 lakh but the cost usually depends on a variety of factors, including the age and body weight of the patient and the number of days spent in hospital.

What is haploidentical transplant?

It is a relatively recent development in transplantation which involves using bone marrow from a partially matched donor, unlike a normal concept of finding a fully matched donor. The options of donors increase in haploidentical transplants where a parent can also become a donor. According to medical journals, despite the initial challenges posed, this approach has shown promising outcomes, particularly in children.

According to a study conducted in China, of a group of patients who underwent this procedure, 86.4 per cent survived and remained free from the disease for three years, with a small margin of error.

Haplo-BMT achieved 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival rate of 86.4% ( 0.73%) after a median follow-up of 42 months, indicating its effectiveness as a salvage therapy, said the study which was published in June 2021.

These promising outcomes may support haplo-BMT as an alternative treatment strategy for patients with severe aplastic anaemia lacking Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-matched donors.

Similarly, in the case of Radhika and Shivansh, their parents  although not fully matching with them  were able to come to their rescue.

According to Jaiswal, higher success rates are typically seen in paediatric patients aged below 10 years. The success rate of such BMT varies depending on several factors, including the specific condition being treated, the age and overall health of the patient, the degree of HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) mismatch between the donor and recipient, and the expertise of the medical team performing the procedure.

Jaiswal explained: This is one of those transplants where the donor loses nothing. For instance, in a kidney transplant, a donor loses one of his kidneys and in a liver transplant, the donor loses part of the liver. But here, the donor loses nothing and ends up saving lives.

How is this procedure done?

In this type of procedure, healthy cells from a donor are used to replace the cells that produce faulty haemoglobin. In this case, these healthy cells were sourced from parents.

Initially, high dose chemotherapy is administered to eliminate the bone marrow producing defective haemoglobin-producing cells. Following this, the healthy donated cells are infused into the body through an intravenous (IV) catheter, similar to a blood transfusion. These new cells migrate to the patients bone marrow and start the production of healthy blood cells after 2-3 weeks.

The entire transplantation process can extend over weeks to months in the hospital, depending on the time taken for the donor stem cells to start producing viable blood cells and the related complications.

Not a cure for everyone

According to an Indian study conducted by doctors at New Delhi-based BLK Super Speciality Hospital, a haplo-identical transplant is a feasible option for patients with no available HLA-matched donors.

However, the study added that a long-term follow-up is required for a better understanding of outcomes for these patients.

According to experts, the treating doctors consider the cases closely before advising such transplants as there is a chance of having problems after the transplant because the patient and its donor are not as closely matched.

The success of transplants also depends on the expertise of doctors and their teams conducting transplants and taking care of patients afterwards.

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.
The Dharavi Dream Project After School of Hip-Hop was honoured to host a special visit from Adam Granite, Chief Executive Officer, Africa, Middle East and Asia (AMEA) of Universal Music Group, at its premises located in the heart of Dharavi (Indias largest Slum), Mumbai.

Adam Granites visit to The Dharavi Dream Project After School of Hip-Hop symbolises a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between Universal Music Group, India and the Dharavi Dream Project community. The After School of Hip-Hop, a pioneering initiative in Dharavi, provides youth with opportunities for artistic expression and skill development through hip-hop culture.

Speaking on how initiatives like the Daravi Dream Project have contributed to broader goals of social impact and community development with this visit, Adam Granite, CEO, Africa, Middle East and Asia (AMEA), Universal Music Group, said, I think if you can engage the kids in a positive way, especially after school when perhaps they could be finding less productive uses of their time, you are really helping a community develop. I think the fact that its attached to hip-hop and to music, is something, personally and for all of us at Universal, incredibly important and valuable.

During his visit Adam Granite had the opportunity to engage with students, mentors, and staff members of The Dharavi Dream Project, witnessing the firsthand impact of hip-hop education on the lives of young people in the community.

Supporting initiatives like the Dharavi Dream Project is about lifting communities and fueling the dreams of future artists. I was humbled to witness firsthand the tangible impact of Universal Musics collaboration with this visionary project. Looking forward to seeing the bright futures its nurturing for these talented individuals. Adam Granite.

His presence encapsulated Universal Music Groups commitment to supporting initiatives that empower artists and communities worldwide.

As the CEO, he addressed his long-term mission for the Daravi Dream Project, which is to empower youth and foster creativity across cultural landscapes. He said, I think its fascinating for me and fun to see the common thread across geographies, cultures, and languages around the world. Theres a spirit of diversity. Theres a spirit of hip-hop, that exists here in this challenging setting, as you find in other challenging settings around the world. And its that pulse and energy that connect kids. Its an energy. And when it can be turned into a positive one, I think you can really have a very strong local impact..

Talking on a decade long partnership, the original TDDP co-founder and the Chairman & CEO, India & South Asia, & Senior Vice President of Strategy for Asia, Middle East and Africa, ( AMeA), Universal Music Group, Devraj Sanyal added, The talent pool at TDDP is incredible and our executive team there, led by Dolly Rateshwar is also amazing and has been leading Indias no 1 #MusicForSocialGood initiative with the greatest combination of heart and passion I have seen and we wish them all the success to grow this to a great size and have one future superstar emerge from the only #AfterSchoolOfHiphop there exists anywhere in the world.

We were delighted to welcome Adam Granite to The Dharavi Dream Project After School of Hip-Hop, said Dolly Rateshwar, Director & Co-Founder at The Dharavi Dream Project. His visit not only acknowledges the importance of our longstanding partnership with Universal Music Group but also reflects Universal Music Groups commitment to nurturing creativity and fostering talent in diverse communities around the world.

Meanwhile, the Dharavi Dream Project After School of Hip-Hop is a pioneering initiative located in the heart of Dharavi, Mumbai. Dedicated to hip-hop education and artistic empowerment, the school provides a safe and inclusive space for youth to explore their creative potential and develop essential life skills.
World Red Cross Day, also known as Red Crescent Day, is marked annually on May 8. It honours the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman and the founder of the Red Cross, the worlds largest humanitarian aid organisation. He was the founder of (ICRC) International Committee of the Red Cross and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.

Dunant was the first Nobel Peace Prize winner. The Red Cross supports those in need during emergencies and conflicts. On the World Red Cross Day volunteers promote the mission and principles of the 161-year-old international aid organisation which has national chapters in 192 countries.

World Red Cross Day: History and Significance

World Red Cross Day traces its roots to 1859 after Swiss businessman Henry Dunant was deeply moved by the lack of treatment given to soldiers and civilians at the Battle of Solferino in Italy. A few years later, in 1863, Dunant organised volunteer-supported relief societies that committed to providing non-partisan help to the wounded during wartime or conflict.

The same year, Dunant and five colleagues established the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, which evolved into the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The aid organisation soon became popular as simply Red Cross, after its emblem which was inspired by the Swiss National flag. In World War I and World War II, the Red Cross played an important role in aiding injured civilians and prisoners of war. Today it has many local and national chapters across the globe.

The Red Crosss significance in the world of human rights is enormous. The non-profits motto Per Humanitatem ad Pacem, which means With humanity, towards peace, espouses the message of world peace. The organisation is active in conflict zones or sites of natural disasters.

It is credited with codifying the Geneva Conventions, a four-point treaty, about how soldiers and civilians should be treated during war. All 196 countries in the world have ratified the four Geneva Conventions.

As per Geneva Conventions: all civilians, even those in occupied territory should be protected; prisoners of war must be treated with humanity; sick, wounded, medical and religious personnel should not be attacked during conflict; those wounded, sick, and shipwrecked during war at sea should be protected.

World Red Cross Day: Theme

The theme for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in 2024 is I give with joy, and the joy I give is a reward. The theme encourages the joy of charity and service.

World Red Cross Day: Celebration

Many national and local chapters of the Red Cross commemorate World Red Cross Day by organising special events and activities like running blood donation drives, giving first aid training sessions, hosting fundraisers, public awareness campaigns, and honouring outstanding volunteers and humanitarian achievements of individuals and groups.

World Red Cross Day: Quotes
Preity Zinta may not be on the big screen much these days, but shes still a favourite on social media. Recent photos of her in traditional outfits at the IPL got a lot of attention. Known for her roles in movies like Dil Se and Salaam Namaste, shes also loved for her bubbly personality off-screen. Abbas and Mustan Burmawalla, who worked with her in Soldier, remembered how she was so chatty during their first meeting that they couldnt get a word in.

They were the first to give her a role in their film with Bobby Deol. Abbas, during a chat with Radio Nasha, said, Producer Ramesh Taurani arranged for a meeting with Preity who was initially supposed to make her film debut with Ta Ra Rum Pum, helmed by Shekhar Kapoor. However, the films shoot hadnt begun.

Mustan remembered meeting the actor at Tauranis office, where she asked them if they liked her. Us zamaane mein auditions hote nahin the (Back in the day, there were no auditions). She sat in front of us, spoke for 15 minutes straight and left. In those 15 minutes, she blabbered a lot and didnt give us a chance to utter a single word. We instantly liked her and thought that she was perfect for the role. She was chirpy and natural, said Mustan.

Back in 2020, as Soldier clocked 22 years, Preity had penned a sweet note. Remembering Soldier my super Hot & super Cool movie. So many things to be grateful for. My warm clothes for starters. It was freezing cold & so windy when we were shooting. On the other side poor Bobby was feeling so cold and shivering Im also grateful that my first feature as a lead had an unbelievable soundtrack Thank you @RameshTaurani #AbbasMustan and the entire cast and crew for the fun we had in Australia, New Zealand & Rajasthan. I love you @iambobbydeol  You are the bestest, she had written.

The duo said Taurani signed her for three films: Soldier, Kya Kehna, and another one. Although Preity debuted in Mani Ratnams 1998 film, Dil Se, she was the lead in Soldier, which also came out that year.
Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday are currently grabbing headlines after their breakup rumours started coming in. It has been reported that the couple have parted ways. Well, today Aditya was spotted in the city. He was seen heading towards his workout session and avoided the shutterbugs.

In the video, shared by Snehzala, we can see Aditya wearing a black ensemble coming out of his car and heading towards the gate. The actor did not stop for the camera. He was looking very serious. Recently, Ananya Panday was also spotted in the city outside the gym. The actress acknowledged the paparazzi and even smiled at them.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Snehkumar Zala (@snehzala)

A close friend of the two actors told the Bombay Times that, That they broke up almost a month ago. They were going quite well, and the breakup came as a shock to all of us. They are cordial with each other. Ananya is trying to move on; of course, theres hurt. She is spending time with her new furry friend. Aditya is also trying to deal with the situation maturely.

Aditya and Ananya were dating for almost two years. Last month, the latter took the internet by storm with her cryptic post. That post hinted that theyd broken up. If it is truly meant for you, it will come back to you. It will leave only for the sake of teaching you the lessons you could only learn on your own. If it is truly meant for you, it will return even if youve pushed it away, even if youre in denial, even if you assume something so beautiful could never be truly yours  because if its truly meant for you, it is never not a piece of you. It is never not intricately tied into the depths of your soul, read the quote shared by Ananya on her handle. She captioned it as Monday Manifesting alongside a thank you, an evil eye, and a blue butterfly emoji.

Ananya Pandays rumoured relationship with Aditya Roy Kapur has often hit headlines. While the duo has never confirmed out loud about their relationship, their public appearances and several confessions during interviews have given enough proof of their dating.
Earlier this week, a video featuring a 10-year-old Delhi boy stepping up to manage his fathers Chicken rolls business following his passing away attracted widespread attention on social media after a food blogger shared his video. Following this, actor Arjun Kapoor said that he would love to offer him help with his education.

Arjun shared his story on his Instagram handle and wrote, With a smile on his face, hes facing life ahead and all that will come with it.I salute this 10-year-old for having the courage to stand up on his own two feet and take over his fathers work within 10 days of him passing away. I would love to help him out with his or his sisters education; if anyone knows about his whereabouts, do let me know.

The incident came to light after food vlogger Sarabjeet Singh shared a video of a 10-year-old boy named Jaspreet from West Delhis Tilak Nagar. The video begins by showing Jaspreets skills as he prepares chicken-egg rolls. However, the boys sad story is revealed as he has been running the roll stall to support his family after his fathers sudden demise.

Shared originally by the food vlogger, the video shows the boy keeping a sweet smile on his face and sharing his story. Besides revealing his fathers demise, Jaspreet also spoke about having an older sister who is 14 and that the siblings live with their uncle in Delhi.

The kid also shared that he learned culinary skills from his father and can prepare a variety of rolls at the stall. I am the son of Guru Gobind Singh ji. I will fight as long as I have the strength, he says in the video.

On the work front, Arjun Kapoor is gearing up for his negative role in Singham Again. Rohit Shetty took to Instagram and shared two intense photos of the actor in his mean avatar to make the big announcement. In one photo, Arjun was seen covered in blood and sporting a vicious smile, while in another, he shared the frame with Ranveer Singh. Ranveer is reprising his role as Simmba in the film.
Bollywood actor Babil Khan stepped out on Wednesday evening to attend the grand launch of a jewellery store in Mumbai. Babil had joined Ranveer Singh at the store launch of Tiffany & Co, and ended up twinning with him in white. The actor posed in front of the paparazzi, flashing his bright smile. He also goofed around with the cameramen by posing with his arms spread wide and even giving them a thumbs up.

He was also seen hyping one of his fellow guests at the event. A few photos have been shared by the paparazzi in which Babil was seen fanning over a friend. The happy moments come as a relief to fans, especially after he had shared a few worrisome posts about giving up.

For the unversed, he shared and deleted a post in which he wrote, Sometimes I feel like giving up and going to Baba. He then followed it up with a cryptic post about heartbreak. Oh I know somehow, I know how you love when he plays his fender, It f**ks me up so now Im takin my turn, I woke up next to someone new again and I dont remember, where I left the keys to my ride home. Still wishin I left them at yours. Its so hard not to be yours, he wrote.

Babil then followed it up with another post a few days later which read as an open letter to his late father, Irrfan Khan. You taught me to be a warrior, but engage with love and kindness. You taught me of hope and you taught me to fight for the people. You do not have fans, you have a family, and I promise you baba I will fight for our people and our family till you call upon me. I will not give up. I love you so much, he wrote.

The Qala actor is yet to give clarity on the posts.
Sonalee Kulkarni is a popular actress working in the Marathi and Hindi film industries. She debuted in the movie industry with the film Gauri in 2006. She made her first appearance in Bollywood with the movie Grand Masti after seven years of debuting in the Marathi movie industry. In the following year, she starred in the blockbuster film Singham Returns. It was directed by Rohit Shetty and stars Ajay Devgn in the titular role. The actress gained fame for her lavani dance song Apsara Aali in the Marathi film Natarang. Sonalee Kulkarni got married to her fiance, Kunal Benodkar, in 2021. The wedding was held at the Hindu temple in Dubai. They invited their family and friends virtually. Now, on the eve of their marriage anniversary, the couple got remarried to celebrate their marriage anniversary this year. The wedding followed the Christian marriage rituals. The pictures of the wedding have gone viral.

In the latest photos of the wedding, the actress wore a white wedding dress while Kunal donned a black suit with matching shoes. In the series of photos, the couple were seen cutting cakes as they danced to celebrate their marriage anniversary. The actress looked adorable. The duo also shared their candid photos. 2 legit 2 quitHappy Anniversary wrote Kunal while sharing the pictures.

The fans of the actress were quick to reach the comment section and wish Sonalee, a Happy Wedding Anniversary. The fan flooded the comment section with compliments and best wishes for their marriage.

It is not the first time that the couple has tied the knot again on their marriage anniversary The duo got married with complete Hindu rituals on their first wedding anniversary. The couple got married in Dubai during the lockdown. Sonalee and Kunal who could not invite their parents and relatives to Dubai for their court marriage wish to get married in front of their families in a lavish ceremony. The couple tied the knot in traditional Maharashtrian customs.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonalee Kulkarni (@sonalee18588)

Sonalee Kulkarni was last seen in the film Malaikottai Vaaliban. It starred Mohanlal in the lead role. It was directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery.
Hotness Alert! Kriti Sanon is a fashion icon and there is no doubt about it. The actress often drops gorgeous photos of herself on social media, leaving her fans stunned. On Wednesday too, Kriti took to her Instagram handle and shared a series of pictures, which are now setting fire online.

In these latest clicks, Kriti Sanon was seen posing in a red crop top paired with matching pants. She opted for minimal accessories and glam makeup. Needless to say, she looked breathtakingly gorgeous as ever. Check it out here:

Soon after the pictures were shared, fans rushed to the comments section to shower love on the actress. While some called her sexy, others tagged Kriti as a hottie. One of the users even called her, Chilli Pepper . You look stunning babe, added another.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kriti Sanon was last seen in Crew. Released in March this year, the film also starred Tabu and Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead. The Crew is set in a financially struggling airline sector and follows the lives of these three flight attendants  in-flight supervisor Geeta Sethi (Tabu), senior flight attendant Jasmine Rana (Kareena Kapoor) and junior flight attendant Divya Bajwa (Kriti Sanon). However, their destiny places them in terrible situations and they get entangled in a web of lies and deception.

Next, Kriti will soon be seen in the crime thriller Do Patti with Kajol. The actress announced the film last year when she revealed that Do Parri will also be her first film as a producer. Thrilled to announce DO PATTI! Alongside three very strong-headed, inspiring, and immensely talented women, Monica, we couldnt have found a better platform than Netflix to tell this story! @netflix_in Superrr duperr excited to reunite with Kajol maam after 8 years! @kajol. Kanika  Ive always loved your writing, and Im so happy to be co-producing my first with you! Ufff, this is a special one! @kanika.d @kathhapictures. This one is going to be a thrilling game with a lot of heart! A first for Blue Butterfly Films, @bluebutterflyfilmsofficial, she wrote.

The teaser of Do Patti was recently released and it has left audiences even more excited for the film. It will be released on Netflix later this year.
South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun has announced his Asia fan meet tour. On Wednesday, the Queen of Tears actors agency Goldmedalist announced he has selected a few cities in selected countries in Asia to interact with fans. This will be his first massive-scale fan tour in 10 years. The tour is titled 2024 Kim Soo-hyun Asia Tour: Eyes on You. It is reported that the actor will kick off the tour in Thunder Dome Stadium in Bangkok on June 15. Following which, Kim Soo Hyun will visit five more countries. But will Kim Soo Hyun come to India?

The heartbreaking answer is no. India has unfortunately not made the cut in Kim Soo Hyuns Asia tour list. The cities on his tour include Japans Yokohama, Manila in the Philippines, Taipei in Taiwan, Jakarta in Indonesia and Hong Kong. Kim Soo Hyun will be in Japan on June 22 and 23 before he takes off to other locations.

The news of the tour comes a day after the actor made headlines with his appearance at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards. On Wednesday, the Queen of Tears won the PRIZM Popularity Awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards 2024. At the awards show, Hello everyone, this is actor #KimSooHyun. Im really happy to work in a such amazing drama, to receive this award and getting support from so many people. Ill continue being a better actor. thank you!

hello everyone, this is actor #KimSooHyun. im really happy to work in a such amazing drama, to receive this award and getting support from so many people. ill continue being a better actor. thank you!congratulations actor kim!#BaeksangArtsAwards2024#KIMSOOHYUNxBAA2024 pic.twitter.com/MQyqtif1lX  chel (@kshsimp) May 7, 2024

Kim Soo Hyun was also nominated for the Best Actor award in the TV segment. However, he lost the award to Namkoong Min. The actor was presented the award for his performance in My Dearest.
Two years after quitting Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Raj Anadkat is all set to grace our television screens once again. In one of his recent YouTube vlogs, Raj revealed that he has signed a new show. The actor shared that he will be seen romancing Sana Amin Sheikh and expressed excitement for his upcoming Gujarati show.

TMKOC Fame Actor Raj Anadkat Excited For His New Show

I am super duper excited for this new journey, I am going to play the lead character. I know all of you have been waiting to see me back on TV, I have been quite excited and nervous. I am finally signing the papers for the show. I even did the mock shoot and I even went to the sets. I will soon share a glimpse of all this on my vlog, Raj said as quoted by E-Times.

The young actor did not share any information about the show or his character. However, he sought the same support and love from all which he used to get while playing the role of Tappu in TMKOC. Raj shared, Finally my new show, I am feeling blessed. I cant wait to share everything with you all. Please keep loving me and my character. I am tight-lipped about the show but I cant wait to share all the details, he added.

What Do We Know About Raj Anadkats New Show?

Rajs new show is titled United State of Gujarat. It is a heartwarming family drama tracing Kays (Sana Amin Sheikh) journey, who is Dil Thi Gujarati. She is on a quest to reconnect with her Gujarati roots in India, especially with her Nani (Ragini Shah), who embodies traditional Gujarati values, meaning she is Vat Thi Gujarati. The show will also star Vandana Vithlani as the antagonist and Ami Trivedi as Kays mother, Yamuna.

Why Did Raj Anadkat Quit TMKOC?

Raj Anadkat used to play Dilip Joshis son Tappu in TMKOC. He was a part of the show for five years before he quit in December 2022. Last month, Raj uploaded a video on his YouTube channel in which in answered several of his fans questions. When a social media user asked the reason behind leaving Asit Kumarr Modis show, Raj revealed that he took the decision because he wanted to explore more as an actor.

I did this show for five years and I did over 1,000 episodes for the show. This journey was very beautiful for me. But as an actor, I wanted to grow more in this field. I wanted to explore different characters. I took this decision and I am thankful to god for this opportunity. Thanks to all of you for accepting me as Tappu. Sometimes you have to make such decisions in life. It is a part and parcel of your life, he said. However, he also admitted that working for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was a wonderful experience.
Ranveer Singh has made his first public appearance after removing his wedding photos with actress-wife Deepika Padukone recently. Ranveer arrived in style at the store launch of a high-end jewellery brand, Tiffany & Co., in Mumbai on Wednesday. The actor made a stylish entry in an all-white satin outfit and aviators.

In a video, shared by Bollywood paparazzo Viral Bhayani, Ranveer was seen greeting the paps with folded hands as he poses for them. He also obliged a couple of fans with selfies.

Ranveer returned to Mumbai this afternoon only. The actor was vacationing with Deepika, who is expecting their first baby after five years of marriage.

Ranveer Singh fans were in a big shock on Tuesday after the actor allegedly deleted his and Deepikas wedding photos from his Instagram account. Ranveers move also sparked rumours of trouble in his marriage with Deepika. Its still unclear whether Ranveer has permanently deleted the photos from his social media account or just archived them.

Soon after the rumours about their marriage hitting a rough patch began surfacing on the internet on Tuesday afternoon, a source close to Ranveer and Deepika informed that the couple is going strong, and that they are excited to welcome their first child together. The insider also confirmed that the duo is currently on a vacation.

There is no truth to any claim about their marriage hitting a rough patch, a source told Hindustan Times. Its baseless. They are happy together, and constantly try to find a way out of their busy schedules, so that they can spend some quality time together. They are really excited to welcome their first child to the world, and are cherishing every moment of this phase of their life. In fact, Deepika and Ranveer are enjoying some quality time together on a quiet getaway in India, the source added.

Addressing the missing wedding pictures, the insider said, Well, he has deleted all his pictures from the year before 2022-2023. It is not just about his wedding pictures. In fact, all his recent pictures with Deepika are still on his handles. So, it is really baffling as to how people can assume that there is any trouble in paradise.
Shekhar Suman says he is ready to campaign for Kangana Ranaut, who is contesting the Lok Sabha Elections from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. While Kangana joined the Bhartiya Janta Party earlier this year, Shekhar became a part of the political party on Tuesday (May 7) in New Delhi.

Soon after joining the BJP, Shekhar Suman was asked if he was ready to campaign for Kangana Ranaut, who was reportedly in a romantic relationship with his son Adhyayan earlier. To this, the Heeramandi actor told news agency IANS, Agar bulayengi toh kyu nahi jayenge? Ye toh mera farz hai, aur haq bhi (If she invites me then why wouldnt I go? This is my duty, and my right as well). Watch the video here:

Delhi: If Kangana Ranaut calls to campaign in her support, I will definitely go, says Shekhar Suman pic.twitter.com/vVldtwDEhP IANS (@ians_india) May 7, 2024

Kangana Ranaut was reportedly dating Shekhar Sumans son, Adhyayan. The two met on the sets of Mohit Suris Raaz  The Mystery Continues in 2008 and fell in love with each other. They dated for a year before parting ways.

Meanwhile, Shekhar Suman joined the BJP at the party headquarters in New Delhi when he was welcomed into the party by Vinod Tawde, General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Till yesterday I did not know that I would be sitting here today because many things in life happen knowingly or unknowingly. I have come here with a very positive thinking and I would like to thank God that he ordered me to come here, the actor said while addressing a press conference.

A person depends a lot upon his words and after a while words hold no importance because there is a difference between saying and doing things. I can sit here and give a speech as long as I want but it would hold no importance if I do no work, the actor added.

On the work front, Shekhar Suman is currently enjoying the success of his recently released web series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Sanjay Leela Bhansalis show premiered on Netflix earlier this month and also stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal Mehta, Farida Jalal and Fardeen Khan in key roles. Shekhars son Adhyayan Suman is also a part of the show. Heeramandi explores the various aspects of a womans trials and tribulations. It is getting a positive response from the audience as of now.
Vicky Kaushal grabbed headlines after his video from the airport went viral on social media. The actor, who was spotted at the airport, was seen stopping by to fulfill a fans wish for a selfie. Vickys sweet gesture towards a female admirer is being appreciated.

In the video, shared by Viral Bhayani, we can see Vicky Kaushal coming out of the airport in a Chava look. He has been growing a beard and hair for the period drama. Well, suddenly he spotted a female fan requesting for a selfie and he obliged. He waited for her to take out the phone and open the camera setting. He even posed for the camera and looked very happy.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

Talking about Chava, it is directed by filmmaker Laxman Utekar, known for movies like Kriti Sanon starrer Mimi (2021), Luka Chuppi (2019) and more. Utekar and Vicky Kaushal will work together once again after their previous venture, the comedy romance Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023).

The upcoming film, Chhava, is reported to be a period drama, where Kaushal will share the screen with Rashmika Mandanna. According to sources, Kaushal is set to portray the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the eldest son of the Maratha Empires founder, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film is expected to delve into Sambhaji Maharajs bravery, sacrifice, and wartime strategies while incorporating an emotional love story between him and his wife.

Apart from this, Vicky Kaushal also has Bad Newz with Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk. Sharing the announcement on his Instagram handle, Karan wrote, Get ready for the most entertaining hungama  a hilarious once in a billion situation awaitsa comedy inspired by true events!! #BadNewz IN CINEMAS 19th July 2024!

Last year, several photos of Vicky Kaushal and Triptii Dimri went viral when they were shooting in Croatia. In the pictures, Vicky Kaushal was seen holding Triptii close as they shoot for the song. In one of the photos, the actor was also seen lifting the Animal star in his arms. The upcoming entertainer is being helmed by Bandish Bandits fame director Anand Tiwari.
Marathi film actor Ravindra Mahajani passed away in July 2023. He was found dead in a Pune flat that he was living alone in. It was not before two days after his death that the mortal remains of Ravindra Mahajani were discovered. Right after his death, the actors son Gashmeer Mahajani faced a lot of backlash for not being with his father during the time of his death. His strained relationship with his father was largely discussed and Gashmeer was trolled mercilessly for being an irresponsible son. However, according to Gashmeer, he was so broken by the death of his father that there was a time when he wanted to end his life.

Recently, Gashmeer gave an interview to Galatta India and made a shocking revelation. Talking about the time after his fathers death, he said that his mother fell ill soon after and they had an argument. At that time, he felt so lost that he almost decided to take his own life. Gashmeer said that he even went to the terrace to take a drastic step but at that point, the thought of his 5-year-old son stopped him from taking any untoward action.After the fight, I went to the terrace and thought of ending my life. It was all very unbearable for me. But thats when I remembered my 5-year-old son and decided against it, he said.

Last year, in August, Gashmeer opened up about the trolling he had faced during an interview with The Times Of India. He said that it was not easy for others to understand both sides of the story and have a sensible approach.He mentioned that his father wasnt flawless and clarified that they hadnt relegated him to a cramped apartment, but rather, he had opted to live separately on his own for the past 20 years because he desired to live independently.

He shared that his father would visit them and stay with them when he wished to. Describing him as temperamental, Gashmeer explained that his father preferred self-sufficiency and had begun distancing himself from family and friends over the past three years. He acknowledged that his current words might be interpreted in various ways, but he has come to terms with it.
China has been relentlessly pursuing its expansive territorial claims, asserting its sovereignty through a slew of policies and legislation. At the heart of these territorial ambitions lies Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, a solitary island cleaved from the mainland by the Taiwan Strait. Here, the narrative of expansionism unfolds starkly, as Beijing lays claim to territories beyond its sovereign reach.

In 1949, following a seismic shift in power, Mao Zedongs Communist forces usurped the reins of governance, compelling the nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek and his adherents to seek refuge in Taiwan. There, amidst the azure stretches of the Pacific, they erected a new bastion of rule. Since the 1990s, following decades of martial governance under the aegis of Chiangs Kuomintang (KMT) from 1949 to 1987, Taiwan has blossomed into a beacon of democracy.

Yet, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), under the Communist cloak, persists in its portrayal of Taiwan as a wayward fragment of its historical expanse. The rhetoric of peaceful reunification with Taiwan has echoed since the 1970s, yet it has gained a sharper, more urgent tone under Xi Jinpings leadership. Xis vision of expansionism mischievously termed as unification diverges markedly from the paths tread by his predecessors. Xis stance on Taiwan is steeped in a rigorously assertive and militaristic strategy that has heightened the geopolitical tension across the South China Sea.

Since 2016, the Cross-Strait relations have been marked by growing acrimony, beginning with Tsai Ing-wens ascent to the presidency of Taiwan under the banner of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP). This party, historically allied with the call for Taiwans formal independence, currently holds a stance of maintaining the status quo in its interactions with China. This stands in stark contrast to the Kuomintang, which has preserved a pro-China orientation, favouring amicable relations without pushing for unification.

In response to President Tsais refusal to affirm the One China policy, Beijing severed all diplomatic dialogues with Taipei, casting a shadow of isolation over Taiwan by opposing its participation in international forums and pressuring countries that recognise or maintain formal interactions with Taiwans self-governing body. The strengthening of Taiwans ties with the United States during Tsai Ing-wens tenure has further fuelled Chinas aggression.

In 2019, Xi Jinping put forth the One Country, Two Systems model, mirroring Hong Kongs framework, as a blueprint for Taiwans integration. This proposal forms a cornerstone of Xis vision for a rejuvenated China by 2049. Yet, this proposal was met with strong resistance in Taipei, outrightly rejected by Ing-wen herself. Beijings response has been a ramp-up in its intimidation tactics, notably through an unprecedented number of incursions by Chinese military aircraft into Taiwans Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) starting from 2020. This has been perceived by Taiwan as a threat. But Beijing wrongfully defends these frequent military incursions as exercises of its sovereign rights.

The year 2021 marked the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), during which Xi reiterated the peaceful reunification with Taiwan as a historic mission of the CCP, though he stopped short of specifying a timeline. The intensity of aircraft incursions doubled the following year, with 1,727 warplanes, including nuclear-capable bombers, entering the ADIZ. The year 2022 saw the publication of Xi Jinpings White Paper on The Taiwan Question and Chinas Reunification in the New Era, which not only intensified but also codified Chinas coercive strategies. Unlike its predecessors issued in 1993 and 2000, this document ties the reunification with Taiwan to the broader goal of Chinese rejuvenation by 2049, aiming to rectify the historic error of foreign encroachment.

Moving away from the prior commitment to purely peaceful means, the paper still prioritises peaceful reunification but does not dismiss the use of force, if necessary. Additionally, it labels any separatist movements as criminal acts of secession.

This evolving stance on Taiwan increases the likelihood of military escalation in Beijings efforts for territorial annexation. Many experts now believe Beijing might resort to military action to achieve reunification, although the timeline remains a subject of debate. Following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan in 2022, tensions escalated towards potential military conflict. Beijings reaction included precision missile strikes near Taiwanese waters, declared as part of a military drilla first in the history of these confrontations.

A series of Chinese military exercises have been observed near Taiwan, serving a dual purpose of military readiness and strategic intimidation. These acts have become normalised components of Chinas grey-zone tactics aimed at pressuring Taiwan. Moreover, economic levers have also been employed, with China halting over 2,000 Taiwanese imports and cutting exports, tightening the noose around Taiwans economy.

Beijings military endeavours near Taiwan have intensified, signalling a hardening of its stand to reunify the island with the mainland through force. In the shadow of the January 2024 elections, Chinas intrusive manoeuvres manifested in cyber-attacks and a disinformation campaign aimed at sowing discord within Taipei. This propaganda framed the electoral choice as a stark dichotomy: align with Beijing or face war. Lai Ching-te, the former Vice President and now the president-elect from the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), was labelled a separatist by Beijing in an effort to erode his popular support. Despite these machinations, Lai secured the mandate of Taipeis population, reflecting a resounding rejection of Beijings tactics.

This year, Beijings military budget surged by 7.2 per cent, indicating an increase in aggression towards Taiwan. During the National Peoples Congress (NPC) meeting in March, Premier Li Qiangs report conspicuously omitted any mention of peaceful reunification, hinting at a gravitation towards more forceful reunification strategies. The persistent military incursions near Taiwan over the last four years mirror this shift, marking a departure from previous approaches to reunification, now veering towards military confrontation.

This year, Beijings shadowy manoeuvres extend across the sky and sea around Taiwan, manifesting in the launch of spy balloon arrays over Taiwanese airspace and the regular patrol of aircraft and warships. These acts, together with the encroachment of dual-use surveillance vessels, are now part of the frequent efforts to push back Taiwans ruling establishment. According to a recent report from Taiwans defence ministry, these actions are emblematic of Chinas irregular grey-zone tactics designed to wear the island nation. Just in April 2024, Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels were detected near Taiwan 207 and 144 times respectively. Furthermore, China has unilaterally opened new air routes close to Taiwanese islands, jeopardising flight safety.

Amidst these tensions, a historic meeting unfolded in Beijing between Xi Jinping and former Taiwanese president and Opposition leader, Ma Jing-Yeou of the Kuomintang, a first of its kind. Leveraging the KMTs warmer ties with Beijing, Xi advocated for reunification, proclaiming that external interference cannot halt the historic tide of the family and countrys reunion. This meeting occurred just a month before Lai Ching-te from the Democratic Peoples Party is scheduled to take his presidential oath, underscoring Chinas ongoing efforts to sway cross-strait dynamics as part of its reunification strategy.

The escalating aggressive incursions by China into Taiwan have significantly shaped the islands public sentiment. The majority of Taiwanese now harbour negative views towards the Chinese government, predominantly favouring a status quo position. This growing discontent makes unification an increasingly unpopular and arduous task for Beijing, explaining its shift towards a more aggressive and militarised approach in pursuing its objectives.

The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The ugly farce that has been unfolding on the US and European campuses lately in the name of anti-Israel protests has achieved little, but it has made parents around the world sit up and re-read the recording slips of their chequebooks.

Just how much are they paying for their childs education?

Rather, how much are they paying for their child to learn how to wear the Arabian keffiyeh, hold up placards in support of a terror organisation like Hamas, play the Indian dafli, and shout azaadi to perfect poetic metre (the last two being JNU exports to Western campuses)?

Turns out, it can go up to $90,000 a year in premier institutions like Columbia, Stanford or UCLA.

In a new episode of his show Real Time With Bill Maher, the writer-comedian asked the same question, not on behalf of parents but American taxpayers.

Im so incensed about some of this stuff because when I read about the college loans, the Biden administrations student debt cancellation will cost a combined $870 million to $1.4 trillion. Thats a lot of debt forgivenessso, my tax dollars are supporting this Jew-hating? Maher asked.

It most definitely is, and in a brainless, unquestioning way, as writer Douglas Murray points out in a recent column.

This one is for the morons. For the students busily cosplaying at being terrorists on our citys campuses. The automatons whose new radical-chic uniform is an Arab keffiyeh. Specifically to the ones who have decided to chant for Intifada and unveil a vast banner down the side of Hamilton Hall at Columbia this week, he writes.

Murray goes on to cite the doom that the Palestinian clerics call for intifada caused.

On June 1, 2001, terrorists blew up The Dolphinarium in Tel Aviv, killing 21 youngsters milling around the nightclub, the youngest of them being 14-year-old Maria Tagilchev.

On July 31, 2002, Hamas bombed the cafeteria of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, killing five American students among nine in total. One of those killed was 20-year-old student George Khoury, an Arab.

It is unlikely that the American students watch Bill Maher or read Douglas Murray. But they definitely scroll TikTok posts and Instagram reels, hundreds of which tell them far-Left ideology and Communism are cool, it is resistance to side with Hamas and Hezbollah, and Jew hate or anti-white, anti-Hindu racism is a legitimate expression of anger.

In part, it is the success of the Left, and in particular, forces like China, which have insidiously infiltrated campuses either through funding or setting up Confucius Institutes on more than 500 college campuses worldwide, with over 100 in the US alone, including at the George Washington University, the University of Michigan and the University of Iowa. These institutes are overseen by a branch of the Chinese Ministry of Education known as Hanban. They are part of the Chinese governments broader $10-billion-a-year propaganda initiative.

To top it, there are predatory globalists like George Soros, Klaus Schwab and the Rothschild family and Islamists like the Muslim Brotherhood and Jamaat-i Islami which reportedly inject billions into anarchic, violent, far-Left movements like Antifa, Black Lives Matter and the pro-mamas protests.

Their aim is to weaken not just governments but society at large so that they can exploit nations like parasites.

They are succeeding.

One of the main reasons is that parents have outsourced parenting to the internet and sometimes morally compromised and psychologically derailed teachers.

A parents duty does not end with paying for the childs education. It begins there.

An estimated 1.5 million Indian students study abroad. In 2022-23, nearly 269,000 students from India enrolled in American colleges.

It is important to question, before it is too late and all wrapped up in a keffiyeh, what that admission fee or tax is buying for the childs and nations future.

Is education getting our children knowledge and values, or setting a bomb timer in their hearts?

Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The row over Sam Pitrodas inheritance tax remark amid election season has not even settled yet but the Indian Overseas Congress head stirred new trouble for Congress with his racist remark, giving the BJP an opportunity to lambast the grand old party.

Pitroda, who is often considered a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, said people in Indias East look like Chinese and those in the South like Africans.

Following Pitrodas statement, Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states in the Northeast  Assam and Manipur  attacked the Congress leader and demanded an apology from the Congress.

Manipur CM N Biren Singh said that Congress has a hidden agenda to divide India on religious grounds and blamed the opposition party for the situation in the state, where over 100 people were killed and thousands left homeless in the violence since May last year.

Reacting to Pitrodas remark, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at Rahul Gandhi and said India will not tolerate this insult.

One Shehjade uncle lives in America. When there is any confusion, he takes opinion with his uncle. His uncle said those whose skin is black color are African. He called our Indian people African. Now I understand why they keep insulting our president Droupdi Murmu, just because her skin colour is black they thought she is African and they should defeat her. Shehjades uncle Sam Pitroda is his 3rd Umpire, Modi said at a rally in Telanganas Warrangal.

I am very angry today , if someone abuse me, I can tolerate it but today, Shehjades philosopher had crossed limit. Will skin color now decide our ability? They are insulting people of India on basis of skin color. I will not tolerate insult of my fellow Indians, he added.

However, Congress disassociated the party from Pitrodas comments after receiving major backlash from the saffron camp and termed the remarks of its member as most unfortunate and unacceptable.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said analogies drawn by Mr. Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate Indias diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable.

The analogies drawn by Mr. Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate India's diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies. Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 8, 2024

Sam Pitroda Sparks Controversy Again

Highlighting how India has developed itself as a shining example of democracy in the world, Pitroda said that the people of the country have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people are living together.

We could hold together a country as diverse as India  where people on the East look like Chinese, people on the West look like Arabs, people on the North look like maybe Whites and people in South India look like Africans. It doesnt matter. We are all brothers and sisters, said Pitroda, during an interview with The Statesman.

BJP Attacks Congress For Divisive Mindset

Attacking the Congress leader for his comments, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to X and wrote, Sam bhai (Brother), I am from the North East and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country  we may look different but we are all one. Hamare desh ke bare mein thoda to samajh lo!

Manipur CM N Biren Singh also hit back at Sam Pitroda for his comments on the appearance of northeastern and demanded an apology from the Congress party. Very unfortunate, utter nonsense. We all live together in India. We are all Indians. I feel very very sad and condemn this kind of comment by Congress.

They should apologise. The Northeast is part of India. Who is he? Why did he say so? Congress should apologise, Singh reiterated accusing the grand old party for the violence in Manipur. They have a hidden agenda to divide India on religious grounds. Whats happening in Manipur is also because of them.

Reacting to Sam Pitrodas remark, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is an MP from Arunachal Pradesh, said, I am not surprised, but I am very angry. This is not a personal opinion of Sam Pitroda. Congress takes all ideas from him, so Congress should not come out and say this is his personal comment. Rahul Gandhi and Pitroda had foreign thinking, they want to end our culture.

BJP leader Tejasvi Surya also took a jibe at the Congress terming it the OG breaking India party following the racist remarks of its leader. This commentary is no different from what Churchill had said about us. No wonder RG is the way he is after being mentored by him! he added.

Terming Pitroda Shakuni of the Congress party, BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan Sam attacked the grand old party and said that the racist remark of the Indian Overseas Congress chief has exposed the partys dangerous and divisive mindset.

The BJP leader while talking to CNN-News18 said, The comments of the Indian Overseas Congress head in his recent interview is the biggest slur ever that anyone has ever made about Indians.

Nagaland Minister Temjen Imna told CNN-News18, This is always the fault of the Congress party. They speak without knowing the heritage of the Northeast. They should be punished. They should come here, and live with us. See how BJP has understood us so well.

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.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan visited the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday. The Kerala Raj Bhawan posted a video of Khan paying obeisance at the temple, where he can be seen bowing before the deity as chants of Jai Shree Ram echo in the background.

Later, talking to reporters, the Governor said he visited Ayodhya twice in January and worshipping Lord Ram is a matter of pride to him.

Honble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan at Prabhu Shri Ram Temple Ayodhya: PRO KeralaRajBhavan pic.twitter.com/wCzZCSirLt Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) May 8, 2024

I came to Ayodhya twice in January. The feeling at that time is the same even today. I have come to Ayodhya many times. It is not just a matter of happiness for us, instead, it is a matter of pride, that coming to Ayodhya and worshipping Shriram, he said.

Khanwho is often in the headlines for conflict with the Kerala government last week said imbibing vedic education in our conduct is the best way to propagate vedic education and added that the world would learn lessons from it.

Asserting all our constitutional ideals are rooted in our traditions, Khan said, But we believe that these have come from the West as we know little about our culture and heritage.

The governor said our ethos is not tolerance but acceptance and respect.

Last year, he quoted Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a reformer-educationalist and founder of the Aligarh Muslim University, and said You must call me a Hindu.

Speaking at an event organised by Kerala Hindus of North America (KHNA) in Thiruvananthapuram in January 2023, the Governor quoted the renowned philosopher and said, But, my serious complaint against you (Arya Samaj members) is that why dont you call me a Hindu? I do not consider Hindu as a religious termHindu is a geographical term.

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.
In a troubling incident that unfolded in Bengaluru, a man shared a chilling encounter where he was attacked by two individuals on a scooter. Narrating the harrowing experience on the Bangalore subreddit, the user identified as @avi1299 shared that he was with his friends in Koramangala, en route to a show around 9:30 p.m. Instead of hopping on any transportation, they opted to walk to the venue. Little did they know, the night was about to take a terrifying turn.

While casually walking at the intersection of 2nd Cross Road and 17th F Main Road, I felt a tight slap out of nowhere and looked around to understand what on earth had happened, the OP began. It turned out to be two men on a scooty who zipped past, attempting to play a prank. Initially trying to identify them, he realised they were strangers.

Also Read: Bengaluru Road Rage: Scooty Rider Damages Glass, Bumper of a Car in Viral Video

But things didnt end there. The men didnt flee after the slap but instead lingered to cause a scene. The pillion got down, screaming in Kannada, and tried to slap me, but I moved away. We could smell the alcohol off this drunk individual from quite a distance. The man was far gone too, he recounted, adding, He was angry because we were staring at him and began to ask HOW DARE YOU STARE AT ME! in Kannada. This guy snatched my glasses from my face while saying NOW HOW WILL YOU STARE!. He was also screaming I AM A ONE MAN ARMY! ILL TAKE ON ALL OF YOU!. The man continued to hurl insults and threats at the OP and his companions.

Despite the provocation, the group made a conscious decision not to retaliate. Unsure if the assailants were armed, part of a larger gang, or fearing the consequences of getting into a brawl and involving the authorities, they opted to let it go.

However, once things had settled, the OP recounted how they revisited the scene of the assault to check for any CCTV footage. Despite reaching out to the police, their efforts yielded little, with the officers dismissing the incident, suggesting the attackers might be from the nearby slum.

Im not sure what we did wrong here or what we should have ideally done, but Id just advice everyone else to stay wary and careful, because you never know when your assaulters are speeding 40kmph towards you, the OP concluded.

Also Read: Bengaluru Woman Molested by Bike Rider on Main Road, Reddit Post Concerns Locals

Since then, the post has gained traction, stirring reactions from the public, with many sharing similar experiences of victimisation in the city.
How would you react if you discovered an unimaginable truth about yourself? That truth might change your whole identity, your whole self in your own eyes. Something like that was experienced by a woman in China who was told that she was a man right before her wedding.

The woman was identified as 27-year-old Li Yuan (name changed to protect her identity), a resident of the Hubei province, in central China. As per reports by the South China Morning Post, an examination revealed that she carries a testicle in her abdomen, which makes her a biological male.

The reports stated further that Yuan had been worried about not menstruating and delayed breast development since her days of puberty. At the age of 18, she visited a hospital where she was diagnosed with abnormal hormonal levels and ovarian failure. Doctors asked her to undergo a follow-up chromosome test but Yuan did not take it seriously at the time. She only decided to get a thorough examination of her body only recently while she was planning her wedding.

A veteran gynaecologist named Duan Jie conducted the examination and diagnosed Li Yuan with a rare disorder called congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The results of the test confirmed the condition after a month-long wait. According to the test, Li Yuan carried male sex hormones but had the appearance of a female. Dr Duan stated, Socially, Li is female. But chromosomally, she is male.

Naturally, the information came as a shock to Yuan, making it hard for her to accept it, as she is someone who lived as a woman for 27 years. According to reports, only 1 in 50,000 infants show this form of CAH. Both of Yuans parents had recessive disorder-causing genes. Because of that, she had a one out of four chance of developing this condition. Yuan also has vitamin D deficiency as well as osteoporosis, due to her condition being diagnosed late. Earlier in April, she had the testicle removed as it posed the risk of cancer, according to the doctors.
A Chinese man, who slipped into a vegetative state following a heart attack 10 years ago, has woke up from a coma, all thanks to her wifes unselfish love and care for her spouse.

Sun Hongxia from Chinas Anhui province refused to give up on her husband, who went into a semi-conscious state following a heart attack back in 2014, according to a report in South China Morning Post. She always believed that her husband would recover back from this coma. According to Dawan News, after a decade-long wait, Hongxias husband successfully emerged from this trauma. All thanks to the love, care, and most importantly the patience of his wife that helped him recover.

A video of the couple showing tearful Hongxia sitting next to her husband, who is awake in the hospital bed after a decade, and telling him about the past few years.

Although I am very tired, I feel that everything will make sense once the family is reunited, Hongxia told Dawan News.

Hongxia recalled the heartache and shock she went through when her husband suffered a heart attack and went into a vegetative state for 10 years. She stated that the thought of her two kids gave her strength and hope to not give up. She said that she always wanted to set a good example for her kids.

The ten-year-long semi-unconsciousness journey wasnt without its own challenges, with the patient needing a urinary catheter and a tracheotomy to breathe.

Hongxias father-in-law, 84, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices she made for her son. She is my daughter-in-law, but she is better than a daughter. No one can compare with her, he said.

Soon after the video was shared, it went viral and social media was touched by the womans unselfish service and love towards her husband. A user wrote, He married an angel. Another added, That is what true love is. One of the users wrote, Its great love.

Similarly, in 2019, Li Zhihua Xiangyang in Hubei Province, China, woke up after being in semi-unconscious condition for five years. He went into a coma after he suffered a major brain injury in a road accident in 2013.
Torrential rains have devastated the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, causing floods that have claimed the lives of at least 95 people. More than 130 people are missing, while over 370 have been injured. According to reports, over 200,000 people have also been relocated from their houses. Furthermore, volunteers and relief crews are currently assisting with the evacuation of residents. As per authorities, the rains also caused harm to over one million people in the region.

Floodwaters wrecked roads and bridges, causing landslides and the partial collapse of a dam at a minor hydroelectric power plant. Officials say a second dam in the city of Bento Goncalves is also on the verge of collapse, according to The Guardian.

As the Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil was devastated by intense rains, a flurry of images and videos of the flooding, landslides, and devastation appeared on social media. Additionally, this caused a great deal of worry among internet users, and many of them advised people to seek assistance worldwide.

A user on X posted a video stating The worst floods in 80 years have hit Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Close relatives of a family in our church are trapped in their building with waters continuing to rise and no obvious way of escape. The situation is critical. Prayers are greatly appreciated. Psalm 93 gives us hope.

The worst floods in 80 years have hit Rio Grande do Sol, Brazil. Close relatives of a family in our church are trapped in their building with waters continuing to rise and no obvious way of escape. The situation is critical. Prayers greatly appreciated. Psalm 93 gives us hope. pic.twitter.com/GCN3lZLVhJ Grace Baptist Church (@gracewoodgreen) May 4, 2024

Another post described how a ferry was wrecked in Brazil after being swept against a submerged bridge by floodwaters.

This ferry was obliterated when floods in Brazil carried it into submerged bridge. Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has been enduring it's worst flooding in decades. pic.twitter.com/77RLvXVcaR The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) May 5, 2024

According to Reuters, 74 people remain missing, and over 69,000 have been homeless as the storm destroyed two-thirds of the states 497 cities.

The state of Rio Grande do Sul has been destroyed due to the partial collapse of a dam at a hydroelectric power plant. The state is bordered by Uruguay and Argentina.

The sheer scale of the flooding in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Brazil, which is home to over 4 million people, is hard to comprehend. Thousands of homes flooded, towns cut off, dozens killed, hundreds missing.Credit: Jornal Razao  heliturtaxiaereo pic.twitter.com/H1XMCQIpiY  Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) May 7, 2024

The #flooded cities of tomorrow's world are already here. Major flooding events and sea level rise are already built into the system with the current level of warming. Not the major global cities at this stage, but that's only a matter of time. #Brazil #BrazilFloods pic.twitter.com/M82pINene4 Peter Dynes (@PGDynes) May 7, 2024

The Guaiba lake in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, overflowed, flooding the streets. Porto Alegres international airport has suspended all flights indefinitely.

The Rio Grande do Sul, which borders Uruguay and Argentina, is located in the geographical intersection of tropical and polar atmospheres, resulting in a weather pattern characterised by periods of heavy rain and drought. Local scientists say the climate problem has exacerbated the tendency.
People often ignore a blocked nose, thinking it is a cold or flu symptom. Usually, the irritation goes away on its own when the nasal passageway gets clear. Certain medications can also speed up the recovery process. But if you have been paying no heed to a stuffy nose bothering you for over a week, it is high time that you book a doctors appointment right away. It is because it could be maggots causing the blockage. In a disturbing incident, a woman from Thailand was horrified after she found out that the cause behind her week-long stuffy nose, facial pain and nosebleed was hundreds of maggots living inside her nostrils.

According to a report by The Mirror, the 59-year-old woman believed that her cold-like symptoms were a result of breathing difficulties due to excessive dust. But her opinion changed when during a nosebleed she found tiny maggots coming out from her nose. The woman went for a checkup at the Nakornping Hospital in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand where after an X-ray, Dr Pateemon Thanachaikhan discovered foreign bodies" in her nostrils. An endoscope revealed the woman suffering from a maggot-infested nose which was later medically removed.

Documenting the incident, the Nakornping Hospital shared a post on Facebook that informed that the woman was first being treated for sinusitis until the nosebleed changed everything. After the X-ray, the doctor found that the left zygomatic sinus had a white blemish. Endoscopy found more than 100 worms in both nasal cavities, so the worms were removed with forceps." The post concluded with the doctors claiming that the patient was out of danger and safe". Local reports cited that her condition was dramatically improved after the maggot-removal procedure.

If the woman left the symptoms untreated, the insects would have gradually damaged her organs like the eyes and brain, causing disability and even death, reported The Mirror. Natives living in the northern area of Thailand like Chiang Mai, as well as some residing in Caribbean islands such as Cuba or Jamaica, are more susceptible to these fly-related illnesses because they are more prone to allergies and rhinitis, leading to such insect infestations.
Weeks after a woman from Brazil stirred a serious controversy after allegedly taking her dead uncle to a bank for a loan, Erika de Souza Vieira Nunes finally broke her silence to tell her side of the story. But first, heres a quick recap In April this year, a disturbing incident occurred at a bank in Brazils Rio de Janeiro when Nunes was captured wheeling her uncle, Paulo Roberto Braga, into the bank and trying to get him to sign the loan document. However, the mans unusual appearance left the bank employees suspicious, prompting them to immediately alert the police and the paramedics, who confirmed that the 68-year-old was dead.

This landed Erika in major trouble, as she was charged with abusing a corpse and attempting theft through fraud. She was also sent to 16 days on remand in prison before being released later, pending an ongoing investigation. Days after she left prison, the accused, in her first interview, claimed that she didnt know that her uncle was dead.

Woman accused of abusing dead uncle for loans breaks silence

Speaking on the Brazilian TV program Fantastico, Erica broke down in tears and said, The days away from my family have been horrible, very difficult. I didnt realise my uncle was dead. Its absurd what people are saying. Im not that person people are talking about; Im not that monster.

She further explained that it was only after an ambulance worker confirmed her uncles death that she discovered the truth. Recalling the hazy memories of the day, she admitted having taken certain sleeping pills in excess, further stating that her uncle supposedly asked her to hold his head up as they entered the bank, right after his treatment for pneumonia.

Erika also shared that her uncle wanted the loan to renovate his home. I didnt need the money, but he wanted it. We always lived without my uncle having any income. My family always helped him. He only did odd jobs here and there but didnt have any fixed income, she said, as quoted by a Mirror report.

In the meantime, while public prosecutors have claimed that she pretended to try to wake the man, already knowing he was dead, a judge released Erica due to her weakened state of mental health and to take care of her special needs daughter. The timeline for her trial is now yet to be determined.
Americans Harold Terens and Jeanne Swerlin promise their courtship is better than Romeo and Juliet: He is 100, shes 96, and they marry next month in France, where the groom-to-be served during World War II.

US Air Force veteran Terens will be honored on June 6 at a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, the historic Allied operation that changed the course of the war.

Two days later Harold and Jeanne will exchange vows in Carentan-les-Marais, close to the beaches where thousands of soldiers waded ashore  and many died  that day in 1944. The towns mayor will preside over the ceremony. Its a love story like youve never heard before, Terens assures AFP.

I love everything about him

During an interview at Swerlins home in Boca Raton, Florida, they exchange glances, hold hands and smooch like teenagers. Hes an unbelievable guy, I love everything about him, Swerlin says of her fiance. Hes handsome  and hes a good kisser.

The youthful centenarian is also cheerful, witty, and gifted with a prodigious and vivid memory, recalling dates and locations and events without hesitation  a living history book of sorts. Shortly after Terens turned 18, Japan bombed the US Navy base at Pearl Harbor. He, like many young American men, was keen to enlist.

By age 20 he was an expert in Morse code and aboard a ship bound for England, where he was assigned to a squadron of four P-47 Thunderbolt fighters. Terens was responsible for their ground-to-air communication. We were losing the war by losing a lot of planes and a lot of pilots These pilots became friends and they got killed, he laments. They were all young kids.

His company lost half of its 60 planes during the Normandy operation. Soon after, Terens volunteered to travel to that region of northern France to help transport German prisoners of war and liberated Allied troops to England.

 Secret mission 

One day Terens received an envelope with instructions not to open it until he reached a certain destination. Thus began a remarkable journey that took him to Soviet Ukraine via Casablanca, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Cairo, Baghdad and Tehran.

When he finally arrived in Poltava, a city east of Kyiv, a Russian officer informed him he was part of a secret mission. US B-17 aircraft were taking off from England bound for Romania, where they would bomb Axis oil fields controlled by Nazi Germany.

Terens was part of the resupply team in Ukraine that provided the Flying Fortresses with fuel and ordnance. The operation lasted 24 hours until the Germans discovered the Allied base in Ukraine and attacked it. Terens says he escaped but was left in no-mans land. He contracted dysentery, and only survived thanks to the help of a local farming family.

Returning to England, he cheated death once more. When a pub proprietor refused to serve him a drink because she was about to close, he shrugged and left. He had barely walked two blocks when a German rocket destroyed the establishment.

 Luckiest guy in the world 

After the war he returned stateside and married Thelma, his wife of 70 years with whom he raised three children. Terens worked for a British multinational, and when he and Thelma retired, they settled in Florida.

Her death in 2018 sank Terens, and he endured three years of feeling sorry for myself and mourning my wife, he recalls. But life offered him a fresh start. In 2021 a friend introduced him to Jeanne Swerlin, a charismatic woman who had also been widowed.

Sparks did not fly. On their first meeting Terens could barely look at Swerlin. But persistence paid off. A second date changed everything, and they havent been apart since. She lights up my life, she makes everything beautiful, he says. She makes life worth living.

Terens, wearing a World War II cap with 100 Year Old Vet embroidered on the side, is over the moon about returning to France, where President Emmanuel Macron bestowed on him the nations highest distinction, the Legion of Honor, in 2019.

He is also thrilled, of course, about getting married. Surrounded by family and friends, December lovebirds Jeanne and Harold will say I do at a ceremony in which a Terens granddaughter will sing I Will Always Love You as a great-grand-daughter scatters flower petals on the ground. At 100, this decorated military veteran acknowledges his good fortune. I got it all, he says. Im probably the luckiest guy in the world.
Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca will withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine worldwide, UK-based media outlet The Telegraph said in a report published Tuesday (local time).

The report said that the vaccine can no longer be used in the European Union after the company voluntarily withdrew its marketing authorisation.

AstraZeneca submitted the application to withdraw the vaccine on March 5 and the application came into effect on May 7. The pharma major will make similar applications in the UK and other countries that had approved the vaccine in the coming months. Their vaccine for Covid was known as Vaxzevria.

AstraZeneca said that it initiated the worldwide withdrawal due to commercial reasons due to a surplus of available updated vaccines for COVID-19. It said that the vaccine was superseded by updated vaccines that tackle new variants.

The drugmaker faces a 100 million lawsuit in the UK over claims that the Covid jab caused deaths and injuries to several people. It admitted in court documents in February that its vaccine Covishield can in very rare cases, cause TTS or Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

TTS leads to blood clots and a low blood platelet count in humans and has been linked to over 81 deaths in the UK. AstraZeneca said that the decision to withdraw Covishield is not linked to the court case.

According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and over three billion doses were supplied globally. Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic. As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines. We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic, AstraZeneca said in a statement.
In the wake of record migration, Australia announced on Wednesday that it would raise the amount of savings international students require to obtain a visa and cautioned colleges about fraudulent recruitment practices. This decision will likely impact scores of Indian students who plan to pursue further studies Down Under.

From May 10, international students must show proof of savings of at least A$29,710 to get their visa, the second increase in about seven months. It was raised to A$24,505 from A$21,041 in October. The move comes after a series of policy changes in recent months to tighten the student visa rules as the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in 2022 triggered a sudden influx of migrants.

READ MORE: Australia to Tighten Visa Rules for Intl Students; Tougher English Tests and More to Fix Broken System

Earlier in March, the government increased English language requirements for student visas and took steps to end settings that allowed students to prolong their stay. Australian Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil said warning letters had been sent to 34 education providers for non-genuine or exploitative recruitment practices.

They could be jailed for up to two years and banned from recruiting students if found guilty, she said. Dodgy providers have no place in our international education sector. These actions will help weed out the bottom feeders in the sector that seek to exploit people and trash the reputation of the sector, ONeil said in a statement. International education is one of Australias largest export industries and was worth A$36.4 billion to the economy in 2022/23.

However, record migration, mostly driven by international students, has put the government under pressure with rental prices soaring across the country. Net immigration rose 60% to a record 548,800 in the year to Sept. 30, 2023. The government expects its policies could halve Australias migrant intake over the next two years. We are significantly reducing migration levels  we are in the middle of the biggest drop in migration numbers in Australias history, outside of war or pandemic, ONeil said.

Australias policy shift on student visas, aimed at halving annual immigration, has significantly impacted Indian students. Visa approvals for Indian students plummeted by 48% from December 2022 to December 2023. Despite this, India remains the second-largest source country for international student enrollments. Figures indicate that 122,000 Indian students were reportedly studying in the country between January and September 2023.

(With agency inputs)
Three people have been arrested after a driver hit a pro-Palestinian protester on a Manhattan street Tuesday, police said.

New York Police Detective Melissa Delacruz said the incident happened around 8:45 a.m. near the intersection of 72nd Street and Park Avenue on the Upper East Side.

About 25 protesters had been wrapping up a demonstration outside a building and were walking away when two of them got into an argument with a driver. The 57-year-old driver then struck a 55-year-old protester with his vehicle.

The demonstrator was treated at a hospital for minor injuries. The motorist, the demonstrator and another demonstrator were taken into custody, Delacruz said. Police arent releasing their names as the charges are still pending, she said.

The Manhattan District Attorneys office said it could not provide any information about the incident until the defendants were arraigned.

The demonstration was one of three protests Tuesday morning in front of the homes of university trustees, according to members of the student group Columbia University Apartheid Divest. The group organized a protest encampment on campus that sparked similar demonstrations at other colleges across the U.S. in recent weeks.
A middle school teaching assistant was arrested and sacked after a student drank her bottle of vodka thinking it was cold drink. Her blood alcohol was recorded at three times the legal limit.

According to a WSBTV report, the student took a sip from her bottle after mistaking it for soda. The student then threw out the drink and alerted another teacher, who brought the matter to the principals office on Thursday afternoon. The teaching assistant, however, claimed she brought the bottle to the school by mistake.

The incident took place in the Morgan County Middle School in Georgia. Teaching assistant Alexandra Nicole Lambert, 39, allegedly admitted that the bottle was full of vodka, but claimed she brought it to school accidentally, according to a New York Post report.

Morgan County Sheriffs deputies arrived at the school at 1:15 pm and gave Lambert a breathalyzer test, which registered her blood-alcohol level at 0.259.
EU member states reached agreement in principle Wednesday on a plan to use billions of euros in profits from frozen Russian central bank assets to arm Ukraine.

Leaders of the 27-nation EU agreed in March to move ahead with the proposal expected to unlock some three billion euros ($3.3 billion) a year for Kyiv  but diplomats had yet to hammer out details of the plan.

Posting on X, the blocs Belgian presidency said EU ambassadors had agreed in principle on measures concerning extraordinary revenues stemming from Russias immobilised assets. The money will serve to support Ukraines recovery and military defence in the context of the Russian aggression, it said.

There could be no stronger symbol and no greater use for that money than to make Ukraine and all of Europe a safer place to live, added EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. The EU froze around 200 billion euros of Russian central bank assets held in the bloc as part of punishing sanctions imposed on Moscow for sending troops into its neighbour in February 2022.

Simply confiscating all that money and giving it to Ukraines reconstruction efforts is not seen as an option, as that could rattle international markets and undermine the euro. But EU leaders settled instead on a plan to target the interest being made by the frozen assets  which they insist is legally sound despite warnings by the Kremlin it would trigger serious consequences.

Under the deal, to be submitted to EU ministers for formal approval, 90 of the interest will go to a central fund used to pay for weapons for Ukraine, the European Peace Facility, while 10 percent will go to the EUs separate Ukraine Facility. About 90 percent of the funds frozen in the EU are held by the international deposit organisation Euroclear, based in Belgium.

As part of the agreement, diplomats said Belgium agreed to send Ukraine the totality of the tax revenues generated by the profits  which had been a sticking point in negotiations. That is expected to free up an additional 1.7 billion euros in tax revenues for Ukraine in 2024. Euroclears fee for handling the assets was also slashed tenfold, to 0.3 percent of profits, as part of the deal, diplomats said.
Aimee Dupre had always kept silent about the rape of her mother by two American soldiers after the Normandy landings in June 1944.

But 80 years after the brutal assault, she finally felt it was time to speak out.

Nearly a million US, British, Canadian and French soldiers landed on the Normandy coast in the weeks after D-Day in an operation that was to herald the end of Nazi Germanys grip on Europe.

Aimee was 19, living in Montours, a village in Brittany, and delighted to see the liberators arrive, as was everybody around her.

But then her joy evaporated. On the evening of August 10, two US soldiers  often called GIs  arrived at the familys farm.

They were drunk and they wanted a woman, Aimee, now 99, told AFP, producing a letter that her mother, also called Aimee, wrote so nothing is forgotten.

In her neat handwriting, Aimee Helaudais Honore described the events of that night. How the soldiers fired their guns in the direction of her husband, ripping holes in his cap, and how they menacingly approached her daughter Aimee.

To protect her daughter, she agreed to leave the house with the GIs, she wrote. They took me to a field and took turns raping me, four times each.

Aimees voice broke as she read from the letter. Oh mother, how you suffered, and me too, I think about this every day, she said.

My mother sacrificed herself to protect me, she said. While they raped her in the night, we waited, not knowing whether she would come back alive or whether they would shoot her dead.

The events of that night were not isolated. In October 1944, after the battle for Normandy was won, US military authorities put 152 soldiers on trial for raping French women.

In truth, hundreds or even thousands of rapes between 1944 and the departure of the GIs in 1946 went unreported, said American historian Mary Louise Roberts, one of only a handful to research what she called a taboo of World War II.

Many women decided to remain silent, she said. There was the shame, as often with rape.

She said the stark contrast of their experience with the joy felt everywhere over the American victory made it especially hard to speak up.

Easy to get

Roberts also blames the army leadership who, she said, promised soldiers a country with women that were easy to get to add to their motivation to fight.

The US Army newspaper Stars and Stripes was full of pictures showing French women kissing victorious Americans.

Heres What Were Fighting For, read a headline on September 9, 1944, alongside a picture of cheering French women and the caption: The French are nuts about the Yanks.

The incentive of sex was to motivate American soldiers, Roberts said.

Sex, and I mean prostitution and rape, was a way for Americans to show domination over France, dominating French men, as they had been unable to protect their country and their women from the Germans, she added.

In Plabennec, near Brest on the westernmost tip of Britanny, Jeanne Pengam, nee Tournellec, remembers as if it was yesterday how her sister Catherine was raped and their father murdered by a GI.

The black American wanted to rape my older sister. My father stood in his way and he shot him dead. The guy managed to break down the door and enter the house, 89-year-old Jeanne told AFP.

Nine at the time, she ran to a nearby US garrison to alert them.

I told them he was German, but I was wrong. When they examined the bullets the next day, they immediately understood that he was American, she said.

Her sister Catherine kept the terrible secret that poisoned her whole life until shortly before her death, said one of her daughters, Jeannine Plassard.

Lying on her hospital bed she told me, I was raped during the war, during the Liberation,' Plassard told AFP.

Asked whether she ever told anybody, her mother replied: Tell anybody? It was the Liberation, everybody was happy, I was not going to talk about something like this, that would have been cruel, she said.

French writer Louis Guilloux worked as a translator for US troops after the landings, an experience he described in his 1976 novel OK Joe!, including the trials of GIs for rape in military courts.

Those sentenced to death were almost all black, said Philippe Baron, who made a documentary about the book.

Shameful secret

Those found guilty, including the rapists of Aimee Helaudais Honore and Catherine Tournellec, were hanged publicly in French villages.

Behind the taboo surrounding rapes by the liberators, there was the shameful secret of a segregationist American army, said Baron.

Once a black soldier was brought to trial, he had practically no chance of acquittal, he said.

This, said Roberts, allowed the military hierarchy to protect the reputation of white Americans by scapegoating many African-American soldiers.

Of the 29 soldiers sentenced to death for rape in 1944 and 1945, 25 were black GIs, she said.

Racial stereotypes on sexuality facilitated the condemnation of blacks for rape. White soldiers, meanwhile, often belonged to mobile units, making them harder to track down than their black comrades who were mostly stationary.

If a French woman accused a white American soldier of rape, he could easily get away with it because he never stayed near the rape scene. The next morning, he was gone, Roberts said.

After her book What Soldiers Do: Sex and the American GI in World War II France appeared in 2013, Roberts said the reaction in the US was so hostile that the police would have to regularly check on her.

People were angry at my book because they didnt want to lose this ideal of the good war, of the good GI, she said. Even if it means we have to keep on lying.

AFP was unable to obtain any official comment from the US Department of Defense on the subject.
As Israeli troops battled Hamas on the outskirts of the Gaza Strips southern city of Rafah on Wednesday, a US official said Washington had halted a shipment of powerful bombs that Israel could use in a full-scale invasion.

This comes as Israel has threatened a major assault on Rafah to defeat thousands of Hamas fighters it says are holed up there. However, the Western nations and the United Nations have warned a full-scale attack on the city would be a humanitarian catastrophe. The United States said it believes a revised ceasefire proposal may lead to a breakthrough in an impasse in Cairo.

Behind closed doors

    162                    >> pic.twitter.com/C1KT6UnpKM    (@idfonline) May 7, 2024

On Wednesday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said allies resolve any disagreements behind closed doors. When asked about the issue at a Tel Aviv conference, chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari described coordination between Israel and the United States as reaching a scope without precedent, I think, in Israels history. When probed about the stalled delivery of heavy bombs, Hagari said, We are responsible for the security interests of Israel and we pay attention to the US interests in the arena.

Hamas said its fighters were battling Israeli forces in the east of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge from combat further north in the enclave. Islamic Jihad said its fighters attacked Israeli soldiers and military vehicles with heavy artillery near the airport east of Rafah. Around 10,000 Palestinians have left Rafah since Monday, said Juliette Touma, spokesperson for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. A senior US official said President Joe Bidens administration paused a shipment of weapons to Israel last week in an apparent response to the expected Rafah offensive.

First such delay

As per agencies, Washington had carefully reviewed the delivery of weapons that might be used in Rafah, and as a result, paused a shipment consisting of 1,800 2,000-lb bombs and 1,700 500-lb bombs. This would be the first such delay since the Biden administration offered its ironclad support to Israel after Hamas Oct. 7 attack. A military spokesperson said any disagreements were resolved in private.

Meanwhile, Israeli tanks rolled across the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Tuesday, cutting off a vital aid route and the only exit for the evacuation of wounded patients. The complex was closed for a second day on Wednesday, according to the Gaza health ministry, but Israel said it was reopening the other crossing in southern Gaza, Kerem Shalom, through which most aid to Gaza has been delivered recently.

Ceasfire Talks

In Cairo, delegations to negotiations from Hamas, Israel, the U.S., Egypt and Qatar reacted positively to their resumption on Tuesday and meetings were expected to continue on Wednesday, two Egyptian sources said. CIA Director Bill Burns was to travel from Cairo to Israel on Wednesday to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Mossad counterpart, an Israeli government source said. Israel on Monday declared that a three-phase proposal approved by Hamas was unacceptable because terms had been watered down. White House spokesperson John Kirby said a new text presented by Hamas suggests the remaining gaps can absolutely be closed.

(With agency inputs)
The air inside our cars might not be as clean as we think, according to an alarming new study by a Washington-based science journal. In a study published in Environmental Science & Technology, researchers found high levels of flame retardant chemicals in the cabin air of personal vehicles, raising concerns about potential health risks.

The study, conducted by a team of scientists, focused on organophosphate esters (OPEs), commonly used as flame retardants in vehicle foam. These chemicals, including one called TCIPP, were found in 99% of the vehicles tested. The frequent detection of TCIPP in vehicles is particularly concerning given that a 2023 United States National Toxicology Report found evidence of carcinogenic activity in male and female rats and mice exposed to TCIPP, according to the study.

One of the key findings of the study titled Flame Retardant Exposure in Vehicles Is Influenced by Use in Seat Foam and Temperature was the widespread presence of TCIPP, which has been linked to cancer in animal studies. This raises worries about the possible health effects of breathing in these chemicals while driving or riding in a car.

US-based researchers also discovered that the release of flame retardants from vehicle foam is influenced by temperature. This means that when the weather is hot, more of these chemicals could be released into the air inside the car. Our results suggest that personal vehicles are an important microenvironment to consider for understanding human exposure to FRs, the study says.

The study suggests that people who spend a lot of time in their cars, like commuters or those who drive for work, could be at higher risk of exposure to these chemicals. Children, who breathe more air per kilogram of body weight than adults, may be especially vulnerable. The findings also indicate that people living in warmer climates might face greater exposure to flame retardants, as higher temperatures can lead to increased release of these chemicals from vehicle foam.

The study has raised questions about the safety regulations that govern the use of flame retardants in vehicle interiors. Currently, regulations like FMVSS 302 drive the use of these chemicals, but the study suggests that a reevaluation of these regulations may be necessary. Experts say that reducing the amount of flame retardants added to vehicle interiors could help to lower exposure levels.

This could involve exploring alternative fire safety measures that are less harmful to human health. Given that FMVSS 302 continues to drive the use of FRs in vehicles, more information is needed to understand the true risks and benefits of their use, the study says.
Hong Kongs Court of Appeal on Wednesday banned Glory to Hong Kong, a protest song penned during massive pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019, which was already all but illegal after Beijing imposed the national security law.

The song grew massively popular during the huge and at times violent protests, and was also secretly recorded by an anonymous orchestra. Its defiant lyrics incorporate the key protest slogan Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times.

Angering the citys government, Glory to Hong Kong has in recent years been played at several international sporting events, with event organisers mistaking it for the Chinese territorys anthem.

Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous territory with no anthem of its own, and uses Chinas March of the Volunteers.

Wednesdays ban comes after a campaign by the citys authorities against the song, which has seen them demand that it be removed from internet search results and content-sharing platforms.

Reversing a lower courts decision last year, appeal judge Jeremy Poon wrote in a judgement that the composer of the song had intended it to be a weapon and so it had become.

It had been used as an impetus to propel the violent protests plaguing Hong Kong since 2019. It is powerful in arousing emotions among certain fractions of the society, he said, adding that the song has the effect of justifying and even romanticizing the protests.

(We) are satisfied that an injunction should be granted, Poon said, granting an order that would stop a range of acts including broadcasting and performing the song with criminal intent.

The song can also no longer be disseminated or reproduced in any way on internet-based platforms, though the injunction contained exceptions for academic activity and news activity  a tweak the government made after earlier questioning by judges.

Civil injunction is needed as criminal law alone would not achieve the public interest purpose of safeguarding national security, Poon said.

Wednesdays decision would make Glory to Hong Kong the first song to be banned in the former British colony since it was handed over to China in 1997.

Soon after the judgement was handed down, Beijing authorities said the ban was a necessary measure.

Stopping anyone from employing or disseminating the relevant song is a legitimate and necessary measure by (Hong Kong) to fulfil its responsibility of safeguarding national security, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Wednesday during a regular briefing.

Policing the internet

The Hong Kong governments first attempt to get an official injunction was refused by the High Court last year in a surprise ruling, which said a ban could have a chilling effect on innocent third parties.

The injunction also did not have any real utility, the court said then, which appeal judges disagreed with on Wednesday.

One key issue cited during the appeal hearings was how the governments proposed order would affect internet platform operators  mirroring concerns raised internationally about the free flow of information in Hong Kong.

Officials had in the past demanded tech giants such as Google to remove Glory to Hong Kong from their search results and video platforms  but were largely rebuffed.

Wednesdays judgement said an injunction order was necessary because internet platform operators  such as Google  indicated that they are ready to accede to the Governments request if there is a court order.

Hong Kong-based cybersecurity expert Anthony Lai explained that if a platform was to comply with the ban, they would have to make sure the song cannot have a Hong Kong IP address or Hong Kong users cannot access the song.

But both ways would be as difficult as pulling a cow to climb up a tree, he said.

I understand the governments need to defend national security, but I worry it would take up too much of their resources to police the whole internet, Lai told AFP.

After the protests were quashed and Beijings national security law enacted in 2020, public dissent has largely been absent, and the bulk of pro-democracy activists and opposition politicians have either been arrested, silenced, or fled Hong Kong.

The Liberate Hong Kong slogan  embedded in the song  was deemed secessionist by the citys courts in 2021, and since then authorities have targeted musicians who performed it.

Li Jiexin, 69, was jailed for a month for four counts of unlicensed performance after playing the song with an erhu, a two-string Chinese instrument, around the city in 2021 and 2022.
Israel sent tanks into Rafah in southern Gaza, seizing the border crossing with Egypt Tuesday in an operation the United Nations said denied it access to the key humanitarian passage.

The thrust into the eastern sector of Rafah, packed with displaced civilians, came as negotiators and mediators met in Cairo in another effort to forge a hostage release and truce in the seven-month war.

A senior Hamas official, requesting anonymity, warned this would be Israels last chance to free the estimated 128 captives still held in Gaza, including 36 officials say are dead.

Egypts state-linked Al-Qahera News reported that mediators from Qatar, the United States and Egypt were meeting with a Hamas delegation.

It later reported that all parties including Israel had agreed to resume talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier his countrys delegation was already in Cairo.

Israels close ally Washington said it was hopeful the two sides can close the remaining gaps.

Were going to do everything we can to support that process, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Everybodys coming to the table, Kirby told reporters. Thats not insignificant.

Despite the Cairo talks, an AFP correspondent reported that Israeli strikes continued to pound east Rafah late Tuesday.

Israels long-threatened Rafah operation began hours after Hamas announced late Monday it had accepted a truce proposal, prompting cheering crowds to take to the streets  despite Israel saying it was far from plans it had previously agreed to.

Netanyahu said that within hours of approving the operation, our forces raised the Israeli flags at the Rafah crossing and took down the Hamas flags.

He called it a very important step in denying Hamas a passage that was essential for establishing its reign of terror.

Rafah resident Abu Aoun al-Najjar said the indescribable joy following the Hamas statement was short-lived.

It turned out to be a bloody night, he told AFP, as more Israeli bombardment stole our joy.

 Aid crossing to reopen 

Army footage showed tanks taking operational control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, in a deployment that the military said had a very limited scope against very specific targets.

UN humanitarian office spokesman Jens Laerke said Israel had denied it access to both Rafah and Kerem Shalom  the other main aid crossing, on the border with Israel  with only one day of fuel available inside Gaza.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel to stop any escalation and immediately reopen the crossings.

The closure of both crossings is especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation, Guterres said.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told a briefing Israels closure of the crossings was unacceptable.

She said the Kerem Shalom crossing was expected to reopen on Wednesday.

The Pentagon meanwhile said the US military had completed construction of an aid pier off Gazas coast, but weather conditions mean it is currently unafe to move the two-part facility into place.

Hamass armed wing said Tuesday it fired rockets at Israeli troops at Kerem Shalom, two days after four Israeli soldiers were killed there in an attack it also claimed.

The war was sparked by Hamass unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel launched a retaliatory offensive that has killed at least 34,789 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel may deepen its Gaza operation if negotiations fail to bring the hostages home.

This operation will continue until we eliminate Hamas in the Rafah area and the entire Gaza Strip, or until the first hostage returns, he said in a statement.

 Three-phase truce 

Egypt, which has a peace treaty with Israel, and Qatar, a US ally that also hosts Hamas leaders, have taken the lead in the talks.

Hamas said Monday it had told Egyptian and Qatari officials of its approval of their proposal regarding a ceasefire.

Netanyahus office called the proposal far from Israels essential demands, but the government would still send negotiators to Cairo.

Hamas member Khalil al-Hayya told the Qatar-based Al Jazeera news channel that the proposal agreed to by Hamas involved a three-phase truce.

It included a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the return of Palestinians displaced by the war and a hostage-prisoner exchange, with the goal of a permanent ceasefire, he said.

International alarm has been building about the consequences of an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah, where the United Nations says 1.4 million people are sheltering.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the attack on Rafah began despite European and US warnings, and it could cause many civilian casualties.

US spokesman Kirby said Israel told Washington that this operation last night was limited and designed to cut off Hamass ability to smuggle weapons into Gaza.

Egypt urged Israel to exercise the utmost restraint, while the Organization for Islamic Cooperation condemned Israels criminal aggression.

 Tangible opportunity 

Netanyahu had repeatedly vowed to send ground troops into Rafah regardless of any truce, saying Israel needs to root out remaining Hamas forces.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said it had appealed to several countries to exert your influence on the Israeli government.

In a message to ambassadors of governments with citizens among the hostages, it asked them to push for an agreement while a tangible opportunity for the release of the hostages is on the table.

Aid groups warn the coastal humanitarian area of Al-Muwasi that Israels military told people in eastern Rafah to head for unprepared for such an influx.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, said Tuesday it was overcrowded with more than 400,000 people.

Al-Muwasi does not have the facilities to take more people & is not safer than other parts of Gaza, he said in a post on X.

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it had begun discharging patients from a field hospital in Rafah and was preparing for a possible evacuation.

This offensive is going to further aggravate the damage to the health system, which is barely functioning, an MSF statement said.
Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer arrived in India on Wednesday on his very first bilateral official visit, the maiden high-level visit from Male since bilateral ties came under strain after President Mohamed Muizzu assumed office six months ago.

Warm welcome to FM @MoosaZameer of Maldives on his official visit to India. Discussions on bilateral & regional issues and seeking ways to provide impetus to our multifaceted relationship lie ahead, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson

Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. During his visit from May 8 to 10, Zameer will meet with Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and hold discussions on deepening and expanding the longstanding partnership between the Maldives and India.

This is Foreign Minister Zameers first official visit to India since assuming office. Departing to New Delhi on my very first bilateral official visit. Looking forward to meeting my counterpart Minister of External Affairs, Dr. @DrSJaishankar, and discuss deepening and enhancing cooperation between #Maldives and #India for the mutual benefit of our peoples, Zameer said in a post on X.

Warm welcome to FM @MoosaZameer of Maldives on his official visit to India.Discussions on bilateral & regional issues and seeking ways to provide impetus to our multifaceted relationship lie ahead. pic.twitter.com/jTBXjjJO9z  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 8, 2024

India-Maldives Ties

The bilateral ties came under severe strain after Muizzu insisted on the withdrawal of nearly 90 Indian military personnel operating three aviation platforms in the island nation. India has already withdrawn most of its military personnel. President Muizzu had set May 10 as the deadline for the exit of all Indian troops from his country. On Monday, Muizzus spokesperson announced that 51 Indian military personnel have left the Maldives and confirmed that the rest would leave the island by May 10 as agreed by the two countries.

The ties strained further after three Maldivian deputy ministers made derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media after Modi posted photos and video of the pristine Lakshadweep Islands on Indias west coast on January 6 on his X handle. The Maldivian government suspended the three ministers after opposition leaders slammed the appalling language used by the officials against the Indian leader.

The Maldives is Indias key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and occupies a special place in its initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighbourhood First Policy of the Modi government. The Maldives is Indias key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and Foreign Minister Zameers visit is expected to lend further momentum to the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

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.
Maldivian foreign minister Moosa Zameer will visit New Delhi this week in what will be the first high-level ministerial visit by the Maldivian government since President Mohamed Muizzu was elected.

The visit, scheduled for Thursday (May 9), comes a day before the deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from Maldives.

The announcement of the visit was made by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA said Zameer will meet external affairs minister S Jaishankar for discussions on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

A pro-China Muizzu came to power in November 2023 defeating Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the Maldivian elections. Muizzu campaigned on the India Out plank to ascend to the post and had said that upon winning elections he would take capital Male closer to Beijing.

Soon after coming to power he asked India to withdraw its military personnel from the island country.

Later in February 2024, India and Maldives agreed that India would pull out the 80-odd soldiers stationed in the Maldives between March 10 and May 10. India has already withdrawn two batches in the last three months.

The MEA said that India sent competent Indian technical personnel to replace the present personnel who will now operate the two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft that India gave to the Maldives.

Maldives is Indias key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and Foreign Minister Zameers visit is expected to lend further momentum to the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the MEA statement said.

A report by the Indian Express said that India recently approved highest-ever export quotas for essential commodities to Maldives for 2024-25 under a unique bilateral mechanism. Under this mechanism, the export quotas for eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour and pulses, river sand and stone aggregates were raised.

The report highlighted that the approved quantities are the highest since this arrangement came into effect in 1981.

Following the increase in the quotas, the Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer thanked India for the renewal of the quota and the gesture.
In 1969, it took nearly 4 lakh NASA employees and contractors to send Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon. However, it took only one Bill Kaysing to spread the controversial notion that the entire Apollo 11 mission was a hoax.

Who was Bill Kaysing (1922-2005)?

Even after 55 years of grand human endeavour, to date, there are hundreds of pages and websites dedicated to reinforcing this idea that man has never stepped on the Moon. All can be traced back to Kaysings 1976 book, We Never Went to the Moon: Americas Thirty Billion Dollar Swindle.

Kaysing served as an officer in the US Navy during World War II, having attended Navy Officers Training School. In his book, Kaysing introduced arguments, that he believed, proved the Moon landings were faked.

According to Kaysing:

NASA lacked the technical expertise to put a man on the Moon

the absence of stars in lunar surface photographs was indicative of a hoax

there were unexplained optical anomalies in the photographs taken on the Moon

there was an absence of blast craters beneath the Lunar Modules,

and that the rocket engines of the Lunar Modules should have generated an enormous dust cloud near their landing sites during the final seconds of descent

Kaysing, a former technical writer for a rocket manufacturer involved in NASAs Apollo moon missions, alleged insider knowledge of a government conspiracy to fake the moon landings. He propagated conspiracy theories about the Apollo moon landings, which persist today.

According to the conspiracy theory template, NASA failed to safely land a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s as promised by US President John F. Kennedy. Instead, theorists argue that astronauts were only sent into Earth orbit. They claim that NASA staged the moon landings in a film studio, citing supposed tell-tale signs in footage and photos. Despite debunking of alleged anomalies like astronauts appearing in front of camera cross hairs or mysterious lettering on moon rocks, moon landing conspiracy theories endure in the popular imagination.

Kaysings conspiracy theory gained traction in mid-1970s America amid a broader crisis of trust fueled by events such as the leaked Pentagon Papers revealing government deception about the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. Congressional reports exposed CIA wrongdoing, and in 1976, the US House Select Committee on Assassinations suggested a conspiracy in Kennedys death.

These developments shifted conspiracy thinking from external enemies to suspicion of the American state itself. Moon landing conspiracy theories persisted, reflecting cultural context and psychological tendencies. Similar to theories about the Kennedy assassination, they reinterpret public evidence, focusing on inconsistencies rather than information presented before them.
A Texas woman asked her 3-year-old son to say goodbye to his father while filming him shortly after which, she shot the child and then herself. The incident took place on March 19 at a park in San Antonio. Savannah Kriger, 32, and her son, Kaiden were discovered with gunshot wounds to their heads.

According to a New York Post report, Kriger showed disturbing behaviour, including shooting at her wedding photos, vandalising her ex-husbands residence, and sending him threatening FaceTime videos and texts prior to the incident.

On the afternoon of March 18, Kriger left work and proceeded to her ex-husbands home while he was away at work and inflicted damage to his residence, an NY Post report said.

She then returned to her home and allegedly arranged her wedding attire and portraits on the bed before shooting at them. According to Sheriff Javier Salazar of the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, Kriger, it is believed, discharged two rounds into her wedding portraits.

You dont have anything to go home to now. You really dont. You wont have anything at all at the end of the day, Kriger said on one FaceTime call.

In the final text to her ex, she wrote, Say goodbye to your son.

A 21-second-long video clip recovered from her phone showed Kriger and her son sitting in the ditch in the park, where their bodies were later discovered.
Tyler Mathieson was born and raised in the Black Hills. Tyler loves to perform. Between standup comedy, improv and acting, he finds himself in front of a crowd often. He even met his wife while performing A Christmas Carol.
The High Court has ordered the release of former Gokwe Nembudziya legislator, Justice Mayor Wadyajenas property which was seized by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and forfeited after he was arrested on allegations of fraud and money laundering.

Wadyajena who was accused of embezzling funds from the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe meant for acquiring bale cables has been given the green light to get his 25 haulage trucks and two luxurious cars.

The trucks were seized by ZACC after his arrest amid accusations that they were acquired fraudulently.

The ruling was delivered this Wednesday by the High Court of Zimbabwe with Wadyajenas lawyer, Mr Oliver Marwa explaining the next course of action.

The High Court has ruled that the continued seizure of our client is unlawful, and it has ordered that ZACC or anyone holding that property must forthwith release the property. If they have any other outstanding issue, they can proceed, it is not a bar against the investigation or prosecution of my client. It is an important victory in the fight against my client and the state.

The ruling comes after Wadyadyena and his co-accused successfully applied to be removed from remand last year, with the presiding magistrate noting that there were unnecessary delays in completing investigations.

The state will proceed by way of summons if they intend to pursue the criminal charges. zbc
Elizabeth Holmes started a federal prison sentence of 11 years and three months almost a year agobut the amount of time she has left to serve has gone down by a lot more than a year since then. CNN reports that according to a Bureau of Prisons database, the former Theranos CEO's expected release date is now, August 16, 2032, months ahead of the Dec. 29, 2032 date listed last July after her sentence was shortened by around two years .

The BOP said it couldn't comment on Holmes' specific case, but "projected release dates are calculated with several factors in mind," including "good conduct time" and time taken off for the completion of prison programs in the First Step Act, reports NBC News. Holmes, who gave birth to her second child early last year, is being held at the minimum security Federal Prison Camp Bryan around 100 miles from Houston. A federal appeals court in San Francisco is due to hear oral arguments in the 40-year-old's appeal next month. She was convicted of fraud linked to a blood-testing hoax and her bid to remain free during the appeals process was rejected. (More Elizabeth Holmes stories.)
An accused Canadian serial killer has admitted to killing four Indigenous women but claims he is not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder. Jeremy Skibicki, 37, had pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 24-year-old Rebecca Contois, 39-year-old Morgan Harris, 26-year-old Marcedes Myran, and an unidentified woman given the name Buffalo Woman, and was expected to face a jury trial in Manitoba this week before his lawyers relayed the confession on Monday. "At this point, the accused is now admitting that he killed all four women," Crown prosecutor Chris Vanderhooft told Manitoba's highest trial court, per the Guardian .

Prosecutors in Winnipeg have since agreed to a judge-only trial to begin as soon as Wednesday and last a month. "We are no longer concerned with proving the accused has committed these offenses, but rather whether he is criminally responsible," Vanderhooft said, per APTN. The development means a 2022 video confession, part of a 20-hour interrogation of Skibicki, is no longer under a publication ban, the CBC reports. According to the outlet, detectives were asking questions about Contois' disappearance when Skibicki suddenly confessed to killing three more women. Detective Greg Allan, to testify Wednesday, told the court he had no knowledge of the other murders until that moment.

Skibicki, who claimed to suffer from borderline personality disorder and methamphetamine addiction, said he strangled, choked, or drowned his victims, most of whom he met near Winnipeg homeless shelters. Buffalo Woman was killed on March 15, 2022, followed by Harris on May 1, Myran on May 4, and Contois on May 15, police say. Skibicki confessed to performing sex acts on their bodies before dismembering some of the victims and disposing of their remains in garbage bins. Contois' partial remains were found at Winnipeg's Brady Road landfill soon after her death. The remains of the three other victims are believed to be in the Prairie Green landfill north of Winnipeg, still to be searched, per APTN. (More serial killer stories.)
UPDATE

May 8, 2024 6:25 PM CDT

Nikki Haley had another relatively strong showing in a Republican primary Tuesday, despite having dropped out of the race more than two months ago. According to DecisionDeskHQ, she had 21.7% of the vote with more than 99% of votes counted, with Donald Trump, who has already clinched the nomination, at 78.3%. Haley, who received more than 128,000 votes in Indiana, hasn't endorsed Trump, the Hill reports. President Biden has urged Haley supporters to vote for him. The AP reports that Haley's support was strongest in urban and suburban counties, though Trump won every county. She took 35% of the vote in Marion County, which includes Indianapolis.

May 7, 2024 7:44 PM CDT

Indiana held its primaries Tuesday and there were no surprises in early results: The AP called the Republican primary for Donald Trump soon after polls closed at 6pm Eastern, while President Biden was the only candidate on the Democratic ballot and "uncommitted" is not an option in Indiana. With more than 70% of ballots counted, Trump had around 78% of the vote, with Nikki Haley, who dropped out months ago, at around 22%, per DecisionDeskHQ.
UPDATE

May 20, 2024 5:55 PM CDT

The chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. announced Monday that he's leaving in response to an independent review's findings that the independent agency is rife with sexual harassment and discrimination. Martin Gruenberg said he'll resign once a successor is confirmed, CNBC reports, and a White House official said President Biden will select a nominee quickly. The report noted that Gruenberg's behavior isn't the cause of the widespread misconduct, but employees had told them the toxic culture "starts at the top."

May 8, 2024 2:30 AM CDT

A massive, newly released report on the workplace culture at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. includes major accusations against the government agency. More than 500 employees reported misconduct at the FDIC ranging from sexual harassment and stalking to homophobia, bullying, and racial discrimination. The entire 234-page report can be viewed here. The independent review, carried out by the law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, was ordered by the FDIC's board after an investigation by the Wall Street Journal last year found a toxic work environment at the bank regulator. Some of the allegations include:
Saudi Arabia is pushing ahead with a project so big that merely building housing for construction workers will cost an estimated $5 billionbut the Neom project is not going entirely smoothly. The Wall Street Journal reports the megaproject is losing momentum amid rising costs and major blunders, including one in which a mountain of excavated dirt had to be moved because it was dumped on the site of a planned waterway to the Red Sea.

The project. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has likened Neom to the Great Pyramids and made it the main focus of his plans to transform the country's economy. Plans call for a 105-mile-long city in the desert, known as "the Line," with a projected population of 9 million people living in skyscrapers taller than the Empire State Building.
Customers of Sam Bankman-Fried's imploded cryptocurrency exchange will get paidwith interest. FTX says it will have billions more than owed to customers once it wraps up the sale of its remaining assets, including investments held by Bankman-Fried's crypto trading firm Alameda Research and FTX Ventures. It expects to have $16.3 billion in cash, with debts around $11 billion, the BBC reports. The firm says nearly all of its customers will see their full losses returned as a result. "We are pleased to be in a position to propose a chapter 11 plan that contemplates the return of 100% of bankruptcy claim amounts plus interest for non-governmental creditors," says FTX's new chief executive John Ray.

Lawyers say investors will receive payments equal to 118% of the assets they stored on FTX, based on November 2022 values, per the New York Times. "That means customers won't reap the benefits of a recent surge in the crypto market that sent the price of Bitcoin to a record high," per the Times. Interestingly, FTX says nearly all of the digital currencies held by the exchange when it collapsed are missing, per the BBC. The plan, filed in federal bankruptcy court in Delaware, still needs approval from Judge John T. Dorsey and it could be months before payouts are issued.

Still, the outlook is a good one considering few expected customers to be paid in the initial aftermath of FTX's collapse. "In any bankruptcy, this is just an unbelievable result," Ray says, per Bloomberg. The payments are made possible by some of Bankman-Fried's "successful investments," including $500 million in the artificial intelligence company Anthropic, per the Times, which reports Ray's team sold two-thirds of FTX's stake in the company for $884 million this year. FTX also recovered more than $400 million from hedge fund Modulo Capital. But while customers will be repaid, there will be nothing left for equity holders, including Sequoia Capital, Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, and the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, per Bloomberg. (More FTX stories.)
A planned shipment from the US to Israel that was to include 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs was paused last week due to concerns that Israel was planning to defy US wishes and invade Rafah, launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city in a major expansion of Israel's military operation there. That's according to senior US administration officials who spoke to outlets including the Washington Post , the Guardian , and the AP . A key quote from one senior official specifically references the 2,000-pound bombs that are already, per the Post, "controversial." The AP notes such bombs have been used "frequently" by Israel in its seven-month-old war against Hamas, while the US only used them "sparingly" while fighting the Islamic State.

"Israel should not launch a major ground operation in Rafah, where more than a million people are sheltering with nowhere else to go," said the senior administration official. "We are especially focused on the end-use of the 2,000-pound bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza."

This is the first known time the US has paused an arms transfer to Israel since the Israel-Hamas war started in October, and a second official calls it a "shot across the bow" meant to illustrate to Israel how deeply the US is concerned about the situation in Rafah. The officials say the White House began reviewing future arms transfers in April, and that no decision has yet been made about whether to proceed with the paused delivery at a future date. However, one official also says the Israeli military already has enough weapons to conduct the Rafah operation regardless of the pause, should it choose to. (Israel on Tuesday seized the main border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in Rafah.)
The sight of a balloon sailing toward the heavens until it's little more than a speck could soon become a super rare one in Florida, where lawmakers have voted to ban the intentional release of balloons filled with any gas that's lighter than air. Under current Florida law, each person can release up to nine balloons in any 24-hour period without penalty. The balloon ban, which Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign, would make such a release a noncriminal littering offense that has a $150 fine associated with it. That fine can hit $1,000 for balloons that weigh more than 15 pounds, reports the Tallahassee Democrat .

The New York Times reports that HB321 attracted broad bipartisan support, with Republican Florida state Rep. Linda Chaney noting "balloons contribute to the increase in microplastic pollution which is harmful to every living thing including humans." The Times gets more specific, reporting those balloons that finally come down in oceans or other bodies of water are 32 times more likely to kill seabirds than other forms of plastic. USA Today notes children 6 and under would be exempt from the ban, as would releases done for scientific purposes that have government approval.

Connecticut has a similar ban on the release of 10 or more balloons at a time, but a February article from CT Insider reports that lawmakers there feel like it's challenging to enforce. They're seeking to ban the sale of non-biodegradable balloons in the state altogether. Florida's ban would extend to non-biodegradable balloons as well. (More balloon stories.)
A Georgia appeals court on Wednesday agreed to review a lower court ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue to prosecute the election interference case she brought against former President Trump, reports the AP . Trump and some other defendants in the case had tried to get Willis and her office removed from the case, saying her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade created a conflict of interest. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee in March found that no conflict of interest existed that should force Willis off the case, but he granted a request from Trump and the other defendants to seek an appeal of his ruling from the Georgia Court of Appeals. Trump and his co-defendants now have 10 days to file an appeal, notes ABC News .

Once the intermediate appeals court rules, the losing side could ask the Georgia Supreme Court to consider an appeal. The appeals court's decision to consider the case seems likely to cause a delay in the case and further reduce the possibility that it will get to trial before the November general election. In his order, McAfee said he planned to continue to address other pretrial motions "regardless of whether the petition is granted ... and even if any subsequent appeal is expedited by the appellate court." But Trump and the others could ask the Court of Appeals to stay the case while the appeal is pending. Trump and other defendants had argued in their appeal that McAfee was wrong not to remove both Willis and Wade, writing that "providing DA Willis with the option to simply remove Wade confounds logic and is contrary to Georgia law."

(More Fani Willis stories.)
Shopify tumbled 18.5% despite reporting better profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company, which helps businesses sell things online, said its revenue growth would likely slow this quarter and that it would likely make less profit. Match Group sank 5.4% despite topping profit expectations. The company behind Tinder, Hinge, and other apps gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that fell short of analysts' predictions. It said its efforts to make Tinder better for women and Gen Z customers in particular have hurt some performance measurements in the short term. Intel fell 2.2% after saying the US Commerce Department revoked licenses for exports to a Chinese customer.

On the winning side, Lyft revved 7.1% higher after topping expectations for profit and revenue. It said growth was particularly strong for early-morning, commute, and weekend-evening trips. Reddit, another winner, rose 4.1% after delivering its first quarterly report as a publicly traded company. It reported a milder loss and better revenue than expected, while also giving a stronger-than-expected forecast for revenue in the current quarter. Arista Networks climbed 6.5% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500 after topping expectations for both profit and revenue.

(More stock market stories.)
"You can see the distress associated with a 12-hour journey by foot or a 24-hour bus ride. You can see the emotions of what it means to feel internally displaced in your own whenua - your land," Bashir said.

"Within the first 72 hours, more than half of the hospitals in Sudan were non-functional and that only the first 3 days so you can imagine what 365 days plus has yielded."

An in-depth timeline of the war takes up one wall of the exhibit.

The war has displaced more than 8.7 million people in Sudan, with 3.5 million children under the age of 5 experiencing acute malnutrition.

Save the Children has warned about 230,000 children, pregnant women and newborn mothers could die of malnutrition in the coming months.

Bashir doesn't want the statistics to dilute the human aspect of this crisis.

"It was very emotional putting it all together because every statistic or data that you reference is impacting a certain group of people or country."
"More than half of the country's children's wards are understaffed at least 20 percent of the time. The neonatal intensive care ward at Waipapa Christchurch Hospital (865 shifts below target) was understaffed for nearly 80 percent of all shifts last year," Goulter said.



"Five out of eight adult inpatient oncology wards were understaffed 20 percent of the time or more, with the most understaffed being Waikato Hospital Ward M05 (638 shifts below target). This fell below the rate of understaffing of Starship Hospital's children's cancer Ward 27B, which reported 791 shifts below target or nearly three quarters of all shifts in 2023.

"Fifty-six percent of surgical wards are understaffed 20 percent of the time or more, with the most understaffed being Waikato Hospital's M08 Neurosurgery Ward (735 shifts below target).

"Almost half of women's health wards are understaffed 20 percent of the time or more, with the most understaffed with Middlemore Hospital accounting for five of the six highest shifts below target reports."

But mental health wards report the most acute levels of understaffing.

Figures showed three wards reported more than 1000 shifts below target, with the Mason Clinic's Tane Whakapiripiri ward in Waitemata being understaffed almost all (99.45 percent) of the time - meaning only six shifts were safely staffed there last year.

'Impoverished health system'

"We have an impoverished health system that continues to be eroded by the Coalition Government's spending restraints and frontline service cuts," Goulter said.

"Te Whatu Ora [Health NZ] staffing data from 2023 reveals just how dire the situation has become and it's no surprise nurses are leaving faster than they can be replaced."

Goulter said the nurse staffing crisis remained a daily reality in New Zealand, with nurses continuing to leave because of burnout and concerns about pay and their health and safety at work.

He said this was the result of a failure to properly fund health, adding the data showed Aotearoa cannot afford any further service or funding cuts.

"Budget 2024 will be released at the end of the month and may be the Coalition Government's last chance to show they care about health and to address the staffing problem by funding proper patient care for our loved ones and whanau into the future."

It comes as nurses at more than 20 locations across Aotearoa will be holding public rallies on May 9, picketing and speaking about safe staffing issues and solutions such as legally mandated nurse-to-patient ratios.

In a statement to Newshub, Health Minister Shane Reti acknowledged the sector, in particular the workforce, was "under pressure".

"Our highly skilled, hard-working nurses are a valued part of our health workforce," Dr Reti said.

"I understand that the data referred to is the year to December 2023. Since coming into power, this Coalition Government has made expanding our workforce a priority."

Dr Reti said progress had already been made to recruit more nurses.

"In the year to December 2023, Health New Zealand added almost 2500 nurses to our workforce.

"I acknowledge though that there are still gaps, such as emergency medicine and mental health. Health New Zealand continues to recruit in these critical areas and look at ways we can build our own home-grown, culturally competent nursing workforce.

"As has already been signalled, our Government has ensured that health and other critical frontline services will face an overall funding uplift in our Budget."

The Budget will be announced on May 30.
It comes after the Government said earlier on Wednesday low gas production is threatening New Zealand's energy security.

Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show production reduced by 12.5 percent during 2023 and by 27.8 percent in the first three months of this year - beyond what was projected.

The figures are concerning for those who rely on gas - such as schools, hospitals, universities, food and chemical processors and electricity generators.

It's causing companies such as Genesis Energy to resort to importing coal, which has higher emissions.

"Today, industry sees the long-term consequences of the shallow, emerald, mannikin thinking that's driven energy policy for the last five or six years," Jones said. "Today industry throughout New Zealand is confronted by the fact as a consequence of that juvenile, woke-riddled, foolish belief that we don't need our natural resources, that we don't need our natural gas, that we don't need coal - has been laid bare."

"You voted for it" and "Look in the mirror" were among several interjections Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick made while Jones spoke.

Jones was referring to the 2018 decision to ban all new oil and gas exploration in New Zealand, except for onshore Taranaki. The decision was reluctantly backed by NZ First, which was in a Coalition Government with Labour at the time.

The current Coalition Government said it would repeal the present oil and gas exploration ban.

Jones, gesturing to the other side of the House, said left-wing parties are scaring away overseas investors for a "faint green vision that somehow we can keep the lights on with unicorn kisses".

"Hopefully, these emerald manikins will retire and let the serious politicians address the unresolved issues in our economy," Jones continued.

Green Party energy spokesperson Scott Willis said the Government is "pouring more fuel on the climate crisis".

He said there is an abundance of renewable energy potential in Aotearoa.

"When will the Government acknowledge that a modern, flexible, distributed renewable electricity system is feasible, is simple and can be delivered now?

" The minister and his colleagues say they want to overcome green unicorn thinking. I suggest it would be far better to embrace science-based thinking in transition engineering to build a sustainable future, rather than die as a dinosaur in a climate hell."

Jones said further exploration, delivery and investment in oil and gas, if it meets the criteria, will get a permit under the Government's Fast-track Approvals Bill - the same as renewable energy projects would.

He challenged the Opposition to name one bill passed by the "other side of the House" to deliver rapid, clean and green energy investment.

"No, you can't We're going to hear about a pipeline of climate change dreams but absolutely no content," Jones said.

Jones said the energy industry could rely on the fast-track legislation accompanied by reopening oil and gas to avoid energy blackouts and bring confidence back in investors, not "juvenile, foolish tiddlywink games".

"The grown-ups are in charge; energy is on the way."
The U.S. said negotiations on a Gaza ceasefire should be able to close the gaps between Israel and Hamas while Israeli forces seized the main border crossing in Rafah on Tuesday, closing a vital route for aid.

Hamas official Osama Hamdan, speaking to reporters in Beirut, warned that if Israel's military aggression continued in Rafah, there would be no truce agreement.

The Palestinian militant group accused Israel of undermining ceasefire efforts in the seven-month-long war that has laid waste to Gaza and left hundreds of thousands of its people homeless and hungry.

The truce comments came as Israel invaded Rafah, a southern Gazan city where more than one million displaced Palestinian civilians have sought shelter from Israel's offensive throughout the tiny territory.

White House spokesperson John Kirby said Hamas offered amendments on Monday to an Israeli proposal aimed at ending the impasse. The deal text, as amended, suggests the remaining gaps can "absolutely be closed," he said. He declined to specify what those were.

Israel on Monday said a three-phase proposal that Hamas approved was unacceptable.

Kirby said mediators from Qatar and Egypt along with U.S. and Israeli officials were gathering in Cairo. Hamas separately said its delegation was in Cairo as well.

OFFENSIVE

Israel's seizure of the Rafah crossing came despite weeks of calls that the U.S., other nations and international bodies hoped would deter a big offensive in the Rafah area - which Israel says is Hamas fighters' last stronghold.

Israeli army footage showed tanks rolling through the Rafah crossing complex between Gaza and Egypt, and the Israeli flag raised on the Gaza side.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said seizing the crossing was a "very significant step" toward Israel's stated aim of destroying Hamas's military capabilities.

Residents reported heavy tank shelling on Tuesday evening in some areas of eastern Rafah. A Rafah municipal building caught fire after Israeli shelling, residents and Hamas media said. Medics said one Palestinian was killed and several wounded in the building while an Israeli strike also killed two Palestinians on a motorcycle.

Health officials said Abu Yousef Al-Najar, the main hospital in Rafah, closed on Tuesday after heavy bombardment nearby led medical staff and around 200 patients to flee.

"They have gone crazy. Tanks are firing shells and smoke bombs cover the skies," said Emad Joudat, 55, a Gaza City resident displaced in Rafah.

"I am now seriously thinking of heading north, maybe to the central Gaza area. If they move further into Rafah, it will be the mother of massacres," he told Reuters via a chat app.

Many of those in Rafah were previously displaced from other parts of Gaza following Israel's orders to evacuate from there.

Families have been crammed into tented camps and makeshift shelters, suffering from shortages of food, water, medicine and other essentials.

The U.N. and other international aid agencies said the closing of the two crossings into southern Gaza - Rafah and Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom - had virtually cut the enclave off from outside aid and very few stores were available inside.

Red Crescent sources in Egypt said shipments had completely halted. "These crossings are a lifeline... They need to be reopened without any delay," Philippe Lazzarini, head of U.N. aid agency UNRWA, said on X.

Separately, Jordan said Israeli settlers attacked a humanitarian convoy on its way to a crossing in northern Gaza.

The White House said it had been told the Kerem Shalom crossing would re-open on Wednesday and fuel deliveries through Rafah would resume then too.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to Israel and Hamas to spare no effort to get a truce deal. "Make no mistake  a full-scale assault on Rafah would be a human catastrophe," Guterres said.

'PANIC AND DESPAIR'

Israel's military said it was conducting a limited operation in Rafah to kill fighters and dismantle infrastructure used by Hamas, which runs Gaza. It told civilians to go to what it calls an "expanded humanitarian zone" some 20 km (12 miles) away.

In Geneva, U.N. humanitarian office spokesperson Jens Laerke said "panic and despair" were gripping the people in Rafah.

Civilians did not have enough time to prepare for evacuation and no safe route to travel, he said. The roads are "littered with unexploded ordnance, massive bombs lying in the street. It's not safe," he said.

Critics of the Gaza war have urged U.S. President Joe Biden to pressure Israel to change course. The U.S., Israeli's closest ally and main weapons supplier, has delayed some arms shipments to Israel for two weeks, according to four sources on Tuesday.

The White House and Pentagon declined comment, but this would be the first such delay since the Biden administration offered its full support to Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.

Israel's offensive has killed 34,789 Palestinians, most of them civilians, in the conflict, the Gaza Health Ministry said.
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.
Bahrain unveils new tourism strategy; to focus on emerging markets

Bahrain unveils new tourism strategy; to focus on emerging markets

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Minister of Tourism, Her Excellency Fatima Al Sairafi, announced that the Government has launched its strategy titled The Tourism Strategy for the Kingdom of Bahrain (2022-2026) as part of the economic recovery plan.

The strategy strives to achieve economic development and is built upon four strategic objectives. The foremost goal is to elevate Bahrains global tourism standing, highlighting the Kingdom as a leading global tourism destination.

The ministry is keen to display Bahrains unique attractions, rich cultural heritage, and exceptional hospitality, solidifying its reputation as a must-visit location for discerning travellers.

In a bid to boost the economic contribution, the strategy aims to increase the tourism sectors input to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

By drawing in more tourists and offering them unmatched experiences, the ministry seeks to harness tourism as a potent economic driver.

Recognising the need to diversify target markets, the ministry is actively reaching out to emerging markets, promoting its unique offerings and enhancing accessibility to attract a wider array of visitors from various countries.

The final strategic pillar is the expansion of the tourism portfolio, with the aim to widen Bahrains range of attractions and activities to suit diverse tourist interests and preferences.

This includes the promotion of cultural, heritage, adventure, and coastal tourism.

To achieve these goals, the ministry collaborates closely with relevant agencies, including hospitality providers, tourism businesses, and Gulf Air, the national carrier. Joint promotional efforts for events and festivals maximise visitor engagement and create memorable experiences.

The ministry has designed packages tailored to family and cultural interests, emphasising natural and environmental archaeological sites.

Family-friendly festivals, such as the Festival City and the Food Festival, create a vibrant atmosphere. Celebrations for the New Year and dazzling fireworks displays make Bahrain a preferred choice for families seeking extraordinary experiences.

Recognising the allure of its coastal resources, the ministry focuses on improving beach infrastructure and amenities to attract beachgoers and provide a delightful seaside escape.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has introduced unified tourism packages for joint excursions with Saudi Arabia, aiming to attract a new wave of international visitors to the Arabian Gulf and position both nations as an attractive combined tourist destination.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Mohammed Darwish

The Council of Representatives approved compensation for fishermen affected by the recent decision of the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) to prohibit fishing for Shaari, Safi, and Andag.

This urgent proposal, tabled by MPs Jalila Alawi, Mohsen AlAsbool, Najeeb Alkawari, and Maryam AlDhaen, was unanimously approved.

It aims to prioritise and reinforce the values of social security enshrined in the constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Through this endeavour, the MPs aspire to establish a balance between the imperatives of environmental preservation and the socio-economic needs of the local fishermen.

MP Alawi remarked, Inasmuch as we are conscious of the reality that fishermen receive no financial support whatsoever, we ought to monitor their affairs in a manner that assures their rights.

MP AlAsbool expressed his concern about the abruptness of the decision and the resulting impact on fishermen.

He acknowledged that this issue has become a topic of widespread discussion and urgency, underscoring the significance of finding a swift and equitable resolution.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), the leading retail and commercial bank in Bahrain has revealed the names of 37 winners for the Al Hayrat prizes for the month of April.

These prizes amount to a total of BD 135,000 where BD 100,000 is awarded to Sayed Adnan Ameen Ali, BD 1,000 for 25 winners each, and BD 1,000 in loyalty prizes for 10 winners and the Mercedes G500 was won by Jiran Hasan Laqwi.

These prizes are part of BBK's Al Hayrat campaign, offering its customers the opportunity to win extraordinary prizes totaling a staggering BD 2.5 million throughout the year.

The draw was held on 30th April under the supervision of a representative from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, representatives from BBK's Internal Audit, Internal Control, Marketing, and Retail Banking departments, in addition to External Auditors from Ernst & Young.

It is noteworthy that the Bank awarded 30 winners BD 500 each as part of the Eid prizes draw that was held on 8th April.

Ahmed Taqi, General Manager of Retail Banking at BBK, commented: "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the Al Hayrat prizes for the month of April, reaffirming our dedication and commitment at BBK to deliver substantial rewards that cater to the diverse financial needs of our esteemed customers."

Taqi announced that a grand prize of BD 100,000 will be awarded to one lucky winner during the month of May and the draw is scheduled for 30th May.

He added: Throughout the year, are awarding two lucky winners with BD 500,000 each and exciting cash prizes, luxury cars, and 1KG gold bars.

In January 2025, we will be celebrating our Grand Draw in a ceremony where more than BD 1 million will be distributed to 119 winners, with winners receiving BD500,000, BD200,000, BD100,000 and BD50,000, BD10,000 and other prizes.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Professor Sameer Otoom, President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Medical University Bahrain, welcomed on campus Bob L.J. Chen, Representative of the Taipei Trade Office in the Kingdom of Bahrain, along with Vice Consul Shadin Lu, on April 2nd. During their visit, Professor Kathryn Strachan, Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery, led the discussion and provided a comprehensive briefing on the School of Nursing and Midwifery, highlighting its extensive international and local community engagement initiatives.

The visit fostered discussions on mutual interests, opportunities for partnership, and avenues for future collaboration with universities in Taipei, Taiwan. RCSI Medical University of Bahrain is committed to fostering partnerships with esteemed institutions in Taiwan, such as the National Taipei University for Nursing and Health Sciences and Taipei City Hospital.

Since 2010, our students have been invited to Taiwan to participate in youth camps, various programmes and electives.

In the summer of 2023, three senior medical students participated in a surgical observership programme at Taipei City Hospital, where they witnessed robotic general and urology surgeries and discussed with local surgeons the impact of robotic surgery on operation outcomes compared to laparoscopic surgeries and the epidemiology of specific conditions.

Professor Otoom, commented: Our students benefit from exchange or elective programmes by enriching their knowledge and skills in a global environment.

We are grateful for the support extended by Bob L.J. Chen, and we look forward to bolstering collaboration with our existing and potential partners in Taiwan. Bob L.J. Chen, commented, I wish to express our profound respect to Professor Sameer Otoom and all faculties of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain for the tireless efforts and remarkable achievements in educating and training outstanding healthcare professionals over the years.

I also wish to congratulate the esteemed University on the significant milestone of its 20th anniversary. We look forward to closer exchanges and collaboration with the RCSI Medical University of Bahrain for mutual benefits in the future.

With a future-focused curriculum and a graduate profile blending personal and professional development with an emphasis on clinical competence, community health and research, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain educates and trains work-ready graduates who can compete for international career opportunities.
Iran sentences man to death for posts during 2022 protests

Iran sentences man to death for posts during 2022 protests

AFP | Tehran, Iran

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

An Iranian court has sentenced a man to death over content he posted online during 2022 protests over the death in custody of an Iranian-Kurdish woman, the judiciary said yesterday.

Iran was gripped by monthslong protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, after she was arrested for an alleged breach of the strict dress code for women.

The judiciarys Mizan Online website said Mahmoud Mehrabi was found guilty of posting content that included guidance on how to use homemade weapons and called for the destruction of public property.

He was convicted of inciting people to commit killings and insulting religious sanctities, it added.

Lawyer Babak Farsani said Mehrabi was found guilty of the capital offence of corruption on earth. He can appeal against the sentence before the Supreme Court.

The months-long protests sparked by Aminis death saw hundreds of people killed in street clashes, including dozens of security personnel.

Thousands were arrested as authorities moved to quell what they branded foreign-instigated riots.

Last month, an Iranian court sentenced popular rapper Toomaj Salehi to death for supporting the demonstrations.

Nine men have been executed in protest-related cases involving killings and other violence against security forces.

Amnesty International says Iran executed 853 people in 2023, the highest total since 2015.
Three Ships Beauty  a Canadian-made effective, transparent, and natural skincare brand  has raised a $3.5M CAD financing round led by BDC Capital's new Thrive Venture Fund, with participation from strategic angel investors.

TORONTO, May 8, 2024 /CNW/ - The award-winning brand will use the additional funding to further expand in the US market, invest in brand and growth marketing, and strengthen the team with strategic hires to continue scaling retail and e-commerce growth.

"This is huge for Three Ships and we're just so excited," says Connie Lo, co-founder of Three Ships Beauty. "Thanks to this funding from Thrive, we can expand our market reach and build more awareness around the products people already love. And with the right team in place, there's no limit to what we can achieve together."

Three Ships Co-Founders Laura Burget and Connie Lo. (CNW Group/Three Ships Beauty)

"We're so grateful for investors like BDC's Thrive Venture Fund who not only believe in our mission but share our values," adds Laura Burget, co-founder of Three Ships Beauty. "We have great products that really work, and our customers love them. Now we can grow that awareness and make natural, effective skincare accessible to more people."

"It has been truly remarkable to witness Three Ships Beauty's impressive growth, expanding customer traction and recognition in the North American market," said Mona Minhas, Partner, Thrive Venture Fund. ''The company's evolution to date, coupled with their steadfast commitment to improving transparency and sustainability in the skincare industry, fills us with anticipation for their next exciting phase of growth.''

Three Ships Beauty has become synonymous with natural-skincare innovation and efficacy. With a commitment to transparency and sustainability, every product is created with science-backed, plant-derived ingredients, free of fillers or chemicals, and packaged in 100% recyclable materials.

In 2023, Three Ships expanded its distribution to Whole Foods locations across North America and achieved profitability with an impressive 65% growth in total revenue. To start off 2024, they unveiled First Light Vitamin C + Caffeine Eye Cream  one of their most highly requested products  selling one unit every 30 seconds on launch day.

Connie and Laura were listed in Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2022, and received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Ontario (2022), and RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneurs of the Year (2021). Their appearance on CBC's Dragons' Den further solidified their status as pioneers in the Canadian entrepreneurial scene, garnering widespread national attention.

ABOUT THREE SHIPS BEAUTY

Founded by Connie Lo and Laura Burget, Three Ships Beauty has become an effective, natural, sustainable skincare brand focused on transparency and transforming the clean beauty space. From farm to shelf, each product includes science-backed plant-derived ingredients, no fillers or chemicals, and is housed in 100% recyclable packaging. Better for the planet and better for the skin, Three Ships promises to deliver uncomplicated skincare backed by natural ingredients and real science. Their impressive products and successful launches have led them to continuous product sell-outs, including their 6x sell-out hero product, Skin Hero Bio-Retinol Serum, and 8x sell-out bestseller, the Dew Drops Serum. Continuously choosing upcycled ingredients, innovative packaging, and a commitment to fulfill a circular economy, Three Ships has met the standard of sustainable and eco-friendly skincare every step of the way.

www.threeshipsbeauty.ca

About BDC Capital

BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC, Canada's bank for entrepreneurs. With over $6 billion under management, BDC Capital serves as a strategic partner to the country's most innovative firms. It offers businesses a full spectrum of capital, from seed investments to growth equity, as well as fund investments, supporting Canadian entrepreneurs who have the ambition to stand out on the world stage. Visit bdc.ca/capital .

SOURCE Three Ships Beauty

For Media Inquiries: Sarah Lindenberg, All My Friends Agency, [email protected], 647-200-1820
The non-profit alliance announces The Black Hole Experience (BHX), a 53' double expandable trailer with an immersive 1000 sq. ft. of interior space that hosts an LED tunnel leading to the black hole projection chamber. BHX will travel across North America, touring major events such as C2 Montreal, Pride Toronto, Desert Hearts, Boots & Hearts, and more.

MONTREAL, May 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Age of Union Alliance, the non-profit environmental organization led by Emmy award-winning executive producer, global environmentalist, and Lightspeed Commerce Inc. CEO Dax Dasilva, unveils The Black Hole Experience (BHX), designed exclusively for Age of Union by multidisciplinary artist Kelly Nunes. BHX will tour major festivals and city centres across North America, with its world premiere on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at C2 Montreal. BHX is a mobile exhibition uniting the awe and wonder of nature and the cosmos with meditative reflection. Through immersing individuals in BHX, Age of Union hopes it will ignite the next generation of changemakers and foster a collective consciousness.

The Black Hole Experience (CNW Group/Age of Union Alliance)

The Black Hole Experience is housed in a 53' double expandable trailer with an impressive 1000 sq. ft. of interior space that hosts an LED tunnel leading to the black hole projection chamber. There are two antichamber rooms for waiting and exiting with information about the experience and Age of Union. The inspiration for the BHX concept began when Dasilva commissioned Nunes to create a "Black Hole Room" for Dasilva's Montreal home. The Black Hole Room is inspired by the Spirituality pillar of Dasilva's book Age of Union , which explores the meaning of spirituality and how it can connect us to our greater purpose in a modern world by seeking light in the darkness, exchanging fear for curiosity, and finding the potential for growth and positive change in the unknown. BHX reminds each person who lives the experience about individual spirituality. To stop, reset and breathe. To feel wellbeing, awe and wonder.

"I am immensely proud and thrilled to introduce The Black Hole Experience (BHX) to the world. This 53' double expandable trailer offers an immersive journey unlike any other. This isn't just a project; it's a journey crafted by the visionary artist Kelly Nunes," says Dax Dasilva, Founder of Age of Union. "BHX symbolizes exploring spirituality in the modern age, acting as a reset for humankind. By confronting the unknown, we unlock our potential for growth, igniting the next generation of changemakers and raising collective consciousness."

BHX will travel across North America in 2024 and appear at the following events, with additional tour dates and event partnerships to follow:

C2 Montreal ( May 21-23 ) - The international conference meaningfully connects people and organizations from diverse backgrounds, fields and industries in order to drive development in all its forms. The 13th edition of C2 Montreal is thoughtfully structured around three central themes: Experiential & Immersive, Sustainability & Innovation, and AI & Commerce.

- The international conference meaningfully connects people and organizations from diverse backgrounds, fields and industries in order to drive development in all its forms. The 13th edition of C2 Montreal is thoughtfully structured around three central themes: Experiential & Immersive, Sustainability & Innovation, and AI & Commerce. Pride Toronto ( June 28-30 ) - Creates and supports events and programming that celebrate the diverse talents, stories, and achievements of all 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and boldly advocates for and defends our human rights.

Creates and supports events and programming that celebrate the diverse talents, stories, and achievements of all 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and boldly advocates for and defends our human rights. Desert Hearts Festival Arizona ( July 4-8 ) - Part boutique festival, part record label, and part globetrotting party brigade, Desert Hearts has emerged as a vibe-focused force radiating a conscious ethos of House, Techno and Love.

Part boutique festival, part record label, and part globetrotting party brigade, Desert Hearts has emerged as a vibe-focused force radiating a conscious ethos of House, Techno and Love. Boots & Hearts Festival Ontario ( August 8-11 ) - A multi-day country music and camping festival. Since its inception in 2012, Boots and Hearts has grown to become Canada's largest camping and music festival.

- A multi-day country music and camping festival. Since its inception in 2012, Boots and Hearts has grown to become largest camping and music festival. MUTEK Festival Montreal ( August 20-25 ) - Founded in 2000, MUTEK is dedicated to the presentation of live electronic music and real-time audiovisual performance, making it one of the few showcases in North America for such innovations. After nearly 25 years of existence, the festival's pioneering mandate has matured and its commitment to the perpetual mutations and variations of contemporary digital creativity remains, with eyes and ears always focused on the future.

To achieve carbon neutrality for the Black Hole Experience tour, Age of Union is expanding its protection of the Kalaweit-Age of Union Dulan Forest Reserve in Borneo, Indonesia in close partnership with the Indonesian conservation organization Kalaweit.

To learn more about The Black Hole Experience, visit www.blackholeexperience.com or to watch the sizzle reel, visit YouTube.

About Age of Union Alliance

Age of Union is a non-profit environmental alliance that supports and makes visible a global community of changemakers working on the ground to protect the planet's threatened species and ecosystems. Launched in October 2021 by tech leader and environmental activist Dax Dasilva in Montreal, Canada, Age of Union seeks to ignite a flame within every person through conservation efforts that solve critical environmental challenges around the world and inspire high-impact change by showing the positive impact that every individual can make. Age of Union is also actively involved in environmental documentary filmmaking. The organization has produced impactful short and feature documentaries that delve into the stories of dedicated changemakers. One such production, "Wildcat," earned acclaim as the "Outstanding Nature Documentary of 2023" at the prestigious 44th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards.

For more information, please visit: AgeofUnion.com

On social media: Facebook, Instagram , YouTube, and Twitter

SOURCE Age of Union Alliance

Press Contacts: Alexandra Ricciardella, [email protected], +1-647-407-3600; Victoria Baker, [email protected], +1-416-726-8002
Move to 300 Bloor St. W. in Toronto in 2026 will reduce costs and carbon footprint as denominations share office and archive spaces

TORONTO, May 8, 2024 /CNW/ - The United, Anglican and Presbyterian churches have signed leases to share national office space at the redeveloped site of Bloor Street United Church at 300 Bloor St. W. in Toronto. The agreement reflects the churches' ongoing commitment to nurturing ecumenical relationships and cooperation, to reducing costs and their carbon footprint.

From left to right, The Reverend Victor Kim, Principal Clerk at The Presbyterian Church in Canada; Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary for The United Church of Canada, and The Venerable Alan Perry, General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada at the construction site at 300 Bloor St. W., Toronto. (CNW Group/United Church of Canada)

The Venerable Alan Perry, General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada; the Reverend Victor Kim, Principal Clerk at The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary for The United Church of Canada, met at the construction site at 300 Bloor St. W. on March 1 to see the progress of the project and to offer prayers of blessing for the safety and wellbeing of the construction workers.

"We've marked a formal agreement between the Presbyterian Church, The United Church and the Anglican Church of Canada, as we prepare to move in together in shared office space in a couple of years," said Mr. Kim. "I'm very excited about the possibilities of what this partnership will produce in the years to come. A happy day for all of us!"

"This opportunity to be together in this space came out of a relationship and conversation," said Rev. Dr. Blair. We are excited about the possibility of the relationship and working together, with a commitment to mission and ministry. We collaborate to be witnesses in the healing of God's world. So, I am excited and grateful for the possibilities."

Located in downtown Toronto's Annex-University of Toronto neighbourhood, the development includes a refurbished Bloor Street United Church, office, community, commercial, and worship spaces. The floor plans reflect a more efficient and flexible use of physical space for the new offices, and were drafted with input from all three denominations. The Archives will also be moved to the new national office building, and shared, along with meeting and video spaces.

"The possibility of better ecumenical collaboration in this space will also allow us to make more effective use of our financial and human resources," said Archdeacon Perry. "Being so close to good public transit allows for easy access to visitors to our offices and means we will have less impact on the environment."

Besides being a practical solution for resource optimization, the shared space is also a tangible expression of the denominations' commitment to collaboration, greater impact in the public space and increasing the ability to innovate and share ideas between denominations.

SOURCE United Church of Canada

MEDIA CONTACTS: Lori-Ann Livingston (she/her), Press and public relations lead | Responsable, relations publiques et avec les medias, The United Church of Canada | L'Eglise Unie du Canada, +1.416.231.5931 x2051, [email protected] | [email protected]; Henrieta Paukov, Director, Communications & Information Resources, The Anglican Church of Canada, 416-924-9199, ext. 230, [email protected]; Callie Long Ph.D. (she/her), Associate Secretary for Communications, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, 800-619-7301 or 416-441-1111, ext. 242, [email protected]
Leased zero-emission buses to save approximately 5,500 tonnes of carbon emissions

Highland Electric Fleets ( Canada ) ULC, to be the first CIB-funded company to lease electric buses to school transportation providers and school boards across the country.

) ULC, to be the first CIB-funded company across the country. Hundreds of electric school buses are estimated to save approximately 5,500 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

per year. Zero-emission buses are a proven, low-carbon transit solution, produce near-zero tailpipe emissions and require less maintenance than traditional diesel vehicles.

TORONTO, May 8, 2024 /CNW/ - The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has reached financial close on a loan facility with Highland Electric Fleets (Canada) ULC worth up to $50 million to help finance the purchase of hundreds of zero-emission school buses (ZEBs).

Highland Electric will use the CIB loan facility to expand its Canadian business. The electric school buses will be leased  under Highland Electric's innovative turnkey model - to school transportation providers and school boards to replace their aging diesel vehicles.

Highland Electric is first CIB-funded company to lease ZEBs for school transportation across Canada. Post this A Highland Electric school bus transports students. (CNW Group/Canada Infrastructure Bank) Highland Electric Fleets (CNW Group/Canada Infrastructure Bank)

The facility would provide financing at a level of $85,000 for each Type A ZEB, $100,000 for each Type C, and Type D is to be mutually agreed upon. At these loan amounts, the facility could help finance the purchase of up to about 500 ZEBs and save approximately 5,500 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

The CIB's loan will cover the higher upfront capital costs of ZEBs, helping to accelerate the electrification of the bus fleets. ZEBs are a proven, much quieter and more sustainable transportation option for students. Repayment of the investment will come from expected reduced maintenance and fuel costs over the life of the vehicles.

The CIB loans under the facility will work in conjunction with Infrastructure Canada's funding for zero-emission transit. Highland Electric will be responsible for the procurement of ZEBs, design and installation of charging infrastructure, and charge management. Operators will be responsible for performing maintenance and driving the ZEBs.

The CIB's Zero-emission Bus Initiative assists transit agencies and school bus operators to transition their fleets to modern, environmentally friendly vehicles. The CIB has committed more than $1.5 billion towards up to 5,000 ZEBs.

Endorsements:

Partnering with Highland Electric supports greener and more sustainable transportation options for students, parents and school staff for generations to come. The adoption Highland Electric's turnkey leasing program is a unique and alternative way for school boards and operators to implement zero-emission vehicles within their service areas without the need to acquire the buses themselves.

Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank

Investing in zero-emission transit is critical to tackle greenhouse emissions in Canada and to meet our net zero goals. We are incredibly proud that CIB's partnership with Highland Electric will help do just that by providing hundreds of electric school buses across the country.

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities

At Highland, our goal is to make school bus electrification as simple and affordable as possible, so more students can enjoy a cleaner and healthier ride to school. Through our partnership with the CIB, we look forward to working with school districts throughout Canada to transform the future of school bus transportation.

Gaurav Dubey, CFO, Highland Electric Fleets.

SOURCE Canada Infrastructure Bank

Media Contacts: Canada Infrastructure Bank, [email protected]; Highland Electric, [email protected]
DEAR AMY: After our teen years, my brother and I became close.

After my mother abruptly left town to be with another man, my brother and I were left to clean up the mess, literally and figuratively.

We worked well together. A year or two later he and his family moved far away. I did my best to keep in touch, but with schedule differences it became hard.

When we do talk, he keeps any conversation to about five minutes.

I noticed that Im usually the one reaching out.

I asked him about this, and he said he would try harder, and that he missed our closeness. But he doesnt try harder.

I have asked him if he doesnt want a relationship, and he always says he does, but that he is just busy.

However, I see him and his wife interacting with our mutual friends on social media. (They quit interacting with me on my social media posts a few years ago.) I do not like how these relationships feel one-sided. I especially feel hurt when mutual friends say that theyve talked with them recently.

After multiple attempts to get them to show up more in our relationships, I am feeling like I just need to walk away from any attempts to interact with them, since it feels like there is something that they are not being honest about.

They dont even know of the declining health of our parents because they dont reach out to them, either.

What should I do?

 Sad Sibling

DEAR SAD: You have called out your brother and his wife, and youve presented their lack of interest as a binary: They are either in, or theyre out.

I think you should stop asking for or expecting anything more than youre getting from them  an occasional five minutes here or there.

Your brother does not want to be in touch more often. If he did want more, he would either initiate or ask for more  the way you do.

He is not in contact with your parents, and connecting with you reminds him of this choice, which he likely feels guilty about.

You are thinking about walking away from the relationship, but I suggest that you only walk away from your expectations. You want to be closer. He doesnt. This is a painful situation that you will have to work hard to accept. If you do less, he might do more  but there is no guarantee.

If you want to talk to your brother, reach out. Be honest about your own vulnerability: I wish we were closer because I enjoy you and I miss you. Thats it.

***

DEAR AMY: Torn in Wisconsin asked you for strategies to deal with her very bright college drop-out son, who acted entitled, didnt look for work, and played video games all day.

You should have suggested that this young man has ADHD!

 Another View

DEAR ANOTHER VIEW: These parents wont know anything about what their son is experiencing if they dont make some changes at home. ADHD might be an underlying cause.

(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
Police are searching for a South Jersey man who has been missing for two weeks.

Andre Rashon Karim Keith, 45, was last seen in Vineland on Tuesday, April 23, according to a social media post by The AWARE Foundation.

He is described as being 61, about 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He also has the letters D.K. tattooed on his chest, the alert said.

He was last seen wearing a red Chicago Bulls jacket, black hoodie, black pants and brown Timberland boots.

The circumstances of the mans disappearance were not clear as of Tuesday.

The Vineland Police Department is asking anyone with tips to call its headquarters at 856-696-1212.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
A grandfather and his infant grandson killed last month when they were struck by a tree that uprooted and fell on them behind a home in Essex County have been identified.

Six-month-old Micah Gasin came from San Diego, California, to visit his grandparents in Verona on April 29 when the tree fell on the baby and his grandfather, Boris Gasin, 61, as they lay in a hammock about 7 p.m., according to police and family members.

The infant was in Verona with his parents for about two weeks when the couple headed out to an evening Mets game, leaving Micah at his grandparents home, according to a report on 10News in California.

Two GoFundMe pages set up for the family have raised more than $110,000 as of Wednesday morning.

Micah was the happiest baby anyone ever met. He had a smile that could light up a room, and strangers would stop in the street to remark how cute he was, a family friend, Ben Canales, wrote on a GoFundMe site he created.

Priscilla Ellington, a neighbor in Verona, created a GoFundMe campaign for the family that had raised more than $72,000 as of Wednesday.

The loss has been a profound tragedy, but the outpouring of love and support from our community has truly made a difference, Ellington wrote.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Two firefighters who died after responding to a ship fire at Port Newark last summer and a New Jersey State Police Trooper killed in a training accident over the weekend were among 22 public safety officers honored Tuesday during a sometimes tearful luncheon attended by more than 200 family members and colleagues.

Newark Fire Division Captains Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks Jr. were honored following their deaths on July 5 during Tuesdays annual luncheon of the 200 Club of Essex County, a group founded by business leaders in 1966 to support the families of police and firefighters who demonstrate extraordinary valor on the job.

Acabou, 45, and Brooks, 49, who were promoted posthumously to captain, were among the first firefighters to arrive at the scene of a dockside fire onboard the Grande Costa DAvorio, a cargo ship bound for Africa loaded with 1,200 junked cars and trucks. Acabous brother, Clark Police Capt. Miguel Acabou, was among the family members who attended the event.

Were happy, but its also a profound loss, and were still grieving every day because of what happened to my brother, who had a heart of gold, said Acabou as their mother stood by crying. But we are very grateful that the 200 Club of Essex County is showing us their heartfelt condolences in presenting my brother with this award.

Acabou said the City of Newark will name a street after his brother on June 1 in the citys Ironbound section, where he and his brother grew up.

Brooks widow talked after the ceremony at Naninas in the Park in Belleville.

I think Wayne would be proud. He is proud. And I speak of him in the present tense because hes here, said Michelle Brooks. Wayne was a good, great fireman. And I say that because I watched him. He read all the books to keep up. He was taking all the classes. So, hes proud. Hes very proud. And Im proud, very proud. And thankful.

Trooper Marcellus E. Bethea, an eight-year State Police veteran assigned to the Moorestown Station in Burlington County, was the only other honoree who had died in the line of duty. Bethea was killed Sunday in what State Police said was a training accident at its headquarters in Ewing, though it did not say how his death occurred.

New Jersey State Police Trooper Marcellus E. Bethea, who died on Sunday May 5, 2024, during training. Bethea was among 22 public safety officers honored by the 200 Club of Essex County on Tuesday.(NJSP photo)

Lt. Col. Joseph Brennan of the State Police recalled the difficult task he had Sunday of informing Betheas widow that her husband had died.

What he did counted. What he did mattered, Brennan recalled telling her. Addressing Tuesdays gathering, he added, Trooper Marcellus was a hero. You are all heroes.

Asked about it later, Brennan called Betheas death tragic but declined to provide any details, citing the ongoing investigation.

Tuesdays event was co-hosted by 200 Club President Ira H. Cohen and Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, a rookie cop in Newark when the club was founded in 1967, who will retire from law enforcement in January when his 11th full term as sheriff expires. Honorees or their families each received a $1,000 award, part of the $2.2 million that Cohen said the club had raised and donated since its founding.

Sheriffs officers in dress uniforms saluted while Maria Acabou and Michelle Brooks held their hands on their hearts as Newark Police Sgt. Maysa Washington sang America the Beautiful. The Newark Firefighters Pipe Band played an instrumental version of the anthem on the bagpipes after a somber rendition of Dawning of the Day.

This years 19 living Valor Award recipients included police officers who apprehended armed assailants and saved a child floating face down in a pond, and firefighters who pulled unconscious children and adults from burning homes. They were from the Newark Police and Fire divisions in the Department of Public Safety; the Bloomfield Police and Fire departments; the Irvington Fire Division; the NJ Transit Police; the Orange Police Department; and the State Police Major Crime North Unit.

The 200 Club has maintained an Honor Roll of public safety officers who died in the line of duty since its founding. It is now 91 names long, including any law enforcement, corrections officer, or federal agent in Essex County, or any trooper to die in New Jersey. There are 52 law enforcement officers and 39 firefighters on the list.

After arriving at the port fire, Acabou and Brooks were ordered below decks to assess the situation. They became trapped on Deck 10 of the ship, which was filled with 1,200 highly combustible junk cars and trucks.

The fire started when a 16-year-old Jeep Wrangler, modified with a steel push bar on the front, erupted in flames as it was being used to shove an inoperable Toyota Venza on board. The cause of the fire and who may be to blame for what happened is still being investigated by the Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board, and other federal, state and authorities.

A months-long inquiry by NJ Advance Media found that Newark was unprepared to fight a major fire at one of the nations largest ports, interviews with firefighters and marine fire experts, public records and court filings, hours of radio traffic, and internal incident reports revealed.

The families have filed a wrongful death suit in federal court, though the city and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have asked a judge to dismiss the case against them.

Nobody knows Jersey better than NJ.com Sign up to get breaking news alerts straight to your inbox.

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com
A man and woman were found shot to death Tuesday evening inside a Gloucester County apartment, investigators said.

The two knew each other and it appears that they died in a domestic situation, Gloucester County Prosecutors Office Chief of Detectives Tom Gilbert told NJ Advance Media.

The man and woman, who were not identified, were discovered inside an apartment in Clayton around 7 p.m., authorities said.

Gilbert said the shooting was a contained incident and that there was no threat to the public.

Their deaths remain under investigation by the office. Gilbert said he could not comment further late Tuesday night.

Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
A Monmouth County beach town has banned the digging of large holes and burying of people in the sand.

Sea Girt passed an ordinance in April adopting stricter rules around sand hole digging. Under the new rules, holes cannot be deeper than 12 or the knees of the shortest participant, whichever is shorter. Holes cannot be left unattended and must be filled before leaving the area.

The ordinance also bans burying persons below grade or in standing position.

Sea Girt beach manager Jim Freda said there have been no deaths or injuries in Sea Girt in recent years, but said its not uncommon for there to be several sand-related deaths along the Atlantic coast annually.

Hole digging is a universal beach problem, he said.

Having the ordinance allows beach patrol to more strictly enforce no digging policies, the same way they enforce no smoking rules, he said. Badge checkers warn people carrying shovels they cant dig too deep, and lifeguards who see people digging too-deep holes explain to beachgoers the dangers, Freda said.

Sea Girt isnt the only town to enforce strict limits on the size of beach holes. Seaside Heights and Belmar also have rules on the books regulating hole size. Its unclear exactly how many New Jersey beach towns have similar ordinances.

Avalon and Stone Harbor both implore beach-goers to be careful while digging, but neither have rules banning it.

Although a fond memory for many Jersey Shore vacationers, digging deep holes can pose serious safety risks.

An 18-year-old vacationing with his family in 2022 was killed and his sister injured when the hole they were digging collapsed and he was crushed by the sand.

Levi Caverly, who was visiting Ocean Beach from Maine, had dug a 10-foot hole, officials said. The walls collapsed, trapping his sister and him inside. Rescue workers attempted to dig them both out, but were unable to rescue Caverly.

A 2007 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the most recent to collect data on the issue, found there were 52 documented sand collapses in holes dug for fun between 1997 and 2007; half of those cases were fatal.

Holes can also endanger anyone on the beach at night, like Departments of Public Works employees or nighttime fishermen, beach police have said.

Sand can be dangerous, even without hole digging. A 2-year-old boy had to be pulled from the sand in Sea Girt after the sand around him caved in this past February. He required resuscitation, but was alert afterwards, officials said. The collapse was not related to hole digging.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch.
Nearly a year after he was fired for allegedly taking millions in bogus bonuses and lavish trips on a corporate credit card, the former chief financial officer of one of New Jerseys biggest law firms pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling more than $1.5 million from the firm and evading thousands in taxes.

John Dunlea, who also served as chief operating officer of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter of Morristown, admitted before Superior Court Judge Stephen J. Taylor in Morris County to misappropriating the money from the law firm by paying himself unauthorized excess compensation over a five-year period ending in December 2022 and not paying New Jersey income taxes on any of it. At the same time, he pleaded guilty to charging tens of thousands of dollars in hotel stays, airline flights and high-end vacations on the firms American Express card for himself and his family.

The 61-year-old Westfield resident had been with the firm for more than 20 years.

Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Dunlea be sentenced to five years in state prison and required to pay restitution to the law firm. Sentencing is scheduled for June 14.

In a statement, state Attorney General Matthew Platkin said Dunlea admitted giving himself a staggering, unauthorized, and illegal seven-figure pay raise, and treating himself and his family, at his employers expense, to travel, hotels, and dining out, without his employers consent.

Dunleas lawyer, Ricardo Solano Jr. of Gibbons, called it a difficult day for a highly successful professional and caring family man, who made a terrible decision that he regrets and for which he will pay for the rest of his life.

Solano said Dunlea has always been willing to accept responsibility for his actions when he is wrong, and today is no different. His goal is to serve his punishment, move past this, and hopefully rebuild his personal and professional life.

Meanwhile, a civil lawsuit against Dunlea filed last year by McElroy, Deutsch continues, his lawyer said.

According to court filings in that case, Dunlea had been responsible for managing and overseeing the administration of the law firms wage and salary payment process, including bonuses. But instead of processing his own year-end bonus in amounts approved by the committee, that lawsuit charged that Dunlea had systematically, surreptitiously, and dishonestly paid himself more than was authorized.

The overpayments were substantial, in some years exceeding $200,000, claimed the firm.

However, that was not the full extent of the firms losses, it claimed.

For more than a decade, Dunlea and his wife Nicole Alexander  who also had worked at the law office, but was not charged by the state  also took expensive vacations together, staying at the finest, most opulent hotels in the world, McElroy claimed in its court papers.

The couples AmEx business-card statements cited at least 60 vacations at luxury hotels at the firms expense, often flying first-class, the lawsuit claimed.

Those trips included more than a dozen trips on their expense accounts at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, the Savoy in London, Caneel Bay in the Virgin Islands, various resorts in Ireland and Bermuda.

Alexander was the law offices director of legal recruiting, but in a counter lawsuit against her former firm she said she had no knowledge of her husbands activities and has denied any wrongdoing.

After that lawsuit was filed, the state launched a criminal investigation by its Office of Securities Fraud and Financial Crimes Prosecutions and the New Jersey Division of Taxation-Office of Criminal Investigations, leading to Wednesdays plea.

An attorney representing McElroy, Deutsch did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

__

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TedShermanSL.
Federal authorities have charged a Russian National with operating one of the most prolific ransomware operations that targeted hospitals, schools, police departments, municipalities and other entities around New Jersey and other states, U.S. District Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Tuesday.

Dimitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, 31, of Voronezh, Russia was charged in 26-count indictment of operating LockBit, a ransomware program that others used to target companies around the world with infiltrating data systems and holding sensitive information for ransom paid in bitcoin, officials said.

The charges were handed down by a New Jersey grand jury after prosecutors accused Khoroshev of being LockBits administrator and developer from its inception in 2019 through this month. LockBit was disrupted in February 2024 through a joint effort that included the Justice Department, the FBI and the U.K. National Crime Agencys Cyber Division after they seized the servers used by the network, authorities said.
One of New Jerseys most powerful lawmakers is calling on the state Department of Education to open a formal investigation into a charter school network accused of nepotism and paying its executives what have been described as astonishing salaries.

State Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, who also serves as chairman of the Senate Education Committee, called for the inquiry in a letter sent Wednesday to acting state Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer and obtained by NJ Advance Media.
The last time our elected officials in Trenton presented an awful bill to dramatically restrict access to government records, it inspired a massive outcry from furious taxpayers and advocates.

Now, after being forced to withdraw and regroup, these officials have come back with something just as bad: Thanks for your feedback and have a great day.

Thats just the kind of service we expect now from a bipartisan cabal of public officeholders in New Jersey, who want to empower government to do its business in secret, so we cant find out about it. The three most repugnant aspects of this bill havent changed, no matter what they say, so dont be fooled. Lets review.

The first would block us from seeing text messages and emails between public officials, like that infamous quip, Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.

Instead of just requiring reasonable clarity, the bills new standard would compel you to specify the name of the person, the time period and what they talked about. Rarely do you know all three pieces of information. Wed never have discovered Chris Christies own staffer ordered that Bridgegate traffic jam, for instance, without knowing to specify Bridget Kelly.

A second big problem is that public agencies could charge exorbitant fees, like $1,000 for a police dashcam video, because the burden would now be on you  the person seeking the record  to prove that they didnt spend dozens of hours redacting it. Thats clearly in bad faith. The burden should remain right where it is today: On the agency, to show that they did indeed invest all those hours of work. Thats just common sense.

Finally, and perhaps worst of all, this bill would still make it very hard, if not impossible, to find an attorney to fight a dubious denial, because lawyers would no longer be guaranteed legal fees from the agency that wrongly withholds the record. So, why would they risk taking the case?

Its reasonable to not just write an attorney a blank check, even if they win, but there are already provisions to prevent that. If a lawyer tries to charge something crazy, like $1,000 an hour, the judge can just say no. So, lets not pretend that this is anything other than an excuse to hide official business from taxpayers.

Gone is the premise that this bill was ever about preventing commercial requestors and data brokers from abusing the Open Public Records Act: Lawmakers have now taken out most of those earlier provisions. So, with that all absent now, whats the point of the bill? Its just about gutting OPRA. Period.

My senator, Burgess, is on the committee that will hear the bill this Thursday. I called a few minutes ago and asked her to vote no. Took me 30 seconds.



If you're too scared to call, here is a petition:https://t.co/5AiaPcM1Rx  CJ Griffin (@CJGriffinEsq) May 7, 2024

Former New Jersey Rep. Rob Andrews used to have what he called the supermarket test, recalls Micah Rasmussen of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University:

If he could explain it to the person ahead of him in the supermarket line, in a way that made sense to them and they could get behind, then hed do it. And if not, no dice.

Good luck with this rancid proposal.

It seems to me our lawmakers should take a good, hard look at the public they refuse to even meet with and imagine themselves explaining what they are so hellbent on doing, Rasmussen says. Maybe even try it out. And if they cant, then maybe they should think twice.

Well, heres their chance. These lawmakers, led by Sen. Paul Sarlo, will make their second attempt this week to pass the bill that blocks you from seeing the public documents that you paid to create, inevitably leading to more corruption, fraud, waste and abuse.

The bill will be back before the state Senate budget committee at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Be sure and give them a piece of your mind.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Here is the problem, @SpeakerCoughlin and @PaulASarlo: you committed not to do this until you met with open government advocates.



That you could not even bear to keep your word says everything about what you do not feel justified or confident in defending. @GovMurphy https://t.co/DQWrETDAzB  Rebovich Institute (@RebovichInst) May 7, 2024

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
Michael Cheff, the imprisoned former Paterson police sergeant who supervised a notorious robbery squad that stole from residents, has agreed to pay back $200,000 in salary he collected while awaiting trial on federal corruption charges.

In a settlement announced this week, Cheff agreed to pay back $200,000 of the $309,054 in wages and benefits he received following his arrest in January 2020. Cheff, who is due to be released from prison in November, was is the first of the six ex-cops convicted in the robbery squad scandal to agree to a wage payback.
First, it was a video showing racism. Now this.

Less than a week after Georgia Congressman Mike Collins shared a video posted online that showed a man making monkey noises at a Black protester, the GOP lawmaker was at it again. This time, cracking an off-color joke about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. telling The New York Times doctors found a dead worm in his head amid a brain tumor scare.

You either die a Kennedy with a hole in the brain or live long enough to become a Kennedy with a hole in the brain, Collins posted to X, referring to the assassination of Kennedys uncle, former President John F. Kennedy.

You either die a Kennedy with a hole in the brain or live long enough to become a Kennedy with a hole in the brain.  Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) May 8, 2024

Collins half-walked back his previous post that made headlines.

Ole Miss taking care of business, Collins wrote Friday on X with a link to the video showing a protest at the University of Mississippi that turned ugly when counter-protesters ridiculed the Black woman, including the man who jumped around making the noises.

Ole Miss taking care of business. pic.twitter.com/JiL9hs2pHz  Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) May 3, 2024

Collins put out a statement Monday saying he doesnt tolerate any form of discrimination, racism or otherwise.

The unidentified man was removed from membership Friday, according to a statement put out by Phi Delta Theta. The frat said, The racist actions in the video were those of an individual and are antithetical to the values of Phi Delta Theta and the Mississippi Alpha chapter.

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 universitys students were white and about 11% were Black in 2022-23, the most recent data available on the schools 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.

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 Associated Press contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
When Donald Trump appeared for a February hearing for his New York criminal hush-money trial he proclaimed at the time, We want delays.

Hes mostly been getting them. And on Wednesday, he scored another victory in one of his four criminal trials.

A Georgia appeals court agreed to review a lower court ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue to prosecute the election interference case she brought against Trump.

In other words, the trial has been delayed again  likely after the November election against Joe Biden.

The Georgia Court of Appeals has agreed to hear an appeal from defendants over whether the judge erred when he ruled that Fani Willis could remain on the Trump RICO prosecution in Fulton County. This pushes that trial further off, likely beyond the election, former federal prosecutor Joyce Alene posted to X.

The Georgia Court of Appeals has agreed to hear an appeal from defendants over whether the judge erred when he ruled that Fani Willis could remain on the Trump RICO prosecution in Fulton County. This pushes that trial further off, likely beyond the election. pic.twitter.com/F1gXIfwI5E  Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) May 8, 2024

Trump and 18 others were indicted in August, accused of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally try to overturn his narrow 2020 presidential election loss to Biden in Georgia.

All of the defendants were charged with violating Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, law, an expansive anti-racketeering statute. Four people charged in the case have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty.

Trump and some other defendants in the case had tried to get Willis and her office removed from the case, saying her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade created a conflict of interest. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee in March found that no conflict of interest existed that should force Willis off the case, but he granted a request from Trump and the other defendants to seek an appeal of his ruling from the Georgia Court of Appeals.

That intermediate appeals court agreed on Wednesday to take up the case. Once it rules, the losing side could ask the Georgia Supreme Court to consider an appeal.

The former presidents Washington, D.C. election interference case is on hold until the Supreme Court decides his immunity claims, and his Florida classified documents trial is also likely to be put off.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
A major pipeline that would have moved natural gas through New Jersey and under two bays to New York has been killed, but another plan to transport liquefied gas from Pennsylvania by tanker truck is moving forward.

Environmentalists who had fought both projects reacted Monday to the mixed bag they were handed on Friday when the two proposals took differing pathways with federal regulators.

That was the day that Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Williams Companies, which owns a nearly 10,000-mile (16,000-kilometer) expanse of pipelines called Transco, allowed its Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline project to end. Williams told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission it was allowing a key construction application to expire, saying it would not seek an extension for it.
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.
A remarkable and unsettling true story of public shaming is the inspiration for a North Devon authors latest historic novel  The Ordeal of Lucy Jones.

Well-known author Liz Shakespeare was fascinated to read of an 1879 incident that saw the effigies of two local people tarred, feathered and burned on Torrington Common by a mob of 3,000 people  this episode of public shaming was a huge event in the town and featured in newspapers across Britain.

Liz, who lives near Bideford, said: I was fascinated by a report of the event in a 19th century newspaper, so I decided to find out more.

She explained how incidents of rough music were not uncommon at the time, when a crowd would gather outside the houses of those they believed had committed an offence against society.

Often it would be an illicit affair and the mob would set about making ab huge racket with pots, pans and horns, as well as burn effigies of the couple, but the event in Torrington was huge  what could have prompted such a gathering?

Liz learned one of the effigies was Miss Lucy Jones, the daughter of a Torrington doctor who lived in Castle House. As a church visitor to the poor, she had to meet regularly with the curate, Reverend Francis.

The curate was very unpopular, so when someone claimed to have seen him and Lucy acting improperly together on the Common, the people of Torrington seized an opportunity to be rid of him and at Lucys expense too.

The ensuing enquiry, culminating in the burning of the effigies, was reported in no less than 52 newspapers throughout Britain and all included the name of Lucy Jones.

It would have been a terrible time for her, said Liz.

The investigation into Reverend Francis behaviour was reported in great detail in the local newspaper. I studied this carefully, and although there were plentiful reasons for his unpopularity, I am convinced that Lucy was innocent of any wrongdoing.

Lizs novel draws on extensive historical research to tell the story from Lucys point of view. Lucy Jones liked to walk on the Common and to take excursions by train to Bideford and Instow and the novel describes Torrington and the surrounding area as it was in the 1870s.

Reverend Francis had to leave the town as a result of the scandal.

Liz added: But after the burning of the effigies, Lucy was afraid to leave the house. Knowing that her name would be forever associated with the scandal, she despaired of ever being able to marry her childhood sweetheart.

Torrington is famous for its hugely successful bonfires organised by the Torrington Cavaliers, which raise many thousands for local charities - and take place on the same spot as the burning of the effigies in 1879.

Liz Shakespeare has been writing for more than 30 years and this is her seventh book. All her books are set in North Devon and are based on true stories.

Liz will be speaking about the background and writing of the novel at Torrington Library on Thursday, June 13. She will also be book signing at Walter Henrys Bookshop in Bideford on Friday, May 24 from 11.30am to 1pm, as well as signing books at Clovelly Seaweed Festival on Sunday, May 26.

The Ordeal of Miss Lucy Jones, priced at 10.99, is available from local outlets or ordered free-post from www.lizshakespeare.co.uk. Cheques for 10.99 made payable to Letterbox Books can also be sent to The Old Post Office, Littleham, Bideford EX39 5HW.
As a child, Chelsea Baran was often sick. She suffered from atypical asthma caused by acid reflux that spilled into her lungs, causing wheezing and asthma symptoms.

The time she spent at health-care facilities left her with an admiration for the people who helped her during that challenging time.

I appreciated them and looked up to them, and I wanted to find a way to pay back the people who helped me, she says. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be of service and wanted to help people.

Baran, 32, is an outpatient infusion nurse at Northwest Cancer Centers, where her specialty is intravenous immunotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as iron therapies used to treat different types of anemia.

In addition to administering pre-medications to cancer patients to help minimize reactions and side effects related to chemotherapy, the Munster resident also closely monitors her patients during infusions.

Her drive to work with patients who are battling cancer is rooted in compassion, says Allison Mendoza, director of clinical services at Northwest Cancer Centers.

Oncology infusion nurses become one of the most important members of the patients care team the moment they start treatment, she says. Chelsea is that nurse for so many patients.

Mendoza says Baran goes above and beyond for her patients every day, one reason she was selected a top nurse in the Region by peer review.

She helps them through the toughest days with her calm and reassuring presence, and she is there to celebrate every milestone with them along the way, Mendoza says. She is unwavering in her dedication and one of the most empathetic and caring people you will ever meet.

Baran worked as a nurse fellow in an orthopedic unit at Community Hospital in Munster before graduating from Purdue West Lafayette with her bachelors degree in nursing in 2014. After graduation, she worked in that same unit for about a year and a half before moving to a medical/surgical/bariatric unit, where she had the opportunity to see the surgical side of cancer care. Another year and a half later, she moved to Northwest Cancer Centers.

That was nearly seven years ago, and she hasnt looked back.

I love nursing because every day is different, she says. You never get bored. Its a service career where you feel like you are making a difference in people's lives.

Baran also is a nurse preceptor and trains new nurses at the facility.

I like educating in general. It feels natural to me, she says. My father was a teacher, so maybe its in the genes.

Yet working in oncology can be difficult, Baran admits.

Since we spend so much time with patients and their families, it also makes it that much harder when a patient passes away, she says. Truth be told, that part never gets easier.

Baran focuses on patient education as a way to reduce stress and anxiety.

For new patients, I provide them with one-on-one time to go over questions and educate them on what to expect while they are going through treatment, Baran says.

Patients become like family, she says.

Some of my patients Ive known for years, Baran says. We try to provide our patients with as much emotional support as we do physical support. We celebrate milestones such as birthdays, clear scans, progression free scans, anniversaries and weddings. We also learn from our patients that life is about quality of life and quality time spent with family and friends.
The troubled fashion retailer Rue21 plans to close all its Calumet Region stores as it goes out of business.

Rue21, a suburban Pittsburgh-based clothing retail chain catering to youthful customers, recently filed for bankruptcy for the third time. It said in a filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware that it would close all its stores this time.

Rue21 plans to shutter its stores in the Southlake Mall in Hobart, at River Oaks Center in Calumet City and in the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in Michigan City.

Employees at all three stores said they were not yet told when the final closing date would be. An employee at the Southlake Mall store said they were warned it could be as soon as the end of the month.

The retailer sells casual apparel for women and men. As the name implies, it caters to young people around the age of 21 years old as well as people who want to feel like they're 21 years old, whether teenagers seeking to feel older or adults filled with nostalgia.

It's a staple at shopping malls around the country and plans to close all 540 locations nationwide in the coming weeks. It has 17 stores in Indiana and 20 in Illinois.

Rue21 started as the Pennsylvania Fashion Company in Warrendale, Pennsylvania in 1970 and set up shop at malls around the country. It grew to as big as 1,000 locations nationwide during the last decade.

But Rue21 has faced the pressures that many mall-based businesses have in recent years, filing for bankruptcy in 2002 and again in 2017, when it shuttered 400 stores.

Rue21's latest bankruptcy filing said it owes money to between 25,001 and 50,000 creditors. It reported having between $100 million and $500 million in assets and between $100 million and $500 million in debt. It owes bills as big as $4.4 million to California-based Hybrid Promotions.

Rue21 plans to wind down its entire brick-and-mortar retail footprint and sell off its intellectual property.
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed there was sufficient evidence for a Lake County jury to convict a Merrillville man for murder after he shot his son's ex-wife in the neck.

Frank Zyzanski, 62, was sentenced last year to 65 years in prison for the April 4, 2020, shooting death of 29-year-old Crystal Zyzanski while she and her three children were visiting the Merrillville home of her ex-husband  one day after the cancer death of her former mother-in-law, records show.

According to court records, Frank Zyzanski asked to speak privately with Crystal Zyzanski in the kitchen and seconds later fired one shot into her neck, killing her.

Frank Zyzanski then immediately drove off in his truck and left the state. Police subsequently used location data from Frank Zyzanski's mobile phone to find and arrest him at the Pioneer Motel in Lansing, Illinois, records show.

In his appeal, Frank Zyzanski argued that he did not knowingly kill Crystal Zyzanski. But, even if he did, he claimed he was acting in self-defense.

The three-judge appeals court panel, led by Judge Nancy Vaidik, a Porter County native, observed that Frank Zyzanski's appellate argument misrepresents his defense at trial.

Frank Zyzanski asserted at the Lake Superior Court that the victim was the initial aggressor and he only shot her after she attacked him, according to court records.

In any case, Vaidik said the evidence that Frank Zyzanski committed murder by knowingly or intentionally killing Crystal Zyzanski was sufficiently supported to sustain his conviction.

"A knowing or intentional killing may be inferred from the use of a deadly weapon in a manner likely to cause death. Firing a gun in the direction of the victim is enough to infer a knowing or intentional killing," Vaidik said.

Moreover, despite Frank Zyzanski's claim that he fired his gun in an "apparently unintentional manner," Vaidik said both his son and granddaughter saw Frank Zyzanski point and fire the gun at Crystal Zyzanski.

"The bullet entered one side of Crystal's neck and exited through the other, completely rupturing her left jugular vein and carotid artery. Right after shooting Crystal, Zyzanski fled the house and left the state, which shows a consciousness of guilt," Vaidik said.

Vaidik also noted Frank Zyzanski boasted about killing Crystal Zyzanski  "You think I missed? Absolutely not."  during a telephone call recorded in November 2020 while he was awaiting trial in the Lake County Jail.

Ultimately, Vaidik said, "There was sufficient evidence for the jury to infer that Zyzanski knowingly or intentionally killed Crystal."

Frank Zyzanski still can ask the Indiana Supreme Court to consider reviewing his case. Otherwise, he's likely to die in prison since his earliest possible release date, assuming good behavior, is shortly before his 108th birthday, records show.
Israeli forces have entered Rafah, near the Egyptian border of the Gaza Strip, but we dont yet fully understand whether this is the beginning of a full-scale ground invasion of the city or something more modest. What we do know is that the flow of desperately needed food aid into a territory that is already starving is severely impeded.

The World Food Program warns that there is already a full-blown famine in northern Gaza, and children have already died of malnutrition. Its unconscionable that children should be starving as trucks full of food line up outside the border, waiting to enter. Israels latest move aggravates the crisis.

The Israel Defense Forces seized the Rafah border crossing on Tuesday, halting the transfer of aid through that crossing from Egypt. And another crucial crossing, Kerem Shalom, was closed after a Hamas attack on Sunday killed four soldiers in the area. There are other ways assistance could enter Gaza, but U.N. agencies warned that the closures of these two crucial crossings risk worsening the starvation.

Israel has the right to pursue Hamas fighters who attacked Israeli civilians in a brutal attack on Oct. 7 and to recover its hostages still kept in Gaza. But Israel does not have the right to starve civilians.
The body of the sixth and final victim who died in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was found on Tuesday, officials said, bringing to a close a difficult salvage mission after the countrys deadliest bridge collapse in more than a decade.

The victim, Jose Mynor Lopez, 37, was a member of a work crew that had been filling potholes on the bridge when it was struck on March 26 by the Dali, a container ship on its way to Sri Lanka that apparently lost power after leaving the Port of Baltimore.

Five of his co-workers also died in the collapse, though it took six weeks to find all of the bodies, a daunting task that required divers to sift through mangled steel and crumbled concrete amid swift currents in murky water. Two other workers were rescued from the waters in the hours after the collapse.

All of the men who died were immigrants, from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. Mr. Lopez was from Guatemala and had come to Baltimore for a better life, his brother, Jovani Lopez, told The New York Times. He was married with two young children, a boy and girl, Jovani Lopez said.
Senator Mike Braun of Indiana won the Republican nomination for governor of his solidly conservative state, The Associated Press said on Tuesday, positioning him as the strong favorite in this falls general election.

Mr. Braun defeated several other candidates, including Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, in the primary. Mr. Braun, who received the endorsement of former President Donald J. Trump, has presented himself as a fiscal conservative and has pledged to take a tough stance on crime.

Indianas current governor, Eric Holcomb, a Republican who has occasionally bucked the right wing of his party on public health and cultural issues during his tenure, was barred by term limits from seeking re-election.

Mr. Braun, a businessman and first-term senator, will face Jennifer McCormick, the former state superintendent of public instruction, in November. Ms. McCormick, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, was elected to her prior position as a Republican but fell out of favor with that party.
A woman who filed a lawsuit accusing Neil Portnow, the former head of the Grammy Awards, of drugging and raping her in a New York hotel room has asked a federal judge for her case to be dismissed.

The request by the woman, who filed her suit anonymously in November, was addressed to Judge Analisa Torres of Federal District Court in Manhattan over the weekend via email, and it was posted on Monday to the courts website. Days before, her lawyers had opposed a statement by Mr. Portnows lawyers to require the woman to use her real name in the case.

In her letter, the woman made clear that she was concerned about her identity being revealed. She also noted a dispute with her lawyers. Despite their opposition to Mr. Portnows request, she wrote that her lawyers filing did not accurately reflect my position.

Also on Monday, her lawyer, Jeffrey R. Anderson, filed a motion to withdraw as her counsel. Mr. Anderson said she had submitted the letter without his knowledge, and that the attorney-client relationship has deteriorated beyond repair. Reached by phone on Tuesday, Mr. Anderson declined to comment.
Ian Gelder, the British actor who capped his half-century career by appearing in the hit series Game of Thrones as Kevan Lannister, brother of the feared patriarch Tywin Lannister, died on Monday. He was 74.

His death was announced by his husband, Ben Daniels, a fellow actor, who said in a social media post that Mr. Gelder had been diagnosed with bile duct cancer in December.

Over his long career in television, film and theater, Mr. Gelder appeared in the beloved British sci-fi show Doctor Who and its spinoff, Torchwood, as well as in His Dark Materials, a television adaptation of the trilogy of fantasy novels by Philip Pullman.

He appeared in 12 episodes of Game of Thrones as Kevan Lannister, starting in the first season when his character was a military adviser to his older brother, Tywin (Charles Dance), as the House Lannister battled House Stark.
Negotiators arrived in Cairo after Israel seized Rafah crossing

Delegations from Israel and Hamas arrived in Cairo yesterday to resume talks on a proposed cease-fire deal. Hours earlier, Israeli tanks and troops entered the southern Gaza city of Rafah and seized control of the border crossing with Egypt, halting the flow of aid into the enclave. U.N. officials warned that the humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory would worsen. Heres the latest.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister who is under pressure from the U.S. and other allies to agree to a truce, said that while he had sent negotiators back to the talks, in tandem, we continue waging the war on Hamas.

Analysts said that Israels incursion into Rafah could either ratchet up the pressure on Hamas to make a deal or sabotage the talks. But the move did not appear to be the full ground invasion of Rafah that Israel had long been threatening and that its allies had been working to avert, and the Israeli military called the move a very precise counterterrorism operation.

Devastating consequences: The head of a hospital in Rafah said that 27 bodies and 150 wounded people had been brought to his facility since the start of the incursion. The Israeli military said it had killed about 20 people in Rafah, describing the dead as Hamas militants.
The Biden administration dispatched the head of the C.I.A. to meet today with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in a push by the U.S. to clinch a deal for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages. The visit came only hours after the White House confirmed that it was withholding some military aid from Israel.

Together, the moves are among President Bidens most significant attempts to limit Israels military operation in the Gazan city of Rafah and ratchet down the Israel-Hamas war. The hold on weapons is limited to a few thousand massive bombs, but it is the first time since the start of the war that Biden has used his power over aid to influence Israels approach.

Heres the latest.

The U.S. defense secretary publicly linked the withheld shipment to Israels long-threatened ground invasion of Rafah, which American officials worry could lead to a humanitarian disaster. Israel has insisted that it needs to invade Rafah in order to dismantle Hamas, and this week Israeli tanks entered the city and took control of its border crossing with Egypt.

Israeli officials have downplayed the disagreement and said they are continuing to negotiate on a potential cease-fire. But experts suggested that the hold was a warning from Biden that he was willing to use U.S. aid as leverage if the Israeli military presses farther into Rafah.
AstraZeneca has started to pull its Covid-19 vaccine from global markets because of low demand, the pharmaceutical giant said. The decision closes the chapter on a shot that was widely used in the early stages of vaccination drives in many parts of the world before being supplanted by rivals that were better suited to take on an evolving virus.

The move was not related to any concerns about the shots side effects, the company said.

Since the vaccine was approved in Britain in December 2020, over three billion doses have been supplied globally. But in the past few years, demand has plummeted as other manufacturers have released shots tailored to newer variants and countries have opted to use those. AstraZenecas shot, which was developed with Oxford University, is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

The company said it had decided to voluntarily withdraw all licenses to market its Covid vaccine. That process began months ago, and very few active licenses remain, the company said. The Telegraph in Britain earlier reported the decision on Tuesday.

In March, AstraZeneca requested that the vaccine be withdrawn from most European countries. The European Commission approved the move, which went into effect this week.
The worlds two most powerful countries, the United States and China, are meeting this week in Washington to talk about climate change. And also their relationship issues.

In an ideal world, where the clean energy transition was the top priority, they would be on friendlier terms. Maybe affordable Chinese-made electric vehicles would be widely sold in America, instead of being viewed as an economic threat. Or there would be less need to dig a lithium mine at an environmentally sensitive site in Nevada, because lithium, which is essential for batteries, could be bought worry-free from China, which controls the worlds supply.

Instead, in the not-ideal real world, the United States is balancing two competing goals. The Biden administration wants to cut planet-warming emissions by encouraging people to buy things like EVs and solar panels, but it also wants people to buy American, not Chinese. Its concern is that Chinese dominance of the global market for these essential technologies would harm the U.S. economy and national security.

Those competing goals will be at the center of talks on Wednesday and Thursday as the Biden Administrations top climate envoy, John Podesta, meets for the first time with his counterpart from Beijing, Liu Zhenmin, in Washington.
Balloons released in the sky dont go to heaven. They often end up in oceans and waterways, where theyre 32 times more likely to kill seabirds than other types of plastic debris. Despite this, humans like to release them en masse, be it to celebrate a loved ones life or a wedding, or to reveal the gender of a baby.

The practice is on the verge of becoming illegal in Florida, where the legislature has joined a growing number of states to ban the intentional release of balloons outdoors. The Florida ban is expected to be signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and would take effect July 1.

Florida is at the forefront of a dizzying and contentious array of statewide bans, outlawing lab grown meat, certain books from school libraries and classrooms, and most abortions after six weeks. But the balloon ban is rare for garnering widespread bipartisan support. It was championed by environmentalists and sponsored by two Republican lawmakers from the Tampa Bay area, Linda Chaney, a state representative and Nick DiCeglie, a state senator.

Balloons contribute to the increase in microplastic pollution which is harmful to every living thing including humans, polluting our air and drinking water, Ms. Chaney wrote in an email.
Hot honey, a beloved fusion of sweet and heat, is finding its way into all manner of dishes.

Credit... Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Academic conferences are usually staid affairs, but the 1973 International Symposium on Gender Identity, held in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, was an exception. Everything was peaceful until a psychologist named John Money stood and yelled, Mickey Diamond, I hate your guts!

Milton Diamond, a sexologist who had gone by Mickey since childhood, was sitting on the other side of the room. Dr. Money and Dr. Diamond were bitter rivals: Dr. Money, a nationally recognized researcher at Johns Hopkins University, had long argued that sexual and gender identity are neutral at birth and shaped primarily by an infants surroundings.

Dr. Diamond, who was just beginning his career at the University of Hawaii, strongly disagreed, and had said so repeatedly  including in a widely read 1965 critique of Dr. Moneys work. He took particular issue with Dr. Moneys recommendation that intersex infants have surgery to correct their genitals.

Dr. Money rushed over to Dr. Diamond, getting in his face, furiously insisting he was right.

Dr. Diamond only replied, The data is not there.
Cheetahs are the fastest animals on land; they can also stop and start with extraordinary agility. Dogs are really good at reading our emotions, and they have a keen sense of smell. Bats can produce echolocation calls at a rapid rate  up to 190 calls per second  to help them fly in the dark. And whales can communicate over thousands of miles using complex vocalizations.

Which animals do you find most amazing, and why?

In Scientists Find an Alphabet in Whale Songs, Carl Zimmer writes about how sperm whales use a much richer set of sounds than previously known. The article begins:

Ever since the discovery of whale songs almost 60 years ago, scientists have been trying to decipher their lyrics. Are the animals producing complex messages akin to human language? Or sharing simpler pieces of information, like dancing bees do? Or are they communicating something else we dont yet understand? In 2020, a team of marine biologists and computer scientists joined forces to analyze the click-clacking songs of sperm whales, the gray, block-shaped leviathans that swim in most of the worlds oceans. On Tuesday, the scientists reported that the whales use a much richer set of sounds than previously known, which they called a sperm whale phonetic alphabet. People have a pho-ne-tic alphabet too, which we use to produce a practically infinite supply of words. But Shane Gero, a marine biologist at Carleton University in Ottawa and an author of the study, said its unclear whether sperm whales similarly turn their phonetic sounds into a language. The fundamental similarities that we do find are really fascinating, Dr. Gero said. Its totally changed the way we have to do work going forward.

Students, read the entire article and then tell us:

Which animals amaze you the most? Why?

How much time do you spend with, or near, animals? Do you like to watch shows or read books or articles about them? In general, are you someone who is fascinated by animals and the things they can do?

What questions do you have about animals characteristics and capabilities? Would you want to be an animal researcher, like the scientists discussed in the article? Why, or why not?

How much did you know about whale communication before reading the article? What struck you as most interesting about it? What questions do you still have?

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.
Still, she worries about her future. Forbus would like to stop working when she is 65. She has no big retirement dreams  she is not planning to move to Florida or to take extravagant vacations. She hopes to spend her later years enjoying family and friends and pursuing different hobbies. But she knows that she hasnt set aside enough money to ensure that she can realize even this modest ambition.

A former high school teacher, Forbus says she has around $200,000 in total savings. She earns a high five-figure salary and contributes 9 percent of it to the 401(k) plan that she has through her employer. The company also makes a matching contribution that is equivalent to 5 percent of her salary. A widely accepted rule of thumb among personal-finance experts is that your retirement income needs to be close to 80 percent of what you earned before retiring if you hope to maintain your lifestyle. Forbus figures that she can retire comfortably on around $1 million, although if her house is paid off, she might be able to get by with a bit less. She is not factoring Social Security benefits into her calculations. I feel like its too uncertain and not something I can depend on, she says.
The kookiest characters onscreen this season may be the ones played by Dan Stevens.

This batch of charismatic weirdos joins the collection of peculiar roles he has amassed since the 2014 thriller The Guest, his post-Downton Abbey breakthrough. Stevens, 41, lands somewhere between leading man and character actor, and he revels in the mischievous tone required for these offbeat parts, some of which he describes as funcomfortable.

Right now in theaters he can be seen as a winning monster veterinarian in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and as a corrupt cop turned bloodsucker in the horror comedy Abigail. This summer, he will appear in Cuckoo, a sci-fi horror mash-up set in the Alps, in which he plays a German scientist whose welcoming facade hides a fascination with a bizarre endangered species.
The British Board of Film Classification has been busy.

Last year, the group rerated more than 30 older films to meet contemporary standards. In February, it gave a stricter rating to Mary Poppins because of racial slurs. And last week, it began using an updated set of guidelines after surveying thousands of British moviegoers to gauge shifting public attitudes.

Based on that survey, the new guidelines acknowledge that audiences have grown more lenient about depictions of cannabis use but are more concerned about intense violence and, for younger viewers, bad language.

We follow what people tell us, and we update our standards as societal attitudes change, said David Austin, the boards chief executive.

When distributors rerelease movies in theaters, on streaming services or on DVD, they may be required to resubmit the films to the ratings board. Many voluntarily choose to do so, Austin said, in hopes of receiving a lower rating or to ensure that the rating matches the content. What was once considered acceptable onscreen may no longer be.
Is the former principal at Hillcrest still drawing a salary from New York City public schools today? Yes, he is. Im sorry. Can you say that again? I said, yes, he is. He is no longer the  You are still paying  He is no longer the principal of the school. How, how can Jewish students feel safe at New York City public schools when you cant even manage to terminate the principal of open season on Jews high school, or even endorse suspension of a student harassment? How can Jewish students go to school knowing that he is still on your payroll? Your payroll, sir. I know whose payroll it is, sir. And its not, its not open season on Jews school. Its called Hillcrest High School. Thats the name of the school. And at that school, we considered his leadership not strong enough to be the leader in that school. Wow, but he can still  Hes no longer  Hes still strong enough to participate in your school district? Hes still strong school to be on your payroll  As the leader of that school. Is he still strong enough a leader to be on your payroll, sir? Every one of the  Is that what youre saying? Youre endorsing him to continue on your payroll because he has the moral authority to lead  Within our system. Is that what youre saying, Mr. Banks? What I said is what I just  Youre saying that he still has the moral authority to be  I did not say that. Thats what you said. That is what Im asking you. Youre, youre justifying his continuing employment. And Im trying to challenge how can that be? He, every employee who works in our schools has due process rights, sir. [laughing] Due process. We do not have the authority  There are egregious crimes  Just because I disagree to just terminate someone. Thats not the way that it works in our school system.
A man who got into an argument with pro-Palestinian demonstrators before hitting one with his car on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Tuesday has been charged with assault, according to the police.

The man, Reuven Kahane, 57, was arguing with two demonstrators around 9 a.m. when he struck a 55-year-old woman with his vehicle, the police said. In reaction, the demonstrators hit Mr. Kahanes car.

Mr. Kahane was charged with second-degree assault. The demonstrator who was hit, Maryellen Novak, was treated at Weill Cornell Medical Center for minor injuries. She was arrested and charged with criminal mischief and unlawful assembly. The other demonstrator involved, John Rozendaal, 63, was also arrested and charged with criminal mischief.

Mr. Kahane was arraigned Wednesday morning and released without bail. The Manhattan district attorneys office declined to prosecute Ms. Novak and Mr. Rozendaal, according to a statement.
Follow our live coverage of Trumps hush-money trial in Manhattan.

In the third week of testimony in Donald J. Trumps criminal trial, jurors have seen dozens of dry records and heard hours of sordid stories.

This weeks witnesses included Stormy Daniels, an adult film-star who was paid $130,000 in hush money by Mr. Trumps one-time fixer when her story of a sexual encounter threatened to derail the then-candidates 2016 election bid. Mr. Trump is charged with masking his reimbursement to the fixer, Michael D. Cohen, by orchestrating the falsification of 34 documents related to the transaction.

The first American president to face criminal proceedings, Mr. Trump has denied the felony charges and having had sex with Ms. Daniels. If convicted, he could face probation or prison.

Here are the most memorable things said in court over the past seven days:

Pay with cash.

Mr. Trumps words echoed through the courtroom last Thursday, pulled from an audio clip that Mr. Cohen surreptitiously recorded in 2016.
Readers have been asking me, and I have been asking myself of late, how I feel about the campus demonstrations to stop the war in Gaza. Anyone reading this column since Oct. 7 knows that my focus has been on events on the ground in the Middle East, but this phenomenon has become too big to ignore. In short: I find the whole thing very troubling, because the dominant messages from the loudest voices and many placards reject important truths about how this latest Gaza war started and what will be required to bring it to a fair and sustainable conclusion.

My problem is not that the protests in general are antisemitic  I would not use that word to describe them, and indeed, I am deeply uncomfortable as a Jew with how the charge of antisemitism is thrown about on the Israel-Palestine issue. My problem is that I am a hardheaded pragmatist who lived in Beirut and Jerusalem, cares about people on all sides and knows one thing above all from my decades in the region: The only just and workable solution to this issue is two nation-states for two indigenous peoples.

If you are for that, whatever your religion, nationality or politics, youre part of the solution. If you are not for that, youre part of the problem.

And from everything I have read and watched, too many of these protests have become part of the problem  for three key reasons.
Glenn Loury thought maybe the world  maybe he  had been wrong about Derek Chauvin, the police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd in 2020. Loury had watched a documentary, The Fall of Minneapolis, that had circulated largely on right-wing social media, arguing that Chauvin had been wrongly convicted, and found himself persuaded. Was it possible, he wondered, that Floyd had actually died of a drug overdose?

Floyds death had ignited protests nationwide and spurred a passionate national debate about racism that often left Loury, a prominent Black conservative, at odds with many other Black intellectuals and with much of the American left.

He welcomed the films creators, Liz Collin and JC Chaix, as guests on his podcast, The Glenn Show, which has over 100,000 subscribers on YouTube.

The blowback was swift and harsh.

Really, youre going to take Chauvins side? friends emailed Loury. Commenters on his newsletter and social media also took issue. Then Radley Balko, an independent journalist, published a long and meticulous critique of the film, calling it all nonsense.
History is littered, the British writer and politician Enoch Powell said, with the wars which everybody knew would never happen.

A full-blown conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel once seemed implausible. But last month, the long-running shadow war between the two nations burst into the open in a series of unprecedented drone and missile strikes, raising the specter of a fight that would contain enough advanced technology, paramilitary forces and mutual acrimony to incinerate large parts of the Middle East, collapse the global economy and entangle the United States and other major powers.

Now the two sides appear to have hit pause, but for how long? As long as Iran is ruled by an Islamist government that puts its revolutionary ideology before the national interest, the two countries will never know peace, and the Middle East will never know meaningful stability.

Iran and Israel are not natural adversaries. In contrast to other modern conflicts  between Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine, China and Taiwan  Iran and Israel have no bilateral land or resource disputes. Their national strengths  Iran is an energy titan and Israel is a tech innovator  are more complementary than competitive. The nations also have a historical affinity dating back over 2,500 years, when the Persian King Cyrus the Great freed the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity. Iran was the second Muslim nation, after Turkey, to recognize Israel after its founding in 1948.
Before Pope Francis was elected, conservative Catholics had fallen into a habit of dismissing the more liberal form of Catholicism as an old and faded thing, a vision of the future that belonged to the churchs past, a relic of the 1970s that had little purchase among younger Catholics seriously practicing their faith.

The last 10 years have been hard on this kind of confidence. A college of supposedly conservative cardinals elected a surprisingly liberal pope. Moral and theological debates supposedly settled by Pope John Paul II were conspicuously reopened. The Latin Mass, rehabilitated under Pope Benedict XVI, was partially suppressed. Progressive theologians found themselves back in favor; formerly conservative bishops suddenly evolved. It seemed as though liberal Catholicism had been merely hibernating, awaiting a new pope, a new spring.

But lately, in both Rome and the United States, Ive had conversations with well-informed Catholics in which the old conservative confidence has made a comeback. The idea of the Francis era as a last gasp for the Catholicism of the boomer era has figured prominently. The assumption that progressive Catholicism has no real long-term viability has returned. The fear that the next pope might be another liberalizer, younger and more ambitious than Francis, has largely receded.

This new confidence reflects a specific reading of the waning years (or what are probably the waning years) of the Francis pontificate. First, theres a sense that the current popes liberalizing program has reached its limits: The Vaticans halfway-opening to blessings for same-sex couples was essentially rejected by many of the churchs bishops, and the subsequent papal document reiterating church teaching on gender identity felt like an acknowledgment that the space for innovation had (for now) run out.
Not long after Donald Trump was criminally charged in four state and federal cases last year, many people who want to see the former president held to account expressed an understandable fear: A MAGA mole would sneak onto the jury and then refuse to vote guilty, no matter how damning the evidence.

The resulting hung jury would be just the vindication that Mr. Trump needs. But following Stormy Danielss dramatic testimony on Tuesday in Mr. Trumps New York hush-money case, which delved into graphic detail about what she said was a brief, unpleasant sexual encounter with Mr. Trump in 2006, I am inclined to worry about a more mundane but similarly grave threat: call it the Desensitized Juror.

This person, a decent and upstanding citizen who treats his or her duty with appropriate gravity, could nevertheless decide that all of this tawdriness  cheating on his new wife, seducing Ms. Daniels with false promises of reality-TV stardom and so on  is just Mr. Trump being Mr. Trump. Even if hiding the purpose of the $130,000 payoff to Ms. Daniels violated New York law, the juror might think, so what? Everyone already knows Mr. Trump is a liar and a cad, a womanizer and a cheat. Is this really a serious crime or is it, like so much connected to the Trump lifestyle, just one big tabloid joke?

The tabloid element of the case has been there all along, of course, but it was never more evident than on Tuesday. Again and again, Ms. Daniels testified in much greater detail, and with more editorializing, than was asked of her. Mr. Trumps lawyers objected often, and when they didnt, Justice Juan Merchan stepped in himself, testily warning Ms. Daniels more than once to just answer the questions.
When Camille Charriere designed a capsule collection for the British intimates brand Stripe & Stare last year, she was not expecting the line to cause controversy  and certainly not expecting to start a public fight with Kim Kardashian and her billion-dollar brand, Skims. But after Ms. Charriere accused Skims of copying her work in a post on X that has since been widely shared on social media, thats exactly what happened.

Heres everything you need to know about the internets latest fashion drama, and why Ms. Charriere thinks her point has been misconstrued.

Whats going on?

Ms. Charriere is a fashion influencer, designer and contributing editor at Elle UK who has collaborated with brands like Chloe, Mango and Tommy Hilfiger. Last year, she worked with Stripe & Stare to design a line of underwear and basics in delicate florals, olive greens and soft yellows, which was marketed as sustainable and compostable. On Tuesday, as social media was humming along with Met Gala discourse, Ms. Charriere directly accused Ms. Kardashian and Skims of stealing her work, offering side-by-side examples.
This article is part of our Design special section about water as a source of creativity.

Consider the 21 gilded mirrors lining the music room, each more extravagant than the last. Or the Italian monastery table that seats 24, never mind the tapestries, peacock feathers, brass candlesticks and Persian rugs seemingly everywhere.

And did we mention entire suites dedicated to Frank Sinatra and Noel Coward?

Let others embrace minimalism. Good things come in multiples in the waterfront home that Tom Postilio and Mickey Conlon have created for themselves on two and a quarter acres on the North Shore of Long Island.
Many donors, politicians and Jewish students have pressured their colleges to confront antisemitism more forcefully. But one challenge can make the whole exercise feel like quicksilver.

Theres no consensus about what, precisely, constitutes antisemitism.

University administrators and federal bureaucrats alike have considered one contentious definition that has gained traction in recent years, put forward by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

The definition itself is vague and uncontroversial, stating that antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews that may be expressed as hatred toward them. But the I.H.R.A. also includes with the definition a series of examples that alarm many supporters of free expression. They include holding Israel to a double standard and claiming Israels existence is a racist endeavor.

Supporters of the alliances definition say that it helps press colleges to stop tolerating behavior against Jews that would be unacceptable if it were directed at racial minority groups or L.G.B.T.Q. students.
Divisions in one California school district will be thrust into the national spotlight today.

The superintendent of the Berkeley Unified School District, Enikia Ford Morthel, is set to appear before members of a congressional committee in the most recent round of Republican-led inquiries into campus antisemitism.

Though the House Committee on Education and the Workforce has grilled many university leaders in similar hearings, this will be the first time that primary and secondary school leaders have been the focus.

The Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel and the resulting war in Gaza have sown unusual tensions in Berkeley, a community known for progressive ideals and inclusiveness. Theres been controversy over how the Israel-Palestine conflict is taught in classrooms and over how the district has responded to claims of antisemitism. People on all sides now say they fear for their safety.

Theres a definite fracture, a parent in Berkeley told my colleague Kurt Streeter. People who were just marching together for Black lives are now at each others throats.
Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago understands the comparison to 1968. Once again, the city is gearing up to host a late-summer Democratic National Convention against a backdrop of fury and antiwar campus protests from the partys younger, leftist flank.

But that is where the parallel ends for Mr. Johnson.

Were a different city. Im a different mayor. And our Police Department is in a much different place than it was in 1968, he said in an interview last week.

Mr. Johnson, a 48-year-old Democrat who has served one year in office, stressed that this was not the same Chicago as the one that erupted into chaos during the 1968 convention. Then, police officers attacked protesters with billy clubs, dragging them out of Grant Park in a show of bloody force. This time, the Chicago Police Department is undergoing extensive training and preparation, officials said, including de-escalation techniques, as they do before other protests and large events.

And Mr. Johnson, who was elected mayor after a career as a social studies teacher, labor organizer and county commissioner, drew a sharp distinction between himself and Mayor Richard J. Daley, the powerful leader who ran Chicago during the 1968 convention and whose own Police Department stoked tensions and violence.
The chief of the Houston Police Department retired abruptly amid an investigation into more than 260,000 incident reports since 2016 that were not investigated, including sexual assaults and other felonies, because of a lack of personnel.

The departure of the chief, Troy Finner, was announced by Mayor John Whitmire during a City Council meeting on Wednesday. He praised the chief and called him a friend" but said that new information related to the suspended cases was distracting the Police Department.

After the council meeting, Mr. Whitmire told reporters that the retirement had come after he had discussions with Mr. Finner on Tuesday.

I dealt with it because it was a distraction to the mission of the men and women in H.P.D., the mayor said.
UmaSofia Srivastava, who was crowned Miss Teen USA in 2023, resigned her post on Wednesday after months of grappling with this decision, two days after Noelia Voigt stepped down as Miss USA.

After careful consideration, I have decided to resign as I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization, Ms. Srivastava wrote on Instagram, without elaborating.

Ms. Srivastava and Miss USA did not respond to requests for comment.

Representing New Jersey, Ms. Srivastava was crowned the winner of the Miss Teen USA pageant, which was held in Reno, Nev., in September.

Her bio on the Miss Teen USA website describes Ms. Srivastava as the first Mexican Indian Miss New Jersey Teen USA, adding that she hopes to become a U.N. ambassador. She did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
David C. Banks consulted his top deputies. He spoke with another school district leader. As the police cleared out pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had seized a building at Columbia University last week, he was there on campus  and went inside to survey the scene.

At a recent meeting with reporters, Mr. Banks, the New York City schools chancellor, outlined the ways he had prepared to testify on Wednesday in front of a subcommittee of the House Education and Work Force Committee examining antisemitism in schools, as student demonstrations have intensified in response to the Israel-Hamas war.

He can expect a grilling over concerns of antisemitism at city schools, including at his alma mater, Hillcrest High School in Queens. In recent months, Republican members of the committee have aggressively questioned leaders from some of the nations most elite universities over accusations that they have allowed antisemitic harassment and hate to fester on their campuses. Two presidents, Claudine Gay of Harvard and Liz Magill of University of Pennsylvania, eventually resigned, in part because of a strong backlash over their performance in Congress.

Another president, Nemat Shafik of Columbia University, returned to upheaval on her own campus, which she sought to contain by calling in the police to arrest hundreds of students and other activists. In recent days, she opted to cancel the schools main graduation ceremony anyway, angering many students and families.
Hours before Arizona state legislators voted to repeal an 1864 abortion ban last month, a group of mostly Latina Democrats huddled at a nearby Mexican restaurant for a strategy session on galvanizing Latina voters over abortion rights.

I am 23  why do I have less rights than my abuelita in Mexico? Melissa Herrera, a Democratic campaign staffer, asked the cluster of women at the restaurant, referring to her grandmother.

The question crystallized what Democrats hope will be a decisive electoral factor in their favor this year, one that upends conventional political wisdom: A majority of Latino voters now support abortion rights, according to polls, a reversal from two decades ago. Polling trends, interviews with strategists and election results in Ohio and Virginia, where abortion rights played a central role, suggest Democrats optimism regarding Latinas  once considered too religious or too socially conservative to support abortion rights  could bear out.

Since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022, stringent curbs have been taking effect in Republican-dominated states. In Arizona, for one, the May 2 repeal of the blanket ban from 1864 still leaves abortions governed by a two-year-old law prohibiting the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with no exception for rape or incest.
President Biden is warning that a new surge of cheap Chinese products poses a threat to American factories. There is little sign of one in official trade data, which show that Chinese steel imports are down sharply from last year and that the gap between what the United States sells to China and what it buys is at a post-pandemic low.

But the presidents aides are looking past those numbers and fixating on what they call troubling signs from China and Europe. That includes data showing Chinas growing appetite to churn out big-ticket goods like cars and heavy metals at a rate that far exceeds the demand of domestic consumers.

Chinas lavish subsidies, including loans from state-run banks, have helped sustain companies that might otherwise have folded in a struggling domestic economy. The result is, in many cases, a significant cost advantage for Chinese manufactured goods like steel and electric cars.

The U.S. solar industry is already struggling to compete with those Chinese exports. In Europe, the problem is much broader. Chinese exports are washing over the continent, to the chagrin of political leaders and business executives. They could soon pose a threat to some of the American companies that Mr. Biden has tried to bolster with federal grants and tax incentives, much of which comes from his 2022 climate law, U.S. officials warn.
President Biden on Wednesday announced the creation of an artificial intelligence data center in Wisconsin, highlighting one of his administrations biggest economic accomplishments in a crucial battleground state  and pointing to a significant failure by his predecessor and 2024 challenger.

At the Gateway Technical College in Racine, Mr. Biden said the $3 billion project, which will be built by Microsoft, was an example of how he has delivered on promises that former President Donald J. Trump did not.

The Microsoft data center will be built on grounds where Mr. Trump, as president, announced in 2017 that Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, would build a $10 billion factory for making LCD panels. Mr. Trump promised that it would be the eighth wonder of the world, and visited the site with elected officials and golden shovels. But the project never materialized as expected.

On Wednesday, Mr. Biden took direct aim at the failed promise. Look what happened  they dug a hole with those golden shovels, and then they fell into it, Mr. Biden told the crowd.
Billions in federal subsidies for semiconductor manufacturers are expected to help reverse a decades-long decline in Americas share of global chip manufacturing.

The United States will triple its domestic chip manufacturing capacity by 2032, the largest increase in the world, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Semiconductor Industry Association and the Boston Consulting Group. As a result, Americas share of world chip manufacturing is expected to rise for the first time in decades, to 14 percent by 2032, up from about 10 percent today.

The report found that much of the industrys growth would be fueled by the bipartisan CHIPS Act, which gave the Commerce Department $39 billion to encourage semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. Absent that legislation, Americas share of global chip manufacturing would have fallen to 8 percent by 2032, according to the report.

The United States is also expected to see a substantial boost in the domestic production of advanced logic chips, which are used in artificial intelligence, smartphones and autonomous vehicles. Bolstering the production of the most advanced semiconductors has been a central goal for the Biden administration. Federal officials contend that in order for the country to lead in major technological industries, it will need to have a more reliable supply of the most advanced semiconductors.
The grandson of President John F. Kennedy this week savaged his presidential-candidate cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in a series of mocking, meant-to-be-funny videos that were, inarguably, uncharacteristically un-Kennedyesque, escalating a civil war within Americas most storied political dynasty.

In a series of Instagram posts, the grandson, Jack Schlossberg, 31, variously called Mr. Kennedy, 70, a prick, suggested he was using steroids, said he was lying to us and portrayed him as a Russian stooge and a stalking horse for Donald J. Trump.

But what viewers may be more struck by, or even insulted by, are the heavily accented caricatures the young scion used to dramatize his points.

He impersonates a Massachusetts fan of the Kennedys named Jimmy, sounding like Ben Affleck in a Dunkin Donuts commercial.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, one of the top contenders to become Donald J. Trumps running mate, will host a gathering in Washington next month featuring Republican donors who so far remain publicly uncommitted to the partys presidential ticket.

Pitched as a meeting of Great Opportunity Policy, a tax-exempt group that supports Mr. Scotts political agenda, the private event on June 19 will double as a fund-raiser just as Mr. Trumps vice-presidential search is expected to start heating up.

A financial show of force for Mr. Scotts group could lift his chances of being selected by Mr. Trump, who has spoken to advisers at Mar-a-Lago about which potential running mates could help the campaign raise money. For Mr. Scott, the event may help signal that he is a more palatable political figure for centrist donors and that adding him to the ticket could expand the network of financial resources Mr. Trump could tap into this year.

According to a copy of the invitation obtained by The New York Times, Mr. Scotts event will feature remarks from a range of major donors and other well-known figures:

Marc Andreessen, the software engineer turned investor who has given more than $11 million to non-Trump political causes this cycle

Kenneth Griffin, the founder of the hedge fund Citadel, who has made nearly $60 million in political contributions this cycle, much of which helped finance Mr. Trumps Republican primary challengers

Marc Rowan, the chief executive of Apollo Global Management, who supported Mr. Scotts presidential bid

Bill Ackman, the founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, who has said he is deciding whether to support Mr. Trump or Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate

Tim Dunn, a founder of CrownQuest, who has already supported Mr. Trump with a $5 million contribution to Make America Great Again Inc., the former presidents super PAC

Kellyanne Conway, a former senior counselor in the Trump White House

Mr. Trump has become increasingly worried about a range of money problems. On the campaign trail, his advisers expect to be outgunned by President Bidens fund-raising operation. In the courtroom, his four criminal cases have led to sky-high legal bills, sapping roughly $50 million from his Save America political action committee last year.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate, is on track to submit enough signatures to get on the ballot in Texas, potentially setting the stage for a three-way contest in the nations second most populous state.

While Mr. Kennedy is unlikely to win the Republican-dominated state, his addition to the presidential race in Texas could have an unintended and unexpected consequence: lending a hand to the Democratic challenger seeking to unseat Senator Ted Cruz.

For weeks, the Cruz campaign has been privately expressing concern, seeing Mr. Kennedy as perhaps the biggest wild card in a race that Mr. Cruz had hoped to comfortably win. Texas has favored Mr. Trump in the last two elections, winning about 52 percent of the states vote in 2020.

But a three-way race in November could upset that balance by bringing more voters to the polls who dislike both Mr. Trump and President Biden. More of those voters appear to also dislike Mr. Cruz, a two-term incumbent with nearly universal name recognition in Texas.
Follow our updated coverage of Thursdays severe weather here.

At least three people were dead on Wednesday after strong storms swept through North Carolina, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, bringing intense rain, winds and hail in some areas. The severe weather arrived a day after widespread storms pummeled the Midwest, and tornadoes tore through Michigan.

Officials in North Carolina said there was one storm-related death in Gaston County, just west of Charlotte, as they braced for more severe weather overnight.

In Claiborne County in northeast Tennessee, one person was killed after a tree fell on a vehicle as storms passed through the area around 10 a.m. local time, according to the countys office of emergency management.

Another person died on Wednesday evening in Maury County, Tenn., after a large and destructive tornado was spotted near Spring Hill, about 35 miles south of Nashville. About 10 miles away, the storm hit near Columbia, a city of about 45,00 residents. The death was confirmed by Rita Thompson, a spokeswoman for Maury Regional Health, a hospital in Columbia.
Few West Coast universities rival the pomp of the University of Southern Californias commencements. Flags fly. Trumpets blare. Tens of thousands of relatives from around the world fill the Los Angeles campus, cheering for newly minted alumni. There are catered luncheons under chandeliers and Very Important Speakers: Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, took the stage last year to the Avengers theme song before delivering the commencement address.

This week, however, the pageantry has been sorely tested, barraged by weeks of campus protest and controversy. The Class of 2024 will have no grand main-stage commencement, no Hollywood executive dispensing wisdom to graduates from across the university.

While smaller celebrations will go on at the universitys 23 schools and academic units, at least two keynote speakers have publicly withdrawn from the school of educations commencement, and others have quietly pulled out at the last minute.
Virginia Foxx has been a Republican congresswoman from North Carolina for almost 20 years. Over the last year, her campaign against antisemitism on college campuses, carried out as chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, has raised her profile.

In her recent work, Ms. Foxx says she is guided by her revulsion at discrimination of any kind, and by the teachings of her Baptist church. Education has been a theme of her life.

Ms. Foxx, 80, grew up in a rural part of her district. She often speaks about how her childhood was spent living in houses without running water or electricity.

She worked her way through college and emerged with a doctorate in education. She was president of Mayland Community College, an experience that some people say may account for her antipathy toward elite schools.
Anderson da Silva Pantaleao was at the snack bar he owns last Friday when clay-colored water began filling the streets in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre. Soon, it was rushing into his ground-floor shop. By 9 p.m., the water was up to his waist.

Then the fear starts to hit, he said. Youre just trying not to drown.

He dashed up to a neighbors home on the second floor, taking refuge for the next three nights, rationing water, cheese and sausage with two others. Members of the group slept in shifts, fearing another rush of water could take them by surprise in the dead of night.

On Monday, water began flooding the second floor, and they thought the worst. Then, a military boat arrived and rescued Mr. Pantaleao, 43. A day later, despite heavy rains, he was trying to go back on a rescue boat to search for friends who were still missing or stranded.

I cant leave them there, he said. The water is running out, the food is running out.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti are on the run from rampant gang violence and have abandoned their homes, a worsening humanitarian crisis that the United Nations describes as cataclysmic.

Masses of homeless families dodging gang members who burned down their houses and killed their neighbors have taken over dozens of schools, churches and even government buildings. Many places have no running water, flushing toilets or garbage pickup.

The lucky ones are sleeping on a friends sofa.

There are kids at my camp who have no parents, said Agenithe Jean, 39, who left her home in the Carrefour Feuilles neighborhood of Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince, in August for an improvised camp in an empty lot about six miles away. We need latrines. We need somewhere to go.
U.S. pushed Israel to reach a cease-fire deal

President Biden turned up the pressure on Israel to limit its Rafah operation and to reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas. He made it public that hed held up a delivery of heavy bombs to Israel, and dispatched his C.I.A. chief to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The U.S. announced it had withheld the delivery of some military aid to Israel last week over concerns they would be used in a possible full-scale assault on Rafah. William Burns, the head of the C.I.A., met privately with Netanyahu.

Israel downplayed the pause of the arms deliveries.

But experts said the pause showed that the bond is facing new strains, with more ruptures possibly to come amid declining American public support for the Israeli war effort. They also acknowledged that such disagreements were unlikely to change the course of the conflict. Biden has made it clear that he remains deeply committed to Israel, even as he has signaled that there are limits to U.S. aid and patience.

Details: The paused arms delivery included 2,000-pound bombs, which are among the most destructive in Israels arsenal. In the first six weeks of the war, the country routinely used weapons like these in areas of Gaza designated as safe for civilians, a Times investigation found.
Britains diplomatic feud with Russia escalated on Wednesday after the British government announced it would expel a senior Russian diplomat who officials claim is an undeclared military intelligence officer, and also shut down several Russian diplomatic facilities in the country.

The government accused Russias domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service, or F.S.B., of a pattern of malign activity in Britain and Europe, including hacking and leaking trade documents relating to the United States, and targeting of British lawmakers through malicious email campaigns.

James Cleverly, the British home secretary, told Parliament that the government was announcing the retaliatory measures to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations.

Britains action came two days after the Russian Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the British ambassador to Moscow to lodge a strong protest over remarks the British foreign secretary, David Cameron, had made about Ukraines using weapons supplied by Britain to strike Russian territory.
For citizens of the United States, Britain, India and dozens of other countries around the world, 2024 is a big, high-stakes election year.

For Dimitar Naydenov, a Bulgarian member of Parliament and restaurant owner, it offers only yet another Groundhog Day: Bulgaria in June holds its sixth general election in three years with a vote for a new Parliament. The total number of elections in those years is even higher  eight  if those for president and European Parliament are included.

The same thing over and over. Im very tired, Mr. Naydenov said, shuddering at the thought that he will soon be back doing what he does before each Election Day  pitching a campaign tent in the central square of Burgas, a port city on the Black Sea, and standing for hours each day pleading with passers-by for their votes.

Ive done this so many times people have started to feel pity for me, he said.

But pity Bulgarian voters, too. They keep casting ballots only to discover that the politicians they choose cannot form a stable government. So back to the polls, they go. Again and again.
Ukraines Parliament passed a bill on Wednesday that will allow some convicts to serve in the military in exchange for the possibility of parole at the end of their service, a move aimed at replenishing the armys depleted ranks after more than two years of war.

The bill must still be signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelensky. It was not immediately clear if he would do so, given the sensitivity of the matter.

The policy echoes a practice used by Russia, which has committed tens of thousands of convicts to the war, allowing it to gain the upper hand in bloody assaults by sheer force of numbers. While Russia has enlisted all manner of prisoners, the Ukrainian bill says that those convicted of premeditated murder, rape or other serious offenses will not be eligible  although some lawmakers said involuntary manslaughter convictions could be considered.

Olena Shulyak, the leader of President Volodymyr Zelenskys Servant of the People party, said that the decision to mobilize and parole a prisoner would be made by a court and would require the prisoners willingness to join the army.
China and Serbia on Wednesday proclaimed an ironclad friendship and a shared future during a visit to Belgrade by the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, underlining the close political and economic ties between two countries that share a wariness of the United States.

Mr. Xi arrived in Serbia late Tuesday  the 25th anniversary of a mistaken 1999 airstrike involving the U.S. Air Force during the Kosovo war that destroyed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, the Serbian capital. Three Chinese journalists were killed in the strike.

Mr. Xi appeared briefly on Wednesday morning with the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic, before a cheering crowd of people, some of whom told Serbian media outlets they had been bused in by the ruling party, gathered in front of the Palace of Serbia, the former headquarters of the now defunct government of Yugoslavia that now houses Serbian government offices.

The ironclad friendship between China and Serbia has withstood the test of international storms and tribulations, Mr. Xi told Mr. Vucic in a meeting, according to an account from Xinhua, Chinas official news agency. It has a deep historical bedrock, a robust political foundation, wide-ranging common interests and a solid basis in public opinion.
Israel said on Wednesday that it had reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into the Gaza Strip after closing it days earlier because of an attack by Hamas. But the United Nations said it was too soon to tell how quickly the humanitarian aid that is critical to stemming a hunger crisis in Gaza would begin to flow again.

Kerem Shalom has been the main aid conduit for more than two million people in Gaza who face what humanitarian workers say is a serious food deficit. Two senior American officials said recently that famine had already begun in parts of Gaza, caused largely by strict controls on aid imposed by Israel since Oct. 7, when Hamas led a deadly attack on Israel, and by the difficulty of distributing food, fuel and medicine within the enclave.

Israel launched an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Monday night and closed the crossing with Egypt there. That crossing is still shut, but on Wednesday, facing calls by the United Nations and several governments to avoid making a dire situation even worse, Israel said it would reopen Kerem Shalom.

Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the U.N. humanitarian office in Geneva, said the United Nations was checking to see how quickly aid shipments could resume. We can only confirm once a drop has been made and pickup on the other side has begun, he said. Earlier, COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for coordinating aid deliveries into Gaza, said that aid trucks were arriving at the crossing and would go into Gaza after inspection.

Juliette Touma, the communications director for the main U.N. agency aiding Palestinians in Gaza, known as UNRWA, said that no supplies have come in yet through Kerem Shalom.

The amount of aid going into Gaza each day has fluctuated since Oct. 7, but U.N. data shows that overall the number of trucks flowing through Kerem Shalom and Rafah is down about 75 percent from before the war. Part of the problem is that commercial imports have also virtually stopped.

Aid experts also say that the number of aid trucks entering Gaza, which this month is an average of 180 per day through the two main crossing points combined, is inadequate to address the hunger crisis. Achieving that, they say, would require many more trucks, an influx of aid workers, training of Palestinian medical personnel to treat people suffering from malnutrition, the restoration of medical facilities and, above all, an end to the military conflict.

In addition to the southern crossing points, COGAT said on Tuesday that 60 trucks had passed through the Erez crossing into northern Gaza, which Israel reopened under pressure from the Biden administration after an Israeli airstrike last month killed seven aid workers.

But Ms. Touma said that supplies were not coming through Erez on a regular basis, and that overall much more aid needs to go into Gaza.
Scroll In June 2020 I was kidnapped by armed men and held

for ransom. Unlike thousands of other Mexicans who have

been taken, I survived. This is my story, and the story of

how violence has destroyed families, lives and my country. Photographs and text by Manuel Bayo Gisbert I was kidnapped by armed men

and held for ransom. Unlike

thousands of other Mexicans who

have been taken, I survived.

This is my story, and the story

of how violence has destroyed

families, lives and my country.

Photographs and text by Manuel

Bayo Gisbert Tap to listen Tap to listen Leer en espanol It was almost midnight when we returned to the highway where we had been kidnapped by a drug cartel. In Mexico we say that when you see or experience something painful it can make us sick with horror. Your soul leaves your body. It waits, for something to purify the space so it can come back to you. I thought that if I found the place where that happened to me I would find my spirit wandering outside my body. As we were being tortured I heard the voices of those who had also been taken. Those voices led me to people who are still searching for their missing relatives.

Opinion Looking for the Missing People of Mexico Looking for the Missing People of Mexico

My partner at the time and I were on a highway on the outskirts of Mexico City shooting an experimental film when a group of armed men approached us. Our mistake: using a camera in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

We were abducted near Parres, a town where poverty and corruption have created a haven for criminal gangs. The men took us to a cliff, where we were tortured and sexually abused, all while our families heard us scream in pain and beg for our lives from the other end of the phone line.

Fourteen hours later, after our families paid a $1,500 ransom, we were released.

Once home, I became a prisoner again  this time of my own fears. I became paranoid that the armed men might return to take us or our families. To get my life back, I needed to understand what had happened to me and why.

I searched for answers in the stories of those who were also taken but, unlike me, never returned. I turned to the families of the missing people of Mexico.

Ivonnes brother was taken in Chilpancingo in 2013. Her mother died without seeing her son again. Hilda and Chelis brother Rafael was unlawfully arrested by the Mexican Army in 1976 in the state of Guerrero. He is still missing. Miguel Angel has seven brothers. Four are missing. For more than 10 years, Miguel Angel has dedicated his life to looking for clandestine mass graves where his brothers might be buried. Justinas husband, Abelardo, was the relative and right hand of a guerrilla leader named Lucio Cabanas. Abelardo was unlawfully arrested by the government and vanished from El Conchero in 1974. In the 1970s, soldiers broke into Quirinas home in El Ticui and threatened her family. They took her brother Cirino, who has been missing ever since.

A Long History of Disappearances

A touchstone in my countrys history: In 1965, a group of rural teachers and farmers attacked a military barracks in Ciudad Madera, a small city in the state of Chihuahua. Demanding the fair distribution of farmland  the great unfulfilled promise of the Mexican Revolution  the protesters-turned-guerrillas were killed. They want land, so give them soil until they cant take it anymore, Chihuahuas governor, Praxedes Giner Duran, said when he gave orders to bury the bodies in a mass grave.

This story was repeated in the decade that followed, when farmers from the mountains of Atoyac de Alvarez, led by a teacher, Lucio Cabanas, took up arms, once again asking for equality. The response: about 500 people were taken from Atoyac and its surroundings by the army and the Mexican national security services. Their relatives continue searching for them in the jungles of Guerrero.

In the years that followed, savage acts of counterinsurgency and government-sponsored abuse left thousands of families and communities scarred and incomplete.

In the northern city of Ciudad Juarez, on the Texas border, hundreds of women were raped, killed or disappeared between 1993 and 2003, many at the hands of drug smugglers. The brutalization of these women  known as las muertas de Juarez, the dead women of Juarez  was a turning point for Mexico. Soon after, in 2006, the new president, Felipe Calderon, declared a war on drugs, a military-led campaign supposedly intended to eradicate violence. Instead, it resulted in a huge increase in disappearances and killings. Massacres ensued; tortured corpses surfaced all over the country.

The violence continued to grow. At the end of President Calderon's term in 2012 there were over 25,000 missing people; today, the official number has crossed 116,000. But many disappearances are never reported. The true number may be as high as 500,000.

I have interviewed and photographed over 200 survivors

and families of the disappeared. The details vary but much

of their stories echoes one another. I have interviewed and photographed

over 200 survivors and families of

the disappeared. The details vary but

much of their stories echoes one another. Tap to listen Tap to listen My daughter disappeared on June 28, 2018  My husband disappeared on Sept. 29, 2021  My sister disappeared on the 29th of  Today, shes now been missing for five years, seven months  My dad has been missing for 49 years. They took him in  They say they wanted a ransom, because they had him  They tortured them, they kidnapped them  We found him dead in the forensic morgue in Pachuca  Its not fair. The law isnt fair  The feelings of missing him, thinking about him. But I see hope  They dont care about the pain of a mother of the missing 

A Land Polluted by Violence

In the months after I was kidnapped I joined the National Search Brigade for the Disappeared, a group that bridges the hundreds of search collectives scattered throughout Mexico. In 2021 that work took me to the state of Veracruz, on the Gulf of Mexico.

For more than 10 years, Veracruz has been besieged by violence among rival cartels. A group of families looking for their missing loved ones there discovered sites where cartels take their victims to be cooked. During one of the searches, I found what seemed to be small black rocks in the soil that crumbled to the touch; what I was holding were actually charred human remains.

Residents described regularly seeing fires burning through the night as the cartels incinerated corpses. Without fail, they said to us, the following morning the navy would come to clean up the scene. No bodies, no evidence, no crime. (The Mexican government did not respond to these allegations, nor to others accusing the military forces or the police of participating in forced disappearances.)

The cooking sites of Veracruz are one in a long list of initiatives allegedly sponsored by the government to cover up cartel crimes. Across the country, criminal groups set strict curfews and threaten to murder or kidnap anyone who breaks them, which local law enforcement silently blesses. Dozens of people are killed on average every day by paramilitary and criminal groups, with mutilated corpses found inside freezers, buried in mass graves or left in broad daylight in plazas and parks.

In 2014, 43 students from Ayotzinapa disappeared at the hands of a local cartel in collusion with the police and the army. An inquiry into their whereabouts by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ended with investigators complaining of repeated lies and obstruction by the armed forces.

A former defense minister who was indicted in the U.S. for allegedly taking bribes to protect cartel leaders was released to Mexico, reportedly after pressure from the current president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. (Upon his return, the former minister was cleared after Mexicos attorney general found no evidence of wrongdoing.)

President Lopez Obrador, who was elected on the promise of bringing an end to state-sponsored violence, has instead greatly expanded military control, and has presided over the highest homicide rates in Mexicos recent history.

Our own land keeps the secrets.

A safe house in Yecapixtla once used by a drug cartel. Signals left in the jungle in Acapulco, pointing to a clandestine mass grave. A fake gun, one of many toys found in a safe house in Tihuatlan where a gang kept its victims. The remains of a child were found buried in the back of the house. Glorias husband, Santiago, was unlawfully arrested and disappeared by the army.

In Mexico, We Harvest Pain and Death

On Aug. 19, 2023, three years after I was kidnapped, my uncle Fernando Bayo was taken by four armed men in Acapulco. Seven hours later he was found strangled by a wire. I felt relieved that the body was found. At the very least, thanks to the efforts of members of the National Search Brigade, we knew what had happened to him.

Mexico is a society that has been taught to keep moving, not to remember. Yet some of us continue to resist, each in our own way: defending our own territories against the gangs, tracking down clandestine graves, reporting on the many stories of the shattered families and communities.

In 2022, some families of the missing renamed a traffic circle in Mexico City as the Glorieta de las y los Desaparecidos, or Roundabout of the Disappeared, in an attempt to turn the space, a dead tree at its center, into a memorial. In response, the government fenced off the area with metal barricades, which the families then painted and covered with the faces of their missing loved ones. The roundabout stands today as a constant reminder that the missing existed.

We need to reclaim what the current of violence has dragged away from us, however far we must look for it.

Sometimes, I am convinced that being dead is easier than having to live with the pain that people touched by violence bear  whether they were the victims, witnesses or perpetrators themselves. Every time I see someone digging in jungles and vacant lots in the hope of finding their children, and closure, I think how violence has turned them into the harvesters of Mexico: They glean pain and death. What else can a country reap when all it sows are corpses?
GAZA STRIP Israel Area of satellite image EGYPT Rafah crossing Israeli incursion

A Satellite View of Israels New Front in Gaza

New satellite imagery taken after Israeli forces pushed into Rafah shows widespread damage to the southern Gaza city  including large areas of flattened structures  and clusters of Israeli armored vehicles.

North 500 ft. Israeli tanks Razed structures Damage between Monday and Tuesday Rafah crossing Rafah crossing Israeli tanks EGYPT EGYPT New debris GAZA GAZA Damage from Monday Smoke rising Smoke rising Israeli tanks Damage before Monday Israeli tanks North 500 ft. Damage between Monday and Tuesday Razed structures Rafah crossing EGYPT Israeli tanks New debris GAZA Damage from Monday Smoke rising Israeli tanks Damage before Monday North 500 ft. Israeli tanks EGYPT Damage between Monday and Tuesday Razed structures Rafah crossing New debris Israeli tanks GAZA Smoke rising Israeli tanks Damage from before Monday Source: Satellite imagery from Planet Labs

Imagery captured on Tuesday morning by Planet Labs, a commercial satellite company, shows damaged buildings reaching more than two miles into the territory near Rafahs border crossing with Egypt. Israel seized that crossing this week.

Photos and videos released by the Israeli military in the same area show tanks in the vicinity of the crossing at a similar time on Tuesday morning.

While it is not possible to know exactly what caused the damage shown in the satellite imagery, much of what can be seen is consistent with the aftermath of clearing operations and other Israeli ground operations elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.

Monday Tuesday GAZA STRIP Location of image Source: Satellite imagery from Planet Labs

Israel says Rafah is Hamass last stronghold, and a critical gateway for arms shipments smuggled into Gaza from Egypt. It says it is determined to make sure the militants who were behind the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel no longer pose a threat.

But Rafah has also become a refuge for more than a million Palestinians who have fled Israeli bombardment in other parts of Gaza, and there is broad concern that a full-scale invasion might prove catastrophic.

Beyond that, Rafah is also home to one of the two main entry points for the vast majority of aid that has managed to enter Gaza during the war. Since the latest Israeli military operation began, no fuel or aid has made it through, according to Scott Anderson, the deputy director of UNRWA, the main U.N. aid agency in Gaza.

Residents told not to return north GAZA STRIP Mediterranean Sea Deir al Balah Residents told on Monday to move to this area Khan Younis ISRAEL Area under evacuation order announced on Monday Rafah Israeli troops seized Rafah crossing EGYPT Rafah crossing GAZA STRIP Kerem Shalom crossing Residents told not to return north GAZA STRIP GAZA STRIP Deir al Balah ISRAEL Residents told on Monday to move to this area Khan Younis Area under evacuation order announced on Monday Israeli troops seized Rafah crossing Rafah EGYPT Rafah crossing Kerem Shalom crossing Source: Israeli military announcements

On Monday, the Israeli military ordered about 110,000 people to evacuate parts of Rafah. Thousands left the city, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said, which reported escalating Israeli airstrikes in areas east of Rafah.

Local health authorities warned of a significant increase in the death toll because of intense Israeli bombardment across Gaza, particularly in Rafah. The bodies of 58 people killed in Israeli strikes had arrived at Rafahs Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital since Sunday, Dr. Marwan al-Hams, the hospitals director, said Tuesday.


Las Cruces Plans to Hire Travel PR Partner Wed., Oct. 9, 2024 Visit Las Cruces, which is the convention and visitors bureau of New Mexicos second largest city, wants a PR firm to help position it as a premiere tourism destination.
THE inaugural AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards, celebrating schools that give back to the community, took place in Croke Park on last Wednesday, having received a staggering 123 submissions from 103 schools across the country. Schools across Ireland showcased their amazing work to contribute to the betterment of their communities at the Gala Awards in Croke Park. The event was hosted by digital creator, presenter, and actor Muinteoir John Sharpson.

Colaiste Naomh Cormac were among the winners in the Large Group Social category. Their project was from a mixed group of Junior and Senior students. The description of the project stated that Croi na Comharsanachta strives to be the "Heart of the Neighbourhood," fostering community unity through various initiatives. From educational programmes to cultural events, they emphasise collaboration, diversity, and inclusion, making a meaningful impact on residents of all ages.

The AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards centre on three key pillars of activity: Environmental, Social, and Financial. These pillars encompass a wide range of activities that contribute to the betterment of communities, including volunteering, fundraising, awareness campaigns, mentoring, peer education, skills-sharing, and environmental conservation.

The AIB Future Sparks Programme is a skills-based interdisciplinary programme for post primary schools. Underpinned by rich education resources, this programme joins the dots for young people and their teachers as they navigate major transitions and key life moments by providing rich educational resources across multiple subject areas, such as Guidance Related Learning, Wellbeing, Business, Economics, Accounting, TY, Financial Education, and Home Economics.

As part of AIBs commitment to sustainable communities, the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards recognise and reward schools contributions to the social, financial, and environmental success of their community. The awards provide a platform to showcase the endeavours schools are undertaking to inspire and ignite change, such as fundraising, volunteering, activism, mentoring, and more. Importantly, students who have participated leverage the skills they have acquired, using them to make a positive impact in the community while learning and developing new skills along the way.

Ann Marie Freyne, Head of Retail Distribution AIB Mid East at AIB, said: We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding contributions made by schools across Ireland through the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards. These awards enable students to leverage the skills they have acquired to make a positive impact in the community all the while fostering continuous learning and skill development.

For 2024, the programme received a staggering 123 submissions from a whopping 103 schools, from the full spectrum of post primary schools spanning 22 counties.
Rhode based Cllr Liam Quinn has welcomed Bord na Monas Strategic Partnership Agreement with Amazon Web Services.

Under this agreement web providers have the opportunity to construct co-located data centres adjacent to wind and solar farms.

This partnership has the benefit of allowing the development of Data Centres without creating additional strain on the National Electricity Grid.

Said Cllr Quinn: I believe the Eco-Energy Park at Derrygreenagh is the ideal location for this type of enterprise, which hopefully will see spin off industries attracted to this area also. The Eco Energy Park at Derrygreenagh offers a solution to large companies who wish to move their business to a sustainable, climate neutral model.

The availability of serviced, cut away peat lands and the availability of onsite Renewable Power gives Offaly a competitive advantage over other counties who have absorbed the majority of this type of development to date.

Bord na Mona outlined how their Eco Energy Park offering is transforming approximately 3,000ha across Bord na Monas landbank in the coming years, and will be designed to enhance Irelands security of energy supply, supporting the delivery of several of the States climate, renewable energy and enterprise objectives.

Each Park will generate sufficient renewable energy to power a number of sectors that play an important role in Irelands social and economic development, such as, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical, Agrifood, ICT, Transport, Green Hydrogen derived E-Fuels and Logistics.

On foot of this announcement, I will be writing to the Department of Climate Action and Offaly County Council to see that these developments deliver significant benefits for the communities living in this area.

The current RESS Guidelines that govern Community Gain Funds are too restrictive and offer no opportunity to amalgamate resources. I also believe this development should be used to explore the possibilities of a district heating system, using the excess heat generated by data centres. It is also imperative that Offaly County Council identify land for additional house building projects.

Historically, Bord na Miona and the ESB assisted in providing housing for the communities living beside them. Will policy makers now be bold enough to examine the possibility of building housing estates in our area that can use heat generated from these industries in a modern and sustainable way? 
A newly formed local activist group in Roscrea are building momentum after emerging from the local community's response to the sudden closure of the Racket Hall Hotel in January.

Roscrea Community Action Group (RACG) were formed in the aftermath of the closure of the town's last functioning hotel, when it was repurposed to provide emergency accommodation for 160 people seeking international protection in Ireland.

Speaking to the Tribune this week, the group said they have identified several issues needing attention in Roscrea and plan to engage with government to advance the interests of people living and working in the heritage town.

PRO for the group, Roscrea woman Fiona Dunford, told the Tribune they identify as a young, energised cross section of Roscrea residents ready to take on the development of Roscrea, by examining the existing needs of the town and actively work on each project to meet those needs.

She said they want to set themselves apart from any fractious groups currently visible in the town and are determined to prove their sole objective is to make Roscrea thrive again.

The group meet on a weekly basis and have met with politicians including Tipperary Deputies Mattie McGrath (Ind), Alan Kelly (Lab), Michael Lowry (Ind) and Jackie Cahill (FF).

They have also met with Superintendent Ollie Baker and Inspector Andrew Lyons, travelled to Dail Eireann to meet Deputies John Brady and Martin Browne (SF) and met with Government Departments, the Community Engagement Team and other stakeholders from different community groups in Roscrea.

They also work to keep issues in Roscrea in the media spotlight and have appeared on national media programmes including RTE's Upfront with Katie Hannon and a TV3 documentary by film makers 'Mind the Gap'.

They publish detailed minutes from their weekly meetings on their social media pages and encourage engagement from people in the community.

COMMUNITY HOTEL

Fiona Dunford said currently the priority question for the group is where is the community hotel model suggested for the former Pathe Hotel (Grant's/Damer Court) on Castle Street?

The proposal, which was first put forward by local Fianna Fail Councillor Michael Smith and party colleague, Deputy Jackie Cahill, received the backing of Minister Roderic OGorman.

Across government parties there is a recognition of the value that the proposal for a community hotel model would represent to the people of Roscrea.

The Government parties agree in principle to examine funding mechanisms that can be brought forward to support this proposal, was Minister O'Gorman's opinion at the time the suggestion was first mooted.

RCAG met with Deputy Cahill and Cllr Smith on February 16th to discuss the closure of Racket Hall and asked for an update on their proposal by government.

Deputy Cahill and Cllr Smith outlined the the steps required to establish a community hotel model in Roscrea.

It will require an agreement from government to purchase the former hotel after an evaluation of the building by local authority.

The proposal requires the backing of Minister Heather Humphreys in relation to the renovation of the space and finally construction works to renovate the building.

Fiona Dunford said the RCAG group have attempted to contact Deputy Cahill and Cllr Smith several times since their February meeting for a further update, and were told the local elected representatives are working closely with Tanaiste, Micheal Martin to advance the proposal.

She said the group feel any developments related to the Castle Street premises should be shared with the community.

FUTURE PLANS

The group are also building a website. It will provide a source of information and showcase all Roscrea has to offer. We have a wonderful town that needs footfall increased and by showcasing all our positives, including our wonderful tourist attractions, this in turn will contribute to the economic development of the town, Fiona Dunford said.

We're educating ourselves on the Town First Plan and engaging with the Town Team who are striving to make this wonderful vision a reality.

RCAG also welcome the pre-election 'Meet The Candidates' event on May 20th in the Abbey Hall which will be hosted by RCDC, who are veterans in hosting this event and encourage the Roscrea people to support this event where you get to ask the tough questions, she said.

RCAG founder member, James Gleeson, was also instrumental in establishing Roscrea's first Narcotics Anonymous group and has received the support and encouragement of all the members.

Roscrea Community Action Group welcome all input from local people and want to engage with local groups, businesses and people of all ages in the community. They can be reached online by email at roscreacommunityaction@ gmail.com or by messaging the Facebook page Roscrea Community Action Group.
Irish national broadcaster RTE recorded fictitious accounting transactions and operated with a lack of trust between its board and senior management, according to long-awaited expert reports.

It comes as more than 100 recommendations from two reports ordered by the Irish Government were published on Tuesday, alongside an examination on the organisations use of off-balance sheet transactions.

Minister for Media Catherine Martin published the Government-commissioned reviews and examinations of practices at RTE.

She also committed to making a decision on reforming the funding model for public service broadcasting before the Irish parliament enters into summer recess in early July.

However, Ms Martin acknowledged that legislative changes may not happen in the lifetime of the current Government as a general election must be called by March at the latest.

I would hope that any government that is in place after the next election will take very seriously the key recommendations from expert groups that are putting RTE and public service broadcasting on sure footing.

Ms Martin said the decision on the funding model has not been made but added that she believed there are two main options.

While appearing to rule out a hybrid model, she said there could either be a reformed broadcasting charge to be collected by the Revenue Commissioners or direct funding from the Exchequer.

The reports published on Tuesday identified several instances of inadequate record keeping and fictitious accounting transactions.

It also noted that four senior RTE executives that were centrally involved in the events which prompted the reports have since retired or resigned.

The authors also said that because the financial arrangements for two of these exits have not been disclosed, it is not possible to say whether there had been a pay-for-failure arrangement.

It said RTE was characterised by a siloed culture with a lack of speaking up and good faith reporting as well as a lack of accountability.

It said there was a lack of trust between the RTE board and its former executive, as well as an informality within board processes and a limited appetite to learn.

The first review of RTEs governance and culture was prepared by Professor Niamh Brennan  and a separate review of contractor fees, human resources and other matters was chaired by Brendan McGinty.

Both reviews have led to a total of 116 recommendations.

These include assigning the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTE; modernise the legislation governing the role of the RTE Board; improve and resource the risk and compliance functions within RTE.

It also recommended requiring RTE to include a financial or formula cap in any future exit scheme; introduce and publish pay bands for its on-air presenters; improve the functioning of the RTE Board and its committees; and ensure greater transparency for higher executive pay.

It further recommended to improve the accountability of the director general to the RTE Board; strengthen the implementation of gender, equality, diversity and inclusion policies in the broadcaster; and ensure the review of roles and grades and forthcoming review of allowances in RTE are effective, transparent and include consultation with employees.

The cost of three reports has amounted to around 570,000 euro to date, however the cost is expected to reach as much as one million euro as the department awaits confirmation of further invoices.

The review of governance and culture includes 90 recommendations to reform RTEs corporate governance framework, its organisational culture and its way of doing business.

The review of its HR practices made 26 detailed recommendations, including improving the oversight and mechanisms by which it engages contractors and presenters and the use of short-term employment contracts and employment terms and conditions in RTE.

The Government said it has accepted in principle all 116 recommendations made by the expert advisory committees.

RTE will now be required to prepare an implementation plan within six weeks, setting out the actions and associated timelines that it will take to implement the recommendations.

The implementation plan will be overseen by a monitoring group, composed of the ministers department and senior representatives and NewERA (New Economy and Recovery Authority).

RTE was plunged into crisis in June last year after it admitted understating the fees for its star presenter and previous top earner Ryan Tubridy.

A series of probing parliamentary committee hearings also uncovered other concerns about culture, governance and financial management at RTE and there have been several high-profile resignations from the board and executive of the station.

Disclosures during the scandal revealed the use of barter accounts by the broadcasters commercial wing.

Barter accounts are commonplace in the media industry to allow organisations to exchange advertising airtime that would otherwise go unsold in return for goods and services from companies.

However, RTEs use of the accounts came under intense scrutiny and a previous report found that there were significant gaps in controls and record keeping.

The examination into the matter published on Tuesday shows that a barter account was used for hundreds of thousands of euro worth of client hospitality, including concerts, restaurants and gifts.

It also found that some barter purchases amounting to 654,000 euro were incorrectly omitted from reports to the minister.

The review, conducted by Mazars, also states that a hard copy of barter transactions for the period of 2017-2019 was lost during an office move.

It also found payments through the barter account with no valid basis including payments to Tubridy and 2,510 euro for a cancelled executive board meeting.

However, Ms Martin has said the two independent expert reports which were ordered by her Department will form the main basis for the Governments decision on reforming the funding of public service broadcasting in Ireland, including RTE.

A pre-existing steady decline in licence fee revenue was accelerated by the expanding controversy.

RTE operates on a dual-funding model that sees around 55% of its income brought in through the obligatory licence fee, which costs 160 euro a year for Irish households with a television.

Approximately 85% of revenue from TV licence fees goes to RTE to carry out its public service broadcasting commitments, while it also earns money through commercial operations.

RTEs director general Kevin Bakhurst, who assumed the role in the early weeks of the crisis, has also announced a strategic plan for reforming the institution by 2028.

It includes cutting headcount by 400  a reduction of up to 20%  and a significant increase in investment in the independent production sector.

RTE said it has welcomed the publication of the reports.

In a statement, RTE said that it accepts in principle the recommendations made in the two expert advisory committee reports.

Mr Bakhurst said in a statement: The events of last year are a source of deep frustration and disappointment to all of us in RTE and those connected to this organisation.

We have already undertaken major reform of RTE and addressed many of the recommendations included in the reports and we are committed to continuing on this process of reform, now with the benefit of recommendations set out in the reports today.

The broadcaster said its board and the RTEs interim leadership team will take time to fully review all three reports, including the recommendations.

RTE has begun a programme of works to deliver on the recommendations, it said.

RTE chairman Terence ORourke said: RTE has supported both Expert Advisory Committees and Mazars in their work and we welcome the publication of their reports by Government today.

Their analyses and their recommendations, all of which we accept in principle, will make a significant contribution to the task of rebuilding trust in RTE. RTE is tasked with providing a vital public service.

The organisations corporate governance, transparency and operations must be of a standard commensurate with that mandate. The board is focused on returning RTE to levels of corporate governance and transparency that should define it. We look forward to working with Government, staff in RTE and all our stakeholders, in delivering the process of transformation that commenced last year.
Government plans are under way to commemorate the Stardust fire tragedy, with counselling services for families part of ongoing discussions.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin met some family members of those who died in the 1981 fire.

He spoke about plans to remember the victims, including a commemoration event.

It comes after Taoiseach Simon Harris apologised to the families of the 48 victims of the Dublin nightclub fire, all aged between 16 and 27, and said the state failed you when you needed us the most.

After more than 40 years of the victims families campaigning for justice, last month an inquest found that the 48 young people had been unlawfully killed.

Survivor Antoinette Keegan, whose sisters Mary and Martina died in the fire, said the Tanaiste apologised to the families during their meeting on Wednesday.

He (Mr Martin) also apologised for not being in the Dail on the day of the state apology, Ms Keegan told PA news agency.

We told him it shouldnt have taken 43 years to get the apology.

We were told a number of things during the meeting, including that the gardai are doing a cold case review on the Stardust. They (gardai) have requested a file from the DPP and are looking at it at the moment.

Mr Martin also spoke about counselling for all families who want it. Its being put in place and they are working on a commemoration day.

The Department of Education contacted me last week and they are working on including Stardust in the curriculum for the history books.

The Tanaiste also spoke down about a redress scheme. It was emphasised to him that it has to be scrutinised really carefully because back in 1981, there were people that claimed they were in the Stardust that wasnt there.

Anyone that does put in a claim will have to have medical background, insofar as for hospital they attended and what doctor they attended and what doctors are still attending.

It was a very positive meeting.

We also said we wanted the memorial wall to be updated to include the unlawful killing and the Tanaiste said he will take the cost into consideration.

It was successful and constructive.

Maurice McHugh, whose only child Caroline, 17, died in the fire, also met the Tanaiste.

The Tanaiste personally apologised to us and it was a long chat, he said.

Stardust will never go away. We are still grieving for our loved ones and all the families are the same. He took it all on board.

There is so much information there for the gardai as the inquest has told the whole story.

We were treated very, very poorly by the governments at the time. They left us.

Today was a good meeting. We hope it doesnt take another 43 years to get to the next stage.

Ms Keegans brother Damien Keegan, who was three when the fire happened, said the tragedy has consumed his life.

He has offered us counselling but counselling wont work for me. I explained how it has affected me and counselling wont fix me, he said.

It was a positive meeting but we will see how it goes. I take each day as it comes now. All I have ever known is the Stardust.

The emotions are still raw for me. When I was growing up I got an awful hate for my mother as my sister Lorraine became my ma when the fire happened. I thought she had neglected me. Then when my ma passed away I felt guilty.

They (the Government) created that as they never helped us. If we got counselling when we needed it, it might have helped.

Its positive they are meeting families and wanting to discuss it but they have to follow up on it and they need to bring complete closure for everyone.

A spokesman for the Tanaiste said the meeting was positive and constructive.
Now I want principally to remark that for much of its history, Palestine and its native people have been subject to denials of a very rigorous sort. Edward Said





When I first read Edward Said's The Question of Palestine, I was homeless. A newly-minted, forty-something PhD without housing! From Chicago, I went to California, again, this is the late '90s, where I had lived for three years back in the mid-1970s.





I met with faculty from one of the Cal State system campuses, after I was encouraged to come out and perhaps teach in a department that specialized in black nationalism. My thing? No. but it was something of an opportunity. Maybe. We'll see.





But it didn't work out. I was not the professor these black faculty were looking for, and I saw in them a group of alpha males. For openers.





Many years later, homeless again but seeking employment at a college or university after returning from teaching in Ethiopia, I accepted an offer from an HBU in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This religious, conservative, black woman administrator knew I wasn't one of "them". I knew the history of Tuscaloosa. George Wallace and knew I was, even though I had only been south once, and that was in 1969. I accompanied my grandmother to the funeral of my great-grandmother in New Orleans.





But here I was in a hotel, with two cats and some suitcases, more filled with books than clothes. The campus that hired me was Presbyterian, while I had been raised and educated Catholic. But no longer anything! Then those dreads of mine!





The older black administrator remained suspicious as if I might be a secret criminal or terrorist come to infiltrate their well-landscaped campus--on the other side of the railroad tracks from the U of Alabama. One black faculty of English told me that she didn't vote for me. I didn't vote for you! And I had read her poems and knew of her work prior to coming there. I agreed to teach American literature, knowing that it would be not my version of American literature; but, rather one that was cleansed of any reference to the violence of white supremacy.





Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Despite Linn County recently taking control of certain rules governing animal feed operations, one applicant proposing to set up a large-scale chicken farm in Scio won state approval just ahead of the changes.

A neighbor has been fighting the approval in court ever since, and after clinching a few legal victories, the state has decided to pull its approval for now, pausing the litigation and set-up of the farm.

Signs with the words Farmers Against Foster Farms are plastered on the hood, side door and just about anywhere there is space on Christina Eastmans truck.
A former California mixed-martial arts fighter known as The Cadillac who spent the past few years living on the streets of Portland has been charged with raping three women inside their tents, authorities said Tuesday.

Zachary Lee Andrews, 32, faces a 16-count indictment charging him with multiple counts of first-degree rape, sodomy and sexual abuse.

Andrews, who told booking deputies last year that he uses meth and fentanyl daily and was homeless, is charged in separate attacks on three women on Oct. 24, 2021, March 29, 2022, and Oct. 1, 2022. Each of the women also was homeless at the time.

The women reported the attacks within hours or days, had visible signs of being choked, scratched and bruised and submitted DNA samples for testing, prosecutors said in an affidavit.

But Andrews wasnt charged until last month. A Portland Police Bureau spokesperson said investigators worked assiduously to gather evidence and build the strongest case possible.

In no way should the time between the assaults and arrest suggest inaction by our detectives, spokesperson Mike Benner said in a statement. They spent a tremendous amount of time just working to locate the victims and encourage them to cooperate in the investigation.

Multnomah County Circuit Judge David Rees last Thursday ordered Andrews held without bail. U.S. Marshals arrested Andrews in Portland April 24.

Two of three DNA samples taken from the women were a match to Andrews, while the third sample was too small to be tested, the affidavit says. The woman who provided the third sample identified Andrews by his fighter name and a photograph, the affidavit says.

Police said more women may have been attacked and released booking photos of Andrews.

Andrews was a pro MMA fighter in 2016 and 2017 while based in San Francisco and affiliated with Dragon House MMA; he went 3-1 during that time, according to online box scores.

Dragon House MMA owner Zhong Luo said Andrews started taking classes at the school as a teenager and showed real talent, but eventually had to be banned from the facility after surveillance videos showed him using heroin outside the gym.

It got to the point where like, its not even safe to be around him, Luo said, adding that he hadnt seen Andrews in years. He just started going downhill like a spiral.

Andrews also racked up a criminal record in California, with convictions in 2017 for battery, transportation of a controlled substance, possessing stolen property and damaging a jail, according to Multnomah County booking records.

Its unclear how much time he spent incarcerated, but by 2022 and early 2023 he was arrested in Multnomah County several times on allegations of shoplifting from the Japanese retailer Muji and for allegedly smashing a display case in a downtown pharmacy and shoveling a thousand dollars worth of cologne into a duffle bag. Those cases remain open.

Andrews also was charged with first-degree attempted rape, burglary and strangulation in a case from April 2022, when a woman said Andrews pushed his way into her downtown apartment, jumped on top of her and said youre beautiful while strangling her with a lanyard, according to a probable cause affidavit. A neighbor heard the noise and called police, the affidavit said. Prosecutors filed to dismiss the case days later without explanation.

A spokesperson for the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office said there wasnt enough evidence to prove that case beyond a reasonable doubt.

In the most recent indictment, Andrews denied having sex with one of the women and claimed to have had consensual intercourse with the other two, Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Robin Skarstad wrote in the affidavit.

Police asked anyone with information to contact Detective Nathan Wollstein at nathan.wollstein@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 22-270281.

Andrews remains in custody at the downtown jail.

Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, zsparling@oregonian.com or @pdxzane.

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe.
Less than a month after he was granted compassionate release during COVID-19 and let out of federal prison early in a drug-and-money laundering case, Johnell Lee Cleveland schemed to make money through insurance fraud, a government benefits scam and pushed a woman to sell sex and turn over the proceeds to him, a prosecutor said.

On Tuesday, a federal judge sentenced Cleveland, nicknamed Bankroll Johnny, to nine years in prison, accepting the recommended sentence reached in a negotiated plea deal.

U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman called it a very troubling case for both the breadth of crimes Cleveland committed and how quickly he returned to committing them after his release from custody.

Cleveland, 42, made no statement. Before deputy marshals led him out of the courtroom, he turned back toward the approximately 20 relatives in the public gallery who came to support him and said, Love you all, appreciate it!

In 2019, Cleveland had been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for fentanyl distribution and money laundering. His release date was set for late March 2022. But he convinced U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones to grant him compassionate release to a federal halfway house on Aug. 4, 2020, about 19 months before his scheduled release, due to health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and asthma, that werent being treated during his time in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cleveland quickly returned to his old ways, according to the government.

Twenty-four days after his release, he and an alleged accomplice submitted a bogus application to State Farm Insurance for a policy to cover nine pieces of jewelry, providing written appraisals.

The insurer issued a policy for $105,800 for 12 months, ending in late August 2021, without examining the watches, rings or necklaces. If the insurer had, it might have learned that the jewelry had been seized by federal agents years earlier in Clevelands 2018 drug trafficking case, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Sax.

The jewelry seized from Johnell Cleveland's master bedroom as part of a drug trafficking prosecution in 2018, according to federal prosecutors.U.S. Attorney's Office

Clevelands accomplice reported the jewelry stolen from her Las Vegas home in February 2021 and Cleveland emailed State Farm a sworn statement of loss and submitted an insurance claim to recover the appraised value of the purportedly stolen jewelry, according to court records.

The claim was false -- there never was a burglary and Cleveland never had the jewelry when he sought the insurance policy, Sax wrote to the court.

That wasnt the end of Clevelands crimes.

He also fraudulently applied for and collected pandemic unemployment benefits from the state Employment Department, lying that he was without a job due to the COVID-19 pandemic when he actually was in prison at the time and wasnt eligible. He obtained $32,115 in benefits, according to the prosecution.

When arrested in November 2021, agents found a hidden Beretta Nano, a loaded micro-compact pistol, hidden in a secret compartment in the drivers side door panel of the car he was driving. As a convicted felon, Cleveland was prohibited from carrying a gun.

Further, soon after his August 2020 release from custody, Cleveland convinced a woman from out of state to fly to Portland, professing his love for her and promised to buy her a used Jaguar, according to Sax. But once she arrived, he said the car purchase fell through and he needed her to make money to help him with future business ventures through prostitution.

He also directed her to travel out of state to Arizona, California, Illinois, Nevada, Washington and Washington, D.C., to engage in commercial sex acts, according to Sax. He had her get a tattoo of his first name on her hand beside a crown, which she did, and threatened to harm her if she didnt turn over all the money she made, Sax said.

She estimated she gave Cleveland between $250,000 to $300,000 from money she made through prostitution, court records show.

Prosecutors said Cleveland laundered the money through a bottled water company called Necci Hydrage H20, though the company wasnt registered in his name, according to Sax. Cleveland described himself as the companys chief executive officer, and social media advertised the bottled water as a high end invigorating replenishment for an Upscale night life and lifestyle!

When arrested in November 2021, agents found a hidden Beretta Nano, a loaded micro-compact pistol hidden in a secret compartment in the drivers side door panel of the car he was driving. As a convicted felon, Johnell L. Cleveland was prohibited from carrying a gun.U.S. Attorney's Office

Once back in custody, Cleveland communicated via email and phone with the womans family to try to dissuade her from testifying against him, according to Sax.

A second woman told investigators that Cleveland had bragged about being a pimp, sexually assaulted her and physically abused her after he had gotten out of prison, according to court records.

Cleveland was arrested in November 2021 and indicted on charges of wire fraud, being a felon with a gun, sex trafficking by force or coercion and money laundering.

In February he pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, being a felon with a gun and money laundering. Under the deal, Cleveland avoided facing the charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, which carries a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence upon conviction. He was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Ryan Costello.

Prosecutors described the main victim as highly vulnerable and said agents havent been able to locate the other victim since last summer.

Mosman said he accepted the joint recommended sentence -- but not without some reluctance, because I feel he represents a very serious danger to the community.

The judge recommended Cleveland serve his time in a federal prison in Oregon. He thanked Clevelands family members for attending the hearing and said he hoped they would visit Cleveland and help steer him on a positive path once he completes his newest sentence and is on seven years of federal supervision.

Last time you got out, it didnt go well, Mosman said.

-- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
The man shot and killed by Portland police Monday evening at a home in the Hazelwood neighborhood was a suspect in a robbery earlier that day, police said.

Officers had responded to an armed robbery at a business in Northeast Portland around 9 a.m. Monday, police said in a statement Tuesday. Police didnt identify the business.
The Beaverton school board has signed off on a $430,000 settlement with two Black educators who alleged that they were subject to racial discrimination and retaliation for whistleblowing.

The two educators claims centered on what their lawyers said was the Beaverton School Districts lack of protection for them after they led anti-racist training workshops in 2021 that were mandatory for all educators and espoused views that district officials encouraged them to put forth.
Mothers Day weekend is blooming with activities. Skip the tired buffet lines and treat mom to an evening of live music, or maybe a family bike ride. Those willing to take a drive can get in on the annual Silver Falls Birding and Wildflower Festival or a Powwow in Eugene. Its also Doggie Dash weekend when canines and their caretakers take to the streets in a fun run that raises money for the Oregon Humane Society.

Mothers Day Powwow (Eugene)

The Native American Student Union at the University of Oregon will host a weekend of events in celebration of Mothers Day and of upcoming graduates. Friday and Saturday will have Grand Entries, as well as drumming performances and other entertainment. Sunday offers a Salmon Bake.
At the Lardo sandwich shop in Portlands Hawthorne neighborhood, Jane and Ed Kim have their filming routine down to a science. Jane takes her seat across from her son, Ed, who is always behind the camera, directing her through the video shoot.

Switching between English and Korean, they arrange their sandwiches in mutual understanding  both working together to get that perfect angle.

READ MORE: 10 viral Korean Mama moments that made this Portland influencer and son famous

Im so hungry! Jane opens the video with her signature catchphrase, holding up their order, the pork meatball banh mi and phorench dip sandwiches. Ed films as she tries everything in front of her, rating her first bite of the banh mi a 9.3 out of 10. After Jane has sampled everything, the phone is set aside, and the pair enjoy their meal together.

Their close relationship has blossomed since they began their social media ventures as The Korean Mama on TikTok two years ago. With over 700,000 followers on TikTok, their page prominently features Jane trying new foods and rating restaurants in Portland. They also share their videos on Instagram and Facebook.

Although the mother-son duo have only recently entered the Portland foodie scene on social media, theyve been Portlanders since the early 1990s, living in Beaverton and Tigard.

Thirty-two years ago, Jane and Ed left everything behind in Los Angeles to venture north. Jane described reading about Portland in a book and deciding, almost on a whim, that was where she wanted to raise her 3-year-old son, Ed.

Most of the nights, I heard the gun sounds and the helicopter sounds, Jane said of their Los Angeles home. It was kind of uncomfortable to raise a kid over there.  So, we packed and then we just left for my son.

Jane described the trip as an adventure. Packing up the car and driving from Los Angeles to Portland, where theyve established their little family.

Their outings quickly became a weekly occurrence, whenever they could spare the time. Jane works full-time as a casino dealer, meaning many of their trips are filmed back-to-back on the same evening. Eds schedule is also busy as a family medicine physician in the process of opening his own practice.

To enhance their video quality, Ed learned to edit videos and navigate social media. He was inspired to begin filming his mother because of their shared love of food and Janes positive personality.

Mom has always been this very happy, positive person, Ed said. Whenever she laughs, it always puts me in a good mood.

Filming their trips to restaurants came naturally to the duo. And Janes excitement for trying new food has kept their videos interesting.

Jane Kim, known online as The Korean Mama, has made a name for herself reviewing Portland restaurants with the help of her son, Ed.Chiara Profenna

Ive definitely encouraged mom to go out and try things that she wouldnt have otherwise tried before, Ed said.

Delicious food makes people happy, Jane explained. It also brings people together from all parts of the world. And in South Korea, where Jane was born, sharing food is a large part of her culture.

In Korea, the culture around food is all about sharing and bonding, Ed said. And it can be kind of interactive. Theres a lot of dynamics between people at the dinner table too  and so, in that sense, I think food is super important and a lot more connected.

Neither of them anticipated the rapid growth of their social media presence, which has opened unexpected doors. Jane now finds herself frequently recognized in public.

It just feels kind of surreal at times, Ed said. When we go out, mom gets recognized a lot  at grocery stores or cafes or wherever we go.

Ed and Jane have also hosted two successful meet and greets, in Los Angeles and Portland, to connect with their community and collaborate with some of their favorite restaurants. Their most recent event took place Feb. 19 at Jeju in Southeast Portland.

I mean people lined up so quickly, and its so nice to see people coming together for something that theyre so excited about, said Sun Young Park, co-owner of Jeju. For them to be so excited about something so sweet and wholesome.  It was a really joyful experience to watch.

Stepping into the Portland foodie community has provided a platform to showcase their favorite restaurants. Their platform helped spotlight Janes favorite Korean food truck, Doyaji.

Megan Kim, co-owner of Doyaji, recognized Jane from her social media posts when she visited the food truck at the Portland Night Market.

Thats how we initially met and then we gave her one of each thing off of our menu, Megan said. One dish in particular just made her very nostalgic for Korea, because my husband makes everything pretty authentic. And I think that just kind of swept her back.

It was Doyajis tteokbokki, with its rice, fish cakes and cabbage simmered in a spicy sauce, that reminded Jane most of her childhood. After Ed and Jane posted their video reviewing their meal, the food truck received a lot of attention and saw a boost in sales, Megan said.

Weve lived in Portland for over 10 years now and theres a few places Ive discovered through her account, Megan said. They support a lot of small businesses. I know that means a lot to us.

Ed and Jane Kim began memorializing their restaurant visits online two years ago and have since gained over 700,000 followers on TikTok.Chiara Profenna

While their social media pages are still a casual business, Jane and Ed Kim have found opportunities to work with sponsors, including Dominos and Rosetta Stone, and create a small revenue stream.

With the extra income, theyre planning a trip to Korea within the next year. Their itinerary includes visits to Busan and Seoul, where Jane has relatives.

Mom hasnt been in 20 plus years and neither have I, Ed said. So wed love to go back and reconnect with her family and just eat all the food.

Another unintended outcome of their newfound fame is the bond that has brought them closer together, says Ed. After Eds father passed away in 2021, Jane and Ed began spending more time together.

I think there is a loving, tender, telepathic almost relationship between the two of them, Park said. Theyre so kind to each other. They do seem like absolute best friends and I dont know whos more lucky to have the other.

Collaborating on their social media accounts has deepened the bond between the pair and created new opportunities to make memories.Chiara Profenna

Working together on their social media channels, enjoying meals together and exploring new destinations have given the pair a host of new memories and experiences to look back on.

Im trying to live in the moment and cherish these times, Ed said. We get a lot of messages from people saying that they wish they were closer to their parents or closer to their mom and wishing that they could spend time with them. So Im trying to enjoy that part of it.

 Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiara_profenna

The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content.
Payton Pritchard posted a career-high in shooting percentage during the regular season and he is hoping to continue his hot shooting in the playoffs.

The Boston Celtics guard and former Oregon Ducks star hopes his buzzer-beating 3-pointer Tuesday night will ignite another streak. Pritchard drilled a 28-foot 3-point shot as the horn sounded to end the third quarter during the Celtics 120-95 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal playoffs series.

Pritchards long-distance shot gave the Celtics a 92-77 lead and snuffed out what had been a mini-rally by the Cavaliers.

The fourth-year player finished with 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting and he made 4-of-10 3-point shots.
Less than a week before trial, the state of Oregon unsuccessfully sought to disqualify U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken from presiding over a class-action case accusing the state of failing to create a safe foster care system.

Attorneys for Gov. Tina Kotek and the state Department of Human Services argued that Aiken has already decided Oregon has significant problems in its child welfare system.
When it comes to running for elected office, circuit court judges have it pretty easy.

For one thing, they typically dont have to seek election to become a judge in the first place, even though judges are elected positions. Rather, longtime judges already on the bench often  and conveniently  retire before the end of their terms, giving the governor the power to appoint a newcomer to serve out the remaining years. Second, a judges full term lasts six years, sparing them the two- or four-year cycles that other elected officials have to face. And finally, they almost never face a challenger for re-election, all but ensuring that they can serve as long as they choose to run.

Its almost as if voters are superfluous in whether judges retain their $174,108-a year seat. And thats the message that voters just might take away from reading this years Voters Pamphlet, where seven of the 12 Multnomah County circuit judges seeking re-election did not bother submitting statements to inform voters about their candidacies.

Of course, theres no requirement that judges file a statement or describe their background. The cost for inclusion in the Voters Pamphlet statement  $600  is not cheap, particularly considering circuit court judges rarely create candidate committees that can solicit donations to cover such an expense. And judges are, understandably, cautious about what they say in public out of concern for ethical and professional standards of upholding impartiality and trust in the system.

That said, all the candidates for the Oregon Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and the state Tax Court provided statements. Similarly, five of the 12 Multnomah County judges  Shelley D. Russell, Andrew M. Lavin, Michael J. Riedel, Melvin Oden-Orr and Patricia L. McGuire shared with voters their educational background, governmental experience and community involvement. All are running unopposed and face no credible threat of losing re-election. But all found a way to provide voters a glimpse into who they are and why voters should trust them to make some of the most personal and impactful decisions on our community, from adjudicating divorces to handing down criminal sentences.

The judges who failed to submit Voters Pamphlet statements are Presiding Judge Judith H. Matarazzo, Katharine von Ter Stegge, Christopher A. Ramras, Christine A Martin, Ben N. Souede, Cheryl Albrecht and Xiomara Y. Torres. Their reasons included accidental missed deadlines, additional ongoing financial expenses and, for Matarazzo, the death of a parent. Those are all understandable issues and personal challenges with which people of every background and profession can sympathize.

But for some judges, this wasnt the first time they failed to submit a statement. In fact, based on past Voters Pamphlets, some appear to have never submitted a statement or only when facing challengers for the position.

Certainly, theres an argument to be made that judges should not be elected officials at all, and that a gubernatorial appointment with Senate confirmation should be the standard. But until that is the case, judges should do more to uphold trust in the justice system by, at a minimum, telling voters why they should fill out the oval next to their name on their ballots.

In the world of election concerns, this ranks low. But judges and all elected officials should understand that the Voters Pamphlet matters to members of the voting public, many of whom have limited opportunities otherwise to learn about those running for office. Reader Judy Henderson sent in a letter to the editor two years ago remarking with frustration that only two of the eight judges seeking re-election in Multnomah County had submitted a statement in the Voters Pamphlet. She said that she depends on the booklet in deciding whether to give candidates her vote.

The judges lack of participation in democracys most important function sends a message of indifference, she wrote, if not scorn.

In an email Tuesday, Matarazzo said she plans to raise the issue with the other judges, agreeing that the public deserves more information. Thats a promising shift. Democracy faces enough challenges from those who would intentionally erode trust in our systems without candidates unwittingly contributing to it.

- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


Burt Rutan was alarmed to see the plane he had designed was so loaded with fuel that the wing tips started dragging along the ground as it taxied down the runway. He grabbed the radio to warn the pilot, his older brother Dick Rutan. But Dick never heard the message.

Nine days and three minutes later, Dick, along with copilot Jeana Yeager, completed one of the greatest milestones in aviation history: the first round-the-world flight with no stops or refueling.

A decorated Vietnam War pilot, Dick Rutan died Friday evening at a hospital in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, with Burt and other loved ones by his side. He was 85. His friend Bill Whittle said he died on his own terms when he decided against enduring a second night on oxygen after suffering a severe lung infection.

He played an airplane like someone plays a grand piano, said Burt Rutan of his brother, who was often described as has having a velvet arm because of his smooth flying style.

Burt Rutan said he had always loved designing airplanes and became fascinated with the idea of a craft that could go clear around the world. His brother was equally passionate about flying. The project took six years.

There was plenty to worry Burt during testing of the light graphite plane, Voyager. There were mechanical failures, any one of which would have been disastrous over a distant ocean. When fully laden, the plane couldnt handle turbulence. And then there was the question of how the pilots could endure such a long flight on so little sleep. But Burt said his brother had an optimism about him that made them all believe.

Dick never doubted whether my design would actually make it around, with still some gas in the tank, Burt Rutan said.

Voyager left from Edwards Air Force Base in California just after 8 a.m. on Dec. 14, 1986. Rutan said with all that fuel, the wings had only inches of clearance. Dick couldnt see when they started dragging on the runway. But at the moment Burt called on the radio, copilot Yeager gave a speed report, drowning out the message.

And then, the velvet arm really came in, Burt Rutan said. And he very slowly brought the stick back and the wings bent way up, some 30 feet at the wingtips, and it lifted off very smoothly.

They arrived back to a heros welcome as thousands gathered to witness the landing. Both Rutan brothers and Yeager were each awarded a Presidential Citizens Medal by President Ronald Reagan, who described how a local official in Thailand at first refused to believe some cockamamie story about a plane flying around the world on a single tank of gas.

We had the freedom to pursue a dream, and thats important, Dick Rutan said at the ceremony. And we should never forget, and those that guard our freedoms, that we should hang on to them very tenaciously and be very careful about some do-gooder that thinks that our safety is more important than our freedom. Because freedom is awful difficult to obtain, and its even more difficult to regain it once its lost.

Richard Glenn Rutan was born in Loma Linda, California. He joined the U.S. Air Force as a teenager and flew more than 300 combat missions during the Vietnam War.

He was part of an elite group that would loiter over enemy anti-aircraft positions for hours at a time. The missions had the call sign Misty, and Dick was known as Misty Four-Zero. Among the many awards Dick received were the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

He survived having to eject twice from planes, once when his F-100 Super Sabre was hit by enemy fire over Vietnam, and a second time when he was stationed in England and the same type of plane had a mechanical failure. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel and went on to work as a test pilot.

Burt Rutan said his brother was always having adventures, like the time he got stranded at the North Pole for a couple of days when the Russian biplane he was in landed and then sank through the ice.

Dick Rutan set another record in 2005 when he flew about 10 miles (16 kilometers) in a rocket-powered plane launched from the ground in Mojave, California. It was also the first time U.S. mail had been carried by such a plane.

Greg Morris, the president of Scaled Composites, a company founded by Burt Rutan, said he first met Dick was when he was about seven and over the years always found him generous and welcoming.

Bigger than life, in every sense of the word, Morris said, listing off Rutans legacy in the Vietnam War, testing planes and on the Voyager flight. Any one of those contributions would make a legend in aviation. All of them together, in one person, is just inconceivable.

Whittle said Rutan had been courageous in his final hours at the hospital  sharp as a tack, calm and joking with them about what might come next after death.

Hes the greatest pilot thats ever lived, Whittle said.

Dick Rutan is survived by his wife of 25 years Kris Rutan; daughters Holly Hogan and Jill Hoffman; and grandchildren Jack, Sean, Noelle and Haley.
The leading candidates to become Oregons next secretary of state say combating misinformation would be a high priority for them if elected.

As the states chief elections officer, the secretary of state is responsible for keeping Oregons elections accurate, secure and accessible to voters. False claims of voter fraud and other misinformation directed at local and national elections have eroded public trust in Americas voting systems in recent years.

Current Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, who is not running for office, announced a public service announcement campaign ahead of this years May 21 primary to promote trust in Oregons election system and provide accurate information about voting. She has said more federal money is needed to improve Oregons election system and voters experiences by upgrading security systems, hiring more staff to administer local elections and modernizing voting equipment.

Five Democrats and three Republicans will vie for their partys nomination during the May primary. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will have a heavy advantage going into Novembers election, as Oregon voters have only elected a Republican to serve as secretary of state once since 1985.

The Oregonian/OregonLive asked all eight candidates in a written questionnaire what they would do to combat misinformation surrounding Oregons election systems.

Four of the five Democratic candidates, including frontrunners state Sen. James Manning of Eugene and state Treasurer Tobias Read, responded to the candidate questionnaire. The fifth, retired electrical engineer Paul Wells, declined to participate. State Sen. Dennis Linthicum of Beatty was the only Republican candidate who responded to the questionnaire. Linthicum, who cannot seek reelection to the Senate this year because of his participation in a Republican-led walkout of the Senate in 2023, is running against small business owner Brent Barker and business analyst Tim McCloud.

The candidates responses are below.

Elections officials are increasingly running into misinformation and conspiracy theories that undermine public trust in democracy. How would you tackle this challenge?

James Manning: I will ensure more cohesion and uniformity with county election services; investing in data security, personnel safety and training for our elections staff. I will combat mis- and disinformation through public service announcements and operating transparently in the office of secretary of state.

And with my legislative partners  a great many of whom have endorsed my campaign: Senate President Rob Wagner; Sens. (Michael) Dembrow, (Lew) Frederick, (Jeff) Golden, (Chris) Gorsek, (Kayse) Jama, (Deb) Patterson, (Floyd) Prozanski, (Janeen) Sollman, (Kathleen) Taylor and (Aaron) Woods, for example  I will ensure investments are made in civics and in security, training and information delivery to and from our elections offices across our state.

Tobias Read: As secretary of state, I will aim to earn the trust of every Oregonian and help restore confidence to our election system. That said, there will be bad actors who attempt to undermine the legitimacy of our state government through conspiracy theories and misinformation. I intend to combat these efforts by not being afraid to stand up to misinformation campaigns and proving my commitment to transparency. I would also add that the safety of our election workers are under increasing threats and I will be aggressive in protecting them.

Dave Stauffer: Whenever the Secretary of States Office encounters misinformation or conspiracy theories, I would expose the misinformation through appropriate public media coverage in newspapers, television reports and internet sites.

James Crary: (Crary in a separate response said he would establish an electronic candidate forum if elected. The forum would allow any registered voter to ask questions of any or all political candidates, he said.)

The (forum) will be a great tool that will allow candidates to correct misinformation and debunk unfounded conspiracy theories.

For instance, if there was a negative flier, radio or TV ad accusing one candidate of some misdoing it would be simple enough for a registered voter to ask the accused candidate what his/her side of the story is. Such a question would allow the accused candidate to immediately tell his/her side of the story without having to raise a lot of money to try to rebut the misinformation or unfounded conspiracy theory with radio and TV ads of his/her own.

Dennis Linthicum: (In an effort to address election misinformation, Oregon signed a contract last fall with British company Logically, which uses artificial intelligence to monitor social media sites for misleading information about elections and physical threats to elections staff. Several state Republican leaders and lawmakers, including Linthicum, filed a lawsuit against Gov. Tina Kotek and Griffin-Valade seeking to prevent Oregon from contracting with the company. The lawsuit remains ongoing.)

I dont believe that the fear mongering coming from the secretary of state regarding misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation is warranted or appropriate. The idea that any state officer could contract with an AI vendor to control the free-flow of information and hamper the ideas, thoughts and speech of citizens is repulsive.

Trust in our confederated Republic of free and independent states can only be supported and maintained by the active and watchful eye of the public, not by the iron fist of government control.

Therefore, I would cancel the current AI software contract or allow it to expire without being renewed.

 Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
When Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran steps down in December due to term limits, Chair Jessica Vega Pederson will bid goodbye to her fiercest critic on the board.

The two leading candidates running in the May 21 primary to replace Meieran in District 1  which takes in all of Portlands westside plus a small portion of its inner east side  largely agree on what problems need solving, including homelessness, drug use and the lack of access to mental health care.

But administrative law judge Vadim Mozyrsky, 51, has a stronger focus on solving downtown Portland problems while nonprofit policy director Meghan Moyer, 44, is intent on maximizing state and federal resources to confront the countys troubles. Mozyrsky has drawn the backing of downtown property owners and developers, construction-related unions and tough-on-crime candidate for district attorney Nathan Vasquez. Moyer is the choice of large public employee unions and many current and former Democratic elected officials.

Both want to ease the countys ambulance shortage by backing Meierans proposal to lower county staffing requirements, bolster resources for people experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges, expand affordable housing and curb the impacts of fentanyl addiction.

So far, the campaigns have not grabbed much attention, largely because strict voter-enacted campaign contribution limits mean the candidates cant raise huge sums. Neither campaign reported buying ads as of Tuesday and mass mailers from the campaigns or outside groups have just begun to hit mailboxes.

Whoever wins  either outright this month if Mozyrsky or Moyer manages to earn over 50% of the vote in a five-candidate race or in November if the election goes to a runoff  could be part of a sea change at the county. With four out of five commission seats up for grabs, Vega Pedersons dominance of the county commission agenda is in jeopardy.

Jake Weigler, a Portland political consultant whos not advising any candidate in District 1, said Meierans go-it-alone style may not have scored her policy wins at the board, but her full-throated criticism of the chair reframed important conversations and sometimes prompted the board to consider tough questions.

Beyond adopting policy, its about how youre reshaping the discussion, Weigler said. I think that is really where Sharon has had a lot of success.

Both Mozyrsky and Moyer said they hope to emulate Meierans persistence in pushing for more urgency from the board  but they also acknowledge that Meierans approach over eight years failed to consistently win her allies.

Sharon has been a canary in the coal mine, said Mozyrsky, who lost a bid for the Portland City Council in 2022. I think we need an individual out there who can honestly say whats working and whats not working. But to get real change done you need three votes on the commission, and shes not had those.

Moyer, a policy director at Disability Rights Oregon, said she wants to continue raising hard questions while also leaving room for compromise.

Ive never shied away from controversial topics, and Ive never had a problem saying when things arent working, Moyer said. But what separates my approach is Im very strategic about how I cultivate support.

Other candidates include behavioral health advocate Kevin Fitts, who serves as the executive director of Oregon Mental Health Consumers Association, independent management consultant Margot Wheeler and Chris Henry, a previous Oregon Progressive Party chair who has sought several statewide and local offices.

Its possible that last-minute spending by outside groups could affect voters opinions of the candidates. Rival political groups, one backed by Portland business and industry leaders and the other by labor unions and advocates for people of color, have said they planned to promote or attack Moyer or Mozyrsky, and both have more than $40,000 on hand. But neither reported spending of that cash as of Tuesday.

Under the new voter-approved rules, campaigns can only accept donations of $568 per person or entity. That limit doesnt apply to money a candidate gives their own campaign nor to outside spending, however.

Weigler said its likely that the race will move to a November runoff, with Mozyrsky and Moyer rising to the top of the field.

Judge and civic volunteer

Mozyrskys arrival in the U.S. in 1979 as a 7-year-old refugee from Ukraine has shaped his political views, which he said are centered around making sure everyone has a seat at the table.

His family moved multiple times before landing in Texas, where Mozyrsky earned his undergraduate and law degrees. Mozyrsky moved to Portland in 2014 to serve as chief judge of the Social Security Administration office, deciding appeals from individuals denied Social Security benefits.

Hes served as president of his Goose Hollow neighborhood association for two years and joined the board of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization in 2020. Hes also served as a volunteer member of several Portland commissions, including the one that recommended the big changes to Portlands form of government that voters approved in 2022. He resigned before its work was completed, however, because he felt the city improperly withheld information from the public.

Mozyrsky was appointed to a committee advising the city on issues important to people with disabilities from 2017 to 2019 and also served on the Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing, which weighs in on police policies and practices.

Vadim Mozyrsky, whose family moved the U.S. from Ukraine when he was 7 years old, attend the Future Portland forum.Courtesy of Campaign

He cites his parents story to explain why hes running for the county commission.

They came here because they wanted their son to have a better future than they had in the Soviet Union, Mozyrsky said. Thats what we all want for our kids  a better future. And I think a lot of people dont see that better future right now, and we have to make sure that we get there.

After coming in third in his May 2022 primary challenge to Jo Ann Hardesty for her seat on the Portland City Council  an election Rene Gonzalez won  Mozyrsky entered the county race this year with more name recognition than any other District 1 candidate. Thats helped fuel his financial advantage.

As of Tuesday, Mozyrsky had raised nearly $105,000, including $30,000 he loaned himself. His donors include Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle, former gubernatorial candidate Betsy Johnson, Vasquez, the county district attorney candidate, Willamette Women Democrats, real estate developers including Homer Williams, Thomas Brenneke, Greg Goodman and Jordan Schnitzer and unions including construction workers Liuna Local 737 and electricians IBEW Local 48.

Mozyrsky says hes running for the county board instead of a seat at the city  where charter changes that overhauled the City Council have drawn a flood of candidates  because the seemingly intractable issues playing out on local streets are largely the purview of the county.

I felt that if I could have an impact, the most impact I could have is at the county right now, he said.

Mozyrskys biggest priorities, he said, are expanding shelter access, building affordable housing and establishing a specific plan for the countys proposed 24/7 detox center, which he said he hopes can become a pipeline to long-term care. He also aims to revitalize Portland by improving cleanliness and safety  duties more aligned with city government  and expand job opportunities for marginalized youth through internships and apprenticeships at the county.

He also wants the county to require better data tracking by its homelessness service providers and reevaluate spending on the countys preschool program, which serves mostly low-income 3- and 4-year-olds for free but has faced scrutiny for its large reserves of unspent funds. And he wants the county to act faster.

I think far too often, we are letting the perfect be the enemy of the good, he said.

In Meierans endorsement of Mozyrsky, she said his background as an immigrant and experience as a judge would bring a unique voice to the commission. He also landed endorsements from former county commissioners Loretta Smith, Maria Rojo de Steffey and Diane McKeel. Portland Commissioner Mingus Mapps, Gonzalez, his former campaign opponent, and former state Sen. Avel Gordly, the first Black woman elected to the Oregon Senate, support him as well.

The Portland Firefighters Association union and presidents of four westside neighborhood associations have endorsed him. That includes Jessie Burke, the Old Town neighborhood president who is running for a county commission seat in District 2.

2 decades in politics, public policy

Moyers work in politics and public policy spans two decades, starting with her stint in 2004 as a campaign manager and then legislative aide for state Rep. Chuck Riley, D-Hillsboro. Shes also worked as a lobbyist for the National Parent Teacher Association and as a longtime political strategist for one of Oregons most powerful public employee unions, Service Employees International Union Local 503.

A resident of Southwest Portlands Crestwood neighborhood, shes worked in the private sector, as a project manager for construction firm Skanska, and ran her own business building houses and accessory dwelling units. More recently, she was drawn back into advocacy, joining nonprofit Disability Rights Oregon as a public policy director in 2021.

Moyer has dedicated much of her career to advocating for vulnerable populations, helping usher in state policies that ended shortened school days for students with disabilities and broadened access to Medicaid, she said.

Meghan Moyer, former senior policy strategist for SEIU Local 503, campaigns with help from union volunteers.Courtesy of Campaign

Moyer said she believes her experience in public health policy makes her the most qualified candidate to help steer the county toward solutions in that realm that can endure for years. She said her knowledge of state bureaucracy could help the county tap state resources for addiction treatment programs.

The next commissioner from this district needs to be someone with real expertise in all aspects of the continuum of critical human services the county provides  from creating more effective policy, finding the funding without raising taxes, to shepherding the implementation successfully, Moyer wrote in a response to questions from The Oregonian/OregonLive.

It may require working and advocating with the state and federal government, Moyer said. I would argue that not having someone with this background has crippled the county.

Moyers goals if elected are to move the citys Portland Street Response program, which assists people experiencing crises outdoors, to county control in a way that would qualify it for federal matching funds. She also wants to redesign the countys addiction treatment system to move beyond 30-day programs.

She also said the countys tax-funded Preschool for All program needs an overhaul to ease the barriers for families to apply and qualify. Moyer acknowledged the countys failure to spend all the money it has for the program but did not mention how it might expand seats for students.

Moyers campaign has raised far less money than Mozyrskys  under $30,000 as of Tuesday, including donations from fellow Democrats former Gov. Kate Brown, state Sen. Chris Gorsek of Troutdale and former Clackamas County Commissioner Sonya Fischer. Political action committees representing unions such as AFSCME and the Joint Council of Teamsters No. 37 have also given to Moyer.

Where Moyer has pulled ahead is in support from elected Democrats. Five members of the state Legislature have endorsed her, including Rep. Hoa Nguyen of Portland, Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin of Corvallis, and Sen. Elizabeth Steiner of Portland, who is running for state treasurer. Several former political leaders, including Brown, also endorsed her.

Metro councilors Mary Nolan and Christine Lewis backed her as well. Moyer also has support from several unions, including AFSCME Council 75 and Local 88, SEIU Local 49 and 503 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, among others.

Its easy to call out the countys failures, Moyer wrote. I am the only candidate who actually knows why, and how to fix them.

Other candidates

Three additional candidates round out the field. None is raising serious money to campaign, although one has the endorsement of former Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury.

That nod went to Fitts, a longtime advocate for behavioral health resources in the state. Fitts, who lives in the Brooklyn neighborhood, has served as the executive director of the Oregon Mental Health Consumers Association for 22 years and has served on a variety of behavioral health advisory boards at the state and national level. He has also lobbied the Legislature to bolster funding for human services.

Kevin Fitts, founder of Oregons first statewide mental health consumer assistance rogram, is vying for the District 1 commission seat.Courtesy of campaign

Ive been known as a community builder for positive change, Fitts wrote in response to questions from The Oregonian/OregonLive.

If elected, he would push the county to speed up its search for a new behavioral health director, create a more stable network for drug addiction treatment and improve staffing at local clinics and health centers, he said.

He has raised $6,500, including a $5,000 loan from himself.

Multnomah Village resident Margot Wheeler has worked for the county since 2019, first as a budget and treasury analyst and now as a project manager. She also runs her own consulting company. Her bid for District 1 focuses on improving county management, including giving the public wider access to data on spending and key programs and streamlining internal processes for contracting. Like her opponents, she also wants improved services for people experiencing homelessness.

She says her experience at the county has given her insights her opponents may not have. Wheeler, no relation to Mayor Ted Wheeler, did not make the deadline for the Voters Pamphlet.

I have a deep understanding of county operations, finance, and intergovernmental relationships, Wheeler said.

A fifth candidate, Chris Henry, has run for several political seats before to no avail. He chairs the Oregon Progressive Party and previously worked as a union truck driver. He did not respond to the Oregonian/OregonLives questionnaire.

 Austin De Dios covers Multnomah County politics, programs and more. Reach him at 503-319-9744, adedios@oregonian.com or @AustinDeDios.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
Portland City Council unanimously approved Mayor Ted Wheelers scaled-back homeless camping ban Wednesday morning to replace the citys original more restrictive measure that was disrupted by a legal challenge.

After lengthy and heated meeting two weeks ago turned into a dueling match over competing ideas for how to regulate camping or sleeping in public spaces, Wednesdays decision was swift, ending with a 5-0 vote.
A Minnesota mother is indicted for killing her children in an arson attack. In a tragic incident in northern Minnesota, a woman took the lives of two children, ignited a house fire, and departed with another child.

The victims, reported by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune as Stately's 6 and 5-year-old children, faced a harrowing attack with a knife on March 15 at the Red Lake Indian Reservation. This devastating event also involved the woman leaving the scene with her 3-year-old son.

Minnesota Mother Indicted for Setting Fire

A mother from Red Lake sparked a statewide Amber Alert in March and is now facing charges for the deaths of her two sons after allegedly stabbing them and setting their home ablaze.

Jennifer Stately, 35, is accused of fatally stabbing Remi and Tristan Stately, ages 6 and 5, on March 15 before fleeing with her 3-year-old son, as per a federal indictment filed recently.

One boy succumbed to a stab wound, while the other passed due to smoke inhalation. An unnamed individual was reportedly present at the residence with Stately during the assaults.

Following the incident, an Amber Alert was issued for the abducted toddler, leading to a swift response from law enforcement after a vigilant motorist spotted the vehicle and contacted 911.

Deputies in Todd County apprehended Stately soon after, discovering the child with injuries.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger emphasized the collaborative effort between various law enforcement agencies in swiftly addressing such cases, noting, "This tragic case demonstrates the importance of close working relationships between the U.S. Attorney's Office and our state, federal, and tribal law enforcement partners."

Luger added, "Together, we are able to bring charges swiftly in cases such as this on behalf of the most vulnerable among us."

The community and school where Remi and Tristan attended Head Start and first grade organized vigils and ceremonies to mourn their untimely demise.

Described as a "smart, funny, loving little boy" who enjoyed playing with his siblings, Remi was fondly remembered in his obituary.

Tristan, the middle child, was known for his outgoing and protective nature towards his brothers, as highlighted in his obituary.

Legal Proceedings After the Arson Attack

A week following the dismissal of child abuse charges against Stately in Todd County, a federal indictment has been issued, marking a shift in the legal landscape.

While the Todd County Attorney's Office chose not to comment on the matter, earlier charges against Stately included child torture, abuse, neglect, and third-degree assault of her toddler, distinct from the current allegations of murder.

Authorities had refrained from disclosing specifics regarding the connection between Stately, the fatal fire, and the Amber Alert that ensued.

The indictment outlines a period of neglect leading up to the abduction and tragic events, accusing Stately of depriving the toddler of basic necessities and supervision, culminating in the fire at 14320 Circle Pine Road in Red Lake.

FBI Special Agent Alvin M. Winston Sr. emphasized the collective effort of agencies in seeking resolution and healing for the affected family and community.

Jennifer Marie Stately, facing charges of premeditated murder, murder while committing child abuse, arson, murder while committing arson, and felony child neglect, is represented by attorney Paul Engh, who hinted at a forthcoming not guilty plea.
According to court records, a man from the Kansas City area, Ronnie Wiggs, came in court on Monday for a second-degree killing complaint about the passing of his hospitalized wife.

He was assigned to the public defender's office and a bond hearing was scheduled for Thursday with a bond set at $250,000. The public defender's office did not quickly respond to a phone message.

Man Faces Charges in Connection with the Death of His Wife

Wiggs' wife was undergoing a medical procedure at Centerpoint Medical Center when she became not responsive, prompting medical staff to start emergency procedures. Despite their attempts, she was pronounced brain dead, and preparations were made to harvest her organs. She died the next day.

Following the circumstances, Wiggs left the hospital but returned later at the persistence of his wife's son, where he admitted to the wrongdoing in the presence of hospital staff.

He confessed to choking his wife and declared that he covered her nose and mouth to prevent her from wailing. He mentioned depression and financial strain as reasons for his actions, claiming he couldn't cope with caregiving accountabilities and medical expenses.

Wiggs also revealed an earlier effort to kill his wife at a rehabilitation facility, where she woke up and reprimanded him not to do again the act. He admitted to planning another attempt on her life while she was hospitalized but was deterred by the monitoring equipment.

Read Also : Man Arrested in New York City for Allegedly Punching Random Women

Man Faces Attempted Murder Charges for Allegedly Choking His Terminally Ill Wife

DeWayne McCulla, aged 45, from Utah, is blamed for trying to end the life of his critically ill wife, Arenda Lee McCulla, while she was in hospital care, in front of her family members, with the aim of "easing her suffering."

Charged with attempted killings, McCulla purportedly choked his wife, who had been suffering from breast cancer, on December 20, 2021. Arenda, aged 47, died the following night due to her extended illness.

According to court documents, McCulla admitted to trying to end his wife's suffering by placing his hand over her neck during her terminal cancer and hospice care.

Family members intervened when they saw her struggling to breathe, pulling McCulla away from her. McCulla reportedly expressed to officers that he would repeat his actions because of his love for his wife.

The reason for the killing charges being filed nearly two years after the circumstances remain ambiguous. If sentenced to first-degree murder, McCulla could face a conviction of 15 years to life imprisonment under state law.

Arenda's struggle with breast cancer started in 2020 and spread to numerous parts of her body, eventually resulting in her death.

Despite undergoing comprehensive medications, including chemotherapy and radiation, her condition continued to deteriorate, causing immense suffering.

Arenda was recognized as a loving mother and active community member, known for her affection for mountain biking and her commitment to volunteering at a youth rehabilitation center.

Her sons expressed their deep love and loss, reflecting on cherished memories and the painful journey of watching their mother battle cancer until her final breath.
The spouse of Fort Lauderdale resident Ana Knezevich, who disappeared in Spain, has been taken into custody.

David Knezevich was apprehended at Miami International Airport on Saturday in connection with the alleged kidnapping of an American citizen in Madrid on or around February 2, 2024.

Florida Man Charged in Wife's Kidnapping

U.S. federal agents have charged the estranged spouse of a Florida woman who vanished in Spain three months ago with her abduction.

David Knezevich was apprehended at Miami International Airport by the FBI and other federal authorities. The Fort Lauderdale resident faces charges linked to the disappearance of his 40-year-old wife, Ana Knezevich, from the Madrid apartment where she resided since their separation last year.

A 36-year-old business owner from Serbia, David Knezevich, made a brief appearance in Miami federal court on Monday and is scheduled for a bond hearing this Friday.

"The Spanish National Police, Customs and Border Protection, the Diplomatic Security Service, and the FBI continue their investigation. Due to the ongoing nature of the case, no additional details will be disclosed," stated the FBI in an official announcement.

Ana's close friend, Sanna Rameau, expressed relief at the arrest, stating, "I am pleased that there has been progress. We are hopeful that this phase will bring clarity and answers about Ana's situation." In an earlier interview, Rameau mentioned an unusual incident preceding Ana's disappearance.

"There was a man that entered the building, they sprayed her surveillance cameras in her building around 9:30 p.m. She was last seen around 10 p.m.," Rameau recounted.

She added, the next day, I received a peculiar text from Ana's phone, completely unlike her usual style.

The message claimed Ana had met a man on the street the previous day, felt an instant connection, and planned to spend time at his home two hours away from Madrid.

Rameau found this narrative inconsistent with Ana's character and suspected foul play, especially considering Ana's ongoing divorce proceedings with her husband.

Ana Knezevich's Kidnapping

David Knezevich's lawyer, Ken Padowitz, was unavailable for comment when contacted on Monday afternoon. Padowitz has previously refuted any involvement by his client in his wife's disappearance.

Ana Knezevich, originally from Colombia and a naturalized American, vanished shortly after unidentified individuals, one wearing a motorcycle helmet, tampered with her apartment complex's security cameras by spray-painting the lenses.

Expressing relief at the arrest, Ana's close friend Sanna Rameau stated, "I am happy that there has been an arrest...We are hoping that this next chapter will bring justice and find answers about what has happened to Ana."

The Knezeviches, also known as the Knezevics, have been married for 13 years and are involved in EOX Technology Solutions Inc., providing computer support to businesses in South Florida.

Property records indicate their ownership of a home and two other properties in Fort Lauderdale, with one property currently facing foreclosure.

Ana's brother, Juan Henao, described the divorce as "nasty" during an interview with a Fort Lauderdale detective, highlighting David's discontent over the division of assets.

In a February interview, Padowitz maintained that the divorce proceedings were not acrimonious and stated his client's cooperation with law enforcement, noting that David Knezevich was in Serbia at the time of his wife's disappearance.
During his son's critical moments at Southern Ocean County Medical Center, Christopher Gregor, 31, allegedly left the emergency room while medical staff were desperately trying to revive his son, Corey Micciolo, aged 6.

According to testimony presented at Gregor's murder trial, he exited the room where Corey was receiving treatment, leaving the boy in the care of medical professionals.

The incident occurred on April 2, 2021, when the 5-year-old's heart stopped for a second time at the medical center.

Emergency room nurse Lindsay Carnevale testified that Gregor had been in and out of the treatment room while medical personnel worked on his son.

Carnevale stated that Gregor left the room again just after 4:51 p.m. and did not return, leaving Corey in the company of medical staff during his final moments.

New Jersey Father in Trial for Son's Treadmill Death

Witness Christine Lento, an assistant Ocean County prosecutor, inquired about Corey's companionship during his critical moments.

Nurse Carnevale affirmed, "We did," indicating the medical staff as the ones who stayed with Corey. Carnevale clarified that they were the sole presence with the child until his pronouncement of death at 5:02 p.m.

Surveillance footage from the hospital depicted Gregor leaving the medical center and driving away at 5:20 p.m., as testified by Sgt. Raymond Coles of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Prior to Corey's hospitalization, a distressing video revealed an incident where Gregor compelled Corey to run on a treadmill, causing him to collapse several times.

After this traumatic event, Corey's mother, Bre Micciolo, reported his injuries to the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, leading to his hospitalization on April 1.

On the day of Corey's arrival at Southern Ocean County Medical Center, he presented symptoms including slurred speech, breathing difficulties, and nausea. Medical professionals determined the necessity for intubation, indicating the severity of Corey's condition upon admission.

Carnevale's testimony highlighted Gregor's demeanor as emotionless during Corey's admission, noting his intermittent presence and eventual departure from the room.

During his hospitalization, Corey disclosed to medical staff that his father had compelled him to use the treadmill due to perceived weight concerns.

Tragically, Corey's condition worsened, leading to a seizure during a subsequent CT scan, resulting in his passing despite efforts by the medical team to save him.

Christopher Gregor's Sentencing

An autopsy determined Corey's death as a homicide, citing blunt force trauma to his chest and abdomen, along with lacerations and contusions to his liver and heart, indicative of chronic abuse.

The prosecution contends that Corey's demise resulted from blunt-force trauma, whereas the defense asserts that the child succumbed to sepsis.

During the trial, on April 4, 2021, Gregor used the internet to seek information, specifically inquiring about the timeframe for filing charges following a murder determination from an autopsy, as testified by Coles.

Coles, employed in the prosecutor's digital forensic laboratory, retrieved data from Gregor's cellphone, revealing the deletion of approximately 3,466 text messages exchanged between Gregor and Corey's mother, Breanna Micciolo.

The jury also heard testimony from Richard Cicerone of the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, regarding a call placed by Gregor to the child abuse hotline on April 2, 2021, the day of Corey's passing.

During the call played in court, Gregor alleged that Corey's mother instructed him to lie to doctors about being hit by his father. Gregor also conveyed concerns about the child's exposure to individuals with criminal backgrounds during visitations with his mother, despite court orders.

Cicerone's testimony, presented with redactions, was deemed admissible by the judge for jury consideration.

Currently held in Ocean County Jail, Gregor could potentially face a sentence ranging from 30 years to life in prison without parole if convicted of murder, with an additional possibility of up to 10 years for child endangerment charges.
Francois Turretin (1623-1687) was a Genevan-Italian Reformed scholastic theologian and renowned defender of the Calvinistic (Reformed) orthodoxy represented by the Synod of Dort, and was one of the authors of the Helvetic Consensus (1675). He is generally considered to be the best Calvinist apologist besides John Calvin himself. His Institutes of Elenctic Theology (three volumes, Geneva, 16791685) used the scholastic method. Elenctic means refuting an argument by proving the falsehood of its conclusion. Turretin contended against the conflicting Christian perspectives of Catholicism and Arminianism. It was a popular textbook; notably at Princeton Theological Seminary, until it was replaced by Charles Hodges Systematic Theology in the late 19th century. Turretin also greatly influenced the Puritans.

This is a reply to a portion of Institutes of Elenctic Theology (Vol. 2, 17th Topic: Sanctification and Good Works). I utilize the edition translated by George Musgrave Giger and edited by James T. Dennison, Jr. (Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, Phillipsburg, New Jersey: 1992 / 1994 / 1997; 2320 pages). It uses the KJV for Bible verses. I will use RSV unless otherwise indicated. All installments of this series of replies can be found on my Calvinism & General Protestantism web page, under the category, Replies to Francois Turretin (1632-1687). Turretins words will be in blue.

***

First Question

What is sanctification and how is it distinguished from justification, yet inseparable from it?

I. As Christ was made to us of God righteousness and sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30)not dividedly, but conjointly; not confusedly, but distinctlyso the benefit of sanctification immediately follows justification as inseparably connected with it, but yet really distinct from it.

Protestants (particularly Reformed ones) make a sharp distinction between justification and sanctification (whereas Catholics  following Holy Scripture  combine them). For Protestants, works of sanctification have  in the final analysis  nothing to do with salvation. They are done in thankfulness for a justification already attained. Thus, Turretin writes a bit later:

God makes us first new creatures by regeneration; then we show that we are regenerated by our new obedience (as these acts are distinguished in Eph. 2:10; Ezk. 36:26; Jer. 32:39). . . . The actual laying aside of vices and the correction of life and morals follow regeneration, as its proper effects (Gal. 5:22, 23; Col. 3:5). . . . Scripture has frequently distinguished these benefits (1 Cor. 1:30; 6:11; Tit. 3:5; Rev. 22:11).

But the formal separation is not a biblical distinction, as I will show again and again. Lets look at the Bible passages Turretin sets forth as alleged proof of his view:

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

This is itself doesnt prove the formal separation of justification and sanctification. It is stating that the justified person or disciple of Christ will do good works. All agree on that. But it doesnt establish Protestant soteriology. In the previous two verses, Paul wrote:

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God  [9] not because of works, lest any man should boast.

This is consistent with his overall teaching. See: St. Paul on Grace, Faith, & Works (50 Passages) [8-6-08]. When Paul writes that were not saved because of works (Eph 2:9), he is denying works salvation. But in Ephesians 2:10 he shows that works are part of the overall equation. They cant save us by themselves, but neither can or does faith. They have to function together, with both being caused by Gods prior grace. Ephesians 2:8-10 presents the whole package, and its thoroughly Catholic. Its our three-legged stool of salvation: grace, faith, and works.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. [26] A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Jeremiah 32:39-41 I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. [40] I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them; and I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. [41] I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

Again, God cleanses us and indwells us, and we do good works. But this is completely harmonious with the Catholic view of an organic connection between justification and sanctification. It doesnt prove the Protestant view over against ours. We would contend that the justified person does the good works precisely because of the prior organic connection.

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Colossians 3:1-2, 5 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. . . . [5] Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Paul is saying that those who have the Holy Spirit simply do these things. They flow from the nature of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This seems altogether organic and connected by nature. Its a somewhat subtle distinction, but a real one. Of course, the good works are later in time than initial justification, but that doesnt mean they arent intrinsically connected.

1 Corinthians 1:30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. Revelation 22:11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.

These are clear expressions of organic, intrinsic connection of justification and sanctification. Its difficult to understand why anyone would think otherwise.

Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit,

Paul reiterates that we are not saved by works alone and that Gods grace is the ultimate cause (cf. 2:11). But in the same letter he writes five times that good works are part of the whole package:

Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their deeds; they are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good deed. Titus 2:7 Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Titus 3:8 The saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. Titus 3:14 And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

Nor could Paul so often have denied that we are justified by works if justification is the same as sanctification;

He could do so if what he meant in those negative passages was Jewish works of Mosaic Law, as the New Perspective on Paul (a Protestant school of thought) maintains.

The former [justification] consists in the judicial and forensic act of remission of sin and imputation of righteousness; the latter [sanctification] in the physical and moral act of the infusion of righteousness and internal renovation.

This plainly states the anti-traditional, innovative Protestant conception of sanctification: imputed justification and infused sanctification. Catholicism holds that both are infused.

sanctification is indeed begun in this life, but is perfected only in the other. . . . by degrees and successively.

If its perfected in the afterlife; indeed, even by degrees and successively: how is that to be distinguished from purgatory?

Although we think that these two benefits should be distinguished and never confounded, still they are so connected from the order of God and the nature of the thing that they should never be torn asunder.

This is the sense in which the two competing views are actually quite similar (almost merely abstractly or conceptually distinct), in terms of practical application to life. I have often noted this and rejoiced in it. I argue for the Catholic viewpoint, but at the same time recognize that the two views are very close to each other.

This is clearly evident even from thisthat they are often set forth in one and the same word as when they are designated by the words cleansing and purging and taking away, not only in different places, but also in the same context (as Jn. 1:29, when the Lamb of God is said to take away the sin of the world, i.e., both by taking away its guilt and punishment by the merit of his blood and by taking away its pollution and taint by the efficacy of the Spirit; and in Rev. 1:5, Christ is said to wash us from our sins, both as to justification and as to sanctification; in which sense the robes of believers are said to have been made white in the blood of Christ [Rev. 7:14] . . . God joined these two benefits in the covenant of grace, since he promises that he will not remember our sins and that he will write his law in our hearts (Jer. 31:33, 34). Nor does the nature of God suffer this to be done otherwise. For since by justification we have a right to life (nor can anyone be admitted to communion with God without sanctification), it is necessary that he whom God justifies is also sanctified by him so as to be made fit for the possession of glory. Nay, he does not take away guilt by justification except to renew his own image in us by sanctification because holiness is the end of the covenant and of all its blessings (Lk. 1:6875; Eph. 1:4).

Amen! Like I said, close.

The very faith by which we are justified demands this. For as it is the instrument of justification by receiving the righteousness of Christ, so it is the root and principle of sanctification, while it purges the heart and works through love (Gal. 5:6). Justification itself (which brings the remission of sins) does not carry with it the permission or license to sin (as the Epicureans hold), but ought to enkindle the desire of piety and the practice of holiness. With God, it is a propitiation that he may be feared (Ps. 130:4); speaks peace to his people that they may not turn again to folly (Ps. 85:8). Thus justification stands related to sanctification as the means to the end. And to this tends the whole economy of grace, which for no other reason has dawned upon us, unless that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly (Tit. 2:12).

More great thoughts, which Catholics wholly agree with.

Three opinions concerning the necessity of good works.

II. There are three principal opinions about the necessity of good works. First is that of those who (sinning in defect) deny it; such were formerly the Simonians and the modern Epicureans and Libertines, who make good works arbitrary and indifferent, which we may perform or omit at pleasure. The second is that of those who (sinning in excess) affirm and press the necessity of merit and causality; such were the ancient Pharisees and false apostles, who contended that works are necessary to justification. These are followed by the Romanists and Socinians of our day. The third is that of those who (holding the middle ground between these two extremes) neither simply deny, nor simply assert; yet they recognize a certain necessity for them against the Libertines, but uniformly reject the necessity of merit against the Romanists. This is the opinion of the orthodox.

This is trying to have it both ways. Are works necessary for salvation (alongside grace and faith) or not? Turretin opts for a supposed middle ground and a certain necessity. He (and Protestants en masse) cant have it both ways. In order to maintain some sort of necessity for works, they go after merit. But its a distinction without a difference. I have collected fifty biblical passages directly tying good works to entrance into heaven and ultimate salvation. They simply cant be interpreted as involving no merit whatsoever. If they werent meritorious whatsoever, then heaven couldnt possibly be any kind of reward for doing them. Yet it is; so they are meritorious. Its as simple as that. Here are some of them:

Matthew 7:19-21 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus you will know them by their fruits. [21] Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 25:31-36 When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, [33] and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. [34] Then the King will say to those at his right hand, Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; [35] for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Luke 3:9 (+ Mt 3:10; 7:19) Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Luke 14:13-14 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. John 5:26-29 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. Romans 2:5-13 But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when Gods righteous judgment will be revealed. For he will render to every man according to his works: To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honour and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. Hebrews 6:7-8 For land which has drunk the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned. 1 Peter 1:17 . . . who judges each one impartially according to his deeds . . . Revelation 2:5 Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Revelation 20:11-13 Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat upon it; from his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and all were judged by what they had done. Revelation 22:12 Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done.

Moreover, there are several biblical passages that tie salvation directly to sanctification, in a way contrary to the Protestants view of sanctification:

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. [Phillips: made holy by their faith in me] [cf. Acts 20:32; Jude 1] This would appear to contradict a strict notion of sola fide, or faith alone: one of the two pillars of the so-called Reformation, because it connects sanctification directly to faith; indeed, it comes by faith. Here is another passage that connects sanctification with faith (traditionally associated with justification): Acts 15:8-9 And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. The Greek word for cleansed used here is katharizo. It is used many times in the Gospels in reference to the cleansing of lepers (e.g., Mt 10:8; Lk 7:22). We see this dynamic also in Hebrews: Hebrews 9:12-14 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (cf. 1 John 1:7, 9: same word: katharizo) Thus, the eternal redemption secured by Jesus Christ with his own blood leads inexorably to a purified conscience, and a new ability to serve God, just as flesh was purified by the old sacrificial system. Sanctification seems intimately connected to justification, or in any event, redemption. Perhaps the two clearest verses in the New Testament that directly connects sanctification to salvation itself, are these: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life.

The author of Hebrews maintains the same motif: Hebrews 10:10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. Hebrews 10:29 How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 13:12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.

The following five passages also plainly teach the notion of meritorious works:

2 Timothy 2:15, 21-22 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. . . . If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work. So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. Hebrews 10:24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, Hebrews 10:36, 38-39 For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. . . . but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls. 2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; Jude 1:20-21 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

See also:

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

They are also described as a partial cause of salvation, and instrumental in achieving it, per all the biblical data I brought forth above.

*

everyone sees that there is the highest and an indispensable necessity of good works for obtaining glory. It is so great that it cannot be

reached without them (Heb. 12:14; Rev. 21:27).

*

Exactly! This state of affairs cant exist unless good works brought about by grace and done in faith are also meritorious. It simply makes no sense trying to deny the merit part of it. Its an internal difficulty of Protestant soteriology.

*

Although we acknowledge the necessity of good works against the Epicureans, we do not on this account confound the law and the gospel and

interfere with gratuitous justification by faith alone . . .

*

Thats the contradiction and incoherent position.

*

*

***

Summary: Critique of the 17th century Reformed / Calvinist theologian Francois Turretin with regard to the doctrine of sanctification, including meritorious good works.
Microsofts latest trends index shows, unsurprisingly, that workers are capitalizing on the AI craze. But Microsofts report also says that theyre doing so reluctantly, and not saving an enormous amount of time in the process.

Microsoft released its 2024 Work Trends Index on Tuesday, reporting what workers outside the company are telling them about how they work. Obviously, the key topic was AI, the foundation of Microsoft Copilot and Copilot-powered applications like Microsoft 365. Microsoft said that its data was acquired by surveys with 31,000 people across 31 countries, alongside labor and hiring trends from LinkedIn and Microsoft 365 productivity signals.

But the data wasnt all positive. While employers are seeking employees with AI skills, those workers arent being offered training to use them. Instead, theyre learning those skills on their own.

Here are the most (un)surprising bits of data from Microsofts 2024 Work Index.

Workers arent dumb

AI, obviously, is hot. Sixty-six percent of leaders say that they wont hire someone without AI skills, Microsoft found. So Microsoft said that it also found that the number of workers who added AI skills like ChatGPT and Copilot to their list of LinkedIn skills increased at a whopping 142 times compared to the previous survey, with content writers (gulp), designers, and marketers using AI the most.

Looks like AI-generated content will continue to be on the rise. Looks like AI-generated content will continue to be on the rise. Microsoft Looks like AI-generated content will continue to be on the rise. Microsoft Microsoft

but they are nervous

Abot half (52 percent) of those who use AI are reluctant to admit that theyve used it for important tasks. And slightly more (53 percent) say that if they do use it on work tasks it makes them look replaceable.

Only (?) 45 percent of workers say that theyre worried that AI is going to take their jobs, however.

And overworked

About 78 percent of users are bringing their own AI tools to work, a trend Microsoft calls BYOAI. But less than half of those employers are providing AI tools for their employees, and just 39 percent of those surveyed say that theyve received training for those tools, too.

About 46 percent of those surveyed said that they felt burnt out by work, with 68 percent saying that they struggle with the pace and volume of work. The vast majority (85 percent) of email is read in less than 15 seconds, and users read four emails for every one that they send.

So is AI the answer? Sort of

About 75 percent of knowledge workers use AI at work, Microsoft says.

AI can be used for all sorts of things: to supply ideas, write emails, help with coding, and more. More and more, AI developers are pitching it as a way to avoid the drudgery of work. But are people actually using AI, and for what? It sounds like the answer to that is a resounding maybe.

Power users apparently like AI, but is the time savings paying off? Power users apparently like AI, but is the time savings paying off? Microsoft Power users apparently like AI, but is the time savings paying off? Microsoft Microsoft

Microsoft broke out its survey responses into groups ranging from AI skeptics to power users. Skeptics barely touch AI, and it saves them just a few minutes per day. But power users say that it saves them about 30 minutes per day, specifically to catch up on missed meetings (56 percent), to design visual content (49 percent), to interact with customers (49 percent), and to brainstorm or problem-solve (37 percent). But 46 percent of those who had used AI at work had done so for less than six months.

Microsoft even commissioned a study looking at how 3,000 people used Copilot at work, and whether it made a difference. The results were somewhat inconclusive: Employees read 11 percent fewer emails, but spent the same time (or even more) in meetings. Copilot users even spent 10 percent more time editing documents in Microsoft Office, which Microsoft took as an indication that people were spending more minutes in analysis and content creation.

So is AI making a difference? Its not clear. As AI becomes ubiquitous in the workplace, employees and businesses alike are under extreme pressure, said Jared Spataro, the former Microsoft Office chief who is now corporate vice president of AI at Work. The pace and intensity of work, which accelerated during the pandemic, has not eased, so employees are bringing their own AI to work.

That sounds like employees are seeking any lifeline to ease their burden, and AI just happens to be the most convenient.
Let me tell you a quick story. I like Johnston & Murphy shoes. Ive been trying to get this pair for weeks, but since it seems a lot of other people like it too, its been out of stock in my very common shoe size. So I did a Google search to see if I could find other stores that had it in stock.

And wouldnt you know it, there was another Johnston & Murphy site, almost the same one with USA added to the URL. It looks similar to the other site, but it had every single size of that shoe in stock, ready to buy. And it was half off the original price, what a deal! It must be an overstock outlet for the brand. So I put the shoe in my cart, and prepared to check out.

But for some reason, PayPal was the only payment option. No big deal, I often use PayPal and it has a purchase security program. So I went through the PayPal interfaceand the very last step in the process, the one that would confirm the order, said Agree and Subscribe instead of Purchase. It also asked me to pay someone who isnt Johnston & Murphy, but Association Islamique Fulado. That name didnt return any useful Google results  Its address is somewhere in Luxembourg, assuming its the same person or organization.

Not pictured: a shoe sale. Not pictured: a shoe sale. Michael Crider/Foundry Not pictured: a shoe sale. Michael Crider/Foundry Michael Crider/Foundry

Ive seen that button before. Its used when you want to make a recurring payment to a charity or a creator, a la Patreon. Why would I need to subscribe for a one-time payment option?

To be honest my red flags were raised from the start when I saw the URL, but at that point I went into Arkham Asylum detective mode. Step one was to check out that fishy URL with a Whois lookup. The main Johnston & Murphy domain has been registered for almost thirty years, and though its gone through a private registrar, that registrar is based in Florida in the US. If a judge in the US were to issue a subpoena to Johnston & Murphy, theyd have someone to track down.

I tried the same lookup with the USA alternative site, the one that had the shoe in stock and was ready to sell it to me via a PayPal subscription. This one was registered in January of this year, to a Chinese company, with a Gmail address for the private registrar.

Now, since Im posting this story publicly, Im not going to flat-out accuse this site of being a scam. But I cant think of any legitimate reason that a Johnston & Murphy domain for an American company would be using a registrar in China. And I cant imagine why the PayPal system would only let me subscribe to pay for it, especially when the verified site only lets you pay with a credit card. I decided to wait for those shoes.

I will say that fake retail storefronts are incredibly common, even showing up highly in Google searches like the one that I did. Ive seen a lot of similar  and similarly suspicious  sites selling hugely discounted kayaks in Google shopping results. They were likewise new stores, with designs that aped or just outright stole the layout of other stores, and with prices and availability that seemed too good to be true.

A recent report from German firm Security Research Labs (spotted by BleepingComputer) found a ring of fake retail sites operating tens of thousands of domains. The BogusBazaar ring took in 850,000 orders, mostly from the United States and Germany with the rest of the sales going to Canada and Western Europe. Shops are quickly set up and copied with automated WordPress tools, including e-commerce plugins for accepting info from PayPal, Stripe, and other methods.

Whats the point? They dont simply charge the money and try to get away with it  which is often harder than it seems, now that banks, credit card companies, and other payment processors are on high alert for fraud. Instead theyre collecting personal information, especially addresses and credit card numbers. Put all that info together, and its a valuable start to an attempted identity theft.

SRLabs says that the BogusBazaar system operates with a small team of developers, who then sell their services to other fraudsters in a franchise system, mostly out of China. They look for recently-abandoned domain names that have decent search results in order to pull in traffic. Its a method thats low-key and highly scalable, bringing in stable income via information theft. When one ring of stores gets discovered and wiped from the search engines, theyll just copy and paste with a new set, rinsing and repeating their techniques to gather more data.

Remember, in online shopping as in life: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Voltic Natural Mineral Water has been recognised as Water of the Year at the 2023 Ghana Beverages Awards.



Under the theme Inspiring Excellence in Ghanas Beverage Industry, the event celebrated the beverage industry and its stakeholders for contributing significantly to the Ghanaian economy.



The award recognises excellence in Ghanas beverage industry while providing an avenue for stakeholders and key players in the industry to network and deliberate on issues relating to its advancement.



In another endorsement of the companys industry leadership in Ghana, Voltic (GH) Limiteds Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Manager, Worlasi Seddoh Bedu-Mensah, has been invited to serve as a Subject Matter Expert in Sustainability by the countrys Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management.



Voltic Natural Mineral Water is sourced from a natural aquifer over 60 metres underground, which contains essential natural minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium, Bicarbonate, Nitrate, Sulphate, Potassium and Iron. [WTM1]



Last year Voltic (GH) Limited launched its Voltic Premium Brand, with a 750ml premium bottle in a new sleek design featuring a distinct royal blue label and the new golden Voltic logo boldly embossed on it.



A product of Voltic (GH) Limited, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, the new premium water comes in a range of sizes including 500ml, 750ml, 1.5L and 19.5L.



The water is bottled at the source at water processing plants located in Medie and Akwadum in the Greater Accra and Eastern regions.













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
In a vibrant resurgence of cultural celebration and community spirit, Adum African Market has officially reopened its doors in the heart of the Bronx, ushering in a new era of connection and commerce for residents and visitors alike.



With a dedication to offering authentic African goods at competitive prices, CEO Owusu Sekyerestands at the forefront, welcoming all to experience the rich tapestry of products and traditions the market has to offer.



The reopening of Adum African Market marks a significant milestone for the Bronx community, which has long embraced the market as a cherished hub of cultural exchange and commerce. After a period of closure, anticipation swirled through the neighborhood as rumors of the markets revival began to circulate.



For CEO Owusu Sekyere, the reopening of Adum African Market represents more than just a business venture; it is a testament to the resilience and strength of the community. With a vision to reignite the markets flame and honor its legacy, Owusu Sekyere spared no effort in preparing for the grand reopening.



I wanted to create a space where people could come together, share stories, and celebrate our shared heritage, says Owusu. Adum African Market is more than just a place to shop  its a gathering place for our community.



As the doors swung open on reopening day, the market came alive with activity. The shelves were stocked with an array of goods, from exotic spices and vibrant fabrics to handcrafted artwork and traditional crafts. Customers perused the aisles, their faces alight with excitement as they rediscovered old favorites and uncovered new treasures.



But amidst the hustle and bustle, it was the spirit of camaraderie and connection that truly defined the day. Customers and vendors alike shared smiles and stories, forging connections that transcended mere transactions.



For Nana, a beloved figure within the community who has been a fixture at Adum African Market for years, the reopening is a cause for celebration.



Its wonderful to see the market come back to life, says CEO Owusu Sekyere . This place holds so many memories for our community, and Im thrilled to be a part of its resurgence.



As word of the markets reopening spreads throughout the Bronx and beyond, the future looks bright for Adum African Market. With CEO Owusu Sekyere at the helm, the market is poised to once again become a beacon of cultural celebration and community connection in the heart of New York City.

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
After 3 years of standing trial for the alleged murder of 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdalla, the High Court in Accra is expected to make a decision on the two accused teenagers today May 7.



On March 14, the Court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo informed both Prosecution and Defence lawyers that, the court will do a summing up of the proceedings today after which the jury will return their verdict.



The trial of the two teenagers started in 2021 after it emerged that, they allegedly killed Ismael, their 10 year old friend for money rituals. The two boys were arrested on April 4, 2021 and arraigned before the Ofaakor district court on April 7, 2021 and later transferred to the Kaneshie District Court in August 2021 following an advice by the then Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yebaoh for an expeditious trial.



At the Kaneshie District court, the first accused made a shocking confession that they killed a pregnant woman in Kasoa prior to the gruesome killing of the 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdallah. However the second accused denied his involvement.



The first accused also detailed events that led to the killing of the young boy.



He stated that the idea of money rituals stemmed from watching a TV advert featuring a woman claiming increased wealth through a 5,000 cedis (GHC 5,000) investment. He said he told his accomplice (2nd Accused) about the advert and when they called, a woman confirmed what he had seen on television and promised to make them rich.



The said fetish priestess, Charity Mensah alias Nsuo Hemaa at the center of the case was arrested but was later released after the Police said that, they found no relation between her and the two teens.



The case was again transferred to the High court in Accra in 2022 after the Kaneshie District Court committed them to stand murder trial.



The Prosecution called 7 witnesses to testify after including father of the deceased. Two of the witnesses, a pathologist at the Police Hospital Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dr. Osei Owusu- Afriyie and the investigator in the case, Chief Inspector Isaac Asiedu Odei testified that, the deceased was buried alive.



At the High court in Accra presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, the first accused admitted they committed the crime insisting the second accused was his accomplice however, the second accused denied his involvement during his testimony. He pleaded with the court to conduct a forensic test on the exhibits presented by the Prosecution to verify his innocence.



The fate of these two teenage boys will be determined today at the Criminal Division of the High in Accra.

Source: Philipa Atanga/Court Reporter/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 final decision on the two teenagers at Kasoa who have been charged for allegedly killing a 10-year-old Ismael Mensah Abdella has been rescheduled to June 24.



The jury was expected to retire after the Court had summed up the trial today.

However, that did not happen as the Criminal Division of the High court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo said the summing up is not ready.



The two teenagers are before the High Court in Accra for the alleged murder of 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdalla in April 2021.



The Presiding Judge, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo while adjourning the case said both Prosecution and Defence lawyers will give their closing addresses on the next adjourned date followed by a summing up and the a return verdict by the Jury.



Spokesperson for the Family Harrison Mensah said, the case is long overdue.



" As a family we are disappointed that the case has taken another twist but there is nothing we can do. We just hope that on the 24th as the court has said, when we come, the judgement will be delivered. Its a difficult one but we just have to hold ourselves" he told Journalists.

Source: Philipa Atanga/Court Reporter/Peacefmonlone.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
Atik Mohammed has reprimanded Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, over the Cecilia Dapaah money laundering accusations.



The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) says it has returned the docket on the former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, it received from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).



OSP's Investigations



It could be recalled that the OSP handed over its investigations to the EOCO after pressing hard against Cecilia Dapaah in the law court and later dropping their charges against her.



The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) quit their alleged corruption case against the former Minister of Sanitation stating after nearly seven months of extensive investigation by the OSP and a parallel inquiry by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States, no direct and immediate evidence of corruption has been found in the seized funds and frozen bank accounts linked to Ms. Dapaah and her associates and transferred the case to the EOCO.



It therefore transferred the case to EOCO for lack of jurisdiction in investigating money laundering matters.



EOCO In Pontius Pilat-esque



But speaking to the media at the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of anti-corruption agencies in Africa, the EOCO Executive Director, Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Danquah disclosed that her outfit can't proceed with their investigations either because what the OSP provided them is empty.



If you read the Attorney-Generals advice, whatever we would have done has already been directed at the Police CID and as he (the Attorney-General) said this morning, when you investigate a case and do not find anything, we should be bold enough to come and tell the public that for this case, even though I suspected this at the outset, that wasnt what came out. We should be bold with the Ghanaian," she indicated.



The EOCO boss further said her office cannot continue to fish when you dont even know what you are looking for. You just go about looking for something that you know you are not even sure of.



She also stressed what I am going to do is that, with the Attorney-Generals advice, I will send the docket that we received from the OSP back to him, confirming that there is nothing in it.



OSP Now 'Walking Alone'?



Reacting to this latest development during a panel discussion on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo", Atik Mohammed expressed disappointment in Kissi Agyebeng and his seemingly momentous failure saying "now, everybody is rejecting him. The Attorney General says he cleared Madam Cecilia Dapaah and EOCO also says he should come and take his empty docket away. It tells you what we have been saying about this man is true; he is not working".



Branding the Special Prosecutor as incompetent, Atik challenged him to name one particular case he has successfully executed since his appointment.



"Has there been any one case that he has successfully prosecuted since he became OSP?", he questioned.



To him, Kissi Agyebeng is only enjoying the luxuries and glamor his office brings stating "the man moves like an Arabian King".





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
George Ayisi, Director of Communications at the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has expressed grave concern over the Speaker of Parliaments stalling on reconvening Parliament after the House recessed on March 20.



According to Mr. Ayisi, the action of the Speaker is slowing down government business by his actions.



The NPP Communications Team Member noted that it is imperative for Parliament to reconvene in order to fast track government business.



He attributed the Speaker's conduct to the perceived tension between the legislature and the executive, resulting in newly appointed ministers for the various ministries not being able to function as they should because parliament is yet to vet them.



If a minister should go on with his or her work without Parliamentary approval, he or she will charged and dragged to court because the constitution does not allow that. This is slowing down government business," Ayisi Boateng added.



He was contributing to a panel discussion on UTVs Adekye Nsroma on Monday May 6, 2024.



While commending the efforts made by the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, in petitioning the Speaker to reconvene the House,, George Ayisi revealed that, without the reconvening of Parliament, some governmental initiatives such as such as the agreement between the Government of Ghana and the IDA for an amount of USD 150 million to finance the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GRIDA) project and the Tax Exemption for selected beneficiaries under the 1D1F programme cannot be executed.



"At this time, I think the speaker of parliament, Alban Bagbin is the ideal person to be the speaker of Ghanas Parliament in its current state because of his in-depth knowledge of parliamentary proceedings but the way he closed the last parliamentary meeting was not the best. It appeared that he closed the meeting because he was peeved," he said.



"If you want to exercise the separation of powers, you should know that the powers possessed by the three arms of government inter relate to each other. There is no absolute separation of powers," he added.









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
The President of Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Ansah Adu Baah has expressed confidence in the policies of the Flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to impact positively on the nation and move it forward.



At an interactive meeting with the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs in Goaso, on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, Dr. Bawumia explained his vision and policies to the traditional rulers in detail, and how he is committed to transforming the country through the policies.



Responding to Dr. Bawumia's presentation, the President of the Regional House of Chiefs, who is also the Omanhene of Yamfo Traditional Area, praised the personal traits of Dr. Bawumia, adding that the NPP Flagbearer's presentation was compelling and he was convinced it would positively impact the nation and the next generation.



"Dr. Bawumia's humility and policies are good for the country and the next generation. I do not doubt in my mind Bawumia means well for Ghana," said Nana Ansah Adu Baah, who is also the Omanhene of Yamfo Traditional Area.



The President of the Regional House of Chiefs also commended Dr Bawumia for his humility, which he said is admirable, and a required trait for leadership.



"The way he is humble is so admirable. I believe if he continues as our next President, it will be good for this country and the next generation. Let us help him and vote for him massively because he has good policies for this country. And his humility is really good for this country because it promotes peace and unity."

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
Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission (EC), believes policy think-tank, IMANI, should have eaten an humble pie and apologized to the commission for false accusations.



He was clarifying why he earlier said if IMANI fails to put its house in order, there's a huge possibility of the respected think-tank becoming a talk tank.



IMANI has raised concerns over the Electoral Commissions disposal of election-related equipment it deems obsolete.



The ECs recent disposal and auctioning of its equipment has compelled IMANI to petition Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate them.



According to the Executive Director at IMANI, Franklin Cudjoe, the ECs actions constitute misappropriation, wastage, and misuse of resources.



We do not believe that the EC and its commercial counterparties in these transactions complied with the highest standards of data handling and protection required in the transfer and/or disposal of such sensitive equipment. At any rate, none of them had the requisite certifications to be trusted with such a task, the think tank argued in a statement released on Monday, May 6.



The organization added that the ECs most recent conduct has been necessitated by a need to curtail transparency and accountability, and thus was motivated by a collective conflict of interest and potential corruption. By its actions, it is attempting to erase inventory records and physical evidence of the blatant falsehoods it has told over the last four years regarding the purchase history of expensive electoral equipment.



We asserted our longstanding claim that the ECs electoral equipment is a portfolio of multiple items, bought and refurbished at different intervals between 2011 and 2019. That portfolio does not uniformly date to 2011 or 2012 as the EC has falsely and persistently claimed, and could thus not be so uniformly obsolete as to warrant a firesale to mysterious bidders, who have kept the prime portions for themselves and discarded the rest to be used as scrap. Ghana cannot continue to be milked in this fashion, it emphasized.



But Dr. Serebour Quaicoe has shot down the IMANIs arguments labeling their accusations as empty.



He alluded to a similar position of the think tank on the EC registration exercise during the COVID era where the EC anticipated huge turnout of over 4 million people within the 40-day exercise but IMANI and their bosses doubted the possibility of the figures amidst other similar claims regarding their machinery.



Dr. Serebour Quaicoe narrated how the EC shamed IMANI stating we ended up registering 17 million within 38 days, adding the best thing the think tank should have done after realizing this achievement by the electoral management body was admit they erred and say I am sorry; but the Commission didnt receive any such response from IMANI.



Regarding the obsolete machines, the Commissioner explained that the manufacturers had served notice to them that the machines have end of life meaning they no longer produce them, hence recommended they get new ones and also upgrade their data center at an estimated cost of 15 million dollars.





Data Centres

But the Commission built two new data centers at a cost of 6 million dollars, this he said to buttress the point that the EC is saving cost and their decisions are geared towards building a robust electoral system.



Dr. Serebour Quaicoe therefore cautioned IMANI stating they dont have any basis to crucify Electoral Commission.



He noted that this is why I said if they dont take care, instead of people thinking they are think tank, they will be talk tank. Because if you keep talking without any basis, have you not then turned into a talk tank.



If you pooh-pooh the Electoral Commission, youre destroying the image of the Commission, he further cautioned.



The Electoral Commissioner made these submissions on Peace FMs Kokrokoo show.





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
To enhance blogging standards and foster responsible citizenship ahead of the December elections, the Ghana Bloggers Association has embarked on a nationwide training initiative, commencing in the vibrant city of Accra.



Addressing a gathering brimming with enthusiasm and dedication, President Andre Mustapha NII Okai Inusah of the Ghana Bloggers Association set a profound tone for the conscientious reporting journey ahead.



With the anticipation of the December 2024 elections permeating the air, The President emphasized the paramount importance of placing Ghana's welfare at the forefront of every blogging endeavour.



"As bloggers, we wield significant influence in shaping public opinion and discourse," President Andre Mustapha NII Okai Inusah remarked, underscoring the pivotal role of responsible reporting in nurturing informed citizenship.



The inauguration of this training program signifies a pivotal moment in the association's calendar, heralding the commencement of meticulous preparations for the upcoming December 7th elections. The President stressed the imperative of extending this training initiative to regional levels, ensuring that bloggers across Ghana are equipped with the requisite tools and knowledge to report ethically and accurately.



Throughout the sessions, bloggers delved into crucial areas such as Blogging & journalistic ethics, with a resounding emphasis on the indispensable practice of verifying information before dissemination.



Fact-checking emerged as a cornerstone of responsible reporting, ensuring that content contributes positively to the national discourse.



Moreover, the comprehensive training encompassed practical facets such as crafting engaging content, mastering SEO techniques, and harnessing social media platforms effectively to amplify messages. Discussions on monetization strategies were tempered with a firm commitment to integrity, viewing financial sustainability as a means to uphold journalistic and blogging values rather than compromise them.



Recognizing the intricate landscape of the digital realm, the President of the Association proposed workshops on digital security and online safety, empowering bloggers to navigate the virtual sphere with confidence and vigilance.



As the training drew to a close, The President reiterated the association's unwavering dedication to upholding blogging integrity, urging fellow bloggers to embrace their role as custodians of truth and accountability.



"Through our collective efforts, let us endeavour to elevate the standard of online discourse and make meaningful contributions to the advancement of our beloved Ghana," he concluded, instilling a sense of purpose that resonated deeply as the bloggers departed, emboldened to fulfil their civic duty with diligence and integrity.







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
Lady Julia Osei Tutu, the wife of Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, has shared a lovely story of how they met.



She recounted that, they first crossed paths when she visited Kumasi as the Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer of Ecobank Ghana.



Her encounter with the King unfolded during the inauguration of the first Ecobank branch in Kumasi, where she was tasked to deliver the vote of thanks.

After the event, she shared that, the King commended her for the splendid delivery and they exchanged numbers. Later that evening, Lady Julia was invited by her manager to dinner at Otumfuos residence, unknowingly stepping into an audition for a lifelong role.



Here we are, 22 years later, with many beautiful children, grandchildren, and an amazing extended family.



During a grand dinner held in honour of Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu IIs 74th birthday on May 6, Lady Julia read aloud a heartfelt love letter to her husband.



Sweet, these years together truly have been exceptional, and I continue to pinch myself daily to remind myself that this is not a dream, but indeed the wonderful life you promised me when we first met. You have exceeded my expectations.



The celebration brought together dignitaries, members of royal families, and esteemed guests at the Jubilee Hall, all joining in the joyous occassion.













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
A man ended up in handcuffs Monday after being accused of child endangerment after police said his 7-year-old granddaughter was left in the care of a homeless woman so he could go to a bar.

Deputies responded to a parking lot at The Cinders Bar in Sacramento, Calif., around 7:45 p.m., after a caller reported a man who was asking for help because his granddaughter had been kidnapped for human trafficking.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they said the man, later identified as 54-year-old Jason Warren, was highly intoxicated, according to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office.

Warren told authorities that he had paid a homeless woman  a complete stranger  $20 to take the young girl to a thrift store on Monday while he ventured into the bar and stayed there for four hours, both KXTV and KCRA3 reported.

The bars surveillance video shows a woman leaving with the 7-year-old girl. Half an hour into the search, the homeless woman heard announcements from the sheriffs helicopter and returned the child back to the parking lot, both news outlets said.

The homeless woman was identified as 34-year-old Lauren Jope, who stays at a camp near Auburn Boulevard.

After wed gotten something to eat, we walked back up the hill and all the sudden the helicopter is going around and then, Attention on the ground, attention on the ground and it says her name and describes me, Jope said to KXTV.

Jope she said she had been just walking down the street earlier when this car looked as if it was out of gas.

This guy asked me, Hey, can you go into the store with my [granddaughter] to buy a pair of shorts and I was like, Okay, no problem. He was like, You know buy yourself a few things and Ill give you some money or whatever, so I said okay, Jope said to KCRA3.

Jope said that after she and the young girl came out of the thrift store, she noticed Warren was acting strange and, out of instinct, wanted to protect her.

The guy is just totally belligerently drunk and just kind of scary. He turned into a totally different person, and so I got his granddaughter away until things kind of simmered down, because I didnt know what was really going on, Jope said to KCRA3. I just wanted to make sure she was safe and that shes okay.

Jope then took the child to her encampment to play with her dog and eat some food.

The child confirmed Jopes story with officials and didnt appear to be in distress. She was medically cleared as a precaution, according to the sheriffs office.

Im glad I was walking when I was cause you know she could have been left with some, some man or, you know, someone who doesnt want to watch her. Someone that doesnt really care, Jope said to KXTV.

Bar owner Andy Soto helped officials search for the girl. He said Warren was a first-time customer but noticed red flags due to his behavior.

Thankfully I was able to go through some of the information with them and show them the angles and the actual physical description of the person who took the child, Soto said to KCRA3.

This guy was being very erratic, being very loud and ultimately was asked to leave, he continued. He kind of scared a couple of other customers and then about 20 minutes later was asked to go away.

Its kind of a serious thing. Wheres your granddaughter? Why are you at a bar drinking if youre in charge of this childs life? Its really not where you need to be, Soto added. Hopefully he gets whatever help he needs. Im glad that the girl was found safely.

The young girls aunt had full custody and asked Warren to watch her because she had to work. The child is now home with her aunt.

Warren was arrested for felony child endangerment and other charges. He is being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail on $75,000 bail and is set to appear in court on May 8.
By Mary Ellen McIntire, CQ-Roll Call (TNS)

WASHINGTON  The race for the 10th District in central Pennsylvania is one that Democrats are hoping to make competitive this year as they try to win back control of the House.

That challenge will fall to Democrat Janelle Stelson, a former broadcast journalist who beat five rivals, including the 2022 nominee, for the nomination to challenge Rep. Scott Perry.

In an interview, Stelson said her six-term Republican opponent, who previously chaired the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has a record thats too extreme for the Harrisburg-centered district and often was the only member of the state delegation to vote a certain way on legislation.

A new Stelson campaign poll, shared with CQ Roll Call, found that 45% of likely voters said they would support Perry if the election were held today, while 43% said they would vote for Stelson. Another 12% said they werent sure.

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry speaks at the PA Leadership Conference held at the Penn Harris Hotel, April 5, 2024. (Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com, file)Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

The poll also found district voters backed Donald Trump over Joe Biden, 48% to 41%. Trump would have won the 10th District by 4 percentage points in 2020, according to Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales. Public Policy Polling surveyed 532 likely voters in the district through landlines and text-to-web surveys April 24-25, the two days following the states primary. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

While the results were encouraging for Stelson, closing the gap with Perry could be difficult in a state where Democrats are defending three other House seats along with a Senate seat. Inside Elections rates the 10th District race as lean Republican.

Even though a lot of Perrys performance numbers are pretty anemic, he is a six-term incumbent. There is nothing about this that is going to be easy, Stelson said.

Since Perrys district became more Republican after off-cycle redistricting in 2018, hes won each of his races by greater margins each time. Stelson acknowledged that the district leans Republican, but noted that voters there supported Democrat Josh Shapiro over Republican Doug Mastriano during the 2022 gubernatorial race.

I think that people are going to really pay attention to the caliber of candidate that we put up against him, Stelson said.

Stelson, who was previously a registered Republican, lives outside the district, but told The Philadelphia Inquirer that she would move back into the district if elected.

During the primary campaign, in which the Democratic candidates were largely focused on the incumbent, Stelson ran an ad criticizing Perry for his position on abortion and in vitro fertilization. Perry told a local news station last month that he agreed with Trumps position that states should have control over abortion laws, but Stelson has criticized his support for a measure known as the Life at Conception Act, which says that life would begin at the moment of fertilization.

Democrats could also focus on what role Perry might have played around the 2020 election in Pennsylvania. Late last year, a federal judge ordered Perry to give the Justice Department more than 1,600 phone messages related to the states results in the presidential election and then-Vice President Mike Pences role in presiding over the Jan. 6, 2021, counting of Electoral College votes.

Matt Beynon, a spokesman for Perrys campaign, said Democrats attacked Perry over abortion and the 2020 election last cycle, when he defeated Shamaine Daniels, a member of the Harrisburg City Council, by 7.6 percentage points.

Perry had $513,000 on hand as of April 3, while Stelson had $192,000, Federal Election Commission filings show. House Majority PAC, a super PAC with ties to House Democratic leadership, has made $2.4 million in ad reservations in the Harrisburg media market.

Outside groups have already begun spending in the district. The House Freedom Fund has spent more than $30,000 this year to support Perry with direct mail and donation processing. Welcome PAC, which works to elect moderate Democrats in districts that lean conservative, endorsed Stelson last week, but was already spending to oppose Perry before that. The group reported spending more than $25,000 so far this year on digital advertising, billboards and print materials.
Summer 2024 is just a hop, skip and a jump away.

And with it may come many days that reach 90 degrees or more in states such as Pennsylvania.

AccuWeather is forecasting that regions such as Philadelphia may experience between 36 to 42 sizzling hot 90-degree days, the second most behind Washington, D.C., in the Northeast as listed by AccuWeather.

That being said, AccuWeather is thus encouraging folks to get the pool ready in order to stay cool, if you can. Regardless, many an AC will be undoubtedly blasting throughout the summer months this year.

Summer 2024 can feature heat waves for many areas across the Plains to [the] Northeast, says AccuWeathers Paul Pastelok. Compared to historical averages, the hottest areas can be over the Great Lakes, Upper Midwest and southwestern Plains.

However, a previous PennLive report detailed that the summer is also expected to be soggy as well: Plenty of thunderstorms are expected to rumble throughout the United States in general, which may mean that things will be able to cool off a bit.

The Farmers Almanac Summer Weather Forecast 2024 calls for a warm, hot and muggy summer for most of the nation, except for the Northwest region where more seasonable summer temperatures are expected, reads The Farmers Almanac.

The muggy temperatures are predicted to bring a plethora of moisture and thunderstorms to most areas east of the Mississippi River.

The Almanac also notes that June in the Pennsylvania region will start off warm with some isolated thunderstorms here and there peppered with sunny days.

That being said, make sure you wear that sunscreen and bust out those flip-flops.
By Dillon Mullan and Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun (TNS)

BALTIMORE  Authorities on Tuesday found the body of Jose Mynor Lopez, the final victim of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse to be pulled from the Patapsco River.

Six weeks to the day since a massive cargo ship struck a support beam, sending the bridge and a construction crew fixing its potholes into the river, the bodies of all six men killed in the collapse have been found. Crews continue to work on removing the bridge wreckage to clear the shipping channel and plan to use precision explosive charges to remove part of the bridge lodged on top of the ship.

Wilmer Lopez Orellana, an uncle of Lopez, said in Spanish that it was good news if it was true that teams had recovered his nephews body. Orellana said the family hopes that Lopezs mother will bury him in Guatemala. He left behind four children.

The victims were part of a Brawner Builders crew working on the bridge when it was struck by the cargo ship Dali early in the morning of March 26. They were presumed dead later that day as operations shifted from rescue to recovery.

Workers remove wreckage of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, file)AP

Divers previously recovered the bodies of Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, 26, originally from Guatemala; Maynor Suazo Sandoval, 38, originally from Honduras; Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, originally from Mexico; Carlos Daniel Hernandez, who was in his 20s and was originally from Mexico; and Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, 49 and originally from El Salvador.

Salvage divers located Lopez on Tuesday before state police, transportation authority police and the FBI responded to the scene to recover his body, the unified command said in the release. Lopez, 37, lived in Dundalk.

Melvin Ruiz is a former co-worker of Lopezs who had kept in touch with Wilmer for updates about ongoing recovery efforts. Ruiz learned from a reporter Tuesday afternoon that his friends body had finally been found.

Im not happy, but at least theyre going to have somebody to send back to Guatemala, Ruiz said. Its good for the family to have the body so they can say goodbye.
By Wafaa Shurafa, Sarah El Deeb and Lee Keath, The Associated Press

RAFAH, Gaza Strip  Tens of thousands of displaced and exhausted Palestinians have packed up their tents and other belongings from Rafah, dragging families on a new exodus.

The main hospital has shut down, leaving little care for people suffering from malnutrition, illnesses and wounds.

And with fuel and other supplies cut off, aid workers have been scrambling to help a population desperate after seven months of war.

As the possibility of a full-scale invasion looms, Gazas overcrowded southernmost city has been thrown into panic and chaos by Israels seizure of the nearby border crossing with Egypt.

Families already uprooted multiple times by the war were uncertain where to go: to the half-destroyed city of Khan Younis, to points even farther north, or to an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone already teeming with people with little water or supplies?

The past three days, streams of people on foot or in vehicles have jammed the roads out of Rafah in a confused evacuation, their belongings piled high in cars, trucks and donkey carts. All the while, Israeli bombardment has boomed and raised palls of smoke.

The war has caught up with us even in schools. There is no safe place at all, said Nuzhat Jarjer. Her family packed on Wednesday to leave a U.N. school-turned-shelter in Rafah that was rapidly emptying of the hundreds who had lived there for months.

Rafah had 250,000 residents before the war. Its population had ballooned to some 1.4 million as people from across Gaza fled there. Nearly every empty space was blanketed with tent camps, and families crammed into schools or homes with relatives. Like the rest of Gazas population, they have been largely reliant on aid groups for food and other basics of life.

Israel on Monday issued evacuation orders for eastern parts of the city, home to some 100,000. It then sent tanks to seize the nearby Rafah crossing with Egypt, shutting it down. At the same time, it has intensified bombardment around the city.

Displaced Palestinians arrive in central Gaza after fleeing from the southern Gaza city of Rafah in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on Wednesday, May 7, 2024. The Israeli army has ordered tens of thousands of people to evacuate Rafah as it conducts a ground operation there. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)AP

It remains uncertain whether Israel will launch an all-out invasion of Rafah as international efforts continue for a cease-fire. Israel has said an assault on Rafah is crucial to its goal of destroying Hamas after the militant groups Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel.

The United States, which opposes a Rafah invasion, has said Israel has not provided a credible plan for evacuating and protecting civilians.

For now, confusion has reigned. Fearing a greater assault, Palestinians fled districts other than the eastern areas they were ordered to leave. Tens of thousands are estimated to have left, according to a U.N. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because agencies were still trying to determine precise figures.

Tent camps in some parts of Rafah have vanished, springing up again further north along main roads. New camps have filled streets, cemeteries and the beach in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah, 15 kilometers (10 miles) north, as people flowed in, said Ghada Alhaddad, who works there with the aid group Oxfam, speaking to a briefing by several humanitarian workers.

Others made their way to Khan Younis, much of which was destroyed in a months-long Israeli ground assault.

Suze van Meegen, head of operations for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Palestine, said the Rafah district where she is based feels like a ghost town.

The Israeli military told those evacuating to go to a humanitarian zone it declared in Muwasi, a nearby rural area on the Mediterranean coast. The zone is already packed with some 450,000 people, according to the U.N. Few new facilities appear to be prepared, despite the militarys announcements that tents, medical centers and food would be present.

The ground is covered in many places with sewage and solid waste, since there are few sanitation facilities, aid workers say. Clean water is lacking and dehydration is a major problem, with temperatures some days already reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius).

The water quality is horrifically bad. We tested some of the water and the fecal content  is incredibly high, said James Smith, a British emergency doctor volunteering at the European General Hospital in nearby Khan Younis. Acute jaundice is rampant  and probably hepatitis, too, but theres no capabilities to test, he said.

The newly arrived struggle to find tents because aid groups have had difficulty meeting the high demand.

Before his family left Rafah to the zone, Iyad al-Masry said he had to sell the food they had received from aid groups to buy a tent for the equivalent of nearly $400.

Displaced Palestinians arrive in central Gaza after fleeing from the southern Gaza city of Rafah in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on Wednesday, May 7, 2024. The Israeli army has ordered tens of thousands of people to evacuate Rafah as it conducts a ground operation there. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)AP

His family set up their tent in Muwasi, smoothing the dirt ground before setting down a cradle to rock an infant in. Al-Masri said he has been searching for water and cant afford the three shekels  a little less than $1  that sellers charge for a gallon of drinking water.

We want to eat  We are just waiting for Gods mercy, he said.

Aid workers said Rafahs population is in no condition to move, crippled by malnutrition and illnesses. Nick Maynard, a surgeon with Medical Aid for Palestinians who left Gaza on Monday, called it nonsense to move 1 million people in those conditions.

They get this vicious cycle of malnutrition, infection, wounds breaking down, more infection, more malnutrition, he said. He said two of his patients  teenage girls  who had survivable injuries died last week because of complications from malnutrition. Other malnourished patients had weakened abdominal walls and, after surgery, the contents of their bowels leaked out onto their bodies, he said.

When you walk around Rafah, the number of children that you see who have lost one or more of their limbs, who have been maimed, is staggering, said Alexandra Saieh from Save The Children. These people cannot just pick up and relocate.

Rafahs main Youssef al-Najjar Hospital evacuated on Tuesday. Smith said staff and patients rushed out even though they werent under evacuation orders because they feared Israeli troops would raid, just as they did hospitals in northern Gaza and Khan Younis, which were left decimated.

Israeli tank shells Wednesday hit about 300 meters (yards) from the Kuwaiti Hospital, one of the few facilities still operating, and wounded several children, according to hospital officials.

The closure of Rafah crossing and the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel has cut off the entry of food, supplies, and fuel for aid trucks and generators. Aid groups warn they have only a few days of fuel before humanitarian operations and hospitals around Gaza begin to shut down.

Israel said Wednesday it reopened Kerem Shalom, which was shut after Hamas mortars killed four Israeli soldiers nearby, but aid groups said no trucks were entering the Gaza side. Trucks let through from Israel must be unloaded and the cargo reloaded onto trucks in Gaza, but no workers in Gaza can get to the facility to do so because it is too dangerous, the U.N. says.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on buildings near the separating wall between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, May 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramez Habboub)AP

Palestinian workers trying to reach the border crossing Wednesday were shot at, and several were wounded, the Israeli military said. It did not specify who opened fire but said it was investigating. Hamas also shelled in the area of Kerem Shalom on Wednesday, saying it was targeting nearby troops.

The U.N.s World Food Program has been cut off from its Gaza food warehouse near the Rafah crossing, its deputy executive director Carl Skau said. It procured another warehouse in Deir al-Balah but its empty until crossings reopen, he said.

Gaza is a life-sized cage. Nobody and nothing makes in or out without the gate being open, said van Meegen of the Norwegian Refugee Council. With nothing entering, how do we even begin to prioritize the dribble of humanitarian aid we have here when almost every single person is being forced to depend on it?

El Deeb and Keath reported from Cairo. Associated Press correspondents Sam Mednick in Jerusalem and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed.
In a relatively rare occurrence, two firearms bills  one that would ban bump stocks and similar devices, and another requiring gun sales records to be filed electronically  failed final floor votes in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Both bills received only 101 yes votes in the 203-seat chamber, where Democrats hold a 102-member majority. Every Republican member voted against both bills on Tuesday along with Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria County.

Burns  who represents one of the most conservative districts held by a Democrat  halted another piece of firearms legislation in May 2023, telling PennLive at that time that he was voting in line with his constituents views.

While legislative leaders typically have a strong sense of their vote counts before bringing bills up for a final passage vote, gun legislation represents an uncommon instance where the majority has faltered. Democratic leadership filed reconsideration requests immediately after Tuesdays vote, allowing the bills to be brought up again in the future.

The first of the bills that were narrowly defeated Tuesday would ban accelerated trigger activators, meaning any device that allows a person to actuate a guns trigger at a faster rate than their finger alone normally would, thus mimicking a machine gun.

These devices include bump stocks, which use a rifles recoil to force the trigger against the shooters finger; such a device was used in the 2017 Las Vegas music festival shooting, allowing a single perpetrator to kill 60 people and wound hundreds.

An attempt by federal regulators to ban the stocks under current law was struck down last year by a federal appeals court, which found that Congress would have to change the law to enact such a ban.

Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria County halted another piece of firearms legislation in May 2023, telling PennLive at that time that he was voting in line with his constituents views.

The bills language would also encompass devices such as trigger cranks and Glock switches, which allow the rapid actuation of certain handguns, namely Glocks or those with similar mechanisms. Such devices are already illegal federally but are being smuggled into Pennsylvania where local law enforcement has asked for a state-level ban to pursue action against them.

The devices covered in the bill need to be treated like the machine guns they are, said Rep. Ben Sanchez, D-Montgomery County, the bills sponsor.

The second bill that failed to win a majority on Tuesday would require that gun dealers submit their sales records to the Pennsylvania State Police electronically under a system the state began piloting in 2019. Only small dealers who sell 20 or fewer guns per year could continue to use the paper mail-in filing system.

The bill is intended to reduce the lag time in gun transfers being reported to the state police, helping law enforcement better identify recently sold guns that are then used in crimes.

This bill does not create any list, any database, or a registry. This bill simply improves a process that is already in place, said Rep. Anthony Bellmon, D-Philadelphia, the bills sponsor, noting that delays in the filing of paperwork are dangerous for our law enforcement and make our communities less safe.

As in previous gun legislation debates, Republicans accused Democrats of using the bills to deflect from soft-on-crime policies in Philadelphia and elsewhere, which they maintain are the root of the gun violence problem as opposed to guns per se.

Gun violence prevention groups rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday before the vote to support the bills and to push the Republican-controlled Senate to take up other legislation that House Democrats successfully passed last year.

Those include a bill requiring background checks for all gun sales  including the sale of long guns between private parties, where such checks are not currently mandatory  as well as a bill allowing judges to order the temporary confiscation of a persons firearms if they are found to be a threat, a measure often known as a red flag law.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne County, said last year she does not plan to bring the bills, which were referred to her committee, up for a vote.

Those two bills passed in a single day of voting in May 2023; a third bill, requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms within 72 hours of discovering them missing, was also put to a final vote that day in the House but failed after Burns and the GOP voted against it.
WILLIAMSPORT  It would be a miscarriage of justice if the jury verdict awarding a New Jersey woman $20.5 million in damages in a workplace racial discrimination suit would stand, the company ordered to pay that amount claims.

American HomePatient (AHOM) has asked U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann to grant a new trial or modify the award.

In a filing Tuesday the company contends the verdict in favor of Patricia Holmes of New Brunswick was against the weight of evidence.

If the motion for a new trial is not granted, AHOM asks the award of compensatory damages be reduced from $500,000 to $200,000 and the $20 million in punitive damages either be vacated or reduced to the amount of the compensatory damages.

AOHM argues punitive damages 40 times the amount of the compensatory damages exceeds procedural and substantive constitutional limitations.

On Monday, Brann granted AHOMs motion for a temporary stay on the execution of the $20.5 million award pending the outcome of the post-trial motions.

He did not rule on AHOMs request to waive the requirement to post a bond or in the alternative set a reasonable amount.

Also pending is Holmes request for more than $1.6 million in legal fees and costs, which AHOM opposes.

Her petition states legal fees totaled $314,881 but claims that amount should be enhanced five times to $1,638,893. The legal costs requested total $16,180.

Proving liability, malice, reckless indifference and simplifying the issues for presentation to the jury required many hours of discovery, research, briefing and meticulous trial preparation, her attorney Thomas B. Anderson wrote.

Jurors on April 10 found Holmes, a former Pennsylvania resident, was the victim of intentional discrimination and awarded her $20.5 million.

They found she was subjected to a hostile work environment in violation of federal law during the 10 months she was a customer service representative in State College for the Lincare subsidiary that provides home medical care services.

Jurors stated on the verdict form their conclusion was based on the conduct of center manager Timothy McCoy and co-worker Beverly Hibbert.

Evidence at trial showed Holmes, the only Black employee at the center, was subjected to behavior that included the use of the N-word, references to the Ku Klux Klan and use of the term coonie.

Jurors also found:

American HomePatient did not exercise reasonable care to prevent or correct the racial harassment in the workplace.

Its actions toward Holmes were malicious or showed reckless indifference to her federal protected rights.

It had not made a good-faith attempt to comply with the federal law prohibiting race discrimination.

AHOMs arguments against the verdict include:
Former President Donald Trump leads President Joe Biden head-to-head in another Pennsylvania poll until independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an option.

According to the latest Muhlenberg College poll, Trump leads Biden 44% to 41%, well within the surveys margin of error of +/- 6 percentage points. Fourteen percent of voters were undecided in a one-on-one match-up.
Its spring in Pennsylvania: Flowers are blooming, days are longer and school boards are preparing their budgets for the following year.

Its not as pleasant as other spring signs, but its inevitable: school board directors are faced with challenging decisions, and unlike the General Assembly, they must adhere to their budget deadline.

School directors are also faced with unfunded mandates that drive up school costs, increasing local property taxes. PSBA members have reported one top source of budget pressure for five years running: Mandatory charter school tuition payments.
Its hard to believe that the likely Republican nominee for president is the first former president in U.S. History to stand trial as a criminal defendant. Hes charged with illegally falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to a porn star.

Whats even more baffling is the way so many Republicans actually profess to believe Donald Trumps whining about being persecuted.

This comes from someone already found liable for sexual assault and defaming his victim. At least 25 other women have credibly accused him of sexual assault or harassment. He was even caught on tape bragging about being able to get away with grabbing women by the p_ _ _y.

Trumps three other criminal indictments reveal more of the same. To hear him tell it, Its politically motivated, a corrupt DOJ, a scam. This is from the guy who has already been found guilty of corporate fraud and whose fake university and charity have been fined and shut down.

I suppose it was also perfect when he tried to extort the Ukrainian Presidentand asked the Georgia Secretary of State to just find 11,780 votes.

Trumps motivation is purely self-interest. He has exploited every possible defendants right and misused campaign contributions for legal fees. He routinely attacks and endangers law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, mainstream media, military leadership, and even his own vice president.

Our national interests, our free press, and even our democracy continue to suffer damage from Trumps self-serving lies.

The American people are the real victims here.

George Polycranos, Port Matilda, Pa.
Pennsylvania will soon join 26 other states, including all of its neighboring states, in making it illegal to use a handheld cellphone while driving.

The state House of Representatives voted 126-74 to concur on a minor change made by the Senate this week to send this legislation to combat distracted driving to Gov. Josh Shapiro for enactment. The governor has indicated he will sign it into law.

The bill allows a law enforcement officer to cite a driver for using a handheld device without any other traffic offense taking place. It sets the fine at $50 for violators. The ban would not take effect for a year and for the first 12 months after that, police could only issue written warnings.

Exceptions to the ban include when a device is used only for navigation purposes, for emergency notification, for commercial drivers who use a device within the scope of their employment, and when the device is affixed to a mass transit or school bus. The Senate on Tuesday added an exception for ham radio operators before sending it back to the House for final passage.

Shapiro, who sponsored a cellphone ban in 2006 as a state representative when BlackBerries were still in vogue, said in a recent radio interview that he was thrilled lawmakers have continued to take up this cause and achieved bipartisan support for it.

Ive met too many families that have an empty seat at the dinner table because of distracted driving. Ive met too many people with injuries that theyre going to live with for the rest of their lives because they were hit by a distracted motorist, the governor said in that interview. This was something that will help improve safety on our roadways and I just want to get this bill on my desk and sign it and save some lives.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Brown, R-Monroe County, expands on the states texting while driving ban enacted in 2012.

The bill won Senate approval in June before going to the House where language was added requiring state and local police in communities with more than 5,000 people to collect bias-profiling data during traffic stops and produce an annual report to determine patterns of racial bias in traffic stops.

Brown has been championing this distracted driving bill since she was a House member 10 years ago. It was inspired by a request from Eileen and Paul Miller whose 21-year-old son Paul Miller Jr. was killed in a crash near East Stroudsburg in 2010 by a distracted tractor-trailer driver.

The Millers have made numerous trips to the Capitol to lobby for the bills passage and witness it moving through the legislative process.

In a letter to lawmakers, Miller acknowledged that the ban alone wont be a magic bullet, but we must do something to get the phone out of the drivers hand while behind the wheel and make them more responsible! It will strengthen, and make our roadways safer!

Paul Miller Jr. was killed by a distracted tractor trailer driver near East Stroudsburg in 2010. It is in his memory a bill has been named that would ban the use of handheld interactive mobile devices to combat distracted driving in Pennsylvania. Photo taken from Pa. Senate websitePhoto taken from Pa. Senate website

According to PennDOT there were more than 11,262 distracted driving crashes in 2023, which outnumbered the 8,330 alcohol-related crashes that occurred. House Transportation Committee Chairman Ed Neilson, D-Philadelphia, said that makes it clear distracted driving is a greater highway safety issue than DUI.

The bill includes provisions to make sure that message gets across to young and new drivers. It requires minors to submit a certification form signed by a parent or guardian indicating they viewed information on PennDOTs website on the dangers of distracted driving and requires PennDOT to include at least one question related to distracted driving on the driving test.

The measure prohibits police from charging a driver for both using a handheld device and texting while driving if they are stopped at the same time and place. Furthermore, it bars law enforcement from seizing an electronic device unless otherwise provided for in the law.

Among arguments that have been raised against it, a lawmaker said it would impose a greater hardship on drivers of older vehicles that dont have the technology to allow for hands-free use of an electronic device. Some also maintained that careless driving and other existing laws make a handheld device ban unnecessary. And others cited the potential for it to be used as a pretext for pulling motorists over to look for other violations.

* This story was updated to clarify when it would fully take effect and fines would begin being issued.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on X at @JanMurphy.
On Wednesday at 1:52 a.m. an updated tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until 2 a.m. for Allegheny County.

"At 1:51 a.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Robinson Township, or near Moon Township, moving southeast at 30 mph," says the weather service. "Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely."

Be aware that the tornado may impact the following locations:

Pittsburgh, Scott Township, Robinson Township, Carnegie, Kennedy Township, Stowe Township, McKees Rocks, Crafton, Green Tree, and Ingram around 1:55 a.m.

Mount Lebanon and Dormont around 2 a.m.

The weather service adds, "Take cover now! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Please report severe weather by calling 412-262-1988, posting to the NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or using Twitter @NWSPITTSBURGH."

Tornado watches and warnings: What you need to know

When it comes to tornadoes, understanding the distinction between a Tornado watch and a Tornado warning can be a matter of life and death. Here's a breakdown:

Tornado watch: Be prepared!

A Tornado watch is your advance warning that conditions are ripe for tornado formation.

It's your cue to review and discuss your emergency plans, check your supplies, and locate your safe room.

While it doesn't mean a tornado is imminent, it's a heads-up that you should be ready to act quickly if a Tornado warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado is approaching.

Watches come from the Storm Prediction Center and often cover a large area, potentially spanning multiple counties or even states.

Tornado warning: Take action!

A Tornado warning signifies that a tornado has been spotted or detected by weather radar.

This is the real deal  there's an immediate danger to life and property.

Your response should be quick: seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.

If you're in a mobile home, a vehicle, or caught outdoors, seek the nearest substantial shelter and shield yourself from flying debris.

Warnings are issued by your local forecast office and pinpoint a much smaller area, typically the size of a city or a small county, where a tornado has been identified, either by radar or through reports from trained spotters and law enforcement.

Knowing the distinction between these two alerts is paramount for staying safe during tornado season. Stay informed, have a plan, and act promptly when danger looms.

Prepare for a tornado

Be weather-ready:

Check the forecast regularly to see if you're at risk for tornadoes. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings.

Sign up for alerts:

Familiarize yourself with your community's warning systems. Some places have outdoor sirens, while others rely on media and smartphone alerts for severe storm notifications.

Create a communication plan:

Create a family emergency plan that includes a designated meeting place and important contact information. If your home lacks a basement, identify a nearby safe building, like a church or a relative's house, that you can reach quickly.

Choose a secure shelter:

Pick a safe room in your home, such as a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.

Establish a communication plan:

Conduct regular family drills for severe thunderstorms so everyone knows what to do when a tornado threat arises. Ensure that all family members are aware of the safe location to seek shelter, and don't forget about your pets if time permits.

Secure your home:

Consider reinforcing your safe room for added protection. You can find plans for fortifying an interior room on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.

Help your neighbor:

Encourage your neighbors and loved ones to prepare for possible tornadoes. Consider taking CPR training to be of assistance in case of injuries.

Tornado survival guide: Immediate actions for your safety

When a tornado strikes, taking swift action is crucial to ensuring your safety and minimizing potential harm. Follow these guidelines from the weather service:

Stay informed:

Remain vigilant and stay updated by listening to local news broadcasts or a NOAA Weather Radio for tornado watches and warnings.

At home:

If you find yourself under a tornado warning, immediately seek refuge in your basement, safe room, or an interior room without windows. If there's enough time, bring your pets with you.

At work or school:

In the workplace or at school, adhere to tornado drill procedures and proceed promptly and calmly to your designated tornado shelter. Avoid areas with large, open spaces like cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums, and stay away from windows.

Outdoors:

If you're outdoors and a tornado is approaching, seek immediate shelter inside a sturdy building. Sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes, and tents are not safe. If there's time, make your way to a secure structure.

In a vehicle:

Being inside a vehicle during a tornado is highly unsafe. Your best course of action is to drive to the nearest shelter. If reaching shelter is not possible, either stay inside your car while covering your head, or abandon the vehicle and seek safety in a low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine.

Always keep in mind that taking swift action and following established safety procedures are crucial for your well-being when a tornado threat is imminent.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Doug Polk's Plans to Open "Largest Poker Room in Texas" Denied By City

Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S. Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link

Two years after buying the largest poker room in Texas, Doug Polk had ambitious plans of branching out to other cities by building another large card room.

Those plans hit a wall on Tuesday night as the Farmers Branch City Council voted against a measure that would have allowed card rooms in the small town northwest of Dallas. But the Upswing Poker founder isn't going to give up, and will now seek a different location in the state for his second poker club.

PokerNews was on-site for the packed and contentious city council meeting in north Texas and interviewed Polk before things kicked off.

Read More About Doug Polk's Texas Poker Plans

Passionate Defense of Poker

While there are dozens of poker rooms in Texas  some large and others small  the state has strict anti-gambling laws. Plain and simple  gambling is illegal unless it meets certain criteria. But there is a carveout in Texas Penal Code 47.01 that leaves open for the possibility of legally operating a poker room so long as rake isn't collected. Instead, the card rooms such as The Lodge Card Club charge membership and seat fees as opposed to taking rake out of the pots.

But there's still plenty of pushback for poker in Texas at state and city levels, especially in Dallas where some city council members have fought tirelessly to shut down poker clubs such as Texas Card House. The objection to poker stems from residents complaining to the city about gambling in the area, anti-gambling religious beliefs, and lobbying efforts from traditional casinos in surrounding states.

Polk, who proposed building "the largest poker room in Texas" in the small industrial town, faced much of that pushback in Tuesday night's meeting, which was packed with supporters of the initiative and residents opposed to card rooms in the area.

"There are card players all over your city today," Polk told the council, "so I want to dispel the idea that this is somehow eroding the fabric of the community."

Doug Polk speaks during a Farmers Branch City Council Meeting

Polk went on to deliver a passionate speech that brought applause from the room: "This attack on poker players in general like they are bad people. I'll tell you what, some of the best people I have met in my life are poker players. I started my career with ten dollars and I turned it into millions of dollars by becoming one of the best in the world. And poker gave me that opportunity, and I'm tired of of people attacking poker players like they're some kind of lowlifes."

Both Sides Make Cases

Several Farmers Branch residents spoke against the proposal, including Sharon Davis, who said "I like to play poker, too. But that doesn't mean I want it in my city."

"I don't think card houses are a good alignment with the values that we have as a city," added resident Chris Davis, a homeowner who has lived in the city for 42 years. "I came to Farmers Branch because it was a family-oriented city."

And some residents were more hostile toward Polk and his plans for a poker room.

Mr. Doug Polk, although youre a nice man, you can pack your bags and go home, said one woman.

But others spoke just as passionately in favor of the initiative, including a professional poker player named Marcus who said he used to take a bus "every single day" to play poker. "That costs money, and I'd like it to be here locally."

Poker player Marcus speaks in favor of building a poker room

"I know a lot of people here, they see movies where you go into this dark poker room or whatever, but it's not like that. If any of y'all went into Texas Card House, y'all would see that everyone is friendly, nice and it's a fun environment."

Measure Falls Flat

After several hours and dozens of comments from people on both sides of the issue, the Farmers Branch City Council voted 4-1 against the measure. However, the council told Polk that he could resubmit his request and he wrote on social media after the meeting that he would "be back."

The location Polk chose as a potential poker room spot sits near the Dallas North Tollway, about 15 minutes from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

Polk's card room wouldn't be the first in the area. Texas Card House Dallas is located just out of the city limits of Farmers Branch.

Watch the full Farmers Branch City Council meeting on YouTube.

Hear More About Poker In Dallas From On Tilt Nick!

Will Doug Polk get approval to open a poker room in this location?

Share this article

Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S. Connor Richards is an Editor & Live Reporter for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for two Global Poker Awards for his writing. Follow on
Yao Xiao Wins 2024 Jin Bei Cup $5,000 NLH Event in Sihanoukville

Christian Zetzsche Live Reporter Copy link

The inaugural 2024 Jin Bei Cup is off to a great start on the first of three days, thanks to 77 entries in the opening $5,000 NLH Event. This created a prize pool of $385,000 at the five-star Jin Bei Palace Hotel, which was split among the top ten finishers.

In the first international poker tournament in the southwest of Sihanoukville since 2016, the field consisted of many local business owners and high-stakes cash game players alongside some well-known Asian poker pros. However, the biggest name in the mix was certainly Tom "durrrr" Dwan, who reached the final table only to see his pocket aces cracked in a three-way all-in.

While Dwan departed in eighth place, the winner of the hand Yao Xiao never surrendered the top spot anymore and took down the event in dominating fashion. For his efforts, he collected a top prize of $131,000 and was overjoyed by the victory. He is widely known as "xiaoyao", which means "happy" in Chinese and Xiao was certainly all smiles after the final hand.

Jin Bei Cup $5,000 NLH Results

Rank Player Country Prize (USD) 1 Yao Xiao China $131,000 2 Mic China $78,000 3 Xia Feng China $48,000 4 Jhon Tanaka Indonesia $34,000 5 Ken Lin China $26,000 6 Travis China $21,000 7 Jiang Liu China $16,000 8 Tom Dwan United States $12,000 9 Ge Zhong China $12,000 10 A Zheng China $7,000

Xiao was responsible for several eliminations prior to the money bubble and sent "Wei" to the rail as last player without any cash prize to show for, when ace-jack made broadway versus ace-nine. Xiao was the chip leader on the final table followed by Ken Lin, but the latter soon lost several pots to drop into the middle of the pack.

Instead, Xiao turned up the heat even more and scored a double knockout to cement his lead. Dwan and Ge Zhong were his victims when Xiao flopped bottom two pair with four-trey suited, prevailing against Zhong's king-queen suited for top pair and Dwan's pocket aces for the overpair.

Tom Dwan

The next three casualties in a row all sent their chips over to the now runaway chip leader as Jiang Liu, Travis, and Lin all succumbed to their short stacks in quick succession. Jhon Tanaka limp-called all-in with ace-ten and was ahead against Xia Feng, who held ace-deuce. However, a deuce on the flop sent the player from Indonesia out in fourth place.

Feng was still the shortest stack in three-handed play and doubled twice through Xiao. A potential third double-up ended in a bad beat when his ace-six suited came up short against the ace-trey suited of Xiao. Heads-up play thereafter was a brief affair when Mic three-bet jammed pocket nines and was pipped by Xiao's tens. Another ten on the flop sealed the victory and Xiao ended the tournament with a literal mic drop.

With the traditional No-Limit Hold'em Side Event now completed, all eyes are set on the marquee tournament of the series. The $50,000 Jin Bei Cup Short Deck Main Event with a staggering $5,000,000 guarantee will be played across the following two days, and the PokerNews live reporting team will be back on the floor in Sihanoukville to follow the action.

Share this article
Donald Trump had a very bad day in court on Tuesday, so after his trial ended for the day, he claimed that campus protesters are Biden plants and called for their arrest.

Trump said, Its Biden backers that seem to be funding the, whats going on with the Palestinians.

They probably not Palestinians, They are agitators, they agitators really bad. And I think our government ought to find out who they are where theyre from and treat them the same way as they do the J6 hostages. You got to treat them the same way. These are agitators. Theyre really hurting our country. Its happening all over the country and cities.

Video:

Stormy Daniels's testimony was so bad for Trump that he left court and dreamed up a claim that the campus protesters are really Biden plants, "It's Biden's backers seem to be funding what's going on with the Palestinians. They're probably not Palestinians." pic.twitter.com/PX428ghW1l  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 7, 2024

According to Trump, supporters of President Biden paid people to go on to college campuses and criticize President Biden. How does this help Biden? It doesnt. The claim from Trump also makes no sense, but since he got humiliated by Stormy Daniels in court, Trump had to come and say something that made him feel strong, so he called for the arrest of overwhelmingly peaceful protesters, because that is what the ex-president wants to do to the country if he returns to the White House.

The 1/6 attackers killed and injured police officers while trying to overthrow the government and keep Trump in power. The student protesters want the war to end and people to be helped in Gaza. They have not killed any police officers and arent trying to overthrow the government.

The Stormy Daniels testimony was so bad that Trump returned to his usual trick of trying to create a distraction to change the subject. That stunt hasnt worked for years, and it is unlikely to save Donald Trump now.
Trump had another massive underperformance to a candidate who dropped out months ago. This time Nikki Haley got over 20% of the vote in deep red Indiana.

With more than 90% of the votes counted, Trump leads Haley 78.2% t0 21.8%. Nikki Haley got more than 20% of the vote against Donald Trump after quitting the Republican primary and not spending one single second in the state.

Indiana is one of the most Republican friendly states in the nation. There is no way that under normal circumstances a candidate like Haley who dropped out of the race, after Trump clinched the nomination should be getting anything close to 20% of the vote.

There is a segment of the Republican Party that keeps sending the message over and over again in these primaries that they do not want Donald Trump to be their partys nominee.

The polling says that the hush money trial and all of his legal problems dont hurt Trump with Republicans, but the primary results tell a different story.

Something is harming Trump and causing nearly a quarter of his party to turn against him.

There are warning signs flashing all around the Trump campaign that arent there for Democrats and Joe Biden.

Very simply stated, if Trump loses 20% of Republicans in November to either Biden or Kennedy, he will lose the 2024 presidential election.

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]
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) keeps meeting with Speaker Johnson, threatening him, then embarrassingly giving him more time.

CNNs Manu Raju reported:

Marjorie Taylor Greene tells reporters that Mike Johnson has a pretty short window to act on her list of demands as she continues to threaten a vote for his ouster.

Right now the ball is in Mike Johnsons court. He understands that he needs to be our Republican speaker of the House, she said. She wouldnt say if she would move this week as she had vowed to before.

Massie: If his plan is to drag this out so that the pressure comes off of this, and to drag it out for weeks or days even without making some movement in our direction, then he would just be far better off to have this vote and get it behind him. It doesnt serve him or us to drag this out. And Ive communicated that to him.

They want: Assurances that bills will be taken up only when they have a majority of a majority support (which Ukraine aid didnt have). Defunding Jack Smiths probe into Trump (which the Senate would reject). No more aid to Ukraine (though its unclear if more aid will be needed this year). CR to impose a 1% across-the-board cut (though fiscal year ends Sept. 30).

I am so done with words. For me, its all about action, she said

Greene wants Jack Smith and Ukraine defunded, plus a 1% budget cut across the board. None of this is ever going to happen. The motion to vacate is dead. Greene is embarrassing herself by making threats that she clearly cant back up. No one except for Greene, Gosar, and Massie seems to want the House to be virtually shut down and plunged back into chaos.

Johnson isnt going to give Greene anything that she wants.

Its over, and so is the power trip of Marjorie Taylor Greene.

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]
GREENVILLE  Bob Jones University has chosen a new president to lead the influential private evangelical school a year after disagreements over vision and politics between the predecessor and the universitys board brought resignations.

Josh Crockett, senior pastor at Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville and a 2001 BJU graduate, was selected with overwhelming support of the universitys board this week.

Crockett succeeds Alan Benson, who had served as interim president since May 2023, and BJUs former president Steve Pettit, who stepped down just months after renewing his contract.

Pettits abrupt resignation came after letters showed he had serious concerns about then-board chairman John Lewis leadership, alleging he had adopted a posture of secrecy and privacy, consolidated personal power on the board and obstructed a Title IX investigation.

Lewis stepped down a week after Pettit announced his resignation and was replaced as chairman by long-time board member Sam Dawson.

Dawson acknowledged the intensive search for a suitable successor to Pettit during an announcement event May 7.

This is the fourth time that I have talked to the faculty and staff over this past year, Dawson said. And I know what some of you are thinking: Here we go again.

Crockett has been signed to a five-year contract as president of Bob Jones University, a shift from the typical three-year contracts the board has signed off on in the past. Dawson credited this to how strongly the board supports Crockett as president.
Back in 2019, Joker managed to make over $1 billion at the global box office and earn itself 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and a Best Actor win for Joaquin Phoenix. I recall respecting the movie for Phoenixs performance and the inspired idea to paint him as a Scorsese-style Read moreJoker: Folie a Deux
The sixth annual Pink Promenade celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness month saw 10 survivors showcase the latest in pink fashion on Oct. 12 at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre. Prior to the catwalk, attendees were clued in by Dr. Philip A. Albaneze on Roper St. Francis Foundation's efforts to he Read morePink of Health: Survivors strut the runway at Pink Promenade
BY ADAM PARKER and JASON CATO

Contractors with Charlestons water utility digging with heavy equipment on East Bay Street near The Battery accidently encountered what is believed to be a portion of an early brick wall fortification that dates back about 325 years.

The damage to the old city wall on May 7  a 30-foot trench was dug to accommodate a water pipe  caused alarm inside the offices of Historic Charleston Foundation, which sits just feet away at 40 East Bay St.

Employees rushed outside to stop the work. The quick actions of foundation staff to bring the matter to the attention of the Walled City Task Force and others ensured that the work was stopped and the damaged part of the wall preserved.

Later, an excavator sat parked over a hole in the paved road. In the bottom rested an iron pipe elbow along with pieces of crumbled, bright-red clay brick and shards of stark white mortar.

Winslow Hastie, CEO of Historic Charleston Foundation, said the damage is regrettable and raises concerns about how best to protect historic elements of the city that are not clearly visible. From an archaeological point of view, Charleston, which was founded on the peninsula in 1680, is comprised of many layers of material.

We are sick to our stomachs about it, said Mike Saia, a spokesman for Charleston Water System.

The damaged structure is believed to be a portion of one of colonial Charles Townes earliest brick fortifications. The southeasternmost portion of the enormous wall, known as the Granville Bastion, was built in this area as part of a project that began in the late 1690s.

A piece of the wall stretches beneath the crawlspace of the Historic Charleston Foundations building. Another portion that survives appears to rest just a foot or so beneath the roadway.
COLUMBIA  With two days to go until the end of the legislative session, South Carolina House lawmakers pasted their plan to reform how South Carolina picks its judges onto a Senate bill and sent it back to the upper chamber.

The top of their wish list is shaking up the composition of the panel that screens judges and making the vetting process for magistrates more rigorous.

Also potentially being reformed in the proposal is the selection process for local magistrates.

All this could happen only if the Senate agrees.

South Carolina is one of two states, the other being Virginia, where the state Legislature alone picks judges. Critics of the system say it is open to manipulation by legislators who are also lawyers and elect judges before whom they might argue a case.

Reforming the system has been among the top priorities at the Statehouse this session  and also among its most fraught.

Both the House and the Senate held lengthy hearings on reform over the past year, and a blockade by supporters of reform in the Senate delayed this years judicial elections for two months.

About a dozen senators worked behind closed doors for several days to produce a compromise package that passed their chamber unanimously March 14.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Pro Tempore Tommy Pope, a York Republican who led an ad hoc committee last fall that studied judicial reform, drafted a separate version of the bill, which the House voted 104-6 to paste onto the Senate bill May 7 and sent back.

If the Senate does not accept the House plan wholesale, which is nearly certain, House and Senate lawmakers will form a conference committee to negotiate a compromise.

If a conference committee is formed, lawmakers will be able to continue work on the reform package even after the official session ends May 9.

This is going a long way to restoring the publics trust, said state Rep. Russell Ott, D-St. Matthews.

Even some of those who do not believe there are significant problems in the current system indicated their support for the House plan.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 13:24:53

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 468 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

GOLETA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Aeluma, Inc. (OTCQB:ALMU), a semiconductor company specializing in high performance, scalable technologies for mobile, automotive, communication, and defense & aerospace, announced today that its CEO was interviewed by Fox News journalist, Peter Aitken, for an article discussing the "AI race" and the importance of manufacturing semiconductor chips onshore.The article, titled "US will fall behind in AI race without onshoring chip production: Can't just design,' expert says" was published on May 6, 2024.About Aeluma, Inc.Aeluma ( www.aeluma.com) develops novel optoelectronics for sensing and communication applications. Aeluma has pioneered a technique to manufacture semiconductor chips using high-performance compound semiconductor materials on large-diameter substrates that are commonly used for mass-market microelectronics. The technology has the potential to enhance performance and scale manufacturing, both of which are critical for emerging applications. Aeluma is developing a streamlined business model from its headquarters in Santa Barbara, California that has a state-of-the-art manufacturing cleanroom. Its transformative semiconductor chip technology may impact a variety of markets including automotive LiDAR (light detection and ranging), mobile, defense & aerospace, AR/VR, AI, quantum, and communication. Aeluma differentiates itself with unique semiconductor manufacturing capability, proprietary technology, the ability to perform rapid prototyping, and a broad set of product offerings.Forward-Looking StatementsAll statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements relating to the Company's expectations regarding its market position and market opportunity, expectations and plans as to its product development, manufacturing and sales, and relations with its partners and investors. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding its business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "anticipate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "believe," "estimate," and other similar or related expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the Company's control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.Company Contact:Aeluma, Inc.(805) 351-2707 info@ aeluma.com Investor Contact:Bishop IRMike Bishop(415) 894-9633 ir@ aeluma.com SOURCE: Aeluma, Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 15:01:14

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 900 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

AGFA HealthCare's Enterprise Imaging advancements and innovations enhance the delivery of patient care and promote clinician wellbeing by increasing the efficiency of radiologists' workflowMORTSEL, BELGIUM / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / AGFA HealthCare's Enterprise Imaging Platform offers near-real-time access to images, powerful diagnostic and Artificial Intelligence tools, smart workflows that enable seamless sharing between sites, enhanced collaboration and more. Radiologists can increase their productivity and wellbeing while focusing on what's most important - diagnosing and treating patients, and a "life in flow." At UKIO 2024, AGFA HealthCare will demonstrate how its commitment to delivering "any image anywhere, any time" increases the day-to-day performance and job satisfaction of radiologists, radiographers and clinical teams. By harnessing the power of today's technology, AGFA HealthCare Enterprise Imaging creates a unified Imaging Health Record (IHR) that supports healthcare institutions to achieve their organisational goals, enabling clinical collaboration to support the patient pathway and empowering radiologists to meet their daily challenges."In today's world, enabling patient and clinician wellbeing depends on finding the sweet spot' where patient care and technology intersect. By empowering radiologists and radiographers with tools and workflows that cut through the noise, we help them stay focused on patient care and making confident diagnoses, while supporting their own work/life balance. Our vision is to provide innovative technology that feels like an extension of their thought processes, bringing them to that moment at work when distractions fade away, they are at one with the technology, and everything just works," says Roberto Anello, Regional President for Northern Europe at AGFA HealthCare.Enhanced productivity and wellbeingAt UKIO 2024, visitors can discover how the right solutions can help redefine the radiologist's flow by increasing the efficiency of their workflow, enhancing their productivity, and boosting the value of their work:The power of Streaming: The explosion in medical imaging data requires solutions that make critical information readily available, regardless of location and time. Web-based streaming technology makes images available in seconds, wherever they are needed. Radiologists break free from geographical constraints, and all members of the care team are empowered to collaborate seamlessly.Leveraging the benefits of Cloud : Enterprise Imaging Cloud seamlessly closes the image management infrastructure gap, delivering a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that is secure, scalable, and accessible; easy to maintain and use; at a predictable cost.Teach & Research and Peer Learning: Carefully crafted modules let you turn the radiology department into a continuous learning environment that plays its role in facilitating scientific research, clinical trials, collaboration with AI vendors and more. RUBEE AI packages: AGFA HealthCare's expanded portfolio of curated AI packages demonstrates the power of embedding AI into Enterprise Imaging workflows. Discover how our customers are leveraging these innovations in their daily practice and becoming more productive.Connecting partners in healthcare: Enterprise Imaging Cloud facilitates the creation of anImaging Health Network (IHN), which makes images available to all members of the care team, at all times, no matter where they are located, including on compatible mobile devices. Don't forget to engage with our Subject Matter Experts during the event. We are offering a series of insight sessions at our booth, all led by our regional Enterprise Imaging pioneers."Novel Methods for Image Access and Workflow Sharing across UK Imaging Networks" will be presented by Paige Miller, Pre-Sales Consultant."A novel Peer Learning tool to support and supervise clinical reporters; REALM and Candour as part of good radiology service governance" will be delivered by Dr. Nick Spencer, Chief Clinical Information Officer."New Technology for Image Distribution and Reporting" will be hosted by Lee Storey, Support & Managed Services Manager.Session timings will be announced in the coming weeks - bookmark our News section to be kept up to date on more information.Reach out to usat UKIO 2024 to see how to bring flow to your health organization - June 10-12, 2024, ACC Liverpool, booth #B23About AGFA HealthCareAt AGFA HealthCare, we are transforming the delivery of care - supporting healthcare professionals across the globe with secure, effective, and sustainable imaging data management. As a company, we are dedicated to our customers, and we have harnessed a value framework of Mission, Vision and Customer Delivery Principles into our routine operations. Through these principles, we commit a consistent high-yield code of conduct to our associates - channelling our experience and aspirations to all of our stakeholders. Our Empowerer profile supports our focus on creating an exceptional experience through the power of technology and is an integral foundation to our company standards. AGFA HealthCare is a division of the Agfa-Gevaert Group. For more information on AGFA HealthCare, please visit www.agfahealthcare.com and follow us on LinkedIn.AGFA and the Agfa rhombus are registered trademarks of Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Belgium or its affiliates. Imaging Health Network is a trademark and RUBEE is a registered trademark of AGFA HealthCare N.V. All rights reserved. All information contained herein is intended for guidance purposes only, and the characteristics of the products and services described in this publication can be changed at any time without notice. Products and services may not be available for your local area. Please contact your local sales representative for availability information. AGFA HealthCare diligently strives to provide as accurate information as possible but shall not be responsible for any typographical error.Contact Information:Buse Kayarbuse.kayar@issuerdirect.com SOURCE: AGFA HealthcareView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 19:16:22

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 338 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 /Allied Universal , the world's leading security and facility services company, has been named to the Newsweek list of America's Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters 2024 with a ranking of four and a half stars. The list was compiled based on responses from people with less than five years of employment experience currently working at companies with more than 500 employees."Allied Universal is honored to be recognized as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters in 2024," said Steve Jones, global chairman and CEO of Allied Universal. "We are proud to provide a wide range of opportunities for those who are looking for a start in the workforce. Our dedicated team of leaders make exceptional mentors for anyone who chooses to begin their careers with Allied Universal. With a core emphasis on promoting from within, our newest employees are welcomed into the company with a commitment to helping them grow and realize their career goals and aspirations." Allied Universal is committed to building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that fully supports its commitment to becoming an Employer of Choice, including the recruitment and mentoring of those just starting out in their careers by providing a wealth of opportunities and fostering a culture that promotes from within.To read more, visit https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-greatest-workplaces-job-starters-2024/large-size-company About Allied UniversalThe world's leading security and facility services provider and trusted partner to more than 400 of the FORTUNE 500, Allied Universal delivers unparalleled customer relationships, innovative solutions, cutting-edge smart technologies and tailored services that enable clients to focus on their core businesses. With operations in over 100 countries, Allied Universal is the third-largest private employer in North America and seventh in the world. Annual revenue is more than $20 billion. There is no greater purpose and responsibility than serving and safeguarding customers, communities and people. For more information, visit www.aus.com # # #Media Contact:Kari GarciaDirector of Public RelationsNorth AmericaPhone: 949-826-3560Email: Kari.Garcia@aus.com Newsroom: ausnewsroom@ aus.com SOURCE: Allied Universal
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 15:17:20

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 948 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Lab-Grown Diamond Co. is first producer joining SCS-007 Program with 100% renewable energy, lowest recorded emissions achieving highest rating in Diamond SectorNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / ALTR Created Diamonds, the world's leading lab-grown diamond company, has announced that its lab-grown diamond producing division has achieved SCS-007 Sustainability Rated Diamonds Certification from third-party certifier, SCS Global Services. ALTR achieved certification by meeting all the requirements of the SCS-007 Certification Standard for Sustainability Rated Diamonds, the first comprehensive, multi-stakeholder sustainability standard developed by SCS Standards for the diamond sector. With a rich history pioneering the lab-grown diamond industry that began in 2006 and serving as a leading OEM supplier to prominent brands, ALTR becomes only the second company in the world to receive this certification for 100% renewable energy powered production.During the process to attain this recognition, ALTR became the first SCS-007 certified producer and second overall producer to enter the program using 100% renewable energy for production. In addition, as a proud participant of the Make in India Initiative, ALTR is the first SCS-007 certified producer with a Sustainability Rating score of 100 signaling perfect scores in the key pillars of the standard. ALTR also recorded the lowest emissions and met the ESG (Environment Social Governance) requirements for human rights, workers' rights, health & safety, and business integrity.The SCS-007 certification encompasses five key pillars of sustainability, ensuring that every aspect of the diamond production meets rigorous environmental and ethical criteria:Verified Origin Traceability: ALTR guarantees more than 99% accuracy in tracing the origin of each diamond from its producer to the point of sale, providing transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain.Ethical Stewardship: Aligned with internationally recognized norms of business integrity, ALTR adheres to strict environmental and social responsibility standards, promoting ethical practices in the industry.Net Zero Carbon Footprint: ALTR achieved net zero carbon footprint and is committed to reducing future production carbon footprints through offsetting and continuous efficiency improvements in energy use and operations.Sustainable Production Practices: ALTR worked to reduce impacts and is committed to attaining net zero impacts in at least 50% of the additional categories such as Air and Water pollutants, ecosystem, resource base, and water impacts.Sustainability Investments: ALTR is investing not only to improve its own operationsand supply chains, but also in projects that help communities and protect climate and the environment.Each SCS-007 certified diamond comes with an on-product consumer certificate of sustainability which outlines the achievements and sustainability journey of each stone."Sustainability is not a buzz word, it's in our DNA. Receiving the SCS-007 recognition is a tremendous honor for ALTR. This certification validates our commitment to the highest ethics and morality in the lab-grown diamond industry," said Amish Shah, Founder of ALTR and J'EVAR . "We pride ourselves on our 'farm to table' approach, where we meticulously grow diamonds, cut and polish them, design and craft jewelry, all under one umbrella. This integrated process enables us to ensure the highest standards of quality and transparency throughout every step. With the SCS-007 certification, we're not just producing diamonds; we're setting the standard for the industry." ALTR has already reached its NetZero goal which was originally aimed for completion in 2025.Industry veteran and SCS Global Services Sustainability Rated Diamond Program Director Kat Weymouth says, "SCS commends ALTR for this remarkable achievement on becoming a certified SCS-007 producer and meeting consumer demand by bringing Sustainability Rated Diamonds to the marketplace. We commend ALTR on their commitment to ethical practices, protecting the environment and people, and implementing sustainable production practices such as the use of 100% renewable energy and more." ALTR and its consumer brand J'EVAR emphasize the importance of high ethics and morality in the diamond industry. By partnering with OEM and retail partners who carry the wholesale brand, ALTR enables the promotion of better practices and environmental consciousness throughout the supply chain. This collaborative effort ensures that consumers have access to responsibly sourced and sustainable diamond products, aligning with the growing global demand for ethical luxury goods. ALTR and J'EVAR's dedication to environmental stewardship and responsible business practices underscore their commitment to creating a positive impact on both industry and society.READ MOREAbout ALTR Created Diamonds ALTR Created Diamonds, the undisputed creator of the lab grown diamond market, is advancing the future of jewelry through its technological innovations, consumer and jeweler education, environmental initiatives, and top industry artisans with over 90 years of experience. Creating the purest form of diamonds known to man - Type IIa - in the only vertically integrated diamond house worldwide. ALTR has over 25 patents, providing both created diamonds and uniquely created diamond jewelry that shape our experience of a brilliant diamond. For more information, visit www.altr.nyc About SCS Global Services and SCS Standards Development SCS Global Services is an internationally recognized leader in third-party certification of environmental and sustainability claims. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Africa. It is the certification arm of Scientific Certification Systems, Inc., a chartered benefit corporation. Additional information is available at www.scsglobalservices.com SCS Standards is a non-profit organization committed to the development of standards that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent, and collaborative approach. SCS Standards is the official standards development body for Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. For more information, visit www.SCSstandards.org ALTR becomes World's First SCS-007 Certified Lab Grown Diamond Producer with a Sustainability Rating Score of 100 View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from SCS Global Services on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: SCS Global ServicesWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com%2
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 18:01:28

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 449 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Botox Training for Nurses May Be a Better Career Path Than Hospital Work, Says a Cosmetic Injection Training Program, AACMSEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / The American Academy of Cosmetic Medicine, www.cosmeticinjectors.org , is a Botox and filler training program that offers courses and certification to medical professionals. Recently, AACM has seen a substantial influx of nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants signing up for its programs. One of the lead injection trainers, Dr. Javad Sajan, began wondering why so many were flooding his classes.AACM Cosmetic Injection Training The lead injection trainers and students after the training courses.Dr . Sajan stated, "While we love teaching nurses and helping medical professionals start a new career, we had to wonder why the numbers keep increasing. When I began asking students, almost everyone said they no longer want to be tied to a hospital where they feel overworked, underpaid, and completely limited in their abilities." With many hospitals and medical facilities reporting record-low staff numbers, aesthetic medicine seems to be becoming a more viable career path. At AACM, nurses are learning how to masterfully inject Botox and filler and how to begin a career that allows for financial growth and personal freedom.Botox and filler courses for nurses open up better opportunities and allow for a stable, fulfilling, and creative work environment. Nurses and medical professionals often lack work/life balance, adequate pay, and career flexibility. Aesthetic medicine is a great opportunity for nurses to work in a joyful environment that allows them to take care of themselves - and their personal lives.At AACM, students can enroll in beginner or advanced Botox/filler courses that lead to certification as a cosmetic injector. AACM also provides constant updates, conferences, and information on beginning a practice or growing your career.One of its nurse students, Ashley Cortes, had this to say about AACM: "The classes are small and incredibly hands-on. The amount of information provided was way more than I even expected. Everything was really in-depth and informative. Everyone was wonderful." While AACM and Dr. Sajan love helping medical professionals find new avenues or careers, they also worry about the impact this has on hospitals as a whole.Dr. Sajan said, "We enjoy what we do because we love helping students find their ideal career and stabilize their work/life balance. However, we must also advocate for our nurses before the staffing crisis worsens. Because I don't think nurses are leaving for no reason - they simply want better opportunities and appreciation." Contact Information:Madison JacksonLead Content Writermadison@ realdrseattle.com 817-994-1373SOURCE: American Academy of Cosmetic MedicineView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 14:02:05

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 478 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Ascend Partners, the most trusted OneStream Diamond Partner, is pleased to launch its new corporate values and refreshed visual identity to commemorate its 10th year anniversary.TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Ascend Partners, a leading provider of bespoke ERP and EPM solutions specializing in OneStream Intelligent Finance, is thrilled to announce the launch of its refreshed visual identity. This evolution marks a significant milestone for Ascend as the firm commemorates its 10th anniversary and continues to innovate and expand its offerings in the ever-evolving finance transformation landscape.Ascend Partners logo The new visual identity reflects Ascend's commitment to pushing boundaries, embracing creativity, and delivering exceptional value to its clients and partners. Inspired by the company's core values of trust, innovation and excellence, passion, and collaboration, the updated brand elements reflect the firm's continued growth as a Diamond OneStream partner.Key highlights of Ascend's new visual identity include:Modernized Logo: The redesigned logo features a simple and elegant design to reflect Ascend's maturity, premium level of service, and straightforward yet bold nature.Refined Color Palette: The refreshed color palette strikes a balance between corporate and conservative with accents of vibrancy.Meaningful symbolism: Ascend leverages navigation technology themes to symbolize the firm's reputation of delivering expert guidance as clients embark on complex and sophisticated finance transformation journeys.Dynamic Visual Elements: The addition of dynamic visual elements adds depth and dimension to Ascend's brand identity, capturing the essence of innovation and progress.Commenting on the launch of the new visual identity, Colin Sawford, Managing Partner and co-founder at Ascend, said, "We are thrilled to unveil our refreshed visual identity, which embodies our company's values, culture, and vision for the future. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, our updated brand will serve as a powerful representation of our commitment to driving OneStream innovation and delivering value to our clients and partners for many more years to come." Ascend's new visual identity will be implemented across all communications channels starting in May 2024, including a new corporate website launching in summer 2024.For more information about Ascend and its new visual identity, please visit https://www.ascend.partners/ascend-partners-unveils-corporate-values-and-new-visual-identity-for-its-10th-anniversary Contact: Lisa Yurkiw, +1 (647) 957-6000, info@ ascend.partners About Ascend PartnersAscend Partners is a leading provider of bespoke ERP and EPM solutions, and the most trusted OneStream Diamond Partner. We serve sophisticated global corporations seeking to enhance and futureproof their financial systems for their next stage of growth. From our dual headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ascend brings a decade of experience to the table, having successfully crafted and implemented over 80 OneStream frameworks for a growing portfolio of top-tier clients across many verticals, including real estate, manufacturing, mining, natural resources and energy. For more information, visit https://www.ascend.partners/ Contact InformationLisa YurkiwVice President, Sales & Operationslisa@ ascend.partner +1 (647) 957-6000SOURCE: Ascend Partners Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 23:09:40

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 455 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESCALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Asia Green Biotechnology Corp. ("Asia Green" or the "Company") (CSE:ASIA) announces that, further to its news releases dated April 17, 2024 and April 26, 2024, the Alberta Securities Commission ("ASC") has granted the Company's application for the issuance of a Management Cease Trade Order ("MCTO").The MCTO prohibits the CEO and CFO of the Company from trading in the securities of the Company until such time as it has filed the following continuous disclosure documents (collectively, the "Documents"):the Company's Annual Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, as required by section 4.2 of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations ("NI 51-102"); and the Company's Management Discussion & Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, as required by section 5.1(2) of NI 51-102. CEO and CFO certificates relating to the Audited Annual Financial Statements, as required by NI 52-109.The Corporation is still working with its auditors and expects that the Documents will be filed by May 27, 2024, and that interim Q1 financial statements will be filed by May 30, 2024.During this period of default, the Company will continue to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines as required by National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders.Asia Green confirms that, other than as disclosed in prior press releases and material change reports, there have been no material business developments since the filing on November 29, 2023, of the Company's latest interim financial reports for the three-and-nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023.For further information, contact:Asia Green Biotechnology Corp.David Pinkman (CEO) T: 403 863-6034 E: david.pinkman@asiagreenbiotechnology.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information Forward-looking statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words such as "believes", "may", "likely", "plans", or similar words. Forward- looking statements included in this news release include statements with respect to activities in Zimbabwe. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Corporation, including, but not limited to the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, currency fluctuations, and dependence upon regulatory approvals. The Corporation does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions or circumstances other than as required by applicable law.SOURCE: Asia Green Biotechnology Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 08:20:23

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 456 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Bambuser AB (STO:BUSER)(FRA:5JL) Bambuser reports a Q1 2024 ARR of SEK 98.9 million, representing a quarter over quarter decline of 8% at constant exchange rates ("CER"). The Adjusted EBITDA was SEK -24.8 million, in line with implemented cost enhancements. The free cash flow for the quarter ended at SEK -24.7 million, a year over year improvement of SEK 6 million. The cash balance closed at SEK 247.3 million, which is sufficient to take Bambuser to positive cash flow.Bambuser's One-to-One solution, which is evolving into a full Digital Clienteling solution, experienced a significant increase in net new bookings. Notably, this growth included securing a master service agreement with the world's largest beauty company headquartered in France. Bambuser signed several new contracts with enterprise customers in the quarter, including UK's largest consumer electronics retailer, WearThat (personalized fashion company), and Mela Platforms (video commerce technology experts). The Company further renewed and expanded its partnership with the LVMH group.Q1 Key highlightsARR of SEK 98.9 million, -24% y/y and -8% q/q at constant exchange rates ("CER"). Net Sales SaaS of SEK 26.7 million (34.2) representing a growth of -22% y/y and -6% q/q. Adjusted EBITDA of SEK -24.8 million (-31.0), representing a -93% margin, -4%p. y/y and +2%p. q/q. Free Cash Flow of SEK -24.7 million (-30.6), representing a -93% FCF margin, -33%p. y/y and -7%p. q/q. End of quarter Cash Balance of SEK 247.3 million (347.8), which is sufficient to take Bambuser to positive cash flow. Net new bookings for Q1 2024 ended on a positive for the first time since Q4 2022. Significant events after the quarterIn April 2024, Bambuser acquired Klarna's virtual shopping solution. This solution provides personalized customer experiences in e-commerce through insight driven chat and video calls.The full Q1 2024 report is published at https://ir.bambuser.com/report-archive About Bambuser Bambuser is the world's leading video commerce company with the largest customer base in its industry. More than 250 brands from 40+ countries leverage Bambuser's best-in-class solutions. Bambuser is truly global with headquarters in Stockholm and offices in New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, and Turku, and with a passionate team speaking more than 30 languages. Founded in 2007 as a livestreaming pioneer, trusted by the world's leading news agencies, Bambuser pivoted to Live Shopping in 2019, leveraging its legacy as the industry leader in video-first technology.Contact information Corporate Communications, Bambuser AB+46 8 400 160 00 | ir@ bambuser.com Certified Adviser Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ)This information is information that Bambuser AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 2024-05-08 08:00 CEST.AttachmentsBambuser InterimReport Q12024SOURCE: Bambuser AB
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 13:30:32

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 761 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Big Tree Carbon Inc. (the "Company" or "Big Tree") (TSXV:BIGT) is pleased to announce that it has restructured the loan with Agoke Development LP ("ADLP"), a business partnership of the Aroland, Eabametoong, and Marten Falls First Nations, and has received the first interest payments. This is a milestone for the emerging Natural Asset Resource Management sector that Big Tree is pioneering, with an effort to respect and benefit financially from the stewardship by the First Nations of Nature within the Natural Resource industry.On April 30, 2024, Big Tree received the first four months of scheduled interest payments on the restructured loan. Big Tree provided the loan to ADLP to stabilize its ongoing forest management operations in the Ogoki Forest. The payment of interest is the first cash return on this investment made by Big Tree and represents a concrete example of how Big Tree is changing the business environment in Canada. The money sourced from our capital markets has had a genuine influence on the stabilization of Indigenous business development in Northern Ontario.Together with ADLP, Big Tree seeks to source revenue from changing the forestry practices within the Ogoki Forest and creating a significant carbon sequestration project, while ADLP continues to generate regular revenue from managing its ongoing forest harvest business. Reference is made to the Press Release dated September 27, 2023, announcing the favourable Assessment Report published by R&B Cormier Inc. relating to the generation of carbon credits in the Ogoki Crown Forest. A copy of the report is available on the Company's website at www.bigtreecarbon.ca Big Tree is currently engaged in policy discussions with the Ontario Government, specifically the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs strategic policy advisers, to discuss the current forest harvest techniques and the possibility of shared revenue derived through the addition of carbon sequestration management practices in Crown forests. Big Tree anticipates that Provincial support for sequestration projects will represent a significant source of sustainable revenue for the Company, First Nations, and Ontario.Big Tree President and CEO, Christopher Angeconeb, stated "we are excited to be playing such an important role in the emergence of First Nations in the public markets as the first publicly listed company with an indigenous majority Board of Directors and First Nations President and CEO." He continued "we are at a crucial point in history, in our quest to preserve the remaining untouched natural assets in Northern Ontario for the benefit of humanity in cooperation with the First Nations. Our team members at Big Tree are working tirelessly to fulfill this quest." At Big Tree our team has developed an innovative biodiversity business plan that utilizes a virtual proxy for the stewardship and maintenance of Nature within the First Nations traditional territories, by creating an economic model that values the regenerative capabilities of the living biosphere. Reference is made to the press release dated March 26, 2024 relating to the Company's Biodiversity Business Development Plan.ABOUT BIG TREE CARBON INC.Big Tree Carbon Inc. is an indigenous-led publicly-traded natural asset resource company focused on developing Biodiversity Stewardship projects, based in Ontario, Canada.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:Big Tree Carbon Inc. Christopher Angeconeb President and C.E.O. (807) 737-5353 christopherangeconeb@ gmail.com Ian Brodie-Brown Director of Business Development (416) 844-9969 bigtree007@ icloud.com Forward Looking Statement:Some of the statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward looking statements that involve various risks. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements: changes in the world-wide price of mineral commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risks associated with development, construction and mining operations, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Big Tree undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Big Tree Carbon Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 01:16:10

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 408 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

OWING, MD / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2024 / Cable Cabana, a top provider of electrical products in the United States, is excited to announce an expansion of its stock to include a broader selection of cost-effective electrical cables and wires. This expansion meets the increasing need for top-notch electrical products at affordable prices for both professional electricians and DIY homeowners.Cable Cabana's offers a large selection of cables and wires that are appropriate for different uses, from home electrical installations to industrial power supply systems. Cable Cabana has joined forces with respected companies, like Southwire, a top brand recognized for its dedication to advancement and dependability of products within the electrical sector.Current inventory selections matche the rising need for DIY electrical tasks. Homeowners are more frequently taking on electrical projects themselves, fueled by a need for personalization and savings. The company is aware of this trend and strives to provide these individuals with the required resources to successfully and safely finish their projects.Southwire Electrical Cable and Wire is a significant inclusion in the company's stock. Southwire is known as a top player in the electrical sector, highly respected for its dedication to excellence, safety, and sustainability. By including Southwire products, the company provides customers with the opportunity to use a reliable brand known for its history of great performance.To ensure customer satisfaction, the company prioritizes providing educational resources alongside its expanded product range. Their website offers informative guides on selecting the appropriate cable gauge, proper cable installation techniques, and electrical safety protocols. Additionally, their knowledgeable staff is available to assist customers in choosing the most suitable cables and wires for their specific requirements.Cable Cabana ensures customers receive great value for their purchases by offering thelowest internet prices on electrical cable and wire . This emphasis on affordability enables both homeowners and businesses to more easily access electrical projects. The company aims to continue being a cost-efficient option for all electrical supply requirements regardless of project size.In conclusion, Cable Cabana's inventory expansion strengthens its position as a one-stop shop for electrical supplies in the United States. With a wider variety of affordable electrical cables and wires, educational resources, and knowledgeable staff, Cable Cabana empowers both professional electricians and DIY enthusiasts to complete their electrical projects with confidence and within budget.Media ContactOrganization: Cable CabanaContact Person: Matthew W StrunkWebsite: https://cablecabana.com/ Email: matt@ cablecabana.com Contact Number: +13013289139Address: 575 Keith Lane, Unit 5City: OwingsState: MDCountry: United StatesSOURCE: Cable Cabana
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 15:00:56

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 418 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

The Female-Founded Recruiting and Advisory Firm Ranked Amongst Top 45 on Forbes' 2024 ListLOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 /Career Group Companies has been awarded a spot in the Top 45 in all three categories on the Forbes 2024 list of America's Best Recruiting and Temporary Staffing Firms as the result of an extensive independent survey. The award, presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., marks the seventh time Career Group Companies has won a spot on this prestigious list. The full ranking can be found on the Forbes website.Career Group Companies was recognized across all three categories - Executive Recruiting, Professional Recruiting, and Temporary Staffing. These distinctions highlight Career Group Companies' versatility and expertise in placing top-tier talent across various sectors from executive management to temporary staff."What a great honor to be recognized again on the Forbes list of America's Best Recruiting and Staffing Firms," said Susan Levine, founder and CEO of Career Group Companies. "For over four decades, I have watched our firm grow immensely with our extraordinary teams who are so impactful, innovative, and engaged in our growth. We share a passion in delivering exceptional service to the best clients throughout the country and curating the best-in-class talent." The award ranking is a result of an extensive independent survey involving more than 36,800 external recruiters and 16,000 HR managers/hiring managers and candidates. Forbes' final rankings have become an industry-leading data point as companies evaluate the best recruiting and staffing firms to work with.Career Group Companies continues to distinguish itself in the market with an impressive track record of long-term client partnerships that has expanded over the decades. Career Group Companies is also named on Inc. Magazine's Power Partners 2023, and Susan Levine was recently recognized on Inc. Magazine's Female Founders 200 List (2023) for being a recruiting powerhouse.About Career Group CompaniesCareer Group Companies was founded in 1981 by CEO Susan Levine and is a recognized leader in sourcing exceptional talent across a wide array of industries. The firm specializes in both temporary and direct hire placement for administrative support, private services, accounting and finance, executive search, fashion, creative and marketing, tech, as well as payrolling services. The high-end firm boasts a nationwide reach with offices in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Miami, Dallas, and Greenwich. Career Group Companies is a certified National Women-Owned Business by the WBENC, and recognized diversity staffing partner.PR Contact: CareerGroup@ AutumnCommunications.com Contact InformationAutumn Communicationscareergroup@ autumncommunications.com SOURCE: Career Group CompaniesView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 17:02:14

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 459 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Yosemite Clean Energy, a leading innovator in the production of carbon-negative biofuels, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with Celly, a pioneering force in low-carbon and sustainable fuel distribution. This collaboration marks a significant step towards advancing the energy transition towards clean energy ecosystems and reducing carbon emissions, which combat climate change.Yosemite Clean Energy specializes in converting forest and agricultural waste into carbon-negative hydrogen. Their state-of-the-art biofuel plants utilize waste biomass, effectively reducing hazardous forest fuels and contributing to improved air quality, public health, and wildfire risk mitigation.Celly is committed to providing efficient, low-carbon hydrogen and renewable fuels through our integrated supply chain to end-use customers, fulfilling its mission of providing hydrogen from "stump to pump." Celly's innovative modular hydrogen refueling stations play a crucial role in this partnership, facilitating the efficient delivery of gaseous hydrogen to customers across various sectors."Yosemite Clean Energy's mission of providing carbon-negative hydrogen is dependent upon our ability to show our end-use customers that we have a cost-effective, reliable, and safe hydrogen supply chain that our customers can trust. I have been working with our global partners, like the Sustainable Markets Initiative, to find the best mid-stream and downstream solutions to reduce the cost of hydrogen transportation and distribution, and through our partnership with Celly, we can provide the best value and lowest cost available with our current technologies," said Thomas Hobby, CEO of Yosemite Clean Energy."We are excited to partner with Yosemite Clean Energy in our mission to accelerate the adoption of sustainable fuel solutions," said Austin Terry, Founder and CEO of Celly. "This collaboration allows us to combine our expertise in fuel distribution with Yosemite Clean Energy's groundbreaking biofuel production, creating a more sustainable future for generations to come." Together, Celly and Yosemite Clean Energy aim to revolutionize the energy landscape, driving positive environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices worldwide.About Yosemite Clean Energy:Yosemite Clean Energy, LLC (YCE) transforms wood waste into zero-emission fuels created entirely from renewable sources by harnessing the power of carbon-negative renewable hydrogen.About Celly:Celly envisions a cleaner world powered by efficient, low-carbon hydrogen and renewable fuels. A leader in sustainable fuel distribution, Celly is committed to accelerating the transition to clean energy ecosystems through innovation and collaboration.For further information visit: https://www.yosemiteclean.com and https://cellyh2.com For media inquiries, please contact:Declan Maddern Policy AnalystYosemite Clean Energy 805-891-8711 Declan.Maddern@yosemiteclean.com Juliana Moreno Chief Marketing OfficerCelly832-713-7616 juliana.moreno@cellyh2.com Contact InformationDeclan Maddern Policy Analystdeclan.maddern@yosemiteclean.com (805) 891-8711Juliana Moreno Chief Marketing Officerjuliana.moreno@cellyh2.com (832) 713-7616SOURCE: Yosemite Clean EnergyView the original press release on newswire.com
Cordlife Accelerates Lab and Technical Staff Recruitment to Rebuild Foundation and Strengthen Core Processes in Singapore

PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 10:23:20

Press Information





Published by

ACN Newswire

+65 6304 8926

e-mail

https://www.acnnewswire.com/







# 1088 Words

ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926

SINGAPORE, May 7, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Cordlife Group Limited (Cordlife or the Company) announced today that it has accelerated recruitment of laboratory and technical staff to ensure laboratory operational excellence as part of its strategic plan for financial year 2024 (FY2024) to prioritise rebuilding its foundation and strengthening core processes to prevent future disruptions.Cordlife also provided an update that as of 30 April 2024, a significant number of affected active clients whose cord blood units were stored in Tank A has accepted the offer of a refund of annual fees from the year of the temperature excursion.The Company will continue to store cord blood units for these clients until the maturity of their service agreements when their children turn 21, without charge. In the event a transplant physician determines that the cord blood unit cannot be successfully used for an approved cord blood transplant solely because it does not meet the viability criteria, Cordlife will make every effort to find a suitable replacement.Cordlife has also extended the same offer to affected clients with cord blood units stored in Tank 6 and the dry shipper. The Company will be reaching out to these clients with the next steps in due course.Cordlife has confirmed that its medical and technical teams, along with three of its Singapore-based directors  Dr Ho Choon Hou, Mr Yeo Hwee Tiong and Mr Cheong Tuck Yan Titus Jim  and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ivan Yiu, have been engaging with the Ministry of Health (MOH) regularly to provide updates on its corrective actions to rectify the identified lapses.Cordlifes new sample collection in Singapore has been suspended by MOH since 15 December 2023, following checks that reported suboptimal temperatures in seven of the 22 cryogenic storage tanks based in Singapore. Checks on the remaining 15 tanks confirmed that they were not affected.The Company emphasised that the tanks managed by its subsidiaries in markets outside Singapore remain unaffected.As announced on 8 April 2024, cord blood units in Tank A are unlikely to be suitable for stem cell transplant purposes; units in Tank 6 and a dry shipper are deemed to be at high risk of being affected by the temperature excursions, while cord blood units in the remaining five other tanks are deemed to be at low risk (Low-Risk Tanks).The Company will undertake additional testing on more cord blood units from the Low-Risk Tanks and will pause any applicable billings for clients whose cord blood units are stored there, pending the test results of each tank.Singapore Exchange Mainboard-listed Cordlife operates Asias largest network of private cord blood banks with stem cell storage facilities in six markets, including Singapore. Since its inception, Cordlife has processed and stored more than 400,000 cord blood, cord lining, cord tissue and placenta stem cell samples across its stem cell storage facilities in Asia.As part of Cordlifes strategic plan to strengthen core processes and prevent future disruptions, it has executed or is undertaking several major rectification plans in recent weeks:Hiring More Technical and Laboratory Staff  Cordlife has begun hiring more specialists to lead its laboratory teams more effectively. The Company has successfully recruited two additional lab directors with PhDs and implemented a retention programme to foster stability among its high-potential lab personnel in Singapore. Additionally, Cordlife continues its recruitment efforts to further enhance in-house technical expertise and improve clinical governance standards by adding more lab directors to its team.Cordlife is also reaching out to former staff from its processing and storage facilities in other markets to support its laboratory operations in Singapore. As part of a major overhaul of processes in Singapore, the Company has commenced extensive training aimed at cultivating a stronger sense of accountability and responsibility among its staff.Engagement of Expert Consultant from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT www.factglobal.org)  In its pursuit of industry excellence, Cordlife has enlisted the expertise of a consultant from FACT. This US-based expert has been guiding its technical team since December 2023 and will be on-site in mid-May to provide further guidance to the Singapore team on reinforcing core processes and on the Companys organisational structure.Enhanced Monitoring and Operations  Cordlife has implemented a more advanced digitalised system to enhance 24/7 real-time monitoring of its Singapore lab facility, both on-site and remotely. Additionally, the Company has also fortified fail-safe measures to ensure uninterrupted operations.Establishment of a Distinguished Medical and Technical Advisory Board  Cordlife has been in discussions with several esteemed medical and technical experts as part of its effort to form a Medical and Technical Advisory Board for the Group. This Board aims to provide guidance and insights to the Companys medical and technical teams. By harnessing the collective expertise of these distinguished professionals, the Company hopes to improve the quality and efficacy of its services to ensure it remains at the forefront of medical and technical innovation and excellence.Engagement and Resolution Reached with Affected Customers  Since the lapses were identified, Cordlife has been providing updates to its clients as soon as it was in the position to do so. In February this year, Cordlife provided offers to approximately 1,800 active clients who had stored cord blood units in Tank A. Clients with units stored in Tank 6 and the dry shipper have also received information on Cordlifes offer.Mr Yiu said, I sincerely apologise to all our clients and empathise with their disappointment and concerns over these lapses. We are diligently working on ways to minimise the impact on our clients. In response to media queries on the letter of demand from solicitors acting on behalf of one of its clients as well as the notice of a claim lodged against the Company in the Small Claims Tribunals by another client, Mr Yiu said, Although we have sought legal advice on the claims and allegations, we want to address the issues amicably and hope that the affected clients will work with us to achieve resolution. Commenting on the financial impact of the MOH suspension, Mr Yiu said that Cordlifes FY2023 performance was affected as new sample collection was suspended from December 2023. FY2024 will be dedicated to rebuilding Cordlifes foundation, with a focus not just on growth but also on long-term sustainability. The implementation of enhanced processes and boosting staff expertise and experience will make us stronger so we can expand to new markets and capture adjacent opportunities. We hope that this strategic advancement will elevate our position within stem cell field in the region, he added.Read more: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/90678/
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 02:15:10

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 954 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW JERSEY, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2024 / Robert Roselli, the esteemed CEO of 34 Sherman LLC, is making waves in the realm of affordable housing and community development with his visionary approach and unwavering dedication. Through a combination of innovative construction practices, philanthropic initiatives, and a commitment to sustainability, Roselli is empowering families and transforming communities across New Jersey.At the heart of Roselli's mission is the belief that every family deserves access to safe, affordable housing. Through his leadership at 34 Sherman LLC, Roselli has spearheaded numerous projects aimed at making this vision a reality. From single-family homes to multi-unit dwellings and townhouses, each project reflects Roselli's commitment to quality craftsmanship, environmental stewardship, and affordability.One of Roselli's most notable collaborations is with Morris Habitat for Humanity, where he has played a pivotal role in the rehabilitation and construction of homes for families in need. The completion of projects such as the 14 Belton Street and 232 Howe Avenue properties stands as a testament to Roselli's visionary approach and hands-on involvement in community development. Through these efforts, families like the Salazars and Massiel Mendez have found hope, stability, and a place to call home.In addition to his professional endeavors, Roselli is deeply committed to giving back to the community. His volunteer work at ReStore Morris Habitat for Humanity exemplifies this commitment, as he actively contributes his time and expertise to support the organization's mission of providing affordable housing solutions. Roselli's dedication to service has made a tangible impact on the lives of countless individuals, demonstrating his belief in the power of community and collective action.Robert Roselli, CEO of 34 Sherman LLC, continues to leave an indelible mark on New Jersey's housing landscape with his unwavering commitment to quality construction and innovative design. Through a series of recent projects, Roselli and his team have showcased their expertise in creating beautiful, affordable homes that prioritize comfort, functionality, and energy efficiency.The latest additions to 34 Sherman's portfolio include the Oak Blvd residences in Cedar Knolls, NJ. The 33 Oak Blvd project boasts a spacious 2,599 square feet colonial-style house, featuring hardwood flooring, crown molding, and upgraded kitchen appliances with granite countertops. Emphasizing sustainability, Roselli integrated energy-efficient products such as Energy Star-rated appliances and low-flow faucets and showers, ensuring both environmental responsibility and long-term cost savings for homeowners.Similarly, the neighboring properties at 29 and 25 Oak Blvd exemplify 34 Sherman's commitment to crafting homes that prioritize both style and comfort. The 29 Oak Blvd residence, spanning 3,020 square feet, features hardwood floors throughout, a cozy fireplace with gas logs, and a plethora of built-in cabinetry for added storage convenience. Meanwhile, the 25 Oak Blvd project, spanning 2,852 square feet, is designed to evoke a sense of coziness and relaxation, with carefully curated textures and lighting creating a tranquil atmosphere ideal for unwinding after a long day.Robert Roselli, CEO of 34 Sherman LLC, continues to demonstrate his dedication to community development and affordable housing through his involvement with Habitat for Humanity projects and the construction of beautiful, energy-efficient homes in New Jersey.One of Roselli's significant contributions to community development is the completion of the 232 Howe Avenue project in Passaic under Morris Habitat for Humanity. This two-story home underwent extensive rehabilitation, including the installation of a new roof, siding, windows, and a front porch. Completed in 2018, the house now boasts EPA WaterSense fixtures and other energy-saving technologies, providing a safe and comfortable living space for Massiel Mendez and her family.Roselli's commitment to giving back to the community extends beyond construction projects. He has volunteered over a hundred hours at ReStore Morris Habitat for Humanity, where he actively contributes to raising funds for future projects by facilitating donations of furniture, appliances, and cash. Roselli finds fulfillment in using his skills to help build homes for families in need and believes in the transformative power of volunteerism.As CEO of 34 Sherman LLC, Roselli has overseen the construction of three homes in Cedar Knolls, NJ, as part of a subdivision in Hanover Township. The 33 Oak Blvd, 29 Oak Blvd, and 25 Oak Blvd projects showcase Roselli's commitment to quality craftsmanship and energy efficiency. Each home features unique touches, such as hardwood flooring, crown molding, upgraded kitchen appliances, and built-in cabinetry, providing affordable yet luxurious living spaces for their respective owners.Roselli's hands-on approach to construction ensures that every aspect of the building process is meticulously planned and executed. From architectural design to materials selection and subcontractor coordination, Roselli and his team at 34 Sherman LLC strive to deliver homes that exceed expectations and enrich the lives of their occupants.Looking ahead, Roselli remains committed to building affordable, energy-efficient homes in New Jersey and contributing to the betterment of communities across the state. With his passion for construction and dedication to service, Roselli continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of families in need. In addition to their Cedar Knolls ventures, 34 Sherman has expanded its reach with projects in Toms River, Morris Plains, and Cedar Knolls. The completion of the Maria Drive residence in Toms River and the Summit Ave property in Cedar Knolls underscores Roselli's versatility in designing homes that cater to diverse needs and preferences.Each project reflects Roselli's unwavering commitment to quality construction, exceptional customer service, and affordability, ensuring that every homeowner can realize their dream of owning a comfortable, stylish home. Reflecting on his company's achievements, Roselli emphasizes the importance of quality construction and customer satisfaction in every project. With a dedicated team of professionals, Roselli looks forward to continuing 34 Sherman's legacy of excellence in affordable home construction, providing families across New Jersey with homes they can truly call their own.As Roselli continues to chart new territory in the field of affordable housing and community development, he remains steadfast in his commitment to empowering families and building stronger, more resilient
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 17:33:14

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 609 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Keppler Says His Focus is on Raising Awareness of How Equispheres' Materials Enable More Efficient, Consistent and Repeatable Additive Manufacturing (AM) and Increase ProductivityOTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 /Equispheres Inc. continues to expand its knowledgeable and experienced leadership team to support the acceleration of the industrialization of metal additive manufacturing. The Ottawa-based materials technology company recently appointed Dr. Adrian Keppler to its Board of Directors.3D Printed Equispheres logo An Equispheres logo, 3D printed in aluminum (AlSi10Mg), using additive manufacturing"Adrian is both a great ambassador for the metal additive manufacturing industry and a great resource for us. He knows this business from every angle and has such confidence in the future of metal 3D printing," says Equispheres' CEO Kevin Nicholds.Keppler has deep connections to the industry. He was Managing Director and CEO of EOS for many years and is now an advisor and board member for several companies within the metal AM supply chain."I believe in metal 3D printing," Keppler comments. "It will add significant value to the overall manufacturing community. To achieve widespread acceptance, we must work on the economics; the cost per part must be reduced. Engineered materials are a critical enabler in that equation." "Adrian has a unique grasp of what's needed to bring metal AM into mainstream manufacturing. He has joined Equispheres because he believes productivity-enhancing materials are one of the key elements for the future of additive manufacturing," said Kevin Nicholds, CEO, Equispheres.Keppler says his focus is to make people aware of how Equispheres' materials enable more efficient, consistent and repeatable AM manufacturing and increase productivity. "Equispheres is not just a powder manufacturer; it is a technology company engineering high-strength materials and optimizing them to be used efficiently in 3D printing. This is what users of additive manufacturing need, today and in the future." Since leaving EOS, Keppler has focused on scaling metal AM for industrial production. He founded AM Scalation, a consulting team of AM experts focused on helping OEMs, contract manufacturers, and end users increase the production of 3D printed parts.As a member of the board, Keppler will lend his expertise to Equispheres as they add powder production capacity to support production programs and new developments.Dr. Keppler is also a Senior Advisor for Digital Manufacturing at H&Z, a management consulting firm in Europe. He holds a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich and a degree in Business Administration from the University of Zurich.During this period of rapid growth for metal AM, Keppler believes the sector needs to build credibility. "As an industry, we have to gain the trust of the broader manufacturing sector. Trust is about technical expertise and measurable results. This is how Equispheres is differentiating itself already in the market." Equispheres' materials have been shown to increase productivity in AM processes and reduce part costs by up to 80% compared with traditional aluminum powders, with no adverse effects on mechanical properties. To learn more about Equispheres' high-performance aluminum powders, visit the company's website.Photos for use by the media are available on the media page.About Equispheres:Equispheres develops breakthrough technologies for the production and use of advanced materials in additive manufacturing. Leveraging our unique metal powders and process expertise, we are dedicated to driving forward the industrialization of additive manufacturing for the automotive, aerospace, and defense industries. By lowering the cost and improving the performance of industrial 3D printing, we empower innovation.Contact InformationShawna TregunnaDirector of Marketingshawna.tregunna@equispheres.com +1 613-899-8485SOURCE: Equispheres Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 20:10:16

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 1029 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Europacific Metals Inc (TSXV:EUP)(OTCQB:AUCCF) (the "Company" or "EuroPacific") announces the completion of the initial two drill holes of the 2024 exploration drill program at the Miguel Vacas mine area located approximately 180 km east by road from Lisbon and approximately 70 km east from Evora, the Alentejo region capital.HIGHLIGHTSThe first hole (EBMV001), collared near the southern limit of the old open pit was completed at a depth of 112.8 meters. The hole intercepted a broad broken mineralized interval with copper secondary minerals associated with a 28 meters wide (ca. 22m thick) polyphase breccia/shear zone from 57 meters, including an expected high-grade zone of ca 2m from ca. 64 meters.Mineralization consists essentially of Malachite [(CuCo3Cu(OH)], Libethenite (Cu2OHPO4), Crisocola (CuSiO3,2H2O), Atacamite (Cu2OHCl), Covelite (CuS) and Tenorite (CuO). Primary sulphides are virtually absent until a depth of 80 meters.The second hole (EBMV002), located about 30m from the northern limit of the pit has been completed at a depth of 150.1 meters. This area coincides with the northern limit of the mineralized corridor and the objective was to test a potential expansion of the system in that direction. The hole has intersected an 18 meters wide mineralized zone from 119.25 meters that was not identified by previous drilling. This deeper intercept confirms the presence of a NW-SE fault displacing the mineralized zone to the West and opens new potential for an additional extension of the shear corridor to the North.The third hole is now in progress. An initial batch of 60 core samples has already been cut in half and dispatched to the ALS Laboratories for Gold by Fire Assay and multielement ME-MS for 48 elements.The 2024 drill program encompasses a minimum of 1,500 meters of ore drilling with the objective of further defining initially a shallow open pit resource of oxide Copper mineralization recoverable by hydrometallurgical methods which will be followed by step out drilling on the deeper (> 80m) sulfide ore.The Miguel Vacas target is located within a large, 328 square kilometers exploration license, Borba 2, which has a well-documented potential to host precious and base metals mineralization. The mineralized systems are enhanced by the presence of abundant Au and /or Cu mineral occurrences in shear zones hosted in Devonian and Silurian metasediments and in epithermal systems associated with intra-Ordovician volcanics.Karim Rayani, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are extremely pleased with the progress made in such a short period of time. These initial drill intercepts show continuity at Miguel Vacas. As we increase the drill hole density at the supergene zone this will further aid in the preparation of an initial resource estimate. I am also very excited that we are approaching an important milestone of first physical development work on the Borba 2 Property." Drill Program DetailsFor further details please refer to EuroPacific News Release dated March 28, 2024 and April 10, 2024. Please also note that a correction on all hole references/numbering has been introduced. Actual hole prefix has changed to "EBMV" instead of "GPDM" as previously indicated.About Europacific Metals IncEuroPacific Metals Inc. is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. The Company holds brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal. The Company is focused on exploration in highly prospective geological settings in Europe jurisdictions. EuroPacific Metals ("EUP") owns a total of 100% equity interest in EVX Portugal, a private Portugal based company, that holds the legal exploration rights from the Portugal Government on the Borba 2 ("Borba 2") exploration properties, covering approximately 328 square kilometers in the Alentejo region in Southern Portugal. Miguel Vacas is the most advanced prospect within the Borba 2 license.Qualified PersonTechnical information in this PR has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and approved for inclusion by Mr. Jose Mario Castelo Branco, EuroGeol, who is a "Qualified Person" with over 35 years' experience in the Exploration and Mining Geology industry. Mr. Castelo Branco holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Porto in Portugal. He is also a member of the Portuguese Association of Geologists, the European Federation of Geologists, Member of the Prospectors and Developers of Canada, the Society of Economic Geologists and the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral DepositsOn behalf of the Board of Directors Europacific Metals Inc. Mr. Karim Rayani, Chief Executive OfficerE: k@ r7.capitalwww.europacific.ca This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the exploration potential of the Company's properties. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, results of future exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, changes in commodity prices and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Although the Company believes current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered are appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or enduring. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The readers should not rely on any historical estimates. The Company and the QP have not done sufficient work to classify historical estimate as a current resource. Company is not treating the historical estimate as a current resource. Additional work including drilling will be required to verify and upgrade historical estimates.SOURCE: EuroPacific Metals Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 18:45:51

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 557 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

MILWAUKEE, WI / ACCESSWIRE /May 8, 2024 / F Street, a pioneer in real estate investment, is excited to announce the launch of VAM Fund 1 LLC, a sophisticated investment platform specifically tailored for accredited investors. This new fund is strategically poised to purchase, renovate, and re-lease distressed multifamily properties, aiming to achieve superior returns through increased asset value and rental income."When I started my real estate career, I focused on value-add multifamily opportunities. That was 20 years ago. Now, we're doing it again, as the debt markets have been going crazy. We are seeing more distressed real estate, and we see great opportunities in this market to bring to our investors." said Scott Lurie, Founder of F Street.Enhanced Operations Through Expert Partnerships To optimize the potential of VAM Fund 1 LLC, F Street has strategically partnered with industry veterans Shai Wolkowicki and Chikoo Patel of CKO Real Estate. Their deep-rooted experience and successful track record in the multifamily domain will be crucial in steering the fund's operations. This collaboration aims to merge CKO Real Estate's operational expertise with F Street's longstanding investment acumen, setting a robust foundation for the fund's projected success.Innovative Investment Strategy and Objectives VAM Fund 1 LLC is the inaugural initiative in a planned series of Value-Add Multifamily (VAM) investment funds that F Street intends to roll out over the next 12 to 24 months. The fund's investment approach focuses on acquiring properties at a discount, making strategic improvements, and re-leasing them at competitive market rates. The strategic goals for VAM Fund 1 LLC include:Elevating the net operating income through operational efficiencies and cost management.Significantly increasing the value of assets to create substantial equity for investors.Aiming to refinance the properties within the first 24 to 36 months to return a substantial portion of the capital invested.Managing the properties effectively to ensure a consistent and reliable distribution of cash flows to investors.Targeting Strategic Locations in ChicagoThe fund is initially concentrating on the acquisition of a portfolio of 518 multifamily units across 19 strategically selected properties in Chicago's sought-after neighborhoods of Hyde Park and South Shore. These areas are known for their robust economic growth and demographic appeal, making them ideal targets for investment. Investors in VAM Fund 1 LLC will have the opportunity to acquire fractional equity interests in these properties, which are positioned to benefit from both short-term gains and long-term appreciation.Fundraising and Investment DetailsF Street and CKO Real Estate are committed to raising $14 million to capitalize VAM Fund 1 LLC effectively, with the sponsor group themselves investing $1 million as a testament to their confidence in the fund's success. The offering is limited to accredited investors, with an entry point set at a minimum investment of $50,000. Prospective investors are invited to learn more about this exciting opportunity by visiting www.fstreet.comor by contacting F Street directly to discuss the investment particulars.This venture represents a unique opportunity for investors to engage with a high-potential market segment through a structured and professionally managed platform. F Street encourages interested parties to explore the potential of VAM Fund 1 LLC as a means to diversify and strengthen their investment portfolios. Don't miss this opportunity to invest in a fund that aims to reshape the landscape of multifamily real estate investments.Contact Info:Press Contact: Josh LurieContact Email: josh@ fstreet.com Phone: (414) 315-3190Website: www.fstreet.com SOURCE: F Street
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 20:00:51

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 497 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Brazil's First Financial Institution Authorized for Cross-Border Transactions Reinforces its Presence in Latin AmericaMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / FacilitaPay, a leading payment gateway known for its innovative solutions in cross-border payments across Latin America, has recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with Webull, a global financial services firm. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as FacilitaPay will provide Webull customers with local funding rails in Brazil, bolstering its mission towards helping global companies expand and improve their financial transactions throughout the region.This move is strategic, tapping into the country's growing base of tech-savvy investors looking for innovative trading tools and platforms. Here are some Strategic Benefits for Webull:Enhanced Transaction Processing: FacilitaPay's robust payment infrastructure allows Webull to offer seamless transaction experiences to its Brazilian users, optimizing approval rates and minimizing risks.Local Currency and Payment Methods: By utilizing local payment methods and currencies, Webull can offer a more accessible platform to Brazilian investors, which is crucial for market penetration.Regulatory Compliance: FacilitaPay's deep understanding of local regulations ensures that Webull's operations are compliant with Brazilian laws, avoiding potential legal pitfalls.The partnership with Webull not only enhances FacilitaPay's service offerings but also solidifies its reputation as a formidable player in the fintech sector capable of handling large-scale international transactions. With a robust technological infrastructure and a dedicated team, FacilitaPay is poised to meet the demands of major global companies looking to navigate the complexities of transacting in Latin American markets, especially in key countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico.This strategic move is further strengthened by FacilitaPay's recent achievement of becoming the first financial institution in Brazil authorized by Brazilian Central Bank (BACEN) to conduct cross-border payments. This authorization is a testament to FacilitaPay's rigorous adherence to regulatory standards and its proactive approach to compliance, ensuring secure and efficient payment solutions across borders.FacilitaPay's technological capabilities are central to its operations, providing seamless integration and real-time processing that empower businesses to expand their reach in Latin America without the typical barriers associated with international transactions. The company's API-driven solutions offer flexibility and ease of integration, catering to a diverse range of industries and payment scenarios.Moreover, FacilitaPay's initiative to host biannual meetings with key acquirers and financial institutions underscores its proactive approach to fostering strong partnerships and enhancing the payment ecosystem in Latin America. Through these collaborations, FacilitaPay is not only expanding its operational footprint, but also enhancing its ability to offer localized solutions that resonate with market-specific needs and consumer preferences.This partnership and FacilitaPay's enhanced regulatory approval mark a pivotal moment for the company, as it sets new benchmarks in the fintech industry for operational excellence and compliance. As FacilitaPay continues to grow and innovate, it remains committed to its mission of simplifying complex payment landscapes and making global commerce accessible and efficient for businesses and consumers alike.For more information about FacilitaPay and its services, visit www.facilitapay.com . Questions? Get in touch here.Contact:Pedro Wanderleybusiness@ facilitapay.com SOURCE: FacilitaPay
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 21:00:46

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 400 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

The company offers specialty coffee, sweets, treats, specialty sodas, and other gourmet foods for a unique twist on American classicsWEST HAVEN, UT / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Factory & Co., a convenience coffee shop and bakery, has announced the opening of its first store in West Haven, Utah. The store will focus on delivering fresh-baked goods, barista-made coffee, and specialty sodas. Factory has a stated mission to set itself apart from companies offering mixed sodas, coffee, or cookies by delivering an in-store experience with welcoming interiors and embracing classic design elements that play on the age of industrialization.Founded by a diverse group of individuals including veterans, physicians, firefighters, and educators, Factory strives to be more than just a typical coffee shop or treat shop."We created Factory to provide a comfortable gathering place where our customers can enjoy high-quality, freshly made treats and drinks as well as a full meal," said Roger Ivey, co-founder. According to Ivey, "The majority of our customers are working individuals and families, so cutting down on time and giving them the convenience of getting quality food and beverages in a single stop is key to our business model. The other side is making sure our stores are comfortably outfitted with a design aesthetic that encourages people to gather and relax. We're more than just a coffee shop and more than a place to get a dozen cookies. We're a place you can bring the whole family." Factory champions what it calls "The People's Favorites," modern twists on classic American baked goods and treats made in-store with fresh ingredients every day. The company's menu also includes hand-mixed sodas, stuffed waffles, ice cream, specialty coffee, waffle sandwiches with smoked meats, and many other national favorites.To celebrate the company's West Haven store, Factory will host a grand opening celebration on May 10-11, where guests can enjoy special discounts, including $1 cookies, hourly giveaways, and 50% off regular menu items throughout the weekend.Visit https://factoryco.com/ to learn more.About Factory & Co:At Factory, it's always your call. Craft your soda your way, pick your favorite coffee, and pair it with a fresh-baked waffle or treat to celebrate your everyday victories Bring your family and friends; there are boatloads of bold flavors for everyone.Contact InformationJennifer DiehlPartner, Afton Klein Groupjdiehl@ aftonkleingroup.com (801) 447-5118SOURCE: Factory & Co.View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 21:30:43

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 1237 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

A fifth-generation farmer, Thomas Neblett shares the importance of passion, sustainability and trusting your instincts.NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / From his earliest days, Thomas Neblett could usually be found on a farm - often out among the soybeans, corn, cotton and rice fields of his family's 9,000 acres in the Mississippi Delta.Today, he is up before dawn and working well into the evening hours managing his own farming operation Sunrise Farms Partnership, with approximately 3,600 acres in Jonestown, Mississippi. But it wasn't always a given that Neblett would go into the family business. His father Rives Neblett was a successful attorney and wasn't hands-on in his farming operation the way many farm owners may be. The younger Neblett knew he was free to explore the world and discover his own passion and way once he graduated from high school, but that the farm would always be there."We're a little different in that my dad was a farmer, landowner, a lawyer, a real estate guy, commodity trader and he didn't have his hands directly in the pie on the farm," said Thomas Neblett. "He let me know you don't have to drive a tractor and be out on that farm if that's not what you want to do. And he let it be known early on that he didn't want me to feel like I had to farm or that that was what he wanted me to do." When Thomas Neblett graduated from high school, he took the path that many Americans follow, and he headed off to college. While a freshman at the University of Mississippi, Thomas went into kidney failure and needed an emergency transplant. That confirmed his growing belief that college was not the path to his future.I knew then that farming was what I wanted to do - I can tell you for a fact - but this land we own and what my family has been doing for four generations, I think is literally in my blood.Thomas NeblettFarming in His Blood"School was not for me and by the time I got to college, I was over it," noted Thomas Neblett. "I knew then that farming was what I wanted to do - I can tell you for a fact - but this land we own and what my family has been doing for four generations, I think is literally in my blood." His father, Rives, would agree. His own grandfather, also a lawyer, launched the farming family dynasty in the late 1920s when he began acquiring farmland while practicing law. And on Thomas' mother's side of the family, the farming gene reaches back to his grandfather Charlie Lowrance who was a successful farmer and ginner in Arkansas."Thomas has grown up in the operation, worked on the farm in the summers and over the holidays and was active in learning the ropes through my farm managers," shared Rives Neblett, owner of Allendale Planting Company in Shelby, Mississippi, one of the premier farming operations in the Delta. "I had hoped Thomas would finish college, but when he came home at 19 and said he wanted to go into farming, I knew his mind was made up." Rives Neblett shared his own farming family history and some of the best advice he had ever received from his own father."He told me, you can't come back and farm for five years until you have proven yourself in another profession working for someone else," said Rives. "It was the best advice that anyone ever gave me because it would have been tempting to return and start farming for my father right after college. Knowing that I couldn't, I went to law school, got a degree and went to work for IRS for a few years, then for a firm in Mississippi. I took a similar approach with Thomas when he decided to go into farming." Failure Wasn't an OptionRather than having Thomas work for him on the family farm, Rives Neblett turned to his longtime Regions Agriculture Banking Leader Alan Sims."I took Thomas to the bank and asked to borrow enough money to farm about 2,400 acres - a stretch for me, Thomas, Alan and the bank given Thomas was only 20 years old - but I had developed a relationship with Regions, and if I was putting Thomas in that position, I'd make sure he was succeeding," shared Rives.Sims concurred."Even with the existing relationship, a bank doesn't make a loan to someone simply because they can pay it back, the business plan had to make sense - and it did," said Sims.It seemed there was nothing to worry about from the very beginning, Thomas Neblett confirmed."I was confident enough in myself - I wouldn't allow myself to do it if I didn't think I could make it," Thomas said. "I love what I do. I didn't realize you could have a passion about something and not consider it work. The work is there - and it can be tiring and frustrating, but there is never a day I wake up and don't want to go and do it." When I got started, we knew we were working with Regions. There are a lot of turnovers in banking, but Regions hasn't changed.Thomas NeblettAll About the Relationship"My dad has been a long-time Regions customer and has a great relationship with the bank," said Thomas. "When I got started, we knew we were working with Regions. There are a lot of turnovers in banking, but Regions hasn't changed. Alan has been able to keep a close eye on our business." Sims agreed."I remember that meeting: Rives, long-tenured relationship, asking for that start-up loan with Thomas. We sat down and Rives had a well-prepared loan request we reviewed and tweaked, and we were able to make the loan," said Sims. "The rest is history." Sims noted on that day, Rives pulled him aside and said, I can teach him farming, but I'd like you to teach him the rest."Thomas has a work ethic like no other and has done really well," said Sims. "He's made tremendous yields on his farm and has been very successful since starting his farming operation a decade ago." Sustainability is Key"From the very beginning in the 1970s, we stressed land forming in our operation and irrigation," shared Rives Neblett. "We were some of the first people to start an actual program of land forming - engineering/forming the land so you can thoroughly irrigate it." He explained that in the Delta, that was the way to go given the climate. They had to have the ability to irrigate. Allendale Planting Company started that program and as they developed the land forming of the land, they worked with the soil conservation services putting highly erodible land next to streams into a Conservation Reserve Program for conservation and recreational purposes.Thomas Neblett has continued and expanded the processes to ensure sustainability and soil health."One of the biggest things I have learned since I started this business is how important drainage is - getting the water off my fields quickly and eff
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 15:00:50

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 776 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

As a new sponsor, the company will help the nonprofit provide support to early-stage fintech startups and their surrounding communitiesBOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Today,Fintech Sandbox , a nonprofit that provides early-stage fintech startups around the world with free access to critical datasets and infrastructure through its Data Access Residency, announced the addition ofGlobal Atlantic Financial Group(Global Atlantic) to its group of sponsors and receipt of a generous grant of $150,000. Global Atlantic joins a prestigious group of organizations contributing to Fintech Sandbox's mission of providing a collaborative community and support system for entrepreneurs."We are thrilled that Global Atlantic has committed to sponsoring Fintech Sandbox and our efforts to further innovate in fintech and financial services by supporting entrepreneurs and startups," said Sarah Biller, co-founder of Fintech Sandbox. "Global Atlantic shares in our goal and vision to provide our members with access to critical datasets, infrastructure and platform services as well as community, which will help fuel further fintech innovation to solve today's challenges and beyond." Global Atlantic is a leading insurance company meeting the retirement and life insurance needs of individuals and institutions. In 2022, the organization started its Global Atlantic Foundation, which showcases its commitment to serving the community, a core part of the company's culture and identity. The grant to Fintech Sandbox will aid startups and entrepreneurs in accessing traditionally expensive datasets and infrastructure to help them build great products and companies."Our support for small businesses and the communities they serve is at the heart of the Global Atlantic Foundation," said Padma Elmgart, Chief Technology Officer at Global Atlantic. "Fintech Sandbox is aligned in the same philosophy and mission, and we are pleased to join them in providing crucial support to business owners. By offering secured and controlled access to data, as well as networking opportunities and many other resources, we can help small businesses with what they need to thrive in today's challenging economic environment." By aligning with Fintech Sandbox, sponsors unlock unique opportunities that bolster their business development initiatives, elevate brand visibility and enhance talent management - all while gaining a front-row seat to the latest fintech trends and insights. The reciprocal learning process between the startups and sponsors enables all involved to grow and shape their understanding of innovation and accelerated growth, and allows the startups to flourish in the organization's Data Access Residency.Fintech Sandbox promotes innovation in the financial sector by making data and infrastructure available to early-stage fintech startups at the point when access to this data is most impactful. Fintech Sandbox startups, in return, collaborate with current and past residents, sharing learnings and advancements that benefit the larger fintech ecosystem. For more information on our data partners, please visit https://fintechsandbox.org/data-partners Global Atlantic joins Fintech Sandbox's current annual sponsors, which includeCommonwealth ,EY ,F-Prime Capital ,Fidelity Labs ,Goodwin ,MCS Group ,MassMutual ,Morrison Foerster , Rise (created by Barclays), andSlalom .For more details about our sponsors, please visit https://www.fintechsandbox.org/our-sponsors/ . For more information on joining as a corporate sponsor, startup, or data/infrastructure partner, please contactinfo@ fintechsandbox.org , or visit https://fintechsandbox.org About Fintech SandboxFintech Sandbox is a nonprofit that provides a leg-up for entrepreneurs around the world by providing free access to critical datasets and resources to build their early-stage fintech products through its Data Access Residency. Fintech Sandbox startups, in return, collaborate with current and past residents, sharing learnings and advancements that benefit the ecosystem. Participating startups - more than 350 thus far - pay no fees and no equity is taken.Boston Fintech WeekandMass Fintech Hub- a public-private partnership dedicated to making the Commonwealth a global leader in fintech - are initiatives under the Fintech Sandbox umbrella. For more information, please visit https://fintechsandbox.organdhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/fintech-sandbox/ About Global Atlantic Financial GroupGlobal Atlantic Financial Group is a leading insurance company meeting the retirement and life insurance needs of individuals and institutions. With a strong financial foundation and risk and investment management expertise, the company delivers tailored solutions to create more secure financial futures. The company's performance has been driven by its culture and core values focused on integrity, teamwork, and the importance of building long-term client relationships. Global Atlantic is a wholly-owned subsidiary of KKR, a leading global investment firm. Through its relationship, the company leverages KKR's investment capabilities, scale and access to capital markets to enhance the value it offers clients. KKR's parent company is KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR).Global Atlantic Financial Group (Global Atlantic) is the marketing name for The Global Atlantic Financial Group LLC and its subsidiaries.Contact Info:Caliber Corporate Advisersfintechsandbox@ calibercorporateadvisers.com SOURCE: Fintech Sandbox
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 20:01:33

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 1041 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / QualcommExploring the role of edge devices in reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainability in AI systemsWritten by Angela BakerThe economic value of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to the world is immense. Research from McKinsey estimates that generative AI could add the equivalent of $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion annually.1But the energy cost of AI and its environmental impact can also be extensive unless our technology approach evolves to effectively tackle these challenges.Current projections vary, but there are startling analyses of generative AI's energy use and its impact on the environment. A peer-reviewed report in Jouleprojects AI energy use growing to over 85 terawatt-hours annually, more than the usage of many small countries (Ireland is the example given).2 Popular studies, like those from Gartner, paint dire pictures of the environmental impact and the expense of adapting our computing infrastructure to generative AI. Gartner's report predicts that by 2030, AI could consume up to 3.5% of the world's electricity.3Additionally, data center processing requires cooling, and cooling consumes water. In its latest environmental report, Microsoft disclosed that its global water consumption spiked 34% from 2021 to 2022, an increase that outside researchers tie to AI.It is imperative to find ways to make AI processing more energy efficient and sustainable. But most reports focus almost entirely on the energy used by AI in the cloud and in data centers.Increasing Efficiency by Running AI Models in DevicesGenerative AI does not have to run exclusively in the cloud.Currently, training a consumer-grade generative AI model requires a massive cluster of AI hardware and the power to run it. A researcher at the University of Washington estimated that training a model like ChatGPT-3 could use up to 10 gigawatt-hours, roughly equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 1,000 U.S. households.4But once an AI model is trained, it can be reduced and optimized to run on a significantly less power-hungry piece of hardware, like a smartphone or battery-powered laptop.For instance, research by analyst firm Creative Strategies 5 concludes that Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a flagship processor for smartphones, is 30 times more efficient than a data center on image generation tasks. For laptop PCs, the same report states that Snapdragon X Elite Compute Platform is nearly 28 times more efficient than running the AI task on the data center.Running AI on local, private devices also saves the expense of sending queries and data across the network (and through the internal data-routing systems at a cloud provider) and sending the answers back.Finally, the limited processing power of local devices, compared to massive resources available to run queries in cloud data centers, enforces a form of AI discipline on AI software companies, app developers and users. Not all generative AI queries require the resources of cloud-based ChatGPT-4 or its equivalent. By reallocating a portion of AI tasks to the edge, we can leverage the benefits of on-device AI processing, which offers efficient computations with minimal power consumption. A balanced strategy, involving a deliberate distribution of AI workloads across the cloud and edge, can enhance performance efficiency and minimize energy consumption.As technology providers begin to distribute generative AI capabilities to personal devices and start to gather data on the economics of various query types and where those queries run, we expect that they will start to surface these calculations for users, allowing people to make individual cost-based decisions about how much AI processing power they consume.Taking Efficient Edge AI Technologies to the CloudThe technology that enables edge devices, such as smartphones and tablets, has evolved to be both powerful and power-efficient. Users expect these devices to be fast, responsive, and capable of lasting a full day on a single battery charge.In fact, modern smartphones have surpassed the power of IBM's Deep Blue supercomputer, which gained fame for defeating chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1997.6 What's even more impressive is that these powerful mobile devices consume significantly less energy than an LED light bulb.7This remarkable energy efficiency is the result of decades of innovation in the field. Lean computing instruction sets have been developed to process data using fewer operations, while systems-on-chip integrate multiple components into a single chip to reduce power consumption.Such innovations have allowed Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to deliver record-breaking power-efficient cloud AI processing products. This showcases the significant potential of edge technologies in addressing the energy challenge associated with processing AI models in the cloud.AI might mitigate its own efficiency problemsAI tools are well-suited to optimizing complex systems and can be used to reduce energy requirements and environmental impacts.8 There's a possibility that AI tools can help offset some of the impacts of human-caused climate change. Research from the Boston Consulting Group says that, "AI can accelerate climate action by taking climate modeling to the next level, enabling new approaches to climate education, and supporting breakthroughs in climate science, climate economics, and fundamental research."9 At the moment, the world is still gathering data on the environmental costs and benefits of our new AI tools. The recent COP 28 - UN Climate Change conference highlighted these data gaps to an extent. We are heartened that progress is being made and that AI can help; as Microsoft's Brad Smith put it, "You can't fix what you can't measure, and these new AI and data tools will allow nations to measure emissions far better than they can today."10 In the meantime, it's imperative that we get a better handle on AI's energy use itself, and do what we can to reduce that use - when possible - by running AI models on lower-power devices, and by using models that simply require less power.At Qualcomm, we believe that AI systems should be designed, developed and deployed in a way that is mindful of environmental impact throughout their lifecycle and value chain. We are working to allow edge devices to run AI processing more efficiently, with leading performance per watt.Learn more about Qualcomm's responsible AI principlesRead about Qualcomm's sustainability effortsOpinions expressed in the content posted here are the personal opinions of the original authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of Qualcomm Incorporated or its subsidiaries ("Qualcomm"). The content is provided for informational purposes only and is
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 13:01:57

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 1016 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Joint Collaboration to Aid Radiant Industries with the Development and Potential Deployment of Kaleidos - A Meltdown-Proof Microreactor Expected to Service Remote Mine SitesCOEUR D'ALENE, ID / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 /Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. (NYSE American:IDR) ("IDR", "Idaho Strategic" or the "Company") today announced it has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Radiant Industries, Inc. ("Radiant") to participate in the Kaleidos Frontier Pilot Program designed to aid Radiant in the development and planned deployment of their meltdown-proof portable microreactor, Kaleidos. The agreement establishes a pathway for Idaho Strategic and Radiant to operate one or more of the first five Frontier Kaleidos units at a viable Idaho Strategic site. As part of the agreement, the two companies agree to jointly study the licensing process and timeline, and other business and operations factors relevant to the deployment of a Kaleidos unit.Mass-producible, transportable by air, sea, road or rail and roughly the size of a shipping container, Radiant's Kaleidos unit is designed to replace diesel generators with clean, cost-effective base-load power in remote and hard-to-reach locations. Cooled by Helium, which cannot become radioactive, Kaleidos can output 1 MWe electric and 1.9 MWt of heat, and operate for an average of 5 years before refueling with TRISO fuel.Idaho Strategic's President and CEO, John Swallow commented, "When we first met Doug and Tori in November of 2022, their commonsense approach to business resonated with us. I was intrigued by Doug and Radiant's origin story and views on the future of microreactors, remote sites, etc. In short, it was a situation where I wasn't sure of the timing but always felt that our companies would one day work together. And it seems appropriate that officially working together coincides with the noticeable advancement of our country's efforts toward securing domestic critical mineral supply chains and the advancement of IDR's nationally recognized rare earth element properties (and increasing gold production at the Golden Chest). Through IDR's recent work with various government and national laboratory personnel, some of whom also work with Radiant, a common thread has emerged centered around what the future of mining could look like. And while I hold the belief that the future of mining will rhyme with the past, I believe Radiant's Kaleidos reactor addresses a specific pain point faced by many mining operations in a viable and sustainable way." Radiant's CEO Doug Bernauer added, "Idaho Strategic's work in the mining industry is a perfect case for the value Radiant's safe, portable microreactor provides to industry. Operations like those we saw in 2022 at the Golden Chest not only create valuable economic promise for U.S. domestic mineral production, but they provide important livelihoods to the communities they employ, and those communities are the direct beneficiaries of clean power solutions that enable their work." As part of the competitive US Department of Energy (DOE) FEEED program, Radiant is building towards a test at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in 2026, with their first commercial reactors available as soon as 2028. In addition to support from INL and DOE, Radiant has received support from the U.S. Department of Defense.Above photo is of Idaho Strategic's gold mill currently in operation. Included in this release to serve as a reference and example of similar infrastructure that may be serviced by a Kaleidos reactor in the future. About Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc.Idaho Strategic Resources (IDR) is an Idaho-based gold producer which also owns the largest rare earth elements land package in the United States. The Company's business plan was established in anticipation of today's volatile geopolitical and macroeconomic environment. IDR finds itself in a unique position as the only publicly traded company with growing gold production and significant blue-sky potential for rare earth elements exploration and development in one Company.For more information on Idaho Strategic Resources click here for our corporate presentation, go to www.idahostrategic.com or call:Travis Swallow, Investor Relations & Corporate DevelopmentEmail: tswallow@ idahostrategic.com Phone: (208) 625-9001About Radiant Industries, IncRadiant is a clean energy startup building a nuclear microreactor. A climate-friendly alternative to diesel generators, Radiant's Kaleidos 1 MW microreactor will be the world's first portable, zero-emissions power source that works anywhere. We plan to test our development reactor by 2026 and if successful, it will be the first new commercial reactor design to achieve a fueled test in over 50 years. Our microreactor can bring power to remote parts of the world and provide backup or primary power for life-saving applications in hospitals or disaster-relief scenarios.Media Contacts:Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc.:Travis Swallow, Investor Relations & Corporate DevelopmentEmail: tswallow@ idahostrategic.com Phone: (208) 625-9001Radiant Industries, Inc.:Alison Patch, Communications and Public RelationsEmail: alison.patch@radiantnuclear.com Phone: (949) 616-2504Forward Looking StatementsThis release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by forward-looking words such as "intends", "potential", "believe", "plans", "expects", "may", "goal', "assume", "estimate", "anticipate", and "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, assumptions, intentions, or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information includes, but are not limited to, Idaho Strategic Resources' potential to operate one or more Kaleidos reactors, Idaho Strategic's potential to have a location suitable for a Kaleidos reactor, the potential for the Kaleidos reactor to address a need in the mining industry, the potential for Radiant to test the Kaleidos reactor at Idaho National Lab in 2026, and the potential for the Kaleidos reactor to be commercialized in 2028. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of Idaho Strategic Resources as of the date such information is provided and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements o
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 15:46:08

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 551 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

The Social Impact Partner Spotlight series highlights various Cisco non-profit organization partners that are helping transform the lives of individuals and communities. This blog features Ciscos partnership with the NIIT Foundation, highlighting its impactful work around cybersecurity education and awareness.By Rohini KamathNORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / India has the world's second-largest internet user base. While digitization is rapidly increasing, the vulnerability towards cyber threats is also rising. A major threat to security is around personal information, organizational data, and national security. With an increased focus on cybersecurity in India, there are also job opportunities in this emerging industry.Keeping these aspects in mind, the Cisco India Cash Grant Program (ICG), along with its implementation partner NIIT Foundation, a not-for-profit education society which has the mandate to reach the unreached, uncared for, and unattended to ensure inclusive development, launched Cyber Suraksha. Suraksha in Hindi means safety and Cyber Suraksha is a flagship Cisco purpose initiative for creating Cyber Security awareness amongst citizens of India and contributing to cybersecurity aligned skilling. Over a three-year grant period (2022-2025), the goal is to engage and impact one million individuals in the country. The program has already reached out to a diverse set of audiences, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, border security force personnel, youth, and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community.The initiative offers three main courses, some of which are available through the partnership with Cisco Networking Academy.The courses are:Cyber Awareness: A 20-hour foundational program focused on building citizens' knowledge on personal security. The program builds awareness of cyber security threats and how to be better protected against misuse of personal identity, cyber-bullying, financial fraud, online fraud, racial abuse, pornography, and gambling. The program is targeted at age groups 13 and above.Cyber Smart: An advanced program for college students who want to explore cyberspace and a career in this field. Students learn to develop an understanding of cybercrime, security principles, technologies, and procedures used to defend networks. The program is targeted at age groups 16 and above.Cyber Workforce: An employability program that helps students to build their skill set in cyberspace and move forward with a job in the industry. The program is targeted at age groups 18 and above, specifically for individuals wanting to work in cybersecurity.Since its launch, the Cyber Suraksha initiative has led to:500,000 individuals trained More than 3,300 youth placed in Cybersecurity jobs 42 percent of participants in the training identify as female"In this digital age, the need for Cybersecurity knowledge and awareness is paramount. We have noticed through experience that marginalized sections of society lack information about the ever-evolving risk within cyber space and this was a key driver to conceptualizing this program." -Sapna Moudgil, Director, NIIT FoundationGet involved:To learn more about Cyber Suraksha, check out their program page and this video. Nominate an organization such as a non-governmental organization (NGO) or a school to be considered for the program, by reaching out to contact@ niitfoundation.org . For further information on Cisco Networking Academy's partnership with the NIIT Foundation, check out this blog.View original content here.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc.Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 17:53:50

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 433 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Kaskela Law LLC announces that it is investigating Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE:INSP) ("Inspire Medical") on behalf of the company's long-term shareholders.Recently a securities fraud complaint was filed against Inspire Medical on behalf of certain investors who purchased shares of the company's stock between May 3, 2023 and November 7, 2023. According to the complaint, during that time period Inspire Medical and certain of the company's senior executives made a series of materially false and/or misleading statements about the company's "Acceleration Program," which was reportedly designed to facilitate customers' receiving prior authorizations from doctors for Inspire Medical's sleep apnea products ("Inspire therapy") by acting as a liaison between patients and their doctors.On November 7, 2023, Inspire Medical announced disappointing earnings results for the third quarter of 2023 - its first reported revenue miss since becoming a public company in 2018. Therein, the company disclosed that it had started to "track" problems with the Acceleration Program in thesecondquarter of 2023, including a decrease in the number of prior authorization submissions for Inspire therapy, and "recogniz[ed] this trend early in the third quarter"-i.e., as early as July 1, 2023. Inspire Medical's CEO further disclosed that prior to the company's second quarter 2023 earnings call on August 2, 2023, "we had strong confirmation" of the problems with the Acceleration Program, and "we realized we needed to take some corrective action." Following this news, shares of Inspire Medical's stock fell $31.79 per share, or nearly 20% in value, from a closing price of $161.74 per share on November 7, 2023, to a closing price of $129.65 per share on November 8, 2023.The investigation seeks to determine - on behalf of the company's long-term current shareholders - whether the members of Inspire Medical's board of directors violated the securities laws and/or breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the above alleged misconduct.Current Inspire Medical shareholders who purchased or acquired INSP shares prior to May 3, 2023 are encouraged to contact Kaskela Law LLC (D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq. or Adrienne Bell, Esq.) at (484) 229 - 0750, or by email (skaskela@ kaskelalaw.com / abell@ kaskelalaw.com) or online at https://kaskelalaw.com/cases/inspire-medical-systems/ , for additional information about this investigation and their legal rights and options.Kaskela Law LLC exclusively represents investors in securities fraud, corporate governance, and merger & acquisition litigation. For additional information about Kaskela Law LLC please visit www.kaskelalaw.com . This notice may constitute attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions.CONTACT:KASKELA LAW LLC D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq.Adrienne Bell, Esq.18 Campus Blvd., Suite 100Newtown Square, PA 19073(888) 715 - 1740(484) 229 - 0750 www.kaskelalaw.com SOURCE: Kaskela Law LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 14:31:31

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 817 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Kestrel Gold Inc. ("Kestrel" or the "Corporation,"(TSXV:KGC) is pleased to announce the signing of an option agreement ("Agreement") with Thompson Creek Metals Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Centerra Gold Inc. ("Centerra"), whereby Centerra is granted the option to earn a 75% interest in the QCM gold property ("QCM") located in the in the Manson-Germanson area of central British Columbia.Rob Solinger, President and CEO of Kestrel, states: "We are pleased to have signed this Agreement which will see QCM advanced by a well funded and technically strong option partner. Positive results from previous reverse circulation drilling by the Corporation at QCM, combined with continued strength in the price of gold and Centerra's decision to enter into this Agreement reinforces Kestrel's belief in QCM." QCM Project Highlights:QCM is comprised of 8,729 hectares covering an approximate 15-kilometre strike length of the Manson Fault Zone which is thought to be a controlling structure for much of the gold mineralization in the district.Peak values from historical drilling completed within the Main Zone were found within hole QCM04-002 which intersected an interval of 2.86 g/t Au over 110.95 metres, including a high-grade interval of 173 g/t Au over 1.5 metres, true widths unknown.Prospecting during 2022 resulted in the discovery of the 14 Vein showing, drilling of which returned 2.33 g/t Au over 44.19 metres. Geology consists of silica and carbonate altered argillite cut by sheeted quartz veins. For details see Kestrel's October 25, 2022 news release: https://www.kestrelgold.com/news/oct-2-2022 Numerous historical showings occur throughout the project area, including Farrell where historical values of up to 1,777 g/t Au and 3,560 g/t Ag were returned from grab samples of a 3.0-metre wide quartz vein and Flagstaff where historical values of up to 5.9 g/t Au and 1,153 g/t Ag were reported for grab samples of quartz veins and stockworks.Kestrel recently earned a 100% interest in the QCM Property. For details see Kestrel's March 22, 2024, news release: https://www.kestrelgold.com/news/march-22-2024 Recently completed logging and associated road building has significantly improved access throughout the property which is proving of significant value to exploration efforts.Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Centerra has the right to acquire a 75% interest in the Property by making cash payments totaling $900,000 and incurring mineral exploration costs totaling $6,500,000 on QCM, over 5 years. Mineral exploration costs must include a minimum of 13,500 metres of diamond drilling or reverse circulation drilling on the Property. Centerra will be the project operator during the initial earn in period. If Centerra earns a 75% interest, then Kestrel and Centerra will enter into a standard joint venture agreement with Centerra and Kestrel sharing pro rata funding requirements.In the event that either member of the joint venture is diluted to 10% or less then that member's interest will automatically convert to a 1.0% NSR Royalty over the Property, and their interest in the Property shall be transferred to the other member. The undiluted member will have the right, exercisable at any time, to purchase 50% of the NSR Royalty for $1,000,000.About Kestrel GoldKestrel Gold Inc. is an exploration company headquartered in western Canada and focused on the Canadian Cordillera. Kestrel has earned a 100% interest in the QCM Property which is an orogenic gold target located in the Manson-Germanson placer district and are earning a 100% interest in the Fireweed Property located in the Babine Lake area, an advanced stage silver rich polymetallic epithermal target. Kestrel also owns a 100% interest in the KSD Property which is an orogenic gold target located in the Yukon portion of the Tintina Gold Belt. Kestrel is listed on the TSX Venture exchange under the symbol KGC. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Corporation's website " www.kestrelgold.com" for further information.Qualified PersonDerek Torgerson P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.Forward-Looking StatementsThe information and statements in this news release contain certain forward-looking information. This forward-looking information relates to future events or the Corporation's future performance including exploration activity that could take place on the Corporation's properties or projects. This forward-looking information is subject to certain risks and uncertainties and may be based on assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking information. The Corporation's forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.For further information contact:Rob Solinger, President, and CEOOffice: (403) 816-2141Email: rob@ kestrelgold.com SOURCE: Kestrel Gold Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 13:00:47

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 507 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Luvme Hair Hosts Celebratory Pop-Up Shop in Houston, Engaging the Community with Exclusive Styling Sessions and Innovative Hair SolutionsNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 /Luvme Hair, a leading brand in the human hair wigs industry, hosted its first pop-up shop in Houston, Texas on April 12th - 14th, following the resounding success of the brand's previous NYC Pop-Up Shop. The event, a celebration of beauty, innovation, and community, was a hit among wig lovers and customers. Attendees discovered Luvme Hair's best-selling products and enjoyed exclusive experiences tailored just for them.Luvme Hair's event was a resounding success drawing in hair and beauty lovers from all over with its impressive array of products and engaging activities. Attendees had the opportunity to explore Luvme Hair's signature offerings, including 7x6 PartingMax Glueless Wigs, 13x5 Ready To Go Frontal Wigs, PreMax Wigs, 360/Full Lace Wigs, Wig Renewal System, and more, all renowned for their quality and style.At the event, attendees were treated to the exclusive opportunity of complimentary 1-on-1 Styling Sessions, where they received personalized attention and guidance from expert hair stylists. From selecting the perfect wig to ensuring flawless installation and styling, customers were immersed in discovering their ideal look with Luvme Hair. Adding to the excitement, Luvme Hair also distributed 5,000 gifts to event attendees and one lucky winner walked away with a $500 cash prize as part of the in-store giveaway, further enhancing the excitement surrounding the event.A truly exclusive experience was offered to VIP customers in Houston, who had the opportunity to participate in a private panel with Luvme Hair's founder, Helena Lee. During this intimate session, attendees gained insight into Luvme Hair's brand story, founding journey, product development process, and engaged in conversations about wigs and hair.Reflecting on the success of the event, Helena, the founder of Luvme Hair, expressed her gratitude to the loyal supporters and new customers who attended, stating, "We are thrilled by the overwhelming response to our event in Houston. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with our community, share our passion for beauty, and showcase the innovation behind Luvme Hair's products. We look forward to continuing to empower individuals to express themselves confidently through our premium wigs and hair solutions." For those who missed the event, Luvme Hair invites customers to explore their extensive range of products online at shop.luvmehair.com and stay tuned for future pop-up events this Summer!About Luvme HairLuvme Hair is a reputable brand in the hair industry, known for its high-quality human hair, glueless wigs, HD lace wigs, PartingMax Glueless Wigs, and wigs that allow individuals to effortlessly switch up their looks. With a focus on innovation, creativity, quality, and customer satisfaction, Luvme Hair has garnered a loyal customer base globally, with over 1 million satisfied customers all over the world. For more information about Luvme Hair and its products, please visit their official website at shop.luvmehair.com For media inquiries, please contact:Company name: Luvme HairContact person: Michelle LuPhone number: 202-550-4686Email: michelle@ luvmehair.com SOURCE: Luvme Hair
"I want to know why China is so powerful in the 21st century," said Yovana Marsenic, a Serbian student majoring in international politics at Beijing International Studies University, when asked why she came to China to study Chinese. Marsenic's affinity with China began in 2017 when she excelled in the entrance examination and enrolled at the University of Belgrade to study Chinese, marking the start of her journey in learning the language. In 2019, Marsenic had the opportunity to go to Xi'an Jiaotong University for an exchange program. Setting foot in China for the first time, the Serbian student was awestruck by the beauty of the country which felt both strange and familiar. "China is a great country with a long history and fascinating culture, and I can't get enough of it," Marsenic recalled, reminiscing about her experiences visiting famous sites such as the Terracotta Warriors and the Datang Everbright City scenic area in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Although the exchange program lasted only a month, the precious experience planted a seed in Marsenic's heart. After graduating with a master's degree, she decided to travel to China again for an in-depth experience of life in the country. After arriving in Beijing last year, Marsenic visited cultural monuments like Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall, as she had wished. In addition to historic sites, she also enjoys immersing herself in Beijing's local culture and exploring the city's hutongs  the intricate maze of narrow alleyways and traditional courtyard residences. "I like the hutongs very much because I can feel the authentic traditional Chinese culture, communicate with the local people, and eat delicious local delicacies," Marsenic said. Now, eight months into her stay in China, Marsenic has witnessed the dynamism and energy of Chinese society up close. Her Chinese proficiency has soared, complemented by firsthand experiences of life in Beijing. "I think Beijing has a rich history and culture. It is also a very tolerant city, open to all kinds of views and opinions. In addition, the pace in China is also very fast, with the culture and technology constantly evolving," said Marsenic. In Marsenic's view, China's mobile payment system has brought great convenience to her life. Without carrying a wallet when she goes out, she can easily travel with her mobile phone and a power bank. Her favorite means of transportation is the subway. "The Chinese subway is very convenient and fast, and I don't have to worry about being late or getting stuck in traffic," Marsenic added. The past eight months have bolstered Marsenic's determination to stay in China. She hopes to continue her studies in professional field and become a friendly envoy between China and Serbia.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 21:01:06

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 424 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

SOUTHFIELD, MI / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / MDR Financial , a new player in the debt settlement industry, has announced its nationwide launch with a mission to revolutionize the way Americans tackle their debt problems. The company aims to provide a more transparent, client-centric approach to debt relief, focusing on the unique needs of each individual.The United States is facing a growing debt crisis, with households owing a staggering $15.54 trillion in total debt. The average American household is burdened with over $137,000 in non-mortgage debt, exacerbated by rising costs and economic uncertainty. MDR Financial recognizes the stress and challenges of overwhelming debt and is committed to offering a fresh perspective ondebt management .What sets MDR Financial apart from other debt settlement companies is its holistic approach to debt relief. Beyond settling debts, they equip their clients with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve long-term financial well-being. The company prides itself on its core values of honesty, client-centricity, and integrity."At MDR Financial, we believe in open and transparent communication with our clients," said the CEO of MDR Financial. "We walk them through every step of thedebt settlementprocess, ensuring they fully understand the implications of their decisions. Our goal is to empower our clients to take control of their financial future." MDR Financial's client-first approach is evident in its commitment to creating personalized solutions for each individual's unique financial situation. The company recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to debt problems and works closely with clients to develop tailored strategies that pave the way to financial freedom.In an industry often plagued by misleading advertising and hidden fees, MDR Financial stands out by always doing what is sright. They are upfront about their fees and refuse to engage in deceptive practices that have tarnished the reputation of the debt settlement industry."We are passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients," said Director of Operations at MDR Financial. "By helping them break free from the burden of debt, we enable them to focus on building a brighter, more financially secure future for themselves and their families." As MDR Financial launches its services nationwide, the company is poised to become a beacon of hope for Americans struggling with debt. Keep an eye out for the launch of the MDR Financial website at https://www.mdrfinancial.com/to learn more about their services and how they can help you achieve financial freedom.MEDIA CONTACT:MDR Financial(844) MDR-FNCL2000 Town Center Suite 1750 Southfield, MI 48075 marketing@ mdrfinancial.com SOURCE: MDR Financial
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 15:00:35

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 382 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Growing HVAC, plumbing and building automation platform expands PremiStar-branded service locations in the Midwest.DEERFIELD, IL / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 /PremiStar, a leader in commercial and industrial HVAC, plumbing, and building automation services, announced today that Mechanical Service of Iowa (MSI) has rebranded as PremiStar and launched a new website at PremiStar.com/IA In August 2022, MSI, a leading HVAC, plumbing, piping and refrigeration contractor in Iowa City, IA, was acquired by PremiStar. Since then, MSI has achieved record growth, maintained a stellar record for service excellence, and earned PremiStar's coveted "Safety Above All Award" for zero recordable OSHA incidents. The company now joins PremiStar-branded service locations in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin to support a growing list of commercial and industrial customers.Under the continued successful leadership of General Manager Randy Staab, the PremiStar Iowa branch will benefit from additional investment in training and technology, and will collaborate with other PremiStar branches in meeting the needs of customers with locations throughout the Midwest."My team and I are proud to share PremiStar's growing national brand," says Staab. "Equally important, we are grateful to our loyal customers who have helped us grow through their partnership and trust. While there will be no change in the service teams that support our customers, we are excited about the opportunities this will bring for career advancement, utilization of the latest technology, and new service offerings." "Randy and his team in Iowa have done an outstanding job in demonstrating the values that set our company apart in the industry," says Joe Kirmser, CEO of PremiStar. "They will be among the first to benefit from significant investments we're making in new technology and receive support for continuing to grow beyond their current service area." About PremiStar PremiStar, formerly Reedy Industries, operates a footprint of 47 commercial HVAC, building automation and plumbing branch locations across 13 states. PremiStar is transforming the industry by investing in leading regional owner-operators, extraordinary people, unique customer-centered solutions and the communities we serve. With 2,000+ employees, PremiStar helps critical facilities owners and managers in commercial, municipal, educational, healthcare, and industrial market segments achieve more cost-effective, more energy-efficient, and healthier environments.Contact InformationMike HarrisSVP Commercial Developmentmharris@ premistar.com (402) 800-8668SOURCE: PremiStarView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 17:20:23

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 434 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

MENOMONEE FALLS, WI / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / MTE Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Steel Partners and leading global supplier of power quality solutions, is proud to announce that they have been named a Top Workplace by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This esteemed award highlights outstanding businesses in Southeastern Wisconsin, and MTE Corporation is honored to be counted among the distinguished recipients."Our team is ecstatic to be acknowledged as a premier workplace in our region," stated Ahsan Javed, President. "This distinction underscores the tireless dedication and passion of our employees. Moving forward, we will continue to provide our team with a supportive and engaging workplace experience that enables us to chart a course to even greater accomplishments." For 2024, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel invited 2,890 organizations to survey their employees, and based on empirical feedback, 169 firms earned recognition as top workplaces. Employers receive the Top Workplaces recognition when their employee benchmarks exceed national standards.Highlighting the significance of the award, Charlene Franz, Vice President of Human Resources and Environment, Health, & Safety at MTE Corporation, emphasized, "This honor speaks volumes about our company culture, which is anchored in the values of teamwork, integrity, respect, and commitment. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are dedicated to maintaining a workplace environment that fosters their well-being and continuous professional development." MTE team members participated in a confidential survey, rating the company on various aspects such as leadership, career advancement opportunities, workplace flexibility, compensation, benefits, and the impact of company policies on innovation and morale.Click here to view the Top Workplaces special section in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.About MTE CorporationMTE Corporation is a global supplier of power quality products designed to improve the reliability of power electronic systems. MTE designs, manufactures, and distributes passive harmonic filters, line/load reactors, link chokes, dV/dt and sinewave motor protection filters, TEAL Power Conditioning and Distribution Units, and custom magnetic products for the most demanding industries. MTE Corporation is an operating company within the Diversified Industrial Segment of Steel Partners Holding L.P. For more information, please visit www.mtecorpstaging.wpenginepowered.com About Steel PartnersSteel Partners Holdings L.P. is a diversified global holding company that owns and operates businesses, including diversified industrial products, energy, defense, supply chain management and logistics, banking, and youth sports. For more information about Steel Partners, please visit www.steelpartners.com To learn about working at MTE Corporation, visit our Careers page at mtecorp.com Contact InformationMolly ZellerMarketing Generalistmarketing@ mtecorp.com (262) 946-2867SOURCE: MTE CorporationView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 14:02:03

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 457 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

In an Industry Where Savings are Measured in Basis Points, Fractal Offers Game-Changing Payment Services at a Fraction of the Price by Taking Advantage of New Legislation and New TechnologyNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 /Fractal, a new fintech platform exclusively servicing SaaS companies, today announces the launch of the most efficient payment processing services in the U.S. Founded by industry veterans, Fractal is taking household names in the payments industry head-on by offering simpler service with up to 30% savings.Payment companies often try to compete with each other on price by single basis points, fractions of a percent - one basis point is 0.0001%. Still, fees can add up to millions of dollars for merchants and retailers. Fractal's revolutionary service is reducing fees through its unique lowest-cost routing.Fractal aims to become SaaS companies' preferred payment method. Taking advantage of an amendment to Reg II in October 2023, the platform offers the most attractive revenue-sharing plans in payments. Amid ongoing economic turbulence many SaaS companies are laying off employees. Embedding financial products is an efficient way to boost revenue without increasing prices. Fractal's technology reduces fees so dramatically they are offering the lowest-cost processing for merchants and an aggressive revenue-sharing plan for SaaS platforms, both at the same time.This new service smoothly handles merchant onboarding, a major friction point in the market. It also offers pre-built embeddable payment flows for companies looking to add payments quickly - such as checkout options for online retail and payment links for electronic invoicing - and an API for companies that need complete control and customization.On launching this new technology, Fractal founder Brian Nichols said, "Payment processing has historically been overly complex for many SaaS businesses and their merchants. With the amount of regulatory, finance, and technical experience needed, many leave this stalled on their roadmap for too long." He added, "Fractal's new offering allows platforms to simply add payments and instantly make money." "Payments have gotten so technical that even visiting other payment websites can be overwhelming," said Fractal President and co-founder James Greaves. "The number one way for SaaS companies to make more money in 2024 is to embed finance. We make it simpler and easier than anyone else." About FractalFractal is a payment platform on a mission to improve vertical SaaS by providing simple, efficient, and powerful payment solutions. The company is founded by James Greaves, ex-VP of Zelle, and Brian Nichols, a leading payment industry expert and author. Fractal's solutions are paving the way for seamless processes that turn payments into profits for the SaaS landscape.Follow on LinkedInContact InformationSofia CaroSenior Account Managersofia@ publicize.co +57 3014508352SOURCE: FractalView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 14:56:48

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 522 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

2023 Juneteenth proclamation included homage to Al Edwards, considered "The Architect & Father of Juneteenth"BEACHWOOD, OH / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Juneteenth USA, the oldest Juneteenth organization in the U.S., today issued an acknowledgement of the White House's reference to Texas State Representative Al Edwards, known affectionately as the "Father of Juneteenth," for his tireless state by state legislative advocacy and unwavering commitment for almost four decades-which paved the way for Juneteenth to transition from a Texas state holiday to a revered national holiday. The reference was in the administration's 2023 Juneteenth proclamation. Representative Edwards' children founded Juneteenth USA.Al Edwards, born March 19, 1937, embarked on a remarkable journey that would forever etch his name in the annals of history. Elected to the Texas State Legislature in 1979, Edwards authored and championed the bill that established Juneteenth as a state holiday in Texas. His vision, however, extended far beyond the borders of the Lone Star State. Understanding the profound significance of June 19, 1865-the day enslaved individuals in Texas learned of their freedom, Edwards dedicated his life to ensuring this momentous day received the national recognition it deserved.Through his leadership roles (National Vice - Chair and National Chair) within the Democratic Party's Black Caucus and various legislative organizations, Edwards encouraged over 35 state legislative bodies, specifically the state legislative Black Caucus across America to adopt Juneteenth observances or state holidays. The outcome of this effort created what he saw as a "state led" national holiday with 45 states observing the holiday out of the 50 states in the Union by 2016, thus laying the groundwork for US Congress' unanimous consent action securing federal recognition. His efforts culminated in the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act of 2021, a testament to his decades-long campaign.While Edwards passed away in April 2020, his legacy as a relentless advocate for justice and equality endures. The U.S. President's recognition of Edwards in the 2023 Juneteenth proclamation underscores the profound impact of his work. It serves as a reminder of everyone's collective responsibility to honor the history of enslaved people and celebrate the freedom and rights Americans hold dear."We extend our deepest gratitude to President Biden for commemorating Al Edwards in the 2023 national proclamation of Juneteenth," said Jason Edwards, son of Al Edwards and President of Juneteenth USA. "His acknowledgment not only honors Edwards' immense contributions but also reflects our nation's commitment to recognizing the importance of Juneteenth." Edwards added, "As we celebrate this day, let us remember Al Edwards and the enduring legacy of his dedication to justice, freedom, and equality for all. We also share our heartfelt appreciation to Opal Lee, and many others like Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee who have championed this cause and helped to integrate the history of Juneteenth into the broader conversation of American history." For more information about the life and legacy of State Representative Al Edwards and the significance of Juneteenth, please visit https://www.juneteenthusa.org/ for our media kit.Media ContactOrganization: Juneteenth USAContact Person: Ms. Yvonne HarrisWebsite: https://www.juneteenthusa.org/ Email: info@ juneteenthusa.org Contact Number: +13103837041City: BeachwoodState: OHCountry: United StatesSOURCE: Juneteenth USA
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 02:35:14

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 1004 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2024 / ONGold Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "ONGold") announces that further to its April 2, 2024 and April 30, 2024 press releases regarding receipt of conditional approval to list on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange" or "TSXV") following the Company's transaction with Northern Superior Resources Inc. ("Northern Superior") which closed on April 26, 2024 (the "Transaction"), the Company has received final approval to list the Company's common shares ("Common Shares") on the Exchange. Under the policies of the Exchange, the Company will be classified as a Tier 2 Mining Issuer.The Company expects that the Common Shares will commence trading on the Exchange at the opening of the market on May 8, 2024 under the symbol "ONAU".Appointment of Kyle Stanfield to Board of Directors and as CEOThe Company is also pleased to announce that Mr. Kyle Stanfield has been appointed as a new member of the Company's board of directors, as well as the Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.Rodney Barber, President of ONGold, stated: "We are pleased to have Kyle join us as CEO and director as we commence trading on the TSXV. Kyle brings over 25 years of experience in the mining sector that includes working with several publicly listed junior mining and exploration companies." Mr. Stanfield, ONGold CEO, commented: "I am thrilled to join ONGold as Chief Executive Officer and to serve on the board of directors as we launch this new Ontario-focused exploration company. Having spent over two decades in the mining sector, particularly in roles that enhanced collaboration with indigenous communities and fostered sustainable project development, I am eager to leverage this experience at ONGold. My experiences successfully collaborating with numerous First Nations and Metis communities have profoundly shaped my approach to sustainable exploration and mining practices, and I am eager to apply this perspective to maximize the potential of ONGold's impressive portfolio in Northern Ontario. Together with the board and our dedicated team, I look forward to steering our projects through successful and responsible exploration phases." Kyle StanfieldMr. Stanfield brings over 25 years of extensive experience in mineral exploration and project development with a particularly strong focus on project planning, indigenous consultation and agreements, as well as regulatory engagement. Mr. Stanfield has worked collaboratively with over 30 First Nations and Metis communities in Ontario and British Columbia in support of mineral resource exploration and project development. Earlier in his career, he played a pivotal role at the Musselwhite gold mine in Northern Ontario, currently operated by Newmont Corporation, consulting with the five Musselwhite Agreement signatory First Nations. In British Columbia, he was instrumental in leading the operational launch of the Tahltan First Nation environmental joint venture including facilitating an environmental training program for Tahltan elders and youth at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, his alma mater. In recent years, Mr. Stanfield spearheaded environmental assessments, indigenous consultation and permitting programs for both the Rainy River mine, located in Ontario and operated by New Gold Inc., as well as Argonaut Gold Inc.'s Magino mine, which recently achieved commercial production, also in Ontario.Issue of OptionsONGold announces that it has issued an aggregate of 3,300,000 options to purchase Common Shares (the "Options") to eligible directors, officers and consultants pursuant to its omnibus incentive award plan. The Options are exercisable at a price of $0.51 per Option, and expire five years from the date of their issuance. The Options will vest as follows: (a) 50% of the Options will vest on May 7, 2025, (b) 25% of the Options will vest on November 7, 2025, and (c) 25% of the Options will vest on May 7, 2026.About ONGold Resources Ltd.ONGold Resources Ltd. (formerly 1348515 B.C. Ltd.) is a reporting issuer in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta with no current activities or operations. ONGold owns significant exploration assets in Northern Ontario, highlighted by the district-scale TPK Project and October Gold Project. These projects represent a strategic footprint in one of Canada's most prolific gold-producing regions.The TPK Project, known for its extensive gold mineralization, covers 47,976 of hectares in a highly favourable geological setting, and has shown promising exploration results from historical drilling and recent surveys. The project area is situated in a region renowned for its mineral potential.Similarly, the October Gold Project, consisting of 1,281 claims covering an area of 265km2, holds substantial promise with its favorable geological setting for large-scale gold deposits and is located approximately 35 km along strike from the Cote Lake Mine. The project has undergone preliminary exploration activities, which have indicated the presence of mineralized zones with significant gold anomalies. ONGold also holds a 100% interest in additional Properties in northwestern Ontario, known as Rapson Bay, Thorne-Ellard and Meston Lake. Together, these comprise 2,334 cell claims, covering 43,791 ha.ONGold is committed to responsible exploration practices and sustainable development, emphasizing strong partnerships with local communities and stakeholders. By adhering to high standards of environmental stewardship and community engagement, ONGold aims to not only explore and develop its assets but also contribute positively to the regions in which it operates.ONGold received final approval to list the Company's Common Shares on the TSXV and trading will commence under the symbol "ONAU" on May 8, 2024. With a seasoned management team led by industry veterans and a strategic focus on high-potential mining assets, ONGold Resources Ltd. is well-positioned to become a leader in the development of next-generation mines in Canada's prolific mining sectors.Contact InformationRodney BarberPresidentTelephone: 1 (855) 525-0992Email: info@ ongoldresources.com Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution, or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. Unless otherwise noted, references to "$" or dollars in this news release are to Canadian dollars.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Compa
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 13:00:53

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 512 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Founded by Veteran Thomas Moore, this unique platform promises a respectful exchange of ideas in an era of political polarization, free speech and informed debates.NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / In today's political climate, the quest for a platform that fosters respectful and meaningful political dialogue is more crucial than ever. Amidst the cacophony of divisive rhetoric,PoliToriumemerges as a beacon for those yearning for a space where political discussions can occur with dignity and mutual respect. Founded by Thomas Moore, a United States Army Veteran,PoliTorium is not just another social media platform; it's a dedicated space for political discourse that encourages understanding and intellectual engagement.PoliTorium, a social media company dedicated to creating a positive space for political discourse.PoliTorium is distinguished by its unwavering commitment to fostering an environment where freedom of speech is not just protected but celebrated. The platform is built upon the foundation of civil rights and the 1st Amendment, underscored by a unique community-moderated ban appeal system. This system ensures that discussions remain free from unwarranted censorship, embodying the platform's ethos of "Politics, with respect." As the political landscape becomes increasingly tumultuous, PoliTorium offers a haven for those seeking to navigate the complex tapestry of U.S. politics. With election times on the horizon, the importance of a well-informed electorate cannot be overstated. PoliTorium positions itself as an essential resource during these critical periods, facilitating informed debates and discussions that are vital for a healthy democracy.Key features of PoliTorium include respectful debates, protected freedom of speech, and the sharing of news from reliable sources. These elements encourage users to engage thoughtfully with a wide array of political topics and viewpoints. The platform also allows for the creation and support of petitions, giving users a direct avenue to propose and advocate for change within their communities.The representation of diverse political parties and affiliations enriches the dialogue, enabling users to explore and understand perspectives different from their own. Coupled with chat and networking capabilities, PoliTorium nurtures a community of politically engaged individuals who are keen on making a difference.Thomas Moore's vision for PoliTorium is clear: "I want to give a voice to the American people." This statement encapsulates the essence of PoliTorium-a platform designed to empower its users to engage in meaningful political discourse. It stands as a testament to the belief that respectful and informed discussions can indeed bridge divides and foster a more understanding society.PoliTorium invites everyone to join this vibrant community with dedicated apps available for bothiOSandAndroid . By downloading PoliTorium, users embark on a journey of discovery, connection, and, most importantly, respectful political engagement. In an era marked by polarization, PoliTorium shines as a model of what civil discourse can and should be.About PoliToriumPoliTorium is a social media company dedicated to creating a positive space for political discourse. With a commitment to respect, understanding, and intellectual exchange, PoliTorium aims to inspire minds and bridge perspectives in the world of politics.Media Contact:Thomas MoorePoliTorium(785) 370-9449 http://www.politorium.com thomas@ politorium.com SOURCE: PoliTorium
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-09 01:01:10

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 383 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Pursuit NW Stands United for IsraelSEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / The Pursuit NW, under the leadership of Pastor Russell Johnson, is proud to announce its continued commitment to advocating for Israel with the upcoming "United for Israel" rally at the University of Washington on Sunday, May 12th, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. The rally will start at Red Square, with a march through the campus and will conclude at the Pursuit Seattle campus located on UW's frat row.Pro-Israel March Interfaith RallyPastor Russell spearheaded the impactful University of Washington march, which convened shortly after the October 7th attacks on Israel. The Seattle event, in collaboration with StandWithUs and Oregon for Israel, featured distinguished guest speaker Mosab Hassan Yousef, renowned for his courageous stance as the "Son of Hamas." He went on to direct the recent Pro-Israel rallies at Columbia University and the University of Southern California in collaboration with Sean Feucht, Let Us Worship, Hold the Line, StandWithUs, and various Jewish and Christian groups. The resoundingly successful events drew thousands of attendees representing various faiths. Since the events, the organization has been inundated with requests for similar initiatives to counter the alarming rise of antisemitism on college campuses across America.Pastor Russell brings a wealth of experience and passion to Pro-Israel initiatives and is excited to return to his home base in Seattle, where the initiative first came to fruition. The Pursuit aims to provide a platform for the majority voice in America amidst media portrayals influenced by minority extremist perspectives. Pastor Johnson emphasizes the rally's focus on essential issues, including Israel's right to self-defense, the immediate release of all remaining hostages, and the restoration of lasting peace in the region.About:The Pursuit, based in Washington state, is a non-denominational church across multiple campuses, including Seattle, Kirkland, Snohomish, and an online presence. The church's mission centers on glorifying Jesus and bringing people into an encounter with the presence of God. It's no coincidence that their Seattle Campus is on the University of Washington's Frat Row.Contact:Pursuit NW Church | 9051 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA. 98033Emma LaMarche | emma.l@thepursuitnw.com Media Intake Coordinator | 425-205-7428 | www.thepursuitnw.com Contact InformationEmma LaMarcheMedia Intake Coordinatoremma.l@thepursuitnw.com 425-205-7428SOURCE: Pursuit NWView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 13:02:19

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 697 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Exciting leadership changes at Reaume Richardson position the company for growth.PASADENA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / After two decades of pioneering in the commercial construction arena, Reaume Richardson is embarking on a significant transformation within its leadership structure, signaling a new era for the Los Angeles-based general contracting firm. Founded by Bryson Reaume and Evan Richardson, the firm has earned a reputation for its commitment to long-term relationships, quality, and experience, becoming a cornerstone in the industry.Reaume Richardson Leadership From left to right: Evan Richardson, Bryson Reaume, Luke MacDougallIn a move that marks a strategic pivot for the company, Bryson Reaume, who has served as CEO since the company's inception, will transition to the role of Co-Founder & Senior Advisor. This change will allow Bryson to dedicate more time to their sister companies in the Owners Representation and Development space - The Cooperative LA, and Stately LA. Sharing his thoughts on the changes, Reaume conveyed his excitement and confidence in the future direction of the company, stating, "To say I'm excited would be an understatement, I have never felt more confident about the future of Reaume Richardson as I do now. I'm not only thrilled for our team, but I'm eager for our clients to experience Reaume Richardson 2.0; it's going to be a fun decade ahead led by great people." Evan Richardson is set to take the reins as CEO, stepping up from his current position as President. With a deep-seated passion for construction and a longstanding commitment to the company's ethos, Richardson is poised to lead the firm into its next chapter of growth. Reflecting on his new role, Richardson shared this: "I am honored to have the privilege to fill Bryson's role as CEO of Reaume Richardson. Over the years we have assembled an outstanding group of people that care about the service we provide for our clients and the relationships we build with the entire design team. With the addition of Luke MacDougall and our clear vision for the company, Reaume Richardson will continue to deliver on our promises and maintain the best reputation in Los Angeles." To keep the positive momentum going, Luke MacDougall joins Reaume Richardson as President, marking a significant milestone in his career and a bold move for the company. Joining the company from Shawmut Design and Construction and previously based out of New York, MacDougall's relocation to California is a testament to his dedication and belief in the vision and future of Reaume Richardson. His impressive tenure at Shawmut showcased his exceptional leadership abilities, his knack for fostering team excellence, and his strategic approach to sophisticated projects. Known for his analytical skills, attention to detail and his ability to inspire teams, MacDougall's influence is expected to drive significant growth and innovation moving forward. "I'm thrilled to be joining the Reaume Richardson team. The company is buzzing with energy due to its unique culture and is filled with talented people who excel at executing complex projects. I've been so impressed by the company's track record and look forward to all of the upcoming opportunities. I'm eager to start working alongside our people and delivering great experiences for our clients and design partners," says MacDougall.Other internal changes include Britt Dickson being appointed the new Director of Operations. With extensive experience in change management and operational excellence, Dickson is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the company's operational capabilities and ensuring the seamless implementation of the firm's policies, procedures, and execution of strategic growth initiatives. Chris Boadle, the VP of Sales & Marketing, continues strengthening the team, focusing on client relationships and brand longevity.This leadership evolution is not just a change in titles but a reinvigoration of Reaume Richardson's core values and its mission of Building Relationships and Delivering Great Experiences.' As Reaume Richardson forges ahead, it remains deeply grateful to its clients, partners, and employees for their ongoing support. The company is committed to continuing its legacy of building not just structures but lasting relationships in the Los Angeles community and beyond.Contact InformationChris BoadleMarketing and Saleschris.boadle@reaumerichardson.com 4243332247SOURCE: Reaume RichardsonView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 07:21:25

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 945 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 /RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA (SIX:RLF)(OTCQB:RLFTF)(OTCQB:RLFTY) (Relief, or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering innovative treatment options for select rare diseases, today announced the formation of its new executive committee strengthening its capabilities with the appointment of several new members, including a chief financial officer, chief human resources officer and head of legal and compliance.Andrew Einhorn joins Relief as chief financial officer (CFO). Mr. Einhorn brings extensive experience from senior leadership roles within clinical and commercial-stage life science companies. From 2003 to present, he has held CFO positions at several public and private companies, including RVL Pharmaceuticals, Edge Therapeutics, and has co-founded Oceana Therapeutics, Esprit Pharma and ESP Pharma. Prior to his work in the life science industry, he spent twenty years in investment banking and capital markets, where he served with Credit Lyonnais Securities, PNC Capital Markets, Chase Securities, BT Securities, and Chase Manhattan Bank. Mr. Einhorn was a certified public accountant and a finance and accounting graduate from the American University. Most recently, he joined Danforth Advisors, where he provides strategic advisory and interim CFO services to public and privately held companies. Mr. Einhorn has joined Relief on a part-time basis.Melinda Keegan joins the executive committee in the newly created role of chief human resources officer. Ms. Keegan brings over 20 years of HR life sciences experience building and leading companies from the initial startup phase and scaling through commercialization. Her expertise includes all aspects of human resource activities, including talent management, culture building, and leadership development. Ms. Keegan joined Relief in 2022 on a consulting basis and played a crucial role in supporting the Company across all HR matters. She holds a master of science in organizational development and is certified as a senior professional in human resources (SPHR).Giorgio Reiner has been promoted to the newly created role of chief scientific officer. With over 30 years of R&D experience, Mr. Reiner has been serving as corporate director of research and development with APR Applied Pharma Research SA (APR) since 2000. Following Relief's acquisition of APR in 2021, he has led the development of the group's pharmaceutical technologies and new products. Mr. Reiner holds a master's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry and technology from the University of Pharmacy in Milan, Italy.Paolo Galfetti, Relief's current chief operating officer, transitions to the role of chief business officer, a move reflective of the new strategic requirements of the organization. Mr. Galfetti will maintain many of his current internal responsibilities and will prioritize driving business development initiatives. Mr. Galfetti is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and has a bachelor's degree in economics from the Commercial University Bocconi, Milan, Italy.Vincenzo Gallo has been newly appointed head of legal and compliance. Mr. Gallo has over 10 years' legal expertise in the pharmaceutical industry, gained in both large international and start-up corporations. He worked as senior legal counsel at CHEMO (industrial division of Insud Pharma Group) and joined APR as corporate legal counsel in 2020. Following Relief's acquisition of APR in 2021, Mr. Gallo has overseen varied legal matters at Relief. Mr. Gallo holds a master's degree in law.Jeremy Meinen will step down as chief financial officer and transition from the company in early Q3."Following the full company RESET Relief has recently undergone, I am confident that the appointment of this new executive leadership team will accelerate the company's future success," said Michelle Lock, interim chief executive officer of Relief. "Their addition to the executive team marks a milestone for Relief and, with an expected cash runway into 2026, the collective experience of our new executive leadership enables us to advance our strategic objectives and uphold our commitment to rare diseases and patient-centric care." All executive committee appointments are approved by the Board of Directors and effective immediately.ABOUT RELIEFRelief is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing treatment paradigms and delivering improvements in efficacy, safety, and convenience to benefit the lives of patients living with select specialty and rare diseases. Relief's portfolio offers a balanced mix of marketed, revenue-generating products, our proprietary, globally patented TEHCLO and Physiomimic platform technologies and a targeted clinical development pipeline consisting of risk-mitigated assets focused in three core therapeutic areas: rare skin diseases, rare metabolic disorders, and rare respiratory diseases. In addition, Relief is commercializing several legacy products via licensing and distribution partners. Relief's mission is to provide therapeutic relief to those suffering from rare diseases and is being advanced by an international team of well-established, experienced biopharma industry leaders with extensive research, development and rare disease expertise. Headquartered in Geneva, Relief is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol RLF and quoted in the U.S. on OTCQB under the symbols RLFTF and RLFTY. For more information, please visit our website www.relieftherapeutics.com or follow Relief on LinkedIn.CONTACT :RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA Melinda Keegan Melinda.keegan@relieftherapeutics.com DISCLAIMER This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, including its ability to achieve its corporate, development and commercial goals, and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance, or achievements of Relief to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. A number of factors, including those described in Relief's filings with the SIX Swiss Exchange and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), could adversely affect Relief. Copies of Relief's filings with the SEC are available on the SEC EDGAR database at www.sec.gov . Relief does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date.SOURCE: Relief Therapeutics Holdings AG
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 21:01:29

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 416 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Methode Electronics Inc. ("Methode" or the "Company") (NYSE:MEI). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Methode and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.[Click here for information about joining the class action]On July 14, 2023, Methode announced that "[o]n July 10, 2023, Joseph Khoury was placed on leave from his position as Chief Operating Officer . . . , and his powers, authority and duties as such officer of the Company were suspended." On this news, Methode's stock price fell $0.53 per share, or 1.57%, to close at $33.27 per share on July 14, 2023.Then, on December 7, 2023, Methode announced that the Company had removed Joseph Khoury from his position as Chief Operating Officer and terminated him as an employee.On this news, Methode's stock price fell $2.27 per share, or 9.27%, to close at $22.13 per share on December 7, 2023.Then, on March 7, 2024, Methode announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, which ended on January 27, 2024. The Company reported third-quarter non-GAAP earnings per share of -$0.33, missing expectations by $0.41, and revenue of $259.5 million, missing expectations by $28.53 million. Citing several market and operational hurdles, Methode announced the suspension of its future financial guidance and advised that previous forecasts should no longer be considered reliable.On this news, Methode's stock price fell $6.55 per share, or 31.13%, to close at $14.49 per share on March 7, 2024.On May 7, 2024, Methode disclosed that on May 1, 2024, Chief Executive Officer Avi Avula "informed the Company's Board of Directors of his decision to resign, effective immediately." On this news, Methode's stock price fell $1.20 per share, or 9.55%, to close at $11.36 per share on May 7, 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 numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 15:17:04

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 643 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Schools earn grants as part of Made to Move Communities Global Student Challenge, sponsored by OtisFARMINGTON, CT / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Four student teams from around the world are regional winners in Otis'Made to Move Communitiesstudent challenge. In the fourth annual competition, students developed innovative mobility solutions aimed at expanding access to green space in urban communities to advance residents' wellbeing.Otis(NYSE: OTIS) is the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company.The global student challenge for 2023-24 included more than 240 students across 15 countries and territories. With the guidance of Otis volunteer mentors, students used design thinking to develop mobility solutions that would use cutting-edge technologies to help increase access to parks for people living with disabilities or from underserved areas of cities - improving residents' wellbeing, and shaping the future of urban communities. Teams then presented their STEM-based proposals to a panel of Otis judges who selected the winners and awarded financial grants to their respective schools to advance STEM programming and benefit even more students."In today's hurried and fast-paced environment, green spaces are more important than ever, serving as a necessary retreat and place for relaxation, recreation or social interaction," said Otis Chief Communications Officer Randi Tanguay. "I'm inspired by the next generation of engineers and innovators who are helping to identify and solve mobility challenges often experienced by those within their own communities and neighborhoods. At Otis, we're proud to do our part to support these students to think creatively while improving our world for the future." The winning teams' solutions are:Liceo Polivalente Rigoberto Fontt Izquierdo, Colina, Chile Created a comprehensive redevelopment plan for an underutilized open area outside of the city. The plan includes reforestation of the area and proposes a public-private funding model to provide convenient public transportation to access and enjoy its scenic areas.China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China Developed a concept for a smart, green elevator that would include visual, tactile, auditory and olfactory elements often found in outdoor spaces, bringing a "virtual" green space to those with limited access to such spaces.Lykeio Irakleiou Attikis, Athens, Greece Prototyped a smart cane designed to give sensory feedback to individuals with visual impairment to improve navigation of green spaces.Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School, Taiwan Designed a concept for a wearable detector embedded in eyeglasses that would pair with a smartphone to alert the user of nearby obstacles when traveling to and visiting green spaces.Since 2020, this annual global student competition has engaged hundreds of Otis colleagues as mentors to over 750 students, developing and presenting mobility solutions to some of society's most critical mobility challenges. The program is also driving progress toward three ofOtis' published ESG goalsimpacting 15,000 students globally through STEM and vocational training, directing 50% of giving to STEM programs and dedicating 500,000 colleague volunteer hours by 2030.To learn more about the Made to Move Communities Challenge, visitwww.otis.com/mtmc About OtisOtis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators, we move 2.3 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.3 million customer units worldwide - the industry's largest Service portfolio. You'll find us in the world's most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 71,000 people strong, including 42,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories. To learn more, visitwww.otis.comand follow us onLinkedIn ,InstagramandFacebook@OtisElevatorCo.Otis' Made to Move Communities student challenge winning teams.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Otis Worldwide Corporation on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: Otis Worldwide CorporationWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/otis-worldwide-corporationEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Otis Worldwide Corporation
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 15:45:39

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 517 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Mohammad S., Marketing, Taco Bell FoundationNORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Yum! BrandsTaco Bell blogApril was officially recognized as National Arab American Heritage Month in 2021, celebrating the heritage of Arab communities and their many contributions to society.To amplify this historic month, we'll be spotlighting Arab Americans within Taco Bell and their inspiring career and life journeys."My dad came to America from Egypt on a music tour as he was a professional violinist... [that's] where he immediately fell in love with the SoCal charm -- and that's how my family ended up in Los Angeles." Mohammad S. is a first-generation Egyptian who grew up in an Arabic speaking household within L.A county."I was that kid who brought lunch from home that smelled differently compared to other kids who had Lunchables." Although he was surrounded by a tight-knit community of Arab friends and family, it wasn't until his first visit to Egypt after college when he received a culture shock, placing him in between the two distinct worlds. This opened Mohammad's perception of the people around him as he realized that no matter the ethnicity, many second-generation Americans go through similar feelings, thus creating a shared experience."When I went to Egypt and met my extended family, I realized I wasn't Egyptian enough, but not completely American either - something I think a lot of us second - generation kids struggle with. At the same time, it's helped me appreciate my own culture and understand other people while embracing our differences knowing that everyone person has their own story and heritage." Today, Mohammad celebrates both the American and Arab cultures. One of his favorite events is Ramadan, a time of fasting and self-reflection that ends in a big celebration on Eid-Al-Fitr with food, music and familial traditions. This time is a great way to connect with others in the Arab community, but also share learnings with those looking to explore the Arab culture."We're in the middle of Ramadan with Eid around the corner, and I'm excited to eat my favorite Egyptian homecooked foods. Food is a great way to learn about my culture, as it's truly a love language. In particular, Egyptian food has influences from Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and vice versa, which is a fun crossover." April also marks Mohammad's 14-month work anniversary doing marketing for Taco Bell Foundation!"I love the fact that Taco Bell embraces differences and celebrates diversity in all forms. Seeing the impact the Taco Bell Foundation has on the community is truly inspiring." Looking to the future, Mohammad hopes to continue helping the local community and leave a positive impact on the people he meets, giving them a safe space to learn and grow."I hope to be remembered as a person who helped create a space of belonging in the world for others." View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Yum! Brands on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: Yum! BrandsWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/yum-brandsEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Yum! Brands
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 15:00:42

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 910 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

2025 Event Scheduled for April 16-17 back at the Music City CenterNASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / Last week, nearly 4,000 manufacturing professionals convened at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN to source products from 250 exhibiting companies at the 2nd annual ASSEMBLY Show SOUTH and the newly launched QUALITY Show SOUTH. The trade shows, produced by BNP Media's ASSEMBLY Magazine and Quality Magazine, featured hundreds of new products, dozens of educational sessions, and networking at several special events. Photos are available at this link."Our second year in Nashville proved to be amazing - the trade show floor was double the size from our 2023 event which included the addition of the Quality Show South, and our registration increased by 20%, these are all solid indications that Nashville is a great venue for this southern focused manufacturing event," said Bill DeYoe, Publisher, ASSEMBLY Magazine, producers of the event. "We thank our exhibitors, sponsors, attendees, partners, and speakers for supporting our initiative to support the booming Southeast Manufacturing market." The two events featured 250 leading vendors in the Exhibit Hall with working machinery and live demonstrations for attendees to interact with. Exhibitors for both The ASSEMBLY Show and QUALITY Show are excited to come back to Nashville with over 50% of exhibiting firms already committing to the 2025 event. Additionally, Adhesives in Action will be a new segment added for the 2025 event which will be produced by Adhesive & Sealants Magazine, serving the global adhesive and sealant formulator, manufacturer, and end user.Several awards winners were announced during the trade show. Quality Magazine presented The Quality Professional of the Year Award to Milt Krivokuca, Interim Program Coordinator, Master of Science Quality Assurance, California State University for the contributions he has made to the industry throughout his career. The magazine's editors also presented the Quality Plant of the Year Award to Rob Glassburn, VP of Operations for 3D Engineering for their world-class quality technology, equipment, services and techniques used to improve quality standards.In addition, John Sprovieri, Editor in Chief of ASSEMBLY Magazine announced the Best in Show Award winners. The program featured new products which were selected by the magazine editors. Attendees voted throughout the event and the following companies were announced the winners:1st place winner: MS Automation for their 3D Bin Picking for Automated Stud Welding.2nd place winner: Rivet King for their Rivet Tool for Robots3rd place winner: Rhino Tool House for their new technology the allows material to move itself.During the first day of the event five FIRST in TennesseeRobotics Teams, from across the state of Tennessee, demonstrated robots students designed, built and programmed as part of FIRST Inspires. High school students represented Team Flagship, Team Pioneers, Team Secret City Wildbots, Team SoKno Robo and Team HVA Robo Hawks.The event opened to a packed Keynote Address presented by, Leifje Dighton, Executive Director and Plant Manager of GE Appliance's Refrigerator Assembly Plant in Decatur, AL. Ms., Dighton discussed transforming productivity at GE appliances through AI highlighting personal effectiveness to manufacturing excellence to a packed room of engaged attendees.There were five pre-conference workshops; two were held in partnership with the Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (TMEP) focused on I4.0 and a Culture of Innovation and People Development Systems. The editors of ASSEMBLY Magazine offered two additional workshops on Automated Assembly and Bolted Joints. The Quality Show offered a fifth workshop on GD&T Fundamentals - Position Tolerances presented by Assurance Technologies (ATI). Following the workshops, attendees and exhibitors had the opportunity to network at the Welcome Reception.Over a dozen exhibitors demonstrated their company's expertise related to the latest technological advances in two Learning Theaters on the show floor. Subject matter experts shared their knowledge on automation, robotic precision, Industry 4.0, supply chain, scalability, industrial automation and a special workshop on Collaborative Robots technology in The ASSEMBLY Show Learning Theater. The Quality Show Learning Theater featured sessions on using data, the role of Kaizen, vision solutions, advanced 3D systems, ethics & NDT, process mapping, and educating the next generation of quality professionals.Attendees and exhibitors enjoyed two Networking Receptions including the opening night Welcome Reception and a reception in the Exhibit Hall sponsored by Atlas Copco. On Thursday morning Desoutter sponsored the Morning Mingle & Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall where additional connections were made.TheASSEMBLY Show South show floor featured Gold Sponsor Promess; Silver Sponsors Atlas Copco and Desoutter Industrial Tools; and Bronze Sponsors Schmidt Technology, UJIGAMI by Tutelar Technologies, and Weiss North America. TheQUALITY Show South show floor feature Gold Sponsor Deltek in addition to Hexagon, InnovMetric, FARO Technologies, 1factory, ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions and many others.In 2025The ASSEMBLY Show South, The Quality Show, and Adhesives in Action will be held Wednesday, April 16 and Thursday, April 17, 2025. All three events are produced by BNP Media ( www.bnpmedia.com) , one of the country's leading business-to-business media companies serving industry professionals across 60+ industries through magazines, custom media, e-newsletters, webinars, events and market research.The ASSEMBLY Show Southis sponsored by ASSEMBLY ( www.assemblymag.com) the leading brand covering the processes, technologies, and strategies for assembling discrete parts into finished products. The magazine also produces The ASSEMBLY Show scheduled for October 22-24, 2024, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.The QUALITY Show South is sponsored by Quality ( www.qualitymag.com) , the leading resource for manufacturing professionals focused on quality assurance and process improvement.# # #For Further Information, Contact:Amy Riemer, Media Relations Representative978-502-4895 (cell)amy@ riemercommunications.com SOURCE: Assembly Show South
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 01:10:15

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 711 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2024 / Volatus Aerospace Corp. (TSXV:VOL)(OTCQB:VLTTF) ("VOL" or the "Corporation") announces that the Ontario Securities Commission (the "OSC") has notified the Corporation that it has issued a failure-to-file cease trade (the "FFCTO") order against the Corporation under Multilateral Instrument 11-103 - Failure-to-File Cease Trade Orders in Multiple Jurisdictions. The FFCTO was issued as a result of the Corporation's delay in filing its annual financial statements, accompanying MD&A and CEO and CFO certifications for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Annual Financial Documents") beyond the regulatory deadline of April 29, 2024.In 2023, the Corporation transitioned its auditing services from a smaller audit firm to a larger Canadian audit firm as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, governance, and the overall quality of our financial reporting processes. During this process, the evaluation of some assets encountered complexities unforeseen by management of the Corporation. While such issues have been resolved, the internal processes of the Corporation's auditors to meet their internal quality controls could not be met in time to file the Annual Financial Documents on time. The Corporation continues to make every effort to file the Annual Financial Documents and expects to be a position to file the Annual Financial Documents in a matter of days.The FFCTO prohibits any trading, whether direct or indirect, in respect of all securities of the Corporation, including trades in the Corporation's common shares made through the TSX Venture Exchange, until such time as the Corporation is able to complete the filing of the Annual Financial Documents and successfully apply for a revocation of the FFCTO. If the Annual Financial Documents are filed within 90 days of the date of the FFCTO, such filings will constitute the Corporation's application to have the FFCTO revoked. There can be no assurance that the FFCTO will be revoked on the timeline contemplated by the Corporation. The Corporation will continue to engage with the OSC as necessary during this time and will provide further updates on the FFCTO and the filing of the Annual Financial Documents as and when appropriate.About Volatus Aerospace Corp.Volatus Aerospace Corp. is a leading international provider of aerial intelligence solutions, using drones and commercial aircraft. Volatus serves civil, public safety, and defense markets with imaging and inspection, security and surveillance, equipment sales and support, training, as well as R&D, design, and manufacturing. We are focused on introducing green and innovative drone solutions to supplement and replace traditional aircraft and helicopters for long-linear inspections such as pipeline, energy, rail, and cargo services. Volatus is committed to carbon neutrality; the fostering of a safe, equitable and inclusive workplace; and responsible governance.For further information, please visit our website at www.volatusaerospace.com or contact:Abhinav Singhvi, Chief Financial OfficerT. : (647) 877-5747E: Abhinav.singhvi@volatusaerospace.com Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Corporation's current expectations regarding future events, including but not limited to, statements regarding the estimated filing date of the Annual Financial Documents and the revocation of the FFCTO. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to the Corporation's ability to file the Annual Financial Documents, and the Corporation's ability to meet its financing and liquidity requirements on a continuing basis. The Corporation is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Corporation's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, but are not limited to, the risk that the Annual Financial Documents are filed later than anticipated, the risk that trading in the Corporation's securities may be halted for longer than expected and counterparty risk exposure. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date of this news release and is subject to change. The Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.SOURCE: Volatus Aerospace Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 17:33:24

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 580 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

CHISINAU, MOLDOVA / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 /May 3rd marks World Press Freedom Day, declared by the United Nations General Assembly to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression. The latter is secured and universally recognized by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Moldova is a prime example of a country which aims for European membership yet fails to comply with the internationally recognized right to freedom of expression. Since 2022, media freedoms in Moldova have been rapidly declining. The government banned the broadcasting rights of 6 oppositional TV channels. This pattern continued during 2023, with over 20 additional media outlets banned and hundreds of journalists prevented from carrying out their work.The restrictions on media coincided with the regional elections in Moldova with the ambition to silence oppositional press. This was criticized by the OSCE, who noted that: "Moldova's local elections were calm and efficiently managed with candidates mostly able to campaign freely, but the broad powers of the government commission for exceptional situations were used to restrict freedom of speech and association as well as the right to stand." The restraints on media as well as problems with the independence of the judiciary and state corruption were highlighted in a recent report by the U.S. State Department.In its annual Moldova Country Report on Human Rights, the U.S. State Department lists several violations relating to media restraints including:Serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media, including censorship and the enforcement of or threat to enforce criminal libel "laws" to limit expression. Serious restrictions on internet freedom. Substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association, including overly restrictive "laws" on the organization, funding, or operation of nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations.The report further highlights that, due to corruption and political influence compromising the judiciary's independence, journalists encounter barriers in their pursuit of truth and justice.The lack of equal application of the law undermines public trust and perpetuates a climate of uncertainty, hindering the media's role as a watchdog of democracy.On this World Press Freedom Day, Stop Media Ban reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending the fundamental right to freedom of the press.For this reason, Stop Media Ban is launching a petition addressing European institutions calling on the Government of Moldova to reverse hostile policies and recommit to defending press freedom as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of democracy.As an EU candidate, Moldova must implement actionable steps to protect the right of Moldovan citizens to their right to freedom of opinion. To safeguard journalists and media workers in their endeavors to execute their mission as the carriers of truth, Moldova must implement European Media Freedom Act as a pillar of its European Union membership.Stop Media Ban will submit the petition to European institutions following the new legislative term. It is our mission to ensure that the voices of journalists are heard, and that the truth continues to shine bright in Moldova and in every corner of the world.Stop Media Ban is dedicated to combating media repression and defending democracy and human rights. Established in Moldova following widespread media censorship, the organization advocates for effective media protection mechanisms both locally and internationally.For media inquiries or further information, please contact:Company Name: Stop Media Ban Contact Person: Ludmila BelcencovaMail:ludmila@ stopmediaban.orgCity & Country: Chisinau, Moldova Website: https://stopmediaban.org/ SOURCE: Stopmediaban
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-08 14:02:31

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 566 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

From bioterrorism to cybersecurity, RNA could help us confront serious threats to the nation.WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2024 / A group of renowned scientists today will be holding a Congressional Briefing on theHuman RNome Project , an ambitious plan to obtain the sequences of full-length RNA transcripts with all the modifications."RNA holds massive scientific potential," said Drew Weissman, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania whose work on mRNA technology led to the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines and earned him a share of the 2023 Nobel Prize in medicine. "This project could shed light on thousands of currently untreatable diseases -- and spur unprecedented breakthroughs in gene therapy and cancer treatments." Modeled on theHuman Genome Project , thenew effortaims to solve problems beyond the medical field -- from improving crop yields and combating plant disease to detecting RNA-based bioweapons. RNA even has the potential to store data and encrypt state secrets."If you encode it in DNA/RNA, all the digital data on earth could fit into a cup," said University of Illinois professor Olgica Milenkovic."During this briefing, we hope to communicate just how revolutionary RNA sequencing can be," said Dr. Vivian Cheung, one of the first scientists to debunk the notion that DNA and RNA are nearly identical. "This project aims to bolster sectors that many of our foreign competitors are heavily investing in. We can't afford not to pursue it." Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Cheung will deliver opening remarks at the launch of the project at the Hart Senate Office Building. Additional speakers will include:Drew Weissman, M.D., Ph.D. - University of Pennsylvania professor in vaccine research and co-winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine, who will give an overview of RNA and explain its medical potential.Olgica Milenkovic, Ph.D. - University of Illinois professor of electrical and computer engineering, who will share pioneering methods to use DNA and RNA as a data storage technique.Brian Gregory, Ph.D. - University of Pennsylvania professor of biology, who will explain how RNA can make plants more resilient against climate change.Ryan Morhard, J.D. - Senior director for policy and partnerships at Ginkgo Bioworks, who will explain RNA's implications for biotech and national security."For all of its promise, RNA is still not well understood. We need the government, the research community, and private industry to come together to sequence RNA and its modifications in order to enable these innovations," said Mukesh K. Jain, dean of medicine and biological sciences at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. "The purpose of today's event is to bring representatives from all of these groups together to better understand the urgency here." The Congressional Briefing is sponsored by The Warren Alpert Foundation, which co-sponsored the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine'srecent reportlaying out a roadmap for RNA sequencing, and Brown University.###About the Human RNome ProjectThe Human RNome Project seeks to obtain the sequences of full-length RNA transcripts with all the modifications. The technologies developed by the Human RNome Project will allow the direct sequencing of any RNA from any organism. The data and technologies will have a broad and deep impact on biology and manufacturing from data storage to therapeutics. To learn more, visithumanrnomeproject.org Media Contact: Isabel Wottowaisabel@ keybridge.biz(202) 990-1403SOURCE: Human RNome Project
The Corporate Affairs Commission on Monday mandated all Point of Sales (PoS) agents of major financial technology companies in Nigeria to register their businesses.

The Registrar-General of the CAC, Hussaini Magaji, disclosed this in a statement released by the commission, stating that it was agreed upon with the PoS operators during a meeting in Abuja.

He emphasised that the registration process aligns with both legal requirements and the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Mr Magaji clarified that the registration timeline was not intended to target specific groups or individuals but was genuinely aimed at safeguarding businesses.

Hussaini Magaji, therefore, said that the timeline for the registration, which will expire on July 7, 2024, was not targeted at any groups or individuals but genuinely aimed at providing protection for businesses, the statement said.

According to him, the action is supported by Section 863, Subsection 1 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA 2020, and the 2013 CBN guidelines on agent banking.

Tokoni Peter, the special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on ICT development and innovation, expressed willingness to facilitate the process smoothly in alignment with the Renewed Hope Initiative of the current administration.

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 statement also highlighted that several speakers from the fintech industry vowed to cooperate with the commission to ensure the directives seamless implementation.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The 10th Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) activities begin on Friday with the Cultural Day event. This event will formally kick off the series of activities preceding the Award Night on Saturday.

The award night will see the return of IK Osakioduwa as host and live performances by talented music stars.

The 10th AMVCA will see winners emerge from 25 categories comprising 16 non-voting, nine audience voting categories, and recipients of two recognition awards  Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer Awards.

One of the standout nominations this year is Breath of Life, nominated in 10 categories.

They include Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Writing in Movie: BB Sasore and Best Costume Design. Others are Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Sound Design, Best Art Direction and Best Movie.

Sponsored categories include the Best Lead Actor and Actress categories, sponsored by Verve and Quickteller, respectively; the Best Movie, Best Digital Content Creator, and Best Indigenous Africa Magic Originals categories, sponsored by Amstel Malta; and the Best Director category, sponsored by Martell. MTN sponsors the Best Short Movie category, and the Best in Cinematography category is sponsored by TECNO, while the Best Unscripted M-net original and Best Writing TV Series categories are sponsored by Indomie.

The Cultural Day event will feature musical performances and special cultural presentations.

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

Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice West Africa, expressed her excitement about the upcoming event, stating that the award ceremony has enjoyed immense growth and recognition since its inception in 2013.

The 10th edition of the AMVCA represents a significant milestone in our journey to celebrate African talent and creativity. This years edition celebrates a decade of excellence in African cinema and television. As we prepare to mark this momentous occasion, we look forward to honouring the incredible contributions of filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals who continue to inspire and entertain audiences across the continent and beyond.

The Award Night will air live on Saturday on all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, starting from 4 pm WAT.

The tenth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards is brought to you by Africa Magic in association with MultiChoice, with Amstel as the headline sponsor and tactical sponsors Pepsi, Promasidor and Martell.

Other sponsors include TECNO, Hypo, Supa Komando, Interswitch, Tiger Beer, MTN, Indomie, and Nivea.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


On 30 November and 17 December 2021, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled against the faction of the then Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in an internal crisis in the Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The crisis pitted Mr Ganduje against a group led by a former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau, who was at the time the senator for Kano Central District. The two factions had held parallel congresses and produced two sets of state executives on 18 October in their battle for the control of the party structures in Kano.

That crisis, among other factors, contrbuted to the defeat of the APC in the 2023 general election in the state, as many aggrieved members left for the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) and the People Democratic Party (PDP) where some of them contested and won seats in the general elections.

The chief beneficiary was the NNPP which won 26 out of 40 seats in the state House of Assembly, 17 out of the 24 seats of the state in the House of Representatives, and two out of its three senatorial seats. The party also won the governorship election, defeating Mr Gandujes anointed candidate.

Consequences of crisis haunting Ganduje

With the APC losing Kano, Mr Ganduje became vulnerable to political conspiracies by his political foes not only the NNPP and the PDP, but also in his own party in the state, after being picked as the National Chairman of the APC. Many in the party still hold him solely responsible for that haemorrhage that contributed to the APCs defeat in Kano. They accused him of imposing unpopular candidates, including his son, on the party and favouring for appointments and patronage politicians with little or no influene in their wards over popular ones. Many of such people are angry that Mr Ganduje was rewarded for his alleged damage to the party with the highest party position from where he will also continue to determine who gets what in the APC in Kano.

Still, it came as a suprise to even close observers of Kano politics when on 15 April, one Haladu Maigwanjo, who claimed to be the legal adviser of the APC in Ganduje Ward of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, announced the suspension of the APC national chairman from the party. Mr Maigwanjo said the suspension was to allow Mr Ganduje face the case of alleged corruption filed against him by the state government at the state high court.

An embarrassed state chairman of the party, Abdullahi Abbas, immediately dismissed the suspension as invalid, null and void. Those who called themselves the authentic leadership of the party in the ward also denounced Mr Magwanjo as an impostor and affirmed the continued membership of Mr Ganduje and their confidence in his leadership.

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

However, that did not deter another APC group in the same Ganduje Ward, led by one Jafar Ahmad, from, on 21 April, reiterating the suspension. The group said the punishment was for Mr Ganduje allegedly fomenting divisions in the party in the ward, which it said had brought the party to disrepute.

The ward party rebels were obviously acting out a script, judging by the antecedents of such dramas in the Nigerian Fourth Republic. At least on three previous occasions, suspension at the ward level had led to the removal of national chairmen of the two major political parties, including Adam Oshiomhole of the APC in 2020. The other two are Uche Secondus and Iyorchia Ayu of the PDP. In the three cases, the fall of the party chairmen was orchestrated by their state governors who were members of their parties. While Mr Ganduje has a fierce adversary in his state governor, Abba Yusuf, the two men are not of the same party. So who wrote the script for the kinsmen seeking to destool Mr Ganduje?

Gandujes Many Foes

Many APC members in Kano are not comfortable with Mr Ganduje managing the affairs of the APC at the national level. Many of the APC politicians in the state who won or lost in the 2023 elections have not risen to the defence of the national chairman in this drama.

Bashir Ahmad, a media aide to former Presidential Mujammadu Buhari, who lost in the 2023 APC primary election for Gaya, Albasu, Ajingi, Federal Constituency, said the plot against Mr Ganduje was hatched above the ward level.

Mr Ahmad had in several previous posts called for the salvage of the APC in Kano. Former Commissioner for Works under the Ganduje administration in Kano, Muazu Magaji, also asked Mr Ganduje to resign to allow dedicated party members and fresh blood to reposition the APC in the state and at the national level.

However, the APC state chairman, Mr Abbas, accused the NNPP-led state government of orchestrating the drama.

We have evidence of meetings between the State Government officials and those that suspended the National Chairman, and the state working committee has agreed to sanction them for six months and they stand suspended, Mr Abbas said.

Why are the governor, Abba Yusuf, and his political godfather, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who are both of the NNPP, after Mr Ganduje?

Kwankwaso and Ganduje

Last June, shortly after the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu, a speculation began to spread in Kano that the president had invited Mr Kwankwaso to join a Government of National Unity. Mr Tinubu allegedly made the offer when both men met in France and at a subsequent meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Mr Kwankwaso, in radio interviews, briefed his followers about the outcome of the meetings, indicating a cordial relationship with the president and the probability of a ministerial nomination from the NNPP.

In one of the interviews with the BBC Hausa Service after the meeting with the president in Abuja, Mr Kwankwaso said Mr Tinubu asked him to join his government but that they were yet to reach a final agreement.

The radio interview was greeted with mixed reactions. It certainly did not go down well with APC members in Kano, whom Mr Kwankwaso fought tooth and nail during the elections, even mocking their presidential candidate for his perceived poor health.

But Mr Kwankwasos grassroots supporters in the Kwankwasiyya movement think him joining Mr Tinubus government would be a great development as it would spite Mr Ganduje and erode his influence in Kano politics.

Even after the first ministerial list was released with the name of former Governor of Rivers State, Nyelson Wike, a member of the opposition PDP, on it but with that of Mr Kwankwaso missing, the Kwankwasiyyas believed that he would make the second list. In the end, Mr Kwankwaso was overlooked. His followers then said Mr Ganduje had blocked him out of fear of his alleged plan to return to the ruling APC.

Both men were bossom friends and close political associates before they turned to implacable foes. In June, Mr Ganduje said he would have slapped Mr Kwankwaso if they had met at the Presidential Villa when they visited the president separately.

I know he is in the building but we have not met. Probably if we met, maybe I would have slapped him, Mr Ganduje told State House correspondents. Some political observers said Mr Gandujes currebt ordeals with the court case against him and the attempt to throw him off the APC top chair is Mr Kwankwaso returning the imaginary slap.

Can Tinubu rescue Ganduje

Only President Tinubu, whom he stood for when several northern politicians and governors worked against him in the buildup to the 2023 general election, can save Mr Gabdujes head.

Their bond is believed to have began before the APC primaries. In March 2021, the then governor hosted Mr Tinubus 12th birthday colloquium in Kano. Mr Ganduje and former Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State were the first APC governors in Northern Nigeria to openly support Mr Tinunus presidential ambition and were instrumental in persuading their governor colleagues on power rotation to the south, which made it easier for Mr Tinubu to pick the APC ticket and become president.

Mr Ganduje has assured his supporters that the president is solidly behind him in the ongoing drama.

I met the President (Bola Tinubu) and I informed him what happened in Kano (the suspension) was fabricated and he understood it. He asked me to plead with you (supporters) and that their (Kano government) target to remove me as APC chairman will fail and I will remain as the chairman.

Let us inform the Kano State Government that the seat of APC chairman is in the hands of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and it will remain as such, Mr Ganduje told a group of APC members from Kano that was on a solidarity visit to him in Abuja.

The corruption trial of Mr Ganduje at the Kano court is still on, indicating his travails are far from over. But, will President Tinubu rally the party troops behind Mr Ganduje, the way President Buhari did not for Mr Oshiomhole in 2020?

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The House of Representatives says it will be taking appropriate action against cryptocurrency giant, Binance, over the latest bribery allegation against it.

The CEO of Binance, Richard Teng, in a post on Tuesday, stated that the House Committee on Financial Crimes, chaired by Ginger Onwusibe (LP, Abia), demanded money from representatives of Binance during a meeting at the National Assembly Complex in January.

As our employees were leaving the venue, they were approached by unknown persons who suggested to them to make a payment in settlement of the allegations, Mr Teng wrote.

According to Mr Teng, the meeting was chaired by Peter Akpanke, the Honourable Philip Agbese, and the Honourable Peter Aniekwe, as well as a clerk.

Upon resumption of plenary on Wednesday, a member, Kama NkemKanma raised an order of privilege, stating that the claim by Binance CEO is an attempt to embarrass the House.

In his submission, Mr Nkemkanma claimed that the House never had any encounter with Binance.

We have never invited this person before. This House has never had a meeting with this person before. And this person woke up one morning and decided to accuse this House of demanding a bribe from them. This House can never allow itself to be embarrassed or talked down on in any way, he said.

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

However, the claim by Mr Nkemkanma is false because PREMIUM TIMES reported that the House Committee had several interface with Binance.

In his ruling, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen also maintained the same false claim that the committee never had an interface with Binance.

READ ALSO: Binance CEO expresses concern over detention of top official by Nigerian govt

He, however, directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria, to use media available to us refute this allegation.

Nothing like that has ever happened. No committee of the House has ever engaged this man, Mr Tajudeen said.

Details later

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, has announced that it is withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, worldwide.

According to the multinational pharmaceutical company, the vaccine is being withdrawn because it can no longer compete with updated COVID-19 vaccines, which tackle the new variant of the infectious disease.

AstraZeneca, in a statement, maintained the vaccine was no longer being manufactured or supplied because it was superseded by the newly produced vaccines, according to a report by The New Telegraph on Tuesday.

The company has relinquished its marketing authorisation in the European Union and also intends to do the same in other countries in the coming months.

This means that Vaxzevria is no longer authorised to be marketed or sold in European Union countries and any other country where the vaccine was approved.

The European Medicines Agency announced the withdrawal on its website. The vaccines application withdrawal from the EU was made on March 5 and came into effect on Tuesday.

As multiple variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied. AstraZeneca has therefore taken the decision to initiate withdrawal of the marketing authorisations for Vaxzevria within Europe.

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 will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic, the company was quoted as saying.

Withdrawal unconnected to dangerous side effects

Three months ago, the multinational company admitted for the first time in court documents that its vaccine triggers rare and dangerous side effects.

The company confirmed that the vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS, an acronym for Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

The syndrome has been linked to at least 81 deaths in the UK as well as hundreds of serious injuries.

AstraZeneca, however, insisted its decision to withdraw the vaccine is not related to the court case or its admission.

It said the timing was pure coincidence.

The company said, We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria played in ending the global pandemic. According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone, and over three billion doses were supplied globally.

Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic.

Scrutiny, lawsuit against AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is being sued by a UK firm, Leigh Day, on behalf of 51 claimants, alleging injuries caused by Vaxzevria.

In 2021, Vaxzevria came under scrutiny due to reports of rare blood clotting cases, mostly in Europe.

This led to temporary suspensions of its use in several countries. Denmark was the first country to suspend the vaccine, and then Ireland, Thailand, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, Congo, and Bulgaria followed suit.

Twelve of the claimants in the lawsuit are representing a loved one who died following a complication allegedly caused by the vaccine, related to the blood clotting issue.

In court documents submitted to a UK court in February, AstraZeneca confirmed a rare side effect known as TTS.

According to reports, TTS is a rare, but serious condition associated with certain Covid-19 vaccines, particularly adenovirus vector vaccines like the AstraZeneca vaccine and Johnson & Johnsons Janssen vaccine.

It involves the formation of blood clots in combination with low platelet levels. Often, the blood clots occur in unusual locations, such as the brain or abdomen, along with low platelet counts.

Some of its symptoms are; severe headache, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, chest pain, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, and leg swelling.

However, in March, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a statement regarding safety signals associated with the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, indicating that it considered the benefits to outweigh the potential risks.

WHO recommended that vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine should continue.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Adams Oshiomhole, has said rainstorms destroyed the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State because it was constructed with mud over 100 years ago.

Mr Oshiomhole disclosed this on Tuesday after a closed meeting with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Some inmates escaped from the old Suleja Correctional Centre in Suleja after a rainstorm destroyed parts of the facility two weeks ago.

Mr Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, said the inmates escaped after a rainstorm wreaked havoc on the walls of the prison facility.

I know exactly that this particular prison was built in 1914. I think that was the year of amalgamation of Southern and Northern Nigeria for about 200 people. And they now have about 419 inmates. And some of these places were built with mud.

So, it was not a jailbreak. You had heavy rainfall, a storm, and then the wall fell, and then the roof, even if you were in your private house and it is raining, and you have a storm, and your roof is gone, and your walls come down, will you remain in the place?

He said some of the inmates have been re-arrested and that efforts are ongoing to arrest those on the run.

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

And so, naturally, people find an escape. The good news is that they have what it takes to retrack them. And they have already re-arrested some of them, and the effort is still ongoing to get the rest, he said.

The senator commended the minister and urged the federal government to pay attention to correctional centres across the country.

Mr Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, also lamented the congestion of correctional centres.

Meanwhile, Mr Tunji-Ojo told journalists that his office had briefed the lawmakers about the escape of inmates in the Suleja Correctional Centre.

ALSO READ: Inmates escape as rainstorm destroys Nigerian correctional centre

The minister said the situation was under control.

We spoke about the root cause of the matter. What happened. We spoke about what we are doing, which I wont be able to say here for security reasons. And we also discussed solutions in terms of making sure that this doesnt happen again.

And I can tell you, the federal government is in control of this; everything is under control. Mr President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is putting in everything through the Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Correctional Services, to make sure that there is no recurrence. We will have everythingonal centre that is safe for all inmates, the minister said.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has solicited the support of the Senate for an increase in funding for the ministry to enhance its capacity to carry out detailed exploration of the nations vast mineral deposits.

Speaking during the opening session of the investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Mr Alake identified the twin issues of poor funding for exploration and insecurity as the main challenges hampering the development of the mining sector whilst limiting its role as the pivot of diversification of the economy.

Mr Alake lamented the countrys low investment in mining exploration. $ 2.5 million was invested last year, citing figures from Standard & Poors report.

Standard & Poor, a global rating agency, had ranked Nigerias exploration budget 12th in Africa and placed Ivory Coast in the top position with $147 million.

When we compare the exploration budgets of other African countries with ours, it is depressing. According to Standard & Poor, as of 2023, Nigerias investment in exploration was 2.5 million dollars against $147 million in Ivory Coast and $133 million in Congo. In our determination to compete, we had proposed a budget of N70 billion to invest in exploration that would cover the entire Nigerian landscape. Going by the budget of the Year 2024, our capacity to move at our desired speed may be undermined. We need your support to fund exploration and kit our personnel to regulate the sector,  Mr Alake asserted.

Highlighting efforts to combat illegal mining, the minister informed the senators about the recently unveiled 2,220-man strong Mining Marshals, with 60 operatives deployed in each state of the federation and the FCT.

According to the minister, there are at least four categories of illegal miners: unlicensed miners, licensed miners mining outside their Cadastral Units, licensed miners mining minerals different from what they are authorised to mine and miners mining with licences exclusively restricted to Nigerians.

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 country loses over $9bn to illegal mining yearly, Mr Alake said.

Aside from the mining marshals representing the kinetic response to combat illegal mining, Mr Alake revealed ongoing advocacy through Artisanal and Small Miners (ASM) extension officers and the launch of a campaign on radio spanning at least 113 radio stations across the country that will not only discourage the menace but also urge artisanal miners to form cooperatives and enjoy benefits of legalisation.

At the last count, 152 cooperatives have already been formed across the country, in line with the Ministers 7-point Agenda.

In line with the new value addition policy of the Federal Government, Mr Alake hinted at the imminent establishment of six(6) more processing centres across the geo-political zones, stressing that efforts to effectively equip the mining marshal and other reforms of the ministry will require legislative backing for necessary statutes and improved funding.

Declaring the investigative hearing open, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, lauded the minister for personally attending the public hearing, noting that his presence indicated the commitment of the presidency to making solid minerals the fulcrum of diversification of the economy.

READ ALSO: Tinubu celebrates Dele Alake at 67

Mr Akpabio advocated concerted efforts by the executive and legislature to ensure resources frittered away through illegal mining and other nefarious activities are curtailed.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Ekong Sampson, in his remarks, stated that the 3-day investigative hearing is hinged on unravelling challenges hampering the development of the mining sector despite the vast mineral deposits across the country.

 We want to look at the challenges and see what we can do, together with the executive, to address these bottlenecks and ensure that solid minerals contribute substantially to our economy. Nigeria is blessed with vast mineral deposits. The time is now to harness these God-given resources for the benefit of all Nigerians, Sen. Sampson added.

*Segun Tomori*

Special Assistant on Media

Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


About 100 workers of Bali local government council, Taraba State, have cried out over the failure of the local government authorities to pay them salaries for four months.

The workers, in an open letter addressed to the state governor, Agbu Kefas, and the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, urged them to compel the council chairman, Aboki Dauda, to pay them the owed salaries immediately.

They accused the local government boss of withholding the salaries without justification, stating that they had been on the payroll of the local government for years.

They said the situation has put them in serious hardship.

The unjust treatment meted on us is unimaginable; we are passing through thorough hardship, coupled with the national economic problems and the one initiated by our local government council; it has not been easy for the past four months; our children cant return to their schools anymore, we cant attend to medication nor eat food.

In our collective resolve, we are requesting for the payment of our long overdue arrears.

We make this solemn Save Our Souls plea in utmost regard for your highly esteemed office and earnestly seek your speedy intervention in alleviating our plight within the shortest possible frame, they pleaded.

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 chairman of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the local government area, Abdulmumuni Isa, also confirmed the non-payment of the staff since January while speaking with journalists in Jalingo.

The NULGE chairman said it started after the local government council did a staff audit and verification in December.

The situation led to removal of some of the staff names from the bureau. As a result, it affected some of the genuine workers of the local government, Mr Isa said

The chairman of the local government, Mr Dauda, refused to comment on the development when contacted on the phone..

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Abubakar Dandare, a Registrar of the Upper Sharia Court in Gusau, Zamfara State, for alleged forgery and misappropriation of a dead mans N3.8 million.

The EFCC counsel, Peter Attah, told the court that Mr Dandare committed the offence on 4 December 2012.

He said the defendant while being entrusted with the N3.8 million retention fee paid by the Zamfara Ministry of Finance for the family of late Ladan Mada, dishonestly misappropriated the money.

The EFCC said that the offence of criminal breach of trust is contrary to section 311 of the Penal Code CAP 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963 and is punishable under section 312 of the same law.

Mr Attah also alleged that Mr Dandare forged the signature of Mr Mada on the Court Cash Deposit register of the court to intent the money.

The offence, the prosecution said, is contrary to section 363 of the penal code CAP 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963 and punishable under Section 364 of the same law.

The defence counsel, Bello Umar, observed that the laws in which the accused was arraigned before the court were all repealed following the passage of the Zamfara 2022 penal code.

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 prayed the court to dismiss the case.

The judge, Bello Shinkafi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum.

The judge also ordered the sureties to deposit two passport photos and their phone numbers with the court.

He adjourned the case until 6 June for further mention.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The police command in Anambra has refuted a story trending on social media and some national dailies that 21 soldiers were killed in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the denial is contained in a press release by Tochukwu Ikenga, the Anambra police spokesperson, and made available to journalists on Wednesday in Awka.

Mr Ikenga described the report as misleading, unfounded, and falsehood.

The Command wishes to state that the report is untrue, a product of fiction, and the handiwork of mischief makers.

The hospital mentioned in the report, where the corpses of the soldiers were allegedly kept, does not exist in Awka, the State Capital, he said.

He said that further inquiries by the command showed that there was no record of such an incident, labelling the story as deliberate acts by unscrupulous elements who desired to cause tension in the state.

Mr Ikenga warned that the command would not hesitate to invoke the relevant cyber laws on persons found wanting in this regard.

The command urged the public to disregard the report.

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

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


A Federal High Court in Onitsha, Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, has sentenced 41 internet fraudsters to one-year imprisonment each.

Trial and conviction

The 41 convicts were earlier arrested for their involvement in separate internet frauds, according to a statement by the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday.

The convicts, upon arraignment, pleaded guilty to one-count charge separately filed against them.

They were prosecuted by the EFCC.

Some of the 41 charges for the different convicts included obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, impersonation and aiding in committing an offence.

One of the separate charges reads: That you, Uwakwe Chikezie Raphael sometime in 2024 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated the identity of Everly Ruby, a female foreigner through a Google account, via your iphone X with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nationals and in order to gain advantage of yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act.

After the convicts pleaded guilty to the charges which were separately read to them, Ikechukwu Ani, counsel to the EFCC, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

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 judgement

Delivering judgement between Thursday and Friday, the court ruled that the convicts were guilty as charged.

However, defence counsels, Wisdom Ogbonna, Bernard Okeke, James Nwatarali and Arinze Anyigo, appealed to the court for leniency and to temper justice with mercy in sentencing their clients adding that they have shown enough remorse for their actions.

READ ALSO: EFCC arrests 14 suspected internet fraudsters in Makurdi

The court, presided over by Justices S. M. Shuaibu and Hauwa Inuwa, subsequently, sentenced the convicts to one-year imprisonment each with an option of fine of N100,000.

The justices also ordered that the convicts should be involved in community service in line with Section 462 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

They further ordered that items recovered from convicts, which include mobile phones and laptops, should be auctioned through the EFCC and proceeds paid into the federal governments Treasury Single Account.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Police in Edo State, South-south Nigeria have arrested a native doctor over his alleged involvement in the killing of a 200-level student of Delta State University, Agbor, Delta State.

In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, the police said the native doctor, Chukwuyem Jonah, 26, mobilised two other suspects to go after the deceased at a farm and kidnap her to enable them to get ransom from her rich father.

Mr Jonah had promised the two other suspects Godspower Chukwuedo, 23, and Christopher Nwachukwu, 22 the sum of N30, 000 after executing the kidnap.

The deceased, Faith Omodon, had gone to the farm in Ewohon/Uwemen communities in Edo State on 1 April, where she was strangled to death for resisting her kidnap.

The late student, according to the police, was declared wanted after she failed to return from the farm which she had gone to using a motorcycle.

The deceased father reported the matter to the police, prompting the initial investigation by the Abudu Division before it was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Benin City.

The State CID operatives, while collaborating with a Vigilantes group, arrested the two suspects, Mr Chukwuedo, 23, and Mr Nwachukwu, 22, the police said.

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 suspects confessed that they were resisted by Faith Omodon, and in the process they strangulated her to death, the police said, adding that investigations are on to recover the corpse of the deceased and arraign the suspects in court.

Three oil palm workers killed by gunmen

In another development, three staff members of Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC were on Monday killed by gunmen while working in their plantation in Edo State, Punch newspaper reported.

The police spokesperson in the state, Fidelis Olise, who confirmed the incident to the newspaper, said the killing was carried out by unknown persons.

The Commissioner of Police in the State, Funsho Adegboye, described the killing as shocking. He said the police findings revealed that the gunmen came from the creek in a neighbouring state. He however declined to mention the said state.

More men have been deployed to the area to forestall a repeat, while the police, in conjunction with the Okomu Oil, are working to ensure that the culprits are arrested, the commissioner said.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Kano State students at the Federal University Dutse in neighboring Jigawa State, on Wednesday, held a protest over the failure of the Kano State government to pay their tuition fees.

The students, who are members of the National Association of Kano State Students (NAKSS), said over 3,000 of them at the university have not paid the fees.

During the protest at the Government House in Kano, the students urged the state government to redeem its promise to help them pay the fees to enable them sit the first-semester examination.

The leaders of NAKSS in the school told reporters that Kano indigenes studying at FUD were allowed to sit the second-semester examination for the last academic session after the state government reached an agreement with the university to pay 60 per cent of the total amount.

But the leader of the students union government at FUD, Umar Korau, said the government is yet to make the payment, about eight months later.

Mr Korau said over 3,000 students could not pay for themselves, which was why they asked the government to assist them.

The students complained that the university authorities demanded payment of the fees before allowing the students to sit the first-semester examination.

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 university last year in January announced a 200 per cent increase in tuition fees.

This raised tuition fees from N30,000 and N40,000 to a minimum of N100,000

During the peaceful protest on Wednesday, the placard-bearing students reminded the Kano State government of their plight. They said many of them would drop out of school if they were not allowed to take their examinations because of the fees.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Shehu Sagagi, who received the protesting students, said their message would be delivered to the governor.

However, the students refused to leave the Government House gate as of 6:30 p.m. as they insisted on seeing the governor, Abba Yusuf.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Police Command in Ogun State said it has killed two suspected kidnappers terrorising travellers on the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode-Benin expressway in a gun duel.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday, in Abeokuta, by Omolola Odutola, the commands spokesperson.

Ms Odutola, a suprintendent of police, said that the suspects were killed during a rescue operation carried out by personnel of the command to rescue some abducted Indian nationals.

She disclosed that the police, during the operations and with the support of the local vigilantes, were able to rescue the Indian nationals.

Ms Odutola gave the names of the Indians as Tejaram Chauhan, Kaduwal Pradhan and Medani Kathiwada, adding that they were abducted on Friday.

She also said that cash amounting to N7.9 million and 1,500 Indian Rupees suspected to have been part of the ransom collected by the kidnappers was recovered.

Ms Odutola explained that the Manager of Breeze Company Nigeria Limited located on the Ibadan-Lagos expressway had on Saturday made a distress call to the Divisional Police Officer, Mowe Divisional Headquarters.

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

She said the distress call was to alert the DPO that a gang of kidnappers the previous day had opened fire on two vehicles conveying his principals at Kajola junction, along Sagamu -Siun- Abeokuta expressway.

According to her, the manager said that the police escort attached to the first vehicle marked FST 686 YH exchanged fire with the kidnappers and managed to escape with all the occupants in the vehicle.

Ms Odutola said, Three Indian nationals inside the second bus without police escort were all kidnapped to an unknown destination.

The anti-kidnapping section of the command in concert with police formations in the axis with other local security agents swung into action by combing the area.

The policemen engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle in the forest along Benin-Sagamu Papalanto and succeeded in the rescue of the victims unhurt.

In the course of the encounter, two of the six kidnappers were demobilised. Two AK-47 rifles, one single barrel locally made gun, one sword, cell phone , criminal charms and 65 rounds of ammunition were recovered.

The two demobilised suspects have been deposited at the public mortuary, while intensive efforts are ongoing to arrest the four fleeing members of the gang.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Senate has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate factors impeding the completion of the Abuja Centenary City project after 10 years.

The Senate resolution followed the adoption of a motion at the plenary on Tuesday.

The motion titled  Urgent need to revive and complete the stalled Centenary City Project Abuja to realise its economic and development potential was sponsored by Yisa, Oyelola (APC- Kwara South)

Mr Oyelola in his lead debate said the Abuja centenary economic city project commenced in 2014 through a public-private partnership to develop a modern city in the mould of Dubai.

He said the project was earlier designed to commemorate the 100 years of Nigerias amalgamation celebration.

According to him, the original vision for the project was for it to serve as a potential economic hub with plans to create over 150,000 construction jobs.

Mr Oyelola said the project was also designed to create 250,000 permanent well-paying Jobs, residential accommodation for over 200, 000 residents, and facilities to attract over 500,000 daily visitors.

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 said the original estimated investment for the project stood at $18.5 billion as of 2014.

According to him, the centenary city was also designated as a free trade zone under the regulatory oversight of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), without prejudice to other statutory agencies like the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja Investment Company (AIC) and Abuja Infrastructure Investment Centre (AIIC).

He expressed concern that the project has been stalled for almost 10 years since its commencement.

He expressed worry that the project had recorded developmental estimates of less than seven per cent of road construction and other critical infrastructure.

This, he said was contained in the independent investigation assessment of Nov. 2023.

The Kwara senator said the report fell drastically short of expectations of the original vision of the projects conception.

He said reviving and completing the project would have great benefits for Nigeria, including job creation, and increasing Nigerias profile as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment, tourism and overall national development.

Isa Jubril,(APC-Kogi) in his contribution said that there was a need for the federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Finance to look out for investment bankers to take over the completion of the project.

Ali Ndume (APC-Borno) said it would be cheering news and a good report if the senate could facilitate the completion of the project, given the several uncompleted estates in the FCT.

The Senate in its further resolution specifically tasked the committee to review the original public-private partnership agreement and recommend amendments if necessary.

This, it said was to facilitate smooth and expeditious completion of the project within the defined timeframe.

It also urged the federal government to prioritise the revival of the Abuja centenary city project by providing appropriate support and resolving regulatory issues.

It urged the government to address any other impediments, given its beneficial potential to the economy and people of Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ad hoc committee has the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jubrin as chairman.

Other members of the committee include Solomon Adeola, Titus Zam, and Aminu Tambuwal, among others.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, urged the committee to turn in a report of the investigation in four weeks.

NAN reports that Centenary City in Abuja is a private sector-driven project that was launched to mark the 100th anniversary of Nigeria by 1 January 2014.

The ambitious project is expected to cost $18 billion ( N2.4tr) and take 10  15 years to complete.

It was to be built to model global smart cities like Dubai, Monaco and Singapore.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the circumstances that led to the escape from custody of the Head of Binance Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla.

The resolution was taken by the lawmakers at plenary on Wednesday.

Mr Anjarwalla, 38, escaped on 22 March from an Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were detained after guards on duty led him to a nearby mosque for prayers in the spirit of the Ramadan fast.

The resolution to embark on the probe was a sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by Dominic Okafor on Wednesday during plenary.

This probe is coming Less than 24 hours after Binance CEO Richard Teng accused some lawmakers of demanding bribes from his employees during a meeting in January.

The House directed its relevant committees to probe the escape.

The motion

Moving the motion, Mr Okafor described the escape of the Binance executive as an embarrassing breach of security that warrants a thorough investigation.

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 also faulted the arrangement of holding the two executives at a hotel without adequate security arrangements.

Persons suspected to have committed such atrocious crimes against the state of Nigeria with already over-burdened security challenges were kept in a guest house in Abuja instead of lawful custody of the Department of State Service or any Other approved custodial facility, Mr Okafor said.

He added: The escape of the Binance executive from the office of the National Security Adviser using a smuggled passport is, to say the least, most disappointing, embarrassing and disturbing as it portrays the porosity of the security architecture of the country to the world.

After the motion was adopted, the House resolved that relevant committees of the House should conduct the investigation.

When the motion was put to vote by the presiding officer, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the lawmakers voted in support of it.

The committees are to report progress to the House within four weeks.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Enugu House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed the Public Ranch Bill to regulate the operation of herders in Enugu State.

The bill empowers the Enugu State Government to set up an agency to regulate both government and privately owned ranches in the state.

The latest development comes days after suspected herders invaded Nimbo, a community in the same Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, killing at least four people.

Lawmakers hail bill

Speaking during the passage of the bill, the member representing Igbo-Eze North Constituency II, Clifford Obe, argued that the legislation would end the recurring farmers-herders crisis in the state.

Mr Obe said the farmers-herders crisis was responsible for the low agricultural output in markets across the state.

He argued that many farmers have been driven out of their farms, resulting in increase in crime and rural-urban migration

The bill will help people not to be afraid. It will make it a must for herders to register whenever they enter any community. It will reduce crime and how cattle mess up our city and rural communities because there would be an agency on the ground to guide the herders.

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

Above all, the state government would be able to collect tax from the herders, who before now didnt pay any tax, Mr Obe stated.

Also speaking, Okechukwu Aneke, who represents Udi South Constituency, suggested that the legislation was not targeted at the Fulani ethnic group given that they are not the only people involved in herding cattle.

Mr Aneke urged residents of Enugu State to learn how to coexist with Fulani herders because they would not be chased out of the state.

The lawmaker stressed that the bill seeks to control the operations of herders, arguing that those invading and attacking communities in the state are not real herders.

This agency, when established, will have a designated area where the cattle and their herders will be stationed. Herder who, who is found in our bush and not in the designated place should be treated as an intruder and a kidnapper, he said.

Another lawmaker, Chima Obieze, regretted that people were condemning the bill out of ignorance, saying the bill should not frighten anyone.

Mr Obieze, who represents Ezeagu State Constituency, asked residents of the state not to discourage people from other parts of the country from coming into Enugu State to do business.

He said the assembly was not opposed to herders coming into the state but that the bill provides that they must operate by extant laws.

On his part, Harrison Ogara, who represents Igbo-Eze South State Constituency, said the bill would guarantee peace between farmers and herders.

Mr Ogara, however, asked the state government to be strategic in the implementation of the bill.

In his remark, the Speaker of the House, Uche Ugwu, assured residents of the state that the assembly would not pass any bill capable of truncating the peace in the state.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Jigawa State Government has keyed into the multi-billion naira African Development Bank (AfDB) Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) Programme targetted at improving the livelihood of citizens.

The state governor, Umar Namadi, who received the AfDBs team at the Government House in Dutse, the state capital, on Wednesday, said Jigawa wants to benefit from the livelihood-improving programme.

We are committed to the projects because it has a lot of benefits for the people. Jigawa is a rural state with a projected population of about 7.5 million people, and about 35 per cent of the population is youth. The project will provide an avenue to engage a significant number of people so that they will have a means of livelihood.

The SAPZs is a good programme, so we decided to key into it. We are fully ready to key in, and the government is fully committed to giving all the necessary support.

We have an industrial cluster in the Gagarara area where we have a 24-hour power supply, the infrastructures are ready, we are doing the industrial cluster in collaboration with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) that shows the involvement of the private sector, Mr Namadi said.

Earlier, the AfDBs team leader, Monde Nyambe, said the relationship between Jigawa and the Bank started three years ago, and the Bank is delighted to see that Jigawa is ready to join the second phase of the programme.

The project is about processors, producers and distributors so that they could be of value addition to what is being produced in the state.

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 will reduce post-harvest losses and create jobs for youth. This is an opportunity for the youths to be employed. We hope that the loan will be approved by the end of the year and the implementation will start by early 2025, Mrs Nyambe said.

Also, the AfDBs co-task manager of the SAPZ, Bashir Ibrahim, said the visit to Jigawa was for a preparation mission to assess the readiness of the state to participate in the second phase of the Programme.

He said the team will also look at the value chain commodities the state wants to promote and the presence of the private sector.

The presence of the private sector in the state is key to sustainable implementation of the SAPZ programme, Mr Bashir said.

The SAPZ Programms goal is to increase household incomes, foster job creation in rural agricultural communities, for youth and women, and enhance food and nutritional security in Nigeria.

The development objective is also to support inclusive and sustainable agro-industrial development. The SAPZ Programme interventions seek to enhance the competitiveness of selected value chains.

This will be achieved through increased productivity, aggregation and reliable supply of quality raw materials, value addition, market access and private sector investment.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, on Thursday.

Mr Sirika, a minister in the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari, would be arraigned on a six-count amended charge.

He will be arraigned alongside three others, including his daughter, Fatima; Jalal Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd, for abuse of office to the tune of N2.7 billion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as part of EFCC investigations into the financial malfeasance allegedly committed by the former minister, including fraudulent contracts awarded by the ministry under his watch, had on April 23 detained him in Abuja.

Mr Sirika was invited by the Abuja Zonal Command of the commission on the alleged contract malfeasance and was promptly interrogated and detained at Formella Street, Wuse 2 Zonal office of the Commission.

The former minister (Sirika) was invited for questioning by investigators handling the alleged contract frauds under his watch in the ministry. He honoured the invitation and has been detained as I am talking with you, a source in the EFCC who asked not to be named told NAN.

The source also said that EFCC had been investigating the alleged contract frauds while the minister was in office, and he had even met with investigators before he was detained.

NAN reports that the arraignment was earlier slated to be held on Tuesday but due to EFCC prayer to amend the charge, a new date was given.

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

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The management of First News, an online newspaper, has retracted a story of a purported $30 billion fraud story allegedly involving President Bola Tinubus Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The newspaper published a retraction of the story with apology on its website on Wednesday.

The controversial news story, authored by the newspapers editor, Segun Olatunji,

was published on 29 January.

It was published with the title, How Gbajabiamila attempted to corner $30bn, 66 houses traced to Sabiu.

But retracting the article on Wednesday, the First News management admitted that it found out that the publication about Mr Gbajabiamila contained falsehoods and fabricated stories handed out to us as facts by a misleading source which was highly negligent on our part and for which we deeply tender an unreserved apology to the Chief of Staff to the President.

The media outlet further said it has no malicious intent towards Mr Gbajabiamila

Hence, our decision to tender an unreserved apology and the need to publish a retraction of the said story, it added.

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

Gbajabiamilas threat to sue

First News apology came days after Mr Gbajabiamilas lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, wrote the outlet demanding apology over the defamatory publication against his client.

In the letter dated 3 May and addressed to Mr Olatunji, Mr Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), demanded First News apologises within seven days of the receipt of the letter. The letter of demand for retraction was published by the law firm in the 7 May (Tuesday) publication of ThisDay newspaper.

The lawyer added that the retraction must be published in two Nigerian dailies, and the apology letter circulated on the same media platforms on which the disputed article was published.

Mr Pinheiro threatened that should First News fail to comply with his clients demands, a defamation suit would be instituted against the newspaper.

Background

As a fallout of the defamatory article against Mr Gbajabiamila, Mr Olatunji said he was seized from his home in Lagos on 15 March and flown to Abuja by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

Mr Olatunji was detained for 14 days. He was only released following persistent demands by the International Press Institute (IPI), the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Nigeria Union of Journalists and other civil society groups.

His arrest and manhandling drew outrage within the human rights community in Nigeria.

In the defamatory article, Mr Gbajabiamila was portrayed as re-looting funds and landed properties allegedly recovered from Tunde Sabiu, an aide and relative to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

First News says it has now determined that the claims about the Chief of Staff were fabricated.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The chairpersons of local government areas in Rivers State have accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of withholding the statutory allocations meant for the 23 council areas in the state.

The chairperson, under the aegis of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers State Chapter, stated this through its chairperson, Allwell Ihunda, at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Vanguard newspaper reported.

Mr Ihunda, who is the chairperson of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said the governor has withheld local councils allocations since April.

The State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson did not respond to requests for comment on the allegation when contacted on Wednesday.

The ALGON chairperson said Mr Fubara deliberately refused to hold a meeting of the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), which he said was a prerequisite for the release of statutory allocations to local government councils in the state.

It has also come to our notice that the Governor of Rivers State held a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Heads of Personnel Management (HPM), Treasurers of Local Governments and other Directors on Monday in Government House Port Harcourt where he directed them to go and compile for presentation to him of the salary vouchers, Mr Ihunda said.

According to him, the meeting excluded Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Councilors and other political office holders for the various Local Governments with a view to unlawfully dipping his hands into Local Government funds to pay staff salaries directly without the involvement of the democratically elected Local Government Chairmen.

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 Ihunda described Mr Fubaras action as a violation of the Nigerian constitution and called on the Rivers House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor.

Loyalty to Wike

Majority of council chairpersons in the state are loyal to the immediate-past governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, under whose tenure they were elected in 2021.

Mr Wike, now minister of the FCT, also played a pivotal role in the emergence of Mr Fubara as governor of the oil-rich state, but the duo later fell out as a result of the battle for the control of the political structure and governance in the state.

The feud between the two former allies had deteriorated steadily, prompting the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who brokered a peace deal between them after seats of 27 pro-Wike lawmakers were declared vacant following their defection to the APC.

Following the peace deal brokered by President Tinubu, Governor Fubara was asked to allow the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers to return and conduct legislative businesses with their rights and privileges restored.

The tenure of the present council chairpersons in the state will expire in June after serving a three-year tenure, but the state lawmakers had amended the local government administration law and stripped Governor Fubara of the power to appoint a caretaker committee when the tenure of the current council chairmen ends in June.

In the amended law which the lawmakers overrode Mr Fubaras veto, the pro-Wike lawmakers granted six months extension to the current council chairperson, if Mr Fubara fails to conduct local government election before the end of their tenure in June.

Addressing reporters on Tuesday, the Legal Adviser of ALGON in Rivers, who is also the chairperson of Andoni local council, Irastus Awoto said council chairpersons will not vacate office after their tenure expires next month.

We got elected in 2021 and our tenure is to expire in June. But by now local government elections ought to have been concluded and the winners awaiting swearing in, Mr Awoto said.

He said the state assembly extended the tenure of the local council chairpersons for six months to avoid a vacuum.

As a matter of fact, in respect of this too we went to court, because the state government has not shown any intention as regards local government elections. What we are seeing is associates of the governor making comments that on 17 and 18 of June they are going to invade local government offices and they will bring everybody down. This is an invitation to anarchy.

We as local government chairmen are going to remain in office because the law as amended by the Rivers State House of Assembly says so. That law has given us an additional six month and we will remain in office, Mr Awoto said.

Mr Fubara recently said that Rivers has no House of Assembly.

Let me say it here, those group of men who claim that they are assembly members, they are not existing. I want it to be on record, Mr Fubara said.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Instead of intimidation and harassment, the rule of law should be reinforced in all ramifications and not applied selectively. The ongoing media trial of the APC chairman can detract from public trust and confidence in our polity. A media trial without due process is sensationalism without the force of law.

This is not the best of time for the embattled APC chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. It is also not the right time to be in opposition in a place like Kano State. We know politics is an endless cut-throat battle, but the intrigues and volatility of Kano politics is something else. However, ever since the two former governors of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Ganduje parted way and started their political roforofo, Kano has never been the same. Everything around and about them are politicised and twisted to fit certain narratives. Ganduje was recently suspended from his ward, and it was affirmed by a Kano high court.

When the New Nigeria Peoples Partys (NNPP) Abba Yusuf came in newly, he started by demolishing Gandujes legacies, literally, despite millions of naira of taxpayers funds sunk into those public projects. As if this was not bad enough, the Ganduje family was also embroiled in litigations with the Kano State government, after the latter dragged the family to court over corruption related issues. For the first time in this republic, which began in 1999, a state governor took his predecessor, his wife and son to court over the misappropriation of public funds.

Good enough that we should fight corruption to a standstill, but the Kano State case is perceived as vendetta and a fall-out of the Ganduje-Kwankwaso feud. While the Kano battle front is still raging, an application at the FCT High Court of Justice has joined the fray in dragging the APC chairman to court for illegal stay in office. Some disgruntled members of the party who initiated the legal action based their grouse on a zonal arrangement agreed to at their 2022 national convention that ceded the national chairmanship position to the North-Central. Ganduje is from the North-West.

Although the rivalry between Dr Ganduje and his erstwhile political benefactor, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso spilled over to the last election won by Kwankwasos NNPP, the witch-hunt by Governor Abba Yusuf targeting Ganduje and anything and everybody around him has continued unabated. Now, there are allegations that the government is not just undermining Ganduje but sponsoring some of these cases again him. Despite the potshots thrown at him, Ganduje has remained unfazed, and his wife has ignored threats from the state government to drag her to the mud or court of public opinion despite the embarrassment caused her.

In Gandujes travails, some people have even fingered forces within the presidency as catalysing the groundswell of opposition against the chairman. This may seem unfathomable, but because everything is game in politics, I dare not disagree. The presidency should prove its innocence

Not withstanding their stoic determination to fight back, all these do not augur well for opposition politics, which is the live-wire of civilian-democratic government. Kano State is a good example of how not to lose an election and transition into the opposition, because of its volatility and uncertainty. Being in the opposition is not a death sentence, but in Kano it is an offence. With their political rivalry taken to a malicious height, the Kwankwaso-Ganduje political differences are setting the stage for bigger conflicts in the struggle for power in the entire country.

These court cases should not be taken lightly, no matter how flimsy. When the legal fireworks begin proper, Gandujes chance of survival may be affected, if you take into cognisance the genesis of Adams Oshiomholes removal as former chairman of the APC. There must be a political solution as a way out of the logjam. The APC leadership needs to work hard to avoid an impending implosion which can affect the partys stability. If they continue to allow aggrieved members to join external forces in their self-annihilating efforts to cut short Gandujes tenure without recourse to internal resolution mechanisms, they will all be done in.

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

In Gandujes travails, some people have even fingered forces within the presidency as catalysing the groundswell of opposition against the chairman. This may seem unfathomable, but because everything is game in politics, I dare not disagree. The presidency should prove its innocence; it should shield, protect, defend and, above all, ensure that Ganduje stays. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, known as a master of the art of politics, should know what to do at this material time.

This is a clarion call on the president to reward loyalty, and not use and dump as it is being perceived in some quarters. Since the PDP days, when President Obasanjo was declared as the leader of the party that brought him to power, and governors do the same at the state level, no chairman has been removed without the presidents consent. As a matter of fact, once a party chairman falls out of favour with the president, he is a goner. If in doubt, ask Audu Ogbe, Barnabas Gemade and even John Odige of APC. This is contrary to the Second Republic when party supremacy was respected, and the presidents power was subsumed under the chairmans at the party level. The bastardisation of the position of party leadership has sadly now permeated all the political parties in the country. The president should therefore play his fatherly role and douse the tensions threatening his hand-picked chairman and his party, APC.

As if attacks on Ganduje are not enough, dragging his wife, Dr Hafsat Umar into party conflict is insensitive. Again, this ugly dimension to Kano politics is unprecedented and unnecessary, except there is concrete evidence against her. Hafsat Umar Ganduje is an accomplished educationist, academic and administrator of many years standing.

As if attacks on Ganduje are not enough, dragging his wife, Dr Hafsat Umar into party conflict is insensitive. Again, this ugly dimension to Kano politics is unprecedented and unnecessary, except there is concrete evidence against her. Hafsat Umar Ganduje is an accomplished educationist, academic and administrator of many years standing. With or without her husbands foray into politics, she is a woman you can classify as having shattered the glass ceiling and a model who inspires young women out there. I think she should be treated with respect.

This, by no means, does not imply that corruption should be swept under the carpet. We all want corruption eliminated from public service, but when the anti-corruption war is tainted with politics, it becomes questionable. Instead of intimidation and harassment, the rule of law should be reinforced in all ramifications and not applied selectively. The ongoing media trial of the APC chairman can detract from public trust and confidence in our polity. A media trial without due process is sensationalism without the force of law.

Already there are many conflicting cases in court. The judicial process should be allowed to take its course no matter how long it takes instead of resorting to self-help in the form of sponsored protests and open and verbal assaults on a man in charge of a governing party at the centre and in 20 states of the federation.

Zainab Suleiman Okino is a syndicated columnist and can be reached through: zainabokino@gmail.com

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The police in Rivers State, South-south Nigeria, have arrested members of a gang allegedly specialised in kidnapping and raping young women in the state.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in the state, told reporters in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the gang kidnapped and molested one Ogechi, 28, in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area on 1 July, 2023.

How they were arrested

She said the police had been tracking the gang, resulting in the arrest of a 32-year-old resident of Igoni Street, Abuloma, linked to the crime.

Investigations revealed that Louise Brutolu engaged his victims through phone chats, inviting them to meet him at Pacific Suite Hotel in Abuloma, Rivers.

After booking a room, the suspect drugs his victims, rendering them unconscious before disposing them of their valuables.

In Ogechis case, the suspect took her iPhone, N28,000 and ATM card, she explained.

Ms Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of police, stated that the police anti-kidnapping unit swung into action to capture Brutolu after the incident was 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

Operatives recovered the substances used by the suspect to incapacitate his victims before disposing them of their valuables.

During interrogation, Brutolu identified the gang leader, who was subsequently arrested after several months of persistent investigation.

Various items belonging to different victims, such as 21 mobile phones, three female handbags, and receipt booklets, were found in possession of the gang leader, she added.

Ms Iringe-Koko, who declined to disclose the gang leaders identity, mentioned that the suspects had previously faced charges for similar offences in 2021.

Another arrest

Similarly, the police spokesperson announced the arrest of one Jemifor Timi, 28, for his alleged involvement in several rape cases of young women in the state.

Timi specialises in enticing women and Bolt and Uber drivers through social media platforms like Instagram, Tinder, and Badoo.

After selecting victims who flaunt expensive phones on social media, the suspect invites them to his hotel rooms and offers them drinks.

Following the consumption of drinks spiked with tramadol, Timi proceeds to rape and rob them of their belongings, Ms Iringe-Koko disclosed.

The police spokesperson emphasised that the suspect had been engaged in these crimes for three years and had been previously arrested and charged twice.

She urged residents, particularly young women, to be cautious of kidnappers and rapists who exploit popular messaging platforms to lure victims.

Personal safety should be a priority, with individuals insisting on meeting strangers in public places and informing family and friends about their whereabouts, she advised.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Two hundred and fifty-two students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State have bagged first-class degrees in various disciplines of the university.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Charles Igwe, disclosed this during a press briefing on Tuesday as part of the activities to mark the institutions 52nd convocation ceremony.

Mr Igwe, a professor, said 12,526 students will be awarded bachelors degrees at the convocation ceremony billed to be held on Friday in the Nsukka Campus of the institution.

The vice-chancellor said that 4,834 students will be conferred with second-class upper degrees, 5883 will receive second-class lower degrees, 747 students will earn third-class degrees, and 25 will receive a pass.

He added that 746 students will be conferred with unclassified degrees, pointing out that the total of 12,526 graduates represents an increase of 1,082 students compared to the number of students who graduated at the 51st conference of the university.

The unclassified degrees are awarded to graduates of some courses, such as medicine, pharmacy and veterinary medicine, which are not usually classified into first, second, or third classes, he said.

Mr Igwe also said a total of 1,438 post-graduate degrees and diplomas of the university will be awarded to graduates the following day, on Saturday.

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

412 persons will earn the doctorate, while 961 will be awarded the masters degrees.

A total of 75 postgraduate diplomas of the university will also be awarded at the convocation, he said.

Uzodinma to deliver convocation lecture

Mr Igwe announced that Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State will deliver the convocation lecture on Thursday at the Nsukka Campus of the university.

The vice-chancellor said Mr Uzodinma will speak on Why Nigerian universities should lead the way to a new country.

He said the lecture will be chaired by a former military governor of old Imo State and former Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ike Nwachukwu, a retired army general.

Emeka Offor, three others bag honourary degrees

Mr Igwe also announced that four persons, including renowned entrepreneur Emeka Offor, will be conferred with honourary doctorate degrees and letters from the university.

The UNN vice-chancellor said Mr Offor, who is the chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, will be conferred with an honourary doctor of business administration.

READ ALSO: Nigerian lecturer caught attempting to sexually assault female student

He said apart from Mr Offor, a former staffer of the university, El Anatsui, a professor from Ghana, will also be conferred with honourary doctor of letters while J.O.J Okoloagu, a brigadier-general, will receive honourary doctor of business administration.

Igor Weli, another awardee, will receive the same honourary doctor of business administration, he said.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Nigerian military has completely withdrawn its personnel from Okuama Community in Delta State, South-south Nigeria, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has said.

Mr Oborevwori disclosed this in a post on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

The military personnel had occupied Okuama Community after suspected residents, on 14 March, ambushed and murdered the Commanding Officer of 181 Army Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers.

The troops were ambushed while responding to a distress call arising from a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities in the South-southern state.

Residents of the community had complained that they were forced out of their community following the soldiers occupation.

Withdrawal

Mr Oborevwori, in the Facebook post, said the withdrawal of the soldiers followed his administrations deliberations and collaborations with the leadership of the Nigerian military.

My Dear Good People of Delta State, I have the pleasure to announce to you that upon many deliberations and collaborations between the (Delta) State Government and the military leadership, the Nigerian army has agreed to withdraw its officers and men from Okuama, the governor said.

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

I spoke with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja on Monday, 6th of May, and as of today, 8 of May, 2024, the military has withdrawn from Okuama, he added.

The governor said, with the withdrawal of the soldiers, residents of Okuama Community can now safely return to their homes and begin the process of reintegration and rebuilding their homes.

Oborevwori hails Tinubu, Nigerian military

Mr Oborevwori commended President Bola Tinubu, the chief of army staff and the leadership of the military for their understanding and cooperation.

In my engagements with them, they demonstrated the highest level of concern and care for the plight of the displaced persons. To God be the glory that we have achieved an amicable resolution, he said.

The governor also praised members of the National Assembly and traditional rulers from Delta State for standing by the people of the state during the travails.

Let me assure all Deltans and residents in the state that this administration is irrevocably committed to enhanced peace and security in the state, he said.

He assured that his administration would assist to make the return of residents to the community smooth and seamless, adding that plans are underway to rehabilitate them.

After a personal assessment of the community on 20th of April, 2024, we have since commenced setting up an Internally Displaced Persons camp at Ewu to serve as a transition to aid their rehabilitation.

We shall render all the necessary assistance they need to enable them to settle down quickly and joyfully in Okuama, the governor stated.

Never again

Mr Oborevwori prayed that the state would never again experience the tragedy that happened in Okuama Community.

Security, as we all know, is a shared responsibility. So, we will continue to count on the support and cooperation of every citizen to ensure that our state remains safe and peaceful, he said.

The Nigerian military is yet to officially comment on the development.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State, Charles Igwe, has lamented the underpayment of the staff of the university.

Mr Igwe, a professor, spoke during a press briefing at the Enugu Campus of the UNN on Tuesday as part of activities to mark the institutions 52 convocation ceremony to be held on Friday.

The vice-chancellor said salaries usually received by staff members of the university were not commensurate with the volume of work they do in the university.

If I tell you what I, the vice-chancellor, earn and these professors who are staying here now earn, you will start weeping. What they earn does not equate to what they do. And theyre still expected to perform like every other professional staff.

The average salary of our professors, before the 35 per cent salary increase, was about N400,000 a month. Thats for the highest professors, older people like those who have served for up to 10 years as professors, he said.

Mr Igwe stressed that apart from himself and other professors, academic and non-academic staff of the university were also being underpaid.

I pity all of you, the deans (of faculties), directors and heads of departments. It is not only the vice-chancellor (thats being underpaid), he said.

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 vice-chancellor said while serving as the head of a department of the university between 2005 and 2008, he was receiving additional funds called Direct Teaching and Laboratory Cost (DTLC), but regretted the funds do not exist anymore.

He said departments of the university were still expected to maintain their classrooms and laboratories even when the DTLC was no longer being paid.

He added that the introduction of a payment platform, Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, by the federal government has prevented him from hiring staff for some departments, which he said were running almost without a staff.

READ ALSO: Uzodinma to deliver UNN convocation lecture as 252 bag first class

Under the last five years, no federal university vice-chancellor will tell you that he wants to return to the job again even if you threaten to crucify him or even if youre pointing a pistol behind him, said Mr Igwe, whose tenure as UNN vice-chancellor will end in June.

Way out

Mr Igwe said to solve the problem of underpayment and poor funding of universities in Nigeria, the federal government should allow universities in Nigeria to be autonomous.

The university is supposed to be autonomous. I am leaving. I am not talking about myself, the vice-chancellor said.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


A retired naval officer, Ibikunle Olaiya, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to preserve the green areas in the Lekki area of the state.

In separate letters to the Governor and the Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, dated 26 April, 2024, Mr Olaiya, a retired Rear Admiral, protested the illegal sale of green areas near Block 113, Lekki Phase 1 by unscrupulous officials of the state government.

In the letters, which he wrote for himself and on behalf of concerned Lagosians and residents in the Lekki axis, Mr Olaiya lamented that the development was against the original master plan that reserved the space for essential public infrastructure.

While noting that the areas were now being sold for personal gains, he said it had become a matter of grave concern that the green areas have been allocated to someone, who has begun construction.

In the letter, titled, Urgent attention needed: Illegal sales of Green Areas near Block 113, Lekki Phase 1, Mr Olaiya said, Despite designated green spaces intended for essential infrastructural development, such as road and drainage expansions, and the construction of a light train to accommodate the growing population, these areas are being unlawfully sold for personal gain.

It is disheartening to witness such actions, particularly considering the significant investments and efforts made in the Lekki-Epe axis over the years.

Your administrations commitment to infrastructure development, education, and the preservation of the states original master plan has been commendable.

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

However, it is troubling to see certain individuals tarnish these efforts by engaging in illegal allocations, especially under your watch as a surveyor by profession.

Attaching the Survey Plan of Block 113 as evidence, the petitioner implored the governor to address the issue with the seriousness it deserved.

The mantra Eko o ni baje, he stated, resonates deeply and emphasises the need to uphold the integrity of the city. Hence, the need to intervene and halt the illegal activities.

In the letter to the Commissioner, Mr Olaiya warned that there could be grave consequences in future if this illegality is allowed to thrive, and the good actions of the Lagos State government to demolish houses built on canals and setbacks would be difficult to justify.

The petitioner wondered why such development should occur despite the existence of regulatory bodies like the Ministry of Physical Planning and the New Town Development Agency, tasked with overseeing development in the area.

Before writing the letters, Mr Olaiya had, through his lawyer, Abosede Akande of Law Corporate, petitioned the governor, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Physical Planning, Ministry of Lands as well as Police authorities, explaining that the green areas were designated for future road expansion and erosion management.

READ ALSO: Groups blame management team for Lagos water crisis

While the Commissioner for Environment ordered that construction should stop, the office of the governor minuted the complaint letter to the office of the Attorney General (AG), who in a letter signed by a deputy director, Adekunle Laditan, dated 25 January, requested for the survey plan of the area for necessary action on the petition accordingly.

However, while waiting for the outcome of the AGs intervention after supplying it with the survey plan, Mr Olaiya said that unknown persons, attempted to begin construction in the designated area, prompting him to petition the Police to stop them.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has solicited collaboration between the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and tertiary institutions offering architecture as a course of study in Ogun State.

He said that such collaboration would help the state immensely in terms of research into how to build more sustainable and affordable housing units.

The governor also challenged the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) to design a competition that would inspire architecture students in the country to sharpen their skills and come up with masterpieces for the development of the country.

Governor Abiodun spoke on Tuesday when he played host to the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Muyiwa Oki, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Mr Oki is a Nigerian-born British architect who, in September 2023, emerged as the 80th President of RIBA thus becoming the youngest and first black president at the age of 32.

The governor, who described Mr Okis feat as uncommon, having defied all odds to become the first black man to lead the institute, urged him to ensure the facilitation of such collaboration in such areas as research and development.

We believe that through your office, you should support your home state (Ogun State). We have in some of our tertiary institutions, Departments of Architecture, and I believe that a collaboration with you and your office in terms of research into how to build more sustainable and affordable housing units will go a long way, the governor said.

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 Abiodun disclosed that his administration had constructed about 3,500 affordable houses at Kobape, a suburb of Abeokuta and turned the area into a bubbling town, noting that similar projects had been executed in Sagamu, Ota, Ilaro and Ijebu-Ode.

We have done this believing that beyond making people landlords, the entire value chain and ecosystem would also benefit.

Aside from the beautiful architecture that designs our sustainable and affordable housing, the workers  artisans, bricklayers, carpenters, and painters, among others, also got jobs, he said.

The governor noted that his administration was embarking on state-wide city renewal through the Urban Renewal and Rejuvenation Process across the state, beginning with the old Abeokuta housing scheme.

He disclosed that new and more sustainable housing projects were being put in place, in conjunction with the United Kingdom Development Office.

While commending Mr Oki for making the state and country proud, Mr Abiodun said the state considered Mr Okis elevation as something it could benefit from.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr Oki commended Mr Abiodun for giving him an audience, even as he said that he has lined up three areas of interest to address as the president of the institute.

Mr Oki stated that he would use his new office to promote the importance of architecture as a profession that plays a major role in the lives of the people.

He also intends to address the challenges created by climate change and promote unity in diversity, being the first black man to attain such a position in the history of the institute.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


On Sunday, 12 May 2024 , Chipotle is offering a BUY-ONE-GET-ONE-FREE (BOGOF) deal on entrees to all National Health Service (NHS) professionals in celebration of International Nurses Day*

LONDON, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill UK, the fast-casual restaurant chain that serves burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, and salads made with real ingredients, is celebrating International Nurses Day with a BUY-ONE-GET-ONE-FREE (BOGOF) on all entrees for NHS workers*. NHS healthcare professionals can enjoy this offer exclusively in all UK restaurants excluding the London Wall and King Williams Street restaurants, from 11:00am to 11:00pm on Sunday, 12 May 2024.

On Sunday, 12 May 2024, Chipotle is offering a BUY-ONE-GET-ONE-FREE (BOGOF) deal on entrees to all National Health Service (NHS) professionals in celebration of International Nurses Day

NHS staff can redeem their BOGOF offer when purchasing another full price entree by showing their NHS identity badge at the cash register. See here for a full list of participating Chipotle locations in the UK: https://locations.chipotle.co.uk/.

"NHS healthcare professionals have overcome countless challenges in recent years while continuing to show up and selflessly serve our communities," said Jacob Sumner, Director of European Operations at Chipotle. "We're proud to support these dedicated individuals and want to express our gratitude with a fresh and convenient meal."

In the past year and a half, Chipotle has opened eight new restaurants in the UK, increasing its footprint by nearly 73%. The company will continue to prioritize community support as it grows its presence in the market.

*Valid for one (1) free salad, burrito, bowl, quesadilla, or order of tacos with a purchase of a salad, burrito, bowl, quesadilla, or order of tacos. Must show valid NHS healthcare professional ID at checkout. Promotion expires on 12 May 2024 at 11:00pm. Valid only in all UK restaurants excluding the London Wall and King Williams Street locations. Redemption subject to availability. Not valid for online ordering or delivery orders through third-party platforms. May not be combined with other offers. Additional restrictions may apply; void where prohibited. Please note, this offer is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, authorised, or sponsored by the National Health Service. NHS is the registered trade mark of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The use of the NHS trade mark is for identification, instructional and reference purposes only and does not imply any association with the trade mark holder or the National Health Service.

About Chipotle

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. There are nearly 3,500 Chipotle restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Kuwait and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. Chipotle is ranked on the Fortune 500 and is recognized on Fortune's Most Admired Companies 2024 list and Time Magazine's Most Influential Companies. With over 120,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit http://www.chipotle.co.uk.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407384/International_Nurses_Day_BOGOF_PR_Asset.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/624816/4693810/Chipotle_Mexican_Grill_Logo.jpg
BEIJING, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On the afternoon of April 25th, the opening ceremony of the 2024 Zhongguancun International Technology Trade Fair was held alongside the Global Technology Commercialization Eco-Partnership Conference at the Exhibition Center in the Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Zone. The event featured a rich assembly of guests and fruitful outcomes, highlighting the dynamic nature of the global technology trade ecosystem.

The conference unveiled its innovative "1+10+X" model, featuring an opening ceremony, ten key events sponsored by leading brands, and a lineup of thematic activities, totaling 30 significant sessions. Participants gathered to discuss and collaborate, exploring new ways to seamlessly integrate technological and industrial innovations, facilitating the smooth flow of innovative ideas, and working to create an advanced and globally recognized platform for international innovation.

This year, the conference hosted the inaugural Exchange and Cooperation Meeting for Science and Technology Diplomats including four sessions that spotlighted some of China's most recent and transformative scientific and technological achievements. The formation of the 50-member Forum Collaboration Mechanism for the Transformation of Zhongguancun Scientific and Technological Achievements was announced during the event.

With a spotlight on the essential components of technology transformationtechnology, capital, and marketsthe conference witnessed the initiation of 11 projects spanning technology transactions, investment financing, and strategic cooperation. Furthermore, the List of Top 100 New Technologies and Products and the List of 100 Best Innovative Technologies for International Cooperation were unveiled at the event.

From April 26th to 29th, the trade conference organized eight showcase and partnership-building sessions for high-end products in domains covering artificial intelligence, advanced chipsets, the metaverse, and humanoid robotics. Furthermore, it organized multiple dedicated technology transaction meetings with key international partners from the UK, Italy, Germany, Finland, Japan, and South Korea, focusing on pioneering industry sectors.

SOURCE Zhongguancun International Technology Trade Fair
RESTON, Va., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ASRC Federal announces John Pisano as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO). Pisano will lead the corporate information technology strategy and partner with customers across the enterprise to advance ASRC Federal's IT systems and processes.

ASRC Federal CIO John Pisano

Pisano brings more than 25 years of experience to ASRC Federal and has worked in the federal government contracting and IT services consulting industries. Most recently, he served as vice president, IT Infrastructure Engineering & Operations at Booz Allen Hamilton where he led the integration of IT architecture services, executed the global organization's strategy for IT infrastructure and business applications/systems, and managed an extensive program portfolio within the IT organization.

In addition to supporting federal government customers, Pisano has served for nearly 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserve where he is currently a Brigade Command Sergeant Major.

"We have great confidence in John's ability to innovate, operate and secure our information technology infrastructure," said Jennifer Felix, president and chief executive officer of ASRC Federal. "His background and experience will be a great benefit to us as we continue to grow our business."

Pisano has a BS in Information Technology from Capella University and numerous certifications including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP) and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Agilist (SA).

About ASRC Federal

ASRC Federal's family of companies deliver successful mission outcomes and elevated performance for federal civilian, defense and intelligence agencies while building an enduring enterprise focused on customers, employees, and shareholders. For more information, please visit www.asrcfederal.com .

SOURCE ASRC Federal
BEIJING, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM; HKEX: 2518) ("Autohome" or the "Company"), the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

First Quarter 2024 Highlights[1]

Net revenues in the first quarter of 2024 were RMB1,609.1 million ( US$222.9 million ), compared to RMB1,533.6 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

in the first quarter of 2024 were ( ), compared to in the corresponding period of 2023. Net income attributable to Autohome in the first quarter of 2024 was RMB394 .5 million ( US$54.6 million ), compared to RMB405.5 million in the corresponding period of 2023, while net income attributable to ordinary shareholders in the first quarter of 2024 was RMB379.8 million ( US$52.6 million ), compared to RMB392.8 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

in the first quarter of 2024 was .5 million ( ), compared to in the corresponding period of 2023, while in the first quarter of 2024 was ( ), compared to in the corresponding period of 2023. Adjusted net income attributable to Autohome (Non-GAAP)[2] in the first quarter of 2024 was RMB493.9 million ( US$68.4 million ), compared to RMB483.5 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

Mr. Tao Wu, Chief Executive Officer of Autohome, stated, "We are delighted to report a solid start to the year, characterized by sustained revenue growth, consistent expansion in our user-base, and the successful deployment of our new business initiatives. For our users, according to QuestMobile, average mobile daily active users grew by 8.1% year-over-year to 69.39 million in March, highlighting the effectiveness of our content-focused strategy on attracting users. For our innovative businesses, Autohome Space is expanding further geographically, with a number of new franchise stores on track to open this year. In addition, we actively responded to the national "trade-in for new" policy, launching a series of initiatives such as the "Hundred Cities 'Trade-in for New' Car-Buying Festival"in collaboration with Ping An Groupallowing consumers to enjoy even more benefits. Going forward, we will continue to build upon our solid business fundamentals and leverage Ping An Group's unique resources to strengthen our long-term competitiveness in the industry."

Mr. Craig Yan Zeng, Chief Financial Officer of Autohome, added, "We delivered solid financial results in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting the successful execution of our key growth strategies. Revenues from our data products continued their strong upward growth trajectory, while revenues from new energy vehicle ("NEV") brands remained robust, with a quarterly growth rate that consistently outpaces the broader industry. Our new retail business also bolstered our topline, enhancing our revenue sources. Moving ahead, we remain committed to delivering a diverse array of premium products and services, while generating sustainable long-term returns for our shareholders."

Unaudited First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Net Revenues

Net revenues in the first quarter of 2024 were RMB1,609.1 million (US$222.9 million), compared to RMB1,533.6 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

Media services revenues were RMB327.4 million ( US$45.3 million ) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB361.5 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

revenues were ( ) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to in the corresponding period of 2023. Leads generation services revenues were RMB726.4 million ( US$100.6 million ) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB680.6 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

revenues were ( ) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to in the corresponding period of 2023. Online marketplace and others revenues were RMB555.2 million ( US$76.9 million ) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB491.5 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues was RMB300.9 million (US$41.7 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB340.2 million in the corresponding period of 2023. Share-based compensation expenses included in the cost of revenues in the first quarter of 2024 was RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million), compared to RMB2.1 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were RMB1,126.9 million (US$156.1 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB996.6 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB641.3 million ( US$88.8 million ) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB523.1 million in the corresponding period of 2023, due primarily to an increase in marketing and promotional expenses. Share-based compensation expenses included in the sales and marketing expenses in the first quarter of 2024 were RMB12.8 million ( US$1 .8 million), compared to RMB10 .0 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

expenses were ( ) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to in the corresponding period of 2023, due primarily to an increase in marketing and promotional expenses. Share-based compensation expenses included in the sales and marketing expenses in the first quarter of 2024 were ( .8 million), compared to .0 million in the corresponding period of 2023. General and administrative expenses were RMB149.5 million ( US$20.7 million ) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB149.2 million in the corresponding period of 2023. Share-based compensation expenses included in the general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2024 were RMB12.0 million ( US$1.7 million ), compared to RMB12.3 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

expenses were ( ) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to in the corresponding period of 2023. Share-based compensation expenses included in the general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2024 were ( ), compared to in the corresponding period of 2023. Product development expenses were RMB336.1 million ( US$46 .5 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB324.4 million in the corresponding period of 2023. Share-based compensation expense included in the product development expenses in the first quarter of 2024 were RMB22.6 million ( US$3.1 million ), compared to RMB21.7 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

Operating Profit

Operating profit was RMB276.1 million (US$38.2 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB263.2 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was RMB68.4 million (US$9.5 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to an income tax expense of RMB54.7 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

Net Income Attributable to Autohome

Net income attributable to Autohome was RMB394.5 million (US$54.6 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB405.5 million in the corresponding period of 2023.

Net Income Attributable to Ordinary Shareholders and Earnings per Share/ADS

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB379.8 million (US$52.6 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB392.8 million in the corresponding period of 2023. Basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") were RMB0.78 (US$0.11) and RMB0.78 (US$0.11), respectively, in the first quarter of 2024, compared to basic and diluted EPS of RMB0.80 and RMB0.79, respectively, in the corresponding period of 2023. Basic and diluted earnings per ADS were RMB3.14 (US$0.43) and RMB3.13 (US$0.43), respectively, in the first quarter of 2024, compared to basic and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB3.18 and RMB3.17, respectively, in the corresponding period of 2023.

Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Autohome (Non-GAAP) and Non-GAAP EPS/ADS

Adjusted net income attributable to Autohome (Non-GAAP) was RMB493.9 million (US$68.4 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB483.5 million in the corresponding period of 2023. Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS were RMB1.02 (US$0.14) and RMB1.02 (US$0.14), respectively, in the first quarter of 2024, compared to non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS of RMB0.98 and RMB0.98, respectively, in the corresponding period of 2023. Non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS were RMB4.08 (US$0.57) and RMB4.07 (US$0.56), respectively, in the first quarter of 2024, compared to non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB3.92 and RMB3.91, respectively, in the corresponding period of 2023.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of RMB23.65 billion (US$3.27 billion). Net cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2024 was RMB560.8 million (US$77.7 million).

Employees

The Company had 5,420 employees as of March 31, 2024, including 2,092 employees from TTP Car, Inc.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 (8:00 p.m. Beijing Time on the same day).

Please register in advance of the conference call using the registration link provided below. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers and a personal PIN, which will be used to join the conference call.

Registration Link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI2fcb0a45d64545c6a343681516211406

Please use the conference access information to join the call 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at https://ir.autohome.com.cn and a replay of the webcast will be available following the session.

About Autohome

Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM; HKEX: 2518) is the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China. Its mission is to relentlessly reduce auto industry decision-making and transaction costs driven by advanced technology. Autohome provides occupationally generated content, professionally generated content, user-generated content, and AI-generated content, a comprehensive automobile library, and extensive automobile listing information to automobile consumers, covering the entire car purchase and ownership cycle. The ability to reach a large and engaged user base of automobile consumers has made Autohome a preferred platform for automakers and dealers to conduct their advertising campaigns. Further, the Company's dealer subscription and advertising services allow dealers to market their inventory and services through Autohome's platform, extending the reach of their physical showrooms to potentially millions of internet users in China and generating sales leads for them. The Company offers sales leads, data analysis, and marketing services to assist automakers and dealers with improving their efficiency and facilitating transactions. Further, through its websites and mobile applications, it also provides other value-added services, including auto financing, auto insurance, used car transactions, and aftermarket services. For further information, please visit https://www.autohome.com.cn/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, Autohome's business outlook, Autohome's strategic and operational plans and quotations from management in this announcement contain forward-looking statements. Autohome may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Autohome's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Autohome's goals and strategies; Autohome's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the expected growth of the online automobile advertising market in China; Autohome's ability to attract and retain users and advertisers and further enhance its brand recognition; Autohome's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services; competition in the online automobile advertising industry; relevant government policies and regulatory environment of China; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Autohome's filings with the SEC and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Autohome does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement net income presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome, Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS and earnings per ADS, Adjusted net margin and Adjusted EBITDA as non-GAAP financial measures. We define Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome as net income attributable to Autohome excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition, investment loss/(gain) relating to non-operating impact of a write-down of the initial investment in a financial product, and loss/(gain) pickup of equity method investments, with all the reconciliation items adjusted for related income tax effects. We define non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS as Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome divided by the basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares. We define non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS as Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome divided by the basic and diluted weighted average number of ADSs. We define Adjusted net margin as Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome divided by total net revenues. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Autohome before income tax expense, depreciation expenses of property and equipment, amortization expenses of intangible assets and share-based compensation expenses. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance, in addition to net income prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are important to help investors understand our operating and financial performance, compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and assess our core operating results, as they exclude certain non-cash charges or items that are non-operating in nature. The use of the above non-GAAP financial measures has certain limitations as they excluded certain items that have been and will continue to be incurred in the future, but such items should be considered in the overall evaluation of our results. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of non-GAAP and GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Autohome Inc.

Investor Relations

Sterling Song

Investor Relations Director

Tel: +86-10-5985-7483

E-mail: [email protected]

Christensen China Limited

Suri Cheng

Tel: +86-185-0060-8364

E-mail: [email protected]

AUTOHOME INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA

(Amount in thousands, except per share / per ADS data)









For three months ended March 31,





2023

2024





RMB

RMB

US$

Net revenues:













Media services

361,468

327,431

45,349

Leads generation services

680,634

726,423

100,608

Online marketplace and others

491,527

555,211

76,896

Total net revenues

1,533,629

1,609,065

222,853

Cost of revenues

(340,214)

(300,892)

(41,673)

Gross profit

1,193,415

1,308,173

181,180

















Operating expenses:













Sales and marketing expenses

(523,116)

(641,276)

(88,816)

General and administrative expenses

(149,156)

(149,545)

(20,712)

Product development expenses

(324,366)

(336,067)

(46,545)

Total operating expenses

(996,638)

(1,126,888)

(156,073)

Other operating income, net

66,388

94,793

13,129

Operating profit

263,165

276,078

38,236

Interest and investment income, net

225,015

219,974

30,466

Loss from equity method investments

(31,435)

(49,133)

(6,805)

Income before income taxes

456,745

446,919

61,897

Income tax expense

(54,681)

(68,401)

(9,473)

Net income

402,064

378,518

52,424

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

3,438

15,981

2,213

Net income attributable to Autohome

405,502

394,499

54,637

Accretion of mezzanine equity

(36,499)

(41,671)

(5,771)

Accretion attributable to noncontrolling interests

23,749

26,948

3,732

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders

392,752

379,776

52,598

















Earnings per share for ordinary shares













Basic

0.80

0.78

0.11

Diluted

0.79

0.78

0.11

Earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders

(one ADS equals for four ordinary shares)













Basic

3.18

3.14

0.43

Diluted

3.17

3.13

0.43

















Weighted average shares used to compute earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders:

























Basic

493,324,032

484,278,900

484,278,900

Diluted

494,826,708

485,253,760

485,253,760





















AUTOHOME INC. UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP AND GAAP RESULTS (Amount in thousands, except per share / per ADS data)























For three months ended March 31,





2023

2024







RMB

RMB

US$



Net income attributable to Autohome

405,502

394,499

54,637



Plus: income tax expense

56,021

69,742

9,659



Plus: depreciation of property and equipment

47,938

33,534

4,644



Plus: amortization of intangible assets

10,840

9,650

1,337



EBITDA

520,301

507,425

70,277



Plus: share-based compensation

expenses

46,185

48,307

6,690



Adjusted EBITDA

566,486

555,732

76,967





















Net income attributable to Autohome

405,502

394,499

54,637



Plus: amortization of intangible assets resulting from business

acquisition

10,722

9,583

1,327



Plus: share-based compensation

expenses

46,185

48,307

6,690



Plus: investment loss/(gain) arising from one of financial products[3]

(5,813)

-

-



Plus: loss on equity method investments, net

31,435

49,133

6,805



Plus: tax effects of the adjustments

(4,520)

(7,594)

(1,052)



Adjusted net income attributable to Autohome

483,511

493,928

68,407





















Net income attributable to Autohome

405,502

394,499

54,637



Net margin

26.4 %

24.5 %

24.5 %



Adjusted net income attributable to Autohome

483,511

493,928

68,407



Adjusted net margin

31.5 %

30.7 %

30.7 %





















Non-GAAP earnings per share















Basic

0.98

1.02

0.14



Diluted

0.98

1.02

0.14



Non-GAAP earnings per ADS (one ADS equals for four ordinary

shares)















Basic

3.92

4.08

0.57



Diluted

3.91

4.07

0.56





















Weighted average shares used to compute non-GAAP earnings

per share:















Basic

493,324,032

484,278,900

484,278,900



Diluted

494,826,708

485,253,760

485,253,760





















AUTOHOME INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Amount in thousands, except as noted)



As of December 31,

As of March 31,



2023

2024



RMB

RMB

US$ ASSETS











Current assets











Cash and cash equivalents

4,996,353

2,870,271

397,528 Restricted cash

126,794

152,730

21,153 Short-term investments

18,552,354

20,775,926

2,877,433 Accounts receivable, net

1,472,489

1,337,141

185,192 Amounts due from related parties, current

16,439

66,962

9,274 Prepaid expenses and other current assets

360,559

437,926

60,652 Total current assets

25,524,988

25,640,956

3,551,232 Non-current assets











Restricted cash, non-current

5,000

5,000

692 Property and equipment, net

200,860

189,714

26,275 Goodwill and intangible assets, net

4,143,968

4,125,383

571,359 Long-term investments

448,341

399,208

55,290 Deferred tax assets

295,598

295,598

40,940 Amounts due from related parties, non-current

16,048

13,877

1,922 Other non-current assets

200,928

186,645

25,850 Total non-current assets

5,310,743

5,215,425

722,328 Total assets

30,835,731

30,856,381

4,273,560













LIABILITIES AND EQUITY











Current liabilities











Accrued expenses and other payables

2,932,227

2,528,006

350,125 Advance from customers

105,379

109,485

15,163 Deferred revenue

801,581

1,189,742

164,777 Income tax payable

227,260

284,658

39,425 Amounts due to related parties

24,572

27,767

3,846 Dividends payable

984,332

536,760

74,340 Total current liabilities

5,075,351

4,676,418

647,676 Non-current liabilities











Other liabilities

89,187

77,363

10,715 Deferred tax liabilities

497,955

495,708

68,655 Total non-current liabilities

587,142

573,071

79,370 Total liabilities

5,662,493

5,249,489

727,046













MEZZANINE EQUITY











Convertible redeemable noncontrolling interests

1,758,933

1,800,604

249,381













EQUITY











Total Autohome shareholders' equity

23,928,187

24,363,089

3,374,249 Noncontrolling interests

(513,882)

(556,801)

(77,116) Total equity

23,414,305

23,806,288

3,297,133 Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and equity

30,835,731

30,856,381

4,273,560

[1] The reporting currency of the Company is Renminbi ("RMB"). For readers' convenience, certain amounts throughout the release are presented in US dollars ("US$"). Unless otherwise noted, all conversions from RMB to US$ are translated at the noon buying rate of US$1.00 to RMB7.2203 on March 29, 2024 in the City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US$ at such rate. [2] For more information on this and other non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the tables captioned "Unaudited Reconciliations of Non-GAAP and GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this release. [3] It represented the loss or gain of an investment with fair value below its initial investment, which was recognized at "interest and investment income, net". The impact was considered to be not directly related to the Company's operating activities.

SOURCE Autohome Inc.
ST. LOUIS, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchmark Email, an award-winning sales and marketing software provider, is thrilled to announce the global release of Smart Design, an AI email creation experience. The latest in their suite of AI-powered smart tools , Smart Design offers a transformative email marketing creation process for marketers around the world.

" Smart Design addresses a significant pain point for our users which is lack of time," says Benchmark Chief Product Officer Jeff Zimmerman. "With Smart Design, businesses can say goodbye to the tedious process of manual email design and let AI do the work of creating a custom email quickly."

Smart Design leverages artificial intelligence to create a custom, branded email template in seconds. It not only generates bespoke email copy based on campaign objectives but also seamlessly integrates a brand's images and color palette into the design, creating a ready-to-send email with a few simple inputs.

"Smart Design is a shortcut for marketers to build professional, engaging emails," says Allie Wolff, Benchmark Vice President of Product Marketing. "It takes on the heavy lifting of content ideation and template design while staying true to a brand's identity and communication strategy."

Smart Design is now available in eight languages to users across the globe.

About Benchmark Email

Benchmark Email, a subsidiary of Polaris Software LLC, helps people manage customer relationships, connect in the inbox and automate sales and marketing. Over one million users across 25,000 businesses use Polaris Software's email marketing, CRM and contact management tools to build relationships and turn prospects into customers.

Learn more about our products, including Benchmark Email , BenchmarkONE and Contacts+ .

Contact: Allie Wolff, [email protected]

SOURCE Benchmark Email
BEIJING, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily

The Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school was established in Budapest, capital of Hungary, in September 2004. It is the first full-time public school in Central and Eastern Europe that uses Chinese and the local language for instruction. Over the past nearly 20 years, the school has played a unique role in promoting cultural exchanges between China and Hungary over the past two decades.

Tenth-grade student Erdos Artur of the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school in Budapest, Hungary has a Chinese tea culture class. (Photo by Yi Lin) Eleventh-grade students Sanyi (left) and Li Fulin of the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school in Budapest, Hungary play Chinese chess after a class. (Photo by Yi Lin)

In early 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from the students of the school, encouraging the Hungarian youths to learn more about China and become envoys of the China-Hungary friendship.

When the school was just founded, it had around 100 students, and now the figure has surged to more than 500. More and more Hungarian students are embracing the Chinese language and culture, and many of them have been admitted to Chinese universities.

"Our goal is to nurture a batch of 'builders of Hungary-China friendship,'" said Zsuzsanna Erdelyi, principal of Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school.

She told People's Daily that apart from local students, the school also enrolls those from China, so that students from the two countries can learn and play together, which not only helps improve their academic performance, but also fosters profound friendship between them.

When a class was over, eleventh-grade students Sanyi and Li Fulin started playing Chinese chess in a corridor. Sanyi once lived in China with his father. He was sent to the bilingual school by his parents after they saw the prospering development of China and the huge potential of Hungary-China cooperation.

"It was so difficult for me to learn Chinese as a beginner," Sanyi said. However, as he gained more and more Chinese friends, he has gradually developed a passion in speaking Chinese.

"Last year I had a study tour to China, during which I visited Nanjing University. I like it very much and hope I can be admitted to the university one day," Sanyi told People's Daily.

To create a better learning atmosphere for the students, the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school holds rich and splendid cultural activities that invite parents and all sectors of Hungarian society.

For instance, it has opened a Chinese language class for parents and hosts "Chinese open days" during traditional Chinese holidays, to encourage students and their parents to join fun cultural activities such as Chinese tea brewing, paper cutting and lantern making.

Erdelyi said the Chinese culture is charming and joining these activities offers so much fun.

Papp Nora and Papp Dora are a pair of twins who have been learning at the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school since they were very young. The two eighth-grade students consider the school their second home.

"The teachers always help me with patience and answer my questions," Papp Dora said, adding that Chinese is a very beautiful language. According to her, she likes Chinese calligraphy while her sister loves traditional Chinese costumes. The two practice Chinese together every day.

Educated by the school, the twins have developed carefulness, diligence and resilience, which are all important qualities in any stage of life, said Trippon Mariann, mother of the twins, and chief economist of a Hungarian bank. She's very optimistic about the potential of the Chinese economy, and believes that learning Chinese would gain her children more advantages for their future development.

Li Elizabet Fanni studies at Fudan University, Shanghai. She is one of the earliest students of the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school to study in China. Recently, she served the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, as a volunteer, offering services for Chinese and Hungarian enterprises.

"I hope more young Hungarians can visit China and see with their own eyes the development of the country," she said, adding that she and other students will work to contribute to and carry on the Hungary-China friendship.

After nearly 20 years of development, the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school has become an important witness to the bilateral relations between Hungary and China, Erdelyi said, adding that Xi's first-ever state visit to Hungary will bring huge encouragement and inspiration to students of the school.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407430/FYL01112.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407431/FYL01142.jpg
VILNIUS, Lithuania, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BingX, a global leading cryptocurrency exchange, is thrilled to announce the launch of an extraordinary campaign in celebration of its 6th anniversary. From May 8 to May 31, BingX users are invited to join in the festivities, promising an exhilarating lineup of events and rewards for enthusiasts diving into the dynamic realm of crypto trading. To express its profound appreciation for its dedicated community, BingX is proud to inaugurate the celebration with an impressive prize pool totaling 13 Million USDT, a testament to the integral role users have played in its journey of success.

BingX Celebrates Its Amazing 6th Anniversary With Grand 13 Million USDT Prize Pool

Marking its 6th year milestone, BingX reflects on its inception in 2018 with a visionary mission to serve as the gateway to the next generation of crypto users, making crypto accessible and friendly to all. Over the past six years, BingX has remained steadfast in its commitment to empowering traders with a reliable and robust trading platform equipped with innovative features and a diverse range of products.

Throughout the carnival period, BingX users can anticipate a myriad of captivating online campaigns tailored to futures trading, spot trading, fiat trading, and wealth management, respectively. For futures trading aficionados, exclusive individual and group trading competitions, generous giveaways, limited-time promotions, and more await, boasting an impressive total prize pool of 12 million USDT. Additionally, daily clock-ins will be rewarded with hot coins and trial funds, complemented by engaging games such as Kick-and-Win activities. Spot traders will also have the opportunity to participate in Kick-and-Win games, with tiered awards based on their actual trading volume. BingX is also introducing special wealth management products to enhance the celebratory atmosphere, featuring flexible deposits offering APYs of up to 10% and a grand Team-up Deposit Season. Furthermore, cash bonuses will be distributed based on the fiat trading volume.

Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer of BingX, shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming campaign, stating, "At BingX, we remain steadfast in our dedication to providing users with innovative solutions that propel their success in the cryptocurrency market. As we witness the growing interest in the market and a surge in trading activity, we are delighted to offer a promotion unlike any other, aimed at rewarding our users and extending a warm welcome to new participants joining our vibrant community."

About BingX

Founded in 2018, BingX is a leading crypto exchange, serving over 10 million users worldwide. BingX offers diversified products and services, including spot, derivatives, copy trading, and asset management  all designed for the evolving needs of users, from beginners to professionals. BingX is committed to providing a trustworthy platform that empowers users with innovative tools and features to elevate their trading proficiency. In 2024, BingX proudly became Chelsea FC's principal partner, marking an exciting debut in the world of sports.

For more information please visit: https://bingx.com/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407707/20240508_185807.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2310183/BingX_logo_Logo.jpg
Stock Market Symbols

GIB.A (TSX)

GIB (NYSE)

cgi.com/newsroom

LONDON, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) and Nokia Corporation have signed an agreement that deepens their strategic partnership, combining leading-edge 5G private wireless networking technology with CGI business services and solutions. This will enable the accelerated delivery and efficient operation of industry leading digital solutions for connected, real-time, data-driven business operations.

"Nokia one platform for industrial digitalization, comprised of private wireless Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC), Nokia Modular Private Wireless (MPW), Industrial devices, MX Industrial Edge (MXIE) computing, and an ecosystem of neutral industrial applications, helps industries to pave their way to Industry 4.0", said David de Lancelloti, Vice President of Enterprise Campus Edge Business. "The importance of adequate technology in supporting operation and business infrastructure cannot be understated. We are excited to partner with CGI and look forward to collaborating with them as they continue to enable future digitalization of enterprises"

"Industry 4.0 requires organizations to deploy sensor rich ecosystems underpinning the business solutions. Our partnership with Nokia delivers the connectivity services to enable solutions which solve these business challenges." said Ian Dunbar, Senior Vice-President, Consulting Services, Telecoms and Media for CGI in the UK.

"This partnership brings the combined capabilities of our organizations together to drive cost efficiency into our clients' operations," said Tara McGeehan, President for CGI in the UK and Australia. "It will enhance our ability to bring world-class business solutions to our clients which deliver them a competitive edge in the market today."

The partnership has already delivered its first success in Northern Ireland by building a 5G testbed for the Smart Nano NI consortium as part of their five-year plan to accelerate smart manufacturing, bolstering economic growth and investment opportunity in the country. The cutting-edge 5G and 4G private network is a first-of-its-kind in a manufacturing and education setting in Northern Ireland, providing access to the latest network technologies and NarrowBand-Internet of Things (NB-IoT).

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 90,000 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2023 reported revenue is CA$14.30 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today  and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

SOURCE CGI Inc.
ISTANBUL, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chamlion, a gamechanging force in the digitalization of dentistry, is set to captivate attendees at the International Dental Equipment Exhibition (IDEX) 2024 in Turkey. With a comprehensive display of integrated dental 3D printing solutions, featuring its innovative metal 3D printers, and plasma polishing machines.

At IDEX 2024, visitors to the Chamlion booth will experience the complete production workflow of both CoCr and Titanium partial frameworks, from 3D printing to post-processing and the final result. Highlighting its commitment to innovation, Chamlion will introduce the M180 metal printer with the capability to print 25-30 frameworks per build plate, which significantly improves efficiency and reduces costs.

Chamlion experts will be available at the booth to provide demonstrations of the complete workflow, and discuss how their solutions can transform dental lab operations. Attendees are invited to visit the Chamlion booth #4-A21 at IDEX 2024 to experience these innovations firsthand.

About Chamlion:

Chamlion is at the forefront of transforming the dental industry through innovative digital solutions. With operations spanning 27 countries and over 270 cloud factories, Chamlion provides comprehensive 3D printing solutions to dental labs worldwide. By offering integrated solutions that eliminate the need for equipment purchase, Chamlion empowers dental professionals to optimize their workflows and achieve exceptional results. For more information, visit www.chamlion.com.
BEIJING, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged in-depth views with French President Emmanuel Macron on the situation in the Middle East during his state visit to France, and the two sides reached a joint statement on the Middle East situation. The statement is of great practical importance and far-reaching strategic significance for ending the current Palestine-Israel conflict and planning for the future Palestine-Israel peace process, as it is timely, comprehensive in content, and clear in direction.

The joint statement is an important outcome of the meeting between the leaders of the two countries. China and France, as major countries with significant international influence, have the obligation to play an active role in promoting the peace process between Israel and Palestine. China and France have broad consensus on the Middle East issue. The content of the joint statement covers the common positions of both sides on the current round of Palestine-Israel conflict, the Palestinian issue, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Red Sea crisis, and other urgent issues in the Middle East, as well as their common expectations for long-term stability in the region. This reflects the wisdom and courage of the leaders of China and France, and also embodies the just voice of the international community.

Since the outbreak of the current round of Palestine-Israel conflict, the international community's calls for a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities have been incessant. The conflict between Israel and Hamas is still ongoing, but with the mediation efforts of the international community and regional countries, the distance to reaching a new round of temporary ceasefire agreements between Israel and Hamas is narrowing. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and France are expected by the international community as peace-loving forces; the two countries have championed the voice of peace and justice on multiple international and multilateral occasions, representing the universal expectation of the international community for peace between Palestine and Israel. China-France joint statement not only reflects the consensus of the two countries on the issue of Israel and Palestine but also represents a clear stance on world peace and justice.

The joint statement also covers other major issues related to Middle East peace. The statement says that China and France are working together to find constructive solutions, based on international law, to the challenges and threats to international security and stability. It also emphasizes the condemnation of all violations of international humanitarian law, underscores the urgency of an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, particularly the importance of effectively implementing relevant United Nations resolutions and strengthening the coordination of international humanitarian efforts.

Regarding the Palestine-Israel issue, the two heads of state called for a decisive and irreversible relaunch of a political process to concretely implement the "two-state solution." They called for the effective opening of all necessary corridors and crossing points to enable rapid, safe, sustainable and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip.

On the Iranian nuclear issue and the crisis in the Red Sea, both China and France reaffirm their commitment to promoting a political and diplomatic solution and stress the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

This joint statement symbolizes the widespread expectation of the international community against hegemonic politics. In today's world, hegemonism and unilateralism run rampant, posing numerous challenges to global order and stability. The joint statement by the leaders of China and France on the Middle East issue, especially the Palestine-Israel issue, demonstrates the values of multilateralism and international cooperation. It indicates that China and France oppose external forces exacerbating conflicts and prolonging disputes by favoring one side, but advocate resolving disputes through equal dialogue and negotiation.

The consensus between China and France against hegemonic politics will inject new confidence into the maintenance of world peace and stability, and propel the international community toward a more just and peaceful future.

The Middle East issue is complex and convoluted, requiring the international community to form a consensus, pool efforts, and ease the current regional tensions. The joint statement issued by the heads of state of China and France regarding the situation in the Middle East holds significant importance. It not only signifies the practical achievements of the talks between the two leaders but also consolidates and expresses the consensus of the international community on peace in the Middle East. The China-France joint statement will make important contributions to promoting the Palestine-Israel peace process and maintaining world peace and stability, injecting powerful momentum and confidence into the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

SOURCE Global Times
TIOHTIA:KE, QC, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - The Commission for Environmental Cooperation's (CEC) 31st annual Council Session and Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) Public Forum will be held 2426 June 2024 in Wilmington, North Carolina under the theme "Strengthening Environmental Justice through Community Empowerment." #CEC31 will bring together North America's top environmental officials and the public-at-large to learn from and engage with environmental justice advocates, Indigenous and community leaders, experts, youth, activists and others, including many of the partners CEC has worked with over three decades of regional collaboration to protect and conserve the North American environment. 2024 also marks the CEC's 30th anniversary, presenting an opportunity for the CEC and North America to reflect upon and showcase three decades of regional environmental cooperation.

English Council Session (CNW Group/Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC))

REGISTER NOW (virtual or in-person)

JPAC will kick off the three-day event on 24 June with a Public Forum, titled "Advancing Environmental Justice in North America," providing public participants the opportunity to engage in an open dialogue and share their experiences on advancing environmental justice and empowering communities across North America, helping the CEC identify critical and emerging environmental issues at the local and regional levels.

Day two will feature an Expert Roundtable with the CEC Executive Director on "Environmental Justice: Origins, Evolution, and Emerging Policy in North America," a high-level discussion on the unique histories and trajectories of environmental justice and its evolution in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The panel will feature renowned environmental justice leaders and activists sharing their experiences on the diversity of North American environmental justice paradigms, exploring emerging directions of environmental justice for overburdened communities in the three countries, as well as public policy experiences across the region to recognize and address historic and systemic marginalization, discrimination, racism and environmental inequity.

Day three will conclude with the Council Public Session, which presents an opportunity for North Americans to engage with the top environmental officials in the region. This year, discussions will focus on "Strengthening Environmental Justice through Community Empowerment".

"The 2024 Council Session offers the opportunity for participants and the CEC to dive into the many intersectional facets of environmental justice (EJ) which has undoubtedly become one of the most critical development issues of our time. This Council Session will help identify best practices and provide critical guidance to further advance EJ across North America," said Jorge Daniel Taillant, CEC Executive Director. "Through engagement with environmental justice advocates, with community leaders and the general public, and by showcasing the CEC's growing work on EJ, the Council Session will help advance a more refined, nuanced and intersectional understanding of EJ within a regional, North American perspective."

Three decades of regional environmental cooperation

For 30 years , the Governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States have worked together through the CEC to conserve, protect and restore the North American environment. Each year, the CEC convenes the top environmental leaders from Canada, Mexico and the United States to engage with the public in a dialogue on pressing environmental issues facing North America. This year, the United States Environmental Protection Agency will host counterparts from the CEC Council, Canada's Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Mexico's Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).

The 30th anniversary milestone presents a unique opportunity for the CEC to showcase three decades of cooperation and achievements throughout this year's Council Session and JPAC Public Forum.

Agenda

#CEC31 is a three-day event that is open to the public, with live-streamed events featuring simultaneous interpretation in English, French and Spanish. #CEC31 events can be attended in person or virtually at no cost. We encourage participants to take advantage of the ability to participate remotely in this conference and avoid the need to travel.

Media and the public-at-large are invited to attend all events, either in person or virtually, and will be able to pose questions for all event sessions.

Time zone: Eastern Daylight Time (UTC04:00)

24 June 2024

9:0010:00 Opening ceremony, welcoming remarks and keynote presentation



10:1512:00 Panel 1: Legal and Policy Instruments to Access and Implement Environmental Justice in North America



13:1513:30 Report From the U.S. National and Governmental Advisory Committee Representatives



13:3015:00 Panel 2: Community Mobilization and Environmental Justice Challenges



15:1516:50 Open Dialogue on Opportunities for Environmental Trilateral Cooperation: Can We Think about Environmental Justice From a Regional North American Perspective?



16:5017:00 Closing Remarks by Esteban Escamilla, JPAC Chair

25 June 2024

11:0012:00 CEC Presentation on Environmental Justice Work (Part 1): Air Quality Improvement for Environmental Justice and North American Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Initiative



14:0015:30 Youth Panel: Bridging the Gap: A Conversation on the Generational Fight for Environmental Justice



16:0017:30 Expert Roundtable with the CEC Executive Director on Environmental Justice: Origins, Evolution and Emerging Policy in North America

26 June 2024

10:0011:30 CEC Presentation on Environmental Justice Work (Part 2): EJ4Climate Grant Program and Communities for Environmental Justice Network



13:3017:00 Council Public Session: Strengthening Environmental Justice through Community Empowerment

Click below to learn more, download the complete program of public events and register for virtual or in-person participation.

REGISTER NOW (virtual or in-person)

If you would like to know more about CEC initiatives, opportunities and efforts, you can sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.

Members of the media are encouraged to register for in-person accreditation or virtual participation. For any media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

For more information, please contact [email protected].

SOURCE Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)
The new facility will expand the company's custom HVAC manufacturing capabilities to support the growing demand for sustainable data centers and HVAC cooling solutions

MINNEAPOLIS, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Daikin Applied, a leading global commercial and industrial HVAC manufacturer, today announced plans for the construction of a new energy-efficient manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico. In partnership with its subsidiary Alliance Air Products, the San Diego-based leader in custom air-handling equipment design and manufacturing, Daikin Applied is expanding its manufacturing capabilities to support sustainable data center growth across North America.

The new 460,000 square-foot facility will expand on Daikin Applied and Alliance Air's established presence in Tijuana, Mexico. The facility is being built to manufacture custom HVAC and computer room air handler (CRAH) equipment and solutions specifically for data centers. It is designed for maximum efficiency to meet Daikin Applied's sustainability goals and will support the growth of air handler unit sales in North America.

This expanded facility allows the company to better serve customers in the west and southwest United States and Mexico with a single supplier for end-to-end HVAC solutions.

"This is a critical moment for the HVAC industry not just to increase capacity for data center solutions, but to help data centers increase efficiency and sustainability in their energy use and cooling situations," said Yu Nishiwaki, Chief Operating Officer for Daikin Applied Americas. "This manufacturing expansion underscores our commitment to help our customers identify sustainability opportunities and achieve, or even surpass, their decarbonization design goals."

The new $121 million facility is expected to support over 1,000 production jobs and over 1,150 total new permanent jobs in the northwest region of Mexico. Construction of the facility is expected to be complete by Spring 2025 with production ramping up in June 2025.

Prioritizing high value industries and talent development, a coalition of Baja California's economic leaders traveled to Japan to meet with Daikin Industries. Baja State Governor Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda welcomes this investment as it aligns with her goals for the state: "Baja California emphasizes foreign investment attraction with innovation and well-paid jobs."

Luis Plascencia, president and general manager of Alliance Air Products expanded, "We've successfully operated in Tijuana for 20 years and have 986 employees who are exceptionally talented in the design and production of highly customized air handlers. We look forward to building on that success, and bolstering our partnership with the Baja California government and local Tijuana leaders to make this new facility a reality."

To learn more about the full range of Daikin Applied solutions, and to find a local sales representative, visit www.daikinapplied.com. Also, follow Daikin Applied on LinkedIn for the latest on commercial HVAC equipment, services and trends. Visit www.allianceairproducts.com to learn more about Alliance Air Products, and its equipment and services.

About Daikin Applied Americas

Daikin Applied, a member of Daikin Industries, Ltd., designs and manufactures advanced commercial and industrial HVAC systems for customers around the world. The company's technology and services play a vital role in creating comfortable, efficient and sustainable spaces to work and live  and in delivering quality air to workers, tenants and building owners. Daikin Applied solutions are sold through a global network of dedicated sales, service and parts offices. For more information or to locate a Daikin Applied representative, visit www.daikinapplied.com or call 800-432-1342.

Media Contact:

Evan Quinnell

Media Consultant

Weber Shandwick

[email protected]

SOURCE Daikin Applied
NEW YORK, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global data center cooling solutions market size is estimated to grow by USD 27.95 billion from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. This growth is expected to occur at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of almost 24.36% during the forecast period.

To understand more about this market - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Data Center Cooling Solutions Market

Report Attribute Details Base Year 2022 Forecast period 2023-2027 Historic Data for 2017 - 2021 Segments Covered Application (Air conditioning, Economizers, Cooling towers, Chillers, and Others) Key Companies Covered Aermec Spa, Airedale Air Conditioning Ltd., AIRSYS Refrigeration Engineering Technology Co. Ltd., Alfa Laval Corporate AB, Asetek AS, Black Box Corp., Chilldyne, Citec International, Daikin Industries Ltd., Data Aire Inc., Engineered Fluids Inc., Green Revolution Cooling Inc., Midas Immersion Cooling, Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Motivair Corp., Nortek Inc., Schneider Electric SE, STULZ GmbH, Vertiv Holdings Co., and Delta Electronics Inc. Regions Covered APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America

Key Trends Fueling Growth

Greater use of HPC:

High Performance Computing (HPC) systems offer enhanced computing power, vital for scientific and engineering tasks. These systems, comprising clusters of processors with 16-64 nodes, excel in handling complex operations like physical simulations and weather forecasting. Measured in FLOPS, HPC outperforms standard computers, making it indispensable for various industries.



Recent advancements, including cloud-based HPC, are attracting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) due to lower initial investments. The surge in big data and cloud computing fuels the demand for data centers supporting HPC. Data centers leverage cloud-based services and virtualization for enhanced scalability and reliability.



To ensure uninterrupted performance, modern data centers deploy high-density servers and efficient cooling solutions. The exponential growth in HPC usage necessitates robust data centers, driving demand for data center power components.



As businesses increasingly rely on data centers, operators must prioritize installing reliable power infrastructure to meet vendor needs and maintain seamless operations.

For more insights on the market trends with forecast market size and historic data (2017 - 2021) - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Major Challenges:

Environmental concerns

Environmental challenges like temperature fluctuations, humidity, and dust affect data center operations globally. Operators in adverse climates must use humidity controllers to manage sudden changes. Dust can cause fan failures and connectivity issues. To address these, operators must carefully design cooling systems.



Despite challenges, demand for data center capacity is rising due to technologies like cloud computing and IoT, increasing IT costs and carbon emissions. CO2 emissions stem from server operations and non-renewable energy use. Microsoft reduced emissions by minimizing generator use. Initiatives like Singapore's TDC project aim to reduce cooling needs by up to 40%.

TDC project aim to reduce cooling needs by up to 40%.

Successful trials could eliminate cooling systems entirely. Telecom Korea achieved a 36% reduction in cooling with higher operating temperatures. Such advancements may disrupt the market in the future.

To know more about the market opportunities impacted by market dynamics, click here to- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Segmentation Overview

Application

1.1 Air conditioning

1.2 Economizers

1.3 Cooling towers

1.4 Chillers

1.5 Others

Geography

2.1 APAC

2.2 North America

2.3 Europe

2.4 Middle East and Africa

and 2.5 South America

1.1 Air conditioning- Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) units are vital for maintaining optimal conditions in data centers worldwide. By regulating airflow, humidity, and temperature, they mitigate hot spots within the facility. Employing a DX refrigeration cycle and a compressor, CRAC units efficiently cool the air before it's circulated through the data center racks. Similarly, Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) units play a crucial role by utilizing water-chiller systems to manage heat generated by IT equipment. While both units may appear similar, their operational principles differ significantly.

Precision air conditioners have emerged as indispensable tools for data centers due to their ability to offer precise temperature and humidity control. With the increasing heat density resulting from high-performance computing infrastructure and virtualization, the demand for precision air conditioners is expected to surge. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on global economies, the development of IT infrastructure continues, driving the construction of new data centers. Major expansions, like Equinix's SG5 facility in Singapore , further contribute to the growing demand for air conditioning systems in the data center market.

Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Analyst Review

The Data Center Cooling Solutions Market is witnessing a surge in demand due to the rapid growth of data-intensive applications, IoT, and digital services. With the advent of the 5G internet era, the need for efficient cooling technologies has become paramount to tackle temperature surges and reduce power consumption. IT industry players, especially medium-sized enterprises undergoing digital transformation, are seeking future-proof cooling solutions to optimize energy consumption and ensure environmental sustainability.

Pre-engineered cooling modules and plug-in systems offer efficient cooling capabilities, while row/rack-based cooling and precision cooling techniques address heat dissipation challenges. The market also sees a rise in AI-driven applications necessitating low-power-consuming cooling techniques and advanced cooling technologies.

Data center operators and managers are increasingly focusing on energy-efficient data centers to maximize space utilization and minimize cooling expenses. Industry 4.0 demands reliable infrastructure components like UPS systems, PDUs, and network switches to ensure uninterrupted power distribution and networking.

In this competitive landscape, collaboration with colocation service providers and outsourcing cooling solutions can drive energy and carbon savings, benefiting sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and energy and utilities. Overall, the market is evolving to meet the growing demand for efficient data generation, storage, and processing while prioritizing energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Market Overview

In the data centers industry, efficient cooling solutions are paramount. Pre-engineered cooling modules ensure optimal performance even under peak load conditions. These modules seamlessly integrate with centralized storage and networking systems, guaranteeing smooth data traffic flow. Advanced cooling techniques, like computer room air conditioners, are tailored to meet the demands of modern infrastructural design.

With the rise of OTT platforms and streaming services, robust web hosting capabilities are indispensable. Web 2.0 technologies demand high computing capacity, necessitating reliable authentication protocols. In this landscape, data center cooling equipment plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimal operational efficiency. As the demand for seamless connectivity grows, the market for data center cooling solutions continues to thrive, meeting the ever-evolving needs of businesses worldwide.

Start exploring market insights by Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Application

Air Conditioning



Economizers



Cooling Towers



Chillers



Others

Geography

APAC



North America



Europe



Middle East And Africa



South America

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Venodr Landscape

11 Vendor Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
DDF invites the stomach cancer community to participate in the live Patient Advocacy and Case Discussion via Zoom.

NEW YORK, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) is proud to announce its collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) at the upcoming Gastroesophageal Cancer Research Center Retreat. This invitation-only event will occur on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST and will feature impactful discussions among leading Gastroesophageal Cancer (GEC) researchers. The program will be led by esteemed figures such as Drs. Yelena Janjigian, Smita Joshi, and Samuel Cytryn, who are at the forefront of GEC research and patient care at MSK. DDF will participate in the retreat's Patient Advocacy and Case Discussion, which will take place at 5:00 p.m. EST, as a key supporter and a pioneering patient advocacy group.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Patient Advocacy and Case Discussion with leading gastric cancer experts Drs. Yelena Janjigian, Smita Joshi, and Samuel Cytryn.

In line with DDF's goal to make advanced research and discussions accessible, the Patient Advocacy and Case Discussion segment will be virtually open to the general public via Zoom. Interested participants must register in advance to receive access to the discussion. DDF invites the stomach cancer community to attend this unique opportunity to gain insights into the latest GEC research developments and understand more deeply how patient advocacy influences cancer care and treatment strategies. Registration details can be found on the DDF website at www.DebbiesDream.org/inspire_events .

"We're proud to be part of this impactful gathering of some of the most brilliant minds in GEC research," said DDF's Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Eidelman. "Our virtual attendees can look forward to an insightful dialogue on patient advocacy in cancer care, which reflects our ongoing mission to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life."

This incredible collaboration builds on DDF and MSK's partnership for the "Debbie's Dream Early Career Investigator in Gastroesophageal Cancer" fellowship announced earlier this year. The three-year fellowship will be executed under the leadership of Dr. Yelena Janjigian at MSK, emphasizing both organizations' commitment to pioneering cancer research and education.

For more information about DDF programs and initiatives or to register for upcoming events, please visit www.DebbiesDream.org .

About Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer

DDF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about gastric cancer, advancing research funding, and providing international education and support to patients, families, and caregivers. DDF's ultimate goal is to make the cure for stomach cancer a reality.

DDF was founded in 2009 by Debbie Zelman after she was diagnosed with stage IV incurable gastric cancer in 2008 and given only weeks to live. Debbie is considered a pioneer by many for bringing awareness to the plight of stomach cancer patients worldwide, as well as to the lack of federal funding for stomach cancer research. She did all of this while receiving hundreds of rounds of chemo and daily oral treatments. Debbie passed away on December 23, 2017, at 50, almost a decade later. As a result of her leadership, DDF now has a Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of world-renowned doctors and chapters throughout Canada and Germany. DDF strives to continue Debbie's mission to make her dream a reality. To learn more, visit www.DebbiesDream.org .

Media Contact:

Brittnay Starks, Communications Director

Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer

(954) 475-1200

[email protected]

www.DebbiesDream.org

SOURCE Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer
TORONTO, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Denison Mines Corp. ('Denison' or the 'Company') (TSX: DML) (NYSE American: DNN) today filed its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis ('MD&A') for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Both documents will be available on the Company's website at www.denisonmines.com, SEDAR+ (at www.sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml). The highlights provided below are derived from these documents and should be read in conjunction with them. All amounts in this release are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. View PDF

David Cates, President and CEO of Denison commented, "This year, Denison commemorates its 70th year of uranium mining, exploration, and development. Denison's long history in uranium mining has been characterized by strategic vision, technological advancement, and an entrepreneurial drive to accomplish things others thought impossible. Modern Denison's defining moment can be traced to a decision, from approximately 15-years ago, to reposition the Company away from a high-cost global expansion platform to focus on the exploration and development of high-grade uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan. This strategy built on Denison's discovery of the Phoenix deposit in 2008 and demonstrated a steadfast conviction that uranium and nuclear energy would be recognized as an essential source of baseload power generation in the long-run  offering an unrivaled combination of emission-free energy and energy security.

Our tireless efforts to advance the Company's strategy, and complete technical evaluations of our flagship Wheeler River project, led to the bold selection of the In-Situ Recovery ('ISR') mining method for the Phoenix deposit in 2018, and have put us in a position where we are nearing a final investment decision to proceed with the construction of potentially one of the lowest-cost uranium mines in the world. In Q1'2024 we made several important steps towards this objective, including the transition from Front-End Engineering Design to detailed design, and the exclusive acquisition of MaxPERF tooling systems, which are expected to support our industry leading deployment of the low-cost ISR mining method in the Athabasca Basin.

Denison's portfolio of uranium reserves, resources, and physical holdings has greatly appreciated in value through late 2023 and into early 2024, as positive sentiment in the uranium and nuclear energy markets has sustained and uranium prices have rapidly increased. As Denison has avoided entering low-priced uranium supply contracts in recent years and has held its physical uranium investment to support future project financing efforts for Phoenix, we are now in an enviable spot with significant uncommitted uranium production and physical holdings potentially available to the market at time of expected scarcity. Taken together with continued geopolitical instability and the expected emergence of significant additional demand from new nuclear builds, it is an ideal time for our Company to be readying to build a low-cost Saskatchewan-based uranium mine.

As we celebrate Denison's legacy of uranium mining in 2024, we look forward to marking this year with several additional notable milestones from our exciting portfolio of Saskatchewan-based uranium mining, exploration, and development projects."

Highlights

Transition to Detailed Design Engineering for Flagship Phoenix ISR Project with Award of $16 Million Contract to Wood



In January 2024 , Denison awarded a contract for approximately $16 million to Wood Canada Limited ('Wood'), for the completion of detailed design engineering for the In-Situ Recovery ('ISR') mining project planned for the Phoenix uranium deposit (' Phoenix ').



Wood completed a Feasibility Study ('Phoenix FS') in 2023 to evaluate the use of the ISR mining method at Phoenix , the results of which reflected several years of technical de-risking efforts successfully completed by Denison and demonstrated robust economics. Following completion of the Phoenix FS, Denison's Board of Directors approved the continuation of efforts to advance Phoenix towards a final investment decision ('FID') and, in late 2023, the Management Committee of the Wheeler River Joint Venture approved a budget for the applicable 2024 expenditures, including detailed engineering design.



The scope of the facilities to be designed by Wood under the contract is extensive, with work commencing in the first quarter of 2024 and potentially extending into the first half of 2025.





In , Denison awarded a contract for approximately to Wood Canada Limited ('Wood'), for the completion of detailed design engineering for the In-Situ Recovery ('ISR') mining project planned for the uranium deposit (' '). Wood completed a Feasibility Study ('Phoenix FS') in 2023 to evaluate the use of the ISR mining method at , the results of which reflected several years of technical de-risking efforts successfully completed by Denison and demonstrated robust economics. Following completion of the Phoenix FS, Denison's Board of Directors approved the continuation of efforts to advance towards a final investment decision ('FID') and, in late 2023, the Management Committee of the Wheeler River Joint Venture approved a budget for the applicable 2024 expenditures, including detailed engineering design. The scope of the facilities to be designed by Wood under the contract is extensive, with work commencing in the first quarter of 2024 and potentially extending into the first half of 2025. Announcement of Planned Restart of McClean Lake Mining Operations



In January 2024 , Orano Canada Inc. ('Orano Canada') and Denison announced the planned restart of uranium mining operations on the McClean Lake property. Mining is expected to be carried out using the joint venture's patented Surface Access Borehole Resource Extraction ('SABRE') mining method and is planned to commence at the McClean North deposit in 2025. Activities in 2024 are intended to be focused on completing the preparations necessary to ready the existing SABRE mining site and equipment for continuous commercial operations, as well as the installation of eight pilot holes for the first mining cavities planned for excavation. The approved budget for this work in 2024 is $7.0 million (100% basis). Approximately 800,000 lbs U 3 O 8 (100% basis) are targeted for production from McClean North in 2025, with approximately 3,000,000 lbs U 3 O 8 (100% basis) identified for potential additional production from a combination of the McClean North and Caribou deposits during the years 2026 to 2030.





In , Orano Canada Inc. ('Orano Canada') and Denison announced the planned restart of uranium mining operations on the McClean Lake property. Mining is expected to be carried out using the joint venture's patented Surface Access Borehole Resource Extraction ('SABRE') mining method and is planned to commence at the McClean North deposit in 2025. Activities in 2024 are intended to be focused on completing the preparations necessary to ready the existing SABRE mining site and equipment for continuous commercial operations, as well as the installation of eight pilot holes for the first mining cavities planned for excavation. The approved budget for this work in 2024 is (100% basis). Approximately 800,000 lbs U O (100% basis) are targeted for production from McClean North in 2025, with approximately 3,000,000 lbs U O (100% basis) identified for potential additional production from a combination of the McClean North and Caribou deposits during the years 2026 to 2030. Signing of Sustainable Communities Investment Agreement



In March 2024 , Denison signed a Sustainable Communities Investment Agreement with the municipalities of the Northern Village of Beauval , the Northern Village of Ile-a-la Crosse, the Northern Hamlet of Jans Bay , and the Northern Hamlet of Cole Bay (the 'Communities').



The agreement with the Communities establishes commitments of Denison in support of community development initiatives, with consideration towards contributing to the current and future economic prosperity and sustainability of the Communities by promoting economic development and investments in capital projects, job creation and training, housing, education, and other initiatives.



As part of the agreement, the Communities have provided their consent and support for the Wheeler River project and have committed, amongst other things, to support all regulatory approvals issued for the project related to exploration, evaluation, development, operation, reclamation, and closure activities.





In , Denison signed a Sustainable Communities Investment Agreement with the municipalities of the , the Northern Village of Ile-a-la Crosse, the Northern Hamlet of , and the Northern Hamlet of (the 'Communities'). The agreement with the Communities establishes commitments of Denison in support of community development initiatives, with consideration towards contributing to the current and future economic prosperity and sustainability of the Communities by promoting economic development and investments in capital projects, job creation and training, housing, education, and other initiatives. As part of the agreement, the Communities have provided their consent and support for the Wheeler River project and have committed, amongst other things, to support all regulatory approvals issued for the project related to exploration, evaluation, development, operation, reclamation, and closure activities. Acquisition of MaxPERF Tool Systems



In February 2024 , the Company announced an acquisition of fixed and mobile MaxPERF Tool Systems from Penetrators Canada Inc. ('Penetrators'). The MaxPERF Tool Systems have been successfully deployed several times as a method of permeability enhancement in ISR field studies conducted on the Company's potential ISR mining projects, including at Phoenix . Penetrators has also agreed to work exclusively with Denison for a 10-year period with respect to the use of the MaxPERF Tool Systems for uranium mining applications, and related services, in Saskatchewan .





In , the Company announced an acquisition of fixed and mobile MaxPERF Tool Systems from Penetrators Canada Inc. ('Penetrators'). The MaxPERF Tool Systems have been successfully deployed several times as a method of permeability enhancement in ISR field studies conducted on the Company's potential ISR mining projects, including at . Penetrators has also agreed to work exclusively with Denison for a 10-year period with respect to the use of the MaxPERF Tool Systems for uranium mining applications, and related services, in . Sale of Uranium



In April 2024 , Denison completed the sale of 100,000 pounds of U 3 O 8 from its physical uranium holdings, at a price of US$100.00 per pound. The sale was agreed in January 2024 , and is part of the Company's plans (see Outlook 2024) to sell approximately 300,000 pounds U 3 O 8 from its physical uranium holdings during 2024. Denison acquired its physical uranium position in 2021 at an average cost of US$29.65 per pound U 3 O 8 .





In , Denison completed the sale of 100,000 pounds of U O from its physical uranium holdings, at a price of per pound. The sale was agreed in , and is part of the Company's plans (see Outlook 2024) to sell approximately 300,000 pounds U O from its physical uranium holdings during 2024. Denison acquired its physical uranium position in 2021 at an average cost of per pound U O . Earn-In Agreement with Grounded Lithium Corp.



In January 2024 , Denison entered into an agreement with Grounded Lithium Corp. ('Grounded Lithium') to acquire up to a 75% interest in the Kindersley Lithium Project ('KLP') in Saskatchewan . The agreement includes a series of earn-in options, with each earn-in option requiring a cash payment to Grounded Lithium as well as work expenditures to advance the KLP. Should Denison complete all three earn-in options, it will have made cumulative cash payments to Grounded Lithium of $3.2 million and have funded $12.0 million in project expenditures to earn a 75% interest in the KLP. The Company is currently evaluating its 2024 plans and will update its outlook for the year once the plan has been finalized.

About Denison

Denison Mines Corp. was formed under the laws of Ontario and is a reporting issuer in all Canadian provinces and territories. Denison's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the 'TSX') under the symbol 'DML' and on the NYSE American exchange under the symbol 'DNN'.

Denison is a uranium mining, exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company has an effective 95% interest in its flagship Wheeler River Uranium Project, which is the largest undeveloped uranium project in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan. In mid-2023, the Phoenix FS was completed for the Phoenix deposit as an ISR mining operation, and an update to the previously prepared 2018 Pre-Feasibility Study ('PFS') was completed for Wheeler River's Gryphon deposit as a conventional underground mining operation. Based on the respective studies, both deposits have the potential to be competitive with the lowest cost uranium mining operations in the world. Permitting efforts for the planned Phoenix ISR operation commenced in 2019 and have advanced significantly, with licensing in progress and a draft Environmental Impact Study ('EIS') submitted for regulatory and public review in October 2022.

Denison's interests in Saskatchewan also include a 22.5% ownership interest in the McClean Lake Joint Venture ('MLJV'), which includes unmined uranium deposits (planned for extraction via the MLJV's SABRE mining method starting in 2025) and the McClean Lake uranium mill (currently utilizing a portion of its licensed capacity to process the ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement), plus a 25.17% interest in the Midwest Joint Venture ('MWJV')'s Midwest Main and Midwest A deposits, and a 69.35% interest in the Tthe Heldeth Tue ('THT') and Huskie deposits on the Waterbury Lake Property ('Waterbury'). The Midwest Main, Midwest A, THT and Huskie deposits are located within 20 kilometres of the McClean Lake mill. Taken together, the Company has direct ownership interests in properties covering ~384,000 hectares in the Athabasca Basin region.

Additionally, through its 50% ownership of JCU (Canada) Exploration Company, Limited ('JCU'), Denison holds additional interests in various uranium project joint ventures in Canada, including the Millennium project (JCU, 30.099%), the Kiggavik project (JCU, 33.8118%) and Christie Lake (JCU, 34.4508%).

In 2024, Denison is celebrating its 70th year in uranium mining, exploration, and development, which began in 1954 with Denison's first acquisition of mining claims in the Elliot Lake region of northern Ontario.

Technical Disclosure and Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Chad Sorba, P.Geo., Denison's Vice President Technical Services & Project Evaluation, and Andy Yackulic, P.Geo., Denison's Vice President Exploration, who are both Qualified Persons in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes 'forward-looking information', within the meaning of the applicable United States and Canadian legislation concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Denison. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'plans', 'expects', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates', or 'believes', or the negatives and/or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'occur', 'be achieved' or 'has the potential to'.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the following: projections with respect to exploration, development and expansion plans and objectives, including the scope, objectives and interpretations of FS, PFS and the Wheeler River technical de-risking process for the proposed ISR operation for the Phoenix deposit; expectations with respect to the EA and EIS; expectations regarding the restart of mining operations at McClean Lake; Denison's plans with respect to its physical uranium holdings; expectations regarding the performance of the uranium market and global sentiment regarding nuclear energy; expectations regarding Denison's joint venture ownership interests; and expectations regarding the continuity of its agreements with third parties. Statements relating to 'mineral reserves' or 'mineral resources' are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the mineral reserves and mineral resources described can be profitably produced in the future.

Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Denison to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For example, the results and underlying assumptions and interpretations of the FS and PFS may not be maintained after further testing or be representative of actual conditions within the applicable deposits. In addition, Denison may decide or otherwise be required to discontinue testing, evaluation, engineering, and development work if it is unable to maintain or otherwise secure the necessary approvals or resources (such as testing facilities, capital funding, etc.). Denison believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate and results may differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information. For a discussion in respect of risks and other factors that could influence forward-looking events, please refer to the factors discussed in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 28, 2024 under the heading 'Risk Factors'. These factors are not, and should not be, construed as being exhaustive.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks only as of the date of this press release. Denison does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this press release to conform such information to actual results or to changes in Denison's expectations except as otherwise required by applicable legislation.

SOURCE Denison Mines Corp.
NEW YORK, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global digital marketing courses market size is estimated to grow by USD 1.79 billion from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. This growth is expected to occur at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.31% during the forecast period.

To understand more about this market - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Digital Marketing Courses Market 2023-2027

Report Attribute Details Base Year 2022 Forecast period 2023-2027 Historic Data for 2017 - 2021 Segments Covered Courses (Academic courses and Certification courses) and Channel (Online and Offline ) Key Companies Covered Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Brainstation Inc., Chegg Inc., ClickMinded LLC, Coursera Inc., Digital Marketing Institute Ltd., HubSpot Inc., JobPrepped, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Meta Platforms Inc., Microsoft Corp., NIIT Ltd., Reliablesoft.Net, Semrush Holdings Inc., Simplilearn, Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd., Udacity Inc., and Udemy Inc. Regions Covered Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa

One of the Key Driver Fueling Growth

Increasing number of people adopting digital media:

The market's growth stems from more people using digital media. Platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn are crucial in today's connected world. Companies choose digital marketing tools to enhance product value. Many firms run social campaigns on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, increasing digital ad spending.



APAC leads in digital tech adoption with the most internet users, attracting companies' focus. This trend impacts APAC's digital marketing courses market as firms hire skilled individuals.



Many students enroll in digital marketing courses accordingly. Also, companies increasingly train employees in digital marketing. These factors will likely drive the global digital marketing courses market in the forecast period.

For more insights on the market trends with forecast market size and historic data (2017 - 2021) - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Major Challenges:

Advent of open-source materials and courses

The rise of open-source digital marketing courses presents a significant challenge to the global digital marketing courses market. These free resources, including platforms like edX, Google Online Marketing Challenge, Wordstreams PPC University, social media Quickstarters Digital Marketing Course, and Alisons Free Diploma in E-business, offer learners access to a wealth of digital marketing concepts and tools without cost.



While certification often incurs a small fee ranging from USD20 to USD50 , the availability of comprehensive courses like Google's, covering topics from search engine marketing to social media and analytics, further undermines traditional paid courses. Even major vendors like Udemy contribute to the proliferation of freely accessible digital marketing education.

to , the availability of comprehensive courses like Google's, covering topics from search engine marketing to social media and analytics, further undermines traditional paid courses. Even major vendors like Udemy contribute to the proliferation of freely accessible digital marketing education.

This trend impedes the growth prospects of commercial digital marketing course providers, as learners increasingly opt for no-cost alternatives. As the demand for accessible digital marketing education continues to rise, businesses in this sector must adapt their strategies to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

To know more about the market opportunities impacted by market dynamics, click here to- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Segmentation Overview

Courses

1.1 Academic courses

1.2 Certification courses

Channel

2.1 Online

2.2 Offline

Geography

3.1 Europe

3.2 North America

3.3 APAC

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Academic courses- The academic courses sector is set to witness substantial growth in market share over the forecast period. The academic course on digital marketing covers various aspects such as integrated marketing and communications, marketing campaign planning, digital display advertising, consumer behavior, and social media communications.

The market saw a gradual increase from USD 727.62 million in 2017 and is projected to continue growing until 2021. Digital marketing degrees offered by universities typically range from ten months to three years for full-time courses, with variations in curriculum and duration across institutions. Both undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as diplomas and postgraduate programs, are available in digital marketing.

in 2017 and is projected to continue growing until 2021. Digital marketing degrees offered by universities typically range from ten months to three years for full-time courses, with variations in curriculum and duration across institutions. Both undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as diplomas and postgraduate programs, are available in digital marketing. Additionally, institutions like the London School of Business and Finance offer short 4-day marketing courses covering digital marketing concepts, web analytics, and related subjects. These factors are expected to drive growth in the global digital marketing

Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Analyst Review

Looking to boost your digital marketing skills? Dive into the thriving market of online courses. From social media marketing to SEO, these courses cover a broad spectrum of topics essential for mastering internet marketing. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned professional, there's something for everyone in the realm of e-learning. Gain certifications in areas like PPC, email marketing, and content marketing to validate your expertise.

Explore courses on analytics, web development, and mobile marketing to stay ahead in the digital landscape. With a focus on skills development and certification, these courses offer training in marketing automation, branding, and conversion optimization.

Delve into the world of digital advertising and video marketing to expand your reach. Learn how to leverage platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and LinkedIn for effective campaigns. Stay updated on industry trends, market research, and data-driven strategies to maximize ROI.

Whether you're aiming for career development or professional growth, digital marketing courses provide the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in today's competitive landscape.

Market Overview

Looking to enhance your skills in digital marketing? Explore a wide array of online courses available in the market. From social media marketing to SEO, PPC to email marketing, there's a course for every aspect of digital marketing. These courses offer certification upon completion, validating your expertise in the field. With e-learning platforms, you can conveniently learn at your own pace, fitting education into your busy schedule.

Dive into content marketing strategies, master analytics, and learn the art of branding to excel in the digital landscape. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, there's always something new to learn in this ever-evolving field. Stay ahead of the curve with courses tailored to skill development and stay competitive in the digital marketing industry.

Start exploring market insights by Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Courses

Academic Courses



Certification Courses

Channel

Online



Offline

Geography

Europe



North America



APAC



South America



Middle East And Africa

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Vendor Landscape

11 Vendor Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
CHICAGO, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Epazz Inc. (OTC: EPAZ), a mission-critical provider of drone technology, battery technology, artificial intelligence processes, blockchain mobile apps and cloud-based business software solutions, announced today the company is planning to spin off Galaxy Batteries Inc.

Galaxy Batteries was developed to provide high-density batteries to the drone and aerospace industry. Galaxy Batteries will use another Epazz spin-off. The company will work with its lawyers and accountants to prepare a spin-off process.

Galaxy Batteries is an AI solid-state battery technology that uses a unique chemistry to achieve high-density and high-voltage batteries. Epazz has developed a battery management system that gathers data from the environment, including wind speed, humidity, temperance and pressure to predict the best output for the system to perform to maximum flight time for drones and electric airplanes.

Epazz has formed Galaxy Batteries Inc. to house its intellectual properties for solid-state battery technology. Epazz has been working on special battery technologies for high-powered devices and aircrafts.

CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D., said, "We believe that Galaxy Batteries would be better as an independent company, where it would receive its true value."

About Epazz Inc. (https://www.epazz.com/)

Epazz Inc. is a leading cloud-based software company that specializes in providing customized cloud applications to corporate companies, higher education institutions and the public sector. Epazz BoxesOS v3.0 is a complete web-based software package for small and midsized businesses, Fortune 500 enterprises, government agencies and higher education institutions. BoxesOS provides many of the web-based applications organizations would otherwise need to purchase separately. Epazz's other products include DeskFlex (a room-scheduling software) and Provitrac (an applicant-tracking system).

SAFE HARBOR

This safe harbor statement is made under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Certain statements contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by their use of words such as "may," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "continue" (or the negatives thereof) or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from predicted results or those implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results might differ materially from those suggested by such statements. Epazz Inc. assumes no obligation and has no intention of updating these forward-looking statements, and it has no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that is not paid for by Epazz Inc. Investors are encouraged to review Epazz Inc.'s public filings on SEC.gov and otcmarkets.com, including its unaudited and audited financial statements and its over-the-counter market filings, which contain general business information about the company's operations, results of its operations and the risks associated with the company and its operations.

Contact

Investor Relations

[email protected]

312-955-8161

https://www.epazz.com/

SOURCE Epazz Inc.
NEW YORK, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Could 2024 be the year that Generative artificial intelligence (AI) sees accelerated adoption within finance and accounting? According to a Deloitte Center for ControllershipTM poll, even though few executives (6.6%) say their organizations have already implemented Generative AI solutions to support finance and accounting processes, considerably more indicate they are actively discussing use cases (15.4%) or have future plans to adopt the technology (27.8%).

Looking at the next 12 months, responding executives say that cash flow forecasting (23.7%) presents the biggest opportunity for Generative AI within their organization's finance and accounting function, followed closely by scenario planning (21.1%), expense reporting (18.1%) and financial controls management (14.1%).

"Just as in any industry, there are areas within accounting and finance that could be ripe for Generative AI experimentation," said Court Watson, a Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP, who specializes in AI use within controllership functions. "Processes that depend on estimations for which organizations have robust, algorithm-ready data sets  such as cash flow forecasting and scenario planning  might be ideal areas for finance and accounting teams to begin testing Generative AI use."

Data, which is the main input for Generative AI models, is the single greatest pain point according to respondents. Nearly one-quarter (24.4%) of polled executives say that enhancements to data quality would improve their trust levels in Generative AI tools.

"Across the board, we continue to hear from organizations that the lack of clean, model-ready data is a significant challenge to incorporating Generative AI into finance and accounting workstreams. Implementing a robust data strategy and process to prepare finance and accounting data for use within Generative AI models  as well as with automation and other technologies  is a crucial first step to help organizations truly reach actionable insights and outcomes," said Watson.

As interest in Generative AI solutions within finance and accounting grows, so are considerations concerning the technology's implications on governance strategies. More than one-third of polled leaders (38.7%) say that their organization already has or will have a Generative AI strategy  protocols to guide its adoption and use  in place for finance and accounting within the next 12 months. Yet, a similar number (39%) report no future plans to develop a strategy.

Dave Stahler, a Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory partner and controllership digital finance leader, Deloitte & Touche LLP, added, "Generative AI is expected to transform finance and accounting processes, inclusive of actual financials, making governance a significant piece of the puzzle. Treating AI governance like any other finance transformation effort will be key to bringing the technology safely into an organization's finance operations. For many, that will mean taking an enterprise-wide approach that includes a well-governed data strategy, accuracy and reliability safeguards, alignment with financial regulations and standards, close strategic collaboration across business functions and  critically  management support."

About the online poll

Over 1,430 C-suite and other executives were polled during a Deloitte Center for Controllership webcast, titled "A new frontier: Exploring artificial intelligence in finance," on October 26, 2023. Answer rates differed by question.

About Deloitte

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500 and more than 8,500 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Building on more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's approximately 457,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

SOURCE Deloitte
Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are building bolder futures

LOS ANGELES, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) has named Darren Litt founder of Hiya Health (Hiya) as a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Greater Los Angeles Award. Now in its 38th year, Entrepreneur Of The Year is the preeminent competitive business award for audacious leaders who disrupt markets, revolutionize sectors and have a transformational impact on lives. Over the past four decades, the program has recognized the daring entrepreneurs with big ideas and bold actions that reshape our world.

Darren Litt was one of a core group of entrepreneurs chosen by an independent panel of judges based on his demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and impact, among other contributions and attributes.

Hiya's inception arose from the realization of the nutritional inadequacy and excessive sugar content in children's vitamins, potentially exacerbating health issues instead of alleviating them. As a mission-driven brand that's been self-funded since inception, Hiya was founded with a vision to provide healthier alternatives for kids and has since become the leading children's brand helping shape the next wave of children's health.

"This recognition from EY fuels our mission at Hiya to redefine children's wellness. We're not just making vitamins for kids  we're building a legacy of wellness, helping one child at a time to develop good habits and a positive association with health," said Darren Litt.

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors many different types of business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to fortify it for the future.

Award winners will be announced on June 13, 2024 during a special celebration at The Beverly Hills Hotel and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum , one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, Marsh USA, SAP and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In Greater Los Angeles, sponsors also include Edelman, Cooley, Los Angeles Business Journal, Vaco, ADP, Big Picture, and Rutan & Tucker.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally.

The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum  in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy .

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com .

About Hiya Health

Hiya is on a mission to reimagine children's health through optimized nutrition. Every product in Hiya's health platform is based on honest ingredients, no sugar or artificial dyes, and ingredient transparency. In addition, products are free of preservatives, yeast, wheat, dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, artificial colors and flavors. Hiya products are initially provided in a refillable bottle designed to be decorated with stickers, helping to connect healthy habits with fun. Head to www.hiyahealth.com to get your superpowers, and follow our journey at @hiyahealth.

Media Contact:

Madelyn Fitzpatrick

[email protected]

323-970-8816

SOURCE Hiya Health
GEORGETOWN, Cayman Islands, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Front Street Re ("FSR" or the "Company"), an international Insurtech and reinsurance company that focuses on annuity, life, health, and general reinsurance solutions and is an operating subsidiary of Lexasure Financial Group Limited ("Lexasure"), today announced the appointment of Edison Fong as Chief Executive Officer following a thorough search process.

Edison Fong, CEO of Front Street Re

Mr. Ian Lim, Chief Executive Officer of Lexasure Financial Group and President of Front Street Re, stated, "Please join me in congratulating Edison as he assumes the CEO role at Front Street Re. His broad actuarial experience, deep financial acumen, and relentless drive to succeed will be critical in driving further innovation and efficiency as we continue this next phase to establish global partnerships. Lexasure is committed to the continued growth of Front Street Re, and I could not be more pleased to be announcing Edison's appointment today."

"I am incredibly excited to be joining the Lexasure family and expanding our North American footprint with Front Street Re," said Edison Fong, Chief Executive Officer of Front Street Re. "There is clearly a need for innovative and customized reinsurance solutions across business lines serviced by growth-constrained small- and mid-sized insurers with limited access to technology and capital. I believe that Lexasure's strategy of tailored products combined with digital platforms that reduce customer transaction costs and benefit the global insurance ecosystem is overdue in this market and look forward to pursuing a wide range of new partnerships to support and grow the insurance industry together."

Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Fong worked at Converge Re, a reinsurance company focusing on asset-intensive reinsurance in the life and annuities markets in the US, based in New York City. Prior to that, Mr. Fong spent the majority of his career in Toronto at Manulife Financial (NYSE: MFC), where he held leadership roles building a project team within the Global Variable Annuities division and had previously worked in the Group Risk Capital and U.S. Life departments. He also accumulated a diverse range of experiences across all facets of actuarial functions with multinational companies in North America and the U.K. and currently serves on committees for the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the American Academy of Actuaries.

Mr. Fong earned a Bachelor of Mathematics with a double major in actuarial science, finance, and statistics with a minor in economics at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. He is also a designated Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, a Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst, and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder.

About Front Street Re

Front Street Re is comprised of two corporate entities that focus on annuity, life, long-term care, health, and general reinsurance solutions to help our clients gain access to new technology, improve profitability, and enhance growth potential. Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd. (FSR) focuses on life, annuity, and health reinsurance products, including reinsurance solutions that improve clients' leverage ratios and capital positions through the assumption of a wide range of risks and liabilities. FSR seeks to provide clients with innovative reinsurance support and technology partnerships to small and midsize insurance and Insurtech companies for existing in-force blocks and new flow business, as well as exit strategies for discontinued lines of business. Front Street Reinsurance Limited (FSRL) provides a broad range of general reinsurance and specialty lines facultative and treaty reinsurance ranging from traditional quota-share and excess-loss to customized reinsurance services. Front Street Re is dedicated to helping insurance and Insurtech companies underwriting new business to elevate their growth potential in North America and globally. For more information, visit frontstreetre.com.

About Lexasure Financial Group

Lexasure Financial Group provides reinsurance and digital insurance solutions, including Reinsurance-as-a-Service (RaaS), that Lexasure believes will enable our clients to manage risk, accelerate growth, and effectively compete. We seek to drive the digital transformation of the insurance and reinsurance industry with scalable and innovative products that meet the local needs of companies and people in fast-growing Asian markets. Our management team has deep expertise in reinsurance, insurance, and insurance technology. Our values are based on a belief that our products enable customers to live and grow boldly while enhancing resilience. We serve over 60 primary insurers across 22 countries in Asia, the Middle East and North America. For more information, go to lexasure.com.

Media Contact

Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Media

+1 (646) 652-7185

[email protected]

SOURCE Lexasure Financial Group Limited
98% of FTX Creditors to Receive At Least 118% of Allowed Claims in Cash within 60 Days of Effectiveness

Other Creditors to Receive 100% of Allowed Claims plus Billions in Compensation for the Time Value of Their Investments

Plan Would Resolve Disputes with Governmental and Private Stakeholders without Costly and Protracted Litigation

WILMINGTON, Del., May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 17 months after filing for chapter 11 in the District of Delaware, FTX Trading Ltd. (d.b.a. FTX.com) and its affiliated debtors ("FTX" or the "Debtors") today filed their anticipated amended Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan") and accompanying Disclosure Statement (the "Disclosure Statement") with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District Court of Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court"). Subject to being finalized and approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the Plan contemplates the centralized distribution to customers and other creditors around the world of virtually all of the assets associated with FTX at the time of its collapse in November 2022, regardless of where the assets were located at that time.

FTX forecasts that the total value of property collected, converted to cash and available for distribution will be between $14.5 and $16.3 billion. This amount includes assets under the control of the chapter 11 debtors as well as assets under the control of the Joint Official Liquidators of FTX Digital Markets, Ltd. (Bahamas), the Securities Commission of The Bahamas, the Joint Official Liquidators of FTX Australia, the United States Department of Justice and dozens of private parties that have cooperated in the recovery efforts.

FTX has achieved this recovery level by monetizing an extraordinarily diverse collection of assets, most of which were proprietary investments held by the Alameda or FTX Ventures businesses, or litigation claims. As previously disclosed, FTX.com had a massive shortfall at the time of the chapter 11 filing in November 2022  holding only 0.1% of the Bitcoin and only 1.2% of the Ethereum customers believed it held. Accordingly, the Debtors have not been able to benefit from the appreciation of these missing tokens during the chapter 11 cases. Instead, the Debtors have had to look to other sources of recoverable value to repay creditors.

The Plan contemplates payment in full of all non-governmental creditors based on the value of their claims as determined by the Bankruptcy Court. In addition, the Plan contemplates a subordination arrangement with governmental creditors that allows payment of interest to the primary classes of customers and creditors at up to a 9% rate (the "Consensus Rate") from the commencement of the chapter 11 cases through the date of distribution. There also may be the opportunity for certain creditors to receive additional payments through the Supplemental Remission Fund described in Section 1.F of the Disclosure Statement.

For creditors holding claims in an allowed amount of $50,000 or less, the Plan creates a special "convenience class". Because of this classification, if the Plan is approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the Debtors anticipate that 98% of the creditors of FTX by number will receive approximately 118% of the amount of their allowed claims within 60 days after the effective date of the Plan, subject to know-your-client and distribution information requirements.

At the heart of the Plan are a series of settlements reached consensually with the key economic stakeholders. The key settlements (including those that are still subject to finalization and Court approval) include:

Resolution of the $24 billion in claims filed by the Internal Revenue Service for periods prior to the chapter 11 cases in return for a $200 million cash payment and a $685 million subordinated claim that will rank below claims of all creditors and governmental entities.





in claims filed by the Internal Revenue Service for periods prior to the chapter 11 cases in return for a cash payment and a subordinated claim that will rank below claims of all creditors and governmental entities. A proposed agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to also subordinate tax claims arising after the commencement of the chapter 11 cases to payment of creditors in full with interest at the Consensus Rate.





A proposed agreement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and potentially other governmental claimants to both subordinate their claims to the payment of non-governmental creditors in full with interest at the Consensus Rate, and to contribute any recoveries on these subordinated claims to a special fund created by the Debtors for purposes of making supplemental restitution to certain customers and creditors. The Debtors have proposed that the Supplemental Remission Fund be made available to all customers and digital asset lenders. Details of this arrangement remain to be finalized.





A proposed arrangement with the Department of Justice pursuant to which over $1.2 billion of forfeiture proceeds can, if the Department of Justice decides, be distributed to customers and creditors through the chapter 11 cases with no incremental administrative expense or delay.





of forfeiture proceeds can, if the Department of Justice decides, be distributed to customers and creditors through the chapter 11 cases with no incremental administrative expense or delay. The previously disclosed customer property settlement with the Ad Hoc Committee of Non-U.S. Customers, the Class Action Claimants and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, which provides for the arm's-length settlement of customer property assertions in return for a special priority for customers in the Plan.





The previously approved settlement with the Joint Official Liquidators of FTX Digital Markets, Ltd. ("FTX DM"), which allows for FTX.com customers to elect to have their claims reconciled in either the chapter 11 cases or the liquidation of FTX DM with materially equivalent financial results.





The previously approved settlement with BlockFi, the largest creditor of FTX.

John J. Ray III, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Restructuring Officer of FTX, said: "We are pleased to be in a position to propose a chapter 11 plan that contemplates the return of 100% of bankruptcy claim amounts plus interest for non-governmental creditors. On behalf of FTX's independent Board of Directors, I want to extend our deepest appreciation to the numerous governmental agencies, including the United States Department of Justice, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Internal Revenue Service and the Securities Commission of The Bahamas, for their tireless efforts, cooperation and assistance through this complex recovery process. I also want to thank the Joint Official Liquidators of FTX Digital Markets, the Ad Hoc Committee of Non-U.S. Customers, the Class Action Claimants, BlockFi, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors and all of their professionals for their hard work in the development of the Plan and its resulting achievements. Finally, I want to thank all the customers and creditors of FTX for their patience throughout this process."

Advisors

The FTX Debtors are represented by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP and Landis Rath & Cobb LLP as legal counsel and are assisted by Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC as financial advisor and Perella Weinberg Partners LP as investment banker, among other advisors.

Additional Information

The Plan is subject to material conditions and risks, and all stakeholders are asked to review the Disclosure Statement carefully upon its approval by the Bankruptcy Court. Bankruptcy Court filings, including the Plan and the Disclosure Statement, and other documents related to the court proceedings are available at https://cases.ra.kroll.com/FTX/.

SOURCE FTX
The global glass mat market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as increase in infrastructural developments and rise in demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles.

WILMINGTON, Del., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Glass Mat Market by Mat Type (Chopped Strand Glass Mat and Continuous Filament Glass Mat), Binder Type (Powder Bonded Glass Mat and Emulsion Bonded Glass Mat ), Manufacturing Process (Wet-laid, Dry-laid, and Others), Application (Drywall Tape and Accessories, Flooring Enforcement, Wall Reinforcement, Roofing Waterproofing, and Insulation), and End-use (Construction, Automotive, Industrial, Marine, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the "glass mat market" was valued at $1.3 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $2.7 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2023 to 2032.

Prime determinants of growth

The global glass mat market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, driven by increase in construction activities. This is attributed to the fact that glass mat offers exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to moisture, mold, and fire, which make it ideal for reinforcing gypsum boards and insulation panels. In addition, the market is propelled by rise in demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles, leading to the widespread use of glass mat in the automotive industry. However, availability of alternative solutions such as carbon fibers, synthetic fibers, and natural fibers and high price of glass mats hinder the market growth. Nevertheless, increase in adoption of filtration systems and surge in investments in infrastructural development projects present lucrative growth opportunities for the market.

Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A323388

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $1.3 billion Market Size in 2032 $2.7 billion CAGR 7.7 % No. of Pages in Report 350 Segments Covered Mat Type, Binder Type, Manufacturing Process, Application, End-Use, and Region. Drivers Surge in construction activities Increase in demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles Rise in demand for renewable energy Opportunity Increased investments in infrastructural development projects Rise in use of filtration systems Restraint Availability of substitutes Increased adoption of close molding method

The chopped strand glass mat segment dominated the market during the forecast period

By the mat type, the chopped strand glass mat segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global glass mat market revenue and is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period. This can be attributed to rise in demand for lightweight, strong, and durable materials across various industries, coupled with advancements in technology and growing infrastructure needs, which are driving the growth in demand for chopped strand glass mat.

The powder bonded glass mat segment dominated the market during the forecast period.

By binder type, the powder bonded glass mat segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global glass mat market revenue and is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period. This can be attributed the combination of improved mechanical properties, environmental benefits, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, which is driving the demand for powder-bonded glass mat bonding type in various industries.

Procure Complete Report (350 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/glass-mat-market

The dry-laid segment dominated the market during the forecast period.

By manufacturing process, the dry-laid segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly half of the global glass mat market revenue and is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast periodas dry-laid glass mats are compatible with a wide range of resin systems, including polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy, and polyurethane resins. This compatibility allows manufacturers to tailor the properties of the finished composite material to specific application requirements, enhancing versatility and performance.

The wall reinforcement segment dominated the market during the forecast period.

By application, the wall reinforcement segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-fifth of the global glass mat market revenue and is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period. Glass mat is relatively easy to install, requiring minimal preparation and specialized equipment. It can be applied directly to drywall or other surfaces using standard adhesives, tapes, or joint compounds, reducing installation time and labor costs. Furthermore, glass mat is made from recycled glass fibers, making it an environmentally friendly option for wall reinforcement. It helps reduce the consumption of natural resources and minimizes waste generation, aligning with sustainability goals and green building practices.

The construction segment is expected to grow faster throughout the forecast period.

By end-use , the construction segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly one-third of the global glass mat market revenue and is expected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Glass mat is made from recycled glass fibers, making it an environmentally friendly option for construction projects. It helps reduce the consumption of natural resources, minimize waste generation, and contribute to sustainable building practices, which are increasingly important considerations in the construction industry.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032.

By region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for nearly half of the global glass mat market revenue and is expected to dominate in terms of revenue during the forecast period. Factors such as rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, government investments, automotive production, wind energy expansion, lightweighting trends, technological advancements, and sustainability concerns are driving the demand for glass mat in the Asia-Pacific region.

Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/glass-mat-market/purchase-options

Players: -

3B - the fibreglass company

- the fibreglass company ADFORS

China Jushi Co., Ltd.

ENTEK

Gridtential Energy, Inc.

Johns Manville

Owens Corning

PPG Industries Inc.

Sisecam

TAIWAN GLASS IND. CORP.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global glass mat market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to highlight the competitive scenario.

Similar Reports:

About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

Contact:

David Correa

United States

1209 Orange Street,

Corporation Trust Center,

Wilmington, New Castle,

Delaware 19801 USA.

Int'l: +1-503-894-6022

Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285

Fax: +1-800-792-5285

[email protected]

Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com

Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com

Blog: https://www.newsguards.com/

Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube |

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Allied Market Research
PARIS, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off his state visit to France on May 5. It coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France, and is of great significance to building on past achievements and opening up new prospects for bilateral relations.

During this visit, achieving carbon neutrality goals will, once again, be an important consensus reaffirmed by China and France, in relation to which, the joint promotion of nuclear energy cooperation and development as an important cornerstone for the two countries to achieve carbon reduction goals has attracted great attention.

Yu Jianfeng, Chairman of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), and Jean-Bernard Levy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Electricite de France (EDF) jointly released A Prospective Study on "Bluebook" on Nuclear Energy to Support for Low Carbon on Monday in Paris.

"China and France, as major nuclear energy-producing countries in the world, play an irreplaceable role in promoting nuclear energy to address climate change and low-carbon transformation," Yu said.

He noted that nuclear energy cooperation is an important part of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Macron, nuclear energy enterprises in the two countries have adhered to the principle of "walking on the two legs of technological cooperation and industrial cooperation," and have achieved fruitful results.

The Global Times learned from the CNNC that the cooperation between the CNNC and the EDF opens a new chapter in the two countries' nuclear energy cooperation. This not only reflects the concrete implementation of the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two countries, but also marks the 40th anniversary of the two countries' nuclear energy cooperation and witnesses the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.

The move will also support China in building an innovative nuclear energy international cooperation network. In the future, the two countries will leverage their strengths to build a new pattern of cooperation and development that is interconnected and driven by innovation, supported by industry to promote the improvement of global nuclear governance, and make greater contributions to the economic and social development of China and France, as well as the construction of a global community of shared future for mankind.

globaltimes.cn/page/202405/1311735.shtml

SOURCE Global Times
BEIJING, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off his state visit to France on May 5. It coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France, and is of great significance to building on past achievements and opening up new prospects for bilateral relations.

During this visit, achieving carbon neutrality goals will, once again, be an important consensus reaffirmed by China and France, in relation to which, the joint promotion of nuclear energy cooperation and development as an important cornerstone for the two countries to achieve carbon reduction goals has attracted great attention.

Yu Jianfeng, Chairman of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), and Jean-Bernard Levy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Electricite de France (EDF) jointly released A Prospective Study on "Bluebook" on Nuclear Energy to Support for Low Carbon on Monday in Paris.

"China and France, as major nuclear energy-producing countries in the world, play an irreplaceable role in promoting nuclear energy to address climate change and low-carbon transformation," Yu said.

He noted that nuclear energy cooperation is an important part of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Macron, nuclear energy enterprises in the two countries have adhered to the principle of "walking on the two legs of technological cooperation and industrial cooperation," and have achieved fruitful results.

The Global Times learned from the CNNC that the cooperation between the CNNC and the EDF opens a new chapter in the two countries' nuclear energy cooperation. This not only reflects the concrete implementation of the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two countries, but also marks the 40th anniversary of the two countries' nuclear energy cooperation and witnesses the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.

The move will also support China in building an innovative nuclear energy international cooperation network. In the future, the two countries will leverage their strengths to build a new pattern of cooperation and development that is interconnected and driven by innovation, supported by industry to promote the improvement of global nuclear governance, and make greater contributions to the economic and social development of China and France, as well as the construction of a global community of shared future for mankind.

One of the most stable cooperation areas

The nuclear energy cooperation between China and France has a long history and continues to deepen. Since the signing of the first cooperation agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy in 1982, China and France have always adhered to the principle of equal emphasis on scientific and industrial cooperation. Nuclear energy cooperation has become one of the most stable cooperation areas between the two countries.

As one of the earliest international nuclear energy companies to cultivate business in China, the EDF has been operating in China for more than 40 years and has become one of the largest foreign investors in China's power generation and energy services industry.

For a long time, the EDF has developed and deepened its partnership with the CNNC. The two sides regularly hold high-level meetings, and their cooperation covers multiple areas such as nuclear power research and development, construction, operation and maintenance, and fuel, achieving numerous results.

The CNNC and the EDF have actively participated in the interactive activities of international organizations, sending experts to support the work of international organization technical groups, conducting international research projects, and promoting international coordination and standardization. For example, they participated in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s nuclear safety standards development work, especially the recent Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI) small modular reactor regulatory forum activities initiated by the IAEA, which is aimed at promoting the development of universal standards for small modular reactors, coordinate unified regulatory requirements, and promote the safe and reliable deployment of small modular reactors worldwide.

The EDF and the CNNC have also made important contributions to the standardization work of international standardization organizations and the International Electrotechnical Commission.

As the main force of China and France's nuclear energy technology cooperation, the CNNC has established long-term friendly cooperation relationships with French partners and achieved fruitful cooperation results. In the more than 40 years of nuclear energy technology cooperation, the CNNC and the French Atomic Energy Commission have established seven collaborative laboratories in areas such as reactor thermal hydraulics, severe accident management, aging and life management of pressurized water reactors, fast reactors, nuclear fusion, geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, decommissioning, and radioactive waste management. The two sides also signed and implemented over 500 special cooperation projects.

The CNNC has also successfully held six nuclear energy technology innovation seminars with the EDF, achieving good results in areas such as severe accidents, additive manufacturing, and material research.

Furthermore, the CNNC has also formed a consortium with Framatome to successfully bid for and implement the main machine installation project of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), and have conducted good cooperation with the Orano Group in areas such as the research on uranium resources.

To jointly build "artificial sun"

Cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy has become an important part of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France. The scope of nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries is wide-ranging and diverse, but the most "high-energy" project undoubtedly is the ITER large-scale scientific project that the two countries are jointly working on.

Referred to as the world's largest "artificial sun," the ITER project is currently the largest and most influential international scientific project in the world, carrying the hopes of humanity for the peaceful use of nuclear fusion energy.

The ITER device is a superconducting tokamak capable of producing large-scale nuclear fusion reactions, which will help humanity move further toward a continuous source of clean energy. Since its establishment in 2007, the ITER has been one of the largest international scientific engineering cooperation projects in the world. France is the location of the ITER project construction and headquarters, while China is one of the seven equal member parties of the ITER project, contributing 9.09 percent of the construction phase and 10 percent of the operation and decommissioning phase funding.

China joined the ITER project in 2006. Since the implementation of the project, China has always adhered to its international commitments, with Chinese enterprises and researchers bravely shouldering heavy responsibilities and working together with international counterparts to contribute Chinese wisdom and strength to the smooth progress of the project.

The CNNC has been actively involved in the development of the world's largest "artificial sun." In September 2019, a China-France consortium led by the CNNC signed the TAC-1 installation contract with the ITER, marking China's deep involvement in the installation of the core equipment of the tokamak device - the "heart" of the experimental reactor.

On February 29, 2024, the ITER organization signed a new the vacuum chamber module assembly contract with the consortium. China will once again undertake the installation of the core equipment, contributing wisdom and strength to the ITER project alongside France.

Shen Yanfeng, General Manager of the CNNC, said that the signing of the agreement means that the China-France consortium led by the CNNC has become the sole contractor for the main host installation of the ITER project. This demonstrates the CNNC's commitment to implementing President Xi's important instructions, opening up to the outside world, deeply participating in the global nuclear industry chain cooperation, building a new development pattern, promoting high-quality development of the nuclear industry, accelerating the advancement of China's modernization, and striving to create a vivid practice of a global community of shared future for mankind.

This will greatly enhance China's participation and contribution in international large-scale scientific projects, and help implement the "three-step" development strategy of nuclear energy - thermal reactors, fast reactors, and fusion reactors, Shen said.

Direction for nuclear energy development

The release of the "bluebook" undoubtedly takes the cooperation between China and France in the nuclear energy field to a new level.

The Global Times learned that the "bluebook" is the first strategic planning soft science cooperation between Chinese state-owned nuclear energy enterprises and partners in developed Western countries in recent years, marking a significant increase in China's nuclear industry strategic planning and soft science research capabilities and international influence, with obvious uniqueness and importance.

"The 'bluebook' is cooperation between China and France at the strategic research level in the field of nuclear energy, which has never happened before. It was included in the plan during French President Macron's visit to China in 2023," Luo Qingping, President of the China Institute of Nuclear Industry Strategy under CNNC, told the Global Times.

The release of the "bluebook" at the historical moment of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France can also be seen as the opening of a new chapter in the nuclear energy cooperation of the two countries. In the future, China and France can combine the contents of the "bluebook" to deepen cooperation in promoting nuclear energy development, including cooperation in exploring third-party markets.

The Global Times found that the "bluebook" interprets the development ideas and practices of China and France in the field of nuclear energy through historical reviews and strategic research, providing an in-depth analysis of the future nuclear energy industry from a macro perspective.

The research mainly covers the current global status and trends of nuclear energy development, the role of nuclear power in addressing the climate change, progress in nuclear power safety and related technology standards, and measures to enhance the economic efficiency of nuclear power coupled with other new energy sources, systematically describing the current status of nuclear energy development and good practices in China and France.

In addition, the "bluebook" fully demonstrates China's strength in nuclear power construction, including its strength in third-generation nuclear power, fourth-generation nuclear power, small modular reactors, and the entire industry chain service capabilities.

It also describes important nuclear power products in China, such as the Hualong One, Linglong One, high-temperature reactors, and fast reactors, making it easier for the international community to understand China's nuclear power technology and product capabilities.

The release of the "bluebook" can expand the influence of Chinese nuclear power companies, especially the CNNC. Through the preparation of the "bluebook," China and France can reach a consensus on nuclear energy technology at the strategic level and enhance the international influence of nuclear energy technology in both countries.

The "bluebook" proposes three initiatives. First, China and France jointly advocate that every country in the world has the right to develop nuclear power, but safety must be the top priority in the development process, meaning that nuclear power must be developed under reliable safety supervision. Second, it points out to the world that nuclear energy can effectively support low-carbon development. China's future nuclear energy technologies such as small modular reactors and nuclear fusion are important solutions to the global energy problem. Third, it calls for urgent action to address the crisis caused by climate change, emphasizing that energy transformation is imperative, and the development of nuclear power is undoubtedly an effective approach.

Based on this "bluebook," there is a possibility of creating an internationally significant guiding document. The IAEA is also very interested in this "bluebook." Next, the CNNC will communicate with the IAEA to try to include the "bluebook" in their publication list for global promotion.

A green future for humanity

According to data in the "bluebook," as of the end of December 2023, France has an installed nuclear power capacity of 61.37 gigawatts in operation, ranking second in the world, with an additional 1.63 gigawatts under construction. China has an installed nuclear power capacity of 53.15 gigawatts in operation, ranking third in the world, with an additional 23.72 gigawatts under construction. Both China and France are major nuclear energy-producing countries, with CNNC and EDF as key players in global nuclear energy development, each having their own advantages in nuclear power construction, operation, maintenance, and fuel supply, accumulating rich experience in the development of nuclear energy.

The continued cooperation between the two countries will provide strong momentum for the utilization and development of global clean energy technologies. China and France will continue to deepen cooperation in multiple areas such as nuclear engineering, nuclear power operation, and nuclear fuel cycle. They will promote the synergy between nuclear energy and renewable energy, formulate public policies focusing on low-carbon growth, accelerate the development of renewable energy such as hydropower, wind power, solar power, and geothermal energy, extend the lifespan of existing nuclear power plants, initiate new nuclear power construction projects, and optimize the cost of energy transition.

Furthermore, the two sides will cooperate to promote advanced nuclear energy technologies such as small modular reactors and fusion reactors. They will work together to advance the commercial deployment of small modular reactors. They will also strengthen international cooperation in the field of nuclear fusion research, the Global Times learned from the CNNC.

At the same time, they will promote the comprehensive application of nuclear energy, popularize technologies such as nuclear heating, seawater desalination, and hydrogen production, diversify the forms of nuclear energy utilization, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

They will also conduct research on the impact of climate change using nuclear technology, playing a special role in addressing issues such as water scarcity, soil erosion, land degradation, and increased diseases and pests in plants and animals caused by climate change.

Looking to the future, the CNNC and the EDF have reached a consensus that nuclear energy development is a realistic and important choice in the transition to a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient modern energy system, especially as nuclear energy expands from electricity generation to heating, steam supply, hydrogen production, and other applications, potentially accelerating the decarbonization of high-emission industries. The deepening cooperation in the nuclear energy field between China and France will undoubtedly bring more solutions and surprises to humanity.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202405/1311735.shtml

SOURCE Global Times
BEIJING, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- China and Serbia have long been renowned for their ironclad friendship. The bond between the two nations continues to strengthen with frequent exchanges between their leaders. As Chinese President Xi Jinping pays his second state visit to the European country in the coming days, expectations are running high that the ironclad friendship between the two nations will be further enriched and strengthened.

Before the significant visit, Global Times reporters Shan Jie, Xie Wenting and Zhao Juecheng (GT) interviewed Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming (Li). The ambassador offers a profound look at the robust China-Serbia relations, underscored by a shared history and a vibrant cultural exchange, while emphasizing Serbia's integral role in the Belt and Road Initiative and the impact of the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement on economic collaboration.

GT: You have been serving as the Chinese Ambassador to Serbia since last September. What impressions has Serbia made on you during these past months? As the current Chinese ambassador, what message would you like to convey to the local people?

Li: Serbia is a uniquely charming country. Situated in Central and Eastern Europe in the Balkan region, it boasts a rich history and vibrant culture where Eastern and Western civilizations have met and mingled over millennia, producing significant achievements in human civilization. Additionally, Serbia is blessed with splendid natural beauty, from its vast plains and river valleys to its mountainous landscapes, all captivating to behold.

What impressed me most was the warmth of Serbian people and their profound friendship with the Chinese people. Both countries view each other as "ironclad friends," a bond not only rooted in our historical traditions but also thriving anew in the new era.

Upon arriving in Serbia, I was pleased to witness numerous fruitful Chinese-Serbian collaborations taking root and flourishing, and to feel the warm, friendly support of the Serbian people for our bilateral cooperation.

As President Xi has stated, "The modernization we are pursuing is not for China alone, but for all developing countries through our joint efforts." I am confident that under the careful guidance and leadership of our heads of state, China-Serbia relations will continue to yield fruitful outcomes in the new era, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples and setting a model for the region and the world.

GT: How do you evaluate the current state of China-Serbia relations? In which areas do you plan to deepen cooperation?

Li: China and Serbia are close friends and partners, sharing an ironclad friendship that has endured through history and remains vibrant amid global changes. The frequent interactions between our leaders have charted the course for our relationship. In recent years, President Xi and President Aleksandar Vucic have met multiple times and maintained a close communication. In October 2023, President Vucic led the largest-ever Serbian delegation to China for the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Under the strategic guidance of both leaders, our comprehensive strategic partnership maintains robust development, with close exchanges at all levels and unwavering mutual support on issues of core interest and major concern, deepening political trust.

Our economic and trade cooperation has strengthened both economies. Bilateral trade continues to grow, with China being Serbia's largest source of imports, second-largest trading partner, and a significant direct investor. Serbian Zijin Mining Group, HeSteel Group (HBIS) Group Serbia Iron & Steel, and Serbian Zijin Copper company, all Chinese-funded enterprises, rank among Serbia's top exporters. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, our infrastructure projects stand out, including the Belgrade Zemun-Borca Bridge, the first bridge built by a Chinese company in Europe, and the E763 highway, the first highway constructed by a Chinese company in Europe. The Hungary-Serbia railway, a flagship BRI project, marks China's first high-speed rail project in Europe and the first in the Central and Eastern European region.

Cultural exchanges have also bridged our friendship. The traditional bond between our countries has been strengthened by reciprocal visa exemptions, mutual driving license recognition, and direct flights. The interest in Chinese culture remains high in Serbia. The Spring Festival of the Year of the Dragon saw the Chinese Embassy in Serbia host a series of popular "Happy Spring Festival" events. With the establishment of the Chinese Cultural Center in Belgrade, China-Serbia cultural exchanges have gained a new platform.

China will continue to work with Serbia, guided by the important consensus of our leaders, leveraging mechanisms such as the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement and the Belt and Road mid-term action plan. We will deepen cooperation in traditional fields and accelerate development in digital and green economies, exploring new potential in innovation, new energy, biotechnology, and environmental protection. Recently, Chinese automakers Chery, Geely, and Lynk & Co showcased their products at the Belgrade Motor Show, adding highlights to China-Serbia economic and trade cooperation. I believe the scope of our collaborative endeavors will only expand, broadening the path of cooperation between the two countries.

GT: In your view, how has the BRI impacted China-Serbia relations and cooperation? Please detail two successful cooperation projects you have observed.

Li: Serbia is a key partner in the BRI, being among the first European countries to sign a cooperation agreement with China. The integration of the BRI into Serbia's national development over the last decade serves as a model for the international community. Projects like the Hungary-Serbia railway, the Belgrade Ring Road, the Sava River Bridge, and the Smederevo steel plant have significantly improved the daily lives of locals, boosting employment, trade, and investment, and injecting new vigor into Serbia's development. Among these, the Smederevo steel plant and the Hungary-Serbia railway stand out as exemplary cases.

The Smederevo steel plant, once hailed as the pride of Serbia and boasting over a century of history, faced closure due to mismanagement. In 2016, under the BRI, China's HBIS signed with the Serbian government to establish HBIS Group Serbia Iron & Steel. In less than six months, the steel plant turned profitable after seven years of losses, becoming Serbia's largest exporter for four consecutive years. Importantly, all 5,000 Serbian employees were retained, rekindling hope for thousands of families and exemplifying the success of China-Serbia cooperation under the Belt and Road framework.

In 2013, the Hungary-Serbia railway project was announced shortly after the implementation of the BRI. In 2022, the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Hungary-Serbia railway was completed and opened to traffic, reducing the travel time between the two cities from 90 minutes to 30 minutes. Over the last two years, the Belgrade-Novi Sad section has transported over 7 million passengers.

Excited about the project, President Vucic said, "This is a significant change for the Serbian people and the entire country." The Serbia section of the Hungary-Serbia railway line is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, and it is believed that it will become the "road to happiness" and "road to prosperity" for the Serbian people, as well as a road of friendship between China and Serbia.

Under the guidance of the BRI, China and Serbia will continue to uphold the principle of planning together, building together and benefiting together, focusing on connectivity and achieving new brilliant results in policy communication, facility connectivity, trade facilitation, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds.

GT: What new impetus has the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) injected into the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and what has it achieved?

Li: The China-Serbia FTA is the first free trade agreement signed between China and a Central and Eastern European country, and it is also the 22nd free trade agreement signed by China. Serbia has become China's 29th free trade partner globally.

After the agreement comes into effect, both countries' citizens and businesses will benefit from it. Serbian producers and traders can actively utilize the free trade arrangement between the two countries to access major consumer markets worldwide, and attract Chinese and European investors to invest in Serbia.

Serbia has made high-level commitments in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and information communication, providing Chinese companies with greater certainty and broader opportunities to explore the Serbian market and even the Central and Eastern European markets.

The China-Serbia FTA will help both sides to achieve high-level mutual openness, establish new institutional arrangements for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, create a more favorable, convenient, transparent, and stable business environment for businesses from both countries, and inject new momentum into promoting high-quality joint construction of the BRI and deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Serbia.

GT: Please introduce the Belgrade China Cultural Center to our readers. How do you feel about the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries? What activities can we look forward to in the near future?

Li: The Belgrade China Cultural Center holds a very special position and significance among the dozens of Chinese cultural centers overseas. It stands on the site of the former Chinese Embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in Belgrade, which was bombed by NATO in 1999, symbolizing the rebirth and indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation. It bears witness to the deep friendship forged by the Chinese and Serbian people with blood and life, and also demonstrates the Chinese people's love for peace and their national character of not fearing power.

The cultural center has now started operating, becoming a convenient window for the Serbian people to learn about China and experience Chinese culture. It has become a new platform for telling Chinese stories and showcasing China's images, as well as a bridge for promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and Serbia.

The cultural center not only provides opportunities for Chinese cultural displays and teaching such as calligraphy, tea art, musical instruments, dance, and martial arts, but also focuses on building its own cultural brand activities. In May 2024, the center will host the first "Tea and the World" event in conjunction with International Tea Day, followed by the first China-Serbia Dragon Boat Festival, the 2024 Chinese Film Week, and the "Hello! China" tourism promotion event.

GT: What exemplary role and positive impact have China-Serbia relations played on the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries?

Li: As an important country in Central and Eastern Europe, Serbia is walking hand in hand with China, and bilateral relations are steadily developing. This not only sets an example for cooperation between China and CEE countries under the BRI, but also injects more stability into China's relations with Central and Eastern European countries. The successful practice of China-Serbia cooperation fully proves that China and CEE countries can become good friends and partners in the process of jointly moving toward modernization.

China is willing to work together with countries in Central and Eastern Europe to firmly grasp the overall direction and main tone of the development of bilateral relations from a strategic height, respect each other, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

GT: What's your take on President Vucic's recent remarks on the Taiwan question? How have China and Serbia supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests?

Li: At the beginning of this year, in an interview with China's state news agency, President Vucic used 10 seconds to illustrate Serbia's firm position of adhering to the one-China principle, and then in an interview with the media, he clearly stated that Taiwan belongs to China.

President Vucic's remarks on the Taiwan question not only spoke to the just call of the international community, but also strongly demonstrated, once again, that China and Serbia have always firmly supported each other's core interests and major concerns, and firmly supported each other's development path choice.

China and Serbia are true friends and good partners who trust each other. Over the years, Serbia has firmly supported China on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and human rights, and China has always firmly supported Serbia in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China is willing to continue to respect, support, trust, and treat each other as equals with Serbia and push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202405/1311545.shtml

SOURCE Global Times
BEIJING, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- China and France should uphold mutual benefits, jointly oppose acts of "decoupling" and disrupting industrial and supply chains, and say no together to building barriers, President Xi Jinping made the remarks on Monday when holding talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

China and France should uphold independence and jointly fend off a "new Cold War" or bloc confrontation, Xi said, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Xi also attended a welcome ceremony held by Macron on Monday.

Earlier on the day, Xi attended a China-France-EU trilateral meeting with President Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Elysee Palace.

In a signed article published Sunday in French media Le Figaro, Xi said we live in a world that is far from being tranquil and is once again facing a multitude of risks. China is ready to work with France in the spirit that guided the establishment of our diplomatic ties to forge a stronger comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries and make new contributions to stronger cooperation of the global community.

Strategic guidance

Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Monday that Xi's visit to France marks the climax of China's diplomacy toward Europe this year. And EU is crucial in the process of promoting political multipolarity and economic globalization.

On Tuesday, Macron will take Xi to the Pyrenees, a mountainous region dear to the French President as the birthplace of his maternal grandmother, according to Reuters.

Such a special arrangement by Macron has the meaning of courtesy and shows the special relationship between the two heads of state, as well as a kind of frankness, analysts said.

Tian Dewen, deputy director of the Institute of European Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that in the past five years, China-EU relations have encountered difficulties, but China-France relations have been relatively stable. This is directly related to the Macron government's implementation of positive and pragmatic relations with China.

China is a very important external force for France and Europe to realize strategic autonomy, and it can certainly consolidate France's leading position in Europe if it can maintain a communicative and interactive relationship with China, experts said.

Seeking consensus

China regards Europe as a priority of its major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and an important partner in achieving Chinese modernization, Xi said at China-France-EU trilateral meeting held earlier on Monday.

As the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, China and the EU, as two major forces in the world, should continue to see each other as partners, stay committed to dialogue and cooperation, deepen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, build strategic consensus, carry out strategic coordination, work for steady and sound growth of China-EU ties, and continue making new contributions to world peace and development, Xi said.

According to AFP, Macron told Xi that coordination with Beijing on "major crises" including Ukraine and the Middle East was "absolutely decisive" and essential.

He Zhigao, a research fellow with the Institute of European Studies from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said that the trilateral meeting highlights an important opportunity for China and Europe to strengthen high-level exchanges, communicate on major issues, and enhance strategic consensus.

"By talking about some of the current challenges facing China-Europe relations and the demands of both sides, they can continue the stability and cooperation space of the current relations, so that the relations will not slide into a new Cold War. China-Europe relations now play a more important role in shaping global order than ever," He told the Global Times.

Von der Leyen said that it is important that the EU maintains good relations with China, and this will determine whether global challenges such as climate change and the Ukraine crisis can be better addressed.

Xi urged the two sides to properly address economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, and accommodate each other's legitimate concerns.

Whether viewed from the perspective of comparative advantage or global market demand, there is no such thing as "China's overcapacity problem," Xi said.

SOURCE Global Times
BEIJING, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris on Sunday afternoon local time, the first stop of his visit to three European countries. In a written speech on Sunday upon his arrival for a state visit to France, Xi said over the past 60 years, China-France relations have long been at the forefront of China's ties with major Western countries, setting a good example for the international community of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between countries with different systems.

The development of China-France relations has not only brought benefits to the two peoples, but also injected stability and positive energy into the turbulent world, Xi said in the written speech.

Xi's visit to France comes at a time when this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Analysts believe the visit will boost leadership exchanges, strengthen political trust and offer an opportunity for China-Europe relations to move forward in a stable and steady manner.

"President Xi will have comprehensive and in-depth strategic communication with French President Emmanuel Macron on China-France and China-Europe relations, encourage France to uphold strategic autonomy and openness in cooperation, so as to drive Europe to form a more independent, objective, and friendly understanding of China and resist negative trends such as 'de-risking' and 'reduced dependence' on China," Chinese ambassador to France Lu Shaye told a press briefing on April 29 after China made the announcement of the visit.

Pierre Picquart, an expert in geopolitics and human geography from the University of Paris-VIII, told the Global Times that Xi's visit is significant on three levels.

"On the economic front, this trip could pave the way for reaching trade agreements and promoting mutually beneficial investments in key sectors such as technology, innovation, energy and infrastructure. Diplomatically, this visit provides an ideal platform to strengthen coordination and collaboration between China and France on major global challenges such as climate change, international security and public health. On cultural and educational level, this trip could open up new opportunities for cooperation in the fields of education, research and culture, thereby strengthening exchanges between our peoples and deepening their mutual understanding," Picquart said.

Commemorative events

The national flags of China and France have been raised at one end of the Avenue des Champs-Elysees as well as on the street in front of Les Invalides.

On Sunday afternoon, near the Arc de Triomphe in the center of Paris, many local Chinese residents and Chinese students waved the national flags of China and France to welcome President Xi. The red banners that read "Long live China-France friendship" and "Wish President Xi a successful visit to France" were very eye-catching. Some also staged dragon and lion dances in show of a joyful atmosphere.

Prior to Xi's visit, several events had been held in preparation for Xi's visit as well as to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.

The Second Forum on China-France Global Governance was jointly held on Thursday by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and China-Europe-America Global Initiative. Themed "Deepening global governance reforms, jointly building the future of multilateralism," the forum invited more than 100 Chinese and French scholars to share their views on the role of China and France in building a more just world.

Pascal Boniface, director of the Paris-based Institute for International and Strategic Affairs, told the Global Times at the event, hoping that Xi's visit can address such issues as preserving multilateralism, as "we are at a time when we have the war between Russia and Ukraine, the war in Gaza and a lot of turmoil in the Middle East."

On Friday, a symposium themed "Exchanges and Mutual Learning between the Chinese and French Civilizations: Review and Outlook," was jointly organized by the Beijing-based Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the Paris-based National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations. Around 100 researchers from the two countries held discussions on the practice of cross-cultural exchanges between China and France and scientific and technological innovation and the future of civilization.

Antoine Broussy, director of the Charles de Gaulle Foundation, told the Global Times that many commemorations are taking place in Paris.

Seeking common interests

Sixty years ago, France became the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Broussy believes it was "the result of a rational analysis of the geopolitical situation at the time." Then French president, General Charles De Gaulle who made the decision, was a strong advocate for "strategic autonomy" of France. Nowadays, France's call for "strategic autonomy" of both France and Europe has been repeatedly coming from French President Macron.

When co-chairing the 25th China-France Strategic Dialogue in Paris in February with French President's Diplomatic Counselor Emmanuel Bonne, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said China supports Europe in strengthening its strategic autonomy and holding its future in its own hands.

As of 2021, China has been the largest Asian country in terms of investment and job creation in France for three consecutive years, according to a report by Business France. China-France exchanges in core sectors such as aerospace, nuclear energy and trade have already realized fruitful achievements, and the development of emerging fields such as new energy and the digital economy are likely to become new growth engines.

Sun Keqin, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times that France also views China as an important external force to achieve strategic autonomy, as France has another ambition of strengthening France's leadership of Europe.

Xin Hua, director and chair professor of the Center for European Union Studies, Shanghai International Studies University, believes China-France relations serve as the ballast stone of China-Europe relations.

"France is one of the most important core members of the EU and its strategic orientations play a decisive role in the EU's integration process and the strategic and security pattern of the European continent. As long as China and France maintain positive interaction, China-Europe relations will stay stable," said Xin.

SOURCE Global Times
New Value Generation partnership initiative focused on delivering greater client productivity and innovation with new generative AI capabilities and industry-specific cloud solutions

ARMONK, N.Y. and WALLDORF, Germany, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) and SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today announced their vision for the next era of their collaboration, which includes new generative AI capabilities and industry-specific cloud solutions that can help clients unlock business value.

"IBM and SAP's shared approach to generative AI, built on an open ecosystem, trust and purpose-built models, will help empower clients to optimize business outcomes," said John Granger, Senior Vice President, IBM Consulting. "Our new Value Generation partnership initiative will enable clients to accelerate the path to innovation, competitive advantage and become a next generation enterprise through generative AI."

"It makes perfect sense to expand our partnership with IBM to help more customers accelerate their cloud journey leveraging RISE with SAP and realize the transformative benefits of generative AI for business in the cloud," said Scott Russell, Chief Revenue Officer & Executive Board Member, Customer Success of SAP SE. "This expanded partnership will help more of our joint customers reach new heights by innovating through the cloud, data and business AI to grow and transform their businesses."

IBM Consulting and SAP aim to accelerate transformation enabled by RISE with SAP by supporting clients in the following key areas:

Next-Generation AI Business Processes : Together, the companies are exploring opportunities to build new generative AI capabilities for RISE with SAP and infuse AI into SAP business processes across industry-specific cloud solutions and line of business applications. Initially, IBM plans to extend AI capabilities across SAP's portfolio of cloud solutions and applications, all of which are underpinned by SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP). This includes RISE with SAP, the GROW with SAP solution, financial solutions for the office of the CFO, supply chain management solutions, solutions for human capital management, SAP Customer Experience solutions and intelligent spend management solutions. IBM also plans to leverage SAP Signavio and SAP Business AI solutions to help define next-generation business processes through a proof-of-concept adoption program.

: Together, the companies are exploring opportunities to build new generative AI capabilities for RISE with SAP and infuse AI into SAP business processes across industry-specific cloud solutions and line of business applications. Initially, IBM plans to extend AI capabilities across SAP's portfolio of cloud solutions and applications, all of which are underpinned by SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP). This includes RISE with SAP, the GROW with SAP solution, financial solutions for the office of the CFO, supply chain management solutions, solutions for human capital management, SAP Customer Experience solutions and intelligent spend management solutions. IBM also plans to leverage SAP Signavio and SAP Business AI solutions to help define next-generation business processes through a proof-of-concept adoption program. Next-Generation Industry Innovation : IBM and SAP plan to build intelligent industry use cases, enabled by data-driven insights, into end-to-end business processes to fuel next-generation industry innovation. These use cases will initially focus on the industrial manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, defense, automotive and utilities industries. This includes IBM's recent work with SAP to develop new AI solutions for the CPG and retail industries. As part of this initiative, IBM has begun the development of an extensive portfolio of over 100 AI solutions across industry, line-of-business and product delivery. In addition, IBM plans to develop prescriptive industry value maps that define next-generation business processes and opportunities for impact with AI. Clients will be able to access all of these new AI solutions through the global IBM Innovation Studios and SAP Experience Center sites.

: IBM and SAP plan to build intelligent industry use cases, enabled by data-driven insights, into end-to-end business processes to fuel next-generation industry innovation. These use cases will initially focus on the industrial manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, defense, automotive and utilities industries. This includes IBM's recent work with SAP to develop new AI solutions for the CPG and retail industries. As part of this initiative, IBM has begun the development of an extensive portfolio of over 100 AI solutions across industry, line-of-business and product delivery. In addition, IBM plans to develop prescriptive industry value maps that define next-generation business processes and opportunities for impact with AI. Clients will be able to access all of these new AI solutions through the global IBM Innovation Studios and SAP Experience Center sites. Next-Generation Platform Architecture and Customer Adoption Approach : Next-generation enterprises require next-generation platform architectures and a modernized approach to customer adoption. Through the Value Generation partnership initiative, IBM intends to provide next-generation reference architectures that enable a clean core approach. To do this, IBM plans to leverage SAP BTP, SAP Signavio and LeanIX solutions. These new reference architectures will help define standards across data, process, systems and device integration, process orchestration and automation. IBM consultants supporting clients on SAP projects can also leverage IBM Consulting Advantage, IBM's AI services platform, and its portfolio of proprietary methods, assets and Assistants to bring more repeatability and consistency to client delivery. With IBM Consulting Advantage, IBM consultants can transform the way they deliver SAP solutions to boost productivity and mitigate risk by leveraging generative AI to help complete tasks like generation of user stories, test scripts, training and change management content and code creation.

: Next-generation enterprises require next-generation platform architectures and a modernized approach to customer adoption. Through the Value Generation partnership initiative, IBM intends to provide next-generation reference architectures that enable a clean core approach. To do this, IBM plans to leverage SAP BTP, SAP Signavio and LeanIX solutions. These new reference architectures will help define standards across data, process, systems and device integration, process orchestration and automation. IBM consultants supporting clients on SAP projects can also leverage IBM Consulting Advantage, IBM's AI services platform, and its portfolio of proprietary methods, assets and Assistants to bring more repeatability and consistency to client delivery. With IBM Consulting Advantage, IBM consultants can transform the way they deliver SAP solutions to boost productivity and mitigate risk by leveraging generative AI to help complete tasks like generation of user stories, test scripts, training and change management content and code creation. Next-Generation Ecosystem Expansion : IBM and SAP plan to partner around their respective employee network groups and "next-gen" communities, such as the business women's networks at IBM and SAP, the SAP University Alliances program and the Veterans to Work program of SAP and Veterans at IBM to increase the SAP solutions experience in the consulting workforce and develop the next generation of talent. The companies also plan to explore new ways to collaborate on social impact programs, such as training at- risk youth in the IT sector and accelerating the integration of social businesses into global supply chains.

: IBM and SAP plan to partner around their respective employee network groups and "next-gen" communities, such as the business women's networks at IBM and SAP, the SAP University Alliances program and the Veterans to Work program of SAP and Veterans at IBM to increase the SAP solutions experience in the consulting workforce and develop the next generation of talent. The companies also plan to explore new ways to collaborate on social impact programs, such as training at- risk youth in the IT sector and accelerating the integration of social businesses into global supply chains. watsonx Planned Availability on the Generative AI Hub: IBM Granite Model Series are expected to be accessible for use across SAP's portfolio of cloud solutions and applications  which is underpinned by the generative AI hub in SAP AI Core. The generative AI hub facilitates relevant, reliable and responsible business AI and provides instant access to a broad range of large language models (LLMs). This expands on IBM and SAP's collaboration around embedding IBM Watson AI technology into SAP solutions. To further highlight watsonx.ai Granite capabilities, IBM Consulting plans to build extensions using the model on the generative AI hub for select customers.

This initiative will build on the companies' over 50-year collaboration based on deep technology, industry and domain expertise and demonstrates the two organizations' joint commitment to continue to evolve to put clients first and meet market demand.

IBM Consulting accelerates business transformation for our clients through hybrid cloud and AI technologies, leveraging our open ecosystem of partners. With deep industry and business expertise spanning strategy, experience design, technology, and operations, we have become the trusted partner to the world's most innovative and valuable companies, helping modernize and secure their most complex systems. Our 160,000 consultants embrace an open way of working and apply our proven, collaborative engagement model, IBM Garage, to scale ideas into outcomes. As the only major global systems integrator inside a technology company, we don't just advise  we invent and build what's next together with our clients. Find out more at IBM.com/consulting.

To learn more about the Value Generation partnership initiative, visit https://www.ibm.com/info/sap-value-generation

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

About SAP

As a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, SAP (NYSE:SAP) stands at the nexus of business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP to bring out their best by uniting business-critical operations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience. For more information, visit www.sap.com

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices.

Media Contact

IBM

Jamee Nelson

[email protected]

SAP: Scott Malinowski,

1 (781) 852-3822

[email protected]

SOURCE IBM
NEW YORK, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds acquirers of a short position in Barclays' iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Exchange Traded Note ("ETN") under the symbol "VXXB" (hereinafter "VXX") due to selling VXX ETNs, selling VXX call options, and/or buying VXX put options and who held that position as of the close of market on March 13, 2022, of the important May 20, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline.

The case is against Barclays PLC, Barclays Bank PLC, James E. Staley, Tushar Morzaria, and C.S. Venkatakrishnan (together, "Defendants").

SO WHAT: If you acquired a short position of VXX ETNs you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Barclays class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=23523 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 20, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, Barclays failed to inform investors and the market that it had not implemented any internal controls to monitor the issuances of securities from its shelf registrations, and that it had issued and sold billions of dollars of unregistered securities, including VXX ETNs, in violation of the federal securities registration laws. Barclays illegally sold over $17 billion of unregistered securities over approximately 18 months. Once its misconduct came to light, Barclays had to suddenly and without warning suspend any further issuances and sales of new VXX ETNs. This suspension of sales, which was announced just before the market opened on March 14, 2022, caused the market price of VXX to skyrocket and investors who were short VXX to suffer substantial losses.

To join the Barclays class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=23523 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
VISALIA, Calif., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In Good Hands , the trailblazing milk protein brand founded by California dairy farmers, proudly announces the nationwide debut of its milk-protein-packed cheesy Protein Puffs in Sprouts Farmers Markets. In Good Hands' new Protein Puffs are exclusively available nationwide in Sprouts New-For-Your Innovation Centers where the newest, most innovative, and on-trend better-for-you products can be found.

In Good Hands, the trailblazing milk protein brand founded by California dairy farmers, proudly announces the nationwide debut of its milk-protein-packed cheesy Protein Puffs in Sprouts Farmers Markets New-For-Your Innovation Centers.

Formulated with protein derived from Real California milk sourced from California dairy farms, In Good Hands' Protein Puffs offer shoppers a satisfying snacking experience that's as crave-worthy as it is nutritious. Available in Nacho Cheese and White Cheddar, the milk protein-packed puffs boast an impressive 24g of milk protein per bag, delivering 12 grams of protein per serving for just 130 calories and 1 gram of sugar.

"We couldn't be more thrilled for Sprouts Market to be our exclusive retail partner for our national debut," said Hannah Robbins, Head of Brand for In Good Hands. "Their Innovation Center is the destination for the newest and hottest trends. Our milk protein-packed cheesy Protein Puffs are just what Sprouts' consumers seek in a high-protein snack made with real food, real ingredients and REAL California Milk."

In Good Hands is dedicated to leveraging the power of milk protein and has received numerous awards and recognitions for its efforts. Donna Berry, a leading industry expert on food, beverage and dairy trends, recently highlighted the brand for its creative use of dairy and its many nutritional attributes. To quote Berry, "The cheese powder that seasons the puffs is a characterizing dairy ingredient. But, it's the use of milk protein isolate combined with rice starch to make the puff that distinguishes the new snack food."

According to a 2023 Snacking Survey by Circana, fifty-four percent of today's consumers choose snacks with functional benefits and 66% consume snacks for energy and fuel. With the High Protein Snacks Market projected to reach $144.9 billion by 2030, growing at a remarkable CAGR of 5.8%, In Good Hands anticipates unprecedented demand among snack enthusiasts seeking products that deliver on taste and nutrition.

"Sprouts New for You! section  the fastest growing merchandising set at retail  is known for its quality, innovation and dedication to giving health-minded consumers the best options available," said Luke Abbot, CEO/Founder of Vdriven - a leading consulting and brand management firm for CPG brands entering retail. "In Goods Hands high protein snacks, coupled with the brand's rich farmer-founded legacy, make it a strong addition to Sprouts Innovation Center and the ideal product for a Sprouts' consumer."

In Good Hands Protein Puffs are available in 2-oz bags and have an MSRP of $6.99. More information is available at www.ingoodhandsfoods.com .

ABOUT IN GOOD HANDS

Founded in 2022, In Good Hands is a farmer-owned, better-for-you brand delivering flavorful, functional food powered by milk protein derived from Real California Milk. In Good Hands' first product line, Protein Puffs, features 24 grams of high-quality milk protein per bag and is available in two flavors: White Cheddar and Nacho. By employing planet-friendly, sustainable dairy-farming practices, In Good Hands actively contributes to a healthier environment for future generations. In Good Hands is part of California Dairies, Inc., the largest member-owned milk marketing, and processing cooperative in California, co-owned by 300 of the state's dairy producers. More information is available at www.ingoodhandsfoods.com and on Instagram and Facebook @InGoodHandsFood.

MEDIA CONTACT

Jennifer Parnell

Wholesome PR

[email protected]

720-515-3651

SOURCE In Good Hands
WESTFIELD, Mass., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- James Hardie Building Products Inc. (James Hardie), together with local elected officials, today celebrated the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the James Hardie Westfield manufacturing plant.

The 200,000 square foot site, formerly owned and operated by National Envelope Company, commenced operations in January 2024. The $50M investment in the world-class facility will employ up to 65 full-time employees and be utilized by James Hardie to apply its ColorPlus Technology proprietary pre-finish coatings to Hardie fiber cement siding products.

"We are incredibly excited to solidify our presence in the Northeast with our new Westfield facility," James Hardie North America President Sean Gadd said. "James Hardie siding is engineered specifically to withstand the severe Northeast weather, so having a site in the region will be extremely impactful for us while furthering the economic development of the Hampden County community. We are grateful to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Westfield for their support and partnership in seeing this important project come to fruition."

The James Hardie Westfield plant, located on Turnpike Industrial Road, will operate a world-class coating line for James Hardie's premium siding products, manufactured and shipped via rail from sites across its North American network. Once finished at Westfield, the products will be shipped directly to customers throughout the Northeast.

"The City of Westfield is pleased that James Hardie chose the city as its new location for its siding and finished products line using a formerly vacant facility," said Westfield Mayor Mike McCabe. "It is the essence of what redevelopment is about. We look forward to James Hardie's use of rail transportation and the creation of jobs for our community and wish James Hardie nothing but success in its new home."

"After years of work it is my pleasure to join our community today to celebrate the opening of James Hardie's new factory here in the City of Westfield. The renovation and reutilization of the old National Envelope Company manufacturing site is a testament to the partnership that has been forged between the City of Westfield, the Commonwealth and James Hardie," shared State Senator John Velis (D-Westfield). "It is exactly these types of projects that we want to continue to encourage and foster in the Pioneer Valley to create good paying jobs and economic opportunity for residents across the region."

"It is an exciting time for James Hardie and the local community of Westfield," said Heidi Turner, Plant Manager at James Hardie Westfield. "We strive to be the best community partner possible in the locations where we operate, which enables us to fulfill our purpose of Building a Better Future for All. To that end, we look forward to creating employment opportunities, partnering with neighborhood businesses and contributing to local philanthropic organizations."

The James Hardie Westfield ribbon-cutting event concluded with a celebratory luncheon for guests and plant employees.

James Hardie Building Products Inc.

James Hardie is a North American leader in home building products. Hardie products offer long lasting beauty and endless design possibilities with trusted protection and low maintenance. As the #1 producer and marketer of high-performance fiber cement building solutions, James Hardie offers siding and accessories for every style. Hardie products are non-combustible and stand up to weather and time while empowering homeowners and building professionals to achieve the home of their dreams. James Hardie operates with an inclusive company culture and an unwavering commitment to Zero Harm. The company proudly employs a diverse workforce of over 3,700 employees in North America.

For more information and media resources visit JamesHardie.com and JamesHardie.com/about-us/media-resources. For investor information, please visit ir.jameshardie.com.au.

Connect with James Hardie on social media:

Linkedin.com/JamesHardie

Instagram.com/JamesHardie

Facebook.com/JamesHardie

X [formerly Twitter]

SOURCE James Hardie Building Products Inc.
HOUSTON, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Levare International Limited a leading provider of oilfield services, is pleased to announce significant additions to its executive team, reinforcing our commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry.

After significant years of leadership, Irina Boeva, our Chief Operating Officer, has decided to step down from her role. We extend our sincerest gratitude to her for her invaluable contributions to our company's growth and success.

Levare International Limited names Kyle Chapman executive vice president  global operations. Levare International Limited names Ondrej Markovic executive vice president - manufacturing, procurement and logistics.

In light of this transition, we are delighted to welcome two highly accomplished individuals to our executive team:

Kyle Chapman, Executive Vice President  Global Operations: Kyle will assume this crucial role, overseeing our operational strategies and ensuring the highest standards of efficiency and performance across our operations. Kyle brings his expertise to this position and is poised to drive our operations to new heights.

Ondrej Markovic, Executive Vice President - Manufacturing, Procurement and Logistics: Additionally, we are excited to welcome Ondrej to the role of Executive Vice President of Manufacturing, Procurement and Logistics. With Ondrej's extensive experience, he will play a pivotal role in optimizing our manufacturing capabilities, streamlining procurement and logistics to deliver exceptional value to our clients.

These appointments mark a significant expansion of our leadership team, which already includes our EVP  Business Development & Technology, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Director of Engineering. Together, this dynamic team will spearhead our efforts to deliver innovative solutions and unparalleled service to our clients and partners.

We express our deepest appreciation to Irina for her leadership and dedication throughout her tenure. We are confident that under the guidance of our new executives, Levare will continue to thrive and uphold its reputation as an industry leader.

Please join us in congratulating Irina Boeva on her remarkable career achievements and in welcoming Kyle Chapman and Ondrej Markovic to our executive team.

Merrill A. (Pete) Miller Jr.

About Levare International Limited:

Levare International Limited (Levare), headquartered in Dubai, UAE, is a market leader in artificial lift engineering, manufacturing, sales, and servicing of electric submersible pumps (ESP), permanent magnet motors (PMM) and horizontal pump systems (HPS). A pioneer in engineering innovation, Levare develops the most advanced technologies for energy-producing companies, taking care to focus on efficiency and environmental impact. Our electrically-driven technology, comprehensive service capabilities, and global expertise assists customers to produce more oil or transfer more surface fluids by the most cost-effective means. Levare has more than 1000+ employees, strategically located in two manufacturing centers, 10 manufacturing and repair centers, and four service centers. Visit www.levare.com to learn more.

SOURCE Levare International Limited
Skin Fitness Just Got More Current

SEATTLE, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Introducing the bt-sculpt, a revolutionary facial toning unit created by Bio-Therapeutic, a family-owned legacy brand widely recognized as the leader in microcurrent technology. Designed to deliver the ultimate skin fitness experience by providing professional grade lifting, toning, sculpting, and firming, the bt-sculpt is powered by the brand's patented, preprogrammed Suzuki Sequencing, the result of 50 years of expertise within the microcurrent landscape. Available now on BioTherapeuticSpa.com and on Amazon.com for $395.00, skin fitness just got more current with the launch of the bt-sculpt.

Founded on the understanding that the body is a subtle electrical instrument, Bio-Therapeutic set their sights on developing a simple-to-operate, consumer-facing and rechargeable unit that could be used single-handed. Delivering optimal lifting of the facial landscape, superior skin coverage, and advanced results, the bt-sculpt is dynamically calibrated 1,024 times a second to ensure consistent current delivery to the skin. As every person is unique, the unit's consistent current delivery is a result of real time dynamic adjustments, meaning that the bt-sculpt will deliver neither too much nor too little, but instead an optimized amount of microcurrent best suited for the individual user.

The bt-sculpt is equipped with a unique, patent pending K4iTEK self-tensioning probe system, inclusive of four probes that provide an ideal amount of kinesthetic lift, leveraging two channels of frequency specific microcurrent across four independently controlled energy pathways. Crafted with ultra-pure martensitic stainless steel probe heads, an attribute unique to Bio-Therapeutic, while the upper probes stay in place, the lower probes are equipped with a unique spring system that provides the perfect amount of lift for an anatomically optimized service. Featuring a distinct shape and precision textured finish, each of the four probes are created to ensure perfect skin contact and tension during each session, the key for exceptional coverage and lifting.

Ushering in a new era of skincare results, accelerate your skincare regimen at the press of a button with the bt-sculpt's advanced control panel, a simple to operate feature that provides access to two powerful Suzuki Sequencing programs. Choose from LIFT, for unsurpassed facial lifting, or select SKIN for advanced skinwork that will amplify your favorite serums and targeted skincare solutions.

GENERAL USAGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Preparation: Begin with a freshly cleansed complexion, then follow with a thin layer of Bio-Therapeutic's Restyfluid all over the face to maximize hydration. For added moisture, mist the face with Bio-Therapeutic's Aquafuse Hydrate throughout the session.

Begin with a freshly cleansed complexion, then follow with a thin layer of Bio-Therapeutic's Restyfluid all over the face to maximize hydration. For added moisture, mist the face with Bio-Therapeutic's Aquafuse Hydrate throughout the session. Power On: Press and hold the power button for .5 seconds to power on.

Press and hold the power button for .5 seconds to power on. Application: Each mode corresponds with the application techniques outlined below. Within each mode are power level options from 1 (low) to 5 (high). When working around the eyes, and if you have sensitive skin, use a lower option. It is recommended to start on a lower power level, moving to the next level up following 3 - 4 sessions.

Each mode corresponds with the application techniques outlined below. Within each mode are power level options from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Usage: It is suggested to use the bt-sculpt up to three days per week.

It is suggested to use the bt-sculpt up to three days per week. Face Technique Application: The facial technique applications are movements that follow the natural contour of the face. Most movements require a lift and hold technique.

The facial technique applications are movements that follow the natural contour of the face. Most movements require a lift and hold technique. Skin Technique Application: Skin technique applications are light movements that cover the entire face. The electrode probes should stay in contact with the skin at all times, denoted by the conductivity indicator light on the control panel.

HOW TO: LIFT

LIFT Mode helps to sculpt the facial landscape, combining the benefits of True Microcurrent with precision-calibrated kinesthetic lifting.

To use, press the LIFT button to enter Lift Mode. Press LIFT again for power level 1, continuing to press until you reach the desired power level, indicated by the numbers 1 - 5.

Hold each of the following movements for 12 seconds and apply techniques to both sides of the face. Lift Step 1:



Lower Probes: Under jaw line Upper Probes: Under cheekbone Technique: Grip with the lower probes placed under jaw line and angle upward, gripping the area and holding it with upper probes just under cheek bone. Hold: 12 seconds Lift Step 2:



Lower Probes: Under the cheekbone Upper Probes: Under the eye orbit Technique: Grip with lower probes placed under cheekbone and angle upward, gripping the area and holding it with upper probes under the eye orbit. Hold: 12 seconds Lift Step 3:



Lower Probes: Corner of mouth Upper Probes: In front of ear Technique: Grip with lower probes placed near the corner of the mouth, gripping the area, and holding it with a firm, upward angle with upper probes near the ear. Hold: 12 seconds Lift Step 4:



Lower Probes: Outer corner of mouth Upper Probes: Inner corner of eye Technique: Grip with lower probes placed near the outer corner of the mouth, gripping the area, and holding with a gentle upward angle, with upper probes placed near the inner corner of the eye. Hold: 12 seconds Lift Step 5:



Lower Probes: Under the eyebrow Upper Probes: Above the eyebrow Technique: Grip with lower probes placed below the brow, gripping the area and holding with a gentle upward angle, with upper probes on the forehead near the hairline. Hold: 12 seconds



HOW TO: SKIN

SKIN Mode offers a unique True Microcurrent sequence that helps optimize your finishing products while energizing the skin.

Ahead of entering SKIN Mode, apply the bt-cocktail Ampoules to provide optimal hydration and glide.

To use, press the SKIN button to enter Skin Mode. Press SKIN again for power level 1, continuing to press until you reach the desired power level, indicated by the numbers 1 - 5.

Move probes gently across the face, in a back and forth or circling movement, covering the entire area. Note that both upper and lower probes should stay in contact with skin at all times.

As a result of an observational study, after just one session, testers saw a 25.4% improvement in the appearance of wrinkles, and a 6.4% improvement in skin texture appearance. Even more impressive is that after just one session, participants' perceived TruSkin Age was reduced by 2 years as deduced by Canfield Visia, a visual measurement that compares skin metrics against a large dataset to determine visually perceived age.

Additional, noteworthy results include:

43.4% improvement in the appearance of wrinkles after three weeks

10.8% improvement in appearance of skin texture after three weeks

Participants' median visually perceived TruSkin Age looked 3.5 years younger after three weeks (as deduced by Canfield Visia)

"With over thirty design iterations and five years of engineering, we are incredibly proud to introduce consumers nationwide to the new bt-sculpt," states David Suzuki, CEO of Bio-Therapeutic and licensed skin therapist. "An ideal gateway into microcurrent services, the bt-sculpt brings the most advanced technology into home care regimens, providing an optimal level of facial lifting with minimal time and effort. We are very excited to hear consumers' response on the transformative results they will experience both with immediate and continued use of the bt-sculpt."

In addition to the bt-sculpt being FDA approved, as a company, Bio-Therapeutic is an FDA registered medical device manufacturer based in Seattle, Washington with ISO-9001, ISO-13485 and MDSAP certifications. Bio-Therapeutic's technologies are engineered and assembled in the USA and are CE safety compliant.

Introduce the powers of microcurrent technology into your daily routine with Bio-Therapeutic's bt-sculpt, available now on BioTherapeuticSpa.com and Amazon.com for $395.00.

Bio-Therapeutic is a minority, family-owned company based in Seattle, Washington. The company was founded nearly 50 years ago on an understanding that the human body is itself an electrical system and sought to bring Eastern concepts of wellness together with cutting edge technology innovation. The company is owned by husband-and-wife team, David and Dena Suzuki, and is still boldly pushing the boundaries of skin care innovation from their headquarters in Seattle. Bio-Therapeutic is an FDA registered medical device manufacturer, MDSAP accredited, ISO 9001 / ISO 13485 certified, and all equipment is CE safety compliant. Bio-Therapeutic designs and assembles its equipment locally in Seattle, and ships to more than 35 countries worldwide. Learn more about the brand and its technologies on Bio-Therapeutic.com.

SOURCE Bio-Therapeutic
Recognized Among the Top 3% of Google Partners Nationwide

SAN DIEGO, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mindgruve , one of the fastest-growing digital marketing agencies in the U.S., has achieved 2024 Premier Partner status in the Google Partners program for the fourth consecutive year. This accomplishment represents the highest level attainable for agencies, granting Mindgruve clients exclusive access to prime business growth opportunities across Google services.

"Mindgruve's close partnership with Google has led to incredible growth for our clients," said Chad Robley , CEO of Mindgruve. "This recognition underscores our commitment to mastering Google's full suite of cutting-edge tools and insights to drive meaningful growth for our clients. Together, we're setting new benchmarks for success in our industry."

"Mindgruve's close partnership with Google has led to incredible growth for our clients." - Chad Robley, CEO, Mindgruve Post this

The Google Partners program empowers agencies with essential training, support, and tools for client success, making them more competitive. Premier Partners, like Mindgruve, represent the top 3% in the country, benefiting from advanced Google resources, including early product access, tailored training, and expert support, enhancing their service quality and innovation.

"We are incredibly proud of our digital marketing team for this significant demonstration of their Google ads expertise," said Joey Bridges, Group Media Director at Mindgruve. "This honor enables us to continue providing our clients with unparalleled access to growth opportunities across Google's services, ensuring their success in today's competitive market."

In addition to the Google Premier Partner recognition, Mindgruve was recently awarded the highest honor at the AVA Digital Awards . To learn how Mindgruve can help your business grow on Google, get in touch .

About Mindgruve

We are a global digital agency comprised of strategists, creatives, media experts, data scientists, and engineers driven by one common purpose  accelerate business growth through marketing and technology. For more information, visit https://mindgruve.com/ or follow us on LinkedIn .

SOURCE Mindgruve
New radio based on Qualcomm FSM200 5G RAN platform delivers Release 16 advanced features and improved performance.

New end-to-end solution with Ataya Chorus simplifies deployment and accessibility.

Partnerships with Ecrio and Torkhub highlight use cases for vertical industries.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MosoLabs, a global company building solutions for LTE and 5G private and neutral host networks, today unveiled Moso Canopy 5GID2, the first 5G indoor radio (access point) for private networks using the Qualcomm FSM200 5G RAN platform. It also highlighted new partners that are bringing use cases to life for private 5G networks. New products and partner solutions will be shown at Connect (X) booth 746.

The Moso Canopy 5GID2 is designed for simple indoor installations, like Wi-Fi, and offers:

New Moso Canopy 5G Indoor radio (access point) for private

The industry's first 3GPP Release 16 5G SA small cell platform supporting Industry 4.0.

Improved low latency and link reliability requirements with uRLCC to enable factory automation and mission critical control of machines and other equipment.

Up to 4Gbps, which is up to 4x higher than current 5G radios.

Enterprise-grade design with superior power efficiency with PoE support to reduce product costs and simplify deployments.

5G RedCap Release 17 support to enable new use cases for enterprises, industrial IoT, and even smart cities.

"Small cells are foundational to private 5G networks as they are uniquely well-suited to meet stringent requirements for Industry 4.0 use cases, especially indoors," said Gerardo Giaretta, vice president, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "We are very pleased with this Moso Canopy 5GID2 collaboration, leveraging the Qualcomm FSM200 5G RAN platform for small cells, and are optimistic about its ability to provide powerful performance across an expanded set of use cases."

Industries across vertical segments can benefit from private networks with specific use cases that improve business efficiencies, enhance customer experience, or enable new business operations. To increase private cellular network adoption and drive clear, quick ROI in these industries, MosoLabs is partnering with network technology and application partners to bring solutions and use cases to market that are simple to deploy and manage and can be paired with applications out-of-the-box.

Ataya , the leader of unified connectivity for Industry 4.0 and beyond, and MosoLabs announced a partnership to build indoor and outdoor Chorus-powered access points ideal for small to medium-sized installations such outdoor parking lots, gas stations, outdoor retail kiosks, smart agriculture farms and more. With a hybrid 5G core deployment split between the access point and cloud, the solution simplifies deployment with zero touch "plug-n-play" provisioning, low latency, and seamless integration with a sophisticated, cloud-managed platform. All that's needed on site is a single Chorus access point to get started.

MosoLabs and Ecrio, a leader in mission critical communications and messaging for private cellular networks, announced a partnership to bring unified critical communications and data collection for warehousing and other industrial verticals for human-human and human-machine communications for everything from perimeter surveillance and worker safety, to AGVs and IoT sensors. With the integrated Ecrio software platform and mobile application, MosoLabs customers will enjoy reliable communications within facilities of any size and industry using private 5G.

TorkHub, the leader in connecting motorsports, and MosoLabs have partnered to deliver a private 5G network to the international Formula Drift series. The 5G network enabled seamless, low latency, high-upstream capacity communication for in-car telemetry and live video streaming to drive unique fan experiences both at the event and at home via second-screen fan apps. The system is expected to transform motorsports and fan experiences, as well as revolutionize network connectivity for mobile sporting events.

"MosoLabs is at the forefront of private 5G RAN with Qualcomm-based 3GPP release 16 small cells to power new and existing low latency, high bandwidth use cases," said Stephen Leotis, president of MosoLabs. "In addition, we are committed to growing a network and application partner ecosystem with companies like Ataya and Ecrio. Our integrated solutions help customers quickly realize the power of private 5G and its ability to deliver immediate value and ROI for enterprises across industry verticals."

MosoLabs' portfolio of solutions and use case examples with partners can be seen at Connect (X) in booth 746, May 15-16 in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center.

About MosoLabs

MosoLabs is focused on building world-class 4G and 5G hardware with a unified network management platform and an innovative application software suite for private wireless and neutral hosts networks. Our mission is to simplify the entire private network experience  from planning to deployment to management  and create products to support new use cases. We develop fully integrated products that simplify time-to-market and deployment complexity for global enterprises and managed service providers. Learn more at www.mosolabs.com.

Qualcomm is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.

Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patented technologies are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated.

SOURCE MosoLabs
The iconic frosted animal cookie will provide parents with sweet inspiration to deliver fun to their families all summer long

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mother's Cookies is once again taking the load off parents and helping families celebrate the end of the school season with its first-ever Stop and Taste the Frosting Summer Tour, a free mobile experience that brings exciting and engaging activities straight to families' doorsteps and summer fun destinations.

Mothers Cookies Stop and Taste the Frosting Summer Tour

Kicking off on June 13, families across the nation can interact with this one-of-a-kind mobile frosted fun house, filled with games, prizes and photo-worthy moments. Starting on May 8, fun moms and dads in Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York City can enter to be considered to have the Stop and Taste the Frosting Summer Tour come straight to their home by visiting www.motherscookies.com/stopandtastethefrosting.

"Mother's Cookies wants to make it easy for parents to celebrate the summer with their children, and there's no better way to do that than by providing them with what they need to deliver meaningful moments of fun," said Rachna Patel, Vice President, Distinctive Brands Marketing at Ferrero. "We're so excited for families to enjoy our first-ever Stop and Taste the Frosting Summer Tour and create memories that will last a lifetime."

In addition to making stops at select homes, parents can also bring their children to visit the free Stop and Taste the Frosting Summer Tour at neighborhood hot spots throughout the country. For a full schedule of stops, visit here.

For more summer inspiration, parents everywhere can visit www.motherscookies.com/stopandtastethefrosting, an online experience full of family-friendly content, games, crafts and recipes.

To stay up to date on the latest visit www.motherscookies.com and follow Mother's Cookies on social media (Instagram, Facebook).

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be 18+ and reside in specific locations in or near CA, IL, TX, GA or NY, as applicable. Start/end dates vary by location. Void where prohibited. For more information about entering, eligibility and prizes, see the Official Rules at www.motherscookies.com/stopandtastethefrosting.

About Mother's Cookies

Since 1914, Mother's Cookies have been sparking celebrations and creating sweet moments of cookie joy. With its iconic fully-frosted animal cookies covered in sprinkles, Mother's encourages parents and kids to take a step back from the daily grind and to live life playfully, or as Mother's puts it, Stop and Taste the Frosting. The Mother's portfolio includes Original Circus Animal Cookies, Mythical Creatures Cookies, as well as seasonal offerings like Puppy Love, Springtime Buddies, Eerie Critters, and Reindeer Games Cookies.

About Ferrero

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world's largest sweet-packaged food companies, with over 35 iconic brands sold in more than 170 countries. The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with much-loved treats and snacks including Nutella, Kinder, Tic Tac, and Ferrero Rocher. More than 47,000 employees are passionate about helping people celebrate life's special moments. The Ferrero Group's family culture, now in its third generation, is based on dedication to quality and excellence, heritage and a commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate.

Ferrero entered the North American market in 1969 and has grown to more than 5,400 employees in 15 plants and warehouses, and eight offices in North America across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. It has expanded its presence and portfolio with the addition of iconic brands such as Butterfinger, CRUNCH, Keebler, Famous Amos, Mother's Cookies, and other distinctive cookie and chocolate brands. Follow @FerreroNACorp on Twitter and Instagram. www.ferreronorthamerica.com.

 2024 The Ferrero Group. All Rights Reserved

SOURCE Ferrero North America
RICHMOND, Va., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Naborforce, an age-tech company whose platform provides on-demand everyday assistance to seniors, today announced that it has expanded its nationally renowned services to Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, and the Greater Wilmington Region. The new North Carolina markets served are in addition to Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte where Naborforce has become a trusted resource for providing a helping hand for older adults and backup for their family members.

The rapid expansion of Naborforce further into the state is timely and sorely needed to support communities as the older population continues to grow significantly in the majority of North Carolina's counties, as reported by the Office of State Budget and Management. North Carolina's demographic shift reflects the same challenges the country is experiencing. Beginning next year, 10,000 Americans will turn 80 every day.

Changes to North Carolina's demographics have caught the attention of many state leaders, including Governor Roy Cooper, who in 2023 issued Executive Order 280 that established a commitment to building an age-friendly state and called upon public-private stakeholders to create a blueprint for the enhancement and coordination of critical services for the state's aging population. Senator Jim Perry also introduced Senate Bill 274 that was signed into law last year opening the doors for additional support options for older adults in North Carolina.

As the sole on-demand platform of its kind, Naborforce will match older adults seeking neighborly help in key parts of North Carolina with a reliable network of its fully vetted and trustworthy "Nabors." The Naborforce solution will harness the strength of local communities to provide a neighborly hand as needed so older adults may lead social and active lives.

"Naborforce's mission is to bring joy to seniors in North Carolina and beyond," said Paige Wilson, founder and CEO of Naborforce. "The role we play is to tap into the power of community to help keep adults independent and bring peace of mind to their families. Our expansion in North Carolina will provide everyday support to older adults and their family members at a time that it is needed most."

Clients or their families can set up an account  which takes just a couple minutes  to start booking help for the little things that make life better for an older person. As an example, Nabors can take a walk with a client, help clean out a closet, run errands, get to important appointments, set up an iPhone, help prepare a meal, or enjoy a cup of coffee together.

"The expansion of Naborforce in North Carolina comes during the national observance of Older Americans Month, a time to reaffirm commitments to serving older adults," said Wilson. The 2024 theme is "Powered by Connection," which recognizes the profound impact that social connections have on the health and well-being of older adults. Wilson added, "Connectedness plays a vital role in supporting independence. At Naborforce, our Nabors help older adults age gracefully while combatting isolation and loneliness. "

Passionate and caring community members wanting to impact the lives of older adults in the area and residents wishing to easily secure a Nabor for on-demand help can learn more by visiting naborforce.com.

About Naborforce:

Headquartered in Richmond, VA, Naborforce is using technology to harness the strength of community. Through its proprietary tech platform, Naborforce connects older adults and their families to a network of fully vetted community members for on-demand light assistance and social connection. Naborforce is currently available in Charlotte, NC; Chapel Hill, NC; Durham, NC; Greensboro, NC; Highpoint, NC; Raleigh, NC, and Wilmington, NC. Additionally, Naborforce is provided in Charlottesville, VA; Richmond, VA; Northern, VA; Virginia Beach, VA; Williamsburg, VA; Bethesda, MD; Washington, D.C.; Dallas, Texas; Atlanta, GA; and Savannah, GA. Older adults and/or family members can sign up quickly and schedule visits online or by phone. There are no contracts, extensive consultations, or length of visit requirements beyond one hour. Passionate and caring community members wanting to impact the lives of older adults in their area and residents wishing to easily secure a "Nabor" for on-demand support can learn more by visiting naborforce.com.

SOURCE Naborforce
SOMERSET, N.J., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Retired New Jersey Marine Robert Hanley became the 7,000th patient to complete treatment at ProCure Proton Therapy Center, surpassing a major milestone at the tri-state region's original proton therapy facility.

Hanley was diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2023. His doctors at the VA originally recommended chemotherapy and traditional radiation, but they were concerned about the impact on his heart. His doctors turned to ProCure and proton therapy, in part because it could effectively address his cancer while reducing radiation exposure by up to 50% compared to standard X-ray radiation.

Standard X-ray radiation releases its maximum dose and continues to release it as it passes and exits through the body beyond the tumor. By contrast, proton therapy releases its maximum dose directly within the tumor and then stops, sparing nearby organs such as the heart.

Additionally, patients often experience fewer side effects both during and after treatment with proton therapy versus traditional radiation.

"ProCure gave me the chance to feel like myself again," Hanley said. "Thanks to this treatment and my amazing doctor and nurses, I am hopeful to be on a path to recovery."

"On behalf of the entire ProCure team, we want to thank Mr. Hanley for his service and dedication to our country," said Tom Wang, President of ProCure. "As a cancer patient and retired Marine, he exemplifies the core values of honor and courage. We are inspired that he put his trust in our team."

ProCure, located in nearby Somerset, NJ, treats a range of cancers, including diseases of the prostate, breast, lung, brain, head and neck, and gastrointestinal system, as well as sarcomas and many pediatric cases.

"We are honored to have impacted 7,000 lives and counting," said Dr. Brian Chon, ProCure's Medical Director, who treated Hanley. "Each patient's journey is a testament to our commitment to excellence and the transformative power of proton therapy. Our dedicated team at ProCure remains steadfast in our mission to provide exceptional care and innovative treatment options to those battling cancer."

Added Wang: "Surpassing this milestone has taken an extremely skilled care team, professional support team, and partnerships at area institutions that have collaborated with us throughout our journey. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to these life-changing treatments and we look forward to continued innovation so we can serve patients for decades to come."

About ProCure Proton Therapy Center:

ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, NJ, opened in March 2012 as the tri-state region's first proton therapy facility, treating a range of cancers including diseases of the prostate, breast, lung, brain, head and neck, and gastrointestinal system, as well as sarcomas and many pediatric cases. Using the most advanced radiation treatment available, ProCure has treated more than 7,000 patients overall, including 750+ pediatric patients coming from the U.S. and abroad, and enables many cancer patients to choose a non-surgical treatment personalized to their medical needs and lifestyles, often with fewer side effects and less downtimegiving them more freedom to enjoy what matters most in their lives. For more information, visit ProCure.com.

Media Contact:

Sarah Ferrington, Marketing Manager

Phone: 732-357-2609

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE ProCure Proton Therapy Center
Criminal Justice students will review, digitize and analyze the files of one cold case each semester, providing a summary and identifying any potential gaps that cold-case investigators can follow up on.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) is launching its first Cold Case Collaborative course for Criminal Justice students, developed in partnership with the New Mexico State Police Department (NMSP) to provide real-world experience to students as they assist in revisiting, digitizing and analyzing cold case files.

"We've been developing this class over the last two years and we're so glad to have our first cohort start this Summer Term," says John Solomon, CNM Criminal Justice Program Director and Instructor. "This is a very unique opportunity for our students to live out the ideal of relentlessly seeking truth and justice."

Solomon started developing this class back in 2021 when he became the Criminal Justice Program Director. As the new program director, he was asked to find innovative ways to advance CNM's Criminal Justice program and found inspiration from a four-year institution in Michigan that had developed and launched a successful cold case class.

Solomon got to work on developing a similar class for CNM and contacted the New Mexico State Police Department to gauge their interest.

"The state police were very excited to partner with CNM, which was critical to this course getting off the ground," Solomon says. "They have numerous cold cases and a limited amount of staff to work on them, so it's a win-win for everyone."

During the 14-week course, a selected cohort of Criminal Justice students will review and digitize the files of one cold case. Along with scanning all of the files associated with the case, which can include everything from official police reports to receipts, the students will write an abstract of each file so it is easily searchable.

Once the files are digitized, the students will analyze the files and identify any gaps the cold case investigators may want to follow up on.

"The final project for this class is an analysis of the files that will include suggestions investigators can act on, like following up with an eye witness or sending a piece of evidence for testing," Solomon says. "The students won't be testifying in court or chasing down leads themselves, but they are playing a critical role in helping ensure every detail of a case is accessible and usable, which could ultimately help the State Police make a connection they hadn't been able to before."

Solomon recently welcomed the first cold case cohort on April 29, and he couldn't be more excited to see this course come to life.

"This course has been two years in the making, and I'm just really looking forward to seeing it get off the ground," he says. "With cold cases you can't find a solution until you find the beginning, and I'm really proud and grateful to help the State Police and the community uncover those beginnings while also serving our students."

Selected students for the cohort are required to submit to a thorough NMSP background check and sign confidentiality agreements with both CNM and NMSP.

SOURCE Central New Mexico Community College (CNM)
The pace of companies' transitions to intelligent automation is accelerating: 60% are looking to explore new usage or increase their usage of advanced technologies over the next 18 months.

Today, while more than 75% of organizations claim they now already use "some" form of advanced automation (harnessing AI/machine learning), only 8% have applied next-gen capabilities in "all" or "most" processes.

Overcoming integration challenges will be key to new progress, which from a Safety perspective for many companies is linked to being able to harness reliable Real-World Data.

BOSTON, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ArisGlobal , an innovative life sciences technology company and creator of LifeSphere, has unveiled a compelling trend among pharmaceutical organizations in its latest 2024 Industry Survey Report. The Report highlights a resolute commitment to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize their Safety and Regulatory process automation.

ArisGlobal Logo (PRNewsfoto/ArisGlobal)

Amid rising ambitions to bring important new drugs to market cost-efficiently and without delay, 60% of companies plan to explore adoption or increase usage of advanced technologies over the next 18 months, according to new research published in ArisGlobal's 2024 Industry Survey Report1.

The international survey reveals that there is currently a pronounced gap between Life Sciences organizations' intentions and their actual use of next-generation technologies. Although more than 75% of organizations now claim to use some form of 'advanced automation' within their processes, only 8% have applied next-generation capabilities on a widespread basis.

To date, difficulty integrating the technology into existing infrastructure has proved a significant barrier. While the most substantial blocker to AI adoption in life sciences is budget (cited by 54% of participating organizations), over a third (36%) point to poor integration with existing technology. More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents have found it "very difficult" or "somewhat difficult" to integrate automation technology with other systems and/or data.

Overcoming such barriers will be important if companies want to benefit from new opportunities that emerge from fully leveraging next-generation technologies. For example, to utilize the full potential of real-world data (RWD) for critical but labor-intensive processes  including safety signal detection and validation - organizations must lean into new technologies. This capability is now becoming an affordable and accessible option for the industry.

The ArisGlobal study identified a growing appetite to harness RWD where possible, to unlock the next level of patient treatment innovation. Just over half (51%) of organizations are already connected to some form of RWD, of which 54% expressed plans to increase the data's usage. For those not yet connected to RWD, 20% are in the process of connecting to such resources or plan to do so within the coming 18 months.

Commenting on the industry's soaring ambitions to harness AI and machine learning as part of everyday safety and regulatory processes, Emmanuel Belabe, SVP, Customer Success at ArisGlobal said: "The pace of companies' transitions to intelligent automation will continue to accelerate due to business and operational mandates, and because end-to-end, AI-enabled R&D process automation is becoming much more accessible. This is, to a large degree, thanks to cloud platforms like LifeSphere from ArisGlobal, which is powered by our NavaX advanced automation engine. For more than 35 years, we've collaborated with top pharma companies to keep them ahead of what's possible, both internally with our advanced technology, and through strategic alliances  for instance, with real-world data providers."

The full ArisGlobal 2024 Industry Survey Report, Life Sciences R&D Transformation: Ambitions for Intelligent Automation & Today's Reality, is available for download at

https://www.arisglobal.com/industry-report-2024/

About ArisGlobal

ArisGlobal, an innovative life sciences technology company and creator of LifeSphere, is transforming the way today's most successful life sciences companies develop breakthroughs and bring new products to market. Headquartered in the United States, ArisGlobal has regional offices in Europe, India, Japan, and China. For more updates, follow ArisGlobal on LinkedIn. www.arisglobal.com.

1 ArisGlobal 2024 Industry Survey Report: Life Sciences R&D Transformation: Ambitions for Intelligent Automation & Today's Reality

SOURCE ArisGlobal
Clegg will lead a session at this year's EmTech Digital focused on the election process during a historical election year.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- President of Global Affairs at Meta, Sir Nick Clegg will speak in-person about "Elections and the Future of Misinformation" at this year's EmTech Digital on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 on the MIT campus. This highly anticipated appearance at MIT's largest AI conference happens during a historical election year domestically in the U.S. and around the world.

In 2024, there will be more than 40 national elections taking place, representing nearly half of the world's population  making it the most consequential election year in history. Technology has played an integral role in the electoral process and social movements, whether by giving candidates or groups greater voice and platforms or raising ethical challenges related to misinformation and disinformation. Generative AI and digital strategies are reshaping modern politics, politicians, and the very future of democracy. For these reasons, the MIT Technology Review team looks forward to having Nick Clegg take the stage to discuss what the future of AI and social media mean for democracy.

This year's EmTech Digital conference looks at "Harnessing the Power of AI" and "Accelerating AI Innovation" across industries and disciplines. For more than ten years, researchers, policymakers, and business and technology leaders have gathered at EmTech Digital to understand the implications of AI breakthroughs from top experts in business, government, and academia.

Other speakers expected to join Clegg this year include Tim Brooks (OpenAI), Ramin Hasani (Liquid AI), Cynthia Lu (Adobe), Ryan Davis (People First), and Julie Shah (MIT). Registration is now open, but space is limited. To secure your spot and join us on the MIT campus visit: EmTechDigital.com/US for more information.

Anchored by the editorial expertise of MIT Technology Review, EmTech Digital features exclusive keynotes, thought-provoking interviews, and strategy-setting case studies. Attendees sit side-by-side with leaders across all industries in interactive Q&A sessions and experience unparalleled networking opportunities unlike those at any other event of its kind, all on the MIT campus.

For more detailed information: EmTech Digital Agenda and EmTech Digital Registration.

Members of the press may obtain additional information by emailing: [email protected].

About Nick Clegg

Sir Nick Clegg is President, Global Affairs at Meta. He joined the company, then called Facebook, in 2018 after almost two decades in British and European public life. Prior to being elected to the UK Parliament in 2005, he worked in the European Commission and served for five years as a member of the European Parliament. He became leader of the Liberal Democrat party in 2007 and served as Deputy Prime Minister in the UK's first coalition government since the war, from 2010 to 2015. He has written two best-selling books, Politics: Between the Extremes and How to Stop Brexit (And Make Britain Great Again).

About MIT Technology Review

MIT Technology Review is an independent media company owned by MIT. Established in 1899, it was the first-ever technology magazine; today, MIT Technology Review publishes in multiple digital formats every day, including on our site, in email newsletters, and across all major social channels. We also produce a multi-award-winning, bi-monthly print magazine and run one of the industry's most highly regarded events brands, EmTech.

Our goal is to become the destination for those seeking to understand how technology is shaping our world. Subscribe. Attend. Follow: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram.

Media Contact:

Nina Mehta, MIT Technology Review

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE MIT Technology Review
Wilmington's first Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic supports equitable access to primary care for all

WILMINGTON, N.C., May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In pursuit of a healthier future for all, Novant Health and Michael Jordan have teamed up again to open a third medical clinic, this time in Jordan's hometown of Wilmington at 1423 Greenfield St. The Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic brings much-needed comprehensive primary care services, including to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured.

Michael Jordan speaks at the ribbon cutting for the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Wilmington, N.C. as his mother, Deloris Jordan, looks on. Novant Health leaders and physicians join Michael Jordan and Deloris Jordan in cutting the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic in Wilmington, N.C.

"We know people face significant barriers to care, and Novant Health is minimizing obstacles so that we can offer vital healthcare services to those who need it most," said Ernie Bovio, president of the Novant Health Coastal Region and Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center. "Each Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic has been thoughtfully planned for the best location within the community. Thanks to our care team's commitment to lifelong wellness, our third Michael Jordan clinic is already delivering on our vision to close health equity gaps by transforming healthcare, one patient at a time."

Novant Health and Jordan previously partnered to open two Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinics in Charlotte, offering comprehensive primary care, including behavioral health and other support services. Many of the Charlotte patients never had a primary care provider before they were welcomed into the Michael Jordan clinics. In Charlotte, patients have praised the clinic teams for helping restore health and provide a sense of hope. Dedicated primary care services are having a tremendous impact on people's lives  one man received treatment for an urgent heart problem and another got the help he needed to turn his life around.

In fact, people live longer when their community has higher numbers of primary care doctors, according to a study that evaluated data from a 10-year period in the United States. The study also linked increased primary care providers with fewer deaths attributed to cancer and cardiovascular problems.

Building on the success of the Charlotte clinic model, a $10 million gift from Jordan to the Novant Health foundations made it possible to add two clinics in Wilmington.

"Everyone is worthy of access to quality health care, no matter where you live or if you have insurance," said Michael Jordan. "I'm truly inspired by the many powerful stories of people who are now thriving thanks to the support of our Charlotte medical clinics. I am confident Novant Health's new clinic will positively impact individuals and families throughout Wilmington. I'm profoundly grateful to help make this day happen for my hometown."

The 7,800-square-foot clinic in Wilmington has 12 patient rooms and will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition to the clinic's primary care team, a community health worker will assist patients with community resources. Patients can schedule appointments at the Greenfield Street clinic by calling 910-833-9100. The clinic team will also support the work of Novant Health's new Community Care Cruiser to further serve individuals across the region.

"We are tremendously grateful to Michael Jordan for his philanthropic support of our efforts to close health equity gaps," said Ann Caulkins, senior vice president, Novant Health, and president, Novant Health foundations. "The Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medicine Clinics in Charlotte provided more than 9,000 patient visits last year and are delivering profound benefits in the community. We're excited to expand this model in Wilmington, where the clinic team will provide life-changing care."

Murals that celebrate the history and culture of Wilmington and acknowledge Novant Health's commitment to the community grace the exterior of the Greenfield Street clinic, which sits on land donated by New Hanover County. Meanwhile, site work is underway for Wilmington's second Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic slated for the corner of Princess Place Drive and North 30th Street.

About Novant Health

Novant Health is an integrated network of hospitals, physician clinics and outpatient facilities that delivers a seamless and convenient healthcare experience to communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. The Novant Health network consists of more than 2,000 physicians and nearly 40,000 team members who provide care at more than 850 locations, including 19 hospitals and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics. In 2023, Novant Health provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit , including financial assistance and services.

For more information, visit NovantHealth.org . Follow Novant Health on Facebook , Instagram , X and LinkedIn .

SOURCE Novant Health
Since 2019, NSG BioLabs has been a leader in co-working lab spaces in Singapore , and has nurtured over 40 biotech companies, of which the startups have achieved nearly US$400 million funding in total alongside significant business milestones

NSG BioLabs' partnerships with EnterpriseSG and Merck enable the company to enhance its offerings to residents, with the goal of supporting its residents' innovation and R&D endeavours

NSG BioLabs has also secured strategic investment of US$14.5 million , led by Celadon Partners, an Asian private equity firm and ClavystBio, a life science investor and venture builder set up by Temasek

Fresh funding will be used to augment NSG BioLabs' infrastructure, services, and benefits for residents, as well as support the expansion of its co-working laboratory and office spaces

SINGAPORE, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NSG BioLabs, Singapore's largest provider of biotech co-working laboratory and office space, announces partnerships with Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), the Singapore government agency championing enterprise development, and Merck, a leading science and technology company, to bolster the biotech landscape by providing needed resources such as funding, expertise and networks to advance startup research and development (R&D). The company also successfully concluded a US$14.5 million financing round led by Celadon Partners, an Asian private equity firm, and ClavystBio, a life science investor and venture builder set up by Temasek to accelerate the commercialisation of breakthrough ideas to health impact. These achievements reaffirm NSG BioLabs' strength and expertise in providing high-quality, well-managed, and turnkey Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) certified laboratory and office spaces. Moreover, these milestones underscore NSG BioLabs as an ecosystem catalyst, providing value-add services and networks, which are important in driving scientific innovation and business growth.

Since 2019, NSG BioLabs has been assisting innovators in creating impactful solutions in the health, biomedical, agrifood, and industrial biotechnology sectors, working in areas such as precision medicine, nucleic acids, AI-enabled drug discovery, and synthetic biology. With the largest co-working biotech laboratory and office footprint in Singapore, coupled with extensive networks with partners, suppliers and industry experts, NSG BioLabs has helped over 40 companies as residents. The company's residents include several multi-billion-dollar multinationals as well as many promising startups that have achieved key milestones. The startup residents alone have successfully raised nearly US$400 million in funding and supported hundreds of jobs.

"NSG BioLabs is committed to supporting innovators and proud to have helped in Singapore's growing biotech ecosystem. Our partnerships with EnterpriseSG and Merck signify the importance of a collaborative spirit, and we hope to spur greater collaboration among other stakeholders to benefit the biotech industry in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region," said Daphne Teo, CEO and Founder of NSG BioLabs, "Also, we are thankful for the recognition from our strategic investors, Celadon Partners and ClavystBio, and look forward to further empowering our residents in their innovation efforts through expanded facilities, enhanced value-add offerings, and greater exposure to valuable industry networking and mentorship experiences."

NSG BioLabs has been part of EnterpriseSG's Startup SG Accelerator programme since 2019[1]. NSG BioLabs is excited to announce its renewed partnership with EnterpriseSG to invest in and nurture more high-potential biotech startups, in particular, expanding support for those with promising innovations in fields such as precision medicine, with the aim of fast-tracking the development and commercialisation of such deep tech solutions.

"Singapore's biotech landscape has evolved significantly, with a burgeoning community of global startups and doubled healthtech deals in 2023[2]. EnterpriseSG will continue to work with industry partners like NSG BioLabs to drive the development of new deep tech innovations such as AI-enabled platforms and targeted therapies by providing patient capital, infrastructure and expertise. This will strengthen Singapore's edge in precision medicine and revolutionise healthcare delivery," said Dr Clarice Chen, Director of Healthcare and Biomedical, EnterpriseSG.

To further its mission of supporting biotech innovators, NSG BioLabs also closed a US$14.5 million strategic investment round, led by Celadon Partners with participation from ClavystBio. With these fresh funds, NSG BioLabs intends to enhance its product and services and to introduce additional facilities to meet the growing demands of biotech startups and multinational companies in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

"As the Southeast Asia biotech sector experiences tremendous growth driven by healthcare needs, we are confident that NSG BioLabs' innovative co-working model can offer compelling solutions for biotech startups and companies across the region. NSG BioLabs' dedication to empowering companies to fast-track their research and development efforts is commendable," said Donald Tang, Managing Partner at Celadon Partners.

"ClavystBio is excited to foster the growth of Singapore's life science ecosystem through our support of NSG BioLabs, and its resident startups. This investment reinforces ClavystBio's mission to accelerate breakthrough science into health impact through venture building, and strategic partnerships," said Khoo Shih Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer at ClavystBio.

As a key platform in the region with established and growing scale, NSG BioLabs fosters mutually beneficial connections between its residents and other key parties. To further enable its residents to develop, grow and scale-up, NSG BioLabs has secured a partnership with Merck to provide its residents special terms for Merck's reagents, and equipment in life sciences. The partnership also includes preferential access to biopharma processing expertise and consultation for scaling-up production.

Since its inception, NSG BioLabs has been supporting biotech startups and multinational companies by providing BSL-2 certified private and shared laboratory spaces and offices, equipment, as well as, privileged access with service providers and suppliers, and community engagement. After its first site opening in November 2019, NSG BioLabs expanded with its second site in August 2021, and recently 2023 with its third site. Now, with three sites totaling 35,000 square feet, NSG BioLabs cements its space as a key hub for biotech innovation. As one of the largest private biotech incubators in the region, coupled with its recent partnerships and strategic investors, NSG BioLabs is poised to enhance its value-add offerings of infrastructure, services, and networks to its growing community.

About NSG BioLabs

Founded with a focus on supporting biotech innovation, NSG BioLabs offers state-of-the-art equipment, efficient operations, capital efficiency, the expertise of world-class teams and global networks to assist life sciences companies. The conducive R&D environment contains fully-equipped, certified BSL-2 laboratory and office infrastructure across 35,000 sq ft in the prime location of Biopolis in Singapore.

By providing access to high-quality infrastructure, its extensive partner network, community, and value-add benefits, NSG BioLabs ensures that companies, ranging from emerging biotech startups to multinational companies, can rapidly and efficiently execute on their cutting-edge research and development ecosystem in Singapore, leading to the innovation of revolutionary technologies and products that translate into breakthrough biotech ventures and impact for patients.

For more information, visit www.nsgbio.com

[1] EnterpriseSG's Startup SG Accelerator supports startup enablers, such as incubators and accelerators to nurture the development of high potential Singapore-based startups. [2] Singapore Venture Funding Landscape 2023 by DealStreetAsia

SOURCE NSG BioLabs
PHILADELPHIA, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Berger Montague announces that a class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas on behalf of those who acquired Compass Minerals International, Inc. ("Compass Minerals" or the "Company") (NYSE: CMP) securities.

If you suffered losses as a result of your investment in Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP) and would like to learn about a potential recovery, CLICK HERE .

The lawsuit has been filed against Compass Minerals on behalf of purchasers of Compass Minerals securities between November 29, 2023 and March 22, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period").

The deadline for Investors who purchased or acquired Compass Minerals securities during the Class Period to seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class is June 24, 2024 .

Compass Minerals describes itself as "a leading global provider of essential minerals focused on safely delivering where and when it matters to help solve nature's challenges for customers and communities. [. . .] The Company's next-generation fire retardants help to slow, stop and prevent wildfires through the use of high-performing and environmentally-friendly products." On May 5, 2023, Compass Minerals fully took over Fortress North America, LLC ("Fortress"). In 2023, Fortress only sold its fire retardant products to the United States Forest Service (the "USFS").

The lawsuit alleges that on March 25, 2024, before the market opened, the Company issued a press release entitled "Compass Minerals Announces the Company Will Not Secure a USFS Contract to Supply Magnesium Chloride-Based Aerial Fire Retardants for the 2024 Fire Season."

Following this news, the price of Compass Minerals stock fell $3.00 per share, or 17.09%, to close at $14.55 on March 25, 2024. The next day, Compass Minerals stock fell an additional $0.86 per share, or 5.91%, to close at $13.69.

For additional information or to learn how to participate in this litigation, please contact Berger Montague: James Maro at [email protected] or (267) 637-3176, or Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015, or CLICK HERE .

A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not, however, affected by the decision whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. Communicating with any counsel is not necessary to participate or share in any recovery achieved in this case. Any member of the purported class may move the Court to serve as a lead plaintiff through counsel of his/her choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an inactive class member.

Berger Montague , with offices in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Delaware, Washington, D.C., San Diego, San Francisco and Chicago, has been a pioneer in securities class action litigation since its founding in 1970. Berger Montague has represented individual and institutional investors for over five decades and serves as lead counsel in courts throughout the United States.

Contacts:

James Maro, Senior Counsel

Berger Montague

(267) 637-3176

[email protected]

Andrew Abramowitz, Senior Counsel

Berger Montague

(215) 875-3015

[email protected]

SOURCE Berger Montague
UPPSALA, Sweden, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Starting 2024 with a positive EBITDA

Q1 2024 highlights

Total net revenues of SEK 139.3 m (158.8)

(158.8) EBITDA of SEK 15.9 m (-41.1)

(-41.1) Net earnings of SEK -8.9 m (-63.9)

(-63.9) US Commercial segment net revenues of SEK 129.3 m (140.3), in local currency USD 12.4 m (13.5)

(140.3), in local currency (13.5) Cash flow from operating activities of SEK -18.9 m (-61.6), cash and invested funds of SEK 198.0 m (278.9)

(-61.6), cash and invested funds of (278.9) Earnings per share before and after dilution amounted to SEK -0.26 (-1.86)

(-1.86) MODIA and Vorvida were reimbursed within the US Veterans Affairs Federal Supply Schedule as of January 1, 2024

Data from the clinical phase 1 study and stability data for OX640, a nasal epinephrine powder product, were presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immuniology Annual Meeting in Washington DC

Orexo and Sobi agreed to advance feasibility study where AmorphOX is tested with one of their biomolecules

To refinance the existing bond a four year senior secured social bond of SEK 500 million was issued

was issued The new bond was classified as a social bond after a social financing framework was established, which underwent an independent review by Morningstar Sustainalytics.

Important events after the end of the period

Second patent in the US granted for OX640.

SEK m unless otherwise stated 2024

Jan-Mar 2023

Jan-Mar 2023

Jan-Dec Net revenues 139.3 158.8 638.8 Cost of goods sold -13.3 -28.7 -88.9 Operating expenses -130.7 -189.4 -659.5 EBIT -4.7 -59.3 -109.5 EBIT margin -3.4 % -37.4 % -17.1 % EBITDA 15.9 -41.1 -32.5 Earnings per share. before dilution. SEK -0.26 -1.86 -3.73 Earnings per share. after dilution. SEK -0.26 -1.86 -3.73 Cash flow from operating activities -18.9 -61.6 -95.0 Cash and invested funds 198.0 278.9 171.0

CEO Comments in brief: Creating a stable financial platform

I am pleased to report a significant improvement in our financial results with an EBITDA increasing SEK 57 million and amounted to SEK 16 million (-41). In addition to less non-repeating activities, it is driven by efficiency improvements and cost control. Improving our financial results was a cornerstone of successfully refinancing our corporate bond in the quarter, and we gained strong interest from investors with close to 100 percent oversubscription. Our R&D projects continue to show progress, although OX124 is likely to require a longer review than the original PDUFA date in July based on recent request for additional documentation. Our ambition remains to launch the product in late 2024 or early 2025.

For the full CEO Comments read the PDF

Contact persons quarterly report

Nikolaj Srensen, President and CEO, Fredrik Jarrsten, EVP and CFO, or Lena Wange,

IR & Communications Director Tel: +46 18 780 88 00, +1 855 982 7658, E-mail: [email protected].

Presentation

On May. 8, at 1 pm CET analysts, investors and media are invited to attend a presentation, incl. a Q&A.

To attend via teleconference where you can ask questions verbally:

https://conference.financialhearings.com/teleconference/?id=50048736

When registered you will be provided phone numbers and a conference ID to access the conference.

To attend via webcast:

https://ir.financialhearings.com/orexo-q1-report-2024

Prior to the call, presentation material will be available on the website under Investors/ Reports/Audiocasts.

This information is information that Orexo AB (publ.) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact persons set out above at 8 am CET on May 8, 2024.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/orexo/r/orexo-q1-2024-interim-report,c3975281

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/694/3975281/2784543.pdf Orexo Q1 2024 Interim Report





SOURCE Orexo
RESTON, Va., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Plus3 IT Systems, LLC (Plus3 IT), announced today that it has achieved AWS Premier Tier Services Partner status in the AWS Partner Network (APN).

Achieving AWS Premier Tier Services Partner status differentiates Plus3 IT as an AWS Partner who demonstrated expertise and notable success in helping customers design, architect, build, migrate, and manage their workloads on AWS.

Plus3 IT & AWS: Small Business, Big Impact

"Plus3 IT is thrilled to achieve AWS Premier Tier Services Partner status with the AWS Partner Network (APN), as it has been a longstanding goal of ours. To be recognized in this way, as a small disadvantaged business serving primarily NatSec Government customers, proves the scale and large mission impact we achieve with our expertise," said Chris Isaacs, Plus3 IT Chief Technology Officer (CTO). "Completing this milestone is a testament to Plus3 IT's AWS expertise by accomplishment of the extensive accreditation and certification process. We are proud to demonstrate our dedication to helping our customers achieve their technology goals by leveraging the agility, breadth of services, and pace of innovation of AWS."

To earn AWS Premier Tier Services Partner status, companies must complete a rigorous approval process, must demonstrate a long-term investment in their relationship with AWS, and must have extensive expertise in deploying customer solutions on AWS. AWS Premier Tier Services Partners also have a strong team of technical consultants with AWS Certifications and have strong proficiency in project management and professional services. During the approval process, Plus3 IT's expertise and success stories distinguished the company as a "one-of-a-kind" small business.

AWS Premier Tier Services Partners are the most experienced partners and recognized as leaders in their respective geographical, vertical, or horizontal markets. They have deep technical expertise with multiple partner program validations and demonstrated success working with a large number of customers at scale.

Plus3 IT has migrated hundreds of business and mission applications to AWS, using dozens of AWS services and tools for Federal, DoD, and IC customers. Plus3 IT holds multiple AWS designations, including AWS DevOps Competency status, AWS Government Competency status, and AWS Migration Competency status. Plus3 IT is also a part of multiple APN Programs, including the AWS Public Sector Partner, AWS Public Sector Solution Provider, AWS Solution Provider programs and Authority to Operate (ATO) on AWS or the Global Security and Compliance Acceleration (GSCA).

Plus3 IT is a privately owned small business, headquartered in Reston, VA. As an expert-level cloud services firm, Plus3 IT supports mission requirements through the delivery of cloud adoption, cloud security, cloud native application development, and cloud enabled data analytics. Plus3 IT has proven and documented success supporting Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), and Federal customers in all things related to cloud.

Follow Plus3 IT Systems news on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and @Plus3IT on Twitter.

For general inquiries: [email protected]

SOURCE Plus3 IT Systems
Largest Hot Air Balloon Operator Continues Growth Across Southwest

PHOENIX, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Ride Company is bringing its award-winning bucket list experience to Utah starting next month. The largest hot air balloon operator continues to grow across the Southwest after 41 years in business and almost 50 balloons later.

"We are thrilled to now be in all four corners of the Southwest," says Scott Appelman, Founder and CEO of Rainbow Ryders. "It's remarkable that we get to offer this incredible experience in some of the most beautiful and dynamic landscapes in the country."

Rainbow Ryders expands to Utah Rainbow Ryders now offers flights in all Four Corners

Daily sunrise flights will be available for booking in Utah starting June 1st through September 23rd, 2024 and will take flight just north of Park City, near Kimball Junction. On the morning of your flight, adventure seekers will meet the crew at the Black Rock Mountain Resort, located at 909 W Peace Tree Trail in Heber City, Utah. From there, Rainbow Ryders will drive passengers to the launch site where they can watch the balloons come to life. Guests will enjoy a roughly 45 minute to one hour flight amongst the beauty of Utah. Upon landing, you will indulge in a post-flight celebration. Prices start at $350 per person for a shared basket experience. Black Rock Mountain Resort is offering 20 percent off hotel rooms for Rainbow Ryders passengers and 25 percent off food and beverage at their restaurant after flights.

Rainbow Ryders rises above the rest with daily hot air balloon rides in the Southwest, serving adventure seekers in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, since 1983. The company credits its success to providing unrivaled customer service, pilot expertise and safety, along with being the ultimate bucket list experience.

For more information on Rainbow Ryders or to book your bucket list experience in the four corners, visit https://rainbowryders.com or follow them on social media at @rainbowryders.

About Rainbow Ryders:

Founded in 1983, Rainbow Ryders is the largest hot air balloon company in the United States. Rainbow Ryders offers flights in Phoenix, Albuquerque, Colorado Springs and now Park City, for every occasion and any size group. From family vacations to corporate events, wedding proposals or to check it off your bucket list, Rainbow Ryders delights folks of all ages with an incredible, thrill-seeking experience. With 40 balloons in their fleet, Rainbow Ryders is the official hot air balloon ride operator at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and the Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift-Off. Rainbow Ryders pilots have flown more than 100,000 hours, serving 40,000 passengers per year. For more information on the company or to your bucket list experience, visit: https://rainbowryders.com/.

Media Contact:

Robyn Patterson, Mack Media Relations

[email protected]

Direct - 480-242-8001

SOURCE Rainbow Ryders
The Perfect Storm 20 Years in the Making

CHICAGO, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rare Hare Spirits, the ultra-premium collection of rare and unique whiskies from around the world, is proud to announce its latest limited release from the island of Tasmania: "The Tempest."

Rare Hare Unleashes Tasmanian Single Malt

If you didn't know that Tasmania has a storied history of producing outstanding single malt whiskies, you're not alone. This small, rugged island south of mainland Australia and east of New Zealand is more renowned for its pristine microclimate and unique wildlife than its distilleries. But for whiskey aficionados, this island harbors a special secret: it's a veritable Eden for small batch whiskies. Chances are, you are not going to find a Tasmanian whisky on the back bar of your favorite watering hole or even at your local purveyor of fine spirits. With only a handful of craft producers scattered across the island, the quest for Tasmanian whisky requires exploration.

Tasmania experienced its own prohibition, from 1830 until the 1990s, stifling all production until a scotch-loving land surveyor, inspired by a fishing trip in the Tasmanian highlands, successfully lobbied the government to reverse the ban. Centuries-old production methods have emerged from hibernation and are now being recognized and awarded at spirits competitions around the globe.

In its quest to deliver its fourth ultra-premium release, Rare Hare partnered with one of the pioneers of Tasmanian whisky making, the acclaimed Hellyers Road Distillery, one of Australia's oldest and most revered distilleries. Hellyers Road Distillery is Tasmania's first single malt whisky producer to emerge during this renaissance, and its aged expressions are only now becoming available in this post-prohibition era. We named this special expression "The Tempest," a nod to Shakespeare's tale of nature's power and deliverance. The Tempest is smooth and mellow yet delivers a tour de force of flavors and a long finish to savor. It is the perfect embodiment of Tasmania's temperate maritime climate, where hot summers, short cold winters, abundant sunshine, and low humidity create the perfect storm for producing exceptional single malt whiskey.

Hellyers Road Distillery employs a centuries-old pot still distillation process that spans three days, followed by a secondary slow still distillation to yield a whisky of unparalleled quality and character. The air currents that bring rain to Tasmania's western shores originate in Antarctica, traveling thousands of miles across the open ocean before reaching the island. The resulting water source is akin to soft rainwater, a unique characteristic not found in other regions producing single malt whiskies. The malt and barley used to create this small batch elixir are locally sourced and benefit from the rich soil and unique Tasmanian climate.

While most Tasmanian whiskies are aged in small barrels to accelerate maturation, Hellyers Road Distillery aged this whisky for seventeen years in standard-size bourbon casks, and then aged it for another three years in port casks.

"It's not often you get to experience the first run of something this unique and exceptional," said Alex Moore, Master Blender for Rare Hare Spirits. "Tempest is a celebration of the Tasmanian terroir. It should be on the bucket list of any serious whiskey collector."

Tasting notes: Experience a sensory expedition, from freshly baked biscotti and vanilla nougat to elderflower and citrus marmalade. This whirlwind of aromas is balanced on the palate by velvety layers of ginger, apricots, and citrus, delivering a smooth, harmonious, and long lingering finish, a true odyssey for the senses.

Rare Hare's Tempest will retail at $999 and is available for purchase online at RareHareSpirits.com and purveyors of fine spirits nationwide.

About Rare Hare Spirits

The Rare Hare collection by Playboy Spirits takes whiskey enthusiasts on a sojourn with each sip. From the grain belt of America to the heather-scented highlands of Scotland, from the foothills of Japan to the pristine shores of Tasmania, Rare Hare offers a passport to the world of ultra-premium whiskey. Rare Hare Spirits invites you to savor the story, the heritage, and the joie de vivre that is as timeless as it is boundless.

Join the brand's ongoing journey of discovery: @RareHareSpirits

About Spirits Investment Partners

Spirits Investment Partners ("SIP") specializes in creating unique brands and exceptional products in the alcoholic beverage space. Marc Bushala, Co-Founder and former CEO of Angel's Envy Bourbon, Co-Founder of Heaven's Door Spirits with Bob Dylan, and CEO of Kentucky Gold Distilling, created SIP to provide an entrepreneurial ecosystem to create, invest in and help build stand-out brands in the adult beverage space. In addition to providing capital, SIP leverages its in-house resources in product innovation, branding, package design, procurement, marketing, sales, distribution, compliance and finance to provide a comprehensive suite of resources for its portfolio of brands and investments. For more information, visit www.spiritsinvestors.com.

SOURCE Spirits Investment Partnership
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

The Republic of Uruguay (" Uruguay "), announced today the commencement of:

A global offer to purchase for cash (the " Global Tender Offer ") bonds of each series of Global Bonds listed in the table below under "Global Tender Offer" (collectively, the " Old Global Bonds " and each Old Global Bond, a " series " of Old Global Bonds) such that the aggregate Purchase Price to be paid for the Old Global Bonds tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Global Tender Offer is equal to a maximum purchase amount for each series to be determined by Uruguay in its sole discretion. The terms and conditions of the Global Tender Offer are set forth in the offer to purchase, dated Wednesday, May 8, 2024 (the " Global Offer to Purchase "). A local offer to purchase for cash (the " Local Tender Offer ") Treasury Notes and/or Monetary Regulation Bills listed in the tables below under "Local Tender Offer" (the " Old Local Securities "), subject to the terms and conditions described in the information memorandum dated Wednesday, May 8, 2024 (the " Local Information Memorandum ").

Global Tender Offer

The Global Tender Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum participation of any series of Old Global Bonds but is conditioned, among other things, on the pricing (but not the closing) of a new series of UI-denominated Global Bonds (the " New UI Global Bonds ") and a reopening of existing Peso-denominated Global Bonds (the " New Ps. Global Bonds " and, together with the New UI Global Bonds, the " New Bonds ") in an amount, with pricing and on terms and conditions acceptable to Uruguay in its sole discretion, with pricing terms expected to be announced at or around 4:00 p.m., New York time on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 (the " New Bonds Offering ").

The Global Tender Offer will commence at or around 8:00 a.m., New York time, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 and, unless extended or earlier terminated, expire at (i) 12:00 noon, New York time, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 for non-preferred tenders (the " Non-Preferred Tender Period "), and (ii) 2:00 p.m., New York time, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 for preferred tenders (the " Preferred Tender Period "). The settlement of the Global Tender Offer is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 (the " Global Tender Offer Settlement Date "). The purchase price to be paid per Ps. 1,000 nominal principal amount of each series of Old Global Bonds tendered and accepted pursuant to the Global Tender Offer will be equal to the fixed price indicated in the table below (the " Purchase Price "). Holders whose Old Global Bonds are accepted in the Global Tender Offer will also receive any accrued and unpaid interest from, and including, the last interest payment date for such Old Global Bonds up to, but excluding, the Global Tender Offer Settlement Date (the " Accrued Interest "). Accrued Interest for Preferred and Non-Preferred Tender Orders will be payable in cash.

Old Global Bonds Outstanding

Nominal Principal

Amount as of

Monday, May 8,

2024

ISIN

CUSIP Common Code Nominal Purchase

Price (per Ps.1,000

Principal

Amount)(1) (2) (3) 4.250% Global UI Bonds due

2027 ("2027 UI Bonds")(4) Ps. 9,914,541,000 US760942AU61 760942AU6 029507929 Ps. 1,030.00 4.375% Global UI Bonds due

2028 ("2028 UI Bonds")(5) Ps. 32,848,290,345 US917288BD36 917288BD3 071903796 Ps. 1,050.00













(1) The Purchase Price and Accrued Interest of the Old Global Bonds shall be converted into U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of Ps. 38.516 to US$1.00.

(2) In addition, investors will receive Accrued Interest, as described above.

(3) The nominal principal amount of Old Global Bonds validly tendered and accepted will be adjusted by a factor (the "Adjustment UI Factor") to reflect the increase of the UI index from the issuance date of the Old Global Bonds to the Global Tender Offer Settlement Date, which is expected to be Tuesday, May 14, 2024. As of the expected Global Tender Offer Settlement Date, (i) the Adjustment UI Factor for the 2027 UI Bonds would be 3.6647, which is the ratio of 6.0104, the value of the UI index at the Global Tender Offer Settlement Date, over 1.6401, the value of the UI index at the time of the issuance of the 2027 UI Bonds and (ii) the Adjustment UI Factor for the 2028 UI Bonds would be 2.5995, which is the ratio of 6.0104, the value of the UI index at the Global Tender Offer Settlement Date, over 2.3121, the value of the UI index at the time of the issuance of the 2028 UI Bonds.

(4) The principal amount of the 2027 UI Bonds outstanding, as adjusted by the Adjustment UI Factor is Ps. 36,333,818,403.

(5) The principal amount of the 2028 UI Bonds outstanding, as adjusted by the Adjustment UI Factor is Ps. 85,389,130,752.

Tender Orders (as defined below) made by holders of any series of Old Global Bonds who have submitted a corresponding Indication of Interest (as defined in the Global Offer to Purchase) for the New UI Global Bonds prior to the New Bonds Pricing Time (as defined in the Global Offer to Purchase) will be accepted before any other Tender Orders of such series of Old Global Bonds.

During the Non-Preferred Tender Period or Preferred Tender Period, as applicable, a holder of Old Global Bonds may place orders to tender Old Global Bonds (" Tender Orders ") only through one of the Dealer Managers (as defined below). Holders will NOT be able to submit tenders through Euroclear Bank SA/NV (" Euroclear "), Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme (" Clearstream ") or the Depository Trust Company (" DTC ") systems. If a holder does not have an account with a Dealer Manager, such holder may place a tender offer through any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, other financial institution or other custodian that it customarily uses that has an account with a Dealer Manager. Your broker must contact one of the Dealer Managers to submit a Tender Order on your behalf.

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., as the billing and delivery bank for the Global Tender Offer (in such capacity, the " Billing and Delivery Bank "), will consolidate all Tender Orders and, upon instruction of Uruguay, accept Old Global Bonds for purchase pursuant to the Global Tender Offer, subject to proration as described in the Global Offer to Purchase, at or around 8:00 a.m., New York time, on Thursday, May 9, 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Global Tender Offer is subject to Uruguay's right, at its sole discretion and subject to applicable law, to instruct the Billing and Delivery Bank to extend, terminate, withdraw, or amend the Global Tender Offer at any time. Each of Uruguay and the Billing and Delivery Bank reserves the right, in the sole discretion of each of them, not to accept any Tender Orders for any reason. Tender Orders by a holder of Old Global Bonds must be in Permitted Tender Amounts (as defined in the Global Offer to Purchase) as set forth in the Global Offer to Purchase. Tender Orders that are not for Permitted Tender Amounts will not be accepted.

There is no letter of transmittal or guaranteed delivery procedure in connection with this Global Tender Offer. If you hold Old Global Bonds through DTC, they must be delivered to the Billing and Delivery Bank for settlement no later than 3:00 p.m., New York time, on the Global Tender Offer Settlement Date. If you hold Old Global Bonds through Euroclear or Clearstream, the latest process you can use to deliver your Old Global Bonds to the Billing and Delivery Bank is the overnight process, one day prior to the Global Tender Offer Settlement Date; you may not use the optional daylight process. Failure to deliver Old Global Bonds on time may result (i) in the cancellation of your tender and in you becoming liable for any damages resulting from that failure, (ii) in the case of Preferred Tenders (a) in the cancellation of any allocation of New UI Global Bonds in the New Bonds Offering in respect of your related Indication of Interest and/or (b) in the cancellation of your tender and in your remaining obligation to purchase your allocation of New UI Global Bonds in respect of your related Indication of Interest and/or (iii) in the delivery of a buy-in notice for the purchase of such Old Global Bonds, executed in accordance with customary brokerage practices for corporate fixed income securities. Any holder whose tender is cancelled will not receive the Purchase Price or Accrued Interest. Holders will not have withdrawal rights with respect to any tenders of Old Global Bonds in the Global Tender Offer. Old Global Bonds accepted for purchase will be settled on a delivery versus payment basis with the Billing and Delivery Bank on the Global Tender Offer Settlement Date in accordance with customary brokerage practices for corporate fixed income securities.

All Old Global Bonds that are tendered pursuant to Tender Orders placed through a Dealer Manager and accepted will be purchased by the Billing and Delivery Bank in such amounts as Uruguay shall determine and subject to the terms and conditions of the Global Offer to Purchase. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Global Tender Offer, only the Billing and Delivery Bank will be liable for the payment of the Purchase Price and Accrued Interest for Old Global Bonds validly tendered and accepted as instructed by Uruguay, as described in the Global Offer to Purchase. Uruguay will not be liable under any circumstances for any payment of the Purchase Price and Accrued Interest to the holders of Old Global Bonds tendered in the Global Tender Offer. The Billing and Delivery Bank shall not be liable for payments to any holder of Old Global Bonds validly tendered and accepted for purchase if such holder fails to deliver such Old Global Bonds at or prior to the deadlines ahead of the settlement of the Global Tender Offer as described in the Global Offer to Purchase.

The Global Offer to Purchase may be downloaded from the Information Agent's website at https://projects.morrowsodali.com/uruguay or obtained from the Information Agent, Morrow Sodali International LLC (Email: [email protected], Telephone: +1 203 658 9457 / +44 20 4513 6933), or from any of the Dealer Managers.

The Dealer Managers for the Global Tender Offer are:

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. 66 Hudson Boulevard New York, New York 10001 United States of America Attention: Global Liability Management Group Toll Free: +1 (888) HSBC-4LM Collect: +1 (212) 525-5552 Email: [email protected] Santander US Capital Markets LLC 437 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor New York, New York 10022 United States of America Attention: Liability Management Group Toll Free: +1 (855) 404-3636 Collect: +1 (212) 350-0660 Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. 540 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor New York, New York 10022 United States of America Attention: DCM Collect: +1 (212) 710-6749

Questions regarding the Global Tender Offer may be directed to the Dealer Managers at the above contact.

Local Tender Offer

The Local Tender Offer is conditioned upon (i) the allocation of the New Bonds Offering, in an amount, at prices and on terms acceptable to Uruguay in its sole discretion and (ii) the New Bonds Offering not being terminated prior to the settlement of the Local Tender Offer.

Only those individuals and/or legal entities that participate in the New Bonds Offering, and for up to the amount of New UI Global Bonds and/or New Ps. Global Bonds allocated to them in the New Bonds Offering (net of the amount of Old Global Bonds of such person accepted by Uruguay for purchase under the Global Tender Offer) may tender their Old Local Securities in the Local Tender Offer (hereinafter the " Eligible Holders "). Eligible Holders may only tender an amount of Old Local Securities of not less than Ps. 100,000 (one hundred thousand Uruguayan Pesos) or UI 100,000 (one hundred thousand Indexed Units), as applicable, and, in all cases, subject to the Eligible Holder's compliance with applicable law (including those of its country of residence or incorporation).

Eligible Holders will be able to select Old Local Securities through the AGATA system of the Central Bank of Uruguay beginning on the time Uruguay announces the allocation of the Global Bonds (estimated for Wednesday, May 08, 2024 at 4:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as practicable) until Friday, May 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

Eligible Holders may participate in the Local Tender Offer with Old Local Securities up to the equivalent of the maximum amount allocated to them in the New Bonds Offering (net of the amount of Old Global Bonds of such person that are accepted for repurchase under the Global Tender Offer).

The repurchase of the Old Local Securities will be carried out respecting the order of priority established by the Eligible Holder when selecting Old Local Securities in the AGATA system. However, if the total value of the Old Local Securities selected by the Eligible Holder exceeds the effective value allocated in the New Bonds Offering, the Central Bank of Uruguay (a) will observe the order of priority established by the respective Eligible Holder in the AGATA system and (b) in case a certain order of priority has not been indicated in the system, disregard selected Old Local Securities with the longest maturity, until reaching the maximum amount admissible for each Holder.

Eligible Holders participating in the Local Tender Offer will receive in payment for each Ps. 1,000 (one thousand Uruguayan Pesos) or UI 1,000 (one thousand Indexed Units) nominal amount of their Old Local Securities validly tendered, an amount in cash in U.S. dollars equivalent to the nominal purchase price indicated in the tables below, divided by the exchange rate used in the New Bonds Offering of Ps. 38.516 to US$1.00.

Old Local Securities of UI-denominated Treasury Notes







Outstanding Principal Amount as

of May 8, 2024





ISIN

Series Maturity Date Nominal Residual Cupon

(in %) Purchase Price

(per UI 1,000)(1) (2) Purchase Price

(in US$)(3) UYNA00013UI7 13 5/25/2025 6,330,611,115 4,220,407,409 4.00 1,023.7778 26.5806 UYNA00027UI7 27 6/9/2024 3,439,705,759 1,146,568,586 2.975 1,013.8090 26.3218

(1) Purchase Price in Indexed Units for each UI 1,000 (one thousand Indexed Units) of nominal value, including accrued interest up to and including the settlement of the Local Tender Offer.

(2) This Purchase Price will be converted into Uruguayan Pesos using an UI of 6.0104

(3) Purchase Price expressed in U.S. dollars by converting the Uruguayan Peso amounts to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of Ps. 38.516 to US$1.00.

Old Local Securities of Monetary Regulation Bills in Uruguayan Pesos

ISIN Maturity Date Outstanding Principal

Amount as of May 7,

2024 Purchase Price

(per Ps. 1,000)(1) Purchase Price

(in US$)(2)

UYLR13623UY8 5/20/2024 11,902,798,000 998.7509 25.9308 UYLR13546UY1 5/31/2024 13,943,828,000 996.2564 25.8660 UYLR13626UY1 6/3/2024 10,646,972,000 995.5911 25.8488 UYLR13610UY5 6/5/2024 10,207,976,000 995.1469 25.8372 UYLR13613UY9 6/12/2024 12,562,450,000 993.5975 25.7970 UYLR13591UY7 6/21/2024 9,838,375,000 991.5903 25.7449 UYLR13617UY0 6/26/2024 9,169,392,000 990.4998 25.7166 UYLR13450UY6 7/3/2024 9,825,660,000 988.9493 25.6763 UYLR13552UY9 7/5/2024 8,365,668,000 988.5059 25.6648 UYLR13622UY0 7/10/2024 8,749,272,000 987.4006 25.6361 UYLR13597UY4 7/12/2024 11,807,760,000 986.9600 25.6247 UYLR13554UY5 7/19/2024 10,609,460,000 985.4176 25.5846 UYLR13601UY4 7/26/2024 8,959,160,000 983.8762 25.5446 UYLR13624UY6 7/31/2024 6,200,300,000 982.7756 25.5160 UYLR13605UY5 8/2/2024 8,762,690,000 982.3776 25.5057 UYLR13562UY8 8/9/2024 12,815,724,000 980.7988 25.4647 UYLR13611UY3 8/30/2024 9,024,724,000 976.2009 25.3453 UYLR13568UY5 9/6/2024 10,734,780,000 974.6724 25.3056 UYLR13470UY4 9/25/2024 10,612,492,000 970.5303 25.1981 UYLR13619UY6 10/4/2024 11,032,600,000 968.5754 25.1474 UYLR13575UY0 10/18/2024 9,471,650,000 964.1814 25.0333 UYLR13625UY3 11/1/2024 4,038,440,000 962.5015 24.9897 UYLR13586UY7 11/15/2024 6,473,310,000 959.4765 24.9111 UYLR13593UY3 12/27/2024 8,868,640,000 950.4478 24.6767 UYLR13599UY0 1/17/2025 11,734,250,000 945.9601 24.5602 UYLR13506UY5 1/29/2025 15,679,872,000 943.4020 24.4938 UYLR13608UY9 2/7/2025 10,400,756,000 941.4885 24.4441 UYLR13614UY7 3/7/2025 17,332,380,000 935.5423 24.2897 UYLR13620UY4 4/25/2025 14,030,630,000 925.1771 24.0206 UYLR13529UY7 4/30/2025 10,780,530,000 924.1461 23.9938 UYLR13627UY9 5/2/2025 4,946,712,000 923.7308 23.9830 UYLR13550UY3 6/25/2025 8,737,290,000 912.4380 23.6898 UYLR13567UY7 10/1/2025 8,466,970,000 892.2191 23.1649 UYLR13589UY1 12/30/2025 3,628,250,000 873.9270 22.6900

(1) Purchase Price in Uruguayan Pesos for each $1,000 (one thousand Uruguayan Pesos) nominal value.

(2) Purchase Price expressed in U.S. dollars by converting the peso amounts to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of Ps. 38.516 to US$1.00.

Old Local Securities shall be tendered in denominations of not less than Ps. 100,000 (one hundred thousand Uruguayan Pesos) or UI 100,000 (one hundred thousand Indexed Units), as applicable and, in the event that the Eligible Holder tenders Old Local Securities in an amount that is not a multiple of the denomination in which the New Bonds will be issued, the Republic will pay the balance in cash.

Eligible Holders residing in Uruguay that wish to participate in the Local Tender Offer should contact their broker and/or financial intermediation entities authorized by the Central Bank of Uruguay in order to obtain information on the scope of the Local Tender Offer, being exclusively responsible before Uruguay for any non-compliance with applicable law.

Non-resident Eligible Holders must also consult directly with their custodians regarding the specific requirements necessary for the purposes of their participation. Non-resident Eligible Holders who wish to participate in the Local Tender Offer shall obtain an allocation code from the Dealer Managers specified above, in order to be able to identify their Old Local Securities for tender. Such allocation code may be requested as part of the allocation in the New Bonds Offering.

The Local Information Memorandum may be obtained from Uruguay. The Dealer Managers are not acting as dealer managers for the Local Tender Offer.

Questions regarding the structure of the Local Tender Offer may be directed to Uruguay at:

Victoria Buscio (email: [email protected], Telephone: + 598 (2) 1712 2785)

Gabriela Tobias (email: [email protected], Telephone: + 598 (2) 1712 2786)

Antonio Juambeltz (email: [email protected], Telephone: + 598 (2) 1712 2957)

Jessica Gerpe (email: [email protected], Telephone: + 598 (2) 1712 2957)

Questions regarding the tendering process may be directed to the Central Bank of Uruguay at:

Fabio Malacrida (email: [email protected], + 598 (2) 1967 1102)

Marcelo Vidoni (email: [email protected], + 598 (2) 1967 2444)

Veronica Vitette (email: [email protected], + 598 (2) 1967 2426)

Uruguay has filed a registration statement (including prospectus supplement and the prospectus) with the SEC for the New Bonds Offering and the issuance of New Bonds. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in the registration statement and other documents that Uruguay has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Uruguay and such offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov.

The following additional information of Uruguay is available from the SEC website and also accompanies this press release:

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/102385/000119312523182065/d511752dsba.htm

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/102385/000119312524131598/d828973d18k.htm

Important Notice

This announcement is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell the Old Global Bonds or Old Local Securities. The Global Tender Offer will be made only by and pursuant to the terms of the Global Offer to Purchase, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time and the Local Tender Offer will be made only by and pursuant to the terms of the Local Information Memorandum, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time. The Dealer Managers are not acting as dealer managers for the Local Tender Offer.

The distribution of materials relating to the New Bonds Offering, Global Tender Offer and Local Tender Offer, and the transactions contemplated by the New Bonds Offering, Global Tender Offer and Local Tender Offer, may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Each of the New Bonds Offering, Global Tender Offer and Local Tender Offer is made only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. The New Bonds Offering, Global Tender Offer and Local Tender Offer are void in all jurisdictions where they are prohibited. If materials relating to the New Bonds Offering, Global Tender Offer or Local Tender Offer come into your possession, you are required to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the New Bonds Offering, Global Tender Offer and Local Tender Offer do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the New Bonds Offering or the Global Tender Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a Dealer Manager or any affiliate of a Dealer Manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the New Bonds Offering or the Global Tender Offer, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager or such affiliate in that jurisdiction. Owners who may lawfully participate in the Global Tender Offer in accordance with the terms thereof are referred to as "holders" and owners who may lawfully participate in the Local Tender Offer in accordance with the terms thereof are referred to as "Eligible Holders."

Stabilization/FCA

No securities are intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in any Member State of the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded, the "Prospectus Regulation"). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling any securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore any offering or selling of any securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

No securities are intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom (the "UK"). For these purposes, (a) a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) an investor who is not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation, and (b) the expression "offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities. Consequently, no key information document required by the PRIIPs Regulation, as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation"), for offering or selling securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore any offering or selling of securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

The expression "UK Prospectus Regulation" means the Prospectus Regulation, as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA.

Neither this communication nor any other offer materials relating to the Global Tender Offer or Local Tender Offer are being made, and this communication has not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the FSMA. This announcement is for distribution only to persons who (i) are outside the UK; (ii) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Financial Promotion Order"); (iii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.") of the Financial Promotion Order; or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This announcement is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR AFTER THIS MESSAGE ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

SOURCE The Republic of Uruguay
NINGBO, China, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Risen Energy Co., Ltd. ("the Company"), a globally leading manufacturer of high-performance solar photovoltaic products, has announced its outstanding financial results for 2023, demonstrating significant growth and technological advancements in the solar industry.

According to its latest annual report, in 2023, Risen Energy clocked up approximately 35.33 billion RMB (US$4.87 billion) in revenue, up 20.22% year-on-year. The Company's net profit after deduction of non-recurring profits or losses rose to 1.58 billion RMB (US$218 million) in 2023, marking a 55.77% year-over-year increase. Risen Energy's net assets attributable to equity holders expanded by 62.47% to reach 15.2 billion RMB (US$2.09 billion) in 2023.

Risen Energy has achieved various significant milestones over the last year. Here are a few highlights:

Technological achievements: Risen Energy has made significant strides in n-type technology and large-size high-efficiency module technologies. The Company set a new record efficiency rate of 23.9% for its heterojunction (HJT) Hyper-ion Modules in 2023, with a projected production capacity of 21GW by 2024. Risen Energy's innovations include the development of 0BB cell technology, 210 ultra-thin silicon wafer technology, pure silver consumption7mg/W and Hyper-Link technology. The Company was the first in the industry to put such technological breakthroughs into mass production. In 2023, Risen Energy obtained multiple international certifications, including the first TUV SUD global certificate for 210 HJT high-efficiency ultra-thin modules. Also in 2023, Risen Energy developed and owned 740 patent technologies, with 172 new patents authorized during the year. The Company published several whitepapers as it continued to lead the industry. In August 2023 , Risen Energy released its highly-anticipated research paper "Development and Application of Low-silver Metallization Paste," and in December, the Company published "Development and Industrial Application of Ultra-thin Silicon Wafers"  setting strong benchmarks for the industry.

Product Applications: For residential and C&I rooftops, Risen Energy's Super Energy Series products have shown superior performance and installation convenience. Such products strengthened the Company's position in technological innovation and industrial application.

Energy Storage: Risen Energy also stood out in the field of energy storage. Leveraging its dual-energy storage industrialization platform and its professional research and development team, the Company has achieved full-stack self-development and closed-loop management of "3S" (BMS/PCS/EMS) technologies. Risen Energy's independently developed liquid-cooled battery energy storage system was the first in China to be certified by both Chinese and American UL9540A standards.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG): In Risen Energy's latest ESG report, the Company noted that it has obtained the SA8000 certification. Risen Energy has increased its clean energy usage to 31,320,210 kWh, up 9.4% year-on-year. It has also purchased 6,424,000 kWh of green electricity, and set a new low in the French carbon footprint certification at 376.5 kg eq CO2/kWc  thanks to the Company's HJT module product.





As of December 31, 2023

(in RMB) As of December 31, 2022 As of December 31, 2021 Total assets 54,245,929,430.61 38,358,001,211.15 29,636,736,310.32 Net assets attributable

to equity holders 15,208,422,344.15 9,360,934,883.33 8,478,633,433.49

2023 (in RMB) 2022 2021 Revenues 35,326,804,378.95 29,384,723,133.68 18,830,724,181.12 Net profit attributable to

equity holders 1,363,281,088.79 934,976,466.28 43,317,260.05 Net profit attributable to

equity holders after

deduction of non-

recurring profit or loss 1,582,641,345.52 1,015,980,459.29 648,132,577.21

About Risen Energy

Risen Energy, established in 1986 and publicly listed in 2010, is a global Tier 1, "AAA" credit-rated solar photovoltaic product manufacturer and power generation solutions provider. Renowned for techno-commercial innovation, top-quality products, and strong support, the Company's Solar PV solutions are powerful and cost-effective.

SOURCE Risen Energy Co., Ltd
Nexi signed strategic partnership with UnionPay

Holders of contactless cards from these global networks are now able to access Rome's public transportation system easily and quickly, without the need to purchase a ticket in advance

ROME, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boarding public transport and pay the fare by simply tapping with a contactless payment card or mobile phone (to which the card is binded) on turnstiles or authorized readers: Rome is the first city in Europe to offer this contactless payment service to cardmembers from international schemes UnionPay.

ATAC1

The service, commonly known as open loop transit, is now available through Nexi, the leading Italian PayTech in Europe, which has entered into two separate strategic agreements with the two global card schemes to allow the holders of their contactless cards or mobile phone (to which the card is binded) to access Rome's public transportation by paying the fare in this extremely simple, fast, and secure way, thanks to the contactless sales channel developed by ATAC across the entire transportation network of Rome.

Millions of tourists and citizens, especially from Asian countries, will be able to benefit from the service on all public transportation vehicles in Rome: the service is active on all surface lines, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, as well as on the entire metro network (metro A, metro B/B1, metro C), in addition to some urban railway lines equipped with entrance turnstiles.

There are several advantages, both for passengers and for urban mobility as a whole: no need to purchase a ticket in advance, maximum convenience, security of purchase, guarantee of the best fare calculated on the basis of the last 24 hours of travel, and greater accessibility to public transportation.

"The partnerships again demonstrate how Nexi has the technology, scale, and expertise to operate successfully at a global level. In particular, we are proud that an Italian city, Rome, will be the first city in Europe to offer this service to a potential pool of millions of Asian citizens, thus accelerating the process of digitalizing travel tickets in Rome," said Filippo Maria Signoretti, Merchant Solutions Director Italy.

Mr. Yang Shengliang, Head of UnionPay International Europe Branch, remarked: "As a leading global payment network dedicated to enhancing the payment experience for travellers worldwide, UnionPay is thrilled to collaborate with Nexi in introducing Open Loop Transit in Rome. This ground-breaking initiative not only simplifies travel experiences for UnionPay cardholders but also underscores our progress to fostering seamless, innovative payment solutions across Europe."

The service, which is already available to passengers with Mastercard, Visa, and American Express cards, has already been extended and is currently active for UnionPay cardholders.

Nexi

Nexi is the European PayTech, present in high-growth, attractive European markets and technologically advanced countries. Listed on the Euronext Milan, Nexi has the scale, geographical reach, and capabilities to drive the transition towards a cashless Europe. With its portfolio of innovative products, e-commerce expertise, and specific solutions for the industry, Nexi can provide flexible support for the digital economy and the entire payment ecosystem globally through a wide range of channels and different payment methods. Nexi's technological platform and best-in-class professional skills in the sector allow the company to operate at its best in three market segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuing Solutions, and Digital Solutions. Nexi continuously invests in technology and innovation, focusing on two fundamental principles: meeting the needs of its customers together with its partner banks and creating new business opportunities for them. Nexi is committed to supporting people and businesses of all sizes, transforming the way people pay and businesses accept payments, offering customers the most innovative and reliable solutions to better serve their customers and grow. This is the way how Nexi promotes progress for the benefit of all: simplifying payments and enabling people and businesses to build closer relationships and grow together. www.nexi.it www.nexigroup.com

UnionPay

UnionPay International (UPI) focuses on the international business of UnionPay, a global payment network that serves the world's largest cardholder base. Collaborating with over 2,600 partners globally, UnionPay acceptance now reached to 183 countries and regions. Outside the Chinese Mainland, UnionPay is accepted at nearly 67 million merchants and 1.7 million ATMs.

UnionPay International provides high quality, cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants.

Website: www.unionpayintl.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2406475/ATAC1.jpg


VANCOUVER, BC, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Scottie Resources Corp. ("Scottie" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCOT) (OTCQB: SCTSF) (FSE: SR8) is pleased to announce the exploration plan for the 2024 season on the Company's flagship asset, the Scottie Gold Mine Project, located in BC's Golden Triangle. Slated to start in late June, the $4.5 M program will provide expansionary drilling at the Blueberry and D-Zone targets, initial drilling of a new showing, and testing at the historic Scottie Gold Mine that will aim to define a high-grade gold resource. The Scottie Gold Mine Project, which includes the 100% owned historic mine, and the adjacent Blueberry Zone, is located 35 kilometres north of the town of Stewart, BC, along the Granduc Road.

Figure 1: Overview plan view map of the Scottie Gold Mine Project, illustrating known mineralized zones along the margin of the Texas Creek intrusive, and the planned 2024 exploration objectives. (CNW Group/Scottie Resources Corp.)

Highlights:

Fully financed $4.5 M budget

Expansionary drilling of the Blueberry Zone (~2,500 metres)

of the Blueberry Zone (~2,500 metres) Underground validation of historic drilling at the Scottie Gold Mine and defining a high-grade resource for the deposit Continued drilling of the Scottie Gold Mine P-Zone (~1,000 metres)

Step-out drilling on D-Zone targets (~1,500 metres)

Initial testing of the new high-grade gold showing discovered in 2023 located

between the Scottie Gold Mine and D-Zone (~1,000 metres)

discovered in 2023 located between the Scottie Gold Mine and D-Zone (~1,000 metres) Robust TerraSpec program (short-wave infrared spectroscopy) designed to establish

the fertile window around the Texas Creek intrusive

President and CEO, Brad Rourke commented: "Fully financed, our program this year is designed to efficiently consolidate and leverage Scottie's exploration successes at Blueberry and D-Zone into a robust framework that directly links the Scottie Gold Mine and other local deposits with these discoveries. Another key component of the program will be to establish a resource at the Scottie Gold Mine to underpin value and demonstrate a pathway for a global project-scale resource encompassing the belt of high-grade deposits that occur along the margin the Texas Creek aged intrusive stock - notably Blueberry, D-Zone, and Bend. With a healthy treasury and a clear plan to demonstrate value, we are well positioned to benefit from opportunities unfolding in the area."

2024 Exploration Program

The exploration program will commence in late-June (snow melt dependant). Drilling will commence with one diamond drill targeting the Blueberry Contact Zone for expansion, and a fly-drill will focus on targets requiring helicopter access, e.g. D-Zone and the Scottie Gold Mine. Total initial meterage budgeted is about 6,000 metres, spread across multiple targets, the allocation being dependant upon initial field observations and results. The program is being developed with the ability to easily scale up, should the market conditions change.

The TerraSpec program (short-wave infrared spectroscopy) will be following up on positive initial results from a small pilot program on the Blueberry Contact Zone that indicated a link between clay/mica minerals and proximity to the high-grade ore shoots. The 2024 TerraSpec program will expand on these results in order to assess other deposits in the Scottie Gold Mine and their relation to the adjacent Texas Creek intrusive. The program will combine data from surficial transects, analysis of historic drill core, and the 2024 drill holes.

In addition to work on the Scottie Gold Mine Project, the company will be carrying out a concerted greenfield exploration program on the Georgia Project where a new showing was discovered in 2023. The showing is located 3 kilometres south of the historic Georgia River Mine where a grab sample hosting visible gold ran 165 g/t gold. The location the 1.5 metre wide, banded quartz-carbonate-chlorite vein, is approximately 3 kilometres along strike of the historic Georgia River Mine. Additional field work is also planned on the Cambria Project which is located between Ascot's Premier Project and their Red Mountain deposit, the project hosts multiple small past-producing high-grade silver-rich polymetallic mines.

About the Scottie Gold Mine Project

Exploration of the Scottie Gold Mine Project over the past 5 years has produced exceptional drill results through the discovery of high-grade gold in four new zones (Blueberry Contact Zone, Domino, D-Zone, P-Zone) and the expansion of previously drill confirmed targets (Scottie Gold Mine, C-Zone, Bend Vein, Stockwork). When depicted on a map of property scale geology (Figure 1) there is a clear spatial relation between the outcropping and drill-confirmed high-grade gold targets and the contact with the Jurassic aged, Texas Creek Plutonic suite intrusion. The new 2023 surface discovery of gold-rich vein style mineralization between the Scottie Gold Mine and the C & D-Zones further supports this relationship. Geological work in the area has established strong connections between the various deposits. The chemical, mineralogical, structural, and age relationships of the deposits and host rocks support a genetic model whereby all deposits are linked to the same mineralizing event.

About the Blueberry Contact Zone

The Blueberry Contact Zone is located just 2 kilometres northeast of the 100% owned, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine located in British Columbia, Canada's Golden Triangle region. Historic trenching and channel sampling of the Blueberry Vein include results of 103.94 g/t gold over 1.43 metres, and 203.75 g/t gold over 1.90 metres. Despite high-grade surficial samples and easy road access, the Blueberry Vein had only limited reported drilling prior to the Company's exploration work. The target was significantly advanced during Scottie's 2019 drill program when an interval grading 7.44 g/t gold over 34.78 metres was intersected in a new N-S oriented zone adjacent to the main Blueberry Vein. The drill results received from 2020 - 2023, coupled with surficial mapping and sampling suggest that the N-S mineralized trend is a first order structure that hosts an array of SW-trending, sub-parallel, sulphide-rich veins that obliquely crosscut it which host high-grade gold. As of the end of 2023, the extent of the N-S zone, defined by the contact between andesite and siltstone units of the Hazelton Formation and the presence of the cross-cutting sulfide-rich structures, has a drilled strike length of 1,550 metres and has been tested to >525 metres depth. The Blueberry Contact Zone is located on the Granduc Road, 20 kilometres north of the Ascot Resources' Premier Mine. Newmont's Brucejack Mine is located 25 kilometres to the north.

Quality Assurance and Control

Results from samples taken during the 2023 field season were analyzed at SGS Minerals in Burnaby, BC. The sampling program was undertaken under the direction of Dr. Thomas Mumford. A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic absorption spectrometry and gravimetric finish when required (+9 g/t gold). Analysis by four acid digestion with multi-element ICP-AES analysis was conducted on all samples with silver and base metal over-limits being re-analyzed by emission spectrometry.

Dr. Thomas Mumford, P.Geo., a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release on behalf of the Company.

ABOUT SCOTTIE RESOURCES CORP.

Scottie owns a 100% interest in the Scottie Gold Mine Property which includes the Blueberry Contact Zone and the high-grade, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine. Scottie also owns 100% interest in the Georgia Project which contains the high-grade past-producing Georgia River Mine, as well as the Cambria Project properties and the Sulu and Tide North properties. Altogether Scottie Resources holds approximately 58,500 hectares of mineral claims in the Stewart Mining Camp in the Golden Triangle.

The Company's focus is on expanding the known mineralization around the past-producing mines while advancing near mine high-grade gold targets, with the purpose of delivering a potential resource.

All of the Company's properties are located in the area known as the Golden Triangle of British Columbia which is among the world's most prolific mineralized districts.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release may contain forwardlooking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forwardlooking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forwardlooking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date such statements were made. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Scottie Resources Corp.
STOCKHOLM, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Highlights according to segment reporting

Revenue amounted to SEK 36.4 billion (34.9); adjusted for currency effects, revenue increased 5 percent.

(34.9); adjusted for currency effects, revenue increased 5 percent. Operating income amounted to SEK 0.5 billion (0.4); adjusted for currency effects, operating income increased 32 percent.

(0.4); adjusted for currency effects, operating income increased 32 percent. Earnings per share amounted to SEK 1.28 (1.04).

(1.04). Operating cash flow from operations amounted to SEK -4.9 billion (-2.3) for the period according to IFRS.

(-2.3) for the period according to IFRS. Adjusted interest-bearing net receivables(+)/net debt(-) totaled SEK 4.6 billion ( December 31, 2023 : 10.4).

( : 10.4). Order bookings in Construction amounted to SEK 46.9 billion (25.8). Adjusted for currency effects, order bookings quarter on quarter increased 83 percent. Rolling 12-month book-to-build ratio was 117 percent (99) with the order backlog reaching a historic high.

(25.8). Adjusted for currency effects, order bookings quarter on quarter increased 83 percent. Rolling 12-month book-to-build ratio was 117 percent (99) with the order backlog reaching a historic high. Operating income in Construction amounted to SEK 0.7 billion (1.0), representing an operating margin of 1.8 percent (2.8).

(1.0), representing an operating margin of 1.8 percent (2.8). Operating income in Project Development amounted to SEK -0.1 billion (-0.5).

(-0.5). Return on capital employed in Project Development was -3.1 percent (4.5).

Return on equity was 5.9 percent (13.0).

This report will also be presented at a press and audio conference at 10:00 CET on May 8, 2024.

The press conference will be webcast live at www.skanska.com/investors, where a recording of the conference will also be available later.

Participate in the audio conference, with the possibility to ask questions. Preferred connection (web link), for best audio quality, please join the call from your phone via the HD Audio web link here: HD Audio link. If you need to call in via telephone line please dial +46 (0) 8 5051 0031; +44 (0)207 107 06 13 or +1 (1) 631 570 56 13.

This and previous releases can also be found at www.group.skanska.com/investors.

This is information that Skanska AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the Senior Vice President Investor Relations set out below, at 07:30 CET on May 8, 2024.

For further information, please contact:

Magnus Persson, Executive Vice President and CFO, Skanska AB, tel +46 10 448 8900

Antonia Junelind, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Skanska AB, tel +46 10 448 6261

Karolina Cederhage, Senior Vice President, Communications, Skanska AB, tel +46 10 448 0880

Jacob Birkeland, Head of Media Relations and Public Affairs, Skanska AB, tel +46 10 449 1957

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/skanska/r/interim-report--first-quarter-2024,c3975305

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3975305/2784524.pdf Skanska Q1 2024 ENG

SOURCE Skanska
BEIJING, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived Sunday in Paris for a state visit to France as the first stop of his European trip. He received a grand welcome from the French side. At the same time, President Xi's written speech upon arrival at Paris Orly airport, the signed article published in French media Le Figaro, and the China-France-EU trilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have continued to spark heated discussions in Western public opinion, highlighting the significance of this visit at the bilateral, European and global levels.



President Xi said in his signed article that during his visit to France, he brought with him three messages from China: China will work with France to carry forward the spirit that guided the establishment of their diplomatic ties, build on past achievements and open new vistas for China-France relations; China will open even wider to the world and deepen cooperation with France and other countries; China will strengthen communication and coordination with France to uphold world peace and stability. These three messages not only demonstrate China's concept of development, security, and civilization in the new era, but also reflect the strategic, epoch-making and global nature of China-France relations in the context of a changing world order.



This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Sixty years ago, the two countries broke through the icy barriers of the Cold War, bridged the gap between camps, and established ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations, "ripping a slit in an iron plate," pushing the world toward dialogue and cooperation. Even today, admiration for the strategic vision and broad-mindedness of that generation of leaders remains a common sentiment from top to bottom in both China and France, demonstrating that the strategic direction of the relationship established at that time was correct and stood the test of time. President Xi's emphasis of carrying forward the spirit that guided the establishment of diplomatic ties, namely the spirit of independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, shows that in the face of profound global transformations and uncertainties, it is hoped that the two countries can lead the world back to the right path of cooperation rather than confrontation, to win-win results rather than zero-sum.



Over the past 60 years, the reason why China-France relations have consistently remained at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, pioneering many "firsts," is not because they have not experienced ups and downs, but because they have always focused on the fundamental and long-term interests of both countries and peoples, jointly safeguarded world peace and stability, and promoted human development and progress.



Charles de Gaulle once said at a press conference after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, "France simply recognizes the world as it is." He firmly believed in the long history of Chinese civilization and emphasized that global development cannot be without China. Today, as China deeply integrates into globalization, just as de Gaulle foresaw, it has a strong willingness and continues to contribute to global development. China's expansion of high-level openness and deepening cooperation with other countries, including France, is not a forced choice, but a conclusion drawn from our own development experience and a natural result of our development needs. China offers opportunities rather than risks, and seeks cooperation rather than confrontation. As long as one can correctly grasp the main thread of comprehensively understanding China's development, all problems will be technical and temporary.



France is an influential major power in the Western world, and its influence stems not only from its hard power but also from its longstanding tradition of independence and its unique perspective and vision. The stability and development of China-France relations will become a very prominent case in China's relations with the West, helping other Western countries to understand China's foreign policy and the principles China upholds when developing relations with countries of different systems and cultural backgrounds. The stability of China-France relations provides more impetus for China-Europe relations and also helps European countries to understand China in a rational, pragmatic, and objective manner and handle their relations with China accordingly.



France was the first Western power to establish diplomatic relations with China, and China-France relations have always carried the genes of influencing international relations and the world order from the very beginning. Just as President Xi said, "both China and France value independence as two major countries, and our interactions in the long course of history have released tremendous energy swaying the trajectory of the world." Under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, we look forward to China and France embarking on a new journey for the next 60 years of bilateral relations, constantly making new achievements for global peace and stability as well as human development.

SOURCE Global Times
HELSINKI, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiilto Ventures has invested in Burgdorf-based Cleantech startup Yuon to help accelerate market adoption of their predictive, self-learning heating control system designed to optimize heating networks. Compared to traditional heating control systems, Yuon can help reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 25%.

Decarbonising heating  A climate imperative

Heating is the main use of energy by households in the European Union (EU), accounting for 64.4% of final energy consumption in the residential sector in 2021. As the transition to sustainable heating solutions continues and is reinforced by regulatory efforts targeting net-zero emissions, there is a growing emphasis on energy efficiency and optimization to reduce CO2 emissions.

"Over the last few years, there has been a lot of focus on optimizing electricity networks, now is the time to optimize heating systems. We aim to revolutionize heating control systems by providing software to operate district heating networks efficiently. This will not only have a direct impact on reducing CO2 emissions but also boost our transition to net-zero," says Yuon CEO & Co-Founder Dr. Sebastian Hersberger.

Automatically optimizing the heating demand of buildings and networks

Youn's robust software equips utility providers with tools to fine-tune their grid, leading to improved performance, reduced CO2 emissions, lowered operational expenses, and informed business choices.

"We aim to make our heating control system the new European standard for heat management," adds Hersberger.

Considerable positive impact for the built environment

"We are really impressed of what the Yuon team has already achieved, and we believe they can scale this to a global solution, starting from Central Europe where the problem is most acute. We are happy to be support their efforts," says Head of Kiilto Ventures Matti Ronkko.

Yuon clinched the top spot at the 2023 ClimateLaunchPad Regional Final Europe, underscoring the acknowledgment of their innovative and impactful green business concept.

"At Kiilto Ventures, we are actively seeking the largest opportunities in moving the needle for maximum positive planetary impact for a better built environment. Recognizing heating as a major contributor to emissions, innovations like this hold significant potential to drive meaningful impact in tackling this challenge head-on."

Kiilto Ventures, the Helsinki-based VC of Kiilto, invests in and supports early-stage startups tackling the biggest problems of the built environment which is currently responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions.

Yuon Control AG, a Burgdorf-based Cleantech startup, offers an advanced and predictive heating control system designed to optimize heating networks. The solution involves creating a digital model of the grid and each building connected to the district heating network, which happens in real-time and fully automated, i.e., AI-based. The solution involves collecting data, such as weather data and consumption forecasts, to create digital models and other input

For more information, please contact:

Matti Ronkko, Head of Kiilto Ventures

Kiilto Ventures

[email protected]

Dr. Sebastian Hersberger, CEO and Co-Founder

Yuon Control AG

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/kiilto/r/swiss-startup-yuon-control-ag-secures-funding-to-boost-needed-innovation-in-heating-sector,c3974592

The following files are available for download:

https://news.cision.com/kiilto/i/yuon-control-ag-banner-image,c3297283 Yuon Control AG Banner Image
CHICAGO, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Chicago (the "University") today announced, in connection with the University's tender offer to purchase any and all of the University's outstanding taxable fixed rate bonds described in the table below (together, the "Bonds") its acceptance of certain bonds tendered for purchase to the University. The following is the text from the notice of acceptance issued by the University on the date hereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this press release have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase (as defined below).

SERIES CUSIP MATURITY

DATE INTEREST

RATE OUTSTANDING

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

TENDERED FOR

PURCHASE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT

ACCEPTED













2015B 91412NBB5 10/1/2033 4.261 % $ 27,895,000 $ 15,795,000 $15,795,000 2015B 91412NBA7 10/1/2030 3.972 % 10,240,000 5,240,000 5,240,000 2014B 91412NAK6 10/1/2044 4.411 % 175,685,000 90,953,000 90,953,000 2021B 91412NBG4 10/1/2052 3.000 % 350,495,000 44,919,000 44,919,000 2013B 91412NAJ9 10/1/2045 4.151 % 205,000,000 21,481,000 21,481,000 2015B 91412NAZ3 10/1/2029 3.922 % 9,845,000 160,000 160,000 2015B 91412NAY6 10/1/2028 3.772 % 9,470,000 0 0 2015B 91412NAX8 10/1/2027 3.622 % 9,125,000 0 0

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase Bonds, dated April 30, 2024, as supplemented by the Pricing Notice, dated May 7, 2024 (as it may be further amended or supplemented, including the cover page, inside cover pages and Appendices, the "Offer"), the University invited Bondholders to tender Target Bonds for cash at the applicable purchase price (the "Purchase Price") based on a fixed spread ("Fixed Spread") to be added to the yields on certain benchmark United States Treasury Securities ("Benchmark Treasury Securities"), plus Accrued Interest on the Target Bonds tendered for purchase to but not including the Settlement Date.

The Offer expired at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on May 7, 2024.

The principal amounts of Target Bonds of each CUSIP that the University is accepting for purchase are set forth in the table above. The University has set the Fixed Spreads, the Offer Yields and the Purchase Prices for the Target Bonds of each CUSIP pursuant to the terms of the Pricing Notice, dated May 7, 2024.

The Amount Tendered Condition of the October 1, 2033 maturity of the 2015B Bonds was not met because the amount tendered exceeded the Eligible Purchase Amount as set forth in the Offer. The University has waived the Amount Tendered Condition with respect to the Target Bonds of such and will use funds of the University on hand and available to purchase the excess tendered Target Bonds.

A portion of the October 1, 2052 maturity of the 2021B Bonds in the amount of $396,000 were tendered pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures described in the Offer. Such Target Bonds tendered pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures are included in amounts under the headings "Principal Amount Tendered for Purchase" and "Principal Amount Accepted" in the relevant row of the Table above.

The University's obligation to pay for Target Bonds validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted pursuant to the Offer is subject to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer including, inter alia, satisfaction or waiver of the Financing Conditions, the Amount Tendered Condition and the Maximum Purchase Condition (each as defined in the Offer) on or prior to the Settlement Date.

The Offer, including the Preliminary Official Statement, dated April 30, 2024, relating to the University's Illinois Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, The University of Chicago, Series 2024A, the proceeds of which will be used to purchase the tendered Target Bonds, if such Target Bonds are purchased, and the Pricing Notice dated May 7, 2024 are available on the website of the Information and Tender Agent at https://www.globic.com/uchicago.

This press release must be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase.

SOURCE The University of Chicago
MIAMI, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trust Us Funding, under the ownership of Rafael Diaz, stands out in the financial planning industry with its unique approach. Rather than solely focusing on the creation and funding of trusts, they emphasize comprehensive financial education and collaboration with legal experts. This distinctive strategy ensures that clients are not only informed but also empowered to make sound financial decisions.

The process begins with thorough financial training for clients. Diaz believes that informed clients are better equipped to navigate the complexities of financial planning. By offering educational resources and personalized guidance, Trust Us Funding empowers individuals to take control of their financial futures.

Moreover, Trust Us Funding goes beyond traditional financial planning by collaborating closely with attorneys. This collaborative effort ensures that trusts are meticulously drafted and accurately reflect the intentions of the client. By working hand-in-hand with legal professionals, they minimize the risk of errors or oversights that could potentially derail the client's financial plans.

The ultimate goal of Trust Us Funding is to set clients up for long-term financial success. Through a combination of education, collaboration, and personalized service, they help clients avoid common pitfalls in financial planning. By addressing potential challenges proactively, Trust Us Funding ensures that beneficiaries receive exactly what was intended for them, without any complications or delays.

In conclusion, Trust Us Funding redefines financial planning by prioritizing education, collaboration, and personalized service. With Rafael Diaz at the helm, they aim to empower clients and guide them towards a secure financial future.

For more information about Trust Us Funding and its innovative approach to financial planning, visit trustusfunding.com .

About Trust Us Funding:

Trust Us Funding, under the leadership of Rafael Diaz, is committed to revolutionizing the financial planning industry. With a dedication to education, collaboration, and personalized service, Trust Us Funding empowers clients to make informed decisions and achieve their long-term financial goals. With a focus on integrity and excellence, Trust Us Funding strives to be the premier choice for individuals seeking comprehensive financial planning solutions.

Discover the difference personalized financial planning can make in your life. Contact Trust Us Funding today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward securing your financial future.

Contact Information

Name: Rafael Diaz

Email: [email protected]

Phone Number: (786) 858-0896

SOURCE Trust Us Funding
"We're thrilled to support these bold, young leaders as they aim to have a positive impact on the environment," said Dr. Deborah Grayson, chief education officer at the National Geographic Society. "As environmental champions, they teach us how to be positive changemakers by bringing fresh perspectives to our communities and creating lasting change for our planet."

The 2024 Slingshot Challenge received 2,134 one-minute video submissions from 87 countries. Between innovative uses of AI (artificial intelligence) and technology to detect and solve environmental problems to pitching community-driven awareness campaigns, the submissions proved that the explorer mindset is alive and well in this next generation of changemakers. Five Top Honors Award Recipients, noted below, stood out for their notably inquisitive drive to seek knowledge and think critically. These submissions join Slingshot Challenge award recipient alumni in receiving support and funding.

Mazah: Food Waste Fighting App , Noga Gercsak, Gabrielle Gervacio , Shradha Bista , Riya Zingade, Ishika Meel , Prithika Venkatesh; Switzerland , U.S., Hong Kong : Developed an app that tracks food expiration dates & offers recipes to prevent household food waste.

, Noga Gercsak, , , Riya Zingade, , Prithika Venkatesh; , U.S., : Developed an app that tracks food expiration dates & offers recipes to prevent household food waste. TERRABOX , Chidiebere Anigbogu , Nigeria : Created a STEM kit that empowers children to explore clean and renewable energy through play and creativity.

, , : Created a STEM kit that empowers children to explore clean and renewable energy through play and creativity. Semilla de Esperanza (Seed of Hope) , Ulises Yael Texta Ponce , Wiliam Artemio Texta Ponce , Diana Paola Ponce Nava , Perla Karina Ponce Gomez, Sasha Enriquez ; Mexico : Protects the endangered green macaw through monitoring, reforestation, and community education.

, , , , Perla Karina Ponce Gomez, ; : Protects the endangered green macaw through monitoring, reforestation, and community education. Trovador, Marta Bernardino , Portugal : Deploys a tree-planting robot to help reforest land devastated by wildfires in the mountains of Portugal .

, : Deploys a tree-planting robot to help reforest land devastated by wildfires in the mountains of . Urban Pollinators, Evelyn Pinot, Mexico : Built the first registry of native pollinator plants in Tapachula and created a thriving haven for urban pollinators.

All awardees are invited to participate in National Geographic Society's annual Explorers Festival in June, at which two additional awards will be announced: the Explorer Connection Award, given to the submission that draws the best connection to the work of a National Geographic Explorer, and the People's Choice Award, given to the submission that receives the most votes from the general public. Voting for the People's Choice Award is open until May 31, 2024 and can be accessed here .

"A better future starts with empowering the next generation," said Lara Littlefield, executive director of partnerships and programs at the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. "The Slingshot Challenge represents our belief that youth are the key to unlocking new opportunities in conservation. We are confident that a global community of changemakers can stare down and conquer the environmental challenges that define our times."

Spanning nine countries and four continents, the Significant Achievement Award Recipients demonstrated a desire to make a positive impact  evidenced by their proposals to educate community members through virtual reality experiences, share soundscapes of wetland areas, monitor ocean health, restore vulnerable ecosystems, uplift young researchers and develop eco-friendly products. The awardees took a close look at their communities, identified problems and designed innovative solutions  showing how to implement what they learned along the way into tangible actions for protecting our planet and its people.

Around the world, Slingshot Challenge alumni and community members are inspiring people to learn about, care for and act on behalf of the planet. Since its inauguration in 2023 , funding has helped recipients develop prototypes, raise awareness for environmental issues, launch initiatives and connect others globally with a common goal: to make the world a better place.

Additionally, and in the spirit of supporting as many outstanding ideas as possible, the National Geographic Society and Paul G. Allen Family Foundation are teaming up for a third year of the challenge  kicking off in the fall of 2024. Interested teens and educators can sign up now to receive updates here .

About the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

Founded in 1988 by philanthropists Jody Allen and the late Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation invests in communities across the Pacific Northwest to enhance the human experience of arts & culture, center under-served populations, and mobilize young people to make an impact. In addition, the foundation supports a global portfolio of nonprofit partners working across science and technology solutions to protect wildlife, preserve ocean health, and create lasting change. The foundation also funds the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, which works to advance cutting-edge research in all areas of bioscience.

About National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content. To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram , LinkedIn , and Facebook .

SOURCE National Geographic Society
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
Paris, May 8 : France has accused Iran of arbitrarily detaining several French citizens and holding them hostage and demanded their release.

The French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of two French tourists detained in Iran two years ago on espionage charges. They have been held there ever since.

Paris also called for the release of two other French citizens detained by Tehran.

"France condemns this state hostage policy and the constant blackmail by the Iranian authorities," the French ministry said.

"France condemns the Islamic Republic's abhorrent practice of forced and public confessions, as well as the inhumane and degrading conditions of detention inflicted on our compatriots."

The ministry also commented on other Europeans jailed in Iran and subjected to absurd charges and sham trials.

Last October, a French academic jailed in Iran returned to France after having been handed a five-year sentence for endangering national security and spreading anti-regime propaganda.

Her release came after the release of one of her colleagues who had also been imprisoned.

--IANS/DPA

sha/
Cairo, May 8 : Egypt is hosting delegations from Hamas, Israel, Qatar and the US in Cairo with the aim of reaching a "comprehensive truce" in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli delegation, which arrived in Cairo on Tuesday afternoon, included members of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and Shin Bet security agency, an Egyptian source who asked to remain anonymous told Xinhua news agency.

In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the delegation to "continue to stand firm on the conditions necessary for the release of our hostages, continue to stand firm on the essential requirements to ensure Israel's security."

However, he noted that the ceasefire proposal, brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators and approved by Hamas on Monday, fell short of Israel's essential requirements.

Egypt is "making every effort to reach a comprehensive truce," state-affiliated Al-Qahera News quoted an unnamed high-ranking source as saying. The source added that Egypt was engaged in communication with various parties in order to contain the crisis.

The Israeli army on Tuesday launched a military operation in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, where more than 1 million internally displaced Palestinians have sought refuge since Israel's offensive began on October 7 last year.

At least 20 people have been killed in Israel's attacks on Rafah since Tuesday morning, Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on both Israel and Hamas to end the ongoing conflict.

"We are at a decisive moment for the Palestinian and Israeli people and for the fate of the entire region," said the UN chief.

"An agreement between the government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas is essential to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and of the hostages and their families," Guterres added.

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 and more humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.
Washington, May 8 : The official start of the trial against former US President Donald Trump in the affair surrounding the retention of secret government documents has been postponed indefinitely.

The previously planned start of the trial on May 20 has been cancelled, the judge in charge, Aileen Cannon, announced in a letter on Tuesday. She said unresolved legal issues were behind the postponement.

It is therefore unlikely that the trial will begin before the US presidential election in November.

The decision is a success for the Republican candidate, as he is trying to delay the start of a possible trial as much as possible. The 77-year-old hopes to move back into the White House after the presidential election.

Trump is currently also on trial in a court in New York in connection with hush money payments to a porn actress. But this trial is not Trump's only legal problem.

Trump was hit with federal charges in the document affair last year. He is accused of unlawfully retaining highly-sensitive information from his time as president between 2017 and 2021.

In August 2022, the FBI raided Trump's mansion in Florida and seized several sets of documents classified as top secret. Trump is also accused of conspiring to obstruct the investigation.

He is alleged to have tried to use associates to make footage from surveillance cameras disappear and to have boxes of documents taken away.

Trump pleaded not guilty when the charges were presented in Miami last year. His lawyers are still trying to avert the trial, invoking Trump's immunity as president. They argue that keeping the documents as personal records was an official act of the president.

--IANS/DPA

sha/
Washington, May 8 : US President Joe Biden has strongly condemned anti-Semitism at pro-Palestinian protests at universities and reaffirmed his "ironclad" support for Israel.

"My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad. Even when we disagree," Biden said at the US Capitol on Tuesday at an event commemorating the victims of the Holocaust.

"There is no place on any campus in America or any place in America for anti-Semitism or hate speech or threats of violence of any kind," he said.

Some of the rallies in support of Palestine at US campuses have also criticized Biden's Middle East policy. He, meanwhile, has become more critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions in the Gaza war.

In his speech, Biden said people must learn from history, and pointed to the unprecedented massacre of more than 1,200 people by militants from the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas and other groups in Israel on October 7 that led to the war.

Too many people deny, denigrate or distort the Holocaust and October 7, including the "appalling use of sexual violence by Hamas to torture and terrorize Jews," Biden said. This is "despicable" and must stop.

--IANS/DPA

sha/
Kiev, May 8 : Ukrainian security authorities have claimed that they had uncovered Russian attack plans against President Volodymyr Zelensky and other politicians.

The Ukrainian secret service SBU on Tuesday said that two officers from the Ukrainian State Security Department responsible for the president's personal protection had been detained in connection with possible attacks.

They are said to have provided the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB with information in return for money and were supposed to have taken part in the attack themselves.

"One of the tasks of the FSB network was to find assassins among the military who were close to the president's personal security so that they could take the head of state hostage and then kill him," the SBU statement in Kiev said. According to the information, the officers held the rank of colonels.

The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office confirmed the investigation and the arrests.

However, there was no independent confirmation of the incident outside the Ukrainian security authorities.

SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk and the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, were also named as possible targets.

The SBU published what it said were intercepted conversations in which the Russian side offered a Ukrainian officer $50,000 for information and to take part in an assassination attempt.

--IANS/DPA

sha/
Hyderabad, May 8 : Seven migrant workers, including a four-year-old child, were killed in a wall collapse in Greater Hyderabad following heavy rain, police said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred Tuesday night at an under-construction apartment in Renuka Yellamma colony in Bachupally in Medchal Malkajgiri district.

The bodies were recovered from debris by rescue workers in an operation that lasted till early Wednesday morning.

The deceased were identified as Tirupati Rao (20), Shankar (22), Raju (25), Ram Yadav (34), Geeta (32), Himanshu (4) and Khushi.

The victims were construction workers from Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Police shifted the bodies to Osmania Hospital for autopsy and took up investigation.

Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed Hyderabad and some other districts of Telangana on Tuesday evening, inundating low-lying areas and uprooting trees. Six people were killed in separate rain-related incidents
Seoul, May 8 : Hyundai Motor, Kia and two other carmakers will recall over 7,700 vehicles due to faulty components, the transport ministry here said on Wednesday.

The four companies, including Jaguar Land-Rover Korea and Volkswagen Group Korea, are voluntarily recalling 7,783 units of 11 different models, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement.

The problems that prompted the recall included a manufacturing defect in the exhaust gas recirculation valve power unit, which may cause the engine to stall while driving, in 4,118 units of five different Hyundai models and 2,668 units of Kia models, reports Yonhap news agency.

Another problem was the poor fixation of the rear right illumination device in 329 units of two different Jaguar Land-Rover models, including the new Range Rover Sport P360.

Also, 623 units of Volkswagen's Touareg 3 3.0 TDI model were subject to a corrective action due to a software error in the vehicles' mobile app, which could lead to a vehicle malfunction during remote automated parking.
New Delhi, May 8 : Autotech company CarDekho on Wednesday launched a new online platform called TractorsDekho, that will serve the needs of the farming community by providing resources tailored specifically to tractors.

With this move, CarDekho Group has forayed into the commercial and agricultural vehicle division.

The new platform will help farmers simplify the complex decision-making process regarding farm equipment.

"Recognising the critical role tractors play for farmers and their struggle with limited information, we are now intervening to simplify their research for a tractor by identifying the right choice for them," said Mayank Jain, CEO, New Auto, CarDekho Group.

The platform's network connects buyers, sellers, dealers, and service centers, simplifying the tractor research.

"As a comprehensive hub, TractorsDekho provides detailed information, expert advice, and insights about the tractor industry," said the company.

Founded in 2008, CarDekho Group has around 60 million monthly active users (MAUs).

At a $1.2 billion valuation, the company operates in insurtech (InsuranceDekho), fintech (Rupyy), shared mobility space (Revv) and others.

It is backed by investors like Peak XV (Sequoia), Hillhouse Capital, CapitalG, Ratan Tata Trust, Leapfrog (ESG-focused investment fund), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, among others.
New Delhi, May 8 : Air India Express faced major disruption in services as 78 flights were cancelled and many were delayed after cabin crew called in mass 'sick leave' to mark their protest against the ongoing transition in the airline.

In 2023, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) gave its go-ahead to the Tata Group's initiative to merge the budget airline AIX Connect (previously known as AirAsia India) with Air India Express.

Sources said the senior employees, including the cabin crew, are unhappy with the changes.

"A section of our cabin crew reported sick at the last minute, starting last night (Tuesday), resulting in flight delays and cancellations. While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result," said the airline spokesperson.

"We sincerely apologise to our guests for this unexpected disruption and emphasise that this situation does not reflect the standard of service we strive to provide. Guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date. Guests flying with us today are requested to check if their flight is affected, before heading to the airport," said the spokesperson.
Washington, May 8 : The US government contradicted reports that Hamas had agreed to a proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza war shortly before the Israeli army started a military operation in the city of Rafah.

"Hamas did not accept the ceasefire proposal. Hamas responded, and in their response, made several suggestions. It's not the same as accepting," said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in Washington.

Miller explained that the draft under discussion was an offer made at the end of April.

"That's the offer that was on the table," he said. "Hamas seemed to make clear... in their public statements that they accepted that offer yesterday. That is not what they did. They responded with amendments - call it a counter proposal if you want - and we're working through the details of that now."

The Israeli military on Tuesday said it had taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing in the south of the Gaza Strip overnight, in an operation the Israeli leadership has promised would be "limited."

Rafah was the last city in the Gaza Strip that Israeli forces had not entered during its massive offensive, which began after the October 7 attacks on southern Israel, during which Hamas and other groups killed around 1,200 people and took around 200 hostages.

The more than 100 hostages, still in captivity, are believed to be held in Rafah.

Israel's allies and other international leaders have been warning against a Rafah offensive. Large numbers of Palestinian civilians have sought shelter in the city after fleeing Israeli airstrikes and ground operations elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.

--IANS/DPA

sd/svn
Washington, May 8 : A US soldier, held in Russia for alleged theft, did not request official clearance for his trip to Russia, an Army spokesperson said, noting he is currently in a pretrial detention facility.

Cynthia Smith, the spokesperson, made the remarks as Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was arrested on charges of stealing personal property in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok on Thursday, Yonhap news agency reported.

Black was most recently assigned to the Eighth US Army at Camp Humphreys in South Korea, Smith confirmed. On April 10, he was issued a permanent change-of-station (PCS) leave for reassignment to Fort Cavazos, Texas, but flew from Incheon, west of Seoul, to Vladivostok via China for personal reasons.

"Black did not request official clearance, and DoD did not authorise his travel to China and Russia. Official and leave travel is currently restricted pursuant to the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide," Smith said in a statement. DoD means the Department of Defense.

"There is no evidence Black intended to remain in Russia after his PCS leave period ended," she added.

On Friday, a Russian foreign ministry official informed the US Embassy in Moscow that Black was arrested. He will remain in detention until his next hearing pending determination, according to Smith.

The soldier's detention comes as relations between Washington and Moscow have been frayed due to Russia's war against Ukraine and other issues.

Black enlisted in the US Army as an Infantryman in 2008. He was deployed to Iraq from October 2009 through September 2010 and to Afghanistan from June 2013 until March 2014.
New Delhi, May 8 : In the forever-changing canvas of television, the fascination of viewers with mystical creatures such as 'Naagins', 'Chudails' and 'Daayans' is timeless, and it is fed continually by serials that keep climbing up the popularity charts.

Mrinal Jha, the writer of 'Naagin', the popular supernatural series based on shape-shifting serpents, noted that these stories work because of their very high relatibility -- all of us, irrespective of where we live or our station in life, have grown up listening to stories about these characters.

This fascination cuts across geographical boundaries and has fed such big cultural moments such as the explosion of Harry Potter mania or the comeback of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' universe.

Closer home, 'Naagin', which first aired in 2015, has kept coming back for six seaons and seen its lead actresses -- notably Mouni Roy, Surbhi Jyoti, Nia Sharma and Tejasswi Prakash -- attain instant celebrity status.

In fact, it wasn't just a coincidence that the most successful Bollywood film immediately after the Covid lockdown was 'Bhool Bhulaiya 2' -- and a third addition to the series is on the cards.

In a conversation with IANS, Jha said: "I have always been fascinated by the supernatural genre and one of the things that has struck me is how it is so hugely popular around the world, which the success of the 'Twilight' series and vampire films/TV serials have amply demonstrated. Today, there are so many variants of the supernatural genre -- it hasn't happened in a long time."

Talking specifically about the cult of 'naagins', 'dayans', 'pisachinis', and what have you, Jha said: "We have our own folklore, we have our 'daayans' and 'chudails' and their appeal is pan-Indian. These stories have been around for a long time, we did not have to do much with them. Our idea was to explore this world and then create a universe around it. That is what I think happened with 'Naagin' when we explored the folk tales around the theme."

Delving into her supernatural show 'Nazar', with Monalisa in the lead role of a 251-year-old 'daayan' Mohana, Jha said: "If you see 'Nazar', 'Divya Drishti' or 'Pishachini', all of these are explorations of the supernatural world. Thatas the idea, you create a universe and these characters become fantastical, and then you can create more and more spinoffs from them."

'Divya Drishti', with Sana Sayyad, and Nyra Banarjee in the lead roles, revolved around a 'pishaachini'. The show ran from 2019 to 2020.

Speaking about the relatability factor, Jha said: "These stories are heard in the smallest of the villages across India. So the relatability is really high. When I started working on 'Nazar', I spoke to a number of people from villages and places like that, and everyone had heard about a 'daayan', or 'chudail', or 'pishaachini'. Everyone was aware of some story or the other."

Continuing on the theme, Jha said, "I think the connection was immediate. We borrowed a lot of beliefs from there and then expanded on them. I think one of the reasons why this genre clicked was because these stories are a part of our culture, and all of us in our childhood have heard some story or the other about these fantastical creatures. The interest in watching stories about them playing out on television was obvious."

If something is still lacking in this genre, according to Jha, it is that it has still not been scaled up. "Our characters remain within the confines of television sets in people's homes. I think we should take it to the next level, where they are involved in far bigger things and larger numbers of people."

Jha concluded by saying: "For example a 'daayan' gets into politics, then what happens. I think that's the next league of stories we should look at when we expand the genre of the supernatural and the fantastical."

Giving an actor's perspective, Naqiyah Haji, who plays the character of Nikki in the wedding fantasy thriller 'Shaitani Rasmein', welcomed the advent of supernatural shows on Indian television.

Haji told IANS that as a performer "you can go all out, make it exciting, even crazy". She said: "If it's so much fun to perform or create, it would be just as enjoyable to watch. I believe the arrival of supernatural shows is really great for Indian television."

The actress pointed out that with VFX (visual effects) technology getting more advanced, the supernatural genre is "growing day by day" and the "creativity is going crazy".

Referering to the global popularity of shows like 'Wednesday' and 'Vampire Diaries', Haji said the genre was "really growing internationally" and people were just loving it. "I hope we really grow into it," she added.

Even as memories of the sixth season of 'Naagin', which featured Tejasswi Prakash in the lead, are still fresh in the minds of people, Nia Sharma is set to return as a 200-year-old 'chudail' in the upcoming Colors show 'Suhaagan Chudail'.

Nia's character has been gathering special skills known as the 'solah shringar' that will make her incredibly powerrful. Once she acquires the 16th power, which is known as 'sindoor', she will kill the 16th man to gain that power.

It will be interesting to see whether the 'chudail' will be able to get to the 16th 'shringar'. And it is this curiosity that will keep the supernatural factory of Jha producing more and more fantasies of people with an insatiable appetite for such stories.
New Delhi, May 8 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday reeled out statistics to drive home her point that the country's Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have shown a marked improvement in their economic performance in the last 10 years compared to the tenure of the Congress-led government prior to 2014.

The Finance Minister cited figures showing a surge in profits and net worth of these Government-owned enterprises to contradict as she stepped into the political debate on the issue amid the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

She took to X to state that the claims of "INCIndia ecosystem, and Rahul Gandhi in particular, that Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are being dismantled & are in disarray under the current government are a textbook example of 'Ulta Chor Kotwal Ko Daante,' as the facts reveal a very different picture."

Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, PSUs are thriving, benefiting significantly from the culture of professionalism infused in them along with increased operational freedom. The Modi government's focus on capital expenditure has also led to substantial growth in their stock performance, she observed.

The greater alignment of management incentives (through the sharpening of performance-linked incentives), Capital Management Guidelines on dividends, buybacks, etc. and the calibration of the disinvestment strategy have helped improve the performance of the CPSEs and reposed investor confidence, the Finance Minister pointed out.

The focus on infrastructure development, power, logistics, etc. has directly benefited PSUs in Railways, roads, power, metals, construction and heavy equipment manufacture, she added.

The Finance Minister also said that the Modi Govt's initiatives have helped the public sector banks (PSBs) to recover from the banking crisis created by the UPA. GNPAs in PSBs have fallen to decadal lows of 3.2 per cent and profits are at record highs, even as the push to financial inclusion brings formal banking to every corner of the country.

Nirmala Sitharaman provided figures to show the "transformation in PSUs" under the Modi Govt is evident from a comparison of parameters between FY 2022-23 and FY 2013-14:

Total Paid-up Capital of all CPSEs was Rs 5.05 lakh crore as of March 31, 2023, v/s Rs 1.98 lakh crore in FY 14, an increase of 155 per cent.

Total Gross Revenue from the operations of CPSEs during FY 2023 was Rs 37.90 lakh crore v/s Rs 20.61 lakh crore in FY 14, an increase of 84 per cent.

Net Profit of profit-making CPSEs stood at Rs 2.41 lakh crore in FY 2023 v/s Rs 1.29 lakh crore in FY14, an increase of 87 per cent.

Contribution of all CPSEs to the exchequer by way of Excise & Customs duties, GST, Corporate tax, Dividends, etc. stood at Rs 4.58 lakh crore in FY 2023 v/s Rs 2.20 lakh crore in FY14, an increase of 108 per cent.

Net Worth of all CPSEs increased from Rs 9.5 lakh crore as of March 31, 2014, to Rs 17.33 lakh crore as of FY-2023, an increase of 82 per cent.

Capital Employed by all CPSEs was Rs 38.16 lakh crore as of March 31, 2023, against Rs 17.44 lakh crore as of March 31, 2014, a growth of 119 per cent.

She also said that due to better management of PSUs, their share prices have tremendously increased in the last 3 years.

The total market cap of all 81 listed PSUs (62 CPSEs, 12 PSBs, 3 Public Sector Insurance Companies and IDBI Bank) has grown by 225 per cent.

Returns by NIFTY CPSE of nearly 78.8 per cent have significantly outpaced NIFTY 500 (27.4 per cent) and NIFTY 50 (22.5 per cent).

Market Cap of 12 listed Public Sector Banks (PSBs) has increased 2.95 times (195 per cent) from Rs 5.45 lakh crore (as of March 31, 2021) to Rs 16.12 lakh crore (as of March 31, 2024).

Notably, 15 CPSEs have experienced an impressive CAGR ranging from 76 per cent to 100 per cent, reflecting substantial value appreciation and investor confidence. Additionally, 25 CPSEs have demonstrated strong growth with CAGR ranging between 51 per cent and 75 per cent, while 28 CPSEs have shown steady expansion within the range of 26 per cent to 50 per cent.

She went on to say that in fact, even under former PM Atal Ji led NDA Govt, shares of PSUs had performed better compared to UPA, due to better management.

During 1999-2004 (NDA), the PSU index soared over 300 per cent, vastly outperforming the BSE Sensex's 70 per cent gain.

Compared to this during 2004-09 (UPA I), the PSU index rose by 60 per cent, but this was only half the growth rate of the Sensex.

The FM further stated that during 2009-14 (UPA II), the PSU index declined by 6 per cent, while the benchmark surged by 73 per cent.
Karimnagar : , May 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday termed Congress and BRS as the two sides of the same coin, saying corruption, appeasement politics and zero governance model link the two parties.

Alleging that Congress and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) are part of the same corruption syndicate, the Prime Minister said they are covering up each other's scams.

He was addressing a public meeting here in support of the BJP candidates for Karimnagar, Peddapalli and Adilabad Lok Sabha constituencies.

He said that corruption is a common characteristic of both parties. "They accused each other of corruption but from the backdoor, they are part of the same corruption syndicate," he said and mentioned that when BRS was in power it did not investigate cash for vote allegations and now the Congress government is silent on the corruption in Kaleshwaram project.

Claiming that BJP always follows the principle of nation first, he alleged that Congress and BRS work on the principle of family first. "By the family, for the family, of the family is their gameplan," he said and called on people to save Telangana from this alliance.

PM Modi said when Telangana was formed, people reposed their faith in TRS (now BRS) but by working only for one family, it shattered the dreams of all families. He alleged that Congress has the same history as people had big hopes from the party after Independence.

He also alleged that the appeasement bond is strong between Congress and BRS. He remarked that the two parties had given Hyderabad on lease to MIM.

"For the first time, BJP has challenged MIM. MIM is worried over this but Congress and BRS look more worried than MIM. Both the parties are trying for MIM's win," he said.

PM Modi reiterated the allegation of 'RR tax' in Telangana. "One R loots Telangana and sends it to another R in Delhi. This RR game will destroy Telangana," he said.

He also remarked that the collection of 'RR' has surpassed the collection of the Telugu blockbuster 'RRR'.

Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said every day he used to talk of '5 businessmen' and later he converted it into Ambani and Adani. As soon as the elections came, he stopped naming them. The prince should publicly tell people how much money he has taken from both in this election, he said.

He also alleged that the Congress wants to snatch reservations of SCs, STs and BCs and give them to Muslims. He reiterated that there is no scope in the Constitution for religion-based reservation.

He also reiterated the allegation that the Congress was conspiring to lock Ram temple and overturn the court verdict in the case.

PM Modi invoked former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in his home district of Karimnagar. He alleged that Congress insulted him even after his death by not allowing his body to be brought into Congress office.

Stating BJP and NDA conferred Bharat Ratna on Narasimha Rao, the Prime Minister said he was happy to meet the entire family of the former Prime Minister in Hyderabad Tuesday night and felt proud to learn about his works.

He remarked that in the third phase of the Lok Saha elections, the third fuse of the Congress and the INDI alliance was also burnt. He exuded confidence that the BJP and NDA will march ahead in the remaining four phases.

He claimed that in Karimnagar people have already declared victory of BJP MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

He said that the Congress party was sure to lose as it could hardly convince somebody to contest from here. He remarked that BRS is nowhere to be seen.
Palakkad : , May 8 (IANS) In a tragic incident on Wednesday morning, a video journalist while filming a pack of wild elephants crossing a water body was attacked and despite being taken to the hospital, he passed away.

AV Mukesh (34) who was working with Mathrubhumi TV news channel, on Wednesday went to shoot a pack of elephants spotted in the forest area of Kottekkad in Palakkad.

While shooting the elephants, AV Mukesh is reported to have tripped and fallen. On seeing this, an agitated elephant attacked him.

Even though he was later shifted to a nearby hospital, his life could not be saved.

Minister for Forests and Wildlife Protection, AK Saseendran expressed shock at the demise of the young video journalist.

"We are all deeply saddened by the news of the tragic incident. The forest department staff on hearing about the incident did their best to save him," said AK Saseendran.

AV Mukesh had been working for the Delhi bureau of the TV channel for a long time and it was only last year that he was transferred to the Palakkad bureau.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 8 : Two days after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for a 19-day private tour of three countries, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday said that the CM appeared to have left the hectic election scene in the country due to the fear of the BJP, and also sought an answer from the CPI(M) national leadership.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family are on a tour of three countries -- Indonesia, Singapore and the UAE.

"We heard the statements during the campaigning for the April 26th Lok Sabha poll, that 'if the Left is not there, India will not be there, so vote for Left'. With this being their hashtag, we wish to know even while Vijayan is the sole chief minister of the Left in India, why has he not gone for election campaign to other states, especially West Bengal and Tripura? It appears Vijayan is afraid of the BJP and hence ducked and ran away," said Satheesan.

"Even more intriguing is the fact that Vijayan has not handed charge to any other leader. Moreover, the weekly cabinet meeting every Wednesday has been cancelled. Doesn't Vijayan trust any of his senior cabinet colleagues? He has gone on this long private trip when the state is passing through its worst time due to multiple reasons," said Satheesan, and asked the CPI(M) national leadership to come clean on his trip.

State Congress president K. Sudhakaran said CM Vijayan has cheated his party by not campaigning for the candidates in other states.

CM Vijayan left from Kochi with his wife Kamala and their grandson on Monday. His daughter Veena Vijayan and her husband state Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas joined Vijayan on Monday in UAE.
Mumbai, May 8 : BJP nominee Dr Sujay Vikhe-Patil and NCP(SP) candidate Nilesh Lanke are locked in a direct contest in the cooperative-rich Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency.

The fight between the two is being portrayed as a contest between a member of the Vikhe-Patil family, considered the pioneers of the cooperative movement in Maharashtra and a new face who emerged as a aCovid Warriora by helping a large number of people during the Coronavirus pandemic.

For Vikhe-Patil it is also a fight to retain the supremacy of his family and the BJP in Ahmednagar District while for Lanke it is an opportunity to emerge as the peopleas man who can take on mighty and resourceful leaders.

Political observers say the fight is also between the traditional rivals Sharad Pawar and Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.

While Nilesh Lanke comes from a family of farmers, Sujay Vikhe-Patil is the great grandson of Padmashri Vitthalrao Vikhe-Patil who is credited with the establishment of Asiaas first cooperative sugar factory in Ahmednagar after Independence.

A total of 19,81,866 voters comprising 10,32,946 males and 9,48,801 females will cast their votes on polling day on May 13.

There are 25 candidates in the fray. Of the six Assembly segments, the BJP holds Shevgaon and Shrigonda while Rahuri and Karjat-Jamkhed are held by NCP(SP). The Parner constituency is vacant after Nilesh Lankeas resignation.

Despite discontent against Vikhe-Patil, who was elected for the first time in the 2019 General Elections after he joined the BJP by parting ways with the Congress, the saffron party renominated him from the constituency.

BJP Legislator Ram Shinde had staked his claim to the seat and expressed serious displeasure over Vikhe-Patilas style of functioning.

However, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis intervened and brought Ram Shinde on board while asking him to keep aside differences for Vikhe-Patilas victory.

Lanke, who was elected from the Parner Assembly seat in the 2019 elections on an NCP (united) ticket, had migrated to the Ajit Pawar-led NCP after the party split in June 2023.

However, he quit the Ajit Pawar faction and joined the Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP) expressing his desire to contest the Lok Sabha election from Ahmednagar.

Lanke pleaded that he would be in a position to cash in on the discontent against the BJP and Vikhe-Patil, especially on core issues such as farmersa distress, lack of adequate price for milk, Centreas switch-on and switch-off policies on sugar and ethanol exports and above all neglect of water schemes.

The senior Pawar not only inducted Lanke back into the party but also announced his nomination. With Lankeas entry, the fight which otherwise was being considered as one sided for Vikhe-Patil, has become tough.

Vikhe-Patil is riding on aModi's guaranteea and is banking on the BJPas poll machinery and the cooperative and educational institutions formed by his great grandfather, grandfather and former Union minister Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil and on his father and state minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patilas hold over the districtas politics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally for Vikhe-Patil promising to take Ahmednagar Districtas development to new heights.

On the other hand, Lanke has projected the election as a fight between money power and peopleas power. He is carrying out his campaign cashing in on his mass contact.

Lanke downplayed Vikhe-Patilas barb over not being fluent in English saying that he speaks the language of the people and will continue to do so while taking up their burning issues in the Lok Sabha.

Lanke is banking on the support of veteran cooperative leader and former Congress minister Balasaheb Thorat, NCP(SP) Legislators Rohit Pawar and Prajakt Tanpure and a couple of non-government organisations working in various fields.

Sharad Pawar has made the seat a prestige issue and he has addressed a couple of rallies here to ensure his manas victory.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)
Chennai, May 8 : The Tamil Nadu government's 'College Dream' programme aimed at providing career guidance to students, who have passed the Class 12 board examination, commenced on Wednesday in various districts across the state, an official said.

Counselling began in Chennai, Tiruchi, Coimbatore, Nagapattinam, Madurai, Tirunelveli and Salem districts from Wednesday.

The aCollege Dreama programme was launched by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in 2022 under the 'Nan Mudhalavan' scheme.

The counselling will be held in Chengalpattu, Tiruppur, Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Theni, Kanniyakumari and Krishnagiri districts on May 10 while it will be held in Erode, Thanjavur, Villupuram, Virudhunagar, Tuticorin and Tiruppatur on May 11.

The Tamil Nadu School Education Department officials said that counselling will be held in Vellore, Tenkasi, Karur, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Kallakurichi, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Ranipet and Tenkasi districts on May 13.

The School Education officials told IANS that the counsellors would be assigned to schools, and would guide students in pursuing higher education.

Mutharasan Nagarajan, the parent of a Class 12 pass student from Tirunelveli, told IANS, "This is a good initiative by the state government. Me and my wife are not very educated and we don't know how to guide our daughter who has just passed her Class 12 Tamil Nadu Board examinations. My daughter even though had scored good marks is confused about which subject she should pursue for higher education and this counselling will help her choose the subject of her choice."

He also said that thousands of village locals had benefitted from the aCollege Dreama programme of the Tamil Nadu government.
New Delhi, May 8 : Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted four days to the ED and CBI to file a reply to pleas filed by former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia seeking bail after a trial court denied him regular bail in money laundering cases being probed by both the agencies related to the alleged excise policy scam.

Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma had, on May 3, issued a notice on Sisodia's pleas seeking replies from both the agencies -- the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

On Wednesday, the agencies sought time to file their replies.

The ED counsel sought a week's time saying that the Investigating Officer was busy in the investigation, with the prosecution complaint.

"We are also dealing with the case of another co-accused (Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal) before the Supreme Court. Give us one week."

To this, Sisodia's counsel Vivek Jain objected arguing that the agencies have been probing the case for more than one and a half years.

"Before the Supreme Court they said, we would finish the trial within six months. The bail application was even adjourned many times before the Trial Court," Jain said.

Noting that the ED is in the process of filing another prosecution complaint in relation to a co-accused in the case, the court granted four more days to the agencies to file their replies and posted the matter for hearing next on May 13.

"...the accused is in custody, and four more days are granted to the respondents to file their replies. The reply be placed on court record by Monday and an advance copy is also supplied to the other side by Monday," the court said.

A Delhi court on Tuesday extended, till May 15, the judicial custody of Manish Sisodia in the case being probed by the CBI. He is currently in judicial custody in ED's case, too.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court has also set the next date for further arguments regarding the framing of charges against the accused in the case.

Last time, the high court judge had allowed Sisodia to meet his wife once a week after noting that the ED had no objection to it.

Judge Baweja had, on April 30, refused to grant bail to Sisodia who was seeking regular bail a second time.

During the trial court's decision to deny bail, it was noted that delays in the case proceedings were largely due to actions attributable to Sisodia himself, dismissing his claims of undue delay.

Sisodia's bail application has been pending since February.
Chennai, May 8 : The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee on Wednesday filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to issue notice and call for an explanation from the Prime Minister for his election campaign speeches.

A summer vacation bench of the Madras High Court comprising Justices A.D. Jagadish Chandira and R. Kalaimathi will hear the writ petition.

The writ petition said that the ECI had issued notices to the BJP on the hate speeches and not to the Prime Minister who had delivered the speeches.

Tamil Nadu Congress president K. Selvaperunthagai has in the writ petition filed through his counsel, A.P. Suryaprakasam, said the Prime Minister had in multiple election meetings made "unsavoury" remarks against Muslims.

The petitioner alleged that the BJP was attempting to win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by hook or crook, and therefore, was indulging in a divisive campaign along communal lines.

The state Congress chief also said the Prime Minister had made such statements in election campaigns in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and other states.

In the petition, Selvaperunthugai also charged that the PM had initiated a false campaign against the election manifesto of the Congress party stating that the party was pushing for an inheritance tax.
Lucknow, May 8 : Mistakes - minute or monumental - are unacceptable and unpardonable in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), particularly if they have the potential to harm party chief Mayawati's political interests.

Lucknow, May 8 (IANS) Mistakes  minute or monumental  are unacceptable and unpardonable in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), particularly if they have the potential to harm party chief Mayawati's political interests.

In the past, innumerable BSP leaders have been shown the door by Mayawati for making mistakes.

Party supremo Mayawati's decision to axe nephew, Akash Anand from all posts in the BSP on Tuesday night is designed to send a clear message to her voters that when it comes to punishment, she will not differentiate between party workers and family members.

Akash Anand's removal is all the more significant because the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister had designated him as her political successor.

However, whatever criticism Mayawati faced from rivals for promoting nepotism in the BSP by bringing in Akash Anand, has been washed away by her decision to punish him for his 'immaturity'.

Akash Anand's 'immaturity' was evident when at an election rally in Sitapur on April 28 the 29-year-old went hammer and tongs at the BJP, which has often propped up his aunt Mayawati.

In his enthusiasm, he crossed all limits of political propriety. "This BJP government is a bulldozer government and a government of traitors. The party that leaves its youth hungry and enslaves its elderly is a terrorist government. Taliban runs such a government in Afghanistan," he had said at the rally.

Akash Anand was promptly booked for violating the Model Code of Conduct and for allegedly using objectionable language at the Sitapur poll rally.

The case was registered under Sections IPC 171C (undue influence at elections), 153B (imputation, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act.

The impact of his speech was also felt among the BSP cadres and voters, particularly non-Jatav Dalits who are aligned with the BJP now.

They were upset at Akash Anand's speech and this was conveyed to his aunt through some coordinators.

Mayawati moved swiftly to control the damage done by her protege and cancelled Akash Anand's rallies and asked him to avoid public appearances.

When public anger did not subside, Mayawati finally removed her political heir from all posts.

With the removal of Akash Anand, Mayawati has killed the proverbial two birds with one stone  she has crushed all charges of nepotism and also pacified Dalits, who did not appreciate his diatribe against the BJP.

"Parties like the Congress, SP and RJD that thrive on nepotism can no longer accuse the BSP of following in their footsteps. The BSP supremo is not dependent on her family and does not promote nepotism, unlike the Gandhis and Yadavs. Behenji (Mayawati) has proved it," said a BSP functionary.

By sacrificing her nephew, Mayawati ensured that she did not burn her bridges with the ruling BJP.

After all, she had formed the government with the BJP's support in Uttar Pradesh thrice (1995, 1997 and 2002).

Mayawati cannot risk her chances of another alliance with the BJP in the future, whether at the Centre or in Uttar Pradesh.

BJP leader Rakesh Tripathi said, "Because of Akash Anand's irresponsible remarks and his statements against the BJP, there was anger among the people (against the BSP), and that is why Mayawati relieved her nephew of his responsibilities as the party's National Co-ordinator."
New Delhi, May 8 : A state-level two-time gold medalist wrestler, who was wanted in an attempt to murder case, was arrested from the city's Mukarba Chowk bus stand, police said on Wednesday.

The accused was identified as Sumeet, a resident of the national capital.

His arrest comes after Sumeet along with his four associates Sagar, Nikhil, Dev and Aniket tried to murder one Vishnu on April 21.

In this incident, Sagar had opened fire on Vishnu but the bullet missed the target. After this, they all fled from the spot.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Satish Kaushik said that based on manual inputs, it was established that Sumeet was trying to abscond from Delhi to Haryana by bus from Mukarba Chowk bus stand.

"A raid was conducted at Mukarba Chowk bus stand and Sumit was apprehended," said the DCP.

The DCP said that Sumeet won two gold medals in a wrestling event at the state level.

"He was a friend of one Sagar. Sagar has an enmity with Vishnu (the victim) on the issue of girlfriend," the DCP added.
New Delhi, May 8 : The Supreme Court has said that elected members of municipalities cannot be removed at the whims and fancies of the civil servants or their political masters only because some of such elected members are found to be inconvenient within the system.

Observing that a municipality is an institution of "grass-root level democracy", a bench presided over by Justice Surya Kant stressed that the elected representatives of a municipality deserve due respect and autonomy in their day-to-day functioning.

The Bench, also comprising Justice PS Narasimha, made the above observations as it quashed the decision of the Urban Development Minister in Maharashtra disqualifying the elected councillors/office-bearers of the municipalities, holding the action to be "unfair, unjust and founded upon irrelevant considerations."

Against one of the appellants, there were allegations of violation of provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships Act, 1965 and alleged illegal construction of the house in excess of the permission granted.

In an enquiry held by the Collector, the allegations were determined to be correct and he was served with a show-cause notice.

While the show-cause proceedings were pending, the Minister-In-Charge, in an order passed in December 2015 suo moto, disqualified the appellant Makarand @ Nandu from the post of Vice-President of the Osmanabad Municipal Council and he was also debarred from contesting election for six years.

Similarly, the President of the Naldurga Municipal Council was removed and debarred from contesting election for six years on the complaint that a particular company was given a tender for garbage collection and disposal, overlooking the lowest bid.

Earlier in 2016, the Bombay High Court (Aurangabad bench) had declined to interfere with the disqualification orders passed by the state government.

In its judgment, the apex court said that the impugned action does not satisfy the doctrine of proportionality, and the removal of the appellants with a ban to contest the election for six years is highly excessive and disproportionate to the nature of the so-called misconduct attributed.

"The manner in which the proceedings, while pending before the Collector at the stage of show-cause notice, were suo moto transferred to the State Government and the Minister-In-Charge coming forward to hastily pass an order of removal, are sufficient for us to infer that the action was unfair, unjust and founded upon irrelevant considerations," it said.

Also, it is noted that the tender for garbage collection and disposal was accepted after due negotiation, ensuring no financial loss was caused to the Municipality.

It may be recalled that the Supreme Court, in both cases, had permitted the appellants to continue to hold their respective offices during the pendency of proceedings.
Colombo, May 8 : Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry has revealed that a large number of the country's ex-servicemen, who fought in the war against Tamil rebels, have now joined the mercenaries involved in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne admitted that a large number of ex-soldiers, who earlier fought in the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for 26 years, have now been lured to join as mercenaries fighting for Russia.

Gunaratne, a retired Major General, has urged the former soldiers not to be entrapped by human smugglers who send soldiers to the war front.

"A group of fake agents are involved in a human smuggling racket to entice former servicemen to fight as mercenaries. They have been lured with many false promises, including getting them enlisted to Russian and Ukrainian official armies, awarding properties from cities like St. Petersburg, citizenships to family members and lucrative monthly salaries ranging from Sri Lankan Rs one million to nearly Rs 1.9 million," the Defence Secretary said.

He added that despite many promises, the former army men have not received anything.

"However, a large number of former Sri Lankan servicemen who were tricked have gone to the Russian-Ukraine warfront and a section had already died while many others got wounded," Gunaratne said.

He added that there is no information about the dead and wounded.

"The Defence and Foreign ministries are trying their best to find out about these men as they were enlisted as mercenaries and did not join the official armies," he said.

Gunaratne urged the former Lankan soldiers not to get involved in the Russia-Ukraine war, which could result in them going missing or killed.

The Defence Secretary said that criminal investigations by military and police intelligence units have already begun against human smugglers and companies involved in recruiting and sending ex-servicemen to the warzone and several arrests have also been made.

"Severe legal action will be taken against these racketeers," the Defence Secretary added.

Last year, many Lankan ex-servicemen, who were fighting with the Ukrainian army, were reportedly killed during the Russian drone attacks.

Lawmaker Gamini Waleboda had announced in Parliament that, according to the information received, most of these former soldiers and laymen sent to the Russia-Ukraine war have died.

Several media reports have revealed the severe hardships being faced by the Lankans who are involved in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Sri Lankan military increased during the war against the LTTE, which ended in 2009 and, according to the World Bank data, it peaked between 2017 and 2019 with 317,000 military personnel, twice the size of the UK's regular forces.

However, with the country undergoing its worst-ever financial crisis, the government has decided to downsize the strength to 150,000-1,00,000 soldiers, 30,000 sailors and 20,000 airmen -- by 2030.
Bengaluru, May 8 : Former Chief Minister and JD(S) state chief H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday questioned the Congress government over its failure to produce the victim, who was kidnapped and later rescued, in the obscene video case before a judge.

Speaking to reporters here, Kumaraswamy said, "The rescued victim, who was allegedly kidnapped, has been with the SIT for four days. Her 12 family members have been kept at the Kumara Krupa Guest House which is run by the government and are being given royal treatment there."

"The kidnapped woman was not rescued but she was picked up from her relative's house," Kumaraswamy said.

"After the release of pen drives on April 21, the statements were taken forcefully from the victims. The initial FIR against JD(S) MLA and his brother Revanna attracted only bailable sections. Then kidnap charges were made up," Kumaraswamy alleged.

"Those who are showing sympathy for the victims have exposed them before the nation by showing their faces. The State Women's Commission had demanded that the aspect of distribution of the sex videos should also be probed. However, one Naveen Gowda, who had put up a social media post before the release of alleged videos was not questioned," he stated.

Meanwhile, JD(S) workers staged protests against the Congress government and DyCM D.K. Shivakumar in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Ramanagara, Chitradurga, Kolar and Devanahalli.

The protesters burnt the posters of DyCM Shivakumar and raised slogans against him.

G.T. Deve Gowda, the JD(S) Core Committee President demanded that the video scandal should be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"The video morphing was done in Australia and pen drives were purchased in Chennai. The videos on social media were released from abroad. The case has international jurisdiction and the SIT can't investigate it. Hence, the case should be handed over to the CBI," he demanded.
Teenager stabbed to death in Delhi, few suspects rounded up. Image Source: IANS News

Jaipur, May 8 : A man killed his parents with a sharp-edged weapon over a land dispute in Rajasthan's Baran district, police said on Wednesday.

After committing the crime, the accused surrendered to the police on Tuesday night.

Baran SP Rajkumar Chaudhary said Prem Bihari and his wife Devki Bai were murdered by their son Gajendra Gautam in Narkoda colony.

Gautam thrashed his parents and then stabbed them to death.

The accused is in police custody and further interrogation is on.
Warangal : , May 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged that the Congress wants to bring a legislation to snatch reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Backward Classes (BCs) and give them to Muslims.

Addressing a public meeting in support of BJP's Lok Sabha candidates in Warangal, the Prime Minister also alleged that the Constitution has no meaning for the Congress.

"Ambedkar had said that there should be no reservation based on religion, but in Karnataka, Congress cut into reservations for backward classes and gave them to Muslims. They made a similar attempt in united Andhra Pradesh, but the high court had stayed it," PM Modi said.

He also alleged that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) betrayed SCs, STs, and backward classes for appeasement politics, recalling that the party had promised a Dalit CM in 2014 which it failed to fulfil.

"In the name of Dalit Bandhu, the BRS broke your trust. The same BRS had talked of setting up a Muslim IT park to carry forward its appeasement politics," he said.

According to the Prime Minister, after the third phase of Lok Sabha elections, it has become clear that people are taking forward the 'Vijay Rath' of the NDA at a brisk pace, while the INDI Alliance is searching for seats with a magnifying glass.

In the fourth phase, they will need a microscope to search their seats, PM Modi said.

Stating that there is instability, unrest, and crisis everywhere in the world, he asked if, in such a situation, the reins of this country could be given into the wrong hands.

"Nobody can forget the sins of the Congress which was in power 10 years ago. There used to be a new scam of thousands of crores every few days and serial bomb blasts used to occur in big cities," he said.

The Prime Minister also claimed that this time the INDI Alliance has come up with a formula of 'five years, five PMs'.

"Imagine what they will do to this country if they come to power. Every year, there will be a new PM. Can they do any good to this country," he asked the gathering.

"The Congress had promised pensions for the martyrs' families in Telangana, 250 square yards of land, and Rs 2,500 per month for every woman, but none of these promises have been fulfilled," he said.

Alleging that power cuts have made people's lives miserable in Telangana, the Prime Minister said, "Ever since the Congress came to power, development of Telangana has come to a standstill while the public treasury has emptied.

"People's money is being looted in the name of 'RR' tax in Telangana. There are talks that a share of this 'RR' tax is meant for the first 'R' in Hyderabad, while another share is sent to Delhi for the other 'R'."

He also alleged that wherever the Congress and the INDI Alliance come to power, that state becomes their ATM.

Referring to the recovery of heaps of currency notes in Jharkhand recently, the Prime Minister said, "When Modi takes action against black money and corruption, Congress abuses Modi."

Appealing to the people to vote for the BJP candidates in Warangal and Mahabubabad Lok Sabha constituencies, the Prime Minister said that Warangal is special for him and the BJP.

He recalled that 40 years ago when the BJP had just two MPs, one of them was from Hanamkonda.

"The BJP will not forget your blessing and love. The people of Warangal have always supported the BJP whenever it faced difficulties. The BJP will leave no stone unturned to free the people from the clutches of the BRS and Congress," he said.
Tel Aviv/Gaza, May 8 : The Kerem Shalom border crossing for the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip reopened on Wednesday after being closed for several days, according to the Israeli military.

It had been closed to humanitarian shipments on Sunday following a rocket attack by the Palestinian Islamist organisation Hamas.

Despite another rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, lorries from Egypt with humanitarian aid, including food, water, equipment for shelters, medicines, and medical supplies donated by the international community, have now arrived at the crossing, the Israeli army said.

After a thorough security inspection, the equipment will be transported to Gaza. However, the number of lorries involved was not specified.

Aid supplies are also entering Gaza via the Erez checkpoint in the north.

Israel's Western partners, including Germany, had urged the government in Jerusalem to reopen the crossing given the catastrophic humanitarian situation for civilians in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Territory has been the target of a massive Israeli air and ground offensive since the October 7 terrorist attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel.

The Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt is another crucial crossing point, but the situation there is unclear after the Israeli army took control of the Palestinian side of the crossing on Monday night.

--IANS/DPA

sd/khz
Kiev, May 8 : Russia has once again attacked Ukraine's energy system from the air, Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday.

Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko took to his Facebook account and said that power generation and distribution facilities in six regions were attacked overnight on Tuesday. He named the regions of Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhya, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia.

He further said that the technicians are working to repair the damage, and the exact extent is still being determined.

"The enemy wants to take away our ability to generate and transmit electricity in sufficient quantities," the Minister wrote.

He called on the people to save electricity as a "contribution to victory".

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, night-time air alerts sounded in large parts of Ukraine as Russian combat drones and missiles flew over the country, and one of them was aimed at Kiev.

The capital's military command later said that all approaching objects had been intercepted.

In the suburb of Brovary, an unspecified civilian infrastructure object caught fire, according to Mayor Ihor Saposchko, in which a man and a woman each were injured.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, a Kinzhal hypersonic missile was fired at western Ukraine.

Russia has been firing at targets in the Ukrainian hinterland almost every night in the war it started more than two years ago.

Moscow is not only trying to hit military targets but also to disable Ukraine's energy system. Purely civilian targets are also repeatedly hit.

--IANS/DPA

sd/khz
Faizabad : , May 8 (IANS) Three police personnel were killed, and five others sustained injury as a blast rocked Faizabad city, the provincial capital of north Afghanistan's Badakhashan province, on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior Affairs Abdul Matin Qani said.

"Unfortunately, a sticky bomb placed in a motorbike targeted a convoy of counter-narcotics police in Faizabad city at 11 a.m. local time today and based on preliminary information, three police personnel were martyred and five others injured," Qani said in a statement as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

An investigation has been initiated into the incident, the statement said.

Earlier, some locals, on condition of anonymity, claimed that three people were killed and seven others sustained injury in the blast.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the blast.
Berlin, May 8 : European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Wednesday for decisive action to address attacks on politicians in Germany.

Von der Leyen's remarks, in a speech to her centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) in Berlin, come after a series of attacks on politicians, most recently on a Green Party candidate in Dresden as well as the local leader in Berlin of the Social Democrats (SPD) on Tuesday.

"When we talk about threats to our democracy, it's not just about positions and content. It's also about people," the German politician said.

"If these people are no longer safe, then our democracy is no longer safe either."

She said that perpetrators must "feel the full force of the law".

"We must protect all those who stand up for our democratic society and our country from attacks -- regardless of which party they belong to, whether privately, during election campaigns, or in the exercise of their duties, day or night."

Von der Leyen stressed that this applies to politicians at every level, from local town councils to the German Parliament as well as the European Parliament.

On Friday of last week, SPD leader Matthias Ecke, a member of the European Parliament, was beaten and seriously injured by four young men while putting up campaign posters in the eastern German city of Dresden.

--IANS/DPA

khz
Hardoi : , May 8 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Wednesday, slammed Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav for having called Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah a 'great' leader in the past.

Addressing a rally in Hardoi, HM Shah recalled that, in 2021, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister had said during the unveiling ceremony of the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel that Jinnah was a 'great leader'.

"Akhilesh Yadav should read history because it was Jinnah who was responsible for the division of India. Akhilesh is making such statements only because of vote bank politics. Should you vote for such people?" the Home Minister wondered.

He also slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for taking a break every summer and going abroad.

"Rahul Baba goes to Thailand when temperatures increase here but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not taken a break in 23 years. The total scam value of INDIA bloc members is Rs 12 lakh crore whereas no one can blame PM Modi for even any small corruption in 23 years. A personal secretary of a Jharkhand minister stashed Rs 30 crore in his house, a Congress MP has Rs 350 crore and a (former) minister in the Mamata Banerjee government had Rs 50 crore," HM Amit Shah said.

The Union Minister further said: "Rahul Baba went to Wayanad from Amethi and then came to Raebareli. From Raebareli, he will go straight to Italy."

HM Amit Shah also asked the people to reach Delhi on June 4 with the famous 'laddoos' from Sandila as the NDA has already crossed 190 seats in the first three phases of Lok Sabha polls.

Stating that the Samajwadi Party and the Congress would be swept away completely in these elections, HM Shah accused Rahul Gandhi of furthering the agenda of Pakistan which is why the leaders of neighbouring nation have been praising him.
New Delhi, May 8 : West Nile fever has raised fresh concerns in Kerala after more than five confirmed cases of the zoonotic disease were reported from three districts -- Thrissur, Malappuram, and Kozhikode -- in the state.

West Nile fever is a zoonotic disease transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, which acquires the virus from infected birds.

In a statement, Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed that cases of viral infection have been reported in the state and that all the districts have been asked to be vigilant.

She requested anyone showing signs of fever or other symptoms of the West Nile infection to seek treatment immediately.

First detected in Kerala in 2011, the disease claimed the lives of a six-year-old boy in 2019 and a 47-year-old man in 2022.

While a majority of people do not develop symptoms from the disease, some may experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, or sore throats in some cases.

However, in some cases, it can turn fatal with severe complications such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis, which can be fatal.

"Rarely, West Nile fever can also lead to myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Elderly individuals and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of experiencing severe manifestations," Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, Consultant and Director of Critical Care, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim-A Fortis Associate, told IANS.

"This mosquito-borne zoonotic disease can also be transmitted rarely through infected blood, breast milk from infected mothers, and via transmission from an infected donor during organ transplantation," he added.

Dr. Chinnadurai R, Lead Consultant - Critical Care, Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru, told IANS that West Nile virus activity typically occurs during the summer months and into the fall.

Though not common in India, cases have been reported sporadically in some regions, although they are relatively rare compared to other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.

The virus can be tested via a blood sample.

In mild cases, the symptoms usually last for 3 to 6 days, and one can recover at home. In severe cases, it can last for weeks or months, Dr. Chinnadurai said.

"Treatment primarily focuses on alleviating symptoms, as there are currently no specific antiviral medications available to treat the infection. Supportive care, including rest, hydration, and pain management, is typically recommended for individuals with mild to moderate symptoms," he added.

The doctors recommended using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, treating clothing and gear, and taking steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.
For Oppn unity, 'sacrifices' need to be made by sidelining personal interests: Sam Pitroda. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, May 8 : Veteran Congressman Sam Pitroda, facing fire over a string of controversial statements in the recent past, stepped down as the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress on Wednesday.

Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh took to X to inform about Pitroda's decision and said that he did it of his own accord.

He also said that the Congress has accepted Pitroda's resignation.

Pitroda, said to be the political mentor of Rahul Gandhi, found himself in the eye of the storm over his statements, the latest being a "racial slur" on the country's citizens.

Speaking to The Statesman, the Congress leader derided the country's diversity with his controversial statement. "A diverse country, where people in the East look like Chinese, people on the West look like Arabs, people on the North look like maybe white and people in the South look like of Africa," Pitroda said, drawing anger and outrage from BJP and other political parties.

The Congress also took exception to Pitroda's remarks on the "colour of citizens" and termed it "unfortunate and unacceptable".

Deeply embarrassed with his statement, Jairam Ramesh, earlier in the day, wrote, "The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from such analogies, they are most unfortunate and unacceptable."

Pitroda's recent assertions on Inheritance tax and its benefits also received huge flak from the BJP and put his own party in a spot.
Jerusalem, May 8 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visiting US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns met in Israel on Wednesday to discuss ongoing efforts to reach a deal that would include a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, according to an Israeli government source.

Netanyahu and Burns touched on the current Gaza truce negotiations in Egypt's capital Cairo, the source said, without specifying the timing and location of the meeting, Xinhua news agency reported.

Israel's Ynet news website reported that Burns arrived in Israel after taking part in the talks held in Doha and Cairo.

Israeli, Hamas, Qatari, and US negotiators arrived in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss an Egyptian-brokered Gaza truce proposal backed by Hamas.

Despite Israel announcing that the proposal falls short of its demands, its delegation remained in Cairo on Wednesday noon, the source said.

In a video statement released on Tuesday, Netanyahu said he had instructed the Israeli delegation to "continue to stand firm on the conditions necessary for the release of Israeli hostages, (and) continue to stand firm on the essential requirements to ensure Israel's security".
Kiev, May 8 : The Ukrainian Parliament on Wednesday extended the current martial law and general mobilisation of troops for another 90 days, said parliamentarian Yaroslav Zheleznyak.

The bills to prolong martial law and mobilisation were backed by 339 and 336 lawmakers respectively, with a required minimum of 226, Zheleznyak wrote on Telegram.

Both restrictive measures will be in place till August 11, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Ukrainian Parliament imposed martial law and declared military mobilisation in the wake of the war with Russia in February 2022, and has extended the measures 11 times since then.

A new mobilisation law aimed at recruiting more troops for the country's armed forces will take effect on May 18.
Rajasthan Govt to reach out to UK Govt to find names of 24 martyrs of 1857 Revolt. Image Source: IANS News

Jaipur, May 8 : The Rajasthan Government is all set to highlight the contribution of the desert state in the 1857 Revolt and plans to reach out to the UK Government to find the names of 24 freedom fighters who were killed in Pali District's Auwa Village and who remain unsung till date, said officials.

The state government also plans to declare the places associated with the martyrs who rebelled against the British, as heritage villages and install their statues there.

This work has been assigned to Rajasthan Heritage Conservation and Promotion Authority.

Omkar Lakhawat, Chairman of the Authority said that in the Auwa case, the British had imposed death penalty on 24 revolutionaries and conducted a court martial of rebel soldiers, but the names of the 24 freedom fighters were never made public.

"Now we will raise this demand from the UK Government to make these names public," he added.

The state government is searching for the records of the 24 freedom fighters who were blown up by cannons in Auwa Village during the revolution.

All related documents are being scrutinised in the Archaeological Survey of India archives as well as in England, going beyond borders.

As the UK Government did not reveal the names of these martyrs hence no information is available about their descendants, said officials.

In 1857, when the revolution was spreading across the country, Auwa in Pali District, triggered panic among the British due to its war acumen.

The tale of Thakur Khushal Singh as the commander of the revolutionaries still echoes in every corner of Auwa Village.

In 1857, a military rebellion started in Erinpura in Rajasthan and the rebel soldiers marched towards Delhi via Auwa to participate in the freedom struggle.

Thakur Kushal Singh gave shelter to the rebel soldiers and angered by this, the British army along with the Jodhpur army attacked Auwa.

Thakur Kushal Singh beheaded Jodhpur Political Agent Captain Monck Mason and hung his head on the ramparts of Auwa Fort.

This enraged the British army and they destroyed the entire village with guns and cannons.

They even uprooted the statue of Sugali Mata and took it with them.

The state government will now rebuild the idol of Mata Sugali and install it, said officials.

The British also arrested many revolutionaries and rebel soldiers.

On January 24, 1858, a case of mutiny was registered against 120 soldiers but the 24 revolutionaries were kept in custody for one day.

The very next day, on January 25, 1858 the 24 freedom fighters were killed.

The history of the Auwa rebellion is quite inspiring as the army of Thakur Kushal Singh defeated the army of Maharaja Takht Singh of Jodhpur who fought along with the British and now the Rajasthan Government wants to honour these brave men by acknowledging their contribution and sacrifice.
Rajampet : , May 8 (IANS) Terming Sam Pitroda's 'racial' comments as shameful, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged people to punish the Congress for such remarks.

On Wednesday morning, Congress leader Sam Pitroda stirred a major controversy by saying during an interview that Indians in the East resemble the Chinese, while those in the South look like Africans, drawing instant criticism from the BJP. Facing fire over his controversial statements, Pitroda stepped down as the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress on Wednesday evening.

Addressing a public meeting here in support of NDA's Lok Sabha candidates, the Prime Minister said the Congress should not be spared for the remarks made by a top leader of the party close to the Gandhi family.

Alleging that the Congress' mindset is to see the country break into pieces, he said its leaders refuse to accept India as one nation, and even talk of dividing the country.

"Another big leader of the Congress displayed this divisive thinking of the party. He is close to the Gandhi family and the biggest advisor to the 'prince'," he said.

"The Congress feels people in the northeast look like Chinese. It also says south Indians look like Africans," PM Modi said, as he asked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddarmaiah and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy if they accept what Pitroda said.

The Prime Minister also asked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin if he would sever his ties with the Congress for Tamil pride and Tamil people.

Stating that the Congress feels the people of western India resemble the Arabs, he asked if this was acceptable to Uddhav Thakrey and the people of Maharashtra.

"Congress divided India for power and it has now stooped to the level of making racial comments on Indians. What has happened to Congress," he asked the gathering.

PM Modi also claimed that the Congress leaders are in panic after their surrender in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Stating that he is on a nation-building mission and is working day and night to take the country forward, the Prime Minister alleged that Congress wants to take the country in reverse gear.

"The Congress is continuously threatening to scrap all the big works carried out in the last 10 years. It wants to bring back Article 370, repeal CAA, stop free ration and free medical treatment for the poor, and lock the Ram Temple," he said.

Taking a dig at the ruling YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh, PM Modi said its countdown has begun.

"People brought the YSR Congress Party into power with big hopes, but it betrayed you. It did not work for the poor, but created mafias. Its ministers are running a 'Rowdy Raj', which everyone can see," he said.

The Prime Minister also alleged that the sand mafia which caused a breach of the Annamayya dam and damaged 25-30 villages was promoted by the YSR Congress government.

"There is no development, irrigation facility, or industry in Rayalaseema. The farmers are worried and the youth have to go to other cities for work. To change the situation in Andhra Pradesh, people should vote for a double-engine government," he said.

BJP candidate for the Rajampet Lok Sabha constituency and former Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, TDP General Secretary Nara Lokesh, and Jana Sena leader Naga Babu, among others, were present at the meeting.
Nearly 300 tribals in Mizoram from Bdesh, state govt apprehend more refugees to come. Image Source: IANS News

Aizawl, May 8 : Myanmar nationals continue to flee to Mizoram to evade recruitment in the 'Arakan Army' militant group, which, along with other pro-democracy armed ethnic groups, has been fighting against the country's army since the military junta seized power in the nation on February 1, 2021.

Though the Mizoram Home Department officials on Wednesday said that they are collecting reports of fresh arrival of refugees from Myanmar, there are reports that 95 more Myanmarese, including some women, fled to Mizoram during the past week and took shelter in Lawngtlai and other districts.

"We are collecting reports from the Deputy Commissioners of the border districts about the fresh arrivals of refugees from Myanmar. After getting details, we would take the next course of action," a state Home Department official, who did not want to be named, told IANS.

Six Mizoram districts - Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial, and Saitual a" share a 510 km-long unfenced international border with Myanmar's Chin state.

With the new entrants, the number of Myanmar refugees, sheltered in Mizoram since February 2021, has risen to around 34,350, including 10,947 women and 13,302 children.

According to official records, 17,901 refugees are staying in rented accommodations or relativesa houses while the remaining are in 149 relief camps spread over 7 districts.

Reports said that the 95 Myanmarese, including 10 women, recently fled Paletwa in the Chin region and entered into different districts in Mizoram during the past week to evade forcible recruitment in the Arakan Army.

Based out of Rakhine state, the Arakan Army is the largest armed ethnic outfit in the country and is recruiting people from the Chin region to intensify their battle against the army.

Besides the Myanmar nationals, around 10,000 men, women and children have also taken shelter in Mizoram after the ethnic violence broke out in neighbouring Manipur in May last year. Also, 1,167 persons from the Chittagong Hill tracts in Bangladesh have taken shelter in Mizoram since 2022 after the ethnic hostilities in the hilly areas of the neighbouring country.

The Kuki-Zomi-Chin tribes in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Manipur share ethnic ties, and cultural and linguistic similarities with the Mizo people.
Mumbai, May 8 : Bank of Baroda said on Wednesday that the RBI has lifted its ban on BoB World and the bank has now been allowed to onboard customers through the app.

The bank has stated in an exchange filing that the RBI has lifted the restriction with immediate effect.

The development comes six months after the ban was imposed.

The RBI had in October 2023 directed the public sector bank to suspend further onboarding of customers on Bob World mobile app due to 'certain material supervisory concerns' observed during the regulator's inspection of the bank's processes.

The Bank of Baroda had subsequently taken out corrective measures to address the concerns highlighted by the RBI.

These included various steps at the field and corporate office, including the sacking of Chief Digital Officer Akhil Handa.

"We wish to inform that the RBI, vide its letter dated May 8, 2024, conveyed to the bank its decision to lift the above-mentioned restrictions on Bob World with immediate effect as such the bank is free to onboard customers through Bob World application in accordance with the applicable guidelines and extant laws or regulations," Bank of Baroda said in a regulatory filing.

BoB World, which was first launched in September 2021, provides all its digital banking services under one roof, for its customers.
New Delhi, May 8 : Following the mass sick leave taken by the cabin crew of low-cost airline Air India Express resulting in disruption of flight operations, the airline's CEO Aloke Singh, said in a letter to the employees that the act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues who continue to respond to the call of duty and serve the clients with dedication and pride.

The protesting cabin crew members claimed that despite promises of job security, salary preservation, and recognition of seniority and expertise, there has been a noticeable deviation from these assurances.

"Since last evening, over 100 of our cabin crew colleagues have reported sick prior to their rostered flight duty at the last minute, severely disrupting our operations. Because this action was mostly by colleagues assigned the L1 role, the impact was disproportionate, disrupting 90+ flights even though other colleagues reported for duty," read the letter accessed by IANS.

Singh said the disruptions have cascaded across the network, "forcing us to curtail the schedules over the next few days".

"We had to do this to cope with the non-availability of crew and to recover schedules. This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty and serve our guests with dedication and pride. I am thankful to all who are standing by the airline in this hour of crisis," the letter read.

It added that colleagues from 'operations, network, commercial, airport services, and IOCC' have been working hard to mitigate the impact of the disruptions.

"A curtailed schedule is being rolled out for the next few days. Colleagues from across the company and the group have pitched in to support operations - we owe all our deep gratitude.

"If there are concerns that need to be addressed, the company leadership is available for any discussions. All channels remain open -- department townhalls (one pre-scheduled for Thursday), monthly all-hands townhall, besides formal and informal reach out to leaders.

"In particular, senior cabin crew colleagues who have seen the airline evolve from a small, niche operator to what we are today - a rapidly growing, 350+ flights-a-day carrier, with a strong network footprint across India, Gulf and SE Asia - have a deeper stake in helping build and achieve the vision we have set for ourselves," Singh said in the letter.

After over 90 international and domestic flights of the airline were cancelled, the Ministry of Civil Aviation sought a detailed report from Air India Express regarding the disruptions of flight operations, urging the airline to address the issue promptly.

Additionally, the airline has been instructed to ensure that passenger facilities adhere to the norms set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), representing a segment of cabin crew members, had earlier written to Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, highlighting employee grievances and expressing concerns about the ongoing situation within Air India Express, especially after its acquisition by the Tata group.

The union accused the airline of mismanagement and unequal treatment of staff, claiming that these issues have adversely impacted the employee morale.
Bilaspur : , May 8 (IANS) In a scathing attack on the Congress, BJP president JP Nadda on Wednesday said the grand old party is "anti-Sanatan" and it joined hands with anti-national forces.

He was speaking at the Panna Pramukh conference in his hometown Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh amid the presence of party national Vice-President Saudan Singh, Union Minister and Hamirpur BJP candidate Anurag Thakur, state party President Rajeev Bindal and former chief minister Jairam Thakur, among others.

JP Nadda said all other parties compromised with the ideology but the BJP is the only party that has remained firm on its ideology since its inception as Jan Sangh.

"On August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a visionary decision to abrogate Article 370. After abrogation of Article 370, peace and normalcy have returned to Jammu and Kashmir. Today we have 'Ek Pradhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Vidhan' (One Prime Minister, one flag and one Constitution) in the country," JP Nadda said.

Saying that 34 years ago, the party had passed a resolution in Palampur town, demanding the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the BJP president said: "For us, Ram temple is not an issue of politics but an issue of faith. Prime Minister Modi enshrined Ram Lala in the grand temple after 10 days of rigorous rituals on January 22."

He said the BJP workers should feel proud that they are members of the party.

"Today, we have 8.60 lakh booth presidents all over India. There are 303 members of the Lok Sabha, 97 members in the Rajya Sabha, nearly 1,500 MLAs and thousands of district presidents," JP Nadda said.

The BJP chief also urged the gathering to vote for the BJP to ensure another term for PM Modi.

"The BJP has pledged (in its manifesto) to extend the Ayushman Bharat scheme to include all individuals aged 70 and above," he said.

The BJP president also urged the people to ensure the victory of Union Minister Anurag Thakur.

Highlighting the development works in Himachal, JP Nadda said the Congress did not lay even a single stone for development.

"Today, if we look around in Himachal, we see AIIMS medical colleges, all this development work has been done in Himachal under the leadership of PM Modi. IIM has been opened in Himachal and a satellite centre of the PGI has come up in Una. We are not talking about winning the elections but about increasing the vote percentage in these elections," he added.

Himachal Pradesh will go to the polls in all four Parliamentary seats and bypoll in six Assembly seats on June 1.
New Delhi, May 8 : Since its inception in 1947, the Pakistani Army has been a dominant force in the nation's affairs. Over the course of nearly eight decades, it has wielded power directly or indirectly, morphing into the most formidable economic and political entity in Pakistan.

The Pakistani military has built an expansive economic empire, leveraging its deep-seated political influence. Despite its engagement in significant wars and its role in the partition of the country in 1971, the Army has largely been insulated from overt criticism, shielded by its profound political clout.

However, the events of May 9, 2023, mark a pivotal chapter in Pakistan's history.

For the first time, the Pakistani populace boldly confronted the army's political meddling.

In response, the military resorted to severe measures to quell opposition, detaining hundreds of civilians and political activists under draconian legislations.

What was once perceived as impregnable military sanctity was breached on that day, highlighting growing anti-military sentiment across the nation.

In the past seven decades of its existence, Pakistan has been under direct martial law for more than three decades. Even the Pakistani political leadership have in general ruled the country in connivance with the military, often placing their personal gains above Pakistan's national interests.

Pakistani politicians, due to their own vulnerabilities, have frequently ceded their authority, allowing the military to overstep institutional boundaries.

Even the Pakistani intelligentsia, who critique the military's ongoing political interference, have consistently faced harsh suppression by the military, resulting in a domestic media that predominantly promotes pro-military narratives.

In the past decade, the Pakistani military's overt meddling in the nation's affairs has often been masked by ostensibly civilian governance, however, its covert political influence persisted relentlessly.

This interference is largely driven by the need to maintain its vast, extra-constitutional business empire. As Pakistani writer Ayesha Siddiqa outlines in her book 'Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy', the Pakistan Army has built a comprehensive commercial network spanning from manufacturing to real estate, becoming Pakistan's largest business conglomerate.

She details how the army has commandeered national resources, detrimentally impacting the state economy. Particularly alarming is the robustness of this military economy, known as 'milbus', which thrives independently of Pakistan's economic crises and operates outside the state's accountability structures.

This system has been manipulated for the personal gain of military officers, exacerbating the economic challenges being faced by Pakistan.

The military's encroachment into Pakistan's political realm has been widely acknowledged, yet its extensive security apparatus has stifled public dissent against its constitutional manipulations and violations.

Since the late 1970s, following the execution of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by General Zia-ul-Haq, Pakistani political leaders had conceded the political arena to the Army, effectively adopting a secondary role in the governance of the country.

However, Imran Khan's ascent had shaken this longstanding arrangement.

Ironically, Imran Khan's rise in 2018 Pakistan elections was aided by Pakistani military however, the relationship between Khan and the military establishment quickly deteriorated in first two years.

Unlike his more accommodating predecessors, Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari, Khan presented a formidable challenge for the military leadership to control, marking a shift from the usual dynamics of political compliance. Imran Khan's tenure had marked a distinctive chapter in Pakistan's political history when Pakistani military's political meddling came in forefront of public debate.

He has been openly blaming key military figures, including former Army Chief Qamar Bajwa, current Army Chief Asim Munir, ISI Chief Nadeem Anjum, and Major General Faisal Naseer, for not only orchestrating his removal from the PM office but also for undermining Pakistan's civilian institutions.

Significantly, this accusation was validated by none other than Qamar Javed Bajwa himself, who in his November 2022 farewell address, had confessed to the Pak Army's "constant meddling in politics over the past 70 years, which is unconstitutional".

In such circumstances, the events of May 9, 2023, assume profound significance in Pakistan's history especially for Military Establishment.

The arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan by the military on May 9, 2023, catalysed a remarkable shift in Pakistan's socio-political landscape.

Imran Khan was taken into custody by Pak military forces under the charges for sedition, an action that sparked a nationwide uproar.

For the first time in Pakistan's history, the unrest did not just manifest in widespread protests; it escalated dramatically as hundreds of demonstrators targeted military installations from Lahore to Quetta to Peshawar. This unprecedented response severely dented Pakistan Military's long-held image as an inviolable and sacrosanct institution.

Historically, the Military has been revered as the protector of Pakistan's ideological foundation and as a pivotal unifying force in a country rife with ethnic divisions.

Pak Military establishments had effectively elevated their status to one beyond ordinary scrutiny, where any criticism of the military was often seen as tantamount to criticising the essence of Pakistan itself.

The events of May 9, therefore, signify a critical juncture, indicating a possible shift in public perception and the beginning of a new chapter where Pak military's actions and its role in governance might face increasing scrutiny from the public it vows to protect.

While Pak Military might have temporarily managed to quell dissent using its typical suppressive tactics, such as imprisoning hundreds of civilians and political activists affiliated with Imran Khan, the fact that ordinary Pakistanis have become aware of the military establishment's schemes indicates that the public can no longer be easily subdued or deceived.

This sentiment became particularly evident during Pakistan's general elections on February 8, where the military establishment deployed every tool at its disposal to manipulate the outcome.

Despite these manoeuvres, the strong electoral support for Imran Khan deeply unsettled the Military leadership. Although the Military Establishment eventually managed to orchestrate the installation of a government led by Shehbaz Sharif, this act only served to further tarnish its image among the Pakistani populace.

Consequently, the events of May 9 seem to have inspired a renewed push towards the democratic aspiration of extricating the Pak Military Establishment from the country's political sphere.
Sonipat : , May 8 (IANS) Veteran Congress leader and two-time Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda on Wednesday said the BJP has accepted its defeat in the state's Sonipat Lok Sabha seat with his party announcing Satpal Brahmachari as its candidate.

"It seems the BJP is now just completing the formalities of contesting elections because all communities have united and decided to enable Brahmachari's win," Hooda said while addressing election meetings in Gohana, Kharkhoda, and Murthal in the constituency.

Brahmachari, belonging to the Brahmin community, returned to state politics after spending two decades in politics in Uttarakhand.

Hooda, in his address, claimed that the BJP does not have a single public-friendly promise in its manifesto, and the public has, anyway, lost confidence in its election announcements and that is why BJP leaders always talk about Congress' manifesto instead of their own manifesto.

"BJP leaders are continuously spreading lies about the Congress manifesto, while the Congress has promised 30 lakh jobs in the Central government, the guarantee of the MSP (minimum support price) to farmers, the guarantee of one-year apprenticeship for the educated youthThe Congress manifesto is a roadmap to benefit every section," Hooda, who is also the Leader of the Opposition, said.

Brahmachari said the Congress victory in the Lok Sabha polls and later in the Assembly elections is certain.

"The Congress has announced to provide two lakh jobs in Haryana. Besides, promises like Rs 6,000 pension to the elderly, OPS (old pension scheme) benefit to employees, a cooking gas cylinder for Rs 500 to every housewife and 300 units of free electricity are being made by the Congress, while the BJP neither has any plans nor any report card of its past performance," he said.

Both the Congress and the BJP are heading to a straight contest on this seat. The BJP has pitted Rai Assembly legislator Mohan Lal Badoli against Brahmachari. Both belong to the same community.

The Sonipat Lok Sabha seat comprises nine Assembly segments. Of these, Jind, Safidon, and Julana fall under the Jind district, while Gohana, Sonipat, Rai, Baroda, Gannaur and Kharkhoda come under the Sonipat district. While Brahmachari hails from Jind, Badoli belongs to Sonipat.

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has nominated retired Superintendent of Police Anoop Singh Dahiya, while rival outfit Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), once an ally of the ruling BJP in Haryana, has fielded Bhupinder Malik.

The Congress is contesting nine of the 10 parliamentary seats in Haryana. As per the seat-sharing arrangement, the party has given Kurukshetra to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has fielded Sushil Gupta.

Haryana will go to the polls in a single phase on May 25.

--IANS

vg/vd
After Maha polls, Sharad Pawar to campaign in other states from May 20. Image Source: IANS News

Ahmednagar : , May 8 (IANS) Nationalist Congress Party-SP President Sharad Pawar on Wednesday announced that after the polling in Maharashtra for the Lok Sabha elections ends on May 20, he will undertake extensive campaign tours in other parts of India.

Addressing a rally here, Pawar, 83, said that after the completion of elections for the remaining 24 of 48 LS seats in the state, he will embark on a tour of several other states where the parliamentary elections shall be in the final two phases on May 25 and June 1.

As per the Election Commission of India (ECI) schedule, elections for 57 LS constituencies each (total 114) a" spread across 15 states - shall be conducted in the two final phases. These include Bihar (16), Haryana (10), Himachal Pradesh (4), Jharkhand (7), Odisha (12), Punjab (13), Uttar Pradesh (27), West Bengal (17), Chandigarh (1), and Delhi (7).

A party leader said that as per tentative plans, Sharad Pawar is likely to address a few INDIA bloc rallies or public meetings of various individual allies in states like Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Delhi for the final two phases of elections.
Kolkata, May 8 : Actor-turned-politician and the BJP nominee from the Ghana Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, Hiran Chatterjee, said on Wednesday that he has filed an FIR against his opponent and sitting Trinamool Congress MP Deepak Adhikari a.k.a. Dev, also a popular actor, for the latter's "slanderous" comment targeting him.

Kolkata, May 8 (IANS) Actor-turned-politician and the BJP nominee from the Ghana Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, Hiran Chatterjee, said on Wednesday that he has filed an FIR against his opponent and sitting Trinamool Congress MP Deepak Adhikari a.k.a. Dev, also a popular actor, for the latter's "slanderous" comment targeting him.

Chatterjee said that he will also file a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Dev.

Earlier on Wednesday, Dev alleged that in their desperation to win from Ghatal, Chatterjee and the BJP might hatch a conspiracy to implicate him in a murder case in the next few days.

"A BJP worker might get killed in Keshpur in the next 10-12 days and the BJP candidate might try to implicate me in a false case," Dev said.

Reacting to Dev's remarks, Chatterjee, who's the BJP MLA from Kharagpur (Sadar), said that he has already registered an FIR against the Trinamool candidate at a local police station.

"I am telling the BJP workers in Keshpur that no one will dare to touch any of them. How can someone accuse a candidate and his party of planning a murder? If anyone plans a murder, will he create propaganda around it in advance," Chatterjee asked.

He also said that being an actor, he is ashamed of the slanderous comment made by a fellow actor.
New Delhi, May 8 : Tech giants Microsoft and Google have moved the Delhi High Court against its single-judge bench's order directing search engines to proactively remove non-consensual intimate images (NCII) from the internet without requiring specific URLs.

The companies argue that implementing such directives is technologically unfeasible and exceeds the existing legal framework.

During proceedings before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, Microsoft stated that complying with the single-judgeas directions is not feasible due to technological limitations and that the directives go beyond established legal boundaries.

The appeals by Microsoft and Google challenge a judgment delivered by Justice Subramonium Prasad on April 26.

It was revealed that Google has also filed a similar appeal, which is scheduled for consideration on May 9.

The court has decided to review both cases simultaneously.

Justice Prasad had cautioned social media intermediaries that they risk losing their liability protection if they fail to adhere to the timeframe specified under the Information Technology Rules for removing non-consensual intimate content.

He had said that search engines possess the necessary technology to remove NCII content without requiring victims to repeatedly seek the court's intervention, and cannot claim helplessness in removing or disabling access to links containing illegal content.

Representing Microsoft, senior advocate Jayant Mehta argued that the single judge's reliance on Meta's tool for content removal is misplaced, as Bing, Microsoft's search engine, does not host any content. He contended that complying with the court's order to proactively search for and remove such content throughout the database is not feasible given current technology limitations.

Mehta also pointed out the impracticality of deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to execute the directives, as AI would struggle to differentiate between consensual and non-consensual images.

--IANS

spr/vd
New Delhi, May 8 : Amid the high-voltage Lok Sabha elections in the country, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday launched an innovative campaign to bolster its presence on social media and woo a sizeable population of netizens with the Modi government's development pitch.

New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) Amid the high-voltage Lok Sabha elections in the country, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday launched an innovative campaign to bolster its presence on social media and woo a sizeable population of netizens with the Modi governmentas development pitch.

Notably, the BJP has made a deliberate effort to make its poll plank development-centric with PM Narendra Modi often reiterating from public platforms that the past 10 years were just a atrailera, and the real progress will begin now.

The 'Viksit Bharat 2047' goal envisioned by PM Modi is a step in this direction as his government has set a target of turning the nation into a developed country by 2047.

With three phases of elections over, the BJP in a bid to give a fresh fillip to its canvassing has launched an innovative campaign on social media -- 'The Appetiser vs The Main Course'.

With this, the party seeks to disseminate information via its social media handles that whatever happened from 2014 to 2024 was merely an aappetizera, and the next few years will see another level of growth.

The posters showing the achievements have been categorised under aThe aAppetisera section, while aThe Main Coursea shows how the next phase of development will roll out under 'Modi 3.0'.

For example, the 'Appetiser' section shows that more than 2.8 crore people have benefitted from free electricity, while 'Main Course' says lakhs of people are about to get the benefits of free electricity under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.

One poster claims that over 1 crore women have turned into aLakhpati Didia under the Modi government, while the aim is to scale up this number to 3 crore Lakhpati Didis in the next few years.

Other prominent schemes that are set to see heightened activity and growth in the next few years include the Aysuhman Bharat, Mudra Yojana, Jan Aushadi Kendra, PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana, and more.

In a nutshell, aThe Appetiser vs The Main Coursea campaign spotlights the nationas achievements in the past 10 years, and highlights the potential areas for astronomical growth in the next few years.
Kolkata, May 8 : Days after a temporary staff at the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata filed a police complaint accusing Governor C.V. Ananda Bose of 'outraging her modesty', the Governor's office on Wednesday announced a programme titled 'Sach Ke Samne' where the common people will be shown the CCTV footage from inside the Raj Bhavan.

The Governor's office issued a statement, which has also been posted on its official X handle, saying the CCTV footage can be viewed by any citizen of West Bengal barring Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and any representative of the state police.

"Hon'ble Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has launched a programme titled 'SACH KE SAMNE' in the backdrop of the mischievous and fabricated allegations by the police that Raj Bhavan is not proving the CCTV footage of an incident which is under illegal and unconstitutional investigation of the police.

"The Hon'ble Governor has decided that the CCTV footage can be seen by any citizen of West Bengal -- except politician Mamata Banerjee and her police for the stand they had taken, which is in the public domain," the statement read.

It also said that the citizens who wish to see the CCTV footage can send applications via email or call the the PBX number of the Raj Bhavan.

"The first hundred applicants will be shown the footage inside the Raj Bhavan on May 9, 2024, at 11.30 a.m.," the statement added.

To recall, on May 6, the Governor accused the Chief Minister of resorting to the dirtiest form of politics, not even sparing the chair of the Governor.

"I have been repeatedly saying that I do not understand politics. From the slanderous statements used by the Chief Minister against me and in the manner in which she is speaking, it is evident that her style of politics is extremely dirty. I will pray to God to protect her. But it seems that even God will not be able to save her," the Governor had said.
New Delhi, May 8 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Wednesday re-affirmed India's long-standing support for the establishment of an independent state of Palestine while spotlighting the active role played by Delhi -- through its vibrant multi-dimensional ties with the countries in the Middle East and West Asia -- to maintain peace in the region.

"There is a very difficult situation going on right now in the Middle East, in West Asia, after the terrorist attack on Israel in October and the Israelis going into Gaza. A lot of people have got killed and fighting is going on even now. In many ways, the problem has escalated," EAM Jaishankar said while speaking at the 'Vishwa Bandhu Bharat' event at Gargi College in the national capital.

"So you have a very tense, very complicated situation involving Israel, involving the Palestinians, involving many of the Arab countries, the Gulf monarchies and also involving Iran. There was an exchange between the Iranians and the Israelis a few days ago, they fired on each other," S. Jaishankar added.

Detailing how 'Vishwa Bandhu' India approached the situation, EAM Jaishankar said that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was absolutely clear about its stance when Israel was attacked by terrorists on October 7, last year.

This included making sure that civilian lives are protected and the creation of humanitarian corridors.

"When Israel and Iran started firing at each other, I personally called up the two foreign ministers on the Prime Minister's instructions and basically told them that the whole region is worried, urging them not to go forward on this. In terms of the Middle East, we support eventually a homeland for the Palestinians, and we are very public about that as well," said EAM Jaishankar.

It is not the first time that the government has made public its support for the Palestinian cause.

India's long-standing policy towards Palestine includes support for a negotiated two-State solution, towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognised borders, living side by side in peace with Israel.

At the same time, New Delhi has also "strongly condemned" the terror attacks on Israel and the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, calling for restraint, de-escalation and a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

On Wednesday, Jaishankar highlighted how India is making a "practical contribution" in the Gulf and the West Asian region that essentially speaks a lot about the success of the country's foreign policy.

"About 20 of our ships are actually in the Red Sea, making sure that these attacks on shipping, which increases the cost of trade, are limited. Just think how many parties -- the Israelis, Palestinians, Arab countries, the Iranians -- are out there... yet, we are able to actually engage all of them, talk to all of them and, in many cases, get them to understand our positions and sometimes carry messages from one to another which we often do in such conflict kind of situations.

"So, here again, you see that ability to talk and engage multiple people. I tell people if I were to give to the common person on the street saying 'give me Indian diplomacy in four words', it would be 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' - that ability to carry everybody with you... for this, you have to build a track record, they have to believe you," said EAM Jaishankar.
Gurugram, May 8 : A sex racket being run at a hotel in the upscale Gurugram locality was busted and 10 persons, including two women from Uzbekistan and two from Bangladesh, were arrested, police said on Wednesday.

The racket was busted by a joint team of the Chief Minister's flying squad and the Gurugram police, they said.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police, Headquarters, Sushila, the police were tipped off about the sex racket being run at Hotel Rao Estate in D-Block of Sector 57.

Decoy customers were prepared and a raid was conducted on Tuesday night, she added. The receptionist informed the team that a person identified as Dilbagh was the operator of the hotel and he was arrested.

The other arrested have been identified as Sanjeev Yadav, Sanjay, Ram Babu, Suhani Khan, Marjina Sultan, Mona Kumari and Lata Farzana Khan (both from Bangladesh) and Istrabonu and Khadichabonu from Uzbekistan.

The arrested have been booked under different sections of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act and an FIR has been registered against them at the Sector-56 police station, police said.
Bhubaneswar, May 8 : The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized gold weighing 3.77 kg from the possession of four passengers at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here, officials said on Wednesday.

The DRI officials, acting on input, detained four suspects (passengers) arriving from Dubai to Bhubaneswar at the BPIA on May 6.

The officials, during questioning and checking, ascertained that all four of them had attempted to smuggle gold in paste form, by concealing it in their rectum.

"Investigation resulted in recovery of a total of 12 capsules containing gold from the four passengers. Heat treatment of the contraband resulted in compound separation and gold weighing 3.77 kg, valued at Rs 2.79 crore was recovered," a DRI source said.

Later, the DRI officials seized the smuggled gold and apprehended the four accused passengers under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
Hyderabad, May 8 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. T. Rama Rao on Wednesday termed the arrest of party leader Manne Krishank "undemocratic" and demanded his immediate release.

He met Krishank in Chanchalguda Jail, where he was lodged since May 2 after he was arrested and sent to judicial custody for allegedly posting a fake letter of the Osmania University (OU) Chief Warden on the closure of university hostels and messes for the summer vacations and for terming the letter posted by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on OU hostels' closure as fake.

Rama Rao accused the Congress government of filing a "frivolous" case against Krishank to harass him. Alleging that the man who forged the OU Chief warden's circular is sitting in the Chief Minister's seat while the man who exposed the misdeed was arrested, he demanded that letters be sent for an expert analysis to determine which one is forged.

KTR, as the leader is commonly know, told reporters that if the state government proved that the circular posted by Krishank on social media was fake, then as the BRS Working President, he would go to jail.

"However, if it is proved that the circular posted by Revanth Reddy is forged, is he ready to go to jail?" he asked.

Krishank and OU student Nagender were arrested for allegedly circulating fake news over the closure of OU hostels. The BRS leader was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including forgery and statements conducing to public mischief after the OU Chief Warden had filed a complaint of forgery of his signature at the OU police station.

Krishank earlier posted two letters on 'X' claiming that the letter posted by the Chief Minister was fake and also posted a similar letter terming it to be genuine.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had also slammed BRS leaders for running the propaganda that OU hostels were shut down only after Congress came to power and clarified that the closure notice was issued as per the University almanac.

He had shared a similar notice issued by the Osmania University authorities last year when the BRS was in power. The notice contained information on the closure of hostels due to summer vacation and also mentioned that the hostels were being closed due to an acute shortage of power and water.

The controversy erupted after students complained of water and electricity shortages on the campus. Subsequently, the Chief Warden issued a notice that hostels would be closed due to summer vacation. The notice also mentions power and water shortages as reasons.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, however, claimed that there was no water scarcity or power disruption on the campus and that the Chief Warden's statement was related to summer vacation.
Jalna : , May 8 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and his party of promoting Pakistan's agenda in India.

Speaking at a rally here to garner support for BJP nominee and Union Minister of State Raosaheb Danve from Jalna LS seat, HM Shah said: "If anyone is promoting Pakistan's agenda in India, it is Rahul Baba and his Congress party. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi does surgical and air strikes, Rahul Baba raises questions. When PM Modi kills terrorists, Rahul Baba raises questions. When PM Modi brings CAA, Rahul Baba says that 'we will scrap CAA'."

Stepping up attacks against the Congress and the INDIA bloc, the Home Minister said that the grand old party as well as the alliance halted the construction of Ram Mandir for decades.

"But when PM Modi-led government once again came to power in 2019, Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ram Lalla was also done on January 22 this year," HM Shah said.

He said that PM Modi has worked towards bringing development and also taking forward the heritage of the country.

Taking a swipe at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the Home Minister said: "Kharge says what do the people of Maharashtra have to do with Kashmir? Every child of Jalna and Maharashtra is ready to sacrifice his life for Kashmir. The Congress had been holding on to Article 370 for so many years in its greed for vote bank. PM Modi abolished Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and today, entire Kashmir has become an integral part of India."

Further attacking the Congress, HM Shah said: "Rahul Baba, your grandmother had promised to eradicate poverty, but the work of eradicating poverty was done by PM Modi."

He said that PM Modi has brought happiness to the lives of 80 crore people of the country and gave them free ration, gas cylinders and provided tap water to every home.

HM Shah said that this election is very important for the country.

"There are two camps. Armies are deployed in both the camps. Now you have to decide in whose hands the country will remain. On one side, there is the INDIA bloc which has committed scams and corruption worth Rs 12 lakh crore. On the other hand, despite being the Chief Minister and Prime Minister for 23 years, no one can make any allegation of even 25 paise, such is our leader PM Modi," the Home Minister said.
Kohima, May 9 : Japan's Ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki on Wednesday said that Nagaland's people, who had nothing to do with World War II, inevitably had to go through a great ordeal where many were coerced into cooperation while many lost their lives and most were forced to flee from the land of their ancestors.

In his address at the inaugural programme of the Kohima Peace Memorial and Eco-Park where he was the special guest, he expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the people of Nagaland who were caught in the conflict during the war between Japanese forces and the British Commonwealth Forces 80 years ago.

The envoy further added that he was deeply honoured to witness the inauguration of the Kohima Peace Memorial and that the "monument enabled us to offer our most solemn prayers to all the victims of the battle".

Expressing his gratitude to the people of Nagaland for their support provided to the Kohima-Japan Bone collection team for enabling former soldiers and their families to collect the remains of fallen soldiers, Hiroshi said that the Eco-Park would be developed as part of the Nagaland Forest Management Project with Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Japanese government.

He expressed his sincere gratitude to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the state's people for erecting the peace memorial and hoped it would be a reason for more Japanese people to visit Kohima.

"I am convinced that the friendship originally fostered through the collection of the remains between Japan and Nagaland would be further strengthened through the construction of the Eco-Park as well as the exchange of young people, and they would become new bridges between India and Japan," he said.

Chief Minister Rio said that the event marked an important milestone in the narrative of the Naga-Japan partnership, which, though starting under conflict, had today matured into one advocating peace and brotherhood of humanity, the message that has been embodied by the Kohima Peace Memorial.

He expressed his admiration for Japan's perseverance and industriousness and how it has shown the world what can be achieved through dedication, precision and hard work.

Rio highlighted how Nagalandas association with Japan had started almost five decades ago, through the Japan Association for the recovery and repatriation of war remains, and how the relationship has now matured into bilateral cooperation "under which we have two ongoing Externally Aided Projects in the forestry and medical sectors".

He said that the Eco-Park, once completed, would turn out to be a critical centre of urban space and public utility and the park would also become a testament to the collaboration between the people of Japan and India, especially the Naga people, and would strengthen bonds, enhance bilateral ties and open opportunities for the citizens of the two countries to always pursue common goals.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Village Guards Minister C. L. John thanked all officials and dignitaries who have travelled all the way from Japan and Delhi to attend the inauguration of the Kohima Peace Memorial and Eco-Park.

Highlighting how 70 per cent of the state population is engaged in agriculture, mostly the traditional method of ajhuma (shifting cultivation) which is a major reason for the loss of forest cover in Nagaland, he said that in such a situation, the sanctioning of JICA-assisted Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) seems providential in rescuing the rich biodiversity of the state.

The Japanese Ambassador, who began a two-day visit to Nagaland on Tuesday, on Wednesday also visited Kohima village and was shown traditional weaving and folk singing. During a discussion with the village elders and members, Hiroshi acknowledged the Angamis for their hospitality.
New Delhi, May 9 : In a pan-India crackdown by Delhi Police's Special Cell against the criminal module of absconding alleged terrorist Satinderjeet Singh aka Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi, nine gang members were arrested while a juvenile was apprehended, police said on Wednesday.

The official said that the operation spanned seven states - Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar and with their arrests, contract killing and other heinous crimes in Delhi and other states have been averted.

The official said that some of the arrested persons, who were connected through social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other encrypted chat platforms, were previously involved in criminal activities at the behest of Brar and Bishnoi.

Two each were apprehended from Delhi, UP, and Punjab, and one each from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar. The accused have been identified as Jaspreet Singh aka Rahul, Dharmendra aka Kartik, Manjeet, Gurpal Singh, Manjeet Singh Guri, Abhay Soni, Sachin Kumar, Santosh aka Sultan Baba, and Santosh Kumar.

Police said that reliable inputs were received that an interstate module operating at the behest of notorious gangsters Bishnoi, lodged in jail and Brar, based abroad, was very active in Delhi, NCR and adjoining states for committing offences of extortion, killings and other heinous crimes.

"While monitoring the activities of this syndicate, some incriminatory conversation amongst the members of this syndicate sitting in different states came to notice through technical surveillance wherein they were conspiring to carry out some killing/heinous crime which was further corroborated by source input," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, Prateeksha Godara said.

It was also learnt that these gangsters had also procured weapons.

"To avert the nefarious designs of these members, a case was registered at Special Cell on April 24 under relevant provisions of IPC. Multiple teams were constituted and dispatched immediately at different locations in all the states where these members were located," the DCP said.

Seven pistols with 31 live cartridges were also recovered from their possession.
New Delhi, May 9 : Sam Pitroda, amid controversy over the "colour of citizens" remark, stepped down as the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress on Wednesday but his troubles don't seem to be over yet.

An old video of Pitroda surfaced on social media, in which he was seen opposing reservations in premier institutions like IITs and IIMs.

In the undated video, Pitroda admits that reservation brings parity and equal opportunities but the premiere institutes should be kept out of its ambit to "preserve their sanctity".

"We discussed about creating a framework for providing equal opportunities but concluded that the institutions of excellence should be left out of this. They should not be messed up," Pitroda was heard telling the interviewer.

He further said that the directors of these institutions are also concerned about the disparity but bringing them under quota ambit will offer no good.

Notably, his stand on reservation goes against Rahul Gandhi's poll plank of maximizing the ambit of reservations for social justice to all.

Rahul Gandhi has been pushing, at election rallies, for caste census as well as "jitni abaadi, utna haq". Congress manifesto also clearly mentions about a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SC, ST and OBC.

Earlier in the day, Pitroda's remarks stirred a major row, where he said, "A diverse country, where people on the East look like Chinese, people on the West look like Arab, people on the North look like may be White and people in the South look like Africa."
Chennai, May 9 : VCK General Secretary and MP from Tamil Nadu's Villupuram, D. Ravikumar on Wednesday lodged a complaint over the interruption of CCTV coverage in the strongroom at the Arignar Anna Government Arts College where EVMs were stored.

In a complaint lodged with Collector and Returning Officer, C.Palani, he said that his representative had informed him about the interruption of the CCTV coverage in the strongroom where the EVMs of Tindivanam and Villupuram assembly constituencies were kept.

Ravikumar, who is in the fray from Villupuram Lok Sabha constituency, told officials that the CCTVs stopped functioning at 7.28 a.m. on Wednesday and resumed recording at 8.10 a.m., after repairs.

The RO, along with the police and revenue officials visited the spot, inspected the cameras, and instructed the staff, maintaining the CCTVs to take preventive measures.

Ravikumar also said that he visited the spot to inquire into the incident and the official maintaining the CCTVs informed him that there was an interruption in coverage due to lightning and thunder.

Though the displays were not working for about 42 minutes, the recording was disturbed only for 2 minutes.

He also said that there was an interruption in the CCTV coverage for about 30 minutes on May 3 and that he had raised a similar complaint on the same day.

The Election Commission of India had clearly stated that uninterrupted power supply must be ensured at strongroom locations throughout the EVM storage period.

Ravikumar also called upon the Returning Officer and the state Chief Electoral Officer to ensure that local electricity standby generators were in place to ensure uninterrupted power supply. He also called upon the RO to follow the directive of the EC and take all necessary measures to safeguard the EVMs kept in the strongrooms.
Bengaluru, May 9 : The Bengaluru City Police on Wednesday issued summons to BJP President J.P. Nadda, Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra, and the party's IT Cell convenor Amit Malviya for not taking down an 'objectionable' post from the party's social media handle even after the directions from the authorities.

Bengaluru, May 9 (IANS) The Bengaluru City Police on Wednesday issued summons to BJP President J.P. Nadda, Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra, and the party's IT Cell convenor Amit Malviya for not taking down an 'objectionable' post from the partyas social media handle even after the directions from the authorities.

The post in question involved an animated video uploaded on the Karnataka BJP's X handle depicting the Congress appeasing Muslims at the cost of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.

The Karnataka Congress had on Sunday filed a complaint with the Election Commission in connection with the video.

The complainant claimed that as per the directions of J.P. Nadda and Vijayendra, the post was uploaded on BJPas official handle by Amit Malviya.

The Election Commission had asked X authorities to take down the post immediately after the BJP did not take it down despite directions.
Srinagar, May 9 : PDP's candidate for Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency Waheed Para on Wednesday said that elections will help to break the "stifling silence" and the "political vacuum" that has gripped Kashmir for too long.

Addressing an election rally at Chadoora in Budgam district, he said that the election seeks to end this suffocating cycle through the ballot, aiming to heal the wounds of the people and restore their voice in governance.

"This election is taking place after years of political vacuum, and there is a lot of suffocation and silence in Jammu and Kashmir... we are not only asking for votes, we are also ending the cycle of silence and suffocation in Jammu and Kashmir, where people feel they can express themselves," he said.

In the wake of Article 370's abrogation, Para criticised the "heavy-handed" approach by authorities and called for the people to reclaim their agency by voting.

He underscored the PDP's commitment to opposition unity but expressed disappointment over the lack of consultation when the National Conference named its candidates.

"The entire idea of unity was initiated by (PDP President) Mehbooba (Mufti) ji, she went door to door to the leaders, but when it reached the issue of electoral arrangement, we offered them all the three seats, but there was no messaging from the National Conference... Farooq Abdullah, being the Chairperson of the forum, should have consulted the PDP," he said.

Within the PDP, Para acknowledged internal challenges, including the departure of 40 members due to, what he claims, was pressure on party cadres. However, he clarified that the election isn't about rivalry with the NC.
For LaDarrion Williams, the journey to his debut novel started with a single question: What if Harry Potter went to an HBCU? The answer comes in his highly anticipated YA fantasy novel Blood at the Root, out today, with a first printing of 100,000 copies. The trilogy-starter was bought at auction last year by editor-in-chief Liesa Abrams at Labyrinth Road.

Williams first recognized the need to center Black boys in fantasy when in high school his own passion for reading began to wane due to the lack of representation in the stories that he loved, such as Twilight and the Hunger Games. But reading stories where Black characters were treated as sacrificial lambs or tool[s] to teach racism inspired Williams to imagine worlds where that was not the case.

I felt really connected to all those characters, but I just didnt feel seen by those stories, Williams told PW. I was like, Wheres the Black kid with the Southern twang who lives in small-town Alabama, who has the magical sword or can run with super speed? 

In Blood at the Root, Black children wield all the power. At the age of seven, Malik Baron watches his mother disappear from right in front of him, triggering his innate magic and questions about where it comes from. Hes led to New Orleans Caiman University, a historically Black college for hoodoo and vodun practitioners, where hes surrounded by a Black magical community and learns to hone his powers and investigate what truly happened to his mother.

During the pandemic, Williams sent out a life-changing tweet that asked the question, What if Harry Potter went to an HBCU? which received an overwhelming amount of attention online. With confirmation that the desire to see Black children thriving in fantastical worlds was present, Williams set out to bring his vision to life on screen. With resources from his online community, Williams and friends raised enough money to produce a short concept film.

The short film Blood at the Root was released in April 2021, and Williams was sure that Hollywood would come knocking and that this would finally be the big break he needed to share this story. But when no further progress came, the disappointment almost led him to drop the project entirely.

I was really depressed for a very long time about it, because I was like, I got the viral script. I got the viral short film. What more do you want?  Williams recalled.

Despite feeling discouraged, when a friend suggested he attempt transforming the script into a book, Williams, unable to let the idea go, decided to give his Black boy fantasy one more chance. Williams then found his agent, Peter Knapp at Park & Fine Literary, and soon they were in the query trenches.

That manuscript landed on the desks of Liesa Abrams, editor-in-chief at Random House Childrens Books imprint Labyrinth Road, and assistant editor Emily Shapiro.

From the moment I started reading the manuscript I loved it instantly, Abrams said. The way LaDarrion captures Maliks blend of vulnerability, maturity, and strength was so authentic, and so appealing. It just really rang true. Shapiro similarly felt that it was a no brainer that [the story] would really resonate.

Williams had faced several setbacks for this story up until this point: we cant connect with the characters was a repeated refrain from agents who declined the project. And then he finally got the call: his story about magical Black boys was going to be published. Labyrinth Road acquired Blood at the Root at auction in 2023.

Ahead of publication, Blood at the Root has been featured on most anticipated lists at TheNerdDaily and Cosmopolitan, and was selected as a May/June Indie Next pick. Williamss journey to getting Malik Baron and his story out into the world has been one of resilience, and he says he has many more stories to share.

I just want to write different facets of Black fantasy, because were here, Williams said. I want to write, for us and about us, but not at the expense of us.

Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams. Labyrinth Road, $20.99 May 7 ISBN 978-0-593-71192-7
The hugely successful illustrated middle grade series The Last Kids on Earth (Viking) now includes an animated Netflix series, a comic spinoff series, a toy line, and a video game. This November its expanding again with a graphic novel series. Adapted from stories by series creator Max Brallier, the graphic novels are illustrated by Brian Churilla, known for his work on Hellboy, Big Trouble in Little China, and The Secret History of D.B. Cooper. Always highly visual, the new format extends the storytelling in the Last Kids series in new directions, according to Brallier. Its about taking the story and the world and really blowing it out in a big, eye-popping way. Every single moment has now been brought to life in full-color paneled art. Were not just adding a fresh coat of paint to the storyits a vastly different reading experience. The cover of the first book in the new series is seen here for the first time.

The original illustrated Last Kids on Earth novels debuted in 2015; there are now 15 books in the series (including two comics spinoffs released in 2023, co-written by Joshua Pruett and illustrated by Jay Cooper and Doug Holgate) with more than 10 million copies in print, and the books have been translated into 29 languages. Brallier, who maintains a busy schedule of school visits, says that kids and parents often tell him that the books are the first that kids read on their own, and that the series got them excited about reading. He even heard from fellow author Jasmine Warga that kids at her childs school were engaging in Last Kids on Earth games on the playground, including Doomsday Ball or Escape-the-Zombie-Horde Tag.

Creating the original series has long been a collaboration between Brallier and illustrator Douglas Holgate. In the originals, Brallier said, readers spend time inside Jacks head as narrator. The graphic novels offer the reader a different experience. Brian has this incredible talent for simultaneously capturing emotion and action and humor in his art, he said. His framing and dynamic use of panel shapes and sizes keep the reader on their toes while adding a sense of rhythm that my writing could never convey.

Entering into the popular series was a little overwhelming at first, Churilla said. Theres such a wealth of material from the original series. He soon found his footing, though. The Last Kids on Earth lends itself to the graphic novel format really well, he said. From pacing and staging action, to setting up jokes and gags, the story is served well by having a wide-open format such as sequential comics.

While the original series is illustrated, the graphic novel format required a different approach, said Jim Hoover, Vikings senior director of art and design. Adapting a novel to this format is tricky, because you really have to boil the story down and streamline details to focus on moments for big action or establishing shots and explore new moments to show. Still, bringing the Last Kids books to a graphic novel format is a natural fit to the franchise and another way to share these characters to a wider audience, he said, along with reaching a new generation of middle schoolers, graphic novels can reach beyond to older kids who might be returning to the story like an old childhood friend.

Series editor Dana Leydig said that in recent years kids have been coming to graphic novels in a huge way, because they give readers a new way to read that they are excited about. In the graphic novels, series main character Jack Sullivan reaches out to the reader with little nods, asides and jokes offering a more intimate connection that invites readers to come along on the adventure. It makes you feel part of the story, as if you are one of the Last Kids on Earth, she said.

With each additional format, the series can reach new readers. While graphic novels have long been associated with older readers, Leydig said that they are also ideal for younger readers who may not feel ready for the prose novels yet. By the same token, the graphic novels can appeal to kids who love the prose novels and are waiting for the next book to come out. Churillas versatile style, she said, calls back to Holgates original illustrations and brings something new that spans both the darker elements of the story and its playfulness and fun.

Reflecting on this new way of storytelling, Brallier said, My hope is that it will surprise and excite existing Last Kids fans while also bringing in a new audience that will then be eager to seek out the original.

For Churilla, involvement in the project has brought cool dad cred. My son has been a fan of the books since their debut, he said. Hes over the moon that Im involved.

The Last Kids on Earth: The Graphic Novel by Max Brallier, illus. by Brian Churilla (Viking, Nov. 5 $23.99 ISBN 978-0-593-62216-2; $13.99 paper ISBN 978-0-593-62217-9
On May 7, hundreds gathered at the Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village for Freedom to Write for Palestine, a gathering of writers who withdrew from PEN America's World Voices Festival and Literary Awardsboth of which were canceled last monthover the organization's response to the war in Gaza. The event, part of the ongoing Palestine Festival of Literature initiative, was a fundraiser for We Are Not Numbers, a youth-led nonprofit in Gaza that supports and mentors young Palestinian writers. Books were sold on site by Brooklyn-based bookstore the Word Is Change.

In her opening remarks, novelist Nancy Kricorian described the event as an "alternative" to the World Voices Festival, calling it an opportunity to not only denounce the war in Gaza and show solidarity with Palestinians, but to continue to "pressure PEN America." Cheers erupted when Kricorian mentioned that thus far, such pressure had led to the cancellation of PEN's two tentpole spring events.

"PEN America's failure to take a stand is what brings us here tonight," Kricorian said, after remarking on what she felt was PEN's hypocritical activism on behalf of Ukraine when it was invaded by Russia. She also gave an extended "shoutout" to the PEN America union, PEN United, which has noted has been bargaining for higher salaries and "accountability from PEN leadership" for more than a year.

Overall, more than 70 writers withdrew from PEN's Literary Awards and World Voices Festival, which were slated to be held in New York City on April 29 and from May 811, respectively. Among the evening's readers were writer Michelle Alexander, poet and essayist Kay Gabriel, writer Sabrina Imbler, novelist Hari Kunzru, and writer Marie Myung-Ok Lee, who all withdrew from the festival; as well as translator Esther Allen, translator Kira Josefsson, poet Eugenia Leigh, poet Evie Shockley, and fiction writer Alejandro Varela, who all withdrew from the awards. Translator Nicholas Glastonbury, a judge for this year's PEN Translation Prize, was also a reader, along with Lorraine Garret and Seth Goldman, two poets from the Worker Writers School, which offers creative writing workshops to low-wage workers in conjunction with worker centers and trade unions. Rounding out the lineup were We Are Not Numbers writers Mohamed Arafat and Mahmoud Alyazji and musician Huda Asfour.

Under the watchful eyes of James Baldwin, Octavia Butler, bell hooks, and Audre Lordememorialized in murals on the church walls and designated "saints"a number of writers read work by Palestinian writers and poets from We Are Not Numbers, including Haidar al-Ghazali, Haya Abu Nasser, and Dima Maher Ashour. Shockley read a poem by Palestinian American poet Fady Joudah, the winner of this year's Jackson Poetry Prize; Kunzru read an excerpt from his essay in the 2017 anthology Kingdom of Olives and Ash (Harper Perennial), edited by Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldmanthe latter of whom was just released from Israeli detention following a protest; and Gabriel read selections from the 2021 oral history Voices of the Nabka: A Living History of Palestine (Pluto Press).

Allen, who cofounded the World Voices Festival in 2004 and declined this year's PEN/Ralph Manheim Award for Translation, spoke at length about what she described as a shift in PEN America over the past two decades. "PEN America is different things to different people," she said. "Its current leaders seem to think that they are PEN Americato such an extent that they describe appeals for their resignation as attempts to bring about the fall of PEN." Allen described PEN America's "appalling taciturnity" on the war in Gaza is "part of a broader pattern of silencing and erasure," and juxtaposed PEN's cancellations of its largest writer-centered events with its plan to go forward with its annual fundraising gala: "The priorities could not be clearer."

Hari Kunzru echoed Allen's sentiments. Kunzru, the former deputy president of English PENwhich, along with PEN parent organization PEN International, called for a ceasefire in Octoberexpressed a desire to "see PEN America return to its core mission." PEN America called for a ceasefire in March, following the circulation of an open letter in February signed by more than 600 writers, many of whom were in attendance.
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Property details:

This 20-acre homesite lot in Montana is the perfect addition to any real estate collection. With its beautiful scenery and residential zoning, it's ideal for building a home or developing a business. The property address is 119 Quail DR and it's located in the zip/postal code 59072. The seller state of residence is Montana, and it's a great choice for those who love the outdoors and want to invest in real estate. This property is classified as "Land" and "Real Estate" in the categories section. ...

Price: $ 95,000 Seller State of Residence: Montana Property Address: 119 Quail Dr Type: Homesite, Lot Zip/Postal Code: 59072 Zoning: Residential City: Roundup State/Province: Montana Location: 590**, Roundup, Montana

You will be redirected to eBay



When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission.

Nearby Montana
Property details:

This spacious piece of land located in Maricopa County, Arizona is a perfect investment opportunity for those looking to expand their real estate portfolio. With a generous acreage of .29 acres or 12783 sq ft, The property is situated in the bustling city of Phoenix, with easy access to all the amenities and conveniences that the city has to offer. The seller state of residence is North Dakota, and the zip code is 85041. Don't miss out on this prime piece of real estate in the heart of Arizona. ...

Price: $ 4,000 Seller State of Residence: North Dakota Property Address: No address Zip/Postal Code: 85041 Zoning: Residential City: Phoenix State/Province: Arizona Location: 850**, Phoenix, Arizona

You will be redirected to eBay



When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission.

Nearby Arizona
Property details:

.BUY LAND NOW1.6 miles to Lake Eufaula!Bike to Lake/Go fishing! START INVESTING NOW!This land is perfect for Land Banking! Buy and hold for future investment. Many companies and investors purchase land at a substantial discount for their investment portfolios. Then later, use this as collateral for their business.Low Low Prices!Great Investment for new investor. Start your own land business now!DescriptionWe are selling a residential land lot in a small town near a big lake. This small town has ...

Price: $ 300 Seller State of Residence: California Type: Homesite, Lot Property Address: off Broadway Avenue , Hitchita , Oklahoma 74422 Zip/Postal Code: 74422 Zoning: Residential City: Hitchita State/Province: Oklahoma Location: 744**, Boynton, Oklahoma

You will be redirected to eBay



When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission.

Nearby Oklahoma
Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale

Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada.

Search Real Estate
'The markets will correct, and they are bound to correct. The boom will turn into bust.'

'When this bust happens, people would lose like they have lost in the past.'

'Whatever you have made possibly in the last couple of years, you may lose in a couple of weeks. That's very much possible.'

Here's independent market expert Ambareesh Baliga's advice to small and retail investors who have entered the stock markets in the last one year and are sitting on decent gains.

"You can take off 20-25 per cent from your small and mid-cap portfolio. Typically, I suggest a portfolio with 60 per cent large caps and 40 per cent of small- and mid-caps," Baliga says in this interview with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com.

"Perhaps (investors should buy) 60 per cent of large caps, 15 per cent of mid-caps and small-caps, and 25 per cent in cash. This way you're safe because when the markets correct -- and there are good chances it could correct -- and as an investor you don't have anything much to worry."

The first of a two-part interview:

RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka recently tweeted about Kolkata-based operators enacting a Harshad-Mehta like scam in small and mid-cap stocks of companies based out of Kolkata. Where is this coming from?

Isn't this unprecedented that a corporate honcho brings it to Sebi's notice? How do you look at this warning?

If you ask anyone who is there in the market for a while who has ears to the ground, they will tell you what Mr Goenka is saying is true. When you are so closely associated with the market, you do get these feelers as to what is happening and who is doing it. There can't be any smoke without fire.

15 years back, they (the stock market manipulators) were more of the street smart operators. Now you have guys who are well educated, who have been in the industry holding responsible positions and you have some of those guys also manipulating (stock prices of companies).

What kind of action do you expect from Sebi to protect small investors who are invested in these kind of companies and are now sitting on phenomenal returns? What kind of measures do you expect from Sebi?

In a bull market where anything and everything is moving up, any investor -- unless he's gone short as a trader -- who has bought decent stocks has made tons of money in this bull run. I don't think they would have made that sort of money in the last bull run.

The only issue right now is as and when -- because the markets can't go one way -- markets will correct, and they are bound to correct, the boom will turn into bust.

When this bust happens, people would lose like they have lost in the past. Whatever you have made possibly in the last couple of years, you may lose in a couple of weeks. That's very much possible.

Most of the new investors who have come in -- we get quite frightened with the sort of numbers which are rolled out by NSDL and CDSL (securities depositories which safe-keep stocks bought by investors in electronic or demat form) -- are, unfortunately, looking at instant gratification.

Most of them have got into stocks which have questionable antecedents. They are more of momentum stocks which when they start falling would not provide any exit route for these investors. They could possibly lose just not what they've earned in the market, but may also lose their entire capital.

What would be your advice for retail, small investors?

I'll never advise someone to sell out the full portfolio. I have been cautious for a while now. If I told someone you sell your complete portfolio in October (2023) because markets are getting quite frothy, you would have lost out on the gains made by the markets since then (markets gained more than 15 per cent since October 2023 when the markets looked quite frothy and overstretched).

But it's always better to get into cash to a certain extent. Right now I'm suggesting, at least to my clients, to be in cash to the extent of over 20-25 per cent.

You can take off 20-25 per cent from your small and mid-cap portfolio. Typically, I suggest a portfolio with 60 per cent large caps and 40 per cent of small- and mid-caps.

Perhaps (investors should buy) 60 per cent of large caps, 15 per cent of mid-caps and small-caps, and 25 per cent in cash.

This way you're safe because when the markets correct -- and there are good chances it could correct -- and as an investor you don't have anything much to worry. This 25 per cent of cash will help you feel confident to buy at lower levels.

Markets, more than anything else, are a game of psychology. If you have cash in hand, then you'll have the confidence (to purchase) at lower levels. If you don't have cash in hands, you'll panic at lower levels.

Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. This article and information do not constitute a distribution, an endorsement, an investment advice, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities/schemes or any other financial products/investment products mentioned in this article to influence the opinion or behaviour of the investors/recipients.

Any use of the information/any investment and investment related decisions of the investors/recipients are at their sole discretion and risk. Any advice herein is made on a general basis and does not take into account the specific investment objectives of the specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.
Benchmark Sensex declined over 45 points in highly volatile trade on Wednesday, tracking weak Asian markets and continuous foreign fund outflows.

Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

Declining for the second straight session, the 30-share BSE Sensex fell 45.46 points or 0.06 per cent to settle at 73,466.39.

During the day, it went lower by 437.93 points or 0.59 per cent to 73,073.92.

The NSE Nifty remained unchanged at 22,302.50.

From the Sensex basket, Asian Paints, UltraTech Cement, Hindustan Unilever, HDFC Bank, HCL Technologies, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv and ICICI Bank were the major laggards.

On the other hand, Tata Motors, Power Grid, NTPC, Larsen & Toubro and Maruti were among the gainers.

In Asian markets, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong settled lower, while Seoul ended with gains.

European markets were trading with gains. Wall Street ended on a mixed note on Tuesday.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 3,668.84 crore on Tuesday, according to exchange data.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 1.65 per cent to $81.79 a barrel.
'All my wealth I earned in the US. It is all money earned transparently. I have paid all taxes.'

IMAGE: Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, the richest candidate in Elections 2024. All photographs: Kind courtesy Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani/Facebook

In elections the most important factor is how much money you have and how much you are willing to spend.

And to the Telugu Desam Party goes the credit for putting up the richest candidate not only in Andhra Pradesh but in the entire country.

With declared assets of Rs 5,878 crores (Rs 58.78 billion), Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar is the richest candidate in the electoral fray.

He is contesting the election from the Guntur Lok Sabha constituency which goes to the polls on Monday, May 13. He has one flat to stay in an affluent gated community, another flat to receive visitors and a third one to provide meals.

There is a small crowd of people to look after him, mostly guarding the door.

He comes from a middle class family in rural Andhra Pradesh and practises medicine in the United States.

"I have been associated with (TDP President Nara) Chandrababu Naidu for decades. We share the same ideology," Dr Sekhar tells Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar.

Nadar.

IMAGE: Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar with Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

You could have joined any party, why the TDP?

My family has been associated with the TDP since 1983, when it was founded. That was my father.

I have been associated with Chandrababu Naidu for decades. We share the same ideology.

How is your equation with him?

We have a very good relationship based on a shared ideology about how to develop Andhra.

If you win, how much time will you spend here and how much time in the US?

I will spend 95% of my time here.

The TDP is an ally of the BJP which is alleged to be the biggest laundromat in the country that cleanses corrupt politicians when they join the BJP.

People can say anything. You cannot deny the work he (Narendra D Modi) has done.

He has made India the 5th largest economy in the world.

He has put a lot of effort into infrastructure development.

Our armed forces and armaments manufacture is very much better than what it was.

What are your plans for your constituency?

Clean drinking water, underground drainage system, bring global companies to my constituency to create employment, houses for the poor, construct good roads and solve farmer's issues.

How would you compare elections in the US to elections in India?

There, the funding is very transparent. Even a poor man can stand for elections.

His supporters will give him funds. Here only a very rich man can stand for elections.

Daily wage workers expect to be paid to vote. How are you going to manage that?

When you join a system you have to work within that system. I will certainly do that.

After you win, you must try and change the system to make it better.

Have you watched Parliament at work? Will you fit in there?

I have watched Parliament and I will fit in there. I have conducted over 300 public meetings.

I never use foul language or belittle anyone. I will respect everyone in Parliament and I am sure the others will reciprocate.

Where were you working during the Covid crisis?

I was stuck in the US as there were no flights. We worked a lot to alleviate people's suffering there. We gave lots of money to the victims.

Voters in your constituency has your phone number. Do you answer all calls?

There are 18 lakh (1.8 million) people in my constituency and it is not possible for me or my PA to answer all calls.

After the elections we will create a web site for people to complain. All complaints will be dealt with.

Your wealth has made your political debut interesting. Is that what you would like to be known by?

You cannot change what people see you as. All my wealth I earned in the US.

It is all money earned transparently. I have paid all taxes. I would like to be known for my work.

As the richest candidate, how different is your campaign from that of a regular candidate?

The Election Commission has a limit on spending. I can spend only as much as the regular candidate. It will be the same.

Is there anything you think that money cannot buy?

Money cannot buy love, trust, friendship and values.

Do you know Chief Minister Jagan Reddy? What do you think of him?

I know him as well as you know him. I know him as the chief minister of this state.

I really don't want to know him. He has caused immense damage to the state of Andhra.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
Political economist and author Gautam Sen has said the idea to impose a wealth tax in India will lead to the country's super rich, the Ambanis and the Adanis, moving their bases out to countries like Dubai to avoid paying tax.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the interaction with business leaders Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, Tata Group patriarch Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

He further explained that the wealthiest individuals in India, such as Ambani, Adani, and Tata, would likely emigrate to tax havens resulting in a substantial loss of wealth for India.

Sen who retired from the London School of Economics and was formerly a member of the Indo-UK Roundtable and Senior Consultant at UNDP, offered his insights on the proposal of implementing an inheritance tax in India, drawing comparisons with the United States and discussing its potential impacts on the Indian economy and security.

"The very rich, that is the Ambanis, the Adanis, the Mahindras, the Tatas, and I presume not more than 500 or less of the very rich, the billionaire class, they will emigrate from India to Dubai. Most Indian millionaires who have been leaving the country have gone to Dubai, 70 per cent in fact, because Dubai has no income tax. And they will re-register their businesses in UAE, which means India will only be able to collect corporate taxes from them because their business will remain in India," Sen said.

"So there will be a huge loss of wealth to India. Now, if you think about other countries, Sweden used to have a very significant inheritance tax. And Sweden is one of the highest tax countries in the world in history. But you know, Sweden removed the inheritance tax because many of the rich were fleeing. For example, the owner of IKEA had migrated out of Sweden," he said.

"And what they found after removing inheritance tax, that a lot of the wealth came back, economic growth improved, and tax collecting also improved. So with that extra taxes, they could redistribute to the less well-off in Sweden. So, in fact, not having inheritance tax or wealth tax was beneficial to the ordinary Sweden. Now, in India, if you inflict this amount of chaos, you must bear in mind you can't do it to agricultural land", the economist added.

Congress leader Sam Pitroda had recently suggested that India to adopt an inheritance tax similar to that prevailing in the US, however Sen pointed out that it is not a suitable analogy for India.

Sen emphasized that redistribution occurs in all economies and societies, and India has witnessed significant improvements in the welfare of rural areas and the poorest sections of society over the past decade.

"The US example is not a good analogy for India at all. The issue is like this. Re-distribution is something that takes place in all economies, and all societies. In fact, the redistribution that happened in India in the last 10 years hasn't happened in a thousand years. We've had massive increases in the welfare of rural India for the first time. And the poorest parts of India have also improved their relative status. So actually in India, we are doing well. The question is, how do you achieve this? The proposal made to survey all households and businesses is impractical for many reasons."

Sen expressed concerns regarding the practicality of implementing an inheritance tax, and the Congress' proposal to survey all households and businesses.

He highlighted that only a small percentage of people in India pay personal income tax, and attempting to redistribute wealth from this group would have minimal impact on overall wealth distribution.

"In India, 2.4 per cent or a little bit fewer people pay income tax. that is personal tax. Of that group, I think not more than 1.2 million, maybe a little bit more, have personal assets which are mainly in their own residence. 77 per cent of all household wealth is in residence, 7 per cent in gold and durables like motorcycles, fans, almirahs. You have to survey all of this and take it away from them. Put all these people in the street if you want equality. But the total amount of money you will generate from this very small number compared to the rest of India would be very, very small."

Sen referenced Sweden's experience with inheritance tax, noting that its removal resulted in increased economic growth and wealth retention.

Addressing the redistribution of wealth proposed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Sen argues that the practical implementation of such a policy would be highly challenging.

He explained that liquidating assets from the wealthiest individuals, who primarily invest in businesses, would disrupt the economy and negatively impact small and medium industries, the largest employers outside of agriculture.

Sen said, "...But almost all of this is invested in their businesses. So you will have to liquidate their businesses in order to take away their wealth. So your local shopkeeper, your... Local store, your repair shop, all of this will be worth Rs 5 crore, maybe Rs 10 crore, maximum less."

He further added, "All of these people will have to surrender everything they have. Now, the economy will come to a halt. But even if that were not the case, consider the biggest single employer outside agriculture in India is small and medium industry. These people have one big problem in India that the government is trying to solve, which is they have cash flow problem. They receive their income in the future and to pay their expenses up front."

"These people will try to find as much as they can from their cash flow to meet the demands of an inheritance tax, which means they really will not be able to operate at all. But even that will not be enough. My argument is that the total amount of tax you will generate from taking everything away from anybody who has something that is less than 1.5 per cent of the population will not make the remaining 98, 99 per cent better off. They will simply suffer within the next six months. And bear in mind, you will have to do this survey every year for every two years to see how the wealth distribution is", Sen said

Regarding the feasibility of tax inspectors visiting every household and business, Sen expressed scepticism, stating that such an undertaking would be impractical.

He emphasized that India has seen significant improvements in living standards through initiatives like infrastructure development, healthcare, and sanitation, and praised the current government's efforts in this regard.

Sen said, "I can't see any possibility of this happening. and I will repeat we've had better redistribution in the last 10 years from growth from real goods like creating road networks bringing water to people's zones giving them toilets giving them health care giving them subsidized gas which is an improvement in the real living standards of people and that has already been measured by UNICEF as amounting just from the toilet to 4000 rupees per month per household."

He further said, "The current administration led by Narendra Modi is deeply committed to improving the welfare of the poor, all his actions indicate that the poor have a very high priority for him and his government. And this really has not happened in a thousand years. Right through the Islamic period, the British period, and the decades after independence, this has never happened."

"The progress is always going to be slow because we cannot have 15 per cent growth suddenly. But if we achieve 8 per cent growth you will see a massive difference in 10 years in the welfare of the poor people. The 25 crores who have been lifted out of the poverty line level already in the last six, or seven years. Now, this is an achievement of which all Indians can be proud. We have to keep doing it even more sincerely and with greater determination and our confidence that this government will continue its efforts in this regard", Sen added.

Responding to concerns about wealth inequality, Dr. Sen acknowledged that certain sectors may benefit more from economic growth initially, leading to increased inequality.

However, he emphasized that the absolute well-being of the poorest has improved, and over time, there will be a redistribution of relative incomes.

Sen emphasized, "It always happens that in a growing economy those who are in the growing sectors. But this is a temporary phenomenon. As it stabilizes, they will be ending up paying a much larger share. In the initial period of growth, the growth sectors enrich some people. But bear in mind that the absolute level of well-being of the poorest has improved. Their relative share has fallen. But in absolute terms, they have made advances."

He further said, "So this temporary phenomenon will diminish over time. And that is what growth will deliver. as there is more competition, as the economy opens up, the relative influence of those sectors which have been growing, you know, it happened in America. The people in Silicon Valley became much richer than everybody else. In fact, they became richer than the other rich sectors earlier which was manufacturing."

He further added, "The same thing is happening in India, but you know, it is a temporary phenomenon. If you want to have growth, you have to live with this. It looks morally wrong, I agree with you, but What you must look at is the absolute level of well-being of the poorest. And that has definitely been improving. And that is what we want. And we want a flattening of the equity levels."

Sen cautioned against the implementation of an inheritance tax, warning that it could lead to social and political chaos, as well as vulnerability to foreign military intervention.

He argued that such radical measures could provoke resistance and unrest, creating opportunities for adversaries like China to exploit India's internal divisions.

Sen said, "India is in the way of China's total dominance of Asia. India is the one country apart from Japan which is a problem for China because China wants complete dominance in Asia. At the moment, they have a condominium in the United States. They do not accept even that. They would accept a condominium with the US at a global level. But in Asia, they want to be totally dominant. And India really is the one country that is big enough and potentially prosperous enough to resist this. So they will act. Now, striking against India is a very good time because India is in a phase of transition. But of course, they know Striking against India is not costly. India is militarily quite a tough nut to crack."

Regarding the current trends in the Indian economy, Sen expressed optimism, highlighting India's status as the fastest-growing major economy in the world and praising the government's infrastructure investments.

He emphasized the importance of stability and continuity in government policy to sustain economic growth and prosperity in the long term.

Sen stated, "The Indian economy is performing very well. It is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. If we can reach 8 per cent, which I think is possible, The size of the economy will go up by three times in 14 years. So at the moment, we are about 3.8, 3.9, maybe a little bit more. We will reach over 13 trillion USD. That is an impressive level of change in the next 14 years."

He added, "But I think India will reach 7 trillion by 2031. This is really, in historical terms, spectacular. We are very fortunate. that we have a stable government. You see, the most important thing is to have a stable government so we manage our national resources sensibly. That we have. We have a stable government with a majority which Atal Bihari Vajpayee did not have."

Sen urged for continued efforts towards stability and economic development, emphasizing the need to avoid policies that could jeopardize India's progress.

He expressed confidence in India's economic prospects, provided there is consistent and sensible governance in place.
Karnataka Janata Dal-Secular MLA and former minister HD Revanna, who is facing kidnapping charges, was remanded to judicial custody till May 14 by a magisterial court in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

IMAGE: JD-S leader HD Revanna being taken into custody by SIT officials in connection with a kidnapping case registered against him at KR Nagar police station, in Bengaluru, May 4, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Also, his bail petition before a sessions court has been posted for Thursday.

After the completion of four days of police custody, the 66-year-old Revanna, son of JD-S patriarch and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, was produced before an additional chief metropolitan magistrate.

The court remanded him to judicial custody for seven days till May 14.

Revanna was in the custody of the Special Investigation Team after being arrested in the alleged case of kidnapping a woman, based on a complaint by her son, who also charged that the MLA's son and MP Prajwal Revanna had sexually assaulted her. The woman was subsequently rescued, according to the police.

The sexual abuse allegations involving Prajwal raised a political storm with the ruling Congress and BJP-JD-S engaged in a slugfest.

While the Congress government has formed a SIT to probe the cases, the BJP and JD-S -- National Democratic Alliance partners -- have demanded that it be handed over to the CBI.

Alleged explicit videos involving Prajwal started making the rounds ahead of the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka on April 26.

The Chairperson of Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Dr Nagalakshmi Chaudhary wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state police chief Alok Mohan seeking a probe into the videos that were in circulation in Hassan, following which the Congress government formed the SIT on April 28 to investigate the case.

Prajwal, who contested as the NDA candidate in the polls from Hassan, reportedly left the country on April 27, a day after the polls. He has skipped summons issued by the SIT to appear before it.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation, or Enforcement Directorate into whether businessmen Adani and Ambani sent his party "money in a tempo".

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi meets people during a public meeting for the Lok Sabha elections, at Basia village, in Gumla, Jharkhand, May 7, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Rahul Gandhi's retort to PM Modi came after the latter attacked him at an election rally saying why he has "stopped" naming Adani and Ambani in his attacks and whether he has received money from them in return.

Taking a swipe at the prime minister, Gandhi in a video message asked whether Modi was speaking from his "personal experience" about money being sent by businessmen.

"The money that PM Modi has given to the two businessmen, the Congress party will give the same amount of money to the people of India through the various schemes that the party has promised," Gandhi said.

"The country knows who is the driver and helper of the BJP's tempo of corruption," he said in a post in Hindi on X.

"Modi ji, are you a little scared? Normally you talk about Adani and Ambani in closed doors, but for the first time you have talked about Adani and Ambani in public," Gandhi said in the video message.

"You also know that they give money in a tempo. Is it your personal experience?" Gandhi said.

"Do one thing - send the CBI, ED to them and carry out a thorough investigation and don't be scared," he said.

Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday accused the Congress of having a "deal" with "Ambani and Adani", and asked if the party has received "tempo loads of black money" from the two businessmen for its leader Rahul Gandhi to stop "abusing" them.

"Since his Rafale issue got grounded, he started chanting about 'five industrialists'. Then he started saying Ambani-Adani. But ever since elections have been announced, these people (Congress) have stopped abusing Ambani-Adani.

"I want to ask from Telangana soil, let the Shehzada announce, how much has been lifted from Ambani-Adani. Has tempo loads of money reached the Congress? What deal has been arrived at that abusing Ambani-Adani has stopped overnight?" he said while addressing an election rally at Vemulawada in Telangana.

"Certainly something is fishy. For five years, (they) abused Adani-Ambani and it stopped overnight. It means you have received some tempo loads of chori ka maal (loot)... Kaale dhan ki kitni boriya bharkar ke rupaye maare hai (how many sacks of black money you have taken). You have to answer the nation," the prime minister said.

The Congress has been accusing the prime minister of favouring the top five industrialists in the country, including Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani.
Bharatiya Janata Party's former ally Jannayak Janata Party on Wednesday said it is ready to help the Congress bring down the BJP government in Haryana, a day after three Independent MLAs withdrew support to it.

IMAGE: Former Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala. Photograph: @JJPofficial/Xm

However, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini asserted that his government is not in any trouble.

Independent MLAs Sombir Sangwan (Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (Pundri) and Dharampal Gonder (Nilokheri) withdrew support to the ruling BJP in Haryana on Tuesday and announced that they would back the Congress, which claimed that the Saini government is reduced to a minority and demanded the imposition of President's rule.

The fast-paced political developments in the state come at a time when Lok Sabha polls are just a fortnight away and Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in October.

Speaking to reporters in Hisar, Jannayak Janata Party leader Dushyant Chautala said if a no-confidence motion is brought against the Saini government, they will vote against the government.

"I want to tell Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda that going by the present numbers in the Assembly, when this government is in a minority, if a step is taken that this government is brought down during (Lok Sabha) elections, then we will fully consider to support them in this from outside".

"Now, Congress has to think whether they will take a step to bring down the BJP government," Chautala said.

He also ruled out reviving his party's alliance with the BJP. The two parties had snapped ties in March.

"I have made it quite clear that JJP will not go with BJP now," Chautala said and demanded that Saini should either prove majority or submit his resignation.

The 90-member Haryana assembly at present has an effective strength of 88 with Karnal and Rania assembly seats being vacant. The BJP has 40 MLAs, the Congress 30 and the JJP 10 in the House. INLD and Haryana Lokhit Party has one member. Independents are six.

The government has the support of two of the Independent legislators.

"The government is not in any trouble, it is working strongly," Chief Minister Saini told reporters at Sirsa while replying to queries on the withdrawal of support.

The chief minister was in Sirsa to campaign for BJP candidate Ashok Tanwar.

Hitting out at the Congress, Saini said the opposition party's actions are only aimed at fulfilling the personal aspirations of some people.

But the people of Haryana will not let the Congress' designs succeed, the chief minister said, adding the entire country is witnessing the "misdeeds" of the Opposition party.

"The Congress knows that it cannot fulfil the aspirations of people and misleads them. It tries to create confusion that the (state) government is in a minority. The government is in no trouble and it is functioning strongly," he asserted.

In Chandigarh, while replying to a question, Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta said that the Saini government had won the trust vote on March 13.

"How can we say that the government is in minority? It is intact and running as it was earlier," he told reporters

Asked if a no-confidence motion can be brought against the government, the Speaker said, "Usually, when a no-confidence is brought, another one can only be brought six months after that. It is a technical matter."

Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan said the party will write to the governor stating that the Saini government is in a minority after the three Independent MLAs withdrew support to it and that it should be dismissed, President's Rule imposed in the state and fresh polls announced.

It also asked the JJP, the INLD and Independent MLA Balraj Kundu to write similar letters to the governor to give credence to their claim of opposing the BJP.

Aked about some JJP MLAs indicating support to the BJP after his party pulled out of the coalition government in March, Chautala said notices have been issued to three of them and they have been asked to submit a reply.

He said his party MLAs are bound by whip and if anyone wants to extend support to anyone else they will have to resign first.

Saini had replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as chief minister in March and the JJP's four-and-a-half-year-old post-poll alliance with BJP had come to an end.

State assembly polls in Haryana are due in October while the Karnal Assembly bypoll is scheduled for May 25 along with voting to the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana.

Saini, the MP from Kurukshetra in the outgoing Lok Sabha, is the BJP candidate for the bypolls and if he wins, the party's strength in the Assembly will rise to 41.
Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc will meet the Election Commission on Thursday over their demand to promptly release the absolute voter turnout figures in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls after each phase, sources said.

IMAGE: A polling official administering indelible ink to a voter, at a polling booth, during the 3rd Phase of General Elections-2024 in Guwahati, Assam, April 7, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The leaders will also raise the issue of alleged "use of religious symbols" by the Bharatiya Janata Party in their campaign, they said.

The sources said leaders from the INDIA bloc will meet the full bench of the Election Commission of India on Thursday afternoon, submit a memorandum and also discuss the issues with the poll panel.

INDIA bloc parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party of India-Marxist, have written to the poll panel separately so far, expressing concern over the alleged "delay" in the release of the voter turnout data in the first two phases.

Amid the opposition's allegations, the poll body had asserted that booth-wise data of the "actual number of votes polled" is available with the candidates soon after the voting ends.

In a statement issued last week, the EC also said it attaches "due importance" to the timely release of voter turnout figures after each phase of the poll, and said not just constituency, but booth-wise data of actual number of votes polled is available with the candidates, which is a statutory requirement.

On Tuesday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had written to leaders of various opposition parties on the issue of alleged "discrepancies" in the voting data released by the Election Commission.

In his letter, Kharge urged the INDIA bloc leaders to "collectively, unitedly and unequivocally" raise their voice on the issue.

The EC officially shared the turnout figure for the first two phases of Lok Sabha polls on April 30.

According to EC figures, a voter turnout of 66.14 percent was recorded in phase one and 66.71 percent in phase two of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

For the third phase of voting that took place on Tuesday, the EC's voter turnout app on Wednesday showed that 65.55 percent voting had occurred.

A press release on Monday by the EC also contained the total number of electors in every seat, along with the voting percentage figures.

Opposition parties have however also sought the details of the number of voters who exercised their franchise.

Various opposition parties have also approached the poll panel over speeches made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders during poll campaigns, alleging that the model code of conduct had been violated.

Based on the complaints made by opposition parties as well as the BJP, the poll panel had earlier issued notices to BJP president JP Nadda and Congress president Kharge over alleged violations of the model code of conduct by leaders from their parties.
Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma fame actor Gurucharan Singh, who went 'mysteriously' missing, was operating multiple bamk accounts for financial transactions and was frequently using credit cards despite not being in a good financial condition, police sources said.

F

IMAGE: Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma fame actor Gurucharan Singh. Photograph: ANI Photo

Following the investigation by the Delhi police, the Special Cell has also started probing the matter simultaneously.

50-year-old Singh is believed to have been visiting his parents in Delhi and was expected to return to Mumbai. However, the actor has not been heard from since April 22.

Now, in a major revelation, the police found that Gurucharan Singh was operating more than 10 financial accounts.

Official sources said that even though Gurucharan's financial condition was not good, he was operating multiple accounts.

His activities included withdrawing cash through credit cards and paying dues of one card from the other, they said.

Singh had last withdrawn Rs 14,000 from an ATM, and there is no information available after that, they said.

During the initial investigation, friends and relatives of the actor told police that Gurucharan was getting close to spirituality and had even put forward the thought of going to the mountains.

The actor was scheduled to reach Mumbai on April 22, but he allegedly misled the person who was supposed to receive him, the police source added.

Earlier, the actor's father, deeply distressed, filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, detailing his son's sudden disappearance since his departure for Mumbai.

Despite efforts, the 'Sodhi' fame actor has neither reached Mumbai, where he works for a living, nor returned home. His phone remains unreachable, exacerbating the worries of his family.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's chair is "shaking" after three phases of elections as he has started attacking his own "friends", and asserted this shows the "real trend" of the results.

IMAGE: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addresses a public meeting in West Bengal's Malda. Photograph: ANI Photo

"The times are changing. Friends are no longer friends! After completion of three phases of elections, today the prime minister has started attacking his own friends. It is becoming clear that Modiji's chair is shaking. This is the real trend of the results," Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X.

His remarks came after the prime minister during an election rally in Telangana said the Congress should explain to people why it has stopped raising the 'Ambani-Adani' issue as its 'Shehzada' used to do for the past five years and asked if it has struck a 'deal'.

"Ever since elections have been announced, these people (Congress) have stopped abusing Ambani-Adani. I want to ask from Telangana soil, let the Shehzada announce, how much has been lifted from Ambani-Adani. Has tempo loads of notes (currency) reached the Congress? What deal has been arrived at, that abusing Ambani-Adani has stopped overnight," he asked.

"Certainly something is fishy. For five years, (they) abused Adani-Ambani and it stopped overnight. It means you have received some tempo loads of 'chori ka maal' (loot). You have to answer the nation," the prime minister further said.
In the backdrop of a woman employee levelling molestation charge against West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose, the Raj Bhavan here on Wednesday said it would show the related CCTV footage to 100 people, except "politician" Mamata Banerjee and "her police".

IMAGE: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and his wife Lakshmi show their ink-marked fingers after casting their votes for the Lok Sabha elections, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, April 26, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Following the allegation, the police requested the Raj Bhavan to share the CCTV footage concerned.

The Governor, however, directed his staff not to cooperate with the police in this regard.

"Governor Bose has launched a programme 'SACH KE SAAMNE' in the background of the mischievous and fabricated allegations by the police that Raj Bhavan is not sparing the CCTV footage of an incident which is under the illegal and unconstitutional investigation of the police," the Raj Bhavan said in a post on X handle.

It asked the people to send requests over email or phone to attend the programme at Raj Bhavan and the first 100 people would be allowed to see the footage inside the Governor's House on Thursday morning.

"Governor has decided that the CCTV footage can be seen by any citizen of West Bengal  except politician Mamata Banerjee and her police for the stand they had taken, which is in public domain," the post read.

A contractual woman employee of the Raj Bhavan on Friday lodged a written complaint with the Kolkata Police alleging molestation by the governor in the Governor's House.

Bose had described the allegation as "absurd drama" and labelled Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's politics as "dirty.
Congress leader Sam Pitroda triggered another controversy on Wednesday with his "people of the east look like the Chinese and those of the south look like Africa" remarks, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party latching on to his "racist" comments and claiming that those have exposed the opposition party's "divisive" politics.

IMAGE: Sam Pitroda, Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress. Photograph: @sampitroda/X

The Congress, however, distanced itself from Pitroda's remarks, describing those as unfortunate and unacceptable, and saying the party "completely dissociates" itself from the comments.

In a podcast, Pitroda, the head of the Indian Overseas Congress, said, "We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside a few fights here and there."

"We could hold the country as diverse as India together. Where people in the east look like the Chinese, people in the west look like the Arabs, people in the north look like, maybe, white and people in the south look like Africans. It does not matter. All of us are brothers and sisters. We respect different languages, different religions, different customs, different food," Pitroda said in the interview that was widely circulated on social media.

Dissociating itself from Pitroda's remarks, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on X: "The analogies drawn by Mr Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate India's diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, latched on to Pitroda's remarks to hit out at the Congress and said the opposition party is getting increasingly unmasked as the Lok Sabha polls progress.

It claimed that Pitroda's "racist" comments have betrayed the Congress's bid to divide the country on the lines of race, religion and caste.

BJP leaders Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed that Pitroda has highlighted the idea of India that Congress bigwigs, such as Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, believe in.

Pitroda has been a "mentor" to Rahul Gandhi, who has often run down the Indian democracy and the country's institutions during his foreign trips, Chandrasekhar said.

Trivedi said the ongoing Lok Sabha polls have now become a battle between those under the influence of a foreign mindset in their definition of India and an India that is "aatmanirbhar" (self-reliant) and brimming with self-pride.

"Sam, Pity-roda on you!" Union minister Anurag Thakur said on X.

"While for us, all Indians look like Indians, the Congress insists on categorising them based on foreign ethnic lines such as Chinese, Arab, White and African. Only a party with a colonial mindset like Congress could indulge in such deplorable racism.

"Having failed to stir division between the north and the south, Congress now seems intent on sowing ethnic discord. It's only a matter of time before the Shehzada, following in the footsteps of his mentor, champions this divisive strategy," Thakur said.

In the podcast interview to a media house, Pitroda said, "As a Gujarati, I love dosa, I love idli. That is my food, that is no longer south Indian food. That is the India I believe in, where everybody has a place and everybody compromises a little bit.... That idea of India, which is rooted in democracy, freedom, liberty, fraternity, is being challenged by the Ram temple and Ram Navami and the prime minister going to temples all the time and talking not as a national leader, but as a leader of the BJP."

"That view centres around the Ram temple, god, history, heritage, Bhagwan Hanuman, Bajrang Dal and all kinds of issues. I respect their view," he added.

"There is another group which says our founding fathers fought against the British Raj not for a Hindu Rashtra, but for a secular nation. Pakistan decided to create a nation based on religion and see what happened to them. We are a shining example of democracy in the world," Pitroda said.

Earlier, the Congress leader had stirred up a controversy by talking about the inheritance tax, which the BJP turned into a poll issue.
Slamming Congress' "divisive mindset," Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed its leader Sam Pitroda's controversial remarks, and asked if a key ally of the national party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will snap ties with it for Tamil culture and pride.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being greeted by BJP candidate from Karimnagar seat Bandi Sanjay Kumar during a public meeting for the Lok Sabha polls, in Karimnagar, Telangana, May 8, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Addressing an election rally in Rajampet, he alleged Congress was cut off from its roots, wanted to divide the country for power and wondered what has befallen the national party.

"A big leader has displayed the divisive mindset of Congress. What the man very close to Gandhi family and the biggest advisor of shehzada said is very shameful," he said in an obvious reference to Pitroda's comments.

"Congress feels those in north eastern India look like Chinese. Can the country accept things like this? Congress feels people in the south look like Africans, will they accept this," he asked, referring to Pitroda's controversial remarks.

He asked the Congress Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Telangana, Siddaramaiah and A Revanth Reddy respectively, if they will accept "such an accusation".

He asked if DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, "who speaks of Tamil culture, such a serious allegation has been made--will DMK snap ties with Congress, for Tamil pride and the Tamil people."

"Do they have the guts?"

In an obvious reference to Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Uddhav Thackeray, Modi said Congress feels that the people in the western parts of the country look like Arabs.

"I want to ask...do people of Maharashtra accept such language. Do north Indians look like White (people).. what has happened to the Congress party," he said.

In an apparent reference to Rahul Gandhi, Modi implied Pitroda was "shehzada's philosopher and guide."

Modi further said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had recently talked about a "people of a particular colour in the US setting (exam) paper."

"He made similar comments about the same in India which Shehzade's guru has done. Both their comments are connected, and well thought out.

He asked the Congress party not to ridicule Indians, even if it had no issues to talk about.

"The country is listening to and understanding every divisive talk of Congress," he said and added the party should be punished.

Taking at the ruling YSR Congress government in Andhra Pradesh, Modi said it has betrayed people's trust and alleged ministers were running 'rowdy raj' in the state.
The Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday allowed a second post-mortem examination of Anuj Kumar, who died in police custody following his arrest in a case related to the firing outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai.

IMAGE: Police forensic team collects evidence after two unidentified persons opened fire at actor Salman Khans home, Mumbai, April 14, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The direction came on a petition filed by Anuj Kumar's mother Reeta Devi, who sought a fresh examination.

The court of Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj asked the petitioner to hand over the body to the Guru Gobind Singh Medical College in Faridkot on or before May 10.

The court disposed of the petition without commenting on the merits of the case or impleading the state of Maharashtra with a direction to the Punjab government to conduct a second post-mortem examination of Anuj Kumar.

On April 14, two motorbike-borne people opened fire outside Salman Khan's residence in the Bandra area of Mumbai.

Four people, including Anuj Kumar, were arrested in connection with the case.

Kumar, who was accused of supplying firearms and bullets, was arrested on April 26 from Punjab and remanded to police custody till April 30.

A resident of Punjab's Fazilka, Kumar was found dead in the toilet of the lock-up of the crime branch in the commissionerate complex at Crawford Market here on May 1.

The petitioner's counsel Davinder Singh Khurana submitted that the body of Anuj was handed over to the petitioner after a post-mortem examination.

Khurana submitted that the petitioner suspected that her son had been eliminated under a conspiracy and that to rule out any possibility of an unfair play, it was essential that the post-mortem be re-conducted.

The state counsel had contended that the petition was misconceived and there was no cogent reason or tangible ground for a second post-mortem.
Amidst the diplomatic strain in India-Canada relations, India's envoy in Ottawa has warned that the Sikh separatist groups in Canada were crossing "a big red line" that New Delhi sees as a matter of national security and of the country's territorial integrity.

IMAGE: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Photograph: Justin Trudeau on Facebook

Indian high commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma said this on Tuesday in his first public remarks since three Indian nationals accused of killing Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year were arrested and produced before a court by Canadian police.

Verma seemed to link the case to domestic crime, CTV News reported.

He also warned that Sikh groups in Canada who call for the separation of their homeland from India are crossing "a big red line" that New Delhi sees as a matter of national security.

"Indians will decide the fate of India, not the foreigners," Verma told the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations, a prominent think-tank.

He also told the Council that relations between India and Canada are positive overall despite "a lot of noise".

Verma also said that the two countries are "trying to resolve this issue."

"We are ready to sit down at the table any day, and we are doing that," he said.

Verma said the deeper problems underneath the recent "negative" developments have to do with Canada's misunderstanding of "decades-old issues," which he blames Canadians of Indian origin for resurfacing.

He said his chief concern is "national-security threats emanating from the land of Canada," noting that India does not recognise dual nationality, so anyone who emigrates is considered a foreigner.

"Foreigners having, if I can call it, (an) evil eye on the territorial integrity of India, that is a big red line for us," he said.

He did not specify whether he was referring to foreigners being involved in the Nijjar case or the issue of Sikh separatism more broadly, the report said.

On Tuesday, India told Canada that celebration and glorification of violence should not be a part of any civilised society. Democratic countries which respect the rule of law should not allow intimidation by radical elements in the name of freedom of expression.

"We continue to remain concerned about the security of our diplomatic representatives in Canada and expect the Government of Canada to ensure that they are able to carry out their responsibilities without fear," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement in response to the violent imagery being used by extremist elements in Canada against India's political leadership.

"We again call upon the Government of Canada to stop providing criminal and secessionist elements a safe haven and political space in Canada," the MEA spokesperson said in New Delhi.

Earlier on Tuesday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stood by allegations that the Indian government was complicit in the slaying of Nijjar last year.

Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023.

The killing sparked a wave of protests, with some Sikh groups circulating posters that threatened Indian diplomats in Canada by name.

Joly said her goal is still to conduct diplomacy with India in private.

She said she would let the police investigate instead of providing any new commentary on the case.

"We stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents," Joly said on Parliament Hill.

"The investigation by the RCMP is being done. I won't further comment and no other officials from our government will further comment," she said, referring to the ongoing probe by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Meanwhile, Verma also mentioned "so many positive things" happening in the relationship between India and Canada.

He noted the annual value of two-way trade is 26 billion Canadian dollars, and in the past 11 months, there has been a 75 per cent jump in Canadian lentil exports and a 21 per cent increase in Indian-prepared medicines reaching Canada.

On Tuesday, the group Sikhs for Justice called for Verma's speech to be cancelled, citing the Nijjar case and allegations of foreign interference by India.
Members of P V Narasimha Rao's family met Prime Minister Narendra D Modi at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 to thank him for awarding a posthumous Bharat Ratna on the late prime minister.

IMAGE: P V Prabhakar Rao, Narasimha Rao's son, and Modi with the book The Architect Of India's Reforms. All photographs: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Surabhi Vani Devi, a member of the Telangana Legislative Council and Narasimha Rao's daughter, with Modi.

IMAGE: Members of Narasimha Rao's family present Modi with books.

IMAGE: Modi in a group photograph with the Narasimha Rao family.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
The RJD has fielded six women candidates, some of them are wives of bahubalis.

IMAGE: Heena Sahab (in blue scarf), the late gangster Mohammad Shahabuddin's wife, is an Independent candidate from the Siwan parliamentary constituency. Photograph: Kind courtesy Heena Sahab/Facebook

There have been few elections in Bihar that haven't seen bahubalis, as musclemen politicians are called, jostling for political dominance. However, this time, it's the wives of convicted or deceased bahubalis who have thrown, or have been made to throw, their hats in the contest.

From deceased gangster-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin's wife Heena Sahab to Lovely Anand, the wife of former MP Anand Mohan, who was released last year after 17 years in jail, several spouses of bahubalis have been fielded by almost all major political parties in Bihar.

A few bahubali-turned-politicians, including Pappu Yadav and Munna Shukla are also in the fray.

Anita Kumari Mahto, the newlywed wife of convicted gangster Ashok Mahto, is the Mahagathbandhan candidate from Munger, fielded by Lalu Yadav's RJD.

Ashok, a kurmi, which is an agrarian OBC caste, was the main accused in the Apsar massacre in which 12 people belonging to landed upper castes were killed in Nawada district, the killing of five-time Congress MLA and two-time MP Rajo Singh (in 2005), and the Nawada jailbreak incident of 2001.

The Web series Khakee is based on his life.

After being in jail for 17 years, Ashok was released in November 2023. He was keen to try his luck in politics but was informed that he cannot contest elections as per the law since he was convicted for over two years.

This is when Lalu Yadav reportedly badvised 55-year-old Ashok to get married and field his wife instead. Hence, he married 45-year-old Anita in March 2024, and the RJD chief blessed the newlyweds with a poll ticket.

Lalu picked up Anita to challenge Lallan Singh, the incumbent MP from Munger, who belongs to the powerful Bhumihar caste. He is also a former JD-U president and considered close to Nitish Kumar.

"Lalu has given a ticket to Ashok's wife to polarise backward caste votes. Ashok is popularly known as a champion of backward castes and enjoys an image of a strongman who challenged the dominance of the upper castes in Nawada, Sheikhpura, Munger and Lakhisarai districts," a Bihar politics watcher said.

IMAGE: Lovely Anand, former MP Anand Mohan's wife, is contesting the Sheohar seat as a JD-U candidate.

Anand Mohan's wife Lovely Anand is the JD-U candidate in Sheohar.

Anand Mohan was convicted for inciting a mob that lynched then Gopalganj district magistrate G Krishnaiah in 1994. His death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Patna high court.

Lovely, who is also a former MP, is banking on Modi and Nitish Kumar's popularity, besides the support of her Rajput caste and the EBCs (extremely backward castes) to win the seat.

Incumbent MP from Sheohar Rama Devi was denied a ticket by the Bharatiya Janata Party this time as the seat went to the JD-U as part of the seat-sharing deal of the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar.

Rama Devi is the wife of deceased gangster Brij Bihari Prasad, who was killed by his rivals nearly two decades ago.

Notably, the BJP, which is contesting 17 of the 40 seats in Bihar, has not fielded a single woman candidate. The RJD has fielded six women candidates, some of them are wives of bahubalis.

The JD-U has fielded Vijay Lakshmi, the wife of bahubali Ramesh Kushwaha, from Siwan. Lakshmi got a JD-U ticket days after she joined the party along with her husband, who quit the Rashtriya Lok Morcha of former Union minister Upendar Kushwaha, an NDA ally.

IMAGE: Pappu Yadav at a road show before filing his nomination from the Purnea constituency. Photograph: ANI Photo

Mohammad Shahabuddin's wife Heena Shahab is an Independent candidate from Siwan, a constituency that was once a stronghold of her late husband.

Heena reportedly refused Lalu's offer to contest as an RJD candidate. She had earlier alleged that she and her family was ignored by the RJD.

Heena has unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls thrice from Siwan after 'Saheb' -- as she used to call her husband -- was jailed in 2005.

She has been campaigning in rural Siwan and described it as her home and the land of her husband, who died on May 1, 2021, days after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

A former RJD MP from Siwan, Shahabuddin was imprisoned in Delhi's Tihar jail, where he was serving a life sentence for murder.

The RJD has fielded senior party leader and former Bihar assembly speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary from Siwan.

The party has also fielded Bima Bharti from Purnea. Five-time MLA Bharti is the wife of gangster Awadhesh Mandal, who is facing a dozen serious criminal cases.

The RJD's candidate in Jamui, a reserve seat, is Archana Ravidas, the wife of local bahubali Mukesh Yadav.

Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, a former Lok Sabha member who was acquitted in the murder of a Communist Party of India-Marxist leader, is contesting the Purnea seat as an Independent.

Incumbent Purnea MP Santosh Kushwaha of JD-U is the NDA nominee.

Pappu Yadav won the Purnea seat thrice -- in 1991, 1996 and 1999 -- and was sent to the Lok Sabha once from Madhepura in 2004.

Another bahubali in the fray is Munna Shukla, who has been fielded by the RJD from Vaishali and faces over a dozen serious criminal cases.

The RJD tops the list of candidates with a criminal background.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Shaheed Maqbool Sherwani changed the course of Indian history, but himself lies forgotten in the town he saved, reports Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com.

Photographs: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com

If you travel at high speed from Srinagar to Baramulla towards Uri, you will surely miss the Sherwani community hall.

The community hall building is not a grand structure or one of great design that will catch your eye.

Even after reaching the Sherwani community hall you wonder what the importance of the building is as it does not do justice to the man after whom it has been named.

The only thing youngsters in Baramulla know is that the community hall has a theatre which screens movies off and on.

Only old-timers know the history of this building which was built to commemorate Shaheed Mohammed Maqbool Sherwani.

On October 22, 1947, when Pakistani raiders invaded Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir had not yet signed the accession documents pledging his loyalty to India.

Within no time, the Pakistani raiders were at Baramulla, a mere 60 kilometres from Srinagar, the capital.

They wreaked havoc in Baramulla, pillaging the properties of Hindus and Sikhs.

Baramulla always had a large population of Sikhs after 1620 after the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind visited the town.

The looting and violence angered Maqbool Sherwani, a member of the National Conference led by Sheikh Abdullah, who always upheld the principles of secularism.

The National Conference slogan then was 'Sher-e-Kashmir Ka kya Irshad? Hindu, Muslim, Sikh Ithaad (What does the Lion of Kashmir want? The unity of Hindu, Muslim and Sikh).' Sheikh Abdullah was referred to by his supporters as Sher-e-Kashmir.

The Pakistani raiders got in touch with Sherwani who made them believe that he would lead them to Srinagar.

Sherwani then sent the Pakistani raiders in other directions, away from Srinagar.

Finally realising the urgency of the situation, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Treaty of Accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India on October 26, 1947.

A day later, an Indian Air Force plane with the 1st Sikh Regiment landed in Srinagar.

Wasting no time, Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai, the commanding officer of the unit, arrived in Baramulla with his troops. Sadly, after he fought bravely, Lieutenant Colonel Rai attained martyrdom the same day.

When the Indian Army arrived, the Pakistani raiders realised that Maqbool Sherwani had fooled them.

They then tortured Sherwani to death, but his tactic helped the Indian Army drive the Pakistani invaders from Baramulla on November 8.

Had Sherwani not delayed the raiders from Pakistan, they would have captured Srinagar and the Indian troops would not have been able to land on October 27, 1947.

The Sikh Regiment continued its advance towards Uri and later took part in the battle of Shalateng that saved Kashmir for India.

Maqbool Sherwani changed the course of Indian history.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Mostly clear this evening. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers developing after midnight. Low 33F. NW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Mostly clear this evening. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers developing after midnight. Low 33F. NW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Mostly clear skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 34F. NW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Mostly clear skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 34F. NW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Expect an uptick in fighting in the weeks before monsoon rains and the next phase of the war.

Myanmars dry season is ending soon, with the military junta on the back foot after more than six months of reversals and losses to the opposition. This points to an intensification of attacks from the beleaguered regime.

With official forecasts that monsoon rains will start in the second week of June, the State Administrative Council (SAC), as the junta is formally known, is likely to focus on six priorities before the rains set in, hampering the militarys already weak logistics and troop mobility.

While the military recently retook control over the key Thai border city Myawaddy, they have not retaken much of the territory lost since the Three Brotherhood Alliances Operation 1027 began in late October, especially outside of the Bamar heartland.

With the rainy season favoring the more flexible opposition, the junta is likely to focus on six strategic priorities in the coming weeks.

A missile is fired from a Myanmar military base in Lashio township, northern Shan state, Oct. 28, 2023. (AFP)

The first priority is to retake control along Asia Highway 1, which connects Myawaddy with Yangon. This road is the economic lifeline to Thailand, with over $1 billion in annual border trade.

The SAC cannot afford a repeat of Muse in northern Shan state, where junta troops still control the border town, but the Taang National Liberation Army controls much of the road to Lashio, the states largest town, which allows the rebel group to collect taxes.

And yet, their attacks have not only faltered, but also tied down troops who are needed elsewhere.

Focus on Ann township

The second junta priority is playing out now in western Rakhine states Ann township, where the Arakan Army has captured two strategic outposts that protect the city after a two-month long battle.

Ann is the headquarters of the Western Military Command, one of the 12 military regions, so its loss would be hugely embarrassing for the junta.

More importantly, Ann is a critical transportation and logistics hub, the junction for the road north to the Rakhine state capital of Sittwe and to a major Chinese special economic zone and port project in Kyaukphyu. Chinas oil and gas pipelines also pass through Ann.

Border Guard Bangladesh personnel watch over detained Myanmar Border Guard Police who sought refuge in Teknaf on Feb. 7, 2024. (AFP)

In western Myanmar, the Arakan Army has already captured eight townships comprising most of northern Rakhine state, while reports are emerging that it has just captured Maungdaw, a key border port with Bangladesh, and surrounded Buthidaung.

The Arakan Army has not tried to capture Sittwe or Kyaukphyu for now, seemingly content to try to consolidate control of the roads to both. The capture of Ann would force the junta to supply what they still control in Rakhine by sea or from the south through the town of Toungup.

In sum, without control of Ann, the chances for a significant and sustained military counteroffensive in Rakhine get a lot harder. So the military is surging reinforcements there now and stepping up airstrikes.

The third priority for the junta is to push for a new round of ceasefire talks with the Three Brotherhood Alliance and the Kachin Independence Army. As such, it will increase its lobbying of China, which borders Kachin state.

Beijing seeks border ceasefire

Beijing clearly wants a ceasefire on its border. Both Beijing and Naypyidaw are keen to see border trade return to pre-war levels. The junta now controls only 11 of 17 border posts with China, Thailand, India and Bangladesh  and pinched trade flows have led to shortages and spiking prices.

China has also dispatched some 300 additional technicians to Kyaukphyu as construction there ramps up, so Beijing is urgently trying to broker a ceasefire between the junta and the Arakan Army. Before any such pact is reached, we should expect a lot of fighting and air attacks before then.

Myanmar soldiers are seen on the Myanmar side of a bridge across the Moei River linking to Thailand's Tak province, April 11, 2024. (Nava Natthong/AP)

Unlike the Three Brotherhood Alliance, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) is likely to reject a ceasefire, as they seek to take advantage of the militarys distractions.

Indeed, on May 5, after a lull of several weeks, the KIA launched a second wave of attacks, capturing a number of junta camps along the Myitkyina-Laiza highway, as well as an assault on the town of Sumprabum, midway between the provincial capital and Puta-O. The KIA has taken over 12 positions in the past four days.

The fourth priority for the junta in the coming weeks must be the resupply of its deployed forces. One of the leading factors in military defections that have taken place since October has been the militarys failure to resupply remotely deployed forces with food, water, ammunition and medical supplies.

Sustaining operations is getting much harder for the military. They have lost several of the few helicopters in their inventory. This week in eastern Myanmar The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force insurgent group said it shot down a junta military helicopter and killed its pilot in Kayah State.

Convoys under threat

With roads and bridges are increasingly being mined, and military manpower spread thin, convoys are smaller and less well protected, making opposition ambushes more costly. Captured weaponry has allowed opposition forces to target junta riverine convoys more effectively.

If the junta is unable to supply those light infantry battalions in the coming six weeks, the ethnic resistance organizations and Peoples Defense Forces will pick them off one by one during the rainy season.

Opposition troops battle with Myanmar junta soldiers near Sagaing region, Nov. 23, 2023. (Reuters)

The fifth priority for the military regime will be to continue their assaults in Sagaing and Magwe. The heartland of the majority ethnic Bamars is arguably more important to the junta psychologically than militarily. That they do not have full control of Burmese-majority regions and have to worry about their supply lines in once-secure areas is hard for the generals to countenance.

While the generals dont have the means to hold territory, the junta is punishing civilians with air and artillery strikes, serving up a harsh reminder of the cost of supporting the opposition.

The sixth junta priority is to ramp up the production of arms and munitions. There is a parallel here with Russia, which also expected a very brief war in Ukraine, and did not have its logistics or defense industries prepared for a multi-year conflict.

Drones on both sides

The SAC is broke and cannot afford the costly import of weapons and ammunition, forcing its own defense industries to go into overdrive.

At the same time, given the shortage of spare parts and regular servicing of their overtaxed air force, which has led to the crash of several aircraft, the military has stepped up the production of armed drones.

A member of the Karenni Army rides in a truck with seized weapons during a battle in Loikaw in Kayah state, Myanmar, Nov. 12, 2023. (Reuters)

The opposition National Unity Government (NUG) and the ethnic armies have used modified hobby and crop dusting drones with incredible efficacy, including an attack that purportedly wounded Soe Win the deputy junta commander.

There is concern among the opposition that the military will be able to replicate the NUG success with cheap drones. Evidence has surfaced that the military is already fielding more lethal drone-specific munitions, rather than relying on mortar shells.

The junta has lost significant amounts of territory since Operation 1027 began  which is notable because it happened during the dry season, when the military should have had all the advantages. The rainy season tends to benefit resistance forces.

Along with the scorching heat, expect blistering, brutal attacks, as the military junta desperately tries to retake lost territory and critical supply lines before the rains set in.

Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or Radio Free Asia.
Rumors in Chinese and English aimed to downplay the significance of the US Secretary of States visit.

Following U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens visit to China in April, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, various rumors around his visit surfaced in social media posts in both Chinese and English.

Below is what AFCL found.

Did Chinese officials not accompany Blinken to the airport?

A X user Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics & Defense claimed that Blinken was humiliated by Chinese officials who decided not to greet his arrival and departure.

Blinken departed #China and only the US ambassador said farewell at the airport  Even when he arrived to Beijing, he was only greeted by a low-level official and US embassy staff, reads the claim shared in X post on April 27.

Claims that Chinese officials and Xi himself deliberately snubbed Blinken were false. (Screenshot/X)

This is false. Images taken by Reuters and Associated Press show that several Chinese officials saw Blinken off, taking a group photo with the secretary of state before he boarded the plane.

Blinken poses for a photo with Chinese officials that accompanied him to the airport before boarding the plane. (Screenshot/Associated Press)

Former Washington correspondent at Chinas state-run Xinhua News Agency Yang Liu and current CCTV reporter Shen Shiwei also noted that the claim was false, posting a photo of the Director General of the Chinese Foreign Ministrys Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs Yang Tao shaking hands with Blinken at the airport as he saw him off.

Chinese news reporters Yang Liu and Shen Shiwei posted a photo of Chinese officials seeing off Blinken at the airport (Screenshot / X)

Did Xi express impatience with Blinken?

The X user Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics & Defense also claimed that Xi expressed impatience with Blinken through his body language before the meeting began, as well as responding good when told that Blinken would be leaving on the night of the meeting.

The claim was shared alongside a 40-second clip that shows Xi greeting Blinken and posing for the press.

But the claim is false. The clip is taken from footage of Blinken and Xis prior meeting in June 2023, not in April 2024.

A review of the 2024 meetings clip shows several key differences; including the lighting of the room, the color of Xis tie, and a change in the mask and tie of Hong Lei -- the Director-General of the Chinese Foreign Ministrys Protocol Department who is shown in both videos.

Furthermore, Xi did not respond good after being told that Blinken would leave that night, but rather only repeated the phrase leaving tonight.

Several differences exist in the footage of last year and this year's meetings. (Screenshot/C-SPAN)

Was Blinkens reception a slight in comparison to German Chancellor Scholz?

Another X user ShanghaiPanda claimed in a post on April 25 that China gave Blinken a downgraded diplomatic reception compared to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who visited China in mid-April.

No red carpet, and met by Kong Fu-An, Director General of the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office. A province-level Foreign Affairs Office counts as a Bureau Chief, or a Level 5, Rank 1112 Civil Servant. This is one step below the welcome Olaf received when he landed in Chongqing, reads the claim.

Shanghai Panda claims China offered a downgraded reception for Blinken compared to Scholz. (Screenshot/X)

But the claim is misleading. Both the political status and nature of the two politicians visits differed significantly, which makes a direct comparison between their respective receptions inaccurate.

The choices of reception arrangement for the two men are in line with official protocol guidelines outlined by the Chinese Foreign Ministry and adhere to the spirit of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The German chancellor is the head of the countrys federal government, while the U.S. secretary of state is a cabinet official. Blinkens two diplomatic trips to China were both labeled as visits," while Scholzs trip was more formally designated an official visit."

Chinas guidelines dictate that national leaders be received by a red carpet and the corresponding level of local officials at whatever airport they are landing in.

This customary practice was followed when Scholz landed at his first stop at Chongqing airport, where he was greeted by the citys Vice Mayor Zhang Guozhi and Chinese Ambassador to Germany Wu Ken, as reported by Reuters.

The guidelines do not stipulate that cabinet officials be similarly received.

AFCL debunked similar rumors about China extending humiliating receptions of Blinken when the secretary first visited China in 2023.

Did China deliberately not arrange a red line at the airport in order to show displeasure?

The Somali Institute of Chinese Studies claimed on X on April 26 that China had deliberately omitted a guiding red line when the secretary disembarked off his plane at Shanghai in order to signal displeasure.

Blinken was given a directional red line for guidance during his last visit to Beijing last year, in it was a message which he failed to understand. Again, as seen yesterday, he didnt even receive a directional red line, reads the claim in part.

The message referenced a red line visible in front of the secretary when he disembarked at the Beijing airport during his 2023 trip.

But the claims are false.

The line was merely an equipment restriction area marking at the airport that did not hold any figurative significance, as reported by AFCL.

The Somali Institute of Chinese Studies said that China's deliberate omission of a red line at the airport was meant to signal displeasure to Blinken. (Screenshot/X)

A video on X posted by Jennifer Hansler -- a CNN reporter who accompanied the U.S. officials during Blinkens recent trip  clearly shows a similar line painted in an unclear color behind Chinese officials standing to receive Biden as he walks down a gangway while disembarking at the Beijing airport.

Was Blinkens trip a US plea to China ?

Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the Chinese state-run tabloid Global Times, commented in a Weibo post before Blinkens arrival that the trip was a pleading tour.

To be precise, his trip to China should be considered a pleading tour, despite the fact that the U.S. side made some tough publicity before his visit.

Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the Global Times, deleted a Weibo post in which he mockingly referred to Blinkens visit to China as a pleading tour (left). (Screenshot /Weibo & X)

This is false. Chinas Foreign Ministry announced before Blinkens arrival that the visit was at the invitation of Wang Yi. The ministry also announced before the secretarys previous visit in June 2023 that all arrangements were agreed upon beforehand by China and the U.S.

Translated by Shen Ke. Edited by Shen Ke, Taejun Kang and Malcolm Foster.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) was established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environment. We publish fact-checks, media-watches and in-depth reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of current affairs and public issues. If you like our content, you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Human rights are country-specific, says a Cambodian official at the UN Human Rights Council.

Keo Sothie, center, vice chair of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, speaks at the U.N. Human Rights Council May 8, 2024, in Geneva on behalf of Cambodia.

Human rights are not universal and countries should be held to differing standards depending on their history, a Cambodian official told the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday, citing the Khmer Rouges brutal rule 45 years ago as a handicap to progress.

The official was speaking during the evaluation of Cambodias human rights record under the U.N. universal periodic review, to which all countries are subjected every five years. Neighboring Vietnam also defended its rights record before the council on Tuesday.

Keo Sothie, a former public defender in the U.S. state of Colorado who now serves under his father Keo Remy as vice chair of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, said Cambodia was once a wartorn country and was ripped apart by the Khmer Rouge.

Any review of Cambodia must therefore reflect on our past tragedy, said Keo Sothie, a graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle and Northwestern University in Illinois who departed a role as a Colorado public defender in 2019 to return to Cambodia.

Thach Setha, center, a prominent vice president of the country's main opposition, Candlelight Party, talks to media members near the Vietnam Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Aug. 14, 2014. (Heng Sinith/AP)

Simply put, Cambodia went back to Year Zero, he said of the Khmer Rouges 1975-1979 rule, explaining that it had resulted in the total collapse of institutions and the loss of nearly 2 million people.

Cambodias current government stems from the regime that replaced the Khmer Rouge in 1979 after Vietnams military ousted Pol Pot.

Keo Sothie added that the idea there exists a universal panacea for all political, economic and social ills or a one-size-fits-all solution for all countries was impractical given differences across countries.

Democracy and human rights values are country-specific, he said.

Single-party state

Keo Sothies appeal for a more lenient review comes as the new government of Prime Minister Hun Manet  who last year took over power from his father Hun Sen after he had ruled the country for 38 years  faces a growing laundry list of criticisms of its record.

Since Cambodias last review before the U.N. Human Rights Council in 2019, the government for the second time in a row organized a national election from which the countrys main opposition party was banned.

That facilitated the succession that led to 45-year-old West Point-educated Hun Manet taking over from his father last year as part of a nepotistic cross-government generational change that also saw the sons of the interior and defense ministers replace their fathers.

Cambodia has issued arrest warrants for opposition politicians and extended the home detention of opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was first arrested in 2017 on accusations of treason for allegedly working with the United States to unseat the government.

Other opposition politicians like Thach Setha, activists like Theary Seng and even independent workers union leaders like Chhim Sithar remain in prison on trumped-up charges, and other dissidents continue to face threats, intimidation and violent beatings.

From left: Sam Rainsy, Mu Sochua, Eng Chhai Eang and Ho Vann  all former Cambodia parliamentarians now living in exile  were among those sentenced. (Credit: [From left] AFP, AFP, Reuters, AP file photos)

In a statement ahead of the review process, Human Rights Watch slammed Cambodias government as having failed to address the recommendations made five years ago and said that, in fact, the human rights situation in the country has worsened significantly.

Since its last U.N. review in 2019, Cambodia has become further entrenched as an essentially single-party state without meaningful elections, no media freedom, and a ruling party-controlled judiciary, said Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

Close neighbors

Cambodia is one of 14 countries currently being reviewed.

Vietnam earlier appeared before the U.N. rights council for its evaluation on Tuesday, with anti-government protesters picketing the outside of the building in protest of an ongoing crackdown on government dissidents in Vietnam that appears to be growing.

During the session, the United States said it welcomed progress on protecting the rights of LGBTQI+ persons in Vietnam since 2019, but was concerned by the crackdown on freedom of expression.

In his remarks to the council, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet said Hanoi worked steadfastly to implement recommendations made during the countrys last universal periodic review in 2019.

For Vietnam, the UPR process goes beyond mere review and reporting responsibility, Do Hung Viet said.

Each review cycle is approached with a genuine desire to identify areas for improvement and to take concrete actions to translate recommendations into meaningful actions in peoples lives.

The deputy foreign minister pointed to Vietnams economic growth since it implemented the Doi Moi market liberalization policies in the 1980s, which he said lifted millions of people out of crushing poverty and should be celebrated in itself as a victory for human rights.

Some 40 million people were no longer in poverty thanks to the policies, Do Hung Viet explained, noting that per-capita gross domestic product had risen 40-fold between 1989 and 2023.

Lip service

Human rights activists told Radio Free Asia that Vietnams government had appeared to have perfected the art of paying lip service to human rights concerns while continuing to jail and harass those who openly criticize the government in the one-party state.

Hanoi seemed willing to ignore any outside criticism, safe in the knowledge that growing trade ties with countries like the United States will supersede any concerns about rights abuses, they said.

This [indifference] can be attributed to the international community, said Nguyen Van Dai, head of the Brotherhood for Democracy rights group and an observer at Vietnams evaluation on Tuesday.

A supporter of Cambodia union leader Chhim Sithar holds up a placard outside Phnom Penh Municipal Court in Phnom Penh on May 25, 2023. (AFP)

Over past years, they have still watched the human rights situations in Vietnam and spoken up, but have not taken any specific measures to sanction Vietnam if it runs counter to its international commitments or the international communitys recommendations, he said.

But some protesters in Geneva still held out hope.

Tran Xa Rong, an Italy-based vice president of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Federation, which advocates for the persecuted ethnic Cambodian indigenous community in Southern Vietnam, said the review process was a chance to shine a spotlight on rights abuses.

I hope free countries in the world will take measures to pressure the Vietnamese communist government to respect freedom, especially the human rights that it has committed to but not implemented, he said.

RFA Khmer and RFA Vietnam contributed reporting.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.
In this undated photo provided by the Australian Defence Force, a Seahawk helicopter prepares to take off from the deck of HMAS Hobart during flying operations while on a regional presence deployment off northern Australia.

China has defended its recent maneuver against an Australian naval helicopter in the Yellow Sea, deemed by Canberra to be unsafe and unprofessional, saying it was legitimate and reasonable.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday said his government had communicated to China through all of our channels, at all measures at our disposal that it was unacceptable when a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares close to an Australian helicopter in international waters, endangering the crew.

Separately, Australias defense ministry said in a statement the incident took place on Saturday when the Royal Australian Navys Hobart was undertaking routine activities during a U.N. mission to monitor sanctions against North Korea in international waters in the Yellow Sea.

The Yellow Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula.

A MH-60R Seahawk helicopter launched from the Hobart was intercepted by a Chinese fighter aircraft which released flares across the flight path of the Australian aircraft, the Australian ministry said, adding that the unsafe maneuver posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel.

While there were no injuries, the Australian government expressed concern and said it expected all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner.

Chinas response

The Chinese defense ministry responded late on Tuesday that Australia was confused between right and wrong.

Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said between May 3-4, when the Chinese military was holding training exercises in the Yellow Sea, an Australian military helicopter was sent from the Hobart three times to conduct close reconnaissance and disrupt China's normal training activities.

Zhang said that Chinas warnings and forcing the helicopter to leave were legitimate, reasonable, professional and safe, and fully complied with international law and international practice.

The Chinese spokesman called on Australia to respect Chinas sovereignty and security concerns, stop spreading false narratives  and stop all dangerous and provocative actions.

The missile guided destroyer HMAS Hobart. (Royal Australian Navy)





Australia has been sending vessels and aircraft to the area to enforce U.N. Security Council sanctions against North Korea since 2018. A military analyst said the missions were being carried out in international airspace over international waters in the Yellow Sea.

The Chinese claim lacks any basis in evidence, and deliberately mischaracterizes the actions of the Australians, Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told Radio Free Asia.

There was no justification whatsoever for the Chinese to release flares in the manner they did, which was in an aggressive, unsafe and unprofessional manner, Davis added.

Daniel Kritenbrink, U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said that Washington was deeply concerned to see reports of the incident.

Similar encounters

Flares when fired at an aircraft at close proximity could get into the engine and cause the plane to crash.

In late October 2023, a Chinese warplane also used flares against a Canadian shipborne maritime helicopter over the South China Sea. The Sikorsky Cyclone helicopter was launched from the Royal Canadian Navy frigate Ottawa to search for a previously detected submarine in international waters.

China accused Canada of conducting a malicious and provocative act with ulterior motives.

In another incident last November, Australia said that a Chinese destroyer operated its sonar device near divers from the Royal Australian Navys Toowoomba, causing them minor injuries.

The divers were working to clear a fishing net tangled in the ships propellers in international waters near Japan when a Chinese warship approached them and released sonar pulses, forcing them to surface.

The Toowoomba was also conducting operations in support of U.N. sanctions enforcement against North Korea at the time.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
Police can show their ID to gather electronic data to find out whether a criminal or illegal act has taken place.

A woman talks on her phone in the terminal of the Beijing Daxing International Airport under construction on the outskirts of Beijing, China, Friday, March 1, 2019.

China's state security police will be given sweeping powers to search electronic devices including smartphones and laptops from July 1, as part of a nationwide campaign to ensure "national security," a broad term often used by the government to include detailed economic data and political dissent.

The documents issued by the Ministry of State Security on April 26 empower its officers to gather "electronic data" relating to an investigation including "mobile phone text messages, emails, instant messages and group chats," along with "documents, images, audio and video, apps and ... log records" from electronic devices.

Police may "make inquiries" simply by presenting their police ID card, and may "collect evidence" if at least two officers present their ID card, according to the rules on administrative cases.

"The collection and extraction of electronic data shall be carried out by two or more investigators," the orders read.

However, police can investigate purely to determine "basic information about the suspect," and even whether an illegal or criminal act has taken place.

Billed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party's official Legal Daily newspaper as a set of guidelines for implementing the national security concept, the documents come amid an ongoing nationwide campaign to encourage people to spot any kind of behavior that could "endanger national security," including being on the lookout for foreign spies in their daily lives.

Xia Yizhi, 61, a migrant worker, looks at her phone as she stands inside her dorm in Beijing, China, Feb. 6, 2021. Tingshu Wang/Reuters)





In its report on the new rules, the nationalistic Global Times newspaper mentioned the campaign, citing the cases of Canadian nationals Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor as examples of foreign spies operating in China.

Similar rules were issued governing investigations run by market regulatory agencies on April 4.

Stop and search

Legal scholar Lu Chenyuan said the new rules mean that state security police officers can stop people and search their devices without the need for a warrant, or even an ongoing criminal investigation.

"This is very bad, because they can actually check people's cell phones as part of administrative law enforcement," he said. He was referring to a type of law enforcement that goes after people who have allegedly broken the law, but whose infractions aren't deemed serious enough to warrant a full criminal prosecution.

Dissidents and rights lawyers have previously been initially held under an administrative sentence of up to 15 days, at which point police either transfer them into "residential surveillance at a designated location" or place them under criminal detention pending further investigation.

Administrative sentences have also been widely used to target petitioners, internet users who post the wrong thing on social media, and people who took part in the November 2022 "white paper" protests across China.

A traveler checks her mobile phone at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, Hubei province, China January 2, 2021. (Tingshu Wang/Reuters)





Lu said the state security orders will likely contribute to an atmosphere of fear in China, and encourage people to censor themselves more than they already do.

"I think their purpose is to create a situation where everyone feels as if they could be in danger," Lu said. "They want people to carry out strict self-censorship, for example, not being in contact with anyone outside the country."

He said the authorities could also be looking for people with encrypted messaging apps like Signal or Telegram installed on their phones.

An academic who gave only the surname Liu for fear of reprisals agreed, saying the move is part of the current "national security" campaign.

"They want to push this idea of national security to everyone, to create a pervasive atmosphere of fear in everyone's daily lives," Liu said.

Border checks already happening

Anecdotal evidence from people who frequently travel in and out of China suggests that police at the borders are already carrying out spot checks of people's phones when they cross the border.

A Hong Kong resident who gave only the surname Kong for fear of reprisals said she saw border guards examining the mobile phone of a woman at Futian Port over the weekend.

"As I was going through immigration in Shenzhen, I noticed two female border guards checking a woman's mobile phone," Kong said. "They were asking her if she had any other phones because she had more than one with her."

A woman uses her phone as she waits for customers at a market in Beijing, China September 18, 2020. (Tingshu Wang/Reuters)





She said she had seen officers checking people's phones recently at airports in Nanjing and Hangzhou, too.

"They look at what's on your phone, what photos are there," Kong said. "I cleaned up my phone that day, deleting any content that could be highly sensitive."

A Shanghai resident who gave only the surname Shao for fear of reprisals said he had also spotted customs officials checking a man's phone at Shanghai's international airport on his way home from Japan.

"I saw a Chinese man being stopped by customs, who looked at his phone and then let him go," Shao said. "So it seems they didn't find anything problematic on his phone."

It was unclear whether the new rules will mean that such checks will be more frequent in future.

Repeated calls to customs authorities in Shenzhen and Shanghai rang unanswered during office hours on Monday.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Kim Ki-Nam (C), a secretary of North Koreas ruling communist party comforts relatives of the late former South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung at the National Assembly in Seoul on Aug. 21, 2009.

Kim Ki Nam, known as North Koreas propaganda master, has died at 94, North Koreas state media reported on Wednesday.

Comrade Kim Ki Nam, who had been receiving treatment in hospital since April 2022 due to old age and multiple organ failure, was unable to be resuscitated and sadly passed away on May 7 2024 at 10 oclock at the age of 94, said the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the funeral hall of the former secretary of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers Party (WPK) and will lead the state funeral committee for his burial, KCNA added.

Kim Jong Un paid silent tribute to Kim Ki Nam who made contributions to the sacred struggle for the development of the WPK, modeling the revolutionary ranks on the monolithic ideology and the victorious advance of the socialist cause, said KCNA.

This picture taken and released on May 8, 2024 from North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS shows North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un (C) and senior officials expressing their condolences to former Workers; Party of Korea Vice Chairman Kim Ki Nam, who died at the age of 94 on May 7, during a service in Pyongyang. (KCNA VIA KNS/AFP)

Kim Ki Nam spent decades overseeing propaganda operations in the totalitarian regime, including building personality cults around its leaders.

The relationship between Kim Jong Un and Kim Ki Nam is believed to date back to 2009, when Kim was named successor to his father, Kim Jong Il.

Known as a political mentor to Kim Jong Un, the former secretary laid the ideological foundations of the one-party system in the 1970s as chief writer for the partys monthly Workers Party magazine and daily Rodong Sinmun.

In the mid-1980s, he took control of the partys propaganda and agitation department, where he was a close confidant of then-leader Kim Jong Il and spearheaded the idolization of the North Korean supreme leaders.

In 2005, as vice chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, he traveled to Seoul as the head of a delegation to attend the August 15th National Festival, becoming the first North Korean official to visit South Koreas National Cemetery since the Korean War.

When South Koreas former President Kim Dae-jung died in August 2009, he traveled to Seoul as a special envoy of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and headed the North Korean condolence delegation.

At that time, he delayed his return to Pyongyang and visited South Koreas Presidential Blue House to meet then-President Lee Myung-bak where he voiced his commitment to improving inter-Korean relations.

His role as a key player in the North Korean regime and his high-profile role in holding the regime together around leader Kim Jong Un led to him being targeted by international sanctions.

The United States and South Korea imposed sanctions on him in July and December 2016.

Edited by Mike Firn.
The children were fed corn flour and sugar, and appeared to have died from a coronavirus outbreak.

North Korean children wait to be examined for possible signs of malnutrition in an orphanage in an area damaged by summer floods and typhoons in South Hwanghae province, Oct. 1, 2011.

North Korean authorities have arrested workers at an orphanage where seven infants died earlier this year after investigators found that caregivers systematically stole food supplies the government had provided for infants and toddlers, a provincial health official said.

When an outbreak of a coronavirus-like disease left seven children dead in February at an orphanage in Hyesan city, party officials in northern Ryanggang province began an investigation into how the orphanage was being run, a provincial resident told Radio Free Asia.

They found that the childrens nutritional conditions were serious and ordered a judicial agency to investigate, said the resident, who requested anonymity for personal safety.

During that investigation, mismanagement of children began to be revealed one by one, he said. As a result, the investigation was expanded to include all orphan care facilities.

This undated picture released by North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency on June 2, 2014, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visiting a Pyongyang orphanage to celebrate International Childrens Day. (KNS KCNA AFP)





They found that infants and toddlers at the Hyesan orphanage were fed a difficult-to-digest concoction of corn flour and sugar instead of milk, the resident said.

Residents of the province are shocked that babies were fed this combination  and theyre angered by the deaths, he said.

They fed the powder to breastfeeding-age infants. Children less than a year old were fed corn porridge, he said. Even adults have difficulty digesting that.

Investigators also found that caregivers had taken rice, sugar, cooking oil and flour, and had regularly bribed supply officials, the resident said. North Korea regularly suffers from food shortages.

Judicial provincial authorities detained the heads of the accounting department and the medical department at the center on April 27, the provincial health official said. Four nutritionists at the center were also arrested, and the number of arrests is expected to increase, the resident said.

This handout photo released on July 30, 2008, from the World Food Programme shows malnourished children sitting on the floor of an orphanage in Chongjin City in North Koreas North Hamgyong province on June 20, 2008. (World Food Programme/AFP)





The director of the orphanage and the orphanages party secretary havent been arrested, the resident added.

Since 2015, North Korea has built childcare centers and orphanages in every provincial capital, Pyongyang and several other cities. Some of the centers focus on newborns to 3-year-olds, while others are designated for children between 3 and 6 years old.

From the first day of operation, childcare centers and orphanages had many problems due to poor nutrition management for children, said the provincial health official, who also requested anonymity for personal safety.

North Korean orphans watch a TV program as a foreign delegation visits their orphanage in the area damaged by recent floods and typhoons in North Hwanghae province Sept. 29, 2011. (Damir Sagolj/Reuters)





In 2021, Kim Jong Un ordered that those children be fed dairy products  and nutritional care for orphans greatly improved, the official said.

Milk from farm cows in each province is supplied to children in orphanages, he said. The centers also receive regular shipments of rice powder and sugar, which are used to make rice porridge.

Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Children as young as 12 have been kidnapped from camps, refugees said.

Myanmar Muslim insurgents have pressed about 500 Rohingya refugees in camps in Bangladesh to join the war in their homeland where fighting between rival factions has intensified sharply in recent weeks, refugees told Radio Free Asia.

Members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the smaller Rohingya Solidarity Organization have taken their fellow Muslim Rohingya refugees from the camps for military training, said people living in the worlds largest camp in southeast Bangladesh.

RFA could not reach either of the insurgent groups for comment nor authorities responsible for the camps in Bangladesh.

The reports, if confirmed, could herald intensifying conflict in western Myanmars Rakhine State where residents say the Myanmar junta has been pressing members of the persecuted Rohingya minority to help battle one of Myanmar most powerful insurgent forces, the Arakan Army, which draws it support from the states majority ethnic Rakhine Buddhist community.

Everyone is running from the camp, said one Rohingya refugee who declined to be identified fearing for his safety.

Children under the age of 18 are being caught and sold to those groups  its said they are being sent to the Burma side to reinforce in the battles but I dont know who theyre fighting against.

The refugees had been detained in the camps between April 29 and May 8, most of them between the ages of 14 and 30, said the refugee, who complained that Bangladesh authorities were doing nothing to stop the abductions, which averaged at about one young man per household.

ARSA fighters attacked a string of Myanmar government border posts in 2017, triggering a sweeping crackdown by the Myanmar army that sent some one million Rohingya villagers fleeing to safety in Bangladesh.

The rebel force, which is seeking self-determination in the state, surged in strength in the wake of that violence and is now one of Myanmars main groups fighting junta forces to end military rule.

These are terrorist organizations, another refugee said of the two groups whose members he said came at night to press-gang people. Even 12 or 14-year-old children were among those arrested.

Rohingya villagers still living in Myanmar appear increasingly at risk as the junta army and the Arakan insurgents battle it out.

Since the Arakan Army stepped up its attacks on the military in November, both sides have been accused of recruiting or killing Rohingya from camps for internally displaced people in Rakhine State.

The ARSA has in the past been accused of violence against its own members living in Bangladesh and of faith-based massacres on Hindu villagers.

Nearly one million refugees live in the camps in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar district, according to the latest U.N. figures.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.
Myanmar nationals protesting against the military regime were seen in Laos on April 13, 2024.

Lao police handed over 17 Myanmar nationals to junta soldiers at a border checkpoint in the northern Golden Triangle region  the first time Laos has arrested and transferred anti-junta activists, several Myanmar citizens who live in Laos told Radio Free Asia.

The 13 males and four females  all between the ages of 20 and 30  were taken to the juntas Golden Triangle Command headquarters in Shan states Kengtung township, where they were interrogated, the sources said.

The junta had submitted a list of names to Lao authorities, claiming those on the list were supporting a Peoples Defense Force militia, said Yay Khe, a Myanmar national who is living in Laos. PDF militias are bands of ordinary citizens who have taken up arms against the military rulers who took over control of the country in a 2021 coup.

However, several Myanmar people living in Laos told RFA that the activists were arrested while they were collecting funds for people displaced by the fighting in Laos Ton Pheung on April 13. Ton Pheung lies directly across from Thailand on the Mekong River and is about 8 km (5 miles) downriver from Myanmar.

The handover of the arrestees took place on May 3 on Ton Pheungs jetty, according to Yay Khe.

Laotian authorities hand over Myanmar activists in Laos on May 3, 2024. (Ko Yay Khe)





The Myanmar activists were taken by a top junta military officer who led police, soldiers and the arrestees back onto a boat at the jetty.

When the group returned to Myanmar, the arrestees had to wear black bags on their heads, Yay Khe said.

Casino workers and cleaning staff

More than 40,000 Myanmar nationals have migrated to Laos since the 2021 military coup. Many of them work in the hotels and casinos in a Chinese-controlled special economic zone along the river that is a notorious crime area.

All 17 of the people had been working in Chinese-owned enterprises in Laos, another Myanmar resident of Laos said.

They have been here for over two years, the resident said. Some work in casinos. Some are cleaning staff.

All of them had acquired illegal stay permit cards, the resident said.

RFA was only able to learn the names of two of the arrested activists  Aye Chan and Sai Naw Khit. Both were accused of leading two different anti-junta support groups.

RFA attempted to contact junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun and Khun Thein Maung, the juntas economic minister and spokesman for Shan state, to ask for more details about the May 3 handover, but they did not reply to telephone calls.

RFA also sent an email to the Lao Embassy in Yangon, but hasnt received a reply.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Hailed as a success by the Thai government, the pilot project could see another expansion.

Thailand has piloted a biometric data collection program across five provinces, seeking to streamline health services for Myanmar nationals and stateless people  Thailands most mobile population.

With biometric details, including facial and iris scans, collected from 10,000 people, the program has already garnered praise for alleviating migrant identification concerns. Yet, its implementation has sparked activist concerns over Thailands evolving privacy landscape.

At the heart of the project, spearheaded by Thailands Department of Disease Control in partnership with the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center and Thai Red Cross Society, is the efficient allocation of HPV and COVID-19 vaccines  a logistical hurdle for the transient.

[There are] maybe at least two or three times [doses] for each person. So we have to know whether this person already got a vaccination for the first time or the second time, so we can give the next dose properly, said Chai Wutitiwatchai, the technology centers director.

The plan is to compile a million profiles using iris and facial scans alongside personal data.

The provinces chosen, including Tak, Samut Sakhon and Prachuap Khiri Khan, are home to significant communities of Myanmar people, ranging from Civil Disobedience Movement activists  who quit their jobs to protest against military rulers  to asylum-seekers and laborers.

Declared a success by the Department of Disease Control, the offices representatives told Thai media it could expand to other provinces.

Privacy concerns

Pichit Siriwan, Red Crosss deputy director of relief and community health bureau, highlights the voluntary nature of the date provision, assuring that healthcare will not be denied to those uncomfortable with the process.

The faces and irises of the undocumented patients who visit health service outlets or displaced persons in the temporary shelters who seek vaccination will be scanned or taken, Pichit told Radio Free Asia.

Then we will acquire a 13-digit ID with the Mo Prom app. One can refuse if one feels not comfortable with that. They still can receive the service.

A migrant worker from Myanmar receives the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine in Phuket, Thailand, June 28, 2021. (Jorge Silva/Reuters)

But some digital activists remain uncertain whether biometric data from sensitive groups is safe to collect and store.

The centralization of personal data was particularly troubling for Myanmar nationals living in Thailand, according to a spokesperson at Myanmar Internet Project, a group documenting the countrys internet landscape.

This is concerning for us on a next level. We dont actually know how this data will be shared, said the official at the organization who declined to be named for security reasons. As Myanmar exiles, we are very concerned this kind of data will be shared with different authorities, particularly on the Myanmar side.

The Red Cross, which will be responsible for storing the data and developing policy around it, including how it may be shared, rejected the possibility of collaborating with cross-border projects, including Myanmars junta-launched e-ID program.

Iris and facial scans would not be shared with state or private agencies, Pichit added.

However, the Red Cross still can tell state agencies and humanitarian organizations whether certain individuals had biometrics collected already and had the 13-digit I.D. or not, according to Pichit.

Police impunity

Other precedents like police impunity in migrant-populated areas leave some cautious of how far officials may go to get information they want, especially with hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health.

From my experience in the deep South, security, military officials often asked for individual information from hospitals, said Supat Hasuwannakit, president of the Rural Doctor Society. They have both official and unofficial channels to seek such data. When it is official with a government letter, we have to follow them.

Additional legislation forthcoming from Thai authorities proposes a national database for DNA and other biometric information collected from 400,000 cases and 10,000 inmates per year.

The Red Cross said that in all cases, they would not risk the security of a patient by sharing facial or iris scans to the police or any other agencies.

However, the organization added it would have to share the data if it were court-ordered.

Myanmar migrant workers buy snacks from a vendor as they have been stuck for two weeks due to lockdown measures after more than a thousand COVID-19 cases were detected in the workers dormitory in Bangkok, Thailand, May 24, 2021. (Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters)

Thailands fledgling privacy policy, as well as a major data leak in 2023, has left others uncertain about data security.

In March 2023, Supat from the Rural Doctor Society became a whistleblower on a leak of 55 million Thai citizen identities. At that time, the society claimed the leak occurred from a private developer of the Mo Prom app.

Data privacy law

Thailand passed its first and only data privacy law in 2022, but critics say it is still too weak to provide adequate protection. It also has significant loopholes allowing data to be used and collected without explicit consent for life-saving purposes, statistical research, public benefit or to protect ones rights and interests, if it is done via contract and under the authority of law.

Although thats a good kind of basic legislation, its actually not efficient enough, said the Myanmar Internet Project spokesperson.

For some, the project was eerily similar to one carried out in Bangladesh. In a controversial UN case in 2021, nearly a million identities of Rohingya refugees were turned over to the Bangladesh and Myanmar officials, causing some to go into hiding.

Volunteers give free foods for migrant workers from Myanmar who lost their jobs following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand, April 23, 2020. (Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters)

In the past, registering directly with the Ministry of Public made some migrants uneasy, even if it was to receive basic public health services, said Chai from the technology center.

Going through a non-government organization makes some feel more comfortable.

You know, theyre quite afraid of showing themselves to the state by making an official registration, he added. But if theyre just giving a picture of their face or even their iris pattern, they dont much care about showing themselves to the public.

The Ministry of Public Healths Department of Disease Control did not respond to RFAs inquiries as of this writing.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Malcolm Foster.
The measure comes on the heels of a 2023 ban on teaching the Tibetan language.

Tibetan students attend a class at a middle school in Nyagchu county, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in southwestern China's Sichuan province, in an undated photo.

Chinese authorities have banned students in schools in a Tibetan-populated area in Chinas Sichuan province from speaking their native language when they communicate among themselves and with their teachers, two sources from inside Tibet said.

Students and teachers at elementary, middle and high schools in Nyagchu county, or Yajiang in Chinese, are required to use only Mandarin to communicate, they said, insisting they not be identified for fear of their personal safety.

The measure is another blow to Tibetan culture and language, which the Chinese government seems intent on wiping out and replacing with Mandarin and Han Chinese culture. Last year, a ban was imposed on Tibetan language classes in schools in another part of Sichuan province, in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Since 2020, the Chinese government has further tightened its restrictions on language rights in Tibetan, forcing the closure of private Tibetan schools in Tibet and intensifying Chinese-language education in the schools in the name of promoting uniformity in the use of textbooks and instructional materials.

In 2021, Chinese authorities also began prohibiting Tibetan children from participating in informal Tibetan language classes or workshops during their winter breaks.

Activists fear the moves could lead to the extinction of the language in the region and endanger its viability across the country.

Limiting home visits

Authorities also have restricted the number of holidays the schoolchildren can take to limit interactions in their native tongue between them and their families, the sources said.

Traditional breaks like spring and summer holidays, which allowed for family time, have been eliminated, forcing children to remain in boarding schools for extended periods, the first Tibetan said.

This separation has contributed to a decline in the number of young Tibetans proficient in the Tibetan language in Nyagchu, he said. Tibetans make up about 90 percent of the prefectures 1 million inhabitants.

In the past, the Chinese government-run boarding schools allowed Tibetan children to return home on weekends and provided longer breaks during the April-June period so they could help their families with the harvesting of caterpillar fungus  a source of income for many.

Participants listen to a panel discussion on the protection and development of the Tibetan Language at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, India, May 3, 2024. (RFA)

But now, the children are not being sent home for these breaks, significantly limiting their contact with relatives and leading to a decline in Tibetan language fluency among the younger generation of Tibetans in Sichuans Kardze prefecture, said the sources.

Tibetan parents previously sought out private schools where their children could learn the Tibetan language, but the imposition of the ban in Kardze has made finding such alternative options increasingly difficult, said the second Tibetan source.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told RFA he did not know the specifics of this development but added that the Chinese government protects the freedom of ethnic minorities.

In accordance with the law, the Chinese government protects the freedom of ethnic minorities to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, and the freedom of religious belief of the people of all ethnic groups, Liu said in an email.

School closures

And yet in 2021, the Chinese government closed several private Tibetan schools, including Phende School and Chaktsa Tevey Private Elementary School in Za-Sershul county, Sengdruk Taktse School in Darlak, or Golog, county, three schools in Machen county, one school in Gadhey county, two schools in Chikdril county, and the Gedhen Buddhist School in Drago Monastery.

Each of Nyagchu countys six towns and 10 villages has an elementary school, but these are now all residential schools  which activists term colonial-style and where they say Tibetan children are forcefully separated from their families and taught a Chinese-language curriculum.

It is critically important to introduce children to the Tibetan language during their formative years, said Sangye Tandar Naga, editor and department head of the Cultural Research and Publication Department at Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, India.

This early exposure is crucial because it becomes significantly more challenging for adults to learn the language later in life, Naga told RFA Tibetan at a May 2-4 event in Dharamsala where over 24 Tibetan educators, writers and cultural scholars convened to develop strategies to preserve the Tibetan language.

The 7th Ling Rinpoche, the reincarnation of the Dalai Lamas principal tutor, told RFA in an interview that the role of parents in teaching their children about the significance of preserving the Tibetan language is crucial to the languages survival.

Additional reporting by Lobe Socktsang for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan, and by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Chinas far-western region of Xinjiang  called East Turkestan by Uyghurs  is a essentially a colony that China has occupied for the past 70 years, but before that there has not been any continuous Chinese rule there going back 2,000 years  despite Chinese claims, according to Michael van Walt, an international lawyer who has studied the region extensively.

Van Walt, who has specialized in inner Asia and East Asian relations for the past 15 years and works to resolve conflicts in different parts of the world, presented his findings at 20th anniversary commemoration of the World Uyghur Congress in Munich, Germany, on May 3-6.

In an interview with RFA Uyghur Director Alim Seytoff, van Walt discussed his research. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

RFA: In your presentation, you said that East Turkestan is a colony of the Peoples Republic of China and the Chinese government claims that Xinjiang has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times. How do you interpret this latter claim, based on your research?

Van Walt: Its very clear that there has not been any continuous Chinese rule or authority in Eastern Turkestan over the last 2,000 years. Only during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) and the Tang Dynasty (618-907) was there some presence. Before the Republic of China was established, Eastern Turkestan was ruled by various khanates, mainly from neighboring parts of Asia, but definitely not Han.

RFA: When we refer to China, it's understood that China has existed for thousands of years, and that there has been one country called China, dynasty after dynasty. Is this understanding correct?

Van Walt: No, it isnt, and this is what is causing a lot of confusion. What the Peoples Republic of China has done, and the Republic of China before it, was to create this idea. There was this national history of China that was projected back into history for thousands of years, as if China had existed as a political entity, as a state, for thousands of years, which it definitely has not.

There have been a number of Han states, empires and dynasties, but the Han people have been ruled not just by Han states, but by many Inner Asian empires as well.

What we call China today was just part of the Manchu empire of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) and the same with numerous others much earlier. So, the present way in which so-called Chinese history is presented  but also, presented sometimes by Western and other scholars  is misleading in that way. It makes it confusing.

And particularly because we use the words China and Chinese, which can mean many different things.

Today, the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] uses the word China in Chinese to actually mean all the people that are within what it claims to be the borders of the PRC, whether they are Han Chinese, Tibetan or Uyghur.

But other people use the word Chinese essentially to mean Han Chinese and the Chinese language, and the Chinese script to mean the Mandarin script. So, were using that word without being precise about what we mean.

Michael van Walt presents his findings at 20th anniversary commemoration of the World Uyghur Congress in Munich, Germany, May 4, 2024. (Bahram Sintash/RFA)

If we are being precise, then really the concept of China as a state was imagined in 1911, discussed in 1911, and created in the beginning of 1912 with the Republic of China.

Before that, there were other states with different names, different structures and different principles of governance, which had very little in common with the Republic of China and the Peoples Republic of China.

From a legal perspective, those two things are completely different. You cannot talk about the continuity of a state for 2,000 years. It just doesnt exist. Im not denying that there was Chinese culture for 2,000 years or 5,000, whatever it may be. Im not denying there weren't any Han people. All of this is possible. But not continuous or a continuous stream of Han states.

RFA: Why does the Chinese government make this claim, that Manchuria, southern Mongolia, Tibet and East Turkestan were part of China since ancient times?

Van Walt: I cant think for them, but it would seem that the idea was first developed by the Republic of China precisely because it wanted to claim those Inner Asian territories as part of the Republic of China. It needed to develop a rationale for that, needed to develop an excuse for that that would be acceptable. So, they invented this history.

Today, I think the PRC insists on that history and that historical narrative precisely because it does not want to be seen as a colonial power in Eastern Turkestan, Tibet and in Inner Mongolia.

RFA: So, was the first state called China established only in 1912, and before that there were different dynasties and empires under different names that had nothing to do with China as a political entity?

Van Walt: No, and the words zhongguo and zhonghua that are used for the name China or for Chinese existed before for a long time, but they had a different meaning. They had a meaning of central state  the central high culture people radiating wisdom and culture out into civilization.

These were civilizational and spatial concepts, not names of states or of a country. Those words were used, and they were transformed to become a label, as a name. Then they were paired to be equivalent to the word China in English or Chine in French  the Western concept of China, which Europeans had already for a long time mistakenly imagined to be this continuous China, this imaginary country. By pairing the two, its made it very difficult, especially for Westerners and Europeans to conceive of the notion that there was not this continuous China because it already existed in our imagination.

RFA: Are Beijings claims akin to, hypothetically speaking, Italy claiming that territories occupied by the Roman Empire were part of the country today? Is Chinas rationale similar to this?

Van Walt: It is a similar rationale, but theres a distinction. If they really were to do that, they would claim what the Romans had conquered and what they themselves had conquered in the past. What the PRC claims is what the Mongols and Manchus conquered, not what the Han conquered. So, an illogical thing to do.

Its quite aside from the fact that today in the modern world you cannot claim territory on the basis of some historical claim from 1,000 years ago, 500 years ago or even 100 years ago, which China does. But you certainly cant claim it on the basis of what another empire did that happened to conquer you.

Michael van Walt presents his findings at 20th anniversary commemoration of the World Uyghur Congress in Munich, Germany, May 4, 2024. (Bahram Sintash/RFA)

But the PRC has been able to convince many that whoever ruled what I call the Han homeland  the Han people and their territory  somehow became Chinese or Han. This notion that the Mongols and Manchus were actually Chinese is absurd.

The fact that today the PRC calls Genghis Khan a great son of China is absurd. Genghis Khan is the one who ordered the conquest of China, not as a son of China, but as a son of the Mongols.

RFA: Is China technically exercising colonial rule in the Uyghur homeland by plundering natural resources and by settling Han Chinese into the territories? Is this part of the reason why China is committing genocide against the Uyghurs?

Van Walt: Yes, it is. It is afraid of losing control over Eastern Turkestan and is trying to suppress Uyghurs and others in Eastern Turkestan. Its a way of trying to maintain control. Xi Jinping and his government in particular are bent on absolute control. That is the most important policy objective, so everything is driven by that. And if it means putting millions of people in internment camps, eradicating the cultures of the Uyghurs, Tibetans and Mongolians, and to have absolute control over these territories, then so be it. That is their objective.

As for wanting to control all the territories of the former Qing Empire, they have not finished their objective yet. They still need to achieve that. They will want to control Taiwan, the South China Sea, northern India, and probably parts of todays Russia, including Tuva and Boryatia, because at some point some Mongol or Manchu ruler ruled some of those areas.

And if we were to go into the absurd, lets remember that the Mongols ruled most of the Eurasian continent all the way to Hungary, the Middle East and India. We wouldn't really want to see China claim everything that the great son of China, Genghis Khan, achieved.

Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said the country could not be dictated and would consider only its own interests in decision-making, ruling out reservations of the United States on the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, Dawn reports.

Responding to a question on the project during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, FM Dar said: We have to watch our interests, look at our commitments and the government has to make decisions while keeping Pakistans interest in mind about what we will do, when will we do and how will we do [no matter] what the US or other countries say.

It cant be dictated on us and neither will we allow anyone to use veto. Pakistan is a sovereign country and the way we respect others sovereignty, we expect the others to respect Pakistans sovereignty, Dawn quotes Dar as saying.

The US has maintained that it does not supportthe Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project from going forward and cautioned about the risk of sanctions in doing business with Tehran.

Dar said the Iranian presidents visit to Pakistan in April was very productive. During Raisis 3-day visit the two countries reiterated the importance of cooperation in the energy domain, including trade in electricity, power transmission lines and the IP Gas Pipeline Project.
The pages other administrator got the same sentence in March.

Vietnam has sentenced another administrator of the popular Diary of Patriots Facebook page to eight years for posting content that criticized the government, a verdict that his family felt was not constitutional, they told Radio Free Asia.

In addition to the eight years, Phan Tat Thanh must serve three years probation during which he would be under the supervision of authorities. The sentence is identical to that of the other administrator of the page, Nguyen Van Lam which the court handed down in March.

The Diary of Patriots is a democracy advocacy page with 800,000 followers, and both administrators were found to have violated Article 117 of Vietnams penal code that prohibits anti-state propaganda.

Rights groups say the law has been written to be intentionally vague so that it can be used as a tool by Hanoi to stifle dissent.

Thanhs father Phan Tat Chi, who was present at the trial, strongly disagreed with the verdict, which exceeds the five to seven years recommended by prosecutors.

Such an unfair and unreasonable verdict, he said. Todays trial and verdict trampled on the Constitution and suppressed ordinary people.

He said that his sons actions fall under Article 25 of the constitution which provides that Vietnamese citizens have the right to freedom of speech, press freedom, access to information, and freedom of assembly, association and demonstration.

Multiple profiles

According to the indictment, the Ministry of Public Securitys Department of Cyber Security and High-tech Crime Prevention discovered that the private Facebook account Chu Tuan and Facebook page Van Toan had posted, shared and live-streamed illegal content.

The agency reported it to the Security Investigation Agency of Ho Chi Minh City Police for their handling in accordance with the law.

In mid-April 2023, authorities discovered that Phan Tat Thanh had been managing the Van Toan Facebook page with several different profiles, Black Aaron, Chu Tuan, Huynh Heo, and Mit Huynh.

They found that he had posted seven stories and images that were problematic because they criticized the draft law on Special Economic Zones, characterized the government as a totalitarian regime, and criticized many of its socio-economic policies. The posts also called for civil disobedience.

Thanh allegedly shared the Facebook accounts with a user having a Facebook profile named Thao Nguyen to create and post false stories with content defaming government officers' honor and dignity. Authorities notably were not able to identify who had been operating that profile.

According to Thanhs father, during the trial, Thanh and his defense attorneys Tran Dinh Dung and Nguyen Minh Canh, all affirmed that despite creating the Facebook profiles, he had not used them nor posted the stories. It was Thao Nguyen who used the profiles and posted the stories, they said.

Additionally, the page was still active during the time Thanh was in custody with several new posts appearing during this time.

Beaten and tortured

However, the presiding judge, Bui Duc Nam, did not accept the argument that Thanh was not behind the offending posts.

In the trial, Thanh also said that he had been beaten, tortured and forced to give testimonies by investigators during custody and detention periods.

According to Thanhs father, when he was allowed to say his final words at the trial, Thanh still pleaded innocent, attributing the investigation results to coerced statements. However, the Presiding judge stopped him, saying This [the trial] is not a forum [for you] to say whatever you want to say.

In a media release issued one day before the trial, Ms. Patricia Gossman, Deputy Director of the Human Rights Watchs Asian Division, said that the government of Vietnam tries to claim that it does not have any political prisoners, and that it only imprisons those who violate the law.

What Vietnamese leaders refuse to acknowledge is that article 117 of the penal code is a clear violation of freedom of expression, one of the most basic rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which Vietnam has ratified, she said.

Vietnam should repeal its rights-abusing laws instead of punishing its citizens for speaking their minds and expressing their views.

Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
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
Demonstrators against the so-called "foreign agents" bill awaiting its final reading in Georgia's parliament have marched again in the capital in the latest show of popular opposition to the government moves to enact legislation that risks damaging Tbilisi's relations with the West.

The May 7 protest began at parliament and headed toward the ruling Georgian Dream's headquarters, where marchers were met with a police cordon.



Some of the participants carried EU and Georgian flags up to Peace Bridge before many returned to the area around the parliament building.



There were no reports of violence.



Weeks of protest against what critics call "the Russian law" have sometimes been met with tough police actions to disperse crowds allegedly including the use of rubber bullets, detentions, and roving bands of thugs targeting demonstrators.



One of the organizers of the latest protest, Zviad Tsetskhladze, said opponents of the bill had created a group that will try to provide financial support to individuals who are dismissed from their public-service jobs over their opposition to it.



Tens of thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets in Tbilisi and other cities in protests that have unleashed fierce police responses, which included chemical spray and tear gas, water cannons, and the alleged use of rubber bullets against protesters or journalists who showed signs of injury from projectiles.

The crackdown in Tbilisi has generally eased since Orthodox Easter although smaller protests and candlelight vigils have continued and even spread in significant numbers to other cities.



The bill says media, NGOs, and other nonprofits must register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if more than 20 percent of their funding comes from abroad.



The government insists the law would be in line with EU standards and is only intended to increase "transparency" and prevent "harmful foreign influence" in the country's political scene.



It is expected to face a third and final reading by May 13, with Georgian Dream and its allies seemingly in control of enough votes to carry the bill and potentially override a veto that has been promised by President Salome Zourabichvili.



EU leaders say implementation of the law would adversely affect Georgia's hopes of eventual EU membership, and condemnation has also come from the United States -- the former Soviet republic's biggest backer in recent years.
Georgians demonstrated in cities across the country on May 8 in the latest protests against a bill that opponents say would stifle civil society. Following a harsh police crackdown on earlier protests in Tbilisi, smaller rallies in Zugdidi, Kutaisi, and Gori took place without incident.
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.
BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina -- For nearly 400 years, a 16th-century Ottoman mosque stood in Banja Luka before it was leveled by explosives in the middle of the night on May 7, 1993. For years, its fragments were patiently collected from garbage dumps and the nearby Vrbas River in hopes that one day the mosque would stand again. On May 7, the renovated Arnaudija Mosque formally reopened, marking the 31st anniversary of the night it and a nearby mosque were bombed in an act of ethnic hatred.

Opening the mosque doors to not only its faithful but individuals of all faiths is its chief imam, Muamer Okanovic. "For believers and for all citizens, Banja Luka can once again experience one of its significant heritage sites," Okanovic said, before adding that he hopes the opening will "improve relations among the city's residents."

According to the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an estimated $3.3 million was used in the seven-year restoration. Though the mosque looks new, visitors who spend time on its grounds will see portions of the original 16th-century stonework and details. "These artifacts, these fragments, should be reminders for every visitor, for every person who comes to the mosque, that certain things that happened several decades ago should never happen to anyone again," Okanovic said. "The task for us all, is to be builders and never destroyers," he added.

Though no fighting took place in Banja Luka during the 199295 Bosnian War, the city was subjected to a deliberate and systematic ethnic cleansing campaign that forced out its non-Serbian population and obliterated its cultural heritage. On May 7, 1993, the Ferhat Pasha Mosque (Ferhadija), a cultural heritage site that received UNESCO protection in 1950, was blown up first. Some 15 minutes later, the Arnaudija mosque suffered the same fate.

The large-scale destruction of both mosques required large quantities of explosives and extensive coordination, yet the perpetrators were never found. By the time the war in Bosnia ended in 1995, almost all of Banja Luka's Muslims and Croats -- about 30 percent of the prewar population -- had left the city. Even today, few have returned to the city, which is the political and financial center of Republika Srpska, the Bosnian entity dominated by ethnic Serbs.

Of the 15 mosques destroyed in Banja Luka during the war, the Arnaudija is the last to be rebuilt.

For Okanovic, the mosque's reconstruction and opening are a new chapter in not only Banja Luka but also Republika Srpska and the rest of Bosnia-Herzegovina. "With strength, a pure mind, and reason, we hope to observe a more beautiful, brighter future for all our generations," he said.
ABU DHABI, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS: The 2024 AIM Congress, worlds leading investment platform, commenced at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) with a series of dynamic sessions under the Innovation and Technology Track, SMEs Track - Entrepreneurs Investment Summit, and Future Finance Forum Track. Over three days, from May 7th to May 9th, the AIM Congress brought together visionaries and experts to explore cutting-edge developments and foster collaboration in key sectors.

Day 1 of AIM Congress 2024 was a whirlwind of insightful discussions, engaging debates, and valuable networking opportunities. #AIMCongress2024 #NetworkingOpportunities #EconomicDevelopment #SustainableDevelopment pic.twitter.com/DQaeLyjtjp  AIM Congress (@AIM_Congress) May 8, 2024

Innovation and Technology Track

The Innovation Track at the 2024 AIM Congress brought together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore the transformative potential of emerging technologies in driving economic growth and sustainability. The track featured engaging discussions on topics ranging from IoT and digitalization to AI systems and sustainable urban development.

Moderated by Glen Gillmore, the sessions delved into the critical role of data-driven decision-making in shaping future industries. Speakers such as Catalina Valentino of ELIXR and Charles Austen Angell of Modern Edge Inc emphasized the importance of leveraging digital twins and AI integration to optimize operations and enhance productivity. They highlighted how advancements in AI and IoT are revolutionizing industries, making cities smarter, and creating safer and more sustainable environments.

Martin Yates from Presight G42 underscored the importance of trustworthy data in AI applications, emphasizing the need for robust data management practices and regulatory frameworks to ensure ethical and responsible AI deployment. Steve Nouri of Generative AI emphasized the power of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in driving AI innovation, advocating for a collective approach to harnessing the potential of AI for societal benefit.

The Innovation Track also explored the challenges and opportunities in adopting innovative technologies for sustainable development. Panelists discussed the need for holistic approaches to urban planning and development, integrating digital solutions with environmental sustainability goals. Lilly Lau, founder of DESMO, highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in IoT environments, stressing the need for robust security measures to protect data and ensure user privacy.

Overall, the Innovation Track provided valuable insights into the transformative potential of emerging technologies in driving economic transformation and fostering sustainable development. As industries continue to embrace digitalization and AI, collaboration, responsible innovation, and ethical considerations will be key to realizing the full potential of technology in shaping a more inclusive and resilient future.

"The best place is in digital twins. Building cities advances in AI. Making the environment safer is difficult due to the data; recognizing accurate data is crucial," said Catalina Valentino, CEO of ELIXR.

"AI is not a replacement of intelligence; AI is a supplement to the brains we have. We have to think of reinforcing growth. Thinking about everybody is important," said Charles Austen Angell, CEO of Modern Edge Inc.

SMEs Track  Entrepreneurship Investment Summit

The SMEs Track at the 2024 AIM Congress convened entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry experts to explore strategies for fostering entrepreneurship, promoting economic growth, and overcoming challenges in the SME sector. Under the guidance of moderator Reinhold Von Sternberg, the sessions provided valuable insights into various aspects of SME development, investment, and innovation.

Panelists such as Christian Purstinger of Terraplasma Medical and Karima Catherine of BeBeeMatch shared their experiences and expertise, highlighting the importance of supply chain resilience, digitalization, and customer retention for SME success. They emphasized the need for collaboration, adaptability, and innovation in navigating disruptions and seizing opportunities in dynamic market environments.

The discussions also addressed the role of government policies and international cooperation in supporting SMEs, particularly in emerging economies. Dr. Assia Ben Saad of AMDIE and Ibraev Danil of the Kyrgyz Union of Industry and Entrepreneurship emphasized the importance of fostering an enabling environment for SMEs through supportive regulatory frameworks, access to finance, and capacity-building initiatives.

Furthermore, the sessions explored the potential of alternative lending platforms, such as peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, in addressing the financing needs of SMEs. Panelists discussed the advantages of P2P lending in providing faster access to capital, especially for micro SMEs, and the importance of risk management and regulatory oversight in ensuring the stability and integrity of these platforms.

Overall, the SMEs Track provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, best practices, and innovative solutions for supporting SME growth and resilience. As SMEs continue to play a vital role in driving economic development and job creation globally, fostering an ecosystem that enables their success will be crucial for building more inclusive and sustainable economies.

"SMEs are the backbone of the government. Delivery and e-commerce are using AI. They are having issues like delivery issues. Interactive-based technology. Excess management system is important," said Thami Zondi, Economic and Development and Investment Expert, RSA

"99 countries, 160 subsectors. How to bring more opportunity for SMEs is the main aim. 95 to 99% of the economy of the country they dont have economy and have financial problems. Chatbots are extremely important in customer communications and retention, and so is Google," said Karima Catherine, Founder CEO of BEBEEMATCH, Canada Advocate

Future Finance Forum Track

The Future Finance Forum Track at the 2024 AIM Congress brought together industry leaders, experts, and policymakers to explore the transformative role of technology in shaping the future of finance. Through engaging discussions and fireside chats, participants delved into key trends, challenges, and opportunities reshaping the financial landscape.

One of the focal points of the track was cybersecurity, with renowned keynote speaker Edgar Perez leading a fireside chat on enhancing cybersecurity in financial systems. Perez emphasized the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) in fraud detection and prevention, highlighting the power of AI technologies like ChatGPT in safeguarding financial institutions against cyber threats. The session also addressed the implications of deepfakes and the importance of responsible technology use in preserving privacy and security.

Another highlight of the track was a fireside chat featuring Peter Tavaner, co-founder of Beehive, who provided insights into the comparative analysis of peer-to-peer (P2P) lending and traditional banking. Tavaner underscored the benefits of P2P lending, such as quicker access to funds and tailored financial solutions for SMEs, while also addressing common misconceptions about risk and security in P2P lending platforms.

Additionally, sessions focused on the evolving role of AI and digital technologies in auditing and accounting. Speakers such as Prasanna, CEO of Blockstack, and Bernhard Schatz from PwC discussed the impact of AI on job security, efficiency, and data accuracy in the accounting profession. They emphasized the need for continuous training and adoption of technology to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

Overall, the Future Finance Forum Track provided a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between finance and technology, highlighting the opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and adaptation in the digital age. As financial institutions navigate the complexities of an increasingly interconnected world, embracing technological advancements will be key to driving efficiency, security, and resilience in the financial sector.

The 2024 AIM Congress continues to serve as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial transformation. As discussions evolve and partnerships deepen, the Congress remains committed to driving sustainable growth and shaping the future of global industries.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic rolled out the red carpet for his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on May 8, declaring "Taiwan is China" in front of welcoming crowds in Belgrade. Vucic has sought to maintain close links with both Beijing and Moscow, even while pursuing European Union membership. Belgrade residents whom RFE/RL spoke to appeared broadly happy about Xi's visit and their country's ties to China.
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.
ABU DHABI, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS: AIM Global Foundation, an independent international organization dedicated to empowering global investment, and LB Investment from Korea, boasting 1 Billion USD Assets Under Management (AUM), have announced their commencement of establishing Joint Venture, along with a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today at the prestigious AIM Congress 2024 in Abu Dhabi.

The Joint Venture will serve to boost global investment and economic development by synergistically combining both parties key capacities in the market. The MOU signifies a pivotal moment in global investment cooperation. Both entities aim to leverage their respective strengths to advance LB Investment's initiatives through the platform provided by AIM Global Foundation.

LB Investment, a renowned venture capital firm with a legacy of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, boasts an impressive track record in managing assets, with $1 billion worth of Assets Under Management (AUM) as of 2023. Established in 1996, LB Investment has consistently been recognized as one of Korea's premier fund managers, earning accolades such as the A+ grade from the Small and Medium Business Administration (SMBA). With a commitment to excellence and a vision to emerge as Asia's Leading Investment Firm, LB Investment has expanded its footprint globally, with a notable presence in Shanghai since 2007.

At the 2024 AIM Congress in Abu Dhabi from May 7-9, 2024, LB Investment is proudly showcasing a diverse portfolio of startups and companies, Standard Energy (Battery energy), t'order (Food tech), Fitpet(Pet healthcareP, Lablup(AI), Bluezonwide(Cosmetics), NotaAI(AI), ABYSS Company(K-pop contents), and LivsMed(Medical device), representing cutting-edge innovation and disruptive solutions across various industries. The firm's dedication to fostering growth and driving economic transformation underscores its pivotal role as a global investment leader, shaping the future of entrepreneurship and innovation on a global scale.

"A closer cooperation between AIM Global Foundation and LB Investment marks a significant step towards the enhancement of investment promotion strategies and the facilitation of opportunities for productivity and expansion," stated Dawood Al Shezawi, President of AIM Global Foundation.

The agreement emphasizes mutual commitment towards promoting the development of investment promotion agencies in the region and acknowledges the compatibility of their goals.

"This partnership underscores LB Investment's dedication to exploring new avenues for growth and collaboration on a global scale," said Mr Kiho Park, CEO/President of Koreas LB Investment. "We are confident that this collaboration will yield fruitful outcomes for both parties involved."

Both parties have committed to promoting each other's initiatives through various channels, and actively engaging their respective networks to participate in joint activities.

"As we embark on this journey of collaboration, our shared vision is to establish a global community where challenges are addressed collaboratively and inclusively," affirmed Dawood Al Shezawi, President of AIM Global Foundation.

The partnership between AIM Global Foundation and LB Investment sets the stage for a new era of collaboration in the global investment landscape, with a focus on fostering innovation, integration, and strategic investment to drive positive social, environmental, and economic impacts on a global scale.

About AIM Global Foundation

AIM Global Foundation is an independent international organization committed to empowering global investment by boosting effective promotion strategies and facilitating opportunities for productivity and expansion. AIM Global Foundation serves as a partner in building a brighter investment future and nurturing lasting foundations on a global scale, promoting growth and prosperity that positively impact social, environmental, and economic challenges.

About LB Investment

LB Investment is a leading investment firm from Korea with S1 billion Assets Under Management, which was founded by LG Group in 1996 and later spinned off to LB Investment. Committed to fostering global collaboration and driving innovation, LB Investment aims to explore new opportunities for growth and development on a global scale.
The recent weeks have seen a devastating heatwave grip much of South and Southeast Asia, leading to tragic consequences across the region.

Governments across the region have issued urgent health warnings, advising citizens to take precautions against the dangerously high temperatures.

The summer heat has arrived early, setting records and even claiming lives, and it's expected to get much worse through May and June as summer actually begins.

Scientists warn of wide-ranging impacts in some of the world's most densely populated regions, and they're urging governments to take immediate action to prepare for the impact of climate change and do whatever is possible to mitigate human-caused global warming.

Around the world, countries have tried to manage the impact of extreme weather events through early warning systems and advisories, but Asia's large, poor populations will bear the brunt of the impact of the heat wave, said experts.

The heat is likely to continue inflicting widespread crop damage, further impacting the lives of farmers who've already faced increasing challenges in recent years  to the extent that hundreds of thousands staged massive protests in India to demand government help.

A UNICEF statement said that in the Asia-Pacific region, around 243 million children are exposed to hotter and longer heatwaves, putting them at risk of a multitude of heat-related illnesses, and even death.

This year, Cambodia has been facing the highest temperatures in 170 years and the forecast is that temperatures in most parts of the country could reach up to 43C (109F) this week.

Myanmars Meteorological Department said seven townships in central Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing and Bago divisions experienced unprecedented high temperatures.

In northern Thailand, temperatures have topped 44C (111F) in some areas, while the capital, Bangkok, and the metropolitan areas have witnessed temperatures above 40C (104F). The forecast from the Meteorological Department said this years summer, which usually lasts from late February to late May, is expected to be 1-2C (1.8-3.6F) hotter than last years, and rainfall will be lower than average.

Thailands Department of Disease Control said last week at least 30 people have died from heatstroke so far this year, compared with 37 for all of last year.

Vietnams national weather agency warned of the risks of forest fires, dehydration, and heat shock, while the state electricity company urged consumers to refrain from overworking their air-conditioning units, warning that electricity consumption has reached record highs in recent days.

Parts of India experienced a heatwave for up to 26 days in April, resulting in over nine deaths across the country. The eastern Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha recorded the hottest temperatures in the past decade, with some states experiencing temperatures seven or eight degrees above the normal average. The southwestern coastal state of Kerala also experienced a rare heatwave, resulting in two fatalities.

Extreme heat also troubled voters in certain Indian states during the ongoing general elections

In late April, the Southern region of Nepal experienced temperatures higher than usual, reaching above 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. This has led to an extended period of intense heat and dry weather conditions, sparking wildfires across the country.

Countries are preparing for more extreme weather in coming months.

Japan, where people sweltered during its hottest summer on record last year, began operating a heatstroke alert system last week. Starting this year, a second type of warning has been added for when prefectures are expected to be hit by particularly high temperatures that pose serious risks to human health. The aim is to more strongly urge local governments and citizens to take protective measures like utilizing publicly designated "cooling shelters" or air-conditioned facilities.

Singapore, which relies heavily on migrant construction workers, has told employers to monitor the wet-bulb globe temperature, an internationally recognized heat measurement, and provide laborers performing heavy physical activity with a minimum 10-minute break every hour when the reading hits 32 C or higher. The rules started in October last year and aim to protect outdoor workers from the risks of heat stress.

High temperatures are also putting pressure on electricity supplies. Heatwaves have led to increased demand for cooling options like air conditioning across the region. This increased demand for energy has left electricity grids struggling to cope.

Thailand saw overall power usage surge to repeated record highs last week as temperatures soared. In Vietnam and the Philippines, increased demand has threatened to overload electricity grids.

The World Meteorological Organisations (WMO) most recent report revealed that Asia is warming faster than the global average. The warming trend has nearly doubled since the 1961 to 1990 period.

The continent was also the most disaster-hit region in the world last year. In 2023, flood and storm events alone caused more than 2,000 fatalities with more than 9 million people directly affected.

The WMO also noted that, despite growing risks posed by high temperatures, heat-related deaths are often not reported.

The changing climate is creating "significant additional health hazards for workers" such as cancer, respiratory illnesses, kidney disfunction and mental health conditions, according to the International Labour Organization.

Thousands of work-related deaths are linked to a "cocktail of hazards" including excessive heat, skin cancer caused by solar ultraviolet radiation, air pollution, pesticide poisoning and parasitic and vector-borne diseases, the U.N. agency said in a report.

After 2023 became the world's hottest year on record and Asia faced "phenomenal" levels of heat waves and humidity, "I'd expect to see similarly intense heat waves to last year ... and also typhoons," said Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, professor of climate science at Australian National University (ANU).

- Agencies
A group calling itself Ballaghaderreen Concerned Citizens has insisted that it not an angry protest group but one that is an anxious proactive one that wants to make the town great again.

A second public meeting held recently by the group was attended by about 40 people with many expressing relief that proposed modular housing on a site in Ballaghaderreen would not proceed.

While its first public meeting was organised to discuss concerns over modular housing, a spokesperson for the group said the committees focus very much remained on healthcare, education and policing.

The spokesperson said there were huge deficits in those areas due to a hugely expanded population which had increased by 56% since the 2016 Census. The committee, he said, wanted several issues addressed and redressed.

In the area of healthcare, the spokesperson said primary care facilities promised by the Government in 2017 were reneged on. In two decades the population of Ballaghaderreen has doubled yet we have no more GPs or the ancillary services to assist them to do their job the way they would like to, he said.

Local schools are overstretched. One school has seen its roll rise from 200 to 320, a 60% increase. There have been no additional teachers yet the huge diversity in needs and high absentee rates place increasing pressure on hours and are impinging on the quality of education. The unemployment rate in the town stands at 24% which is multiples of the national average. We need 70 new industrial jobs to make Ballaghaderreen sustainable and self-sufficient, he said.

The committee has also expressed concerns in the area of policing. With upcoming retirements and transfers we will see the number of Garda decrease from a number of 11 over a decade ago to less than 30% of that. The groups spokesperson also pointed to illegal dumping and mental health issues as other areas of concern.

The spokesperson said that despite the challenges, the town had much to offer in the areas of arts, music, its central geographical location, proximity to Ireland West Airport, and its potential to be a tourist hub. The committee is also looking forward to the realisation of a planned Digital Hub for the town.

We are not an angry protest group. We are an anxious proactive group. With communication and co-operation, we can make Ballagh great again, he said.
Two Roscommon students are hoping their new farm design can propel them to national glory.

Gavin Moran and Michael Hanley, both from farming backgrounds, were inspired to develop an anti-backing bar design in a move, which has been widely welcomed in the cattle handling equipment industry.

The Transition Year students designed the product as part of their Enterprise module at Roscommon Community College.

The students are representing the county at the All Ireland Student Enterprise Awards, which will take place tomorrow (Thursday) in Mullingar.

To market their product, the students created a small business called GM Engineering Ros to enter the County Student Enterprise Awards programme, which the Local Enterprise Office in Roscommon runs.

Module co-ordinator Ms Denise Staunton states believes the farming sector needs new ideas and people to help the industry during a time of great change.

The timing of this is crucial. The farming sector is getting a lot of coverage at the minute in relation to climate change, but this is a good news story. There are fewer young farmers now so Gavin and Michael are showing young people can help move the industry forward. They are young lads who have seen an issue and have done something about it.

As consumers we take for granted the importance of farming, but it is crucial. The support the lads have got from Teagasc and Macra na Feirme has been excellent. These agencies are delighted to see new products and ideas, so their support is to be commended, she stated.

The anti-backing bar can be purchased via the company's website or social media channels.

Ms Staunton believes the pair have benefitted enormously from their business venture to date. The school is now aiming to secure a second successive senior national title after students Joshua McCormack and Evan McNeil won top honours last year.

I asked them this morning (Wednesday) did they think they would accomplish this much in a short space of time? If they saw all the hours they have put in, at the very beginning they might not have gone forward but they have taken it step by step.

Hopefully this can inspire somebody at home who has an idea to have self-belief and take that leap into starting their own business. These lads have followed their guts, and it has served them well, she concluded.
May 8, 2024 UPDATE

Click here for a roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 08.05.2024, 20:00

VISIT The Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, was on an official visit to the US on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday he was received at the White House by his American counterpart Joe Biden. The talks focused on the situation in Ukraine and the Black Sea area, as well as on strengthening security in the Euro-Atlantic area. Klaus Iohannis thanked for the substantial contribution of the United States to ensuring the security of Romania and the entire eastern flank of NATO, as well as for the recognition of the strategic role of the Black Sea in the context of Russias war of aggression against Ukraine. In turn, Joe Biden expressed his special appreciation for the consistent efforts that Romania has been making for the benefit of the allied space and, at the same time, for the continuous support it gives to Ukraine. The issue of Romanias admission to the Visa Waiver program was also addressed.

EUROPE DAY The National Parliament building in Bucharest is illuminated on Wednesday and Thursday, alongside many other landmarks in over 60 European cities, to mark 9 May, Europe Day, and the one-month countdown for the European Elections (6-9 June), the Romanian Chamber of Deputies announced. Every year, May 9 marks the anniversary of the historic Schuman declaration that set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe. On May 9th, 1950, the French foreign minister Robert Schuman proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community, whose members would pool coal and steel production, to prevent a new war between Europes nations. The declaration is regarded as the foundation of the European Union, which Romania joined in 2007.

DEFENCE The Romanian defence minister Angel Tilvar Wednesday received his Georgian counterpart Irakli Chikovani, who is on an official visit to Romania. During the talks, the two officials tackled regional security issues, in the context of Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, the measures taken by Romania to ensure Black Sea traffic security, and the bilateral cooperation in the defence sector. The Romanian defence minister also assured his counterpart of Romanias support for Georgias European accession efforts. In turn, Irakli Chikovani emphasised the importance of the EUs monitoring mission (EUMM Georgia).

ISRAEL Romanias Senate and Chamber of Deputies will convene next Tuesday in a special meeting devoted to the Day of Solidarity and Friendship between Romania and the state of Israel. The decision was made on Wednesday by the joint standing bureaus of the two parliamentary chambers. A law has recently taken effect, proclaiming May 14th as the Day of Solidarity and Friendship between Romania and the state of Israel.

CRIMINALITY The Romanian police reports a decrease in the number of crimes registered this year during the Labor Day and Orthodox Easter break. The number of robberies, serious traffic accidents, as well as the number of the victims of such incidents dropped, said the spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Interior, Monica Dajbog. She also announced that law enforcement agencies would continue to focus on ensuring the smooth running of public events on Europe Day and Romanias Independence Day, on May 9, as well as during the election campaign for the parliamentary and local elections, which starts on May 10.

OLYMPIC GAMES After several days of sea travel on board a boat from Greece, the Olympic flame Wednesday arrived in Marseille, in the south of France, where it was welcomed by approximately 150,000 people. The former Romanian fencer Ana-Maria Branza, an Olympic champion in the team event and twice silver medalist in the individual event, is to carry the Olympic flame together with other athletes from the 27 EU countries. Lit on April 16 in the ancient Greek site of Olympia, the flame  a symbol of the Olympic Games  will cross all of France, passing through the Antilles and French Polynesia, to reach Paris on the day of the opening ceremony, July 26. The Summer Olympics will run until August 11.

RED CROSS Every year, around the world, World Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Day is marked on May 8 with local and international events and activities. They recognise the significant contribution of the movement to the provision of humanitarian aid, medical assistance and protection for those in need around the world. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was founded at the initiative of Henry Dunant (1828-1910), a Swiss businessman, after one of the bloodiest battles of the century, that of Solferino (Italy), where the Austrian and French armies clashed causing 40,000 victims. He understood the urgent need to organise medical services to provide neutral humanitarian assistance during wars. As such, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement aims to protect life and health, to prevent and alleviate human suffering without any discrimination based on nationality, race, religion, social class or political opinion. Currently, it provides vital assistance in armed conflicts, natural disasters and epidemics.

UKRAINE Russia Wednesday launched a new large-scale air attack against energy infrastructure in several parts of Ukraine, military and energy officials from Kyiv have announced. The Ukrainian army said that its air defence systems were involved in countering the attacks and intercepted the missiles launched towards Kyiv. Blasts were reported in the cities of Lviv and Zaporizhzhia. In another move, preparations are being made for the Global Peace Summit aimed at finding a solution to the war that has been going on for more than two years. The summit, to which Russia was not invited, will take place in Switzerland on June 15-16, and Ukraine hopes to garner broad support to persuade Moscow to agree to terms that Kyiv deems acceptable.

GAZA The Israeli army strengthened its air attacks on Gaza Strip, after taking control of the strategic crossing point to Egypt, Rafah. Meanwhile, mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the United States convened in Cairo, in the presence of Israeli officials, to discuss a ceasefire agreement in exchange for the release of the hostages captured by Hamas. An official for the Palestinian group told France Presse that it could be the last chance for Israel to recover the captives alive. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the recent proposals by Hamas to agree on a ceasefire do not come close to meeting Israeli demands, but Israel is participating in the negotiations. Tuesday marked seven months since Hamas attacked Israel. 1,200 Israelis died then and 250 were taken hostage, of which about 100 were released later. In response, Israel launched a large-scale offensive that practically destroyed Gaza and killed around 35,000 Palestinians. (AMP)
The presidents of Romania and the US meet in Washington

The US has thanked Romania for its commitment to NATO.

Klaus Iohannis and Joe Biden (photo: presidency.ro)

Eugen Coroianu, 08.05.2024, 14:00

US President Joe Biden thanked Romania for its commitment to NATO in the 20 years since it became a member of the Alliance and for its leadership role in the Black Sea region. You exceeded all expectations, said President Biden, who received President Klaus Iohannis at the White House on Tuesday. Among the topics discussed were the deepening of the bilateral strategic partnership, the situation on NATOs eastern flank and the situation in Ukraine. I dont think there is any NATO partner who has a stronger commitment to the Euro-Atlantic Alliance than Romania and the United States, President Biden said at the beginning of the meeting. What youve done and what were going to continue to do together is very important not only for Europe, but also for the whole world. You have been incredible. Youve stood up, and the help that youve provided for Ukraine is real. Its significant., the US President pointed out. Today we lay the foundation for the next 20 years, Biden also said, giving assurances that the United States stands firmly by Romania.

In his turn, President Iohannis said, among other things, that Romania not only joined NATO and has been a proud member of the Alliance for 20 years, but it has worked on the bilateral relationship with the United States, which has become much stronger. Unfortunately, the most important issue now is to find a way to reinstall peace in Europe. Romania is trying its best, with pretty good results (). But nevertheless, we have to find ways to prevent Russia from winning this war in Ukraine. We have to work together, Klaus Iohannis said.

After the meeting in the Oval Office, the Romanian President said that the issue of strengthening Ukraines air defense was also addressed: President Biden also brought up this matter and I said that I am open to discussion, which means that I will have to discuss, at home, in the Supreme Defense Council, to decide what we can do, what we can offer and, obviously, what we can get in return, because it is, in my opinion, unacceptable for Romania to remain without air defense. I think we will find a solution. Its about a single system, its a functional one, which will remain in Romania, the others being in an advanced stage of operationalization and it was about one of them, Iohannis explained.

President Biden also thanked Romania for hosting American troops on its territory. (EE)
The conclusions of the Labour Day and Easter holiday

The authorities and hoteliers in Romania have made their assessments in the wake of the Labour Day and Easter holiday.

Seaside, the main destination on May 1

Bogdan Matei, 08.05.2024, 13:50

Around 25,000 police, gendarmerie and border police forces, as well as fire fighters were in action every day to ensure citizens safety over the Labour Day and Easter holiday, said the interior ministry in Bucharest. Special attention was given to tourist resorts, churches, places hosting public events, train stations, airports and other busy areas. Over 200 public events were monitored, attended by around 170,000 people. On Easter Eve, the security forces conducted patrols around Romanias 12,000 churches, attended by 2.6 million people for the midnight service.

Law enforcement authorities said they noticed fewer problems this year compared with last year, namely 37.5% fewer burglaries and 42.8% fewer serious road accidents, with 47.8% fewer persons sustaining injuries in road accidents and 13% fewer casualties. Emergency situation crews carried out 1,540 actions, 60 of which aimed at extinguishing fires. The police handed out around 60,000 fines over the holiday, amounting to almost 5 million euros, the spokeswoman for the interior ministry Monica Dajbog said on Tuesday. 4,500 motorists who were considered a threat to public safety lost their driving licences, 600 of them for drunk driving and 87 for driving while under the influence of drugs and other banned substances.

The authorities also conducted checks on the Black Sea coast, at the Sunwaves festival in Mamaia, one of the most popular techno music festivals in eastern Europe. The police found dozens of young people who were in possession of drugs and who are now subject to criminal investigations. The police also arrested foreign citizens intending to sell high risk drugs, such as ecstasy, cocaine and ketamine.

On the other hand, the hoteliers in Mamaia, a resort stretching over 8 km with 30,000 accommodation places, are complaining that people didnt really flock to their resort; while tourists are complaining of very high prices and often subpar services in hotels and restaurants. Employers in the hospitality industry say there has been a shortage of local labour and skilled labour for some years now, which is why many are hiring workers from South Asia, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, says press freedom in Asia continues to see a decline, with 26 out of 31 countries falling on its annual index.

According to the groups latest press freedom index, Asia is the second-most difficult region for practicing journalism. Five countries in the region  Myanmar, China, North Korea and Vietnam  are among the worlds 10 most dangerous countries for media professionals in the 2024 rankings.

There are no countries in the Asia-Pacific region in the top 15 ranking for press freedom.

China, North Korea and Vietnam, three of the worlds remaining communist governments, have long been near the bottom of RSFs press freedom index ranking of 180 countries. This year, China was ranked 172, Vietnam 174 and North Korea 177.

Overall, its the countries and territories that have shown a drop in press freedom in recent years that have contributed to East Asia becoming a difficult place for media to operate.

Hong Kong was once a model for press freedom in the Asia region, but the citys ranking recently dropped from 80 to 148 following political unrest and new laws that affect media freedoms.

Since the Beijing-imposed national security law came into force in 2020, at least a dozen media outlets have closed. Beijing says the law has been necessary to stabilize the city following mass political unrest in 2019.

Aleksandra Bielakowska, an advocacy officer at RSF, said Hong Kongs media freedoms still havent improved.

The worst for Hong Kong is the political and legal factors. Hong Kongs position is very low; the situation remains very difficult, she told VOA.

Hong Kong is in the middle of two high-profile national security trials. Jimmy Lai, the media mogul and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, faces national security charges for collusion with foreign forces that could see him sentenced to life in prison. Stand News, which ceased operations in 2021 after a police raid, is also on trial, with its chief editors facing charges under Hong Kongs colonial-era sedition law. The verdict was recently postponed until August.

Hong Kongs Justice Secretary Paul Lam recently said that press freedom still exists in the city and that media can criticize the government.

But Emily Lau, a former journalist and former chair of Hong Kongs Democratic Party, said many reporters are unsure whether that is the case.

There is concern. I dont know whether that is reassuring. Journalists themselves are concerned. People are not sure whether it is really true, she told VOA.

Due to the sensitivity of the cases and concerns over press freedom, several media experts in Hong Kong declined to speak to VOA when requested.

Although RSF ranked Hong Kong up five spots to 135 in 2024, that doesnt mean press freedoms have improved.

The reasons for that are because of the movement of other countries inside the index itself, Bielakowska said.

RSF said the deteriorated media environments in Afghanistan, Syria and Eritrea, which are the bottom three countries of the rankings, have pushed other countries further up the list.

The same can be applied with Myanmar. The new RSF rankings puts Myanmar up two places to 171, but it doesnt mean press freedom is improving.

Today, the Southeast Asian country is the worlds second-worst jailer of journalists, only behind China, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Following a military coup led by General Min Aung Hlaing and his troops in 2021, Myanmars junta has been accused of arbitrary arrests, harassment and torture, while at least four journalists have been killed by the military, rights groups say.

At least a dozen media outlets have had their licenses revoked by the military government in three years, while hundreds of journalists have been arrested.

Media outlets who are allowed to legally report in Myanmar must be registered with the military government to operate. But registering for press accreditation means journalists must provide the junta with their personal details, which discourages them from doing so over fear of arrest. For the journalists who have continued to report, they have had to work undercover to avoid being targeted by military personnel.

Aung Naing Soe, a Myanmar reporter, said journalists are a primary threat toward the militarys attempts to rule.

The junta arrests not only journalists but everyone against them. They see journalists as one of their primary threats since before the coup, he told VOA.

Since the junta attempted to rule, ousted politicians formed a civilian-led government, while civilian defense forces and ethnic political groups have taken up arms against the military.

But Aung Naing Soe, who is also the filmmaker of the documentary Undaunted about the uprising against military rule  added that the difficulties in reporting come from both sides.

"Everybody knows the risks from the military's intimidation. We expected a little bit of press freedom from the revolutionary groups, but lately we've started seeing some [rebel] groups attempt to control the media," he said.

"Like everyone else in the country, Myanmar journalists are getting tired. Sometimes we don't have any energy left to write a short story or make a short interview. We're all emotionally drained."

There was some encouraging news for media freedom in East Asia. Thailand saw the biggest jump in the 2024 rankings, moving up 19 spaces to 87. Thailands security performance was one of the main reasons for the jump, according to Bielakowska.

There was less violence than in other years, and the electoral campaign for the general elections of May 2023 did not result in demonstrations of violence against journalists, she said.

On the other hand, she said that despite the political transition, there has not been notable improvement in the overall political environment.
Taiwan will on Wednesday release April figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

Imports are expected to rise 7.6 percent on year, up from 7.1 percent in March. Exports are called higher by an annual 10.2 percent, easing from 18.9 percent in the previous month. The trade surplus is pegged at $8.03 billion, moderating from $8.68 billion a month earlier.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
The UK will be the first European nation to produce advanced nuclear fuel - a market currently dominated by Russia - to help fuel nuclear power plants at home and abroad.

This is part of the government plan to push Putin out of the global energy market and drive down energy bills, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said in a press release.

The UK government is awarding 196 million pounds to Urenco to build a uranium enrichment facility, which will be Europe's first facility to power future nuclear reactors. It will help to isolate Russia from global energy , boost British energy security and provide reliable, affordable energy, it added.

The nuclear power plant is expected to produce fuel by 2031 that would be ready to export or use domestically, and could power UK homes in the next decade. It will put an end to Russia's monopoly in this energy sector and ensure other countries are not reliant on Russian exports.

Currently, Russia is the only commercial producer of high-assay low enriched uranium, or HALEU. HALEU is needed to power most advanced modular reactors which are crucial to meeting the UK's ambition to quadruple nuclear capacity by 2050.

Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said, "Building our own uranium enrichment plant is essential if we want to prise Putin's blood-soaked hands off Europe's energy market. Russia has been the sole provider of this powerful nuclear fuel for too long and this marks the latest step in pushing him out of the energy market entirely".

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
A registered nurse in Webster, Sandra Miceli, is being fined $55,000 by the New York State Department of Health for allegedly falsifying 546 vaccination records for 116 students across the state.

Miceli operated a natural wellness center called Surviving Naturally and fabricated vaccine records for students in the region, rendering these records null and void. This means that the affected students must ensure their vaccinations are current or in progress before returning to school.

Investigators have found that Miceli falsified vaccination records soon after the June 2019 elimination of non-medical exemptions for mandatory school immunizations.

The department has stated that Miceli has a long history of promoting misinformation about vaccines and opposing immunization requirements. Despite being a licensed nurse, Miceli spread dangerous falsehoods about vaccines on social media and instilled fear about vaccines while claiming to protect public health by administering immunizations required for enrollment in schools and daycares.

The health department also revealed that Miceli has already paid $30,000 of the fine and may have the remaining amount suspended if she complies with all Public Health Law regulations and never administers reportable immunizations again.

The Health Department has reached out to parents and guardians of affected children, instructing them to ensure that their children receive the necessary vaccinations before returning to school, and has recommended contacting the Monroe County Department of Health's immunization clinic at (585)-753-5150.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Apple's latest ad campaign for the updated iPad Pro has caused a stir amongst viewers.

Titled "Crush!", the one-minute promotional video was unveiled during the "Let Loose" event and features a massive hydraulic press smashing a range of cultural artifacts, such as musical instruments, video games, toys, and paint cans, only to reveal the sleek iPad Pro at the end. The voiceover boasts that the device is "the most powerful iPad ever" and "also the thinnest".

However, instead of conveying the device's power and slim design effectively, the ad's portrayal of destroying creative tools has evoked strong negative reactions online.

Many viewers feel the ad is insensitive and highlights concerns about AI replacing human creativity.

The backlash on social media reflects a broader unease with the tech industry's approach to innovation and commodification of creativity. The promotion has already started receiving backlash on Twitter, with users pointing out the glaring metaphor at play.

One user commented, "Just an astonishingly perfect representation of what the tech industry is doing and an illustration of the massive gap between how the purveyors see it and how horrifying everyone else finds it." Another wrote, "Crushing the symbols of human creativity to produce a homogenized branded slab is pretty much where the tech industry is at in 2024".

Overall, the ad has failed to impress and has left many feeling uneasy about the direction in which the tech industry is heading.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
FTX Trading Ltd. and its affiliated debtors have submitted an amended Plan of Reorganization and accompanying Disclosure Statement to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

The revised plan comes 17 months after the initial filing and reveals that creditors can expect to receive most of what they are owed, with some potentially receiving more.

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2022, leading to insolvency expert management after the closure of its crypto-trading platform by Bankman-Fried, who was later found guilty of fraud.

FTX Trading has disclosed owing approximately $11.2 billion to creditors and estimates having between $14.5 billion and $16.3 billion available for distribution. The company's CEO, John Ray, has expressed confidence in the plan, stating that it provides an "unbelievable result" for creditors.

The plan commits to full debt repayment plus interest, but shareholders may not receive any proceeds given the claims from US regulators and the Internal Revenue Service, according to Bloomberg.

The approval of the plan now rests with US Bankruptcy Judge John Dorsey, with a hearing scheduled for late June. If approved, the plan will enable FTX to emerge from bankruptcy and move forward with its operations, hopefully with a more stable financial footing.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Technology News
A group of young Aussie drivers have been ridiculed for making a serious miscalculation as other motorists were stuck watching on.

The 4WD attempted to rescue the black car stuck in the ditch but ended up pulling it to the other side of the road, where it tumbled down the cliff. Source: Supplied

Having your mates help you out in a time of need is exactly why you keep them around but it appears the best of intentions fell short over the weekend after a friendly rescue effort ended in utter disaster.

Lilly George was travelling along a road in Beechmont on the Gold Coast on Saturday when she came across a four wheel drive (4WD) attempting to tow a black Hyundai out of a ditch on the side of the road. The rescue attempt had caused traffic to back up as the road snakes along the side of mountain, leaving no space for anyone to overtake.

Despite receiving offers of assistance the group of mates declined extra help, leaving those waiting with nothing to do but watch on. And what a show they got.

"They dragged the Hyundai out of the ditch on the right but they pulled it way too hard," George, who filmed the scene unfold, told Yahoo News Australia. "[They] didnt have anybody it in, which led to it rolling off the other side."

In rather jaw-dropping footage, the car can be seen being pulled up and over the ditch before it rolls along the road as a man in thongs runs after it. The car then tumbles down the cliffside.

Bystanders panic car 'pulled down' 4WD too

George and her family were panicked as they watched the car roll to disaster, admitting to Yahoo they first believed the 4WD and its driver had been pulled down by the car as they were connected for towing. However it's understood the vehicle wasn't affected.

"We thought it had pulled the Nissan patrol down with it but it was luckily just sitting against the edge still attached to the other car," she recalled.

Young drivers blasted for 'stupid' move

It is understood no one was hurt but George condemned the drivers for being "stupid", saying it was lucky everyone got away unscathed  except for the likely financial hit for damages to the car.

"[They] were acting silly and being stupid. Literally laughing that their mates car had fallen off the edge, no one was stressed about the situation expect us."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The Carmel Valley Community Planning boards transit subcommittee has a plan in motion to reinstate transit to the area and it is hoping that the community will get on board.

Subcommittee member Sonya Solinsky said its important to show predicted ridership values to get transit into the communities they are calling North West San Diego: Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Torrey Pines, Del Mar Mesa, Torrey Hills, Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, Torrey Highlands, Black Mountain Ranch and Rancho Penasquitos.

The support will confirm that transit is something that the residents of these communities really want, Solinsky said.

Solinsky is encouraging everyone to take a short online survey as she gathers data to show ridership exists to pilot a program making missing north-south and east-west connections.

The survey is simple: Do you want more transit and will you use it? Solinsky said of the quick survey found at tinyurl.com/sdtransitsurvey

The survey is not just for local residents but also includes those with employees or workers who come to this area from other regions.

To rally support for her cause Solinsky has met with Assemblyman Todd Gloria, San Diego City Council President Georgette Gomez (chair of the MTS board and a SANDAG board member), members of the Climate Action Plan and District 1 City Councilmember Barbara Bry. She also hopes to meet with District 5 City Councilmember Mark Kersey.

We will be working with Barbara Brys transportation team on getting her our survey data and looking into ways that our communities can be a part of Ballot Measure 2020, Solinsky said of MTS proposed sales tax to fund transit projects.

On Feb. 18, Solinsky made a stop at the Torrey Hills Community Planning Board where she gained the boards unanimous support for her initiative as long as the north-south connection included the Torrey Hills Shopping Center.

Ive been an advocate for public transit, said Teresa Henning, the Torrey Hills boards business seat representative and manager of American Assets Torrey Reserve campus on El Camino Real. When fully leased, she said the center has 600 workers who travel to their offices with no access to public transit.

One of Solinskys goals is to get the two local transit options into this years update of the 2050 SANDAG Regional Transit Plan (RTP).

The proposed Red line would start at Highway 101 and go east on Del Mar Heights Road to Carmel Valley Road, through Pacific Highlands Ranch and on to Rancho Penasquitos, ending at the Sabre Springs transit station on Carmel Mountain Road.

The Blue line would start on El Camino Real/Via de la Valle and go south on El Camino Real through Carmel Valley, past SR-56 to Carmel Mountain Road in Torrey Hills toward Sorrento Valley, connecting with the Sorrento Valley transit station and possibly making the connection up to Genesee Avenue and the future Blue Trolley Line from La Jolla to Old Town that is set to open in 2021.

SANDAGs 2050 RTP does include two lines that serve east-west and north-south in the area by 2035. The proposed north-south connection is rapid transit from Oceanside to Del Mar Heights but does not have stops in Carmel Valley. The proposed east-west connection runs from Carmel Valley Road to the Sabre Springs MTS station using the shoulders of SR-56 instead of city streets so it doesnt make the community connections that the subcommittee is seeking.

Hassan Ikhrata, the new executive director of SANDAG, has said that there will be some changes to the RTP and has called for a new vision for the region with more investment in public transit. SANDAGs vision will be discussed at the Carmel Valley planning boards Feb. 28 meeting, 7 p.m. at the Carmel Valley Library.

In her efforts, Solinsky knows in order to be successful, she needs community involvement. From 2006 to 2009, MTS ran a pilot route from Carmel Valley that started at Del Mar Highlands Town Center and went to University Town Center but the route was discontinued due to low ridership and low population density at that time.

Were getting a second chance and we cant mess it up. If we do get a pilot program approved, it is important that all communities residents understand it must be successful by showing ridership, Solinsky said. Since it was taken away due to low ridership in the past, it could be done again. If this were to happen again this area would be significantly marked as a non-transit area of San Diego because its residents didnt use it.

Its a one-time opportunity, we really have to show that were going to use it.
Discovering something new is the dream of all researchers  even when it looks as strange as this.

A terrifying species of ancient fish has been discovered during a recent fishing expedition in Queensland. The men originally thought the creature was an eel, but when they took a closer look they spotted rows of sharp teeth inside its jawless mouth, sparking intense curiosity.

At first I went to put it in the bucket and then I thought: Hang on a second, that's something different. We pulled it out and had a better look at it, and I said, 'Oh my God, it's a lamprey', Dr Luke Carpenter-Bundhoo told Yahoo News Australia, reflecting on his incredible find.

Its so rare now to find something new. Whether it be a new species, or discovering something in a new area is remarkable.

What Carpenter-Bundhoo had discovered was a 15 cm long Australian brook lamprey in a harsh, tropical environment where it had been thought they couldn't survive. While it's menacing teeth may look scary, it doesnt actually use its mouth to attack or suck blood.

The first three years of the lamprey's rather "unglamorous" life are spent at the bottom of muddy streams where it eats by filtering out nutrients from the water. For the remaining year of its adult life it doesn't bother to feed anymore and eventually dies.

From the side, the lampreys resemble an eel. Source: David Moffatt

While these attributes may seem bizarre, lampreys as a group have evolved to a near perfect physical design which allows them to thrive within their environmental niche. They are at least 395 million years old, and have remained unchanged for 125 million years, while DNA suggests modern humans have only walked the earth for 300,000 years.

Researchers discussed possible extinction of rare toothy fish

The Australian brook lamprey was first described in 1968, and its south coast NSW habitat had been widely impacted by the building of waterfront homes. After state authorities returned to the discovery site and didnt find it, researchers had quietly discussed its possible extinction.

What continued to stoke hope that the species had survived is that it's known to be very difficult to find. Because they can't be hooked on a line, Carpenter-Bundhoo and his Griffith University team used electro-fishing to paralyse the fish, a non-invasive technique that doesn't harm them.

Related: 'Dramatic rise' in parasites turning home cooked fish into mush

What made Carpenter-Bundhoos rediscovery so remarkable is that he found the fish in a creek on a balmy island north of Brisbane, 1400 km north of the creature's known range. Until now it had been assumed all 47 known species of lampreys could only live in colder anti-tropical environments  and Australias three varieties hadnt been seen further north than Sydney.

The Australian brook lamprey was rediscovered on K'gari. Source: Luke Carpenter-Bundhoo

Other weird creature discoveries in Australia

What's causing this weird-looking fish to decline in numbers?

Carpenter-Bundhoo describes the strange fish as "charismatically, non charismatic". "I'm not going to say they're ugly, but they are terrifying close up. They certainly don't have the appeal of a polar bear or a koala, but there's something that's so weird and foreign to us that it's interesting."

While the rediscovery of the lamprey is good news, it remains under threat of extinction and has been listed as endangered. Bushfire, development, erosion of river banks, and climate change are all believed to be threats to its survival. "But we can't say with absolute confidence what their exact threats are, because they're so hard to find and study," Carpenter-Bundhoo said.

The last sighting of one was earlier this year, when Carpenter-Bundhoo returned to the Kgari stream with his colleague David Moffatt from the Department of Environment (DESI).

The original rediscovery occurred in 2022 while the scientists were researching the impact of the Black Summer bushfires on freshwater rivers using funding from the National Environmental Science Programs Resilient Landscapes Hub. The find was announced this week after Carpenter-Bundhoo and Moffatt co-authored a paper about it in the journal Endangered Species Research.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
Despite the warnings, the situation for NSW's iconic species is continuing to worsen.

Ricardo Lonza's 11-year-old daughter has inherited his love of wildlife, but her children may never see koalas in the wild. Source: Help Save the Wildlife and Bushlands in Campbelltown

One Aussie state has revealed future generations wont be able to see hundreds of iconic native animals in the wild, with 50 per cent of its threatened species expected to be wiped out in a century.

Whats more alarming is that the situation is worsening for the 1000 species on the NSW threatened species list, because the chance of them surviving has dropped two percentage points in just one decade.

The NSW biodiversity outlook report for 2024 makes for difficult reading. Funded by the state government, it uses official data to track future trends in biodiversity. One conservationist called the result calamitous, but another admitted it isnt surprising because laws to protect the natural world simply arent working.

Related: Australia's 'killing corridor': Disturbing details hidden in sad koala photo

Reflecting on details in the report, koala rescuer Ricardo Lonza called its findings "heartbreaking". "It's truly sad that in the future our children's children won't see any wildlife in the wild, it'll only be in zoos," he said.

Wildlife lovers fear the only place many native animals will be seen is inside zoos. Source: Getty (File)

Government responds to 'worrying' report

The report examines environmental data collected between 2007 and 2023, and since its election last year the state government has responded to environmental concerns by announcing some reforms designed to protect wildlife. They include creating 480,000 hectares of national park, and killing feral animals. The latter is particularly important because other than humans, they have caused the most extinctions in Australia.

In a statement, Environment Minister Penny Sharpe claimed the Minns Government was committed to fixing "runaway land clearing" and reforming the state's controversial offset programs that allow developers to destroy land by purchasing credits.

Worryingly, this report confirms biodiversity is in decline and getting worse. Our species and the ecosystems they live in are facing serious threats including habitat loss, invasive species and climate change. The NSW Government is working hard to turn this around," she said.

NSW koalas face extinction in 26 years

While changes could be made to protect the state's wildlife, many conservationists are unconvinced the government will act decisively enough  particularly because the threats are only worsening. Last week it emerged the state government's own logging agency had allegedly 'botched' requirements to protect endangered greater gliders 188 times since February.

The release of the report follows a parliamentary inquiry that concluded koalas would be extinct in the state by 2050 without urgent government intervention. Since then the state and federal governments have continued to back the destruction of endangered koala habitat in southwest Sydney by housing developers including Walker Corporation and LendLease, and delayed the creation of the Great Koala National park on the Mid North Coast.

Habitat destruction, climate change and invasive species were singled out in the report. Its 2024 assessment includes the impact of the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires.

Discover more of our environment coverage.

Call for state government to fix 'calamitous decline'

The Nature Conservation Council for NSW said the report confirms its repeated warnings to the NSW Government that the state is suffering a biodiversity crisis and needs to take urgent action to reverse changes to environmental laws championed by the former Deputy Premier John Barilaro.

Habitat clearing has tripled since nature laws were changed in 2016 to allow virtually unregulated destruction, and now this report confirms what we suspected  its only going to get worse for NSW ecosystems and wildlife as long as the status quo persists, NCC spokesperson Clancy Barnard said.

It isnt surprising that when nothing is done, nothing gets better. The state of the NSW environment is not going to improve until the NSW Government bins these John Barilaro-legacy laws and gets to work on nature protection laws that actually protect nature.

Jeff Angel from the Total Environment Centre said unless there are legal changes to land clearing regulations, the calamitous decline in our environment will continue.

The release of the governments 2024 NSW Biodiversity Indicators Report is one big alarm bell, both environmentally and politically. The last thing the Minns government should find itself with at the next election is a record of more clearing of native vegetation and more species sliding to extinction. This is a fundamental challenge they must not resile from, he said.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
The move by the council in Western Sydney has been defended by its proponents because 'about 60 per cent of the community was born overseas'.

Councillor Steve Christou, former mayor, brought the motion to ban same-sex books in libraries in the Cumberland Council Area. Source: NCA Newswire

The NSW state government is threatening to pull funding from a Sydney council following a controversial ban on same-sex books in libraries. Councillors at Cumberland City Council, in Sydney's west, voted in favour of the controversial motion, which has prompted a wave of concerned backlash.

The motion was brought last week by former mayor, Councillor Steve Christou, who claims he's received complaints from "distraught parents" about the same-sex books on shelves in eight local libraries. Six councillors, including himself, supported the ban with five opposing it.

The move has since drawn a fiery response from some including the state's Arts Minister John Graham who on Tuesday said the government will look at withholding funding from the council responsible. The state government has warned the vote may be in breach of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act.

"We are examining the consequences this decision may have for the council continuing to receive library funding from the NSW Government," he said. "When civilisations turn to burning books or banning books it is a very bad sign. That is equally true for local councils.

"It is up to readers to choose which book to take off the shelf. It should not be up to local councillors to make that choice for them or engage in censorship."

Same-sex books have been banned from eight libraries in the Cumberland Council area. Source: NCA Newswire

Councillor defends decision to ban same-sex books

Speaking of the government's threat on Wednesday morning, Christou said he doesn't believe it's the right decision to cease funding. And while he agreed it's a "sensitive topic", he defended his stance.

"If the government want to take away funding from one of the most socially disadvantaged communities in NSW because their democratically elected council stood up for the values which they believe represent their local community, well shame on them and I would urge them not to do that," he told Today host Karl Stefanovic.

"The State Government would be better focused on servicing their residents and helping them pay the mortgage, the rent, the bills, and put food on the table to feed their children. "

Christou said it was a matter of listening to the community which includes suburbs Auburn, Merrylands and Granville. "We've had consistent complaints on these kind of books and similar issues infiltrating our libraries from local residents," he said on-air on this morning.

"You have to understand that at Cumberland City Council, about 60 per cent of the community was born overseas and they have deep conservative values, family values and religious values, it doesn't matter whether they're Christian, Catholic, Orthodox, Islamic or Hindu."

The book at centre of the ban about 'difficult realities'

The book that sparked the decision was titled 'Focus On: Same Sex Parents'. It forms part of a series that aims to inform children about "difficult realities" and "healthy ways for children to process and understand them". Five copies have been in the council's libraries since 2019.

The "immediate" decision to rid library services of same-sex material has prompted one local to launch a petition to "reverse" Cumberland City Council's decision. In one day it has received over 480 signatures.

Michael, who started the petition on Tuesday, said the move "undermines democratic values and denies representation to diverse families in society" declaring "same-sex parents exist in society".

"By choosing to ban books for and about same-sex families, the council is effectively minimising their existence and sending a clear message," he argued. "This decision is not reflective of the Australian people nor the Australian spirit. Banning these books denies these families representation and fails to reflect our diverse society."

Mayor 'saddened' by 'appalling' decision

Cumberland City Mayor Lisa Lake was among the councillors who voted no, telling ABC Radio on Wednesday she vehemently disagreed with the decision. "It's an appalling decision and I'm really deeply saddened by it," she said.

Lake said the state government currently puts $700,000 a year into their libraries, the Daily Telegraph reported. She too has asked the state government to reconsider.

"Id ask the Minister to confirm his concerns directly with us  it may indeed encourage the councillors who supported this ban to reconsider their response," she said.

Yahoo News Australia has contacted Cumberland City Council for comment.

In a statement to Yahoo News Australia, Greens MP and Western Sydney Spokesperson, Cate Faehrmann agreed the ban is "incredibly concerning".

The community deserves political representatives who want to foster inclusion and tolerance, not harbour hatred and division," she said. " You only have to think about some of the horrendous events over the past few weeks to see what happens when we dont do that."

She agreed Western Sydney is "renowned for its diverse and tolerant communities" and said the decision will likely have "very damaging ramifications for families, including children".

"I understand the government is considering reviewing Cumberland City Councils library funding which is a good thing," she added. "There must be consequences for this divisive and dangerous decision by the Council, plus the Government needs to send a strong message that no other council should consider going down this path."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
General Motors is looking to take advantage of Tesla job cuts after the company underwent a series of high-profile layoffs over the last month.

Tesla boss Elon Musk announced in April that the EV giant would be letting go 10 per cent of the companys global workforce of 140,000 people.

Tesla founder Elon Musk has been working to tackle faltering sales. Source: AP

The company also cancelled summer internships, which GM is now trying to capitalise on.

Laura del Amo, a Talent Sourcing Strategist for General Motors, wrote in a LinkedIn post that the company is interested in hiring software students who may have had their positions cut as part of Teslas upcoming summer internship cohort.

RELATED: Tesla's electric vehicle rival BYD set to dominate Australia after 'substantial' shift

We believe in the strength of our automotive community and are keen to integrate diverse talents into our team, she wrote.

And she added: If you are now looking for a new internship opportunity, lets connect.

Read more from The Independent
NSW Highway Patrol officers found seven members travelling in a van were unlawfully in Australia, with one for nearly a quarter of a century.

Police have called in Border Force after a traffic stop sparked by a seatbelt. Source: Traffic and Highway Patrol Command

A routine traffic stop by police after noticing an occupant of a minivan was not wearing a seatbelt has led to a stunning discovery, prompting the Australian Border Force to get involved in the matter.

Highway Patrol officers in Dubbo, NSW, pulled the van over on Wednesday while the Toyota Hiace was travelling along the Newell Highway in Brocklehurst. Officers noticed a passenger was not wearing a seatbelt and according to a statement from the Highway Patrol unit, police had grounds to search the vehicle which led to one troubling discovery after another.

Officers first found eight kilograms of illegal tobacco. The Albanese government this year launched a major crackdown on the smuggling and sale of illegally imported cigarettes with a booming illicit tobacco market thought to be fuelling organised crime groups. Photos from the scene show plastic bags of suspected contraband resting on a patrol car.

Officers said checks were then carried out on all the occupants of the van, revealing seven of them were unlawfully in Australia, with one for a period of nearly 25 years.

"Two men were charged in relation to the tobacco and will appear at Dubbo Local Court [today] on May 9," Police said. "They will face further action from the Australian Border Force."

According to police, five others "were detained under the Immigration Act and will face further action from the Australian Border Force in coming days for being unlawfully in Australia."

One member of the group has unlawfully been in the country for almost a quarter of a century. Source: Traffic and Highway Patrol Command

Border Security under microscope as men detained in North Queensland

It comes as five men are believed to be in custody on Saibai Island off the far north Queensland coast after being intercepted by authorities in the Torres Strait, allegedly trying to enter Australia on a dinghy. The men are reportedly from West Africa but it is unclear whether they have claimed asylum in Australia.

Border security in the Torres Strait has come under fire this week after the reports of the incident, with Torres Strait Island Mayor Phillemon Mosby saying more federal government funding is needed to police people smuggling in his region.

Mr Mosby said the federal government had not told him about the detainees in his own backyard and he only finding out when alerted by a local councillor.

"She was informed by a family member who happened to drive down the road on Monday ... and found five guys casually sitting like normal locals," he told AAP.

"Nobody from the federal government ... contacted me or my office to let me know there has been a security breach in the region and that those five people were kept on Saibai."

Five men have been detained by Australian authorities on Saibai Island. Source: AAP

The five men reportedly travelled through Indonesia to Papua New Guinea, allegedly using fake documents before attempting to enter far north Queensland.

Asked about the group's arrival, the Australian Border Force said it had "well-established processes to manage irregular movements of people in the Torres Strait".

Thirty nine people from Pakistan and Bangladesh were found north of Broome in Western Australia in February and flown to an offshore detention centre on the Pacific island of Nauru.

with AAP

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Hayley Mabbett, 32, was reportedly walking home from a footy game when a car full of men followed her.

Broncos fan Hayley Mabbett was walking home from a game when she was sexually harassed on a Brisbane street. Source: ABC and LinkedIn

A woman has caught the moment she was sexually harassed on video after a group of men stalked and threatened her with sexual violence on her way home from a footy game at night.

Hayley Mabbett, 32, was reportedly heading home from a train station in Brisbane after watching the Broncos play when a car full of men followed her and shouted threats out the window.

In the footage, Mabbett begins to talk before the voice of a man interrupts her with unintelligible jeers. He then shouts, "you better be going home or I'll rape you".

The driver of the car revved the engine before speeding off, leaving Mabbett in shock.

"Did you f**king hear that? That car just said 'I'm going to rape you'."

Woman asked 'frustrating' question after posting video online

This is not the first time Mabbett has reportedly experienced street harassment but it is the first time she's captured it on camera. After posting the footage online her loved ones questioned why she walked home alone in the dark, highlighting the prevalent theme of victim blaming in these incidences.

"There were some people who contacted me to say 'Why were you walking home alone at night?'" she told the ABC. "I understand why women get asked that question, but it's also frustrating that women can't do that and feel safe."

Putting the onus back on women when it comes to gendered harassment and violence is a mentality that is being spoken about and pushed against as the country grapples with the national crisis. Anthony Albanese urged men to speak to one another about female safety, saying the responsibility of women's safety shouldn't be dumped onto victims.

This mentality was also spoken about when Yahoo News spoke to Bianca Unwin last week. She said victim blaming distracts people from the real issue  the perpetrators and their dangerous behaviour.

"A woman will be attacked while running and it's her fault for having headphones in," she said. "Or in domestic violence cases, it's her fault for not leaving, when statistically the most dangerous time for a woman is when they are leaving... women are damned if they do, damned if they don't," she said.

Mabbett now won't use public transport to get to footy games as she feels unsafe doing so after the incident. She is joining over one million Australian women who don't use public transport after dark because they feel unsafe, according to a report on public safety conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The Auburn Education Foundation continues its mission of providing funds for programs to enhance the educational experience of Auburn Enlarged City School District students.

Over the past 20 years, AEF has funded more than 140 projects in the Auburn Enlarged City School District encompassing grades K through 12.

Funding is awarded to projects that cannot be supported through the regular district budget and fall within at least one of the following six areas: academics, arts, life skills, character education, physical education and wellness, and technology.

As chairperson of the awards committee, I am always impressed with the variety of projects that district staff seek to incorporate into their classrooms and or school building, said AEF Immediate Past President Janie Hutchinson. This spring cycle of approved grants will impact hundreds of students by creating diverse educational opportunities at all levels.

Through its extensive fundraising efforts, which include Gobble 'N' Go for Education in the fall and the Auburn Alumni Hall of Distinction reception in the spring, as well as corporate gifts and other donations, AEF offers grants in the fall and spring. Auburn educators must submit grant applications for their projects, which are reviewed by AEF in a competitive process.

Nine projects were recommended for grants for spring 2024:

Bulldog Cafe: Casey Park Elementary staff sought a calm, fun and welcoming environment for students after they eat lunch in the cafeteria. A grant will be used to purchase games and activities.

"Lets Go! Fitness, Friendship & Fun": A grant will go toward activities that will contribute to a comprehensive and enjoyable physical education experience for Auburn High School students. Funds will help implement two new units into physical education curriculum, 9 Square in the Air and DotBall360, both activities that enhance psychomotor skills, teamwork and overall well-being. Primary goals include improving students physical fitness, teamwork, coordination skills, agility and tactical thinking.

VersaTiles literacy kit: Seward Elementary kindergarten students will use VersaTiles during extended learning time and math workshops to improve proficiency, address gaps and review skills and content.

Read-to-self wiggle seats: Intended for Seward kindergarteners, wiggle seats help children who have a hard time focusing and sitting still. The seating devices provide subtle movement and will be used during silent reading time to maintain focus.

Jarrett Krosoczka evening program books: In March, the New York Times best-selling childrens author and illustrator came to Auburn High School and spoke to students about his unique upbringing and creative process. The grant funded the purchase of 50 copies of Krosoczkas books that were distributed to students who could get them signed.

"Sparking a Flame of Curiosity: Illuminating Science with Black Lights": The grant funded the purchase of black light kits and basic luminescent tools that Owasco Elementary staff can use to transform science classrooms into captivating learning environments. A sample lesson in grades three through five is Mineral Mania, where students would shine a black light to identify fluorescent minerals to learn about their properties and identification methods.

Solar eclipse activities: This grant funded activities that the elementary STEM teachers implemented at each grade level to educate students about the eclipse.

Sensory play in kindergarten: Casey Park staff have noticed students entering kindergarten have decreased fine motor control, which impacts learning. The grant will fund a sensory table for each kindergarten classroom and one set of sensory items to share between four classrooms.

Flexible seating to increase student engagement: The grant will be used to purchase flexible seating, such as yoga balls with bases and legs, doughnut balls, wobble stools, wobble cushions and padded stools for Casey Park classrooms. Flexible seating allows students to adapt to a new classroom environment and helps them improve interest and better engage in learning.

"Empowering Voices" author visit with Jason Reynolds: Funds would go toward a potential visit at Auburn High School with acclaimed author Jason Reynolds, known for his young adult novel Long Way Down. Students in grades 10-12 will be involved in a dynamic and interactive session aimed at deepening their understanding of his book while fostering critical thinking and diverse skill sets.
Peggy Du.

This entry in the Nonprofit Journal Project is part of a series of articles about how Michigan health care professionals are responding to the state's health care workforce shortage. It is made possible with funding from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. The Metro Detroit-based Association of Chinese Americans (ACA) is developing a training program to address the shortage of direct care workers equipped to serve older Chinese Americans in Southeast Michigan.Serving Chinese residents of Southeast Michigan for more than 50 years, the ACA has three locations: the ACA Chinese Community Center (CCC) in Madison Heights and ACA Service Centers in Detroit and Canton . Its long list of services includes many offerings for older adults. The CCC offers wellness programs, health screenings, Medicare and Medicaid assistance, and much more for older Chinese Americans."I enjoy spending time with our seniors during our office hours," says Peggy Du, ACA executive director. "We help them to find resources, be their voice, and help them live a more happy senior life. Were their eyes, their ears, and also their mouths, trying to express what they want."One need for the older adults ACA serves is having home health direct care workers who speak their language and provide culturally relevant care. Thats the goal of the ACAs new caregiver training project, which ACA is undertaking in partnership with Michigan State University 's School of Social Work and Impart Alliance , which works to develop Michigans direct care workforce.We spoke with Du about the ACA Caregiver Project and how it will grow the direct care workforce for people speaking languages other than English.Q: How is the Association of Chinese Americans helping to address a shortage of direct care workers equipped to serve older adults from the Asian American community in Southeast Michigan?A: Based on our survey of over 500 community members, we know there is a lack of Chinese-  Mandarin- or Cantonese-  speaking direct care workers. We are also trying to establish opportunities for some of our community members to come out to work. We decided to do a bilingual training program for our community members. There are tons of training resources, but they're all offered in English. Some of our community members have language barriers. So, even though there's materials ready to use, they don't understand them.Our program starts with a train-the-trainer part. Our community leaders and the ACA staff will attend the training. We are all bilingual. Then we will come back and teach-back to our community in Mandarin and in Cantonese, so that our family caregivers or someone who is trying to become a direct care worker, they have a chance to learn the caregiver skills in the language they're familiar with.Its a very comprehensive training. Taking care of a person, there's a lot of skills you need to know to understand the needs of that person, including cooking skills, nutrition, exercises for prevention, a whole lot of things. Because I speak the language, then I can take care of someone. The Impart Alliance is open to co-develop a curriculum that specifically fits the Asian Pacific American or Chinese American seniors. We wanted to review their current materials and add or replace some pieces so it is tailored for Chinese American seniors. Dr. Fei Sun from MSU is a Chinese American professor focused on social work. He will add his insight based on his experience working with seniors.We want there to be a very comprehensive curriculum. We hope to translate it into written language so that our students can read and understand. We are at the stage of developing the trainers material. Then we can start the training and recruit the community members to take the trainees course.From the ACA side, we have a staff member that is Mandarin- and English-bilingual, and we have another who is Cantonese- and English-bilingual. We also have some community leaders who are also bilingual  a class of six people to eight people for the trainers training session.If students already speak the language, but lack the caregiving skills, we can equip them with the skills. If they already have the skills, we can train them with basic language skills and tell them about the Chinese culture and cooking. For the Chinese American care recipient, we will create the bridge and break down the gap.Q: How does it benefit older adults when their direct care workers are culturally sensitive and/or able to speak the clients first language?A: We want Chinese American older adults to have a very high quality experience during their aging lives. It's a challenge for them to express their real needs, especially the physical [needs]. By having a caregiver who is well trained with the skills and culture, they can build a good relationship on trust between each other. Then the seniors will be willing to communicate and let their caregivers know about their real needs. Students will participate in our program, and after that, find a job and create a positive impact. We see the value of the program continuing, serving a larger group of people and the broader community.Q: Will the model translate well to other immigrant communities?A: If we have success with the pilot program in the Chinese American community, later it could be [adapted to] the Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and other Asian communities.The immigrant population, especially the senior age, usually move to the United States and Michigan with their kids. The kids come here to study or to work. Their parents have spent the majority of their time in their home country, so they are lacking the skills for learning a new language, driving, etc. There's a big need. Our middle age group, they're working very hard and need to also take care of the younger generations. So we've got to help all those family caregivers to have a break, and to care about their mental health, as well.We don't want to make money out of it. Our intention  the driving force  is our giving back to the community. That makes me feel very fortunate and thankful that we've been connected to this group of wonderful people in this area, Impart and the MSU School of Social Work, to address the direct care workforce shortage.
PetroTal announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% working interest in Block 131 in Peru on Wednesday, including the producing Los Angeles field, through the acquisition of CEPSA Peruana.

The AIM-traded firm said the acquisition, valued at $5m in cash subject to adjustment, was expected to bolster its strategic position and operational capabilities in the region.

It said the strategic rationale for the acquisition included adding low-cost light oil reserves with significant upside potential, estimated between three and 4.9 million barrels of oil.

Furthermore, the acquisition was expected to generate synergies with the Iquitos refinery, enabling PetroTal to increase sales capacity for heavier Bretana crude and potentially realise lower Brent differentials from the combined lighter oil mix sold to Iquitos.

PetroTal's management outlined three near-term operational initiatives for Block 131, including the identification of bypassed oil for low-risk horizontal well locations, potential use of hydraulic pumps to reduce operating costs, and implementation of solutions to lower chemical costs from treating asphaltene.

CEPSA Peru's assets, which include the Los Angeles oil field, had produced around 7.6 million barrels as of 31 March.

The assets were held under a concession agreement expiring in 2037 and were subject to a royalty rate.

All crude oil produced was sold to Petroperu and transported by barge along the Ucayali River to the refinery in Iquitos.

Completion of the acquisition remained subject to regulatory approvals, with the effective date set to be 1 January 2024.

This is PetroTal's first acquisition since entering Peru in late 2017, said president and chief executive officer Manuel Pablo Zuniga-Pflucker.

This transaction marks an important step forward in delivering on our ongoing growth vision.

The assets being acquired are synergistic, highly accretive to the company's current operations and we have immediate plans for development once the transaction is complete. All production from the assets is directed to the Iquitos refinery.

Zuniga-Pflucker said completion of the acquisition would add around 900 barrels of oil per day to the companys current 18,500 dai;ly barrels of Bretana production, with the potential for further upside in the near-to-medium term.

Furthermore, our operational team is assessing the potential upside in the deeper zones of the Los Angeles field, that were previously penetrated but were not tested.

Finally, the location of Block 131 is of strategic importance, as it is connected by a 130 kilometre highway to the company's Block 107 prospect.

We look forward to announcing further updates on this acquisition process in due course.

At 1233 BST, shares in PetroTal Corporation were up 1.29% at 47.1p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Digital 9 Infrastructure announced the appointment of Eric Sanderson as its independent non-executive chair on Wednesday, to oversee the companys wind-down.

The London-listed firm said Sanderson, a chartered accountant and former chief executive officer of British Linen Bank, would bring much experience to the role, having previously served as chief executive of Bank of Scotland's treasury arm, alongside extensive non-executive board experience in investment companies.

He currently holds the position of non-executive chair of JPMorgan Emerging Europe, Middle East & Africa Securities and BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust.

Sanderson also served as non-executive chair of Schroders UK Mid Cap Fund, and held directorial roles in various companies including Dunedin Enterprise Investment Trust.

Upon approval from the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC), Sanderson's appointment would take immediate effect, leading to the resignation of Charlotte Valeur as interim chair and independent non-executive director.

After assuming his role, Digital 9 said Sanderson would join several committees, including the risk, valuation, nomination, and management engagement committees.

Sandersons appointment followed an independent external recruitment process led by the board's nomination committee.

The committee, with Eric Sanderson's assistance, was actively recruiting at least one additional non-executive director to support the managed wind-down, with further updates expected in due course.

Sanderson did not currently hold any shares in the Company.

We look forward to welcoming Eric Sanderson as a highly experienced and respected investment trust chair to lead the company through its managed wind-down process, said Gailina Liew, chair of the firms nomination committee and senior independent director.

We also take this opportunity to thank Charlotte Valeur for her commitment to the company since IPO and for her dedicated leadership as interim chair of the company over the past four months.

As a board, we remain committed to executing an orderly wind-down to maximise shareholder value over time.

At 1115 BST, shares in Digital 9 Infrastructure were down 0.86% at 21.86p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Popular Japanese clothing apparel store UNIQLO will host its grand opening on Friday, May 10, in the Staten Island Mall in New Springville, and the launch will be punctuated by live music performances, exclusive early access offerings and unique giveaways.

This opening marks a significant expansion for UNIQLO, further enriching its 2,400-store-strong global presence with a new 9,000-square-foot facility, the company noted in a press release. The store is designed to enhance the shopping experience by showcasing UNIQLOs renowned LifeWear products for men, women, and children.

Highlights of the grand opening include:

Unique giveaways : The first 100 customers each day will receive UNIQLO knot bags filled with Japanese treats, and those who purchase over $99 in items will receive a stylish Mini Shoulder Bag.

Cultural experiences: Authentic Japanese calligraphy sessions will be ongoing, and morning breakfast featuring ITO EN tea and local bakery delights will be offered.

These offerings are designed to introduce the new store and immerse the Staten Island community and visitors in the unique UNIQLO shopping experience, emphasizing the brands commitment to quality, comfort, and customer satisfaction, the company noted.

The Friday grand opening will also include performances from the OMNY TAIKO drumming group, starting at 10:45 a.m., with subsequent shows at noon, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. There will also be early access to UNIQLOs KAIJU NO.8 UT Collection, which wont be launched at stores outside Staten Island until May 13.

Discounts on popular items like Premium Linen Shirts and Supima Cotton T-Shirts will also be given, and free hemming services will be offered for pants priced at more than $20.

Known for its timeless wardrobe pieces and viral mini shoulder bag, the company was founded in 1949 in Yamaguchi, Japan, and operates more than 1,000 locations around the world. There are currently 53 stores across the United States and 11 in New York, including UNIQLOs sister brand GU.

UNIQLO operated a store in the Mall about 10 years ago, but that location closed in 2016 after operating for less than three years. This new store is located in a first-floor space opposite H&M.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The NYPD is asking for the publics assistance to identify four individuals sought for questioning in connection with a gunpoint robbery at a pharmacy in Meiers Corners.

The incident reportedly occurred on April 22 at about 8:30 p.m., when two women and two men entered a store at 1933 Victory Boulevard, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

A CVS is located at the address provided by police.

The two women began removing items from shelves and attempted to leave the store, according to the police statement.

When an employee confronted the women, a man wearing a face mask brandished a firearm, the NYPD statement said.

The individuals then fled location in a black SUV, police said.

A composite photo of the individuals sought for questioning was provided to the media by the NYPD.

Police described the first individual as a female with a dark complexion who was wearing a black bubble jacket and dark-colored pants and was carrying a dark colored bag.

A second individual is described by police as a female with a dark complexion who was wearing a beige-colored bubble jacket.

Police described a third individual as a male with a dark complexion who was wearing a black face mask, long-sleeve gray shirt, gray pants and white sneakers.

A fourth individual is described by police as a male with a dark complexion wearing a dark-colored hat and dark-colored shirt.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.
Empowering tomorrows leaders, Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo recently hosted the Moore Catholic High School AP Government/Politics students at the State Capitol on April 15.

Accompanied by Chief of Staff Nick Robbins, Moore Principal Scott Gabel and government, psychology, sociology, and Italian teacher Amanda Sorrentino, the Moore students witnessed government in action and were treated to a guided tour of the Capitol. Afterwards, the students were introduced on the Assembly floor.

It is one thing to read about the structure and responsibilities of government in a classroom, but it is a whole other experience to be in the building while it is happening. said Pirozzolo. I am extremely thankful to the students and staff of Moore Catholic for accepting my invitation to visit the Capitol, tour the historic rooms and halls, and participate in a session of the Assembly during budget season.

It was an honor to introduce them and share their accomplishments with the entire state. Thank you to Principal Scott Gabel, Ms. Amanda Sorrentino, NYPD Assistant Commissioner Alden Foster, Detective Marino Nunez and the staff of the Capitol for making this experience for Staten Islands students possible.

Transportation for the trip was generously provided by the New York Police Departments Community Affairs Bureau, with assistance provided by the New York State Police. Members of the NYPDs Community Affairs and School Safety Bureaus joined the students for their experience.

During the visit, the Moore students visited Empire State Plaza, the Capitol building, including the Senate and Assembly chambers, and the legislative office building.

Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo represents the 63rd Assembly District, which encompasses parts of the North Shore, including Emerson Hill, Sunnyside, Bloomfield, Travis and Chelsea.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. 

Joseph Delaney of the Notre Dame Club of Staten Island presented a check for $7,900 to The Missionary Sisters of St. Francis, a religious order of Catholic nuns in Peekskill, N.Y.

The check was a donation through a partnership between the Notre Dame Alumni Club of Staten Island and an organization called Support Our Aging Religious (SOAR!).

Delaney explains that for years The University of Notre Dame Alumni Club on Staten Island has supported elderly and infirm nuns, brothers, and priests, living in retirement and struggling to make ends meet.

As an executive director of the club, Delaney made the donation along with club President Tom Ventrudo, who presented the congregation with the grant to purchase two motorized wheelchairs for sisters.

The University of Notre Dame Alumni Club of Staten Island has long been an active supporter and longstanding partner of SOAR! and together they were able to combine their financial resources to make the grant possible.

According to Delaney, This contribution would not have been possible without a generous donation to our club by an anonymous Notre Dame alum, who had several elderly religious in his family. The alum asked his donation be given to the Notre Dame Club because of our clubs partnership with SOAR! and he knew the club would seek direction from SOAR! to give the donation to a religious congregation in need. SOAR! then identified the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

Delaney noted that the donation represented the Notre Dame Clubs 5 Point Agenda for Life program established five years ago to support Cardinal Timothy J. Dolans program of promoting life throughout the Archdiocese of New York.

The 5-Point Agenda for Life Program is a holistic approach by the club to support Life on Staten Island and across the Archdiocese of New York.

Programs supported by the 5-Point Agenda for Life include promoting and safeguarding the unborn through support of the Cross Road Foundation and Good Counsel Home, fighting food insecurity through the clubs annual Bread of Life Food Drive, and assisting children with cancer through supporting the Jewish Community Centers Lucille and Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp.

Also, outreaching to Catholic Charities of Staten Island to assist the agency in addressing food insecurity and homelessness and assisting the migrant community, assisting people with disabilities and supporting the elderly on Staten Island and within Catholic religious communities.

In 2019, SOAR! awarded the Notre Dame Clubs of the Archdiocese of New York (Mid-Hudson Valley, New York City, and Staten Island) the organizations prestigious Dorothy Day Award for a broad spectrum of social, religious, and community activities that engage their members in the needs of the community.

Each year the Staten Island club participates in the SOAR! Annual New York Awards Dinner to help raise funds for elderly and infirm religious. Previously, SOAR! has made donations to The Presentation Sisters, located on Staten Island.

And during the month of April, the Staten Island club was awarded by The University of Notre Dame its prestigious Outstanding Club Award for 2023, presented to the club at the universitys 57th Annual Leadership Conference on the campus of Notre Dame University.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A rising number of homeowners across the United States have found themselves stuck in homes they cant afford, according to a recent report by the financial research company Chamber of Commerce.

Homeowners who have to spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs are considered to be house poor, according to the Chamber of Commerce.

The 30% rule is a popular standard for budgeting, which advises homeowners to avoid spending more than 30% when buying a home, the Commerce explained.

Cost-burdened homeowners have found themselves facing financially crippling housing expenses, including, but not limited to, monthly mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities and home repairs, the Chamber of Commerce cited.

In order to get a better understanding of where homeowners are living beyond their means, the Chamber of Commerce analyzed monthly housing costs and median household income using data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The study showed that New York City, Los Angeles and Miami have the most homeowners living beyond their means, with more than 4 in 10 homeowners considered to be house poor in these cities.

In New York City, 45.3% of homeowners are considered cost-burdened. New York City placed at 3 and Yonkers placed at 13 on the list respectively, according to the analysis.

Nationwide, it was found that 27.4% of homeowners are considered house poor. Overall, 21% of cost-burdened homeowners have a household income of less than $75,000, the research showed.

Florida and California had the highest number of house poor cities, with six located in Florida and 14 located in California, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey.

Here are the top five cities with the most house poor homeowners:

1. Hialeah, Florida

 Percentage of House Poor Homeowners: 59.3%

 Number of House Poor Households: 10,918

 Median Household Income: $64,386

 Median Monthly Household Costs: $1,632

 Median Yearly Household Costs: $19,584

2. Los Angeles, California

 Percentage of House Poor Homeowners: 48.7%

 Number of House Poor Households: 179,821

 Median Household Income: $122,032

 Median Monthly Household Costs: $2,972

 Median Yearly Household Costs: $35,664

3. New York City, New York

 Percentage of House Poor Homeowners: 45.3%

 Number of House Poor Households: 272,355

 Median Household Income: $120,618

 Median Monthly Household Costs: $2,848

 Median Yearly Household Costs: $34,176

4. Miami, Florida

 Percentage of House Poor Homeowners: 44.6%

 Number of House Poor Households: 14,565

 Median Household Income: $92,897

 Median Monthly Household Costs: $2,308

 Median Yearly Household Costs: $27,696

5. Hollywood, Florida

 Percentage of House Poor Homeowners: 44.3%

 Number of House Poor Households: 10,180

 Median Household Income: $98,131

 Median Monthly Household Costs: $2,039

 Median Yearly Household Costs: $24,468

The cities with the most "house poor" households, according to the Chamber of Commerce. (Chamber of Commerce)Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber of Commerces analysis also took a look at cities with the most budget-minded homeowners.

Rochester, New York, ranked at number seven on the most budget-minded homeowners list, while Buffalo, New York, was ranked at number 22 on the Chamber of Commerces most budget-minded homeowners list.

According to the ranking, nearly two-thirds of homeowners in Huntsville, Alabama, spend less than 20% of their income on housing costs.

Nationwide, it was found that 47% of homeowners spend less than 20% of their income on housing expenses.

Nearly, 60% of homeowners in Raleigh, North Carolina, and 59.3% in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are budget minded, according to the analysis.

The Chamber of Commerce recommends speaking with a financial advisor before purchasing a home to avoid becoming a house poor homeowner.
Adrienne from Brooklyn loved Paul McCartney.

And she let the whole world know it in a video clip captured by CBS News in 1964, when the Beatles conquered America.

And six decades later, a Staten Island woman and her family believe that the Beatlemanic professing her undying love for McCartney way back when was their mom.

Nicole DOnofrio said she and her brother John, a retired NYPD officer, saw the clip for the first time in 2016, when it was featured in the Beatles documentary Eight Days a Week  The Touring Years, which appeared on Hulu.

Thats when we were like, could this be mommy? DOnofrio, an Eltingville resident, told the Advance.

I LOVE YOU, PAUL!

The film clip, which has been circulating for years, captures Adrienne from Brooklyn professing her undying love for the Fab Four, especially McCartney.

I dont care what anybody thinks! she says in the video. Ill love the Beatles forever and Ill always love them. Even when Im 105 and an old grandmother Ill love them.

And Paul McCartney, if you are listening, Adrienne from Brooklyn loves you with all her heart. I love you, Paul! And please come to the window so I can just see you. I saw you smoking before and I kissed the limousine you walked out of. But I love you and I want you, Paul. And Ringo, you can look out too, because I like you.

DOnofrio said that the family had never seen the video of Adrienne from Brooklyn before, but they had little doubt about Adriennes identity once they did.

In our hearts, we were like Adrienne from Brooklyn was our mom, she said. It was just a fun conversation between us.

As first reported by Rolling Stone magazine, McCartney finally responded to Adrienne in a video of his own last Friday.

McCartney was in Brooklyn to help launch an exhibition of Beatles photos.

Hey, Adrienne, its Paul, the former Beatle says in the TikTok clip. Im in Brooklyn now. I finally got here.

DOnofrio said that the video from McCartney has to be a sign from our mother saying, yeah, this is me.

The family did their own TikTok video, and dug out their moms Beatles albums as well as commemorative coins that were issued to mark the Beatles maiden visit to America, a tour which was a seminal moment in rock and roll history.

One of the albums had Adrienne and Paul written on the sleeve, with a heart drawn around it.

We didnt think it would explode like this, DOnofrio said. Were just cheering a fun story.

Adrienne D'Onofrio is shown around 1970. (Photo courtesy of Nicole D'Onofrio)Photo courtesy of Nicole D'Onofrio

But sadly, there is no possibility of McCartney and Adrienne meeting after all these years. Adrienne DOnofrio died in 1992 after being diagnosed with lymphoma. She was 41.

While saying there was no surefire way to confirm Adriennes identity, Rolling Stone reviewed photos and video footage and checked public records, and the magazine said it can exclusively reveal what is quite possibly the identity of the real Adrienne from Brooklyn.

Adrienne DOnfrio was born in 1951 and was raised in Brooklyn. Because her mother worked long hours, Adrienne spent a lot of time playing hooky, Rolling Stone reported, skipping school to see Murray the K at the Fox Theatre.

She snuck out of school to see the Beatles arrive in New York City on their first tour of America, which is when the CBS News footage was captured.

Adrienne dropped out of school after becoming pregnant at the age of 15. She married her husband, Harry, a year later. They had four children.

Commemorative coin issued in 1964 to mark the first visit of The Beatles to America. (Photo courtesy of Nicole D'Onofrio)Photo courtesy of Nicole D'Onofrio

She was always fun and into music, Nicole DOnofrio said. It was a big part of their life.

Nicole DOnofrio said her mom would have enjoyed the attention that the news clip is generating.

She would have loved this, she said. It would be a fun moment.

DOnofrio, also a mother of four, said the story has been a fun way for our children to connect with my mom.

Whats bringing joy for us is its making a connection with my mother and her grandkids, she said.

DOnofrio said it would be fun to hear from McCartney.

She said, Were not looking for anything. This is just our heartwarming story.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Dozens of salon professionals at the Paul Mitchell School in New Dorp participated in a Domestic Violence Salon Initiative Training and Workshop on Tuesday, April 30.

The event, hosted by the Richmond County District Attorneys Office (RCDA) in collaboration with the Staten Island Family Justice Center and the Mayors Office to End Gender-Based Violence, educated the professionals on the differing forms of domestic violence and taught them how they can identify a client who is experiencing abuse.
SUBSCRIBER BENEFIT: This year, SILive.com subscribers can get free unlimited high-resolution digital photo downloads of any of our photos in our galleries. Log in, click on the photo gallery to see if we photographed your favorite prom-goer and choose GET PHOTO to download free print-quality images. Additionally, subscribers will get 50% off the purchase of prom-related keepsakes. If you are not already a subscriber, sign up here.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Gateway Academy held its prom Tuesday night onboard a Skyline Cruises boat featuring dinner and sightseeing around Manhattan.

GRAND ENTRANCE

Students started to arrive at 4:30 p.m. ready to celebrate. Soon after, they boarded a party bus bound for Pier 40 in Manhattan where they boarded a Skyline Cruises boat for an evening of dining and cruising around New York City.

BEST DRESSED

Sparkling dresses, tuxes and suits and big smiles abounded, making it impossible to pick a best dressed!

>> HIGH-RES, PRINT QUALITY PROM PHOTOS ARE FREE FOR SUBSCRIBERS. SUBSCRIBE HERE, OR USE THE GET PHOTO LINK IF YOU ALREADY SUBSCRIBE. SUBSCRIBERS CAN DOWNLOAD AS MANY PHOTOS AS YOU LIKE. <<

JOIN OUR COVERAGE

As part of our coverage, we invite you to join in on the fun by tagging your prom photos #SILive on Instagram for a chance to be featured. Just make sure your account is public. Not going to the prom or just curious as to how much fun everyone is having? Follow @siadvance on Instagram and TikTok, and silivedotcom on Snapchat, to keep up with our complete coverage. If you would like your school featured as part of our prom coverage, email the details (when, where, time, venue, address, etc.) to tips@siadvance.com with PROM 2024 in the subject line.

For past prom coverage, visit silive.com/proms.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The return of warm weather to the New York City region invites residents to spend a day at the beach or watch a ballgame, but it also welcomes back the possibility of thunderstorms.

With May 2 clocking a summer-like high of 88 degrees, it was only a matter of time before thunder made a move into the area.

While Tuesday temperatures climbed into the upper-70s, as recorded by the Advance/SILive.com weather station, the real weather story of the week is the chance at multiple bouts of thunder which can roll across the city going into Mothers Day weekend.

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY

Residents were treated to a beautiful spring Tuesday featuring warmth, low-humidity, and an abundance of sunshine.

Although the weather made for the perfect opportunity get those steps in at one of the boroughs many parks, the sun will give way to a quick-hitting system overnight, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek.

Good morning! Today will be sunny and warm with highs in the low to mid 70s with NYC metro reaching the low 80s. A light sea breeze development in the afternoon should cool off coastal and Eastern LI regions.#NYwx #CTwx #NJwx pic.twitter.com/VHhOynABIV  NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) May 7, 2024

Probably just produces a couple of showers, a shower or two around the area, Dombek reports. Could be a rumble of thunder. Shouldnt be a big deal.

This fast-moving system is expected to move in after midnight and move out in the early part of Wednesday. From there, the weather improves once again.

The sun comes back out, the clouds break for sun, and we push temperatures about as high as they are today (Tuesday), maybe even a degree or so higher, Dombek says.

AccuWeather forecasts a high of 81 degrees on Wednesday.

Even though we have maybe not the greatest start to the day tomorrow (Wednesday), I think overall it will turn out pretty nice, Dombek added.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

Moving into Thursday, Dombek highlights the big story of the day: Precipitation.

From Thursday into Thursday night, and even into Friday, showers will overtake the New York City area. AccuWeather forecasts rainfall amounts just under half an inch for the five boroughs.

Thunder could very well make an appearance as well; however, Dombek doubts the formation of anything major.

This set up coming late this week, in the New York City area, this is not really conducive, not really favorable for anything major in the way of thunderstorms, Dombek said. In fact, it may not thunder at all. It might just be too cool, too what we call stable in the atmosphere. Its just not really a favorable situation to get thunderstorms. What you want is warm-humid, or hot-humid weather  lots of fuel for the thunderstorm, and youre just not going to have that. Its just more of a cooler pattern and more of a flow maybe coming in from off of the ocean for a time.

That being said, Dombek notes there could still be a chance at thunder, though thats going to be more the exception rather than the rule.

Thursday temperatures look to only reach a high of 70 for the day, as reported by AccuWeather.

Realistically, it could stay in the 60s that day (Thursday), and it definitely is going to stay in the 60s, maybe lows 60s for a high on Friday, Dombek added.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Looking to Mothers Day weekend, the weather doesnt improve all that much.

If you had one word to sum up the Mothers Day weekend, Saturday, Sunday, its a cool weekend, Dombek said. You know, not cold, not chilly, but certainly on the cool side of what you would expect for this time of the year.

Dombek notes that the average high temperature this weekend typically rests around 71 degrees. AccuWeathers current forecast calls for weekend highs no greater than the mid-60s.

Were definitely going to be on the cool side of where things should be, said Dombek. At this juncture, Saturday looks dry, but probably a lot more clouds than sun.

While Sunday looks to remain cool, it will bring about a chance of thundershowers in spots and pea-sized hail.

The days that kickoff the following week will see a slight warm up in temperatures.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- General Motors (GM) announced on May 8 that Steve Hill, the current vice president of global commercial operations, will assume the role of executive vice president of GM and president of GM China.

Steve Hill; photo credit: GM

Steve is a global marketing expert at GM and has held significant positions including vice president of sales, service, and marketing in the United States, as well as vice president of customer service and aftersales globally. He will take over the helm of GM's operations in China effective June 1, succeeding Julian Blissett.

Following Steve's transition, Julian Blissett will retire from GM after 18 years of living and working in China, returning to the UK to reunite with his family. Julian's career at GM began in 1996, overseeing engineering operations in Europe. He subsequently held management roles in China and various overseas markets.

Over the past four years since 2020, Julian led the Chinese team through industry transformations, actively exploring new business areas, focusing on new energy, intelligent driving, localized software development applications, and the localization of imported vehicles.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Baolong settles global Intelligent Driving R&D headquarters in Optics Valley, Wuhan

On May 7, Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation ("Baolong") inked a strategic cooperation agreement with Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone, to establish its global Intelligent Driving R&D headquarters in Optics Valley.

Photo credit: Baolong

Hyundai IONIQ 5 N China edition to commence pre-sale in June

During the recent Auto China 2024, Hyundai officially unveiled the China version of its N brand's first mass-produced high-performance electric vehicle, the IONIQ 5 N. The automaker announced that the model will be introduced in 2024, with pre-sale beginning in June.

EHang's intelligent eVTOL aircraft completes first manned flight in the UAE

On May 6, Guangzhou EHang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd. (EHang) announced that its unmanned electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, EH216-S, successfully completed its inaugural manned flight in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Additionally, the EH216-F (used for high-rise firefighting) and EH216-L (used for aerial logistics) aircrafts also completed their first flights in the UAE.

BYD approved to operate auto insurance service in multiple regions

On May 6, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission(CBIRC) issued a reply, permitting Shenzhen BYD Property & Casualty Insurance Co., Ltd. (BYD P&C Insurance) to use nationally uniformed regulation and rates on compulsory traffic accident liability insurance for motor vehicles.

Hangzhou releases new policies to boost vehicle trade-ins

Recently, the Hangzhou Municipal People's Government released a document introducing policies aimed at faciliating trade-ins for travel, transportation, and automobile sectors.

GAC AION's Thailand factory secures bonded zone approval

On May 7, the signing ceremony of the 185 bonded area agreement of GAC AION's factory in Thailand was held at the customs department in Bangkok, Thailand, marking a significant milestone of GAC AION's localized production in the country.

General Motors appoints Steve Hill as president of GM China

General Motors (GM) announced on May 8 that Steve Hill, the current vice president of global commercial operations, will assume the role of executive vice president of GM and president of GM China.

AutoX qualified for full-domain RoboTaxi application in Hangzhou

On May 7, autonomous driving company AutoX announced that it has obtained the first and currently only qualification for full-domain innovation application of RoboTaxi in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province.

Infineon to supply Xiaomi EV with power semiconductors

Automotive semiconductor supplier Infineon on May 6 announced that it reached an agreement with Xiaomi EV to supply advanced power semiconductors to the carmaker by 2027.

NIO, GAC Group team up on battery swap service interconnection

On May 8, Chinese electric vehicle maker NIO signed a strategic cooperation agreement with GAC Group on battery swap business.

Changan Automobile sees 15.47% YoY rise in Apr. sales

On May 7, Chinese automaker Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (Changan Automobile) announced that its monthly sales volume reached 210,133 vehicles in April, which jumped 15.47% year over year.
Kyle Sandilands doesnt mind being in the headlines, particularly when they concern his gargantuan salary.

But even he might be less than impressed to learn that highly confidential pay details of radios biggest-earning stars (including his own) have been handed to lawyers representing the enemy.

Thats because the big radio networks were forced by order of the all-powerful Copyright Tribunal to divulge details of their biggest-earning stars to lawyers conducting a court case for the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Ltd (PPCA), which is campaigning to get more moolah for Aussie record labels and local artists.

Sandilands at home in Vaucluse. Credit: Nic Walker

And its main target is the commercial FM radio networks, which PPCA reckon are not forking out enough in licence fees.
Advertisement

Review Eating outFootscray This humble Footscray market eatery serves the South American version of a halal snack pack I was full about five seconds after starting but kept diving back in, writes Dani Valent. Dani Valent May 8, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This venue appears in the June hit list Melbourne 2024. See all stories .

1 / 6 Patacon, a shareable platter of crisp-fried plantain slices layered with braised and pulled skirt steak, salad, cheese and squirts of salsas. Jason South 2 / 6 Papelon is a bright and welcoming Venezuelan cafe and restaurant near Footscray Market. Jason South 3 / 6 The reina pepiada, aka the curvy queen arepa with chicken and avocado. Jason South 4 / 6 Pabellon is Venezuelas national dish, a platter of rice, black beans, beef and plantains. Jason South 5 / 6 Lomo saltado, a Peruvian beef stir-fry, served with chips and rice. Jason South 6 / 6 Tequenos (fried cheese pastries). Jason South Previous Slide Next Slide South American$$$$ Food does many jobs at Papelon, a new restaurant on the edge of Footscray Market, owned by Venezuelan immigrant Reveka Hurtado. Theres the basic task of sating hunger: maybe you need a snack before hitting the market, or you bring the family because tonight doesnt feel like a cooking night. There are more profound tasks for food, too: Papelon is a place Melbourne Latinos can sink into for a taste of home. Perhaps its the shredded beef just like mamas, the namesake papelon, a sugar cane drink thats sold on the streets of South America, or very likely tequenos, the crunchy, oozy fried cheese pastries that are a must at any Venezuelan shindig. If you run out, its a bad party, Reveka cautions. Tequenos (fried cheese pastries). Jason South

Advertisement

Beyond that, food at Papelon is for outreach, entrusted with encircling the broader Australian community in its warm Latin American embrace. On every marker, Papelon succeeds heartily, and it will only get better. Three months after opening, the food is mostly Venezuelan, with influences from Colombian chef Edyson Araque. The plan, though, is to include dishes that represent countries all the way from Mexico to Patagonia. There arent many Latin American restaurants in Melbourne  and none other that I know of in the west  so this is a wholesome project of cultural connection. The reina pepiada, aka the curvy queen. Jason South Arepas are made here from corn meal. Before coming, Id only tried petite, flat Colombian-style arepas. The Venezuelan version is more like a pita pocket, brimful with filling. The Reina Pepiada (curvy queen) is loaded with creamy, tangy chicken and avocado, named  so the legend goes  after a Miss World pageant winner from the 1950s.

Advertisement

The patacon is a shareable platter of crisp-fried plantain slices layered with braised and pulled skirt steak, salad, cheese and squirts of salsas. I was full about five seconds after starting but kept diving back in. Pabellon is Venezuelas national dish, a platter of rice, black beans, beef and plantains that includes elements of native, Spanish and African cuisine. If youre Venezuelan, youll be transfixed; if youre not, youll be won over by simple, nourishing resonance. Papelon is a bright and welcoming Venezuelan cafe and restaurant near Footscray Market. Jason South Reveka Hurtado hasnt had an easy journey. She fled Venezuela as a journalism student in 2015: her country was in disarray, speaking out was dangerous and Chile offered safer harbour. Five years later, she came to Australia to study English but was caught out by the pandemic. She started making empanadas to bring in income. A dark kitchen followed and finally this bright, joyful restaurant. The idea is to be a gathering space as well as an eating place, with artist workshops and live music. Papelon is humble but the vision is huge, proving the wide-ranging powers of food with every plate.

Advertisement

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up
Advertisement

Eating outMother's Day From offbeat brunches to edible bouquets: 23 budget-friendly Mothers Day ideas Forget flowers and chocolates. Go for brunch among a herd of alpacas, on a food tour at a local market, or grab a box of sweet treats by some of the citys best bakers. Bianca Hrovat May 8, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This is your reminder: Mothers Day is on Sunday. Yes, this Sunday, May 12. Dont worry, theres still time to plan a memorable weekend without stretching the budget too far. From disco brunches for the party mum to bouquets of edible natives for the culinary types, this list has got you covered. 1 / 4 Tucanos bottomless disco brunch in Darlinghurst. Supplied 2 / 4 Brekkie among the alpacas at Iris Lodge. Supplied 3 / 4 All-you-can-eat charcoal chicken at Henrietta, Surry Hills. Supplied 4 / 4 Brisket is on the all-you-can-eat menu at Brisket Boys, Penrith (not pictured). Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide Book an offbeat brunch Brunch doesnt have to be boring. Forego eggs benny in favour of a fun morning in the mirror-ball booth of Tucanos in Surry Hills, where the disco tunes are pumping, and the rose spritzes are free-flowing every weekend. If your mother prefers all-you-can-eat to all-you-can-drink, nearby Henrietta has a 90-minute feast of charcoal chicken and sides, and in Penrith youll find an all-you-can-eat barbecue with a complimentary drink at Brisket Boys. Want quirky? Jump in the car and head to Iris Lodge farm, about an hour north of Sydney, for brunch among 100 alpacas. All-you-can-eat charcoal chicken at Henrietta

Every Sunday, from $48 per person for 90 minutes

Shop 1/500 Crown St, Surry Hills, henriettachicken.com

Every Sunday, from $48 per person for 90 minutes Shop 1/500 Crown St, Surry Hills, henriettachicken.com All-you-can-eat BBQ at Brisket Boys

Every Sunday, from $59 per person

Tenancy 25/2115 Castlereagh Road, Penrith, brisketboys.com.au

Every Sunday, from $59 per person Tenancy 25/2115 Castlereagh Road, Penrith, brisketboys.com.au Disco brunch at Tucanos

Every weekend, from $95 per person for two hours

277 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills, tucanos.com.au

Every weekend, from $95 per person for two hours 277 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills, tucanos.com.au Furry-friendly breakfast at Iris Lodge

Every weekend, from $55 for children over two and $60 for teens and adults

33 Dunks Lane, Jilliby, irislodgealpacas.com

Advertisement

1 / 4 Cheesecake Mothers Day cookie at Happy Alley, Rockdale. Supplied 2 / 4 Raspberry maritozzi for Mothers Day at Da Orazio Pasticceria. Supplied 3 / 4 Heart shaped traditional maamoul for Mothers Day, at Smeed. Supplied 4 / 4 Mothers Day croissant cake from Tuga. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide Share a sweet treat Bakeries across Sydney are offering limited edition treats for Mothers Day, from maritozzi (Italian brioche bun) filled with raspberry cream at Da Orazio Pasticceria in Alexandria and Bondi, to the ruby cheesecake-filled cookies at Happy Alley in Rockdale. Pre-order home-baked heart-shaped maamoul (date-filled Lebanese cookies) from Tayta (grandmother) Amal at online bakery Smeed Al Maamoul, or take it to the next level with the two-tier croissant cake at Tuga Pastries, piped with yuzu cream and Valrhona raspberry namelaka (chocolate cream). Da Orazio Pasticceria

From $10 for one maritozzi

200 Euston Road, Alexandria and The Hub, 75/79 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, daoraziopasticceria.store

From $10 for one maritozzi 200 Euston Road, Alexandria and The Hub, 75/79 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, daoraziopasticceria.store Happy Alley

From $6.50 for one cookie

13 Bay Street, Rockdale, happyalley.com.au

From $6.50 for one cookie 13 Bay Street, Rockdale, happyalley.com.au Smeed Al Maamoul

From $32 for three cookies

smeed.com.au

From $32 for three cookies smeed.com.au Tuga Pastries

$75 for the Mothers Day croissant cake

Shop 6/231 Clovelly Rd, Clovelly and 10/112 McEvoy Street, Alexandria, tugapastries.com.au 1 / 4 Cavalier 1.0 Mini Market for Mothers Day. Supplied 2 / 4 Chicken wing skewers at Chinatown Night Markets. Supplied 3 / 4 Barangaroo Artisan Market. Supplied 4 / 4 Puthiphong Veerasenee (Veen) is the self-taught baker behind market stall The Baking Lists. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide

Advertisement

To market, to market Forgot to buy a gift? No worries, you can head to a market for your Mothers Day outing. On Saturday, theres the Mothers Day Ceramic Market in Annandale where you can check out ceramic tableware while snacking on pandan swiss rolls from The Baking Lists; or the annual Barangaroo Artisan Market, which features more than 60 stallholders including foodie favourites Vannella Cheese and Mama Lius chilli oil. A cute mini market is being held at St Leonards cafe Cavalier 1.0 on Sunday, where you can smash one of their dumpling jaffle sandwiches while mum picks out some flowers and pastries. And every Thursday to Sunday theres Burwood Chinatown Night Markets, where you can try everything from taiyaki (custard-filled puffs shaped like fish) to tripe soup. Cavalier 1.0 Mini Market

7am-2pm, Sunday, May 12

Shop 1/34 Oxley St, St Leonards, cavalierspecialtycoffee.com.au

7am-2pm, Sunday, May 12 Shop 1/34 Oxley St, St Leonards, cavalierspecialtycoffee.com.au Mothers Day Ceramic Market

9am-1pm, Saturday, May 11

Market Studio, 131 Booth Street, Annandale, airrmade.com

9am-1pm, Saturday, May 11 Market Studio, 131 Booth Street, Annandale, airrmade.com Barangaroo Artisan Market

10am-3pm, Saturday, May 11

Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, barangaroo.com

10am-3pm, Saturday, May 11 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, barangaroo.com Burwood Chinatown Night Markets

5pm-late, every Thursday to Sunday

127/133 Burwood Road, Burwood, burwoodchinatown.com.au 1 / 4 Edible bouquets by The Baked Bouquet in Sydney. Supplied 2 / 4 Floral croissant filled with yuzu mascarpone cream and dipped in raspberry chocolate for Mothers Day at Madame and Yves, Clovelly. Supplied 3 / 4 A native food bouquet by Bush to Bowl in Sydney. Supplied 4 / 4 Croissant bouquet from Astin Min Fine Foods, Long Reef. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide Bring an (edible) bouquet

Advertisement

Set aside your preconceptions about edible arrangements - theyve evolved beyond the cringey bouquets of cut fruit made popular in the early 00s. Online Sydney baker Macey Nemer, founder and head baker at The Baked Bouquet, creates stunning bouquets of cupcakes with frosting mimicking real flowers. Theyre so popular theyve been ordered by celebrities such as Jason Derulo and Rita Ora. For something a little more low-key, order a bouquet of flowers interspersed with freshly baked croissants at Astin Min Fine Foods (Long Reef) or a floral croissant filled with yuzu mascarpone cream and dipped in raspberry chocolate from Madame and Yves (Clovelly). The culinary-minded mum may prefer a bouquet from Bush to Bowl in Terrey Hills, made with edible natives like lemon tea tree leaves and cinnamon myrtle. Floral croissant at Madame and Yves

$10

343-345 Clovelly Road, Clovelly, madameandyves.com.au

$10 343-345 Clovelly Road, Clovelly, madameandyves.com.au Croissant bouquet from Astin Min Fine Foods

$70

998 Pittwater Road, Long Reef, astinmin.com.au Edible bouquet of natives at Bush to Bowl

From $60

40 Myoora Road, enter via Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills, bushtobowl.com

From $60 40 Myoora Road, enter via Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills, bushtobowl.com Edible bouquet of cupcakes at The Baked Bouquet

From $165 on Mothers Day

Available Sydney-wide, thebakedbouquet.com.au 1 / 3 Chai is brewed to order in simmering pots of tea and milk at Ambis. Brook Mitchell 2 / 3 Ms.Cattea offers a variety of ways to taste tea. Supplied 3 / 3 Matcha is on the menu at Cre Asion in North Sydney (not pictured). James Brickwood Previous Slide Next Slide Tea time with a twist

Advertisement

High tea is a popular Mothers Day activity, but theres a lot more out there for tea-loving mums. Potts Points Ms Cattea Tea Bar offers tea tasting, tea ceremonies and Chinese high tea experiences, and on Mothers Day theyve planned a special 90-minute tasting for green tea connoisseurs. On Saturday, Tea Angle in Marrickville is hosting two guided 90-minute tea tastings. Matcha fans should head to Cre Asion cafe in North Sydney to try matcha tarts, cookies and cakes with a warming cup of ceremonial-grade matcha. One of the best places for chai is Ambis Chai in Pennant Hills, where over a dozen Afro-Punjabi teas are available to try. Ambis Chai

Cups of chai from $6.50

Shop 5/366 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills, ambischai.com.au

Cups of chai from $6.50 Shop 5/366 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills, ambischai.com.au Cre Asion

Cups of matcha from $6

18 Eden St, North Sydney, creasion.com.au

Cups of matcha from $6 18 Eden St, North Sydney, creasion.com.au Tea Angle

90-minute guided tea tasting for $69 per person

88 Addison Road, Marrickville, teaangle.com

90-minute guided tea tasting for $69 per person 88 Addison Road, Marrickville, teaangle.com Ms Cattea

Green tea connoisseur tasting for $88 per person

17/1-21 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point, mscattea.com.au 1 / 3 Mothers Day at The Old Fitz, 2 / 3 Mothers Day at Harbord Hotel Freshwater. Supplied 3 / 3 Mothers Day lunch at The Erko. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide A pub feed for under $50 Head to the pub for a relaxed lunch with the family, without the exorbitant price tag. Mum will score a complimentary peach bellini on arrival at The Erko (Erskineville), before taking on the $49 set menu of kingfish tartare, house flatbread and seared barramundi and more from former Chiswick chef Ethan Robinson. A hearty roast lunch is on offer at Woolloomooloo pub The Old Fitz, where mums choice of crackling pork belly, chicken Maryland or Japanese squash with roast vegetables and a Yorkshire pudding starts at $28 (with a complimentary glass of champers). On the Northern Beaches, Freshwaters Harbord Hotel is hosting a Mothers Day brunch with a complimentary mimosa and shared brekkie menu for $49.

Advertisement

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up
Series

How To Poison a Planet

Reporter Carrie Fellner teams up with iKandy Films for the Stan documentary How to Poison a Planet, examining decades of deception around toxic forever chemicals and how they infiltrate our lives. The documentary is streaming on Stan.
More than 40 staff members at a school on Sydneys northern beaches have allegedly had their personal data stolen by one of their own colleagues via malware that police say was deployed on school computers.

Aaron Pennesi, 28, was arrested by specialist officers from the Cybercrime Squad in March after the Department of Education asked detectives to investigate malware at The Forest High.

Malware is software designed to provide unauthorised access to a computer.

Pennesi, who is on bail, has been charged with the unauthorised modification of data with intent to cause impairment, possessing identity information to commit an indictable offence, two counts of unauthorised function with intent to cause a serious offence and possessing child abuse material.

Court documents obtained by the Herald show Pennesi is alleged to have deployed malware to capture computer passwords without detection between February 29 and March 4 this year.
A woman was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition after she was stabbed in the neck, ear and back in a gym car park in Sydneys inner south.

Emergency services were called to Crunch Fitness Alexandria on ORiordan Street at 12.30pm on Wednesday.

The woman was allegedly stabbed in the car park of Crunch Fitness in Alexandria. Credit: James Brickwood

Police allege the 39-year-old woman was attacked by a 40-year-old man with whom she was in a very short domestic relationship earlier this year.

NSW Police have identified the suspect, but say he cant be named while they seek a warrant for his arrest. The man is known to police for past domestic violence offences.
Since the Albanese government came to power two years ago, its approach to China relations has been summed up by one word: stabilisation. But how stable are relations if Chinas Peoples Liberation Army is regularly putting the lives of Australian military personnel at risk?

Australian naval divers suffered minor injuries last November after being subjected to sonar pulses from a Chinese warship while supporting a United Nations mission in international waters. Their injuries could easily have been much worse. At the time, Anthony Albanese called Chinas behaviour dangerous, unsafe and unprofessional, adding that Australia had lodged complaints through all the forums that are available.

However, as complaints go they appeared pretty muted. Chinas ambassador to Australia was not called in for a rebuke, and the government minimised the fallout by withholding details of the incident until after Albanese spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit. Plans for Chinese Premier Li Qiang to visit Australia proceeded unabated.

Did Beijing feel at all chastened by Australias complaints? Absolutely not, based on the display of chutzpah Chinese officials put on at a January press conference.
China and Australia have escalated the blame game over a dangerous aerial encounter above the Yellow Sea, with Chinas Defence Ministry claiming the Australian military acted provocatively by conducting short-range reconnaissance of its military assets.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood by Australias explanation of the incident, accusing Beijing of offering a contradictory rationale for the interception, in which a Chinese fighter jet set off flares near an Australian navy helicopter on Saturday night, forcing the helicopter pilot to take evasive action.

The dispute came as Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced $110 million in new funding for the tiny island nation of Tuvalu, and revealed Australia and Tuvalu were pushing ahead with a high-profile climate resettlement and security treaty struck last year.

Under the agreement, Tuvalu would need to consult Australia before signing a security agreement with another country such as China.
The nations biggest universities are seeking legal advice from federal authorities on how to respond to protesters who call for an intifada against Israel amid a political row over public chants that back the use of violence.

The universities have written to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to gain formal advice on whether the pro-Palestinian demand is a breach of federal law, setting up a crucial decision on ways to ban the protesters from university grounds.

Students and supporters attend a rally protesting Israels war in Gaza at an encampment at University of Sydney. Credit: Kate Geraghty

Intifada is an Arabic word for resistance, used in protests to refer to an uprising against oppression, but the Anti-Defamation League, founded a century ago to counter the vilification of Jews, argues it is a slogan that calls for indiscriminate violence against Israel.

Vowing to act immediately if they have clear legal authority, the universities also want advice on calls that Palestine should be free from the river to the sea because of longstanding concern the words are antisemitic and seek the destruction of the state of Israel.
NEW YORKAdult star Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in a highly-anticipated moment in the criminal trial against former President Donald Trump.

On the ninth official day of testimony, Daniels, who alleges that she had an affair with Trump in 2006, recollected details of her encounter, prompting Judge Juan Merchan to cut her off several times due to the sexually explicit nature of her testimony.

She was visibly flustered throughout much of her testimony. During cross-examination, for example, attorneys representing Trump accused her of selling her story just to make money.

My motivation wasnt money, she said in testimony. It was motivated out of fear, not money. Trump's attorney, Susan Necheles, pressed Daniels on whether she hated Trump. The AVN Hall of Famer said she did hate Trump and wanted to see him held accountable. However, Necheles continued to press Daniels on whether she earned money from telling her story, as in the following exchange:

Necheles: A story about President Trump that doesnt include sex will make you no money, right? Daniels: "It taught me that I should tell the truth." Necheles: "In other words, it taught you that if you wanted to make money off of President Trump, you better talk about the sex." Daniels: "No, although that does seem to be the case."

Necheles also pointed to Daniels' recent documentary Stormy for the NBCUniversal-owned streaming platform Peacock. While Daniels maintains that she wasn't paid to appear in the documentary, the film's production company paid her $125,000 to license her book and other materials. Daniels said she's only received $100,000 so far.

Daniels also confirmed that she owes Trump $560,000 in legal fees. For context, Daniels maintains that her former attorney, Michael Avenatti, filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump in 2018 without her permission. A federal court didn't buy that claim and she was saddled with paying for legal fees Trump reportedly expended in his defense.

This was a flashpoint for Necheles during her cross-examination of Daniels. Accounts of the testimony suggest that Necheles was "nearly shouting" at Daniels, asking, "You didn't pay anything out of your pocket, did you?!" Necheles was referring to the legal fees that Daniels owes Trump.

Judge Merchan halted Necheles and ordered her to allow Daniels to answer her question.

Necheles proceeded and presented a defense exhibit of a post Daniels made on Twitter, now X, on March 21, 2022, which read: "I will go to jail before I pay a penny." In response, Daniels told Necheles: "[That] is me saying I will not pay for telling the truth."

Counsel for Trump motioned for a mistrial, but Merchan shot it down. During Daniels' testimony, Trump was visibly frustrated and muttered "bullshit."

It is worth noting that even Judge Merchan expressed concerns about the credibility surrounding Daniels' testimony. But, this isn't the key point of the case. While Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicted Trump on charges stemming from Daniels' affair, the 34 felony charges deal with falsifying documents related to paying off Daniels.

Evidence presented by the prosecutors revealed how Trump's former attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, paid Daniels $130,000 as part of a catch-and-kill scheme to silence criticism or damaging stories surrounding the president on the 2016 campaign trail.

Cohen, who has already been convicted of federal crimes, created a shell corporation to funnel money through to circumvent potential legal and regulatory scrutiny. For his work related to paying off Daniels, the Trump Organization compensated the former attorney $420,000 to cover reimbursements, legal fees, technical fees, a bonus and taxes.

Prosecutors presented a damning paper trail showing a concerted effort to present Cohen's work in paying off Daniels as typical legal services. Former Trump Organization finance executives testified that Cohen's total compensation was broken down into monthly payments of up to $35,000 as a "retainer" for his services.

This was also presented as a means to distance Cohen's services related to the hush money paid to Daniels. It was also revealed previously that Trump or his sons would personally sign any check that totaled more than $10,000.

Prosecutors also entered into evidence passages from Trump's books. They heard brief testimony from Sally Franklin, the senior vice president and executive managing editor of publishing giant Penguin Random House, which published his books through its Ballantine Books division.
Victoria has failed to deliver a promised mental health organisation and delayed the rollout of 35 local mental health and wellbeing hubs in a bleak budget that advocates warn will doom the state to repeat mistakes of the past.

Jacinta Allans first budget as premier did not fund a long-touted organisation run by people with first-hand experience of ill-mental health  which was a key recommendation of the 2019 Royal Commission into Victorias Mental Health System.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has overseen her first budget in the role. Credit: Joe Armao

That agency, which would help to develop other organisations and deliver services, was envisioned as a cornerstone of the states new mental health system and was meant to be established 18 months ago.

The rollout of 35 local mental health and wellbeing hubs has also been pushed back, alongside more than 100 infrastructure projects, which Treasurer Tim Pallas and Allan blamed on a workforce shortage numbering in the thousands.
Qantas recent overhaul of its frequent flyer system has left some travellers happy and others disgruntled. More seats are available to buy with points, but more points will be needed to buy those seats at peak times.

However, you dont have to use your points flying with Qantas. Sometimes the better deal comes from hopping aboard a partner airline. And whether in the Oneworld alliance or via a separate codeshare, some of these earn and spend partners may come as a surprise.

British Airways

British Airways compensated passengers quickly following a cancelled flight. Credit: iStock

The classic, long-standing Qantas airline partner is most useful for connections from London Heathrow to other European cities. But it also has a habit of meeting Qantas halfway thats perfect for stopovers in Asia and North America (it also flies from Sydney to London via Singapore).
We all know the Winston Churchill quote, describing Russia: a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.

And I have to admit that I dont have the solution to the riddle, or the key to the enigma. I dont understand Russia any more than Churchill did; in fact, some might even say I have less of a clue.

Saint Basils Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow. Visiting the worlds largest country is not an option right now. Credit: iStock

Russia has always seemed baffling to me, a place of deep contradictions and hefty cultural barriers that I as a bumbling visitor have no hope of breaking down. I dont understand what Im seeing. I know that I, too, am bizarre to so many people I meet.

However, Russia is baffling in a way that Ive enjoyed visiting to try to unravel. This is the country of Tchaikovsky and Baryshnikov, but also Putin and Stalin. Theres such beauty in Moscow and St Petersburg, but such drudgery in their outer suburbs. Russia is European but also Asian. Its one country but with 21 semi-autonomous republics.
In the first week of the New Year I picked up a brand-new passport. Almost 10 years had passed in the company of my old one, and it was time to renew.

But as I delighted in the crisp, unblemished potential of my new passport, I felt an unexpected fondness for its slightly worn predecessor. Wed been through a lot together over the previous decade, and the assortment of stamps spread through its pages recalled the most memorable border crossings.

Goodbye, old friend. Credit: Jamie Brown

Take, for example, the stamp marking entry at Mostyska, Ukraine, in May 2016. This took place aboard a sleeper train from Krakow, Poland, to Lviv, and was memorable for two reasons. Firstly, as Ukraine uses a different rail gauge from Western Europe there was a lot of dramatic clanking mid-journey as the trains wheels were adjusted. Secondly, Ukrainian border agents came aboard in the middle of the night and took away my passport for a long period of checking. Laced with a slight frisson of anxiety, this was cross-border train travel at its most old-school.

A few pages on is another reminder of non-air travel: a graceful small stamp over a sticker bearing an image of Mount Fuji. I received this in September, 2018, at the port of Hakata, Japan, after cruising for three hours by ferry from Busan, South Korea. The craft in question, the Beetle, was a relatively small hydrofoil vessel and I braced myself for rough seas on the Korea Strait. But that day it was as flat as a pajeon (a Korean pancake), so I enjoyed my comfy seat in the superior Green Class and kept down my complimentary sandwich.
Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been embroiled in controversy this offseason.

Rice is already facing legal repercussions for an incident earlier this year in which he was charged with aggravated assault and causing injuries in a Dallas hit-and-run crash. And now, Rice is under investigation again, according to Dallas ABC affiliate, WFAA.

Rice allegedly hit a photographer at a club in Dallas early Monday morning, police sources told WFAA. According to the TV station, Dallas police are interviewing witnesses after the incident took place at Lit Kitchen, a nightclub in downtown Dallas.

While Rice is under investigation yet again, theres no word yet if an arrest is imminent, as this is a developing story.

Adding to the complexity of Rices situation, a judge recently granted temporary restraining orders in two lawsuits against him. These orders reportedly require Rice to refrain from destroying any credit cards, debit cards, or receipts related to purchases made within six hours of the crash. He must also preserve all cell phone records, GPS information, and blood or urine test results taken shortly after the crash.

While these two cases appear to be unrelated, Rices trouble with the law is anything but. The Chiefs leading wide receiver from a year prior will likely face suspension under the leagues Personal Conduct Policy, but Roger Goodell has not yet made a decision on that front.

And it appears that this run-in with the media involving alleged assault could only add to that.

[WFAA]
EU queries X over cut to content moderation resources



Brussels, Belgium, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



The EU on Wednesday told digital platform X to explain a cut to content moderation resources, amid concerns over disinformation ahead of European elections in June.

The demand is part of the EU's probe into US tech billionaire Elon Musk's X, the former Twitter, that was launched in December under a law clamping down on illegal content online.

The European Union has launched a similar probe into Meta's Facebook and Instagram amid fears they are also doing too little to tackle disinformation.

Brussels is especially worried about the threat of Russian manipulation of voters before the polls on June 6-9.

The European Commission said it wanted more information about X's "content moderation activities and resources" after a transparency report in April showed it has cut its team of content moderators by "almost 20 percent" since an October 2023 report.

X had reduced the moderators' "linguistic coverage within the European Union from 11 EU languages to seven", it added.

It told X to hand over "detailed information and internal documents".

The EU also wants more details about risk assessments and actions taken to mitigate the dangers of generative AI on elections.

X must respond to the questions about content moderation and generative AI by May 17, the commission said.

The December investigation was launched under the EU's mammoth content moderation law known as the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Under the DSA, 23 "very large" platforms including X as well as TikTok and YouTube face greater scrutiny by the commission.

Breaches of the law carry the risk of fines of up to six percent of a company's global revenues. The EU has the power to ban a platform operating in the 27-country bloc for serious and repeated violations.

raz/ec/tw
EU queries X over cut to content moderation resources



Brussels, Belgium, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



The EU on Wednesday told digital platform X to explain a cut to content moderation resources, amid concerns over disinformation ahead of European elections in June.

The demand is part of the EU's probe into US tech billionaire Elon Musk's X, the former Twitter, that was launched in December under a law clamping down on illegal content online.

The European Union has launched a similar probe into Meta's Facebook and Instagram amid fears they are also doing too little to tackle disinformation.

Brussels is especially worried about the threat of Russian manipulation of voters before the polls on June 6-9.

The European Commission said it wanted more information about X's "content moderation activities and resources" after a transparency report in April showed it has cut its team of content moderators by "almost 20 percent" since an October 2023 report.

X had reduced the moderators' "linguistic coverage within the European Union from 11 EU languages to seven", it added.

It told X to hand over "detailed information and internal documents".

The EU also wants more details about "risk assessments and mitigation measures linked to the impact of generative AI tools on electoral processes", the commission said.

The request appeared to be a warning as Musk rolls out his Grok chatbot, which is available in Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, but not yet in the EU.

Companies face stricter rules under the EU's mammoth content moderation law known as the Digital Services Act (DSA), including conducting risk assessments before launching a new service in the bloc and implementing measures to mitigate those dangers.

There have already been reports of blunders and misinformation by Grok, which X offers as a tool for summarizing news and other topics on the platform.

So far, the EU has a list of 23 "very large" platforms including X as well as TikTok and YouTube which face greater scrutiny by the commission.

Breaches of the law carry the risk of fines of up to six percent of a company's global revenues. The EU has the power to ban a platform operating in the 27-country bloc for serious and repeated violations.

X must respond to the questions about content moderation and generative AI by May 17.

raz/ec/lth
Estonia summons Russian envoy over GPS jamming



Tallinn, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



Estonia on Wednesday summoned Russia's charge d'affaires over GPS interference, which the NATO member said was Russian "hybrid activity" that had disrupted civilian air traffic.

Estonia and fellow Baltic states Latvia and Lithuania last month warned that widespread Russian GPS jamming increased the threat of an aviation accident.

"Today we summoned (the) Russian charge d'affaires over GPS jamming which is a violation of regulations... and has caused serious damage to air traffic," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on X, formerly Twitter.

"Russia's hybrid activities that disrupt our normal lives in Estonia and Europe must end," he added.

Last month, Finnair said it was suspending flights to the Estonian city of Tartu until May 31 because of GPS interference, which had forced two of its flights to turn back to Helsinki.

Finnair said at the time that in the interim "an alternative approach solution that doesn't require a GPS signal can be put in place at Tartu Airport".

GPS interference can "prevent the aircraft from approaching and landing", it said, adding that interference "is quite common in the area".

Finnair is the only airline operating international flights to the Estonian airport.

The Czech Republic summoned its Russian ambassador this week over recent repeated cyberattacks by a group said to be linked to Russia's military intelligence.

Germany has temporarily recalled its Russian ambassador after members of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's party were targeted in what Berlin said was a state-sponsored Russian cyberattack.

pol-amj/jj

X
In Wisconsin, Biden seeks gain from Trump's economic misfire



Racine, United States, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



President Joe Biden visited crucial US battleground state Wisconsin Wednesday and announced a $3.3 billion artificial intelligence datacenter -- drawing contrasts with rival Donald Trump, whose pledged mega-project at the same location fizzled.

"On my watch, we make promises and we keep promises," the Democrat said as he highlighted a major investment by Microsoft in Racine, a city on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Microsoft will build a new AI datacenter built right where Trump, Biden's predecessor and likely rival again in November's presidential election, had vowed with great fanfare to build a giant factory for Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn.

That project, touted as creating 13,000 jobs and which Trump declared would be the "eighth wonder of the world" during the site's inauguration in 2018, never materialized.

The Republican tycoon came there "literally holding a golden shovel," Biden told several hundred people in Racine County.

"Are you kidding me? Look what happened. They dug a hole with those golden shovels and then they fell into it... Foxconn turned out to be just that: a con."

The datacenter will create 2,300 union construction jobs, followed by 2,000 permanent jobs, the White House said in a statement.

"Everything that we're doing, here ... is also benefiting directly from the work of this White House, of this president," said Brad Smith, Microsoft vice chair and president.

Racine and Wisconsin lost manufacturing jobs during Trump's 2017-2021 presidency.

Since Biden took office, nearly 4,000 jobs have been added in Racine -- roughly a third in manufacturing -- and 177,000 jobs have been added in Wisconsin, according to White House figures.

The upper Midwestern state, whose economy is based both on farming and industry, is an epicenter of this year's fierce US election battle.

A Quinnipiac University poll released on Wednesday puts Biden in the lead there, with 50 percent to Trump's 44 percent in a two-way race.

But the gap shrinks to almost nothing when expanded to include three other potential candidates, including independent Robert F. Kennedy.

Wisconsin is among the handful of swing states -- including Arizona, Michigan and Pennsylvania -- that hold the key to presidential victory in 2024.

It is no coincidence the Republican Party has chosen to hold its nominating convention this summer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Biden has already made multiple campaign stops in the state this year.

His Democratic Party, meanwhile, will hold its national convention in August in Chicago, Illinois, where Biden is headed for a fundraising visit on Wednesday.

aue-mlm/st/bfm

MICROSOFT
India arrests four accused of recruiting for Russian army



New Delhi, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



Indian authorities have arrested four people accused of "trafficking" citizens of the country to fight for the Russian army in Ukraine.

Two years since Russia's invasion began, tens of thousands of its soldiers have been killed in Ukraine and Moscow has been on a global quest for more troops.

At least two Indian soldiers have been killed in the conflict, with several recruits telling AFP they were shipped to the frontlines under false pretences.

A statement published by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) late Tuesday said four men had been arrested, including one who had worked in Russia as a translator for a network facilitating the recruitment of Indian soldiers.

"Investigation is continuing against other accused persons who are part of this international network of human traffickers," the statement added.

The arrests come two months after the investigators conducted raids across 13 locations in India and detained several people for questioning.

The CBI said then that it had found at least 35 instances of Indians being sent to Russia.

India's foreign ministry had earlier said it was working to secure discharges for around 20 Indian nationals in the Russian army.

Several Indian recruits told AFP in February that they were lured into joining up by promises of high salaries and Russian passports before being shipped to the frontlines.

The soldiers said they had been promised non-combatant roles but were trained to use Kalashnikov assault rifles and other weapons before being sent to Ukraine.

Russia's army held off a much-hyped Ukrainian counter-offensive last year, and it has since made gains on the front lines as Kyiv struggles with ammunition and manpower shortages.

India is a longstanding ally of Russia and has shied away from explicit condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine.

Unemployment remains high in India despite rapid economic growth and huge numbers seek work abroad each year, including thousands who had sought employment in Israel after labour shortages sparked by the war against Palestinian militants in Gaza.
Polish border guards detain Russian deserter



Warsaw, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



Polish border guards said Wednesday they had detained a Russian deserter who illegally crossed into Poland, a staunch Ukraine supporter, from the territory of Moscow ally Belarus.

The Russian embassy in Warsaw said it had not been informed of the matter and questioned the truth of the announcement.

"We have detained a Russian deserter. He had his military papers on him," border guard spokeswoman Katarzyna Zdanowicz told AFP.

"The individual is a 41-year-old man who illegally crossed the Belarusian border into Poland, in the northeast," she said, without providing further details.

The soldier "had fought in Ukraine", Zdanowicz told TVN24 television.

She was unable to say whether the desertion into Poland was the first case of the sort since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

Polish media reported that the man wore civilian clothes and was unarmed.

The Russian embassy said it "has not received any information from Polish officials on the detention".

"The Polish side is required to inform the embassy" of such things under the bilateral consular convention, it added, quoted by Russia's TASS state news agency.

"In view of this, we intend to ask the Polish foreign ministry whether a Russian citizen was really detained."

Belarus and Russia are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation alliance that is made up of several ex-Soviet countries.

Moscow and Minsk are close defence partners, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko allowed Russian forces to attack Ukraine from his territory in February 2022, when tens of thousands of Russian troops were stationed in his country.

Relations between Warsaw and Minsk have been strained for years, due to a political crackdown in Belarus and a tussle over migrants.

They have sunk to new lows since Lukashenko backed Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The border guard announcement comes as Poland reels from the revelation this week that a Polish judge had fled to Belarus and reportedly asked for political asylum over spying allegations he denies.

Warsaw has since opened an espionage probe as the judge, Tomasz Szmydt, had access to classified information in Poland.

burs-amj/tw
Ukraine warns of outages after 'massive' attack on power plants



Kyiv, Ukraine, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



Ukraine on Wednesday warned of possible power shutdowns across the country after a "massive" wave of Russian missiles and drones targeted the country's battered energy system.

Moscow also said its forces had taken control of two more frontline villages, as it ups its attacks both on land and from the skies with Ukrainian troops struggling to hold the front line more than two years into the war.

"On the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, Nazi (President Vladimir) Putin launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The intensified strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure triggered fresh warnings of blackouts and electricity rationing.

"There may be power cuts for household and industrial consumers across Ukraine... due to new damage to the equipment of Ukrainian power plants caused by Russian strikes," power operator Ukrenergo said.

Russia's defence ministry said its strikes were in retaliation.

"In response to the Kyiv regime's attempt to damage Russian energy facilities, this morning the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a group strike against energy facilities and enterprises of Ukraine's military-industrial complex," it said in a briefing.

Kyiv has hit Russian oil refineries and storage depots in drone attacks over recent months.



- 'Particularly difficult situation' -



Ukrenergo said it was working on overcoming power shortages in the face of a "particularly difficult situation", including by using emergency supplies from European countries.

The strikes targeted energy infrastructure facilities in at least six regions, the ministry said.

"The enemy has not abandoned plans to deprive Ukrainians of light," Energy Minister German Galushchenko said, condemning what he called "another massive attack on our energy industry".

At least three thermal power plants were "seriously damaged" overnight according to Ukraine's largest private energy operator DTEK.

This was the fifth attack on the company's energy facilities in a month and a half, DTEK said.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said Wednesday that Kyiv had created a new government task force to "coordinate work on overcoming the consequences of Russian energy terror."

With the war showing no signs of ending, he said it would focus on preparing Ukrainian homes and businesses to get through the next fall and winter.



- Battlefield advances -



Russia said Wednesday its forces had captured two more frontline villages in Ukraine, including in the northeast Kharkiv region where it was forced to retreat from in 2022.

Russian army units "liberated the village of Kyslivka in the Kharkiv region" and Novokalynove in the eastern Donetsk region, the defence ministry said.

Kyslivka is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the embattled Ukrainian stronghold of Kupiansk, while Novokalynove is about 10 kilometres north of Avdiivka, captured by Moscow in February.

Moscow has notched up a number of territorial gains since seizing Avdiivka as it presses an advantage in manpower and ammunition on the battlefield.

Kyiv says the arrival of long-delayed US military supplies will help it stabilise the situation on the front lines.

Even with Washington signing off a $61 billion package of aid to Kyiv, Zelensky has been urging his allies to supply more air defences amid continued aerial attacks.

Russia launched 55 missiles and 21 attack drones at Ukraine overnight, the air force said on Telegram, adding it intercepted 39 missiles and 20 drones.

Russian forces launched several cruise missiles towards the capital, putting Kyiv on alert for over three hours, according to the local administration.

Moscow has launched some of its biggest ever strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities in recent months, knocking out a significant chunk of production.

Around 200,000 households in the northeastern Kharkiv region are facing power restrictions.

In the southern frontline region of Kherson, Russian shelling overnight killed a 65-year-old woman, the regional Ukrainian prosecutor's office said.

Injuries were also reported in the Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kirovograd regions.

Kyiv says Moscow is escalating attacks from the air and on land in a bid to secure a slew of successes ahead of May 9, when Russia marks victory in World War II.
Lebanon security source says five killed in Israeli strikes on south



Beirut, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



A Lebanese security source said five people, including at least two Hezbollah fighters, were killed Wednesday in Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon.

Israel and Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, have stepped up cross-border exchanges that have been ongoing following the Palestinian group's October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.

According to the Lebanese security source, "two Hezbollah fighters" were killed in an Israeli air strike on the border town of Adaisseh.

A separate strike on the village of Khiam killed three people who were likely "Palestinian combatants", the source said.

AFP pictures showed a huge cloud of smoke rising above Khiam following a strike.

Earlier Wednesday the Israeli military said that its "artillery and fighter jets struck over 20 Hezbollah terror targets" in southern Lebanon.

"During the strikes, secondary explosions were identified, indicating the presence of weapon storage facilities in the area," it said in a statement.

Hezbollah meanwhile said its forces carried out at least 11 attacks against northern Israeli army positions across the border, using drones and "guided missiles".

A statement from the Iran-backed Lebanese group said six of those attacks were "in retaliation for enemy attacks against villages, homes and civilians" in southern Lebanon.

At least 395 people have been killed in Lebanon in seven months of cross-border violence, mostly militants but also more than 70 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

Israel says 13 soldiers and nine civilians have been killed on its side of the border.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced on both sides.

On Wednesday a Lebanese official said Israeli bombardment of south Lebanon since the start of the Israel-Hamas war has caused more than $1.5 billion in damage.
Israel says Hamas naval commander killed in Gaza strike



Jerusalem, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



The Israeli military said Wednesday a recent air strike had killed the commander of Hamas's naval unit in Gaza City, accusing of "attacks" against troops during the seven-month war.

Mohammed Ahmed Ali was killed in an air strike "in the past day", the military said in a statement.

Hamas did not immediately comment when asked about Ali's killing.

Sources in the Palestinian militant group said he was a member of its armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades.

The military statement said that "during the war, Ali was responsible for attacks on Israeli territory and against IDF (army) ground troops operating in the Gaza Strip" including in central Gaza over the past week.

Hamas's armed wing has been engaged in fierce battles with Israeli forces across the Gaza Strip since war erupted on October 7 following the Palestinian group's attack on southern Israel.

Al-Qassam Brigades regularly launch rockets towards Israeli territory, and claimed a barrage on Sunday at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza that killed four soldiers.

Hamas's October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

The Israeli army did not say whether it believed Ali had been involved in planning or executing the attack.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed at least 34,844 people, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.
EU not renewing Mali military training mission



Brussels, Belgium, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



The European Union decided Wednesday to not renew the mandate of a military training mission in Mali, given the "evolving political and security situation", the commission said in a statement.

The West African nation has been ruled by juntas since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, with the military promising to hand over power through the ballot box in February.

But they have postponed elections until an unspecified date, citing a precarious security situation aggravated by jihadist attacks.

The 27 member states "have decided by mutual agreement not to extend the mandate of the EUTM (European Union Training Mission) Mali beyond May 18 2024, heeding the strategic review and consultations with the Malian authorities," the European Commission said in a statement.

"In the 11 years of presence in Mali, EUTM Mali has supported, at the request of the authorities, the Malian Armed Forces, as well as the G5 Sahel Joint Force, contributing to the fight against the terrorist threat, through the development of Malian security and defence forces," it added.

The EUTM was deployed to train and advise forces and included up to 700 soldiers from some 20 European countries before significantly reducing its numbers.

"The channels for political dialogue and security and technical cooperation remain open," Brussels added.

Mali, a poor landlocked country in Africa's Sahel region, has been plunged into crisis since the outbreak of independence and jihadist insurgencies in the north in 2012.
Photo: Courtesy of Guo Zhanglong

As the Chinese community grows in Paris, many French people are surrounded by an increasing number of Chinese friends. Through conversations, these French people have discovered many aspects of present-day China that differ from their previous perceptions, leading to more understanding.

Taking advantage of these opportunities, some have traveled to China to witness its current situation firsthand. Upon returning, they eagerly share their insights with their French friends.

Some old customers often bring their French friends to their establishments for meals, taking the opportunity to introduce them to authentic Chinese flavors they have likely never experienced before. Over dinner, they share their perspectives and insights about China, fostering cultural exchanges in an informal setting.

"Sometimes I feel that we have turned my small restaurant into a little gathering site for cultural exchanges between China and France. This is something I didn't expect, but I'm proud that we might have achieved it accidentally," he said.

Guo said it's not something that could be accomplished by his efforts alone. Instead, it is the efforts of all French friends interested in Chinese culture and Chinese friends who love France, and the efforts of every individual that have eventually led to this result.

When he first came to Paris over 10 years ago, Guo could hardly see any Chinese brands, though there were plenty of Chinese products. But 10 years later, there are some Chinese brands of new energy vehicles, mobile phones, computers, and cameras in Paris, something that he is very proud of. Moreover, over the last decade, Paris has seen the opening of many authentic Chinese restaurants.

A French customer told the Global Times that although she doesn't live in Paris, she often visits the city. "I like to visit Chinese restaurants in Paris because, in my city, there are no such restaurants. But here, the food is original and completely different, like the food I have tasted here."

She said her children learned a little Chinese in middle school, and they have also traveled to China.

As Guo said, "We have the feeling that it's actually the continuous exchanges and cooperation between ordinary people of both countries that have slowly accumulated into such friendly relations between the two countries."


Consider, however, an intriguing counterfactual, raised by Professor Will Jennings, whereby Elphicke defects not to Labour but Reform UK. That might have been a much more interesting and potentially consequential move. Not simply because Reform seems a better fit for Elphicke than Labour, but because it would have given the party its second MP (after Lee Anderson) and some proper momentum. Throw in the possible return of Nigel Farage and all of a sudden Tory backbenchers go into full panic mode, rather than shrug the whole thing off.
In particular, the force needs to state when it started spying on multiple journalists phone data, who the journalists were, how many times each journalist was spied upon, and must give a commitment that it will desist from doing this ever again, simply to uncover legitimate sources for stories.
Mr Davies said: Im not going to sit here and start making policy on the hoof, but what I would say to (Ms Roberts), and I think she would agree with this, that I would not have taken hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations from somebody who had been convicted twice of environmental offences.
Whilst universities and colleges should not seek to suppress the lawful expression of any idea or viewpoint, we recognise that to manage their affairs effectively and safely, they may have to regulate the time, place and manner of expression, where there are compelling reasons to do so.
* FIRST NAME

* LAST NAME

* EMAIL Your email address

* PASSWORD Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Show

* YEAR OF BIRTH You must be at least 18 years old to create an account 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906

* Required fields

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice

CREATE ACCOUNT

I'LL TRY LATER

Already have an account? 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.
If you believe Nokia brand owner HMD, dumb phones are currently witnessing a resurgence as young and old seek ways to limit their screen time. Lets face it, you probably still need a smartphone to order Ubers and keep up with your work emails. But, if youre keen to unplug without going completely off the grid, the 3210 could be the answer. It even has 4G to ensure your calls dont cut out.
President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that during his meeting at the White House with president Joe Biden, he also addressed the issue of his candidacy for the leadership of the North Atlantic Alliance.

"This point has been tackled and together we decided to continue the dialogue," Klaus Iohannis said in a statement to the press at the Romanian Embassy in Washington.

Asked if there was a risk of there not being a consensus on the NATO leadership until the NATO Summit in June, Klaus Iohannis admitted that was indeed a risk, but stressed that it was good to have two candidates.

"These discussions are not made public and I will not get into what president Biden said. I will tell you what I said there, but the discussion was not a long one, it was a relatively short one and, if you are asking me if there is a risk that there is no consensus, yes, there is a risk. And that is why I think it is very good to have two candidacies, to have two candidates, who are generally considered acceptable, because a strong organisation needs strong competition," said the Romanian head of state.

He rejected the idea that the unity of the North Atlantic Alliance might be broken if there are two candidates for the NATO leadership.

"And, in the end, one of the two candidates will probably be elected the next secretary general. The important thing is not to mix things up. There have been some who have said that if there are two candidates the unity of the Alliance might be broken. No way! The Alliance is strong, we are moving forward. But it is good to have two candidates, because then there is the possibility to open new topics for debate and there is obviously the chance to make things go better," president Iohannis said.
As cold, blustery weather  and even some snow  churns through Montana and Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park officials announced the South Entrance could open at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 10. Whether it opens will depend on the weather.

In addition to the entrance, routes from West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass), West Thumb to Lake Village and Tower-Roosevelt to Tower Fall are scheduled to open. That leaves only the route from Tower to Canyon over Dunraven Pass the only road still closed.

The Dunraven Pass road, weather permitting, will open on May 24 at 8 a.m.

For additional details, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/yell or download the National Park Service App.
Romania's President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday said that at his White House meeting the same day he discussed with US President Joe Biden deepening the strategic partnership between Romania and the US, mentioning that he thanked Biden for the substantial contribution of the US to ensuring the security of Romania and of NATO's entire eastern flank.

"I discussed with President Biden the strategic partnership between our countries, how we can make it stronger and how we can deepen it, so as to meet the challenges we face in this extremely complicated global context. I thanked President Biden for the substantial contribution of the United States to ensuring the security of Romania and the entire eastern flank and, at the same time, to the recognition of the strategic role of the Black Sea amidst of Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine," Iohannis told a press conference at the Romanian Embassy in Washington.

He also mentioned the presence of US troops in Romania.

"The ever-increasing presence of American troops on our country's soil is a factor of safety and stability not only for Romania, but for the entire region. President Biden expressed his special appreciation for the consistent efforts Romania makes to the benefit of the NATO area and, at the same time, for the continuous support we have been providing to Ukraine, including by facilitating the transit of agricultural produce from Ukraine to world markets."

Iohannis also noted that Romania and the US share the objective of strengthening their bilateral ties.

"I want to underscore that security is not strictly military, but it has to be approached in a much broader sense, because the safety of our citizens and the support for the democratic principles on which our societies are founded depend on them. Both Romania and the US share the objective of strengthening their bilateral ties, and we are working in this regard in the field of energy, with their close nuclear co-operation being well-known, as well as in the defence industry, in the economic field, IT, innovation and research, and the list is much longer."

Iohannis added that discussions also focused on the preparation of the NATO anniversary summit in Washington and, implicitly, Romania's objectives.

"It is important that at this meeting transatlantic unity and coordination are reconfirmed. In addition to the constant and consistent support Romania has been providing to Ukraine, it is essential to further strengthen the defence and deterrence posture on the eastern flank and to have a consolidated Black Sea security approach."

According to the president, Ukraine was an important topic in the discussions in the Oval Office.

"Romania will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, and I have conveyed this to President Biden. Our common priority, of both the European Union and the US, is not to allow Russia to win this war in Ukraine."

The Romanian chief of state was welcomed on Tuesday at the White House by US President Biden.

Iohannis was on a two-day working visit to Washington, where he was scheduled to receive on May 8 the Distinguished International Leadership Award 2024, within the Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards gala
President Klaus Iohannis will receive the Distinguished International Leadership Award 2024 on Wednesday at a gala in Washington.

According to the Presidential Administration, the US Atlantic Council decided to grant this award to Romania's President in recognition of his career and his role as a transatlantic and European leader.

Iohannis is the first European head of state to be honored with this distinction in the 24 years since its establishment, the Presidential Administration added.

The Atlantic Council is a prestigious American "think tank" organisation founded in 1961 and is active in international affairs. Each year, the Atlantic Council honours a select number of individuals who have contributed to strengthening the transatlantic relationship in all its dimensions - political, economic, security and defence, arts, humanitarian activities, etc.

Among the personalities who have been awarded the Distinguished Leadership Awards over the years are US Presidents George W. Bush (2018), William J. Clinton (2010) and George H.W. Bush (2009), US Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr (2011) - current US President, European Commission Presidents Ursula von der Leyen (2021) and Jose Manuel Barroso (2014), Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi (2022), German Chancellor Helmut Kohl (2009), British Prime Minister Tony Blair (2008).

President Klaus Iohannis is conducting a working visit to Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Romanian President was received at the White House by President Joe Biden.

The official delegation accompanying the president to the United States includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, and Deputy Prime Minister Catalin Predoiu, Minister of the Internal Affairs.
President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that Romania can have the "justified hope" that, "in a fairly near future", it will be included in the US Visa Waiver Program.

"There are a lot of technical discussions here. And know that Visa Waiver is not a political decision, it is a decision based on statistics. Our Foreign Ministry and embassy here took things very seriously. There are campaigns to raise awareness, to improve the acceptance rate and, in this regard, we can have the legitimate hope that in a fairly near future this issue will be resolved," Iohannis told a news conference at the Romanian Embassy in Washington, DC after a White House meeting with US President Joe Biden.

He added that the Visa Waiver issue was also tackled during the meeting in the Oval Office.

"We also addressed the issue of Romania's admission to the Visa Waiver Program, which is very important to all Romanian citizens. Our objective is to meet all the conditions for inclusion in this program and we are confident that this will happen in the not-too-distant future."

Iohannis was on a working visit to Washington, where, on Wednesday May 8 he was scheuled to receive the Distinguished International Leadership Award 2024, on May 8 at the Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards gala.

On May 7, he was welcomed at the White House by US President Biden.
ST. LOUIS  At least one Washington University student will not receive her degree at graduation next week as a result of participating in a protest against the war in Gaza last month.

Valencia Alvarez was set to graduate with her masters in public health, but a letter sent Tuesday from the university notified Alvarez her degree will not be awarded while her disciplinary matters are pending.

Theyre basically trying to silence us by using us as examples in the campus movement for a free Palestine, Alvarez said in an interview.

Alvarez was one of more than 100 people arrested  and at least 23 students suspended  following an on-campus protest that devolved into a clash between police and protesters on April 27. Many of the students were then ordered to stay off campus because their presence posed a substantial threat, the university said. Arrested students who lived on campus were told to move out less than 12 hours after they were notified of their suspensions, according to students.

At least seven university employees have been temporarily suspended for participating in the protest, too. That number rose slightly this past week, multiple faculty members said, as the university learned of more employees who were arrested.

The school, meanwhile, received widespread condemnation from university faculty, students and alumni for its response to the protest.

Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications Julie Hail Flory said Tuesday she would not share how many students degrees will not be awarded because the university does not comment on student conduct matters.

Alvarez said she knows of at least one other student who will not receive their degree as a result of the protest, but that student declined to be interviewed.

Alvarezs letter says she can still participate in commencement activities, including school and department ceremonies. But her suspension remains in effect, so she is still barred from campus except for the commencement activities, and she cannot attend some senior class events, including a celebration at Ballpark Village later this week.

The schoolwide graduation ceremony is scheduled for May 13.

In the letter to Alvarez, Vice Chancellors for Student Affairs Anna Gonzalez and Robert Wild, who is also the dean of students, warned against disruptive behavior at the ceremony.

If you engage in disruptive behavior during any commencement activity, you will be dismissed from the ceremony and not permitted to return to campus, the letter reads. In addition, any disruptive behavior during commencement activities will be added to your pending student conduct complaint.

We know that commencement marks a significant accomplishment for you, the letter continues. We want you and your family to experience the joy and recognition you and your classmates deserve.

Alvarez said she feels lucky. She still has a job lined up after graduation. And its in her desired field of study, working in social justice at the Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America, an organization in St. Louis that helps Latin Americans work for human rights.

Whatever anger she felt about the situation dissipated last week, Alvarez said, when she came to what she described as a comforting realization.

I think WashU is just kind of embarrassing themselves with the way theyve been responding to this, Alvarez said. Its completely against everything they claim they stand for.

Continued backlash

Nationwide, universities have cracked down on student-led protests against the war in Gaza. Since April 18, a little over 2,600 people have been arrested on 50 campuses, the Associated Press reports.

On the day of the Washington University protest, like at many other colleges, students attempted to set up an encampment. Among the students demands was for the school to divest from Boeing Co., which sells warplanes and munitions to Israel for use in the war.

Arrests followed when protesters refused to leave.

Chancellor Andrew Martin wrote in a message on Washington Universitys website that the protest was not a peaceful one.

Martin wrote that protesters behaved aggressively, including swinging flagpoles and sticks. Some attempted to break into locked buildings and vandalize property, Martin wrote, and chants were threatening and antisemitic.

But protesters have disputed Martins narrative, claiming the protest was peaceful until police intervened. Several letters to Martin and other high-ranking university officials lambasted the schools response.

One recent letter from the Middle East Studies Association of North America, expressed members shock and revulsion at the brutalization of Steve Tamari, a professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Tamari, 65, was hospitalized with nine broken ribs and a broken hand.

In a week that witnessed police attacks on faculty and students at peaceful protests at campuses around the country, the violence inflicted on Professor Tamari stands out as by far the most grievous that we have heard about, the MESA letter reads.

And on Tuesday, the American Association of University Professors at Washington University decried the lack of a fair process against the university employees who were summarily suspended.

To justify these suspensions, the administration has relied, at best, on unproven allegations and subjective judgements about dangers allegedly posed by those suspended, a statement from the association reads. These are insufficient reasons for banishing members of the university.

A special meeting of Washington Universitys Faculty Senate was called for Wednesday afternoon to discuss recent student disciplinary actions and related topics, Chair Dennis Barbour wrote in an email to the Post-Dispatch.

On the agenda is a question-and-answer session with senior administration officials. The meeting is not open to the public.

On Friday, Alvarez met with Wild, the dean of students, to discuss her suspension. Alvarez recorded the meeting on her phone and shared it with the Post-Dispatch.

I think what the university is deeming the significant threat is the presence of an encampment that was set up on the east end of campus on April 27 that was disrupting activity on that end of campus, Wild, the dean of students, told her.

He then tried to ask Alvarez questions about the protest: Did she hear the multiple warnings to leave? What time did she arrive?

Alvarez didnt answer the questions, saying she was advised not to answer.

You understand that not talking about this affects the decision the university potentially will make regarding your suspension? Wild asked.

Alvarez said she did.

Four days later, she received the letter informing her that her degree would not be conferred.
JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday signed wide-ranging legislation that calls for new public education spending and expanding an education voucher program that pays for private school expenses.

In announcing his decision, Parson, a Republican, emphasized a provision that will increase minimum teacher pay in state statute from $25,000 to $40,000 per year.

Since the beginning of our administration, weve looked at ways to increase teacher pay and reward our educators for the hard work they do, and this legislation helps us continue that progress, Parson said in a statement Tuesday.

Additional provisions include more state support for pre-kindergarten, increasing the number of teacher recruitment and retention scholarships, and changing how school aid is calculated so that a schools enrollment and attendance are factored into the funding formula.

The legislation also doubles an annual small schools grant from $15 million to $30 million, creates an Elementary Literacy Fund of no more than $5 million each year for elementary home-reading programs, and sends bonus state aid to districts maintaining a five-day school week.

We ask a lot of our educators when it comes to teaching and caring for our children, he said. Together, this legislation supports Missouri students, teachers, and families with more educational opportunities to succeed  including additional investments in pre-K  while ensuring our teachers earn a better wage.

Parson, in the news release, did not mention a controversial addition to the education package that will allow independent charter schools to operate in Boone County, in mid-Missouri.

Local school districts and Democratic legislators representing Boone County called on Parson to veto the bill, criticizing the provision.

Seven mid-Missouri district superintendents in a letter to Parson on Friday said the charter school expansion was unnecessary and would drain resources from Boone County schools.

They also told the governor the law will not survive a legal fight.

The bill cleared the House last month with 82 votes, the minimum necessary for final passage. The legislation was originally focused on school choice, but Democrats initially blocked that bill in the Senate. Republicans later unveiled revamped legislation, including the teacher pay raises and bonus aid for districts with five-day weeks.

The MOScholars voucher program, originally approved in 2021, provides scholarships to families that can be used on private school expenses.

The original program contained geographic restrictions as a concession to rural lawmakers. But the expansion Parson signed into law Tuesday takes the program statewide and raises current household income limits on participation.

The legislation increases the income level to qualify for the MOScholars Empowerment Scholarship Accounts from 200% of the household income limit for free and reduced lunch to 300%  or $166,500 for a family of four.

A nonpartisan fiscal analysis predicts the entire piece of legislation could cost the states general coffers more than $450 million annually once fully implemented in fiscal year 2031.

Today is a significant victory for education in Missouri. This is the product of hundreds of hours of hard work by numerous people, said Rep. Phil Christofanelli, who carried the bill in the House and sponsored a second education bill also signed Tuesday. These bills will dramatically improve educational opportunities for all Missouri children, and Im thrilled to have been a part of it.

The legislation is Senate Bill 727.
Amanda Gonzales, left, and Shannon Wilkerson are shown in these undated photos. Shannon Wilkerson, 43, was convicted of killing 19-year-old Amanda Gonzales, a fellow Army soldier, in Gonzales barracks room in Fliegerhorst Kaserne, then a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany, the Department of Justice said. (F.B.I., Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office)

(Tribune News Service)  A veteran was convicted by a federal jury Monday of the 2001 strangling and beating death of a pregnant soldier on a U.S. Army base in Germany, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Shannon Wilkerson, 43, was convicted of killing 19-year-old Amanda Gonzales, a fellow Army soldier, in Gonzales barracks room in Fliegerhorst Kaserne, then a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany, the Department of Justice said.

Wilkerson, an Army soldier at the time, believed Gonazles was pregnant with his child when he strangled and beat her, prosecutors said.

Wilkerson was discharged from the Army, and Gonzales murder case ran went cold before Wilkerson was arrested in Florida last year.

In announcing Wilkersons conviction, prosecutors did not say where the former soldier lived, and the DOJ could not immediately be reached for comment. But the Andalusia Star News reported Wilkerson is from Andalusia, Ala.

He was convicted of second-degree murder Monday in federal court in Pensacola, Fla.

Wilkerson was charged under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, which gives the U.S. federal courts jurisdiction over crimes committed outside the United States by, among others, former members of the Armed Forces who are no longer subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The defendant violently beat and murdered Amanda Gonzalesa fellow soldier who was pregnant at the timeat a U.S. Army base in Germany in 2001, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. His conviction yesterday, more than two decades later, is a testament to the Justice Departments unrelenting pursuit of justice. Many dedicated law enforcement officers and prosecutors persisted for years, pursuing every available lead and never wavering in their search for evidence to hold the victims killer to account for his heinous crime.

Wilkerson is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 8.

U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida called the murder of Gonzales and her unborn child a horrific act of violence.

This decades-long investigation and resulting prosecution demonstrate the unwavering resolve of our law enforcement partners and their commitment to use every tool available to protect Americans, especially those serving our country, he said. Twenty-two years ago, Shannon Wilkerson brutally murdered Amanda Gonzales, who he believed was pregnant with his child, said Executive Assistant Director Timothy R. Langan Jr. of the FBIs Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. Yesterdays conviction is a testament to our unwavering commitment of pursuing justice for victims of violent crime. Through the collaboration of law enforcement, the FBI and our partners will continue to seek justice for victims, no matter how long it takes.

2024 Advance Local Media LLC.

Visit al.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A soldier fires a M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during training in 2018 at Fort Bliss, Texas. (Tin P. Vuong/U.S. Army)

A soldier was wounded last month during training at Joint Base Lewis-McChord after live rounds were mixed with blanks, the Army said Tuesday.

The injured soldier was admitted to Madigan Army Medical Center and is in stable condition, said Lt. Col. Jennifer Bocanegra, an Army spokeswoman at Lewis-McChord, the Army-Air Force installation south of Tacoma in Washington.

The units involved in the April 25 training incident include the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the 7th Infantry Division. The soldier was injured by a live round fired from an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. The group and division have soldiers based at Lewis-McChord.

Blank rounds that make a weapon feel and sound like it is firing a live round are used in training. A live round contains a bullet. A blank round does not.

Maj. Russell Gordon, a public affairs officer for 1st Special Forces Command at Fort Liberty, N.C., said the command issued a 72-hour stand-down this week of all ranges using live and blank ammunition. 1st Special Forces headquarters is in North Carolina, but the command has groups at several bases, including Lewis-McChord. The stand-down is for all the commands units.

Each subordinate unit initiated a 24-hour amnesty turn-in period of any improperly stored ammunition followed by a complete inventory of all arms room ammunition storage locations.

Unit leaders were ordered to complete a review of all storage, handling and range safety responsibilities at all rank levels to ensure compliance with policies.

Although an investigation is underway on the exact circumstances of the incident, it was necessary to take prudent action now to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone, Gordon said.

According to Army weapons specifications, the M249 rifle is a gas-operated open-bolt automatic weapon that fires a NATO-standard 5.56x45 mm round. It has a muzzle velocity of 3,000 feet per second with a maximum range of 3,600 meters. Using a drum magazine or belt-fed, the rifle has a maximum rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute. Based on a Belgian design, it has been used by the U.S. Army since 1986 and is also used by the Marines.

No further information about the incident will be available until after the investigation is complete, Army officials said.
Sgt. Jeremiah Russell Peikert, 30, was arrested and charged with conspiracy for helping his brothers plan to hire someone to kill a woman, man and two children. (Connecticut State Police)

AUSTIN, Texas  A soldier assigned to Fort Cavazos was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder for his role in helping his incarcerated brother plot to kill a woman, her two children and her boyfriend, according to Connecticut state police.

Sgt. Jeremiah Russell Peikert, 30, sent payments in July 2022 totaling $250 to his brothers cellmate at a Montville prison in Connecticut as a finders fee to locate a hitman to kill the four people, according to police documents. The soldier told Connecticut state police that he knew his brother wanted to hurt the woman but did not know he wanted to kill her or anyone else.

The victims of the plot included a 29-year-old woman, a 10-year-old girl, a 1-year-old girl and a 23-year-old man, according to police documents.

I initially did not want any involvement in this plan, and I reluctantly transferred the money. I eventually did because Josh and [the cellmate] kept pressuring me to send the money for the job,  Peikert wrote in a statement to police. I had thoughts of notifying the police and/or [the woman], but I never did, but know I should have.

Peikert is a network communication systems specialist with the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade who enlisted in 2012, according to Fort Cavazos, which is in Texas.

Connecticut state police on May 1 traveled to arrest Peikert in Fort Worth, Texas. He appeared two days later in court in Norwich, Conn., where bond was set at $500,000, according to police records.

He is also charged with conspiracy to commit risk of injury to minors.

His brother, 31-year-old Joshua Peikert, is incarcerated and faces the same charges.

Authorities first became aware of the situation October 2022, when the woman contacted the Groton Police Department after receiving a letter from the cellmate involved in the plot to alert her that she faced danger, according to police.

The case was given to state police who interviewed the cellmate, who is not named in police records. He told police that he advised Joshua Peikert that it would cost $10,000 per person. He said Peikert told him that was doable and said he would pay half up front and half afterward.

Joshua Peikert provided his cellmate the victims address, where they sleep and the location of a spare key in the outdoor electrical outlet to gain access to the home, according to police documents.

The cellmate said he never intended to hire a hitman or commit any violence, nor did he intend to contact anyone to do the job, but said he charged a $500 finders fee.

Soon after, the cellmate received $250 in his prison account from Jeremiah Peikert.

Joshua was released and reincarcerated and continued to ask his old cellmate about the hit. The cellmate told police that he played dumb and acted as if his brother had messed up the money transfer.

While in the prisons medical facility, the cellmate said he wrote and sent the letter. He was later transferred to a different prison.

The cellmate also provided police with a handwritten letter from Joshua Peikert that detailed all the information about the womans home, which she later confirmed to police as accurate.

Police also confirmed Jeremiah Peikert did transfer $250 in two transactions into the cellmates prison financial account in July 2022. The cellmate called the soldier three times that month. During the call, the cellmate told Jeremiah that the individual hired for the job had gone to Florida, where he was arrested for fighting with a police officer and he doesnt know when the man will return.

The good news is that the job is going to get done because the payment, the agreement went through. The bad news is it may take a little while to happen, maybe two weeks, the cellmate told him.

In December 2023, Connecticut state police interviewed Jeremiah Peikert at Fort Cavazos where he admitted to the transfers and that he knew his brother was trying to have the woman hurt.

The U.S. Army and officials at Fort Cavazos are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation, said Lt. Col. Tania Donovan, spokeswoman for Fort Cavazos. The Army takes allegations of criminal behavior by its members extremely seriously and will continue to work closely with law enforcement.
USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207) during a testing event. The Navy accepted delivery on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in San Diego following successful completion of Integrated Sea Trials. (Naval Sea Systems Command)

The newest fleet replenishment oiler, the USNS Earl Warren, was delivered Tuesday to Military Sealift Command during a ceremony in San Diego.

Delivery follows the successful completion of Integrated Sea Trials to test the readiness and capability of the ship and to validate requirements. The 746-foot Warren is the third ship in the 20-ship John Lewis-class.

The ship honors Earl Warren, an American attorney, politician and jurist who served as the 14th Chief Justice of the United States from 1953 to 1969. Warren wrote the majority opinions in landmark civil rights cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, Reynolds v. Sims, Miranda v. Arizona and Loving v. Virginia. Warren also led the Warren Commission, a presidential commission that investigated the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Warren is considered to be one of the countrys most influential Supreme Court justices and political leaders.

The class and its lead ship are named for the late civil rights leader and former U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. The oilers, which can carry up to 162,000 barrels of oil and have sizable dry cargo capacity, support the Navys carrier strike groups.

This upgraded oiler is built with double hulls to protect against oil spills and has strengthened cargo and ballast tanks. It will be equipped with a basic self-defense capability, including crew-served weapons and Nixie torpedo decoys. It also has the capabilities for close-in weapons systems such as SeaRAMs, and an Anti-Torpedo Defense System. The Lewis class of oilers will replace the current Kaiser class fleet replenishment oilers.
An LV-3B/SM-65D Atlas rocket installation in the Missile Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This new exhibit represents the launch vehicle for USAF Maj. Gordon Coopers Mercury-Atlas 9 mission on May 15-16, 1963. (Ty Greenlees/U.S. Air Force)

(Tribune News Service)  It was a nuclear missile before it was a space rocket. Now, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force has welcomed a restored replica to its permanent collection, and you can see it today after three years of preparation by museum personnel.

The museum added an LV-3B/SM-65D Atlas rocket for permanent display in the Missile Gallery collection.

Also known as the Convair Atlas D, it is a replica of the rocket U.S. astronaut Gordon Cooper rode into space in 1963.

Engineers designed the Atlas as the first U.S. nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) playing a role in the space race with the Soviet Union and in early nuclear deterrence, the museum noted in an announcement. It was later modified to carry NASA astronauts into space.

The rocket standing vertically in the museum represents the launch vehicle for Coopers Mercury-Atlas 9 mission on May 15 to 16, 1963.

Coopers was the final and longest Mercury mission, lasting more than 34 hours, orbiting Earth 22 times.

Coopers Mercury-Atlas 9 flight is our opportunity to feature the early years of manned spaceflight and space exploration, said Mark Wertheimer, museum curator. The museum plans future exhibit and display additions to tell the exciting story of how the Air Force, and now the Space Force, have been and continue to be important contributors to our nations efforts in space.

Restoration work was painstaking. The museum called attention to an adapter section near the top of the missile that held the Mercury spacecraft and a red-painted escape tower. This tower had a rocket that would pull the astronaut and spacecraft to safety in case of a problem during launch.

Those sections  adapter section, spacecraft, and escape tower, which are reproductions in this exhibit  replaced the missiles nuclear warhead.

To put U.S. astronauts into orbit, NASA used modified Atlas-D missiles as launch vehicles for four manned flights in the 1962-63 Mercury program, the museum said.

In early 1962, an earlier Atlas rocket launched John Glenn, the first American to orbit the earth. After Mercury, the Gemini program transitioned to carrying two astronauts aboard larger Titan II rockets.

The restoration of the Atlas rocket was funded by anonymous donors through the Air Force Museum Foundation.

(c)2024 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)

Visit www.daytondailynews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Yyonder is a Belgian Malinois with the 88th and 901st Military Police Detachments at Camp Zama, Japan. (U.S. Army)

TOKYO  A quick response by soldiers at the home of U.S. Army Japan saved the life of a military working dog suffering from heat stroke.

Yyonder, a Belgian Malinois with the 88th and 901st Military Police Detachments, showed signs of a heat-related illness while training April 8 at Camp Zamas Dewey Park, according to a post on U.S. Army Garrison Japans official Facebook page.

The temperature that day was in the cool mid-60s, but Yyonders assistant handlers, Sgt. Malcolm Cabornay and Spc. Samiya Soutien, noticed the dogs heavy, raspy breathing, veterinary assistant Spc. Donaven Murphy told Stars and Stripes by phone Tuesday.

I was extremely nervous, as this was my first time having a military working dog emergency, he said.

The dog was drooling, sluggish and unresponsive to commands, so Cabornay and Soutien quickly brought him to the K-9 vehicle, laid him in the trunk and vented air conditioning over him, Murphy said.

Cabornay said he knew the dog needed treatment right away.

I was there trying to keep the situation calm and to quickly get the dog to the vet and assist them there, he said in a separate phone interview Tuesday.

At the veterinary clinic, Yyonder had a temperature of 109 degrees, above the threshold that requires emergency treatment. He also had diarrhea and was vomiting, both symptoms of a heat-related illness.

The first solution was getting Yyonder on fluids to hydrate him.

Initially, we definitely got everything done quickly and it is honestly what saved that dogs life, Murphy said.

Yyonder spent about a week at the clinic, where the veterinary staff and his handlers took turns staying with the dog to monitor him.

Yyonder returned to his kennel April 12 but required further monitoring, Murphy said. He may have an underlying condition that prevents his body from properly cooling, he said. Unable to perspire, dogs regulate body heat through their paw pads and by panting through their mouths.

Yyonder will fully recover but his handlers may need to move him to less strenuous duty, Murphy said.

Cabornay said Yyonder is in rehabilitation and would still work in detection. In December, he was named a distinguished honor graduate of the K9 Patrol Explosive Detector Dog-Enhanced Course, or PEDD-E, at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Cabornay and the Zama veterinary staff, including Murphy, veterinarian Maj. Graciela Orantes and Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Trim, received thanks and a command coin from the garrisons commander, Col. Marcus Hunter, who visited Yyonder at the clinic on April 8, according to the Facebook post.
Members of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment practice hand-to-hand combat during a Balikatan drill at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag, Philippines, May 8, 2024. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes)

LA PAZ SAND DUNES, Philippines  The sound of artillery shook this adventure tourism mecca on the northwestern coast of Luzon, the countrys main island, Wednesday morning.

American, Philippine and Australian troops pounded a disused oil tanker 10 miles offshore with artillery, rockets, missiles, bombs and machinegun fire.

The demonstration showed what the longtime allies could do in the event of an invasion attempt, Philippine army Lt. Col. Omar Al Assaf said at the dunes.

The ship sinking was the culmination of the annual Balikatan exercise. The training began April 22 and is scheduled to end with a ceremony Friday.

Philippine troops manning 155 mm howitzers prepare for a Balikatan ship-sinking drill at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag, Philippines, May 8, 2024. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes) A member of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment tries sandboarding at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag, Philippines, May 8, 2024. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes)

Reporters watched the action unfold on video screens inside a tent overlooking the coast.

An Australian E-7 Wedgetail flew over the target and relayed data to firing units.

A U.S. Air Force AC-130 gunship pounded the target vessel with a 105 mm cannon and 30 mm machinegun.

The barrage included fire from Philippine navy vessels, U.S. and Philippine fighter jets, a Philippine helicopter and 155 mm howitzers in the dunes.

Philippine President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., who hails from the area where the training took place, observed the event from a command center at an undisclosed location, Philippine military spokesman army Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad said at the dunes.

The event showed air, sea and ground assets training to prevent an aggressor landing on Filipino soil, Assaf said after the target ship sank in 1,500 feet of water.

A live feed shows the target going down about 10 miles offshore during a Balikatan ship-sinking drill at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag, Philippines, May 8, 2024. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes) A live feed of a target ship about 10 miles offshore is displayed during a Balikatan drill at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag, Philippines, May 8, 2024. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes)

The attacks appeared to find their mark, but a pair of the U.S. Armys Excalibur 155 mm artillery shells turned out to be duds.

Soldiers detected problems in the electronic signals inside the rounds before they were fired, said Lt. Col. Matt Cahill, commander of 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment.

Tourist attractions at the dunes, including off-roading and sandboarding, were shut down during the live fire.

However, the mayor of Laoag, the town that surrounds the sand dunes, said operators welcomed the attention that the exercise gives the area.

Mayor Michael Marcos Keon speaks with reporters about Balikatan training taking place in his city, Laoag, Philippines, May 8, 2024. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes)

I feel that it is important that they do it here, Michael Marcos Keon said as artillery barked nearby. Please understand what the Chinese navy is doing  trespassing into our territory, harassing our fishermen, harassing our coast guard. Its not acceptable.

Last week, a China coast guard ship with water cannons damaged one of two Philippine coast guard vessels at Scarborough Shoal, a feature inside the Philippines exclusive economic zone thats controlled by Beijing. An escalating number of similar encounters have occurred between the two countries at Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the South China Sea controlled by Manila.

Filipinos need to send a message to China that they will not be bullied, Keon said, noting that he is a relative of his countrys president.

We need to do this with our allies, and who are our allies? The United States of America, he said.
The Warrior Food Pantry opened on Camp Humphreys, South Korea, May 8, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  U.S. troops in South Korea struggling to feed their families have access to a new food pantry on this base as of this week.

The Warrior Food Pantry at Humphreys, the largest U.S. military base overseas, opened its doors Wednesday after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday.

Army Maj. Gen. William Taylor, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, described the pantry as a tangible example of a community rallying to assist those in need.

One thing that Ive seen over the years that allows people to be successful is hope, he said in a speech at the ceremony. And hope, a lot of times, needs something tangible.

Overall, about 26% of active-duty troops do not have regular access to food for their families, but researchers are unable to determine why, according to a Rand report published Jan. 3, 2023.

Humphreys is the latest U.S. base in the Indo-Pacific to open a food pantry for its troops. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni expanded its facility in November. One also opened that month at Camp Foster, a Marine base on Okinawa.

The Warrior Food Pantry opened on Camp Humphreys, South Korea, May 8, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)

The 2nd ID, with headquarters at Humphreys, first considered opening a food bank in September 2022, Lindsey Geraci, a 2nd ID program coordinator, told Stars and Stripes after Mondays ribbon-cutting.

A make-shift pantry opened in November 2022 at the base chapel; however, restrictive business hours and unit-based eligibility requirements were hurdles for troops and their families, Geraci said.

The need was so strong for a larger, more enduring food pantry  to support the whole community, she added.

The pantry has already generated interest at the base, Geraci said. A family member reached out for assistance Friday after their service members pay was garnished due to an overpayment issue.

The new food bank will lift access restrictions by having designated business hours. It is open to all the roughly 28,500 U.S. service members and their families in South Korea, regardless of their military branch and unit.

The food bank is near the Eighth Army Wightman Noncommissioned Officer Academy. The building previously served as a mailroom for the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

Volunteers from 2nd ID, American Red Cross and military spouses renovated the structure, abandoned for over a year, by building wooden shelves, replacing the flooring, ripping out mailboxes and trimming the overgrown vegetation outside.

The Warrior Food Pantry opened on Camp Humphreys, South Korea, May 8, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)

We have done all of this on a zero-dollar budget, Geraci said. That is not an exaggeration.

Inside the building Monday, shelves were stocked with canned goods, drink mixes, diapers and pamphlets on family assistance programs at the base.

Everything that you see here has been donated, Geraci said. This is purely a labor of love from our community and were going to continue getting people involved.

The Red Cross trained about 25 volunteers to work at the food bank in shifts, said Jennifer Brock, a regional program specialist for the organization.

Brock said people are welcome to bring non-perishable food items and diapers and wipes for donation during business hours.

The food bank will operate on an honor system and will not require people to disclose their names to take items from the pantry; however, those rules may change in the future, Geraci said.

We hope that [people] wont take advantage of this great resource that we have for the community, she said. If you need help and youre willing to come here, then were willing to serve you.

About 23% of U.S. troops overseas report food insecurity, defined as an economic or social condition that limits access to food, according to the Rand report prepared for Congress.

While [the Defense Department] has taken an important step to understand the scope of food insecurity, more work needs to be done to grasp the underlying reasons why the rate of food insecurity reported in the survey is so high, Rand senior economist Beth Asch said in a news release at the time.

The report, which used Defense Department survey data from 2016 and 2018, found that families who lived on post were more likely to be food insecure.
A U.S. District Court judge in Bismarck says a misdemeanor criminal charge he faces in municipal court for allegedly letting his dog run loose could snarl dozens of cases in the federal court system.

Judge Dan Traynor on Wednesday said the matter has already impacted several cases, including last Friday's sentencing of a man who was involved in an exchange of gunfire with Bismarck-area law officers a year ago. Traynor on Monday filed an order recusing himself from the case of Kyle Johnson -- whom he had sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison -- and vacated the sentence, citing a conflict because the case involves Bismarck police officers.

Traynor said the situation "is affecting 30-50 cases already," including some on Tuesday for which lawyers had traveled from Minot, Fargo and Grand Forks for hearings that could not be held. The judge said he is unable to work on any case with a connection to the city of Bismarck or its police officers -- including many drug cases and also Dakota Access Pipeline protest cases -- because his perceived conflict would create an avenue for appeal.

The judge expressed frustration that the city's leash law calls for a misdemeanor charge rather than an infraction, a much lesser offense.

"I don't think it's appropriate for a city to charge a leash law violation as a criminal matter," he said, adding that "The whole idea of doing that is bonkers."

City response

City Attorney Jannelle Combs in a statement to the Tribune said the Bismarck ordinance has been in effect as a Class B misdemeanor since at least 1980.

"We had an extensive rewrite of the animal control ordinances in 2021 with many stakeholder meetings, so it is unfortunate no one has mentioned the issue until now, considering all the other defendants who have been charged with animal at large. In 2023, for example, there were 41 at large cases filed in Bismarck Municipal Court," she said.

Combs said her office treats all defendants the same way no matter their profession.

"The case is being handled by a prosecutor who is treating Judge Traynor the same as every other defendant," she said. "As is the case with most first-time violations of this ordinance, it would be deemed an infraction if the defendant admits guilt in open court or is found guilty. That is the same treatment to all other defendants in the same circumstance."

The complaint

Traynor said the complaint filed in municipal court on April 17 was the result of a neighbor who had set up a trail camera. He did not identify the person; nor does the court complaint.

Traynor said his yellow British lab has occasionally gotten out of his fenced yard through a gate accidentally left open, but he maintains that did not happen on the date alleged in the complaint -- April 5 -- and he questions if the dog on the video is his. He also said his dog -- named Mercy -- is gentle and not vicious, and is not alleged to have harmed anyone. The complaint filed by Animal Control Officer Michael Thune alleges only that the dog was not leashed.

The judge said he was not initially aware of the complaint because he does not have mail delivery at his home due to the nature of his job, and that he was not properly served. He stumbled across his own case about 1  weeks ago while searching North Dakota's online court system in connection with an unrelated matter. He retained an attorney and pleaded not guilty last Friday to the charge that carries a maximum punishment of 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.

Traynor said he sentenced Johnson the same day he entered his plea because he wasn't aware Bismarck police officers were involved in Johnson's case, since it wasn't mentioned in the presentence report. The case had originated in state district court and was later transferred to federal court.

Traynor has a pretrial conference in his own case scheduled for June 26, but he hopes the matter will be resolved soon. He said it's his understanding that the neighbor has written a letter to the court asking that the case be dropped.

"Hopefully they do so so I can continue to do my job without this distraction," he said. "It's been very disruptful for my work and the work of the federal court in Bismarck."

Johnson's case has now been assigned to U.S. District Judge Dan Hovland. Hovland in December 2018 announced he was moving into senior status, a form of semiretirement that gives federal judges the opportunity to work as much or as little as they prefer.

"Judge Hovland should not have to be burdened with every case (in the Bismarck system) at this time in his career," Traynor said.
Yelizaveta Antonova leaves the journalism college at St. Petersburg State University. She believes a protest of an attack on a reporter cost her a spot in graduate school. (Ksenia Ivanova for The Washington Post)

Two weeks before the start of his 25th year as Russias supreme political leader, Vladimir Putin made a sweeping proclamation: Wars are won by teachers.

The remark, which Putin repeated twice during his year-end news conference in December, shed light on a campaign he is waging that has received little attention outside wartime Russia: to imbue the countrys education system with patriotism, purge universities of Western influences, and quash any dissent among professors and students on campuses that are often hotbeds of political activism.

At St. Petersburg State University, this meant dismantling a prestigious humanities program called the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences. For more than a decade, until May 2022, the faculty  or college  was led by Alexei Kudrin, a liberal economist and former finance minister who had been a close associate of Putins since the early 1990s, when they were deputy mayors together in St. Petersburg.

We had many classes on U.S. history, American political life, democracy and political thought, as well as courses on Russian history and political science, history of U.S.-Russian relations, and even a course titled The ABCs of War: Causes, Effects, Consequences, said a student at the faculty, also known as Smolny College. They are all gone now, the student said, speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

In a radical reshaping of Russias education system, curriculums are being redrawn to stress patriotism and textbooks rewritten to belittle Ukraine, glorify Russia and whitewash the totalitarian Soviet past. These changes  the most sweeping to schooling in Russia since the 1930s  are a core part of Putins effort to harness the war in Ukraine to remaster his country as a regressive, militarized state.

Since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, leaders of Russian universities, which are overwhelmingly funded by the state, have zealously adopted the Kremlins intolerance of any dissent or self-organization, according to an extensive examination by The Washington Post of events on campuses across Russia, including interviews with students and professors both still in the country and in exile.

Professors who spoke out against the war, or allowed safe spaces for students to question it, have been fired. Students who picketed or posted on social media for peace were expelled.

Meanwhile, those who volunteer to fight in Ukraine have been celebrated in line with Putins promises that war heroes and their descendants will become the new Russian elite, with enhanced social benefits, including special preference for children seeking to enter top academic programs. Normally, such programs require near-perfect grades and high scores on competitive exams  uniform standards that applicants from all societal backgrounds have relied on for decades.

And the most fundamental precept of academic life  the freedom to think independently, to challenge conventional assumptions and pursue new, bold ideas  has been eroded by edicts that classrooms become echo chambers of the authoritarian nativism and historical distortions that Putin uses to justify his war and his will.

As a result, a system of higher learning that once was a beacon for students across the developing world is now shutting itself off from peer academies in the West, severing one of the few ties that had survived years of political turbulence. Freedom of thought is being trampled, if not eradicated. Eminent scholars have fled for positions abroad, while others said in interviews that they are planning to do so.

At the Russian State University for the Humanities in Moscow, officials last July created the Ivan Ilyin Higher Political School, which is now being led by Alexander Dugin, a fervent pro-Putin and Orthodox Christian ideologue who was tasked with revising domestic scientific and educational paradigms and bringing them into line with our traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.

There has been a catastrophic degradation in Western humanitarian history, Dugin said at a January seminar on transforming Russian humanities education. This is evidenced by gender problems, postmodernism and ultraliberalism. We can study the West, but not as the ultimate universal truth. We need to focus on our own Russian development model.

Last month, students pushed an online petition to protest the naming of the school after Ilyin, a philosopher who defended Hitler and Mussolini in World War II and advocated for the return of czarist autocracy in Russia. In a statement to Tass, the state-controlled news service, the university denounced the petition as part of the information war of the West and its supporters against Russia and asserted, without providing evidence, that the group behind it had no connection to students at the school.

Programs specializing in the liberal arts and sciences are primary targets because they are viewed as breeding grounds for dissent. Major universities have cut the hours spent studying Western governments, human rights and international law, and even the English language.

We were destroyed, said Denis Skopin, a philosophy professor at Smolny College who was fired for criticizing the war. Because the last thing people who run universities need are unreliable actors who do the wrong thing, think in a different way, and teach their students to do the same.

We had many classes on U.S. history, American political life. ... They are all gone now, said a student in the liberal arts and sciences college at St. Petersburg State University. (Ksenia Ivanova for The Washington Post)

Putins alma mater

St. Petersburg State University, commonly known as SPbU, has long been one of Russias premier academies of higher learning. It is the alma mater of both Putin, who graduated with a degree in law in 1975, and former president Dmitry Medvedev, who received his law degree 12 years later and now routinely threatens nuclear strikes on the West as deputy chairman of Russias national security council.

In many ways, the university has become the leader in reprisals against students and staff not loyal to the Kremlin, with one newspaper dubbing it the repressions champion of Russian education. Its halls have become a microcosm of modern Russia in which conservatives in power are pushing out the few remaining Western-oriented liberals.

Like other aspects of Putins remastering of Russia  such as patriotic mandates in the arts and the redrawing of the role of women to focus on childbearing  the shift in education started well before the invasion of Ukraine. In 2021, Russia ended a more than 20-year-old exchange program between Smolny College and Bard College in New York state by designating the private American liberal arts school an undesirable organization.

Jonathan Becker, Bards vice president for academic affairs and a professor of political studies, said the demise of Smolny was emblematic of a wider shift in Russia as well as a new intolerance of the West.

A huge number of faculty have been let go, several departments closed, core liberal arts programs which focus on critical thinking have been eliminated, Becker said. All of that has happened, and its not just happened at Smolny  it has happened elsewhere. But we were doubly problematic because we both represent critical thinking and partnership with the West. And neither of those are acceptable in present-day Russia.

In October 2022, in a scene captured on video and posted on social media, dozens of students gathered in a courtyard to bid a tearful goodbye to Skopin, Smolnys cherished philosophy professor who was fired for an immoral act  protesting Putins announcement of a partial military mobilization to replenish his depleted forces in Ukraine.

The month before, according to court records and interviews, Skopin was arrested at an antiwar rally. He ended up sharing a jail cell with another professor, Artem Kalmykov, a young mathematician who had recently finished his PhD at the University of Zurich.

That fall, the university launched an overhaul that all but shut Smolny College and replaced the curriculum with a thoroughly revamped arts and humanities program.

The dismantling of Smolny marked the resolution of a years-long feud between Kudrin, the liberal-economist dean, and Nikolai Kropachev, the university rector, whom tutors and students described as a volatile character with a passion for building ties in the highest echelons of the government.

In February, Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russias Foreign Intelligence Service, sent a heartfelt birthday message to Kropachev, thanking him for his civic and political activity and for comprehensive assistance in replenishing personnel.

One student described how Kropachev once interrupted a meeting with students and hinted that he needed to take a call from Putin, in what the student viewed as a boast of his direct access to the Russian leader. Both St. Petersburg State University and Moscow State University were assigned a special status in 2009, under which their rectors are appointed personally by the president.

Skopin, who earned his PhD in France, and his cellmate, Kalmykov, were perfect examples of the type of academic that Russia aspired to attract from the early 2000s to the mid-2010s  enticed after studying abroad to bring knowledge home amid booming investment in higher education. But by 2022, the system seemed to have no need for them.

Video of the gathering in the courtyard shows students erupting in sustained applause, and one student coming forward to hug Skopin.

Its hard to describe the insane level of anxiety the students felt at the start of the invasion, and Id say 99 percent of them were against it, Skopin said.

After his dismissal, some students tried to fight the administrations plan to dismantle the Smolny program.

Polina Ulanovskaya in her dorm last year at St. Petersburg State University. She has since been expelled for failing an exam, but she believes the real reason was her activism. (Ksenia Ivanova for The Washington Post)

At one point we found ourselves in a situation where out of 30 original faculty staff, we had just three tutors left, said Polina Ulanovskaya, a sociology student and activist who led the student union. And the quality of education definitely suffered, especially all of the politics-related classes.

Ulanovskaya said that on the political science track, only two professors have stayed, and many classes were eliminated, including a human rights course. There are now just two courses offered in English, down from 21.

With every new professor, Ulanovskaya said, she felt a need to test the waters. Would the word gender trigger them? Could she say something opposition-leaning? What would be a red flag?

Ulanovskaya opted out of writing a thesis on her main research topic  Russian social movements, politicization of workers and historic-preservation activists - out of fear that it would be blacklisted. Instead, she wrote about Uruguay.

The main problem at the faculty now is that there is no freedom and especially no sense of security, she said. I guess there is no such thing anywhere in Russia now ... you cant trust anyone in any university.

A few weeks after The Post interviewed Ulanovskaya last fall, she was expelled, formally for failing an exam, but she and Skopin said they believe it was retaliation for her activism.

Yelizaveta Antonova holds the poster she and a friend made of Yelena Milashina, a reporter who was attacked in Chechnya. It reads: The Face of Russian Journalism. (Ksenia Ivanova for The Washington Post)

Another student, Yelizaveta Antonova, was supposed to get her bachelors degree in journalism just days after legendary Novaya Gazeta newspaper reporter Yelena Milashina was brutally beaten in Chechnya, the small Muslim-majority republic in southern Russia under the dictatorial rule of Ramzan Kadyrov.

Antonova, who interned at Novaya Gazeta and looked up to Milashina, felt she could not accept her diploma without showing support for her colleague. She and a roommate printed a photo of Milashina, depicting the reporters shaved head and bandaged hands, to stage a demonstration at their graduation ceremony  much to the dismay of other classmates, who sought to block the protest.

They essentially prevented us from going on stage, Antonova said. So we did it outside of the law school, and we felt it was extra symbolic because Putin and Medvedev studied in these halls.

They held up the poster for about half an hour, until another student threatened them by saying riot police were on the way to arrest them. Antonova believes the protest cost her a spot in graduate school, where she hoped to continue her research comparing Russias media landscape before and after the invasion.

Eight months after the graduation ceremony, authorities launched a case against Antonova and her roommate for staging an unauthorized demonstration  an administrative offense that is punishable by a fine and puts people on law enforcements radar. Antonova left the country to continue her studies abroad.

Deeper split

The history college at St. Petersburg State has long been a battleground for various ideologies, with cliques ranging from conservatives and Kremlin loyalists to unyielding opposition-minded liberals, according to interviews with students and professors.

The February 2022 invasion of Ukraine caused a deeper split. Some students and professors openly praised Putins special military operation, as the Kremlin called the war, while others joined rallies against it.

Michael Martin, seen here in Tbilisi, Georgia, is a former star student in history at St. Petersburg State University. He was expelled after expressing antiwar views. (Arthur Bondar for The Washington Post)

The war gave them carte blanche, said Michael Martin, 22, a former star at the college  to which he was automatically admitted after winning two nationwide academic competitions and where he earned straight As.

Martin was a leader of the student council, which on the day of the invasion issued an antiwar manifesto quickly drafted in a cafe.

Another history student, Fedor Solomonov, took the opposite view and praised the special military operation on social media. When Solomonov was called up as part of the mobilization, he declined to take a student deferral and went to fight. He died on the front on April 1, 2023.

Soon after Solomonovs death, screenshots from internal chats where students often debated history and politics were leaked and went viral on pro-war Telegram channels. In some, Martin and other classmates expressed antiwar sentiments, while another showed a message  allegedly written by an assistant professor, Mikhail Belousov  vaguely describing events in Ukraine as Rashism, a wordplay combining Russia and fascism.

In an aggressive online campaign, pro-war activists demanded that Belousov, who denied writing the message, be fired and that the antiwar students, whom they labeled a pro-Ukrainian organized crime group, be expelled.

A cell of anti-Russian students led by a Russophobe associate professor is operating at the history faculty, read posts on Readovka, a radical outlet with 2.5 million followers. They are rabid liberals who hate their country. Belousov was dismissed and seven students, including Martin, were accused of desecrating Solomonovs memory and expelled.

Belousov has gone underground and could not be reached for comment.

They essentially tried to make me do the Sieg Heil, Martin said, recalling the expulsion hearing, where he said the committee repeatedly asked leading questions trying to get him to say the war was justified. The committee also asked him repeatedly about Solomonov.

I said he was for the war and I was against it  we could argue about that, Martin said. I didnt find anything funny or interesting in this  Im truly sorry for what happened to him, but at the same time, I dont think that he did something good or great by going to war.

Martin said that as the war raged on, the university began glorifying death and praising alumni who had joined the military.

This narrative also warped the curriculum.

A few weeks into the invasion, the school introduced a class on modern Ukrainian history, with a course description asserting that Ukrainian statehood is based on a certain mythology.

Belousov, the former assistant professor, criticized a course titled The Great Patriotic War: No Statute of Limitations, taught by an instructor with a degree in library science. The key message of the course is that the Soviet Union had no role in the start of World War II  a denial of Russias joint invasion of Poland with Nazi Germany in 1939.

According to a government document reviewed by The Post, Russias Higher Education Ministry plans to introduce this course at other universities to ensure the civic-patriotic and spiritual-moral education of youth, specifically future lawyers, teachers and historians, and to correct false ideas.

These are obviously propaganda courses that are aimed at turning historians into court apologists, Martin said.

Martin was expelled days before he was supposed to defend his thesis. He quickly left the country after warnings that he and his classmates could be charged with discrediting the army, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison. A criminal case was initiated against Belousov on charges of rehabilitating Nazism.

This is all very reminiscent of the Stalinist 1930s purges, Martin said. The limit of tolerated protest now is to sit silently and say nothing. There is despair at the faculty and a feeling that they have crushed everything.

(The Washington Post)

Changes to education laws

To lure more Russian men to fight in Ukraine, the government has promised their families various sweeteners, including cheap mortgages, large life insurance payments and education benefits for their children.

In 2022, Putin approved changes to education laws to grant children of soldiers who fought in Ukraine admissions preferences at Russias best universities  schools that normally accept only students with near-perfect exam scores and impressive high school records.

Now, at least 10 percent of all fully funded university spots must be allocated to students eligible for the military preference. Those whose fathers were killed or wounded do not need to pass entry exams.

The new law solidified a previous Putin decree that gave special preferences to soldiers and their children. In the 2023-24 academic year, about 8,500 students were enrolled based on these preferences, government officials said. According to an investigation by the Russian-language outlet Important Stories, nearly 900 students were admitted to 13 top universities through war quotas, with most failing to meet the normal exam score threshold.

In areas of Ukraine captured by Russian forces since February 2022, a different takeover of the education system is underway, with Moscow imposing its curriculum and standards just as it did after invading and illegally annexing Crimea in 2014.

For the 2023-24 academic year, according to the Russian prime ministers office, more than 5 percent of fully state-financed tuition stipends  roughly 37,000 out of 626,000  were allocated for students at universities in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson or Zaporizhzhia, the four occupied or partly occupied areas of Ukraine that Putin has claimed to be annexed.

The relatively large allocation of tuition aid in occupied areas shows how financial assistance and education are central to Putins effort to seize lands in southeast Ukraine and absorb its population into Russia in violation of international law.

Deans of several leading Russian universities have made highly publicized trips to occupied Ukraine to urge students there to enroll into Russian schools, part of a multipronged effort to bring residents into Moscows orbit.

The Moscow-based Higher School of Economics, once considered Russias most liberal university, recently established patronage over universities in Luhansk, with Rector Nikita Anisimov often traveling there.

(The Washington Post)

Priority 2030

A few weeks after the invasion started, Moscow abandoned the Bologna Process, a pan-European effort to align higher education standards, as Russias deans and rectors strove to show they werent susceptible to foreign influence.

Higher Education Minister Valery Falkov said Russian universities would undergo significant changes in the next half-decade, overseen by the national program Priority 2030, which envisions curriculums that ensure formation of a patriotic worldview in young people.

Soon after Russia quit the Bologna Process, Smolny College was targeted for overhaul.

The decision was an expected but distinct shift from the more liberal model of Russian higher education policy that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union, said Victoria Pardini, a program associate at the Kennan Institute, a Washington think tank focused on Russia.

Another prestigious school, the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, canceled its liberal arts program in 2022 after authorities accused it of destroying national values.

In mid-October 2023, the Higher Education Ministry ordered universities to avoid open discussion of negative political, economic and social trends, according to a publicly disclosed report by British intelligence. In the longer term, this will likely further the trend of Russian policymaking taking place in an echo chamber, the report concluded.

Many international exchange programs have been canceled  some because Russian students now have difficulty obtaining visas. Still, a heavy brain drain is underway. All those who could  they left the country, Skopin said of his students. Those who cant are thrashing around as if they are in a cage.

Martin is among those who got out he was recently accepted into a prestigious masters program abroad and plans to continue his research into 19th-century Australian federalism.

Skopin now teaches in Berlin and is a member of Smolny Beyond Borders, an education program that seeks funding to cover the tuition of students who leave Russia because of their political views. As of late 2023, an estimated 700 students were enrolled.
Rescuers work at a damaged building after a Russian missile attack in Kyiv region, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Ukrainian officials on Wednesday said they were preparing to order electricity rationing measures across the country after a major overnight missile strike by Russia  the latest in a relentless bombing campaign against civilian infrastructure.

Brownouts are possible throughout Ukraine between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., the state energy provider, Ukrenergo, said in a statement posted on the Telegram social media platform. The statement cited a shortage of electricity in the power system.

The Russian strikes, which lasted more than three hours overnight, targeted energy infrastructure in six Ukrainian regions. Ukraines power plants, electrical grid and other infrastructure have become particularly vulnerable as Western countries have struggled to supply Kyiv with sufficient air defense systems and ammunition.

Restrictions will be evenly distributed across all regions, Ukrenergo wrote. Exactly how the shutdown schedules will operate in each region will be published on the official pages of local regional energy companies.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Ukrainian air defenses shot down 39 missiles and 20 drones. Sixteen missiles, including two ballistic missiles, and one drone pierced the shield, the Ukrainian air force said on Telegram.

Missiles damaged three thermal power stations belonging to the countrys largest power supplier, DTEK, the company said in social media posts. DTEK did not specify where the stations were located.

Another extremely difficult night for the Ukrainian energy industry, DTEK said in its statement, adding that this was the fifth massive shelling of the companys energy facilities in the last one and a half months.

DTEK, which provides about 20% of Ukrainian electricity, said that 80% of its available generating capacity has been damaged or destroyed.

Russian missiles and drones also targeted the Kyiv region, damaging houses and injuring two people, the head of the Kyiv military administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, wrote on Facebook.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the attacks took place on the anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945, a holiday observed as Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II Day.

Zelenskyy, posting on Telegram, drew a parallel between Russias actions and those of Nazi Germany. The entire world must understand who is who, he said. The world must not give a chance to new Nazism.

Russias missile strikes against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure added to the long list of its war crimes, Josep Borrell, the European Unions high representative for foreign affairs, wrote on X.

Ukraine urgently needs adequate air defence systems, Borrell wrote, which he said would be a priority at an upcoming meeting of European Union defense ministers.

The E.U. on Wednesday reached a tentative deal to seize profits from frozen Russian central bank assets and use them to fund weapons and other aid for Ukraine. The deal would mean about $3 billion a year in additional support for Ukraine, with 90% of that going to arms and other military equipment. The funds could reach Ukraine as early as July, officials said.

There could be no stronger symbol and no greater use for that money than to make Ukraine and all of Europe a safer place to live, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, wrote on X.

In 2022, Ukraines allies seized more than $300 billion in Russian central bank assets, including more than $200 billion held in the E.U. Some member states have pushed to use all of those assets to help Kyiv, while others  including Germany and France  have questioned the wisdom and legality of such a move. Some hope that Wednesdays agreement, which must still be formally approved, could add momentum to efforts to use more of the funds to support Ukraine. But many countries remain firmly opposed.

As energy officials prepared for the power rationing, Ukrainian law enforcement authorities announced that they had launched a murder investigation into a prominent oligarch and a onetime ally of Zelenskyy, on suspicion of organizing a contract killing in 2003.

The oligarch was not identified by name, but as a well-known businessman. However, in posts describing the case on Telegram, Ukraines general prosecutor office and national police posted photos of the businessman, in which Ihor Kolomoisky could be identified, though his face was partially obscured. Ukrainian media also named Kolomoisky, an oil, banking and media mogul, as the person in question.

According to the prosecutors office, Kolomoisky hired contract killers to carry out personal revenge against a director of a law firm who refused to cooperate with him to annul and invalidate the decisions of a general meeting of shareholders of an open joint-stock company.

To realize his criminal intentions, the suspect involved members of a gang that specialized in committing serious and especially serious crimes, including physical violence against competitors, the prosecutors office said.

Ukraines national police said that in August 2003, four men brutally beat and stabbed a lawyer in the center of Feodosia, in Crimea  a region of Ukraine that Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

The man survived the attack, and law enforcement officers arrested the suspects in the attempted contract killing. Now the police have established indisputable evidence confirming the identity of the customer, the national police said.

Kolomoisky is in pretrial detention as authorities investigate him on a number of charges, including fraud, money laundering and embezzlement. Last month, a Kyiv court prolonged his detention, setting a bail of close to $50 million. Kolomoisky refuses to pay the sum, protesting that the case against him is illegal.

Kolomoisky, whose wealth was once valued at $2 billion, was considered to be a major influence on Zelenskyy  then an actor and comedian who starred on a Kolomoisky-owned television channel. In 2019, he helped Zelensky get elected by providing him extensive airtime on his network.

Kolomoisky has been under legal pressure since 2016, when officials discovered some $5.5 billion missing from the balance sheet of PrivatBank  Ukraines largest retail bank  then owned by Kolomoisky and his business partner, Hennadiy Boholiubov. Officials accused Kolomoisky, Boholiubov and other top deputies of embezzling.

The charge of hiring killers to carry out a contract hit is a significant escalation in Ukrainian officials battle against the countrys oligarchs  and further evidence of the deep rift that developed between Zelenskyy and Kolomoisky after Zelenskyys election.

The fact that the case against him dates back more than 20 years is also unusual for Ukraines legal system, which has seen a number of high-profile murders go unpunished.

Emily Rauhala in Brussels contributed to this report.
U.S. military personnel construct a floating pier in the Mediterranean Sea off the Gaza Strip in April 2024. (U.S. Army Central Command)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. military has completed construction on the floating pier off Gazas coast, but weather conditions make it unsafe to put the temporary dock in place to begin transporting more humanitarian aid into the war-torn enclave, the Pentagon said.

As of today, the construction of the two portions of the JLOTS  the floating pier and the Trident pier  are complete and awaiting final movement offshore, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters Tuesday. Today, there are still forecasted high winds and high sea swells, which are causing unsafe conditions for the JLOTS components to be moved.

The pier, known as Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, is meant to provide a new way to deliver badly needed aid into Gaza. The World Health Organization has warned some 2.3 million Gazans face extreme hunger that could become a full-blown famine by next month as Israel continues its war against Hamas militants who launched a surprise assault in October from the enclave.

President Joe Biden first announced the JLOTS operation on March 7 during his State of the Union speech. One day later, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons top spokesman, said the temporary pier would be operational within about 60 days.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said Friday in a post on X that construction on the pier was paused Thursday due to sea state considerations. Construction of the pier moved to the Port of Ashdod, one of Israels three main cargo ports north of Gaza.

Singh said the pier sections and military vessels involved in the construction are still positioned at the Port of Ashdod. In the meantime, the U.S. is loading aid on the ship, MV Sagamore, currently in Cyprus.

The Sagamore is a cargo vessel that will use the JLOTS system and will make trips between Cyprus and the offshore floating pier as [U.S. Agency for International Development] and other partners collect aid from around the world, she said.

Singh said defense officials hope to have the pier in position later this week.

About 1,000 American troops are involved in the operation of the pier, which costs about $320 million.

The Pentagon has stressed no U.S. troops will be on the ground in Gaza, but some lawmakers have raised concerns about the involvement of American troops in Israels campaign in Gaza and risks to their safety.

Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, blasted the pier project last week and said troops working on its construction are within range of Hamas rockets. Following a mortar attack last month near the area where the pier will connect with the shore, Wicker called it unfortunate but predictable.

This has been an ill-conceived mission from the start. President Biden should never have put our men and women in this position, and he should abandon this project immediately before any U.S. troops are injured, he said.

The Army in March sent four ships from the 7th Transportation Brigade at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., toward the Mediterranean Sea to spearhead the operation. The Navy deployed three ships to help in the construction of the pier. One of those ships, the USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo was forced to return to the United States last month after it had an engine room fire.

Once the pier is operational, commercial ships carrying aid will sail from Cyprus to the floating dock, where the aid will then be moved to smaller Army boats that will travel to the causeway and on to aid groups. The new port is located southwest of Gaza City.

American troops will be housed and fed on ships near the floating pier. The British navy announced toward the end of April that a support ship, RFA Cardigan Bay, was sailing to provide accommodation for hundreds of U.S. sailors and soldiers working to establish the platform.

The U.S. military has said it will provide its own security for Army and Navy forces offshore, while Israel will take care of security on shore.
A Huawei store in China on Dec. 13, 2021. The Commerce Department has further restricted the sale of U.S. technology to Chinas leading high-tech firm, Huawei Technologies, revoking certain allowances of U.S. chip sales amid renewed fear that Huaweis gear may be more susceptible to infiltration by Chinese intelligence agencies. (Wikimedia Commons)

The Commerce Department has further restricted the sale of U.S. technology to Chinas leading high-tech firm, Huawei Technologies, revoking certain allowances of U.S. chip sales amid renewed scrutiny of the company in Washington.

We are not commenting on any specific licenses, but we can confirm that we have revoked certain licenses for exports to Huawei, the Commerce Department said in a statement Tuesday.

The move will curb U.S. companies Intel and Qualcomm from selling chips - the brains of computing devices - to Huawei for its smartphones and laptops, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic policy details.

The new export restrictions, first reported Tuesday by the Financial Times, come as Huawei faces renewed pressure at other federal agencies like the Federal Communications Commission and an expansive push by the Biden administration to build up new American companies that can compete against Huawei.

Meghan Harris, senior vice president of Beacon Global Strategies, said recent announcements about new Huawei products using U.S. technology were probably the straw that broke the camels back to prompt the new curbs.

Huawei has loomed large in the U.S.-China rivalry as Chinas most technologically proficient company and a supplier of internet and phone networks in virtually every country, including in rural parts of the United States. These networks are geopolitically sensitive due to the interest that intelligence agencies have in the data they carry.

U.S. officials fear Huaweis gear may be more susceptible to infiltration by Chinese intelligence agencies than Western vendors products. Huawei has adamantly denied that it helps the Chinese government spy.

Despite years of U.S. efforts to stymie its advance, Huawei was still the worlds No. 1 company in 2023 in the number of patent applications filed. It is also still the worlds top seller of the pipes that make up internet and phone networks, and remains a major player in consumer gadgets like smartphones.

Separately on Tuesday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced $420 million in grants for companies from the United States and ally nations to build phone network gear that can compete against Huaweis.

The NTIA included a requirement for grant recipients to pair up with a network operator to help ensure their products can secure a major buyer when they go to market. And the FCC plans to vote this month on a proposal that would bar Huawei from certifying wireless equipment for the U.S. market.

Washingtons export controls against Huawei began under the Trump administration, which imposed broad sanctions that forced the company to divest parts of its business to survive and turn to domestically produced chips for advanced functions. However, U.S. companies were allowed to continue selling to Huawei some products deemed less sensitive.

These allowances have drawn criticism from China hawks in Washington, who have called them loopholes in the sanctions. Last week, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) wrote a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo urging the departments Bureau of Industry and Security to stop Intel and Qualcomm from selling chips for Huaweis smartphone and personal-computer businesses.

In a statement, Rubio praised Tuesdays new restrictions as the right decision but added that the license never should have been granted in the first place.

Intel declined to comment. Qualcomm did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Huawei came into Washingtons crosshairs in the early 2000s due to its construction of phone networks made of fiber-optic cables that it sold to countries like Iraq and North Korea - which hampered U.S. surveillance via radio communications.

Huawei became a top policy priority in Washington under the Trump administration, as it became apparent that the company was no longer just a low-cost contender and had reached the cutting edge of R&D in its industry.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks with Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in May 2023. (Chad J. McNeeley/Department of Defense)

WASHINGTON  Senate appropriators on Wednesday criticized the proposed Defense Department budget for fiscal 2025 as too low to invest in future military technology and meet threats from an increasingly dangerous world.

The White Houses request for an $895 billion defense budget sticks to a spending cap mandated by law last year, but lawmakers on the Senate Appropriations Committee indicated they will attempt to find a way around it to boost the Pentagons coffers.

We must be clear-eyed that this budget request would represent a real cut in funding for the Department of Defense, said Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the top Republican on the committee.

The proposed spending plan represents a 1% increase from the prior year and falls nearly $14 billion short of the $22.5 billion needed to cover rising fuel costs and other expenses, according to Collins.

Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, the Democratic chairman of the committees defense subpanel, said the military services and combatant commands have provided Congress with unfunded priorities lists that total more than $20 billion.

He also said the request for fiscal 2025, which begins Oct. 1, is $10 billion below the funding level that the Pentagon had planned for before congressional fighting over the debt limit imposed caps on federal spending.

We need a bigger number, Tester said during a hearing on the defense budget request. If were going to invest in future technologies, this number has to be bigger.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Pentagon prioritized near-term readiness and support for service members over longer-term modernization investments, such as fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft, as a result of the budget cap.

We had to make some tough, but responsible choices, he told senators. We decided not to invest in some modernization that would not deliver results before 2030, and we invested in our people and our families.

Troops are set to receive a 4.5% pay raise under the budget request. Austin said the Defense Department would be able to make up for the 2025 funding shortfall in modernization if lawmakers ensure future budgets include meaningful growth.

Air Force Gen. Charles CQ Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said a lack of additional financial support in the coming years would be felt operationally five to 10 years from now, but a leaner 2025 budget is not expected to make an impact today.

Still, senators said Wednesday that it is reckless to shortchange the Pentagon at a time when Russia is waging war in Ukraine, Iran and its proxies are fanning violence in the Middle East and China is growing its military budget.

China is planning a 7.2% spending increase on defense.

If the world were becoming safer, then perhaps such a reduction could be absorbed with little risks to national security, Collins said. But unfortunately, that is not the world in which we live.

Tester described the security climate as the most dangerous in his lifetime, comparing it to the tense confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960s.

We need to understand what risk a lower budget creates for our military personnel, our operations around the globe and our modernization efforts, he said. Weve got to get a budget done so the men and women in uniform supported by the civilians of the Department of Defense can go about their business of keeping America safe.

Other lawmakers have also voiced support in recent weeks for circumventing the debt limit deal and giving the Pentagon more money.

Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, argued in an op-ed last month that the budget in its current form shrinks the Navy and Air Force, underfunds operations in the Indo-Pacific region by $11 billion and slashes $900 million from missile defense programs.

Fortunately, Congress has the power of the purse and can demonstrate to the world that America still pursues peace through strength, he wrote in The Hill.

Democrats are unlikely to agree to a deal that would raise the cap without also exceeding limitations on domestic spending.

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the Democratic chairwoman of the appropriations committee, agreed Wednesday that the defense budget was inadequate but said other federal agencies are also in need of more resources.

As members talk about how we might increase investments to better meet our defense needs, we cannot ignore our needs here at home as well, she said. When it comes to additional resources above the caps, which the vice chair and others have mentioned, Im going to insist on parity for non-defense spending.
 1944 -  - (2288 bytes) (915 reads) 05/07/2024 02:57:49 (7)

 too ambitious for his -  - (764 bytes) (99 reads) 05/07/2024 07:19:11 (2)

 -- -  - (72 bytes) (59 reads) 05/07/2024 07:56:47 (1)

 731 -  -  - (0 bytes) (11 reads) 05/07/2024 07:32:27

  -  - (0 bytes) (4 reads) 05/07/2024 07:57:37

Mossad, the national intelligence agency of Israel, has been involved in a wide range of activities, including:

Intelligence Gathering: Mossad collects intelligence on a variety of topics, including military capabilities, political developments, and terrorist threats, both within Israel and abroad. Covert Operations: Mossad carries out covert operations to protect Israeli interests and national security. These operations may include espionage, sabotage, and assassinations targeting individuals or organizations deemed a threat to Israel. Counterterrorism: Mossad works to combat terrorism directed against Israel and Israeli citizens, both domestically and internationally. This includes identifying and neutralizing terrorist threats before they can be carried out. Protection of Jewish Communities: Mossad is tasked with protecting Jewish communities worldwide, particularly in regions where they may face persecution or security threats. Nuclear Non-Proliferation: Mossad has been involved in efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, particularly in countries hostile to Israel's interests.

Overall, Mossad plays a crucial role in safeguarding Israel's security and interests on the global stage, often operating discreetly and behind the scenes.
The Bahamas Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday that the Cabinet of The Bahamas has decided to formally recognize Palestine as a state.

"The Government of The Bahamas believes that recognition of the State of Palestine strongly demonstrates The Bahamas commitment to the principles espoused in the Charter of the United Nations and to the right of self-determination of peoples as articulated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)," the ministry said in a statement.

The Bahamas supports the legal right of the Palestinian people "to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development," it added.

The number of countries which have recognized Palestine's statehood at the UN level has increased recently, towards granting Palestine full membership at the UN.

Palestine was accepted as an observer state of the UN General Assembly in 2012, allowing its envoy to participate in debates and UN organizations but without a vote.

States are admitted to membership in the UN by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council, according to the UN Charter.

A Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the permanent members -- the US, Britain, France, Russia or China -- to pass.
Pudans was identified on CCTV and by members the emergency services as having blood on his hands and clothes

A chef has been jailed for three years with the final 18 months suspended for stabbing another man multiple times with a large kitchen knife, during a drunken jealous rage.

Juris Pudans, a Latvian national who was living and working in Limerick City for a number of years, pleaded guilty before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting the victim causing him harm and to possession of a kitchen knife on New Years Day, 2021. The State entered a Noelle Prosequi on the charge of possession of the knife.

Pudans, 37, with an address at Parkview Court, Lord Edward Street, Limerick City, was asleep in his apartment when he woke up and could not find his wife.

Outlining the facts at Pudans sentencing hearing, prosecution barrister John OSullivan, said that Pudan put two and two together and got five.

Pudans encountered a male acquaintance in the apartment, who had been doing some DIY work and who had stayed on to have a few festive drinks.

Pudans began rowing with the man before walking away and then returning with a large kitchen knife and inflicted injuries to the victim.

The victim, a 45-year old Iranian national, who had been drinking whiskey at the apartment with others, said all he could remember was going out on the balcony of the apartment for a cigarette and being awoken by friends.

The victim had blood coming out of his legs and chest, he doesn't remember anything or how he got the injuries. He said he had been drinking a lot of whiskey, said Mr OSullivan.

Paramedics and Gardai arrived at the scene and found the victim slumped on the ground near a stairwell bleeding from multiple locations in his upper and lower body.

The victim was rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where he was treated for four stab wounds to the upper left thigh and right side of his chest and was discharged the following day with pain killers and antibiotics.

Witnesses who were at the apartment on the night refused to cooperate with gardai, however Pudans was identified on CCTV and by members the emergency services as having blood on his hands and clothes, Mr OSullivan said.

Pudans initially told Gardai that the victim had stabbed himself but he later admitted he had stabbed him.

Gardai agreed with Mr OSullivan that the knife used by Pudans was potentially a deadly weapon.

The victim did not provide a victim impact statement.

Mr OSullivan said that a probation report on Pudans, who had 14 previous convictions for minor public order and road traffic offences, had indicated that personal jealousy was likely a motivational factor in why he stabbed the victim, who was an entirely innocent party.

Mr OSullivan said Pudans said he had drunk a bottle of whiskey and cider and that he was completely wrong in his jealousy and that the stabbing should never have happened.

In sentencing Pudans, Judge Tom ODonnell said that while he accepted alcohol played a factor, there was an element of premeditation in his actions; he nonetheless armed himself with a kitchen knife and inflicted injuries.

In suspending the final 18 months of the three-year jail sentence, the judge noted that Pudans probation report was very positive, that Pudans had worked as a chef in a number of restaurants in Limerick, he had stayed out of trouble since and continued to work, and he had abided by strict bail conditions while awaiting his sentence.

Pudans agreed in court he would be of good behaviour and not commit any further criminal offences during the suspended part of his sentence, or he would face the entire sentence being activated.
Steven Wrenn (50) was charged with four offences over warrants allegedly drafted to search two properties in 2021.

A peace commissioner and former councillor has pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice and forging search warrants for garda operations.

The garda anti-corruption unit has been investigating the activities of officers in a Dublin unit.

Steven Wrenn (50) was charged with four offences over warrants allegedly drafted to search two properties in 2021.

Mr Wrenn, of Iveragh Road, Whitehall, Dublin, appeared at Dublin District Court on March 20 and was granted 200 bail.

He appeared again yesterday when he indicated, through his solicitor, that he was pleading not guilty and opting for a trial before a Circuit Court judge and jury.

The former Labour Party councillor is accused of making a false instrument, a search warrant and information between September 30 and December 29, 2021, used to induce another person to accept it as genuine for a search carried out on September 7, 2021, of a flat at Mountjoy Square, Dublin.

He is accused of making another false instrument between August 28 and December 20, 2021, a warrant for a search on June 19 at Kenilworth Road, Dublin 6.

It is also alleged that over the same two time periods, he twice perverted the course of public justice by signing the warrants.

Yesterday, Judge Treasa Kelly ordered him to appear again on June 6 to be served with the book of evidence and returned for trial to the higher court.
We had to sit and watch our son fight for life over the actions of others

A man has been jailed for 15 months for his role in assisting a teenager before an assault which left a young man with a catastrophic brain injury.

Kean Doherty, who was then 19, was assaulted by a 16-year-old boy known to Paul Burgess (43) on December 28, 2018 at Ballyvaughan Lane, Lucan, Co. Dublin.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Burgess assisted the boy by driving with him to the area where Burgess pushed Mr Doherty against railings, then forced him to the ground before the teenager struck him.

At the time of the assault, Mr Doherty had been released from the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) to spend Christmas with his family. He was being treated at the hospital after sustaining serious head and brain injuries following a road traffic accident in June 2018.

Detective Sergeant Ronan Doyle told Maddie Grant BL, prosecuting, that Mr Doherty was awaiting further surgery and was highly vulnerable when the assault occurred.

Mr Doherty was taken to hospital following the assault, which exacerbated the injuries he sustained in the road traffic accident. A number of medical reports were handed into court.

The teenager received a formal caution and was dealt with under the youth diversion scheme, the court heard.

Mr Doherty's mother Samantha read a powerful victim impact statement to the court yesterday in which she said her son suffered a catastrophic brain injury following the assault.

She said the family had been excited Kean was coming home for Christmas and were overjoyed by his progress at the NRH.

Ms Doherty said she was worried when her son went to meet with friends and he then called her when she got home asking to be picked up.

She said she was on her way when a woman called using her son's phone to say he had been assaulted.

Ms Doherty described arriving at the scene and her son being taken to hospital. She said it was like deja vu for the family, as Kean was treated in the hospital where he suffered a stroke due to brain clots following the attack.

We had to sit and watch our son fight for life over the actions of others, she said, adding that the family prepared for a funeral while praying for a miracle.

She said their family had been shattered again by what happened. They now face a harsh reality that their son now requires full-time care and, who he was before, is gone.

She noted that her son is turning 26, but can't go out drinking or clubbing like others his age, and is living the life of a toddler.

This has destroyed our lives and changed them forever, she said.

Burgess (43) pleaded guilty to a count of assisting an offender on December 28, 2018.

After hearing the facts yesterday, Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case overnight to consider his verdict.

Today, he handed Burgess a 15-month sentence, saying he had put Mr Doherty in a position of danger where he was attacked.

Judge Nolan said Burgess had no idea of the vulnerability of Mr Doherty and had not intended for this to occur but that when parties embark on illegal acts, they must take people as they find them.

Im sorry to have to imprison him (Burgess) because I think hes a decent man, but in this case, he deserves it. The level of culpability deserves a prison term, said the judge.

He described the incident as tragic for Mr Doherty and said that Burgess was unlikely to reoffend to any great degree.

The court heard Burgess drove with the teenager to the lane. After getting out of the car, he pushed Mr Doherty onto railings, then swept his feet from under him, forcing him to the ground.

The teenager then got out of the car and struck Mr Doherty around four times. Burgess helped Mr Doherty to sit up against the railings before he left the scene with the boy. Mr Doherty fell onto the footpath and was lying on the ground when members of the public came to his assistance.

Burgess. of Mount Bellew Green, Lucan, Co. Dublin attended his local garda station voluntarily the following day after gardai sought information on the assault.

He told gardai he went with the boy to look for the person who tried to take the teenager's bike. After Mr Doherty was pointed out as someone who had been involved, Burgess said he got out of the car, grabbed Mr Doherty and spoke to him.

He said the teenager got out of the car and started to punch the victim. Burgess said he told him to stop. He told gardai he helped Mr Doherty to sit up and that he was talking when they left.

Det Sgt Doyle said there is no evidence to suggest Burgess hit Mr Doherty and that his role was assisting the teenager before the assault occurred.

Burgess has five previous convictions, all for road traffic offences.

Det Sgt Doyle agreed with Dominic McGinn SC, defending, that his client told gardai that he wanted to find those who tried to take the boy's bike and that he ensured Mr Doherty was sitting up before they left and did not realise the extent of his injuries.

It was also accepted that Burgess stopped further violence being inflicted by the boy.

A letter of apology and a number of testimonials were provided to the court. Doyle is involved in his local GAA club and fundraises for Health Action Overseas.

Mr McGinn asked the court to take into account the passage of time since this offence occurred and his client's personal circumstances.

He said his client was not the main instigator of the violence, but assisted the boy in advance. He noted that his client acted to stop the violence getting worse.

Mr McGinn said Burgess was a hard-working family man who went to the gardai when he realised there was an investigation and recognised, in hindsight, that he should not have acted as he did.
Byrne had told gardai in an interview that he could not remember anything from the night, saying I dont know anything about it

A Dublin man who went to his local pub and used bolt cutters to remove a bar sign from the front wall and smash a CCTV camera was intoxicated and could not remember why he did it.

Paul Byrne (42) caused nearly 2,000 worth of damage to the security camera system but gardai were able to locate the stolen bar sign and return it to the owner, a court heard.

Judge Monika Leech told him to pay compensation for the damage and adjourned the case at Dublin District Court.

Byrne, of Dermot ODwyer House, Hardwicke Street in the north inner city, pleaded guilty to theft and criminal damage on December 4, 2022.

Garda Bryan OSullivan told the court the accused was seen walking on Hardwicke Street in the direction of the Temple pub on Dorset Street. He went to the side entrance and was seen cutting the Coca Cola bar sign off the front wall with bolt cutters.

He also smashed the CCTV camera with the bolt cutters and then walked around the back of the premises and snipped the wire of a further camera with the implement.

The cost of the damage to the CCTV system was 1,906, while the bar sign was worth 250. The sign was recovered by gardai a number of days later and returned to the owner.

When he was arrested and interviewed, the accused made no comment to questions, Gda OSullivan said. The garda believed Byrne would say there was some form of intoxication behind the incident.

Byrne had told gardai in an interview that he could not remember anything from the night, saying I dont know anything about it, his solicitor Sandra Frayne said. She said what happened was probably down to alcohol. The only evidence in the case was the CCTV footage which was downloaded.

Byrne lived near the pub, was an intelligent man and a qualified plumber and it was an unusual case, Ms Frayne said. The accused had a long-standing cocaine addiction, and that and alcohol had been his downfall, she said.

He had dealt with that a number of years ago and relapsed a few years ago, Ms Frayne said. Byrne was willing to pay compensation for the damage but needed time to get the money.
The court heard that Titov was the middle man who referred people from within the Moldovan community to the main culprit or ghost broker

08/05/2024 Victor Titov (48) from Arbrae Park, Vevay Road Bray, Co Wicklow who was given a suspended sentence for his involvenment in selling Ghost Insurance. Photo Collins Courts

A man who referred others to buy false insurance policies has been given a two-year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Victor Titov (48) of Ardbrae Park, Vevay Road, Bray, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to three sample counts representing 14 charges of fraud, carried out on dates between March 2015 and June 2017.

At a hearing today, the court heard that Titov was the middle man who referred people from within the Moldovan community to the main culprit or ghost broker, Egidijus Aleliunas.

Aleliunas (43) of Paddocks Way, Adamstown, Lucan, was sentenced to five years in prison in February, after he admitted to money laundering, deception and fraud offences over a seven-year period.

Aleliunas made almost 500,000 from selling false insurance policies while Titov made between 500 and 700 over a period of 18 to 24 months, earning 50 for each person he referred to Aleliunas.

The court heard that Titov was responsible for losses of almost 7,000 incurred by seven policy holders whom he had referred to Aleliunas.

Three other co-accused, all relatives of Aleliunas, previously received suspended sentences of two years for their roles in the bogus scheme which was valued at 4 million overall.

Judge Martin Nolan said Titov must have known, or else was reckless, as to what the main culprit was doing.

He said Titov was well-known in the Moldovan community, had a good work history and family responsibilities and was probably unlikely to reoffend. But he added that Titov should have known that Aleliunas was engaged in fraud, in which he participated.

Detective Garda John Carey told Grainne O'Neill BL, prosecuting, that ghost broker is a colloquial term used to describe fraudsters who lure people with the promise of cheaper insurance.

The court heard that Titov did not carry out the functions of a ghost broker himself, but acted as the intermediary in the scheme, referring people to Aleliunas and thereby facilitating the fraud.

Gda Carey said the insurance policies were legitimate but based on false information about drivers' licences, employment details and no claims bonuses.

Dominic McGinn SC, defending, said Titov believed that he was helping people to get cheaper insurance but that he recognised in hindsight that it wasn't legitimate.

He was defrauded by Aleliunas as much as the insurance brokers and policy holders were, claimed Mr McGinn, describing Titov as a family man who had a long work history in car mechanics.

Titov has been in Ireland for nearly 20 years.

He referred a total of seven customers to Aleliunas to buy false insurance policies, the court heard.
Mr Lavery is accused of a money laundering offence for possessing crime proceeds.

A truck driver accused of possessing 488,000 in crime proceeds at the Port Tunnel in Dublin has been granted bail.

Anthony Lavery, 36, of Carriglea View, Firhouse, Tallaght, Dublin, was charged following an investigation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

Officers stopped and searched a lorry as it exited the Port Tunnel at Dublin Port shortly after 8 pm on January 10, 2022.

Mr Lavery is accused of a money laundering offence for possessing crime proceeds.

Detective Garda Liam Mangan told Judge Paula Murphy at Dublin District Court that the accused, who has yet to indicate a plea, made no reply to the charge.

The detective confirmed he consented to bail and said he met Mr Lavery on Tuesday by appointment to charge him at a garda station in Dublin. He was then held pending his court appearance.

However, the detective asked the judge to order a surety due to the seriousness of the charges.

Defence solicitor Wayne Kenny told the court he had furnished documents to the garda about a friend of Mr Lavery who was in court and wished to stand bail.

Judge Murphy noted that the garda did not object and set the bail in Mr Laverys bond of 1,000 with a 10,000 independent surety approved.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment at the Circuit Court level, which has wider sentencing powers.

Judge Murphy remanded him on bail pending the preparation of a book of evidence.

He will appear again later this month.

His legal aid application was deferred until further evidence about his income was available.

The offence alleged is contrary to the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act, which can carry a maximum 14-year sentence.
A juvenile male from the Corduff area was arrested as part of the intelligence led operation

The gang linked to murdered Blanchardstown gangster Jason Hennessy Snr were the targets of a major garda operation yesterday in which almost 120k of drugs and a firearm were seized.

A juvenile male from the Corduff area was arrested as part of the intelligence led operation and sources say that the teenager is suspected of acting as a runner for the notorious gang who are heavily involved in drug debt intimidation and gangland feuding.

Unfortunately he is just one of many juveniles who have been sucked into their orbit, a senior source said today.

You are talking about literally dozens  this organised crime gang linked to the late Hennessy Senior continue to be a major blight on the community, the source added.

In a murder that made international headlines Jason Hennessy Snr was as shot in the neck and upper body while having a meal with family and friends in a steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve.

He was taken to hospital, but died on January 4 from his catastrophic injuries.

Multiple young men have been charged in relation to the subsequent alleged fatal attack on gunman Tristan Sherry but no one has yet been charged in relation to the murder of Hennessy.

Photo of the seizure

Make no mistake since that murder the Hennessy organised crime gang has continued to be one of the most prolific organised crime gangs in this country and like many others their recruitment of all-too-willing juveniles is a significant issue and matter of grave concern, a senior source said.

Gardai today announced details of yesterdays operation against the mob who have been under constant observation by specialist units for many months especially because of reprisal fears over the Christmas Eve restaurant bloodbath.

Gardai have seized approximately 117,400 drugs and a firearm in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 on Tuesday 7th May 2024, a garda spokesman said.

Gardai attached to the Finglas Drugs Unit conducted a search of a wasteland area and recovered suspected cocaine with an estimated value of 59,500.

Later the same day a second search was conducted of the same wasteland area. During this search, suspected cocaine with an estimated value of 52,500 as well as 5,400 of cannabis and a sawn off shotgun were recovered.

A male juvenile, aged in his teens, was arrested at the scene and is currently detained under Section 30 Offenses Against the State Act, 1939 at a Garda Station in North Dublin.

The drugs and firearm seized will be sent for further examination, he added.

Four males have been charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry, the gunman who targeted Jason Hennesy Senior at Christmas Eve shooting at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

Another youth and four other men face various charges, including assault, violent disorder and production of a weapon during the incident. One of them is accused of a firearms offence after he allegedly took the gun used by Sherry out of the restaurant.

No one has yet been charged with Hennessys murder which sources say has caused major agitation to his close gang members who have a deep hatred of gardai and suspicion of the criminal justice system.

This may well be the case but yesterdays operation shows they are involved in the most very serious levels of organised crime, a source said today.
Garda killer Aaron Brady and pal Jimmy Flynn pose in two balaclavas before robbery and murder

Killer Brady (left) and Jimmy Flynn were part of the gang involved in the Lordship Credit Union robbery in January 2013

Aaron Brady and Jimmy Flynn, who carried out survelliance before the shooting

This is garda killer Aaron Brady and another gang member posing in balaclavas just weeks before he murdered Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe.

Embracing the evil murderer in the picture is James Jimmy Flynn, who carried out surveillance with Brady before the shooting and was involved in stealing the getaway car used.

Det Garda Joe Ryan, who was at the scene when his colleague was murdered, later identified these balaclavas as being identical to the masks worn by the raiders during the murder.

Killer Brady (left) and Jimmy Flynn were part of the gang involved in the Lordship Credit Union robbery in January 2013

The chilling images are revealed in a new book, Murder at Lordship, by journalist Robin Schiller and former Detective Inspector Pat Marry, which details the investigation into the murder gang.

Detective Garda Donohoe was shot dead while on a cash escort at Lordship Credit Union near Dundalk on January 25, 2013.

Crossmaglen man Aaron Brady (33) was convicted of his capital murder in 2020 after a jury found that he was the masked gunman who discharged the shotgun during the robbery.

While on the run in New York, Brady bragged about his crimes and told multiple people that he had murdered the detective.

Aaron Brady

The trial was marred by efforts to intimidate witnesses, led by Aaron Brady from his Dublin prison cell from where he shared statements and videos of witnesses.

As part of one of the largest ever garda investigations, 65 mobile phones were seized along with electronic devices linked to the suspects. One device analysed was a laptop belonging to Jimmy Flynn (33), Bradys best friend at the time who was also a suspect in the robbery.

After arriving at Boston airport in April 2013, a federal agent seized Flynns laptop and copied its contents before returning the device to him.

Brady and Flynn at the house

Gardai later uncovered significant material from the copied data including an image of a man posing with a long barrelled shotgun  the same type of weapon used to murder Det Garda Donohoe.

Videos from December 17, 2012  just over five weeks before the murder  also showed Brady enjoying a night out with his girlfriend Jessica King.

In one image he is seen wearing a blue and white striped shirt in a nightclub. A further picture from 4.14am that morning showed Brady in the same shirt wearing a balaclava and holding a bottle of Bacardi. This was taken at a property in Lough Road in Crossmaglen which Brady used as a party house.

Aaron Brady and Jimmy Flynn, who carried out survelliance before the shooting

Stills from a video also showed Flynn and Brady both wearing balaclavas with Flynn pointing a small pistol.

Jessica King later gave a statement to gardai saying that she didnt believe this weapon was real but that in a drawer in the house that night there was a real handgun.

In her statement to then Detective Sergeant Mark Phillips and Detective Garda Jim McGovern she said: I know that the balaclava was kept in the drawer in the kitchen. There were two, maximum three, balaclavas. The time of this picture was not the first time I saw the balaclavas.

She also identified Jimmy Flynn as the other man wearing the balaclava.

Brady was snapped with a bottle of Bacardi

She told gardai: Jimmy Flynn is holding a pistol, a wee handgun in his right hand to me it looks fake like a water pistol. I remember that night earlier on. Im nearly sure it was that night.

I saw a black handgun in the top drawer with the balaclavas. This gun was more human sized like a standard, than the other one, like a gun youd see on TV. Ms King also recalled how she was told the gun was for shooting the birds.

Detective Garda Joe Ryan, who was on the cash escort with Adrian Donohoe when the gang struck, later looked at the videos and identified the balaclavas as looking like the same ones to those worn by the robbery gang.

Last year James Flynn was jailed for eight years for conspiring to steal the getaway car used in the credit union robbery.

Detective Adrian Donohue

His BMW 5 Series was linked to the theft of a Volkswagen Passat three nights earlier in Clogherhead, while it was also used to carry out surveillance of the credit union and collect the raiders after the robbery.

While the Special Criminal Court acquitted him of robbery saying there was insufficient evidence to place him in the car park during the 58 second raid, it found that he was a member of the criminal gang involved.

The scene where Detective Adrian Donohue was shot dead

Investigations are continuing into the other members of the gang involved.

Gardai are trying to bring criminal charges against a suspect living in the US who they believe was involved in stealing the getaway car used in the murder and providing logistical support.

Aaron Brady will be sentenced later this month for circulating a video recorded witness statement from a man who said that Brady admitted to the murder.

The witness later refused to give evidence as a result of what the trial judge described as intimidation after the video was circulated online in which the man was called a tout and rat.
The men  one aged in 60s and the other aged in his 50s  are being held at separate garda stations for questioning.

Two men have been arrested after cannabis worth 3,680,000 was seized during two separate operations.

Two consignments of herbal cannabis, with a combined weight of 184kgs and estimated value of 3,680,000, were seized in Wexford and Dublin.

The men  one aged in 60s and the other aged in his 50s  are being held at separate garda stations for questioning.

The raids took place took place as part of intelligence-led operations involving Revenues Customs Service and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB).

One male, aged in his 60s, was arrested by An Garda Siochana following the seizure of 139kgs of cannabis herb (estimated market value approximately 2,780,000) and is currently being detained in the South Eastern Region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, a garda spokesperson said.

In a second separate operation, one male, aged in his 50s, was arrested by An Garda Siochana following the seizure of 45kgs of cannabis herb (900,000) and is currently being detained in a West Dublin Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

Gardai said investigations are continuing.
Its not like a diagnosis for cancer or a brain tumour, says Frank. Its a condition that comes on gradually.

Jackie and Frank Golden arent going to let an Alzheimers diagnosis prevent them from smelling the roses.

Together for almost 56 years, the Dublin couple are making the most of life since Frank was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.

And now theyre backing a campaign to raise awareness and resources for the many other Irish people who are diagnosed with dementia every year.

While Frank is living with dementia, he refuses to let the condition dominate his life  he has even written a book since his diagnosis, a drama called The Irish Job which is set in 1920s Ireland.

Its not like a diagnosis for cancer or a brain tumour, says Frank. Its a condition that comes on gradually. I keep very active mentally and physically, constantly trying to do new things.

Frank is also a member of the Irish Dementia Working Group, a group of people living with dementia who advocate for better services, supports and policies in Ireland. He is involved with policy consultations, political advocacy, public speaking and media work to raise awareness of the issues affecting people living with dementia.

Jackie is involved in the Dementia Carers Campaign Network  they both have lived experience in how such support and advocacy groups can transform the lives of people living with dementia.

Frank and Jackie Golden found great support from the Alzheimer Society

Jackie told how the couple first sought medical assistance after she noticed early possible symptoms with Frank. It was a memory thing. It was becoming clear he was getting very forgetful, and it got to the stage where I thought he needed to have a checkup.

He saw the GP and she went through the routine examination that they carry out. She said that there was a research project going on in St Jamess at the time and would he like to take part. At that stage I think they found it was very marginal but at a later stage when they compared and contrasted the examinations hed gone through they realised yes, he was having onset Alzheimers.

Though the Dublin couple were well aware of the possible diagnosis that was ahead given the signs they had noticed, Jackie said it still comes as a shock when that diagnosis becomes official. Suddenly its no longer up there as a maybe, now its real, she explains. I think we found that when we talked about it, when we got used to the idea, we said to ourselves: Listen, it sounds a bit daft but there are worse things.

Provided I think that youve got people around you who understand and as Frank says you keep active, you keep into things, you can have fun in life, you can enjoy life. So were hanging on there.

From early in his diagnosis, the couple have accessed some of the many services provided by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, which they say have been hugely helpful to theirs and other families.

The ASI works across local communities, providing a national helpline, dementia-specific services and advocating for the rights and needs of people living with dementia and, crucially, their carers.

Frank and Jackie are fronting the new campaign

Through them we got in touch with a dementia advisor who is a saint as far as Im concerned, they all are, theyre lovely people, says Jackie.

We sat down with her for about an hour and a half, she says. The medics will tell you what the diagnosis is. What you need to know after that is how do you get on with your life? How do you got on on a day-to-day basis, and how do you cope? Thats where the dementia advisor came in because they have all the contacts and they know their subject backwards. And theyre great on the advice and reassurance.

As things happen, and as life goes on, they are a great resource. One of the things that they told us was to keep active and to do new things. Give it a lash, because that grows new brain cells.

This is very much the couples mantra as Frank lives with the condition. They regularly try new hobbies and activities and have recently enjoyed a programme run by The Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin.

They do a dementia programme for people who have the condition and they have on-site meetings once a month where the curator has taken us through three pieces of art and we chat about it.

Both Frank and Jackie found that the support services offered by ASI were a huge benefit as they came to terms with Franks diagnosis.

Once you make contact with them, either by the telephone or online, youre in there, and youre kind of taken in and minded. They show you the things that can be done to make life easier, and I really cant speak highly enough about them.

Given his own experiences, what would Frank say to someone newly diagnosed? I would say to them its not the end of the world. The point is, youre not in pain. Youre not hungry. And, of course, it really, really helps if you have somebody with you, he adds, smiling at Jackie.

Frank and Jackie Golden are ambassadors for Alzheimers Tea Day, which took place on Thursday, May 2. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Alzheimers Tea Day, which is a significant milestone as statistics show that an estimated 30 people in Ireland are diagnosed with dementia every day.

Funds raised through Alzheimers Tea Day support critical services like the Alzheimers National Helpline, daycare programs, home care, family carer training, social clubs, and Alzheimers cafes.

Register to host a Tea Day event in May or support the Alzheimer Society of Ireland at teaday.ie.
The child was rushed to University Hospital Limerick after the incident at around 12.30pm today, but has since died

A young boy is dead after a road traffic incident in a residential area in Clare early this afternoon.

The child was rushed to University Hospital Limerick after the incident at around 12.30pm today, but has since died.

The scene on Quin Road, Ennis, has been preserved for forensics.

"Gardai are at the scene of a fatal road traffic incident at a residential area on Quin Road, Ennis, Co Clare that occurred shortly before 12.30pm this afternoon, Wednesday, May 8, a garda spokesman said.

A male infant was transferred from the scene to University Hospital Limerick. He has since been pronounced deceased as a result of his injuries.

"A family liaison officer is being appointed to support the family at this time, the spokesman added.

More to follow...
The young woman was with three friends when the tragedy struck

A student on Erasmus in Scotland from Leuven University in Belgium died when she fell into the sea at the Cliffs of Moher.

The medical student was with three friends when she lost her footing and fell, leading to her death early on Saturday afternoon.

The students body was discovered in the water and moved to the Doolin Coast Guard station where the student was formally pronounced dead.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed the details of the incident and the ongoing investigation: Gardai and emergency services conducted an operation following reports of an incident at the Cliffs of Moher. The body of a woman, aged in her early 20s, was removed from the water by emergency services.

The alarm was raised at around 1.20pm and a major search and rescue operation was mounted by watch officers at the Irish Coast Guards marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia Island in Kerry.

Members of the Doolin unit of the Coast Guard and Gardai responded to the location while the Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter was also tasked.

The Cliffs of Moher

Rescue 115 was already in the air and on its way to the Aran Islands for a training exercise when the crew was requested to proceed to the incident. The helicopter reached the search area within minutes.

The Aran Islands RNLI all-weather lifeboat was tasked to assist with the operation while units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Ennistymon station were also dispatched to the scene.

Members of Clare Civil Defences drone team were requested to be ready to respond to assist with the search but were later stood down.

The crew of the Aran Island lifeboat recovered the body from the water and transported the remains to Doolin Pier where local Coast Guard volunteers and Gardai were waiting.

The womans body was transported by hearse to University Hospital Limerick where a post-mortem examination is being carried out.

Belgian news outlets have reported that The Foreign Office confirms that a young Belgian woman died in Ireland after falling from a cliff. They are not releasing any further information at this time.

The Cliffs of Moher stand 702ft (214m) at their highest point and around 390ft (120m) at their most southern end at Hags Head close to where the tragedy occurred.

In January 2019, a 26-year-old Indian national fell to his death while taking selfies and the world famous tourist attraction.

In June 2007, a Hungarian man in his 20s died after he fell to his death at the Cliffs of Moher. Its understood that the man, who had been visiting friends in Ireland for the summer, was taking photos at the time.
I'm telling you now we will deal with the Grand Canal. Action will be taken

New tents spring up despite pledges from the Government that this would not be allowed to happen

The Taoiseach has promised to "deal with the Grand Canal" lines of tents, adding that "action will be taken," similar to the Mount Street clearance.

The emergence of a new 'tent city' along the Grand Canal in Dublin was decried in the Dail, with demands for a special debate.

Three Opposition parties, Sinn Fein, Labour and the Social Democrats, demanded answers from the Taoiseach, who said: "We will act in relation to the Grand Canal."

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said there were now 100 tents along the waterway and it was a deplorable, disgraceful situation.

"It is a monument to your abject failure to manage," she said.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik also raised the growing number of tents on the Grand Canal.

"Clearly this is inhumane, it is unsustainable, and your Government has failed to provide adequate accommodation," she said.

Jennifer Whitmore of the Social Democrats told Simon Harris: "All your policies to date have done is move tents from one part of the city to another.

But the Taoiseach said he was "very pleased" with the outcome of the Mount Street clearance operation, adding that nearly 300 people had been provided with better facilities. "Good action was taken by good Government," he said.

"I'm telling you now we will deal with the Grand Canal. Action will be taken," he said.

"But we have to have a broader discussions about immigration that is not just about accommodation, because if we will provide more accommodation it will quickly fill up."

He claimed Sinn Fein local election candidates were saying they would end the open border policy, but he didn't know what they meant.

He claimed a prominent Sinn Fein TD had appeared in a video promising to close open borders  which led to angry interruptions by the main Opposition party, insisting the charge was untrue.

It came after local residents spoke out against the growing encampment of asylum seekers along the Grand Canal.

There are now scores of tents pitched at the Grand Canal following the deconstruction of the tent city on Mount Street last week when nearly 300 people were provided with alternative accommodation.

Speaking to RTEs Morning Ireland, Kevin Byrne, the chair of the South Georgian Core Residents Association said today that while locals welcomed the clearing of the streets surrounding the International Protection Office, the encampment along the Grand Canal nearby is a growing concern.

He said residents can no longer tolerate a broken system thats failing both asylum seekers and residents, spinning chaos onto the capital streets.

The Taoiseach yesterday said a multi-agency response to the the encampment is ongoing and that the situation on the streets surrounding the International Protection Office will not be repeated at the Grand Canal.

He said the scenarios were not comparable as tent city on Mount Street was allowed to go on for weeks and weeks  months and months in fact and it would not be the situation in relation to the Grand Canal.

Mr Byrne said residents do not see a distinction between both encampments and the situation on Mount Street got out of control.

Some of the tents which have been pitched along the Grand Canal in Dublin. Photo: Collins

He added that while residents were grateful that Mr Harris ended the buck passing between agencies that allowed it to escalate, they were disappointed to see that so quickly after that, this new encampment started emerging just literally around the corner.

We would be concerned to see some of that buck passing between agencies coming back. Its quickly growing, which we expected, he said.

"It was reported to Waterways Ireland as soon as we saw tents appear there because we know from experience that if a small number are left it will quickly grow but we havent seen any action to resolve it yet.

Mr Byrne said residents "absolutely have sympathy for those who are seeking international protection in Ireland and must live on the streets due to a shortage of accommodation.

Throughout this we tried to put up with the situation on lower Mount Street initially out of sympathy with the men in the tents, Im very conscious of that. We did so on the basis of assuming the responsible agencies would be quickly looking to get a handle on the situation that emerged there and that didnt happen, it went on for 14 months.

He added that residents are speaking out sooner on this occasion as they do not want to see the situation repeat itself and they see no distinction between both encampments.

Theyre effectively the same encampment, it has just moved around the corner. While we give (Mr Harris) credit for dragging the agencies together on this, we dont want to see these two things be seen as distinct.

Mr Byrne said residents in the surrounding areas would like to see the processing of asylum applications moved away from Mount Street as the International Protection Office demonstrably cant handle the flow and facilitate the necessary security, sanitation and other basic services.

He added: We can no longer tolerate a broken system thats failing both asylum seekers and residents, spinning chaos onto the capital streets. That has to end.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) confirmed the Air Ambulance had also attended the incident.

Two children have been taken to hospital after a serious crash in Co Antrim.

Police closed the Carnlough Road in Broughshane between the junctions of the Tullymore Road and Ballylig Road following the incident this afternoon.

Motorists travelling towards Broughshane have been asked to take the Hazelbank Road and the Buckna Road in order to minimise traffic disruption in the area.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) confirmed the Air Ambulance had also attended the incident.

"The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 3:25pm on Tuesday May 7 following reports of a Road Traffic Incident in the Carnlough Road area, near Broughshane, said a spokesperson.

NIAS despatched two emergency crews and an ambulance officer to the incident. The Charity Air Ambulance with HEMS crew on board was also tasked to attend, by ambulance control.

Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, two patients were brought by ambulance to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

The PSNI have been approached for further comment.
Its a pretty small world and everyone knows everyone, but theres something not right when you have three young men who mix in the same circles and are all sex offenders

Killer jockey and rapist Jonathan Creswell was pals with two other convicted perverts from the horsey set, we can reveal.

Creswell was known to socialise and trade animals with convicted paedophile and infamous horse stabber Mark McGurk, who was jailed for having sex with a child in 2021.

And he was also well known to McGurks pervert pal Harry Evans, who filmed a woman performing a sex act and then appeared on a balcony naked in front of a schoolboy two years ago.

Sources within the horsey set have told the Sunday World there are major issues with how some women are treated, with one saying some young girls starting out in the industry almost feel its expected they will have to put up with sexual abuse.

Last week 36-year-old Creswell, a former equestrian turned horse trader, died by suicide just hours after the prosecution had laid out the case against him for raping and murdering talented showjumper Katie Simpson.

Since his death there has been widespread revulsion at the revelations Creswell had form for attacking other women as well as the fact he was involved in sexual relations with several women at the same time he was in a long-term relationship with 21-year-old Katies older sister Christina.

Harry Evans

It has further emerged at least a dozen women have come forward to make complaints to police about Creswells treatment of them.

Its understood many of the women were starting out in the equestrian industry.

But we can reveal Creswell was very well known by perverts McGurk and Evans, who themselves were former best mates, only falling out when McGurk filmed himself sickeningly stabbing Evans horse to death.

They all knew each other through the horse industry, says a source. They met at social events, hunt balls etc and traded horses.

Its a pretty small world and everyone knows everyone, but theres something not right when you have three young men who mix in the same circles and are all sex offenders.

Another source pointed out how the equestrian world rallied round Creswell even after he got out of jail for a sickening campaign of domestic abuse against his former partner Abi Lyle.

Mark McGurk

Youve got a guy who almost killed Abi Lyle and threatened to kill her in a bath of bleach and when he gets out of jail theres a homecoming party thrown by all his friends in the industry, they said.

Hes treated like royalty and is able to continue his career training and working with horses as if nothing has happened.

Despite his convictions  which were all well known, by the way  he is able to attend shows and continues to be feted.

When he had to effectively do a runner across the border in 2016 after a sex allegation was made against him, he carried on as normal and when the charge disappeared he returned to Northern Ireland once again as if nothing had happened.

Theres so much good about the horse industry and the majority of those working it are decent and professional. But theres an underlying problem in some dark corners with misogyny and men doing whatever they like because they are often wealthy and powerful.

Its terrible to say but theres almost expectancy among some young women that to progress they will have to put up with some sexual abuse.

Cookstown horse trader Mark McGurk was sentenced to 15 months behind bars for having sex with a girl, who was under 15 at the time, after hed been boozing and taking cocaine at a party three years ago.

Katie Simpson

McGurk, whos 25 years old now, had initially been charged with rape, which he denied, but pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of sexual activity involving penetration with a child.

The victim of the sex attack told the Sunday World how McGurk had known she was just a child.

I cried with relief when I heard the judge was sending him to jail because I thought the case would be put back again. It was also a big thing for me because it meant a judge had seen that I had done nothing wrong. I had felt so ashamed for so long, like it was my fault.

But now everyone can see it was all his fault. I have had to have a lot of counselling and I know now I should feel free from shame.

In 2022 we exposed another of McGurks pervert pals, Harry Evans.

Evans, whos also 25 now, was convicted of voyeurism after filming a woman perform a sex act on him.

The woman described meeting Evans at an event in July 2019 and he bought her a few drinks.

She said Evans followed her into a toilet cubicle but she pushed him out and locked the door, but when she opened the door to leave he re-entered.

She told Derry Magistrates Court: He was kissing me and pulling my hair, in a sexual way as opposed to violent, but I had already pushed him out. I didnt want him in the toilet.

She said to get him away, she performed a sex act which he filmed on his phone. There was text contact between the pair for a few days and Evans asked her to go for drinks.

She declined and asked about the video which he assured had been deleted. Months later, she met a friend of Evans who showed her the video on his phone, having sent it to himself after accessing Evans phone. The friend said others had seen it.

Evans and McGurk fell out after a gruesome incident when McGurk stabbed a horse of Evans to death  filming the act and sending it to Evans.
Vintage machinery collector Malcolm Lumsden has family history around Ohinewai going back to 1912 when his grandfather, John Lumsden, and his wife Jessie, immigrated to New Zealand.

They leased land and Jessie milked a few cows. John, a qualified engineer, contracted and did road work with his draft horses.

He bought his first IHC truck in 1918 and second truck, an International Model 33 in 1924 for his carrying business, says Malcolm.

The Model 33 has a four-cylinder 20hp Farmall regular tractor engine with three forward and one reverse gear. It has a maximum road speed of 17mph.

By 1930 the International Model 33 was parked up as newer, faster, six speed trucks became available.

While Malcoms father Frank was overseas during World War II, relatives needing parts during war time shortages, took the chassis to make a farm trailer. They put all the other parts from the truck in the shed.

Post World War II, Malcolms parents, Frank and Margaret, continued with the family farm.

All my grandfathers horse drawn wagons and old trucks were left lying around and I was really interested in them as a child. Unfortunately my mum told my dad they had to go!

In 1959, Frank wanted Malcolm to learn about engines, so he got him to pull the trucks motor and gear box apart and put it all back together.

Malcolm says it started and ran well.

He remembers Frank putting a cup of oil into the carburettor before turning it off to preserve the engine. That created a lot of smoke, but 60 years later it is still as good as new.

In 1916, while on a trip to the South Island looking at vintage tractors, Malcolm came across a chassis from the old Opiki school bus, identical to the one missing from the familys Model 33 truck. He happily brought it home.

Malcolm used the parts from his original truck and the old bus chassis to painstakingly rebuild the Model 33.

The condition of the International chassis Malcolm discovered in the South Island. Photo: Catherine Fry.

Using his self-taught engineering skills and his extensive collection of gear, Malcolm fabricated all the panels and missing parts needed.

Cutting the flutes on the bonnet cover needed my son and grandchildren to hold a corner each while I pressed them out.

My grandson Jake and I built the wooden deck. We rebuilt a manual worm hoist to tip the deck.

The Model 33 is near to being finished, but needs some thought put into the repair of the wheel rims so it can be driven.

Malcolm and his grandson Jake built the wooden deck. Photo: Catherine Fry.
By RNZ

A man wanted over a central Auckland fatal shooting has been found dead in or near Taupo.

Police were searching for Hone Kay-Selwyn, 31, who they believed shot one person dead on Ponsonby Rd on Sunday night.

A source confirmed the discovery of the body to RNZ.

It is not known how Hone Kay-Selwyn died.

The victim, who had been with a group of people at the time of the shooting, was found dead by police when they arrived at the scene, outside a bar.

As police hunted for Hone Kay-Selwyn - a woman claiming to be his partner has expressed her remorse over the incident.

Police put out a warrant to arrest the 31-year-old for unlawful possession of a firearm yesterday.

A woman who claims she is Kay-Selwyns partner reflected on the fatal shooting on social media.

My inbox is overflowing with messages concerning Hones [alleged] actions [on Sunday] night in Ponsonby, the woman said.

I want to express my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. Im deeply sorry and feel a great sense of shame about the situation.

Im still grappling with the fact that Hone [allegedly] took someones life.

Her social media post has since been deleted.

Kay-Selwyn had been in court in the past: He first appeared in the Waitakere District Court in May 2020 on a charge of assault with intent to injure.

In June 2020, he appeared again after breaching bail.

And in December 2020, he appeared in the Waitakere District Court for breaching community detention conditions

It remained unclear what resulted from these charges. A police spokesman told the Herald to approach the court for further information on historical matters. He confirmed Kay-Selwyn was not on bail at the time of Sundays homicide.

The Herald has exclusive footage of Kay-Selwyn immediately after the shooting, showing him calmly walking away from the crime scene and talking on his cellphone.

Kay-Selwyn walks into the cameras frame at 10.17pm, two minutes after the shots were fired.

He glances back at the scene multiple times but continues walking south towards Richmond Rd.

It was the second publicly available footage of the man from Sunday night after police released photographs of Kay-Selywn standing outside a pizza shop.

Kay-Selwyn was of a large build, with short dark hair, a moustache and a beard along his jawline.

He had a tattoo on his left forearm that appeared to read Forever, and he was wearing a manbag - where police said he was likely carrying his gun - and distinctive jewellery. He had a bracelet on his right arm, a watch on his left, and a very large, square-shaped signet ring on his left ring finger.

-NZ Herald.
Multiple survivors have recalled the trauma of watching friends drifting off into darkness, clinging to debris, nursing wounds and confronting the reality that companions were dead after a monstrous wave destroyed their fishing boat, the Enchanter.

All three guys in the water were pretty expressionless, they wouldnt swim to the boat, they wouldnt do anything, one survivor said on day two of the trial, which started this week.

The charter fishing boats skipper, Lance Goodhew, is facing one charge in the Whangarei District Court of allegedly breaching his duties as a skipper, which resulted in the death of five men.

Today, survivors of the 2022 tragedy filed through to give evidence in the case being heard before Judge Philip Rzepecky.

The men spent three days fishing at the Three Kings Islands before deciding to head south to North Cape, where they would anchor on March 20.

A significant front of bad weather had just passed, leaving behind a wake of sea patterns Maritime New Zealand believe were too dangerous for Goodhew to be travelling in.

Thats a big swell

Peter Shay Ward said he was invited on the trip by Mark Walker and slept most of the way from Princes Island to North Cape, only coming on deck about 10 minutes before the wave hit.

Ward said the wave got bigger as it got closer and he hung onto the boat as it scaled the height of the wave and flipped.

I remember looking up at the wave and thought, F*** thats a big swell.

It was steep, short, sharp and swell, Ward said. I hit the water and rolled and rolled and rolled and expected the boat to land on top of me, but it didnt.

Ward said he got hooked around the boat railing and received multiple fractures and holes in his body from fishing rod holders.

As he scrambled to reach the surface, he eventually popped up amidst debris and oil.

Ward then hung onto the duckboard with Mike Lovett. He said they were both trying to climb on top but the next time he saw Lovett, he was face down in the water.

Mike Lovett of Cambridge was hanging to a piece of debris with Shay Ward before he died.

He finally managed to climb aboard the debris and saw the reality of the situation.

Three men were not responsive.

The hull was upside down

Survivor Jayde Cook gave evidence that Walker also invited him on the trip with other men who were a combination of friends and friends of friends.

Cook said it was his first time to the Three Kings and was the opportunity of a lifetime, to catch the fish of a lifetime with a good bunch of people.

Cook had his back to the wave when it hit and said it was like a grenade going off before he resurfaced into the chaotic scene.

The hull was upside down, propellers were spinning, and there was smoke in the air.

Cook managed to climb on to the hull with Peter Shay Ward, who had a laceration on his leg, and tried to stop the blood flow by tying a belt around it.

Cook was emotional as he recalled the frightening moment of watching other survivors being swept away into darkness hours before spotting helicopters flying overhead.

The helicopters went past us and I could see them hovering over the others and then they headed back the way they came and then it was about another hour before they came back, Cook said.

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust captured the dramatic rescue of survivors of the Enchanter.

I spy with my little eye

Earlier in the day, deckhand Kobe ONeill finished his evidence under cross-examination by Fletcher Pilditch KC. He confirmed the vessel was about 15 minutes away from anchoring under the lighthouse at Murimotu Island off North Cape when the wave hit.

ONeill said the conditions were around 15 knots of wind per hour and 1.5-metre swells with no indication of large waves approaching.

ONeill vividly recalled the moment the wave hit.

Ive never seen a wave like that, ever in my life, ONeill said.

It hit very suddenly? Pilditch asked.

Like a freight train, ONeill responded.

ONeill recounted to pass the time, the survivors engaged in a game of I Spy. When he spotted helicopters approaching, he remarked, I spy with my little eye, something beginning with H.

From the darkness, Ben Stinson responded, You better not be f****** joking.

The trial continues.

In brief:
A carload of Mongrel Mob gang members was hot on Wharekite Te Runas tail because he and his Black Power mates had just stolen their gang patch.

For 4km, the two gang vehicles drove dangerously and at high speed on a busy Rotorua highway, weaving in and out of traffic and at times driving on the wrong side of the road.

Within minutes, the chase ended in a cascade of crashes that left six people injured  three of them innocent members of the public  as well as four cars smashed and a broken pole.

Te Runa, 26, had ignored the traffic lights at the intersection of Te Ngae Road and Tarawera Rd and ploughed into two cars that had right of way.

His Mongrel Mob co-offender - the man he was fleeing - was Daryll Lay. The Rotorua Daily Post reported last month that he is now serving a 19-month jail term for his offending on that day  last June 3. The judge at his sentencing described it as wanton lawlessness that put multiple members of the Rotorua public at serious risk.

Now, details of Te Runas involvement in the offending have been released to the Rotorua Daily Post.

Te Runa has pleaded guilty to three counts of reckless driving causing injury, reckless driving and refusing a request for a blood sample. He is due to be sentenced in the Rotorua District Court on May 28.

A police summary of facts said Te Runa was a patched Black Power member. He and three associates had stolen a Mongrel Mob patch from Lay, leading to the chase.

Daryll Lay appears in the Rotorua District Court for sentencing in March. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post.

It was the Saturday of Kings Birthday weekend and about 6pm. Given it was a public holiday, traffic was heavier than normal, the summary said.

Three of the people injured were passengers in Te Runas car and the other three were members of the public who didnt know Te Runa or Lay.

Te Runa and his associates were in a Holden vehicle and Lay and five of his associates were in a Ford ute.

Several members of the public called police about the two vehicles speeding on Te Ngae Rd and overtaking dangerously.

The summary said police obtained CCTV footage that showed both vehicles travelling at high speed, on the wrong side of the road, overtaking, undertaking, and running red lights.



Daryll Lay and five other Mongrel Mob members were in this ute chasing a car containing Black Power members when it crashed into a car at the Te Ngae Rd and Tarawera Rd intersection. Photo / Supplied.

At times both vehicles drove through road cones and on the opposite side of the road, weaving among oncoming traffic, and sped through intersections.

Throughout the 4km of driving, some other drivers had to take evasive action to avoid being hit.

At the Tarawera Rd intersection, Te Runa ran a red light and collided with a Mitsubishi vehicle with three people inside, causing it to spin through the intersection.

Te Runa also collided with a Toyota, pushing it to the side of the road, then hit a light pole  breaking it and dislodging it from the ground.

Lays vehicle came through shortly afterwards and also collided with the vehicles.

The Black Power members got out of their car and ran up Tarawera Rd and the Mongrel Mob members chased them on foot, the summary said.

They all failed to check on the other victims of the crash.

Emergency services attended and the Black Power members were taken to hospital. Te Runa refused to give a blood sample.

Te Runa was charged with reckless driving causing injury to the three members of the public. Their injuries included a sprained neck, back and ribs, bruising, sprained ankle and open wounds.

Police are seeking reparation to pay for the damaged vehicles.

-NZ Herald.
Police are investigating the death of a man suspected of a homicide in Auckland after the alleged offender was found dead at a property near Taupo.

Detective Inspector Chris Barry says police making enquiries in relation to the ongoing homicide investigation were travelling to the Taupo region yesterday afternoon to locate the man sought in relation to the Ponsonby shooting.

"On the way, police were notified of a man located deceased at a rural address in the Broadlands area.

In a stand up with media today, Detective Inspector Barry says the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

"While a post-mortem examination is yet to be completed, it is believed the deceased is the man sought by Police in relation to the homicide investigation.

He says Auckland City CIB will be working with their Bay of Plenty CIB counterparts as they work through this part of the investigation.

Detective Inspector Barry says the wider police investigation into the homicide remains ongoing.

"Our investigation team will continue to piece together the information received to date and we will continue to make enquiries on behalf of the Coroner.

Police can confirm we are not currently seeking anyone else in regards to this investigation

"Police have notified the victims family of these developments, and we have been in touch with the family of the man sought.

"Police would like to thank the public for the information received to date regarding the identity of the man sought."

Follow RNZ's live blog for updates:
Two pathology clinics in Tauranga have had temporary closures because of staff shortages.

Sick staff forced the closure of Te Puke and Otumoetai Pathlab collection facilities.

The Te Puke clinic has been closed six days in the last month and Otumoetai has been closed four times. Both clinics have been closed for one day this week.

Pathlab chief executive Dianne McQueen says the decision to close collection facilities was difficult and not taken lightly.

The decision to close a facility was made at 6.30am after staff advised they couldnt work because of illness, she says.

Closures were decided once all other options were exhausted, says McQueen.

The wellbeing of phlebotomists (those trained to take blood) and the health of patients was also taken into consideration, she says.

All clinicians were told about the closures before 7.30am that day so they could advise patients, says McQueen.

The closures were also communicated through the Pathlab website, social media and Google.

The website also included details and opening times of the other Pathlab facilities in the area people could use as an alternative, says McQueen.

The nearest collection site to Te Puke is Papamoa, which McQueen says was usually only a 17 minute drive away.

Alternative sites for Otumoetai were in Bethlehem and 2nd Ave in Tauranga, which were both a 10 minute drive away.

The Greerton Pathlab facility reopened in April 2023 after being closed for a year. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

To minimise disruption to the service and ensure that we have continuity of service, we continue in our efforts with ongoing recruitment to address the ongoing staff shortages and to bolster our team.

Pathlab was recruiting eight full time employees for patient services, she says.

The temporary closures come after some clinics were closed for over a year because of staff shortages.

Between 2022 and 2023, 29 staff transferred, retired or left Pathlab for other positions, says McQueen.

The Otumoetai clinic closed in November 2021 and reopened last year.

The Greerton site was closed from April 2022 for a year and the Mount Maunganui facility was closed for 10 months from September 2022. Other sites operated on reduced hours.

During this time some patients were waiting over an hour for tests at Pathlab clinics.

Otumoetai resident Paula Bilbe previously told Local Democracy Reporting it was nothing unusual to wait an hour and 20 minutes for a test.

Pathlab recruited more than 30 staff in order to reopen the clinics.

As of Wednesday all Pathlab sites are open with Otumoetai closing early that day.

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora provide funding for laboratory testing services.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
A Tauranga and Papamoa Lotto player are among the 11 winners celebrating a $25,000 win.

Each winning player will receive $25,534 from Lotto's second division Wednesday night live Lotto draw.

Three lucky players also won Powerball second division, taking their total winnings to $31,992, says a Lotto spokesperson.

"The winning Powerball Second Division tickets were sold at Pak n Save Whanganui in Whanganui and on MyLotto to players from Hamilton and Wellington."

The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores:

Store Location Auckland MyLotto Hamilton MyLotto (+PB) Papamoa Fresh Choice Papamoa Tauranga MyLotto Whanganui Pak N Save Whanganui (+PB) Palmerston North MyLotto Masterton MyLotto Wellington MyLotto (x3) (+PB) Canterbury MyLotto

"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."
Pilar Martinez Malaga Wednesday, 8 May 2024, 12:29 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X (antes Twitter)

LinkedIn

Telegram

Threads

Amid protests against mass tourism and calls for tighter limitations on holiday homes, the president of the Andalusian Tourist Housing Association (AVVA-Pro), Carlos Perez-Lanzac, warned, hours before the start of the Vitur Summit, against excessive regulations. He pointed out 42% of the demand of visitors is exclusively for holiday homes.

Vitur Summit comes amid controversy over the growth of holiday homes. What do you propose in the face of this protest against holiday rentals?

I think that there is excessive pressure from the hotel sector and that it is having a significant danger because it ends up demonising the tourist. We are at a rather delicate moment because tourists do not wear a sign on their foreheads saying whether I am staying in a hotel or in a tourist flat. What is being created is precisely this tourism phobia that, for example, in the case of Barcelona, we are talking about a 57% reduction in tourist accommodation between 2019 and 2023, and yet the price of housing has increased by 20%, and the average hotel price has increased by 18% and the profit per available hotel room has fallen by 0.3%. So, tell me what impact or what use these restrictive measures have. We are one click away from losing that tourist and that tourist flow.

How do you perceive this situation in Andalucia?

Andalucia has no other comparable or replaceable industry like tourism. The data we have is that there is still room for absorbing visitors, because in Spain we have a ratio of 1.6 tourists per resident and in Andalucia we are still at 1.4. In other words, we are saying that Spain still has the capacity to carry and absorb tourists. As the minister of tourism said, what we have is a gift from our parents and a loan for our children. In other words, we have to prepare the tourism model that we are going to leave for the future. We must now plan the management of success.

Is this success management late?

Absolutely. We are a little behind in destinations such as Malaga, which is experiencing a higher rate of demand than the supply is able to cope with.

What are the figures for this success in tourist housing?

We have had more than seven million overnight stays in the first half of last year alone, according to Eurostat. Spain is the second largest holiday rental destination in Europe, after France and followed by Croatia. Last year we were third in Europe with ten million overnight stays. At Vitur Summit we are going to present the full balance for 2023, but we are also talking about one of the top three destinations for our type of accommodation, which is the fastest growing because it is the one that is most in demand in the market. That is why this demonisation is not understandable if it is not for fear of the change of model which, obviously, will involve new challenges, but so far it is bringing great opportunities. We are talking about an economic impact in the country of more than 20,500 million. Andalucia contributes 21%. We are talking about 4.5 million tourists staying, with an impact and spending at the destination of more than 4,200 million.

What new trends will be analysed in this summit?

We assume that 42% of the demand is exclusively for this type of accommodation. We have seen the case of New York, where the volume of visitors has fallen by 53% since the ban on tourist accommodation. And yet, next door, in New Jersey, it has increased by 47%. The lack of this type of accommodation diverts tourist flows. We hope that the administrations, including the municipalities that can now regulate this activity, will take a close look at the role of tourist accommodation.

Will this prominence of tourist housing be a central theme in this summit?

The pillars are professionalisation, sustainability and innovation. But, obviously, we will talk about real estate investment, technology, the relationship between the operator and the investor, the new regulations and the legal framework that is being prepared at European and national level, the most relevant data and metrics of the sector, and the return on investment for cities.

Taking advantage of the fact that Vitur has a European scope, how do you see the regulations drawn up by the EU?

The first thing that is being addressed is how data is shared between platforms and administrations. The EU invites or gives a guideline to administrations or EU states to collect this data. And, in principle, Spain was already one of the pioneers in Europe in doing this with model 197. Anything that brings transparency to the sector is fantastic news.

And are they afraid of the different regulations that may be established by the municipalities?

The mechanisms they have are through a general plan or by using spatial planning. But there are city councils that have anticipated and have not done so in a justified or proportional way. We have had good conversations with Malaga city council so far. There is a good dialogue and we hope that this will crystallise and that in order to materialise it, metrics will be taken into account to understand what the flows are, what is understood by saturation or what elements saturate, because we have data from the INE (Spain's national institute of statistics that 30% of the visitors we are receiving stay with friends or family, which is not insignificant. Then, obviously, the impact of hotel accommodation will have to be measured. We understand that applying a moratorium is not the right message because it could slow down the growth and prospects of the city. We believe that the right thing to do is to set limitations and see which areas may be more sensitive.

What volume of holiday rental business are we talking about in Malaga and Costa del Sol?

We are talking about the fact that Andalucia was rising to around 45% of the national demand for this type of accommodation. We represent more than 60% of the accommodation supply in the region, and if we add the rural houses and dwellings, the weight is much greater, because we are talking about 75% of the accommodation capacity in the province of Malaga being in the hands of our sector. Furthermore, 75% of the holiday rental supply in the region is concentrated in the villages, that is to say, of the 70,000 that are currently active, 52,400. And on the Costa del Sol we are talking about 42,000.

"Vitur is a unique opportunity to discuss the future of the sector with 700 experts. It is a must-attend event"

What does Vitur Summit mean in view of the dimensions that this activity is taking on?

It is a platform to give visibility to the sector and to accelerate its progression and the rapid professionalisation we are seeing. I think it is a unique opportunity, without a doubt, to meet all these 700 leaders, professionals and experts to jointly discuss the future of the sector and analyse the current situation. It has become a must-attend event.

What new features will be presented?

Many, because there are many changes in the sector with new technological developments or real estate investment, because Spain is one of the countries that now has more supply. There are new brands that are entering the market with a strong injection and that are looking to Spain and Andalucia as a strategic market, always with Malaga and Seville in their sights. We will also discuss the process of brand creation, the contractual relationship between property owners and operators, how European regulations will affect them and the best pricing strategies. We will advance the expectations for this year and close the balance sheet for 2023.

What are those prospects for 2024?

We can say that they are reasonably positive. We have had a good start to the year. There is no prospect of volatility and, furthermore, Spain has a good global positioning. And within this, the Costa del Sol is an international leader.

At the Costa del Sol level, which destinations are experiencing the greatest pull?

The area with the best prospects is Estepona, because they are doing their homework with a high quality product. Less seasonal areas are Nerja and Marbella. The latter has the highest average price in Andalucia, followed by Seville, and, without a doubt, at the level of luxury or ultra-luxury product it is a world reference along with Tel-Aviv, Mykonos, Miami or Abu Dhabi. It is a real flagship.
Melchor Saiz-Pardo / Juan Cano Madrid / Malaga Wednesday, 8 May 2024, 16:03 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X (antes Twitter)

LinkedIn

Telegram

Threads

At least 36 days after his escape from Marbella, two search and arrest warrants have been issued for Karim Bouyakhrichan, probably the most dangerous and powerful kingpin of the 'Mocro Mafia'.

The most wanted criminal in the Netherlands was arrested in January on the Costa del Sol, but was surprisingly released in February and has been at large since he signed in for a court appearance on 1 April.

The two warrants issued on Tuesday 7 May are a European arrest warrant and an international arrest warrant for the fugitive, who was released in February thanks to a decision of the Malaga provincial court. The release and escape of the criminal boss has caused a commotion in the Netherlands, where the news of his capture was celebrated after the Mocro Maffia had threatened to kill the heiress to the Dutch throne, Princess Amalia of Orange.

The bizarre story that ended with the escape of the Maghrebi kingpin began on 10 January. As expected, Marbella magistrate's court, which was on duty during his arrest, ordered Bouyakhrichan to be remanded in custody. The accusations on Spanish land of heading a money laundering scheme more than justified detaining him.

Just over a month

But that imprisonment lasted little more than a month. On 22 February, Malaga provincial court released the leader of the Mocro Mafia, with lax precautionary measures, including the withdrawal of his passport, the obligation to appear in court every 15 days and the payment of a bail of 50,000 euros.

After handing in his passport at the Marbella court the day after his release, he signed in at courts outside Malaga on 1 and 15 March and 1 April. But after that date there is no record of him doing so again.

The surprising release on the appeal is even more inexplicable considering the Malaga Court of Appeal took this decision despite strong opposition of the Anti-Drugs Prosecutor's Office and aware the Netherlands had already begun the process of obtaining his surrender.

But there is still more. In the release order, seen by SUR, the judges recognise that "there is a risk of absconding, given that the appellant is a foreign citizen, and there is no evidence that he has real estate in Spain, where he has been living in a house owned by his wife".

By the time Bouyakhrichan was released from prison, the Dutch authorities had already issued an arrest warrant for Bouyakhrichan, which had been issued only hours after his arrest in Marbella.

That reached Spain's High Court without a problem. The case went to court headed by Judge Ismael Moreno. This magistrate immediately processed the warrant, but it was not activated because the Malaga Provincial Court refused to do so, considering that Bouyakhrichan had pending cases in Spain - a six-million-euro money laundering offence - before he could be handed over.

It was then the Dutch authorities sent the Spanish High Court an extension of the surrender warrant. In it, they argued the extreme urgency of the transfer of this dangerous drug trafficker, leader of the Mocro Mafia, and his very long criminal record. Spain's High Court could have issued an arrest warrant at that time to secure his extradition, but it did not do so either, and it is not known why.

Ismael Moreno simply decided to summon the offender - through his lawyer - to inform him of his extradition. However, without ordering his capture, despite the fact that the Maghrebi had shown his absolute refusal to end up in Holland. And from then on, not a trace. Bouyakhrichan did not show up at the date with Spain's High Court (which in recent days has already ordered his search and capture) or at any of his regular court appearances.

The escape has provoked anger in the Netherlands. Its liaison judge met in person with magistrate Ismael Moreno to express his concern over the release and escape of what the ministry of the interior itself defined in January, after his capture, as the "most wanted and dangerous criminal in the Netherlands".

Bouyakhrichan, a Dutchman of Moroccan origin, is the brother of Samir Bouyakhrichan, who was murdered in Benahavis (Malaga) in 2014 and from whom he inherited the leadership of one of the most important groups of the Mocro Mafia.
Irene Quirante Malaga Wednesday, 8 May 2024, 13:09 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X (antes Twitter)

LinkedIn

Telegram

Threads

A Marbella court has cancelled the arrest warrant issued last week against Darren H. and Gerrard S, the alleged suspects behind a shooting at a local restaurant in March. According to sources at the High Court of Justice of Andalucia (TSJA), the two suspects have voluntarily presented themselves before the judicial authorities.

According to the same sources, both appeared in court one day after the arrest order was issued against them. However, the judicial authority has reinforced the bail measures, so the pair will have to attend the court headquarters two days a week and comply with a restraining order with respect to the location where the shooting took place.

The suspects were released at the end of April by the provincial court of Malaga, which revoked the custody sentence previously ordered by the court, which had taken their statements after their arrest.

The following day, they were supposed to appear before court in Marbella to hand over their passports, which they did not do. They claimed their documents were in the possession of the police, which turned out to be true. When they failed to appear, the court issued a warrant for their arrest, which was revoked after they then handed themselves in.

The shooting

Both men are under investigation as alleged perpetrators of the shooting at La Sala restaurant, located in Avenida Nueva Andalucia. The incident happened at around midday on 11 March and, according to SUR sources, the night before the incident there had been an argument in the venue between one of the managers and one of the detainees. During the course of the argument, it seems that threats were made.

The police investigators, however, are convinced the argument was related to reasons not yet established and the shots were a warning. According to sources, the security cameras were the key to identifying the alleged perpetrators.

A detailed examination of the footage made it possible to reconstruct what happened before midday that morning, when some fifteen shots were fired at the restaurant.

An individual left a house in Nueva Andalucia on a Honda 750 motorcycle with his face hidden under a full-face helmet. The motorbike, at the time, bore a British number plate. The motorcyclist went to another house a short distance away and entered a garage. The cameras then showed two men leaving the house.

When they set off, the previous individual was now the pillion passenger and the registration plate had been changed to a Spanish one. The restaurant was apparently about to open to the public, so it is suspected the perpetrators knew there would be staff inside.

The driver waited with the high-powered motorbike running while the other got off and fired about fifteen shots, most of which hit the window. The bullets also hit some chairs at the restaurant - they then fled.

The two suspects, aged around 30 and of British and Irish origin, were arrested on 25 March in a large-scale operation led by National Police.

According to close sources, among other crimes, they are charged with attempted murder, serious threats, illegal possession of weapons and forging documents. Officers also seized a large machete and 31,190 euros during the operation.
Editors note: This article updated with information on the arrest of a student at OnTech Charter High School and a statement from the school.

Syracuse, N.Y.  A gun was found in an 18-year-old students backpack after a fight Wednesday at a Syracuse charter high school, police said.
Syracuse, N.Y.  More than 60 students and community members rallied Tuesday on Syracuse Universitys Shaw Quad against Israeli military actions in Rafah as students entered their second week in their pro-Palestinian encampment.

Demonstrators organized in a circle and pounded drums and buckets as they chanted All eyes on Rafah and Disclose, divest. We will not rest.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Syracuse University has told pro-Palestinian protesters they must relocate their tent encampment to make room for preparations for commencement ceremonies, officials said.

The students have told the university they will not move, university officials said.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers joined other DEC staff and volunteers last week to conduct four prescribed fires, including:

32 acres in Riverhead

4 acres in the David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest

15 acres in the Otis Pike Pine Barrens

49 acres in the Albany Pine Bush

Prescribed fire is an important management tool for improving wildlife habitat, DEC said. They help prevent the spread of invasive species, and in some areas, prescribed fire is used to reduce the buildup of wood, timber litter, and other hazards that fuel fires in order to reduce the potential for wildfires.

The following reports are excerpted from DEC:

A ranger broke up a gathering of approximately 60 people in Stoney Pond State Forest, Madison County. who were illegally burning pallets.NYSDEC

On the night of April 24, a ranger and a state trooper broke up a gathering of approximately 60 people in Stoney Pond State Forest, Madison County. The group was illegally burning a stack of around 30 wood pallets and were told to clean up before they left.

While on patrol the afternoon of April 29, a ranger encountered a man lying in the grass just north of a public forest access road in the town of Russia, Herkimer County. The 54-year-old from Boonville had hit a pothole while riding a dual sport motorcycle and was thrown off the bike, resulting in a separated shoulder. The ranger assessed the bikers injuries, stabilized his head, and called for an ambulance.

On the afternoon of May 3, rangers helped two lost hikers from Pennsylvania find their way back to the Copperas Pond trailhead, in Essex County. The following day, rangers carried out a hiker from Montreal who injured their knee on Big Slide Mountain. And later that night, seven rangers helped carry out a 33-year-old hiker from Rochester who broke his ankle on Pitchoff Mountain.



Sign up for the CNY Outdoors Newsletter

Enter your email address to get weekly updates on CNY outdoors news delivered to your inbox:









READ MORE

Forest rangers conduct controlled burns on 261 acres across New York State - newyorkupstate.com

Rangers find body of missing man in forest near Massachusetts border - newyorkupstate.com

Prepared for the worst, forest rangers rescued only one Adirondack hiker during eclipse - newyorkupstate.com

Forest rangers wrangle downstate wildfire, conduct controlled burn in Cicero Swamp - newyorkupstate.com

Frostbitten and freezing NYC man rescued near summit of states highest peak - newyorkupstate.com

Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors.
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.  Upstate New York is dotted with dream-worthy college towns where core memories are made as life-changing degrees are earned.

With great eateries, quirky shopping scenes and lively night scenes, those collegiate communities make great vacation spots. And one of the best-rated small college towns in the nation  a place loved by celebrities, horse enthusiasts, families and couples  is the gem of Upstates Capital Region.

Saratoga Springs has been named one of the best small college towns in America by USA Todays 10Best. The list was created by an expert panel and voted on by readers.

The Spa City ranked 10th on the list that included Oxford, Mississippi, and Williamsburg, Virginia.

Just 40 minutes north of Albany, Saratoga Springs is home to two colleges: Empire State University, a SUNY school, and Skidmore College, a private college.

Horses break from the gate at the start of the Travers Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, Aug. 27, 2016. (Hans Pennink | The Associated Press)

The city offers students from both colleges plenty of places to explore.

Saratoga Springs is synonymous with horse racing. The historic Saratoga Race Course, previously dubbed one of the 10 best horse racing tracks in the U.S., is beloved by fancy-hat fans and celebrities alike; Chef Bobby Flay and Barstool Sports Dave Portnoy have both purchased homes near the track.

But racing isnt the only adventure in Saratoga.

In its ranking, 10Best highlighted the citys famous mineral springs at Saratoga Spa State Park, where visitors can taste the springs and swim in a historic Victoria Pool. The travel website also named the nearby Saratoga Lake as a draw for fans of water sports.

Other popular spots in Saratoga are:

Congress Park, home to a wooden carousel

Saratoga Performing Art Center, the amphitheater that hosts some of Upstates biggest concerts

Broadway, a street lined with shops and eateries

Saratoga Springs is accustomed to accolades  including from New York Upstate. (Last year, we named the city as one of our 20 best places to visit in Upstate.) Saratoga has previously been named one of the nations most LGBTQ+ friendly small towns while Broadway, its commercial hub, has been voted among Americas best main streets.
Teagasc awards the Walsh Scholars Gold Medal to Lorna Twomey

The Teagasc Walsh Scholars Gold Medal was awarded to Lorna Twomey from Teagascs Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme. The Gold Medal, which is the Programmes highest accolade, was presented at an awards ceremony at Teagasc Ashtown today, Wednesday, 8th May 2024.

Pictured (from left): Jane Kavanagh, Head of Research Development and Walsh Scholarships at Teagasc; Pat Dillon, Director of Research, Teagasc; with the winner of the Teagasc Walsh Scholars Gold Medal Lorna Twomey and her mother Mary Twomey.

The Teagasc Walsh Scholar Gold Medal Award is now in its 30th year of celebrating scholarly excellence at Teagasc. It is a competitive award for Teagasc Walsh Scholars nearing the end of their PhD scholarships. Congratulating the finalists for showcasing their exceptional talents and commitment to excellence, Jane Kavanagh, the Head of Research Development and Walsh Scholarships at Teagasc, said: The Walsh Scholar of the Year Awards ceremony not only celebrates the outstanding achievements of our finalists but also underscores their pivotal role in shaping the intellectual landscape of the agri-food industry. Through their innovative research and dedication, these scholars have not only contributed to advancing knowledge but have also developed invaluable transferable skills essential for their future endeavours.

Chlorate residues in milk products threatens consumer confidence and the reputation of the dairy industry. As a means of minimising chlorate, a harmful, chlorine-based residue in milk and its derivatives, Irish farmers and milk processors have replaced chlorinated cleaning protocols with chlorine-free alternatives. Lorna Twomeys PhD project set out to evaluate the effectiveness of these minimum chlorate technologies in terms of dairy product quality and safety.

Lornas PhD forms part of vital work by Teagasc in partnership with dairy industry processors to reduce chlorate levels in dairy processing. Teagasc Director of Research Professor Pat Dillon said: Lorna met the two key objectives of a very successful PhD - increased the scientific knowledge on reducing chlorate levels in Irish dairy products and increased her skills through learning research methods and collaboration with academic and industry stakeholders.

Lorna is from a dairy farm in West Cork and has many years of experience working on her home farm and has also worked in New Zealand as part of her undergraduate degree. Lornas PhD supervisors are David Gleeson (lead supervisor), Tom Beresford and Bernadette OBrien, Teagasc; and Ambrose Furey (academic supervisor), Munster Technological University.

Other Walsh Scholars recognised at todays event included:

Rachel Irwin, Walsh Scholar of the Year for the Crops, Environment, and Land Use Programme

Niranjana Rose Edwin, Walsh Scholar of the Year for the Food Programme

Clarissa Leydon, Walsh Scholar of the Year for the Rural Economy and Development Programme

Teagasc Director, Professor Frank OMara, congratulated the other Walsh Scholar finalists (listed below): Completing a PhD is a great achievement, and will be a major milestone for all the finalists here today. They were all excellent, and I congratulate them on getting to this level. Regardless of what direction the next step of their career takes them, I have no doubt they will make a major contribution, and their PhD will stand to them throughout their career.

Sarah Woodmartin

Emily Roskam

Joy Clarke

Yahaya Jebril Amanor

Fatma Koc

Sara Perez Vila

Shefali Pardeshi-Dhokale

Lori-Rae van Laren

Further details on all the finalists research projects can be found on the Teagasc website: www.teagasc.ie/wsawards
RahulNagaraj Senior - BHPian



Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,482 Thanked: 23,667 Times

Stay at the Ferrari Museum at Maranello; Airbnb lists destination under its new 'Icons' series







Guests staying a night at the museum will be treated to a host of exclusive perks, specially curated to give them the "Ferrari Lifestyle". Apart from the Ferrari Museum tour, former F1 driver Marc Gene will be their host, giving guests the opportunity of a passenger ride around the Fiorano test track in a Ferrari 296 GTB. Guests will also receive VIP tickets to the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with exclusive access to the paddock area. Post the race, they can dine at Ristorante Cavallino - said to be Enzo Ferrari's cherished dining spot.







Coming to the stay itself, the room will have a bed adorned in the same red leather used on the seats of a Ferrari. The bed will also be surrounded by some of the brand's old F1 cars.







Customers can send their request for booking the experience between May 6 & May 8. Airbnb will randomly select potential guests for the opportunity.



Source:



Link to Team-BHP news Airbnb has revealed its latest venture, called the "Icons" series. It offers travellers the opportunity to stay at some of the world's most iconic locations - one of them being the Ferrari Museum at Maranello, Italy.Guests staying a night at the museum will be treated to a host of exclusive perks, specially curated to give them the "Ferrari Lifestyle". Apart from the Ferrari Museum tour, former F1 driver Marc Gene will be their host, giving guests the opportunity of a passenger ride around the Fiorano test track in a Ferrari 296 GTB. Guests will also receive VIP tickets to the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with exclusive access to the paddock area. Post the race, they can dine at Ristorante Cavallino - said to be Enzo Ferrari's cherished dining spot.Coming to the stay itself, the room will have a bed adorned in the same red leather used on the seats of a Ferrari. The bed will also be surrounded by some of the brand's old F1 cars.Customers can send their request for booking the experience between May 6 & May 8. Airbnb will randomly select potential guests for the opportunity.Source: Car&Driver Last edited by RahulNagaraj : 7th May 2024 at 11:23 .
AJ56 BHPian



Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 673 Thanked: 2,634 Times

Re: Paint mismatch at Honda workshop



For one, we must understand were not dealing with Honda India directly. Were dealing with a third rate local company operating as a Honda franchise, providing service and repairs of cars sold by Honda. The franchise model and high quality service seldom go hand in hand.



I too have had bodywork done by them and it was worse than some roadside shops. I dont have pictures of that work but I do have pictures of Infinity Hondas bodywork as it was similar (read terrible) quality-



Mismatched the shade on my boot lid, made it dark brown on a black car







Note the massive pinholes







Their wash area, likely using underage labour and a floor mop to wipe cars.







As a bonus, they (Infinity) also managed to put a small dent in my front left door and put cheap plastic dressing on my dash, smearing it on the glass which took hours to clean.



Solitaire for their part I remember tried to bill me for an air filter they hadnt changed (I pen marked my old filter so caught them) + they overfilled my engine oil by over 1L.



Then when caught kept saying its thermal expansion as the engine is hot and the oil will contract once cool to line up with the max mark on the dipstick. Engine oil doesnt expand like that for the record.



Its for these and countless other brilliant service experiences I had that I checked out of dealing with dealers a few years ago. Once your warranty ends, dont go to them. Having personally experienced the imbecilic service multiple times at Soltaire Honda in Mumbai (Andheri) + at almost every other Honda dealer even here in Gurgaon and Delhi, I find it comical to expect anything more than terrible service from Honda dealers at this point.For one, we must understand were not dealing with Honda India directly. Were dealing with a third rate local company operating as a Honda franchise, providing service and repairs of cars sold by Honda. The franchise model and high quality service seldom go hand in hand.I too have had bodywork done by them and it was worse than some roadside shops. I dont have pictures of that work but I do have pictures of Infinity Hondas bodywork as it was similar (read terrible) quality-Mismatched the shade on my boot lid, made it dark brown on a black carNote the massive pinholesTheir wash area, likely using underage labour and a floor mop to wipe cars.As a bonus, they (Infinity) also managed to put a small dent in my front left door and put cheap plastic dressing on my dash, smearing it on the glass which took hours to clean.Solitaire for their part I remember tried to bill me for an air filter they hadnt changed (I pen marked my old filter so caught them) + they overfilled my engine oil by over 1L.Then when caught kept saying its thermal expansion as the engine is hot and the oil will contract once cool to line up with the max mark on the dipstick. Engine oil doesnt expand like that for the record.Its for these and countless other brilliant service experiences I had that I checked out of dealing with dealers a few years ago. Once your warranty ends, dont go to them. Last edited by AJ56 : 8th May 2024 at 14:04 .
With more than a third of North American homes protected by a video doorbell or some other Wi-Fi-dependent device, its reasonable to worry about the growing threat of Wi-Fi jammers. These mysterious devices can override your smart home security monitoring, effectively neutralizing the systems youve relied on for peace of mind.

Indeed, these increasingly cheap and accessible jamming devices make it easier than ever for criminals to block your security systems primary communications signal. With that signal blocked, the crooks can break into your place without you noticinguntil its too late. Heres what you need to know to protect your home and family in 2024.

Wi-Fi jamming is on the rise

When we last covered the threat of Wi-Fi jamming, the threat was still largely theoretical. Wi-Fi jamming has always been possible, but it has only recently become a real-world problem, as jamming hardware devices have become cheap and widely accessible via online vendors. Even Amazon has come under FCC scrutiny for selling Wi-Fi jammers, and a simple Google search reveals a long list of online vendors selling devices for as little as $5 that can easily block the Wi-Fi on any device.

No one knows exactly how widespread this issue is. Unfortunately, the technology necessary to jam these signals has become readily available if one looks hard enough, says John Allison, Director of Public Sector for Checkmarx Security Solutions, which provides security and testing technology to the software industry.

Also known as Wi-Fi deauthing, signal jamming works on the simple principle of radio interference. By casting signals that match the Wi-Fi radio spectrum, jammers can interfere with the entire band and prevent any nearby device from getting through.

They can also target a specific devices connection to your home network, making it harder to detect the problem. These days, most jammers work by targeting a single security device, such as a doorbell camera, and blocking its connection to the network long enough for intruders to get past it without being seen.

The prevalence of Wi-Fi jammers is growing, and their documented use in home invasion crimes has been expanding. In fact, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a warning to LA residents in March after a series of break-ins involving jammers.

In February, South American gangs were reportedly carrying out organized burglary sprees in Arizona by placing jammers in neighborhoods to orchestrate break-ins. The threat is no longer merely theoretical, but very real.

Responding to a series of burglaries involving Wi-Fi jammers, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a warning to residents of the Wilshire community in March of this year. Responding to a series of burglaries involving Wi-Fi jammers, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a warning to residents of the Wilshire community in March of this year. LAPD Responding to a series of burglaries involving Wi-Fi jammers, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a warning to residents of the Wilshire community in March of this year. LAPD LAPD

Still, even as were seeing a few high-profile news reports of jammers being used in burglaries this year, there are several good reasons to remain calm. Put into perspective, Wi-Fi jammers have been used in only a tiny fraction of home invasion crimes in North America to date.

In fact, the overwhelming majority of home break-ins involve no electronic sophistication at all. So, while a handful of emerging reports point to the use of Wi-Fi jammers, were not in the throes of a sweeping trend.

Wireless vs fully wired home security

For consumers, the question goes to whether the risk to their security systems is sufficient to justify using a fully wired security system that is immune to jamming, or whether the convenience of a wireless security system outweighs that risk, says John Allison of Checkmarx. I think the big challenge is that most consumers probably are unaware that they are even accepting this risk when they decide on which system to purchase.

Fortunately, the simple presence of visible security systems remains a highly effective deterrent to home invasion crimes. Just by having a security system sign or cameras on the front of your house, you decrease the odds of becoming a target. That said, it might not be a good idea to post a sign that tells a potential intruder which security system youve installed. That could give them clues as to how it can be defeated, as known exploits circulate amongst criminals. So, if you have an ADT system, for example, you might want to put out a sign indicating your home is protected by SimpliSafe.

A simple sign alone can deter 25 percent of thieves from choosing your house, according to Security.org. Meanwhile, 50 percent of burglars will bypass a home with cameras mounted on the front, and evidence of an alarm system is even more effective. That leaves a minority of burglars willing to brave a break-in when they see a camera in place, and most of those who do so are counting on slow police responseand not Wi-Fi signal jammingto get away with their crimes.

Everyone must understand that home security systems are merely a deterrent, and unless you can respond fast enough, a lot of damage and theft may occur before the police arrive on the scene, Allison says.

Even just having a sticker on your window to indicate the presence of an alarm can reduce the chances a burglar will target your home by as much as 50 percent. Even just having a sticker on your window to indicate the presence of an alarm can reduce the chances a burglar will target your home by as much as 50 percent. Arlo Even just having a sticker on your window to indicate the presence of an alarm can reduce the chances a burglar will target your home by as much as 50 percent. Arlo Arlo

Its not just about Wi-Fi

Any wireless communications signal can be vulnerable to malicious interference, so its important to understand that this issue doesnt only affect Wi-Fi-based systems, says Deral Heiland, Principal Security Researcher for IoT at Rapid7. Zigbee and Bluetooth signals can also be jammed, and even the cellular signals that many systems use as back-up if your broadband service goes down can be interfered with at close range.

Signal replay, in which an attacker captures a wireless signal sent between two devices and then replays it to fool any monitoring or locking mechanism, is a common type of wireless hack. These things are constantly sending a positive signal, Heiland says, so if there isnt proper encryption on these things theres nothing stopping someone from just capturing the RF communication and just replaying it.

IoT devices in general can come with a variety of security risks, whether theyre wireless or connected to your router. The APIs in these devices can often be exploited remotely, which can expose the data they process to attackers.

The biggest concern with IoT devices is that they may contain exploitable vulnerabilities which may never be fixed, says Checkmarxs John Allison.

Rapid7s Deral Heiland warns that with a little information about you, a sophisticated attacker can take your security system offline remotely without jamming. Heres one example Heiland found in his testing:

If you knew the persons email address you could do a query against the API and pull back the EMI number of the device. With the EMI number, you can make another query and bring back a configuration structure where youre actually able to change settings and blind the entire system, or turn it off remotely without any level authentication other than knowing the email address.

Systems like this Simplisafe kit include cellular backhaul connection and 24/7 monitoring as options to help ensure intrusions are detected and get a police response. Systems like this Simplisafe kit include cellular backhaul connection and 24/7 monitoring as options to help ensure intrusions are detected and get a police response. SimpliSafe Systems like this Simplisafe kit include cellular backhaul connection and 24/7 monitoring as options to help ensure intrusions are detected and get a police response. SimpliSafe SimpliSafe

What to look for in a home security system or camera

Because real security systems are still more effective against burglaries than just a sign in the front yard as a deterrent, and because you still want as much security and visibility as you can get, its important to look for robust security and signal redundancy features in these products.

While all wireless signals, and even some wired signals, can be vulnerable to jamming, signal redundancyhaving more than one way to communicate in case a given signal isnt getting throughis an important capability in any security system. Heiland of Rapid7 and Allison of Checkmarx both recommend looking for devices that offer a cellular backhaul capability in the event Wi-Fi isnt working.

Additionally, systems that use a variety of signal types in parallel are more likely to withstand a jamming attack. While the primary connection might be Wi-Fi, sensors operating on Z-Wave or Zigbee would still be able to communicate with the hub if the Wi-Fi is jammed. And if cellular backhaul is in place, the entire system would continue working.

Security is fundamentally about trust, so its important to buy from trusted manufacturers with a reputation for security and support.

You want to buy brand name systems, says Heiland of Rapid7, who avoids endorsing any particular manufacturer. Brand name companies have a reputation to protect. Theyre going to take security much more seriously, and theyre hiring organizations to test their products on a regular basis. They usually have better security programs. If a vulnerability is found, they patch it.

In addition to actively patching discovered vulnerabilities, major home security system manufacturers like Ring and SimpliSafe also build jamming detection into their newer systems. While not foolproof, these algorithms detect telltale signs of malicious interference, adapt their own signals to prevent the jamming, and alert you to a potential attack. As jamming becomes a more common threat, we expect to see jamming detection continue to improve and for manufacturers to advertise these features prominently.

One often overlooked issue with most consumer security solutions is the users own response. If your system isnt actively monitored by a professional service, its up to you to respond effectively in the event of an intrusion. Even if your system is working properly and no one interferes with the signal, you might not notice the alert on your phone when someone breaks a window and enters your home.

For this reason, its a good idea to look for a system that offers professional monitoring and police dispatch, which significantly increase the likelihood that an intruder will be detected and appropriate action taken.

Ultimately, wired security systems have significant advantages in reliability and robustness against attacks. If you have the budget and really want to ensure the system is working properly at all times, a professionally installed wired security system backed with 24/7 service is a better option than an off-the-shelf Wi-Fi-based product.

Steps you can take to increase your home security

Security experts consistently warn that no security system can, by itself, keep you safe from intruders. To ensure your security, you need to take steps to protect yourself, keep your tech working correctly, and avoid leaving your safety entirely in the hands of technology providers. Here are some important tips to keep in mind:
The M4 chip features Apple's most advanced Neural Engine, capable of 38 trillion operations per second  a 60-fold increase over the first Neural Engine in A11 Bionic. (Image Credit: Apple)

The M4 chip features Apple's most advanced Neural Engine, capable of 38 trillion operations per second  a 60-fold increase over the first Neural Engine in A11 Bionic. (Image Credit: Apple)

Apple beefed up its iPad product line Tuesday by upgrading the silicon in its Air models and introducing a new processor, the M4, into its Pro editions, which also got a display boost to OLED.

The iPad Pro with the M4 and outdoor viewable OLED screen is arguably the best tablet created so far, Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst with Enderle Group, an advisory services firm in Bend, Ore., told TechNewsWorld.

The dual-layer OLED screens are the best screens ever used on a tablet and make the creative process much more realistic, added Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, a technology advisory firm in San Jose, Calif.

The new 11-inch and 13-inch Pro models announced at an online, prerecorded event have displays made of two OLED panels for exceptional brightness. According to Apple, the Ultra Retina XDR display supports 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness for SDR and HDR content and 1,600 nits of HDR peak brightness.

The new iPad Pro comes in two sizes, 11-inch and 13-inch, and features the thinnest design Apple has ever produced. (Image Credit: Apple)

A nano-texture glass option is also offered for the display. Nano-texture glass is engineered to scatter ambient light and reduce glare.

Both the tandem OLED and etched glass overlay are unique, noted Jim McGregor, founder and principal analyst at Tirias Research, a high-tech research and advisory firm, in Phoenix. I have not seen this dual-layer OLED display solution before, he told TechNewsWorld. The etched glass overlay is also unique.

The display is stunning, Enderle said. The only thing I wonder about is longevity. OLED is beautiful but not very robust, and they are pushing a lot of power through it. Longevity of the display could become an issue long term.

As a photographer, I am excited to see how my images will look on it, added Anshel Sag, a senior analyst with Moor Insights & Strategy, a technology analyst and advisory firm based in Austin, Texas.

However, I am a little surprised they didnt try to beef up the cameras capabilities to really show off the display, he told TechNewsWorld.

Enter M4 Silicon

In an unusual move, Apple introduced its next-generation M4 silicon into the new iPad Pro models. Usually, next-gen chips are introduced on the Mac first, Bajarin told TechNewsWorld. Apple did this to emphasize their belief that the iPad is very much a PC as Jobs envisioned when he launched it 14 years ago, making it a powerful creative tool that mirrors the functionality mostly done on a PC.

The chip is built on second-generation three-nanometer technology, which is more power-efficient than its predecessors. Apple said the M4 can deliver the same performance as the M2 chip in the previous iPad Pro models, using half the power.

According to Apple, the M4 delivers 50% faster CPU performance than the companys M2 silicon and four times better overall performance than M2.

A new version of Apple silicon making its debut in an iPad is a shift from where weve historically seen it introduced. It is consistent, though, with Apple positioning iPad as a full-featured main computer option, said Ross Rubin, the principal analyst with Reticle Research, a consumer technology advisory firm in New York City.

Rendering performance in apps like Octane sees a substantial upgrade with the M4 chip, now up to four times faster than previous iPad Pro models equipped with the M2. (Image Credit: Apple)

That they put their most advanced, highest-performance chip in the iPad lends credibility to their statements that they see the iPad as the future of the computer, he told TechNewsWorld.

They also released their professional apps on the platform, he continued. In some ways, that is a stronger endorsement of the iPad as a creative powerhouse. It also sends a strong signal to third-party developers, such as Adobe, that this an appropriate platform for those kinds of applications.

Thats been challenging for Apple in the past because when theyve talked about high performance, theyve shown games on the iPhone and iPad, he explained. That can be a great visual showcase, but for a product that can cost north of $1,000 and has a professional label affixed to it, you need to show that the productivity tools and capabilities are there.

Mikako Kitagawa, a director and analyst with Gartner, a research and advisory company based in Stamford, Conn., agreed. I see Apple trying to sharpen up the position of iPad as the best tablet for the creative professionals, she told TechNewsWorld.

Play To Boost Sales

Tirias McGregor reasoned that Apple will probably have different versions of the M4 for the various products in its portfolio, but introducing the chip in the iPad Pro is a significant move.

Coming out with this version specifically for the iPad Pro first makes a strong statement that Apple views the iPad as a critical product for the market, not an accessory product, he said. For many consumers, the iPad has become their primary computing platform.

Jitesh Ubrani, a research manager at IDC, a global market research company, concurred that introducing the M4 on the iPad Pro indicates Apple is taking the form factor seriously but still sees it as an add-on.

Its not a MacBook replacement by any means. Rather, its a complementary device, he told TechNewsWorld. Beyond that, I think the timing around the release of the M4 also puts pressure on Qualcomm as their comparisons with the M3 are immediately outdated.

Apples motivation behind introducing the M4 in the iPad line may also be a reaction to sales numbers. In the first six months of Apples fiscal 2024, which ends in September, iPad sales dropped more than 20% compared to the previous year, a worrying trend that Apple will be looking to reverse with todays new models, Felix Richter wrote for Statista on Tuesday.

Apples iPad revenue and its share of the companys total revenue

Will Kerwin, a technology equity analyst with Morningstar Research Services in Chicago, agreed. We believe this shows a recognition by the company that the iPad has been underperforming and warrants a priority in driving a return to growth, he told TechNewsWorld.

Pencils and Palettes

In addition to the Pro models, Apple introduced two new iPad Airs, an 11-inch and, for the first time, a 13-inch model, both with M2 silicon under the hood. The starting prices for the iPad Air models are $599 for the 11-inch and $799 for the 13-inch. The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $999, while the 13-inch model will sell starting at $1,299. The Air and Pro models will be available for purchase on May 15.

Two upgraded accessories were also announced at the Apple event: a new magic keyboard and a new pencil. Apple has added function keys to the keyboard, an aluminum palm rest, and a larger trackpad with haptic feedback.

The new Apple pencil has a sensor that allows a new tool palette to appear on an iPads screen by squeezing the barrel of the stylus. A gyroscope allows the pencil to be used more precisely.

Apple Pencil Pro brings support for Find My for the first time to Apple Pencil, helping users locate Pencil Pro if misplaced. It pairs, charges, and is stored on the side of the iPad Pro with a new magnetic interface. (Image Credit: Apple)

The pencil continues to show how Apple innovates, observed Mark N. Vena, president and principal analyst at SmartTech Research in San Jose, Calif.

You can use that stylus across their portfolio of iPads using the squeeze capability, he told TechNewsWorld. Thats a significant time-saver. I do a little digital editing on the iPad, and the ability to remove masks or edit things on the screen with precision is a big deal.

The Apple Pencil Pro is a big step forward in stylus capability for managing images and video content, he said.

The hovering capabilities, the ability to change the orientation of tools by squeezing the pencil before the stylus touches the surface of the iPad are all nifty touches that add to the creative experience, Rubin added.
Editor's take: Black holes fascinate me. Nobody knows what goes on inside the cosmic maw. Math and physics break down as we get closer to the singularity, so we can only use our imagination to wonder what it's like on the inside, but that's okay. Theoretical cosmologist and physicist Professor Janna Levin once said, "Black holes are the ideal fantasy scape on which to play out thought experiments that target the core truths about the cosmos."

On Monday, NASA released a video showing what a camera would theoretically capture if it spiraled into a black hole (below). The clip is reminiscent of those Winamp music visualizations in the 90s (and today). It's a trippy trip into the weird math and physics of a black hole.

The video starts with a not-so-distant approach to the black hole, where we can see the cosmic entity in its entirety and the universe beyond. Super-heated gases form the wide outer ring called the accretion disk. The thin inner one is the photon ring. Even this thin ring has layers comprised of "distorted images of the gas disk layered between the background sky." These layers continue as photons orbit the event horizon one or more times before reaching the camera.

In the video, you can see the entire background universe smashed between layers. However, as the camera crosses the event horizon, the "sky" shifts and appears to shrink as the camera moves progressively faster.

As the camera moves from space to the accretion disk, then to the photon ring, event horizon, and finally the singularity, it accelerates faster and faster until it has to be slowed down to see what's happening. The camera acceleration becomes exponential as it moves through the accretion disk toward the event horizon in a rapidly decaying orbit. After crossing the point of no return, it only takes microseconds before the hole destroys the camera in a process physicists call spaghettification.

Spaghettification is when the part of an object closer to a black hole experiences exponentially increasing gravitational force faster than the part that is further away. It essentially stretches and crushes objects into long, thin, spaghetti-like structures, hence the highly technical name.

NASA produced the simulation using the Discover supercomputer at the Goddard Space Flight Center. It only took five days to render the simulation using just 0.3 percent of Discover's processing power. For perspective, rendering it on a typical laptop would have taken over a decade. Be sure to watch the video to the end, as NASA explains everything better than I can.
What just happened? TikTok and its owner ByteDance have sued the US government to stop a bill passed last month that will force the sale of the app or ban it in the United States. The companies argue that the bill is unconstitutional and violates free speech rights.

A lawsuit filed by TikTok and ByteDance in the court of appeals for the District of Columbia calls the law an "unprecedented violation" of the First Amendment. The companies add that the requirement to divest TikTok to avoid a nationwide ban is not commercially, legally, or technically possible, partly because it would lead to the app operating in isolation from the rest of the world  most of TikTok's one billion users are outside of the US.

"For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban, and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than 1 billion people worldwide," ByteDance claims.

Many government and industry insiders, including former White House Chief Information Officer (CIO) Theresa Payton, previously said that ByteDance would never sell TikTok no matter the consequences. The Chinese owner confirmed this in the suit.

"There is no question: the Act will force a shutdown of TikTok by January 19, 2025, silencing the 170 million Americans who use the platform to communicate in ways that cannot be replicated elsewhere," the suit said.

Also confirmed in the lawsuit were the previous reports that ByteDance would not sell TikTok without its recommendation algorithm, which China added to its export control list in 2020 after then-President Donald Trump tried to force a sale.

The Chinese government "has made clear that it would not permit a divestment of the recommendation engine that is a key to the success of TikTok in the United States."

ByteDance wants the law to be declared an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment, adding that national security concerns are not sufficient reason to restrict free speech. It adds that the government has not proven such a restriction is warranted.

The free speech argument has saved TikTok before. The company sued Montana last year when the state tried to ban the app claiming First Amendment violations. A judge agreed with the company, but Montana's Attorney General is trying to overturn the ruling in the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court.

A group of lawmakers announced in March the bill that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok or see the app banned. President Biden signed the bill into law last month, giving ByteDance 270 days to comply, meaning a ban could come into effect on January 19, 2025, though Biden could extend the deadline to sell by three months if he determines ByteDance is making progress.

TikTok started Project Texas in 2022, designed to protect US users' data from its Chinese parent company. But former employees say the project is "largely cosmetic" and current staff continue to work closely with Beijing-based ByteDance executives.

TikTok could eventually face another legal battle, this one in Europe. The European Commission, which was the very first institution to ban TikTok on its corporate smartphones, hasn't ruled out following the US in implementing a widespread ban.
A recent study found hazardous carcinogens from flame retardants in vehicle cabins, suggesting that the "new car smell" may pose health hazards.

The study found that flame-retardant chemicals in seat foam and other automotive parts pollute all personal cars. Researchers discovered no verified fire-safety benefits from these compounds used to comply with outdated federal flammability regulations, as per a KPVI report.

Drivers, Travelers Exposed to Cancer-Causing Chemical

Chief researcher Rebecca Hoehn, a Duke University PhD student and toxicology expert, emphasizes the importance of this issue, especially for drivers with longer journeys and young passengers, who are more exposed.

Tris (1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), likely to cause cancer, was found in 99% of 101 US cars made in 2015 or later. Most autos also contained two hazardous flame retardants, TDCIPP and TCEP.

Warmer weather increases flame-retardant off-gassing, causing car interiors to reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Seat foam samples revealed a link between flame retardant cushioning and vehicle airborne pollutants.

A separate study by the Beijing Institute of Technology-Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found concerns about the interior air quality of a new mid-size SUV plug-in hybrid electric, as reported by Forbes.

The research found that the SUV's VOC levels exceeded Chinese safety guidelines. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde and benzene as class I carcinogens, while styrene poses health hazards.

Under varied weather conditions, the study team measured VOC concentrations in the parked SUV for 12 days, from July 21 to August 1, 2022. The goal was to show how temperature and humidity affect VOC levels.

During monitoring, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde concentrations exceeded Chinese safety regulations by 34.9% and 60.5%, respectively. Benzene levels were also high, suggesting that the air quality of the new car interior may be harmful.

Here's How to Keep Healthy Air Quality in Your Car

California has updated flammability regulations for furniture and infant goods without flame retardants, maintaining or improving safety, as recommended by experts. Flame retardant exposure extends beyond car interiors, with research linking it to cognitive deficiencies in children and cancer risks.

Moreover, Lydia Jahl, a senior scientist at the Green Science Policy Institute, stresses the importance of reducing vehicle flame retardant use to reduce commuting health concerns.

Meanwhile, the American Lung Association recommends certain strategies that reduce traffic-related pollutants and improve vehicle air quality, such as choosing less-crowded routes and driving off-peak.

To reduce exhaust emissions, the association suggests keeping a safe distance from other cars when driving and at traffic stops, when stalled in traffic or at stop lights, close automobile windows, and use recirculated cabin air. During lighter traffic, open windows for cleaner air circulation.

Moreover, the advocacy group advises cleaning the interior of automobiles to reduce dust and indoor air pollutants. It noted that regular cleaning and clutter reduction can be achieved without sprays or air fresheners. It also includes wiping door panels, consoles, and dashboards with a moist cloth to keep them clean while cleaning upholstery, carpeted floors, and mats to eliminate trash. To improve air quality, the group recommends avoiding smoking or vaping in cars.

It is also important to note that effective cabin air filtration requires regular inspection and maintenance. Unlike the engine air filter, the ventilation system's cabin air filter protects occupants from contaminants. Manufacturers recommend changing cabin air filters every 15,000 miles or as the car owner's handbook instructs.
Researchers have made progress in understanding the communication patterns of sperm whales around Dominica, suggesting that these majestic marine mammals might be using a "phonetic alphabet" to converse.

Decoding Sperm Whale Communication

Sperm whales, known for their complex social structures and profound intelligence, communicate using a series of rapid clicks, which have, until now, avoided thorough scientific interpretation.

A study spearheaded by the Cetacean Translation Initiative (CETI) and led by David Gruber of the City University of New York analyzed over 8,700 sequences of clicks, known as codas.

Researchers identified four basic components within these codas that form a phonetic alphabet. This discovery is monumental as it suggests that sperm whales might construct words and phrases to interact with each other, much like humans do.

The Social Lives of Sperm Whales

Diving deeper into the social fabric of these cetaceans, the study sheds light on their interesting relationships.

According to ABCNews, sperm whales are not only the largest-brained mammals on Earth but also showcase intricate social behaviors. They live in matriarchal groups, often merging with other pods, which can number in the hundreds.

The complicated communication system of sperm whales likely plays a crucial role in maintaining these complex social structures, and by understanding their language, scientists hope to uncover more about sperm whale society and how it parallels human social constructs.

Technological Advancements in Research

To gather sufficient data, CETI researchers set up an extensive underwater recording studio around Dominica, where around 200 whales reside.

This setup, equipped with microphones placed at various depths, captures the nuances of whale communication in different scenarios, such as sleeping, diving, or socializing.

Pratyusha Sharma, the study's lead author, said, "It doesn't appear that they have a fixed set of codas."

Sharma added that sperm whales might have a "very large dictionary" that could further explain why they have access to a "much larger communication system."

The potential of artificial intelligence is a key component in deciphering the vast amounts of data collected. AI technology could significantly accelerate the analysis, helping scientists understand and predict sperm whale behavior based on their communication patterns.

Study Could Help Conserve Sperm Whales

The implications of this research extend beyond academic curiosity. Jeremy Goldbogen, an associate professor at Stanford University, emphasizes the conservation potential of understanding sperm whale communication.

Insights from such studies could inform strategies to reduce risks like ship collisions and disturbances from ocean noise.

Sperm whales have historically been hunted for their oil, and while commercial whaling has ceased, the species continues to recover slowly.

Effective conservation efforts, bolstered by understanding their communication, could help protect these majestic creatures for future generations.

While the current findings are promising, much remains to be done. CETI's ongoing efforts aim to compile a more comprehensive database of whale codas, which could eventually crack the code of sperm whale communication.

Understanding these patterns may someday allow us to predict and perhaps even respond to sperm whale needs, marking a significant breakthrough in marine biology and animal communication research.

This study highlights the potential for interspecies communication understanding and underscores the necessity of integrating advanced technology with marine research to protect and understand our planet's remarkable biodiversity.

The study, recently published in Nature Communications, could pave the way for enhanced protection measures for these vulnerable giants of the ocean.

You can also visit The Dominica Sperm Whale Project to learn more about their future studies on these creatures.
Apple removed the actual SIM slot from its latest iPad Air and iPad Pro cellular devices, moving toward eSIM.

As reported by The Verge, this shift follows the iPhone 14s, demonstrating Apple's commitment to eSIM technology across its product range.

The 2024 Apple iPad models solely accept eSIM, unlike the iPhone 14, which simply deleted the SIM slot in the US but kept it elsewhere.

Apple's UK and Canadian retail sites note that the new iPads don't support physical SIM cards, underscoring its eSIM commitment.

eSIM Tech: Say Goodbye to Physical SIM

Recently, most flagship smartphones have featured eSIM technology. Apple smartphones only support eSIM, which sets them apart.

Many users may easily set up or transfer an eSIM, but those who often switch SIM cards, especially between platforms like Android, may struggle.

Despite customer worries, iPad eSIM-only seems like a natural progression. Most customers only insert a SIM card once; therefore, eSIM might simplify the selection of iPad mobile data packages.

iPad users may choose their mobile data provider, unlike Apple Watch users, who must match the eSIM carrier of the associated iPhone.

2024 Apple iPads: Other Features and Pricing

Apple introduced the M2 processor in its first iPad Air upgrade in two years at its Let Loose presentation, per Engadget.

While not Apple's newest chipset, the M2 processor is 50% quicker than the M1, making the tablet three times faster than its predecessor, powered by the 2020 A14 Bionic CPU.

The new iPad Pro vs iPad Air



Which one would you pick? pic.twitter.com/MNTvhUl03z  Apple Hub (@theapplehub) May 7, 2024

A 13-inch screen option joins the 11-inch model, equating the iPad Air and iPad Pro in display size. The 13-inch model has 30% more screen space than the smaller one.

Apple upped the iPad Air's standard capacity to 128GB, with options up to 1TB. Blue and purple join the current starlight and space-gray finishes.

Despite speculations of a mini-LED display, both variants have liquid retina displays. However, expert Ross Young expects a mini-LED iPad Air upgrade later this year.

Moving the 12MP front-facing camera to the landscape border of the display improves video calls. The rear camera captures 4K video at 240 fps and reduces background noise with twin mics. The 13-inch stereo landscape speaker has twice the bass.

Moreover, the latest Apple iPad Air supports Wi-Fi 6E for faster internet and 5G with eSIM for cellular connections. The 1TB and 2TB versions have 10-core CPUs, while the 256GB and 512GB versions have 9-core CPUs.

Both have 10-core GPUs and 16-core neural engines. Devices with more storage have doubled the RAM to 16GB from 8GB.

The latest Apple devices cost $599 for the 11-inch and $799 for the 13-inch, plus $150 for cellular connectivity. Pre-orders for both models begin today, and sales start May 15. The 2024 Apple iPad Pros will be available online in 29 countries and in Apple stores.

The new iPads' 1TB and 2TB versions include $100 nano-texture glass options.These prices are for Wi-Fi tablets. Models with 5G cost $200 more, according to GSMArena.
There is no holding back for TikTok and ByteDance as they filed their promised lawsuit against the United States government for the recently approved "Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications" law, which is on its way to banning the app.

TikTok and its CEO previously revealed that they will file a suit against the US if the bill is approved into law, which is known for threatening the app's operations in the country.

For several months, TikTok faced hearings and legal fights behind the US' deliberations, urging the public to protest against this and stop it from becoming law.

TikTok, ByteDance Sue US on 'Foreign Adversary' Law

TikTok and ByteDance finally filed their complaint and lawsuit against the United States government, sent to the District of Columbia Circuit, US Court of Appeals marking the beginning of its legal battle.

This goes against the recently signed "Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications" law that has the authoritative power to ban TikTok and its operations in the country.

While it gives TikTok an option to continue operating in the country, neither TikTok nor ByteDance is willing to divest and go their separate ways.

The complaint calls this new law "unconstitutional," stating that this ban could "silence" as many as 170 million Americans using the platform, going against the First Amendment's free speech provision.

Read Also: TikTok Ban: No Selling, Divest Operations Amidst US Shut Down Threats

TikTok Wants to Block US Law That Will Ban Them

Furthermore, TikTok and ByteDance want the court to issue a prohibiting enforcement order on the law, a.k.a. to block it and prevent it from compelling the social media to sell to an American company.

TikTok said the government is not allowed to "dictate the ownership" of media entities like newspapers, websites, online platforms, and more, including themselves, under the Constitution's First Amendment.

TikTok vs. US: New Law and Looming Ban

Initially known as the RESTRICT Act from the US House of Representatives under Rep. Mike Gallagher and other sponsors, the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications law was recently approved by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden.

It first passed through Congress and the Senate before being handed over to the POTUS, and Biden was known for supporting it while it was still under review.

Threats against TikTok's operations are massive, and its days are numbered before it takes effect. They have 180 days to sell to a US company or face the ban.

However, TikTok previously vowed that it would do everything in its power to stay as it is, previously claiming that there would be a legal battle once this passes as a law.

That time is now, as TikTok went on the offensive and filed a complaint against the US in the Appeals court, looking to counter the recently signed law and continue its setup.

TikTok and ByteDance are not letting this slide, as it plans to remain one entity for its continued US operations, calling this law unconstitutional and wanting to block it for their cause.
A new and secure GPT-4-based AI chatbot from Microsoft is designed for spies and US intelligence.

This new chatbot can help analyze information data more securely, as it was made to operate without an internet connection, unlike the regular ChatGPT AI chatbot.

It is based on the renowned GPT-4 from OpenAI, which may also mean it could hallucinate and fabricate false information if not careful.

Microsoft Brings the GPT-Based AI Chatbot for Spies for US Intelligence

Microsoft delivered its latest AI chatbot development, a GPT-4-based model meant to be used by US intelligence for their analysis and search for classified information, as reported by Bloomberg.

In this version, Microsoft created a new generative AI chatbot that is not connected to the internet, so it would not have the risks that the standard version has.

This new GPT-4-based AI chatbot was said to feature secure communications between US intelligence agencies and the AI. However, it is unknown if its interface resembles ChatGPT and Copilot's.

Moreover, GPT-4 is the latest LLM from OpenAI which features the latest development, capable of predicting tokens, also known as fragments from encoded data, said Ars Technica.

ChatGPT But For Spies? Helping US Intelligence Analyze Data

Microsoft used GPT-4 to power this new chatbot like ChatGPT, with the US intelligence's generative AI not yet given its name by the Redmond-based software company.

It will help analyze confidential and top-secret information for US intelligence and spy agencies, and this secure version ensures that it would not have leaks and be accessible, unlike ChatGPT.

AI Chatbots for Government and Military Use

The world of defense, government, and spies has always been confidential and kept a secret, ensuring the country has ample information to prepare for threats and discover any other form of conflict around them.

That being said, AI is the latest development in the world, among the most advanced, and is recently seeing its government application use worldwide.

Recently, President Joe Biden allocated as much as $3.3 billion for AI application and development across US federal agencies and the government.

On the other hand, there is much research and development on the US military's end-utilization of AI for various applications, including battle planning through StarCraft II.

Initially, there was a massive concern and reluctance to use AI for the government, but it was later considered a valuable tech to explore and possibly apply for future needs.

Now, another development was delivered to the US, focusing on the GPT-4-powered AI chatbot that could power its search for intelligence, centering on Microsoft's tech for spy agencies.
Austria's Sonnenkraft has recently unveiled a new red-framed solar panel dubbed "Terracotta" that is complementary to most red-tiled roofs and is generally building-approved.

The German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt) has granted general building approval for the 400W double-glass solar panels with red frames. They have a 20.02% power conversion efficiency and use TopCon solar cells.





The managing director of Sonnenkraft, located in St. Veit a der Glan, Peter Prasser, unveiled the new solar module and praised its "Terracotta" panels for their potential to ensure that the preservation of monuments and the generation of sustainable energy work together.

According to Prasser, the terracotta module gives local added value and is the ideal choice for design-conscious clients with red-tiled roofs.

Solar energy systems are widely recognized for their advantages. Once installed, a solar system can help cut down on hazardous emissions, save power expenses, and even raise the value of a home.

Solar Energy's Costs

Most people find the thought of paying to install a solar system daunting. Sources indicate that the average home will cost between $15,000 and $20,000 to install solar panels.

This represents the full installation cost. Numerous tax breaks and credits have been developed by both the federal and local governments to promote the use of solar panels.

However, according to a previous report, even with the substantial 30% federal solar tax credit, the installation's overall cost is usually far higher than $10,000.

Specifically, a household solar system normally costs between $10,290 and $20,580 in the United States.

Biden's Solar Push

Biden recently celebrated Earth Day with a primary focus on solar power, revealing that it is rolling out $7 billion in federal grants for solar power projects to benefit low-income communities.

The US EPA's Solar for All initiative, which will supply residential solar power projects to over 900,000 low-income and disadvantaged households nationally, will be the source of the additional money.

A net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050 and a zero-carbon power sector by 2035 are two further objectives that the program will help the administration achieve.

According to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, the chosen individuals will promote solar energy projects around the nation, which will result in the creation of numerous well-paying jobs, a reduction of $8 billion in family energy expenses, improved air quality, and the fight against climate change.

Furthermore, the administration claims that solar projects financed by this effort will generate close to 200,000 jobs.

In addition, the program supports Biden's Justice40 project, which aims to provide 40% of government funds for affordable and sustainable housing, clean energy, and other projects to underserved regions.

Despite recent expenditures, the US still has a ways to go regarding solar energy. Official statistics show that only about 3.4% of the electricity generated in the United States comes from solar energy, a small increase from 2.8% in 2021.

Solar power also produced energy from renewable sources, which increased from 13.5% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2022.

Related Article: Biden Administration Plans to Lift Tariff Exemptions on Chinese Solar Panel Technology

(Photo: Tech Times)
As countries worldwide increasingly adopt renewable energy sources, the United States lags, primarily due to its preference for gas over cleaner alternatives.

Despite the growing momentum towards sustainability seen internationally, the U.S. appears to be struggling to match the pace of this transition.

US Faces Energy Transition Challenges Amid Global Shift

According to the annual global electricity review by energy think tank Ember, the US is witnessing a decline in the use of fossil fuel-fired power plants, suggesting a potential peak in electricity generation and greenhouse gas emissions in 2023.

The Verge reported that this pivotal moment signifies a significant shift in global energy dynamics. Renewable sources accounted for a record 30 percent of electricity production globally last year, primarily driven by solar and wind power expansion.

Despite projections indicating a 2 percent decrease in fossil fuel-powered electricity in 2024, the US's transition to cleaner energy sources needs to catch up, raising concerns about its commitment to combating climate change.

Dave Jones, Ember's insights director, conveyed in an email statement that reducing power sector emissions is now unavoidable.

He highlighted 2023 as a pivotal moment in energy history, indicating a significant turning point. However, Jones emphasized that the rate of progress hinges on the ongoing momentum of the renewables revolution.

Also read : AI Data Centers Restricted Worldwide Due to Energy Consumption

The transition towards renewable energy could be accelerating faster if it weren't for the United States's influence. Despite being the largest gas producer globally, the US consumed unprecedented quantities last year, impeding the global decline in electricity generation from gas observed by Ember in 2023.

Excluding the US, other economies collectively reduced their gas-powered electricity generation by 62 terawatt hours compared to the previous year. However, during the same period, the US significantly increased its gas-based electricity generation by 115 terawatt hours.

One significant contributing factor to this issue is the United States' tendency to replace aging coal-powered plants, known for their high carbon emissions, with gas-fired plants instead of cleaner energy alternatives.

According to Jones, this shift represents a transition from one fossil fuel source to another. After two decades of heavily relying on gas-powered plants, the US faces a substantial challenge in transitioning towards a genuinely clean power system.

Ember reports that the United States obtains only 23 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, which is lower than the global average of 30 percent.

IEA Projections and Global Renewable Commitments

Ember's findings align closely with projections made by the International Energy Agency (IEA), which declared the shift towards clean energy " inevitable " in October.

The IEA anticipates a peak in global demand for coal, gas, and oil within this decade, encompassing all energy sectors, not just electricity. Additionally, the IEA foresees renewables comprising nearly half of the world's electricity supply by 2030.

Ember's outlook has brightened following the commitment of over 130 nations to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 at a United Nations climate summit held in December.

This significant advancement could propel global renewable electricity to reach 60 percent by the decade's end, a substantial leap from less than 20 percent observed in 2000.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York voiced remorse regarding an offhand remark she made during a spontaneous conversation.

She indicated that her comment, implying a lack of familiarity among Black children in the Bronx with the term "computer," was not intended to offend or stereotype.

Governor Hochul's Remark Raises Concerns

Speaking at a large business conference in California to discuss expanding economic opportunities in artificial intelligence for low-income communities, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, commented without prior preparation.

During her speech at the Milken Institute Global Conference, she brought attention to the fact that young Black children growing up in the Bronx may not be familiar with the concept of a "computer."

The remark wasn't addressed during the interview. Governor Hochul further elaborated that her objective is to facilitate access to emerging artificial intelligence technologies for communities of color to tackle social inequality.

Hochul emphasized that Black children in the Bronx are indeed familiar with computers; however, the Associated Press reported that the real issue lies in their limited access to the technology necessary for pursuing lucrative careers in burgeoning fields such as AI.

Also read : New York City's AI Chatbot Under Fire for Dispensing Inaccurate Advice to Businesses

Hochul attended the Milken Institute Global Conference to address New York's artificial intelligence initiative. Engaging in a fireside chat, she outlined a new AI consortium comprising universities and state schools.

Highlighting the initiative, she mentioned that state-raised funds would be allocated to construct a supercomputer accessible to researchers.

From the onset of her administration, she has prioritized expanding economic opportunities, reaffirming her commitment to leveling the playing field for all New Yorkers.

Mixed Reactions to Governor Hochul's Remarks

As Governor Hochul's remarks garnered increasing attention and scrutiny online, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, whose constituency includes the Bronx in the Legislature, publicly came to her defense.

Heastie extended his support for Governor Hochul, noting that although her wording may have been inelegant and offensive, he believes her intentions are genuinely aimed at ensuring the success of all students.

Meanwhile, BBC reported that Bronx elected officials voiced significant concern and condemnation regarding the governor's comments. Assemblymember Karines Reyes, who identifies as Afro-Latina, articulated feeling "deeply disturbed" by Ms. Hochul's remarks.

Amanda Septimo, an assembly member representing the South Bronx and of African descent, characterized the comments as "harmful, deeply misinformed, and genuinely appalling."
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now looking at artificial intelligence to act like refugees during practice interviews for immigration officers, as confirmed by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

A bid to help train the officers in making more accurate decisions while reviewing applicants for refugee status.

According to Mayorkas, the effort tackles labor-intensive training that usually entails senior staff members. He stated that DHS is training robots to simulate refugees in this pilot program so that officers may get experience interrogating them.





In particular, the department announced that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, an organization under DHS, would develop an AI program that would customize training materials to officers' requirements and equip them to make more accurate decisions.

According to sources, AI will not decide on immigration independently; however, according to Mayorkas, AI will assist officers by identifying conditions unique to each country and other relevant data.

DHS's AI Initiatives

Speaking outside the security-focused RSA Conference in San Francisco, the speaker expanded on DHS's earlier-in-the-year announcements about artificial intelligence (AI).

According to the government, it intends to use so-called generative AI, which generates original information from historical data, to build an interactive app to enhance the training it provides to immigration agents.

The pilot is an addition to the numerous experiments conducted by the government and industry to use AI to lower costs and boost performance, especially after ChatGPT's 2022 viral launch. Problems with translation, wrong timeframes, and pronouns have arisen during this experimentation.

Mayorkas stated that the department has tried to identify irregularities when commercial trucks and passenger cars cross borders, among other more "advanced" uses of AI.

He stated that the intention is to assist the department in identifying attempts to smuggle fentanyl and other illegal goods into the country.

DHS' Collaborations With AI Giants

The DHS's AI initiatives align with previous reports from March, in which the organization stated that it would collaborate with Anthropic, Meta, and OpenAI on its three recently created AI-focused projects.

At the time, generative AI was reported to be implemented by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of an AI pilot program to expedite local governments' risk reduction planning processes.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will use massive language models to quickly sift through massive data warehouses and accelerate its investigative reports. HSI investigates child exploitation, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.

Sources claim that if AI is applied to reviewing homeland security investigations involving blue pickup trucks, it might make it simpler for detectives to pinpoint suspects who fit the description.

Additionally, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which conducts initial assessments for asylum seekers, will train staff members using chatbots.

The organization selected Meta, Anthropic, and OpenAI to test several technologies. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon cloud service providers will be used in its trial programs.

(Photo: Tech Times)
Newly discovered hydrothermal vents at a depth of 8366 feet below the ocean surface are emitting fluids exceeding 300C. Sentry and Alvin collaborated on the discovery, greatly expediting the research process.

Unveiling Five Hydrothermal Vents in the Pacific Ocean

Exploration in the depths of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean has led to the remarkable discovery of five new active hydrothermal vents, each releasing superheated fluids exceeding 300C.

Situated at a depth of 2,550 meters, these vents represent fascinating phenomena where scorching water erupts through the ocean floor.

This discovery was made possible through the combined efforts of advanced technology, including Sentry, an autonomous underwater vehicle, and Alvin, a manned submersible.

Their collaborative approach not only facilitated the identification of these vents but also accelerated the overall research process, shedding light on the dynamic and enigmatic world beneath the ocean surface.

Ross Parnell-Turner, a co-lead scientist on the expedition, emphasized the significance of utilizing advanced deep-sea submersibles to explore the construction of the seafloor in remote and harsh environments.

The team, led by Jill McDermott of Lehigh University, uncovered these vents on the East Pacific Rise, a volcanic region situated approximately 10 North latitude in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The vents have been releasing fluids, and their temperatures have exceeded 300C.

The emergence of these vents can be attributed to the continuous separation of tectonic plates along the East Pacific Rise, located within the extensive mid-ocean ridge volcanic mountain chain.

In this specific area, the two tectonic plates have been diverging at a rate of approximately 11 centimeters per year. Thibaut Barreyre, a co-lead scientist on the expedition representing CNRS, Univ Brest, France, highlighted that the mid-ocean ridge contributes to over 75% of all volcanic activity on Earth.

Barreyre, an expert in thermal measurements and modeling of hydrothermal vents, emphasized the prevalence of deep-sea hot springs on the East Pacific Rise, which collectively extract 10% of the Earth's total internal heat.

The researchers aim to deepen their understanding of how hydrothermal vents release heat and chemicals as they interact with the seafloor, impacting the global ocean.

Initially, Sentry was deployed during the nighttime to generate high-resolution maps using its sensors. These maps were then analyzed to plan the human expedition to the site during daylight hours, allowing for firsthand data collection.

McDermott highlighted the importance of Sentry's high-resolution maps, enabling the identification of potential new hydrothermal fields shortly after Sentry returns on deck.

This provides valuable targets for Alvin, offering the opportunity for multiple discoveries in a single dive.

Unveiling Deep-Sea Phenomena

Hydrothermal vents sustain life even in the deepest and darkest corners of the ocean floor.

Scientists hope to gain insights into conditions that might support life beyond our planet, such as on Enceladus, a moon of Saturn believed to possess hydrothermal vents beneath its icy surface.

Furthermore, understanding hydrothermal vents aids in comprehending the various geophysical, chemical, and biological processes that shape Earth.

The research team plans to use Sentry and Alvin to delve deeper into this hydrothermal activity and volcanism along the East Pacific Rise.

Alvin, which has been pivotal in discovering numerous hydrothermal vents since 1977, initially explored an oceanic spreading ridge north of the Galapagos Islands.
The United Nations is reportedly lobbying to increase awareness of artificial intelligence weapons with hopes that such awareness would quicken discussions relating to international regulations on AI.

According to a report from NHK, the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Nakamitsu Izumi, expressed her crisis over developing AI weapons intended for use in conflict.

She expressed her concern that the development of AI weaponry will fundamentally alter how conflicts are planned and carried out.

There is rising concern regarding lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), which choose and strike targets independently of human guidance.





Artificial intelligence-equipped drones, like the ones seen in Ukraine, have shown in the past that they can locate targets independently if their connection to their operators is lost.

Furthermore, there have been rumors that the US is looking into how the Israeli military uses artificial intelligence to find targets in Gaza to attack.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged member states to build a legally binding framework by 2026 because there are no international regulations governing LAWS. Given that AI weapons are already being developed for conflict, she expressed a sense of panic.

Izumi's worries about AI weapons are similar to those of Austria, which sounded the alarm about the necessity of swift international action to control AI weapons systems in the face of mounting worries about creating "killer robots."

Nakamitsu discussed the differences in technology development between those nations and others that are not. She said powerful military nations are vying for control over the advancement of LAWS and hope to obtain an advantage in the talks.

Read Also: Russian Defense Ministry Announces Tactical Nuclear Weapons Drills Amid Rising Tensions with the West

Global Talks on AI Weapons

She also mentioned the possibility of terrorists and other parties abusing AI. Similarly, Austria called a conference on April 29 to revive discussions on this pressing issue. Austria discussed the ethical and legal concerns surrounding using AI in combat during the summit.

The need for international agreements on guidelines and standards to guarantee human control over AI weapons was emphasized by Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg during the meeting.

He advocated for human oversight in crucial decision-making processes and cautioned against the grave consequences of letting robots decide "who lives and who dies."

US on AI-Controlled Nuclear Weapons

The United States themselves have declared not to allow AI to decide whether or not nuclear weapons should be deployed. United States Department arms control official Paul Dean then urged both Russia and China to make a declaration on AI against nuclear weapon deployment.

Dean's statements align with U.S. President Joe Biden's bilateral talks with China, which aim to broaden the conversation to include topics such as AI development and nuclear weapons policy.

According to sources, the two parties have decided to conduct their first bilateral meeting to discuss artificial intelligence in the upcoming weeks. They will also discuss the best ways to manage technology-related risks and security.

(Photo: Tech Times)
A recent development in the realm of facial recognition technology addresses the challenges posed by face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, promising to recognize the face despite the mask, as reported in Inderscience.

However, the question arises: Is this still relevant to the post-COVID world?

New Software Solution Promises to Enhance Facial Recognition Despite Masks

Researchers from the University Hassiba Benbouali of Chlef in Algeria have created a new software solution that aims to enhance facial recognition capabilities even when individuals wear masks.

The study highlights the potential of this software, which has been trained using a substantial database of photographs featuring individuals in varied poses and expressions, with simulated masks superimposed onto their faces.

Freha Mezzoudj and Chahreddine Medjahed, from the Department of Computer Science, spearheaded the creation of a comprehensive database dedicated to masked faces, FEI-SM.

This database includes images of 2,000 unmasked faces alongside a substantial collection of 18,000 "masked" faces depicting different face coverings, ranging from surgical to consumer-grade masks.

The primary objective behind this initiative is to facilitate biometric identification in scenarios where mask-wearing has become a norm.

The software leverages advanced convolutional neural network (CNN) systems, a subset of artificial intelligence, to tackle the intricate challenge of recognizing faces obscured by masks.

ResNET18 for Unmasking

Among the various CNN models testedincluding ResNet18, ResNet50, ResNet101, DarkNet19, and DarkNet53the research team identified ResNet18 as the most accurate and efficient biometric identification task involving masked faces.

This model demonstrated superior recognition accuracy and processing speed, underscoring its potential for real-world deployment in security and identification systems.

Facial recognition technology has gained prominence as a reliable biometric authentication method. It is employed extensively in smartphone unlocking mechanisms, building access control, and law enforcement applications to identify individuals in various contexts, including potential criminal activities.

The researchers emphasize the significance of deep learning techniques, particularly CNNs, which have traditionally struggled with facial recognition when faced with individuals wearing masks.

The FEI-SM database serves as a valuable resource for training and validating these systems, enabling researchers to evaluate and enhance the performance of facial recognition software in real-world scenarios.

Despite the promising outcomes of their experiments, there is still uncertainty about the software's practical implications and limitations.

While ResNet18 emerged as the preferred model based on their tests, ongoing research may still be required to address challenges such as diverse lighting conditions, varying mask types, and facial expressions.

The study, "Efficient masked face identification biometric systems based on ResNet and DarkNet convolutional neural networks," was published in the International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics.
A new smartphone application developed by researchers at ETH Zurich aims to tackle the issue of document forgery by providing a convenient and reliable method to verify the authenticity of various items, including documents extracted from the debt enforcement register of the City of Zurich.

Smartphone App Aims to Unmask Forged Documents

Document forgery poses a significant challenge due to the potential consequences of such fraudulent activities. To combat this, researchers from the Information Security group, led by David Basin, have devised a smartphone app designed to disrupt forgers' efforts.

When an organization issues a document, it includes a QR code linked to an encrypted version of the original document stored on a server.

Additionally, a printed copy of the document is provided to the recipient. To verify the authenticity of the printed document, the recipient uses the organization's verification app to scan the QR code and records the document using the app's camera until it's authenticated.

This verification process typically takes just over a second. The app analyzes the sequence of images captured during filming, comparing them to the original document and highlighting any discrepancies in real-time on the screen. However, the filmed document is not stored on the smartphone for privacy reasons.

One of the main challenges the researchers faced was ensuring that only relevant differences were flagged during the verification process. Furthermore, the app can verify documents when the recipient films a scanned version on a computer screen.

Martin Ochoa, the lead author of the research article detailing this technology, emphasized the complementary relationship between the digital and physical worlds. He founded ETH spin-off thenti with David Basin to capitalize on this technology.

Read Also : Google Brings AI-Enhanced Security Tools in SecOps for Enhanced Cyber Threat Management





Thenti's Business Model

In 2015 alone, reports indicated that a "degree mill" sold over 200,000 forged academic certificates, amassing approximately USD 50 million. Institutions like the City of Zurich face similar challenges, particularly concerning the authenticity of documents required for essential transactions.

The debt enforcement register maintained by the City of Zurich provides critical information about individuals' financial histories, impacting their eligibility for various services.

Unfortunately, document forgery remains a prevalent issue, according to the research team, leading to considerable costs and inefficiencies for regulatory authorities and service providers.

Thenti's business model incorporates a subscription-based approach. It allows free initial usage for a specified number of verifications. After this, users must subscribe to continue using the app's services.

Looking ahead, the development team at thenti is exploring additional applications for the app, including the ability to verify three-dimensional objects

"When we heard about the technology, we knew immediately that this was something of potential interest for us," Alejandra Itel, Organizational and IT Project Manager at Zurich City Council, said in an official statement.

"On the one hand, because it could solve an expensive problem for us, and, on the other, because it would enable us to contribute to strengthening trust and security."

The team's findings were presented at the Annual Computer Security Applications Conference.

Related Article : Twitch Moves Beyond Gaming as It Steps Into News Coverage




The European Union's climate change monitoring service stated that April 2024 was the hottest April ever, continuing an unparalleled sequence of record-breaking temperatures for 12 months.



The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reports that each month since June 2023 has broken temperature records, the longest stretch in history. The 12-month worldwide average temperature, including April, achieved a new high of 1.61 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial period of 1850-1900.



Scientists are keenly studying these extremes, including whether human activity has tipped the climate system. Julien Nicolas, C3S Senior Climate Scientist, emphasized that many experts worry about major climate change.

Asia Impacted By Record-High Temperatures

Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion contribute to climate change. Moreover, the El Nino phenomenon, which heats surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, has also caused extreme heat.



C3S reported above-average rainfall in April over Europe, while southern Spain, Italy, and the Western Balkans were drier, while Eastern Australia saw considerable rainfall, while most of the nation had below-normal precipitation, like northern Mexico, per Al Jazeera.

The C3S dataset, extending back to 1940, shows that April 2024 was the warmest April since the pre-industrial period, emphasizing the need to address climate change globally.



Separately, the "State of the Climate in Asia 2023" study from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlights the increasing rise of crucial climate change indicators in Asia. Surface temperature, glacier retreat, and sea level rise are all increasing, affecting society, economics, and ecosystems.



The analysis found that in 2023, north-west Pacific Ocean sea-surface temperatures hit record highs while the Arctic Ocean witnessed a marine heatwave. Asia is warming faster than the world average, roughly tripling during 1961-1990, per the agency's media release.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the report's findings. In 2023, several nations in the area suffered droughts, heatwaves, floods, and storms. "The report's conclusions are sobering," she said.

Experts Warn Over Treating Forests as Carbon Commodities

In another news, the International Union of Forest Research Organizations published a study that highlights global trends in forest governance, indicating potential drawbacks in efforts to address climate change.



The study warns against focusing simply on trees' carbon worth, despite increased global and regional commitments to stop deforestation, according to Scientific American. It warns that ignoring forests' additional advantages, such as Indigenous cultural value, might lead to global forest management inequalities.



The research also highlighted the expanding use of market-based solutions like forest carbon markets, which let companies buy carbon offsets to save trees. However, researchers warn that many carbon offset schemes may not cut emissions or safeguard forests.



Market-based incentives may exclude local populations from forest management choices and prioritize short-term financial advantages above sustainable practices, the study warns. The report's co-author, Oxford social scientist Constance McDermott, stresses the necessity of state regulation and community-led efforts for appropriate management of forests.
AstraZeneca has recently announced the withdrawal of its Covid-19 vaccine. This vaccine has been used widely worldwide, with over three billion doses administered so far.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced on Wednesday the withdrawal of approval for AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria vaccine. The decision was made "at the request of the marketing authorization holder," according to the regulator.

AstraZeneca Discontinues COVID-19 Vaccine Amid Surplus, Emerging Variants

Once hailed as a game-changer in the fight against the pandemic with an efficacy of 72 percent, the vaccine is being taken off the market due to what AstraZeneca describes as a "surplus of available updated vaccines" amid the rise of new coronavirus variants.

The company stated that this surplus has led to declining demand for its vaccine, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

Speaking with BBC, Prof Adam Finn from the University of Bristol, notes that the withdrawal of the vaccine reflects its diminishing usefulness in combating the evolving variants of the virus. He emphasized that the original vaccines have become less relevant, and only the reformulated vaccines are likely to be in use now.

AstraZeneca's decision comes amid alarming reports of rare side effects associated with the vaccine, including blood clots and low blood platelet counts.

The company has acknowledged these side effects in court documents, contributing to a dent in the vaccine's reputation and leading some countries, like the UK, to turn to alternative vaccines.

AstraZeneca Vaccine Saved Millions of Lives

Despite this, AstraZeneca remains proud of the vaccine's impact. The company stated that it was "incredibly proud" of the vaccine, which was estimated to have saved millions of lives during the pandemic's early stages. Independent estimates suggest that over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of the vaccine's use alone.

The vaccine's development process was unprecedented, taking about ten months instead of the usual ten years. In 2020, it was praised by many experts as highly effective, also highlighting its affordability and ease of storage. The UK initially relied on AstraZeneca vaccination as a strategy to lift lockdowns.

However, as the pandemic progressed and new variants emerged, demand shifted towards newer, updated vaccines that more closely match the mutated forms of COVID-19. AstraZeneca's withdrawal reflects this changing landscape of vaccine demand and effectiveness.

In addition to withdrawing the vaccine globally, AstraZeneca will withdraw its marketing authorizations within Europe. This decision aligns with the company's strategic focus on other areas of medical research and development.

Last year, AstraZeneca began diversifying into respiratory syncytial virus vaccines and obesity drugs, indicating a broader shift in the pharmaceutical industry.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.
In the first quarter of 2024, Apple implemented strategic price reductions on the iPhone in China, which significantly mitigated the anticipated decline in sales within the region. At that time, the sales improved to 12% according to Bloomberg.

According to the latest government data released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, these timely discounts have played a crucial role in stabilizing Apple's performance in the highly competitive Chinese market.

If it wasn't for iPhone discounts in the country, the Cupertino giant's sales might plunge even deeper than expected.

Impact of Price Adjustments on Sales

The decision to lower iPhone prices at the end of February was important for Apple, as it helped cushion the blow of a potentially steep sales drop.

Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, reported during an earnings call that sales in Mainland China had only decreased by 8%, a figure much more favorable than the 25% decline analysts had initially projected.

Related Article : Apple Falls in Chinese Smartphone Market as iPhone Shipments Slip to 5th

Overview of Smartphone Sales in China

China Academy of Information and Communications Technology reports that foreign-branded smartphone sales experienced a notable surge, reaching 3.75 million units sold, an increase of approximately 12% year-over-year.

However, it's important to note that while there was an increase in sales volume, overall shipments of iPhones by foreign companies, including Apple, still saw a 27% decline in the same quarter, factoring in the discounts applied.

China is All Business in Smartphone Industry

Apple Insider highlights that the smartphone market in China is fiercely competitive, with local and international brands vying for consumer loyalty.

Apple's significant market share, accounting for between 17% to 20% of its total global iPhone sales quarterly, highlights the importance of China as a key market for the company.

Despite challenges such as aggressive pricing by competitors and regulatory hurdles, Apple has managed to maintain a strong foothold.

The report also indicates that while the iPhone maker faces stiff competition from other global giants like Samsung, it remains the predominant foreign brand in China.

This is evident with the popularity of models such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which were among the best-selling smartphones in urban China during the quarter, according to Cook.

"I feel great that in an extraordinary competitive environment that we grew iPhone sales in mainland China last quarter. That may come as a surprise to some people. And so I feel good about China, I think more about long term than I do the next week or so," Cook said during the latest earnings report.

Apple is Hopeful to Dominate China Smartphone Market

Despite the downturn, Apple's leadership remains optimistic about the company's prospects in China. The strategic pricing adjustments and the company's ability to outperform Wall Street's revenue expectations, earning $90.8 billion in the March quarter, indicate that it has hidden tricks aimed at attracting more iPhone buyers in the region.

For sure, it won't be an easy battle for Apple which needs to double-time to keep up with Huawei, the current number-one smartphone brand in China.

In other news, 9to5Mac reports that Apple commits to helping the recent Brazil flooding victims through donations.
Pfizer has reached a major settlement in a legal battle concerning its recalled heartburn medication, Zantac.

According to a Bloomberg report, Pfizer has agreed to settle over 10,000 lawsuits that accused the company of concealing the cancer risks associated with Zantac. This settlement marks the largest deal yet in the litigation surrounding the popular antacid drug.

Pfizer Settles Over 10,000 Zantac-Related Cancer Lawsuits in Landmark Agreement

The lawsuits, filed across state courts in the United States, allege that Pfizer failed to warn consumers about the potential cancer risks posed by Zantac.

Although the specific financial details of the settlement agreements have not been disclosed, the sheer magnitude of the settlement is expected to reassure investors and stakeholders.

The legal issue surrounding Zantac is not unique to Pfizer. Other pharmaceutical companies, including GSK Plc and Sanofi, have also faced similar lawsuits related to the safety of Zantac. Sanofi recently agreed to pay over $100 million to resolve approximately 4,000 Zantac cases.

Concerns over these lawsuits had previously led to a substantial decline in market value for the companies involved. However, the recent settlement news has provided some relief to investors, with Pfizer shares showing a slight increase following the announcement.

Read Also : Experts Predict AI Hallucinations Could Soon Lead to Development of Life-Saving Drugs

Zantac and Cancer Risk

The origins of Zantac date back over three decades, dating back to when it was introduced to the US market as a prescription drug in 1983. It later became available over the counter in 1996, gaining widespread popularity as an effective treatment for heartburn, acid indigestion, GERD, and gastric ulcers. However, in recent years, concerns have emerged regarding the safety of Zantac.

In 2019, an independent laboratory discovered the presence of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen, in Zantac and its generic equivalents. This discovery prompted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action, confirming the presence of NDMA in ranitidine products like Zantac. As a result, the FDA ordered the immediate withdrawal of all ranitidine medications from the market in April 2020.

NDMA is known to increase over time and at higher temperatures, potentially posing a significant risk to consumers. The FDA explains that while low levels of NDMA are commonly found in various sources, sustained exposure to higher levels of the substance may increase the risk of cancer in humans.

In response to the recall, Sanofi reformulated Zantac, introducing a new version called Zantac 360, which contains famotidine instead of ranitidine. This reformulated version is currently available over the counter and does not come in prescription strength. The FDA has deemed famotidine a safe alternative to ranitidine, with no NDMA contamination detected in famotidine products.
Dozens of cholera cases reported in flood-hit Kenya



Nairobi, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



The United Nations voiced concern on Wednesday after dozens of cases of cholera were reported in Kenya which has been hit by weeks of destructive rains and floods.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said 44 cases of the disease have been reported in Tana River County in eastern Kenya, one of the areas hardest hit by widespread flooding.

"I believe that between government and national and international partners, we'll be able to contain it," the UN's resident coordinator in Kenya, Stephen Jackson, said in an interview with Citizen TV.

"We've contained cholera before, but it's a significant concern," he added.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through contaminated food and water and typically causes severe diarrhoea, vomiting and muscle cramps.

It can be especially dangerous for young children.

"WHO will continue to support the health emergency response and remain vigilant for disease outbreaks that can easily spread if not quickly contained," Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO representative in Kenya, said in a statement issued by the UN's health agency on Tuesday.

"We must be agile and ready to respond, led by government and along with the partners, to bring relief to hundreds and thousands of affected people."

The flooding in Kenya has killed 238 people according to latest government figures published by the local media, while more than 200,000 have been made homeless.

Overall the heavier than usual seasonal rains, compounded by the El Nino weather phenomenon, have claimed the lives of more than 400 people in East Africa, a region highly vulnerable to climate change.

txw/amu/tw
Flood-hit Kenya reports dozens of cholera cases



Nairobi, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



The United Nations voiced concern on Wednesday after dozens of cases of cholera were reported in flood-stricken Kenya as the death toll from rain-related disasters surpassed 250.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said 44 cases of the disease have been reported in Tana River County in eastern Kenya, one of the areas hardest hit in weeks of destructive rains and flooding.

"I believe that between government and national and international partners, we'll be able to contain it," the UN's resident coordinator in Kenya, Stephen Jackson, said in an interview with Citizen TV.

"We've contained cholera before, but it's a significant concern," he added.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through contaminated food and water and typically causes severe diarrhoea, vomiting and muscle cramps.

It can be especially dangerous for young children.

"WHO will continue to support the health emergency response and remain vigilant for disease outbreaks that can easily spread if not quickly contained," Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO representative in Kenya, said in a statement issued by the UN's health agency on Tuesday about the 44 cases.

"We must be agile and ready to respond, led by government and along with the partners, to bring relief to hundreds and thousands of affected people," Diallo said.



- Death toll rises -



The death toll since March has climbed to 257, according to Kenyan government spokesman Isaac Mwaura.

Across the country nearly 55,000 households have been displaced as floodwaters and mudslides engulfed homes, roads and bridges.

But President William Ruto announced that schools would reopen next Monday after a two-week delay, saying the rains had now subsided and it was safe for children to return to class.

He also declared that Friday would be a public holiday to remember those lost in the floods and to kickstart an extensive tree-planting programme.

Ruto, who has positioned himself at the forefront of African efforts to combat climate change, has blamed the region's calamitous cycle of drought and floods on a failure to protect the environment.

Overall, the heavier than usual seasonal rains, compounded by the El Nino weather phenomenon, have claimed the lives of more than 400 people in East Africa, a largely poor region highly vulnerable to climate change.

"The unprecedented and devastating flooding has unveiled the harsh realities of climate change, claiming lives and displacing communities," said Rana Jaber, regional director for East and Horn of Africa at the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM).



- 'Alarm' over looming drought -



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 that left millions of people hungry.

The UN's Jackson warned of a "significant risk" of another drought, according to long-range forecasts.

"So it's a point of alarm. It's not yet a certainty. What is a certainty is, given the climate crisis, that there will be a drought along again this year or next year or the year after," he said.

"We know that these are coming harder and harder and faster and faster."

Meanwhile, all residents of a five-storey apartment block on the edge of the Kenyan capital that collapsed on Tuesday night are safe, according to local authorities.

txw-str-amu/bp
Greta Thunberg fined over Swedish parliament climate protests



Stockholm, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



A Stockholm court fined climate activist Greta Thunberg on Wednesday for disobeying police orders after blocking access to Sweden's parliament during a protest.

Police removed Thunberg on March 12 and 14 after she refused to leave the main entrance, where she was protesting with a small group of activists for several days. MPs could still access the building via secondary entrances.

The court said it fined the activist 6,000 Swedish kronor ($551) and ordered her to pay 1,000 kronor in damages and interest.

Thunberg denied the charges of two counts of civil disobedience, according to an AFP journalist at the hearing.

Asked by the judge why she had not obeyed police orders, she replied: "Because there was a (climate) emergency and there still is. And in an emergency, we all have a duty to act."

"The current laws protect the extractive industries instead of protecting people and the planet, which is what I believe should be the case," she said as she left the courtroom.

Thunberg has been fined twice before in Sweden, in July and October 2023, for civil disobedience during similar protests.

In February, a London judge dropped charges against her for disturbing the peace during a demonstration against the oil industry in October in the British capital.
'Where can we go?' flood-stricken Kenyans plead as homes destroyed



Nairobi, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



"Where are we supposed to go?" implored Catherine Masai as she watched a bulldozer tear down shanty houses on the banks of a muddy river in a sprawling Nairobi slum.

Weeks of rains and floods have caused a trail of destruction across Kenya and cost almost 260 lives, prompting the government to order the evacuation of everyone living in risk-prone areas.

"Forcibly or voluntarily," was the blunt phrase used by government spokesman Isaac Mwaura at the weekend.

Almost 55,000 households have been displaced, according to the latest government figures, as the deluge swamped homes, roads and bridges in nearly every corner of the country.

"They have demolished our houses without giving us an alternative place to go," said 50-year-old Masai as the bulldozer moved through her neighbourhood of Mukuru on Wednesday.



- 'Wrong to kick us out' -



Crowds of people watched as the excavator smashed through the corrugated iron sheets, wooden poles and bricks that once provided shelter to the inhabitants of one of Nairobi's largest slums.

"All these people have been displaced, they should have relocated us before the demolitions," Masai said, as people scavenged through the detritus of their homes on the banks of the swollen river.

"They came abruptly with the bulldozers, affecting women and children, where are we supposed to go?

"We have lived here for more than 30 years without being swept by floods," Masai said angrily. "The government is wrong (about) kicking us out, we were very okay."

President William Ruto has insisted the government would relocate all Kenyans living in riparian areas "for their safety".

"We can protect them in a different place," he said during a visit on Monday to Nairobi's Mathare slum, where many homes were engulfed by the floodwaters.

"There will be enough food for them, there will be blankets, there will be mattresses and we are going to look after their children."

Ruto announced that each displaced household would be given a sum of 10,000 Kenyan shillings (about $75) to tide them over until a more permanent solution was found.

But in Mukuru, 20-year-old Sheila Mbone said she had been given no information about where she would be rehoused.

"The government is demolishing our homes without telling us where we are being relocated. What are we meant to do as the victims?"
DR Congo faces 'catastrophe' from floods: UN



Kinshasa, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2024



Eastern DR Congo faces a "humanitarian catastrophe" after being hit by severe flooding affecting about half a million people, the UN World Food Programme said Wednesday.

"Heavier rainfall than usual during the rainy season, prompted by climate change, has forced rivers and lakes to overflow, swallowing towns, villages and roads on the shores," the WFP said in a report citing "chaos" in South Kivu and Tanganyika provinces.

Worst-affected are Haut-Lomami and Tanganyika provinces, which border the lake of the same name as well as neighbouring Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia.

"All around Lake Tanganyika, and areas upstream of the Congo River basin, people have lost their homes, their fields and livelihoods," the WFP reported, estimating 471,000 people were affected with 451,000 hectares (1.1 million acres) flooded, including 21,000 hectares of cropland.

"People in flooded areas need food, shelter, clean drinking water, health and sanitation support, as well as support to restart their livelihoods.

"However, WFP has very limited resources to respond to the flooding crisis due to current funding levels and the food assistance pipeline situation."

The UN body voiced concern at the effect on health service provisions as sickness hit affected areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

"With towns and villages swallowed in the lakes and rivers, diseases are rife. Latrines have overflowed into the water that surrounds people's homes and sanitation is poor.

"People are forced to wade through and wash their clothes and cooking implements in cholera-riddled water," said the report, warning of "a whole host of animal-borne diseases."

Locals were reporting seeing hippos, crocodiles and snakes in flooded inhabited areas, risking fatal attacks, especially on children and livestock.

Amid lost harvests, "people are struggling to feed their families which is leading to more people arriving in health care facilities with symptoms related to months of poor food intake. Especially children are at risk of developing malnutrition."

Flooding has hit vast swathes of Africa in recent weeks, which have notably claimed 257 lives in Kenya, according to a latest toll Wednesday.
The music fan who was badly injured in a stage-diving incident last week at Buffalos Mohawk Place remains partially paralyzed, a friend told The Buffalo News.

Bird Piche can breathe on her own and has feeling in her arms but cant feel her legs, said Leo Wolters Tejera, after she suffered a serious spinal injury during the April 30 concert by the Australian band Trophy Eyes.

Birds mom and close friends are able to see her. She is visiting with them as tolerated, despite sleeping a lot, said Tejera, who noted an outpouring of community support. class=print_trim>

Fan suffers 'catastrophic' injury in Mohawk Place concert stage-diving incident Bird Piche suffered a "catastrophic" spinal injury last Tuesday at Buffalo's 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.

Its not clear when Piche will be able to leave the hospital and begin rehab, Tejera said. An Erie County Medical Center spokesperson said Piche remained in stable condition Wednesday in the medical surgical unit.

The road to recovery is largely still unknown, with no definitive path or end date, Tejera said.

Piche was hurt when a band member leapt off the stage and landed on her in a crowd-surfing attempt. Mohawk Place bans stage-diving and crowd-surfing because of the potential danger, a representative previously said.
The US government and governments in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and Europe have directed their officials not to download the app on their devices over similar concerns. India has a blanket ban on all Chinese-controlled apps. China, of course, has itself banned some foreign social media companies from operating within China. Only last week it ordered Apple to remove Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp from its Chinese store. Until a week or so ago, Chinese-built Tesla cars were banned from entering or being close to government properties because of their capacity to collect data. The US legislation isnt the first attempt to force ByteDance to sell its business or be banned in the US. Donald Trump, in 2020, signed an executive order to that effect, but it was blocked in the courts.

Trump now opposes a ban because he says it would benefit an enemy of the people  Facebook, which banned him for two years after the January 6 conflict at the US Capitol in 2021, and which was heavily involved in efforts to boost voting at the 2020 elections. He, however, didnt have the benefit of legislation tailored to its purpose. The US Justice Department was heavily involved in drawing up the new law, which purports to regulate TikToks ownership rather than its users or their content. Under new ownership and distanced from China, TikTok could continue to operate, with users able to post content as freely as they do today. If Congress can do this, it can circumvent the First Amendment by invoking national security and ordering the publisher of any individual newspaper or website to sell to avoid being shut down, TikTok claims. And for TikTok, any such divestiture would disconnect Americans from the rest of the global community on a platform devoted to shared content, an outcome fundamentally at odds with the constitutions commitment to both free speech and individual liberty.

Loading TikTok had, in response to the Trump administrations actions, tried to quarantine its US business from the wider ByteDance group. It has spent, it says, more than $US200 million ($304 million) to host the US data in a dedicated facility in Texas, with servers owned and managed by Oracle and with access to the source code it uses overseen by a government-approved committee. Self-evidently, that wasnt sufficient to reassure US legislators. Nor was the fact that ByteDance is nearly 60 per cent owned by foreign investors. Its founder, Zhang Yiming, owns 20 per cent (but has super-voting shares) and its employees own about 20 per cent.

While ByteDance has made it clear that it has no intention  it argues no practical ability  to sell TikToks US business, that hasnt stopped prospective buyers from running their slide rules over it and, indeed, ByteDances entire international business. The US business has been valued at between $US20 billion and $US50 billion, with the larger international business priced at more than $US100 billion. Various investor groups and big tech companies, including a group headed by Trumps former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have been considering how and how much to bid for either the US business or the larger international business. With China having already said that it wont allow ByteDance to sell the algorithm that is the most critical element of the technology underpinning the platform  it decides what individual users should be shown based on the data it has collected from their devices and usage of its platform  even if ByteDance was prepared to sell the business, it would be difficult to operate it as it has operated and, as a consequence, hard to value. TikTok says its platform has been built on millions of lines of software code, developed by thousands of engineers, over multiple years. Without access to the existing algorithm, that cant be replicated by January 19.

If TikTok doesnt prevail in the courts  the case is likely to end up in the US Supreme Court  it may have to shut down a business that, while containing only 170 million of its billion-plus users worldwide, has disproportionate economic significance to it because of the vast pools of advertising revenue available in the US. Loading TikTok is thought to have about $US9 billion of revenue in the US out of the $US22 billion or so it is estimated to generate worldwide. So, less than 17 per cent of its users are in the US, but 40 per cent of its revenues originate there, with a lot of upside. Theres a precedent for what might happen if it is forced to simply quit the US. When (after a border clash between Indian and Chinese troops) India banned TikTok and nearly 60 other Chinese apps in 2020, it delivered a huge boost to YouTube, Instagram and some locally-developed social media apps.
In 2020 the Walker Street public housing estate in Northcote was demolished. Most of the land  the parts that look out over the Merri Creek  was handed over to developers to be sold, with a section retained for social housing. It was a controversial decision, and one which has now been documented in a new film Things Will Be Different which follows two of the last residents to vacate.

When the documentary begins, we meet Najat  a single migrant mother of four whose last name is not given  and William Gwynne. We were campaigning for two years to try and stop the government from knocking down the estate, Gwynne tells this masthead. Id only been there for three years when I got the notice.

L-R Celeste de Clario Davis (filmmaker), William Gwynne (activist and documentary subject), Lucie McMahon (filmmaker) Credit: Justin McManus

In 2017, the Victorian state government introduced a policy called the Public Housing Renewal Program (PHRP), which states that it will redevelop 11 public housing estates around Melbourne. The redevelopment entails a relocation of all residents, as well as the entering of a contract with a private developer to demolish buildings and rebuild new homes, the majority of which will be private apartments, with some managed by a community housing provider in partnership with the developer.

This program has seen opposition from the public and activist groups, in particular the Save Public Housing Collective (SPHC), especially as residents have been forced to leave their long-term dwellings  some after as long as six decades  or put on waiting lists that take years to be approved.
Liya Barko has finally met her real-life superhero, an anonymous man in a green T-shirt who saved her life after a knife cut through both her kidneys during the Bondi Junction attack.

Six people were stabbed to death by assailant Joel Cauchi. Barko, 35, may have been the seventh if not for the actions of Wayne Tolver-Banks and his wife Michi, who came to her rescue at the Westfield shopping centre.

Meeting this week for the first time since that bloody attack on April 13, Tolver-Banks and Barko hugged a few times.

I am so happy to see you alive. It is so good, Tolver-Banks said in the interview broadcast on Nine, the owner of this masthead.
Victorias world-class cancer centre is scrambling to save vital research and education programs after losing 75 per cent of its funding from the Allan government as cancer rates soar across the state.

The tight state budget unveiled on Tuesday dealt a major blow to the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance, slashing its funding from $30.5 million to $7.5 million over four years.

The $1.3 billion Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre is part of a public-private partnership. Credit: Chris Hopkins

The alliance previously received 80 per cent of its funding from the state government, with about 15 per cent of funding from its 10 research members and the remainder from the federal government and philanthropists.

Medical research is a major jewel in Victorias crown and the reduction in funding from previous levels is concerning, as is the limited amount of funds in this budget for the cancer sector, alliance chief executive Professor Grant McArthur told The Age on Wednesday.
A proposal for a massive redevelopment near Marvel Stadium has been savaged by City of Melbourne councillors, with one calling it a great wall in Docklands and another labelling the application one of the most embarrassing he had seen.

Development Victoria and the AFL have applied to the state government for a planning scheme amendment that would allow them to redevelop the western edge of the stadium precinct with three buildings, the tallest at 129 metres or about 40 storeys.

An artists render of the proposed development of three towers on Harbour Esplanade, Docklands. Credit: Development Victoria

Under the application, Development Victoria  the state governments property development agency  and the AFL proposed using the three buildings for office space, a function centre and retail stores, with options for homes and a hotel, subject to market conditions.

Also under the proposal, the current AFL House building would be partially demolished and rebuilt taller, while the current Channel Seven headquarters would be demolished and two towers built in its place. Development Victoria says it owns part of the site and the AFL owns another part.
Kyle Sandilands doesnt mind being in the news, particularly with reports of his ginormous salary. But even he might be less than impressed to learn that highly confidential pay details of radios biggest earning stars (including his own, obviously) have been handed to lawyers representing the enemy.

This is because the Copyright Tribunal of Australia ordered the big radio networks to divulge details of their biggest earning stars to lawyers conducting a court case for the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Ltd, which is campaigning to get more moolah for Aussie record labels and performers.

Kyle Sandilands very lucrative payslips have been handed over. Credit: John Shakespeare

And FM radio networks are the main target, as Phonographic Performance reckons they are not forking out enough in licence fees.

So it must have hurt the big radio networks  Nova, owned by Lachlan Murdoch; SCA, the home of Triple M, Fox and 2Day; and Kyle and Jackie O Hendersons shop, ARN  to lose this skirmish.
A Perth man who was stabbed in the back by a radicalised teenager who was then shot dead by police on Saturday night has spoken out about his ordeal for the first time.

In a statement, the victim, a man in his 30s, said he was coming to terms with my injuries, and the circumstances surrounding the events of Saturday evening.

The Willetton stabbing victim recovering in hospital.

The man was leaving a 24-hour gym about 10pm near Bunnings in Willetton when the 16-year-old stabbed him in the back with a large kitchen knife. He was taken to hospital where he remains.

Speaking from hospital the man said it was a very difficult time for everyone involved.
Thank you for joining us as we covered a busy day of news in Western Australia.

A note before we leave you: tomorrow, Treasurer Rita Saffioti will hand down her first budget, and the Labor governments last budget for this term of parliament.

We know youve got plenty of questions, and we want to help. Send your questions through below and, after spending a thrilling day poring over budget papers, our reporting team led by political journalist Hamish Hastie will be on hand with all the answers.

As we leave you today, the victim of the radicalised 16-year-old shot dead by police at the weekend has spoken out for the first time to thank first responders.

The widow of assassinated former Rebels boss Nick Martin has filed a lawsuit, suing the hitman who shot her husband and the state government for the trauma she suffered watching the 51-year-old die in her arms in front of hundreds of people at Perth Motorplex.

Former WA premier Colin Barnett made the trip over east, where he rubbished the current GST arrangement and lashed the federal government for not getting a good deal on the gas extracted from Commonwealth waters.

Former WA premier Colin Barnett during an address to the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra on Wednesday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Earlier in the day, the parents of two Perth brothers shot dead in Mexico spoke publicly for the first time, saying from the US it was time to bring their sons home.

Debra and Martin Robinson urged people to hold their loved ones closer, following the tragic murder of their sons Callum, 33, and Jake, 30.

Thank you again for joining us, and well see you again tomorrow for all the latest news across WA and the nation.
The government has been promoting the country to foreign visitors for years with immense success: arrivals this year are expected to surpass the 2019 pre-COVID record, according to travel agency JTB Corp. Yet from increasingly unaffordable hotels to suitcase-clogged streets becoming nigh unwalkable, everywhere you look the downsides are mounting for ordinary residents.

Although it might have been gold for your Instagram, the rush of tourists wasnt appreciated by residents, who complained that visitors were littering, blocking access to services used by residents and spilling out dangerously onto the road in the quest for the perfect shot. The result: now no one gets to enjoy the view. Its a solution to the problem that would make The Simpsons Mr. Burns proud.

Local authorities in Fujikawaguchiko, a holiday town in the mountains shadow, this week erected a barrier obstructing a sight of the landmark that, from the right angle, made it appear to float above a convenience store in perhaps the ultimate illustration of traditional and modern Japan.

The ukiyo-e artist Hokusai was famed for his Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, woodblock prints deeply symbolic of Japan. But one famous view of the mountain, this time from the modern era, has just been blocked off.

This dissatisfaction was articulated by one acerbic restaurant owner who last month took to social media to express mounting frustration with having to deal with tourists looking for English menus and service in their native language. The time and hassle involved in dealing with them didnt make sense for travellers who dont spend much anyway, the owner explained.

The complaints split opinion, with some sympathising, while others defended the countrys vaunted omotenashi hospitality  a word so synonymous with the Japanese welcome that it has made it into the Oxford English Dictionary (good hospitality, characterised by thoughtfulness, close attention to detail, and the anticipation of a guests needs, in case you were wondering).

Fujikawaguchiko has become overrun by tourists thanks to the famous Fuji view. Credit: AP

But just as in Fujikawaguchiko, that courtesy may be reaching its limits. Frustrated authorities and small-business owners are turning to new solutions to preserve their way of life. In Kyoto, where overtourism is most acute, tourists have been banished from the backstreets of the geisha district of Gion (though its unclear how this will be enforced), while the city is belatedly adding special buses for travellers amid complaints that elderly residents cant access public transport. In Hiroshima, one restaurant serving the local soul food of okonomiyaki (coincidentally, another word just added to the dictionary) has declared visitors verboten on Friday evenings, limiting entrance to prefectural residents and regulars.

Part of the problem is that the pain of dealing with tourists is readily apparent, but the benefits  whether increased tax revenue or booming businesses  are often less visible. With about 40 per cent of visitors coming to Japan for the first time, and social media pushing people to the same locations, some destinations are deserted while others are well past capacity. Especially with the yen trading at about 100 to the Australian dollar (and even better if youre an American tourist), foreigners can travel well without spending that much at all. This exacerbates the frustration in a country where real wages have been stagnant for decades and are now declining.
Some streets look like a ghost town now, said Aref, 35, who gave only one name, fearing Israeli reprisals. We dont fear death and martyrdom but we have kids to care for and live for another day when this war ends and we rebuild the city, he told Reuters via a chat app. Many Rafah residents said they received warnings over their phones, and planes dropped leaflets. Juliette Touma, director of communications of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, estimated that about 10,000 Palestinians have left Rafah since Monday.

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office put the number of people fleeing at tens of thousands and warned against a massacre. Residents said tanks, which had moved in to take control of the crossing, had not entered built-up areas of the city and gun battles were still outside the city limits. Suleiman Abu Kweik and his family are being displaced for the fourth time. Our homes have been destroyed. In Gaza [City] our house they destroyed it. It was shelled. We went to Khan Younis. When they threatened Khan Younis, we went to Rafah, he said. The Israeli army has ordered tens of thousands of people to evacuate Rafah as it conducts a ground operation there. Credit: AP

Hamas said its fighters were battling Israeli forces in the east of Rafah. Lines of smoke from air strikes and tank shelling rose from places east of the city, residents said. Some people are still staying in their homes, even in the red zone areas, but I daresay that tens of thousands have already left Rafah, including from areas west of the city, that are not included in the occupation army warning, said Mohammed Emad, 34, a father of three. Abu Ahmed al-Najar said more than 60 families who lived in tent camps in Al-Jneina neighbourhood in Rafah had left the area late on Tuesday. Sixty-five families or 400 people are now homeless. People have no money, no tents, no one to support them, he said. Some people, like Mazen Ghadour, loaded their meagre belongings onto old trucks.

This is the third or fourth time we have had to move. We are eight families. We live in fear. There is no safe place in the entire strip, he said. God knows where we will go. We are going to the unknown. We are going to the unknown. The main maternity hospital in Rafah has stopped admitting patients, the United Nations Population Fund told Reuters on Wednesday. Israeli soldiers work on armored military vehicles at a staging ground near the Israeli-Gaza border. Credit: AP The UNFPA told Reuters that the hospital, Emirati Maternity Hospital, had been handling some 85 births each day out of a total of 180 births in Gaza each day prior to an escalation of fighting between Hamas and Israeli troops on Rafahs outskirts.

Around half of Gazas 2.3 million people have been crowded into Gaza after fleeing other parts of the enclave during seven months of war. US pressure on Israel The Biden administration paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that the country was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on Rafah against the wishes of the United States, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday. Austin confirmed the weapons delay, telling the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defence that the US paused one shipment of high payload munitions. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin: US is withholding weapons on concerns about Rafah. Credit: AP
The girlfriend of a man charged with kidnapping two Australian brothers in Mexico has told a court her boyfriend confessed to killing three foreigners after returning home from their campsite.

Jesus Gerardo, also known as El Kekas, faced kidnapping charges on Wednesday over the disappearance of Callum Robinson, 33, his brother Jake, 30 and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, 30.

Police arrested Gerardos girlfriend, Ari Gisel, and found her in possession of amphetamines and a mobile phone believed to belong to one of the brothers. She has been charged with drug possession.

Gisel told the court she had told police her boyfriend confessed he had f----d up three gringos  using a Spanish term meaning person who is not Latin American  and taken the tyres from their ute.
Its as heartbreaking as it is senseless. A girl is dead and five other teenagers are wounded  one of them critically  after a weekend shooting that followed an argument at a party. Buffalo police are investigating, but bringing those responsible to justice is only the start of what needs to happen as families grieve terrible losses, a community braces and a hot summer awaits.

Jazzmine Fomby was a 14-year-old charter school student. Fourteen. She should have had decades of life ahead of her.

Police appear to have done a credible job in responding to a call at 10:21 p.m. Saturday complaining about a loud party attended by several hundred youth. Another call about 10 minutes later reported a fight in or near a parking lot along Alexander Place near East Ferry Street.

Police responded again, broke up the crowd and remained at the scene for about a half-hour, Chief of Detectives Craig Macy said Sunday. But calls about gunshots began coming in about 11:10 p.m., less than an hour after the initial complaint. Police believe that fight was the impetus for the shooting.

As of Monday, police have reported no suspects, though Mayor Byron W. Brown encouraged anyone with information, including video, to contact police. It has been a tragic day in the City of Buffalo, he said. No parents should have to deal with what these parents are dealing with now.

Its heart-wrenching. Except for parents who have already suffered this kind of loss, its all but impossible to comprehend the pain this girls parents must be enduring. It reaches deep when a childs life is so violently and pointlessly stolen. Its a tragedy that requires a broad response across the fabric of the neighborhood and the city.

Beyond the investigation, police, parents and civic organizations need to work together as warmer weather arrives and the end of the school year approaches. While the area where the shooting occurred isnt known to be dangerous, police plan to increase their presence there, and in Buffalo high schools. Its a wise start, especially in light of the success of its micro hot spot strategy in deterring gun violence.

But thats only the start. Police should work to establish or improve connections with community organizations, including block clubs, churches and other, enlisting their help in reporting potential trouble. Indeed, its a good approach in any neighborhood of any municipality, but especially one where shocking violence has occurred.

Families need to play their own role, ensuring as best as possible, that parents know where their children are and especially controlling their access to weapons. One of the most troubling aspects of this case is that the shooter or shooters apparently had ready access to firearms and were willing to use them against unarmed children. Thats a mystery that needs to be unraveled, but its further evidence  as if any were needed  of the tragic cost of our national obsession with guns.

Groups such as the Buffalo Peacekeepers could also play a valuable role. With community relationships established and a less formal presence than police, its members may be able to secure the assistance of residents that police would have a more difficult time persuading.

A bit of good news arrived on Monday, as the city reported that the critically injured youth is expected to recover and three others had been released from hospital. But that doesnt change the fact that they and their loved ones came so close to suffering the tragedy that has overtaken another family. We are awash in guns and dysfunction. Either is dangerous, together they are deadly.

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
Maine, Massachusetts, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia will soon gain access to the foundation's free counseling initiative.

Mark Champion

Southern Smoke Foundation (SSF), the Houston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting professionals in the food and beverage space  such as providing much-needed emergency relief funds and mental health assistance  is expanding its mental health program, Behind You.

Launched in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, Behind You services five states  California, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, and Texas  by partnering with accredited university clinical programs to extend 20 completely free counseling services to qualifying hospitality workers. (To be eligible, individuals must have worked in the industry for six consecutive months, clocking in at least 30 hours a week.)

Beyond that, participants who graduate and want to extend their sessions beyond the program are afforded counseling at a sliding scale rate that ranges from $10 to $25 per visit  for life. A massive help to an industry notorious for its lack of healthcare benefits (or living wages).

Related: How to Get Free Mental Health Care If You Work in the Hospitality Industry

And now, SSFs work is extending its reach to Washington D.C., in addition to five more states on the East Coast: Maine, Massachusetts, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia. Since Behind Yous launch, SSF has provided more than 4,800 sessions, conducted by PhD candidates, with much success. So far, 322 food and beverage professionals have enrolled in the program since early 2023  and out of that, 61% have either completed or are on the path to completion.

Courtesy of the Southern Smoke Foundation Southern Smoke Foundation's Behind You program is expanding its mental health services to Washington D.C., in addition to five states: Maine, Massachusetts, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Our student clinicians jump at the chance to work with Southern Smoke clients, said Hope Dawan, an administrative coordinator and instructor of Psychological Services Center at Louisiana State University  a Behind You partner. The clients referred by Southern Smoke consistently attend counseling week after week, and more often than not, they stay on after they have completed the program.

This year, SSF is launching yet another initiative for Mental Health Awareness Month: the Million for Mental Health campaign, which aims to raise $1 million by the end of 2024 to support Behind Yous expansion.

Related: The Food & Wine Pro Guide to Mental Health and Sobriety Resources

Its really neat that Southern Smoke has decided to provide grants to university clinical programs to offer counseling for food and beverage workers at no cost, Patricia Yabu, director of community counseling services at Cal Lutheran University  also an accredited Behind You partner  said in a statement. Its a model that works for many reasons: It offers a diverse population of clients for our student clinicians to learn from, and since it is a learning environment, the client receives a very high level of care and attention since all student clinicians are seen under a licensed supervisor.



For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Food & Wine.
Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bert Walton is on a mission to remember fallen service members, which he says can be an activity and not just a passing thought.

Walton visited Lake Hallie, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Onalaska and La Crosse on Monday as part of a nonprofit relay across 48 states that honors fallen service people and first responders.

Walton, who hails from Texas, said he was honored to travel along the East Coast and Midwest relay routes this month as part of Carry the Load  an organization that brings awareness about those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation and its communities.

Carry the Load is a nonprofit that hosts a Memorial May campaign in recognition of service people from all branches of the military and first responders who died on the job.

Carry the Load just spoke to me'

When it comes to keeping someone's legacy or memory alive, it's much better to do it in person, to share the stories and get out there engage with people because as a society were becoming a bit more disconnected with one another, Walton said Monday.

If you can get out there and actually see each other and share those stories, people are more likely to open up, which not only perpetuates one's legacy, but it also lets people express themselves and there's a lot of them that need that.

At each stop, groups and individuals walk through towns and cities, helping to raise money for U.S. heroes and their families.

Im remembering a few guys throughout the course of the route, said Walton, who joined the military in 1998 and was deployed to Iraq and Kosovo during his eight years of service. But this particular portion, Im out here for Sgt. Michael Carlson from St. Paul.

Carlson was killed Jan. 24, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Walton served with him in Kosovo and Germany.

Carry the Load just spoke to me. I think it's because of the breadth of it, because it covers so much more than just a single group. And the active participation is meaningful rather than just donating money; I get to be a part of something bigger than myself, Walton said. It really makes you think and appreciate what we have and the people who made this country great.

The relay spans 20,000 miles, 69 community events and 33 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemeteries. It will converge at the Dallas Memorial March on Memorial Day weekend.

Participants hope that showing up across America helps residents nationwide remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.

U.S. Army veteran Sue Leonard works for the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and also was in Lake Hallie on Monday for Carry the Load.

Organizations that support our veterans are really important, she said. Im just so glad that they stopped in Chippewa Falls and Lake Hallie. I hope it brings awareness and serves as a reminder to people about all the great work, the hard work and the sacrifices made by our military and their families.

Steven Cooper from Texas walked with Carry the Load, and in Onalaska he said he was walking for his uncle Morgan Cooper, who served in Afghanistan and survived but was left with survivors guilt.

He only talked to me about it once, and he almost broke down, said Cooper. I like the feeling that I'm helping him out somehow.

Memorial May

What started in 2011 as one Memorial Day march has expanded in numbers and impact.

The organization hopes this year  the 14th annual Memorial May campaign  to raise $2 million for nationwide services such as counseling, adaptive training, suicide prevention, equine therapy, service dogs, job placements, transition, home improvements, education scholarships for children of the fallen and more.

Thus far, it has raised more than $630,000, with 667 teams and 5,283 participants signed up to partake in the walks nationally.

Memorial May unites thousands of people under a common purpose, and its been incredible to see participants honor our fallen heroes together, said Stephen Holley, co-founder, president and CEO of Carry the Load and a veteran U.S. Navy SEAL.

Since 2011, Carry The Load has raised more than $42 million, with 93% of donations going toward its programs.

U.S. Army veteran Andy Medrano oversees the Midwest leg of the Carry the Load relay. On Monday in Lake Hallie, he said he loves going through the Upper Midwest on the way to Dallas, where the organization hosts a huge event at the end of the month.

Big towns, people are always gonna come by and sometimes scrutinize us. We're explaining to them who we are and what we're about. Smaller towns are more inviting, Medrano said. Coming to these places, everybody makes us literally feel at home. They see the flags, they see who we're honoring and why we're doing this and you know, most of the time, everybody just wants to come out and help out more.

Fallen Wisconsinites, Minnesotans remembered

Cheyenne Colson, who was also in Lake Hallie on Monday, has been walking with Carry the Load for the last six years.

I love coming out here and seeing it change people's lives. A lot of people forget what these men and women have done for our country, she said.

Colson, who is training to be a firefighter, said she was touched by a story she heard in Minnesota over the weekend of a February incident where two police officers and a firefighter were fatally shot and another officer was injured while responding to a domestic incident.

In Burnsville, Minnesota officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth were killed in the line of duty while Sgt. Adam Medlicott was injured and taken to a hospital.

We had a storyboard up for the firefighter whose life was taken. It really gave me pause that he went in when an officer was down and he paid for it with his life, she said.

On Monday, two other men from the region were remembered.

Cpl. Gregory Jon Olsen of Franklin, Wisconsin, served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was in a heavy mortar platoon in Dinh Tuong Province when a gasoline explosion burned him badly. He succumbed to his wounds two days later and died May 25, 1969.

Everybody loved Greg, both back home and in country. He was a special part of our family, and we're all proud of his service and were devastated by his sacrifice," recalled his cousin C.J. Niehoff.

Also remembered was Lt. Christopher S. Goeke of Apple Valley, Minnesota, who graduated sixth in his class, was commissioned as an infantry officer and was assigned to the 1-508 PI, 82nd Airborne.

He deployed to Afghanistan and was killed July 13, 2010, in Kandahar City when insurgents breached a friendly compound.

Before his death, he gathered his platoon and led a counterattack to push them back, allowing the compound to restore security and saving many lives.

This is what its about, Medrano said. We remember with and for the families and friends who lost someone close to them. We remember those who died recently and those who died long ago. Its the least we can do.

River Valley Media Group Visual Journalist Saskia Hatvany contributed to this story.

Carry the Load stops in Wisconsin to honor fallen military service people and first responders
Frey Ranch makes distribution deal with Southern Glazer's

Frey Ranch Distillery, the American whiskey brand based in Nevada, United States, has announced a distribution agreement with Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits.

The distribution deal with Southern Glazers will cover the on- and off-trade in the states where Frey Ranch is already sold. The whiskey is currently sold in Nevada, California, Texas, Ohio, and Oregon, and will expand to Florida and Indiana later this year.

The two companies have worked in partnership since 2019; the new deal allows for a wider distribution and further growth of the Frey Ranch brand.

Frey Ranch was founded as a farm-to-glass distillery in 2006, and in 2024 celebrates its 10-year anniversary since first distilling its whiskey. The distillery grows 100 per cent of the grains used in its portfolio of whiskeys.

Co-founder Colby Frey commented: As Frey Ranch celebrates 10 years of whiskey distilling, we cant think of a better outcome for our growth trajectory than partnering with Southern Glazers.

The team at Southern Glazers has the ability to transform our business and put us on the path to distribution in all 50 states. We appreciate the care, consideration, and route-to-market muscle they put behind craft brands like Frey Ranch to realise our full potential in the marketplace.

8 May 2024 - Lucy Schofield
Vote for Vikasit Bharat





NEW DELHI :

LS elections third phase Over 63 per cent polling; clashes in West Bengal

OVER 63 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Tuesday in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections in 93 constituencies spread over 11 States and Union Territories with stray incidents of violence in West Bengal. Assam recorded the highest turnout at 77.06 per cent followed by Goa at 75.13 per cent and West Bengal at 73.96 per cent, while Uttar Pradesh witnessed the lowest at 57.34 per cent, with Bihar at 58.16 per cent, Gujarat at 57.62 per cent and Maharashtra at 61.44 per cent doing slightly better, according to the figures from the Election Commission at 10.40 pm. The overall voting percentage was 63.53 per cent. According to the EC, the figures are an approximate trend and are likely to rise as data is being collected.

While the official time for the voting to conclude is 6 pm, it can go beyond to enable voters who have come in the queue before the end of fixed polling hours to exercise their franchise. Among other states and UTs, Chhattisgarh recorded 70.05 per cent polling, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 68.89 per cent, Karnataka 69.65 per cent, and Madhya Pradesh 66.05 per cent, according to the EC. As many as 17.24 crore people, including 8.39 crore females, were eligible to vote in the third phase and 1.85 lakh polling stations manned by 18.5 lakh officials had been set up. With this, voting has been completed in 20 states/UTs and 282 Lok Sabha seats out of 543. The overall voting percentage in the first and second phases was 66.14 per cent and 66.71 per cent respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among those who exercised their franchise in Gujarat, where elections were held in 25 seats. While PM Modi cast his vote at a polling booth in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Shah voted at a polling booth in Ahmedabad. Shah (Gandhinagar) is among the bigwigs in the fray along with Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and SP Singh Baghel (Agra). The stakes are high for the BJP in this round as it had won an overwhelming majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, in the last election. Both the BJP and the INDIA bloc claimed that they had the upper hand after the third phase. Across all the states and UTs, voters from all walks of life have placed their faith in the NDA and our development agenda. I.N.D.I. Alliance is losing even more steam, thanks to their regressive economics and outdated votebank politics, Modi said on X.

The Congress claimed that the BJP has been wiped out in the south and reduced to half of its strength after the three phases Its very clear that for the BJP, it is South mein Saaf, North mein Half, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on X. In Uttar Pradesh, where several members of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadavs family are contesting, party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP workers were trying to loot booths in Mainpuri and people from opposition parties were being detained in police stations. Yadav cast his vote in Saifai (Etawah) in Mainpuri constituency where his wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting. Sporadic incidents of violence marred the polling in the four constituencies in West Bengal as TMC, BJP and Congress-CPI(M) workers clashed with each other in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur seats. According to state election officials, Murshidabad registered the highest voter turnout of 76.49 per cent followed by Maldaha Dakshin (73.68 pc), Maldaha Uttar (73.30 pc), and Jangipur (72.29 pc). In Uttar Pradesh, Agra witnessed 53.99 per cent polling, Aonla 57.08 per cent, Budaun 54.05 per cent, Bareilly 57.88 per cent, Etah 59.17 per cent, Fatehpur Sikri 57.09 per cent, Firozabad 58.22 per cent, Hathras 55.36 per cent, Mainpuri 58.59 per cent and Sambhal 62.81 per cent.

In Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra Pawar, who is the NCP candidate from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar were among those who cast their votes. Sharad Pawar was welcomed with a traditional aarti as he arrived at a polling booth in the Malegaon area of Baramati constituency in Pune district. Ajit Pawar and Sunetra Pawar cast their votes at a polling booth in Katewadi area of Baramati. Sunetra is pitted against her sister-in-law Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawars daughter and the sitting MP from there. In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma and daughter Sukanya Sarma exercised his franchise at Amingaon in Barpeta Lok Sabha seat. Amid rains, people used different modes of transport, including boats, to reach the polling stations across Guwahati, Barpeta, Dhubri and Kokrajhar constituencies. The next four phases will be on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes is on June 4.
3rd phase records voting of Over 71 %





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Voter turnout exceeded over 67 percent in the third phase of Lok Sabha polling across the seven constituencies of State on Tuesday. The voting was held smoothly, with heightened enthusiasm among voters who flocked to the 15,701 polling stations. Although minor disputes occurred at some locations, overall, the polling remained relatively peaceful. In Raipur, Congress candidate Vikas Upadhyay staged a protest in front of Saraswati School Purani Basti alleging violation of the model code of conduct by the BJP, which he claimed campaigned near polling booths under the guise of social organizations. Vikas Upadhyay alleged that the BJP tried to woo voters through Anganwadi workers and health workers on the pretext of distributing lemon sherbet. On the intervention of Raipur Collector Dr Gaurav Singh and on his assurance, Congress Upadhyay ended his dharna and the issue was resolved. According to the Election Commission of India, significant turnout percentages were noted across the constituencies, ranging from 66 to 72 percent. In Raipur Lok Sabha seat, over 65.87 percent polling was recorded while Durg and Bilaspur accounted for 72.29 percent polling and 63.95 percent polling respectively.

Likewise, over 65.92 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Janjgir-Champa Lok Sabha constituency, over 78.43 per cent in Raigarh Lok Sabha seat, 70.60 per cent in Korba Lok Sabha seat and 74.17 per cent in Surguja Lok Sabha seat. Polling was held from 7 am to 6 pm. However, observing long queues of voters, the voting process at some polling stations continued even after 6 pm. Despite the challenges posed by malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at certain polling stations, efforts were made to rectify the issues promptly. Malfunctioning of EVMs occurred in polling station 181 A in Navagaon village and 178 in Rakhi village under Arang assembly constituency of Raipur Lok Sabha seat. Polling began around 1 hour late at 8.08 am while polling began at around 9.15 am over two hours late at polling booth number 178 in Rakhi village. A total of 168 candidates including 142 male candidates and 26 female candidates contested in the third phase.

In the seven Lok Sabha constituencies, a total of 61,664 polling personnel were deployed for 15,701 polling parties. To ensure the integrity of the elections, 202 companies of security forces were stationed. 25 polling stations were classified as vulnerable and 1072 as critical, necessitating the deployment of CAPF personnel along with measures such as webcasting, videography, and micro-observation underscored the commitment to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. Political parties vied for voter support vigorously, with the BJP and Congress engaging in strategic manoeuvres at polling booths. Meanwhile, measures were taken to mitigate the effects of the heat wave, with provisions made for refreshments, shaded areas, and medical assistance at all polling stations. Talking to The Hitavada, voters expressed diverse motivations, with some prioritizing development and others seeking change through their votes.
58 pc voting in Bhopal; State records 62 pc till 5:30 pm





Staff Reporter

As per the voting percentage obtained from the Election Commission, the voting percentage on nine seats of Madhya Pradesh which went to polls in the third phase touched 62.28 per cent. The figure of voting percentage obtained is till 5:30 pm on Tuesday. The State capital, Bhopal recorded a turnout of 58.42 per cent whereas Morena, Bhind, Gwalior and Guna recorded a turnout of 55.25, 50.96, 57.86 and 68.96 percent respectively. Similarly, Sagar, Vidisha, Rajgarh and Betul recorded a voting percentage of 61.70, 69.20, 72.08 and 67.97 per cent. Despite the efforts made by the Election Commission for attracting the voters, the State recorded low voters turnout. The State Capital recorded a downfall of around 7 per cent against a turnout of 65.70 per cent in the 2019 Parliamentary elections.

Similarly, Morena, Bhind, Gwalior and Guna also recorded a downfall of around 6, 4, 9 and 2 per cent. Also, a decrease of 4, 2, 2 and 10 per cent was also witnessed in Sagar, Vidisha, Rajgarh and Betul Parliamentary constituencies. While observing the electoral process, The Hitavada team also noticed that people from Muslim communities thronged the polling booths after doing the afternoon prayers (Johar ki Namaz) on Tuesday. In the afternoon, after 1:30 pm when the prayer was completed, the people went to exercise their franchise at the polling booths thus contributing in the festival of democracy.
On Tuesday, Nagpur witnessed 4.2 mm rainfall whereas Chandrapur witnessed 11 mm, Bramhapuri 7.2 mm and Gondia 1 mm. Akola once again witnessed highest maximumtemperature in Vidarbha with 43.7C, followed by Washim (43.4C), Wardha (43.0C), Amravati (42.8C), Yavatmal (42.5C), Chandrapur (42.4C), Buldhana (40.2C). Brahmapuri, Gadchiroli, Gondia and Nagpur recorded the maximum temperature below 40.0 degree Celsius mark on Tuesday due to cloudy weather and rains.

South Nagpur residents spend sleepless night due to rains

For citizens in South Nagpur it was yet another instance of night out thanks to power failure that ruined their good night. An unprecedented rise in residential colonies and lack of adherence to norms of leaving out open spaces for utilities is resulting in harrowing time as citizens are now accustomed to power failure as it is now more or less a daily episode. The intervening night to Monday and Tuesday was again a long night as people were forced to face the brutal hot and humid atmosphere as over strained system of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) once again went phut. It was again a time for citizens to stay awake and fight out the loosing battle with mosquitoes on one hand and sultry weather on other.

Past midnight as the storm took centre stage, the over burdened MSEDCL lines snapped. While it has been a routine affair and hence people initially thought the power might come back after a while. But that was not the case to be and the wait continued till the dawn and post noon. To make matters worse in Jai Durga Layout again the newly installed transformer burst leaving citizens in soup. Incidentally about two years back, similar drama had played out and citizens went without power for nearly two days as that time also transformer had failed. So its quite surprising that transformers are repeatedly failing in the area as it is now densely populated and it seems, MSEDCL needs to upgrade it system to avoid such incidents in future.

On other hand several localities along Inner Ring Road in Manewada and adjoining areas too faced horrid times due to non availability of power. Similar reports came from Manish Nagar area also where to power went off for a long period. Some of the outer area faced extreme rains and hence it might have played some role in triggering the outages. The MSEDCL teams fanned around trying to rectify the fault but it could not succeed in rectifying it within time. Only after the day break the technicians could find the reason for power failure and went on securing one area after another. So in morning also the areas that went without power, the citizens had to face severe inconvenience. Finally power was restored only in the afternoon on Tuesday.
Modi slams Congress over Sam Pitroda's "skin colour" remarks, hits out at Rahul Gandhi





Hyderabad, May 8 (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday attacked the Congress over its party leader Sam Pitroda's comments over skin colour and asserted that the countrymen would not tolerate insult on the basis of skin colour.

Hitting out at top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi said he has now understood that the national party sought to defeat President Droupadi Murmu in the presidential poll as her "skin colour is dark".

As Pitroda's reported comments kicked up a row, Modi asked, "will the ability of people be decided in my country on the basis of skin colour."

"Who gave the permission to 'shehzada' for this game of skin colour," he asked while addressing an election rally at Warangal in the state.

Pitroda's comments that people in the Eastern parts of the country resembled the Chinese, while those from the South looked like Africans, had kicked up a row.

"I am angry today. If anyone abuses me, I don't get angry. I can tolerate that. But, the philosopher of 'shehzada' gave such a big abuse which has filled me with anger," Modi said.

Referring to Rahul Gandhi showing Constitution in his election rallies, he asked whether those who dance by keeping Constitution on their head were insulting the countrymen on the basis of skin colour.

India would not tolerate insult to the countrymen on the basis of skin colour, he said, adding 'shehzade' (Rahul Gandhi) must answer.

Modi also said he has now come to know as to why Congress had sought to defeat Murmu in the presidential elections in 2022 despite her having a great reputation.

"I came to know today that an uncle of 'shehzada' lives in America. The uncle is his philosopher and guide," he said in an apparent reference to Sam Pitroda.

"Shehzada's philosopher and guide uncle has opened a big secret. He said those whose skin colour is dark, they are all from Africa," he said.

That means, he (Pitroda) has abused so many people of the country on the basis of skin colour, he alleged.

Whatever is the colour of skin, the countrymen worship Lord Sri Krishna whose skin colour was like all of us, Modi said.

Earlier, at Vemulavada in Karimnagar, Modi attacked Congress over the "Ambani-Adani" issue, demanding that the party explain to people why it has stopped raising the matter. Congress' 'Shehzada' used to do for the past five years, Modi said and asked if the party has struck a 'deal'.

Have "tempo loads of notes (money)" reached the Congress that it has stopped targeting "Ambani-Adani'," Modi asked.

"Ever since elections have been announced, these people (Congress) have stopped abusing Ambani-Adani. I want to ask from Telangana soil, let the Shehzada announce, how much has been lifted from Ambani-Adani. Has tempo loads of notes (currency) reached the Congress? What deal has been arrived at, that abusing Ambani-Adani has stopped overnight," he asked.

"Certainly something is fishy. For five years, (they) abused Adani-Ambani and it stopped overnight. It means you have received some tempo loads of 'chori ka maal' (loot). You have to answer the nation," the Prime Minister said.

The Congress has been attacking the Modi government, accusing the Prime Minister of favouring the top five industrialists in the country, including Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani.

Addressing the rally after the third phase of general elections (May 7), Modi also said the phase has blown the third 'fuse' of Congress and its INDI Alliance. Congress leaders were searching for seats using magnifying glass after the latest round of polling.

In fourth phase, they will have to use microscope, he said.

He added four phases of polling are left and with the blessings of the people, the BJP and NDA were marching toward victory.

Attacking the Congress and K Chandrasekhar Rao-led BRS in Telangana, Modi said while the BJP believes in the 'nation first' principle, for the two parties it is 'family first'.

The BRS and Congress openly criticise each other on corruption, but it is a common factor between these parties, he charged.

Taking a veiled swipe at Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, he said there is a lot of discussion up to Delhi on the "double R (RR)" tax in the state. He also claimed Congress will do away with reservation for SC/ST and OBCs and give it to Muslims.
Muslims should get reservations, says Lalu





PATNA,

RJD President Lalu Prasad on Tuesday said he was in favour of extending reservation benefits to Muslims. He alleged that the ruling BJP at the Centre wanted to do away with reservations by scrapping the Constitution. The BJP is against the provision of reservations made in the Constitution. Hence, it wants to do away with both, Prasad told reporters at the legislative council premises. The ailing septuagenarian, who nowadays prefers to stay indoors, was attending a swearing-in ceremony where his wife Rabri Devi took oath as an MLC. Others who took oath included Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Prasads arch rival who heads the JD(U). Altogether 11 people were elected unopposed to the Upper House of legislature in Bihar in the biennial polls held earlier this year.

On BJPs charge that if voted to power, the Congress, RJD and other allies would steal reservations meant for OBCs and divert these to Muslims, Prasad said, but should not Muslims get the benefit of reservations? (Aarakshan to milna hi chahiye Musalmanon ko). He also said the BJP was indulging in scaremongering (bhadka rahe hain) by raising the bogey of jungle raj at election rallies. He also mocked the abki baar 400 paar claim of Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying woh khud hi paar ho gaye hain (he is on his way out). The poll outcome will be in our favour.
By Kaushik Bhattacharya

Degrading water quality of iconic Ambazari Lake is an example of sheer apathy, ignorance, and poor management by the administration which is causing slow death of the lake. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), which is the regulatory authority for pollution control in the State, normally takes quick action against industries which release any kind of effluent in water bodies in and around Nagpur city. However, in the case of Ambazari Lake, the Board cannot take any action against Wadi Municipal Council (WMC) which is continuously releasing sewage through a nullah in Ambazari Lake for years. The reason, it says, is that the matter sub-judice. From last more than one year, Ambazari Lake is witnessing flooding of Eichhornia weeds, which is happening due to intrusion of sewage into the water body. Along with Wadi Municipal Council and MIDC, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) are equally responsible for degradation of Ambazari Lake, claimed Hema Deshpande, Regional Officer, MPCB.

Residents of Kachimet area are releasing sewage in Ambazari Lake which also a matter of concern for us. NMC should take action against this and stop the intrusion of sewage from their jurisdiction, said Deshpande. Whereas Dr Shweta Banerjee, Executive Engineer, Environment Department, NMC denied the allegation made by MPCB. There is no intrusion of sewage from NMCs jurisdiction in Ambazari Lake. We have enquired about any malpractice going on in the lake and we found that sewage is entering through Wadi side, said Dr Banerjee. While asked about the action taken on WMC, the Regional Officer of MPCB said, The matter is under trial and we have not taken action against WMC yet.

WMC is constructing a 10 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP) at Ambedkar Nagar in Wadi area, near Amravati Road to restrict the direct release of sewage into Ambazari Lake. The work started in January this year and it will take one more year to complete. Till then, the intrusion of sewage from Wadi area will continue in the lake and MPCB is saying that it is helpless in this regard as the matter is under trial. Last year on September 23, Nagpur witnessed severe flood in Naag river due to overflowing of excess water from Ambazari Lake in the river. There were many factors involved behind the disaster and Eichhornia weeds in the Lake is also a major reason. After every bout of heavy rains in city, the residents of Ambazari Layout, Shankar Nagar and nearby localities situated on both sides of Naag river get paniced as they remember that dreadful flood. However, the authorities concerned are quick to pass the buck. The flooding of Eichhornia weeds is still going on and NMC is removing it on daily basis instead of taking action against the main culprits who are responsible for it.
Rajya Sabha MP Balmiki, MLA Neeraj Singh visit deceaseds parents





Staff Reporter

Member of Parliament for Rajya Sabha, Sumitra Balmiki, accompanied by MLA Bargi Assembly, Neeraj Singh Thakur visited village Tinehta to offer condolences to the families who lost their children in Monday's tragic accident.

Moved by the heart-wrenching scene of grieving parents, both the MP and MLA were visibly emotional as they extended comfort and pledged support to the bereaved families. With their presence, the entire village gathered and expressed profound grief on the unfortunate incident.

It may be noted that as many as five, including three teenagers and two children were killed after a speeding tractor overturned in village Tinehta under Chargawan on Monday. The tractor was being driven by Dharmendra Gond, 18-year-old youth, was driving the tractor while the other deceased, within the age group of 12-15 years were riding in the ill-fated tractor. All were members of the same family. BJP Chargawa Mandal President, along with Mandal Secretary and several others, present on the occasion also expressed sorrow over the tragedy..
Sagar citizens beat the heat, voters turnout at 61.70%





Our Correspondent

Sagar,

Polling went off peacefully in Sagar Lok Sabha seat. Till 5.00 pm, 61.70 percent voter turnout was recorded. Till 6.00 pm those voters who were inside the polling booth campus were allowed to vote. Upto 5.00 pm, voters turnout in Assembly segments coming under Sagar Lok Sabha seat were: Beena - 61 percent, Khurai - 63 percent, Kurwai - 66.50 percemt, Naryawali - 56.60 percent, Sagar - 53.07 percent, Shamshabad - 64.24 percent, Sironj - 66.38 percent, Surkhi - 62.67 percent. At polling booth no 22 in Khurai, Presiding Officer fell ill and at another polling booth Presiding Officer Surendra Singh Uikey fell unconscious hence both officers were rushed to hospital. Voters of all age groups, specially first time voters, were enthusiastic to give their vote. Small children who accompanied their parents to the polling booths were asked to wait outside polling booths. Collector, Sagar Deepak Arya and SP Abhishek Tiwari saw them and gave chocolates to them and educated them to give their vote when they reach 18 years age like their parents are doing so.

At polling booth no 48, three generations of a family reached the polling booth to cast their vote. 75-year-old Maina Jain despite being suffering from several diseases came to vote with her son Rajesh Singhai, daughter-in-law Deepa Singhai, and grand daughter. Maina Jain informed that on Tuesday it was her birthday and she is happy to discharge her duty of being a citizen of this country. She appealed to other to give their vote as it is their duty. Additional Collector and DDRO Rupesh Upadhyaya, CEO, district panchayat PC Sharma, visited polling booths of remote areas. They interacted with polling teams deployed in the polling in far flung villages. CEO PC Sharma visited polling booths in villages of Khurai, Beena, Mandi Bamora while DDRO Rupesh Upadhyaya visited polling booths in villages of Surkhi assembly segment. In Surkhi assembly segment, polling teams were served food as per their choice and all were happy with the arrangements. CEP, Janpad Ram Shriram Soni informed that all basic facilities were arranged in the polling booths for polling teams and then as team members demanded they were served chapatti, pulse, green vegetable, papad, mango pickle, chutney and other items.

Rajkumar Samiaya stays with his son at Mumbai but to cast his vote he came to Sagar with his wife. He was asked by security personnel to directly come to vote as being senior citizen they do not need to wait in a queue but he politely refused, stood in queue, waited for his turn to give his vote. Voters have show enthusiasm to vote since voting started in morning at 7 am. As it was hot hence in morning hours long queue were seen outside at most of the polling booths. At village Genhuraas Bujurg coming under Surkhi assembly segment, a bridegroom came to give his vote. Sudhanshu Ahirwar marriage is on May 8 and hence pre-wedding rituals were in progress but he took time to go and vote. It may be mentioned that polling booth no 177 at Govt High School at Genhuraas Bujurg was transformed into a model polling booth. Here a big tent like a marriage function was erected for the convenience of voters. Toys were arranged by anganwadi centre for children of voters to play while their parents cast their vote. Ayush and Health Department arranged for first aid services. High School arranged water cooler of polling teams and BLO set up a Voter Facility Counter.
SC stays Calcutta HC order annulling appointment of WB teachers





NEW DELHI :

THE Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the Calcutta High Court order invalidating the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff made by the States School Service Commission (SSC) in State-run and State-aided schools. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, however, permitted the CBI to continue with its investigation and probe even members of the State Cabinet.

The top court, however, asked the CBI not to take any precipitate action like arresting a suspect during the investigation. Earlier in the day, it termed the alleged scam as a systemic fraud and said the state authorities were duty-bound to maintain digitised records pertaining to the appointment of teachers and non-teaching staff. The top court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the Calcutta High Courts April 22 decision that invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff. Public job is so scarce.... Nothing remains if the faith of the public goes. This is systemic fraud. Public jobs are extremely scarce today and are looked at for social mobility. What remains in the system if their appointments are also maligned? People will lose faith, how do you countenance this? the CJI asked the lawyers representing the state government.

The bench said the state government has nothing to show that relevant data was maintained by the authorities and asked about its availability. Either you have the data or you do not have it.... You were duty-bound to maintain the documents in digitised form. Now, it is obvious that there is no data. You are unaware of the fact that your service provider has engaged another agency. You had to maintain supervisory control, the bench told the State Governments lawyers. The State Government had challenged the Calcutta High Court order, saying it cancelled the appointments arbitrarily.
U-TURN: NMC in a soup over misinformation regarding Swami Vivekananda statues location





Staff Reporter

Already under fire for the floods on September 23, 2023, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) finds itself in deeper trouble following the Ambazari flood debacle, as the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court prepares to deliver another blow. This time, the NMC seeks to rectify a mistake made in court regarding the location of the Swami Vivekananda statue. In a recent application for modification/recall of an order, the NMC admitted to erroneously stating that the statue stood in the No Development Zone (Agriculture Zone) rather than the Recreational Zone. This misinformation, initially conveyed during a hearing on May 3, resulted in a stern response from Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri, who demanded accountability for the illegal construction. It should be noted that during the last hearing, NMC informed the court that the statue was erected on land designated as a No Development Zone. The court took a firm stance and issued an order to the Additional Commissioner of the NMC to file an affidavit by May 7, initiating an inquiry to reveal the officers responsible for authorising the unlawful construction of the statue in the No Development Zone. The court underlined in its order, Such construction in the no development zone is carried out in flagrant violation of the development control regulation.

Following the High Courts order, NMC officials conveyed in the Civil Application that the statement regarding the statues location in the No Development Zone was made based on instructions from the Deputy Director of Town Planning. This information was endorsed by Additional Commissioner Anchal Goel, who relied on the Deputy Directors statement. Realising the major error in the guidance provided to NMCs counsel, the Deputy Director of the Town Planning Department took initiative. A meeting was convened on May 5, involving not only the Town Planning Department but also the Project Department and the Water Works Department of NMC. During this meeting, verification of the records pertaining to the construction of the statue was conducted. It was determined that the construction had indeed taken place in 2016, as stated in the NMCs application.
Youth seeking employment goes missing in Dubai





Staff Reporter

Members of Dharm Sena handed over a memorandum to Kotwali police alleging the conspiracy behind a youth who went missing while seeking employment in Dubai and demanded investigation into the case. Through the memorandum, Ramesh Yadav, resident of Footatal informed that his son Sonu Yadav (30) was allured by his friend Tariq Khan for employment in Dubai and informed that his relatives are lived in Dubai who will help them in getting employment. Sonu Yadav along with his friend Tariq Khan went Dubai and was regularly talking with his family members on phone for some months but later his phone was switched off.

Thereafter, they learnt that Tariq Khan returned his home and they contacted him to take how about his son but Tariq did not give any appropriate reply and started overlooking them. Parents of missing Sonu Yadav and members of Dharm Sena expressed their doubt of some conspiracy behind missing of Sonu and raised demand for investigating the case for finding him. On the occasion, Dharma Sena, President, Yogesh Agrawal, Neeraj Rajput, Arvind Baba, Jagdish Dubey, Anil Dubey, Avinash Sukhdan, Atul Yadav, Akshay Rai, Vaibhav Gupta and others were present.
Look for ways to restore normalcy Debunk peace later slogan

|

The tasks before the Government should be clear. There is no indication that Manipur has taken her first step towards normalcy but this is no reason for the Government to sleep over the matter. The much tom tommed Peace Committee that was formed during the initial days of the ethnic clash has been a no starter and perhaps the office of the Governor may look into it and see if a new committee may be formed, drawing people from different walks of life. The Churachandpur based Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and the Kangpokpi based Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) had coined the slogan, Solution First, Peace Later, but it still remains to be seen whether the solution they are talking about can be achieved without a semblance of normalcy or peace. Only Delhi can address the call for Separate Administration, but so far the Government of India has not given even the slightest hint that this demand is being considered seriously. On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar had on more than one occasion pointed to the large scale influx from neighbouring Myanmar as one of the prime reasons for the violence that Manipur sees today. In other word, it is the large scale immigration that is responsible for the violence erupting in all its ugliness on May 3, 2023. For reasons which must be obvious to everyone, no Kuki civil society organisation has had the gumption to address the question of large scale immigration or the rapid change in the demographic composition of Manipur. It was way back on May 23, 2002 that a certain Paolienlal Haokip had written in a publication of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies that about 15,000 Konyak Nagas, 20,000 Kukis and 17000-20000 Chin and Reang tribal were driven out from the then Burma into the Indian States of Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram respectively. This was in 1967 when the then Burmese Government under Ne Win launched the Burma- nisation programme, wrote Paolienlal Haokip. The article came under the heading Burmese Refugees in North East Region of India and the very title of the article should say something significant. A point which Manipur had been raising for some time now. Jobless and hungry and with no Governmental or international efforts to remedy the plight of the refugees, many of them took to drugs and arms trafficking along the porous Indo-Myanmar border, wrote Paolienlal Haokip. The intent of the article was to highlight the absence of any legislation to deal with refugees back then and fast forward to 2024 or 2023 and it is more than clear that there has been no end to the inflow of immigrants from across the border, especially after the military coup in Myanmar in 2021 and it is more than clear that from trafficking drugs, it has today gone to poppy cultivation, destroying vast tracts of forest land.

Obvious that CoTU and ITLF are not ready to acknowledge the facts and accordingly move on. The two organisations have still not answered why a protest against the policy and programme of the Government should turn towards the Meitei civilians on May 3, 2023. Imphal and the valley areas retaliated only late in the evening of May 3, 2023 and The Sangai Express has already recalled that it was on this very day that a Kuki gentleman, a former MLA, dropped in at the office of this newspaper at about 6.30 pm to inquire about a report, a report that had nothing to do with the rally and the ugly developments thereafter. Spelling out the facts but it remains that Manipur cannot continue like this forever. It is already a year since the clash broke out and surely steps ought to be taken up to put the State back on track. The Peace Committee has been a non-starter, but there is no reason why a new Committee cannot be formed. Involve people from across the ethnic divide, let a person who has the faith and confidence of both the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zos lead the Committee and this is where Delhi may be approached to take up the initiative. Let Raj Bhavan liaise with either side and take the people from both sides along. For over a year Manipur has been burning and the longer the clash continues the more Manipur stands to lose. And when Manipur loses, everyone knows who stand to gain.
In the scorching heat of a Californian afternoon, history was quietly made at Edwards Air Force Base. An experimental F-16, its sleek frame adorned in bold orange and white hues, pierced the sky with a thunderous roar. Yet, what followed was not a conventional aerial duel, but a spectacle of technological prowess ~ an AI-controlled fighter jet, piloted not by a human, but by artificial intelligence. This milestone in military aviation represents a seismic shift in warfare, akin to the advent of stealth technology in the 1990s. The US Air Forces embrace of AI heralds a future where unmanned warplanes, guided by sophisticated algorithms, dominate the skies.

The vision of a fleet comprising over 1,000 AIenabled aircraft by 2028 underscores the services commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technology for national security. However, as with any leap into the unknown, this transition is not without its share of apprehensions and ethical dilemmas. The spectre of autonomous weapons looms large, raising concerns among arms control experts and humanitarian groups alike. The prospect of AI making life-and-death decisions, including the deployment of lethal force, without human intervention is deeply unsettling. The International Committee of the Red Cross has sounded a clarion call for urgent international action to regulate the use of such technology. Yet, proponents argue that human oversight remains paramount in ensuring responsible AI deployment. The assertion by US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall that there will always be human involvement in critical decision-making processes offers some reassurance. Nevertheless, striking the delicate balance between leveraging AIs capabilities and preserving ethical standards demands meticulous scrutiny and robust safeguards.

The strategic imperative driving this paradigm shift is clear ~ to maintain air superiority in an increasingly contested and complex global landscape. As geopolitical rivals like China invest heavily in bolstering their air capabilities, the United States faces the imperative to adapt and innovate. The emergence of AIcontrolled aircraft promises to mitigate risks to pilots while enhancing operational effectiveness. At the heart of this transformation lies the convergence of security, cost, and strategic considerations. The staggering cost overruns and production delays plaguing traditional manned fighter programmes, exemplified by the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, underscore the urgency for alternative solutions.

Advertisement

AI-controlled unmanned jets offer a compelling proposition ~ smaller, cheaper, and potentially more agile than their manned counterparts. The US Air Forces pioneering efforts in AI development, exemplified by the groundbreaking achievements at Edwards Air Force Base, underscore its commitment to staying ahead of the curve in military technology. Yet, as we venture into uncharted territory, we must remain vigilant, ensuring that technological innovation is guided by ethical principles and human values. The journey towards an AI-enabled future in military aviation is fraught with challenges and uncertainties. Yet, it is a journey that must be undertaken with resolve, mindful of the profound implications for security, ethics, and the very nature of warfare itself.
Barring stray incidents, the second phase of polling to two Lok Sabha constituencies went off peacefully today.

The Maldah (Uttar) and Maldah (Dakshin) Lok Sabha seats recorded 73.30 and 73.68 per cent voter turnout respectively till 5 pm. Voter turnout was recorded 61.50 per cent and 62.90 per cent in Uttar and Dakshin LS seats respectively at 3 pm.

When the polling was going on peacefully in Malda district, a clash broke out between Congress and Trinamul Congress workers at Chashpara in Sujapur Assembly segment in Maldah (Dakshin) LS seat midway today. Six persons belonging to both the parties were injured. A large contingent of police force rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Three of them, including a Congress worker, were admitted to hospital.

Advertisement

The TMC candidate S Ali Rehan blamed the Congress as well as the central forces for their inaction.

In presence of central forces, Congress attacked my party workers. I asked the central forces posted there how they attacked my party workers. This is not the culture of the Congress during the tenure of the late ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, Mr Rehan said.

Significantly, TMC supporters in English Bazaar Town alleged that BJP candidate Sreerupa Mitra Choudhury, accompanied by central forces as security personnel, was campaigning when election process began.

On the other hand, Ms Chowdhury alleged that the TMC leaders were preventing voters from exercising their democratic rights.

Another BJP leader Amlan Bhaduri also claimed that the TMC tactfully prevented many voters from exercising their franchise. Citing an example, Mr Bhaduri claimed at least 10 people were in a queue at booth 87, under Ward 21 in English Bazaar since long time but finally they could not cast votes.

They have been identified as dead voters in the electoral roll, Mr Bhaduri claimed.

On the other hand, one Danesh Sheikh (50) fell ill just after casting his vote at Malatipur Assembly segment in Maldah Uttar LS seat. Doctors declared him dead after he was brought to local hospital.

A BJP polling agent identified as Pralay was allegedly assaulted by the TMC workers at Booth 227 in Habibpur Assembly segment in Maldah (Uttar) LS seat. He was admitted to hospital. When BJP candidate Khagen Murmu rushed to the hospital, TMC activists staged demonstration by shouting go back slogan. Mr Murmu lodged complaint with the appropriate authorities against a TMC backed goon Madan Bishnu.

Mr Bishnu and his associates alleged that the BJP workers were influencing voters in the queue.

Notably, Mr Murmu lodged a complaint yesterday and wrote a letter to the Election Commission by submitting a list of TMC-backed goons and urged the Commission to keep a close watch on them during polling.

TMC candidate from Maldah Uttar Prasun Banerjee, a former IPS officer, lodged a complaint with the election observer against the BJP activists, who put up party flags in government establishments including a health centre in Old Malda areas. Police removed those flags immediately after Mr Banerjee lodged a complaint.
Modi magic is over. It does not work any more, Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said at an election rally here on Tuesday. Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi Nandalal, in a comparison to a selfish character depicted in an old Bengali comic song, Miss Banerjee said: Dont allow him to continue in office.

Hell cause further problems. I urge you, Modi Hathao,Desh Bachao(Drive away Modi and save the country). Hell sell the entire country. In the name of NRC, he and his colleagues will push everyone out of this country. She added: Weve already prevented the implementation of NRC (National Register of Citizens) in Bengal. I wont allow them here so long as Im alive. Miss Banerjee reached Patrasayar in a helicopter from Purulia to campaign for her party candidates ~ Sujata Mondal (in Bishnupur) and Arup Chakraborty (in Bankura).

, a very small town surrounded by villages bordering East Burdwan district falls under Bishnupur Lok Sabha constituency. In a district with a significant presence of tribal and Scheduled Caste voters, Miss Banerjee raised the issue of the UCC (Uniform Civil Code) and said: He has sold out communities like Bhumijas, Lodhas, Sabars, Mundas, Tudus, Bauris and Bagdis by trying to impose the UCC. She referred to the ideology of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and said: If we want to secure our existence in the days to come, well have to pursue Netajis immortal slogan of Jai Hind that talks about an united India.

Advertisement

She added: Weve also adopted Vande Mataram and Joy Bangla along with this to uphold our identity. The Chief Minister, apprehending fresh spells of thunderstorms cautioned her party supporters: Bengal lost 12 lives due to thunderstorm yesterday. You should take care of yourselves. Dont stay under the trees during stormy weather. Speaking earlier in Purulia, Miss Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that the Election Commission has turned a blind eye to the allegations against BJP leaders that they indulge in hate speeches during campaigns, The Model Code of Conduct has been converted into Modi code of conduct, she said.

Miss Banerjee said that Prime Minister Modi and other top BJP leaders consider only themselves as Hindus, and they do not think about other communities. Mr Modi and other BJP leaders by their hate-filled speeches are intimidating lower caste Hindus, minorities and other marginalised sections, but the Election Commission is silent, she alleged. The Election Commissions Model Code of Conduct has turned out to be a mockery and should be rechristened as Modi code of conduct. But we will continue to flag every incident of violation of rights of citizens of this country, Miss Banerjee said.
Hyundai Motor, Kia and two other carmakers will recall over 7,700 vehicles due to faulty components, the transport ministry here said on Wednesday.

The four companies, including Jaguar Land-Rover Korea and Volkswagen Group Korea, are voluntarily recalling 7,783 units of 11 different models, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement.

The problems that prompted the recall included a manufacturing defect in the exhaust gas recirculation valve power unit, which may cause the engine to stall while driving, in 4,118 units of five different Hyundai models and 2,668 units of Kia models, reports Yonhap news agency.

Advertisement

Another problem was the poor fixation of the rear right illumination device in 329 units of two different Jaguar Land-Rover models, including the new Range Rover Sport P360.

Also, 623 units of Volkswagens Touareg 3 3.0 TDI model were subject to a corrective action due to a software error in the vehicles mobile app, which could lead to a vehicle malfunction during remote automated parking.
Air India Express faced major disruption in services as 78 flights were cancelled and many were delayed after cabin crew called in mass sick leave to mark their protest against the ongoing transition in the airline.

In 2023, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) gave its go-ahead to the Tata Groups initiative to merge the budget airline AIX Connect (previously known as AirAsia India) with Air India Express.

Sources said the senior employees, including the cabin crew, are unhappy with the changes.

Advertisement

A section of our cabin crew reported sick at the last minute, starting last night (Tuesday), resulting in flight delays and cancellations. While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result, said the airline spokesperson.

We sincerely apologise to our guests for this unexpected disruption and emphasise that this situation does not reflect the standard of service we strive to provide. Guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date. Guests flying with us today are requested to check if their flight is affected, before heading to the airport, said the spokesperson.
This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for our north-central Pa. newsletter, Talk of the Town, at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown.

STATE COLLEGE  Penn State is offering buyouts to Commonwealth Campus employees to reduce its multimillion-dollar budget deficit, a dramatic step for Pennsylvanias flagship university.

Tenured faculty, tenure-line faculty, academic administrators and staff who are full-time employees, not on fixed-term contracts, and were hired before April 1, 2023, are eligible, according to the universitys website. These employees have until May 31 to decide, and their final day of work, in most cases, would be June 28. Employees who voluntarily resign will be paid a years salary.

Each of our campuses brings a unique element and value to our Penn State community, our structure and our students, a university spokesperson wrote in an email to Spotlight PA.

However, a handful of campuses have experienced significant enrollment declines in the last few years, the spokesperson wrote, and some campuses are spending significantly more than they bring in revenue; with our current funding level from the state, the current business model is unfortunately not sustainable.

The university did not provide an estimate of the number of eligible employees or how many it anticipates will accept. The 20 Commonwealth Campuses had more than 3,200 full-time employees as of fall 2023, according to the universitys website.

The spokesperson said the university does not plan to close any Commonwealth Campuses, but all options are on the table.

Julio Palma, a chemistry professor at Penn State Fayette, told Spotlight PA he questioned whether the administration wanted to ruin tenure at the Commonwealth Campuses and said the plan would destroy what morale is left among employees there.

How is the administration imagining that faculty and staff are going to continue going into their jobs believing that their work and their loyalty is going to be appreciated?

In March, Palma successfully introduced a resolution to the university faculty senate that asks university leadership to stop the fiscal year 2026 budget cuts and instead initiate a comprehensive, multi-year planning process with a reasonable budget model that actively involves all the stakeholders from the beginning.

Sarah Townsend, a State College professor of Spanish and Portuguese and spokesperson for the Coalition for a Just University at Penn State, said in an email to Spotlight PA that the voluntary separation plan is a recipe for chaos, and questioned how students will be affected.

As if we needed any more evidence, this shows that the Penn State administration is not to be trusted, and that theyre going to take advantage of the summer to ram through changes as a way of bypassing faculty and staff involvement and oversight, Townsend wrote. Clearly the administration is trying to empty out the Commonwealth Campuses in advance of the university-wide program review so that they can justify cutting programs and perhaps even closing entire campuses.

There are no immediate plans to make similar separation offers to State College, College of Medicine or law school employees, the university said in its statement.

In January, the university announced plans to slash almost $100 million from its budget starting in July 2025. The administration expects to cut $49 million from the Commonwealth Campuses, a figure that was reduced by $5 million after the university acknowledged a spreadsheet error.

President Neeli Bendapudis administration seeks to balance the universitys budget by 2025. Under her leadership, Penn State moved to a two-year budget model to provide more predictability and stability to its financial planning. Handling the universitys multimillion-dollar budget deficit has been an ongoing challenge for Bendapudi since she became president in May 2022.

To ease the transition to the new budget model, the university had previously capped the annual reductions for colleges or other departments. Such limits are gone for fiscal year 2026, resulting in steep cuts for the Commonwealth Campuses, as well as for Penn State Law and Dickinson Law (15% each), the College of Agricultural Sciences (5.5%), and the graduate school (5%), according to the universitys budget office.

The State College colleges of business, communications and information sciences will receive a funding boost in fiscal year 2026. The administration will keep flat the budgets of its presidents office, communications department, general counsel and lobbying unit for fiscal year 2026, according to the budget office.

The university Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the fiscal year 2026 budget at its July 19 meeting.

The Penn State spokesperson, in an email to Spotlight PA, said the costs of the voluntary separations will be included in the fiscal year 2025 budget.

Employees who accept the offer will be eligible for medical, dental, and vision insurance through COBRA. According to the universitys statement, a Penn State subsidy will allow the individuals to pay the same insurance premium they did while employed for up to six months. Employees who accept the separation offers cannot work at Penn State for at least three years.

Josh Wede, a psychology professor at State College and chair-elect of the Faculty Senate, told Spotlight PA there was zero consultation by the administration with faculty on the separation plan.

Had we been consulted, we could have worked to a solution that would have resulted in the same fiscal realities without having to have some of the potential negative outcomes that will result from this, Wede said.

The professor described the plan as a short-sighted business decision with long-term negative impacts.

Palma, who is eligible for a buyout, said the university has offered its employees just weeks to make a huge decision.

I would like to know, what are the values of our university administrators and their priorities? Because its clear shared governance is not one of them, Palma said.

SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/donate/statecollege. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results.
The Delhi Police rescued an eight-year-old girl within 24 hours of her kidnapping from South Delhi.

According to the police, the child was kidnapped from the Kotla Mubarakpur area in South District on Monday afternoon at around 3 pm.

Soon after, the police registered a case based on the girls father complaint and constituted teams track down the girl and nab the abductors.

Advertisement

The joint team of Police Stations Kotla Mubarka Pur and the Special Staff of the South district eventually tracked down the alleged kidnapper identified as Arjun alias Mohammad Umer.

In the entire operation, the teams started working on all the leads after collecting vital clues from the place of the abduction through analysis of CCTV footage. They identified one suspect moving in the area in suspicious circumstances.

Thereafter, CCTV cameras were scanned rigorously to trace the route taken by the suspect. Multiple CCTV Cameras in the area of Bapu Park, Uday Chand Marg, Kotla Mubarakpur, Gurudwara Road, South Ex-1, Pilanji Village, and other places were checked in reverse order to trace from where the accused had reached the place of occurrence, a police official added.

It was revealed that the accused came from South Ex- I bus stop and he had also taken the little girl in the same direction.

Thereafter, one team was sent to ISBT Kashmere Gate to check the CCTV Cameras installed in the Buses as the main centre for CCCTV Cameras in buses is situated at the ISBT. On checking the CCTV footage, it was revealed that the accused person disembarked from a DTC bus at South Extension Part-I and he had boarded the bus at Safdarjung Hospital bus stop.

During the probe, family members and relatives of the girl were also questioned thoroughly.

On further checking of CCTV Cameras of Metro Stations and DTC Buses, it was revealed that the accused person along with the little girl got down at Qutub Minar Metro Station and while coming to the place of occurrence, he had boarded the DTC bus from Andheria Mod Bus Stand.

On getting the clue, extensive search was made in the shanties at Andheria Mod and during the search operation, the accused person was identified, and also the girl was rescued from the same place from where the accused was apprehended.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he was involved in making crafts and small toys of glass and had come to Kotla area to collect some raw material, where he noticed the girl playing and took her to his shanty in Andheria Mod.

As per police, the medical examination of the girl is being done and statement under relevant sections of the will also be recorded.

It was later revealed that Arjun alias Umar is a resident of Andheria Mod, Mehrauli, New Delhi, and is illiterate and was living alone at the above said address.

He originally hails from Kuber Nagar, Ahmedabad, Gujrat but his ancestors came to Delhi and settled here.

So far, there are no criminal antecedents found of the accused person, however, efforts are on to find out his involvement in the same nature of crime in the past.

According to the police, for the commendable rescue, the concerned staff involved in cracking the case is being suitably rewarded.
Get ready to groove to the rhythm of the upcoming thrillers title track, Kartam Bhugtam, as Mika Singh and Mellow D set the dance floor on fire! This electrifying musical journey promises an infectious blend of catchy beats and pulsating rap verses that will leave you hooked.

Mika Singh shares, We wanted to create a song that reflects the films central theme  the concept of karma. Kartam Bhugtam captures this essence perfectly. Its a track that will resonate with audiences, thanks to its irresistible beat and meaningful lyrics. Get ready to move!

Mellow D adds, Collaborating with Mika Singh for Kartam Bhugtam has been an exciting ride. The song strikes a balance between energy and style, offering a fresh perspective on karma, tailored for todays youth.

Advertisement

Crafted by Shabbir Ahmed, both the music and lyrics of the title track of Kartam Bhugtam resonate with depth and vitality. The vibrant choreography, led by Arvind Thakur with assistance from Pravin Kadam, adds further dynamism to the track.

Capturing the essence of the song through vibrant visuals is Director of Photography Santosh Thundiyil. Indias premier music label, Zee Music Company, has spearheaded the production of this track, ready for release across all major streaming platforms.

The producers at Gandhar Films express their excitement, stating, We are thrilled to have Mika Singh and Mellow D on board for Kartam Bhugtam. Their incredible talent has taken the song to new heights, perfectly complementing the films narrative and energy.

Directed by Soham P. Shah, the film Kartam Bhugtam promises an enthralling cinematic experience. Starring Shreyas Talpade, Madhoo, Vijay Raaz, and Aksha Pardasany, the film is ready to hit theaters on May 17th. Get ready to dive deep into the seamless fusion of music and anticipation as we eagerly await the films release!
The shy and apparently sombre-looking octogenarian Asok Das now enjoys every single moment of his life in his small and beautiful home in Shantiniketan with his wife, Shyamali, an expert in Mughal art.

The 87-year-old Asok Das is a doyen of Indias art history. In his beautifully sunlit room, he goes back to his innumerable memories, which span his days in Calcuttas Indian Museum to Londons Victoria & Albert Museum. His contributions as a scholar to various projects to preserve the peerless legacy of Indias mediaeval art forms are extremely noteworthy.

But what the couple fondly remembers is their association with Satyajit Ray. The tall man with his baritone voice and unmatched personality floored them upon arriving in Jaipur in June 1977 to visit the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Museum and do research for his first Hindi film, Shatranj ke Khilari. After sweeping several film awards since 1955, Ray, who directed Bengali films, decided to make a Hindi-Urdu movie in 1977, produced by none other than Suresh Jindal. It was the biggest news in the Indian film industry at the time.

Advertisement

Asok Das remembers, I had seen Ray many years ago at an event in Calcuttas when he was bestowed with the honour of Star of Yugoslavia. Even before that, in 1961, I contributed an article in Sandesh, the magazine he used to edit, but all these were not good enough to build a friendship for a lifetime.

For him, life took a twist in June 1977 when he received a phone call from Calcutta and heard a baritone voice introducing himself as My name is Satyajit Ray, which went on to enquire about the availability of various historical relics and artefacts of the Raj era available from the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Museum of Jaipur, of which Dr Asok Das was then the chief curator.

Ray explained to me that he wanted to shoot a sequence showing the movement of the East India Companys army from Kanpur to Lucknow in 1856 for his next film, says the man, whose academic knowledge about each and every artefact in the Jaipur museum was unmatched at that point in time. Ray had done his research well.

Ray told him that though the sequence had Uttar Pradesh as his background, he wanted to shoot in Jaipur only for various authentic items and for the easy supply of animals like elephants, horses, camels, etc. It was a pure case of logistics and Rays greed for perfection in a periodic film that he was about to direct.

With special support received from Maharani Gayatri Devi, Prince Bhawani Singh and Mohan Mukherjee, then the chief secretary of the Government of Rajasthan, almost every single historical item demanded by Ray was issued from MSMM for the films shooting, and Dr Das was responsible for its safe return.

Even after so many years, Dr Das recalls Rays extraordinary command on the subject and the exact requirements for such a periodic movie.

Before coming to Jaipur in a museum at Lucknow, Ray first found a 120-year-old scroll drawing of the army movement of East India Company. For a better idea, he went to the library of Londons India office with the help of MOFA, where he found a better scroll drawn by an unknown artist giving almost all the details of the army movement. He made his own illustration out of that and wanted to picturise the same in Rajasthan with various objects from my museum, recalls Asok Babu.

Ray finally arrived with his team in Jaipur on 15 June 1977, and in the next few days, searching various galleries, arsenals, and other collection rooms of our museum, he selected authentic and original samples of muzzle loading guns, camel guns, swords, gun powder boxes, wheeled cannons, etc. He was overjoyed to have Tower London-branded guns that we could provide to him and over satisfied, says the octogenarian with a broad smile on his face. The only regret was that some of the guns and canons of Nahargarh fort selected by him were not approved for the shooting.

Ray invited the historian: Be at the spot on 18 June early morning to see the shooting, he had said. The shooting spot was Nailathen, a small village near Jaipur. On the day of the shoot, as Dr Das still recalls, Ray was an organised man with superb command over his team, who were managing such huge numbers of people and animals. The shot was simple but very complex to organise. For acting, several British officers and many foreign embassy employees of New Delhi were hired, and Ray, operating the camera by himself, did his work in just one take.

The long line of soldiers in red-white and black uniforms marching with a flying Union Jack, followed by cavalcades, many of them mounted on horses and camels, and their supplies on elephants backs, were shot very smoothly.

Asok Das also remembers, For a sequence that lasted not even 2 minutes on screen, Rays dedication to follow every single historical detail was amazing. During his stay, Ray shot another sequence on the lawn of the Clerk Amer Hotel, and Dr Das was a witness to that as well. It was the surrender of arms by soldiers of Awad to Lord Outram, on the order of Lord Dalhousie.

In 1979, Ray was back in Jaipur and took the help of Asok Das when he shot a very small sequence of Hirak Rajar Deshe.

This resulted in a profound bonding between Asok Das, a doyen in the history of Indian art, and Satyajit Ray, whose interest and wisdom went beyond cinema.

An impressed Ray, who later acknowledged in writing that without the help of Asok, it was not possible for him to shoot that memorable sequence, invited him to contribute to his magazine, Sandesh. He wrote two very important articles: one on the history of Jaipur city and its town planner, Vidhyadhar, and the other on the Jaigarh Fort of Jaipur.

A documentary of Rajasthans folk music: The aborted dream

One of the biggest regrets that Asok Das still has is Rays decision to abort his project of making a documentary of Rajasthans folk music. In 1968, while shooting his first film in Rajasthans Jaisalmer, Ray was mesmerised by hearing various kinds of Rajasthani vocal and instrumental music and started to nurse a dream to make a documentary on the subject. By the beginning of 1979, a French television company came forward to produce the documentary, and Ray was highly excited. He started discussing the topic with Asok Das. Unfortunately, the project was called off at the last minute, and Ray got busy with his next feature film.

This was a great loss to both Indian cinema and music, says the historian pensively. When we planned a book on the Farsi Ramayana translated for Akbar from MSMM, I directly requested his cover illustration. He thanked us but could not do it due to other engagements. In 1985, we planned to bring him to Jaipur for an exhibition on photography by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, one of the earliest princes to patronise and do photography. The exhibition was named The Photographer Prince. Due to his poor health, Manik da could not make it.

Asok Das and Ray continued to exchange letters until 1992, when Ray passed away. As the sun dipped over the western horizon, Asok Das, in his twilight years, remembered the great man and those rich creative days as silence fell all around us.

The writer is a freelance contributor
Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda has been instrumental in managing the grand old partys affairs outside India. During the previous Congress-led UPA regime at the Centre, he served as Advisor to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on public information infrastructure and innovation, with the rank of a Cabinet Minister. He had also served as Advisor to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

In an interview with Santu Das of The Statesman, Pitroda talks about Congress prospects in the Lok Sabha election, political situation in the country and his latest book The Idea of Democracy, among other issues. Excerpts:

Q: Since the announcement of the Lok Sabha election, key leaders of the Congress have been reiterating that the fight this time is to save democracy and the Constitution.

Advertisement

A: Today, the country is divided based on the idea of India. It is not a question of who is right and who is wrong, but of what you believe in. So the positions are very hard on both sides. One side believes that we need a Hindu nation, that side to me is represented by a group of people who killed Mahatma Gandhi. They have a position based on their leader called Savarkar. The idea was that India belongs to Hindus and there is very little space for others, especially Muslims, and in the process, there is stress in the society. You cannot ignore Muslims. If there is stress in the society, there will be violence, lack of peace and this will ultimately affect our economy, employment, future, safety and security. There is another group which says our founding fathers fought the British Raj not for Hindu Rashtra but for a secular nation. Pakistan decided to create a nation based on religion, see what happened to them. We are a shining example of democracy in the world. We respect all languages, religions and customs. So, the fight is that if you want an India where everybody can live in peace, be prosperous and treated equally with respect and dignity, thats the India we want. The BJP promised 2 lakh jobs a year, but did not create any because they are busy with other agendas.

Q: The BJP manifesto offers a slew of promises to woo voters. The party is confident of retaining power for the third time. Slogans of 400 paar are echoing in BJP rallies. What do you think?

A: They have access to media, they can say 400 or 500 paar. Why stop at 400? Just look at the promises they made last time. Do not worry about the promises being made today. First check the promises made in the past. Did you create jobs? No. Did you bring back black money? No. Did you mess up with demonetization and GST? Yes. If you feel that they will deliver on their promises, it is your vote, you have to decide. I do not think you can underestimate the intelligence of the Indian voters. They are smart and at the end of the day, they will ask the right questions.

Q: BJP and its allies have often accused the Congress of indulging in appeasement politics. Your take?

A: Just look at the track record. Who created IITs, IIMs, space programmes, agriculture research, white revolution, green revolution, telecom, and IT revolution? Is that appeasement politics? These people can say anything to anybody. The Prime Minister of a nation in public meetings accusing people is not decency.

Q: How do you see the performance of the current dispensation compared with that of the previous UPA government?

A: I worked for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government under Manmohan Singh. I worked with him for 10 years. I was very impressed with his way of doing things. He is very humble, simple, not authoritarian, listens to everybody, low key. I would not prefer a leader who takes credit for everything and says it is happening only because of me. It is not a good leader, that is an insecure leader. I want a leader who gives credit to people and does not take away credit from them. I want a leader who carries everybody with him and not a small group of people. The UPA government did very well in its tenure except its last two years. Right to Information, MGNREGA, e-governance, AADHAR are all good examples.

Q: Rahul Gandhi carried out the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Do you think the yatra will have an impact on the election?

A: Absolutely. We must first recognize that nobody in the long history of India has ever walked the way he walked, from south to north and, part bus yatra from east to west. Along with him, millions of people walked, he listened to them. I think this has transformed him. People realized that he is not what the media has been projecting. He is a decent human being, a leader and deserves a lot more. I think it has transformed him and his image, not only in India but all over. I think it will have an impact.

Q: The BJP often accuses Rahul Gandhi of maligning the countrys image whenever he visits abroad. Your comments?

A: I am always with him when he goes abroad. First thing is that nobody can hurt the image of India. India is too big. But, you can talk about the government. You can criticize the government. As an opposition leader, it is your job to criticize the government. If you criticize the government, do not take it as criticizing India. Who told you the Government of India is India ? You are just a government. It is the job of the opposition leader to point that out. Why are you so insecure? Do you have a guilt feeling? Why cant you take it as fair criticism?

Q: The INDIA bloc is yet to declare its prime ministerial candidate. Do you think Rahul Gandhi would be a perfect pick?

A: First of all, we are going into a parliamentary election. We are not a presidential system. We should not announce Modi versus who, that is what they want. If the INDIA alliance has the majority, they will come together and collectively decide who should be the leader.

Q: What is the roadmap of the INDIA bloc to oust the BJP? How confident are you of it coming to power in 2024?

A: They are all working together. You have seen the manifesto of the Congress which clearly outlines the fact that if we come back to power, we will put democracy back on track. We will make sure that institutions are independent, autonomous, free and fair, including the Election Commission and judiciary. We will not misuse the ED, income tax and others. We will make sure that the media is free and fair and independent, and we will focus on employment. We will focus on improving the life of farmers. I think things have changed in the last few months. The hawa (wind) is changing very fast. Four months ago, it was very different, but today it is going to be very tough for the BJP. Not going to be a cakewalk. The more they tell about 400 paar that means they are insecure. People of India are waking up and realizing that the government has not delivered. People of India are realizing that the prime minister is not telling the truth. People are realizing that jobs have not been created. Q: How many seats do you expect for the INDIA alliance? A: I have no idea.

Q: Can you talk about your book The Idea of Democracy?

A: This year, there will be elections in 64 different countries which is unique. Most of these countries are having difficulty in democracy and have an authoritarian mindset. Worldwide, there is a crisis of democracy. The book is divided into two parts. Part one is about the history of democracy. Where did it come from and what does it mean to be a democratic nation? There is a chapter of democracy in India and elections are going on. It is the largest democracy in the world. There is also a chapter of democracy in the US.

Watch the full interview on YouTube
Nine active members of outlawed Maoist outfit KKBN (Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh) Division operating in Odishas Boudh district surrendered before the Malkangiri police and returned to the mainstream, a senior police official said on Wednesday.

Those who surrendered included two women cadres, who were victims of sexual violence inflicted upon them by the Naxal leaders, said Inspector General of Police, Southern Range, Jai Narayan Pankaj.

They have surrendered and pledged to lead a normal life. According to them, they were disturbed and frustrated by the continuous unethical activities in Maoist organization like sexual harassment of female cadre, extortion of funds through intimidation, promoting Ganja cultivation and smuggling, taking levy from Ganja mafias and induction of young boys and girls in the organisation by false promise and propaganda, police said in a statement.

Advertisement

The Maoists, who surrendered, were disillusioned by the highhanded activities and rude behaviour of senior leaders towards the lower rank cadres. They were also attracted towards the policies of the government for the development and upliftment of the tribal people, the statement added.

They will face trial in the court in accordance with law. After the completion of the legal process, they will be rehabilitated under the policy of rehabilitating left-wing extremists. They will also receive government assistance in accordance with rehabilitation policy applicable for Maoists who join the mainstream, the statement concluded.
Global pharma giant AstraZeneca has decided to withdraw its Covid-19 vaccine worldwide after the company admitted in court documents that it can have dangerous side effects, according to a report published by a leading British daily.

However, the company has insisted that the vaccine is not being withdrawn over side effects but due to commercial reasons.

Due to low demand and having been superseded by updated versions of the Covid-19 vaccines to fight new variants, the company has stopped making or supplying it.

Advertisement

AstraZeneca had made an application for withdrawal of the vaccine on March 7 and it came into effect on May 7.

After the companys decision to withdraw its marketing authorisation, the vaccine can no longer be used in the European Union.

Similar applications will be submitted in the UK and other nations in the coming months that have given a go-ahead to the vaccine, known as Vaxzevria.

The development comes just days after AstraZeneca acknowledged in a document submitted before a UK court that its vaccine can cause rare side effects such as TTS and low blood platelet count.

TTS, which stands for Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, has been associated with at least 81 deaths in the UK and hundreds of serious injuries.

As many as 51 cases have been lodged in the UK High Court against the pharma major with victims seeking damages estimated to be worth up to GBP 100 million.

In the class action lawsuits, victims and grieving relatives alleged deaths and severe injuries after taking the vaccine.

AstraZeneca and Oxford University had developed the vaccine during the Coronavirus pandemic. The vaccine was produced by Indias Serum Institute of India (SII) and widely administered in the country during the pandemic.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Wednesday shot off a notice to Air India Express and demanded a detailed report on reasons behind frequent flight cancellations experienced by the airline.

The ministry also emphasized the situations urgency and called for a prompt resolution to minimize passenger inconvenience.

Furthermore, they reminded Air India Express of their obligation to adhere to passenger care regulations established by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Advertisement

Air India Express has been facing major disruptions. Over 80 international and domestic flights were grounded due to a mass sick leave by senior cabin crew.

The situation began to unfold on Monday evening as many crew members called in sick. With insufficient staff to operate flights, the airline had to cancel scores of flights at airports like Kochi, Calicut, and Bengaluru.

Passengers, mostly travelling to the Gulf nations, claimed that they were informed about the flight cancellations after they completed their security check and were waiting to board the flight.

A spokesperson of the airline, meanwhile, said it was engaging with the protesting crew members, and passengers can seek refunds for the affected flights.Our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience to our guests, he noted.

The incident occurred after the Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) addressed a letter to Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, expressing their disappointment with the Tata Group acquisition and highlighting anxieties surrounding it. The letter, written on April 26, detailed concerns like terminations despite assurances of job security.

An airline official, who requested anonymity, said tensions had been brimming over for a week.

The situation, however, worsened last night. The cabin crew are protesting the alleged mismanagement of the airline during the merger process which is feared to cost jobs of a significant number of staff, the official told a national daily.

According to Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), a registered body that consists of senior cabin crew members, the mismanagement by the Tatas has affected the morale of the employees.

The carrier operates more than 2,500 flights weekly across 31 domestic and 14 international airports, with a fleet of over 70 aircraft comprising Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s.
Union Minister and BJP candidate from Amethi, Smriti Irani, has criticised the Congress party, accusing it of dividing the nation along the lines of religion, caste, and now colour and region. The audacity of this party to divide and insult countrymen is shocking, she said.

In a statement here on Wednesday, Irani said that Sam Pitrodas statement reflects the thinking of Gandhi family and Rahul Gandhi towards the nation.

In an interview with The Statesman, Congress leader Sam Pitroda said: We can maintain unity in a diverse country like India, where the people from the East look like Chinese, those from the West resemble Arabs, those from the North look like whites, and South Indians resemble Africans. It doesnt matter, we are all sisters and brothers.

Advertisement

Pitroda had said that though the people of different regions in India have different customs, food, religion, and language, they respect each other. The Congress leader said that the people of the country have been living in harmony for 75 years, and barring a few differences, they continue to live together peacefully.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday claimed that the Congress manifesto is like a new version of the Muslim League.

He said: This is not a Nyay Patra, but Anyay Patra towards the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Castes, and Sanatana Dharma. A new version of the Muslim League has come.

The Chief Minister was addressing the media in Gorakhnath temple premises before leaving for the election campaign in Akbarpur, Farrukhabad and Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha constituencies on Wednesday.

When asked about the accusation made by Sonia Gandhi of promoting hatred politics by the BJP, CM Yogi said that instead of telling white lies, Sonia Gandhi should at least develop a habit of speaking the truth.

Continuing his attack, Yogi said, Everyone knows that Congress has inherited the policy of divide and rule. In 1947, Congress allowed the cunning tactics of the British to succeed and divided the country. After independence, Congress fueled class struggles within the country based on caste, region, and language due to political selfishness.

Raising a question, CM Yogi asked: Who doesnt know what Sonia Gandhi did as the chairperson of the UPA from 2004 to 2014? He said that they formed the Justice Ranganath Mishra Committee to undermine OBC reservation.

He highlighted that Congress and its allies also attempted to encroach upon the rights of SC-ST communities. During the Congress government, there were attempts, as mentioned in the Sachar Committee report, to include some Muslim communities in the Scheduled Caste category. However, due to opposition from the NDA and BJP, Congresss plans couldnt be fulfilled.

The Chief Minister criticized Congress track record, accusing them of implementing Section 370 in Kashmir and undermining OBC reservation in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The people of India will never allow the intention of Congress to be fulfilled because divisive politics is not in anyones interest, Yogi added.

Continuing his critique of the Congress manifesto, the Chief Minister emphasized its divisive nature, warning that it could lead India towards class conflicts and encroach upon the rights of Scheduled Castes, Tribes, and Backward Classes. However, he expressed confidence that the people of the nation will resist these Congress plans.

He noted the current unity across the country under PM Modis leadership, striving to achieve the vision of a self-reliant and developed India. He said that the people of the entire country are determined to support the BJP and the NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a developed India.
Leader of the Opposition in the Kerla Assembly VD Satheesan alleged on Wednesday that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left the election scene in the country by embarking on a three-nation private tour as he is scared of facing the BJP.

The chief minister has gone on a long vacation when the state is passing through its worst time due to multiple reasons, Satheesan said, adding, We heard the statements during the Lok Sabha poll campaign that if the Left is not there India would not be there, so vote for Left.

With this being their hashtag, we wish to know even while Pinarayi Vjayan is the sole chief ministerof from the Left in India, why has he not gone for election campaign to other states, especially West Bengal and Tripura? It appears Vijayan is afraid of the BJP and hence ducked and ran away, Satheesan said and asked the CPI-M national leadership to give a clarification on this.

Advertisement

Even more intriguing is the fact that Vijayan has not handed the charge to any other leader, he pointed out.

Moreover, the weekly cabinet meeting every Wednesday has been cancelled. Doesnt Vijayan trust any one of his senior cabinet colleague, Satheesan asked.

Meanwhile, KPCC president K Sudhakaran accused Chief Minister Vijayan of cheating his party by not campaigning for the candidates in other states.

In this connection, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan accused Vijayan of going abroad to enjoy beach tourism at a time when the people of Kerala are suffering due to the extreme summer heat.
The Apni Party senior vice president Ghulam Hassan Mir on Wednesday accused the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of pushing the Kashmiri youth towards terrorism to fulfil their political ambitions in Jammu and Kashmir.

Seeking an end to the gun-culture and making a plea to bring the younger generation towards the bright future, Mir said that the Apni Party has committed that it favours general amnesty for the detained youth so that they can return to their normal life.

Mir was addressing an election rally in favour of the party candidate for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, Zafar Iqbal Manhas at Mendhar along the Line of Control (LOC) in the Poonch district of the Jammu division.

Advertisement

Lauding the people for showing enthusiasm and faith in the party candidate, Mir said that the people should come forward and vote in favour of Manhas, who is a local candidate.

He said that the party has committed to implement welfare schemes for the people of Jammu as well as Kashmir, i.e., 500 units of free electricity in Jammu region during summer season, and 300 units of free electricity during winter season.

The party would enhance the widow and old age pension up to Rs 5000 from the existing Rs 1000. Four cooking gas cylinders will be provided to each family per year under the Ujjwala Scheme, and the enhancement of marriage assistance scheme up to Rs 1 lakh for the girls from economically weaker sections.

He raised questions that the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party have failed to bring out their roadmap for development and welfare of the people.

He also questioned the intention of Dr Farooq Abdullah for raising an inflammatory slogan in Kashmir yesterday, that shows they have become demoralized in these elections and want the youth to again adopt the gun-culture.

Terrorism got wings in Jammu and Kashmir because of the policies of these parties although they themselves kept close relations with Delhi. On the other hand, the same parties continued to create a wedge between the people and the Government of India for their political ambitions, he alleged, while asking the youth to come forward and vote to support the Apni Party candidate Manhas.

Mir said that the NC and the PDP showed the path of jails and graveyards to the youths of J&K for decades. However, the Apni Party opposed such policies and believed that the youth should follow the path of development for their prosperous future.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused the Congress-SP-BSP combine of defaming the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by advocating false propaganda on reservations.

They are saying that if you give 400 seats to Modi, reservations will go away. The Congress got a majority in Karnataka, there reservation for backward classes was cut and 5 per cent quota was given to Muslims, he claimed.

Addressing an election rally here, he sought votes in favour of BJP candidate and Union minister Ajay Mishra Teni. Teni had opposed the farmers agitation against the now-scrapped central farm laws.

Advertisement

Targeting the opposition, Shah accused Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ram Gopal Yadav of calling the recently-constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya useless.

If people make even the slightest mistake, they will lock the Ram temple in the name of Babri, he cautioned the voters.

The minister said during the SP regime in Uttar Pradesh, hooliganism was at its peak and land was encroached upon. There was no electricity on Holi and Diwali, but round-the-clock power during Ramzan, he said.

Attacking the Congress, he said Rahul Gandhi had professed to eradicate poverty in one stroke.

Your grandmother (Indira Gandhi) imposed Emergency in one stroke. Father (Rajiv Gandhi) introduced triple talaq in one fell swoop. Your party snatched away the reservation of backward classes in one fell swoop. Is this the way to end poverty? he asked.

On the opposition alliance, Shah said they do not even have a candidate for the post of prime minister. They have neither a leader, mission nor policy. It is just dynastic politics, he said.

The home minister claimed with the completion of three phases of voting in the ongoing general election, Modi has crossed 190 seats.

Moving forward more strongly in the fourth phase. The SP, Congress and the BSP have been wiped out. This election is to make Modi the prime minister for the third time. This is the election to make 3 crore poor sisters millionaires. The election is to give houses to 4 lakh poor people. It is a choice to make people prosperous, he added.

Shah is slated to address election meetings in Hardoi and Kannauj later in the day.
Air India Express, a Tata Group carrier, was forced to cancel more than 80 international and domestic flights after a large number of cabin crew called in sick at the last minute.

According to the sources, some 300 staffers reported sick at the last minute and switched off their mobile phones, resulting in delays and cancellations in dozens of flights.

In a statement, the airline said the Air India Express management is currently trying to reach out to the crew, who went on mass sick leave in protest against the new employment terms of the airline.

A section of our cabin crew has reported sick at the last minute, starting last night, resulting in flight delays and cancellations. While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result, a spokesperson of the airlines said.

We sincerely apologise to our guests for this unexpected disruption and emphasise that this situation does not reflect the standard of service we strive to provide, the spokesperson added.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has reportedly taken the cognizance of the sudden flight delays and cancellations that began on Tuesday and persisted into Wednesday. Sources said that Civil Aviation authorities are looking into the issue.

Meanwhile, Air India Express has assured that fliers impacted by cancellations shall be offered full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date.
Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda on Wednesday resigned from his post after he courted another controversy with his racist remarks in an interview to The Statesman.

Pitrodas resignation comes amid a barrage of condemnation from the ruling BJP over his remarks.

In a post on X, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said, Mr Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress President has accepted his decision.

Advertisement

In a recent interview with The Statesman, Pitroda said, We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside a few fights here and there. We could hold a country together as diverse as India, where people on the east look like Chinese, people on the West look like Arab, people on the North look like white and maybe people on the South look like Africans doesnt matter. We are all brothers and sisters.

We all respect different languages, religions, different looks, customs and food. Thats the India I believe in where everybody has a place, he said.

Earlier in the day, the Congress distanced itself from Pitrodas remarks and termed it unfortunate and unacceptable.

The analogies drawn by Mr Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate Indias diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said in a video message.

WATCH Sam Pitrodas interview to The Statesman below

It may be mentioned that Pitroda last month had stirred a controversy over his remarks on inheritance tax in US.

In America, there is an inheritance tax. If one has USD 100 million worth of wealth and when he dies he can only transfer probably 45 percent to his children, 55 percent is grabbed by the government. Thats an interesting law. It says you in your generation made wealth and you are leaving now, you must leave your wealth for the public, not all of it, half of it, which to me sounds fair, Pitroda in an interview to a news agency was quoted as saying.

Pitroda had said his statement on inheritance tax in the US was twisted to divert attention from what lies Prime Minister Narendra Modi is spreading about the Congress manifesto.

The Congress then had said his views did not reflect the position of the party.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it might pass an order on Friday (May 10), on interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in an alleged money laundering case registered by Directorate of Enforcement in Delhi excise policy case.

As a bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna was rising for the day, he told the Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, who appears for the Directorate of Enforcement in Kejriwal matter that it may pass the order on interim relief to Delhi Chief Minister on Friday.

On Tuesday (May 7), a bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta had indicated granting interim bail to Kejriwal to enable him to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. However, the court had said that if interim bail is granted, Kejriwal would not be allowed to discharge any official duties as Chief Minister.

Advertisement

The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the Directorate of Enforcement had vehemently opposed any grant of interim bail to Kejriwal, urging the bench not to treat politicians as a separate category. He had contended that all were equal before the law, be it a Chief Minister or a commoner.

How can a Chief Minister be treated differently than a aam aadmi. There cant be any deviation only because he is a Chief Minister. Would campaigning for elections be more important? the Solicitor General had told the bench pointing out that the electioneering is a luxury.

We are dealing with the Chief Minister of the capital and he has evaded summons for six months. Please do not make an exception as it would demoralise a real common man and it shows that if you are holding a position then you will get benefit, the Solicitor General had told the bench.

However, the bench had said, We grant bail in exceptional cases. He is not a repeat offender and We cannot ignore this aspect (ongoing general elections).

Kejriwal has approached the top court challenging the Delhi High Courts April 9, 2024, order rejecting his plea against his arrest by the ED and the subsequent remand. The top court had asked the Enforcement Directorate to respond to Kejriwals plea.

Kejriwal in his plea against the High Court order has contended that his arrest after announcement of the General Elections is motivated by extraneous considerations. Describing his arrest as motivated, Kejriwal has contended that a sitting Chief Minister has been arrested in the middle of election cycle and especially after the announcement of the schedule of the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The petition by Kejriwal against the High Court order says that the statements and material relied upon by the ED against him was in its possession for the last niner months but why it acted when general elections were on.

These statements relied upon as grounds of arrest were recorded by the ED from December 7, 2022, till July 27, 2023 and subsequently no further material has been collected against Kejriwal, states the petition.

Moreover, such statements and material were in possession of the Enforcement Directorate for the last nine months and still the arrest has been made illegally in the middle of general election 2024, says the petition by Kejriwal.

The petition says that Kejriwals arrest also constitutes an unprecedented assault on the tenets of democracy based on free and fair elections and federalism, both of which form significant constituents of the basic structure of the Constitution.
Experienced diplomats and intelligence officials know that when several powerful countries target a developing country by making allegations one after the other, they are often merely trying to weaken the resistance of the country trying to act in independent ways in international affairs. Some allegations are made directly, and some through media leaks. India has been at the receiving end of such experiences in recent times. So many charges have been made against Indian diplomats in quick succession by countries whose intelligence agencies are known to work in close collusion with each other that all signs of a coordinated effort to create problems for India and Indian diplomacy are evident.

These allegations coming from Canada, the USA, the UK and Australia suggest a concerted effort to push back Indian diplomacy at a time when India has been asserting its independent foreign policy boldly. While rightly emphasizing Indias many-sided strong relationship with the western world, India has kept open its options on important issues to pursue its national interests, and this has not gone down well with those Western leaders who wanted a more compliant role from India.

Hence there have been attempts in recent times by Western powers to try to put Indian diplomacy on the back foot by making allegations of an assassination today, an assassination attempt yesterday, stealing secrets the day before that, and of interference in their internal affairs earlier. India has denied these allegations, although at varying levels. In the context of one such allegation, Indias external affairs minister S. Jaishankar responded with a Hindi idiom ulta chor kotwal ko daante (the thief rebuking the police official). Experienced diplomats and intelligence officials of all countries know that clandestine work is sometimes taken up in hostile countries.

Advertisement

The ethical mark is set not by avoiding such work, but by ensuring that this does not harm public welfare in any significant way. In fact, this may be a good time to ask leading Western powers to look inwards at their own record as in their case allegations of killing prominent leaders of other countries and subverting democratic functioning are well documented. To give just one example, the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Patrice Lumumba was killed by a conspiracy hatched by Belgium and the USA, and there has been a public apology by the government of Belgium for this. Lumumba was a leader committed to justice and unity, someone who would have prevented the plunder of vast mineral wealth of his country by Western powers and their collaborators.

So, he had to be removed. Together with killing the most popular leader from whom his people had high hopes, secessionist forces and processes were also encouraged by his killers in a country which had just attained freedom, around 1960, after highly exploitative colonial rule. This led to a new cycle of violence, resulting in many deaths, also paving the way for the very long dictatorship of Mobutu who plundered his own country and allowed Western powers to do so, setting new records of human rights abuses and cruelty. In the 1980s, the Sandinista government in Nicaragua was attracting wide attention by achieving significant improvements in health, education, and small peasant-based farming cooperatives. Some of the development achievements it recorded could not be achieved by the Somoza dictatorship, a US client, in the previous four decades.

While the people of Nicaragua were happy and hopeful about the achievements of the new government, US agencies launched a huge campaign to harm not just the Sandinista government but also the symbols of its success such as health centres, hospitals, schools, and cooperatives. For this purpose, various right-wing groups called contras (counter revolutionaries) were mobilized, armed and trained in an operation costing several million dollars. In addition, explosions at ports, refineries and pipelines were arranged. America Watch, which subsequently became part of Human Rights Watch, accused the contras of targeting health care clinics and assassination of health workers, attacking and killing civilians, torturing them, raping women, and burning civilian homes.

Human Rights Watch stated in a report (1989), The Contras were major and systematic violators of the most basic standards of the laws of armed conflict, including by launching indiscriminate attacks on civilians, selectively murdering non-combatants and mistreating prisoners. In September 1973, the CIA planned to oust another socialist government committed to the welfare of people  the Popular Unity government led by President Salvador Allende in Chile, a popular leader who has just won the elections. Following Allendes election, the CIA director had a meeting with President Nixon and a note from this meeting, later declassified, stated  $10 million available, more if necessary, full time job, best men we have, game plan make the economy scream, 48 hours for plan of action.

However, before Allende could be removed, it was found necessary to get rid of General Rene Schneider who was committed to the constitution of the country and was a man of great integrity. Big money and weapons to get rid of him were provided by the CIA. Attempts to kidnap him were made and he was eventually killed. Then came the CIA-assisted attack against Allende during which the presidential palace was bombed and Allende died. This led to the Pinochet dictatorship for several decades  characterized by huge corruption, corporate plunder, and inequalities on the one hand and the most terrible torture, executions, and disappearances on the other hand, inflicted on tens of thousands of opponents including women.

The Pinochet regime got full support from the USA and the Chilean model was held up for emulation by a leading group of US economists  the Chicago boys. In 1964, USA assisted efforts led to a coup to bring down the democratic government of Brazil led by President Joao Goulart. This led to a dictatorship characterized by death squads, torture, and human rights violations. Mohammad Mossadegh was a popular leader and Prime Minister of Iran, elected democratically in elections, keen to get more resources for helping his people by curbing the profits of oil multinationals.

This led to a coup by the combined agents of the USA and Britain in 1953, so that the unpopular Shah of Iran could be brought in again for monarchical rule, suppressing the democratic aspirations of the people. While Mossadegh was jailed and many of his supporters were jailed or executed, a secret police force called SAVAK was set up and became notorious for its gruesome torture and repressive activities. In Guatemala, around the same time, a CIA-assisted coup led to the ouster of the democratically elected government of President Jacobo Arbenz that was known to be devoted to the welfare of people. This was followed by nearly four decades of military rule with its death squads, disappearances, torture, and mass executions, claiming over 150,000 victims.

The Church Committee of the US Senate had investigated the allegations relating to the assassination and attempted assassination of almost a dozen foreign leaders by US intelligence agencies like the CIA. Books on this subject have mentioned close to 40 prominent foreign leaders who are likely to have been targeted with assassination or grave harm. In the case of Fidel Castro, the most popular leader and former President of Cuba, dozens of assassination attempts were made but he survived them all. In addition, there have been several other terrorist aggressions aimed at Cuba causing immense harm.

The US War on Terror in this century has resulted, according to Brown University estimates of a peace award winning US project, in 900,000 deaths directly, and in a total of 4.5 million deaths indirectly. At the same time terrorism has become worse in several regions and several new terror groups have been formed. In fact, some of the deadliest new terrorist groups based on sectarian and fundamentalist ideologies were created because of the hostile actions of the USA and its allies in Iraq and Syria. Earlier the USA had mobilized sectarian, fanatic militants from many Islamic countries and armed them heavily with the help of Pakistan to fight the Soviet army and the communist regime in Afghanistan. Over 15,000 of these armed militants later spread violent conflict in many other countries as well, while also attacking several US and western targets.

In Libya in 2011, the USA, Britain and France armed and used such militants for regime change in very violent ways, supported by thousands of air bombing raids. These militants again later troubled and destabilized several neighboring countries. Hence it is evident that the most powerful Western countries have time and again intervened in other countries to disrupt democracies and to cause enormous human distress in other ways. It is such behavior by them that needs to be corrected. In addition, of course, ethical norms must be satisfied by all countries.

(The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril, A Day in 2071 and Protecting Earth for Children.)
US President Joe Biden has strongly condemned anti-Semitism at pro-Palestinian protests at universities and reaffirmed his ironclad support for Israel.

My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad. Even when we disagree, Biden said at the US Capitol on Tuesday at an event commemorating the victims of the Holocaust.

There is no place on any campus in America or any place in America for anti-Semitism or hate speech or threats of violence of any kind, he said.

Advertisement

Some of the rallies in support of Palestine at US campuses have also criticized Bidens Middle East policy. He, meanwhile, has become more critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus actions in the Gaza war.

In his speech, Biden said people must learn from history, and pointed to the unprecedented massacre of more than 1,200 people by militants from the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas and other groups in Israel on October 7 that led to the war.

Too many people deny, denigrate or distort the Holocaust and October 7, including the appalling use of sexual violence by Hamas to torture and terrorize Jews, Biden said. This is despicable and must stop.
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

HARRISBURG  Records obtained by Spotlight PA and WESA offer the most comprehensive public accounting to date of how counties across the state have used tens of millions of dollars they received in opioid settlement money.

The states billion-dollar opioid windfall has brought hope to a state where thousands of people each year die from drug overdoses. Its also brought conflict about the best way to use the money.

The spending reports  which Spotlight PA and WESA are still analyzing  show a wide range of strategies. They offer insight into the wide reach of the opioid epidemic, highlighting the impact on neighborhoods, jails, child welfare programs and a variety of local agencies.

In central Pennsylvania, Cumberland and Perry county officials both indicated in their reports that their spending decisions are influenced by the threat of litigation.

Their reports said that due to recent lawsuits county jails are now faced with a new unfunded mandate to provide access to all three federally approved medications for opioid use disorder. Cumberland Countys total amount spent or committed for that treatment program was about $586,000, while rural Perry Countys was $105,000.

Philadelphia reported spending or committing $7.5 million to support residents in the Kensington area of the city, where the report said people live in a state of constant trauma due to 24 hour open-air drug market. The citys report said this trauma significantly increases Kensington residents risks related to development of substance use disorder.

As part of the program, funds were dedicated to improvements in local schools and parks, as well as home repair, rent relief and eviction prevention, according to the report. The city made the case that its Kensington plans most closely match the broad settlement strategy of Prevent Misuse of Opioids.

In the Philly suburbs, Chester County officials reported spending or committing the funds to a variety of programs. A relatively small amount of the countys allotment  about $1,800  was committed to Project Sticker Shock, which uses stickers to warn people that its illegal to provide alcohol to anyone under age 21. In response to questions from Spotlight PA and WESA, the county defended using opioid settlement money for that purpose by saying, underage drinking is a gateway to opiate use.

Meanwhile, some counties reported spending no opioid money by the end of 2023, including rural Greene County in southwestern Pennsylvania. The county reported receiving about $288,000.

We just have not found a project yet to expend those dollars, Betsy McClure, vice chair of the countys three-member Board of Commissioners, told WESA and Spotlight PA.

The news organizations obtained the records by filing requests under the states Right-to-Know Law with all 67 counties in the state, as well as 10 county district attorney offices that were eligible to receive the money based on their role in litigation.

In total, the news organizations received and publicly posted spending reports for more than 60 counties, the city of Philadelphia, and eight county district attorney offices, as of April 30. Some agencies said they didnt possess the reports. Bucks County attributed the problem to an apparent technical glitch.

Counties had to file these reports by the middle of March with the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust, a 13-member oversight board with the power to withhold and cut funding if it determines counties spent the money inappropriately. This is the first time counties had to file these reports, which cover spending decisions made in 2022 and 2023.

In order to receive the money, counties had to agree to use it in ways that are consistent with a settlement document called Exhibit E. The exhibit contains a range of recommended and approved strategies for treatment, prevention and responding to the epidemic.

Cameron and Schuylkill counties initially denied open records requests from Spotlight PA, saying the trust had yet to determine whether the spending described in their reports complied with the requirements of the opioid settlements. After an appeal to the state Office of Open Records, Cameron provided its report. The news organizations appeal of Schuylkills denial was pending as of April 30.

Earlier this year, members of the oversight board approved a plan to review these spending reports in secret committee meetings, despite a court order requiring that the trust follow the states open meetings law. The trust says additional review will take place at public meetings scheduled for May 2 and June 20.

The trust recently published a summary of reported spending by category, but that information does not identify specific counties or other local agencies.

While county officials wait to hear if the trust will publicly approve their strategies, people like Cathleen Palm are reviewing the available records to learn about counties decisions.

The Berks County resident is the founder of the Center for Childrens Justice, which advocates for child protection and family issues. She said she believes the reports can help advocates with limited resources influence the process.

Because you guys are doing the hard work, tracking them down, putting them in a central spot, we then have the benefit of being able to look and see where counties are spending money on behalf of children and families, Palm told Spotlight PA and WESA.

While the news organizations are still analyzing the records, here are some of the interesting uses and issues they have found so far.

Medication in jail

In 2022, officials with the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project reported people with opioid use disorder face many barriers to accessing treatment if they are arrested and booked at county jails across the state.

Some jails didnt offer any of the federally approved medications for opioid use disorder, while others limited what they offered or who they offered it to, according to their findings. A lack of access to these medications and the trauma of incarceration for people with opioid use disorder further increases the likelihood of opioid overdose risk after release, the groups report said.

These federally approved medications  methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone  have widespread support in the medical community.

The opioid settlement spending reports obtained by Spotlight PA and WESA show that several counties dedicate their funds to medication-assisted treatment programs at their jails. Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project staff attorney Sarah Bleiberg Bellos sees this as a really positive step.

Theres a huge number of people who are in our states jails that have opioid use disorder, and it is a really crucial time to be treating that disease, Bellos told Spotlight PA and WESA.

Allegheny County also reported funding medication-assisted treatment at its jail, and a spokesperson told Spotlight PA and WESA that it is working on a phased-in expansion.

Last November, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it had reached a three-year agreement with Allegheny County regarding access to these medications. The county agreed to offer any federally approved medication for opioid use disorder to all individuals booked into the jail, if a qualified medical provider determines the treatment is medically appropriate, according to a copy of the agreement made public by the Justice Department.

In the reports for Perry and Cumberland counties, both said medication-assisted treatment at their jails was the first priority for local leaders because of lawsuits and the high risk for an overdose upon return to the community for incarcerated people with opioid use disorder. Officials in each county said the lawsuits their reports referred to didnt involve their county.

Other counties whose reports indicated they dedicated settlement funds to similar treatment programs for people in jail are Butler, Clearfield, Pike, Wayne, and York.

Housing

Some counties have used funds to aid people in recovery who need housing.

In rural Fayette County, officials reported using $100,000 in funds for a housing program for people with substance use disorder.

In nearby Allegheny County, officials reported spending more than $595,000 in settlement funds to support low-barrier homeless shelter services, and $181,000 went to a program to expand recovery housing.

Stable housing is important for people in early recovery  or at any point in their life, said Stuart Fisk, director of the Office of Behavioral Health at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Children and families

Exhibit E outlines several ways counties can spend their funds on children and families, such as treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome, and support for childrens services.

Two neighboring counties in western Pennsylvania, Armstrong and Indiana, plan to jointly hire a case manager for their counties child welfare agencies, which are responsible for protecting children from the damages of abuse and neglect. That case manager could talk to kids or parents with a substance use disorder, said Kami Anderson, executive director of the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission.

We want it to be somebody thats nonthreatening to them, Anderson said.

In Allegheny County, about $453,000 in settlement funds were dedicated to providing child care through Early Head Start for kids whose caregivers have opioid use disorder and are undergoing treatment or job-searching.

Underage drinking

Chester Countys plan to spend settlement funds on Project Sticker Shock didnt make sense to Jordan Scott, an advocate with the Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Network.

My thought was just, Why? Scott said. I dont see how its even relevant to what the moneys supposed to be spent on.

In its spending report, the county said Project Sticker Shock is designed to capitalize on community activism, cooperative efforts, and collective responsibilities to combat underage drinking and its related problems. As part of the program, warning stickers are placed on cases of alcohol at participating distributors, according to the county.

In response to questions from Spotlight PA and WESA, the county cited two academic journal articles, said many adults are not aware of the law and the penalties for providing alcohol to anyone under 21, and said the warning stickers have also been placed on pizza boxes.

The countys response said the program is consistent with Exhibit E, and argued it aligns with multiple approved uses, including for school-based and youth-focused initiatives that have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing drug misuse and seem likely to be effective in preventing the uptake and use of opioids.

Chester Countys spending report also describes dedicating funds for other initiatives, including access to opioid overdose reversal medication, expanded toxicology testing in its coroners office, and medication-assisted treatment treatment to people who are incarcerated.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
India has a reputation for its budget-friendly tourist destinations. There are many places to travel to in India without spending a huge sum of money. Here are some budget-friendly places to visit in India.



Lamayuru aka the Moonscape, Ladakh

Lamayuru, which is popularly known as the Moonscape due to its lunar-like terrain, is a village located in Leh. It is a quiet and peaceful place with wonderful sites to go on a vacation for two to three days. It may approximately cost up to Rs 15,000 Rs 20,000. The best time to visit Lamayuru is during the summer between April and June as the climate is pleasant and is usually between 25 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius.

You would find quite a lot of monasteries in Ladakh that are usually located at the peaks of mountains. Lamayuru's Yuru Monastery, the oldest in Ladakh, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The monastery originally had five buildings but currently only one of those buildings remain. Hiring a cab or driving a private vehicle would be the best way to explore Lamayuru. Buses are available for travelling from Leh to Kargil.

Hampi, Karnataka

Known for its rich cultural heritage, Hampi is a apt destination for tourists to spend their weekend. It's known for its ancient temples and architectural ruins and tourists find the workmanship of these temples attractive. Hampi can be reached by road or by air. The nearest airport is Vidhyanagar Airport and the nearest railway station is Hosapete. Hampi has a pleasant climate during October- March, which would be the perfect time to visit. An ideal trip would last up to two to three days and this may cost Rs 9,000 to Rs 10,000.

Virupaksha Temple is a seventh-century Shiva temple located in Hampi and is a UNESCO world heritage site. The Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva. The main tower in the east is a nine-story building and is 50 metres tall. Each of the floors in the temple features hundreds of gods and goddesses. Lotus Mahal stands out for its lotus-like architecture. It has 24 pillars for support and long corridors with no walls. Shree Vijaya Vitthala Temple is dedicated to Vittala, who is also said to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Ranga Mantapa, one of the main attractions of the Vittala Temple, is known for its 54 SaReGaMa pillars, named so because of the musical notes coming out of them.

Rishikesh

A city in Uttrakhand, Rishikesh is known for being rich in yoga and spiritual heritage and hence flaunts the title, Yoga capital of the world. It is a holy land and hence it is a vegetarian and alcohol-free place. The ideal time to visit Rishikesh is from September to March. A one-or-two-day would be enough to explore the beauty of Rishikesh, which may cost around Rs 6,000.

Triveni Ghat, the most popular bathing ghat in Rishikesh, is where the three most sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswathi meet. Triveni Ghat is used by devotees to perform rituals for their departed ones.

Outdoor activities to try in Rishikesh include bungee jumping, rafting, hiking and camping. Indias highest bungee jumping spot is in Rishikesh, which is 83 m. It has the perfect balance of adventurous activities and spirituality for the visitors.

McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh

McLeodganj, a sanctuary of the Dalai Lama, is located in Himachal Pradesh. It is famous for its greenery, ancient temples, monasteries and Tibetan culture. It would be ideal for visitors to visit from April to June and from September to November. A two-day trip would cost up to Rs 2,000. Visitors usually travel to McLeodganj by air and the Kangra Airport in Dharamshala is about 20 km away from the place. The nearest railway station is Pathankot Railway Station, situated approximately 90 km away.

The 30-foot Bhagsu Falls and its serene beauty is quite a stunning view to watch. The St John In The Wilderness Church built in the woods is one of the oldest structures in Dharamsala. Though mostly in ruins, the church remains and is an example of early New Zealand church design. This church has a considerable amount of significance in terms of architecture and history. Mata Chintpurni Temple in McLeodganj is one of the most important among the 51 Shaktipeethas.

Pushkar, Rajasthan

Pushkar, one of the oldest cities in India, is located in Ajmer, Rajasthan, and woos thousands of tourists every day to explore its history and timeless architecture. The tourist season in Pushkar begins in October and the temperature during this period does not usually exceed 15 degree Celsius. A day trip to Pushkar may cost Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500.

The famous Pushkar Mela is a five-day camel and livestock fair that is held annually in the city during October-November. It is one of the world's largest camel fairs. The Brahma temple, the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, is another main attraction in the city. It is located close to the sacred Pushkar Lake. You can reach Pushkar by buses as it is well-connected to the National Highways of Rajasthan and Pushkar Railway Station is located at a distance of 11km.

Murudeshwar, Karnataka

Murudeshwar, located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, is known for its beautiful temples and beaches. It is just the right place to take a sweet vacation to put an ease to your mind. The picturesque and spiritual beauty of Murudeshwar is captivating. Trains and bus services are available but direct flights are not available. The nearest airport is Mangaluru, which is 137 km away. The best time to visit Murudeshwar is from October to May. A three-day trip in Murudeshwar may cost up to Rs 9,000.

One of the main attractions in this place is the Shri Murudeshwar Temple, where the 123-foot Shiva statue, the tallest in India, is located. Being surrounded by the waters of the Arabian Sea on three sides and built on Kanduka Hill, the view from the temple is a sight that no one should miss.
Its a culture clash of sorts. But what todays Air India Express imbroglio has laid bare  over 80 flight cancellations and thousands of air passengers stranded across the country later, is this: when corporate hubris take precedence over cultural sensitivity and soft skills, clash of cultures can happen not just on streets and battlefields, but in fancy boardrooms and swank airports as well.

Wednesday morning saw employees of Tatas low cost Air India Express (AIX, which itself is an integrated outcome of the original Air India Express which plies low-cost flights from India to the Persian Gulf, with Tata-owned domestic carrier AirAsia India) going on mass leaves, many apparently even switching off their mobiles. By afternoon, an irate Ministry of Civil Aviation had nudged the Gurugram-headquartered company to solve issues promptly, and asked for a report.

It is an eerie redux of a similar outburst a month ago at fellow-Tata airline Vistara. There, pilots went on mass leave, first in a trickle and then in droves. In both cases, the reason is the same: the take-it-or-leave-it policy of integration of both airlines (Vistara is set to be assimilated into Air India, while low-cost Air India Express and AirAsia India are already operating as one) by a corporate brass in a hurry.

Interestingly, an Air India Express employees union even wrote to Tata chairman N. Chandrasekharan complaining of inequality in treatment, when it came to grades, perks and positions. Many senior staff were fired, the letter said, speaking of widespread unrest and growing dissatisfaction.

Employees find themselves silenced when attempting to address grievances, with management actively suppressing any dissenting voices on company platforms, according to the union letter.

Ironically, one news report states the Air India authorities as saying that the particular union is not recognised by the conglomerate. Perhaps not the smartest of moves at this juncture, yet indicative of all that is going wrong at its aviation businesses.

Vistaras integration into Air India was originally supposed to happen 2024-25, though it was pretty clear that the standards difference between the nimbly run younger airline, and the legacy government-run giant with a bloated workforce used to a Sarkari pace of working was not something that could be assimilated in a hurry. Despite that, recent moves indicate that the company is in a rush to speed it through, with aims of a single airline plying, Air India, by the end of this year as planned.

By all indications, it is now clear that Tatas ambitious Vihaan.AI, the five-year transformation roadmap they had set for the assimilation of the conglomerates airlines isnt exactly going to plan. Despite the fact that all its airlines put together still amounts to less than half of market leader Indigos share, Tata airlines still seem to invite an inordinately more amount of customer and quality complaints, if social media posts are any indication.

While Tata management is unlikely to respond to the specific allegations by employees, their dilemma is also evident. While the purse strings have been loosened when it comes to the cash-guzzling aviation business, Chandrasekaran and Co also doesnt want it to remain a cash-guzzler for long.

Particularly right now, when Indian aviation is on the verge of a boom. Letting go off the advantage right now to a fierce rival like Indigo that is itching for global domination means Air India and Air India Express might just never get a chance like this again.

Legacy too has its bewitching pull. Theres nothing like a turnaround of these legendary brands, in a sector notorious for crushing even the most ambitious of tycoons, that would once again stamp that Tata brand of excellence in public consciousness.
Shares of Paytm parent company One97 Communications slumped more than 4 per cent to Rs 320 per share on Wednesday. This is close to its all-time low of Rs 318 on February 16 after RBI put curbs on the company's banking arm.

The latest decline in shares comes after the company revealed that One97 Communications President and Chief Operating Officer Bhavesh Gupta resigned from the company.

UPI transactions of Paytm declined since February, marking a downward trend for three straight months. In April, Paytm recorded 1,117.3 million transactions compared to 1,230.04 million in March, which translates to a 9 per cent dip.

Paytm's market share in the UPI ecosystme also shrank, with the numbers coming down from 10.8 per cent in February to 9.13 per cent in March and further tumbling to 8.4 per cent in April.

The dip is also attributed to Aditya Birla Finance invoking loan guarantees over repayment default by customers, according to Moneycontrol. Other lenders, including Piramal Finance and Clix Capital had severed ties with Paytm following RBI restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank.
There is much to read, and read between the lines, from April months automobile sales data in the country. Some should definitely enthuse the ruling party, while some others would be ammo to the opposition.

Sales data for April released on Wednesday morning by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) shows a few categories that are symbolic of the revival (or not) of commercial activity in the country on the up and about. Two-wheeler sales are the most significant of this, as it shows a robust upswing by as much as 33 per cent.

That would definitely warm the cockles of Modi and his parivar. Reason? Two-wheelers sell predominantly in rural areas and a good chunk of them are brought by farmers. The sales were down through Covid and had shown no signs of revival even as urban consumption, particularly on the upper level, showed a resurgence through the last one-and-a-half years. However, bikes and scooters lagging behind was pointed out by economists and even political observers as an indication of how all is not well in the nations hinterland.

Now, that seems to be changing pretty smartly. FADA estimates the growth due to improved supply and the increasing demand for 125cc models. Of course, whether the demand for higher cc bikes indicate the sales were mainly in urban areas would only be clear once a break-up is available.

Positive market sentiments, bolstered by stable fuel prices, a favourable monsoon outlook, festive demand and the marriage season, contributed to this rise, analysed a note by FADA.

Another major indicator of the economys state is commercial vehicles  from trucks to smaller pick-up vans and all those in between. Here also, there is a growth, albeit a small one  just 2 per cent. And if you compare it to previous months, the news gets worse for the establishment  sales actually declined by 0.6 per cent. FADA actually attributes this to elections going on and dampening the market sentiment.

This, coupled with the fact that tractors (another criteria for agrarian economy growth) grew barely 1 per cent, would be pointed out by the opposition as another indication of the rural distress caused by the Modi regime. Limited finance options and regional challenges such as water scarcity further impacted performance, according to FADA President Manish Raj Singhania.

Election-related uncertainty and financial constraints remain key challenges that the industry will need to monitor closely to navigate this evolving landscape effectively, Singhania added.
Director Sangeeth Sivan, best known for Malayalam hit "Yoddha" and Hindi films "Kya Kool Hain Hum" and "Apna Sapna Money Money", died at a hospital here on Wednesday after a cardiac arrest. He was 65.

His cinematographer-brother Santosh Sivan confirmed Sangeeth's death to news agency PTI via a WhatsApp message.

According to Santosh, Sangeeth was admitted to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and died following a cardiac arrest. Last rites will be performed on Thursday at the Oshiwara cemetery, he added.

Sangeeth, the eldest of three sons of filmmaker Sivan, made his debut in 1990 with the Malayalam movie "Vyooham", starring Raghuvaran and Urvashi.

Down south, his directing credits include the popular 1992 film "Yoddha", starring Malayalam superstar Mohanlal. He reunited with the actor for "Gandharvam" (1993) and "Nirnayam" (1995).

"Yoddha" combined the evergreen combo Mohanlal and Jagathy Sreekumar, two of Malayalam cinema's legendary stars. They portrayed cousin brothers Ashokan and Appukkuttan in the comedy-action superhit, whose never-ending feud was central to the plot. The phenomenal hit, easily transitioned from being a laughter-riot to proper action drama in the second half, in the backdrop of the spiritual veils of Kathmandu -- a part of the world that was largely explored by Mollywood till then. "Yoddha" was the second film of music maestro AR Rahman after 'Roja' earlier the year.

'Nirnayam', was another milestone in Mohanlal's epic career and his portrayal of Dr Roy Mathews in the action thriller remains a fan-favourite to this day.

Condoling Sivan's passing, Mohanlal said, "He commanded a style of his own in cinema, he was a craftsman capable of presenting films uniquely. I was close to his family. I share their grief at this difficult period and pray for Sangeeth Sivan's soul."

The 1998 film "Zor", starring Sunny Deol and Sushmita Sen, marked his Hindi directorial debut. "Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne", "Ek The Power of One", "Click" and "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2" are among some of his Hindi directorial ventures.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the filmmaker's demise.

Actor Riteish Deshmukh, who worked with the director in "Kya Kool Hai Hum" and "Apna Sapna Money Money", said he was saddened by Sangeeth's demise.

Deeply saddened and shocked to know that Sangeeth Sivan Sir is no more. As a newcomer all you want is someone to believe in you and take a chance.. cant thank him enough for Kya Kool Hai Hum & Apna Sapna Money Money. Soft spoken, gentle and a wonderful human being. Am heart pic.twitter.com/kvTkFJmEXx  Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) May 8, 2024

"Deeply saddened and shocked to know that Sangeeth Sivan Sir is no more. As a newcomer all you want is someone to believe in you and take a chance.. can't thank him enough for Kya Kool Hai Hum & Apna Sapna Money Money.

"Soft spoken, gentle and a wonderful human being. Am heart broken today, my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, his wife, kids, brothers. I will miss you Da !!!!! And your infectious laughter!!! Rest in Glory." Deshmukh wrote in an X post.

Sangeeth also directed the 2019 web series "Bhram", starring Kalki Koechlin.
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has announced that it was withdrawing Covid-19 vaccines, which it renamed Vaxzevria in 2021, worldwide. The company cited a "surplus of available updated vaccines" that target new variants of the virus as the reason for the move.

The crucial decision comes days after the company acknowledged in court papers that the vaccine carried serious side effects, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia, or TTS, in some people. This also follows the AstraZeneca's decision to withdraw its European Union marketing authorisation. On Monday, the European Medicines Agency issued a notice that the vaccine is no longer authorised for use.

"As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines," the company said. This has led to a decline in demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

"According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and over 3bn doses were supplied globally," the statement said. "Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic. We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic."

Though the official announcement came recently, other countries have already stopped supplying the vaccine. It has not been available for use in Australia since March 2023 after being phased out sinceJune 2021 due to the widespread availability of newer vaccines.

According to the World Health Organisation advisory, the latest Covid-19 vaccine formulations should target the JN.1 lineage of the virus, which is displacing existing XBB lineage variants.

Recently, the UK-Dutch company admitted that its Covid-19 vaccine can lead to a rare side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). The rare syndrome occurred in about two to three people per 100,000 who were vaccinated with the Vaxzevria vaccine.

However, the chair of epidemiology at Deakin University in Australia, Prof Catherine Bennett, said the vaccine had played a pivotal part in the worldwide fight against the virus. "It has saved millions of lives and that should not be forgotten," she told The Guardian. "It was a really important part of the initial global response. However, it targeted the initial ancestral variants. Weve now moved into a vaccine chain where we have products available that are chasing the variants that are emerging," she added.
As the weather gets warmer and we begin to spend more time outside, its important to remember some of the steps you can take to reduce your risk for skin cancer as well as the importance of checking your skin regularly for signs of cancer.

Protecting your skin

The most critical steps for reducing the risk of skin cancer are:

Avoiding excessive sun exposure, especially during peak hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Regularly applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Wearing protective clothing, hats and sunglasses when outdoors.

And avoiding tanning beds and artificial tanning devices.

Checking your skin

There arent widely accepted guidelines on how often to be seen by a doctor for skin checks, but its a good idea to look over your skin yourself at least once a month. If youre at greater risk for skin cancer  maybe because it runs in your family, you have very light skin, lots of moles, or youve had skin cancer before  you should see a dermatologist. Theyll decide how often you need to be checked based on your personal risk. If youve had melanoma before, its recommended to get your skin checked every three months following your diagnosis.

Between screenings with a healthcare provider, you should perform monthly self-examinations of your skin to identify any new or changing moles or bumps that might indicate skin cancer. A good example of how to do a proper skin exam from the American Cancer Society can be found here: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/skin-exams.html

During self-examinations, you should look for new or changing moles, blemishes, or birthmarks. The ABCDE rule is a good guide for whether a mole is concerning:

A is for asymmetry.

B is for irregular borders.

C is for changes in color.

D is for diameter greater than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).

And E is for evolving size, shape or color.

Vital Signs This column, which promotes community health, is sponsored by Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Region Ten Community Services Board, Blue Ridge Health District and the University of Virginia Health System.

When to see a doctor

Heres what should make you think about seeing your doctor:

A sore that keeps bleeding or doesnt get better after a few weeks.

Any new bump or spot that keeps getting bigger.

A mole youve had that starts to look different.

A new growth that looks like a wart.

Or a mole that has a weird shape, edges that are not smooth or has different colors and you hadnt seen it before.

Free skin cancer screening at UVa Health

University of Virginia dermatologists will be hosting a free skin cancer screening Saturday. Appointments are required; to make an appointment, please call (855) 977-3756.
Seven people, including a four-year-old child, were killed when a retaining wall at an under-construction apartment collapsed due to heavy rains in Bachupally area of Hyderabad on Tuesday evening, police said on Wednesday.

According to Bachupally police, the deceased were migrant workers hailing from Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Their bodies were recovered early on Wednesday from under the debris using an excavator.

The deceased have been identified as Tirupati (22), Shanker (22), Raju (25) Khushi (25) Ram Yadav (34), Geeta (32), and Himanshu (4).

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident and directed officials to look into it.

According to police, a total of 13 people have lost their lives so far in separate incidents after heavy rains in several parts of Telangana on Tuesday.

Many places in the city witnessed waterlogging leading to traffic blocks.

The DRF ( Disaster Relief Force) teams were deployed and were clearing water stagnation and fallen trees in various places in the city, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation officials said.

Meanwhile, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD)Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka are expected to witness light to moderate rainfall, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and winds until May 12.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested four people on Monday in connection with the human trafficking case wherein Indian citizens were recruited to combat the Russian-Ukraine war.

The arrested have been identified as Arun and Yesudas Junior, both hailing from Thiruvananthapuram. The central agency had already arrested two people, Nijil Jobi Bensam and Antony Michael Elangovan, from Kanyakumari and Mumbai, respectively, last month. Both have been sent to judicial custody.

The incident came to light after reports emerged that Indians were recruited by agents based in Dubai. The Indians, who were recruited after being offered high-paying jobs in Russia as helpers and security, were forcibly sent to the war front. As per the MEA, over 20 Indian citizens fell prey to the scam and two lost their lives on the Ukrainian front lines.



Following this, the CBI launched an investigation into the incident and raids were held all over the country. A human trafficking gang was also busted. The central agency raided locations in Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Ambala, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Chennai and Madurai.

A case of human trafficking was also registered against a private visa consultation firm and the agents involved. According to a CBI statement, the traffickers have been operating as an organised network, luring youth by promising them lucrative jobs with high-paying salaries. These men were then trained in combat roles and then sent to the Russian bases. Some of them got seriously injured on the war front.

The statement added that Nijil Jobi Bensam, the prime suspect of the consultation network who worked as a translator in Russia, was responsible for recruiting Indian nationals in the Russian army. Micheal Antony is accused of helping co-accused Faisal Baba, who is based in Dubai, with visa processing and ticket bookings. Arun and Yesudas Junior were responsible for recruiting youth from Kerala and Tamil Nadu to the Russian Army.

The agency added that an investigation was ongoing.
The Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government in Haryana on Tuesday plunged into crisis after three Independent MLAs withdrew support putting the government to a minority in the state assembly. The MLAs have announced they would back the Congress in the state.

Amid the crisis, Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) leader Digvijay Singh Chautala urged Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda to initiate the process to "bring down the government which has lost the trust of people". He, however, refused to confirm whether or not he would support the Congress to form the government, thereby keeping speculations alive.

Calling on Hooda to meet the governor and apprise him of the situation,

Chautala said the JJP will work to topple this government. "Hooda should talk to JJP and independents and stake claim to form the new government," Chautala added.

The JJP, which was an ally of the BJP in the state, had parted ways with the saffron party over the allocation of seats for the Lok Sabha elections. The JJP had demanded two Lok Sabha seats in Haryana but was refused by the BJP, following which the party pulled the plug.

However, Chautala was non-committal when asked whether the JJP would support the Congress to form a government. "I am not saying JJP is willing to support and form a government with the Congress. At least the government that has lost the trust of people, Hooda should initiate the process to bring it down. Whether the JJP forms the government or whether the Congress forms the government, who supports whom...it is a political question," the JJP leader told PTI.

He also expressed willingness to communicate with Congress stating that Hooda should also open a channel of communication with the JJP, which has 10 MLAs. "Hooda should not come with any excuse...if he says the government does not have the numbers, then what is he waiting for. Is he waiting for the BJP to manage everything?" he said.

When asked that some JJP MLAs have indicated support for the BJP even though JJP has pulled out of the government, Chautala said, "That doesn't really matter. The one-third majority is with our leader Dushyant (indicating if a couple of MLAs support the BJP they will invite action)."

Chautala also said, "Rather than holding a press conference in Rohtak and making it a political scene, if he (Hooda) has seriousness he should have gone to the governor's house and initiated talks with JJP which has 10 MLAs."

"Whether no confidence can come or not is not for Hooda to decide, it is for the governor being the constitutional head," Chautala added.
The Karnataka Police has summoned BJP president J.P. Nadda and partys IT cell head Amit Malviya over a controversial video shared on X by the partys state unit. The duo have been given a weeks time to appear.

An FIR has been filed against Nadda, Malviya and BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra at the High Grounds Police station in Bengaluru in connection with the post. They were booked under sections of Representation of People Act and section 505 (2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code.

The Election Commission on Tuesday issued a fresh directive to the social media platform to immediately take down the animated video, saying the post was violative of the extant legal framework.

The video had targeted the Congress, accusing the grand old party of favouring Muslims over backward classes in reservation and fund allocation.

The EC had on May 5 asked X to remove the post, but the micro-blogging site refused to do so, prompting the poll panel to issue the fresh directive on Tuesday.

The Congress had approached the EC with a complaint against Vijayendra, saying the derogatory video could lead to law and order issues in the state.

"The act of the accused person (s) is to wantonly provoke rioting and promote enmity between different religions and is prejudicial to maintenance of harmony apart from intimidating members of SC/ST community not to vote for particular candidate and causing enmity against members of SC/ST community," the party had alleged.
Y.S. Sharmila, Congress's new hope in Andhra Pradesh, is not sparing her brother, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in her effort to restore the Congress's presence in Andhra Pradesh politics. She accuses both Modi and Jagan of spreading lies and making excuses to hide their failures.

Sharmila is optimistic that the upcoming polls to the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly on May 13 will signal the start of the party's revival in the state. She is running for Lok Sabha from Kadapa, the constituency of her late father, former chief minister Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy aka YSR. Edited excerpts:

Congress was quite strong in AP once. Now, its vote share is below 2 per cent. What are your expectations for the party's future in the state?

Andhra Pradesh was a Congress stronghold. My father resurrected the party here with his iconic Praja Prasthanam Padayatra, and even former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh credited his role in the UPAs back-to-back victories in 2004 and 2009. People in Andhra Pradesh drifted away from the Congress for some time, but I am confident that they will bless me and the party in the ongoing elections, and the Congress will be back to its glory days.

How do you perceive the battle to retain your father's stronghold, Kadapa, this time? Your rival is your cousin and the incumbent MP.

The people of Kadapa have YSR in their hearts. And as the daughter of that great leader, I am here to carry his legacy forward. After living through the pathetic past decade, people today are convinced that only Congress can provide the right mix of development and welfare. My father's legacy, coupled with the trust that people have in the party, will ensure my victory in Kadapa.

Additionally, the election for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat is a battle between the righteous and the evil. On one side is me and my sister Dr Suneetha, who has been fighting for justice for almost five years. And on the other side is the person accused by the CBI of being involved in the murder of my uncle, my fathers brother. The people have picked their next representative, I feel.

Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy alleges that the Congress is contesting this election as a spoiler, which would only benefit the NDA alliance. How do you respond to this accusation?

When a leader has not done any good for the people, he finds excuses for the ensuing poll debacle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy are working overtime to peddle lies and to find excuses to mask their failures. The people of India are intelligent enough to see through this ploy and will pass their judgment through the ballot.

If Congress emerges as a significant force in the state, would it be willing to extend support to YSRCP?

The Indian National Congress will emerge as a significant force in Andhra Pradesh. If we fall short of the mandate to govern Andhra Pradesh, the party will play the role of an efficient opposition in the state.

After the Telangana assembly polls, some strategists are drawing parallels between your entry and that of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. They say you could revive the Congress in AP, as he did in Telangana. What's your take on this?

I am happy that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders such as Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have reposed their trust in me and chosen me to lead the party in the state. With the inspiration I draw from them and the support I get from the party cadres in the state, I am confident of rebuilding the Congress party from the grassroots. Additionally, I would like to state that India is a democratic country, and individuals do not matter beyond a certain degree. It is the trust that the people of Andhra Pradesh have in the Congress which will re-establish us in the state.
Ahead of Lok Sabha polls in the state, the Haryana government is facing political uncertainty after three independent MLAs withdrew their support to the NDA government. The legislators' action has resulted in Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's government being reduced to a minority.



The BJP-led NDA now falls short by two MLAs and needs the support of two more members to remain in power. In the 90-member Assembly, the NDA currently has 43 MLAs.

The three independents who supported the saffron party since 2019 but withdrew the support on Tuesday  Sombir Sangwan (Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (Pundri) and Dharampal Gonder (Nilokheri)  have announced that they are ready to extend their support to the Congress, which is now poised to capitalize on the situation. The Congress currently has 30 MLAs in the state assembly.

What has made matters worse for the NDA is that the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) has also expressed its willingness to support the grand old party if the present government is brought down. Dushyant Chautala, JJPs president said on Wednesday, I want to tell Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda that going by the present numbers in the Assembly, if a step is taken that this government is brought down during (Lok Sabha) elections, then we will fully consider to support them in this. Now, the Congress has to think whether they will take a step to bring down the BJP government.

With three defectors and the JJP (with its 10 MLAs) extending support, the total tally of Congress-led alliance will go up to 43. Independent MLA Balraj Kundu also claims to be opposing the government and if he also comes into the Congress fold, the coalition will be short by just one seat to reach the half-way mark.

Congress is banking on Om Prakash Chautala-led Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), which has just one MLA in the Assembly, to make the math work in its favour. However, if INLD decides otherwise and supports the BJP, it would result in both fronts having 44 MLAs each as two independents and Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) MLA Gopal Kanda still support the BJP, which has 40 members of its own in the state assembly.

The Congress, however, has now sought the imposition of the President's Rule and called for fresh elections in Haryana. It has also requested that JJP and others who are in its support write to the Governor. The JJP should also write a letter stating that the government be dismissed. INLD's Abhay Singh Chautala and Independent MLA Balraj Kundu, who claim to be opposing the government, should also write similar letters to the Governor, senior Congress leader BB Batra said.

Amidst the political realignment, the Haryana government hangs in the balance, with likely potential implications for the upcoming voting in Haryana on May 25.
Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda stepped down from his post on Wednesday evening, hours after his controversial analogy to depict India's diversity triggered a political firestorm.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has accepted his resignation, party general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said.

"Mr Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress President has accepted his decision," Ramesh wrote on X.

Pitroda's choice of ethnic and racial identities like Chinese, Arabs, Whites and Africans at a podcast to describe how Indians from different parts of the country look landed the Congress in yet another soup amid the Lok Sabha elections.

We could hold a country together as diverse as India, where people on the east look like Chinese, people on the west look like Arab, people on the north look like white and maybe people on the South look like Africans, Pitroda had said.

The BJP termed his comments as racist and asserted that people will not tolerate the attempt to insult them on the basis of their skin colour.

The Congress distanced itself from Pitrodas remarks, terming them unfortunate and unacceptable.

"Analogies drawn by Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate India's diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies," Ramesh said in a post on X.
Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda on Wednesday stoked another controversy with his statement on how "people in the east look like Chinese while those in the south look like Africans." Pitroda, whose recent statement on inheritance tax landed Congress in a soup, was talking about the diversity of India when he made the statement.

Calling India a shining example of democracy in the world, Pitroda said the people of the country have "survived 75 years in a very happy environment". "We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside a few fights here and there. We could hold a country together as diverse as India, where people on the east look like Chinese, people on the west look like Arab, people on the north look like white and maybe people on the South look like Africans."

Pitroda made the "observation" in an interview with 'The Statesman'. He added that the people of India respected different languages, religions, food and customs which vary from region to region. "Thats the India that I believe in, where everybody has a place and everybody compromises little bit," he said.

However, Pitroda's statement triggered a controversy, with the BJP slamming him for his "racist comment". Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was one of the leaders who hit out at Pitroda. "Sam bhai (Brother), I am from the North East and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country  we may look different but we are all one. Hamare desh ke bare mein thoda to samajh lo!," Sarma wrote on X.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla too called Pitroda's comments "shocking, despicable and disgusting." "He is the mentor of Rahul Gandhi. It is the word, spirit, vocabulary and ideology of Rahul Gandhi. First, they divided based on caste, religion and language. Now, they are dividing Indian vs. Indian. To make statements like Indians are like Chinese, isn't it racist? Isn't it an insulting and objectionable? It shows that 'Congress ki Mohabbat ki Dukan actually has Nafrat and Racism ka Saman," Poonawalla added.

Meanwhile, Congress has reacted to the remarks, calling them "unfortunate and unacceptable". "Analogies drawn by Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate India's diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies," Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh posted on X.
If Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janta Party wanted to complete a new Ram temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradeshwhich could be considered to serve a political purpose besides strengthening the religious tourism basebefore 2024 general elections, the same could be attributed to Puri Parikrama project at Sri Jagannath temple in Odishas holy city of Puri implemented by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Biju Janta Dal government.

Both the projects were inaugurated in January of this year much before the election season began. The inauguration of the corridor around the iconic 12th century Jagannath temple had been done by Patnaik on January 17 while the prime minister did the same at Ayodhya five days later on January 22.

In both the cases, efforts were made to attract religious tourists. Of course, in Odisha, the BJD government has taken up development of other big temples in different parts of the state. For an agnostic like Patnaik, development of temples in the state could be a counter to BJPs Hindutva besides development of tourism. Now that Odisha is going for four phases of polling for Lok Sabha and state assembly, which will be held from May 13 to June 1, temple development is an important election plank.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first election meeting in the state on May 6 at Berhampur stated, I was in Ayodhya yesterday and had darshan of Ram Lalla and today I am on the land of Mahaprabhu Lord Jagannath. Our Ram Lalla is now staying in the grand Ram temple and it was peoples vote that made it happen and it is the power of the people.

Modi said two yagyas are being held simultaneously in Odisha. The one is being held for making a strong government at the Centre and the second for a strong BJP-led government in Odisha.

In his second electioneering in Odisha on May 10, Modi will hold a roadshow in Bhubaneswar. He will begin the roadshow from BJPs state headquarters which is next to citys main Ram Mandir built decades ago.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah while launching BJPs election campaign in the state on April 25 at Sonepur in western Odisha accused Patnaik of trying to divert peoples attention from the consecration of the Ram temple at Ayodhya by inaugurating Puri Sri Mandir Parikrama project just days before. Shah said the BJD government has lowered the sanctity and dignity of religious places to promote tourism and promised to redevelop Puri along the lines of Kashi Viswanath temple in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh which Prime Minister Modi had redeveloped.

BJP in its election advertisements for Odisha has publicized Modis guarantee for the state that assures distribution of dry Mahaprasad (Puri Jagannath temples offerings or Prasad) in all districts for which distribution centres will be opened. It also promises to distribute land to Maths and a provision of Rs 5 lakh for revival of each Math which are traditional Hindu institutions.

J.P. Nadda, the BJP national president, while releasing partys Odisha manifesto (Sankalpa Patra) said once the party forms the government in the state, all four gates in Puri Sri Jagannath temple will be opened for devotees. Mismanagement of Jagannath temple trust will be done away with and the temple will be made world-class for the pilgrims coming to Puri, he said.

The Ratnabhandar (storeroom where ornaments of deities are stored for centuries) key will be brought on June 4, the day election results are out, for verification of ornaments. It may be mentioned this is a religious and political issue raised by all opposition parties and other organizations. The state government has formed a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Arajit Pasayat which has already met once and the government will act as per the committees recommendation on how to go about it.

Odishas top BJP leader and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has blamed the BJD government for damaging the thousand-year-old heritage sites and monuments in Puri while implementing the Parikrama project. He said the well known Maths like Emar Math and Languli Math near the temple have been demolished in the name of Parikrama project. A seventh-century Devi temple near Sari Mandir has also been damaged. In other places of the state, heritage properties have been destroyed in the name of development, Pradhan alleged.

Congress spokesperson and partys research cell chairman Rajani Mohanty said, from day one our party has been pointing out issues of misappropriation in Parikrama project and damage to heritage sites near Puri Sri Jagannath temple.

Arya Kumar Jnanendra, chairman of Congress Sevadal in Odisha, said: We have been demanding to open all gates of Sri Jagannath temple besides proper assessment of Ratnabhandar properties which authorities are not listening to. In Puri Parikrama project, our allegation is that though there is huge expenditure, a lot of misutilisation and corruption have taken place.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Patnaik has been asking people whether they are happy with the heritage project besides other programmes of his government. This time in his unique style of campaign, Naveen has been making brief talks by asking people in the meetings whether they approve the main programmes he has launched.

Since Sri Jagannath is the reigning God of Odisha and Puri is one of the four Dhams of India, election in Puri Lok Sabha seat and Puri assembly constituency could carry a bearing of Puri Parikrama project amounting to around Rs 3,500 crore. The project which started in 2021 is still under implementation, though the Parikrama corridor near the temple was inaugurated in January.

In 2019, the BJD had won Puri Lok Sabha seat whereas the BJP had won from Puri assembly segment. BJP has retained its 2019 candidates for both Lok Sabha and assembly seats. Dr Sambit Patra, partys national spokesperson has been renominated as Puri Lok Sabha candidate this time while BJPs Puri MLA Jayant Sarangi has also been renominated by party this time.

The BJD has new candidates for both Lok Sabha and assembly seats. Puri Lok Sabha seat is considered one of the prestigious constituencies of the state. Its outgoing MP Pinaki Mishra was BJDs Lok Sabha leader. This time, he is not contesting. The party has been winning Puri Lok Sabha seat continuously from the inception of the party in late 90s. This time, it has fielded retired IPS officer Arup Patnaik who was the only Odia to become the Mumbai Police Commissioner. Arup belongs to Delang block under Puri Lok Sabha constituency. He has been doing social work in his village Udaypur where he has set up a public library and sponsors scholarships to meritorious students of the area every year for higher study. Residents of his area say he had helped them during 1999 super cyclone. Arup runs a social organization in Mumbai which provides free treatment for cancer patients.

I will work dedicatedly for the development of Puri where the chief minister has given focus, Arup said. In 2019, he had contested from Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency on BJD ticket bu lost to BJPs Aparajita Sarangi, an ex-IAS officer. After that, Arup was made convenor of Odisha Mo Parivar, a social wing of BJD and was heading Biju Yuba Vahini with cabinet minister status.

Sambit Patra, BJPs Lok Sabha candidate for the second time, had lost by a slender margin in 2019. Even after the defeat, he had been in election mode was frequently coming from Delhi to his constituency. This apart, he effectively uses digital platforms to reach the electorates.

This time, Congress party was in news as its Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sucharita Mohanty, daughter of late congress leader Brajmohan Mohanty, surrendered party ticket because of alleged fund shortage. Her father was a minister in the state and at the Centre and also was the Speaker of Odisha assembly. Mohanty as a Congress candidate in 2014 Lok Sabha election had got 2.59 lakh plus votes pushing BJPs Asok Sahu, a former IPS officer, to the third position. But, in 2019, the Congress fielded another candidate who got only 54,000 votes. Anyway, Mohanty returned party ticket and the Congress has fielded Puri district president Jaynarayan Patnaik.

In Puri assembly seat, BJD has fielded Mr Sunil Mohanty against BJPs sitting MLA Jayant Sarangi. His late father Maheswar Mohanty was an MLA for a long time and was a cabinet minister under Naveen Patnaik and Speaker of the state assembly. In 2019, he lost against BJPs Sarangi and later on passed away. The Congress has also changed its assembly candidate and fielded former Puri MLA Umaballav Rath.

In Puri, Odisha government is also developing an international airport. But elections will say the political impact of such projects. Though Puri Parikrama project has been acclaimed in whole state and outside, some local people differ about its political impact. Ipsit Pratihary, a servitor whose father was an MLA, says impact is adverse due to allegations about fund misappropriation during project implementation. Srivushan Shukla, a retired civil servant who settled in Bhubaneswar and belongs to Puri town, also says there is no political impact of the project. He says since old Maths were damaged for Parikrama project and no alternative arrangement for livelihood has been made, many are dissatisfied. But Rajkumar Mohanty, an advocate and local journalist, says the project has an overall positive impact for Puri and Odisha.

Like Puri, Chief Minister Patnaik has also redeveloped Maa Samaleswari temple at Sambalpur in western Odisha at a cost of Rs 150 crore, which has increased tourist inflow by ten times. Maa Samaleswari, popularly called Maa Samalei, is the reigning goddess of the western districts. Like Jagannath temples built in several other states and in foreign countries, there are Samaleswari temples in states outside Odisha, according to Tribikram Pradhan, president of Sambalpur Press Club.

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan is contesting as the BJP candidate from Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat whereas the BJD has fielded its heavyweight Pranab Prakas Das, an MLA from Jajpur. He is partys organisational secretary and is almost next to IAS officer-turned-BJD leader V.K. Pandian in party hierarchy, after party supremo Naveen Patnaik.

In 2019, the BJP candidates had won from Sambalpur Lok Sabha and assembly seats. BJP MLA Jaynarayan Mishra is the leader of opposition in the outgoing state assembly. Though sick, he is contesting again. From BJD, Rohit Pujari, an MLA from the district, is contesting against him.

How the temple developments will influence the poll results remains to be seen. The state government has developed major temples in different parts of the state. Chief Minister Patnaik, before launching partys election campaign in his constituency, had sought blessings of his Ganjam districts reigning goddess Maa Taratarini. He had redeveloped this temple near Purushottampur, too. Union Minister Pradhan had also sought blessings of Maa Samaleswari before filing nomination at Sambalpur.

Whatever be the results, for the first time, Odisha also witnesses the temple politics during elections.
A person lost his life in Tennessee as severe storms barreled through the central United States on Wednesday. Three tornadoes were confirmed in Michigan -- in Kalamazoo, Cass and Branch counties -- all in the southwestern part of the state, reports said.



The Tennessee resident who lost his life due to the natural calamity was identified as a 22-year-old youth, whose car was struck by a tree that toppled onto the car he was in, the Associated Press said.

In Michigan's Portage, about 50 people temporarily were trapped inside a damaged FedEx facility because of downed power lines. As things stand, more than 20,000 people remain at their homes sans power supply. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, meanwhile, declared a state of emergency for four counties.

Tornadoes were first reported after dark Tuesday in parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, while portions of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri were also under a tornado watch, according to the National Weather Service. The storms came a day after a deadly twister ripped through an Oklahoma town.

In southern Indiana, the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado with a preliminary EF-0 rating and 85 mph (137 kph) winds touched down early Wednesday

Survey teams planned to head out Wednesday to determine whether tornadoes struck locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, according to Jeff Craven, the meteorologist-in-charge in the weather services Pittsburgh office, the AP report said.

The tornado damaged some homes, uprooted trees and downed power lines. There were no immediate reports of injuries from the tornado, the news agency quoted the Division of Emergency Management as saying.

Tuesday's storms came a day after parts of the central United States were battered by heavy rain, strong winds, hail and twisters. Both the Plains and Midwest have been hammered by tornadoes this spring.

Across the U.S., the entire week is looking stormy. The Midwest and the South are expected to get the brunt of the bad weather through the rest of the week, including in Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis and Cincinnati  cities where more than 21 million people live. It should be clear over the weekend.

On Monday night, a deadly twister in Oklahoma tore through the 1,000-person town of Barnsdall. At least one person was killed and another was missing. Dozens of homes were destroyed.

It was the second tornado to hit Barnsdall in five weeks  a twister on April 1 with maximum wind speeds of 90 to 100 mph (145 to 161 kph) damaged homes and blew down trees and power poles.

Areas in Oklahoma, including Sulphur and Holdenville, are still recovering from a tornado that killed four and left thousands without power late last month.
Three Indian nationals, arrested by Canada Police in connection with the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar appeared before court for the first time to face homicide charges, even as Canadian authorities continue to claim that New Delhi is involved in the killing.

Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals residing in Edmonton, were arrested and charged on Friday with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

The threewho are alleged to be members of a hit squad appeared separately by video in the Surrey provincial courtroom on Tuesday to acknowledge the charges of first-degree murder and conspiring to commit murder and to agree to have their cases adjourned to May 21 to give them time to consult with their lawyers, the Vancouver Sun newspaper reported.

Two of the accused appeared in the morning while Kamalpreet Singh's appeared in the afternoon.

All three agreed to have the proceedings heard in English and each of them nodded that they understood the charges of first-degree murder and conspiring to murder Nijjar, the report said.

Surrey criminal and immigration lawyer Affan Bajwa, who has no connection to the case, said their chances of being released on bail would depend on whether their lawyers could make a strong case to the judge.

According to him, if the case goes ahead, the men would be tried in Canada and if found guilty of first-degree murder would have no chance of parole for at least 25 years.

Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly said the Canadian authorities stand by the allegations that India had a role in the killing of Nijjar.

According to media reports, Joly said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is probing the murder and added that Canada will continue to protect its citizens.

Canada's position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents. Now, the investigation by the RCMP is being done, she was quoted as saying.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had on Saturday said what is happening in poll-bound Canada over the killing of Nijjar is mostly due to their internal politics and has nothing to do with India.

He said a section of pro-Khalistan people are using Canada's democracy, creating a lobby and have become a vote bank.

With agency inputs
The US has decided to hold up the shipment of heavy bombs to Israel as Washington fears the IDF might use them for ground operation in Rafah.

The shipment consisted of 907 kg and 226 kg bombs and was supposed to be transferred last week.

Washington has been supplying weapons, including bombs, to Israel on a near-constant basis since October 7 and this is the first time that it decided to hold up the shipment. The US had expressed its concern about Israel's plan to move ahead with the invasion of Rafah, where one million displaced Palestinians have been sheltering since the war broke out.

Despite global outrage against the Rafah invasion, Israel decided to move ahead with the plan with the IDF seizing the nearby Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt early Tuesday,

According to a White House administration official, the US position has been that Israel should not launch a major ground operation in Rafah, where more than a million people are sheltering with nowhere else to go.

He added that the administration has been engaging in a dialogue with Israel on how they will meet the humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah but these discussions "have not fully addressed our concerns."

"As Israeli leaders seemed to approach a decision point on such an operation, we began to carefully review proposed transfers of particular weapons to Israel that might be used in Rafah. This began in April," BBC quoted the official.

He added that the US paused one one shipment of weapons last week as a result of the review.

"It consists of 1,800 2,000lb bombs and 1,700 500lb bombs. We are especially focused on the end-use of the 2,000-lb bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza. We have not made a final determination on how to proceed with this shipment."

However, the Israeli military appeared on Wednesday to play down an arms shipment hold-up, stating that the allies resolve any disagreements "behind closed doors".

Chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari described coordination between Israel and the United States as reaching "a scope without precedent, I think, in history".

Meanwhile, the Israeli forces on Tuesday cut off a vital route for aid. Many residents complained of tanks moving in to take control of the crossing Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah said in separate statements that gunfights continued in the central Gaza.
In light of the war in Gaza, students of universities across the United States of America have initiated intense anti-Israel protests. Why are students in the US divided over an ongoing conflict in far-away Gaza? Here is understanding the development in the simplest of terms.



War in Gaza: The backdrop

Israel's military offence in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has been ongoing since October 7, 2023. The Israeli government declared a state of war after an unprecedented cross-border offensive by Hamas had claimed 1,200 Israeli lives -- mostly civilians. In response, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched an offensive vowing to destroy Hamas militarily. However, the Israeli forces have reportedly killed approximately 35,000 people in Gaza, including women and children, while the number of injured has surged to 80,000.

US student community reacts

The pro-Palestine protests erupted at Columbia University, New York, on April 17 before many other universities in the country followed suit. The students were encamped on the university premises and annexed an academic building before being removed by the police forces on April 18. This resulted in the arrests of around 100 students.

What do the student protesters want?

The protesters are demanding the universities to cut off their ties with Israel and the organisations in support of the war. They have also demanded greater transparency in the university finances and amnesty for the protestors. The students are disrupting the classes and the university operations, even causing the cancellation of graduation ceremonies. The protests, which started in mid-April, have now spread across the globe to the UK, France, Australia, and other countries.

University reaction and implications

However, some reports suggest that even though the protestors are arguing that they are peacefully endorsing the rights of the Palestinians, some have posed violent threats, anti-Jewish remarks, and hate speeches.

The university management is taking strict disciplinary actions against the student protestors, including expulsions from study abroad programmes and suspensions. According to reports, even criminal charges are pressed against the protestors.

READ HERE | Columbia University cancels main commencement after protests that roiled campus for weeks

The police had to use munitions like pepper spray, stun grenades, and even unintentional gunfire to regulate the protests on some occasions. More than 2,000 students have been arrested nationwide, with some facing legal charges for violating the rules of the universities. After a week-long silence, President Joe Biden released his statement acknowledging the students right to protest but described the ongoing demonstrations as unrestful. Vandalism, destroying college properties, disrupting university workings, and cancelling graduation and classes cannot be considered a way of peaceful demonstration, Biden noted.

Many universities have agreed to address the concerns of the protestors and have organised discussions with student representatives. Some universities are taking measures to contain the ongoing protests without disrupting the upcoming commencement ceremonies, while others have failed to do so.

The demonstrators have also protested at the Met Gala event, weeks after the protests in universities commenced, leading to several arrests. The protests have spread globally, and they are happening to different degrees in different universities. There is a high chance that the protests can continue until there is a resolution to the war conditions.


Viewed 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.
In a scathing letter to Columbia University President Minouche Shafik, thirteen federal judges announced that they will no longer hire students from the university, citing an explosion of student disruptions, anti-Semitism, and hatred for diverse viewpoints on campuses.

The judges expressed their loss of confidence in Columbia, stating, Columbia has instead become an incubator of bigotry. They demanded that the university implement serious consequences for students and faculty who have participated in campus disruptions and violated established rules and identify students who engage in such conduct, warning that otherwise, employers are forced to assume the risk that anyone they hire from Columbia may be one of these disruptive and hateful students.

Speech is not violence, and violence is not speech, they continued. Universities that are serious about academic freedom understand the difference, and they enforce the rules accordingly. It has become clear that Columbia applies double standards when it comes to free speech and student misconduct. If Columbia had been faced with a campus uprising of religious conservatives upset because they view abortion as a tragic genocide, we have no doubt that the universitys response would have been profoundly different.

The judges concluded that ideological homogeneity throughout the entire institution of Columbia has destroyed its ability to train future leaders of a pluralistic and intellectually diverse country, and called for significant and dramatic change in the composition of its faculty and administration to restore confidence in the university.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
House Republicans plan to move forward next week with holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for his refusal to turn over the unredacted audio of an interview that was conducted as part of the special counsel probe into President Joe Bidens handling of classified documents.

The House Judiciary Committee is set to convene on May 16 to advance contempt charges against the Cabinet official, according to a person familiar with the matter who was granted anonymity to discuss plans not yet made public. The resolution would then go to the full House for a vote.

The contempt proceedings are just the latest flare-up in the increasingly tense relationship between Republicans and the Justice Department. House Republicans last month threatened to hold Garland in contempt for refusing to fully comply with a congressional subpoena issued as part their probe into Special Counsel Robert Hurs decision not to charge the president with any crimes.

Republicans  led by Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and James Comer of Kentucky  had ordered the department to turn over audio of Hurs interviews with Biden by early April. But the Justice Department only turned over some of the records, excluding the audio interview with the president. They warned of the precedent that would be set for future investigations if the audio was provided.

Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte, the departments head of congressional affairs, said in the letter to Jordan and Comer last month that the committees interest in these records may not be in service of legitimate oversight or investigatory functions, but to serve political purposes that should have no role in the treatment of law enforcement files.

Comer dismissed that rationale, saying in response that the Biden administration does not get to determine what Congress needs and does not need for its oversight of the executive branch.

Contempt charges would require majority support in committee and then the support of the full House before a referral would be sent to the Justice Department. Should the House hold Garland in contempt, it is unlikely that the Justice Department  which Garland oversees  would prosecute him.

The last time an attorney general was held in contempt was 2012. That was when the GOP-controlled House voted to make then-Attorney General Eric Holder the first sitting Cabinet member to be held in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over documents related to the gun-running operation known as Operation Fast and Furious.

The Justice Department took no action against Holder.

The special counsel in Bidens case, Hur, spent a year investigating the presidents improper retention of classified documents, from his time as a senator and as vice president. The result was a 345-page report that questioned Bidens age and mental competence but recommended no criminal charges for the 81-year-old. Hur said he found insufficient evidence to successfully prosecute a case in court.

In March, Hur stood by the assessment made in his report in testimony before the Judiciary Committee, where he was grilled for more than four hours by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

But his defense did not satisfy Republicans, who insists that there is a politically motivated double standard at the Justice Department, which is prosecuting former President Donald Trump over his handling of classified documents after he left the White House.

But there are major differences between the two probes. Bidens team returned the documents after they were discovered, and the president cooperated with the investigation by voluntarily sitting for an interview and consenting to searches of his homes. Trump, by contrast, is accused of enlisting the help of aides and lawyers to conceal the documents from the government and allegedly sought to have potentially incriminating evidence destroyed.

(AP)
Floodwaters in the Houston area and parts of Southeast Texas began to recede on Monday, allowing residents to begin returning to their homes and assess damages after days of heavy rainfall that pummeled the area and led to hundreds of rescues  including people who were stranded on rooftops.

While officials in Harris County, where Houston is located, reported no deaths or major injuries from the flooding, Gov. Greg Abbott said there were at least three deaths in the state. Among those killed was a 4-year-old boy in North Texas who died after riding in a car that was swept away in fast waters.

After days of heavy rainfall in the Houston area and other parts of Southeast Texas, Mondays weather was dominated by mostly sunny skies and little if any rain.

We can absolutely see the light at the end of the tunnel, and weve made it through the worst of this weather event, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the countys top elected official, told reporters Monday.

Areas near Lake Livingston, located northeast of Houston, received upwards of 23 inches (58 centimeters) of rain over the past week, National Weather Service meteorologist Jimmy Fowler said. Areas in northeastern Harris County, the nations third-largest county, had a range of between 6 inches (15 centimeters) to almost 17 inches (43 centimeters) of rain in that same period.

Hidalgo said 233 people and 186 pets had been rescued in Harris County over the last few days. Active rescues stopped Monday, and officials were transitioning from a response phase into recovery mode and cleanup, she said.

Across Texas, more than 600 people were rescued by local and state authorities, Abbott said. A disaster declaration was issued by Abbott for 91 counties impacted by the severe weather.

It has been heart wrenching to see our fellow Texans be literally inundated with record water fall, Abbott said.

While many of the impacted neighborhoods and subdivisions along the San Jacinto River in Harris County were accessible on Monday, others remained cut off by flooded roadways.

Were a resilient community. I know well continue to recover from this, said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

At least five school districts around the Houston area were closed on Monday due to the flooding.

Houston is one of the most flood-prone metro areas in the country. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 dumped historic rainfall that flooded thousands of homes and resulted in more than 60,000 rescues.

Most of the city of Houston was not heavily impacted by last weeks rainfall, except for the neighborhood of Kingwood, where some homes and roads flooded.

Abbott said preliminary reports showed at least 800 structures in the state had been damaged. But he expected that number to increase as officials in many impacted communities had not yet begun to assess the destruction.

Various counties and communities north and east of the Houston area on Monday were also transitioning from rescue to recovery.

I dont think this is going to be a short term recovery, thats for sure. Its going to be a very long term recovery, said Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy.

At least 174 water rescues were done in Polk County, where many areas still remained underwater on Monday, Murphy said.

In Walker County, water rescues had stopped, but swift-water rescue teams were checking on residents in about 100 homes who had decided not to evacuate but now couldnt leave because of high water, said Sherri Pegoda, the countys deputy emergency management coordinator. The rescue teams were taking food and water to these residents, she said.

Another week or maybe two before the waters recede enough for them to get out on their own, Pegoda said.

As he rode a boat through a rural flooded neighborhood in Trinity County on Sunday, Sheriff Woody Wallace said during a Facebook livestream that the residents in his county had suffered much.

During the livestream, partially submerged cars and street signs could be seen around Wallace. At one point, a game warden on the boat rescued an armadillo that had been swimming in the flood waters.

Poor little thing out here about to drown, Wallace said, adding they would take the armadillo, which he named Sam, to shore.

In Johnson County, south of Fort Worth, a 4-year-old boy died when he was swept away after the vehicle he was riding in became stuck in swift-moving water near the community of Lillian just before 2 a.m. Sunday, an official said. The Tarrant County medical examiners office said the cause of death of the child, who would have turned 5 later this month, was drowning.

Abbott said two other deaths tied to the severe weather were a man in Bosque County who was swept away by rushing waters and a Conroe Police Department officer who died after being injured when a tornado struck his home in Trinity County on April 28.

Murphy said she is tired of dealing with historic weather events, but whatever happens, whatever Mother Nature sends our way, then we will deal with.

(AP)
Russia on Monday defended its veto of a U.N. resolution urging all nations to prevent a nuclear arms race in outer space, challenging the U.S., Japan and their Western allies to support Moscows rival resolution calling for a ban on all weapons in space for all time.

Russias U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said the United States and Japan, which sponsored the vetoed resolution, are guilty of of hypocrisy and double standards. He accused the U.S. and Western nations more broadly of planning for the military exploration of outer space, including the deployment of weapons, in particular strike combat systems.

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood countered, telling the U.N. General Assembly: The truth is that Russia currently has several conventional anti-satellite weapons already in orbit, one of which it tested in 2019. He added Russia has threatened to target satellites with weapons, and said there is credible information that Russia is developing a new satellite carrying a nuclear device.

The verbal clash came on a day that Russia threatened to strike British military facilities and said it plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield tactical nuclear weapons. Moscows actions were a response to comments by senior Western officials about possible deeper involvement in the war in Ukraine.

In February 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to rising tensions with the West over its support for Ukraine by announcing that Moscow was suspending its participation in the New START treaty  the last remaining nuclear arms control pact with the United States.

The United Nations warned Monday of growing concern about recent increasing talk about nuclear weapons by various parties when asked about Russias planned drills simulating the use of tactical nukes.

Current nuclear risks are at an alarmingly high level, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. All actions that could lead to miscalculation, escalation with catastrophic consequences, must be avoided.

Under a General Assembly resolution adopted in April 2022, any of the permanent member of the Security Council  the U.S, Russia, China, Britain and France  that vetoes a resolution must appear before the 193-member world body to explain why.

Before the U.S.-Japan resolution was put to a vote April 24, Russia and China unsuccessfully proposed an amendment that would have called on all countries to prevent all weapons  not just weapons of mass destruction  in outer space.

In the ensuing vote on the U.S.-Japan resolution, 13 countries voted yes, China abstained, and Russia voted no, vetoing the measure.

A week later, Russia circulated its rival resolution that calls on all countries to stop all weapons from being deployed in outer space as well as the threat or use of force in outer space, also for all time.

On Monday, Nebenzia argued that the United States and its allies oppose a ban on all weapons in outer space because they plan to deploy weapons there and hold out the threat of using force in outer space  from outer space and against objects in outer space.

Wood questioned the sincerity of Putins public comments that Russia has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space.

If that were the case, Russia would not have vetoed this resolution, Wood said. Russias actions cast significant doubt as to whether it will uphold the existing legal obligations under the Outer Space Treaty and raise concerns about what this could mean for international peace and security.

The vetoed U.S.-Japan resolution would have affirmed that countries which ratified the 1967 Outer Space Treaty must comply with their obligations not to put in orbit around the Earth any objects with weapons of mass destruction, or install them on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space. The treaty was ratified by 114 countries, including the U.S. and Russia.

Wood said all countries should support the Outer Space Treaty and not let Russia distract from the pacts provisions by seeking to advance its own resolution, which he said has language being discussed in other bodies where there is not yet consensus.

Russias actions only seeks to divide states not unite us, he said.

Japanese Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki asked U.N. member nations to imagine what would happen if a nuclear weapon detonated in outer space.

A large number of satellites and other critical space infrastructure would be taken down, he said.

But the consequences wouldnt be limited to outer space, Yamazaki said, saying there would be repercussions on peoples lives and it would obstruct development in every region on Earth, disastrously and irreversibly.

(AP)
Two Yeshiva Bochurim, Reuvi Scheinerman, 17, and Yehudah Roffman, 21, were removed from an American Airlines flight this Sunday, May 5th, without explanation, and their families are now accusing American Airlines of having engaged in overt antisemitic discrimination.

The family told YWN that Reuvi was flying from Cleveland to Hartford, Connecticut, to return to his yeshiva in Naugatuck after Pesach break. Yehudah, meanwhile, was heading to his yeshiva in Far Rockaway. Both were dressed in visible yeshiva attire, including a white dress shirt, suit jacket, and black hat.

Prior to the flight, Yehuda noticed a dent in the planes tail and, concerned, mentioned it to the flight attendants and pilot. His concerns were brushed off. Minutes later, the gate agent ordered him off the plane. Reuvi, who had no interaction with the crew or Yehudah, was also removed, without explanation.

The plane departed and the Bochurim were informed that they were thrown off the flight. When they asked why, they were told, You know what you did. Both Bochurim were baffled  they had done nothing!

When Reuvi asked if it was anti-Semitism, the gate agent said the pilot had requested his removal and he has to comply. The gate agent threatened to blacklist them permanently from American Airlines, but later retracted his statement.

The Bochurim, uninterested in getting on a another flight, were then driven by one of their fathers through the night to their Yeshivos, bringing the incident to a conclusion. However, the incident is not going away. American Airlines has a lot to answer for  and hopefully, they will pay for it.

The families of the affected Bochurim have not yet indicated whether they intend to file a lawsuit against the airline.

American Airlines has not commented on the matter.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The quiet village of Keresteer in Hungary, and most notably the famed Reb Shayelehs Guesthouse, is teeming with activity this week as preparations reach a fever pitch ahead of the 99th yahrtzeit of the legendary tzaddik and master of yeshuos, Reb Shaya Ben R Moshe, Zecher Tzaddik Lvrocho.

This year, the tzaddiks yahrtzeit will fall on Shabbos, bringing an unprecedented number of visitors to remain close to the tziyon hakadosh throughout an unforgettable and elevated weekend of tefilah and inspiration.

Over the past decade, the number of Yidden making the annual pilgrimage has exploded, with each year seeing an increasing number of visitors from around the globe descending upon the kever of the tzaddik to tap into this unparalleled fountain of yeshuos.

What was until not long ago a village with little Jewish presence has since been transformed to host and accommodate Yidden in every capacity. But never has this been more apparent than this week as it gears up for a yahrtzeit that is sure to be remembered by all who are fortunate enough to be part of it.

With Reb Shayelehs yahrtzeit being on Shabbos Kodesh, those who are traveling from distant locales are inclined to stick around for Shabbos and packaging their weekend of yeshuos with one of inspiration for the weeks and months ahead.

That also means a much greater burden for the askanim who serve the klal in Keresteer, on the yahrtzeit and all year round.

We are putting in tremendous thought, effort and resources to ensure that every visitor is accommodated warmly and comfortably, shared Reb Moshe Yosef Friedlander, founder of the acclaimed Reb Shayelehs Guesthouse, lovingly referred to by many as Ish Keresteer.

Our team always stands ready to ensure that every Yid can stop by for a warm, nourishing meal, take along food for the road, rest or wash up, daven or use the mikvah, he explained. But for the big Shabbos Yahrtzeit, we are also preparing to host seudos Shabbos for many hundreds of visitors and arrange for proper accommodations in the manner that Reb Shayeleh surely would have wanted.

Visitors who are making the trip are expected to return home filled with chizuk, sipurei tzadikim and yeshuos, once again demonstrating that nearly 100 years after his passing, the power of Reb Shayeleh is stronger than ever.

Zechuso Yagen Aleinu.


Embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson and far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene met for a second day at the Capitol on Tuesday, political adversaries trying to engineer an off-ramp from the escalating standoff over her threat for a vote to oust him from office.

The stakes are high for both.

Republican Johnson is hoping to avoid a politically fraught outcome in which he would keep his job, but only after relying on Democrats who have pledged their support to save him, at least this time.

Greene, a top ally of Donald Trump, faces her own potentially embarrassing setback if her motion to vacate the speaker fizzles, as is expected.

Right now the ball is in Mike Johnsons court, said Greene, R-Ga. I am so done with words. For me, its all about actions.

In a brazen move, Greene has forced her way to the negotiating table and outlined four demands  including no more funding for Ukraine as it fights Russia and an end to the Justice Department special counsels legal cases against the indicted former president, Trump.

Throughout Johnson has tried to portray himself, six months on the job since the ouster of then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as in control of the situation, and not beholden to the hard-right forces that have created chaos throughout this session of Congress.

Look, theyve been very productive discussions. thats what Ill say Johnson, R-La., said after Tuesdays 90-minute meeting.

Johnson downplayed the idea that there was any deal to be made, saying the meetings are simply part of his open-door policy to hear out the ideas of fellow Republican lawmakers, as is his practice as the new leader.

Its not a negotiation, Johnson said.

But its clear whether or not Greene proceeds with her plan to call the vote this week  or lets the moment slip away  the threat of removal will trail the speakers tenure and force him to consider concessions to the far-right forces to keep members satisfied.

Greene said she had high expectations the speaker would deliver.

This is what people all over the country are screaming for, Greene said Tuesday on Steve Bannons War Room podcast. They want to see this vote.

Another hardline congressman, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, has joined in the meetings and warned Johnson not to draw out a decision.

If his plan is to drag this out so the pressure comes off of this, and to drag it out for weeks or days even, without making some movement in our direction, then he would just be far better off to have this vote and get it behind him, Massie said.

The effort to oust Johnson has been panned by Trump, who gave his nod of support to the speaker, and it has failed to gain traction among Republicans, leaving Greene almost alone with just a few colleagues on her side.

But the demands Greene is making are mostly popular among Republicans and could be difficult for Johnson to ignore. That gives both her and the speaker incentive to embrace a deal  particularly since Trump would almost certainly be supportive.

In a signal of whats to come, Johnson lashed out at the Justice Departments two cases from special prosecutor Jack Smith against Trump  over mishandling classified documents as well as the effort to overturn the 2020 election in the runup to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Johnson, echoing Greenes claims of sham trials, called the Justice Department cases against Trump election interference that has to stop as the former president is the partys presumptive nominee in the 2024 race for the White House.

President Trump has done nothing wrong here, said Johnson, who led one of the defeated presidents legal efforts trying to overturn Bidens 2020 election victory before the bloody Capitol siege.

Johnson said the House will consider the flow of federal funds to the Justice Department and oversight of the special prosecutors office. Stay tuned, he said.

Greene is also demanding that Johnson abide by the Hastert rule, named for another former Republican speaker, that requires leaders to proceed with voting on bills only when they have support from the majority of their members.

Relying on the Hastert rule could have tanked congressional support for Ukraine since the recently approved $61 million foreign aid package did not have backing from most Republicans. It passed with Democratic support.

Greene also wants to insist on federal spending reductions championed by Massie which would require a 1% across-the-board cut if Congress fails to pass the regular appropriation bills by the Sept. 30 deadline for the end of the fiscal year. A similar deal was struck last year, lending support to the idea.

Other Republicans, even if they agree with some of the ideas being proposed, are wary of Johnson making any deals with a select few.

I dont have a problem with him listening, but what I will have a problem with, and we had this problem with Speaker McCarthy, is when you start making special special deals and hidden deals, said Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla. And then people, not just conservatives, but moderates and everybody else, says wheres my deal?

But ultra-conservative Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said Greene backing off the motion to vacate for now would be a a wise move. He said it signals shes going to play her best hand and thats to get what you can get.

The speaker is working to show he is in control of the House and not being led by Democrats, who are in the minority but have outsized influence because they have provided the votes for much of the consequential issues this Congress.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader, has emerged as an empowered speaker-in-waiting, if Democrats win party control in November. He and his leadership team have promised to vote to table Greenes motion, essentially saving Johnsons job.

But Johnson insisted Tuesday he has no interest in relinquishing the gavel any time soon. Even though some Republicans have said he should step aside, Johnson said he intends to continue leading the House Republicans well into next year.

(AP)
The U.S. Army soldier arrested in Russia last week was being held in a pretrial detention facility, the Army said Tuesday. Russian reports said he would be held for two months pending an investigation.

Staff Sgt. Gordon Black flew to Vladivostok, a Pacific port city, to see his girlfriend and was arrested after she accused him of stealing from her, according to U.S. officials and Russian police.

The Army confirmed Tuesday that he had not sought clearance for the international travel and it was not authorized by the Defense Department. Under Pentagon policy, service members must get clearance for any international travel from a security manager or commander and that was not done.

The State Department strongly advises U.S. citizens not to go to Russia, and given the war in Ukraine and ongoing threats to the U.S. and its military, it is extremely unlikely he would have been granted approval.

The regional branch of the Russian Interior Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that Black and his girlfriend had a conflict and she reported him to the police, claiming that she found cash missing after he stayed with her.

The statement said Black was arrested at a hotel in Vladivostok.

Russian media reports quoted Elena Oleneva, a spokesperson for Vladivostok courts, as saying the citys Pervomaisky District Court on Friday ordered Grant held in custody until July 2. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

The U.S. Army is also conducting an administrative investigation into what happened.

Black was on leave and in the process of returning to his home base at Fort Cavazos in Texas from South Korea, where he had been stationed at Camp Humphreys with the Eighth Army. The U.S. officials said Black, who is married, met his girlfriend in South Korea. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel details.

Official and leave travel is currently restricted pursuant to the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide. said Cynthia Smith, an Army spokeswoman, adding that There is no evidence Black intended to remain in Russia after his leave time ended.

Smith said Black enlisted in the Army in 2008, and deployed to Iraq from October 2009 through September 2010, and to Afghanistan from June 2013 until March 2014. He is an infantry soldier.

According to Smith, Black signed out for his move back home and, instead of returning to the continental United States, Black flew from Incheon, Republic of Korea, through China to Vladivostok, Russia, for personal reasons.

According to the U.S. officials, the Russian woman had lived in South Korea, and last fall she and Black got into some type of domestic dispute or altercation. After that, she left South Korea. It isnt clear if she was forced to leave or what, if any, role Korean authorities had in the matter.

Smith said that an official from the Russian Interior Ministry informed the U.S. Embassy in Moscow on Friday that Black was arrested on Thursday in Vladivostok, for theft of personal property. The embassy and Eighth Army notified Blacks family of his arrest.

Russia is known to be holding a number of Americans in its jails, including corporate security executive Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. The U.S. government has designated both as wrongfully detained and has been trying to negotiate for their release.

Others detained include Travis Leake, a musician who had been living in Russia for years and was arrested last year on drug-related charges; Marc Fogel, a teacher in Moscow, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison, also on drug charges; and dual nationals Alsu Kurmasheva and Ksenia Khavana.

The arrest comes less than a year after American soldier Travis King sprinted into North Korea across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas. North Korea later announced that it would expel King, who was returned to the U.S. He was eventually charged with desertion.

(AP)
In an era when antisemitism is on the rise and many Jews feel disconnected from their roots and each other, Aish is taking an innovative technological approach to bring Jews of all backgrounds together across geographic boundaries.

The organization is launching a bold new initiative entitled Aish+ as part of its ongoing mission to engage unaffiliated Jews. By utilizing social media platforms, and creating online communities to provide support, the organization will combat the pernicious effects of hate while offering top-level educational content. The online communities will be interactive, immersive, guided, and communally led aimed at Jews who have experienced antisemitism for the first time, or the hundredth time, and will enable them to connect and learn how to combat the effects of hate.

Our mission is to spark an awakening of Jewish pride, wisdom, and values, that can positively transform the world, said Jamie Geller, CMO of Aish. By meeting people where they are on social media, we can reconnect unaffiliated Jews with their heritage and foster a global network bonded by shared interests and traditions.

At the heart of this new effort is Aishs partnership with Circle.so, a cutting-edge platform that facilitates meaningful online communities. Powered by advanced AI and data analytics, Circle.so will enable Aish+, to provide highly personalized experiences tailored to each users interests, background, and level of Jewish knowledge.

Were utilizing innovative technology to help people self-actualize their Jewish identity in the digital space, explained Noach Levin, Director of Digital Strategy at Aish. Circle.sos platform allows us to create warm, intimate communities while operating at a massive scale.

Circle.so is a series A company that offers a powerful toolbox including Livestreamed events, guided courses, chat, forums, and an API that enables users to integrate over 700 different platforms.

Circle.so is one of two leading global community engagement platforms that exist currently, and it is the more nimble of the two, which is why we decided to go with them, explained Levin. The world of global community engagement platforms is fast-growing but still in its infancy and we are aiming to leverage it to engage our audience. Instead of building our audience on someone elses platform, we are now looking to give our audience their own space to interact and grow together. The goal here is not to get people to watch a video on social media or engage with a reel or a post. We are building long-term spaces for people to engage with each other and experience content that will inspire them and elevate their daily life.

The immersive virtual communities will offer live and on-demand discussion groups, social events, and multimedia resources on topics ranging from Jewish spirituality to food to Israeli culture. An AI-driven recommendation engine will serve up customized content to keep members engaged.

Importantly, the platform provides a safe space shielded from antisemitism, hate speech, and online toxicity through advanced filtering and moderation capabilities.

In the face of rising antisemitism globally, it is crucial that we empower Jews with knowledge, pride, and communal support, Geller said. This initiative will be a bulwark against those who seek to marginalize or harm us.

Beyond fostering connections between existing community members, the initiative aims to spark Jewish awakenings among the unaffiliated through targeted digital initiatives and content tailored for those just beginning to explore their roots.

Well meet people wherever they are on their personal journey and provide pathways for deeper engagement when theyre ready, Levin said. Our goal is to catalyze a renaissance of Judaism powered by 21st-century innovation. This will be the worlds first interactive, guided, and scalable, learning community for the Jewish people.

Aishs unprecedented digital push leverages the latest technologies to deliver content and cultivate lasting communities bonded through shared learning, experiences, and values. By bridging geographical divides, it enables Jews worldwide to enrich their lives with the beauty of their heritage.

The world is experiencing a great societal fragmentation, but technology also gives us a unique opportunity to unite the Jewish people across any distance, Geller said. Through this effort, well nurture thriving digital communities that celebrate our identity while raising a proud Jewish voice to the world.
A group of 12 Republican senators, led by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), have threatened the International Criminal Court (ICC) with sanctions if it moves forward with an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other Israeli leaders.

The senators warned in a letter, Target Israel and we will target you, and threatened to sanction your employees and associates, and bar you and your families from the United States. They concluded, You have been warned.

The ICC has reportedly considered a warrant for Netanyahus arrest for weeks, amid accusations of war crimes in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The senators argue that any attempt to issue warrants against Israeli leaders would be illegitimate and lack legal basis, and would align the ICC with the largest state sponsor of terrorism and its proxy, referring to Iran and Hamas.

The Biden administration has stated it does not support an ICC war crimes investigation into Israel, but has not commented on whether it would pursue sanctions against the court if Netanyahu or others are ordered arrested. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, 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.

The ICC responded to unspecified threats in a public statement, saying, The Office seeks to engage constructively with all stakeholders That independence and impartiality are undermined, however, when individuals threaten to retaliate against the Court or against Court personnel Such threats may also constitute an offence against the administration of justice.

The letter was signed by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), as well as Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tedd Budd (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that the IDFs ongoing operation in Rafah serves two primary objectives: returning Israeli hostages and eliminating Hamas.

We have already proven that military pressure on Hamas is essential for the return of our hostages, Netanyahu said. He said that he rejected Hamass ceasefire proposal, saying it was designed to torpedo the entry of our forces into Rafah and was very far from Israels core demands.

Israel cannot accept a proposal that endangers the safety of our citizens and the future of our country, Netanyahu insisted, adding that he has instructed the Israeli negotiating team in Cairo to stand firmly on Israels conditions for hostage release and security demands.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Israel will not allow Hamas to regain power in the Gaza Strip or rebuild its military capabilities. He instructed the Israeli delegation in Cairo to insist on necessary conditions for hostage release and security demands.

Netanyahu hailed the capture of the Rafah Crossing as a very important step in destroying Hamass remaining military capabilities and governing powers, and expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones and praised the bravery and heroism of Israeli soldiers.

Together we will fight, and with G-ds help  together we will win, Netanyahu concluded.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited an artillery battery in the Rafah area on Tuesday, to show support for the troops stationed there. The battery provides crucial fire support to IDF troops operating in the region.

During his visit, Minister Gallant addressed the soldiers, emphasizing the significance of their mission. The terrorists who attacked Sufa, Holit, Yated, Yevul, Neveh, and other communities came from Rafah. We are targeting those who murdered our children, he stated.

Gallant reiterated his commitment to eliminating Hamas, saying, Yesterday, I directed the IDF to enter Rafah, take the crossing, and complete its missions. This operation will continue until we destroy Hamas in Rafah and the entire Gaza Strip, or until the first hostage returns.

The Defense Minister emphasized Israels willingness to make compromises to secure the release of hostages but warned that if that option is no longer viable, the military operation will intensify. We will deepen the operation across the Gaza Strip  in the south, center, and north. Hamas only responds to force, so we will increase our actions, and military pressure will crush the Hamas terrorist organization.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A notoriously anti-Israel United Nations official, Francesca Albanese, was tricked into agreeing to speak at an anti-Israel event at Columbia University by a satirical account posing as the Chief Rabbi of Gaza. The account, Rabbi Linda Goldstein, is known for mocking progressive anti-Israel talking points.

The Daily Wire, which published the hilarious idiocy of Albanese, revealed that Goldstein  who is actually a male lawyer whose name isnt public  emailed Albanese, the UNs Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, inviting her to deliver a keynote address on the Morality of Intifada to thousands of students gathered at the Gaza solidarity encampment. Albaneses research assistant, Eleonora De Martin, responded, asking for more details on the topic and length.

Despite being told the speech would defend intifada, De Martin maintained interest and asked about an honorarium. Goldstein offered a small honorarium, which De Martin requested be transferred to the fellowship of her volunteer due to official capacity restrictions.

However, after Goldstein asked if the honorarium could be donated to UNRWA instead, De Martin stopped replying. Albaneses team later claimed they realized Goldstein was not a reliable account and blocked her.

Goldstein mocked Albanese for chasing an honorarium and not caring about the Palestinian plight. Albanese has been an outspoken critic of Israel, and was barred from the country in February. She has spoken at Harvard University, stating Israel had no right to defend itself from Hamas terrorists.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum made a heart-wrenching announcement on Tuesday, revealing that Lior Rudaeff, previously believed to be held captive in Gaza, was actually murdered on October 7. His body was taken from his town, Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak, by Hamas terrorists to the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the Forum expressed their deep sorrow and condolences to the Rudaeff family, saying, The Hostages Families Forum mourns the murder of Lior Rudaeff. May his memory be a blessing. We share in the profound grief of the Rudaeff family The Families Forum bows its head in sorrow and with a broken heart following the determination that Lior Rudaeff, of blessed memory, was murdered on October 7 and that his body was kidnapped to Gaza by Hamas terrorists.

The Forum pledged continued support to Liors family during this difficult time, emphasizing the Israeli governments moral duty to secure his return for a proper burial. They also demanded the swift return of all living hostages, allowing them to begin their journey towards healing and recovery.

Lior Rudaeff, 61, was a selfless individual who dedicated his life to helping others, the statement said. He volunteered as an ambulance driver for 40 years, always willing to lend a hand. An avid cyclist and fan of Shlomo Artzi, Lior was married to his wife, Yaffa, for 38 years and was a loving father and grandfather.

Lior was preparing for a motorcycle ride to the Ramon Crater on the morning of October 7 when he received an urgent call from the kibbutz emergency squad to defend the community. He joined the battle to protect his home, later sending a message that he had been injured. In a heart-wrenching farewell, he expressed his love to his wife, Yaffa, and their four children before all communication was lost.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S., a senior administration official said Tuesday.

The shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) bombs and 1,700 500-pound (225-kilogram) bombs, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, with the focus of U.S. concern being the larger explosives and how they could be used in a dense urban setting.

It also comes as the Biden administration is due to deliver a first-of-its-kind formal verdict on whether the airstrikes on Gaza and restrictions on delivery of aid have violated international and U.S. laws  a move that the administration admitted is a result of pressure from anti-Israel political figures and groups in the Democratic party.

The Washington Free Beacon reported that the Biden administration hid its decision to pause arms sales to Israel from Congress, leading to a probe led by two GOP senators.

Senators Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) and Ted Budd (R., N.C.) sent a letter to the White House on Monday evening demanding that the administration immediately inform Congress about what types of ammunition are being withheld from Israel and why.

We are shocked that your administration has reportedly decided to withhold critical ammunition to Israel, the senators wrote, according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Free Beacon. You promised your commitment to Israel was ironclad. Pausing much-needed military support to our closest Middle Eastern ally signals otherwise.

The senators say the White House failed to notify Congress about this decision and expressed concern of the Biden administrations increasingly hostile stance toward Israel.

We must give Israel the arms it needs to fight the Hamas terrorists that continue to hold Americans hostage, Ernst and Budd wrote. We call on your administration to immediately restart the weapons shipments to Israel today as it continues to fight Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iran-backed threats.

Which ammunition did your administration withhold from Israel? the senators ask. Why did your administration decide to withhold this ammunition? Did the administration withhold any ammunition that was approved by Congress in the recent national security supplemental? Does your administration have any plans to withhold further assistance from Israel?

On April 24, you signed the national security supplemental into law and promised that you will always make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Iran and terrorists it supports, the senators wrote. If these reports are true, then you have once again broken your promise to an American ally.

Ernst and Budd are requesting the Biden administration explain how its decision to withhold security assistance from Israel is consistent with previous statements promising unconditional military assistance.

Why did your administration fail to notify Congress about this decision to withhold assistance to Israel? they ask. If your administration decides to withhold further assistance to Israel, would you commit to communicating such a decision to Congress beforehand?

U.S. officials had declined for days to comment on the halted transfer, word of which came as Biden on Tuesday described U.S. support for Israel as ironclad, even when we disagree.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to square the arms holdup with Bidens rhetoric in support of Israel, saying only, Two things could be true.

Just last month, Congress passed a $95 billion national security bill that included funding for Ukraine, Israel and other allies. The package included more than $14 billion in military aid for Israel, though the stalled transfer was not related to that measure.

The State Department is separately considering whether to approve the continued transfer of Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, which place precision guidance systems onto bombs, to Israel, but the review didnt pertain to imminent shipments.

The U.S.-Israel relationship has been close through both Democratic and Republican administrations. But there have been other moments of deep tension since the founding in which U.S. leaders have threatened to hold up aid in attempt to sway Israeli leadership.

President Dwight Eisenhower pressured Israel with the threat of sanctions into withdrawing from the Sinai in 1957 in the midst of the Suez Crisis. Ronald Reagan delayed the delivery of F16 fighter jets to Israel at a time of escalating violence in the Middle East. President George H.W. Bush held up $10 billion in loan guarantees to force the cessation of Israeli settlement activity in the occupied territories.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem & AP)
In the wake of developments in the Gaza Strip, the IDF on Wednesday morning instructed farmers within a range of 0-4 kilometers from the Gaza border fence to refrain from carrying out agricultural work in the fields until further notice.

In accordance with a situational assessment, it was decided that agricultural work next to the Gaza border fence will not be carried out today, the IDF spokesperson stated. Activity in fields in yishuvim further than 0-4 kilometers from the fence can be carried out only with the approval of the Regional Brigade. There are no changes in safety instructions for civilians.

The farmers were informed that the ban is due to extensive IDF activities in Rafah and the northern Gazan Strip. Residents of the area reported hearing loud explosions on Wednesday morning.

Israel on Wednesday morning gave in to US pressure and re-opened the Kerem Shalom Crossing into Gaza, only four days after Hamas rocket fire killed four soldiers at the site and wounded ten others, several seriously, and despite the fact that Hamas rocket fire at the area continued through Tuesday.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
IDF fighter jets late Tuesday night intercepted an explosive drone heading toward Israel from the east for the third consecutive night.

A short while ago, a suspicious aerial threat was identified that was heading toward Israeli territory from the east near the city of Eilat, the IDF spokesperson stated.

Air Force soldiers successfully intercepted the threat outside Israels borders.

Eilat residents reported seeing the interceptor missile:

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Ziv Kipper, Hyd, a Jewish businessman was murdered in Alexandria on Tuesday.

A previously unknown terrorist organization claimed to have murdered Kipper in revenge for Israels military operation in Gaza and also claimed his business was a cover for his activities as a Mossad agent.

The organization, called the Vanguard of Liberation Group for Martyr Mohamed Salah, named after the Egyptian police officer who murdered three IDF soldiers in 2023, posted a photo on Telegram that it claims shows the moment of the murder.

The caption says: Wait for the next time. Hello from the children of Gaza.

Kipper, who held Israeli, Canadian, and Russian citizenship, was the CEO of OK Group LLC, an Egyptian company based in Alexandria that exports frozen fruit and vegetables, and traveled to Egypt regularly. The company also has offices in Israel and Ukraine.

According to Egyptian reports, an investigation was launched following the incident, and the murderer was identified on Wednesday and is undergoing interrogation.

On October 8th, 2023, a day after the Hamas attack in Israel, two Israeli tourists were murdered by an Egyptian police officer in Alexandria.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The parents of IDF soldier Noa Marciano, Hyd, who was taken captive on October 7th and later murdered in Shifa Hospital, revealed on Wednesday that a doctor who worked at the hospital was the one who murdered their daughter.

Hamas claimed that Marciano, 19, was killed in an IDF airstrike but the IDF found forensic evidence that showed that she sustained a non-fatal injury in an airstrike. She was then brought to Shifa Hospital, where she was murdered.

The IDF recovered her body from the hospital in November.

Her parents revealed the fact that it was a doctor who murdered her in an interview with Channel 12 News on Wednesday.

When the IDF revealed that she had been killed by Hamas in the hospital, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said: The hospital, a place meant to sanctify the value of life, was used by Hamas for murder.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
A pro-Hamas student at Florida International University let the cat out of the bag and admitted that the protests are anti-Jewish and not just anti-Israel.

In a classic case of the perpetrator playing the victim, the student complained that the pro-Hamas protesters are not being protected from counterprotesters.

Are we as Arab, Palestinian, Muslim, and anti-Jewish students not worth protecting? she asked.

It should be noted that she read her speech from a paper, showing that anti-Jewish wasnt merely a slip of the tongue.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Former Hamas terrorist-turned-Israeli spy Mosab Hassan Yousef aggressively confront journalist Abby Martin on Tuesday night, tearing into her over her incessant anti-Israel reporting.

The heated exchange began when Martin accused Yousef, son of Hamas co-founder Hassan Yousef, of believing all Muslims are terrorists. Yousef retorted, This is Abbys desperate attempt to discredit meI am a man of the field. I fought against Hamas as part of intelligence, legitimate intelligence organization against savage group that were targeting civilians in suicide bombing attacks.

Yousef continued, Abby today wants me for some reason to apologize for saving human life because my truth challenges her convenient truthShes just a self-appointed, low-grade journalist! How can you be a journalist and you call this a genocide?None of it is real, including Palestine. Its only in your head! None of it is existential. Palestine was never born! How can you free it?

Yousef suggested Martin had some falafel sandwichand she really was blown away of the Palestinian experienceYoure not a journalist. You dont qualify even to be a mother!

Martin responded, Usually, a public figure, if they were caught lying about half the things that they said, they would be completely discredited and never allowed air timeYou are spewing such ahistorical, anti-Arab bigotry that not even the fringe of Israeli society would agree with.

Yousef denied being anti-Arab, claiming, I am not anti-Arab, Im anti-Islam! Martin countered, Okay, then anti-Muslim bigotry, which is frankly appalling considering that theres a billion people on the planet which would be characterized by you as extremists who need to be used force against.

The debate further escalated with Yousef accusing Martin of bringing chaos to the United States and being a criminal like them! Martin shot back, You cant be taken seriously and youre not legitimate because you are literally, you have worked for Israeli intelligence to out your own people.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Joe Biden was once an ardent supporter of Israel. But on Wednesday, he joined the likes of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, and Bernie Sanders, as he announced on CNN that he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major ground invasion of the city of Rafah in Gaza.

Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers, Biden said in an interview with CNNs Erin Burnett. He was referring to 2,000-pound bombs that he paused shipments of last week.

I made it clear that if they go into Rafah  they havent gone in Rafah yet  if they go into Rafah, Im not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities  that deal with that problem, Biden stated.

While the US will continue to provide defensive weapons to Israel, including for its Iron Dome air defense system, other shipments would end if a major ground invasion of Rafah begins. Were going to continue to make sure Israel is secure in terms of Iron Dome and their ability to respond to attacks that came out of the Middle East recently, Biden said. But its, its just wrong. Were not going to  were not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells.

The US has already paused a shipment of high-payload munitions due to Israels possible operations in Rafah without what it considers a credible plan for the civilians there. The administration is reviewing the potential sale or transfer of other munitions.

Israeli officials have expressed deep frustration over the pause in shipments and US media briefings on the decision. Bidens public linking of American weapons shipments to Israels conduct could widen a rift between himself and Netanyahu, with whom he spoke by phone on Monday.

Ive made it clear to Bibi and the war cabinet: Theyre not going to get our support, if in fact they go on these population centers, Biden said.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
I booked to see Take That at the new Co-op Live venue in Manchester.

The concert has been moved to the AO Arena, Manchester, but the new seats Ive been given are 53 rows behind those on my original tickets. What are my rights?

Back row: A reader isn't happy with his news seats after the Take That concert at the Co-op live in Manchester was moved to the AO Arena

L.M., Derby.

Dean Dunham replies: This is a common complaint among those who have elected to transfer their tickets to the alternative venue following the delay in the Co-op Live arena opening.

Firstly, it is understandable that the organisers have had problems issuing like-for-like tickets, as the AO Arena is not comparable to the Co-op Live because the seating configuration and venue sizes are completely different.

However, this does not diminish your consumer rights.

Your obvious right is to demand a full refund before the concert. Some readers have queried if they can do this after initially choosing replacement tickets rather than a refund. The answer is yes.

The Consumer Rights Act says consumers should get the goods or service as described.

And, if the trader (here the venue or ticket seller) must give you a replacement (here replacing the Co-op Live tickets with AO Arena tickets), the replacement must be like-for-like.

This means your seats should either be exactly the same, comparable, or better  anything less entitles you to a remedy.

If you have already attended the concert you cannot demand a full refund, but you still have rights.

Section 24 of the Consumer Rights Act provides consumers with the right to a price reduction (basically a partial refund) in situations where the goods or service received are not in accordance with the contract, and are worth less than what the consumer paid.

This is the situation here, as seats 53 rows back will be worth less than the originals.

If you havent yet attended the concert and still want to go, you could tell the ticket seller you will keep the tickets if you are given some money back to reflect the fact they are inferior to the originals.

They may say no and only offer a cancellation and full refund. If this is so, you could say you are entitled to a price reduction, as under the Consumer Rights Act they had the right to invoke one remedy and exhausted this when they gave you the replacement tickets, meaning you now have the right to demand a reduced price.

I can't return damaged trainers

I bought two pairs of trainers online for 104.99 on my credit card.

I have tried to return one pair (costing 42) as they are damaged, but the seller will not assist. Can I claim on my credit card?

G.G., Cambridge.

Dean Dunham replies: When you buy goods with a credit card you may be eligible to protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. For Section 75 to apply you must have paid the trader direct  the money must have been sent from your credit card straight into the traders bank account.

So, if you pay via the likes of PayPal, you are not covered, as the money is transferred to PayPal then to the trader. However, PayPal has its own resolution scheme.

The second requirement is that the cost of the goods must be between 100 and 30,000.

Note, I said the cost of the goods, not the amount paid on the card. For, as long as the cost of the goods is between the above amounts you are covered, regardless of how much was paid on your card.

So, if the goods cost 200 and you paid 20 on your credit card and the rest in cash, Section 75 will apply. If your claim was successful, your credit card provider would give you the full 200 back.

Applying Section 75 to your circumstances is not good news, as it makes clear the individual item complained of (42 trainers here) must have cost between 100 and 30,000.

However the good news is that if you made the purchase within the past 120 days you can instead make a chargeback claim with your credit card provider. Here there is no requirement that the goods cost a certain amount.

Chargeback allows you to ask your card provider to withdraw funds deposited in the recipients bank account and put them back into your own if goods are damaged. The recipient can dispute a chargeback if it can prove a claim is not valid.
IWG upheld its annual outlook on Tuesday following a robust performance by its managed and franchised business.

The office space provider reported group revenues flatlined at $912million in the first three months of 2024, while system-wide turnover grew by 2 per cent to $1.04billion (820million).

Its managed and franchised arm saw sales rise by 15 per cent on a constant currency basis to $139million thanks to the opening of 47,000 new rooms over the previous 12 months, compensating for lower revenue per available room.

Work environment: Office space provider IWF upheld its annual outlook on Tuesday

The division opened 19,000 rooms and 124 centres during the opening quarter of 2024 and signed deals for a further 179 centres.

Simultaneously, revenues at IWG's company-owned and leased operation, its largest segment, dipped slightly to $799million, while its net debt declined by around 8 per cent to $791million

Following the result, the Regus owner continues to expect earnings before nasties and net debt for the full year to align with management forecasts.

IWG's latest trading update comes amid reports that it could join other British businesses in abandoning its London listing in favour of New York.

The group is switching to reporting in dollars rather than pounds this year and has also pledged to simplify its financial reporting and reduce its debt.

Mark Dixon, chief executive and co-founder of IWG, said: 'We are delivering on our plan to grow in a capital-light way, and the momentum in signings, and importantly openings, continues to accelerate.'

IWG shares were 0.5 per cent higher at 190.7p on late Tuesday afternoon, meaning they have increased by 14 per cent in the past 12 months.

Could another firm leave London for New York?

Firms often choose to go public on Wall Street, lured by the prospect of higher valuations and deeper capital pools than in the UK.

Paddy Power owner Flutter, mining group AngloGold Ashanti, and building materials supplier CRH all recently switched their primary listing to New York.

And last year, Softbank dealt a considerable blow to the London Stock Exchange by choosing a US listing for semiconductor giant ARM Holdings, whose technology is in almost every smartphone.

Later this month, shareholders at pharmaceutical group Indivior will vote on whether to approve the company changing its primary listing to Wall Street.
Debanked: MPs claim 'legitimate' companies are being denied accounts

MPs have condemned the woke debanking of firms deemed undesirable.

A report by the Commons Treasury select committee on banking services for small companies took aim at the unfair practice of denying accounts to legitimate businesses, from defence firms to slot machine operators.

It said environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns raised by investors should not become the basis for shutting out those involved in arms making or oil and gas.

MPs heard evidence that more than 140,000 small firms had been debanked over the past year, often with little or no notice.

Cross-party members condemn the debanking of legitimate businesses, the report said.
BPs boss insisted the oil giant has no plans to leave the London stock market as first quarter profits tumbled.

Chief executive Murray Auchincloss yesterday said leaving the City is not on the agenda.

It comes as Auchincloss faces pressure to close the valuation gap with competitor Shell and US rivals such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron.

Shell has said it would consider switching its listing to New York over concerns the company is undervalued.

Footsie firms across other industries have already departed the struggling exchange, with gambling giant Flutter the latest major player to announce a move to Wall Street.

Under fire: BP chief exec Murray Auchincloss (pictured) said leaving the City is not on the agenda as he comes under pressure to close the gap with Shell and US rivals

Londons stock market is also in the grip of a takeover frenzy as buyers circle undervalued firms for cheap deals.

Recently announced bids include Australian miner BHPs 31billion offer for rival Anglo American, which was dismissed.

Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is considering another bid for Royal Mail owner International Distributions Services after the board rejected his 3.2billion offer as opportunistic. Challenger bank Virgin Money and packaging firm DS Smith have both agreed to sell up this year.

Analysts have suggested BP could be a takeover target, with Shell named as a potential bidder.

Auchincloss, who took over after Bernard Looney quit as boss in disgrace last year, dismissed concerns that the oil giant could leave the City.

Its not on our agenda, he said when asked about moving BPs listing. Were just focused on quarterly deliveries.

BP reported a 45 per cent fall in profits to 2.2billion in the first quarter as oil and gas prices fell from last years highs. An outage at an American oil refinery also hit profits in the first quarter.

The energy giant announced a further 1.4billion of share buybacks as part of its plan to return 2.8billion in the first half of the year.

Auchincloss said BP is committed to returning at least 11billion to shareholders by the end of 2025  provided oil and gas prices remain stable.

BP held its dividend at 5.8p per share and promised to cut costs by 1.6billion by the end of 2026.

Russ Mould, investment director at broker AJ Bell, said: Auchincloss is eyeing a big valuation disparity between BP and rivals across the Atlantic and will clearly feel a big part of his remit is closing that gap.

To that end, the company is targeting efficiencies and savings through initiatives like the use of technology and improvements to its supply chain.

Maintaining the pace on share buybacks demonstrates a commitment to returning cash to shareholders.

Stuart Lamont, investment manager at RBC Brewin Dolphin, added: BP has missed profit expectations on the back of lower gas prices, weaker margins, and operational outages.

But he said the dividend and extension to the share buyback programme will provide shareholders with some solace.
Saudi Aramco is set to pay shareholders almost 100billion in dividends this year as the kingdoms ruling family seeks funds to transform the economy.

The worlds largest oil producer said it expects to hand out 99billion in 2024 despite a 14 per cent fall in first quarter profits to 21.7billion.

The proposed dividend payments are 30 per cent higher than last year and will hand crown prince Mohammed bin Salman a war chest to fund a series of major projects.

The Saudi state owns 82 per cent of Aramco and is heavily dependent on the oil giant for its finances.

PIF, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, owns a further 16 per cent.

Ambitious: How Saudi Arabia's desert megacity could look - one of a series of projects to make the kingdoms economy less dependent on oil

The crown prince  who is known as MBS  is embarking on a series of projects to make the kingdoms economy less dependent on oil.

These include investments in tourism, manufacturing and renewable energy as well as a 100-mile futuristic megacity.

Aramco also hiked dividends by around 30 per cent last year, raising payouts to 78billion after profits soared to the second highest level in the companys history.

In the previous year, Aramco reported annual profits of 134billion  a record for any publicly-listed company in history  due to sky-high energy prices following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
JD Wetherspoon expects annual profits to come in towards the 'top end' of market forecasts amid rising demand for Guinness and vodka among younger customers.

The pub chain reported like-for-like sales have risen by 8.3 per cent so far this year and by 5.2 per cent in the 13 weeks to 28 April.

While the quarterly performance represented a slowdown in sales, the firm noted that trade was impacted by a Bank Holiday weekend happening a week later than last year.

Youth quake: Among younger drinkers, Sir Tim Martin said there was growing demand for the iconic stout ale Guinness, which Martin said was 'previously consumed by blokes my age'

Wetherspoon's chairman and founder, Sir Tim Martin, observed 'increasing momentum' for traditional ales, particularly Abbot Ale, Ruddles Bitter and Doom Bar.

Among younger drinkers, he said there was growing demand for the iconic stout ale Guinness, which Martin said was 'previously consumed by blokes my age'.

They are also buying large amounts of Au Vodka, a Welsh gold-bottled brand backed by the DJ Charlie Sloth, and XIX Premium Vodka, founded by the YouTube group Sidemen.

Martin further said sales of Lavazza coffee are rising, helped by free refills that are 'thought to be responsible for spontaneous exhibitions of breakdancing among retired customers'.

The outspoken boss, knighted in the most recent New Year's Honours list, also noted that the Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc wine from New Zealand was popular with 'representatives of the chattering classes'.

'Sales in the period continued the steady recovery from the pandemic,' added Martin, a prominent critic of the UK Government's lockdown policies.

Founded in 1979, Wetherspoon is one of the UK's largest pub operators, with 809 establishments across the British Isles.

It told investors that it recently opened two pubs and sold or surrendered to the landlord another 18 outlets.

Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, said: 'Wetherspoons has proven that customers still enjoy visiting its pubs and remain willing to spend despite cost-of-living pressures.

'That's thanks to its low prices and long opening hours, which separate its pub chains from the competition.

'Price-sensitive customers may be curtailing their spending in more expensive restaurants and bars, but are trading down to cheaper boozers instead, which plays well into the hands of Wetherspoons.'

JD Wetherspoon shares were 2.9 per cent higher at 748.5p on Wednesday morning, making them one of the FTSE 250 Index's top five risers, although they remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Informa is increasing its share buyback programme by almost half following a strong performance over the first four months of 2024.

The exhibitions organiser said it would repurchase 500million of its shares this year, 47 per cent more than previously planned, having already bought about 180million so far this year.

It noted that all divisions were performing 'ahead or in line' with full-year targets, supported by 'strong' momentum across all major regions, such as Asia and North America.

Buyback: Exhibitions organiser Informa said it would repurchase 500million of its shares in 2024, 47 per cent more than previously planned

In the Middle East, the group achieved success with Arab Health and LEAP, an annual technology event in Saudi Arabia, while across the United States, the MRO Americas aviation conference and manufacturing-themed IME West were popular.

Informa's academic markets segment, Taylor & Francis, benefited from subscription renewals and higher volumes of open research submissions and publishing.

The FTSE 100 firm announced it had struck a three-year deal with Microsoft worth an initial $10million fee plus other recurring payments.

Under the agreement, Informa will allow access to its data to help Microsoft improve its artificial intelligence systems and work with the technology giant to advance automated citation referencing.

Like similar contracts, the company said the arrangement protects its intellectual property rights, including caps on verbatim text extracts.

Thanks to the deal and robust operating performance, the business said its turnover, free cash flow and adjusted operating profits were at 'the upper end of market guidance.'

For the full year, Informa expects revenues of up to 3.5billion in the financial year, compared to 3.2billion in 2023, and adjusted operating profits of 950million to 970million.

Informa also revealed that Penny Ladkin-Brand would become the next chief executive of Taylor & Francis.

Ladkin-Brand is currently the head of finance and strategy at Future, the magazine publisher behind Country Life and FourFourTwo, and chair of media consultancy Next 15 Group.

Alongside this, Jill Dougan has been appointed Informa's chief marketing officer, having previously worked for over five years in senior roles at British Gas.

Dougan said Informa 'has a unique set of specialist brands and first-party data, and significant embedded value across its portfolio of intellectual property, creating numerous growth opportunities in today's increasingly data-driven, digitally enabled world.'

Informa shares were 2.3 per cent higher at 850.8p on early Wednesday afternoon, making them one of the FTSE 100 Index's top risers.
The co-founder and chief executive of Brewdog James Watt will step down after 17 years leading the Scottish brewer and pub firm.

Watt, who retains a 21 per cent stake in the business, will remain with the board in the newly created non-executive role of 'captain and co-founder' as chief operating officer James Arrow takes over as boss.

Brewdog said the succession plans had been in the works since last year, when Watt informed the board of his intention to focus on other projects and interests.

Brewdog co-founder James Watt to step down

Watt wrote in a post on LinkedIn that his new role will see him act as a 'part time strategic adviser to the business and to our leadership team'.

He added: 'After 17 fantastic years as chief executive, I have decided to transition into a new role in the business, one of 'captain and co-founder' - and James Arrow will pick up the reins as chief executive as our business pushes forward into our next phase of growth.'

Brewdog has undergone meteoric growth since it was founded, employing 2,530 people across its head office, four breweries and over 120 bars.

Markets have long awaited a potential Brewdog stock exchange float, in what would mark one of the most hotly anticipated IPOs among City investors.

In 2022 the firm appointed lawyers at Freshfields to help chart a course towards the stock exchange

But the growth has been marred by years of controversy over the craft brewer's practices.

The latest scandal came in January when the 'punk' brewer opted to ditch its commitment to paying new starters the so-called 'real living wage', switching instead to pay the lower legal minimum wage.

In 2021, it faced down an open letter and BBC documentary featuring former workers describing Brewdog's 'culture of fear' and its 'toxic attitudes' towards junior staff.

Brewdog has also previously been accused of inflating its green credentials, as well criticism of its treatment of nearly 200,000 crowdfunding investors compared to more lucrative financial terms offered to private equity backers.

Watt said: 'During my time at the helm of Brewdog, there have been highs and lows, up and downs, crazy successes and incredibly hard challenges.

'When I look back on the last 17 years (119 Dog Years) my overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude.'

He added he was 'grateful for the tough times too, for the learnings they provided, the resolve they instilled and the perspective they offered'.

BrewDog chairman Allan Leighton said: 'James Watt, alongside Martin Dickie, created this great business from a garage in Fraserburgh.

'Few have accomplished what he has.

'I am especially pleased he will continue to offer his insight, creative genius and energy to the board.'
Ritchie Wilson was thrilled to discover in February that he had an extra pension pot worth up to 40,000 on his Scottish Widows account that he hadnt previously accounted for.

But when the 52-year-old didnt recognise the employer that he had supposedly earned the pension with, he realised it did not belong to him.

After digging into the details he discovered that he had complete, unrestricted access to a strangers pension  a person who shared his date of birth and his last, but not first, name.

Alarmingly, father-of-two Ritchie feared this meant the stranger could also access his own pension pot  which was far larger at well over six figures.

Anxious, Ritchie, of Ayrshire, South-west Scotland, says he emailed and called Scottish Widows repeatedly, but a lack of urgency among call handlers meant nothing was done for more than nine weeks to restrict his access.

Careless: Our investigations have uncovered a shocking pattern of disregard for customers private information at pension giant Scottish Widows

Instead, the pension company started to send him emails that outlined how to access the strangers pension and divulged a range of their personal details.

This included their full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, Scottish Widows account and policy numbers and home address.

I was horrified, says the IT worker, who knows all too well how vital data protection is. Its a significant data breach. I could have used this information to transfer the other Mr Wilsons money elsewhere.

Filled with fear that this stranger who shared his last name could in turn access his pension, Ritchie started to check his account multiple times a day to make sure money had not been cashed in.

Today, Money Mail reveals that Ritchie is one of many to be caught up in a series of disastrous data breaches at Scottish Widows that have exposed customers personal details and left their savings at risk.

Our investigations have uncovered a shocking pattern of disregard for customers private information.

In the worst case seen by this newspaper, a readers pension was stolen after Scottish Widows sent all the details necessary to cash it in to a stranger.

Readers tell us they have received letters addressed to someone else, which contain a host of personal information.

In the wrong hands, this is a fraudsters dream and could easily be used to defraud Scottish Widows customers and take out loans, credit cards or phone contracts under the victims name.

Others say they have found out their own details have been sent to an unknown address, putting the savings they have entrusted with Scottish Widows at risk.

We have put a handful of the most serious cases of clear data protection breaches to the firm for investigation.

Scottish Widows confirmed that all cases had been reported to the regulator and said they were all unconnected.

A spokesman said: We take our data protection responsibilities seriously and are sorry that in these individual cases we shared some information with the wrong customers by mistake.

We are working hard behind the scenes to ensure this wont happen again. Money Mail has raised the alarm with City regulator the Financial Conduct Authority and the Information Commissioners Office.

Fightback: Thousands of concerned customers have joined a Facebook group called Scottish Widows Complaint Platform

The ICO has the power to fine companies found to have breached data protection laws as much as 4 per cent of their turnover.

Thousands have joined a Facebook group called Scottish Widows Complaint Platform, set up by retired American businessman Mark Radin.

Over the past 18 months Mark has helped hundreds of frustrated Scottish Widows customers deal with their complaints.

He says he has seen a dozen recent cases of data breaches, adding: Its astounding. I hear it all the time, letters are getting sent to the wrong people.

Its incredible a company that has been around for 220 years can conduct itself in this manner. It makes you wonder just how many others have had their data wrongly shared.

Mark spends up to 50 hours a week talking to members. At any one time, he has up to 30 cases on the go. The Facebook group has over 1,600 members.

It was only after contacting Mark, who made a complaint to Scottish Widows on his behalf, that Ritchies problems were resolved at the end of April.

He can no longer view the other persons pension and has been assured his pension is not visible to anyone else. However, he was told he has had access to the strangers pension pot since 2022 due to a technical error.

For years, I could have done anything with this strangers money, he says. Ive got zero confidence in Scottish Widows. They said over the phone that my pension is secure but until they put it in writing I cant trust that.

Scottish Widows has offered Ritchie 300 for the distress caused and 250 for expenses. His fears that someone would have been able to steal his pension are not unfounded.

In a horrifying case, Nicola Davies, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, found out her Scottish Widows pension had been drained by a stranger after her private details were wrongly divulged.

The mother of two, 55, checked in on her workplace pension pots last summer ahead of her birthday, when she would be able to start drawing from her pension.

Nicola has worked for the NHS since 2006 and has an older workplace pension saved with Scottish Widows from a previous job.

But when she logged into her account, she realised she had not been issued with an annual pension statement from Scottish Widows since 2015, when the pension was worth 33,310.

She called Scottish Widows and was baffled to be told by customer services that in 2015 she had transferred all her money to a financial advice firm.

Nest egg: One readers pension was stolen after Scottish Widows sent all the details necessary to cash it in to a stranger

Following Money Mails involvement in November, Scottish Widows called to tell Nicola her statement had been sent to the wrong address in 2015 and had gone to another customer. Shortly after, her money was cashed out and invested elsewhere.

Im absolutely gobsmacked, she says. I expect the person living at that address would have access to all of my personal details, because they were on the document.

A spokesman has confirmed Nicolas name, date of birth, NI number and policy value were on the document sent to another customer.

Scottish Widows has since reimbursed Nicola the value of her pension had it remained invested since 2015 and paid 5,000 in compensation. She transferred the money to another pension provider.

She says: The trust is broken. I could not leave my money with them because of what they have done and how they fobbed me off when I warned them. A spokesman said: We are sorry that Mrs Davies didnt receive the service from us that she should have.

The swathe of data breaches discovered by Money Mail is the latest in a long line of errors and shortcomings made by Scottish Widows.

Money Mail has previously exposed how over the past two years, thousands have been caught in a customer service meltdown at the pension provider.

The chaos has left customers facing hour-long call wait times on hold to Scottish Widows and being given incorrect information about their pensions, for example wrong balances and missing payments. Many customers complain of rude staff and of information being lost by the company.

Money Mail understands these failings are ongoing.

Founded in 1815, Scottish Widows original mission was to take care of women and children  who had lost fathers, brothers and husbands  by providing insurance and pension products.

Yet it is now letting down the widows and widowers from Scotland and the rest of Britain that it was designed to help. Polly MacIntosh*, from West Sussex, says her late father  a Scottish widower  would have been horrified to see how the institution has treated his family since his death.

The musician, 50, who inherited 39,900 held in a bond with Scottish Widows after her father died in August 2022, has been caught in the data breaches.

When a letter never arrived and Polly called Scottish Widows, she was told it had been sent to an address she did not recognise. Scottish Widows confirmed it had been sent in error and contained her name and policy number.

With the help of Mark Radin, Polly received her inheritance in November, 15 months after her fathers death.

She was offered 1,050 for the inconvenience, including 150 for the data breach. She has also been paid 1,744 in late interest for the delays.

Paul Davies, 52, has similarly been on the receiving end of a letter addressed to another person. The father of two from Worcestershire requested a full pension statement to check he was on track for retirement.

A document appeared on Pauls online account but he found it contained the details of another persons 20,000 pension with their personal information.

There was so much information, it even included their financial advisers details, he says. When he called Scottish Widows, he says the call handler told him to delete the file and not to worry.

He says he was assured his details had not been shared with anyone else and told the human error occurred because the other person shared his name. He has since transferred his pension out of Scottish Widows and was offered 150 in compensation.

A spokesman for the FCA said: Weve been engaging with Scottish Widows in response to concerns raised about customer service.

We expect firms to resolve any data breaches as a matter of urgency. We take these matters extremely seriously.

An ICO spokesman said: People have the right to expect financial institutions will keep their sensitive information secure and if anybody has concerns over how their data has been used, we would encourage them to get in touch with us so we can assist.

*Name has been changed
The Treasury Committee is calling on the Financial Conduct Authority to force banks to be more transparent over decisions to debank small businesses.

A report from the Treasury Committee's inquiry into the effects of debanking on small businesses found some have been denied banking services based on the type of work they carry out, from firms that specialise in defence to small high street pawnbrokers.

MPs said the financial watchdog should compel firms to send the Treasury Committee the number of business accounts they've closed each quarter broken down by reason.

It comes as more than 140,000 small businesses have been de-banked by major lenders in the past year, often immediately and with no explanation.

UK lenders have closed over 140,000 small business accounts, according to official figures

The number of closures - based on figures from Barclays, HSBC, TSB, Lloyds, Santander, NatWest, Metro and Handelsbanken - has prompted scrutiny over how lenders take decisions to close accounts.

Debanking was thrust into the spotlight last summer after private bank Coutts closed Nigel Farage's account, prompting concern it was happening to other individuals and businesses.

An investigation by This is Money revealed that dozens of charities, choirs and residents associations - many deemed micro enterprises by the Department for Business and Trade - had their bank accounts closed suddenly and without explanation.

MPs on the Treasury Committee have condemned the unfair debanking of legitimate small businesses.

The Treasury Committee said: 'The Committee is firmly of the belief that any small business doing legitimate work should be able to access a bank account.

'Cross-party members condemn the debanking of legitimate businesses across various 'undesirable' sectors, including defence, pawnbroking and amusement machines, where MPs heard banks have closed or denied accounts based on the nature of their work.'

Dame Harriett Baldwin, Chair of the Treasury Committee: 'banks and regulators are making a tough world for small businesses needlessly tougher'

At least 4,214 of the 140,000 plus closures last year were attributed to 'risk appetite', despite this not having a clear and consistent definition within the industry.

The inquiry found that banks are not formally tracking whether the reputation of a firm or industry was taken into account when businesses were debanked, instead using 'catch-all terms' to define the reason for closure.

HM Treasury assured the Committee that legislative changes would be introduced to crack down on the debanking of businesses in the form of a Statutory Instrument.

Chair of the Treasury Committee, Dame Harriett Baldwin, said: 'There's no hiding from the fact smaller firms have had a torrid time over the last few years.

'Unfortunately, what we have found over the course of the inquiry is that there are some instances where banks and regulators are making a tough world for small businesses needlessly tougher.

'Banks and regulators can't wave a magic wand and solve all of the problems facing small businesses in this country, but they can certainly do more than they currently are. I hope banks, the regulators and the Treasury take careful note of what we've uncovered.'

Small business owners left in the dark over debanking

The Federation for Small Businesses said the FCA should demand more information from banks to establish the main underlying reasons for closures.

Small business owners should also be given a three month grace period to find a new provider if their bank account is to be closed according to the Federation.

Martin McTague, national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: 'A sudden account closure can be devastating, stopping a business in its tracks and often forcing business owners to use their own money or go into debt to pay for everything from vital supplies to rent and staff wages.

'Small business owners have found themselves left in the dark, with no information about what's happened  which, as you might imagine, makes it impossible to appeal, or to clear up misunderstandings.

'Instead they feel abandoned and cut off, with no option to talk to someone who can help.

'Owners of business accounts which are under review should be given a chance to address any concerns.

'Once a bank has decided to close an account, account holders must be given a three-month grace period to find an alternative provider.

'The FCA should also demand more information from banks to establish the main underlying reasons for such closures, so that we can see if there is disproportionate impact on customers from particular backgrounds or types of business.

'We're pleased that the Treasury Committee's report has acknowledged the power imbalance between a small business customer and its bank.

'FSB has proposed that FCA should shine a continuing light on the extent of de-banking, by collecting and publishing quarterly data, with defined reasons for each closure instead of using vague and overly broad categories.

'We therefore very much support the Committee's recommendations around improving transparency and consistency.'
Pakistans antitrust regulator warned Pakistan Telecommunication Companys (PTCL) acquisition of Telenors local unit will substantially reduce competition in the mobile market.

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) completed its stage one review of the deal and found PTCL acquiring Telenor Pakistan will bolster its strong position in the market. The regulator noted PTCL is a market power operator with a range of high ranking telecoms services.

The deal could lead to a rise in prices and dipping service quality. Stage two of the analysis of the deal has commenced.

Pakistan has four mobile operators PTCLs Ufone, Jazz, Telenor and Zong. Local newspaper Dawn reported Jazz is currently the market leader but will be pushed down to second if Ufone and Telenor merge.
The planned introduction of a new levy on electronic banking transactions in Nigeria is facing a backlash.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has told financial institutions that a proposed 0.5% levy is intended to raise money to enhance cybersecurity. It will take effect on the 20th of May.

However, Nigeria is experiencing a major economic crisis that has already led to devaluation of the currency, the naira, and for many Nigerians, aleady struggling to afford basic items, this levy could make things worse. Some analysts suggest it could encourage them to fall back on cash transactions, undermining the move towards a cashless economy

The BBC says the Nigeria Labour Congress, which represents the countrys workers, has released a statement rejecting the levy, while the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) lobby group has threatened to sue the government.

The ITWeb Africa news service quotes SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare as saying that the levy breached the provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as well as the country's international human rights obligations and commitments.

Meawhile, in further potentially bad news for consumers, various news services are saying that, in pursuit of securing a new US$750 million loan from the World Bank, the federal government may reintroduce a previously suspended telecom tax and other fiscal measures.

President Bola Tinubu in July 2023 ordered the suspension of the five per cent excise duty on telecommunications (a suspension announced in March) and the Import Tax Adjustment levy on certain vehicles.

However, it appears that this suspension may be lifted to meet the programme targets for a new, yet-to-be-approved World Bank loan. Negotiations are ongoing between the government and the World Bank.
El Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT), the Mexican telecommunications regulator, has announced plans to put out to tender 6,158 spectrum blocks for wireless access services.

In what it describes as a consultative process, it is calling for comment from all parties interested in the bidding process, as well as the academic sector, experts, private, public and civil society organisations and the general public. The process is open for a period of 20 working days, from 7 May to 3 June.

The tender, once public consultations are over, will make portions of spectrum in the 600MHz (for both national coverage and what are known as partial service areas or APS), L-band (national), AWS (APS), PCS (APS), 2.5GHz (APS) and 800MHz (APS) bands available to operators. Concessions will be granted for 20 years.

Some of the bands could be used for 5G networks, though this announcement does not outline minimum reference value or coverage commitments.

Last year, according to the BNamericas news service, IFT said it had about 330MHz of spectrum available for bidding. The same source points out that spectrum pricing could be an issue, having put off would-be buyers during previous bidding processes.

Still, theres quite a long time to go. Expressions of interest are expected by this September. Evaluation and issuance of certificates of participation are to take place no later than March 2025. The presentation of offers is due to take place from May 5 2025  just under a year from now.
Thailands National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has reportedly launched a plan to tidy up the infamous urban tangle of telecoms cables hanging all over Bangkok.

According to The Nation, the initiative aims to organise 440.21 km of cables along 151 routes in Bangkok and nearby provinces, and install cables underground in 32 routes covering over 67 km.

The project will be managed by the NBTC, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the report said.

Telecoms companies will also participate in the installation, including state-owned National Telecom (NT), AIS (via subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network and its recent acquisition Triple T Broadband), True Corp, Interlink Telecom, United Information Highway and Symphony Communication. Each telecoms provider has been assigned specific routes for the initiative, the report said.

The tangled loops of telecoms cables decorating Bangkok have long been part of the citys aesthetic, mainly because hanging them overhead is a faster, cheaper method of deploying them. However, theyve also posed both an inconvenience and a safety hazard to residents. The NBTC said the project is intended to improve safety as well as aesthetics.

The NBTC and MEA will reportedly streamline the process of deploying cables underground, although they will also implement tough new regulations to manage new installations of fibre infrastructure.

The NBTC hopes to complete the project by the end of this year.
PHS senior earns performing arts prize from Kiwanis

The Kiwanis Club of Pullman has awarded Parker Williams, a senior at Pullman High School and home-school, with the clubs sixth annual Performing Arts Prize.

Williams received the $600 award for his achievements with the PHS concert and jazz bands, PHS Advanced Ensemble choir, PHS drama club, and as a teaching assistant with the drama class at PHS.

The Pullman Kiwanis Club gives the award annually to high school seniors in Pullman (Pullman High School, private high school or home-schooled) who have excelled in performing arts, including three years in high school as part of music or drama programs. The nominees submit an essay, letters of recommendation, and a nomination from a teacher or ensemble director.

Recipients are encouraged to pursue performing arts, but are not required to advance educationally in performing arts.
MOSCOW POLICE

Monday

2:09 p.m.  Road rage was reported at the A&W parking lot.

3:08 p.m.  A disorderly person was reported at Inland Eye Care.

8:44 p.m.  Fraud was reported at the Wallace Complex on Sixth Street.

Tuesday

12:42 a.m.  A caller said they saw three people with whips at Mingles Bar.

1:40 a.m.  Police arrested a male for suspicion of DUI on Lenter and Lathen streets.

LATAH COUNTY SHERIFF

Monday

7:31 p.m.  A suspicious person was reported on Viola Road in Viola.
The Irish deputy premier has said he is horrified by events unfolding in Rafah, describing the levels of violence as unconscionable.

Israel has threatened to launch a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city.

More than one million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israels war in the region.

The Israeli military seized control of Gazas vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Israeli troops said they had reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza  a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed nearly three days earlier after a Hamas rocket attack.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was really horrified with the events.

Speaking at the Arbour Hill commemoration event, Mr Martin said: Its quite shocking, the level of human suffering.

The civilian causalities, death and very serious injuries on a daily basis being (endured) by the people of Gaza.

The taking of the Rafah crossing, for example, creates huge challenges for humanitarian aid getting into Gaza.

I have seen myself the amount of aid has been stopped already. There is an urgent need for medicines, for food and for the basics of life to get in for the people of Gaza.

Its only unconscionable that this level of violence continues.

We need an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages and then we need discussion on the political track on how Gaza is reconstructed because what the people have gone through there is quite horrific and it is shocking and unacceptable, it has to stop.

On Wednesday, protesters from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered outside Leinster House in support of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Rafah.

Demonstrators waved Palestine flags and called for Israel not to invade Rafah and to impose sanctions against Israel.
Migrants in the UK are being transported to Ireland under false promises of work by people traffickers, the Dail has been told.

Independent TD Michael McNamara said he has been in contact with a man from the Indian subcontinent that entered the UK on a visa approved by the Government there which allowed him to work for 10 hours per week.

He said the man went to an agency in London who told him they could secure him full employment in Ireland as well as arrange his travel and work permits.

They took 1,500 from him and retained his passport so that he would pay an additional 1,000 when he started work.

They arranged his travelling to Liverpool and from there a ferry to Belfast from where he travelled down to Dublin.

Mr McNamara said the man was given the Eircode and postal address of his new employer, but added: When he turned up there, it was the International Protection Office (IPO) in Dublin.

He obviously didnt know he was being sent to the IPO.

Addressing Taoiseach Simon Harris during Leaders Questions, Mr McNamara told the Dail that the man was one of five people travelling in a similar way, organised by the same agents.

He knows of 30 more people sent to Ireland by the agency in the same way.

Mr McNamara said the man is now attempting to get out of the asylum system in Ireland and return to the UK but he does not have his passport.

Its very clear that vulnerable people in a precarious position are being horribly exploited by bad actors.

But its equally clear that our State is being exploited by those bad actors.

And while the Punch and Judy show that your Government is engaging in with UK authorities is all well and good, I want to know, Taoiseach, what you can do and hope there is of international cooperation to resolve this?

Mr McNamara said the existence of the agency involved in this case suggests that there are many others operating.

He also questioned the Taoiseach about when a review into the circumstances behind the Department of Justice failure to put an asylum seeker with a UK conviction on the Irish sex offenders register was ordered, given that a high court judgment relating to the matter was handed out on March 22.

Mr Harris said it was his understanding that Justice Minister Helen McEntee sought the review last week.

Mr McNamara had said he hoped it was not rustled up in response to press queries, adding: That would be entirely unacceptable.

In a subsequent session in the Dail, the Labour Party leader raised the migrant encampment along Dublins Grand Canal which has grown to more than 100 tents.

The encampment emerged shortly after more than 200 asylum seekers were cleared from a similar makeshift camp at the nearby IPO on Mount Street.

Ivana Bacik told the Taoiseach: It is inhumane, it is unsustainable and your Government has failed to offer a coherent plan that is needed longer term to provide accommodation.

Speaking during a debate on the weeks order of business, she added that a notice had gone up on Mount Street advising those who are in tented accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service that they can avail of an increased daily expense allowance if they leave voluntarily.

It is clearly a desperate stopgap attempt to move people on without any reality in the provision of longer term accommodation.

Mr Harris said the Mount Street operation had a very positive impact and averted a public health near-emergency.

He said: I continue to believe that it was the right action to take.

I became Taoiseach four weeks ago, I took charge of this situation.

There had been, in my view, a tacit acceptance by many State agencies that the situation on Mount Street could just continue and was just the new norm. That was not right.

He added: We will deal with the Grand Canal.

Action will be taken.

Elsewhere, Tanaiste Micheal Martin rejected accusations that the Government did not have a plan for asylum seeker accommodation.

Speaking to the media at a 1916 commemoration at Arbour Hill cemetery, he added: Those tents are not acceptable for the locality, for the residents, for the migrants because the facilities are not there and its dangerous.

We are determined to deal with that issue and will, and on a broader front, create more accommodation but also to deal with the issues that is leading to so much migration, not just coming into Europe but coming into Ireland as well.

We are at number we have never experienced before, and the pressures are very severe, we have got to respond to those and we will.
A student encampment protest at Trinity College Dublin is to end following an agreement between senior management and protesters.

Visitors have been unable to access the historic Book of Kells since action began on Friday evening when the activists set up tents inside the campus of the prestigious Dublin university.

The students taking part in the protest had vowed to maintain the blockade until the university cuts all ties with Israel.

University management met with student representatives on Wednesday to discuss the situation.

In a statement, Trinity said it will complete a divestment from investments in Israeli companies that have activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and appear on the UN Blacklist in this regard.

This process is expected to be completed by June.

It said it would endeavour to divest in other Israeli companies, noting that its supplier list contains just one Israeli company which will remain until March 2025 for contractual reasons.

Senior Dean Professor Eoin OSullivan, who led the talks for Trinity, said: We are glad that this agreement has been reached and are committed to further constructive engagement on the issues raised.

We thank the students for their engagement.

Trinity said plans are being put in place to return to normal university business for staff, students, and members of the public.

Outgoing students union president Laszlo Molnarfi said the resolution of talks with the university was an unprecedented result.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Molnarfi said: Students, staff and the public united have pushed Trinity towards boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS).

He said he hopes the protest at the university will inspire other students.

It shows the power of grassroots student and staff fighting for a just cause of Palestinian liberation and to end complicity with Israeli genocide, apartheid and settler colonialism.

Students over the world are standing up for what is right.

In its statement on Wednesday, Trinity said: We fully understand the driving force behind the encampment on our campus and we are in solidarity with the students in our horror at what is happening in Gaza.

We abhor and condemn all violence and war, including the atrocities of October 7th, the taking of hostages and the continuing ferocious and disproportionate onslaught in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the dehumanisation of its people is obscene.

We support the International Court of Justices position that Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.

A real and lasting solution that respects the human rights of everyone needs to be found.

The scenes at Trinity follow a wave of similar student protests at university campuses across the US.

The encampment was initiated days after it emerged that the university authorities had fined the students union more than 200,000 euro over previous protests on campus.

It invoiced the union for 214,285 euro after a series of demonstrations about fees and rent, as well as pro-Palestinian solidarity protests.

The university cited a loss of revenue due to blockades of the Book of Kells and famous Long Room library among the reasons for the fine.

The protesting students called for a retroactive amnesty for students involved in protests on campus and the rescinding of the bill imposed on the students union.

Asked about the status of the fines, Mr Molnarfi said this was a matter for further engagement with the university.

Trinity is also establishing a taskforce on related matters with student and staff representatives, led be an external chair.

Elsewhere, the Irish deputy premier said he is horrified by events unfolding in Rafah, describing the levels of violence as unconscionable.

Israel has threatened to launch a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city.

More than one million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israels war in the region.

The Israeli military seized control of Gazas vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Israeli troops said they had reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed nearly three days earlier after a Hamas rocket attack.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was really horrified with the events.

Speaking at the Arbour Hill commemoration event, Mr Martin said: Its quite shocking, the level of human suffering.

The civilian causalities, death and very serious injuries on a daily basis being (endured) by the people of Gaza.

The taking of the Rafah crossing, for example, creates huge challenges for humanitarian aid getting into Gaza.

I have seen myself the amount of aid has been stopped already.

There is an urgent need for medicines, for food and for the basics of life to get in for the people of Gaza.

Its only unconscionable that this level of violence continues.

We need an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages and then we need discussion on the political track on how Gaza is reconstructed because what the people have gone through there is quite horrific and it is shocking and unacceptable, it has to stop.

On Wednesday, protesters from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered outside Leinster House in support of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Rafah.

Demonstrators waved Palestine flags and called for Israel not to invade Rafah and to impose sanctions against Israel.
GENEVA  A Hartford man initially charged with murder is sentenced to 49 years in prison after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

Brandon Michael Waddell, 33, was sentenced by 33rd Judicial Circuit Judge Kimberly A. Crawford after a hearing at the Geneva County Courthouse in Geneva in connection with 2022 death of Angel Nichole Stout, 25, of Graceville.

According to District Attorney Kirke Adams, Waddell has been in Geneva County Jail without bond since being charged with murder following an investigation into a dead body found at a residence near the intersection of Highway 167 North and Geneva County Road 45 near Hartford.

An autopsy of the victim determined her death was a homicide, leading the State Bureau of Investigation to lodge a murder charge against Waddell.

Waddell initially pleaded not guilty to the charge in early 2023, but on April 4, pled guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter. Waddell faced a potential penalty between 15 and 99 years in prison.

Waddell has a criminal record that includes charges of including kidnapping, domestic violence, and terrorist threats, according to court records.
Discover more Ai business tools:

Gulf Picasso is an innovative business tool that offers an advanced image generator powered by Artificial Intelligence. This tool provides a variety of features, including an Avatar Creator that allows users to generate unique avatar images with various styles by uploading a photo and selecting preferences. Additionally, the Text to Image function enables users to unleash their creativity by generating images automatically from words in Arabic, specifying styles such as 3D, graphic, surreal, and more.

The platform is dedicated to meeting the needs of users in the Arab world, with a focus on incorporating Arab culture and values into the tools and styles offered. Gulf Picasso is completely free to use, with users able to generate up to three images without an account and receive additional attempts by registering. The tool prioritizes user privacy by not storing any personal images uploaded or generated.

To generate the best images, users are advised to provide detailed prompts with descriptive adjectives, specify the desired visual style, explain the context if necessary, and experiment with different prompts for unique results. Gulf Picasso is designed to be user-friendly, requiring no advanced technical skills to use. Every image generated on the platform is unique, ensuring that users can create multiple distinctive images using the same prompt.

In conclusion, Gulf Picasso is a valuable tool for business managers looking to enhance their visual content creation process with the help of Artificial Intelligence. Whether you are looking to create professional avatar images or generate unique visuals from text descriptions, Gulf Picasso offers a user-friendly and innovative solution for all your image generation needs.

GulfPicasso  Features

Text to image generator powered by Artificial Intelligence

Avatar creator for unique avatar images with diverse styles

Text to Image functionality for generating images from words automatically

Privacy protection for uploaded images and generated images

Tips for writing a good prompt to generate an image

User-friendly website with no need for technical skills

GulfPicasso  Pricing

Free.

Visit gulfpicasso.com for more.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter , Facebook and Instagram.
The Victorian government has introduced a new tax system for commercial and industrial properties called the Commercial and Industrial Property Tax (CIPT).

Instead of paying stamp duty upfront when buying these properties, owners will pay a yearly CIPT starting from July 1, 2024. The tax will be 1% of the lands value, except for build-to-rent properties, which will pay only 0.5%. This change aims to encourage investment by removing the big initial stamp duty cost.

Here are the other noteworthy budget updates for retailers in 2024:

The COVID Debt Levy Payroll, an extension until 2033, will impose an additional 0.5% payroll tax on businesses with turnover exceeding $10 million, and a 1.0% tax on those exceeding $100 million.

Small businesses will witness a boost in the payroll tax-free threshold, escalating from $700k to $900k, effective this year.

Larger businesses will undergo the phased elimination of the payroll tax-free threshold, as previously outlined.

Families with children enrolled in Government schools will receive a one-time $400 allocation for uniforms and extracurricular activities per child.

The Victorian Governments Sick Pay Guarantee for casual workers will be terminated.

Over a decade, business insurance duty will be gradually phased out.

Australias peak retail body, the Australian Retailers Association, has welcomed measures to support families and small businesses in the Victorian Budget, but warned that mounting taxes and levies on large retailers may have an economic ripple that impacts all Australians.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the Budget is a mixed bag for retailers economically. The consumer spending slowdown, coupled with increased costs of doing business, is pushing many retailers to crisis point. We welcome the measures that will alleviate costs and provide some cost-of-living relief, Mr Zahra said. However, unfortunately several of the changes announced in this years budget will only exacerbate the challenges for retailers.

Mr Zahra said he was pleased the Government will retain the increase to payroll the tax-free threshold to $900k for small businesses. This is especially valuable for new small businesses, to have a wider net of tax relief while theyre first getting off the ground, said Mr Zahra. Were also pleased to see business insurance duty will be phased out over the next decade, reducing costs by more than $500 million in the first four years.

Whilst the replacement of commercial stamp duty will save retailers in the short term, unfortunately over the long term it will prove much more costly. In addition, the COVID Debt Repayment Plan and phasing out of the tax-free threshold for larger businesses will put a significant handbrake on growth and could potentially result in increased prices or reduced staff.

Mr Zahra said the Sick Pay Guarantee, whilst somewhat confusing in its structure, was a welcome initiative for workers who were unwell during the pandemic. Moving forward, it makes sense to retire the Sick Pay Guarantee program considering casuals already receive a loading paid by employers to cover sick leave and holiday pay, he said. Mr Zahra said the Budget ultimately could have delivered far more to address current economic challenges. It is disappointing that the Budget has done little to relieve the cost of doing business crunch and improve consumer confidence  this is something the retail industry was desperate to see.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The European Christian Political Movement campaign is going to Dresden on May 16, 2024, where together with member party BundnisC- Christians for Germany we will discuss the migration and foreign policies of the European Union and member states and their influence in the larger geopolitical arena.

Speakers:

Johannes de Jong, Sallux Director and Middle East expert. He will touch upon the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and advocate for sustainable, long-term partnerships between the EU and democratic governments around the world as a key factor in reducing the flow of migration.

Karin Heepen, chairwoman of BundnisC and vice-president of ECPM. She will address the cultural and religious aspects of the integration of migrants in Europe and propose better models for coexistence.

Michael Ragg, journalist and speaker. He will moderate the discussion and also speak about the Christian roots of Europe, the push for secularism and what Christians can do about it, starting at community level.

The meeting will end with a Q&A round and interaction with the audience.
The 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory

On May 7, Reuters rab an article titled: Viet Nam marks 70th anniversary of the 'historic' Dien Bien Phu victory.

War veterans, party leaders and diplomats gathered in Viet Nam's Dien Bien Phu province on Tuesday for an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the country's victory over French colonial forces.

Undeterred by unrelenting rain, tens of thousands of people crowded Dien Bien Phu's main stadium to watch military parades and variety shows, and listen to rousing speeches, which were broadcast on national television.

The news agency assessed that the historic Dien Bien Phu battle is considered one of the great battles of the 20th century. The French defeat led to the signing of the Geneva Accords on July 21, 1954.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was quoted as saying at the opening ceremony that We aim to achieve another Dien Bien Phu victory but in terms of economy expansion."

"A lesson from the Dien Bien Phu campaign is that Viet Nam must clearly identify its national interests and pursue these interests strategically," Carl Thayer, a senior expert on Viet Nam security said. "Viet Nam has codified this approach in the expression 'bamboo diplomacy'  to be firm and unyielding on basic principles but flexible in the ways and means to achieve its strategic objectives," he added.

French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu attended Tuesday's ceremony in Dien Bien Phu.

On this occasion, newspapers and state media outlets of Laos and Spain also dedicated significant coverage to the historic event.

The May 7 Editorial of Pasaxon, the official newspaper of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, positioned the Dien Bien Phu Victory as the "pinnacle" of Viet Nam's fight for national liberation, a decisive blow against old-style colonialism and the intervention of new-style imperialists, etching a permanent mark on Vietnamese and global history in the 20th century.

The Lao News Agency's Pathet Lao newspaper echoed this sentiment with a front-page article the same day. Declaring May 7 a "historic day for the people of the three Indochinese countries, the article underlined the invaluable lessons the Dien Bien Phu Victory imparted on the national liberation movements in the region, including the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR).

Another Pathet Lao article, published a day earlier, delved into the enduring lessons of the longstanding friendship and solidarity between Laos, Viet Nam and Cambodia, especially the combat alliance forged between Viet Nam and Laos, from the Dien Bien Phu campaign to the present day.

Unidad y Luch, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain (PCPE), published an article praising the Vietnamese army and people's Dien Bien Phu Victory which "resounded across the five continents and shook the globe", referring to it as Viet Nam's World War II battle of Stalingrad.

The article said in the chronicles of revolutionary victories that can be classified as global heritage, Dien Bien Phu was one of the decisive battles that changed the course of the struggle for colonial peoples in Indochina seeking liberation from the French rule./.




Today's reason to TAKE EXTRA CAUTION on local streets . . . Many drivers just aren't paying attention to anything but their own self-interests . . . Here's more than a few tragic examples . . .



The police department said there have been 2,885 crashes involving pedestrians. More than 90 of those incidents were fatal.



A disturbing statistic: Nearly 50% of those pedestrian-involved crashes involve hit-and-run drivers.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Pedestrian death shines light on the large number of hit-and-run accidents in Kansas City, Missouri Shenekia McCarver describes her reaction after the call from Kansas City, Missouri, police where she learned her sister, 46-year-old Kita Bee, was killed.

Pedestrian critically injured in hit-and-run near Wilson Avenue, Belmont Boulevard in KCMO Kansas City, Missouri, police responded to a hit-and-run Tuesday near the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Belmont Boulevard.

2nd driver identified in deadly hit-and-run that killed KC transgender woman Police have identified a second driver involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed Kita Bee, a transgender woman who was well-known in the KC LGBTQ+ community.

Developing . . .
An aerial drone photo taken on April 26, 2024 shows tourists enjoying the spring scenery at a national forest park in Yongzhou City, central China's Hunan Province. (Photo by Zhou Xiuyuchun/Xinhua)

BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced on Tuesday that China's central authorities will kick off a new round of environmental inspections.

Seven teams, conducting the second batch of this third round of inspections, will be dispatched to municipalities of Shanghai and Chongqing, and provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, and Yunnan for about one-month of inspections, according to the ministry.

The ministry urged relevant local government departments to coordinate inspection and rectification in an accurate and scientific manner and in accordance with the law, and prohibit one-size-fits-all approach and arbitrary accountability.

Outstanding ecological and environmental problems exposed by the people should be effectively solved, said the ministry.

Problems should be solved according to laws and regulations, practically and realistically, while avoiding "campaign-style" rectification, it said.

The first batch of the third round of inspections was launched in November last year, covering Fujian, Henan, Hainan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces, according to the ministry.

Editor: GSY
Blogging this quote if only because when we started this dump of an online presence . . . The newspaper claimed that their "professionalism" was the key to their survival in the digital era.

Recently . . .

This quote from an unhinged screed doesn't even seem worthy of a TL/DR social media post from your angry keyboard warrior aunt/uncle . . . Check-it:



"Unfortunately, while these conspiracies used to be limited to the white nationalist fringes of the internet, they have spread and been mainstreamed in recent years by numerous elected officials, including Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall. Marshall has repeatedly and falsely asserted that migrants seeking safety in the United States constitute an armed military-style invasion  echoing the racist screeds of multiple domestic terrorists."

A second thought from TKC . . .

Honestly, because the rules don't always apply the same outside the precious world of middle-class progressive Brooksiders . . . We fear that if TKC ever wrote anything close to that kind of nonsense, the feds would door knock TKC basement HQ . . . Hopefully not with a drone strike.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Roger Marshall's migrant 'invasion' rhetoric: straight out of domestic terrorist mouths | Opinion There is no place for this kind of racist, dehumanizing language from Kansas' junior senator. | Opinion

Free version . . .

Roger Marshall's migrant 'invasion' rhetoric: straight out of domestic terrorist mouths | Opinion There is no place for this kind of racist, dehumanizing language from Kansas' junior senator. | Opinion

Developing . . .
News of a tragic local situation continues to circulate around the world . . . Here's more description and context . . .



Ronnie Wiggs has been jailed on a count of second-degree murder in connection with a femicide that starkly demonstrates how US women in general face disproportionately high levels of violence at the hands of intimate partners and family caregivers.



According to a statement that prosecutors published on Saturday, Wiggs had accompanied his wife to a hospital in Independence, Missouri, so that she could receive a new medical port device allowing her to continue undergoing kidney dialysis.



Wiggs then fatally strangled her  covering her nose and mouth to keep from screaming  while she was in bed, prosecutors and local news outlets reported.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Missouri man admits to strangling hospitalized wife to death because he couldn't afford her medical bills Ronnie Wiggs is facing a second-degree murder charge after he allegedly killed his wife at a Missouri hospital because he couldn't afford her medical bills.

Missouri man says he killed wife because of her costly medical treatment Ronnie Wiggs strangled his wife as she was in hospital for procedure related to ongoing kidney dialysis treatment

Developing . . .
Sadly, it seems the Chiefs Super Bowl baller isn't learning from his mistakes . . .

Tonight we take a peek at MORE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS confronting the superstar who seems caught in a spiral of worsening circumstances. Sadly, according the deets of recent club life reports, he's seemingly unwilling to chill at home during legal drama that could land him in the clink . . .

Check-it:



Dallas police are investigating the Chiefs wide receiver for allegedly hitting a photographer at a local nightclub . . .



One person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and had visible swelling on the side of his face, The Dallas Morning News reported.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Chiefs' Rashee Rice allegedly hit photographer at nightclub weeks after car crash incident Dallas police are investigating Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice for allegedly hitting a photographer at a Dallas club, WFAA reported on Tuesday.

Embattled Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice suspected in a nightclub assault, per reports Rashee Rice, who faces eight felony counts for causing a hit-and-run in March, is suspected in an alleged assault at a Dallas nightclub, reports say.

Developing . . .
On Tuesday, travelers faced long lines at several UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester, due to a malfunction with the automated passport control gates known as e-gates.

The Home Office confirmed that this was due to a technical issue affecting the Border Force systems. Heathrow announced early Wednesday that the issue was resolved, but other airports may still be experiencing delays.

Long Queues at UK Airports Due to E-Gate Problems

Passengers at the affected airports experienced significant delays. In Manchester, one traveler reported a 90-minute wait to get through passport control.

BBC reported that Similar disruptions were seen at other airports, with travelers encountering chaotic scenes, especially where e-gates were non-operational and staff had to check passports manually.

The e-gates are designed to speed up the process of entering the UK by using facial recognition technology to verify identities automatically. However, the recent glitch shows that problems with these systems can cause widespread disruptions.

Even airports like Belfast International, which do not use e-gates, were impacted because the issue was with the Border Force's overall systems.

Airports and the Border Force worked together to manage the situation. Manchester Airport provided water to waiting passengers and waived extra parking fees for those delayed by the issue.

Meanwhile, airports continued to advise travelers to check for updates and prepare for potential delays as the situation normalized.

This is not the first time UK airports have faced such issues. Similar problems occurred last year, and there was also a major disruption in August when a system used to process flight plans failed, affecting about 2,000 flights across the UK.

Related Article : UK Airports Get More Time to Install New Security Scanners Until 2025

UK Airports to Test Advanced Facial Recognition at E-Gates

UK airports began trials of advanced facial recognition technology in January at eGates to streamline the entry process for arriving passengers. This new system could allow travelers to pass through border control without needing to present their physical passports.

The trials are expected to start this year. If successful, this technology could be implemented across all major UK airports. Phil Douglas, the director general of the UK Border Force, aims to create an "intelligent border" that simplifies entry with less hassle using facial recognition.

Conde Nast Traveler revealed that currently, UK airports, including London's Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City, are equipped with over 270 eGates.

These gates use facial recognition, but passengers still have to scan their passports manually. The proposed system would eliminate this step, allowing a completely digital check-in process.

Inspired by similar technology in Australian airports, Douglas praised the efficiency of the Australian model. Before traveling, passengers would apply for an electronic authorization, and their passport details would be sent digitally to border authorities.

Upon arrival, their identity would be verified through facial recognition without needing to show a passport.

The move could significantly speed up the process at UK airports, reducing wait times and making travel smoother. However, privacy concerns have been raised about how long and where the biometric data would be stored.

Critics argue that increased use of facial recognition raises the risk of glitches and data breaches, which could lead to identity theft.
Alaska Airlines is introducing a groundbreaking program that allows travelers to buy sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) credits to help reduce the environmental impact of their flights.

This initiative, announced recently, offers passengers the option to support SAF directly through their ticket purchases on the airline's website.

Alaska Airlines Leads with New Eco-Friendly Program

Alaska Airlines is making it simpler for passengers to travel more sustainably by including SAF credit options during the booking process. This program, powered by climate technology company CHOOOSE, lets passengers choose to offset 5%, 10%, or 20% of the carbon emissions related to their flight, according to PR Newswire.

The initiative is based on a calculation method that considers factors like fuel consumption and flight distance.

Building on a pilot program from late 2023, Alaska Airlines has also linked the purchase of SAF credits to its loyalty program benefits. Mileage PlanTM members can earn elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) for every dollar spent on SAF credits, with up to 5,000 EQMs available annually.

The innovative approach not only promotes sustainability but also provides a path for frequent flyers to gain elite status faster.

Alaska Airlines is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040. SAF, which can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle, is a significant part of the airline's strategy. Despite its benefits, the availability of SAF is currently limited.

The airline is actively involved in partnerships and advocacy to expand the SAF market. The airline collaborates with companies like Microsoft, universities, and scientists to support research and policy changes that encourage the use of cleaner fuel options.

This initiative reflects Alaska Airlines' overall sustainability strategy, which focuses on caring for customers, employees, communities, and the planet. By choosing Alaska Airlines, passengers can now take an active role in making air travel more sustainable.

Related Article : Alaska Airlines Flight's Fuselage Incident Triggers Global Supply Chain Scrutiny

Receives Additional Compensation from Boeing

Alaska Airlines has been given an extra $61 million in credits from Boeing. This comes after an incident where a door unexpectedly opened mid-flight on one of its planes.

As per Flight Global, the amount is in addition to a $162 million cash payment Alaska Airlines received earlier from Boeing. The total compensation concerns issues with the airline's 737 Max 9 jets.

The Seattle-based Alaska Air Group reported these credits in a filing on May 3. They stated that the credits would be used for future Boeing purchases. This compensation will also help reduce the cost of some of their aircraft.

Earlier this year, following an accident on January 5, Alaska Airlines decided to ground all 65 of its Max 9 jets. The flight affected was going from Portland, Oregon, to Southern California.

After this incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also grounded many similar jets worldwide, causing Boeing problems and leading to company changes.

In addition to the Boeing issue, Alaska Airlines is also managing the financial aspects of its planned purchase of Hawaiian Airlines. They have already spent $8 million and expect more costs as they work to integrate the two airlines.

The deal, however, faces a lawsuit claiming it could reduce competition and negatively affect Hawaii's tourism industry. Alaska Airlines believes the lawsuit has no basis and is working with the U.S. Department of Justice to get approval for the acquisition.
Aerial photo taken on Aug. 16, 2021 shows the Smederevo Steelworks, Serbia. (HBIS Serbia/Handout via Xinhua)

BELGRADE/BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Situated by the scenic Danube River, the Smederevo Steelworks had long been hailed as the pride of Serbia before it slid to bankruptcy more than two decades ago.

Thanks to the deepening of the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Serbia, the century-old factory made a remarkable comeback in 2016 when its Chinese partner arrived.

In just a couple of months, the steel mill started turning a profit. It has now become one of the world's largest iron and steel makers and integrated service providers measured by production capacity.

The rebirth of the steel mill stands as a key epitome of the broader practical cooperation between the two countries.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping is about to pay his second state visit to the European country, expectations are running high that the ironclad friendship between the two nations will be further enriched and strengthened.

Many big Chinese investment projects here were brought about by President Xi, former Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said. "He is a sincere friend of Serbia."

During his first state visit to Serbia in 2016, Xi offered a strong helping hand to the Smederevo Steelworks, ushering in a wave of Chinese support.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C), accompanied by then Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and then Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, talks with workers at the dining hall of a steel mill in Smederevo, Serbia, June 19, 2016. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic clearly remembers how he, then as prime minister, approached Xi during the latter's visit with the idea of saving the struggling company. Xi assured him with a famous Chinese saying that "promises must be kept, and actions must be resultful."

"What we pledge to do, such as introducing cutting-edge technology, ensuring local employment, and benefiting the wider community, must be achieved without fail," Xi told the workers when visiting the factory.

Vladan Mihailovic, executive director for production at the steelworks, described Xi's visit as a turning point. With Xi's support, China offered sustained assistance to Serbia to revive the factory.

"The president's commitments, especially regarding the modernization of production facilities, have become a reality," said Mihailovic.

About 60 km away to the northwest of the steelworks nestles the Belgrade Centre railway station, the starting point of another Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation project Xi cares about -- the Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway.

As a segment of the Serbia-Hungary railway, it began operations in March 2022 and has since been shuttling passengers between Serbia's two largest cities at speeds of up to 200 km per hour. Vucic dubbed it "a gift for future generations."

The flourishing cooperation between Beijing and Belgrade within the framework of the BRI epitomizes the growing synergy between development strategies of the two countries, which has significantly bolstered bilateral economic and trade relations.

According to Chinese customs statistics, the total trade volume between China and Serbia in 2023 reached 4.35 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 23.7 percent compared to the previous year.

In October last year, witnessed by Xi and Vucic, China and Serbia signed a free trade agreement in Beijing, the first one inked between China and a Central and Eastern European country. After the deal takes effect, more than 60 percent of taxable items will become tariff-free immediately, and the final import volume proportion of both sides with zero-tariff items will reach about 95 percent.

"China is one of the most important partners for Serbia's economic development," said Nenad Stekic, a research fellow with the Institute of International Politics and Economics, a Serbian think tank.

"Since we elevated our relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, the relationship has been really going on an upward trajectory across the board," he added.

Editor: WRX
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BELGRADE, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia.

Serbian Air Force sent two fighter jets to escort Xi's plane after it entered the country's airspace.

The Chinese president was warmly welcomed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.

Serbian children presented flowers to Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, and waved the national flags of China and Serbia. Serbian people dressed in national costumes sang and danced to welcome them.

"China and Serbia enjoy profound traditional friendship. Our bilateral relationship has stood the test of changing international environment and become a fine example of state-to-state relations," Xi said in a written statement upon arrival.

Xi said he looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to have in-depth exchange of views with Vucic on bilateral relationship and other issues of mutual interest, renew friendship, plan for cooperation, explore development, and draw up a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations.

"I am confident that this visit will be a fruitful one and will open up a new chapter in China-Serbia relations," he said.

Xi's visit to Serbia marks his second visit to the country in eight years, which is a milestone to upgrade and improve bilateral relations.

"It gives me great pleasure to pay a state visit to the Republic of Serbia at the warm invitation of President Vucic," Xi said.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to extend heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the friendly government and people of Serbia," he added.

He said that since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, the bilateral relationship has realized leapfrog development, and achieved historic results.

The two countries are bound by rock-solid political mutual trust, and have seen fruitful results in high quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Chinese president said, adding that "our ironclad friendship has taken deeper roots in the heart of the two peoples."

China and Serbia have rendered each other firm support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

"We have jointly upheld international fairness and justice, and contributed our share to promoting world peace and development," he added.

Cooperation between the two countries is rooted in the principle of equality and mutual benefits, said Xi.

"Standing at a new historical starting point, China will work with Serbia to jointly stay committed to the original aspiration and forge ahead together to open up a new vista in China-Serbia cooperation with stronger momentum, greater scope, and higher quality," he said.

Xi travelled to Serbia after his visit to France.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's plane arrives in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping's plane arrives in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

A crowd gathers to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Children welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

Editor: WRX
The disclosed information about the plans of the Russian special services to assassinate the President of Ukraine and other high-ranking officials before Putin's inauguration testifies to the immorality of the Kremlin regime.

This assessment was made on Tuesday in Washington by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Obviously, this only speaks to the immorality that we have seen from the Putin regime since the beginning of this conflict," the foreign ministry spokesman said.

At the same time, he noted that the United States is in close contact with the Ukrainian side on this issue.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Ukraine's counterintelligence and Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) investigators foiled Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) plans to assassinate President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and other members of the country's top military and political leadership. In particular, two colonels of the Ukrainian parole service who passed classified information to the Russians were detained in Ukraine.

One of the tasks of the FSB's intelligence network was to find perpetrators among the military close to the President's security detail who could take the head of state hostage and then kill him. In addition to Zelensky, the enemy planned to eliminate the head of the SBU, Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, and other senior officials.
| By Jen Badie

During his State of the University address May 1 at the M&T Bank Exchange, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, led the audience on a tour around West Baltimore and laid out his vision for a vibrant University and city.

First stop: the Hippodrome Theatre that adjoins the jewel of a building the 525 attendees were sitting in and was in a state of disrepair 40 years ago, now restored with the help of UMB. Jarrell took the audience members down a few blocks to the remodeled CFG Bank Arena, where he recently attended a sold-out concert on a Tuesday night.

President Jarrell speaks with an AI avatar during the State of the University Address.

It ended at 10:30 and let out about the same time as the Hippodrome. You couldnt walk, the streets were crowded, people were excited, he said. Maybe something good is happening around here.



(See photo gallery below.)

Jarrell envisions this same vibrancy  a place with culture, activity, and engagement  for the Lexington Street area of UMBs campus, which sits near the remodeled Lexington Market. He announced that UMB is engaging private developers to convert the Lexington Street area into housing, stores, and research space for UMB students, faculty, staff, and others. UMB has created a development plan with consultants.

Wed like to see this develop into an area that resembles a College Town USA kind of atmosphere, an exciting place to be, he said. And we think we will be successful.

Nearby sits Metro West, a building on Saratoga Street that has been vacant for 10 years.

Were very pleased that the Maryland Department of Health just next year is going to be moving into the Metro West building. Thats 1,200 people working there, Jarrell said. You can imagine how all of the people working there will flood Lexington Market, will give vibrancy to our campus.

Behind Lexington Market, he said, UMB is making safety a priority on Eutaw Street and working to help people in need there through the EMBRACE initiative.

The purpose is to get resources to people on the street to give them hope for their future, he said.

School of Social Work Building

UMB will be constructing a new School of Social Work building, expected to open in 2027, in this area of campus at West Lexington and North Greene streets. Emphasizing the Universitys commitment to sustainability, the building will include solar panels, geothermal energy, and green space.

The important part about this area of development is that not only the School of Social Work but all of our schools will be immediately adjoining the Maryland Department of Health. There will be opportunity there and we will be able to influence them in positive ways and will become much closer to them, he said. This will add to UMBs vibrancy.

Next stop: the UMB BioPark and the nearly completed 4MLK building that will house the largest cluster of bioscience companies in the Greater Baltimore region.

This building changes the landscape in a very dramatic way, Jarrell said of 4MLK, adding that life sciences programs and a new joint bioengineering program with the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) are expected to be housed there.

He said the BioPark has given the University an anchor in West Baltimore that allows UMB to help the community and highlighted three programs: the UMB Community Engagement Center; the Live Near Your Work Program, a homebuying assistance program for employees; and a new population health initiative with the University of Maryland Medical Center that extends north of the BioPark to a clinical site at Mondawmin Mall.

He acknowledged that some people may be doubtful that the Lexington and Saratoga street areas can be transformed, but he pointed out that this type of vision has already come to fruition at the BioPark. Then-UMB President David Ramsay, DM, DPhil, envisioned the BioPark 20 years ago and faced doubters, too.

There were a lot of people who said that nobody or no business would move across MLK Boulevard into the BioPark, Jarrell said. And now just look around. Its become an essential part of this University, a West Campus, if you will. And it has been the enabler, the anchor for other programs that have enriched the local community. One advance has led to another and another in the BioPark. Thats what the BioPark has done: advance the community along with the buildings and other technology thats developed there.

Now I know there will be doubters that we can do this. Theyll say nobody will invest in this location. I disagree with them. Im betting that people will. Im sure that they will see the potential of this and the connection to our University and the vibrancy as a result of that.

Face to Face with AI

Before the tour, Jarrell opened his speech with an often-humorous conversation with Aisha, a Chatbot GPT, highlighting the work that UMB is doing but showing some of the limitations of artificial intelligence (AI). Aisha brought up UMBs dogtorate degree ceremony last year in which the University honored service and therapy dogs and their handlers.

That story garnered 1.8 billion impressions. Thats billion with a B. That means many people saw the story. You got $25 million in free publicity, she said, adding to laughter, UMB should continue to give degrees to dogs.

Jarrell, of course, said the University is not motivated by likes or the desire to be trending but by its impact on peoples health and well-being. He recalled hearing a speech by science fiction author Isaac Asimov and a quote that stuck with him that is applicable today to AI: Science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.

We should not be afraid of technology, of new discoveries, Jarrell said. Instead, we should embrace them and make sure that we control them, not they control us. She made me think, Are we evolving fast enough as a university? Are we keeping up with Aisha and her kind? What is our strategy? How does she fit into our mission to improve the human condition? 

UMB has started using AI in several programs including the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing, a collaboration among the School of Medicine, the University of Maryland Medical System, and UMCP that uses AI to analyze clinical data to improve human health care.

He pointed out that two UMB schools  the Francis King Carey School of Law and the School of Social Work  have deep expertise in protecting peoples rights and privacy and social scientists to help develop wisdom in using AI.

Who better to help us guide our use of AI to benefit society, especially underserved communities, especially Baltimore? That makes UMB a perfect location, a perfect University to ask important social and legal questions as it applies to AI, how to responsibly use it. We just have to be strategic about it.

Beehive of Activity

During the conversation with Aisha, she asked Jarrell about the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. Jarrell responded that its been a focus of leadership meetings as recently as that day.

But just as we at UMB have persisted in our mission, we will persist in our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, he said. That work is more important now than it ever has been.

Jarrell highlighted numerous achievements throughout the schools: the two xenotransplantations done by School of Medicine faculty; the School of Social Works Bmore for Healthy Babies program; the School of Nursings program to boost social inclusion and combat isolation in West Baltimore; and the School of Pharmacys first-of-its-kind medical cannabis program. He also talked about students such as the School of Dentistrys Brian Garner, who is working with underserved patients at the Universities at Shady Grove, and educators such as Larry Gibson, Morton & Sophia Macht Professor of Law, who is retiring this year after educating three generations of law students. The law school recently launched the Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law.

Jarrell began his speech by asking Aisha what makes UMB great. She recited statistics such as how many students and employees the University has and told him she would not do his job for him, bringing laughter from the audience. Jarrell interjected with his perspective.

UMB is great because of the people, he said. Everywhere I look at this University, I see a beehive of activity. People are committed to excellence in clinical care, in client care, in scholarly activity, teaching, service. Its a phenomenal place, and theyre here all hours of the day and night. Its a way of life here. Were very fortunate to be at a place like this.
| By Emily Bleiweis

Marylands 2024 legislative session came to a close in April, and with it came millions of dollars of dedicated funds investing in advancing network medicine, artificial intelligence, and machine learning that will help improve future health outcomes in Maryland.

The funds, given to the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State (MPower)  a collaboration between the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP)  will be used exclusively on the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC) initiative. Launched in November 2022, UM-IHC leverages technological advances to create a premier learning health care system that evaluates both de-identified and secure digitized medical health data to improve outcomes for patients across Maryland.

UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, and UMCP President Darryll Pines, PhD, MS, were in attendance in Annapolis with hundreds of others who flocked to the Maryland State House to celebrate the signing of nearly 300 bills into law.

[This bill and funding] give us a great opportunity to work together as two universities and the medical system to use our power in all three institutions to make something good happen in health care, Jarrell said after the signing.

Senate Bill 0376, which was signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore on April 25, 2024, requires the governor to include in the budget $1.5 million in Fiscal Year 2026, $3 million in FY 2027, $4.5 million in FY 2028, and $6 million in FY 2029 and after.

UM-IHC is expected to energize research in the life sciences including applied artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, immersive visualization, real-world evidence and adaptive clinical trials, population health, and therapeutic drug discovery. While driving technological advancement, the goal is to also provide critical mass to Marylands technology economy.

This is an opportunity to double down on our MPowering the State initiative that was codified in Senate Bill 1052 several years ago, Pines said. This is probably the biggest endeavor that will help the citizens of the state of Maryland in terms of their personalized health related to being able to mine medical records and use this enabling technology of AI to help citizens of the state of Maryland.



This is a chance for these institutions to look at medical records and really help advance health care diagnosis and prognosis for the future, Pines added.
BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- China's independently-developed AG600 large amphibious aircraft has completed the initial verification of its water-rescue capabilities, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

An AG600 tech-demonstrator in late April carried out the water-rescue verification at the reservoir of the amphibian Zhanghe Airport in Jingmen in central China's Hubei Province, said the AVIC, China's leading aircraft manufacturer.

This move is key for the AG600 large amphibious aircraft to effectively meet the demands arising from the country's emergency-rescue system construction efforts, said the AVIC.

It also marks a new major breakthrough for the AG600 aircraft family and provides tech-support for the follow-up development of the search-and-rescue variant, the developer added.

China's AG600 large amphibious aircraft family is being developed as vital advanced aeronautical equipment to strengthen the country's emergency-rescue capabilities. The aircraft family is tailored to carry out rescue missions such as firefighting, and maritime search and rescue in all types of terrains across the country.

The AG600 series amphibious aircraft features a unique configuration consisting of an integrated aircraft-shaped upper body and ship-bottom-shaped lower body.

During the verification tests, the AG600 tech-demonstrator cooperated well with rescuers on the surface of the reservoir and verified its water-rescue mode. Tests were carried out on the aircraft's landing and rescue on water surface, as well as its airdrop, said the AVIC.

This round of verification tests verified the aircraft's performance during the whole process from the launching to the recovery of lifeboat from a large cabin door on the aircraft's rear fuselage.

Also, the verification tests were carried out on the application of the airdrop equipment and the effect of survival parachute airdrop.

Via the tests, this large amphibious aircraft's performance of flying in low speeds at low altitudes and maneuvering on water surface were further verified, the developer said.

Moreover, multiple major capabilities for the aircraft to carry out water rescue missions have been verified, such as the collaboration among various participants, standardized operations and actions, and necessary task systems for rescue use, among others.

Following up, more tests will be conducted to verify the AG600's performance in maritime rescue.

The AG600 large amphibious aircraft will become a key member of China's maritime emergency search-and-rescue system by undertaking tasks such as searching for targets, rescuing people, airdrop rescue and onboard medical treatment, according to the AVIC.

AG600 will contribute to the building of the country's three-dimensional maritime search-and-rescue system in joint efforts with the commanding centers and other rescue forces and units, the AVIC added.

Editor: WXL
A Long March-6C carrier rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, May 7, 2024. China's Long March-6C carrier rocket made its debut flight on Tuesday, placing four satellites in space. The rocket blasted off at 11:21 a.m. (Beijing Time), sending Neptune-01 and Smart-1C, as well as a wide-band optical satellite and a high-resolution video satellite into planned orbits. (Photo by Zheng Bin/Xinhua)

TAIYUAN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- China's Long March-6C carrier rocket made its debut flight on Tuesday, placing four satellites in space.

The rocket blasted off at 11:21 a.m. (Beijing Time) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, sending Neptune-01, Smart-1C, a wide-band optical satellite, and a high-resolution video satellite into planned orbits.

It was the 520th flight mission of the Long March series rockets and marked the introduction of a new member to the series, enriching the category of China's new generation of Long March carrier rockets.

The Long March-6C carrier rocket was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) and aimed to serve the future commercial launch market.

As a new generation of liquid carrier rocket, the Long March-6C has a first stage in a diameter of 3.35 meters, propelled by two liquid oxygen kerosene engines with 120 tonnes of thrust, and a second stage in a diameter of 2.9 meters, powered by a liquid oxygen kerosene engine with 18 tonnes of thrust.

The total length of the rocket is about 43 meters, with a takeoff weight of about 215 tonnes. It has a carrying capacity of about 2.4 tonnes for a 500 km solar synchronous orbit and can be equipped with various satellite fairings according to different launch missions.

In the growing satellite launch industry, users require highly reliable, cost-effective, adaptable and fast responsive carrier rockets.

The Long March-6C carrier rocket applied the adaptive augmentation control technology to realize precise control of its attitude and push forward the intelligence of the rocket control system.

"The technology can be explained as intelligent driving in a simple manner," said Hu Cunming, a rocket expert at the SAST.

Moreover, the researchers also reduced the excess space between two tanks inside the rocket to lose its weight and make it carry as much fuel as possible. The development improved both structural efficiency and carrying capacity of the rocket.

Notably, the four satellites onboard the rocket went through open commercial biddings to be collectively launched.

A Long March-6C carrier rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, May 7, 2024. China's Long March-6C carrier rocket made its debut flight on Tuesday, placing four satellites in space.

The rocket blasted off at 11:21 a.m. (Beijing Time), sending Neptune-01 and Smart-1C, as well as a wide-band optical satellite and a high-resolution video satellite into planned orbits. (Photo by Wang Zenghe/Xinhua)

A Long March-6C carrier rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, May 7, 2024. China's Long March-6C carrier rocket made its debut flight on Tuesday, placing four satellites in space.

The rocket blasted off at 11:21 a.m. (Beijing Time), sending Neptune-01 and Smart-1C, as well as a wide-band optical satellite and a high-resolution video satellite into planned orbits. (Photo by Wang Zenghe/Xinhua)

A Long March-6C carrier rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, May 7, 2024. China's Long March-6C carrier rocket made its debut flight on Tuesday, placing four satellites in space.

The rocket blasted off at 11:21 a.m. (Beijing Time), sending Neptune-01 and Smart-1C, as well as a wide-band optical satellite and a high-resolution video satellite into planned orbits. (Photo by Zheng Bin/Xinhua)

A Long March-6C carrier rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, May 7, 2024. China's Long March-6C carrier rocket made its debut flight on Tuesday, placing four satellites in space.

The rocket blasted off at 11:21 a.m. (Beijing Time), sending Neptune-01 and Smart-1C, as well as a wide-band optical satellite and a high-resolution video satellite into planned orbits. (Photo by Zheng Bin/Xinhua)

A Long March-6C carrier rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, May 7, 2024. China's Long March-6C carrier rocket made its debut flight on Tuesday, placing four satellites in space.

The rocket blasted off at 11:21 a.m. (Beijing Time), sending Neptune-01 and Smart-1C, as well as a wide-band optical satellite and a high-resolution video satellite into planned orbits. (Photo by Wang Zenghe/Xinhua)

A Long March-6C carrier rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, May 7, 2024. China's Long March-6C carrier rocket made its debut flight on Tuesday, placing four satellites in space.

The rocket blasted off at 11:21 a.m. (Beijing Time), sending Neptune-01 and Smart-1C, as well as a wide-band optical satellite and a high-resolution video satellite into planned orbits. (Photo by Zheng Bin/Xinhua)

A Long March-6C carrier rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, May 7, 2024. China's Long March-6C carrier rocket made its debut flight on Tuesday, placing four satellites in space.

The rocket blasted off at 11:21 a.m. (Beijing Time), sending Neptune-01 and Smart-1C, as well as a wide-band optical satellite and a high-resolution video satellite into planned orbits. (Photo by Wang Zenghe/Xinhua)

A Long March-6C carrier rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, May 7, 2024. China's Long March-6C carrier rocket made its debut flight on Tuesday, placing four satellites in space.

The rocket blasted off at 11:21 a.m. (Beijing Time), sending Neptune-01 and Smart-1C, as well as a wide-band optical satellite and a high-resolution video satellite into planned orbits. (Photo by Zheng Bin/Xinhua)

Editor: WXL
Columbia University's "Days on Campus" event for admitted students took an unexpected turn this year as campus protests disrupted the planned activities. What was meant to be an exciting opportunity for admitted students to explore their future academic home turned into a scene of activism and contention.

Protests Disrupt Admitted Students Events

Ethan, a hopeful student admitted to Columbia University, was eagerly looking forward to the 'Days on Campus' event ever since he received his early acceptance. However, his excitement was dampened when he received an email from the admissions office, informing him of the limited itinerary for this year's event. The cancellation of the student activities fair and several guided tours of the campus left Ethan disappointed, as he was particularly interested in these activities. The university's decision was reportedly influenced by concerns that protesters might disrupt the events, though no disruptions actually occurred.

The protests, seen as an opportunity to engage with a new audience, played a significant role in shaping the campus atmosphere. They hung signs urging students to "enroll in revolution" and distributed pamphlets on divestment. Despite the cancellation of the activities fair, protesters organized an impromptu club fair, which Ethan attended, further adding to the dynamic environment.

READ MORE : Campus Free Speech And Academic Freedom Clash Amid Targeting Of Pro-Palestinian Expression

Nationwide Impact of Campus Protests

Columbia University is not alone in facing disruptions due to campus protests. Universities across the country have had to navigate similar challenges during their admitted students' events. The University of California, San Diego, canceled campus tours for two days after students set up an encampment. At Washington University in St. Louis, protesters interrupted an admitted students event in the university chapel, calling for divestment from Palestinian genocide. New York University rerouted tours to avoid an encampment in Gould Plaza.

The protests coincided with a crucial time for colleges as they tried to sell their campuses to accepted students. The disruptions have forced admissions offices to reconsider their usual strategies for engaging with admitted students and their families.

Challenges for Admissions Offices

The wave of student demonstrations has put admissions offices in a challenging position. They are tasked with recruiting incoming classes while their universities are embroiled in protests and media attention. Anna Ivey, an admissions consultant, noted that the combination of emboldened protesters and administrative responses has made it increasingly difficult for admissions offices to secure their fall cohorts.

Universities have responded to protests with varying degrees of force. Some have used police force to disperse protesters, leading to arrests of students and professors. This has created a tense atmosphere on campus, especially for prospective students and their families.

Protest Tactics Target Admissions Activities

Student protesters have strategically targeted admissions events as a way to pressure university leaders and raise awareness among prospective students and parents. At the University of Chicago, student activists began targeting admissions activities in November, focusing on key points where campus tours usually stopped. They chanted slogans aimed at highlighting the university's role in ongoing issues, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Ryan, a University of Chicago student and protest organizer, explained that targeting admissions activities was a deliberate tactic to draw attention to the university's actions. Protesters believed that raising awareness among prospective students and parents could influence the university's decisions.

Impact on Prospective Students

The protests have had mixed reactions among prospective students. For some, like Ethan, the protests were a sign of the vibrant intellectual and political life at Columbia University. However, the university's response to the protests raised concerns for Ethan, especially as a politically active student.

Ethan's experience underscores the profound impact of campus protests on prospective students. The disruptions and tensions on campus can create a sense of uncertainty, significantly influencing their decisions about which university to attend in the fall. This highlights the need for universities to address these issues and provide a safe and welcoming academic environment.

Campus protests have disrupted Columbia University's "Days on Campus" event and similar events at universities across the country. The protests have forced admissions offices to adapt their strategies for engaging with admitted students and raised important questions about the role of activism on college campuses. As universities navigate these challenges, they must consider the impact on prospective students and their families, who are looking for a welcoming and safe academic environment.
In recent weeks, college campuses across the United States have become the battleground for a new wave of activism. Pro-Palestinian student groups, energized by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, are demanding that their universities take a stand against what they see as complicity in the violence. Central to their demands is a call for divestment from companies that profit from the conflict, notably weapons manufacturers.

The Emergence of Key Demands

As pro-Palestinian protests have spread, two key demands have emerged: transparency in how endowment funds are invested and divestment from companies profiting off the war in Gaza. These demands have resonated with students across the country, leading to protests, encampments, and negotiations with university administrators.

READ MORE : Students Erect Encampments Nationwide, Demanding University Divestment From Companies Linked To Israel

Transparency and Divestment: Universally Shared Themes

While student protesters' specific demands vary from campus to campus, the themes of transparency and divestment are universally shared. Students are calling on their universities to disclose how their endowment funds are invested, particularly in relation to companies that profit from the conflict in Gaza. They are also demanding that their universities divest from these companies, arguing that to do otherwise is to be complicit in the violence.

Negotiations and Concessions: A Mixed Response

The response from university administrators has been mixed. While some colleges have engaged with student protesters and made concessions, others have taken a more adversarial approach, leading to clashes with police and protester arrests. However, even among colleges that have engaged with protesters, the concessions have been limited, with administrators promising little if anything at all.

Examples of College Responses

One example of a college making concessions to pro-Palestinian protesters is Brown University, where protesters folded up their tents in exchange for face time with board members to make a pitch for divestment from companies profiting off the war. A divestment vote is scheduled for October, marking a historic first at Brown.

Similarly, Northwestern University has agreed to reestablish an Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility, including student, faculty, and staff representatives. The university has also agreed to provide funding for Palestinian students and visiting faculty members, among other moves.

Congressional Response and Criticism

Colleges' decisions to consider protesters' demands have not gone unnoticed by lawmakers. Congressional Republicans have criticized the presidents of Northwestern and Rutgers University for their concessions to protesters, calling them "shocking" and "cowardly." As a result, the presidents of both universities, along with UCLA, will now testify before the House Education and Workforce Committee on campus antisemitism.

A Call for Engaged Leadership

Amid these protests and negotiations, there is a growing call for engaged leadership from college presidents. Roderick A. Ferguson, a professor at Yale University, argues that college presidents should engage with protesters and uphold the ideals of academic freedom and inquiry. He believes engaging with protesters is a better alternative than allowing situations to escalate to violence.

The Role of Universities in Social Movements

The current wave of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses highlights the critical role that universities can play in social movements. By engaging with student protesters and considering their demands, universities have the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to social justice and human rights. However, the response from universities has also shown that there is still much work to be done to address the underlying issues that fuel these protests. As the protests continue, it is clear that universities will need to navigate a complex landscape of competing interests and values to find a path forward that is both just and sustainable.
Columbia University's recent decision to cancel its main commencement ceremony amidst nationwide pro-Palestinian protests has highlighted the intricate interplay between politics, free speech, and security on college campuses.

The Ivy League institution's move comes after weeks of non-stop demonstrations, arrests, and political pushback, reflecting the heightened tensions surrounding issues of Middle Eastern politics and academic freedom.

Political Pressure and Campus Protests

The decision to cancel the main commencement ceremony at Columbia University, which aligns with similar actions at other institutions facing prolonged demonstrations, underscores the immense political pressure universities are under. Republican-led efforts to influence university policies on student speech and academic freedom have further inflamed campus protests, leading to a wave of arrests and suspensions.

Columbia's president was called to Washington by federal lawmakers, signaling a direct intervention in the university's internal affairs. This action, coupled with the Republican lawmakers' persistence in forcing universities to align with their views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has intensified the protests. The chair of the education committee in the US House of Representatives, Virginia Foxx, has been particularly vocal, accusing university leaders of making "shocking concessions" to protesters and equating opposition to the killings of Palestinian civilians with antisemitism.

READ MORE : USC Cancels Main Commencement Ceremony Amidst Controversy And Tightened Security Measures

Security Concerns and Administrative Responses

The escalating protests have also raised significant security concerns on college campuses. Due to recommendations from security experts and government agencies, universities like Emory University have had to relocate their main commencement ceremonies to indoor sites miles away from their campuses. Emory's president, Gregory Fenves, expressed reluctance but accepted the move's necessity to ensure safety.

At the University of California, San Diego, police cleared an encampment with over 60 arrests, highlighting the challenges faced by campus authorities in managing these protests. The use of police force has been contentious, with some incidents leading to accusations of bias or excessive use of force.

Some universities have adopted different strategies in response to the protests. While Columbia initially invited police to arrest protesters, it later agreed to negotiate but maintained its. On the other hand, Rutgers University reached a negotiated settlement to end protest encampments, agreeing to establish an Arab cultural center and hire more faculty familiar with Palestinian communities.

Impact on Graduating Students and the Future of Free Speech

The cancellation of Columbia's main commencement ceremony has significantly impacted graduating students, many of whom also missed their high school graduation ceremonies due to COVID-19 lockdowns. This loss of a traditional milestone event adds to the challenges faced by students during a tumultuous time.

The protests and their handling by university administrations raise broader questions about the future of free speech and academic freedom on college campuses. The actions of both protesters and university leaders reflect deeply held beliefs and principles, highlighting the complexities of balancing diverse viewpoints in an academic setting.

Columbia University's decision to cancel its main commencement ceremony amidst nationwide protests reflects universities' challenges in navigating political pressures, security concerns, and free speech issues. The protests have sparked a broader conversation about the role of universities in promoting dialogue and understanding on contentious issues and the need to balance academic freedom with the safety and well-being of their communities. As universities continue to grapple with these challenges, the outcome at Columbia serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required to uphold the principles of free speech and academic inquiry in a complex and rapidly changing world.
The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked a significant shift in the scholarly publishing landscape. This new technology, capable of producing human-like text, poses both opportunities and challenges for the dissemination of academic research and writing. As institutions and researchers grapple with the implications of generative AI, education research firm Ithaka S+R has embarked on a study to explore its impact on scholarly publishing.

Opportunities for Advancement

Generative AI offers several opportunities for advancing scholarly publishing. One key area is the potential to streamline the research and writing process. Researchers can use AI to generate drafts, conduct literature reviews, and even assist in data analysis, saving time and increasing productivity. This efficiency can be particularly beneficial for scholars working in fields with large volumes of data or complex theoretical frameworks.

Another advantage of generative AI is its ability to enhance collaboration. Researchers from different disciplines or geographic locations can use AI to collaborate on projects, bridging gaps and fostering innovation. Additionally, AI can help researchers overcome language barriers, enabling non-native English speakers to communicate their ideas more effectively in academic publications.

Furthermore, generative AI has the potential to democratize scholarly publishing. Historically, access to publishing opportunities has been limited to scholars affiliated with prestigious institutions. AI tools, however, can help level the playing field by assisting researchers in producing high-quality publications, regardless of their institutional affiliations. This democratization could lead to a more diverse and inclusive scholarly community.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Despite its promise, generative AI also presents several challenges and ethical considerations. One of the primary concerns is the potential for plagiarism and intellectual property infringement. AI-generated content may inadvertently replicate existing work, raising questions about originality and attribution. Ensuring the integrity of AI-generated content is essential to maintaining the trustworthiness of scholarly publishing.

Another challenge is the impact of AI on the quality of research. While AI can aid in data analysis and synthesis, it cannot replace critical thinking and scholarly judgment. Researchers must exercise caution when relying on AI-generated content, ensuring that it aligns with academic standards and methodologies.

Ethical considerations also arise regarding the transparency of AI-generated content. Readers should be informed when content has been generated or assisted by AI, allowing them to assess its credibility and authenticity. Additionally, researchers must consider the potential biases embedded in AI algorithms, which could influence the output of AI-generated content.

Future Directions

As generative AI continues to evolve, the scholarly publishing community must adapt to its implications. Institutions and publishers should develop clear guidelines and policies for the use of AI in research and writing, ensuring ethical standards are upheld. Collaboration between researchers, publishers, and AI developers is crucial to navigating the challenges and maximizing the benefits of generative AI in scholarly publishing.

Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize scholarly publishing by streamlining workflows, enhancing collaboration, and democratizing access. However, addressing challenges such as plagiarism, quality control, and ethical considerations is essential to realizing these benefits. By embracing the opportunities and addressing the challenges of generative AI, the scholarly publishing community can advance knowledge dissemination and foster a more inclusive academic environment.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

China will work with Serbia to forge ahead together to open up a new vista in China-Serbia cooperation "with stronger momentum, greater scope, and higher quality," Xi said.

BELGRADE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off his second state visit to Serbia on Tuesday night with the aim of fortifying the ironclad friendship between China and Serbia amidst evolving global dynamics.

Upon his arrival, Xi said China will work with Serbia to forge ahead together to open up a new vista in China-Serbia cooperation "with stronger momentum, greater scope, and higher quality."

Serbia has rolled out its red carpet for Xi. Among those welcoming Xi at the Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport was his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic. The two heads of state will hold meetings on Wednesday.

Two fighter jets were dispatched to escort Xi's plane upon its entry into Serbia's airspace. Over the past days, the streets of Belgrade have been richly ornamented with Chinese features, not least the flying Chinese national flags and waving banners.

In a signed article published Tuesday in Politika, a Belgrade-based Serbian daily, Xi wrote that the ironclad friendship between the two countries is ever-growing. "Whatever changes in the international landscape, China and Serbia remain true friends and good partners."

"Together we will build a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi wrote.

The Chinese president's arrival coincides with the 25th anniversary of the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Serbian Minister of Sport Zoran Gajic and China's Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo mourn in front of the memorial monument at the site of the bombed former Chinese Embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

In 1999, the U.S.-led NATO forces carried out savage airstrikes for 78 days against Yugoslavia, leaving more than 8,000 civilians dead or injured and nearly 1 million more displaced. On the night of May 7, exactly 25 years ago, NATO bombed the Chinese embassy, killing three Chinese journalists, including one from Xinhua.

"The Chinese people cherish peace, but we will never allow such tragic history to repeat itself," Xi wrote in the article. "The China-Serbia friendship, forged with the blood of our compatriots, will stay in the shared memory of the Chinese and Serbian peoples, and will inspire us to march forward with big strides."

Aleksandar Mitic, research fellow in International Relations at the Institute of International Politics and Economics in Belgrade, told Xinhua that the friendship, tempered by blood and fire, "will represent a cornerstone for cooperation in the future."

During Xi's last state visit to Serbia in 2016, Xi made the site of the old embassy as his first stop to pay homage to the Chinese martyrs killed in the NATO bombing in 1999.

The ruins of the embassy have now been revamped into a Chinese cultural center for local residents in Serbia to learn both Chinese language and traditional culture. The square outside the center was also renamed "Serbia-China Friendship Square."

This photo taken on May 5, 2024 shows the statue of Confucius in front of the China Cultural Center in Belgrade, Serbia. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Gordana, a local resident working nearby who didn't reveal her full name, referred to the bombing as a "painful memory" to her. "The cooperation between China and Serbia holds the promise of providing my children with a better life than I experienced," she told Xinhua.

Past years have seen leapfrog growth of China-Serbia cooperation. Two-way trade in 2023 surged to 4.35 billion U.S. dollars, Chinese customs statistics showed. In 2022, China became the largest source of direct investment for Serbia. In October 2023, witnessed by Xi and Vucic, China and Serbia signed a free trade agreement. After the deal takes effect, more than 60 percent of taxable items will become tariff-free immediately, and the final import volume proportion of both sides with zero-tariff items will reach about 95 percent.

Under the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative are flagship projects such as the Smederevo Steelworks and the high-speed railway between Belgrade and Budapest. An integral segment of the Belgrade-Budapest railway is the high-speed train linking Belgrade and Serbia's second-largest city Novi Sad, which has transported some 6.83 million passengers over the past two years.

An aerial drone photo shows the Novi Sad railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, April 29, 2024. (Photo by Liu Yuxin/Xinhua)

"We mainly cooperated in the field of transportation and energy field," said Katarina Zakic, head of the Regional Centre Belt and Road at the Institute of International Politics and Economics. In the future, cooperation will be important in the fields of green energy and e-commerce, she told Xinhua.

Already, Chinese companies and their Serbian counterparts are working on a number of green energy programs, such as the Saraorci Photovoltaic Project. Upon completion, the project will provide more than 16 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity every year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 16,000 tons.

Serbia, undoubtedly, stands as a reliable partner for China in Europe, said Aleksandar Vojvodic, head engineer of the Clean Serbia Project of China Road and Bridge Corporation.

There will be a promising prospect for further enhancement and expansion of existing cooperation, said Vojvodic.

Editor: WXL
May 8 2024

Organic Architects are transferring their taste for whiskey across the Irish Sea after securing approval for a new distillery in Limavady, near Coleraine, Ireland.

Introducing more than just an additional letter 'e' the architects are working with the Limavady whiskey brand to deliver a striking new building that looks to the future under the ownership of master distiller Darryl McNally while celebrating a proud history stretching back to 1750.

Working with local architect Gerard McPeake in a mountain landscape made famous by Game of Thrones the distillery will rise on McNally's family farm, blending into its rural environment.

Gareth Roberts, founder of Organic Architects, said: This project is unusual in that the new distillery will be located on the McNally family farm, signifying a return to home soil for the founder Darryl McNally. It is a beautiful rural site, so it has taken time to design a sensitive building which is acceptable to the local authority. Fantastic views of the coastline and the mountains are retained with the new building situated in the farm yard and incorporated into the surrounding farm buildings.

Construction of Limavady Distillery is now clear to begin later this year.
Kenya's government has signed a deal with striking doctors, the health ministry announced Wednesday, after almost two months of industrial action that left thousands of patients struggling to find medical care

Nairobi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2024) Kenya's government has signed a deal with striking doctors, the health ministry announced Wednesday, after almost two months of industrial action that left thousands of patients struggling to find medical care.

"After 56 days, @kmpdu signs agreement, ending nationwide doctors' strike," the ministry said on X, formerly Twitter, using the abbreviation for the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, which launched the action in mid-March in protest over pay.

Details of the deal were not immediately available and there was no comment from the union about the agreed provisions.

Talks had previously collapsed over the government's refusal to pay medical interns higher salaries as stipulated in a 2017 agreement following an earlier strike.

President William Ruto's cabinet had previously said it was "unsustainable" to pay the interns, who make up about 30 percent of doctors, a monthly stipend of 206,000 Kenyan shillings ($1,530), and instead offered $530.

But the doctors, numbering some 7,000 in total, had vowed not to return to the negotiating table if the agreed pay level was not restored.
(@FahadShabbir)

Doha, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2024) Qatar called on the international community on Wednesday to prevent a "genocide" in Rafah following Israel's seizure of the Gaza City's crossing with Egypt and threats of a wider assault.

In a statement, the Gulf state, which has been mediating between Israel and Hamas, appealed "for urgent international action to prevent the city from being invaded and a crime of genocide being committed".

Israel struck targets in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday after seizing the main border crossing with Egypt.

Israel has vowed for weeks to launch a ground incursion into Rafah, despite a clamour of international objection.

The attacks on the southern city, which is packed with displaced civilians, came as negotiators and mediators met in Cairo to try to hammer out a hostage-release and truce deal in the seven-month war.

Qatar, which has hosted Hamas's political office in Doha since 2012, has been engaged -- along with Egypt and the United States -- in months of behind-the-scenes mediation between Israel and the Palestinian group.
Israeli military manoeuvres and shelling continued in and around eastern Rafah in southern Gaza Wednesday as UN humanitarian officials stressed that no fuel or aid was getting into the enclave

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2024) Israeli military manoeuvres and shelling continued in and around eastern Rafah in southern Gaza Wednesday as UN humanitarian officials stressed that no fuel or aid was getting into the enclave.

Were not receiving any aid, the crossing area has ongoing military operations and is an active war zone, said Scott Anderson, from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in a post on X.

We are hearing continued bombardments in this area throughout the day. No fuel or aid has entered into the Gaza Strip and this is disastrous for the humanitarian response.

The development comes amid deepening international concerns including from the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about a full-scale Israeli military operation in Rafah, fueled by the closure of Kerem Shalom and the seizure of Rafah crossing on Tuesday by Israeli forces, dashing ceasefire hopes.

In addition to concerns over dwindling supplies of fuel, food and other basic necessities in Gaza, UN humanitarians reported that tens of thousands of people in Rafah have been uprooted once more by Israeli evacuation orders.

Every day we are displaced. Every hour we are displaced," Rafah resident Salah Rajab Gazan was quoted as saying by UN News, a news website, inside the enclave.

We expected that the deal would be reached and wed go (back) to Gaza City. But what we expected did not happen and the opposite happened.

In another interview, a former resident of Jabalia camp in northern Gaza described his exhaustion and loss, after seven months of war which had claimed the lives of his children. I cant find a mattress to sleep on; I used to have a house and floors. I am tired of life because there is no life in Gaza. Gaza has no future.

In a bid to secure an end to the war and the release of all remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza, the UN chief issued a direct appeal to the Government of Israel late Tuesday to stop any escalation and engage constructively in the ongoing diplomatic talks.

Posting on X late on Tuesday, he said that disturbed and distressed by the Israeli Defence Forces renewed military activity in Rafah, just as he called on Hamas leaders and Israel to show political courage and secure a ceasefire.

After more than 34,000 Palestinians killed, mostly women an children, "havent we seen enough? Guterres asked, at UN headquarters in New York.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2024) In an effort to promote Pakistani beef in Southwest China, the Pakistan National Pavilion in Chengdu, capital city Sichuan province southwest China has recently showcased a batch of heat-treated Pakistani beef.

The batch of Pakistani beef weighed 500 kilogrammes and served as samples for wholesalers and distributors in China's southwest provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan, Liu Jun, CEO of Chengdu Xiyixi Trade Company, the operator of the Pakistani national pavilion, told China Economic Net (CEN) in a telephone interview.

According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), a total of $514,252 worth of Pakistani beef was imported to China in the first quarter of 2024, only a tiny portion of the multi-billion-dollar total value of all beef imports.

Despite the relatively modest volume, the pavilion operator expresses confidence as the Pakistani beef has sparked interest among distributors. A lot of wholesalers have come here for the Pakistani beef.

The other day, a distributor pre-ordered two tons of Pakistani beef with me after trying a box of samples, Liu told CEN.

The current phase is designed to test market response to the quality and taste of Pakistani beef and imports could be scaled up significantly depending on the market's response, said Liu.

For the next step, Liu plans to forge collaboration with Pakistani suppliers. "We will work to invite Pakistani beef suppliers to set up offices at the pavilion for direct interactions and streamlined trade process," noted Liu.

Pakistani heat-treated beef was granted access to the Chinese market in June 2023, and the first batch of Pakistani beef was imported to China in January 2024.

Inaugurated in 2023, The Pakistani National Pavilion in Chengdu is designed to showcase agricultural and cultural products from Pakistan and it serves as a platform for Pakistani businesses aiming to penetrate the Chinese market.

APP/asg
Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2024) The Kremlin said Wednesday that Russia could not investigate the killing of AFP journalist Arman Soldin from rocket fire almost one year ago in east Ukraine, noting he died in Kyiv-held territory.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told AFP that, "Russia cannot carry out any investigation here," into the death of the 32-year-old video journalist, who was killed by Russian rocket fire on May 9, 2023.

Peskov said: "Here you probably have to somehow contact the Ukrainian side," saying he did not know the details of Soldin's work as a journalist.

The Kremlin spokesman added: "If I understand correctly, at the moment of his death he was on territory that was under the control of the Kyiv regime."
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
The URL has been copied to your clipboard

The code has been copied to your clipboard.

The world is watching students on U.S. college campuses protest Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza. Global reactions to the demonstrations, including to students arrests vary from pride and solidarity to alarm and condemnation. VOA's Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports from the State Department.
Digital experts called on African countries Tuesday for laws to protect the data of individuals and businesses, saying that a single digital market in which data can safely flow across borders would help overcome barriers to commerce and trade on the continent.

African government information and communications technology representatives, international organizations, diplomats and experts are meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, this week to discuss how data can move freely from one country to another without risking people's privacy and safety.

Kenyan Information, Communication and Digital Economy Minister Eliud Owalo said Africa needs to improve its laws to deal with emerging issues in the digital space.

"What will enable African countries to remain relevant in the digital marketplace will be our level of creativity and innovation, strategic agility and maneuverability in the digital space, he said. And that means we need to continuously, based on what is happening in our operational environment, look at our laws, policies and regulations."

In its 2023 Londa report, the Paradigm Initiative  an organization that monitors digital rights, environment and inclusion in Africa  said internet shutdowns and disruptions, data protection, disinformation, cybersecurity, surveillance and a lack of freedom of expression and information affect the continent's digital growth and sustenance.

Experts say that data plays an important role in every sector and that sharing it makes information more accessible, increases collaboration and facilitates knowledge exchange, leading to innovation and growth in business and relations among states.

Paul Russo, the head of Kenya Commercial Group, which operates in seven African countries, says the discussion about data sharing and security is important for businesses.

"This is not only a new area that we need to work together to bring to life, but I also think it's important for our own businesses to be sustainable, he said. At the heart of every business, particularly for those of us in the private sector, is data  both integrity and confidentiality and protection of that data."

Data misuse and abuse is a worldwide concern, and fears continue to spark debate on how best to safeguard, regulate, monitor and benefit from the available data.

European Union Deputy Head of Mission to Kenya Ondrej Simek said that data protection requires global effort and that gaps must be filled through law.

"Collaboration between data protection authorities around the world is needed to advance the regional and global harmonization of legal and regulatory frameworks, Simek said.

One area of specific importance is that of safe cross-border data flows, he said. A first step is ensuring the data protection laws are in place. The second one is obviously to operationalize them effectively. These are critical steps toward Africa's single digital market and toward a global area for safe data exchange."
A journalist for nine years, Aytac Tapdiq says the risks of working in media in Azerbaijan have always been present. But in recent months, conditions are getting worse.

The video journalist had been working for the Azeri media outlet Meydan TV for only a few months when authorities first took her in for questioning.

One day, they forcibly pushed me into a car, Tapdiq said, adding that she was taken to the organized crime department and questioned.

Basically, I faced pressure for working at Meydan TV, as soon as I started [as a] journalist. Many doors are closed to independent journalists," she told VOA.

In years since, Tapdiq says she has been called in for questioning numerous times.

Media and human rights organizations say such experiences are common. Since November, more than 10 journalists and bloggers have been detained in Azerbaijan, including six from the news website Abzas Media.

Often, arrests or pressure are related to coverage of corruption among high-ranking government officials, say media analysts.

Additionally, the government has enacted legislation that requires journalists to sign on to a registry to be able to access officials and news briefings.

The conditions have resulted in Azerbaijan falling on the World Press Freedom Index released May 3. The country currently ranks 164 out of 180, where 1 shows the best environment.

Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, which compiles the index, attributed the 13-point decline to pressure on media and arrests of journalists, including before the February presidential elections.

Jeanne Cavelier, who heads RSFs Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, told VOA that Azerbaijan showed the greatest decline of any country in the region over the past year.

Cavelier said that President Ilham Aliyev recently claimed that media freedom is guaranteed and that censorship does not exist. But, she added, Almost the entire media sector is under official control and any semblance of pluralism has been destroyed.

Tapdiq said she works with the knowledge that she could one day be arrested.

As my friends are arrested, my burden increases even more. I feel like Meydan TV is a tree trying to survive in a forest destroyed within the Azerbaijani media, she said. My plans for the future begin with the phrase If I don't get arrested.

While Meydans team have not faced any arrests or legal pressure in recent years, their website has been blocked inside Azerbaijan since 2017. Authorities said several articles were damaging to the interest of the state.

The news outlet sees the new registry as a further limitation on the work of independent journalism. Only journalists approved on the register are able to access officials and government news briefings.

The government says the register will improve relations between officials and the media. But analysts have warned that it will stifle free media.

"They are using this law to further narrow the media environment for those that have not registered, said Tapdiq.

Other media experts also believe that restrictions for journalists are increasing.

Mehman Aliyev, head of the independent Turan news agency, told VOA that journalists, especially investigative reporters, face pressure, persecution.

He sees the recent arrests as a way to silence or at least limit the range of voices.

There is no such thing as pluralism in television companies and most government-sponsored websites, he said. That is, you cannot see or hear dissenting, free voices there. This is a problem.

The journalist believes the government should carry out democratic reforms to improve media freedom.

Azerbaijans government, however, rejects criticism.

Lawmaker Bahruz Maharramov, a member of the Parliaments Human Rights Committee, told VOA that the media is free and that conditions are fully ensured to provide everyone with information, and for the diversity of opinion and freedom of activity in media.

But, said Maharramov, some media organizations in the country actually perform the function of the fifth column. They, along with the institutions of a number of Western actors, act as a tool that has intentions threatening the sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

This story originated in VOAs Azeri Service. Nigar Mubariz and Emil Baghirov contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday called out what he described as a "ferocious surge" of antisemitism, using a somber speech to tie together two grim anniversaries: his nation's annual commemoration of the Holocaust, and the beginning of the seventh month of hostilities in Gaza.

"This hatred continues to lie deep in the hearts of too many people in the world," Biden said as he delivered the keynote address at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's Annual Days of Remembrance ceremony.

He spoke at the U.S. Capitol before a group of legislators and a few elderly survivors of Nazi Germany's move to systematically exterminate 6 million Jews during World War II.

In his remarks, Biden sought to tie that event to militant Palestinian group Hamas' stunning attack that killed about 1,200 Israeli civilians on October 7. The attack provoked a conflict that is ongoing to this day and has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians.

"We've seen a ferocious surge of antisemitism in America and around the world," since the October attack, said Biden. "Now here we are, not 75 years later, but just seven and a half months later, and people are already forgetting, already forgetting, that Hamas unleashed this terror."

'You belong'

Biden assured the Jewish community: "You belong. You always have, and you always will.  My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad, even when we disagree."

Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, applauded Biden's speech and said in a statement that antisemitism is everybody's problem, not just one for Jews.

"Rising antisemitic conspiracy theories and hate are a threat that undermines each and every American's safety and our core democratic norms and values," Spitalnick said. "We're grateful for President Biden's clear moral leadership confronting this threat, including through the historic U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.

"We urge Congress to quickly move the Countering Antisemitism Act forward for a vote, support robust implementation of the National Strategy, and significantly increase funding for the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights to investigate fully and address acts of antisemitism  and all civil rights violations  on campus. It's time to make clear that just, inclusive societies are ones in which Jews and all communities are safe and free."

Mounting pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. college campuses have raised questions about whether criticizing the world's only Jewish state as it continues to besiege Gaza should be seen as antisemitic speech.

"It is perfectly OK to object to the policies of a state," said Mirette Mabrouk, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. "It is never OK to be a bigot. So, when the state of Israel conflates the two  conflates being Jewish with the policies of the state of Israel  it makes it significantly more difficult for people to object to the policies of Israel, because you don't want to come across as being antisemitic. That is absolute nonsense."

VOA asked White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre where the Biden administration draws that line.

"I shouldn't have to talk about a line," she replied. "It's very clear. It presents itself in the most hateful, abhorrent way. And antisemitism is hate speech. It is just hate speech. I'm not going to stand here and give examples. That's not something I'm going to do  it is obvious."
A mass cyberattack on Britain's military has exposed the names and banking details of thousands of British soldiers, officials said Tuesday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Defense Minister Grant Shapps said there were indications that a "malign actor" was responsible for the attack.

"I do want to reassure people that the Ministry of Defense has already taken the action of removing the network offline and making sure that people affected are supported in the right way," Sunak said.

Neither Sunak nor Shapps named China as the culprit, but the BBC and other British media outlets reported that Chinese hackers are suspected of being responsible for the breach.

"We cannot rule out state involvement," Shapps told the House of Commons. But he did not single out China.

However, Labour Party defense spokesperson John Healey wanted to know why "the media has clearly been briefed that China was behind" the attack conducted on a third-party payroll system that contained the information for as many as 272,000 armed forces personnel.

Shapps said British officials took the system offline "immediately" and began an investigation into the attack and SSCL, the contractor hit by the cyberattack. He said there was "no evidence that any data had been removed."

Tobias Ellwood, a British lawmaker and the former chairman of a parliamentary defense committee, singled out China as the likely culprit.

"Targeting the names of the payroll system and service personnel's bank details  this does point to China because it can be as part of a plan, a strategy to see who might be coerced," Ellwood told BBC radio.

'Our eyes are wide open'

In southeast London, Sunak said that his government has established a "robust policy" toward China, which has become increasingly "authoritarian" at home and "more assertive" abroad.

"Our eyes are wide open when it comes to China," Cabinet minister Mel Stride told Sky News television without laying blame on China for the breach.

China has vehemently denied responsibility for the attack.

"Utter nonsense" is how China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian described the notion that China is responsible for the breach. "China has always firmly opposed and cracked down on all types of cyberattacks."

The spokesperson also said British politicians' comments blaming China for the attack were "absurd."

China calls accusation 'slander'

In March, Britain and the United States accused hackers linked to China's government of conducting a global campaign of "malicious" cyberattacks on U.S. officials, journalists, pro-democracy activists and corporations and Britain's election watchdog.

Both countries placed sanctions on several people. The U.S. charged several hackers who are believed to reside in China.

China called the accusation that it was responsible for the attacks "malicious slander."
Chinese President Xi Jinping was given a red carpet welcome when he arrived in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, Wednesday for talks with President Aleksandar Vucic.

We are writing history today, Vucic told Xi as they stood on the balcony of the presidential palace before a cheering crowd of several thousand people waving Chinese flags.

Ties between Belgrade and Beijing have deepened in recent years as China has poured billions of dollars into Serbias economy as part of its Belt and Road economic development program in parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, along with a free-trade agreement the two sides approved last year.

Xi arrived in Belgrade after a two-day visit to France, where he held talks with President Emmanuel Macron and European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Chinas trade imbalance with Europe and its tacit support of Russia in its war with Ukraine.

Xis visit to Serbia takes place on the 25th anniversary of the U.S. bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade during NATOs air campaign against Serbias violent crackdown on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, which was then an autonomous region within Serbia. Beijing has backed Belgrades position that Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, is still part of Serbia.

Vucic said Serbia supports Chinas longstanding claim that Taiwan is a breakaway province of the mainland despite its self-governing status.

Later Wednesday, Xi will travel to Hungary, his closest European ally and a longtime thorn in the side of EU unity on Russia and China policy.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
In a rare discussion of Central Asia policy on Capitol Hill, a senior legislator told VOA that the United States needs to look past the abysmal human rights records of the countries in the region to confront terrorism and Russian and Chinese influence.

"If we want their help somehow, we need to be able to help them," Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said in a one-on-one interview.

The 27-year House lawmaker was part of the most recent congressional delegation to visit Uzbekistan, along with Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers, Salud Carbajal and Veronica Escobar.

The message they carried to the region was clear: Washington wants to enhance security cooperation while backing political and economic reforms.

The Uzbek leadership, in turn, conveyed enthusiasm for broadening the strategic partnership, which dates to the early 2000s.

During the March 26-27 visit to Tashkent, the delegation met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and Minister of Defense Major General Bakhodir Kurbanov. According to Smith, these discussions underscored Uzbekistan's pivotal role in "keeping an eye on what's going on in Afghanistan."

He sees the Islamic State extremist group, or ISIS, and radicalization in general, as the most prominent terrorism threats.

Uzbekistan is close and could potentially be a partner in tracking ISIS or other extremist elements, he said. So, having a partner in the region that we can work with to identify potential threats and counter radicalization, to make sure that the ideologies don't take hold or produce terrorists, like the ones that struck in Moscow.

Several Central Asian citizens were arrested in connection with an attack on a Moscow concert hall in March that killed 144 people. Responsibility was claimed by Islamic State-Khorasan, also known as ISIS-K or IS-K, a regional offshoot of Islamic State.

Despite the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Smith said the United States still has interests in that country and that Tashkent, which maintains a tight relationship with the Taliban, can help in that regard.

"Al-Qaida is still in the region. ISIS, obviously. The Taliban are fighting ISIS-K," the congressman said. "We are still very interested in the region. The difference is we're not there. We don't have a good ability to monitor it and act. So, we are looking for partners."

In Smiths view, the U.S. must be more strategic in competing with Russia and China as they try to advance their own influence in the region.

Unlike Moscow and Beijing, Washington does not build infrastructure. Instead, it offers technical assistance and works through international financial institutions  endeavors that Smith describes as substantial.

One way the United States could help Uzbekistan, he said, is by helping to find a way to advance the landlocked countrys goal of establishing a rail link through Afghanistan and Pakistan to the Indian Ocean.

Security relationships with countries in the region have not significantly increased since the U.S. left Afghanistan, Smith acknowledged, but we're trying to build some of those relationships with Uzbekistan."

In 2021, Congress appropriated $10 million under the Foreign Military Financing program to enhance Central Asia's border security and counterterrorism capabilities, supplying vehicles, communications equipment and training.

Brushing off Russian speculation that the U.S. is seeking to open a military base in Central Asia, Smith said there are no such efforts.

We're seeking partners. We're not seeking a presence," he said while emphasizing the importance of overflight agreements and intelligence collaboration.

Smith and other lawmakers, including those in the congressional Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan caucuses, concede that Central Asia has some of the worlds most authoritarian regimes, which suppress dissent and independent media. State Department reports describe the countries as prominent human rights violators.

In Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov ruled for 15 years before passing the presidency to his son, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in 2022.

In Tajikistan, President Emomali Rahmon has been in power since 1992 and is expected to follow Berdimuhamedovs path.

In Uzbekistan, a government-engineered constitutional referendum in 2023 allowed Mirziyoyev, president since 2016, to continue for two seven-year terms.

Nursultan Nazarbayev governed Kazakhstan for 30 years before stepping down in 2019. His hand-picked successor, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, also changed the constitution but promised to leave at the end of his term in 2029.

For years, Kyrgyzstan stood out as having the most democratic potential in the region. However, its current president, Sadyr Japarov, has jailed critics and recently adopted a Russian-style foreign agents law.

Smith says the U.S. does not ignore reality, yet he favors pragmatism over preaching.

"If you simply say, We don't think your elections were as free and fair. We're out, we're not working with you, those countries can very, very easily turn to China, Russia, Iran and who knows, maybe someday, North Korea. So, we have to understand what's doable and realistic."

Having met the Uzbek president in Tashkent, Smith calls Mirziyoyev "a smart guy" who is moving Uzbekistan "in the right direction."

"I think they are genuinely trying to improve their economy, deal with terrorism but they've got a long way to go," he said.

As on many issues, Democrats and Republicans differ on Central Asia. But Smith stresses that "most members of Congress don't pay attention to that part of the world. There is not a well thought-out approach."

"If you were to poll 435 [representatives] over their two-year term, how many times have they thought about Uzbekistan? Very few. I'd say probably 400 of them never thought about it," Smith said. "So, we are working on that."
Australias first female Muslim federal lawmaker is defending deradicalization programs after the police shot dead a teenager who stabbed a man at the weekend.

Authorities in Western Australia say the 16-year-old boy had been part of a program to counter online radicalization since he was 14.

The teenage assailant had told associates in a text message that he was going on the path of jihad tonight for the sake of Allah.

Later, in the car park of a hardware store in the Western Australian city of Perth, he used a kitchen knife to stab a man. The 16-year-old boy was killed by police. His victim was wounded.

Authorities said the boy had voluntarily taken part in the government funded Countering Violent Extremism program since 2022 after he caused an explosion in a toilet at his high school.

He had received treatment for mental health issues as well as extremist tendencies.

Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch told reporters the deradicalization program was highly successful but, sadly, its not perfect.

The project includes working with families, counselling, the involvement of religious leaders, and mental health components.

The program is based on the work of Youth Minister Anne Aly, the first female Muslim lawmaker to be elected to federal Parliament in Canberra.

She told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that despite the death of the teenager she believes the deradicalization program is effective.

We are always reviewing, as we should, practice in this space. But I will say that these programs work because I have seen them work," she said. "I do not think that we should be going, Oh, these programs do not work, and walking away from them, but for the vast majority they do work.

Investigators have had found no connection between the boy shot dead in Perth and an alleged network of teenage extremists in Sydney, on the other side of the Australian continent.

There, a 16-year-old boy was charged with committing a terrorist act after a bishop and three other people were stabbed at a Sydney church on April 15.

In the investigation that followed, six more teenagers were charged with terror-related offenses.

Australia has worked with the United States to build deradicalization programs in Indonesia for those convicted of terrorism-related crimes.

However, critics have said that some convicted militants have refused to take part in the voluntary schemes.

In Britain, there are several deradicalization initiatives for people who have been involved in extremist activity.

Programs designed to steer individuals away from militant ideology have been set up in other countries, including Pakistan, Germany and the United States.
European Union nations reached a tentative breakthrough deal to provide Ukraine with billions in additional funds for arms and ammunition coming from the profits raised from frozen Russian central bank assets held in the bloc.

The agreement among the 27 EU ambassadors was announced by Belgium, which holds most of the frozen assets in the bloc. It came after weeks of tough negotiations among member states, which were made more complicated by the stringent financial limits on using such funds.

The deal should free up to $3.2 billion a year for Kyiv, of which 90% could be spent on ammunition and other military equipment.

Officials said a first installment of the funds could reach Kyiv in July.

The EU is holding around $225 billion in Russian central bank assets, most of it frozen in Belgium, in retaliation for Moscow's war against Ukraine. Kyiv has long been urging that those funds be used to get vital military supplies as it struggles to stave off renewed Russian attacks.

A small group of member states, especially Hungary, refuses to supply weapons to Ukraine so special safeguards had to be included in the deal to allow for some 10% of the funds to be considered general aid.

EU member states still need to officially endorse the ambassadors' agreement.
Ghana's Supreme Court on Wednesday began a hearing on an injunction seeking to overturn a contested law that severely curtails LGBTQ rights.

Lawmakers approved the so-called Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill in February, drawing international condemnation despite gaining wide public support in the conservative West African country.

With elections in December to choose President Nana Akufo-Addo's successor, the issue of gay rights has increasingly come into the political spotlight, though Ghana's leader has yet to promulgate the law.

In a suit filed with the Supreme Court, Ghanaian broadcaster Richard Dela-Sky has challenged the constitutionality of the law.

The court's judges on Wednesday gave Dela Sky seven days to file a fresh motion with additional documents to challenge the anti-LGBTQ bill.

That case and a second one also challenging the law were adjourned to a later date.

In a rare move, Ghana's attorney general requested permission for live broadcast of the proceedings to allow more "transparency."

"It is my respectful view that the transparency to be engendered by a coverage of the proceedings would be in the best interest of the administration of justice," the attorney's office said in a letter.

It is very uncommon for Ghana's Supreme Court to hold public hearings. The last time the court allowed a live broadcast was a 2020 election petition filed by former President John Dramani Mahama.

Akufo-Addo has said he cannot sign off on the new law until legal challenges against it have been resolved.

The bill sparked criticism from several countries, including the United States, as well as concern from Ghana's finance ministry, which warned of a risk of losing billions of dollars in World Bank funding.

Ghana is emerging from its worst economic crisis in decades and is already under a $3 billion loan program from the International Monetary Fund.

The proposed legislation stipulates jail terms of six months to three years for engaging in LGBTQ sex and sentences of between three and five years for promoting or sponsoring LGBTQ activities.

Thirty African nations currently ban homosexuality, according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).
The United States said on Wednesday that a decision by a Hong Kong court to ban a popular protest song called Glory to Hong Kong is the latest blow to the city's international reputation.

"We remain seriously concerned about the continued erosion of protections for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, including freedom of expression," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Wednesday during a press briefing.

"The decision to ban this song is the latest blow to the international reputation of a city that previously prided itself on having an independent judiciary protecting the free exchange of information, ideas and goods," Miller added.

On May 8, the Court of Appeal of the High Court of Hong Kong granted an application by the authorities to ban Glory to Hong Kong, overturning a lower court judgment that had rejected such a ban due to its potential "chilling effects" on free speech.

In Beijing, Chinese officials justified the ruling by Hong Kongs Court of Appeal.

"Given its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security and the dignity of the national anthem, it is only legitimate and necessary for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to stop anyone from using and disseminating relevant songs to incite secession and insult the national anthem," Lin Jian, a spokesperson of Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Wednesday.

A popular protest song

Glory to Hong Kong emerged as an anthem for protesters during the massive anti-government protests in 2019.

Judge Jeremy Poon sided in favor of the government in his ruling Wednesday, saying the composer intended for the song to be used as a "weapon."

The ban covers anyone who either broadcasts or distributes the song with the intention of promoting Hong Kongs independence or misrepresents it as the citys official anthem.

The song has mistakenly been played at sporting events as the official anthem of Hong Kong. The city does not have its own anthem, instead using mainland Chinas official anthem, March of the Volunteers.

Judge Poons ruling overturned a previous decision issued last year by the High Court, which cited free speech concerns in its ruling. The government went to court last year to have the song banned after Google and other internet service providers refused to remove it from their search results.

The ban is the latest action taken by the government to silence dissenting voices since Beijing passed a sweeping security law for Hong Kong in 2020 in response to the protests. The law punishes anyone believed to be carrying out terrorism, separatism, subversion of state power or collusion with foreign forces.

Since the law took effect, hundreds of pro-democracy advocates have been arrested, tried and jailed, and the citys once-vibrant civil society has been stifled.

Jimmy Lai Way

In April, a U.S. congressional resolution was proposed to rename the address of the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in Washington "Jimmy Lai Way," in honor of the jailed democracy advocate and media entrepreneur.

The 76-year-old founder of the Hong Kong media group Next Digital, formerly Next Media, was jailed in December 2020 after authorities accused him of fraud.

Miller said Wednesday that the U.S. continues to monitor Lais case closely.

U.S. officials, citing attacks on press and speech freedoms by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities, have condemned the prosecution of Lai and urged Hong Kong authorities to immediately release him, as well as all others imprisoned for defending their rights.

Chinese officials and Hong Kong authorities, for their part, rejected the U.S. statement, labeling it as "a smear against press freedom in Hong Kong" and a move to embolden those who are anti-China and involved in destabilizing Hong Kong.

They said any attempt to "interfere in" Hong Kongs affairs in the name of press freedom is "doomed to fail."

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse.
Israeli troops seized control of Gazas vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday in what the White House described as a limited operation, as fears mount of a full-scale invasion of the southern city as talks with Hamas over a cease-fire and hostage release remain on a knife's edge. We talk to James Gelvin a professor in the department of history at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and has written extensively on the history of the modern Middle East. Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his two-day visit to France Tuesday  his first trip to Europe in five years. TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance are suing the U.S. And what is that sperm whale saying? Scientists say they may have found a path to understand their language.
Human rights in Pakistan took a nosedive and civic spaces contracted to an extraordinary degree in 2023 in the wake of violent political protests, the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said in a new report reviewing the past year.

This year was remarkable for the States blatant disregard for its own Constitution, adherence to a bare, notional democracy, and civic spaces having shrunk to an all-time low, said the report released Wednesday.

The document covers a wide range of human rights issues that weakened Pakistani democracy last year, from unelected caretaker governments exceeding their constitutionally mandated term to the parliament hastily passing laws including those granting more powers to security agencies.

Political repression

The commission said the human rights situation reached a new low on May 9, 2023, a defining day on which supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan stormed military and government installations to protest his arrest.

The state retaliated with a fierce crackdown and mass arrests of thousands of party workers and leaders, including women, the report said. Many [were] kept in military custody, not allowed to meet their families. Internet and social media shutdowns were imposed.

The report recorded at least 15 instances of internet services being shut down in the last year. Following the violence on May 9, government suspended internet services for nearly four days across much of Pakistan.

The HRCP said the authorities repeatedly banned gatherings of more than four people in a bid to restrict political activities.

Missing persons

According to HRCPs monitoring of media reports, 82 men and seven women were forcibly disappeared during 2023. The report said some of the disappearances were short-term, targeting political party members.

Referring to data provided by the governments Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, HRCP said nearly 2,300 cases of missing persons remained unresolved at the end of last year.

A weekslong protest movement led by Baloch women seeking recovery of missing family members returned empty-handed from Islamabad after talks with caretaker government officials stalled. The protesters were brutally dispersed upon arrival in the capital.

Baloch women were not even given the dignity of a conversation, said Munizae Jahangir, co-chairperson of the HRCP.

Holding security agencies responsible for enforced disappearances, the commissions chairperson, Asad Iqbal Butt, said the acts violated an array of civil rights.

The security agencies think they are friends of Pakistan, but whenever I have a meeting with them, I tell them, You are not a friend of Pakistan. You are engaging in animosity with Pakistan, Butt said.

He urged the courts to ask recovered victims of enforced disappearances to identify the agencies that detained them.

Unless those who pick people up are not brought to justice, unless they are punished, this problem cannot be resolved, Butt said, adding that the issue of enforced disappearances was hurting the publics trust in state institutions.

Militarys response

In a rare press conference a day earlier, military spokesperson Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry defended the crackdown on the Pakistan Tareek-e-Insaf Party, or PTI.



If, in any country, an attack is launched on its army, symbols of its martyrs are insulted, its founders house is set on fire, hatred is created between its army and public. And if the people behind it are not brought to justice, then there is a question mark on that countrys justice system, Chaudhry told the media.

The chief of Inter-Services Public Relations, Chaudhry supported PTIs demand for a judicial commission to probe the events of May 9. However, he said the commission should investigate the partys past attacks on government properties as well.

Calling PTI a group of anarchists, the military spokesperson demanded the party apologize publicly.

Speaking to reporters in court on Wednesday, Khan said he would not apologize.

I should be apologized to, as I have been arrested illegally, said Khan, who has been in jail since Aug. 5, 2023, on multiple corruption charges that he has denied.

While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Chaudhry said it was unfair to blame enforced disappearances on law enforcement agencies, since some allegedly missing persons are found to be involved in terrorism and other illegal activities or are in private jails run by local militias.

He said the issue was serious and complex but rejected the debate surrounding it as propaganda by certain political elements, media elements, NGOs and some with links overseas.

Here [in Pakistan] there is exaggerated propaganda on this issue, Chaudhry said, arguing that the scope of the problem in Pakistan was smaller than in many other countries.

Butt on Wednesday dismissed Chaudhrys assertions as foolish, saying men in uniform were seen abducting people.

Jahangir called for stronger legislation to determine the mandate of security agencies. She urged the government to ratify the United Nations International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
A court in Argentina is hearing evidence of genocide in the 2017 murder and rape of tens of thousands of Rohingya people and may soon issue international arrest warrants against members of the Myanmar military, according to a legal representative of the Rohingya complainants.

The complaint was filed under the principle of universal jurisdiction enshrined in Argentinas constitution, which holds that some crimes are so heinous that alleged perpetrators thousands of miles away can be tried, according to Radio Free Asia.

The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority group, had faced persecution and discrimination in Myanmar for decades before the 2017 rampage by the Myanmar army, which forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. Myanmar's ruling military is also facing proceedings at the International Court of Justice for genocide, while the International Criminal Court investigates war crimes.

In a recent interview with VOA, Argentine human rights lawyer and former U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar Tomas Ojea Quintana welcomed progress in the case but emphasized the importance of international support to bring justice and heightened action to prevent future human rights abuses.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

VOA: As the legal representative for the Rohingya in the case being heard by an Argentine court, could you provide us with some insight into the significance of this landmark hearing and its potential impact on seeking justice for the Rohingya?

Argentine human rights lawyer Tomas Ojea Quintana: For the Rohingya community, the Argentinian case is very important. It's a case which is based on the principle of universal jurisdiction that guarantees the right to access to a court of law to victims and survivors of crimes against humanity, or genocide. And this is what actually happened in Argentina, Buenos Aires. An investigation has been opened to investigate the 2017 genocide in Rakhine state against the Rohingya.

Even though there are a lot of logistical challenges, the court has started to produce evidence. In fact, they had an in-person hearing of seven Rohingya survivors of the 2017 genocide who traveled to Buenos Aires and gave testimony in front of the court. That was a really important hearing, both because the Argentinian court had the chance to get in contact with real victims of the genocide, and for the victims because they had the chance to speak out about the atrocities that they suffered. It was actually an act of reparation for victims to have the opportunity to tell the court what happened to them.

So now the court is analyzing the evidence and, as in an ordinary criminal investigation, the next steps will be for the court to summon the perpetrators to the Argentinian court. One way that the Argentinian court can summon the accused persons is by issuing international arrest warrants.

It is important to say that the United Nations, the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, a body which is based in Geneva and mandated as a repository of evidence  this U.N. body has been engaged with, and is providing information to the Argentinian court. Now, the case in Argentina has important evidence and, as the attorneys of the Rohingya people  the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK which is behind this case  we are considering, at some point in the future, that the court might issue international warrants. So, we are working on this important goal for this year.

VOA: Since that case was filed in 2019 with the Argentinian court, the Myanmar military has said they dont care about international warrants and that they wont cooperate with the case at all. So, what do you see as the next steps?

Quintana: We definitely knew that the government, or the junta, would not cooperate with the Argentinian court; but if and when the international arrest warrants are issued by the Argentinian court, we are proposing that a notification is sent all over the world about these international arrest warrants  to the United Nations, but also to ASEAN, to the Association of Southeast Asian Countries Organization, to the Organization of Islamic Countries, to the European Union, to the International Court of Justice, to the International Criminal Court; but also to those states that have imposed targeted sanctions against individuals from Myanmar.

We have to go step by step, and the first step is that international arrest warrants are issued and this will be, of course, a message to the Rohingya and to the other people in Myanmar who are suffering the crimes of the military junta that the international community will not forget what happened, and that they will use all instruments that are at hand to pursue justice.

VOA: Now you are in the United States. What support for this case have you seen from the international community, for example, the United Nations and organizations like the IIMM (the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar), and what has been the response to the case from countries like China and Russia?

Quintana: The U.S. has been really showing interest in the case and we look forward to having more support from other members of the international community. We haven't reached out to the Chinese or Russian governments, but our idea is to reach out to everyone, because when you talk about genocide, political interests cannot be argued, and not even cultural dimensions. A genocide is a genocide. The next step is accountability. You mentioned the IIMM and, as I mentioned before, the United Nations through this body has been very supportive to the case as well.

VOA: There has been a recent escalation of violence in Rakhine State between the military and the Arakan Army, as well as growing tension between the Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine communities. U.N. Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk has warned of a grave threat to civilians in Rakhine State and expressed concern that past atrocities may be repeated. So how do you assess the risks faced by vulnerable communities such as the Rohingya in this situation?

Quintana: It's extremely serious. There is a risk that what happened in 2017, where all the world witnessed the worst atrocities committed in Rohingya villages, in different townships, all at the same time, all coordinated with the same patterns of abuses against men, but also women, using gang rape as an instrument of genocide, and also committing crimes against children. There is a risk that something similar could happen, and I agree with the High Commissioner. What is required at this point in time is a reaction from the international community. Even though we welcome good statements about what's happening there, the U.N. Security Council has not been taking real action, which is required here. The case in Argentina is a single small initiative towards justice, but it's real and it's important for the Rohingya community. It gives them hope in their struggle for justice, and in their struggle to improve their situation on the ground in Rakhine State.
Friction between Japan and Russia will likely escalate amidst the burgeoning Ukraine war, with the decades-long land conflicts showing no sign of thawing.

The Kremlin recently banned non-Russian vessels from waters near the Kuril Islands  known in Japan as the Northern Territories  currently occupied by Russia but claimed by Japan.

Tokyo saw the move as part of a series of Moscow threats after the recent security alliance between the United States and Japan.

There will be further retaliation from Moscow against Japan, according to James DJ Brown, professor of political science at Japans Temple University.

The Putin regime feels an obligation to retaliate against what it regards as unfriendly actions by Japan, Brown told VOA News. Every time Tokyo does something more to assist Ukraine or to strengthen military ties with the United States, Moscow takes some measures to punish Japan.

He said that as Japan is likely to introduce further sanctions to support Kyiv, Moscows retaliation is all but guaranteed.

The retaliatory measures arent just targeting Tokyo. A Russian man residing in the Kuril Islands was warned in March by a Russian court over his remarks to Japanese media that the territory had belonged to Japan in the past.

Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would visit the Kuril Islands, putting a damper on hopes for negotiations over sovereignty that both countries have attempted for decades.

Land disputes run deep

Russia and Japans competing claims over the four islands off the northeast coast of Hokkaido  Japan's second-largest island  date back to at least the 19th century. Near the end of WWII, the then Soviet Union started fully occupying the Kuril Islands.

Japan claimed that the Soviet Union incorporated them without any legal grounds and refused to sign a peace treaty. Tokyo said about 17,000 Japanese residents were deported from the islands. The Russian public, Brown said, view the Kuril Islands as reward for the sacrifices of the Soviet people during the war.

The two countries have held talks off and on for decades to reach an agreement but to no avail.

The conflict eased in 2016, when the two countries agreed on joint economic activities including tourism projects on the islands, as well as visa-free visits for Japanese citizens.

Two years later, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe proposed a split of the four islands, returning two islands to Japan, but Putin rejected it. Akihiro Iwashita, professor of the Slavic-Eurasian Research Center at Japans Hokkaido University, called this Putins failed diplomacy toward Japan that eventually led to Tokyo taking a more hardline approach against Moscow.

If Putin had shown goodwill to Japan, negotiating with Shinzo Abe for the peace treaty, Japan would not have taken a critical position over the Ukraine war, Iwashita told VOA News. Remember Japans hesitation to sanction Russia after its 2014 aggression against Ukraine? Japan now does not need to restrain its policy towards Russia.

Tensions over the Ukraine war

Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow put all peace treaty talks with Japan on hold and suspended the previously agreed economic activities and visa-free visits to the islands for Japanese citizens. This followed Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas siding with Ukraine in the war, with Kishida calling the suspension extremely unjust.

Japan has been providing assistance to Ukraine against Russias invasion, including supplying Patriot air defense systems last year. Kishida was the first Japanese leader to visit an active war zone, to show solidarity with Ukraine and the U.S.

Moscow warned of grave consequences for its ties with Tokyo. That did not stop Japan from pledging $4.5 billion in aid to war-torn Ukraine last December, including $1 billion for humanitarian purposes.

Japans aid to Ukraine has affected residents of Hokkaido. A survey conducted by Hokkaido authorities and the Hokkaido Shimbun last year showed that over half of the respondents near the Russia-Japan border in the north felt a negative effect of the Ukraine war on local life, including reduction in fishing activities and trade, and human contacts.

In October last year, Russia banned all seafood imports from Japan, citing Tokyos release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Moscow used the pretense of the threat of radiation from treatment water from the Fukushima plant. In reality, it was an attempt by Moscow to punish Japan for its support for Ukraine, Brown said.

In the survey, many also said they cannot foresee a solution for the northern territories, but a majority said they support Tokyos policy against Russia.

Both experts said Russia does not currently pose a military threat to Japan. Brown said, the Russian military is present on the disputed islands, but their role is to defend the Sea of Okhotsk, which is important as a bastion for Russian nuclear submarines. It does not have the capabilities on the islands to launch an amphibious assault on Hokkaido.

Peace treaty negotiations are expected to continue to be frozen for the foreseeable future, despite Kishidas calls for their resumption in February this year.

Kishida is displaying diplomatic goodwill towards Russia, but with no expectations of it being reciprocatedThere is little room to fill the interest gap between the two, said Iwashita.

He added that Russias pressure on Japan will not lead to any results.
Kenyan public hospital doctors on Wednesday signed a return to work agreement with the government meant to end a strike that started in mid-March, union and government officials said.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which represents more than 7,000 members, went on strike on March 15 to demand payment of their salary arrears and the immediate hiring of trainee doctors, among other grievances.

Television footage showed the union's officials and senior government officials shaking hands after signing the documents.

"We have signed a return to work formula and the union has called off the strike," said Susan Nakhumicha, the minister of health.

The doctors' arrears arose from a 2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the union said. Doctors were also demanding the provision of adequate medical insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents.

"One thing we must assure everybody, every doctor, every person that the rights of workers as enshrined in the collective bargaining agreement that is signed is that it is sacrosanct, we will always endeavor to protect that," said Dhavji Atellah, KMPDU's secretary general.

He said the hiring of interns demand was still pending in court, but it was agreed they would be posted within 60 days.

The government had said it cannot afford to hire the trainee doctors due to financial pressure on the public purse.

The Kenyan health sector, which doctors say is underfunded and understaffed, is routinely beset by strikes.

A strike in 2017 lasted three months, and some doctors in individual hospitals downed their tools at various times during the COVID-19 pandemic to protest lack of personal protective equipment and other grievances.

The end of the strike will provide relief to those seeking services, especially following heavy rains and flooding that has killed 257 people since March, and displaced 293,661 people.

"We will wish they can go back in the next few minutes because we really want our health to be back on track," said Muthomi Njuki, the governor of Tharaka Nithi County, citing cholera cases that have arisen in some parts of the country.

Another group of health workers, clinical officers, are still on strike.
Myanmar's junta on Wednesday denied a request by former Cambodian leader Hun Sen for talks with democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained since a 2021 coup.

Suu Kyi has largely been hidden from view since the military detained her as they seized power in a putsch that has plunged the country into turmoil.

The junta has rebuffed numerous requests by foreign leaders and diplomats to meet the Nobel laureate, 78, who has reportedly suffered health problems during more than three years in detention.

On Tuesday Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades before stepping down last year, said he had requested a meeting with Suu Kyi during video talks with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.

But the junta had "no reason to facilitate it at this moment," junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said in an audio message released by the military's information team.

The military would hold promised and much-delayed fresh elections "without fail," he said, without giving details.

"We are going to avoid matters which can delay or disturb future processes."

Since her detention Suu Kyi's only known encounter with a foreign envoy came in July last year, when the then Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai said he had met her for over an hour.

Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence imposed by a junta court after a trial condemned by rights groups as a sham to shut her out of politics.

Last month the junta said she was being "given necessary care" as temperatures in the military-built capital Naypyidaw, where she is believed to be detained, hit around 40 degrees celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

Zaw Min Tun also addressed Thai media reports that former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra had recently held talks with several Myanmar ethnic armed groups operating along their shared border.

Some of those groups have given shelter and military training to those fighting the junta's coup and have themselves clashed regularly with the military.

"We assume that encouraging terrorist groups which destroy Myanmar interests is not appropriate," Zaw Min Tun said.

The military launched its coup citing unsubstantiated claims of massive electoral fraud in 2020 elections won resoundingly by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD).

It has pushed back a timetable to hold fresh polls several times.

In March junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said it may not be able to hold polls nationwide as it struggles to crush opposition to its rule.
Two alleged poachers were recently shot to death by Namibian law enforcement officials who say the men had opened fire on police while being pursued for suspected poaching in the Etosha National Park.

A press release issued by the Namibian police on Friday said that an exchange of gunfire at the Etosha National Park earlier that week led to the death of two suspected poachers. They were pursued for more than 60 kilometers (37.2 miles) and opened fire on the police, resulting in them returning fire that led to their deaths.

A Namibian activist says poverty and inequality lead to wildlife crime. But police say they may shoot at anyone who brings guns into the park, where weapons are banned.

Namibia has seen a recent surge in rhino poaching, with 28 rhinos killed in the first four months of this year, compared to seven in the same period of 2023.

The police commander for Etosha National Park, Theopolina Nashikaku, said officers will not hesitate to use deadly force against suspected poachers.

"Only authorized personnel, and only authorized security personnel are permitted to carry firearms," said Nashikaku. "So, if we meet you being the person who wants to carry firearms in that restricted environment, if we just meet you trying to cross the boundary into the national park or if we find you inside the park off course, we shall assist you to return to your maker."

Poverty fuels crimes

Michael Amushelelo, a Namibian activist and commissar for Economic Development of the Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters, a political party in Namibia, said the high levels of poverty and inequality fuel wildlife crime.

"You cannot tell me that you have an entire army, you have an entire police force, you have a directorate of ranger parks but still our wildlife are still being killed like there is no one protecting them," Amushelelo said.

Romeo Muyunda, the spokesperson of the environment ministry tasked with the protection of Namibia's wildlife, said the killing of the suspects is an isolated incident that doesn't take into account the many arrests that are made without the suspects being harmed.

"This incident is isolated," Muyunda said. "I am sure this is the first of many that one [may] have heard [of] in Namibia, happening in Namibia. That means that we have been apprehending poachers sometimes in the park sometimes outside the park without fire."
North Macedonia elected its first woman president Wednesday as the governing Social Democrats suffered historic losses in twin presidential and parliamentary elections.

Conservative-backed Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, a 70-year-old law professor, was declared the winner after receiving nearly 65% support with more than two-thirds of the vote counted in a presidential runoff.

"Is there a bigger change than electing a woman as president?" Siljanovska-Davkova told party supporters. "I will stand with women in taking this great step forward, a step towards reform."

Incumbent Stevo Pendarovski conceded after garnering just more than 29% of the vote.

Siljanovska-Davkova was backed by the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, which made sweeping gains on popular discontent over the country's slow path toward European Union membership and its sluggish economy.

A coalition led by VMRO-DPMNE was ahead with nearly 43% in the parliamentary election, while the Social Democrat-led coalition that has held power for the least seven years struggled to hold onto second place with 14.8.%, just ahead of a group of parties led by the ethnic Albanian minority party DUI.

Celebrations in the capital Skopje were muted by a thunderstorm that caused power outages.

The conservative landslide win will be followed by power sharing talks for control of the 120-seat parliament. But Social Democrat leader Dimitar Kovachevski, who served as prime minister from 2022 until early this year, conceded his party's defeat late Wednesday in the parliamentary election and announced that he would stand down after a new leader is selected by the party.

Victory for Siljanovska-Davkova makes her the first woman to hold the largely ceremonial post of president since the country gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

The monthlong campaign focused on North Macedonia's slow progress toward joining the 27-nation EU, the rule of law, corruption, fighting poverty and tackling the country's flat economic growth.

VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski headed a 22-party coalition called "Your Macedonia" that accused opponents of ineptitude and making humiliating compromises in trying to settle disputes with North Macedonia's neighbors.

Mickoski, 46, told supporters that the incoming conservative-led government would make fighting corruption its priority.

"Every last person who committed a crime and committed corruption will be held accountable," he said. "The people have taught the government its most important lesson and saved their country. ... We have regained hope and tonight we have reason to celebrate."

NATO member North Macedonia has been a candidate to join the EU since 2005 but was blocked by successive disputes with neighbors Greece and Bulgaria as well as slow progress on some reforms required for membership to advance.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia are also seeking membership.

Skopje resident Gordana Gerasimovski said she was disappointed that the country had been waiting for so long to join the EU but hoped for real progress now.

"We should have been part of the European Union a long time ago," she said. "This is what we are lacking, but we hope that with time we will get to where we have wanted to be for so long."

More than 2,300 domestic and international observers were authorized to monitor the election.
Police in Washington cleared a pro-Palestinian protest encampment at George Washington University early Wednesday, arresting 33 people, authorities said.

Arrests were made on charges of assault on a police officer and unlawful entry, the District of Columbia's Metropolitan Police Department said.

A congressional committee canceled a hearing on the university encampment Wednesday. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith had been scheduled to testify about the citys handling of the protest before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

University parents and faculty members gathered Wednesday afternoon for a press conference to condemn the handling of the protests by police and school leaders.

The university clearly does not value the students at all and has endangered the safety of our children by unleashing officers dressed in full riot gear to assault and spray our children in their eyes with pepper spray, said Hala Amer, whose son participated in the campus protests.

Police said they dispersed demonstrators because "there has been a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest."

American University professor Barbara Wien said she stayed in the encampment with GW students. She described the student protesters as democratic and peaceful.

Police started to shut down the tent encampment after dozens of protesters marched to GW President Ellen Granberg's on-campus home on Tuesday night. Police were called, but no arrests were made.

Speakers at the conference called for Granbergs resignation because, they alleged, she refused to meet and negotiate with student protesters.

You keep inciting violence and ignoring the students, Amer said about Granberg in an interview with VOA after the conference. It will just lead to more violence. You need to talk to your students.

GW officials warned students that they could be suspended for engaging in protests at the schools University Yard, an outdoor spot on the campus.

"While the university is committed to protecting students' rights to free expression, the encampment had evolved into an unlawful activity, with participants in direct violation of multiple university policies and city regulations," a GW statement said.

More than 2,600 people have been arrested at universities across the country in pro-Palestinian protests, according to The Associated Press.

Students are calling on their university administrations to divest investments from Israel or companies with ties to Israel. Demonstrators have gathered in at least 50 campuses since April 17, carrying signs that read "Free Palestine" and "Hands off Rafah."

Rafah is Gazas southernmost city, where most of the territorys population has clustered. The area is also a corridor for bringing humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory.

Israel seized the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing on Tuesday, while shutting off the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing, drawing criticism from humanitarian groups. Israel said Wednesday that it had reopened Kerem Shalom.

The nationwide campus protests started in response to Israel's offensive in Gaza that began after Hamas launched a terror attack on Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages.

More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's offensive, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel warned it could "deepen" its operation in Rafah if talks failed to secure the release of the hostages.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press.
The Israeli military said Wednesday it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, but the United Nations said no humanitarian aid had yet entered the Palestinian territory as no one was present to receive it after workers left the area because of Israeli attacks near there.

The Kerem Shalom crossing was closed last weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers. On Tuesday, an Israeli tank brigade seized the nearby Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, also forcing its closure.

The two crossings are the main points of entry for humanitarian aid -- food, medicine and other supplies -- into Gaza, the narrow territory along the Mediterranean Sea where 2.3 million Palestinians live. More than half that population crowded into the southern reaches of Gaza to escape fighting in the northern part of the enclave during the earliest weeks of the seven-month-long Israel-Hamas war.

Israeli attacks on southern Gaza did not appear to be the start of the full-scale invasion of the city of Rafah that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly promised to root out four remaining Hamas battalions there.

But aid officials have warned that any prolonged closure of the two crossings could cause the collapse of aid operations in Gaza, where the U.N. says a "full-blown famine" is already under way in the north.

The Rafah crossing has been vital for humanitarian aid since the start of the war in October and is the only place that people can enter and exit Gaza. Kerem Shalom is Gaza's main cargo terminal.

Meanwhile, there were new calls Wednesday for Israel to avoid an all-out attack on Rafah, with Qatar and the African Union expressing concern about an escalating humanitarian crisis.

Qatar has been among the leading mediators seeking to secure a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas, and on Wednesday it said any forcible displacement of civilians from Rafah would be a serious violation of international law.

A statement issued by Qatars foreign ministry condemned Israeli strikes on Rafah and called for urgent international action to prevent Israeli forces from invading the city.

African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat called on the international community to work together to stop a deadly escalation of the conflict into Rafah, noting the areas importance as a corridor for bringing humanitarian aid into Gaza.

U.N. relief chief Martin Griffiths said closing the Rafah crossing cut off access to fuel and the ability for aid workers to cross into Gaza.

Israeli leaders say a military operation in Rafah is necessary to achieve their goals of securing the release of hostages still held in Gaza and defeating Hamas.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday an assault on Rafah would be a "strategic mistake, a political calamity, and a humanitarian nightmare" at a time when famine is looming over northern Gaza.

"It would be tragic if weeks of intense diplomatic activity for peace in Gaza yields no cease-fire, no release of hostages, and a devastating offensive in Rafah," he told reporters at the United Nations.

He urged both the Israeli government and Hamas to show "the political courage" to secure a deal and stop the bloodshed and urged countries with influence over the parties to use it.

The World Health Organization says about 1.2 million people are sheltering in Rafah, and more than half of them are children. Many came from other parts of Gaza, fleeing in search of safety and shelter as Israel's campaign against Hamas left much of the Gaza Strip in ruins.

The Israel-Hamas war was triggered by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials. About 100 of the hostages were freed in a week-long truce in late November.

Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 34,700 Palestinians, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory. The Israeli military says the death toll includes thousands of Hamas fighters it has killed.

VOA's Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Tuesday condemned Russias brutal crackdown on journalists, which he says has been increasing since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The continuous attacks on free speech and the criminalization of independent journalism in Russia are very troubling, Turk said in a prepared statement that called for the release of journalists detained solely for doing their jobs.

The U.N. human rights office says the number of imprisoned journalists in Russia has reached an all-time high since Moscow began its war of aggression in Ukraine, noting that at least 30 journalists are currently detained on a variety of criminal charges.

The charges include terrorism, extremism, spying, treason, extortion, violating the provisions of the law on foreign agents, inciting mass disturbances, illegal possession of explosives and illegal possession of drugs.

Turk, who expressed concern about the frequent use of the broad legislative framework to combat terrorism and extremism, called on Russian authorities to amend the legislation in compliance with international human rights law.

U.N. officials report 12 of the 30 jailed reporters are serving sentences ranging from five-and-a-half to 22 years in prison.

Since March, at least seven journalists have faced administrative or criminal charges, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the high commissioner, told journalists Tuesday in Geneva.

She observed that all seven are Russian journalists who have faced the charges for criticism of Russias actions in Ukraine or for alleged links to the late opposition politician Alexey Navalny, and his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which Russia labeled extremist in 2021.

According to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index produced by Paris-based Reporters Without Borders, Russia ranked 162nd out of 180 countries. Commenting on the designation, authors of the annual report said that Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was unsurprisingly reelected in 2024, continues to wage a war in Ukraine that has had a big impact on the media ecosystem and journalists safety.

The latest report by the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists finds Russia holds a disproportionate number of foreign reporters in its jails, noting that 12 of the 17 foreign nationals currently detained worldwide are held by Russia.

Two are U.S. citizens. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been held in pre-trial detention by Russia since March 2023 on charges of espionage, while Alsu Kurmasheva of VOA sister network Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has been detained since October 2023 for failing to register as a foreign agent. Both detainees and their employers vehemently reject the charges as bogus and politically motivated.

The 10 other foreign journalists imprisoned by Russia are from Ukraine, including five Crimean Tatars.

Russia is a place where it is very risky to be a journalist these days if you are reporting on issues that are very sensitive to the authorities, Shamdasani said. What is worrying us is the lack of transparency.

The fact that independent journalists are being cracked down on leads to a level of uncertainty and facilitates a climate of misinformation, disinformation, chaos and panic for people who do not know what their rights are in these circumstances, she said.

U.N. human rights chief Turk is calling for an immediate end to the intense crackdown on journalists independent work, describing the right to inform as a critical component of the right to freedom of expression [that] needs to be upheld.

Journalists should be able to work in a safe environment without fear of reprisals in line with Russias international human rights obligations, he said.
Ukrainian officials said Wednesday a massive Russian aerial attack that included 55 missiles and 21 drones damaged a power generation facility in the Lviv region of western Ukraine.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private electricity company, said Russian missiles inflicted serious damage on three of the companys six thermal power plants in Ukraine.

Maksym Kozytskyi, the regional governor of Lviv, said on Telegram that Russian cruise missiles struck the generation facility in the Chervonohrad district as well as a critical energy infrastructure site in the Stryi district.

There were no reports of casualties.

Andriy Rakovych, the regional governor of central Ukraines Korovohrad region, reported one person injured and 13 homes destroyed in a Russian missile attack.

Officials in Vinnytsia also reported a Russian strike in attacks targeting critical infrastructure facilities.

Ukraines air force said the countrys air defenses shot down 39 of the 55 missiles and 20 of the 21 drones.

The attack came a day after Ukrainian counterintelligence investigators said they thwarted a plan by Russian agents to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other high-level officials.

Ukraines state security service said two colonels in the State Guard of Ukraine, which protects top officials, were arrested on suspicion of treason for enacting the plan. A state security service statement said the plot was drawn up by Russias Federal Security Service.

Russia did not immediately comment on the reports, which indicate that the colonels were recruited prior to Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.


Turkeys decision last week to stop all trade with Israel until Israeli leaders reach a permanent cease-fire in Gaza is likely to hit Israels economy hard. Adding to those concerns are signs Turkey is encouraging other nations in the Islamic world to do the same. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.
U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said cooperation from Iran regarding its nuclear program is "completely unsatisfactory." Grossi made the statement Tuesday after attending a nuclear conference in Iran.

Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, urged Iran to adopt concrete measures to address concerns surrounding the Islamic Republic's rapidly advancing atomic program.

Iran and IAEA are still negotiating a 2023 deal to expand inspections of the country's nuclear program.

"We have to be moving on," Grossi told reporters Tuesday in Vienna. "The present state is completely unsatisfactory for me. We are almost at an impasse ... and this needs to be changed."

Grossi warned in January that Iran has amassed enough highly enriched uranium for several nuclear bombs if it chooses to build them. He said the agency cannot guarantee whether Iran's centrifuges are being used for secret enrichment.

"The level of inspection [in Iran] is not at the level we should have," Grossi told Sky News last month.

Grossi spoke alongside Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, at Tuesday's news conference in the city of Isfahan.

Grossi said he and Eslami attempted to agree on "tangible measures" Iran could take in compliance with a March 2023 joint statement between Iran and the IAEA.

That statement included a pledge by Iran to resolve questions about potential undeclared nuclear activity, allowing the IAEA to "implement further appropriate verification and monitoring activities."

"The important point is that Mr. Grossi takes the necessary actions to settle the problems that are mainly political," Eslami said.

Tensions have heightened between the IAEA and Iran since 2018 when former U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the nuclear deal between Tehran and a group including China, France, Germany, Russia, the U.K. and the European Union. Iran has since abandoned the deal's limits on its nuclear program.

IAEA surveillance cameras have been disrupted, while Iran has barred some of the agency's most experienced inspectors from its nuclear facilities.

Grossi said he wants an agreement to be reached within a month.

"I certainly expect to start having some concrete results soon," he told reporters in Vienna.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
The U.S. has paused some arms shipments to Israel because of actions Israel has taken in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and discussion about the strategic significance of closing the border crossing there. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was the target of a foiled assassination plot as his country commemorates World War II amid shelling of its civilian infrastructure. President Biden addresses the rise of antisemitism globally and in the U.S. as an American Jewish charity raises money for Gazans. A town in northern Libya is rebuilding after devastating floods.
Hard-line Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stunned colleagues Wednesday by calling for a vote to oust Speaker Mike Johnson. Lawmakers quickly rejected it.

Greene pressed ahead with her long-shot effort despite pushback from Republicans at the highest levels tired of the political chaos.

One of Donald Trump's biggest supporters in Congress, Greene stood on the House floor and read a long list of what she called transgressions that Johnson had committed as speaker. Colleagues booed in protest.

It was the second time in a matter of months that Republicans have tried to oust their own speaker, an unheard-of level of party turmoil with a move rarely seen in U.S. history.

Greene of Georgia criticized Johnson's leadership as "pathetic, weak and unacceptable."

Republican lawmakers filtered toward Johnson, giving him pats on the back and grasping his shoulder to assure him of their support.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise quickly moved to table the effort  essentially stopping it from going forward. The motion to table was swiftly approved.

The Georgia Republican had vowed she would force a vote on the motion to vacate the Republican speaker if he dared to advance a foreign aid package with funds for Ukraine, which was overwhelmingly approved late last month and signed into law.

Johnson of Louisiana said he had been willing to take the risk, believing it was important for the U.S. to back Ukraine against Russia's invasion and explaining he wanted to be on the "right side of history."

"I just have to do my job every day," Johnson said Monday.

In a highly unusual move, the speaker received a boost from Democrats led by Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, whose leadership team had said it was time to "turn the page" on the Republican turmoil and vote to table Greene's resolution  almost ensuring Johnson's job is saved, for now.

Trump also weighed in after Johnson trekked to Mar-a-Lago for a visit, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee giving the speaker his nod of approval. And Trump's hand-picked leader at the Republican National Committee urged House Republicans off the move.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation must make sweeping changes to address widespread sexual harassment and other misconduct, according to an independent report released on Tuesday that raises questions about the future of the banking regulator's leadership.

The report, prompted by a Wall Street Journal investigation, cited accounts from more than 500 people, including some who alleged FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg had engaged in bullying and verbal abuse.

Overall, the report by law firm Cleary Gottlieb paints a picture of an agency at which sexual harassment, racial discrimination and bullying were pervasive at every level and tolerated by senior leaders for years, while complaints about misconduct were met with retaliation.

"For far too many employees and for far too long, the FDIC has failed to provide a workplace safe from sexual harassment, discrimination, and other interpersonal misconduct," the report said, adding that those accused of misconduct were frequently reassigned new roles.

Underscoring the agency's toxic culture, officials tasked with addressing the problems exposed by the WSJ reports were themselves the subject of misconduct claims, the Cleary Gottlieb report found.

The findings sparked renewed calls for the ouster of Gruenberg, a Democrat who has been a senior leader at the agency for nearly two decades.

Representative Patrick McHenry, a Republican who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, called for Gruenberg's resignation following the report, saying it made clear the agency needs new leadership.

"The FDIC needs to be fixed. The women and men who work there deserve better, Sherrod Brown, chair of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, said in a statement. Chair Gruenberg must accept responsibility and must immediately work to make fundamental changes to the agency and its culture."

Some employees described Gruenberg as "harsh" and "aggressive," as well as prone to losing his temper, the report said. In speaking with investigators, Gruenberg said he never recalled acting inappropriately. The report said some employees reported positive interactions with him and saw his nature as more "prosecutorial."

In a statement to staff, Gruenberg said the report was "sobering" and he vowed to implement its recommendations.

He said he was ultimately responsible for everything that happened at the agency and apologized for any shortcomings. "I again want to express how very sorry I am," he added.

The report recommends the appointment of new officials devoted to changing the FDIC's culture and hiring an independent third party to assist in the transition, although it did not consider whether top leaders should resign.

It also called on the agency to establish an anonymous hotline to report misconduct and abuse, develop a more timely and transparent process for handling complaints, and take steps to ensure victims are protected and supported.

While the report found that Gruenberg's aggressive conduct was not a root cause of the more severe issues at the agency, it was skeptical of his ability to oversee the necessary dramatic overhaul.

"As the FDIC faces a crisis relating to its workplace culture, Chairman Gruenbergs reputation raises questions about the credibility of the leaderships response to the crisis and the 'moral authority' to lead a cultural transformation," the report stated.

The departure of Gruenberg, who was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022, could imperil the administration's efforts to impose stricter financial rules, including a pending regulatory proposal on bank capital requirements, which has sparked a backlash from Republicans and industry representatives.

A White House spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

If Gruenberg steps down or is removed, agency bylaws stipulate that FDIC Vice Chair Travis Hill, a Republican, take over, and the agency's board would be evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.
The U.S. Army has confirmed that a U.S. soldier was arrested last week during an unauthorized visit to the Russian far eastern port city of Vladivostok, one of two recently detained Americans in Russia.

Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said Tuesday Staff Sergeant Gordon C. Black had been stationed in South Korea and signed out on permanent change of station leave on April 10 en route to Fort Cavazos, Texas. Instead of returning to the continental United States, Black flew through China to Vladivostok for personal reasons.

Black did not request official clearance, and [the Department of Defense] did not authorize his travel to China and Russia, Smith added.

U.S. officials told VOA he appeared to have traveled to Russia to see a woman whom he was romantically involved with.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Tuesday the Army is investigating the incident and that any leave to Russia was strictly prohibited, according to the Department of Defenses foreign clearance guide.

The White House said on Tuesday it confirmed two separate cases" of U.S. citizens being detained in Russia, without identifying the second detainee.

Russian officials identified the second American as William Russell Nycum. He was detained 10 days ago in Moscow on petty hooliganism and alcohol charges, according to the Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti.

"The State Department is actively seeking consular access to both individuals, neither of whom are in Russia on behalf or in affiliation with the U.S. government," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

A Russian Ministry of Interior official informed the U.S. Embassy in Moscow on May 3 that Black was arrested a day earlier in Vladivostok for theft of personal property. Smith said the Army has no further information about the charge at this time and that Black will remain in a pretrial detention facility until his next hearing.

According to RFE/RL a TikTok account of Blacks romantic partner, Vladivostok native Aleksandra Vashchuk, contains numerous videos of the couple together in South Korea. In one video, Black is wearing his U.S. Army fatigues and kisses the camera of a woman, presumably Vashchuk, as she speaks in Russian.

RFE/RL says Vashchuk refers to Black as her husband and affectionately as pindos, a Russian slang word for Americans that roughly translates to Yankee punk.

The Associated Press reports that unnamed officials say Black is accused of stealing from his girlfriend.

The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Michael McCaul, said he is "deeply concerned" by reports of the detainment.

"Putin has a long history of holding American citizens hostage," McCaul said in a post shared on X. "A warning to all Americans  as the State Department has said, it is not safe to travel to Russia."

Among those being held are journalists Alsu Kurmasheva of RFE/RL and Evan Gershkovich of The Wall Street Journal, who have been detained on charges that they, their employers and their supporters reject as politically motivated.

Also being held is Paul Whelan, who in 2020 was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges, which he and the U.S. government have repeatedly rejected.
The Biden administrations apparent willingness to engage North Korea is causing a rare public rift with one of Washingtons key allies in Asia over how to achieve Pyongyangs denuclearization.

Last week, the two allies, on separate occasions, showed differences about whether to consider interim steps toward North Koreas complete denuclearization.

South Korean national security adviser Chang Ho-jin said, U.S. senior officials confirmed several times that there are no such thing as interim steps toward denuclearization. He made the remarks in an interview with South Korean media outlet KBS, aired on April 27.

A U.S. National Security Council spokesperson confirmed in an email to VOAs Korean Service on April 30 that by saying that the United States is willing to consider interim steps, we are making clear that we recognize that building trust with the DPRK and making progress toward denuclearization will take time.

The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) is North Koreas official name.

In response to the NSC spokespersons comments, a South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson told VOA Korean on May 1 that Changs remarks reaffirm that the U.S. will not put aside complete denuclearization while it settles for a stopgap measure limiting [negotiations] to a nuclear freeze in return for sanctions relief.

Taking interim steps toward denuclearization involves reciprocal concessions or corresponding measures that both sides are willing to make to reach that goal.

Interim steps toward denuclearization are not a new approach. The approach was tried and failed by the former Clinton and George W. Bush administrations when North Korea was engaged in negotiations with the U.S.

In March of this year, senior U.S. officials expressed Washingtons interest in considering interim steps amid talks that remained stalled with Pyongyang since October 2019.

A State Department spokesperson told VOA Korean in April that it made multiple attempts to communicate with North Korean officials, but that Pyongyang has not shown interest in engaging.

Experts said Seoul is concerned that Washingtons mention of interim steps and measures that could be included in those steps, especially threat reduction, could hinder Pyongyang from making a commitment toward complete denuclearization in future negotiations.

Andrew Yeo, the SK-Korea Foundation chair in Korea Studies at Brookings Institutions Center for Asia Policy Studies, said, Seoul prefers not to engage in any diplomatic negotiations without a DPRK commitment to denuclearization and wants to appear resolute.

Washington has signaled to North Korea that its willing to be more flexible when it comes to restarting diplomatic engagement with North Korea. Seoul may not want to give the appearance of that flexibility so is perhaps denying any legitimacy behind an interim steps approach, he added.

Seoul has taken a tough stance on North Korea under President Yoon Suk Yeol since he took office two years ago by focusing on deterrence and alignment with Washington and U.S.-led trilateral security cooperation with Japan.

Evans Revere, a State Department official with extensive experience negotiating with North Korea, said some critics and officials in Seoul and Tokyo are worried that the U.S. will focus on other goals Washington mentioned such as confidence building and tension reduction rather than on denuclearization.

There is also concern that Washington may be prepared to engage in arms control talks with Pyongyang  a move that would generate deep concern among U.S. allies, in large part because it would effectively accept North Koreas nuclear arsenal as permanent, he said.

Talks over arms control or nuclear freeze that Seoul said it is concerned about or threat reduction or risk reduction mentioned by U.S. officials in March  which could be included in the interim steps  are considered equivalent to accepting North Korea as a nuclear state and opposed by some officials and analysts.

At an event held by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on March 3, Mira Rapp-Hooper, senior director for East Asia and Oceania at the National Security Council, said the U.S. will discuss threat reduction with North Korea as it considers interim steps on the "pathway to denuclearization."

Also at an event by CSIS on March 18, Jung Pak, a U.S. senior official for North Korea, said Washington wants North Korea to take risk reduction steps and discuss sanctions and confidence-building measures.

Victor Cha, senior vice president for Asia and Korea chair at CSIS, however, said that Rapp-Hooper's reference to "the formulation of interim measures to reduce the threat on the peninsula" in March "reflects the same pragmatic view that any negotiation has to start at step 1  whether you call that interim measures or initial denuclearization."

"As a former negotiator, I can say that any pragmatic implementation of denuclearization would have to include such steps, which I do not think would represent de facto acceptance of DPRK nuclear status  that is neither Washington, nor Seoul's policy," he said.

Cha formerly served as deputy head of delegation for the U.S. at six-party denuclearization talks.
After frank discussions in France where President Emmanuel Macron pressed him on Russias war in Ukraine, trade disputes and human rights, Chinas President Xi Jinping heads Tuesday to meet more pro-Beijing governments in Serbia and Hungary.

Both countries have developed close ties with China and Russia under Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

China has been investing billions in both countries, with projects ranging from factories and mining to electric vehicles and a railway to connect their capitals  Belgrade and Budapest.

China is both Hungary and Serbias largest trading partner outside the European Union.

Xi arrives in Serbia for the 25th anniversary of the NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade in 1999. The U.S. apologized for what it called a mistaken bombing that killed three Chinese nationals and injured 20.

Xi is expected to pay tribute to those killed at the site, which was turned into a Chinese cultural center.

Ja Ian Chong, associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, told VOA, "Xi will probably try to stress the PRC's [People's Republic of China] role in supporting stability and maybe suggest but not openly accuse the United States of being destabilizing and unnecessarily aggressive.

But analysts say Xis visits to Serbia and Hungary also reflect Beijing's limitations amid the ups and downs in China-EU relations.

Francesco Sisci, an Italian sinologist, told VOA, It's interesting that ... China didn't manage to secure more significant countries for Xi's visit to Europe. It seems that China is having greater difficulties in its ties with European countries, and it has good ties with two governments who have also good ties with Moscow. That is  Europe is moving faster away from China as it sees it too close to Moscow."

Like Beijing, both Serbia and Hungary have spoken against sanctions by the U.S. and EU on Moscow over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, though Hungary has voted for them.

Orban, despite leading a nation that is both a member of the EU and NATO, has friendly relations with Russias President Vladimir Putin and held talks with him on the sidelines of a forum in Beijing in October. Hungary buys most of its fuel from Russia and, unlike other EU members, has shown no interest in stopping. Serbia is a candidate to join the EU.

During the third Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum, Xi also met with Orban, the only EU leader who attended.

Dragana Mitrovic, a political science professor at the University of Belgrade, says those relations have sparked tensions with Hungarys partners in the West.

"In this moment of tense geopolitical competition and measuring economic and overall cooperation by strategic gains and losses, Hungary will continue to be under pressure from Brussels and Washington when pursuing cooperation with China," she said to VOA.

While Hungary has benefited from billions in EU aid, Mitrovic notes Hungary is also one of the worlds biggest recipients of Chinese foreign investment.

Chinas BYD, which last year sold more electric vehicles than Tesla, plans to build its first plant in Europe in Hungary. By building cars inside the EU, Beijing could avoid the threat of tariffs on electric cars imported from China.

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.
BLANTYRE, MALAWI 

Malawi's Vice President Saulos Chilima was arrested in November of 2022 after being named among 84 individuals suspected to have received bribes from a U.K.-based businessman, Zuneth Sattar.

Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau accused Chilima of receiving kickbacks from Sattar in exchange for government contracts.

However, early this month, Director of Public Prosecutions Masauko Chamkakala filed a notice to the High Court to drop the case in which Chilima had not taken a plea after 18 months.

An order from High Court Judge Redson Kapindu issued Monday says all charges Chilima was answering to in connection to the case have been dropped.

Moses Mkandawire, the chairperson for the National Alliance Against Corruption, told VOA that the Malawi government should have let the case proceed in court if it wants to be taken seriously in its efforts to curb corruption.

"We have to look at what the law says if someone has offended, violated, abused a particular law," Mkandawire said. "It's extremely important that that person is brought before the courts of law because otherwise, we are just paying lip service to the fight against corruption."

Mkandawire said it's unfortunate that Malawi's fight against corruption continues to favor high-profile individuals despite commitments by President Lazarus Chakwera to fight corruption without fear or favor.

In May of last year, the DPP dropped a corruption case against former President Bakili Muluzi, who was accused of diverting $11 million donation to his personal bank account while in office between 1994 and 2004.

This came a month after President Chakwera pardoned a former minister of homeland security, Uladi Mussa, as an act of mercy during Easter. Musa was jailed in 2020 for corruption and placed on a U.S. travel ban.

In July of last year, Chakwera also pardoned the country's former minister of information Henry Mussa on poor health grounds. He was serving a nine-year jail term after being convicted of conspiracy to steal government property.

George Phiri, a former lecturer of political science at the University of Livingstonia, said dropping the case against Chilima is detrimental to the fight against corruption.

"Discontinuing a high-profile case, forgiving people whom the court has justified that they were guilty of an offense, I think, does not send a good message in the fight against corruption in Malawi," he said.

Malawian government authorities said dropping court cases is constitutional because the country's laws give the director of public prosecution the power to discontinue any case.

Reacting to the development, members of the United Transformation Movement party of Chilima on Tuesday took to the streets of the capital, Lilongwe, to celebrate the discontinuation of the case.

"We are excited of course as a party but the chief factor in this whole thing is the behavior of the vice president during the process," said party spokesperson Felix Njawala. "We have understood that really he is a man who respects the rule of law because he advised members of the party not to interfere with the process."

According to the court order, the director of public prosecutions must brief parliament on the reason for dropping the case against Chilima within 10 days.
The White House expressed hope Tuesday that Israel and Hamas could close any gaps in cease-fire negotiations, as Israel warned it could "deepen" its operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah if talks fail to secure the release of hostages.

"A close assessment of the two sides' positions suggests that they should be able to close the remaining gaps, and we're going to do everything we can to support that process," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Israels military said Tuesday its forces had taken control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, a day after ordering tens of thousands of Palestinians to leave the area and launching repeated airstrikes.

The Israeli operation comes after weeks of Israeli officials saying an offensive in Rafah was necessary to achieve their goal of defeating Hamas, while the United States, the United Nations and others warned that launching an offensive in an area crowded with Palestinian civilians could create a humanitarian disaster.

Kirby said Israeli officials have indicated the operation was limited in scope.

But Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned of more extensive operations in Rafah unless cease-fire talks taking place in Cairo result in the release of hostages held by Hamas.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said an assault on Rafah would be a strategic mistake, a political calamity, and a humanitarian nightmare at a time when famine is looming over northern Gaza.

It would be tragic if weeks of intense diplomatic activity for peace in Gaza yields no cease-fire, no release of hostages, and a devastating offensive in Rafah, he told reporters at the United Nations.

He urged both the Israeli government and Hamas to show the political courage to secure a deal and stop the bloodshed, and urged countries with influence over the parties to use it.

He said the two main aid crossings into Gaza  Rafah and Kerem Shalom  must be reopened immediately.

Jordans foreign minister said on social media platform X that instead of giving negotiations a chance, Israel occupied the Rafah crossing and closed it to humanitarian aid. He called for the U.N. Security Council to act firmly & immediately. And he called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to face real consequences.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz posted on social media that Israels move into Rafah is about achieving its main goals, including the release of the hostages held by Hamas and the militant groups defeat.

The developments in Rafah followed a Hamas announcement Monday that it had accepted a cease-fire proposal worked out with Egyptian and Qatari negotiators.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahus office said the cease-fire proposal was far from Israels essential demands, but that Israel would send negotiators to Cairo on Tuesday to continue talks.

Israeli officials told media outlets that the plan approved by Hamas was not what Israel had agreed to, but was unclear what, if anything, had changed about the proposal that Hamas would accept but Israel would not.

During the past week, efforts to secure a cease-fire have intensified, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens visit to the region. He has repeatedly urged Hamas to accept the proposal, saying Israel has made compromises.

The status of the cease-fire negotiations appeared unlikely to affect Israels plans to move into Rafah, with Netanyahu saying last week that a Rafah operation would happen whether or not there was a cease-fire deal.

Netanyahus office said Monday the Israeli War Cabinet unanimously decided that Israel continue the operation in Rafah to exert military pressure on Hamas in order to advance the release of our hostages and the other goals of the war.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Netanyahu by telephone Monday, reiterating the U.S. position that a Rafah operation must include a plan for keeping Palestinian civilians safe.

A White House statement said that Netanyahu agreed "to ensure the Kerem Shalom crossing is open for humanitarian assistance for those in need.

The World Health Organization says about 1.2 million people are sheltering in Rafah  more than half of them children. Many came from other parts of Gaza, fleeing in search of safety and shelter as Israels campaign against Hamas left much of the Gaza Strip in ruins.

SEE ALSO:

The Israel-Hamas war was triggered by the October 7 Hamas terror attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials. About 100 of the hostages were freed in a weeklong truce in late November.

Israels counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 34,700 Palestinians, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

VOAs Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
MAPUTO  Mozambiques ruling Frelimo party picked Daniel Francisco Chapo, the 47-year-old governor of a southern province, to be its candidate for Octobers presidential election, after heated internal debates that lasted three days.

Sundays selection of Chapo halted speculation that President Filipe Nyusi planned to cling to power at the conclusion of his term through an amendment to the constitution.

Nyusi said the endorsement puts an end to a soap opera of rumors, including talk of a possible third term. Frelimo respects the laws, he added, so there was no reason to speculate about new term limits.

Nyusi also encouraged party members to support Chapo in the upcoming elections.

Since Mozambiques independence in 1975, all heads of state have been nominated by Frelimo.

The party has won all elections since multi-party democracy was introduced 30 years ago at the end of a crippling 16-year civil war which left over one million people dead and five million others internally displaced.

Chapo has been governor of Inhambane province since 2016. He holds a masters degree in development management from a university in Mozambique. Prior to entering politics, he taught constitutional law and political science at the Universidade Catolica in the port city of Beira, and worked as an announcer at a private radio station in the same city.

After being confirmed as Frelimos candidate, Chapo promised to work to promote the countrys economic development.

If elected, Chapo will become Mozambiques fourth democratically elected head of state.

Chapo is viewed by analysts as a leader who may be able to restore security in the troubled oil- and gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado, where Islamic State-linked insurgents have been terrorizing civilians and destroying public infrastructure since 2017, forcing the interruption of multibillion-dollar projects.

The violence has continued despite support by troops from other countries of the Southern African Development Community, and soldiers from Rwanda.

Economic analyst and university lecturer Alcidio Bachita has high hopes for Chapo.

He is an individual who has not been accused of any corruption schemes, Bachita said. And I believe that this change of leadership will open a new page in the history of Mozambique, given that he is a young man and was born after [the] independence period of the country. So I believe that the economy of Mozambique will witness a great performance in the coming years.

Mozambique will hold its seventh presidential and legislative elections on October 9.

The deadline for presenting lists of candidates for president to the Constitutional Council is June 10.
Officials in the southern Africa country of Zambia said corruption is rife within the government agencies, in particular the payment of kickbacks to access services. Zambias health sector is no exception, as authorities warn of stern actions against those found guilty of the illegal practice
The URL has been copied to your clipboard

The code has been copied to your clipboard.

Zimbabwe's parliament has started nationwide consultations after the Cabinet in February agreed to abolish the death penalty to conform with international standards. Columbus Mavhunga has the story from a public hearing in Bindura, Zimbabwe.
Dark Matter Are You Happy in Your Life? Season 1 Episode 1 Editors Rating 3 stars * * * Previous Next   Previous Episode Next Episode  Photo: AppleTV+

The seminal British spy-fi series The Prisoner, which ran for 17 episodes in 196768, was an oddity that cast a long shadow, influencing many better-remembered weirdo TV series that came later, including Twin Peaks, The X-Files, and Lost. Each episode began with a lengthy title sequence wherein co-creator and star Patrick McGoohans unnamed character angrily resigns from some unspecified high-security job and is then gassed and abducted, waking up to a strange life in a surreal village hell spend the duration of the series trying to escape.

Thats also more or less the way the new Apple TV+ series Dark Matter begins, albeit with several caveats. For one thing, were privy to substantially more information about the character played by star and co-producer Joel Edgerton before he gets drugged and forcibly ejected from his day-to-day: His name is Jason Dessen and he teaches physics at Lakemont College, a fictional but undistinguished institution of higher learning. Hes married to gallery owner and triathlete Daniela, played by Jennifer Connelly, and they live in a gorgeous house in Chicagos Logan Square neighborhood with their sensitive 15-year-old son, Charlie (Oakes Fegley). Finally, when Jasons college pal Ryan (Jimmi Simpson), a neurologist, calls to say hes won the Pavia Prize  a fictional but evidently very distinguished million-dollar science award  we intuit that Jason has occasionally second-guessed his long-ago decision to prioritize family life over his research. It should be you, Ryan tells him, suggesting it was Jason who was once poised for greatness.

So we have a reasonably complete dossier on Jason by the time he gets kidnapped by a masked man with a gun on his way home from the Village Tap  the un-fictitious and evidently well-loved Logan Square watering hole where he reluctantly joins Ryans Pavia Prize celebration one rainy night. Thats one major difference between Dark Matter and The Prisoner. Another one would be that the creators of Dark Matter almost certainly know where theyre going, as writer-producer Blake Crouch is adapting his eponymous 2016 novel. The Prisoner, by contrast, more or less disintegrated as it became apparent that star McGoohan, story editor George Markstein, and financier Lew Grade all had very different notions of what their show was about and how it should end. (My friend Glen Weldon and I did a whole podcast about it.) One of its most satisfying episodes was Schizoid Man, wherein McGoohans character faces off against his doppelganger via some crisply executed Parent Trapstyle split-screen gimmickry.

Those vaguely Prisoner-esque fingerprints are the main reason for my interest in Dark Matter, a thriller wherein Edgertons Jason is menaced by an alternate version of himself. Even within this pilot episode, Crouch and director Jakob Verbruggen make little effort to hide that Jasons tormentor is, in fact, another Jason, trespassing from a dimension wherein he made different choices. Choices hed now like to revise.

By the end of the 46-minute hour, Jason A and Jason B, lets call them, will have gone full Freaky Friday on one anothers lives. A confused and terrified Jason A will flee some private medical facility where his colleagues  all strangers except for one Leighton Vance, whom this Jason hasnt seen since college  tell him hes just reappeared after a mysterious 14-month absence. Jason B, the architect of this trans-dimensional switcheroo, will make himself at home in Jason As house and marriage.

The pilot episode explores the duality of its premise in clever ways  and clumsy ones. I appreciated the early scene in which Jason allows Charlie to drive himself to school while Jason observes from the passenger seat. Charlie misses a red traffic light and almost plows into another car. As this happens, Jason asks Charlie if the boy has yet found a way to tell a girl named Brooke about his affection for her, gently advising his son that its unhealthy to keep ones strong feelings secret for very long.

The clunkiest scene is a prime specimen of the Movie Classroom, wherein Jason explains the concept of Schrodingers cat to a dozen or so bored undergrads. The dismissal bell (in college?) rings before he can finish his explanation of superposition, so he throws it in as an afterthought as his pupils file out: The cat inside the box is at once alive and dead. Who are these physics students whove never heard of the most famous thought experiment in physics? Who is this professor who chooses to begin a lesson on this in the last 45 seconds of class?

Maybe were meant to intuit that Jasons timing has always sucked. Edgerton, whose sunken-eyed good looks have always been an advantage when it comes to playing haunted dudes, fully sells Jasons sadness and the guilt he feels for being unsatisfied with so rich a life. His career is going nowhere, but he has a loving family and a dope house in one of the worlds great cities.

That night, while Jason drinks wine and cooks pasta for his family, Charlie protests that his folks canoodling is scarring [him] for life. Jasons phone blows up with texts from Ryan summoning him to the Village Tap. Only when Daniela asks what the occasion is does Jason share that their longtime pal has won the Pavia, which Daniela says is occasion enough to excuse Jason from family night. She even points out that Ryans choice of the Village Tap  a bar nearer to their home than his  is proof of how important Jasons attendance is to Ryan, though she clearly intuits the jealousy Jason has yet to admit even to himself. Dont be a dick, Daniela advises her spouse.

The Animals We Gotta Get Out of This Place is on the jukebox as Jason greets Ryan at the Village Tap. Theres a montage of Ryans other, more science-famous guests, all registering unfamiliarity as Jason introduces himself. Ryans largesse in buying his old pal an entire bottle of Macallan scotch  he asks for the bars best  is the sort of flex that seems to make Jason all the more conscious of the fact hes a man on a budget.

The scotch wont be Ryans only offering tonight. After the party quiets down a little, the two friends go to a booth. Jason asks his buddy to quote the citation from his Pavia Prize. For his groundbreaking work in the field of neuroscience and identifying the prefrontal cortex as a consciousness generator, Ryan recites.

So Ryan is a neuroscientist, which introduces some mystery when Ryan tells Jason, I owe you. Those notes were essential. Arent these guys in different disciplines? An admirer comes over to hit on Ryan, but he asks her to wait while he makes his pitch to his old pal. Ryan is starting a neurotech firm and wants to bring Jason aboard. If youre pinching yourself every morning on your way to Lakemont, then please tell me to fuck off, Ryan says, promising to crush Jasons meager salary. The job is in San Francisco, and Jason is reluctant to uproot his family. Ryan just asks that he talk it over with Daniela.

However, Jason is conflicted, declining to pick up a call from Daniela as he leaves the bar. So divided is his attention that hes almost run over by a taxi. Suddenly, its raining, and a shift in lighting suggests that significant time has passed, but Jason still hasnt found his way home.

Its at this point that the assailant in a hood and a theatrical Eyes Wide Shut mask forces Jason into a vehicle at gunpoint. They drive past the Village Tap, where Ryan and his hookup are just leaving, so maybe its only a brief time later instead of several hours? The kidnapper seems to know all about Jason: He asks if his iPhone passcode is still his dads birthday in reverse and demands to know what Ryan wanted to talk to him about at the bar.

When they arrive at their dank, underlit destination, Jason attempts to overpower the assailant, and he manages to wound the guy in the arm, but hes still defeated, losing strength when the masked man injects him with a sedative. The man then orders Jason to change into the clothing hes provided, warning him hell pass out soon. The masked man is fiddling with a small box with a hinged lid; its glow suggests an electronic interior we cannot see. A stoned Jason A asks what the box is. Its, uh, possibility, the masked man growls.

As Jason As last embers of awareness fade, the masked figure leans over him. Are you happy with your life? he asks. Or have you ever wondered what else you couldve been? After a brief metaphysical pep talk, the masked man concludes, Im sorry, but Im doing this for us. For both of us.

Who arrrrre yooooou? Jason A slurs.

You wouldnt believe me if I told you, the man replies.

When Jason A regains consciousness, hes staring up at the light array above an operating table. Test everything, someone says. He cowers under a high-pressure shower, then wakes up again, this time in a locked and windowless room, alone. A woman  Alice Braga  knocks and enters, greeting him with a hug. Shes taken aback that he doesnt know her, but introduces herself as Amanda. She tells him hes been through a lot but that the good news is that hes cleared to leave quarantine: theres no trace of radiation or biohazards in his system.

She brings him to meet Leighton, whom Jason recognizes from long ago. (If the turtleneck and expensive wristwatch didnt already peg Leighton as a tech CEO, the character is played by Dayo Okeniyi, whom even I did not recall played SkyNet inventor Danny Dyson in the unloved Terminator Genisys.) For the benefit of the camcorder in the room, she introduces herself as Amanda Lucas, staff psychiatrist. She identifies the men as Leighton Vance, CEO, and Jason Dessen, chief science officer. Youre the only one whos returned, Leighton tells him. Amanda says hes been away for 14 months and ten days.

Leighton asks Jason what he remembers. His hazy recollection of the night at the bar with Ryan  a name Leighton is surprised to hear  curdles into a panic when Amanda asks about cuts and bruises on his face, evidence of his dust-up with the man in the mask.

Jason bolts from the facility, throwing himself in front of a cab  intentionally this time  and asking the driver to take him home to Eleanor Street. But Jason doesnt recognize his house when he arrives; the interior has changed. He does recognize the woman he finds there: Its Amanda, who had greeted him with an embrace a short while earlier. But that doesnt explain why shes in his house or where his family and their belongings have gone. Amanda tells Jason A that she is the person with whom he shares this house, and she has no idea who Daniela or Charlie are. In what should be Charlies bedroom, Jason A finds a monument to his great achievements as a physicist, including a Pavia Prize inscribed with his name.

Its roughly here that the episode adopts the irritating convention of signaling a switch among realities with a sound effect that resembles a Zippo lighter being flicked open. Theres a Zippo flick, and Jason B arrives home to find Daniela washing dishes and sulking that hes ignored her messages all evening. Hed found a text from her on Jason As phone asking him to bring home ice cream, but Jason B seems not to know her preferred flavor. Mint chocolate chip, she says. Really?

When he kisses her, she asks him what the fuck is going on. He tells her about Ryans job offer, then asks her if she remembers what he said to her when they decided to marry. She says that he told her at the end of his life hed rather have memories of her than of a cold, sterile lab.

I stand by that today, he says, melting away the last of her anger.

Its another Zippo flick, and were back with Jason A and Amanda in their version of the same kitchen. Jason A hears a vehicle pull out outside, and he flees again.

The episode ends with defunct Chicago band Kids These Days Dont Harsh My Mellow on the soundtrack as Jason B and Daniela tumble into bed with a renewed hunger. Daniela notices the wound on her husbands arm and asks how he got it.

You wouldnt believe me if I told you, he says again. Hey, try us.

General Relativity

 When Daniela kisses her husband and son good-bye on her way to work, shes carrying an apple. She reacts with surprise and gratitude when Jason hands her a travel mug of coffee. Apples and coffee are two great tastes that do not taste great together.

 I want someone who drinks at the Village Tap in Logan Square, Chicago, to tell us if the bar really does have a neon sign that reads Resilience in one of its street-facing windows. Because thats cool.
Fun Hollywood fact: John Mulaneys brilliant (and definitely weird) live nightly talk-show experiment, John Mulaney Presents: Everybodys in L.A., is called that because pretty much everybody is in L.A. right now for the Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival. With so many A-list comedians in town, Mulaney and his producers have ample opportunity to make some really special programming and bring together legends in ways youd never see otherwise. Following the model of beloved unproblematic talk-show Hall of Famers like Ellen DeGeneres and Jimmy Fallon, Everybodys in L.A. gathered some of the biggest Tina Fey and Amy Poehler fans in Los Angeles for a heartwarming celebrity surprise. In a pretaped segment that aired in the May 7 episode, women of different ages, including a pair of friends and a mother-daughter duo, were brought into a room, told to take a deep breath, and profess what Fey and Poehler mean to them as women, while speaking to cardboard standees of the comedians placed in front of a curtain. After earnestly talking about finding solace and inspiration in the pairs work, the fans were met with a very special surprise: comedy writers Jeremy Levick and Rajat Suresh!

Wow! To a certain type of comedy fan, a Jeremy and Rajat Spagett surprise would be a huge deal, but these dont appear to be those fans. After a lot of awkward silence, the duo (who write for Everybodys in L.A.) introduced themselves as Tiny and Amy fans, too. Jeremy said, I thought youd be excited to meet us because were comedy writers like Tiny and Amy, which led to more silence. Then Rajat roasted their asses for talking to the Fey and Poehler cutouts and revealed that they had been listening in on their inspirational speeches, confusing a burn book for a Death Note.

Trying to save the fans from further disappointment, Jeremy and Rajat led them into a new room with another surprise: a cardboard cutout of Patton Oswalt with the real Oswalt hiding behind it! Amazing! But even after explaining that hes the voice of Ratatouille, what happened next wont surprise you at all. Still, we salute Netflix for this beautiful attempt at female empowerment!
Photo-Illustration: Vulture. Photos: Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images, Karwai Tang/WireImage

Fast X director Louis Leterrier has locked in on his next project  now he just needs to find some actors to put on house arrest. Per Deadline, Greta Lee (Past Lives) and Kingsley Ben-Adir (Barbie, Bob Marley: One Love) are in talks to star in Leterriers upcoming sci-fi horror film 11817, which follows a family of four who get trapped inside their home indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart the inexplicable forces keeping them stuck inside, per an official logline. If negotiations go well, would that make Lee and Ben-Adir the movies stay-at-home parents?

Either way, we expect well be getting updates pretty soon: Additional casting for the project, which is based on a script by Matthew Robinson, is said to already be underway. The film is also reportedly set to be introduced at the Cannes Film Festival this month. Plus, at a recent Collider panel at CCXP Mexico, Leterrier said that 11817  which he called his Twilight Zone homage  plans to start filming on July 29 in London. According to Leterrier, production will wrap by September 15, which sounds like the schedule is already pretty set. Good on him for crunching 11817s numbers.
More than 600,000 people are released from U.S. prisons every year, vowing never to go back. Many do. One man is trying to change that.
Eoin Reynolds

Garda killer Aaron Brady orchestrated a campaign of witness intimidation during his 2020 trial for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, while his alleged conspirator was an "enthusiastic cheerleader" for attempts to stop those he termed "rats" from giving evidence, a prosecuting barrister has told the Special Criminal Court.

Lorcan Staines SC told the three-judge, non-jury court that the alleged conspiracy to persuade a witness not to give evidence at Brady's trial was a "criminal act of the most insidious kind".

In his closing speech on Wednesday, Mr Staines said Dean Byrne, who is on trial accused of conspiring with Brady to pervert the course of justice, was housed with Brady in the D-wing of Mountjoy Prison during Brady's trial in 2020.

Counsel said Mr Byrne shared photographs of the statement of Daniel Cahill, a key witness in Brady's trial, with relatives of Mr Cahill, which he said was part of a conspiracy to persuade the witness not to give evidence.

Mr Staines alleged Mr Byrne was acting as an "agent" for Brady and that the conspiracy between them included the use of improper means to persuade Mr Cahill not to give evidence.

Padraig Dwyer SC, for Mr Byrne, said it is "pretty staggering" that the prosecution has been unable to produce any evidence that his client ever met with Brady in Mountjoy Prison. He said there is also no evidence of contacts between them on a phone that was found in Mr Byrne's cell.

'Not one scintilla of evidence'

While the prosecution had pointed to the campaign of intimidation by Brady, Mr Dwyer said there was "not one scintilla of evidence to show that Dean Byrne was aware that there was such a campaign."

Mr Dwyer said the charge against his client is novel and vague, and there is no evidence of any agreement between his client and Brady or of how Mr Cahill was to be persuaded not to give evidence.

He said the court should not convict if Mr Byrne had a "benign" intention and genuinely believed Mr Cahill was going to give false evidence at Brady's trial.

Persuasion, counsel said, is a "vague word" and he urged the court not to convict Mr Byrne of a serious crime when the prosecution cannot even say what was unlawful in the sharing of Mr Cahill's statement.

Dean Byrne (30), from Cabra Park, Phibsborough, Dublin, is on trial accused of conspiring with Aaron Brady in Mountjoy Prison between April 8th and June 22nd, 2020, to persuade prosecution witness Daniel Cahill not to give evidence at Brady's murder trial, a course of conduct which had a tendency to and which was intended to pervert the course of justice

In August 2020, Brady (33), formerly of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, was convicted by a jury of the murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth on January 25th, 2013.

On Wednesday, Mr Staines told the court that Brady went on trial for the murder of Det Gda Donohoe in January 2020.

Testimony

A key element of the prosecution case was the testimony of various witnesses, including Mr Cahill, who said they heard Brady admit he had shot a garda.

Mr Staines said all the evidence proves that Brady and Mr Byrne were in contact with one another, and agreed to put in place a course of conduct whereby Mr Cahill would be prevailed upon in an effort to persuade him not to give evidence.

To further that end, counsel said, Brady provided Mr Byrne with photographs of Mr Cahill's statement so the statement could be further shared with members of Mr Cahill's family and other associates.

Mr Staines said the sharing of Mr Cahill's statement was in itself unlawful. As a result of an earlier ruling by the court, counsel said any use of improper or unlawful means to obstruct, interfere with, or change the course of justice amounts to the offence of perverting the course of justice being made out.

Mr Staines said it is also clear that Mr Byrne had no legitimate interest in Brady's trial, and there is no evidence that he was a confidante or advisor to Mr Cahill.

As a resourceful prisoner, Mr Staines said Mr Byrne is the "sort of inmate" who would be recruited by Brady in his campaign. Mr Staines added that the accused's true feelings towards Mr Cahill can be seen in one audio message in which he referred to the witness as a "rat c**t" and a "dirtbird, filthbag, rat ba****d of a thing".

Mr Staines concluded: "The prosecution contend and submit to the court that this was a criminal act of the most insidious kind.

"There was a campaign of witness intimidation in the case of the Director of Public Prosecutions versus Aaron Brady, and it was a campaign to stop, using the accused's own word, 'rats' from giving evidence."

'Enthusiastic cheerleaders'

Mr Staines said that while Brady was the conductor of the campaign, Mr Byrne was "one of his enthusiastic cheerleaders".

Mr Dwyer said the height of the prosecution case is that Mr Byrne was furthering a plan or intention of Brady's, but not that he did anything legally or morally wrong. He said there is no evidence of him sitting down with Brady to agree on a course of conduct.

Mr Dwyer said there is evidence that when sharing Mr Cahill's statement, Mr Byrne asked that it not be shown to Mr Cahill. Mr Dwyer said this could be interpreted as Mr Byrne not wanting to put pressure on Mr Cahill or to "spook" him.

He said the evidence of association between Brady and Mr Byrne is "scant" and there was no evidence of Brady's activities in relation to the alleged conspiracy with Mr Byrne.

Opportunities for them to communicate would have been limited by the Covid measures in place in the prison in 2020.

Counsel further described the prosecution's claim that Mr Byrne could only have received Mr Cahill's statements from Brady as "not well-founded". He said those statements appear to have been in circulation for some period of time.

Mr Dwyer said the prosecution had alleged that Mr Byrne tried to set up a meeting between Brady's and Mr Cahill's fathers. Counsel said the evidence shows only that Mr Byrne was aware that such a meeting had been suggested.

Any such plan was made independently of Mr Byrne, he said, and the most the prosecution can say is that Mr Byrne was "passing on a message" or "updating interested parties".

He said there is no independent evidence that the person who received Mr Cahill's statements from Mr Byrne ever spoke to or contacted Mr Cahill.

Mr Justice Paul Burns, presiding, adjourned the case until May 29th when Aaron Brady is due to be sentenced for his role in perverting the course of justice during his trial.

Mr Justice Burns said the court may have its verdict ready on that date.
Jane Healy from Kilmeaden, was the lucky winner of a holiday voucher worth 2,500 as part of a Gala retail promotion to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

Through the promotion the retail chain gave away 25 vouchers nationwide.

Entrants had the chance to win one of 10 family holidays abroad, valued at 4,000 each, or one of 15 holiday vouchers for unforgettable Irish staycations, each worth 2,500.

Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, reflected on the significance of 25 years of loyal custom in Gala stores, stating: "We are delighted to kick start our 25th year in business with a huge thank-you to our loyal Gala shoppers."

From staycations in Ireland to fun filled, family adventures abroad, there are so many exciting opportunities and were thrilled to see our customers creating unforgettable memories with family or friends," he said.

The Home or Away promotion, which ran from February 5th to March 17th, received participation and support from customers across the country.
A European Elections candidate has called on Ryanair boss Michael OLeary to meet with management at Waterford Airport to help progress extension plans.

Fianna Fail candidate, Cynthia Ni Mhurchu said: A functioning airport in Waterford would drive tourism and foreign direct investment into the South East and increase general connectivity. I am concerned that Waterford airport is being ignored on ideological grounds."

Meanwhile, the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, has provided an update regarding the status of the airport.

Deputy Mary Butler asked Minister Ryan last week when a decision will be taken on the application submitted to extend the runway at Waterford Airport. In response, Minister Ryan said that a review conducted by independent consultants Ernst & Young is currently being considered. He added that the runway extension proposal was received during that review process and was duly incorporated into the consideration of options.

The proposal from Waterford Airport is dependent on securing the necessary finance from private investors, local authorities as well as significant capital funding support from the Exchequer," he said.

I brought the EY [Ernst & Young] review to this morning's cabinet meeting for the information of government at this stage. I have sought some additional information and assurances from the airport in respect of potential investors and jet carriers," he added.

When I have fully considered the EY Review, along with any additional information provided by Waterford Airport, I have undertaken to revert to Government with a memorandum for decision on the matter.
South East Technological University (SETU) can help address issues around food waste while at the same time create high end jobs in the south east region.

Thats the view expressed to Waterford News & Star by Ireland South MEP candidate, Cynthia Ni Mhurchu.

On average food waste costs Irish householders around 60 per month or around 700 per year.

Ms Ni Mhurchu wants to use more EU research and development funding to ensure that SETU can be at the centre of the solution to a growing food waste problem.

Figures from Eurostat showed Ireland was one of the biggest food wasters in Europe and Ms Ni Mhurchu, who is on the governing board of SETU, feels better use should be made of the Horizon Europe fund.

We can use the Horizon Europe fund, a 95 billion fund, to channel research funds into SETU, to devise solutions to the problem of food waste, she said.

There are a number of ongoing EU funded projects dealing with food waste including the SISTERS project, she added.

This is a partnership of universities across the EU that are working together on solutions to cut food waste by 3 billion annually in North West Europe; that is funded by Horizon Europe.

She said she wants to see a doubling of Horizon funding for SETU to support ongoing research including the application of Internet of Things and Big Data technologies to food supply chains with the aim of reducing waste.

I think we can also expand research around innovations in packaging for processors and retailers; and awareness campaigns for retailers and consumers on food loss and waste, said Ms Ni Mhurchu.

She also commented that SETU had, in the past, focused research on how food waste can be turned into animal feed, fertiliser and other secondary industrial compounds.

Expanding on the issue she said: I think this is an area we can expand and develop our research capabilities.

"In the EU we waste 89 million tonnes of food every year, accounting for 20 per cent of the total food produced in the EU, added Ms Ni Mhurchu.

The value of this food is estimated to be in the region of 143 billion, impacting each stage of the Food Value Chain, she said.

The EU has committed to halving food waste by 2030 and Ms Ni Mhurchu said she wants rural Ireland to be at the centre of innovations around solving the food waste problem.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acknowledges that food waste is a global problem that has environmental, social and economic consequences. According to the EPA over one quarter of food produced globally is wasted and it's a significant contributor to climate change.
South East Technological University (SETU), in collaboration with the French Embassy, in Dublin, recently hosted a special Gout de France dining experience, serving the best of Irish and French cuisine before a room of local and international guests.

Celebrated in over 150 countries worldwide, Gout de France (Taste of France) focuses on the use of local and French ingredients and recipes.

The event, organised by both students and staff of the Culinary Arts and Hospitality programmes in the Department of Humanities at SETU, took place at the Tourism and Leisure Building on the Cork Road Campus in Waterford.

Cultural exchanges and celebrations

Among the guests were Councillor Joe Conway, Mayor of Waterford City and County, along with senior staff from the Embassy of France in Ireland, such as Xavier dArgoeuves, Cultural Counsellor, and Delphine Tessier, Scientific and University Attache.

Gout de / Good France is a unique operation launched in 2015 to celebrate French gastronomy through a series of events organised by the French diplomatic network on five continents," said Mr dArgoeuves, as he expressed his admiration for the event.

I was very impressed by the quality of the Gout de France/Good France lunch prepared and served by the SETU student and staff team, highlighting French gastronomy and the Franco-Irish connection. It was a delicious celebration of cultural exchanges," he added.

Also present were valued stakeholders with strong ties to both French and Irish culture in the food, tourism, and hospitality sectors, alongside French graduates of SETU, who came to Waterford as Erasmus students and now work locally in senior roles in industry.

President's approval

Emphasising the significance of the Gout de France lunch hosted by the students and staff, President of SETU, Professor Veronica Campbell, said: Our connections with France are extremely important to us through our partnerships with over 40 French universities, as part of the Erasmus+ exchange programme, through our multiple research partnerships throughout France, and our much-valued links with external partners in the south east region, many who have a strong connection with France.

Continuing the Franco-Irish theme, before the lunch event, the students of the BA (Hons) Hospitality Management and BA (Hons) Culinary Arts programmes hosted a wine-tasting session, serving French wines with a link to Irish heritage. The wine was paired with an interesting and original selection of locally sourced amuse-bouches under the guidance of oenology lecturer, Nuala Gordon.

Local with a twist

In summary, Dr Suzanne Denieffe, Head of School of Humanities, gave an account of the success of the students involved: Guests at the event enjoyed a locally sourced, seasonal, and sustainable lunch with a French twist, prepared by the students of the Higher Certificate in Culinary Arts led by programme leader, Chef Edward Hayden."

All hands on deck

The meal was served by the students from the Higher Certificate of Hospitality Studies along with a number of students from the local VITA Community Hub, who have been involved in a successful year-long initiative at SETU to facilitate greater inclusion for all learners at the university, led by lecturer in Hospitality Management, Fabrice Bartholin. The event was a credit to all involved.

International cuisine and prestigious awards

Not only are the students of the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management being recognised for their talents at the Gout de France lunch, but two students currently within the programme were recently congratulated for their achievement and success on an international level.

Jessica Beckley and Callum Priestly, both in the Culinary Arts programme, brought home bronze medals from their entry at the IKA/Culinary Olympics, which is one of the oldest, largest and most diverse international culinary competitions in the world.

Both students were congratulated on their contribution to their win as part of the National Irish Junior Culinary Team.

The Senior and Junior Irish National Irish Culinary teams brought home bronze medals from the prestigious competition, which showcases culinary talent on an international stage.
Waterford City and County Council is to receive almost 92,000 to support its community functions.

The money is part of a national 1 million support scheme under Additional Staff Resource (ASR) funding which is being allocated to all 31 local authorities around the country.

The money will go towards supporting the implementation and monitoring of Local Economic and Community Plans by local authorities.

In announcing the funding, Minister Joe OBrien TD, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, said the increase in funding to local authorities will be specifically aimed at supporting their community functions.

The said it will in particular support the work of the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) through Additional Staff Resource (ASR) payments.

Minister Joe O'Brien. Pic: Oireachtas.ie

The funding arises from a comprehensive review of the work of the LCDCs, which found they have been performing an ever expanding range of functions and there was a clearly evidenced need for continued funding to support them in delivering upon their core work.

ASR funding has been provided annually to the local authorities since 2017, as a contribution towards their community functions, and in particular the staffing of the LCDCs.

Minister OBrien said his department had a clean vision: To promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.

I am pleased to be able to provide additional funding of almost 1m to assist the community function of all 31 Local Authorities nationwide supporting this mission and supporting rural and community development throughout the country, he said.

LCDCs are responsible for co-ordinating, planning and overseeing local and community development funding and are also responsible for the management and oversight of significant programmes such as the social inclusion programme (SICAP) and the LEADER Rural Development Programme, in some areas. In addition to Waterfords allocation neighbouring local authorities received the following allocations: Wexford (100,351.58); Kilkenny (82,535.59); Cork County (108,369.28); Cork City (110,974.92); Tipperary (97,728.66) and Carlow (78,293.76)
Cate McCurry, PA

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said he is horrified by events unfolding in Rafah, describing the levels of violence as unconscionable.

Israel has threatened to launch a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza City.

More than one million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israels war in the region.

Protesters demonstrated outside Leinster House in Dublin calling on Israel not to invade Rafah (Niall Carson/PA)

The Israeli military seized control of Gazas vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Israeli troops said they had reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza  a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed nearly three days earlier after a Hamas rocket attack.

Mr Martin said he was really horrified with the events.

Speaking at the Arbour Hill commemoration event, he said: Its quite shocking, the level of human suffering.

The civilian causalities, death and very serious injuries on a daily basis are (endured) by the people of Gaza.

The taking of the Rafah crossing, for example, creates huge challenges for humanitarian aid getting into Gaza.

I have seen myself the amount of aid has been stopped already. There is an urgent need for medicines, for food and for the basics of life to get in for the people of Gaza.

Its only unconscionable that this level of violence continues.

Protesters called for sanctions against Israel (Niall Carson/PA)

We need an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages, and then we need discussion on the political track on how Gaza is reconstructed because what the people have gone through there is quite horrific, and it is shocking and unacceptable, it has to stop.

On Wednesday, protesters from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered outside Leinster House in support of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Rafah.

Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and called for Israel not to invade Rafah and to impose sanctions against Israel.
A Sydney entrepreneur and Instagram influencer who brands herself the glute master has been accused of posing as a nurse and injecting unknown substances into the buttocks of patients, prompting a rare public warning from the states healthcare watchdog.

The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) issued a prohibition order in January against Khadije Dandachli, barring her from providing any voluntary or paid health services in NSW for eight weeks.

Khadije Dandachli. Credit: Instagram

That order expired in March, but the commission released another statement on Wednesday alleging Dandachli had introduced herself as a nurse to patients before performing several procedures in which an unknown substance has been injected into the buttocks of patients.

A spokesman for the HCCC said the decision to issue a public warning followed a thorough investigation into complaints Dandachli provided cosmetic injection procedures to more than one patient at Little Europe Beauty in Liverpool, a cosmetic clinic owned by her brother.
On 8 May 2024, the 6th WCO Global AEO Conference was launched in Shenzhen, China, by the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Mr. Ian Saunders. This event, themed Harnessing the Power of AEO Programmes for Inclusive and Sustainable Global Trade, attracted over 1,200 attendees from 108 countries. The opening ceremony was graced by the Vice Minister of the General Administration of China Customs (GACC), Mr. Wang Lingjun, and the Mayor of Shenzhen City, Mr. Qin Weizhong, along with other distinguished guests and delegates.

In his opening speech, Secretary General Saunders thanked the GACC for their collaboration in organizing the conference and for their relentless efforts to ensure its success. He stated that, AEOs epitomize the synergy between Customs authorities and the business community, fostering a collaborative environment where trade efficiency and security are paramount. The significance of AEOs transcends mere operational benefits; the AEO programme embodies our shared commitment to a transparent, secure, and resilient trade ecosystem. He stressed the importance of amplifying the benefits of AEO programmes across the full spectrum of global trade participants and underscored that the strength of the programmes is magnified when there is engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders. He added that, by integrating more MSMEs into the AEO family, Customs will enrich the tapestry of global trade.

The Vice Minister of the GACC thanked the WCO for organizing the conference in Shenzhen, highlighting Chinas leadership role in AEO implementation and reiterated the willingness of China to further support other Customs administrations in adopting and implementing AEO programmes. The Mayor of Shenzhen city expressed his satisfaction that the city of Shenzhen had been chosen for the organization of the conference and enumerated the various innovative programmes adopted by the city.

The Conference, spanning three days, features 8 plenary sessions and 6 breakouts sessions with 80 speakers. These sessions will cover a wide range of topics pertinent to AEOs, including leveraging data analytics and emerging technologies for better risk management and trade facilitation, empowering women through AEO programmes, the role of AEO programme in supporting e-commerce and cross-corder trade in the digital age, expanding the AEO programme to Free Zones, and assessing the impact of the AEO Programme.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the East African Community (EAC), convened a meeting on EAC Customs Management Act and Regulations. The meeting took place from 15 to 20 April 2024, in Mombasa, Kenya, and was organised with the support of the EU-WCO HS-Africa Programme, funded by the European Union.

Legislative drafters and Customs experts from the EAC Partner States, along with the EAC Secretariat, gathered to draft amendments to the EAC Customs Management Act of 2004 and Customs Management Regulations of 2010 in preparation for the 25th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Legal and Judicial Affairs (SCLJA) scheduled for May 2024.

The purpose of these amendments is to enhance the operational effectiveness of the EAC Customs Law. The revisions include among other, regulations to the Advance Ruling provision under Section 248A of the EAC Customs Management Act 2004. The HS-Africa Programme has been supporting the EAC in the implementation of Advance Rulings through a series of regional and national activities. This meeting constitutes an important millstone in the process for regional harmonisation and efficiency including a region-wide operational Advance Ruling mechanism.

The meeting concluded with the preparation of the draft EAC Customs Management (Amendment) Bill and EAC Customs Management (Amendment) Regulations for consideration at the upcoming Sectoral Council meeting in May 2024.

The WCO is engaging on several initiatives with the EAC to support Customs reform and efficiency, and harmonization of procedures.

For further information, please contact wcoHSAfrica@wcoomd.org
If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now!

Submit
By Cate McCurry, PA

Gardai have issued an appeal for information around an electric motorbike as they continue to investigate the murder of a young man in Dublin.

Three men who were arrested as part of the probe remained in custody at Garda stations in Dublin on Tuesday night.

The victim, named locally as Josh Itseli, aged in his early 20s, died in a shooting in the Knocknarea Road in Drimnagh in the early hours of Monday.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, gardai said a postmortem examination has been completed.

They said the results are not being released for operational purposes.

Gardai have reissued their appeal for witnesses to come forward.

They are particularly interested in information around a black Talaria Sting electric motorbike which is understood to have been used in connection with the incident.

They said the electric motorbike was observed in the vicinity of Dolphin Road, Crumlin Road and Davitt Road on Sunday night and into the early hours of Monday morning.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have observed a black Talaria Sting electric motorbike in the vicinity of Dolphin Road in recent days, they said.

The motorbike has been seized by investigating gardai, who are also seeking the rightful owner of the vehicle.

Gardai are also appealing to any taxi drivers, public service vehicle (PSV) drivers and any motorists who observed pedestrians, or who may have been approached by pedestrians, on Davitt Road in the early hours of Monday morning, 6th May 2024.

Anyone with any information that can assist gardai with their investigation is asked to contact Sundrive Road Garda Station on 01 666 6600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

The three arrested people  two men in their early 20s and a teenager  were detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939.

During the course of the investigation, gardai recovered a firearm, which will be subject to forensic examination.

Technical examinations are now complete, and all roads have been reopened.

A number of cars seized have been taken to a secure Garda storage facility for forensic examination.

On Monday, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee told RTE: The attack in Drimnagh last night was completely unacceptable and is not something we will tolerate on our streets.

I commend the gardai for responding quickly, resulting in the speedy arrest of suspects. Tackling crime and ensuring safer streets continues to be a top priority for An Garda Siochana and the Government.
Mayo County Council has urged farmers not to fear an escalation of water pollution inspections by the local authority.

Following EU directives, the council is expected to carry out more than 100 inspections on farms across the county this year compared to just 22 inspections undertaken in 2023. Next year, the local authority plans to conduct more than 150 inspections.

Local authority scientists Leo Brogan and Liam Rabbitte delivered a presentation on the process to members of the councils Environment Strategic Policy Committee last week. Mr Rabbitte told farmers not to fear inspections.

We are the sons and grandfathers of farmers we understand the pressures, he remarked, adding that should any issues arise, reasonable timeframes will be put in place for farmers to address problems.

The meeting heard that cross-compliance consequences in terms of breaches by farmers will only be taken in very serious cases and as a last resort.

Our main priority is engaging with the farmers. We dont want to go out there handing out red cards, left right and centre, said Mr Brogan.

The council reports to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and investigates farmland, cattle sheds, sheep sheds and agricultural complaints. Mr Brogan said the main issues being seen by council inspectors relate to general farm housekeeping, poaching (outwintering cattle), silage storage, guttering, manure storage, slurry collection and storage, soiled water and storage and control of chemicals and fuels.
An investigation is ongoing into an oil spill in the Castlebar river, in the Turlough road area of the county town.

Mayo County Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland have said they are currently investigating the oil spill, which they believe may be kerosene or heating oil, which flowed into the Castlebar River through underground drains.

The local authority has appealed to businesses and householders in the Turlough Road area of the county town to urgently check their oil storage tanks and connecting pipework in an attempt to verify the source and resolve the issue.

Mayo County Council has specifically requested that businesses and householders who had a recent fill of heating oil to be vigilant.

Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said it could have a huge environmental impact.

"It's flowing into the Turlough River which will flow into the Moy eventually and depending on the amount of stuff in it it could be very serious," he added.

Anyone with any information on the source of the leak are asked to contact the Environment section of Mayo County Council on 094-9064000.
The INMO has today published the results of its 2024 Work and Wellbeing survey, revealing that nurses and midwives are concerned about how patient safety is being negatively impacted by staffing shortfalls, and that significant numbers have considered leaving their workplaces due to high levels of stress.

The unions 2024 survey shows that 76% of respondents stated that their current staffing levels and skill mix did not meet the required clinical and patient demands in their work area, with 92% of those expressing concern that patient safety was at risk.

More than half of respondents (54%) stated that they felt under pressure from their workplace to work additional hours/shifts, with 15% stating they worked more than 20 additional unpaid hours per month.

As in previous years, the INMO survey aimed to capture the proportion of nurses and midwives who intended to leave their professions, or their workplaces. In response to this, 63% of respondents stated that they had considered leaving their work area over the last month, and of those 44.54% said this was mainly due to workplace stress.

The union also surveyed members on issues such as health and wellbeing, and their experiences of Long COVID, with responses revealing that more than 1 in 5 nurses and midwives (21.39%) stating they had attended their GP due to work-related stress and 1 in 8 respondents (12.57%) stated they had or had previously had Long COVID.

INMO President Karen McGowan said:

These results very clearly show that nurses and midwives are struggling in todays health service.

More than four years on from the start of the COVID pandemic, INMO members are still dealing with the effects in their workplaces, in their practise, and in their own health. Meanwhile the government has failed to make progress on hospital overcrowding, and conditions for staff and patients in many places has gotten far worse than we could have imagined.

Not only is this situation not sustainable, but it is painfully clear from these survey results that the Irish health service and its staff are not in a position to ensure another crisis. These services and the people working in them, are hanging by a thread, and its frightening to think what would happen if they had to withstand another serious shock. INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said:

Every year our members fulfil their duty with regard to their patients and the services they provide, by raising the pressing issues that need to be addressed, and demonstrating the impact of inaction on their services and their patients. Year after year, they find that they are not being met halfway.

We have clear data on the impact of unsafe staffing on patient outcomes; we have data on the relationship between overcrowding and whether or not patients will survive; and here we have clear figures saying nurses and midwives are extremely stressed, working unpaid hours, and leaving their jobs. The failure to act on very clear data is simply irresponsible.

INMO members know cannot increase bed capacity or staffing quotas. They have reached the end of what they themselves can do to improve the services, and it is up to the government and the HSE to bring about these changes, or risk a collapse in the numbers of staff who are willing to work in Ireland, and catastrophic patient outcomes as a result.

ENDS Notes to Editors The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation are holding their Annual Delegate Conference in Croke Park, Dublin on 8-10May. Over 350 delegates are expected to attend the organisations 105th Annual Delegate Conference. Over 50 motions will be debated on the recruitment moratorium, patient safety, campaign for a ceasefire in Gaza, safety in the workplace, housing and integration.

SAFE STAFFING

A significant 76.41% of respondents stated that their current staffing levels and skill mix did not meet the required clinical and patient demands in their work area.

Of the participants who reported that the staffing levels and skill mix were inadequate to meet the clinical and patient demand, 92.29% expressed concern that patient safety was at risk.

EXPERIENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

A majority, 53.98% of respondents stated that they felt under pressure from their workplace to work additional hours/shifts.

Meanwhile, only 6.92% of respondents said that they always left their shift on time, while 67% of respondents indicated that they had worked additional unpaid hours over their contracted hours of employment over the last 12 months.

Of those, 61.22% worked between one and five or one and 10 hours unpaid each month, and 15.10% worked more than 20 hours.

WELLBEING

A very high 69% of respondents reported that their work was impacting their physical health.

Over half of those polled (54.56%) said that they always or very often felt physically exhausted and 41% of respondents believed that your work negatively impacts their psychological wellbeing.

BURNOUT

More than half, 56.46% of respondents stated that their work was emotionally exhausting to a high or very high degree, 48.55% of respondents felt burnt out because of work to a very high degree or to a high degree.

Other notable findings included 70% of respondents stated that they felt worn out at the end of the working day to a high degree to very high degree, 51% of nurses and midwives stated they felt exhausted in the morning at the thought of another day at work to a high degree to a very high degree and 37% of respondents stated that they felt that every working hour was tiring for them.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly visited Mayo University Hospital (MUH) in Castlebar last Friday before travelling on to Cong to inspect the site of the new Daisy Lodge.

While in Cong, Minister Donnelly spoke to the Western People about overcrowding at MUH - last January, it was revealed that MUH was the third most overcrowded hospital in the country.

Mayo University Hospital has been through a tough time; there have been far too many patients on trolleys in the emergency department and the waiting lists were going up, the Minister said, adding that he spent several hours in the hospital on Friday and could see a turnaround.

The Minister said MUH's outpatient list and patients on trolleys had fallen by about one-third this year while the number of people being treated in the emergency department was up nearly 20% on last year.

With over 4,400 patients waiting on trolleys in the hospital in 2023, Minister Donnelly mentioned that the length of stay in MUH has been reduced, which has freed up much-needed beds.

The patient flow in the hospital is much better. It feels like there has been a county-wide response to help this. It doesn't mean everything is fixed, as its not, but I have to say I was very encouraged by the falling waiting lists, the falling trolley numbers and the new services being rolled out.

Paying tribute to MUH staff, Minister Donnelly said the Government was committed to further investment at the facility.

I want to see another bed block built if we can get a final agreement on the 1,500 beds around the country. I want Mayo to be one of those locations.
Consultants will be appointed this summer to begin Active Travel works in Ballinrobe, writes Paul O'Malley.

Independent Cllr Patsy OBrien raised a notice of motion at last weeks meeting of the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District calling for Mayo Co Council to provide updated plans for traffic calming on Abbey Street, a pedestrian crossing at Tesco, Friarsquarter West, and a car park at Abbey Street under the Smarter Travel scheme.

Area engineer Conrad Harley said consultants will be appointed this summer to progress designs for these proposals.

Cllr OBrien welcomed the news as a positive development for Ballinrobe.

Fianna Fail Cllr Damien Ryan agreed but said rural Ireland cannot be left behind by Smarter Travel.

There is a concentration of Smarter Travel projects on the large urban centres. Rural areas are being left behind and a two-tier system is needed. The Department and the council need to go back to the drawing board on this, he said.

Fine Gael Cllr Michael Burke said the issue with Abbey Street was that it is so narrow.

Speed is a big problem on this street. Some kind of traffic calming would make things more comfortable, he said.
A Westport councillor has claimed that funding from Mayo County Council is being managed under Troika bailout rules, as though the country was still on its knees.

Fine Gael Cllr Peter Flynn made the claims at a meeting of Westport-Belmullet municipal district last week during a discussion on capital projects.

Our hands are absolutely tied, particularly for the municipal district, between being understaffed, under-resourced and under-funded. It is dire straits for staff trying to deal with it and also for us as councillors trying to deal with engineers [because] they also have their hands tied."

Cllr Flynn said the issue of funding in the district was "shameful", citing as an example a figure of 26,000 for estate management and 36,000 for maintenance of council houses over the next four months for the entire Westport-Belmullet district.

"In Westport alone, there are 200 council houses. Any sort of work on a house and you are into five figures."

Cllr Flynn said the rules being imposed by council chief executive Kevin Kelly are similar to the ones that existed in Ireland in the early 2010s during the EU-IMF bailout.

"Please tell me what is going on," he said. "The Exchequer funding has a massive surplus but here, Mayo County Council is playing like it was 2010 and the country on its knees. We are operating under the Troika rules, and I am sorry to say, that Doctor No is now the title for our chief executive and that is not something I take pleasure in saying. It is not fair to council staff, us as councillors and the public and it cannot be allowed to continue.

Independent Cllr John OMalley said people in rural areas are suffering due to a lack of council funding for roads.

"They are paying their property taxes but then they dont get footpaths or lights. Surely they are entitled to a good road to their home? Some roads I have gone into would knock the teeth out of your head. What is the Government giving to people in rural areas who are paying water and sewerage fees and property tax and motor tax and insurance on their cars? What are they getting for it? More money is going to have to come down from central government for our roads.

Cllr Christy Hyland wondered why people in rural Ireland pay property tax.

"They are not too demanding in return. All they want is the potholes fixed and their hedges cut. I can see it going where the people in rural Ireland in future will refuse to pay it and there are murmurings out there at the moment because they are not getting the services. In urban centres they get lighting, water, sewerage, but all group schemes in rural areas are run by volunteers who have to step up and do repairs. This form of local government is not working. Its back to the drawing board."

He said the old town council system was "way better", adding that Westport is now "looking tired" and "not getting the attention."

To a query from Cllr Paul McNamara as to how the system was not working, Cllr Hyland responded: Because theres no money. The CEO wont spend nothing, God forbid. Hes a nice man, but hes a pure scrooge.
This week sees the anniversary of the formal surrender by Germany that ended World War II in Europe. Next month we go to the polls in the European elections. What thread connects these two things, and why should it matter to us?

By May 7th, 1945, Hitler was dead, the Soviet Army was in Berlin and the Americans and British were racing across Germany, so the formal surrender just confirmed the collapse of the Third Reich. After six years of war in Europe, it all came to an end in the west on May 7th, and in the east the following day, May 8th.

The damage was beyond imagining. The continent was in ruins. Millions were dead, injured, displaced, from fighting that had first begun in September 1939. After rapid victories for the Germans, from late 1942 on they began to lose. At the time, Churchill described the end of that winning streak for the Germans as not the beginning of the end, but as perhaps, the end of the beginning. As it turned out, he was wrong. It was, in fact, the beginning of the end. From the end of 1942 on, the Germans never stopped losing until their collapse in May 1945.

In that struggle, the Soviets did the heavy lifting. It was they who broke the Germans on the battlefield and paid the price with casualty rates that were terrifying.

It wasnt just soldiers who suffered, for millions of civilians died too. The Jewish people suffered a systematic attempt to wipe every man, woman and child from the earth. Millions of them had been numbered, tagged, and then brought to designated centres to be exterminated. The children were killed, because, as the Nazis saw it, they could not let them grow up to be avengers. And the more it became clear that the Germans were losing the war, the more the effort to murder them was energised.

With the wreckage from the war near total, especially in central and eastern Europe, by 1945, whole swathes of the continent were as an ant heap. People were moving in all directions, trying to patch together the little that remained of their families and their homes. Germany had wreaked this on Europe: now Germans were forcibly expelled from parts of Europe where they had lived for centuries. And while World War II had ended, the allies who had brought it about were now about to divide, bringing about a Cold War that would last for over four decades.

The Soviet Union and the Americans were the big winners of World War II  they would both become superpowers, and their rivalry would shape the next 45 years. The settlement that came about because of the way the war ended and the rivalry between those two powers still shapes Europe today. Why so?

Because, simply put, the post-1945 settlement has meant settled boundaries in Western Europe, but did not permanently settle matters in Eastern Europe. That latter issue is an old one. We have never really had a settled system of states in central and eastern Europe. After World War I, the old empires that used to control the area collapsed. The idea then was to replace those empires with a series of what were called nation-states, providing each nationality with their own state.

Thats a great idea in theory, but the problem was that various nationalities lived alongside one another, not neatly on one side of a river or mountain range. And so each of these nation-states had national minorities, often unhappily living in a state controlled by another nation. That meant tensions, disputes, conflicts and further wars.

That was avoided here in the Free State by partition, which spared the island of Ireland a convulsive civil war of the type that continental Europe was used to. But of course it also meant that nationalists in the North were sacrificed to live under the dominant control of British unionists  an undoubtedly unhappy and unjust experience for them.

On the continent, post World War II, it was the Cold War between East and West that sealed in all those national tensions in Eastern Europe, under the brute dominance of the Soviet Union. In fact, in the late 1970s, the Superpowers made a deal at Helsinki which said that the post-World War II borders of European states could not be altered. It was thought that would mean the territorial ambitions of one state over another could be contained.

But since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, all those historic tensions have come bubbling up again. Since then, the post-World War II border between the two Germanies was changed, as East Germany was taken over by the West. Czechoslovakia split  peacefully  into two states. The Soviet Union collapsed, breaking into multiple states, with all the multiple issues that has produced. Yugoslavia collapsed in 1991, unleashing a near decade of war and  in large parts of the region  two subsequent decades of uneasy peace.

Alarmingly, in response to all of this instability, a lot of people are turning back to nationalism  it is happening here too  with the hope that it can provide an answer to the uncertainty and lack of security that many people across Europe feel. It cant. It all too often creates the problem. We have a good example of that right on our own doorstep. Brexit is simply English nationalism. Our response to it has too often been  again last week  to think that we can somehow simply take over Northern Ireland and all will be well.

And here is the thread that connects the consequences of World War II to those European elections in one months time. When people have a different view of their nationality, and live on the same piece of ground, there is only one way to manage that peacefully. A multilateral order, where states co-operate and are bound by law across their national frontiers, is the only effective way to minimise rather than amplify tensions  and the EU is the imperfect, but only, continent-wide methodology which has ever worked.

The Good Friday Agreement is an example of that kind of approach working in an individual territory, and where when set within the EU context it worked best. Our pre-Brexit arrangements on this island are a very good example of that in action. Pre-Brexit, the tensions over those applicants for international protection coming south from Belfast would have been handled in a much different way to what we saw last week.

So as European elections come up, this historical context should be at the forefront of our minds. Co-operation is how we reduce and manage tensions  and how we deepen that co-operation on the major matters and events that shape our world would be a suitable topic over the next month.
David Young and Ted Hennessy, PA

Police in Northern Ireland undertook six-monthly trawls of the phone data of troublemaker journalists to see if they were in contact with officer sources, a tribunal has heard.

Details of what was described as Orwellian PSNI spying tactics on reporters emerged at a sitting of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London.

The revelations were aired in the latest hearing of a case examining allegations that two investigative reporters in Northern Ireland were subject to unlawful covert intelligence by the police.

Evidence presented to the tribunal on Wednesday suggested that Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spying operations extended to several other reporters operating in the region.

Barry McCaffrey (centre) and Trevor Birney (third left) with lawyers and supporters outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London (Victoria Jones/PA).

In 2018, investigative documentary makers Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney were controversially arrested as part of a police investigation into the alleged leaking of a confidential document that appeared in a film they made on a Troubles massacre.

The PSNI later unreservedly apologised for how the men had been treated and agreed to pay 875,000 in damages to the journalists and the film company behind the documentary.

In 2019, Mr Birney and Mr McCaffrey lodged a complaint with the IPT asking it to establish whether there had been any unlawful surveillance of them.

The PSNI had asked Durham Constabulary to take the lead in the investigation into the leaked Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland document that appeared in the documentary, No Stone Unturned, into the 1994 loyalist paramilitary massacre in the village of Loughinisland in Co Down.

Last week, 600 pages of new evidence were disclosed to the tribunal ahead of a substantive hearing scheduled for October.

Those papers included a Durham Constabulary minute of a meeting between the senior investigating officer from Durham, Darren Ellis, and two PSNI detective sergeants working in intelligence operations.

Ben Jaffey KC, representing Mr McCaffrey, revealed that the note made reference to what was described as a PSNI defensive operation against journalists in the region.

It appears to disclose the existence of what the PSNI call a defensive operation involving the cross-referencing of billing with police telephone numbers on a six-monthly basis of what appear to be a group of Northern Irish journalists who have written unobliging things about the PSNI, he told the tribunal.

The barrister said the document indicated the operation was definitely in place in 2017.

But he added: We dont know when it started and we dont know when its finished and we dont know what it involves.

Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney and their solicitors John Finucane and Niall Murphy leave Musgrave Street police station in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA).

Mr Jaffey said the PSNI had yet to offer a response to the material disclosed by Durham Constabulary.

But if this is what has been going on, we obviously say its unlawful to go and take a list of troublemaker journalists, get their billing every six months and cross-reference it with a list of police telephone numbers, and see if those journalists have got any new police sources is plainly unlawful.

A defensive operation can only be what we say is a slightly Orwellian euphemism.

As well as the events around the documentary, the tribunal, chaired by Lord Justice Singh, had also been probing two other instances of police surveillance against Mr McCaffrey in 2013 and 2011.

Mr Jaffey said the fresh evidence disclosed to the tribunal suggested he could have been subjected to many more covert spying bids.

I think I made a cheap joke last time around that Id lost count of the number of times that Mr McCaffrey has had his communications data obtained, he said.

Thats no longer really, unfortunately, a joke.

The barrister said the documents freshly disclosed also raised a series of other incidents of concern, including an attempt by police to access data from Mr Birneys wife, a police consideration of accessing his solicitor Niall Murphys personal data, and a bid to secure international intelligence on Mr McCaffrey in relation to a trip he and Mr Birney had taken to France in 2016.

When the case opened in February, it heard allegations that the Met Police illegally obtained Mr McCaffreys phone data in 2011  data that police in Northern Ireland subsequently secured seven years later as part of another probe into the reporters work.

The BBC has joined the tribunal case amid claims one of its former investigative reporters, Vincent Kearney, was spied on by the PSNI (Liam McBurney/PA)

Further claims around the Mets involvement in accessing data from the reporter were also aired at Wednesdays hearing.

Last week, it emerged that the BBC had instructed lawyers to contact the tribunal over claims one of its ex-investigative reporters was spied on by police.

The corporation said the allegations relate to former BBC journalist Vincent Kearney and his work on a 2011 Spotlight documentary that probed the independence of the Police Ombudsmans office.

Mr Kearney, who is the current Northern Editor at RTE, said he is determined to find out what happened.

A barrister representing the BBC was present in court for Wednesdays hearing. He said the corporation was taking its intervention in the case seriously.

The PSNI and other respondents in the case have been asked to respond to the issues raised ahead of a further review hearing in July.

Outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the sitting adjourned, Mr Birney said the hearing made clear that the PSNI was absolutely obsessed with journalists and their sources.

And I think we need to remind the PSNI and remind the authorities back in Belfast that journalism isnt a crime, that journalists all over the world have sources and that is lawful and that is absolutely what journalists are there to do, he added.

But what weve heard this morning is incredibly worrying about the industrial harvesting of journalists phone data and I think that that is something that we really need to find out more about and we need to find out quickly.

The PSNI have a duty of candour to this court in order to explain properly rather than being dragged to this court kicking and screaming, which is whats been going on here for five years.

Mr McCaffrey added: The public have to have confidence in policing, if a journalist phones the PSNI press office now their phone will end up going straight to these dark arts.

The dark arts were supposed to be gone after the Good Friday Agreement, it seems that theyre still here and theyre thriving and they seem to be in charge, that cant be allowed to go on.
South African elections: research explores how disillusioned ANC supporters might use their vote

The 2024 elections may be the tipping point that enables opposition parties to portray themselves as viable contenders in forming a coalition government in SA.

The African National Congress (ANC) has been in power since South Africa became a democracy in 1994. The party has been electorally dominant since then, reaching a peak of 69.7% of national votes in 2004.

However, support for the party has declined sharply since the 2014 national and provincial elections, reaching a low of 57.5% in 2019.

Negative attitudes towards the ruling party have depressed its vote tallies, increased abstention, and widened potential support for opposition parties. Opinion polls have consistently shown that the ANC will not win the more than 50% of votes required to form a government by itself in the national and provincial elections on 29 May 2024.

This raises the likelihood of the first national coalition government in 30 years.

For my PhD thesis I researched how South African opposition parties organise and campaign at the municipal level, and the factors that influence individual voting decisions. It revealed that voting decisions are heavily conditioned by experiences with government service delivery. More than policy platforms, the decision to vote was influenced by personal feelings about whether any political party could be trusted to provide basic health, electricity, housing, and roads in a fair manner.

As part of doctoral research to understand the nuances of South African voting behaviour, I conducted semi-structured interviews with 111 people who intended to vote for the ANC in the municipalities of eThekwini, on the east coast of the country; Johannesburg; Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg; and Rustenburg, in the North West province; between 2017 and 2018. I focused on black townships, which have historically been bastions of support for the ruling party.

Based on the research findings, I argue that the extent of loyalty to the ANC varied significantly among supporters. Many of those intending to vote ANC in 2019 expressed only a thin loyalty to the party. Their weaker ties to the ANC make them more prone to changing their votes or abstaining in subsequent elections. This was most evident among those who reached voting age after the first democratic elections in 1994. This demographic made up 68% of the voting age population at the time of the 2022 StatsSA Census.

Degrees of loyalty

A first category of ANC voters expressed strong loyalty to the party, which was more prevalent among older South Africans but also some younger voters who valued the ANCs history in the struggle for political freedom. Strong emotional attachments to the party made them resistant to changing their voting choice. Individuals affirmed that now I wont just turn my back or

you will be an ANC member until you die.

However, a second category of ANC supporter had a thin loyalty to the party. They voted for it because they saw it as the only party that had provided services to their communities. They had more of a transactional relationship than an emotional investment. They said they would continue to vote for the ANC because it was the only party that had historically shown a commitment to change and development within their communities, even though they were not satisfied with the current rate of improvements in housing, electricity, and water service delivery.

A 39-year-old woman in Soweto explained that even though she was deeply unsatisfied with the ANC, she would continue to vote for them

because they used to do good things.

A third category of ANC voters voted strategically or habitually because they thought it was prudent to align themselves with the party most likely to win. Despite their unhappiness with ANC performance, they were afraid that voting for an opposition party would be a waste because they were unlikely to win. They expressed a declining emotional attachment to the ANC over time. A 31-year-old man explained this in an interview:

I am so confused now, because yes, I have voted before, but now things are not the same like before.

Opposition parties were not seen as viable because they had not contributed to local development. While local governments are directly responsible for providing electricity, sanitation and water services, the provincial and national governments have a significant role in providing basic healthcare, electricity generation, housing and upgrading informal settlements.

Voters were concerned that they were less likely to benefit from these services if they elected an opposition councillor or provincial government that would have to work with the ANC government at the national level. In this way, strategic considerations often loomed larger than policy platforms or party leadership.

Tipping point

Since the 2019 elections, public opinion of the ANC has continued to worsen. Perceptions of service delivery have been undermined by, for example, power cuts that have devastated the economy.

The thinning loyalty towards the ANC (especially among young people) increases the probability that they will change their voting behaviour in the future. Some may opt to abstain. But if eligible voters start to see opposition parties as credible challengers, then voting for them will represent a potentially effective way to improve development outcomes.

As the most loyal ANC voters from older generations continue to decline relative to the born free generations, the narrative of the ANCs decline could potentially drive strategic voters to opposition parties in greater numbers.

The 2024 elections may well be the tipping point that enables opposition parties to portray themselves as viable contenders in the formation of coalition governments on the provincial and national stage. These parties are poised to attract votes from those with a thin loyalty to the ANC. As feelings of loyalty diminish, the electoral environment is becoming more conducive for voters to entertain the real possibility of putting opposition parties in positions of power.

Michael Braun, Centennial Postdoctoral Fellow, University of the Witwatersrand. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Press Release

May 8, 2024 Poe: PH facing crisis in water regulation Sen. Grace Poe warned the water shortage being felt in a number of provinces could happen anew if the management of water resources is not addressed. "Tagtuyot ngayon, baha naman sigurado sa susunod na buwan. Tila ito na ang reyalidad para sa ating mga kababayan taon-taon na lang," Poe said as she presides over the hearing of the Senate committee on public services on her Senate Bill No. 102. The measure seeks the creation of a Department of Water that will lead and consolidate whole-of-society efforts for the comprehensive and integrated development and management of water resources in the country. "The root of our water crisis is actually a crisis in regulation. The problem is not that we don't have resources but that we do not effectively manage our resources," she added. Poe asked, "Kailan tayo huling nagpatayo ng dam?" adding that Angat Dam in Bulacan was built in 1968 when the population was small and water demand was still low. "Pinanganak ako, 1968. Kung ako medyo sumasakit-sakit na 'yung mga buto-buto ko eh 'yun pa kayang dam na 'yan. But what I am saying is, ano 'yung population natin noong 1968 at ano na ngayon? Doble. Magtataka ba tayo na kinukulang tayo ng tubig," she said. To date, Poe said at least 131 cities and municipalities from Ilocos Norte to Cotabato have suffered immense water shortage and declared a state of calamity. The National Economic Development Authority estimates that out of 1,486 municipalities, approximately 332 that are mostly in urban poor spaces or in the poorest provinces, are considered waterless. The senator lamented that taps of households and businesses are dry during the El Nino season despite the presence of abundant water resources all over the archipelago. Based on data, the Philippines has 421 river basins; 59 natural lakes; 100,000 hectares of freshwater swamps; 50,000 square kilometers of groundwater reservoir; and 2,400 millimeters of average rainfall throughout the year. "Sa isang archipelago na napapalibutan ng tubig, nakakabahala na may mga lugar pa rin na walang malinis na tubig, at nakakahiya dahil ang mga bansang disyerto, parang mas wala pang water interruption kaysa sa atin. Our problem is the system," Poe said. She said several government bodies are tasked to take charge of water supply and irrigation, but not all have specializations on water management and regulation. "With over 30 departments and line agencies handling water-related functions, coordination on vital programs and data collection has been very limited, if not nonexistent," she added. Poe's bill, one of the administration's priority measures, aims to put in place robust policies that will help address the country's water woes. "We will endeavor to pass this definitely by this Congress because we have to, this is crucial," Poe said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Political Director of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aliza Bin Noun visited the grave of the national hero of Azerbaijan Albert Agarunov, Trend reports.

"Azerbaijan is home to a free and thriving Jewish community. Today I paid respect at the grave of Albert Agarunov, an Azerbaijani national hero and a son of the local Jewish community. In times of rising antisemitism in the world, it is heartwarming to see the freedom and equality which the Jewish community enjoys in Azerbaijan", she wrote on her page on X.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Bulgaria ranks among Azerbaijan's top 10 export markets, with trade turnover increasing significantly compared to 2023, Deputy Economy Minister Sahib Mammadov told a roundtable of Azerbaijani and Bulgarian companies, Trend reports.

He highlighted that in the first quarter of 2024 alone, bilateral trade surged nearly fourfold to $153 million, with Azerbaijan's exports to Bulgaria increasing by over fourfold to $146 million.

Beyond commerce and investment, 65 documents have shaped our partnership. Recent projects like the 2.1 million-euro twinning program demonstrate our multilateral engagement inside EU frameworks. These efforts demonstrate our commitment to collaboration across disciplines, Mammadov said.

He extended an invitation to Bulgarian companies to undertake projects in Azerbaijan's economic zones and the country's liberated territories.

The Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), with the Ministry of Economy's support, organized the Azerbaijani-Bulgarian business forum, which kicked off in Baku.

Deputy Executive Director at AZPROMO Zohrab Gadirov and Chairman of the Bulgaria-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dimitar Bratanov also attended the event.

Moreover, the forum hosts officials and approximately 120 businessmen representing various sectors, including industry, transportation, logistics, agriculture, ICT, oil and gas, construction, engineering, furniture, insurance, consulting, and trade.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Doctoral candidates at Lanzhou University's College of Ecology Cao Ze hangs a feeding bag onto the yak's horns in Maqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Gansu Province, April 27, 2024. [Xinhua/Wen Jing]

LANZHOU, May 7 (Xinhua)  Riding a motorcycle, Zhao Zhiwei, 30, skillfully drove some 30 yaks back to the shed, where his classmate Cao Ze was waiting to hang a feeding bag onto each yak's horns.

After appeasing a yak by touching its head, Cao grabbed the horns tight, leaned his upper body to push down the cattle, and quickly put on the bag. Inside the bag, forage made of straw, wheat bran, and bean pulp was to provide nutrition that the cattle need.

"It takes skills to catch a yak smoothly. I learned them from local herders," said Cao, 26.

Being doctoral candidates at Lanzhou University's College of Ecology in northwest China's Gansu Province, Zhao and Cao are stationed in Maqu County at an average altitude of over 3,700 meters, conducting research and providing technology services to local herders.

Doctoral candidates at Lanzhou University's College of Ecology Cao Ze (L) and Zhao Zhiwei collect grass samples in Maqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Gansu Province, April 27, 2024. [Xinhua/Wen Jing]

A total of 18 young researchers and postgraduate students led by their professor, Long Ruijun, have carried out fieldwork on ranges, herding bases, and agricultural enterprises on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Through field investigations, experimental research and technical training, they have aimed to bring more benefits to the animal husbandry industry while balancing ecological protection and improving the livelihoods of local herders.

The young team has overcome unimaginable difficulties to conduct research on the plateau. For Zhao, the hardest part was purchasing yaks and sheep for the research.

"For the purpose of research, we only accepted yaks weighing 145 kg to 155 kg. So we had to choose ideal cattle door to door," Zhao said, adding that sometimes they walked into the wetland barefoot, carrying a huge weigh scale, only to reach the herders' homes.

The team converted a vacant 40-year-old cottage with three rooms into their dormitory and "lab." In the house, Dong Youhan, 25, weighed grass samples with her classmate.

Postgraduate students of Lanzhou University's College of Ecology Dong Youhan (L) and Hu Xiaomeng weigh grass samples in Maqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Gansu Province, April 27, 2024. [Xinhua/Wen Jing]

Dong said they fed the yaks in the morning, cut grass in the afternoon, and then conducted vegetation research, with the plateau constantly providing research subjects.

Despite hardships during the dull days of endless research, they also find joy.

"We really enjoy breathing the fresh air, strolling and lying idly on the grassland," said the second-grade postgraduate.

Their professor, Long, said that doing fieldwork in areas with harsh conditions would not only help young people with their studies but also cultivate their spirit of hard work and contribute to society.

According to Tenzin Gurmey, head of a local breeding base, the optimized forage and breeding techniques taught by the team have lowered the herding cost while maintaining meat quality and promoted the high-quality and sustainable development of the animal husbandry industry.

"I hope the scientific technologies that we are working on will someday be further promoted to the plateau area in Asia and even the alpine areas in the world," Cao said.

(Source: Xinhua)
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. [Xinhua/Liu Bin]

BELGRADE, May 7 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia.

Serbian Air Force sent two fighter jets to escort Xi's plane after it entered the country's airspace.

The Chinese president was warmly welcomed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.

Serbian children presented flowers to Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, and waved the national flags of China and Serbia. Serbian people dressed in national costumes sang and danced to welcome them.

"China and Serbia enjoy profound traditional friendship. Our bilateral relationship has stood the test of changing international environment and become a fine example of state-to-state relations," Xi said in a written statement upon arrival.

Xi said he looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to have in-depth exchange of views with Vucic on bilateral relationship and other issues of mutual interest, renew friendship, plan for cooperation, explore development, and draw up a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations.

"I am confident that this visit will be a fruitful one and will open up a new chapter in China-Serbia relations," he said.

Xi's visit to Serbia marks his second visit to the country in eight years, which is a milestone to upgrade and improve bilateral relations.

"It gives me great pleasure to pay a state visit to the Republic of Serbia at the warm invitation of President Vucic," Xi said.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to extend heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the friendly government and people of Serbia," he added.

He said that since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, the bilateral relationship has realized leapfrog development, and achieved historic results.

The two countries are bound by rock-solid political mutual trust, and have seen fruitful results in high quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Chinese president said, adding that "our ironclad friendship has taken deeper roots in the heart of the two peoples."

China and Serbia have rendered each other firm support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

"We have jointly upheld international fairness and justice, and contributed our share to promoting world peace and development," he added.

Cooperation between the two countries is rooted in the principle of equality and mutual benefits, said Xi.

"Standing at a new historical starting point, China will work with Serbia to jointly stay committed to the original aspiration and forge ahead together to open up a new vista in China-Serbia cooperation with stronger momentum, greater scope, and higher quality," he said.

Xi travelled to Serbia after his visit to France.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. Xi was warmly welcomed by President Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport upon arrival. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. Xi was warmly welcomed by President Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport upon arrival. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

Chinese President Xi Jinping's plane arrives in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. [Xinhua/Ding Haitao]

Chinese President Xi Jinping's plane arrives in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

A crowd gathers to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. [Xinhua/Li Jing]

Children welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. [Xinhua/Liu Bin]

(Source: Xinhua)
Aerial photo taken on Aug. 16, 2021 shows the Smederevo Steelworks, Serbia. [HBIS Serbia/Handout via Xinhua]

BELGRADE/BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua)  Situated by the scenic Danube River, the Smederevo Steelworks had long been hailed as the pride of Serbia before it slid to bankruptcy more than two decades ago.

Thanks to the deepening of the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Serbia, the century-old factory made a remarkable comeback in 2016 when its Chinese partner arrived.

In just a couple of months, the steel mill started turning a profit. It has now become one of the world's largest iron and steel makers and integrated service providers measured by production capacity.

The rebirth of the steel mill stands as a key epitome of the broader practical cooperation between the two countries.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping is about to pay his second state visit to the European country, expectations are running high that the ironclad friendship between the two nations will be further enriched and strengthened.

Many big Chinese investment projects here were brought about by President Xi, former Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said. "He is a sincere friend of Serbia."

During his first state visit to Serbia in 2016, Xi offered a strong helping hand to the Smederevo Steelworks, ushering in a wave of Chinese support.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C), accompanied by then Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and then Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, talks with workers at the dining hall of a steel mill in Smederevo, Serbia, June 19, 2016. [Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng]

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic clearly remembers how he, then as prime minister, approached Xi during the latter's visit with the idea of saving the struggling company. Xi assured him with a famous Chinese saying that "promises must be kept, and actions must be resultful."

"What we pledge to do, such as introducing cutting-edge technology, ensuring local employment, and benefiting the wider community, must be achieved without fail," Xi told the workers when visiting the factory.

Vladan Mihailovic, executive director for production at the steelworks, described Xi's visit as a turning point. With Xi's support, China offered sustained assistance to Serbia to revive the factory.

"The president's commitments, especially regarding the modernization of production facilities, have become a reality," said Mihailovic.

About 60 km away to the northwest of the steelworks nestles the Belgrade Centre railway station, the starting point of another Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation project Xi cares about  the Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway.

As a segment of the Serbia-Hungary railway, it began operations in March 2022 and has since been shuttling passengers between Serbia's two largest cities at speeds of up to 200 km per hour. Vucic dubbed it "a gift for future generations."

The flourishing cooperation between Beijing and Belgrade within the framework of the BRI epitomizes the growing synergy between development strategies of the two countries, which has significantly bolstered bilateral economic and trade relations.

According to Chinese customs statistics, the total trade volume between China and Serbia in 2023 reached 4.35 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 23.7 percent compared to the previous year.

In October last year, witnessed by Xi and Vucic, China and Serbia signed a free trade agreement in Beijing, the first one inked between China and a Central and Eastern European country. After the deal takes effect, more than 60 percent of taxable items will become tariff-free immediately, and the final import volume proportion of both sides with zero-tariff items will reach about 95 percent.

"China is one of the most important partners for Serbia's economic development," said Nenad Stekic, a research fellow with the Institute of International Politics and Economics, a Serbian think tank.

"Since we elevated our relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, the relationship has been really going on an upward trajectory across the board," he added.

(Source: Xinhua)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. A regular meeting of the Azerbaijani-Bulgarian intergovernmental commission is planned to be held in July, Acting Bulgarian Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said during the meeting of companies of the two countries in Baku, Trend reports.

At the next meeting, he claims, the business communities of the two nations will review the agreements made in Baku and look forward to discussing opportunities for future collaboration.

"With the launch of air connection between Baku and Sofia in June, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria are stepping up their cooperation, which is already flourishing in several areas," Malinov noted.

In parallel with the most rapidly growing energy cooperation, he noted that there are numerous opportunities for companies from other industries to interact.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Calls for urgent action to help tackle the epidemic of retail crime

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

A trade union has called for urgent action to help tackle the epidemic of retail crime which has seen a rise in shoplifting and assaults on shop workers.

The call from Usdaw comes after new figures from the Office of National Statistics revealed a 39 per cent increase of shoplifting incidents across Wales.

According to the trade union, which represents over 360,000 members, there has been been a persistent upward trend since the pandemic, which continued with a 37% increase and has now risen to the highest level in 20 years.

The rise in shoplifting has coincided with an increase in abuse towards shopworkers.

Usdaws 2023 annual survey of over 5,500 shopworkers found that 60 per cent had suffered incidents of violence, threats and abuse that were triggered by shoplifting and armed robbery.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary said the epidemic of retail crime can have a long lasting effect on many workers.

Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shopworkers, said Paddy Lillis.

Having to deal with repeated and persistent shoplifters can cause issues beyond the theft itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers.

This 39 per cent increase in shoplifting across Wales is further evidence that we are facing an epidemic of retail crime, which is hugely concerning.

Our members have reported that they are often faced with hardened career criminals in the stores and we know that retail workers are much more likely to be abused by those who are stealing to sell goods on.

Our latest survey results show that 7 in 10 retail workers suffered abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. 60 per cent of respondents said theft from shops and armed robbery were triggers for these incidents.

The scale of assaults, abuse and threats towards shopworkers and extent of the retail crime epidemic has been a disgrace for many years.

We hope that whatever the Government is proposing will be substantial and effective in giving shopworkers, key workers in every community, the respect that they have long deserved and regrettably too often do not receive.
Landmark reforms which will increase number of politicians in Senedd get go-ahead

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Landmark legislation to increase the size of the Senedd and change its voting system cleared the final hurdle in the Welsh Parliament.

MSs voted 43-16 in favour of the members and elections bill, securing a necessary two-thirds supermajority, following a debate on May 8.

Under the bill, the number of Senedd members will increase from 60 to 96 in response to concerns that the relatively small size of the legislature leads to ineffective scrutiny.

The maximum number of Welsh Government ministers will increase to 17  not including the first minister and counsel general  with powers to further increase this to 19.

The 32 constituencies in Wales that will be used in the forthcoming general election will be paired to create 16 for the 2026 Senedd poll, with each returning six members.

Bold reforms

Mick Antoniw, who is counsel general, the Welsh Governments chief legal adviser, said Welsh democracy has grown, developed and matured over the past 25 years.

Mr Antoniw told the chamber, or Siambr, that while the responsibilities of the Senedd have grown, its capacity has not  remaining the smallest of the UKs devolved legislatures.

The bill before us changes that, he said. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our democracy by creating a modern Senedd.

Mr Antoniw said the bold reforms will give the Senedd greater ability and capacity to hold the Welsh Government to account as well as ensure that every vote counts.

He argued laws are best forged in the fires of parliamentary scrutiny, saying: I think weve seen that in this bills own legislative passage.

Deeply flawed

Darren Millar, who is the Conservatives shadow constitution minister, described the bill as a deeply flawed piece of legislation which will undermine Welsh democracy.

Wales will move away from the current additional-member electoral system which uses a mix of first-past-the-post constituencies and regional party lists.

Future Senedd elections will instead use a full form of proportional representation, with Wales becoming the first UK nation to entirely scrap the first-past-the-post system.

Under the new closed-list system, People will vote for political parties rather than individuals and parties will control the order of candidates on lists.

Mr Millar, whose party was alone in voting against the bill, said the reforms will damage the relationship between the public and their elected representatives.

Shameful

He told the Siambr the closed-list system will strip away a fundamental right enjoyed by generations of Welsh voters to choose an individual candidate.

The Tory MS for Clwyd West said: It is the biggest power grab from the people of Wales that it has ever suffered in the history of Welsh democracy.

Mr Millar criticised the shameful costs of expansion which have been estimated at almost 18m a year, suggesting it would be better spent on schools and hospitals.

He said: That money instead will be spent on luxury offices and pay for 36 more politicians, their entourage of staff and the structure needed here at the Senedd to support them.

Spending 120m on more politicians over the review period is a luxury we can ill afford.

Long awaited

Heledd Fychan, for Plaid Cymru, said the long-awaited reforms will strengthen opposition members ability to hold Welsh ministers accountable.

Ms Fychan, who represents South Wales Central, stressed that the reforms are not the end of the journey, with a review to follow the 2026 election.

She said Plaid Cymru will continue to support  and campaign for  the single-transferable vote (STV) electoral system, which would allow voters to rank candidates.

Ms Fychan added that her party will hold the Welsh Government to a commitment to bring forward a recall system, which would allow voters to remove members between elections.

She said: There is still work to be done to strengthen our democracy but the step that we are taking today is a huge step forward  not only for this Senedd but also for our nation.

Robbing voters

Jane Dodds agreed the bill will enhance scrutiny as well as ensure proper representation for each and every one of Wales diverse communities.

The Lib Dems leader in Wales welcomed the outdated first-past-the-post system being binned but warned the proposed replacement is fundamentally flawed.

Ms Dodds said: The introduction of closed party lists risks robbing voters of true choice.

The Mid and West Wales MS argued STV would be the fairest and most accountable system, with every vote carrying equal weight and power.

Ms Dodds said she would support the legislation but she urged fellow members to view it as only the first step on a journey towards a stronger, fully democratic parliament for Wales.

Practical problems

Mike Hedges, a Labour backbencher who represents Swansea East, pointed out the practical problems of having as few as four members on some Senedd committees.

He said that days public accounts committee meeting would have had insufficient members to proceed if he had to go to the toilet, warning: You cannot run an organisation like that.

Mr Hedges described the reforms as akin to reverse gerrymandering, suggesting Labour will find it hard to win and the new system will consistently produce a hung Senedd.

The bill is expected to receive Royal Assent, officially becoming an Act, later this year.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
Wrexham MP welcomes mental health funding to tackle repeat offending

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Wrexhams MP has welcomed the announcement of mental health funding to tackle repeat offending

Around 700 offenders in Wales will be asked to attend mental treatment when they are handed a community sentence by the courts.

The 1.1 million initiative, funded by the UK Government, is part of an effort to reduce the 18 billion cost of reoffending to taxpayers.

Wrexhams Member of Parliament, Sarah Atherton MP, has welcomed the initiative  run by G4S with Forensic Psychology Consultancy.

It will see offenders assessed by mental health practitioners before sentencing  helping to determine what help is needed  and reduce the time it takes for them to start treatment.

According to the Ministry of Justice the funding will support more offenders to access the treatment they need as part of a tough and effective community sentence that tackles the root causes of their offending.

Ms Atherton sits on HMP Berwyns Employment Advisory Board, which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders.

The board brings together prison leaders, local businesses, and stakeholders to find and provide those in HMP Berwyn with employment opportunities, to reduce reoffending.

Sarah Atherton MP commented: This 1.1 million UK Government scheme isnt just about tackling crime; its about tackling its root causes.

By prioritising mental health, this scheme is not only speeding up treatment for offenders but most importantly, safeguarding our communities.

Regional Probation Director for Wales, Nic Davies, said: This investment is a significant boost for mental health support in Wales and will make it easier for the Probation Service to supervise offenders through their sentence and become a law-abiding member of society.

The new service follows a successful pilot in Swansea which has been running since August 2021.

The pilot found that 80 per cent of offenders who took part in this type of community order experienced a significant benefit to their mental health.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Bulgaria offers Azerbaijani company SILK Way to create a joint regional airline using unmanned aerial vehicles, executive director of Bulgarian company DRONAMICS Svilen Rangelov said, Trend reports.

He made the statement at the round table with companies from Azerbaijan and Bulgaria.

Rangelov mentioned that his company uses long-range drones for air transportation.

He suggests starting a regional airline that will work with Silk Way in this industry.

The Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), with support from the Ministry of Economy, has initiated an Azerbaijani-Bulgarian business forum in Baku. Officials and about 120 businessmen, particularly from the oil and gas, construction, engineering, furniture, insurance, consulting, and trade sectors, attend the forum.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The following speech was given by Joseph Kishore, the national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (US), at the International May Day 2024 Online Rally, held Saturday, May 4.

International May Day 2024 Online Rally

I am standing near the historical monument for the Haymarket Martyrs, working class leaders of Chicago who, in the 1880s, were framed up and executed for a crime they did not commit.

The International Committee of the Fourth International is marking May Day, the international day of working class solidarity. But what many workers may not know is that May Day had its origins here at Haymarket, and in the Eight Hour Day movement that emerged after the Civil War.

During the Civil War, Karl Marx had predicted the emergence of the American working class. In 1864, on behalf of the First Workers International, he wrote to congratulate Abraham Lincoln on his reelection, in the middle of the Civil War.

The workingmen of Europe feel sure that, as the American War of Independence initiated a new era of ascendancy for the middle class, Marx wrote, so the American Antislavery War will do for the working classes.

Karl Marx and Abraham Lincoln

Marxs prognosis was quickly vindicated. By 1867, he was able to write in Capital that it was out of the death of slavery [that] a new life at once arose. The first fruit of the Civil War was the eight hours agitation that ran with the seven-leagued boots of the locomotive from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from New England to California.

In those years Chicago epitomized the colossal growth of American capitalism and the American working class. It grew from about 100,000 in 1860 when Lincoln first accepted the nomination for president, to 500,000 in 1880. And it was an international workforce. In the 1880s, the citys population was 80 percent foreign-born or the children of foreign-born.

In 1886, the call once again went up among these workers for the eight-hour day: Eight hours for work, eight hours for sleep, eight hours for what we will! was their slogan.

Strikes and protests were held across the country on May 1. In Chicago, a march drew 80,000. On May 4 police violently attacked a follow-up rally in Haymarket Square. A bomb went off. In the explosion and police melee, seven officers and four civilians were killed.

Authorities railroaded leaders of Chicagos working class through a sham trial. Four of those falsely accused were executed on November 11, 1887: George Engel, Adolph Fischer, Albert Parsons, and August Spies.

The convicted sang the Marseillaise as they were taken to the gallows. Spies last words were The time will come when our silence will be more powerful than the voices you strangle today.

A fifth martyr, Louis Lingg, was murdered or committed suicide in jail a day earlier.

"Black Friday," the hanging of the framed-up Haymarket martyrs. November 11, 1886

Two years later, in 1889, the Second International was founded in Paris, on the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.

A French delegate motivated a resolution for a great international demonstration of May Day to mark the recent American events. Demonstrations were held throughout Europe and North America in 1890. The anniversary was marked each year thereafter. Russian workers first observed it in 1891, Chinese workers in 1927.

It is high time to revive the socialist and internationalist traditions of May Day!
Canadas ruling elite is preparing a brutal police crackdown on anti-genocide student encampments that have sprung up across the country. This is the only conclusion one can draw from Mondays expulsion of an elected member of the Ontario legislature from the provincial parliament and right-wing premier Doug Fords open threats of violence against the protesters.

The very public expulsion of Sarah Jama, the MPP (member of the provincial parliament) for Hamilton Centre, for the crime of wearing a keffiyeh was aimed at sending a clear message to all opponents of Israels genocide against the Palestinians: no opposition will be tolerated.

The intensifying political repression coincided with Israels launching of its onslaught on the tent-city of Rafah, to which over 1.2 million Palestinians have been displaced by the Zionist regimes murderous ethnic cleansing of Gaza. The offensive underscores that the far-right Netanyahu regime is fully committed to a final solution of the Palestinian question by means of genocide.

Students and faculty at the encampment on the campus of McGill University in downtown Montreal, April 27, 2024

Fords thuggish threats come after a brutal wave of police violence against US encampments during which more than 2,300 students have been violently arrested. He was following in the footsteps of Quebec First premier and CAQ leader Francois Legault, who urged the police to disperse the encampment at McGill University in Montreal last week, despite a Quebec Superior Court ruling that to arbitrarily shut down the protest would imperil democratic rights. McGill in Quebec, the University of Toronto, Ottawa University and McMaster in Ontario, and the University of British Columbia and University of Victoria, in BC, currently have encampments on their campuses.

Addressing Simon Wiesenthal Centre officials, Ford said, I wish those people in the parks, at the universities, could hear your story, referring to the Holocaust. Fords insinuation that the young student protesters are ignorant of the Holocaust is politically filthy, not least because many of the students are Jewish and have family connections to that horrific crime of German imperialism.

Ford is politically covering up a genocide taking place today, while cynically feigning remorse for the deaths of six million European Jews in World War II. Whats more, Fords government is perfectly happy to politically cultivate real antisemites, including Ukrainian far-right nationalists who praise Nazi war criminals as heroes, and the fascistic elements that led the misnamed Freedom Convoy. Fords opposition to anti-genocide encampments is in marked contrast to his tacit approval of the Convoys menacing, nearly month-long occupation of downtown Ottawa in 2022, whose instigators demanded the establishment of an authoritarian junta to eliminate all remaining pandemic public health measures.

Ford proceeded to smear the protesters, implying in not so many words that they were engaging in illegal activities, including hate crimes. I cant stand some of the nasty stuff Ive been seeing out there, he said, without providing any examples of the nasty stuff to which he was referring. Ford declared, without a shred of evidence, that the university encampments were violent: Yeah, we live in a democracy. Everyones allowed to protest peacefully. And thats what I mean, peacefully. The hatred I have seen on these protests, I have never seen in my entire sixty years. Again, Ford failed to name a single hateful statement or violent incident.

The Premier then resorted to blatant islamophobia and anti-immigrant racism, insinuating that the protests were instigated by people from foreign cultures. You want to be here in Ontario, you live in peace and love No matter what culture you are, you dont come to Ontario and stir things up, he asserted. This chauvinist diatribe received a round of applause.

Fords vicious denunciation of the anti-genocide protesters came only an hour after Jamas ejection from the Ontario legislature for wearing the keffiyeh. Jama was defying an anti-democratic ban on wearing the headscarf within the building and grounds of the Ontario Legislature that the Speaker of the House, Ted Arnott, imposed through a secret directive in March. The order to remove Jama from the legislature was made on behalf of Speaker Arnott by the Sergeant-at-Arms, the head of security for the legislative building, whose powers have their origins in 14th-century England.

Sarah Jama at the anti-genocide encampment at McMaster University in Hamilton [Photo: Sara Jama/Facebook]

The political role of the New Democratic Party, which threw Jama out of its parliamentary caucus last October because she described Israel as an apartheid state, was especially despicable. Out of a total of 28 NDP MPPs, just twoKristyn Wong-Tam and Joel Hardenalso donned keffiyehs and voluntarily walked out in solidarity with Jama. NDP leader Marit Stiles subsequently left the chamber as an individual, making explicitly clear that she was not leading a caucus walkout or protest.

The utterly cynical, token NDP defiance of the keffiyeh ban is inseparable from its support for the pro-genocide, pro-war Trudeau federal Liberal government. With the full support of the Canadian Labour Congress, Unifor and all the countrys major union organizations, the federal NDP is propping up the Trudeau government as it wages imperialist war against Russia in Ukraine and supports Israels genocide in Gaza. Speaking at a Yom HaShoah event in Ottawa as the assault on Rafahs civilians began, Trudeau declared that Zionism was not a genocidal ideology of racial superiority, but merely the belief, at its simplest, that Jewish people, like all peoples, have a right to determine their own future. Zionists are determining that future  on the bones of Palestinian women and children.

The NDPs actions have been central to the systematic suppression of all pro-Palestine, anti-genocide sentiments over the past seven months. Stiles decision to expel Jama from the partys legislative caucus served as the starting gun for a veritable wave of repression, which included the censuring of Jama in the legislature by the Ford government. The censure meant that the elected MPP is barred from speaking on any issue in the chamber until she apologizes for her October statement declaring her solidarity with the Palestinians.

In March, the NDP played the leading role in a charade in the House of Commons that began with its presentation of a motion ostensibly aimed at supporting the Palestinians right to self-determination. The NDP then voluntarily entered into backroom negotiations with the Liberal government that resulted in over a dozen amendments to the motions text. The outcome of this re-write was that the motion was transformed into a piece of propaganda backing the genocide that could have been written by the Netanyahu government.

Palestinian solidarity activist Charlotte Kates, a leading organizer of Samidoun, the Palestinian prisoners support network, was arrested after an April 26 speech in Vancouver. Kates demanded that Palestinian resistance groups, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, be removed from the Canadian states list of designated terrorist organizations. She is alleged to have declared Hamas October 7th uprising against the State of Israel to be heroic and brave. For this, Kates has been charged with public incitement of hatred and willful promotion of hatred, and ordered not to attend any protests for six months as a condition of her bail. BC NDP Premier David Eby praised the arrest of Kates.

The charges against Kates are obscene, coming as they do from the Canadian state, which maintains diplomatic relations with the State of Israel, whose political leaders engage in the public incitement of hatred on a daily basis. Defence Minister Yoav Galant has referred to the Palestinians as human animals. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has stated that there are no innocents in Gaza. Speaking on Israeli television on May 6th as the assault on Rafah began, Shimon Boker, the International Vice Chair of Netanyahus Likud Party, declared, There are no uninvolved civilians there (in Rafah). You have to go in and kill and kill and kill.

Further, the Canadian state has been itself engaged in a decades-long campaign of imperialist warfare that amounts to global terrorism. Canadian imperialism is dripping with the blood of Somalis, Yugoslavs, Afghans, Haitians, Libyans, Russians and Ukrainians. The Trudeau government has covered up any investigation into serious charges that Canadian troops tortured and murdered Afghan civilians during its brutal occupation of Kandahar province. It is rapidly arming itself for World War III.

Workers, students and youth cannot fight back against the attack on their basic rights to free speech and assembly by appealing to the same political forces who are working night and day to take those rights away. The anti-war youth need to take the political message of opposition to genocide and war into the working class, the only force that has the social power to defeat the imperialist governments that are arming and supporting the Israeli state as part of their developing global war. Workers must come to the defence of the anti-genocide students who are being attacked by the same political forces and state machine that are enforcing an ever-widening never-ending assault on their rights and living standards. Together, armed with a revolutionary socialist program and perspective, workers, students and youth must wage an independent struggle for working-class political power.
Polands steel fence on the border with Belarus [Photo by gov.pl / CC BY 3.0

Donald Tusks government in Poland plans to take tougher action against refugees, both those from Ukraine who enjoy special status and refugees from the Middle East who cross the border from Belarus.

At the beginning of the year, 101 organisations and 550 intellectuals, artists, lawyers and activists had already appealed to the government to stop the illegal pushbacks to Belarus. These include Amnesty International Poland, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, and refugee organisations such as Grupa Granica.

Individual supporters include personalities such as Wanda Traczyk-Stawska and Anna Przedpeska-Trzeciakowska, who took part in the Warsaw Uprising against the Nazis in 1944, as well as award-winning artists such as actress Maja Komorowska and director Agnieszka Holland.

The previous PiS-led government had organised an unprecedented smear campaign against Holland for denouncing the devastating conditions at the border in her film Zielona Granica (Green Border). Former EU Council President Tusk won the Polish elections last October, not least because he presented himself as a democratic alternative to the authoritarian PiS.

The tightening of the countrys anti-refugee policies shows that this is not the case. The attack on defenceless refugees serves governments around the world to stir up chauvinist sentiments, strengthen right-wing forces and attack the democratic and social rights of the entire working class. Tusk is no exception. He proves once again that the pro-war policywhich he pursues just as aggressively as the PiSis not compatible with democracy.

Expansion of Fortress Europe

When an increasing number of refugees crossed the EUs external border from Belarus to Poland in 2021, ruling circles from Warsaw to Brussels unleashed a hysterical smear campaign. They claimed that Belarus and Russia were waging a hybrid war against the EU, justifying the deprivation of rights and dehumanisation of asylum seekers. Tusk had already supported this from the opposition at the time and is now seamlessly continuing this propaganda.

The appeal to the Polish government states:

We Europeans know what it leads to when we allow people to be deprived of their dignity and fundamental rights because of their affiliation to a national, ethnic, or religious group. No human being should be treated like a weapon.

The appeal bitterly refers to Tusks election campaign promise to restore the rule of law:

Pushbacks must be stopped immediately. If this is delayed, the Polish authorities are condoning human rights violations. We had a different idea of the legality we were promised.

But the government does not want to stop the human rights violations, it wants to expand them. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski had already called for the borders to be one hundred percent impermeable. In February, he and Tusk announced a modernisation of the border protection facilities.

The 5.5 metre high and 186 kilometre long steel fence, which is secured with cameras, drones and patrols, is already unrivalled in Europeat least since the dismantling of the Iron Curtain between West and East in the 1990s. On top of that, the military barriers are destroying the Biaowieza Forest nature reserve. The last primeval forest in Europe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to NGOs such as Grupa Granica and Pro Asyl, 5,000 border guards, supported by 10,000 soldiers who were deployed to the border under the PiS government, ensured 3,346 pushbacks could be carried out between May and August 2023 alone. Since the beginning of 2024, the border guard has officially reported 2,300 attempted border crossings and 1,771 pushbacks.

At least 60 deaths have been confirmed since 2021 and a further 300 people are considered to have disappeared. The number of unreported cases is likely to be dramatically higher. Many have been seriously injured trying to cross the fence. The restricted zone along the border is also notorious for human rights violations in detention centres and attacks on journalists and volunteers.

In November, Polish border officials shot a 22-year-old man from Syria in the back as he tried to cross the fence. He survived after an operation in hospital. The public prosecutors office stated that it was an unfortunate accident and that the soldier had stumbled. Such statements also make clear that the Tusk governments promise to legally investigate the violations of the law at the border under the previous government are absolutely worthless.

A few weeks ago, a woman with a newborn baby was apprehended by Polish border guards. As Grupa Granica reports, the heavily pregnant woman had already been turned back twice by the officials. She had then given birth to her child in life-threatening conditions in no mans land.

At a press conference at the beginning of April, Tusk declared that as Polish head of government, he was obliged to ensure the effective defence of the Polish border. He was of the opinion that even strict methods of protection against illegal migration can be more or less humane.

The Polish governments humane plan envisages sealing the border so hermetically that not a single refugee can get past the border fence. According to the repugnant and cynical logic of the Tusk government, if no one can get in, there will be no illegal pushbacks.

Tusk said he was aware that some people were disappointed by this, but that he had never hidden his position. In fact, Tusk had supported the PiS governments measures from the outset and engaged in racist agitation against immigrants during the election campaign.

Tusk has also attacked the new EU immigration pact (GEAS), which provides for the detention of refugees in deportation camps similar to concentration camps and effectively abolishes the right to asylum, because it contains a means for the distribution of refugees. We will protect Poland against the redistribution mechanism, he declared.

Tusk is supported by an alliance of parties ranging from the extreme right-wing Polish Peoples Party (PSL) and the Greens to the social democratic SLD and the pseudo-left Razem. The latter is particularly dishonest. After the coalition negotiations, it announced it would not join the new government, but would support it, obviously realising it would be tantamount to political suicide if it openly supported Tusks extreme right-wing agenda.

Ukrainian refugees

Ukrainian refugees, who still enjoy a special status, are also increasingly becoming the target of attacks. To this day, Polish government representatives like to boast that over 3 million Ukrainians fled the war to neighbouring Poland. In fact, it was mainly the civilian population who helped the refugees on their own initiative and looked after them. The government, on the other hand, cut their social benefits after just a few months in order to force the refugees, some of whom were traumatised, into work. Many have therefore moved on or commute back and forth regularly.

A week ago, Defence Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz (PSL) defamed Ukrainians as shirkers who had fled because they did not want to go to war. I think that many of our compatriots were and are outraged when they see young Ukrainian men in hotels and cafes and when they hear how much effort it costs to help Ukraine, he told Polast News.

Kosiniak-Kamysz promised that the government would support Ukraine in the repatriation of men fit for military service. The far-right Zelensky government is trying to recruit more men with the new mobilisation law and the suspension of consular services in order to send them to the front as cannon fodder.

We as Poles have long suggested to the Ukrainian side that we can help identify those who are militarily obligated and should go to Ukraine. This is a civic duty, the Polish minister of defence said. The ministrys press office added that support for the return/repatriation of Ukrainian citizens of military age required bilateral agreements and Poland was ready for such talks.

The government has already taken the first step. It has extended subsidiary protection only until June 31, 2024 for all those who came to Poland after the start of the war, but not for Ukrainians who were already in Poland before then. The deadline has also raised eyebrows. The European Council decided to extend the protection until March 4, 2025. The Polish government reportedly wants to extend the deadline by a further year after June.

As this short extension alone will cost the state coffers almost 2 billion zlotys (450 million), the government is working on abolishing subsidies for accommodation and meals (40 zlotys/9.3 per day). These had already been restricted in June 2022 and only applied to senior citizens, disabled people and women with children. Now they too are to receive nothing.

Of the just over 1 million Ukrainians who came to Poland in 2022, around 90 percent are women, children and elderly people. However, at least another million Ukrainians were already living and working in Poland on a regular basis. There is now a growing fear among them that they will also be sent to the front.

The Tusk governments attacks on refugees go hand in hand with its own preparations for war. All Polands parties are supporting an insane rearmament programme, and Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski has repeatedly declared his willingness to send his own troops to Ukraine. At the same time, the government is cultivating the fascistic dregs of society with its agitation against immigrants, which it needs to suppress opposition from the left in its own country. The fight for democratic rights is therefore inextricably linked to the fight against war.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) posted a video from Deputy General Secretary (Postal) Martin Walsh on its Facebook page and X account on Saturday claiming to refute the idea the union supports a cut in the USO [Universal Service Obligation].

Walshs one-minute video did nothing of the sort. It served only to underscore how the CWU postal executive is fully complicit with Royal Mail plans to divest itself of the USOthe statutory obligation to provide a six-day mail service to 32 million households across the UK.

Communication Workers Union Deputy General Secretary (Postal) Martin Walsh, (left) and CWU General Secretary Dave Ward speaking at a CWU Live event [Photo: screenshot of video: CWU/Facebook]

Walsh stated, Hi all, you would have seen the article in the Telegraph saying that the union supports a cut in the USO. We just want to reassure you this is not true. Weve opposed Ofcoms proposals on a three-or-four day reduction of the USO. Weve also opposed the speed of delivery service which delays first class which Germanys adopting and a couple of other speed of delivery options.

Framed as a reply to the Telegraph, the clip was first shown during the weekly CWU Live YouTube last Thursday in which presenter Ohmar Mehtab referred to reports in the Guardian and Sunday Times that the CWU has ceded to demands by Royal Mail to end six-day delivery.

Both newspapers quoted Walshs declaration at last months CWU annual conference in Bournemouth: The reality is, the USO as a six-day option is no longer financially viable. The challenges we face are so significantprobably the most challenging time in this unions history, whether its the USO change, sale or possible takeover.

During his one-minute video Walsh never challengedor even referred tohis recent statement in support of a reduced USO. His PR stunt will only reinforce the widespread view that nothing CWU officials say can be trusted.

CWU head office have been forced to respond not by the Telegraph, but by the World Socialist Web Site and the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC).

Last month WSWS reported the CWUs own submission to regulator Ofcom supporting changes to the speed of delivery and cutting the USO to a five day service. Its submission stated: the CWU is open to changing the speed of delivery of some products, if the USO continued to ensure that First Class products were still delivered across six days.

It continued: The CWU would be willing to consider a five-day USO for letters (Monday to Friday), if it were part of a seven-day parcel service.

What has unnerved Walsh is that postal workers are discovering the truth about the CWUs collaboration with Ofcom, Royal Mail and the government. Any fight to defend the USO and thousands of jobs threatened by its destruction would involve boycotting Ofcoms phony consultation exercise. But the CWU executive are fully committed to the pro-business agenda of transforming Royal Mail into a 24/7 parcel network.

At a Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee Zoom meeting on April 28 a victimised CWU rep exposed Januarys joint statement between Royal Mail and the CWU on Quality of Service. It agreed in black-and-white an alternate day delivery model to trample the USO in breach of the law.

The CWU had pledged: Where a delivery route or part of a route is not covered on any given day it must be covered the next working day to ensure any delay in delivery is a maximum of 1 day. To enact this process both parties need a plan as part of a weekly resourcing to ensure walks never fail x 2 days in a row.

At the rank-and-file meeting, the victimised rep explained the significance of these words: Here we have an admission by Royal Mail that they are planning to fail the USO and introduce their own 3-day a week service. And as its a Joint Statement, its supported by the CWU.

The rest of Walshs lamentable video address demonstrated how the CWU is a compliant lapdog to Royal Mails cost cutting agenda: What we have said is we recognise there has to be a change in the USO if Royal Mail is to be sustainable in the future. We are working with the company to look at a model which delivers six days a week first class and has the least impact on the number of jobs but increases Saturdays off. We are working with the company on this and will communicate further in due course.

At a CWU Live Q&A event on April 3, Walsh and union General Secretary Dave Ward described this as Royal Mails Optimised Model announced the previous day.

But their corporate jargon cannot conceal the companys downsizing intent. Royal Mail is demanding that Ofcom reduce second class and bulk mail (bills and statements) to a 2.5 day or 3-day-a-week service starting in April 2025 at the latest. It estimates that 7,000 to 9,000 routes will be cut. Officially, the company is citing 1,000 redundancies, but the CWU has briefed reps that the company is targeting 6,000 jobs.

A Royal Mail postal worker delivering mail, May 2024

At its misnamed Q&A, the CWU refused to answer members questions over the real number of jobs threatened. So servile is the CWU that it declared its hand by offering to trial the downsized delivery model in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK before it has even been rubber stamped by Ofcom.

Ward proclaimed the CWU had influenced the politicians, both the government and the Labour Party and obviously Royal Mail by offering its own proposals for modernisation, seeking to tamper down opposition to what represents only a down-payment on the total dismantling of the USO.

CWU bureaucrats are seeking to gaslight postal workers just as they did last year in sabotaging the national strike via their backroom talks at ACAS. The state arbitration service was used to veto a strike renewal mandate delivered in February 2023, buying time to draft a national agreement pushed through in July that established Amazon-style terms and conditions. This time, the CWU is working with Ofcom to dismantle the mail service. It is the next phase in a brutal restructuring, using automated Super Hubs for parcels to shed thousands of jobs.

But CWU officials have no shame. Walsh and Ward are now claiming Royal Mails cost-cutting drive can serve as a negotiating position for a statement of principles on improvement terms and conditions which they are working on with Royal Mail executives!

This from the authors of a surrender document that has ushered in the biggest attacks on postal workers in Royal Mails history, including cuts to sick pay, increased productivity through management surveillance and a two-tier workforce with new entrants on inferior pay and conditions and with thousands of senior postal workers driven out of their job through back-breaking workloads.

The WSWS and PWRFC have provided a consistent exposure of the deepening collusion between the CWU and Royal Mail over the dismantling of the USO, prioritisation of parcels and the market driven restructuring. This has involved written testimony from hundreds of postal workers against a CWU bureaucracy which functions as a business partner of the major shareholders.

A genuine statement of principles is needed to mobilise the rank-and-file and to replace the CWUs unaccountable bureaucracy. A network of committees must be elected from the shop floor across every section of Royal Mail, putting workers interests before the companys profit grab that is destroying the mail service. This is the strategy being fought for by the PWRFC as part of a fightback by postal and logistics workers globally. We urge Royal Mail workers to get in touch and help build the rank-and-file movement.
This is the second part of a series of articles on the socially critical films of 1974. An introduction and Part 1 were posted May 6, Part 3 May 10, Part 4 May 13 and Part 5 May 16.

As a US Navy seaman prepares to meet his fatean eight-year sentence in military prison where he will be tormented by Marine guardstwo older sailors try to give the young victim of the system a taste of the life he will be losing out on.

The writing and acting in Hal Ashbys The Last Detail, from a novel Darryl Ponicsan and with a screenplay by Robert Towne, combine to create a memorable film, centered on the inhumanity of the American military as it compels ordinary people to commit an atrocity.

Jack Nicholson, Randy Quaid, and Otis Young in The Last Detail

Randy Quaid plays 18-year-old seaman Larry Meadows, a quasi-kleptomaniac found guilty of stealing $40 from a collection box raising money for charity. Unhappily for Meadows, the charitable cause was the pet project of the do-gooder base commanders wife.

The military justice system has thrown the proverbial book at Meadows, a troubled boy from a fragmented home in Camden, New Jersey. The punishment is meant to set an example, is grossly excessive and has everything to do with having offended the wrong people. The insignificant character of Meadows crime stands in stark contrast to the American militarys war crimes in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, where millions have died or been maimed, poisoned or mentally shattered.

In the opening scene as well as the final one, The Last Detail features military officers lording it over subordinates, barking at and humiliating them. Popular sentimentagainst war and the social order more broadlyfinds sharp expression here.

Initially incensed at the assignment (the detail) of transporting Meadows from Virginia to Maine [the Portsmouth Naval Prison, actually located in Kittery, Maine], Billy Badass Buddusky epitomizes the lower-ranking Navy lifer who takes everything he can from Uncle Sam and offers as little as possible in return. Jack Nicholsons portrayal of this type is honest and often moving.

Buddusky cooks up a petty scheme with the other sailor assigned to transport Meadows, Richard Mule Mulhall (Otis Young). Mulhall and Buddusky agree to bilk the Navy for every penny of their daily allowancetransforming a two-day trip into a weeklong hustle.

On the train ride out of Virginia, the older sailors develop sympathy for the young, ill-fated Meadows. Badass convinces Mulhall that they should interpret the travel schedule very loosely for Meadows benefit. Mulhall needs little convincing.

From the initial departure from their schedule, the trio gets into a bit of everything, from bar crawls to must-have meals, fisticuffs with Marines, a party with hippie elements, a visit to a brothel, ice-skating and so on, before Meadows is handed over at the fortress-like prison in Maine, known as the Alcatraz of the East.

Some of the more memorable scenes depict individual protest against official brutality and stupidity.

When a surly bartender refuses to serve the underage Meadows a beer, making a racist reference to the African American Mulhall in the process and threatening to call the shore patrol (a Navy law enforcement division), Buddusky pulls out his service pistol and yells I am the motherf-ing shore patrol!

Did you see how I scared the shit out of that redneck? he brags, and the three slap one another on the back over the episode.

Quaids portrayal of the young and uninitiated Meadows is a strong feature of the film. His older cohorts, though brusque and jaded, extend a needed dose of humanity to him in the form of a series of life experiences.

The Last Detail

When things have quieted down a bit, Meadows is eager to follow the sound of chanting emanating from a nearby apartment building. This leads to an encounter with a group of Buddhists, perhaps a stand-in for religious experience more generally. Meadows brief dalliance with chanting is one of the best sequences of the filmthe ridiculing of the promise of spiritualismas the pretty young Buddhist he thinks he is about to have sex with simply relates that she will chant so hard for you.

The mismatch of expectations prompts a visit to a brothel so that Meadows can have his first sexual experience. The awkwardness of first intimacy paid for by cash comes through, and Meadows maintains his essential sensitivity following the transactional first romance.

I dont have enough for another round, but can I give you the money I have just to look at you for a while? he asks the equally youthful prostitute (Carol Kane).

Many aspects of Nicholson as the badass Buddusky ring true as well. This unambitious lifer is neither a romanticized version of an American worker, nor a caricature. He is at times quite humane toward Meadows and indignant toward injustice. He is also lazy, pleasure-seeking and intemperate.

Screenwriter Towne once described Budduskys character as locked into the conventions of his life.

Towne added, He is a blowhard and he swears like a sailor should. But whats underneath it is that hes a lifer in the navy. He is imprisoned by the regulations and simply lacks the belief in his own ability to effect a change. Therefore, all he can do is swear about it. He can only express his feelings of impotence with strong language, but with no actions. Hell still take that kid to jail.

Towne, Ashby and Ponicsan clearly wanted to explore how ordinary people can commit atrocities by just following orders, a question that was particularly relevant following war crimes such as the My Lai massacre in Vietnam ordecades earlierthe Holocaust. The issue arises several times in the film.

In the course of some heavy drinking at a hotel, for example, Meadows asks Buddusky why he laid into the bigoted bartender earlier in the day. In refusing to serve them, wasnt the bartender just doing his job?

Buddusky tries and tries to draw out of the young sailor some incident when he must have stood up for himself, hopefully with his fists. Budduskys eyes grow wide with excitement as Meadows relates an incident in which a Marine referred to himself blasphemously as Jesus Christ.

Did you hit him, coldcock him? he goads the youth.

Meadows merely reported the incident to the chaplain. Budduskys ragebreaking a lamp and some furnituremight be the most telling exhibit of the impotence Towne was attempting to capture.

Otis Young, Randy Quaid, Jack Nicholson and Don McGovern in The Last Detail

Mulhalls resignation to his lifer status involves a bit more development, but not much. He is financially responsible for his mother, who brags to everyone about how the Navy sends her boy all over the world. He relates this to Buddusky approvingly, as a point of pride.

At two points when he considers the moral iniquity of delivering Meadows to the brig, he says with a stern face, I hate this motherf-ing chickenshit detail.

As the WSWS has noted, Hal Ashby (1929-88) is a generally underrated figure, largely unrecognized today, responsible for a number of valuable or, in some cases, provocative works in the 1970s. His other credits in that decade include The Landlord (1970), Harold and Maude (1971), Shampoo (1975), Bound for Glory (1976), Coming Home (1978) and Being There (1979). Ashby, as we suggested, experienced an outburst of creativity and social criticism under the influence of the broad popular radicalization in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

By all accounts, the director was a firmly anti-establishment figure, someone who despised authority, including his studio bosses, with whom he had many run-ins. Specifically, Ashby strongly opposed the Vietnam War, and his generally hostile attitude toward the military comes out in The Last Detail, a study of military injustice, in Nicholsons words.

Buddusky and Mulhall, the WSWS wrote, were hirelings sent to do the filthy work that the powers that be subcontracted to them, and they hated it and to a certain extent hated themselves for doing it. That coldness and bitterness, that self-recrimination, despite the works amusing moments, largely filled the screen. (The Last Detail was not, as one observer has noted, a film that would make you want to enlist.)

Ashbys film, which takes place in increasingly frigid temperatures as the trio makes its way north, reveals a generally declining, depressive, ramshackle America. The authorities are dishonest and corrupt, the lower ranks unhappy but locked in place.

There are undoubtedly ambivalences and unclarities in the film. Overall, Townes point about the captivity and/or impotence of the Navy lifers feels more asserted than dramatically demonstrated.

One factor here is the films tendency to present Budduskys bravado (brilliantly, perhaps too brilliantly caught by Nicholson) approvingly or semi-approvingly. What are we to make of this character?

When the latter picks a fight with a group of Marines (referred to throughout the film as bullies) in a train station, the entire episode comes off as gleeful and innocent. The consequences of being a blowhard here are a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie, of having given Meadows (who partakes in the brawl) a lesson in sticking it to the man. This is the case too when Buddusky pulls the service pistol on the bartender. Excitementnot powerlessnessis the dramatic thrust of both scenes.

These shortcomings do not rob The Last Detail of its success in capturing significant features of the decay, disillusionment and class anger of the period.
Less than three weeks after 108 students were arrested at Columbia University for establishing the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, over 2,500 people in the United States have been arrested and criminally charged for participating in similar acts of civil disobedience.

Pro-Palestinian protesters chant at University of Chicago police while being kept from the university quad on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. [AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast]

In many cases, students and faculty have been charged with trespassing for sitting on the grass or occupying campus buildings, while journalists filming students getting arrested have also been imprisoned.

As this is being written, police are arresting faculty and students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The local chapter of the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) reported Tuesday night that faculty had been arrested at its encampment. The report included a picture showing multiple people in orange safety vests being handcuffed.



The SJP and PSC reported that riot police had encircled the encampment, drawing jeers from a growing crowd that was chanting, Why are you in riot gear? We dont see no riot here.



In New York City, where Democratic Mayor Eric Adams has overseen the arrests of over 500 people, NYPD police were again recorded assaulting and conducting mass arrests of protesters Tuesday night. Over 1,000 people demonstrated in the street as part of an All Out for Rafah march.



Many of the protesters marched to the steps of the New York Public Library. Later in the evening, a contingent of protesters broke off and joined the Gaza encampment at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a public university and the last school in the city where an encampment remains.



As of this writing, police are preparing to sweep the encampment. Independent New York-based reporter Katie Smith documented hundreds of officers stationed in and around the encampment after 10:00 p.m.

The mass arrests across the country of mostly young people and their professors and instructors are being directed from the White House. President Joe Biden in multiple statements, including a Tuesday address at the Capitol on Holocaust Remembrance Day, continues to repeat the Big Lie that opposition to Zionist genocide of the Palestinian people is an expression of antisemitism.

Commenting on the bipartisan attack on anti-war protesters, Socialist Equality Party candidate for US president Joseph Kishore wrote:

Biden again slandered protesters as antisemitic and violent, even as he and the entire political establishment back the brutal police suppression of peaceful protests.





Kishore observed that Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, addressing the Holocaust memorial event, compared students protesting the genocide to Nazis.

Johnson, Kishore continued:

... outrageously compares the cultivation of Nazi ideology in German universities, encouraged by the state and ruling class, with the protests against the ongoing massacre of Palestinians, which have been met with brutal police repression.



Both Biden and Johnson declared that universities have become hostile environments for Jewish students. In fact, many of those protesting are Jewish. Jewish students have not been threatened by protesters but rather arrested and beaten by police.

The slander of anti-genocide demonstrators as antisemitic and terrorist has led to an explosion of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab violence and harassment. On Tuesday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called for the arrest and firing of a Zionist Arizona professor after video emerged showing him threatening a Muslim woman attempting to walk away from him.

In a Tuesday press release, CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif wrote that Professor Jonathan Yudelmans actions were part of a broader pattern of Islamophobia and religious intolerance weaponized by pro-Israel, pro-genocide extremists.

Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition of over 100 student organizations, reported Tuesday that a Zionist driver intentionally drove his car into the group while they were protesting. One person was injured and sent to the hospital.

A spokesperson for the New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed to the Daily Beast that the driver of the vehicle was 57-year-old Reuven Kahane. The NYPD spokesman said Kahane is being charged with second-degree assault.

In addition to Kahane, the Daily Beast confirmed that the NYPD also arrested 55-year-old Maryellen Novak, who was hospitalized after being struck by the car, and 63-year-old John Rozendaal. Novak was charged with criminal mischief and unlawful assembly, while Rozendaal was charged only with the former. Both were designated by protest organizers as deescalators.

Reuven Kahane is the cousin of Meir Kahane, the founder of the terrorist organization Jewish Defense League (JDL). A JDL flag was photographed on the UCLA campus less than 48 hours before pro-genocide thugs assaulted the student encampment.

According to witnesses, Kahane observed protesters demonstrating outside the homes of wealthy Columbia and Barnard trustees and asked for a flyer from a protester, at which point he grabbed the persons arm. After the protester pulled away, Kahane drove off but then circled back in his car. Witnesses claim he then drove onto the sidewalk and into the protesters.

Independent journalist Talia Jane, citing as of yet unreleased video of the arrest, witnessed police making derogatory statements to the student protesters, calling them f*cking morons and telling them theres consequences when youre an adult. Meanwhile, witnesses observed police laughing and being chummy with Kahane.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. A ceremony of signing documents has been held with participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev signed the Joint Declaration on strengthening strategic partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.

Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmin Mammadov and member of the Board of Bulgaria Air JSC Hristo Todorov signed the Code Share Agreement between Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC and Bulgaria Air JSC.

Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmin Mammadov and Caretaker Minister of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria Vladimir Malinov signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Innovation and Growth of the Republic of Bulgaria on cooperation in the field of technological innovation.

Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Asarel-Medet JSC Dimitar Tsotsorkov signed the Memorandum of Understanding between State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic and Asarel Investment EAD.
Wayne State University students protest Gaza genocide December 7, 2023

In a statement published on April 30, over 100 faculty members at Wayne State University (WSU) in Detroit denounced the McCarthyite repression against students on campuses across the United States and violent police attacks on free speech. Established in 1868 in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, the major urban university has long been at the heart of Detroits intellectual and cultural life.

The joint statement published on April 30 condemned the actions of university officials in perpetrating violence against students who were advocating for divestment from Zionist Israel at a WSU Board of Governors (BOG) meeting on April 26.

We particularly condemn President Kimberly Espy and the Board of Governors, who looked on silently as a large group of ... students were assaulted and violated by campus police and security.

Wayne State security elements rough up anti-genocide protesters.

We note that Wayne States actions occurred amid a national context in which students, staff, and faculty are targeted in vicious attacks on campuses across the country. These attacks include mass arrests, unfettered repression and violence, and even the threat to shoot and kill those who exercise their academic freedom and 1st Amendment rights.

It also noted that WSU police officers including Police Chief Anthony Holt, have trained in Israel. The faculty members concluded:

We will not allow those in charge to continue their escalatory attacks on Wayne State students. We demand that President Espy and the Board of Governors issue a clear and unequivocal apology to the students, protect academic freedom, and commit to prevent police violence against students, faculty, and community members in the future. HANDS OFF THE STUDENTS.

On April 29, a group of more than 80 urban planning professionals, students, professors and alumni from around the country also released a letter denouncing the violent attacks on students. It was addressed to WSU Urban Studies and Planning Department Chair Rayman Mohamed, who is also the president of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, as well as the national heads of the Planning Accreditation Board and the American Planning Association.

The lead signer was KC Caffray, a Masters in Urban Planning candidate at Wayne State, who was joined by many other WSU grad students, lecturers, alums and faculty. The letter calls on the professional organizations of urban planners to speak out against the violent arrests and continued threats by our accredited institutions.

Planning is inherently political, and as such, requires the public forum. Images of students occupying their universitys public spaces as armed men hovered above them with long-range guns is heartbreaking. In 200 days, nearly 85 percent of Gazas population has been displaced, and over 14,000 children have been killed. There is not a single university left standing in Gaza. Our institutions are intellectually and financially intertwined with the Genocide against the Palestinian people, and for decades, students on campuses in the United States and globally, have been demanding for their universities to Divest from war. This demand should not be controversial. If we are to continue to practice planning that is rooted in democratic participation and equity, we must be clear in denouncing the behaviors of each university that have brought physical violence to members of its academic community and call into question the planning accreditation if their response continues to escalate.

Finally, on May 3, the Wayne Academic Union, affiliated with the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) also condemned the militarized response by institutional leaders and the politically motivated assault on higher education. It called the equation of protesters with terrorists an incitement to violence, and described recent events as an existential threat to democracy.

These statements of support from faculty are to be welcomed and deserve circulation. They take place as over 2,500 students have been arrested at anti-genocide encampments across the US and in the face of brutal fascist and Zionist assaults on protesting youth. As the WSWS has warned, the United States in the beginning stages of martial law. Imperialist war abroad necessitates war at home.

Students and growing numbers of faculty members have taken a courageous stand. But now that the fight against war and police dictatorship has been raised on the campuses, it must be resolved in the factories, warehouses, railroads and docks, as a recent statement by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees declared. Workers have an obligation to defend students and academics through industrial action to force an end to both the police crackdown and the genocide.

The defense of democratic rights requires a fight against the Democratic Party, the Biden administration and the capitalist system itself. The attacks on students have been perpetrated by Democratic and Republican parties alike, from Biden on down, in almost 30 states.

Wayne State, like many other universities, is run by the Democrats. It is fully part of the financial-military-industrial complex, receiving grant money for military research and propping up the political establishment against the increasingly restive Detroit working class. To this end, The Wayne State Board of Governors is staffed with politicians and ruling-class servants, representing capitalist interests at the highest levels.

The BOG is chaired by Democrat Shirley Stancato, a longtime banking executive at Chase Bank who also has a seat on the board of Fifth Third Bank. For nearly 20 years she was also the chief executive officer of New Detroit, the Ford Motor Co.-funded big business consortium established in the wake of the 1967-68 urban rebellions to co-opt radical opponents and stabilize capitalist control via black Democratic politicians.

The BOG vice-chair is Democrat Bryan C. Barnhill, a Ford Motor Co. executive and previously the Chief Talent Officer of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Barnhills resume also includes his time with Kushner Companies of New York, managed by Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared, after his father Charles Kushner went to prison for tax evasion and witness tampering. The company has substantial ties with the Israeli government and has come under suspicion for money laundering.

Other prominent Democrats on the eight-person BOG include Anil Kumar, a doctor who is currently running for Michigans 10th Congressional District; and Marilyn Kelly, the former chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.

Of particular note is Mark Gaffney, the former president of the Michigan AFL-CIO from 1999-2011. During his tenure as the highest union official in the state, southeastern Michigan was ravaged by job losses. Gaffney ensured labor peace on behalf of the automakers and other corporate interests.

This bloodletting cost an estimated 450,000 jobs, 23 percent of the area's total workforce, according to a University of Michigan survey. During Gaffney's tenure, autoworkers were also subjected to a 50 percent paycut under the terms of the Obama 2009 bailout of GM and Chrysler.

Indicating his loyalties to the financial elite, Gaffney spent 12 years as a member of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, serving at both the regional bank in Chicago and the branch bank in Detroit.

Rejecting appeals to the Democratic Party, the BOG or other capitalist politicians, the president of the WSU chapter of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) said:

The IYSSE unequivocally condemns the attacks on the peaceful protests of students, professors, and workers. We support the actions of protesters: no ones tuition should go to fund a genocide. But the goals of these protests do not go far enough. The police crackdown is a class issue. Behind the Wayne State Board of Governors lies Genocide Joe Biden and both Wall Street parties. This is an imperialist war. Washington is involved not for human rights, as is obvious, but for control of markets, supply chains and trade routes. The same profit motives driving war abroad are driving dictatorship at home. The Democrats and Republicans making an example of the students will use the same methods against the working class, which is pushing for strike action against poverty and exploitation. This is why the working class must come to the defense of students. The IYSSE and the Socialist Equality Party are fighting to mobilize workers, including autoworkers, logistics workers and defense workers, to take industrial action to force an end to the crackdown and to the genocide. The workers make the world run, and they are the only ones who can truly stop genocide. We call on students to join our appeal to the working class. Come with us to the factories and other workplaces and make the case to workers yourselves for why they must join you. The working class are the ones with true power to change what is happening, and they are the only true revolutionary class.

Nole, another leader of the campus IYSSE, added:

In the wake of massive demonstrations and solidarity movements aimed at exercising students right to freedom of speech, the IYSSE stands in support of the WSU facultys protest letters. These letters are integral to the mobilization of workers to oppose the state-sponsored suppression tactics. In the end, they are all aimed directly against the working class and will be used by the ruling elites to quell workers strikes. The mobilization of the working class on campuses across the United States must also be connected to workers at the factories. As of right now, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees demands that the UAW call for a political strike to take place at auto plants and defense plants. The IWA-RFC also warns of the unions stalling the efforts to build for a strike, or even trying to end the the demonstrations with toothless compromises. This is connected to the bureaucracys support for Genocide Joe and the Democrats. On behalf of US capitalism, they work to enforce sellout contracts which have paved the way for mass unemployment. With Joe Biden endorsing the crackdown, together with the billions of dollars for Israel and Ukraine, shows the lengths the Democrats will go to preserve the interests of capitalism and drive to war. The relationship between this police reaction against freedom of speech and the Democratic Party needs to be understood for what it is. There must be no delay in the demands for strikes aimed at opposing war and ending the suppression of our freedom of speech. We fight for an international socialist perspective, as part of a global effort to oppose capitalist barbarism.
On Tuesday, May 7 before sunrise, the University of Chicago ordered its private police force to raid the Gaza solidarity encampment that students had built in the main quad last week. As students were sleeping in their tents, police broke into the encampment, forced all students out of the quad, and began trashing the students signs, artwork, and other belongings in the encampment.

Pro-Palestinian protesters chant at University of Chicago police while being kept from the university's quad as the student encampment is dismantled Tuesday, May 7, 2024 [AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast]

Similar to other protest encampments at campuses throughout the world, the University of Chicago students are demanding the immediate end to the US-backed genocide in Gaza and that their school cut all ties with the state of Israel. Simultaneously as the raid against the student encampment occurred, Israel began its bombardment of the city of Rafah, the only major city in Gaza still standing and where over one million refugees from other areas in Gaza have been forcibly displaced.

Students at the encampment reported brutal treatment by the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD). One student posted in a statement on X/Twitter:

They waited until after 3am, when the camp was at its most vulnerable, to send riot cops to violently clear the space and brutalize our black and brown and female students We were given no clear warning to disperse in the encampment before the raid - that was given hours after I witnessed my friends being grabbed and pushed to the ground and having metal chairs thrown at them.

The student stated that the raid was, a cowardly act of repression and violence but that it would not deter students from continuing to protest against the genocide in Gaza and the Rafah invasion.

In the days leading up to the raid, students from the encampment met with university administrators to discuss a possible end to the encampment. In a token gesture, the university told students that if they willingly abandoned the protest that the school would create a scholarship program for eight students from Gaza to attend the University of Chicago.

However, the coalition of student groups organizing the encampment, known as UChicago United for Palestine, did not accept the deal and refused to end their protest. In a statement on the discussion with the administrators the group wrote, We could not accept a deal that would put constraints on our movement while doing nothing to end UChicagos material complicity in Israeli genocide and colonialism.

Shortly after, the university issued a warning to students that if they did not leave the encampment that the police would be sent in to force them out. Students issued a call for support that was answered by hundreds of community members Monday night to come out to the encampment and defend it from attack.

According to statements from students the raid was originally planned to take place just after midnight but was put off until the crowd thinned and students, exhausted from a week of the encampment, took a few hours rest. As early as 5:00 a.m., students and supporters returned to campus to find police with riot shields blockading the entrances to the main quad.

As students rallied at the police line, they were handed leaflets issued by the university threatening that if protests continued, they would be suspended and evicted from campus housing. Police used their shields to push back against the group of students. UCPD officers were photographed with tape covering their badge numbers.

The University of Chicago Police Department is one of the largest private police forces in the world. Its cops are widely hated by the working class in the neighborhoods surrounding the university where they patrol for regularly profiling and harassing workers. In 2018 UCPD shot and wounded a student experiencing a mental health crisis.

In the immediate aftermath of the campus raid, Democratic Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson attempted to distance himself from the attack. In a statement issued by his office, Johnson stated that the Chicago Police Department expressed an unwillingness to participate in the raid but that the university decided to proceed. The short statement concluded by feigning support for free speech and safety on all of Chicagos college campuses.

It is absurd to think that such a police raid could take place in the countrys third largest city without the express approval of the mayor, regardless of which particular police organization was involved. Additionally, the CPD did have a presence on the campus during the raid and was observed by witnesses to be just around the corner from the encampment with paddy wagon trucks ready to make mass arrests.

Over the weekend, Johnson ordered the CPD SWAT team to arrest 68 students who staged a protest at the Art Institute of Chicago. Within minutes of the protest beginning, students were swarmed by officers, torn from each others arms and dragged off.

Johnson, backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), is working in close collaboration with the Biden administration as it plans for the Democratic National Convention to be held in Chicago this August. The city has plans to erect a massive, militarized zone around the site of the convention to keep demonstrations at a distance and police are preparing to crack down on protests.

The raid at the University of Chicago is among the latest in a worldwide crackdown on the free speech and democratic rights of left-wing and anti-war protests. The imperialist powers cannot advance their plans for genocide and world war while students and workers are able to speak out against it freely.
Student encampments protesting the Gaza genocide are spreading across the UK, involving hundreds of students in total.

As of writing, 14 sites have been established, at the Universities of Warwick, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Oxford, Cambridge, Sheffield, Leeds, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, at Swansea and Newcastle University and at SOAS and UCL in London. At Goldsmiths University in London, students occupied a library building.

The Gaza protest encampment at SOAS, May 7, 2024

World Socialist Web Site reporters visited the encampment at SOAS and spoke with some of the students involved.

Haya explained, SOAS is one of the most repressive and complicit universities, challenging, Why should part of the money we pay into our education be used to fund a genocide?

Its really important to mobilise the working class, and to work together to put on a unified front. Not only to educate the masses but to dismantle that hierarchy, because we live in an unjust world, and its our duty to dismantle it.

Foxglove said, Were in alliance with workers. It is something where we want to break down the barriers that exist, that are imposed by elite institutions that separate students from workers.

The SOAS students are demanding the university divest from companies complicit in Israels denial of Palestinian rights; end its banking and lending arrangement with Barclays; boycott Israeli academic institutions, which are deeply complicit in the violation of Palestinian rights; commit to supporting Palestinian education and the rebuilding of Gazas destroyed schools, hospitals and universities; guarantee the rights of students and staff to express solidarity with the Palestinian struggle; and advocate for the UK government to implement an arms embargo on Israel and call for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire.

At the University of Oxford, close to 400 faculty and staff members have signed an open letter declaring, [W]e stand firmly in support of the members of the university community who have begun an encampment outside the Pitt Rivers Museum to demand that the university divest from Israels genocide in Gaza, as well as from Israels ongoing apartheid regime against Palestinians and its settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Student Ana told reporters, Its time for more than protests that happen every two weeks. Its time for us to be here in place until the university accepts our demands.

At Cambridge University, nearly 10,000 has been crowdfunded in support of the encampment, with the funds pledged to be used to supply prolonged, persistent, and effective action, with any excess donated to charities providing aid in Palestine.

Three students at the University of Edinburgh have begun a hunger strike, with seven more saying they will join them. One of the students involvedwho has lost 15 members of their extended family in the Israeli-authored genocideexplained, What was already an urgent call for divestment has become so much more urgent all of a sudden, especially with the attack on Rafah right now.

We feel a hunger strike is the only way to really show the gravity and the urgency that we students feel for divestment.

At Goldsmiths University, students have forced the administration to agree to write to the government urging it to call for a ceasefire, fund a Palestinian scholarship and adopt a new ethical investment policy.

Although the encampments have not yet been violently assaulted by police as in the United States and other countries in Europe, the British government is making clear it is prepared to organise a crackdown.

The Zionist Union of Jewish Students (UJS) sought to create a pretext last week, claiming these encampments create a hostile and toxic atmosphere on campus for Jewish students, and citing a continuous torrent of antisemitic hatred on campus. These slanders are part of the Big Lie being perpetrated by the worlds imperialist governments equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism.

In fact, as a student at the University of Sheffield told the Guardian, Some of the most committed campaigners for Palestinian liberation on our campus are Jewish students. We are a fundamentally anti-racist movement. The fight against antisemitism is part and parcel of the fight against racism.

Clearly invoking the example of US college administrations which have commissioned police and fascist rampages on their campuses, the UJS concluded that it was time that universities took their duty of care to Jewish students seriously.

A spokesperson for Conservative government Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took up the call, stating While we firmly believe in the power of rigorous free speech and debate, the right to that does not include the right to harass others or incite others to violence or terrorism.

Obviously the police already have extensive public order powers to tackle disorder at protests and will continue to have our full support in doing so if needed.

Tory leader of the House of Commons denounced anti-genocide protests as disgusting and demanded an extremely strict response.

On Tuesday, Sunak told his cabinet there has been an unacceptable rise in antisemitism on our university campuses and that he had invited university vice chancellors to a meeting at Downing Street on Thursday to discuss the need for our universities to be safe for our Jewish students.

Sunak explained, We expect university leaders to take robust action in dealing with that kind of behaviour and that will be the subject of the conversation in No 10 later this week to ensure a zero-tolerance approach to this sort of behaviour is adopted on all campuses.

***

On Tuesday evening, several thousand people attended an emergency protest outside Downing Street against the planned assault on Rafah, called by the Stop the War Coalition, while other events were held in Manchester, Liverpool, Derby, Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, Hastings and Brighton.

WSWS reporters interviewed Yuma in London, who said, I was horrified by what is going on in Rafah; I can't believe that the West is supporting the killing of innocents... Im fed up of the Wests hypocrisy.
A group of students from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and their supporters have occupied a school administration building in support of the population of Gaza. RISD is a private art and design school in Providence, Rhode Island, affiliated with Brown University.

Students at Brown last week took down their Encampment for Gaza after school administrators agreed to put a resolution on divestment from Israel up for a vote at the October meeting of the Corporation of Brown University, which does not commit the university to specific action. In return, the students agreed to end the encampment and not violate Browns conduct code through the end of the academic year.

The group RISD Students for Justice in Palestine is leading the occupation of Providence Washington Hall at RISD, renaming it Fathi Ghaben Place. Ghaben, 77, was a renowned Palestinian artist born near Gaza City. He died in Gaza after being denied permission by Israeli authorities to travel abroad to receive treatment for chest and lung issues that he was unable to get in the city due to the lack of oxygen and other medical supplies in the besieged enclave.

The student group has vowed to continue the occupation until RISD President Crystal Williams meets its demands and

Provides total fiscal transparency of RISDs investment portfolio;

Commits to a holistic divestment from companies, corporations, and institutions that are implicated in sustaining Israeli Apartheid;

Establishes a student oversight committee for future investments.

They also demand that Williams publicly condemn the Israeli Occupations genocide in Gaza as well as the military and settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, and take a public stance for a permanent ceasefire.

Williams met with students inside the occupied building Monday evening. Students said the RISD president gave them until 8 a.m. Tuesday to decide their next steps, but that deadline appears to have come and gone without any movement on either side.

RISD administration issued the following statement:

We have and continue to affirm our students right to freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and peaceful assembly. RISD condemns violence and injustice, and we decry antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of hate. The well-being of all of our students has been and remains our top priority, and we continue to support all members of our community.

In line with President Joe Biden, politicians in both parties, and administrations at other colleges and universities, the RISD administration advances the big lie that opposition to the genocide in Gaza is an expression of antisemitism.

As of this writing, student protest encampments remain at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, despite threats of disciplinary action from both schools presidents.

At MIT, students protesting the genocide in Gaza had almost entirely emptied their Scientists Against Genocide Encampment Monday after school administrators warned students they would be placed on immediate academic suspension for the remainder of the semester if they did not disperse by a 2:30 p.m. deadline.

Throughout the afternoon, however, hundreds of demonstrators arrived at MIT, including about a hundred local high school students who had walked out of classes and sat down on Massachusetts Ave., blocking the main public road that crosses through campus. At 6 p.m., protesters began to knock down barricades the administration had erected around the encampment to keep out protesters.

Police from MIT and Cambridge, as well as Massachusetts state troopers, were on scene in force, but no arrests were reportedly made. Journalists were kept from entering the area of the encampment. Police eventually reduced their large presence late Monday. On Tuesday, students continued to protest in the area surrounding the tents.

At Harvard, also on Monday, Interim President Alan Garber broke his silence on the encampment in Harvard Yard, sending out a university-wide email threatening pro-Palestinian protesters who continued their occupation with involuntary leave.

Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Harvard, before it was shut down by the university. [Photo: Sent in by a reader]

Garber wrote of the encampment: Those who participate in or perpetuate its continuation will be referred for involuntary leave from their Schools, adding, The encampment favors the voices of a few over the rights of many who have experienced disruption in how they learn and work at a critical time of the semester.

As the student protests began to sweep across the US, the Harvard administration locked down Harvard Yardthe central area of campus that traditionally attracts thousands of visitors and touriststo all but those with Harvard IDs. In an effort to isolate and quash the protest, the gates to Harvard Yard have remained locked by Harvard administrators to block entry to outsiders.

Garbers email comes less than two weeks before Harvard commencement ceremonies, which annually attract more than 30,000 to the campus, including students and their families, as well as wealthy alumni and donors, some of whom have been pressuring Harvard to clamp down on alleged antisemitism on campus.

In the email, Garber wrote that students who are suspended will not be able to finish exams or stay in Harvard housing and must cease to be present on campus until reinstated. It follows that if students are barred from campus the door will be open for police to remove protesters and their encampment from Harvard Yard. Garber had previously said there would be a very high bar before the university would ask police to respond to any student protests.

The statue of John Harvard with a Palestinian flag in his hand, Cambridge, Massachusetts, May 3, 2024. [Photo: Submitted by a reader]

On Monday evening, more than 400 Harvard students and area residents, organized by Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine, joined forces to protest the threat by Garber against the encampment. Speakers referenced past protests at Harvard, including against the Vietnam War and South African apartheid. They chanted Harvard University, we know what side youre on, remember South Africa, remember Vietnam.

The protesters then marched to the private residence of the Harvard president, who was not at home.
In the wake of last weeks violent suppression of anti-genocide protests on college campuses, top officials in the New York Police Department are calling into question civilian authority over the police force and effectively criminalizing dissent.

NYPD cops storming Columbia University, some with guns drawn, April 30, 2024.

In coordination with Democratic Mayor Eric Adams and President Joe Biden, the NYPD last week launched raids and arrested hundreds of protesters at five campuses: Columbia University, City College of New York, New York University (NYU), The New School and Fordham University.

The extraordinary police mobilization attacking peaceful protests has been accompanied by a series of NYPD propaganda videos, press appearances, and public denunciations of politicians that are characteristic of authoritarian and fascistic regimes. And they bear the stamp of approval of the Democratic Party.

NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell launched a diatribe against Tiffany Caban, a City Council member from Astoria, Queens and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, after she criticized the police sieges at Columbia and City College, calling them an affront to democracy.

The police chief responded by attacking Caban on X as a person who hates our city and certainly does not represent the great people of NYC. Chells comment, which was posted on an official NYPD social media account, implied that it is not elected officials who represent the people of New York, but his gang of deputized thugs.

The denunciation of political opposition to police state operations has been accompanied by a series of videos on social media, set to stirring music, mythologizing the raids at each campus. A video portraying the NYPD raid of City College, for instance, depicts officers tearing down a Palestinian flag and raising the Stars and Stripes, comparing themselves to a heroic army planting the flag after emerging victorious on a battlefield.

The videos present the encampments as having been organized and funded by outside agitators intent on radicalizing young people. NYPD Chief of Operations Kaz Daughtry, in a video of the NYU raid, refers to the supplies in the encampment and says:

Look at the water. This is very, very organized. We got water. We got cups, coolers. Somebody is definitely behind this.... There is definitely a mastermind behind this.

Along similarly farcical lines, the NYPD and Mayor Adams have pointed to other evidence to justify their claims: an academic textbook (at a college campus!) on understanding terrorism; a poster with a safety tip to mask up - COVID is on the rise and a warning to not engage with cops, Zionists or the media; and a piece of paper with the words Death to America printed on it.

Chief Chell proclaimed on social media:

There is an unknown entity who is radicalizing our vulnerable students. Taking advantage of their young minds. As parents and Americans we must demand some answers! I cant speak for the rest of America, but in NYC we wont rest until we find out! We will broadcast what we see and find. We will use the might of our Intelligence Bureau and our federal partners to quite simply connect the dots. Follow the money!!!!!!

Appearing Sunday on ABCs This Week, Mayor Adams defended the police raid of campuses and doubled down on the supposed threat from outsiders.

Adams, referring to the student protesters, stressed the need to terminate what is perceived to be a threat. Picking up on the charge of nefarious outsiders influencing youth, he added:

When you train people to do disruptive things, you are an agitator. So, Im not trying to be politically correct. Im trying to be correct for the city of New York as we make sure this continues to be safe.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams at Manhattan's downtown heliport, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in New York. [AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews]

The attempt to portray the student protests as the work of outside agitators while ignoring the impact of the policies of Genocide Joe and the war criminals in both political parties cannot be written off as merely a matter of stupidity.

Democrats as well as Republicans around the country have sought to undermine support for campus protesters using a variety of smears, including the lie that opposition to Zionism and the crimes of Israel is antisemitism.

Moreover, the claims of a conspiracy to radicalize young Americans and the presence of shadowy financial backers behind the campus protests are themselves antisemitic dog whistles to the far-right.

Behind the irrational character of the propaganda lies a grave danger. The explicit threat to go after political forces that are supposedly radicalizing youth is a call to further dismantle the First Amendment protections on assembly and speech, and to use the full force of the state against opponents of American imperialism. To the extent that forces within the state argue for a softer hand, the NYPD leadership is making it clear they will not be tolerated.

The NYPD, with approximately 36,000 officers, is a vast apparatus that has done more than dip its toes into illegal and unconstitutional activity. Last year, the city settled a lawsuit for a record $13.7 million over the brutal NYPD rampages in 2020, when police arrested thousands illegally and unleashed terror on protesters following the Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd.

An image from one of the authoritarian videos released by the New York Police Department celebrating the clearing of anti-genocide encampments in New York City. [Photo: New York Police Department]

The NYPDs vast spying capabilities include its counterterrorism unit, set up to hound and brutalize Muslims and Arab-Americans during the War on Terror. It is now directed at anti-genocide protesters.

While the courts shut down some of its most egregious practices after a lawsuit, the NYPD has continued to expand its operations in coordination with the Israeli military. The department also deploys sophisticated tracking technologies, including drones, facial recognition software, and cell phone trackers, while skirting its legal responsibility to disclose their use.

The Adams administration has elevated figures like Chief Chell, a killer cop who fatally shot a man in the back in 2008, to the highest levels of the department. Chell was never criminally charged for his crime, but a civil jury rejected his claim of accidental fire and required the city to pay the victims family $1.5 million.

The violent character of the NYPD and the scale of its repressive resources has been further exposed with more details of the police crackdowns emerging since last Tuesday. At Columbia, the police rampage resulted in the hospitalization of multiple students.

One protester was thrown down the steps. Another was observed by student journalists lying unconscious on the ground with officers hovering above. Others were kicked and hit by cops, leading to swollen faces and similar injuries.

During the raid on Hamilton Hall, police in armor entered with guns drawn, using stun grenades. One officer fired his weapon, supposedly accidentally.

Press, legal observers and students were removed from the area and ordered to shelter in place under threat of arrest, in order to bar them from documenting the actions of the police.

The violence was replicated at City College, where police violently attacked the student encampment, beating protesters and arresting more than 170. Some of the students have been charged with felony burglary, a major crime. Such charges are transparently aimed at intimidating protestors, especially at working class campuses like City College.

The fact that the assault on democratic rights and the rejection of civilian authority over the police is advancing under Democratic administrations at the city, state and federal levels is highly significant. The posture of the Democrats as the moderating force in American politics, restraining the violence of the police and acting as a bulwark against the threat of Donald Trump, is being exposed as a complete fraud. The Democrats are enabling fascism.

The crackdown on campus protests has also undermined the increasingly threadbare claims of the Democratic Socialists of America that the Democratic Party can be transformed into an instrument of progress. No amount of hypocritical statements by DSA politicians can conceal the fact that the organization is a faction of the Democratic Party, whose most prominent figure, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is actively campaigning for the reelection of the person most responsible for Israels genocide in Gaza and the accompanying attack on dissent in the US, Joe Biden.

For decades, the Democrats have joined with the Republicans in systematically building up police forces and arming them with military weaponry repurposed from Americas wars in the Middle East. Now, under conditions of rapidly expanding global conflict and escalating class conflict at home, they are demonstrating why: Imperialist war abroad requires the suppression of opposition at home.
On Tuesday, Berlins Free University (FU) was put under siege. In response to a peaceful pro-Palestinian protest camp, the Berlin police, in cooperation with the university administration, deployed a large contingent of officers, halted university operations, cleared the entire university building and used brutal methods to make numerous arrests.

The camp was set up by students from the Student Coalition Berlin in the theatre courtyard of the FU Berlin at around 10 a.m.

In a statement, the participants declared they were organising the camp in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Their demands included a stop to the genocide in Gaza, a halt to arms exports, the defence of academic freedom and the cancellation of military research projects at the university. They combined these demands with an appeal to their fellow students, faculty members and academic partners to join this call.

The university management reacted immediately by calling the police and demanding the evacuation of the camp on the grounds of their domiciliary rights. The police arrived with a large contingent of 200 officers for a courtyard measuring less than 400 square metres in size and had completely surrounded the camp by noon.

Within a short space of time, around 200 students joined the 20 or so encircled students and protested in the theatre courtyard outside the camp. The police and university management reacted forcefully: the canteen and libraries in the building were closed immediately and all courses there were cancelled for the day. Police officers were positioned on the roof to film the demonstrators.

When the police had driven the students out of the inner courtyard, the students gathered again in the building and expressed their solidarity with those trapped in the camp. They knocked on windows and held up signs reading You are not alone and We are many. The police also took brutal action against them: On several occasions, they stormed the corridor where the students had gathered to drag individual participants from the crowd into the courtyard, throw them to the ground and take them away. They also used pepper spray and irritant gas.

Over a period of several hours, the police used painful grips to remove the encircled students. They then drove the protesters out of the university building and a large contingent of officers patrolled the corridors in order to eject all the students. However, students were not intimidated and once again formed a spontaneous demonstration of several hundred participants in front of the university building. This demonstration continued to the forecourt of the Dahlem Dorf underground station and was again attacked several times by the police.

A police spokesperson explained afterwards how those arrested were dealt with: We establish their identity and then initiate proceedings for trespassing, suspected incitement to hatred and violation of the Freedom of Assembly Act. The demonstration had not been authorised.

If such events had taken place in a country like Russia, China or Iran, there would be a massive campaign in the Western media about the dictatorial behaviour of these regimes. However, the FU university management, which has filed criminal charges against the students, and the Berlin state government proudly defended their actions.

FU President Gunter Ziegler declared that an occupation of the FU campus was unacceptable. He was available for an academic dialoguebut not in this way. Berlins mayor Kai Wegner (Christian Democrat, CDU) said he was very grateful to the university for its actions. The consistent approach was absolutely right.

After a meeting between the Senate (Berlin state executive) and the leadership of the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia (EKBO), he declared that he does not want a situation in Berlin like the one that exists at universities in America.

Berlins Senator (state minister) for Science Ina Czyborra (Social Democrat, SPD) also agreed with him and thanked the FU management for their quick and decisive action. A decision on further measures such as bans or criminal charges would be up to the university, she said, which was in intensive dialogue with the university management.

Adrian Grasse, research policy spokesperson for the CDU state parliamentary group in Berlin, expressed his concern about the number of people involved in such actions. In this context, he believed it was right that we react politically to these developments by reintroducing the [university] regulatory law.

Theo, who was present at the demonstrations and observed the actions of the police in the corridor in particular, saw really pointless arrests where people were just shouting, and perhaps shouting with a little more anger than others. The police then ran up to them for no reason and grabbed them and pulled them out.

He sharply criticised the actions of the police and the university management: I find it extreme that the police deployed so quickly for what I saw was a totally peaceful demonstration. The university in particular should be a place for peaceful protest.

For Theo, the increase in campus occupations internationally shows that the previous forms of protest have had no effect: I think its extreme that people are practically forced to organise these kinds of camps as a sign that simple demonstrations are apparently not going to work.

When WSWS reporters emphasised that it was necessary for students to turn to the working class, Theo agreed: It will never work if only the students, only the academics demonstrate. Workers had already shown that they have the potential to really change things, for example when they refuse to produce weapons, he said. That is the best way for a protest to take place, because such protests make a difference, regardless of the media attention. If the weapons are not produced, they cannot be shipped. You cant send a better signal than that.

Melda also condemned the arbitrary actions of the police: Individual students were specifically dragged out without justification. The police just came in, looked into the crowd and then simply dragged some people out with them, and other students were not allowed out.

For Melda, the actions of the police exposed the hypocrisy of democracy in Germany. Germany is always very loud; when other countries do that they are immediately labelled as dictatorships. The media wouldnt stop talking about it.

However, despite the constant propaganda and hostility in the media, the demonstrations showed that a lot of people are waking up... Its a genocide. Nobody can deny that, she said.

The police crackdown is also meeting with growing opposition among lecturers. A statement initiated by over 100 Berlin lecturers and signed by over 130 other lecturers from Germany and abroad declares: As lecturers at Berlins universities, our integrity obliges us to regard our students as equals, but also to protect them and not to hand them over to police violence under any circumstances.

It was one of the duties of the university management to strive for as long as possible for a dialogue-based and non-violent solution. The Executive Board of the FU Berlin violated this duty by having the protest camp cleared by the police without a prior offer of dialogue. The constitutionally protected right to assemble peacefully applies regardless of the opinion expressed.
Autoworkers getting off a shift at the Fiat Chrysler stamping plant in Warren, Michigan

Workers at Stellantis Warren Stamping Plant in suburban Detroit voted by 72 percent Monday to authorize a strike over health and safety grievances.

The UAW stressed that the vote does not mean the union will actually call a strike and that talks are ongoing with management. The union did not release a detailed vote breakdown or say what percentage of workers participated.

In a video posted on the UAW website, Local 869 President Lorraine McKinney III said the local has 150 outstanding grievances: We have a plethora of things that need to be taken care of at Warren Stamping. roof leaks, not having gloves, not being able to work with a partner.

One worker said, The fans dont work. When it is 95 degrees outside it is about 100 in the plant. Our basement is in horrible condition; a lot of oil and water. People are down there working... Our hi-los are in horrible condition. The gears are taped up

The Local 869 UAW health and safety rep reported, The bathrooms are messed up, the faucets arent working.

According to the US Occupational Health and Safety Administration, Stellantis was fined $60,000 in June 2023 for six serious safety violations at Warren Stamping, including failure to ensure walking-working surfaces are maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice.

The Detroit News reports members of Local 869 voted to strike in early April over separate issues related to the expired local contract. Local contract agreements cover plant-specific issues that often relate to working conditions. The UAW has not issued any update on the local contract or if the issues are related to the strike vote over health and safety grievances.

In March, workers at the Stellantis Toledo Assembly complex decisively voted down a tentative local contract agreement recommended by the UAW. Workers at the factory, which builds Jeep-brand vehicles, have been forced onto a mandatory 10-hour, 7-day work schedule to make up production lost due to parts shortages.

Only months after a supposedly historic national contract which has actually paved the way for mass layoffs, the UAW apparatus is facing a rebellious and restive rank-and-file. Since the sellout, working conditions have deteriorated. Anger is still boiling among autoworkers over the mass terminations of temp workers and the continuing announcement of layoffs following ratification of the sellout deal that met none of workers core demands.

This has not stopped the corporate media and the Biden administration from praising the national contract and heaping accolades on UAW President Shawn Fain.

Workers at Stellantis have been particularly hard hit by the cuts. There were 34 temporary or supplemental workers fired at Warren Stamping in January as part of the mass termination of some 2,000 supplementals companywide. These workers were forced onto the street after Fain claimed that they would be promoted to full time under the 2023 contract.

Speed-up and overwork due to layoffs have worsened the health and safety issues that already existed. One reflection of this was the recent tragic death of Tywaun Long, at the Ford Rouge complex in Dearborn, Michigan last month. Hundreds attended the funeral of the worker, who collapsed on the line and had to wait an agonizing 30 minutes for medical help.

Workers at Warren Stamping are in a powerful position to fight for their demands. The factory produces critical parts for six Stellantis assembly plants that build the Dodge Durango, Chrysler Pacifica and Ram light and heavy-duty trucks as well as several Jeep-brand vehicles including the Wrangler and Cherokee.

The strike vote at Warren Stamping also comes as UAW Local 4811, covering 48,000 graduate graduate student workers across California, set a strike vote for May 13-15 over the police crackdown on college campuses.

The fact the vote was called is an indication of powerful determination among the rank-and-file. But grad students are furious over the UAWs delay of a week before the start of the vote. They are also angered over the union officials attempts to negotiate a deal to end the protests along the lines of the sellout of protesters at Northwestern University.

There is every indication that the UAW bureaucracy is doing the same at Warren Stamping. Local 869 has not outlined concrete demands it is submitting to management nor indicated a deadline for when a strike will take place.

The UAW bureaucracy is desperately maneuvering to keep in front of rank-and-file anger. But its combination of nominal support for a ceasefire with the closest ties to the White House and Genocide Joe Biden, as well as its combination of purely verbal rhetoric about union democracy with massive sellouts, is being threatened by the growing movement of the working class.

Last week, the the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees called on workers to organize industrial action in defense of the students. It declared, The rank-and-file must take the initiative out of the hands of the bureaucrats. As they have in many contract battles, workers must form rank-and-file committees independent of the bureaucracy to prepare strike action. They should take over union meetings, or organize their own meetings, to demand that the unions sanction strikes.

This must be combined with the fight in defense of jobs and working conditions. The oversight of health and safety requires placing power in the hands of workers on the shop floor, including the right to refuse to work if conditions are deemed unsafe. This requires the building of rank-and-file committees, run democratically by workers themselves in every factory and workplace, to enable workers to enforce their democratic will and countermand sellouts by the bureaucracy.
A strange and still unexplained incident in the Western Australian (WA) city of Perth over the weekend has been used by the political and media establishment to intensify an atmosphere of fear and hysteria over purported extremism.

According to WA Police, on Saturday night after 10pm a 16-year-old boy stabbed a man in a parking lot in the south Perth suburb of Willetton. Police who attended claim that when they arrived the boy refused to put down the knife, instead running towards them. He was shot dead.

WA Premier Roger Cook looks on as Police Commissioner Col Blanch addresses media [Photo: WA Police Force]

On Sunday morning, WA Labor Premier Roger Cook and Police Commissioner Col Blanch called a press conference about what had occurred. The death of the boy and the stabbing of the man notwithstanding, the decision to hold such a high-level event, and so rapidly over what on its face appeared to be an isolated act of violence, was unusual in itself.

Blanch proclaimed that the stabbing certainly has all the hallmarks of being a terrorism-related incident. He said, however, that police were not making an official designation at this stage, which triggers far-reaching and draconian powers such as the ability to search and detain people without a warrant. Cook said there were indications that the boy had been radicalised online.

The exaggerated response to the incident extended to the federal government as well. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made known that he had been personally briefed by Mike Burgess, director of the domestic spy organisation ASIO and by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw.

Despite acknowledging those briefings had indicated no ongoing or broader threat, Albanese declared: We are a peace-loving nation and there is no place for violent extremism in Australia. The prime minister thanked police for their actions, which was entirely inappropriate given there has been no investigation into the fatal shooting. Questions remain as to why tasers were not used instead.

There has been no explanation as to why a purported terror attack would be staged in a quiet suburban carpark. Details about the victim of the stabbing have not been made public, but it appears likely the unfortunate target was chosen at random.

Eyewitnesses have said the boy was running around erratically, with at least one suggesting he appeared to be on drugs or having a mental episode.

Police and media have claimed that prior to the stabbing, an unidentified individual, presumably the boy, called triple-zero and said he was about to commit an act of violence. They have also stated that he sent a text message to phone contacts saying he was going to do jihad.

Authorities have revealed that the boy had been in an official deradicalisation program for up to two years since he was 14 years old. Such programs, established under the rubric of the anti-democratic war on terror involve intensive monitoring by policing and intelligence agencies, as well as instruction from state-aligned religious figures.

How and why the boy came to be placed in the program at such a young age has not been clearly explained.

The details that have emerged do not seem to paint a picture of a hardened religious extremist, but of a young person who was likely struggling with serious mental health issues.

The 16-year-old does not appear to have been from an Islamic family. According to some reports, he did not attend any local mosques.

His behaviour at school has been cited in the media. However, much of it has the character of a naughty child. A video has been published, allegedly showing him throwing some sort of firework into the school toilets, before running away laughing with friends. Parents of other children at the school have described the boy as kind but as having displayed signs of mental instability.

The sensitivity of that response is diametrically opposed to that of the media. The Murdoch-owned Australian and West Australian both published the boys full name and photograph, despite the fact that he is under the age of 18. The West Australian seemingly gloated over the tragic death of a child, with its headline describing the dead boy as now being a free radical.

That is part of a broader media campaign over recent weeks alleging a wave of youth extremism. It has been deliberately instigated and encouraged by the federal Labor government, the state administrations and the whole political establishment.

On April 22, a 16-year-old boy stabbed an Assyrian bishop at a Church in the southwestern Sydney suburb of Wakeley. Within hours, the event had been designated a terrorist incident, with the involvement of Albanese, the AFP and ASIO largely on the basis that the boy was Muslim. That activated the sweeping police anti-terror powers which override many basic civil liberties.

Then, on April 24 over 400 police officers conducted raids across working-class areas of Sydney, detaining seven teenagers, some of them alleged associates of the Wakeley attacker. The boys have been charged with a range of terror-related offenses, some of them carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, despite official admissions that there was no specific plan for any sort of terror attack.

Chats, in which the boys allegedly participated, form the basis of the charges and have also been leaked to selective media outlets. As has previously occurred during the war on terror, youths are being targeted on the basis of what may well have been idle loose talk.

The Perth incident also raises troubling questions. Why was the 16-year-old placed in a deradicalisation program at such a young age and why did his issues apparently worsen while he was compelled to participate? It is not hard to see how compulsory and intrusive involvement with police and intelligence agents at such a young age could negatively impact mental health.

Deradicalisation programs have previously been associated with police entrapment. In a case that was publicly revealed last February, the parents of a 13-year-old autistic boy reported to police in Victoria that he had a troubling fixation on the Islamic State terrorist group. Parallel with his placement in a deradicalisation program, the boy was targeted by undercover police agents who encouraged his interest in extremism and helped to fit him up on terrorism charges.

None of these issues are raised in the current media coverage. Together with politicians, the corporate pundits use incidents like the Wakeley attack and the Perth stabbing to suggest the need for greater police and state powers. The Internet and social media in particular are blamed for supposedly encouraging violent extremism, in a line that justifies a broader drive of censorship.

One of the major issues that is not raised is the impact of the eruption of imperialist war and militarism on vulnerable youths. Over the past seven months, the Labor government, along with the US and the other imperialist powers, has aggressively supported Israel as it has massacred 40,000 or more Palestinians in Gaza. That violent extremism on a vast scale, which is only the sharpest manifestation of a broader turn to world war, is undoubtedly a factor in the events of recent weeks.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Through the Zangezur corridor, Armenia can break out of isolation, generate transit fees, and enhance its relations with Turkiye, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on special assignments Elchin Amirbayov said during an interview with Die Zeit, a German national weekly newspaper, Trend reports.

Regarding the potential rejection of this proposal by Armenia, Amirbayov mentioned that an alternative route through Iran could be established, which is ten kilometers longer than the Zangezur corridor.

The Azerbaijani official considered the Armenians' worries absurd.

The piece published in the newspaper says that the strip of the corridor, which enters the territory of Armenia, is only 34 kilometers long and separates Azerbaijan from its exclave, Nakhchivan.

Responding to a question regarding the likelihood of war accessing the Zangezur corridor, Amirbayov stressed that such an eventuality is categorically not going to happen.

He also highlighted that the mutual exchange of prisoners of war between the nations is a positive development, fostering confidence-building measures between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov has discussed the situation in the South Caucasus and the Middle East with the political director of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Aliza Bin Noun, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel Aliza Bin Noun wrote on X, Trend reports.

We had a friendly meeting with the representative of the President of Azerbaijan for special assignments Elchin Amirbayov. Focusing on current events in the South Caucasus and the Middle East, the talks covered the most important bilateral and regional concerns, the publication reads.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. On May 4-5, 2024, at the OIC summit in Banjul (Gambia), the 57 member countries of the organization voiced their concern for the fate of the Azerbaijanis who were forcibly expelled from Armenia and promised to support their return to their home lands in a peaceful, safe, and dignified manner, the Western Azerbaijan Community stated, Trend reports.

Additionally, the heads of state and government denounced the desecration and destruction of Muslim cultural heritage in Armenia.

The Western Azerbaijan Community warmly embraces the OIC summit's decision, making it the first international organization to endorse the return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia.

With the OIC's unwavering support for the cause of West Azerbaijan, the community is optimistic that it will facilitate the peaceful repatriation of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia to their homes, the statement reads.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Another Royal Is Moving to the U.S.  Heres What We Know

In a Prince Harry-esque fashion, another royal is moving to the United States! Except it wasnt spawned by safety concerns and vitriol  so emphasis on the esque. The Belgian Royal Palace announced that Princess Elisabeth is moving to the U.S. this summer to start earning a public policy masters degree at Harvard University. The Duchess of Brabant already holds a bachelors degree in History and Politics from the University of Oxford.

The Princess was also selected for an Honorary Award from the Fulbright program, the international exchange program in the field of education of the United States Department of State, a translation of the palaces statement said.

More from SheKnows

The two-year program will come in handy one day as Princess Elisabeth, the firstborn child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, is not just any old heir to any old throne. She will become the countrys first queen regnant one day, should she accept the crown.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK  OCTOBER 15: Princess Elisabeth of Belgium attends the gala to celebrate the 18th birthday of H.K.H. Prince Christian at Christiansborg Palace on October 15, 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

Its probably a more fair assessment to say that Princess Elisabeths move is much more like that of her father  who moved to California to earn his masters degree in political science at Stanford University than that shes like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who were all but forced here. But we do have to wonder if she and the Sussexes will ever meet up. Maybe the former senior members of the British royal family will have pointers for the 22-year-old Duchess as she transitions to life in the U.S.

Or maybe she will travel to the Obama familys summer home in Marthas Vineyard to visit her ol friend Barack. In March, she and her father met with the former U.S. president at the Castle of Laeken. He could probably give her some pointers about Cambridge as a Harvard grad himself.

And while we are mostly excited by this news because its always great to hear that a female world leader is becoming even more bad a** by furthering her education, were also secretly hoping for a little bit of romance. Cmon! Doesnt Princess Elisabeth look like Julia Stiles? Cant you picture a reverse The Prince & Me situation? The Belgian princess falls in love with an unassuming American student. Perhaps the student accidentally spills their Dunkin Donuts iced coffee all over the Duchess and instead of having them beheaded, she invites them to a Red Sox game where sparks begin to fly. *Sigh* A girl can dream!

Bon voyage and best of luck, Princess Elisabeth!

Best of SheKnows

Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
A couple are in a fight with LA over their right to destroy the home that Marilyn Monroe died in

Owners of Marilyn Monroe's former Brentwood home are suing LA for the right to raze the property.

They want to expand their current residence, which is located next door.

The City Council is considering whether to designate the house where Monroe died a historic monument.

The owners of the Brentwood home where Marilyn Monroe lived and later died are suing the City of Los Angeles for the right to demolish the property.

Brinah Milstein and her husband, Roy Bank, filed a Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit on Monday, alleging "illegal and unconstitutional conduct and abuse of power" by the city concerning the property they bought in July 2023.

According to the Los Angeles Times, they purchased the home for $8.35 million. Their intention was to demolish it and expand their current residence, which is located next door, according to the lawsuit.

Monroe died from an overdose in the Brentwood property at the age of just 36.

The plaintiffs claim they were issued a demolition permit from the city, which was initially "held" for 30 days to allow for objections.

They claim that no objections were raised and permits were subsequently issued, which led to them incurring over $30,000 in expenses before receiving actual notice of a "stay" invoked by the city.

Last September, the Los Angeles City Council intervened to temporarily halt the demolition of the home, which KCAL News reported was welcomed by fans and historians.

Scott Fortner of The Marilyn Monroe Collection, a superfan and collector, told the news outlet that the "home is the equivalent of Graceland" for Monroe fans.

He said the property, which Monroe purchased in 1962 for just over $77,000, represented a new beginning for the iconic star, following her divorce from playwright Arthur Miller.

Marilyn Monroe waves from Arthur Miller's convertible as the newlyweds leave their Connecticut home for a picnic in June 1956. Bettmann/Getty Images

Fortner said the home also has significance in memorializing Monroe, noting that its front step tiles read "Cursum Perficio"  Latin for "my journey ends here."

The City Council initiated proceedings last September to consider designating the property a historic cultural monument, a move that would invalidate the demolition permits.

However, Milstein and Bank have pushed back.

They contend in the lawsuit that Monroe lived in the house for only a short period, less than six months in 1962, and that the house has been "substantially altered" over the years.

"There is not a single piece of the house that includes any physical evidence that Ms. Monroe ever spent a day at the house, not a piece of furniture, not a paint chip, not a carpet, nothing," the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit also alleges that the city's push for the designation violated its own codes, which has deprived the plaintiffs of their "vested rights as owners of real property" and has caused them "irreparable harm."

The City Council will vote on whether to declare the house a historic cultural monument by mid-June.

A statement provided by email to Business Insider by the plaintiffs' attorney, Peter C. Sheridan of Glaser Weil Fink Howard Jordan & Shapiro LLP, accused the City of Los Angeles of engaging in "an illegal and unconstitutional conspiracy."

Representatives for the City of Los Angeles did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

Brentwood boasts a rich Hollywood heritage, counting Betty White and Joan Crawford among its former notable residents.

However, that rich history, combined with the high value of the land, has created tension when it comes to preservation.

Actor Chris Pratt and his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger recently caused an uproar when they demolished a midcentury modern house designed by architect Craig Ellwood to make way for a sprawling mansion.

Liz Waytkus, the US executive director of the conservation nonprofit Docomomo, told Dezeen last month that the demolition highlighted a "systemic" problem in the area.

"The land has become more valuable than the house, and even if people understand the value of such a home, location and land value often trump architectural significance," she said.

Thursday, May 9, 2024: This article has been updated with a response from Peter C. Sheridan, the attorney for Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tommy Richman scores his first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated May 11), as his new single, Million Dollar Baby, soars in at No. 2.

Released April 26 on ISO Supremacy/PULSE Records, the song debuts with 38 million official U.S. streams, 302,000 in early radio airplay audience and 4,000 downloads sold in its first week of release (April 26-May 2), according to Luminate.

More from Billboard

Since the Hot 100 began in 1958, only five other acts have debuted in the top two with no prior history on the chart. Lauryn Hill first achieved the feat on the Nov. 14, 1998 survey, when Doo Wop (That Thing) launched at No. 1; before that, though, Fugees charted three songs with her as a member. Fantasia was second, with a No. 1 start for I Believe after she won American Idol in 2004. In 2013, Baauer opened at No. 1 with his viral hit Harlem Shake. Zayn followed in 2016, when his debut solo single Pillowtalk arrived at No. 1; similar to Hill, One Direction had charted 29 songs with him as a member. Most recently prior to Richman, last August Oliver Anthony Music became the first act to premiere atop the Hot 100 with no prior chart history on any ranking when Rich Men North of Richmond debuted at No. 1.

(Also notably, Artists for Haiti debuted at No. 2 in 2010 with its charity single We Are the World 25: For Haiti. The supergroup featured dozens of A-list artists and chart veterans, including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, P!nk and Usher.)

Before this week, Richman had notched one chart appearance: Brent Faiyazs Upset, featuring Richman and Felix!, reached No. 12 on Hot R&B Songs and No. 33 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs last November.

Million Dollar Baby has benefitted from attention on TikTok, where it has soundtracked over 150,000 clips on the platform to date.

Richman hails from Woodbridge, Va., and was the first artist signed to Faiyazs ISO Supremacy imprint, in partnership with PULSE Records. Richman also opened for Faiyaz on his F*ck the World, Its a Wasteland Tour. Im grateful and amazed at the support from Brent, ISO Supremacy and the team at PULSE Records, which motivates me, Richman said at the time. To have the opportunity to open for Brent on his sold-out tour is an absolute honor and to sign to PULSE Records, a creative community that really understands music and supports artists, I couldnt ask for more.

In a 2023 interview with the Miami New Times, Richman discussed the difficulties of breaking into the music industry as a Virginia-based artist. Theres a lot of passion through the scene back home, and I feel like its because a lot of people dont get a fair shake, he said. Its really hard to have your voice heard there. Thats probably why a lot of people from Virginia left, like Pharrell and Timbaland. Its kind of key for an artist to leave their nest. That way, you can appreciate where you come from.

Richman released his debut album, Alligator, in 2022 on Boom.Records. In September, he dropped the five-track The Rush, via ISO Supremacy.

Richman Rules Streaming Songs

Richman lands his first No. 1 on Billboards Streaming Songs chart via the chart-topping entrance for Million Dollar Baby. Hes the second act to land a first Streaming Songs ruler with an initial entry in 2024, following Benson Boone, whose Beautiful Things led for a week in February.

Unlike Million Dollar Baby, Beautiful Things rose to No. 1 in its third week on the chart. The last act before Richman to debut atop the list with a first charting song? Kim Petras, whose Unholy, with Sam Smith, started at the summit in October 2022. Splitting the accomplishment one level further: Since Petras was a co-lead on Unholy, the last act, like Richman, to launch a first entry atop Streaming Songs with no billed collaborators before this week was Olivia Rodrigo, with Drivers License in January 2021.

Notably, Million Dollar Baby represents the sixth No. 1 debut on Streaming Songs in 2024. Comparatively, nine songs debuted atop the ranking in all of 2023.

Richman Banks First R&B/Hip-Hop No. 1

Richman also storms onto the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot R&B Songs charts at No. 1 with Million Dollar Baby.

Meanwhile, Faiyazs Upset, featuring Richman and Felix!, returns to Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at No. 40, spurred by 4.2 million streams, up 94% from the prior week.

Similarly, after Upset originally hit No. 12 in Richmans sole prior visit to Hot R&B Songs in November, he simultaneously ups his top 10 count to two as, concurrent with Million Dollar Baby bowing at No. 1, Upset reenters at No. 7.

Kevin Rutherford and Trevor Anderson contributed to this report

Best of Billboard
Press Release

May 8, 2024 SEN. GRACE POE'S PRIVILEGE SPEECH ON THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HELLO GARCI SCANDAL

May 8, 2024 Mr. President, dear colleagues, twenty years ago this month, a phone call changed the course of our country's history. To jog our collective memories, recorded phone calls between a presidential candidate who was then trailing behind the votes, and then-Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, resulted in the biggest electoral crisis that this country has seen. To be specific, there were around fifteen calls but it was one phone call that echoes in our history forever as "Hello Garci". The ignominy still rings today and its brazenness echoes in eternity. In "Hello Garci", a leader - who had placed her hand on the Bible to swear before God and people that she will obey the laws of land - was clearly heard shopping for votes to salvage an electoral debacle. Dito sa Pilipinas, may kasabihan tayo na: walang kandidatong natatalo, puro nadadaya lang. Pero sa pagkakataong ito, hindi lamang nahuli ang magnanakaw sa akto, nag-sorry pa! The phone call recorded a woman's voice panic-buying for votes; in fact, it recorded a presidentiable nominee, pressing Election Commissioner Garcillano who was on the other end of the line, to produce one million votes. The call echoed a haggling for more votes. To quote, the transcript would show: "'Yung dagdag, 'yung dagdag." It was not the polite conversation one would expect between a sitting President and a constitutional officer. To 85 million eavesdropping Filipinos, it confirmed an open secret about our elections - that votes can be bought and, for those that could not be bought, can be changed. At a time when ballots were manually counted, Garcillano, though he was no tabulating machine, meekly gave his assurance, that the one million votes would be reflected in the Certificates of Canvass (COCs). True enough, some of the COCs - or now Certificates of Cheating - were later transmitted to Congress, standing as delivery receipts of the votes that were ordered. And when discrepancies were pointed out during the congressional canvass, they were ignored and buried under an avalanche of "Noted", "Noted", "Noted." And that was how Filipinos lost the election in 2004; the loser was proclaimed winner. Kung malaki ang tinaya, mas maki ang kailangang ikubra. Huwag sana mabaon sa limot na ang Hello Garci scandal ay nanganak nang sandamakmak na impeachment complaints, isang bonggang fertilizer scam worth P728 million, PhilHealth card scam worth P530 million, and the NorthRail project worth $503 million para lang may pambayad sa mga tumulong mag-deliver ng boto, at maging ang lisensya para sa Maguindanao massacre. In short, it was the people who paid for the crimes of the "Hello Garci" actors. Mr. President, a good two decades have passed since the "Hello Garci" was pulled off, and I am recalling it today, not as a daughter of the decent man who was robbed of votes, but as a senator of the Republic who believes it is her duty not to let this blot in our history fade from the nation's memory. In doing so, I am just taking the cue from my father who died heartbroken for the people who were let down by the system. But while the father may have forgiven those who did him wrong, the daughter will never forget the names nor the crimes that were committed to our people. More than the need to move on, we need to move forward. Because I believe that it is not the passing of time that heals wounds, or mends wrongs. It can only be cured if we apply remedies that will prevent it from happening again, of lessons so powerful that it deters repetition, by sanctions that await those who try to commit it once. Tragedies ought to be a teachable moment for us, and the "Hello Garci" episode should have birthed laws that would prevent it from revisiting us. But on this, I am sad to note, did not fully happen. Yes, there were laws passed, like poll computerization, and minor fixes, but the biggest scourge, the buying of votes has not been purged out of our politics. Our counting may have turned electronic but our machines are fast aging. Aside from technological reforms, a lot more needs to be done in our electoral landscape. These include redefining what electoral crimes words like "premature campaigning", "vote-buying", and "vote-selling" cover. Campaigning should effectively start as candidacy is filed, and vote-buying should include all possible modes like the buying of votes through e-wallets that we saw in 2022. Electronic na po ngayon, Mr. President. On this note, I will be filing a bill which shall prohibit vote buying and selling through electronic means o 'yung mga pagbili na gamit ang GCash or Maya. So much must be done in so little time. We are fast approaching the midterm national elections next year and yet the landscape has not changed much since the electoral crisis two decades ago. It is when we fail to act immediately that the Hello Garci crisis continues to haunt us. There were many impeachment complaints but no one was punished for this crime. The guilty remains in power, taking refuge in our collective amnesia to delete our memory on the wrongs they have committed. Pagala-gala pa rin si Garcia, parang wala lang nagyari. Matagal kong pinag-isipan kung sasariwain ko ulit itong mapait na yugto, ngunit hindi ito isang personal na bagay lamang. Ito ay kasaysayan na dapat hindi malilimutan at dapat magsilbing aral sa bago at darating pang henerasyon. History is neither political nor personal. Hindi namemersonal ang kasaysayan. Isinasaad lamang kung ano ang nangyari. Paalala ito sa atin na dapat mamili kung anong legasiya ang nais nating iwanan sa ating mga anak. Today, let history show us the way. Here is a film presentation that details the events that unfolded in 2004.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev signed the Joint Declaration on strengthening strategic partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria, Trend reports.

A ceremony of signing documents has been held with participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev.

Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmin Mammadov and member of the Board of Bulgaria Air JSC Hristo Todorov signed the Code Share Agreement between Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC and Bulgaria Air JSC.

Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmin Mammadov and Caretaker Minister of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria Vladimir Malinov signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Innovation and Growth of the Republic of Bulgaria on cooperation in the field of technological innovation.

Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Asarel-Medet JSC Dimitar Tsotsorkov signed the Memorandum of Understanding between State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic and Asarel Investment EAD.
Iran Sentences Director Mohammad Rasoulof to 8 Years in Prison and Flogging Days Before His New Film Premieres at Cannes

Just days before hed premiere his new film The Seed of the Sacred Fig in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival, director Mohammad Rasoulof has been sentenced to eight years in prison and flogging in Iran. Hell also be subjected to a fine and the confiscation of property. The filmmaker has run afoul of the theocratic government there for years, and theres some indication the timing of this extremely harsh sentence is coercion to remove the film from the festival altogether.

Its easy to see why the authoritarian regime might be scared of Rasoulofs latest work. The Seed of the Sacred Fig Tree is literally about a judge for the Revolutionary Court in Tehran dealing with the fallout from the nationwide protests that have swept the country in recent years, and he particularly succumbs to paranoia when his gun disappears.

More from IndieWire

The 51-year-old director has been hit with a severe sentence, before, however. Making features since 2002, Rasoulof was first arrested in 2010 for supposedly filming without a permit  an offense for which he received a six-year prison sentence, later knocked down to one year. After he returned from a trip abroad in 2017, the authorities in Iran confiscated his passport, forbidding him from leaving the country.

Hes received other sentences since, which were deferred due to the Covid pandemic, when Iran actually released over 50,000 prisoners to prevent the viruss spread. When he received another charge, for allegedly undermining Irans national security because of making his 2017 film A Man of Integrity, which won the top prize in Un Certain Regard, he received an outpouring of support from other filmmakers, such as Asghar Farhadi and Jafar Panahi. Not allowed to leave Iran for years, a coalition of filmmakers petitioned the government to allow him to attend Cannes in 2023, where he had been invited to participate in the Un Certain Regard jury.

His next film, There Is No Evil, about capital punishment in Iran, won the Golden Bear at Berlin. He filmed the entire movie in secret.

According to Iranian journalist Mansour Jahani, this particularly harsh sentence against Rasoulof is expected to be executed soon. However, he is not yet in prison as of publication time.

On X, Rasoulofs lawyer Babak Paknia wrote, as translated by Jahani, According to the verdict issued by the 29th branch of the Islamic Revolution Court of Iran, Mohammad Rasoulof was sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment (5 years applicable), flogging, fine, and confiscation of property. This ruling was confirmed in the 36th branch of the Court of Appeals and now the case has been sent to enforcement.

In a follow-up tweet, Paknia added, The main reason for issuing this sentence is signing statements and making films and documentaries, which in the courts opinion, these actions are examples of collusion with the intention of committing a crime against the countrys security.

IndieWire has reached out to the Cannes Film Festival for comment.

Best of IndieWire

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Long before the days of working together on Killers of the Flower Moon or The Irishman, director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro first teamed up more than 50 years ago on Mean Streets.

In celebration of five decades of the 1973 crime thriller, De Niro and Scorsese will take the stage at 2024 De Niro Con for a conversation moderated by none other than Nas.

More from Billboard

The I Can rapper and De Niro in fact do have a relationship, as the iconic actor pulled up to the rappers 50th birthday party in NYC last year.

Tribecas De Niro Con is slated to take over New York City from June 14 through June 16. Following a 2 p.m. ET screening of Mean Streets on June 15, De Niro and Scorsese will engage in a unique conversation at Beacon Theater.

I cant think of a better way to celebrate 80 years of Robert De Niro, my dear friend and co-conspirator for the past 35 years, than by throwing a big bash for his fellow New Yorkers, Tribeca co-founder and CEO Jane Rosenthal said in a statement. From conversations with legends like Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and David O. Russell to fan experiences, it is going to be a truly historic weekend as we pay tribute to a great talent.

Ticket packages and day passes are now available online. Other De Niro blockbusters that will be showcased from his filmography include Analyze This, Meet the Parents, The Godfather Part II, Silver Linings Playbook, A Bronx Tale, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and more.

Robert De Niro is an acting icon, actor Billy Crystal added. He is one of my closest friends and working with him was one of the great experiences of my career. Im really excited to honor him and his fantastic career this June.

There will also be a screening debut of the De Niro, New York short film that will examine the actors roles from 40 different roles throughout his decorated Hollywood career.

This Festival, join us for De Niro Con, a celebration of 80 years of Robert De Niro featuring special screenings, live conversations, exclusive exhibits, and unique fan experiences  plus appearances from the man himself!



De Niro Con is powered by @Webex events, offering fans an pic.twitter.com/sTXMM18Yx7  Tribeca (@Tribeca) May 8, 2024

Best of Billboard
A security guard is in the hospital in serious condition after being shot while working overnight outside a Toronto mansion owned by rapper Drake, Toronto police said.

The unidentified man was "working apparently as a security guard at the residence" and was standing in front of the gates of the mansion when he was shot at around 2 a.m. ET on May 7, Inspector Paul Krawczyk of Toronto's Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force said at a news conference.

Individuals "who obviously performed the shooting" fled in a vehicle, Krawczyk said. He said police do not have a description of the vehicle or suspects or how many shots were fired. He said authorities "cannot speak to a motive" for the shooting.

However, Krawczyk said police do have video of the shooting. They haven't released a description of the vehicle or suspects because authorities are "dealing with video quality issues."

The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to a press release issued by police hours after Krawczyk's comments.

Police do not know if the security guard was working alone when he was shot or whether other security team members were present.

A spokesperson for Drake told NBC News on May 7 that he was not injured in the incident. The representative also confirmed that the home near where the shooting occurred is owned by the rapper.

Krawczyk said he could not confirm whether Drake was home at the time of the incident. He said Drake's team has been cooperating with police.

Drake has been in the midst of a heated back-and-forth rap beef with Kendrick Lamar, which has featured both stars releasing diss tracks with ugly insinuations about the other and their families.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Stormy Daniels fourth husband wooed her with a sprawling Florida horse ranch before their wedding

Stormy Daniels' husband wooed her with a Florida horse ranch before they wed.

In a whirlwind of romance, porn star Stormy Daniels, born Stephanie Clifford, found herself at the center of attention.

But this time, it wasnt for her on-screen escapades  but rather for a lavish gift from her fourth husband, fellow adult film actor Barrett Blade.

According to records unearthed by The Post, Blade, 50, in a grand gesture of affection, shelled out $535,000 in June 2022 to secure Daniels dream home a few months before tying the knot.

The property occupies 3,000 square feet. EXP REALTY LLC

The covered pool. EXP REALTY LLC

The fenced pasture. EXP REALTY LLC

The property is a sprawling 2.2-acre horse farm in Dunnellon, Florida.

The abode, boasting three bedrooms sprawled across nearly 3,000 square feet, became the couples sanctuary.

A gated and fenced estate, it welcomes visitors with an open floor plan adorned with tile flooring, vaulted ceilings, skylights and arched windows that bathe the space in natural light, according to the previous listing.

Stormy Daniels and Barrett Blade. Getty Images

Daniels, 45, in a December 2022 social media post, gushed about her marital bliss, declaring, Being married to my best friend and moving into my dream home made 2022 a tough year to beat but I bet this guy will somehow manage to top himself! Heres to another 24 years, Mr. Barrett.

The kitchen. EXP REALTY LLC

The living room. EXP REALTY LLC

A bonus room. EXP REALTY LLC

The master suite boasts private access to a lanai, and a spa-like bathroom complete with a Jacuzzi tub and a dual vanity.

Outdoors, theres a pool and a courtyard area complete with a fireplace.

The property also features a two-stall barn with a tack room and a fenced pasture.

But amid the backdrop of comfort, Daniels has found herself entangled in controversy once again.

The primary bedroom. EXP REALTY LLC

Another bedroom. EXP REALTY LLC

The home is situated on more than 2 acres. EXP REALTY LLC

Shes in the news this week, as former President Donald Trump is on trial accused of falsifying business documents, allegedly to cover up hush money payments to the adult film star ahead of the 2016 general election over an alleged affair. Her testimony on Tuesday nearly derailed proceedings.

Trumps legal team, led by attorney Todd Blanche, objected to the salacious details divulged by Daniels with events that took place in 2006 involving the former president, arguing that they threatened the integrity of the trial.

Judge Juan Merchan, though sympathetic to the defenses concerns, ultimately ruled against declaring a mistrial. Instead, he opted to provide a limiting instruction regarding Daniels earlier testimony, cautioning jurors on its application.

Merchan told Trumps lawyers that he agreed the testimony had gone into too much detail.

Having said that, Merchan continued, I dont think we have reached the point where a mistrial is in order.
Why Prince Harry Won't Meet With King Charles During Visit to the U.K.

Originally appeared on E! Online

Prince Harry and King Charles III are going to be like ships passing in the night.

In fact, the Duke of Sussex won't meet up with his father at all while making his scheduled visit to the United Kingdom this week, a spokesperson for Harry confirmed to E! News.

"In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week," explained the spokesperson's May 7 statement to E!, "it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty's full program."

The rep noted that Harrywho touched down in the U.K. on May 7 for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Gameswas "understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities" and added that he "hopes to see him soon."

But Charleswho shared his cancer diagnosis in Februaryisn't the only member of Harry's family he won't be spending time with while he's in London. His wife Meghan Markle also won't be there to cheer him on in person. Instead, the Duchess of Sussexwho shares kids Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2, with the Spare authorwill remain in California before reuniting with her husband for a trip to Nigeria later this month.

The Most Shocking Parts of Prince Harry's Spare

More from E! Online

Harry was, however, able to share a special moment with the king back in February, following news of his cancer diagnosis.

Photo by Ethan Cairns/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images / Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images

"I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could," the 39-year-old told Good Morning America Feb. 16. "I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I'm grateful for that."

Read on for the latest updates on Harry, Meghan, Charles and more royals from all across the world:

Returning to Public Duties

On April 26, nearly three months after sharing his cancer diagnosis, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles will return to public-facing duties.





Queen Camilla Attends Royal Maundy Service

The queen consort attended the Royal Maundy Service on March 28 in place of King Charles III, making her the first spouse of the Monarch to continue the ancient tradition.





Kate Middleton Shares Cancer Diagnosis

In a March 22 video message, the Princess of Wales shared that she'd been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January. "It was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful," she said before noting that tests after the operation found cancer had been present. "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."





Kate Middleton Apologizes for Edited Family Photo Controversy

After photo agencies pulled the picture Kensington Palace shared of Kate since having her abdominal surgery on March 10, the Princess of Wales addressed claims the photo was doctored. "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she tweeted on March 11. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C."





Lady Kitty Spencer Privately Welcomes Baby

Princess Diana's niece celebrated Mother's Day in the U.K. by sharing she and her husband Michael Lewis privately welcomed their first baby. Its the joy of my life to be your mummy, little one. I love you unconditionally," she captioned her March 10 Instagram post. "Happy Mothers Day to those who celebrate today."





Queen Camilla Takes a Break

After keeping up her full slate of engagements in the wake of her husband's cancer diagnosis, the palace cleared Camilla's schedule. The Times pointed out March 2 that the 76-year-old didn't have any engagements on her calendar until March 11, when she'd be due at Westminster Abbey to observe Commonwealth Day.





Thomas Kensington Dies at 45

The husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor and ex-boyfriend of Pippa Middleton, was found dead Feb. 25. Days later, a coroner's inquest found that he died by suicide.





King Charles Diagnosed With Cancer

While King Charles III was in the hospital for his benign prostate enlargement procedure, the royal family member was diagnosed with cancer. "His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties," Buckingham Palace said Feb. 5. "Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible."





Sarah Ferguson Is Diagnosed With a Second Type of Cancer

The Duchess of York's rep said in a statement on Jan. 21 that Sarah was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. Several months prior, she underwent a single mastectomy to treat breast cancer.





Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Abdicates the Throne

On Jan. 14, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark made history as she officially abdicated the throne, handing the crown over to her son, now known as King Frederik the 10th.





Kate Middleton Is Hospitalized

Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 that Kate Middleton underwent planned abdominal surgery and was set to remain in the hospital for 10 to 14 days. "Based on the current medical advice," the Palace said, "she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."





Prince William Adjusting His Schedule

Amid Kate's recovery, Prince William postponed a number of engagements as he supported his family, including the couple's three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.





King Charles III Undergoing Treatment

Shortly after Kate's hospitalization was made public, Buckingham Palace shared that Charles "has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate." "His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure," the statement added. "The Kings public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation."





Luxembourg Welcomes a New Baby

Princess Claire and Prince Felix of Luxembourg welcomed son Balthazar Felix Karl on Jan. 7, the first royal baby of the New Year!



For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



If youve ever daydreamed about purchasing a beachside bungalow in Costa Rica or a cliffside dwelling in Portugal, youre not alone. In fact, many Americans have made this dream a reality in recent years. According to American Citizens Abroad, a nonprofit organization that represents the legislative concerns of U.S. citizens living overseas, as of 2022, an estimated 5.1 million Americans live abroad, with 3.9 million as civilians. With the rise of flexible or remote work, new visa programs, and impressive tax incentives, it's becoming more common for U.S. citizens to consider a big move.

While its true that many of the places Americans are laying down roots offer beautiful landscapes, vibrant cultures and incredible cuisine, these countries also offer enviable long-term quality of life benefits that can be hard to find here in the states. Factors like a low cost of living, healthy work-life balance, free public healthcare, and lower instances of gun violence make a compelling case to leave life in America behind. Although its not easy both emotionally and bureaucratically to pack up and move to another country, these 20 countries make it easy for Americans to find a new homeland. Read on to discover the best countries for expats in 2024.

Panama

As the most developed nation in Central America with a mix of both a glittering skyline in Panama City and beautiful beaches and lush natural surroundings, Panama is a vibrant choice for Americans looking to head abroad. Plus, to make things super simple, the country operates on the American dollar, which goes much further here. Apartment rentals range from $900 to $1500 in Panama City for more than 1000 square feet, and doctors visits can cost as little as $20. Digital nomads will love the high-speed internet available, and the countrys short stay visa for remote workers, a 9-month visa that can be renewed for another 9 months.

Nicolas Weschta - Getty Images

Portugal

The oldest wine region in Europe, sun-soaked beaches and instagram-worthy cobblestone streets, theres a lot to love about Portugal. This small country on the Iberian peninsula is a big draw for entrepreneurial expats thanks to funding programs and business incentives as well as a different types of digital nomad visas. These temporary stay visas will allow you to live in Portugal for up to one year with an option to extend up to five years. And, retirees rejoice: You can become a non-habitual resident and only pay 10% in taxes.

Juergen Sack - Getty Images

Spain

Spain has some of the most affordable cost of living in all of Western Europe (free tapas with a glass of vino, anyone?) and theres so much variety across the countrys cities and towns. You can go full on cosmopolitan in Madrid, live the beachy life in Valencia, live out your flamenco dreams in Seville or indulge in Moorish history and culture in Granada. Spain offers a self-employment visa thats ideal for freelancers and remote workers, and families will love the wide selection of international schools and affordable public healthcare.

KavalenkavaVolha - Getty Images

Germany

We wont sugarcoat it, German bureaucracy is legendary. So although the land of stunning mountains, Oktoberfest and schnitzel offers a residency permit for foreign freelancers and self-employed people to live in Germany for a period of up to 3 years, it may take a while to get approval. That said, once youre in, a life in Germany can be the stuff of fairytales. You can tuck away in a cottage outside of Munich near the Alps, or snag an affordable loft in the undeniably cool capital city of Berlin. Wherever you choose, youll get access to one of the best healthcare and education systems in the world.

bluejayphoto - Getty Images

Costa Rica

A million Americans visit Costa Rica every year and more than a few of them have decided to permanently call it home, which isnt much of a surprise. Perched between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, the gorgeous country draws people (especially surfers) thanks to craggy volcanoes, lush rain forests and pura vida ("pure life") philosophy for good living. Becoming at least a temporary resident is easy and straightforward thanks to the Rentista visa, which allows foreigners to stay for a 2-year period and potentially extend it. If youre looking for a lifestyle thats outdoorsy, laid back, and fantastically environmentally friendly, Costa Rica is it.

George Cotayo - Getty Images

Ghana

Travel to Ghana sharply increased in popularity in 2019 during the Year of Return, a birthright journey inviting African Americans and those of the African diaspora to commemorate 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were forcibly taken to the then colony of Virginia. While many visitors then decided to stay, more were drawn to Ghana during the racial uprisings of 2020, seeking relief from violence and racism in the United States. Rents in bustling Accra are nearly unbelievable (i.e. $700 a month for a three bedroom house with security), the restaurant and nightlife scene is vibrant and there are fantastic international schools for families.

Note: The LGBTQI+ community should "exercise increased caution," according to the U.S. Department of Travel, due to crime, violence, and anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoricespecially in the Bono East, Bono, Savannah, Northern, North East, and Upper East regions due to civil unrest. Ghanaian law prohibits sexual intimacy between persons of the same sex, and punishment can include fines and/or incarceration.

Gerhard Pettersson - Getty Images

Croatia

Between Dubrovnik, Zagreb and Split, there are several beautiful cities across the Croatian coastline to serve as your next seaside hideaway. This Mediterranean country is known for its sweeping views of the sapphire-hued Adriatic Sea, bright orange tiled rooftops and ancient palaces and forts. Croatia was one of the first countries to introduce a digital nomad visa in January 2021, giving travelers a low-cost option to stay and work remotely in Europe for a year. A unique aspect of this temporary resident visa is you dont have to get it worked out before you travel, you can apply when in Croatia, and also at Croatian consulates and embassies.

xbrchx - Getty Images

Italy

How many of us were drawn into the fantasy of dropping everything and moving to Italy thanks to movies like Under the Tuscan Sun and Eat, Pray, Love? We should be entitled to financial compensation. Well, even though thats not likely to happen, Italy just announced its brand new digital nomad visa as of March 2024, a one-year visa that can be renewed and comes with a minimum income requirement of just over 30,000 Euros.

The country is seemingly still working out the kinks as the visa is meant for highly skilled applicants, yet doesnt define exactly what that means. Cost of living varies widely from major cities like Rome and Florence to small villages, but youre sure to get incredible food and wine wherever you choose.

Aleh Varanishcha - Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

One would think that in glittering cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which are both known for their remarkable luxury experiences, the cost of living would be significantly higher than in the United States, but in fact, its much lower. In comparable cities like Miami and New York where rent for one can range from $2000 to $2600, rent for one in Dubai holds strong at nearly half the cost at $1200. The city of Dubai recently launched a one-year virtual working program for remote workers, allowing them to benefit from the zero income tax for individuals.

dblight - Getty Images

Mexico

Many American travelers are familiar with the wonders of Mexico: From gorgeous tropical beaches along the Caribbean Sea and Pacific ocean to lush mountain highlands and one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, Mexico City, there are so many fantastic cities and towns to start a new life. Best of all, if youre unsure about completely uprooting, Americans can stay in Mexico for up to six months on a tourist visa. Longer than that requires a temporary resident visa which lasts up to 4 years. In Mexico you'll find a more relaxed pace, nearly half the cost of living in the states, and exceptional, affordable healthcare.

Note: The U.S. Department of State recommends that you do not travel to certain states in Mexico due to increased violent crimes such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. Make sure to look at each state's precaution level before deciding where you should live or visit.

bpperry - Getty Images

Canada

From the Canadian Rockies to quaint, French-leaning townships in Quebec to nautical living in Nova Scotia, Canada has so much to offer expats. Canada is consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world and one of the safest. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the rugged wild across the country, and theres free public healthcare for citizens and permanent residents should all that adventuring cause a bump or scrape. Digital nomads dont need a work visa to work remotely from Canada, and they can stay for up to six months.

MartinM303 - Getty Images

Australia

The strength of the U.S. dollar these days has made living in one of the most culturally and geographically diverse continents on earth more affordable than ever (1 USD is worth $1.52 Australian dollars). While many Americans opt for sophisticated Sydney or cool and edgy Melbourne, your money will go a lot further in smaller cities like Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, and youll get to see Australias stunning natural landscape. The Working Holiday Visa for visitors between 18 to 30 is a favorite for folks that just want to hang out for a year (or up to three if you do enough specified work), but longer residences require employer sponsorship, specific skills, or business visas.

Prasit photo - Getty Images

Barbados

Somewhere deep in all of us, we all want to be a little bit like Rihanna. One way to do it is by starting a new life in her home country of Barbados. Barbados was a trendsetter during the height of COVID isolation when it launched its digital nomad program called the Barbados Welcome Stamp in July 2020. The 12-month program allows visitors to relocate and work from a beautiful Caribbean island with strong high-speed wifi, world-class cuisine, local rum, and year-round sunshine.

SpVVK - Getty Images

Colombia

Colombias vibrant South American culture, mild year-round climate (with Caribbean-like vibes along the coast), Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and low cost of living with one-bedroom rents hovering around $530 per month in a city center like Bogota make it an attractive country for expats. In April 2023, Colombia launched its Digital Nomad Visa that has a duration of 2 years and can not be extended. It is also one that has the lowest income requirements of only $684 per month.

Note: The U.S. Department of Travel has issued a level 3 warning and says to "reconsider travel" to Colombia due to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and terrorism. The state department has issued a do not travel warning to Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayan), and Norte de Santander due to crime and terrorism. They also recommend avoiding travel to Colombia-Venezuela border region.

todamo - Getty Images

Switzerland

The natural beauty of Switzerlands glacier-fed lakes and Alps mountain range is unmatched, plus it recently took the top spot as the worlds safest country, so although getting a long-term visa here isnt easy, its definitely worth it. As one of the wealthiest countries in the world, money talks here. The best and quickest way to snag a long-term visa is through the Golden Visa Program for individuals looking to invest in Switzerland in exchange for residency, and eventually citizenship. The lump taxation payment will cost you a cool $203,000. If your pockets arent that fat, you can always stay for 90 days without a visa.

JaCZhou - Getty Images

Bermuda

Bermuda is a unique Caribbean nation because its not actually in the Caribbean. Perched in the Atlantic ocean only 600 miles from the North Carolina coastline, its a geographically convenient Caribbean-like escape from America, but you can still stay relatively close to family and friends along the east coast. In 2020, Bermuda launched the Work from Bermuda visa for remote workers to stay for up to 12 months; the application fee is only $275 and theres no requirement to prove a certain wage. However, the cost of living here is the highest on earth, and on average, 84.9% higher than in the United States. If you have the money, incredible festivals like Carnival and Cup Match, seaside living, and pink-sand beaches may make it worth it.

Cavan Images - Getty Images

Vietnam

Vietnam has everything you could want in a landscape: beautiful mountains, some of the worlds best beaches and bustling shopping and nightlife in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh cities. The cost of living for Americans is also unbelievably low, with spacious one bedroom apartments costing less than $700 per month and delicious street food like bowls of pho, spring rolls and banh mis ranging from $1 to $5. Theres also a fantastic healthcare system, although the language barrier may pose a challenge. Digital nomads and freelancers visiting Vietnam do not need a work visa or work permit, as long as the company or companies they are working for are not based in Vietnam. All you need is the standard tourist visa to enter the country.

I am Kien. I like to take many beautiful photos about landscape. - Getty Images

Thailand

Thailand is a tropical paradise with strong infrastructure, high-speed internet and low living costs. Whether you opt for big city living in Bangkok or the laid back vibes of Chiang Mai, Americans are sure to find an incredibly high standard of living for a fraction of what theyd pay in the states. For example, in Bangkok, $600 a month can get you a high rise apartment in a building with a pool, sauna and gym, or you can find even better deals by snagging a bungalow in a beach town.

Most digital nomads and remote workers take a stint in Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa which can be extended for 30 more days. However, if youre looking for a longer stay, the 10-year Long Term Residency visa has oddly specific qualifications: You must have an income of $80,000 and work for a public company on a stock exchange, or for a private company that can show a combined revenue of $150 million over the last 3 years.

seng chye teo - Getty Images

Finland

Finland was named the happiest country in the world in the 2024 World Happiness Report for the seventh year in a row. With high-quality healthcare and social security, free education and affordable daycare, inclusive healthcare, parental and family leave, among many other benefits, its easy to see how the Finnish lifestyle leaves people happy and stress-free. Access to lush parks, forests and clean, natural lakes also does wonders for the mental health of Finns. Most American remote workers travel to Finland on a standard Schengen tourist visa, which allows a stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 day period, but if you want the self-employment visa that allows a stay for up to six months, you must register your business in Finland.

Note: Though this Nordic country neighbors Russia, Finland has been a member of NATO since 2023 and recently closed their Eastern border. The U.S. Department of State issued a level 1 warning and recommends taking "normal precautions."

scanrail - Getty Images

Georgia

Right at the intersection of Europe and Asia is the Republic of Georgia, one of the best countries in the world for digital nomads. Residents from 95 countries around the world can enter Georgia and stay for a full year on a tourist visa, and unlike many tourist visas you can work remotely. Visitors must be able to prove an income of $2,000 a month or have a bank statement showing $24,000. A furnished apartment in the capital city of Tbilisi runs about $700 and Georgians are known for their warm hospitality and fun-loving culture.

Note: Some areas of Georgia pose an increased risk, and the U.S. Department of State does not recommend traveling to the Russian-occupied Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia due to risk of crime, civil unrest, and landmines. The country as a whole remains at a level 1 warning and the state department recommends exercising normal precautions.

Lukas Bischoff - Getty Images

You Might Also Like
More from Footwear News

The Air Jordan 11 Space Jam sneaker will soon make its first appearance as a low-top.

The Air Jordan 11 Low Space Jam is set to release next week as a new take on the iconic sneaker made famous by the movie of the same name. The regular high-top version of the AJ11 Space Jam has released three times in a total including its launch in 2000, and the Air Jordan 11 Low IE, a different low-top version of the sneaker that Michael Jordan wore twice in 1996, also got the treatment in 2019.

Black patent leather and mesh form the upper of the AJ11 Low Space Jam, while a white midsole sits above a translucent blue outsole. The truncated heel then features a smaller but familiar 23 logo, as well as a tiny blue Jumpman.

Because the Air Jordan 11 Space Jam didnt release until four years after the movie came out in 1996, its enjoyed a special lore among sneakerheads. Only a handful of pairs were made initially for Jordan himself, and those actually featured a more purple Jumpman logo. Someone once traded a car for an original pair in the more nascent days of sneaker collecting, and a pair with a custom box sold at auction in 2021 for $176,000.

The 2016 retro release for the Air Jordan 11 Space Jam was more true to the original with its Jumpman logo, although it also swapped 23 for 45 on the heel and featured a blue-tinted outsole to help prevent aging. The only other reissue of the sneaker was in 2009, and that version featured a clear outsole prone to yellowing.

Although also a low-top, the Air Jordan 11 Low IE stands out because of its upper was almost entirely redesigned rather than merely cut shorter with the same lines. Jordan played in the sneaker during a regular season game and a lone playoff game in 1996, and the Space Jam edition made its debut five years ago.

The Air Jordan 11 Low Space Jam will release May 18 through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $190.

Air Jordan 11 Low Space Jam

Air Jordan 11 Low Space Jam

Air Jordan 11 Low Space Jam

Air Jordan 11 Low Space Jam

Air Jordan 11 Low Space Jam

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. Hes previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that ball is life and doesnt fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Best of Footwear News

Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
No summer road trip is complete without lusting after the perfect surreal hedonistic weirdness of the Hotel California. Hotel California lyrics are some of the most recognized lyrics in rock music, making it one of those rare songs that have spanned generations. From speculative conspiracy theories to the band's thoughts themselves, we're breaking down the meaning behind the legendary words to Hotel California.

Hotel California Lyrics - What Are They All About?

The lyrics to Hotel California have been sliced, diced, and dissected thousands of times by people searching for hidden meaning. Yet, the ultimate meaning of every line still eludes us to this day. But, if you long for the days of flipping through the lyric books of yore like we do, then you'll enjoy its thematic complexities. Two stories are going on in Hotel California  the narrative itself and the deeper meaning.

The story told in the song should be familiar. A weary traveler driving down a desolate road (yes, a "dark, desert highway") spies the lights of a lone hotel and decides to stop off for the night. Once inside, the narrator discovers a strange world of excess - mirrored ceilings, pink champagne, a large feast - and guests singing a welcome to him as they try to invite him into their world.

The narrator decides he needs to make a run for it  that he'd rather be on the outside  but in a nightmarish twist, he's told that he can check out but never leave. The larger "traveler stumbling upon a house in the middle of nowhere and strange things happen inside" trope isn't a unique one. But the real meanings of the Hotel California lyrics lie not in the storytelling itself, but rather in the symbolism behind them.

But what DOES it all mean? People have come up with all kinds of theories over the years about the meaning of the song overall, the location of the "real" Hotel California, and other snippets of the song. Some of these wacky interpretations include:

The song's an ode to Satanism (based on the lyrics "we haven't had that spirit here since 1969" as some take this spirit to be God)

The song's about getting cancer

There was a real Hotel California and it was run by cannibals

The real Hotel California was a mental hospital

The song is about cocaine addiction (looking at you, Glenn Frey)

There are others - exploding factories, vampires - the list goes on. But who has it right? Before we can phone a famous friend for a consensus, we need to examine a few of these lyrics a bit deeper.

The Colitas, Oh Those Maddening Colitas

One thing that seems to plague a lot of people about the Hotel California lyrics is the mention of "colitas" in the song opening:

"On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair. Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air."

Just what are they? Some believe colitas is a reference to Colita de Rata, or antelope sage, a flower that grows in the desert. Others point out that colita is Spanish, meaning "little tails" and could refer to the buds of a marijuana plant. The jury's still out on this one.

Related: 6 Most Valuable & Rare Records From the 70s

That Tiffany-Twisted Line Worthy of a Taylor Swift Song

That first verse's line after the chorus, "Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes Benz" is an outdated reference that 70s rockers would've known all too well. Tiffany-twisted is an older reference to the brand Tiffany and their twist/knot jewelry.

Basically, it's a slight insult. Call someone Tiffany-twisted, and you're saying that they're very materialistic. Naturally, a Tiffany-twisted kind of gal couldn't have any car but a luxury brand like a Mercedes Benz.

As if that wasn't rough enough, the fictional woman that Don Henley croons about is inspired by his ex-girlfriend, Loree Rodkin according to the Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings. And people think Taylor Swift was the first one to turn burning ex-lovers in your lyrics into an art form.

Don't Miss That Steely Dan Shout Out

Steely Dan was one of The Eagles' popular contemporaries and referenced the band in their 1976 song Everything You Did. According to Glenn Frey, they originally wanted to give Steely Dan their own shout-out, but felt like including the full name was a little on the nose.

So, Steely Dan "got changed to [Steely] 'knives,' which is still, you know, a penile metaphor. Stabbing, thrusting, etc." It was the 1970s after all. And it resulted in this iconic line:

"They stab it with their steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast."

Peep That Unintentional Greek Myth Reference

While it's long been settled that Glenn Frey wanted to create an epic song that felt as compelling and arresting as a Twilight Zone episode, we can't help but wonder if other unique influences bled into the lyrics.

Peruse the lyrics with a classical mindset and you can't help but notice the similarities between the tale of the Lotus Eaters and the song's narrative. The Lotus Eaters were a group of people drugged enough by intoxicating lotus plants to forget their past. They lost all desire to leave the island to go back to their old lives. Though they seemed to enjoy it, they were really prisoners of their own doing.

Just as the woman in The Eagles' tale says, "We are all just prisoners here, of our own device." And even when the main character goes to leave, the night man reveals that "you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave!"

Related: 70s Album Covers That Are Pop Culture Phenoms

The Eagles Settle the Debate

Fortunately, The Eagles have bucked the tradition of musicians letting public speculation get stranger and stranger about their song lyrics. Both Don Henley and Glenn Frey have addressed the nature of the song several times. They have claimed on numerous occasions over the years that the song is a condemnation of materialism and the material nature of the American dream.

In a 2016 interview with Gayle King, Don Henley explains that "it's a journey from innocence to experience. It's not really about California; it's about America. It's about the dark underbelly of the American dream. It's about excess, it's about narcissism... It can have a million interpretations."

Though, if you ask Glenn Frey, he thinks "a lot was made out of it, a lot was read into it, a lot more than probably exists."

As for speculations about cannibalism, Satanism, cancer, and cocaine, we can safely say they are more internet lore than anything else.

What Inspired Their Hit Record's Narrative Structure?

It's all well and good to reflect on things you've written in the past. Yet, there's a lot we can pull from understanding the context of what inspired the song (and record for that matter) in the first place.

According to a 1977 interview, Glenn Frey proclaimed his and his bandmates' fascination with Steeley Dan's complex lyrics. Envious of their boldness and driven by a desire to "write a song that was sorta like an episode of the Twilight Zone" they began creating the imagery of the mythical hotel. "It was just one shot to the next, and they didn't necessarily make sense. Picture of a guy on the highway. Picture of the hotel." etc.

In Glenn Frey's own words, "So we decided to just sort of create something strange just to see if we could do it." And well...they totally could.

Ready Our Room at the Hotel California

We don't know about you, but diving deep into these lyrics only makes us want to visit the Hotel California even more. Sure, we might not ever be able to leave but with "mirrors on the ceiling, the pink champagne on ice" who could ever want to?
MASSILLON  Joeys Kendal Tavern boasts a rich history as Massillons oldest gathering place, operating since 1891. What began as a humble stagecoach post stop evolved into a beloved tavern, offering respite to travelers and locals alike.

A little nostalgia and a lot of great food greet you at Joey's Kendal Tavern, Massillon's oldest gathering place since 1891.

That was significantly before my time, but you dont last that long in the business world without providing quality at reasonable prices and giving the customers what they want, so when I was in the mood to meet a friend for a big, juicy burger I knew exactly where to go.

One Tuesday evening, my friend Nicole and I decided to drop by for a relaxed dinner at Joey's. Stepping inside, it was obvious why this hometown gem has remained a local favorite  its welcoming atmosphere catered to families and regulars alike.

Our server, Megan, gracefully juggled between tending to the bustling bar and tending to the steady flow of diners. With more than three years of experience under her belt at the tavern, Megan effortlessly ensured that every patron felt valued. Amidst the hustle, she still found time to offer recommendations, which we eagerly welcomed.

As we perused the menu, we opted to start with some appetizers to share. Following Megan's suggestion, we tried the fried ravioli ($6.99)  a crispy delight filled with savory cheeses, accompanied by marinara sauce. They did not disappoint. Each bite elicited praise, leaving us eager for more.

A favorite appetizer, fried ravioli filled with two cheeses and served with marinara sauce, should be part of your order at Joey's Kendal Tavern in Massillon.

Next up were the handmade mozzarella sticks ($7.99)  thick slices of mozzarella, delicately breaded and fried to perfection, served hot with a side of marinara. While they were enjoyable, the fried ravioli stole the show.

Handmade mozzarella sticks are a tasty option at Joey's Kendal Tavern in Massillon.

Joeys Kendal Tavern features daily specials listed on its Facebook page. Previous specials have included a 12-inch pepperoni and sausage pizza for $12.99, and bay scallop soft tacos for $9.99. It also has a rewards program that earns diners one point for every $1 spent on food. Sign up for Joeys Rewards and receive a $5 discount for every 50 points. (The program doesn't include alcohol.)

The menu caters to all tastes and includes wraps (think chicken caesar wrap $10.99 or a cheeseburger wrap $11.99); a variety of sandwiches (including a chicken Joey, grilled chicken topped with mushrooms, onion and your choice of two cheeses $10.99); salads (fried shrimp salad $11.99 or steak salad ($13.99), and side salads ($3.50). Those not in the mood for french fries can opt for broccoli or cottage cheese.

The menu also offers dinners that include a chopped sirloin dinner ($12.99), grilled chicken breast dinner ($11.99) or a pork chop dinner ($14.99). Specials are listed on an electronic board in the dining room. When we were there, specials included a bucket of bones (riblets, fries and slaw $15.99), zucchini fries ($6.99) and a chicken quesadilla ($10.99).

The Joey Burger, complete with two cheeses, mushrooms and onions, comes with a side of coleslaw and fries at Joey's Kendal Tavern in Massillon.

As for our main courses, I settled on the Joey Burger ($12.99)  a substantial, 10-ounce patty topped with sauteed mushrooms, onions (which I politely declined) and a blend of Swiss and provolone cheeses. Cooked to perfection, it was this carnivore's delight. Meanwhile, Nicole opted for the fried fish sandwich ($11.99)  crispy whitefish breaded and nestled in a fresh hoagie, served with tartar sauce on the side and applesauce as a refreshing alternative to fries. Both selections were served quickly and were fresh and hot.

A generous fried fish sandwich on a fresh hoagie bun is on the menu at Joey's Kendal Tavern in Massillon.

Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, Joeys Kendal Tavern is an invitation to enjoy a tasty and unpretentious meal with family or friends. Whether youre seated at the bar or a cozy table, this little Stark County gem promises great food.

If you go

WHAT  Joeys Kendal Tavern

WHERE  705 Wales Road NE in Massillon

PHONE  330-832-0414

HOURS  11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday.

Reach Bev at bshaffer@gannett.com or 330-580-8318.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Joey's Kendal Tavern in Massillon a tasty option for families
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  In a newly released memoir, local author Christian Nill tells the story of his time in the Peace Corps spent in Guatemala amid a raging civil war.

Nills memoir Walking with Evaristo: A Memoir of Celebration and Tragedy in the Land of the Achi Maya has been in the works for over 20 years and started as a novel.

As he put his experiences down on paper, Nill decided he wanted to tell his experiences in non-fiction form and write it as a memoir.

I believe it was Mark Twain who once said travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrowmindedness and I think the same goes for overseas service, said Nill.

Photo from Rabinal from Nills archive

Photo from Rabinal from Nills archive

He joined the Peace Corps and was sent to the town of Rabinal to work with Achi Mayas.

Achi Mayas are one of two dozen groups of native Mayans that reside in Guatemala.

During his time in the late 1970s and early 80s in Rabinal, Nill helped with the reforestation of the area, which remains a problem to this day.

I have arrived in Guatemala at the very cusp of the darkest chapter of the civil war in the country, Nills recalled while speaking of the Guatemalan civil war that lasted over 30 years.

He was ultimately evacuated from the area but was left with many stories to tell about Achi Mayas and the town of Rabinal.

Nill explained, with his book, that he wanted to bring Guatemalan history closer to the people of the U.S.

Nill explained, with his book, that he wanted to bring Guatemalan history closer to the people of the U.S.

The memoir is currently available on Amazon, but Nill hopes to get it into local bookstores soon as well.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Azerbaijan's gas exports to Bulgaria are increasing year by year, President Ilham Aliyev said in a joint press conference with President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, Trend reports.

Last year, Azerbaijan transported 1.25 billion cubic meters of gas to the Bulgarian market. For comparison, I can say that in 2022, this figure was only 600 million, the head of state added.
Man cared for adoptable dog  and realized he loved him too much to let him go

A dog was adopted  but his owners had a change of heart and returned him one week later.

Casper the pup landed back in the care of an animal rescue volunteer who had helped him before. The man soon realized he loved this little fellow too much to let him go away a second time and decided to adopt him, according to the Florida Poodle Rescue.

In the end, Casper is where he belongs, the St. Petersburg-based animal organization wrote May 7 on Facebook. Congratulations to the new family!

Casper got a second chance after he was found as a stray, in poor shape and suspected of having either kennel cough or pneumonia. The dog needed medication and special baths, so the rescue hoped to find a dedicated foster parent.

Thats when the volunteer first started caring for Casper. It reportedly took at least two months of loving care before we started to see his skin condition improve and the other infections clear. The dog eventually went up for adoption and got a new family.

Sadly, a week later, they indicated they couldnt have asked for a better dog, but had a change of heart and decided they were not ready to adopt and returned him, the rescue wrote.

Casper, who had formed a close bond with the volunteer, was happy to be back home with him. The feeling was mutual, and the two are now starting their next chapter together, according to the animal organization.

The heartwarming news about the adoption resonated on Facebook, where the rescues post gained hundreds of reactions. Some social media users chimed in, saying the situation was meant to be.

The Florida Poodle Rescue didnt immediately share additional information with McClatchy News on May 8. The rescue has a presence in St. Petersburg, near Tampa.

Woman on wait list for puppy has heart stolen by sweet senior dog who lost his owner

Sweet dog came to Florida rescue in rough shape. Then came amazing transformation

Dog was at Florida shelter for 100 days. Then on the 101st, his luck took a turn

Timid shelter dogs siblings were adopted. Now, the Florida pup has a home too
May is Haitian Heritage Month: Norwich is celebrating with art show, flag raising

After the success of last year's Haitian Heritage Month, the Greeneville Neighborhood Committee is doing it again.

Throughout May, there will be events in Norwich that celebrate Haitian culture, art and heritage, which everyone is welcome to attend, Greeneville Neighborhood Committee Vice President Cynthia Jean-Mary said.

In our community, youve got lawyers and doctors, and youve got people whove just got here, so we have to have something for everybody, she said. Youve got people who arent Haitian who want to know about the culture.

These activities help Norwich dispel stereotypes and get to know the Haitian community more, as Haitians see Norwich as a safe haven, Jean-Mary said.

Otis Library's Multicultural Services Coordinator Bassam Gayed and Greeneville Neighborhood Committee Vice President Cynthia Jean-Mary talking about plans for Haitian Heritage Month.

Jean-Mary said non-Haitians have asked her before about the political turmoil in Haiti. While she doesnt have an answer to that, she can talk about the opportunities and needs for the Haitian community in Norwich. Everyone is praying for change, but that change needs to start in other communities, including Norwich, to eventually help Haiti, Jean-Mary said.

About Norwich's Haitian Heritage Month

The first Haitian Heritage Month in Norwich was held last year, after Pascale Faustin-Milien, an advocate for the Haitian community in Fairfield County, suggested that Jean-Mary organize the event. While other Connecticut cities have held Haitian celebrations for a long time, Norwich is the only Connecticut city that appears on the Haitian Heritage Month's Wikipedia page as of Monday. Jean-Mary takes that as a sign the Heritage Month in Norwich is doing well, she said.

One of the biggest community partners for Haitian Heritage Month is Otis Library, which will serve as a venue for multiple events. For May, there is a display of books and other works by Haitian authors. The library also has books in Haitian Creole in its collection, Multicultural Services Coordinator Bassam Gayed said.

Its a great opportunity, he said. Weve been trying to promote all the cultures of people who live in our city.

Norwich artist Samson Tonton working on a new piece that will debut at a show on Friday, as part of Haitian Heritage Month.

Samson Tontons art

On Friday and Saturday, Norwich artist Samson Tonton will have two art events at Otis Library. The first will be the debut of four new pieces. The second will give children and families the opportunity to color in black-and-white prints of Tontons art, and hell sign them, Jean-Mary said.

Art has always been part of Haitian culture, and Haiti doesnt get enough credit for being a creative nation, Tonton said.

Theres always a struggle going on, he said. They never see the creative aspect (of Haiti).

One painting that will be at the show is The Mask, which is on the event flyer. Another one of the paintings at the show is called Greed. The latter painting comments on how people chase money and focus on material things, Tonton said.

The Mask by Samson Tonton. This piece of art is being used to promote an art show Friday and a family event Saturday at Otis Library

I dont chase the money. The money chases me, he said. I know the bills need to be paid and things need to be taken care of, but the money chases me.

Tonton was still working on one of his new pieces for the art show last Thursday. Hes keeping its name a secret until the show, but it features a woman in the center and scenes around her. Tonton said it is his commentary on Haitian culture.

We have a beautiful past; now lets create a present, and lets look forward to the future, Tonton said.

Greed by Samson Tonton. The painting is hanging on a wall in his studio in Taftville. The painting comments on how people chase money and focus on material things.

Schedule of Haitian Heritage Month events

Mondays in May: Mental Health Walk and Talk. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Otis Library, 261 Main St.

May 9: Hartford Healthcare Womens Health Fair. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. First Haitian Baptist Church, 356 Central Ave.

May 10: Samson Tonton Art Show. 5:30 to 9 p.m. Otis Library: $5 donation for the Haitian Community Center

May 11: Arts by Tonton: Be An Artist Family Day. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Otis Library. $5 donation for the Haitian Community Center.

May 18: Haitian Flag Raising Ceremony and Festival. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Norwich City Hall, 100 Broadway.

May 22: Lead/Mosaic Conversation with Legislators. 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Lead/Mosaic, Sunlight Building, 66 Franklin St.

May 24: Explore Haitian Literature and Poetry. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Otis Library.

May 25: Haitian Conversation with Legislators. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family Church of God. 63 Church St.

May 26: Memorial Day Weekend Picnic in the Park and 2K Family Fun Run. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mohegan Park Upper Pavilion, 189 Mohegan Park Road.

May 29: Senior Health and Wellness Day: Centerpiece Making. 5 to 7 p.m. McKennas Flower Shop, 520 Boswell Ave.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich CT Haitian Heritage Month to feature art show, health fair
History, heritage and gender fluid designs make up the DNA of up-and-coming designer Braedy Luxenburgs eponymous brand.

The 23-year-old New York City-based designer stepped on to the scene last year when he presented a Middle Ages-inspired Spring/Summer 2024 collection of pieces adorned with knight and flag motifs.

More from Sourcing Journal

Everything I create stems from the origin of my last name, Luxenburgalso known as Luxenburgermeaning a person hailing from Luxembourg, on the edge of Germany, he told Rivet. So, I took inspiration from my last name and ran with it because Ive always been fascinated by medieval history. I wanted to incorporate medieval motifs, imagery and history into my brand and collections, [imbued] with a modern-day sensibility.

Details like castle motifs, chains and leather help carry the medieval story into his Fall/Winter 2024-2025 collection, which balances staples like T-shirts and hoodies with a dark-wash denim tuxedo and a silver satin skirt digitally printed with jeans.

The collection has been picked up by Bungee Space in New York City and the Community Center Tokyo Branch in Japan, which will begin selling it in August.

Fall/Winter 24-25

Though his inspiration is ancient, Luxenburgs focus on gender fluid design is forward thinking.

Kayla Marci, senior fashion and retail analyst at Edited, said gender fluid design it is becoming more common in the fashion industry. The number of products available online in the U.S. and UK that are marketed as genderless, gender-fluid and unisex is up 45 percent vs. 2022.

Luxenburg, who interned at Prada and Michael Kors, discovered his love for fashion during his senior year of high school when he attended a sewing class at the local Joann Fabrics. However, it wasnt until his time at Kent State University in Ohio that his passion and talent truly blossomed.

From a young age, I was always interested in fashion and design, but I had a very basic knowledge of the industry, Luxenburg said. So, when I started at Kent State, they helped provide the technical skills needed, such as dealing with factories and the trials and tribulations of owning a brand.

Setting sights on tomorrow

Luxenburg is turning his dreams into reality, especially in Tokyo where he is working with Jettson showroom to target speciality boutiques.

The positive response to his debut collectionjeans were a bestsellermotivates Luxenburg to work on expanding his brands presence in Tokyo and other parts of Asia. He also aspires to make a bigger impact on the U.S. market in the coming years, particularly in New York City.

Unfortunately, theres a bit of pretentiousness when trying to enter the U.S. market for newer brands, especially in the digital age. Back in the day, if you had a great product and you went into a boutique and they liked it, theyd say Oh, yeah. We should put this guy on, Luxenburg said.

Now, its all about referrals, who you know and how many followers you have on social media. That said, Im looking to target a few smaller boutiques in New York and maybe Los Angeles to help grow my presence here. However, Id love for my product to eventually be in department stores like Bergdorf Goodman, he said.

While Luxenburgs first collections drew inspiration from history, the designer said he plans to expand his horizons going forward.

The first two collections were about establishing the brand and showcasing what we have to offer, he said. Im excited to delve into the [2025 collections], where I plan to expand the color palette and build on the foundation of the first seasons, Luxenburg said.

As I look toward the future, Im quite optimistic about whats to come, he said. Ideally, Id love to be featured on some fashion calendar, whether thats New York, Milan or Paris. Stay tuned for more.
As early as the 1800s, vanilla extract has been ubiquitous in Western baking, thanks to its frequent mention in cookbooks. Historically, the French have valued vanilla in their cuisine, and the food world followed in France's footsteps. Once vanilla extract became easily accessible, its popularity and demand skyrocketed. When Tasting Table ranked 32 ice cream flavors from worst to best, vanilla took the number one spot. This is not surprising as vanilla is the world's favorite ice cream flavor, according to a report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

When I started baking in 2017, I believed my baked goodies needed a splash of vanilla extract to taste good. After all, vanilla extract is a universal flavor enhancer and balancer when it comes to baking, right? Not so, as I have come to. discover. And in 2023, I stopped adding splashes of vanilla extract to my cookie dough and cake batter. In fact, I've stopped baking with vanilla extract cold turkey. And I'll tell you why.

Firstly, real vanilla extract is expensive. According to gourmet baking brand Rodelle, vanilla is "the most labor-intensive crop in the world." Vanilla production also negatively impacts the environment, causing deforestation and loss of biodiversity, especially in Madagascar, where you'll find 80% of the world's vanilla beans. If that wasn't enough, vanilla extract has a dark history deeply entangled with child slavery. And to top it all off, it isn't even as effective as people think, and there are many better alternatives that will add more complex flavors to your bakes.

Read more: 30 Types Of Cake, Explained

Vanilla Extract Is Really Only Worth The Steep Costs For Cold Desserts

vanilla ice cream - WS-Studio/Shutterstock

Vanilla extract can cost anywhere from about $3 to $5 per fluid ounce. As a home baker and recipe developer, it has become difficult to justify spending at least $20 for a small bottle of real vanilla extract. Plus, even when you add a generous splash of vanilla extract to your cookie dough or cake batter, it does not make a noticeable difference after going into a hot oven. Why? The ethanol in vanilla extract evaporates by the time your oven hits 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's time we move beyond vanilla extract when we bake -- it's just not worth it. However, I want to clarify one thing: I'm not saying that vanilla extract does nothing for desserts. Let's say you're making vanilla ice cream, buttercream, frosting, a milkshake, or a no-bake cheesecake  in colder desserts and treats that don't require higher heating levels, vanilla extract is an effective flavor enhancer and balancer. For die-hard vanilla fans, consider using imitation vanilla extract rather than the real deal in baking. It usually costs less than a dollar per fluid ounce and has less alcohol content, making the synthetic vanilla notes less likely to evaporate and fade in the oven.

The Vanilla Industry Has A Dark History, And Modern Day Vanilla Farming Is Controversial

Farmed vanilla on black canvas - Dinphotogallery/Getty Images

With its sweet aroma and hefty price tag, vanilla extract has long captivated bakers and chefs around the globe. Yet, did you know that behind this beloved and popular ingredient lies a dark history deeply entangled with child slavery? As reported by NPR, Elmond Albius was an enslaved 12-year-old when he discovered how to hand-pollinate vanilla plants. He revolutionized vanilla cultivation, and to this day, the vanilla industry still uses his techniques. The global vanilla extract market is worth billions of dollars and growing, while Albius died as a poor man.

Today, the vanilla industry continues to perpetuate a legacy of exploitation. Despite advancements in technology and agriculture, the vanilla industry has relied on labor-intensive methods and employs child labor and underpaid workers to toil in hazardous work environments. While vanilla is expensive for consumers, the market is extremely volatile, and a majority of vanilla farmers live in poverty and often aren't the ones profiting in this industry. On the other end of this spectrum, when vanilla farmers do get rich, they're subject to organized crime and theft since vanilla is so prized.

Additionally, vanilla production has led to significant ecological damage, particularly in Madagascar. To combat deforestation and climate change issues, vanilla farmers in Madagascar have planted thousands upon thousands of trees.

There Are Many Alternatives To Vanilla Extract, Including Booze

pandan chiffon cake - Dani Riza/Shutterstock

Vanilla is associated with a sweet flavor, but recently in my baking endeavours, I've noticed that it can actually leave a bitter aftertaste. But while, I've stopped using it in baking, my baked goodies still have delicious and layered flavors because I use different ingredients to add depth. For example, I've incorporated booze to mask strong eggy flavors in my cakes or bring out other nuanced notes in my cookies. I find that alcohol, such as rum, whisky, non-chill-filtered bourbon, or even a creamy stout, offers a more economical and delicious alternative to vanilla extract for my baking.

The spirits I've listed all have tasting notes of vanilla and other delicious notes like caramel and smokiness. Adding a splash of Japanese whisky to my cookie dough from my big bottle of spirit also feels way less wallet-emptying than using the same amount of pure vanilla extract from a precious, tiny bottle. Another good alternative to vanilla extract is maple syrup, though it is not a 1:1 replacement. Substitute every teaspoon of vanilla extract with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup (and be sure to adjust your sweetness elsewhere in your recipe).

For a more unique flavor, I often add miso or MSG to my cookies, which adds a surprising umami depth to desserts. My pantry is also fully stocked with extracts I've explored over the years, such as pandan and ube. To learn more about alternatives to vanilla extract, check out Tasting Table's list of 10 vanilla extract substitutes that taste like the real thing.

Read the original article on Tasting Table
The pop star spilled his fragrance secrets at the Tsu Lange Yor pop-up in NYC.

Courtesy of Troye Sivan/Tsu Lange Yor

To no one's surprise, walking into Troye Sivan's New York City pop-up for his fragrance and home brand, Tsu Lange Yor, was like stepping into the most tasteful, chic living room you've ever seen. Laminate pedestals decorated the floor, each adorned with different iterations of his signature scents. Candles in various sizes lit up the earthy space as an automated pulley dangled a tomato from the ceiling before elegantly grazing it above a collection of fruit nestled inside an abstract gold bowl. As Sivan walked around and mingled with the crowd, wafts of his TLY perfumes perfectly scented the air.

Courtesy of Troye Sivan/Tsu Lange Yor

"I'm not trying to brag, but people do tell me I smell really goodall the time," Sivan says, warmly acknowledging his love for self-care. "My skin smells nice, my hair smells nice. I take a lot of pride in that."

Sure, Sivan's key to smelling good includes mixing a variety of TLY scents with his signature, Luca. However, cleanliness to him also means paying close attention to the floss you clean your teeth with, the detergent you wash your sheets with, and the candles burning in your homeyou know, the layers that build your scent. For Sivan, other essentials include unscented deodorant, hair product, hand cream, and scents with "a sandalwood base" or his "favorite citrus," bergamot.

Courtesy of Troye Sivan

After a video of his home in Melbourne, Australia went viral three years ago, fans' reaction and adoration for his taste in home decor and creation emboldened Sivan to "take this thing that's just a passion for me" and "start bringing it to the world." He says, "I don't know that I would have started the brand without that video."

The idea for Tsu Lange Yor started before Sivan's name was synonymous with luxurious spaces and perfect scents. In part because of the video, Sivan's older brother, Steele Mellet, whom he founded and runs the business with, told him, "I will leave my job and come and start this with you if you want to do it." Thus, the brand was born, taking inspiration from their shared Jewish Australian youth and nostalgia for the Yiddish language that brings them closer.

"We grew up with a lot of Yiddish words around the house, in a Jewish household," Sivan says, explaining that "Tsu Lange Yor" means "to long years." He says, "It's like a toast."

Courtesy of Troye Sivan

Before last week, his products were only available for in-person purchase in storefronts across Australia. Sivan's NYC pop-up marked the first time his products were available IRL in the U.S.a perfect reason to raise a glass.

Sivan says he and his brother celebrated their accomplishment with "nice dinners," congratulating themselves on bringing the brand to a city that has influenced Sivan's taste for the past decade. "I've got a lot of friends here and a lot of people that I've been very excited to show Tsu Lange Yor to," Sivan says, noting a NYC pop-up has "basically been part of the plan from day one."

He says, "New York just made total sense to me. The design community here, I'm so inspired by. Everyone from photographers to, you know, makersit's a really, really inspiring place for me and always has been."

Courtesy of Troye Sivan

From the typography he decorated his candles with to the NSFW, "Rush"-inspired perfume canisters designed to look like poppers, Sivan took inspiration from his worldview and the aforementioned "makers" he admirers. And while the pretty fonts used to decorate his candles were meant to be artful, choosing to create a perfume bottle that looks like the gay nightlife drug he cheekily references in his "Rush" single was a no-brainer: "I mean, the call was coming from inside the house, and I had to answer it."

Tsu Lange Yor is available to purchase online at tsu-lange-yor.au, with more pop-ups to follow.



For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on InStyle.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  An Allegany County man is dead following a two-vehicle collision Tuesday afternoon in the Town of Wirt, New York State Police announced.

Troopers said the crash took place around 2:16 p.m. on State Route 275, where a Ford Escape traveling northbound entered the southbound lane and struck a Hyundai head-on.

Police said the driver of the Ford, 48-year-old Michael R. Coats of Bolivar, N.Y., was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the Hyundai suffered minor injuries at worst.

An investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

Latest Local News

Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A man has been detained following an armed robbery in Fresno on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Fresno Police Department.

Police say around noon they got a call of an armed robbery in progress, describing two men in their 30s robbing workers who were on construction at a house at the 4400 block of east Tulare Avenue.

When officers arrived, they learned that two men had walked up to them with guns and robbed them, police said. Police say the suspects took various items from the victims, including tools and cash.

According to police, one of the victims knew one of the suspects, which led police to where he was possibly staying on the 4400 block of East Nevada. Officers detained one man at the scene.

No other information was released. The investigation is ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Orange County Superior Court's Central Justice Center in Santa Ana is shown. A woman is suing the county and the city of Anaheim, claiming they failed to protect her children from abuse. (Sara Cardine)

Domingo Flores laughed when Anaheim police officers visited his apartment to check on his 10-year-old daughter.

The officers didn't know it, but the girl was zip-tied to a bed in a back room at the time, according to the Orange County district attorney's office. For years, the girl's father and stepmother, Mayra Chavez, tortured the girl and her older sister, authorities said.

The couple were convicted and sentenced to prison in November and April for their cruel acts against the girl and her sibling, but a lawsuit filed by the girl's biological mother seeks to hold the county and city of Anaheim accountable for the years of torture her daughters endured.

The lawsuit does not name the two girls  ages 10 and 13  but highlights the torture inflicted on the younger sister.

Read more: Parents plead no contest to killing and torturing their 4-year-old son, Noah Cuatro

Chavez and Flores plunged the girl's head into ice baths, rubbed a pepper in her eye and repeatedly tortured her while denying her food, prosecutors said during a criminal trial last year.

The girl's relatives initiated the welfare check, according to the lawsuit, but the details about their concerns are unclear.

But the lawsuit alleges that when Anaheim police visited Flores' apartment to investigate, they did not intervene to stop the type of graphic torture that the jurors heard during the trial. Instead, when police showed up, Flores laughed and pointed to food in the refrigerator and on the countertops of his apartment, according to the D.A.'s office.

A lawsuit accuses Anaheim police of failing to fully investigate during a welfare check on two young girls who were being abused by their father and stepmother in 2022. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The officers never met with the girl during their welfare call on June 13, 2022, and the Police Department did not follow up with Orange County's child protection agency about the visit, according to the lawsuit filed in February by the girls' mother, Arely Perez.

County social workers did not properly investigate the reports of physical abuse inflicted on Flores' two daughters, according to the lawsuit. Some reports of abuse were not investigated at all, and when there was any follow-up reporting, social workers did not follow normal procedures to determine if the children were safe or needed to be removed from the home, Perez said.

Read more: Mom who pushed kids from moving car was astrology influencer disturbed by eclipse

"There were investigations that happened, but there was no meaningful action taken," Perez's attorney, Roger Booth, said in an interview Tuesday. The lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court in February was first reported by the Orange County Register.

Reports of abuse in the Flores household dated back to 2017, after Perez and Flores separated, according to Booth. But the situation came to a head in December 2018, when the girls stayed with their mother over the holidays.

The girls explained to her the types of abuse they experienced from their father and stepmother, prompting Perez to refuse to send her daughters back to their father, according to the complaint.

The court stepped in and ordered police to take the girls to an emergency county center for abused children in February 2019. The D.A.'s office asked the juvenile court to remove the girls from their father's home due to the allegations of ongoing abuse, according to the lawsuit.

But county employees ultimately decided to return the girls to their father's custody and asked to dismiss the D.A.'s request, Perez said. This decision was made even after the girls elaborated on the abuse they endured in their father's home, according to the lawsuit.

The girls remained in their father's home for years after their time in the county facility.

"It was torture that went on for three additional years," Booth said.

Read more: Orange County DUI driver who killed pregnant woman is sentenced to 15 years to life

Then in August 2022, just a few months after the June welfare check by Anaheim police, Flores and Chavez rushed the 10-year-old to Children's Hospital of Orange County, claiming she fell down a flight of stairs. The girl was unconscious and weighed only 50 pounds, according to prosecutors.

She had extensive injuries throughout her body that were consistent with years of "brutal abuse and severe neglect," Perez said. Chavez and Flores were arrested following the hospital visit.

Prosecutors said the 10-year-old suffered a broken neck, a bone protruding from an unhealed sore and bruises across her body. She was severely malnourished and unable to walk on her own after she was resuscitated at the hospital.

Six children lived with Chavez and Flores at the time of their arrest, including the two daughters and Chavez's four biological children.

During Chavez's criminal trial, her biological children testified about being forced to restrain their stepsister to a bed so Chavez could continue to abuse her, according to the D.A.'s office.

In November, an Orange County jury found Chavez guilty and she was sentenced to seven years to life in prison, plus an additional seven years and 10 months for torturing the girl, child abuse and endangerment, assault and other charges. She was also found guilty of abusing her other stepdaughter and two of her biological children. Flores pleaded guilty in April to child abuse, assault and several other charges. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, according to court records.

The girls live in California with their mother, who now has custody.

On Tuesday, Anaheim spokesperson Mike Lyster said the city was in the early stages of reviewing the lawsuit and could not respond to the specific allegations.

"This was an incomprehensible case of child cruelty," Lyster said. "While justice is hard to fully come by in a case like this, we at least have seen criminal convictions of Chavez and Flores, who misled many and bear sole responsibility for this horrendous tragedy."

Read more: O.C. Board of Education trustee accused of choking neighbor in road rage incident

A spokesperson for the Orange County Social Services Agency declined to comment, citing pending litigation.

After Chavez's sentencing in November, Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer said the "system failed this little girl."

"The system failed her siblings," Spitzer said in a statement. "Help was on the other side of the door, but over and over again, help didnt come for this little girl until it was almost too late."

He promised to "get to the bottom of how this happened and what can be done to prevent another child from suffering the fate of what these children suffered at the hands of the very people who were supposed to protect them.

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.
100 fentanyl pills, meth, and guns found during traffic stop in Macon

A career criminal is facing drug and weapons charges after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested him in Macon.

On Monday, April 29, following a 6-month investigation, the GBI, assisted by Georgia State Patrol, stopped an SUV with Tavish Faulks, 32, inside.

During the traffic stop, agents seized about 9 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, 100 suspected fentanyl pills, about a half ounce of suspected marijuana, and two handguns.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

After the traffic stop, a federal search warrant was executed on an apartment associated with Faulks on Houston Road in Macon.

Two other guns were recovered there.

Faulks was booked into the Macon-Bibb County Jail and charged with trafficking methamphetamine.

Additional charges are pending.

Faulks has a lengthy criminal history that includes arrests for burglary, drugs, battery, aggravated assault, criminal street gang activity, human trafficking, weapons violations, fraud, theft, terroristic threats, shoplifting, and more.

TRENDING STORIES:

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
DENVER (KDVR)  After dozens of crashes over the years, residents along 13th and 14th avenues in Denver are concerned after yet another serious crash near their homes.

The Denver Police Department said that around 6 p.m. on Sunday, the driver of a Ford Explorer tried to make an illegal left turn from the right lane of 13th Avenue onto Elm Street. In doing so, he hit another driver, who overturned and suffered serious injuries.

Colorado to replace the oldest bridge on the state highway system

Ali Hayes lives across the street and heard the crash. Her husband rushed outside to help.

We looked back and saw and heard the car flip over. It was really scary. Just yet another accident, Hayes said. My husband, since weve been through a couple of them now, kind of has his idea of going downstairs to get a T-shirt just to make sure if there is anything he can do, blood, otherwise. e jumped in the car to try and help the gentleman, who unfortunately was stuck.

Paramedics extricated the man and got him to the hospital. He is expected to be OK, but residents said this crash again highlights the larger safety issues along 13th and 14th avenues.

We dont want to see these accidents anymore either, and people getting hurt. The signage needs to be better, and speed limits need to slow down and more stop signs are needed, and so hopefully change will happen, Hayes said.

Last year, the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure implemented changes at 21 intersections along 13th and 14th between Broadway and Yosemite Street. But residents say they have not seen the changes needed to feel safe after years of crashes.

I dont really feel safe out here

Heather Ehlers, another resident along 13th, has spoken with FOX31 multiple times about her concerns and did again on Tuesday after this latest crash.

Its upsetting. Especially with three little ones, I want to make sure theyre safe and that they can play in the yard, ride their bike on the sidewalk and not worry about that, but I dont really feel safe out here, Ehlers said.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

She has spoken to the city, including at meetings held about these crashes, but she feels her concerns are falling on deaf ears.

It is going to take something horrific happening, deaths, multiples, something like that for someone to be like, OK, this is an issue, we need to fix this, Ehlers said.

The city said they are conducting safety studies on 13th and 14th and analyzing crash data, traffic speed data and community input to develop recommendations for reducing these kinds of crashes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Thanks to Azerbaijan's investment, the modernization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway was completed just a few days ago, President Ilham Aliyev said in a joint press conference with President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, Trend reports.

The head of state noted that the capacity of this railway has significantly increased, adding, "This project, which was initiated by Azerbaijan, will now play a crucial role as an important segment of the Middle Corridor with its enhanced capabilities. It will enable larger volumes of cargo to be transported both in the East-West direction and vice versa, further strengthening our ties."
15,000-20,000 prisoners could be mobilised to Ukraine's Defence Forces  Ukrainian official

The total number of prisoners who could be mobilised to join Ukraine's Defence Forces is 15,000-20,000.

Source: Davyd Arakhamiia, leader of the Servant of the People faction and a member of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliamentary) Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, during a briefing in parliament

Quote: "15,000-20,000 is the total number [of prisoners  ed.] who may meet the criteria. We don't know how many of them will sign the contract, because that will be by agreement between the parties. We expect it will be several thousand."

Details: Arakhamiia noted that prisoners will be mobilised further to a court judgment granting them parole.

Background:

On 8 May, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) backed a bill in the second reading that would allow the voluntary mobilisation of certain categories of prisoners.

Persons who have committed premeditated murder, rapists and paedophiles, corrupt officials, those who have committed crimes against the foundations of Ukraine's national security, and those who have held a particularly responsible position cannot be mobilised into the Defence Forces.

All other prisoners who could potentially be mobilised would be subject to the same condition: they must have no more than three years of their sentence left to serve.

Support UP or become our patron!
Laina G. Stebbins

After a controversial contract allowing a Canadian company to ship 156 million gallons of water from Lake Superior to Asia yearly drew backlash from residents, the Great Lakes States and provinces banded together, striking a bipartisan deal to protect the lakes water.

More than 15 years after the Great Lakes Compact was signed, For Love of Water (FLOW), a Great Lakes advocacy organization, has reevaluated the compact and its goal of protecting lake water from being diverted by canals, aqueducts, pipelines, vessels, tunnels or tanker trucks.

The compact was signed by all eight states in the Great Lakes Basin, with a nonbinding parallel agreement with the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. FLOW identified the ban on most diversions of water outside of the Great Lakes basin, efforts by Great Lakes states to monitor water use and promote water conservation, and creating a forum for dialogue on Great Lakes water quality issues as high points of the compact.

FLOW also critiqued the compact, saying it facilitates treating Great Lakes water as a product, which is what prompted the creation of the compact.

The commercialization of water sanctioned by the Compact is both a short and long-term threat. Water extraction for bottling and sale threatens sensitive local ecosystems where groundwater pumping impacts wetlands and stream levels, FLOWs report said. An even bigger long-term threat: allowing the sale of Great Lakes waters risks diminishing public control of the Great Lakes  and reducing the Great Lakes themselves.

Watersheds of the Great Lakes. | For Love of Water

It also pointed to vaguely defined exceptions to the ban on water diversions as a concern, and said approvals in Wisconsin for in-state water diversion create potential for abuse, allowing Great Lakes water to be used as an economic development tool.

To address these concerns, FLOW offers three recommendations focused on Michigan, calling the state a natural leader on Great Lakes policy due to its status as the only state in the compact that sits almost entirely in the Great Lakes basin.

The first recommendation advises ending the practice of using Great Lakes water diversions as an economic development tool and restoring the original intent of permitted diversions within the Great Lakes states.

When the compact was created, FLOW said the exceptions to the ban on water diversion were intended to address situations where contaminated water impacted public health, with compact language requiring diversions to serve a group of largely residential customers.

The compacts ban on large-scale diversion has not been tested, the report said, with no proposals to transfer Great Lakes water out of states in the basin coming forward to date.

However, FLOW argues that the exceptions to the diversion ban have been exploited in Wisconsin, with the state authorizing five new or increased water diversions since 2009. While one of these diversions in Waukesha, Wis., was used to replace contaminated groundwater, the request was scaled back due to public pressure, and the request required approval from the seven other states in the compact. The other four only required approval from the state of Wisconsin, with each dedicated at least in part to business development, FLOW said.

Treating Great Lakes water as an economic development tool raises issues about the ecological rationale for the Compact, and could be used by states entirely outside of the watershed to justify Great Lakes water removal for commerce, the report said.

The State of Michigan should initiate this recommendation through the Compact Council, which includes governors or their designees of the Great Lakes states, FLOW said.

The second recommendation encourages a dialogue to ensure the humanitarian exemption to the Great Lakes diversion ban is well defined ahead of a crisis.

This exception does not include an explanation, nor does it define what a humanitarian purpose would be or determine the scope to which the exemption applies, FLOW said.

FLOW-Report-The-Great-Lakes-Compact-After-15-Years

It is essential to detail the application criteria and decision-making mechanisms or body that will determine if an exemption applies to a particular humanitarian case. In case of any disputes arising out of this exemption, it is imperative that the Compact or implementation procedures clearly outlines how these can be resolved, the report said.

Since water is a public trust, the public should be involved in discussions and decision-making about the scope of the exemption well in advance of a crisis, it said.

The final recommendation advises states, beginning with Michigan, to enact legislation that treats all removals of Great Lakes water equally, regardless of the volume of the container.

FLOWs report pointed to the 5.7 gallon limit on exports of water within the compact that determines whether it is considered a diversion. Exports in containers of 5.7 gallons or less are only considered diversions if an individual state passes a law categorizing them that way.

No state has passed legislation of this nature, which creates a loophole for the bottled water industry, FLOW said.

Changes to the compact are unlikely, FLOW noted in its report, with amendments requiring approval from both legislative chambers in each of the eight states, as well as each states governor, Congress and the president. As a result, it rests on individual states to take action, FLOW said.

The post After 15 years of the Great Lakes Compact, report urges state action to address shortcomings appeared first on Michigan Advance.
18-year-old full of kindness killed in crash 2 weeks from graduation, IL school says

An 18-year-old weeks away from her high school graduation was killed in a head-on crash, Illinois authorities say.

Nevaeh Mitchell, of Princeville, was driving home from work May 4 in Peoria when she was involved in the two-vehicle crash, according to the Peoria County Coroners Office and details from a GoFundMe. She died at the scene.

The vehicle that struck Mitchells, according to the coroner, was traveling in the wrong lane. Its unclear if charges have been filed against the driver.

Mitchell attended Dunlap High School in Peoria County and was set to graduate in two weeks, according to an obituary. She had received a scholarship to attend Loyola University in Chicago.

Neveah was a dedicated student who was full of kindness, her school district said in a post on Facebook. She was also an incredibly talented artist.

Amelia Lane, the assistant principal at the school, called Mitchell a positive light to those around her.

The obituary states her job at AMC Theater was more than just a job. It describes her employment at the theater as an extension of her warm and welcoming personality.

Others shared similar thoughts about her personality, including Jayden Defreitas, her supervisor at the theater. Defreitas told WMBD that Mitchell was the sweetest person shes ever met.

She never complained. She honestly didnt talk about herself that much. More interested in you and what you were doing, Defreitas told the station. All she wanted to do was to help people.

Mitchells funeral service is scheduled for Monday, May 13, at Haskell Funeral and Cremation Services in Princeville.

Her presence was a gift to all who had the privilege of knowing her, and her creative soul left a lasting impression on the world around her, loved ones said in the obituary. Her spirit, though taken too soon, will continue to inspire those she leaves behind.

Loving 911 dispatcher is killed on way to work by accused drunk driver, CA cops say

4-year-old girl hit and killed as she crosses street with her mom, Wisconsin cops say

Single dad dies in hit-and-run, leaving 8-year-old girl without parents, loved ones say
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Following a deadly officer-involved shooting in Portlands Hazelwood Neighborhood Monday night, police said theyve made two arrests at the scene where this all happened.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, the suspect in an alleged armed robbery initiated gunfire at police, who then returned fire. The suspect was shot by police and died, but his identity hasnt been released.

In addition, two other people were arrested at the scene: 21-year-old Paige E. Smouse and 22-year-old Kristian M. Nelson-Trout. Smouse is charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery and hindering prosecution. Nelson-Trout was arrested for violating parole. Both were lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center.

Multnomah County launches fentanyl awareness campaign to combat youth overdoses

Police said officers were serving a search warrant at a home on Southeast 124th Avenue and East Burnside Street in the early evening when the shots were fired. This was in connection to an alleged robbery that happened earlier that day, just after 9 a.m. Monday at a business in the 11100 block of Northeast Halsey Street.

This gun was found at the scene of a deadly officer-involved shooting at SE 124th in Portland, May 6, 2024 (PPB)

An officer-involved shooting at SE 124th in Portland left one man dead, May 6, 2024 (KOIN)

KOIN 6 News spoke with a neighbor who lives just around the corner from where the shooting happened. She said the situation was terrifying and that the home in question was well known to police. PPB declined to confirm this detail as the initial investigation is still ongoing.

They started yelling through the bullhorn, Everybody in the building come out with your hands up, were going to use chemical weapons and then were going to start using gunfire, said Dana Phillips, a neighbor who witnessed the ordeal. I was like, No were going around we could be shot.

Oregon DFW reminds people to leave young animals alone in wild

Phillips said she and her son almost walked in on the action on their way home Monday night, saying she watched the Special Emergency Reaction Team with guns drawn trying to serve a warrant at the home in the 100 block of Southeast 124th Avenue.

I was in the middle of dinner when I heard gunshots going off, Phillips said.

Around 6:30 p.m., police said a man at the home pointed a gun at officers and began shooting, prompting police to return fire. They struck the suspect who died minutes later, despite life-saving efforts.

New wolverine sighting in Southwest Washington

Its always a tragedy when we lose a life, said PPB Chief Bob Day.

Officials said none of the involved officers were hurt and all four of them are now on paid administrative leave, per standard protocol.

Day said PPB is committed to a transparent process for this officer-involved shooting.

The case is still active and police said they are currently looking into whether the alleged armed robbery is connected to any other similar crimes in the area, a standard procedure for this type of investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
2 people and their dog killed when their mobile home explodes in middle of the night

2 people and their dog killed when their mobile home explodes in middle of the night

Two people and their dog have been killed after their mobile home exploded in the middle of the night, police said.

The explosion occurred at approximately 3:54 a.m. in the 8200 block of 85th Avenue in Mille Lacs County, some 80 miles north of Minneapolis, and authorities from the Mille Lacs County Sheriffs Office began receiving multiple emergency calls reporting the blast, according to a statement released by the sheriffs Office.

MORE: Man 'purposely' trying to spread HIV through sex with men and teenage boys sentenced to 30 years

When deputies arrived on scene, they discovered a large debris field from an apparent explosion which was still on fire at the time, authorities said.

With the assistance of multiple fire departments from the area the fire was extinguished, Mille Lacs County Sheriffs Office said. A search of the debris by first responders located two victims.

MORE: Marathon winner disqualified after taking water from his dad in race: 'I know I won'

The victims have since been identified by authorities as an adult male, 60-year-old Royce Edward Kreger, and 61-year-old female Katherine Ann Kreger, police said.

Both parties lived at the residence and were pronounced deceased at the scene. A family dog was also located deceased in the debris, according to Mille Lacs County Sheriffs Office.

MORE: Man who lived with mother charged with her murder after police find body in bathtub

The Minnesota Fire Marshals Office attended the scene of the explosion and have been working with the Mille Lacs County Sheriffs Office to determine the cause of the explosion which currently remains unknown.

The Mille Lacs County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the Princeton, Baldwin and Milaca Fire Departments as well as North Memorial EMS on scene and anybody with any information on this case is asked to contact authorities.

The investigation into the explosion is currently ongoing.

2 people and their dog killed when their mobile home explodes in middle of the night originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A 24-year-old man is facing several charges including assault to murder in connection to a stabbing in Centerville, according to the Cape & Islands District Attorneys office.

On Tuesday at approximately 3:30 p.m. the Barnstable Police Department received multiple 911 calls regarding a 62-year-old male who had been stabbed multiple times at a residence on Old Stage Road, authorities said.

Upon arrival, a 24-year-old male suspect, who is known to the victim, was identified and taken into custody, police said.

The victim was transported via MedFlight to a Rhode Island hospital for life-threatening injuries.

The suspect was ordered held without bail and is scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday at Barnstable District Court for charges including armed assault to murder, assault, and battery on a person over 60, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60.

The portion of Old Stage Road from Great Marsh to Shoot Flying Hill Road Centerville was closed for several hours Tuesday night due to the investigation, police wrote on their Facebook page.

Officials said this incident was not random and the identities of both the suspect and victim are being withheld at this time.

The stabbing is being investigated by the Barnstable Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Cape & Islands Detective Unit.

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
26-year-old kills man and steals $60, then gets wings for her and boyfriend, cops say

A man offered a woman $60 to perform a sex act, then she killed him and spent the money on hot wings, Tennessee authorities said.

Kenyetta Hayes, 26, was at a gas station when a man approached her and offered her money in exchange for oral sex, Hayes told the Memphis Police Department, according to an arrest affidavit.

Hayes later told authorities she was never going to go through with the sex act and instead planned to rob him, police said.

When they arrived at a nearby park, Hayes shot and killed the man and took his money before shes seen on video running away, investigators said.

Then, she used the money to get two hot wings combos for her and her boyfriend, police said.

First responders said they found the man dead in the park shortly before 8 a.m. on May 6 and shared footage of a person of interest leaving the scene.

Media outlets and police began circulating the footage, seeking information.

Then, officers said they received a late-night call.

Hayes mother told them she recognized her daughter on the news, and they asked her to bring her daughter in to speak with them, police said.

The 26-year-old told investigators she was thirsty for money, police said in the affidavit.

She was booked in Shelby County Jail on May 7 on a charge of first-degree murder in perpetration of a robbery, records show. Her attorney information is not available.

Memphis police have not identified the slain man.

Customer angry over McDonalds order shoots, kills man trying to calm him, TX cops say

Little Caesars manager shot dead inside restaurant, Georgia cops say. Loved his job

Sheriff requests nude photos from inmate in exchange for favorable treatment, feds say

Officer raped pretrial detainees he was transporting, feds say. Hes going to prison
Man in custody after SWAT standoff in Lower Valley

Man in custody after SWAT standoff in Lower Valley

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A 29-year-old man was placed into custody early Wednesday morning, May 8 after a SWAT standoff in El Pasos Lower Valley near Socorro, according to El Paso Police.

Police say they responded just after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7 to Maravilla Mobile Home Park located at 9849 Alameda Avenue for an aggravated assault in progress.

SWAT then responded to the scene after officers requested help for a barricaded subject, according to police.

A 29-year-old man was then taken into custody just before 3 a.m. without incident, according to police.

No further information has been made available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. A one-on-one meeting between Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov and Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye Cevdet Yilmaz was held in Ankara, Trend reports.

Special attention was paid to the efforts of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the comprehensive development of the Azerbaijani-Turkish strategic partnership and alliance.

Additionally, the importance of the 11th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkiye and the joint business forum to be held in Ankara was brought to attention.

Thus, both sides expressed confidence that the official visit of Asadov will contribute to the further expansion of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations.

During the meeting, the sides discussed issues of further strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in various spheres.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Editors note: The above video aired on May 6, 2024.

NEW YORK (AP)  Three people have been arrested after a driver hit a pro-Palestinian protester on a Manhattan street Tuesday, police said.

New York Police Detective Melissa Delacruz said the incident happened around 8:45 a.m. near the intersection of 72nd Street and Park Avenue on the Upper East Side.

About 25 protesters had been wrapping up a demonstration outside a building and were walking away when two of them got into an argument with a driver. The 57-year-old driver then struck a 55-year-old protester with his vehicle.

At least 50 people detained at FIT protest: NYPD

The demonstrator was treated at a hospital for minor injuries. The motorist, the demonstrator and another demonstrator were taken into custody, Delacruz said. Police arent releasing their names as the charges are still pending, she said.

The Manhattan District Attorneys office said it could not provide any information about the incident until the defendants were arraigned.

The demonstration was one of three protests Tuesday morning in front of the homes of university trustees, according to members of the student group Columbia University Apartheid Divest. The group organized a protest encampment on campus that sparked similar demonstrations at other colleges across the U.S. in recent weeks.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR)  A Colorado man with cerebral palsy is suing three Castle Rock police officers on claims of excessive force.

Castle Rock police body camera footage shows the moments three officers took Hayden Graham to the ground and used a Taser on him in December 2022.

It was a nonmoving traffic violation, said Grahams attorney, Milo Schwab.

Trial dates set for 3 suspects in deadly rock-throwing case

Schwab told FOX31 that two officers who took him to the ground had interacted with him a number of times before and knew about his cerebral palsy.

These officers were part of a special team that dealt with Hayden on a daily or weekly basis, Schwab said, adding: They were the homeless response team, and Hayden was homeless at this time. He was living out of the back of his RV.

Another body camera clip from about 30 minutes before the use of force started shows what led to officers pulling Graham over.

When he notices its Hayden Graham, he mocks the way Hayden speaks because of the cerebral palsy, Schwab said, describing what is heard in the initial body camera clip. He mimics his speech impediment. They knew him. They knew him well.

He never, never took a fighting stance, attorney says

One of the officers statements explained that after Graham was pulled over, they learned his temporary plate expired 15 days before. A records check, according to another officers statement, also revealed that Graham had six active driving restraints through the Colorado DMV, and his RV had not been insured since Feburary 2021.

Graham and his attorney feel the officers should have known he was not resisting arrest as they claim in police statements, knowing about his cerebral palsy.

The video is clear: He never, never took a fighting stance, he never fought them, Schwab said, adding: He was surprised. He stiffened up. And thats what happens with people with cerebral palsy. Their muscles stiffen.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Schwab said charges against Graham for resisting arrest were dropped, but the impacts of the use of force are ongoing.

Prior to this, he had maybe one seizure a month, Schwab said, adding: After this, he started having five, six, seven seizures a week. Its not right how they treated him.

FOX31 got a hold of two of the three officers named in the lawsuit, who both deferred to the Castle Rock Police Department. The town of Castle Rock and Castle Rock Police Department do not comment on pending litigation, according to a spokesperson.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Detectives in Orange County say theyve determined that a gruesome homicide late last week that left three people dead and included a bloody, medieval-style spear found at the scene was a murder-suicide committed by a 25-year-old man.

The tragic incident unfolded on May 2 in the 1200 block of East Chestnut Avenue at a privately owned storage facility in Santa Ana.

Officers with the Santa Ana Police Department responded to the scene after receiving a call from a woman, later identified as 25-year-old Jordan Block, who told dispatch that her boyfriend stabbed her and her uncle, authorities said in a news release posted to social media.

Footage captured by Sky5 showed a heavy presence of police officers, detectives and crime scene units at the storage facility, where a bloody, medieval-style spear was on the sidewalk.

A witness to the aftermath, who had been working nearby, said he saw police arrive moments before another person near the incident said they heard gunshots coming from a storage unit.

He told KTLA that as he approached the unit where the killings occurred, he saw the older male, later identified by police as 64-year-old Brian Xan Martin, and the female victim inside.

Both were later declared deceased at the scene.

Detectives and officers with the Santa Ana Police Department at the scene of a double homicide on May 2, 2024. (KTLA)

A spear with a bloody handle at the scene of a double homicide in Santa Ana on May 2, 2024. (KTLA)

A spear with a bloody handle at the scene of a double homicide in Santa Ana on May 2, 2024. (KTLA)

A spear with a bloody handle at the scene of a double homicide in Santa Ana on May 2, 2024. (KTLA)

Detectives and officers with the Santa Ana Police Department at the scene of a double homicide on May 2, 2024. (KTLA)

Detectives and officers with the Santa Ana Police Department at the scene of a double homicide on May 2, 2024. (KTLA)

Officers with the Santa Ana Police Department at the scene of a double homicide on May 2, 2024. (KTLA)

Just a nice little dude. Hes been here a long time, the witness, who did not want to be identified, said of the 64-year-old man. He had a bad back and every time I saw him, he was just nice. Id talk with him for a couple of minutes, same with his niece.

He added that Martin had once told him that he was an expert in medieval swords.

The suspect in the murder-suicide, 25-year-old Cameron Delani Clark, was taken from the unit on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital where he died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds on May 5.

VIDEO: Bus driver violently attacked by homeless woman in Los Angeles

Inside the business unit, officers located and recovered a firearm and edged weapons related to the crime, police said.

The two victims and the suspect were all residents of Santa Ana.

While detectives continue to investigate a possible motive behind the murders, the case remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call SAPD Homicide detectives at 714-245-8390.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can use the Orange County Crime Stoppers Hotline at 855-TIP-OCCS or leave tips online at Orange County Crime Stoppers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
3 kids, adult found dead in suspicious car on walking trail, Georgia police say

Three children and a man were found dead in what police are investigating as a possible murder-suicide at a public park, according to Georgia authorities.

An officer was patrolling at about 1 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, and came upon a suspicious car parked on a walking trail at Lucky Shoals Park in Tucker, Gwinnett County police said in a news release.

After calling out and getting no response, the officer approached the vehicle and found four bodies inside.

The driver was a man, police said. The children, two girls and a boy, appeared to be elementary- and middle school-aged, according to authorities.

None of the victims have been publicly identified, pending notification of next-of-kin.

Police didnt release additional details but said the incident is under investigation.

Tucker is about a 15-mile drive northeast from downtown Atlanta.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Woman found slain on hilltop in 1991, California cops say. Now DNA helps solve case

Man killed girlfriend and staged her death as suicide, Florida cops say. Hes charged

Grandson accused of beating his grandma to death is arrested in NC, Georgia police say
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd talks about the investigation into the death of a 4-year-old Haitian boy in Davenport. His adoptive mother, Patricia Boyer Saintizaire, 36, has been charged with first-degree murder. "He's dead because she beat him to death," Judd said.

A Davenport woman has been charged with beating her 4-year-old adopted son to death, according to Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Patricia Boyer Saintizaire, 36, of Davenport, faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and tampering with a witness in a capital felony case.

"We don't believe we know all that this child suffered," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "We have another video clip where he's face down on the floor and she's beating him on the back, and he's not even resisting it. It's like it's a normal occurrence."

On May 2, Polk detectives began their investigation after receiving a call from Orlando Health of a young boy dying under suspicious circumstances. An autopsy performed by the District 9 Medical Examiner's Office found several layers of injuries during an autopsy of Bryan Boyer, indicating severe beatings or abuse, including a deep laceration to his liver. The cause of death was ruled homicide by assault/blunt force trauma.

"He's dead because she beat him to death," he said.

Bryan was born in Haiti to a mother who did not want him, according to Judd. Saintizaire's sister helped arrange for his adoption, a three-year process. The boy had arrived in Saintizaire's custody approximately a year ago.

Bryan Boyer, 4, died at the beginning of the month at Orlando Health. The District 9 Medical Examiner's Office found several layers of injuries, indicating severe beatings or abuse, including a deep laceration to his liver. The cause of death was ruled homicide by assault/blunt force trauma, and his adoptive mother, Patricia Boyer Saintizaire, 36, of Davenport has been charged with first-degree murder.

On May 1, Bryan was picked up from the bus stop about 5:10 p.m. by Saintizaire. Upon interview with detectives, Saintizaire said the boy had complained he was weak and tired, having had "flu-like" symptoms for a week, according to a police affidavit.

About 8 p.m., Saintizaire and her adopted 16-year-old son found Bryan in his room and woke him up to eat dinner. During dinner, Bryan began to "visibly shake," then vomited three times and was visibly lethargic, according to the affidavit.

As the 16-year-old carried Bryan to the car, he began to shake violently again and fell, landing on his back. Saintizaire brought Bryan to AdventHealth Heart of Florida hospital in Haines City, where medical staff began life-saving care. The boy was airlifted to Orlando Health, where he died.

Upon questioning, Saintizaire denied ever using physical discipline as punishment for Bryan, according to a police affidavit. Her husband, Rene Saintizaire, said he never physically disciplined the child, but told detectives his wife did spank the boy and his main caretaker. However, the 16-year-old told detectives the boys would be physically disciplined receiving multiple strikes from a belt and homemade hitting device, according to a police affidavit. The strikes, noted as coming from "unidentified persons," would be to Bryan's back, arms and stomach. The 16-year-old boy said he received similar discipline from Saintizaire while in Haiti, but had not had this done to him in the United States.

Staff at Bryan's school, Loughman Oaks Elementary, said that he appeared in good condition and did not have any complaints of pain on May 1, according to a police affidavit.

The Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant for the Saintizaire's Davenport home on May 3. Judd said detectives went through her cell phone to find a video of her hitting Bryan with an unknown object, and another of her tying the boy's hands behind his back and throwing him into a pool.

These videos were released to the media by PCSO, but have not been shared by The Ledger in accordance with our crime reporting policies.

North Lakeland shooting: Last suspect in gunbattle that killed 3-year-old boy arrested in Plant City

Saintizaire and her husband have obtained a lawyer to represent them, Judd said.

Rene Saintizaire was at work from noon to 11 p.m. on the day Bryan died and is not facing charges at this time. The investigation remains active.

"I can assure you of this, if you hear something, see something, or believe something, or think something about a child being neglected or abused, if you call us, I assure you we will completely and thoroughly investigate it with [Department of Children and Families]," Judd said. "Our No. 1 goal in this organization is to protect the children. "

This is at least the third instance this year in Polk County where a parent or caregiver has been charged with killing a child in their custody younger than 4.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Davenport woman charged with murder of 4-year-old adopted son
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (KDVR)  Five years have passed since the Castillo family had the worst day of their lives.

On May 7, 2019, a shooter killed their son, Kendrick, at STEM School Highlands Ranch, but not before the teen charged at the gunman, likely saving his classmates.

John Castillo said the day that marks five years since his sons tragic death felt eerily similar to the day his life was taken.

It is the anniversary, the five-year anniversary. And its on a Tuesday, the same day of the shooting in 2019, Castillo said. I think our emotions are very similar to what it was like that day.

Memorial in Highlands Ranch planned for teenage high school shooting hero

His heartbreak is visible as he looks back at that May 2019 morning.

We had a wonderful breakfast with each other. Kendrick was with us. The sun was out in the morning, he recalled. We watched him get into his Jeep with his cargo shorts on and his backpack with three days of school left, and he left home happy. And of course, later on that day, we got the tragic news of the shooting at the STEM School, and our lives were forever changed.

A close-up of a picture of Kendrick Castillo and other items at the foot of a memorial site

The hardest thing of our lives

A fellow student opened fire at STEM School Highlands Ranch. Kendrick rushed the shooter and was killed  his actions saving many.

The shock from that awful day has worn off, but the reality remains.

We know that Kendricks never going to walk back through the door. Its the hardest thing of our lives, Castillo said.

On the somber anniversary, the Castillos shared the beautiful tributes they have throughout their home  a house located just minutes from Kendricks resting place, which they visit every day.

His cap and gown that he probably would have worn four or five days after the shooting, Castillo said, pointing to the garments still hanging on the wall.

His room and pictures reflect the bright, space-loving, Jeep-riding, robotics-building beloved son.

We want him remembered

Castillo admits he is as devasted and broken as he was five years ago, but keeping his sons memory alive keeps him on the path to healing.

The community recently raised more than $70,000 to build a permanent memorial for Kendrick in Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch and rename a major road in the town after the hero teen.

We want him remembered. We want him to be there so that when people see it, it reminds them so they can become better people, Castillo said.

You know, its important to us. It will outlive Maria and I, he said.

The Castillo family has spent the last five years pushing for policy change to make schools safer in Colorado.

They have also sued STEM School and hope to soon share new details that emerged during the legal proceedings, which they claim showed what could have been done to avoid the shooting five years ago.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
More than two-thirds of Americans fear pro-Palestinian demonstrations at college campuses will result in violent confrontations, according to a new poll.

The survey, released Wednesday by USA Today and Suffolk University, found that nearly 32 percent of Americans said they are very concerned the protests will end up in violence, while just more than 35 percent said they are somewhat concerned.

Nearly 15 percent of respondents said they are not very concerned, and 14 percent said they are not at all concerned. About 3 percent were undecided, per the poll.

Protests calling for a cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza have roiled college campuses across the nation for nearly three weeks as demonstrators call on universities and the U.S. to sever ties with Israel. More than 1,000 people  students, faculty and others  have been arrested since the first major encampment began at Columbia University about three weeks ago.

While many of the protests have been reported to be peaceful, tensions have recently escalated between protesters, law enforcement and counterprotesters. A series of colleges have called in law enforcement to disassemble encampments or building takeovers, arguing they are a disruption to college campus activities.

Last week, protesters seized control of Hamilton Hall on Columbia Universitys campus, prompting New York police officers to enter the building through a window, carrying riot shields and zip ties. Several people were arrested.

The violence escalated last Wednesday at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) after counterprotesters assaulted a pro-Palestinian encampment for hours without police intervention. The counterprotesters threw fireworks and tried to take away the metal fencing and plywood from the encampment, resulting in a series of overnight skirmishes. Police later fired rubber bullets at the protesters while making arrests.

More than 200 UCLA students were arrested last week, California Highway Patrol said.

President Biden criticized the vandalism and trespassing occurring at some of the demonstrations earlier this month, while defending the right to peacefully protest.

In moments like this, there are always those who rush in to score political points. But this isnt a moment for politics, Biden said in prepared remarks from the White House last week. Its a moment for clarity. So let me be clear  Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is.

Destroying property is not a peaceful protest, its against the law, he continued. 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.

Concerns have been raised over the proliferation of antisemitic rhetoric and the safety of Jewish students, though several protest groups have pushed back against these characterizations.

Republicans and Democrats differed significantly when it came to how they view the protesters motives and beliefs, USA Today reported. About 64 percent of Republicans said the demonstrations reflect antisemitism, while only 22 percent of Democrats said the same, per the survey.

About 57 percent of Democrats and 26 percent of Republicans said the protesters motives do not reflect antisemitism, the poll found.

The USA Today/Suffolk University survey was conducted April 30 to May 3, among 1,000 registered voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
9 of 10 wrongful death suits over Astroworld concert crowd surge have been settled, lawyer says

FILE - Visitors cast shadows at a memorial to the victims of the Astroworld concert in Houston on Nov. 7, 2021. Nine of the 10 wrongful death lawsuits filed after deadly crowd surge at the 2021 Astroworld festival have been settled, including one that was set to go to trial this week, an attorney said Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Robert Bumsted, File)

HOUSTON (AP)  Nine of the 10 wrongful death lawsuits filed after a deadly crowd surge at the 2021 Astroworld music festival have been settled, including one that was set to go to trial this week, an attorney said Wednesday.

Jury selection had been set to begin Tuesday in the wrongful death suit filed the family of Madison Dubiski, a 23-year-old Houston resident who was one of 10 people killed during the crowd crush at the Nov. 5, 2021, concert by rap superstar Travis Scott.

But Neal Manne, an attorney for Live Nation, the festivals promoter and one of those being sued along with Scott, said during a court hearing Wednesday that only one wrongful death lawsuit remained pending and the other nine have been settled, including the one filed by Dubiskis family.

Noah Wexler, an attorney for Dubiskis family, confirmed during the court hearing that their case is resolved in its entirety.

Terms of the settlements were confidential and attorneys declined to comment after the court hearing because of a gag order in the case.

"Mr. Scott is grateful that a resolution has been reached without the need for a trial, said Ted Anastasiou, a representative for the rapper. The confidential agreement will honor Madison Dubiskis legacy and promote improvements for concert safety.

After Dubiski's death, her family started a foundation called Pink Bows that's focused on improving safety at outdoor concerts and similar events.

The one wrongful death lawsuit still pending was filed by the family of 9-year-old Ezra Blount, the youngest person killed during the concert. Attorneys in the litigation were set to meet next week to discuss when the lawsuit filed by Blounts family could be scheduled for trial.

This case is ready for trial, Scott West, an attorney for Blounts family, said in court.

But Manne said he and the lawyers for other defendants being sued were not ready.

State District Judge Kristen Hawkins said she planned to discuss the Blount case at next weeks hearing along with potential trials related to the injury cases filed after the deadly concert.

Hawkins said that if the Blount family's lawsuit is not settled, she is inclined to schedule that as the next trial instead of an injury case.

More than 4,000 plaintiffs filed hundreds of lawsuits after the concert. Manne said about 2,400 injury cases remain pending.

The announcement that nearly all of the wrongful death lawsuits have been settled came after the trial in Dubiskis case was put on hold last week. Apple Inc., which livestreamed Scotts concert and was one of the more than 20 defendants being sued by Dubiskis family, had appealed a court ruling that denied its request to be dismissed from the case. An appeals court granted Apple a stay in the case.

In the days after the trial stay, attorneys for Dubiskis family settled their lawsuit with all the defendants in the case, including Apple, Scott and Live Nation, the worlds largest live entertainment company.

At least four wrongful death lawsuits had previously been settled and announced in court records. But Wednesday was the first time that lawyers in the litigation had given an update that nine of the 10 wrongful death lawsuits had been resolved.

Lawyers for Dubiskis family as well as attorneys representing the various other plaintiffs have alleged in court filings that the deaths and hundreds of injuries at the concert were caused by negligent planning and a lack of concern over capacity and safety at the event.

Those killed ranged in age from 9 to 27. They died from compression asphyxia, which an expert likened to being crushed by a car.

As the youngest victim, Ezras terror must have been unimaginable as the crowd surge ripped him from the safety of his fathers shoulders and then crushed and suffocated the life out of his small body, Bob Hilliard, an attorney for Blount's family, said in a statement following Wednesday's hearing.

Scott, Live Nation and the others whove been sued have denied these claims, saying safety was their No. 1 concern. They said what happened could not have been foreseen.

After a police investigation, a grand jury last year declined to indict Scott, along with five others connected to the festival.

___

Follow Juan A. Lozano: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
During the Blitz in her hometown of Norwich, England, young Sally Hatch slept every night in the underground air raid shelter in her familys garden. I didnt particularly like that, and one night refused to go  until, that is, she was allowed to stay up in her bedroom for a few hours, and got to see that the alternative to joining the others was much more harrowing. Down in the shelter, her mother kept her six children singing, to distract them at least a little from the German bombs falling nearby. I dont recall panicking, Sally told me. It was part of living by that time.

At 16, Sally joined the Royal Signal Corps. I lied about my age to get in, she says, because I had to do something for my king and my country. At 17, while serving in Scotland, she met her very romantic husband, 21-year-old Sedalia, Missouri, native Marion Keithley, who went by his middle name, Cal. He had trained in Canada and was attached to the Royal Air Force because we hadnt yet entered the war. Like Sally and so many others, he couldnt wait to serve.

This Monday, 98-year-old Sally Hatch Keithley-McCulley, who lives in Shawnee, flew to France for several of the many observations of the 80th anniversary of VE-Day. Shell be there, in Laneuville-a-Bayard, for the Wednesday ceremony honoring her fallen RAF airman brother, Ernest Hatch. At just 22, he was shot down there, and his grave in the village churchyard, along with those of six other men who helped save the world from the Nazis, has been lovingly tended for these last eight decades.

Before she left, I had a cup of tea with Sally, who still drives a Mustang, by the way, and I can report that its never too late to have a new role model. Did they know then all that was at stake? Not really, she said, though we were dedicated, and she loved, loved, loved her work in the Signal Corps, taking and passing on messages about where planes would be at a certain time.

Later, she worked on the radio in the underground command post of a heavy artillery battery. At 16, I felt very important. As she was coming out of the Old War Office in London one day, she saw a big car with American and British flags on it pull up, and oh my gosh, it was Eisenhower and Montgomery.

Were relationships more  to use her word, romantic then, or do we just think that? Shes pretty sure that they really were.

Sally had so many boyfriends that when Cal Keithley first offered her a ring, she turned him down.

Married 3 days before D-Day

Sally and Cal met at one of the regular Sunday night dances in Edinburgh, where both were stationed, that neither had ever attended before. His commanding officer asked, is there anyone in particular here youd like to meet, and he said yes, Id like to be introduced to that redhead standing in the doorway, and that happened to be me.

From that night on, they walked and talked, walked and talked, covering many miles and lots of history, which they both loved. Then one day, he brought her where he said Mary, Queen of Scots used to meet her lover, and proposed at the mans grave, which they both then sat down on. At 17, she wasnt quite ready for the ring he hoped shed wear: I had so many boyfriends that I said no, you know?

Some of the first American airmen stationed in Norwich had been so much less respectful than they ought to have been  Some of these airmen were a little high, and Churchill asked Roosevelt to remove them, which he did  that she wasnt sure how her family would feel about this particular boyfriend.

That wasnt Cal Keithley, though, and after they, too, fell in love with him, she started wearing the ring. Her brother Ernest was shot down on April 27, 1944  also the day her mother smoked her first cigarette, pressed on her by the doctor who thought it might calm her down in her grief.

It didnt, of course, but what did help was learning that the French people were so grateful because they could have landed the plane on the village and instead, as they crashed, steered it into the field where its debris still remains today, in honor of their sacrifice.

Cal and Sally married a few weeks after Ernests death, on June 3, just three days before D-Day, and on their honeymoon at her oldest sisters house in Norwich, they watched hundreds and hundreds of planes on their way to Europe. It made a tremendous noise. One that in a sense we can still hear now, or ought to.

She remembers Winston Churchill as a wonderful man and lovely speaker who helped us all. He was a soldier, and a writer like yourself. (Yes, I wish.) He was a very strong man, and everybody loved him. Or she did, anyway.

At the wars end, in 1945, she and Cal sailed to New York on the Mauretania, with Sally crying all the way. In Kansas City, Kansas, they raised a son and a daughter in a house on Lathrop Avenue that Cal built himself. He worked as an electrician for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and she spent 30 years as a switchboard operator for Simmons Bedding Company.

Gravestones mark the resting places of six British and one Australian airmen who averted disaster at Laneuville-a-Bayard, France, during World War II.

Felt so sorry for family of man who raped her granddaughter

At 98, of course there have been losses  of Cal, who died of leukemia in 1985, and then of her second husband, Gene McCulley, 14 years later. In 2017, her beloved granddaughter, Shannon Eileen Keithley, who used to stop by and see her on her way home from her job repairing string instruments, was raped by a man whod broken into the KCK house Sally had given her. She eventually broke free, but then, in her panic to escape, wrecked her car and died in the accident.

The bouquet of flowers that Shannon had sent Sally for her birthday that year, not long before she died, is still on the table in her front room. I really do miss her, even now, says her grandmother, who asked that Over the Rainbow be sung at Shannons funeral.

Yet because this is a woman who has so much to teach us on any number of fronts, she also says that at Shannons attackers trial, where she had to listen to the 911 tape of her girl crying, Help me! Help me! I felt so sorry for his mother and his brother, and gave them both a hug.

A 50-year Star subscriber, she reads the paper every day, and because of what shes seen of war, when I see pictures of Palestinians, I really feel sad for them.

A very brave couple, my mother and father

Despite all shes survived, though, Sally also seems like she might have been the one who invented joie de vivre, and she was so excited about celebrating VE-Day, which as it turned out, is on my mothers birthday.

She has outlived all of her siblings and is one of only five surviving WWII vets around here now, she says. What she most wishes she could convey to younger generations is that in those moments and places when people just helped each other, thats what mattered and what is worth remembering.

Her father, whod fought in WWI, wanted to enlist in 1939, too, but was told that with such a big family, he was more needed at home. So at night when the sirens sounded, hed walk around and make sure everybody had their blinds down. They were a very brave couple, my mother and father, so we had to be, too.

She still has a pair of shoes designed by her sister Dolly, and made at the factory where both Dolly and her father worked. I dont wear them, she says, laughing, because I dont want to wear them out!

Her advice on living a long and also good life involves eating lots of fruits and vegetables, but also a little chocolate. And if I get an ache and pain, I dont rush to the doctor, but take care of it myself.

Sally, when I say thanks for everything, I mean that literally.

If you want to help defray the cost of her trip to France, which was made possible by Patriot Features, a group that documents the stories of veterans, you can do that here, at patriotfeatures.org/donate
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Russia applauds the Almaty meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers on May 10, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said during a weekly briefing, Trend reports.

"Moscow is ready to continue to assist in promoting the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization process. These issues are also on the agenda of today's negotiations between Putin and Pashinyan," she said.

Meanwhile, following the previously reached agreements, the negotiations between the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister and the Armenian Foreign Minister will be held in Almaty on May 10, 2024.

The spokesperson of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry Aybek Smadiyarov stated on April 30 that Baku and Yerevan confirmed their participation in the negotiations in Almaty.

Moreover, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had earlier proposed a platform for negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"I applaud the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers' agreement to negotiate a peace treaty on the Kazakh side's proposal. It is symbolic that this important event will take place in Almaty, where in December 1991 the historic Alma-Ata Declaration was signed, which consolidated the foundations of the independent development of the CIS countries and approved the principles of defining interstate borders. I believe that the upcoming meeting will serve the practical implementation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian agreements and will contribute to the early establishment of a lasting and long-term peace in the South Caucasus," the statement of the Kazakh president said.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  For Spring 2024 graduates, May marks the beginning of a new journey. This weekend, students from three colleges in Abilene will attend their commencement ceremonies, receive their diplomas, and start a new chapter in their lives. Below are the details of the commencement ceremonies for Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons, and McMurry University.

All three ceremonies will be held in Moody Coliseum on ACUs campus.

Friday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m.  Graduate Ceremony

Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. Undergraduate Ceremony College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences College of Biblical Studies Onstead College of Science and Engineering



Saturday, May 11 at 2:00 p.m. Undergraduate Ceremony College of Business Administration College of Health and Behavioral Sciences College of Graduate and Professional Studies



Whats happening in the Big Country this weekend?

Both ceremonies will be held at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 North 6th Street. A live stream can be found here.

Friday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m. College of Health Professionals Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing



Friday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m. Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts Kelley College of Business and Professional Studies



The ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, in Kimbrell Arena, 2249 Sayles Boulevard.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Abilene Crime Stoppers needs help identifying 3 women in connection to theft at department store

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Abilene Crime Stoppers is asking for your help identifying three women in connection to a theft case.

Abilene police searching for woman connected to Ulta theft

On Wednesday morning, the Abilene Police Department (APD) made a Facebook post with pictures of the women, taken from security camera footage at a department store in the Mall of Abilene.











Associated theft cases are as follows:

24-800199

24-027362

24-033904

If you can help, contact Abilene Crime Stoppers at (325) 676-8477 or follow this link to the website. You may remain anonymous and you may be rewarded for your tip.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Abilene man accused of trading child pornography on Snapchat

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  An Abilene man accused of trading child pornography on Snapchat has been arrested.

Riley Roberson was taken into custody Tuesday on a warrant for Promotion of Child Pornography in connection to the allegations.

Court documents state Snapchat reported a user uploaded, shared, or saved an image containing child pornography in October 2023.

Further investigation revealed multiple pornographic videos and images of children ages 5 to under 19 engaging in sexual or lewd activity.

The documents reveal the IP address connected to the images was registered to Roberson.

During a subsequent interview, the documents state he confessed to viewing, sending, and trading child pornography.

Roberson was released from the Taylor County Jail after posting a $100,000 bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Rep. Delisha Boyd sits among other legislators Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice at the state Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Matthew Perschall)

Rep. Delisha Boyd sits among other legislators Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice at the state Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Matthew Perschall)

A Louisiana House of Representatives committee scuttled legislation Tuesday to create exceptions to the states abortion ban for minors who become pregnant as a result of rape or incest. Their vote came after highly emotional testimony from supporters of the proposal.

The House Committee on Criminal Justice voted 7-4 to reject House Bill 164 that would have allowed persons 16 and younger to have an abortion if they became pregnant after a sexual assault. All seven legislators who voted against the legislation are Republicans.



That baby [in the womb] is innocent  We have to hang on to that, said committee member Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, who voted against the bill.

Rep. Lauren Ventrella, R-Greenwell Spring, also voted against the legislation, saying the proposed law would be difficult to enforce. Teenagers who had consensual sex might feign rape or incest in order to get access to abortion services, she suggested.

But the legislations sponsor, Rep. Delisha Boyd, D-New Orleans, drafted the proposal to protect children who are attacked by older men.

This bill now is focused on children, Boyd said.

Boyd has been open about being the product of a child rape herself. Boyds birth father  who she refers to as a sperm donor  was a 28-year-old man who assaulted her 15-year-old mother. Her mother never got over the rape, found it difficult to parent and died before the age of 30 after suffering from years of trauma, according to Boyd.

Several people testified in favor of the legislation.

Audrey Wascome, an anti-violence advocate from Baton Rouge, said she was a victim of incest who still copes with injuries from the childhood sex abuse she suffered at the hands of her grandparents. While she never became pregnant as a child, she said she was on bedrest for weeks last year when trauma to her sex organs resurfaced 40 years after the rape and sex trafficking occurred.



I have visible scars both internally and externally on my vaginal area, Wascome told the legislators. The only people youre protecting are traffickers, rapists and abusers.

Dr. Neelima Sukhavasi, a Baton Rouge doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, also implored the lawmakers to approve Boyds proposal.

She and her colleagues have delivered babies for pregnant teenagers, including mothers as young as 13, since Louisianas abortion ban went into effect two years ago. These young pregnant people can experience health complications that affect them for the rest of their lives, Sukhavasi said, and sometimes dont have the mental capacity to handle the births.

One of these teenagers delivered a baby while clutching a teddy bear, she told the committee.



The legislation faced powerful opposition. Louisiana Right to Life, the states most prominent anti-abortion organization, was against the proposal.

Dr. Sally Ball, an internal medicine physician from Shreveport, testified in favor of providing more counseling and services to young mothers and their babies instead of opportunities for abortion. Ball said she is the result of incest. Her birth mother was impregnated by her mothers uncle.

Democratic lawmakers on the committee expressed frustration that Boyds legislation failed to pass.

I wish we were at a place where we could have grown-folk discussions about this and make grown-folk decisions about how we treat our children in instances like this, said Rep. Vanessa LaFleur, D-Baton Rouge, who supported the bill.

Rep. Alonzo Knox, D-New Orleans, was irritated that Republican legislators didnt see links between children and teenagers being forced to carry unwanted pregnancies and some of the states juvenile justice challenges.



When parents are too young to adequately take care of their children, those children feel unwanted and act out in unhealthy ways. Sometimes, they engage in criminal behavior, Knox said.

The same committee that rejected Boyds legislation recently approved stiffer penalties for underage teenagers convicted of crimes. Knox said committee members should make a connection between forcing pregnancy on minors and juvenile crime problems.



Its a vicious cycle, Knox said. This is real people and real life we are talking about.

Beyond the child rape and incest exceptions, the House criminal justice committee also voted down three bills seeking to protect doctors from criminal prosecution for miscarriage management.



Reps. Candace Newell and Aimee Freeman, both News Orleans Democrats, brought legislation meant to insulate physicians and other health care providers from facing abortion-related charges if they were only trying to treat a pregnant persons unavoidable miscarriage or troubled pregnancy.



The measures attempted to clarify and add flexibility to the states existing abortion ban so doctors could feel more at ease treating pregnant patients. They included House Bill 56, House Bill 63 and House Bill 293.

Louisiana Right to Life also opposed these proposals, saying they were unnecessary because there was already enough clarity under the law.



Dr. Kim Hardy, a retired obstetrician and gynecologist who has worked with Right to Life for years, said doctors have not had to adjust their treatment protocol as a result of the abortion ban.



The law is clear that doctors can take care of miscarriages, Hardy said. No [doctor] has been investigated by the state, and no one has been thrown in jail.

Most of the doctors at the hearing disagreed with Hardys assessment, however. Other physicians and one incoming medical resident said they live in fear of criminal prosecution because Louisianas abortion ban is vague about what constitutes wrongdoing.



They also said the existing laws prevent doctors from administering the best care available to people who lose pregnancies.



I do believe what physicians in this state are seeking is the clarity  to care for our patients, said Dr. Jennifer Avegno, an emergency room doctor and the City of New Orleans health department director. [Doctors] want to care safely for their patients. They are very concerned about being thrown in jail.

Avegno and others who appeared at the hearing said interest in Louisiana among doctors in training, particularly as a place to specialize in pregnancy or emergency room medical care, is down. Less interest in Louisiana residency programs is likely to exacerbate the states shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists, they said.



Republicans lawmakers on the committee pushed back on this assertion. They said other factors, such as Louisianas low rate of reimbursement for Medicaid births, contribute to the lack of pregnancy care.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Abortion ban exceptions for child rape, incest fail in Louisiana House committee appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Abortion to book bans: Legislature is using this tactic to end-run the Constitution | Opinion

The law should be clear.

An ordinary citizen should be able to consult Idaho Code and, with a bit of diligence, figure out whether something they want to do is legal.

But an emerging legislative strategy on the right in Idaho is to make laws murky, vague and hard to understand. It allows lawmakers to side-step the Constitution and enforce forms of social control by using the fear that you might break the law  because nobody knows what the law is.

Starting in July, libraries can get sued if they make certain books available to children. Which books? Nobody knows.

Counselors can face five years in prison for so-called abortion trafficking if they communicate certain information about abortion to minors in certain contexts. What can they say and in what conditions? Nobody knows.

It would be tempting to chalk this up to simple incompetence, to the fact Idahos citizen Legislature isnt all that skilled at crafting bills. But two recent events suggest something else is at work, that a kind of strategic ambiguity is being used to circumvent constitutional and legal restraints on government power, letting the state use the threat of severe consequences coupled with vague legal standards to end a wide variety of constitutionally protected conduct.

As Idaho Reports noted last week, a library in Preston cut off public access to all books last week until at least June as it tries to figure out what books it can legally offer to children and what books could get it sued.

And on Tuesday morning, the state of Idaho and abortion providers duked it out before the 9th Circuit over whether or not the abortion trafficking law, which makes it a crime to help a minor obtain a legal abortion out of state without informing their parents, violates the First Amendment.

The common thread in both cases: Strategic ambiguity allows the government to have it both ways.

It allows the threat of prosecution to bring aid for out-of-state abortion care to a halt  as the plaintiffs suing the state did after the abortion trafficking bill was signed  and it allows the state to argue in court that those same providers shouldnt be allowed to sue because the services arent doing anything illegal  as Deputy Solicitor Josh Turner asserted in court Tuesday.

It means small, rural libraries are scrambling to remove books with LGBTQ+ characters from their shelves because theyre afraid keeping them could get them sued into nonexistence. But when libraries sue the state, you can bet someone like Turner will argue in court, Oh, all those books were fine. No idea why you removed them.

If a group puts up a billboard saying it will give girls seeking abortions reliable information and keep it confidential, thats not illegal, Turner told the judges. But if they communicate that abortions are legal in the confines of a counseling room, maybe that is illegal, depending on other details.

By the end of oral arguments and extended questioning of the state by two judges, no ordinary person would have a clue what the state of Idaho believes is protected speech and what could land you five years in prison. Youd have to break the law to find out what it is.

But of course, people dont want to go to prison, so the natural effect is that a lot of what the state acknowledges is protected speech will stop because people are afraid.

This is precisely the same thing that happened with the library in Preston. The language of the House Bill 710 says simply that any act of  homosexuality counts as sexual activity in the same way that masturbation and sexual intercourse do.

So will a book with a PG-rated romance between a boy and a girl violate the terms of the law? Almost certainly not. What if its between two boys? Now youre on that shaky maybe-maybe-not territory where its safer not to risk it.

And so the effects are predictable.

Library director Laura Wheatley told Idaho Reports on Friday evening there are a fair amount of books in the young adult section with LGBTQ+ themes or characters which need moved to the adult section because the law includes acts of homosexuality in its definition of sexual content harmful to minors, the blog reported.

The book bans are working without explicitly banning books, just like the abortion counseling ban is working without explicitly banning abortion counseling.

The courts must strike back at this deployment of vagueness as a legal weapon. Its a system thats bad for everyone, except maybe lawyers. With everyone afraid and suing one another, theyre the ones who get paid to resolve all this ambiguity in the courts.

And in the meantime, lots of Idahoans are too afraid to exercise the First Amendment rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Bryan Clark is an opinion writer with the Idaho Statesman.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  An accused drug dealer has been charged with Murder after an Abilene woman died of a fentanyl overdose.

Frederick Hunter was booked into the Taylor County Jail on a warrant for Murder Tuesday in connection to the death of Joanna Nicole Bryant, who died of a fentanyl overdose in January 2023.

Court documents state Bryant was found unresponsive in her vehicle and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Alleged drug dealer charged with murder after Abilene Fentanyl overdose

An autopsy reveal her cause of death was acute fentanyl intoxication, and the documents reveal that when officers searched her car, they found several pills that appeared to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride but were actually counterfeit pills containing Fentanyl.

The documents also state surveillance video and witnesses confirmed Bryant was with Hunter prior to her death, and her family members also said they saw a narcotics transaction take place between Bryant and Hunter the day of her death.

A text message sent to Hunter a few days before her death also state that she is, gonna need some meds be Im goin thru it.

Hunter remains held in the Taylor County Jail on a $200,000 bond.

No further information has been released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Activist says GOP congressman knocked phone from her hand during questioning about war in Gaza

An activist with the anti-war group CodePink said she had her cellphone knocked from her hand by a Republican congressman Tuesday when she questioned him about the Israel-Hamas war.

Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) was walking in a hallway before a House committee when two people approached him. According to camera footage posted to social platform X, one woman asks Ezell if Israel should accept a peace proposal and the representative responds sharply, Get away from me.

The second woman, identified as Sumer Mobarak, who is Palestinian American, asks Ezell if he wants the killing of my people, my Palestinian people?

Ezell says Shut up. Knock it off, then reaches out and apparently knocks down Mobaraks cellphone.

She said she filed a police report against him, alleging assault.

U.S. Capitol Police said they are looking into the matter.

Ezell, a first-term representative, said in a statement to The Hill following the incident that the protesters were backed by China.

These China-backed protesters want to harass and intimidate Members of Congress into ending our support for Israel and our opposition to Hamas terrorists, Ezell said in the statement. I will not be harassed or intimidated by the Chinese Communist Party, Hamas, or their supporters, and I will continue standing with our Israeli allies against terrorist.

His spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press that the altercation happened before a Tuesday meeting of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

CodePink said on its website that China is not our enemy, the AP reported.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Mayor Eric Adams is putting up his own money to help find the cowards who allegedly graffitied a World War I memorial in Central Park during pro-Palestinian protests in Manhattan on Monday.

Adams is offering $5,000 for the arrest of three suspects who allegedly graffitied the General William Tecumseh Sherman monument in Central Park at around 8:30 p.m., according to the mayor and NYPD. The trio allegedly spray-painted Gaza and Free Palestine on the statue near 67th Street and Fifth Avenue, blocks away from demonstrations near the Met Gala, police said.

The mayor said the memorial was vandalized by cowards in the name of protest. The defaced monument was cleaned the following day.

Im not just putting my money where my mouth is. Im going to put it where my heart is. My heart is in this city and in this country, and I would not stand by while people desecrate memorials for those who fought for democracy and human rights, Adams said Tuesday.

Authorities are looking for three suspects who allegedly vandalized a statue in Central Park during protests on May 6, 2024. (Credit: NYPD)

The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward and is investigating a few social media leads, according to police and the mayor.

Cops released photos of the three suspects sought in the incident. There have been no arrests, as of Wednesday.

Were going to treat this crime with the seriousness that it deserves, Adams said.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Videos showed a woman throwing her 4-year-old son in a pool with his hands tied and beating him harshly in the year leading up to his death, Florida authorities said.

The 36-year-old woman is now charged with murder, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said May 8.

McClatchy News is not identifying her to protect the identity of her surviving son. Her attorney information is not available in court records.

The woman and her husband, with the help of her sister, adopted the child in April 2023 from Haiti, deputies said in a news release.

While her husband told investigators he didnt discipline the young child or his 16-year-old brother, she did, deputies said.

On May 1, the young boy came home from school happy and behaving normally, according to witnesses and security camera footage.

The brothers were in different rooms for about two hours, until the mom asked her 16-year-old to bring the younger child food, deputies said.

At that time, he noted that the victim was unable to walk on his own, and struggled to sit up on his own, deputies said. (The woman) told the older brother that the victim was faking it and to feed him.

The little boy became unresponsive, and the brother started performing CPR until the boy was taken to the hospital, investigators said.

He was taken to a hospital in Davenport but had to be airlifted to a hospital in Orlando due to the extent of his injuries.

Ultimately, the child had an abdominal bleed that couldnt be repaired during surgery, and he died, according to deputies.

The injury could only have resulted from a hard hit, Judd said in a news conference.

During an autopsy, the medical examiner reported finding scarring and injuries indicating ongoing abuse.

The medical examiner determined the cause of death was assault/blunt force trauma, and the manner of death was homicide.

The teen brother initially told investigators he wasnt abused, and he said he didnt see his brother being abused, deputies said. But after he was taken into protective custody, he told investigators his mom threatened to kill him and instructed him to say nothing so I dont get in trouble, deputies said.

In addition to first-degree murder, the woman is charged with aggravated child abuse and tampering with a witness.

Footage obtained from surveillance cameras at the home show the mom beating the child as he lies on the ground in one instance, and in another, throwing him in the pool with his hands bound, deputies said.

It is beyond my wildest imagination how anyone could abuse a beautiful little fella like this child was abused and neglected, Judd said.

Davenport is in central Florida, roughly a 35-mile drive southwest from downtown Orlando.

4-year-old boy identified as body found in duffel bag, PA cops say. Its devastating

8-year-old beaten to death with rolling pin, Georgia cops say. Now, parents indicted

Man seen checking hotel room doors is accused of brutally killing woman, Ohio cops say

Grandson accused of beating his grandma to death is arrested in NC, Georgia police say
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Rumen Radev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria, visited the Alley of Honors to pay tribute to National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the architect and founder of the independent Azerbaijani state, and laid a wreath at his grave, Trend reports.

The Bulgarian President also placed flowers at the graves of prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva, outstanding statesman Aziz Aliyev, and renowned doctor and scientist Tamerlan Aliyev.
The adoptive parents of Harmony Montgomerys biological brother are eager for the sentencing of her convicted killer this week.

Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of 56 years to life for Adam Montgomery for murdering his 5-year-old daughter.

Victim impact statements will be heard in the courtroom this Thursday ahead of his sentencing.

Authorities believe Harmony was killed nearly two years before she was reported missing in 2021.

The heartbreaking case continues to have an impact on Harmonys biological brother Jamison and his adoptive parents Blair and Johnathon Bobbitt-Miller.

He took his sister away. He took away the only person that protected him before he was adopted, said Johnathon Bobbitt-Miller. We need to look that monster in the eyes and tell him what hes done to Jamison.

Johnathon and his husband Blair were prepared to speak in the courtroom during victim impact statements.

They told Boston 25 News that they were informed by the New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office Tuesday that they wouldnt be able to speak on their sons behalf because of a court rule.

Thats just unfair. As his adoptive dads, we have every right to speak on his behalf, said Bobbitt-Miller.

They said putting their 7-year-old son in front of the courtroom wasnt an option.

They dont believe playing a recording of his voice will fully convey the magnitude of the loss he will face throughout his life.

Adam needs to hear that when our doorbell rings, Jamison still goes to the doorbell hoping that its his sister, explained Bobbitt-Miller. New Hampshire silenced Harmony. We wont let that happen to Jamison.

The Millers said the statement they provided to the New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office is based on the questions their son has asked about his sister.

A spokesperson for the New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office sent the following statement to Boston 25 News:

Pursuant to the victims bill of rights under RSA 21-M:8-k, the immediate family of a homicide victim has the right to appear and be heard at any sentencing, and to make a written or oral impact statement. This statement may include a statement on all injuries, harm, and damages suffered as a result of the commission of the crime, and impact this crime has had on him. The court allows victims to designate a representative to write or speak on a victims behalf, but it must be a reflection of the victims words or other expressions of their feelings. As with any family with minor family members, weve provided them with a childs victim impact statement for them to work through with Harmonys brother, or submit his own words either in a written or audio recorded format to then be read aloud to the Court.

To date, they have informed us that an audio/photo of her brother will be forthcoming and, separately, theyve provided their own written impact statements to be read at the sentencing hearing. That statement will be submitted in writing. Whatever statement they provide from Harmonys brother will be read either by them or by a victim advocate at the hearing.

It is our understanding that, in addition to Harmonys brothers statement, they wish to be allowed to read their own statement orally to the Court; a manner not permitted by the statute. In accordance with their request, we are bringing the materials they wish to read to the Courts attention prior to the hearing, so the Court may determine how it will review their materials.

The Millers moved out of Massachusetts but have remained active in demanding justice for Harmony and advocating for better protection for foster children in the state.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
FILE - Louisiana Attorney General candidate Liz Murrill takes part in a forum as part of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana's 2023 conference, April 26, 2023, at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge, La. A panel of federal judges who recently threw out a congressional election map giving Louisiana a second mostly Black district said Tuesday, May 7, 2024, that the state Legislature must pass a new map by June 3 or face having the panel impose one on the state. However, voting rights advocates and Republican Attorney General Murrill said they would head take an appeal in defense of the new map to the Supreme Court. (Travis Spradling/The Advocate via AP, File)

NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Voting rights advocates filed an emergency motion Wednesday asking the Supreme Court to keep a new Louisiana congressional map in place for this year's elections that gives the state a second majority Black district.

A divided panel of federal judges in western Louisiana ruled April 30 that the new map, passed by lawmakers in January, was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Wednesday's Supreme Court filing seeks to block that ruling, keeping the new districts in place while appeals continue. The high court asked for responses to the appeal by Monday morning  two days before the state's election officials have said they need to have a map in place to prepare for the fall elections.

Gov. Jeff Landry and Attorney Gen. Liz Murrill, both Republicans, back the new map. Murrill said she also planned to ask the high court to keep it in place.

Voting patterns show a new mostly Black district would give Democrats the chance to capture another House seat. The new map converted District 6, represented by Republican Rep. Garret Graves. Democratic state Sen. Cleo Fields, a former congressman who is Black, had said he would run for the seat.

Supporters of the new district, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, say the lower court decision effectively means Louisiana has no congressional map in place for the fall election, and no realistic chance for the Legislature to adopt one in time.

Wednesday's filing is the latest development in a seesaw battle covering two federal district courts and an appeals court.

The state has five white Republican U.S. House members and one Black member who is a Democrat. All were elected most recently under a map the Legislature drew up in 2022.

US. District Judge Shelly Dick, of Baton Rouge, blocked subsequent use of the 2022 map, saying it likely violated the federal Voting Rights Act by dividing many of the states Black residents  about a third of the population  among five districts. A federal appeals court gave lawmakers a deadline earlier this year to act.

The Legislature responded with the latest map creating a new district crossing the state diagonally and linking Black populations from Shreveport in the northwest, Alexandria in the center and Lafayette and Baton Rouge in the south.

A group of self-identified non-African American voters filed suit against that map, saying it was unconstitutionally drawn up with race as the main factor.

Backers of the map said political considerations  including maintaining districts of House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise  were a primary driver of the map in the Republican-dominated Legislature. But the judges voted 2-1 to side with the challengers of the new map.

The panel on Tuesday said it would impose a plan of its own but also said the Legislature should try to draw one up by June 3. Wednesday's filing argues that there is no legal or logistical way for the Legislature to get a new map passed in time, noting that state election officials have said they need a map in place by May 15.

___

Associated Press reporter Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Screenshot/Capitol TV)

The Rhode Island Office of Attorney Generals newly formed cold case unit has effectively solved two unsolved homicides in the state and is close to making announcements about the status of the investigations.

Thats according to Attorney General Peter Neronha in his testimony before the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday afternoon at the State House.

The cold case unit with four investigators and a prosecutor led by Assistant Attorney General James R. Baum, deputy chief of the offices Criminal Division, formed last year after the General Assembly agreed to fully fund the $350,000 Neronha had requested for it in the fiscal 2024 budget. Gov. Dan McKee had rejected that request in the recommended budget he had presented to the General Assembly.

That team working with local departments has effectively solved two cold case homicides, Neronha told legislators Tuesday. The last work in terms of those cases is being done and I expect sometime in the next month to six weeks to be able to report to the public and the families in those respective cases our findings in those cases.

The committee was hearing testimony on the revised $46.6 million fiscal year 2024 and $45.5 million fiscal 2025 budgets for the Attorney Generals office.

Until the unit formed, Rhode Island lacked coordination between prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies in investigating unsolved homicides and missing person cases. Attorneys general in Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut have units dedicated to investigating cold cases. Last year, Neronha had estimated that the number of cold cases in Rhode Island was in the hundreds, but no one was tracking how many there were.

The post AGs cold case unit close to announcing breaks in two unsolved homicides appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Ahead of Raleigh County fire levy vote, fire marshall says departments now provide EMS, other services

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  City of Beckley Fire Marshall Chris Graham said on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, that the local fire department has evolved into an important part of each community, in part by hosting classes and helping during crises.

With residents saying there is an ambulance driver shortage in Raleigh County, Captain Graham said fire departments have stepped up to fill the role of emergency transport.

Were all (emergency medical technicians), and weve been running for medical calls than, probably, we have in a long time, said Graham, who is also captain of Beckley Fire Department, the countys largest fire professional fire department. Other agencies are, too.

Its not something that we just sit around and wait for our fire call, he added. We run accidents, heart attacks, chest pains. You name it, were out on the streets running it, trying to help people as best we can.

Crumbl Cookie countdown comes to an end

Raleigh County voters will decide on May 14, 2023, whether to again pass a $3.5 million tax levy to make sure the countys 13 volunteer fire departments have operating funds.

Voters outside of the Raleigh County Courthouse on Tuesday had strong opinions.

Im going to vote against it, said Thomas Milam, a voter. The amount of call-outs I see in the community isnt worth it. Then I look at that huge firehouse that weve constructed. Now, were spending all our money on something like that. It just doesnt make a lot of sense.

Ed Bolen, another voter, said he plans to support the levy.

It needs the funding, and without it, you know, you lose part of your protection, said Bolen. Very important.

10 Interesting facts you might not have known about West Virginia

Captain Graham said the Beckley Fire Station #3, which Milam referenced, also houses Beckley Code Enforcement, allowing firefighters to streamline code and safety services.

He said some smaller departments could close down, if the levy doesnt pass.

Its kind of like an insurance policy. Nobody thinks about it until theres a problem, and if nobody comes, then theyre going to be upset because the fire departments arent there to respond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
A crane lifts material onto a cargo vessel expected to take aid to Gaza from Cyprus, at the port of Larnaca

A crane lifts material onto a cargo vessel expected to take aid to Gaza from Cyprus, at the port of Larnaca

NICOSIA (Reuters) -Aid for Gaza was being loaded onto a ship in Cyprus on Wednesday in what was expected to be the first cargo to be delivered using a U.S. pier built to expedite supplies to the besieged enclave.

Containers were being stacked on the U.S.-flagged Sagamore, docked at the port of Larnaca, on Wednesday. Some containers going to the ship were labelled as aid from the United Arab Emirates.

"We are completing the loading of aid onto a U.S. vessel now in Larnaca, and once the platform is in place, this part of the process (shipment) can commence," said Konstantinos Letymbiotis, a Cyprus government spokesperson.

It was unclear when the vessel would depart. The Pentagon said on Tuesday that it had completed construction of the pier and was hoping to move it off the coast of Gaza later this week.

A senior Biden administration official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, said last month that aid coming off the U.S. pier will need to pass through Israeli checkpoints on land. That is despite the aid having already been inspected by Israel in Cyprus prior to being shipped to Gaza.

The prospect of checkpoints raises questions about possible delays even after aid reaches shore. The United Nations has long complained of obstacles to getting aid in and distributing it throughout Gaza.

The United Nations is in talks with the U.S. about the distribution of aid once it comes off the pier. A U.N. spokesperson had no update on Wednesday when asked about the status of the talks.

"We have determined a number of parameters under which the U.N. family is able and in a position to receive and distribute the goods," the U.N. humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, said last month. "But there are also a number of international NGOs that are considering participating in the distribution of goods that come via the maritime corridor."

Kaag said some of the parameters being discussed included effective deconfliction, the ability of the U.N. to distribute aid all over Gaza and for the U.N. to ensure its neutrality by remaining an appropriate distance from the Israeli military, which will provide security and logistics support for the pier.

"We're hopeful that we're getting there," she said of the talks two weeks ago.

The United Nations has also been adamant that maritime access was no substitute for land deliveries, which needed to remain the focus of aid operations in Gaza.

Israel's military campaign against Hamas, in response to Hamas's attack on Israel on Oct. 7, has devastated the tiny Gaza Strip, where aid agencies warn its 2.3 million people are facing imminent famine.

Cyprus opened a sea corridor in March to ship aid directly to Gaza, where deliveries via land have been severely disrupted by border closures and Israel's military operations.

U.S.-based charity World Food Kitchen used the route twice before seven of its workers were killed in an Israeli air strike on April 1.

(Reporting By Michele Kambas, Michelle Nichols and Idress Ali; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Jonathan Oatis)
Aimee Bocks right hand man says everyone at Feeding Our Future took kickbacks

The Feeding Our Future trial is being held at the Diane E. Murphy United States Courthouse in downtown Minneapolis. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer.

A former Feeding Our Future employee who described himself as Executive Director Aimee Bocks right hand man testified Wednesday about how he participated in a massive fraud, setting up sham nonprofits and consulting companies and taking kickbacks to help others get millions in federal funds.

Some of the kickbacks came from seven people and their companies on trial this week  the first out of 70 initially charged in the case.

The money was supposed to be used to help needy children.

Hadith Ahmed, testifying during the second week of the first Feeding Our Future trial, said he made about $2 million running a fake food site and taking kickbacks while working at Feeding Our Future. He used the proceeds to buy a house in Savage and land in Kenya.

Federal prosecutors say the nonprofit Feeding Our Future was at the center of a $250 million fraud after the U.S. Department of Agriculture loosened rules for food programs during the COVID-19 pandemic to make it easier to get food to children.

Ahmed gave the most damning testimony heard yet against Bock, who isnt one of the seven defendants in the current trial. Intentionally or not, however, he laid the groundwork for Bocks prosecution and dozens of other defendants awaiting trial.

Two former teachers, Aimee Bock and Kara Lomen, were friends and business partners running a nonprofit called Partners in Quality Care (aka Partners in Nutrition) that helped child care centers get federal meal money.

After they had a falling out in 2018, Bock took over Feeding Our Future and started competing with her former colleague. Both of their nonprofits grew exponentially during the pandemic, fueled by the federal child nutrition program.

Bock has been charged and pleaded innocent; Lomen has not been charged so far.

Ahmed was born in Ethiopia and grew up in Kenya before moving to the U.S. as a teenager. He opted to cooperate with federal prosecutors in exchange for what he hopes will be a lighter sentence. He said he decided to tell the truth but has been made no promises about how much he could get shaved off an expected four to five-year sentence.

Ahmed, wearing a tan suit and peach dress shirt, testified that he was directing a child care center when he met Bock and joined the scam as his center emptied out during the pandemic.

I didnt have any income, he said.

He said a friend named Abdikerm Eidleh, who was in charge of enrolling food sites for Feeding Our Future, encouraged him to get involved with the food program. Ahmed decided to do it because he was seeing people profiting all around him and I wanted to get rich, make money.

He and Eidleh incorporated a nonprofit called Southwest Metro Youth and started submitting claims in November 2020. In January 2021, they claimed to give away 1,642 meals, a number that rose to 2,500 meals by March 2021.

We were not actually giving out anywhere close to that, he testified. Eidleh was also charged in the case but fled to Somalia.

Bock then offered him a job.

At that time, Feeding Our Future was crazy; it was booming, Ahmed said, with over 200 food distribution sites. Everybody wanted to get involved.

People were clamoring to set up nonprofits and start submitting claims, he said, and Feeding Our Future staff werent checking to see if they were really distributing meals: Anybody could submit whatever they wanted, he said.

Ahmed was a site supervisor and later oversaw site supervisors, who were supposed to make sure people were actually giving away meals, but he said, We were not doing anything. We were not going to sites. Not visiting, inspecting.

He said everybody at Feeding Our Future took kickbacks.

I think the best way to put it is that Feeding Our Future was a bank: You come and you get money, Ahmed said. You submit claims, you get paid.

He said the defendants and others made up fake invoices from shell companies to make it look like they were buying food for their nonprofit to give away, and he set up a consulting company to deposit kickbacks.

Ahmed said Feeding Our Future employees would get kickbacks for helping facilitate applications for sites, making sure they got paid first and not checking to ensure sites were distributing meals.

The jury was shown numerous checks written by various site sponsors to Ahmeds consulting company, ranging from $45,000 to $127,000. He said he got about a million dollars in kickbacks.

At Feeding Our Future, he said, It was all about who was close to Aimee.

Because Ahmed was close to Bock, he could get applications processed and people paid more quickly, he said.

He said everything was going through me because Bock was busy fighting with MDE  a reference to the Minnesota Department of Education, which briefly stopped payments to the nonprofit due to suspicions about fraud. After MDE requested justification for claims, Feeding Our Future started asking people for invoices and receipts.

We didnt care where they came from or how they created it, Ahmed said.

Ahmed said the big sites got VIP treatment from Feeding Our Future, and he and Bock made sure nobody checked to see if they were feeding people. People would pick up million-dollar checks from the nonprofit and brag about it  and their new houses and cars  on social media, he said.

At one point, he said Bock forced him to take a plastic bag containing $5,000 cash that she said was from a vendor.

Ahmed testified that the seven people on trial this week  all connected to Empire Cuisine & Market in Shakopee, which prosecutors say was at the center of a $40 million fraud  left Partners in Nutrition and came to Feeding Our Future in December 2020.

A large site at the Dar Al-Farooq mosque in Bloomington transferred over too, he said. He said mosques made good distribution sites because they were high-traffic areas, were already nonprofits and people could just submit the address and start claiming  whatever number you want to claim.

Ahmed testified that he was fired by Bock after he refused to help a prominent Bloomington woman, Ayan Abukar, get retroactive approval of another half dozen sites she claimed shed been operating.

(Abukar) said everyone is doing the same thing, why wont you help me? Ahmed testified.

The state Department of Human Services awarded Abukar with an outstanding refugee entrepreneurship award in 2021, as her nonprofit was claiming to feed 6,400 children per day, multiple times per day, in the child nutrition program. She is charged with bribery and money laundering but is not part of the group on trial this week.

After he was fired, Ahmed said Bocks lawyer threatened to go after him and use the kickbacks against him. Ahmed told them he wouldnt say anything if they just left him alone.

He said he felt ashamed about what he did, Because I stole money from the government.

The post Aimee Bocks right hand man says everyone at Feeding Our Future took kickbacks appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
Ukrainian forces downed 39 of 55 missiles and 20 of 21 drones launched by Russian troops overnight on May 8, Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said.

Russia carried out a large-scale attack against Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, and Vinnytsia oblasts, mainly targeting energy infrastructure. Three thermal power plants were damaged, according to Ukraines largest private energy company DTEK.

The recent strikes also injured an 8-year-old child in Kirovohrad Oblast, as well as a 62-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man in Kyiv Oblast.

Ukrainian anti-aircraft and electronic warfare units, mobile fire groups, and fighter jets were involved in the combat mission, according to the Air Force's report.

Ukraine intercepted 33 Kh-101/Kh-505 cruise missiles, four Kalibr cruise missiles, two Kh-59/Kh-69 guided missiles, and 20 Shahed-type drones.

Subscribe to newsletter

War Notes

Subscribe

Oleshchuk said that Russia also used a Kinzhal hypersonic missile, two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and an Iskander-K cruise missile. Ukrainian forces did not down these missiles, as well as 12 Kh-101/Kh-505 cruise missiles and one Shahed-type drone.

Russian troops launched their attacks from occupied Crimea, Russian-held territories in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russia's Tambov, Saratov, and Kursk oblasts, and the Black and Caspian seas.

In recent months, Russian attacks on critical infrastructure have increasingly targeted Ukrainian energy facilities.

The May 8 attack is the fifth large-scale attack against Ukraine's energy infrastructure over the past month and a half, according to DTEK. Russia previously carried out widespread strikes on 22 and 29 March, as well as on 11 and 27 April.

Read also: Energy Minister: Russian attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure cause over $1 billion in damage

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Air-raid warning issued throughout Ukraine for second time: Russians launch missile toward Ukraine's west

An air-raid warning was issued throughout Ukraine as the Russian MiG-31K fighter jet took off on the morning of 8 May, after a night large-scale attack. The Russians launched a missile toward the city of Stryi in Lviv Oblast.

Source: Ukraines Air Force

Quote: "MiG-31K take-off detected. Do not ignore the air-raid warning!"

Details: The missile was launched toward the city of Stryi in Lviv Oblast.

The air-raid warning was in effect for about 30 minutes.

Background:

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 7-8 May. An air-raid warning was issued in all Ukrainian oblasts.

No hits or casualties were recorded in the city of Kyiv. Air defence systems destroyed all aerial targets in the vicinity of the capital.

Support UP or become our patron!
Airline offers first-of-its-kind promo to help passengers qualify for elite status  and to help the planet

Typically, getting upgraded to first class only happens if you're lucky or you've flown so many miles that you qualify for upgrades.

But Alaska Airlines is launching a first-of-its-kind program that will make it easier for customers to bump up their status  while contributing to the future of sustainable aviation.

Starting this week following a successful limited promo, Alaska Airlines customers will be able to purchase sustainable aviation fuel credits as an incentive to earn mileage points.



Quick refresher: Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is possibly the single most important lever for reducing aviation pollution, with the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of airlines by up to 80%. But high costs and limited supply mean switching to SAF is going to take time and teamwork.

Here's how Alaska Airlines' SAF program works:

 When you're booking a flight on AlaskaAir.com, you'll be prompted with the option to purchase SAF credits, thereby voluntarily reducing the impact of your travel.

 Climate technology company CHOOOSE will power the booking process, which will be offered alongside other optional trip add-ons.

 The nitty gritty: Travelers who are Alaska Mileage Plan members can earn 500 elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) for every $100 spent on SAF (up to 5,000 EQMs per year).

When Alaska Airlines ran a pilot of the program in December 2023, Managing Director of Sustainability Ryan Spies told The Cool Down that the response "blew us all away." While the airline expected to sell 100,000 gallons during the December promo, it ended up selling over half a million gallons, according to Spies.

"Over 6,000 guests took part in this promo and we were just thrilled with the response," Spies told us. "People were putting out not $5, $10, $20, but increments of hundreds of dollars to participate in this, which  made us so excited about the future."

The airline industry accounts for 2.5% of global carbon pollution, and fuel is the biggest cause of that. Transitioning to a more sustainable fuel  which can be used in existing airplane engines  will be a huge opportunity to decrease aviation pollution.

SAF is made from plant or animal materials  like corn or even municipal waste  instead of fossil fuels, so while "sustainable" may be a strong word, it certainly does have a lower carbon impact.

Alaska has one of the industry's most aggressive sustainability plans: to reach net zero carbon pollution by 2040 and achieve 10% SAF by 2030. Currently, less than 1% of the fuel in the world is sustainable aviation fuel.

"We need all people, all of our customers, our corporate clients, and policy to help us get there, along with our ingenuity and partnerships along the way to build a new industry around sustainable aviation fuel," Spies told TCD.

He said demand for more sustainable practices is coming from all sorts of travelers.

"We're really seeing a lot of uptake in that next-generation traveler  but generally we're seeing it across the board," he said. "We're seeing it with frequent travelers, with business travelers, and so that's really exciting  it's not just one cohort."

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. The visit of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico to Azerbaijan and the signing of a joint statement on strategic partnership aftermath mark a turning point in relations between Azerbaijan and Slovakia, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.

He highlighted that diplomatic ties between Azerbaijan and Slovakia were established in 1993, emphasizing President Ilham Aliyev's influential working visit to Slovakia in 2004 to bolster bilateral relations. Presently, relations between the countries are ascending to a new, elevated level.

"Slovak companies are active in Azerbaijan, participating in road construction and various projects. Slovakia expresses heightened interest in collaboration with Azerbaijan across energy, agriculture, power plants, environmental protection, and construction sectors. In this context, the involvement of Slovak companies in activities within the liberated lands stands as a pivotal aspect of cooperation between the two nations. The reconstruction of Bash Garvand village in Aghdam district by a Slovak company holds significant symbolic value. It not only underscores the sincerity of Azerbaijan-Slovak relations but also promises modern, 'smart city' and 'smart village' developments adhering to the latest standards upon the return of residents to these liberated lands, he noted.

The political analyst emphasized the importance of the signing of the Joint Declaration as one of the important events.

The Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Azerbaijan and Slovakia holds significant political weight, as emphasized by President Ilham Aliyev. This year, natural gas exports to European countries are projected to reach 12 billion cubic meters, constituting 50 percent of Azerbaijan's total gas exports. By the end of 2027, plans are underway to increase gas transportation to the European Union's territory to 20 billion cubic meters. Consequently, Azerbaijan is ramping up its natural gas production to fulfill these commitments. Presently, Azerbaijan exports natural gas to eight European countries. The signing of the "Solidarity Ring" document in 2023 has opened avenues for Azerbaijani gas transportation to the Slovakian market. Slovakia may become the ninth European country to receive Azerbaijani natural gas. Additionally, Azerbaijan aims to export renewable energy to Europe, presenting Slovakia with an opportunity to benefit from the power transmission line extending to the Balkan Peninsula, he noted.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising states to make sure personal protection equipment, PPE, is available to dairy and poultry farm workers and slaughterhouse employees.

The CDC said while the immediate risk is low, states need to take steps now to protect workers who are at risk for possible avian flu infection. Health officials say the virus that traveled from poultry to dairy cattle to a few humans  is unprecedented.

TikTok sues to block potential US ban

Alabama agriculture and public health officials point out there have been no reported avian flu cases in Alabama. But they are in regular contact with farmers and other stakeholders. Dr. Tony Frazier, the Alabama State Veterinarian, said the avian flu virus has not spread even to states that border Alabama, but they are monitoring migratory birds and are also in regular contact with health and agriculture officials from other states.

Im confident the meat supply is safe, the milk supply is safe  pasteurization is doing its job the virus is just not making its way through the normal stopgaps, Frazier told News 19.

The Alabama Department of Public Health issued a news release Tuesday evening regarding the CDCs PPE call.

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is partnering with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (Ag&I) to update plans to ensure that dairy farm workers and other dairy-related supply processors will have access to the recommended personal protective equipment in the event of a confirmed case of avian influenza in cows in Alabama. This is a continuation of our partnership with Ag&I during past avian influenza-related outbreaks in poultry to reduce the risk of human infection.



At this time, the risk to the general public is very low. There have been no cases of human avian influenza in Alabama, and no known cases in dairy cattle have been identified. ADPH will continue to monitor and respond to promote and protect the health of the citizens of our state. Additional information and links on avian influenza in dairy cattle is available on our website at www.alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/avian-flu.html. ADPH

The few reported cases of humans infected in Texas showed flu-like symptoms but no serious illness.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
A man in a suit looking down and speaking to a colleague

Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, talks to a colleague on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 9, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday approved legislation that would create procedures for excluding students from classrooms.

SB 157, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, would take effect for the 2024-25 school year. It passed the House on a 100-0 vote.

Right now, we have a situation where we know we have disruptive students in our classrooms. Its inhibiting our ability to get teachers in the classroom, to keep teachers, to recruit teachers. Its impacting the learning of the other students, said Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, who introduced the bill on the house floor.

The bill would also provide procedures for returning disruptive students to class and authorize the principal to suspend a student excluded from a class three times in a month. The bill would require boards of education to adopt policies and procedures for exclusion, and it provides certain civil and criminal immunity to teachers.

Under the bill, a student can be excluded from class for disorderly conduct; obstructing teaching or learning process of others; threatening, abusing, intimidating or attempting to intimidate education employees or students; willfully disobeying an education employee; and using abusive or profane language against an education employee.

It basically says that principals and superintendents and school boards need to step up to the plate and come up with a solution with these children, and not just say, go back into the classroom, Garrett said.

House members generally spoke in favor of the bill, including one Democrat who suggested teachers have a professional butt-whooper in your school to handle discipline.

Yall might not want to hear what I got to say. When we took God out of school, part of your problem arrived. When you take the paddle out of the hand of the teacher, part of your problem arrived, said Rep. Patrick Sellers, D-Birmingham.

Sellers said that lawmakers cant legislate home behavior, and suggested parents discipline their children before they go to school.

Rep. Barbara Boyd, D-Anniston, a retired teacher, said that children are disruptive; parents are disruptive; [lawmakers] are disruptive and asked the body to have more patience with each other.

Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, asked Garrett if there were any state reporting requirements on the number of students suspended and the reasons they were suspended.

Garrett said that there is no requirement in the bill, but he said he believed local school boards would collect data as part of developing protocols.

Hall successfully added an amendment that would require local boards of education to compile information related to disciplinary actions and provide that data to the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education would then provide a report to the Legislature before the start of session.

Once we receive the data, we may look at that and say we need to provide some additional resources or some assistance to them, but we will not know that if were not collecting the data to have a report made to us, Hall said.

Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, said that the problems begin when teachers dont treat students with respect.

Now, I worked in elementary school, and there were some young teachers in there who didnt tolerate little boys, black boys, Im going to use the term, but the black teachers didnt have no problem with those boys, Jackson said.

Republicans spoke in favor of the bill. Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, said that teachers have become overwhelmed with added responsibilities over the last couple decades.

This bill, as I see it, it just simply providing them a level of security and support for these teachers in the classroom to make them feel that they are being supported, Baker said.

Rep. Bob Fincher, R-Woodland, said that teachers are being physically assaulted and said that the classroom is literally turning into a jungle.

Sometimes we forget the kids that are there to get an education, and theyre the losers in this when there are disruptive students in the classroom, he said.

The bill goes back to the Senate for consideration of House changes.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Alabama House passes bill establishing classroom exclusion procedures appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur (left) speaks to Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, on the floor of the Alabama Senate on May 2, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama Legislature Tuesday sent a proposed 2025 General Fund budget to Gov. Kay Ivey and is close to giving final approval to next years Education Trust Fund budget and a supplemental school funding bill for this year.

The Senate concurred with mostly-minor House changes to the $3.3 billion budget, which Gov. Kay Ivey said Tuesday she plans to sign, highlighting increases for law enforcement and mental health.

This General Fund is solid and will go far in making Alabama the best place to live, work and raise a family, Ivey said in a statement.

The budget, which goes into effect on Oct. 1, includes a 2% pay raise for state employees and funding increases for most state agencies.

The Senate also concurred on a supplemental General Fund bill for the current fiscal year, which had a total of around $256 million as passed second chamber committee. Most of that spending ($150 million) is going to prison construction. The state is currently erecting a 4,000-bed mens prison in Elmore County, expected to cost over $1 billion.

The $9.3 billion Education Trust Fund budget went to a conference committee Tuesday but emerged with bills presented by House Ways and Means Education Committee Chair Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, who sponsored the bills.

The $9.3 billion ETF includes 2% pay raises for education employees and is about 6.8% bigger than this years $8.8 billion budget. It increases funding for local school boards and many education programs, including the Alabama Reading Initiative and the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative.

Garrett said Tuesday the conference committee restored teacher development training in HB 147, the appropriations for the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund. There was $2 million allocated in the version that passed the House.

The money did not appear in the version passed by the Senate.

In HB 145, the main education budget, the committee moved moving $1.5 million for School Safety Evaluations, Mapping, and Grants from the Alabama State Department of Education to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The committee made more changes to HB 144, which allocates an additional $651 million to education programs in the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The changes included reclassing $175,000 for the Alabama Symphony under the Council for the Arts; adding $750,000 for the Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act; over $2 million for the capital fund for the Community College System Capital Fund; over $1 million for the Council of Arts and over $1 million for Historical Commission grant programs.

The committee also removed $5 million from the Education Retirees Fund. Alabama education retirees have not had a cost-of-living benefit increase since 2007, due to the cost of such a move. Legislators want the fund over time to be able to regularly issue bonuses for retirees. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, had earlier criticized the change on the Senate floor.

Next year, the education budget is going to start out in this chamber and you bet your bottom dollar were going to have a deposit into that retiree trust fund for our retired state educators, he said.

Orr expressed similar sentiments about employees in the General Fund.

Did we not go through all the trouble to establish this fund, this trust fund for retirees so that the system would be set up already for the money to flow into the system so that there would be in future years a benefit for Alabama education and general fund retirees? asked Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper.

Garrett told reporters after the committee adjourned that there had to be $100 million in the Fund before it can be spent. He also said that the money from the $5 million would not be a large amount per retiree.

Garrett said the $5 million was symbolic.

The Senate also passed a resolution on studying the state funding formula, which is currently a foundation-like program to one based on student headcount. Garrett told reporters that a similar one was passed in the House.

The conference committee agreed after the House of Representatives adjourned Tuesday. The earliest it could be passed by both chambers is Wednesday.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

This story was updated Thursday to correct an attribution.

The post Alabama Legislature sends General Fund to Ivey; education budget near final votes appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WRBL)  During a special ceremony Wednesday, Alabama governor Kay Ivey signed Aarons Law, a bill aimed at protecting survivors by preventing child sex offenders from ever receiving a pardon. The legislation, passed unanimously in the House and gained swift approval from the Senate.

Aarons Law is named after Aaron Nette, a survivor who endured years of sexual abuse at the hands of his stepfather, who was a youth pastor, a nurse anesthetist and Army veteran. It has been eight years since Nettes abuser plead guilty to sexually assaulting a minor and received three years of probation. Then, last fall he asked for a pardon, which would have dropped his registered sex offender status. Aaron fought long and hard with the help of his State Representative Allen Treadaway to have this pardon denied. Representative Treadaway went with Aaron to the parole board and offered his full support to sponsor a bill in the legislature to prevent the trauma of facing your abuser every two years for a pardon request. Rep. Treadaway pushed this bill through committees and got it voted on this legislative session. It passed unanimously.

Alabama Gov. Ivey signs Public Records Reform Act

The bills passage comes as a beacon of hope for countless survivors like Nette to ensure they are spared from the trauma of facing their abusers in court repeatedly. As a U.S. Navy Lieutenant and a married father, Nettes advocacy has not only secured justice for himself but has paved the way for future generations of survivors to reclaim their voices.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Members of the state House and Senate look at a tally board showing the failure of Bob Griffin to be confirmed to the Alaska state school board on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Members of the state House and Senate look at a tally board showing the failure of Bob Griffin to be confirmed to the Alaska state school board on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

The Alaska Legislature voted Tuesday to remove Bob Griffin from the state school board amid bipartisan unhappiness over his actions as a board member.

The vote came amid the Legislatures annual vote on gubernatorial nominees. Legislators approved 78 of the 81 people subject to legislative confirmation during a joint session of the state House and Senate on Tuesday.

They rejected Griffin for a second term on the board, radio host Mike Porcaro as a new appointee to the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, and businessperson Mark Sayampanathan for the Workers Compensation Board.

By a 56-4 vote, legislators confirmed Adjutant General Torrence Saxe as No. 3 in the states line of succession. A 57-3 vote confirmed Cathy Munoz as commissioner of the state Department of Labor, and unanimous 60-0 votes confirmed Terrence Haas as the states top public defender and Emma Pokon as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Griffin, appointed to the school board in 2019, was reappointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy to a second five-year term, but Sen. Loki Tobin, D-Anchorage and co-chair of the Senate Education Committee, spoke against his nomination on Tuesday.

Tobin accused Griffin of violating the Executive Branch Ethics Act by appearing at a charter school board meeting in his official capacity without permission, and during his confirmation hearing, Griffin said he had been advocating at that meeting for the use of public funds at private schools, something banned by the Alaska Constitution.

Dunleavys administration is arguing in a court case that the practice complies with the constitution.

Tobin said the Alaska Reads Act, a law proposed in part by Dunleavy, requires an annual convention of state educators to discuss the laws implementation. Griffin is supposed to be in charge of that meeting, Tobin said, and it hasnt happened.

The Legislature is obligated to ensure that the public funds for education are being appropriately used, Tobin said. Over the past five years, clearly, Mr. Griffin has abrogated that responsibility.

Tobin and several other legislators criticized Griffins decision to lobby legislators into sustaining Gov. Mike Dunleavys veto of Senate Bill 140, a multipart education measure that included a permanent increase to the states K-12 public school funding formula.

I was deeply concerned by Mr. Griffins opposition to local control and his efforts to get legislators to uphold the governors veto of SB 140, said Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, in a newsletter emailed to constituents afterward.

Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, said legislators should keep Griffin on the board in order to ensure a balanced board that includes opposing views, and Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, suggested that votes against Griffin were efforts to retaliate against Mr. Griffin in part because he was successful with his lobbying on the governors side.

Griffin needed 31 of the Legislatures 60 members to approve his renomination to the state school board, but he got only 21 votes, all from Republican lawmakers.

Speaking after the vote to Must Read Alaska, a website favored by Alaska Republicans, Griffin sounded defiant, saying in part, I was a fighter pilot for 22 (years) and have had my a chewed by better people than those (legislators).

A vote on a second school board member, Barbara Tyndall of Fairbanks, was close but ultimately successful, with 34 votes in favor and 26 against. Some legislators suggested that Tyndalls education experience, which is limited to religious schools, wasnt enough for a seat on the school board.

The vote on Porcaro, a radio host who once delivered red pens to the state Capitol as part of a publicity stunt supporting Dunleavy budget vetoes, changed during the course of the hourslong joint legislative session.

Lawmakers initially voted 31-29 to support his nomination to a state commission that oversees commercial fisheries, but as one of the final acts of the day, Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, called for a revote.

Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, shifted against Porcaro, while Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, changed to be in favor. That left Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, to be the swing vote, as he switched from yes to no, causing Porcaros nomination to fail by a single vote.

Stutes and other lawmakers criticized Porcaros lack of commercial fishing experience as a reason to vote against his confirmation.

The Legislatures vote against Sayampanathan was mostly unexpected by state lawmakers, who appeared puzzled after McCabe rose to speak against his confirmation.

Speaking on the floor, McCabe said he had only been informed that morning about claims that Sayampanathan was taking credit for legislation McCabe introduced.

The legislation, House Bill 255, would create a joint port authority for the Port of Alaska in Anchorage and Point MacKenzie in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. It has not advanced.

Other legislators criticized Sayampanathan for using profane language in emails to the Anchorage Assembly, and his nomination failed on a 16-44 vote.

The post Alaska Legislature rejects Dunleavy-nominated state school board member appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
One year to the day after it closed, Kimball Bridge Road over Georgia 400 in Alpharetta is expected to open on Wednesday afternoon. Crews tore down the old bridge and replaced it with a taller and wider bridge, complete with a multi-use trail and sidewalk.

Its one of three bridges the Georgia Department of Transportation has replaced along Georgia 400 in the past year, at a cost of $48 million. Pitts Road and Roberts Drive in Sandy Springs also have new bridges that are expected to open in June. The work is in preparation for the future express lanes along Georgia 400.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

For the most part, I think everybodys thrilled that its gonna be open, said Richard Lawson, who lives near the bridge in the Braeden subdivision. And its a beautiful looking project.

The City of Alpharetta worked with the DOT on bridge aesthetics, designing it with stonework and lampposts. Lawson said the multi-use path will make it safer for walkers and bicyclists to cross the bridge.

Itll be nice to have those wide sidewalks, he said. Getting down to the park was a bit of a challenge if you were on a bike.

TRENDING STORIES:

Manjula Reddy also lives in the neighborhood and told Channel 2s Bryan Mims that she appreciates the pedestrian-friendly design of the bridge. But shes especially glad that a year of detours is over.

I am so excited that I dont have to drive around through Old Milton (Parkway) or go around anywhere, so I love it, she said. Im so looking forward to the bridge opening.

The old bridge was more than 50 years old and was only two lanes wide. The new bridge has four lanes for traffic with a raised median.

As the bridge nears completion, continued construction activities will include final roadway striping, according to a statement from the City of Alpharetta. Additional work will be required for the placement of the decorative fencing and pavers, as well as general clean-up over the coming weeks.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Virginia State Police issued an amber alert for a 10-month-old baby boy after he was abducted on Monday night.

Cedar Griffith was last seen on Daniel Boone Road in Gate City, Virginia, and is believed to be in extreme danger, according to the Virginia State Police Department.

The baby has black hair, and brown eyes, weighs 20 pounds, and is 30 inches tall. He was last seen wearing only a diaper.

City Watch issued for teen, toddler last seen getting in car with two men

Reports state the child was believed to be abducted by 30-year-old Ashley Jordan Griffith. She has blond hair, hazel eyes, weighs 115 pounds, and is 5 feet 6 inches tall.

The suspect may be driving a blue 2005 Lexus RX330 with an unknown Tennessee temporary tag. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says if anyone sees the vehicle, suspect, or the missing baby call 911.

For more information, call the Scott County Sheriffs Office at 276-386-9111 or visit here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
As Russias wider war on Ukraine ground into its third year back in February, the Russian air force  which had struggled to gain control of the air over the 600-mile front line  surged everywhere.

More Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers lobbed more precision-guided glide-bombs at Ukrainian positions. Russian Sukhoi Su-25 attack jets began appearing directly over the battlefield in large numbers for the first time in more than a year.

It was no secret what happened to alter the aerial balance of power. For six months starting in October, Russia-friendly Republican lawmakers in the US House of Representatives blocked further American funding for the Ukrainian war effort.

Absent US aid, the Ukrainian air-defence batteries quickly ran out of their best missiles. Its not that the Russians got stronger in the air this year; its that the Ukrainians got weaker. So it should come as no surprise that, when the Republicans finally let aid come to a vote late last month, one of the first things the Pentagon shipped to Ukraine was a potentially huge consignment of air-defence missiles.

And not just any surface-to-air missiles, but Sidewinder and Sea Sparrow missiles  the main munitions for Ukraines new hybrid FrankenSAM launchers. The FrankenSAM isnt one type of system, its several. The most important versions combine a Soviet-made launcher with an American-made missile.

The FrankenSAMs were just beginning to enter service when the Republicans blocked aid to Ukraine. A FrankenSAM shot down its first Russian target  a Shahed attack drone  back in January, in the middle of the aid stoppage. Now that American munitions are flowing into Ukraine again, the Pentagon should prioritise missiles for the FrankenSAMs. Thats one way the Americans can forestall further air-defence crises as the war grinds on.

The FrankenSAM concept makes a lot of sense. It matches launchers that Ukraine has in abundance, but which might lack missiles, with missiles the United States has in abundance and no longer needs for its own war plans. The FrankenSAMs are contributing to filling critical gaps in Ukraines air-defences, Laura Cooper, a senior US defence official, told The New York Times in October.

One FrankenSAM combines a Soviet Buk launcher with American Sea Sparrow missiles, which normally launch from warships. A Sea Sparrow ranges as far as 10 miles under radar guidance. The other main FrankenSAM combines the American Sidewinder air-to-air missile, which is infrared-guided and ranges several miles, with a Soviet launcher  possibly an Osa.

The Ukrainians went to war with plenty of Buk and Osa launchers  more than 70 of the former and scores of the latter. Even after subtracting losses from Russian action, there are still a hundred or more of these launchers in Ukrainian service  enough to protect many of the most critical sectors from helicopters, attack jets and drones.

The problem is that the missiles for Buk and Osa are, or were, made only in Russia. Once Ukraines Soviet-era stockpiles  which were somewhat bolstered by batches of Soviet-made missiles from some of Ukraines allies  ran out, the Buk and Osa launchers were useless. Unless they could fire different missile types, of course.

The work was straightforward. Polish and Czech firms had already experimented with prototype FrankenSAMs, meaning the Americans and Ukrainians didnt have to start from scratch. Testing of the new FrankenSAMs took place in the fall. The systems began deploying at the end of 2023 or the beginning of this year.

Just in time, it seems, to run out of missiles owing to that long delay in US aid. Soon Russian jets were flying directly over the front line.

Expect that to change now that fresh missiles are on the way to the FrankenSAM batteries. Its worth noting that, in recent days, the Ukrainians shot down a Russian Su-25 for the first time in six months. We dont know for sure that a FrankenSAM downed the attack jet, but the shoot-down could be an indication Ukraines air-defence crisis is ending.

Having learned the hard way that US politics can throttle Ukrainian capabilities as surely as Russian attacks can do, the Pentagon should seize on the opportunity afforded by the belated passage of fresh funding to send as many Sea Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles as possible, as quickly as possible.

There are thousands of these missiles in the US arsenal  and American firms produce fresh copies at a rate of hundreds per year. Theres no reason the Pentagon cant ship enough missiles to keep Ukraines FrankenSAMs in action for decades.

Delay would be risky. Republican ex-president Donald Trump has threatened to cut off US aid to Ukraine if he wins a second term in November. American politics starved Ukraines hybrid air-defences once  and they could do it again.

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.
An American woman repatriated to the United States from Syria is facing criminal charges for training with ISIS abroad, according to court documents unsealed Tuesday.

Halima Salman, who is in her 20s, is accused of learning how to use an AK-47 assault rifle from the terrorist organization while living in Syria.

Salman, according to a US official, was one of 11 US citizens, all part of one family, from northeast Syria who were repatriated in what Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the largest single repatriation of Americans from that region.

A State Department official previously told CNN that none of the family are former ISIS fighters. CNN has reached out to the State Department for comment on the charges against Salman.

CNN has not been able to identify a lawyer for Salman.

According to court documents, Salman, who was 17 years old at the time, left the United States and entered an ISIS-controlled area of Syria around late 2016 or early 2017. Once she turned 18, prosecutors say, Salman received her training from ISIS. She was captured by or surrendered to forces opposed by ISIS about two years later in Baghouz, Syria.

In 2023, Salman was interviewed by FBI agents at a detention facility in Syria, court documents show. She allegedly told agents that she had married an ISIS fighter but denied being involved in any ISIS activities.

The FBI, however, obtained information from a phone found in the Middle Euphrates River Valley in Syria  a phone they claim belonged to Salmans husband. The phones photo library had pictures of a document saying that Salman had completed her military training successfully and was in possession of an AK-47, prosecutors say, adding that the document was stamped with a signature indicating that it was issued by an ISIS military battalion composed solely of female members of ISIS.

The Kansas woman who led the all-female battalion of ISIS fighters that Salman allegedly trained with was sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison. The women in the battalion, some of whom were as young as 10, were trained to use explosives and firearms.

The phone also had pictures of Salman standing in front of an ISIS flag and walking with an assault rifle, prosecutors say.

The US has worked to repatriate Americans from the former ISIS territory and has encouraged other nations to repatriate their own citizens as well.

There are tens of thousands of people, the majority of whom are children, from more than 60 countries who remain in two sprawling encampments  Al-Hol and Roj  in northeast Syria, according to Blinken.

CNNs Holmes Lybrand and Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
President Joe Biden is holding up a shipment of 3,500 guided bombs to Israel after U.S.-backed negotiations for a ceasefire and an exchange of captives with Gaza broke down. It's the most significant exercise of U.S. leverage over Israel in a long timeand comes after Biden spent months resisting the idea of any limits on how the Israeli military could use American taxpayer aid.

For months, leaks had been coming out of the White House about how frustrated Biden was with the Israeli war effort. At the same time, the Biden administration pushed through weapons shipments to Israel without notifying Congress, reallocated weapons from Ukraine to Israel, rejected any conditions on that aid, and worked to pass several billion dollars in additional funding for Israel.

Last month, the Biden administration was considering cutting off U.S. aid to Israel's Netzah Yehuda Battalion over alleged human rights abuses, including the death of a Palestinian-American retiree in their custody. Under pressure from Israel and Republican leadership, the administration walked back the decision.

This week's Israeli offensive into Rafah, a town in the southern Gaza Strip where around a million Palestinians are sheltering, seems to have changed things. Politico reported on Tuesday morning the Biden administration held up a load of Joint Direct Attack Munitions and Small Diameter Bombswhich was ready for shipment to Israelin order to send a political message.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed today that the administration was "reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah."

Biden has advised Israel not to invade Rafah without protecting the civilian population. He drew a vague, confusingly-worded red line in a March interview with MSNBC.

"The defense of Israel is still critical, so there's no red line I'm gonna cut off all weapons so they don't have the Iron Dome [missile defense system] to protect them," he said in response to a question about Rafah. "But there's red lines that, if he crosses and they continueyou cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead as a consequence of going afterthere's other ways to deal, to get to, to deal with, the, with the trauma caused by Hamas."

The Israeli army began its invasion of Rafah after talks with Hamas, which is still holding around a hundred Israeli hostages from the October 7 attacks, broke down. CIA Director Bill Burns was in Egypt supervising the talks.

Hamas had announced on Monday that it had accepted an Egyptian-Qatari proposal to exchange hostages for a ceasefire, under terms similar but not identical to a deal Israel agreed to last month. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the new terms were unacceptable to Israel and the army would go into Rafah directly to retrieve the hostages instead.

Along with any concern with Palestinian lives, Biden might be driven by the sense that his plans to end the war were frustrated and Netanyahu is trying to stick the blame on the Biden administration. After talks broke down, Israeli officials told Axios that they felt like "Israel got played" by the Biden administration. A senior U.S. official responded that "there have been no surprises" from the Americans.

Cutting off the flow of free bombs is a signal that, rather than preferring that Israel do more to protect Palestinian civilians, Washington actually wants the war to end soon.

Still, the Biden administration has been keen to keep any decision-making inside the White House and out of the public's hands. The U.S. State Department was scheduled to report to Congress today on whether the Israeli military complies with international law.

Like the shipment of bombs, that report has been delayed. Biden, it seems, is not ready to share the concerns that drove his decision-making with the public.

CORRECTION: This article originally misstated the CIA director's name.

The post Is America's Blank Check for Israel Ending? appeared first on Reason.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. A protocol on the results of the 11th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye has been signed, Trend reports.

The document was signed by Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Ylmaz.

Moreover, the countries signed "Agreement on cooperation in the field of water management between the Governments of Azerbaijan and Turkiye", "Memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Trade of Turkiye on the establishment of a joint working group on trade facilitation", "Declaration of intent between the Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkiye on cooperation in animal disease control", and "Memorandum of understanding between the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan and the Turkish-Azerbaijani Business Council of the Committee on External Economic Relations (DEIK)".

Following that, Asadov and Yilmaz made press statements.

To note, the Azerbaijani prime minister has been paying an official visit to Turkiye since May 7.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
University of Wisconsin-Madison protesters sit around tents on May 1, 2024, as police work to dismantle their encampment on Library Mall. (Baylor Spears | Wisconsin Examiner)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Chants from pro-Palestinian protesters could be heard loudly at the University of Florida Wednesday as Gov. DeSantis was speaking at a press conference where he touted the lengths Florida has taken to stop people from building encampments on college campuses.

The protesters chanted Free Palestine, We will not stop, we will not rest, and From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, which the governor referred to as a call for a second Holocaust.

Much like his previous comments on the pro-Palestine protests that have taken place on university campuses across the nation for weeks, DeSantis bashed other states and universities outside of Florida for not taking swift action to take down the Gaza solidarity encampments and for canceling commencements.

How many of them actually have studied the history of this? Very few. Theyre just doing this because they think its a cheap cause, DeSantis said. The reality is, if you actually study the history of this, you would be able to see theres never been a Palestinian state. That was Ottoman Empire for hundreds of years, then the British Mandate, then the UN Partition Plan, and basically, Israel accepted that and the Arabs rejected it, and they went to war and they lost. So we can talk about that, but I think a lot of these people that are just spouting nonsense, they dont know what theyre talking about.

The governor did not take any questions at the news conference.

However, DeSantis announced his intention to approve funding in the 2024-2025 budget for security measures at Jewish day schools and Historically Black colleges and universities, and for the construction of a semiconductor institute and a UF Jacksonville campus.

So far in Florida, police have arrested pro-Palestine protesters at UF, Florida State University, University of South Florida and University of North Florida.

The governor, State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues and UFs president Ben Sasse boasted that Floridas commencement ceremonies started late last week and without disruption from protesters. Last Wednesday Rodrigues, the head of the umbrella organization that oversees Floridas public higher education institutions, instructed university presidents to take any steps necessary to ensure that there wouldnt be protests during commencement ceremonies.

We also have seen graduations canceled as a result of this stuff thats going on. Thats not happening here in the state of Florida. These graduations are really important parts of peoples lives, DeSantis said. Its a major milestone for students. And for their families. And were not going to let malcontents ruin that for everybody else. So our graduations have gone on as scheduled without a hitch, and we directed that we are not going to let them be overrun by the nonsense.

Rodrigues said there wont be any negotiations with or amnesty given to protesters, and he criticized other universities outside of Florida for negotiating with the pro-Palestine demonstrators.

Now many of these protesters have said theyll be back in fall and they plan to pick up right where theyre leaving off. Well, when they return rest assured we will be here ready to continue to provide the highest quality education at the lowest price while maintaining law and order on our campuses, Rodrigues said. In Florida. There will be no negotiations. There will be no appeasement. There will be no amnesty, and there will be no divestment. Under Governor DeSantis, Florida will continue to lead by example.

First Amendment advocacy groups and civil rights organizations such as UFs president Ben Sasse, the ACLU of Florida and Floridas NAACP, have criticized the universities response to the protests, stating that the unnecessary use of force, and encroachments on students and facultys First Amendment rights, in a letter sent to the states college and university presidents on Friday.

The use and threat of force against peaceful protesters, including chemical weapons, is wholly inappropriate and dangerous, the organizations wrote in the letter. Bringing in local or state law enforcement in response to peaceful protest threatens student and community safety and has a chilling effect on expression. Thus far, the responses to the student protests also raise serious concerns about unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.

The post Amid pro-Palestine chants, DeSantis disses protests; says Theres never been a Palestinian state appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
DENVER (KDVR)  Colorados most recent Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign resulted in nearly 1,000 drivers given citations for failing to wear their seat belts while driving, but the states overall seat belt usage has increased, according to the most recent data.

The enforcement period lasted 14 days (April 1-14) and 56 Colorado law enforcement agencies participated. The agencies that issued the most citations were the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office (149), Larimer County Sheriffs Office (77) and the Loveland Police Department (71).

14th Avenue residents concerned for safety after another serious crash

In total, 943 drivers were issued citations, including 26 drivers who had improperly restrained children in their vehicles.

However, the Colorado State Patrol is celebrating that drivers on Colorados roads seem to be more likely now to buckle up than in previous years. According to the Colorado Statewide Seat Belt Survey, 88.6% of Coloradans buckle up when behind the wheel. Thats the highest rate ever observed in the state, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation  meanwhile, the national average is 92%. This survey was conducted in June of 2023 and included observations of more than 90,000 vehicles across 744 survey locations.

Despite the positive trends in seat belt use in Colorado, we cant stop addressing the 12% of people who still do not buckle up, said CDOTs Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk in a release. If this includes you or someone you know, we invite you to consider the facts. Studies show that wearing a seat belt reduces your risk of death or serious injury in a crash by up to 65%. Buckling up is a simple yet life-saving choice.

CDOT reported that in 2023, 81% of occupants who survived fatal crashes in Colorado were wearing a seat belt. Comparatively, only 19% of unbuckled occupants survived, according to CDOT.

CDOT, state patrol celebrate counties with highest use

The state patrol also noted the five counties with the highest seat belt usage rates from 2023:

Arapahoe County (98.16%)

Garfield County (97.38%)

Douglas County (96.82%)

Grand County (96.73%)

Park County (95.82%)

According to the 2023 seat belt survey, three counties with seat belt usage rates fell below 80%  El Paso (79.35%), Pueblo (74.46%) and Jefferson (73.50%). The seat belt study also found that two more counties in 2023 scored over 90% for seat belt use than in 2022.

While you cant always control the speed or attention level of the drivers around you, Coloradoans can take control of their safety  just boss up and buckle up, said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, in a CDOT release. Every ride, no matter how short or long, should start with a seat belt click. Make it a non-negotiable part of getting into the car for your friends and family.

Colorado to replace the oldest bridge on the state highway system

The worst offenders across the state were trucks and commercial vehicles, according to CDOTs 2023 seat belt study. The commercial vehicle seat belt use rate across the state was 83.5%, improving from a 67.5% rate in 2014. Truckers used seat belts about 82.9% of the time, according to the study, an increase of 14.5% from 2014.

SUVs were the most likely to have seat belts in use, a trend theyve maintained for the past few years. SUVs have scored around 90% for the past six years, according to the study. In 2023, SUV seat belt use rate was approximately 91.4%.

CSP launched a campaign to promote seat belt use on May 1 titled Buckle like a Boss, encouraging motorists and passengers that using a seat belt is a boss move to stay safe.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Andrew Tate was served with a lawsuit at his home in Romania on Wednesday by four British women who say he raped and physically assaulted them.

The law firm representing the women, McCue, Jury and Partners, issued a press release confirming that the social media influencer-turned-accused-human-trafficker was presented with the civil proceedings for a case in the High Court in London.

The womens identities have been kept anonymous to protect them from harm and harassment by Tate, his associates, and followers, the lawyers said.

The women accuse Tate of rape, physical abuse, and of infecting them with sexually transmitted diseases, The Lead reports. Two of the women allege they were choked by Tate until blood vessels in their eyes burst, and another women accused Tate of trying to blackmail her with nude images.

One accuser also said the former kickboxer had texted her: I love raping you. A spokesperson for Andrew Tate denied the claims, calling the allegations demonstrably false.

Andrews legal team will be vigorously defending him against these malicious allegations.

Tate, 37, is currently awaiting trial in Romania on charges of rape and human trafficking; prosecutors say he and his brother Tristan formed a criminal gang to exploit women there by forcing them to become cam-girls.

The brothers also face charges in the U.K. stemming from alleged sexual aggression dating to 2012-2015, but their extradition would not take place until after their trial in Romania.

The lawsuit served Wednesday involves allegations reported to U.K. police in 2014-2015. The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute the case in 2019.

The criminal justice system let these women down; civil action is their last remaining route to justice, their lawyers said.

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.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said for too long the consensus has been that politicians can't challenge Thatcher era dogma - ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Andy Burnham has said he wants to suspend Right to Buy in Manchester as he blamed Margaret Thatchers flagship policy on Britains housing crisis.

The citys Labour mayor said the scheme  which allows council tenants to buy homes at a discount  meant councils had no incentive to build more houses as they are sold off quickly and cheaply.

He added that the policy meant building more council housing was like trying to refill the bath without being allowed to put the plug back in and was making the countrys desperate housing crisis worse every year.

As mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Burnham has the most extensive powers of any elected mayor outside London, overseeing decisions relating to public transport, strategic planning and housing, productivity and skills, economy and innovation, and the environment.

Only Westminster would have the power to revoke Right to Buy, but the comments will raise questions as to Labours wider plans for the scheme.

Margaret Thatchers flagship policy, introduced in 1980, allows council tenants to buy homes at a discount to help them onto the housing ladder.

Angela Rayner, Labours deputy leader, benefitted from the scheme when she bought her council home in 2007.

But she has vowed to change elements of the scheme if Labour comes to power, claiming council stock was not being replenished and that discounts to tenants were too high.

Ms Rayner is facing scrutiny over whether she paid the right amount of capital gains tax and filled out paperwork accurately when she sold the property in 2015.

She has said she will step down as deputy if the police find she has committed a crime.

Writing in the Guardian, Mr Burnham said: For too long, the Westminster consensus has been that you cant challenge some of the dogma of the Thatcher era Slowly but surely, we are freeing ourselves from the suffocating effects of the 1980s.

Mr Burnham has pledged to build 10,000 homes across Greater Manchester after he was elected for a third-term last week.

It comes as a report by the cross-party Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee found that financial pressures facing social housing providers has exacerbated a chronic social housing shortage in England.

The report calls for the Government to invest in the social housing sector to ensure that 90,000 new social rent homes a year can be built per year in England, and to re-examine how much funding is allocated to social rent homes.

In February, the G15  which represents Londons 11 largest housing associations which are traditionally the biggest builders of affordable housing in the capital  warned Michael Gove, the Housing Secretary, said that housebuilding in London was grinding to a halt.

The G15 members are on track to start building just 1,769 homes in London this year, a fall of 76pc compared with the 7,363 started in 2022-23.

A Labour spokesman said: Britains housing crisis is a direct result of the Government crashing the economy and failing to get Britain building.

Labour mayors like Andy Burnham are leading the way in driving change to deliver the homes Britain needs.

Only Labour will deliver the biggest boost to affordable, social and council housing for a generation, getting new homes built, brick by brick.

The Government was 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.
Landscape view of Bahsahwahbee from Rose Guano Mountain. (Photo: Monte Sanford)

Policy, politics and progressive commentary

Monday marked the anniversary of a violent massacre in Nevadas Spring Valley by federal soldiers, who in 1863 targeted Native men, women, and children gathered for a religious ceremony in a sacred stand of Rocky Mountain junipers.

For decades, tribal members have fought to protect the unique grove of Rocky Mountain junipers growing on the valley floor, where hundreds of Native people were massacred in the 1800s by settlers and the federal government to pave the way for western expansion.

The region known to tribal members in Nevada as Bahsahwahbee  Shoshoni for Sacred Water Valley  is where the spirits of their ancestors killed during those massacres live on in the trees that grew in their place.

The Ely Shoshone, Duckwater Shoshone, and the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation  a coalition representing about 1,500 enrolled tribal members  commemorated the anniversary of the May 6, 1863 massacre by calling on the Biden administration to designate Bahsahwahbee, locally known as the Swamp Cedars, as a National Monument within the National Park System.

Bahsahwabee links our past to our future, and its time for the federal government and officials to center our tribes and get our proposal across the finish line, said Alvin Marques, chairman of the Ely Shoshone Tribe. This monument in the National Park System gives us the comfort that our culture will be preserved, for our slain ancestors, our elders, and the generations to come.

Currently, about 3,200 acres of Bahsahwahbee are designated as an area of critical environmental concern under the Bureau of Land Management, but those protections are limited and only apply to a portion of the much larger cultural area.

Most of the Swamp Cedars 14,175 acres remain largely unprotected against threats from climate change, drought, and over-pumping of groundwater. If Bahsahwahbee became a monument, the land would transfer to the National Park Service, where it could be managed in cooperation with the tribes.

There are two ways national monuments can be designated: either by Congress through legislation, or by the president through the Antiquities Act of 1906. A large portion of Bahsahwahbee is already listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the proposal to designate the site as a national monument enjoys broad support throughout Nevada.

In 2021, the Nevada Legislature passed a resolution urging Congress to designate Bahsahwahbee as a national monument. A year later, lawmakers in White Pine County  home of the future monument  approved a final letter of support for the designation.

Democratic U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen said they plan to introduce a bill in Congress that would designate the 25,000 acre sacred site as a national monument within the National Park System. Last year, both senators also began lobbying Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in support of the Bahsahwahbee National Monument.

That support has only grown in recent months, including from regional conservation groups, energy companies, and even Patagonia  a popular clothes retailer.

That so many organizations across Nevada and the Nation are supporting our Tribes effort to designate Bahsahwahbee as a National Monument within the National Park System means a great deal to us as Native Americans. Too often, Tribes are isolated in our work to heal our traumas from the past, to tell our stories, and to move forward in a good and inclusive way on such a monumentally significant initiative like this monument effort, said Amos Murphy, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, on Monday.

We could not do this without their help. And for that, we are incredibly grateful.

For tribes, the area serves as a living memorial of three separate massacres between 1850 and 1900, one of them a military attack in 1859 that killed an estimated 500 to 700 Native people in one of the largest massacres of Native people in U.S. history. The site still remains a place of healing and mourning for Indigenous Peoples across the Great Basin, who continue to visit the site to connect with their ancestors, offer prayers, and hold healing ceremonies.

Bahasahwahbee has been the Tribes ceremonial gathering area for millennia, said Monte Sanford, the tribes National Monument Campaign Director. We hope this year will be a turning point for the Tribes, after more than 161 years, to finally have a voice in the future of Bahsahwahbee.

Last month, representatives for the Ely Shoshone, Duckwater Shoshone, and the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation met with senior White House officials and top personnel within the Department of Interior to discuss the Bahsahwahbee National Monument. Monte said supporters of the monument came away from the meeting optimistic about the monuments future.

We feel good that President Biden will see Bahsahwahbee National Monument within the National Park System as important and good for the nation, and will designate it sometime this year, Monte said.

If successful, Bahsahwahbee would also join Avi Kwa Ame  a biologically significant landscape in southern Nevada  as the fifth national monument in Nevada. Nevadas Avi Kwa Ame was one of five national monuments President Joe Biden created in 2023, using his authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906.

The post On the anniversary of 1863 massacre, Great Basin tribes call for Bahsahwahbee national monument appeared first on Nevada Current.
Second UK Conservative lawmaker in two weeks defects to opposition Labour

By Andrew MacAskill

LONDON (Reuters) -Another lawmaker from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party defected to the opposition Labour Party on Wednesday, the second to do so in less than two weeks, criticising what she called broken promises of a "tired and chaotic government".

Sunak's Conservatives trail Labour by about 20 points in opinion polls ahead of a national election expected this year, and the party suffered heavy losses in local elections last week.

Natalie Elphicke, who represents the Dover constituency on the south coast of England, defected just before Sunak made his weekly appearance at prime minister's questions in parliament.

"Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division," Elphicke said in a statement.

Elphicke is the third Conservative lawmaker to defect to Labour since the last election in 2019.

Dan Poulter, a former health minister, defected last month saying the government's record on the state-run National Health Service (NHS) - one of Sunak's five priorities for the country - meant he could no longer represent the Conservatives.

'FAILED GOVERNMENT'

Elphicke, a former finance lawyer, won her seat in parliament at the last election after her husband who represented the area was forced to stand down since being found guilty of sexually assaulting two women.

While Elphicke supported the government's plans to reduce illegal immigration and was viewed as being on the right of the Conservative Party, she accused Sunak of abandoning the centre ground of British politics.

Elphicke said Sunak's government had failed to stop the arrival of small boats carrying asylum seekers across the Channel from France, had failed to build enough homes, and had overseen a rise in homelessness.

"We need to move on from the broken promises of Rishi Sunaks tired and chaotic Government," she said.

"The General Election cannot come soon enough."

Asked if Sunak was worried about how the defections look to the public, his spokesperson said the prime minister was focused on people's priorities from the economy and immigration to the NHS.

The Labour leader Keir Starmer welcomed Elphicke and asked in parliament: "What is the point of this failed government staggering on?"

Starmer's spokesperson said Labour had been talking to Elphicke about a defection for "some time". Elphicke will not stand for Labour at the next election, but could be offered a role with the party developing housing policy, the spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Muvija M and Andrew MacAskill, Editing by Kate Holton, Michael Holden and Andrew Cawthorne)
Pro-Palestinian activists set up a protest camp in a building at the University of Bremen. Lars Penning/dpa

Administrators at the University of Bremen in northern Germany asked police to break up a pro-Palestinian demonstration on the school's campus on Wednesday after activists called for more demonstrators to join the action.

About 50 people gathered in the university's Glashalle building without prior permission, the police said. They had also not registered the protest, as required. A police spokeswoman said that efforts to clear the protesters began peacefully on Wednesday.

The university said the decision to clear the protesters was made for "security reasons" following calls on social media for more protesters to join the demonstration.

The University of Bremen also announced that administrators had sought talks with protest leaders in the morning. Further talks were also held to discuss the students' concerns and motivations.

Protesters had submitted demands in writing to the university management and remained in dialogue, according to the university.

Pro-Palestinian protests have broken out at universities around the world amid the ongoing Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip. At a number of universities in the United States, police have used heavy force and arrested hundreds while breaking up campus protest camps.

There have also been pro-Palestinian demonstrations at other German universities.

On Tuesday, protesters occupied a lecture hall at Leipzig University in eastern Germany. Police removed protesters from the building and cleared the lecture hall by Tuesday evening.

A pro-Palestinian camp was also set up at the Free University of Berlin on Tuesday. It was cleared by police shortly afterwards.

German police have generally taken a hard line toward pro-Palestinian demonstrations, citing concerns about the risk of anti-Semitic statements as well as past anti-Semitic incidents.

Critics, however, have accused German authorities of trampling on free speech and suppressing criticism of the Israeli government.

Pro-Palestinian activists set up a protest camp in a building at the University of Bremen. Lars Penning/dpa
ST. LOUIS  The St. Louis area is on the receiving end of another round of powerful storms, bringing with them more severe weather threats, including possible tornadoes, rain, hail, and strong winds. This follows several tornado-warned storms around the region Wednesday morning and early afternoon.

General Timeline

The greatest threats for severe weather in the St. Louis metro are between the 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. hours. The biggest storm threats are expected to clear the region and head east toward Illinois by 8 p.m. The worst of it should be out of our area completely by 10 p.m.

This next system of severe weather will mostly impact communities south of the Interstate 70 corridor. It could be more intense along the Interstate 44 corridor.

Severe weather will build up in Mid-Missouri around 4 p.m., first expected to approach Phelps, Crawford and Franklin counties, along with other nearby areas.

St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here

Radars indicate a more intense round of storms could hit more south of the St. Louis metro. Severe weather threats are heading east, likely between St. Genevieve and Cape Girardeau from the 6 to 9 p.m. hours.

Its possible the threat will end earlier in St. Louis but linger longer into the evening over southern Missouri and southern Illinois. Flash flooding is also a concern for southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois.

Download the FOX 2 News and Weather Apps to stay on top of ever-changing conditions.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
(KRON)  Police are looking for a porch pirate who stole a package from a home on May 1, the Antioch Police Department announced on social media. Around 10:40 a.m., a suspect on a bicycle stole a package from a home on the 1900 block of A Street.

The suspect is often seen riding a bicycle in the area of A Street and E. 18th Street, police said. APD posted photos of the suspect (see below).

The stolen package was supposed to be a birthday present sent to the victim on her birthday, according to APD. It was shipped from the victims relative who lives out of state.

3 arrested after retail theft spree across Bay Area cities totals nearly $11K in stolen merchandise

(Antioch Police Department)

(Antioch Police Department)

(Antioch Police Department)

Police said anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call 925-778-2441.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Bulgaria and Azerbaijan have been strategic partners since 2015, President Ilham Aliyev said in a joint press conference with President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, Trend reports.

Statement by President Ilham Aliyev

- Dear Mr. President, my dear friend.

Dear ladies and gentlemen.

Dear guests.

Several important documents were signed during the visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria to Azerbaijan today. Among them, of course, I would like to mention the Joint Declaration on strengthening strategic partnership. Bulgaria and Azerbaijan have been strategic partners since 2015. Over the years, our relations have developed rapidly and successfully. This visit of the President of Bulgaria is another manifestation of this.

Our meetings with President Radev are regular in nature. Last year, both President Radev visited Azerbaijan and I visited Bulgaria. We also met at the Bulgarian-Serbian border last year. In other words, such an active political dialogue enables our relations to expand and deepen and our countries to achieve new results in all areas.

Of course, the wide-ranging Bulgarian-Azerbaijani relations were discussed today and ideas were exchanged about future steps. The turnover between our countries has increased several times. The main reason for this is, of course, cooperation in the energy sector. The current level and prospects for this cooperation are very reassuring. Suffice it to say that the exports of Azerbaijani gas to Bulgaria has been increasing year after year. Last year, 1 billion 250 million cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas was transported to the Bulgarian market. I can say for comparison that this figure was only 600 million cubic meters in 2022. Our calculations show that 1.5 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas will be exported to Bulgaria by the end of this year. This is approximately 50 percent of Bulgaria's total gas consumption. In other words, in the language of the European Commission, Azerbaijan is expanding its activities as a pan-European gas supplier and does not spare its support in addressing the issues of energy security.

At the same time, Bulgaria has become an important gas transit country. Azerbaijani gas is currently exported from the territory of Bulgaria to other neighboring countries, and the number of these countries will certainly increase in the years ahead. So, this is a tangible result of our cooperation, logical fruition of our strong bilateral relations. Because our cooperation should be calculated for a concrete result. In other words, the main goal of this cooperation is to achieve better results, and we see this both in the growth of trade and in cooperation in the field of energy.

We also discussed another project today, and it is the green energy cable. As you may know, Azerbaijan is working closely with partner countries in this direction, including Bulgaria. We believe that the feasibility study, which will be ready in a few months, will be a good basis for starting this work. Azerbaijan will thus assert itself not only as an oil and gas supplier for the European space, but also as a supplier of green energy. The potential is quite extensive, and we will also talk about it at the COP29 conference at the end of this year. I have invited President Radev to Azerbaijan to participate in this event.

Another important direction is related to transport. This was also discussed. I have informed President Radev that modernization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway had been completed a few days ago thanks to Azerbaijan's investment. Its throughput capacity has been increased several times. As an important segment of the Middle Corridor, this project, which was put forward on Azerbaijans initiative and its capacity has now been expanded, will of course play an important role. The transportation of larger volumes of cargo along the East-West corridor and back will further strengthen our relations.

In a nutshell, I think we can already see the results of today's visit. One of the results is that the strengthened version of our strategic partnership has been officially adopted and approved. We do not disagree on the issues I mentioned and a few others. Our goal is to deepen bilateral cooperation, enrich it with new content and make joint efforts as strategic partners.

Dear Mr. President, I welcome you again and wish you a pleasant visit.
Antiwar activist says Republican lawmaker knocked her phone from hand during protest

A GOP congressman appears to slap the phone out of an antiwar protesters hand while in the US Capitol, footage of the incident reveals.

Representative Mike Ezell of Mississippi was walking through a US Capitol building on Tuesday as protesters from the feminist antiwar organisation Code Pink approached him about the Israel-Hamas war, according to footage posted on X.

The video shows two Code Pink members, Medea Benjamin and Sumer Mobarak, walking with Mr Ezell. The video, filmed by Ms Mobarak, shows Ms Benjamin asking Mr Ezell about the war. The video then cuts to Ms Benjamin and Ms Mobarak walking behind the congressman.

Sumer Mobarak (left) and Medea Benjamin (centre), antiwar protesters with Code Pink, spoke to Congressman Mike Ezell (right) on Tuesday about the Israel-Hamas war. Video footage of the conversation indicates that Mr Ezell knocked the phone out of Ms Mobaraks hand (Code Pink)

You want the killing of my people? asked Ms Mobarak, who is Palestinian-American.

Mr Ezell turns around to say, Shut up, back it off. He then appears to knock the phone out of Ms Mobaraks hand.

Ms Benjamin told The Independent the incident came as a shock.

This has never happened before, she said. And weve been doing this for six months.

The fact that Sumer is a Palestinian woman who wears a head covering makes us wonder, Ms Benjamin continued. Was this a race issue as well?

Congressman Mike Ezell, pictured in 2022, reportedly knocked the phone out of an antiwar protesters hand on Tuesday while in the US Capitol (AP)

When The Independent asked Mr Ezell for his reaction to the incident, he said he would continue to stand by Israel in their war with Hamas.

These China-backed protesters want to harass and intimidate members of Congress into ending our support for Israel and our opposition to Hamas terrorists, Mr Ezell said. I will not be harassed or intimidated by the Chinese Communist Party, Hamas, or their supporters, and I will continue standing with our Israeli allies against terrorism.

The pair later confronted Mr Ezell inside a congressional hearing.

You are disgusting, racist, Ms Mobarak told him. Video footage showed that he did not respond.

Today, former cop and sitting congressman Mike Ezell slapped our Palestinian American member Sumer asking him to stop the killing in Palestine.



In Gaza, as Israel occupation forces besiege, maim, and murder Palestinians en masse, they kill journalists and silence any dissent pic.twitter.com/JDf6SyZTRB  CODEPINK (@codepink) May 7, 2024

Ms Benjamin said she hopes the Kentucky representative apologises to Ms Mobarak. That would be the minimum, she said.

The US Capitol Police told The Independent they are looking into the matter. Meanwhile, Ms Benjamin told The Independent that the Capitol Police took Ms Mobaraks report very seriously.

Ms Benjamin and Ms Mobarak are among the many antiwar activists protesting the Israel-Hamas war. The Palestinian health ministry says Israels continued assault on Gaza has killed almost 35,000 people, most of whom were women and children. The United Nations also says that restrictions on humanitarian aid have created a man-made famine, with half the 2.3 million strong population of the strip at catastrophic levels of hunger.

The attacks on Gaza come after 7 October, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 people hostage.
EAST LANSING  The state Court of Appeals has overturned a lower court ruling that would have softened the case against a man who was charged with various crimes after being shot by police outside an East Lansing store in April 2022.

The three-judge appellate panel ruled Ingham County Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina erred by suppressing evidence of a firearm against DeAnthony VanAtten. Aquilina ruled police officers didn't have adequate grounds to stop him and search him.

DeAnthony VanAtten runs inside the Meijer at 1350 W. Lake Lansing Road in East Lansing on April 25, 2022.

"I think this is a close call, but it's also indicative of racial profiling," Aquilina said in July 2023 while granting a motion to suppress evidence on grounds the officers violated VanAtten's Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure. The judge noted VanAtten was "simply a young Black man with a face mask in a Meijer's."

The judge said the officers didn't see VanAtten commit a crime and didn't have enough information to believe he was going to do so, despite a 911 caller's report that someone matching VanAtten's description had run into the store with a gun. Police should have done more work to verify the tip, the judge said.

MORE: Mason official had generic Viagra, Plan B birth control when arrested for child solicitation

But in their April 25 ruling, Appeals Court Judges Michael Gadola, Stephen Borrello and Sima Patel vacated Aquilina's ruling and sent the case back to circuit court for further proceedings. The judges sided with the state Attorney General's Office, which is prosecuting the case.

Chief Ingham County Public Defender Keith Watson did not immediately respond to a telephone message on Wednesday, and it was unclear if the office would seek an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

VanAtten, now 22, was shot by police in the parking lot of the Meijer store on Lake Lansing Road in April 2022 after someone called 911 to report seeing a masked man grab a gun from a car and run into the store.

East Lansing officers chased VanAtten inside the store and into the parking lot after he ignored their commands to stop. Two officers fired a total of eight rounds after one of them saw VanAtten with a handgun that was later found beneath a parked car. VanAtten's fingerprints were found on the weapon, police said.

VanAtten was hit by two of the bullets but recovered.

State Attorney General Dana Nessel later cleared the officers of any wrongdoing and charged VanAtten with seven felony counts and one misdemeanor. The felony charges included four counts of assaulting or obstructing police and one count each of carrying a concealed weapon, receiving and concealing a stolen firearm and felony firearm possession. VanAtten also was charged with one count of third-degree retail fraud, a misdemeanor.

Aquilina in July granted a defense motion to suppress evidence obtained from what she concluded was an illegal search and seizure, saying she believed the case "falls in the gray." The public defender's office argued the officers hadn't properly verified an anonymous tip before they seized VanAtten.

The appeal centered on two main legal issues: When VanAtten was seized by police and whether the 911 caller was "anonymous" and gave reliable information.

The appellate panel noted the caller left her name and telephone number and eventually agreed to meet with officers at the scene. And it concluded there was no seizure until VanAtten was shot. VanAtten's decision to run from the officers corroborated the information they got from the caller, the panel wrote.

"...It appears that the trial court erred in this case by either failing to determine when defendant was seized or perhaps suggesting, as defendant argues on appeal, that defendant was seized as soon as he ran from the officers."

Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Appeals court: Judge erred in tossing evidence against man shot by East Lansing police
Can you apply for California unemployment benefits if you were fired from your job?

When it comes to applying for unemployment benefits in California, applicants must meet specific requirements for eligibility.

What if youre fired from a job? Are you eligible for benefits?

Heres what the California Employment Development Department requires:

What are the basic requirements to receive unemployment benefits in California?

According to the departments website, you must meet the following requirements when applying and certifying for unemployment benefits:

Have earned enough wages during the base period.

Be considered completely or partially unemployed, which includes not performing any work for wages, reduced wages and hours, or working full-time for five days as a juror or witness in court.

Be unemployed through circumstances beyond your control, such natural disasters or layoffs.

Be physically able to work if given the opportunity.

Be available to employment opportunities.

Be prepared to accept employment as soon as possible.

Depending on how much you earned within the base period of your claim, the weekly benefit amount ranges from $40 to $450.

Can I apply for unemployment benefits if I was fired?

If you are fired from your job, the unemployment department will conduct an interview to discuss your claim eligibility and circumstances through a phone call, email or paper questionnaire.

If you do not receive a call at your scheduled appointment time, we may have canceled your appointment because we confirmed your eligibility or resolved the issue before your interview, the department website says.

Here are some sample questions provided by the department in an email to The Sacramento Bee:

Does your employer have a policy about the reason you were fired?

Did you violate your employers policy?

How were you notified about your employers policy?

Did your employer warn you for similar incidents in the past?

If your employer can prove there was misconduct, such as unsatisfactory work or unreliability, then your claim can be denied.

Misconduct does not include making a mistake or lack of attention.

You can be eligible for benefits if your employer cannot prove any misconduct on your part.

However, either party can disagree with the decision and file an appeal, according to the department.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
The Caitlin Clark effect has even bounced to the Arconic EagleCam.

Public voting for names to give the two new eaglets resulted in the pairing Caitlin and Clark for them, Arconic spokesman John Riches said Tuesday.

The new Arconic eaglets are named Caitlin and Clark, after the University of Iowa/Indiana Fever basketball star.

About 400 votes were cast this past week, and Caitlin and Clark were chosen by 36% of the total, with the other sets of name options being:

Diver and Hunter

Thunder and Lightning

Swift and River

Pride and Joy

The two eaglets were hatched March 31 and April 4, 2024, Riches said.

A pair of bald eagles joined the Arconic Davenport Works community in Riverdale in 2009. They built their 7-foot nest on the companys 400-acre facility in a tree near the Mississippi River. In the spring of 2010, they fledged a pair of eaglets and later that year Arconic installed its first EagleCam.

Employees and the community helped name the eagle parents Liberty and Justice. Since the spring of 2010, Liberty and Justice have fledged 16 eaglets from this nest (before Caitlin and Clark). The first two eaglets fledged in summer 2010 before they installed the camera and they were never named.

The 14 that have fledged since then are named: Freedom, Spirit, Faith, Hope, Honor, Glory, Rudy, Star, Sky, Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Windy and Storm.

Since the camera was installed, over 35 million visitors from around the world have tuned in to witness an American icon, the bald eagle, developing live within this unique ecosystem.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
KANSAS (KSNT)  Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said hes looking forward to seeing the presidents lawyers in court after the Biden admins latest attempt to close the gun show loophole.

The gun show loophole is a legal situation where a person sells a firearm from their collection to another private person without going through a federal firearms licensee to conduct the transfer and background check.

Kansas State Rifle Association Executive Director Moriah Day said the Biden administration has been working to limit the sales of firearms for some time. He said when Congress passed the Gun Control Act of 1968, part of the negotiation was to avoid regulating private sales of firearms.

Once its efforts to pass something through Congress had clearly failed, it has attempted to do an end-run around Congress and institute changes through federal regulations instead of through the passage of legislation, Day said.

We are surrounded: advocate speaks on marijuana reclassification impact on Kansas

Kobach is leading 26 Republican attorneys general in the lawsuit challenging the ATF rule that would require individuals to have background checks and federal firearms licenses before selling firearms for a profit. The rule would broaden the definition of a person engaged in business as a firearms dealer.

The ATFs latest regulation is arguably the worst of all, Kobach wrote in a Washington Times op-ed. The recently established rule is an effort to do an end run around Congress and close the so-called gun show loophole without Congress having to pass a law.

It [the rule] would also clarify that a person must have a license to engage in the business of dealing in firearms even when the medium of payment or consideration is unlawful, such as exchanging illicit drugs or performing illegal acts for firearms, and that it is a distinct crime to do so without a license, an excerpt from the ATF final rule published April 19.

The rule eliminates the requirement that a persons principal objective of purchasing and reselling a firearm must include livelihood and profit and replaces it with to predominantly earn a profit. The ATF said it would deter business in firearms without being licensed.

Can you openly carry a pistol in your hand in Topeka?

This is going to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and felons, President Joe Biden said in a statement. And my administration is going to continue to do everything we possibly can to save lives. Congress needs to finish the job and pass universal background checks legislation now.

According to Kobach, citizens who arent background checked and who dont have federal firearms dealer licenses could face felony charges if they sell a firearm for a profit.

Unless the courts step in, the rule will go into effect on May 20. Day says the rule would allow for the prosecution of anyone who sells a firearm for a profit. He said the rule would impact tens of thousands of Kansans every year who sell firearms to friends, neighbors or family members.

Everybody can see that people are not following the law in significant numbers, ATF Director Steve Dettelbach said in an interview. And its just wrong for public safety, its wrong for fairness when all these licensed dealers are out there following the rules, for people to think that they dont have to all play by the same set of rules.

Why are there no public tornado shelters in Topeka?

The new rule is not only unreasonable, its illegal. The ATF can do only what Congress empowers it to do, Kobach said in the op-ed. And Congress has already defined what it means to be engaged in the business of selling guns. The ATF has no legal authority to change that definition.

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.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
The nearly one-million acre national monument protects areas tribes called home before being forcibly removed by the federal government, as well as places where tribal citizens hunt, pray, and gather foods and medicines. (Photo by John Moore / Getty Images)

Earlier this year, Arizona lawmakers sued the Biden administration over the newly created Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni  Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument  arguing that the establishment of national monuments should be state matters and calling the move a land grab.

Now, the Hopi, Havasupai, and Navajo Nation, whose ancestral lands overlap with the national monument, have intervened in the case and joined with the federal government to protect the area.

Even if the Tribal Nations and federal government share similar goals and legal positions in this litigation, the United States cannot adequately represent the Tribal Nations sovereign interest, the tribes intervention stated.

This story was originally published by Grist. It is republished here with permission. Sign up for Grists weekly newsletter here.

The nearly one-million acre national monument protects areas tribes called home before being forcibly removed by the federal government, as well as places where tribal citizens hunt, pray, and gather foods and medicines. The area is also important for wildlife migration routes and potential burial sites.

If successful, Arizonas lawsuit would open Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni to more economic development, and specifically, livestock grazing and uranium mining. Currently, there is only one uranium mine in operation within the boundaries of the national monument. The lawsuit argues that limiting mining of uranium around the Grand Canyon will make the U.S. more dependent on acquiring it from foreign countries for energy purposes.

Arizonas lawsuit is focused specifically on the Antiquities Act. Passed in 1906 to protect areas of scientific and historical significance, President Biden used the act to create Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni after decades of Indigenous advocacy focused on protecting the Grand Canyon from uranium mining. According to Arizona, the national monument ties up too much land, impacting revenue generation that could affect funding for schools as well as the economies of small towns in the area who have also joined in the suit against the federal government.

Under the constitution, Congress is the policy making branch of government that decides how federal land is used, Kim Quintero, a spokesperson for the Arizona Legislature. Not presidential edicts.

When you think about Baaj Nwaanjo Itah Kukveni and the creation of this monument, its an immensely important place for the tribal nations, said Mathew Campbell, a member of the Native Village of Gambell in Alaska, and legal counsel for the Havasupai Tribe and the Hopi Tribe. The tribes fought very hard for the establishment of the monument and are here to defend it.

Last year, a federal judge in Utah dismissed a similar lawsuit filed by states challenging the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalantetwo national monuments recently-created through the Antiquities Act with strong tribal ties. In that case, District Judge David Nuffer held that the Antiquities Act gives the president authority to create monuments and that the courts have no power to dispute it. That case is now in appeal.

But Kim Quintero of the Arizona Legislature says their case is different. She cites a 2021 lawsuit where a group of commercial fishermen challenged President Obamas use of the Antiquities Act that protected around five-thousand miles of ocean floor off the coast of New England, and put a ban on fishing.

While the Supreme Court declined to review the case, Chief Justice John Roberts indicated interest in looking at the size of monuments writing that the scope of the objects that can be designed under the Act, and how it measures the area necessary for their proper care and management, may warrant consideration especially given the myriad restrictions on public use this purely discretionary designation can serve to justify.

Quintero says the Arizona Legislature is banking on the Supreme Court taking the case. If successful, she said there will be other avenues for tribes to utilize in protecting the area.

Tribal members, like other members of the public, can petition Congress to pass laws to protect areas of federal land they believe should be protected, said Quintero.

Nine conservation organizations including the Grand Canyon Trust, Center for Biological Diversity, and Sierra Club have signed on to protect Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni. The conservation groups are very much following the lead of the tribes, said Michal Toll, staff attorney for the Grand Canyon Trust. These are their ancestral homelands.

Mathew Campbell said it will likely take months before the intervention is ruled on by the court and years before the lawsuit is settled.

The post Arizona wants to mine uranium near the Grand Canyon. Tribal nations are fighting back. appeared first on Source New Mexico.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- A memorial service was held Tuesday to honor the 21 brave Arkansas State Troopers and two K9s who paid the ultimate price in sacrifice during their service to the state of Arkansas since 1948.

I am especially honored to welcome home the families of our fallen troopers this is an event that you never wanted to attend and certainly not under these circumstances, Arkansas State Police Colonel Mike Hagar said.

Arkansas State Police trooper recruit honors his grandfather whos a fallen ASP sergeant

Many fellow troopers and families of the fallen heroes gathered at the memorial service to pay their respects and to commemorate their loved ones.

It means everything, Linda Craig said. It means that we have not forgotten about these officers.

Linda Craig honored her late husband, Captain Tom Craig, at the memorial. He was killed in the line of duty on December 14, 2000, while assisting in an accident.

It was a total shock because I knew that as a law enforcement officer, his life was in danger, but like most people, I thought it wasnt going to happen to him, Linda Craig said.

She said she still remembers the day as if it were yesterday.

I saw the director, the assistant director, and the commander from Troop A on my doorstep, and I knew what they were about to tell me, Craig said.

The memorial helps to make sure her husband is never forgotten.

To a survivor, to know that the department still cares and still remembers after 23 years is big, Craig said.

I need some help.  Arkansas State Police trooper shows selflessness for stranded motorist on freezing night

Tom Craig and many other fallen troopers were recognized, and the families received a rose in their honor.

The words thank you are simply not strong enough for the sacrifices you have made on our behalf, you shared your family members with us, and their sacrifices became yours, Hagar said.

He explained that the day their loved one took the badge was the day they gained an extended family.

To the families here today you allowed your loved ones to follow their dreams and answer their calling, Hagar said. They subjected themselves to the worst that this life has to offer, as a result you also took on that burden, you were their support system and now we will be yours.

Hagar told each family member that they are not alone and that the Arkansas State Police is here for them every step of the way.

If God decides that my death is to be earlier than I may choose, I hope I am able to give my life in the line of duty, Hagar said. I cant think of a more honorable way to pass from this life and face my judgment.

Stone County Sheriffs Office honoring fallen deputys legacy

At the Arkansas State Police Headquarters is the Hall of Honor, where the stories of each fallen trooper and K9 are displayed.

A full list of the troopers who were honored can be found at DPS.Arkansas.gov.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark.  Arkansas State Police are searching for a teen they said went missing on Monday night.

ASP officials said 15-year-old Annabel Lynn Rose was last seen at 9:30 p.m. on Monday on West Grand Avenue in Hot Springs.

Authorities describe Rose as standing 5 feet, 4 inches and weighing 120 to 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Image of Annabel Lynn Rose courtesy of Arkansas State Police

She was last seen wearing gray shorts, a turquoise blue t-shirt with an alien autopsy cartoon, a camouflage-style zip-up hoodie and a coyote tan military-style backpack.

Police said Rose also left the house with a brindle-colored dog named Sissy that was wearing a gray collar and a lime green leash.

Anyone who sees Annabel or knows of her whereabouts is asked to contact the Hot Springs Police Department at 501-321-6789.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
MORRILTON, Ark.  An interstate traffic stop turned into a large drug seizure by Arkansas State Police on Monday night.

Officials with the state police said the trooper stopped a rental box truck at around 10 p.m. on Interstate 40 near the 109-mile marker in Conway County. Troopers searched the truck and said they found 21 boxes containing individually vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana.

Arkansas State Police seize almost 900 pounds of illegal marijuana from I-40 traffic stops in the last 10 days

Officials said the total marijuana on the truck weighed 434 pounds.

Court records show $1,460 cash was also seized. The 15th judicial district prosecutor has applied for the cash to be forfeited to the state.

Conway County marijuana seizure, April 6, 2024 (courtesy Arkansas State Police)

The driver of the truck, 44-year-old Seth Molen of Marietta, Georgia, was taken to the Conway County Detention Center where officials said he is being held on $50,000 bond. He is facing charges of possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it?

Molen told investigators he was traveling from Oklahoma to Atlanta, Georgia.

Court records show an initial appearance date for Molen has not been set.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. A return to a bilateral approach in negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia offers hope for peace establishment in the South Caucasus region, according to an article by French expert for the Middle East, Sebastien Boussois, published in Le Figaro, Trend reports.

The material noted that this could have profound geopolitical consequences, while after decades of conflict, such an approach could bring hope during a period of global tension and the loss of effectiveness of the international community.

Boussois pointed out that Russia, the US, and the European Union have failed to succeed as mediators between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"Ministerial delegations from both countries are actively discussing all issues directly, without international mediation. This process could lead to the signing of a peace agreement, ending the long-standing conflict," the expert said.

The expert also emphasized that Armenia's agreement to return four villages [occupied since the early 1990s] to Azerbaijan at the end of April is an indicator of its desire for peace.

"Armenia really has no choice; the country must be reintegrated into regional dynamics as quickly as possible. The opening of the Zangezur corridor will benefit both countries, allowing Azerbaijan to restore communication with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Armenia to trade with its neighbors. The Chinese people call this a win-win agreement. Both sides hope that the agreement will be signed before COP29, which will take place in late November in Baku," Boussois concluded.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Armenia will not partake in the financing of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Yerevan announced on May 8.

This comes as the latest in a series of steps the country has taken to distance itself from the Russian-led security alliance.

Speaking to Factor.am, the country's Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed Armenia would not contribute to the CSTO's 2024 budget, which was adopted in November of last year.

The CSTO, which was established in 2002, includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Russia is by far the most powerful member of the alliance.

Since coming to power in a 2018 revolution, the government of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has steadily deepened the country's ties with the West while drawing condemnation from Russia. Pashinyan has sought to foster security ties with other countries, such as France, the U.S., and India.

In recent months, Armenia has taken an increasingly belligerent stance towards Moscow and, in March, threatened to leave if the military alliance fails to address Armenia's collective security concerns.

The threat came amid a growing rift between Yerevan and Moscow, which was exacerbated when Russia and its "peacekeepers" in Nagorno-Karabakh did not prevent Azerbaijan's armed seizure of the region.

Read also: Kremlin confirms Russian peacekeepers withdrawing from Nagorno-Karabakh

According to Article 4 of the CSTO Treaty, if a member state experiences aggression, then all member states must come to its aid  similarly to NATO's Article 5 principles.

The CSTO did not intervene during Azerbaijan's offensive in September 2023.

Pashinyan said in February that Armenia had "frozen" its participation in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) because it failed to uphold its objectives regarding Armenia.

In recent months, Armenia has further sought to distance itself from Russia, repeatedly accusing Moscow of being an unreliable partner.

In March, Armenia's Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan revealed that the country is considering applying for membership in the European Union, aiming to strengthen ties with the West. Yerevan also asked Russian "peacekeepers" who have been stationed at Yerevan's international airport since the country's independence to leave.

In January 2024, Armenia joined the International Criminal Court, becoming one of 124 countries obliged to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he steps foot in national territory.

The Kremlin decried the move as an "unfriendly step" and "the wrong decision."

Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter

News from Ukraine in your inbox

Subscribe

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Armenia's prime minister talks with Putin in Moscow while allies' ties are under strain

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, gestures while speaking to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the economic alliance's performance, saying that it helped boost the members' economic potential. (Alexander Shcherbak, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

MOSCOW (AP)  Armenia's prime minister visited Moscow and held talks Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid spiraling tensions between the estranged allies.

Putin hosted Nikol Pashinyan for talks following a summit of the Eurasian Economic Union, a Moscow-dominated economic alliance they both attended earlier in the day. The negotiations came a day after Putin began his fifth term at a glittering Kremlin inauguration.

In brief remarks at the start of the talks, Putin said that bilateral trade was growing, but acknowledged some issues concerning security in the region.

Pashinyan, who last visited Moscow in December, said that certain issues have piled up since then.

Armenia's ties with its longtime sponsor and ally Russia have grown increasingly strained after Azerbaijan waged a lightning military campaign in September to reclaim the Karabakh region, ending three decades of ethnic Armenian separatists rule there.

Armenian authorities accused Russian peacekeepers who were deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh after the previous round of hostilities in 2020 of failing to stop Azerbaijan's onslaught. Moscow, which has a military base in Armenia, has rejected the accusations, arguing that its troops didnt have a mandate to intervene.

The Kremlin, in turn, has been angered by Pashinyans efforts to deepen ties with the West and distance his country from Moscow-dominated security and economic alliances.

Just as Pashinyan was visiting Moscow on Wednesday, Armenias Foreign Ministry announced that the country will stop paying fees to the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russia-dominated security pact. Armenia has previously suspended its participation in the grouping as Pashinyan has sought to bolster ties with the European Union and NATO.

Russia was also vexed by Armenias decision to join the International Criminal Court, which last year indicted Putin for alleged war crimes connected to the Russian action in Ukraine.

Moscow, busy with the Ukrainian conflict that has dragged into a third year, has publicly voiced concern about Yerevan's westward shift but sought to downplay the differences.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov conceded Tuesday that there are certain problems in our bilateral relations, but added that there is a political will to continue the dialogue."
The Army is spending at least $4 million to expand its so-called food kiosks on bases this year. But that new method of feeding soldiers does not have to follow the service's own nutrition rules and may quickly be out of date as Army officials eye allowing meal cards to be used at commissaries.

Kiosks are effectively small snack stands providing soldiers with sandwiches, candy, chips and soda -- offerings that hold little nutritional value and a selection akin to what's found at a typical gas station. By this time next year, most major installations will have at least one kiosk, with many high-profile bases having several. Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is set to have four of them.

The kiosks are broadly considered by key Army staff to be a piecemeal solution to an issue senior leaders have struggled to solve: Soldiers are not using dining facilities in numbers that warrant further investment. That's due to a variety of factors, according to troops, including poor walkability and public transportation on bases, dining facility food being low quality, and unreliable schedules keeping soldiers guessing when those facilities are open.

Read Next: Gordon and Aleksandra: Videos, Photos Show Relationship Between Detained Soldier and Russian Woman

But the kiosks so far appear to be far from a perfect solution.

"They brief well on paper, but the execution has not been great," Rob Evans, who runs the Hots&Cots app, a Yelp-style social media platform allowing troops to post reviews of dining facilities and barracks, told Military.com.

A main complaint soldiers have reported with kiosks is the poor quality of food and nutrition at many installations. In most cases, kiosks are stocked with food from the commissary. Due to a complicated web of bureaucracy, troops cannot use their meal cards directly at the on-base grocery stores.

"We need more options than Cheetos and Mountain Dew," one junior enlisted soldier told Military.com on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press. "It's all snack food. It's fine once in a while. But you can't live off this stuff."

A review of the menus at several kiosks found that most items were high in sugar and low in protein and other critical nutrients, running afoul of the service's own standards. For example, male soldiers should get about 136 grams of protein each day, on average, though that guideline varies slightly based on body weight.

Getting the appropriate amount of protein can be difficult in kiosks -- at least without consuming roughly 100 grams of sugar along with it. Much of the food contains high levels of sugar. The American Heart Association recommends men have no more than 36 grams of added sugar per day.

In other cases, the food is usually pre-packaged and heavily processed. Soldiers have also reported issues with small portions, or being limited on what combinations of food they can select. Some installations have also struggled to keep shelves stocked.

The Army's regulation on nutrition, known as AR 40-25, is lagging behind the newly rolled out food stalls. The regulation has not been updated since 2017, a year before the first kiosks opened. Army staff have suggested that, because of this, kiosks can operate outside of the service's norms and policies.

"40-25 was developed for dining facilities; kiosks [are] an extension of dining facilities," William Duff, a logistics manager for the Army who works on its food policy, said at the military logistics conference last month. "Some of the [food in kiosks] meets 40-25, some don't."

Meanwhile, the service is also moving forward with plans to allow soldiers to use their meal cards at commissaries -- a move that could immediately neutralize the purpose of kiosks, which simply offer a snapshot of a commissary's options.

With that option on the table, it's unclear why the Army is investing heavily in kiosks, if they may quickly become obsolete as soldiers buy meals directly from commissaries. The service also plans to keep dining facilities open, but it's unclear whether there are plans for any investment in infrastructure improvements or higher-quality food.

"The Army Food Program's board of directors is currently developing a long-term plan for feeding soldiers and is exploring options such as allowing them to use their entitlements at all on-post eateries: commissaries, food courts, restaurants [and] MWR facilities," Matt Ahearn, a service spokesperson, told Military.com in a statement. "The Army is committed to providing soldiers with food options that are convenient, healthy and accessible."

Rollout of the kiosks falls under Army Materiel Command. Staff for AMC's acting commander, Lt. Gen. Christopher Mohan, and Command Sergeant Major Jimmy Sellers, declined to make either of them available for an interview.

AMC's commander was recently suspended by Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, marking the first time in a decade such a dramatic move was taken against a four-star general. Gen. Charles Hamilton was suspended following Military.com's reporting that he may have inappropriately subverted the Army's command selection process to bolster the career of a subordinate officer who was deemed unfit for leadership roles.

Related: The Army Is Going All-In on Food Kiosks as Base Dining Facilities Struggle
Palestinians carry their belongings on a vehicle as they flee following Israeli airstrikes on Al-Geneina and Al-Salam neighbourhoods. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

An average of 200 people are leaving the southern Palestinian city of Rafah every hour following Israel's evacuation order, according to estimates by the UN relief agency for Palestinians.

"The displacement is ongoing and people are leaving towards Khan Younis and the Middle Areas," communications director of the Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Juliette Touma, told dpa on Wednesday.

"Its not possible to give a total number of people displaced at the moment given how fluid the situation is," she added.

A senior UNRWA official told US broadcaster CNN on Wednesday that around 50,000 people had left Rafah since Monday.

Rafah is home to up to 1.5 million internally displaced Palestinians.

The Israeli military had called on residents of the eastern part of Rafah to leave the area on Monday, raising fears that the full-on ground assault of Rafah that Israel has been threatening for months was finally at hand. But despite the increased military operations, an all-out Rafah invasion has yet to take place.

The Israeli army said it has destroyed tunnels and other military installations during its advance in the east of Rafah. An undisclosed number of opponents were killed in battles and more than 100 targets were attacked from the air throughout the Gaza Strip, the IDF said on Wednesday.

A Palestinian boy pushes a wheelbarrow loaded with personal belongings as he flees following Israeli airstrikes on Al-Geneina and Al-Salam neighbourhoods. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

Palestinians carry their belongings on a donkey cart as they flee following Israeli airstrikes on Al-Geneina and Al-Salam neighbourhoods. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  An aggravated assault suspect was taken into custody over a year after a shooting in the area of Veterans Parkway, according to the Columbus Police Department.

Police say David Lamar Barnes was arrested on warrants of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Barnes was taken to Muscogee County Jail.

The charges stems back to Feb. 10, 2023, when officers heard a gunshot around the 6400 block of Veterans Parkway. A victim was not found at the scene, but police were advised Wesley Gilmore had arrived at Piedmont North after being shot.

Gilmore was listed as stable yet serious condition and taken to an Atlanta hospital.

Columbus man pleads guilty to murder of 16-year-old, gets life sentence

Officers were later told a man wearing a grey sweatshirt was seen running through the parking lot area where the shot came from. He was also seen getting into a silver Hyundai, which fled the parking lot north on Veterans Parkway.

Patrol found the vehicle and handed the investigation over to the Violent Crimes Unit, who identified Barnes as the suspect.

Barnes preliminary hearing is set for Friday, May 10 at 9 a.m.

Anyone with additional information on this case can contact Cpl. Christy Edenfield at (706) 225-4344 or cedenfield@columbusga.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Arrest made after man found with serious injuries in Emporia

EMPORIA (KSNT)  A man is suspected to have serious injuries after an incident that happened Tuesday morning in Emporia.

According to Emporia Police Captain Lisa Hays, around 7:30 a.m. police were dispatched to an east-central residence for a disturbance and an unknown medical problem.

Police found one man with serious injuries. The man was taken to Newman Regional Health via ambulance but was later transferred to another hospital.

How squatters can take your property in Kansas

Another adult man was arrested and taken into custody. Police say detectives are investigating the incident as a domestic violence case and said public information would be limited.

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. To download our Storm Track Weather App, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Law enforcement began to clear a Gaza tent encampment at George Washington University in Washington DC on Wednesday, hours after protesters left the camp to march to the home of Ellen Granberg, the universitys president.

The GW Hatchet, the universitys independent student-run newspaper, reported that officers gave demonstrators a third and final warning to leave at about 3.30am, saying all those who remained in the U-Yard and the stretch of H Street would be arrested.

University officials have warned of possible suspensions of students who engage in protest activities on University Yard, the Associated Press reported.

While the university is committed to protecting students rights to free expression, the encampment had evolved into an unlawful activity, with participants in direct violation of multiple university policies and city regulations, the university said.

Police deployed pepper spray, with some demonstrators rushing to clear their eyes with water and others vomited, according to NBC Washington.

A police spokesperson told the website that police used pepper spray on the streets but not in the encampment area and used it when protesters lined up against officers.

The Washington DC Metro Police told the outlet that some people were arrested for unlawful entry and assault on a police officer, although they did not immediately say how many arrests the officers made.

Protesters told the local news outlet that they believe dozens were arrested.

They came in full riot gear  hundreds of cops, demonstrator Mimi Ziad told News4, claiming that police shoved demonstrators and sprayed them with pepper spray.

Barricades torn down by demonstrators piled in the centre of an encampment by students protesting against the Israel-Hamas war at George Washington University on 29 April (Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The police said that they removed protesters after a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest.

The Department has worked to pursue non-arrest methods to de-escalate tensions during this time and ensure the safety of the GW students and campus, The Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement to NBC.

Based on incidents and information, there has been a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest. Therefore, this morning, working closely with the GW administration and police, MPD moved to disperse the demonstrators from the GW campus and surrounding streets.

On Tuesday evening, protesters marched over to Ms Granbergs home and police were called to maintain the crowd. However, no arrests were made.

Around 200 protesters spent an hour outside Ms Granbergs house before returning to the encampment at University Yard, WUSA9 reported.

A student encampment protests against the Israel-Hamas war at George Washington University on 30 April (Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The protest outside the presidents yard comes days after Ms Granberg released a letter outlining how she supports the community to speak out on these important issues but believes that the protest is no longer peaceful.

I fully support and encourage our community to speak out and engage in controversial and critical dialogues on these crucial issues  as long as they occur within the limits of our universitys policies and the Districts laws, Ms Granberg said on Sunday.

However, what is currently happening at GW is not a peaceful protest protected by the first amendment or our universitys policies. The demonstration, like many around the country, has grown into what can only be classified as an illegal and potentially dangerous occupation of GW property.

Tensions have continued to rise between pro-Palestinian demonstrators, university officials and law enforcement across campuses in the United States, with over 2000 people arrested as a result.

The Independent has contacted the Washington Metropolitan Poice Department and George Washington University for comment.
Ashburnham voters took over two hours to pass 24 articles at annual Town Meeting on Tuesday night in the Oakmont Regional High gymnasium.

Among the 24 articles passed was the fiscal 2025 town budget, which totaled $19,977,709 million, an increase of $664,994 over FY24. The budget includes $1.935 million for police, $1.1 million for fire, $1.290 million for the Department of Public Works, and $8.27 million for the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District.

Articles 12 to 19 were requests for free cash, and all eight were approved, for a total of $1,057,001. The town has $370,295 in free cash left after the articles were approved.

Oakmont Regional High School in Ashburnham.

School Superintendent Todd Stewart clarified at Town Meeting what Article 15 will pay for. Stewart said that the transfer of $110,501 from the free cash balance requested in the article would pay for several improvement projects and equipment replacement.

He said some of the money would pay for new instruments for the Oakmont High School marching band; the ones they currently have are approaching 30 years old. Also covered by this article are a new lawnmower for the district, a new security system with key lock access at the John R. Briggs Elementary School, and improvements to the Overlook Middle School student bathrooms.

Article 19 requested $49,000 to go to the capital account for the Whitney Pond Dam removal project. Town Administrator Brian Doheny said if the town receives all the grants it applied for to pay for this project, then the $49,000 will go back into free cash. The estimated cost for the dam removal project is over $1 million.

Three articles sparked debate among voters

Article 22, which changes the town's dog control bylaws to match the Massachusetts state laws, fees and fines, was approved. As a result, residents will see an increase in nuisance dog bylaw violation fees and new requirements on how dogs can be tethered and for how long they can remain outside alone.

A handful of voters had concerns about how the changes affect working farm dogs, who are consistently in the open to protect livestock and cattle from predators. Police Chief Chris Conrad and Town Counsel Deborah Phillips said the changes made to the town's dog control bylaws are only to comply with state law for domestic dogs and pets. Phillips said farm and working dogs are referred to under a different bylaw, and they are not referred to in the laws changed by Article 22.

Articles 23 and 24 were citizens' petitions submitted by Ashburnham voter Bill Johnson. Article 23 sought validation of the town's plan for the installation of tribute benches and trees on town-owned land. Article 24 sought validation from the town of the Reimagining of Winchester Park and River Street Park Landscape Plan." Doheny declined to provide comment on these articles.

When these articles were presented, many voters expressed confusion about why Johnson decided to submit them, what the term "validate" meant in both articles, and what they represented. Johnson said he thought both articles were important to bring forward during this Town Meeting so town officials can hear what voters say about the two projects referenced in the articles.

"I'm very pleased with the reaction that we got from the Town Meeting," Johnson said. "I thought bringing this up during the annual Town Meeting would send a message to the Select Board on whether the townspeople believe we are going in the right direction with these projects."

The articles took an estimated 45 minutes of debate until the question was moved, cutting off further questions and debate on both articles. Both articles passed, but they are non-binding so the town does not have to take any action.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Ashburnham MA Town Meeting results on budget, free cash, dog bylaws
AstraZeneca is withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine from the market because of low demand, the drugmaker said Wednesday.

The shot, which was never authorized in the U.S., was widely used across the world in the early part of the global vaccine drive.

AstraZenecas shot was cheaper to make and easier to distribute than the mRNA shots from Pfizer and BioNTech, which mostly went to wealthy nations. It was the main shot being used by Covax, the global program to deliver vaccines to low- and middle-income countries.

More than 3 billion doses have been supplied globally since the shot was first approved for emergency use by British regulators in late 2020. The U.K. relied heavily on AstraZenecas shot initially but later purchased the mRNA vaccines for its COVID-19 booster campaign.

We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria played in ending the global pandemic. According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone, a company spokesperson said in a statement.

As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzervria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

AstraZenecas shot did not perform as well in clinical trials compared to the mRNA vaccines, though it was still effective in preventing severe disease and death from the virus. The company has not updated the vaccine to match different variants, as it relied on existing vaccine technology that made it more difficult to do so.

The company also requested that the European Medicines Agency withdraw licensing for its vaccine, a move that went into effect this week, the agency said in an update on its website.

Shortly after it was approved, there were reports across Europe that the vaccine was linked to rare blood clots.

The European Unions top drug regulator concluded that the side effects, while rare, should be listed, and the company updated its product information in April 2021. Some countries restricted the shots use because of the clotting concerns, likely dampening uptake and demand.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An Astronomer Says He Knows Why Aliens Havent Contacted Us Yet

A New York astronomer believes gamma-ray bursts may be to blame for us not finding aliens.

The universes most powerful form of energy explosion has the power to erase planets.

Gamma-ray bursts werent discovered until the 1960s.

A lot of folks, even scientists, simply want to believe in advanced alien life. To cover the disappointment of not finding any, new theories keep cropping up as to just why we havent become BFFs with aliens. The latest comes from Frederick Walter, an astronomy professor from New Yorks Stony Brook University. It features the idea that the universe has zapped the aliens.

In a theory Walter shared with the Daily Mail, he claims that gamma-ray burstsa space eruption full of radiation that delivers the most energetic form of light in the universe that can be a million trillion times brighter than the suncould have eliminated potential alien lifeforms.

Its a tightly focused beam, he tells DailyMail.com, and, if its directed through the plane of the galaxy, it could basically sterilize about 10 percent of the planets in the galaxy. Its just one of many possible explanations.

While admitting it falls in the category of a morbid explanation, the transparent power of a gamma-ray burst has the destructive ability to eliminate anything in its path.

The gamma-ray burst wasnt even discovered until the 1960s when a satellite meant to search for nuclear activity from the Soviet Union detected this sharp radioactive burst. It was later determined the burst was of cosmic origin and the study of gamma-ray bursts began. NASA really began studying the phenomena heavily in 1991.

We dont have a lot of history with gamma-ray bursts in the Milky Way, but that doesnt mean the explosions arent happening throughout the universe. NASA research into the cosmic explosion found that the events occurred more frequently when old stars collapsed into black holes or when a new galaxy was forming and full of energy.

Its estimated that there is a gamma-ray burst every 100 million years or so, in any galaxy, Walter says, although NASA research claims it could be as frequent as every 10,000 years. Over a billion years, on average, you might expect a significant number of civilizations to be eradicated, should they exist.

As researchers debate massive changes in Earths ancient history, the idea of a gamma-ray burst helping eliminate life on our planet is sometimes floated, too. For a gamma-ray burst to be effective in wiping out anything, it must hit that object. These events, with the short-term bursts considered less than 2 seconds and the long-term bursts going longer than 2 seconds, emit a somewhat pinpoint accuracy, akin to a lighthouse beam.

Still, anything within that powerful beam would completely vaporize, meaning if a gamma-ray burst was directed at a planet teeming with alien life, that alien life would no longer be teeming.

At the same time, scientist say the risk to humans from gamma-ray bursts is minuscule because of their very nature of scarcity and propensity for being far from the Milky Way.

Floating a gamma-ray burst as a theory to why aliens havent visited simply joins another long list of explanations, everything from the aliens showing no desire to explore beyond their own world to destroying themselves in the process. And while people debate the most plausible reason that aliens havent yet come knocking on Earths door, one theory often gets overlooked: just maybe super-intelligent alien lifeforms dont exist. But if they once did, a gamma-ray burst could have eliminated them.

You Might Also Like
REVILLA ENTHUSIASTIC WITH THE NEW PFP-LAKAS ALLIANCE; CONFIDENT IT IS A GREAT STRIDE TOWARDS 2025 MIDTERM ELECTIONS

SENATOR Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., Chairman of Lakas-CMD, expressed his enthusiasm Wednesday (May 8) over the cementing of the alliance between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s political party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) and Lakas.

Lakas-CMD, which is the dominant political party in the country, coalesced with PFP earlier today in a meeting held in Makati City. Billed as "Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas", the event was graced by members of the two parties including President Marcos Jr., Lakas-CMD President House Speaker Martin Romualdez and PFP President Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr.

"I am really thrilled. Sa pagpapatibay ng alyansa na ito, higit pang bibilis ang pagkamit ng mga adhikain ng adminstrasyong ito tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas," Revilla remarked.

"Nagpapasalamat ako kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos for making this possible. This alliance is a testament of his effort in binding the Filipino people across different beliefs to be united towards achieving progress and development," the veteran lawmaker added.

Revilla also bared that with the alliance, Lakas and PFP has made a big stride towards assuring the success of the adminstration in having candidates supportive of its programs get elected in the midterm elections next year.

"This is a great stride towards the 2025 midterm elections. The goal is manalo ang mga aspirants from the national level down to the local level na susuporta at tutulong sa pagpapatuloy ng mga magagandang plano at programa ng ating presidente," the solon said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov has conveyed greetings and an official letter from President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan inviting him to participate in COP29, Trend reports.

The letter was given during the prime minister's meeting with Erdogan as a part of his official visit to Turkiye.

Additionally, the meeting hailed the successful development of fraternal and allied ties between the fraternal countries in all areas, discussing prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation in various directions.

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. The 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
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Angelo State University will hold five commencement ceremonies on May 10 and 11 to honor the Class of 2024. Heres what you need to know if youre interested in attending.

The ceremonies will take place throughout Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11. ASUs many colleges will graduate their students at different times during these days. Below is the ceremony schedule, courtesy of ASU:

Friday, May 10, Commencement Ceremonies:

5 p.m.  Graduates of the College of Education and of the College of Graduate Studies and Research in education fields

7:30 p.m.  Graduates of the Archer College of Health and Human Services and of the College of Graduate Studies and Research in health and human services fields

Saturday, May 11, Commencement Ceremonies:

10 a.m.  Graduates of the College of Science and Engineering and of the College of Graduate Studies and Research in science and engineering fields

1 p.m.  Graduates of the Norris-Vincent College of Business and of the College of Graduate Studies and Research in business fields

4 p.m.  Graduates of the College of Arts and Humanities and of the College of Graduate Studies and Research in arts and humanities fields

The doors will be open one hour before each commencement ceremony. Ceremonies attendance is free and open to the public.

The graduations can also be watched online at https://www.angelo.edu/commencement/.

Multiple graduation-adjacent events will occur on campus prior to the commencement ceremonies. Below is a schedule of these events as well as a brief description of them provided by ASU.

Thursday, May 9

Nursing Department Pinning Ceremony  The Nursing Department will conduct the annual Pinning Ceremony for its graduates at 6:30 p.m. in the Houston Harte University Center. Nursing pinning ceremonies became a U.S. tradition in the early 1800s to mark students completion of their education and entry into the profession.

Friday, May 10

Third Annual Raices y Suenos Graduation Celebration and Stole Ceremony  The third annual Raices y Suenos Graduation Celebration and Stole Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in the Houston Harte University Center. Every graduating student, regardless of ethnicity, race or degree program, is encouraged to participate and celebrate their achievements with family and friends in a way that also acknowledges culture and traditions.

ASU ROTC Detachments Spring Commissioning Ceremony  ASUs Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 will conduct its Spring Commissioning Ceremony for graduating cadets in the LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center at 11 a.m. on Friday. The cadets will receive their appointments as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force or Space Force.

Many other departments and offices will also be conducting special graduation events and activities for their students across the campus throughout the week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
The Atlanta Police Department is working to identify and find a woman accused of stealing hundreds of dollars of merchandise from a Target store on Caroline Street.

According to Atlanta police, the alleged shoplifting happened in the early afternoon of May 4.

Police said they were called to the Target location around 12:38 p.m. to respond to reports of a shoplifter.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

When officers talked to the stores loss prevention staff, they were told an unidentified woman had passed all points of sale with several items worth around $500 concealed inside of a backpack.

Store staff said she was confronted by employees but shoved her way physically pass them and ran from the store.

TRENDING STORIES:

Loss prevention staff also told police that the woman is a repeat shoplifting suspect at the location.

Now, APD is working to identify and find her. Anyone with information about the woman can submit a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, or online.

Identifying information that helps the case can earn an up to $2,000 reward, APD said.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
Berlin's Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, Franziska Giffey speaks at a press conference to present the solar campaign "Solar pays off" at the Futurium. Christoph Soeder/dpa

After being attacked at a library, Berlin's former mayor and top Social Democratic politician has called for greater respect and an end to political violence in Germany.

The assault on Franziska Giffey on Tuesday afternoon is part of a string of attacks aimed at politicians across the country in recent days that have prompted outrage and fears about damage to the country's democratic norms.

"After the initial shock, I can say I'm fine," Giffey, who currently serves as the city of Berlin's economy minister, said on Wednesday.

But in an Instagram post, Giffey said that the string of attacks on politicians cannot be justified.

"We live in a free and democratic country in which everyone is free to express their opinion," Giffey said in a post to Instagram on Wednesday. "And yet there is a clear limit. And that is violence against people who hold a different opinion, for whatever reason, in whatever form."

"They are a transgression of boundaries that we as a society must resolutely oppose," she wrote.

A Green Party politician was attacked in Dresden on Tuesday evening while hanging political posters. On Friday, also in Dresden, a Social Democratic candidate for the European Parliament was brutally beaten by four assailants.

Giffey, Berlins' top economic official, was injured on Tuesday after a man suddenly attacked her "from behind with a bag filled with hard contents and hit her on the head and neck," according to Berlin police and local prosecutors.

The attack occurred at a library in the Rudow district of Berlin. Giffey "briefly went to hospital for outpatient treatment for head and neck pain," police said.

Police announced on Wednesday morning that they had identified a suspect in the attack, but have not released further information or commented on the attacker's suspected motives.

Giffey's spokesman said the Social Democrat plans to resume her work and would attend an event to promote renewable solar energy at the Futurium museum in the morning.

In her post on social media, Giffey urged people to stand up to defend non-violent debate and democratic values.

"I hope that we all pay more attention to how we treat each other, that respect and appreciation are given more value again and that we work together to promote dialog, good compromises and the diversity of different perspectives on the world," she said.

Berlin's Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, Franziska Giffey speaks at a press conference to present the solar campaign "Solar pays off" at the Futurium. Christoph Soeder/dpa
Austin: Too early to see effects of US aid on Ukraine's front lines

It is still "very early on" to see improvements on Ukraine's front lines after the new batch of U.S. weapons started flowing to Ukraine, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senators on May 8.

The U.S. passed the long-awaited $61 billion foreign aid package in April after six months of political infighting and delays.

The following day, the Pentagon announced that it was ready to move forward with sending $1 billion worth of weapons to Kyiv from U.S. stockpiles, including ammunition for HIMARS, 155 mm artillery shells, air defense interceptors, and armored vehicles.

This became the first official defense package for Ukraine under the signed aid bill. The most recent package prior to this latest round of aid was worth $300 million and was announced by Washington on March 12.

"(It) takes time to get some of these capabilities in," Austin told the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

While waiting for the approval of the bill, the Pentagon prepared in advance some critically needed items "like air defense interceptors and artillery munitions so that if it were approved, we would be able to rapidly move those things in support of Ukraine. And we are doing that," he added.

The Pentagon chief said that he discusses weekly "the most critical needs" for Ukraine with Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Subscribe to newsletter

War Notes

Subscribe

"It is hard to buy back time. But... I think that without this help, Ukraine would have a very tough time defending against the superior force," Austin added.

"At some point, Russia suffered significant losses due to the actions taken by Ukraine and its Armed Forces. They inflicted significant losses on Russian forces, destroyed a large amount of their equipment."

Russia has taken advantage of Ukraine's growing battlefield ammunition shortages, taking the eastern city of Avdiivka in February. Subsequently, Moscow shifted its focus toward Chasiv Yar, an elevated town that potentially opens the way to further advances into Donetsk Oblast.

Russian troops also continue to attack the Ukrainian energy infrastructure with missiles and drones.

Ukraine is facing a "new stage" in the full-scale war as Russia is preparing to expand its offensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3.

Kyiv will look to launch a counteroffensive in 2025 with the support of the approved $61 billion aid package from Washington, as well as additional Western aid funding, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said.

Read also: The US weapons making their way to Ukraine right now

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia will quadruple its financial assistance to Tuvalu, a Pacific Island nation at risk from rising seas, to cement a landmark climate migration and security deal as China also courts small island states.

On a visit to Tuvalu, foreign minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday evening Australia has committed A$110 million ($72.27 million) in its national budget to Tuvalu.

The sum includes A$50 million ($32.85 million) to build the first undersea cable connecting the island's residents to global telecommunications services, and A$19 million for a land reclamation project to fortify Tuvalu's coastline from rising seas.

Another A$15 million will be spent on a national security coordination centre, as well as A$10 million in direct budget support.

The funding is a significant boost on the A$17 million ($11.17 million) Australia provided to Tuvalu in 2023-24.

China's ambitions for a greater security presence in the Pacific became an election issue in Tuvalu in January, as two leadership contenders said Tuvalu should consider switching ties from Taiwan to Beijing for more funds, and revise a new security pact with Australia.

Neighbour Nauru cut ties with Taiwan a fortnight before Tuvalu's vote, after China built a port and promised more aid.

Tuvalu's new prime minister Feleti Teo pledged to stick with Taiwan, and to ratify the Falepili Union signed with Australia in November. The treaty allows Tuvalu citizens to migrate to Australia for work or study, while recognising Tuvalu continues to exist despite the rising sea levels.

"Australia has provided a security guarantee to support Tuvalu in a humanitarian disaster, a pandemic or the event of attack," Wong said in a speech on Wednesday evening.

"It is also the first time in history that two nations have agreed in a legally binding instrument that statehood endures in the face of sea level rise," she added.

The treaty allows Australia to vet Tuvalu's deals with third countries in a broad range of security areas from ports to telecommunications.

On Thursday, Wong and Teo are expected to say that the security cooperation does not limit Tuvalu's ability to enter into diplomatic agreements with other nations, according to an advance copy of a joint statement viewed by Reuters.

"We recognise that the people of Tuvalu deserve the choice to live, study and work elsewhere, as climate change impacts intensify at home," the text of the statement reads.

($1 = 1.5221 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
Authorities see no reason to discuss evacuation from Kharkiv even in theory

Russia is creating a certain grouping of troops in the north of Kharkiv Oblast, but so far there is no reason to consider the evacuation from the city of Kharkiv.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on air of the national joint 24/7 newscast, cited by Ukrinform

Quote: "We are observing northern territories since the Russians resumed active assault actions after replacing and coordinating their combat units. Yet they still achieved no success on that axis.

The enemy is indeed creating a certain grouping of forces in the north. We will analyse whether it is for a possible attack from the north or for other territories like theyve already done many times."

Details: Syniehubov stressed that "at the moment, there is no reason to consider evacuation from Kharkiv even in theory".

Background: Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov is confident that Russian occupation forces will not be able to reach the city, as the Kremlin's propaganda has been threatening Ukrainians in recent weeks.

See more of how Kharkiv lives under non-stop Russian attacks and strikes in the reportage by Ukrainska Pravda.

Support UP or become our patron!
Authorities Share of Cause of Death Behind 3 Missing Surfers in Mexico

Originally appeared on E! Online

Tragedy has struck the surfing community.

The bodies of three surfers were found in a hard-to-reach well near Ensenada, Mexico, last week, and now authorities have confirmed the cause of death for Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad.

Authorities explained the trio were killed in an apparent carjacking, according to NBC News, with the Ensenada medical examiner saying that the official causes of death were gunshot wounds to the head.

The three were originally considered missing on April 27 after they failed to return to an Airbnb rental. Their bodies were discovered in a remote well that was 50 feet deepalong with a fourth body that had been there longerin La Bocana, south of Ensenada, per NBC News. According to a statement by the state's attorney general's office, family members were brought in to make the identifications in person.

Prosecutors shared during a news conference on May 6 that they suspect the carjackers were trying to steal the wheels on the pickup truck used by the surfers.

Celebrity Deaths: 2024's Fallen Stars

More from E! Online

Authorities said they have three people in custodyone of whom was in possession of one of the victim's cellphones. Two of suspects were held on methamphetamine-related allegations, while the third was the subject of a kidnapping warrant.

GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images

Jake, Callum and Jack were apparently in a makeshift encampment during a trip along the Baja coast when they were attacked, with prosecutors saying they found tents, spent gun shells and bloodstains.

Jake and Callum's mother Debra Robinson was posting actively about her sons after they were considered missing, and now she and husband Martin are mourning their loss.

GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images

"Our hearts and broken and the world has become a darker place for us," she said during a news conference via ABC News. "They were young men enjoying their passion of surfing together."

E! News has reached out to the Baja California Attorney General's Office but hasn't heard back.

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
The McDonald's at 820 Post Road in Warwick where former Rhode Island Public Transit Authority CEO Scott Avedisian was involved in a fender bender on March 27, 2024. (Google)

Former Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) CEO Scott Avedisian in a Kent County District Court appearance Wednesday morning pleaded no contest to an alleged hit-and-run in Warwick in late March.

Avedisian, 59, accepted a deal with prosecutors regarding misdemeanor charges in connection with a March 27 fender bender in the drive-thru of the McDonalds at 820 Post Road. Avedisian was accused of leaving the scene after a collision involving two other vehicles. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charge during his arraignment on April 5.

Under the deal, the charge was filed for six months. The misdemeanor charge will remain on Avedisians record for that time and will be expunged afterward if he stays out of trouble with the law.

Avedisians attorney, former Rhode Island House Speaker John Harwood, did not respond to an immediate request for comment.

According to Warwick police, the collision between Avedisians RIPTA-issued black Ford SUV and the 2010 Mercedes in front of it caused the Mercedes to hit the 2013 Toyota Camry in front of it. No injuries were reported, but both drivers told police they wanted to press charges.

Facing mounting scrutiny over the alleged incident, Avedisian resigned from his post as RITPAs CEO on April 11  a position he held since he was appointed by then-Gov. Gina Raimondo in 2018. The bus agencys board of directors on April 16 voted 7-0 to accept his departure and agreed to a $67,823 severance package.

Before his appointment to RIPTA in 2018, Avedisian served nearly two decades as the Republican mayor of Warwick. Before that, he was a city councilor from 1990 to 2000.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the disposition of Avedisians case. He was not placed on probation.

The post Avedisian pleads no contest in Warwick hit-and-run appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Republican state Rep. David Cook said he's not worried about the appeal to the petition signature case brought against him by Republican Sen. Wendy Rogers. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror

Republican state Sen. Wendy Rogers is one of the final holdouts continuing to challenge the validity of signatures her opponent collected to qualify for the July primary.

Out of more than 20 challenges to candidate petitions and the voter signatures on them that were filed in mid-April, only a handful remain unresolved. Most were dismissed by a judge, voluntarily dismissed by the challenger or rendered moot after the challenged candidate dropped out of the race.

Rogers is challenging hundreds of signatures collected by the Republican aiming to challenge her in the July 30 primary election, Rep. David Cook, of Globe.

Rogers, an incumbent from Flagstaff, says that one of Cooks signature gatherers forged many signatures that he collected, even presenting testimony from voters whose signatures were on Cooks petitions but who said they didnt sign.

However, the trial court judge who heard the case, dismissed Rogers claims, saying in an April 24 ruling that she provided no proof of fraud. She quickly appealed that decision to the Arizona Supreme Court.

Though both are Republicans, Cook and Rogers differ in policy and politics. Rogers, who built a national profile as an election denier following the 2020 election, supported the controversial 1864 abortion ban that the Arizona Supreme Court last month declared enforceable, saying, They got it right in 1864.

Cook is more of a traditional Republican, who said he supported the right to choose, even though he is personally against abortion. But he ultimately ended up voting against a repeal of the Civil-War-era abortion ban when three other Republicans in the House joined Democrats to strike down the ban.

I am not worried, Cook told the Arizona Mirror via text message on May 2, after Rogers filed her appeal.

Cook went on to say that he was busy checking out water availability and fire threats near Payson that day, what a Rep/Senator should be doing, he said.

Rogers attorney, Tim La Sota, wrote in the appeal that the trial court erred when it failed to invalidate 132 signatures that Rogers claims were collected outside of the district and when it allowed any of the signatures collected by petition circulator Jason Wessel to count toward Cooks total. La Sota argued that, because Wessel engaged in signature forgery, none of the signatures he collected for Cook should count.

During the trial, Rogers challenged a whopping 1,033 of the 1,344 nomination signatures that Cook submitted. In the appeal, she claimed that only 583 of his signatures are valid, just less than the 595 he needs to get on the ballot.

In Cooks response to the appeal, filed May 6, Phoenix election lawyer Roy Herrera wrote that the county recorders in Coconino, Gila, Navajo and Pinal counties already checked and validated or invalidated the signatures the Rogers challenged, saying she didnt provide enough evidence that any additional signatures came from voters who dont live in the district.

If Rogers believed additional signatures fell outside jurisdictional review of the four counties in the district, the burden fell on her to establish the deficiency of each signature, Herrera wrote.

The counties invalidated 563 of Cooks signatures, leaving him with 781 valid ones, La Sota wrote, pointing out an 11-signature error in the trial courts decision, which seemingly incorrectly ruled that Cook collected 792 valid signatures.

La Sota also noted testimony from multiple people who said they didnt sign Cooks petition, even though their names appear on it, claiming that the rest of the signatures gathered by the man who circulated the petitions with bad signatures should also be thrown out because the circulator cant be trusted.

For example, David Jones, whose name is signed to Cooks petition, said that he previously lived at the address at Apache Junction where his signature was allegedly collected, but that he no longer lives there and was not there on the date when his name was signed.

Rogers presented witnesses who testified that they did not themselves sign petitions sheets bearing their name; but none of these witnesses testified as to who wrote their name on the petition sheet, Herrera wrote. Meanwhile, the circulator whose signatures were questioned testified emphatically that he did not sign any voters name.

Herrera argued that Rogers only proved that some of the alleged signers didnt actually sign the petition, not that the petition circulator forged their signatures.

None of the witnesses testified to seeing, or having reason to believe, that their names had been signed by the circulator who collected them, Jason Wessel, Herrera wrote.

But La Sota argued that all of the signatures Wessel gathered should be thrown out because Arizonas standard of presuming that signatures are valid should not apply to someone who engaged in alleged signature fraud.

As for having a witness, people who commit felonies do not typically do so in the presence of witnesses who could testify against them, La Sota wrote. With some crimes, witnesses are unavoidable. But with petition forgery, one can avoid witnesses by simply forging the signatures in private.

Around 50% of the signatures that Wessel gathered were found to be invalid.

Herrera called the idea that all of Wessels signatures should be thrown out preposterous.

Under (Rogers) argument, any individual voter can claim to not have signed a petition sheet with their name on it, and on that basis alone the circulator will be presumed to have committed wrongdoing, and all other signatures gathered by the circulator of that sheet will be invalidated, Herrera wrote.

The state Supreme Court has already said it will not hear oral arguments from the lawyers in this case. Now the candidates will wait for a ruling from the court to determine if Cook will be on the primary ballot.

The post AZ Supreme Court to decide if Cook stays on Republican primary ballot appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Families will soon have more choices on where to shop for baby gear, furniture and more. On Tuesday, Kohls announced 200 stores will welcome the addition of Babies R Us shops, including five in the San Diego area.

Babies R Us went out of business along with Toys R Us in 2018. However, in March, Kohls announced a partnership with the parent company of both brands, WHP Global, which enabled its revival.

UCSD Birth Center welcomes its 7,000th baby

The five Kohls stores in the San Diego area to feature the Babies R Us experience are located at the following addresses:

 1870 Main Ct., Chula Vista, CA 91911

 2325 Otay Lakes Rd., Chula Vista, CA 91915

 2398 Jamacha Rd., El Cajon, CA 92019

 9412 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee, CA 92071

 720 Center Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069

The Babies R Us shop at Kohls is expected to include the latest baby gear and furniture, as well as other necessities for expecting parents such as bath, activity, feeding and safety products. No exact date has been announced for when the shops are expected to open.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Political Director at the Israeli Foreign Ministry Aliza Bin Noun have discussed various aspects of bilateral and multilateral relations between the countries, including economic, security, high technology, the current situation and prospects for cooperation in these areas, a source in the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan told Trend.

Bayramov informed in detail about the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period.

The parties also exchanged views on international and regional issues of widespread concern.

During the visit of the Israeli delegation, a regular meeting was held within the framework of political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Azerbaijan and Israel.

At the consultations, the delegation of Azerbaijan was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Fariz Rzayev, and the Israeli delegation - by Bin Noun.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The nations largest mass transit systems are edging closer to solving their post-pandemic budget crises, but one thing is standing in their way: the suburbs.

After several years of incomplete recovery from a massive ridership drop, federal relief money is running out for systems in New York, Washington, Philadelphia and other major cities. That means long-looming fiscal cliffs are at hand, prompting talk of massive fare hikes, devastating service cuts and new taxes or fees.

But historic tensions between urban needs and suburban wants are colliding, as fixes for transit systems depend on approval from elected officials  and their voters  who live outside the central business districts most transportation systems were designed to serve.

The head of New Yorks Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Janno Lieber, has fumed over suburban politicians in New York and New Jersey standing up for drivers while doing little to help the vast majority of commuters who use the MTA to get to work.

Although the politicians seem to speak to very old school models of the suburbanites hate the city and they don't like mass transit commuting, the numbers just dont bear that out, Lieber said.



The tensions percolated even before the pandemic and are rooted in a basic fact: No public mass transit system in the country generates enough revenue to support itself. They all need a mix of subsidies to keep fares affordable, especially for the low-income riders that depend on the systems the most.

Perhaps the most high stakes and at times visceral showdown is in New York where plans to fund the MTA keep hitting a series of suburban speed bumps.

Last year, state lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul helped the MTA avoid a fiscal cliff that would have hit $3 billion next year by increasing the payroll tax on large businesses.

Originally, Hochul had pitched a broader tax for all the areas served by the agency, including outside New York City, but it faced steep opposition from suburban lawmakers and was scaled back to just hit businesses within city limits. The change underscored heightened anxiety ahead of the 2024 election, after Republicans picked up suburban House seats in the midterms.

Now, the agency is in the middle of another showdown with some of the same areas. The MTAs long-term infrastructure spending is staked on billions of dollars from a congestion pricing plan for drivers coming into Manhattan. Starting in late June, new tolls of $15 for cars and more for big trucks are supposed to reduce traffic and improve air quality in parts of Manhattan and fund MTA construction projects.



But before that can happen, the agency has to fight a series of federal lawsuits filed by officials and residents in the citys outer boroughs, including Staten Islands borough president, a town on Long Island, and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, is perhaps the quintessential suburban politician  one of the towns in his district is called Fair Lawn. He has waged a years-long battle against congestion pricing and recently joined with a bipartisan group of suburban and outer borough lawmakers in New Jersey and New York to call for increased federal oversight of the MTA.

Lets speak up for the tri-state residents who will have fewer job opportunities and pay higher prices because of the congestion tax, Gottheimer said, during a recent speech in front of the MTA headquarters.



Even before the pandemic, transit agencies revenue  from fares, tolls and taxes some can impose, along with things like advertising on buses and subways  generated far less than half their budgets. The rest came from local, state and federal subsidies.

Transit systems dont lose money on every ride, but, ironically, they lose more money the further out into the suburbs they go. Thats because the high frequency, high volume routes nearest to urban cores tend to generate the most money.

All of our systems have to go to the suburbs. Thats a huge, huge cost driver because youre making longer trips for less people, said Zoe Baldwin, the director of state programs at the Regional Plan Association, a nonprofit that works in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

That creates an almost inevitable conflict between urban transit and everyone else. Either the mass transit network serves people outside the city and loses more money and needs more subsidies  or it doesnt and therefore doesnt do anything to garner their support.

So some suburban voters want better service but dont want to pay for it until they get it.



Thats the problem facing Murphy in New Jersey. At the same time hes the suburban foe to New Yorks MTA, his plan to fix his states public transit agency, New Jersey Transit, is running into opposition from suburban and rural politicians within his own state, which is the nations densest.

His plan to fill a budget gap at NJ Transit involves raising taxes on the states largest businesses. One of the first critics of the tax increase was a South Jersey business group that complained public transportation in its part of the state was scarce, and the regional workforce suffers as a result.

During legislative budget hearings, NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett fielded several questions from lawmakers about the lack of robust service outside of North Jersey.

Corbett said hed like to expand services but that takes money, something the agency doesnt exactly have a lot of. Its board just voted to raise fares by 15 percent and it still faces a roughly $800 million budget gap beginning next summer.

We were created 40 plus years ago out of bankrupt bus lines and railroads, Corbett said during legislative testimony. So that's sort of what we inherited. So a lot of our service patterns were dictated then.

Officials at WMATA, which serves the Washington, D.C., metro area, just approved a 12.5 percent fare increase. Thats smaller than feared only because Washington, Virginia and Maryland leaders coughed up hundreds of millions of dollars to prevent larger fare increases.

But thats one-time money that just kicks the fight to next year. Its a problem that WMATA officials and regional politicians are hoping to address by creating a 20-person task force to look at longer-term fixes, including a possible tax.

They understand weve got to solve this issue once and for all, we cant keep doing this year after year, WMATA board chair Paul Smedberg said during a press conference after the agencys fare hikes were approved.

In other places, transit officials are in the middle of a fight to save their fixes from being picked apart by suburban foes.

In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiros first big transit push since taking office last year is shoring up SEPTA, the rail and bus system in and around Philadelphia. The plan, to devote more money from the states sales tax to transit, will require approval from suburban and rural politicians. The state government is divided  Shapiro and the House are Democrats, but the Senate is controlled by rural and suburban Republicans wary of spending more in the city.



But Shapiros plan isnt just for SEPTA, which may make it easier to pass. It would send $283 million to transit agencies across the state. Much of that goes to SEPTA, but over 50 other smaller transit agencies will get millions too.

So far, that hasnt sealed the deal, but it may make it easier to reach one that avoids fare increases or service cuts.This governor is well aware that when counties and districts invest  in rides for seniors, those with disabilities, let people make mobility choices, help with climate issues, sustainability, economic development  that is an investment in those communities, said SEPTAs head, Leslie Richards, in an interview.

Even if Shapiros plan gets through, there are other long-term issues facing SEPTA. The sales tax money would help fill an annual operating gap, but SEPTA is still looking for authority for the areas it serves to levy their own taxes just for the agency.

That bill is being discussed, but not yet moving.





Transit systems are also dealing with ongoing safety concerns. At the MTA, officials are arguing that, despite high profile tragedies, crime is down. At SEPTA, Richards said she is working to assure lawmakers that money is going toward making the system cleaner and safer

People have to feel good about riding us for our ridership to increase, she said.

Across the country, California, a state famous for its expansive highway system and history of prioritizing driving over public transportation, is no stranger to its own transit fights historically. But state and local officials have largely avoided public feuding in recent years, and the states approach to transit funding could offer a path forward for its Northeastern counterparts.

The source of the peace is a population-based formula that not only applies to the gas tax that funds much of the state's transit, but also to one-time spending. Most of the $5.1 billion transit package that lawmakers passed last year is divvied up by population, reducing conflicts.

"Bus agencies have as strong a shot of getting funding as rail agencies and rail projects," said Michael Pimentel, executive director of the California Transit Association, which represents 81 bus, rail and ferry operators, along with dozens of regional government agencies.

That's not to say California has it all figured out. Both urban and rural transit systems are still facing fiscal cliffs even with recent funding increases  about half of last year's package is currently frozen as Gov. Gavin Newsom navigates a record budget deficit.

Pimentel said he was worried the delay could push federal funding agreements until after the presidential election, jeopardizing one-time funding from the Biden administration.

"The temporary delay in funding to California transit agencies is not without real-world impacts," he said in an email.

Alex Nieves and Debra Kahn contributed to this report.
LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  The battle over water rates for customers in Lackawanna County took an interesting turn Tuesday.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) said the rate hike PA American Water wants is too high and recommended a much lower rate hike.

That could ultimately be good news for residents, but as 28/22 News Reporter Jason LiVecchi tells us, many worry any rate hike could hurt customers who are already finding it hard to pay the bills.

I hate it, like, people can barely afford to live around here now, let alone if the water goes up again, said Scranton resident Sarah Manzi.

The water rate hike that was possibly coming to people living in Northeast PA now might not be as bad as first thought.

On Tuesday, the PUC made a recommendation to PA American Water to increase the rate by 40% of what they were originally asking.

Scrantons Mayor Paige Cognetti believes its a step in the right direction for Electric City residents.

Weve worked really really hard on this and of course we wanted it to be zero its true though that the PAWC does have infrastructure cost, so, is always a fight, always in negotiation. Were gonna keep fighting. Well of course wed love to have the number be zero were at less than half of their request, Mayor Cognetti said.

Interstate 81 Southbound traffic jam frustrates drivers

A representative from an organization that has been fighting to keep water bills low argues the problem began when Pa American Water took over the utility from the city.

The people in specifically and Im gonna stay in Dunmore and Scranton and the outlying communities with the water bills having getting pounded by American Waters since they acquired the Scranton source system, said Joe Gilhooley of the Oppose the Water Hike Campaign.

After the PUCs recommendation for a lower rate hike, Pennsylvania American released its own statement against the decision.

The statement reads in part:

Todays Recommended Decision fails to provide an appropriate return on Pennsylvania American Waters investments in water and wastewater systems to replace aging infrastructure, provide reliable service, enhance water quality, comply with environmental regulations, and increase fire protection for customers. Pennsylvania American Water

Members of Oppose the Water Hike say they will continue to fight to keep what they believe is fair and right for NEPA citizens despite the PUC recommendation for a smaller rate hike.

We will Bombard the commission with continued calls, formal complaints, informal complaints, and hopefully the commission will listen to us and give us a fair shake, said Gihooley.

The PUC will give its decision by no later than July 11 at a public meeting with any rate increase going into effect by August 7.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
The Bay County Sheriff's Office is offering its next two gun safety classes May 18, one beginner and one intermediate.

PANAMA CITY  For Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford, it's important for residents who own firearms to be proficient with their weapons.

According to Ford, the Bay County Sheriff's Office is gearing up for its next two gun safety classes on May 18. The event, which will boast both a beginner and intermediate-level class, will be held at the Campflower Road Gun Range.

BCSO has offered the classes about every other month for the past year. Ford said they partially stem from HB 643, which went into effect in July 2023 and eliminated licensing requirements to carry a concealed weapon or firearm in most public places across the state. The classes are only for handguns.

"I'm a big proponent of our second amendment right," said Ford, who is up for re-election this year. "With a right comes a responsibility to know how to use a firearm, and so (the class) was an opportunity for us to engage with citizens and provide a safe, professional environment to learn firearm handling skills and firearm skills in general."

The Sheriff's Office has been holding its gun safety classes about every other month for the past year, since the legislature passed a law eliminating licensing requirements to carry a concealed firearm. The classes are for handguns only.

He noted the classes take approximately four hours. They cover a variety of things from learning to property load a handgun in the beginner class, to more tactical self-defense training in the intermediate class.

Both will feature live-shooting drills.

"The beginner's course goes more into safe handling of firearms, (as well as other) skills, accuracy and marksmanship," Ford said. "The intermediate course is for those who are familiar with the use of a firearm and just want to improve their marksmanship and shooting skills."

The classes will be overseen by two instructors, one of which is retired Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen, who said participants should show up with their firearms and magazines unloaded. He also suggested they bring at least 50 rounds of ammunition.

They will practice shooting at ranges between about 5 yards and 15 yards. They also will learn more about HB 643 and how it differs from a concealed carry permit.

"I'm a big proponent of our second amendment right," said Sheriff Tommy Ford, who is up for re-election this year. "With a right comes a responsibility to know how to use a firearm

Like Ford, McKeithen said he believes the classes offer a great, free opportunity for residents to become more proficient with their weapon  something he said is especially important in the wake of many new gun owners following HB 643.

Looking back: Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford supports Florida residents' right to concealed carry

"There's really no (other) place in Bay County where someone can actually go and freely have access to a shooting range," McKeithen said. "We try to cater to the shooter. We try to make them feel comfortable. We try to make them really understand (if) they want a gun."

To register for the classes, call 850-747-4700 or email theresa.anglin@bayso.org.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: BCSO working to help residents become more proficient with firearms
Kaitlyn Joshua speaks at a discussion with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in Lansing about threats to reproductive health care on May 7, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Two women from southern states talked to the Advance on Tuesday about the trauma of being denied medical care as they were losing their pregnancies following the fall of Roe v. Wade.

Amanda Zurawski of Texas and Kaitlyn Joshua of Louisiana said they both wanted to get pregnant.

Zurawski went through what she described as a grueling year of fertility treatments which ended tragically when the pregnancy she fought so hard for had catastrophic complications at just 18 weeks.

But Texas has a near total abortion ban. Zurawski said she was told by her doctor that her life had to be in danger before they could deliver her daughter before the point of viability, effectively an abortion. She endured two bouts of sepsis before she could get an abortion. The damage from the experience has left her likely unable to carry a future pregnancy.

I have been put in this position because of what happened to me as a result of the ban that is in place in Texas, Zurawski told the Advance.  The emotional and the psychological toll that takes, I cant speak to that enough. Its just been, Im doing much better now, but for a while it was crippling.

Zurwaskis story about nearly dying after her 2022 miscarriage is now the subject of a new TV ad from President Joe Bidens reelection campaign.

Amanda Zurawski speaks at a discussion with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in Lansing about threats to reproductive health care on May 7, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Because [former President] Donald Trump killed Roe v. Wade, Amanda was denied standard medical care to prevent infection, an abortion, the ad says.  She almost died twice. The infection caused so much damage Amanda may never get pregnant again.

She also has sued the state of Texas.

Zurawski and Joshua traveled to Lansing, Detroit and Grand Rapids on Tuesday on behalf of the Biden campaign. They stopped in Lansing to speak with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, about their concerns for abortion in Michigan should former President Donald Trump get reelected this fall.

Joshua told Nessel about finding out she was pregnant weeks after Louisiana enacted its near total abortion ban. She and her husband were thrilled at the idea of having a second child to join their 4-year-old daughter. But from the start, she was denied reproductive health care, having been told shed have to wait a month before getting a prenatal appointment at more than two months pregnant.

I asked on the phone, Is this because of what I think? and they said yes. Because of the abortion ban, prenatal appointments were being scheduled later, when miscarriages are less common, so as to avoid potential legal liability for medical providers, Joshua told Nessel. At around 11 weeks, just one week before that first prenatal appointment, I started experiencing major blood loss and pain worse than childbirth.

She was having a miscarriage. But instead of being allowed to technically have an abortion in order to safely pass her pregnancy, Joshua said she was sent home.

In a Louisiana Illuminator column published last month, Joshua recalls the staff told me they were praying for me. Im a Christian woman who goes to church every Sunday. I needed answers and access to care, not their prayers.

But Joshua said she didnt get the care she needed and instead had to suffer alone.

It took me weeks to pass my pregnancy at home by myself and I was absolutely terrified. This experience has made me see firsthand how Black women are dying at alarming rates in this country, Joshua said on Tuesday.

Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When you look at the access to OBGYNs, when you look at the access to just basic prenatal care, as it stands before Roe v. Wade and after, it is definitely in stark contrast [in terms of] a correlation of the abortion ban playing a role in the rates being worse than they were before, Joshua told the Advance. As a woman that presents as Black and most importantly, as someone who has experienced adversity as a result of the abortion ban, I kind of get the opportunity to bring that conversation to the table.

Nessel talked about having to get an abortion two decades ago when she was pregnant with triplets in order to save the lives of her other two babies, which she did.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (left) speaks with Kaitlyn Joshua (middle) and Amanda Zurawski (right) during a discussion in Lansing about threats to reproductive health care on May 7, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

I cant imagine, I literally cant imagine being in the situation that you guys have been in, in the states that youre from, now post-Roe, Nessel said. To have politicians telling me what I could or couldnt do with my body and telling me either that I would have to risk my life just because I happen to be a woman who wanted to reproduce and have children, or potentially telling me that I couldnt have children at all, which doesnt seem very pro life to me in any way, shape or form.

Nessel said that shes terrified at the prospect of a Trump presidency. She argued that any cryptic claims that hes not interested in implementing a federal abortion ban go against what voters know: Trump takes gleeful responsibility for the fall of Roe.

And with states attacking in vitro fertilization (IVF) and questions being raised surrounding surrogacy, the path to parenthood for many people isnt clear under Republican leadership, Zurawski told the Advance.

Earlier this year, she and her husband, Josh, said they were planning to move her frozen embryos out of Texas out of fear that the state could ban IVF.

Its just really opened my eyes that these laws and the way that theyre written really have no limits. And we know that MAGA Republicans will take them as far as possible to control women up and down the United States, Zurawski told the Advance. To anyone living in any state where they think theyre safe, they think theyre protected. If Donald Trump is reelected, no one is safe.

The post After being denied health care, women detail emotional and psychological toll of abortion bans appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Belgian sex workers to get health insurance, pensions and maternity leave in world first

Campaigners, pictured during a demonstration in Brusells in 2005, have spent decades lobbying Belgian politicians for a change in the law - JACQUES COLLET/AFP

Belgium has become the first country in the world to approve a labour law on employment contracts for sex workers.

Under the law, if a prostitute refuses a client more than ten times over six months, a pimp can trigger an intervention by a government mediator but cannot sack the employee.

It also entitles the sex worker to health insurance, pensions, unemployment and family benefits, holidays and maternity leave.

This law is a world first. I cannot stress enough how important this is, Daan Bauwens, a spokesman for the UTSOPI, the union for sex workers in Belgium, said.

With this model, Belgium is really demonstrating that it aims to protect sex workers, regardless of any moral judgements about the profession people may have, he told The Brussels Times.

He added: We hope that this can lead to a reversal of the recent trend of criminalising clients in Europe.

We hope that other countries will copy this text, as they did on topics such as same-sex marriage, abortion, euthanasia and transgender rights.

The law makes it legal to give prostitutes employment contracts, after Belgium became the first country in Europe to decriminalise self-employed sex work in 2022.

It bestows certain rights on the worker and conditions on their employer. These include the right to refuse a client or a sexual act, as well as the right to interrupt a sexual act at any time without fear of dismissal or punishment.

Sex workers are also entitled to carry out a sexual act how they wish and to refuse to sit behind Amsterdam-style windows, which are also used in Belgium, or to advertise if their safety is at risk.

Invoking any of these rights more than 10 times in half a year can lead to the government mediation service being called by the worker or employer.

Sex workers can also end their contract at any time with no notice period and do not lose their right to unemployment benefits when terminating their employment.

Workers anonymity will be protected because the contracts will be provided under the same heading as those given to hospitality workers in the restaurant and hotel sector. This is intended to ensure they can apply for other jobs without fear of discrimination.

Registered pimp offices

The law does not cover pornographic actors, strippers or webcam performers.

Pimps must have a registered office in Belgium and apply for approval before they can offer the contracts.

Approval will be withheld if they have convictions for crimes including sexual assault, murder, extortion, abuse of sex workers or voyeurism.

They must provide the sex worker with an alarm button, which must be in the room where the sexual services are provided or be portable if the worker is travelling to the client.

The employer must also ensure sex workers have access to someone in charge of ensuring their safety, and that unions and support organisations have access to the brothels at all times.

Other countries, such as New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands, recognised sex work before Belgium but have never set up a comparable legal framework.

The Belgian parliament approved the law, following years of lobbying from sex workers, on Friday, with 93 votes in favour, 33 abstentions and no votes against.

The next step will be the finalisation of three decrees focusing on the practicalities of the procedure for recognising employers, regulations on the size of rooms, workplace hygiene and the maximum number of sex workers per room, and the government mediation service.

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.
Belgium to monitor Telegram to comply with new EU content moderation law

Belgium to monitor Telegram to comply with new EU content moderation law

Belgian authorities will be responsible for monitoring Telegram and addressing all European complaints about the messaging app.

Telegram is based in Dubai but has chosen legal representation in Belgium, a spokesman for the Belgian Institute of Post and Telecommunications (BIPT) confirmed to Euronews Next.

The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which took effect in February, requires companies located outside the bloc to have legal representation in one of the member states.

EU countries must also designate an independent authority to supervise companies' compliance with the new rules. This will officially start when Belgium designates the BIPT as a Digital Service Coordinator.

Founded in 2013 by Russian-born Pavel Durov, Telegram has around 41 million monthly users in the EU, slightly lower than the threshold required for it to be subject to more specific obligations under the DSA.

While these largest platforms are monitored by the European Commission, national EU authorities regulate the other digital platforms.

Most used social media app by Ukrainians for news

Durov said in an interview last month that he expects Telegram to hit one billion users worldwide in 2024. The app currently claims to have passed 900 million active monthly users.

While touted as a secure messaging app, it has also been used to spread Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine.

A French report found a Russian disinformation network that uses Telegram for massive automated content sharing.

A poll published in November 2023, however, found that Ukrainians used Telegram the most of any other social media app for news consumption, with 72 per cent of people using it.

A Ukrainian parliamentary committee earlier this year spoke about Telegram as a possible national security threat and discussed the possibility of banning its activities in Ukraine. Others have called for the Ukrainian government to stop using it as well.

The Belgian newspaper De Standaard first reported that Belgium's regulator would be responsible for monitoring Telegram.

Jimmy Smedts, spokesman for the BIPT, told Euronews Next on Tuesday that the regulator will mainly ensure that Telegram complies with "due diligence obligations".

This includes allowing users to signal the presence of illegal content and informing interested parties of the removal of content.

The role of BIPT "is not to moderate illegal content online," Smedts said, "but rather to enforce the transparency obligations imposed on platforms in this field".
Enikia Ford Morthel, superintendent of Berkeley Unified School District, was called before a Republican-led subcommittee of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce about allegations of pervasive antisemitism in K-12 classrooms. (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images)

The superintendent of Berkeley Unified School District on Wednesday rejected accusations that the district's K-12 classrooms have become breeding grounds for antisemitism during a congressional hearing where she and other school leaders were grilled about perceived bias against Jewish students.

Berkeley Supt. Enikia Ford Morthel joined Karla Silvestre, president of the Montgomery County Board of Education in Maryland, and David Banks, chancellor of New York City public schools  two other left-leaning jurisdictions  to field targeted questions from a Republican-led subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce. The hearing was titled "Confronting Pervasive Antisemitism in K-12 Schools."

Ford Morthel said her district had received formal complaints of antisemitism stemming from nine incidents and stressed that district leaders have responded quickly to the accusations and launched investigations.

"Our babies sometimes say hurtful things. We are mindful that all kids make mistakes. We know that our staff are not immune to missteps either, and we don't ignore them when they occur," Ford Morthel said. "However, antisemitism is not pervasive in Berkeley Unified School District."

The hearing comes after months of emotional national division spawned by Hamas' brutal Oct. 7 attack on Israeli border towns and Israel's war on Gaza that has followed. Pro-Palestinian protesters have roiled college campuses including Columbia and UCLA, shut down highways and bridges and launched campaigns calling on President Biden to halt financial and military aid for Israel.

But in K-12 public schools, where teachers are subject to stricter limits on free speech than college professors, disagreement over how  and whether  the conflict should be addressed in classrooms has progressed into searing claims from some Jewish parents that their children no longer feel safe in class.

A federal civil rights complaint filed in February by the Anti-Defamation League and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law alleges that students in Berkeley schools have faced "severe and persistent harassment and discrimination." The complaint accuses Berkeley leaders of failing to prevent "viciously hostile environments for Jewish and Israeli students."

The U.S. Department of Education has opened a federal investigation into the complaint.

"You've been accused of doing nothing and turning a blind eye," Rep. Aaron Bean, a Florida Republican and chair of the subcommittee, told the three K-12 leaders in his opening statement.

Bean quickly fired off questions asking whether they believe that Israel has a right to exist and that the Oct. 7 attacks were an act of terrorism. He asked whether they believe the phrase "from the river to the sea," a slogan widely chanted during pro-Palestinian protests that many Jewish people consider a call for the expulsion and genocide of Israeli Jews, is antisemitic.

The school leaders repeated their support for Jewish students and reiterated that hate and antisemitism would not be tolerated.

The hearing was similar to one in December, where the presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and MIT were accused of mounting a tepid response to antisemitism on their campuses. The presidents of Penn and Harvard later stepped down.

Berkeley is not the only San Francisco Bay Area district to face accusations of allowing antisemitism to fester in classrooms.

The union representing Oakland teachers endorsed a pro-Palestinian "teach in" in December and provided educators with lesson plans that some Jewish families perceive as anti-Israel and discriminatory. Dozens of Jewish families have filed requests to transfer out of the district.

In San Francisco schools, families have raised concerns about anti-Israel content being shared in classrooms and student walkouts promoted by a pro-Palestinian organization working in the district.

During her testimony, Ford Morthel said Berkeley teachers and administrators work to ensure "each and every child is seen, valued and educated," and recognize that some members of their school community have been personally affected by the violence.

"As educators, too often we are called upon to address heart-wrenching events that occur far beyond the walls of our classrooms," she said. "Our young students with ties to either Israel or Gaza, some deeply traumatized by the horror they see and hear, sit side by side in our Berkeley classrooms. They are friends."

Tyler Gregory, chief executive of the Jewish Community Relations Council Bay Area, said he hoped the hearing helped shed light on the "shortcomings" of the district's response to antisemitism.

"Theres a clear red line when Jewish students and families dont feel safe going to school because they are being targeted for their identity and their beliefs," Gregory said. "And we do not feel that the district is taking that situation seriously."

Gregory said Jewish families in the Bay Area have grown increasingly concerned with lesson plans, student walkouts, pro-Palestinian speakers being brought into the classroom and other incidents that they say show a bias against Israel.

"We're seeing one narrative taught and not the other. That's neither healthy nor conducive to a safe environment for Jewish students, just like a pro-Israel lens that erases Palestinians wouldn't be safe for Arab and Palestinian students," he said.

Ilana Pearlman, a Jewish mom of a Berkeley high school student, said her family had a mostly pleasant experience in the district before Oct. 7. But after the Hamas attack, "everything just turned on its head," Pearlman said.

"Everything became political. Every classroom, flags went up, signs went up," Pearlman said. "The only acceptable way to be Jewish in Berkeley schools right now is to be an anti-Zionist."

Students and parents who support a cease-fire in Gaza and Palestinian liberation note that their coalition includes many Jewish families.

"These claims are meant to undermine our anti-war movement as a whole," said Muhammad Delgado, a Berkeley High School senior and co-president of the Muslim Student Assn. "And theyre also being launched by a handful of parents that dont really seem to represent the whole of Berkeley."

Molly Sampson, whose Palestinian children attend Berkeley schools, said she's alarmed that teachers are being censored for teaching the history of the conflict. She said that the Jewish families raising concerns represent "such a micro-element of opinion in our community."

Sampson said the community stands behind Ford Morthel.

"I know that she is going to be fine, because she has the truth on her side," Sampson said. "She certainly has the support of Berkeley behind her."

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.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner has condemned the physical attack on the city's economy minister and former mayor, Franziska Giffey "in the strongest possible terms."

"Anyone who attacks politicians is attacking our democracy," Wegner, a member of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), said in a statement on Wednesday morning. "We will not tolerate this. We will oppose all forms of violence, hatred and agitation and protect our democracy."

Wegner announced that the Senate would discuss responses to the Tuesday afternoon assault on Giffey, including potentially tougher penalties for attacks on politicians.

Giffey, who leads the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) in the capital, was slightly injured in the attack at a library, but has since returned to work.

According to police, a man suddenly attacked the SPD politician in a library "from behind with a bag filled with hard contents and hit her on the head and neck."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. AFFA has investigated the incidents that occurred in the match of the XXXIII round of the Azerbaijani Premier League between the clubs Qarabag and Neftchi, Trend reports via Idman.biz.

A legal assessment has been given to the incidents that happened in the match.

Qarabag was fined 800 manat ($470.3) for the fact that the club's fans threw foreign objects on the field. The team will pay 1000 manat ($587.8) for the mass insulting statements of Aghdam club fans.

Neftchi player Yuri Matias received a straight red card for insulting the referee and was disqualified for 4 games, 2 of which were suspended. He caused a loss of 3000 manat ($1,763) to the capital club. The probationary period was set for 3 months.

Meanwhile, Neftchi was fined 1000 manat because of mass insults from Baku fans and will pay for the damage caused to the stadium (10 seats broken by the capital club's fans).

To note, Qarabag defeated Neftchi with a score of 5:0.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Demonstrators lock arms in front of a police line at the Presidents Circle in support of Palestine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 29, 2024. | Marielle Scott, Deseret News

In the wake of pro-Palestinian protests last week at the University of Utah that ended when police broke up an illegal encampment, the university community is seeking ways to move forward.

There are differing views how best to do that.

Hollis Robbins, dean of the universitys College of Humanities, and Chris Low, director of the University of Utahs Middle East Center, say productive scholarly conversations hinge on building more capacity in Middle East studies and striving for smart speech.

While many people only recently have paid attention to the ongoing war in Gaza after recent protests and encampments on college campuses across the country, Robbins and Low have been in daily contact since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel from Gaza.

At least 1,000 people were killed and numerous hostages were taken. The Israel Defense Forces responded with an extensive aerial bombardment of Gaza starting Oct. 27, followed by a ground invasion, killing thousands in the months since.

I think one of the things that often concerns us is that sometimes when students have very strong feelings, strong identities, strong activist feelings, thats not always matched with training in the classroom. So we really want to bring our students in who have those impulses, and give them exposure to world-class scholars in Middle Eastern studies, said Low.

So from Oct. 7 onward, we were really sort of focused on what can we do to sort of make sure that were putting expertise, faculty expertise, front and center, rather than identities and feelings? We really wanted to be grounded in that expertise, he said.

They offered training to humanities faculty to provide them with their perspective on the long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They conducted a roundtable and training with Student Affairs so that university staff who work directly with students would have a more nuanced understanding of recent events in a historical context.

They worked with Jewish and Muslim student groups to make sure they are doing OK as the conflict has lingered.

I think throughout most of the year, we really did a fantastic job of making sure that everyone felt cared for and, you know, spoken to on a regular basis. We were really intentional with the kinds of events that we did, Low said.

Instead of succumbing to pressure to speak to the issues immediately and do 15 different things, we said, We want to bring in the very best person who we think has amazing Arabic scholarship, Hebrew scholarship, knows Israel, knows Palestine, knows Lebanon, Low said.

The center brought in Seth Anziska from University College London, who gave an amazing talk and then an amazing series of small events with students and faculty members who were concerned on the one hand about Jewish life, on the other hand, Palestine, and the war. We were very careful about how we curated things in order to make sure that everyone got included in those kinds of events, Low said.

Anziska is the founding director of the Middle East Research Centre at University College London. His research and teaching focuses on modern Middle Eastern history, Israeli and Palestinian society and culture, and contemporary Arab and Jewish politics.

When I talk to people about this, they go and Google it and they were like, I dont see any new stories. Part of what weve been very intentional about is staying out of the news, Robbins said.

Robbins, appointed dean of Humanities College two years ago, said the college is working to assemble a world-class faculty of scholars to build on the current work of the Middle East Center.

Asked what success would look like this fall when students return to campus, Low said a win looks like enhanced capacity. It looks like lots of students taking history of the modern Middle East, the history of pre-modern Middle East, thinking about Mongols in Iran, thinking about poetry in pre-Islamic Arabia, thinking about literary scholars in Iraq, thinking about Israel, Palestine but with the guidance of a world-class scholar and the sort of carefully prepared guard rails of the Middle East Center.

Additionally, the chair of the history department and Robbins will be making sure that weve done all the right things to where were maximizing the possibility for productive scholarly conversations, Low said.

As Robbins put it, The conversation isnt hate speech or free speech. Its like, lets have smart speech.

University President Taylor Randall, in an op-ed published in the Deseret News earlier this week, leans into the belief that while the university is not taking sides in the current Israel-Hamas war, We all have a responsibility to call on our elected officials to work toward solutions that will lead to lasting peace.

At the University of Utah, that starts with our faculty and students, where we create an environment of rigorous thinking, self-reflection, thoughtful dialogue and viewpoint diversity. We educate our students and community on their rights and the legal constraints of those rights, and how both work together to bring about lasting change, he wrote.

After protests on campuses elsewhere in the country, a sizable protest was conducted on the University of Utah campus on April 29. Initially, about 300 demonstrated on the steps of the administration building and then erected an encampment on the lawn at Presidents Circle.

Law enforcement declared the encampment unlawful, and organizers were asked to take it down and disperse.

After hours of discussion and multiple warnings to disperse the unlawful assembly on Presidents Circle on May 29, police from multiple agencies broke down the encampment shortly before midnight. A total of 21 people who declined to follow police commands to disperse and take down the camp were arrested, five of them students, according to Randall.

Protesters conducted a smaller and short-lived protest the following day and there was a small protest outside the Jon M. Huntsman Center prior to commencement on May 2.

Following those events, more than 200 faculty and staff members published a statement online that encourages the university to designate, in collaboration with students, a safe and permissible zone for encampment as a valid form of free expression.

It also requests transparency about the role the university administration played in the police response.

Finally, it asks for assurances that future peaceful student protests will not be met with police violence.

It also asks that the university respond substantively to their demands, to grant amnesty to student organizers of recent protests, end police presence at peaceful protests, and form a committee of students, faculty and administrators to examine the universitys investment portfolio and recommend a divestment strategy from those profiting off the war in Gaza.

With respect to the latter, Randalls op-ed said private universities have sole control over their investment portfolios.

In contrast, elected officials and state law govern public entities, like the University of Utah. In Utah, state law specifies two broad investment principles: institutional neutrality and prudent money management. Both principles limit the universitys ability to divest for geopolitical reasons, Randall wrote.

The University of Utah will not take a side in the current Israel-Hamas war, he said.

Public institutions in Utah are precluded by policy from doing so. Principled neutrality helps foster respect and diverse viewpoints on our campus, he wrote.

Randall said he wanted to give voice to the pain and anger many of our students, faculty, staff and the people of Utah feel as they observe the destruction and human suffering in Israel and Gaza. The death and destruction invoke outrage and pain. History teaches us the horror of genocide. We live in troubled times that demand our very best to relieve this suffering.

The university strives to balance free expression and the responsibilities that accompany rights, he said.

The University of Utah does more than honor free expression  we celebrate it. Unfettered intellectual inquiry and the exchange of ideas and knowledge are the bedrock of our institution, he wrote.

Every right comes with a responsibility. The First Amendment, State of Utah administrative code and the University of Utah speech policy define reasonable limits to speech. At the University of Utah, students, faculty and others do not have the right to set up structures or camp overnight without a permit or to unlawfully occupy or trespass on University of Utah property, he explained.
Biden administration proposes rule that would rapidly reject migrants who are ineligible for asylum

The Biden administration on Thursday proposed a rule that would allow immigration officials to rapidly reject migrants who are ineligible for asylum, casting the new regulation as a measure to enhance border security.

The proposed rule, which is narrow in scope, doesnt change asylum eligibility but would allow immigration officials to more quickly remove migrants who are ineligible for asylum earlier in the asylum process.

The proposed rule we have published today is yet another step in our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of the American public by more quickly identifying and removing those individuals who present a security risk and have no legal basis to remain here, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement Thursday.

The move comes as the White House has tried to toughen its position on the US-Mexico border and flip the script on Republicans who continue to hammer President Joe Biden on immigration ahead of the November election.

Asylum officers, under the proposed rule, would be able to reject asylum claims within days of a migrant being encountered when there is evidence that they pose a national security or public safety risk. Under current procedures, that often happens later in the process.

The department also announced Thursday that asylum officers would need to consider whether an asylum seeker could reasonably relocate to another part of the country of feared persecution when assessing claims under revised guidance.

Weve taken a series of measures to expand our use of executive authority and resources in order to address what we are seeing on our border and really, throughout the whole hemisphere, a senior Homeland Security official told reporters, citing congressional inaction.

The rule, which will be published Monday, still needs to go through a public comment period before taking effect later this year, according to the senior DHS official.

Politico first reported on the proposed changes.

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut acknowledged ahead of the announcement that the administration was pursuing asylum changes, but noted that without legislation, making full scale changes to the asylum system is incredibly difficult.

Murphy told reporters Wednesday hes been engaged with the administration on the policies under review, but noted fuller scale changes that Republicans want Biden to make risk being challenged in court.

Senate Democrats are going to keep pushing for the failed bipartisan immigration bill to get more GOP support, Murphy said, adding that at this point, its not clear the measure would get another vote.

This story and headline been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Lauren Fox contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
President Bidens reelection campaign released an ad this week bashing former President Trump for his threats to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

The 30-second ad, titled Terminate, touts that Biden has protected the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare, and worked to expand it. The ad will air on television and digital across battleground states and is part of the Biden campaigns $14 million ad buy for the month of May, which aims to target Black, Latino and Asian Americans.

ObamaCare is a disaster. We want to terminate it, Trump said in a clip included in the ad.

President Biden has protected the Affordable Care Act and lowered health care costs for millions by $800 a year. Now, hell make those savings permanent, a narrator says in a voiceover.

The ad also includes a clip of Biden saying, Folks, hes coming for your health care and were not gonna let it happen, referring to Trump.

Trump has vowed to replace ObamaCare with his own alternative. The Biden campaign also released an ad around the 14th anniversary of the laws passage in March to underscore Trumps repeated repeal threats.

Trump has gone after Americans hard-earned health care. Voters want a leader who will protect and strengthen their health care, not try and take it away. Thats why they will send President Biden and Vice President Harris back to the White House this November, Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden greets attendees after speaking at a campaign event on April 16, 2024 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. President Biden, who grew up in Scranton, will be in Pennsylvania for three straight days of campaigning. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)

As Vice President Kamala Harris visits Montgomery County today, the Biden-Harris campaign is launching a new ad campaign focused on the Affordable Care Act.

The new ad, part of a $14 million campaign that will air in Pennsylvania and other battleground states in May, plays a clip of former President Donald Trump, the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee, saying he wants to terminate the health care program signed into law by his predecessor, Barack Obama.

Biden campaign ad (screen capture)

After saying earlier in the campaign that Republicans should never give up trying to overturn the 2010 health care law, and calling it a catastrophe, Trump said in a video post last month he was not running to terminate the ACA, adding it was too expensive and that he would seek to improve the law if he wins another term. Trump has not offered specifics about what changes he would make to the ACA other than it would be much better than the current version.

That has not stopped the Biden campaign from spotlighting Trumps earlier comments. Trump had attempted to repeal the ACA during his presidency but was ultimately unsuccessful.

During his first term, Donald Trump was just one vote away from repealing the Affordable Care Act, which hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians rely on, Biden-Harris for Pennsylvania spokesperson Jack Doyle said in a statement to the Capital-Star. Now, Trump is campaigning on a threat to strip away health care from the folks who need it the most, like seniors, and jeopardize protections for people with preexisting conditions. This November, Pennsylvanians will send a clear message: hands off our health care.

The law has become more popular in the years since; in 2024, some 435,000 Pennsylvanians have health care coverage through Pennie, the states health insurance marketplace established under the ACA, according to the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority. Nationwide, more than 20 million people signed up for ACA plans in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a record high.

The post Biden campaign launches new ad focused on Affordable Care Act appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
Joe Bidens campaign is dropping another multi-million dollar ad campaign this month and building out its infrastructure in battleground states in hopes of taking advantage of a period of the campaign with Donald Trump largely stuck off the trail.

The presidents team announced on Wednesday that it would be making an additional $14 million in ad spending for May. It will also be hiring more staff  bringing its total to 500  and open its 200th office by the end of the month. The steady drumbeat of campaign activity will continue as well. Biden heads to Wisconsin this week, followed by stops in Atlanta for a commencement address at Morehouse College and in Detroit to headline the NAACP dinner next week.

All told, the announcements, coming six months out from Election Day, signal that the Biden team is still banking on a traditional campaign strategy of trying to reach voters through a physical footprint and television ads. It is a stark contrast to his opponent, former President Trump, who has spent much of the past few weeks in a New York City courthouse and has attempted to use his ongoing criminal hush money trial to keep his base ginned up.

On a call with reporters, Biden principal deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks compared the campaigns efforts with Trumps campaign, whose battleground presence is as non-existent as his paid media effort, he said.

Were showing up in the communities every day and attempting to earn every vote, and Donald Trump and his team are doing none of that, Fulks said. The general election is just starting to crystallize for voters across the country, and were taking advantage of the moment to meet them where they are.

The Biden campaigns moves come at a politically fraught moment for the president, who continues to face domestic fallout from the war in Gaza. And even as his campaign builds out its machinery, Biden still lags behind Trump in polling averages, both nationally and in battleground polls.



Of particular concern for Democrats, Biden faces a fractured base with key groups, like young voters and Black voters, voicing frustration. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll, released Monday, found a 12-point drop among Black voters who said they are absolutely certain to vote compared to June 2020.

I think the campaign still has a long way to go in terms of energizing Black voters and turning them out to the polls, said Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. He added that he believes Biden can close that gap, but called for more urgency.

In its announcement, aides to the Biden campaign said it will spend at least $1 million of its $14 million ad campaign on Black and Latino media, as well as Asian-American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders. In a memo shared with reporters, Biden aides also cited 10 interviews Biden participated in with nationally syndicated African-American radio this year and his hour-long interview with Univision.

President Biden is going to continue to dedicate interviews to these critical elements with a specific focus on these constituencies, said Michael Tyler, Bidens communications director.

National Democrats are hopeful that the money will help reengage constituencies that seem unenthused about the reelection or unconvinced  as of now  that Trump represents the threat Biden has portrayed him to be.



The thing that keeps me up at night is the enthusiasm gap, said Donna Brazile, a veteran Democratic strategist who led the Democratic National Committee in 2016. You have one side that is fired up and ready to vote, and you have another side that is still making up their mind, saying well, have I gotten everything that I wanted from Joe Biden? Did he really keep his promises?'

Burying Trump in spending is central to Bidens strategy, made possible through Bidens significant cash advantage over the former president. Last month, Trump spent as much on his legal bills as he did on campaigning, while Bidens campaign outspent Trumps campaign nearly eight-to-one.

On ads alone, Biden spent $21.8 million in March, while Trumps campaign spent $3.7 million. That such a disparity hasnt more fully moved the needle in Bidens direction is yet worrying some national Democrats. But as spending kicks into higher gear in swing states, battleground polling will also continue to move in Bidens direction, said Bill Neidhardt, a Democratic consultant who has worked on multiple progressive campaigns.

What were seeing in the polls is that were still measuring Biden as the incumbent, but voters are not yet putting it in the context of a Biden versus Trump choice, Neidhardt added. So once voters see that, see the shift from incumbent mode to a choice election, then the numbers will follow.

The Trump campaign has also been slower to launch field operations in swing states, which is reflected in his campaign's leaner payroll. Trump spent just $597,000 on staff, while Biden dropped $2.3 million on payroll in March, according to campaign filings.



And the Republican National Committee, usually charged with leading field operations, slashed its staff this spring after Trump clinched the partys nomination. The RNC and the Trump campaign, which have previously declined to provide details on its staffing operation, told POLITICO last month that the campaign has both paid and volunteer field workers in each battleground state and are expanding daily.

Democrats want to talk about process because they don't want to talk about Broken Braindead Biden and his record of absolute failure. What you wont hear them talk about is the Biden Border Crises, Bidenflation, the out-of-control cost of living, Bidens college campus chaos, and his weakness that has caused chaos abroad, Trump campaign spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said in a statement. The Trump campaign is raising the money, deploying the necessary assets to win.

Thats left some Republicans concerned. While the RNC has traditionally been phenomenal at get-out-the-vote operations, said Mike DuHaime, a Republican consultant who served as the RNCs political director, it remains to be seen what kind of infrastructure is still there.

In advertising, the Bidens team continues to lean into the issues that favor Democrats in polling, like health care, where the party enjoys an advantage over Republicans.

They launched a health care-focused ad on Wednesday, attacking Trump for threatening to terminate the Affordable Care Act and touting his own efforts to [lower] health care costs for millions.
TechCrunch

Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest asset managers, has confirmed that over 77,000 customers had personal information compromised during an August data breach, including Social Security numbers and driver's licenses. The Boston, Massachusetts-based investment firm said in a filing with Maines attorney general on Wednesday that an unnamed third party accessed information from its systems between August 17 and August 19 "using two customer accounts that they had recently established. We detected this activity on August 19 and immediately took steps to terminate the access, Fidelity said in a letter sent to those affected, adding that the incident did not involve any access to customers Fidelity accounts.
U.S. President Joe Biden. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden warned Tuesday of rising antisemitism in the U.S. and said too many are forgetting the attack on Israel in October.

During a Holocaust memorial speech at the U.S. Capitol, Biden stressed the importance of honoring the 6 million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust, and the victims of Hamas Oct. 7 attack in Israel that sparked the Israel-Hamas war.

Now here we are, not 75 years later but just seven months later and people are already forgetting, theyre already forgetting that Hamas unleashed this terror, he told attendees at the Holocaust Memorial Museums Annual Day of Remembrance Celebration.

I have not forgotten, nor have you, and we will not forget, he continued.

Biden criticized student protests at college campuses across the country over Israels war effort. Protestors have called for their institutions to divest from businesses that are tied to Israel and have called for a ceasefire.

Weve seen a ferocious surge of antisemitism in America and around the world, Biden said. There is no place on any campus in America, any place in America for antisemitism or hate speech or threats of violence of any kind.

Biden last week commended students peaceful protests, while criticizing those that turned violent.

As the war reaches its seven-month mark, more than 34,000 Palestinians  13,000 of them children  have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The war began after Hamas militants killed about 1,200 Israelis and foreigners and took 199 people hostage on Oct. 7.

Combating antisemitism

Biden announced several new administration initiatives to combat antisemitism Tuesday.

The Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights will issue new guidance to all school districts and colleges to provide examples of antisemitic discrimination and how those instances can violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The agency said it has opened more than 100 investigations in the past seven months into complaints alleging discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including Antisemitism.

The Department of Homeland Security will also build an online campus safety resource guide and develop best practices for community-based targeted violence and terrorism prevention to reduce these assaults and attacks, according to a fact sheet provided by the White House.

The Department of State also has an agency, the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, which will convene technology firms to identify best practices for addressing antisemitism content online.

U.S. House action

Biden was joined Tuesday by GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

The House last week passed legislation to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances definition of antisemitism for the Department of Educations enforcement of the Civil Rights Act. All schools that receive federal funding are required to comply with that law.

Some Democrats have raised concerns that the language is too broad and could lead to restrictions on freedom of speech.

The lead drafter of the definition, Kenneth Stern, then an antisemitism expert with the American Jewish Committee, has repeatedly opposed the definition, raising concerns when the Trump administration tried to issue an executive order similar to the recent House bill.

It was never intended to be a campus hate speech code, but thats what Donald Trumps executive order accomplished this week, Stern wrote in 2019. This order is an attack on academic freedom and free speech, and will harm not only pro-Palestinian advocates, but also Jewish students and faculty, and the academy itself.

Johnson is also leading a House-wide effort to address the college campus protests, such as grilling university presidents and threatening to pull federal funding from those institutions.

Members of the House Education and Workforce Committee grilled Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on Tuesday about antisemitism on college campuses. Several similar hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks.

We are witnessing American universities quickly becoming hostile places for Jewish students and faculty, Johnson said.

Johnson said there has been a rise in antisemitism since Oct. 7, which was the most deadly attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

The threat of repeating the past is so great, Johnson said. There are some who would prefer to criticize Israel and lecture them on their military tacticsthan punish the terrorists who perpetrated these horrific crimes.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Biden decries campus antisemitism in Holocaust remembrance speech appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
President Biden declared Wednesday that the Trump administrations much-touted efforts to bring a Foxconn facility to Wisconsin were nothing more than a con, contrasting the failed project with a new investment in the state from Microsoft.

Biden traveled to Racine, Wis., to announce Microsoft would invest $3.3 billion to build a new artificial intelligence data center at the same site of the Foxconn project that did not develop as promised.

Biden invoked former President Trumps visit to Wisconsin in 2018 in which he predicted the Foxconn campus would be the eighth wonder of the world and used a golden shovel for the ceremonial groundbreaking.

Are you kidding me? Look what happened, Biden said. They dug a hole with those golden shovels, and then they fell into it.

They did shovel some dirt, the president continued. One hundred homes were bulldozed. They wasted hundreds of millions of dollars of your state and local tax dollars to promise a project that never happened. Foxconn turned out to be just that, a con. Go figure.

Technology giant Foxconn announced in 2017 it had planned to invest $10 billion in a facility that would create thousands of jobs. The project was hailed as a major win for the Trump administration at the time but never materialized.

The investment was eventually scaled back to less than $700 million, and the number of jobs created from the project was slashed from 13,000 to roughly 1,500.

Microsoft bought the land originally slated for the the Foxconn facility in April 2023 for $50 million.

The White House said the Microsoft project is expected to create 2,300 union construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs over time.

Wednesday marked Bidens fourth visit to Wisconsin of the year, underscoring its electoral importance. He won the state in 2020 by fewer than 21,000 votes, and polls show another close race in the Badger State this November between the incumbent and Trump.

An average of polls from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ shows Trump leading Biden by 3 percentage points in the state.

Joe Biden is trying to save face in Racine County as Wisconsinites feel the pain of Bidenomics, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley said in a statement.

Manufacturing has stalled, family farms are shuttering, and costs are up for everything from electricity and gas to food and housing, he added. Its no wonder why Biden is losing in Wisconsin and battleground states across the country: his policies have failed and people want President Trump back in office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. A meeting of the working group of the Tourism Development Commission was held in an expanded structure, organized by the secretariat of the Commission on Business Environment and International Ratings and the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Addressing the meeting, the head of the Commission's secretariat, Vusal Shikhaliyev, noted that in October 2022, on the initiative of the State Agency for Tourism, a working group called "Tourism Development" was established within the Commission. The total number of members of the working group is about 40, and 12 of them are representatives of private companies and hotelsleaders in the tourism sector.

Emphasizing that the mandate and scope of the working group cover issues taking into account the Travel and Tourism Development Index published by the World Economic Forum, and based on this index, both in comparison with the countries of the region and taking into account the overall average indicators, our country has sufficient potential, Shikhaliev added that carrying out a comparative analysis of the tourism potential of our country according to international indices and benchmarks and implementing initiatives in this field promises quite positive results.

The head of the Secretariat noted that the participation of leading representatives of the private tourism sector in the working group "Tourism Development" and the implementation of targeted and coordinated activities based on a common platform with the relevant government structures further enhance inclusiveness, creating synergies. It is the result of constructive cooperation based on a flexible institutional framework that the action plan of the working group covered the implementation of 75 activities in 14 key clusters.

Head of Staff of the State Agency for Tourism, head of the working group of the Commission "Tourism Development," Kanan Gasimov, noted in his speech that a significant number of extended sessions and thematic meetings have been held over the past period, and the successful implementation of the action plan creates ample opportunities for the realization of sustainable projects.

The event featured discussions and an exchange of views on topical issues in the tourism sector.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
President Joe Biden (R) listens to Romanian President Klaus Iohannis during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on Tuesday. Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI

May 7 (UPI) -- Romania joined NATO 20 years ago and on Tuesday celebrated two decades of NATO service as the United States, Romania and other NATO nations continue supporting Ukraine against Russia.

President Joe Biden welcomed Romanian President Klaus Iohannis to the White House Tuesday to discuss current events and celebrate Romania's 20 years as a member of NATO.

"I fought very hard for Romania's admission to NATO" while he was a U.S. senator, Biden said during a speech Tuesday. "You've exceeded every expectation."

Romania is positioned on the eastern flank of the NATO alliance within striking distance of the Crimea Peninsula and Russia along the northern shore of the Black Sea.

Biden said the United States has about 1,800 active military members in Romania, and Romania's membership in NATO helps strengthen the military alliance's eastern flank near Russia.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis meets with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House on Tuesday. Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI

"I want to thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership,especially in the Black Sea," Biden said. "You've been incredible" and "the help you provided for Ukraine is ... significant."

Biden and Iohannis said Romania's NATO membership has helped strengthen ties between the United States and Romania and emphasized the importance of cooperating the help Ukraine win its defensive war against Russia.

President Joe Biden and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis discussed support for Ukraine, energy matters and shared democratic values during a Tuesday afternoon meeting at the White House. Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI

"The most important issue is to find the way to reinstall peace in Europe," Iohannis said. "We have to find ways to prevent Russia to win this war in Ukraine, and here we have to stay united."

Biden said the United States and Romania have made strong commitments to the NATO alliance.

"You've stepped up, and you've been incredible," Biden said of Romania. "What you've done and what we're going to continue to do together ... is going to be significant, no only for Europe but for the rest of the world."

Biden and Iohannis addressed media prior to their bilateral meeting Tuesday afternoon.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday Biden and Iohannis would review many areas in which the two nations could work together.

Those areas include economic cooperation, shared democratic values and energy.
By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Biden administration is set to tighten access to asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border via a new regulation that could be issued as soon as Thursday, four sources familiar with the matter said, in a targeted move aimed at reducing illegal crossings.

The regulation would require migrants to be assessed at an initial asylum screening stage to see whether they should be barred from asylum and quickly deported, said the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss internal government planning. They added that the measure appeared limited in scope.

The migrants would be assessed for asylum bars related to criminality and security threats, two of the sources said.

The new regulation would improve efficiency by screening asylum seekers earlier in the process to determine whether they should be barred, one of the sources, a U.S. official, told Reuters. It would be issued as a proposed regulation and finalized at a later date, the official said.

U.S. President Joe Biden, a Democrat seeking another four-year term in the Nov. 5 election, has struggled with record numbers of migrants caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border since taking office in 2021. Former President Donald Trump, Biden's Republican challenger, has criticized Biden for rolling back more restrictive Trump-era policies.

The Biden administration has considered a more sweeping move to block asylum seekers and migrants at the border using a federal statute deployed by Trump in his travel bans, but is not immediately planning to take that step, the sources said.

Biden implemented new asylum restrictions last year, but their effectiveness has been limited by a lack of resources to process arriving migrants.

The regulation expected to be issued this week could potentially mean thousands of people would be more quickly deported from the U.S. per year, two of the sources said, a relatively small number compared with the total number caught crossing illegally.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Mica Rosenberg and Jonathan Oatis)
Biden on track to miss deadline for report to Congress on Israel war conduct in Gaza

The Biden administration is warning it is likely to miss its Wednesday deadline to deliver a report to Congress detailing its assessment over Israeli actions in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip that could impact American military assistance to the country.

The report is mandated by a national security memorandum issued by President Biden in February and scrutinizes if Israel has violated international humanitarian law or hindered the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Consequences of the findings could limit U.S. arms transfers to Israel.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Tuesday the report is not yet finished and that the administration will work to deliver it to Congress as soon as possible.

Its possible it slips just a little bit, but we are still at this point trying to get it done by tomorrow, Miller said at the State Department briefing.

While federal law requires the U.S. to assess that foreign governments receiving American-made weapons and military support are not using them in violation of international law  and that would trigger consequences  Miller suggested the national security memo provided a new and higher bar of reporting.

We have ongoing assessments that are being made, and in the middle of that process we are  stopping in the middle of that and making assessments about or answering questions about Israels compliance with international humanitarian law as well as the delivery of humanitarian assistance, he said.

While the report mandated by the memo applies scrutiny to countries receiving security cooperation or security assistance, it was issued amid pressure from Senate Democrats to hold Israel to account over allegations of violations of international humanitarian law in its war taking place in Gaza, and concerns it was hindering the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The issuance of the report is hotly anticipated on Capitol Hill, where Democrats have become increasingly outspoken against Israels war conduct, and on unhindered U.S. assistance to the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Large-scale, disruptive and at times violent campus protests in support of Palestinians and against Israel have further inflamed debated in the U.S. over military support for Israel.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Andrea Shalal

RACINE, Wisconsin (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday unveiled plans by Microsoft Corp to build a $3.3 billion data center in southeastern Wisconsin, drawing a sharp contrast to his Republican predecessor who had backed a previous $10 billion project at the same site that was significantly scaled back.

Biden, on his fourth visit to Wisconsin this year, said Microsoft's investment would create thousands of jobs in the presidential election battleground state that his campaign sees as critical to his bid for a second term.

The facility will be built where Biden's rival for the presidency, Donald Trump, announced a $10 billion investment by Taiwan electronics manufacturer Foxconn in 2017 that the company later drastically scaled back. Trump had called it "the eighth wonder of the world."

"I'm here to talk about a great comeback story in America," Biden told about 200 people at Gateway Technical College's Sturtevant campus in a Midwestern state hit by manufacturing declines.

The president said Microsoft's investment would "be transformative, not only here, but worldwide."

"My predecessor made promises, which he broke," Biden said. "On my watch, we make promises and we keep promises."

Foxconn in 2021 said it would invest $672 million at the site instead of the $10 billion initially planned and forecast 1,454 new jobs, down from 13,000 as its plans shifted and tax breaks were reduced amid local skepticism.

Microsoft President Brad Smith said the U.S. company planned to invest $3.3 billion by the end of 2026 and use artificial intelligence to boost manufacturing and help workers.

The White House said that investment would result in 2,300 union construction jobs and around 2,000 permanent jobs over time. It said nearly 4,000 jobs had been added in the nearby city of Racine since Biden took office, while about 1,000 manufacturing jobs were lost during the Trump administration.

"We will train over 100,000 people in Wisconsin by the end of the decade so they have the AI skills to fill the jobs of tomorrow," Smith said. He credited Biden's legislation on infrastructure, chips and climate change with laying the groundwork for the investment.

Microsoft will partner with Gateway Technical College to train 1,000 people for data center and other roles by 2030 and will work to train 1,000 business leaders to adopt AI in their operations, the White House added.

BLACK VOTER SUPPORT

After the Microsoft event, Biden shook hands and bantered with about 50 campaign volunteers from Racine's Black community, urging them to take Trump at his word when he threatened to reverse gains made during Biden's presidency.

Story continues

Biden is seeking to shore up support among Black voters ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election, with national polls showing him essentially tied in a rematch with Trump, a Republican making his third bid for the White House after losing to Biden in 2020.

Biden's campaign has launched a $14 million ad campaign, including ads targeting Black, Latino and Asian voters. On Thursday, it plans a blitz on what it says are Trump's attacks on healthcare.

In Wisconsin, Biden ribbed his predecessor for the failed investment in Racine County. "Foxconn turned out to be just that - a con," he said.

Representatives for Trump's campaign could not be immediately reached for comment.

Foxconn said in a statement that employment at its Wisconsin operations had grown 42% since 2020 and that it had become the surrounding county's largest taxpayer in recent years. "We are proud of the over 1,000 men and women who work at Foxconn Wisconsin," it said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; additional reporting by Nandita Bose, Susan Heavey and Katharine Jackson; Editing by Heather Timmons, Cynthia Osterman and Rosalba O'Brien)
President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at Montgomery County Community College January 5, 2024 in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.(Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

President Biden will visit Seattle on Friday and Saturday for campaign events, the White House confirmed this morning.

Biden is scheduled to first travel to California tomorrow, where he has two Friday campaign receptions planned in the Bay Area. The White House said additional details would follow Wednesdays announcement.

Last week, the Northwest Progressive Institute flagged an invitation the Biden Victory Fund distributed for a Seattle event and said the minimum ticket price for the event is $500 and the maximum is $50,000.

Meanwhile, tomorrow through Saturday, First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Oregon, California and Arizona and will deliver remarks at fundraisers and other political events in each of those states.

Biden last visited Seattle on Earth Day in 2022, when he announced an old-growth forest protection plan. That visit brought transit service changes, road closures, and traffic congestion and this weeks trip is likely to cause similar disruptions.

The president is running for reelection this year, facing a rematch against presumptive Republican nominee former President Donald Trump.

The post Biden will visit Seattle this week appeared first on Washington State Standard.
President Biden is set to travel to San Francisco and Seattle this week for a West Coast fundraising swing as he ramps up his campaign efforts.

He will travel to San Francisco on Thursday and participate in two campaign receptions in the Bay Area on Friday. He will then travel to Seattle on Friday and participate in campaign receptions there over the weekend.

The president traveled to the Democratic-friendly San Francisco Bay Area multiple times over the past year, including a February fundraiser in Silicon Valley. On that trip, he also campaigned in Los Angeles.

The president traveled to San Francisco in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and held a campaign fundraiser in the citys Financial District.

The latest trip to rake in cash comes as the campaign launched a $14 million May ad buy to focus on reaching Black, Latino, and Asian Americans. The campaign plans to have more than 500 staff and 200 offices open by the end of May, and it has $192 million in cash on hand.

Biden on Wednesday is traveling to Wisconsin and Chicago for campaign events and then will return to the White House before leaving for the West Coast.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Biden administration has admitted to pausing a major shipment of bombs to Israel, in response to the countrys plan to invade Gazas southern city of Rafah.

On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Congress that the U.S. paused a munitions shipment last week to Israel, publicly confirming for the first time earlier reports by Axios and other outlets about the U.S. witholding arms.

We are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah, the Pentagon chief said during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing. He added that a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah  where roughly 1.4 million displaced Palestinians have taken refuge  could influence how the U.S. provides security assistance to Israel going forward.

We have been very clear from the very beginning that Israel shouldnt launch a major attack on Rafah without accounting for and protecting those civilians that are hitting that battlespace, Austin continued. And again, as we have assessed the situation, we paused one shipment of high payload munitions.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein via Associated Press

More than half of the bombs in the delayed munitions shipment consist of 2,000-pound bombs, while the remaining 1,700 are 500-pound explosives, a senior administration official told media outlets. The State Department is separately reviewing whether to approve the continued transfer of Joint Direct Attack Munition kits (JDAMs), which place precision guidance systems onto bombs.

We are especially focused on the end-use of the 2,000-pound bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza, a senior official told the outlets. We have not made a final determination on how to proceed with this shipment.

Axios said Wednesday that the bombs were part of a weapons shipment it first reported on earlier this week. At that time, the shipment was reported to have contained U.S.-made ammunition. HuffPost has not independently confirmed that the bombs Austin spoke of on Wednesday were part of the same shipment Axios reported on.

Austin told lawmakers that the shipments are not imminent transfers but future transfers, and are not sourced from the supplemental funding Congress just passed. But the administrations choice to halt the shipment still upset Republicans like Sen. Lindsay Graham (S.C.), who accused the Biden administration of not supporting Israel enough.

If we stop weapons necessary to destroy the enemies of the state of Israel at a time of great peril, we will pay a price, Graham said on Wednesday. This is obscene. It is absurd. Give Israel what they need to fight the war they cant afford to lose. This is Hiroshima and Nagasaki on steroids.

Sen. Lindsey Graham questions Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Charles Q. Brown Jr. and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about the U.S. pausing shipments of bombs to Israel:



Would you have supported dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ... to end World War II? pic.twitter.com/EQxvQjiwE6  The Recount (@therecount) May 8, 2024

The Biden administration started reviewing future transfers of military aid in April, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government began ramping up a planned ground invasion of Rafah. The U.S. has vocally been opposed to a Rafah invasion due to the citys large civilian population, but until last week, had not taken firm steps to stop it.

That lack of action on Bidens part has faced growing criticism, both domestically and internationally, from those who accuse Israel of trying to wipe out Palestinians from Gaza. Despite Israeli forces seizing the vital Rafah crossing on Tuesday, the White House avoided calling the military action a full-fledged invasion, describing it only as a limited operation. The administration also maintained this week that its support for Israel is ironclad.

Josh Paul, the State Department official who publicly resigned over the Biden administrations increased weapons deliveries to Israel, told HuffPost that the pause last week in bomb shipments is noteworthy, but it is not a moment to celebrate.

We have seen  that Israel has executed a campaign of systematic destruction conducted with willful disregard for international law, and today the bombs continue to rain down on the tents of Rafah, while the famine in the north expands, Paul said.

Josh Paul on Biden's bomb suspension: "Noteworthy, but it is not a moment to celebrate.



Israel has executed a campaign of systematic destruction... Rather than a one-off pause as a means of exerting momentary + overdue leverage, this needs to be the start of a sea-change." pic.twitter.com/KwqZRRAGWS  Akbar Shahid Ahmed (@AkbarSAhmed) May 8, 2024

Austins comments come as Congress prepares to receive a report from the Biden administration on whether countries that receive U.S. military aid  specifically Israel are abiding by international and U.S. law, which prohibits the use of U.S. weapons to kill civilians and or block humanitarian aid. The State Department missed the reports initial deadline of Wednesday, but reportedly plans to present its findings in less than a week.

Earlier this week, Israel dropped flyers onto eastern Rafah ordering residents to evacuate to either Khan Younis or Al-Mawasi  cities that humanitarians and journalists on the ground say do not have the infrastructure to handle a massive number of refugees. Many civilians in Rafah also dont have the ability, or the energy, to once again pack up their tents and find shelter.

Rather than a one-off pause of a shipment as a means of exerting momentary and overdue leverage, this needs to be the start of a sea-change in American policy towards the provision of security assistance to Israel, Paul told HuffPost. We must enforce our own laws on arms exports and grant military assistance. And we must ask whether our lethal military assistance to Israel brings security, or disincentivizes true road to peace.

Related...
(Photo: Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg)

The 2024 legislative session turned out to be a banner year for Tennessees largest corporations and biggest farmers  at the expense of state and local government bottom lines.

Not only did Gov. Bill Lee and the 113th General Assembly give businesses a $1.9 billion franchise tax break, theyre allowing large farms to benefit from a projected $2 million measure that doubles the amount of land eligible for the states greenbelt program.

Under the bill headed to the governors desk for his signature, a maximum of 3,000 acres for one landowner can be classified as agricultural, forest or open land space, up from 1,500 acres, to qualify for the lower greenbelt rate, about an 80-90% reduction in property taxes.

While some critics call the measure a tax break for millionaires, lawmakers who supported the Farm Bureau initiative said it will save farms and increase investments in Tennessees rural areas.

Lees family owns a 1,000-acre cattle farm called Triple L Ranch in rural Williamson County, and he has made it clear he wants to bolster the agriculture industry.

Gov. Bill Lee milks a cow during Agricultural Day on the Hill (Photo: John Partipilo)

The measure is projected to cost local governments $2 million in property tax revenue, piling on to a $1.55 billion franchise tax cut and $400 million yearly rebate in the property portion of taxes for the states biggest businesses.

Republican state Rep. Rick Eldridge of Morristown defended the bill in House committees meetings, saying the maximum amount of property allowed for greenbelt purposes hadnt been increased in 40 years.

A lot of the farms, larger producers, have had to grow their farms in order to remain efficient, said Eldridge, who acknowledged he has property on the greenbelt program. This is to help them and preserve the farmland.

House passage came on a 77-17 vote. The Senate version passed 29-1 with Republican Sen. Page Walley of Savannah sponsoring it.

Initially, the state had no acreage cap on greenbelt property, but farms with more than 1,500 acres when the maximum amount was instituted 40 years ago were allowed to continue with all of their property on the greenbelt.

Opponents in the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee contended that the bill would push higher taxes onto other county taxpayers as local governments try to maintain their level of services.

Were talking about a very small amount of people who will get this tax break. But this could have a major impact on some of these rural areas.

 Will Denami, lobbyist for the state's property assessors

Will Denami, lobbyist for the states property assessors, told the subcommittee his group didnt think the bill was ready for passage because, based on a 1984 legislative finding, the greenbelt law must be tempered. Otherwise, in rural counties, an overabundance of land held by a single landowner could hurt the tax base and disrupt county services.

Denami noted the average farm in Tennessee is 154 acres. The state has 69,983 farms, of which 1,585 have more than 1,000 acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Were talking about a very small amount of people who will get this tax break, Denami said, adding he believes the 3,000-acre figure has no rationale. But this could have a major impact on some of these rural areas.

Denami mentioned Lake County in West Tennessee where one cent on the property tax rate brings in $10,329 and 1,690 acres would qualify for the tax break, costing that government a good deal of revenue.

Democratic Reps. Karen Camper of Memphis and Johnny Shaw of Bolivar also argued that such a move would wind up shifting the tax burden from farmers to other taxpayers.

Camper also raised the question of whether investors would buy farmland and lease it back to farmers. Denami responded that corporations could buy property in 10-acre pieces to reach the 3,000-acre maximum per county.

Im in favor of giving farmers all the breaks we can. I love farming, Shaw said. But he contended it would create revenue problems for small counties such as Hardeman where a $10,000 tax revenue loss could lead to a loss of services.

Eldridge responded that counties statewide are seeing growth through home construction that will bring in enough revenue to offset losses in greenbelt assessments.

Republican Rep. Sam Whitson of Franklin countered that the bill will apply statewide, yet Williamson County, which he represents, has only two people who would qualify for the tax break, costing more than $1 million in tax revenue.

And these two individuals are sitting on a gold mine, Whitson said.

Rep. Sam Whitson (Photo: Submitted)

Rep. Sam Whitson (Photo: Submitted)

More time is needed to determine the measures impact as well as the value of forest or agricultural land farmers could use to qualify for the tax break, said Whitson, who is leaving the Legislature this year.

Other subcommittee members, though, came to Eldridges defense, saying Tennessee should maintain its business-friendly environment.

Republican Rep. Tim Hicks of Gray pointed out 90 of 95 counties showed growth in 2023 and said he believes the bill would help keep farms together.

When a family has to put a piece of their farm in their wifes name and their sons name and their daughters name, to me, that is not only ridiculous, that is dangerous, Hicks said.

Large family farms are often broken into ownership among family members for tax purposes.

Hicks argued that the financial impact statement prepared by the Fiscal Review Office didnt show property tax revenue from development stemming from the sale of farmland.

Trust me, its way more than $2 million, Hicks said.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE







The post Big farms draw property tax break from Tennessee lawmakers appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
"The people call Stormy Daniels."

Even though Donald Trump's former lawyer and longtime fixer Michael Cohen is a more important witness in the former president's ongoing criminal trial in Manhattan, the press is just as interested in Tuesday's testimony from the adult film actress at the center of his election interference case. No doubt much of the fascination is salacious, due to the nature of her job and her allegations of a disturbing sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. But much of it is due to Daniels herself, who has proved to be surprisingly charismatic, if at times chaotic, even as she faces a staggering amount of negative attention.

Mostly, however, Daniels matters for reasons outside of the courtroom and the specifics of this hush-money trial. Daniels' story is yet another reminder of what may prove to be Trump's electoral downfall: His bottomless misogyny.

On the witness stand, Daniels reportedly spoke quickly and was apparently quite nervous. Initially, her story of meeting Trump sounded funny. She painted him as a pathetic older man trying  and failing  to impress the younger woman. When he first asked her to dinner, she replied "no," but with an expletive. Her publicist eventually talked her into it, hoping Daniels could leverage the connection into a spot on "The Apprentice." In his hotel room, she described him wearing "silk or satin" pajamas and asked him to put on real clothes. He allegedly used the "don't even sleep in the same room" line when she asked about his wife, Melania, who had recently had a baby. Daniels described Trump as "pompous" and "arrogant." She recounted how she jokingly spanked him with a magazine, hoping to tease him into being less of a jerk.

Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.

Then the tone of her story changed, as she described how they came to have sex. Trump waited until she was in the bathroom, Daniels said, and then he stripped down to boxer shorts and a T-shirt. "The room spun in slow motion," she recalled on the witness stand. When she made for the door, "he was bigger and blocking the way," she said of Trump. She denied it was sexual assault, however, because "I was not threatened either verbally or physically."

HOFFINGER: He was standing and you were standing. Relative heights?

DANIELS: 56 or 57, he was much larger



HOFFINGER: You didn't feel threatened?

DANIELS: There was an imbalance of power for sure. He was bigger and blocking the way but I was not threatened either verbally  Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) May 7, 2024

Whether or not Trump's sexual encounter with Daniels was consensual in the legal sense, she describes it as unwanted.

"I didnt say anything at all," she told the court repeatedly. Claiming that she "blacked out" during the encounter, afterward, Daniels said, "my hands were shaking so hard" and "I felt ashamed that I didnt stop it and that I didnt say 'No.'"

Following Daniels' testimony on Tuesday, I was struck by how much it has in common with what E. Jean Carroll described in her two recent civil trials, where both juries found that Trump had sexually assaulted her in the 90s. Carroll, too, told of a random encounter with Trump she initially thought to be flirty but not sexual. Like Daniels, Carroll describes teasing Trump, who famously has no sense of humor about himself. In both cases, the women describe Trump becoming aggressive after the light mockery. In Carroll's case, the judge described what happened after as what "many people commonly understand the word 'rape.'" Daniels, to be clear, frames her encounter with Trump differently.

Since the release of the "Access Hollywood" video in 2016, in which Trump can be heard bragging about sexual assault, the Beltway media has repeatedly tried to move on from the story of Trump's legion of issues with women. Indeed, when Carroll's accusations first came out in 2019, the press barely paid any mind. But the story of his rampant misogyny has never fully gone away. There was the Women's March that overshadowed his 2017 inauguration. Then the over two dozen women who stepped forward with stories of being subject to the sexual harassment and assault Trump himself described so vividly. Trump, of course, is more responsible than any other person on the planet for the overturn of Roe v. Wade and the stampede of Republican state legislators banning abortion. He promised to stack the Supreme Court with anti-choice justices, and his three appointees provided the votes necessary in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, which ended the legal right to abortion. While Trump has tried to make moderate-sounding noises on this issue, he keeps inadvertently revealing his anti-choice radicalism. In a recent Time interview, for instance, he indicated that he's fine if states "monitor women's pregnancies so they can know if they've gotten an abortion."

To feminists, it's obvious that there's a connection between Trump's abusive and predatory behavior towards individual women and his willingness to ban abortion. Forced sex and forced childbirth are on a continuum, rooted in the assumption that a woman has no bodily autonomy worth respecting. But to people who are less well-versed in feminist theory, there's often an assumption that someone as sexually self-indulgent as Trump isn't "really" opposed to abortion. Daniels testified on Tuesday that Trump didn't use a condom. So it's not unreasonable for people to assume he may have relied on legal abortion so women can clean up the messes of his carelessness.

That said, there are bits of evidence that even more moderate and conservative female voters are starting to see a connection between Trump's anti-abortion politics and his sexually predatory behavior. On a recent episode of her "Focus Group" podcast, former Republican political consultant Sarah Longwell played fascinating clips from a table of former female Trump voters who are turning against him. Most were appalled at the post-Dobbs abortion bans. But even more interestingly, some of the women drew a connection between anti-choice politics and Trump's personal abusiveness towards women.

One woman said she objects to Trump's "comments about women," and immediately expressed chagrin that his anti-choice views are "not allowing people their own medical freedom." Another woman even used the word "patriarchy" to object to those who think a woman should not decide. The issue of rape was linked to abortion throughout, as many states  including Arizona at the time  have no exception for rape. (Not that rape exceptions work in states that do have them.) There's still a long way to go, but there are tendrils of hope that more people are seeing that the casual cruelty Trump expresses to women in his personal life goes a long way toward explaining why he doesn't care if they are hurt or even killed by abortion bans.

A big focus of Trump's relentless whining about this case has been focused on the gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, which forbids Trump from bad-mouthing jurors, witnesses, most of the court staff, or their family members. Judging by his agitation in court Tuesday, Trump would love to get on Truth Social and start firing off abuse towards Daniels. He should, however, be very glad the threat of jail will keep him from doing so. As Longwell's focus group shows, there are already women who are regretting their past votes for Trump because of his misogyny. The more he vents his spleen with abusive language towards women  especially women, like Stormy Daniels, who've already suffered so much at his hands  the worse it will likely be for him.
Dozens of people biked across the Carolinas in remembrance of fallen Emergency Medical Service workers.

Thirteen emergency medical technicians and paramedics were honored in South Carolina.

Channel 9s Gina Esposito spoke with two families about what this ride meant to them.

Aubrey Caldwell said the sound of bagpipes tugged at her heartstrings as she remembered her late husband Tommy, with whom she shared a Scottish heritage.

He absolutely loved being a paramedic, Caldwell expressed. Its a lovely reminder of all the beautiful memories we had; recognize him serving the community, and now see the community honor him.

Caldwell said Tommy worked at Piedmont EMS for more than 20 years before his death last year from kidney failure.

ALSO READ: Community honors Rock Hill firefighter killed in York County collision

This week, dozens of EMS workers are biking 500 miles to honor him and 83 others who died over the past few years.

The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride travels from Virginia to South Carolina to allow the community and their families to remember those who served.

Mandy Campbell told Channel 9 that her husband, David, was also honored. He was a paramedic and Rock Hill firefighter who died in a car crash in 2022.

We talk about him every day. He wanted us to travel, so thats what we planned to do, Campbell said.

>> Organizers explain why their mission is so important, in the video at the top of the page.

VIDEO: Community honors Rock Hill firefighter killed in York County collision












BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Bolt taxi company has increased travel fares in Azerbaijan by nine percent, a company source told Trend.

The source reported that the new decision prohibits taxis from using motor vehicles whose production period exceeds 15 years from the certificate of state registration date.

"Due to this, the system is gradually suspending orders for outdated automobiles. The process continues. The process will continue.

Demand and supply determine system ordering. Despite a suspension of vehicle orders, prices have risen.

It is imperative that all drivers conform their actions to the regulations, and we repeat this message to them. In any other case, "Bolt" will no longer communicate with the owners of those cars. The Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency is the place to go for vehicle owners looking to get a pass card for vehicles manufactured within the last fifteen years.

The decision on the current requirement has now come into force. The company added that only vehicles with a production period of up to eight years will receive pass cards from July 1, 2024.

To note, Bolt's travel booking service is operational in seven Azerbaijani cities: Baku, Ganja, Mingachevir, Gabala, Shamkir, Sumgayit, and Shaki.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Bill Hwang arrives in court for trial over collapse of his $36 billion Archegos fund

By Brendan Pierson and Jody Godoy

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sung Kook "Bill" Hwang arrived in court Wednesday for the start of his criminal racketeering trial over the collapse of Archegos Capital Management, facing charges that he and a deputy broke the law in a massive stock scheme that unraveled in just days in 2021.

Hwang appeared in a dark suit and purple tie in the Manhattan federal courtroom for the first day of screening potential jurors.

The potential jurors were called into the judge's chambers one by one for an initial round of questioning, which will focus on whether they can sit for the expected eight weeks of trial.

Those who pass that hurdle will face more detailed questioning regarding their suitability on Thursday before the final panel is chosen.

The trial will delve into the implosion of Hwang's lightly regulated family investment office, which prosecutors allege caused more than $100 billion in shareholder losses at companies in its portfolio.

Federal prosecutors accuse Hwang of using derivatives to secretly amass positions in multiple stocks that were so large they eclipsed that of the companies' largest investors, driving up stock prices.

They also claim Hwang and former Archegos Chief Financial Officer Patrick Halligan then lied about their holdings to sustain their business relationship with global banks.

Hwang and Halligan are charged with racketeering conspiracy. Hwang faces an additional 10 counts of fraud and market manipulation, and Halligan an additional two counts of fraud.

The two men have pleaded not guilty and are expected to argue prosecutors are pushing a novel and nonsensical market manipulation theory. Several attorneys told Reuters it may be a tough case for prosecutors.

Hwang's lawyers have described the case as the "most aggressive open market manipulation case ever" brought by prosecutors.

Each count carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years.

Archegos head trader William Tomita and Chief Risk Officer Scott Becker have pleaded guilty to related charges and are expected to testify at the trial.

Opening statements are expected on Monday before 12 jurors and four alternates. The judge has said there are unlikely to be proceedings on Fridays.

Archegos' March 2021 collapse stemmed from Hwang's use of financial contracts known as total return swaps to take outsized stakes in his favorite holdings without actually owning the stock.

Authorities have said Archegos borrowed aggressively to boost trading capacity and at its peak had $36 billion in assets and $160 billion of exposure to equities. Falling stock prices in March 2021 triggered margin calls that Archegos was unable to meet.

That led some banks to dump stocks backing his swaps, causing big losses for Archegos and its lenders, such as Credit Suisse, now part of UBS, and Nomura Holdings.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is overseeing the trial, rejected Hwang and Halligan's motion to dismiss the case last year.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy; editing by Tom Hals and Michael Erman)
Prosecutors have dropped a dozen attempted murder charges for a father and son who targeted an occupied home with sprays of gunfire outside Old Town Bluffton in December. Both suspects admitted to lesser charges and will avoid prison time under good behavior.

Bluffton resident Gregory Griffin II, 43, and his 20-year-old son Kimani Griffin both pleaded guilty to two counts of discharging firearms into a dwelling. They each received a two-year probation sentence but could still face two years behind bars if they fail to follow South Carolinas probation conditions, including a ban on possessing firearms and mandatory random drug tests.

Assistant Solicitor Rachel DeAngelis dropped six counts of attempted murder for each man due to a lack of evidence supporting the charges, according to Erinn McGuire, the community relations liaison for the 14th Circuit Solicitors Office.

Like a murder charge, attempted murder in South Carolina requires proof of the intention to kill, a difficult hurdle to clear in a courtroom. The duos 12 attempted murder charges were not indicted due to a lack of admissible evidence that could prove the crime beyond a reasonable doubt in front of a grand jury.

At about 10:25 a.m. on Dec. 13, the two men reportedly parked their car near the intersection of Simmonsville Road and Sugaree Drive and opened fire on a nearby home with long guns. About 17 rounds were fired in total but none of the six occupants of the residence were struck, according to Sgt. Bonifacio Perez of the Bluffton Police Department.

Both men then fled to their familys home on Haigler Blvd.  located near Cahills Market and Chicken Kitchen  where police later detained several people, including the two shooters. Officers seized 14 weapons at the home, as well as two firearms believed to have been used in the shooting.

Bluffton police charged Kimani Griffin shortly after the shooting but did not have enough evidence to arrest his father until early January. Under the Youthful Offender Act, the younger half of the duo can apply to have his criminal record cleared if he has no other convictions five years after the end of his probation.

The father and son likely knew the homes occupants, police previously told The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. Decembers non-fatal gunfire was likely a flashpoint in a feud between families.

When we publish mugshots

The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette publishes police booking photos, or mugshots, in the following instances:

In situations where a public figure or someone in a position of public trust is arrested

In cases where there is an immediate and widespread threat to public safety

In cases where the arrested person is accused of a crime reporters have evidence to believe involved numerous, unknown victims

Reporters will avoid using mugshots as lead images for online articles in order to limit their circulation on social media, except in cases where the public is served by the immediate identification of the accused. Reporters and editors may use discretion in situations that dont meet the criteria outlined in this policy but still present a compelling reason to publish a mugshot.
Moms for Liberty, which has long pretended it is just about protecting the precious little children, showed its hand recently. The group petitioned the Horry County Board of Education to ban a book that had been available only for adults. The board dutifully and cowardly went along.

The book was Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell. The board also banned Crown of Midnight by Sarah Maas and put Heir of Fire by Maas on a list that requires parental permission.

Issac Bailey

It was the first time the board overruled the District-Level Media Material Review Committee, a group designated to review challenged books. The committee wanted Heir of Fire to remain in circulation, Crown of Midnight to require parental permission, and Freedom Writers Diary banned.

Moms for Liberty did what it always does, claim that the graphic nature of the books, especially those depicting sexual context raises serious concerns about the suitability for our young students, as Horry County Moms for Liberty chairman David Warner put in his complaint to the committee and the board.

I asked Warner how a book designated for adults could be dangerous to our young students.

I do not believe that the sexually explicit material in The Freedom Writers book makes a teacher better informed to teach his or her students, he said. Ensuring children are shielded from inappropriate content extends to examining the teacher training and resources used in schools. Its important for us to question educational materials to safeguard our childrens learning environment.

Freedom Writers Diary became a motion picture starring Academy Award winner Hilary Swank and was based on the writings of 150 at-risk high school students in Long Beach, California, who discovered parallels between their struggles and young people far away after their teacher introduced them to classics such as Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Zlatas Diary: A Childs Life in Wartime Sarajevo.

Moms for Liberty reduced the book to its graphic nature and sexual content. I asked Warner if the Christian Bible  which is plenty graphic, including depictions of sex and violence  could similarly be reduced. He didnt answer. But he pretended the books havent actually been banned because they are available in public libraries and bookstores.

Its a typical move by Moms for Liberty. It successfully gets books banned from schools but pretends they dont believe in bans. They say their focus is young people, but sometimes go after books only available to adults. The Horry County school board should be ashamed it allowed itself to be bullied into banning books that should not have been banned, and even more ashamed they joined a growing list of cowardly leaders around the country giving into the latest moral panic.

History never looks kindly on book banners.

Not too long ago, I attended an Horry County school board meeting during which a large, angry crowd was upset about what they called CRT after critical race theory became the bogeyman of the month for people with nothing better to do. It was obvious school board members didnt know much about that graduate school-level theory, and neither did any of the several people I spoke to after the meeting  even though they had just railed against it.

Thats why I must admit Moms for Liberty isnt the real problem. Activist groups of all kinds push boundaries and do their best to impose their worldview on the rest of us, like Moms for Liberty has repeatedly done. That includes in Tennessee where they argued that books such as Ruby Bridges Goes to School: My True Story by civil rights icon Ruby Bridges supposedly contain anti-white content because they accurately depict the white racist violence unleashed upon a Black girl during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.

Problems arise when our elected officials are too weak or uninformed to stand up to them. Horry County school board members need to locate their spines  and soon  because this is only the beginning.

Issac Bailey is a McClatchy Opinion writer in North and South Carolina.
The Boston Public Health Commission will host a summit series to address growing concerns about mental health among young people.

The commissions Center for Behavioral Health and Wellness is hosting Rise Up for Youth Mental Health: Bridging Gaps and Sparking Change on May 13, May 28, and June 3 in South Boston.

Boston youth ages 14 to 18, parents and caregivers, and school-based mental health care providers and after-school providers, may attend the summit, officials said. The summit will have mental health resources, activities, food, and giveaways.

Ensuring that everybody has access to mental health supports and services is critical, Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement on Wednesday. Were determined to support youth who are struggling with their mental health, and I hope that people will attend these events to spark these necessary conversations and share how we as the City can better show up for our youth.

Through discussions and activities, participants will be given the opportunity to identify gaps in youth mental health services and propose solutions, including reviewing the pathway from school to afterschool to home.

More people are struggling with their mental health and well-being than ever before, and we as a city are invested in addressing this challenge, Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the commissioner of public health and executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission, said in a statement. These summits are one of many ways that we are working together to better understand mental health needs and hopefully improve outcomes. We want to ensure that our work is grounded in what youth, parents, and caregivers want and need.

The planned summit comes after a public mental health report released in March showed a notable increase in Boston Public School students who are feeling persistent sadness and hopelessness, and more high schoolers who are reporting suicidal thoughts, officials said.

According to the report, currently more than 40 percent of Boston Public Schools students report feeling persistent sadness and hopelessness, up from 27 percent in 2015. Students who are marginalized or identify as female or LGBTQ+ are more prone to experiencing these sad and hopeless feelings, officials said.

It is clear that Boston needs to develop more mental health services, especially those that address the unique needs of Black, Latinx, Asian, LGBTQ+, and other underserved communities. Were looking at innovative and practical ways to achieve this, and these summits will develop our strategy to improve youth mental health, Dr. Kevin Simon, the Boston Public Health Commissions chief behavioral health officer, said in a statement.

Officials said the goal of the summit is to create a supportive environment where participants can openly discuss the challenges facing youth.

Participants who register and attend will also receive a $25 gift card, while supplies last.

The event schedule is below:

May 13 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.  For youth ages 14-18

May 28 from 3 p.m. to7 p.m.  For parents and caregivers of youth ages 14-18

June 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  For school mental health providers and after-school providers

For event registration and more information, visit this website.

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 3 to 2 vote, Brevard County Commissioners approved a recommendation from the Brevard County Tourist Development Council for a $5,000,000 grant to support a Cocoa Brightline station.

The station layout is anticipated to resemble Brightlines existing Boca Raton Station.

The Cocoa Station will be located on a portion of 90 acres owned by either Brightline or the City of Cocoa.

The station will be built adjacent to the existing railway of Clearlake Road just south of State Road 528.

The City of Cocoa has also committed $5,000,000 to the construction of the new station, and the Space Coast Transportation Organization has secured about $15,000,000 in funding for it.

Brevard County Commissioner Jason Steele told Channel 9, Very shortly, we will be filing an application for a grant from the federal government. And what has to happen is that we have to have matching funds. So, this project today or this vote today, could possibly not only mean $5,000,000 it could mean up to $20,000,000 to $25,000,000.

Read: Brightline ends monthly passes. Whats next for commuters?

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. At COP29 in Baku, countries will be expected to come up with a new global goal on supplying climate finance to poorer countries, said Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President-Designate, in an interview with The Guardian, Trend reports.

According to Babayev, this initiative will help poorer countries cut their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of extreme weather. "Some governments from the global south are calling for the sums to reach more than $1 trillion a year".

"Large sums would be required to help poor countries update their emissions-cutting plans, known as nationally determined contributions, or NDCs, in line with the need to limit temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Its like a triangle. First, transparency. Its trust between the parties. Next, finance. Next, NDC. Today we are looking to this triangle," he said.

Mukhtar Babayev is urging countries to submit their reports well in advance of COP29, which commences on November 11, in an effort to alleviate the impasse on finance. By demonstrating proactive measures to reduce emissions, adapt to climate crisis impacts, and transparently manage received climate finance, poorer nations can reduce developed countries' grounds for withholding financial support.

"If all these sides deliver, if countries will submit the transparent picture of their activities, that will also be a very good argument for the developed world to deliver the priorities of the developing world, Babayev said. We would like to be the interconnector," he concluded.

Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November this year. The decision was made at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Within two weeks, Baku, having become the center of the world, will host about 70,00080,000 foreign guests.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties, which is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The parties to the convention are 198 countries. Unless the parties have decided otherwise, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.
Rufus Wainwright (right) with Ivo van Hove and Sheridan Smith after the press night of Opening Night: the smiles didn't last long - Dave Benett/Getty Images Europe

Last month, mere weeks into its run, the producers of Opening Night  a West End musical starring Sheridan Smith  announced that it was to close, two months earlier than planned. But why did the show flop so badly? Was it because it was a pretentious, convoluted mess (Telegraph)? Maddeningly opaque (Times)? A car crash (Express)?

No. It was because Brexit has turned the British into philistines, too insular to appreciate unconventional art.

That, at least, seems to be the view of the musician who wrote the shows songs. Speaking to the Guardian  one of the few newspapers to give Opening Night an enthusiastic write-up  Rufus Wainwright insisted that all of the reviews from Europe were incredible. Yet in Britain, he complained, there was a vitriolic reaction because, since Brexit, England has entered into a darker corridor which has made it narrow in its outlook. As a result, he said, Theres a lack of imagination and curiosity about change.

Presumably this lack of imagination and curiosity explains why, according to the Sun, members of the audience were seen walking out of one performance during the interval  while, according to the Express, others fell asleep.

All the same, its possible there may be a small flaw or two in Mr Wainwrights analysis. For one thing, Opening Night was panned by critics from publications that opposed Brexit  such as the New Statesman (which called the show unlovable), the Independent (misjudged) and the FT (clunky).

Perhaps Brexit is so awful, its turned Remainers into philistines, too. But it gets worse. The most damning review of all (A travesty A sludgy melodrama) appeared in the New York Times. So Brexit must have turned New Yorkers into philistines, as well.

Then again, that cant be right  because Mr Wainwright himself was born in New York. And Brexit hasnt turned him into a philistine. Because if it had, he could never have helped create such a cruelly neglected masterpiece as Opening Night.

On reflection, therefore, Im afraid Im going to have to consider the possibility that Mr Wainwright is wrong. The failure of his show had nothing to do with Brexit. And, when he huffs about our lack of imagination and curiosity, hes just being stuck-up.

If so, however, hes hardly alone. This type of attitude has become all too common among supposedly cultured liberals, in the US just as much as in Britain. Ever since 2016, they have routinely ridiculed Leavers as ignorant, backward and thick. In fact, this intellectual disdain swiftly grew so widespread that, in 2021, the author David Skelton published a book on it, titled The New Snobbery.

All things considered, then, I dont think Brexit has turned the British into philistines. I think its turned liberals into snobs.

The main problem with this snobbery, though, is not that its unpleasant. Its that its made it impossible to have a proper discussion about how Brexit is going. Because, if anyone tries to talk about the extra red tape that our deal with the EU has created for businesses, farmers and fishermen, they risk being dismissed as a snob themselves. Perhaps this is why Labour darent even raise the subject any more.

Still, if it helps Mr Wainwright feel better about his shows failure, I suppose thats something. And his excuse may provide children with some helpful inspiration. Next time they get a bad mark in maths, they can tell their parents that, since Brexit, teachers have simply become too insular to appreciate unconventional arithmetic.

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.
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.
Six years after Mike Braun came out on top in Indiana's first Trumpian Idol contest and won election to the U.S. Senate, he has coasted to the Republican nomination for governor.

It shouldn't have been quite so easy. On paper, Braun faced one of the most competitive statewide fields in Indiana history. At least three Republican contenders  Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Brad Chambers and Eric Doden  had plausible cases to make for being stronger candidates than Braun.

Braun is an uninspiring U.S. senator who ran an uninspiring gubernatorial campaign. That turned out to be good enough because Braun had what he needed: name identification and former president Donald Trump's endorsement. That's probably going to be good enough for him to win in November, too.

Braun's competitors, meanwhile, never distinguished themselves to a Republican electorate beholden to Trump. They ran vaguely hybrid campaigns anchored to time-tested establishment Republican values while sort of appealing to Trump fans, or at least trying not offending them, but never really making headway.

A Sen. Mike Braun supporter stands by a cut-out of former President Donald Trump with an endorsement note Tuesday, May 7, 2024, during a watch party at Moontown Brewery in Whitestown.

The lifeless state of this race is a warning sign for Indiana Republicans.

It will be easy for Republicans to brush aside this disappointing contest and console themselves with yet another year of (probable) general election victories up and down the ballot. The state Democratic Party is far weaker, so Republicans can get away with listless campaigns, at least for a while.

Establishment Republicans can even feel good about how long it's taking MAGA to smother the party's identity in Indiana compared to other places. After all, moderate Gov. Eric Holcomb has remained relatively popular throughout the Trump era and Republican Sen. Todd Young is among few prominent Republicans anywhere to remain on solid footing while openly defying the former president.

Still, this gubernatorial primary shows Trump is leading Indiana Republicans to a dangerous place. Trump is creating a real-life version of Plato's allegory of the cave, where otherwise strong Republican candidates operate as prisoners unsure of whether, or how, to acknowledge the existence of an outside world to their fellow captives.

Despite only exerting a passive influence over Indiana in this cycle, Trump's shadow diminished candidates to shells of what they might have been in another era.

Crouch, long respected as a skilled administrator, regressed to talking about pronouns and wokeness. Chambers, who many Central Indiana leaders put their hope in as the best candidate, never seemed sure what he was allowed to say in this bizarro political environment. They are lesser figures for having taken part in this "campaign about nothing," as Republican Pete Seat called it in Politico.

Polling might recommend candidates pound away on soul-sucking campaigns of border, border, border. Republicans across Indiana just yawned, though, showing their restlessness with more than 100,000 votes for zombie presidential candidate Nikki Haley.

If you squint, you can see a post-Trump future up for grabs.

As Trump likely (though by no means definitely) heads to the November ballot for the final time, the establishment wing of the Indiana Republican Party Indiana needs to find a new playbook or risk handing the keys over to MAGA acolytes such as Todd Rokita, Diego Morales and Micah Beckwith.

Braun, Indiana's most successful Trumpist, just shredded a crop of well-qualified gubernatorial candidates without breaking a sweat. He had undeniable advantages: the name ID, the Trump endorsement and a crowded field dividing the anti-Braun vote. His opponents couldn't have changed those things.

In a race that topped $40 million in spending, though, Braun's opponents failed at the tasks they could control, including the most basic act of campaigning, a failure that should keep establishment Republicans up at night as they consider where they go from here.

They have no idea how to talk to normal people.

Contact James Briggs at 317-444-4732 or james.briggs@indystar.com. Follow him on X and Threads at @JamesEBriggs.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mike Braun's shredding of primary field reveals Republican weakness
The United Kingdom has summoned the Russian ambassador and announced a swathe of new measures against Moscow, including the targeting of Russian-owned buildings that the British government said have been used for intelligence purposes.

UK interior minister James Cleverly said Wednesday that the country is expelling the Russian defense attache, who was described by the Foreign Office as an undeclared military intelligence officer.

The measures also removed a special diplomatic status from several Russian-owned properties, which the government believes have been used for intelligence purposes.

Those properties include a building in Highgate, north London, and Seacox Heath, a mansion in the countryside in Sussex, in southern England, that is owned by Russias government.

Cleverly said the measures come after five Bulgarian nationals were charged in connection with an investigation into alleged offences under the National Security Act, as part of a counterterrorism policing investigation.

The alleged offences relate to a suspected arson attack on a Ukraine linked business in the UK, which British prosecutors have confirmed relate to alleged hostile activity in the UK in order to benefit a foreign state, namely Russia, Cleverly said.

Russia has faced waves of sanctions from the UK and other Western nations since launching its full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, though President Vladimir Putin has sought to downplay their significance.

At an event earlier this year, Putin said: We have growth, and they have decline They all have problems through the roof, not even comparable to our problems, in a message intended to minimize the significance of the Wests economic measures.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron described the new measures as an unequivocal message to the Russian state that their actions will not go unanswered.

Since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, Russias attempts to undermine UK and European security have become increasingly brazen, Cameron said.

Moscow has in the past sought to sanction Western individuals in tit-for-tat moves, barring dozens of British figures from entering the country after a previous wave of measures from London last year.

In the coming days, we should expect accusations of Russophobia, conspiracy theories and hysteria from the Russian government, Cleverly said as he detailed the measures in Parliament on Wednesday. This is not new, and the British people and the British government will not fall for it and will not be taken for fools by Putins bots, trolls and lackeys.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)  Unsheltered individuals wandering on East Kingsbridge Road and homeless encampments in this area are causing businesses to struggle to keep their customers.

Many told PIX11 News the situation is out of their hands. Business owners are asking the city to remove these homeless individuals and to place them in a program where they can receive the assistance they need, including mental health and drug addiction.

They have mattresses, they got cushions from the couches, they made a little bed over here when it rains. Its been really bad, said Narelin Rivera, who shared pictures and videos with PIX11 of what she said the outside of her dress store looks like on a regular basis.

Full of food, Syringes, everything, a little bit of everything, she added.

More Bronx News

The Department of Sanitation came in and cleared the area Monday night, but the homeless were already making their way back Tuesday. She said this is impacting her business.

People dont want come in because when they are not there in the front, they are on the side, they come in here sometimes, Rivera said.

PIX11 News noticed individuals eating on filthy sidewalks, digging through open trash bags and using clothes while covering the story.

It is a lot of them here. We need help for them to clear all of them out of here, said Bala Jalo, owner of a clothing store.

Over at his deli, Jose Mechaca explained that customers are hesitant to come into his business and that others are choosing not to come in at all.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

PIX11 News Headlines

The situation is getting bad and bad because a lot of people sleeping on the floor, a lot of needles and a lot of garbage, Mechaca explained.

Business owners and workers are concerned about how this is impacting their pockets and the neighborhood overall.

It is not safe because there is a school across the street; children are curious, so if they see one of these syringes, concluded Rivera.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Brown v. Board: How its impacts are still felt 70 years later

Brown v. Board: How its impacts are still felt 70 years later

TOPEKA (KSNT)  A landmark case that changed the way public schools operate in America will celebrate 70 years next week.

Topeka, Kansas is known to some as the birthplace of desegregation. For those with personal connections to the case, like Victoria Benson, who is the daughter of one of the plaintiffs, it can be eye-opening to see the progress inspired by the people involved.

$41 million in federal cash to help Kansas homeless, affordable housing

It is breathtaking to think youre a part of history, Benson said. I finished at Buchanon, which was an all-black elementary school. My brother Marvin Lawton was the first of us to go to Lowman Hill, an integrated elementary school.

This progress has continued to present day, especially for Tiffany Anderson. In 2016, she became the first female, African American superintendent of Topeka Public Schools (TPS).

Schools today in Topeka have students and teachers of color because of the Brown v. Board case, Anderson said. It is critical to what we do and who we are. Our community continues to uplift many of these legacy leaders that are still right here in the community.

In celebration of this local history, organizations are planning multiple events. Below is a list of everything still to come:

Picture the Dream Exhibit 5/1-8/11 @ Kansas Childrens Discovery Center

Local schools field trip to the historical site 5/8 @ Brown v. Board site

Topekas Black Communities Panel 5/9 @ Topeka and Shawnee Co. Public Library  Marvin Auditorium

African American Topeka History Tour 5/11 @ Topeka

Academy of African American Business and Development 5/14 @ Washburn University

Now Let Me Fly Play 5/17 @ Washburn University

Mobile Museum 5/61-5/17 @ Washburn University

70th Anniversary Commemoration 5/17 @ Brown v. Board site

70th Anniversary Celebration 5/18 @ Brown v. Board site

Our Stories Exhibition Reenactors 5/19 @ Sabatini Gallery

Spoken Word Operetta 5/24 @ White Concert Hall



For more information on the upcoming 70th anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board of Education case, click 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.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat speaks with House Speaker Charles McCall on Monday during a budgetary meeting at the Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma City.

Even though Republican Gov. Kevin Stitts unusual summit conference didnt produce a budget agreement, this weeks meeting did have two benefits:

 The Legislature and the governors office agreed to earmark $45 million for emergency management, following the barrage of tornadoes that have hit the state.

 The leaders of the House and the Senate and the governor all sat in the same room and talked about money.

Otherwise, as Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat put it, the leadership session was pretty much a press conference for tax cuts.

The meeting, hosted by Stitt, was supposed to kick-start a state budget process that had stalled. This year, lawmakers have about $13.1 billion to spend for FY 25. Mondays meeting was also rare for its open, freewheeling nature involving the governor and legislative leaders.

Before this year, state lawmakers usually held closed-door meetings on the budget, and little was known about the final package until just before it came up for a vote. Because the Legislature does almost all of the heavy lifting in writing the budget, many governors are sidelined until just before final decisions about the budget are made.

Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat attends a budgetary meeting Monday at the state Capitol.

This year, however, Treat upended a number of those traditions.

Just after the session started, the Republican leader announced a push for transparency that opened the budget up to more oversight, involvement and scrutiny. House leaders, following Treats efforts, then launched an online budget portal, which illustrated the differences between House and Senate proposals. That portal, House Budget Chair Kevin Wallace said, is updated every Friday.

How the push for transparency has impacted budget talks in the Oklahoma Legislature

The push for budget transparency also has been a "good news/bad news" thing in the Legislature.

What was once a quiet, closely held process has changed. Complicating the issue, in early May, Treat dismissed his long-time budget chairman, Sen. Roger Thompson, because Thompson was cutting budget deals with Wallace, his counterpart in the House, and not involving the full Senate's budget subcommittees in the process. Treat said Thompson had been pushed by House leaders to cut budget deals in order to get a final bill finished sooner.

However, that change in leadership slowed the pace of the budget negotiations.

Frustrated, Stitt emailed both Treat and House Speaker Charles McCall inviting them to a meeting on the budget. The governors email said the meeting would be open to the public and the press.

Treat replied to the governor saying he would attend and forwarded the email to every member of the Legislature.

Tensions over an income tax cut

But Stitts agenda for the summit conference included something other than getting the budget moving. The governor was hoping  with help from McCall and Wallace  to push Treat toward approval of a reduction of the state's personal income tax.

And Treat was not amused.

For months, the Senate leader has repeatedly said the Senate would not hear another tax cut bill this session. Treat said he was concerned that it would be difficult to adequately fund government and pay for a second tax cut after earlier approval of eliminating the state tax on groceries.

But Stitt, McCall and Wallace pushed ahead.

More: Lawmakers agree to $45 million for emergency management during Monday budget 'summit'

Stitt said the big picture from the governors standpoint was to have no deficit spending and an income tax cut. I believe its important for Oklahomans, the governor said. If were going to spend savings. If we are going to invest in a lot of things, then we should be able to give Oklahomans a tax cut.

Wallace, the House budget chair, said he, too, wanted to talk about an income tax cut.

"An income tax cut? he said, directing the question at Treat.

Treat continued to say no. We have been very clear that we cut taxes over $400 million starting with the grocery tax cut, Treat said. If you want to talk about that, its going to take up the rest of the time. I think we need to talk about recurring revenue.

Where the Oklahoma House and Senate remain divided on the budget

Though Monday's meeting showed many areas where the Senate and the House were in agreement, there were several areas that underscored the divisions between the two bodies.

For example, education funding.

While McCall said the House was "open to any discussion on education," Wallace attempted to tie funding in some educational areas to an agreement on a tax cut.

"I say the same thing to you that I said to your subcommittee chair and your former chair," Wallace said. "You want to put more money in education, I can get there (so) let's talk about a tax cut."

Treat responded, asking about funding for the higher education system. "So the Regents for Higher Education, I see we're all in agreement on the Inspire to Teach (program) at $8.5 million?"

"Sure," Wallace said. "You wanna talk about a tax cut or not?"

Visibly frustrated, Treat's response was frank  and terse. "Is this a press conference or is this a budget negotiation?" he said.

"It's a budget," Wallace answered.

The back and forth between legislative leaders continued until the group recessed the meeting  briefly. A short time later, after the group reconvened, Treat said he welcomed members of the House to join the Senate's subcommittee meetings.

"I hear your frustration with us going back to our subcommittees," Treat said. "If your members want to join our members in subcommittee in some type of joint committee process, as long as it's public, we will make sure our subcommittee chairs accommodate that."

House Majority Leader Jon Echols said subcommittee members should reach out to one another to address the issues they are trying to fund. Wallace said he was frustrated "because I feel like I'm rehashing these numbers for the third time."

A short time later, the summit recessed for the day. But the group is scheduled to return for a second round of public negotiations Thursday in the governor's meeting room. The Legislature has until 5 p.m. May 31 to finish its work.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Gov. Kevin Stitt's budget summit highlighted divisions and priorities
There was only one topic on the agenda for Tuesday nights mayoral forum hosted by community group BUILD and it was one of Baltimores most pressing: housing.

Before a crowd of hundreds gathered in the gymnasium at St. Frances Academy, the leading candidates for Baltimores top office outlined their plans to address the citys vacancy crisis. A persistent problem in Baltimore, thousands of vacant homes have sat empty for years, attracting crime, diminishing property values and lowering the quality of life for longtime city residents.

Many, many times youve heard from mayoral candidates how in their term they were going to eliminate this problem, said Mayor Brandon Scott, the citys leader of the past four years. Scott pledged to implement a 15-year, $3 billion plan he unveiled in December if reelected.

This was never going to happen in any one mayoral term, he said. You have to be committed to long-term change.

Former Mayor Sheila Dixon, Scotts chief rival, touted her years of work with BUILD, a city-based group of congregations, schools and neighborhood associations that organizes around housing issues. Mayor from 2007 to 2010 and council president before that, Dixon said her plan aligns with BUILDs agenda.

Its about consistency and building on that, she said.

The forum was an orderly final public matchup between the two candidates in a campaign that has grown increasingly acrimonious in the past week. A third leading contender, Thiru Vignarajah, was slated to participate in Tuesdays forum, but abruptly dropped out of the race last Wednesday, endorsing Dixon. All are Democrats. The primary will be May 14.

On Tuesday, Dixon and Scott sat on separate sides just below a stage, positioned with their supporters rather than appearing side by side in a traditional debate format. There were no barbs traded, though. No verbal punches were thrown. Instead, each took turns sitting around a table with BUILD leaders talking through their plans.

Scotts proposal, which he developed in partnership with BUILD and the Greater Baltimore Committee, calls for creating a new Tax Increment Financing or TIF zone that could be used to finance $300 million worth of bonds in various neighborhoods across the city rather than one contiguous area like a traditional TIF. The plan also relies on $900 million in state investment  money that has not yet been fully secured  and $300 million from philanthropic and community investments. The full proposal would be implemented over 15 years.

Dixons proposal bears some resemblance. She, too, has proposed using TIF bonds to target development in historically redlined neighborhoods, those that have been disenfranchised through racist housing policies. Dixon, however, has proposed creating a land bank, a quasi-governmental agency that would acquire property, clear title issues, consolidate parcels and then get them into the hands of developers. As mayor in 2009, Dixon tried once before to institute a land bank, but was rebuffed by City Council members concerned about transparency and its financial feasibility.

Dixon said Tuesday that the land bank would streamline the process of acquiring and flipping vacant properties. She also proposed financing some vacant rehabilitation using the Maryland Stadium Authority, arguing that the authority can be used for a much broader purpose.

That collaboration and partnership is needed as we move this process forward, she said.

BUILD officials pressed Scott on whether he, too, would create a special purpose entity to assist with the citys vacant homes. BUILD called for the creation of such an entity before the partnership with Scott was announced late last year.

As he has in the past, Scott argued that the city is already in a position to do the necessary work. The Department of Housing and Community Development has the authority to do project financing and to issue loans for the acquisition and demolition of properties, he said. Still, Scott said his plan does require the use of an existing special purpose entity, a defunct industrial development authority. Scott plans to revive the authority to help with issuing hundreds of millions of dollars in bonds.

We have this IDA that has only been used for industrial, but it doesnt have to be, he said.

Candidates were also asked about their plans to address neighborhood safety, specifically what they would do in their first 90 days in office and first year to improve the relationship between city police and communities.

Dixon said the city has been losing residents due to quality-of-life crimes that must be a focus of the next mayor in addition to the citys homicide rate. She pledged to work with States Attorney Ivan Bates and Sheriff Sam Cogen, both of whom have endorsed her, to initiate better collaboration with the mayors office and city police. Dixon also said she would push to create more community schools where services would be offered to families.

Weve got to deal with the kids before it happens, she said.

Scott pledged to continue his current approach, which has involved funding community violence intervention programs and expanding victim services. He said he would establish an Office of Reentry in his next term to help Baltimoreans returning from incarceration transition.

Were going to double down and triple down on those efforts because we know its working, he said, touting the citys homicide count, which fell below 300 in 2023 for the first time in almost a decade. The crowd in attendance applauded.

We are not going back to the old ways of thinking of public safety, Scott said.
A 72-year-old Nampa man who was charged with felony battery of a police officer dodged court after being arrested alongside far-right activist Ammon Bundy three years ago.

After being convicted in 2022 and finally being sentenced in 2024, Casey Baker can go back to avoiding the Ada County Courthouse  a judge gave him time served, with no fines, restitution or court costs.

Bakers charges dated to March 2021, when he was arrested outside the courthouse and charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison under Idaho law.

Baker forcefully grabbed and pulled an Ada County sheriffs deputys arm, the Ada County Prosecutors Office said in its criminal complaint. He also was charged with a misdemeanor for resisting and obstructing an officer, but that was later dismissed at prosecutors request.

Following trial, a jury found Baker guilty on April 11, 2022, and he had a sentencing scheduled for July 6 that year. But he never showed. After he skipped a hearing less than two weeks later, a judge issued a warrant for failure to appear.

He finally did appear in January this year, and Baker told the court that he simply took the deputys arm to move him a few steps, because he was afraid his wife did not have enough room and was about to fall. Baker also has Parkinsons disease and struggles to maintain his balance, according to court documents.

I backed him up two or three steps to give her some room back there, defending myself and protecting my wife, Baker said in front of Fourth District Judge James Cawthon.

Prosecutors noted that Baker had no criminal history and said they had offered a plea deal originally to drop the charge to a misdemeanor. The state asked the judge to give Baker a judgment of one year fixed and two years indeterminate in prison  and then suspend that sentence and place the defendant on probation.

Cawthon sentenced Baker to time served, indicating that Baker had spent about 31 days in jail throughout the proceedings. The judge said he understood why the jury found him guilty, but also said it appeared on video that Baker was struggling to keep his balance in a crowd on the day he was arrested.

For a person without Parkinsons, for an extremely healthy person, for a person younger than you to have maintained their balance would have been difficult, Cawthon said.

The crowd that day was a result of Bundys presence at the Ada County Courthouse with another man to face charges of trespassing at the Idaho Capitol. Court security would not let them enter because they refused to wear masks in accordance with COVID-19 protocols. Since the two were not in court, a judge issued failure to appear warrants.

Outside, Ada County sheriffs deputies moved to arrest Bundy and the other defendant on those warrants, causing a scuffle to break out between Bundys supporters and law enforcement, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. Baker, a supporter of Bundys, was involved in that, leading to his arrest.
Burbank elementary school teacher killed by her own son, police say

A man from Burbank has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his mother, a beloved teacher with the Burbank Unified School District.

According to Burbank Police, officers and paramedics responded to a home in the 800 block of North Avon Street around 10 p.m. Tuesday, where they found Karyn Lombardo, 57, unconscious.

Life-saving measures were taken by officers and paramedics, but [Lombardo] was pronounced deceased at the scene, police said in a statement.

Lombardo was a teacher at Bret Harte Elementary School, district officials confirmed. Police said she lived in the home with her adult son and husband.

Suspect in fatal hit-and-run ditches car at casino before being arrested in Los Angeles

Based on information and evidence collected at the home, police arrested and booked Kyle Lombardo, 25, for murder. Authorities say he killed his mother during an altercation.

Her dedication, warmth, and passion for teaching touched many students and colleagues lives, said John Paramo, superintendent of the Burbank Unified School District, in a statement. Her profound impact and loss on this community will be deeply felt throughout the City of Burbank.

Paramo said Lombardo began her career as a bilingual teacher at Joaquin Miller Elementary in 1990. Three years later, she transferred to Harte Elementary, where she had multiple teaching roles, including performing arts, choir, and kindergarten.

School psychologists and social service workers were on-site at Harte Elementary to offer counseling to students and staff.

Over the course of her highly accomplished career, Ms. Lombardo touched the lives of thousands of students, parents, and colleagues, who will be mourning this loss in the days to come, said Paramo.

Kyle Lombardo was being held in lieu of $2 million bail.

Anyone with information that could aid the ongoing investigation is asked to call Burbank Police Department detectives at 818-238-3210.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The Las Virgenes School District is investigating threats allegedly made by a student targeting other students at Chaparral Elementary School in Calabasas.

In an email to parents on Tuesday, Principal Nicki Goldstein said the threats were made outside of school on the students personal phone and using social media. Students and staff reported them to administrators, Goldstein said.

Upon the information being brought to our attention, we immediately took the appropriate steps, including contacting law enforcement, her email read. The situation is being addressed, and I want to reassure you that school personnel and law enforcement have taken this very seriously.

Los Angeles County deputy accused of smuggling heroin

The nature of the threats was not disclosed, and no information about the student was released. School officials did not immediately respond to KTLAs request for comment.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said there was no active threat to the school. The departments Juvenile Intervention Team was handling the case.

Goldstein expressed gratitude to those who came forward and said the elementary schools staff handled the situation with professionalism and care.

Our vigilance as a community is essential, she added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
California abortion rate rises to highest level in a decade. What experts say

Californias abortion rate rose last year to its highest level in a decade as state legislation made it easier to get an abortion and thousands of people from states with abortion bans sought medical care here, new data show.

California health care professionals provided about 178,400 legal abortions in 2023, up by about 24,000, or 16%, from 2020, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit organization that advocates for access to reproductive care.

We dont actually know what is behind the increase, said Rachel Jones, the principal research scientist at Guttmacher. We do know that California has been a model, in a lot of ways, in trying to increase access to abortion.

The abortion rate in California fell sharply for decades in California, going from about 44 legal abortions per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 in 1991 to about 16 per 1,000 women in 2017, Guttmacher data show.

The rate began to rise again in 2017  an increase that continued after the Supreme Courts 2022 decision overturning the constitutional right to an abortion previously enshrined in Roe v. Wade.

The 2022 decision led to full abortion bans in 13 states, mostly in the southeastern United States, and partial bans in several others. At the same time, California and many other states passed laws protecting abortion rights.

About 5,200 people traveled from other states to California to have a legal abortion in 2023, representing about 3% of abortions performed in the state.

Other states saw far more people traveling from out of state for an abortion. For example, about 12,500 people came to Kansas from other states for an abortion. About 14,500 came to New Mexico. About 36,800 came to Illinois.

The states that saw the biggest increases were those that are adjacent to states where abortion was pretty much completely banned, Jones said.

During the last several years, California legislators passed multiple laws to increase abortion access in the state. Those laws have helped more women obtain abortions.

Even prior to the Dobbs decision, abortion access in California was far from equitablegeographically, demographically, and racially, said Shelby McMichael, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. Rural and underserved communities were, and in many places still are, abortion care deserts.

New measures passed in California include:

 An amendment to the state constitution that enshrines abortion rights.

 Several laws protecting doctors who perform abortions for residents of other states.

 Enhancing privacy protections for people who get abortions.

 Allowing physician assistants and nurse practitioners to play a greater role in performing abortions.

 Starting a Reproductive Health Services Corps to train and encourage practitioners who work in underserved areas.

California has implemented more than two dozen policies related to access and invested over $200M in reproductive health care, McMichael said.

There were about 23 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 in California during 2023, significantly higher than the nationwide rate of about 16 abortions per 100,000 women.

In 2023, California had the ninth-highest rate of abortions in America.
Californias massive effort to shelter homeless residents during the COVID-19 pandemic was a success, according to a new report that says the effort improved the states homeless services system.

But at the same time, the researchers pointed out a troubling dearth of available data on the program. With the little information they were able to access, they found that people who left the program had at least a 40% chance of returning to homelessness.

Project Roomkey, one of Gov. Gavin Newsoms signature pandemic initiatives, temporarily moved about 62,000 homeless Californians into hotel rooms in an effort to prevent them from catching COVID. The model, which provided residents with their own private room and bathroom, as well as (in some cases) healthcare and other services, was a world apart from traditional shelters where dozens of people sleep together in a room and services are limited.

The independent evaluation of the program, released Monday evening, says Roomkey succeeded in saving lives while also shifting the state's perception of homeless shelters.

I believe the program was successful and I believe it has a further reach beyond just what happened during the program itself because many communities and many providers have seen the value of this type of program and are trying to continue with it, said Nichole Fiore, a principal associate with research firm Abt Global who co-authored the report. The report was funded by the California Health Care Foundation and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

But the researchers acknowledged large holes in the accessible state and local data. For example, they couldnt cross-reference death records or information about participants health, meaning they had no way to prove Roomkey prevented deaths or kept people healthier.

Initial responses to public records requests filed by CalMatters revealed dozens of deaths in Roomkey programs spread across the state.

In Ventura County, 32 people died in Roomkey hotel rooms, the majority due to health conditions and COVID related, said Jennifer Harkey, program director of the Ventura County Continuum of Care. Twelve people died in San Diego County, eight in Tulare County and seven elderly people in Riverside County, officials told CalMatters.

Still, officials say the individual hotel rooms saved many more people from the more hazardous alternatives of staying on the street or crowding into traditional group shelters.

This has been a highly successful program by offering safety and stability to highly vulnerable unsheltered people, Harkey told CalMatters in a statement. This has proven that non-congregate shelter is a model we need to continue in our community.

In addition, though many program operators tried to move people into permanent housing as COVID vaccines were released and Roomkey hotels closed, they succeeded less than a quarter of the time.

Project Roomkey exemplifies whats possible when government thinks outside the box and acts with urgency, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in an emailed statement responding to the evaluation. By leveraging existing hotels and motels, the state, in partnership with local jurisdictions, rapidly housed thousands of individuals in need of assistance.

In this 2020 file photo from the Desert Sun, Lee Fournier stands in the entryway of his hotel room provided by Project Roomkey at Rodeway Inn & Suites in Indio, Calif. Project Roomkey was an effort by the state to house individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Did Project Roomkey end peoples homelessness?

Project Roomkey launched in March 2020 and was most heavily used between April 2020 and June 2021. It primarily accepted residents who were considered particularly vulnerable to COVID because they were 65 and older or had medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart conditions.

It started as a hastily-deployed health program  its primary goal was to prevent people from dying of COVID-19, not to permanently end their homelessness. At the outset, both state and local officials expected it would operate for just a few months. As the pandemic dragged on and the hotels stayed open much longer than anticipated, many counties began trying to move Roomkey participants into permanent housing.

As of January, 22% of people leaving Roomkey programs throughout the state went to permanent housing, and 11% to temporary housing, according to state data compiled by the researchers. Another 40% remained homeless: 25% went into other emergency shelters and 15% went back to the street. Another 18% went to unknown destinations, meaning they didnt tell staff where they were going, or staff didnt track it.

The positive connotation the researchers gave those results shows just how low the bar is for homelessness programs. Housing is notoriously scarce and expensive in California, and there is a massive shortage of rental subsidies and other resources to help pay peoples rent.

22% is actually pretty good for an exit into permanent housing, Fiore said.

The state spent $24 billion on housing and homelessness over the past five years, but as the crisis continues to get worse, lawmakers increasingly are demanding to know where that money is going and why it isnt getting better results. A recent state audit found huge gaps in the data collected on massive California-wide homelessness programs. And legislators in the state assembly held an oversight hearing on homelessness Monday.

Because Roomkey was so large  and started when counties had access to an unprecedented amount of federal COVID relief dollars that could be spent on housing  the sheer number of people Roomkey permanently housed was impressive, said Vivian Wan, chief executive officer of Abode Services, which ran 16 Roomkey sites in Santa Clara, Alameda and Napa counties. More than 14,000 Californians moved from Roomkey into a permanent home, according to state data obtained by CalMatters.

More people got housed during this time than any other time that I know of, Wan said.

Even so, she was hesitant to say 22% was a good result, percentage-wise. By comparison, people who left Abodes shelters in Alameda County last year moved into permanent housing 24% of the time.

San Franciscos largest navigation center (a shelter that provides beds and other services) reported just 8% of the people who left its program ended up in permanent housing in 2022.

Roomkey also didnt always do a better job of ending peoples homelessness than other shelters, and housing placements varied widely county by county.

Some counties struggled even to track that data.

Officials in Fresno County, for example, said that in the frenzy of opening nine Roomkey projects originally planned to operate for just a few weeks or months, not all site operators tracked where residents went.

There was no data available for four of the countys nine sites. Officials reported that about 120 out of the nearly 670 people served by the remaining sites  or roughly 18%  moved into permanent housing.

Amina Flores-Becker grew up in Fresno and has watched housing become unaffordable for many middle class and low-income neighbors. One major challenge with Roomkey, the deputy county administrative officer said, was a lack of housing options for people who left hotels, leading many back to the street.

There was definitely a mass exodus from those shelters when that went away, Flores-Becker told CalMatters in an interview earlier this year.

One takeaway emphasized by the Abt researchers: The longer people stayed in Roomkey, the more likely they were to move on to permanent housing (at least in Tulare, Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the only counties for which the researchers obtained detailed outcome data). In Los Angeles County, more than half of those who stayed in Roomkey 18 months or longer moved into permanent housing.

The researchers also compared the demographics of Roomkey residents with residents of other shelter programs in Los Angeles County. Roomkey residents were more likely to be White and less likely to be Black .

In this 2020 file photo, LVN nursing coordinator Samantha Sola gives a COVID-19 vacation shot to Donald Regpala, who was temporality housed at the Motel 6 on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Stockton under the statewide Project Roomkey program.

Researchers struggled with a lack of data

The evaluation determined Roomkey met its goal of saving lives (a claim anecdotally backed by experts who say the state didnt see the flood of homeless deaths during the pandemic that they initially feared). But the Abt researchers werent able to obtain data on deaths or health outcomes as proof. They tried to get participant data from the states homeless services system to cross-reference with Medi-Cal and death record data  but they couldnt, due to data privacy restrictions and other bureaucratic roadblocks, Fiore said.

Many people came to Roomkey from crowded shelters where as many as 300 people might share a room  perfect conditions for COVID to spread, Wan said. Without Roomkey, Wan suspects homeless shelters might have seen COVID mortality rates similar to those of nursing homes  which, at the height of the pandemic, accounted for more than 40% of Californias COVID-related deaths.

I cant imagine the spread had we not been able to decompress (homeless shelters), she said. People sleep nose to nose in many of these sites.

In the absence of extensive statewide data, the Abt researchers surveyed and interviewed Roomkey providers and participants throughout California. They sent an online survey to all counties that participated in the program, and conducted interviews with city, county and program staff in 15 of those communities. They also went on site visits to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tulare, Ventura and Santa Cruz counties.

The researchers asked for data on participant outcomes from the five counties where they conducted site visits, but Los Angeles, Tulare and Ventura were the only ones that complied.

That lack of access to data is a problem, Fiore said.

Its critical to be able to collect, analyze and evaluate that data across systems, she said. And right now all the data for those benefits are sitting in different systems.

In this 2020 file photo, Lee Fournier sits in his hotel room provided by Project Roomkey at Rodeway Inn & Suites in Indio, Calif. Project Roomkey was an effort by the state to house individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roomkey gets positive reviews, despite problems

Most Roomkey participants surveyed reported having a positive experience, according to the Abt report. They said they particularly appreciated having their own bathroom.

It really was a place for people to stabilize, Fiore said. Get rest. Get nourishment. Get services.

One participant from Ventura County told the researchers that he could refrigerate his insulin, consistently take his medication and make his doctors appointments.

But the Roomkey hotels were not designed for long-term living, which posed challenges as the pandemic continued for multiple years, according to the evaluation. Residents couldnt cook (not even on hotplates) and the minifridges in the rooms could store only enough food for one or two days. Roomkey staff told the researchers the motels tended to be decrepit and didnt have enough rooms accessible for people with disabilities. Some residents complained of cockroaches and rodents.

Roomkey programs also struggled to provide enough services. Many residents had been living on the street for a long time and suffered from chronic health conditions such as kidney failure, cancer and seizures, as well as PTSD and other mental health issues. Some counties, such as Los Angeles, provided on-site nurses. San Francisco provided counseling and therapy.

Wan said some of her teams Roomkey sites could have used more health services. Frankly, because there just werent enough resources to go around, she said.

People will come indoors if they are offered autonomy, safety, privacy, if theyre able to keep their partners, their pets, their possessions. - NICHOLE FIORE, PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATE, RESEARCH FIRM ABT ASSOCIATES

Statewide, Roomkey staff also enforced strict rules to prevent the spread of COVID, such as requiring residents to mostly stay in their rooms and prohibiting guests. In some cases, the isolation exacerbated residents mental health issues.

Physically I was getting better when I was at the (shelter-in-place) hotel, but mentallyI was too isolated,one participant told the researchers. I needed more interaction. It eventually came to a point where I was talking to the TV and arguing with myself in my room.

Some participants left the program because of those rules.

Funding was another challenge. Cities and counties ramped up their Roomkey programs with the understanding that the federal government would foot a large chunk of the bill. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency recently said it wouldnt reimburse them for Roomkey stays of longer than 20 days between June 11, 2021 and May 11, 2023.

That limit, which state and local officials are urging the federal government to reverse, will cost California and local governments more than $300 million, according to an estimate from the governors Office of Emergency Services.

But the program has made its mark on California. For example, hotels are a key part of the homelessness strategy in Los Angeles, where the new Inside Safe initiative moves people from encampments into hotels. But like Roomkey, that program has struggled to provide residents with enough health and mental health services, and to move people from the hotels into permanent housing.

Roomkey also helped dispel a myth that Fiore says is often perpetuated about homeless residents: That they dont want to live inside. People who never accepted beds in traditional shelters were willing to try Roomkey, she said.

People will come indoors if they are offered autonomy, safety, privacy, if theyre able to keep their partners, their pets, their possessions, Fiore said. When their needs are met and their needs are considered, then people will come indoors.

CalMatters investigative reporter Lauren Hepler contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Was California Homeless Project-Roomkey a success?
California Supreme Court justices sounded split Wednesday over top Democrats plea to nix a ballot measure amendment that would make it harder to pass new taxes before it goes to voters in November.

The ballot measure would require voters to approve taxes passed by the Legislature and would raise the voter-approval threshold for some local taxes to two-thirds. Top Democratic lawmakers want the court to invalidate the measure, arguing it's unconstitutional.

An attorney for Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders argued during Wednesday's hearing that the court must move swiftly to prevent wide-ranging disruption if voters approve the measure. Judges signaled openness to waiting to make a decision until after the election, as urged by the ballot measure's supporters, but also pressed them on the potentially sweeping scope.

The clash before Californias highest court reflects the extraordinary stakes of a standoff that has drawn in the states most powerful elected officials and political players. Newsom and legislative leaders effort to block the measure has drawn support from labor unions, big-city mayors and local governments.

Thomas Hiltachk, who was arguing on behalf of the initiatives proponents, warned the court against making a political judgment it should not make.

Instead that judgment should be entrusted to voters, Hiltachk said.

The ballot initiative, championed by the California Business Roundtable and funded largely by real estate interests, would also dictate that the Legislature must approve fees that the administration can currently impose and could invalidate some already-passed taxes unless they are re-approved under new rules.

The measures opponents warn it would undermine public services, create massive uncertainty for local budgets and prevent governments from responding nimbly to crises. Newsom and leading Democrats have also made a more sweeping argument: that the initiative would fundamentally and unlawfully change how California is governed by stripping elected officials of their authority to raise revenue.

From the founding of the state, the Legislature has had the supreme power of taxation and this measure would revoke that power for the first time in the history of California, attorney Margaret Prinzing told the high court.

Justices questioned if that balance of power is immutable, testing a core premise of Democrats case.

What is the significance of the Legislature having this power as opposed to sharing this power with the electorate? Justice Goodwin Liu said. Why would that be such a major transformation?

At the same time, justices questioned the measure's proponents on its wider impacts. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero asked if it would undercut responses to emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic. Liu noted the vast initiative could cover mundane local fees for senior centers and libraries.

Were talking about every decision, down to library fines, Liu said.

Hiltachk countered that Californias constitution has always split power between the Legislature and the electorate.

The people have the last word, he said. This tug-of-war over taxation has been going on for over 100 years.

Wednesdays hearing followed months of political maneuvering by Democrats, organized labor and local governments seeking to undercut the tax measure. Last year, lawmakers placed a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would require the tax initiative to pass by a two-thirds vote.

That was widely viewed as an attempt to force the California Business Roundtable to negotiate a deal on its own proposal. But there has been little movement with the deadline to remove qualified measures about seven weeks away.
(KTXL)  A California woman was arrested for allegedly assaulting a child on an international flight Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Multiple passengers on a flight from Mexico to Seattle witnessed the Sacramento woman, 33, assault a 2-year-old who was traveling with her on the Delta flight May 1, according to a Department of Justice press release.

At one point the child, who was in the window seat, woke up the woman, who allegedly turned and kicked the 2-year-old, then shook the toddler like a rag doll, the release stated.

Is flying on a Tuesday cheaper? Testing 3 TikTok flight hacks

The DOJ said the woman continued to abuse the child despite interventions from passengers and was arrested when the plane landed in Sea-Tac airport.

USA Today reports that a member of the Civil Aviation Security Program who was called to the scene saw multiple bruises visible on the childs face and body. The woman reportedly explained the marks, saying that a dog had caused them one week before the flight.

Authorities did not specify the relationship between the two but said the child was placed with a relative.

Judge Brian Tsuchida ordered that the woman be detained pre-trial, saying the victim was particularly vulnerable, and that he was concerned for the 2-year-olds safety because the woman allegedly committed the assaults in front of so many people on a lengthy plane trip.

The womans next hearing is scheduled for May 16.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Turkish-Azerbaijani Business Forum was held in Ankara on May 8, Trend reports.

Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Cevdet Yilmaz, Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye, participated in the opening of the business forum.

Ali Asadov and Cevdet Yilmaz addressed the event, highlighting the business and investment environment in both Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

They underscored the governments' commitment to supporting dialogue and collaboration between the business communities of the two countries.

The forum provided a platform for bilateral meetings among Azerbaijani and Turkish businesspersons.
California woman tries to turn found marijuana in to police, gets turned away

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  One concerned citizen was in the right place at the right time when four elementary students in Bakersfield, California, approached her with an odd question Friday after school.

They asked me if marijuana was illegal. I told them yes, Erica De La Rosa said.

The boys showed De La Rosa a cardboard box full of marijuana they found down the street from McAuliffe Elementary. De LaRosa said she called 911.

They told me it would be hours before an officer would come out and asked if I could bring it down to the station, De LaRosa told Nexstars KGET.

79% of Americans live in a county with legal cannabis dispensary: report

De LaRosa said she brought the box with the bag of pot, oven bags, a bag sealer, a weight scale, and a roll full of labels saying Warning: opening this package will cause extreme happiness to Bakersfield police headquarters on Truxtun Avenue. But, De LaRosa was told the lobby was closed and was removed by two officers.

The fact that I told them I have a trunk full of drugs in my car right outside the police station  Why that wasnt concerning to them? I dont know.

Thats when the disgruntled De LaRosa brought the situation and her trunk full of pot to KGET. De LaRosa said the police even made her do the leg work and to try and get contact info from the four boys who were 10 years old.

Map: Where marijuana may be legal in 2024

One ran away. Two of the children gave me their names and their phone numbers, and the third child only gave me his name.

It doesnt end there.

De LaRosa left KGET after an interview and brought the drugs back to BPD. She said was told there were 33 emergencies and she was turned away again.

When it comes to drugs and children, that needs to be taken seriously, De La Rosa said.

Marijuana could be rescheduled: Would that make it legal nationwide?

More than 19 hours after the pot was found, De La Rosa finally got a knock at the door from an officer, but he told her to throw away the evidence.

It wasnt until about 11 a.m. Saturday morning [when] finally, an officer show[ed] up at my door, took pictures of everything in the box, confiscated the marijuana, and then told me to dispose of the rest of the box, she said.

The Bakersfield Police Department has not provided comment on the incident.

Adults aged 21 and over can legally possess up to one ounce of cannabis in California, but a state license is required to sell it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
College commencement season is off to a rough start.

After a weekend full of student protests, Columbia University, the face of the pro-Palestinian demonstrations, canceled its main graduation ceremony, becoming the second major school to do so this year.

Shira Goodman, vice president of advocacy for the Anti-Defamation League, said colleges weak responses to the disruptions and the move to cancel some commencements will only embolden further violations of school policies.

Goodman said universities can hold big sporting events, big concerts. They understand how to do crowd control; they understand time, place and manner restrictions for protests. And they should be doing everything they can to protect graduation.

The University of Southern California (USC) was the first to cancel its main commencement after first taking away the speaking opportunity of its valedictorian following the discovery she had pro-Palestinian views. The school cited safety concerns as the reason for canceling her speech and the ceremony.

Alex Morey, director of campus rights advocacy for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a free speech group, said while it is difficult to get records from private universities such as Columbia and USC, her group has found in the past that schools security concerns do not always hold water.

The school played the Lets just say [the valedictorian] cant speak for safety reasons, which is one of the oldest tricks in the book. When schools want to censor speech without doing it outright, at least they want to have plausible deniability, Morey said.

We have very frequently filed public records requests with schools that have said safety reasons for canceling speakers and found out from police reports that there were no actual threats, or nothing more than angry phone calls, she added.

Other schools are projecting confidence ahead of their commencement ceremonies.

The University of Texas in Austin, which was one of the first schools to aggressively shut down its pro-Palestinian protests, told The Hill, Commencement is a full go.

We cannot comment on police tactics, but we routinely have an extensive safety and security plan in place for all large-scale events, like our main graduation ceremony held in Royal-Memorial Stadium, a university spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for the University of New Mexico said they have heard concerns about the ceremony getting cancelled or interrupted.

While there are no indications at this point that anyone would diminish this milestone experience that our class of 2024 has worked so hard to achieve, we join those students and families in the expectation that this day belongs to them, the spokesperson said.

A Harvard University spokesperson pointed to a statement the school made Tuesday saying thousands of individuals will come to the campus to celebrate commencement but did not have further comment.

The Hill has reached out to Palestine Legal, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Jewish Voice for Peace for comment.

The Columbia cancellation came after the first big weekend of commencement season saw multiple protests during ceremonies at other schools.

Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest, protesters chanted at the University of Michigan. Regents, regents, you cant hide! You are funding genocide!

One person reportedly yelled back, Youre ruining our graduation!

Two planes also flew over the stadium, one with a pro-Palestinian message and another pro-Israel one.

A spokesperson for the school said there were no arrests, and the protesters were moved to the back of the stadium but not kicked out.

It sounds like it was smart on Michigans part, Morey said, adding that anything more aggressive would just look bad, because all these schools are cracking down on protesters.

If you can tolerate them, that seems to be the path of least resistance right now in many schools rather than having the police come in and all that, she added.

A plane also went over Indiana University Bloomingtons graduation with a message that read, Let Gaza Live.

Some are concerned that allowing students to do these types of actions with no repercussions will encourage others to do the same.

Morey said schools have broad authority in how commencement is run and that this is a time to demonstrate free speech principles.

Schools need to be modeling the best way to speak and to listen instead of teaching students that if they complain enough, they dont have to hear speech that is uncomfortable, she said.

We want students going out into the world, graduating with agency and confidence around their expressive and associational freedoms, Morey said.

Updated at 10:49 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Canadian province recriminalises open drug use after users move to public parks and beaches

A woman walks past a person using a glass pipe to smoke drugs in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver in 2021. The Canadian government said on Tuesday that a request to recriminalise some drugs had been granted - Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

A Canadian province hailed for its liberal approach to drugs has recriminalised public use of crack cocaine and heroin after addicts took to using the class-A substances on beaches and in public parks.

British Columbia has rolled back a core element of its drug harm reduction strategy by announcing it will once again enforce laws against possession of small amounts of the drugs in public.

The decriminalisation approach, launched in the province in January 2023, was designed to treat drug addiction as a health problem, rather than as a crime.

It means that drug users who are found with 2.5 grams or less of heavy narcotics will not face prosecution from the police. Instead, addicts are directed towards public health services.

The rule applies to heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy.

But the authorities have faced backlash from the public after drug users began taking crack cocaine, heroin and other drugs openly in leisure areas.

The southeastern province, which includes the city of Vancouver, has long struggled with high drug usage and been described as a pioneer of liberal drug laws, which have also been deployed in some US states.

A man injects drugs in Vancouver. British Columbia has had to make changes to its drug policy after users took to streets and parks to take drugs - Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP

The decriminalisation effort came in response to a drugs public health emergency, declared in 2016. Since then, more than 14,000 people have died of an overdose.

Last month, Fiona Wilson, the deputy chief of the Vancouver Police Department, told MPs that she had seen several high-profile instances of problematic drug use at public locations including parks, beaches and around public transit.

The concerns, from members of the public and small businesses, left police powerless to intervene.

If you have someone who is with their family at the beach and theres a person next to them smoking crack cocaine, its not a police matter, she said.

David Eby, the provinces premier, said last month: Keeping people safe is our highest priority.

While we are caring and compassionate for those struggling with addiction, we do not accept street disorder that makes communities feel unsafe.

Tough love needed to stop public drug use

Mr Eby said that while addiction is a health issue  not a criminal law issue, some tough love was needed to prevent drug use taking place in public areas.

He has requested that the federal government roll back the decriminalisation plans, making it illegal to use drugs in public spaces.

Yaara Saks, the Canadian minister of addictions and mental health, said on Tuesday that the request had been granted.

Mr Eby faces accusations from drug campaigners that it has changed its approach in response to public pressure ahead of an election in the province in October.

Garth Mullins, a member of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, told The New York Times that the reversal of decriminalisation would mean addicts would be less safe on the streets.

This is going to force people back into the alleys and into the shadows, and thats not good, he said.

Its going to mean more people getting arrested, getting records and going to jail for simple possession.

Shortly after the decriminalisation plans were launched, The Telegraph visited Vancouver to see the effect of the policy.

Jason Kenney, the former premier of neighbouring Alberta, told this newspaper at the time that the policy would likely result in a dramatic increase in drug use, violence, trafficking and addiction  something that health systems are already overburdened with.

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.
New cannabis course offered at Tacoma Community College as industry grows

Its been almost a decade since Washington state legalized the sale marijuana.

It has now grown into a $2 billion industry creating many jobs and opportunities for thousands of people.

Statewide, there are 487 cannabis retail stores, including 112 in King County, 31 in Pierce and 57 in Snohomish County.

Officials at Tacoma Community College say they saw the growth and have begun offering cannabis programs for students looking to dive into the industry.

This was another need that was coming forth as we were hearing with the business, said Olga Inglebritson, Continuing Education Program Dean at TCC.

Inglebritson says its the law of supply and demand, and with marijuana sales skyrocketing in Washington state, the college saw an opportunity.

We have professional development for so many other jobs and this was an area that does not have or its just coming into light, said Inglebritson.

Just last month, TCC began offering cannabis programs for people interested in working in the industry or owning their business.

The college offers three courses in cultivation, retail, and product development. Each one focusing on that specific topic.

The classes are run by Green Flower, a contractor that specializes in the training cannabis professionals.

KIRO 7 talked with the CEO, who says students will gain the skills necessary to work or start a cannabis business.

The three courses are about cultivation, retail and product development, and thats because those are the three most prominent job sectors in the cannabis industry, said Max Simon, CEO of Green Flower.

Each course is nine weeks long, they are 100% online, and cost $750. The college also offers a payment plan.

Its an online program so its very accessible for wherever you live in the area. We have a student as far out as Eastern Washington, and throughout the Pierce County area, said Inglebritson.

If youre interested, the next set of classes kick off in mid-June.




OREM, Utah (ABC4)  A Utah man who was a resident in a care home for the mentally deficient was arrested for murder after a physical altercation at the facility led to the death of another resident, according to arrest documents.

The suspect, 38, was arrested on Sunday for one count of murder, which is a first degree felony. ABC4.com is not releasing his name because arrest documents said detectives were told he has the mental capacity of an 8 year old child.

How this nonprofit helps survivors of police officers killed in the line of duty

According to an affidavit of probable cause, police responded to the care facility after receiving reports of a male who was not conscious and not breathing normally, and police were informed that the suspect was outside.

Police arrived on the scene, located the suspect and took him into custody, and he later identified himself to police officers. Medical personnel declared the victim had died before 8 a.m. on Sunday after they performed lifesaving measures.

Arrest documents said several employees witnessed the altercation that led to the victims death and attempted to intervene verbally and physically, but most attempts were unsuccessful.

The incident occurred when one employee was making crab cakes with the victim and the suspect, according to the affidavit. While making the crab cakes, the suspect was angered when mayonnaise was added into the mix by the victim, arrest documents said.

A verbal argument ensued, during which the suspect allegedly repeatedly called the victim a slur and the victim made references to the suspects deceased mother. After the suspects mother was mentioned, the fight turned physical, according to the affidavit.

One employee attempted to stand between the two care home residents, but was pushed aside by the suspect, documents said. After the employee was pushed out of the way, the suspect began to physically strike the victim, according to the affidavit.

The victim reportedly bit the suspects hand at one point, and another employee was called to the kitchen in an attempt to break up the fight. When the employees returned to the kitchen, they could hear the victim saying they couldnt breathe as they were face-down and the suspect was on top of them, documents said.

The employees verbally commanded the suspect to stop, after which they said he shook his head. When the employees tried to physically stop the suspect, he reportedly began hitting one of the employees.

The director of the program was called and was able to calm the suspect down over the phone, according to the affidavit. After the incident, detectives were able to contact the suspects emergency contacts, and his sister was present for the police interview.

The suspect told police he got into a fight when they asked why they were there to talk with him. According to what police wrote in the affidavit, the suspect said he did not know if he, the other person, was dead or not.

Officers said they found the suspects actions to be intentional and were done so with him knowing that his actions had the potential to kill the victim. The suspect was ordered to be held without bail because he had prior assault convictions and because of the severity of the alleged crime.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Reality Check is a Telegraph series digging deeper into key issues and focusing on accountability. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email mynews@macon.com.

A chief judge in central Georgia will face a hearing after investigators charged that he sexually harassed people in his courtroom, abused his power as a top judge in his circuit and showed prejudice over a several-year span.

Robert Reeves, chief judge in the Middle Judicial Circuit in Washington County, was accused of sexual harassment against women, bias, prejudice and making improper comments in November 2022, according to an investigation by the Judicial Qualifications Commission. The commission filed an investigative document charging him with 58 potential violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct.

The Georgia Supreme Court decided late last month he would have to face a judge over the allegations.

The investigation by the Judicial Qualifications Commission ended with formal charges against Reeves. The charging documents allege that between 2015 and 2022, Reeves had several concerning incidents: In one alleged incident, he called a man who didnt follow his directions a derogatory term referring to disabled people in front of court personnel and attendees. In another, he told a mother that the investigator she was speaking to was a drug dealer. He also commented that another superior court judge was too lenient. He said hed use his power to keep the judge from getting important cases.

The judicial complaint also mentions that Reeves berated attorneys for not preparing paperwork properly, made fun of a defendants name and, when asked by an inmate when the court would be in recess for lunch, said, You mean we have to feed these people?

The complaint also detailed incidents in which Reeves made inappropriate comments about female attorneys looks and made them uncomfortable by touching their shoulders or rubbing their backs, according to the investigation.

To a certain attorney, the judge referred to her as Miss America, and would urge her to smile if she wanted a document signed  a treatment that, according to the complaint became a common joke among the Public Defenders Office. Others said Reeves would reconsider any request if that certain attorney brought the request forward.

To another female attorney, Reeves commented that she needed to decide whether to be a full-time mother or a full-time attorney, the document states. He also told her that her husband needed to be the primary breadwinner so she could be a better attorney, according to the investigation.

Additionally, he made a sexually inappropriate comment when the attorney mentioned her husband had hurt his back on vacation, saying If you didnt do the stuff you see on TV ... you know one foot on the nightstand and one foot way over here, he wouldnt hurt his back, according to the investigation.

The investigation found that there were incidents in which he would use his power as chief judge to make recommendations to other judges about cases involving his acquaintances. He also helped promote the Sunshine House, an advocacy center that works with law enforcement on child abuse cases, using his judicial title.

Georgia judges response to the allegations

In a legal reply, Reeves responded to each allegation. He said he couldnt recall calling a defendant a derogatory term for people who have disabilities, though he did acknowledge having issues with the defendant.

Regarding the mother who he allegedly said was talking to a drug dealer, he couldnt confirm what she and the investigator were discussing but admitted he called the investigator a drug dealer and emphasized that he made it clear to everyone he was joking.

Reeves denied berating attorneys but admits he had discussed repeated errors and inconsistencies with their paperwork. He also denied that he made fun of someones name. Additionally, he admitted the comment he made toward inmates occurred but it was clear to all in the courtroom to be friendly banter.

As for allegations regarding his conduct toward female attorneys, he admitted calling one of them Miss America, but argued it was because she often entered the courtroom waving as if she were in a pageant. He also stated that, although he lacked knowledge of the specific allegation, he has told many individuals approaching his bench to smile.

He clarified that, to that attorney, he had known her and her family for years and they often engaged in friendly banter.

Reeves denied trying to make another female attorney choose between motherhood and her legal career. He did recall the sexual comment he made but emphasized that it was made in a joking manner. He added that she knew the comment was a joke, but was upset he commented in front of a member of her staff.

Reeves denied using his power for cases involving acquaintances, clarifying that he only offered guidance to his friend on a student. Further, in his response, he said the other judge would let the students off with a warning.

Lastly, he admitted to promoting the Sunshine House on multiple occasions but lacked detail on the specifics.

Reeves had asked that the complaints against him be dismissed, but the states top court ruled against tossing the case.

Reeves case will be heard June 17-20 at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, with Judge Robert McBurney from Fulton County hearing the case.

The case will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day and the will be live-streamed for public viewing. The live stream can be accessed at fultoncourt.org.

If McBurney finds the accusations against Reeves to be true, he can be suspended or removed from the bench, according to the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  As Colorado Springs becomes home to people from all over the country, one constant remains: Americas Mountain. Walking through the streets of downtown, the glistening view of Pikes Peak has the power to stop both visitors and longtime residents in their tracks.

Pikes Peak is one of the reasons why people come to Colorado Springs along with Garden of the Gods and all of our great natural resources, said Matt Mayberry, Director of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. So, this was a place that was created because of the wonderful natural setting and our job is still to continue to enhance and support that today.

There are countless reasons why people choose Colorado Springs as their home, whether its for career opportunities, the natural beauty of the area, or the charm that comes from the wide variety of local businesses.

We have a great quality of life in Colorado Springs, said Susan Edmondson, CEO of the Downtown Partnership. I think its important for all of us to continue to find that balance of those things that we love, but we cant turn people away. They are coming here for jobs, they are coming here to retire.

Yet, as the city grows and more people flock to the Pikes Peak Region, with it comes the need for more housing along with necessary office spaces.

Theres a real housing crisis going on in a lot of our cities and certainly in Colorado Springs, we are thousands of units short to serve the need of people of all age ranges, all types of families, all types of lifestyles, said Edmondson.

The ONeil Group, along with Vela Development Partners, proposed plans to the Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority for a 36-story, 497-unit apartment building, which would be located on the southwest side of downtown.

From our perspective, we really are heavy in the defense tech industry and drawing that tech-workforce from the coasts, from Midwest cities like Chicago, said Andy Merritt, Chief Strategy Officer for the ONeil Group. There are people there that are going to look for a downtown living setting and theyre going to want those kinds of high-end amenity decks because theyre used to that.

Currently, the location is not in the best condition, with broken glass along with closed up doors to what once was Capco Tile & Stone.

Courtesy: Maggy Wolanske, FOX21 News MMJ

Courtesy: Maggy Wolanske, FOX21 News MMJ

Several amenities listed in the proposal include an indoor/outdoor bar, large fitness center, a resort style outdoor pool, and maker spaces, among others. A key point that Merritt referenced was the location of this building, in close proximity to Weidner Field and the Pikes Peak Center.

This is really a natural outgrowth of that kind of the next steps, if you will, Merritt said. Our downtown needs to have a certain degree of density to it, for it to create the living environment that people are looking for in a downtown corridor.

When currently looking at the skyline in downtown Colorado Springs, the tallest structure to spot is the Wells Fargo building, reaching a height of 247 feet. This proposal has sparked concerns among community members regarding potential changes and the areas future trajectory.

They could get plenty of density in a 250-foot apartment building, doesnt need to be almost double that, Kat Gayle said. Right now, our highest building is the Wells Fargo Tower, which is 247 feet.

Turning to the internet, more than a thousand community members have lent their support to an online petition, advocating for a building height limit on the November 2024 ballot.

This Skyline petition is about remembering what the character is of Colorado Springs, Gayle said. Its remembering why we all moved here, what we love about it, so, its not about the property rights of one developer.

The ONeil Group provided the URA application, where this design shows the outline of the 36-story apartment building.

However, when it comes to obstructing the views of Pikes Peak, Merritt explained the location of the building is in a small section of the city that allows for larger sized buildings.

Thats the area that has been slated for redevelopment for a long time by our community, Merritt said. Because there really is, if you go over there now, theres a bunch of empty lots over there and some activities/amenities like the Olympic Museum and Weidner Field have gone over there.

The Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority explained their role in bringing life back to areas that may not be in the best condition, along with meeting the needs of the community.

Obviously, were hearing a lot about the building height, thats something thats come up a lot, said Jariah Walker, Executive Director for the Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority. But the property is in an area that is zoned for unlimited building height and so weve heard negatives to that. Weve also heard a lot of positives to people that believe its going to bring a lot of outside investment and capital into the community and something that can be built on with higher paying jobs and a higher standard of living.

As for next steps, Merritt shared they are in the early stages and will likely go back before the board in June.

This is not going to become like Denver, Merrittsaid. We have a number of different aspects to Colorado Springs that make it different and that would ensure it doesnt become just like Denver, one of which is its a very small section of the city that allows for larger size buildings.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Residents across the Chariho Regional School District voted Tuesday not to borrow $150 million to build three new elementary schools and upgrade the district's main campus in Richmond.

It was a narrow defeat for proponents of the school bond, which polarized residents of the three towns. The unofficial result according to the Rhode Island Board of Elections was 2,442 against the bond and 2,367 in favor  a 75-vote difference. A majority of residents of Charlestown voted for the bond, but most voters in Hopkinton and a slight majority in Richmond voted against it.

Catherine Giusti, chair of the Chariho School Committee and a proponent of the bond, said she was disappointed with the outcome.

This bond vote became more about the anger of some rather than focusing on the opportunity to improve our schools. I hope is that, going forward, the larger Chariho community can return its focus to making our schools better for our kids, Giusti said.

Hope Valley Elementary School in Hopkinton.

Opponents of the school bond argued it would raise taxes and that renovating the current elementary schools would be cheaper, but the school district emphasized that the cost of renovating would be the same as building new schools. Gina Picard, superintendent of Chariho School District, previously told The Journal it was a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the district because of special reimbursement bonuses offered for a limited time by the state Department of Education.

Misinformation about the fate of the school buildings and the terms of reimbursement from the state, among other issues, may also have swayed some to vote against the bond.

On the ballot: Voters in Chariho to decide fate of 3 new schools. Is misinformation fueling opposition?

What happens now in Chariho

The district now faces a difficult choice. Options presented by the school district include voting on a new bond in November, which would address HVAC, plumbing and electrical needs but not include any new construction or renovations, or prioritizing emergency needs only. Renovations would require submitting new paperwork to the state for approval.

Picard said the district will craft a new plan that reflects our shared values and aspirations for our children's future. However, she clarified that the district will need to consult the School Committee first to determine next steps.

She also thanked voters who participated in the referendum.

While the bond may have been rejected, we view this as an opportunity to regroup, reassess and emerge stronger. Our resolve remains unshaken as we embark on a new journey, forging a fresh path toward securing the resources our schools need to thrive, Picard said.

South Kingstown bond passes

While Chariho voters rejected its school-construction bond, voters in South Kingstown passed a similar bond to build a new high school and other facilities in their district.

Voters there approved the measure by 54.59% to 45.41%, based on unofficial results released by the Board of Elections on Tuesday night.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Chariho school bond fails despite strong support from Charlestown voters
The courts must stay out of Charlotte Catholic High Schools decision to fire a beloved theater teacher for being gay and posting about his engagement on Facebook, according to a 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Wednesday.

In the latest round of a high-stakes church and state legal fight, a panel of three judges reversed U.S. District Judge Max Cogburns 2021 decision that the school violated a federal ban on sex discrimination in the workplace when it fired Lonnie Billard.

Billard was a beloved CCHS theater and English teacher for 10 years before he retired in 2014. Hed won the 2011 Inspirational Educator Award from North Carolina State University and the 2012 Charlotte Catholic Teacher of the Year award. Even in retirement, he still made appearances as a substitute teacher.

On Oct. 25, 2014, two weeks after the federal courts struck down North Carolinas ban on same-sex marriage, he shared plans to marry his longtime partner:

Yes, Im finally going to make an honest (at least legal) man out of Rich (Donham), he wrote on Facebook. I thank all the courageous people who had more guts than I who refused to back down and accept anything but equal.

Two months later, on Christmas Day, Billard learned hed been fired.

When Mr. Billard knowingly violated Church teaching, that put him in a position where he wasnt effectively able to pass on the Catholic faith to the next generation, said Luke Goodrich, a lawyer representing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools and CCHS for free through the Becket Fund, a religious liberty law firm.

The whole reason Catholic schools exist is not just to provide a great education in reading, writing and arithmetic, but also to pass on the Catholic faith.

Billard disagreed. In 2017, he filed suit, and a team headed by an ACLU lawyer took the reins.

I did nothing wrong. Gay teacher who lost job at Charlotte Catholic High wins lawsuit

The case was heard in the Western District Court of North Carolina in 2021. Billard and his lawyers argued the diosese and CCHS violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

In district court, the school could have asserted ministerial exception to Title VII, but it didnt.

Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. Ministerial exception exempts religious organizations from anti-discrimination laws when employment decisions about their ministers are involved.

Judges in the appeals court Wednesday said they had to consider the exception, even if the school didnt assert it. The exception, the appeals court decided, immunizes CCHSs decision to fire Billard.

The outcome of this was foreordained by the Constitution and binding precedent before it was ever filed, Goodrich said during a phone call with The Charlotte Observer. The Supreme Court has made crystal clear that the government cant force religious schools to hire teachers who reject core (Catholic) teachings.

The exception also kicks the case back down to district court, where a judge must re-enter a judgment in favor of the school.

Billard has 14 days to ask the Fourth Circuit to again hear his case or 90 days to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Response to decision

Luke Largess, one of Billards attorneys, said Wednesday that the flip-flopped argument and final ruling was very disappointing for Mr. Billard, and a little difficult for him to understand.

In a statement, the ACLU, ACLU of North Carolina, and law firm Tin Fulton Walker & Owen called the decision heartbreaking.

Billard wanted nothing more than the freedom to perform his duties as an educator without hiding who he is or who he loves, they said in the statement.

Every worker should be entitled to equal protection under the law, and the Supreme Court held as recently as 2020 that this fundamental freedom extends to LGBTQ workers, the statement said. While todays decision is narrowly tailored to Mr. Billard and the facts of his employment, it nonetheless threatens to encroach on that principle by widening the loopholes employers may use to fire people like Mr. Billard for openly discriminatory reasons.

ACLU vs. Becket

ACLU attorney Joshua Block, who successfully argued before the Fourth Circuit in a landmark Virginia case upholding the rights of transgender students to use school bathrooms that match their gender identity, headed Billards case.

Goodrich and other Becket Fund lawyers previously argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that a government mandate requiring private, Christian-owned companies to provide insurance coverage to employees for contraception violated constitutional protections. They also argued that a former football coach at a Colorado public high school could pray on the field after games.

Both arguments proved successful, as did Wednesdays.

As a teacher, the court of appeals ruled, Billard was a vital messenger of the schools faith. According to the schools statement of beliefs, he was to model and integrate the teachings of Jesus in all areas of conduct in order to nurture faith and inspire action.

That title placed him within the ministerial exception, which prohibits federal and state governments from becoming involved in religious leadership disputes.

Catholic or not, [CCHS] requires its employees to conform to Catholic teachings, the court found. CCHS prohibits employees from engaging in or advocating for conduct contrary to the moral tenets of the Catholic faith, including the Catholic Churchs rejection of same-sex marriage.

This embedded content is not available in your region.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  The Virginia State Police says two Charlotte County residents have been sentenced to a combined 194 years in prison for their roles in an overdose that killed a Virginia Beach man.

During an almost four-year investigation, the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force and Charlotte County Sheriffs Office learned that 51-year-old Dianna Jannette Connelly, from Saxe, and 40-year-old Jacob C. Boye, from Charlotte Court House, supplied a drug to 27-year-old Harrison M. Overcash, who later died from an overdose.

Law enforcement warns deadly drug cocktail circulating in Virginia and nation

Based on evidence collected and analyzed during the investigation by the Virginia State Police High-Tech Crimes Division and Virginia Department of Forensic, the Charlotte County Assistant Commonwealths Attorney demonstrated that Overcash died of a lethal, mixed dosage of heroin, fentanyl, and diazepam.

Evidence revealed that the drug originated out of North Carolina, was sold by Connelly in Prince William County, and delivered by Boyer to Overcash in Charlotte County.

In this case, the crime scene had been cleaned of any controlled substances. Also unique to this case was the establishment of the offense timeline by use of Boyers delivery confirmation to Connelly, the 911 call record by the decedents girlfriend, and the Medical Examiners Report, said Charlotte County Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Leslie E. Schneider.

Wytheville man arrested after suspected meth allegedly found in home

In April 2021, a Charlotte County grand jury indicted Connelly on more than five charges of distribution and possession.

When she failed to appear in court, state police contacted the U.S. Marshals Service to locate her. Several months later, Connelly was arrested in Virginia Beach. On Feb. 28, she was sentenced to 144 years in prison but will serve 23 years.

In April 2021, Boyer was indicted on several distribution and possession charges. On April 8, 2024, he was sentenced to 50 years, but will only serve four.

The family of Harrison Overcash is extremely grateful for the tireless efforts of the Charlotte County Commonwealths Attorneys Office and law enforcement in bringing these criminals to justice, said Diana Glasier, mother of Harrison Overcash. As we continue to grieve this tragic loss, the successful conviction offers a sense of closure for us and reinforces our faith in the justice system.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Kazakhstans trade turnover with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Community increased 1.7 times, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the anniversary summit of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (SEEC) in Moscow, Trend reports.

In a relatively short period, our Community has transformed into an important and promising integration association in the international space. Together, more than a thousand different regulatory documents were adopted. The correctness of the chosen vector of development of our community is confirmed by the macroeconomic results of the decade. Thus, the trade turnover of Kazakhstan with the member countries of the Community has increased 1.7 times, reaching $28.5 billion, and exports more than 2 times, he said.

President Tokayev pointed out that cooperation within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community contributes to the progressive development of the economy of Kazakhstan.

Based on the results of last year alone, the countrys GDP grew by 5.1 percent. We consider this a good result, the president added.
Several restaurants in the Charlotte area will donate a portion of their sales to the families of the officers killed in a shootout in east Charlotte on April 29.

On Wednesday, all locations of Duckworths Grill and Taphouse, Link and Pin, and The Cellar at Duckworths will donate 5% of their sales to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundations Help Our Heroes Fund.

More ways to support families of fallen officers after east Charlotte standoff

Other local businesses coming together to support the victims families include Girl Tribe, 704 Shop, and Glory Days Apparel. The three brands collaborated on special-edition T-shirts, and 100% of the proceeds from each shirt sold will go to the families. For more information or to purchase a shirt, click here.

CMPD officer Joshua Eyer, Special Operations and Intelligence Unit Investigators Sam Poloche and William Elliott, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks were killed on April 29 while serving a warrant.

VIDEO: Charlotte-area businesses, restaurants raise money for fallen officers families




Whether on a highway or cruising across SouthPark, if youve driven around the Queen City then youve likely encountered a traffic gridlock.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore called out Charlottes traffic issues in February, saying, We dont want to be Atlanta.

After an event with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, he went on to criticize low ridership in Atlantas MARTA system, which has had a slow pandemic recovery. Moores prescription for Charlotte to avoid the same highway congestion woes: I think it has to be significantly weighted towards roads.

The City of Charlotte meanwhile has been working with the Metropolitan Transit Commission on its own massive transportation plan aimed at efficiently moving the millions who live, work and travel through the county every day.

The MTC adopted the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan in 2006, promising the Blue Line, a Gold Line from I-85 to a transit center in east Charlotte, a Red Line commuter rail from Iredell County and a Silver Line from Union County to Gaston County, with a stop at Charlotte Douglas Airport. Now, six years short of 2030, Charlotte has the Blue Line and two phases of the Gold Line. Charlotte Councilmember Ed Driggs, the head of the Transportation, Planning and Development Committee, expects it will take at least another 20 years before the rest of the projects are complete.

Weve identified a long list of projects in all those categories for Charlotte that would be kind of the building blocks of a plan, but we havent yet prioritized exactly which ones come first, he said.

One of the hold-ups is funding. Charlottes plan is a one-percent sales tax increase for Mecklenburg County, but passing that requires legislative approval and a ballot initiative.

Lawmakers want more roads, less rail

Moore has signaled the Republican-controlled legislature isnt interested in taking up Mecklenburg Countys plan unless they believe its a fiscally responsible use of sales tax money. To Moore, that means investing those transportation dollars into the way most people get around Charlotte.

The most pressing issue to look at right now is the way 95 percent of people get to and from work or whatever and that is in a car, he said. I dont think it has to be one or the other but I think it has to be significantly weighted towards roads.

Driggs said the initial MTC plan sent to legislature had about 80 percent of its funding going to rail projects.

We heard back pretty strongly from them no thats not the right way to do it, he said. We are now looking for a starting point where we can work with our partners in the MTC to engage with the legislature in a discussion, a collaboration without any sort of fixed parameters.

He said that means looking at projects that can make existing roads more efficient, investing in improving the citys bus network and potentially looking at bus rapid transit as a stand-in for rail projects.

The busses in some instances can travel in express lanes, which does move more quickly than regular traffic so finding the right balance of these possibilities, Driggs said.

Urbanists want commitment to transit

For Eric Zaverl of Sustain Charlotte, its disappointing news.

His organization has been advocating for more transit investment and a sales tax increase for years with the hope it solves the citys traffic problem by getting more drivers off the road.

If we continue on the same path of only building roads, and only offering anybody who lives in Charlotte or visiting Charlotte, to be forced to drive a car, and theres no other options, were not really solving anything, he said.

Instead, Zaverl believes investing more in roads and especially widening the citys major thoroughfares could actually make Charlottes traffic worse due to a concept called induced demand.

Even double that road, that people were driving only on, it would fill up and then youd still have that same problem, Zaverl said. You can triple it, and its still going to fill up.

The theory, based on decades of traffic studies, is that wider highways, with the promise of more space for travelers attract more single-occupancy vehicles to fill the space theyve created because the drivers are foregoing other options and at the same time, everyone is still trying to get to and from the same place.

Your destination, where you start out will always have those bottlenecks, no matter how wide you make the road in between, Zaverl said.

Sustain Charlotte believes light rail would be the most efficient way to move commuters, followed by bus rapid transit, which uses dedicated lanes to establish a right of way favoring transit. Contrary to Moores suggestion, Zaverl said a new plan, focused on making room for more single-occupancy vehicles is a less fiscally responsible solution.

The solution is to provide different ways of getting there, he said. Any time you cut down the efficiencies of moving people, you undermined your investment.

Working towards a compromise

Without legislative approval to get a one percent sales tax on the ballot, however, Driggs said there is no investment to speak of. Thats why he said compromise is imperative to come up with a plan both state leaders and Mecklenburg County voters will approve.

I think it means that for one that we do not cling to the 80 percent for rail, he said. We invest in road projects and we make early investments in some of the rail projects for design and engineering for things like that which is not the really big money around rail.

Driggs said that can set the stage to get big projects like the Silver Line completed in the future while making progress in other avenues where Charlotte commuters can see immediate improvement.

We might be able to complete some road projects early on and then not abandon rail entirely, he said.

Its too late to get legislative approval in time for the 2024 election. Driggs said now its a race to come up with a workable plan for 2025.

Were going to discuss different combinations of these modes and not go in with some fixed ideas and then see if we can work with [the legislative leaders] to achieve something thats acceptable to them that helps solve our problems, he said.

(WATCH: NCDOT orders all light rail cars with overdue maintenance out of service)
Chefs share 5 of the best and 5 of the worst pasta dishes to order at a restaurant

Chefs share 5 of the best and 5 of the worst pasta dishes to order at a restaurant

Business Insider asked chefs about the best and worst pasta dishes to order at restaurants.

Gnocchi and fresh ravioli can be tricky to make, so order them from a restaurant.

One chef said that diners want to skip restaurant lasagna, which is often frozen and reheated.

Fresh ravioli are an unmissable pasta treat.

When available, opt for ravioli with seasonal fillings. janosmarton/Shutterstock

Raffaele Dall'Erta, executive chef of Hamptons Restaurant in South Carolina, told Business Insider that ravioli that's made by hand in a restaurant is always worth ordering.

"Getting the ravioli is always a must," said Dall'Erta. "Always look for seasonal fillings such as pumpkin, butternut squash, fresh spinach, or ricotta. Short-rib ravioli is one of my favorites."

Bucatini amatriciana is an authentic sweet and savory dish.

You can order a few shapes with amatriciana sauce. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

Bucatini amatriciana is a traditional Italian dish made with cured pork cheeks or pancetta, pecorino cheese, tomato sauce, and onions.

"In my opinion, bucatini amatriciana is the perfect pasta," said Dall'Erta. "The pancetta gives a little hint of smokiness, the sauteed onion gives a touch of sweetness, and the tomato sauce brings everything together."

Dall'Erta also noted that the tube-like shape of bucatini allows the sauce to cling to each noodle, especially when the pasta is cooked al dente. Still, you can order the sauce with other pasta shapes if you wish.

Pasta with clams is a classic, seafood-heavy pasta entree.

You may want to check what kind of clams the restaurant uses. Shutterstock

If you're in the mood for something from the sea, spaghetti or linguine with clams is a fresh and simple way to enjoy pasta.

"I love how simple this dish is. All you need is lots of garlic, a good olive oil, Calabrian chili, and fresh parsley," said Dall'Erta. "And make sure the restaurant is using littleneck clams."

Dall'Erta said he advises not adding Parmesan to this dish since it's traditionally enjoyed without cheese.

Pasta primavera is a great way to get a serving of vegetables.

Pasta primavera is often loaded with fresh produce. Lauri Patterson/Getty Images

Pasta primavera is a simple dish made with a light garlic or cheese sauce and fresh, seasonal produce, which often includes peppers, asparagus tips, tomatoes, and broccoli.

"Ordering pasta primavera is a great way to add a lot of veggies to your meal, and the chef typically makes each plate fresh to order," Max Hardy, chef and owner of Coop Detroit, told BI.

Gnocchi can be the star of a heartier pasta dish.

Gnocchi typically has a potato base. Shutterstock

Gnocchi are soft dumplings that are usually made with potato, flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. They can be finicky to prepare yourself, so ordering gnocchi in a restaurant is an easier way to enjoy this Italian classic.

"When cooked correctly, gnocchi should melt in your mouth and allow the flavors of the dish to stick to your palette," said Hardy. "The secret to good gnocchi is not using too much flour."

He also said that black-truffle sauce is his favorite way to top a plate of fresh gnocchi.

On the other hand, at some restaurants, the lasagna is premade and frozen.

If you order lasagna, it may not be as fresh as you'd hope. Bernd Juergens/Shutterstock

Lasagna can take a long time to make yourself, so it's tempting to order a slab when dining out. However, Hardy explained, many restaurants usually assemble and freeze lasagna far in advance of each order.

"Lasagna is often made ahead of time and reheated for each person," said Hardy. "You should check with the restaurant to see if it is made fresh every day."

Pasta with Alfredo sauce isn't a good value.

Alfredo sauce is pretty cheap to make. lauraag/Getty Images

Often served over fettuccine, Alfredo sauce is typically made by blending Parmesan cheese with plenty of heavy cream and butter.

This dish is cheap and easy to make, so you may want to order something more exciting at a restaurant.

"Pasta Alfredo is a very lazy pasta dish. Anyone can make this meal at home and it will probably taste better than what you'd get in a restaurant," said Dall'Erta.

Spaghetti and meatballs isn't always made with fresh ingredients.

The meatballs aren't always made fresh. Royalty-Free/Getty Images

Though spaghetti and meatballs is one of the most iconic pasta dishes, many restaurants don't put much effort into it.

"The meatballs are usually made ahead of time and sometimes not very fresh," said Hardy. "The sauce also sits in buckets that are warmed throughout the day, where the oil rises to the top and is added to your meal."

Dall'Erta, who was born and raised in Italy, told BI that spaghetti and meatballs is not actually an authentic Italian dish, either.

"I never once in my life saw spaghetti with meatballs served in Italy," he said. "It's completely overrated, in my opinion."

Angel hair pasta is prone to being mushy.

Angel hair pasta is very thin. EzumeImages/iStock/Getty Images

Angel hair pasta, also called capellini, is an extremely thin type of pasta that measures less than a millimeter in diameter.

Unfortunately, Dall'Erta explained, angel hair's delicate shape means this pasta is often poorly prepared.

"Angel hair pasta is almost always over-cooked due to its thin consistency. I think it should disappear from menus forever," said Dall'Erta.

To reduce your chances of being served a plate of mush, you can try asking the kitchen to swap the angel hair pasta in a dish with a thicker variety of pasta, such as linguine or thin spaghetti.

Stuffed pasta shells are sometimes made with leftover ingredients.

Some restaurants used stuffed shells to get rid of items that aren't selling. LauriPatterson/Getty Images

Stuffed pasta shells can be hearty and tasty if prepared well, but some restaurants may use this dish to dispose of unused ingredients.

"Stuffed shells are sometimes a 'special' on the menu because restaurants will use leftover ingredients to fill the shells," said Dall'Erta. "They may also use pre-filled shells, which can be less flavorful as well."

To avoid dining on leftovers, ask your server if the stuffed shells are prepared fresh each day.

This story was originally published on August 12, 2020, and most recently updated on May 8,2023.

Read the original article on Business Insider
CHICAGO  The Chicago Police Department and its pension board have now each determined that former Officer Danny Golden was performing official police duties just before he was shot and paralyzed outside a bar in the Beverly neighborhood nearly two years ago.

Its a decision that came months after Golden applied for on-duty disability benefits in December, highlighting what can appear to outsiders as a subjective process with no hard and fast rules on how long it may take to reach that decision, or which officers or their families are certain to receive them.

Pension board meetings to rule on duty disability applications are open to the public. CPD, meanwhile, will make its own determination as to whether an officer was injured in the line of duty, though the process is opaque. Superintendent Larry Snelling said last week that any officer, whether working a shift or not, can be injured in the line of duty so long as they are responding to criminal activity.

It was not known when the Police Department ruled Goldens injuries to be duty-related, but his pension board application was approved at the boards March meeting. He applied for on-duty disability benefits about two months after his allotted medical leave time ended, records show.

An officer is not required to be on duty and in uniform for their injuries  or death  to have occurred in the line of duty. Shortly after the killings of off-duty Officers Luis Huesca last month and Areanah Preston last year, CPD announced both died in the line of duty.

Key facts often vary. Golden had been at the bar where the altercation that ended in gunfire took place, for example, while Huesca and Preston were both killed in attempted robberies as they each returned home following a work shift.

While announcing charges last Friday in Huescas killing, Snelling said the line of duty designation is applied based on how officers respond in off-duty situations.

Any time an officer is faced with criminal activity, being attacked, and that officer responds physically in any way, shape, form or fashion, he is now acting as a police officer, Snelling said.

Huesca was killed April 21 near his home in the Gage Park neighborhood. He was still in uniform as he was arriving home from work, and his gun was taken along with his car.

The Police Department announced just two days later that Huesca died in the line of duty, entitling his family to survivors death benefits.

Process questioned

The pension boards duty disability awards came under scrutiny last year from Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza after the board denied an application from Mendozas brother, a CPD sergeant who contracted COVID-19 in 2020 while working 17 consecutive days.

Last year, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation that expanded on-duty disability benefits for first responders who contracted the coronavirus.

Injured officers are afforded 365 days of paid medical leave to recover from injuries. If more time is needed, the officer will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence.

An officer then may submit an application to the Policemens Annuity & Benefit Fund of Chicago  the pension board  for duty disability benefits.

The designation by the pension fund entitles Golden to 75% of his CPD salary, tax-free, until he reaches retirement age, in addition to city-funded insurance coverage for the rest of his life. Upon retirement age, Golden can apply for his pension.

Records from the citys Department of Human Resources show Golden was paid $8,164 per month before he was placed on no-pay status in October 2023.

The Golden case

On Friday, July 8, 2022, hundreds of people from the Beverly, Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood neighborhoods gathered at Kennedy Park for an annual 16-inch softball tournament. After the tournament ended, as Friday turned to Saturday, Golden and other attendees headed north to Seans Rhino Bar and Grill.

The three men now charged in the shooting entered the bar after 2 a.m.  later than the bars liquor license allowed. A fight involving the three and other bar patrons  not the Goldens  soon broke out and spilled onto the sidewalk.

Though Golden was immediately identified as a CPD officer in the suspects arrest reports, Cook County prosecutors did not charge any of them with aggravated battery to a peace officer.

As in all cases, charging decisions are based on the available evidence, facts, and the law, the states attorneys office said in a statement. We are unable to comment on pending litigation.

Records obtained by the Tribune show how Golden detailed his version of what happened in his December application.

On July 9, 2022, I was a patron at Seans Rhino Bar and Grill, 2428 W. 104th St., Chicago, IL., with my friends and family members, Golden wrote. While I was inside Seans Rhino Bar and Grill, a large fight was started by three males within the establishment in which tables were being turned over and glass bottles and cups were being thrown. I was not involved in the altercation.

Golden noted CPD had made a finding he was injured on duty.

After exiting the establishment, I observed an acquaintance of mine  get struck by one of the three offenders and lose consciousness. I then announced my office by stating that I was a Chicago police officer and attempted to take the offender into custody. A short time later several gunshots were fired, at which time I was struck by a bullet which penetrated my spine. My brother, John M. Golden, also sustained a gunshot wound.

Golden was left paralyzed from the waist down. An attorney for him did not respond to a request for comment.

After they were chased from the bar, one of the three men returned to his vehicle parked nearby and allegedly retrieved a handgun. The gun was passed to the two other men who each fired several rounds.

A day after the shooting, inspectors with the citys Department of Business Affairs and Consumer protection ordered the bar closed as it violated its liquor license by remaining open after 2 a.m. The property was later put up for sale.

The Golden brothers filed a lawsuit last year against the bar and three men charged in the shooting. The still-pending suit alleges negligence by the bar for failing to staff security guards the night of the shooting.

The only employees working that night, the Goldens allege, were slightly built female bartenders who kept serving alcohol after it was not allowed and who implored Plaintiff, Daniel Golden, to de-escalate the altercation outside of Rhino Bar.

Despite the younger Golden being only 18 years old at the time, the brothers say they both were at the bar  which regularly ignored occupancy restrictions and often saw fights among patrons  as invitees of the premises.

In the answer to the lawsuit, the bar said the Goldens were responsible for their own injuries because they did not leave in a timely manner, participated in a fight, did not call law enforcement (and) followed certain dangerous individuals when it was unreasonable to do so.

Court records show the Cook County states attorneys office filed a motion in March to quash a subpoena, issued by attorneys for the bar, for the criminal case files of the three men charged in the shooting. The judge in the case has yet to rule on that motion.

____
Elon Musk proposed to launch robotaxis in China during April visit, state media report says

BEIJING (Reuters) -Elon Musk proposed testing Tesla's advanced driver-assistance package in China by deploying it in robotaxis, during his recent visit to the country, the state-backed China Daily newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Chinese officials told the Tesla CEO that China "welcomes Tesla to do some robotaxi tests in the country" and hopes it can "set a good example", the newspaper quoted the sources as saying.

However, Chinese authorities did not immediately approve its widespread use of Full Self-Driving (FSD) functions, the newspaper added.

Before the full rollout of its FSD functions, Tesla still needs to get approval to collect and transfer data that Tesla's cars need to train its driver-assistance features. The newspaper added that this issue wasn't discussed in detail during Musk's visit.

A person briefed on the matter told Reuters that Tesla is seeking to apply to launch the robotaxi tests in Shanghai, where the company's largest factory globally is located.

Tesla and the Shanghai city government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The China Daily report comes shortly after Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a whirlwind weekend trip to Beijing late last month, where he met Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Musk on the trip intended to discuss the rollout of FSD and whether Tesla could secure government approvals to transfer data overseas that could prove pivotal in its development of autonomous vehicles, Reuters previously reported.

FSD is the most autonomous version of Autopilot software and was rolled out in 2020. Its features include self-parking, auto lane changes and traffic navigation.

Among the wins during Musk's trip, which was first reported by Reuters, was a key endorsement from a top Chinese auto association that said Tesla's Model 3 and Y cars were compliant with data-security regulations. That would enable local governments to allow Tesla cars into parts of China they were previously barred from, Chinese media reported, citing a statement from Tesla.

Tesla has also reached an agreement with Baidu to use the Chinese tech giant's mapping license for data collection on China's public roads, according to two people who at the time described that as a step toward FSD rollout in China.

The China Daily newspaper, however, citing a source close to Baidu, said that the deal only meant that the accuracy of Baidu's maps provided to Tesla would be improved and that it had no direct relation with FSD.

Baidu did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Musk has abandoned a longstanding goal for Tesla to make affordable electric cars for the masses and is looking to focus on autonomous driving software, robotaxis and its humanoid robot Optimus.

Last month, the company mentioned a "purpose-built robotaxi product" that it planned to build with a "revolutionary" manufacturing process, without offering a timeline for its release.

China has been at the forefront in the development of self-driving cars, and companies such as Baidu and Toyota-backed Pony.ai have launched robotaxi services in limited test zones in several cities.

(Reporting by Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh; Additional reporting by the Beijing newsroom; Editing by Sonali Paul)
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said he has concerns about Sharia law being forced upon the American people during remarks on the House floor Tuesday.

Well, Ive got some pretty strong concerns about Sharia law, Roy said while discussing his broader worries about border security and foreign aid. And whether thatll be forced upon the American people.

In the remarks, Roy referenced a massive Muslim takeover of the United Kingdom and said he had pretty strong concerns about people who wanna see Israels destruction, who were happy about Oct. 7, who were elected in the United Kingdom.

Some might say that weve seen that here in the United States, Roy continued, echoing criticism of pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses. What are we gonna do about that?

Roys remarks mirrored a post on the social platform X he made Sunday, in which he responded to a post critical of Mothin Ali, a man who was elected to the city council in Leeds, England, as part of the Green Party.

In remarks celebrating his election, Ali is seen in front of a Palestinian flag saying Allahu Akbar and this is a win for the people of Gaza.

Coming to America, Roy said in his post responding to the video.

Ali is in hot water for comments he made on Oct. 7, the day Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel, when he reportedly said on social media that Palestinians had the right to fight back.

Responding to criticism after his election, Ali apologized for any upset his comments caused, but said the negative response to his post-election video was driven by Islamophobia, according to The Guardian.

Roy has been a fierce critic of campus protests that have popped up across the country in recent weeks. He said a House bill passed last week didnt go far enough in combating antisemitism, which critics say the protests have helped fuel.

It is not good enough to merely ask the Department of Education to consider a definition of anti-Semitism in discrimination investigations; rather, we should cut off taxpayer funding to the supposedly elite institutions that are poisoning the minds of our children and propagating this despicable behavior, Roy said in a statement on the bill.

Roy has also been among the most outspoken members of Congress in calling to close the southern border to immigrants. In his speech Tuesday, he suggested the foreign-born population in America was a threat to Western values.

We have 51.5 million people who are foreign-born in the United States, they have about 20 [million] to 25 million kids. That puts that well over 20-something percent of our population, its the highest such number in the history of our country, he said. People say, Well isnt that great? Is it?

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Chop shop worker shoots and kills man looking for friends stolen truck, Texas cops say

A man was shot and killed on May 6 while searching for his friends stolen truck at a chop shop, Texas authorities said.

Shawn Mireles, 21, jumped the fence of a private property known in the community to be a chop shop and dumping ground for stolen vehicles and stolen vehicle parts, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Sgt. Michael Ritchie called the property a junkyard auto-type business in a media briefing shared by KRIV.

Mireles believed his friends stolen truck was possibly at the location, according to the sheriff.

Once inside, he was confronted by 49-year-old property manager Jorge Zuniga-Martinez, who was armed with a gun, Gonzalez said.

(Mireles) apologized, attempted to retreat and leave, but Zuniga-Martinez still shot him multiple times, according to Gonzalez.

Mireles was pronounced dead at the scene, law enforcement said.

Zuniga-Martinez, who remained on site following the shooting, was arrested on a murder charge and booked at the Harris County Jail on a $200,000 bond, court records show.

McClatchy News reached out to Zuniga-Martinezs attorney for comment on May 8 but did not immediately hear back.

He is due back in court June 11.

Fentanyl pills hidden in babys diaper found during traffic stop, Texas cops say

Woman passes out during boudoir shoot, photographer accused of sex assault, TX cops say

Customer angry over McDonalds order shoots, kills man trying to calm him, TX cops say
TOMS RIVER - A forensic pathologist testified Wednesday that 6-year-old Corey Micciolo's death was murder and the time frame when he would have suffered his fatal injuries was when he was in the custody of his father, Christopher Gregor.

Testifying for the state at Gregor's trial in the murder of his young son, Dr. Thomas A. Andrew told an Ocean County jury that Corey's cause of death was blunt impact injuries to the chest, a lacerated heart and a laceration and contusions to the liver. His manner of death was murder, the witness testified.

Forensic Pathologist Dr. Thomas A. Andrew descibes injuries to Corey Micciolo's head during Christopher Gregor's trial before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan in Toms River Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Gregor, 31, of Barnegat, is on trial before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan, charged with murder and child endangerment.

Andrew, who served as New Hampshire's medical examiner from 1997 to 2017, told the jury he determined the child's fatal injuries would have occurred sometime between four and 12 hours prior to his death about 5 p.m. on April 2, 2021.

That would have placed the time frame of when the injuries were suffered between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the day the boy died.

Andrew, however, said he modified his opinion and lessened the possible time frame after learning of additional evidence. That additional evidence was a video mistakenly recorded by Corey's mother as she was returning the boy to his father's custody about 9 a.m. on April 2, 2021.

The video, which previously was played for the jury, does not picture anyone, but records a conversation between Corey and his mother, Breanna Micciolo. The conversation apparently was captured by a phone that was placed on a car seat.

Andrew noted the video recorded Micciolo asking her son questions, and the child responding to them.

Answering questions from Christine Lento, an assistant Ocean County prosecutor, Andrew testified that had Corey already suffered his injuries by that time, he would have been unable to respond to his mother's questions. Therefore, Andrew said he eliminated the period between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., when Corey was in his mother's custody, from the time frame when the boy could have suffered the fatal injuries.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Mario Gallucci asserted that Andrew changed his opinion based on a 33-second video.

"A child is not going to respond in that fashion if he has already sustained those lethal injuries,'' Andrew responded.

Gallucci asked Andrew if he heard the child groan and yawn on that video. Andrew responded that he hadn't.

Prosecutors say Corey became lethargic and was throwing up that afternoon. Gregor brought the boy to the emergency room at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford Township shortly before 4 p.m. that day.

While at the medical center, the child's heart stopped twice, and he was pronounced dead at 5:02 p.m.

Christopher Gregor wipes his face during medical expert testimony before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan in Toms River Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Gregor is charged with the 2021 murder and child endangerment of his 6-year-old son Corey Micciolo.

Andrew said he based his initial estimate of the time frame of the infliction of the fatal injuries to Corey's heart and liver based upon what he said was a fairly predictable and well-established process of cellular response to repair them. He said certain types of cells that repair injuries "appear within a fairly predictable time frame.''

He said there was a laceration of about 1 1/2 inches to the left ventricle of Corey's heart, near the septum, which is where specialized cells that control the rhythm of the heart are located.

"Disruption of these can trigger rhythm disruptions,'' he said, adding that is likely why Corey went into cardiac arrest.

Gallucci asked the witness how long a person would live with a heart laceration of that size.

"It's not a matter of size,'' Andrew responded. "It will disrupt the electrical activity of the heart, which can only be compensated for over a limited period of time.''

The doctor testified that Corey had contusions "over a wide area of his body,'' and some of them, while not fatal, were without any clear-cut explanation and suggestive of abuse.

Andrew said he reached his conclusions on the cause and manner of Corey's death after reviewing the report of an autopsy performed by Dr. Dante Ragasa, medical examiner for Ocean County. Ragasa, who initially did not rule Corey's death a homicide, changed his conclusion after reviewing Andrew's report, Andrew testified.

The defense has argued that Corey died as a result of sepsis, brought on by an infection, possibly pneumonia.

Andrew unequivocally disputed that.

"There is no, zero, not one scintilla of evidence of sepsis or any other infection on Corey,'' he said.

In addition to the boy's murder, Gregor is charged with child endangerment in relation to an incident on March 20, 2021, in which he is seen on a surveillance video from the gym in his apartment complex increasing the speed on a treadmill on which Corey was running, causing the boy to repeatedly fall off the machine face-first.

If convicted of murder, Gregor would face 30 years without the possibility of release on parole up to life in prison. If convicted of child endangerment, he would face five to 10 years in prison.

Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at khopkins@app.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Treadmill abuse trial: Day 5 in Christopher Gregor murder case
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) and executives of the local insurance companies discussed the sector's strategic priorities, CBA Governor Taleh Kazimov wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

"At the Central Bank, we convened our next gathering of insurance industry leaders. During the meeting, we went over the Q1 results and talked about the future of the sector. Furthermore, we covered important ground, such as the sector's long-term objectives, programs running within this structure, and efforts to strengthen consumer protections," he explained.

To note, the total collections of 10 leading insurance companies in Azerbaijan amounted to 1.12 billion manat ($660 million), or 91.99 percent of the total insurance collections in 2023.

Meanwhile, the total payments of the 10 leading insurance companies amounted to 557.3 million manat ($327.6 million), making up 94.9 percent of the total insurance payments.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Do cicadas really attract copperheads? What to know about emergences in Asheville area

As many North Carolina residents know by now, periodical cicadas are joining the usual annual chorus this year across the state  and the buzz of curiosity about the potential swarms is going strong.

One question in particular has concerned those who are less than thrilled about the emergence set to begin in mid-May: Are venomous copperhead snakes expected to join the cicadas this year?

Experts weigh in on the unsettling prospect, and offer more info on cicadas in the region and nationwide.

More: Cicadas 2024: Will a cold snap delay the emergence of cicadas? When will they emerge?

Do cicadas attract copperhead snakes?

A copperhead in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most beautiful and most common snakes in the Smokies.

Previous reporting from the Mississippi Clarion Ledger offers some insight. Mississippi herpetologist Terry Vandeventer told Clarion Ledger reporter Brian Broom the answer is yes, but not to the degree some are concerned about.

"It's fear-mongering greatly, greatly blown out of proportion," Vandeventer said. "There's a lot of truth to it, the thing is the fear-mongering on social media."

Vandeventer also said that copperheads may be interested in eating cicadas for the amount of nutrients they contain.

"They're really rich in protein," Vandeventer said. "They have more protein than a mouse."

"It's a favorite food," Vandeventer said. "They love them. It's an easy meal with a lot of bang for their buck. Copperheads eat a lot of bugs. They eat cicadas, they eat katydids, they eat caterpillars. Again, it's protein."

More: Word from the Smokies: Fireflies are surprisingly diverse

Piles of copperheads under trees?

As for reports of multiple copperheads around a single tree laying in wait for tasty cicadas, Vandeventer said it does happen, but the likelihood of it is slim.

"Very few people have had the opportunity to witness this," Vandeventer said. "I've never seen it."

"It's rare to see these large aggregations under trees. It's incredibly rare. When they do, they report it to a newspaper or a radio station and it gets blown up bigger than it really is."

Vandeventer gave simple advice on what to do if you encounter a copperhead during the emergence; Or at any other time.

"Take two steps back and walk away."

More: Are there 'murder hornets' in North Carolina? What to know about the Asian giants.

When will the cicadas emerge?

While many areas of N.C. have already seen emergences of annual and periodical cicadas, reports have been scarce in the western region of the state. So, why haven't we seen the red-eyed insects yet? The answer is simple enough: WNC isn't a hotspot for annual cicadas, for one. Additionally, emergences rely on soil temperature, which rises slower at higher altitudes like the ones in Asheville and other WNC areas.

The 13-year Brood XIX cicadas are expected to emerge in largest numbers around mid-May and continue their signature drone through late June. Emergences are often triggered by a warm rain. This is one of several big differences between periodical cicadas and their annual "dog-day" cicada counterparts, which emerge later in July and August.

Are cicadas harmful to humans?

The loud buzz cicadas produce can be a bit alarming, but they don't actually bite or sting. However, Cicada Mania, a site dedicated to cicadas, explains that they can "pierce and suck."

This is because unlike wasps, ants and other insects, cicadas do not have stingers or mandibles built for biting and tearing flesh. Cicadas drink tree fluids using sucking mouthparts, and while they might occasionally mistake a human for a tree, cicadas are not drawn to blood. Cicada Mania says that, in fact, it would likely prove poisonous to them if they were to attempt to drink human blood.

Cicada Mania also suggested that, if you want to avoid cicadas, you should avoid using power tools, drills, saws, lawn mowers, weed whackers, leaf blowers, etc., in their presence, as they may mistake the sounds made by these tools for other cicadas.

More: Synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains: 2024 viewing lottery, dates announced

What are Brood XIX cicadas?

Brood XIX cicadas have a 13-year life cycle. They last emerged in 2011, and are estimated to emerge again in many states beginning mid-May. You'll hear them droning through late June, according to Cicada Mania. The "Great Southern Brood" will emerge in these states:

Alabama

Arkansas

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Kentucky

Louisiana

Mississippi

Missouri

North Carolina

Oklahoma

South Carolina

Tennessee

Virginia

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Do cicadas attract copperheads? Brood XIX in Asheville area to emerge
Citizens use Petersburg council comment period as platforms for and against casino

PETERSBURG  They might not have had the chance to do it before the decision to award The Cordish Companies the citys casino business, but some citizens used the public-comment period of Tuesdays City Council meeting to air their opinions about bringing gambling to south Petersburg.

The comments were split in support vs. opposition to the casino. One citizen was all for it because he thought Petersburg had nothing else to offer. One feared it was more of a Band-Aid than a permanent cure for Petersburgs ailing economy. And one told councilors he did not trust Cordish because of its previous dealings with Donald Trump over the casino picture in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

According to a 2007 report in Forbes magazine, Cordish  which developed The Walk retail shopping center across the street from the then-Trump Plaza Casino and Hotel  was interested in buying that property but stepped away after its financial backer refused to be part of the deal.

I personally have issues with anything tied to Donald J. Trump, resident William Jones said. He prefaced that statement, though, by saying he was for a Petersburg casino but did not favor the fashion in which City Council chose Cordish.

"I don't want it forced on us," Jones said, "or hidden from us, either."

Tuesday was the first regularly scheduled meeting since April 24 when Cordish and co-developer Bruce Smith Enterprise were picked over four other bidders. The proposed $1.4 billion casino-anchored community on 92 acres off Wagner Road is similar to what Cordish offered to build when it partnered with Petersburg last year on the second of the citys attempts to land a casino.

That decision prompted a plethora of backlash on political and legal fronts. Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, who sponsored legislation for this Novembers casino referendum, sharply criticized it as revisionist history, and the worlds largest hospitality-workers union said it will take Petersburg to court because the choice violated Virginias transparency laws.

An agenda for the closed meeting that preceded Tuesdays public meeting indicated that some casino-related topics would be discussed. Council emerged from that closed meeting with no action to be taken in the open meeting as directed by the state Freedom of Information Act.

Cheers, boos and questioning the process

Of all the comments made Tuesday night, most were for the casino.

The city really does need this casino, Anthony Coleman told council. "To be honest with you, Ive lived here all my life, and this city aint got nothing.

He pointed to Portsmouth where Rivers Casino is located and how its crime rate is higher than Petersburgs.

If Portsmouth got a casino, then Petersburg deserves a casino, Coleman said.

Rivers owner, Rush Street Gaming, was one of the five bidders for a Petersburg casino.

Paula Chester also spoke of the need for a casino.

We have been in a standstill for at least 30 years, Chester said. Its now time for a change.

On the other side of the issue, Jennifer Lowery told councilors she sees the casino as a fast fix for the citys economy. She said Petersburg has more to offer in terms of recreational and other opportunities, and should be known for those instead of being one of five casinos in Virginia.

I feel like Petersburg wants something really quick to build Petersburg up, and I get it, Lowery said. But ever since I have been here, [the city] is really growing, and I feel like the casino will take away from our small businesses."

Lowery said council should look north to Richmond, where she said they are taking a different path in growing. Twice, Richmond voters rejected referendums to bring a casino to the citys south side.

If its not good enough for Richmond, then I feel like it wouldnt be good enough for Petersburg, she said.

One speakers comments were not for or against the casino but rather in the way council went about in choosing Cordish.

Barb Rudolph, administrator of the social-media watchdog group Clean Sweep Petersburg, said she noticed a consistent pattern in councils casino decision-making.

Its never been on the agenda, its never been voted on at a regular council meeting, Rudolph said. Basically, its only happened when you came out of closed session. So, right there, fewer people are paying attention.

Action items, she said, were added to the agenda on the spot, surprising anyone who was watching.

"I wasn't surprised by who," Rudolph said. "I was surprised by how."

Some speakers Tuesday night came not to criticize councilors for the decision-making but to offer flowers to them for their overall public service.

Sarah Johnson told councilors a blind man can see that they are acting in the best interests of Petersburgs citizenry. Keep doing what youve done, she said.

Chester, who spoke later in the meeting of her support for the casino, began her remarks by thanking councilors for the improvement Im noticing in Petersburg.

Keep up the good work, and stay fast in your spirit, and trust God to lead you, she said.

Those accolades did not just come from the citizens podium. City Attorney Tony Williams said toward the end of the meeting that in 27 years of public service, he has never worked for a group with more integrity, fortitude and commitment to a city like he has seen in Petersburg.

Tax rate mini-debate

In other business Tuesday, councilors voted 4-2, with one abstention, to keep the citys real estate property tax rate at $1.27 per each $100 of assessed value.

Ward 4 Councilor Charlie Cuthbert initially wanted the rate to be set at $1.20, but that motion died after no other councilors would second it. As Cuthbert tried to repeat it, he was overruled by Mayor Sam Parham who then made the motion to keep the rate where it is.

I protest that, Cuthbert said. I think that no one, at least not enough people, understood there was a motion on the table.

Ward 7 Councilor Arnold Westbook Jr. seconded Cuthberts motion, but Parham made a substitute motion to keep the rate at $1.27 and was seconded by Ward 5 Councilor Howard Myers. Cuthbert and Westbrook cast the two dissenting votes.

Ward 1 Councilor Marlow Jones stayed silent on that roll call, prompting the city attorney to clarify that Jones silence was an abstention.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Citizens share casino feelings with Petersburg City Council
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  City officials came together to discuss recent vandalism and behavior seen in Portland over the past week  including smashed windows downtown and torched police cars elsewhere in the city.

On Wednesday afternoon, Portland Police Chief Bob Day was joined by Mayor Ted Wheeler and federal partners to discuss what Chief Day called a level of unacceptability we have for violent behavior while supporting the communitys First Amendment rights.

The ugliness of this behavior is only highlighted by the unconscionable act, in my opinion, of highjacking the First Amendment rights of people who were protesting peacefully, Mayor Wheeler said.

Portland City Council passes revised public camping ordinance, effective immediately

On May 1, protesters marched down the South Park Blocks amid the occupation of the Portland State Universitys Millar Library during a student-led protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

That day, Portland police found a call to action on social media that appeared to list businesses to target near the march on South Park Blocks. During the march around 5 p.m., several of the businesses with workers inside had their storefronts attacked.

The South Park Blocks itself was a frequent focus of protest activity last week, when the multi-day PSU library occupation incident happened, as well as the week before when there were encampments at the historic park. However, Mark Ross, a Portland Parks and Recreation spokesperson, told KOIN 6 News Wednesday morning that the South Park Blocks are in fine shape with no issues.

Police reported that on May 1, people in the crowd during that evenings march smashed windows at the universitys campus safety office, and one PSU student told KOIN 6 News they saw people spraying graffiti on the building.

Another student journalist, Gabriel Elmosleh, recorded a video of people in black taking hammers to the windows at a nearby Starbucks.

Washington defeats Oregon in U.S. News and World Reports annual state rankings

KOIN 6 News reporter Lisa Balick found a smashed bank ATM in the area along with spray paint at the Nordstrom and Apple Store across the street. Police also reported a commercial-grade mortar  not detonated  that their bomb squad had to remove.

In a joint press conference last week, Mayor Ted Wheeler questioned the damage to local businesses in a protest over the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict.

If you believe that by damaging a business, which frankly harms the front line employees who work in those businesses  we have reports that they were frightened, that they were traumatized, Wheeler said. If you believe that damaging these businesses or trashing a library on a university campus will impact events in the Middle East, you are delusional.

Montessori schools in Portland, Tigard shutter after teachers launch union effort

Officials also addressed the overnight damage of more than a dozen Portland police training vehicles at a training facility on Northeast Airport Way last week.

When officers arrived, they said they found 15 vehicles inside the fenced training area burning. The fires were put out and no injuries were reported. An investigation is still ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
FORT WALTON BEACH  The family of Roger Fortson, the airman who was killed in a deputy-involved shooting on May 3 in Fort Walton Beach, has retained national civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump to represent them.

Crump, 54, has represented the families of Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, Michael Brown and George Floyd.

Here is what we know.

Incident overview

According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, authorities were called to Fortson's apartment about 4:30 p.m. May 3 in reference to an apparent disturbance. Once a deputy arrived on the scene, the OCSO said, Fortson allegedly had a gun in his possession and the deputy acted in self-defense.

According to a news release from Crump's law office, the encounter played out differently than what the OCSO has been reporting.

According to Crump, a witness who was on a Facetime call with Fortson at the time of the shooting said that Fortson was alone in his apartment when he heard a knock at his door.

Attorney Ben Crump speaks during the National Day of Righteous Outrage Justice for Ajike Owens on July 8 at Kingdom Revival Church in Ocala.

Fortson asked, "Who is it?" and failed to get a response, the release says. A few minutes later, Fortson heard an "aggressive" knock, but failed to see anyone once he looked out his peephole.

Fortson, concerned for his safety, retrieved his legally owned gun, the release says. As Fortson returned to the living room, the witness said, deputies "burst through his door." When deputies saw the gun, they fired at Fortson six times.

The witness said he saw Fortson on the ground, stating, "I can't breathe," after he was shot. The witness also said police were at the wrong apartment, and there was no disturbance, according to the release.

Fortson was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

"Roger enlisted in the military after graduating from high school with honors and had no criminal record," Crump said in the release. "By all accounts, he was a stellar member of the Air Force and loved by his community."

According to the sheriff's office, the deputy in question was placed on paid administrative leave, as is standard in such cases, pending the results of an investigation.

Statement from OCSO

On Tuesday, Sheriff Eric Aden released a statement about the shooting. He said all members of his agency "are saddened about the fatal officer-involved shooting over the weekend."

Aden then reiterated points made in the previous release from his agency, noting that the deputy in question was placed on administrative leave and that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting.

Aden also noted that the State Attorney's Office also will conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.

"At this time, we humbly ask for our communitys patience as we work to understand the facts that resulted in this tragic event," said Aden.

Statement from Crump

"The circumstances surrounding Roger's death raise serious questions that demand immediate answers from authorities, especially considering the alarming witness statement that the police entered the wrong apartment," Crump said in the release. "The narrative released by law enforcement, which falsely suggests that Roger posed a threat, is deeply troubling and inconsistent with the details provided by that witness: Roger was home alone, causing no disturbance, when his life was tragically cut short by law enforcement.

Earlier coverage: A Hurlburt Field airman died following a deputy-involved shooting at an FWB apartment

We are calling for transparency in the investigation into Roger's death and the immediate release of body cam video to the family," the statement continues. "His family and the public deserve to know what occurred in the moments leading up to this tragedy. We urge authorities to immediately stop demonizing Roger in their statements to the media. It's imperative to correct the record and acknowledge the wrongful entry into Roger's home. What we know for sure is that Roger was a dedicated U.S. Airman serving the country and a cherished member of his community. Any attempts to tarnish his character only compound the pain felt by his loved ones.

We demand justice for Roger Fortson. We demand accountability for those responsible for his death. And we stand in solidarity with Roger's family and friends as they navigate this unimaginable loss."

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Ben Crump represents family of Hurlburt airman killed in deputy shooting
Civilian infrastructure facility on fire in Kyiv Oblast and hits recorded in Vinnytsia Oblast  photos

A fire has broken out at a civilian infrastructure facility in the city of Brovary in Kyiv Oblast, while hits have been recorded in Vinnytsia Oblast due to a Russian missile attack on the night of 7-8 May.

Source: Brovary Mayor Ihor Sapozhko; Serhii Borzov, Head of Vinnytsia Oblast Military Administration; Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of Kyiv Oblast Military Administration, on Facebook

Quote from Sapozhko: "A 62-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man have been injured as a result of a missile attack and a fire at a civilian infrastructure facility [caused by it]."

Details: Sapozhko specified that the injured people suffered from limb injuries. They were taken to Brovary Hospital in a state of shock.

A damaged car.

Photo: Ihor Sapozhko on Telegram

Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of Kyiv Oblast Military Administration, later added that the Russians attacked the oblast with kamikaze drones and cruise missiles, and the air-raid lasted almost four hours.

Quote from Kravchenko: "There were no strikes to residential or critical infrastructure. At the same time, the falling of debris was recorded in four districts of Kyiv Oblast. Unfortunately, there are people injured as a result of the falling debris. A woman and a man were taken to hospital with multiple limb injuries and shrapnel wounds."

Details: Kravchenko said that power transmission lines were damaged, and one village had a partial power outage.

Photo: Ihor Sapozhko on Telegram. Collage: Urkainska Prada

One private house and an outbuilding nearby were destroyed as a result of the falling debris, and 14 other private houses and one car were damaged.

Efforts are underway to deal with the aftermath of the Russian attack.

Serhii Borzov, Head of Vinnytsia Oblast Military Administration, reported hits in the oblast.

"Defence forces and all services are working. All details later," he wrote.

Background:

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 7-8 May. An air-raid warning was issued in all Ukrainian oblasts.

No hits or casualties were recorded in the city of Kyiv. Air defence systems destroyed all aerial targets in the vicinity of the capital.

The Russians attacked power generation and transmission facilities in six of Ukraines oblasts. The oblasts of Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia came under Russian fire.

Support UP or become our patron!
Several state court officials have been dismissed as defendants in a federal lawsuit over eCourts, North Carolinas new, online court records and case management system.

The lawsuits plaintiffs are people who were previously held at a number of North Carolina jails, including the Mecklenburg County Detention Center in uptown Charlotte. They alleged in court filings that they spent unlawful time behind bars after eCourts launched in four pilot counties in February 2023.

The software has promised to transform the states legal system by moving paper records online, allowing the public to access court records they could previously only get only by visiting a courthouse. But software errors and human errors have led to multiple arrests on the same warrants and extra time in jail after release conditions were met, plaintiffs alleged.

On Tuesday, the plaintiffs narrowed their allegations to Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe and the company that built the software, Tyler Technologies.

Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court Elisa Chinn-Gary is no longer a defendant. Nor are other clerks from across the state, officials at the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts or Lee County Sheriff Brian Estes.

Joseph Kyzer, the deputy director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, shared the news in an email to The Charlotte Observer late Tuesday afternoon.

We are pleased that plaintiffs dismissed their meritless claims against NCAOC and court officials, Graham Wilson, a spokesperson for the office, said in a statement. This dismissal should answer inaccuracies regarding eCourts as we remain focused on completing this generational expansion of access to justice for North Carolina.

The dismissals were without prejudice, meaning state court officials and the clerks could still be sued.

Our clients retain the ability to refile claims against the NCAOC and Clerk Defendants  whether in federal court or a different forum  as we continue to learn more, Zack Ezor, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said in a statement Wednesday.

More details on Mecklenburg inmates

McFadden has asked that he, too, be dismissed from the lawsuit.

A spokesperson for McFadden said the sheriffs office would not comment on pending litigation.

While someone may be to blame for the delays in their release, it is not Sheriff McFadden, a memorandum filed in court by the sheriff last month said.

McFadden was a critic of eCourts before he was dragged into the lawsuit, and before the software even launched in Mecklenburg County in October.

We are all concerned, he told WCNC before the launch. Whos going to suffer is the public.

But McFaddens negligence led to excess jail time for some people, plaintiffs have said.

Another new filing in the lawsuit included specifics about people in Mecklenburg County who say they spent extra time in jail during the first few weeks of eCourts Mecklenburg County rollout, providing names of 69 people and the alleged amount of extra time they were held.

Those waits ranged from nine to 23 hours, according to the new filing.

And the problem has continued as recently as March, it says.

The Observer reported in November on concerns from the public defenders office about people getting out of jail late. At the time, that office and McFaddens said that the delays seemed to be tied to eCourts.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  FOX 8 and Kaulig Giving would like to salute Louis Durban as Clevelands Own as part of Teacher Appreciation Week.

Louis teaches math at Cleveland Metropolitan School Districts Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School.

All the best Teacher Appreciation Week deals

He says his favorite part of teaching is helping students grow and recognize their potential.

Louis credits his success to his strong family roots, including his father, Ray, who taught in the district for many years.

Louis Durban, thanks for being one of Clevelands Own.

To nominate someone for Clevelands Own, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
CNN Reporter Says Trump Got A Little Physical Prompting His Attorney In Court

CNN chief legal correspondent Paula Reid reported that Donald Trump was physically prompting his lawyer to object on Tuesday when porn actor Stormy Daniels testified at his hush money trial.

Today, hes gotten a little physical with Susan Necheles, one of his lawyers, sort of hitting her on the arm, prompting her to object, Reid said during a CNN panel discussion about Tuesdays proceedings.

Reid said Trump had been really scrutinizing his defense lawyers, engaging in spirited conversations with all three of them.

She said, He clearly has a lot of ideas about exactly how this defense should be carried out.

Trump was reportedly shaking his head and audibly cursing during Daniels testimony, prompting Judge Juan Merchan to warn Trumps lead attorney, Todd Blanche, to speak to his client.

I understand that your client is upset at this point, Merchan told Blanche, according to transcripts obtained by The Washington Post. He said the behavior needed to stop because it has the potential to intimidate the witness, and the jury can see that.

Last week, New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman reported that Trump had been increasingly annoyed with Blanche and complained that his lawyer was not aggressive enough.

Some legal experts have suggested that Trump appears to be damaging his defense by pushing his attorneys to use language and strategies that dont hold up in court.

Necheles sparred with Daniels during a heated cross-examination on Tuesday, seeking to paint her as driven by hatred and lacking credibility. Trumps mood reportedly appeared to lighten during the cross-examination.

Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels before the 2016 election. Daniels was paid in exchange for her silence about a tryst she claims she had with Trump in 2006. She described the alleged encounter in detail during Tuesdays testimony.

Related...
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has determined that there was a violation of Article 3 of the Human Rights Convention (prohibition of torture) due to the inadequate investigation into the dispersal of the protest that took place in Tbilisi on June 20-21, 2019.In this case, 26 applicants claimed that they had suffered injuries as a result of excessive force and argued that the investigation into these incidents was ineffective. The court found that the investigation did not meet the standards required to address allegations of such serious human rights violations.Additionally, the applicants alleged violations of Articles 10 (freedom of expression), 11 (freedom of assembly), and 13 (right to an effective remedy) of the European Convention. However, the court did not find a violation of these articles.The Human Rights Court in Strasbourg ordered the state to compensate the majority of the applicants, totaling 150,000 euros overall.Russian occupiers have abducted Georgian citizen Ramaz Begheluri. According to Begheluri's mother, Nora Begheluri, Ramaz was arrested while visiting the grave of his 16-year-old brother near the occupation line. Begheluri expressed concern for her son's well-being, stating to TV Pirveli that she does not know his current condition and emphasizing that Ramaz has epilepsy and requires constant supervision. According to her, Begheluri is being held in an isolation cell in occupied Tskhinvali, and she does not know his current condition.Ramaz Begeluri has been abducted five times by the occupiers from Gugutiantkari.President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili condemned the kidnapping of the Georgian citizen and criticized the occupying force:"The so-called followers of the same faith and supposed defenders of values! They don't know Easter, they don't know the grave, they don't know family, they don't know the homeland in general, and they don't recognize its real borders or the distinction between their own and neighboring lands... And despite all this, some people are equating friends with enemies!" Zourabichvili wrote on Facebook.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Preparations are underway to accommodate the upcoming COP29 guests, Head of Administration at the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan Kanan Gasimov said, Trend reports.

He made the statement at the "Tourism Development" working group event hosted by the Commission on Business Environment and International Rankings on the theme "Progress report on the 2023 Action Plan and forthcoming priorities."

Gasimov highlighted that COP29 boasts the highest participant turnout among all events.

Azerbaijan started the preparation process after receiving the right to host the event and is putting considerable efforts into holding COP29 along with other events it has held so far, he emphasized.

In light of the lack of complications around this subject, the head of the agency voiced his optimism in the successful implementation of the involved measured.

These measures cover organizational tasks, and content-based political messaging that State Tourism Agency has undertaken to cover both.



We've started working with tourism groups and other international bodies to accommodate prospective guests and coordinate efforts. We also seek to reduce climate change's impact on tourism. If hotel concerns emerge, we will explore other accommodations. We're meticulously preparing for our future guests' comfort, he added.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
I have cognitive problems, clearly": In 2012 deposition, RFK Jr. said a worm ate part of his brain

Doctors told Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that he had a dead parasitic worm inside of his brain, the independent presidential candidate divulged in a 2012 deposition obtained by The New York Times.

Experiencing memory loss and brain fog, Kennedy in 2010 consulted with neurologists who initially concluded that a dark spot found in scans of his brain was a tumor. But a doctor at New York-Presbyterian Hospital later told Kennedy that the spot was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died, Kennedy said in the deposition.

Kennedy, unsure of where he contracted the parasite, suggested it may have happened during a visit to South Asia. A doctor without firsthand knowledge of Kennedy's medical history told the Times that details described in the deposition pointed to a pork tapeworm larva.

In his own campaign, Kennedy has assailed the mental fitness of his two opponents, but in the deposition admitted that the worm  and a mercury poisoning diagnosis that came around the same time  had taken its toll.

I have cognitive problems, clearly, he said in the deposition, per the Times. I have short-term memory loss, and I have longer-term memory loss that affects me.

Kennedy has previously pushed conspiracy theories around vaccines, falsely linking mercury-based compounds in some of them to neurological diseases.

Doctors who spoke with the Times said its not possible to be sure whether the parasite and mercury poisoning caused permanent brain damage without firsthand knowledge of Kennedys medical records.
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM)  The top college fair in the region returns Wednesday night in Elmira.

College Fair 2024 is back at the Elmira Elks Lodge from 6-8 pm Wednesday. The fair is located at the Elks on 300 East Gray Street. Students and higher education enthusiasts can expect college representatives from all over the northeast. The invited attendees will be from:

 Two and four-year schools

 In-State & out-of-state schools

 Public and private schools

 Technical Schools

 United States Armed Services and more

For potential college student-athletes this is an event that can benefit them greatly. You can learn more about potential extra curricular sports, club teams, and plenty more opportunities that each school has to offer.

We spoke with event coordinator, Chris Callas, about what the college fair hopes to accomplish this year and beyond. A photo of the event flyer is shared below. Dont miss this years Elmira Elks Lodge College Fair.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
Mental health and stress are among the top reasons college students consider dropping out of school, according to a recent Gallup poll.

Among students who said they considered leaving their program within the last six months, 54 percent cited emotional stress and 43 percent cited mental health as the reasons why, according to the Gallup poll. Gallup also noted that 35 percent of college students surveyed reported that they have considered dropping out over the last six months.

The percentage of students who said emotional stress was a reason they considered leaving their programs nearly doubled between 2020 and 2023, according to the poll.

Gallups poll found significant shares of students pursuing bachelors degrees who cited emotional stress and mental health in the new survey. The poll found that about two-thirds of students pursuing bachelors degrees cited emotional stress as a reason for looking into leaving their school while about 56 percent cited mental health.

Gallup noted that those enrolled in bachelors degree programs were slightly more likely to cite emotional stress and mental health as reasons they considered dropping out than those in associate degree programs. Fifty-eight percent of associate degree students said stress was a reason, while 45 percent included mental health.

Another common reason for students looking into leaving their programs was the financial cost, with 31 percent of students saying so. This includes 39 percent of those pursuing a bachelors degree.

The results are part of the Lumina Foundation-Gallup 2024 State of Higher Education Study. The poll was conducted online among 14,032 current and prospective college students Oct. 9 to Nov. 16, 2023.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE PHOTO: Supporters of Colombia's President Petro march in support of reforms proposed by his government, in Bogota

By Luis Jaime Acosta and Carlos Vargas

BOGOTA (Reuters) -Two out of nine magistrates in Colombia's National Electoral Council have requested an investigation be opened into Colombian President Gustavo Petro's 2022 campaign over alleged spending and financing violations, two sources said on Wednesday.

Magistrates Benjamin Ortiz and Alvaro Hernan Prada also requested an investigation into Ecopetrol chief executive Ricardo Roa, who served as Petro's campaign manager.

The allegations are the latest to envelope Petro's government after former officials from the country's disaster response agency this week offered to cooperate with prosecutors over alleged corruption involving procurement of water tankers.

Colombia's president's office did not comment but Petro has denied accusations of alleged illegal financing of his campaign for months, saying they are a bid to overthrow him and prevent him from carrying out his promised social and economic reforms.

"An administrative body brings charges against the president of the republic. It is an open constitutional breach," he said on Wednesday in a message via X.

Ecopetrol, the country's majority state-owned energy company said it had no comments on news of the investigation, which was originally reported in local newspaper El Tiempo.

Justice Minister Nestor Osuna said the government would abide by the final decision of the electoral council to either advance the investigation or abandon it.

The request for the investigation will next be analyzed by all of the electoral council magistrates, who will make a decision on whether to formally open the investigation, the sources said.

If the investigations go ahead, Petro's case would go before the impeachment commission of the chamber of representatives.

The case against Roa would be taken by the attorney general's office.

The sources said preliminary investigations found campaign contributions exceeded legal limits by 6 billion pesos ($1.5 million), as well as payments and contributions from two unions that were not recorded in the campaign's accounts and chartered flights provided by an aviation company.

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta and Carlos VargasWriting and additional reporting by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Alison Williams)
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY)  A Colombian man was sentenced Wednesday to two years and six months in prison for cocaine trafficking, a release states.

According to court documents, 28-year-old Yunier Renteria was part of a group attempting to move more than two tons of cocaine into the U.S. On Jan. 3, Renteria pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine on board a vessel.

On March 17, 2023, a maritime patrol aircraft spotted a go-fast boat, which are frequently used to transport large quantities of cocaine from the Colombian coast to larger boats traveling to the U.S. When the crew became aware of the presence of law enforcement, they began to discard their cargo, which the U.S. Coast Guard recovered. The cargo included 1,504 kilograms of cocaine.

The crew of the go-fast boat transporting the cocaine included Renteria, Luis Valencia-Renteria, 27, of Colombia, and Cesar Rodriguez, 30, of Ecuador. Valencia pled guilty on Aug. 3, 2023, and Rodriguez pled guilty on Aug. 14, 2023. On Jan. 9, Valencia and Rodriguez were sentenced to two years and six months in prison.

Check with WAVY.com for more updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
FILE - Mourners walk along the temporary fence put up around the parking lot of a King Soopers grocery store where a mass shooting took place earlier in the week, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Boulder, Colo. State experts have found the man charged with shooting and killing 10 people at a Colorado supermarket in 2021 had untreated mental illness but was legally sane at the time of the attack, lawyers said Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

BOULDER, Colo. (AP)  State experts have found the man charged with shooting and killing 10 people at a Colorado supermarket in 2021 had untreated mental illness but was legally sane at the time of the attack, lawyers said Tuesday.

The results of the sanity evaluation of Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa done at the state mental hospital are not public but were discussed during a court hearing as Alissa, dressed in a jail uniform and his wrists in shackles, and relatives of some of those killed listened.

According to the defense, the evaluators found that the attack would not have happened but for Alissa's untreated mental illness, which attorney Sam Dunn said was schizophrenia that included auditory hallucinations. He also said the evaluators were less confident in their sanity conclusion than they would be in other cases but did not elaborate on why.

Prosecutors did not provide any details of their own about what the evaluators found during the hearing. District Attorney Michael Dougherty, who said he is limited to commenting on what has been made public about the evaluation, declined to comment on Dunn's description of the evaluation's findings.

I look forward to the trial, and these are issues that are going to be litigated fully at trial, Dougherty said after the hearing.

Alissa has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the March 22, 2021, shooting at a King Soopers store in the college town of Boulder. The plea means his lawyers are claiming he did not understand the difference between right from wrong at the time of the shooting and therefore should not be convicted of a crime.

Investigators say he researched how to carry out a mass shooting before he launched his own attack and targeted moving people, killing most of the 10 victims in just over a minute using a gun with a high-capacity magazine.

Alissa's mental health was raised as an issue by his lawyers right after the shooting, and the issue of whether he was mentally competent to stand trial  able to understand court proceedings and help his lawyers in his defense  put proceedings on hold for about two years. After Alissa was forcibly medicated and then deemed mentally competent to proceed, he entered the not guilty by reason of insanity plea in November.

On Tuesday, Judge Ingrid Bakke granted the defense's request for Alissa's sanity at the time of the shooting to be evaluated a second time by their own expert, but she rejected their proposal to delay the trial until March 2025 to give them time for that process. Instead, she delayed the trial by only about a month, scheduling it to start Sept. 2, after hearing strong objections from relatives of the victims and in letters submitted to the court.

As Alissa sat nearby with his lawyers, Erika Mahoney, whose father Kevin Mahoney was killed in the shooting, urged Bakke to allow the families to enter the fall with the trial behind them so they could go on to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah with that chapter closed.

During a prolonged discussion among the lawyers and Bakke, Erika Mahoney was not feeling hopeful, but she was relieved when the judge only delayed the trial by a month.

It's funny the things you that become grateful for," she said after the hearing, but I am grateful to know that this is moving forward.
BOULDER, Colo. (AP)  State experts have found the man charged with shooting and killing 10 people at a Colorado supermarket in 2021 had untreated mental illness but was legally sane at the time of the attack, lawyers said Tuesday.

The results of the sanity evaluation of Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa done at the state mental hospital are not public but were discussed during a court hearing as Alissa, dressed in a jail uniform and his wrists in shackles, and relatives of some of those killed listened.

Latest on Boulder Grocery Store Shooting

According to the defense, the evaluators found that the attack would not have happened but for Alissas untreated mental illness, which attorney Sam Dunn said was schizophrenia that included auditory hallucinations. He also said the evaluators were less confident in their sanity conclusion than they would be in other cases but did not elaborate on why.

Prosecutors did not provide any details of their own about what the evaluators found during the hearing. District Attorney Michael Dougherty, who said he is limited to commenting on what has been made public about the evaluation, declined to comment on Dunns description of the evaluations findings.

I look forward to the trial, and these are issues that are going to be litigated fully at trial, Dougherty said after the hearing.

Alissa has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the March 22, 2021, shooting at a King Soopers store in the college town of Boulder. The plea means his lawyers are claiming he did not understand the difference between right from wrong at the time of the shooting and therefore should not be convicted of a crime.

Investigators say he researched how to carry out a mass shooting before he launched his own attack and targeted moving people, killing most of the 10 victims in just over a minute using a gun with a high-capacity magazine.

Alissas mental health was raised as an issue by his lawyers right after the shooting, and the issue of whether he was mentally competent to stand trial  able to understand court proceedings and help his lawyers in his defense  put proceedings on hold for about two years. After Alissa was forcibly medicated and then deemed mentally competent to proceed, he entered the not guilty by reason of insanity plea in November.

The community is honoring the 10 lives lost after a mass shooting at a King Soopers in Boulder on March 22, 2021. (KDVR)

BOULDER, CO  MARCH 22: Boulder Police Officers stand at attention during a memorial for slain Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley on March 22, 2022 in Boulder, Colorado. Officer Talley was killed responding to a shooting at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado one year ago, that left ten people dead. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images)

FILE  Pictures of the 10 victims of a mass shooting in a King Soopers grocery store are posted on a cement barrier, April 23, 2021, outside the supermarket in Boulder, Colo.

FILE  Tributes hang on the temporary fence surrounding the parking lot in front of a King Soopers grocery store in which 10 people died in a late March mass shooting, April 9, 2021, in Boulder, Colo.. A man who livestreamed the aftermath of the shooting has been found not guilty of obstructing police. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

A motorcade escorts a hearse carrying the body of slain Boulder Police officer Eric Talley past the Colorado State Capitol after a funeral mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on March 29, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. Ten people, including Talley, were killed in a shooting at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado on March 22. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, Judge Ingrid Bakke granted the defenses request for Alissas sanity at the time of the shooting to be evaluated a second time by their own expert, but she rejected their proposal to delay the trial until March 2025 to give them time for that process. Instead, she delayed the trial by only about a month, scheduling it to start Sept. 2, after hearing strong objections from relatives of the victims and in letters submitted to the court.

As Alissa sat nearby with his lawyers, Erika Mahoney, whose father Kevin Mahoney was killed in the shooting, urged Bakke to allow the families to enter the fall with the trial behind them so they could go on to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah with that chapter closed.

During a prolonged discussion among the lawyers and Bakke, Erika Mahoney was not feeling hopeful, but she was relieved when the judge only delayed the trial by a month.

Its funny the things you that become grateful for, she said after the hearing, but I am grateful to know that this is moving forward.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A federal grand jury indictment has resulted in the resignation of a Columbus police officer effective this month.

According to a spokesperson with the Columbus Division of Police, Nicholas Duty, 35, resigned on May 3. The resignation stems from allegations that Duty destroyed or altered records related to a criminal investigation.

New Ohio gun bill would boost penalties for repeat offenders

Duty reportedly destroyed, altered, or falsified records by purposefully deactivated or removed his police body-worn camera, with the alleged intention to impede, obstruct or influence a federal investigation. He was arrested on April 19, according to a release by the office of U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker.

The alleged incidents occurred on Oct. 31 and March 22 during interactions with two women, including once during a sexual encounter. Duty, while on duty, was reportedly wearing a police uniform and in a marked police vehicle with an assigned body-worn camera, which is required to comply with Columbus police policies for wearing division-issued cameras.

The U.S. Attorneys office said that knowingly altering records to obstruct a federal investigation is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Nicholas Duty (Courtesy/Butler County Sheriffs Office)

According to personnel records, Duty was placed on leave March 24 based on the ongoing criminal investigation. He pleaded not guilty in federal court and will next appear before a judge at a future date.

Duty was hired by the Columbus Division of Police on Jan. 4, 2019. His employee status lists him as inactive effective May 3, according to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy portal.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
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.
As college students peacefully protest to demand their universities disclose and dissolve any economic and academic ties it has with Israel amid its ongoing siege of Gaza, the emerging narrative is that this is a coddled, stubborn generation of hellraisers, the likes of which we have not previously seen.

That narrative is used to justify the administrations decision to send in police officers to shut down a solidarity encampment on UNC-Chapel Hills main quad last week, then castigate student protesters and the organizations they represent.

But the pro-Palestinian protests that have taken place on UNCs campus in recent weeks do not exist in a vacuum, nor are they unique in size or substance. They are part of a long history of student protest movements at UNC  movements that bear a strong resemblance to the one were witnessing right now.

Truth be told, what makes this movement different is the intolerance with which the administration has responded to it.

Not all protest movements have been met with brute force. Take the anti-apartheid protests of the 1980s for example. Students constructed a shantytown in front of South Building to demand the university divest from South Africa, much like students today have erected encampments on college campuses across the country to demand divestment from Israel.

Back then, the encampment was not immediately met with hostility from the administration. Rather, the chancellor told campus police to allow the encampment to stand, and it remained in place for weeks. The protests continued for months in the form of sit-ins and hunger strikes, until the UNC Endowment Board ultimately agreed to divest all funds from South African companies.

Even protests during the Vietnam War, which ended violently on other campuses, carried on peacefully in Chapel Hill. Students boycotted classes, held sit-ins and marched on South Building, while graduate students went on strike, according to UNC Libraries.

Compare that to how UNC responded to the pro-Palestinian protesters, despite the fact that the encampment was peaceful prior to the polices arrival. Police detained 36 people (though not all of them were UNC students) and videos show police shoving and pepper-spraying protesters. Fifteen students have been suspended, according to UNCs chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which organized the protest. UNC has also suspended SJP on an interim basis. While the exact terms of student suspensions are not known at this time, faculty say that some students have been banned from campus for up to two years. Suspended students are not permitted to attend classes, take exams, work campus jobs or access campus housing.

It seems like a disproportionately harsh punishment, especially considering UNC has come under fire for its weak response to people who pose a genuine risk to the community in the past. When a Confederate group brought guns to campus in 2019, police shook their hands and no arrests were made, despite the fact that possessing a firearm on educational property is a felony under state law. A 2019 survey found that the prevalence of sexual assault at UNC was higher than the national average, but when UNC released disciplinary records in 2020, only 15 students had been found in violation of the universitys sexual assault policy in a 13-year period, and one of those students was not even suspended.

This is not to say that student protests on UNCs campus have never been met with suppression or police force. They have, such as during the Civil Rights Movement or the 1969 food workers strike  or more recently, the toppling of Confederate monument Silent Sam. But this time around, that suppression has occurred much more swiftly, and it was unprovoked by disruptive or otherwise escalatory actions by protesters.

Despite the harsh light in which the administration and even the public has painted pro-Palestine protesters, there is clear precedent for their actions. They, like their predecessors, are simply hoping to bring about change through direct action. In that sense, not much has changed. But the way UNC and other universities have continued to treat these protesters suggests that the world around them has changed greatly, and become far less tolerant of free speech and expression with which they disagree.
(KRON)  A Concord man was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison for coercing teenage girls to produce child pornography and supplying them with narcotics, including fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey said on Wednesday.

Javier Antonio Ramires, 29, was charged on March 2023 with one count of coercion and enticement of a minor and one count of receipt of child pornography. Ramirez pleaded guilty to both counts in November 2023, prosecutors said.

Convictions secured in murder case at center of Antioch PD racist text scandal

Between June 2021 and February 2023, Ramirez used social media to find minors to persuade them to engage in sexual acts with Ramirez, which, on occasion, Ramirez would film or photograph.

According to the plea agreement, Ramirez admitted having almost 100 videos and images of child pornography, including of prepubescent minors and toddlers.

Ramirez admitted that the first step of the pattern of coercion began with Ramirez supplying narcotics, including fentanyl and cocaine, to girls who were all under the age of 18 years old in exchange for sex.

According to court filings, Ramirez was the one who introduced many of the victims to fentanyl for the first time when the victims were only 16 or 17 years old.

In January 2023, one of the minor victims suffered a non-fatal fentanyl overdose while at a high school in Contra Costa County from fentanyl Ramirez supplied to her in San Francisco the night before.

Over time, Ramirez watched each identified victim overdose multiple times and yet continued to supply more fentanyl to the victims, all while sexually exploiting them, prosecutors said.

Javier Ramirezs conduct is every parents nightmare, Ramsey said. That Ramirez introduced minors to fentanyl, a lethal drug, to assist in coercing and exploiting them and then watched those minors overdose repeatedly, only makes matters worse.

Prosecutors sentenced Ramirez to 240 months for the coercion and enticement count, to be served at the same time as 216 months of imprisonment for the receipt of child pornography count.

Prosecutors also ordered Ramirez to serve 15 years of probation after he served his prison term.

Prevention and reporting resources for children and caregivers are available here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
David Banks, the chancellor of New York City Public Schools, said at a congressional hearing Wednesday that his district has removed, disciplined or is in the process of disciplining at least a dozen staff and school leaders over alleged antisemitism, pushing back strongly against Republicans accusations that the school system was failing to take action for hate speech and incidents against Jewish students and faculty.

Keeping schools safe is in my DNA, Banks testified at a hearing held by the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education. When antisemitism rears its head, I believe we must respond. And we have.

Banks said the discipline against faculty includes removing a principal in the middle of the school year. He added that New York City Public Schools has suspended at least 30 students, called in the New York City Police Department when necessary and retrained all 1,600 principals on the discipline code.

Banks added that suspending students and faculty alone wont solve the problem, stressing that engagement with the community and teaching are crucial.

The true antidote is to teach, he said.

Banks was combative in his tone, frequently talking over and correcting members of Congress who accused New York school system of doing too little to fight antisemitism. He questioned Republicans motivations for the hearing and urged Congress to take steps to bring us together to find solutions to fight hate beyond just holding hearings.

This convening, for too many Americans in education, feels like the ultimate gotcha moment, Banks said. It doesnt sound like people who are actually trying to solve for something that, I believe, we should be doing everything we can solve for.

Avoiding past mistakes

Banks testimony highlighted a two-hour-long grilling of the leaders of three school districts in liberal cities about alleged antisemitic incidents. It marked the first such Congressional hearing to focus on K-12 schools.

His fiery demeanor avoided the past mistakes of Ivy League school presidents who have also been hauled before Congress for tough questioning on campus antisemitism. The presidents of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania were toppled in the wake of a December hearing after failing to say whether calls on campus for genocide of Jews would violate school rules. By contrast, Columbias president last month was criticized by many faculty and students for being overly conciliatory to demands of right-wing members of Congress.

Wednesdays hearing gave Republicans a chance to confront officials from New York City; Berkeley, California; and Montgomery County, Maryland, about reports of antisemitism in their districts.

Its no coincidence that the witnesses at Wednesdays hearing represent school districts in liberal cities. Republicans have sought to score political points by attacking woke policies that they say allow for hate speech.

A separate House committee had planned to hold a hearing about reports of antisemitism on George Washington Universitys campus. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Metropolitan Police Chief Pam Smith were set to testify before about their response to an encampment on campus. But after that encampment was cleared Wednesday morning, and police arrested dozens of people, the committee called off the hearing.

Queens high school in focus

Lawmakers at the hearing focused in particular on an incident from last fall at Hillcrest High School in Queens, where a pro-Israel teacher reportedly hid for hours from hundreds of protesting students. Banks condemned the incident.

I condemn clearly: What happened at Hillcrest was a complete act of antisemitism. It will not stand on my watch, Banks said. We responded. And I dont know how to make it any clearer.

Banks, who graduated from Hillcrest, said the principal of the school was removed and has not been transferred to lead another school. But New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik tussled with Banks over the fact that the principal had been reassigned  but not fired.

Stefanik, citing local media reports, said the principal of Hillcrest High School in Queens was given a senior position, working on a team led by the school districts deputy chancellor. Banks said he could not confirm the former principals current role, but he acknowledged the principal was removed from his job but reassigned elsewhere in the district. He testified that the principal was removed for failing to provide proper supervision.

Thats concerning to me that you have him in a senior position, Stefanik told Banks. Were getting lip service but a lack of enforcement and a lack of accountability.

New York Republican Rep. Brandon Williams also slammed Banks for not firing the principal.

How can Jewish students feel safe at New York City Public Schools when you cant even manage to terminate the principal of Open-Season-on-Jews High School? Williams asked Banks during a fiery exchange. How can Jewish students go to school knowing that he is still on your payroll?

Banks explained that every employee has due process rights and stressed everything is done to make sure teachers and students are safe.

We dont always get it right, Banks acknowledged.

Under questioning from lawmakers, Banks said Hillcrest High School was not radicalized.

But the kids who were responsibleengaged clearly in an act of antisemitism. And I dealt with it, he said, noting that we suspended students, we removed the principal from the school.

A Jewish teacher was targeted in a frightening episode. We didnt accept that. We pushed back on that tremendously, he said.

A deeply troubling incident

Stefanik also questioned Banks on allegations that students marched in the hallway of Origins High School in Brooklyn chanting death to Jews.

Banks said an investigation showed no evidence that was chanted in the halls, although he noted what the probe revealed was deeply troubling, and a number of students at the school were suspended.

Banks said he couldnt provide details of what happened at Origins, because the incident was under litigation.

He also noted a principal at another school was disciplined after assigning a teacher to go with a student to an anti-Israel protest. Banks called that action completely inappropriate and said both the principal and teacher were disciplined, but not fired.

Berkeley under investigation

The hearing came a day after the US Department of Education said in a letter reviewed by CNN that it is investigating Berkeley Unified School District in California for allegations of discrimination based on a shared Jewish ancestry or being Israeli.

A copy of the letter, sent to the Anti-Defamation League and the Brandeis Center, says the departments Office for Civil Rights will investigate whether the district complied with Title VI requirements to prevent discrimination and harassment. The department is also investigating whether the Berkeley district retaliated against two parents who complained about harassment based on Jewish ancestry.

CNN has reached out to the school district for a comment. The Education Department referred questions to a list of schools currently under investigation for shared ancestry claims. However, that list does not currently include the Berkeley school district.

The complaint filed by the Brandeis Center details dozens of incidents at Berkeley, including students allegedly shouting: kill the Jews, and F the Jews as well as KKK.

Enikia Ford Morthel, superintendent of the Berkeley Unified School District in California, testified Wednesday that there have been allegations of antisemitism in her district but denied that the problem is widespread.

Our babies sometimes say harmful things. We are mindful that all kids make mistakes, Ford Morthel said, referring to students. We know that our staff are not immune to mistakes either. And we dont ignore them when they occur.

Since the October 7 terror attack against Israel, there have been formal complaints alleging antisemitism linked to nine incidents in the school district, Ford Morthel told lawmakers.

However, antisemitism is not pervasive in the Berkeley Unified School District, she said.

Ford Morthel noted that the district does not share actions the school district takes against students or teachers because this information is protected under federal and state law.

As a result, some believe we do nothing. That is not true, she said.

CNNs Nick Watt and Taylor Romine contributed to this report

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Republicans Marlin Stutzman, Jefferson Shreve and Mark Messmer beat out a combined 20 candidates in primaries for seats left open by fellow Republicans. (Photos from Stutzman and Shreve campaigns, state of Indiana; graphic by Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Hoosiers locked in their November general election ballots on Tuesday, uplifting a handful of primary election victors from out of crowded fields of candidates.

Three out of the states nine seats will have new faces after two GOP incumbents retired and another left to pursue a higher office.

To see the latest tallies, go to The Indiana Citizen.

In the Third Congressional District, former U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, a Republican, may return to Capitol Hill after leading his closest competitor by about 1,300 votes with 94% of the vote counted. He eked out a victory Tuesday night over seven others, including Christian administrative nonprofit CEO Tim Smith, Judge Wendy Davis and state Sen. Andy Zay.

Stutzman, who served in Congress from 2010 to 2017, will face Democrat Kiley Adolph in November. She beat out Phil Goss with a commanding 63% of the vote. Incumbent Rep. Jim Banks left his seat to run for U.S. Senate.

In the Sixth Congressional District, left vacant by retiring GOP Rep. Greg Pence, Republican businessman Jefferson Shreve claimed victory over state Rep. Mike Speedy and five other hopefuls with just 28% of the vote.

Shreve, who in 2022 sold his self-storage business for nearly $600 million, poured more than $13 million into a failed Indianapolis mayoral bid last year that saw him take several moderate stances to woo a largely Democrat electorate.

He loaned his congressional campaign another $4.5 million, flooding the airwaves and mailboxes alike with advertisements that took a decidedly hard-right turn.

Democrat Cynthia Wirth, who ran uncontested, will counter him in November.

In the Eighth Congressional District  incumbent Republican Rep. Larry Bucshon retired  state Sen. Mark Messmer nabbed a plurality of the GOP vote: about 39%. He defeated John Hostettler, who previously represented the district from 1995 until 2007, and six other hopefuls. That includes two other current and former state lawmakers.

General election voters will choose between Messmer and Democrat Erik Hurt, who defeated three other hopefuls with about 45% of the vote.

Challengers to incumbents finalized

In the First Congressional District, Democrat U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan won his uncontested race. Hell face Republican Randy Niemeyer in November, who beat out opponents Mark Levya and Ben Ruiz with about 62% of the vote.

In the Second Congressional District, uncontested Republican U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym became his partys nominee. Hell face Democrat Lori Camp, who also ran uncontested, in November.

In the Fourth Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Baird easily defeated GOP challengers Charles Bookwalter and John Piper with about 65% of the vote. Democrat Derrick Holder won his partys nomination with about 64% over opponent Rimpi Girn.

In the Fifth Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz pulled out a victory over several GOP hopefuls who entered when it was still an open race. Spartz said last year that shed leave Congress but jumped into the race just before a filing deadline.

She beat back state Rep. Chuck Goodrich, former congressional staffer Max Engling, speech-language pathologist Raju Chinthala and five other challengers with just 39% of the vote.

Democrat Deborah Pickett won her partys nomination, beating out Ryan Pfenninger with about 60% of the vote.

In the Seventh Congressional District, Democrat U.S. Rep. Andre Carson crushed two challengers, Curtis Godfrey and Pierre Pullins, with a whopping 91% of the vote.

The race to face him in the general election was at razor-thin margins Tuesday night: Republicans Jennifer Pace and Catherine Ping were within a couple hundred votes of each other but had pulled ahead of two other competitors.

In the Ninth Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin handily beat out GOP challenger Hugh Doty with about 80% of the vote. General election voters will chose between her and Democrat Timothy Peck, who defeated Liam Dorris with 66% of the vote.

Catch more of the Indiana Capital Chronicles election coverage here.

The post Congressional primary victors emerge from crowded Indiana races appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
A US Congressman who came under fire for defending racist counter-protests at the University of Mississippi has sparked fresh outrage after making a poor-taste joke about the Kennedy family.

Mike Collins, a Republican from Georgia, was described as sick and deplorable after posting a message seemingly about reports that a worm had eaten part of Robert F Kennedy Jrs brain.

According to The New York Times, during a deposition held as part of his 2012 divorce proceedings, the anti-vaccine activist turned independent presidential candidate revealed that the worm had died inside his skull.

According to the newspaper, the record of his 2012 deposition showed Mr Kennedy had initially feared he had a brain tumour.

Mr Kennedy reportedly said hed begun to experience cognitive problems and both short and long-term memory loss in 2010, not long after his uncle, the late Massachusetts senator Edward Kennedy, died from the effects of brain cancer.

On Wednesday, Mr Collins took to X to make fun of the incident and the historic tragedies that have hit the Kennedy family.

You either die a Kennedy with a hole in the brain or live long enough to become a Kennedy with a hole in the brain, he wrote.

The joke appeared to refer to the death of RFKs uncle, former president John F Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. His father, Senator Robert F Kennedy, was also assassinated several years later, in 1968.

The post from Mr Colllins prompted a fierce backlash from online users, who described it as repulsive, disgraceful and disgusting.

You either die a Kennedy with a hole in the brain or live long enough to become a Kennedy with a hole in the brain.  Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) May 8, 2024

You are a very sick deplorable man! one user tweeted, while another added Ouch. This is beneath a member of Congress.

Another wrote: One of my major issues with many of our political leaders today is they do not possess true leadership qualities. This post of yours illustrates my point. Spewing hate and malice is unbecoming at best and one of the lowest forms of the ego. Do better.

It is the second time in as many days that Rep. Collins has received heavy criticism online, following his response to student protests at the University of Mississippi, colloquially known as Ole Miss.

During one pro-Gaza demonstration staged last week at Ole Miss, protesters clashed with counter-protesters. One man was caught on camera jumping up and down and making monkey noises, a racist trope.

At the time, Rep Collins had shared the video with the caption: Ole Miss taking care of business. After several days of backlash over his comments, he walked back his statement.

Ole Miss taking care of business. pic.twitter.com/JiL9hs2pHz  Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) May 3, 2024

On Monday Mr Collins wrote on X that if the counter-protester is found to have treated another human being improperly because of their race, they should be punished appropriately, and will hopefully seek forgiveness.

He continued: Frankly, I did not believe that to be the focal point of the video shared at the time, but I recognize that there certainly seems to be some potentially inappropriate behavior that none of us should seek to glorify.

The Georgia Republican clarified that he does not tolerate any form of discrimination racism or otherwise.
Nine Republican members of Congress have written to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urging him to explain discrepancies between CNN reporting last month about the ISIS-K attack that led to the deaths of 13 US servicemen and 170 Afghans outside Kabul airport in August 2021, and the conclusions of two Pentagon investigations into the incident.

The CNN report revealed that there were many more episodes of gunfire than the Pentagon has ever admitted, in the wake of the suicide attack in the final days of the American evacuation of Kabul. The reporting included a video obtained by CNN captured by a Marines GoPro camera that had not been seen publicly in full before.

The letter was sent on Tuesday by congressmen on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and presented a series of pointed questions for the Pentagon about its investigations into what was the deadliest incident in Afghanistan for decades  a brutal, bloody end point to Americas longest war. The eight congressmen, five of whom are veterans with experience in Afghanistan, urged Austin in the strongest possible terms to account for the discrepancy between the results of the (US Central Command) CENTCOM investigation and this new reporting, by CNN.

Much of the controversy about the Pentagons two investigations into the attack has focused on gunfire in the aftermath of the blast. Some Marines have told military investigators they felt they were being shot at or opened fire themselves, and 19 Afghan survivors told CNN in 2022 they were shot themselves or witnessed Afghans being shot. But the two Pentagon investigations  released in February 2022 and last month  concluded the only shooting in the aftermath came from US and UK troops in three bursts that were nearly simultaneous, and hit no one.

In their letter, the members of Congress said it is unclear what generated this CENTCOM data point of near-simultaneous gunfire in three bursts, which is directly contradicted by the video footage obtained by CNN, which shows 11 episodes of gunfire over nearly four minutes. They added that, after CNN published the GoPro footage, the Pentagon assured the House Foreign Affairs Committee that it had not seen the video prior to publication, but that the video did not contradict the findings of their investigations.

While we appreciate CENTCOMs investigation into the Abbey Gate attack, nearly three years later we still have the same questions that the very US servicemembers captured in the CNN video had, including who was firing the rounds and whether it was the Taliban or another hostile force. We therefore ask you to clarify the volume, incidence, and sources of gunfire at the scene, the members of Congress wrote.

The Congressmen  Mike Waltz, Darrell Issa, Tim Burchett, Brian Mast, Rich McCormick, Keith Self, Cory Mills and Chris Smith  requested further action by investigators. The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs committee, Rep. Michael McCaul, was added to the letter Wednesday, his office confirmed.

CNNs most recent report included an interview with the former head of a major Kabul hospital, Dr. Sayed Ahmadi, who said he and his staff had pulled bullets out of patients from the incident and that over 70 of the dead at their hospital had gunshot wounds. The letter asks why the Pentagons investigators did not speak to Dr. Ahmadi, or any other Afghans. The Pentagon has said all reports of gunshot wounds are mistaken, and that witnesses who recall extensive shooting  either at Marines or Afghan civilians  are suffering from the effects of blast concussion, or Traumatic Brain Injury.

Lastly, why do journalists have this video footage and the Department does not? Is there any more footage in the Departments possession that has not yet been made public? If so, please release such footage immediately and confirm that no more video recordings exist of which the Department is aware, they added. The truth must come out.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense told CNN in a statement that, as with all congressional correspondence, it would respond directly to the members who wrote the letter. We honor the service and sacrifice of our thirteen service members who were killed at Abbey Gate and remain fully committed to ensuring our Gold Star families have the support and information they need. This will always be a sacred obligation for the Department of Defense, James Adams, a department spokesman, said.

This image from a video released by the Department of Defense shows US Marines around the scene at Abbey Gate outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 26, 2021, after a suicide bomber detonated an explosion. - Department of Defense/AP

Parents accuse Pentagon of being misleading

Growing Congressional scrutiny of the attack comes as the parents of seven Marines who died in the incident  Jared Schmitz, Humberto Sanchez, Taylor Hoover, Nicole Gee, Kareem Nikoui, Hunter Lopez and Rylee McCollum  accused the Pentagon of misleading them.

As parents, we have always had the suspicion that we were not told the entire truth of how our children were murdered at the Abbey Gate on 8/26/21. The recent discovery of new video released by CNN directly contradicts and exposes outright lies from our recent briefing last month from CENTCOM officials, the Gold Star families said in a statement they sent to CNN.

We are consumed with anger at the betrayal from the Biden Administration. This is only the beginning for us to expose the cover up that has and is still taking place. The Biden Administration wants us to go away silently, but we will not! they added.

The new CENTCOM commander, Gen. Erik Kurilla, ordered in September last year a supplemental review of the militarys 2022 investigation into the incident, and the families of dead servicemen were briefed last month on its results. Its focus was mainly whether the ISIS-K suicide bomber could have been stopped and determined the attack could not have been preventable at the tactical level. The families have long maintained more could have been done to stop the ISIS-K suicide bomber.

The letter and statement emerged as CENTCOM released over a thousand pages of witness accounts and evidence from the supplemental review. The 1,214 pages offer a variety of accounts of the aftermath of the blast, some of which appear to support the supplemental reviews conclusions. Yet others contain previously unseen witness testimony of gunfire in the aftermath which appears to jar with the two investigations conclusions.

Two apparent Marine accounts of the blast aftermath provide similar descriptions of a US personnel member being calmed down as he tried to load a .50-caliber heavy machine gun in a sniper tower that overlooked the blast site, and then apparently not firing the weapon. Names of the US personnel were redacted.

One of the service members recalled: The Marines on the ground were shooting towards the blast location. But I didnt see anyone shoot at us. He added the gunfire continued for probably a few minutes, and then he recalled hearing: some Gy Sgt [Gunnery Sergeant] yelled up to the tower saying we were taking small arms fire and find them and f**king kill them. Im not sure of his name.

Another eyewitness said he was inside the sniper tower above the blast site when two rounds hit the window in front of him and a third round narrowly missed him.

Afghan people hoping to leave the country wait outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 26, 2021  before the attack took place. - Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images/File

The evidence also suggests the Pentagon may have more video footage than it has acknowledged in public. A service member tells the review there were nine drones operational over the airport in the immediate aftermath of the blast, and that he watched feed from these drones for three hours.

The Pentagon has released five edited minutes of footage from the aftermath. The account also says ISR  likely a surveillance camera  was available at the scene shortly after the blast. Not all of this footage has been released. In another account, a Marine appears to hand over a GoPro to the supplemental review team.

Army Lt. Col. Rob Lodewick, public affairs adviser to the supplemental review team, said the two investigations had maintained their utmost focus on a transparent, exhaustive and conclusive accounting to the families of the dead US personnel, US military and public. Any accusations of a deliberate attempt [by military officials] to mislead or deceive remain categorically false.

Yet he added investigators recognize the potential for new information to emerge over time and that CENTCOM welcome any additional information and imagery available to help ensure a comprehensive understanding of the attack on Abbey Gate from as many perspectives as possible.

Lodewick noted the review team compiled 4,000 pages of evidence and considered the totality of the information, provided by over 190 interviews, when concluding there was no complex attack. He added all imagery, including voluntarily provided personal GoPro footage, was thoroughly examined and handled in accordance with DoD and Service policies.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Congresswoman Spartz, who does not support aid to Ukraine, wins Republican primary

Ukrainian-born congresswoman Victoria Spartz, who opposes the transfer of US$61 million in aid to the country, has won the Republican primaries in Indiana.

Source: European Pravda; The Associated Press

Details: Spartz defeated eight Republican competitors to secure a spot on the ballot this autumn in a district that is consistently Republican.

Spartz, the first and only Ukrainian-born congresswoman, previously supported providing aid to Kyiv. But on the eve of the primaries, she changed her position and voted against the transfer of the US$61 million aid to Ukraine.

Spartz claimed that her loyalty was primarily to America and wanted the US-Mexico border policy to be included in the aid package.

The election in the northern suburbs of Indianapolis was partly a test of whether Spartz's manoeuvres would pay off. Her competitors widely shared her position, including state representative Chuck Goodrich, who borrowed US$4.6 million for the campaign.

Goodrich attacked Spartz for her past support for Ukraine, saying she puts "Ukraine first".

Spartz planned to leave Congress last year, refusing to be re-elected to the House of Representatives and giving up the chance to compete for the Senate seat vacated by Republican Michael Braun. She later changed course, deciding to run for another term in the House of Representatives.

While considering aid to Ukraine, the US House of Representatives did not support any of the four amendments to the draft, including Victoria Spartzs.

Support UP or become our patron!
Maine is among 15 states that does not require a voter to present identification while at the polls. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

A Maine-based, conservative political action committee that has raised nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in the past three years launched a new effort to require voter identification.

Last month, The Dinner Table PAC launched Voter ID for ME, a citizen-led ballot initiative that seeks to require voters to show identification at the polls. The organization needs to gather 67,682 signatures from registered Maine voters to get its question on the November ballot, based on the states requirement of having 10% of the total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election.

Founder Alex Titcomb said the committee is waiting for the Department of the Secretary of State to finalize the actual petition but expects to start collecting signatures in June. However, the group is already asking people who are interested to sign up as volunteers.

The Voter ID for ME website shows a fundraising goal of $100,000 with just over $4,500 raised, as of Tuesday.

The campaign falls within a national push from Republicans to require identification at the polls, arguing it will decrease the risk of fraud and increase confidence in the result. However, opponents have pushed back saying it creates an anti-immigrant sentiment and feeds an unfounded fear of widespread voter fraud.

Maine is among 15 states that does not require a voter to present identification while at the polls; it is also among 22 states plus Washington, D.C. that permits same-day voter registration.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told Maine Morning Star her office will always administer the constitutionally protected citizens initiative process fairly, but it has historically opposed proposals requiring voters to show certain documents to cast ballots. Not only can they create long lines at the polls and confusing logistics, but she said ID requirements could disproportionately impact rural residents, seniors, people with disabilities, the unhoused, students and voters of color.

As part of our free, fair and secure elections, Maine already requires that voters show proof of identification and residency when they register to vote, Bellows said. We do not need to make changes that would make it harder to vote.

It is not the first time conservatives have tried to implement a voter ID rule in the state. Most recently, a 2023 bill sponsored by state Sen. Matt Pouliot (R-Kennebec) was carried over and ultimately rejected by Democratic leadership.

What is The Dinner Table PAC?

Titcomb founded The Dinner Table in 2021 alongside state Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) with a mission to create a conservative majority in the Maine House of Representatives. Titcomb is a 2024 fellow with the Club for Growth Foundation, a conservative economic policy organization that describes itself as the leading free-enterprise advocacy group in the nation.

According to data from the Maine Ethics Commission, the committee has raised more than $719,000 since it launched and has more than $220,000 cash on hand. According to the groups recent filings, it raised $342,000 in 2022, $167,000 last year and $62,000 in the first three months of this year.

During the 2022 election cycle, the group spent roughly $450,000 supporting dozens of Republican candidates, according to reporting at the time.

Maine legislators that have donated to the organization include Sen. Lisa Keim (R-Oxford), Rep. Nathan Carlow (R-Buxton), Rep. Daniel Newman (R-Belgrade), Rep. Randall Greenwood (R-Wales) and Rep. David Haggan (R-Hampden).

More than half a million dollars have come from in-state donations, but the committee has also received over $130,000 from out-of-state donors. Contributors from within Maine hail from more than 330 different towns and all 16 counties.

The committee has also received more than $130,000 from out-of-state donors in 16 different states and Washington D.C.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Conservative Maine PAC that spent big in 2022 election now launching voter ID initiative appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. The UN civil society conference will start in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 9, following an introductory meeting between several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of Azerbaijan and Kenya a day before, Trend reports.

The meeting was attended by Climate Action Champion in Kenya, Youth Champion, founder of Smachs Foundation, daughter of the President of the Republic of Kenya Charlene Ruto, Director General of the National Youth Council of Kenya Margaret Kiogora, and several senior officials of the National Council of NGOs of Kenya. Several of these individuals mentioned their interest in COP29 and their complete confidence in Azerbaijan's ability to host this esteemed event.

The meeting was attended by Sultan Hajiyev, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Kenya, Aygun Aliyeva, member of the COP29 Organizing Committee, Executive Director of the State Support Agency for NGOs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Turkan Alasgarova, representative of the Agency, Nigar Huseynova, Head of the Department of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Parvana Valiyeva, member of the COP29 Organizing Committee, Chairperson of the Public Association "Service for Health", Deputy Chairperson of the Public Association "Specialists".

The meeting discussed several issues of cooperation between NGOs of Azerbaijan and the African continent.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Conservatives have lost trust in elections. Heres how Utah leaders are trying to help

An attendee tries to ask a question at the Sutherland Institute Election Trust Forum at Utah Valley University in Orem on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Utah leaders are at the forefront of a nationwide initiative to increase election confidence among conservative voters.

The states top election officers, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and her director of elections, Ryan Cowley, spoke at a Sutherland Institute event on Tuesday along with the man behind an ambitious project to bring together hundreds of election administrators and scholars across the country to promote a conservative agenda for democracy.

Scott Warren, who leads the joint program from the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University and the center-right think tank R Street, presented the initiatives conservative principles for building trust in elections in a message that was echoed by Henderson, Cowley and former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert.

Voter access and ballot security are paramount, especially in the age of some saying elections are illegitimate or have been stolen, Herbert said in a prepared video statement. Unfortunately, this has become an all too common feature of campaigns and it undermines our system of self government.

Herbert called on attendees to adopt the principles developed by the Agora Institute and R Street partnership, which Henderson and the Sutherland Institute have been involved with since shortly after it was formed about 18 months ago. The principles are: 1) publicly affirming the integrity of elections in Utah and across the country, 2) using transparency and outreach to boost election confidence, and 3) inviting continuous improvement in election processes to increase trust in election results.

As part of the event held at Utah Valley University, Warren released new polling data commissioned by the partnership on Utahns election confidence, candidate preferences and media consumption.

Do Utahns trust federal elections?

The poll, conducted by Gallup in March, found that a majority of Utahns who identify as conservative are not confident that President Joe Biden was the legitimate winner of the 2020 presidential election. Only 17% of Utah conservatives are very confident that Biden won fairly and 20% were confident. Over 30% were not too confident and another 30% were not at all confident.

The distinction between conservatives who believe Bidens win was legitimate and those who dont correlates with other divides among conservatives. Utah conservatives who believe Biden won are more likely to have voted in 2020 (82%) than those who dont believe he was the legitimate winner (62%), the poll found. They are also more likely to have always been a Republican, 70%-61%.

The divide extends to feelings surrounding the 2024 election: 90% of Utah conservatives who believe Bidens win was legitimate, and 53% of those who dont, have some or a lot of confidence that other states legislatures will certify the winning presidential candidate in 2024 regardless of party. 51% of Utah conservatives who believe Bidens win was legitimate, and just 19% of those who dont, think that Democrats will accept the 2024 presidential election if they lose.

Utah conservatives who believe Biden won the 2020 election are unique in the nation in describing themselves as Romney Republicans (31%) or Never Trump Republicans (25%) and are twice as likely, at 39%, than that same cohort in any other state polled by Johns Hopkins and R Street to say they will vote for someone other than Trump and Biden in 2024, the poll found.

Nearly 80% of Utah conservatives who dont believe Biden won the 2020 election fair and square say they will vote for Trump in 2020, compared to just 36% of conservatives who have confidence in the results of the 2020 election.

Do Utahns trust state elections?

Utahns are much more united in their perception of their own states election integrity.

Election policy scholar Derek Monson presented a Sutherland Institute poll conducted by Y2 Analytics in February which found over 70% of Utahns have confidence that the states decade-old vote-by-mail system counts ballots accurately, produces fair outcomes and is secure.

The same percentage of Republicans say they like how vote-by-mail allows them to avoid lines at polling places but around half of Republicans are worried about mail-in ballots being hard to track or being sent to the wrong home.

Theres a high level of confidence that elections in Utah are accurate and receive fair outcomes and that theyre secure, Monson said.

Ryan Cowley, Utah Elections Division, speaks as a panelist during the Sutherland Institute Election Trust Forum at Utah Valley University in Orem on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Rep. Melissa Ballard, R-North Salt Lake, asks a question at the Sutherland Institute Election Trust Forum at Utah Valley University in Orem on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Attendees listen to Sutherland Institute Election Trust Forum panelists at Utah Valley University in Orem on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Doug Wilks, Deseret News executive editor, and Lauren Gustus, Salt Lake Tribune executive editor, speak as panelists during the Sutherland Institute Election Trust Forum at Utah Valley University in Orem on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Attendees listen to Sutherland Institute Election Trust Forum panelists at Utah Valley University in Orem on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Lauren Gustus, Salt Lake Tribune executive editor, and Doug Wilks, Deseret News executive editor, speak as panelists during the Sutherland Institute Election Trust Forum at Utah Valley University in Orem on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The states mature vote-by-mail laws and willingness to pursue reforms to increase election integrity have made Utah an example for the country on election administration, Monson said. This is why the Agora Institute-R Street initiative convened officials and academics from across the country in Park City a year ago to talk about how Utah election officials are doing their job and persuading Republicans to kind of resist the erosion of trust in things like election outcomes.

Henderson and Cowley invited Utahns to come and see the processes that build democracy to remind them who it is that makes elections tick: their neighbors.

As we move into the 2024 election, its essential for all of us to continue to promote Utahs strong track record of election integrity while we strive to continue to improve things so citizens can continue to have high levels of trust in our voting system, Henderson said in a prepared video statement. Its important to remember that elections are not done at a national or even a state level. Theyre performed at the local level by our neighbors and members of our communities.

Cowley, who oversaw elections in Summit and Weber counties before joining the lieutenant governors office, lamented the loss of institutional knowledge that has taken place with 20 of Utahs 29 county clerks leaving since 2020 because of the unprecedented pressure and harassment directed toward local election officers.

According to Cowley, distrust in elections is bipartisan and has more to with whatever the results were of the most recent election than with a faulty election system.

I think its honestly a mechanism of when the polling is done, Cowley said. If you were to go back four years, when you have a Republican President and Democrats lost the election, I think the polling would show probably an inverse number.

Cowley said the best way to improve confidence in elections is to increase transparency surrounding election processes, invite community members to watch their neighbors oversee vote counting and gradually reform the election system based on public feedback, similar to how the states vote-by-mail system was developed over two decades.

Tuesdays event included a panel on supporting election administrators with Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, a breakout session on potential election reforms and a discussion on media reporting and election trust featuring Deseret News executive editor Doug Wilks, Salt Lake Tribune executive editor Lauren Gustus and KSL NewsRadio Inside Sources host Boyd Matheson.
On Wednesday, volunteers from two metro area construction companies are headed to Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding Hospital to give child patients a special gift.

The volunteers from McCarthy Building Companies and H.J. Russell & Company will be giving hospitalized children special bedding which has an interactive game board in it.

The sheets, Playtime Edventures Playtime Bed Sheets, promote fun, learning and cognitive development as patients undergo extended hospital stays. The sheets help promote feelings of happiness and give comfort to children and their families during the healing process, according to a release from the construction companies.

The Playtime Bed Sheets have more than 65 engaging games, including mazes, memory games, checkers, tic-tac-toe and more, all of which the children can play while in the comfort and safety of their hospital beds.

We wholeheartedly support the families and children who have unexpected extended hospital stays. We hope that our contributions of these interactive fun bed sheets can make their stay a little more comfortable, fun, and less scary, Paul Bryant. Vice President, External Affairs. H.J. Russell & Company, said in a statement.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

TRENDING STORIES:

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
Photo of saturn and its rings against the blackness of space.

The search for life beyond Earth has driven seekers to scout all sorts of potential habitats  not just on the growing list of known Earth-like exoplanets, but in other places within our own solar system.

The first choice that comes to mind is likely Mars , which some scientists believe still holds oases of liquid water beneath its barren surface, Not long ago, the detection of phosphine, a possible indicator of biological decay, in the atmosphere of Venus set off debate about whether life could exist in that hellishly hot planet's clouds. And for decades now, scientists have pondered whether life could exist in the skies of gas giants like Jupiter .

But one locale that few scientists have considered for life is the set of rings that crown Jupiter, outside the gas giant's atmosphere. These rings, like those that circle all of our solar system's gas giants, are actually belts composed mainly of water-ice particles , some as small as grains of sand, others as large as mountains. Might life exist there?

Related: The search for alien life (reference)

Scientists generally think that an environment that could support life as we know it requires three key components. The first is some kind of energy source: typically, the heat and light from a star, which creatures might tap for photosynthesis. The second is organic material: carbon-containing chemical compounds that might form living things in the first place. The third is liquid water. Everything from the moon to distant comets might have water in frozen form, but the water must be liquid for life to thrive.

Take the spectacular rings of Saturn . Within them, two of the three requirements for life as we know it are known to exist. Even out here, there is plenty of sunlight to feed life. And while Saturn's rings might seem an unlikely place for organic matter to exist, NASA's Cassini mission found that carbon compounds like butane and propane rain into the gas giant's atmosphere from its innermost D-ring.

Unfortunately, the third ingredient  liquid water  is missing. "You do have organic material falling into the rings, and there is sunlight, but there's just no liquid water," Matthew Tiscareno, a planetary scientist at the SETI Institute in California, told Space.com. "There's plenty of water, but it's all frozen."

So that makes life  again, at least as we understand it  a tough possibility in any of our solar system's rings, all of which are too far out and too cold for water ice to melt. But if rings existed in another star system, say, closer to their sun, then the sun's heat could give us the liquid water we seek.

Despite their best efforts, scientists have yet to spot rings around an inner planet, either in our own solar system or another, so they can only make educated guesses as to what such rings would look like. Instead of the water-ice rings we find around Jupiter or Saturn, these warmer rings might be collections of rocky boulders.

Unfortunately, it would still be difficult to keep water in liquid form with space around it; without an atmosphere, liquid water tends to evaporate away. "You kind of need an atmosphere to keep liquid water stable," Tiscareno said. "It wouldn't necessarily be much different than asteroids ."

Many scientists think that simple life might have arrived on Earth billions of years ago by riding an asteroid that struck a much younger world: a theory known as panspermia . That theory received a boost in 2023, when scientists found uracil  an organic compound and one of the components of RNA  in a sample taken from the asteroid Ryugu by Japan's Hayabusa2 mission. On the other hand, it's doubtful that those compounds actually originated on the asteroids themselves.

RELATED STORIES:

 Life on Mars: Exploration & evidence

 Saturn's rings: Composition, characteristics & creation

 6 most likely places for alien life in the solar system

For the time being, the possibility of life is one with which ring-examiners don't typically concern themselves. But that doesn't mean the idea isn't entirely outside the realm of what scientists might consider. "I like the idea of thinking about creative places where life could be," Tiscareno said.

And rings are tremendously interesting to astronomers for a host of reasons that aren't directly tied to the search for life. For one thing, they are natural instruments, allowing astronomers to examine their host planets in unique ways  watching meteorites strike the rings, for example. For another, examining a planet's rings tells us quite a lot about how that planet evolved  only certain conditions could allow rings to develop into the structures that astronomers see.

For a third, rings are disks: in other words, little facsimiles of the kinds of disks that create planetary systems in the first place. Scientists can't see the disks of newly forming protoplanets around other stars just yet (at least not in great detail), nor can they create a timeship to view the early solar system  but they can most definitely look at Saturn's rings.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso County Attorneys Office said school threats occur more frequently as the school year draws to a close and they take these threats seriously.

Katy Ayala, with the El Paso County Attorneys Office Juvenile Unit, told KTSM the threats dont have to be true nor do they have play out. The threat itself constitutes a crime, she said.

Threat not credible after Bel Air High School placed on lockdown

Its really important to know that even if its a joke, it doesnt matter. We will prosecute on the case, Ayala said.

She said a false alarm is considered a terroristic threat which is a felony.

Ayala said the County Attorneys Office takes action immediately on these type of cases.

We have to work quickly just because of the age, especially if we get a juvenile coming in at 16 years of age. That means theres less time for them to be on probation, less time to work with rehabilitation. If a juvenile is detained in a case for this type of offense, they will usually be detained and the hearing that they have is the next day, Ayala said.

Ayala told KTSM these cases have increased not only in the past year but the last few months.

She added that the County Attorneys Office takes all threats against schools seriously and individuals will be prosecuted.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
The High Anti-Corruption Court on May 8 arrested in absentia Dmytro Sennychenko, the former head of the State Property Fund, Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) reported.

In March 2023, Sennychenko and his nine accomplices were accused of misappropriating over Hr 500 million ($12.7 million) from the state-owned Odesa Portside Plant (OPZ) and United Mining and Chemical Company (UMCC) from 2019-2021.

The charges were updated in November 2023 after the group was additionally suspected of laundering worth over Hr 10 billion ($254 million).

If Sennychenko  who was declared wanted in April last year and is believed to be living in Spain  is detained, a judge in Ukraine will then determine pre-trial detention measures, the SAPO statement read.

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Ukraine Business Roundup

Subscribe

The United Mining and Chemical Company (UMCC) is one of the world's largest producers of titanium raw materials, accounting for 4% of the global market in terms of titanium ore extraction, while the Odesa Portside Plant (OPZ), located in the town of Yuzhne in Odesa Oblast, is Ukraine's major producer of ammonia and urea.

According to an investigation, Sennychenko and his accomplices appointed their close people as directors of the enterprises. These people, in turn, passed contracts with predetermined companies and sold products at discounted prices.

The difference in cost was converted in the interests of the criminal group and brought it over Hr 10 billion ($254 million) in profit.

Sennychenko headed the State Property Fund from September 2019 to February 2022. He filed his resignation letter in November 2021, but Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, only approved his resignation on Feb. 17, 2022.

Read also: Ukraine state-owned enterprises weekly  Issue 130

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Court docs: Shooters meant to kill someone else. They hit a man protecting his stepson

Addam Hart in 2023. Hart, 25, died after a shooting at his new home on the city's east side in March 2024.

Update: This article was republished May 22, 2024, after another arrest was made.

INDIANAPOLIS  Addam Hart and his family signed the paperwork for their new house in February, charmed by its quiet cul-de-sac and the neighborhood kids playing outside and riding bikes. Then, he and his girlfriend got engaged on Valentine's Day. The couple had plans to remodel the house.

A little over a month later, those dreams were cut short. Just after 1 a.m. March 28, Hart's mother, Rebecca Roush, was watching TV in her room when she heard what sounded like firecrackers raining down on the house. Dust fell around her.

She yelled for Hart, who ran upstairs. He went to get his 5-year-old stepson, who came out of his room crying.

After a few more pops, Hart fell to the floor just outside the bedroom door.

The noises werent firecrackers. Investigators found 30 bullet holes in the bedroom wall, with a dozen through a window's glass just above the boy's bed. Roush said the 9mm bullet that hit Hart went straight into his head.

Hart, described as funny, focused and loving, died due to his injuries.

As a registered organ donor, Hart was able to save five lives. It doesn't make up for the loss of her son, Roush said.

You could say there was some good out of this, Roush said. But it was a rough night, and it still is.

Court records detailing the case reveal the bullets fired into the home in the 2200 block of Gable Drive weren't meant for anyone there on March 28.

The person investigators believe the shooters were looking for had moved away months earlier. That resident had been accused in several cases including rape, sexual misconduct with a minor, and child exploitation. The family had been receiving his mail.

Brownsburg investigation aids Indianapolis police

Nearly a month after Hart's death, a case outside of Marion County offered new leads.

Brownsburg police investigating a March 29 shooting discovered a ballistics link between their case and Hart's killing the day before.

Brownsburg police were examining reports about a woman's vehicle being shot, striking its front passenger side window and door. A 9mm shell casing was found on the street, police said.

Two people connected with the Brownsburg shooting were detained by police. One of them told investigators a group of five people went to Brownsburg to visit someone. When the friend refused to go with them, one of the people in the car got upset over wasting gas, then put a mask over his face and "shot up" the car with a Glock 26, according to court documents.

The ammunition matched the description of the bullet found during Hart's autopsy, police said.

One of the people detained told police Harts address on Gable Drive was targeted a day earlier because of a previous resident was accused of raping one of their friends.

Two people shot at Hart's home, a witness said.

Its unclear how many people could face charges in the case. But on May 8, Indianapolis police announced that Savannah Allen, 16, was arrested in connection with the shooting. A few weeks later, Tyler Gibson, 17, was also arrested, according to court documents. The Marion County Prosecutor's Office has charged both with murder as adults along with other offenses.

Addam Hart's memorial service in April 2024. Hart, 25, died after a shooting at his new home on the city's east side in March 2024.

Roush said that shootings have lasting effects on families. Without Hart, she said "there's no bright spot" in their home.

She finds herself calling the number of the mobile notary business Hart had just started to hear his voicemail message. A friend in Colorado who Hart played video games with sent over game recordings so his family could hear his voice.

I had to plan a funeral for my son that was never supposed to be planned this early, Roush said.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis crime: Mother of Addam Hart talks his life, fatal shooting
The Georgia Court of Appeals said Wednesday it will hear defendant Donald Trump's appeal seeking to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis from the Georgia election racketeering case against him. A lower court judge earlier ruled that Georgia law did not disqualify Willis from the case. Pool file photo by Alex Slitz/EPA-EFE

May 8 (UPI) -- Georgia's Court of Appeals Wednesday said it will hear defendant Donald Trump's appeal of a lower court ruling leaving District Attorney Fani Willis in charge of the election interference racketeering trial against Trump and alleged co-conspirators.

Steve Sadow, one of Trump's lawyers, said in a statement that Trump looks forward to trying to disqualify Willis before the appeals court "for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution."

Judge Scott McAfee decided in March the defense failed to prove that Willis financially benefitted from her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade but the "appearance of impropriety" meant one of them would be forced to leave the case.

"It is the [judge's] opinion that Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choices -- even repeatedly," McAfee wrote.

Wade resigned following the ruling, allowing Willis to remain on the case but McAfee granted a certificate of immediate review that created the opening for Trump and co-defendants to take the issue to the appeals court.

The appeals court's decision to take the case rather than letting McAfee's ruling stand will delay the case.

"There's no way this case gets to trial this year," Atlanta defense attorney Andrew Fleischman told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I would expect the appeals court to issue its opinion some time next year."

The Georgia case alleges Trump and co-conspirators committed felony racketeering in an effort to overturn the 2020 Georgia election results. Other felonies, including violations of Georgia election law were also alleged.

A grand jury indicted Trump and 18 allies and associates alleging criminal racketeering and other felonies in a scheme to illegally overturn the will of Georgia voters.

Willis used the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations or RICO law, a tool usually used against organized crime, to bring the case.

Four of Trump's co-defendants have pleaded guilty to their roles in the case.

Trump co-defendant Scott Hall pleaded guilty in the case in September and agreed to testify against the other defendants. He was the first to plead guilty.

Three other Trump co-defendants also pleaded guilty later. They include former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis, fellow former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesbro, an attorney instrumental in creating Trump fake electors in several 2020 battleground states.

An Arizona grand jury indicted 18 Trump allies in April, including Rudy Giuliani and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in that Trump fake elector plot.

Indictments for the fake elector scheme have also been filed in Michigan, Georgia and Nevada.

As Trump continues seeking legal delays, no trial date has yet been set in the Georgia election racketeering case.
Court rejects Harrison Floyds appeal to have Georgia election interference case thrown out

The state Court of Appeals has denied a request from Georgia election interference co-defendant Harris Floyd to have the case thrown out.

In October, Floyd had filed court documents saying that the Fulton County District Attorneys Office lacked jurisdiction in prosecuting crimes originating out of elections frauds or irregularities in the November 3, 2020, presidential election.

Floyds attorneys argued that the Georgia State Election Board was the only authority allowed to investigate election-related cases.

After Floyds motion was denied by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, Floyds attorneys asked the Georgia State of Appeals to look at the judgment.

RELATED STORIES:

The appeals court released a one-sentence opinion on Wednesday, saying, Upon consideration of the Application for Interlocutory Appeal, it is ordered that it be hereby DENIED.

Floyd is accused of pressuring former Fulton County poll worker Ruby Freeman to lie about committing election fraud.

Prosecutors say co-defendant Trevian Khutti and Floyd, by phone, tried to pressure Freeman to lie and admit shed committed election fraud.

She never did.

Prosecutors say Floyd actually worked with the other defendants, including former Georgia Republican Party Chair David Shafer, to pressure Freeman to lie just days before January 6.

Floyd and Khutti are both charged with racketeering and making false statements.

RELATED NEWS:
Quincy duel with Woodward School has cost $4.2M. And it's not over yet

The Massachusetts Appeals Court decided against Quincy's ownership claim over the land around the Adams Academy building in downtown Quincy.

QUINCY  A trust John Adams established in 1822 is still being sorted out  more than 200 years later. And it could cost Quincy more money on top of the $4.2 million it paid 8 years ago.

The city may have to pay for the land under a building, the former Adams Academy, that it took by eminent domain in 2021.

The city paid the Adams Fund just under $1.8 million in October 2021 when it took the building and two other adjacent properties not owned by the trust by eminent domain. The city wants to build the Adams Presidential Center on the adjacent land.

Quincy claimed it always owned the land beneath Adams Academy and only the building ever belonged to the Adams Fund.

But the Massachusetts Court of Appeals recently decided against the city.

The court ruled that a probate judge in a previous case already determined that the Adams Academy property, land included, was an asset of the fund, a ruling which Quincy didn't appeal at the time.

Because of that ruling, Quincy is barred from disputing ownership of the property, according to the newest court opinion.

The Adams Fund's sole beneficiary is The Woodward School for Girls.

The decision could force the city to pay the fund further compensation for its 2021 taking of 8 Adams St., the site of the historic Adams Academy building.

The Woodward School on Hancock Street in Quincy near the Adams Academy Building on Tuesday May 7, 2024

How much is the 8 Adams St. land worth?

It is unclear what would be fair value for the 1.3 acres of land at 8 Adams St. in downtown Quincy. In 2021, Quincy paid Hancock Place LLC about $6.7 million for two smaller adjacent plots totaling .73 acres of land at 24-26 Adams St., according to city records.

Municipal Finance Director Eric Mason said that Adams Academy's historic value might depress its market value. The birthplace of John Hancock, the site is a registered historical landmark, and potential buyers would face use restrictions, Mason said.

Stephanie Perini-Hegarty, the chair of Woodward's Board of Trustees and a Woodward alumna, said the school is grateful for the court's decision.

"The Woodward School is proud of its historic ties to the Adams family and the city of Quincy and looks forward to final resolution of this matter, to use the words of the Appeals Court, 'with the public-spiritedness that (President John Adams) long exemplified,'" Perini-Hegarty said.

'One can only imagine how chagrined President Adams might be'

In his opinion, Appeals Court Judge James Milkey lamented how Adams' generosity has given rise to endless litigation.

"One can only imagine how chagrined President Adams might be that the legal dispute over his gifts continues unabated," he wrote.

The city paid the fund just under $1.8 million in October 2021 when it took the building by eminent domain.

Quincy also took the two adjacent parcels at 24 and 26 Adams St., which did not belong to the fund, paying Hancock Place LLC just under $6.7 million combined for the two properties.

In an interview with The Patriot Ledger, Mayor Thomas Koch voiced his frustration with the case, calling it a "money grab" on the part of The Woodward School.

What is the Adams Temple and School Fund

In June 1822, four years before his death, Adams gave the city land in trust to fund the building of a church and boys school, Milkey wrote in his historical outline of the case. The United First Parish Church, whose basement houses the crypts of Adams and President John Quincy Adams, his son, was built through the fund in 1828.

The Adams Academy was built in 1870 over the cellar of John Hancock's birthplace, across the street from where The Woodward School stands today.

Instruction at the academy specializing in Greek, Latin and Hebrew was short lived. It closed as a school in 1907, though it still stands as a designated national historic landmark and home of the Quincy Historical Society. With the church completed and the school defunct, the Adams Fund was left without a beneficiary.

In 1918, a justice of the state's Supreme Judicial Court authorized the city to use income from the fund for its public high school and public library. It served this purpose until 1953.

How did Woodward get involved?

Woodward, which opened in 1894, was founded by Adams' cousin Ebenezer Woodward. As Adams provided for the future education of boys, Woodward left property in trust to the city to generate income for the establishment of a school for girls, Milkey wrote in his opinion.

Koch told The Patriot Ledger that income from the fund did not make much of an impact on the city's large school budget. So, in 1953, the city designated The Woodward School as the fund's beneficiary. Koch said Woodward was in danger of closing at the time.

How long has this court battle been going on?

In 2007, Woodward sued the city for breaching its fiduciary duty as trustee of the fund, according to Milkey's opinion.

In 1972, the city granted the Quincy Historical Society a 50-year lease of the Adams Academy Building for a monthly rent of $100, Milkey wrote. Now that Quincy owns the building, the Historical Society, which the city provides with $40,000 in annual funding, does not paid any rent, according to city officials.

The lease was granted at the request of the Adams family, Koch said, which was founded by Charles Francis Adams Jr., the great-grandson of John Quincy Adams.

But Woodward eventually came to believe that it was not receiving its full due as sole beneficiary of the fund, whose most valuable asset  the Adams Academy  was serving the historical society.

From 1995 through 2004, the fund was giving The Woodward School between $12,000 and $18,000 per year, according to a 2019 Patriot Ledger report, far less than the $111,345 the trust granted Woodward in 2022, according to the fund's most recent 990 filings with the IRS.

After a 13-day trial, a probate court judge decided in Woodward's favor, citing the 50-year lease as one of multiple breaches on the city's part. The judge ordered a renegotiation of the lease and the city was removed as trustee.

In June 2016, Quincy paid Woodward $4.2 million in damages, according to city records.

In 2019, when the new trustee sought court approval to sell the Adams Academy, Quincy intervened and for the first time claimed it owned title to the the land, while only the building belonged to the fund, Milkey wrote. While this claim was being litigated, the city took the the property by eminent domain, along with the two adjacent properties, in 2021.

After the takings, the city's ownership of both land and building was no longer in question. However, Quincy paid the fund $1.8 million for the building but nothing for the land, which it claimed was never a fund asset. The latest ruling rejects that claim, raising the question of how much the city owes in compensation for the land.

Peter Blandino covers Quincy for The Patriot Ledger. Contact him at pblandino@patriotledger.com.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Woodward school wins Adams trust court case against Quincy
An image shows Reuven Kahane. Columbia University Apartheid Divest

Real estate developer Reuven Kahane, whose cousin founded a notorious group deemed a violent extremist organization by the FBI, was arrested in New York City on Tuesday after he allegedly drove his car into a group of pro-Palestinian protesters, injuring a 55-year-old woman.

Kahane, 57, was charged with second-degree assault, a New York City Police Department spokesperson confirmed to HuffPost. Police said the Upper East Side real estate developer was driving his car near the corner of Park Avenue and 72nd Street on Tuesday morning when he got into a dispute with a group of about 25 pro-Palestinian protesters who were marching nearby. As the protesters began to disperse, Kahane allegedly drove his car into the crowd, striking Maryellen Novak, who was taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries. The incident was first reported on X (formerly Twitter) by Talia Jane, an independent journalist in New York City.

Reached by phone Wednesday, Kahane told HuffPost, in reference to the protest, I was driving home from dropping off my daughter at school, and live within seven blocks of the location. He declined to comment further on the incident.

Referring to his relative Meir Kahane, a rabbi who founded the extremist Jewish Defense League, he said, My cousin passed away more than three decades ago and should have no influence in this story.

Novak and another protester, 63-year-old John Rozendaal, were arrested on charges of criminal mischief. The Manhattan District Attorneys Office said in a statement Wednesday that it would decline to prosecute Novak and Rozendaal.

Reuven Kahanes attorneys, Sara Shulevitz and Mindy Meyer, told HuffPost that their client pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree assault during an arraignment Wednesday morning. His next court appearance is set for June 25.

The facts will show our client is not guilty, Shulevitz said. Our client is a law-abiding citizen and we look forward to representing him in court.

Online court records described Kahanes charge as second-degree assault with intent to cause physical injury to another person, with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. The records also indicated that Kahane had been released from custody on his own recognizance.

The pro-Palestinian protesters had been picketing outside the residence of a Columbia University trustee. This came during weekslong demonstrations from students, faculty and alumni demanding that the Ivy League school divest its endowment funds from companies and weapons manufacturers that have business with Israels government amid that countrys ongoing siege of Gaza, which has killed around 35,000 Palestinians, 24,000 of whom were women and children.

According to a statement from Columbia University Apartheid Divest, or CUAD  the group that organized Tuesdays demonstration  Kahane initially drove up to the protesters in his car and asked for a flyer. When one of the protesters handed him a flyer, Kahane grabbed the protesters arm, the statement said. Kahane then parked in front of the picketers until we started leaving, then circled the block to drive into our peaceful demonstration, the statement continued. One member of CUADs de-escalation team was struck and has since been hospitalized.

CUAD added that an NYPD commanding officer on the scene, Neil Zuber, immediately arrested and started screaming at one of the picketers who was next to the car. Kahane, on the other hand, received calm and friendly treatment. The person who was hit was arrested and handcuffed to the bed while in the hospital. The NYPD did not respond to a request for comment on this allegation.

Kahane is the cousin once removed of Meir Kahane, whose Jewish Defense League was designated a right-wing terror group and a violent extremist organization by the FBI. Meir Kahane was killed in New York City by an Egyptian American man in 1990; the killer was acquitted of murder but would go on to participate in the 1993 World Trade Center attack. He was later convicted on federal charges related to the rabbis death.

A 1990 Los Angeles Times article on the assassination of Meir Kahane quoted Reuven Kahane, then 23, as saying: This is the final sacrifice.  Hes been receiving threats since day one. According to genealogical records, Meir Kahanes father, Charles Kahane, and Reuven Kahanes grandfather, Levi (or Levy) Yitzchak Kahane, were brothers. Charles and Levi Kahanes father was Nachman Kahane, who like many in the family was a rabbi.

Meir Kahanes Jewish Defense League, which calls for the forcible ethnic cleansing of Arabs and Muslims from the Jewish-inherited soil of Israel, has been connected to multiple bombings and other acts of terror. Meir Kahane often called Arabs dogs and was part of a mob in Israel that chanted, Kill the Arabs! before attempting to lynch two Arabs. He was convicted in the U.S. of making a bomb and formed the Kach political party in Israel, which both Israel and the U.S. later designated a terrorist organization. According to the Anti-Defamation League, Meir Kahane consistently preached a radical form of Jewish nationalism which reflected racism, violence and political extremism.

A few years after Kahanes death, a JDL member massacred 29 Palestinian Muslims who were praying in a West Bank mosque. The JDL defended the massacre, saying the shooter took a preventative measure against yet another Arab attack on Jews.

Reuven Kahane told HuffPost, My political view is that every death is a tragedy. He added separately, When I lived in Israel, I had 60 Arab workers, many in management positions.

Tuesday was not Kahanes first encounter with pro-Palestinian protesters. On his LinkedIn page, Kahane posted a photo showing a man with his face obscured, and wearing a wristband with the Israeli flag, at a pro-Palestinian protest at Hunter College on Monday. Monday also marked Yom Hashoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day. The photos caption read, On Yom HaShoah-1000 Hamas protestors at Hunter College.

Separately on LinkedIn, Kahane posted excerpts of an archived Anti-Defamation League article about the Jewish Defense League. The ADL article criticized Meir Kahane for what it said was his gross distortion of the position of Jews in America, namely that American Jews were living in a fiercely hostile society, facing much the same dangers as the Jews in Nazi Germany or those in Israel surrounded by 100-million Arab enemies. The article further quoted Meir Kahane as saying antisemitism was exploding in America, and that American Jews should be afraid.

Reuven Kahane captioned the excerpts: The report the ADL submitted about Rabbi Meir Kahane, the JDL and Anti - Semitism 30+ years ago. The ADL( bless their heart) tracks Anti - Semitism. Jewish students around America should implore the ADL to reread the report and try a different track.

I posted this as a sign of the times, not indicting or endorsing either organization, Reuven Kahane told HuffPost of the LinkedIn post, referring to the ADL and JDL.

Separately, Kahane reposted a historical photo, said to be taken at Columbia University, showing early 20th century protesters with signs saying Why not peace with Hitler? and Europe for Europeans, America for Americans. Kahane wrote, Columbia University- two generations ago.

Columbias president, Nemat Minouche Shafik, recently called in the NYPD for a second time to clear student protesters from Columbia. The first time, police arrested students who were participating in an encampment calling for the university to divest from companies and institutions that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide and occupation in Palestine. The second time Shafik called police in, students had occupied Hamilton Hall, which they had renamed Hinds Hall after a 6-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who was killed in Gaza earlier this year.

The Columbia encampment set off a wave of other encampments at universities across the country, where pro-Palestinian students have been the target of vitriol and violence by pro-Israeli counterprotesters.

At the University of California, Los Angeles, a group of pro-Israeli counterprotesters attacked students at an encampment with knives, bats, wooden planks, pepper spray and bear mace, according to a report in the London Review of Books. Video footage also showed the counterprotesters shooting fireworks into the encampment and beating pro-Palestinian students while they lay prone on the ground. One video captured a pro-Israeli demonstrator calling for a second Nakba, a reference to the mass expulsion and killing of Palestinians from their lands during the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. At least 25 UCLA students were hospitalized after the attack.

Related...
Crime Reports: $8,500 worth of property stolen in Abilene burglary

Editors Note: The following arrest and incident reports were supplied by the Abilene Police Department. All information below comes from reports made by responding officers, and all suspects are considered not guilty unless determined otherwise in a court of law.

Incidents

7700 block of Vineyard Drive  Burglary of Vehicle

A pistol, purse, key, ID cards, and more were reported stolen.

300 block of Fulwiler Road  Criminal Mischief

A victim reported a co-worker kicked his car and damaged his trunk while backing into a parking spot.

4300 block of Buffalo Gap Road  Assault

Police responded to an assault in south Abilene.

2400 block of N Willis Street  Burglary of Habitation

A burglary of habitation report was completed.

1900 block of Pine Street  Criminal Trespass

A suspect was arrested for Criminal Trespass at Hendrick Medical Center.

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION  Criminal Trespass Habitation

A report for Criminal Trespass was taken in north Abilene.

800 block of E Hwy 80  Assault

A victim reported she was assaulted by a known suspect after an argument.

7200 block of Tuscany Drive  Burglary of Habitation

An unknown suspect is accused of stealing around $4,000 worth of property from an Abilene home.

400 block of Penrose Drive  Assault

A victim reported she was assaulted by an unknown suspect in north Abilene.

800 block of E Hwy 80  Criminal Mischief

A suspect was caught on camera damaging property.

1300 block of Barrow Street  Theft of Property

Police investigated a theft of $650 from a south Abilene grocery store.

1300 block of S San Jose Drive  Criminal Mischief

A victim reported her boyfriend damaged her vehicle.

2700 block of Hickory Street  Assault Family Violence

A report for assault family violence was taken in north Abilene.

2800 block of Sayles Boulevard  Continuous Violence Against the Family

A victim reported she was assaulted by a known suspect.

7600 block of Vineyard Drive  Burglary of Vehicle

$8,500 worth of items were reported stolen from an Abilene home.

2900 block of Bennett Drive  Theft of Property

$450 worth of items were reported stolen.

Arrests

Kara Keele  Warrant, Theft of Motor Vehicle

Aaron Ladson  Warrant

Roger Darby  Warrant

Nathan Baquera-Ahhaitty  Public Intoxication

Kyle Marden  Criminal Trespass

Frederick Hunter  Warrant, Possession of Controlled Substance

Deven Ingram  Failure to Identify

Rudy Serrano  Assault Family Violence

Isaac Hatter  Public Intoxication

Kayli Renteria  Driving While Intoxicated

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Cruise Ship Worker Accused of Stabbing 3 People with Scissors on Voyage to Alaska

The man from South Africa was arrested on Tuesday, May 7 after allegedly stabbing multiple people with medical scissors on May 6

Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty The Norwegian Encore cruise ship during its inaugural sailing from PortMiami in 2019

A cruise ship worker has been accused of stabbing three people with scissors while sailing to Alaska.

According to the United States Attorneys Office, the man from South Africa was arrested on Tuesday, May 7 after allegedly stabbing multiple people with medical scissors on May 6.

35-year-old Ntando Sogoni had reportedly been working on the ship when colleagues noticed him trying to release a lifeboat. The security team then contacted Sogoni and took him for an assessment in the vessels medical center.

Upon arrival, Sogoni physically attacked a security guard and a male nurse inside an examination room and proceeded to enter another examination room where a woman, who is a U.S. citizen, was being examined, the United States Attorneys Office stated.

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 juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Getty Juneau, Alaska

Related: 2 Teens Turn Themselves in After Video of Boaters Dumping Trash Into Ocean Goes Viral

He grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed the woman multiple times in the arm, hand and face, the statement continued. He also stabbed two security guards who intervened  one in the head and one in the back and shoulders. Sogoni was detained and held in the ships jail prior to his arrest.

Per the U.S. attorney, the defendant has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction.

Related: The Titanic: Looking Back at the Ship's Tragic History

Sogoni could face a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count if he is found guilty.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, the U.S. attorneys office stated.

According to NBC News, an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy reported that Sogoni had recently been hired and joined the Norwegian Encore cruise liner on May 5 in Seattle.

Sogoni was arrested by the FBI on May 7 when the ship arrived in Juneau, Alaska.

Norwegian Cruise Line did not immediately reply to PEOPLE's request for information.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Cruise ship worker accused of stabbing multiple people with scissors on board vessel bound for Alaska

A South African man has been arrested by the FBI after allegedly stabbing multiple people with medical scissors on a cruise ship.

Ntando Sogoni, 35, was working aboard the Norwegian Encore when other employees saw him trying to deploy a lifeboat on Sunday evening in waters west of Vancouver Island, prompting security to escort him to the ships medical centre for an assessment.

The worker was recently hired by Norwegian Cruise Line and had joined the ship in Seattle on Sunday, according to the arrest affidavit.

The cruise was set for a weeklong trip with stops scheduled in ports such as Juneau, Alaska and British Columbia in Canada.

When he arrived for his medical assessment, Mr Sogoni became irrational and attempted to leave, according to the affidavit.

Cruise worker charged with assault after the ship attack in Alaska (Getty Images)

In the early hours of Monday, Mr Sogoni allegedly physically attacked a security guard and a nurse inside the examination room, before he ran to another room where a woman, a 75-year-old US citizen, was being examined, according to a news release from Alaskas District Attorneys Office said.

He grabbed a pair of scissors, the attorneys office said, and plunged them into the womans arm, hand and face, stabbing her multiple times.

Mr Sogoni then allegedly stabbed two security guards who intervened and were trying to detain him, stabbing one of them in the head and another in the back and shoulders, authorities said.

None of the injuries sustained by the victims were life-threatening.

The cruise ship worker was detained and held in the ships jail until the vessel arrived in Juneau on Tuesday.

He has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction.

If convicted, Mr Sogoni faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a $250,000 fine for each count.

The Independent has contacted Norwegian Cruise Line for comment. Online court records do not show an attorney for Mr Sogoni.
A newly hired cruise employee was arrested by the FBI after federal prosecutors said he repeatedly stabbed a woman receiving medical attention on the ship and two security guards who tried to stop him.

The attack involving medical scissors unfolded May 6 after the worker, a 35-year-old South African man, was caught trying to deploy a lifeboat from a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Alaska.

Ntando Sogoni boarded the Norwegian Encore a day earlier in Seattle, Washington, an affidavit says. The ship was scheduled to make three stops in Alaska and one in British Columbia, Canada, before it was to return to Seattle on May 12, according to the affidavit.

Information regarding Sogonis legal representation wasnt immediately available on May 8.

On May 6, the ships security escorted Sogoni to the vessels medical center for an evaluation after he tried to deploy the lifeboat, prosecutors said.

At the center, he became irrational and attempted to leave and physically attacked a security guard and a male nurse, according to the affidavit.

He ran to another exam room, where a 75-year-old patient was inside, and grabbed a pair of medical scissors, the affidavit says.

Sogoni stabbed the woman in her arm, hand and face, then stabbed two security guards, according to prosecutors.

He stabbed one guard in the head and stabbed the other guards back and shoulders, prosecutors said.

The woman and security guards survived their injuries, which werent life-threatening, according to the affidavit.

A Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson told McClatchy News in an emailed statement May 8 that the woman and guards received treatment from the ships medical staff.

Other security personnel detained Sogoni in a shipboard jail until the vessel arrived at its first destination in Juneau, the affidavit says.

He became violent without provocation, according to the Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson, who confirmed that Sogoni was newly employed as a crew member.

On May 7, the FBI arrested Sogoni, and he was charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction, prosecutors announced in a news release.

We condemn violent behavior of this nature and are committed to the safety and security of all crew members and guests on our ships. We commend the onboard security team for their brave actions, the Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson said.

Senior ship leadership have been actively engaged and continue to closely monitor all involved with the support of senior company executives who immediately traveled to Juneau to meet, escort and assist the (guests).

If Sogoni is convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count against him, prosecutors said.

Passenger wielding box cutter charges Frontier flight attendant after landing, feds say

Cruise passenger asked to quiet down smashes cocktail glass in mans face, feds say

Cruise passengers body decayed after crew stored it in drink cooler, familys suit says
CHICAGO  From service to staffing, and from reliability to ridership, the Chicago Transit Authority is falling short of post-pandemic public transportation recoveries in comparable cities, according to an analysis of data by WGN News.

Comparing ridership numbers from 2019 to 2023, the CTAs ridership recovery lags behind systems in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Boston, and slightly edges past New Yorks MTA, a system, with more than six times the CTAs daily ridership.

The CTA, the nations second largest public transportation system, has cut service on rail lines by 22 percent, and service on city busses by 7 percent, according to publicly available data analyzed by Commuters Take Action, a public transportation advocacy group.

The service cuts were meant to bring the schedule in line with demand, but riders continue to report problems.

Its still fairly consistent on every rail line all day that theres something going on that the trains are not running as theyre supposed to, said Brandon McFadden, a data analyst, and core organizer for Commuters Take Action, which tracks the entire CTA system, monitoring whether trains are arriving at stations as scheduled and departing on time. The CTAs spring schedule reduced the overall frequency of service on the L.

It means that were really not making any progress on hiring rail operators to run these trains, McFadden said.

In January the CTA held a job fair to attract new bus and rail operators  trying to fix what the labor shortage. According to the latest available data, the system has lost at least 200 bus operators and 150 rail operators since before the pandemic.

At the University of Illinoi- Chicagos Department of Urban Planning and Policy, Professor Kate Lowe studies public transit and has the closely monitored the CTAs staffing shortage.

Our labor crisis in Chicago is really making our recovery worse, she said, So, I would say a short-term solution is to have realistic schedules, but theres no point in scheduling a run if you dont have the operators to serve it.

There are other reasons for the scaled back service: greater numbers of people working from home, and some are finding alternatives like biking, but experts say theres something less quantifiable at play  a loss of confidence in the CTA to deliver on the most basic promises: trains and buses arriving on schedule.

People dont trust it, said State Rep. Kam Buckner. Listen, if you want a system to work, if you want a transit system to work in a city like Chicago, you have to make the system irresistible.

Calls for new leadership at CTA

In a written statement, a CTA official said: Weve restored bus service to near-pre-covid-19 levels and are adding rail service as we increase staffing levels to meet the growing need.

The problems, though, persist for customers. Those concerns ultimately land on the desk of CTA President Dorval Carter. Despite several requests from WGN News, the CTA did not make carter available for an interview.

Carter  a former federal transportation official  has been at the helm of Chicagos transit system since 2015 and has now served under three mayors. He earns a salary of $376,066 a year (1.5 times what the mayor earns), yet routinely avoids answering questions from the press, infrequently rides the CTA, and only recently agreed to provide quarterly updates to the city council, where at least five members are demanding his ouster. I believe that weve had enough time under President Carter, said Ald. Andre Vasquez. As we see, things are not improving as we others as we see other cities are improving.

Three influential publications  the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Crains Chicago Business  have all published editorials calling for change at the top.

In April, Gov. J.B. Pritzker added his voice to the chorus of critics: A lot of changes are going to have to take place, theres no doubt, at CTA, he said. I think thats going to take some new leadership, and additional leadership.

The Chicago transit board is ultimately responsible. The board is made up of seven members  three appointed by the governor, and four by the mayor.

Mayor Brandon Johnson has only said hes evaluating Carter. I have a full vision for transportation, Johnson said. Its in my report, and as i said, I dont discuss personnel details in the public. I dont believe thats appropriate. Ive been quite consistent with that. thank you.

Fiscal cliff looms

The CTA received $2.2 billion in federal covid relief to keep the system operating during the pandemic. CTA authorities said in a statement that they have served as a good steward of covid relief funding, but there is a fiscal cliff on the horizon.

In 2026, CTA, Pace, and Metra are projected to face a budget gap of $730 million.

The CTA statement said: neither fare increases, nor service cuts will fill the anticipated annual budget gap  without additional revenue streams, (CTA) may be faced with drastic service cuts, employee layoffs, or other unwanted cost-saving measures.

So right now, we have a crisis due to staffing, Lowe, the UIC professor, said. If we dont get funds from Springfield, were going to see cuts that we cant imagine.

Recently, state lawmakers unveiled a proposal to merge the CTA, Pace, and Metra into a regional transportation agency, but any solution to the dire fiscal situation would require action from the Illinois General Assembly. We cant just write a $800 million check and not have some new oversight or not have some structural changes that will help this system work better, Buckner said.

In response to this story, the CTA provided WGN News the following statement:

Under President Carters leadership, CTA continues to develop new, innovative solutions to improve the CTA travel experience, create new jobs and contracting opportunities for the communities we serve, and reshape what public transit looks like in Chicago through transformative, equity-focused investments like the long overdue Red Line Extension project.

The CTA is working diligently to attract customers to public transit and the upward ridership trends, added service, decreasing crime rates and improved reliability that CTA is experiencing are evidence our efforts have been productive. Bus service is coming back to pre-COVID levels and rail services continue to increase as staffing levels rise to meet the growing need.

President Carter is firmly focused on securing the CTAs financial future as the regions service boards work to overcome the looming, combined $730 million fiscal cliff that will be created once federal aid from the pandemic runs out. And through the lens of innovation, President Carter remains committed to the 24/7 nature of overseeing an agency of more than 10,000 employees working to deliver equitable and reliable services that meet the evolving needs of nearly 1 million riders each day.

Among the highlights of CTAs recent efforts include:

In March, 99.5% of bus service was delivered  and 92.4% of rail service was delivered. This is a massive increase from 80.4% bus service delivered and 71.8 % rail service delivered in 2022.

Through the end of April 2024, overall transit crime is 6% lower year-to-date, and 15% compared to April last year. Violent crime on CTA has dropped 6% compared to the same period in 2023.

Ridership continues to increase, experiencing multiple milestones since fall: Surpassing the 1 million daily rides threshold multiple times; Reaching a new post-pandemic Saturday ridership record of more than 869k rides during Chicagos St. Patricks Day celebrations; and Ridership related to special events regularly has met or exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

CTAs ridership levels are on par with its similar peer agencies. CTA ridership is currently 65% of 2019 levels  the same percentage seen in Philadelphia and Boston.

Comparison of ridership to some peer agencies is not apples-to-apples, for example, New Yorks MTA rebounded faster as it a transit-centric city; while the likes of Los Angeles and Washington D.C.had new rail services added in the last couple years.

Hiring Efforts:

At our lowest headcount, CTA had 9,644 employees (7/31/22). As of the end of March, we now have 10,606.

Hired over 1,000 bus operators last year and current bus workforce is 12% higher than a year ago. CTA is on track to match pre-pandemic bus workforce levels by the end of the summer, if not sooner.

On the rail side, the attrition rate has been stable and hiring has exceeded attrition to add the overall agency headcount.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
SPRINGFIELD  The Chicago Teachers Unions role in the debate over legislation that would extend for two years a moratorium on closing public schools in the city  including selective enrollment and magnet schools  has raised questions about the powerful unions credibility in Springfield for some lawmakers.

The CTUs biggest ally, Mayor Brandon Johnson, is headed to the state Capitol on Wednesday to plead for more school funding from the state amid negotiations over a new teachers union contract and on the same day a Senate committee hearing is scheduled on the moratorium extension, which was approved by the House last month.

The legislation is the latest test for a teachers union that exerts tremendous influence in Chicago, where it helped elect a governmental neophyte as mayor, but whose extreme progressivism under President Stacy Davis Gates finds a better fit with the City Council than with the broader geographical and ideological universe of Springfield.

Springfield is just incredibly different than City Hall, said state Rep. Margaret Croke, the House sponsor of the school closing moratorium bill.

The measure to extend an existing school closings moratorium until 2027 was overwhelmingly passed by the House in a 92-8 vote on April 18, with all eight no votes coming from Democrats. The vote was viewed as a resounding slap at the union, which labeled the legislation racist, much to the consternation of legislators who supported it.

You cant do that. We live together. Were friends. So people were pretty offended by that and they also thought, I think, about how if they were ever put in that same position how uncomfortable that would be for them. They dont want to be called racist. They dont want to be put in that position, said Croke, who represents a swath of Chicagos North Side, said of her fellow lawmakers.

I was very surprised that CTU was not taking this as a win. The fact that they (could eventually) have a two-year school moratorium (for) all schools in CPS, I think, is something that they should be celebrating, she said.

In a statement, the CTU said its members and school parents only want one thing: fully funded equitably resourced schools for every child in every neighborhood, which means fully funding CPS. The union said the school closing moratorium legislation only exacerbates racial disparities in school funding.

Lawmakers in Springfield should focus on how they will fully fund public schools instead of distracting themselves with bills that defund Black and Brown schools. The only thing that matters to voters is whether these politicians in Springfield did their job: fully funding the schools our students deserve, the union said.

The existing moratorium on school closures that ends in January was part of historic 2021 legislation that authorized the creation of an elected Chicago public school board. Under a setup signed into law by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker earlier this year, the first election is set for November and the board seated with the new year will still have 11 of its 21 members be appointed by Johnson before a fully-elected board takes over in 2027.

CTU found itself on both sides of the hybrid board issue to the dismay of Democrats who control state government. Having previously backed a fully-elected school board, the union abruptly switched its support to the hybrid model after Johnsons election.

Johnson joined in support for the hybrid school board model and it was ultimately approved in March in a concession to the new mayor.

The school closing moratorium legislation morphed out of a measure introduced by Croke that was specifically aimed at protecting competitive selective enrollment schools from closures after Johnsons school board announced its intention last year to prioritize investments in neighborhood schools in a forthcoming five-year plan.

Croke later amended the bill at the request of others so that the moratorium would cover all CPS schools. That did not change the unions position, and the Johnson administration also opposes the bill.

The proposed five-year plan for CPS under the Johnson administration as well as CPS budget guidance for individual schools added to existing tensions among parents and officials at selective enrollment and magnet schools. No school closings were proposed as part of the plan, but parents and officials had already seen student transportation eliminated due to a bus driver shortage, and recently unveiled school budgets show positions would be eliminated from many of those schools.

With the expiration of federal COVID-19 emergency relief funds in September, CPS faces a budget shortfall of at least $391 million next school year. Johnson has said his Springfield wish list, in part, includes $1 billion in state funds that are owed to the families of Chicago, including greater state aid under the evidence-based funding formula and additional teacher pension funds.

But Johnsons wish list is likely to be viewed as wishful thinking in budget-conscious Springfield. And his visit comes as the school closings moratorium debate has, at times, pitted progressives against each other as CTU pursues its far-left agenda.

State Sen. Robert Martwick, one of the main sponsors of the 2021 legislation that created the elected school board, believes the House vote on the moratorium legislation only hurt the CTUs credibility in terms of that specific bill.

Martwick supported the two-year moratorium extension but said he takes seriously opponents concerns over whether the bill could create budgetary issues that adversely affect neighborhood schools. He defended the CTU as an organization that works hard to protect interests that do not directly affect their members.

To be fair, they have a history of calling out what they see are injustices. And many times theyve been right but nobodys right all the time, said Martwick, a Chicago Democrat. I dont expect them to change. What they do, its kind of a core of who they are.

One veteran education lobbyist whos now retired noted CTU in the past has frequently lobbied as a lone wolf, with an agenda far more progressive than its parent Illinois Federation of Teachers or the rival Illinois Education Association.

They really push the envelope to the point of breaking and its not appreciated in Springfield, said the former lobbyist, who asked not to be identified so that he could speak openly about union matters.

A longtime Democratic lawmaker said of CTU that clearly they lack credibility, but they dont need it because they use intimidation.

Nobodys telling them to stop it, said the lawmaker, who asked not to be identified so they could speak candidly about the unions tactics without retribution.

I dont hear anybody saying anything to them about cutting this stuff out. They just keep going, the legislator said.

State Rep. Natalie Manley of Joliet, who is part of the House Democrats leadership team, said she doesnt believe House Democrats hurt their relationship with CTU on the school-closing bill and said future issues such as increased school funding will be decided on their own merits.

Theres a lot of highly emotional issues in front of the General Assembly. Neighborhood schools are at the top of that list, said Manley, who voted in favor of the moratorium extension.

Its not a flexing contest. Its not a power struggle, she said.

Bob Bruno, an expert on organized labor who wrote a book about CTU, said the Houses overwhelming passage of the school closing bill was a unique vote that wont impact the unions ability to push forth other items on its Springfield agenda.

If the CTU doesnt succeed in its push for more funding for CPS this spring, itll be for reasons beyond the unions control, Bruno said. Though he added that since the unions demands for more school funding have been echoed by CPS, they could be difficult for lawmakers to ignore.

The state of the budget overall, the states revenue, their expenses, what the state of the economy is, what the trend of the states overall financial situation (is), what are the other demands that are going to be placed in the budget. Its going to be those kinds of things that will matter, said Bruno, a professor of labor and employment relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Pritzker, who has promoted his efforts to stabilize the states financial situation as a pushback to Johnsons money requests, also has said he supports the school closing moratorium.

I can tell you that I favor the House bill that was passed, he said at an unrelated news conference in Springfield on Tuesday.

First and foremost I think that the whole purpose of allowing Chicago to elect a school board like every other school district in the state is to allow people to have real input through their representatives. That doesnt happen when youve got either a hybrid or a fully appointed board, he said. And so, it seems to me before any really major changes are made to the system in Chicago that we ought to make sure that the board is fully represented of all the people.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Bosnia and Herzegovina Vilayat Guliyev has met with a member of the Presidency of this country, Zeljko Komsic, and presented a letter of invitation from President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports.

During the meeting, the ambassador provided detailed information on the work related to preparations for COP29 in Azerbaijan and on the large-scale projects being implemented in the field of transition to green energy.

Komsic inquired about the reconstruction work being carried out in Azerbaijan's liberated territories.

He noted that he has not yet visited Azerbaijan but is interested in the work being done in the country under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and the ongoing reforms.

The meeting saw an exchange of opinions on a wide range of relations between Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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
Kirsha Kaechelean American artist in Tasmania, photographed outside the state supreme court in Mayplans to appeal a tribunal ruling that orders her women-only art exhibit in the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) to allow the entry of men. Credit - Jesse Hunniford/MONA

An Australian modern art museum featured a lavish, green velvet-ordained roomfor womens use onlyto make a statement about discrimination. Then it got accused of being discriminatory.

After a male ticket-payer last year complained of being denied entry to the Ladies Lounge, which opened in 2020, a local tribunal last month ordered the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania to make the space accessible to all.

But the exhibit artist and curator, Kirsha Kaechele, who is married to MONAs founder and owner, has vowed to fight the order, which she calls the verdick, saying she plans to challenge the ruling before the state supreme court and, in the interim, pursue a workaround to ensure the Ladies Lounge remains off limits for menexcept for male butlers who serve guests refreshments.

Men need to be discriminated against, Kaechele said in a post on Instagram on Tuesday, adding that she believes, with a few tweaks, the Ladies Lounge could qualify for various exemptions to Tasmanias Anti-Discrimination Act. The Ladies Lounge will become a toilet, a church and a school, she told local newspaper the Mercury.

The Ladies Lounge in the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, Tasmania. Courtesy of Jesse Hunniford/MONA

One loophole Kaechele says shes planning to exploit is installing a toilet in the gallery, which holds some of the museums most high-profile artworks, including a Picasso. It would be the Ladies Room, in fact, under this new designation, Kaechele said in a blog post this week on the museums website. She explained that the toilet could be, while technically functional, a piece of art, such as Fontaine by Marcel Duchamp, a urinal that she says shes in talks to potentially borrow from the Centre Pompidou.

Bringing this iconic art object from Paris for display in the Ladies Lounge would reignite the debate: what is art? The inevitable controversy would serve as an excellent art history lesson for a new generation, introducing one of the most important moments in twentieth-century culturethe origins of conceptual artto a wider, non-art audience. In this sense, the Ladies Lounge would effectively become an educational institution, Kaechele explains, adding that doing so would then satisfy another exemption.

(Kaechele told the Mercury on Tuesday that a toilet is on the way, to be installed within 45 days, but MONA tells TIME that it is not Fontaine. While the Ladies Lounge was closed this week until further notice, Kaechele told the Mercury that its key artworks will be temporarily moved to the womens restroom to ensure uninterrupted viewing.)

Lastly, Kaechele says she could transform the Ladies Lounge into a religious institution, to satisfy another exemption. The Lounge would be a safe space for women to come together and learn about the Bible and ask questions, she said in the blog post, noting that shes not Christian and likes to poke fun at Christianity.

Overall, Kaechele insists the legal challenge has only enhanced the exhibit, which was meant to evoke in men the lived experience of women forbidden from entering certain spaces throughout history, the museum said in a press release on Tuesday.

Thanks to the ruling, we have no choice but to open ourselves to a whole range of enriching experiencesspiritual, educational  Kaechele said in MONAs blog. To discover fascinating new possibilities, and to become better.

Ladies love the Loungea space away from menand given what we have been through for the last several millennia, we need it! she added in the press release. We deserve both equal rights and reparations, in the form of unequal rights, or chivalryfor at least 300 years.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Cutler Bay hotel is closer to becoming apartments for the homeless after county vote

A plan by the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust to convert this La Quinta Inn motel in Cutler Bay into affordable apartments for the formerly houseless has sparked a backlash from town officials and residents.

A county plan to convert a Cutler Bay hotel into subsidized apartments for older people experiencing homelessness won broad support Tuesday by the Miami-Dade County Commission.

The vote was a win for backers of a project opposed by Cutler Bay and many residents in the suburban village south of Miami, though another commission vote is needed to approve the $14 million acquisition of the building using county dollars.

READ MORE: Cutler Bay backlash could scuttle plan for low-cost apartments

Strife over the proposed purchase of a 107-room La Quinta reflected a broader divide over where it makes sense to allow government housing for people who cant afford another place to live.

Critics said they supported bringing more housing for the homeless to Cutler Bay but called the La Quinta at 10821 Caribbean Blvd. a bad choice. One objection raised Tuesday: the developer of a planned residential and commercial complex at the nearby Southland Mall site claiming the subsidized housing project could be a problem.

The lender for the Southland project has slow-played us waiting to see what happens with [the La Quinta] project, Keith Poliakoff, a lawyer representing the developer, told commissioners. They are very concerned about putting a homeless shelter next to a $1.5 billion project.

Backers of the purchase called the term homeless shelter a misrepresentation of the plans for the La Quinta because the housing would be long term and offered only to people with the ability to move from a homeless shelter into the former hotel as a more stable housing option.

The residents would be charged a minimal rent, so theyd have to earn enough income from benefits or work to make the monthly payments.

Backers also questioned why the usual enthusiasm for expanding housing options in Miami-Dade was suddenly hitting resistance when it comes to people experiencing homelessness.

Homelessness does not just affect a certain stereotype of people, said Paula Greenfield, a Miami resident who told commissioners she became homeless after losing her job at the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020. She said she briefly lived in a homeless shelter before moving into the kind of transitional housing proposed at La Quinta. It was housing I could afford.

The proposed purchase will come to commissioners for another vote after the administration of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava finalizes the contract with owner Cutler Bay Lodging LLC. Tuesdays vote was mostly bureaucratic, with commissioners formally asking Levine Cava to bring back the final La Quinta contract to the board for a vote. Only two of the 13 commissioners voted no: Kevin Cabrera and Danielle Cohen Higgins, who represents Cutler Bay and is against the purchase.

She said Miami-Dade appeared to be focused on purchasing the La Quinta when there are cheaper alternatives, including different hotels that could be purchased and a developer willing to build similar housing on a nearby vacant lot. An April 9 memo from Levine Cava said the mayors administration had found no better location in the area.

I dont see why we as a board feel so comfortable accepting only one option. Especially when the price tag is exorbitant, said Cohen Higgins, whose district includes the La Quinta site. Theres nobody who wants to talk about that?

Cabrera said the La Quinta plan lacked transparency and enough input from residents. While I understand the need to address homelessness, the process was flawed, he told the Miami Herald after the vote.

Facing opposition from Cutler Bay over the last year, Miami-Dades homeless agency agreed to a series of restrictions on the future facility. That includes limiting residents to 55 and over, agreeing to never offer needle-exchange programs on the property, and restricting the use to long-term housing through an application process and not an emergency homeless shelter for walk-in residents.

We have done our best, said Ron Book, the lobbyist who serves as chair of the board that oversees the countys homeless agency, the Homeless Trust.
Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic, stands in a laboratory at chip manufacturer Global Foundries. In a speech to commemorate the end of World War II in Europe, Pavel noted that after "deep reflection," the defeated Nazi Germany had become a democratic country committed to peace and stability in Europe. He described it as a "historical paradox" that Russia itself had become an aggressor with the war against Ukraine. Robert Michael/dpa

The Czech Republic on Wednesday commemorated the end of World War II in Europe and the liberation from Nazi occupation 79 years ago with its annual act of remembrance.

In a speech, President Petr Pavel noted that after "deep reflection," the defeated Nazi Germany had become a democratic country committed to peace and stability in Europe.

He described it as a "historical paradox" that Russia itself had become an aggressor with the war against Ukraine.

Pavel said there should be no let-up in support for Ukraine.

The Czech Republic is behind an initiative to procure around 800,000 artillery shells for Kiev from countries outside the European Union.

According to earlier reports, the first instalment could be delivered as early as June.

Victory in Europe Day on May 8 is a public holiday in the Czech Republic. Many large businesses must close.

The wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of the unknown soldier on Vitkov Hill in Prague was attended by Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the presidents of both chambers of parliament.
The Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee announced Wednesday morning that it had canceled a hearing scheduled later in the day in which lawmakers planned to interrogate D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser about her response to pro-Palestinian student protests at George Washington University. The cancellation came hours after police raided and cleared the student encampment, which had been occupying a lawn on the university campus since April 25.

According to The GW Hatchet, the universitys student newspaper of record, more than 30 protesters were arrested by D.C.s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Police surrounded the encampment and deployed pepper spray against protesters who refused to vacate the area, or attempted to forcibly access the space to support protesters. Previously, MPD had refused to clear the encampment given that the student protesters had exhibited no violence, no violent behavior, no confrontations, and were not deemed a threat to public safety.

IMAGES FROM THE SCENE: pic.twitter.com/CGgi0cvpYE  The GW Hatchet (@gwhatchet) May 8, 2024

Bowser, a Democrat, was summoned to appear before the House Oversight Committee by its chair, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) last week. The House Oversight Committee is deeply concerned over reports indicating the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department rejected George Washington Universitys request for help in removing the radical, antisemitic, and unlawful protestors occupying the campus and surrounding public lands, Comer said in a statement. Bowsers attendance was confirmed by a committee spokesperson on Tuesday.

In a statement to reporters given hours after the encampment was cleared, MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith said that the department had begun coordinating with Bowser on plans to clear the encampment on Monday, citing increased volatility within the protest. Smith confirmed that 33 protesters had been arrested on various charges of trespassing and assault against law enforcement, and confirmed that no officers were seriously injured during the event.

Smith denied that the timing of MPDs decision to clear the encampment had anything to do with the scheduled hearing. Bowser told reporters that she had spoken to Comer that morning, who expressed interest in making sure that the city and the chief could focus on this ongoing operation.

I expect that that hearing will be pulled down, Bowser added.

The hearing was indeed pulled down. In a statement announcing the cancellation of Wednesdays hearing, Comer wrote that he was pleased that the potential Oversight hearing led to swift action by Mayor Bowser and MPD Chief Smith.

Following the Metropolitan Police Department finally clearing out the unlawful encampment on GWs campus, I am very pleased to announce that the hearing with Mayor Bowser has been canceled. I had a good conversation with Mayor Bowser. I thanked her for finally clearing the trespassers off the GW Campus, Comer added.

The decision to sic police on protesters was endorsed by at least one Democratic congressman. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D- Fla.) applauded the MPDs actions.

As a [George Washington University] alumnus, I am happy to see the unlawful encampment on campus cleared out by MPD. Its my hope MPD will continue to assist GW so that it can enforce its policies & code of conduct, he wrote.

As a @GWtweets alumnus, I am happy to see the unlawful encampment on campus cleared out by MPD. Its my hope MPD will continue to assist GW so that it can enforce its policies & code of conduct. https://t.co/YMMCl6eo6l  Congressman Jared Moskowitz (@RepMoskowitz) May 8, 2024

The crackdown against student protesters at GWU coincides with a national wave of violent police action against student protesters demanding universities and colleges divest from companies profiting off of the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza  where more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels brutal siege against the Gaza Strip.

According to an analysis by the Associated Press, more than 2,000 students, faculty, and others have been arrested across the United States in relation to the protests. The aggression against demonstrators  in Los Angeles, New York, and across the nation  has only grown the protest movement, which shows no signs of abating.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone
Benny Bowers Jr. is survived by his wife, his five sons and "many extended family and friends that he considered his brothers," according to his obituary

Go Fund Me Benji Bowers (Right) and family

A 44-year-old man drowned last week after he saved his three children from a river in North Carolina, authorities said.

Surry County deputies and the Pilot Mountain Rescue Squad received a call on April 28 around 12:27 p.m. local time about a possible water rescue at the Ararat and Yadkin River juncture in the Siloam area, the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.

When first responders arrived, they were informed that Benny Bowers Jr. was "attempting to help his children struggling in the river." Bowers successfully rescued the kids, but "he never re-surfaced."

Related: Girl, 4, and Brother, 2, Swept to Their Deaths by Rapid River at California Picnic Area

The next day, Bowers' body was located near the juncture of the Ararat and Yadkin River.

"This event is tragic for all involved especially for the family," the department said in their post. "Please keep the family and friends in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days."

According to Fox affiliate WGHP, the family had been fishing when three of his sons fell into the water and Bowers went in to rescue them. The family called 911 but the current was reportedly too strong.

Related: Family of 5-Year-Old Boy Who Drowned in Daycare Pool Sues Virginia YMCA for $20 Million

He was the greatest dad I could ever have, and hes a hero," his 10-year-old son Benny told the station.

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.

"His whole world revolved around his family and friends, being on or near the water, hunting and fishing, dancing or just hanging out at a cookout with family and friends," per his obituary. "Benji loved BIG and everyone loved him the same."

He is survived by his wife, his five sons and "many extended family and friends that he considered his brothers," according to the tribute.

Related: 2 Drowned After Man Tried to Save Woman Who Fell into Creek While Hiking in Tennessee

A GoFundMe campaign is now trying to pay off the family's home following his death.

"Benji was the SOLE financial provider for his family!" the fundraiser said in its description. "UNFORTUNATELY his life insurance will not cover it!!! If you knew Benji you know his WHOLE world revolved around his family! We know it would make his heart happy to know all of his friends and family had the opportunity to help reach this goal FOR HIM!!!!!!!!!"

Over $20,000 has been raised as of the morning of Wednesday, May 8.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Data shows the scope of human trafficking in Macon. Mercer group looks to combat it

Traffick Jam, a Mercer University student-organization, has been working to drive out sex trafficking in Macon since 2015.

Since then, the organization has grown to include over 800 students who work to raise awareness and educate Bibb County high school students about the critical issue.

Human trafficking can take various forms, including sex trafficking, labor trafficking, domestic servitude, slavery and sexual exploitation.

Mercer University faculty member Tammy Crutchfield revealed that 13% of 350 Bibb County students reported they knew someone who sold themselves for sex in a health class pre-survey this year. Additionally, 9% of students indicated they knew someone who had been forced to sell themselves for sex, she added.

That gives you some indication about the prevalence of this problem among the teenagers in our community, Crutchfield said.

The Response Team for the Childrens Advocacy Centers of Georgia received 37 referrals for youth suspected of being commercially exploited in Bibb, Colquitt and Houston counties between October 2020 and December 2023, the agency said. Macon-Bibb accounted for 70% of those referrals.

The figures are significantly lower than the organizations nearly 500 referrals from metro Atlanta during the same time period.

However, even low numbers may not represent the complete picture of trafficked victims, as human trafficking is a complex issue that is difficult to document, according to Naeisha McDowell, director of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Response Team.

Just because Metro Atlanta numbers are higher does not mean (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) is not an issue in Bibb county and surrounding areas, McDowell said in an email. (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) may look different depending on the community that it is happening in. (It) can be perpetrated by gangs, family members, traffickers, and technology.

Whos addressing it?

The average age of someone being sold for sexual purposes is 13 to 14 years, Crutchfield said.

About 90% of domestic minor sex trafficking victims, both male and female, were enrolled in school at the time of their exploitation, according to Georgia Cares, a nonprofit focused on supporting child victims of sex trafficking.

Between Jan. 1, 2017, and Aug. 30, 2022, 32 trafficking situations were reported from Macon-Bibb to the Polaris Project Hotline, according to company data. Forty-nine likely victims were involved in those situations, and 18 of them were minors when their exploitation began, said Sabrina Thulander, Polaris communications director. The victims age was not known in every case.

On the state level, Gov. Brian Kemp signed three anti-human trafficking bills on April 24 in attempt to crack down on both traffickers and buyers.

For years Georgia was considered a hot spot for human trafficking, Kemp said in a news release. But thanks to the GRACE Commission, under the leadership of First Lady Marty Kemp, we have established Georgia as a national leader in this fight.

Georgia Deputy Attorney General John Fowler, who manages the states prosecution division, which houses the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, said law enforcement and government support have enabled the unit to confront the issue holistically.

Through our teams and through our partners, we have been able to expose these horrible experiences and hold people accountable for trafficking children, Fowler said.

The unit rescued 245 victims and secured 34 convictions between 2022 and 2023, according to agency data.

Crutchfield said she is appreciative of the nearly decade-long collaboration with the Bibb County School District, which has adopted Traffick Jams comprehensive curriculum in its health classrooms.

Traffick Jam started in 2015 with only talking to BCSD students at Southwest High School. Now the organization is teaching students in all six high schools throughout the district, Crutchfield said.

We have educated over 9,000 students in Bibb County, she said. Our goal is to keep them from being trafficked by teaching them what it is, the danger signs, the risk factors and how to have an action plan if someone they know are endangered.

Misconceptions, report the signs

While combating the problem, Traffick Jam also aims to dispel myths about human trafficking, such as the assumption that it only affects women and third-world countries.

Trafficking is not confined to certain areas for the industry to develop and grow, Crutchfield said. You will find human trafficking in small towns and large towns. Theres nothing that really stands out about Macon that makes it different from any other town.

Trafficking also does not involve kidnapping, as it can happen right in someones house or with people they feel familiar with, she added.

Fowler said identifying human trafficking hotspots is challenging because sex trafficking, child sexual abuse and domestic abuse all take place in private.

Suspected human trafficking can be reported to The National Human Trafficking Hotline, 1(888)-373-7888, and the Georgia Trafficking Hotline, 1(866)-363-4842.
David Lammy has met Donald Trumps campaign manager, in the first official contact between Labour and the former president in the run-up to the 2024 election, The Telegraph understands.

The shadow foreign secretary met Chris LaCivita, Mr Trumps most senior adviser, on a trip to Washington DC on Wednesday.

Mr Lammy has spent the past six months wooing members of the former presidents inner circle, ahead of an expected Labour victory at the general election.

The meeting marks the first time a Labour politician has met a member of Mr Trumps official team, as Mr Lammy rows back on previous comments describing him as a racist and a Nazi sympathiser.

Speaking at a think tank in Washington, the shadow foreign secretary said on Wednesday that he and Mr Trump could find common cause and suggested that as a good Christian boy and small-c conservative that he shared some views with Republicans.

Youre going to struggle to find any politician in the Western world who hasnt had things to say in response to Donald Trump, he said. If I have the privilege of becoming foreign secretary, I am acting in what is in the UKs national interest as a frontbench MP.

And I take that very, very seriously  particularly in relation to the portfolio I have. Ive said where I can find common cause with Donald Trump, I will find common cause.

He added that Mr Trumps aggressive stance towards other Nato members was often misunderstood and praised his lobbying effort for European countries to raise defence spending between 2016 and 2020.

Chris LaCivita (centre) is spearheading Republican efforts to get Donald Trump re-elected - Jabin Botsford//The Washington Post

While in the US, Mr Lammy will also meet senior Republicans, including the senators JD Vance and Lindsey Graham, and Elbridge Colby, Mr Trumps former deputy assistant secretary of defence.

he is also meeting members of Joe Bidens administration, including Jake Sullivan, his national security adviser.

Last week, Mr Colby said he would rather work with Labour than Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, whom he described as panda hugging and soft on China.

He told Politico: Lammy is laying out a more compatible vision to what people like me are talking about, which is an increase in defence, spending more of a UK focus on Europe. Id rather have a lot less talk and haranguing and more delivery.

The meeting with Mr LaCivita is the culmination of a months-long effort to woo Mr Trump. Mr Lammys office has briefed the staff of more than a dozen Republican congressmen on Labour foreign policy, which is built on a doctrine he describes as progressive realism.

At an event at the Hudson Institute on Wednesday, the shadow foreign secretary also suggested that Labour would try to hit the Governments defence spending target of 2.5 per cent of GDP sooner than expected.

Arguing that the UK and European countries must shoulder our part of the burden of defending the West against Russia and China, he called for defence spending to increase.

Im long enough in the tooth to know that when the Labour Party either gets kicked out of office, or doesnt achieve office, its usually because the public have concerns about how fiscally responsible we are, he said. And Im really grateful that Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have been quite as fiscally responsible as they are.

Were not in office. We havent been able to look at the books. What weve said is that we will have a strategic defence review on day one. We may get to the 2.5 per cent before 2030.

Responding to the suggestion of an earlier funding uplift, a Conservative source said: Well believe it when we see it. David Lammy can say what he wants, but hes not Keir Starmer or Rachel Reeves.

We have a Prime Minister and Defence Secretary who can take tough decisions and commit to 2.5 per cent in a fully funded way, but Labour dont want to do that. Rachel Reeves doesnt think that is a priority.

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.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. police arrested a man and were still looking for another suspect for their involvement in an armed robbery in Northwest that left a D.C. rapper dead.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said 21-year-old Trenton Collins was arrested for his involvement in a fatal shooting during an armed robbery that happened on March 27.

DC police: Man shot, killed in Southeast

Just before 3 p.m., two men went into Hotbox Uptown Dispensary on Georgia Avenue in Northwest. They took out guns and demanded peoples money and property. Police said the victims inside the shop complied.

During the robbery, MPD said one of the suspects fired their gun and hit 41-year-old Philip Prendergast, also known as Phil Da Phuture, a rapper based in D.C. The suspects took items and money before escaping.

Prendergast was taken to a hospital for treatment, where he later died.

Collins was arrested Monday and was charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Man shot during armed robbery in Northwest DC

(Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department)

MPD was still looking for the other person who was involved.

Anyone with information was asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.

A reward of up to $25,000 was being offered to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction of those involved.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
BENTON COUNTY (KNWA/KFTA)  Benton County residents and businesses personal property have to be assessed between Jan. 1 and May 31 every year to avoid penalty.

To avoid the 10% penalty residents have until Friday, May 31.

In a news release, the Benton County Assessor Roderick Grieve encouraged people to assess their personal property online.

HOW & WHERE TO ASSESS PERSONAL PROPERTY IN BENTON COUNTY

Benton County offers four in-person locations:

Rogers: Benton County Rogers Office 2109 W Walnut St  8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bentonville: Arkansas State Revenue Office 2401 SW D Street  8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Gravette: Benton County Gravette Office 901 1st Avenue SW, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Siloam Springs: Benton County Siloam Springs Satellite Office 707 S. Lincoln Street  8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.



Residents can also call (479) 271-1033 for help with their assessment.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED PERSONAL PROPERTY?

According to the news release individual personal property includes but is not limited to:

Vehicles

RVs

Motorcycles

Boats

Trailers

ATVs

Business personal property includes but is not limited to:

Vehicles

Furniture

Equipment

Machinery

Inventory

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Deaf Man Was Killed in Road Rage 'Honking Incident,' Says Family, as 2 Charged with Murder

Ryan Hawkins died after he was allegedly shot on the highway and ejected from his car, which landed in a pond, say police

Ryan Hawkins/Facebook Ryan Hawkins

A deaf man from Indiana was killed in what his family members allege was a violent road rage incident, and now two people are charged with murder, say police.

On May 2, Indiana State Police arrested Andre Briski, 24, of Indianapolis, and Shawna Rowland, 23, of Greenwood, in connection with the May 1 shooting death of Ryan Hawkins, 35, the state police said in a statement.

On the afternoon of May 1, state police dispatchers received numerous 911 calls about a possible shooting and a car swerving off the road and into a pond on I-65 northbound, state police said in the statement.

First responders raced to the scene and found an adult male lying in the grass, unconscious and unresponsive, according to the state police. The man was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators determined that his Hyundai Elantra had gone into a nearby pond and sunk near the area where the dead man had been found.

Three Indiana State Police SCUBA Divers happened to be within a couple miles of the crash and immediately responded, state police said in the statement.

Within minutes, state police divers and divers from the Indiana Fire Department were in the water. They dove under the surface, located the vehicle and determined that no one else was inside.

Investigators at the scene learned that just before the accident, shots were allegedly fired from inside of one vehicle at the car in the pond, state police said in the statement.

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 victim suffered from an injury consistent with a gunshot wound, as well as injuries he sustained from being ejected from the vehicle before it entered the water, the statement said.

Crime scene investigators found what appear to be bullet holes in the side of the submerged vehicle.

Hawkins family told local outlet WISH-TV they believe he was killed following a honking incident.

They said they believe Hawkins tried to speed away from the other vehicle, a Ford Explorer, WISH reports.

His car swerved off of I-65 when he was shot, they told WISH. He was thrown from the car before it landed in the pond.

Other motorists said that when Hawkins sped away, the Ford Explorer pulled up to the drivers side window and someone inside started shooting at him, according to court documents obtained by local station WRTV.

Later that night, State Police detectives found the other vehicle that was alleged to have been involved in the accident.

The vehicle authorities found led them to the two suspects they believe are responsible for the shooting, state police said.

Briski was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, state police said in the statement.

Indiana State Police Andre Briski

Rowland was arrested and charged with assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice, state police said.

Indiana State Police Shawna Rowland

Briski allegedly told police Hawkins was brake-checking him  or, abruptly pulling in front of him and then slamming on his breaks  the court documents show.

Ill tell you right here, I did it, Briski allegedly said, according to the court records, WRTV reports. I didnt mean to, I was afraid that we were going to crash and die.

It is unclear whether Briski and Rowland have retained attorneys who can speak on their behalf.

His family is devastated by his death.

When deaf people meet deaf people, you click instantaneously, because you have similar lives, his brother, Drew Hawkins, told WISH. But Ryan just connected with everyone, he was a beautiful soul.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. The full production level at Kazakhstan's South Tortkuduk deposit is estimated at around 4,000 tons of uranium per year in 2026 at the earliest, a source at Orano told Trend.

"Construction of the South Tortkuduk site is progressing according to schedule. The industrial process was initiated in March 2024, with the first productions expected this summer. The exploitation of this new plot, whose uranium reserves are estimated at 46,000 tons, should ensure KATCO's (the joint venture between French Orano Mining and Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan's national nuclear company) production for around fifteen years. The full production level is estimated at around 4,000 tons of uranium per year in 2026 at the earliest," the source said.

As the source noted, Orano Mining and Kazatomprom signed a memorandum of cooperation on November 29, 2022. Through this memorandum, Orano Mining and Kazatomprom state their intention to maintain and strengthen their cooperation in the uranium mining industry, building on their existing successful partnership.

"Among the joint cooperation initiatives, the memorandum provides for the implementation of a joint technical R&D roadmap, investigations on the ways to address carbon emissions from operations, and sets the groundwork for discussions on the long-term development of the partnership between the two companies," the source said.

Speaking about expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan, the company noted that the visit of President Emmanuel Macron at the beginning of November 2023 confirms France's desire to give a new dimension to this partnership by developing new concrete projects in the nuclear and fuel cycle sectors.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan ranks second in the world in terms of proven reserves of natural uranium. About 14 percent of all proven world reserves are concentrated in the depths of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The country's total proven reserves are estimated at more than 700,000 tons of uranium.

In 2009, Kazakhstan took first place in uranium production in the world and continues to maintain a leading position in the world market. Kazakhstan produces about 40 percent of the world's uranium production. In 2021, the volume of uranium production amounted to 21,800 tons, according to the results of 2022 - 21,300 tons.
Officials in two San Bernardino County cities are outraged over the transfer of more than two dozen death row prisoners from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center to the California Institution for Men, a facility they say is already overcrowded and badly in need of repairs.

City and county leaders in Chino and Chino Hills held a press conference Monday to voice their concerns over the transfers, calling them a danger to the local community.

One inmate killed a victim with an axe during a home invasion robbery, Chino Police Chief Kevin Mensen said during the event. Another one beat and tortured a woman to death.

So far, 39 condemned men have been transferred to CIM, Chino Mayor Eunice Ulloa said.

Im outraged that these death row prisoners have been transferred to the California Institution for Men, the mayor added. This is a prison that is in dire need of repair to keep these dangerous prisoners housed.

Many in the community are worried about potential safety issues for surrounding schools, homes and businesses.

Our biggest concern, obviously, is we have children here, David Dellos, who along with his wife owns a dance studio across from CIM, told KTLAs Shelby Nelson. There should be some added security that would provide us some ability to think that were relatively safe.

Death-row prisoner transfers spark outrage in SoCal

As of May 1, an audit found that CIM, which is designed to hold 1,604 inmates, currently houses more than 2,200, meaning capacity is already bursting at the seams.

The death row transfers have also opened old wounds in the local communities where condemned inmate Kevin Cooper is concerned. Cooper escaped from CIM in 1983 and brutally murdered four people, including Mary Ann Hughes 11-year-old son.

The nightmare of what my child had to go through in his last moments will be with me forever, Hughes said at the news conference.

Death-row prisoner transfers spark outrage in SoCal community

The California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation says it is phasing out its death row unit at San Quentin and that transfers are placed in institutions with an electrified secure perimeter. They say the move is part of the Condemned Inmate Transfer Program, which falls under voter-approved Prop. 66.

That measure stipulates that condemned inmates must participate in prison programs that would help them pay restitution to victims.

Critics, however, say that ends up moving these men to lower-level facilities that are not always equipped with as much security.

3 dead after grisly murder-suicide involving a spear in Southern California

If they go to CIM, theyre going to be housed in general population, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said. Theyre perhaps going to be housed in different areas within prison.

In a statement, CDCR said in part:

While the 2018 facility walkaway is troubling, CDCR can assure the public that these individuals will never be housed in that facility. Since 2008, CDCR has completed a variety of repairs and improvements at CIM and is currently addressing other facility improvements.

The city of Chino has put together a petition that will be sent to Governor Gavin Newsom and they are asking the community to sign it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Elk Grove is ready to expand. The city of more than 177,000 is already a thriving community contemplating the addition of a zoo  the Sacramento Zoo  as an amenity for the enjoyment of its residents and the broader Sacramento region.

Its a big step for a city that has grown from a bedroom community to a regional force having only incorporated in 2000. On Wednesday, the Elk Grove City Council will present and presumably debate a financing plan that could result in the Sacramento Zoo relocating to the southern tip of Elk Grove from its current home of nearly a century in Land Park.

Opinion

In 2021, the Sacramento Zoo Society approached Elk Grove about such a move. After studying the issue, the city acquired a 100-acre lot near Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway in early 2022.

This is a game changer. I see this as an opportunity for our city, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen said about the potential zoo deal. This sort of investment invites more investments. This opportunity sends out to the business world look at all the great things happening at Elk Grove.

When a zoo expansion failed to materialize in Sacramento, Elk Grove presented an attractive alternative that would keep a beloved institution in the Sacramento region. But now weve come to the hard part of paying for it all and the cost is considerable and will be shouldered mostly by Elk Grove, though the zoo is a regional attraction.

Will the zoo overextend Elk Grove?

A $302 million price tag to be paid by the city via different avenues is sizable enough to require exhaustive debate among Elk Grove leaders and citizens.

Previous reporting from the Bee shows that the city would be responsible for 57% of the estimated $302 million needed for the zoo to be built. Of that amount, 38% of the money would be financed by a bond while 31% would come from the citys general fund. The rest, 26% and 5%, would come from community funding partnerships and developers fees respectively.

Its been a very transparent process for the community to weigh in, Singh-Allen said about communicating with the public on the deal. Weve had workshops, weve had forums. Weve included the community every step of the way. As Mayor, I can count on one hand how many emails Ive received that oppose this. Theres no organized opposition.

Mayor Singh Allens enthusiasm and desire for the project are evident, but its too soon to rule out opposition because, on Wednesday, the concept of a New Zoo in Elk Grove will cease to become more real than it has ever been.

Elk Grove has the land and has a partner in the Sacramento Zoo Society.

They will need to raise $50 million, a part of their Zoological Society Partnership before construction begins. The city told The Bee Editorial Board on Monday that they raised $15 million toward the fund.

What does the road map ahead look like for fundraising the other 35 million? If they dont get the funds in time before the to be announced construction start date? will they have to push back?

A more than 65-acre zoo would be an upgrade from the 14-acre Sacramento location. Zoo Director Jason Jacobs said a new zoo structure could mean larger areas for the animals to roam.

One piece at a time

Some Elk Grove leaders, such as Mayor Singh-Allen, view the addition of a zoo as a transformative project for their city. They view the zoo as an attraction and potentially a booster for the economy.

The project could be a great move for a vibrant city, provided Singh-Allen and others prove that the cost of a new zoo is worth the sizable investment.
Sarv Dharavane, a DeKalb County 10-year-old won the Georgia 2024 spelling bee back in March.

Now, school officials are set to honor the fourth grader at a Wednesday morning ceremony held by Austin Elementary School.

According to the DeKalb County School District, Dharavane has earned an all-expenses-paid trip to National Harbor, Md., where he will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee later this month.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

TRENDING STORIES:

The school district said that while contestants are able to compete in the spelling bee until theyre 16, the 10-year-old Dharavane prevailed against all other contestants across the state.

In addition to winning the 63rd Annual Georgia Association of Educators State Spelling Bee, DeKalb County officials said he also won the Georgia State Technology Competition in Project Programming.

Dharavane and spelling bee runner-up Matthew Baber from Rising Star Middle School in Fayette County will both represent Georgia in the Scripps competition, according to the Georgia Association of Educators.

Both students will be competing at the Scripps National Spelling Bee starting May 28. Finals conclude on May 30.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
In an ethics complaint, Damon Ely, a former Democratic state representative and Albuquerque attorney, state Rep. Ambrose Castellano spent thousands of his campaign funds on personal expenses going back to 2020. (Photo by New Mexico In Depth)

Democrat State Rep. Ambrose Castellano in interviews justified expensing a trip to Hawaii, new vehicle tires and restaurant tabs of more than $1,000 to his campaign as not only allowable but necessary to perform his legislative and political duties.

Castellanos defense comes in response to the campaign of his primary opponent, Anita Gonzales, promoting a recent complaint to the State Ethics Commission as evidence that Castellano used campaign funds for personal expenses.

New Mexico In Depth first published this story. It is republished here with permission.

But Castellano said in an interview he did not intend to break campaign spending rules and that he welcomes a fair review by the Ethics Commission. He called the complaint an attempt to discredit him as a Hispanic leader in the midst of the primary election campaign he is currently running.

I do very well for myself and I wouldnt put myself in jeopardy in any situation to do something that is not allowable, Castellano, who owns his own Santa Fe based construction business, said.

Castellano is currently trying to fend off a challenge from Gonzales for the District 70 House seat in San Miguel and Torrance Counties in the June primary election.

In the ethics complaint, Damon Ely, a former Democratic state representative and Albuquerque attorney, alleged Castellano spent thousands of his campaign funds on personal expenses going back to 2020.

Representative Castellano reports having reimbursed himself for $6,233.75 in gas around the state and in Texas. He spent a total of $8,101.79 for hotels in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Chama, and Honolulu. He shows having charged at least $14,773.52 in meals eating out over 135 times and 84 of them in Santa Fe, a district he does not represent, Ely wrote in the complaint dated April 15, 2024.

Ely donated $1,000 to Gonzales campaign in March, and hes listed as a contact on a press release Gonzales sent to New Mexico In Depth and other media outlets about the complaint. But Ely denied filing the complaint to harm Castellanos re-election campaign.

I thought it was important to have an ethics complaint, Ely said. It was not political; thats not how I operate. Ely otherwise wouldnt comment on the complaint in an interview with New Mexico In Depth.

A lions share of the funds Castellano has raised since 2020 come from corporations, trade associations and lobbyists, including some of the largest companies in the country, according to campaign records.

New Mexico In Depth independently verified some of the expenditures that Ely takes issue with, paid for with those campaign contributions, and asked Castellano about them.

Large restaurant tabs?

Castellano spent $1,000 for a meal at Santa Fes Bull Ring restaurant on July 20, 2022.

To me it was an allowable [expense] because there were some constituents and there were lobbyists, he told New Mexico In Depth, noting that representatives from BNSF Railway were there, and that their track runs through his community.

Castellano said charges of more than $2,000 he spent on meals at Jinja Bar and Bistro in Santa Fe on Jan. 29 during the 2024 30-day legislative session werent for personal meals.

I bought that for staff at the Legislature, Castellano said.

Whether legislators may buy meals for legislative staffers using their campaign funds depends on specific circumstances, said Alex Curtas, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State.

Officeholders are allowed to use their campaign funds for certain things related to legislative duties that are not expressly prohibited in the statute, such as legislative lodging, so occasionally feeding staff might be an acceptable use, Curtas said.

New tires?

In August 2022, Castellano charged his campaign account $1,714.90 for a new set of vehicle tires. That year, he faced no opponent in the general election after he prevailed in the June primaries.

Asked if it would be legal for a candidate to directly expense vehicle repairs to a campaign account, Curtas pointed to an administrative rule enacted in 2017 whose purpose was to provide clear guidance around the Campaign Reporting Act.

Wear and tear on a vehicle is a permissible expense of the campaign and candidates shall claim mileage rather than actual repairs for travel solely related to the campaign, the rule says.

However, other guidance documents might confuse the issue for public officials.

An ethics guide for lawmakers currently available on the legislative website states that it is not a violation of the Campaign Reporting Act to spend campaign funds to repair and maintain vehicles that are used for campaigning and legislative business.

And the Campaign Reporting Act simply states that expenditures may be made for travel expenditures to serve constituents.

Each specific scenario would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if the expense is reasonably related to the campaign, Curtas said in an email.

A vacation in Hawaii?

The ethics complaint highlights hotel charges in Honolulu in December 2022. The Anita Gonzales campaign said in a media release that Castellano and his family were on a holiday trip to Hawaii paid for by campaign donors.

Castellano said he was attending the annual meeting of the Council of State Governments, a Kentucky-based nonprofit, nearly 100 years old, that brings state officials together to discuss policy. In 2022, state officials from across the nation gathered in Honolulu for training sessions on numerous issues such as teacher shortages, disinformation, mental health and more. The sessions, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, an oceanside resort on the islands Waikiki Beach,were held from Wednesday, Dec. 7 to Saturday Dec. 10 of 2022.

Castellanos January 2023 campaign filing lists four charges associated with the trip. That includes $26.51 for a Dec. 6 meal at Comida Buena at the Sunport; a $2,096.02 charge for lodging at the Hilton made Dec. 6; a $336.84 tab at a Japanese steakhouse on Dec. 6; and another $1,044.18 charge for lodging at the Hilton, this one made Dec. 12. The charges for lodging dont describe whether or not those charges include airfare or conference registration fees, room service or other meals in the hotel.

Gonzales campaign suggested Castellano stayed longer than the duration of the conference. Castellano in an interview said that is not the case.

We stayed for the conference when it started, when it ended, he said, he said about himself, his wife and his daughter.

Jane Tabet-Kirkpatrick, spokesperson for the State Ethics Commission, pointed to an advisory opinion issued in April in which the commission found that the Campaign Reporting Act permits legislators to expend campaign funds on activities reasonably aligned with the responsibilities of their office, which could encompass training and travel endeavors.

Such opinions set precedent for how the commission rules on ethics complaints. The commission wrote that April opinion in response to a petition asking if a lawmaker can use campaign funds to pay for registration and travel to conferences and courses designed to make them a better legislator.

Reasonably related requires some degree of meaningful connection between the training and the legislative office held, and the use of campaign funds cannot be used for personal use, which includes the use of campaign funds for personal travel, or travel associated with a training that is so broad or generalized it is not directly connected to the position of the legislative office held, the opinion concluded.

Like many officeholders, Castellano said, he leans on advice from attorneys in addition to fellow lawmakers to avoid violating the act.

The law is very gray, said the two-term incumbent.   Theres no training.

The post Democratic lawmaker defends campaign spending appeared first on Source New Mexico.
State Treasurer Tobias Read, pictured on April 3, 2024, is running for secretary of state. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

After eight years leading the Oregon State Treasury, Tobias Read says hes ready to bring a steady hand to the Secretary of States Office.

With two political scandals that led to then-Secretary of State Kate Brown becoming governor after John Kitzhaber resigned in 2015, and Secretary of State Shemia Fagan stepping down last year, and the death of former Republican Secretary of State Dennis Richardson in 2019, Oregon has had six secretaries of state and two acting secretaries over the past decade. Read, a Beaverton Democrat who is term-limited as treasurer, contends hes the states best choice as an experienced administrator to run the office that oversees Oregons elections, audits state government and administers state archives.

Name: Tobias Read

Party: Democrat

Age: 48

Residence: Beaverton

Education: Masters of business administration from the University of Washington in Seattle, 2003; bachelors degree in politics and economics from Willamette University, 1997.

Current occupation: State treasurer since 2017

Prior elected experience: State representative, 2007-17

Family status: Married, two children

Fundraising: $695,000 as of May 2

Cash on hand: $486,000 as of May 2

Weve gotten to a spot where the office I think has suffered from turnover, and theres really important stuff coming  campaign finance reform, to potential ranked choice voting, to just the misinformation and violence that we see in other places and to some extent in Oregon, he said. We can step right in and restore some confidence and capacity in that office and Im well-prepared to do that.

Read will face four other Democratic candidates in the primary: state Sen. James Manning of Eugene, retired attorney Jim Crary, inventor Dave Stauffer and retired electrical engineer Paul D. Wells. The Capital Chronicle is profiling frontrunners Read and Manning and running answers to written questions from the candidates who responded.

Read represented Beaverton in the state House from 2007 until 2017, when he began his first term as treasurer. He ran for governor in 2022, coming in second to now-Gov. Tina Kotek in the Democratic primary.

The secretary of state is first in the line of succession if the governor leaves office  which is how Brown initially became governor. Read said he doesnt view the office as a stepping stone and that he hopes to serve two full terms as secretary of state because hes driven by a desire to contribute to making the state a better place.

While the treasurer and secretary of state have different responsibilities, he said the offices are ultimately quite similar. Both involve overseeing large teams  213 full-time employees at the Treasury and 242 at the Secretary of States Office in the current two-year budget cycle  and both roles are regulators and administrators.

It is about how to lead an agency and set a culture and make sure that were hiring the kinds of people who are committed to that mission and holding them accountable, and thats what Ive done for seven-plus years, Read said. At the risk of being a little bit flip about it, people have good data on me and my performance and my approach, and I dont imagine that changing, even as the office I hold hopefully does change.

As of early April, he had visited 24 of the 36 county clerks in Oregon and planned to visit the remainder to learn more about how elections are run on the ground and the challenges theyre facing. Throughout Oregon, and the rest of the U.S., local election officials have spent the past several years pushing back against unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud and misinformation about elections, spurred on by former President Donald Trump and his allies.

Read thinks there are relatively inexpensive ways to help voters who have lost trust in elections feel more confident. Washington County, where he lives, is one of several Oregon counties that use BallotTrax to send text messages to voters who opt in, letting them know when their ballots are in the mail, when theyve been received by the clerks office and when election workers have verified the signatures and prepared their ballot to be counted. Not all counties use the system because of its cost, and Read said that would be a good investment for the state to make.

Hes also interested in adopting the ballot ridealong program run in Californias San Benito County. The program, modeled off police ridealongs, allows residents to join election workers as they collect ballots from ballot boxes and return them to election offices.

Oregon has been a national leader in voting access and election turnout for decades, including being the first state in the nation to adopt automatic voter registration in 2015 and universal mail voting in 1998. But its been dinged in recent years for keeping closed partisan primaries and requiring voters to register three weeks before an election, while neighboring Washington and California have primaries that allow voters to choose anyone in a race and allow same-day voter registration.

Same-day registration was allowed in Oregon for a decade, but voters amended the state constitution to ban it after followers of the controversial Indian mystic Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh tried to register in droves to take over Wasco County government in 1984. Read said he doesnt see a chance at changing that law any time soon, but he is interested in a proposal he heard from one county clerk that would extend the statutory deadline to change party affiliation for a primary.

Making it easier for people to vote as they wish I think gives people, particularly people who are newly registered, newly arrived in Oregon, a positive experience, Read said. It means its much more likely theyre going to continue to vote.

Read also wants to speed up the offices investigations of election complaints, saying his work handling unclaimed property at the Treasury is a model for efficiency. The Legislature moved control of the states unclaimed property program from the Department of State Lands to the Treasury in 2019, and Read convinced lawmakers to give him more resources so that state workers could proactively return peoples unclaimed money to them without waiting for Oregonians, who in many cases didnt know they had uncashed checks, security deposits or forgotten bank accounts, to make a claim.

He said he has proven during his years as treasurer that he can advocate for department needs, including hiring more employees at the Treasury. That experience could prove critical as the Secretary of States Office oversees a transition to campaign finance limits ahead of the 2028 election.

When I got to Treasury, we joked that we were emaciated looking up at skinny, Read said. So we convinced the Legislature to give us the authority to do a pretty massive and historic expansion of the capacity of the investment division. They did that because we built a solid case and it has saved money for the entire state.

Read doesnt have specific programs he wants to audit, though he said everyone he talks to has an audit to recommend. What the state really needs, he said, is a clear plan for the Audits Division that avoids politics to focus on assessing risks and vulnerability, especially when it comes to programs that cost the state a lot of money and where lives are at stake.

The post Democratic Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read wants to bring stability to Secretary of States Office appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and other lawmakers urged President Biden to protect people who are undocumented but have been in the U.S. for a long time.

This is the time for executive action. This is the time to stand up and do what is right, Booker said.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) wants the president to streamline the process to legal status for undocumented spouses, caregivers, and other long-term residents.

But millions of undocumented immigrants currently live in fear of separation from their families. A broken immigration system that lacks fairness and due process, which leaves many families with no escape from deportation, Markey said.

However, some Republicans question why the Democrats who push for this do not urge the President to take action at the southern border.

Its outrageous, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) said.

Schmitt says there are plenty of ways for the president to get immigration back to how it was under the previous administration.

So, my hope is that hell come to his senses and actually, you know, reinstate something like remain in Mexico or help the border patrol agents by, you know, building more of the wall, Schmitt said.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized any Republicans who talked about fixing the border when they had the chance to pass the border security bill months ago.

The border bill they killed in Congress will linger over them like stink on garbage, Schumer said.

Schumer says Democrats will challenge Republicans to join with them again on border reform.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
FILE - The Wisconsin Capitol is seen, Oct. 24, 2023, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin Democrats plan to spend $7 million on television ads in five state Senate races they believe are key to regaining control of the chamber. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer, File)

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin Democrats plan to spend $7 million on television ads in five state Senate races they believe are key to regaining control of the chamber, the biggest ad buy of its kind Democrats in the state have ever made in legislative races.

Wisconsin, a perennial swing state, is no stranger to big spending on high profile races. But the money typically goes to top of the ticket statewide races, not contests for the Legislature where Republicans have held a strong majority for more than a decade.

For example, this one ad buy is nearly half of the money Democrats spent in the 2022 cycle on all legislative races in both the Senate and Assembly. That year, legislative candidates and outside groups spent a total of just over $41 million on legislative races, $17 million of that coming from Democrats, according to a tally by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

By comparison, Democrats and their allies spent nearly $88 million on the 2022 Wisconsin governor's race, part of the record-high $164 million spent on the contest won by Democrat Tony Evers.

This speaks to the excitement that we've got and the confidence we have in our candidates, said Andrew Whitley, executive director of the State Senate Democratic Committee.

The buy will target races in Milwaukees northern suburbs, the rural areas north of Madison, the Fox Cities, Green Bay and La Crosse.

Republicans currently hold a 22-10 supermajority in the 33-seat Senate, but Democrats hope new district boundaries Gov. Tony Evers signed in February will help them chip away at the GOP advantage.

Sixteen Senate seats are up in November, including eight currently held by Republicans and four open seats. Four Democrats are not up for re-election this cycle; that means Democrats need to win 13 seats in November to gain the majority. In a sign of how the new maps have energized the party, Democrats have put up a candidate in every Senate race on the ballot for the first time in more than 20 years.

Democrats plan to run ads in the 8th Senate District, which includes Milwaukee's conservative leaning northern suburbs. The new maps pulled Republican Sen. Duey Stroebel out of his old district and put him in the 8th, where he'll face Democrat Jodi Habush Sinykin.

Ads are also on tap in the redrawn 14th District, which covers parts of Columbia, Marquette, Green Lake and Waupaca counties. Democrats Sarah Keyeski is running against GOP incumbent Joan Ballweg there.

The committee also will target the 18th District, which now runs from Appleton south to Oshkosh along Lake Winnebago's western shore. The seat is open, with Democrats Kristin Alfheim and Joseph Carmen and Republicans Anthony Phillips and Blong Yang are all running.

Ads are slated for the 30th District as well. That district covers the western shore of the bay of Green Bay, from the city of Green Bay north to Marinette. The seat is open. Democrat Jamie Wall and Republican Jim Rafter are running for it.

The last district in the committee's ad buy is the 32nd in western Wisconsin, where Republican Stacey Klein is looking to unseat Democratic incumbent Brad Pfaff.

Whitley said Democrats picked those districts because President Joe Biden and Gov. Tony Evers won them in 2020 and 2022, respectively, suggesting Democratic legislative candidates stand a good chance of success in them. The ads will be tailored to the issues in each district and will begin airing after Wisconsin's Aug. 13 primary, he said.

Senate Republican Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said that voters will see the ads as another attempt by liberals to buy control of government institutions.

___

Associated Press writer Scott Bauer contributed to this report.
Democrats work to keep protests from disrupting Chicago convention, with concerns over parallels to 1968

In 1968, violence at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, with hundreds of protesters arrested in a police crackdown, upended the party's gathering and soured public opinion in the final months before the presidential election.

Americans had witnessed it all on their TV screens.

Now, more than 50 years later, as college campuses across the United States have erupted into protests over the Israel-Hamas war, some experts say history could repeat itself at this year's DNC convention -- also in Chicago.

MORE: Authorities plan for threats to Republican, Democratic presidential conventions

PHOTO: In this Aug. 26, 1968 file photo, a demonstrator stands in front of a row of National Guard soldiers, across the street from the Hilton Hotel in Grant Park, site of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. (Library Of Congress/Warren K. Leffler via Reuters)

While the 1968 protests were against the Vietnam War, activists today are blaming President Joe Biden for his support of Israel's military operations in Gaza -- and some have expressed intentions to disrupt the party's plan to nominate him this summer for a second term.

Back then, opposition to the Vietnam War had gotten so intense that then-President Lyndon B. Johnson withdrew from being considered as the Democrats' nominee, throwing the party into political turmoil.

PHOTO: In this Aug. 29, 1968 file photo, Chicago police officers attempt to disperse demonstrators outside the Conrad Hilton, Democratic Convention headquarters hotel in Chicago. (AP Photo/RHS, FILE)

PHOTO: In this Aug. 28, 1968 file photo, police reroute demonstrators as they try to clear Grant Park during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. (AP, FILE)

In 2024, unrest over another war could mean a similar chaotic scene that the party badly wants to avoid as it tries to showcase Biden to voters.

"We have been making comparisons to 1968, of course, because, you know, it was a very contentious convention," said Hatem Abudayyeh, the national chair of March on DNC, the group leading the protest effort this summer.

More than 70 organizations attended a daylong conference last month to plan protests leading up to the DNC, Abudayyeh said, with close to 200 organizations and thousand of protesters expected to join in by August.

PHOTO: Pro-Palestinian and Pro-israel face off in front of the entrance of Columbia University which is occupied by Pro-Palestinian protesters in New York on April 22, 2024. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

This spring, protesters at college campuses have demanded their institutions divest themselves from any ties to Israel for its response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, which claimed 1,200 Israeli lives, according to Israeli officials. More than 34,000 Palestinians have died, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.

Looking to continue the protests into the summer, some of the same groups are targeting the DNC when more than 5,000 Democratic Party delegates will descend on Chicago.

At a news conference in April, leaders of the Democratic National Convention Committee downplayed the prospect of protests derailing the convention.

"We're trying to create an environment where everyone is welcome. We do protect First Amendment rights. But we also want to reassure you that the people are excited about this convention coming," DNCC Chair Minyon Moore said.

"[The Secret Service is] doing all the right things to protect the citizens of Chicago, but we're also doing -- we hope to do the right things to protect the protesters," Moore said.

The protest groups claim their free speech rights are being violated.

Last week, March on DNC filed for an injunction against the city of Chicago, arguing officials improperly denied issuing permits to hold a pair of protest marches within blocks of the DNC.

Instead of allowing protests "within sight and sound" of the DNC, the group said, the city has instead offered an alternative location four miles away. Abudayyeh of March on DNC argues that the distance keeps them "buried," and that the groups will march "whether they have permits or not."

MORE: How campus protests of the past may inform pro-Palestinian student demonstrations

In a statement to ABC News, the city argued it does not have enough resources to handle the kind of protests the groups want to carry out.

"The City of Chicago has received parade or assembly permit applications from seven groups coinciding with the DNC. All seven permits were denied following review by multiple City departments to identify any potential conflicts, safety issues, and to assess the availability of resources needed to support the gathering," Director of Public Information for Chicago's Department of Transportation Erica Schroeder said in a statement to ABC News.

Nevertheless, Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling assured residents that police are properly trained in "anticipation of large demonstrations."

DNCC Chair Moore told reporters they are "very sensitive to the environment that we're walking into here in Chicago," adding that the committee is coordinating "very closely" with the Secret Service, as well as the mayor's office and the Chicago Police Department.

"We have read the stories, we have seen the stories and we have heard the stories. And we know that protesters are coming. Protesters come every four years," she said.

Avoiding 1968 redux

PHOTO: In this Aug. 29, 1968 file photo, Chicago police officers attempt to disperse demonstrators outside the Conrad Hilton, Democratic Convention headquarters hotel in Chicago. (Michael Boyer/AP, FILE)

American University professor Leonard Steinhorn said while there are common threads between now and 1968, there are some clear differences, most notably the American death toll in Vietnam -- where more than 58,000 American service members were killed.

"It's hitting any neighborhood where you have relatives who are living in a dystopian, horrific, brutalized moment. It's hitting people in that sense, but it's not hitting people because their kids are going off to war in this country," he said.

PHOTO: The National Guard confront anti-war protesters in Chicago during the National Democratic Convention in 1968. (Walter Kale/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

At the convention in 1968, the city of Chicago refused permits to the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam and the Youth International Party, denying them a designated space to peacefully protest.

The groups weren't legally able to protest near the convention, which led to a clash between protesters and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's police force. Authorities said 668 protesters were arrested; 110 hospitalized; 425 were treated at temporary hospitals.

The Walker Report, commissioned by President Johnson to look into the violence, called it a "police riot," with many officers using billy clubs, rifle butts, mace and tear gas on the protesters. National Guard troops were called out. The report detailed that the "vast majority of the demonstrators were intent on expressing by peaceful means their dissent."

MORE: 'Violent protest is not protected,' Biden says of college campus unrest

Former Republican President Richard Nixon tried to harness the unrest to activate what he called the "silent majority," and won a decisive White House victory.

The aftermath of 1968 still looms large over the Democratic Party.

Former President Donald Trump has tried to take advantage. In an interview with a local station in Wisconsin, Trump warned that the Democrats will have a "problem" in Chicago because "they've handled things very poorly."

Steinhorn, the American University professor, surmised that moving the protests this year to a separate location makes logistical sense, but that the city of Chicago must learn from its past "mistake."

"There's sort of a political strategy behind that, which is, where are the cameras going to be? The more you can isolate it and make it a sidebar story that's more helpful," said Steinhorn. "But it's a mistake when you look at the history. If you don't allow peaceful protest and a space to organize, things can get out of control."

Democrats work to keep protests from disrupting Chicago convention, with concerns over parallels to 1968 originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
More than a dozen House Democrats are pressing President Biden to tap his executive powers to secure the border, arguing that Congresss partisan stalemate on the issue leaves him no choice but to act unilaterally.

In a letter delivered to the president on Tuesday, 15 Democrats  most of them in competitive reelection contests  said the only lasting solution for curbing the migrant tide and the flow of fentanyl is for both parties to join forces and pass legislative fixes. But after Republicans blocked a bipartisan border bill earlier in the year, the issue has little chance of reemerging before Novembers elections, creating a void only the White House can fill.

It has become clear that the current situation remains untenable, but with Republicans playing politics on border security, it is time for your administration to act, the lawmakers wrote. We urge you to use all tools at your disposal, including executive action, to better address security at the Southern border, interdict illicit fentanyl and allow for orderly legal immigration.

The letter was spearheaded by Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and endorsed by 14 other House Democrats, including Reps. Susan Wild (Pa.), Mike Levin (Calif.), Steven Horsford (Nev.), Matt Cartwright (Pa.), Susie Lee (Nev.), Sharice Davids (Kan.), Chris Pappas (N.H.), and Hillary Scholten (Mich.)  all of whom are ranked among the vulnerable lawmakers identified by the Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper.

The push for Biden to act on border security highlights the concerns among some Democrats that the hot-button issue is a handicap on their reelection chances in November, as Republicans seek to capitalize on voter anxieties about immigration in general and the border in particular.

In February, after months of hard negotiations, a group of bipartisan senators reached a deal on tougher border security measures to accompany a massive foreign aid package, including fresh military help for Ukraine and Israel. The border provisions were a demand of conservatives in both chambers, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who said Congress would be derelict to protect the borders of other countries without also protecting its own.

That package went off the rails, however, after former President Trump advised Republicans not to support any border reforms before the election  an issue hes hoping to use against Biden on the campaign trail.

Trumps entreaty altered the debate, as Republicans quickly bashed the bipartisan agreement as being too weak. Johnson declared it dead on arrival in the House, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), after championing the deal, voted with most Republicans to sink it in the upper chamber.

Democrats, including Biden, have hammered Republicans for abandoning the border issue, saying they tanked the opportunity to achieve the bipartisan immigration reforms that have eluded Congress for decades.

But the griping has done nothing to improve conditions at the southern border, where thousands of migrants continue to arrive seeking asylum each day  a dynamic thats fueled the GOP attacks on Bidens handling of the crisis.

In their letter, the 15 Democrats accused Republicans of refusing to tackle the problem legislatively for the sole purpose of using the issue as a campaign cudgel against Democrats.

This Congress had an opportunity to work together on a bipartisan basis to secure the border but House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring that bill to us for debate because our House colleagues would rather see the crisis continue and use it as a campaign ad instead of actually addressing this national security issue, they wrote.

But they also want Biden to step in with executive fixes, citing the sheer ubiquity of the fentanyl crisis and the difficulty facing local governments as they struggle to locate housing and other services for asylum seekers.

All of our constituents, no matter our congressional district, have felt the impacts of the current border situation, they wrote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 8. Sanzhar Zhamalov has been appointed as the new Country Manager of Mastercard in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, Trend reports.

According to Mastercard, his area of responsibility includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

"I am excited to take on my new responsibilities at Mastercard. The payments business is growing rapidly in Central Asia, and I think my experience will assist the company, Kazakhstan, and other nations in the region. Mastercard helps Central Asia build a sustainable digital economy. I'm delighted I joined this professional team," said Sanzhar Zhamalov after his appointment.

At the same time, the former CEO of Mastercard in Central Asia, Rafal Trepka, will focus on leading the Mastercard Customer Solution Center, Mastercards regional hub in the CIS region.

Commenting on the appointment of Sanzhar Zhamalov, Trepka noted that the new Country Manager of Mastercard in Kazakhstan and Central Asia will give additional impetus to Mastercard projects.

"We will work together to provide more of Mastercard's cutting-edge solutions and technologies to the region, making payments simple, secure, and convenient," he noted.

To note, in Kazakhstan, Mastercard assists the National Bank and the government of Kazakhstan in developing the payment ecosystem and promoting Kazakhstan in the Mastercard network for the further implementation of breakthrough projects in the field of tourism, conducting programs to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses, IT exporters and the creative industry through the development of payment and digital solutions, providing expert and technological support in the development of the national payment system and human capital.
WASHINGTON  Immigration advocates and Democratic lawmakers are urging President Joe Biden to prioritize long-term undocumented immigrants as his administration weighs executive actions to curb record crossings along the southern border.

In a letter signed by more than 80 lawmakers, including members of the Congressional Hispanic and Progressive caucuses, the Democrats ask Biden to take all available actions to streamline pathways to lawful status for undocumented immigrants ahead of the November election.

Deporting all such individuals  as former President Donald Trump has threatened to do if reelected  would devastate the American economy and destroy American families, they added.

The letter offers concrete steps they say the White House could take, including streamlining the process by which DACA recipients, or immigrants brought to the country illegally as children, can seek to change to a nonimmigrant status.

Lawmakers also ask Biden to unify families by allowing undocumented migrants married to U.S. citizens to seek parole on a case-by-case basis and reduce processing times for green card cases so that those migrants could be eligible to work.

The chair of the Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Nanette Barragan, D-Calif., said in a statement that Biden should seize this critical moment by exercising his Executive Authority to rebuild our broken immigration system.

We urge him to provide pathways to citizenship and protections for the millions of long-term undocumented residents who have contributed to the rich fabric of the United States, she said.

The new push follows a letter in March from Senate Democrats, led by Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin, of Illinois, and Immigration Subcommittee Chair Alex Padilla, of California, outlining the same call to action.

As the Biden administration considers executive actions on immigration, we must not return to failed Trump-era policies aimed at banning asylum and moving us backwards, Padilla told NBC News in a statement.

On Monday, NBC News reported that Biden is considering using his executive authority in the coming weeks to potentially restrict the number of migrants who can enter the U.S.

The administration has been in touch with immigration advocacy groups ahead of any executive order.

A Department of Homeland Security official with knowledge of the discussions said the White House would most likely invoke power reserved for the president in Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows a president discretion over who is admitted into the U.S.

Under that authority, Customs and Border Protection would be directed to block the entry of migrants crossing over from Mexico if daily border crossings passed a certain threshold. Its similar to a provision of the border bill negotiated by a bipartisan group of senators earlier this year, which was killed by Republicans, in part, at Trumps urging.

Advocates are worried that the policy would be too restrictive on asylum, as are some Democrats who opposed the bill in February and called for a legal pathway to citizenship for undocumented people in the U.S. to be included in the text.

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus lobbied the administration over months to no avail, with Democratic leadership eventually giving up its long-held red line on immigration reform to unlock aid to Ukraine amid a Republican blockade.

The GOP rejected the bipartisan compromise regardless, effectively sinking all near-term prospects for Congress to tackle an issue that has plagued the U.S. government for years.

Nonetheless, Padilla said this is Bidens opportunity to provide relief for the long-term immigrants of this nation.

Padilla is leading a news conference Wednesday afternoon with lawmakers and advocates from FWD.us, American Families United, UnidosUS and CASA to spotlight the letter to Biden.

The president of FWD.us, an immigration advocacy group, said in a statement that most Americans dont have the opportunity to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of American families  but President Biden does.

He has the legal authority to provide affirmative relief to the spouses of U.S. citizens, and other longtime undocumented community members, Todd Schulte said. We hope, and believe, he will act soon to protect these American families.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
SOUTH YARMOUTH  A Dennis town meeting vote Tuesday night to allow recreational marijuana shops in town failed by a vote of 130-98, shy of a two-thirds majority required on the citizens' petition warrant article. The 57% favorable vote was short about 20 votes of passing.

Dennis resident Kyle Pedicini, who presented the petition, said he was pleased that more 50% of town meeting voters were in favor of lifting the ban.

Its only a matter of time, he told several people who came up to him after the meeting to express their support and help for future efforts.

The article to amend the current zoning bylaw that bans recreational marijuana retail outlets was the only one of 28 on the meeting warrant that generated discussion from residents. All other articles, mostly budgetary, passed easily with little comment.

Dennis Select Board members vote against a recreational marijuana petition Tuesday night at the Dennis town meeting. From left, they are Jim Plath, Carlyn Carey, Paul McCormick and Chairman Chris Lambton. John Terrio was not present. A measure to allow recreational marijuana shops received 130 yes votes to 98 no's, but failed to generate the necessary two-thirds margin to be approved.

The meeting at the D-Y Intermediate School auditorium lasted just over an hour.

Several voters spoke in favor of reversing the ban for various reasons and only one woman spoke against it, saying she sided with the Planning Board, which voted 4-1 against the change. The Select Boards recommendation was 3-1-0 against the article while the Finance Committee voted 3-2-0 not to recommend it. None of three boards explained their reasons in detail.

After the meeting, Select Board Chairman Chris Lambton explained the boards negative recommendation.

It would be better to have the town write it and the legal counsel vet it, he said. He also said the idea should be subject to a ballot question because the measure's wording showed no method for collecting taxes.

Dennisport resident Brien Hines called for the Select Board to makes its case for opposing the proposal, which he favored because of the money it would generate for the town. He said the town counsel would have to vet the petitioned article anyway for the special permits required.

In presenting the petition with some amendments Tuesday, Pedicini said he used Brewsters recreational marijuana bylaw and Denniss existing medical marijuana bylaw to draft it. The number of establishments would be limited to fewer than 20% of the licenses for retail alcohol stores, which would be two, he said.

Were a little behind the towns on Cape Cod, Pedicini said regarding recreational cannabis stores. Bourne, Brewster and Sandwich recently reversed their bans, he said. No other venues to obtain recreational marijuana exist in Mid-Cape, he said.

Pedicini argued the stores would produce significant money for the town. As an example, he showed that Mashpee took in $350,857 in one year and estimated Dennis could take in more than half a million dollars from the retail stores.

Pedicini said the new establishments would have no impact on product demand or use and that no towns in Massachusetts with the recreational marijuana stores have had any problems.

Dennis residents Kyle Pedicini presents a citizens petition to repeal the towns ban on recreational marijuana establishments at the Dennis annual town meeting Tuesday. The proposal failed on a 130-98 vote, short of a required two-thirds majority.

The proper things to do is tax and regulate. Its free tax revenue, he said, and noted the towns pending $200 million town sewer project needs to be paid for.

Pedicinis amendment to his original proposal withdrew stores in two areas of Dennisport Village Center, saying Dennisport is not ready for it. The outlets would only be allowed in an industrial zone off Route 6 and a commercial zone off Hokum Rock Road. He also withdrew a section that would require a security plan for the stores from the police and fire chiefs. The amendments were adopted on a vote of 161-50.

Most of the residents arguments favored the extra revenue the shops could bring to the town. One woman mentioned that the stores would create good paying jobs and help keep the tax rate down. Resident Gail Spector said she is a cannabis user along with her friends and family who have to go to other towns to buy the product. I would like to support the local businesses, she said.

Another woman said she voted for the proposed bylaw even though she is not a cannabis user. She said she believes the town needs more revenue. Noting recent federal endorsements of legalizing marijuana, she said would eliminate any conflicts with the state law.

Town meeting voters in Dennis pass budget

In other articles, voters passed unanimously the towns fiscal 2025 operating budget of $47.4 million, an increase of about $2.7 million over the current budget. Voters also approved officials salaries and the Cape Cod Regional Technical assessment of $1.8 million.

The Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School Committee Chairperson, Jeni Landers, spoke on the school budget total of $80.9 million and the Dennis assessment and debt service total of $20.8 million. She described significant challenges to the budget for staff, utilities, transportation and loss of COVID and post-COVID funding, resulting in significant cuts in staff and resources. She thanked the residents for their support and the budget passed unanimously.

Selectman Jim Plath explained a potential Proposition 2  override to replace an old fire truck and ambulance for $2.9 million. He called it a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, but said the override may not be necessary if other funding is found in the next two or three years. The article passed on a two-thirds majority vote.

Several other approved articles related to the upcoming sewer projects, including easements for pumping stations and an enterprise fund for the operation and maintenance of the future wastewater plant.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Dennis town meeting OKs $47.4 million municipal budget
Denver partners with Maria Empanada to help feed migrants

DENVER (KDVR)  The city of Denver and the founder of Maria Empanada have announced a partnership in which the popular food brand will donate $25,000 in baked goods to the migrant population.

The announcement was made during a giveaway on Tuesday afternoon, in which several dozen people waited in line.

The city is struggling at this time, founder Lorena Cantarovici said. So we need to help in any way that we can.

In a press release, the city said the goods will go to those in the newcomer shelter system.

Denver council approves new overnight homeless shelter

Its not about politics, right? Its not about religion, Cantarovici said.

Cantarovici first came to the United States in 2001. Maria Empanada first opened in Denver in 2011.

Denver City Council Member Amanda Sandoval, District 1, also attended the event.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Deputies ask for help finding missing woman from Chesterfield County

A 42-year-old woman from Chesterfield County hasnt been seen in more than a week, and the sheriffs office is asking for help locating her.

According to the Chesterfield County Sheriffs Office, Lashaunda Denise Spurlock was last seen getting into a car around 6 p.m. on April 29 on Coit Chapman Lane in the Cheraw area.

The sheriffs office said that she hasnt been seen since, but she may be trying to get to New York to meet with a male that she has been talking to online.

Channel 9s Tina Terry is working on getting more information on Spurlocks disappearance. Check back on this article and watch Channel 9 for updates.

If you have information on Spurlocks whereabouts, youre urged to call the CCSO tip line at 843-287-0235.

(WATCH: Channel 9 joins Second Harvest Food Bank to help local families)
Nine Investigates has been reporting about the hiring freezes at the Florida Highway Patrol and what that means when you get in a crash.

In Orange County, the sheriff will now have deputies help investigate some crashes.

Until now, FHP has only investigated crashes in Orange County.

For years, the agency has been understaffed, and residents have complained they have had to wait hours upon hours for a trooper.

Read: FHP to stop raises for troopers, this on the heels of hiring freeze

So this has been an issue or complaint that Ive heard from many of our residents since Ive been sheriff, that when they get involved in a traffic crash, they just have to wait so long for another agency, Sheriff John Mina told Channel 9.

Last year, there were more than 26,000 crashes in Orange County; FHP investigated most of the crashes, and Orlando police handled the rest. The sheriff estimates they will now handle about 10,000 of those calls a year.

Deputies will work mainly on minor crashes with no injuries. Field services officers will handle most of those. Mina said, We did increase the size of that unit and will continue to increase it to assist with that, but our deputies who are out in patrol now will also be trained.

Read: Motorcyclist dies after Osceola County crash, troopers say

He said he has enough staff for it and will roll out over the next year. This year, he expects about 50 new deputies to start.

When asked what he thinks this will change for the community, he said, Just quicker response times. Itll help clear the roadways a little quicker, too.

The FHP is in a hiring freeze, but they currently have about 100 openings, the lowest number of vacancies in years.

The next time the agency will hire is in June of 2025.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Deputys selfies at Jan. 6 insurrection got her fired, suit says. Now she gets payout

Nearly three years after a former Texas deputy was fired for posting photos at the deadly Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the Capitol, shes receiving a nearly $400,000 settlement from her former employer, according to officials.

Former Bexar County Lt. Roxanne Mathai sued the county and Sheriff Javier Salazar for violating her First and 14th amendment rights, according to court documents.

Mathai had been a county jailer for the last nine years, earning a lieutenant rank in 2020.

She was also a passionate supporter of former President Donald Trump and had repeatedly made public statements in support of him and MAGA (Make America Great Again) on social media platforms such as Facebook, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit said she was wrongfully fired months after attending the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington, D.C.

Despite settling the case, Salazar stands by her termination, according to KSAT.

The termination in this case was done within policy and was upheld by an arbitrator. The decision to issue a settlement was made outside the BCSO. There was no wrongdoing on the part of the administration, and I stand by our actions, the sheriff said in a statement to the outlet.

Documenting history





With permission from an assistant chief deputy, Mathai jetted off to the nations capital on Jan. 5, 2021 to join friends in support of Trump, according to the complaint.

She arrived at Ellipse Park donning a Trump flag as a cape around 7 a.m. to attend the Save America Rally where Trump infamously told supporters to stop the steal ahead of Congress certification of the 2024 election.

Mathai eagerly watched the former president speak before following the large crowds toward the Capitol building, according to court documents.

As she made her way with the crowd, she pulled out her phone believing she was a witness to history and wanting to create a record for posterity and began to snap photos, according to court documents.

Photo of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection posted to Facebook by Roxanne Mathai United States District Court Western District of Texas

Mathai stood on the street, sidewalk and lawn, never entering the building, until about 3 p.m., according to the lawsuit. She then walked back to her hotel, the lawsuit said.

Photo of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection posted to Facebook by Roxanne Mathai United States District Court Western District of Texas

Mathai would never approve or condone such law-breaking. She was horrified at what she saw, according to the lawsuit.

Photos of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection posted to Facebook by Roxanne Mathai United States District Court Western District of Texas

The lieutenant returned to San Antonio on January 8, the same day Salazar launched an internal investigation into her activity at the insurrection, according to documents.

Mathai investigated

Citing allegations such as conduct unbecoming of an officer, a failure to report criminal activity and an inappropriate use of social media, Mathai was questioned by an investigator on Jan 29, 2021.

County employees are required to report any criminal offense which they have direct or indirect knowledge, according to Bexar County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) documents.

Mathai said she saw people climbing walls and scaffolding, but added that she did not observe any response from law enforcement, according to a transcript of her internal investigation.

She told an internal investigator that she does not possess a complete understanding of the law even in my own jurisdiction much less to know if these would be considered violations in Washington D.C., according to county records.

BCSOs social media policy says that anything posted to social media can be used against the employee, which can lead to disciplinary action or termination, according to documents from the sheriffs internal investigation.

Mathai was ultimately fired from her role on May 28, 2021, according to BCSO documents. She filed a grievance and her case went before an arbitrator in August 2021  and her termination was ultimately upheld, according to arbitration documents.

I absolutely think that this brought reproach and discredit, disrepute on this agency, Salazar testified in August 2021, citing Mathais presence at the capitol on Jan. 6, according to the complaint. And I think that her presence there brings that on. But allowing her to remain employed by us, I would be basically acquiescing and saying that thats okay. And its not.

In September 2021, Mathai was dishonorably discharged from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement for criminal misconduct, but she says she did not receive the certified mail notifying her, according to court documents. She missed the deadline to appeal, but petitioned the State Office of Administrative Hearings to change her standing in March 2022.

Criminal charges were never filed against Mathai, according to the lawsuit.

Her standing was changed to general discharge, according to the lawsuit.

Filing suit

Due to the dishonorable discharge status Mathai held for months, she said she was unable to find work, according to the lawsuit.

She filed suit in December 2022, citing violations of her First and 14th amendment rights.

The lawsuit says the county and Salazar retaliated against her because she engaged in free speech regarding matters of public concern and expressed her political views.

During depositions, however, Salazar held a different opinion on what happened on Jan. 6, 2021.

I believe it  that the insurrection itself was a terrorist act, and she was there in support of it, Salazar said during his deposition, according to KSAT.

Mathai also said her firing deprived her of her civil rights and employment, according to the lawsuit.

Nearly a year and a half later, shes now getting a nearly $400,000 payout from her former employer.

Commissioners Court on April 9 approved turning over the $100,000 deductible amount required under its policy to a private insurance carrier to take over the defense and resolution of the lawsuit and the insurer agreed to pay the remaining $400,000 settlement amount to Mathai to resolve the pending lawsuit, a Bexar County spokesperson told McClatchy News in an email.

The county did not specify the reason for settling the lawsuit, but noted that Mathai said she never entered the Capitol building.

Trio ambush and kill foreign politicians son, cops say. 3 arrested one month later

Body found floating in Mississippi River had been there for days, Missouri cops say

21 pounds of weed shows up at wrong house  and two try to get it back, Texas cops say
Deseret News archives: What are the lessons, legacy of the siege at Wounded Knee?

This undated file photo shows the historical marker commemorating the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890 on the road near the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wounded Knee, S.D. | Anonymous

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

On May 8, 1973, militant Native Americans who had held the South Dakota community of Wounded Knee for 10 weeks peacefully surrendered.

Militant Indians in Wounded Knee lay down their arms today, signaling an end to the 70-day occupation of the historic South Dakota hamlet, reported the front page of the Deseret News on that day.

The May 9 front page:

DNews-05091973

But the narrative began in the late 19th century.

In late December 1890, the U.S. Army 7th Cavalry got into a skirmish with a group of Plains Native Americans, the incident escalated and the 7th Cavalry decimated the Indian village of Wounded Knee. Some 300 Indians  mostly women and children  as well as 31 soldiers were killed.

... It was the last armed conflict into the 30-year effort by the Army to subdue the Plains Indians, historical accounts relate.

Then in 1973, a group of approximately 200 Oglala Lakota seized and occupied the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota. The group chose the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre site for symbolic value, and the 70-day standoff attracted widespread attention.

A major reason for the confrontation was the groups protest of what they called corrupt management of Indian affairs on the reservation by the federal government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Deseret News article of the day reported.

Some remember the nonfiction book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West, by Dee Brown. The 1970 bestseller offered a realistic and well-researched account of Native Americans in the West in the 19th century.

Here are some of the Deseret News stories related to a difficult time in U.S. history, from myriad perspectives:

Utahn joins spiritual journey to Wounded Knee

Tense FBI, AIM exchange during Wounded Knee talk

Sioux gather at Wounded Knee to mark centennial of massacre

Widow of civil rights activist wants him home

Wounded Knee author Dee Brown dies
Waves of storms turn deadly in Tennessee and more twisters are hitting the Southeast

Strong storms tracking through the central and eastern US Wednesday killed at least two people in Tennessee and as night fell, flash flooding and more tornadoes were slamming the state  including one twister that carved a path of destruction in communities south of Nashville.

Tornado warnings also were in effect late Wednesday in several southern states, including in northern Alabama, where a large and destructive tornado was in the area of Henagar, a city of a couple thousand people roughly 55 miles east of Huntsville, the National Weather Service said. A tornado warning also was issued earlier Wednesday night in the Huntsville area.

The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for parts of Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee until 3 a.m. CT Thursday. A tornado watch means severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in the watch area.

The National Weather Service said it had four tornado reports Wednesday from Tennessee, with two from Maury County, where a tornado emergency had been in effect. A confirmed large and destructive tornado was near the city of Spring Hill around 5:50 p.m. CT, the weather service said.

At least one person was killed and four others were injured in Maury County during the tornado, Maury Regional Medical Center spokesperson Rita Thompson told CNN. Three of those patients have non-life-threatening injuries and one is in serious condition, Thompson said.

The area had widespread damage, with trees down, officials in the county told CNN. Buildings were also damaged, but Maury County Commissioner Eric Previti said he wasnt aware of the magnitude.

Wilson County EMA sent crews to Sumner County northeast of Nashville to aid in water rescues. - Wilson County EMA

We are urging for everyone to stay off of the roads. If you can stay at home, stay home, the Maury County Office Of Emergency Management posted on Facebook.

A flash flood emergency was issued Wednesday evening for Robertson and Sumner Counties in Middle Tennessee along the state line with Kentucky and around 20 to 30 miles north of Nashville, according to the weather service.

At 6:56 pm CDT, water rescues and very dangerous flooding are occurring in the emergency area, weather officials said. Radar estimates show 4 to 7 inches of rain have fallen across these counties today, and more heavy rainfall will move across the region over the next several hours.

An official with the Robertson County Emergency Management Agency said there were a few water rescues but no immediate reports of injuries.

The first fatality from the storms was reported in Claiborne County, Tennessee, Wednesday morning. A tree fell onto the persons car amid intense storms, according to the countys emergency management office. The person has not been identified.

Dangerous storms with damaging winds, large hail and tornado warnings have been ongoing in several states since Wednesday morning. The hazardous weather is playing out just a day after powerful tornadoes and storms swept through southwestern Michigan, destroying homes and businesses and injuring several residents.

The severe weather is forecasted to shift into the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic on Thursday, bringing with it more hail, damaging winds and the possibility of a few tornadoes.

Heres the latest on Wednesdays storms and destruction in Tennessee and Tuesdays damage in Michigan:

 Chaotic severe weather stretch: April to June is the most active time for tornadoes in the US, and May is typically the busiest month. This year has been no exception. At least one tornado has been reported in the US every day since April 25  a streak of 14 days and counting.

 Damage and debris on I-65: The Tennessee Department of Transportation said it was sending crews to an area near Interstate 65 and State Road 99 where there was damage and debris. 1 lane is blocked on I-65S at MM 47 in Maury Co. after a reported tornado passed over the interstate. Reports from the scene are that cars and signs in the area were damaged, transportation department spokesperson Rebekah Hammonds said on X.

Storm damage in Maury County on Interstate 65 South - TN Dept. of Transportation

 Mobile home park struck by tornado: More than a dozen people were injured at a mobile home park in Pavilion Township in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, following a tornado Tuesday, according to a city official. Fifteen to 20 people had minor injuries and were transported to two area hospitals, according to the countys emergency management spokesperson Andrew Alspach.

Homes are left damaged after a tornado at Pavilion Estate Mobile Home Park in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, on Tuesday. - Chicago & Midwest Storm Chasers

 One Michigan town may have been hit twice: At least one tornado, possibly two, hit Portage Tuesday evening, as the area faced two tornado warnings in just over an hour, the National Weather Service said. Homes and businesses in the city sustained significant damage, but there were no serious injuries, according to town officials. A tornado ripped a large hole into a FedEx facility. A spokesperson for the Kalamazoo County administrators office told MLive.com that around 50 people were trapped in the facility for a few hours. CNN has been unable to verify that report. Portage public safety director Nicholas Armold later said all employees were accounted for when emergency responders arrived.

 Damage reported in at least two other Michigan counties: Multiple homes and businesses were destroyed after a possible tornado touched down in Centreville on Tuesday, according to St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman. The storm damage ripped off roofs and flattened homes completely down, Bingaman told CNN. At least seven homes were destroyed in nearby Branch County, according to Emergency Management Director Tim Miner.

 First-ever tornado emergency in Michigan: Parts of Branch County, including Union City, were placed under Michigans first tornado emergency when a large and destructive tornado was over the area Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Tornado emergencies are the most extreme tornado warnings and are only issued when a tornado threatens catastrophic damage and loss of life, often in a populated area.

Homes damaged by a tornado at Pavilion Estate Mobile Home Park in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, on Tuesday. - @NISWweather/X

Tornado threat continues Wednesday

Nearly 3.7 million people were under a Level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms Wednesday night, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Within this risk are parts of Alabama, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee  including Nashville.

An additional 590 million people from Texas, through much of the Ohio Valley and into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, are under a Level 2 of 5 or Level 3 of 5 risk.

Powerful storms with damaging winds, hail bigger than baseballs and tornado warnings have been roaring across multiple states since Wednesday morning.

Some areas that endured an initial round of severe storms early Wednesday are at risk for another round later in the day  Tennessee is a prime example.

The repeated rounds of storms Wednesday will also deliver torrential rainfall and raise the risk of flooding.

The greatest flash flooding threat also overlaps with the risk of severe thunderstorms, centered over Kentucky and Tennessee as well sections of neighboring states, the National Weather Service said. A Level 3 of 4 risk of flooding rainfall is in place here, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

Rainfall rates could reach 2 inches per hour, which could dramatically increase the possibility of flash flooding. Locations worked over by multiple heavy storms could record more than 4 to 5 inches of rain.

Two of the homes on Arney Road in Sherwood Township destroyed by tornado Tuesday evening. - Don Reid/Coldwater Reporter/USA Today Network

CNNs Steve Almasy, Joe Sutton, Amy Simonson, Lucy Kafanov, Rebekah Riess and Andi Babineau contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 8. Kazakhstan and Egypt have agreed to increase the total number of permitted flights between the countries from 14 to 48 per week, as well as the permitted points from 2 to 3 for each side, Trend reports.

The aviation authorities of the countries reached the corresponding agreements during bilateral negotiations.

The agreements also increased the number of designated carriers. Thus, the Kazakh side, in addition to the existing carriers Air Astana and SCAT, appointed the Fly Aystan airline to operate regular flights between the countries.

The Egyptian side, in turn, appointed Red Sea and Nile Air to the existing carriers EgyptAir, EgyptAir Cargo, and Air Cairo.

According to the agreements, the airlines of the two countries can enter into commercial agreements between themselves at the same time.

Meanwhile, the volume of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Egypt in 2023 amounted to $161.2 million. Egypt's imports, valued at $137.5 million, dominate the trade turnover structure. The above-mentioned Kazakh exports to Egypt totaled $23.6 million.
Even as a young child growing up in the small Central Valley town of Dinuba, Dick Rutan knew that he wanted to be a pilot. Whenever he heard an airplane, he would gaze up and it seemed the sky was beckoning him.

I wanted to get up there in it, Rutan recalled. Those contrails of the big jets overwhelmed me. It was my destiny to fly.

He started lessons at 15, soloed on his 16th birthday and had a flight instructors rating by the time he graduated high school. He would go on to fly more than 300 combat missions in Vietnam, but those were the least of his achievements.

Read more: Dick Rutan, 4 Other Fliers Stuck at North Pole as Plane Sinks; None Hurt

In 1986, the decorated airman co-piloted the experimental aircraft Voyager around the world in nine days, taking off from and landing at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert without stopping or refueling  one of aviation's greatest milestones.

"It's a grand adventure," a wobbly Rutan said, after the nationally televised landing watched by President Reagan.

Rutan died Friday at a hospital in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, after suffering from a lung infection. His brother Burt Rutan, an aerospace engineer who designed the spindly Voyager, was at his bedside. Rutan was 85.

Co-pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager after a test flight of their Voyager aircraft over the Mojave Desert on Dec. 19, 1985. (Doug Pizac / Associated Press)

After 20 years in the Air Force, Dick Rutan joined his younger brother's Mojave aircraft company as a production manager and chief test pilot, but resigned to found Voyager Aircraft Co. with a single goal in mind: completing the record-breaking flight.

Read more: THE RETURN OF THE VOYAGER : A Native Californian, Rutan Was Born to Fly

The round-the-world trip was the product of six years of planning, development and testing, supported by grassroots donations when Rutan and his co-pilot, Jeana Yeager, his girlfriend at the time, could not strike a deal for a corporate sponsorship. (Yeager is no relation to famed test pilot Chuck Yeager.)

The twin-engine Voyager was constructed out of a lightweight graphite-honeycomb composite. It had a small cabin and disproportionate wingspan of nearly 111 feet that enabled it to carry more than four times its weight in fuel  1,500 gallons tipping the scales at nearly 9,000 pounds  making it uncomfortable to sleep in and ungainly to fly.

It took off from Edwards at 8:02 a.m. on Dec. 14, a Sunday, and barely got off the ground, as the tips of its fuel-laden wings scraped the runway. During the trip, Rutan and Yeager traded piloting duties as the other attempted to sleep. Along the way, they battled tropical storms and averted disaster when an engine cut out just 450 miles from home. They were able to restart it.

When they landed 24,986 miles later, thousands cheered, and both pilots were some 10 pounds lighter. They, along with Burt Rutan, would meet the president, who awarded each the Presidential Citizens Medal. The Voyager was chosen by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington for inclusion in its collection of historic aircraft.

He played an airplane like someone plays a grand piano, said Burt Rutan of his brother.

Dick Rutan achieved celebrity and was in demand on the speaker circuit but didn't gain the fortune he had expected after scrimping for years to get Voyager aloft. (His brother would go on to design SpaceShipOne, the first privately funded and crewed craft to enter space, launching an entirely new industry.)

In 1992, Rutan ran for Congress against Democratic Rep. George Brown Jr. in California's 42nd Congressional District in the Inland Empire. A surprise winner of the Republican primary, Rutan was beaten in the general election.

The pilot never lost his taste for pushing aviation's limits. In 1998, when he was 59, he and a co-pilot attempted to become the first balloonists to fly nonstop around the world. But the duo had to bail out and parachute to safety when the craft sprang a helium leak shortly after takeoff in New Mexico.

Rutan shrugged it off, noting he had had to bail out of planes twice before, including once in Vietnam when his jet was shot out of the sky. (The global circumnavigation was achieved the next year by a pair of Swiss and British balloonists.)

Not one to turn down an adventure, he got stranded in the North Pole for several days two years later when the Russian biplane carrying him and four others landed and partially sank through the ice. He wasn't seeking a record but just wanted to check out the pole.

Rutan set another aviation record in 2005 when, in his 60s, he flew some 10 miles in a rocket-powered plane launched from the ground.

Greg Morris, president of Scaled Composites, a Mojave aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan, said when he was about 7 he met the aviation pioneer and over the years always found him generous and welcoming.

Bigger than life, in every sense of the word, Morris said, noting Rutans legacy with Voyager, as a test pilot and in the military, where he earned a Silver Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals and a Purple Heart. "Any one of those contributions would make a legend in aviation. All of them together, in one person, is just inconceivable.

Born July 1, 1938, in Loma Linda, Rutan is survived by his wife of 25 years, Kris Rutan; daughters Holly Hogan and Jill Hoffman, from a previous marriage; and grandchildren Jack, Sean, Noelle and Haley.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Its uncomfortable to reflect that 80 years ago we had reason to be very thankful to the Russians for displaying on the Eastern Front the same characteristics we find so abhorrent in their conduct in Ukraine today. Chief among them is their pitiless treatment of their opponents, soldier and civilian, along with an apparently inexhaustible willingness to die.

The truth, as Stalin never failed to point out, was that from June 1941 until D-Day, it was the Red Army that did most of the fighting in the struggle against Hitler. The fact that he and his fellow dictator had essentially been allies for the first third of the war was of course ignored.

The Soviets were fighting for their own survival, not ours, but for a few short years, overwhelming mutual interest ensured that the stars of capitalism and communism were aligned. The Western allies certainly contributed mightily to victory. However, without the Soviets resilience and almost unimaginable sacrifices in what Jonathan Dimbleby here describes as the bloodiest and most brutal mega-conflict in the annals of human warfare history would have turned out very differently.

The historiographical trend of recent decades has been to redress the earlier Eurocentric focus of English-language historians and accept that the Eastern Front was the crucial theatre where Hitlers armies were broken and the war effectively won. Endgame 1944s subtitle  How Stalin Won the War  advertises the authors intention to push perceptions further down this path.

While most Brits have heard of Operation Overlord and will be hearing much more in the coming weeks with the 80 anniversary of D-Day, few know the significance of Bagration  the Soviet offensive that began just two weeks later. They should, and Endgame: 1944 is a great place to learn about it. Dimbleby tells the story of the titanic operation well, swooping from panoramic strategic overview to harrowing close-ups of the battlefield reality drawn from a rich fund of individual accounts.

Named, tellingly, after a warrior prince, a Georgian like Stalin who was mortally wounded fighting Napoleon at Borodino, Bagration was designed to sweep the German invaders out of Soviet territory and back to Berlin. As well as avenging the humiliation of Operation Barbarossa, it had a grand political purpose: to redraw the map of eastern Europe to ensure Soviet domination and create a buffer zone to remove the threat of history repeating itself. If it suceeded the western Allies would be powerless to oppose the new strategic reality. So while smashing the Nazis, Bagration would lay the foundations for the Cold War.

Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill at the Yalta Conference, February 1945 - PhotoQuest/Getty Images

In the spring of 1944 the Germans were everywhere on the defensive and Stalin and his generals were weighing their options for the best way to finish them off. The Red Army was very different from the demoralised and shambolic force that had all but collapsed under the onslaught of Barbarossa three years before. Unlike Hitler, Stalin learned from his mistakes, and now allowed his commanders a degree of freedom. So it was that when General Konstantin Rokossovsky defied the Red Tsar and insisted on a two- rather than one-pronged attack on the Belorussian front at the heart of the German defence line, instead of being dragged off and shot he was given his head  with triumphant results.

Bagration fell on the Germans like an avalanche  of armour, aircraft and manpower, which the Soviet generals squandered with their habitual abandon. But the plan also made brilliant use of maskirovka  deception operations involving dummy tanks, fake troop movements and signals traffic that constantly wrong-footed the enemy. It was an almost complete success. Between June 22 and August 19, 28 of the 34 divisions of Army Group Centre were destroyed and the German front line shattered.

The Germans knew the assault was coming but had no idea where the main blow would fall. They were further hampered by Hitlers senseless stand-fast orders which left no room for manoeuvre.

The huge defeats of the opening weeks mirrored the catastrophes that befell the Soviets in 1941. The fighting was merciless, the Red Armys thirst for blood sharpened by the atrocities they encountered everywhere they advanced. Everyone was well used to slaughter by now but the scenes they witnessed still induced a terrible awe. Nowhere else have I seen such an enormous number of German corpses wrote one veteran. The road was literally lined with them in all sorts of poses and positions. I got so fed up with looking at them that I felt sick.

There was worse to come. On July 24 units of the Eighth Guards Army reached Lublin and discovered in the suburbs the Majdanek murder factory. The speed of the Soviet advance had left the SS no time to destroy the evidence of their evil and for the first time the world had tangible evidence of the Holocaust.

War is hell but the Eastern Front was the very depths of Hades. It was the civilians who suffered most, caught in the ebb and flow of the fighting, preyed on by successive conquerors as well as the partisan bands who harrassed the German rear areas with considerable effect.

Nonetheless, the war was the Soviet Unions finest hour. Under Stalin, its people had rid the world of the Nazis and established the Motherland as a global power.

As the author points out, in the confusion and humiliation of the collapse of communism, the masses looked back on the Great Patriotic War  and even Stalin  as a comforting memory. It is a mindset that Vladimir Putin has ruthlessly exploited to provide the twisted narrative for his own war in Ukraine.

One of the strengths of this book is the line it draws between the awful then of 1944 and the grim events of today. The Russians actions in Ukraine, writes Dimbleby may be deplorable but they are not inexplicable: they did not emerge from a void. Endgame 1944 is thus as much a primer for the present as it is sound history.

Patrick Bishops Paris 44: The Shame and the Glory is out in July. Endgame 1944: How Stalin Won The War is published by Viking at 25. To order your copy for 19.99 call 0808 196 6794 or visit Telegraph Books

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.
Misty Livingston-Holmes holds up a bottle of water filled from the spout outside her home. Black flecks she says are manganese float at the bottom. Livingston-Holmes and neighbors have been struggling with poor water quality and inconsistent bills.

Misty Livingston-Holmes holds up a bottle of water filled from the spout outside her home. Black flecks she says are manganese float at the bottom. Livingston-Holmes and neighbors have been struggling with poor water quality and inconsistent bills. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)

SALINE COUNTY  Misty Livingston-Holmes has lived most of her life in her subdivision northwest of Salina.

She loved growing up there, and after leaving home for a few years, she moved back to take care of her grandmother in her old age. Much of her family has lived in the modest neighborhood of mobile homes.

But if she had known when she returned that the water would become undrinkable  and at times not run at all  shes not sure she would have done it.

You never know if its going to smell like sewage, if its going to smell like chlorine, if its going to come out clear or if its going to come out brown or black, Livingston-Holmes said.

For years now, Livingston-Holmes and her neighbors have been struggling with boil advisories, cloudy or even dark brown water, and inconsistent billing  plus, periods where they dont have water at all. Earlier this year, when a polar freeze shut down a well pump, some residents of Sundowner West Meadows Mobile Home Park reported not having water for more than a week.

Felicia Sylvia, who moved to Sundowner West with her husband and children 10 years ago, said she doesnt drink the water or use it to cook. She only uses it for washing clothes and bathing.

I dont even feel OK boiling eggs in that water or rinsing my fruit or anything, Sylvia said.

And when residents try to take their issues up with their water provider, Livingston-Holmes and Sylvia said, they get nowhere.

Over the past few months, the situation has become so dire that residents began reaching out to anyone they could find, catching the attention of state Rep. Susan Concannon, a Republican from Beloit who represents the area. Concannon said she couldnt imagine it getting any worse.

Its a public utility and there were several years here of no oversight whatsoever, and he was just doing whatever he wanted and bullying these families, Concannon said of Scott Kolling, who acquired the water system at Sundowner in 2021.

Now, Kolling is facing accusations from state regulators that he has run the service without registering with the state, shut off customers water in violation of regulations, and failed to consistently monitor the water for contaminants, according to records from the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Kolling referred questions to his attorney, Ed Watson, who did not respond to emails seeking an interview.

In a brief phone conversation, Kolling said the water is safe. He said he was waiting on several test results and will say more in the future.

Some of the rumors and stuff thats been going around are not completely the facts, Kolling said. When we make a statement, I want to make sure the facts are being told.

KDHE, the state agency that regulates water quality, said in a statement that Kolling had hired a contractor to help with treatment of the water and there were no reported water quality issues.

The agency will continue to monitor this issue as it works closely with the local government, the property owners/operators, and the residents of Sundowner Mobile Home Park, KDHEs communications director, Jill Bronaugh, said in an email.

Dont drink it

Sundowner, which lies northwest of Salina, is secluded, tucked in between farms along gently sloping country roads. It offers residents a chance to buy a modest residence  a mobile home set on a permanent foundation.

Advertisements in the Salina Journal in the late 1970s beckoned residents with the promise of owning the lot under their mobile homes to turn rental payments into an investment.

But of the lots developers drew up in their plans for a large rural neighborhood, only a few dozen were ever built. At one end of the subdivision are rows of mobile homes, but at the other, bare lots surround sporadically placed houses. Looking downhill to the southwest from Livingston-Holmes front porch, one can see two mostly empty streets where the homes developers anticipated never materialized.

When Sylvias family moved to Sundowner 10 years ago, everything was great, she said.

The water was clean and her family paid their bill along with the rent for the lot where their mobile home sits. Sylvia said the quality started to decline just before Kolling took over.

When Sylvia fills her bathtub, the water looks like it contains urine. It leaves a stain where the kitchen faucet drips into the sink. She mixes instant coffee with bottled water rather than using the tap to brew coffee.

She has recommended several loved ones move out to Sundowner, but she always includes a warning about the water.

You tell your neighbors, Dont drink it,  Sylvia said.

Even without drinking it, the water takes its toll  drying out her hair and skin.

And in January, Sylvias family of six was without water completely for days.

Starting in mid-January when temperatures in Salina plunged below zero, Sundowner residents water stopped working. The cold weather caused the pumps that draw groundwater to the surface to lose power, according to a report filed with the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Staff of the KCC said in the report that the issue wasnt repaired for three to five days and noted residents complained of inadequate service for weeks.

Sylvia said her family were among the last residents to see water service restored.

Im an understanding person, Sylvia said. I know that were all human and things happen, but if youre going to have something, you have to take care of it.

A bottle of water filled from Misty Livingston-Holmes kitchen sink appears cloudy compared to the glass of water filled from her dispenser of bottled water. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)

Conflicting instructions

In her kitchen, Livingston-Holmes filled a plastic water bottle from the kitchen faucet and set it on the counter next to a glass of water filled from her dispenser of bottled water. The tap water was almost opaque. Next to the clear bottled water, it was obviously cloudy.

Sometimes, Livingston-Holmes said, the water is brown. And it alternates between smelling like sewer water and pool water overloaded with chlorine.

Outside, she fills another bottle from the faucet where the hose connects. She points to the black flecks floating in the water, which she says are manganese. A prolonged struggle with elevated levels of manganese has spurred KDHE to advise residents not to make infant formula with their tap water.

After sampling Livingston-Holmes water in January, KDHE gave her literature about the potential risks of manganese, including a warning not to boil the water, cook with it or use it to make ice.

Months later, in April, Sundowners water system lost power again, and KDHE issued a boil water advisory despite its previous advice to Livingston-Holmes. Boil water advisories are typical when a water utility loses pressure because bacteria can be introduced into the system.

But within hours, KDHE received updated manganese results at levels high enough that the agency told residents to stop drinking their water at all because boiling it to eliminate bacteria would only concentrate the manganese. The water, KDHE said in a do not drink notice, had even higher concentrations of manganese than it did three months before.

Even when the do not drink advisory was lifted, KDHE left in place a health advisory about the manganese levels. According to the news release, parts of the distribution system have levels of manganese that could pose a health risk to infants. That remains in place, and the agency is awaiting further manganese testing results.

While manganese is not regulated, the Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of determining whether to set limits for the mineral, according to KDHE.

Manganese is an essential nutrient in small quantities. Its found naturally in rocks, soil, water and food. But in large quantities, manganese exposure can cause learning or behavioral problems in children and may impact adults nervous systems. In large quantities, it can cause manganism, a disorder similar to Parkinsons disease.

Misty Livingston-Holmes flips through water bills and sampling results as she talks about the water quality issues and inconsistent billing in her neighborhood near Salina. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)

Billing disputes

At the same time they were struggling with the quality of their water  and despite not using it for anything except bathing and washing clothes  residents at Sundowner have also reported inconsistent bills and high prices.

And Kolling, Livingston-Holmes and Sylvia said, is quick to lock up residents meters for nonpayment.

Theres times that he wont send you a bill for three months and then it will be a ridiculously high bill, Livingston-Holmes said. How do you expect people to pay their bill when you wait three months and then you want the payment tomorrow?

Livingston-Holmes bills arrive inconsistently. A bar chart displaying her monthly usage at the bottom of her bill shows no usage some months compared with huge spikes in other months.

Sylvia and Livingston-Holmes both pay Kolling via Venmo and dont receive a receipt for their payments, they said.

Sundowners water system is not registered as a public utility with the Kansas Corporation Commission. As a result, its difficult to know how much Kolling charges per gallon. And the state agency hasnt been overseeing those rates as its supposed to.

I dont know how this flew under the radar and continued to fly under the radar even when I was calling  trying to get somebody to tell me that there was some oversight, Concannon, the state representative, said.

Normally, public utilities  including water providers and electric and gas utilities  are registered with the Kansas Corporation Commission and have to receive state approval over their prices and abide by other regulations.

But Sundowners water system isnt registered with the KCC.

After residents and Concannons inquiries, the KCC ordered Kolling to either register as a public utility or file documentation explaining why he thinks he shouldnt have to.

Kolling has requested more time to file a response with the KCC. In the meantime, the order from regulators also requires that Kolling restore service to customers whose water had been shut off and notify customers in writing that their rates are subject to change and refund.

If the Kansas Corporation Commission finds that Kolling must register Sundowners water service as a public utility, the rates Kolling charges for water would become governed by the commission and residents could go to the state agency to report potential regulatory violations.

According to KCC documents, the agency has received 12 complaints from Sundowner residents ranging from inconsistent or inaccurate billing to double billing to unjustly shutting off their water service and poor water quality.

The KCCs order requiring Kolling to explain why Sundowner shouldnt be required to apply for regulatory oversight also instructed him to provide audited financial statements, water sales, income statements and other information to allow the KCC to review Sundowners water rates.

Sylvia said she doesnt have any faith that problems with the water at Sundowner  both the quality and the billing  will end.

If you told me today that I could drink my water, she said, I dont think I would drink it.

The post Dirty water, inconsistent billing plague neighborhood near Salina appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
After passing by a capsized boat, Disney Cruise Line had to make an unexpected stop in the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday, May 7.

Disney Cruise Line currently operates five ships -- the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy, and the Disney Wish -- and offers a variety of itineraries to destinations around the world, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, the Bahamas, and more.

The Disney Dream is currently sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Barcelona, Spain. As the ship sailed Southeast of Bermuda, they passed by an overturned boat.

Capsized Boat Spotted In Ocean By Disney Cruise Line

Jose Carreon

Passengers who were on board witnessed the unexpected event as the ship had to turn around to investigate.

Jose Carreon exclusively told The Blast that the Disney Dream passed a capsized boat late evening on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Shortly thereafter, an announcement came over the loudspeakers, informing the passengers that the ship had to turn around and investigate.

The ship stopped for approximately 30 minutes but then left the site. According to Mr. Carreon, the captain of the Disney Dream contacted local authorities.

Similarly, Kevin O'Connor, whose parents were on the Disney Dream, exclusively told The Blast that the ship "pulled alongside the capsized boat and began searching for signs of life."

Disney Cruise Line Passenger Witnessed The Investigation

Jose Carreon

Another passenger, Lacey Harris, told The Blast that the staff announced that "they saw lights and a capsized catamaran off the starboard side and would be stopping to investigate."

Ms. Harris witnessed the captain and crew "shine the big searchlight on the wreckage for about 30 minutes."

"They searched the water and wreckage, but no one was found," she exclusively told The Blast. "After they realized no one would be found, the Captain came back [over the loudspeaker] and announced they would be continuing on to Ponta Delgada and thanked us for our patience."

Disney Cruise Line Contacts Local Authorities

Lacey Harris

According to Ms. Harris, the Captain also said he contacted authorities in Bermuda.

This is not Disney Cruise Line's first run into a capsized boat. In 2016, three individuals were found clinging to a capsized boat about 40 miles north of Varadero, Cuba. According to ABC, U.S. Marshal Amos Rojas Jr. of the Southern District of Florida, the three were rescued by the Disney Cruise Line ship and were turned over to the U.S. Coast Guard, who discovered upon fingerprint analysis that two of the individuals had outstanding arrest warrants in New Orleans.

"I think it was evident from the law enforcement standpoint that they were fleeing the U.S. to avoid federal and state charges," Barry Golden, Senior Inspector with the U.S. Marshals Service, told ABC News at the time. "Cuba is somewhat a safe place for fugitives to hide."

All three men also had multiple arrests between them for credit card fraud.

Disney Dream Rescues Man In Water

MEGA

Additionally, the Disney Dream stopped last year after a man was spotted in the water and needed rescuing. The individual was seen struggling in the water off the coast of Cuba and had to divert. According to a passenger at the time, the man was a 29-year-old from Cuba.

The Cuban Coast Guard later picked up the man from the Disney Dream and brought him to the mainland.

Disney Cruise Line Airlifts Pregnant Woman In Need Of Medical Care

MEGA

Earlier this year, a pregnant woman who was sailing on Disney Cruise Line had to be airlifted by the U.S. Coast Guard after needing a high level of medical attention.

According to FOX, in a video shared by the Coast Guard, a rescuer was seen "rappelling down from an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter" as she "required a higher level of medical care."

"Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan received a communication from the Disney Fantasy Monday morning requesting medevac assistance as the cruise ship was transiting 260 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico," the agency wrote in a press release at the time.

"Once on scene, the Coast Guard Jayhawk aircrew deployed their rescue swimmer aboard the cruise ship, who prepared a rescue basket and litter to safely hoist the patient and cruise ship doctor aboard the aircraft," the Coast Guard said.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is slamming former President Trump as a con artist, following reports that Trump is dining with donors who supported his mug shot digital trading cards.

Trump, who has the day off from court Wednesday, is expected to host a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida with donors who bought the Trump MugShot Edition non-fungible tokens (NFTs), according to Axios.

In a statement first provided to The Hill, the DNC called out Trump for other merchandise he has sold, including sneakers and Bibles.

Donald Trump is nothing but a con artist who has ripped off the American people time and time again, and this election is no different: Trump has hawked bootleg sneakers, peddled his own Bible, and pushed NFTs, said Alex Floyd, DNC rapid response director.

As Trump continues to back a laughably out-of-touch MAGAnomics agenda that puts his ultra-wealthy friends ahead of hardworking families, Americans arent falling for the con job. Voters see right through Trumps never-ending grifting and will reject his extreme and unpopular brand at the ballot box in November, he added.

Trump unveiled the new cards in December, branding them MugShot Edition himself, after his mug shot was taken surrendering in a Fulton County, Ga., jail in August. At the time, he teased that if you bought 47 cards, get a piece of the suit I wore for the Mugshot Photo, and also get an invite to a Gala Dinner with me at Mar-a-Lago!

The former president began selling other trading cards in December 2022, and they sold out in less than 24 hours after he announced the first set.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Key West may actually belong to the Cuban government

One of the most iconic buildings in Key West, built by Cuban exiles in the 19th century as they fought for independence from Spain and now a Cuban heritage center, is in the midst of a legal battle over its ownership.

The surprising question at the heart of the litigation: Whether the San Carlos Institute, on Key Wests storied Duval Street, actually belongs to the government of Cuba.

A lawsuit in Miami-Dade court, which claims Cuba is the San Carlos sole owner, seeks the sale of the institute, and the proceeds turned over as compensation to the family of a man killed by Fidel Castros forces in 1959.

The San Carlos Institute was founded by Cuban exiles in 1871 as a school and civic center, three decades before Cuba became a republic in 1902 after the Spanish-American War. The institute holds a special place for Cubans because 19th century writer Jose Marti, Cubas national hero, used the institute in 1892 to publicize his intention to create the Cuban Revolutionary Party, which led independence efforts.

Statue of Jose Marti inside the San Carlos Institute in Key West, Florida.

After falling into disrepair and being rebuilt with private and state funding in the 1980s, the San Carlos currently houses a museum, a theater, a gallery and a conference center. It was one of the first bilingual and integrated schools in Florida, and it now offers educational programs for visiting high school students. The Institute became a symbol of Cuban exiles contributions to Key West and has regularly hosted major city events like the Literary Seminar and the Key West Film Festival. U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, the former Miami-Dade mayor who now represents Monroe County in Congress, was sworn in at the institute for a second term last year.

The San Carlos Institute is of great significance to the Cuban exile community. It was at the San Carlos where Jose Marti spoke and organized Key Wests exile community to assist Cuba during the struggle for independence, said Gimenez. Key West is in my district and as the only Cuban-born member of Congress, I was honored to be ceremonially sworn in at the San Carlos. While I do not know the particulars of this case, it will certainly be my hope that the San Carlos remains in the hands of its current stewards to preserve this monuments history for generations to come.

Congressman Carlos Gimenez (FL-28) was sworn in to a second term in Congress on Feb. 27, 2023, at the historic San Carlos Institute in Key West, Florida.

Over the years, the institute, currently run by the not-for-profit corporation Instituto Patriotico y Docente San Carlos, Inc., has been the subject of bitter legal fights among different exile groups over its control. Court records show that at least part of the institutes real estate is held in trust  with the government of Cuba as trustee and the institute as beneficiary.

Cubas Communist government has laid claim to ownership of the institute in the past.

When a group allegedly backed by the Cuban government unsuccessfully claimed to be the rightful owner of the San Carlos in a 1994 lawsuit, a Cuban diplomat wrote a letter stating that Cuba was the title holder, owner and trustee of certain real property deeded to it in trust for the use and benefit of the San Carlos Institute.

That letter was dismissed by a Florida judge, but the institute now faces a new existential threat. This time, a Florida court will decide if the San Carlos should be sold to pay compensation to Marilyn Wiederspan, whose father, Jose Velasquez Fernandez, was killed by one of Castros firing squads in the early days of the Cuban Revolution.

In a 2010 lawsuit against Castro, his brother Raul, Ernesto Che Guevara and the Republic of Cuba, Wiederspan said her father, a lieutenant in the army of dictator Fulgencio Batista, was detained, tortured and killed for fighting Castros armed guerrillas in the Sierra Maestra mountains. Her lawyer and cousin, William J. Sanchez, said Wiederspan was just six when her father was executed in February 1959.

In 2012, a Miami-Dade judge awarded Wiederspan $63.6 million in damages plus 4.75% annual interest, after Cuba failed to represent itself in court.

But cashing in has proved difficult.

In 2015, a Manhattan federal judge denied Wiederspans petition to get compensation by tapping a portion of the $1.7 billion fine imposed on French bank BNP Paribas for violating the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

In October 2023, Wiederspans lawyers asked Florida Circuit Judge Barbara Areces to allow them to collect damages by seizing assets owned by Cuba in the U.S.  with an eye on the sale of the San Carlos, currently valued at $4 million by the Monroe County Property Appraisers Office.

The members of the San Carlos Institute volunteer board of directors learned in January that the order was sent to the Monroe Countys sheriffs office, and they are now trying to prevent the sale.

Who owns the San Carlos?

What will happen next depends largely on how the judge interprets property laws.

The Institute was first built in the 1870s on land donated by Cuban exiles to the Instituto Patriotico y Docente San Carlos, an unincorporated organization at the time. The building was destroyed by a hurricane in 1919, and its directors got a donation from the Cuban government to rebuild it and house a Cuban consulate in Key West. A court document at the time shows that a year later, in 1920, members of the San Carlos board put some of the institutes real estate in a trust and conveyed the properties unto the Republic of Cuba in trust for the use and benefit of the San Carlos Institute.

Wiederspans lawyers presented the document in court to argue that Cuba is the sole owner of the property and that the current not-for-profit board running it does not have title and is merely an occupant.

The San Carlos Institute [board] is a sham, Sanchez., Wiederspans lawyer, said.. They do not own the property.

The institutes lawyer, Warren P. Gammill, told the Herald that Cuba only holds a bare honorary legal title as honorary trustee of the property, adding that the not-for-profit running it is its beneficial owner. He argued in court that the Instituto Patriotico y Docente San Carlos has had exclusive possession and control of the San Carlos Institute since 1871.

You cannot simply take and sell property that is owned by the Republic of Cuba as trustee for the benefit of a third party, he said.

A judges decision to grant the institute a hearing to present evidence is pending.

Justice Department weighs in

Wiederspans efforts to collect damages are facing a separate challenge: the U.S. Justice Department asked the Miami-Dade judge to void the previous final judgment and deny any request to seize Cuban assets, saying the case does not meet the requirements to file suit against Cuba in a U.S. court.

In 2017, a federal judge in New York denied, on similar grounds, Wiederspans request to have her Florida court judgment validated in federal court.

Much earlier, in 1962, a Florida court also ruled the San Carlos Institute could not be seized to pay damages to Castros victims because Cuba had sovereign immunity from lawsuits.

The law later changed. Under the 1976 Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, Americans can sue foreign states for acts of terrorism under certain conditions, among them that the victim must be a U.S. national or a U.S. government contractor.

The Justice Department argues that Velasquez, the Batista army lieutenant, was neither.

Wiedermans lawyers have questioned the DOJs request to intervene in the case, more than a decade after the original judgment, as excessively untimely. Sanchez also claims that because the administration of President Dwight Eisenhower helped fund Batistas army and provided training and weapons, the Cuban army was in essence a contractor to the U.S. government, meaning Wiederspans claim qualifies under the 1976 law.

Objects in the collection of the San Carlos Institute in Key West.

While the legal case unfolds, Rafael Penalver, the long-time director of the board of the San Carlos Institute, said he is grappling with the possibility that the place he has dedicated much of his time and efforts might disappear. He said the irony is not lost on him that the institute, which he describes as a bastion of Cuban culture and the fight for a free Cuba, might perish at the hands of a Castro victim.

The Institute is the only thing we have left as a patriotic institution, said Penalver, a Cuban-American lawyer. It has become a place of pilgrimage where parents take their children and leave there knowing more about Cuba.

It would be devastating if we lose it.
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.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys decision to defend three state senators who were sued for sharing false social media posts about the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting could open taxpayers up to liability amid intense criticism from lawmakers of both parties.

Baileys representation has confounded legal experts who argue it could have far-reaching ramifications. It raises questions about whether lawmakers social media posts are official government business and whether lawmakers can be immune from lawsuits about their online behavior.

The biggest question for critics is why Bailey is using state resources to defend senators who allegedly defamed a private citizen. Some have floated the possibility of a potential ethics complaint against either the senators or Bailey.

The attorney generals argument may expose the state to more liability than it had before, said Chuck Hatfield, a Jefferson City-based attorney who previously worked in the Missouri Attorney Generals Office.

The three lawmakers, Republican Sens. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg, and Nick Schroer of St. Charles County, were each sued last month for posts falsely claiming that Denton Loudermill, an Olathe native, was an undocumented immigrant and a shooter in the February shooting that killed one person and injured more than 20.

The lawsuit from Loudermill argues that the three senators were acting as private citizens when they made the posts. But Baileys office, in a court filing last week, argued that Brattin was acting in his official capacity and is protected by absolute legislative immunity.

Brattins post was directed at President Joe Biden and referred to border security concerns, the motion from Baileys office said.

State legislators should not be inhibited by judicial interference or distorted by the fear of personal liability when they publicly speak on issues of national importance, the motion, which quoted prior case law, said.

The motion also argued that the lawsuit, filed in Kansas federal court, should be dismissed because the shooting, posts and Brattin himself were all based in Missouri.

The State has an interest in ensuring that a remote federal district court isnt the final say on interpretation of Missouri law, Madeline Sieren, a spokesperson for Bailey, said in an email.

But legal and political experts who spoke with The Star raised doubts about whether courts agree that a lawmakers social media posts could be considered official business.

I doubt that legislative immunity is going to apply here, Hatfield said.

Michael Wolff, a former Missouri Supreme Court chief justice, said in an interview that the argument might be a bit of a stretch. He said Bailey could argue that hes defending the senators out of an abundance of caution to protect them from being sued for commenting on issues of legislative interest.

I guess the question is, if youre on your way home from the Capitol and you get a DWI, are you legislating? Wolff said. Should you be either represented by the attorney general or be immune? Im not sure.

Baileys decision follows a lengthy list of actions that critics have questioned as the Republican has been accused of pushing to expand the powers of his office.

Bailey last year made an unprecedented attempt to overturn the conviction of the first white Kansas City police officer found guilty for killing a Black man. He also unsuccessfully attempted to use state law to effectively ban gender-affirming care for both adults and kids.

The Republican has also deployed a rarely-used procedure to try to oust four elected officials. Last year, he tried to circumvent Republican Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick to inflate the cost of an abortion rights ballot measure. And hes wielded the office to file an onslaught of lawsuits against Biden and the federal government.

Missouri Republicans have not been quick to defend Baileys decision to represent the senators and some have sharply criticized the move. None of the three senators responded to requests for comment.

Sieren, in an email last week, pointed to the states legal defense fund, which lawmakers direct money to to defend state employees and elected officials from legal claims connected to their official duties.

The lawsuits against the Missouri senators came after an onslaught of false social media posts were shared with photos of Loudermill after the shooting. Loudermill also filed a nearly identical lawsuit against U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, last month.

The Missouri lawmakers posts caused Loudermill to receive death threats, incur damages totaling more than $75,000, anxiety, and loss of sleep, according to the lawsuits, which accuse the senators of false light invasion of privacy. The lawsuits ask a judge to issue damages to punish or deter the senators and others from similar conduct in the future.

Another outstanding question is whether the senators social media accounts can be considered official business when all three of them also use the accounts to promote their campaigns. Missouri law bans the use of public funds for campaigning.

Brattin, in a sworn affidavit, argued that he published his social media post while I was engaged in my regular duties as a Missouri State Senator. However, Brattins X account also includes a link to his campaign website and the pinned post on his profile talks about an endorsement he received for his reelection campaign.

Peverill Squire, a political science professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, said that the case raises some thorny legal questions about the differences between official and campaign business.

The courts will have to sort this out and theyre not doing a particularly good job of it right now, he said. It is a serious question and it will, whatever the decision is, have real-world implications not just for these three lawmakers, but for any elected official in Missouri and probably feed into a national conversation as well.

Elad Gross, who is running against Bailey as a Democrat, said in an interview that hes heard rumblings about a potential ethics complaint that could be filed either against the senators or Bailey.

It doesnt make much sense why Missouri taxpayers are paying for these guys defense when it sure seems like they werent working in any kind of official capacity, said Gross, a former assistant state attorney general.

Gross pointed to the senators use of their social media accounts to prop up their campaigns, saying they could in violation of state law if theyre arguing those accounts are for official business.

Either these guys, the senators, have been violating our ethics rules in Missouri or the attorney general is by putting forth like a frivolous claim here, he said. Its hard to tell which one it is.

While hes heard discussions about a potential ethics complaint, Gross said he was not sure how far along that process is.

For Hatfield, the Jefferson City-based attorney, the biggest question is why would Bailey represent the senators when the lawsuit was filed against them as private citizens.

You have a lawsuit here that specifically says this was done in their (private) capacity, he said. So theres no way you can get a judgment against the state.

He suggested that Baileys decision could put the state at risk of liability.

What is the states interest here? What is it the taxpayers can lose without the attorney generals involvement? he said. Nothing.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  In an announcement that officially lifts the states mask mandate for healthcare workers without a flu vaccine, New York States Department of Health says influenza is no longer prevalent in the state.

As influenza season winds down and the virus is no longer prevalent in New York, we are rescinding the masking requirement for health care workers in hospitals, nursing homes, and adult care facilities who have not been vaccinated against flu, NYS Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.

Influenza was declared prevalent in New York in the middle of National Influenza Vaccination Week, on December 6. New York saw more than 25,000 hospitalizations from the flu during the 2023-24 flu season. These peaked near the end of 2023 going into 2024.

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu shot as it is the best way to protect yourself and will lessen the symptoms if you do get sick, Dr. McDonald said while making the declaration in December.

Latest Local News

Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award, JANY Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. 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.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Two accused MS-13 gang members from Salisbury are among six indicted this week, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District Attorneys Office announced.

26-year-old Salisbury resident Fredy Buruca, who is also known as Machete and Piranha, and 30-year-old Salisbury resident Juan Estrada, who is also known as Turbo, are among four facing racketeering charges. Two additional alleged gang members have been charged with murder in aid of racketeering.

Court records stated that from 2018 through 2022, the gang members were operating in western North Carolina engaging in acts that involved threats, murder, kidnapping, extortion, robbery, and drug trafficking. The purpose was to create a climate of fear against rival gang Chavalas.

Among the places where the acts occurred were Charlotte, Kannapolis, Monroe, and Davidson County, records showed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Dont want to miss your flight next year? Take heed, Idaho: This deadline matters

While passengers wheeled suitcases to a security checkpoint at the Boise Airport on Tuesday, transportation officials detailed a message that more than half of travelers may still need to hear: Come next spring, Idaho residents with only a standard drivers license will find themselves turned away from their flight.

That is, if a 17-year-delayed federal law finally is enforced in a state that has long resisted federal rules.

Three hundred and sixty-five days from Tuesday, the majority of Americans who travel on commercial aircraft with a drivers license will need a Star Card to get through security  a version of a license with enhanced security that is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Real ID program.

What is the Real ID program, anyway?

The Real ID system dates from the early years of post-9/11 America, when national security agencies sought to heighten standards for identification to ensure recipients IDs match with a verified resident.

Implementation of the program has been delayed for years, in part because a number of states resisted the federal efforts to impose license rules. States like Idaho, which for a decade forbade the Idaho Transportation Department from implementing the federal program.

The Real ID Act was enacted by Congress in 2005, with an initial implementation deadline of 2008.

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke was in the Legislature back then, and voted with a unanimous House in 2008 to pass a bill calling the ID program inimical to the security and well-being of the people of Idaho. The law prohibited the Idaho Transportation Department from carrying out the program.

Federal officials were lenient in the ensuing years and extended the deadline, as Idaho was not alone in balking at the federal requirement.

Idahos rebellion lasted until 2016, when lawmakers in Boise passed a bill  which Bedke, a Republican who had by then become House Speaker, also supported  allowing the state to implement Real ID. Begrudgingly, though.

Legislators deleted the inimical line from state law, but retained a sentence calling the federal law a violation of the principles of federalism, and added more: The legislature reaffirms this position, while acknowledging that failure to implement certain provisions could adversely affect Idahos citizens and businesses.

When it was first presented to the Legislature, there was some reluctance, given our libertarian nature sometimes in the state Legislature, Bedke said at the Tuesday news conference. When the Legislature allowed the state to adopt the program almost a decade later, it gave residents a choice: They could choose to participate in the federally standardized ID program, or not.

The change may also mirror a shift in emphasis in the Republican Party: while conservatives, like those at the Cato Institute, have long focused on personal independence and limited government oversight, the right wing in recent years has honed in on election security. Idahos Legislature has passed several laws limiting what types of ID residents can use at the polls.

We want to verify where you live, we want to verify who you are, not only for the purposes of traveling but also for the purposes of voting, Bedke said. And I think that this becomes a good way to accomplish both.

Bedke said he has his own Star Card now, and that it was painless to get.

Its all about traveler safety and national security, he said.

Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke addresses the coming Star Card deadline at a Tuesday news conference. Beginning May 7, 2025, Idahoans will need a Star Card drivers license to board a commercial flight.

Still, the Legislatures hesitancy has been reflected in Idahos population. In 2019, two years after the state began implementing the program, less than one in 10 Idahoans had gotten the new ID, according to previous Statesman reporting.

Numbers have ticked up considerably since then, to the point that 49% of residents now have a Star Card. But that still means that fewer than half of the people in the state have the drivers license they will need in 12 months to board an airplane.

Did the states reluctance to get on board delay the programs uptake?

Lisa McClellan, administrator for the Division of Motor Vehicles, said she doesnt think so, as it took a number of states a long time to get the program started.

These are big changes for all the states to accommodate, she said. Though she added that if Idaho had jumped to get into compliance with the program sooner, we would be ahead of the curve.

As of 2021, 43% of state-issued IDs across the nation were Star Cards, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Do you have to get a Star Card?

If you want to use your drivers license to get on a plane, or enter a federally secured building, then you will need a Star Card beginning May 7, 2025. If you dont have a star in the corner of your license, youll be turned away.

But you dont technically have to get a Star Card to get through the airport. Residents without one will still be able to use a passport, military ID or some other federal IDs to get through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, better known as TSA.

What do you have to do to get a Star Card?

In addition to the general paperwork requirements for a regular state drivers license, Idahoans need to provide essentially one more type of identification: proof of residency, McClellan said. Idahoans can use a passport, birth certificate or Social Security card, tax form, lease agreement, and other documents, to verify they are who they say.

The Star Card costs the same as a regular license.

ITD has a personalized website where residents can provide information about themselves  what kind of documents they currently have, for instance  and learn whether they have everything they need to qualify. The identifying information provided to the Division of Motor Vehicles to obtain a Star Card is held securely and not entered into a national database, according to ITD.

McClellan said she urges people not to delay, noting that when she got her Star Card, she had to order a new birth certificate first, which took two months.

Idaho licenses can be renewed up to 25 months before the listed expiration date. But if Idahoans who want a Star Card have a current drivers license that wont expire until years down the road, they can still get a Star Card from the Department of Motor Vehicles, which will be a duplicate license, McClellan said.

Dont take that chance and end up being grounded, said Andy Coose, federal security director for TSA in Idaho, at the news conference. This has real consequences after May 7 next year.

Is the deadline real?

Implementation of the program has been delayed  a lot. One 2020 deadline was extended to 2023 because of the pandemic, which in 2022 was pushed again to the current 2025 date.

Officials say this time, the clock is really ticking.

We are being told that this is a firm deadline, and that theres no more kicking the can down the road, Coose said. And so Im going with that.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 8. Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte will pay a working visit to Kazakhstan on May 10, Trend reports.

The visit aims to boost Dutch-Kazakh relations and discuss geopolitical issues like the Ukraine war.

Additionally, it is noted that, a breakfast meeting with Dutch business representatives in Kazakhstan will kick off the visit to Astana, which will be followed by the signing of various collaboration agreements.

The program schedules Mark Rutte's meeting with Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the same day. Their economic and bilateral relations, as well as potential collaboration in the water sector, will be among the topics covered during their working lunch and discussions.

Besides, the Netherlands-Kazakh water cooperation will be discussed at the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Former president Donald Trump's criminal trial is off today for its regularly scheduled weekly break, but the defense will continue its intense cross examination of witness Stormy Daniels Thursday morning.

On Monday, the beginning of week four of the trial, prosecutors said they were roughly halfway through their case, according to NBC News. Trump complained that the trial is taking too long while leaving the courthouse Monday, but the court since the trial started has estimated the proceeding will take six-to-eight weeks.

Trump is on trial for 34 counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors are trying to show that he covered up reimbursements to former lawyer Michael Cohen, who paid Daniels $130,00 in 2016 to stay quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.

Here is what to know at the midpoint of the trial's fourth week:

Donald Trump trial live updates: Stormy Daniels is back on the stand in hush money case

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 07: Former U.S. President Donald Trump walks to speak to the press at his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 7, 2024 in New York City. Trump has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges.

Trump's hush money trial transcripts, evidence and witnesses

Stormy Daniels is the 13th witness called to the stand. See the full witness list.

The court is publishing transcripts and evidence from each days proceedings, which become available by the end of the following business day.

The transcript of Daniels' testimony so far is likely to be published on the New York State Unified Court System's media website by close of business on Wednesday.

Trump trial schedule

The hush money trial is expected to last six-to-eight weeks, according to a court media advisory. Proceedings usually start at 9:30 a.m. and run through the business day.

Court it out on Wednesdays, and Judge Juan Merchan has ruled that the following days will be off days:

May 17 - Trump requested this day off to attend his son Barron Trump's graduation.

May 24 - A juror has a scheduling conflict, so Merchan said court could break that day.

June 3 - Proceedings will be canceled this day at the defense's request so long as the jury is not deliberating at that time.

Week four so far focused on Trump's checks, Stormy Daniels testimony

Much of Monday's testimony was about accounting records for payments to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen. Jurors saw a series of checks purportedly from Donald Trump to Michael Cohen. They form a central part of prosecutors' narrative that Trump was reimbursing Cohen for a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels and falsifying records about it.

Tuesday took a dramatic turn when Daniels took the stand. She testified in detail about their alleged sexual encounter in 2006, saying Trump greeted her in silky pajamas, posed on the bed in his underwear while she was in the bathroom, and that she was shaken after it was over.

Trump's lawyer requested a mistrial after Daniels' morning testimony, saying it would be "impossible to come back from."

But Merchan denied that request, saying there were "guardrails" in place for her testimony.

Daniels briefly discussed the hush money deal and how the whole thing became public, before the prosecutor turned her over to Trump's lawyer Susan Necheles.

Cross examination appeared to be off to a combative start, as they discussed the money Daniels was ordered to pay Trump in a lost defamation lawsuit. At one point, Daniels testified at Necheles prompting that she hates Trump. They will continue questioning Thursday morning.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump trial today: Court on regular break with Stormy Daniels on stand
When the porn star at the center of Donald Trumps New York case finally took the witness stand at the first ever criminal trial of a former American president on Tuesday, it sounded less like stodgy courtroom testimony and more like a chatty brunch to go over a horrible date.

Stormy Daniels raised her eyebrows suggestively when describing what it was like to suddenly find a business tycoon who wears his Brioni suit like a mandatory uniform suddenly appear in his hotel bed only clad in boxers and a T-shirt when she walked out of his bathroom.

Trump Plan to Limit Stormy Daniels Juicy Details Goes Sour

She smiled as she threw herself back in the chair to imitate what it was like to see him lying down in bed, like this, she said, raising her bare right leg above the wooden panels that line the witness box.

What can possibly go wrong? Those were his words to me, she laughed with regret while recalling a conversation with a friend who suggested the rising porn star go out to dinner with the real estate baron after a charity event in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in 2006.

Speaking with a lightning fast cadence and totally at easesometimes even pointing directly at the jurors for emphasisthe adult film director and actress casually went over what seemed like ancient history back when she was 27 years old.

I didnt know his age, but I knew he was as old or older than my father, she said.

Trump, meanwhile, remained in court like a potted plant, quiet and affixed to the maroon leather chair thats become his home for much of the past four weeks and kept him off the 2024 presidential campaign trail. Having already paid $10,000 for violating a gag orderhush money of another varietyhe left it up to his adult son Eric, sitting directly behind him, to belch out what he could not.

Pure EXTORTION!!!! the son tweeted midday. Sitting front row attempting to figure out how any of this garbage from 20 years ago relates to legal bills submitted by a long time personal attorney being booked as a legal expensebut I digress. To be clear, they dont give a s**t about the merits of this case.

It was just one of many reasons why Tuesday was indeed a far cry from what has so far been a bone-dry case focusing on photocopied legal invoices and nondisclosure agreements.

The heart of the 34 felony charges levied at Trump for falsifying business records is still the documents themselves, which the Manhattan District Attorneys Office says proves a coverup of historic proportions: that two women were silenced shortly before the 2016 election to spare Trump embarrassment that could have been fatal to his ultimately successful presidential campaign.

But Tuesday showed 18 jurors that the person referred to in documents as Peggy Peterson a.k.a. Stormy Daniels a.k.a. Stephanie Gregory Clifford was a living, breathing, energetic mom who was eager to finally face the man whose annoying phone calls she ignored for yearsand wasnt nearly as imposing as the public makes him out to be.

He still makes her uncomfortable.

Trump Accountant on His Stormy Daniels Coverup Notes: I Made a Boo-Boo

When prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Daniels to point out the man she slept with that one night on July 13, 2006, Daniels comically bobbed her head left and right as if struggling to make him out in the crowd. She raised her right hand, pointed him out, and described him like a suspect in a lineup: navy blue jacket, second at the table.

Daniels, whod let her sweeping black sweater fall below her shoulders for much of her testimony until then, immediately pulled her open-front cardigan over her shoulders again.

But the court would only let her easygoing storytelling go so far. Unlike the federal judge who welcomed vivid detail at Trumps two recent rape defamation trials, the stoic and bookish New York County Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan made sure the salacious details about Trumps allegedly mushroom-shaped genitals remained in the porn stars spicy memoirand not in his courtroom.

When Daniels finally got to the denouement of her tale, Merchan cut it off immediately.

The next thing I know, Im on the bed, somehow on the opposite side of the bed I had my clothes and my shoes off, I believe my bra however was still on. We were in the missionary position she started, before a swift objection from Trump lawyer Susan Necheles earned an almost simultaneous sustained from the judge.

During the four hours Daniels answered their questions, Manhattan prosecutors got the essence of what they wanted: a first-hand account from the woman describing exactly what shed once been paid $130,000 to shut up about.

But the last hour of the day showed a very different side of Daniels, as Necheles pulled out her claws and tore at the porn star's reluctance to ever go public with the tale before having her agents try to sell her storyfirst to a small publication in 2011, then later to Trump himself in 2016.

The defense attorney tried hard to paint Daniels as a money-grubbing sellout, willing to score a deal without compunction. Necheles immediately drew jurors attention to the womans decision to first enter the sex industry to improve her pay.

You wanted more money? Necheles asked, with an air of accusation.

Don't we all want more money in our jobs? Daniels responded.

And that motivates you a lot right? Making more money? the lawyer shot back.

Daniels gestured around the room and openly wondered how different that would make her from anyone else.

You've been making money by claiming you've had sex with Donald Trump for more than a decade, right? Necheles went on. And that story has made you a lot of money right?

Stormy Relives Sex With Trumpand He Gets Desperate

And it has cost me a lot of money, the porn star responded with disdain.

Although the cross-examination lasted only an hour until the judge paused for the day, every tense minute felt longer than the morning session. The short session had its fair share of bombshells.

When Necheles probed why Daniels never pursued any sort of legal claim when she met with the famed women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred, the porn star claimed that shed been pressured to lie and passed on the opportunity to defame the business mogul.

She wanted me to accuse him of basically, forced, rape, Daniels said. She wanted to force me into saying things that aren't true.

When Necheles bore into Daniels least documented claimthat a stranger approached her in 2011 when she was in a parking lot with her baby and threatened them if she didnt keep the affair quietthe woman got fiercely defensive.

The whole story was made up, wasn't it? Necheles asked.

No, none of it was made up, Daniels asserted.

When Trumps lawyers called for a short break, a flustered Daniels exited the courtroom in a flash. When she returned minutes later, she was drying her wet eyes and composing herself.

By days end, the energy Daniels had exhibited in the morning had dissipated into pure indignation at being called a liar. And she seemed most frustrated that a man whod had the gall to call her horseface to the American public from the highest office in the land now had the audacity to have his lawyers accuse her of offensive behavior.

When Necheles brought up a Nov. 9, 2022 tweet in which Daniels called him that orange turd, Daniels became openly hostile.

You call him names all the time, correct? Necheles asked.

Yes... because he made fun of me first! Daniels retorted.

So one of you started it, but you both continue it, right? the lawyer asked.

Correct, she responded.

Shortly after leaving, Trump addressed the journalists in the hallway outside the courtroom, his attempt at the last word for the most viscerally personal day yet in his trial.

"So this was a very big day, a very revealing day as you see their case is totally falling apart. They have nothing on books and records and even something that should bear very little relationship to the case. It's just a disaster for the DA, the Soros-backed DA is a disaster. This whole case is just a disaster, he said.

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.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  The Douglas County Public Health Department is restructuring their Summer Food Program.

Central IL dietician warns of added sugars in schools

Their goal is to help give students access to nutritious meals while on break. Weekly deliveries will start on June 3 and run through August 2 for enrolled families.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has nearly 30 million children participate in breakfast and lunch programs daily. The department has a Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder. For more information about programs in your area, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
At least a dozen Kentucky school districts Wednesday decided to dismiss classes or cancel afternoon and evening activities due to a severe weather forecast.

The cancellations were made by some districts for the second day in a row. The National Weather Service said Wednesday that afternoon and evening showers could become severe.

In Fayette County, where afternoon activities were canceled Tuesday, school leaders Wednesday were told to use discretion regarding decisions to delay or cancel indoor or outdoor activities.

Currently, there is no district-wide plan to cancel afternoon or evening activities, said district spokeswoman Dia Davidson-Smith. Thunderstorms are expected to move into the area sometime after 6 p.m., however, the highest threat is projected to hit south of Fayette County.

Among the school districts or schools that released early or canceled evening activities, according to WLEX, were Adair, Anderson, Corbin, East Bernstadt, Green, Kentucky Christian Academy, Laurel, Marion, Model Laboratory, Russell, Taylor, Washington, Wayne and Whitley.
Dozens of bills left in limbo now have chance to be enacted this session

The Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee meets on May 7 to deal with unresolved legislation, from left to right, Sen. Jill Duson (D-Cumberland) and co-chairs Sen. Peggy Rotundo (D-Androscoggin) and Rep. Melanie Sachs (D-Freeport). (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

Of the more than 200 bills stuck in limbo between passage and funding when the Maine Legislature wrapped much of its work last month, 80 now have a chance to still be enacted this session.

Among the measures include bills to bolster existing state statutes, such as to establish a unit to enforce violations of the Maine Civil Rights Act and an advisory council to ensure Wabanaki and African American studies requirements are effectively taught in schools.

Another would expand the states clean elections program, specifically allowing candidates for district attorney to participate in the Maine Clean Elections Act.

Some of the bills target well-known deficits in Maine, specifically services for children. A pilot project to help alleviate the staffing crisis in the child welfare system and legislation to improve family court procedures could now have a future. Others target lesser known inadequacies , such as a bill to formalize the renaming of places through a designated state board.

Expanded tax relief could be realized for veterans, and Mainers who struggle with the cost of their prescriptions could see a cap on certain drug costs.

This is because the Maine Legislatures Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee voted to move these bills off the appropriations table on Tuesday, though they are not yet guaranteed to be funded as they still must be approved by the Legislature.

Bills that land on the appropriations table have already passed the full Legislature. However, if they arent explicitly funded in the state budget, they need to be paid for using remaining unappropriated money  which this year ended up being roughly $11.4 million.

This total was not known the day of statutory adjournment, April 17, as the Legislature did not pass the budget until the early morning of the next day.

Sen. Peggy Rotundo (D-Androscoggin), who co-chairs the committee, acknowledged at the start of the meeting that there are differences of opinion as to whether lawmakers can vote on bills, aside from vetoes, without calling a special session. The Legislature routinely schedules a day to cast votes to overturn or sustain the governors vetoes after statutory adjournment, known as veto day, which is slated for Friday.

The Appropriations Committee is here today to take some items off the table and in hopes we will be able to address additional work on Friday, Rotundo said.

Some committee members pushed back, including Rep. Sawin Millett (R-Waterford) who questioned whether the joint order passed April 17 outlining that the Legislature can return when there is a need to conduct business or consider objections of the Governor applies to the enactment of bills off the table.

This might lead to a new opinion from the attorney general, Millet said.

The committee did something known as running the table on Tuesday, where members made motions to move some of the more than 200 bills off of the table, either passing measures as is or with amendments.

For bills moved off the table as proposed, theyll next head to the Senate for enactment.

The bills regarding tax relief for veterans, a place names board, and the civil rights unit fall in this category, for example. Some others include measures to provide Indigenous people free access to state parks, increase the inclusion of demographic data from state agencies in the legislative process, establish a statewide sexual assault forensic examination kit tracking system and identify unidentified human remains in the state.

In contrast, bills that the committee moved off the table but amended will need to be enacted again by both the Senate and House. Most of the amendments involved stripping the bills of funding but retaining the policy change proposed, changing allocations from ongoing to one-time, or moving allocations from the current fiscal year to the next.

As an example, the committee amended the bill to establish the Wabanaki and African American Studies Council. The proposal had included funding for financial literacy too (more on that here) but the committee removed that piece and overall decreased the cost from $3 million to $500,000.

The committee also advanced but reduced costs associated with another bill related to Wabanaki studies. A bill to pilot Wabanaki-centered curriculum in non-Native high schools initially called for $200,000 but will now head back to the chambers with a fiscal note of $50,000.

However, the fates of most measures on the table were essentially sealed by what the committee chose not to do Tuesday.

The committee did not vote on more than 100 bills that still remain on the table. While a passive act, it is a pivotal one, as bills left on the table when the Legislature officially adjourns will automatically die.

(Of note, a handful of bills that remain on the table were funded in the budget, so while the Appropriations Committee has left them on the table, the substance of the measure became law by another means.)

Some bills poised to die include measures to speed up criminal trials, create an Office of Tribal-State Affairs, and set minimum standards for towns to share election information, among others.

Many eyes were on these decisions Tuesday, as advocates packed the committee room in the otherwise quiet State House in Augusta. After beginning more than two hours after the scheduled 1 p.m. start, the committee worked into the evening, the audience dwindling as the sun set.

Well see you on Friday, Rotundo said at the conclusion of work around 8:30 p.m.

On Wednesday morning, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) released a statement in support of the committees actions.

These investments will address immediate needs in our communities and represent careful consideration from legislators throughout the session, Talbot Ross said. By prioritizing initiatives that will improve health care, advance equitable outcomes and better educate our children, we are striving to create a Maine where everyone has a fair chance to thrive and succeed.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

Editors Note: This story was updated to include comment from House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross shared after publication.

The post Dozens of bills left in limbo now have chance to be enacted this session appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
House hearing on George Washington University protest canceled after police clear out encampment and arrest over 30

The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, cleared out a pro-Palestinian encampment on George Washington Universitys campus early Wednesday and arrested 30 protesters there and three others in a separate altercation, Metro Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said.

The action took place hours before Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and Smith were set to testify at Congress for the House Oversight Committee on the response to the encampment. Yet after police cleared the encampment, House Oversight Chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, announced the hearing was canceled and took credit for spurring action.

I am pleased that the potential Oversight hearing led to swift action by Mayor Bowser and MPD Chief Smith. We will continue to hold DC officials accountable to ensure our nations capital is safe for all, Comer said in a statement.

GW is one of a number of universities across the country at which pro-Palestinian protesters have set up unauthorized camps and demonstrated against Israels war in Gaza and US support for the country. Police have arrested more than 2,400 people on US campuses since mid-April amid polarized debates over the right to protest, the limits of free speech and accusations of antisemitism.

GWs encampment was set up about two weeks ago in the University Yard, a grassy square on campus surrounded by a food hall and university buildings. A partner community of tents spread on the neighboring public street, and the two demonstrations merged after protesters, in an act of defiance, removed metal barriers erected around the initial encampment.

The encampment has drawn criticism from GW President Ellen Granberg, who said it was unauthorized, disrupted normal academic activities and created safety concerns.

Early Wednesday morning, Metro Police said in a statement they had worked to pursue non-arrest methods to deescalate tensions to protect students and the GW campus, but there has been a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest.

Therefore, this morning, working closely with the GW administration and police, MPD moved to disperse the demonstrators from the GW campus and surrounding streets, police said.

Police said the arrests were for assault on a police officer and unlawful entry.

Officers deployed pepper spray three times

People listen as activists and students protest near an encampment at University Yard, George Washington University on April 28, in Washington, DC. - Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Smith said there were signs Monday that the demonstration was becoming more volatile and less stable, highlighting an assault reported to GW Police, the presence of covert counter-protesters in the crowd, students from other universities joining the encampment and items that could potentially be used for offensive and defensive weapons  being gathered. Protesters were given six warnings to disperse, and many complied, Smith said.

As police cleared the encampment, officers deployed pepper spray during a skirmish at a nearby intersection, Smith told reporters. MPD Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll said law enforcement used pepper spray three times as demonstrators tried to push past officers to reach other people who had been arrested.

GW was notified that police were going to clear the protest encampment when GW Police Departments chief got a call from MPD at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to a source with knowledge of the school and police communications.

The university issued a statement midday Wednesday describing the police action as orderly and safe.

We do not have any reports of serious injuries during this operation, and we are grateful for MPDs assistance in this matter, GW said.

Ahmed El Masry, a demonstrator at the GW encampment, said he left the encampment at about 2 a.m. but rushed back about two hours later when he heard police were working to clear the space. He said that when he arrived, he found over 20 police cars and said, It looked like a warzone.

I come back at 4, and the whole camp is gone, and Im seeing people that I protested with  being rounded up in vans, he said.

Im angry, like weve been here peacefully protesting, he said. This was our camp It became a community, like we were here speaking up for something noble.

Dante OHara, a lead organizer of DC for Ceasefire Now Coalition, a group critical of Israels war in Gaza, issued a statement calling on the House Oversight Committee to halt military aid to Israel.

Congress is creating this crisis. Pressuring local elected officials and university leaders to increase police action deflects from Congresss own responsibility for causing the protests like at GWU, OHara said.

The university is open and final exams will go on as scheduled, but police and security personnel will maintain a presence on University Yard and the surrounding area, the school said. The yard will remain closed through the end of commencement on May 19.

Police action at UMass-Amherst and FIT

Also Tuesday night into Wednesday, police cleared out encampments and arrested protesters at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

At FIT, 50 people were arrested on Tuesday evening after a large crowd gathered outside the school during a pro-Palestinian protest, according to the NYPD.

The arrests came after the school issued a 7 p.m. deadline  later extended to 9 p.m.  to dismantle an encampment in the schools courtyard and end the occupation of the school museums lobby, according to a statement from FIT President Joyce F. Brown. Before the deadline, spokespeople for the protesting students called for a rally in front of the school, and a group of protesters heeded their call, according to Brown.

The NYPD maintained crowd control and tried to ensure that the rally did not escalate further. However, as expected, the insistence by some students to continue the occupation resulted in further action by the NYPD, Brown said.

The NYPD was not able to confirm how many of those arrested were students.

The UMass-Amherst arrests occurred after the chancellor asked police to dismantle an encampment, the Massachusetts Daily Collegian reported.

Moments ago, I asked the University of Massachusetts Police Department to begin dispersing the crowd and dismantling the encampment. Let me be clear  involving law enforcement is the absolute last resort, wrote Chancellor Javier Reyes in a message to students obtained by the paper.

In a Wednesday statement obtained by CNN affiliate WGGB, Reyes called the decision to bring in police a difficult one, but said it was guided by values of safety and well-being of our students and other members of our campus community.

According to the chancellors statement, 132 people were arrested  70 of whom were UMass Amherst students and 6 of whom were faculty.

I know how challenging these events have been for everyone. Safety, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging are paramount for our communitys ability to thrive, and I recognize that there is work to do as we restore trust with those who feel harmed by the universitys actions, the statement added. CNN is reaching out to Reyes office for a copy of the statement.

At universities across the country, police have used a range of tactics to disperse demonstrators from occupied school buildings and take down on-campus encampments. Law enforcement experts told CNN police have been largely measured in their approach and showed restraint in using force  a direct result of lessons learned during the widespread protests after the police killing of George Floyd nearly four years ago.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified who was set to testify. It was DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Metropolitan Police Chief Pam Smith.

CNNs Annie Grayer, Maria Sole Campinoti and Melissa Alonso contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A draft report from House Republicans advocating for holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress accuses him of having hindered and impeded their impeachment inquiry into President Biden by withholding an audio recording of his conversation with special counsel Robert Hur.

The draft document, obtained by The Hill, will serve as the grounds for the report the House Judiciary Committee will consider next week as it mulls whether to forward the contempt resolution to the full House floor.

Its failure to fully comply with the Committees subpoenas has hindered the Houses ability to adequately conduct oversight over Special Counsel Hur regarding his investigative findings and the Presidents retention and disclosure of classified materials and impeded the Committees impeachment inquiry, the draft report states.

The bid to get an audio recording of the interview comes as the committees have already obtained a transcript.

The draft shows the extent to which House impeachment leaders have zeroed in on a seemingly unrelated probe as it pushes ahead with its own investigation into what theyve deemed influence peddling by members of the Biden family.

Bidens interview with Hur instead covers how classified materials from his time as vice president ended up in both his home and an office he used after leaving the administration.

The subpoenas issued to the Department by the Judiciary and Oversight Committees are part of the Houses impeachment inquiry, the committee writes in the 16-page report.

As a part of the Committees inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist to draft articles of impeachment against President Biden, the Committees have sought information regarding President Bidens mishandling of classified information. The Committees have sought this information to determine whether President Biden willfully retained classified information and documents related to, among other places, Ukraine to assist his familys business dealings or to enrich his family. Doing so would be an abuse of his office of public trust.

Axios first reported the conclusions of the report.

The Justice Department has turned over numerous Hur documents and even chided House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) for failing to come to review the documents on Ukraine.

Still, theyve asserted repeatedly that the Hur interview has little to do with the GOP impeachment inquiry.

The Committees have received the information you requested. That information may not have substantiated the concerns the Committees articulated, but it does appear to help resolve them and your inquiry, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte wrote to Comer and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in an earlier letter urging them to avoid conflict over the issue.

The letter goes on to assert the chairs may have requested the information for political purposes that should have no role in determining which law enforcement files are shared.

DOJ declined Wednesday to comment on the draft.

The Hur report includes limited references to Bidens work in Ukraine, detailing only two documents on the matter, which include a transcript of a call he made as vice president to then-Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

Hur places little importance on Bidens note to preserve a copy of the transcript.

The two exchanged pleasantries and the Prime Minister heaped praise upon Mr. Biden for his December 9, 2015 speech to Ukraines parliament. They did not engage in a substantive policy discussion. There may be technical or nuanced reasons to maintain the classification of the call, but no reasonable jury could conclude the call or its contents were national defense information after the end of Obama administration, or that by asking for a transcript of the call Biden intended to retain national defense information, Hur wrote.

Impeachment investigators have yet to find a smoking gun to back their claims that Biden took any action to benefit his family, including his son, who at one point sat on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

Instead, authorities have arrested a former FBI informant who relayed the allegations that were central to the GOP probe, accusing the informant of fabricating his claims that Biden accepted a bribe.

Republicans already have transcripts of Bidens interview with Hur, conducted over two days, which do not appear to include discussion of the Ukraine documents.

Still, they have argued the audio itself is essential to their work.

In letters to the Justice Department theyve argued the format contains revealing verbal cues and that a subjects pauses and inflections can provide context or evidence of whether a subject is evasive or suffers from a poor memory.

The Departments unsupported speculation about the Committees motives in insisting that you produce the audio recordings has no bearing on your legal obligation to produce the subpoenaed materials, they wrote last month.

The Justice Department said sharing the audio could harm its ability to get future cooperation in investigations if subjects believe their interviews with be shared with Congress and have accused the committees of seeking the audio for political purposes.

It seems that the more information you receive, the less satisfied you are, and the less justification you have for contempt, the more you rush towards it, Uriarte wrote.

The contempt vote, if approved, would go from the committee to the full House floor.

Though censure of a sitting attorney general would be remarkable, it would likely have little practical effect. Contempt votes largely act as a referral to the Justice Department, which then weighs whether there are grounds for contempt of Congress charges.

This story was updated at 6:30 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Driver killed in weekend street takeover may not have been participant, alderman says

CHICAGO  It remained unclear Tuesday whether a 20-year-old West Englewood man who died during a weekend street takeover event was participating or just passing through the intersection, an alderman said.

Guillermo Caballero Jr., known by family and friends as Memo Jr., was hit by gunfire fired through his windshield shortly before 3:20 a.m. Sunday during a street takeover incident at 59th Street and Western Avenue in the citys southwest side. Authorities said Caballero was pronounced dead at the scene.

The young man who worked at Foot Locker is said to have loved sports and singing karaoke. He was the oldest of three siblings and hoped to one day turn his passion for sales into a career.

Video posted to X and shared by the news organization CWB Chicago includes a volley of gunfire erupting in the crowded intersection.

The neighborhoods alderman, Ray Lopez, said authorities have been unable to confirm Caballeros involvement.

Street takeovers remain a danger to all communities, Lopez said in a statement to WGN. CPD is working diligently to gather as much information as possible regarding the circumstances of this homicide. Anyone with information is welcome to contact the police or my office. It is my hope that Mayor Johnson makes addressing these illegal events a priority of his public safety plan for the summer.

With rain falling, Caballeros father went to the intersection Tuesday afternoon and knelt on his sons work shirt to pray. He said it was the first time hes had enough courage to visit the scene since his son was slain.

He said he wants more people to realize the impact gun violence is having in the city.

The only thing that interests me is that people raise awareness, he said in Spanish.

A GoFundMe account created to help Caballeros family had nearly met its $1,000 goal by Tuesday afternoon.

No arrests have been made in the case and police had no further information to provide.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Driver sentenced to 18 years after deadly hit-and-run in Lone Tree

DENVER (KDVR)  The man charged in a deadly Lone Tree hit-and-run in 2022 received a maximum sentence of 18 years after failing to appear in court.

On Tuesday, David Lucero, 40, was sentenced to six years for vehicular homicide and 12 years for leaving the scene of an accident involving death. The sentences will run consecutively.

Man runs red light, kills woman

On the morning of Oct. 23, 2022, bystanders saw a Ram pickup truck run a red light and crash into the drivers side of a sedan near Lincoln Avenue and Park Meadows Drive.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

When Lone Tree police officers arrived on the scene, they found a woman trapped inside her sedan.

Trial dates set for 3 suspects in deadly rock-throwing case

The woman was transferred to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Lucero left the scene before he could be questioned, but police were able to track him down from his license plate tags. Lucero initially told police his car was missing, then admitted to the crash after further questioning.

Lucero was charged and pleaded guilty to the following offenses:

Leaving the scene of an accident involving death

Vehicular homicide-reckless driving

His sentencing was scheduled for April 2, 2024, but Lucero never showed up in court. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was arrested two days later.

Instead of calling for help or remaining on-scene until emergency personnel arrived, this defendant made the cowardly decision to run, Deputy District Attorney Keegan Doheney said. He not only decided to flee that morning, but he also decided not to face justice on the day he was set to be sentenced.

Lucero will now serve the maximum sentence in prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. The EU is interested in expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan in the field of renewable energy sources, Kestutis Jankauskas, EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan, told Trend.

"As the EU moves away from fossil fuels, we want to work with Kazakhstan on renewable energy and green technologies. Kazakhstan is abundant in solar and wind power. So far, it has implemented certain renewable power producing facilities with European investors," he said.

According to the ambassador, one of the largest is the German-Swedish SVEVIND project to produce green hydrogen in the Western Mangystau region of Kazakhstan.

"Within two years, it will supply Kazakhstan with green hydrogen to boost its global competitiveness and send green energy to Europe. So, project success depends on the Trans-Caspian corridor," Jankauskas noted.

He pointed out that European companies are also successfully developing renewable wind or solar projects in Kazakhstan.

"The Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy and Climate which bundles activities from Member States and the EU in Central Asia, will start its implementation with a first 20 million euro program and support regional energy cooperation and grid development. Our experience in Europe shows that such cooperation will stimulate the green transition and the reduction of emissions," he added.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's renewable energy installations generated 6.675 billion kWh of electricity by the end of 2023. This volume accounts for 5.92 percent of total electrical energy production in 2023.

The country currently has 147 renewable energy facilities (over 100 kW) with an installed capacity of 2,903.54 MW: 59 wind power plants with a capacity of 1,409.55 MW; 46 solar power plant facilities with a capacity of 1,222.61 MW; 39 hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of 269.605 MW; and three biogas power plant facilities with a capacity of 1.77 MW.

Furthermore, by the end of 2023, 16 renewable energy facilities with a total installed capacity of 495.57 MW had been operational: 12 wind farms with a total capacity of 437.1 MW in the Akmola and Zhetysu regions, 2 hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 3.7 MW in the Almaty and Turkestan regions, and two solar power plants with a capacity of 54.77 MW in the Turkestan region.

Hence, a total of 25 renewable energy projects with a combined 599.85 MW of capacity are expected to be commissioned by 2027.
Drought has led to dire water supply in Kyle, could purchase more from San Marcos

KYLE, Texas (KXAN)  The City of Kyle wants to purchase more water from San Marcos to support its growing community.

Severe drought has affected many communities across Central Texas. While Kyles population in recent years has increased annually by 8%, its water supply has not grown with it.

The drought condition has just left our water supplies decreasing, said Amber Schmeits, the assistant city manager of Kyle. Everybody in Central Texas is feeling the same pressure on their water supplies. So, its good to diversify and have additional [ones] during this time.

San Marcos is in Stage 2 drought restrictions while Kyle is in Stage 3. This means customers and businesses can water vegetation with a hose any day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. If customers and businesses want to use irrigation systems, they do so on their designated days, according to Kyle.

Schmeits said due to sufficient planning decades ago, San Marcos has ample water and the ability to sell some supplies.

Both city councils will vote on the water agreement Tuesday night. If the cities approve it, San Marcos will sell some of its Edwards Aquifer authority, providing approximately 450,000 additional gallons of water to Kyle daily, Schmeits said.

If approved the agreement will last three years, until the end of 2026, and cost Kyle nearly $23,000 a month.

Currently, Kyle gets its water from several places, including Canyon Lake, the Edwards Aquifer and the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.

Despite getting more water, Schmeits conservation efforts in Kyle are critical.

The drought is still here. Even though weve seen some rain, its not filling up Canyon Lake like we would expect it to, and the drought had our water supplies in such dire condition, she said. We need to remain in a conservation mindset, and make sure that we have an adequate supply of drinking water.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
In quietly halting a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel last week, President Biden at last began exercising U.S. leverage to halt a full-scale invasion of Rafah, the final refuge in Gaza for about a million Palestinians displaced by Israeli destruction elsewhere in the besieged territory.

Its the right move, even though Israel may have a sufficient stockpile from previous U.S. shipments to press forward.

Read more: Editorial: The U.S. cannot let Israel carry out a slaughter in Rafah

Biden has tried to walk a line between supporting Israel in its effort to destroy Hamas in the wake of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack that killed about 1,200 people, and pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to limit civilian casualties. Until now, that pressure came only in the form of words. The Gaza death toll is nearing 35,000, and much of the strip has been obliterated. Survivors face starvation because Israel cut off access to corridors for delivery of food and other humanitarian assistance. Pressure from Biden succeeded in reopening some aid routes, but Israel has since limited their use.

Israeli has launched airstrikes in Rafah and its troops and tanks entered the area on Tuesday. But as of yet there has been no large-scale bombing. On Wednesday, Biden said publicly for the first time that the U.S. would stop supplies of some offensive weapons if Israel launches a full invasion in Rafah.

Congress, under pressure from Biden, approved $26 billion in aid to Israel last month, and administration officials said the president intends to deliver all of it.

Read more: Editorial: The humanitarian aid Gaza needs most is a cease-fire

But for now, the holdup in delivery of bombs backs up U.S. warnings against destruction of Rafah.

There is precedent for withholding weapons in order to exert leverage on Israel. In 1981, President Reagan delayed shipment of F-16 fighter jets in response to Israels bombing of Beirut and other military actions in Lebanon. The next year, amid Lebanons civil war, he halted delivery of cluster artillery shells.

Reagan demanded that Prime Minister Menachem Begin end Israels holocaust in Lebanon, and Biden  then a senator from Delaware  reportedly demanded that Begin block construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. But Begin later said Biden was so adamant about defending Israel against invasion that Begin had to talk him down.

Read more: Editorial: Netanyahu's government is to blame for rift in historic Israel-U.S. alliance

According to Begin, who died in 1992, Biden said hed use force to repel an invasion of Israel, even if it meant killing women or children.

According to our values, Begin recounted telling Biden, it is forbidden to hurt women and children, even in war.  Sometimes there are casualties among the civilian population as well. But it is forbidden to aspire to this. This is a yardstick of human civilization, not to hurt civilians.

That yardstick has been broken repeatedly beginning on Oct. 7, first by Hamas, but then again and again, by Israel. An older and wiser Biden has tried to get Netanyahu to remember and abide by that measure but has failed. Lets hope the halt in bomb shipments, however temporary and modest, serves as an effective reminder.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Attorney General Josh Stein (L) and Lt. Governor Mark Robinson (R) both addressed the Public School Forum of North Carolina's 2024 "Eggs and Issues Breakfast" on Tuesday. (Courtesy photos)

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the North Carolina Republican Party nominee for governor in November, embraced a very different and unusually subdued tone on Tuesday as he outlined his priorities for public schools at the Public School Forum of North Carolinas 10th annual Eggs and Issues breakfast.

Approximately 400 attendees, including educators, politicians, and community leaders from across the state, gathered for the breakfast at Raleighs McKimmon Center.

the 2024 Eggs and Issues breakfast logo

Image: Public School Forum of NC

Both Robinson and current Attorney General and Democratic nominee Josh Stein spoke at the event, calling for increased pay for teachers.

During his speech, Robinson, who has regularly come under fire from Democrats and some Republicans for several combative and controversial attacks on public education, as well as a long series of homophobic, misogynistic, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic statements, struck a distinctly different and surprisingly traditional pose. Instead of lifting up the conservative culture war agenda, Robinson said his top public education priorities include a focus on the basics such as reading, writing and math, improving treatment of teachers, and ensuring children are career ready when they graduate.

We have got to treat our teachers better, said Robinson. Now, notice what I said, I didnt say pay better, thats definitely a priority  to pay them better.

Robinson said that treating teachers better doesnt start with increasing pay. It starts with giving them the respect that they deserve and the protection that they need in the classroom.

But when asked to elaborate on what it means to treat teachers better, Robinson said It definitely starts with the pay. Weve got to pay our teachers better, weve got to come up with some ways we can reduce waste on one hand, and not take that money and shift it to anything else.

I think we should also take our budget and look at it and whatever we could cut, we should cut it and not move it to somewhere else but move it directly to teacher pay make that list of priorities that we need for increases inside that budget.

He did not address the fact that current teacher salaries have been set by his fellow Republicans in the General Assembly over the objections of Gov. Roy Cooper and Democrats, who have repeatedly sought bigger educator raises and higher school funding.

Both candidates were asked the same questions.

Stein appeared via a pre-recorded video interview because his office was holding its annual Peace Officers Memorial Day Ceremony on Tuesday morning.

Stein also called for higher teacher pay, as well as bringing back extra pay for teachers with masters degrees, and hiring more counselors and social workers to help with student behavior.

We are woefully underfunding school counselors, school nurses, and social workers, Stein said. That means the kids and the challenges they face, which are real, are unfairly burdening our schoolteachersso that theyre having to deal with behavioral issues rather than educate.

Former Guilford County schools superintendent and current Democratic nominee for state superintendent Mo Green was also among the officials and candidates in attendance at the event, but Greens opponent Republican Michele Morrow declined an invitation to attend. Like Robinson, Morrow has risen to prominence in the GOP by championing an aggressive culture war agenda that is highly critical of traditional public schools.

During remarks she delivered, current state Superintendent Catherine Truitt appeared to take a dig at Morrow, who defeated her in the March GOP primary, when she encouraged voters to back candidates who actively engage and refrain from employing buzzwords like critical race theory.

I hope we can rally behind education leaders who take time to show up and share their vision independent of buzzwords, she said. Our students deserve that. Our teachers and administrators deserve that. Lets be sure that we support a person who is going to do that.

Talk about the issues warranting attention outside of buzzwords like indoctrination, Leandro, Critical race theory, social-emotional learning and fake cat litter boxes, Truitt said. Morrow has come under fire for past social media posts in which she supported executing prominent Democratic officials and called public schools socialist indoctrination centers.

Democratic state Senator Lisa Grafstein, however, pushed back against Truitts characterization of Leandro  the name of a 30-year-old lawsuit that aims to improve funding for the states public schools  as a buzzword. She said funding the Leandro plan is the basic bare minimum for education in North Carolina.

For its part, the host Public School Forum called on state leaders to act and reverse the decades of disinvestment in North Carolina public schools.

Our top education issues reflect what the Forum sees as the most pressing issues facing North Carolinas public education system, said Public School Forum Sr. Director of Policy & Research Dr. Lauren Fox. Disinvestment in public education has led us to be one of the countrys least-funded public education systems. For the future of our students and the state as a whole, we must act now to provide students with effective educators and the necessary resources to be successful.

The event also included remarks from Cooper in which he repeated many of the themes he emphasized during a Monday press conference that was highly critical of Republican legislators plans to expand the states private school voucher program.

It is truly remarkable to see the success of our public schools given a lack of funding. And heres the tough part, but also the good part: the money is there. It is there to invest in our public schools without raising taxes, said the governor. The future of our state goes to class in a public school. We have to invest in that future

The post Education event draws state leaders, leading candidates to Raleigh appeared first on NC Newsline.
Effingham announces summer programs to help new immigrants

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA)  Effingham Bridges is holding learning sessions this summer for to help welcome immigrants to the county.

The programs will be held from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on the following Monday nights: May 20, June 3, June 17, July 1, July 15, and July 29. All programs will be held at the Effingham Public Library.

Effingham starts new program to reimburse home rehab in TIF districts

Some activities include teaching lessons about American money and holidays, educating for school readiness, helping learn English and providing information on community resources.

There will be lessons and activities for the whole family. Single adults, couples and families are all invited to come to the program.

No fees or paperwork are required to attend.

Effingham Bridges is run by the Effingham Public Library, Effingham Unit 40, and the CEFS Adult Volunteer Literacy Program.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Eight dolphins dead and five starving at abandoned Bahamas park where tourists paid to swim with them: report

A resort in the Bahamas that shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic is responsible for the deaths of eight dolphins and the neglect of another five, a dolphin conservation organisation has claimed.

Ric OBarrys Dolphin Project, a dolphin welfare non-profit, claims the resort Blackbeard Cay, also known as Balmoral Island  located in the Bahamas  is responsible for eight dolphin deaths since 2018. A total of 13 dolphins were at Balmoral Island, where they were brought in 2013 for tourists to swim with, according to the organisation.

The report said eight of these dolphins died since 2018, with five dying in 2023 alone.

The organisations founder, Ric OBarry, made his first trip to the island on 31 March and reported his observations about the survivors.

Dolphins, like those pictured swimming above, were reportedly abandoned at a Bahamas resort after it shut down for the Covid-19 pandemic (AFP via Getty Images)

The five survivors are in a world of trouble from everything I have seen, Mr OBarry said in a statement. From critical food (and water) deprivation to lack of critically needed shade, and electricity, from potential hazards within the dolphins enclosures to lack of proper medical care, it would be more appropriate to state that survivors are living a nightmare.

Balmoral Island is a private beach island, according to the resorts Facebook page. On 26 May 2020, the island announced it was closing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is unclear if any part of the private beach island has reopened since. The last post on their Facebook page is dated 17 June 2020.

While the report describes the resort as abandoned, the organisation says there is still a full-time caretaker watching over the dolphins.

Hes been with these dolphins for eight years, Mr OBarry told Yahoo News of the caretaker. He has no electricity whatsoever, hes like a homeless guy living on the island.

Mr OBarry claims there is no electricity on site, and that the surviving dolphins appeared malnourished and dehydrated. He also said the resorts infrastructure is in complete disrepair and there is no shade available for the dolphins.

Any one of his grievous observations... could be considered animal abuse, the organisation wrote. And any one of them could have been responsible for the high number of dolphin deaths.

Now, the activists are asking the Bahamian government to intervene and save the five remaining dolphins, according to their report published Monday.

The organisation is working with the environmental activist Sam Duncombe on this effort.

The report says Ms Duncombe last spoke with Jomo Campbell, the Bahamian minister of agriculture and marine resources, on 15 April. The report then claims Mr Campbell said the Dolphin Project would be granted access to the resort to help rescue the five living dolphins.

However, the organisation says they havent heard back since.

The government of the Bahamas has a unique opportunity to get ahead of the horrifying and heartbreaking reality surrounding the deaths of one of the worlds most beloved animals, Ms Duncombe said in a statement.

The Independent has contacted Balmoral Island, Ric OBarrys Dolphin Project and the Bahamian Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources for comment.
A former senator and the acting mayor of a small Haiti town have been charged in the death of a journalist whose 2019 killing, amid the countrys deepening political crisis, sparked protests and calls for an investigation after he became the third journalist in the country killed in less than two years.

A popular radio host of a sociopolitical talk show, Nehemie Joseph worked for both Radio Panic FM in Haiti and Miami-based Radio Mega when his bullet-riddled body was found stuffed inside the trunk of his car parked at the entrance of the city of Mirebalais in Haitis Central Plateau region.

Rony Celestin, a former senator who represented the farming region, and Lochard Laguere, who still serves as mayor of Mirebalais despite the end of his official term, are being ordered to stand trial before a jury. The investigative judge in the case wants them arrested, accusing them of being some of the masterminds of the slaying.

In a March 8 order that was only recently made public, Judge Edwige Dorsainvil of the Mirebalais Court of First Instance ruled theres sufficient evidence to charge the two men and six others in the journalists assassination.

Under Haitian law, all of those accused have the right to appeal the charges.

Dorsainvils years-long investigation also concluded there wasnt enough evidence to charge Yolette Jeanty, the mother one of the charged suspects , or well-known radio commentator Garry Pierre Paul Charles, in the killing. Charles and Joseph had a tense conversation about 48 hours before the journalists body was found. The order said no link was found between Charles and the others charged in the killing.

On Tuesday, a leading human rights group in Haiti, the Eyes Wide Open/La Fondasyon Je Klere welcomed the charges and called for the justice system to do its part, following the work of the investigative judge, who functions like a grand jury in the United States. Haiti ranks among the worlds third-worst offenders on the list of countries where the murders of journalists go unpunished, behind Syria and Somalia, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists 2023 Impunity Index.

The Eyes Wide Open foundation appreciates the effort made by the Mirebalais justice system to achieve this order, which represents a hope of seeing justice one day put an end to the impunity enjoyed by murderers in this country, the group said.

The investigation lays out a sordid entanglement involving romantic relationships, betrayal and political machinations unfolding in a quiet rural town where Celestin, one of the countrys most powerful lawmakers and a close collaborator of President Jovenel Moise, also lived.

In an interview with the Miami Herald Celestin professed his innocence, saying hes the victim of unfounded accusations spread on social media networks that accused him of killing Joseph because he had asked Moise to intervene to help bring Josephs killer to justice.

They arrested the killer, Celestin said, crediting his intervention with the eventual arrest of one of the accused in the Dominican Republic.

Instead of going after people cited by the prosecutor as being responsible, the judge, Celestin said, went after people who have nothing to do with this dossier, like myself.

Everybody in the Central Plateau is shocked, asking how can he do something like this? Celestin said. He plans to appeal the judges order, he said, adding, I want to know who brought the complaint against me, what did he have as information against me and on what basis he is saying Im implicated.

At the time of Josephs killing, Haiti was in the throes of escalating violence and protests. Demonstrators were taking to the streets to demand the resignation of Moise and accountability on nearly $2 billion in post-quake aid that government auditors said had been embezzled. The money was from Venezuelas Petrocaribe discounted-oil program, and it was supposed to be used after the 2010 earthquake to improve the lives of poor Haitians. Instead, government auditors claimed in several scathing reports, the money was stolen, misappropriated and put into non-existent projects. Moise was among several government officials implicated, though he denied any wrongdoing.

Still, it all made for news fodder for Joseph, a well-known voice in the region. But as he reported on the anti-government protests and corruption scandals, he rattled politicians.

In Mirebalais, the political fight raged. Nehemie, as an opinion leader, issued criticism against the mismanagement of local and departmental authorities, the Eyes Wide Open/La Fondasyon Je Klere said in an eight-page analysis about the judges ruling and investigation.

The human-rights group said while there remain unanswered questions in the investigation, the charges are a significant step in addressing the calls from human rights defenders and journalist associations across Haiti who saw this assassination as a serious attack on the freedom of opinion and the freedom to seek, receive and disseminate information or ideas without constraint.

The assassination of journalist Nehemie Joseph is linked to the general climate of intolerance that the country is going through, the report said. This is an undeniable and unacceptable attack against the exercise of the right to freedom of expression in Haiti for which the Haitian people have made so many sacrifices.

The investigation says one of the charged suspects, Angelina Fabiola Cameau, was involved with both Joseph and Juste Chandou Clerjeune, a professional mechanic who worked as a security guard at the mayors office and was previously assigned as security in the Haitian Parliament in Port-au-Prince.

Comeau and Joseph were last seen in Josephs car shortly before the assassination, the human rights group said.

In fact he had even stopped in a shop to buy a beer and a coke, the group said.

Cameau, the groups report asserts, was on a mission to lead Joseph to his attackers who subsequently murdered him.

After the assassination, Clerjeune, 43, fled for the Dominican Republic. He was arrested at the Punta Cana international airport while trying to get to Panama on Jan. 17, 2020. He was eventually handed over to the Mirebalais prosecutor on an Interpol arrest warrant, the human rights group said. He is charged with being the mastermind of the crime. Cameau is currently on the run after also fleeing Haiti for the Dominican Republic.

The investigation claims that the planning of Josephs assassination occurred at the Mirebalais Town Hall and involved Laguerre and others close to Celestin, who had been a target of Josephs criticisms and whose wealth and business dealings have long been questioned. Last year, in an unrelated matter, Celestin was sanctioned by both the U.S. and Canadian governments.

According to the human rights group, several witnesses declared to the investigating judge, under oath, that the former senator made death threats against Joseph. In fact, weeks before his death, Joseph posted on Facebook that he had been threatened by politicians who accused him of inciting the anti-government protests.

Among those who testified before the judge during the inquiry was former senator Willot Joseph.

The judge cited Willot Josephs testimony, saying he described the journalist as a very active youth in politics and in the press as well. Some of the issues the journalist raised made people happy, while others became mad. Celestin was in the latter category, his fellow parliamentarian testified.

Rony Celestin, when he was a senator, called me and told me Nehemie is hitting us, there could come a time where we can no longer operate in the regional department, Willot Joseph is quoted as telling the judge.

Willot Joseph then claimed that Celestin warned him that if he didnt stop the journalist, he, Celestin, would need to.

Questioned at the investigating office, former senator Rony Celestin did not deny this conversation with his former colleague, but preferred to declare to the judge of instruction that Willot is an emotional man who must give proof of what he says,  the report noted.

Celestin told the Herald he would like for Willot Joseph, a political nemesis, to produce phone records of their exchange.

Willot was never my friend, so on what basis would I have called him? he said, claiming to be a victim of false accusations that led both to sanctions and now murder charges. As a young man who is involved in politics, I think I am a model.
Ejection of Putins spies could signal an even bigger diplomatic headache for West

Col Maxim Elovik, the expelled attache, left, with Andrey Kelin, the Russian ambassador to the UK, laying wreaths at the Soviet war memorial in London earlier this month - RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY PRESS SERVICE VIA AP

Even in the dark days of the Cold War, there were always mechanisms for Soviet and Western officials to reach out to the other side.

From formal conferences to less rigid but equally starchy cocktail parties on the diplomatic circuit, there was always a way for military officers, spies and functionaries to indicate quite where the temperature level of international relations hovered.

The expulsion of the Russian defence attache  likely to be reciprocated in Moscow with his British opposite number sent packing  removes one channel through which the London-Moscow relationship, as toxic as it currently is, could be managed.

Defence attaches, if used correctly, form a vital network of advice and expertise. The British officer in Moscow will have undergone two years of language training and other professional preparation to prepare for a three-year stint in one of the most sensitive and challenging posts the MoD can offer.

The decision to expel the Russian would have been taken in full knowledge of the consequences and only after lengthy, and no doubt occasionally heated, discussions about the risks of adding yet more shade to an already murky level of understanding when it comes to todays Kremlin.

That the man was an undeclared intelligence officer would in all likelihood have been known at the highest levels of Whitehall for years; it is, after all, the unwritten part of a defence attaches job description.

Colonel Maxim Elovik's alleged activities would have been well known for some time

Britain previously considered closing the Highgate trade mission in 2018, so well known was it as a hotbed of spying. So why take these moves now?

The charges laid against two British men (one a parliamentary researcher) in April of having started a fire at a warehouse containing aid shipments for Ukraine, seemingly at Moscows behest, would have been the final straw after months  if not years  of provocation and escalation.

Other European nations have also responded to fresh violations of the status quo.

Germany is in the process of expelling 71 Russian spies and on Friday left Moscow in no doubt it would take action over a 2023 hacking attack on the Social Democratic Party of chancellor Olaf Scholz.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz has taken action against Russia following the hacking of his political party - EBRAHIM NOROOZI/AP

In the immediate aftermath of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 600 Russian intelligence officers operating in Europe with diplomatic cover were ejected from the continent.

This left a glaring black hole in Putins intelligence coverage of Western nations. He would have felt a desperate need to remedy the situation.

However, in attempting to rebuild Russias spy network, he has encouraged agents to act way beyond the normal, acceptable level of espionage which states tolerate on their turf.

The question now though for Western governments is whether this action reflects a new reality in international relations, if not the acknowledgement of an actual Cold War 2.0.

And if that is the case, this may be only the start of a bigger diplomatic headache for Western leaders, as there will be many China hawks calling for Europe and the US to take equally robust action over the undeniable threat from Beijing.

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.
Beijing Daily: I learned that Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong will attend the 30th China-ASEAN Senior Officials Consultation in Jakarta, Indonesia. Whats Chinas expectation for this consultation?

Lin Jian: As agreed between the two sides, the 30th China-ASEAN Senior Officials Consultation will be held from May 9 to 10 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Chinas Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong will lead the delegation to the consultation.

China-ASEAN Senior Officials Consultation is an important annual mechanism of dialogue and cooperation between the foreign affairs departments of China and ASEAN countries. We hope the consultation will take stock of China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and look to its future, focus their discussion on advancing China-ASEAN relations and East Asian cooperation under the new circumstances, produce more practical outcomes for building a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future and contribute to peace, stability and common development in this region.

AFP: Its reported that China, Japan and the ROK will hold a two-day leaders meeting in Seoul on May 26. Could you provide more information?

Lin Jian: China maintains communication with relevant parties on the China-Japan-ROK leaders meeting.

TASS: Vladimir Putin was officially sworn in yesterday as President of the Russian Federation for a six-year term. Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that the President will visit China in the first foreign trip of his new term in office. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this?

Lin Jian: China congratulates President Putin on his inauguration. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to President Putin following his reelection. We believe that under the leadership of President Putin, Russia will make new achievements in national development and economic and social progress.

Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, China-Russia relations have enjoyed sound and steady growth. The two sides uphold the principle of non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party and advance bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and playing a positive role in advancing global common development.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic ties. The two sides will follow the guidance of the common understandings between the two presidents, further enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and carry forward our friendship to jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, implement true multilateralism and make global governance more just and equitable.

China highly values the strategic guidance from head-of-state diplomacy for China-Russia relations. The two presidents agreed to maintain close interactions and ensure the smooth and steady growth of China-Russia relations. On your specific question, I dont have anything to read out at the moment.

AFP: Just now, the Court of Appeal of the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced a ban on a song for Hong Kong independence. What is the Chinese central governments position on this?

Lin Jian: This is not a question on foreign affairs, though I would like to stress that given its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security and the dignity of the national anthem, it is only legitimate and necessary for the Hong Kong SAR to stop anyone from using and disseminating relevant songs to incite secession and insult the national anthem.

Bloomberg: Weve reported that Chinese officials say the nation may soon release an audio recording of a purported call with the Philippine military official that Beijing says is evidence of an agreement over disputed territory in the South China Sea. Are you going to release the tape? And when might you do that? A key name was redacted from the transcript that we saw. Would you like to fill in the blank? And who that was?

Lin Jian: During Mondays briefing, I outlined the basic facts regarding what happened between China and the Philippines in terms of managing the situation at Renai Jiao. Yesterday, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines released details about the relevant communication between the two sides. The facts are clear and backed by hard evidence that cannot be denied.

The Philippines has insisted on denying these objective facts and seeks to mislead the international community. This hurts its own credibility and puts peace and stability in the South China Sea in jeopardy. China urges the Philippines to honor its commitment, stop maritime infringement and provocation at once, and return to the right track of properly handling disputes with China through dialogue and consultation.

AFP: TikTok and ByteDance have filed a lawsuit against the US government on the grounds that the law to force TikTok to be divested from its parent company violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution on free speech. Does the Chinese government support this stance?

Lin Jian: My colleagues and the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce have made clear Chinas principled position on the USs law on TikTok, which you may refer to.

Bloomberg: The Press Trust of India reports that China appointed Xu Feihong as its new Ambassador to India. Can the Ministry confirm this appointment?

Lin Jian: Thank you for your interest in Chinas diplomatic work. I have no information to offer for the moment. I would suggest that you follow our Ministrys website for any update.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 8. Hungary is interested in increasing trade and economic cooperation with Kazakhstan, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Adam Stifter said during the next round of Kazakh-Hungarian political consultations with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Roman Vassilenko, Trend reports.

"Hungary is committed to further enhancing trade and economic cooperation. Kazakhstan is Hungary's leading partner in Central Asia," he said.

At the same time, the parties noted an increase in bilateral trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Hungary, the volume of which in 2023 amounted to $187.6 million (an increase of 8.9 percent).

In addition, the parties reviewed the list of priority joint business projects and reached an agreement to strengthen cooperation in specific sectors of the economy, including energy, agriculture, and banking.

Moreover, Stifter and Vassilenko discussed cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU, especially taking into account the upcoming Hungarian presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2024.

Notably, the gross inflow of direct investment from Hungary to Kazakhstan has amounted to $320 million since 2005. At the same time, 29 legal entities, branches, and representative offices with Hungarian participation and 41 joint ventures operate in Kazakhstan.
Elon Musk joins controversy over new Canadian bill that would let citizens seek damages for online hate speech

Elon Musk has waded into the debate about a new Canadian hate speech bill that would allow citizens to seek financial compensation from anyone who posts "discriminatory" content online.

The new Online Harms Bill, unveiled in February by Canada's ruling Liberal Party and championed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, would create a government body charged with regulating hate speech and protecting children on social media.

Separately, it would also raise the maximum sentences for illegal hate speech, while allowing citizens to report discriminatory speech to a human rights tribunal with the power to award compensation of up to C$20,000 or a fine of up to C$50,000.

On Tuesday, Mr Musk retweeted what appears to be an untrue claim about the bill: that it gives police the power to arrest anyone who has ever posted hate speech, even if it happened before the bill was passed.

"This sounds insane if accurate! @CommunityNotes, please check," said Mr Musk on X (formerly Twitter), tagging in the social network's crowdsourced fact checking service to examine the claim.

This sounds insane if accurate!@CommunityNotes, please check https://t.co/RB1Ea0upTk  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 7, 2024

The Tesla and SpaceX boss frequently shares dubious claims or theories with his more than 182 million followers, often coupled with a request for a fact check from X's community volunteers.

In a recent defamation lawsuit over some of his previous tweets, he argued that his decision to tag in Community Notes was evidence that he had only boosted false information in a "good faith" attempt to ascertain whether or not it was true.

The Online Harms Bill, which would regulate X as well as other social networks, has been controversial in Canada, with civil rights groups accusing it of "draconian" provisions that could "criminalise political activism".

Among other things, the bill would make promoting genocide punishable by life in prison, raise the maximum prison sentence for other hate speech crimes from two years to five years, and allow courts to impose a life sentence for any other crime if it is motivated by hatred based on protected characteristics.

One particularly contentious provision would let a judge put someone under house arrest if they believe the person would commit a hate crime in future  although this would need to be approved by the attorney general.

Canada's justice minister has argued that these provisions would only be invoked in the most extreme cases and that they are necessary to prevent people with a long record of bigoted behaviour from escalating into harassment or violence.

Another part of the bill would allow the Canadian Human Rights Commission to examine complaints about online hate speech, and impose fines or a court order where they consider it appropriate.

The claim retweeted by Mr Musk is a distorted version of an opinion article by the British conservative commentator Toby Young, which argues that this complaints procedure would apply to "anything youve posted, ever, dating back to the dawn of the internet".

"In other words, its a gold-embossed invitation to offence archaeologists to do their worst, with the prospect of a $20,000 reward if they hit paydirt. The only way to protect yourself is to go through all your social media accounts and painstakingly delete anything remotely controversial youve ever said," wrote Mr Young.

The text of the bill says that past hate speech can be examined by the Commission, "so long as the hate speech remains public and the person can remove or block access to it".

The Canadian Department of Justice did not immediately respond to questions from The Independent.
Due to jam-packed ballots in some Republican primaries, not all North Carolina primary races were decided back in March. Per state law, when no candidate receives 30% of the vote, the second-place finisher can request a runoff. Two Council of State races and one congressional race will be headed to a runoff on May 14. All three are Republican primaries.

Here are our recommendations in those races:

Lt. Governor

Eleven candidates sought the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor; now its down to two. They are longtime Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill and Hal Weatherman, who served as chief of staff to former North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest and to former U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick.

The lieutenant governors office comes with few powers and an exceedingly low profile. When the governor is of the opposing party, the post is further diminished. But the one clear appeal of the job is being in position to run for governor. The last two Republicans to serve as lieutenant governor, Forest and Mark Robinson, became their partys gubernatorial nominee.

ONeill, a four-term district attorney who lost a close race for state attorney general in 2020, is back in a statewide contest. He would bring years of law enforcement and political experience to the job and is clearly a gubernatorial candidate in waiting. Weatherman has experience as a political staffer and stresses his conservative cultural and religious views.

On his campaign website, Weatherman describes himself as a principled limited government conservative  fiscal and social. He supports North Carolina adopting a 6-week fetal heartbeat abortion ban.

ONeill is an experienced public servant and more interested in the law than culture wars. He also supports bringing more manufacturing jobs to the state, he wants to stem substance abuse that is the cause of much petty crime and he backs increasing state resources for treating mental illness. We recommend Jim ONeill.

State Auditor





Six candidates sought the Republican nomination for state auditor in Marchs primary, but just two will be on the runoff ballot in May. The winner will face Democrat Jessica Holmes, who was appointed to replace longtime auditor Beth Wood after her resignation last year.

The office uncovers waste and abuse of state tax dollars by auditing state agencies and private entities that receive taxpayer funds. Marchs top vote-getter was Jack Clark, who works as a research assistant in the North Carolina General Assembly. Clark is a Certified Public Accountant and has experience as an auditor at large firms. He faces Dave Boliek, an attorney and former chair of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees.

Clark is thoughtful and promises to bring a nonpartisan approach to the auditors office, pledging to hold both Democrats and Republicans accountable. He also brings relevant auditing experience that would be a clear asset to the role. We recommend Jack Clark.

13th Congressional District

Whoever wins the GOP nomination in this district recently gerrymandered to favor Republicans is almost certain to be heading to Congress after Novembers general election. The incumbent, Democrat Wiley Nickel, is not seeking reelection. The newly drawn district takes in seven counties south, east and north of blue Wake County and includes sections of southeast and northern Wake County.

The GOP race opened as a cavalry charge of 14 candidates, but none gained the necessary 30% for an outright win. A runoff between the two top finishers was derailed when former President Donald Trump endorsed one of them, Brad Knott, a former federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorneys Office for Eastern North Carolina. Trumps intrusion prompted Kelly Daughtry, a Johnston County lawyer who nearly won the primary, to suspend her campaign and announce her support for Knott.

Had Trump not squelched this race, we would have recommended Daughtry as the candidate best suited for the district. She will still be on the ballot and, despite Trumps endorsement, voters will still have a choice.
The Tennessee Valley Authority's Cumberland Fossil Plant. (Photo: Courtesy of TVA)

More than a decade after one of the biggest industrial disasters in Tennessee history, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued new rules to force power plants to clean up lingering deposits of coal ash, a toxic byproduct of power generation that can leach arsenic, mercury and other dangerous pollutants into streams, lakes and groundwater.

The new rules require power companies across the nation to dig up millions of tons of coal ash from defunct power plants and old, unlined landfills that have contact with groundwater and move them to dry, lined landfills.

In Tennessee, the rules will apply to sites in Sumner, Anderson, Roane, Hawkins and Humphreys counties owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority. It was at the TVAs Kingston Fossil Plant in 2008 that disaster struck: an infrastructure breach sent more than a billion gallons of toxic coal sludge into nearby homes and waterways then sickened workers brought in to clean it up. Scores of those workers have since died.

That's the other complicating factor. If it gets cleaned up, where will they store it? How will they involve the community or public in where the ash is going to go.

 Brie Knisley, director of public power campaigns for Appalachian Voices

Environmental groups hailed the much-anticipated new EPA rules as a critical and necessary check on the operations of the Tennessee Valley Authority, which for decades has disposed of the toxic residue of coal-fired power plants into unlined ponds and landfills.

This is so important because many utilities are already cleaning up coal ash in the southeast, but for the ones like the TVA who have not, this is important to drive those cleanups and protect surrounding communities and their water sources, said Nick Torrey, a senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center.

TVA is currently reviewing the new EPA rules, Scott Brooks, an agency spokesperson, said Tuesday. In a brief statement Brooks called TVA an industry leader in safe, innovative coal ash management, implementing best practices years before they were required.

TVAs handling of coal ash has been the subject of scrutiny from state and federal regulators since the 2008 Kingston spill. The utility is currently subject to an order by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to investigate all of its existing coal ash sites and provide a plan for remediating them, due this year. The plan has not yet been made public.

The EPA coal ash rules, issued last week, are meant to close a loophole created after it set for the proper disposal of coal ash at active coal-fired power plants in 2015. The 2015 rules did not address the existing stockpiles of coal ash waste at defunct plants and in unlined landfills. The TVA and other power companies will now be required to remediate these coal ash deposits.

Aerial of the TVA plant in Kingsport Tennessee, Kingsport. on the Clinch River. An ash dam spill on December 22 2008 resulted in a major environmental issue for the area. (Photo: Karen Kasmauski for Getty Images)

Aerial of the TVA plant in Kingston Tennessee, on the Clinch River. An ash dam spill on December 22 2008 resulted in a major environmental issue for the area. (Photo: Karen Kasmauski for Getty Images)

Among the unanswered questions now are whether the TVA will choose to transport coal ash from existing sites to other communities, Bri Knisley, director of public power campaigns for Appalachian Voices, said.

After the Kingston coal ash spill, TVA opted to transport more than 800 million tons of coal ash to Uniontown, Alabama, a majority Black and predominantly poor community.

Today, Uniontown residents have been left with few answers about the long-term impact of coal ash landfilled in their backyard, a question brought into sharper focus by recent preliminary findings by the EPA that exposure to even small amounts of coal ash can harm health and has cancer risks 35 times higher than previously understood.

Thats the other complicating factor, Knisely said. If it gets cleaned up, where will they store it? How will they involve the community or public in where the ash is going to go?

Knisely noted the newly-issued EPA rules also do not address safety measure for workers responsible for transporting the coal waste.

Axel Ringe, chair of the Sierra Club coal ash working group, said he was also concerned about the track records of power companies since the 2015 rule requiring stringent containment of coal ash residue at active coal-fired plants. Most power plants have ignored it, Ringe said.

The post Environmental groups welcome federal rules requiring TVA to clean up old coal ash dumps appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
'Essentially a gas station,' fishy feast draws sea lions to Pier 39 in numbers not seen in 15 years

Sea lions crowd onto rafts along Pier 39 in San Francisco on May 2, 2024. (Godofredo A. Vasquez / Associated Press)

They're big, loud and smelly  and they have taken over San Francisco's touristy Pier 39.

In recent days, some 1,100 to 1,200 anchovy-breathed, blubber-bodied sea lions have been counted flopping on and around the docks, Harbormaster Sheila Chandor said Tuesday. That's the highest number recorded in 15 years.

The pinnipeds  who are cruising from as far north as southeastern Alaska down to the Channel Islands for mating season  have swarmed the pier in such large numbers because of a massive school of anchovies swimming near the Farallon Islands.

"There's a feast going on out there right now," Chandor said.

Read more: Sea lions are cash cows in the Bay Area. Farther south, fishermen say, 'Shoot 'em'

The marine mammals, with their big eyes and long whiskers, have long been welcomed at Fisherman's Wharf, where tourists can't seem to get enough of them.

They first started hauling out at Pier 39 in 1989. Boats had been moved out of their slips while the docks were being remodeled, leaving lots of space for sea lions in search of a place to rest.

They started coming en masse after the San Francisco Bay Area was rocked that October by the Loma Prieta earthquake, which killed at least 63 people and caused more than $6 billion in damage. By January 1990, more than 150 sea lions swarmed the docks, drawing tourists who had avoided the area for months after the earthquake.

"The first showed up when we needed a boost, because we had just gone through the earthquake ... and we were dying on the vine, with no business," said Chandor, who has worked at the pier since 1985. "It totally revitalized all the business on the wharf."

Read more: What's killing hundreds of sea lions and dozens of dolphins along the Southern California coast?

The pier typically has a few hundred sea lions, with up to 700 or so in the spring, Chandor said.

The current, giant herd, which seems to be growing by the day, started showing up in late April, she said.

There have not been so many sea lions at the pier simultaneously since 2009, when more than 1,700 showed up, said Adam Ratner, director of conservation engagement at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito.

That year was "a big El Nino year, with a lot of changes in ocean health ... and a lot of fish right in that area, so it was kind of like the dinner bell ringing," Ratner said.

Read more: 'Nothing is untouched': DDT found in deep-sea fish raises troubling concerns for food web

Ratner said Pier 39 has become "essentially a gas station" for migrating sea lions, where  safe from natural predators such as orcas and great white sharks  they can rest, sunbathe and fatten up before going down to the Channel Islands for some summer love.

"Sea lions go to Pier 39 for a lot of the same reasons people do: It's a great place to rest and hang out, and there's lots of good food around," he said.

Ratner said the surge in healthy sea lions is, on the surface, a good sign for the animals' population and the health of their habitat.

But it is hard to tell whether it's a good indicator of the ocean's overall ecological health, Ratner said.

"The deeper mystery is, why is that big school of fish out there?" he said. "Is it that there are more fish, which would be fantastic? Or maybe the fish have all congregated in one place, whereas they should be somewhere else."

During the last sea lion surge in 2009, there was also a big school of anchovies off the bay  but food deserts for the sea lions elsewhere, Ratner said. Later that year, the pinnipeds, especially younger, smaller ones, struggled.

Read more: San Diego closes off a sea lion hot spot where selfie-taking humans are just too much

Sea lions, he added, are like "sentinels of the sea," providing clues about what is affecting the briny deep, such as toxins that sicken them and shifting fish populations that they chase.

Chandor said there seem to be other fish, not just anchovies, massing off the coast because harbor officials have seen upticks in dolphins and pelicans in recent weeks too.

The blubbery horde on Pier 39, she said, probably will clear out by early June, when "the call of the breeding season will call them away."

Or, one would hope.

The "very vocal" sea lions are happy, well-fed and don't seem to want to move much, Chandor said.

Usually, the floating rafts where they lounge and poop are power-washed weekly. But there have been so many sea lions in recent days that the cleaning has ceased because moving them "would just create mayhem," Chandor said.

"It's pretty stinky right now."

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.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The estate of a Central Michigan University alumnus has donated more than $5.1 million to the universitys College of Medicine  the largest in the medical schools history.

The university announced Monday that the gift will serve the Bruce E. Livingston Endowed Medical Scholarship.

CMU is honored by the generosity of Mr. Livingston, CMU President Bob Davies said in a statement. His gift is a tribute to the character and quality of our medical students and honors the experience he had while attending CMU as a student.

The Saginaw native graduated from CMU in 1961 with a bachelor of arts degree in social science and English and earned his master of arts degree in English in 1969. However, Livingstons estate says it was his experiences outside of the university that shaped the decision for the donation.

CMU to open new 4-year nursing degree program

Several years back, Livingston was admitted to a regional hospital for treatment and received care from CMU medical students and residents, the press release stated. Although he had always feared hospitals, Livingston said the students empathy and compassionate care lessened his anxiety and calmed his fears. Those impactful visits were the impetus for Livingstons decision to create an endowment in support of the College of Medicine.

Livingston died in 2021. The Bruce E. Livingston Endowed Medical Scholarship was established by his estate in 2023. It will assist qualifying students with tuition costs, including a portion set aside to fund student research. Students from Michigan will get preference for receiving the award.

Jennifer Cotter, CMUs vice president for advancement, said the scholarship will make an impact for years.

Students will continue to benefit from his generosity for generations, Cotter stated. CMU is honored to carry out his legacy of lifting up the next generation of compassionate physicians who will serve our communities.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
HELSINKI (Reuters) -Estonia's foreign ministry has summoned the head of the Russian embassy in Tallinn to protest the jamming of GPS signals, the Baltic country said on Wednesday.

Estonia accuses neighbouring Russia of violating international regulations by disturbing GPS navigation in airspace above the Baltic states, echoing concerns from airlines that say they have contended with such interference for months.

The Estonian foreign ministry on Wednesday summoned Russia's charge d'affaires to convey its message. Moscow and Tallinn last year expelled each other's ambassadors as relations deteriorated in the wake of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

"Jamming the GPS signal is an element of Russia's hybrid activities, disrupting everyday life and threatening the security of allies," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in a statement.

Russia's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

GPS, short for Global Positioning System, is a network of satellites and receiving devices used for positioning, navigation and timing on Earth in everything from ships and planes to cars.

The jamming of GPS signals can be disruptive to commercial airliners but they can usually navigate by other means.

Finnish carrier Finnair last month said it would pause all flights to Tartu in Estonia to allow the local airport to upgrade its navigation system, which has so far relied only on GPS.

(Reporting by Essi Lehto in Helsinki and Andrius Sytas in Vilnius, editing by Terje Solsvik; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
An ethics panel Tuesday delayed action for yet another day on the question of whether Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen violated the norms of the state Senate by sending to his 66 colleagues a link to a video about gender-affirming surgery.

Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley, filed the complaint against the Glencoe Republican in April 2023, but the Senate's ethics subcommittee didn't take it up until now. The four-person panel agreed to think about it and come back at 3 p.m. Wednesday to decide what, if anything, should be done.

The timing of the meeting was a concern for the two Republicans on the committee, who noted that the hearing occurred only after a complaint was recently filed against Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, over her alleged attempted first-degree burglary of the Detroit Lakes home of her father's widow.

"The perception is the only reason we have this complaint in front of us now is because the other complaint was filed," Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona said. Sen. Andrew Mathews, R-Princeton, expressed similar concerns.

For more than two hours, the committee heard from and questioned Maye Quade and Gruenhagen before agreeing on a motion by Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton, to think about it overnight.

Mathews initially moved for a finding of no probable cause for wrongdoing. But the motion failed on a tie with the two Republicans voting for it and Kunesh and Chairman Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis, against it.

Maye Quade argued that by sending a link of gender-affirming surgery to all senators last year, Gruenhagen violated the Senate norms and should be sent to sensitivity training on LGBTQIA-plus matters. She said Gruenhagen labeled the contents "extremely graphic and disturbing" and "sent it anyway."

She said the email was gratuitous and not related to pending legislation. "We can and should express our opinions and educate each other about topics," she said, but added that Gruenhagen's email "demonstrated a deep lack of understanding about LGBTQIA+ people."

Gruenhagen countered that he was providing information about a bill passed late last April. "We have an obligation and a responsibility to do the research," Gruenhagen said. He said the email linked to an academic, medical video created to train physicians on male to female gender reassignment surgery.

"You had to click twice to get to the videos. You could have hit erase," he said. "What's at stake is whether a member can share information, even if it's explicit, on a bill that's coming before the Senate to vote on?"

The bill, which is now law, provided protections from legal repercussions and extradition orders for transgender people and their families traveling to Minnesota for treatment.
EU ambassadors agree on using Russian assets revenue to fund Ukraine

EU ambassadors agreed in principle on a measure for using profits from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's recovery and military needs, the Belgian Presidency of the EU said on May 8.

Ukraine's Western partners and other allies froze around $300 billion in Russian assets at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Roughly two-thirds are held in the Belgium-based financial services company Euroclear.

"I welcome today's political agreement on our proposal to use the proceeds from immobilized Russian assets for Ukraine," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X.

"There could be no stronger symbol and no greater use for that money than to make Ukraine and all of Europe a safer place to live."

While the U.S. proposed seizing Russian assets outright in accordance with their recently passed REPO act, the EU has been more hesitant, fearing legal and fiscal pitfalls of confiscation.

Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us

Instead, Brussels seeks to use windfall profits generated by the frozen assets and funnel them to Kyiv.

In March, the European Commission submitted a proposal on using 90% of the generated funds to purchase weapons for Ukraine and allocate the remaining 10% to the EU budget to support the country's defense industry.

The proposed measure would have allocated around 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) to Ukraine per year.

The plan met opposition from those member states who maintain military neutrality or non-alignment policy and thus opposed funding Ukraine's defense needs, instead preferring to channel the money toward reconstruction efforts.

The final form of the proposition recently approved by EU ambassadors remains unclear.

Read also: Media: EU unlikely to reach decision on Russian assets profits during summit

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, May 8. Kyrgyzstan bought 74,247 tons of oil products from Russia in JanuaryFebruary 2024, up 82 percent from the same moths of 2023 (40,765 tons), Trend reports.

Data from the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan shows that the value of the imports totaled $54.137 million. The figure rose by 63.9 percent compared to $33.032 million in January-February 2023.

Russia was the main supplier of oil products to Kyrgyzstan during these two months. In second place was Kazakhstan, with 17,311 tons for $12.997 million. Uzbekistan followed with 1,676 tons for $871,800, and Belarus was not far behind, supplying 1,137 tons for $708,900.

Overall, Kyrgyzstan bought 95,661 tons of oil products from January through February 2024, which is 99.5 percent more than in the same period of 2023 (47,953 tons). The value of the imports amounted to $72.831 million, which is 69 percent more than in JanuaryFebruary 2023 ($43.088 million).

Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover totaled $2.255 billion in the first two months of 2024, which is 28.3 percent more than in the same period in 2023 ($1.758 billion).

Exports totaled $307.5 million, increasing by 18.4 percent compared to JanuaryFebruary 2023 ($259.726 million). Imports totaled $1.947 billion, up 30 percent from $1.498 billion in the corresponding months of 2023.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, EU and European People's Party (EPP) lead candidate, speaks during the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Federal Party Conference. Michael Kappeler/dpa

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for European values and achievements to be defended against populists and extremists in the European elections in June.

During a speech in Berlin, she said the European Union could not be constructed with "servants of the Kremlin, democracy despisers and extremists."

The EU leader, who is German, was addressing centre-right politicians from the Christian Democrats (CDU) - the party she represented as a domestic politician - at a national party conference in the capital.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz assured von der Leyen that the party and its allies would do everything in its power to ensure that she stayed as commission president.

Von der Leyen took the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to task, calling it an "arsonist in the European house."

She referred to the accusations aimed at leading AfD candidates Maximilian Krah and Petr Bystron as well as spying allegations against a former employee of Krah.

"The AfD is making propaganda for Putin and spying for China ahead of the European elections. So first the AfD rants about the people and the fatherland. And then the AfD betrays this fatherland to the autocrats. They should be ashamed of themselves," she said.

"Anyone who sets fire to the European house is also taking an axe to the single market, which is the foundation of our prosperity," she said, referring to the AfD's aim of breaking up the EU in its current form.

The EU leader noted that if Germany exited the EU, its economic growth could be cut by 10%, companies could lose as much as  500 billion ($538 billion) and some 2.2 million jobs would be immediately destroyed. She called the AfD's European election programme a "job destruction programme."

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, EU and European People's Party (EPP) lead candidate, speaks during the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Federal Party Conference. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, EU and European People's Party (EPP) lead candidate, speaks during the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Federal Party Conference. Michael Kappeler/dpa

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for European values and achievements to be defended against populists and extremists in the European elections in June.

During a speech in Berlin, she said the European Union could not be constructed with "servants of the Kremlin, democracy despisers and extremists."

The EU leader, who is German, was addressing centre-right politicians from the Christian Democrats (CDU) - the party she represented as a domestic politician - at a national party conference in the capital.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz assured von der Leyen that the party and its allies would do everything in its power to ensure that she stayed as commission president.

Von der Leyen took the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to task, calling it an "arsonist in the European house."

She referred to the accusations aimed at leading AfD candidates Maximilian Krah and Petr Bystron as well as spying allegations against a former employee of Krah.

"The AfD is making propaganda for Putin and spying for China ahead of the European elections. So first the AfD rants about the people and the fatherland. And then the AfD betrays this fatherland to the autocrats. They should be ashamed of themselves," she said.

"Anyone who sets fire to the European house is also taking an axe to the single market, which is the foundation of our prosperity," she said, referring to the AfD's aim of breaking up the EU in its current form.

The EU leader noted that if Germany exited the EU, its economic growth could be cut by 10%, companies could lose as much as  500 billion ($538 billion) and some 2.2 million jobs would be immediately destroyed. She called the AfD's European election programme a "job destruction programme."

Turning to other topics, von der Leyen assured Ukraine of her continued full support in its war against Russia, and called on European countries to invest more in defence.

"We want a Europe that can defend itself," she said.

Von der Leyen also spoke out in favour of taking more decisive action against illegal migration to Europe. Hardly any other issue is more important and is so pressing, she said, saying "behind illegal migration are smugglers and traffickers.

"This is organized crime."
By Kate Abnett and Ludwig Burger

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT (Reuters) -The European Commission is planning to allow exemptions from a proposed ban on substances known as PFAS, or "forever chemicals", to protect key industries, a letter seen by Reuters on Wednesday showed.

In the letter to some EU lawmakers in her EPP parliamentary group, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Commission would propose exemptions allowing the chemicals' use to continue in certain sectors, such as those where the social or economic cost of the ban would outweigh the reduction in health or environmental risks posed by the chemicals.

"On this basis, the Commission intends to propose derogations for uses necessary for the EU's digital and green transition and strategic autonomy, pending viable alternatives," said the letter, dated April 5.

The letter said a full ban could put at risk investments in technologies such as semiconductors and batteries, which are crucial to Europe's shift to low-carbon energy.

"Our goal is to combat PFAS pollution while ensuring the investment security of key technologies," it said. The letter was first reported by German newspaper Welt.

A European Commission spokesperson told Reuters it intends to grant exemptions from the PFAS ban "for uses where alternatives are not available and there would be disproportionate socio-economic costs, while ensuring minimisation of PFAS emissions".

In February last year, the EU started to consider a ban of the widely used but potentially harmful substances, in what could become the bloc's most extensive piece of regulation of the chemical industry.

PFAS chemicals are used in thousands of products and machines, including drugs, cars, textiles and wind turbines due to their long-term resistance to extreme temperatures and corrosion.

PFAS do not break down in the environment due to an extremely strong bond between carbon and fluorine atoms. That has earned them the moniker "forever chemicals", and raised concerns about the long-term consequences of a build-up of PFAS over time in the environment, drinking water and the human body.

Certain PFAS can harm foetuses, and several may cause cancer in humans, according to the European Chemicals Agency.

Politicians including German Economy Minister Robert Habeck have said PFAS should be phased out in circumstances where they cannot be used safely for humans and the environment, while warning that an outright ban could hamper the production of key green technologies in Europe.

Industries including European chemical makers' association Cefic have raised similar concerns, arguing a ban would hobble the production of batteries, semiconductors, electric vehicles and renewable energy production.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett in Brussels, Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt;Additional reporting by Bart Meijer in Amsterdam; Editing by Alison Williams and Richard Chang)
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the EU Commission, says the deal will make Europe a safer place to live - FILIP SINGER/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

The European Union has struck a deal to send up to 2.6 billion a year to Ukraine from frozen Russian assets.

The tentative agreement on using interest made on Moscows assets to buy weapons was struck by EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.

Kyiv has long called for the funds to be used to help it fight off renewed Russian attacks.

There could be no stronger symbol and no greater use for that money than to make Ukraine and all of Europe a safer place to live, said Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president after Belgium announced the breakthrough.

The EU froze about 181 billion in Russian central bank assets after Vladimir Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine. Most of this is held by Euroclear, a financial services company based in Belgium.

Belgium to channel tax into common fund

The plan to use the profits from the frozen assets was delayed by tough negotiations, which were complicated as Belgium was preparing to take a chunk of the windfall through its corporate tax.

Belgium, as the current holder of the EU presidency, was also trying to broker the deal in inter-governmental talks, and was under pressure from Western allies including the US.

It claimed it was already spending most of the levy on weapons for Ukraine, but the breakthrough was only reached when it pledged to channel the tax revenue into an EU or G7 fund.

Belgium will provide a written statement promising that the 25 per cent tax they levy on Euroclear goes into an EU or G7 fund for Ukraine from 2025, an EU diplomat told The Telegraph.

10 per cent of the funds have to be considered general aid as a safeguard for Hungary, which refuses to supply weapons to Ukraine. The other 90 per cent can be spent on weapons and ammunition.

Legal safety net for company holding funds

Under the agreement in principle, which must still be approved by member states, Euroclear will be paid a 0.3 per cent management fee. This was originally a 3 per cent fee.

Euroclear will be allowed to put aside 10 per cent of the windfall profits as a safety net in case Russia starts litigation, EU diplomatic sources said.

Any funds not used from the safety net will be sent back to Ukraines coffers.

The breakthrough increases the chances of the money being sent to Ukraine by July, just after Belgiums six-month term helming the EU presidency ends.

EU ambassadors also held talks on Wednesday about a 14th round of sanctions against the Kremlin.

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 European Commission has explained that the reason why the EU has not refused to recognise Vladimir Putin as Russia's "president" is because not all member states have reached a consensus on this issue.

Source: Peter Stano, spokesperson for the EU External Action Service, at a briefing in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Stano said the EU as such does not have the authority to recognise or not recognise anyone's authority, and this sort of decision is traditionally made by member states.

Quote: "Of course, when the member states in unanimity by 27 of them say that they don't consider someone a legitimate representative of a country, like we did in the case of the Syrian leader, Assad, or the dictator in Belarus, Lukashenko, then we can have this position.

In the case of Russia, there is no EU-wide position agreed by 27 that says we do not see Putin as a legitimate representative of Russia.

The fact of life is that he is sitting in the Kremlin. From the Kremlin, he is directing one of the most violent and most bloody aggressions in the recent history of Europe  the aggression against Ukraine."

Details: Stano noted that the EU expressed a consensus position on the so-called "presidential elections" in Russia in a statement of 18 March, which was agreed by 27 member states. In this statement, the EU criticised the Russian "elections" as being held with numerous restrictions, without the participation of a real opposition and taking place, among other things, in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

"So again  the EU's positions when it comes to Venezuela, Belarus and Syria, for example, were agreed by 27 member states in defining how we see those people remaining in power... In the case of Russia... there is no common EU-wide agreed position on whether we recognise Putin as a legitimate president," Stano said.

Stano also assured journalists that the attendance of several EU diplomats at the so-called "inauguration" of Vladimir Putin on Tuesday did not call into question the EU's position on supporting Ukraine.

After the fraudulent "elections" in Russia, Putin lost his legitimacy as president of that country, so European Pravda no longer uses the term "president" to refer to this person. Here we justify and explain the importance of this change.

Support UP or become our patron!
EU insists that a few European diplomats at Putin's "inauguration" did not undermine support for Ukraine

The European Commission has said that the attendance of several EU diplomats at Vladimir Putin's so-called "inauguration" on Tuesday does not call into question the EU's position on support for Ukraine.

Source: a briefing in Brussels on Wednesday by Peter Stano, lead spokesperson for the European External Action Service, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The participation of diplomats from several EU countries in the "inauguration" of the Kremlin leader does not actually call into question the EU's agreed position on supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia, Stano said.

Quote: "This event in Moscow was rather a protocol issue, including the invitation of ambassadors from states all around the world. The big majority of the (EU) member states decided not to attend because of the reasons the High Representative enumerated," Stano said.

Quote: "We all, EU 27 member states, have pronounced ourselves very clearly about what we thought and what we think about this so-called presidential election. The position is very clear, and the position of supporting Ukraine is also very clear.," the spokesman added.

He reiterated that the participation of several diplomats in the "protocol event" in Moscow yesterday does not contradict the EU's position on continued support for Ukraine, and the EU ambassador to Moscow did not attend the ceremony.

Background:

Borrell said on Tuesday morning that he had advised EU countries not to send their representatives to the "inauguration" of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.

He said that it would be difficult for Ukrainians and many in the world to understand why European representatives attended the "inauguration" in Moscow under these circumstances.

However, according to media reports, diplomats from at least six EU countries, France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Hungary and Slovakia, decided to attend Putin's "inauguration" on 7 May.

The European Commission later explained why some EU countries did send representatives to the "inauguration".

Support UP or become our patron!
A woman walks in front of a crater caused by a Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Andriy Andriyenko)

BRUSSELS (AP)  European Union nations reached a tentative breakthrough deal to provide Ukraine with billions in additional funds for arms and ammunitions coming from the profits raised from frozen Russian central bank assets held in the bloc.

The agreement among the 27 EU ambassadors was announced by Belgium, which holds most of the frozen assets in the bloc. It came after weeks of tough negotiations among member states, which were made more complicated by the stringent financial limits on using such funds.

The deal should free up to 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) a year for Kyiv, of which 90% could be spent on ammunition and other military equipment.

Officials said a first installment of the funds could reach Kyiv in July.

The EU is holding around 210 billion euros ($225 billion) in Russian central bank assets, most of it frozen in Belgium, in retaliation for Moscows war against Ukraine. Kyiv has long been urging that those funds be used to get vital military supplies as it struggles to stave off renewed Russian attacks.

A small group of member states, especially Hungary, refuse to supply weapons to Ukraine so special safeguards had to be included in the deal to allow for some 10% of the funds to be considered general aid.

EU member states still need to officially endorse the ambassadors' agreement.

___

Follow APs coverage of Russias war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
FILE - Medical staff prepares an AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine during preparations at the vaccine center in Ebersberg near Munich, Germany, Monday, March 22, 2021. The pharma giant AstraZeneca has requested that its European authorization for its COVID vaccine be pulled, according to the EU medicines regulator on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, FILE)

LONDON (AP)  The pharma giant AstraZeneca has requested that the European authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine be pulled, according to the EU medicines regulator.

In an update on the European Medicines Agency's website Wednesday, the regulator said that the approval for AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria had been withdrawn at the request of the marketing authorization holder.

AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine was first given the nod by the EMA in January 2021. Within weeks, however, concerns grew about the vaccine's safety, when dozens of countries suspended the vaccine's use after unusual but rare blood clots were detected in a small number of immunized people. The EU regulator concluded AstraZeneca's shot didn't raise the overall risk of clots, but doubts remained.

Partial results from its first major trial  which Britain used to authorize the vaccine  were clouded by a manufacturing mistake that researchers didnt immediately acknowledge. Insufficient data about how well the vaccine protected older people led some countries to initially restrict its use to younger populations before reversing course.

Billions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were distributed to poorer countries through a U.N.-coordinated program, as it was cheaper and easier to produce and distribute. But studies later suggested that the pricier messenger RNA vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna provided better protection against COVID-19 and its many variants, and most countries switched to those shots.

The U.K.'s national coronavirus immunization program in 2021 heavily relied on AstraZeneca's vaccine, which was largely developed by scientists at Oxford University with significant financial government support. But even Britain later resorted to buying the mRNA vaccines for its COVID booster vaccination programs and the AstraZeneca vaccine is now rarely used globally.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Kassius Benson, the former Hennepin County chief public defender who resigned amid a federal probe that yielded tax evasion charges, received a three-year probation sentence Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis.

Benson, 53, of Plymouth, admitted in December that he failed to pay taxes withheld for employees at his Minneapolis-based criminal defense firm, Kassius Benson Law, before taking his public job in January 2021. As part of his plea deal, Benson must pay the Internal Revenue Service $213,591.81 in restitution. U.S. District Judge John Tunheim on Wednesday added a requirement that Benson complete three weekends of incarceration in a community confinement facility within his first year of probation.

"You have some big mountains to climb now, particularly with your license. This has been surprising to all of us given the good work you've done in this court," said Tunheim. "I encourage you to decide you want to be that role model again."

Benson, whose nearly four dozen federal clients included a woman charged with identical tax crimes at the same time committed his, was indicted on 17 counts related to federal tax evasion in February 2023. He pleaded guilty to one count of failure to account for and pay over payroll taxes, while the remaining charges were dropped.

Benson told Tunheim Wednesday that he harbored ambitions of practicing law as early as when he was in sixth grade. He started out as a law clerk in the county office after he graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1996. He worked as a public defender both here and in Washington, D.C., before launching his own Minneapolis-based firm 20 years ago. At his private firm, Benson employed at least five people in 2013 and again from 2015-2019, and failed to file proper quarterly forms and turn over taxes he withheld during that stretch. As the sole shareholder, he was responsible for the collection and payment of employment taxes and filing the appropriate quarterly IRS forms.

A revenue agent began an audit relating to forms that Benson was to have filed in 2017. The agent expanded the investigation to 2013 and 2015-2019 upon finding that Benson had failed to pay employment taxes, unemployment taxes and to file the forms.

The state Board of Public Defense hired Benson to lead the Hennepin County Public Defenders Office just six months after the IRS lodged its probe into his firm in July 2020. As chief public defender, he received a $145,288 salary and oversaw 200 employees. His resignation in October 2022 came just two days after Wayzata police cited him for drunken driving.

According to court filings, Benson held onto the employment taxes withheld from his employees' paychecks from 2013 to 2019. In October 2020, he filed a joint 2019 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return that falsely claimed a credit for withholdings from his own wages. The restitution amount Benson is ordered to pay the IRS aligns with what he admitted to keeping.

Prosecutors from the Justice Department's Tax Division called for an eight-month prison sentence while Benson's attorneys argued for probation. Christopher Lin, one of the two prosecutors who led the government's criminal case, said Benson had the means to pay what his firm owed the government during the course of his crimes and that he had the chance to make good when the IRS auditor first contacted him in 2020.

"If he had the outstanding character he says he has in his pleadings he would've knocked that opportunity out of the park," Lin said.

Instead, Lin argued, Benson stole government funds to build his reputation and bolster his legal practice.

"No public defender's office would've chosen him to lead it if he couldn't run a four-person law firm without running it into the ground," Lin said.

Edward Ungvarsky, one of three attorneys who say they volunteered to represent Benson, argued that the case was more a reflection of Benson's poor skills at managing a business than an intent to commit wrongdoing. Ungvarsky said Benson put off his obligations to pay taxes in lieu of caring for his family and clients. Benson was in denial about the problems his firm faced, he said, and he put his head down and focused on its work.

"He was running a firm and making a giant mistake and the hole got deeper and deeper," Ungvarsky said.

He described the case as a high-profile cautionary tale about the fall of a lawyer to felon, from legal practitioner to unemployed. Benson threw away a quarter-century career and demolished a dream he clung to since he was a child, Ungvarsky said.

Benson now lives in Plymouth and is still senior counsel and lead trial lawyer at his private firm that lists no other employees on its website. His sentencing is likely to lead to a law license suspension of some sort.

Benson was greeted after sentencing by a cadre of legal colleagues there to support him, including Chief Public Defender Bill Ward. Benson and his attorneys declined to comment further after the hearing.

Standing before Tunheim, Benson apologized to the Minnesota Board of Public Defense and to his family. He vowed to make good on the restitution ordered in the case and said he believed he could still earn a substantial salary while working as a paralegal or investigator while he works to regain his law license. Tunheim added 120 hours of community service to Benson's sentence, suggesting he volunteer to speak in front of lawyer groups or students.

"It has registered, the damages that I've done; tarnishing what I built," Benson said. "My biggest regret is the effect this has had on my family on friends."

Star Tribune staff writers Kim Hyatt and Rochelle Olson contributed to this story.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The former Republican congressional candidate and ex-wrestler charged with murder pleaded not guilty Wednesday to beating another man to death inside a Las Vegas hotel room.

Dan Rodimer, 45, is accused of punching Christopher Tapp, 47, inside Resorts World on the Las Vegas Strip on Oct. 29, 2023, leading to Tapps death.

Doctors pronounced Tapp dead at a Las Vegas hospital on Nov. 5, 2023. The Clark County coroners office ruled Tapps death a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma to his head, documents said. A scan showed he suffered several brain bleeds.

Dan Rodimer dressed as a shirtless Ken when he allegedly beat another man to death inside a Las Vegas hotel room, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. (KLAS)

A Clark County grand jury indicted Rodimer on the murder charge last month. In court Wednesday, Clark County District Court Judge Tierra Jones scheduled a trial for February 2025.

It was initially suspected Tapp died of an apparent overdose and fall, according to documents obtained by 8 News Now Investigators. However, after interviews with witnesses, police believe Rodimer attacked Tapp after he allegedly offered Rodimers model stepdaughter, Bella Duffy, cocaine during a Halloween party for racecar driver John Odom at the Crocksford hotel inside the resort.

Investigators later said they learned Tapp  who himself was acquitted of murder after serving two decades in prison  had been involved in an altercation inside the hotel room before he was found and taken to the hospital.

FILE  In this Feb. 11, 2020, file photo, from left, Christopher Tapp, Republican Rep. Doug Ricks and Charles Fain appeared before the Idaho House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee in Boise, Idaho, to testify in favor of legislation that would compensate the wrongly convicted. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler, File)

I thought it was a no brainer, it seems appropriate, John Thomas, the attorney for Tapps family, said about the indictment. Its the ultimate tragedy.

In 2020, Rodimer lost his bid to represent Nevadas 3rd Congressional District against Democratic Rep. Susie Lee. Rodimer lost the election by nearly 13,000 votes  or 3 percentage points. He later left Nevada and lost a bid to represent Texas 6th Congressional District, coming in 11th in a 2021 primary.

Rodimer remained out of jail on a $200,000 bond. His attorneys said they intended to challenge the indictment within three weeks.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
CNN

Unlike former attorney general Bill Barr, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and other Republicans who have criticized Donald Trump only to end up endorsing him, former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan has thrown his support behind Joe Biden.

Duncan, now a CNN political commentator, appeared on Laura Coates Live Monday night following the publication of his opinion piece in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, in which he describes Biden as a decent person I disagree with on policy, while Trump is a criminal defendant without a moral compass.

Duncan told Coates that Republicans are kidding themselves if they think Trump is a Republican, saying weve been faking this long enough.

He doesnt represent our brand. He doesnt represent our future. Hes a horrible human being at this point. Were watching that play out hour-by-hour in the courtroom and weve been jamming this square peg through a round hole long enough, and its time to turn the page. Its time to move on, Duncan said.

If were going to heal as a party and truly get back to doing the things that we should doand thats be conservative, but not angry or crazy, or liarswe should turn the page immediately from Donald Trump.

Duncan, who declined to go along with Trumps false claims about fraud in the 2020 election, opted against running for re-election in 2022. Since then, he has called out the likes of McConnell, Barr and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununuwho once called Trump fucking crazyfor endorsing the indicted former president, including in his opinion piece Tuesday.

At the same time, Duncan wrote that voters should opt for Republican candidates in down-ballot races in order to help prevent Bidens legislative agenda. When Coates asked if that would just lead to gridlock, Duncan replied by saying that that would still be better than a second Trump term.

Does anybody think anythings going to get done if Donald Trumps the president? I mean, all hes going to do is go on this vendetta tour around the world. Theres nothing thats going to be done. In fact, I would argue that there would be more damage done, said Duncan, reiterating his call for a Republican congressional majority in order to have meaningful checks and balances during a Democratic administration. Im voting for a decent person that I disagree with on policies over a criminal defendant who has no moral compass.

Duncan also rejected the notion of voting for a third-party candidate.

Sometimes the best way to learn your lesson is to get beat, and Donald Trump needs to get beat. We need to move on as a party. We need to move on as a country, he said.

Plus, he added, to think Donald Trump is wholeheartedly a conservative is just fake news at its finest.

Donald Trumps not a conservative. He rationed $8 trillion worth of debt during his presidency. He told us he was going to build a wall. He built a photo station down at the border. This guy is a fake Republican. We have to move on as Republicans. We have to. And this is our first step.

Duncans support for Biden may put more of a spotlight on the voting intentions of high profile Republicans like Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), who appears to be more inclined to support Biden over Trump, based on comments he made last fall. Former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney, while stridently opposing Trumps campaign, hasnt endorsed Biden either.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
A former Kentucky police officer has been indicted on charges related to a sex crime, according to Kentucky State Police.

Aleph Zavala, 35, of Owensboro, is facing charges of first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree sodomy and first-degree strangulation, according to court records. KSP said Zavala is a former Owensboro police officer.

An investigation into sexual misconduct by Zavala began in December, according to KSP. Zavala allegedly sexually assaulted a homeless woman who was the subject of a previous burglary investigation.

On Dec. 9 officers were dispatched to a U-Haul storage facility on W. Parrish Avenue in Owensboro for a report of a burglary and found a homeless woman living in one of the storage units, according to KSP. The woman had permission to live in the unit from the business owner.

After the officers left the scene, Zavala allegedly returned to the storage unit and sexually assaulted the woman, KSP said.

Zavala was arrested and lodged in the Daviess County Detention Center, KSP said. The indictment was handed down Tuesday.

Zavala was also charged with possession of marijuana after officers found a small bag of marijuana in Zavalas pocket while officers served the indictment warrant, according to court records.

Zavala is being held on a $100,000 bond, according to court records.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  A Tennessee-based sanitation company has agreed to pay more than half a million dollars after a federal investigation found it illegally hired at least two dozen children to clean dangerous meat processing facilities in Iowa and Virginia.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Monday that Fayette Janitorial Service LLC entered into a consent judgment, in which the company agrees to nearly $650,000 in civil penalties and the court-ordered mandate that it no longer employs minors. The February filing indicated federal investigators believed at least four children had still been working at one Iowa slaughterhouse as of Dec. 12.

U.S. law prohibits companies from employing people younger than 18 to work in meat processing plants because of the hazards.

The Labor Department alleged that Fayette used 15 underage workers at a Perdue Farms plant in Accomac, Virginia, and at least nine at Seaboard Triumph Foods in Sioux City, Iowa. The work included sanitizing dangerous equipment like head splitters, jaw pullers and meat bandsaws in hazardous conditions where animals are killed and rendered.

One 14-year-old was severely injured while cleaning the drumstick packing line belt at the plant in Virginia, the investigation alleged.

Perdue Farms and Seaboard Triumph Foods said in February they terminated their contracts with Fayette.

The agreement stipulates that Fayette will hire a third-party consultant to monitor the companys compliance with child labor laws for at least three years, as well as to facilitate trainings. The company must also establish a hotline for individuals to report concerns about child labor abuses.

A spokesperson for Fayette told The Associated Press in February that the company was cooperating with the investigation and has a zero-tolerance policy for minor labor.

The Labor Department has called attention to a growing list of child labor violations across the country, including the fatal mangling of a 16-year-old working at a Mississippi poultry plant, the death of a 16-year-old after an accident at a sawmill in Wisconsin, and last years report of more than 100 children illegally employed by Packers Sanitation Services Inc., or PSSI, across 13 meatpacking plants. PSSI paid over $1.5 million in civil penalties.

The Labor Departments latest statistics indicate the number of children being employed illegally in the U.S. has increased 88% since 2019.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Ex-Roommate of Idaho Murder Victims Speaks Out: 'You Never Know ... How Long Someone Is Watching Your House'

Ashlin Couch opened up on Good Morning America about the tragic 2022 killings of her former roommates at an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho

ABC News/YouTube Ashlin Couch

A former roommate of the University of Idaho students who were killed in November 2022 is speaking out for the first time.

It crosses my mind more that that couldve happened while I was there, Ashlin Couch said in a segment that aired on Good Morning America on Wednesday, May 8. And, you know, you never know, like how long someone is watching your house.

According to GMA, Couch moved out of the off-campus Moscow, Idaho, home in May 2022, six months before the murders took place. Her former roommates and friends, Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were fatally stabbed in the three-floor residence on Nov. 13, 2022. All four were close friends and students at the University of Idaho.

Related: Idaho Murders Timeline: Everything to Know About the Case

Couch recalled receiving a university alert about a possible homicide on King Road and the fear that came over her.

And I remember, like my last text message to [Mogen] was like, are you OK?" Couch said, per GMA. And, I feel like right then and there, I kind of just knew that something was wrong.

The man charged in connection with the killings is 29-year-old Bryan Kohberger, a Ph.D criminology student at Washington State University who lived in Pullman, Wash., roughly eight miles away from the scene of the crime, at the time of the killings.

David Ryder/Getty Images; Latah County Sheriff's Office/UPI/Shutterstock 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, and suspect Bryan Kohberger.

Kohberger has pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a speedy trial, delaying the case indefinitely. If convicted, Kohberger faces the death penalty.

According to a probable cause affidavit previously reviewed by PEOPLE, authorities claim DNA and cell phone pings link Kohberger to the crime scene.

Related: Idaho Murder Suspect: What We Know About Bryan Kohberger

In April, Kohberger's public defender Anne C. Taylor claimed in a court filing that her client was driving outside of Moscow on the night of the murders and was not near the home where Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle and Chapin were stabbed to death, PEOPLE previously reported.

Related: Why Prosecutors Say Idaho Murders Suspect Bryan Kohbergers Alibi Is Inadequate

Courtesy of Chapin Family; Maddie Mogen/Instagram; Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram; Xana Kernodle/Instagram From left: Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle.

Mr. Kohberger was out driving in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022; as he often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars," the filing read.

The home at the center of the murders was demolished in December 2023 after the owner donated it to the university.

"This is a healing step and removes the physical structure where the crime that shook our community was committed," a February 2023 statement from the school announcing the house's planned demolition, read. "Demolition also removes efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene. We are evaluating options where students may be involved in the future development of the property.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Protests at American colleges over the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza are dividing Democrats and unifying Republicans as fears of campus violence loom.

An exclusive USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll finds complicated attitudes toward the protesters, their motives and their tactics. On this there is agreement: Two-thirds of voters (67%) express concern that the demonstrations and the police response will end up leading to violent confrontations.

Both the policy and political challenges are particularly steep for President Joe Biden.

Last week, he walked a careful line, condemning violence on college campuses while defending the free-speech rights of protestors. He has tried to balance support for Israel with calls for more humane treatment of Palestinians in Gaza who have seen families killed and communities destroyed in assaults that followed the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. Famine is a rising threat.

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.

More: It's a tie: Biden 37%-Trump 37% as Hispanic, Black and younger voters shift  Exclusive

"I think it's a genocide and the way that they control water and humanitarian aid is unethical and I just don't see, like, how are they allowed?" said Tiffany Batton, 43, an independent from Chicago who backs Biden. She was among those surveyed. "I am thrilled to see young adults practicing their civil rights  freedom of speech and assembly  and they're doing it in a pretty peaceful way."

"I believe in peaceful protest, but it's getting a little out of hand," said Francis Spitale, 60, a Democrat from Charleston, South Carolina, who also supports Biden. Since the Oct. 7 attacks, Israel has been "a little extreme in their tactics, but they have to defend themselves."

More: Guilty? By nearly 3-1, Americans predict a Trump conviction, though some see unfairness

Biden voters are split: 30% support the protests, 39% agree with their demands but oppose their tactics, and 20% oppose them.

Trump voters are united: 78% oppose the protesters. Just 5% support them and 9% support their demands but oppose their tactics.

The poll of 1,000 registered voters, taken by landline and cell phone April 30 to May 3, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

Trump calls police crackdowns 'a beautiful thing to watch'

For Donald Trump, the issue has become a unifying force in a GOP that has been split on abortion and other issues. He has called the protestors "radical left lunatics" and praised the police crackdown on campus encampments at Columbia University and the University of California, Los Angeles, as "a beautiful thing to watch."

The crisis in the Mideast has become a talking point for Republicans against Biden. So has the footage of police arresting demonstrators and dismantling encampments as the protests spread to colleges across the country.

"This is all on Biden," declared Devy Walta, 67, a Republican retiree from Helena, Montana. "Trump left office; all of a sudden now there's a problem." He said college administrators and law enforcement officials "should be responding with an iron fist" if there is violence.

Among voters who tend to be in the GOP coalition, most of those surveyed oppose the demonstrations: 77% of conservatives, 52% of whites, 52% of men.

More: Can you trust 2024 election polls on Donald Trump and Joe Biden? Here's how to cut through the noise.

Among key groups that Democrats rely on in national elections, there is no such majority consensus.

Younger voters, those under 35, are a targeted demographic for Democrats. They are the age group most supportive of the protests: 35% support them and another 27% support their demands but oppose their tactics.

The oldest voters, those 65 and older, is the age group that, along with those 35 to 49, is the most supportive of Biden. They are also the one most aligned against the protests; 54% oppose them and just 10% support them.

Swing voters illustrate the political conundrum. Among those voters who now support a candidate but say they might change their minds before Election Day, 24% support the protests, 24% support them but oppose their tactics, and 41% oppose them.

Overall, 19% of those surveyed support the protests; 24% agree with their demands but oppose the way they are conducting themselves, and 46% oppose them.

Are the protestors antisemitic? Pro-Hamas?

Republicans and Democrats have strikingly different views of the protestors' motives and beliefs.

Republicans by nearly 3-1, 64%-22%, say the demonstrations reflect antisemitism. Democrats by 2-1, 57%-26%, say they don't.

Republicans by more than 3-1, 60%-17%, say a majority of the demonstrators are pro-Hamas. Democrats by 7-1, 69%-10%, say they aren't.

"I'm a free-speech absolutist, so any of these kids being arrested is sickening," said Brett Watchorn, 36, a shipping clerk from Denver. An independent, he supports Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the presidential race. College administrators should "negotiate and actually, you know, hear their complaints and address them. Don't just stand there and say, 'Oh, they're being antisemitic.' It's ridiculous."

He said Biden "should be on that picket line with them."

"I think they're ridiculous," Stephen Harrison, 52, a small-business owner from Manhattan, Montana, said of the protestors. "If you look at it from a world view, you know, who runs Palestine? Hamas is a terrorist organization. So, by proxy, supporting that region or supporting a free Palestine is supporting a terrorist organization."

He warned that violence could be ahead on American campuses. While there have been clashes between police and demonstrators on some campuses, most of the protests have been peaceful.

"Somebody throws a punch, somebody pushes somebody, and then the next thing you know, you got 25 cops beating up three kids," Harris said. "I don't think that's right, either, but you know what? Consequences."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Exclusive: Campus protests on Gaza split Democrats amid fears of violence
WASHINGTON  The Department of Homeland Security is preparing for a potentially unprecedented array of election threats, including meddling by foreign governments, bomb threats, intimidation at the polls and the intentional spreading of disinformation to confuse voters, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview.

"We are dealing with it with intensity," Mayorkas said. "The right to vote and the integrity of the right to vote  and therefore of the election itself  is a fundamental element of our democracy.

This is a nonpartisan effort, he stressed. And, in fact, all our efforts across this department are nonpartisan.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. on April 15, 2024.

A broad array of threats  and responses

DHS, especially through its Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, is mobilizing more than ever before to help state and local election officials bolster election infrastructure against threats, Mayorkas said.

In January 2017, in response to Russias aggressive effort to meddle in the 2016 presidential election and hack the Democratic National Committee's servers, DHS designated the election process as part of the nations critical infrastructure. That means protecting election-related assets, systems and networks, whether physical or virtual, are made a top priority because they are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect."

According to Mayorkas, Homeland Security is monitoring three main types of threats.

One is the cybersecurity threat to the integrity of U.S. elections, "very often by adverse nation-states, Mayorkas said.

U.S. intelligence officials have concluded that Russia, as well as China, Iran and perhaps other nations, have continued to meddle in the U.S. electoral process, but with less intensity than Russia did in 2016 when it sought to aid former President Donald Trump against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller arrives for a House hearing on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Another, Mayorkas said, is the physical threat to local election officials and poll workers. That has already spiked since the 2020 election and Trump's false claims of voter fraud.

Examples of that abound. One Texas man threatened an Arizona county election official and the official's children, warning of a mass shooting of poll workers." Another in Florida threatened election workers by asking at a polling site: Should I kill them one by one or should I blow the place up?

Democrats also fear violence from those who would reject election results showing Joe Biden being reelected, according to USA TODAY'S reporting.

The third risk, Mayorkas said, is the "threat of disinformation, including the intentional spreading of false information to deceive people into thinking that their vote need not be, for example, placed on Tuesday when in fact that it needs to be placed on Tuesday."

In January, many Democratic voters in New Hampshire got an artificial-intelligence-generated fake robocall that used Bidens voice to try to dissuade them from voting in the states primary election.

More: Voters got a call from Joe Biden telling them to skip the New Hampshire primary. It was fake.

A spotlight squarely on elections  and Homeland Security

Election security experts agreed that election-related conflicts will intensify during the rematch between Biden and Trump, who claims the 2020 election he lost was rigged against him.

The threat is superheated, extremely complex, extremely volatile, and there's a variety of threat actors and a variety of methods that they may use to disrupt elections, said Elizabeth Neumann, who was assistant secretary of counterterrorism and threat prevention at DHS in the Trump administration.

It's very difficult to protect against because we don't know where it will manifest, when it will manifest or how it will manifest, said Neumann, author of a new book on religious right-wing extremists. We're on a tinderbox. And DHS has a fundamental and very important role in helping secure our election.

DHS isnt going it alone, Mayorkas and other senior department officials told USA TODAY. They will be working closely with state and local law enforcement agencies and election officials, who play a key role in securing polling places and acting as the eyes and ears on the ground in their own communities.

DHS says it will continue to collaborate with the FBI and U.S. intelligence agencies to identify and neutralize particular threats such as far-right extremist activity, potential domestic terrorist plots and malicious cyber activity. The Russian hackers who targeted the Democratic National Committee in 2016 remain a particularly worrisome threat, according to recent threat intelligence.

More: Meddling in elections, drugs and terrorism? Here's the U.S. intel new list of threats

The command centers and task forces will be running nonstop and populated with representatives from all of these agencies, said William Pelfrey Jr., a professor in the Homeland Security/Emergency Preparedness Program at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Senator James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) greets Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, right, before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2025 for the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on resources and authorities requested to protect and secure the homeland on April 18, 2024.

A crucial role for DHS

DHS, which born in the aftermath of 9/11, is at the center of the effort to safeguard Americans and their elections.

Like other threat experts, Pelfrey agreed that CISA probably will play an outsized role this election season, which both Biden and Trump have characterized as the most important in a century or more.

There will be tremendous interest from state and nonstate actors as they try to influence the election, Pelfrey told USA TODAY. Disinformation, hacking of candidate and party websites, hacking of election and voting systems, these represent viable and likely targets.

And CISA, he said, has a critical role in target-hardening, counterhacking and information security.

Cait Conley, senior adviser to CISA Director Jen Easterly, leads the agencys work in partnering with state and local election officials to manage and reduce risk to the nations vast and decentralized election infrastructure.

In an exclusive interview with USA TODAY, Conley ticked off a long list of ways that CISA, and DHS more broadly, what she calls an unprecedented threat environment.

"We've really invested significantly in the election infrastructure security," Conley said, including providing real-time intelligence about specific threat information and ways to combat it to 3,700 local and state election entities through its Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

"We're providing best-practice security guidance to these stakeholders, and that's where we unpack threats, but also and most importantly provide them with recommendations for what they can actually do to mitigate those threats," said Conley, who was the Biden administrations director for counterterrorism for the National Security Council before joining CISA last fall.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. on April 15, 2024.

Protecting a vast and decentralized election

The threat to election offices and election workers, Conley said, is something that we are very much aware of, and that we have seen increase over the past few years. And so we are trying to work with them to help them be prepared to mitigate those risks.

To facilitate that, CISA has created the website Protect2024, which counsels local and state election officials how to mitigate an array of threats  and to protect their election infrastructure and their staff.

Theres a document on there for critical infrastructure stakeholders about what are some personal security considerations in terms of both physical dangers and cyberthreats, Conley said. We talk about things like how do you protect yourself against doxing, or the intentional release of personal information like home addresses and phone numbers that has been used to threaten election workers in recent years.

It is also providing grants to local jurisdictions to ensure that they have the resources to build their own capabilities to protect their elections, Mayorkas and Conley said.

Between mid-March and mid-April, Conley told USA TODAY, CISA has put out detailed guides almost weekly, including on how to secure election infrastructure against the tactics of foreign influence operations and a checklist for how election sites and even volunteer poll workers can bolster physical security at polling places.

The other thing we do, though, and I think this is really part of what makes it special, is that CISA also has a really robust field force," Conley said. That team has done more than 400 on-site vulnerability scans and penetration testing to determine if particular election entities have been hacked since last year.

Conley said CISA also has provided trainings on specific threats, like how election entities can prepare and train your folks on how to respond to an active active shooter event or a bomb threat.

Attacks already have begun

The threat of violence against election workers is already playing out in this election cycle. Last November, letters containing the lethal drug fentanyl were sent to election offices in at least five states.

The incident delayed counting ballots in some local elections and demonstrated the threats faced by election workers across the country. The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service took the lead in investigating the mailings to election offices in Georgia, Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington.

DHS stepped in too, sharing threat intelligence on fentanyl and the mailings through its Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center. It put together guidance for election officials on how to safely and securely handle mail that could contain hazardous toxins like fentanyl, Conley said.

And its 10 regional field offices around the country mobilized, providing cybersecurity and physical security assessments and recommendations to state and local boards of election.

CISA recently hired 10 regional election security advisers with extensive experience in election administration and technology, Conley told USA TODAY.

And it has conducted training sessions on active shooters, de-escalation techniques at polling sites, handling hazardous materials and dealing with other cyber risks, physical risks, operational risks and foreign influence operations including disinformation campaigns.

For the midterm elections in 2022, DHS deployed physical and cybersecurity advisers to conduct assessments of the security environment and briefed election workers and law enforcement community on the threats they identified.

DHS will continue to do that, Conley said, and to use its National Terrorism Advisory System bulletins to flag and highlight calls to violence in response to unsubstantiated claims of election fraud and other false narratives.

All of these DHS efforts, especially in working with state and local officials, will become even more important in the weeks and days leading up to Nov. 5, said Neumann, who has been a senior Homeland Security official since before the founding of the agency in 2003, including a three-year stint on the White House Homeland Security Council in the George W. Bush administration.

More: Threats against election workers spiked after 2020, fueling concerns about recruiting, retaining key workers

One of the things that I've heard in talking to federal and state officials about their concerns this year includes that they're expecting an uptick in bomb threats and swatting attacks, Neumann said, referring to malicious calls that prompt police to respond with SWAT teams to shootings and other emergencies that didnt occur.

It will be especially important for DHS  and local election agencies and law enforcement  to think through how they will deal with such threats in the lead-up to the election and, especially, on Election Day, she said.

What's the right response? When you get one of these calls, you have to treat it seriously. But then what happens when you have shut down the polling place for a period of time? Neumann asked. How can we make sure that voting can continue while you're addressing a potential security threat?

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alejandro Mayorkas responds to 2024 election threats: Exclusive
Experts: Trump lawyers "went too far"  but Stormy Daniels testimony may give them ammo for appeal

Adult film star and director Stormy Daniels provided graphic detail in her 2006 sexual encounter with Trump during her testimony Tuesday in Manhattan  but legal experts say whether the tryst ever happened is irrelevant to prosecutors' case and that Daniels' explicit testimony could provide fodder for Trump's appeal.

"Whether they had sex and the details of that encounter, doesn't matter to the central question of whether he falsified payments, and whether he did it to win the election," Fordham Law School professor Cheryl Bader told Salon.

"Even if even if she made up the whole story, it doesn't give Trump license to violate campaign finance rules," Bader said.

Bader said prosecutors likely wanted to pump up the veracity of Daniels' story to make it easier for jurors to believe that Trump was trying to cover something up.

Prosecutors probably felt they could "sell the case better" if jurors believe the affair actually happened "rather than Daniels was making it up," Bader said. "What's relevant is that Trump was consumed with making sure the American people would never hear it, and therefore wouldn't believe it."

But in doing so, Bader warns that prosecutors may have given Trump ammo for an appeal, if he's convicted.

"I think they made a choice to try to bolster her credibility, but it's at the risk of creating evidentiary issues on appeal," Bader said.

In cross-examination Tuesday, Trump lawyer Susan Necheles grilled Daniels about her memoir and her ire for Trump in a bid to impugn her credibility in front of jurors.

In response to Necheles questions, Daniels said she hates Trump, that she has tweeted about him landing in jail and that she refuses to pay $500,000 in legal fees she was ordered to pay Trump by a court.

Trump and his lawyers have sought to portray Daniels as an extortionist out to get Trump.

But Chris Truax, an appellate lawyer in San Diego who has served as a legal advisor for the Republican Accountability Project, said that Trump's team asked Daniels so many questions that it provided her the opportunity to refute them.

"The defense went after Stormy Daniels' credibility quite hard," Truax said. "And I think that that was a decision driven more by their client's demand than by legal strategy. Simply because whether or not she's telling the truth isn't something that the prosecution has got to establish. So going after Stormy Daniels, it's kind of a sideshow in terms of the charges and, in fact, the defense kind of went too far in their leading questions."

Truax said that Necheles would "ask one question too many in a lot of cases where Stormy Daniels would say, 'False. That's not true.'"

"I don't think there was anything in there that made anybody on the jury more sympathetic to Donald Trump," Truax said. "So from a purely tactical standpoint, it's not a win for the defense."

Truax said if Trump did not deny the tryst with Daniels, he wouldn't have given prosecutors room to drag out unwanted details and try to bolster her version of events.

"If Donald Trump had stipulated that: 'Yeah, the affair happened. I'm not proud of it, but it happened,' then the defense probably would have been able to put a lot more limits on what Stormy Daniels was able to testify to," Truax said.

During direct questioning, Judge Juan Merchan himself issued an objection as Daniels offered lengthy and explicit testimony on her interactions with Trump  including claiming that Trump was blocking the door following their tryst and that she blacked out during the act.

Merchan touched on Daniels own credibility issues when he agreed to allow prosecutors to ask Daniels limited details about the sexual act. He's said he'll provide jury with instructions about how they can and cannot use evidence provided in trial.

I agree with you that shes got some credibility issues... so its more important for the people to establish some information, Merchan said.

The judge, however, denied Trump's lawyers latest request for a mistrial, and said the defense should have objected more. Trump's lawyers, in response, said they had made a general objection to Daniels testifying about the sexual act before she began.

Daniels also shared that Trump didn't use a condom, and she provided the name of the sexual position they used.

"The encounter is not completely irrelevant to the prosecution's theory of the case," Bader said. "The payments were directly related to the sexual affair. So there is some relevance there."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

But, Bader said, "there was a lot of the evidence that came in was probably more prejudicial than probative, which is the standard for admissibility."

Prejudicial evidence is unnecessary information that can unfairly impact a case, while probative evidence can prove a relevant fact.

"There's relevance or some relevance to this testimony, but there's also the risk that it confuses the issue for the jury, and it sort of demeans the defendant and might inadvertently become used as character evidence," Bader said.

Bader said the defense team's apparent lack of objections could also end up hurting their appeal.

"The judge on his own admonished the witness at times to simply answer the questions," Bader said.

"You don't want to create appellate issues, if you can avoid it, and I think that these could have been fairly easily avoided," Bader said.

Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, with prosecutors saying that audio recordings, internal business records and witness testimony prove he was scheming to kill damaging stories ahead of his 2016 campaign in violation of state and federal election law and state tax law. Each count is punishable by up to four years behind bars.

Trump denies those charges, as well as the affairs.

This week, prosecutors have begun to focus on those 34 pieces of paper  including checks and invoices  that they allege shows how Trump paid off Daniels and tried to cover up that payment by falsifying business records.

On Monday, former Trump Organization controller Jeff McConney testified that he was told Trump was reimbursing Cohen for an unknown reason. McConney said former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allan Weisselberg told him the payments should be grossed up to help cover Cohens state, federal and city taxes.

McConney also said that nine of 11 checks to Cohen came from Trump's personal account, that Trump signed the checks from the Oval Office, and that the accounting department labeled the payments as legal expenses.

Truax said that Daniels did provide evidence in her testimony that she got paid  but, he added, prosecutors could have established that without having her testify.

Daniels is back in court Thursday.
Is the U.S. toast? Reports of America's death have been greatly exaggerated for decades. But every human endeavor does, eventually, come to an end. Now RAND, the granddaddy of think tanks, has a report out that takes for granted the decline of the United States and asks if it can be returned to its former glory. For those of us living amidst seemingly growing chaos, it's a reminder that nothing is foreverexcept perhaps the hubris of experts who see opportunity in a crisis.

"History is full of great powers that hit their peak of competitive power and then stagnate and eventually decline," wrote Michael J. Mazarr, Tim Sweijs, and Daniel Tapia, authors of The Sources of Renewed National Dynamism. "There are fewer cases of great powers that have confronted such headwinds and managed to generate a repeated upward trajectoryto renew their power and standing in both absolute and relative terms. Arguably, that is precisely the challenge that faces the United States."

Tales of Decline, Old and New

Predictions of the nation's demise aren't new. In the years of "malaise," the 1979 movie Americathon portrayed a bankrupt United States placing hopes on a televised fundraiser. It's opposed by the United Hebrab Republic, a Middle Eastern superpower founded on "the hots for anything blonde with a tush."

On a more serious note (unfortunately), after a decade of 1980s prosperity, Michael Prowse noted for the Harvard Business Review in 1992 that "a nation once celebrated for its irrepressible optimism now appears to be obsessed by decline." He described still-familiar concerns about productivity, wage growth, neglected infrastructure, and federal deficits.

Sixty-nine percent of respondents told pollsters for The Hill in 2011 that the country is "in decline" because of economic woes and declining international clout. Fifty-seven percent thought kids wouldn't live better lives than their parents.

In 2024, the whole MAGA movement assumes America needs to be made great again.

Jacques Barzun's impressive 2001 book From Dawn to Decadence took a broader view, arguing that western civilization has run through its life cycle and lost dynamism. "The forms of art as of life seem exhausted, the stages of development have been run through. Institutions function painfully." The result is less collapse than inertia and cultural erosion.

Reversing Decline

So, worries about decline aren't new. But, whatever the timing, all things eventually end. The authors of The Sources of Renewed National Dynamism take it for granted that we've passed peak America. Slowing productivity, an aging population, polarized politics, and shrinking prestige have us at a disadvantage. "Left unchecked, these trends will threaten domestic and international sources of competitive standing, thus accelerating what isat the time of writingthe relative decline in U.S. standing."

Worse, they add, "recovery from significant long-term national decline is rare and difficult to detect in the historical record. When great powers have slid from a position of preeminence or leadership because of domestic factors, they seldom reversed this trend."

Examples they cite of countries that anticipated decay and engaged in reforms to revive themselves include Britain in the 1840s and 1850s, the United States after the 1890s, and the late-Cold War Soviet Union. In the case of Britain, reforms "expanded the voting franchise, addressed working conditions for women and children, expanded educational opportunities, addressed the environmental cost of industrialization, and much more." In the U.S., the Progressive movement addressed "rising inequality, social tensions over workers' rights, the environmental and social risks of uncontrolled industrialization, and elements of political corruption, including close connections between business interests and political actors." The Soviet Union, of course, tried to become far less Soviet by backing off socialism and totalitarianism. The Soviet Union no longer exists, so those efforts were a failure.

But the problem, the authors admit, is that these countries "had not yet declined significantly (if at all) when these processes began, and it is not clear how severely their competitiveness would have otherwise suffered." Did the Progressive movement really save the U.S. from early decline?

"As in the British case, we cannot know for certain what impact these challenges would have had if left unaddressed," concede Mazarr, Sweijs, and Tapia. "The United States was a burgeoning industrial power likely to continue expanding its relative economic and technological power even without the surge of reform and resulting renewal that took place in this era."

Solution or Snake Oil?

That leaves the authors touting policies they like that might have, in two out of three cases, pulled nations out of downward spirals. Or maybe not. In Illiberal Reformers, published in 2017, Princeton University economic historian Thomas C. Leonard argued that progressives did an enormous amount of damage to the United States by hampering economic liberty and promoting pseudo-scientific racism.

"The progressive economists' outsized confidence in their own wisdom and objectivity was matched only by their belief in the transformative promise of the administrative state," commented Leonard.

Maybe, instead of forestalling Gilded Age degeneration, their "reforms" accelerated the arrival of the current moment of national decline. It's easy to look around and see hostile factions vying for control of an administrative state powerful enough to punish enemiesand hamper opportunity and innovation that could keep society viable. That is, the "solution" could be a big part of the problem.

The danger is that Mazarr, Sweijs, and Tapia could be right in their diagnosis, but wrong in prescribing solutions that would further empower the political class that got us here. The U.S. is certainly troubled: Politics are messy and too often violent, the government is spending itself (and us) into a corner, and some Americans clearly don't believe in America. That's grounds for concern, and it's natural that people who care about the country would look for means of reversing the decay and restoring dynamism.

Unfortunately, though, there's also an opening for political opportunists and well-intentioned true believers to peddle ideological snake oil as the cure for an ailing nation. Did the treatment work in the past? Maybe. The patients survivedsometimes.

Unfortunately, there's no way to know if a country is really on its way out until it's nothing but an entry in history books, or what might have saved countries that otherwise would have failed but didn't.

Does that leave us to fret over a country quite possibly in decline? Yes, it does. And there's no sure solution.

The post Experts Wonder, Is America Truly in Decline? appeared first on Reason.com.
Explainer-Why the US is stopping some bomb shipments to Israel

Israeli soldiers walk next to military vehicles near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in southern Israel

THE HAGUE/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States has suspended a shipment of weapons to Israel, including heavy bombs the U.S. ally used in its campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians.

The suspension comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues a military assault on the Palestinian city of Rafah, over the objections of U.S. President Joe Biden.

Here's what we know so far: WHAT BOMBS WERE BLOCKED?

Washington paused one shipment consisting of 1,800 2,000-pound (907-kg) bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, according to U.S. officials.

Four sources said the shipments, which have been delayed for at least two weeks, involved Boeing-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions, which convert dumb bombs into precision-guided ones, as well as Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-1). The SDB-1 is a precision guided glide bomb that packs 250 pounds of explosive.

They were part of an earlier approved shipment to Israel, not the recent $95 billion supplemental aid package the U.S. Congress passed in April.

WHY IS THE U.S. BLOCKING THESE BOMBS?

The U.S. is reviewing "near term security assistance," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a Senate hearing on Wednesday "in the context of unfolding events in Rafah."

"We've been very clear...from the very beginning that Israel shouldn't launch a major attack into Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians that are in that battlespace," Austin said. More than one million Palestinian civilians have sought shelter in Rafah, many previously displaced from other parts of Gaza following Israel's orders to evacuate from there.

The U.S. decision was taken due to concerns about the "end-use of the 2,000-pound bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza," said a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity. The U.S. had carefully reviewed the delivery of weapons that might be used in Rafah, the official said.

WHEN WAS THE DECISION MADE? WAS BIDEN INVOLVED?

The decision was made last week, U.S. officials said. Biden was directly involved. Biden confirmed the pause personally in a CNN interview Wednesday.

"Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers," he said when asked about 2,000-pound bombs sent to Israel.

WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE CAN 2,000-POUND BOMBS CAUSE?

Large bombs like 2,000-pound bombs have an impact over a wide area. According to the United Nations, "The pressure from the explosion can rupture lungs, burst sinus cavities and tear off limbs hundreds of meters from the blast site."

The International Commission for the Red Cross in a 2022 reports the use of wide area explosives in a densely populated area "is very likely to have indiscriminate effects or violate the principle of proportionality."

WHAT WAS ISRAEL'S RESPONSE?

Israel denies targeting Palestinian civilians, saying its sole interest is to annihilate Hamas and that it takes all precautions to avoid unnecessary death.

After the news broke Tuesday in Washington, a senior Israeli official declined to confirm the report. "If we have to fight with our fingernails, then we'll do what we have to do," the source said. A military spokesperson said any disagreements were resolved in private.

WERE THESE BOMBS LEGAL FOR ISRAEL TO USE IN GAZA?

That is a matter of heated debate.

International humanitarian law does not explicitly ban aerial bombing in densely populated areas, however civilians cannot be targets and a specific military aim must be proportionate to possible civilian casualties or damage.

WHAT DOES THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT SAY?

The statute of the International Criminal Court, which is investigating the Israel-Gaza war, lists as a war crime intentionally launching an attack when it is known that civilian death or damage will be "clearly excessive" compared to any direct military advantage.

HAS THE US WITHHELD MILITARY AID FROM ISRAEL BEFORE?

Yes, in 1982. President Ronald Reagan imposed a six-year ban on cluster weapons sales to Israel after a Congressional investigation found that Israel had used them in populated areas during its 1982 invasion of Lebanon.

Israel's use of U.S.-made cluster bombs was reviewed under President George W. Bush, over concerns they were used during a 2006 war with Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

(Reporting by Steve Holland, Stephanie van den Berg, Anthony Deutsch, Mike Stone and Phil Stewart; Editing by Heather Timmons, Josie Kao and Michael Perry)
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, May 8. Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan have engaged in discussions regarding the extension of contracts for electricity supply from Turkmenistan in 2025 under mutually acceptable terms, Trend reports.

According to the Kyrgyzstan Foreign Ministry, discussions took place during a visit by the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Energy delegation to Ashgabat from May 3 to 6. During the visit, Altynbek Rysbekov, General Director of the National Electric Network of Kyrgyzstan, OJSC, and the head of the delegation informed Turkmen counterparts about the international energy forum on Kyrgyzstan's investment potential, scheduled for June 1011, 2024, in Vienna, Austria.

The forum is organized with the support of the World Bank (WB) and the assistance of the government of Austria. Rysbekov invited the Turkmen side to participate in this event. The forum aims to mobilize financial resources for the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant (HPP) in Kyrgyzstan.

Last year, Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Energy, Taalaibek Ibraev, announced that Kyrgyzstan plans to import 1.7 billion kWh of electricity from Turkmenistan in 2024. In total, last year Kyrgyzstan imported 3.2 billion kWh of electricity from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
Facebook oversight board set to rule on whether the phrase From the river to the sea is hate speech

Metas Oversight Board will consider whether the phrase From the river to the sea, which is often chanted by pro-Palestinian protesters, constitutes hate speech and warrants a ban from its social media platforms Facebook and Instagram.

The board, which operates as an independent panel that decides on controversial issues related to content, said it was citing three posts that were flagged by Facebook users in the wake of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas that left nearly 1,200 Israeli soldiers and civilians dead.

The first post includes a video urging people to speak up. The caption included the hashtags #ceasefire, #freepalestine, #FromTheRiverToTheSea, DefundIsrael and others.

Metas Oversight Board will consider whether the phrase From the river to the sea constitutes hate speech. AFP via Getty Images

Another viral post, which was viewed more than 8 million times, included a generated image of fruit floating at sea that form the words Palestine will be free.

The board said that human moderators who looked at the post did not find that it violated the sites terms of service.

The third post which was flagged was a reshared item that was created by a Canadian pro-Palestinian organization that condemned the senseless slaughter committed by the Zionist State of Israel and Zionist Israeli occupiers.

The post ends with the phrase From The River To The Sea.

All three posts were left up by content moderators. Facebook users appealed the decision, leading the board to consider the case.

When the board approached Meta about the posts, the company found the posts did not violate any of these policies.

In considering the ban, the board is citing three posts reported since the October 7 attacks. REUTERS

After that review, Meta determined that, without additional context, it cannot conclude that From the river to the sea constitutes a call to violence or a call for exclusion of any particular group, nor that it is linked exclusively to support for Hamas, the board wrote.

Supporters of Israel have claimed that the phrase is a call for genocide against Jews.

On the one hand, the phrase has been used to advocate for the dignity and human rights of Palestinians, the board wrote.

On the other hand, it could have antisemitic implications, as claimed by the users who submitted the cases to the Board.

The board invited the public to submit comments about the phrase for the next two weeks before it deliberates and issues a decision that would most likely be binding on Facebook and Instagram.

Meta decided to allow the posts to remain. Supporters of Israel say the phrase is antisemitic and incitement to violence. Niyi Fote/TheNEWS2 via ZUMA Press Wire / SplashNews.com

In December, the board ruled that Facebook should reverse its decisions to remove posts that showed graphic video of both Israeli and Palestinian casualties in the ongoing war.

In one case, the board said, Instagram removed a video showing what appears to be the aftermath of a strike on or near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

The post shows Palestinians, including children, injured or killed. Metas automated systems removed the post, saying it violated its rules against violent and graphic content.

While Meta eventually reversed its decision, the board said, it placed a warning screen on the post and demoted it, which means it was not recommended to users and fewer people saw it.

The board said it disagrees with the decision to demote the video.

The other case concerns video posted to Facebook of an Israeli woman begging her kidnappers not to kill her as she is taken hostage during the Hamas raids on Israel on Oct. 7.

With Post wires
Claim:

A photograph authentically depicts bombs being dropped over Rafah in May 2024 as Israel launched a ground invasion.

Rating:

Rating: Miscaptioned

Context:

The photograph shows flares being dropped by Israel over the Gaza Strip and was shot from Sderot, Israel which is located in the north, while Rafah is in the south. Furthermore, the photograph was taken in November 2023. However, Israeli forces did begin an assault in Rafah in May 2024 and bombed parts of the region.

In early May 2024, as Israel began an assault on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, a number of online accounts shared a photograph purportedly showing the start of the offensive. The photograph claimed to show bombs dropping over the region at night.

A number of pro-Israel and pro-Palestine accounts on X shared the image on May 6, 2024. One post stated, "PRAY FOR RAFAH, ALL EYES ON RAFAH!" and another said, "Rafah. The beginning of the end for Hamas."



(X user @RJLetsGo)



(X user @NiohBerg)

The image is an authentic photograph that shows Israel dropping flares over Gaza, but it was taken in November 2023 and was shot over the northern part of the Gaza Strip  not Rafah. As such, we rate this claim as "Miscaptioned."

Agence France-Presse photographer Aris Messinis took the photograph, which is available on Getty Images, in November 2023. The caption stated, "This picture taken from a position near Sderot along the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip on November 5, 2023, shows flares dropped by Israeli forces above the Palestinian enclave amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement."



(Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images)

Sderot is an Israeli town located by the border along the northern part of the Gaza Strip, while Rafah is about 25 miles away in the south, along the border with Egypt.

Although the photograph does not show Rafah in May 2024, Israel did attack the southern Gazan city that month. Israeli forces seized control of the Rafah border crossing on May 7, 2024, as the U.N. warned of a collapse of the flow of aid. The seizure occurred as Israeli warplanes attacked the eastern part of Rafah, bombing residential homes and killing at least a dozen people.

Photographs on Getty Images from May 6, 2024, showed smoke billowing into the sky from Israeli attacks on Rafah. One caption read: "Smoke rises and billows above settlements after Israeli attack on Rafah, Gaza on May 06, 2024. Following the attacks carried out by the Israeli army, it was reported that there were dead and injured people, including women and children as Israel's air, land and sea attacks on Gaza Strip continue."



(Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu/Getty Images)



(AFP/Getty Images)

While the photograph being shared on X is from a different time and location, the above photographs show Rafah under attack from Israeli forces in May 2024.

Sources:

"Israel Seizes Key Gaza Border Crossing as It Launches Assault on Rafah." Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/7/israel-seizes-gazas-vital-rafah-border-crossing. Accessed 8 May 2024.

Osgood, Mersiha Gadzo, Brian. "Israel's War on Gaza Updates: Full Rafah Attack a 'Humanitarian Nightmare.'" Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/5/7/israels-war-on-gaza-live-israel-blasts-rafah-fate-of-ceasefire-uncertain. Accessed 8 May 2024.

"Smoke Billows after Israeli Bombardment in Rafah, in the Southern..." Getty Images, 6 May 2024, https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/smoke-billows-after-israeli-bombardment-in-rafah-in-the-news-photo/2151170232. Accessed 8 May 2024.

"Smoke Rises and Billows above Settlements after Israeli Attack On..." Getty Images, 6 May 2024, https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/smoke-rises-and-billows-above-settlements-after-israeli-news-photo/2151164337. Accessed 8 May 2024.

"This Picture Taken from a Position near Sderot along the Israeli..." Getty Images, 5 Nov. 2023, https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/this-picture-taken-from-a-position-near-sderot-along-the-news-photo/1765221940. Accessed 8 May 2024.

Updates:

May 8, 2024: The story was amended to state how Israeli troops dropped flares into Gaza.
Fact Check: Pigeons Supposedly Have No Survival Instincts, Having Been Domesticated and Abandoned by Humans. Here's What Experts Say

Claim:

Humans originally domesticated pigeons to be companions and prized possessions, and now pigeons cannot survive without humans.

Rating:

Rating: Mostly True

What's True:

It is true that humans domesticated pigeons for centuries, and feral pigeons do largely stay in urban environments because we brought them there. They are highly trainable, and if fed by humans, they will stay close to urban environments. Pigeons also naturally prefer rocky ledges similar to the concrete, marble, and stone found in urban environments, as opposed to forests, shrubs, or grass.

What's False:

The majority of pigeons are extremely adaptable and intelligent creatures, and it would not be accurate to say they have lost all their natural survival instincts.

Today, we install spikes to keep pigeons from nesting  or even resting  on buildings. They gather in flocks by the hundreds, particularly in urban environments, inspiring an entire industry dedicated to pigeon pest control. Even the idea of birth control for pigeons has been wildly popularized as a humane means to address pigeon "infestations." Pigeons are largely considered an invasive species due to their ability to "deface and accelerate the deterioration of buildings" with their droppings, according to the Nebraska Invasive Species program.

However, humans' relationship to these "rats with wings," as some have described them, has not always been so antagonistic. For thousands of years, pigeons were prized possessions, an important food source, carriers of messages  companions, even. So where did it all go wrong?

According to X user @jacfalcon, "we got telephones and we threw them out like trash." The April 2024 post garnered more than 1.5 million views and 21,000 likes, as of this writing.

"My friend grew up in New England where they have pigeons. Apparently they also hate them. He was always saying bad things about pigeons until I pointed something out that he never thought of before:



We domesticated pigeons. They are (nearly) all over the world because HUMANS pic.twitter.com/sMlZEJtFwA  haddeus atrick (@jacfalcon) April 10, 2024

The full caption read as follows:

My friend grew up in New England where they have pigeons. Apparently they also hate them. He was always saying bad things about pigeons until I pointed something out that he never thought of before: We domesticated pigeons. They are (nearly) all over the world because HUMANS BROUGHT THEM THERE. And, they were more than pets. They carried messages. People raced them. They lived spoiled lives as honored human companions for centuries. Then we got telephones and we threw them out like trash. Literally, we threw them away. Their species had already been fully domesticated and they could not survive in the wild; they lost all their survival instincts during the centuries that they lived caged by people. That is why they live in cities with people instead of in a forest somewhere. It's OUR fault. And not only did we throw them away, but now humans curse them as "winged rats;" casting them as pests. But they don't know how to live without us, and their instincts tell us that they should trust us. So, they continue to come up to humans and beg for food, because it's the only survival skill left in their genes. They love us because they were bred by us to feel that way, and yet we hate them.

Snopes looked into the claim, and we broke down our findings as follows:

We Domesticated Pigeons?

Humankind has indeed domesticated pigeons for thousands of years, possibly going back 10,000 years, according to "Pigeons" by Andrew D. Blechman.

First, there are more than 300 species of doves and pigeons, according to the International Ornithological Committee. The pigeon most commonly found in urban environments is known as the rock dove, rock pigeon or common pigeon. Its binomial name is Columba livia.

It is important to note the difference between "wild" and "feral" pigeons; wild pigeons evolved naturally and were never captivated, while feral pigeons were domesticated and then either escaped or were "thrown out" and now live and breed on their own. According to the Bruce Museum, "their feral nature is visible in the variety of colors they sport." There are wild rock doves that were never domesticated, and they are only found in the gray/black colors. However, wild rock doves have become increasingly rare as they interbreed with feral rock doves.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The rock dove originated in parts of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and parts of South Asia, not appearing in the Americas until the early 17th century aboard European ships, primarily intended as a food source. Pigeons have, throughout history, thrived in a wide variety of environments and are now found on every continent except Antarctica. They live on grains, nuts, berries, seeds, and scraps of human food in urban environments.

(Viktor Kravtchenko)

Pigeons are considered highly intelligent. Their problem-solving skills have even been compared to artificial intelligence, according to a 2023 Ohio State University study. "Homing" pigeons have been used as carriers of messages dating back as far as the Roman Empire, where they were employed to share news of who won Olympic games between different cities. The British military continued to use pigeons to carry messages up until 1948.

However, "average people weren't keeping them to send messages," wrote Lauren Gandara of the American Pigeon Museum via email. "They were showing them, racing them, or eating them."

Pigeons were also selectively bred as prized possessions. "In Europe," a study (archived here) from the scientific journal Current Biology states, "the popularity of the pigeon hobby rose markedly in the 17th Century, and artistic depictions of some domestic breeds from this era already closely resemble modern forms."

The same article also found that "molecular evidence suggests that the racing homer, a breed that has regular opportunities to fly outside the loft and potentially escape, is a major genetic contributor to some North American feral populations."

They 'Lost All Their Survival Instincts Over the Centuries'?

The viral tweet in question asserted that pigeons "live in cities with people instead of in a forest somewhere" because they lost their survival instincts.

"This is not true," wrote Gandara from the American Pigeon Museum. "They live in cities because this species of pigeon, which is a domesticated rock dove, evolved on cliff sides and rock ledges near areas where seeds and grain grows. A forest environment doesn't offer grains and cereals. They don't eat bugs or fruit like other species and birds and some other species of pigeons, therefore, they don't live in forests."

In other words, pigeons naturally prefer rocky ledges similar to the concrete, marble and stone found in urban environments as opposed to forests, shrubs or grass.

The tweet also claimed that "they don't know how to live without us, and their instincts tell us that they should trust us. So, they continue to come up to humans and beg for food, because it's the only survival skill left in their genes." This is an exaggerated claim; pigeons have maintained more survival skills than simply begging humans for food.

Pigeons are highly trainable, meaning that when humans and urban environments provide food, pigeons will adapt and remain close to these food sources. "We bred them and domesticated them, and kept them in cities as we developed cities," Colin Jerolmack, a scientist at New York University who wrote "The Global Pigeon, said in an interview with The Washington Post in 2019 (archived here). "So they've always been here, from the beginning."

If survival instincts can be measured in terms of ability to avoid predators, urbanized pigeons do score particularly low. According to a 2020 study (archived here) published in scientific journal PLOS Biology, "the decrease in antipredator traits was stronger for gregarious, urbanized species," such as feral pigeons. The study specifically notes that their focus was on urbanized birds in particular. It also found that antipredator traits in urbanized animals were estimated to reach their lowest values after approximately 90 generations. Given that pigeons seldom live more than five years in an urban environment and can begin reproducing as early as six or seven months, this loss of antipredator traits would not have taken long to occur.

City-dwelling feral pigeons cannot survive without humans in the sense that they have adapted to a kind of co-habitation with humans; they survive on food scraps, rely on manmade structures for shelter, etc. However, given that city-dwelling pigeons live only a third of the average lifetime of a pigeon that is in captivity (approximately 15 years), the rate of survival in urban environments is still low.

On the other hand, domesticated pigeons  such as those trained for racing  cannot live without human care. According to the Open Sanctuary Project, escaped or abandoned "racing pigeons are often found with injuries or starving" because "they have never learned how to survive without human support."

In 2022, researchers from Oxford University found, through DNA testing, that "the wild ancestors of the common domestic and feral pigeons, now extinct in many parts of the world, are still living on islands in Scotland and Ireland" (archived here). This shows that, as of that writing, there were still pigeons living in the wild that were not yet touched by feral pigeon populations.

Rock doves found along the Scottish coast. (Getty Images)

In sum, pigeons have evolved and adapted to survive in urban environments after they were brought there by humans who domesticated them. As pigeons' usefulness to humans waned and their population swelled, their status as an invasive species was established. They prefer the ledges and hard-surfaced environment of urbanscapes as opposed to forested or grassy environments; hence, feral pigeons are largely found in urban environments throughout the world as wild pigeons have become increasingly uncommon.

Because humans did originally domesticate pigeons to be companions and prized possessions, and after being urbanized, largely live in close proximity to humans, we have rated this claim as "Mostly True."

Sources:

Andrew D. Blechman - Author of LEISUREVILLE and PIGEONS. http://andrewblechman.com/pigeons/learn_more.html. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

'"Dim-Witted" Pigeons Use the Same Principles as AI to Solve Tasks'. ScienceDaily, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/10/231025110653.htm. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Domestic Pigeon | Feral Pigeons, Columbidae, Homing Pigeons | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/animal/domestic-pigeon. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

'Ever Wondered Why Cities Have so Many Pigeons?' Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2019. www.washingtonpost.com, https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/ever-wondered-why-cities-have-so-many-pigeons/2019/06/07/ffad4918-83b9-11e9-95a9-e2c830afe24f_story.html.

Harris, Emma, et al. Pigeons and People: Mortal Enemies or Lifelong Companions? A Case Study on Staff Perceptions of the Pigeons on the University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Campus. core.ac.uk, https://core.ac.uk/display/43177924?utm_source=pdf&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=pdf-decoration-v1. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Hausheer, Justine E. 'Where Did Pigeons Come From?' Cool Green Science, 9 Aug. 2022, https://blog.nature.org/2022/08/09/where-did-pigeons-come-from/.

Hester, Jessica Leigh. 'The Case for Pigeon-Watching'. Atlas Obscura, 29 Nov. 2021, http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/pigeons-birdwatching-rosemary-mosco.

'Https://Twitter.Com/Jacfalcon/Status/1777853894141657321'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/jacfalcon/status/1777853894141657321. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

'Pigeon Museum | The American Pigeon Museum | United States'. Pigeon Museum | The American Pigeon Museum | United States, https://www.theamericanpigeonmuseum.org. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Science, Bruce. 'The Tragedy of the Most Hated Bird in America'. STORAGE ROOM No. 2, 17 Apr. 2017, http://www.storagetwo.com/blog/2017/4/the-tragedy-of-the-most-hated-bird-in-america.

Shapiro, Michael D., and Eric T. Domyan. 'Domestic Pigeons'. Current Biology : CB, vol. 23, no. 8, Apr. 2013, pp. R30203. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2013.01.063.

Stringham, Sydney A., et al. 'Divergence, Convergence, and the Ancestry of Feral Populations in the Domestic Rock Pigeon'. Current Biology: CB, vol. 22, no. 4, Feb. 2012, pp. 30208. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2011.12.045.

'The Most Effective Pigeon Control Solution'. OvoControl, https://www.ovocontrol.com. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

UI Study: Pigeons Use Same Basic Learning Process as AI | Iowa Now - The University of Iowa. https://now.uiowa.edu/news/2023/02/ui-study-pigeons-use-same-basic-learning-process-ai. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Uteuova, Aliya. 'Pigeons Problem-Solve Similarly to Artificial Intelligence, Research Shows'. The Guardian, 26 Oct. 2023. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/26/pigeons-smart-ai-learning.
Border Patrol officers detain two men in El Paso in late March. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal)

As a faith leader in North Carolina, I was dismayed to see Congress pass a recent funding bill that will harm some members of our communities by expanding immigration detention and other enforcement efforts. This comes on the heels of North Carolinas Senator Tillis being a key negotiator for a recent Senate deal that would have provided a life-changing increase in family visas for immigrants along with policies that would have hurt other immigrants and people seeking safety.

I call on Senator Tillis to work with Congress and the Biden administration to strengthen our state, nation, and economyand uphold the biblical mandate to welcome the sojournerby supporting the family-based immigration system. An enforcement and punishment approach does not work to deter immigration. Desperate people facing gang violence, sexual abuse, and other threats will pursue any avenue available to protect themselves and their loved ones. Wouldnt you, Senator Tillis? Strengthening existing legal pathways like the family immigration system is one way to keep families safe while alleviating pressures at our border.

Family unity is both an American value and a Christian value, and it has long been a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy. Believing that our country is stronger when families are together, Congress created an immigration system that allows U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor family members to join them and build a home here. Every day, as a faith leader, I see how immigrant families benefit North Carolinafrom participating in our congregations to starting businesses and filling jobs in our state.

But the family immigration system is in desperate need of reform today. Four million people are currently marooned abroad in green card backlogs, forced to wait years to be reunited with their families. Such delays force those in dangerous situations to pursue any possible avenue to safetyincluding risking their lives by coming to the border, itself a dangerous place, hoping to be reunited with their families.

Senator Tillis has a window of opportunity to work with Congress and the Biden Administration to address this crisis and deliver real policy wins. Two relatively simple administrative changes can be made today that would benefit both our nation and immigrant families.

First, the U.S. must recapture unused green cards. Every year, thousands of green cards that could be used to reunite families and bring workers to the U.S. go to waste because of processing delays, technical errors, and funding shortages. Second, providing family reunification parole for people from all countries in visa backlogs would allow family members to come to the U.S. while they wait for their green cards. This simple change, along with recapturing visas, would allow loved ones to be reunited while spurring economic growth.

At a time when North Carolina is continuing to face labor shortages, it is common sense to invest in family immigration. Immigrants fill essential jobs in healthcare, agriculture, and other industries we depend upon while contributing billions in taxes. Studies also show that immigrants improve community safety, being significantly less likely to commit crimes than people born in the U.S.

Investing in the family immigration system is a win-win strategy. It reunites families, supports our communities and economy, and alleviates pressures at the border by strengthening existing legal pathways to immigrate.

The Christian faith, along with many other religious traditions, provides special instructions for caring for immigrants and refugees in recognition that they are some of the most vulnerable people on the planet. Likewise, we know firsthand how our immigrant neighbors enrich our communities through their hard work, service, and strong family values. Wasting time risks their lives. We implore Senator Tillis to uphold the American values of offering refuge to the huddled masses yearning to breathe free and fulfill his own Christian duty to love the immigrant as yourself (Leviticus 19:34) by supporting immigrant families. We will all be blessed by the outcome.

The post Faith leader urges Tillis to strengthen family immigration appeared first on NC Newsline.
Just want you back: Family believes missing man is endangered

Sam Haugh, 21, has been missing since April and family members are taking matters into their own hands and searching for answers.

Mother of girl missing for several weeks is charged with selling her

We want to know where our child is, said Jennifer Haugh, his mother.

Jennifer Haugh said she is worried something happened to him in connection with his late boyfriend.

She has traveled from Pennsylvania to Salisbury to look for him.

We want to know where our child is, whether hes safe or not. And whatever happens, no matter what happens, just want you back, she said.

Jennifer Haugh said she wont stop until she finds her son.

Sam Haugh left their home in Pennsylvania on April 1 to move to Charlotte with his boyfriend, Jennifer Haugh said.

She said that Sam Haugh kept in constant contact with family members until April 26, which was when all communication stopped.

The last text messages show him asking Jennifer Haugh about a new medication he started.

Jennifer Haugh said although the communication stopped, his credit card was still in use.

On May 5, they filed a missing persons report with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The same day, Sam Haughs boyfriend was found dead.

He died by suicide, according to a police report.

Jennifer Haugh is worried its connected to her sons disappearance.

The boyfriend, who Channel 9 is not naming, has a violent criminal history.

Something definitely happened, his mother said.

Jennifer Haughs search for answers brought her to Salisbury Wednesday at the Hampton Inn.

The mother said she found a charge on her sons credit card from May 4 for a service to move his car to the hotel parking lot.

A source told Channel 9 that CMPD took the car back to Charlotte on Wednesday.

Sam is an endangered and vulnerable young adult, who doesnt have a phone, she said. He doesnt have any money. He doesnt have a credit card, and he has no way to survive.

Jennifer Haugh is begging for him to come home.

Sam, we love you, and we want you to come home, his mother said. Its all we want. No matter what.

CMPD said the case is being investigated by the Missing Persons Unit, which is active and ongoing.

VIDEO: Community honors missing Madalina Cojocari on her 13th birthday




The Georgia Court of Appeals has further delayed Donald Trumps election interference case in the state, revisiting the question of whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be removed for alleged misconduct.

In a Wednesday filing, the court granted an interlocutory appeal to the former president's legal team, allowing them to argue once again that Willis should be removed from the case. Trump's legal team has 10 days to file a notice to appeal.

The case, concerning Trump's effort to get Georgia officials to change the results of the states 2020 election, has faced a tumultuous path since the DAs office launched an investigation more than three years ago.

Willis has faced significant scrutiny for her relationship with prosecutor Nathan Wade, which Trump lawyers argued created a conflict of interest. Earlier this year, experts also warned that her continued comments on the case, even after a judge ruled she shouldnt be tossed, posed a threat to the continued prosecution of the case. For example, Willis' remarks on cable news  that "the train is coming" - could be construed as violating the requirement that public comments on a case be limited to those that serve a "legitimate law enforcement purpose," per Georgia attorney Andrew Fleischman,

The Georgia appeals court made it clear that questions on Williss potential misconduct remain unanswered.

University of Georgia Constitutional Law professor Anthony Michael Kreis put it bluntly in a post to X: Fani Willis messed up badly.

According to Kreis, delays have pushed the case on Donald Trumps 2020 efforts to interfere in the Georgia presidential race to beyond the upcoming election, allowing him to stand for re-election despite criminal allegations in his conduct in the last race.

There will be no Georgia trial before 2025. Period. Full stop, Kreis added.

It is entirely possible that the Manhattan case is the only one that makes it to verdict before the election, Attorney Bradley P. Moss wrote on X, referencing ongoing proceedings on the 2015 incident, where Trump allegedly tried to interfere in that election by making hush money payments to bury a damaging story.

As legal analyst Anna Bower noted, the legal challenge opens questions broader than Williss disqualification, which Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee ruled against in March.

One major consequence of this decision: The defendants can now use their disqualification appeal as a hook to add a bunch of other issues to the appeal (i.e., Judge McAfees denial of the defendants challenge to the RICO charge), Bower wrote on X.

Judge McAfee, who ruled Willis did not have a clear conflict of interest, said that the appearance of impropriety could be remedied by removing Wade from the case. Some legal experts said this remedy didnt go far enough, including Federalist Society attorney Will Chamberlain.

Judge McAfee's ruling was logically incoherent, Chamberlain said on X. I strongly suspect that the Georgia Court of Appeals will reverse Judge McAfee and throw Willis and her office off the case.

Trumps broad strategy of delaying efforts to hold him accountable until after the 2024 election has paid off in numerous jurisdictions, with the Supreme Court currently holding up a federal inquiry into Trumps actions on January 6 via arguments on presidential immunity.

The Georgia case is the second Trump trial to face similar delays this week, with federal Judge Aileen Cannon indefinitely postponing a Florida case involving Trumps mishandling of classified documents.

But some don't think all hope is lost, such as attorney Jefferey Evan Gold, who argues that the appeal wont necessarily stop proceedings from taking place.

Judge McAfee said he was moving on with case regardless of whether the petition is granted ... and even if any subsequent appeal is expedited by the appellate court, Gold wrote on X, adding that the appeals court would actually need to stay the case to stop McAfee from moving forward.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  A Fayette County, Tennessee-based sanitation company has agreed to pay more than half a million dollars after a federal investigation found it illegally hired at least two dozen children to clean dangerous meat processing facilities in Iowa and Virginia.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Monday that Fayette Janitorial Service LLC entered into a consent judgment, in which the company agrees to nearly $650,000 in civil penalties and the court-ordered mandate that it no longer employs minors.

The February filing indicated federal investigators believed at least four children had still been working at one Iowa slaughterhouse as of Dec. 12.

U.S. law prohibits companies from employing people younger than 18 to work in meat processing plants because of the hazards.

The Labor Department alleged that Fayette used 15 underage workers at a Perdue Farms plant in Accomac, Virginia, and at least nine at Seaboard Triumph Foods in Sioux City, Iowa. The work included sanitizing dangerous equipment like head splitters, jaw pullers and meat bandsaws in hazardous conditions where animals are killed and rendered.

One 14-year-old was severely injured while cleaning the drumstick packing line belt at the plant in Virginia, the investigation alleged.

Perdue Farms and Seaboard Triumph Foods said in February they terminated their contracts with Fayette.

The company is based in Somerville and offers Complete Janitorial Services for Memphis and Nashville, TN, according to its website.

The agreement stipulates that Fayette will hire a third-party consultant to monitor the companys compliance with child labor laws for at least three years, as well as to facilitate trainings. The company must also establish a hotline for individuals to report concerns about child labor abuses.

A spokesperson for Fayette told The Associated Press in February that the company was cooperating with the investigation and has a zero-tolerance policy for minor labor.

The Labor Department has called attention to a growing list of child labor violations across the country, including the fatal mangling of a 16-year-old working at a Mississippi poultry plant, the death of a 16-year-old after an accident at a sawmill in Wisconsin, and last years report of more than 100 children illegally employed by Packers Sanitation Services Inc., or PSSI, across 13 meatpacking plants. PSSI paid over $1.5 million in civil penalties.

The Labor Departments latest statistics indicate the number of children being employed illegally in the U.S. has increased 88% since 2019.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
For the second time in six days, Fayette County Public Schools officials Wednesday were forced to delay bus routes because of driver absences.

Six afternoon routes were delayed Wednesday, said district spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith

Last Friday, absences among Fayette County Public Schools bus drivers led to the cancellation of at least five morning bus routes and the delay of two afternoon routes.

When the afternoon bus routes were delayed Wednesday, transportation was made available at 4:45 p.m. after other routes were completed and additional drivers were available.

Davidson-Smith said Wednesday she did not know any new reasons for the absences.

Spring staffing numbers historically fluctuate for various reasons related to weather, illness, holidays and personal reasons, she has said.

The schools affected were Rise STEM Academy, Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, George Washington Carver STEM Academy, Deep Springs Elementary, Bryan Station High, Leestown Middle, Booker T. Washington Elementary, Frederick Douglass High, Carter G. Woodson Academy, Crawford Middle, Coventry Oak Elementary, Yates Elementary, Northern Elementary and Bryan Station Middle

Several Fayette County school bus drivers on Wednesday did not immediately comment about reasons for the absences.
Fayetteville City Council fails to pass resolution to call for ceasefire in Gaza; protest forms following meeting

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The vote on May 7 for the Fayetteville City Council to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza fails to pass.

Hamas accepts Gaza cease-fire; Israel says it will continue talks but presses on with Rafah attacks

Three council members voted for the resolution. One member voted against it. Four members abstained from the vote.

Council member Sarah Moore presented the resolution. She said some residents asked her to bring it before the council.

Fayetteville has shown leadership in the past to move forward on things that ultimately look out for (not only) the well-being of our residents but those in the rest of the world as well, said Moore.

People who spoke during public comment about the vote formed an impromptu protest outside Fayetteville City Hall after the vote was made.

One of the protestors, Jesse Buchanan of Fayetteville, advocates for governments to call for the end of the war even if it doesnt affect them.

Scenes from Israel and Gaza reflect dashed hopes as imminent cease-fire seems unlikely

Why do we have to wait until the United States is in danger to do something for other people? Because every single time we do that, 20 years later, we look down the line in history, and we regret not saying anything earlier, Buchanan said.

He says he was not surprised by the failure of the proposal.

I will never be surprised when someone who claims to use progressivism as a campaign platform tool goes back on their word because theyre afraid of potential criticism for doing something thats bold.

More than 60 people spoke in favor of the resolution at the meeting, sharing stories of what kids and adults are going through in Gaza and calling on council members to take a stand against the fighting.

They claim to care about peace, and yet they refuse to do anything to actually call for it, Buchanan said.

On May 6, Hamas accepted an Egyptian-Qatri cease-fire proposal, but Israel said the deal did not meet its core demands and rejected the proposal. On May 7, Israeli tanks entered Rafah.

Buchanan says they will have protests to call for justice and peace for Palestinians every Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the Fayetteville Square.

They will also have a community event on May 15 to commemorate Nakba Day.

Which is the 76th anniversary of the day when 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homes under violent attack from Israel, Buchanan said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
FDA chief says bird flu risk to humans is low, but agency is preparing

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is preparing in case the current strain of avian flu circulating in the U.S. jumps to humans on a large scale, the agencys commissioner told senators Wednesday.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf told the Senate Appropriations Committee that while the threat to humans is low and milk products are safe, the FDA and other agencies are working to scale up medical countermeasures.

So we got to have testing. Gotta have antivirals, and we need to have a vaccine ready to go. So weve been busy, getting prepared for if the virus does mutate in a way that jumps into humans on a larger level, Califf said.

Califf said theres a possibility that the H5N1 influenza virus could jump to humans and infect the lungs.

That would make it perhaps transmissible through the airways, which would be really bad, he said.

Califf stressed the public health risk is low, but the agency doesnt want to be caught flat-footed. The mortality rate for cattle is less than 1 percent, and the virus has so far caused mostly mild illness.

But it could be spreading asymptomatically, and Califf said dairy farmers and workers need to be protected with personal protective equipment (PPE). The use of PPE is routine in the poultry industry, but its new for the cattle industry, and Califf said he recognizes implementation will take time.

If we institute the countermeasures now and reduce the spread of the virus now, then were much less likely to see a mutation that jumps to humans for which were ill-prepared, Califf said.

The current bird flu strain has infected 36 dairy cattle herds across nine states; Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Theres been just one documented case of human infection to date, which was found in a farmworker in Texas. His only symptom was conjunctivitis, from which he recovered.

Califf said the FDA is confident vaccine production can be scaled up if needed, and the existing mRNA platforms can be deployed to match new strains.

Were in an enviable position compared to any time in the history of the world, Califf said. Viruses are relatively simple, so coming up with a matching vaccine is entirely possible in a short period of time.

But, he added, weve got to have the funding to keep the source warm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, May 8. The border services of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have issued a joint statement following yesterday's armed incident on the state border, Trend reports.

According to the Border Service of Kyrgyzstan, a border representative meeting took place in the Leylek district of the Batken region. The meeting included representatives of the security and law enforcement agencies of Batken, Kyrgyzstan, and the Sughd region of Tajikistan, as well as the leaders of the Leylek district and the Jabbor Rasulov district of Tajikistan.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the common reasons for the incident between citizens and border patrols of both sides, as well as the behavior of residents living in border areas engaged in cattle grazing. They also discussed ways to prevent possible border incidents along the KyrgyzTajik stretch of the state border.

The parties agreed to organize work at the local level to conduct explanatory work in various directions and to continue the implementation of tasks aimed at maintaining good neighborly and fraternal relations between residents of border regions of the two countries.

On May 7, the incident occurred around 12:20 local time near the settlement of Ak-Bosogo in the Leylek district of the Batken region. It was reported that Kyrgyz border guards spotted Tajik citizens-shepherds-grazing livestock on the territory of Kyrgyzstan, approximately 250300 meters from the state borderline.

The demands of the Kyrgyz guards for the Tajik citizens to leave the territory of Kyrgyzstan were ignored. Furthermore, the Tajik citizens began throwing stones at the Kyrgyz border guards.

One of the shepherds fired 2-3 shots towards the Kyrgyz border guard post. In order to prevent further escalation, the Kyrgyz border guards fired warning shots into the air, after which the shepherds fled into Tajikistan.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf testifies before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Screenshot from Senate livestream)

WASHINGTON  The commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said at a congressional hearing Wednesday the agency is preparing for the possibility the strain of avian influenza affecting dairy cattle could jump to humans, though he cautioned the probability is low.

Robert Califf told senators on the panel in charge of his agencys funding that top officials from the FDA, Agriculture Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are speaking daily to keep a handle on the situation. He also stressed that pasteurized milk is safe.

This virus, like all viruses, is mutating, Califf said. We need to continue to prepare for the possibility that it might jump to humans.

Califf told senators that the real worry is that it will jump to the human lungs where, when that has happened in other parts of the world for brief outbreaks, the mortality rate has been 25%.

That would be about 10 times worse than the death rate from COVID-19, he said.

Califf stressed the possibility is low and the CDC continues to maintain its assessment that the current public health risk is low.

The H5N1 bird flu strain has had an impact on 36 dairy herds in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas, according to the CDC.

Two cases have been reported in people  one who had exposure to dairy cows in Texas that were presumed to be infected and one in Colorado involved in the culling (depopulating) of poultry with presumptive H5N1 bird flu. Both cases were reported in April, according to the CDC.

The Texas case reported eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis), as their only symptom while the Colorado case reported fatigue for a few days as their only symptom and has since recovered, according to the CDC.

Multiple federal agencies involved

Califf told the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee during the hearing the Agriculture Department holds jurisdiction over the dairy cows, the FDA is in charge of making sure milk and other foods are safe and the CDC has the responsibility to ensure the safety of farmworkers.

The FDA has repeatedly tested milk on store shelves throughout the country and found no live virus, due to pasteurization, he said.

The agency is interested in testing milk before the pasteurization process begins, though Califf said theyve had some difficulties getting access to dairy farms.

Access to the farms, for example, is really something that has to be negotiated through the states, he said. The farmers and the owners of dairy farms are more comfortable with people that they know that are in their state. So all this has to be coordinated.

Califf explained that when cows are milked, that goes into bulk tanks, which is a mixture of a number of cows.

Thats a very sensitive area because it does point, if there are infected cows, as to where the infections are, Califf testified. And technically its no problem, but we want to make sure we have trust. And so theres negotiation that needs to go on to make sure theres a safe way to handle the data and that people are not going to be castigated if they happen to have an infected herd. So were working through all that state by state.

Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin urged the FDA to coordinate and communicate frequently with farmers and the public.

Her home state, she noted, has more than 5,000 dairy herds, making up 22% of the nations total herd count. So this is a big deal for us.

The post FDA chief says feds are preparing for low probability of bird flu moving to humans appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf testifies before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Screenshot from Senate livestream)

The commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said at a congressional hearing Wednesday the agency is preparing for the possibility the strain of avian influenza affecting dairy cattle could jump to humans, though he cautioned the probability is low.

Robert Califf told senators on the panel in charge of his agencys funding that top officials from the FDA, Agriculture Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are speaking daily to keep a handle on the situation. He also stressed that pasteurized milk is safe.

This virus, like all viruses, is mutating, Califf said. We need to continue to prepare for the possibility that it might jump to humans.

Califf told senators that the real worry is that it will jump to the human lungs where, when that has happened in other parts of the world for brief outbreaks, the mortality rate has been 25%.

That would be about 10 times worse than the death rate from COVID-19, he said.

Califf stressed the possibility is low and the CDC continues to maintain its assessment that the current public health risk is low.

The H5N1 bird flu strain has had an impact on 36 dairy herds in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas, according tothe CDC.

Two cases have been reported in people  one who had exposure to dairy cows in Texas that were presumed to be infected and one in Colorado involved in the culling (depopulating) of poultry with presumptive H5N1 bird flu. Both cases were reported in April, according to the CDC.

The Texas case reported eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis), as their only symptom while the Colorado case reported fatigue for a few days as their only symptom and has since recovered, according to the CDC.

Multiple federal agencies involved

Califf told the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee during the hearing the Agriculture Department holds jurisdiction over the dairy cows, the FDA is in charge of making sure milk and other foods are safe and the CDC has the responsibility to ensure the safety of farmworkers.

The FDA has repeatedly tested milk on store shelves throughout the country and found no live virus, due to pasteurization, he said.

The agency is interested in testing milk before the pasteurization process begins, though Califf said theyve had some difficulties getting access to dairy farms.

Access to the farms, for example, is really something that has to be negotiated through the states, he said. The farmers and the owners of dairy farms are more comfortable with people that they know that are in their state. So all this has to be coordinated.

Califf explained that when cows are milked, that goes into bulk tanks, which is a mixture of a number of cows.

Thats a very sensitive area because it does point, if there are infected cows, as to where the infections are, Califf testified. And technically its no problem, but we want to make sure we have trust. And so theres negotiation that needs to go on to make sure theres a safe way to handle the data and that people are not going to be castigated if they happen to have an infected herd. So were working through all that state by state.

Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin urged the FDA to coordinate and communicate frequently with farmers and the public.

Her home state, she noted, has more than 5,000 dairy herds, making up 22% of the nations total herd count. So this is a big deal for us.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post FDA chief says feds are preparing for low probability of bird flu moving to humans appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
(Getty Images)

A federal judge on Tuesday granted in part and denied in part plaintiffs motion for a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a section of the LEARNS Act that bans indoctrination in public schools.

Little Rock Central High School parents, students and teachers who filed the lawsuit against Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Education Secretary Jacob Oliva claim the indoctrination ban in Section 16 of the LEARNS Act violates the First and Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantee a right to freedom of speech and due process.

Championed by Sanders, the LEARNS Act made sweeping changes to Arkansas education system, including increasing the states minimum teacher salary to $50,000 and creating a school voucher program.

In Tuesdays order, U.S. District Judge Lee Rudofsky wrote that the teacher plaintiffs claim Section 16 of the LEARNS Act is so vague it violates due process.

The teachers are self-censoring what and how they teach because they dont want to suffer the consequences of accidentally running afoul of the law, while the student plaintiffs contend the self-censorship is depriving them of being taught things they would have learned otherwise if Section 16 werent in existence, he wrote.

Rudofsky ordered that the state defendants, except the governor, are enjoined for the duration of the litigation from enforcing Section 16 in a manner that disciplines or prevents the teacher plaintiffs from teaching about Critical Race Theory or using it to teach other topics.

However, Rudofsky said the teachers may be disciplined if either of them compels a student to adopt, affirm, or profess a belief in a theory, ideology or idea (including Critical Race Theory) that conflicts with the principle of equal protection under the law and holds that people of a specific group or characteristic protected by law are inherently superior or inferior to another or that they should be discriminated against because of it.

When it comes to compelling a student, Rudofsky noted that compulsion requires speech or actions such as a teacher threatening to grade on the basis of whether a student accepts or rejects a theory or a teacher denigrating students because of their agreement or disagreement with the theory.

While Rudofsky wrote that the order should give comfort that Section 16 doesnt prohibit educators from teaching about or using Critical Race Theory, the Court acknowledges that Section 16 does not define Critical Race Theory, so the teacher plaintiffs concerns are not frivolous and indeed quite reasonable.

Because plaintiffs only challenge the constitutionality of the enforcement and implementation of Section 16, the preliminary injunction does not extend beyond that, Rudofsky said.

It does not reach the enforcement and implementation of the Governors Executive Order to Prohibit Indoctrination and Critical Race Theory in Schools, he wrote. And it does not reach policies and conduct by local school boards so long as the policies and conduct are not driven by Section 16.

Sanders signed an executive order banning indoctrination in public schools on her first day in office. Similar language was later incorporated into the LEARNS Act.

Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement late Tuesday praising Rudofskys order.

Todays decision confirms what Ive said all along. Arkansas law doesnt prohibit teaching the history of segregation, the civil rights movement, or slavery, Griffin said. Im pleased that the District Court entirely rejected the Plaintiffs vagueness claims. And the very limited injunction merely prohibits doing what Arkansas was never doing in the first place. I look forward to continuing our enforcement of the statute as written rather than as Plaintiffs would choose to wrongly interpret it.

Plaintiffs attorney David Hinojosa, director of the Educational Opportunities Project at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, in a statement Tuesday night said the courts ruling makes it clear that students right to receive information and ideas was violated.

Judge Rudofsky has issued a partial injunction ensuring that the State does not arbitrarily enforce the LEARNS Act against teachers in the case in a way that would unlawfully deny students their right to information, Hinojosa said. The courts ruling has essentially gutted Arkansas classroom censorship law to render the law virtually meaningless.

Hinojosa said Sanders and Oliva had already walked back the law in their response briefing by stating that Critical Race Theory could be taught in Arkansas classrooms.

Judge Rudofsky further narrows the scope of the LEARNS Act so that students wont be forced to learn a false version of this countrys history of discrimination or continuing struggles with racial justice, he said. The ruling should provide teachers greater comfort in teaching the truth, and challenging students to broaden their perspectives.

Background

On March 25, civil rights attorneys Mike Laux and Austin Porter Jr. filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas on behalf of three Little Rock Central High students, their parents and AP African American Studies teacher Ruthie Walls.

The suit stems from an AP African American Studies course being piloted in six Arkansas schools, including Central High, that came under scrutiny by the state education department after Sanders issued her executive order on indoctrination.

The state education department abruptly removed the advanced placement course from its list of approved courses days before the start of the 2023-2024 school year last August. Although students were allowed to continue taking the course, it would not count toward graduation credit.

Plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary injunction and a request for expedited briefing and consideration on April 12.

An amended complaint also filed on April 12 removed an unnamed parent and student as plaintiffs and added the Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP and high school debate teacher, Colton Gilbert.

Members of the Arkansas State Board of Education were added as defendants, joining Sanders and Oliva.

The amended complaint argues the portion of the law banning indoctrination should be void for vagueness, contains content- and viewpoint-based discrimination and discriminates on the basis of race.

The post Federal judge grants preliminary injunction in Arkansas LEARNS indoctrination suit appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
There was a significant police presence in a neighborhood of Bridgewater amid an ongoing investigation on Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Neighbors tell Boston 25 that a team of law enforcement officers, including ATF agents, raided a house on Bridgewaters Beebe Road.

At 6:30 exactly, I heard the bang, the flashbang, two of them, said neighbor Louis Almond

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Two early morning explosions rocked neighbors right out of their beds. I heard that first bang, woke me up. Heard the second bang, jumped out of bed, said neighbor Lauren Lang.

Neighbors awoke to find a heavy law enforcement presence outside 16 Beebe Road.

One neighbor said he saw a man being taken into custody.

According to Boston 25 sources, federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms conducted the sweep in Bridgewater, as well as in other communities, including Swansea.

Some neighbors who have lived on or near Beebe Road for 50 years say they cannot remember another day like this one.

It could be guns, it could be money, I have no idea, I had no indication what was going on, said Almond.

We all know each other, but we really dont know them. Thats the crazy thing, added Lang.

No additional details were immediately available.

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
Montana State University is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights for discrimination. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

Montana State University faces two more investigations into federal civil rights abuses, including that the flagship failed to respond to discrimination reports based on sex, race and disability, and that it retaliated against a student who advocated on behalf of LGBTQ+ peers.

Since last fall, the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights has sent six total notices to MSU President Waded Cruzado about open investigations into allegations of discrimination. The investigations are pending.

MSU student Alexandra Lin filed a complaint about discrimination and urged other students to do the same after threats to their safety. Her complaint is the basis of one recent notice, and Lin said this week MSUs actions harmed her educational opportunities.

She said shes pleased to see the Department of Education investigate allegations that MSU retaliated and inappropriately removed a no-contact order meant to protect her  MSU itself had argued it was necessary for her safety.

I think it shows the Department of Education is taking this very seriously and acknowledges the harm that occurred, not only to me but to other students, through not following Title IX and other laws, Lin said.

Title IX of the 1972 federal Education Amendments of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination and retaliation on the basis of sex at universities receiving federal money, such as MSU in Bozeman. The Office for Civil Rights enforces it.

Tracy Ellig, vice president of communications for MSU, said in an email Tuesday the Office for Civil Rights has opened investigations but has not issued any findings indicating MSUs response was lacking.

As with all previous OCR requests, MSU will provide the requested information and will continue to cooperate fully with the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights, Ellig said.

Earlier allegations in four separate notices since October 2023 include that MSU failed to appropriately respond to reports of discrimination against female students; against students and others of Jewish origin; against members of the Queer Straight Alliance; and against people with disabilities.

The federal probe expanded again with the two additional notices this week.

However, Lilia Tyrrell, a lawyer who represents Lin, said additional complaints are not unusual when the Office for Civil Rights begins hearing discrimination reports about a university and holds a listening session on a campus, as it did at MSU.

At the same time, Tyrrell said the Office for Civil Rights is highly selective in the claims it chooses to investigate, and she said a notice indicates to her theres a possibility of merit.

It is an incredible step to me that OCR is opening the investigation and looking into these allegations, said Tyrrell, with Kasting, Kauffman, and Mersen in Bozeman. The OCR receives thousands of complaints. They have to sift through them. And they really choose to spend their time and resources on claims they believe may have merit.

Tyrrell said Lins goal is to make MSU safe for minority students. She said the investigation has the capacity to resolve concerns the university treats those who file reports as troublemakers rather than take their complaints seriously.

At least one earlier letter to MSU warned the university about retaliating against anyone who filed a discrimination complaint or participates in a related proceeding, and one of the new notices does as well. MSU is the states largest public university.

Please be advised the University must not harass, coerce, intimidate, discriminate, or otherwise retaliate against an individual because that individual asserts a right or privilege under a law enforced by OCR or files a complaint, testifies, assists, or participates in a proceeding under a law enforced by OCR, said the notice about Lin, dated May 6.

If this happens, the individual may file a retaliation complaint with OCR.

MSU provided the Daily Montanan copies of the recent notices and redacted them to protect privacy. However, Lin has identified herself as one of the victims and received a corresponding notice from the Office for Civil Rights about its investigation into her complaint.

The May 6 letter to MSU said the feds will determine whether the university failed to respond appropriately to sex-based harassment and race-based harassment last school year and whether MSU retaliated. Lin is part Taiwanese.

Specifically, OCR will investigate whether the University:  Retaliated against Student A, after Student A engaged in advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ students, by discontinuing funding for University projects Student A is involved with, said the letter in part.

The corresponding letter to Lin notes OCR will also investigate whether MSU retaliated by removing her eligibility for student government.

Additionally, the Office for Civil Rights will investigate whether MSU failed to respond to Lins request to reinstate a mutual no-contact order with another student. Tyrrell said she warned MSU in advance that lifting the order would have significant repercussions for Lin.

But the order was lifted, and as predicted, Lin received disturbing threats, including death threats on her doorstep, Tyrrell said. The other student had sued MSU, and lifting the order was part of a settlement.

In other words, Tyrrell said, in order to try to make the lawsuit go away and avoid legal fees and media attention, MSU sacrificed Lins safety. Lin, who was not party to the suit, temporarily withdrew from school and left the state.

It just felt like a complete lack of support for a minority student at the university, Tyrrell said.

Last school year, the Office for Civil Rights received more than 20 complaints with allegations that MSU discriminated against the Queer Straight Alliance after the club that supports LGBTQ+ students received threats, including a death threat.

MSU had argued the threats were not credible threats of violence, and an event that was the subject of the threat took place without incident.

The litany of complaints came about largely after Lin urged students who feared for their safety to file complaints directly with the federal agency given a lack of trust of internal processes at MSU.

Some students and faculty have described MSU President Cruzados leadership style on campus as soft authoritarianism. Cruzado has not publicly addressed the open investigations, and through her communications team, she has declined numerous requests for interviews with the Daily Montanan.

The second notice MSU received, dated May 7, said the Office for Civil Rights will investigate whether MSU discriminated against a former student on the basis of sex and on the basis of disability. OCR also enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act and other regulations that prohibit discrimination based on disability.

Both letters outline the way the investigations may conclude.

During the OCR investigation, the allegations may be resolved in a variety of ways, including a voluntary written agreement in which the University agrees to take remedial actions that OCR determines fully resolve the allegation consistent with applicable legal standards, said both of the letters.

Where appropriate, the allegations may also be resolved through mediation facilitated by OCR. If a resolution of the complaint is not reached before OCR completes its investigation, OCR will make findings and a determination as to whether the University is in compliance with the applicable legal standards and, in the event non-compliance is found, OCR will propose that the University enter into a voluntary resolution agreement in which the University commits to take specific steps to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Tyrrell said the Office for Civil Rights can offer creative remedies it asks universities to undertake, such as training or new programs, in resolutions. She said the investigation has the opportunity to help change the way MSU manages threats to minority students.

Theres never really harm done when somebody is shining light on questions of whether minority students are protected in their educational environment, Tyrrell said. So lets shine the light and look.

OCR letter to MSU May 6 2024 OCR letter to MSU May 7 2024

The post Federal probe into discrimination expands at Montana State University appeared first on Daily Montanan.
A tornado ripped through a FedEx facility in Michigan Tuesday evening as severe storms continued to sweep across the Midwestern U.S.

At one point, roughly 50 people were trapped inside the 320,000-square-foot facility due to downed power lines. All employees who initially sought shelter in the building are now safe and accounted for, according to a company spokesperson.

More from Sourcing Journal

Our thoughts are with those affected by the tornado in Portage, Michigan, and we are grateful there were no serious injuries resulting from the damage to our facility at 6701 Portage Road, the FedEx spokesperson said. We continue to assess the damage, and we are implementing contingency plans to lessen any potential impacts on service.

The spokesperson said customers with questions about their shipments can check the FedEx website for updates. On its website, FedEx currently says there is no service for its FedEx Ground division in Portage and bordering towns like Kalamazoo.

It is unclear how many packages have been impacted by the damage to the facility.

Photos and videos from various local news affiliates show that a substantial amount of the building is severely damaged, including a caved-in roof, a collapsed exterior wall and flooding. There was debris on top of FedEx vehicles. The area near the building also had damage to trees and traffic signals.

FedEx has offered no timetable as to when the facility is expected to reopen.

The building serves as a distribution center for FedEx Ground, first opening in July 2021. When it was being built, FedEx said the facility was part of its then-nationwide network expansion to boost daily package volume capacity and further enhance FedEx Grounds speed and service capabilities. The company has since been focused on consolidating its FedEx Ground, FedEx Express and FedEx Services divisions as part of a wider cost-cutting measure.

According to Ben Ruddell, professor in the School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems at Northern Arizona University, supply chain problems are likely going to be limited to the local area that was affected by the tornado, and theyre not going to be of national significance.

The tornado that impacted the FedEx warehouse was one of two that hit Portage. In total, there were 26 total tornado reports throughout five states Tuesday: Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Arkansas and West Virginia, according to the NOAAs National Weather Service (NWS).

The severe weather marks the first-ever tornado emergency, the highest level, issued for Michigan from the NWS.

The storms came a day after a deadly twister ripped through an Oklahoma town amid wider reports of 19 tornadoes across several states.

Just a week prior, a tornado ripped open the center of a Dollar Tree warehouse, effectively forcing the retailer to shutter the facility for the foreseeable future.

More than 30,000 customers were without power in Michigan early Wednesday, and an additional 10,000 in Ohio, according to PowerOutage.us.

In response to the storms, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Southwest Michigan.

My heart goes out to all those impacted by tonights severe weather in southwest Michigan, Whitmer said in a statement. State and local emergency teams are on the ground and working together to assist Michiganders. Ive declared a state of emergency to ensure resources are expedited to the area and activated our State Emergency Operations Center. We will continue monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts overnight. I want to thank all the first responders working hard to keep Michiganders safe. Well get through this together.

The highest tornado threat Wednesday will include eastern Missouri, southern Illinois and Indiana, western Kentucky and northwest Tennessee, the NWS says. In addition to severe storms and tornadoes, powerful wind is also expected for other parts of Tennessee, stretching down to Dallas, Texas.

On the other side of the world, a FedEx Express air freighter was forced to land in Turkey without the use of its front landing gear on Wednesday morning. The Boeing 767-300F freighter, which was inbound from Paris, made the landing with its nose landing gear retracted.

There were no injuries reported as a result of the landing. The plane has been in service with the operator since its initial delivery in December 2014.

Video of the landing, obtained from Reuters, showed sparks and smoke coming from the front of the plane as it scraped along the runway before coming to a stop. The plane was subsequently doused with firefighting foam.
Feeding Our Future quickly became known not as a nonprofit helping feed kids in need, but as a "booming" bank where people could rake in millions of dollars in federal money for submitting fake invoices, a former employee testified Wednesday.

Hadith Ahmed, who was the "right-hand man" to Feeding Our Future leader Aimee Bock, testified in the first trial in the case that he and many other people tied to the organization knowingly participated in the massive fraud scheme, taking kickbacks from one another to "get rich" off federal reimbursements for meals for low-income kids.

"There was money everywhere," he said. "Feeding Our Future was the place to go."

Ahmed is the first Feeding Our Future insider to testify in the trial, revealing how the fraud ballooned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahmed, who was among the first people in the case to plead guilty, also said on the witness stand that he accepted kickbacks  including from some of the seven defendants on trial  to approve fake invoices and inflated meal count forms, bringing millions of dollars in federal reimbursements.

"It was crazy. It was booming," Ahmed said. "Everyone wanted to get involved with Feeding Our Future."

Feeding Our Future, a St. Anthony nonprofit, was a "sponsor," meaning it administered paperwork for hundreds of meal distribution sites, including some of the sites run by the seven defendants.

Since the FBI raided Feeding Our Future offices more than two years ago, 70 people have been charged or indicted in what prosecutors say is one of the largest pandemic-related fraud schemes in the country, totaling more than $250 million. So far, 18 people have pleaded guilty.

The six men and one woman on trial have ties to Empire Cuisine & Market in Shakopee, which was sponsored by Feeding Our Future, and a St. Paul nonprofit called Partners in Nutrition. Defendants Said Shafii Farah, Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Mohamed Jama Ismail, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff and Hayat Mohamed Nur have been charged with wire fraud, money laundering and other crimes.

They collectively received more than $40 million for submitting claims for more than 18 million meals.

Bock has pleaded not guilty to charges and denied any wrongdoing.

Ahmed was a child care center director in Eden Prairie before the pandemic. It was there that he first learned about the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded programs at the center of the case. The programs reimburse day cares, nonprofits and schools for feeding low-income kids after school and during the summer.

Story continues

During the pandemic, the USDA approved waivers that relaxed oversight and rules to get more food to children during the pandemic while limiting the spread of the virus. Prosecutors have argued that made the programs vulnerable to abuse. Defense attorneys have said those relaxed rules, such as allowing for-profit restaurants to participate and give out seven days' worth of meals at once, allowed their clients to rapidly escalate numbers of meals and earn a fair profit.

Defense attorneys showed photos and a video earlier this week of their clients distributing food as part of their proof their clients served real food.

Employee details get-rich scheme

Ahmed's child care center was sponsored by Partners in Nutrition, which Bock had started with a colleague. When the pandemic began in early 2020 and kids stayed home, Ahmed had no income and took a job that fall at Feeding Our Future, which Bock started in 2018 after she was fired from Partners in Nutrition.

Under questioning from Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry Jacobs, Ahmed said he was in charge of monitoring food distribution sites to ensure they were following the rules.

But there were no checks or balances at Feeding Our Future, he said, because employees like him weren't reviewing invoices or checking in person to see if newly-created sites were operating. Instead, he said, they just accepted kickbacks from the food sites and looked the other way.

"People were submitting whatever they wanted," he testified. "We were not visiting sites. ... We were all taking kickbacks at that time."

Ahmed and Abdikerm Eidleh, a friend and Feeding Our Future employee, wanted to get in on the millions of dollars funneling in, so he said they set up a business in fall 2020 called Southwest Metro Youth. They leased a small office in Eden Prairie to make it look legitimate, Ahmed testified.

"I wanted to get rich," Ahmed said.

Eidleh has also been charged in the scheme, but FBI agents have said he fled to Somalia.

At first, they gave out about 150 hot meals, but that was hard to do, Ahmed said, so they switched to giving out groceries. Bank records showed they bought groceries from Sam's Club, but not anywhere close to the amount of food that they were claiming to dole out, Ahmed testified. The site quickly grew to claim it was distributing 2,500 meals a day in early 2021, bringing in nearly $200,000 a month.

No site supervisors from Feeding Our Future visited the Eden Prairie site to check if food was given out because Ahmed was Bock's "right-hand man." He dealt with other food sites directly so she could concentrate on the lawsuit Feeding Our Future had filed against the Minnesota Department of Education, he said.

The department administers the meal programs and had delayed processing meal site applications. The agency had become suspicious about the "inexplicable growth" of Feeding Our Future in 2020.

Eidleh created two companies to be vendors for Southwest Metro Youth, but they were shell companies to divert money from the scheme and make it look like they were buying food, Ahmed testified.

Ahmed also started his own consulting company to conceal kickbacks he was receiving from other food sites so they could get the "VIP treatment," he testified, making sure that site supervisors stayed away and their claims got paid quickly. For instance, Jacobs showed the jury a check for $127,000 for "consulting" from a defendant of a Bloomington nonprofit.

Ahmed testified it was "easy money," and he saw people connected to the food sites bragging on social media about the millions of dollars they were getting, buying fancy cars and houses. He described how Bock once handed him a plastic bag of $5,000 in cash from another employee. Ahmed testified that Bock knew the children's names on attendance rosters were fake because they were the same at two different sites.

The defendants on trial were working with Partners in Nutrition, which Feeding Our Future had a "grudge" against, Ahmed said, and wanted to oversee more of their sites to increase their money. Ahmed received several checks that he said were kickbacks to help the defendants transfer their sites to Feeding Our Future. For instance, Jacobs showed the jury a $10,000 check from Empire Cuisine & Market to Ahmed, a $12,000 check from Said Farah and a $65,000 check from Said Farah's vending company  all for "consulting" or a "loan."

Ahmed said he was later fired by Bock after a Bloomington nonprofit complained that he wasn't processing meal claims. He said Bock and her lawyer threatened him, saying that if he went to the government, "they will go after me" and report his kickbacks.

When the FBI search warrants were unsealed in January 2022, publicly revealing the massive investigation, Ahmed said he got scared and backdated consulting invoices to when he received kickbacks from Said Farah's company. He said he met with Said Farah, who was concerned he would tell the truth.

"We were all scared," Ahmed added.

Ahmed said he made $2 million off the fraud scheme in less than a year and used the money to buy a house in Savage and properties in Kenya, with the help of Abdiaziz Farah. As part of Ahmed's plea agreement in October 2022, he agreed to forfeit more than half a million dollars seized from bank accounts in his name and pay $1.3 million in restitution.

Under brief cross-examination Wednesday from defense attorney Steve Schleicher, who represents Said Farah, Schleicher questioned if Ahmed ever contacted the FBI when he first suspected fraud or after the FBI investigation was revealed. He said no, agreeing that he only talked to federal agents when they contacted him in June 2022. But he said he contacted the Education Department at the end of 2020 to tell them to look into what's happening at Feeding Our Future before deciding to partake in the scheme himself, he said.

Ahmed's sentence could span about four to five years in prison. When asked by Jacobs if he could get a break for testifying, he said yes, but he doesn't know how much of a reduced sentence he could get for cooperating.

He told Jacobs he regretted what he did and was ashamed of it, and was testifying "to tell the truth" because the "paper trail the government found was clear that I stole money from the government."
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  As many free lunch programs are about to be put on pause during the summer months, about 80,000 students in San Diego County face food insecurity.

Feeding San Diego has created a summertime fundraising competition targeting lawyers: Food From the Bar.

Watch Dan Plantes report for KUSI in the video player above.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  Mica Miller was the suspect in a now-closed theft investigation in which nearly $1,200 in donations meant for the Solid Rock Ministries missionary efforts in Africa were reported stolen, according to Myrtle Beach police.

Miller, who authorities said died from sucicide at a state park in Robeson County on April 27, allegedly took $1,199 and placed it into her personal bank account.

Timeline: Whats happened so far in the death of Myrtle Beach woman Mica Miller

The March 14 complaint filed with Myrtle Beach police was filed by someone from the Market Common church, but police said the investigation was closed on April 8 after the city attorney determined that there was no probable cause and that the case was a civil matter between [the] involved parties. Millers name not did not appear in the police report, but police confirmed that she was the offender.

Micas husband, John-Paul Miller, was the churchs pastor when the complaint was filed. He is listed an an involved other in the police report. John-Paul was relieved of his ministerial duties last week after his wifes death.

According to the report, a church employee was sent to collect donations for the churchs nonprofit Dare to Care Mission. The money was to go toward a mission project in Jebrock, Kenya. Mica Miller was known to have visited Kenya.

The report alleges that the employee transferred donation funds on Feb. 14 from the churchs Zelle and Cash App accounts into her personal account at South State Bank. She is also accused of collecting cash donations and depositing them into her personal account.

A GoFundMe page set up after Mica Millers death asked potential donors to withhold donations to the Dare to Care Mission, along with the churchs Faith First Academy, because of ownership concerns.

News13 talked to a church official who said he did not want to comment.

* * *

Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, May 8. Tajikistan is ready to consider proposals for the opening of Turkish banks' branches and subsidiaries in the country, Trend reports.

According to the National Bank of Tajikistan, the establishment of Turkish bank branches in Tajikistan was discussed during a meeting between Firdavs Tolibzoda, Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan, and Umut Adjar, the Turkish Ambassador.

It was noted that the presence of foreign capital in the economy of Tajikistan indicates its attractiveness to foreign investors, and the state guarantees equal rights for foreign and domestic investors.

During the discussion, the parties exchanged views on the current situation in the banking system of Tajikistan, expanding cooperation in the banking sector, and future actions in this direction. They also discussed the opening of correspondent accounts, cooperation in the development of "green" economy, and other prospects for cooperation between the two countries.

As of the end of March 2024, Tajikistan had 63 credit financial organizations operating, including 14 traditional banks, 1 Islamic bank, 1 non-bank credit organization, 19 microcredit deposit organizations, 3 microcredit organizations, and 25 microcredit funds.
Fentanyl awareness campaigns launched in Oregon on Tuesday to educate youth, adults and teenagers about the lethal risks of the illicit drug. (Getty Images)

A national nonprofit organization released a new program on Tuesday to help families navigate the hazards of fentanyl and prevent deaths of young people as Oregon continues to battle the lethal drug epidemic.

Song for Charlie, a nonprofit focused on raising awareness about fake fentanyl pills, launched The New Drug Talk Oregon, an educational web-based platform with free information about the risks of fentanyl and the dangers of self-medication and experimentation. The program also gives families guidance on how to discuss the drug, which is highly lethal and commonly found in counterfeit prescription drugs and sold illegally.

The campaign was one of several in Oregon to start on Tuesday and coincides with National Fentanyl Awareness Day. The Oregon Health Authority launched a five-week campaign to educate Oregonians about fentanyl risks, harm reduction strategies like fentanyl test strips and how to respond to an overdose. The states campaign will unfold on the health authoritys English and Spanish-language Facebook accounts.

Multnomah County also launched a fentanyl awareness campaign, called Expect Fentanyl, targeting Portland-area youth.

More information

For more information about the educational program for families, visit thenewdrugtalk.org/oregon.

Visit the Oregon Health Authority site for a list of syringe and needle exchange services available in Oregon.

More than 300 young Oregonians 15 to 24 years old have died of drug overdoses in the last five years, many of them from fentanyl, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. The rate of teen drug-related deaths has increased in the state nearly sixfold, and Oregon now has the fifth-worst per capita rate of drug deaths among teenagers, according to CDC data compiled by Song for Charlie.

Meanwhile, a survey of Oregon parents and youth commissioned by Song for Charlie found persistent gaps in how families are responding to the crisis. Nearly three-quarters of Oregon parents said they talked to their children about the dangers of prescription pills laced with fentanyl. But only about 40% of young people said they remember having this conversation.

And just three in five Oregon youth  teenagers and young adults  consider the misuse of prescription pills a serious issue. The survey, completed in the spring, is based on interviews of more than 1,300 teenagers, young adults and parents in Oregon, and has a margin of error of 4 to 5.65 percentage points.

Ongoing conversations

The New Drug Talk Oregon program was backed by a $1 million grant from Trillium Community Health Plan, a Medicaid insurer for about 90,000 people on the Oregon Health Plan in the Portland area and Lane County. That funding means the Song for Charlies program is available to Oregonians at no cost.

A Washington County resident, Jennifer Epstein, director of strategic programs for Song for Charlie, is involved with the program. She became an advocate to increase awareness and education about fentanyl after her 18-year-old son Cal died in 2020 after he ingested a counterfeit pill with fentanyl.

What we want to do is encourage parents to have ongoing conversations with young people, Epstein said in an interview.

The programs site has articles and videos that guide parents through talking to their children about fentanyl, staying safe on social media or the death of someone from an overdose.

Epstein said if the resource had been available before her son died, it could have saved his life.

I certainly think that this could have changed what happened to our family if we had been able to have conversations about fentanyl and the risks it poses and the danger of self-medicating, Epstein said.

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. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Fentanyl awareness campaigns kick off in Oregon amid an overdose epidemic appeared first on Washington State Standard.
How a fentanyl dealer can get charged with murder in Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Increased criminal penalties involving individuals who distribute deadly doses of fentanyl have been in place for almost a year.

According to Texas law, if someone knowingly gives fentanyl to someone else, and the recipient dies, the person who provided the recipient with fentanyl can face murder charges.

5 arrested after sting operation in north Austin

Fentanyl is a devastating drug because it has such a lethal impact. Because of that, the legislature has equated fentanyl with the offense of murder, Charlie Baird, a retired Travis County judge and current Austin area defense attorney, said.

Last week, Austin-Travis County EMS said there were 79 suspected overdoses and nine deaths. On Monday, police announced the arrests of five individuals who detectives found  via a sting operation  to be in possession of or accused of distributing crack, meth and/or marijuana, all laced with fentanyl.

Individuals arrested in these investigations are not linked as of right now to any of the overdose victims, Lt. Patrick Eastlick with APDs Organized Crime Division said. At this point, the five suspects charges max out at possession and distribution offenses.

Eastlick said the investigation is still ongoing and more charges and additional arrests could occur. He added that part of the difficulty in tying the suspects to last weeks overdoses comes from some victims not cooperating. APD said the overdoses started downtown and then spread to parts of north and south Austin.

The cases in Austin are different from the two recent Central Texas fentanyl cases that have resulted in murder charges.

In March, authorities in Williamson County arrested a man who officials said sold drugs containing fentanyl to a 16-year-old boy in Leander.

Last year in Hays County, an 18-year-old was arrested  and later sentenced  on a murder charge connected with the fentanyl overdose death of a 15-year-old boy from Kyle.

When an individual knowingly delivers a controlled substance that includes fentanyl, and another individual takes that controlled substance and it causes their death, that individual who delivered the drug with the fentanyl in it will be charged with murder, Baird said.

Baird said two main hurdles have to be met for someone accused of giving someone else fentanyl to be charged with murder.

Number one, who actually provided the drugs to the individual who in a case like this would be deceased, he said. Even if you found out the provider of the drugs, the next question would be did the provider know the drugs they delivered had fentanyl in them?

In the Austin case, there are several victims, and police are still trying to tie specific batches to specific patients. At this time, APD does not believe the fentanyl-laced drugs are related to a larger drug operation.

Historically a lot of the narcotics dealers that we see here arent involved in major organized crime, its individuals who are out to make a profit for themselves, Eastlick said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) described the humanitarian situation as heartbreaking, while arguing only Hamas is able to end the war with Israel.

Fetterman, a steadfast supporter of Israel, told USA Today in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Gaza is worse than horrible, its heartbreaking and said the responsibility lies on Hamas to surrender and return the hostages.

They started this, Fetterman said, in reference to Hamas. They have designed this to maximize the kinds of destruction and death. They hide behind places like hospitals and civilians and schools and refugee camps. Thats how its been designed.

The Pennsylvania Democrat was responding to criticism accusing him of lacking empathy for the people of Gaza, where more than 34,700 Palestinians have been killed since early October, according to local health officials.

His comments come days after Hamas said it accepted a temporary cease-fire deal that would pause fighting in Gaza and secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages being held in Gaza. Israel said the groups terms fell short of its core demands.

Fetterman, who is serving his first term in the Senate, has been a steadfast supporter of Israel since Hamass Oct. 7 attacks, often breaking with liberal Democrats over Israels handling of the war.

Speaking with USA Today, Fetterman continued his criticism of the pro-Palestinian protests at colleges across the country, pointing to fears from Jewish students.

And now it must be incredibly unnerving and terrifying if you are a Jewish student, when you have all of these things, he said. Im sure they might feel like  why dont they have our back?

Many of the demonstrations have been reported to be peaceful, though school administrators said they have received concerns over the safety of Jewish students and the potential for antisemitic rhetoric.

His remarks were published a day after Israeli forces seized control of the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza, where more than 1 million civilians are seeking refuge.

Asked in an interview Tuesday with Fox News if he supports Israel going into Rafah, Fetterman said, Well, I follow Israel on that. I mean, they would know the situation more than I do.

And Im always trying to center this to people, where its like Hamas could  Well, they started this, Fetterman continued Tuesday. They did these kinds of terrible things. And this could end right now if they send all those hostages back home, and they could surrender  but they clearly dont care about all the Palestinians death and chaos and damage.

The Biden administration and other Western leaders tried to sway Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu away from a full-scale invasion in recent weeks, arguing it would risk civilian lives and the delivery of crucial aid.

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told reporters Tuesday the U.S. is closely monitoring Israels actions in Rafah, while noting they did not rise to the level of a full-scale military operation U.S. officials warned against.

Netanyahu has maintained military operations in Rafah will increase pressure on Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) described the humanitarian situation as heartbreaking, while arguing only Hamas is able to end the war with Israel.

Fetterman, a steadfast supporter of Israel, told USA Today in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Gaza is worse than horrible, its heartbreaking and said the responsibility lies on Hamas to surrender and return the hostages.

They started this, Fetterman said, in reference to Hamas. They have designed this to maximize the kinds of destruction and death. They hide behind places like hospitals and civilians and schools and refugee camps. Thats how its been designed.

The Pennsylvania Democrat was responding to criticism accusing him of lacking empathy for the people of Gaza, where more than 34,700 Palestinians have been killed since early October, according to local health officials.

His comments come days after Hamas said it accepted a temporary cease-fire deal that would pause fighting in Gaza and secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages being held in Gaza. Israel said the groups terms fell short of its core demands.

Fetterman, who is serving his first term in the Senate, has been a steadfast supporter of Israel since Hamass Oct. 7 attacks, often breaking with liberal Democrats over Israels handling of the war.

Speaking with USA Today, Fetterman continued his criticism of the pro-Palestinian protests at colleges across the country, pointing to fears from Jewish students.

And now it must be incredibly unnerving and terrifying if you are a Jewish student, when you have all of these things, he said. Im sure they might feel like  why dont they have our back?

Many of the demonstrations have been reported to be peaceful, though school administrators said they have received concerns over the safety of Jewish students and the potential for antisemitic rhetoric.

His remarks were published a day after Israeli forces seized control of the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza, where more than 1 million civilians are seeking refuge.

Asked in an interview Tuesday with Fox News if he supports Israel going into Rafah, Fetterman said, Well, I follow Israel on that. I mean, they would know the situation more than I do.

And Im always trying to center this to people, where its like Hamas could  Well, they started this, Fetterman continued Tuesday. They did these kinds of terrible things. And this could end right now if they send all those hostages back home, and they could surrender  but they clearly dont care about all the Palestinians death and chaos and damage.

The Biden administration and other Western leaders tried to sway Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu away from a full-scale invasion in recent weeks, arguing it would risk civilian lives and the delivery of crucial aid.

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told reporters Tuesday the U.S. is closely monitoring Israels actions in Rafah, while noting they did not rise to the level of a full-scale military operation U.S. officials warned against.

Netanyahu has maintained military operations in Rafah will increase pressure on Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) warned that if people choose not to vote in November, they will have to own the tragedy of former President Trump getting reelected.

In a new interview with USA Today, the first-term senator said he isnt worried about progressives who threaten to abstain from the general election over the United Statess response to the conflict in Gaza.

Go ahead. And then when you get the second term of Trump, youve got to own that tragedy, said Fetterman, who has lost some backing within his own party for his unwavering support of Israel in its war, like President Biden.

Still, Fetterman said he believes voters will turn out for Biden once they realize a second Trump presidency is possible and imminent.

I trust in democracy. If they  voters  turn their backside to the stove, that fire is going to burn, Fetterman said. Its really that kind of a choice right now.

His comments come after progressive groups have urged voters participating in presidential primaries in several states to vote uncommitted to apply political pressure on the Biden Administration to reevaluate its stance on the War in Gaza.

According to USA Today, more than 60,000 Pennsylvania voters chose the write-in option during the April primary.

The swing state, which went to Biden in 2020, will be closely watched in the rematch this fall between Biden and Trump. The primary had lower than average turnout, but Fetterman said he believes voters will show up for Biden in the polls.

I do believe that American people will be presented with that incredibly stark choice in the election, he said, and I think theyre going to make the right choice.

Despite receiving criticism from people in his voting base, who say his response to the war makes him not the candidate they voted into office, Fetterman is unwavering in his support for Israel and his commitment to help Biden get reelected.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) warned that if people choose not to vote in November, they will have to own the tragedy of former President Trump getting reelected.

In a new interview with USA Today, the first-term senator said he isnt worried about progressives who threaten to abstain from the general election over the United Statess response to the conflict in Gaza.

Go ahead. And then when you get the second term of Trump, youve got to own that tragedy, said Fetterman, who has lost some backing within his own party for his unwavering support of Israel in its war, like President Biden.

Still, Fetterman said he believes voters will turn out for Biden once they realize a second Trump presidency is possible and imminent.

I trust in democracy. If they  voters  turn their backside to the stove, that fire is going to burn, Fetterman said. Its really that kind of a choice right now.

His comments come after progressive groups have urged voters participating in presidential primaries in several states to vote uncommitted to apply political pressure on the Biden Administration to reevaluate its stance on the War in Gaza.

According to USA Today, more than 60,000 Pennsylvania voters chose the write-in option during the April primary.

The swing state, which went to Biden in 2020, will be closely watched in the rematch this fall between Biden and Trump. The primary had lower than average turnout, but Fetterman said he believes voters will show up for Biden in the polls.

I do believe that American people will be presented with that incredibly stark choice in the election, he said, and I think theyre going to make the right choice.

Despite receiving criticism from people in his voting base, who say his response to the war makes him not the candidate they voted into office, Fetterman is unwavering in his support for Israel and his commitment to help Biden get reelected.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on Tuesday doubled down on his support for Israel shortly after the nations forces seized control of Gazas Rafah border crossing, where more than 1 million civilians are being housed amid the ongoing war.

Asked on Fox News if he supports Israel going into Rafah, Fetterman said, Well, I follow Israel on that. I mean they would know the situation more than I do.

And Im always trying to center this to people, where its like Hamas could  Well, they started this, Fetterman continued Tuesday. They did these kinds of terrible things. And this could end right now if they send all those hostages back home, and they could surrender  but they clearly dont care about all the Palestinians death and chaos and damage.

His remarks came hours after Israel began rolling military tanks into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where a critical border crossing is located for the delivery of humanitarian aid. The Biden administration and other Western leaders tried to sway Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu away from a full-scale invasion in recent weeks, arguing it would risk civilian lives and the delivery of crucial aid.

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby on Tuesday said the U.S. is closely monitoring Israels actions in Rafah, while noting they did not rise to the level of a full-scale military operation U.S. officials warned against.

Netanyahu maintained that military operations in Rafah will increase pressure on Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007.

Fetterman on Tuesday argued Israel is taking precautions to protect civilian lives.

Israel actually cares about minimizing these civilian deaths. But Hamas sees that as just their own kinds of collateral damage, he said.

Israel is in this kind of a war. And we  I have no conditions. I never have. And I cant imagine I ever will, he said in an earlier remark.

Israel told about 100,000 residents of eastern Rafah to evacuate on Monday, and UNRWA, the United Nationss agency that supplies food and medicine for civilians, said it intends to stay in Rafah despite Israels incursion.

Fetterman, who is serving his first term in the Senate, has been a steadfast supporter of Israel since Hamass Oct. 7 attacks, often breaking with liberal Democrats over Israels handling of the war.

He has been a staunch critic of the ongoing pro-Palestinian college demonstrations happening at college campuses across the country, accusing them of working against peace in the Middle East. He also called them pup tents for Hamas in a separate interview.

Speaking with Fox News on Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Democrat suggested the protesters do not understand exactly what they are advocating for.

If you ask them, theyre not really sure. They cant  and now theyre not talking about cease-fires anymore. And now theyre talking about divesting and harming Israel on that. Its crazy, he told Fox News anchor Bret Baier.

And Hamas is convinced that they have won the PR war, and they keep seeing all these kinds of protests across the nation [on] these campuses. And its not helpful, but its actually  it works against peace, I think, he continued.

The U.S., along with Egypt and Qatar, has spent weeks working on a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas that would see the release of Israeli hostages. Hamas on Monday said it accepted an offer for a temporary cease-fire, but Israel said the groups terms fell short of its core demands.

The White House on Tuesday pushed for the finalization of the agreement, despite Israels seizing of the Rafah border crossing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on Tuesday doubled down on his support for Israel shortly after the nations forces seized control of Gazas Rafah border crossing, where more than 1 million civilians are being housed amid the ongoing war.

Asked on Fox News if he supports Israel going into Rafah, Fetterman said, Well, I follow Israel on that. I mean they would know the situation more than I do.

And Im always trying to center this to people, where its like Hamas could Well, they started this, Fetterman continued Tuesday. They did these kinds of terrible things. And this could end right now if they send all those hostages back come, and they could surrender but they clearly dont care about all the Palestinians death and chaos and damage.

His remarks came hours after Israel began rolling military tanks into the southern Gaza City of Rafah, where a critical border crossing is located for the delivery of humanitarian aid. The Biden administration and other Western leaders tried to sway Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu away from a full-scale invasion in recent weeks, arguing it would risk civilian lives and the delivery of crucial aid.

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby on Tuesday said the U.S. is closely monitoring Israels actions in Rafah while noting it did not rise to the level of a full-scale military operation U.S. officials warned against.

Netanyahu maintained military operations in Rafah will increase pressure on Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007.

Fetterman on Tuesday argued Israel is taking precautions to protect civilian lives.

Israel actually cares about minimizing these civilian deaths. But Hamas sees that as just their own kinds of collateral damage, he said.

Israel is in this kind of a war. And we  I have no conditions. I never have. And I cant imagine I ever will, he said in an earlier remark.

Israel told about 100,000 residents of eastern Rafah to evacuate on Monday and UNRWA, the United Nations agency that supplies food and medicine for civilians, said it intends to stay in Rafah despite Israels incursion.

Fetterman, who is serving his first term in the Senate, has been a steadfast supporter of Israel since Hamass Oct. 7 attacks, often breaking with liberal Democrats over Israels handling of the war.

He has been a staunch critic of the ongoing pro-Palestinian college demonstrations happening at college campuses across the country, accusing them of working against peace in the Middle East. He also called them pup tents for Hamas in a separate interview.

Speaking with Fox News on Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Democrat suggested the protestors do not understand exactly what they are advocating about.

If you ask them, theyre not really sure. They cant  and now theyre not talking about cease-fires anymore. And now theyre talking about divesting and harming Israel on that. Its crazy, he told Fox News anchor Bret Baier.

And Hamas is convinced that they have won the P.R. war, and they keep seeing all these kinds of protests across the nation these campuses. And its not helpful, but its actually  it works against peace, I think, he continued.

The U.S., along with Egypt and Qatar, have spent weeks working on a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas that would see the release of Israeli hostages. Hamas on Monday said it accepted an offer for a temporary cease-fire, but Israel said the groups terms fell short of its core demands.

The White House on Tuesday pushed for the finalization of the agreement, despite Israels seized control of the Rafah border crossing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
It was billed as a show of public outrage to demand the release of a New York man who's been jailed for 40 months while awaiting trial on charges of repeatedly assaulting cops outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

But fewer than 10 supporters turned out for the midday protest outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where Sullivan County native Jake Lang is now being held. The promised spectacle of protesters riding horses in the shadow of the Gowanus Expressway wound up being a sole rider: "Cowboys for Trump" founder Couy Griffin, cradling an American flag in his saddle.

Ned Lang, father of Jake Lang, stands in front of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn May 8, 2024 where his son his incarcerated. Jake Lang is a January 6 defendant who has been imprisoned since January 2021. Ned Lang was joined by several supporters as well as by Couy Griffin, founder of "Cowboys for Trump," who served two weeks in jail for his own part in the Capitol riot. Griffin had ridden up to the prison on horseback .

The rally, led by Lang's father, Ned Lang of Narrowsburg, was set up to protest Jake Lang's prolonged wait behind bars for his trial and the solitary confinement in which he has been held for the last month. Lang, arrested shortly after the rampage at the Capitol by Donald Trump supporters in January 2021, is among a small number of defendants  out of more than 1,400 charged with participating  who have been kept in jail while awaiting trial.

Lang protest: Rally planned at Brooklyn prison for NY man held since 2021 on Jan. 6 cop-assault charges

Lang is now scheduled to stand trial in September. His previous trial date in October 2023 was postponed at his request to await the outcome of his Supreme Court appeal to try to dismiss one of the 11 charges against him.

The 28-year-old has been held primarily in the Washington, D.C., jail but has been shuttled to other facilities and was placed in the Brooklyn prison around March 1. He told the USA Today Network in a call from the prison on Tuesday that he's been in solitary confinement since April 9 in what he claimed was punishment for his calling for a protest during a media interview.

Photographer Seth Harrison contributed to this report.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Capitol riot: Rally for suspect Jake Lang draws fewer than 10 people
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, May 8. The President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has left on a working visit to Moscow at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trend reports.

Additionally, it is reported that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Assistant to the President of Tajikistan on Foreign Relations, and other officials are accompanying Emomali Rahmon on this visit.

Besides, it is expected that during the visit, Emomali Rahmon will take part in solemn events dedicated to the 79th anniversary of Victory Day and an informal meeting of the CIS heads of state.

To note, during a telephone conversation between the presidents of Tajikistan and Russia on May 3, Vladimir Putin invited Emomali Rahmon to take part in the upcoming meeting of CIS heads of state and Victory Day events.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
This photo was taken from the street outside the massive fire in SouthPark that killed two construction workers in May 2023.

Nearly a year after the deadly construction site fire in SouthPark, a lawsuit filed by the families of two workers killed provides a minute-by-minute glimpse of firefighters efforts to fight the blaze and rescue workers.

With the help of a crane operator stuck in his cabin 210 feet above ground, rescuers saved 15 people from the May 2023 fire. But attempts by him and firefighters to rescue Demonte Sherrill and Reuben Holmes, who were trapped on the sixth floor, failed.

A 68-page complaint describes how the five-alarm fire started, when it was reported and how close rescuers got to the Sherrill and Holmes. It draws this timeline:

7:30 a.m. A worker for Kentucky Overhead Door starts a generator in the parking deck at the 7700 block of Liberty Row Drive. He walks upstairs to spray foam insulation. At some point, the spray foam gun stops working.

8:55 a.m. After walking downstairs to the parking garage, the man sees flames coming from the back of a trailer containing a generator and spray foam chemicals. He enters the trailers side door, grabs a fire extinguisher and tries to put out the fire. But the fire continues to spread. The worker yells for help, then runs to tell a supervisor.

9:02 a.m. After trying to put out the fire, an employee for Mill Creek Residential, the sites developer, calls 911.

9:03 a.m. Mill Creek employees run up and down the stairway, yelling Fire! Fire! trying to warn workers.

9:07 a.m. The first Charlotte firefighters arrive on scene. Smoke from the burning trailer is escaping from the parking garage.

9:09 a.m. A Mill Creek superintendent tells Capt. B.W. Benson of the Charlotte Fire Department that the buildings standpipe, a water source for firefighters, was connected. (North Carolina fire safety codes require that a standpipe be installed for construction sites the size of the SouthPark site.)

9:11 a.m. Firefighters try to connect to what they thought was a standpipe.

9:13 a.m. Firefighters on the first floor say they can feel a fires heat but dont see flames.

9:14 a.m. Firefighters learn that workers are trapped on the fourth and sixth floors. The fourth floor has good visibility, they say. They climb to the sixth floor, where they hear someone yelling help.

9:16 a.m. Firefighters inside the building realize that no standpipe exists.

9:18 a.m. Demonte Sherrill, trapped on the sixth floor with Reuben Holmes, begins to plead for help on Facebook Live.

9:19 a.m. The construction crane operator, who ultimately helped rescue more than a dozen workers, unsuccessfully tries to save Sherrill and Holmes by lowering the crane basket.

9:20 a.m. Firefighters enter the construction sites only stairway to attempt to rescue Sherrill and Holmes.

9:22 a.m. Firefighters reach the sixth floor, where smoke hangs at eye-level. The crew begins crawling. Just as an order that they evacuate is issued, they hear a cry for help. They reach a hallway where a captain bangs the floor and yells for the workers. The trapped men bang on floors and walls in response. The captain says the workers sound close, but firefighters could not find them. The crew moves to evacuate but gets lost due to low visibility. They call a mayday but eventually find the one set of stairs on their own.

9:26 a.m. Sherrill ends his Facebook Live broadcast. Keith Suggs, owner of Prestige Windows and Doors, which employed Sherrill and Holmes, calls and speaks with Sherrill. He tells Suggsthat they are trapped.

9:37 a.m. iFirefighters who tried to save Sherrill and Holmes exit the burning building, as ordered. The five-alarm blaze continues to spread.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A fire was set inside the Walmart on Winchester Road, the Memphis Fire Department says.

The MFD responded to a reported commercial fire at 7535 Winchester Road, a local Walmart.

The fire was mostly extinguished before MFD arrived and additional crews were disregarded. No injuries were reported.

Fire set inside Memphis Walmart causes nearly $2 million in loss, damage

The fire was intentionally set in the womens clothing area, affecting one clothing rack.

Firefighters say the sprinkler system was not active. Total damage estimates are pending.

As of now, investigators are still on the scene.

This is the second arson to take place inside a Walmart in as many months.

A fire inside the Walmart on Austin Peay Highway cost the store $1.8 million in content loss and $10,000 in building loss.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
CHICAGO  A fire at a two-story building on the South Side sent a man to a hospital and left multiple people displaced.

A man was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. Two adults and two kids were also displaced from the fire.

According to Chicago Fire Media, the fire took place at a building near 77th Street and Peoria in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

The building that was built in 1880 was vacant at the time of the fire and the flames spread to an apartment building but the situation was controlled

CTA lags comparable cities in ridership recovery, staffing shortage remains a crisis

WGN is actively following the incident and will update as more information is recovered.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
He was first to report V-E Day  then he was fired for it

This is Ed Kennedy in Paris. The war is over and I am going to dictate. Germany has surrendered unconditionally, the war correspondent said, according to an account of the call by Tom Curley, the Associated Press former president. Thats official. Make the date[line] Reims and get it out.

With that wire, AP war correspondent Edward Kennedy landed the biggest scoop of his career  while simultaneously ruining it.

Only able to dictate about 200 words before the connection was lost, Kennedys news about the conclusion of the worlds largest and bloodiest conflict traveled with such speed that inquiries were received in Paris even before he was cut off, according to the New York Times.

As one of 17 war correspondents to witness the official German surrender in Reims, France, in the early hours of May 7, 1945, Kennedy naturally sought to file posthaste.

However, the news remained embargoed, with military handlers insisting that the momentous occasion be kept secret for several hours. As the correspondents returned to their lodgings at Hotel Scribe in Paris that day, the embargo was extended for 24 hours without explanation.

We were seventeen trained seals, Kennedy caustically recalled in his memoir, Ed Kennedys War: V-E Day, Censorship, & the Associated Press.

The embargo was not, Kennedy learned, for security reasons, which might have been an acceptable rationale, but for political reasons It turned out that Russias leader, Joseph Stalin, wanted to stage a signing ceremony of his own to claim partial credit for the surrender, and U.S. officials were interested in helping him have his moment of glory, according to an account in the Washington Post.

The German surrender at Reims, France on May 7, 1945. (Getty Images)

After hearing that the German high command had broadcasted the surrender from its headquarters in Flensburg, Germany, on May 7, Kennedy bristled.

For five years youve been saying that the only reason for censorship was mens lives. Now the war is over. I saw the surrender myself. Why cant the story go? he reportedly told a clerk at the hotels censors office.

The censor replied that he did not have the authority to release Kennedys story.

All right then, Kennedy retorted. I give you fair warning here and now: I am going to file it.

Calling up APs London office, the next words Kennedy uttered made history  and was on the wire within minutes.

The retribution for Kennedy was swift, however. Stripped of his credentials, the war correspondent was then ordered home by Allied leadership.

According to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Kennedys suspension was due to self-admitted deliberate violation of SHAEF regulations and breach of confidence.

To add insult to injury, the following day Kennedys fellow correspondents, perhaps as jealous retribution, condemned his actions with a vote of 54-2, for the most disgraceful, deliberate and unethical double-cross in the history of journalism.

On May 10, Robert McLean, the president of the AP board, issued a statement saying AP profoundly regretted the story and, after placing Kennedy on an indefinite suspension, the news agency quietly parted ways with Kennedy several weeks later.

Despite the public rebuke, the reporter remained adamant that his actions were justified.

Upon his arrival in New York on June 4, Kennedy told a group of reporters that he would do it again. The war over; there was no military security involved, and the people had the right to know.

The reporter who observed the bloody Spanish Civil War; who covered Eastern Europe and the Balkans; who reported on the war in North Africa; and who joined the Seventh Armys invasion of southern France in 1944 suddenly found himself without a job.

Kennedy was later hired as a managing editor by the sympathetic owner of the Santa-Barbara News-Press in California, the new position surely a step down for the veteran war correspondent.

In 2012, 67 years after Kennedy broke the news of the century, the AP issued a formal apology for its actions.

It was a terrible day for the AP. It was handled in the worst possible way, Curley stated. Once the war is over, you cant hold back information like that. The world needed to know.

The apology was accompanied by a push from journalists to award a posthumous Pulitzer Prize to Kennedy. Although nominated for the prize in 2013, the WWII reporter failed to win the award. However, as USA Today reported, Pulitzer rules dont prohibit resubmissions, and there have been several pushes in recent years for Kennedys recognition.

Kennedy, who died in 1963 after being struck by a car, did not live to see his vindication.

A monument to Kennedy now stands in Laguna Grande Park in Seaside, California, with the apt inscription: He gave the world an extra day of happiness.
FIT anti-Israel encampment cleared as NYPD arrests dozens of protesters who refused to leave

The anti-Israel encampment at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan was cleared away Tuesday evening  after dozens of protesters were arrested for refusing to shut down their rally.

NYPD officers in riot helmets and carrying zip ties moved in on the crowd of hundreds just 10 minutes after announcing that those who failed to vacate the West 27th Street campus would be charged with trespassing.

NYPD officers detain a protester outside FIT in Manhattan on May 7, 2024. NY Post

Students, students, you make us proud! the crowd chanted as their buddies were hauled onto an NYPD corrections bus shortly before midnight.

Within 30 minutes, a university cleaning crew cleared the encampment, dragging the tents away from the property.

It wasnt immediately clear if FIT gave the NYPD the go-ahead to arrest the protesters  as Columbia had done on its students twice last month.

Before police moved in, hundreds of protesters played games like Connect 4 and Jenga, drew on the ground with chalk and munched on cookies.

The officers set up barricades in front of the tent city as protesters locked arms in front of the encampment. Citizen app

Within 30 minutes, a university cleaning crew cleared the encampment, dragging the tents away from the property. NY Post

NYPD officers in riot helmets and carrying zip ties moved in on the crowd of hundreds just 10 minutes after announcing they would arrest the protesters. NY Post

An anti-Israel protesters bangs on a drum outside FIT on West 27th Street near 8th Avenue in Manhattan on Tuesday. NY Post

The only strife appeared to emerge when an officer scolded a protester for throwing candy at the crowd, telling her it was dangerous and that it could hit someone in the eye.

Did I hit anyone in the eye? she haughtily asked her friends in front of the cop.

No! they jeered back.

Police began monitoring the peaceful demonstration over two hours before swooping in to make arrests.

An anti-Israel protester is arrested by the NYPD on Tuesday night. NY Post

It wasnt immediately clear if FIT gave the NYPD the go-ahead to arrest the protesters  as Columbia had done on its students twice last month. NY Post

Before police moved in, hundreds of protesters played games like Connect 4 and Jenga, drew on the ground with chalk and munched on cookies. NY Post

Protesters are placed into NYPD vehicles before being transported away from the encampment. NY Post

The officers set up barricades in front of the tent city as protesters locked arms in front of the encampment.

Throughout the demonstration, the protesters hurled insults at the officers as they maintained the perimeter.
Four flight attendants have been charged in connection with an alleged scheme to smuggle drug money from the U.S. to the Dominican Republic, authorities announced Wednesday.

Prosecutors in the Southern District of New York alleged in two unsealed complaints that Charlie Hernandez, Sarah Valerio Pujols, Emmanuel Torres and Jarol Fabio took part in a years-long scheme to smuggle bulk cash that had been earned from selling drugs on behalf of traffickers from the United States to the Dominican Republic.

All four flight attendants worked at major international airlines and flew from the U.S. to the Dominican Republic and, according to prosecutors, knew they were ferrying drug money.

The flight attendants used their status as a "Known Crewmember, " a program that allows airline employees to go through security checkpoints with "personal property," to pass through security checkpoints with large amounts of cash, prosecutors said.

Two flight attendants met a confidential informant, who had been working with the Department of Homeland Security, who gave them $60,000 to bring to the Dominican Republic, the indictment said. The other two flight attendants received approximately $121,215 in drug profits from a confidential informant, the complaint alleged. Those funds were split with another flight attendant to bring to the Dominican Republic, according to prosecutors.

"This investigation has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the airline security industry and has illuminated methods that narcotics traffickers are utilizing," Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said in a statement.

Authorities did not clarify whether there was an uptick in airline employees smuggling drugs or drug proceeds. However, in recent years, several airline employees have been charged and convicted for using their status as trusted employees to smuggle cash and drugs through airports and on planes.

An American Airlines mechanic was convicted last year for trying to smuggle 25 pounds of cocaine underneath a plane's cockpit from New York to Jamaica. A flight attendant in Dallas pleaded guilty in 2022 to smuggling fentanyl taped to her stomach on a flight from Fort Worth to San Francisco.

Key takeaways from Stormy Daniels' testimony in Trump trial

What we learned from Stormy Daniels' testimony in Trump trial

Violence erupts amid Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud
New flight being added to Tri-Cities. Its because of this popular U.S. destination

Tri-City travelers are apparently doing a very good job of filling airplanes headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor International.

American Airlines instituted the first daily flight to the international hub in February.

The new flight is doing so well that American Airlines will add a second daily flight between the Tri-Cities Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor on Sept. 5.

The new schedule features departures from Pasco at 5:25 a.m. and 3 p.m., with the return flights leaving Phoenix at 10:25 a.m. and 5:22 p.m.

Both flights will be served by a 76-seat Embraer 175.

The Pasco airport is on track to beat its 2019 passenger record in 2024. It fell just 1,000 boardings short in 2023, according to the Port of Pasco, which operates the commercial aviation hub.

The Tri-Cities Airport is also served by Alaska, Allegiant, Avelo, Delta and United airlines.

Go to aa.com for flight and booking information. Go to flytricities.com for airport information.

Sign Up: Boom Town Tri-Cities

Stay up to date on Tri-Cities growth and development with our weekly business newsletter. Get the latest on restaurant and business openings and closings, plus the regions top housing and employment news. Click here to sign up. In your inbox every Wednesday.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Florida man was caught on surveillance camera spitting on a Walmart employee before yelling racial slurs at a deputy, according to the Flagler County Sheriffs Office.

On Friday evening, deputies responded to a Walmart on Cypress Point Parkway in Palm Coast regarding reports of a battery.

2-year-old hospitalized after accidentally shooting himself with gun: PCSO

A Walmart employee told officials a customer spit in her face after she got into an altercation with them.

The customer, identified as Channing Cooks, 37, of Palm Coast, tried to do a return without a receipt and reportedly got upset over the incident. The victim told deputies Cooks lunged at her and repeatedly spit in her face yelling, I have a cold.

Cooks was stopped in his vehicle at a nearby CVS, where he claimed to have inadvertently sneezed on the victim while talking to her about exchanging baby formula.

Its scary: Clearwater neighborhood shaken up after bicyclist gets beaten and robbed

He was arrested for battery and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. During his trip in the patrol car over, he yelled out racial slurs at the deputy.

Cooks was released on a $2,500 bond.

In 2018, Cooks was arrested for domestic battery and violating probation in 2019. He previously served 10 years for a 2006 armed robbery in Putnam County.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Florida has been named the top state for higher education by U.S. News & World Report for the eighth year in a row.

Florida has remained number one by graduating students on time, providing students with the lowest cost for in-state tuition and fees, and offering higher education with little to no debt for students, the State University System of Florida said in a news release Tuesday.

Chancellor Ray Rodrigues said Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have prioritized higher education.

The State University System of Florida reports the state has invested record funding in higher education since Governor Desantis took office.

This past year, it received a $1 billion funding increase, according to the news release.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

U.S. News & World Report also highlighted more of Floridas higher education achievements:

Number one for tuition and fees

Number two for two-year college graduation rate

Number two for four-year college graduation rate

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

The state is number 26 for lower debt at graduation and number 25 for educational attainment.

Educational attainment is the share of a states population with a college degree reflects how its citizens have pursued additional education as an investment in their potential future success, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Florida remains committed to providing an affordable, world-class higher education to ensure graduates receive a positive return on their investment, the State University System of Florida said in the news release.

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.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 8. Uzbekistan and Hungary signed an intergovernmental memorandum on cooperation in the development of renewable energy sources, Trend reports.

"I am pleased to have met Peter Szijjarto, my dear colleague and Hungary's minister of trade and foreign affairs. I'm glad to see that Hungary and Uzbekistan are developing a more comprehensive strategic relationship agenda. We talked about ways to strengthen our connections in a variety of ways throughout our discussion, including bilateral and multilateral cooperation," Uzbek Foreign Minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov, wrote on his page on X.

The sides also signed the Cooperation Program between the ministries of both countries for 20242026.

Meanwhile, within the framework of the IX meeting of the Uzbek-Hungarian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, the Uzbek-Hungarian Business Forum took place. More than 200 business community representatives, heads of ministries and agencies, and experts attended the event to discuss current cooperation issues and identify new promising areas for joint project implementation and trade tie expansion.

Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade in Uzbekistan, and Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Hungary, attended the forum.

At the forum, participants presented investment projects and organized 137 B2B and G2B meetings, planning to develop new joint venture projects and conclude mutually beneficial trade agreements.
Florida updated its school safety dashboard in April 2024, and it is now one of the most comprehensive in the nation. F. Chris Curran is an education policy professor at the University of Florida who partnered with Safe Schools for Alex, a nonprofit created by Max Schachter following the murder of his son Alex in the Parkland massacre in 2018, to release the new version of the dashboard. The Conversation asked him how parents and schools can benefit from the dashboard and what other states might learn from it as well.

What can this dashboard show parents about how safe a school is for their child?

Parents can use the Safe Schools for Alex dashboard to compare safety metrics in their childs school with district and state averages as well as with other similar schools. The dashboard includes all public K-12 schools in Florida and over 50 indicators of school safety  ranging from fights and weapons to school bus crashes. Parents can also see information on school responses and resources, such as whether school staff are trained in suicide prevention and the ratio of counselors to students.

Access to this data lets parents and parent-teacher associations know what questions to ask of their teachers and school leaders to help them contribute to school improvement plans. It can also help parents better support their own children at home by talking about and addressing issues they see in the dashboard. For example, parents might talk to their kids about bullying or hazing, using the statistics in the dashboard.

With numerous measures of school safety at their fingertips, parents can look for the indicators that meet the needs of their individual child. For example, a parent with a child dealing with anxiety or depression might compare the mental health resources available at different schools.

A view of the Safe Schools for Alex school safety dashboard. F. Chris Curran/Safe Schools for Alex

How can schools use the dashboard?

School districts and educators can see their school safety data in relation to other schools and districts  and how such data relates to standardized test scores, community violence and other indicators. So, for example, a school might see an increasing trend in its community of students in poverty or living without health insurance and focus on connecting families with external social support resources. In contrast, a school that sees increases in school incidents despite improving community indicators might instead focus on improving school engagement and disciplinary responses.

In partnership with Safe Schools for Alex, my team also developed training that uses the dashboard to start conversations about school safety and find solutions. School leaders can use the dashboard to identify areas of concern in their own school  such as an increasing pattern of fights. The dashboard and the training then facilitate conversation about root causes of the issue. The dashboards list of resources provides evidence-based approaches to developing and implementing solutions. For example, school leaders might find a new bullying prevention program to implement or identify another school with decreasing fights to reach out to and learn from.

Floridas state funding per student for mental health has doubled over the past five years. stockphotodirectors/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Could there be unintended consequences?

Unfortunately, research has shown that data dashboards can result in a stigma toward certain schools and lead to more affluent families leaving those schools. Public rankings of schools have been linked to increases in economic, racial and educational segregation. Lower-ranked schools, in turn, can lose enrollment and resources as wealthier parents opt for higher-ranked schools.

The Safe Schools for Alex dashboard purposefully avoids ranking or labeling schools as safe or unsafe for this reason. The dashboard includes a range of indicators so educators and parents can avoid a simplistic view of a school as safe or not. While parents often want a single indicator of a schools performance, such indicators often misrepresent safety or achievement, as they tend to be more indicative of other factors, such as the poverty level of students served.

What does the dashboard reveal about violence in schools today?

Schools nationwide have reported increases in student misbehavior over the past several years. The dashboard shows this increase too. However, while some of the increase in safety-related incidents is due to violence such as fights, a large part is driven by nonviolent incidents  particularly vaping.

The data also shows that while rates of some incidents are increasing, so are state resources such as funding for school safety and mental health. Specifically, state funding per student for mental health has doubled from about $24 per student to $48 per student in Florida over the past five years. Meanwhile, funding for implementing security practices such as hiring school police officers has increased by about 15%.

Ultimately, the dashboard reveals that there is a lot of variation across schools and districts. Some have high and some have low rates of violence; some are increasing and some are decreasing.

Students attend a memorial service on the fifth anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Parkland, Fla. Saul Martinez/Getty Images

Whats next?

School safety is a top priority of students, parents and educators. Just as schools have embraced the use of data to improve academic instruction, the use of data to ensure school safety is also growing. Yet, we have found that a quarter to a third of states currently do not make school safety or discipline data publicly available.

Along with the Florida dashboard, Safe Schools for Alex has dashboards for Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Virginia. These other dashboards are in the process of being enhanced to include more data and features like the Florida one.

A number of other states, including Georgia, have their own dashboards that similarly include wide-ranging data points and interactive features. And some states, such as Kentucky, have integrated such measures into their broader school report cards.

These dashboards do not have all the answers, but they can help parents and school leaders know what questions to ask and where to find resources to make schools safer, fairer and more conducive to learning.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: F. Chris Curran, University of Florida.

Read more:



F. Chris Curran works with Safe Schools for Alex on the development of the school safety dashboard. He receives funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Related video: Delirious woman stabbed man with Wawa deli knife, Pinellas Park police say

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A knife-wielding man is behind bars after police said he threatened to stab employees at a gas station in Florida after he allegedly stole snacks and alcohol.

At around 2:03 a.m. on Tuesday, the Cape Coral Police Department responded to a robbery at the 7-Eleven at 2604 Skyline Boulevard in Cape Coral.

Florida man accused of spitting on Walmart employee, yelling racial slurs at deputy

One employee told officers that Blake Montroy, 18, was carrying baskets from the store out the front entrance full of items. As both employees followed Carson to get a better view, Montroy dropped the stolen items, pulled out a knife, and threatened to stab them.

Montroy told officers that he was at home and really wanted snacks and alcohol, so he used 7-Eleven baskets and ran out of the store. When he saw the employees running after him, he dropped the baskets and ran.

The teen stole a total of $131.89 in alcohol and snacks from the gas station, according to officials.

Police found Montroy with the knife and arrested him on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill, petit theft from a merchant ranging from $100 to $750, and possession of a controlled substance. Montroy was taken to the Lee County Jail.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Gov. Ron DeSantis personally directed the Florida Highway Patrols response to the recent pro-Palestinian campus protests in Florida, a top state official said Wednesday.

On countless occasions, campus and local law enforcement has requested the assistance of Florida Highway Patrol. And on countless other occasions, we have proactively assisted campus and local law enforcement, said Dave Kerner, executive director of the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles, which oversees the highway patrol.

In all instances, Kerner said, these actions were taken at the direction of Gov. DeSantis.

His comments came during a DeSantis news conference at the University of Florida campus, near a spot on the campus green where round-the-clock protests have been taking place for 15 days. As DeSantis, Kerner and other officials spoke in praise of Floridas response to the demonstrations, protesters could be heard chanting.

DeSantis office and Kerners agency did not respond last week to questions about the governors involvement in the protest response. Kerner on Wednesday acknowledged the questions, saying his department was asked if the governor was personally involved.

The answer is yes, he said.

The governors office did not immediately respond when asked to elaborate on Kerners remarks. It was unclear how many universities his directives impacted, or how engaged he was in the details of law enforcement tactics.

RELATED CONTENT: Miami Beach City Hall barricaded ahead of pro-Palestinian protest aimed at congresswoman

At least 37 protesters were arrested in demonstrations last week at UF, the University of South Florida, Florida State University and the University of North Florida. The law enforcement response at USF included the use of tear gas.

As we have seen very clearly, there is a stark difference between Florida and many other states in this nation, Kerner said. This is very intentional. Our governor will not bend to the shrill and illogical will of an entitled and reckless super-minority. He will not tolerate for a moment our campuses degenerating into collectives of violence and anti-American and antisemitic dogma, and neither will the Florida Highway Patrol.

DeSantis thanked state universities and law enforcement agencies for their responses last week, and held them in contrast to elite colleges and universities that have allowed themselves to be overrun with encampments, graffiti as well as a lot of really nasty antisemitism.

He pointed to his efforts last year in allowing Jewish students seeking refuge to transfer to Florida universities and investments in security for Jewish Day schools in Florida.

READ MORE: UF threatens pro-Palestinian student protesters with suspension, campus ban for 3 years

DeSantis said he thought many protesters were joining a chic cause without understanding history and spouting nonsense.

Its very concerning, some of these elite institutions around the country: Are they just graduating a bunch of imbeciles? he said. I think unfortunately thats the case. Thats why a lot of these people are not going to have job offers. You see even a lot of the big financial institutions, which are very liberal, are now saying were not going to be entertaining this nonsense anymore.

DeSantis also linked the protest groups to Hamas and called attention to a chant frequently repeated at protests across the state and country  From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.

Part of it is people can say what they want, but when youre talking about from the river to the sea, youre essentially saying you want a second Holocaust, that you want to wipe Israel off the map, DeSantis said. Thats what Hamas stands for.

Laila Fakhoury, a UF alumni and part of the UF Divest Coalition, was one of the protesters out Wednesday. She said barricades were set so far away from DeSantis that protesters were not able to hear what he said, but later found out and called it nonsense.

Saying things like that is just like a very classic tactic of trying to conflate the idea of antisemitism with criticizing government, criticizing a military, which is not antisemitic at all, Fakhoury said. Its more than just pro-Palestine or pro-Israel. Its pro-human at the end of the day, and all of us are standing for humanity. So when we say chants like that, from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, its literally exactly what it sounds like: that Palestine will be free within our lifetime, and well continue to keep standing up to advocate for that.

DeSantis also questioned why protesters werent out after Hamas Oct. 7 attack that launched Israels military response.

Im sure the protesters were all very upset at the fact that Hamas went into Israeli communities and baked babies in ovens, raped women, assassinated elderly people in very brutal ways, he said. Im sure they were very upset about that. Oh wait, no, they werent. Thats right. They didnt care about that. They were completely fine with those massacres happening. And they had no concern about that.

He added his views on Gaza, saying the territory was not occupied and that it was a Hamas sanctuary that focused on terrorism instead of more productive pursuits.

Fakhoury said many of the protesters are Jewish and felt the governor ignored parts of history.

Also speaking at the news conference was Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System, who said Florida would continue to take a law and order approach to the protests.

He said some universities have made shameful concessions to protesters, including creating new faculty positions for Palestinians, establishing a cultural center for Middle Eastern studies and waiving charges for those arrested in the protests.

In Florida, there will be no negotiations, Rodrigues said. There will be no appeasement, there will be no amnesty and there will be no divestment under Gov. DeSantis.

Fakhoury, with the protest group, said the demonstrators would not be deterred. The goals of the protests, she said, go beyond how universities respond.

Its not the only thing that matters to us, she said. Were making a statement and a presence just by being out there with our flags and our keffiyehs and showing people that we are not going to be silenced by these lies and the rhetoric that theyve been pushing.

Times Staff Writer Kirby Wilson contributed to this report.

Divya Kumar covers higher education for the Tampa Bay Times, working in partnership with Open Campus.
Kosovo's support for Ukraine is "unconditional," the country's foreign minister said on May 8, despite Kyiv not recognizing its independence.

In an interview with AP, Donika Gervalla-Schwarz said her country is convinced that Russia must lose the war in order to ensure the security of Europe.

"Ukraine hasn't recognized the Republic of Kosovo as a state, but we really believe that we know exactly what Ukraine is going through," she said.

"And we know that there is only one solution, not only for Ukraine but for Europe  it can only be Russia to lose the war and Ukraine to win this war. Otherwise, Europe should prepare for other conflicts in our continent."

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 after suffering war crimes and atrocities at the hands of Serbian forces in the 1990s.

KI Insights

Visit KI Insights to learn more and subscribe to the insider weekly newsletter

visit ki insights

The issue split international opinion  among the Group of 20 (G20) countries, 11 have recognized Kosovo as an independent state, including France, Germany, Turkey, the U.K., and the U.S. Eight have not, including China, India, and Russia.

Several European countries like Spain, Romania, and Cyprus have also not recognized Kosovo's independence, conscious of regions of their own countries with aspirations of independence or autonomy.

Ukraine's reluctance to recognize Kosovo has been linked, among other factors, to doctrinal adherence to territorial integrity, stemming from Kyiv's experience with Moscow's aggression and occupation.

Though Ukraine has yet to recognize Kosovo's independence, a bill on the recognition was presented in the Verkhovna Rada in August 2022 but it has not been approved so far.

"While Kosovo is a small state with very modest possibilities to help, we have tried to be very helpful with Ukraine and have not hesitated to show our unconditional support and sympathy to the people and to the state of Ukraine," Gervalla-Schwarz added.

Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter

News from Ukraine in your inbox

Subscribe

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A broken cocktail glass and a piece of broken taillight were among the new items of evidence introduced in the Karen Read murder trial on Tuesday.

The prosecution said the taillight and other evidence led them directly to Read, a 44-year-old Mansfield woman who is facing charges including second-degree murder in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend John OKeefe.

The defense has argued that Read is a scapegoat for a well-connected group of people.

Going into Day 7 of testimony on Wednesday, the prosecution is expected to start with a new dashcam video of Reads Lexus SUV in OKeefes driveway a couple of hours after his body had been found in the snow in the front yard of 34 Fairview Road in January 2022.

The prosecution has previously said that daylight video shows damage to Reads taillight.

In court Tuesday, the defense continued to question why evidence of the broken taillight wasnt found until days later.

Chief Berkowitz brought my attention to a piece of red glass, Canton Police Lt. Michael Lank testified. A lot of the snow had melted, and a lot of the ground had been revealed.

Lank testified that his then-police chief reported seeing a piece of red taillight outside 34 Fairview Road six days after the scene had been thoroughly searched.

But not missed during the initial search was a broken cocktail glass. Prosecutors said theres surveillance video of OKeefe leaving a bar with a glass in hand.

Lank was also questioned about the home and he testified that he knew the then-homeowner, retired Boston Police Officer Brian Albert. He said he entered the home three separate times shortly after OKeefes body was transported to the hospital.

The defense has long argued that OKeefe was beaten up inside the home and then dragged outside.

Of the area he observed, Lank said everything appeared to be in order.

Alan Jackson questioned, You didnt search the house for evidence of a fight? Thats all Im asking. Lank responded, No, I wouldnt have probable cause to do that.

After court Tuesday, Defense Attorney David Yannetti addressed the testimony about the discovery of the taillight.

The whole scenario about an older man with not great eyesight driving by, I dont think the jury will buy it, Yannetti said.

Photos of items that police used to store and collect evidence at the scene of OKeefes death, including red solo cups, a leaf blower, and a grocery bag, were shown in court on Monday.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
I followed Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel's morning routine for a week. I finally understand the appeal of waking up early.

After failing to replicate the routine of Apple CEO Tim Cook, I was ready to try something new.

I tried following the morning routine of Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel.

I'm starting to see the appeal of waking up early, but 5 a.m. is still unrealistic.

I'm a recent college graduate, and many of the stereotypes about my age group involve partying, excessive drinking, and hanging out with friends. The reality, though, is a bit bleak: Gen Z is lonely, drinking less, and splurging more on their groceries than nights out.

However, after years of watching my favorite content creators share what it's like to "get their lives together" in their late 20s and early 30s, I'm inclined to think Gen Z might be onto something.

Call us overachievers or flat-out boring, but maybe we don't want to wait until we're 30 to build consistent, healthy routines we're happy with  I know I don't.

So, earlier this year, I made it my personal mission to curate an effective morning routine and started researching the special group of humans who seem innately more prepared to start their days than the rest of us: CEOs.

After some mixed results copying Apple CEO Tim Cook's morning routine for a week, I was determined to try something new.

Enter Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel.

Spiegel wakes up at 5 a.m. to check Snap, read his emails, and drink a double espresso before working out or meditating.

Evan Spiegel at the Snap Partner Summit in 2019. Neilson Barnard/Staff/Getty Images for Snap Inc.

Ideally, my morning routine would consist of a workout, breakfast, reading, and ample time for getting dressed and doing my hair and makeup. Luckily, I found that Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel likes the same things as me (minus the hair and makeup).

At 33, Spiegel is one of the youngest billionaires in the world with a net worth of $3.9 billion, per Forbes. He wakes up at 5 a.m. to check his app, read emails, and work out or meditate. Then, he showers, gets ready, and reads the news before having breakfast with his wife, Miranda Kerr, and their children at their mansion in Brentwood, California.

His routine aligns with what I'm looking for, and thanks to my previous experience with Cook's routine  which involved waking up at 4:45 a.m., strength training, and coffee  I knew what it would take to prepare for such an early start to the day.

Here's how it went.

I exceeded my expectations and was wide awake by 5:30 a.m. on Monday.

I took a Snap of the time I woke up: 5:32 a.m. Mykenna Maniece/Business Insider

OK, technically, it was 5:32 a.m., but give a girl some credit.

In 2018, Spiegel said in an interview that appeared in the Entrepreneurship Handbook that he likes to wake up early to give himself some alone time.

"I get up really early, because that's the only time that's 'Evan Time' for me, when people aren't really awake yet. I get a couple hours between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. to do whatever I wanna do," he said.

So, to prepare, I went to bed at 10:30 p.m. and even agreed to sacrifice my side of the bed for the week so I could more easily get to the alarm I share with my boyfriend.

I woke up right on time at 5 a.m. and redownloaded the Snap app since I haven't used it in years (sorry, Evan), but I accidentally "blinked" and woke up again at 5:32 a.m., this time wide awake.

Once I was out of bed, it was time to make coffee and work out.

One of the first things I did after I woke up was make a cup of coffee. Mykenna Maniece/Business Insider

I said a small thank you to the earlier version of me who had picked workout clothes the night before. I got dressed, put in my contacts, and made a cup of coffee.

Snap told BI that Spiegel likes to check the app and his email and drink a double espresso when he wakes up. Then, he'll exercise at the gym for 45 minutes or meditate.

I'm still a "coffee with my creamer" kind of girl, so I sipped my usual cup of coffee and checked my email and the updated Snap interface before scrolling through YouTube for a workout video.

I followed a Chloe Ting video that focused on arms, and afterward, I realized it felt really good to finish a workout so early in the morning.

I was pleasantly surprised by Spiegel's skincare must-have.

Kora Organics turmeric brightening and exfoliating mask. Mykenna Maniece/Business Insider

Then, it was time to shower and try the part of Spiegel's routine I was most excited about: his face wash. Spiegel has been married to Kerr, a model and the founder of Kora Organics, since 2017, and he uses the brand's turmeric brightening and exfoliating mask.

"He doesn't use it as an actual mask; he keeps it in the shower and uses it as an exfoliant," Kerr told New Beauty in 2019.

"What he loves about it is that it has peppermint oil in it, so it's so invigorating. He says he can't be without it because it's his little boost of aromatherapy in the morning! It gives him energy!" she added.

According to Snap, he still uses it, so I wanted to see if it was worth the hype. I bought a 1-ounce tube, which cost $20.

First impressions: Wow, they weren't kidding  the peppermint is strong.

I loved the feel of the exfoliating particles and how smooth my skin felt afterward. The best way to describe the experience was as if the sensation of using mouthwash was on my face, which doesn't sound pleasant, but I found it to be very enjoyable and, yes, "invigorating."

My only issue with Spiegel's routine thus far was that he reportedly allots a mere 15 minutes to get ready after his shower.

I, meanwhile, am more of a "Vogue's Beauty Secrets" six-step skincare routine, try on a bunch of outfits, perform a mini concert while doing my hair, and listen to a podcast while doing my makeup kind of gal. So, 15 minutes? Couldn't be me.

But with ample time to spare after such an early start, I realized I didn't have to rush to complete all those steps immediately; I could sit, have breakfast, and even knock out some chores before going back to hair and makeup.

Waking up so early gave me time to finish my self-care routine, get ahead on chores, and read before work.

My Monday morning desk setup. Mykenna Maniece/Business Insider

I don't know if it was the bright sun shining through my windows or the earlier dose of caffeine, but after I ate my breakfast, I went on a superwoman cleaning spree around my apartment, washing dishes, starting a couple of loads of laundry, and wiping down my glass coffee table.

And I still had time to finish getting ready and read a Wall Street Journal article before clocking into work at 9 a.m.

A 10/10 morning.

On Tuesday, I maintained my momentum and didn't feel rushed at all, even though I had to commute.

I started Tuesday morning with coffee and pilates. Mykenna Maniece/Business Insider

Day two also started strong.

I woke up at 5 a.m. and was out of bed by 5:30 a.m. to get dressed and head to my living room for another workout.

I made myself a cup of coffee and took a picture of the early moments of the sunrise over New York City before doing a Pilates workout and repeating one of the same Chloe Ting arm workouts from Monday. After that, I finished my coffee while watching a vlog before moving on to the rest of my routine.

Thanks to my early start, I had enough time to try on a few outfits, make my lunch, pack my work bag, and toast a bagel for breakfast without rushing, which is simply unheard of in my life.

I was out of my apartment by 8 a.m. and clocked in at 8:45 a.m., feeling incredibly satisfied. My one shortcoming of the morning was forgetting to read, but a win is a win.

On Wednesday, I tried Kriya meditation for the first time. Spiegel has called it "life-changing."

My daily desk setup with my laptop, coffee, water bottle, and notebook. Mykenna Maniece/Business Insider

Wednesday was the first time I struggled to wake up on time. Despite taking my daily Snap at 5:11 a.m., I didn't get out of bed until 5:45 a.m. Given how sore I felt from working out the past two days, I decided Wednesday would be the perfect day to try Spiegel's other morning activity: Kriya meditation.

Spiegel told Vogue Australia in 2022 that his wife got him "hooked on Kriya meditation."

"On a good day, I can get 45 minutes in the morning to meditate, which is life-changing," he added.

In 2020, BI reported on the extensive benefits of meditation including better focus and concentration, reduced stress levels, and improved self-esteem and self-awareness.

On YouTube, I found a video entitled "Isha Kriya: A Guided Meditation For Health And Wellbeing | 15-Minutes" by the channel Sadhguru.

"Daily practice of Isha Kriya will bring health, dynamism, prosperity, and wellbeing. It is a powerful tool to cope with the hectic pace of modern life and empowers people to experience their lives to the fullest potential," the video displayed on the screen.

From my understanding after watching the video, one of the main features of Isha Kriya meditation is the practice of breathing while thinking, "I am not the body," and exhaling with the thought, "I am not even my mind."

I don't know if it's possible to be "bad" at meditating, but that's certainly what it felt like to me  a first-timer and chronic over-thinker.

While trying to focus on the space between my eyebrows and to think only of how "I am not my body," I was instead thinking about all the things I had planned for the day, how I would write about the experience, and how long it'd been since I started.

Although I wouldn't call this initial attempt at meditation successful, I think trying it was useful in helping me identify a weakness that makes it challenging to stay in the present.

I finished the meditation and proceeded with the rest of the routine, arriving at my office in time to grab a coffee and snack and read a bit of a WSJ article.

I started Thursday slow but still made time for a quick workout and breakfast.

I had coffee and a bagel for breakfast. Mykenna Maniece/Business Insider

Unfortunately, I didn't feel well when I woke up, so I pushed off working out until around 7 a.m. I used the Kora Organics again in the shower before getting dressed to work from home. Rather than my usual hair and makeup routine, I skipped both, favoring a bun and a fresh face since I had no intention of leaving my apartment.

I had a bagel and coffee for breakfast and read some of Business Insider's latest stories before clocking in at 9 a.m.

The morning was a much more condensed attempt at Spiegel's routine, but I could truly feel the difference an adjusted sleep schedule makes. All week, I'd been going to sleep by 10:30 p.m. not by sheer force, but because I was naturally feeling tired.

Friday was the least productive day, but Spiegel's definitely onto something with "Evan Time."

Me and my coffee. Mykenna Maniece/Business Insider

On Friday, I wasn't feeling well again, so I got up around 7 a.m. and tried to do a quick five minutes of meditation.

Although this wasn't the routine I aimed for, I could still appreciate the impact of the little shifts I'd made in my mentality. Before this, I would've stayed in bed till 8-8:30 a.m. and just rolled from my bed to my laptop for work at 9 a.m., but with my improved sleep schedule and more disciplined mindset, I was able to get up an hour earlier and take some time for myself before jumping into the demands of the day, which felt like a huge win.

So, while the only Spiegel-related highlight of my morning was the face wash, I was optimistic about my ability to sustain these efforts going forward.

After a week of living like Evan Spiegel, I finally understand the appeal of waking up early.

Evan Spiegel at the 9th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in 2023. Taylor Hill/Contributor/Getty Images

In the weeks since I attempted to copy Spiegel's routine, I've continued using the face wash, sleeping by 10:30 p.m. and waking up by 7 a.m. at the latest, and I'm happy with my progress.

It's a stark contrast to how exhausted I felt after finishing Tim Cook's routine, which surprised me since both men wake up incredibly early.

Looking back, it's easy to see how important timing was in the outcome of both routines. When I completed Cook's routine, daylight-saving time had just started, causing me to lose an hour of sleep; my body never had a chance to adjust properly before being thrown into a completely new routine. By comparison, trying Spiegel's routine in mid-April allowed me to adjust and wake up shortly before sunrise.

Waking up at 5 a.m. is still unnecessary for my lifestyle, but I think the best part of trying a routine like this again has been learning how to be more disciplined. Of course, it would be easy to lay in bed for an extra 15 minutes  and trust me, sometimes I do  but if I know that getting out of bed will make me less rushed and stressed, what's the point in continuing to self-sabotage?

I've by no means mastered my mornings, but I think I've gotten one step closer to figuring out the puzzle, and that's good enough for now.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Western Kentucky is the target another another severe storm thats expected to possibly include damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes and flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

No damage was reported as a strong storm went through Lexington early Wednesday, but the city is under an slight risk of severe weather for the rest of the day. Hazards include heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and hail, but forecasters didnt rule out the chances of a severe storm.

Multiple Western Kentucky counties along with areas in Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee are under a moderate risk for severe weather in the NWS severe weather outlook. The moderate risk zone is the second highest risk zone in the NWS severe weather outlook.

A tornado watch has been issued for Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg counties, according to the NWS. The watch will be in effect until at least 5 p.m. CST.

At 1:15 p.m. CST the tornado watch was extended to include Adair, Allen, Barren, Breckinridge, Butler, Clinton, Cumberland, Daviess, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hancock, Hardin, Hart, Henderson, Larue, Logan, McLean, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe, Ohio, Russell, Simpson, Taylor, Union, Warren and Webster counties. The watch for those counties will be in effect until at least 9 p.m. CST., according to the NWS.

Forecasters in the severe weather outlook said strong thunderstorms appear likely. The main hazards in the storms are tornadoes EF-2 or stronger, significant destructive winds up to 70 miles per hour and very large to giant hail.

The storms could span a period of several hours, beginning in the later morning hours, according to the NWS branch in Paducah. Forecasters said in the area forecast discussion that an approaching cold front later Wednesday afternoon will ignite a significant risk of a severe weather outbreak in the afternoon/evening hours.

Potential impacts from the storms are damage to homes, vehicles, trees, power lines and injuries to those caught outside in a storm, according to the NWS.

An outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes is possible through tonight. All modes of severe weather, including damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes, will be possible. Flash flooding is also likely where thunderstorms train over the same locations. pic.twitter.com/fwRbNy6s0I  NWS Paducah, KY (@NWSPaducah) May 8, 2024

Western Kentucky University announced it was closing all of its campuses at noon CST in preparation for the storms.

On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear encouraged everyone to stay up to date on the latest forecast and have a plan for severe weather.

Im taking this seriously, this is where my family lives, and I hope everyone else will take it seriously too, Beshear said.

Lexington weather forecast; no damage from overnight storms

Virtually all of Kentucky, including Lexington, is under a flood watch through Thursday morning. The NWS said flooding from the excessive rainfall is possible in areas near rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

The northeastern parts of Fayette County received over an inch of rain between 8 a.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to the NWS.

Lexington and areas of northern and eastern Kentucky are in the slight risk zone of the NWS severe weather outlook. Lexington was previously in the enhanced risk zone but the improved forecast lowered Lexingtons chances of experiencing severe weather.

Areas to the northeast of Lexington are under marginal risk for severe weather, which is below slight risk. A slight risk for severe weather, implies organized severe thunderstorms are expected, but usually in low coverage with varying levels of intensity, the NWS said.

At 10 a.m. forecasters said the severe weather risk in the early afternoon for central Kentucky is low and it does not seem likely that the storms coming from the west will intensify.

The main threats from the storm now include locally heavy rainfall, cloud-to-ground lightning and small to marginally severe hail, according to the NWS. Despite the improving forecast, the NWS didnt rule out the possibility of larger hail and stronger storms.

Additional storms in the form of a squall line are expected in the evening. The NWS said all severe hazards are possible with the squall line.

More storms are expected today and tonight. Large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, and flooding are all possible. Stay weather aware! #kywx #inwx pic.twitter.com/SIg4NkB2to  NWS Louisville (@NWSLouisville) May 8, 2024

A strong storm hit Lexington in the early morning hours Wednesday, according to WKYT chief meteorologist Chris Bailey. No damage was reported but the LG&E & KU power outage map showed 21 outages affecting 382 customers Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday night, Bailey reported a possible tornado near Natural Bridge State Park, but the NWS has not confirmed a touchdown. He later posted pictures on social media of trees down in the area.

There previously was an outage in the Versailles Road area near the Blue Grass Airport but power in the area has since been restored. The Blue Grass Airports flight status board shows all flights are running on time.

Pics of the damage from a possible tornado earlier this evening near the Natural Bridge State Resort Park. #kywx pic.twitter.com/C3FFtwxLgm  Chris Bailey (@Kentuckyweather) May 8, 2024

Beshear confirmed there were several downed trees at Natural Bridge State Park but it is still operational. Beshear added no injuries were reported from Tuesdays storms.

Im thankful for our first responders, who helped keep everyone safe, Beshear said in a post on X. Remember to stay weather aware again today as more severe storms are expected.

We have an update from last night's storms. Thankfully, and most importantly, there were no injuries. Natural Bridge State Park did have several downed trees but is still fully operational. I'm thankful for our first responders, who helped keep everyone safe.  Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) May 8, 2024
Former Hereford House worker allegedly urinated in food, rubbed it on genitals: affidavit

A former worker at the Hereford House in Leawood allegedly posted videos online of himself urinating in food and rubbing food items on his genitals, according to court documents released Wednesday afternoon.

The Johnson County district attorney charged 21-year-old Jace Christian Hanson, of Kansas City, with one felony count of unlawfully adulterating or contaminating food at the restaurant, located at 5001 Town Center Drive in Leawoods Town Center Plaza.

According to the affidavit, videos posted online showed a man urinating in restaurant style food bins, pressing his penis and butt against food and using his feet to touch food items.

The titles of the videos included, pissing in the serving sauce again, Pissing on restaurant desert, Love making people taste my sweaty balls and toes, and Spitting on everything in restaurant part 2. There were other videos.

A special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigations contacted the Leawood police saying they had received a tip about a restaurant employee contaminating food by urinating in food or rubbing foot items on his genitals and posting videos online.

The FBI was able to determine that a phone number was associated with Hanson. Due to public health concerns, the FBI pinged the phones location, which revealed it was near Town Center Drive and Roe Avenue. A detective later checked the parking lot of the Hereford House and found a vehicle registered to Hanson.

An attorney representing Hanson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more information.
More than a year after her friends and former roommates were killed in an off-campus house in Idaho, Ashlin Couch said she wished she could have said a proper goodbye.

Couch had lived until May 2022 in the sixth bedroom in an off-campus house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho. Four University of Idaho students were killed in the house months later, in November 2022.

"It crosses my mind more that that could've happened while I was there," Couch said in an interview on "Good Morning America" on Wednesday. "And, you know, you never know, like how long someone is watching your house."

PHOTO: Ashlin Couch, who lived in the house on King Road, in Moscow, Idaho, until May 2022, speaks to ABC News affiliate KXLY. (KXLY)

MORE: University of Idaho murders 1 year later: Where the case stands

Police arrested Bryan Kohberger, a graduate student at Washington State University, in December 2022 and later charged him with first-degree murder and burglary. A judge entered a plea of not guilty for Kohberger in May 2023.

Couch had moved out months after graduating in December 2021, but kept in touch with her former roommates, Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, she said. Both were killed in the house, along with Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, in November 2022.

Couch recalled getting a text from the University of Idaho alerting her to a suspected homicide on King Road. She recalled texting a thread with her former roommates on it, she said, asking if anyone had "heard from Maddie?"

"And I remember, like my last text message to her was like, are you OK?" Couch said. "And, I feel like right then and there, I kind of just knew that something was wrong."

PHOTO: In this Dec. 22, 2022, file photo the crime scene where four University of Idaho students were found dead is seen on King Road in Moscow, Idaho. (Angela Palermo/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, FILE)

The three-story house where she had lived with her friends was demolished in December 2023.

The killings were often on her mind and, more than a year later, she was still having difficulty walking to her car in the dark, she said.

But she also wished she could say a proper goodbye to her friends.

"And that's one thing that I just wish that I could do at least one more time," she said. "Like, you know, just give her one last hug. Just to be able to say goodbye.

ABC News' Emily Shapiro, Sasha Pezenik and Kayna Whitworth contributed to this report.

Idaho college murders: Former King Road roommate recalls learning of killings originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 8. Uzbekistans Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov will pay an official visit to Pakistan on May 89, Trend reports, referring to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

A delegation headed by Uzbekistans Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov will pay an official visit to Pakistan's capital Islamabad, on May 89, Akhror Burkhanov, a spokesman for Uzbekistans Minister of Foreign Affairs, wrote in his Telegram channel.

During the visit, the parties aim to meet with businesspeople and engage in bilateral talks.

Meanwhile, from January through March 2024, Pakistan accounted for the largest volume of horticultural product exports from Uzbekistan. The total volume of horticultural product exports amounted to 79,100 tons worth $57.6 million.

During this period, the total volume of exports from Uzbekistan to Pakistan reached $66.3 million.
U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti is shown after an interview in New Delhi on March 28, 2024. Garcetti said he's working along with India's government to convene events, probably in Mumbai, in the second half of the year aimed at bringing investors to the country. ( Ruhani Kaur / Bloomberg)

A little more than a year after leaving Southern California for New Delhi, former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti returned home for a packed schedule of panels at the Milken Institute Global Conference.

This is Garcetti's second trip back to Los Angeles since he was confirmed to serve as U.S. ambassador to India in March 2023, 20 months after he was first nominated to the post. The former mayor's appointment was dogged by questions about whether he knew, or should have known, about a former top aides alleged sexual harassment of colleagues.

The ambassadorship has given the close Biden ally the opportunity to relaunch his political career thousands of miles from the lingering scandal at L.A. City Hall.

Garcetti was a frequent participant at the luminary-packed annual Beverly Hilton conference while he was mayor, but his focus this year was on India, rather than the City of Angels. He participated in an opening fireside chat Sunday and three panels Tuesday, two of which were livestreamed.

"It's such an incredible convening," Garcetti said of the Milken conference, praising its importance to the city and the heft of its attendees. "I always found it to be such an amazing place to connect L.A. with the world and vice versa. And now I'm a part of that world, connecting with L.A. this time."

Read more: Free from L.A., Eric Garcetti is reinventing himself in India

During a Tuesday morning panel with several business leaders focused on investment in India, Garcetti described the country as "a place where the dynamism of the economy, the youth and the optimism of the population, and the raw opportunities and energy is almost unmatched in the world."

He described himself as a "bridge between the two largest democracies in the world" and said part of his mission as ambassador was to help Americans get to know India as well as Indians know America, "because India and Indians know America and Americans so much better because of decades of immigration, contributions [and] engagement."

The former mayor, who was a powerful booster for Los Angeles while in City Hall, at one point lapsed into a familiar riff about where to go to see the future, except this time, India  and not Los Angeles  was the destination in question.

His second panel on Tuesday, titled "The U.S.-India Relationship: Possibilities and Perspectives from Investors and Indian Business Leaders," was closed to the public. He appeared on a third panel Tuesday afternoon about the future of statecraft and diplomacy alongside ambassadors to the U.S. from Panama and Australia and a State Department official.

During the panel, Garcetti spoke about how he had studied international relations and always thought he would go into human rights, international development or diplomacy work, surprising people when he first ran for Los Angeles City Council in 2001.

While in Los Angeles Garcetti visited his parents, former L.A. Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti and Sukey Garcetti, his sister and brother-in-law and his former foster kids, he said. His wife, Amy Wakeland, and young daughter remained in India because of her school schedule, he said.

The stop in the Los Angeles was part of a five-city trip that included a military event in Honolulu and a talk Monday at Stanford's Hoover Institution. Garcetti also met with Indian American tech leaders in Silicon Valley and Indian students at Stanford. He will also attend a series of White House and State Department meetings in Washington, where he will give a Council on Foreign Relations keynote address, followed by a stop in New York before departing for India on Saturday.

Garcetti said that he and Mayor Karen Bass "talk all the time." He spoke to The Times while driving his mother's Subaru down Wilshire Boulevard toward Getty House, the mayoral residence, to visit with his successor.

"It's funny, I'm driving myself to the house I used to live to meet the mayor," Garcetti said with a hearty laugh. He marveled at the progress on the D Line subway extension along Wilshire, on which he had broken ground as mayor.

His new job is "extraordinary," he said, though he does miss taco trucks and bagels, both of which are hard to come by in India.

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.
WARWICK  The former chief of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority pleaded no contest Wednesday in District Court, Warwick, where he was accused of crashing an SUV into another car in a fast food drive-through lane and fleeing the scene.

District Court Judge J. Terence Houlihan Jr. accepted Scott Avedisian's plea and filed the charge for six months.

That basically means Avedisian can avoid further penalties if he stays out of trouble over the next six months. Houlihan also ordered Avedisian to pay court costs.

SUV parked in RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisians driveway after fender bender in a McDonald's parking lot

No injuries reported in crash

The ruling brought a degree of closure to the legal situation that saddled Avedisian following a three-car crash at a McDonald's on Post Road in Warwick on March 27.

Avedisian was driving a RIPTA-owned SUV when he rear-ended a Mercedes-Benz, pushing the luxury vehicle into a Toyota Camry, according to police.

One of the other drivers, Ariana Andrade, told police that the driver of the SUV, whose eyes were "blood shot red," told the two of them to pull aside. Then, he drove away.

Neither Andrade, nor the other driver, nor a child traveling with Andrade, were injured in the crash.

RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian signs a record Wednesday morning in District Court, Warwick. Avedisian pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failing to stop after a motor-vehicle accident resulting in damage to a vehicle.

Avedisian resigns from RIPTA

Avedisian initially pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failing to stop after a motor vehicle accident resulting in damage.

A short time later, he submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Dan McKee, saying that "recent events" had cast a shadow on his accomplishments at the statewide bus agency.

"I regret that the good work of the employees is being detracted by my actions," Avedisian wrote. "Therefore, I respectfully submit my resignation and ask that the board of directors terminate my contract."

Avedisian, who made $181,796, was a former Warwick Mayor. In 2018, Gov. Gina Raimondo hired the Republican to run RIPTA.

A photo of the notes that judge wrote on the criminal complaint against former RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian after Avedisian pleaded no contest in District Court, Warwick

What is a filing and how is it different than probation?

Defense lawyers say a filing is a more lenient form of punishment than probation or a suspended sentence.

If a defendant is not arrested and abides by the conditions of the filing, during the period of the filing, the case is dismissed. On the other hand, if the conditions are violated, prosecutors can seek to re-sentence the defendant.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Former RIPTA CEO Avedisian's faced a judge. Here's how the case ended.
A possible legal battle over 7 acres of industrial land in southeast Fort Worth hasnt shaken the resolve of city officials or nearby residents committed to repurposing the property for residential use.

Fort Worths zoning commission Wednesday unanimously recommended that city council rezone the industrial park in Village Creek for low-density multifamily residences, a change initiated by city leaders in early February. The commission backed the adjustment with little hesitation when it initially took up the case on Feb. 14.

The land use doesnt seem appropriate, commissioner Jeremy Raines summarized shortly before the vote.

The fenced-in plot of gravel hugging the northern edge of U.S. 287 rubs against a street of single-family homes to the west, a community center to the north, and a nursing home and truck yards to the east. Dallas real estate firm Provident, the propertys owner, plans to build a trucking warehouse on the land, adding to the ever-expanding maze of lots and warehouses sprouting up across southeast Fort Worth. A centuries old cemetery is packed in between fencing separating the contested site from Moorview Avenue.

Residents of Village Creek and nearby neighborhoods have long sounded alarms about the potential dangers of industrialization in communities already reeling from decades of neglect: dirtier air, damaged streets and disappearing green space, to name a few. Council member Jeanette Martinez kickstarted the disputed rezoning at their behest, hoping to reverse or diminish the damage.

Village Creek residents, by now well-versed in expressing their frustrations and fears through years of public meetings, repeated their case to commissioners Wednesday afternoon.

It is too much industrial; it is industrial encroachment, said Patrina Newton, a Village Creek native and former Fort Worth senior planner, armed with a slideshow detailing past code violations on the property, the minutiae city land ordinances and the areas historic underdevelopment.





The developers attorney, Art Anderson, defended his clients track record, describing the improvements and corrections theyd made to the site since acquiring it in 2022. But any land use designation other than industrial was off the table and, he argued, possibly illegal.

If you downzone this property, its going to be a significant diminution in the market value, Anderson said. And if you look at the case law, both Texas and federal, its pretty clear this would be an unconstitutional regulatory taking.

Provident informed city planning staff in March that it planned to build a 54,000 square foot warehouse regardless of the zoning change, a right enshrined in state development codes mandating that all projects be governed in accordance with the regulations that were in effect at the time the applicant gave fair notice to the City of their project and permit sought.

Other state laws may further limit the citys options. Senate Bill 929, passed by the Texas legislature last May, forces municipalities to compensate developers for potential financial losses endured during a zoning change. Anderson suggested his clients might be open selling the land to the city outright if they could hash out favorable terms.

Village Creek residents were unfazed and urged the city to take on the challenge. City Council will decide the cases fate on May 21.

I deal with people, not trucks, said Perry Williams, a retired Fort Worth water department employee who lives a fence-hop away from the site. I am for the change because that is what Fort Worth is about.
Four flight attendants have been charged with smuggling around $8 million (6.4m) in drug money between New Yorks JFK airport and the Dominican Republic.

The international money laundering ring operated by exploiting the flight crews trusted positions and airport security privileges, according to a complaint filed by the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York.

US officials said the investigation had exposed critical vulnerabilities in the airline security industry, and shone a light on the methods employed by drug traffickers.

Charlie Hernandez, 42, Sarah Valerio Pujols, 42, Emmanuel Torres, 34, and Jarol Fabio, 35, were arrested by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York on Tuesday.

They are accused of taking a cut of each shipment they smuggled through airport security checkpoints and onto flights bound for the Dominican Republic.

Prosecutors said the flight attendants, who worked on different international airlines that flew between the two destinations, smuggled approximately $8m in cash from the sale of drugs such as fentanyl over several years.

Code word lotions

They allegedly used the code word lotions to mean drug proceeds and referred to the smuggling rings drug-dealing clients as los tigres.

The flight crew all had a special clearance with the US Transport Security Administration, which permitted them to go through a designated security lane at John F Kennedy International Airport with less scrutiny than normal passengers.

All four flight attendants have been charged with one count each relating to unlicensed money transmission, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

They have also been charged with one count each of violating airport security requirements, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Mr Hernandez, of West New York, in New Jersey, and Ms Pujols, from the Bronx, in New York, were additionally charged with a conspiracy count which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Ms Pujols faces a further charge relating to bulk cash smuggling, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Ivan J Arvelo, the HSI special agent overseeing the case, said: This investigation has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the airline security industry and has illuminated methods that narcotics traffickers are utilising.

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.
Four men detained for tricking Indian men into fighting for Russia against Ukraine

Four people have been arrested in a human trafficking case in India for luring young men to take part in the Russian army's combat operations in Ukraine.

Source: Central Bureau of Investigation of India; Reuters

Details: A March investigation in India has exposed a large human trafficking network operating across the country, targeting gullible young men who were offered lucrative jobs abroad.

The traffickers used social media such as YouTube and local contacts/agents to dupe their compatriots into taking what they thought were high-paying jobs in Russia.

The trafficked Indian citizens then underwent combat training and were sent against their will to the battlefield in Ukraine. The investigation found that some of them were seriously injured.

Indias Central Bureau of Investigation stated that about 35 Indian men were duped in this way.

The suspects detained on 7 May 2024 comprised an interpreter, a person who arranged visas and flights, and two "main recruiters".

Support UP or become our patron!
Emmanuel Macron said infertility was 'causing many couples to suffer' - Christophe Ena/REUTERS

Emmanuel Macron is to offer fertility checks to all 18 to 25-year-olds as part of a grand plan to combat declining birth rates.

The French president first announced his ambition to enact French demographic rearmament at a press conference on Jan 16 as part of a wide array of measures aimed at reviving his stuttering second term.

Frances birth rate fell by seven per cent last year to 1.8 children per woman - its lowest level since the end of the Second World War. However, it still has the highest birth rate in Europe.

Habits are changing, and people are having children later and later, said the centrist president in January.

Infertility, both male and female, has risen sharply in recent years and is causing many couples to suffer.

In an interview with Elle magazine published on Wednesday, the 46-year-old went further by announcing that a fertility check-up would be offered to everyone around the age of 20.

He said people would be reimbursed by state health insurance in order to establish a complete assessment, semen analysis [or] ovarian reserve.

We are going to organise campaigns in favour of oocyte self-preservation for women who want to have children later in life, he said, promising a major research drive into infertility.

The overall aim was to generate a dynamic birth rate, he added.

To reduce waiting times for access to fertility treatment  which are currently around 16 to 24 months  Mr Macron said he intended to open up to private centres oocyte self-preservation, which until now have been reserved for hospitals.

He also promised to improve access to medically assisted procreation.

Every woman should have free access to her body. But one figure stands out for me: the fertility rate is 1.8 and the rate of desire for a child is 2.3, he told the womens magazine.

We mustnt make those who dont want to have children feel guilty, but we mustnt let the poor organisation of our society prevent women and families from having children if they so wish.

Surrogacy opposition

Mr Macron also outlined his future birth leave scheme, which will come into force at the end of 2025. The aim is to pay young parents who stop working or reduce their working hours to look after their offspring.

Three months for mothers, three months for fathers, cumulative during the childs first year and compensated at 50 per cent of salary up to the social security ceiling [1,900], he said.

However, the French president reiterated his opposition to surrogate motherhood as it was not compatible with the dignity of women, it is a form of commodification of their bodies, he argued.

That said, I obviously think that the parents of children born through surrogacy abroad should be respected and supported. They are loving families, he added.

In a video broadcast by Elle, Mr Macron - who has no children, although his wife Brigitte has three from her first marriage - also suggested opening a debate on the introduction of a possible duty to visit for fathers in single-parent families where women are the main carers.

Weve allowed men to exonerate themselves from all parental duties, he said, while pointing out that 90 per cent of youths involved in riots in France last July came from either child welfare or single-parent families.

Mr Macron added: When there is a father, he must exercise all his duties and the mother, when she is in that situation, must be able to demand regular visits.

He said fathers should, for example, take part in parent-teacher meetings and be a stakeholder in the childs education.

The president stressed: Its a duty to be a parent, and its a duty that doesnt end with divorce or separation, and said parents must both exercise their responsibilities.

He added: Even for the child, its better ... a child who never sees his father is a child who feels abandoned and whose emotional and educational development is not the same.

Meanwhile, the French president also insisted that he had no complacency towards actor Gerard Depardieu, who is facing rape charges. He said he had never defended an aggressor against victims.

Mr Macron sparked uproar in December after he defended the actor as innocent until proven guilty and insinuated he was the victim of a manhunt.

Hes an immense actor, a genius of his art, he added. He makes France proud.

Mr Macron told Elle: My priority is and always has been, protecting victims, and that also applies to the Depardieu case.

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.
Rev. Al Sharpton eulogy for Frank Tyson: 'You can give justice to his family.'

Rev. Al Sharpton to give eulogy at Frank Tyson's funeral today Frank E. Tyson, the Canton man who died in police custody last month, will be laid to rest today at Hear the Word Ministries Church today.https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/rev-al-sharpton-to-give-eulogy-at-frank-tysons-funeral Posted by News 5 Cleveland on Wednesday, May 8, 2024

CANTON  The Rev. Al Sharpton brought emotional, spiritual and material support to the family of Frank E. Tyson when he delivered the eulogy Wednesday at the 53-year-old Tyson's funeral.

The civil rights leader said he is going to give the Tyson family a $10,000 check for funeral expenses.

"I hope the family sues the city, gets a zillion dollars, you don't owe me nothing back," Sharpton told those who assembled for the celebration of Tyson's life at Hear The Word Ministries church.

Tyson died April 18 while being arrested by Canton police just weeks after his release from state prison.

Tyson family attorney Bobby DiCello, civil rights attorney Ben Crump and civil rights activists also called for justice during the midday service.

In a funeral that included impassioned vocal and instrumental music, preaching, Scripture readings and personal remembrances, more than 100 people gathered to hear the messages and remember Tyson in the light-filled church on the city's northwest side.

Civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton prays over the family of Frank E. Tyson, who died last month in Canton police custody, during Tyson's funeral service Wednesday at Hear The Word Ministries in Canton.

The Rev. Al Sharpton remembers Frank Tyson during Canton visit

Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, compared Tyson's 24-year sentence for kidnapping and other crimes to the acts of the two officers who arrested him. He said the Canton Township resident served his time for the crime he, his family and their lawyers claim he did not commit.

Williameana O'Neal of Canton breaks down during Wednesday's funeral service for Frank E. Tyson at Hear The Word Ministries in Canton.

"Well, if you made Frank pay for something his family say he didn't do, we come to tell you those two police need to pay for what we know they did," Sharpton said.

According to investigators, Tyson crashed a car into a utility pole, then went to the nearby AMVETS Post 124 on Sherrick Road SE. Law enforcement was called by those inside the private club, who complained about his behavior and wanted Tyson removed.

Police arrested him after a short struggle and placed him face down on the floor with his hands handcuffed behind his back. Tyson said several times: "I can't breathe."

Jacob Blake Sr. of Chicago wipes his tears during an emotional song during the funeral service at Hear The Word Ministries in Canton for Frank E. Tyson, who died in Canton police custody. Blake's son, Jacob Blake Jr. was left paralyzed after being shot seven times by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

One of the officers responded, Shut the (expletive) up."

Less than a minute after the officers handcuffed him, he went silent.

The officers left Tyson on the floor face down for nearly 8 minutes before the officer who handcuffed Tyson realized he couldn't feel a pulse.

Canton and Stark County authorities have not yet announced a cause of death for Tyson. The officers involved in the arrest have been placed on administrative leave while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation investigates.

The national and Stark County NAACP organizations have called on the U.S. Department of Justice to come to Canton to investigate Tyson's death.

NAACP request to the U.S. Department of Justice by Rick Armon on Scribd

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Al Sharpton to Canton: 'Do what is right.'

Sibrena Jones, the fiancee of Frank E. Tyson, is comforted Wednesday during a funeral service at Hear The Word Ministries in Canton.

"The challenge is on this city to do what is right," Sharpton said. "You can't give us Frank back. But you can give justice to his family.

"You don't tell me about Frank's background. You should have checked the cops' background."

He referred to an incident in the city personnel file of Camden Burch, one of two officers involved in Tyson's arrest. Burch was reportedly fired from Target for theft before he became a police officer but apparently failed to disclose that information when applying for a position within the department.

John Tyson, brother of Frank E. Tyson, who died under the custody of Canton police, chants his name during Wednesday's funeral at Hear The Word Ministries in Canton.

"If he got the job under false pretenses, how are you going to let him now tell you the truth about what happened with Frank, when he lied to get a job in the first place?" Sharpton said.

"Tell it, tell it," one woman shouted amid applause that followed Sharpton's question.

He referred to the city's role as the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"If you can't do justice for Frank, you will be the Hall of Shame around this country," Sharpton said. "An unarmed man ... knee on his back. What does that say to everyone in here, that you can do this to others? You see us all as expendable. And we come to tell you that Frank mattered to us, his life had value to us."

Civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton delivers the eulogy for Frank E. Tyson, who died in Canton police custody, during his funeral service at Hear The Word Ministries in Canton on Wednesday.

Sharpton said police had procedures they should have followed. Activists have complained the officers should have tried to de-escalate the situation before arresting Tyson.

"Show me in your procedure manual where you put your knee on a man's back. Show me in the manual where, when he begs for his life, you tell him to shut the F up. Show me in your manual, in your procedures, how you make the man lay there, and after he's limp, wait minutes before they come to help," Sharpton said. "Is your training just a prop, or is your training something enforceable?"

Sharpton said "bad cops" who break the law "need to go to jail."

Also speaking at the service were members of Tyson's family and others affected by police use-of-force.

John Tyson said he always thought of his older brother as his protector. He said his brother told police "I can't breathe" repeatedly. Another brother, Melvin, also spoke and read the poem, "Remember Me."

Tiffany Rachal of Texas brings the crowd to tears during a service for Frank E. Tyson at Hear The Word Ministries in Canton on Wednesday. Her son, Jalen Randle, was shot and killed by a Houston police officer on April 27, 2022.

Tiffany Rachal came from Texas to offer her condolences to the Tyson family. Her son, Jalen Randle, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by Houston police on April 27, 2022.

"God is our strength. He is our solace," she said before giving a vocal performance that brought the audience to tears.

Crump introduced other family members of people who died in police custody. They included Michael Brown Sr., whose son Michael Brown Jr. was fatally shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. Also present was Selwyn Jones, the uncle of George Floyd, who died at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020.

Pallbearers carry the casket of Frank E. Tyson of Canton following a Wednesday service at Hear The Word Ministries in Canton. Tyson died April 18 while being arrested by Canton police.

Angela Rembert, a cousin of Frank E. Tyson remembers him while joined by civil rights attorney Ben Crump and attorney Bobby DiCello at a press conference at St. Paul AME Church in Canton. Tyson died April 18 in police custody.

The funeral service for Frank E. Tyson, who died April 18 while in custody of Canton police, is being held at the Hear The Word Ministries church in Canton.

Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter: @nmolnarTR.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Frank Tyson's celebration of life with Rev. Al Sharpton in Canton
A group of students from the University of Mississippi held a protest against Israels actions in Gaza on Thursday. They also demanded transparency from the university regarding any potential dealings with Israel.

However, the number of students supporting the Palestinian protesters was much less in comparison to the number of counter-protesters, which was in the hundreds. Stacey J. Spiehler filmed a counter-protester making monkey noises toward an unarmed Black protester who was livestreaming the event. The young lady filming the incident stepped outside the barrier and approached a group of male students while still on live.

Lock her up, the group chanted.

Spiehler applauded the Black student for showing empathy while other students attacked her.

Counter-protesters were throwing things. I saw half a chicken parm sandwich on the ground, a carrot, Spiehler told The Guardian. She was brave, holding her own, and had more intelligence and empathy in her little finger than that whole crowd. Whether or not you agree with her, she embodies UM.

A counter-protester jumps up and down and hoots like a monkey toward a protester who was live-streaming on her phone at @OleMiss today.



Chants of lock her up as the Dean of Students (@marsh_brent) and multiple law enforcement agencies regain order. pic.twitter.com/fCU3hTioVL  Stacey J. Spiehler (@StaceyJSpiehler) May 3, 2024

Phi Delta Theta fraternity issued a statement acknowledging the video that showed the actions of one counter-protester during a protest and announced that it had removed that individual from membership.

The racist actions in the video were those of an individual and are antithetical to the values of Phi Delta Theta and the Mississippi Alpha chapter, the national fraternity said in a statement Sunday. The responsible individual was removed from membership on Friday, May 3.

After reviewing the incident, it was determined that the individuals behavior was unacceptable, the fraternity added in an updated statement on Monday. The action in question was offensive, outside the bounds of this discourse and contradictory to our values. In partnership with local alumni, undergraduate leadership and the university, disciplinary due process was initiated, which resulted in the removal of membership.

Pro-Palestinian protests continued on campuses across the nation over the Israeli-Gaza conflict. Approximately an hour after the protest began, police shut it down and safely evacuated pro-Palestinian students as counter-protesters threw water bottles.

Nah, nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye, the largely white male group chanted.

Ole Miss announced its school policy has been updated since this incident, the Independent reported.

Statements were made at the demonstration on our campus Thursday 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, an Ole Miss spokesperson said.

In response, UMiss for Palestine, the student group behind the protest, raised an outcry.

We were confronted by counter-protesters who engaged in blind reactionism that had little to do with the genocide we were protesting as well as our demands, UMiss for Palestine said in a statement on social media.

The University of Mississippis chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People posted an Instagram statement critiquing the counter-protesters.

The behavior witnessed today was not only abhorrent but also entirely unacceptable, the statement read, the Guardian reported. It is deeply disheartening to witness such blatant disregard for the principles of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
French President Emmanuel Macron has clarified comments he made last year about Gerard Depardieu which seemed to suggest his support for the actor in the face of a tide of sexual assault accusations, which the latter has denied.

Speaking in an interview with French womens magazine Elle, published on Wednesday, Macron suggested his comments had been misinterpreted and that he was not complacent about the issues around sexual harassment and abuse.

More from Deadline

I just want a respect for our principles, such as the presumption of innocence. These same principles which will allow justice to rule next October and that is a good thing. he said.

Depardieu is due to be tried in October on charges of sexual assault on two women on a film set in 2021, while accusations of sexual assault and rape by actress Charlotte Arnould are also making their way through the courts.

In the backdrop a number of other women have accused Depardieu of sexual harassment and abuse. The actor has denied all the allegations.

Macron drew criticism last December when he appeared to come out in support of Depardieu. The actor was in the middle of a media storm at the time following the broadcast of an episode of investigative show Complement dEnquete probing multiple sexual assault accusations against the actor and other acts of inappropriate behavior.

Talking on chat show C a Vous, the president suggested Depardieu was the victim of a manhunt, adding he was a great admirer of Depardieu and that the actor had made France proud.

In the same interview, he also publicly dismissed then Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malaks suggestion that Depardieu should be stripped of his Legion of Honor.

I used the expression manhunt in a gender-neutral way, Macron told Elle. I dont like media trials, justice by tweets, and in general. We are in a society which seeks to kill people in a few days, and then forgets them.

Macron said his stance was uncompromising when it came to tackling the issues of rape, domination and what he called this culture of brutality.

My priority has always been the protection of victims, and this is also the case for the Depardieu affair, he said.

Macrons comments and interview comes amid a fresh #MeToo wave in France sparked by actress Judith Godreches decision to speak up about her underage relationship with Benoit Jacquot in the 1980s, when she was 14-years-old and he was 39-years-old.

Godreche, who says she was under his influence and that the relationship was wrong, filed a police complaint against the Farewell, My Queen and Diary of a Chambermaid director in February for rape with constraint. He has denied the accusations.

Her actions and subsequent campaign to end a culture of silence around harassment in the French film business have unleashed a wave of #MeToo allegations from within the cinema world as well as other public and private walks of life.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Berlin's Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, Franziska Giffey speaks at a press conference to present the solar campaign "Solar pays off" at the Futurium. Christoph Soeder/dpa

Further attacks on politicians in Germany have rattled the country and prompted renewed outrage from leaders, after Berlin's former mayor was assaulted in a library on Tuesday afternoon.

Franziska Giffey, the leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) in Berlin who currently serves as the city's economy minister, was treated at hospital for slight injuries after being hit over the head with a heavy bag.

In a separate attack on Tuesday night, a Green Party council candidate was assaulted and spit on by two assailants while putting up campaign posters.

Those assaults are the latest in a string of attacks aimed at politicians across the country in recent days that have prompted outrage and fears about damage to the country's democratic norms.

"After the initial shock, I can say I'm fine," Giffey said on Wednesday.

But in an Instagram post, Giffey said that the string of attacks on politicians cannot be justified.

"We live in a free and democratic country in which everyone is free to express their opinion," Giffey wrote on Wednesday. "And yet there is a clear limit. And that is violence against people who hold a different opinion, for whatever reason, in whatever form."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a German politician from the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), condemned the attacks and demanded decisive action in a speech to her party in Berlin on Wednesday.

"When we talk about threats to our democracy, it's not just about positions and content. It's also about people," the German politician said. "If these people are no longer safe, then our democracy is no longer safe either."

She said that perpetrators must "feel the full force of the law."

"We must protect all those who stand up for our democratic society and our country from attacks - regardless of which party they belong to, whether privately, during election campaigns or in the exercise of their duties, day or night," von der Leyen said.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner also condemned the physical attack on Giffey "in the strongest possible terms" and expressed concern about the recent rash of political street violence in Germany.

"Anyone who attacks politicians is attacking our democracy," Wegner, a member of the CDU, said in a statement on Wednesday morning. "We will not tolerate this. We will oppose all forms of violence, hatred and agitation and protect our democracy."

Wegner announced that the Senate would discuss responses to the Tuesday afternoon assault on Giffey, including potentially tougher penalties for attacks on politicians.

The Green Party politician attacked in Dresden, Yvonne Mosler, was campaigning in the city with a fellow Green candidate, Cornelius Sternkopf, when she was shoved, insulted and threatened by a 34-year-old man, who also tore down two campaign posters.

A second suspect, a 24-year-old woman, joined in on the attack and spat at the politician, according to police in Dresden.

Mosler was accompanied by journalists from German state broadcaster Deutsche Welle and the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung at the time. Police officers confronted both suspects in the immediate vicinity of the attack on Tuesday evening.

On Friday, also in Dresden, a Social Democratic member of the European Parliament named Matthias Ecke was brutally beaten by four assailants while putting up campaign posters.

Four suspects in the attack on Ecke - aged 17 and 18 - have since been arrested.

Berlin police announced on Wednesday that they had identified a suspect in Giffey's assault but did not provide further details or comment on the suspected motive.

Giffey was injured after a man suddenly attacked her "from behind with a bag filled with hard contents and hit her on the head and neck," according to Berlin police and local prosecutors.

The attack occurred at a library in the Rudow district of Berlin. Giffey "briefly went to hospital for outpatient treatment for head and neck pain," police said.

Giffey returned to her work on Wednesday and attended an event to promote renewable solar energy at the Futurium museum in the morning.

In her post on social media, Giffey urged people to stand up to defend non-violent debate and democratic values.

"I hope that we all pay more attention to how we treat each other, that respect and appreciation are given more value again and that we work together to promote dialog, good compromises and the diversity of different perspectives on the world," she said.
Gaps between Israel and Hamas that are blocking Gaza ceasefire

Israel and Hamas have rejected each others proposals for a ceasefire and hostages deal.

Hamas unexpectedly signed a version of the deal on Monday, but it contained amendments to which Israel had previously not agreed.

However, the White House said there were only gaps in two sides positions  and they could be bridged.

An Israeli delegation arrived in Cairo for talks on Wednesday. Here are the key sticking points.

End of war

Hamas has rejected previous drafts of a ceasefire deal as it offered only a limited ceasefire in Gaza, where more than 34,000 Palestinians have died since October.

Israel blocked attempts to add caveats allowing for a lasting truce, as the Israeli leadership insisted that the IDFs operation in Gaza should continue until a total victory over Hamas has been achieved.

As the prospects of such a victory became elusive, Israel last month agreed to a draft deal that would allow a six-week ceasefire, accompanied by a partial withdrawal of its troops. The second stage of the ceasefire then talks about creating conditions for a sustainable calm.

The vague phrasing left room for interpretation and could have potentially allowed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to get it past his hard-Right allies in the government.

But the proposal that Hamas signed on to on Monday described a permanent end to hostilities and the IDFs complete withdrawal from Gaza, to which no one in the Israeli government is prepared to agree.

Palestinians flee Rafah - ANADOLU

Hostage release

Israel has blocked previous ceasefire deals while it demanded that Hamas provide a full list of hostages, some of whom they suspected were already dead.

Hamas insisted it needed a ceasefire in place first in order to locate and identify each hostage. Several Israelis appear to have been abducted by mobs that followed Hamas fighters from Gaza in the chaos of the Oct 7 attack.

Israel most recently agreed to lower the number of vulnerable hostages to be released in the first stage of a ceasefire, from 40 to 33 after Hamas claimed it did not have that many female, underage, elderly or wounded hostages to set free.

Under the proposal approved by Hamas on Monday the dead bodies of some of the women and children could be included in the first hostage release.

Palestinian prisoners

Under the first and only hostage deal that came through in November, Israel released some 150 women and children from Israeli prisons, none of whom were jailed for violent crimes.

The latest proposal put forward by Israel offers a gradual release of more Palestinian prisoners depending on the release of the Israeli hostages.

Israel committed to free 20 prisoners aged over 50 serving short sentences for every vulnerable hostage and 20 prisoners serving life for every female soldier released.

Hamas, however, is seeking higher-profile prisoners including those convicted of terrorism. Hamas demanded that at least 30 of 400 in total would be serving life sentences for terrorism charges.

The deal put forward by the Israelis provided for a veto on the identities of the Palestinian prisoners.

The possibility of a veto was removed by Hamas from the draft it adopted on Monday.

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.
(Bloomberg) -- Last week, a top Chinese diplomat took to the microphones at the United Nations to harangue the US for blocking a resolution that would have backed Palestinians bid for membership, saying it had shattered the decades-long dream of the Palestinian people.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The broadside by Ambassador Fu Cong may have just looked like more anti-US rhetoric. But US officials and experts say it fits into a pattern with greater significance  an increasingly active Chinese effort to turn opinion in developing countries against the US since Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel, using the Gaza war as a wedge.

US officials and experts argue that China is seizing on global outrage over the rising death toll in the Gaza Strip and the dire humanitarian situation as a new tactic in its longtime push to to score points against Washington at the UN and online.

One senior US official, who asked not to be identified discussing the US assessment, said China has used Gaza as a means to try to paint America as a major contributor to global insecurity, while simultaneously promoting itself as a force for peace.

The effort extends to stoking dissent at home. In April, the UK-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue said a network of pro-Chinese Communist Party operators known as Spamouflage was using accounts posing as right-wing Americans and targeting the Gaza war to flame internal US divisions.

The institutes assessment is Chinese and Russian actors are capitalizing on the perceived unpopularity of Western policy towards Gaza, said Melanie Smith, director of research for the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. Their aim is to push the idea of an alternate global power structure with themselves at the helm.

Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have united in challenging the US-led world order, which Beijing says is trying to contain its development. Their no limits relationship has attracted heightened scrutiny since the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine, with the US repeatedly pressuring Beijing to condemn the war.

That conflict has also become a point of tension between Washington and some Global South nations. Countries including Brazil, Indonesia, India and Turkey have rebuffed US efforts to enlist their help to back Ukraine, a position now echoed in their unwillingness to side with Israel in the wake of the Hamas attack.

China also has peppered its state media with messaging on how officials are facilitating countries efforts to break into the Western-led international system. Two such China Daily headlines in March read China a true diplomatic power for Global South and Multipolarization gaining traction across globe.

The National Security Council declined to comment. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, criticized the US for talking about a ceasefire while pouring weapons into the biggest humanitarian tragedy in the 21st century, in an emailed statement.

In a report last October, the Atlantic Council argued there was clear evidence that Beijings tireless efforts to portray itself as a defender of the Global South were paying off. It cited support at the UN to defend its human rights record and a growing influence in the Middle East, as well as China becoming a major source of emergency funds for Argentina.

In the battle for global influence, Washington has also stepped up efforts to woo Global South nations. US diplomats have fanned out across the globe to argue that smaller and poorer nations should be wary of Chinese support. President Joe Biden has also been vocal in criticizing Chinas alleged human rights abuses in its far western Xinjiang region, accusations that Beijing denies.

When it comes to the Middle East, US officials argue that while China and Russia may criticize Washington for its role, they do so from the sidelines, without providing an alternative vision.

Lets be honest  for all the fiery rhetoric, we all know that Russia and China are not doing anything diplomatically to advance a lasting peace, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council in March.

While China has gradually swayed some nations to its side, others are pushing away. Nations such as the Philippines, for example, may agree with Beijing on Gaza, but theyre eager to stay committed to the US in areas of security and investment.

Essentially, both superpowers are portraying the other as responsible for global destabilization, according to Lily McElwee, deputy director of the China studies program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

China in a way is at the advantage here, narratively speaking, she added, Because it can go to these countries in the Global South and say: We are not fueling the fire.

--With assistance from Iain Marlow, Norman Harsono and Alberto Nardelli.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said that a further escalation of the war in Gaza must be prevented.

Pistorius said he agreed with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, whom he held talks with in New York earlier on Wednesday, that everything must be done to alleviate the misery of Palestinian civilians.

"At the same time, I also know that the Israeli dilemma is great: to do what is necessary and what they have a right to do, and at the same time not to allow the suffering of the civilian population to become excessive," Pistorius said at the UN headquarters.

Pistorius said "diplomacy and open dialogue" were critical.

Following the advance of Israeli units in eastern Rafah on Tuesday night, it was feared that a major ground offensive against Hamas militants could soon be under way in the southern Gaza city, where more than 1 million internally displaced Palestinians are living.

The Israeli military had called on residents of the eastern part of Rafah to leave the area on Monday. Israel's critics and allies worry an all-out offensive there could have devastating consequences.

On his North American trip, Pistorius was scheduled meet his US counterpart Lloyd Austin in Washington on Thursday and Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair in Ottawa on Friday.

German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius speaks to journalists after a visit to the United Nations (UN). Britta Pedersen/dpa
Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the World Climate Action Summit during the U.N.'s COP28 in Dubai

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the World Climate Action Summit during the U.N.'s COP28 in Dubai

By Emily Rose and Alexander Cornwell

JERUSALEM/DUBAI (Reuters) - The war in Gaza has cooled Israeli business activity with the United Arab Emirates, with the once-celebrated relationship now conducted away from public scrutiny amid anger in the Arab world over the conflict.

The UAE became the most prominent Arab state in 30 years to establish formal ties with Israel under a U.S.-brokered agreement in 2020, dubbed the Abraham Accords. It has maintained the relationship throughout Israel's more than six-month war in Gaza.

In the wake of the accords, Israeli entrepreneurs began flocking to the Gulf state on direct flights from Tel Aviv, establishing new business ties and expanding existing relationships that were once kept a secret. Deals announced before the war included investments in cyber security, fintech, energy and agri-tech.

Ten Israeli officials, executives and entrepreneurs told Reuters that business ties with the influential Gulf state remain intact but, in a sign of how the conflict has dented enthusiasm, they declined to discuss any recent deals.

"It's still happening. It's happening less; it's less in your face," said Raphael Nagel, a German Jewish entrepreneur living in the UAE who heads a private business group that promotes business ties between Israel and the Gulf Arab state.

Six bankers and lawyers in the UAE also said that business ties between Israeli and Emirati companies have endured the war but that few new deals were happening.

The UAE government was wary about promoting relations with Israel, they said. In Israel, meanwhile, many businesses have had staff called up for military service, impacting operations.

A UAE official did not directly respond to Reuters' questions about how the economic relationship with Israel had been affected by the war. The official said, however, the UAE's diplomatic and political dialogue with Israel had facilitated humanitarian efforts to assist the people of Gaza.

The UAE is the only Arab state still hosting an Israeli ambassador. Tel Aviv recalled its diplomats from other Arab states it has ties with following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that prompted its invasion of Gaza.

Israel's foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

After establishing formal diplomatic ties in 2020, Israel and the UAE rapidly built a close economic partnership, unlike the decades-long peace deals with Egypt and Jordan that have failed to establish significant business relations. A trade deal was signed in 2022.

Last year, trade grew 17% to reach $2.95 billion, according to data from the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Despite cooling in the wake of the war, trade remained 7% higher year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024, the bureau said.

But Israeli tourists, who became frequent visitors to the UAE, now no longer fill Dubai's hotels, restaurants and bars - although Israelis and Jews say they continue to feel safe in the country.

Unlike other Arab countries, in the UAE there have been no public demonstrations in support of the Palestinians or against Israel. However, symbols associated with Palestinian nationalism, like the black-and-white keffiyeh headdress, can be seen worn by people on the streets of Dubai.

"Things have become more discreet and October 7 does have quite a lot to do with it," said Bruce Gurfein, an American Jew and entrepreneur who first moved to the UAE in the late 1990s.

Hamas militants killed more than 1,000 Israelis and took more than 250 hostage in a cross-border attack on Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7. In response, Israel launched an invasion of the Gaza Strip - with the aim of destroying Hamas and releasing the hostages - that has killed more than 34,000 people, according to Palestinian officials.

International efforts to mediate a ceasefire are ongoing.

'CHILLING' EFFECT

Several Israelis who were already doing business in the UAE before the war said their personal and commercial relationships with Emiratis and other Arabs in the UAE remain unaffected. But they also say that there is a demand, on both sides, not to disclose business ties publicly.

"I think chilling is a fair word," said Elie Wurtman, co-founder of Israeli venture capital firm PICO Venture Partners. "But, on the other hand, ... it's business as usual."

Wurtman believes close ties forged in the immediate period after normalisation have helped sustain the business relationship with the UAE, a sentiment echoed by the Israeli officials and other executives that Reuters spoke to.

An Israeli executive at UAE-IL Zone, a non-government Israeli-based platform that aims to develop UAE-Israel business links, said Emirati officials had assured them that investments into Israel would not be stopped over the war but have asked the Israelis to refrain from making any announcements of deals.

The executive asked not to be identified because they weren't authorized to speak to the media. The UAE official did not comment.

Michael Mirilashvili, the CEO of Watergen, an Israeli company that developed machines that can produce drinking water from the air, signed a three-way water research partnership deal in June 2021 with Abu Dhabi firm Baynunah and Tel Aviv University to advance research in water technology.

Mirilashvili said the partnership with Emirati counterparts remains warm and he hasn't noticed a difference in relations since October 7.

"We continue to work together," he said. "We are having very strong bonds with the people that we work with over there."

Tel Aviv University and Baynunah did not respond to a request for comment.

Robert Mogielnicki, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, said the war in Gaza was a "big disincentive" for the UAE to undertake major new economic initiatives.

He noted that there was growing anger and concern over the war among UAE citizens, a minority of about 1 million people in the Gulf state whose population totals around 10 million.

Abu Dhabi state oil company Adnoc and BP put on hold plans to take a $2 billion stake in Israeli gas producer NewMed, the Israeli company said in March, citing regional uncertainty.

Four sources familiar with Adnoc's position said the war in Gaza had influenced the decision to suspend negotiations, citing the optics of moving forward with such a big deal.

Didier Toubia, chief executive of alternative meat start up Aleph Farms, which received investment from an Abu Dhabi state fund during a 2021 financing round, told Reuters that there were now more sensitivities around Israeli companies doing business with Emirati firms.

He predicted that there would be an acceleration in business activity once the war ends.

FRUSTRATION AT NETANYAHU

UAE officials have maintained that forging ties with Israel was a strategic decision that they did not intend to reverse. Some of them, however, have in private expressed frustration at Israel over its prosecution of the war and the high civilian death toll.

Israel has strongly denied deliberately targeting civilians.

The war has fractured the UAE's relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

They said that the UAE now rarely speaks directly with Netanyahu and that President Isaac Herzog was a key interlocutor in the Israel-UAE relationship.

The UAE had increasing engaged with former prime ministers Yair Lapid and Nafatali Bennet since as Emirati frustrations at Netanyahu grew, the sources said.

Netanyahu's office did not comment. Herzog's office, as well as spokespeople for Lapid and Bennet, declined to comment.

The UAE official did not respond directly to questions about the relationship with Netanyahu's government, but called for intensified efforts to achieve a "a comprehensive and just peace" based on the two-state solution.

Israeli opposition leader Lapid met with foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on May 2.

(This story has been refiled to add dropped words in paragraph 37)

(Reporting by Emily Rose and Alexander Cornwell; Additional reporting by Maha El Dahan; Editing by Daniel Flynn)
The Georgia state court of appeals on Wednesday said it would consider an appeal from Donald Trump of an order allowing Fani Willis, the district attorney, to continue prosecuting his election interference case in Fulton county.

In a one-page order, the appeals court said it would allow Trump to challenge the decision not to disqualify Willis over her relationship with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor she hired to lead the Trump case. Scott McAfee, the trial judge overseeing the case, ruled in March that Willis could stay on the case as long as Wade resigned. Wade subsequently resigned the same day McAfee issued his decision.

Related: Fani Willis: Train is coming for Trump despite efforts to derail Georgia case

Trump now has 10 days to file a notice of appeal, the court said. His legal team had asked the court of appeals to consider the case in March and clarify the standard for when a prosecutor should be disqualified.

President Trump looks forward to presenting interlocutory arguments to the Georgia court of appeals as to why the case should be dismissed and Fulton county DA Willis should be disqualified for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution, Steve Sadow, Trumps attorney, said in a statement.

The decision to hear the appeal is a significant win for Trump. It decreases the chances that the case will go to trial before the November election and allows Trump and his lawyers to continue to undermine Williss credibility and keep questions about her judgment in the public eye. McAfee has already excoriated Willis for her conduct, saying she had a tremendous lapse in judgment.

Trumps attorneys may petition the court to stay the trial pending the outcome of their appeal. Otherwise, the appeal will not immediately impede the prosecution as McAfee takes up pending motions. But if the appeals court decides that Willis must be removed, it would reset the years-long case back to square one while a new prosecutor can be appointed to oversee the case.

Last month, prosecutors urged the appeals court not to hear the appeal. The present application merely reflects the applicants dissatisfaction with the trial courts proper application of well-established law to the facts, prosecutors wrote in a 19-page filing.

Trump and more than a dozen of his allies were charged last year with racketeering over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump and his co-defendants tried to dismiss the case by alleging that Williss relationship, and statements she made at a Black church in Atlanta suggesting criticism of her was racist, meant she should be recused from the case.

Wade defended his relationship with Willis in an interview with ABC News last weekend. Workplace romances are as American as apple pie, Wade said. It happens to everyone. But it happened to the two of us.

I regret that that private matter became the focal point of this very important prosecution, Wade added. This is a very important case.

The order comes one day after Judge Aileen Cannon indefinitely delayed Trumps trial in Florida for charges that he retained classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago club.
The Georgia Court of Appeals has agreed to reconsider a lower courts decision allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on the case prosecuting Donald Trumps alleged interference in the 2020 election in Georgia.

In a win for Trump and eight other co-defendants, the decision will postpone the trial there  potentially past the November presidential election.

Trump lawyer Steve Sadow celebrated the news on social media Wednesday morning.

The GA Court of Appeals has GRANTED President Trumps Application for Interlocutory Appeal from the trial courts order refusing to disqualify Fulton County DA Fani Willis!!! he wrote on X, formerly called Twitter.

The judge overseeing the case, Scott McAfee, ruled in March that Willis could continue her work on the case despite having had a personal relationship with Nathan Wade, one of the prosecutors shed assigned to it.

Sadow had argued that Willis and Wades relationship created a conflict of interest, setting up weeks of legal drama and delays as intimate details of their romance were aired in court.

But McAfee found otherwise, writing in his ruling that the evidence demonstrated that the financial gain flowing from her relationship with Wade was not a motivating factor on the part of the District Attorney to indict and prosecute this case.

As a condition of McAfees decision, however, Wade resigned from the case.

Trump appealed the ruling in late March, with Sadow arguing that not only should Willis have been disqualified, but the case itself should also be dismissed.

Despite Willis arguments to the contrary, the conservative-leaning appeals court today decided to consider the matter.

Wednesdays decision is the second such delay secured by Trump in two days. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump nominee overseeing his classified documents case in Florida, announced that shes postponing the trial indefinitely. Trump faces 40 felonies there related to his handling of classified materials.

Related...
Donald Trump just got some good news on another legal front.

A Georgia appeals court has agreed to review the decision to keep Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on the RICO prosecution against Trump in his Georgia election interference case. That criminal trial charges Trump and more than a dozen of his associates with trying to steal Georgias 2020 election from the candidate that actually won the majority of votes, Joe Biden. Now, with Tuesdays decision from the appeals court, its not clear when the case will actually go to trial.

This is a huge win for Trump, who had appealed a lower court ruling to allow Willis to continue overseeing the case. The appeal courts order says Trump can file a notice of appeal within the next 10 days.

Willis was allowed to remain on the Georgia RICO case after she was accused of hiring special prosecutor Nathan Wadea man she had a relationship with and who billed her office (and taxpayers) more than $728,000 in legal feesfor personal financial gain. The couple was also accused of taking several international vacations together that were allegedly partially bankrolled by public funds. However, after weeks of intense questioning, a Georgia judge ruled in March that Willis would be allowed to continue prosecuting Trump so long as Wade took the fall.

In a letter submitted to the District Attorneys Office filing, Wade wrote that his leave, effective immediately, was in the interest of democracy and to move the case forward as quickly as possible.

That expediency may have been for naught, however. Deliberating Trumps appeal is expected to push back the election interference trial significantly, with some attorneys predicting it could easily push past November.

Trump & his allies will always find something, anything to delay their day in Court, wrote former Justice Department official Anthony Coley. Bottom line: This November, the people will decide if Trump will ever face accountability for trying to overturn the will of voters.
By Andrew Goudsward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Donald Trump notched another win in his campaign to slow the criminal cases against him on Wednesday, when a Georgia appeals court agreed to hear his bid to disqualify the district attorney prosecuting him for trying to overturn his election loss in the state.

The ruling prolongs the legal battle over a former romance between Fani Willis, Fulton County's district attorney, and a onetime top deputy, a relationship defense lawyers have used to try to derail the case.

The court's decision to hear the appeal before trial means further delay in the case, one of four criminal prosecutions facing the Republican former president as he seeks to unseat Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election.

"The practical significance is we're not going to have a trial in Georgia prior to the election," said Amy Lee Copeland, a former federal prosecutor in the state.

The decision came a day after a federal judge in Florida nominated to the bench by Trump indefinitely postponed the start of his trial on charges of mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House.

A federal case related to Trump's attempts to subvert the 2020 election has also been stalled while the U.S. Supreme Court weighs Trump's assertion that former presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts taken while in office.

Taken together, recent developments have made it far more likely that Trump's ongoing trial in New York related to hush money payments to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election is the only case that will reach a jury before voters cast their ballots.

"This shouldnt be a huge surprise," Bob Driscoll, a Washington-based defense lawyer who has represented people close to Trump, told Reuters. "The cases are all factually complex, legally novel, or both."

If Trump wins the presidency, he can potentially order the Justice Department to drop the two federal cases against him once he takes office in January 2025. He does not have that option for the New York or Georgia cases, but legal experts say state prosecutors likely would not move forward while he is president.

An April Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 60% of registered voters thought it was important that Trump's criminal trials take place before the election. A similar number of registered voters, including one in four Republicans, said they would not vote for Trump if a jury convicted of him of a felony.

CHALLENGE TO WILLIS

Trump and eight of his 14 co-defendants charged in the Georgia case have urged the appeals court to overturn a state judges March ruling allowing Willis to continue supervising the prosecution.

Trump has pleaded not guilty and accused prosecutors of a politically motivated effort to damage his campaign.

"The case should be dismissed and Fulton County DA Willis should be disqualified for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution," Steve Sadow, Trump's lead lawyer on the Georgia case, said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Willis' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

The appeal must be resolved before the case can move to trial.

The exact timeline is uncertain, but it will likely take at least a few months for lawyers to file legal briefs and schedule arguments. The case could be assigned to the court's April term, which would require a ruling by Nov. 1, four days before the election.

Trump and the eight co-defendants moved to disqualify Willis after revealing that she was romantically involved with Nathan Wade, an outside lawyer she hired to help lead the investigation. Wade booked several vacations with Willis while he was being paid by her office, an arrangement the defense argued posed a conflict of interest.

Trumps lawyer has also argued that Willis improperly suggested the defendants and their lawyers had racial motivations. Both Willis and Wade are Black.

Willis and Wade have acknowledged having a relationship, but said it began after Wade was hired to work on the case. Willis' office has denied allegations of misconduct and said the relationship had no impact on the case.

Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee ruled the relationship did not pose a conflict of interest but said it created an appearance of wrongdoing. McAfee said Willis office could remain on the case if Wade stepped aside, which he agreed to do.

McAfee later gave permission for Trump and his co-defendants to appeal his ruling before trial.

Trump and the 14 co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to racketeering and other charges stemming from what prosecutors allege was a scheme to overturn Trump's narrow defeat in Georgia in the 2020 election. Four others who had been co-defendants in the case have pleaded guilty in deals with the prosecutors.

A trial date has not yet been set.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Scott Malone, Lisa Shumaker, Jonathan Oatis and Bill Berkrot)
Georgia appeals court to look at ruling that allowed DA Fani Willis to stay on election case

A Georgia appeals court agreed on Wednesday to take a look at the ruling that allowed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to stay on the election interference case.

Former President Donald Trump and other co-defendants filed a motion to remove Willis from the case over her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade.

Willis and Wade acknowledged the relationship, which they said ended last summer, but they have argued it does not create any sort of conflict and has no bearing on the case.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Willis would be allowed to stay on the case if Wade stepped aside. Wade resigned the same day as the ruling.

Trump and his attorneys later submitted an appeal arguing the indictment should have been dismissed, and that Willis and her team should have been disqualified from the case. The appeals court will now hear the case.

Attorney Steve Sadow, who represents Trump in his Fulton County case, released the following statement to Channel 2 Action News.

President Trump looks forward to presenting interlocutory arguments to the Georgia Court of Appeals as to why the case should be dismissed and Fulton County DA Willis should be disqualified for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution.

RELATED STORIES:
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis would take the stand as a witness during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on Feb. 15 in Atlanta. Photo: Alyssa Pointer-Pool/Getty Images

The Georgia Court of Appeals agreed on Wednesday to hear a request filed by former President Donald Trump and eight co-defendants seeking the removal of the Fulton County district attorney from the 2020 election interference case.

The appeals court ruling means that District Attorney Fani Willis will renew a court battle with defense attorneys over whether Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee erred by rejecting a motion to disqualify Willis from the case after she admitted to a romantic involvement with a special prosecutor she hired.

An appellate panel of three judges ruled on the defenses motion within the 45-day window the law allows since the appeal was filed on March 29.

The appeal courts decision further diminishes the chances of the Fulton County District Attorneys office successfully convening a trial this year to consider racketeering charges against the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee and his allies, who are accused of illegally conspiring to overturn the 2020 election in former President Donald Trumps favor.

Trumps attorney Steve Sadow and other defense lawyers have argued that McAfee should not have allowed special prosecutor Nathan Wade to resign on March 15 while allowing Willis to remain on the case, alleging her hiring of Wade and then taking vacations to Aruba and other places with him amounted to prosecutorial misconduct.

McAfee wrote in his March 15 court order that there is a need to address a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team, referring to Willis and Wade. The two admitted to having become romantically involved several months after Willis hired Wade as special prosecutor in November 2021.

McAfee ruled that the Trump co-defendants failed to sufficiently prove there was conflict of interest related to a relationship that saw Wade get paid about $700,000 by Fulton County before stepping down last month.

The appeal came from Trump and co-defendants including former Trump campaign officer Michael Roman, former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and ex-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

Willis filed a motion on April 8 arguing that McAfee correctly found she had no conflict of interest. Willis also wrote that the testimony given during her disqualification hearing did not reveal a deliberate attempt prejudice the defendants or secure their convictions prior to the trial.

DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis would take the stand as a witness during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on Feb. 15 in Atlanta. (Photo by Alyssa Pointer-Pool | Getty Images).

The Georgia Court of Appeals agreed on Wednesday to hear a request filed by former President Donald Trump and eight co-defendants seeking the removal of the Fulton County district attorney from the 2020 election interference case.

The appeals court ruling means that District Attorney Fani Willis will renew a court battle with defense attorneys over whether Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee erred by rejecting a motion to disqualify Willis from the case after she admitted to a romantic involvement with a special prosecutor she hired.

An appellate panel of three judges ruled on the defenses motion within the 45-day window the law allows since the appeal was filed on March 29.

The appeal courts decision further diminishes the chances of the Fulton County District Attorneys office successfully convening a trial this year to consider racketeering charges against the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee and his allies, who are accused of illegally conspiring to overturn the 2020 election in former President Donald Trumps favor.

Trumps attorney Steve Sadow and other defense lawyers have argued that McAfee should not have allowed special prosecutor Nathan Wade to resign on March 15 while allowing Willis to remain on the case, alleging her hiring of Wade and then taking vacations to Aruba and other places with him amounted to prosecutorial misconduct.

McAfee wrote in his March 15 court order that there is a need to address a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team, referring to Willis and Wade. The two admitted to having become romantically involved several months after Wills hired Wade as special prosecutor in November 2021.

McAfee ruled that the Trump co-defendants failed to sufficiently prove there was conflict of interest related to a relationship that saw Wade get paid about $700,000 by Fulton County before stepping down last month.

The appeal came from Trump and co-defendants including former Trump campaign officer Michael Roman, former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and ex-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

Willis filed a motion on April 8 arguing that McAfee correctly found she had no conflict of interest. Willis also wrote that the testimony given during her disqualification hearing did not reveal a deliberate attempt prejudice the defendants or secure their convictions prior to the trial.

This story was originally produced by the Georgia Recorder which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

The post Georgia appeals court to review decision allowing DA Willis to prosecute Trump case appeared first on Daily Montanan.
A Georgia appeals court agreed Wednesday to review a lower courts decision not to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) from prosecuting former President Trump in his election interference case in the state.

Revelations that Willis was in a romantic relationship with one of Trumps top prosecutors caused a multimonth detour in the case, including a series of whirlwind hearings that culminated in the district attorney being allowed to remain.

On Wednesday, the Georgia Court of Appeals granted the request from Trump and several allies charged alongside him to take up their appeal now, before the case heads to trial. The district attorneys office had opposed the move.

Upon consideration of the Application for Interlocutory Appeal, it is ordered that it be hereby GRANTED, read the one-page ruling from the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Willis was allowed to continue prosecuting the case after Judge Scott McAfee, who is overseeing the case in the Superior Court of Fulton County, ruled she could stay if her lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade  with whom she had the romantic relationship  resigned.

McAfee has not yet set a trial date, and the higher courts decision to hear the appeal is likely to cause further delays. McAfee has signaled he plans to continue addressing various pending motions in the meantime, though the defendants could attempt to pause the trial.

After days of dramatic hearings, where both Willis and Wade testified, McAfee only found evidence of an apparent conflict of interest, not an actual conflict of interest.

Willis and Wade said they met in 2019 at a judicial conference but began dating in early 2022  after Wade had been designated a special prosecutor in the historic case. However, during the blockbuster hearings, two witnesses testified that their romance started in 2019. The prosecutors contended that a mentor-like relationship was established after the conference, not a romantic one.

Trump and his co-defendants contended that McAfees factual findings made clear the romance amounted to more than just an apparent conflict of interest.

If this law means anything, the trial courts actual findings here establish an actual conflict, their application for an appeal read.

Steve Sadow, who represents Trump in the case, welcomed the development.

President Trump looks forward to presenting interlocutory arguments to the Georgia Court of Appeals as to why the case should be dismissed and Fulton County DA Willis should be disqualified for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution, Trump attorney Steve Sadow said in a statement.

The disqualification effort was first mounted by 2020 Trump campaign operative Michael Roman, a defendant in the case. Others, including Trump, rapidly joined his efforts, causing the case to take a weeks-long detour.

Willis charged Trump and more than a dozen of his allies last summer with attempting to subvert the states 2020 presidential election results, accusing them of entering an unlawful conspiracy to overturn President Bidens victory in the state.

Trump pleaded not guilty.

Updated at 10:15 a.m. EDT

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Georgia appeals court has granted Donald Trumps request for an appeal challenging the ruling that Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis can stay on the states election interference case against the former president and his allies.

After weeks of contentious hearings centred around the district attorneys romantic relationship with a fellow prosecutor, Judge Scott McAfee decided in March that Ms Willis could remain on the sprawling Rico case.

The former president and eight of his co-defendants then filed for permission to appeal against the decision, calling the courts refusal to disqualify her a plain legal error.

On Wednesday, the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia agreed to review the lower court ruling.

Mr Trump and his co-defendants had sought to oust the DA from the case following allegations of misconduct over her relationship with Nathan Wade, the prosecutor she had hired to lead the case.

Over the course of several days worth of hearings, the court heard about the romantic relationship between Ms Willis and Mr Wade.

Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case on 1 March 2024 in Atlanta (AP)

Ultimately, Judge McAfee ruled that Ms Willis could stay on the case so long as Mr Wade withdrew from it in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Mr Wade stepped down from the case hours after the decision.

The defendants failed to meet their burden in proving a conflict of interest that would necessitate Ms Williss disqualification, the judge ruled.

In his decision, the judge noted: This finding is by no means an indication that the court condones this tremendous lapse in judgement or the unprofessional manner of the district attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing.

Its unclear how an appeal would affect the timing of the Georgia election interference case or whether it could go to trial before the 2024 presidential election.

Mr Trump was charged alongside former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, former chief of staff Mark Meadows, and several other prominent allies. Four former Trump loyalists, including Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell, have pleaded guilty in the case so far.

Mr Trump is facing 10 charges in the states case after a judge slashed three from the indictment in March.
An appeals court in Georgia has agreed to take up former President Donald Trump's appeal of the Fani Willis disqualification ruling that ultimately allowed her to remain on the Georgia election interference case -- a move that could significantly delay the case against the former president.

The Georgia Court of Appeals, in a one-page order, said they would grant the request to review the ruling from Judge Scott McAfee.

Trump and his codefendants now have 10 days to file the appeal.

MORE: DA Fani Willis allowed to stay on Georgia election case after lead prosecutor resigns

In a statement, Trump attorney Steve Sadow said, "President Trump looks forward to presenting interlocutory arguments to the Georgia Court of Appeals as to why the case should be dismissed and Fulton County DA Willis should be disqualified for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution."

The Fulton County DA's office declined to comment to ABC News.

In March, Judge McAfee declined to disqualify Willis, the Fulton County DA, based on allegations that she and prosecutor Nathan Wade conspired to bring the election interference case to enrich themselves with public money.

An attorney for Mike Roman, who first filed the disqualification motion in January, said in a statement to ABC News that they are "very pleased" with the decision and "feel confident" Willis will be disqualified.

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump arrives for an election-night watch party at Mar-a-Lago, March 5, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Win Mcnamee/Getty Images)

"We are very pleased that the Georgia Court of Appeals agreed that this was an issue of such great importance that it required to be heard prior to any trial in this case," Ashleigh Merchant, Roman's attorney, said in the statement. "We feel confident that, when it reviews the clear evidence of conflict in this case, the Court of Appeals will agree with us and disqualify Ms. Willis and her entire office from further prosecution of this matter and require that a neutral prosecutor be appointed to review whether these charges are even appropriate."

Legal experts tell ABC News that while the appeals court's ruling does not automatically pause the interference case, it is very possible the case will be significantly delayed, further reducing the likelihood that there will be a trial in Georgia before the presidential election.

Once the appeal is docketed, said an order from the court on the disqualification issue can take up to six months, experts said. Judge McAfee had vowed to keep the case going during this time, but Trump and his codefendants can now ask for a stay while the appeal works its way through the system.

ABC News contributor and legal expert Chris Timmons said he doubts the case will move forward in the meantime.

"I doubt McAfee is going to try this case while the appeal is pending," Timmons said. "It wouldn't make any sense to try a case when you have the issue of who the prosecutor is going to be."

Trump and 18 others pleaded not guilty last August to all charges in a sweeping racketeering indictment for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia. Four defendants subsequently took plea deals in exchange for agreeing to testify against other defendants.

The former president has blasted the district attorney's investigation as being politically motivated.

Georgia court to take up Trump's appeal of Willis disqualification ruling, possibly delaying election case originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A defendant in the trial of the jewel theft from the Green Vault is led into the hearing room at the Regional Court as the trial continues. A man accused of aiding in the spectacular theft of royal jewels from the historic Green Vault in the eastern German city of Dresden was acquitted on 08 May following a trial. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa-Pool/dpa

A man accused of aiding in the spectacular theft of royal jewels from the historic Green Vault in the eastern German city of Dresden was acquitted on Wednesday following a trial.

The burglary on November 25, 2019 is considered one of the most spectacular art thefts in Germany. The perpetrators stole 21 pieces of diamond and brilliant-cut diamond jewellery from the Green Vault (Grunes Gewolbe), which houses Europe's largest treasure collection.

The thieves also caused more than 1 million ($1.1 million) in damage during the break-in of the museum located in Dresden Castle.

The 24-year-old man acquitted on Wednesday has ties to the Remmo organized crime family in Berlin and is the brother of another suspect in the burglary who has already been convicted.

He was charged as a juvenile because of his age at the time of the burglary.

He was accused of driving three of the convicted thieves to a meeting point in Berlin on the night of the crime, and trying to distract officers during a police stop.

A total of men from the Remmo crime organization were sentenced to several years in prison in May 2023, but have filed appeals to their convictions.

One man's sentence has since become final, while another was acquitted.

As part of a plea bargain with authorities, the majority of the loot was returned. However, some of the most valuable items are still missing.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Iran did not wait for the restoration of the Comprehensive Joint Action Plan (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program and the return of foreign companies to the country due to development efforts in the oil and gas and related sectors, Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji told reporters, Trend reports.

According to him, Iran's Oil Ministry has maximized the potential of domestic producers and contracting companies.

Owji noted that more than 300 unfinished and newly launched projects in oil and gas, petrochemical, and related sectors are currently underway in the country. Estimates place the value of these projects at $120 billion.

The minister stated that economic growth in Iran's oil and gas sector last year (from March 21, 2023, through March 19, 2024) stood at 20 percent. In the coming years, Iran plans to increase crude oil production to 5.5 million barrels per day and gas production to 1.25 bcm.

In January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Plan of Joint Action on Iran's nuclear program. 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, as well as the imposition of sanctions on Iran.

According to the Iranian parliament's decision, as of February 23, Iran had stopped the implementation of additional measures and an additional protocol included in the nuclear deal. Consequently, the IAEA reduced its monitoring mechanism by 2030 percent.

Moreover, Iran's total hydrocarbon reserves amount to 1.2 trillion barrels. Iran can produce 340 billion barrels of this gas with existing technological equipment. Iran can use about 30 percent, while 70 percent remains unused underground.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
German defence minister in New York, calls for support for Ukraine

German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius speaks to representatives of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) organization. Britta Pedersen/dpa

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Tuesday called for further joint support for Ukraine, at the start of a military policy trip to the US and Canada.

During the trip's first stop in New York, Pistorius emphasized Germany's increased contribution to NATO to representatives of the American Jewish Committee, which represents Jewish interests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin must not be allowed to get away with his brutal war of aggression, the minister said.

"It is a question of whether and how democracies defend themselves," said Pistorius. He said this is Europe's most important strategic question and the attack is also the greatest threat to the international order.

The centre-left politician wants to discuss the global security situation with NATO partners the US and Canada between now and Friday, and make clear Germany's increased commitment to the alliance.

Pistorius will meet his US counterpart Lloyd Austin in Washington on Thursday and Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair in Ottawa on Friday.

Ukraine has been fending off an all-out Russian invasion since February 2022, with massive amounts of Western armaments and financial aid.

German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius speaks to representatives of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) organization. Britta Pedersen/dpa

German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius on his way to an appointment. Britta Pedersen/dpa
German defence minister in New York, calls for support for Ukraine

German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius speaks to representatives of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) organization. Britta Pedersen/dpa

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Tuesday called for further joint support for Ukraine, at the start of a military policy trip to the US and Canada.

During the trip's first stop in New York, Pistorius emphasized Germany's increased contribution to NATO to representatives of the American Jewish Committee, which represents Jewish interests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin must not be allowed to get away with his brutal war of aggression, the minister said.

"It is a question of whether and how democracies defend themselves," said Pistorius. He said this is Europe's most important strategic question and the attack is also the greatest threat to the international order.

The centre-left politician wants to discuss the global security situation with NATO partners the US and Canada between now and Friday, and make clear Germany's increased commitment to the alliance.

Pistorius will meet his US counterpart Lloyd Austin in Washington on Thursday and Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair in Ottawa on Friday.

Ukraine has been fending off an all-out Russian invasion since February 24, 2022, with massive amounts of Western armaments and financial aid.

In his remarks to representatives of the American Jewish Committee on Tuesday, Pistorius also condemned the terrorist attacks led by Palestinian militant organization Hamas on Israel on October 7, which triggered the Gaza war and a major escalation in the region.

Hamas had caused unspeakable suffering to many innocent people, said Pistorius. However, a regional conflagration must be prevented. Pistorius did not explicitly mention the current situation in the Gaza Strip in his speech.

German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius speaks to representatives of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) organization. Britta Pedersen/dpa

German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius speaks to representatives of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) organization. Britta Pedersen/dpa
German and Finnish presidents say Russian threats must be countered

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (R) and Finnish President Alexander Stubb speak at a press conference after their meeting at Bellevue Palace. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

Germany's president has praised Finland's entry into NATO as a boon for Europe's security amid Russian aggression in Ukraine and malicious cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns across the continent.

"It increases Finland's security, of course, but above all it also strengthens the eastern flank of NATO and thus increases the security of the entire alliance," German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said at a press conference with new Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Berlin on Wednesday.

Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometre-long border with Russia, has been a member of the Western defence alliance since April last year. It had applied for NATO membership following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Europe is "under brutal attack," said Stubb alongside Steinmeier, referring to the war in Ukraine. "We must stand together and defend Europe together."

"The coming months are very important. We must stick together and remain strong in our support for the Ukrainians," he said.

Steinmeier and Stubb expressed their concern about cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and other disruptive tactics from Russia.

"It goes without saying that we in Europe and within NATO must do much more to defend ourselves against such hybrid attacks," said Steinmeier.

Stubb called for considered action in the face of such hybrid warfare: "We must remain calm and then take the necessary measures to end this warfare."

France, Germany and other European countries have accused Russia of committing cyberattacks and other attempts at destabilizing their political and social situations. The German government recently blamed Russia for a hacker attack on Social Democratic Party email accounts in early 2023.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (R) and Finnish President Alexander Stubb speak at a press conference after their meeting at Bellevue Palace. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Franziska Giffey was attacked from behind with a bag containing a hard object - Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

Germany is grappling with a disturbing wave of violence against politicians after three lawmakers were targeted while out campaigning.

On Tuesday evening Franziska Giffey, a senator from Chancellor Olaf Scholz Scholzs centre-left SDP party, was attacked from behind with a bag containing a hard object.

She was treated in hospital after suffering injuries to her head and neck.

The attack came just days after a violent assault on an SDP MEP, Matthias Ecke, who was set upon by four people while he was putting up campaign posters in the city of Dresden.

Mr Ecke was left with a broken cheekbone and injuries to his eye socket which required surgery over the weekend.

In a post on social media showing bruising and stitches on his face, the MEP wrote: In a democracy, no one should have to fear speaking their mind.

Matthias Ecke, an SPD MEP, was left with a broken cheekbone and injuries to his eye socket - Matthias Rietschel/REUTERS

Also on Tuesday, a politician for the Greens, Yvonne Mosler, was harassed and allegedly spat on while she was hanging up campaign material for the European elections in June.

All German states held a special meeting this week to discuss the rise in violence against politicians, with interior minister Nancy Faeser vowing to tighten up assault laws to punish anti-democratic acts more severely.

Supposedly justified attacks

A report by the German parliament in February said there had been 2,790 attacks on politicians in 2023, with more than a thousand of the incidents targeted at the Greens.

Ms Giffey said she was shocked by the attack but otherwise fine, as she condemned a fair-game culture in which people who are politically active and engaged in our country are increasingly exposed to supposedly justified and acceptable attacks.

German police said they had identified Ms Giffeys attacker but did not provide further details.

Officers have also arrested four suspected far-Right extremists, aged between 17 and 18, over the attack on Mr Ecke last week.

DANKE! 

Ich bin uberwaltigt von eurer Anteilnahme und Solidaritat. Das tut wirklich gut und gibt Kraft. Es geht hier aber nicht nur um mich, sondern um alle, die sich aus Leidenschaft politisch engagieren. Niemand soll in einer Demokratie furchten mussen seine Meinung zu sagen! pic.twitter.com/nt8HHyZhh3  Matthias Ecke   (@MattEcke) May 6, 2024

Chancellor Scholz said last week that assaults on politicians were putting German democracy at risk, amid concerns that tensions are rising in the country ahead of Junes elections.

Democracy is threatened by this kind of act, we must never accept such acts of violence ... we must oppose it together, Mr Scholz 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.
Andy Grote, Hamburg's Senator for the Interior and Sports, and Nancy Faeser German Federal Minister of the Interior, hold a press conference following a special Standing Conference of German Interior Ministers (IMK) and further developments following attacks on Matthias Ecke, Member of the European Parliament. Georg Wendt/dpa

German federal and state interior ministers on Tuesday agreed on the need for tougher penalties for violent crimes targeting politicians and volunteers ahead of upcoming election campaigns.

The ministers discussed policing measures and weighed tightening criminal law in talks called after an attack on a German lawmaker last week.

In order to send "a very clear signal," the security authorities and also the judiciary must ensure swift and consistent proceedings and penalties, Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Tuesday evening after a video conference arranged following the incident in Dresden.

If criminal law had to be tightened further for this, she said she would seek dialogue with Justice Minister Marco Buschmann.

Matthias Ecke, who represents the Social Democrats (SPD) in the European Parliament, was brutally beaten by four assailants on Friday evening while hanging campaign posters in the eastern German city of Dresden.

State interior ministers joined in their call on the federal ministry to for tougher penalties for attacks on politicians and election workers to protect those working at local authority level in particular from threats and violence.

Statistics show a rising number of offences against lawmakers, according to Faeser. She said there were 2,710 offences against elected representatives in 2023, a 53% increase compared to the previous year.

"Attacks on AfD politicians are also unacceptable," she said, referring to the far-right Alternative for Germany. She denigrated an "escalation of anti-democratic violence."

Faeser warned of those especially from the far-right fringe, who are becoming increasingly "unrestrained and unscrupulous" in their attacks and defamation of people and demanded a halt to the spiral of hatred and violence.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for solidarity for those involved in promoting democracy. "Democracy needs a political culture that is free from hatred and agitation and even more so free from violence," he said in Brandenburg.

The security authorities must do everything necessary to track down the criminals and the courts must bring the perpetrators to justice, Steinmeier said.

"But this also means that we must stand behind those who fulfil their responsibilities as democrats and show our complete disgust for those who violate democratic rules."

Meanwhile in the eastern German city of Dresden on Tuesday evening, a 47-year-old politician from the Green Party was attacked by two people while putting up election posters.

Shortly afterwards, police officers arrested a 24-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man as suspects, Dresden police said. A police spokesman did not initially identify the attackers.

The male attacker pushed the politician aggressively around 6:50 pm (1650 GMT), and insulted and threatened her, police said. He is also said to have torn down two election posters.

The 24-year-old woman reportedly joined in and spat at the politician, who was accompanied by volunteers and a film crew. The police confronted the two attackers in the immediate vicinity.

The 34-year-old man is being investigated for assault, threats, insults and damage to property. The 24-year-old woman is being investigated for assault.

Because the two had allegedly been standing with a group chanting Nazi slogans, they are also being investigated for using symbols of unconstitutional organizations. The suspects were not taken into custody, the police spokesman said.
Members of Ghana's LGBT community and activists on tenterhooks as they wait to see if the west African country's president will sign into law

ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghana's Supreme Court said on Wednesday that lawyers battling over the legality of one of Africa's most restrictive anti-LGBTQ bill must amend their motions due to insulting language in their submissions and then postponed the case.

Parliament unanimously passed the bill that would intensify a crackdown on LGBTQ rights in the West African nation in February, but President Nana Akufo-Addo has delayed signing it with his office citing pending challenges at the Supreme Court.

The ruling by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to adjourn Wednesday's first hearing on the challenges without setting a new date further delays any resolution on a bill that, if signed into law, could jeopardise donor funding for a country facing an economic crisis.

Gay sex is already punishable with up to three years in jail in Ghana. If the bill takes effect, it will lengthen the sentence and intensify a crackdown on the rights of LGBTQ people and those accused of promoting lesbian, gay or other minority sexual or gender identities.

Rights groups such as Human Rights Watch have warned that the new law could lead to further violence against LGBTQ people who already suffer from different forms of discrimination, urging Akufo-Addo to veto it.

Supporters of the bill have been pushing for its promulgation despite a finance ministry warning that it could jeopardise $3.8 billion in World Bank financing and derail a $3-billion International Monetary Fund loan package.

Oxford Economics said in a note on Wednesday that while the legislation might impact the country's ability to tap into concessional sources such as the World Bank, it would not affect Ghana's ability to receive disbursements under its current IMF programme.

Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, both lawyers, filed separate challenges to the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

Torkornoo said the plaintiffs and lawyers for the speaker of parliament needed to amend their motions and remove "inappropriate, intemperate language" in order to be courteous.

Amendments must be filed by May 17, she said before adjourning the sitting.

Attorney General and Justice Minister Godfred Yeboa Dame told reporters after the hearing he was satisfied with the process.

(Reporting by Maxwell Akalaare Adombila; Additional reporting by Karin Strohecker; Editing by Anait Miridzhanian and Alison Williams)
The Los Angeles Police Department announced on Tuesday that a 14-year-old girl has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a woman in the Vermont-Slauson area of South Los Angeles in March.

The girl, whose identity was not released, is accused of shooting Kendra McIntyre at about 4:20 a.m. on March 21 as McIntyre was walking near the corner of 70th and Figueroa streets, police said in a news release.

McIntyre succumbed to her wounds at a local hospital.

Gun violence claims the lives of 2 women in separate South L.A. shootings

Detectives identified the teen as the shooter, though police declined to detail how or why they suspect the girl.

She was arrested on Monday and on Tuesday, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office filed a murder charge against her.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 323-787-5100.

During non-business hours or on weekends, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).

To report information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Is it the Golden 1 Center of Elk Grove? Mayor sees the zoo as absolutely our arena moment

In the Spotlight is a Sacramento Bee series that digs into the high-profile local issues that readers care most about. Story idea? Email metro@sacbee.com.

Like the financing plan carved out a decade ago that led to the construction of the Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento, the proposed $302 million zoo development plan which Elk Groves City Council was expected to pass Wednesday night is largely dependent on public financing.

This is absolutely our arena moment, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen said in an interview ahead of the vote that will, if successful, signify a big step forward moving a quaint zoo from Land Park in Sacramento to a facility five times the size. Interactive and experiential features, proponents say, will bring a world-class zoo, featuring savannas where African wildlife will roam.

Singh-Allen, first elected in 2020 and now in her second term as mayor, acknowledged that, while many people around the country would be hard-pressed to place Elk Grove on a map, she thinks the zoo will help change that.

She described the 65-acre project as a tourism driver and will show what Elk Grove can be.

Elk Grove can dream big and do big things, she said. Weve got adult entertainment in the casino. Now we will have family entertainment down the road.

Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen.

Singh-Allen also described the zoo as a passion project which reflects her civic values.

I raised my two kids here, she said. What families have always asked for is having more family-friendly attractions and options. And I cant think of something more family-friendly than a zoo.

More than a zoo

Christopher Jordan, Elk Groves director of strategic planning and innovation, said the zoo plan makes sense for many reasons, including the infrastructure benefits the project will bring.

For example, millions of dollars dedicated to bike paths will bring local visitors right to the zoo. Jordan projects that 7% of visitors will arrive at the zoo by bike. Eventually, he believes, the zoo will help make a reality light rail linking Sacramento to Elk Grove.

Much like Golden 1 provides an amenity to the region for sports, concerts, special events and graduations, the zoo will be more than just a zoo, he said. It will be a place to host weddings and all kinds of special events.

And, Jordan said, zoo visitors will bring other economic benefits. Families might stop at a restaurant and maybe get a meal, he said. Or stop at the shopping center and pick something up on the way home.

About 57% of the funding for the zoo, the city projects, would come from city reserves and bonds. If the master plan is approved Wednesday, many steps, including identifying grants for energy conservation, animal care and fundraising $50 million by the Sacramento Zoological Society, lie ahead. The society has already raised around $15 million toward that goal.

The zoo project will take at least eight years to come to fruition.

Elk Grove officials said the project will require around $114 million in bond funding. The repayment plan, at least in its present form, appears not to be a major general fund burden, with $2.5 million out of $7.8 million, in total, in annual payments derived from casino annual tax in-lieu funds, and another $2.5 million coming directly from the Sacramento Zoological Society.

City of Elk Grove fact sheets point to numerous economic benefits from the construction and eventual operation of the zoo, including 2,000 construction jobs. Elk Grove anticipates a $249 million overall benefit in the first five years once the zoo is operational.

Mayor studies zoos

But for Singh-Allen, the project is about more than dollars and cents. The mayor is passionate about the benefits of well-designed zoos.

Last year, the mayor and her husband visited the London zoo on a vacation, she said. During an April trip to New York for a speech, she managed a quick trip to the Bronx Zoo. Singh-Allen wanted to see the zoos Gelada monkey reserve, with a rare species native to Ethiopia. These animals are part of the plan for the Elk Grove zoo.

Theyre the size of a baboon, I have never seen a monkey that size, she said. We would be one of the few zoos in the country that would host this amazing species.

Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen visits a rhino enclosure at the Houston Zoo in 2021. Singh-Allen has visited zoos around the country to try to prepare for the proposed move of the Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove.

Along with other city leaders, Singh-Allen has also toured the Houston Zoo, the second most-visited in the nation and, Elk Grove and zoo officials said, one of their models for designing the Elk Grove zoo.

In Houston and at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, the mayor said she was mesmerized by interactive rhinoceros habitats where visitors can feed and touch rhinos.

Having the opportunity to feed and scratch the rhinos is amazing, she said. They are like giant puppies. They love that contact, that connection. Just feeding one and petting one is transformative. We want people in this region to have that experience.

We live in such a fragile world, and one of the things that I love to do at zoos is just watch kids light up, and say, wow. Zoos can be magical places and really educate young people about climate change and habitat loss.

Even though the amount of public investment required to make the zoos move to Elk Grove seems reminiscent of the hundreds of millions of dollars of public investment required to build the Golden 1 Center and keep the Kings in Sacramento, the projects differ in a significant way. Unlike the arena, the zoos public financing has aroused almost no controversy, at least for the moment.

There is zero organized opposition, Singh-Allen said. I can count on literally one hand the number of negative emails I have received about the zoo. Ive received hundreds, 300 to 400 positive emails. One of the things that I always hear from constituents is: When is the zoo going in? People are excited about it.

Sacramentos mayor likes an Elk Grove zoo

Built in 1927, the Sacramento Zoo attracts around 500,000 visitors per year. Even Sacramentos Mayor Darrell Steinberg endorsed a yes vote in a letter he wrote to the Elk Grove City Council last week.

While I hate to see the zoo leave its home in the City of Sacramento, Steinberg wrote, I recognize that moving it to Elk Grove could better secure the future of this regional treasure and increase its ability to care for animals and attract visitors from Sacramento and beyond. I celebrate that Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and the people of Elk Grove are working so hard to bring the zoo to their city and have identified 65 acres of land that can house it.

One reason that Singh-Allen and Jordan suggested that the plan has not stirred significant controversy is because the citys finances are solid. Unlike Sacramento, which has a $66 million deficit, Elk Grove has set aside millions for major investments such as the zoo.

Jordan said that as a city incorporated just 24 years ago, Elk Grove has structural advantages.

We dont have the history and the baggage, he said. We do a really robust job of making sure that as we consider new development, that that new development pays its fair share towards the construction infrastructure and the maintenance of that infrastructure.

Although an Elk Grove zoo grand opening could be as long as a decade away, Singh-Allen said if the voters continue to support her, she hopes to see what she calls a legacy project right up until the ribbon cutting.

Were showing that Elk Grove is capable of doing big things, she said. We know that this will be just the beginning.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. There are no restrictions on domestic and foreign investments in Iran's oil, gas, refining, petrochemical, and related sectors, Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji told reporters, Trend reports.

He made the statement during the opening ceremony of the 23rd International Exhibition of Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemicals in Tehran.

According to him, Iran's oil industry is capable of providing itself with the development of oil and gas fields, marine equipment, the construction of oil and gas refineries, and the drilling of various types of wells.

Owji added that Iran's production is increasing day by day in accordance with the plans. Also, despite the tough sanctions imposed on Iran, the country exported $35 billion worth of crude oil last year (from March 21, 2023, through March 19, 2024).

Meanwhile, the 4-day 23rd International Exhibition of Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemicals kicked off in Tehran.

To note, the US imposed new sanctions on Iran in November 2018 in connection with Iran's nuclear program. Over the past period, over 700 banks, companies, and individuals exporting Iranian oil have been subjected to sanctions. The sanctions led to the freezing of Iran's assets in foreign countries.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Theres A Good Reason For The Colorful Wooden Blocks Washing Up On Texas Beaches

Heres what to do if you find one.

Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research

Keep an eye out for these blocks washing up on Texas beaches.

The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR) at Texas A&M University at Galveston explained in a Facebook post that NOAA Fisheries scientists recently released 80 wooden effigy drifters from Chandeleur Island, Louisiana. The effigies, which were designed to replicate sea turtle carcasses, were deployed in an effort to understand how weather patterns and ocean currents influence annual sea turtle strandings.

Sea turtle strandings are often the result of cold-stunning, an annual phenomenon that happens when water and air temperatures rapidly drop late in the year. This can cause trauma and other hypothermia-related conditions including pneumonia and dehydration.

According to GCSTR, around half of the effigy drifters were heading to Texas shores. By Monday, four had already turned up in the Galveston area.

NOAAs wooden blocks are spray-painted neon green, orange, pink, or yellow and have a GPS device attached. They also are affixed with instructions on what to do and who to contact should you find one. If the drifting blocks are observed floating in the water, leave them unless instructed otherwise by NOAA.

If you come across one of these objects on land, call GCSTR at 1 (866) TURTLE-5 to set up a dropoff location.



For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.
MUNCIE, Ind.  Republicans went to the polls Tuesday and will have made one significant change to the Delaware County Council.

Unofficial results show Brad Bookout was nominated to an at-large seat on council, carrying 19.91% of votes in the GOP race or 4,727 votes. Jessica Piper, president of the council, received 19.96%t of the votes or 4,739 votes. Piper led all other candidates on the Republican side.

James King (Delaware County Commissioner), Bill Walters (Director of the ECI Regional Planning District), Thomas Schwegmann (CEO PONS Atlantic Partners in Berlin), and Brad Bookout (Director of Municipal and Economic Affairs in Delaware County) take a quick photo during their seven day trip to Germany and the Netherlands.

Eugene Whitehead, who is currently serving on council, was also nominated by a narrow margin with 6,700 votes or 15.58% of the vote.

Leaving the council next year will be Ryan Webb, the controversial county councilman who drew national attention by claiming at one point to be a trans female lesbian. He later withdrew the claim. Members of the trans community accused him of mocking them.

Webb garnered 15.30% of the vote or 3,632, 68 fewer votes than Whitehead.

Webb was often at odds with the establishment of his party, including Ed Carroll, the Republican chairman for the county who is also county auditor.

County Council member Ryan Webb at Tuesday meeting where he came under fire, accused of mocking trans people on social media by identifying as a woman oi color.

Though turnout was low, 18.31% of eligible voters, decisions made at the polls Tuesday will have ramifications for local government.

At times Bookout, Piper and Whitehead presented themselves as running together in campaign advertisements, along with county Commissioner President James King, who was also seeking re-nomination as a Republican this year but lost his race against Stephen Brand.

This spring Webb asked state officials to investigate the operation of the auditors office and its spending. He also asked the Indiana State Board of Accounts to look at the spending of economic development dollars by county commissioners, including a trip to Las Vegas earlier this year involving King and Bookout. The trip involved networking at a large gun show at The Venetian Resort.

Among other issues, Brand, who is president of the Muncie Sanitary District Board of Directors, campaigned on changing the way economic development functions in the county and being more cooperative with other local economic development organizations.

Bookout serves as economic development director for Delaware County and used to be a Democrat. He was elected to county council in 2004 and again in 2008, In 2012 he won the Democratic primary for Congress when the county was in the 6th Congressional District. He lost to Republican Luke Messer in the general election that year.

Bookouts wife is president of Augusta Consulting, the company that the county contracts with for its economic development services. Bookout and his associate, Bill Walters, are employees of Augusta, which is paid $323,247.36 annually for its services or nearly $1 million over the course of its current three-year contract. That contract expires at the end of 2024.

Webb issued a statement congratulating the winners after unofficial results were posted. He said the effort to defeat him involved hundreds of Democrats taking a Republican ballot to vote against him.

I am dissatisfied in the results of only losing by a few votes, Webb said. I can live with that knowing that they needed 400-plus Democrats, who crossed over and voted in the Republican primary to beat me.

Still, Webb said he would be asking for a recount.

For the sake of transparency and holding our county government accountable, we will seek a recount, Webb statement said.

Bookout did not return a call seeking comment.

Other candidates who did not win nomination by the Republican Party were Amber Green, who garnered 3,049 votes, David Williams, who won 2,600 votes and Lori Jessee, who had 1,299 votes.

Only two Democrats had filed to seek the three at-large county council seats, meaning they will automatically be on the ballot in the General Election. They are Chris Musick and Roger Overbey. Local Democrats can add a third candidate ahead of the fall election if they choose.

David Penticuff is a freelance writer on assignment for The Star Press.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: GOP Councilman Ryan Webb, self-proclaimed trans lesbian, loses
A Franklin County commissioner looking to be elected to his first term attracted a challenger on Tuesday.

Paul Frenzel has jumped in the race for District 1, the seat currently occupied by county Republican Party Chair Stephen Bauman.

Bauman was appointed to the seat earlier this year in the wake of longtime Commissioner Brad Pecks resignation, who left citing a toxic environment and workplace bullying.

Frenzel, also a Republican, filed paperwork with the Washington Secretary of State.

He was previously among the U.S. Department of Energy workers who had challenged the federal governments COVID-19 vaccination requirements in the wake of the pandemic.

Bauman works as a development consultant and is owner of Pasco-based B4 Development and Consulting.

The states candidate filing period opened Monday. Candidates running for public office this year have until 5 p.m. Friday to submit their paperwork online or by mail to get their name on the ballot.

Races need at least three candidates to qualify for the Aug. 6 primary election. If two or fewer register, then the candidates automatically move on to face-off on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

Dozens of Tri-City candidates registered to run on Monday, while only a few trickled in on Tuesday.

One big development so far this week was yesterdays announcement that Pasco veterans advocate and former U.S. Senate hopeful Tiffany Smiley was challenging Newhouse, a fellow Republican, for his seat in U.S. House of Representatives.

Jerrod Sessler, the Trump-endorsed Republican in the race, is also looking to unseat Newhouse. He filed for the position late Monday night.

Several other candidates filed to run so far this week, including:

Jerome Delvin, District 1 commissioner, Benton County Jeff Smart, District 1 commissioner, Benton County Rocky Mullen, District 2 commissioner, Franklin County Ana Ruiz Kennedy, District 2 commissioner, Franklin County Stephanie Barnard, state representative No. 1, 8th District April Connors, state representative No. 2, 8th District Curtis King, state senator, 14th District Maria Beltran, state senator, 14th District Chelsea Dimas, state representative No. 1, 14th District Mark Klicker, state representative No. 1, 16th District Skyler Rude, state representative No. 2, 16th District Will McKay, District 3 commissioner, Benton County Barry Bush, commissioner No. 3, Benton County PUD Stu Nelson, District 3 commissioner, Franklin County PUD



Pedro Torres Jr., District 3 commissioner, Franklin County PUD Dave Petersen, Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Judge No. 1 Joe Burrowes, Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Judge No. 2 Diana Ruff, Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Judge No. 3 Norma Rodriguez, Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Judge No. 4 Bronson Brown, Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Judge No. 5 Jacqueline Stam, Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Judge No. 6 Jackie Shea-Brown, Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Judge No. 7
GOP Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania said in a closed door briefing with lawmakers on Tuesday that the Ku Klux Klan is the the military wing of the Democratic party and that migrants coming to the US have no interest in being Americans, according to audio of Perrys comments shared with CNN.

Perry, a right-wing Republican who has repeated elements of the anti-immigrant and antisemitic replacement theory before, said this during the House Oversight Committees member briefing entitled the Origins and Implications of Rising Antisemitism in Higher Education.

The briefing comes ahead of the Oversight panels hearing on Wednesday about the District of Columbias response to the pro-Palestinian protests and encampments occurring on college campuses, as House Republicans attempt to crack down on the demonstrations making waves across the country and attempt to unify around a firm position against antisemitism. That hearing was canceled Wednesday morning after the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, cleared out a pro-Palestinian encampment on George Washington Universitys campus early Wednesday and arrested 30 protesters there and three others in a separate altercation, Metro Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said.

The KKK in modern times, a lot of young people think somehow its a right-wing organization when it is the military wing of the Democratic Party. Decidedly, unabashedly, racist and antisemitic, Perry said according to the recording.

The KKK is not affiliated in any way with the modern Democratic Party.

Perry then defended replacement theory, which is the idea that white people are being slowly and intentionally replaced by minorities and immigrants.

Replacement theory is real Perry said according to the recording shared with CNN. They added white to it to stop everybody from talking about it.

While Perry said he is happy to accept people that are here legally, pointing to his ancestors who migrated to the US, he has an issue with migrants that are un-American.

What is happening now is were importing people into the country that want to be in America  but have no interest in being Americans, and thats very different and to disparage the comments is to chill the conversation so that we can continue to bring in more people that we never met that are un-American, Perry said, according to the recording.

Perry claimed his words were twisted when presented with his closed-door remarks.

Once again, the radical Left twists facts in order to silence conversation about its own crimes and Bidens intentional failures to enforce laws and close or regulate our borders. My point is proven yet again: when the Left loses an argument, it debases and smears instead of engaging in debate on merits, Perry said in a statement provided to CNN.

Replacement theory is the idea that white people are being slowly and intentionally replaced by minorities and immigrants. The xenophobic and racist rhetoric associated with the theory has found its way into the mainstream of American politics and elements of it appear to have motivated some of the most heinous recent mass murders in the US and around the world. There are specific antisemitic elements of the unfounded theory as well, that Jews specifically are organizing a flood of non-white immigrants.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Congressional Republicans on Wednesday claimed their demands led to Washington's Metropolitan Police Department clashing with and removing pro-Palestinian protesters encamped at George Washington University.

Supporters of the protesters, meanwhile, said the city went too far.

Officers used pepper spray on pro-Palestinian protesters after they allegedly refused several orders to end the encampment when police moved in about 3 a.m., D.C. police chief Pam Smith told reporters.

Thirty-three people were arrested, most of whom were charged with unlawful entry, with one being charged with an assault on a police officer, Smith said.

PHOTO: Officers of the Metropolitan Police Department pepper spray demonstrators at George Washington University in Washington, DC, May 8, 2024. (Sage Russell/AP)

"Our responses to demonstrations are always rooted in public safety," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters about her decision to send in police to clear the encampment two weeks after it began. The police moved in just hours before Bowser, a Democrat, and the city's police chief were called to testify on Capitol Hill -- after GOP lawmakers demanded action.

MORE: Video Commencement cancellations and more cops on campus

The GOP-led House Oversight Committee canceled the hearing Wednesday morning after the encampment was cleared.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, who had visited the encampment on Friday, released statements claiming their pressure on city leaders got action.

"This week, Chairman Comer and the Oversight Committee delivered results by compelling Mayor Bowser to order police to clear the weeks-long, pro-Hamas and illegal encampments around George Washington University's campus," Johnson said in a statement.

PHOTO: District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, with Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department Pamela Smith, responds to a question from the news media during a press conference in Washington, DC, May 8, 2024. (Shawn Thew/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

GWU protesters have said they were calling out the deaths of Palestinian civilians in Gaza since the start of the conflict and have pushed their school's administrators to stop investing in Israel. Local officials have not provided evidence that the protesters expressed support for Hamas.

"I thanked her for finally clearing the trespassers off the GW Campus," Comer said in his statement about speaking with Bowser afterward. "It was unfortunate the situation at GW forced the Oversight Committee to act; however it was apparent that the DC police force was not going to do their job," he said.

The school issued a statement saying that University Yard and Kogan Plaza will remain closed until the end of commencement on May 19.

"During this time, given the heightened safety concerns related to the recent illegal demonstrations as well as the ongoing exams, all activities, including activities of free expression on campus, will require reservation through the Division for Student Affairs," GWU said in a statement.

Later Wednesday, protesters and their supporters blasted Comer and Bowser for escalating the situation.

"We should not be here today to tell our mayor not to be complicit in arresting protesters," Nee Nee Taylor, a D.C. activist said.

Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Cori Bush of Missouri also spoke out against the police action.

Students are protesting all across the country because they believe our government has failed to recognize the common humanity of all people," Bush said.

Republicans had used the GWU protests in the heart of the nation's capital to decry the demonstrations and encampments that have popped up on campuses across the country.

MORE: Video Biden's response to campus protests 'absolutely came too late': Tom Cotton

Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton told ABC "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl on Sunday that he was appalled by some of the things he said protesters had done, referring to a statue of George Washington that he said was defaced with spray paint, stickers, kaffiyeh, and Palestinian flag.

"It is antisemitic and anti-Israeli," Cotton claimed.

PHOTO:Demonstrators clash with the Metropolitan Police Department officers at George Washington University in Washington, DC, May 8, 2024. (Sage Russell/AP)

Smith, the city's police chief, said that the police had been closely monitoring the situation on campus since the encampment began on April 25 and supported the protester's First Amendment rights, but said police saw "an escalation in the volatility," in the last couple of days.

She alleged a protester pushed a GWU campus officer and grabbed an item from her hand. She also claimed that protesters were probing campus buildings, and gathering "items that could potentially be used for offensive and defensive weapons."

"All of this led to my discussion and conclusion that we needed to change our posture," Smith said.

MORE: College protests updates: Police begin dismantling University of Chicago encampment

Jeffery Carroll, Smith's executive chief assistant, alleged that outside demonstrators, including some who were at Columbia University's protest, may have joined the GWU encampment.

Police, however, declined to provide more details of their evidence when asked by reporters.

Carroll said that pepper spray was used on three people in response to assaults on police officers and not used to disperse the group.

"The information I have at this time, it was three individuals  three uses of pepper spray," he said.

PHOTO: A screengrab from a video posted on X shows student protestors from George Washington University clashing with police in Washington, DC, May 8, 2024. (Joy Wang/ABC7)

A protester, who identified herself only as Lauren, spoke with reporters after she was released from jail later in the day and said there was no need for the police tactics. She said the protesters were engaging in negotiations with school administrators.

MORE: Campus protesters are demanding universities divest from Israel. Here's what that means.

She said the protesters would remain steadfast in their calls for the school to listen to their concerns.

"They can Mace us, they can brutalize us, [and] they can pepper spray us, but the movement is here. It is stronger than ever," she said.

ABC News' Lauren Peller contributed to this report.

GOP leaders take credit after DC police remove GWU encampment. Protesters decry removal tactics originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A Palestinian-American activist filed a police report for assault against a Republican congressman over a confrontation Tuesday in which he appeared to hit a cellphone out of her hand.

Footage shared by the antiwar group Code Pink shows Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) walking in a hallway ahead of a House committee hearing in Washington, D.C., as two activists ask him about Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. One of the activists can be heard asking Ezell whether he thinks Israel should accept a ceasefire proposal to which Hamas had agreed or if he wants this genocide to continue?

Driver Charged After Allegedly Hitting Pro-Palestinian Protester With Car

Another person off-camera asks: You want the killing of my people, my Palestinian people?

Oh, why dont you shut up? Ezell says in response. Knock it off! He then appears to reach out with his hand and knock the cellphone filming him to the ground. Earlier in the footage hed told the first activist to get away from me.

The Palestinian-American, identified as Sumer Mobarak, has filed an assault complaint against Ezell, according to Code Pink. U.S. Capitol Police told the Associated Press that they are looking into the incident.

A spokesperson for Ezell, a first-term congressman who was a sheriff before winning his House seat in Mississippi two years ago, said the incident took place ahead of a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

These China-backed protesters want to harass and intimidate Members of Congress into ending our support for Israel and our opposition to Hamas terrorists, Ezell said in a statement. I will not be harassed or intimidated by the Chinese Communist Party, Hamas, or their supporters, and I will continue standing with our Israeli allies against terrorism.

Code Pink says on its site that China is not our enemy. According to a 2023 New York Times investigation, the groupwhich describes itself as a feminist grassroots organization working to end U.S. warfare and imperialism, support peace and human rights initiativesonce criticized Chinas human rights record but has more recently supported Beijings interment of mostly Muslim Uyghurs.

The State Department in 2021 declared that the Chinese government had committed genocide and crimes against humanity through the repression of Uyghurs and other groups.

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.
Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) appeared to link the story about presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. saying a doctor told him a parasite ate a part of his brain to the assassinations of his father and uncle.

You either die a Kennedy with a hole in the brain or live long enough to become a Kennedy with a hole in the brain, Collins said in a Wednesday post on the social platform X.

Kennedys father, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and uncle, former President Kennedy, were assassinated in 1968 and 1963, respectively. The gunshots in the former presidents assassination most notably included a shot to the back of his head.

On Wednesday, the New York Times reported the independent presidential candidate was told he may have a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago.

The Times reviewed a 2012 deposition from Kennedy on symptoms he was suffering from, and a doctors suggestion of the parasite. The newspaper reported Kennedy started having memory loss and mental fogginess in 2010, which raised worries about Kennedy possibly having a tumor.

According to the Times, multiple doctors spotted a dark spot on his brain scans. Right before he was about to have surgery to remove the apparent tumor, Kennedy said a doctor called him and said he thought Kennedy had a dead parasite in his brain.

Kennedy reportedly said in the deposition that the doctor told him that he thought the brain scan dark spot was a result of a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.

The Hill has reached out to Kennedys campaign and Collins office for comment.

Collins, who often posts memes and jokes to his account on X, recently got in hot water for sharing and applauding a video of counterprotesters to a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Mississippi in which white students could be seen harassing a Black woman. Collins faced backlash for his support of racist actions that could be seen in the video.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Senate Republicans are urging Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) not to make any promises to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) about future military aid for Ukraine, warning it would be a grave mistake for the Speaker to box himself in.

Senators expect the Biden administration to request another round of Ukraine aid at the end of the year, and they want Johnson to have the flexibility to move it through the House.

Greene asked Johnson during a Monday meeting to commit to not supporting any more foreign assistance to Ukraine.

But given that House Democrats have pledged to quash Greenes motion to vacate the Speakers chair, GOP senators see little reason for Johnson to rule out another aid package, which could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.

I just think at this point, you cant tie his hands. Hes the Speaker of the House, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) told reporters Tuesday.

Right now, hes got a job to do. Who knows what in the future may or may not be needed or necessary? he added. I wouldnt make any commitments about what hes going to move on the floor or not move on the floor in response to demands shes making.

Thune is running to become the next Senate GOP leader and may be tasked with the job of moving another emergency defense spending package in the next Congress.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who is vying with Thune to become the next Senate GOP leader, agreed Johnson shouldnt make any major concessions to Greene on Ukraine funding.

I dont think Speaker Johnson needs to make any commitments to Marjorie Taylor Greene. I think shes marginalizing herself and becoming a nonissue, he said Tuesday afternoon.

Asked last week if Republicans are getting sick of Greene being the face of House Republicans, Cornyn replied, I think people are sick and tired of chaos and dysfunction.

Greene named her demands in exchange for not calling a snap leadership election during a two-hour meeting Monday with Johnson.

One of her top priorities is for Johnson to pledge he will not support any more aid for Ukraine.

She also asked the Speaker to defund special counsel Jack Smiths investigations of former President Trump, to promise to allow votes only on legislation that has majority support within the House GOP conference, and to enforce a 1 percent across-the-board spending cut if Congress fails to pass its annual appropriations bills on time.

GOP senators, however, are warning that any legislation that would defund the special counsels investigations has no chance of becoming law, given Democratic control of the Senate and White House.

And they warn a 1 percent automatic cut to discretionary spending would hit the Defense Department especially hard.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, warned it would be a grave mistake for Johnson to promise Greene not to bring any more military assistance for Ukraine to the House floor.

Wicker said the administration possibly could ask for additional military assistance before the end of the year.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) expressed disbelief that a backbencher in the House would attempt to dictate national security policy to future administrations and the rest of Congress.

You know what? Shes one person out of a body of 435. You tell me how one person can literally hold the entire House, she said. Am I missing something?

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) has said he will make boosting Defense spending one of his top priorities for the rest of this year and after he steps down as leader.

The next thing to focus on is the Defense Department budget for next year. The presidents requests have not been adequate. We need to make sure were doing more in Defense through the regular appropriations process, McConnell told reporters after Congress passed $61 billion for Ukraine last month.

Senate aides expect the Biden administration will come back to Congress for another request for military aid for Ukraine after the November election, probably in late November or December.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan has estimated the aid package that Congress passed in April  and which President Biden initially requested in October  will keep Ukrainian forces well-supplied through the end of the year.

A congressional aide estimated that Defense Department officials would begin putting together a new request for more military aid to Ukraine in September.

Greene wants Johnson to pledge to quash the next round of Ukraine assistance before the administration even puts it together.

Greene noted at a May 1 press conference that Johnson was on record as voting against Ukraine war funding when she voted for him to become Speaker in October.

And she cited Johnsons support for the war in Ukraine as cementing her decision to force a vote on a motion to vacate the Speakers chair.

Mike Johnson fully joined the disgusting business model of Washington, D.C., to fund forever wars, she declared. The uniparty is make Ukraine great again. The uniparty is about funding every single foreign war.

Senate Republicans are well past exasperated with Greenes threat to force a snap leadership election.

GOP senators have complained for months that the repeated threats using the motion against Johnson have only created chaos in the House and hurt the GOP brand with voters.

McConnell said last week that he was looking forward to Republicans and Democrats teaming up to defeat Greenes challenge to Johnson, which he hopes will bring more stability to the House.

Im relieved, as I think all of America is, that the chaos in the House will be discontinued, McConnell told reporters when asked about Greenes plan to force a vote on the motion to vacate this week.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), an adviser to the Senate GOP leadership team, said Greenes war against the Speaker is dragging the rest of the party down.

She is a horrible leader, he told CNN in an interview last month. She is dragging our brand down. She  not the Democrats  are the biggest risk to us getting back our majority.

Other senators were more diplomatic, despite being fed up with Greenes persistent threat against the Speaker.

Im holding back on my words, Wicker said as he walked into a Senate GOP leadership meeting Tuesday.

Updated at 9:17 a.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
To hear Todd Johnson tell it, Waldo is a barbaric hellhole, a lawless territory where criminals pillage with near impunity.

The owner of Strips Chicken, a local fast-food chain, Johnson set up shop three years ago at 420 W. 85th St. It was his second location, after opening a Strips in Olathe in 2016.

Last week, Johnson declared hed had enough. He closed Strips in Waldo, effective immediately. (The Olathe location and a Merriam location that opened last year remain open.)

I had eight break-ins in two years, and the only reason we havent had any since last summer is because we stopped taking cash, Johnson said Monday. My store in Olathes been open for eight years with no burglaries. Its very easy to see that Kansas City has a major problem when you just can drive 15 miles away and we dont deal with any of this.

Others in the Waldo neighborhood, though, dont seem to view the crime situation as quite so dire.

It sucks to hear what he went through, but that hasnt been our experience in Waldo, said Andy Doohan, owner of Mikes Wine and Spirits, about a half-block away from Strips. Running a business in the city, theres just certain things you have to deal with. Weve had some break-ins over the past 20 years weve been here, but I dont think thats indicative of Waldo not being a great place to live or work.

Strips owner Todd Johnson has blamed crime in Kansas City for his decision to close his Waldo restaurant.

Johnson has been outspoken about crime in Kansas City for a while now. He is known on neighborhood message boards for his rants about burglaries and robberies.

Since closing, Johnsons been making the media rounds, ticking off his list of complaints about the city. In addition to the break-ins, hes dealt with counterfeiters, with vagrants continually disrupting his business, with skyrocketing insurance policies caused by all of the above.

Ive never even submitted a claim, Johnson said. In two years, the insurance on our building in Waldo has gone from $9,000 a year to $16,000 a year to now, if I would have renewed in June, $22,000 a year. In Olathe and Merriam, weve gone up, too, but only by like 10 or 15% a year. The agent told me its because of all the crime in the area. I talked to two other insurers who said they wont even write policies in this neighborhood anymore.

The insurance situation seemed to put the ball in motion on Strips closing last week, but Johnson recounted a few other unseemly details for good measure. A few weeks ago, he said, he had to briefly close Strips after a woman ran into the dining room screaming that she was being chased by a dangerous man. Later that day a customer verbally threatened to rape one of his employees.

Then this past Wednesday, we had a situation where we had to call the police because a woman had been in the restroom for over an hour, he said. Shed been doing drugs in there and made a complete mess. The next day, I was told by my staff that they didnt want to clean up the bathroom  that they were concerned about fentanyl poisoning. And I thought about it for a second, and I said, Youre right. That is dangerous. You shouldnt have to do that. And thats really when I decided it was time to close the restaurant.

In his interview with The Star and with the local conservative radio host Ray Stevens, Johnson often veered into a more macro explanation of the woes that had befallen his restaurant.

There arent enough jail beds for all the criminals in Kansas City, he said, so offenders are arrested but let back onto the streets. He said one of the men who had broken into his restaurant  the seventh break-in  had also been identified as the culprit in 103 Kansas City burglaries in the past nine months. He said the Waldo Area Business Associations security force was completely ineffectual as far as I can tell.

Natalie Nelson, director of operations for the association, said her organization meets regularly with the Kansas City Police Department and hosts a monthly security meeting where the public can discuss concerns. We dont want any business to close their doors in Waldo and hope to create a space where all feel welcome to join and stay, Nelson said.

Johnson had a sympathetic listener in Stevens. But pressed by The Star for specifics on some of his claims, Johnson was soft on hard facts.

He declined to say which insurance providers no longer cover business in Waldo. He didnt know the name of the prolific offender whod broken into more than 100 businesses  just that a cop had told him that once.

Johnson was careful not to blame the police, who he said are doing the best they can with the funding they have. He said seven cops once patrolled the Waldo beat, but now only three do.

Alayna Gonzalez, a KCPD spokeswoman, told The Star that, though it is common knowledge that we have experienced short staffing throughout the department, I can assure you that we have more than three officers that work out of (the Waldo-area station) at any given time. And the robberies and burglaries Johnson mentions are actually down over the past four years, according to Kansas City police annual crime reports data.

The Strips Chicken pork burger is made with 100% whole pork loin.

Like Doohan at Mikes Wine and Spirits, Ted Nguyen takes a more positive view of the neighborhood.

The stuff hes said, it doesnt ring true for me, said Nguyen of Vanity Nails, also about a block away. Im probably more vigilant now than I used to be, but crime can happen anywhere. You just have to be smart and careful.

Still, from a vibes-based perspective, it would be hard to argue that the city doesnt feel a little more lawless these past few years. How else to describe the street-racing mobs and side shows  now a howling fixture of life in the Crossroads, downtown and the West Side  for which city leaders seem to have no solution? Or the coordinated waves of car break-ins that now ripple through neighborhoods like Waldo on a monthly basis? Or the frequent shootings that are scaring businesses off the once-proud Country Club Plaza?

It is also true that the UMB Bank branch next door to Strips was robbed with a fake bomb six weeks ago. And a half-mile away from Strips on Monday, a long plywood board had temporarily replaced a door at Andys Frozen Custard, following a break-in last week, an employee confirmed.

Goodbye to all that, Johnson said. Hes opening a new Strips next year  in Lenexa.

I consider myself moderate politically. But its gotten out of control in Kansas City. And what does the mayor say about all this? What is he doing about it?

Lucas didnt respond to The Stars multiple requests for comment.

Comments on the Waldo neighborhood Facebook page ranged from fond farewells (My family enjoyed Yummy Chicken Dinners on Wednesday. We will miss STRIPS!) to hopes for the future (Maybe we can get a Jack in the Box!!; Bring back Long John Silvers.).

For others, the end of the Strips era in Waldo was nothing to cry about. After all Johnsons posts about crime in the area, one said, I thought hed left 5 times before.
A lab tech uses equipment employed for in vitro fertilization in this undated photo. (Getty Images)

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry has not said whether he supports a bill aimed at preserving access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in Louisiana. Landry spokeswoman Kate Kelly said this week he is reviewing the legislation alongside hundreds of other bills still waiting to be passed by the Legislature.



In March, Landry declined to answer a question from a reporter about whether he agreed with an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that temporarily shut down IVF clinics in that state and sparked national outrage. At the time, he said he was not familiar with the Alabama courts decision, though it had gained significant national attention.

The Louisiana Legislature looks poised to approve Louisianas IVF protection legislation, which is a reaction to the Alabama decision. The Louisiana House of Representatives voted 84-16 in favor of the bill last week.



IVF has been legal in this state. I am not changing that at all, Rep. Paula Davis, R-Baton Rouge, who sponsored the bill, said during the House debate.

IVF is a process that allows people struggling with fertility to have biological children. Embryos are created in a lab outside the womb and then implanted into a person or a surrogate carrying a child on their behalf.

Fertility experts have warned states with strict abortion bans, such as Louisiana, could leave IVF vulnerable to being outlawed. Embryos can fail or be destroyed during IVF, and some anti-abortion advocates equate embryo disposal to abortion.

Davis said House Bill 833 would insulate doctors, clinics and other health care providers from lawsuits and criminal prosecution in the event that embryos are unintentionally lost. The Alabama Supreme Court almost wiped out IVF services in February when it ruled that frozen embryos were the equivalent of children under state law.

Davis worked with Louisianas leading anti-abortion organization, Louisiana Right to Life, on her bill to ease its passage. Louisiana already has some of the most stringent limitations on IVF in the country, and Davis agreed not to remove any of them.



Under current law, viable embryos stored in Louisiana are not allowed to be destroyed, even if their owners dont intend to use them to have more children. People who have embryos also cant sell them; they have to donate them to a married couple.

While Louisiana Right to Life agreed to stay neutral on Davis legislation, Louisiana Family Forum, a conservative Christian lobbying group, opposes the bill.



During a short debate in the Louisiana House, state Rep. Raymond Crews, R-Bossier City, asked why the legislation didnt block IVF clients from moving their embryos outside of the state, where they could be destroyed.



Davis said attorneys believe prohibiting couples from transferring the embryos to another state would be unconstitutional. She didnt include the provision in her bill because of those concerns.

Crews voted against the bill.



The Louisiana Senate will take up the legislation next. If passed, it will go to Landrys desk. The governor could stop the bill from becoming law by issuing a veto.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Gov. Jeff Landry reviewing IVF protection legislation, along with other bills appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Iran has turned from an importer to an exporter of technical services and engineering developments in the oil sector since the beginning of the current Iranian government (the current Iranian government has been in power since August 2021), executive director of the National Iranian Petroleum Engineering and Construction Company, Farhad Ahmadi said, Trend reports.

He made the statement during the 23rd International Exhibition of Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemicals, which started on May 8.

According to him, it demonstrates that Iran is taking serious steps in this field.

Ahmadi noted that, under the current government, Iran's National Petroleum Engineering and Construction Company is reconstructing the El Palito refinery in Venezuela. The renovation work at this refinery is currently 90 percent complete. Iranian engineers are involved in the renovation of this refinery, and 2 million pieces of equipment and instruments have been exported.

The official stated that the company is engaged in the design, construction, and commissioning of pipelines for refineries, oil export platforms, and others.

Meanwhile, El Palito is a small refinery in Venezuela. This refinery has the potential to produce 140,000 barrels of crude oil per day. An agreement between Iran and Venezuela was signed last May (2022) to overhaul the El Palito refinery and fully utilize its potential. It was reported that 50 percent of the refining capacity of this refinery was utilized before the Iranian side started the overhaul. Under the agreement, the value of the contract signed between Iran and Venezuela is 110 million euros.

To note, the 4-day 23rd International Exhibition of Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemicals kicked off in Tehran on May 8. The exhibition is attended by 1,700 local companies and 250 foreign companies.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Gov. Mike DeWine to sign legislation limiting student cellphone use in K-12 schools

Legislation to limit cellphone use in Ohio's public schools will head to the governor's desk.

The bill, which passed the Ohio House Wednesday, would require K-12 school districts to create a policy to reduce cellphone distractions and limit cellphone use as much as possible during school hours. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce would create a model policy for schools that don't choose to create their own.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted have made student cellphone and social media use a priority.

"(Students) need a place at least for several hours a day to go and be students and have social interactions," Husted said at a roundtable with school district administrators in March.

A bill to limit cellphone use in schools will make it's way to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for approval.

The Senate passed the bill on April 24, which originally addressed military seals on diplomas. The Senate Education Committee added language about cellphone policies in schools. The Ohio House of Representatives approved the change on Wednesday.

If DeWine signs the bill, it would take effect July 1, 2025.

Erin Glynn is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio House approves bill to limit cellpone use in schools
Governor: Chasiv Yar 'almost destroyed' but 679 people still live there

The embattled town of Chasiv Yar is "almost destroyed," but 679 people are still living there and have no desire to leave, Governor Vadym Filashkin said on May 8.

Speaking to national television, Filashkin said it was becoming increasingly difficult for rescue and humanitarian workers to reach those that remained due to Russian shelling, with attempts only being made at night or early in the morning.

Russian forces shifted their focus toward Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast, an elevated town that potentially opens the way to further advances into the oblast, after capturing Avdiivka in February.

"The town of Chasiv Yar is almost destroyed," Filashkin said, adding: "Unfortunately, 679 people still live there and have no desire to leave."

Before Russia's full-scale invasion, the town was home to around 12,000 people. As Russia stepped up attacks in the area, all remaining children were evacuated from Chasiv Yar by the Ukrainian authorities last year.

Those left are thought to be mostly elderly residents, unwilling or unable to leave.

On May 7, Ukraine's Kraken special forces unit released a video from the town showing ongoing fighting amid a devastated landscape.

In a post accompanying the video, Kraken  a unit of Ukraines military intelligence (HUR)  writes: "Fighters heroically hold the defense, daily destroy numerous enemies, set fire to enemy armored vehicles and take prisoners.

"The enemy is trying to advance from different directions, but thanks to the coordinated work of the unit, there is currently not a single occupier in the city."

Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson of the Khortytsia group of forces, said on May 6 that Russian forces are unlikely to capture Chasiv Yar as they do not have enough strength for a full-scale offensive.

His comments are at odds with those made by a military intelligence deputy head, Major General Vadym Skibitsky, who said in a media interview on May 2 that the fall of the embattled Donetsk Oblast town in a way similar to Avdiivka is probably a matter of time.

"Not today or tomorrow, of course, but all depending on our reserves and supplies," the general added.

Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter

News from Ukraine in your inbox

Subscribe

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Governor: Fire at oil depot in Russian-occupied Luhansk causes serious damage

An oil depot in the Russian-occupied city of Luhansk was heavily damaged in a fire that Russian proxies claim was the result of a Ukrainian strike, Luhansk Oblast Governor Artem Lysohor said on May 8.

Leonid Pasechnyk, the Russian-installed leader in region, earlier claimed without evidence that Ukrainian forces had attacked the oil depot with U.S.-provided ATACMS missiles. At least five workers of the facility were injured and hospitalized, according to Pasechnyk.

While Ukraine has not claimed official responsibility for the incident, Kyiv has carried out a series of successful attacks on oil depots and refineries across Russia and in the occupied territories in an attempt to slow down the Kremlin's war machine.

"Refined oil products and infrastructure were destroyed," Lysohor wrote on his Telegram channel. He also said that Russia's proxies in the area were "searching for the culprits of the attack," and attempting to pin the blame on the Ukrainian military.

Subscribe to newsletter

War Notes

Subscribe

According to the governor, the fire at the oil depot occurred at night, and local rescuers were unable to cope with putting it out.

"The invaders know that no one will restore such facilities to them. And refueling Russian military equipment will become much more difficult," Lysohor said.

Russian forces will be forced to build a new logistics chain and store fuel farther from the front line after the fire, the local governor added.

Read also: Russian proxy claims missile strike on machinery factory in occupied Luhansk

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
LINDSIDE, WV (WVNS)  Governor Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice helped welcome a new therapy dog, a golden retriever named Maverick, at James Monroe High School.

Maverick has been an absolute angel upon his arrival to James Monroe. This community has had a really rough couple of weeks, and to know that Maverick has been here to support these students through it really shines light on what the Friends With Paws therapy dog program is about. I just know Maverick will be a beacon of hope for these students, helping them with their social and emotional well-being. First Lady Cathy Justice

Cathy and I cannot say enough good things about the Friends With Paws program because these dogs put the biggest smiles on everyones faces. Not only that, but these therapy dogs truly show unconditional love towards the students and teachers. Im so proud of Cathy and her team for all the great work they are doing, because they are really making a difference across the state. Governor Justice

Maverick is one of six new therapy dogs added at Communities in Schools locations across the state by Governor Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice.

The therapy dogs are a part of the Friends With Paws initiative, and a total of 31 therapy dogs can be found in West Virginia with the addition of the six therapy dogs.

Lewisburg Elementary School welcomes new therapy dog

These therapy dogs are making such a meaningful difference. Its incredible what benefits they bring, not just for the students but for the whole faculty. Our Friends With Paws dogs increase attendance, bring comfort and support to everyone in the school, and even help boost academic scores. I look forward to welcoming each one and seeing the amazing work that they do for our students. First Lady Cathy Justice

The Friends With Paws program was started in March 2022 and puts certified therapy dogs in different Communities in Schools throughout the Mountain State to help students who are affected by situations such as substance misuse or poverty and need the comfort of a support animal.

Seeing the Friends With Paws initiative grow brings me a ton of joy because I know firsthand the difference these amazing dogs make for students and educators all across our state. These therapy dogs have truly become a cherished part of our communities, spreading love and happiness throughout the halls. Im absolutely certain these new additions will make a positive impact at their new homes. Governor Justice

More than $14 million announced for projects in West Virginia

The six additional therapy dogs include:

Marion County: Opera  female Labrador Retriever  West Fairmont Middle School

Monroe County: Maverick  male Golden Retriever  James Monroe High School

Wetzel County: Molly  female Labrador Retriever  New Martinsville School

Wood County: Barney  male Labrador Retriever  Parkersburg High School

Calhoun County: Cocoa  female Labrador Retriever  Calhoun Middle/High School

Grant County: Joey  male Labradoodle  Petersburg Elementary School













Events to welcome the therapy dogs will be held in schools across West Virginia throughout the year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Then state Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, presents a bill on the Louisiana House floor on May 23, 2023. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

The Louisiana Senate has pulled back the reins of a proposal that would have given the governor unprecedented power over appointed boards and commissions, including the ability to hire university system presidents.

Senators approved a bill Tuesday that would change the terms of appointees of boards not in the constitution to run concurrently with the governors term, giving the governor immediate control over those positions.

In its original form, Senate Bill 462 by Sen. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, would have given the governor authority to appoint chairs and other officers for hundreds of boards and commissions as long as he or she sends notice to the affected groups within 180 days of taking office.

The bill passed on a 28-10 vote after the Senate unanimously adopted a series of amendments that watered down the legislation. In its current state, the governor would no longer have to wait for their predecessors appointees to cycle through.

Language that limits the governors authority only to boards and commissions not in the constitution protects education-related boards, which were a point of contention in Hodges original bill. The original version would have allowed the governor to directly hire university system presidents, which state law defines as officers.

There shall be a president of each public postsecondary education system, who shall be the executive officer of the postsecondary system and shall serve as secretary to the systems governing board and its executive committee and standing and special committees, the current law reads.

Hodges bill is supported by Gov. Jeff Landry, who has said higher education is the motivating factor behind the bill.

This fight is all about universities, Landry said in an April interview with WAFB-TV. The people of this state are ready for these universities to start taking some responsibility for putting out students that are graduating with degrees that they cant even get a job for.

Governors already appoint members of the four university and college system boards of supervisors. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the accrediting body for Louisiana universities, requires that governing boards for its accredited schools are free from undue external influence. Giving the governor additional authority over higher education governing boards could put the accreditation of state colleges and universities in jeopardy.

Hodges bill will next be discussed in the House and Governmental Affairs Committee. House members will have the opportunity to make changes to the bill and could opt to remove the Senate amendments.

The post Governors potential power over higher ed pulled back in Senate bill appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Russian troops carried out three strikes against the village of Veselianka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on May 8, injuring a woman, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

Russian attacks on the Zaporizhizhia district damaged houses and outbuildings, the governor said.

No further details were provided at the moment.

Russia carried out a large-scale attack overnight against Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Kirovohrad, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, and Vinnytsia oblasts, mainly targeting energy infrastructure. Three thermal power plants were reportedly damaged.

The recent strikes also injured at least three people, including an eight-year-old child in Kirovohrad Oblast, according to the local authorities.

Ukrainian forces downed 39 of 55 Russian missiles and 20 of 21 drones, Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said.

Read also: Updated: Russian attack on Kharkiv injures 7, including children

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russia is forming a grouping of forces north of the city of Kharkiv, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on national television on May 8.

Moscow recently intensified attacks against Kharkiv, which had a population of 1.4 million in 2021, with the use of missiles, glide bombs, and drones, destroying energy infrastructure and killing civilians.

Russian forces failed to take Kharkiv in the first weeks of the full-scale invasion despite the fact that the city lies less than 30 kilometers from the Russian border.

Russia "would need years" to occupy Kharkiv, Oleksandr Pivnenko, a commander of Ukraine's National Guard, said amid the looming threat of renewed attack.

The authorities are "closely monitoring" the northern direction, as Russian troops have resumed active assault operations east of Kharkiv after military units' rotation, the governor said.

Subscribe to newsletter

War Notes

Subscribe

"However, they still have no success. Yes, the enemy is indeed forming a certain grouping of troops. We will analyze further in case of possible attacks from the north," Syniehubov reported.

All the necessary measures are being taken to counteract "the challenges that may arise," he said.

In late March, President Volodymyr Zelensky said another major Russian offensive may come at the end of May or in June.

The Financial Times reported on April 13 that Russia might plan to attack Kharkiv as part of a wider offensive. Western officials nevertheless believe that Moscow does not have the capability to launch a new attack "without a major replenishment of Russian troops," according to Bloomberg.

At the end of March, Russia destroyed all the electrical substations in Kharkiv, leaving Ukraine's second-largest city without a stable power supply.

Read also: Surviving through the darkness: How Kharkiv endures new wave of brutal Russian attacks (Photos)

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed off on next year's budget at a signing ceremony Tuesday. Later that day, he vetoed a dozen bills. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

This story was updated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024 with additional comment.

The governor has vetoed a bill that would have suspended a tax break for data centers for two years, saying it would undermine the business community.

The bill was pitched as a pause that would allow the state to assess the impact these massive energy consumers have on the grid. The states largest utility, Georgia Power, plans to lean on fossil fuel sources to make up the energy shortfall partially caused by these data centers.

The measure would have applied to new applications for a state sales tax exemption as of July 1, and it would have left the perks future in the hands of a new special commission on data center energy planning.

That proposal narrowly passed both chambers during the 2024 legislative session, drawing bipartisan opposition from lawmakers with data centers back home and Democrats responding to concerns from labor unions.

In a statement, Gov. Brian Kemp argued state lawmakers extended the sales tax exemption for another three years just two years ago.

The bills language would prevent the issuance of exemption certificates after an abrupt July 1, 2024 deadline for many customers of projects that are already in development  undermining the investments made by high-technology data center operators, customers, and other stakeholders in reliance on the recent extension, and inhibiting important infrastructure and job development, Kemp said in the statement.

Environmental groups were dismayed by the veto.

The surge in the demand for power from data centers is propping up old coal plants and causing a rush to build new gas infrastructure, said Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director G Webber. As a result, Georgia communities will see higher levels of air and water pollution, and our fight to curb the worst effects of climate change is hampered.

Kemp is burying his head in the sand by refusing to address an issue already having such a significant impact on our state, Webber added.

A group of environmental groups had pressed the governor to sign the bill, sending him a letter last month that argued the measure represented reasonable steps to prepare for the impact of these data centers.

Giving data centers a tax break without investigating their impact on our environment and bill payers is short sighted, said Jennette Gayer, executive director of Environment Georgia. I hope we can revisit this issue in the next legislative session.

House Speaker Jon Burns said in a statement Wednesday that his chamber would continue to examine the issue.

The House made significant progress this year in reducing taxes for businesses and citizens across the state and rebalancing our priorities when it comes to our states economic development incentivesensuring that Georgia taxpayers are receiving the best possible return on investment, the Newington Republican said.

Were going to spend the interim reviewing the incentivization of data centers and studying the long-term impact they could have on our energy and water supply as well as the overall economywhile maintaining our commitment to the businesses currently located in our state, Burns also said.

The bill was one of a dozen struck down by Kemp Tuesday on the final day for the governor to sign a bill into law.

Clerical error?

The governor also vetoed a bill that would have increased the homestead exemption, seemingly over a last-minute error in the lawmaking.

The version that passed the House would have raised the statewide homestead tax exemption from $2,000 to $4,000. But state senators increased the amount to $10,000 in committee, only to switch back to the original amount on the floor.

The problem? The change must be approved by voters, and the language in the ballot text still included the Senates higher amount.

Voters would therefore be approving a different exemption which the Legislature did not pass, while the statutory language would never receive the voter approval needed for it to take effect, Kemp wrote in his veto statement.

It would have been the first adjustment of the homestead exemption since the late 1970s. The proposal was part of a slate of tax relief bills backed by House Speaker Jon Burns.

The House is dedicated to continuing our work with our partners in the Senate to develop legislation that will support Georgia taxpayers with the opportunity to vote on a referendum increasing the homestead tax exemption, Burns said Wednesday.

HOPE For graduate students

Kemp put the kibosh on a trio of bills intended to decrease the cost of a college education because he said lawmakers didnt factor in costs to the state.

Atlanta Democrat Scott Holcombs HOPE Scholarship expansion would have allowed some recipients who still had money available after graduating to use the costs of those credit hours towards a professional or graduate degree.

House Bill 1231 passed the Senate unanimously and made it through the House on the last day of the legislative session with a 166-1 vote, with Dallas Republican Rep. Martin Momtahan the sole no vote.

But Kemp said students have left around 108,000 HOPE credit hours on the table, and if they were all to take advantage of those courses, it could cost the state more than $25 million.

I was proud to restore the promise made long ago to Georgias students by fully funding the HOPE Scholarship in 2023, he wrote. To maintain that promise, and the financial support upon which it stands, we must only consider expansion with a full understanding of the effect it will have on available funds.

Tuition grants for nurses

In the 2023-2024 school year, students at eligible private schools could get an extra $500 per semester or $333 per quarter to help pay their tuition thanks to the states Tuition Equalization Grant.

House Bill 228, sponsored by Rome Republican Rep. Katie Dempsey, aimed to expand that. Dempsey said her goal was to increase nursing capacity in the state by allowing students at private nursing programs that meet licensure exam passage rates and other standards to qualify for the grants.

The Senate amended the bill to further expand the benefits to other private college students, but Kemp said lawmakers didnt put up the money to pay for the plan or come up with an estimated cost.

Despite each of these programs having finite resources, the General Assembly proposed many ad hoc pieces of legislation to expand institution eligibility without additional funding or fiscal analysis addressing the impact of such expansion on current appropriations, he wrote. While I recognize the utility of tuition equalization grants for particular educational needs, the diversion of taxpayer funds to private institutions should only be sought on a measured and consistent basis.

Trucks for Troops

History repeated itself Tuesday when Kemp shot down a bill aimed at putting veteran backsides into truck cabs.

Dallas Republican Sen. Jason Anavitartes Senate Bill 203 aimed to help veterans find jobs after leaving the service by making Technical College System of Georgia commercial drivers license training free for veterans.

Lawmakers in both chambers overwhelmingly approved the idea last year when it was part of House Bill 249, but Kemp vetoed it because he said they did not include funding for the program in the budget.

They did not fund the free lessons again this year, Kemp said in his veto statement.

This proposal was previously included in House Bill 249, which I vetoed on the grounds that the General Assembly failed to fund the initiative. The General Assembly also failed to fund Senate Bill 203 this year, Kemp wrote.

Kemp added that he supports veterans and encourages anyone hoping to get a CDL to look into currently funded resources to cover tuition costs such as the Hope Career Grant.
Its time for graduation at the University of Southern California, and though the school canceled its main commencement ceremony, schools are still hosting their own celebrations beginning on Wednesday.

Amid all the celebrating, however, remains the threat disruptive protests related to Israels war in Gaza, which was sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

College students across the country have created encampments on their campuses while calling for a ceasefire and an end to the United States military and financial support of Israel.

In some cases, violence has broken out, though at USC thus far, no injuries have been reported, though nearly 100 were arrested for trespassing.

USC graduation

While USC has fared relatively well so far, more disruptive protests are expected by many in attendance.

Avi Thawani, a USC graduate, told KTLAs Carlos Herrera that he hopes whatever disruptions come are peaceful.

Its unfortunate. Its a big day. But it also needs to be seen in the light of the events of Gaza and Israel and the strong sentiments [on this issue]Im sure there are peaceful ways to [demonstrate], and I hope theyre doing that, he said.

As of Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Police Department told KTLA we have not received any information regarding a USC request for LAPD assistance this week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Tuesday ripped pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses as either dumbasses or terrorist sympathizers and called on the Department of Justice to investigate who is funding the protest movement.

Theres two classes of people here. Antisemites: If you say, We are Hamas, and you mean it, then you are a religious Nazi. If you say, We are Hamas, and you dont know what Hamas is all about, you are a dumbass, Graham said during a Fox News interview on Jesse Watters Primetime.

So theres dumbasses and theres terrorist sympathizers, and how do you fix this? he said. Win in November.

Graham said the best way to crack down on pro-Palestinian protests on campus is to investigate who is funding them and vowed that former President Trump would make it a top priority if reelected.

Heres what I can promise you, if Donald Trump were president of the United States, his attorney general would be all over this. These college presidents would be under the gun to stop this crap, he said.

The House last week passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which would direct the Department of Education to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of antisemitism to review complaints of discrimination.

That bill is now stalled in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters last week there were objections from both sides of the aisle to moving it forward.

But some Republicans such as Graham want to go further to scrutinize groups that are supporting the protests.

Lara Trump, the co-chair of the Republican National Committee, said last week Democratic mega-donor George Soros has funded a lot of this, stirring this all up.

We know he loves to put his money into upsetting people and causing situations like this, she said on her podcast.

She did not provide any evidence that Soros is in fact funding the protests.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also suggested recently that Soros or another group is behind the protests because many of the tents the demonstrators have set up on various campuses appear to be the same model.

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 speculated during an interview on NewsNations The Hill program.

That claim drew sharp criticism from House Democrats who argued that to portray Soros, who is Jewish, as some kind of villainous mastermind is itself an antisemitic trope.

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 the world, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) posted on the social platform X.

A spokesperson for Soross Open Society Foundations on Wednesday pointed to a statement released after Johnsons remarks that said the group has funded a broad spectrum of US groups that have advocated for the rights of Palestinians and Israelis and for peaceful resolution to the conflict in Israel and the OPT.

This funding is a matter of public record, disclosed on our website, fully compliant with US laws, and is part of our commitment to continuing open debate that is ultimately the only hope for peace in the region, the spokesperson added.

Lauren Irwin contributed to this report, which was updated at 11:52 a.m. EDT

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Iran is trying to solve problems with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) not by political pressure but via technical cooperation, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told reporters, Trend reports.

According to him, there are important issues for cooperation between Iran and the IAEA. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi raised these issues during his visit to Tehran.

Amirabdollahian noted that there is progress between Iran and the agency if the IAEA director general takes steps within the law. However, in cases of external pressure, misunderstandings arise.

Meanwhile, the 3-day 1st International Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology (international conference on nuclear science and technology) kicked off in Isfahan, Iran, on May 6. Senior Iranian officials attended the conference. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossin also traveled to Iran to attend the conference.

Additionally, Iran and the IAEA reached an agreement in March of last year (2023) and released a statement about it. According to the agreement, Iran's cooperation with the IAEA is within the framework of the Convention on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and safeguards, and the parties are to cooperate on allegations of the existence of enriched uranium substances in connection with Iran's nuclear program.

In January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Plan of Joint Action on Iran's nuclear program. 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, as well as the imposition of sanctions on Iran.

According to the Iranian parliament's decision, as of February 23, Iran had stopped the implementation of additional measures and an additional protocol included in the nuclear deal. Consequently, the IAEA reduced its monitoring mechanism by 2030 percent.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The granddaughter of a sculptor whose war monument was defaced by anti-Israel protesters in Central Park says the criminals are idiots and that her beloved kin would be very, very sad.

Good God. Unbelievable. What a time were living in, Faith Runner, 76, told The Post on Tuesday when learning of the graffiti and anti-Israel stickers plastered on late grandfather Karl Illavas historic World War I tribute to American heroes.

Idiots, said the Massachusetts woman, who lived in New York City in the late 1960s.

Its really ironic, too, because these guys, these American boys who gave their lives and blood, were fighting for peoples freedom, Runner said of the US soldiers to whom the statue is dedicated.

And here you have these hooligans here who just dont understand history, they probably just dont understand what theyre doing.

Anti-Israel idiots defaced a historic World War I monument in Central Park dedicated to some of Americas heroes. G.N.Miller/NYPost

A worker helps clean up the mess Tuesday. G.N.Miller/NYPost

Im very sad, she added. I think [Illava] would feel the same. I think hed be saddened that people can be so misguided and so destructive of things that are not about them and not about their political beliefs.

He wouldnt be enraged, she said. He was too kind a man. But he would be very, very sad, I think, and hed probably feel sorry for the people who did it.

Illavas large bronzed statue features seven soldiers, including one clutching a collapsed comrade.

It was placed near the parks East 67th Street entrance and the armory for the Seventh Regiment, whose infantry helped to break Germanys Hindenburg Line of defense at the conclusion of World War I, in 1927, according to a park website.

The vandals  part of a mob frustrated that it couldnt disrupt the nearby Met Gala on the Upper East Side on Monday night  desecrated the monument by spray-painting Gaza in large letters in blood-red and black and putting anti-Israel stickers on its base.

An American flag was burned at the base of the monument during the warped protest. Jack Morphet/NY Post

One America hater burned a US flag at its base, while some protesters climbed on top of the statues soldiers and draped Palestinian flags over them.

They did the same to a statue of Civil War Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman nearby.

Runner said her grandfather, who had been in the calvary with the Seventh Regiment, was grateful to have been hired by the city to do the touching World War I sculpture, given it was during the Great Depression.

He was very lucky to get these commissions because most artists were starving, she said of her grandfather.

She said she last visited the monument with a friend in the fall.

It was a lovely time, Runner said.

She said her grandfather intentionally made the monument what some might call ugly  but that was on purpose.

He hated war, she said.

Cops are still hunting for the vandals  with Mayor Eric Adams putting up $5,000 of his own money as part of a reward to help track down the culprits.
Grandfather of 7 Dead After Being Mauled by Bull While Repairing Fence: 'He Was Truly the Best'

Brian Oliver was doing maintenance on a farm in Blacksburg, S.C. when the bull charged and dragged him to a nearby creek, authorities said

Brian Oliver/Facebook Brian Oliver

Family and friends of Brian Oliver are mourning the death of the avid outdoorsman, who died after being mauled by a bull.

The 54-year-old man from Blacksburg, South Carolina, was working with a friend to repair a fence post at a farm when a bull charged and dragged him to a nearby creek where he was stomped and mauled on Saturday, April 28, Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler said in a news release obtained by PEOPLE.

CBS affiliate WSPA-TV identified the friend as Mike Carroll, and said the man stabbed the bull with a knife in order to get the animal to turn its attention away from Oliver.

The bull then attacked Carroll, who was later airlifted to a hospital in Lancaster where he is recovering, Fowler said.

Related: Dad Drowns After Rescuing 3 Kids from North Carolina River: Hes a Hero, Son Says

Oliver, a father of two and grandfather of seven, experienced extreme injuries as a result of the attack, including two collapsed lungs, broken ribs, broken shoulder bones, a broken neck and multiple spinal fractures, his family said in a GoFundMe.

After three days in the ICU at Spartanburg Medical Center, Oliver died on May 2 surrounded by family, his daughter Cheyenne Oliver said in a message on the fundraising page.

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.

Now, loved ones are mourning the loss of the patriarch who dedicated his life to his family.

Not only am I heartbroken for my sister & I to lose our dad early in life, Im even more heartbroken our children are losing their pawpaw, Olivers other daughter, Megan Danielle Hughes, wrote on Facebook. Our kids were his entire world, and they all loved each other so, so much. He was truly the best pawpaw to them you could ever have imagined.

Related: 'Your Babys Dead': 5 Moms Open Up About How Toxic Water Led to Children's Deaths in New Doc (Exclusive)

Funeral arrangements, set for Hopewell Baptist Church in Blacksburg, are still being finalized.

An autopsy will be performed to assist with his investigation of the tragic incident, Fowler said.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Felipe Henao didnt know that his phone call with his sister back in January would be the last one. She had seemed hopeful for the future, despite the pending divorce, and had plans to stay in Spain longer term, someday start a nonprofit for women in need. Then she disappeared.

Henao and other family members of Ana Henao Knezevich, 40, gathered inside of their attorneys office in downtown Fort Lauderdale to address the public for the first time since her estranged husband David Knezevich was arrested on Saturday at Miami International Airport in relation to her disappearance.

David Knezevich, 36, is accused in newly released federal court documents of plotting meticulously to make his wife disappear: renting a car that he drove from Serbia, where he was staying, to Madrid; spray-painting the surveillance cameras at her apartment building, then leaving with a suitcase; and having a different Colombian woman translate into English a text that he sent from his wifes cellphone to tell her friends she was fine, though it had the opposite effect.

Related Articles

Its terrible, Henao said on Wednesday when asked how he was feeling in the days since his brother-in-laws arrest. We feel great betrayal. Were just shocked. Were traumatized. I dont wish this upon my worst enemy.

Asked whether he thinks his sister is dead or alive, he replied, its not easy to talk about, so I just dont want to.

Yet despite the many unanswered questions about David Knezevich, his role in Anas disappearance, and where she possibly could be, her family and their attorneys declined to speak much about him during the news conference at the law offices of Kelley Uustal Wednesday, saying they wanted to use the opportunity to tell Anas story instead. When they spoke of her, they included her maiden name, Henao.

Also joining Felipe Henao was his and Anas older brother, Diego Henao, and their mother, Aura Ines Nino de Henao, who declined to speak, as well as the familys attorneys, Adam Ingber and Kelley Uustals Courtney Caprio and Amanda Suarez.

Related Articles

The youngest child, Felipe Henao recalled how Ana Knezevich and Diego Henao always used to pick on him growing up. But later in life, she helped him find work, a home, and became the reason he moved to the U.S.

She fed me, Felipe Henao said. Gave me a roof and a job. She carried me, and Im eternally grateful for her, thats why I fight for her. I just hope shes out there and we can find her soon.

A successful businesswoman, Ana Knezevich had lived in Fort Lauderdale for 18 years. She and David Knezevich had spearheaded two businesses in real estate and IT, and owned several properties across Fort Lauderdale. She used her success to lift up her family.

The siblings mother had also moved to the U.S from Colombia and worked for Ana and David Knezevichs real estate company, cleaning and managing houses, according to a petition filed by her family in Broward County Circuit Court. In fact, her mother was living in a house that the couple had purchased before David Knezevich sold it to new owners three weeks after his wife disappeared.

In the weeks prior to the arrest, Ana Knezevichs family had filed the petition for conservatorship, arguing that David Knezevich had been selling off her assets. On Thursday, four days before his arrest, a judge appointed a conservator over her estate.

Felipe Henao described his older sister as very loved, with many friends, the kind of person who walks into a room and brightens it. She was so beautiful, he felt like she had stolen the good looks from the rest of the family.

Her capacity to make friends is also something he believes contributed to the success of the investigation: It was Ana Knezevichs friends, both near and far, who almost immediately knew something was off that weekend of Feb. 2, who contacted the police and aided the investigation in Spain.

When Felipe Henao first told his mother the news of his sisters disappearance, he said he almost had to take her to the hospital because he thought she was having a heart attack. Thankfully, his sister-in-law is a nurse.

Its been just anguish and desperation for the family ever since, Felipe Henao said. For months, they waited for news, barely sleeping or eating. Diego Henao flew from Colombia to Florida, where he has remained.

Last weekends arrest was a shock amid months of waiting, one that has brought the family some answers but also more questions. Caprio with Kelley Uustal said they had not known about the arrest until it happened. It remains unclear why David Knezevich had come to Miami.

Related Articles

Its a bittersweet feeling, Henao said when asked if the arrest brought him any closure. Now were getting answers at least.

David Knezevich will have a bond hearing in Miami federal court on Friday to determine if he will be released or remain in custody. Caprio said that the family believes he should be kept behind bars as he is a flight risk.

She said the trial will likely be held in Miami federal court.

Caprio declined to comment further on the investigation, deferring to the FBI and the U.S Attorneys Office.
With reports of spinning fish, lengthening heatwaves, and the rest, we might reasonably flinch at the phrase ecological event. But heres one such event many of you can enjoy, even embrace, right here in the U.S., from your back deck or on a walk in the woods: a massive emergence of cicadas.

Theyre a special kind of cicada that live underground for 13 to 17 years, and live in separate geographic groups, or broods, that follow a similar cadence of emerging from the earth, mating, and reproducing. What makes this years proliferation remarkable is that two neighboring broods are emerging at the same time, in one of the largest co-emergences on earth.

Kids will remember this for their lifetime, Catherine Dana, an entomologist and an affiliate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaigns Illinois Natural History Survey, told Scientific American. Maybe they will remember it as being disgusting and loud, but its also, in a way, magical.

The nymphs of the Great Southern Brood of cicadas, also known as Brood XIX, began to emerge in late April, after 13 years spent underground. The Northern Illinois Brood, aka Brood XIII, should begin emerging this month, after 17 dark years. Between the two broods, regions that include 17 states will experience this ecological event, from Wisconsin south to Louisiana, and from Oklahoma east to Virginia. In places where these cicadas emerge, their numbers will be unmissable: A good estimate for ideal cicada habitat, if not necessarily your lawn, is about a million cicadas per acre.

Its one of the larger co-emergences of cicadas in nature. These broods are also geographically next to each otheranother rarity. Co-emergences dont happen very often. And certain co-emergence combinations are very rare indeed. These two broods last emerged together in Thomas Jeffersons first presidential term, in 1803.

The Louisiana Purchase was made in April of that year, just about the time cicada nymphs in some of that territory may have emerged, so they were born French and died Americans. By that October, when Lewis and Clark formed the Corps of Discovery, those new cicada-citizens had mated and died, and their young were safely growing underground, waiting to emerge years later as adults.

Not your everyday cicadas.

These cicadas are not the same species of cicadas many of us hear every year in summer. Those are annual cicadas, a completely different set of species that emerges from late spring to late summer. This years mass emergence are all periodical cicadas, in the genus magicicada, so called because they emerge every 13 or 17 years, in spring, as soon as the topmost 6 inches of soil reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

Theyre fairly easy to distinguish. Periodical cicadas have black bodies, vivid red eyes, and orange wing veins. Annuals dont have red eyes and usually have some green on their bodies.

Their life cycles are similar. Nymphs emerge from the ground after sunset and immediately ascend the nearest tree or shrub. They climb out of their nymph clothing (molt), hang out for a few days while their new exoskeletons and wings harden, and the males begin their choruses, attracting answering females. After mating, the females go off to lay their eggs in thin twigs, and after a few weeks the new nymphsorphans by this timehatch, drop to the ground, and burrow until they find a root to feed on, until its their turn to emerge.

Of the 3,000 to 5,000 species of cicadas worldwide, fewer than 10 are periodical. And seven of those are in the North American magicicada genus, found in most of the deciduous forests of the eastern half of the U.S. Theyre an insectile form of American exceptionalism.

Staying true to their brood.

By itself, theres nothing exceptional about a brood emergence. It happens in almost any given year. Nor does brood have any biological significance. Its something weve imposed on periodical cicadas to keep track of their emergences. They are regional, multispecies groupings of periodical cicadas that emerge on a common schedule, according to researchers at the University of Connecticut.

Like jigsaw puzzle pieces, cicada broods generally dont overlap geographically, and are usually but not always contiguous (some broods have isolated areas separate from their main territory, kind of like Kaliningrad). In the few places where two broods overlap, the songs of identical species in each brood are different enough to keep them from mating with a member of the wrong brood.

Brood XIX, the Great Southern Brood, is one of the largest, covering 15 states from Illinois to Louisiana, from Oklahoma to Virginia. Of the 15 total periodical cicada broods, three are 13-year cicadas (found mainly in the South and Midwest) and 12 are 17-year cicadas (found mainly in the Northeast and northern Midwest).

Cicada broods seem to have been formed by long-term climate variations. According to genetic research, Magicicada neotredecima periodical species in the northern Mississippi Valleyformed during an interglacial (i.e., warming) period about 200,000 years ago, evolving from a 17-year cicada to a 13-year one.

Cicadas arent perfect timekeepers, and some brood members will emerge earlier or later than the rest of the brood, varying by one or four years. The number of these stragglers can be low to upward of thousands.

Its a numbers game.

For the vast majority of more punctual cicadas, their mass emergence is most probably a defensive-offensive survival strategy. Emergences arent a steady release of cicadas, or a single burst of bugs, but a series of quick pulses. Emerging in such massive numbersmore than predators could possibly eatguarantees that enough mating pairs will survive to pass along their genes to the next generation of cicadas.

Their defense is coming out in the billions, Martha Weiss, an insect ecologist at Georgetown University, told Scientific American. Predators really just cant possibly eat all of them.

Because of the long periods between emergences, predator populations cant build up (at least by feeding on the cicadas). Mass emergences also help other prey of these predators, by taking some of that predation pressure off them.

Those predators are many, from spiders and wasps (including one cicada specialist) to trout and bass, snakes, birds, and mammals. Domestic dogs will scarf them down.

Cicadas do their share of eating, too, both as earthbound nymphs and adults, which they do by harmlessly sucking the watery xylem from the roots or branches of trees or shrubs.

If a cicada happens to land on you, remain calm. As the UConn team points out, although their eyesight is keen, after millions of years on the earth, cicadas may make the reasonable assumption that any vertical object is a host plant.

After so many years underground, what summons periodical cicadas to emerge? Researchers dont really know. Science writer Carl Zimmer observes that mass emergence cant depend on temperature alone. If it did, the natural variation in soil temperature would mean that cicadas in the same patch of woods would emerge at different times, making them easier pickings for predators.

To pull off a synchronous pulse, there must be some additional cue. One theory, still unproven, is that nymphs somehow communicate with each other.

However this years cicadas wake up, no real harm will come from this emergence, or any other. You may want to outfit any young trees or shrubs you want to protect with cheesecloth or some other bird-proof covering. Mature trees and shrubs quickly recover from any superficial damage they may suffer.

A full-on cicada emergence can get loudabout 90 decibels at the loudest. Thats comparable to the noise from a lawnmower or a hair dryer. But there is no awe in the sound of the Toro next door, while there is plenty in the equally loud rush of Niagara Falls or the roar of a lion.

The jury is out on whether your pets should eat cicadas. As for us, although its easy to find recipes online featuring cicadas (the taste resembles a shrimp bouquet with nutty overtones, its said), you might just say no. The UConn team notes that cicadas are known mercury bioaccumulatorsthat is, over their lives they accumulate environmental mercury.

But an imitation cicada at the end of a fly line apparently will do well on any game fish, including trout. Serve sans cicada.

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.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) moved to force a vote on ousting Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday, a momentous move that is all but certain to fail amid opposition from Democrats and conservative Republicans.

Greene  who filed her motion to vacate against Johnson more than a month ago  called her resolution to the floor as privileged on Wednesday, forcing GOP leadership to move on the measure within two legislative days.

Lawmakers are expected to quickly motion to table the removal resolution, which is poised to be successful after a large number of Republicans and Democrats said they are against the ouster gambit.

Only two other Republicans  Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Paul Gosar (Ariz.)  have backed her effort.

Greene triggered her ouster resolution  the same used to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in the fall  after weeks of dangling the threat over Johnsons head as she criticized his decisions on a number of legislative undertakings.

The Georgia Republican denounced Johnsons decision to package a government funding bill, a measure to reauthorize the U.S.s warrantless surveillance powers and, most recently, a foreign aid package that included billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine.

Greene met with Johnson for hours on Monday and Tuesday, during which she laid out a list of demands for the Speaker, including only bringing bills to the floor that have support from a majority of the GOP conference, a practice known as the Hastert rule; committing to not passing any additional aid for Ukraine; defunding special counsels, including Jack Smith, who is investigating former President Trump; and imposing a 1-percent spending cut across the board if Congress does not complete its regular appropriations process by Sept. 30.

Johnson told reporters were working through a lot of ideas and suggestions but did not publicly commit to the requests before Greene triggered her motion.

Members of both parties booed Greene when she went to the floor Thursday and made clear she was moving forward with trying to oust Johnson. Greene said the booing was evidence of the uni-party of Democrats and Republicans that she has criticized.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A now-former Tanglewood Middle School 7th grade teacher was arrested and charged Tuesday for carrying a gun on school property. He was fired the same day.

Tim Waller, spokesperson for the Greenville County School District, said Shavar Romario Stephenson, 25, of Greenville, carried a firearm into the school in his bag.

Stephenson is charged with possession of a firearm on school property, according to the Greenville County Sheriff's Office. He was booked at the Greenville County Detention Center on Tuesday.

"The investigation was initiated yesterday afternoon after the school resource officer was alerted by school administrators that there was talk among students that a teacher had a gun in his bag," Lt. Ryan Flood with the sheriff's office said in a Wednesday morning press release.

More: Judge rules teen suspect in Tanglewood Middle School shooting will be tried as an adult

Stephenson's bond was set at $5,000, according to online jail records. As of 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, he had not posted bond.

Waller confirmed that Stephenson was terminated from the school district Tuesday.

Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis speaks to reporters outside Tanglewood Middle School.

The middle school, located off Merriwoods Drive near Old Easley Bridge Road, has had several incidents related to firearms in the last several years.

Earlier this year, a 15-year-old Tanglewood student was charged after an unloaded, stolen firearm was found in the student's backpack.

In 2022, a then-12-year-old Tanglewood student, Jordan Williams, shot and killed classmate Jamari Cortez Bonaparte Jackson in the hallway of the school. A judge ruled in late March that Williams, now 14, will be criminally tried as an adult.

A civil lawsuit related to the case named both the school district and Williams' father and aunt.

Chalmers Rogland covers public safety for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Greenville News and USA Today Network. Reach him via email at crogland@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Tanglewood Middle School teacher charged, fired after gun found in bag
The Washington Avenue Bridge spans the East and West Banks of the University of Minnesota campus, with the murky Mississippi scrolling underneath. The bridge's lower deck is a busy route for cars and light rail trains, the upper deck for bikers and pedestrians. Views from the bridge  of downtown Minneapolis, campus buildings and river bluffs  offer the perspective of floating above the bustling world below.

Kayla Gaebel was 29 years old, with a fiance and two young children, when she went missing from her Shakopee home last November. The next day, police traced her GPS to the university she'd attended. Security camera footage from the Washington Avenue Bridge showed Gaebel jumping.

Gaebel had a personality "as full as her curls," and was a devoted parent who worked in childcare, said her mother, MJ Weiss, of Inver Grove Heights. "It was a total shock because it was just something we never expected her to do," Weiss said.

The day after Weiss learned of her daughter's death, she walked across the Washington Avenue Bridge. She noticed the railings were only 4 feet high. And signage addressing those in crisis didn't seem well-worded. "When you're looking into the water, you go, 'This is pretty nice,' " she said. "But then you begin to realize that it doesn't have anything to protect the students or the public."

Weiss soon learned that her daughter was one of perhaps hundreds of people who have died on the Washington Avenue Bridge, known as a suicide hotspot by prevention advocates. She vowed to save others by pushing to erect physical barriers, an expensive but effective way to impede suicide attempts that's been proposed in the past, to no avail.

Working with Bloomington-based Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), Weiss built a coalition of supporters who have experienced suicide loss, including a father whose son died at the bridge just weeks before Gaebel. The group is recommending barriers that would be funded through the university's request for a $500 million reinvestment in existing infrastructure, which the Minnesota Legislature votes on this month.

Suicide prevention efforts have become more urgent as Minnesota's suicide rate has increased by more than 50% over the past two decades. Suicide is now the second most common cause of death for those ages 10-24, a demographic that overlaps heavily with those traversing the Washington Avenue Bridge.

A bridge with a history

There's a reluctance among suicide-prevention advocates, including SAVE, to identify a site of frequent suicides, for fear of contagion. Yet calling attention to a problematic location can draw resources to make it safer. And the Washington Avenue Bridge has had the unfortunate association with suicide ever since noted poet and U professor John Berryman jumped to his death there in 1972.

In recent decades, there have often been a few suicide deaths from the bridge each year. But reporting is spotty. In 2006, the year two women in their 20s were believed to have died by suicide at the bridge, a University police official told the Minnesota Daily he estimated such deaths happened three to four times a year. In 2017, the Daily reported that student security monitors alerted potentially suicidal students to University Security about once every month or two.

More recently, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office recorded two people who jumped to their deaths from the bridge in 2023 and two in 2020. But the county's water patrol unit recovers more bodies in that area, so it's possible numbers are greater.

In addition to crisis-number signage, the bridge's safety elements include blue-light emergency call boxes and security cameras that are part of a campus-wide network being monitored 24/7. (If someone is spotted behaving in a concerning manner, officers are dispatched.)

But security presence is generally minimal. And even at mid-day, minutes can lapse between passersby. "You can see why people go there because there's nothing to stop them," Weiss said. "It's just too easy."

Erich Mische, the executive director of SAVE, describes the call boxes and signs as "woefully inadequate" because they rely on a person in crisis initiating their own intervention. And cameras might not bring help in time.

"I watched Kayla's video," Weiss said, "And there was no blue light, no sign, no anything that was gonna stop her. She was past that point." Yet there was time, Weiss noted, to deter her daughter. "She was on that bridge  from parking her car to the event  for seven minutes, so she had adequate time to have somebody save her, had the resources been there."

Barriers do work

One common misconception about suicide is that it's planned in advance. Mische notes that the time between suicidal ideation taking hold and making an attempt can be roughly 5 to 20 minutes. That's why reducing access to lethal means  trigger locks on guns, secure storage of pharmaceuticals, bridge barriers  can be very effective. It halts the attempt without requiring a person in crisis to reach out.

"Data shows that if you interrupt that process, the likelihood somebody's going to continue drops precipitously," Mische said. "And once they get through that time parameter, the likelihood they're going to try to attempt suicide in the future drops significantly as well."

A study of bridges in Switzerland showed that the presence of barriers at least 7.5 feet tall reduced suicides by nearly 70 percent.

At the American bridge with the most suicide deaths, the Golden Gate, new stainless-steel nets below the deck have curtailed losses. In 2023, as installation was in process, the number of deaths dropped to about half the previous annual average.

In the Twin Cities, St. Paul's High Bridge, another Mississippi crossing, has also experienced many suicides  one roughly one per year in the 2010s except for 2015, when the number spiked to seven) A 2018 renovation replaced a waist-high railing with a 9-foot-tall ornamental fence, which Mische says has been an effective deterrent. "It makes it virtually impossible for somebody to use that bridge to die by suicide," he said. "It also creates the opportunity for people to intervene."

Another plea for change

If barriers work, why don't more bridges have them?

In the case of the Washington Avenue Bridge, a 2017 task force's proposal to raise the railings met with opposition due to its $3 million price tag and concerns about aesthetics.

Alice Roberts-Davis, vice president of University Services, said the U's numerous failed efforts to get state funding for updating the bridge are part of the Legislature's long-standing underinvestment in maintaining campus facilities. This year, she said there's more traction due to the U's extra efforts to connect with state legislators and personal testimonials from Weiss and others, organized under the name Kayla's Hope.

"Their being brave enough and strong enough to go and talk to people over and over again about their story has been very compelling," said Roberts-Davis.

Rep. Mohamud Noor, a Democrat whose district includes the U campus, said he supports funding the barriers as well as more mental-health resources for students. "Not having a support structure present  there's a gap because they've left their families to come to college  they're vulnerable," he said.

As difficult as advocacy work has been for Gaebel's family, Weiss's sister Gina Morgan said they felt compelled act. "Families can't go through this like we've gone through this."

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Text Line counselor.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Paintbrush in hand, Anastasiya Sereda is working on a painting of a chubby-faced panda in the uniform of a Ukrainian soldier.

Propped on her easel is the reason why  a photo of her boyfriend Bohdan, a burly serviceman with a gentle smile.

He looks like a panda, Sereda said in explanation, alternately laughing and choking with tears as she talked about her partner, who was killed almost a year ago on the front line in eastern Ukraine. Taking part in an art class for women bereaved by war, shes trying to capture her boyfriends humor and heroism, and channel her roiling emotions onto canvas.

Many other Ukrainians also are wrestling with a potent mix of emotions  including grief, anger, humor, defiance and fear  as they face a new phase in the war with growing concern about international support for their cause.

Most remain firm in their resolve to drive out the Russian invaders and decide their countrys future course. Many also worry that international attention is distracted by the Israel-Hamas war and other concerns, and that allies arent delivering much-needed weapons and ammunition. Foreign visitors are often told to go home with a message: Send air defenses, especially U.S.-made Patriot missiles, to close Ukraines skies to the enemy.

There are many grounds for worry. Russia has thrown waves of soldiers and deadly glide bombs at Ukrainian lines, forcing Kyivs troops to retreat from several villages along the 600-mile (1,000-kilometer) frontline in the countrys east and south. Military analysts say Russia is pushing to take as much territory as it ca n before fresh supplies of arms reach Ukraine from a $61 billion U.S. aid package approved in April.

Away from the front, air-raid sirens are a routine occurrence in much of the country as Russia attacks with missiles, rockets and drones. Sometimes the attacks hit energy plants, railways or other infrastructure. Often the targets feel indiscriminate: apartment buildings, hospitals, playgrounds. All mean more lives ripped apart.

We really want the world to remember that people are dying right now, said Valentyna, who works at a power station that has been repeatedly hit by Russian missiles. When air alerts send her to the plants basement shelter, she helps make camouflage netting to send to the troops, threading strips of green and gray cloth on a string frame.

When theres a siren you feel better if youre doing something, Valentyna said. The Associated Press agreed not to publish her full name because she works for critical national infrastructure.

Kyiv, Ukraines beautiful capital, is once again a bustling European city with modern conveniences from craft beer bars and hip coffee shops to ride-hailing apps and McDonalds. Residents have adapted to war, and nowadays, few head for the shelter of the subway when air alarms sound.

But reminders of the dead are all around: in the sea of yellow and blue flags in Independence Square, and the memorial wall outside St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery, where people leave flowers in front of photos of fallen troops.

As some Kyivites brunched on patios one spring Sunday, hundreds of others took to the streets for a demonstration to demand the release of Azov Brigade troops who were taken captive by Russia after defending the southern city of Mariupol two years ago. The weekly protests aim to ensure the POWs are not forgotten, and draw supportive honks from passing cars.

Theres a growing gap between those who serve and those who dont, highlighted by a recent government decision to suspend passport renewal services for conscription-age men outside the country. Though human rights groups have criticized the move, many Ukrainians agree with the government that the move is a question of fairness.

And war also has brought solidarity, throwing together people from all walks of life and turning academics, scientists, writers and many others into soldiers.

Scores of people gathered in Kyivs central Independence Square on a rainy recent afternoon to say goodbye to Nazarii Lavrovskyi, a medical researcher turned army paramedic who was killed in April while helping to evacuate wounded troops.

University friends, fellow scientists from his lab researching antimicrobial drugs and battle-hardened soldiers all fell to one knee on the wet pavement as his coffin was carried from a hearse to the sound of military trumpet and drum.

He joined us, and it was strange to see such people ending up in the war, said Oleksii Palii, a veteran of Lavrovskyis unit, the 112th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. At first, he couldnt cope at all, but later he became a combat medic. He earned tremendous respect from all the soldiers.

Rest in peace, thats how it turned out.

With so much to worry about, many Ukrainians have put fears for the future on the back burner, said Anton Grushetskyi, executive director of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. There is concern about what a victory for Donald Trump in Novembers U.S. presidential election could mean, given the Republican contenders past praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin. But its not at the forefront of most peoples minds.

People cannot (predict) their lives in a couple of months, even, because the situation is changing rapidly, Grushetskyi said.

That sentiment was echoed by Olena Herhel, another member of the Alive, true love stories art project, where war widows find support and an outlet for their feelings. She joined the painting group after her husband was killed in the fighting almost two years ago.

There is no point in making plans, because no one can say what will happen tomorrow, she said. My family just tries to get on with the tasks that we have for today.

___

Associated Press journalists Illia Novikov and Volodymyr Yurchuk contributed to this story.
Editors note: This story has been updated to correct the attribution on a quote.

DENVER (KDVR)  A group of migrants staying at an encampment in Denver sent a list of demands to the mayors desk.

That group said if their demands are met, they will voluntarily stay in city-funded shelters and leave their encampment where families, including young children, still live in tents.

14 Auraria protesters face charges after occupying building

The migrants have been lobbied by Denver Human Services to get off the street and into shelters  an offer that remains, according to city officials. But they are holding out and said the city has reneged on its deal with them, while the city maintains it will continue to offer services to migrants that choose shelter over encampments.

The camp as a collective came up with a list of demands, V Reeves, a migrant advocate, said.

That came after a petition by city officials to move people from an encampment near train tracks and under a bridge to indoor shelters funded by the city.

This morning, they sent buses to take people over without presenting that document and without having any kind of signature for accountability, Reeves said.

That is how the city responded instead of meeting their demands, according to Reeves.

What we do not want is families on the streets of Denver

Weve been offering time and shelter, basically just trying to get families to leave that camp and come inside, said Jon Ewing, with Denver Human Services.

Ewing said shelter comes with its perks, namely getting out of conditions outdoors.

Which comes with three square meals a day, Ewing said. You can cook your own if you like to.

How you can help migrants in Denver

That is one of the main demands from the migrants, who have had grievances about the food provided by the city.

There have been so many complaints about the food being spoiled or not being enough and malnutrition amongst children, Reeves said.

Migrants who stay in shelters are often put on a path toward a work permit. Reeves said the migrants at the encampment have not received the same benefits.

Theyre not receiving any kind of official housing or immigration document support, which is incredibly necessary for them to be able to navigate the bureaucracy around these systems, Reeves said.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

The city said its offer comes with these benefits.

What do you qualify for? What do you not qualify for? What might be something that is a feasible path for you to success that is not staying on the streets of Denver? Ewing said. We try to compromise. We try to figure something out. You know, at the end of the day, what we do not want is families on the streets of Denver.

What are the demands from migrants?

In all, the migrants presented 13 demands to the city of Denver. Messages shared with FOX31 show the demands are:

Migrants will cook their own food with fresh, culturally appropriate ingredients provided by the City instead of premade meals  rice, chicken, flour, oil, butter, tomatoes, onions, etc Also people will not be punished for bringing in & eating outside food. Shower access will be available without time limits & can be accessed whenever  we are not in the military, were civilians. Medical professional visits will happen regularly & referrals/connections for specialty care will be made as needed. All will receive the same housing support that has been offered to others. They cannot kick people out in 30 days without something stable established. There needs to be a clear, just process before exiting someone for any reason  including verbal, written & final warnings. All shelter residents will receive connection to employment support, including work permit applications for those who qualify. Consultations for each person/family with a free immigration lawyer must be arranged to discuss/progress their cases, & then the City will provide on-going legal support in the form of immigration document clinics & including transportation to relevant court dates. The City will provide privacy for families/individuals within the shelter. No more verbal or physical or mental abuse will be permitted from the staff, including no sheriff sleeping inside & monitoring 24/7  we are not criminals & wont be treated as such. Transportation for all children to & from their schools will be provided until they finish in 3 weeks. No separating families, regardless of if family members have children or not. The camp will stay together. The City must schedule a meeting with the Mayor & those directly involved in running the Newcomer program ASAP to discuss further improvements & ways to support migrants. The City must provide all residents with a document signed by a City official in English & Spanish with all of these demands that includes a number to call to report mistreatment.

The city continues to bring buses to the encampment for any migrants choosing to leave the encampment and go to a congregate shelter or hotel.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
GROVE, Okla.  The Oklahoma Association of School Administrators announced the selection of Renae Dozier as the District 6 Assistant Superintendent of the Year.

Grove students soaring to new heights with new aviation equipment

I am deeply honored to have been selected by my peers as this years District 6 Assistant Superintendent of the Year, Dozier said.

Dozier also won the distinguished honor in 2022.

District 6 comprises a community of remarkably innovative, talented, and hardworking educators, whom Dozier said she will proudly represent.

My collaboration with these educators has significantly enhanced my own abilities as an educator, Dozier said.

She richly deserves the recognition and accolades for her commitment to excellence and unwavering drive to make Grove Public Schools thrive, said Pat Dodson, Grove superintendent. I am blessed to have her by my side working daily to grow our school.

Dozier, who has been with Grove schools for 28 years, will be recognized at the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration Summer Leadership Conference which is held June 12-14.

She is in her third year as Assistant Superintendent after serving as Principal of Grove High School for 14 years. During the 2012-13 school year, Dozier was named the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals Principal of the Year.

She began her teaching career as the schools Agricultural Education Teacher.

Dozier is among the best of Oklahoma administrators, said Pam Deering, executive director.

Assistant Superintendents and Central Office Administrators play vital roles in promoting best practices that lead to the highest standards of student achievement, including best practices in instructional excellence, financial and budget integrity, efficient facility and transportation operations and fostering community support, Deering said.

OASA has 20 Districts that consist of multiple counties.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
LACHIN, Azerbaijan, April 24. Azerbaijan can utilize the COP29 platform to share its story, former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza told Trend.

He made the remark on the sidelines of the International Forum COP29 and Green View for Azerbaijan.

COP29 is one of the largest events in Azerbaijan's history. The entire globe will be watching the event, and everyone hopes it succeeds. Azerbaijan should take this opportunity to share the country's story, he emphasized.

Ambassador Bryza also mentioned the successful start of the delimitation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and expressed hope for accelerating this process.

To note, a conference within the framework of the International Forum COP29 and Green View for Azerbaijan, with the participation of 64 authoritative experts from 30 countries, started its work in Lachin on April 24.

Academicians, former ambassadors, and representatives of international think tanks shared their experience in sustainable development and green energy at the conference organized jointly by ADA University and the Center for Analysis of International Relations (CAIR). They attended an international forum on COP29 and the Green View for Azerbaijan at ADA University on April 23 and addressed questions to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The ceiling of the main Rotunda inside Pennsylvanias Capitol building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

The ceiling of the main Rotunda inside Pennsylvanias Capitol building. (Photo by Amanda Berg for the Capital-Star).

Hours after hundreds of gun safety advocates rallied at the state capitol, the Pennsylvania House voted down a pair of bills, one that would have banned machine gun conversion devices and another that aimed to curb gun trafficking.

House Bills 335 and 2206 both failed by a 101-100 vote Tuesday, with state Rep. Frank Burns (D-Cambria), joining every Republican in opposition.

Today, 500 Pennsylvanians from over 45 counties and three fourths of state legislative districts showed that the broad majority of our Commonwealth demands safer communities, Adam Garber, Executive Director of CeaseFirePA Action said in a statement to the Capital-Star. And also today, a handful of radical lawmakers defied that mass movement of survivors, youth, doctors, and interfaith leaders, choosing instead to allow illegal machine guns and firearm trafficking to continue killing Pennsylvanians.

We will hold them accountable for betraying their duty to keep us safe, and we wont stop until we can all live our lives free from gun violence, Garber added.

Although both bills failed on Tuesday, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) and Rep. Dan Miller (D-Allegheny) made a motion to reconsider them.

State Rep. Ben Sanchez (D-Montgomery), who sponsored House Bill 335, said on the House floor prior to the vote that the legislation would ban future sales and purchases of accelerated trigger activators, like the one used in the largest mass shooting in U.S. history at a country music festival in Las Vegas in 2017.

Accelerated trigger activators like bump stocks and glock switches accelerate the rate of fire of a semi automatic firearm to simulate the rate of fire of a machine gun, Sanchez said. Madam Speaker, this bill makes it clear that machine guns have no place in a civilized society.

Sanchez also argued that other states and the federal government have taken action to prohibit trigger activators, including Republican governors and former President Donald Trump. Sanchez said outlawing trigger activators should not be a partisan issue.

House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) said he was a no vote because the matter is already covered under the National Firearms Act. In February, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a challenge over the ban on bump stocks passed during the Trump administration.

I understand the issues of gun violence, Cutler said. I understand the desire to blame inanimate objects such as a firearm and thats exactly what this bill does. And thats why it will not work.

State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Lawrence) also urged a no vote as he argued that it seems that we dont know what this bill even is other than a violation of the Second Amendment.

House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) spoke in favor of the bill and cited support from Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, who leads the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. Bradford argued that local district attorneys cant prosecute federal crimes and this legislation would provide them with another tool at their disposal to combat crime.

State Rep. Anthony Bellmon (D-Philadelphia), who sponsored House Bill 2206, said his legislation was developed in collaboration with law enforcement to streamline the process of filing gun records of sale with the Pennsylvania State Police.

Bellman said the bill would also codify the track and trace program developed by then- Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in 2019 to assist law enforcement tracking crime, guns, preventing gun trafficking, reducing straw purchases, and making communities safer.

Lets be crystal clear, this bill does not create any list, any database or a registry, Bellmon said. This bill simply improves the process thats already in place.

It merely modernizes our existing processes by requiring that documentation currently mailed to the state police be submitted electronically instead, Bellmon added. Delays in the filing of paperwork is dangerous for our law enforcement and makes our communities less safe.

State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton) claimed that the goal of the legislation was to let the government know who owns firearms.

The only reason the government would want to know everything we own and how much we own of it would be to take everything and every gun that we own away, Borowicz said.

Tuesday was not the first time that Democratic-backed gun safety legislation failed because Burns joined with Republicans. In May 2023, Burns was also the only Democrat to vote with Republicans, defeating legislation that would have required gun owners to report lost and stolen guns to police.

A few hours prior to the vote, CeaseFirePA Action celebrated the legislation that has moved forward since Democrats regained control of the House in the 2022 election.

Before that, Garber said that only one gun safety bill had passed the Pennsylvania House in the last 15 years.

Since then, Garber said three bills have been passed including one that would provide extreme risk protection orders to give life saving tools to family members to prevent firearm suicide, universal background checks to ensure every AR15 comes with a background check first, and a ghost gun ban that will prevent shootings from untraceable firearms.

He expressed confidence the two bills before the House on Tuesday would pass, but said the legislature had more work to do.

Garber and others placed the onus on the GOP-controlled Senate to advance those pieces of legislation.

Listen, we need to elect more Democrats in the Senate, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said at the rally. Three more Democrats in the Senate and youve got my commitment.

My plan, if Senate Democrats are in charge of the Senate, these measures will be on the Senate floor the first week in Harrisburg and we will be there every single day voting on these measures until we get Republicans to join us, Costa added.

The issue of gun safety has been top of mind at the capital over the past two weeks. While CeaseFirePA held a rally on Tuesday, gun rights supporters held a 2nd Amendment rally on the Capitol steps last week.

The post Gun safety bills fail in Pa. House by razor thin margin appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
File photo (Aristide Economopoulos for NJ Monitor)

The Colorado Legislature passed two firearm-related bills in the final days of session, wrapping up a lawmaking term that saw further requirements for gun storage, concealed carry permits and where guns are prohibited, among other bills on their way to becoming law.

Colorado voters will be asked this November to weigh in on a proposed excise tax on firearm and ammunition sales, with the generated revenue funneled to victim support and mental health services. If approved, it would go into effect next April.

The tax would be 6.5%, down from 11% at the introduction of the measure, House Bill 24-1349. That would generate about $39 million of annual revenue, according to bill sponsors. The bulk of that would go to the Colorado Crime Victim Services Fund, then smaller amounts to fund veteran mental health services, youth crisis response services and school safety.

The victim services fund helps provide attorneys, temporary housing, and physical exams for domestic violence survivors and victims of other crimes.

We want a way to sustain these services, bill sponsor Sen. Janet Buckner, an Aurora Democrat, said on the Senate floor. These are not small things  these are things that save lives. We must meet this need and we have found a way through this bill.

California has a similar excise tax, enacted in 2023.

In recent years, the state has filled parts of funding gaps with pandemic relief money and a budget line item, but future funding is up in the air. Sponsors argue that an excise tax would create a predictable and sustainable revenue stream for the states victim services fund.

Dealers who make more than $20,000 in annual sales would be subject to the tax. There is already a federal tax on firearms of either 10% or 11%, depending on the type of weapon.

The bill was sponsored by Buckner, Sen. Chris Hansen of Denver, Rep. Meg Froelich of Englewood and House Majority Leader Monica Duran, all Democrats. It passed the Senate on Wednesday with an 18-15 vote and the House in April on a 44-18 vote.

Opponents contended that an additional tax on firearms creates another burden on people looking to obtain a gun for self-defense and to exercise their constitutional rights. Sen. Kevin Van Winkle, a Highlands Ranch Republican, compared it to a poll tax since it concerns a constitutional right.

State license for dealers

The Senate also passed a measure, House Bill 24-1353, that would require firearm dealers to obtain a state license in addition to the federal firearm license. Those licenses would be $400 and generate a bit under $900,000 for the state.

Dealers would be ineligible for a license if they have been convicted of a firearm offense or were denied a federal license in the previous three years. Operating without a license could result in a felony and fine up to $250,000.

Opponents argued that the measure is a redundant requirement, while supporters say the additional state license would ensure that employees know current Colorado firearm laws.

There is oversight contained in this bill, of course. But to me, the more critical part of this bill is the training, because the folks in these stores are the front lines in preventing straw sales, in making sure that we are not selling firearms who intend to use it for self harm, said bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Bridges, a Denver Democrat. We want to make sure they have the training to do that job well.

The Senate passed it on a 21-14 vote. The House passed it on a 40-21 vote in April.

A third bill that would require firearm owners to carry liability insurance died on the Senate calendar Tuesday night.

Here are the statuses of other firearm-related bills this session:

Senate Bill 24-3: This bill appropriates about $1.5 million to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to investigate illegal activity related to guns, such as attempts at illegal purchases and possession of a ghost gun. It was sent to Gov. Jared Polis on Monday.

House Bill 24-1174: This bill sets stricter requirements for training to obtain a concealed carry permit in the state. The class needs to have eight hours of instruction, including a live fire portion and written exam. The bill also imposes a refresher class requirement for permit renewals. It is awaiting the governors signature.

Senate Bill 24-131: The sensitive spaces bill was watered down during its legislative journey to apply only to polling places, schools and the state Capitol. It is on the governors desk.

Senate Bill 24-66: Credit card companies will need to provide a merchant code for businesses that sell firearms and ammunition. The goal is for those financial institutions to be able to recognize potentially dangerous purchasing patterns. Polis signed the bill into law last week.

House Bill 24-1348: This bill makes it illegal to leave a gun in a car unless it is in a locked container or locked in the trunk. It is on the governors desk.

House Bill 24-1292: The bill to ban the sale and manufacture of so-called assault weapons in Colorado died in its Senate committee when the sponsor requested it be postponed indefinitely. It passed the House  the first time in Colorado history  in April.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Guns and ammo excise tax ballot measure approved by Colorado Legislature appeared first on Colorado Newsline.
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley garnered more than 128,000 votes in Indianas GOP presidential primary Tuesday, according to election results from Decision Desk HQ, despite suspending her White House bid in early March.

While the Hoosier State race was called for former President Trump  with 78.3 percent of the vote  Haley pulled a notable share, bringing in 21.7 percent of the vote.

Her sizable showing Tuesday follows other primaries in which she has notched significant shares of the vote despite leaving the campaign trail more than two months ago. Late last month, Haley also nabbed more than 150,000 votes in the Pennsylvania GOP primary.

In her speech announcing the suspension of her campaign, the former South Carolina governor refused to endorse Trump, as other previous candidates had. Instead, she said it would be up to the former president to earn the votes of her supporters.

It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him, and I hope he does that, Haley said at the time. At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away. And our conservative cause badly needs more people. This is now his time for choosing. 

President Biden and his campaign have made moves to attempt to try and woo Haley voters because it appears many GOP voters are dissatisfied with his opponent.

Donald Trump made it clear he doesnt want Nikki Haleys supporters, Biden said in March. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign.

The Biden campaign also dropped an advertisement earlier this year with clips of Trump criticizing Haley amid the GOP presidential primary, giving the warning, If you voted for Nikki Haley, Donald Trump doesnt want your vote.

Since leaving the race, it was announced last month that Haley would join conservative think tank Hudson Institute as the Walter P. Stern chair.

When our policymakers fail to call out our enemies or acknowledge the importance of our alliances, the world is less safe. That is why Hudsons work is so critical, Haley said in a statement.

They believe the American people should have the facts and policymakers should have the solutions to support a secure, free, and prosperous future, she added. I look forward to partnering with them to defend the principles that make America the greatest country in the world.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Haley won 1 in 5 Indiana Republican voters in the presidential primary. She left the race in March

FILE - Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley gestures to the audience as she concludes a speech at a caucus night party in West Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 15, 2024. Despite the fact two months have passed since Nikki Haley dropped out of the GOP presidential race, the former UN ambassador and South Carolina governor continues to draw significant support and votes in state primaries. With most of the votes counted from Indianas presidential primary Tuesday, Haley has taken more than 21% of votes in the conservative state. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  The ghost of Nikki Haleys presidential campaign is ringing up significant support in state primaries despite her withdrawal from the race in March shortly before Donald Trump had clinched the Republican nomination.

The backing for Haley  most recently in Indiana, where she grabbed more than 21% of the votes on Tuesday  signals persistent discontent among party voters with the former president. He is racking up primary victories even as he has been spending much of his time recently in a New York courtroom facing state criminal charges involving hush money payments to a porn actor.

Haley, the former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador who qualified for the Indiana ballot before she ended her campaign two months ago, has not endorsed Trump.

A Haley campaign adviser did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the results.

Indiana Democrats did not have the option to vote  uncommitted  in their party primary. Unease about President Joe Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war has sparked a protest vote movement in some states, raising similar questions about the strength of his support in November.

Haleys support was largest in Indianas urban and suburban counties. She won 35% of the vote in Indianapoliss Marion County and more than one-third of the vote in suburban Hamilton County. As in other states, she did best in the most Democratic areas of the state.

The exception was Lake County, home to Gary, just south of Chicago. Haley won only 14% of the vote in Lake County.

Bidens campaign attributed Haleys Indiana showing to Trumps trouble in suburbs and cited similar primary numbers in swing states such as Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The president has made an open appeal to Haley supporters to back him in November.

The Trump campaign claimed without evidence that Haleys support came from Democrats, adding that he would carry Indiana in November, as in 2016 and 2020.

Two weeks ago in Pennsylvania, Haley received nearly 17% of the primary vote. She earned similar support in Arizona just weeks after her exit.

Trump, who won every Indiana county, brushed off Haley's support in an interview Tuesday with WGAL-TV of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

All of those people are going to come to me, he said.

In late January, Trump said prematurely that Haley did not have enough signatures to make Indianas primary ballot. While Haley did get the minimum 500 signatures needed in each congressional district to make the ballot, the margin was razor thin in the 7th District, which includes Indianapolis.

Haleys campaign was largely absent from the state even while she was in the race.

Indiana, with its 11 electoral votes, is far from the swing state that Pennsylvania is. Trump won Indiana by 16 percentage points in 2020.

Nonetheless, Haley's support from 1 in 5 Republican voters raises questions about how they will vote in the fall. Before she dropped out, she took nearly 27% of votes in Michigan. She received 13% of the Georgia GOP vote shortly after her exit.

Haley, who ended her campaign after losses to Trump across almost all Super Tuesday states in early March, recently announced she was joining the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank. In her farewell speech a day after Trumps big night, Haley declined to directly endorse him. She put the onus on Trump to win the support of the moderate Republicans and independent voters who had supported her.

It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him. And I hope he does that, she said. At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away. And our conservative cause badly needs more people.

Trump had been withering in his criticism of Haley, calling her Birdbrain in speeches to his supporters and questioning her decision to stay in the race.

Just before Super Tuesday, Haley said she no longer felt bound by a pledge that required all GOP contenders to support the partys eventual nominee in order to participate in the primary debates.

She has said little publicly but has continued to utilize her email outreach, via her Stand for America PAC, sending out updates on her Hudson appointment, as well as the return of her husband, Michael, from a South Carolina Army National Guard deployment that saw him stationed in African during a large portion of her primary campaign.

___

Associated Press writer Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
A page from Cinde Warmington's Dec. 6 campaign finance report contributor list.

By last December, Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington had raised a total of $1.059 million for her campaign for governor  a number clearly visible on the cover sheet of her Dec. 6 campaign finance report.

What is harder to see is who, exactly, donated to Warmingtons campaign and how much they gave.

Warmingtons report includes a spreadsheet of each individual contribution over $50  their name, address, job title, and how much they donated. But the spreadsheet is presented in tiny, garbled font, and is nearly impossible to read without zooming in by at least 400 percent.

Thats in part because Warmington  unlike some of her gubernatorial rivals  has chosen not to use New Hampshires online campaign filing system. The voluntary system lets candidates upload digital campaign finance files to a state portal, and allows the public to easily see individual contributions and expenditures.

Eight years after the state launched the online campaign finance system, many major candidates are opting not to use it. Now, some lawmakers are pushing for a law that would require them to.

At a certain level, the public has an interest in knowing whos giving to who to make sure theres not what we refer to as an undue influence, said Rep. Ross Berry, a Manchester Republican and key sponsor of the bill, House Bill 1091. Or if there is an undue influence, that the public knows about it.

In Warmingtons reports, her contributor list is at times barely legible. The pages, which have been printed out and then re-scanned at the Secretary of States Office, contain letters that are so pixelated that they are barely distinguishable. Some dollar signs look like the number 5. Some names are nearly unintelligible. Even some contribution amounts are difficult to make out. And because the spreadsheet is a scanned image, it is impossible for a viewer to highlight the text and make it larger.

Warmington  whose campaign did not respond to questions about the reports  is not the first candidate to file faxed or scanned, barely legible campaign finance reports. Gov. Chris Sununus campaigns have long submitted similarly formatted reports, using tiny text whose quality degrades through the scanning process.

But her campaigns choice to file paper reports stands in contrast to other candidates for governor. Joyce Craig, Warmingtons rival in the Democratic primary, and Kelly Ayotte, a Republican contender for governor, have both opted to use the states online campaign filing system.

A side by side comparison of campaign finance reports from Chuck Morse and Cinde Warmington

Top: Chuck Morses campaign finance contributors report, zoomed in at 350 percent. Above: Cinde Warmingtons campaign finance contributors report, zoomed in at 350 percent.

Chuck Morse, a Republican candidate for governor, is also not using the online filing system and is filing scanned reports like Warmington, though he is using a more legible font. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Created in 2016, New Hampshires online campaign finance system was designed to provide the public a clear window into who is donating to the campaigns and how the candidate is spending those donations. The process is meant to save candidates time and effort as well, sparing them the possibility that their paper submissions are out of compliance because of small technicalities, such as a failure to alphabetize submissions.

But the system is voluntary, and most have opted to use the paper filing option. That requires the campaigns to submit a hard copy of a spreadsheet  either typed out or handwritten. The Secretary of States Office then scans those hard copies and uploads them for the public to view online. And many campaigns use a small font and fax the submissions over to the office, a process that often degrades the font and makes it hard to read.

To some observers, the lack of rules around legibility incentivizes campaigns to make their filings as difficult to read as possible. By submitting a scanned spreadsheet whose individual entries are often garbled, a campaign can make it harder for the public  or a rival campaign  to meaningfully analyze who is donating to the campaign.

People play games, especially these bigger (political action committees) and campaigns, said Berry, who serves as chairman of the House Election Law Committee. They play games with the physical filings.

Those interested in looking for patterns  such as the candidates biggest donors or the proportion of small donations to large donations  must in many cases recreate the scanned paper filings from scratch into a digital program like Microsoft Excel. That process can take hours and lead to errors.

Or they can attempt to scrape the information by using optical character recognition software, in which a computer attempts to read and digitize the scanned copy itself, but that can also be inaccurate.

The states existing digital system, meanwhile, makes that work unnecessary. For candidates who use it, such as Ayotte and Craig, voters can use the secretary of states website to pore over the filings, sort them to pick out trends, view pie charts that break down where the money is coming from, and more.

HB 1091 would make that system mandatory. The bill would require that any campaign filing campaign finance reports shall file all such statements pursuant to the online campaign finance system prescribed by the secretary of state.

If the bill passes, candidates for governor, Executive Council, and state Senate would need to use the system beginning the next election cycle  after this years generals election. Candidates for all other offices, such as the House of Representatives or county commissioner, would have two more years  until November 2026  to comply.

To Berry, who has previously served as the executive director of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee and the New England data director for the Republican National Committee, paper filing is a tactic used by both parties to obscure finances  and there are little incentives to be transparent.

In 2016, Berry undertook a project where he attempted to track money given to Democratic candidates from unions. And it was a pain because you have to go through all these reports, and you have to hand transcribe everything, he said.

The provision is just one piece of HB 1091, a sprawling omnibus bill that makes a number of tweaks to the states campaign finance law. The legislation came out of a public deliberation process last summer, Berry said.

And the bill comes as the New Hampshire Secretary of States Office launched a new version of the campaign finance website in April. Deputy Secretary of State Erin Hennessey says the state chose to switch to a new vendor after encountering some technical errors with the last vendor.

For now, absent a mandate, the Secretary of States Office can only encourage candidates to use the system, and assist any campaign that wants to use it but isnt sure how. But the office is supportive of the bill.

I think for anyone who even has a simple campaign, its just an easy place to go to to input your information, Hennessey said in an interview. Especially if youre trying to do this by yourself. For anyone that has a complicated campaign, its an easy place for people to go to to see who gave to that campaign.

Some lawmakers are proposing other measures to require legibility. The Senate passed Senate Bill 534, which would continue to allow paper filings but require that they be legible.

Warmington is not new to the states online filing system; in 2020, she used it for her Executive Council race, her first campaign for public office. But by 2022, when she ran for re-election to the council, she had opted for paper filing.

A representative for the Ayotte campaign did not comment on her decision to use the system. In a statement, Craig said that candidates should strive to be transparent, and said she would support legislation to achieve that, but she stopped short of specifically endorsing HB 1091.

We will continue to utilize the Secretary of States online campaign filing system and I support changes to make our elections more transparent and stop candidates from hiding their donors by filing illegible campaign finance reports, Craig said.

Berry argued that campaigns that use paper filing now are likely already recording their transactions digitally and could make the switch.

If you have the capacity to raise $5,000, you have the capacity to figure out how to file online, Berry said.

The post In New Hampshire governors race, some finance reports are clearer than others appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
WHITE COUNTY, Ark.  What began as a child missing a school bus on April 29 turned into an arrest of a New Hampshire man at the Memphis airport.

The White County Sheriffs Office said Tuesday that 49-year-old Thomas Jordan of New Hampshire was arrested at the Memphis Airport after attempting to board a flight for Orlando, Florida. Investigators said Jordon is facing two felony charges of trafficking of a minor person and internet stalking of a child.

Arkansas State Police assists women, children during Little Rock human trafficking investigation, takes 10 into custody

Jordan is currently held in the White County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.

Officials said the investigation began when a juvenile girl was supposed to be on a Beebe school bus but never made it to the school. A short while later, school resource officers made phone contact with the young girl and determined she was safe and in the area, investigators said.

Court records show that a resource officer and the schools vice principal picked the girl up and drove her to the sheriffs office where she spoke with investigators. The arrest affidavit states investigators determined that Jordan had picked up the girl and later dropped her off when she said she did not want to go to New Hampshire with him.

Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault expands mission, helping human trafficking victims

Records show the girl told investigators she had been having a sexual relationship with Jordan since January.

Investigators later determined that Jordan had what they called inappropriate contact with the girl between picking her up and dropping her off. They further determined that Jordan had found out about the investigation and drove to the Memphis airport to take a flight to Orlando.

Sheriffs office investigators said they contacted the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Air Marshalls Service and Memphis Police for help finding Jordan and taking him into custody, which they were able to do.

National FBI sex trafficking investigation leads to arrests in Arkansas

Investigators continued that additional information was found after Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force officers contacted New Hampshire ICAC, leading to the two felony charges.

Jordans first plea and arraignment court appearance is scheduled for June 4.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 1. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the so-called Middle Corridor, is an interesting alternative to the regular transit routes, Rafa Poborski, Polish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, told Trend.

After the Russian aggression against Ukraine in February 24, 2022, and due to international sanctions that affect connections via Belarus and Russia, the Middle Corridor is an interesting alternative. Polands interest in the development of this corridor was confirmed by signing a letter of intent on cooperation between the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Polish Port of Gdansk in 2022, he said.

According to the ambassador, working groups of Azerbaijani and Polish ports have already held a few meetings to discuss further cooperation.

Poland and Azerbaijan are located at the crossroads of international transport corridors that link Europe and Asia, so growing roles of our countries as logistic and distribution centers are natural. Within the emerging and developing transport corridors, we support the development of transport and logistics cooperation with Azerbaijan while also building its position as an international transport and logistics hub between East and West, Poborski added.

Meanwhile, back in July 2022, Azerbaijan's Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Polish Port of Gdansk have signed a letter of intent on cooperation. It was agreed that the signed document would serve as a foundation for enhancing the cooperation between the ports, aimed at bolstering regional connectivity and increase cargo flow by utilizing new alternative transportation routes to link Asia and Europe.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor.

The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.

The route has been actively operating in recent years, steadily increasing cargo transportation from China to Europe via the Caspian-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Black Sea/Turkiye. A total of 2.76 million tons of cargo passed through the corridor in 2023, and plans for 2024 are for 4.2 million tons.
The New Hampshire lawmaker who called teenagers ripe and fertile says the uproar over his comments was an overreaction and that he will not apologize to the haters.

Rep. Jess Edwards sparked national outcry when he opposed a bill that would raise the age of marriage from 16 to 18, saying on the House floor that outlawing marriage for people of a ripe, fertile age could result in more abortions.

In an interview with The Daily Beast on Tuesday night, Edwards said using the word ripe was a mistake, but that he did not deserve the hundreds of emails he received calling him a pedophile and worse.

I misspoke. It was an inappropriate word, he said. But because I have this avalanche of hate, I really don't want to apologize in the face of that, because I dont want to encourage this behavior for the next guy who says the wrong word.

By giving into all of the mob, I dont want to feed the beast, he added. I dont care to apologize to the haters.

Edwards, a Republican who is in the midst of his fourth term, added that he apologized to those present at a town GOP meeting Tuesday night for creating such a stir.

They all just basically vocally thanked me for eight years of service and my leadership in the state and the things Ive gotten accomplished, he said.

The child marriage bill passed the House last week despite Edwards protestations and now goes to Gov. Chris Sununu for his signature. The majority of U.S. states allow marriage at age 16 in some cases, but New Hampshire and Maine are the only states in the Northeast to do so.

Backlash to Edwards remarks was swift, with fellow state Rep. Wendy Thomas (D) writing on X: This is the frickin mentality that we have to deal with in New Hampshire. Children (girls) should be allowed to get married because they are ripe and fertile.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, the partys state campaign arm, called his comments vile and inexcusable and urged voters to turn out for Democrats who dont have disgusting views on child marriage and will instead defend our reproductive freedoms.

Rep. Alissandra Murray is among those who condemned Edwards, posting a video of his remarks on Twitter and writing: Im tired of being called a groomer when Republicans are the ones fantasizing about fertile teenagers and demanding legal child marriage.

Groomer is a slur often used by members of right-wing communities to describe queer or trans people and to suggest they are sexually abusing minors. Murray, who is trans and uses they/them pronouns, said they had been called a groomer by other members of the state House before and wanted to point out Edwards hypocrisy.

I think its absolutely terrifying to see the language top Republicans are using around accusing minors to marry what is essentially their rapist  because they think thats better than abortion, Murray told The Daily Beast.

You see them restricting access to abortion and birth control, so this agenda around child marriage is really scary in correlations with that, they added.

Murray tweeted a screenshot Tuesday of an email Edwards sent them last week accusing them of making extreme remarks about his comments.

It had nothing to do with groomers, Edwards wrote. Thats a sick observation to make Alissandra.

Edwards also asked Murray to apologize, but told The Daily Beast that demand was in regard to a Reddit post he claimed Murray made telling people to add him to state watch lists. He declined to provide a link to the post, and Murray said they had made no such posting.

Murray also said an apology would not be forthcoming.

I cant believe he would even ask, considering the treatment Ive received ever since I was elected, they said.

Edwards was elected in 2016 to serve the Rockingham 31 district, which includes the towns of Chesterfield, Auburn, Candia, and Deerfield. He is a retired Army lieutenant colonel whose views lean libertarian, and has been involved in the Free State Project, a movement encouraging libertarians to move to New Hampshire to create a stronghold there.

The legislator said Tuesday that his defense of marriage under age 18 was consistent with his belief in letting people make decisions for themselves. He added that he had supported funding Medicaid and family resource centers and sponsored an amendment granting an exception to New Hampshires 24-week abortion limit in cases of fatal fetal anomalies and threats to the life of the mother.

Im on record as being pro-choice from the New Hampshire abortion perspective, Ive been pro-choice in terms of funding the social services necessary to support a welfare system, and so the third leg of that stool is to leave marriage as an option, he said.

He also noted that 38 states still allow minors to marry in some circumstances, and that he had voted to raise the age of marriage in New Hampshire multiple times before.

I actually think I have an extremely rational and logical and supportable position, he said.

Edwards has also defended his position on Facebook in recent days, boasting in a post on Monday that he continued to educate people on the value of individual freedom in the face to [sic] an army of control freaks that want to entice a pregnant woman into an abortion rather than allow a marriage.

The culture of death is stronger than a healthy society should want, he added.

Edwards has previously posted anti-trans comments on Facebook, including a meme comparing trans women wearing makeup to white people wearing Blackface.

In another post Monday, Edwards appeared to joke about his ripe and fertile comments, reposting a video of a very young girl talking about a plastic skeleton and writing: Not fertile. Edwards told The Daily Beast he was referring to the skeleton.

He later changed the caption on the post to read: Even a little girl can recognize that the anatomy of a female is designed differently than a man's. We're made to be compatible, not equal.

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.
An FBI agent was the victim of a Havana Syndrome attack in Key West, the agents lawyer told members of Congress in a hearing Wednesday expanding on new information recently published by three media outlets suggesting Russia might be attacking U.S. officials at home and abroad.

An active FBI special agent, identified only as Carrie, who appeared in disguise in a CBS 60 Minutes show on March 31 about Havana Syndrome, told the network she was hit in an undisclosed place in Florida in what she believed was one of the mysterious incidents linked to the so-called Havana Syndrome. At the time, she was investigating a suspected Russian spy who had been arrested in the Florida Keys in 2020. She said she was hit again in California a year later.

During the Wednesday hearing organized by the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, her lawyer, Mark Zaid, referred to her incident in Key West. In his full written testimony, Zaid, who was was also interviewed by 60 Minutes, wrote that the FBI agent appeared in the show to discuss her attacks that occurred in Key West, Florida.

Asked about domestic incidents of Havana Syndrome, he referred to a number of FBI personnel down in Florida and CIA intelligence agents who have been targets in D.C. and northern Virginia.

U.S. intelligence officials and diplomats around the world reporting anomalous health incidents  the U.S. government term for Havana Syndrome  have described experiencing pressure, noises or being suddenly hit with an array of symptoms like hearing and vision problems, migraines and cognitive deficits. Some were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.

Some have already died, Zaid said, saying he was declining to share more details to protect their families privacy.

The incidents first became public in Havana in 2016, leading to the name for the battery of symptoms, but a case in Frankfurt in 2014, first reported by the Miami Herald, pushed back the timeline.

U.S. government agencies are compensating some of the people affected after Congress passed the Havana ACT in 2021. But last year, some intelligence agencies, led by the CIA, issued an assessment concluding that it was unlikely that a foreign adversary was attacking U.S. officials, though some of those agencies expressed low confidence in that judgment.

Scientific studies have published contradictory information, frustrating the victims. A study by the National Institutes of Health with Havana Syndrome victims has been suspended while an independent board reviews it after complaints by participants, first made public by the Miami Herald.

Some of those scientific studies have said the technology to cause the injuries described by the victims does not exist. Others, like a study commissioned by the U.S. government by the National Academy of Sciences, concluded the opposite: that radiofrequency was likely used and that the technology is commercially available.

Christo Grozev, an investigative Russian journalist for the website The Insider who partnered with 60 Minutes and German magazine Der Spiegel to publish a detailed investigation potentially connecting a sabotage unit in the Russian military intelligence services to at least four Havana Syndrome incidents, said during the hearing Wednesday he has seen one of these weapons.

He went on to describe what he said was a 1991 version.

It looked like a satellite dish with a unit this size attached to it, he said, making a gesture suggesting a small size. It is something that could be well contained in the trunk of a car or even a large backpack.

Later, he added that a crude version of this weapon could be put together inexpensively.

In their accounts to Congress, Zaid and Greg Edgreen, a retired lieutenant colonel who was in charge of a Defense Intelligence Agency investigation into Havana Syndrome, referred to Russias history of using microwaves to radiate the U.S. embassy in Moscow, along with public information suggesting that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been pursuing the development of direct-energy weapons in recent years.

In his piece for The Insider, Grozev said he obtained a document showing a Russian GRU military intelligence unit he had been investigating in connection to the Havana Syndrome, Unit 29155, had won an award in 2017 for the development of a non-lethal acoustic weapon suitable for use in urban combat.

On Wednesday, he offered a novel theory about Russias motivation to developed such weapon.

He said that after publishing his investigation, a former Russian intelligence agent told him Russia has been working to develop an energy weapon since the 1980s, because, the former agent said, we thought the Americans were doing that to us and we wanted to developed a countertechnology.

Grozev said he believes at least 68 cases of Havana Syndrome could not be explained away by citing pre-existing conditions or other known causes.

Grozevs and 60 Minutes initial revelations have reopened the debate about Havana Syndrome and prompted Congress to seek more information from intelligence agencies about what they know.

The problem, Zaid said, is that most of the relevant information is classified. Having had access to classified information on these incidents, he believes the Executive Branch, particularly at the behest of and manipulation by officials within CIA, is not truthfully reporting what it knows.

The evidence that exists in the classified arena directly contradicts the public conclusions, he added. Numerous federal agencies have failed to fully undertake substantive investigations, deliberately delayed collecting or ignored crucial credible evidence and have intentionally withheld information even from sister agencies so as to influence and manipulate their decision-making process.

He refrained from using the word cover-up, as he did when interviewed by 60 Minutes, telling members of Congress that they should investigate whether the blocking of classified information has legitimate national security motives.

Edgreen did not go that far Wednesday as to directly name Russia as the culprit, as he did in the 60 Minutes show, but told the congressional committee that he found a very strong Russian nexus.

The intelligence community assessment is dead wrong, he said. Its my firm belief we already have attribution. Right now is the time for action, for retribution.

He blamed CIA analysts and lack of resources for the failures in the investigation. He said the government was gaslighting Havana Syndrome victims because it didnt want to grapple with the consequences of attributing these incidents.

The gaslighting of survivors continues to this day in some government agencies, as history repeats itself, he said, recounting the U.S. governments reluctance over the years to acknowledge war-related injuries linked to the use of Agent Orange in the Vietnam War or burn pits in the Middle East.

Edgreen now heads a company, Advanced Echelon LLC, whose goal is to take care of Havana Syndrome survivors. He and Zaid urged members of Congress to expand access to medical care for those affected.

Americas best men and women in national security are being targeted and neutralized around the world in a global campaign, Edgreen said before citing Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russias Security Council, who wrote in a 2023 article that in recent years, hundreds of foreign intelligence agents and people involved in subversive activities against Russia have been neutralized.
DENVER (KDVR)  Police and firefighters are investigating a hazmat situation after several people reported feeling sick at a veterinarian clinic.

South Metro Fire Rescue issued a hazardous materials response on Wednesday at 9:27 a.m. Crews responded to a vet clinic located at 8775 E. Orchard Road in Greenwood Village.

Fire crews said several people felt sick and called 911.

South Metro Fire Rescue said medics evaluated two people who had symptoms and talked to a total of 12 people, none of whom requested to be taken to a local hospital.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

About 30 minutes later, the hazmat team cleared the building and said no hazardous material was found. All air levels were determined to be safe and crews left the scene.

It is unclear at this time what may have made the people feel ill.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
PORTSMOUTH  Prosecutors are seeking a four-year prison sentence and three years of supervised release for Portsmouth High School shooting threat suspect Kyle Hendrickson, while his defense maintains he never intended to carry out a shooting.

The 26-year-old from Berwick, Maine is set to be sentenced in federal court in Concord Tuesday, May 14 on two charges handed down by the U.S. attorneys office for the District of New Hampshire. Hendrickson pleaded guilty to charges of interstate threatening communications and possessing a firearm in a school zone in November.

The U.S. Probation Office examined Hendricksons charges and his prior criminal history, determining he should be imprisoned for between 33 and 41 months, followed by a term of supervised release of one to three years and a fine of $10,000 to $100,000, per the prosecution. Hendrickson's attorney is arguing for less time, whole prosecutors seek more.

Still shots of the Snapchat video allegedly made by Kyle Hendrickson, who is facing a criminal charge for allegedly threatening to shoot up Portsmouth High School.

Prosecutors argue for more time in prison

The federal government requests Hendrickson be sentenced to 36 months on the threat to the school community, followed by another 12 months behind bars for possessing the firearm in a school zone, according to court records.

The day of his arrest, Hendrickson allegedly admitted to police in Portland, Maine, he had disposed of the handgun seen in the Snapchat video behind a hotel in Freeport, Maine.

A sentence of imprisonment of 48 months would adequately deter the defendant from future criminal conduct while promoting respect for the law. (The) defendant is still a young man, but his adult life is now at a crossroad, the prosectuions sentencing memorandum says. While this is his first felony conviction, he has a lengthy record of run-ins with law enforcement that does not evince a respect for the law. A significant sentence of 48 months would send a strong message that this is (the) defendant's best  and perhaps last meaningful  chance to live a productive and law-abiding life.

The governments states it wants to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant and cites the emotional toll the manhunt to find him had on the Portsmouth community.

The defendants threat to shoot-up the Portsmouth High School did damage to the entire community at large, the prosecution's motion states. Students, teachers, and administrators all had to return to school after the defendants threat. Offering the community some additional peace of mind that the defendants incarceration will protect the public, and particularly the school community, is a fair additional consideration for the Court to weigh in fashioning its sentence.

Hendrickson's attorney makes case for shorter prison sentence

Hendricksons attorney, Murdoch Walker II, filed a sentencing memorandum and motion on May 3, contending Hendrickson should only get 15 to 21 months in prison because he never intended to carry out a shooting at Portsmouth High School.

The memorandum states Hendrickson was dropping off his mother at the school on April 12, 2023, then filmed the video.

While he did possess a firearm at the school property, the circumstances surrounding that moment, when read as a whole, suggest no intent to carry out a threat, Hendricksons sentencing memorandum states. Specifically, he stated that the video was nothing but a joke (although a terrible one), and that he would never carry out the threat since his relative attended that school.

Walker argues a lighter sentence should be imposed on his client because Hendrickson grew up with parents who battled substance abuse, and he faced the same challenges, beginning in his teenage years.

Hendrickson completed drug abuse treatment at the Strafford County jail last year, the motion adds. Attached to the sentencing memorandum are character statements on Hendricksons behalf, written by his mother, fiance, friends and other relatives.

On April 12, 2023, Hendrickson took a Snapchat video outside of Portsmouth High School brandishing a Smith & Wesson SD40 VE handgun, which he pointed at the passenger next to him. The video was taken with the Portsmouth High School sign in the background and a text overlay reading imma gonna shoot up the school.

Snapchat notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation about the video that day, who then alerted Portsmouth police. The city department and Portsmouth school district decided to close all Portsmouth schools on April 13 while Hendrickson was still at-large. He was apprehended by authorities later that day in Portland, Maine.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for his 2014 Ford Explorer and seized an AR-15 rifle, a shotgun, camouflage body armor, a handgun holster, a red-dot sight and several rounds of ammunition in the vehicle.

The two charges Hendrickson faces each carry a maximum prison term of five years, three years of supervised release and upwards of a $250,000 fine.

Hendrickson has remained in custody since his April 2023 arrest. His case is being prosecuted by Charles Rombeau, assistant U.S. attorney for New Hampshire.

Walker did not respond to a request for comment.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Suspect seeks less prison time for Portsmouth shooting threat
Helium is an important resource for many applications, especially MRI machines, but the gas is hard to come by on planet Earth.

While the world has been suffering a helium shortage for more than a decade, a new deposit in Minnesota could be the biggest in the world and might help ease helium woes.

While the discovery is promising, state officials are scrambling to figure out regulatory measures and environmental protections, so it could still be awhile before the gas is extracted from the earth.

For 1.1 billion years, a precious resource has slowly accumulated under the land that now makes up the sparsely populated area of Lake County in northeast Minnesota. Thanks to its crust of granite rock, rich in uranium and thorium, this area contains the highest known concentrations of helium in the world. Its recent discovery couldnt come at a better time.

Although helium is very abundant throughout the universe, a quarter of our sun is made up of the stuff, the element on Earth is devilishly hard to come by. Because the element is so precious, the U.S. created the Federal Helium Reserve back in 1925 to secure the resource for the vitally important military asset known as airships.

While the lighter-than-air dream never quite made it off the ground (yet), other technologies  most crucially for MRI machines that use the gas to keep its superconducting magnets cool  rely on a steady supply. In fact, the resource is so important, companies have investigated mining it on the moon.

With the U.S. selling off its strategic reserve earlier this year, the news of this groundbreaking discovery in Minnesota could help ease supply tensions for the foreseeable future. In late February, the Canada-based Pulsar Helium announced that it found a reserve of the gas at its Minnesota Topaz site in excess of 12.4 percent, an estimate that was revised a few weeks later to 13.8 percent. This is roughly 10 times the concentration required to make your typical helium mining operation economically viable. At the time, the companys CEO Thomas Abraham-James called the discovery an outstanding result.

Minnesota is an outlier when it comes to helium. Usually, helium is a byproduct of gas production as it usually forms in underground caches of methane or other hydrocarbons, according to Live Sciencetheres a reason the U.S.s strategic helium reserve was in Amarillo, Texas. But Minnesota, along with a few other spots in the world, including Greenland (where the company has another helium operation) and parts of Africa (which has also discovered large helium deposits in recent years), creates helium due to its granite rock infused with uranium and thorium. Combined with rift systems exposing the helium and volcanism to separate it from the rock, you get immense amounts of helium trapped underground.

This staggering find has sent Minnesotas congress into overdrive as the state doesnt have any regulatory oversight in place for such an extraction. While Pulsar Heliums operation is located on private land, its nearly hemmed in on all sides by public land and Minnesota wants to ensure that environmental protections are in place and state-owned resources arent tapped in the process. Thats understandable considering that the state estimates that a 40-acre parcel could produce roughly $11 million a day for the extractor.

Last week, the states House of Representatives passed a bill that would put a two-year moratorium on extraction while the state figures out regulatory and environmental processes, and the bill is currently in the state senate. Minnesota Senator Grant Hauschild told the Star Tribune that the bill is absolutely necessary.

I think, among all stakeholders from pro-extraction people to environmentalists. I think everybody kind of agrees we need a plan, he said.

So while this new discovery in Minnesota could ease the worlds helium woes, the challenge of getting it out of the ground safely and sustainably is just getting started.

You Might Also Like
High school journalists published a pro-Hitler quote heard on campus. This is what happened next

The California State Capitol in Sacramento. Students at a high school in the city published a pro-Hitler quote heard on campus, sparking anger and debate. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The student newspaper at C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento published a list late last month of anonymous quotes dubbed "some of the weirdest stuff" heard on campus.

The listicle included odd but innocuous lines such as: "My hamster ate its babies last night," overheard in a hallway. And, "Please, stop licking my armpits," heard in a history class.

Then there was this: "Hitler's got some good ideas"  a line purportedly overheard in a government class.

The decision by student editors at the newspaper, the Prospector, to publish the remark has sparked a debate about cavalier antisemitism on campus and the right of the press  including the student press  to publish offensive speech.

Read more: For two young journalists, showdown at UCLA camp was baptism by fire

In an email to families Sunday night, Principal Andrea Egan called the quote "deeply offensive" and said she promptly met with the journalism students to discuss "the importance of exercising good judgment in their editorial decision-making."

"Please know that I am navigating this to the best of my ability within student publications' laws governing free speech," Egan wrote. "Nothing is more important to me than the wellness of the students and staff who come to our schoolhouse daily."

Brian Heap, a spokesman for the Sacramento City Unified School District, said in a statement that the remark, allegedly overheard in a classroom, was not reported to a teacher or administrator before publication.

It was published as part of a listicle titled "What Did You Say?"

The introduction to the list of nine quotes read: "Have you ever heard something while walking in the school hallways and thought, 'That is the strangest and weirdest thing I have ever heard in my life'? Well, we asked you to share with us some of the weirdest stuff you've heard. Here are some of our favorites."

In an email to The Times, Samantha Archuleta, the faculty advisor for the journalism program, emphasized that the Prospector's staff is composed of "14-17 year olds learning to navigate journalism."

"All choices  topics, writing, editing, publishing  are made by students, so there will be inevitable errors," Archuleta wrote. But she stressed that their right to publish is protected by California law and the 1st Amendment.

"Yes, our 'explainer' was too simplistic and unsophisticated, given the sensitivity of the quote, and we've discussed this error as a staff and addressed how to avoid it in the future," she wrote. "But to be clear, the offending quote was from a student on campus, not a Prospector journalist  the Prospector was merely reporting what the student said."

In a statement on the Prospector's website, the student journalists said their intent was for the listicle to "expose things that are said on campus that are inappropriate at different levels."

"While some quotations may be innocuous or even funny, none of them were meant to be seen as light-hearted, celebrated, or condoned. Instead, we hope to hold up a mirror to our richly diverse community and expose the things we and others on campus overhear daily," the statement reads.

The statement said the Hitler comment was made by a student who was speaking among friends and was not part of a classroom discussion.

"We do believe that addressing the quotes has sparked a much-needed conversation, but the situation has escalated into something we did not intend. ... Its deeply concerning that these remarks are being said on campus without proper action from staff," the statement reads.

The controversy at McClatchy High School comes at a volatile time, with protests over the Israel-Hamas war roiling university campuses nationwide and student journalists providing some of the most detailed, up-to-the-minute coverage of the unrest.

At UCLA last week, four student journalists who work for the Daily Bruin were attacked  sprayed with Mace and pummeled  by pro-Israel counterdemonstrators who violently clashed with pro-Palestinian demonstrators in an encampment on campus.

The decision by the Prospector staff to publish the quote also comes amid a surge in antisemitism on school campuses  as well as a rise in vandalism at synagogues and Jewish stores, restaurants and institutions. There also has been a rise in Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment and attacks nationwide.

Jay Schenirer, president of Congregation B'Nai Israel, a synagogue in the same neighborhood as McClatchy High School, told The Times that children and teenagers in his congregation were hurting and scared because of the rhetoric at their schools and that they were taking the publication of the pro-Hitler quote seriously.

It was particularly alarming, he said, that the quote was published in a list of seemingly lighthearted quotes.

"It's hard to imagine anyone would find this funny," said Schenirer, a former Sacramento City Council member whose children had attended McClatchy.

On Sunday, he said, some 70 people attended a meeting at Congregation B'Nai Israel to discuss the incident, antisemitism at local schools, and how to make sure students feel safe.

Read more: Detention of independent journalist and activists at UCLA draws outcry over press freedom

They composed a list of recommendations for schools, including: designating an adult to whom students can report incidents of antisemitism; providing "administrators with additional education about free speech and where is the line, when it is crossed, and how to deal with it"; and standardizing high school ethnic studies curriculum throughout the district.

Schenirer said he had spoken multiple times with Principal Egan since the student newspaper's publication of the offensive quote.

"We need to take this seriously," he said. "We can't stand by on the sidelines. We need to be very proactive about this."

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 lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

Stick A Fork In The Mar-A-Lago Case

Youve already seen the top line from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannons new order yesterday: She is indefinitely delaying the trial of Donald Trump on charges he improperly retained classified documents post-presidency and obstructed justice to cover it up. But there were at least three headline-worthy decisions in the order. Lets run through them:

1. Indefinite Delay. Cannon struck the May 20 trial date, but she didnt set a new one and has no immediate plans to do so. She said she wont set one until various pretrial matters are resolved and laid out a schedule that wont resolve them until late July at the earliest. This comes even though shed previously asked the parties to brief her on trial date options, which they had done. Her rationales for delaying the trial indefinitely were a mishmash of reasons she herself has created. Cannon has let pretrial motions linger unruled upon for months and has repeatedly pushed back the CIPA process. Its been obvious for weeks that shes gummed up the proceedings, and now shes using that as an excuse for further delay.

2. Cannon is treating inane Trump claims as credible. Perhaps the most remarkable decision Cannon made in the order was to devote three days in June to an evidentiary hearing on Trumps claim that the prosecution team should be defined to include the White House, the intelligence community, and your Aunt Marge. Its a preposterous claim that Cannon is taking seriously. Ruling in favor of Trump would set a mind-boggling precedent in general, but in particular it would open up vast areas of the federal government to Trump discovery requests that would further delay the case, muddy the waters, and give fodder to hare-brained conspiracy theories about the Deep State targeting Trump.

3. Cannon is in over her head. Trump has thrown everything but the kitchen sink at Cannon  and it seems to have worked. In her new order, she bemoaned the scale of the case, the amount of discovery, and the sheer volume of issues to be resolved. Those arent accurate descriptions of the case, but they are how Trump has described it to her. In adopting Trumps language, she also claimed that the case presents novel and difficult questions, which is simply not the case.

What Can Be Done About Aileen Cannon?

Every time I write about the latest corrupt mishandling of the Mar-a-Lago case by Judge Cannon, readers reach out wanting to know why nothing is being done about it. Why hasnt Special Counsel Jack Smith tried to have her removed? Why hasnt he appealed? Why hasnt the appeals court stepped in?

I have reasoned explanations for each of those questions, but they arent satisfying answers. Is the system fundamentally rotten and broken? Maybe. Its clearly failing in this case to do justice in a timely manner.

The next questions are often about Cannon herself. Is she personally corrupt, incompetent, naive and inexperienced? Some measure of all of the above.

So Much To Unpack From Stormy Daniels Testimony

The full liveblog that Josh Kovensky did for us yesterday is worth a read to give you the warp and weft of Stormy Daniels direct testimony and the first stab at cross-examining her. His end-of-the-day recap is a condensed version if youre short on time.

A few highlights from the day:

A porn star testifying about her sexual encounter with a future president is not an every day event, but it was not titillating. It was dark and, the word Josh kept coming back to, grim.Daniels went into much more detail about the encounter than Judge Juan Merchan or Trumps team wanted, but the judge overruled Trumps motion for a mistrial. In doing so, he cut Trumps lawyers off at the knees, saying he was surprised they hadnt objected more and pointing out that he himself had objected on at least one occasion when they failed to do so. I cant imagine the tongue-lashing Trump must have given the lawyers later.

The judge also upbraided Trumps lawyers for Trumps acting out during Daniels testimony, according to the transcript of a bench conference: I understand that your client is upset at this point, but he is cursing audibly and he is shaking his head visually and thats contemptuous. It has the potential to intimidate the witness and the jury can see that.

No trial today. It resumes Thursday with the continuation of the cross examination of Daniels. Well have another liveblog running via Josh in the courthouse.

Speak Plainly

Jill Filipovic at The Atlantic:

Today, a clear line of argument has emerged from many progressive commentators: First, the overwhelming majority of the protesters are peaceful and not anti-Semitic. Second, it undermines and mischaracterizes a vital movement to focus on a few bad actors who spout anti-Semitic vitriol, or to emphasize a few chants that glorify Hamas or call for the destruction of Israel. Third, the obsessive coverage of these protests is coming at the expense of the much more important story, which is the war itself. And in many respects, this is a sensible position. A war costing tens of thousands of lives, conducted by a key U.S. ally following a horrific terrorist attack, is a much more important story than whatever college students are doing in the United States. The violent crackdowns on these protests strike many, myself included, as far more troubling than the protests themselves. And it isnt fair to conflate what a handful of protesters do or say with a much broader movement.

Cant Even Hack It On Fox Business

Wow! Noem loses it at Varney: "Enough, Stuart. This interview is ridiculous what you are doing right now. You need to stop." pic.twitter.com/SAweDXFJfs  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 7, 2024

Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know!
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 3. There has always been a positive intercultural dialogue within Azerbaijan, political scientist Azer Garayev told Trend.

According to him, the VI World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue on the theme "Dialogue for Peace and Global Security" is one of the prestigious events held by Azerbaijan.

Garayev noted that the Forum is a very important and influential international platform. Representatives of 110 countries take part in the forum. Azerbaijan's initiative unites intellectuals, politicians, decision-makers, media representatives, and civil society representatives.

"Cultures have merged in Azerbaijan for ages. Our placement between East and West has contributed to this trend. Azerbaijani society, culturally and ethnically diverse, has kept the most essential qualities of tolerance, mutual respect, friendship, and partnership for millennia. Azerbaijanis of all ethnicities and beliefs live as one family. They are valuable Azerbaijanis and sincere, true patriots. Azerbaijan has always had a great intercultural dialogue. In daily lives, Azerbaijanis show it. Azerbaijanis live multiculturally," he said.

He mentioned that Azerbaijan is strongly committed to multilateralism and has actively promoted the values of multilateralism in the Non-Aligned Movement, which has had 120 countries as members since 2019.

"The voices of countries with terrible colonial histories must be heard and not ignored, and new colonial tendencies must be fought. We cannot allow 21st-century European countries to treat other nations as colonies.

The world must not turn a blind eye to the abhorrent practice of neocolonialism, which leads to forced assimilation.

Forced assimilation carried out in more than a dozen French coastal territories is unacceptable and must be stopped," Garayev emphasized.

The political scientist also noted that Azerbaijan ensured peace through war.

"For 30 years, Azerbaijani lands were under occupation. 20 percent of the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan was under occupation from the first years of independence until 2020, and about a million Azerbaijanis were refugees and IDPs, the Azerbaijani people were subjected to ethnic cleansing.

The four UN resolutions adopted by the Security Council did not work. Because there was no implementation mechanism. Those who passed these resolutions did nothing to make them enforceable. Therefore, we had to achieve peace through war, and in 2020, we liberated most of our territories as a result of the II Karabakh War," Garayev added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
(KRON)  A 54-year-old Novato resident was arrested after homemade fireworks being set off in San Rafael caused a small vegetation fire Tuesday evening, according to the San Rafael Police Department.

Just after 6 p.m., the San Rafael Fire Department and police officers responded to Cresta Way in the Terra Linda neighborhood when witnesses reported hearing an explosion before a fire started at the rear of an apartment complex.

Residents of the apartment complex were temporarily evacuated as fire crews put out the vegetation blaze, which was a few hundred square feet in size, San Rafael PD said.

Witnesses at the scene pointed out Cary Newman, 54, of Novato, as the person seen setting off fireworks when the fire ignited, police said. While interviewing Newman, officers learned that the man was allegedly setting off homemade fireworks, and that he had additional homemade fireworks in his vehicle.

(Photo: San Rafael Police Department)

(Photo: San Rafael Police Department)

(Photo: San Rafael Police Department)

The University of California, Berkeley Bomb Squad was called to take possession of the fireworks, which were seized as evidence, police said. No injuries were reported from the fireworks or fire.

Newman was arrested and booked into Marin County Jail on charged of setting a fire, manufacturing fireworks and possession of fireworks, San Rafael PD said. All fireworks are prohibited in Marin County.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to call the San Rafael Police Department at (415)-485-3000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- This week is National Nurses Week and hospitals across the CSRA are celebrating their nurses. For 30 years, hospitals nationwide recognize the men and women who many say are the lifes blood of the health care system.

Wellstar MCG Health has all kinds of things planned for nurses there this week. They are providing their nurses breakfast, food trucks, tickets to a GreenJackets Game and so much more- to show their appreciation.

There are also events happening at the hospital all week.

Tuesday, chaplains provided a blessing of the hands all day. And NewsChannel 6 witnessed a ceremony where the Live Oak Chapter of the Georgia Nurse Honor Guard remembered fallen nurses.

Master Automotive makes sizable donation to Augusta Tech

Denise Jackson is a nurse and part of the guard. She said that many times doctors get all the credit but the nurses are the ones in the trenches.

So were not just nurses. We are air traffic control. We are the love. Thats basically what nurses do. We are the love and the heart of health care, explained Jackson.

Also throughout the week, the hospital is recognizing exceptional nurses with excellence awards.

Mark Schreiber, Chief Nursing Officer at Wellstar MCG, loves honoring the hospitals nurses.

Changes coming to Aiken County public transportation

We definitely value our nurses. They are the lifeblood of this institution and we try to take care of them. Were getting up early Thursday, feeding them breakfast, just food trucks galore. Its mainly food. You know, nurses like food. We do appreciate the staff, the hard working crew and the rallying cry for, Wellstar is Make a difference, be a difference maker. And thats what we all strive to be, he said.

Schreiber told us that the nursing shortage crisis caused by the pandemic is on the upswing. There is still a critical need but he said things are looking better.

If you are a nurse at Wellstar and are interested in joining the Nurse Honor Guard you can find out how on their Facebook page.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
The House Education Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education is slated to hold a hearing Wednesday looking into ways to confront antisemitism in K-12 schools.

The House earlier this month approved a bill that seeks to crack down on antisemitism on college campuses, a measure that hit the floor as pro-Palestinian protests over the ongoing war in Gaza roil universities across the country.

The chamber approved the bipartisan legislation  titled the Antisemitism Awareness Act and introduced by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.)  in a 320-91 vote, sending it to the Senate for consideration. Twenty-one Republicans and 70 Democrats opposed the measure.

The bill would require the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of antisemitism when enforcing antidiscrimination laws.

Congress is looking to ensure the issue doesnt spread beyond college campuses.

The event is scheduled to begin at 10:15 a.m. EDT.

Watch the live video above.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The top House Republicans with oversight of U.S. foreign and military affairs slammed the Biden administration Wednesday for pausing a shipment to Israel of an estimated 3,000 heavy bombs.

Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said the administration was weakening Israels position in the face of threats from Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

We are appalled that the administration paused crucial arms shipments to Israel, the Republican House chairs wrote. The administration must allow these arms shipments to move forward to uphold the United States commitment to Israels security and ensure that Israel can defend itself and defeat Hamas.

The Biden administration confirmed in recent days that it had paused a shipment of thousands of heavy bombs to Israel. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller explained that the administrations actions relate to concern over Israels military operation against Hamas in the southern Gazan city of Rafah and the worsening humanitarian crisis.

We have paused one shipment of near term assistance and we are reviewing others, Miller said Wednesday. In the context of the unfolding situation in Rafah, it is a place where we have very serious concerns, and thats why we take the actions we take.

Some Democrats have welcomed the pause in holding back U.S. offensive weapons that they are concerned are contributing to a humanitarian crisis and civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip.

But Republicans and critics of the administrations move to hold arms transfers throws into question U.S. solidarity with Israel amid intense negotiations to reach a cease-fire deal that would secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas since they were kidnapped in its Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

At a time when Israel continues to negotiate in good faith to secure the release of hostages, including American citizens, the administrations shortsighted, strategic error calls into question its unshakeable commitment as an ally, McCaul and Rogers wrote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Dishwashers and stoves were the focus of debate in Congress Tuesday.

The House passed a bill to stop new energy regulations on household appliances.

Republicans say the Department of Energys regulations will limit consumer choices and raise prices.

In this administrations pursuit of a radical rush to Green New Deal agenda, common sense has taken a back seat, said Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.).

However, some Democrats against the bill say its rooted in misinformation that the Biden administration is going after appliances.

They are not. Nor did they try to take away our gas stoves last year, said Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.).

Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell says these standards save Americans money and reduce pollution.

Instead of working on the real issues facing the American people, we are choosing yet again to waste our time debating appliances, Dingell added.

Now that its passed the House, the bill heads to the democratic-controlled Senate where it is unlikely to pass.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
House holds hearing about the rise of antisemitism in grades K-12

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Police cleared a controversial encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and across town on Capitol Hill grade school administrators testified about how theyre handling the rise of antisemitism in their schools.

The heads of three large public-school systems rejected some lawmakers claims that they have allowed hate to go unchecked.

While police clear college campuses of controversial encampments of pro-Palestinian protesters leaders of K-12 schools testified before Congress Wednesday about a rise in antisemitism in their classrooms.

When Jewish students or teachers feel unwelcome or unsafe, that should sound the alarm for us all, said New York City Public Schools Chancellor David Banks.

David Banks, the chancellor of New York City Public Schools, told a House committee his district has had nearly 300 concerning incidents since the Hamas October 7th attack. Banks said 42 % were antisemitic and 30% were Islamophobic.

What are you doing with teachers, teachers that are teaching hate? asked Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.).

Banks told Florida Congressman Aaron Bean that his district has fired employees and suspended students.

We cannot simply discipline our way out of this problem. The true antidote to ignorance and bias is to teach, Banks said.

Banks said his district is building a new curriculum. It will include lessons on contributions from the Jewish community as well as hate crimes and bias.

Connecticut Congresswoman Jahanna Hayes said that kind of education is important.

Were doing a disservice to students if we are not teaching them about the backgrounds and perspectives of all people, said Hayes.

North Carolina Congresswoman Kathy Manning said districts should make sure teachers are up to date, too.

Sadly, some teachers are simply getting the facts wrong, said Manning.

This was part of a series of hearings from the committee. The first in December led to the resignations of the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Deputy House Speaker Raymond Hull listens to the discussion during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on his bill to reform the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights at the State House on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Will Steinfeld/Rhode Island Current)

PROVIDENCE  After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations over how to reform the way Rhode Islands police departments investigate and discipline officers accused of misconduct, legislative leaders have reached a compromise that will now head to the House floor.

The House Judiciary Committee Tuesday evening voted 12-4 to advance matching bills sponsored by Deputy House Speaker Raymond Hull and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio to reform the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) to a full House vote on Thursday.

Under the law adopted in 1976, police officers accused of misconduct appear before a panel made up of three active or retired police officers  with one picked by the chief, one by the officer under investigation, and a third chosen by both or a presiding Superior Court judge  who rule on any disciplinary actions.

Calls for reform this legislative session had been slowed by disagreements over expanding the number of members who sit on the disciplinary panel to five. Both Hull and Ruggerio had proposed that three police officers and a retired judge would sit on the hearing panel. But the Senates initial legislation included a fifth seat that would be filled by the executive director of the Nonviolence Institute, a Providence advocacy nonprofit  a choice that was opposed by the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association.

The Senate bill was amended to drop that designation for the fifth seat and now aligns with Hull proposal for the fifth seat to be occupied by an attorney selected in consultation with the Supreme Courts committee on racial and ethnic fairness.

Under the current law, police officers accused of misconduct can only be suspended without pay for two days before their right to a LEOBOR hearing kicks in. Both bills extend that suspension to five days without pay for officers accused of minor infractions and 14 days for those facing more serious complaints, such as excessive force or felonies.

Both bills also repeal the gag order that prohibits police chiefs from making public statements about cases that have not yet had a LEOBOR hearing.

I am proud of the identical House and Senate LEOBOR bills, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. Both chambers have been working on this issue.

Ruggerio also praised the efforts that led to this weeks compromise.

Ever since our 2020 Senate commission on reforming the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights completed its work, I have been committed to finding a way forward that improves accountability and transparency while recognizing the uniquely difficult job facing law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe, he said in a statement.

Should Ruggerios companion bill clear the House on Thursday, it will likely go before the full Senate again some time next week, said chamber spokesperson Greg Pare.

Since the legislation is very similar to the bill that already was heard by the committee and passed by the Senate in January, it is not required to be sent back to committee and can be sent directly to the floor calendar, Pare said.

Left to right: Reps. Cherie Cruz, a Pawtucket Democrat, Leonela Felix, a Pawtucket Democrat, and David Place, a Burrillville Republican, are shown during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on companion bills to reform the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights at the State House on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Will Steinfeld/Rhode Island Current)

This bill may not satisfy everyone

The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, which held a rally for LEBOR reform at the State House last week, submitted a letter of support to the House Judiciary Committee posted Tuesday afternoon. In it the leagues associate director, David Bodah, called the legislation a significant step forward in addressing longstanding concerns within our law enforcement system.

We acknowledge that this bill may not satisfy everyone, but it is a step in the right direction for the State of Rhode Island, Bodah wrote.

But Black Lives Matter Rhode Island PAC Director Harrison Tuttle wrote to the committee Tuesday that the proposed LEOBOR reform legislation falls short.

BLM RI PAC strongly believes that, in line with the broader criminal justice reform efforts across the nation, police chiefs should have the authority to terminate officers when concerns about public safety arise, he wrote.

Tuttle also took issue with the composition of LEOBOR hearing panels.

Allowing law enforcement officials to discipline their peers perpetuates a lack of public trust, he wrote. While some argue that police can be trusted with this responsibility, historical disappointments in accountability for victims of police brutality prove otherwise.

Also unsatisfied with the legislation: the State Houses progressive members, who feel the proposals dont go far enough. Voting against advancing the bills Tuesday were Reps. Edith Ajello, Jose Batista, Cherie Cruz, and Leonela Felix.

Felix, a Pawtucket Democrat, expressed gratitude for the work that has been done so far on the legislation this year, but said she was disappointed the compromise fell short of meeting all the demands made by legislators of color in March.

The main demand missing, she said, is a provision that would mandate LEOBOR proceedings occur at the same time as any criminal investigation and/or prosecution. Under the existing law, police chiefs can delay hearings until after the criminal investigation or trial is concluded.

Felix told Rhode Island Current an investigation may be necessary for minor allegations, but not when it comes to offenses that result in serious harm or death such as the case of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.

If you or I violate our company policy or department policy, we get fired, she said. George Floyd should be the litmus when it comes to this.

Senate spokesperson Pare said legislative leadership has tremendous respect for the caucus, but believed hearings running concurrently with official proceedings would be unconstitutional and could impact any criminal prosecution.

We appreciate their advocacy and their sincere desire to improve accountability measures in this bill, Pare said.

Felix didnt buy that argument.

According to all the attorneys weve talked to, its passed the constitutional muster, she said.

But an internal memo from the Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Caucus, which Felix co-chairs, suggests otherwise. Holding a LEOBOR hearing at the same time as criminal proceedings could violate an accused officers Fifth and 14th Amendment rights, the memo states.

Felix said she plans to offer this provision as a floor amendment Thursday.

Should the amendment be rejected, Felix said a majority of the 21-member caucus will vote against the bills. There had also been talk of plans for legislators to walk out of their respective chambers, but Felix said caucus members felt that would not send a clear message to state leaders.

Still, if the LEOBOR bills do pass, Felix said it would be an incremental change.

Compared to what we have, anything is progress, she said.

Editors note: This story has been updated to include the May 7 memo from the Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Caucus.

The post House Judiciary Committee votes to send amended LEOBOR reform bill to floor appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
TBILISI, Georgia, May 3. Azerbaijan has a very important role to play in his COP29 presidency, Dean a.i. and Professor of Energy and Environmental Policy at the Fletcher School, Tufts University, Kelly Sims Gallagher, told reporters on the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) 57th annual meeting in Tbilisi, Trend reports.

"Azerbaijan has a very important role to play in his COP29 presidency to make sure that we reach a positive decision on the new quantitative climate finance target," she said.

Gallagher believes that it is necessary to look for new creative solutions to climate finance.

"So it's not only operationalizing the existing funds; we also need each country to think about how they can contribute to global finance. So that can be done through meeting this new quantified goal, but it also could be done through nationally determined financial contributions," she said.

To note, the theme of the 57th ADB Annual Meeting in Tbilisi, which runs from May 2 through May 5, is "Bridge to the Future".

The inaugural session of the Board of Governors is scheduled for May 4, marking the official commencement of the annual meeting. Distinguished guests from the host country will be in attendance. ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa and Georgia's Minister of Finance and Chairman of the ADB Board of Governors, Lasha Khutsishvili, will deliver statements.

The annual meeting provides ADB Governors with a platform to address developmental issues and challenges confronting the Asia-Pacific region. The event typically attracts several thousand participants, including finance ministers, central bank governors, senior government officials, private sector representatives, members of international and civil society organizations, youth, academics, and media personnel.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Republican lawmakers on Wednesday went after the leaders of prominent K-12 school systems in the U.S. over what they say is a lack of enforcement when antisemitic incidents occur in their districts.

The topic of todays hearing is particularly troubling. Its hard to grasp how antisemitism has become such a dominant force in our K through 12 schools, said Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), head of the Education panel Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. Some kids as young as second graders spewing Nazi propaganda, which begs the question, who has positioned these young minds to attack the Jewish people?

While the three school leaders at the hearing appeared to suffer no major breakout moments like the ones that have troubled college administrators in recent hearings, there were tense moments of questioning regarding punishments for antisemitism in their schools.

Much of the hearing focused on David Banks, chancellor of New York City Public Schools, who had fiery interactions with members.

Republicans keyed in on the former Hillcrest High School principal who was removed from his position after a protest occurred against a pro-Israel teacher. Lawmakers took issue that the principal was only transferred to a new position and not fired.

Thats concerning to me that you have him in a senior position, said Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who has been taking the lead for Republicans in Education hearings on antisemitism. Stefanik accused the leaders of paying lip service to addressing antisemitism at schools, saying that theyve had a lack of enforcement and a lack of accountability.

Banks was willing to argue with numerous members of Congress during the hearing, emphasizing the principal was removed from the school and the individual is entitled to due process. It can be difficult to fire teachers under union processes, he noted.

He also made a point to push back on members claims that his whole school system is antisemitic, saying that while some members of Congress have also said antisemitic things, he doesnt cast the whole institution as antisemitic.

Banks emphasized numerous times his district has suspended around 30 students and disciplined teachers for antisemitism.

Enikia Ford Morthel, superintendent of the Berkeley Unified School District, also pushed back on any assertion antisemitism is pervasive in her schools.

Morthel faced an intense moment with Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) after he pointed out she initially agreed that the phrase from the river to see, Palestine will be free is antisemitic but stood by lesson plans her faculty created that said some people use that phrase as a call to peace.

Is it any wonder that you said earlier this is antisemitic and you put this on a slide in a classroom and then students going around the halls saying it? I dont think theres anything surprising about that, Kiley said.

Morthel refused to answer questions about disciplinary actions against antisemitism, saying records for students and faculty in the state of California are confidential.

Democrats spent time pointing out the vehemence with which Republicans have gone after antisemitism despite supporting former President Trump, who has met with multiple people accused of antisemitism, such as white supremacist Nick Fuentes.

Despite these persistent examples of comments that others have called antisemitic and continued relationships with well-known antisemites, I have not heard one word of concern for my colleagues across the aisle. In fact, what we have seen is consolidation of support for the former president, said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), ranking member of the subcommittee.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
David Banks, the Chancellor of New York Public Schools, answers a question during a Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education hearing on antisemitism in K-12 public schools, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Leaders of three large public school systems strongly denied allegations that they let antisemitism run rampant in their schools, telling a congressional panel Wednesday that they are fighting it with education and, when necessary, discipline.

As part of a series of hearings on antisemitism, a House Education and Workforce subcommittee sought testimony from leaders of the New York City Public Schools, the Berkeley Unified School District in California and the Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland.

Let me be clear  we do not shy away from imposing consequences for hateful behavior, including antisemitism, said Karla Silvestre, the board president of the suburban Maryland school system.

The first of the antisemitism hearings to focus on K-12 education comes amid a wave of pro-Palestinian student protests that have washed across dozens of U.S. universities and a growing number of high schools.

The committee's hearings have been heated, with the first one in December precipitating the resignations of the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. Most recently, the testimony of Columbia Universitys president, Minouche Shafik, escalated into weeks of protests that spread well beyond her campus.

In an opening statement, Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., said antisemitism has become a dominant force in America's schools, with students as young as second-graders spewing Nazi propaganda.

Youve been accused of doing nothing and turning a blind eye," he said.

Chancellor David Banks from New York questioned whether the panel's actions had brought schools any closer to address antisemitism on campuses.

"This convening, for too many people across America in education, feels like the ultimate gotcha moment," he said. It doesnt sound like people who are actually trying to solve for something that I believe we should be doing everything we can to solve for.

Banks cited actions his district has taken, including student suspensions and employee terminations. But he also emphasized the role of education, saying the district is building a new curriculum on the contributions of the Jewish community, along with separate lessons about hate crimes and bias.

We cannot simply discipline our way out of this problem, Banks said. The true antidote to ignorance and bias is to teach.

Silvestre described a similar approach in Montgomery County. Classrooms have more lessons on the Jewish experience, and the district will now require hate-based training for all staff, she said. Teachers who don't provide a safe learning environment will not remain in Montgomery County public schools, she said.

Each of the leaders acknowledged a rise in antisemitism, but Berkeley Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel denied that it has become pervasive." Since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, her district has received complaints of antisemitism arising from nine incidents within the district's jurisdiction, she said.

We take action to teach, correct and redirect our students, she said. We do not publish our actions because student information is private and legally protected under federal and state law. As a result, some believe we do nothing. This is not true.

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., criticized Republicans for their focus on antisemitism in liberal school districts while ignoring statements by Donald Trump. In the latest example of the former president's use of the language of Nazi Germany in his campaign rhetoric, Trump told Republican donors at his Florida resort last weekend that President Joe Biden is running a Gestapo administration."

If my colleagues cared about antisemitism they would condemn and denounce these comments from the leader of their party, Bonamici said in her opening remarks.

Echoing a tactic from the previous hearings, Republican lawmakers peppered the school leaders with questions about what they consider antisemitic. Asked if the phrase from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free is antisemitic, all three generally said yes, though with some equivocation.

It is if it is calling for the elimination of the Jewish people in Israel," Ford Morthel said. And I will also say that I recognize that it does have different meanings.

Republicans demanded tougher consequences for teachers and principals accused of antisemitism. They repeatedly confronted Banks over the case of a high school principal who was reassigned but not fired after a chaotic student demonstration protesting a pro-Israel teacher.

Banks said it was clearly an act of antisemitism, and some students were suspended. The principal was removed from the school for a lack of leadership" and moved to an administrative role.

Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, questioned that outcome, saying we want results.

Im hearing nice words, really nice words here: teaching, redirecting, directing," Owens said. "What Im missing is discipline, and I'm missing the word fired.

Pressed on firings and suspensions, Silvestre said Montgomery County has taken disciplinary action against some teachers, but none has been fired. Bean suggested that wasn't good enough: So you allow them to continue to teach hate, he said.

Banks seemed critical of how previous hearings had quickly been reduced to viral moments and video clips.

I fundamentally believe that if we truly care about solving for antisemitism, you dont do it through cheap political theater and cheap soundbites," he said. "Putting a spotlight on any particular individual and sometimes trying to create gotcha moments and viral moments is not how you ultimately solve problems you deeply care about.

Both New York City and Montgomery Public Schools are subjects of Education Department civil rights investigations into allegations of antisemitism. Both cases center on whether the districts responded to harassment of students in a manner consistent with Title VI, which prevents harassment based on shared ancestry.

In February, the Brandeis Center, a Jewish legal advocacy organization, filed a complaint with the department's Office of Civil Rights, citing incidents of bullying and harassment of Jewish students in the Berkeley district, including one instance where the phrase Kill Jews was found written in a high school bathroom.

In a statement, Ford Morthel said she did not seek this invitation" but would testify.

Berkeley Unified celebrates our diversity and stands against all forms of hate and othering, including antisemitism and Islamophobia," the statement said. "We strive every day to ensure that our classrooms are respectful, humanizing, and joyful places for all our students, where they are welcomed, seen, valued, and heard.

All three districts, in predominantly liberal areas, have diverse student populations and a sizable Jewish American community.

In a lawsuit filed against Montgomery County Public Schools by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, three teachers alleged the district placed them on leave and investigated them because they expressed pro-Palestinian sentiments, some of which were on their personal social media pages.

Student-led Pro-Palestinian protests have taken place in high schools across the country, including in the three districts that will appear before Congress. The demonstrations include walkouts during school hours, and like their college counterparts, include the question of whether certain phrases  including From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free! which can mean widely different things to different groups  cross the line into antisemitism.

___

The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
The Montana State Capitol in Helena on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (Photo by Mike Clark for the Daily Montanan)

Montana House Speaker Matt Regier called for a special session to address immigration and state marijuana tax distribution in a letter sent to the Secretary of State on Tuesday.

The Kalispell Republicans letter was signed by 12 other Republican lawmakers requesting the legislature reconvene to address the two hot-button issues.

The request follows rhetoric from Montana politicians claiming, without evidence, a Flathead nonprofit used dark money and connections to the Biden administration to relocate a migrant family who crossed the southern border and journeyed to the Flathead Valley. The organization has said this accusation is false.

On marijuana distribution, Republican leadership has been frustrated by what it sees as unconstitutional intervention by the courts that allowed lawmakers to try to override the governors veto of a bill that would give part of the marijuana tax funding to support county infrastructure. That override poll failed, however.

This is the second call for a special session this week from separate groups of Republicans. A dozen GOP lawmakers signed onto a request Monday to reconvene and consider legislation that would allow Supreme Court candidates to declare a party affiliation on the ballot. Judicial races in the state are currently nonpartisan.

While no Republican leadership signed that call for a special session to address party affiliation of judicial candidates, Regiers request Tuesday includes signatures from Majority Leader Sue Vinton, Speaker Pro-Tempore Rhonda Knudsen and Senate President Pro Tempore Ken Bogner.

The Secretary of State has five days to send a poll to legislators asking if they wish to convene a special session; a simple majority vote is needed to call lawmakers back to Helena. The legislature has convened in a special session 33 times in Montanas history and six times since the turn of the century.

A migrant family, a conspiracy and residents who push back on it

Last week, Montana politicians including Rep. Ryan Zinke, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and Gov. Greg Gianforte, spoke out against a migrant family who flew from Texas to New York and ultimately to Kalispell after crossing the U.S. Mexico border, as first reported by the-Daily Inter Lake. Those state leaders, all Republican, blamed the Biden administration for the familys arrival.

Flathead Sheriff Brian Heino told the Daily Inter Lake he believed the family was undocumented but also noted a language barrier.

Johnny Ratka Skinner with the nonprofit Valley Neighbors of the Flathead told the Daily Montanan on Tuesday the organization that works to assist migrant families respects the privacy of vulnerable clients and is unable to release personal information.

Our understanding of interactions that this family had with other local nonprofits before our arrival leads us to believe that nobody has taken the time to thoughtfully examine any potential documents they might have, Skinner said in an email.

Regier wrote in his letter the crisis at the southern border spawned from individuals ignoring immigration laws and the federal government has not just ignored the crisis but exacerbated it.

Since federal authorities have refused to act, we as a state must act to implement law and order for the safety and security of our citizens, he said. If we do not take swift action, we could see an increasing magnitude of illegal activity in Montana, specifically at our states northern border.

Kalispell residents and volunteers with the local nonprofit working to assist immigrants, including the family that arrived last week, on Monday denounced the rhetoric from politicians, saying the claims the organization was tied to dark money or was at all connected with the Biden administration were false.

During public comment at a Kalispell City Council meeting, Ron Gerson, with Valley Neighbors of the Flathead, said the rhetoric from politicians was a cover up to not address underlying challenges in the community.

Misinformation, name calling and blame-laying on the victims do nothing to resolve the problems, Gerson said.

Immigration reform and border security continue to be hot-button issues this election year, following Congress failure to pass border security funding earlier this year.

Zinke claimed in a social media post a dark money nonprofitwas bringing illegal aliens to Montana.

I can tell ya, they didnt get there by walking across the border to Babb and hitchhiking, Zinke said in his post.

Zinke tweeted Tuesday his request to the Department of Homeland Security to conduct an investigation and deport them.

A handful of speakers at the meeting in Kalispell denounced the claim the nonprofit was associated with dark money.

Dee DeYoung, a volunteer with the nonprofit, said the claim was a flat out lie that was intended to manipulate us and our community.

Let me tell you, we could use some of that money, she said to laughs in the room. We would put it to really good use.

The organization was also involved in helping resettle Ukrainian refugees in 2022, as was reported by the Flathead Beacon.

Gianforte and Daines put out similar statements saying the border crisis had reached the Flathead.

Joe Biden and Senate Democrats failed to secure the border, and now Montanans can see that failure firsthand, Daines said.

Heino released a lengthy statement last week saying his department has seen an increase in undocumented migrants in the region, it was causing a strain on his departments resources, and claimed immigrants were contributing to the housing crisis in the region.

Undocumented and illegal individuals are currently living in the Flathead, and many are working, often under the table, without contributing to the resources designed for those who work and live here legally, Heino said. They are allowed to utilize resources like Medicare, food stamps, housing assistance, and other resources designed to assist our legal citizens in our times of need.

Heino was not immediately available Tuesday afternoon to answer questions on data sources for immigrant populations in the region. However, Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl told the Flathead Beacon the county does not have records of how many undocumented immigrants are in the area.

Undocumented immigrants cannot access most state or federal assistance, and according to Pew Research make up a fraction of the states population  totaling less than 5,000 people. 

There were 20 speakers at Monday nights meeting. Two said they were in support of immigrants in the community but wanted them to come here legally; the majority spoke to the positive experiences theyd had with undocumented people in the community and their contributions to the economy.

Across the country, undocumented migrants work in farming, as nurses, entrepreneurs and construction workers  often without work protections or insurance. This is the case in other areas of Montana, with immigrants being essential labor in Bozemans housing boom, working in new weather environments and with injuries they cant afford to treat, as was reported recently by High Country News.

Marijuana Tax Revenue

Regier said he also wants the legislature to consider taking action on the distribution of marijuana tax revenue in the continuing saga following the controversial veto of Senate Bill 442 during the last legislative session.

As distribution currently stands, the Department of Revenue first reserves three months of operating expenses  about $4.1 million  out of the full pot of money, which totaled $56.4 million in fiscal year 2023.

Next, $6 million goes to the Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment (HEART) Fund for behavioral health and treatment programs.

Then, money is distributed as follows: 20% for wildlife habitat and conservation funding; 4% each for state parks, trails and recreational facilities, and nongame wildlife; $200,000 for veterans and surviving spouses; and $150,000 for the Board of Crime Control. The rest of the money then goes into the General Fund.

SB 442 would change how marijuana funds are currently distributed, so behavioral health and treatment programs in the HEART Fund gets 11% of the tax revenue instead of a flat $6 million, veterans and spouses get 5%, the Board of Crime Control gets 0.2%, county roads get 20%, and the other allocations remain unchanged aside from the drop in money going toward the General Fund.

Regier said in his letter the end of the session caused procedural questions that resulted in the courts unconstitutionally interfering in the process of the legislature.

Marijuana tax revenue distributions need to be determined by the legislature, the letter read.

Republican leadership signed a letter earlier this year accusing the Supreme Court of violating separation of powers after after the Montana Supreme Court cleared the way for an override poll to be sent out to legislators. The veto override failed.

The failure to override the governors veto of Senate Bill 442 means the revenue continues to be distributed just as lawmakers determined during the 2021 session.

Regier proposed convening the legislature for a special session on June 24, the same day requested by other Montana Republicans for the special session on judicial elections.

Legislators who signed the call for a special session included:

Speaker Matt Regier, R-Kalispell

Majority Leader Sue Vinton, R-Billings

Speaker Pro Tempore Rhonda Knudsen, R-Culbertson

Rep. Tanner Smith, R-Lakeside

Senate President Pro Tempore Kenneth Bogner, R- Miles City

Sen. Barry Usher, R-Billings

Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Kila

Rep. Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork

Sen. John Fuller, R-Kalispell

Rep. Amy Regier, R-Kalispell

Sen. Mark Noland, R-Bigfork

Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls

Rep. Brandon Ler, R-Savage

Reporter Blair Miller contributed to this report.

The post House Speaker calls for a special session on immigration, marijuana tax distribution appeared first on Daily Montanan.
WASHINGTON  A long-running threat to Speaker Mike Johnsons hold on power in the House of Representatives ended Wednesday with a whimper rather than a bang as most Democrats joined all but 11 Republicans to set aside a move to ouster him.

Though the vote to table the motion by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) was overwhelming  359 to 43, with seven voting present  its unclear if the result means an end to a weeks-long intra-party struggle or just the beginning of a new chapter of infighting inside the House Republican conference.

I appreciate the show of confidence from my colleagues to defeat this misguided effort, Johnson (R-La.) said after the vote, in which he got the support of 196 of the 217 House Republicans.

Hopefully, this is the end of the personality politics and the frivolous character assassination that has defined the 118th Congress.

Greene was unrepentant.

Im proud of myself because this is the whole reason I ran for Congress, she told reporters after the vote.

I didnt come up here to put it into cruise control and ride along and make it easy and just vote however they tell me to vote. Im done with that Republican Party. That Republican Party has held hands with the Democrat Party for so long, Greene said.

The outcome was not a surprise, since Democratic leaders had said they would provide votes to save Johnsons gavel if Greene force the vote. But Greene had appeared to back off her threat, which she first made against Johnson in March. She said Tuesday that the ball is in his court after meeting with the speaker.

Lawmakers booed loudly on the House floor when they realized Greene would trigger the vote against Johnson after all, using a power afforded any member under current House rules. It was then up to Johnsons leadership team to act on her motion within two days, and they opted to kill it immediately, before lawmakers left town until next week.

Greene has claimed that Johnson is effectively a Democrat because in recent weeks he has allowed bipartisan votes on funding the government, supplying arms to Ukraine and reauthorizing spy agencies warrantless wiretapping powers.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Democrats shielded Johnson from being ousted because they wanted less chaos, a veiled reference to the three weeks in October when the House came to a virtual standstill as Republicans bickered over who should succeed the ousted Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as speaker.

Marjorie Taylor Greene and the extreme [Make America Great Again] Republicans are chaos agents. House Democrats are change agents, Jeffries said in a statement after 163 out of 213 Democrats voted to table the motion to eject Johnson.

Not all Democrats were happy helping Johnson, though, who only hours earlier had raised hackles by having a news conference on alleged worries about undocumented immigrants voting in federal elections on the same House steps where, on Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists attacked the U.S. Capitol.

Shes not the face of the Republican Party. She doesnt speak for us. You all give her a lot of attention, but shes not the Republican Party.Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.)

While the motion to table is a procedural step, I could not vote to save a Speaker who does not reflect the values my constituents and I hold dear and has proven to be an ineffective leader who must be up against the wall to do the right thing, said Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.). She was one of 32 Democrats voting to allow a vote on getting rid of Johnson.

In addition to most members of his own party and most Democrats, Johnson had late support from another key figure: former president and likely next GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.

On his social media site, Trump said he liked Greene but that Republicans were not in a good position for the vote she sought.

At some point, we may very well be, but this is not the time, he wrote. Mike Johnson is a good man who is trying very hard. I also wish certain things were done over the last period of two months, but we will get them done, together.

Greene said she thought she still had Trumps support, despite the post. Ill tell you what he needs: He needs Republican members who will fight for him, she said.

The vote removes a political sword of Damocles that has been hanging over Johnson for weeks, just as Republicans want to put the White House on the defensive about immigration, inflation and antisemitism. But while the Band-Aid may have finally been ripped off, it could take some time before theres any healing.

As Greene began talking to reporters and claimed to represent the true spirit of the party, moderate Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) shot back from a few feet away, No, youre not.

Shes not the face of the Republican Party. She doesnt speak for us. You all give her a lot of attention, but shes not the Republican Party, he said later.

He declined to say whether Greene should be punished in some way for calling the vote, but the prospect was already on Greenes mind.

They probably want to kick me kick me off committees. They probably want to primary [me]. I say go ahead, she said. Thats their problem.

Gimenez said he was angered that, despite her claims, Greene was actually hurting the party, not helping it.

The only purpose it serves is it helps our opponents, and that really upsets me, he said.

I believe we need to save America, and the only way to save America is for the Republican Party to actually have a majority. This doesnt help.

Related...
Human head found floating in NYCs Jamaica Bay  and it could be linked to last months headless body

The severed head was discovered around 10:10 a.m. in the waters alongside Cross Bay Boulevard near 165th Avenue in Howard Beach, police said.

A human head was found floating in Jamaica Bay Tuesday  and investigators are probing whether it is linked to the headless body discovered in the same waters weeks earlier, cops said.

The gruesome discovery was made at around 10:10 a.m. in waters along Cross Bay Boulevard near 165th Avenue in Howard Beach, police said, noting the NYPDs Harbor Unit responded.

Police are working to determine whether the severed head belongs to Ozone Park resident Lukasz Mikolajewicz, 46, whose remains were spotted by a couple fishing at the shore on April 12, cops said.

The severed head was found in the waters off Cross Bay Boulevard near 165th Avenue, cops said. Google Maps

His headless body was pulled from the waters about 600 yards west from the start of the Cross Bay Bridge, cops said.

Mikolajewiczs death has been ruled a suicide by the city Medical Examiners office, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny previously told reporters.

Security footage obtained by cops showed a man in black clothing walking alone onto the bridge before disappearing from view, Kenny said.

The body that we recovered is headless but wearing the same clothes as the male that was walking on the bridge, the police official said. When we go to the location where we lose sight of him, we find a green rope that was tied onto a metal railing.

DNA testing will determine whether the head is linked to a body discovered in the same area April 12, cops said. Google Maps

DNA testing conducted by the MEs office will determine whether the two findings are linked, police said Tuesday.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
Human head found floating in New York bay could be linked to headless body found in same waters

Police in New York City have found a severed head floating in the water, which may belong to a headless body discovered in the same area nearly one month ago.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) said the head had been spotted by a member of the public around 10.10am on Tuesday near the mouth of the Shellbank Basin in Jamaica Bay, just west of JFK International Airport.

Officers are now investigating whether it belonged to Lukasz Mikolajewicz, 46, whose headless corpse was fished out of the Bay not far away on 12 April.

The city's medical examiner has ruled Mikolajewicz's death a suicide, and the NYPD has described CCTV footage and items found at the scene that appear to back up that conclusion.

Last month, NYPD chief of detectives Joseph Kenny said: "The body that we recovered is headless, but wearing the same clothes as the male that was walking on the bridge."

He added that Mikolajewicz's family members said he had attempted to kill himself four times previously.

The medical examiner will now conduct DNA testing to determine whether the body parts belonged to the same person.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Skeletal remains found nearly 50 years ago in Middle Tennessee have been identified as a missing Memphis woman who was last seen in 1974.

Nineteen-year-old Annie Carolyn Jenkins of Memphis was identified by volunteers with the DNA Doe Project. They made contact with a relative of Jenkins last month, according to the Maury County Sheriffs Office.

Jenkins had been visiting with relatives in Chicago in the fall of 1974 when she left on a flight bound for Tennessee. This was the last known contact with her family, the sheriffs office said.

Her remains were recovered near Interstate 65 in Maury County in February 1975. The area is south of Nashville, about four hours drive east of Memphis.

According to the DNA Doe Project, Jenkins body was discovered by hunters in a wooded area two miles from Joe Brown Road. Also found near the body were bones from a puppy.

Authorities speculate Jenkins had been in an automobile accident or run over by a car during the autumn of 1974, six to nine months before being found.

A relative told authorities that Jenkins was not officially reported missing, but the family never stopped searching for her.

Her remains had been stored at the University of Tennessee Department of Anthropology since 1975.

The case has been investigated and DNA samples taken many times over the years, and was revived in 2012 by retired Maury County Lt. Jerry Williams.

The Maury County Sheriffs Office said this remains an open homicide investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
A coalition of press freedom, civil liberties and human rights organizations sent a letter to the White House on Tuesday to call on the Biden administration to make public an upcoming report on whether foreign countries  including Israel  are using U.S. military aid in ways that break international humanitarian laws.

For months, members of Congress have been demanding assurances that Israel, which receives U.S. military aid, has complied with international and U.S. law  which prohibits violence against civilians and efforts to block aid  in its war in Gaza. In response, President Joe Biden in February issued a memo known as NSM-20, which requires federal U.S. agencies to submit a report to Congress on whether countries that get U.S. military aid are in fact obeying the law.

The reports initial deadline was May 8, though it is currently unclear if it will be ready to submit by Wednesday.

The Biden administration has not said explicitly if it will make the report publicly available.

But the letters signatories  including Amnesty International USA, Defending Rights & Dissent, the Freedom of the Press Foundation, the National Press Photographers Association, the Radio Television Digital News Association and Reporters Without Borders  said that the process established in NSM-20 suggests that the report to Congress should be unclassified.

The public and the press have an especially strong interest in understanding how the U.S. has assessed the assurances provided under NSM-20 by all countries that receive U.S. defense articles, and particularly those in areas of armed conflict, read the letter.

Your administration has pledged to bring transparency and truth back to the government, the letter continued. We urge you to adhere to this commitment by releasing the  report to Congress under NSM-20 to the press and the public.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The White House did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment, while the National Security Council referred the question to the State Department. The State Department did not immediately respond to HuffPost.

The Biden administration is facing growing pressure both domestically and from the international community over its continued diplomatic and military support for Israels offensive in Gaza, which has so far killed nearly 35,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7. While Hamas agreed this week to a proposal that would include a cease-fire and the return of hostages, Israel rejected the plan.

As Israel is poised to invade the southernmost Gazan city of Rafah  despite allies like the U.S. warning against it, due to the citys large civilian population  lawmakers and humanitarians have are increasingly concerned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has committed war crimes.

An independent expert analysis endorsed by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)  a lawmaker who pushed for the NSM-20 report  said that Israels actions displayed a clear pattern of violations of international law, failures to apply civilian harm mitigation best practices, and restrictions of humanitarian assistance.

The Biden administrations response to the upcoming report could see it step back from its full-throated support for Israel. Or it could further paint the administration as incapable of restraining its Middle Eastern ally, after more than seven months of carnage.

Access to the report will allow the public to assess the thoroughness and accuracy of the U.S.s assessment of [a] foreign countrys assurances, particularly in cases where there have been allegations that recipients have used U.S. assistance in a manner that violates international and U.S. law, the Tuesday letter stated.

Journalists and the public must have access to the May 8 report if they are to understand how the U.S. government responds to these allegations and determine whether it is adhering to the process and standards set forth in NSM-20.

Amnesty International, one of the letters signatories, published a brief on April 29 in response to NSM-20, accusing Israel of breaking the law. If the Biden administration chooses to make its report public, people can compare it to the claims in Amnestys brief, Van Hollen told HuffPost in an interview published Friday.

The Biden administration and the United States loses credibility when we point to reports by Amnesty or Human Rights Watch where [they] serv[e] our political interests, and sometimes ignores them when they dont, the senator told HuffPost. In order to be credible, you need to be consistent.

Related...
Budapest will not participate in NATO's long-term plan to support Ukraine, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on May 8, calling it a "crazy mission," according to Reuters.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg proposed in April to create a $100 billion five-year fund to aid Ukraine in order to get the allied countries more involved in providing Kyiv with weapons.

According to the plan, NATO would also reportedly take over some operational duties of the U.S.-led Ukraine Contact Defense Group, which coordinates weapons deliveries from about 50 countries to Kyiv.

"Hungary will stay out of NATO's crazy mission despite all the pressure," Szijjarto said at an event in London, reiterating the Hungarian government's position.

Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter

News from Ukraine in your inbox

Subscribe

Budapest has consistently opposed sanctions on Russia, undermined Western aid efforts for Ukraine, and maintained close relations with Moscow throughout the full-scale war.

Ukraine has faced a worsening situation on the battlefield in recent weeks as well as an increase in successful Russian aerial attacks, both compounded by delays in Western assistance, particularly the months-long wait for the latest U.S. aid package.

The European Union also fell short of its target of providing Ukraine with 1 million rounds of artillery shells by March.

During Stoltenberg's visit to Ukraine in late April, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that partners "do have the opportunity" to set up a $100 billion fund.

"The details are very important to us, it is important that this is not at the expense of bilateral volumes, which are marked by our agreements on security guarantees," he added.

Read also: NATO military chair: Its not too late for Ukraine, Russias progress limited

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Husband of missing American in Spain used Colombian girlfriend to write texts impersonating her: FBI

The FBIs kidnapping case against a Florida man, whose estranged wife disappeared in Spain in February, shows she thought he was monitoring her and that investigators believe he used his Colombian girlfriend to translate fake text messages from her into Spanish.

David Knezevich, 36, was arrested over the weekend, after returning to the United States from his native Serbia, in connection with the disappearance of Ana Knezevich in Madrid on 2 February.

Court documents unsealed on Monday and seen by The Independent have revealed more details of what the FBI believes happened to Ms Knezevich.

The US citizen had travelled to Madrid from Miami on 26 December, where she lived for nearly two months and stayed in touch with her friends and family back home before they lost contact with her on 2 February.

She had left the US after separating from her husband of 13 years who did not want to split the marital assets evenly with her, the FBI said.

David Knezevich, 36, after his arrest by US Marshals at the Miami International Airport on 6 May in connection with his estranged wifes disappearance in Spain (FBI handout)

The victim was very fearful of Knezevich and believed that he was surreptitiously monitoring her whereabouts, the documents said.

Ms Knezevichs last known movements include a credit card payment for flowers on or about 2 February, as well as security camera footage of her entering her apartment building at around 2.20pm that day.

The FBI says she was not seen alive again.

Friends received suspicious texts

Ana Knezevich reportedly believed her estranged husband was monitoring her wherebaouts (AP/Manu Fernandez)

On 3 February, two of the victims friends received strange text messages from her, explaining that she was running off for a few days with a man she had just met.

I met someone wonderful, the message said in Spanish. He has a summer house about 2h from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there.

There is barely any signal though. Ill call you when I come back. Kisses.

The message also said that she had gone for a walk after therapy, a man had approached her to flirt and they had an incredible connection, again in Spanish.

Her friends flagged these messages to law enforcement, saying they did not think Ms Knezevich had written them.

Those messages were allegedly the result of Mr Knezevich asking his Colombian girlfriend for help in translating a message in English into perfect Colombian.

This undated image provided by Sanna Rameau, shows Ana Maria Knezevich, right, and Rameau

He claimed that he needed help translating some lines for a Serbian friend who was writing a script about a Colombian character.

The girlfriend, referred to as Individual 1 in court documents, had met the suspect online in October 2023. She called law enforcement when her mother saw a news article about Ms Knezevich with a text message matching the one her daughter had translated for the suspect.

Suspect drove thousands of miles to Madrid

Investigators allege that Mr Knezevich left Miami on 27 January and travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, where he then drove to his native Serbia.

A few days later, he left in a hired vehicle, before returning to Belgrade, Serbia, on 5 February. It would take around 26 hours to drive the 2,592 kilometres, or 1,610 miles, from Belgrade to Madrid, the FBI said.

The Peugeot 308 was rented by the suspect on 29 January and, when it was returned on 15 March, the hire company told investigators Mr Knezevich had clocked up 7,677km (roughly 4,000 miles).

The FBI said that security cameras picked up suspicious activity at Ms Knezevichs apartment building in Madrid during this time, late in the evening on 2 February.

Those same cameras showed a man wearing a helmet entering the building at around 9.27pm, before heading downstairs and using a can of spray paint to cover a security camera.

The lens was not completely obscured and he was seen fastening a piece of duct tape to the entrance door lock, to keep it open.

Notably, the male, who looks directly at the camera, has physical characteristics that resemble those of Knezevich, the documents said.

That man was seen leaving the building around an hour later with what appears to be a suitcase.

Around the time Ms Knezevich vanished, a local in Spain reported their licence plates had been stolen.

These were later seen on the street where Ms Knezevichs apartment was. They were also spotted at toll booths in the middle of the night on 2 February into 3 February on a vehicle matching the description of the Peugeot Mr Knezevich had hired.

Impersonations of Ana Knezevich

Then just over a month after Ms Knezevich vanished, an insurance provider got a call from someone claiming to be her, asking for three insurance policies related to the couples IT support business in Fort Lauderdale to be cancelled.

During the call, children could be heard in the background speaking to the Caller, the documents said. The Victim does not have any children.

The phone number used to make the call was registered to Mr Knezevich, the FBI said, and is linked to the business.

One of his employees then told investigators that around 24 April, the suspect asked them to impersonate his missing wife to open a new bank account, even providing the employee with her social security number.

The employee told Mr Knezevich that they felt uncomfortable doing this, as Ms Knezevich was missing still, with the suspect replying that this was not serious and that he could not call as he sounded like a guy.

The FBI said that all of this had led them to believe that Mr Knezevich kidnapped Ana Knezevich and they arrested him at Miami International Airport as he returned to the US on Saturday.

Mr Knezevichs attorney Ken Padowitz told The Associated Press that his client had been doing everything he could to help find his estranged wife and that he had no role in her disappearance.

He is being held pending a bail hearing on Friday 10 May, with an arraignment hearing set for 20 May.
Artist Kevin Kresse, works on a clay bust of Johnny Cash, April 23, 2024 in Little Rock, Ark. Kresse's full sculpture of Cash will be unveiled at the U.S. Capitol as part of the Statuary Hall collection, later this year. | Mike Pesoli

Two well-known individuals from Arkansas will replace statues that stood for more than 100 years at the U.S Capitol.

The prior statues depicted James P. Clark, a former governor and U.S senator in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and Uriah Rose, a 19th-century attorney. Controversy surrounded these statues following racists remarks attributed to Clark, insisting the Democratic Party uphold white standards, per ABC News.

Daisy Bates, a prominent figure of the Civil Rights movement, and Johnny Cash, the iconic musician and the Man in Black, are the representatives for Arkansas in Statuary Hall, the Capitols primary exhibition area, highlighting two statues from each state, according to VOA news.

In an interview, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson shared, I remember giving tours to constituents from Arkansas, to young people, and I would point out the two representatives in Statuary Hall in our United States Capitol from Arkansas and they would say, Weve never heard of them, per ABC News.

In October 2022, Little Rock Public Radio released the names of the artist for each statue: Benjamin Victor of Boise, Idaho, was selected for crafting the Bates statue, marking his fourth piece to be placed in the U.S Capitol. Little Rock, Arkansas, native Kevin Kresse created the Cash statue, his first piece in the U.S Capitol.

Victor began his work by studying the life of Bates. He worked extensively by reading her 1962 autobiography and visiting her Little Rock home, according to ABC News

Who was Daisy Bates?

The Commercial Appeal

The National Womens History Museum gives a brief biography of Daisy Bates, born in Huttig, Arkansas, in 1914. Bates was three years old when her mother was killed by three white men. Her biological mothers death forced Bates to confront racism at an early age, pushing her into a life of fighting racial injustice.

Bates and her husband started their own local newspaper, the Arkansas Weekly, which greatly influenced Victors portrayal of Bates, with the statue showing a newspaper in her arm. She also served as the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, which transformed the Civil Rights Movement, according to the article.

The 8-foot bronze statue shows an NAACP pin and rose on her lapel, honoring all the work she did to push for the integration of public schools in Arkansas.

Who was Johnny Cash?

Johnny Cash sang many murder ballads, including the classic "Banks of the Ohio." That one's about a jealous man who stabs his lover. | Associated Press

Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas, a tiny town south of Little Rock. He was the son of a poor Southern Baptist sharecropper, Cash being one of seven children, according to the website Biography.

From an early age, Cash wrote songs, showing an increased love for music. That farm boy would become a world-renowned musician with 90 million records sold, reaching genres of country, rock, blues, folk and gospel. Cash was among the few artists inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, according to ABC News.

Kresse sculpted the 8-foot bronze statue of Cash with a guitar slung across his back, clutching a bible in one hand, per ABC News.

Kresse said, He walked the walk and he lived what he believed. And that was just this quality that really appealed to me, ABC reported.

Installation of the Daisy Bates statue will proceed this week, and Johnny Cash statue will be installed later this year, according to ABC News.
IDENTIFIED: Suspect and victim named after son stabs father to death in Sanger, police say

SANGER, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The Sanger Police Department has identified the man they say stabbed his father to death in Sanger early Wednesday morning.

Officers say they responded to a gas station at 850 Academy Avenue in Sanger after receiving a call about a man who had been in the restroom for 30 minutes and was not responding to calls from staff.

When officers with the Sanger Police Department arrived at the gas station, they forced entry to the restroom and reported finding a man whose clothing was stained with blood.

The man told officers he had killed his own father.

The suspect was identified as 46-year-old Gilbert Canales.

46-year-old Gilbert Canales (image courtesy of the Sanger Police Department)

Officers then went to the 1800 block of Diamond Avenue, an address Canales provided to them, and found a man lying on the floor.

They forced entry to the home and found the victim with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim was identified as 80-year-old Roel Canales.

Gilbert Canales was arrested on suspicion of homicide charges. Investigators say a motive is yet to be established.

No other information about the incident was released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Memphis man was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a gun, U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz announced.

Tracey Shaw allegedly led police on a high-speed chase on Nov. 2, 2022, after officers smelled marijuana coming from his vehicle parked at a gas station on Millbranch.

Shaw sped off, hitting an officer in the process, then crashed his Infiniti on Tchulahoma Road, then ran and hid in a backyard, law enforcement said.

2 charged after police chase near airport

Police say they recovered a Glock .40-caliber pistol with an extended magazine that Shaw had hidden behind a house. He was not allowed to possess the gun as a convicted felon.

Shaw was sentenced last week to 92 months in federal prison with three years supervised release.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
State Rep. Jake Teshka addresses the crowd during a Hoosier Conservative Voices rally on Monday, June 27, 2022 near the Robert A. Grant Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse in downtown South Bend.

SOUTH BEND  Republican State Rep. Jake Teshka fended off a challenge in Tuesday's primary election and remains unopposed by any Democrat this November as he seeks his third term downstate.

Seeking to represent Indiana House District 7, which includes the south side of South Bend and rural portions of LaPorte, Marshall and St. Joseph Counties, Teshka routed an opponent who also challenged him two years ago, Timothy Jaycox. Teshka won 3,906 votes to Jaycox's 708, according to an unofficial tally released Tuesday night.

Teshka, 36, has held his role in the Indiana General Assembly since January 2021. Before that, he served as the lone Republican member of the South Bend Common Council from 2018 to 2020, representing the city's 5th District on the far south side.

On his campaign social media accounts, Jaycox appeared to try to challenge Teshka from the right. He said he would push to make abortion "completely illegal in the state," going beyond the current law that provides exceptions for rape, incest and fatal fetal abnormalities. Teshka voted for the near-total ban that legislators passed in July 2022.

Jaycox also ran unsuccessfully against Democrat Ryan Dvorak in 2020 to represent House District 8, but he won about 43% of the vote.

Teshka told The Tribune on Tuesday night that legislators will focus on Indiana's biennial budget in 2025. The two-year state budget passed in 2023, which exceeded $44 billion, expanded the private school voucher program, sped up income tax cuts and made historic investments in mental and public health.

But he said the process will face more scrutiny after, earlier this year, legislators learned of a $1 billion shortfall in the state's Medicaid budget. While Teshka says the forecasting error was a fluke, it will lead to a number of major changes to policies affecting the aging and disabled population starting July 1.

Teshka said his funding priorities will focus on how the K-12 education system can boost reading and math literacy rates. He said he'll also look to facilitate the recent boom of investment happening in western St. Joseph County, where Amazon plans to build an $11 billion data center.

"I'm always going to be regionally focused," Teshka said, "so we make sure the state is not just Indy-centric."

He works as a business development professional and earned his master's degree in public affairs from Indiana University South Bend. He lives in his hometown of North Liberty with his wife and two children.

The Democratic Party has the option to slate in a candidate to face Teshka in the fall campaign.

Email Tribune staff writer Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Who won Indiana House District 7 race? Jake Teshka again beats Jaycox
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, who on Tuesday became Indiana's Republican nominee for governor, revealed his endorsement for lieutenant governor on Wednesday in an interview with IndyStar.

Should Republican delegates vote Braun's way at the state GOP convention this summer, one-term state Rep. Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis, will be Braun's running mate in the fall.

"I'm excited about him being the governor," McGuire told IndyStar Wednesday. "I'm excited about him not being afraid to be bold. And that's what we need. We need courage and to do the right thing for Indiana, and I'm excited and humbled to be part of it."

More: Mike Braun's next hurdle is not the general election for governor. It's the GOP convention.

Braun won the primary handily on Tuesday, earning 40% of the vote in a six-way race that included the sitting Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, former commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, Fort Wayne entrepreneur Eric Doden, former Attorney General Curtis Hill and Indianapolis mother Jamie Reitenour.

McGuire, by comparison, is a newcomer to elected office: Following a two-year stint as a legislative policy analyst for the Indiana Senate Republicans, she waged her first campaign against an incumbent for her Statehouse seat, which represents a southeast portion of Marion County, in 2022. With the backing of House Republican leadership, she unseated Rep. John Jacob, who routinely butted heads with House leadership over his no-compromise anti-abortion stance.

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, who on Tuesday won Indiana's Republican gubernatorial primary, poses Wednesday, May 8, 2024, with Rep. Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis, his recommendation for the state's next lieutenant governor.

But Braun's choice had primarily to do with his policy objectives, he said: His top priority is addressing health care, and McGuire has, in his eyes, proven herself a policy wonk in that topic. (Her bill last session introducing changes to state employee health plans that would have saved the state $84 million a year made it to the House floor.)

"(There were a) lot of people that might have had political interest," Braun said of potential running mates. "I was looking for somebody that had legislative chops to come in and do that, because I intend to be active in that arena."

Any other political calculations  like her connection to central Indiana, balancing out Braun's rural roots  are merely a bonus, he said.

McGuire ran unopposed in Tuesday's Republican primary for reelection to her Statehouse seat. Per Indiana law, McGuire would not be allowed to be a state representative if she becomes lieutenant governor.

But the two have an unusual challenge to face at the Republican convention: Micah Beckwith, a conservative pastor from Noblesville, announced his own campaign for lieutenant governor last summer and has been courting delegates ever since.

Beckwith said he wanted to give delegates an actual choice at the convention. Typically, the party's gubernatorial nominee endorses a person as their running mate, and the delegates ceremoniously vote that person through.

Indiana politics: Micah Beckwith announces unusual bid for lieutenant governor

Braun will still have his say in recommending McGuire, but now the question of how much sway he has is left to the delegates.

He's not too worried about it. He said he's been building relationships with delegates in all 92 counties over the last six years of his Senate term.

"You'll find that we'll we know how to run campaigns, obviously," he said. "And one of the campaigns is going to be to get delegates on board. And I think we'll do that. I don't mind the competition at all."

Whomever the delegates choose in June will join Braun on the November ballot where he'll face Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.

As a freshman representative this past legislative session, McGuire was most known for her bill that sought to undo the special taxing district in downtown Indianapolis that lawmakers slipped into the state budget the prior year. By session's end, the General Assembly worked out a compromise, allowing Indianapolis to have the tax district but with certain groups exempted and only after the city goes through the ordinance process again. McGuire was removed as a bill author by that time and voted against the final bill, saying she doesn't support adding property taxes for businesses.

Indiana primary election takeaways: A quick governor's race and some Statehouse upsets

She successfully passed a different bill last session adding new guidelines for when the Department of Child Services can terminate parental rights for the sake of a child's safety. House Enrolled Act 1369 got unanimous support.

McGuire is also the secretary of the Perry Township GOP Club and is on the board of directors for Roncalli High School, a Catholic school in Indianapolis. She's a mother of four who was born and raised in Indianapolis.

Running for lieutenant governor hadn't been on her radar at all, she said. When she got a phone call from the Braun campaign, she assumed at first it was to take on a policy role.

"So I'm beyond honored and humbled that there are people that put my name out there," she said. "It's quite an honor."

Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mike Braun endorses Julie McGuire for Indiana lieutenant governor
Former Rep. John Hostettler (R-Ind.), who served from 1995 to 2007, is an anti-interventionist. His response in April to pro-Israel spending against him included some antisemitic innuendo. Scott J. Ferrell/Getty Images

Former Rep. John Hostettler fell short on Tuesday in his bid for the Republican nomination in Indianas 8th Congressional District, after facing a massive spending disadvantage fueled in part by pro-Israel super PACs that had accused him of antisemitism.

State Sen. Mark Messmer, a conservative businessman who heavily outraised Hostettler, won the primary and is the prohibitive favorite to win the heavily Republican seat in southwestern Indiana come November.

In addition to out-fundraising Hostettler by a nearly 19-to-1 margin, Messmer received super PAC support totaling $5.1 million, compared to less than $800,000 in super PAC money for Hostettler.

Hostettlers defeat marked a victory not only for proponents of U.S. aid to Israel, who made Hostettler their first Republican target in many years, but also for traditional Republican foreign-policy hawks eager to dispatch a committed anti-interventionist.

Messmer and Hostettler both profess their loyalty to former President Donald Trump, as well as opposition to illegal immigration and the policies of President Joe Biden. But Hostettlers allies also touted his opposition to U.S. foreign aid, including to help the Ukrainian war effort.

Its a little emblematic of the Republican Party as a whole, in that were sort of beyond whether Trump and MAGA control the party  they do, Joshua Claybourn, a Republican attorney and political commentator in Indiana, told HuffPost on Monday. Its just what aspects of Trumpism come out the most in the candidate.

Claybourn nonetheless believed that Hostettler, whose brother-in-law Jeffrey Knight is a major GOP fundraiser, could have managed to raise more than the $41,000 he brought in as of mid-April. Hostettlers fundraising during a failed 2010 bid for the Republican Senate nomination was only marginally stronger.

Hostettlers policy positions were ripe for the MAGA moment, said Claybourn, who is neutral in the race. And he could have rode that wave, but the lack of fundraising and spending has really handicapped him.

Hostettler came to power in the House during the landmark 1994 midterm election, which gave the Republicans control of the lower chamber for the first time in 40 years.

But unlike many of his peers in that cohort, Hostettler extended his commitment to small government to the United States footprint abroad.

Hostettlers record as a paleoconservative opponent of U.S. foreign policy entanglements included consistent votes against foreign aid bills and a lonely stand against the Iraq War in 2002. He was one of just six House Republicans to vote against authorizing a war. With help from Trump, Hostettlers dim view of the Iraq war would later become the conservative consensus.

But to pro-Israel groups and the GOP foreign-policy establishment, for whom aid to Israel is a sacrosanct part of the annual foreign aid package, Hostettlers dissent from the bipartisan foreign-policy consensus was a nuisance. They also faulted him for voting against an Oct. 2000 House resolution expressing solidarity with Israel during another period of unrest and condemning Palestinian leadership for encouraging the violence and doing so little for so long to stop it.

Indiana state. Sen. Mark Messmer, center, a favorite for pro-Israel and big business groups, won the GOP nomination and is now all but assured of a seat in Congress. Darron Cummings/Associated Press

To that end, some pro-Israel donors supported the conservative Democrat Brad Ellsworth, who unseated Hostettler in 2006.

Then, in 2008, Hostettler wrote a book about the Iraq War, Nothing for the Nation: Who Got What Out of Iraq. The books discussion of the Israeli ties of several neoconservative Jewish policy makers in the George W. Bush administration prompted Abe Foxman, then-national director of the Anti-Defamation League, to accuse Hostettler of blaming the Jews for the Iraq War.

The Republican Jewish Coalition, whose super PAC spent $1 million to back Messmer, cited the books alleged antisemitic tropes when explaining its opposition to him.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committees super PAC, United Democracy Project, made Hostettler its first Republican target since its founding in 2021. In a conservative district with very few Jewish residents, the group spent $1.6 million attacking Hostettler for his votes against Israel aid.

UDPs ads use whatever themes are most effective for electing pro-Israel candidates, which means they rarely mention Israel policy  an issue that, until recently, was not at the forefront for many voters. But at least one of the groups anti-Hostettler spots focused on his Israel policy record, a clear reflection of the groups view that it would hurt him with Republican primary voters.

Hostettler reacted to the onslaught of campaign cash in an early April Facebook post dotted with references to antisemitic tropes.

In that post, he dubbed Foxman a rabbi, which he is not, and mocked the ADL as Anti-Defamation of Leo Frank. The latter is a reference to the ADLs defense of Frank, a Jewish man lynched in Georgia in 1915 while serving a prison term for murder.

Referencing terms used in coverage of pro-Israel donors work against him in 2006, Hostettler also used sarcasm to imply that a pro-Israel cabal was out to get him.

Who knows? Maybe theyll be successful again, he said. And by they I mean that loose network  that doesnt seem quite as loose today as in 2006  DEFINITELY NOT some cabal.

Related...
Recently, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria has increased several times, Azernews reports, citing President Ilham Alieyv as he telling in a statement to the press with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev.

Emphasizing that the main reason for this is, of course, cooperation in the energy sector, the head of state noted that the current level and prospects of this cooperation are very positive.
SOUTH BEND  State Sen. David Niezgodski on Tuesday won his bid for the Democratic nomination against challenger Tim Swager, the sitting St. Joseph County treasurer who in recent weeks had seized on allegations of sexual harassment made against his opponent.

Vying for his third term in Indiana State Senate District 10, which encompasses South Bend and western St. Joseph County, Niezgodski won 3,711 votes while Swager won 2,263, according to an unofficial count released Tuesday night. That's good for about 62% of the vote.

Niezgodski, 63, is unopposed by any Republican ahead of the general election this November, though the party does have an opportunity to slate a candidate to face him.

Tim Swager, Democratic candidate for Indiana senate

Swager, who's served as county treasurer since January 2021, previously owned a small communications business and worked as a Democratic aide in the U.S. House of Representatives for three years. A 36-year-old millennial, Swager tried to appeal to voters with his support for progressive causes like expanding reproductive freedom and health care for lower-income people.

The Tribune couldn't reach Swager for comment Tuesday night.

The race heated up in mid-April, when The Indianapolis Star and The South Bend Tribune, both members of the USA TODAY Network, published a story detailing sexual harassment allegations against Niezgodski dating back to 2017.

Many top local Democrats, including South Bend Mayor James Mueller and State Rep. Maureen Bauer, stuck behind Niezgodski while others expressed reservations about how the party could be taken seriously on women's issues if the senator stayed in office. His opponent sent a barrage of campaign mailers and text messages seizing on the allegations, saying he would serve as an ally for women in contrast to Niezgodski.

A former office assistant at Niezgodski Plumbing of South Bend said in a September 2017 complaint to the Indiana Civil Rights Commission that she quit her job that June to get away from the senator, citing romantic advances he made toward her in voicemails and uninvited appearances at her home. At the time, the employee was a 33-year-old single mother while Niezgodski was a 56-year-old state senator married to his current wife, Sheila.

Two days after she quit, the accuser's father said, he witnessed Niezgodski arrive at his daughter's home and enter when she wasn't inside. The father says he grabbed his weapon and accosted Niezgodski but didn't call the police.

Niezgodski's company settled with the former employee for $8,000 on the condition that neither he nor his accuser could publicly discuss the case. In his only public comments about the story, he said he wouldn't violate that agreement. A spokesperson did not answer whether Niezgodski would agree to release his accuser from the non-disclosure agreement.

David Niezgodski, Democrat and Indiana state senator

Seven years ago, my wife and I were trying to keep a valued employee with whom we had a personal friendship at our family business and I should have handled matters in a better way," Niezgodski said in part in a statement. "In retrospect, I regret how I acted seven years ago and take full responsibility for causing any pain or discomfort."

Niezgodski served 10 years as state representative of House District 7 before he was elected to the state senate in 2016. He's the fourth generation to manage his family's plumbing business. which was founded in 1922.

He rebuffed a primary challenge in 2020, as well, from Democrat Alex Bowman. That year, he won roughly 63% of the vote, with the final tally at 7,785 to 4,463. He ran unopposed in the general election.

Niezgodski said his plans for upcoming legislative sessions include reforming Indiana's lax laws governing landlords, primarily by giving tenants the right to withhold rent money when their home is uninhabitable and their property owner won't make repairs. He says a home fire on South Bend's west side that killed six children and tenants who lived without heat at Cedar Glen Apartment Complex drew his attention to the longstanding issue.

Niezgodski also says he intends to support stronger regulations supporting Indiana's wetlands and expansions of women's reproductive freedom. In this year's legislative session, he voted for a bill that requires hospitals operating a maternity unit to ensure that low-income women eligible for Medicaid insurance are offered long-acting birth control before being discharged.

"My sincerest thanks to my constituents who have allowed me to serve this community that my family has been a part of for over a hundred years," Niezgodski said in a statement Tuesday. "Thank you to my labor brothers and sisters, for continuing to have my back just as I have always had yours down state."

Email Tribune staff writer Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: David Niezgodski wins South Bend state senate race
Suzanne Mann, Latter-day Saints for Life programs director, with Rod Mann, Utah County auditor, and Lara Schlerf at the Latter Day Saints For Life Conference March 9 in Draper, Utah.

A gathering of 120 Latter-day Saint pro-life advocates took place March 9 at American Preparatory Academy in Draper, Utah, organized by the nonprofit group Latter-day Saints for Life.

Elder R. Pepper Murray, an orthopedic surgeon and a Utah Area Seventy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shared remarks at the event, along with Sharon Slater, a U.N. Family Rights Caucus chair, who spoke about trends taking place internationally. Debra Bonner, director of the Unity Gospel Choir, provided a musical number.

Latter-day Saints for Life is not sponsored or affiliated with the church, but describes itself as a worldwide coalition of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints protecting preborn babies and promoting a pro-life culture.

The organization aims to help gather fellow believers in unity and to educate through various online resources, presentations and home evening guides. The group also works to help pregnant mothers. A service project at the conference assembled care packages that Pro-Life Utah offers to mothers considering abortions, including access to free ultrasounds, baby supplies for up to a year, and a $3,000 life grant for housing, medical bills and anything else the woman may need through pregnancy.

Sharon Slater, president of Family Watch International, speaks with other attendees at the Latter Day Saints For Life Conference March 9 in Draper, Utah.

Latter-day Saint teachings on abortion

Its great talking about policies and candidates, said Emily Ells, president of the pro-life club at BYU, during a conference panel discussion. But what really is going to help people is knowing the doctrine behind the pro-life cause. Discussing and reviewing gospel teachings is a regular feature of club activities, she said, because theyve found that people just dont know it.

Elder Murray shared these lines from The Family: A Proclamation to the World: We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in Gods eternal plan.

Reminding the audience that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has no official position on the moment that human life begins, he reiterated how much the faith affirms the sanctity and eternal value of life.

The ultimate act of destruction is to take a life, he said, quoting President Dallin H. Oaks of the churchs First Presidency, who taught in 1993 as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Our attitude toward abortion is not based on revealed knowledge of when mortal life begins for legal purposes. It is fixed by our knowledge that according to an eternal plan all of the spirit children of God must come to this earth for a glorious purpose, and that individual identity began long before conception and will continue for all the eternities to come.

Clarifying the choice that matters most

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints touched on the subject of choice and agency in a 2008 talk as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The rights of any one individual do not allow the rights of another individual to be abused. Terminating the life of a developing baby involves two individuals with separate bodies, brains, and hearts.

Elder Murray cited these remarks before underscoring an official statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that again affirmed the sanctity of life and stated, Therefore, the Church opposes elective abortion for personal or social convenience, and counsels its members not to submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for such abortions. (The church allows for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, when the life of the mother is in danger, or when medical experts determine the unborn baby wont survive.)

Sister Rachelle Murray and Elder R. Pepper Murray, Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks with another attendee at the Latter Day Saints For Life Conference March 9 in Draper, Utah.

At times the task of participating in the process of protecting and claiming the sanctity of life seems overwhelming, Elder Murray acknowledged. It seems the problem is too large, the question too complex and nuanced to find a way forward.

With Gods help, we can do much good.

A peaceful approach to pro-life advocacy

But what about the opposition we face from raising our voices? Elder Murray asked.

May we be firm, but kind, valiant but approachable, vocal, but ready to listen and consider other points of view, he answered. We can find common ground and speak about things we believe and share before we begin to speak about things on which we disagree.

Referencing President Nelsons 2023 talk Peacemakers Needed as reflective of a distinctive tone we ought to take, he then quoted Elder Marvin Ashton, who encouraged Latter-day Saints in 1978, When others disagree with our stand we should not argue, retaliate in kind, or contend with them. We can maintain proper relationships and avoid the frustrations of strife.

Can we express our beliefs without clenching our fists, raising our voices, and promoting contention? Can we talk about the beneficial principles of the gospel ... without making our listeners defensive? Elder Ashton said. This is not easy, but it can be done.

Emily Thornton, Latter-day Saints for Life Idaho area representative, speaks to Sharon Slater at the Latter Day Saints For Life Conference March 9 in Draper, Utah.

Elder Murray also highlighted Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who said, If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. ... The good you do today, may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. ... For you see, in the end, it is between you and your God. It never was between you and them anyway.

Pregnancy Choice Utah Mobile Clinic from Pro-Life Utah, next to Mary Taylor, president of Pro-Life Utah, and Brittney Pahl, Latter-day Saints for Life volunteer, at the Latter Day Saints For Life Conference March 9 in Draper, Utah.

Involved in making a difference

At a breakout session, Merrilee Boyack, director of development at Pro-Life Utah, cited recent statistics of 73 million abortions per year worldwide. I want to be able to look at my children and grandchildren, she said, and tell them, I actually did something about (this).

Jessica Spackman, founder of the organization Latter-day Saints for Life, said at the conference, In this life, I dont think we will know the impact of our efforts today and as we stand for life moving forward.

Spackman told attendees about getting a call from someone with a friend considering an abortion. After encouraging this person to share a website helping explain Gods love and plan for each of us, this individual later texted back saying she is not aborting, but considering adoption instead.

That is what Latter-day Saints for Life is about, Spackman said, standing for the sanctity of life, of the pure worth of preborn children. As the doctrine of the sanctity of life will spread, she shared her hope that more lives will be saved.
Infected blood victims were used for research without consent, families claim

More than 2,500 people become infected with hepatitis C and around 1,250 with HIV from contaminated blood products in 1970s and 80s - JONATHAN BRADY/PA ARCHIVE

Infected blood victims were experimented on and used for research without their consent, families have said.

Doctors at NHS haemophilia centres around the UK were using patients to determine if there was a risk that some blood products were giving people hepatitis, they claim.

The infected blood scandal of the 1970s and 80s saw more than 2,500 people become infected with hepatitis C and around 1,250 with HIV from contaminated blood products made and imported from the US, including Factor VIII.

The drugs were hailed as miracle treatments for people with the genetic blood-clotting disorder allowing them to live normal lives.

However, the donors in the US were often gay men, sex workers, prisoners and homeless people who had high rates of infection that went into the blood products and subsequently infected patients in Britain.

Documents unearthed by campaign group Factor VIII, as well as files submitted to the Infected Blood Inquiry have unearthed a long-running project to run research projects on haemophiliacs.

Victims say that doctors ran experiments to determine the risk of infection from imported Factor VIII and continued to run these studies even when aware of the links to heightened infection risk.

Jason Evans, the director of the campaign group, found notes alluding to the research in his fathers medical records, where the Factor VIII prescription was accompanied with a scribble that said Dr Craskes Research Work.

Mr Evans father died in 1993 after being infected with both HIV and hepatitis C during the course of his treatment for haemophilia.

John Craske was the head virologist at the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) during the scandal and published research on the risk of hepatitis from Factor VIII.

At a meeting of leading haemophilia doctors in 1974, he started a project to study rates of hepatitis at different haemophilia centres across the UK and what drug was causing it. In 1975, this was expanded to include hepatitis B.

The hepatitis experiments lasted into the early 1980s when the scandal escalated further with the emergence of HIV.

Around 1,250 haemophiliacs would go on to contract HIV from Factor VIII.

Jason Evans' father died in 1993 after being infected with both HIV and hepatitis C. His son is now the director of the campaign group - CATHY GORDON/PA

Mr Evans said: It is appalling that hundreds of people with haemophilia across the country were knowingly infected with lethal viruses under the guise of scientific research.

These secret experiments, conducted without consent, show individuals were treated as mere test subjects, not human beings.

The fact that this could happen on such a scale, over such a long period of time, is almost incomprehensible.

Becka Pagliaro from Waterlooville, near Portsmouth, said she was shocked to find notes about the trials in her fathers patient notes.

Her father Neil King was infected with both HIV and hepatitis C while receiving treatment for haemophilia.

He died in 1996 when he was 38 years old.

When I got his medical records I saw he was part of this research which I know was something that he would not have agreed to, so that was done covertly, Ms Pagliaro said.

I was really shocked  I wondered first of all whether I had received someone elses medical records because I could not believe what I was seeing.

Emma Frame, from South Shields, said that her father had never agreed to be part of studies but found multiple references to them in his medical records.

I have all of his records which is where I came across these studies, she said. There is no information other than this doctors name, a treatment and then a date. With my dad it was recorded several different times.

Its absolutely mind-blowing the information that is out there that has been hidden.

Jeffrey Frame was infected with HIV and hepatitis C and died in 1991 when he was just 39.

Ms Frame said that in the mid 1990s she also discovered that the NHS had kept some of her fathers samples, which had not been discussed with the family.

They still had actual physical samples of my dad who had died years previous, she said.

Other families have also contacted Factor VIII after finding reference to the trials in their loved ones medical records.

It comes after it emerged that experiments were conducted on haemophiliac schoolboys at Treloars school for disabled children in Hampshire without the knowledge or consent of their parents.

The Infected Blood Inquiry will publish its final report on May 20.

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 week after a small Japanese town announced it was taking unorthodox measures to prevent overtourism at a popular selfie spot, a business caught up in the controversy has made a statement.

Lawsons, one of Japans largest convenience store chains, has an outpost in the small town of Fujikawaguchiko. The town in Yamanashi prefecture is well known among tourists due to its location at the beginning of one of the most popular hiking trails up Mount Fuji  and, now, for its beautiful views of the mountain.

Tourists have flooded into Fujikawaguchiko to take one specific picture  a shot of Mount Fuji behind a Lawsons store, where the mountains classic elegance contrasts with the stores modern neon signage.

This photo vantage spot has become so popular that Fujikawaguchiko is now taking a drastic step  erecting a barrier to block the view of the mountain to deter would-be picture-takers.

Although Lawsons has not encouraged visitors to take pictures of its store, the company nevertheless issued a statement addressing the issue on May 5.

We offer our sincere apologies to local residents, customers of these stores, and others for inciting inconvenience and concern due to the popularization of the Lawson Kawaguchiko Station Branch, the statement reads.

And while the town of Fujikawaguchiko is already building the eight-foot-tall barrier that will go up behind the store, Lawsons says it will take its own steps to prevent bad tourist behavior by putting up signs in multiple languages that warn visitors against littering, blocking traffic and more.

In addition, Lawsons says it has considered hiring private security to manage the store and surrounding area.

While simply taking a picture may not seem like a life-altering issue, officials recently told CNN the huge increase in tourists  and their attendant bad behavior  has wreaked havoc on tiny Fujikawaguchiko.

During peak season, it is common for the town to have three times as many visitors as residents.

Many of the photographers who set up their gear in front of Lawsons leave trash, prevent residents from moving around freely, and stand in the road, which can block traffic and cause accidents, said an unnamed official. Several owners of businesses near the Lawsons went to the city council with complaints.

Fujikawaguchiko is one of many places in Japan coping with overtourism. The country fully reopened post-pandemic in late 2022, leading to a surge of rescheduled trips and revenge travel.

March 2024 was Japans highest tourism month on record, with the country welcoming more than three million travelers. Many of them headed to the same destinations, crowding Kyotos narrow streets and the walking trails of Mount Fuji.

The damage to Mount Fuji, called Fuji-san in Japanese, has been so significant that local leaders are pushing for stronger measures to regulate tourism at the UNESCO World Heritage site.

In 2023, a Yamanashi prefectural government official told CNN that overtourism was the single biggest problem on Fuji-san. In addition to the sheer number of additional bodies, he expressed concern about the problems that come along with more visitors, including erosion, litter, increased carbon emissions and environmental damage caused by hikers who go off marked trails.

And Lawsons is not the only Japanese tourist destination that has resorted to putting up signs warning visitors of bad behaviors.

In Kyotos historic Gion neighborhood, throngs of tourists cramming the tiny alleys in hopes of spotting a geisha on her way to work have caused clashes between visitors and locals. The local Gion council has put up signs and handed out brochures explaining that behaviors like following geisha, taking pictures of them without asking permission and pulling on their kimonos are disrespectful, but geisha paparazzi continues regardless.

No one has a perfect answer for how Japan can cope with overtourism. But Fujikawaguchiko expects to have its picture-blocking barrier in place by the end of the month.

CNNs Himari Semans contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Investigation launched after Mass. 3rd grader misses his drop-off and wakes up in bus yard alone

School and transportation officials have launched an investigation in the town of Orange, after a 9-year-old boy fell asleep on the way to school and woke up alone in a school bus yard, after missing his drop-off.

The boys guardian, Teresa Ashby reached out to Boston 25, raising concern about the handling of the incident and communication about it.

Ashby says her grandson, who is a third grader at Fisher Hill Elementary School, had no idea where he was when he woke up and had to push the school bus door open to alert an adult at the bus yard. That yard is about two-and-a-half miles from the school, according to Ashby.

Ashby says she got a text and email from the school on Friday that the boy was absent but was then later notified the young boy was indeed at the school.

She says she learned what happened later that day when her grandson got home from school.

Boston 25 reached out to the school district and the bus company about the incident.

Please know we are aware of this situation and it is under investigation, said Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Zielinski. Orange Elementary Schools contracts with a bus company to provide transportation. That company has been notified about this incident and it has also been reported to the appropriate state agencies.

The manager of that company, Swift River Bus, says he is also looking into the incident, and he says action may be taken against the bus driver.

Yes, a student was left on the bus, said Dan Johnson, Swift River Bus manager. The driver returned to the bus yard and did their walk through checking the bus and did not see the student under the seat. We are working closely with the school during the investigation. Once the investigation is completed, retraining and disciplinary action may be taken dependent upon the facts presented.

I wasnt getting anywhere until they heard from (Boston 25), said Ashy, who remains concerned about the lack of communication from the school.

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
Investigation reveals that almost 11,000 criminal cases have been halted because defendants volunteered to fight

The criminal cases of almost 11,000 people have been halted by Ukrainian courts because the defendants volunteered to join the army, NGL Media reported on May 7.

Ukraine's parliament passed a draft law in the first reading in April that would allow citizens convicted of minor offenses to serve in the military. The bill has to pass a second reading and be signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky before it becomes law.

An additional amendment in 2014 to Ukraine's criminal code allows for the suspension of legal proceedings until a defendant is released from military service.

According to the investigation, the most common cases halted by courts were theft, car accidents involving criminal misconduct, and drug trafficking.

NGL randomly selected 400 suspended cases and found that 25% of the defendants were accused of committing the crimes while already being in the military.

"Of course, it cannot be unequivocally said that all the defendants who volunteered to join the army are trying to delay their trials," NGL wrote.

In some cases, it may be possible that some of the defendants intentionally joined up to "evade punishment," NGL said.

Due to the criminal code's flexibility, volunteering to join the military may not necessarily result in suspending a defendant's case. Legal analyst Marta Bereza told NGL that a judge may use their discretion to decide whether the type of military service warrants the halting of criminal proceedings.

The prosecution of some criminal cases can depend on a statute of limitations, and it may be possible that some defendants could ultimately avoid prosecution because their period of military service exceeds the time limit afforded by the statute of limitations pertaining to their specific criminal charge.

"Expiration of the statute of limitations is not automatically grounds for closing (criminal) proceedings," Bereza said, and courts can take into account other factors, such as the defendant's own wish for a case to go to trial.

Read also: Defense Ministry: Medical commission members can no longer use own discretion on conscripts eligibility

Sign up for our newsletter

Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko

Sign up

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Iowa Smoke Time & Vapor Shop is pictured Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 on Washington Street in Iowa City, Iowa.

Amid concern from the Iowa City City Council and a flurry of new tobacco and vape shops, the City of Iowa City will stop issuing new tobacco permits through the end of the year.

The moratorium will begin around June 4 and run for about seven months through Jan. 1, 2025.

The pause will allow the council to study and determine "the best ways to mitigate the harmful impacts of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products on public health."

More: Long-time Czech heirloom, current Pagliai's Pizza home on doorstep of historic preservation

City plans to assess influx of vape shops

The Iowa City City Council has scheduled an initial assessment and presentation from city attorney Eric Goers for their lone July meeting.

The council is concerned with the recent influx and popularity of tobacco and vape shops, which they believe could have a negative impact on public health.

"There has been an increased presence of retail outlets primarily focused on retail sales of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products, according to the city council agenda packet for the May 7 meeting.

The city's resolution mentions how the city may start limiting the number of tobacco permits or it could impose separation distance requirements for vulnerable populations near schools and "between" retail outlets.

The resolution references the general health effects of smoking, highlighting the use of smokeless tobacco products by middle school and high school children.

"(G)reater access and availability of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products leads to greater use of those products, and thus greater public harm," the resolution reads.

More: These two Hy-Vee products could be contaminated with salmonella

Iowa City allowed to halt permits under Iowa Code

The council's resolution cites Chapter 453A of the Iowa Code, which provides cities with the "discretionary ability" to permit or forbid the sale of tobacco products within their limits.

Businesses renewing their licenses will be exempt from the moratorium, though the renewals are expected to be considered on the day the moratorium begins.

Tobacco permits expire each year on June 30.

The city's resolution says a change in ownership does not make a business exempt. It means the business must apply for a new tobacco permit, which will not be allowed through the rest of 2024.

The seven-month ban will allow the city to study how to "mitigate" the health impact of tobacco products.

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City halts new tobacco permits for remainder of 2024
Isobel Yeung is joining CNN as an international correspondent in the networks London bureau.

Yeung previously worked at Vice News as senior correspondent and producer, creating content for the brands platforms as well as HBO, Showtime and Hulu. In nearly a decade with Vice, she reported around the globe and in numerous conflict zones. She won 10 Emmy Awards, a Peabody and the Foreign Press Associations Journalist of the Year Award.

More from Deadline

She was recently in the occupied West Bank for an investigation for the BBC on Israeli security forces. Her other recent stories have included one in which she went undercover to report on Chinese gangsters who laundered drug proceeds for Mexican cartels. She also went to Iran to cover the uprising following the death of Mahsa Amini, and to a Russian summer camp holding Ukrainian children.

Deborah Rayner, senior vice president of international newsgathering for TV and digital, said in a statement, Isobel has a truly exceptional track record of impactful, enterprise reporting and filmmaking. It is extremely rare to find a multi-skilled journalist with such a body of experience and award-winning work across so many countries. Hers is the kind of journalism that has always been at the core of what CNN is about, and were thrilled that she is joining our already outstanding team of international correspondents.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Israeli tanks are lined up near the Israel-Gaza border, on the outskirts of the southern city of Rafah - REUTERS/Ammar Awad

Israel criticised the UN, accusing it of not delivering surplus aid into Gaza as it insisted a key crossing into the strip was open.

Government Spokesman Avi Hyman claimed that the Kerem Shalom crossing was operational, despite being directly shut by a Hamas strike.

Mr Hyman appeared to blame the UN for lack of aid, saying that the body should be asked why there is so much surplus aid not being delivered to the enclave day in and day out.

It comes as the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA),which aids Palestinian refugees in the enclave, said earlier today that the aid was not entering the Strip through the crossing due to military operations in the area.

The crossing is a vital entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers.

03:15 PM BST

Thanks for following todays live blog

Todays live coverage has ended.

Well be back soon with all the latest updates from the conflict.

03:10 PM BST

WHO chief: Hospitals in the south of Gaza only have three days of fuel left

One of the three hospitals in Rafah city is no longer functioning, , says head of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Director-General of the WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Najjer hospital has been forced to shut and warned that the remaining two only had three days of fuel left as Israel continues its operation in the enclaves southernmost city.

Mr Ghebreyesus added that the closure of the Kerem Shalom border crossing was preventing the UN from delivering fuel to the hospitals.

The closure of the border crossing continues to prevent the UN from bringing fuel. Without fuel all humanitarian operations will stop. Border closures are also impeding delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Hospitals in the south of Gaza only have three days of fuel left, which means services may soon come to a halt.

One of the three hospitals in Rafah, Al-Najjar, is no longer functioning due to the ongoing hostilities in its vicinity and the military operation in Rafah.



The closure of the border crossing continues to prevent the UN from bringing fuel. Without fuel all humanitarian  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 8, 2024

02:36 PM BST

IDF will resolve US arms suspension behind closed doors

Israel appeared to play down a US decision to pause a shipment of military aid, saying that any disagreements between the two countries would be dealt with behind closed doors.

When asked about the issue at a conference on Wednesday, Chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari described relations between the two nations as reaching a scope without precedent, I think, in history.

Joe Biden paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over fears it would invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Officials said Washington was especially focused on the use of the heaviest 2,000-lb bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza.

02:15 PM BST

Pictured: Police shut down pro-Palestine protest at George Washington University

Police cleared a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University and arrested several demonstrators from the campus early Wednesday.

District of Columbia police said officers moved to disperse demonstrators because there has been a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest.

It added that 33 arrests were made, including for assault on a police officer and unlawful entry. Some protesters were pepper sprayed as police blocked them from the camp.

Officials at the university in Washington, D.C., had warned of possible suspensions for students engaging in protest activities on University Yard.

While the university is committed to protecting students rights to free expression, the encampment had evolved into an unlawful activity, with participants in direct violation of multiple university policies and city regulations, the university said in a statement.

University students have been inside an encampment since 25 April.

Students hold banners and signs as they continue pro-Palestinian demonstrations at George Washington University in Washington DC, United States - Anadolu via Getty Images

Students hold Palestinian flags as they continue pro-Palestinian demonstrations at George Washington University - Anadolu via Getty Images

01:47 PM BST

UN chief says Rafah offensive would be a human catastrophe

Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general has said that a full-scale invasion of Rafah would be a human catastrophe.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Guterres wrote:

A full-scale assault on Rafah would be a human catastrophe. Countless more civilian casualties. Countless more families forced to flee yet again  with nowhere safe to go. Meanwhile, the repercussions will be felt far beyond, in the occupied West Bank, and across the region.

A full-scale assault on Rafah would be a human catastrophe.



Countless more civilian casualties.



Countless more families forced to flee yet again  with nowhere safe to go.



Meanwhile, the repercussions will be felt far beyond, in the occupied West Bank, and across the region.  Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 8, 2024

01:35 PM BST

Israel sees no sign of breakthrough in ceasefire talks

Israel has little hope of a breakthrough in the ceasefire talks taking place in Cairo, an Israeli official told Reuters on Wednesday.

Despite this, it will keep its delegation of mid-level Israeli officials in the Egyptian capital for now, the official added.

We reported earlier The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director William Burns is flying to Israel today to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a possible suspension of the Israeli operation in Gazas Rafah in return for a hostage release (see our post at 9:37 am).

01:16 PM BST

No aid has crossed Kerem Shalom crossing, says UNRWA

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has said no aid has entered into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing.

UNRWA, which aids Palestinian refugees in the enclave, said that as of 2:30 pm local time, the crossing was not functioning due to military operations in the area.

The agency added that it had not yet seen any fuel or aid enter the Strip.

We reported earlier that Israel said it had reopened the border crossing and that aid trucks from Egypt were already undergoing inspections ahead of their arrival in Gaza (see our post at 8:23 am).

The crossing is a vital entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers.

12:49 PM BST

Aid for Gaza loaded in Cyprus as US offshore pier completed

Aid deliveries for Gaza were loaded onto a ship in Cyprus on Wednesday, in what will be the first load delivered using the US humanitarian pier off the Gaza Strip, Reuters has reported.

Konstantinos Letymbiotis, a Cyprus government spokesperson, announced that a US jetty built to deliver aid shipments to Gaza had been completed.

We are completing the loading of aid onto a US vessel now in Larnaca and once the platform is in place this part of the process (shipment) can commence, he said.

It is unclear when the vessel will depart.

We reported earlier that construction of the two-part pier had been slowed down due to poor weather conditions (see our post at 7:33 am).

The new sea route - which will cost the US military at least $320 million - is aimed at boosting aid deliveries to the Gazan population on the brink of famine.

A crane lifts material onto a cargo vessel expected to take aid to Gaza from Cyprus, at the port of Larnaca, Cyprus - Yiannis Kourtoglou/REUTERS

12:25 PM BST

Israel demolishes 47 Palestinian homes in Negev desert

The Israeli military has reportedly destroyed 47 Bedouin homes today, the Middle East Monitor has reported.

The homes belonging to the Abu Asa family in the Negev, a vast desert region that covers the entire south of Israel, were destroyed this morning, according to the regions supreme Arab guidance committee.

The committee said Israeli police planned to shut down roads in the area early this morning to stave off protestors and called the governments move unprecedented.

It added that this was the largest home demolition operation in a single day in many years.

Bedouin groups in the Negev are traditional nomadic Arab tribes and have cultivated the land since the 16th century.

They also include many Israeli citizens, yet 35 of their 46 villages are not recognised by the state. Meaning that the 90,000 residents dont have access to basic rights, such as education and healthcare, and are not allowed to build permanent structures.

Israeli police arrest a Bedouin man during the demolishing of unrecognised Bedouin village of Wadi al-Khalil - Ilia Yefimovich/DPA

12:08 PM BST

Nearly 35,000 Palestinians killed since beginning of war

The Hamas-run health ministry says at least 34,844 Palestinians have now been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October.

A further 78,404 have been injured, it added.

The figures reported by the ministry do not differentiate between fighters and civilians.

11:40 AM BST

No prospects for resolving the situation in the Gaza Strip, says Russia

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that Moscow saw no prospects for a peace settlement in Gaza or the wider Middle East.

I would like to call it a settlement, but, alas, it is far from a settlement, said Ms Zakharova told reporters.

There are no prospects for resolving the situation in the Gaza Strip. On the contrary, the situation in the conflict zone is escalating daily.

Ms Zakharova added that the launch of an Israeli operation in Rafah was an additional destabilising factor in tensions across the region.

11:25 AM BST

Pictured: Settlements in Rafah as precise operation in eastern region begins

A new satellite image from southern Rafah shows the tent and shelter camp settlements there as reports suggest Israels military is preparing for a full-scale offensive in the city.

Rafah, by the border with Egypt, was the only city in Gaza that the IDF had not yet entered, with more than a million displaced people sheltering in what was the last remaining safe zone.

A black-and-white satellite image shows an overview of a tent and shelter camp settlement in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip - REUTERS

11:16 AM BST

IDF says it killed several gunmen in Rafah operation

The Israeli military says its troops have killed several gunmen and located tunnel shafts during what the IDF describes as its precise operation in Eastern Rafah.

The uncovered tunnels are being prepared to be dismantled by combat engineers, the IDF said in a statement.

They added that Israeli troops are conducting targeted raids on the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing following intelligence that Hamas fighters are using the border crossing for terror purposes.

Throughout the past day, IAF fighter jets and aircraft struck over 100 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including military structures, observation posts, launch posts and additional military infrastructure, said the IDF.

Internally displaced Palestinians flock to Rafah beach, near the border with Egypt, in Rafah, amid Israeli calls for resident to 'temporarily' evacuate to an expanded humanitarian area - MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

11:04 AM BST

Biden paused bomb shipments to Israel over Rafah concerns

Joe Biden paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over fears it would invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Washington halted the load of 1,800 2,000-lb (907 kg) bombs and 1,700 500-lb (226 kg) bombs after Israel had not fully addressed US concerns about a major ground operation, marking the first time in the conflict that Mr Biden has halted military aid.

News of the move comes as the White House criticised the unacceptable closure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt after Israel sent tanks in earlier Tuesday - while holding out hope for a ceasefire with Hamas.

Officials said Washington was especially focused on the use of the heaviest 2,000-lb bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza.

Ceasefire talks involving Israel, Hamas, the United States, Qatar and Egypt resumed on Tuesday.

A close assessment of the two sides positions suggests that they should be able to close the remaining gaps, and were going to do everything we can to support that process, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

10:26 AM BST

MSF is discharging patients from Rafah field hospital ahead of impending evacuation

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have started to discharge patients from a field hospital in Rafah ahead of a possible evacuation, a medical lead operating in the territory said on Wednesday.

Aurelie Godard, MSF medical team lead in the Gaza Strip, said that the field hospitals will not be able to cope with a rush of new patients on top of their regular medical duties if the looming offensive in the enclaves southernmost city goes ahead.

We have begun to discharge patients at Rafah Indonesian Field Hospital, those who can walk, as we also prepare for a possible evacuation, said Godard in a statement on X.

The few field hospitals or alternative structures being installed will not be able to cope with an influx of wounded patients on top of regular medical needs such as deliveries and chronic diseases.

"This offensive is also going to further aggravate the damage to the health system, which is barely functioning. Like we saw in the north, some hospitals will no longer be accessible and are at high risk of being hit or destroyed...  MSF International (@MSF) May 8, 2024

10:11 AM BST

Video: Israeli strike hits civilian homes in Rafah

Overnight, there were further Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip, hours after Israeli forces backed by tanks took control of the key Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt.

The Israeli bombardment has been particularly intense around Rafah, the Strips southernmost city. Local medics say seven members of one family were killed in one overnight strike.

On Monday, the Israeli military ordered tens of thousands of civilians to begin evacuating eastern parts of Rafah city, ahead of what it called a limited operation to eliminate Hamas fighters and dismantle infrastructure.

09:37 AM BST

CIA chief to hold talks with Netanyahu this afternoon

The United States believes that the remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas on the cease-fire proposal can be bridged, Reuters news agency has reported.

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director Bill Burns is flying to Israel today to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, a source familiar with his travels has said.

Israel declared on Monday that a three-phase proposal approved by Hamas was unacceptable because terms had been softened.

White House spokesman John Kirby announced that Hamas has presented a revised offer, with the new text suggesting that the remaining gaps can absolutely be closed.

The proposal that Hamas approved on Monday included a first phase with a six-week ceasefire, increased aid in Gaza, the return of 33 Israeli hostages, alive or dead, and the release of 30 detained Palestinian children and women for each released Israeli hostage.

CIA Director William Burns will fly to Israel later today to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - MANDEL NGAN/AFP

08:50 AM BST

How dependent is Israel on US weapons?

The Biden administration has faced growing pressure to halt arms sales to Israel over how it is conducting its war in the besieged Gaza Strip, which critics say violates US laws banning military aid and weapons sales to countries

The US is by far the biggest supplier of arms to Israel, accounting for 69 per cent of Israels imports of major conventional arms between 2019 and 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Israel receives $3.8bn (3bn) worth of annual military aid from the US, under a 10-year agreement designed to give the nation qualitative military edge over neighbouring countries.

The US-funded grants have financed Israels orders of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, an aircraft considered the most advanced ever made. The move makes them the first country other than the US to receive the stealth jets and the first to use one in combat.

08:23 AM BST

Kerem Shalom aid crossing has been reopened, says Israel

The Israeli military has reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza, a vital terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed four days earlier in response to a rocket that killed four Israeli soldiers nearby.

The reopening will allow humanitarian aid to enter the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli Defences Forces said in a statement.

Israeli border guards and police speak with right-wing protesters blocking the road to Jordanian trucks carrying humanitarian aid supplies arriving on the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP

Israel first opened the tightly-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing in December following stark warnings from the United States to speed up the flow of humanitarian aid.

However, Israeli protesters have regularly gathered at the crossing, trying to block aid convoys from entering the enclave in hope of raising the pressure on Hamas to release the hostages.

07:58 AM BST

Pictured: Palestinian families flee Rafah as Israel strikes city

Many Palestinians have been forced to flee eastern parts of Rafah, Gazas southernmost city, after the Israeli military ordered their evacuation before starting an operation in the area.

On Monday the military told the tens of thousands of people affected to begin heading towards an expanded humanitarian area in the north of the enclave, where it said they would find field hospitals, tents and basic supplies, according to the leaflets dropped by the Israeli military.

Rafah is now home to about a million Palestinians that have been displaced during the war, as well as a prewar population of 300,000.

Internally displaced Palestinians leave with their belongings following an evacuation order issued by the Israeli army, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. - MOHAMMED SABER/Shutterstock

07:47 AM BST

US to miss deadline to report if IDF using weapons legally in Gaza

The Biden administration is set to miss a Wednesday deadline to report to Congress on whether Israel is breaching international humanitarian law, sources say.

Under a National Security Memorandum issued by President Joe Biden in February, Secretary of State Antony Blinken must report to Congress by May 8 whether he finds credible Israels assurances that its use of U.S. weapons does not violate U.S. or international law.

Four sources said on Tuesday that Bidens administration had informed Congress that it would not make the deadline, but hoped to present its findings within days, Reuters reported.

It was reported last month that some senior US officials did not find Israels assurances credible or reliable, prompting some lawmakers to urge the Biden administration not to lean the report in Israels favour.

Ive had a lot of conversations... with folks in the administration, really urging them to make sure that this report is credible, that its seen to be based on facts and law and not based on what they would wish it would be, said Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.

Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip. On Monday, Israeli forces called on residents of eastern Rafah to 'temporarily' evacuate to an expanded humanitarian area. - MOHAMMED SABER/AFP

07:33 AM BST

Deliveries using humanitarian aid pier off Gaza Strip could begin as soon as Wednesday

Aid deliveries using the US humanitarian pier off the Gaza Strip could begin as soon as Wednesday, despite poor weather conditions slowing down construction, sources say.

US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that a ceasefire does not have to be in place for aid distribution from the pier to begin.

US President Joe Biden announced the construction of the pier in March as aid officials implored Israel to ease access for relief supplies into Gazas overland routes, with the aim of speeding up the flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave when it becomes operational

The port sits just southwest of Gaza City, an area that was the territorys most populous region before the Israeli ground offensive forced over 1 million displaced people to flee south toward the city of Rafah on the Egyptian border.

06:58 AM BST

Israel launches fresh Gaza strikes as negotiators work towards truce

Israel bombed the Gaza Strip on Wednesday after seizing the main border crossing with Egypt, where negotiators were working to make good on their last chance to cement a ceasefire deal.

Israeli tanks moved in Tuesday, capturing the crossing that has served as the main conduit for aid into the besieged Palestinian territory.

The White House condemned the interruption to humanitarian deliveries, with a senior US official later revealing Washington had paused a shipment of bombs last week after Israel failed to address US concerns over its Rafah plans.

The push into the southern city, which is packed with displaced civilians, came as negotiators and mediators met in Cairo to try and hammer out a hostage release deal and truce in the seven-month war between Israel and the militant group 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.
Even though Eurovision is usually called an apolitical contest, one can still see what certain participants think of wars on stage and behind the scenes. For example, in 2022, many contestants wore blue and yellow badges, and this year participants also supported Ukraine. Among them are the Australians and the Irish.

ADVERTISIMENT

They did not condemn the Russia's war from stage (as such political statements could have led to disqualification), but the participants still showed whose side they were on. The artists integrated these messages into their concert looks, which OBOZ.UA will discuss below.

The duo Electric Fields, who came to Malmo all the way from Australia but did not make it to the final, expressed their support for the Ukrainians right on stage. The keyboardist had blue and yellow stickers in the form of clouds, which were stuck to the musician's chest and shoulders.

"We thank the representatives of Australia for their support for Ukraine," a member of the European Broadcasting Union, Suspilne Media, wrote.

ADVERTISIMENT

As it became known at the press conference, the non-binary representative of Ireland, the eccentric Bambie Thug, also added a symbol of support for Ukraine - a key - to their look. The contestant's manicure featured small jewelry in the form of keys, one of which was given to Bambie Thug by alyona alyona and Jerry Heil.

We would like to remind you that a key is the main symbol of the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities affected by Russian attacks this year. According to Eurofans, it is likely that the Irish intentionally added keys to the manicure design and gave them to Ukrainian women in front of all journalists, thus condemning the Russian attack.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
President Biden accepted an invitation to deliver the commencement speech at Atlantas Morehouse College on Sunday, April 19.

But some protesters gathered Wednesday on campus saying they dont want him to deliver it.

Some members of the faculty, alumni, and students have signed an online petition about Biden and the speech.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

A group holding signs and chanting slogans gathered for over two hours Wednesday and made it clear they dont feel Morehouses president and leaders are listening to them.

One student who said his name was Malik P. said Biden speaking at the school was pandering to young people, especially Black voters as he runs for re-election.

The general feeling on the ground is that we dont want him here, Malik said. Its very obvious that were being used to score political points and get more Black votes. It is so obvious that its just about the presidential campaign.

An online petition to revoke Bidens invitation to speak at the commencement on Change.org currently has over 750 signatures.

Those protesting on campus are not sure what will happen at the actual ceremony when security, including the Secret Service, will be on high alert.

They anticipate a peaceful and silent protest instead of a planned demonstration.

TRENDING STORIES:

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
Israels long-anticipated assault on Rafah has begun. The city is thought to contain four battalions of Hamas soldiers, making it the terrorists last stronghold in Gaza. The operation is essential to securing Israels borders and safety when military operations end. Yet immense international pressure is being applied to Benjamin Netanyahu in an attempt to force a ceasefire on incredibly unfavourable terms.

We in the West should be in no doubt. Nobody  except for Hamas, and its legions of supporters across Gaza  wishes to see this conflict continue. Everybody else wants a meaningful peace. But this cannot be achieved until the terror brigades are dismantled, and their ability to assault Israel brought to a permanent end.

Only last Sunday, four Israeli soldiers were killed during a Hamas rocket barrage near the Kerem Shalom Crossing  hours before CIA Director William Burns flew into Doha to give voice to US concerns for Israeli restraint and lend force to peace negotiations.

Further pressure was applied by the sudden offer of a ceasefire by Hamas negotiators on Monday, which Israel noted fell far from its obligatory demands. The operation in Rafah is intended to bring Hamas to the table to negotiate properly, and also to free hostages.

This last gets to the heart of the matter. If Hamas truly wanted peace, and an end to the civilian casualties, then it would accept terms, release the remaining hostages, and renounce violence. That it does not is further proof, if any were needed, that it prefers to fire rockets at Israelis than to protect Palestinians.

Meanwhile on the ground the IDF has moved the Givati and 401 brigades into eastern Rafah, aiming to conduct a limited raid into the east of the sprawling settlement. In an urban area with 1.3 million civilians, and several thousand enemy combatants, its hardly a show of overwhelming force and aggression many would have you believe.

That hasnt stopped the growing chorus of criticism. The US has paused a weapons shipment to Israel, the UKs own deputy foreign minister has declared that the offensive could break international law, the Belgian prime minister is sceptical of continued trading relations with Israel, and EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell is apparently working on a proposal to limit trade or pass sanctions.

These suggestions are deeply misguided. The assault on Rafah might not destroy Hamas, but it would certainly devastate the remaining Hamas battalions in the region. Their targeted destruction would be a significant step towards peace.

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.
Israeli bombing inside Rafah in southern Gaza Strip as seen from inside southern Israel on Tuesday. Israel said Wednesday that the Kerem Shalom Crossing in southern Gaza was re-opened. Photo by Jim Hollander/UPI

May 8 (UPI) -- The Kerem Shalom Crossing between Israel and Gaza was reopened Wednesday, Israel said, permitting humanitarian aid to enter the Palestinian enclave via the border for the first time since it was closed over the weekend following a Hamas rocket attack in the area.

The reopening was announced by Israel's Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, better known as COGAT, as well as the Israel Defense Forces.

"Aid trucks are already arriving at the crossing. After a thorough security inspection, they will be transferred to the Gazan side," COGAT said in a statement.

The IDF added that the trucks were coming from Egypt.

In accordance with the government directive, this morning (May 8), the Kerem Shalom crossing was opened for the entry of humanitarian aid trucks into the Gaza Strip. COGAT (@cogatonline) May 8, 2024

The Kerem Shalom Crossing is located in southern Gaza, and was closed by Israel on Sunday following a Hamas attack in the region that killed four Israeli soldiers and injured several others.

On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and U.S. President Joe Biden spoke over the phone. The White House said in a statement that Netanyahu had agreed to ensure the crossing would be open for humanitarian assistance.

Israel on Tuesday invaded eastern Rafah, a city where some 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering amid the war that lies upon the Gaza-Egypt border.

Rafah is also the location of the important Gaza-Egypt border crossing, which remained closed Wednesday.

Israel on Tuesday had rolled tanks into eastern Rafah and bombed Hamas targets with warplanes during the seemingly limited operation. The Israeli military said it had secured the border crossing in the operation.

The attack did not appear to be the start of the long-expected and controversial ground operation that the United States and others have warned Israel against launching.

Israel has argued that it needs to invade Rafah to ferret out the remaining Hamas warriors in the Palestinian enclave, while the United Nations has warned that such an invasion would create a humanitarian disaster.
Israel prepares to remember its war dead as fight with Hamas militants in Gaza rages

An Israeli soldier salutes after placing a national flag with a black ribbon on the grave of a soldier ahead of Memorial Day for fallen soldiers at the Mt. Herzl Military cemetery in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

May 8 (UPI) -- As Israel remains embroiled in war in Gaza after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas, the nation prepares to memorialize the soldiers who have died for the nation's right to exist.

Israel's day of memorial will be here in days and will be followed by the country's 76th Independence Day celebrations.

"As we brace ourselves to mark the first Remembrance Day for Israel's Fallen Soldiers and Terror Victims since the harrowing events of October 7, our hearts are weighed down by the immense, numbing loss our country has suffered," wrote IDF Widows & Orphans Organization director Dave Metzler.

Yom Hazikaron is known as Israel's official Memorial Day, which falls in late April or early May and is immediately followed by what will be Israel's 76th Independence Day. This year, Israel will observe Memorial Day from sunset May 12 until sunset May 13.

"On the one hand, it's a loss on a national scale, and on the other, the loss for each of us is also deeply personal," Metzler wrote in an opinion piece for The Jerusalem Post.

Yom Hazikaron, the Israeli Memorial Day honoring those lives lost in the struggle for Israel to be an independent state, "is different in its character and mood from the American Memorial Day," according to My Jewish Learning.

For example, all businesses and other public venues close for a 24-hour period in remembrance.

Yom Hazikaron begins with a siren that goes off at 8 p.m. in the evening local time, during which all Israeli service members stop what they are doing to stand and remember.

Israel's Remembrance Day comes as the United States has delayed the shipment of thousands of precision weapons to Israel to pressure the U.S. ally not to invade Rafah, according to reports Tuesday citing U.S. and Israeli officials.

Last year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- whose older brother Yonatan Netanyahu was killed during a 1976 raid to free Israeli hostages from Uganda -- had made an appeal to Israeli brotherhood in his Remembrance Day address

"Today, more than ever, on the day we remember the heroes of the nation, we must remember that we are brothers: Jews, Druze, Muslims, Bedouins, Christians, Circassians," Netanyahu said in his 2023 speech at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl Military Cemetery.
In closed-door talks with U.S. officials, the Israeli government has expressed deep frustration at both the Biden administration's delay of a weapons shipment and U.S. confirmations to the media of the once-private halt. The publicity, they argue, could jeopardize hostage negotiations.

That message, detailed to POLITICO by three people from the U.S. and Israel familiar with discussions that have taken place over the last 24 hours, is a sign that U.S.-Israeli relations are being strained to an extent not previously known.

For months, President Joe Biden has reserved criticism of Israels war against Hamas for private settings. But the decision to withhold advanced weapons has broken out into the open, threatening to weaken any influence Biden hoped to have over the next steps Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will take, namely ordering a full-scale invasion of Rafah.



A senior Biden administration official, like others granted anonymity to detail a sensitive diplomatic moment, said the U.S. found it a bit rich that Israel is upset about weapons-pause leaks when it was Israeli officials who first confirmed it to Axios over the weekend. U.S. officials later told POLITICO and other outlets that Biden delayed the transfer of bombs Israel could potentially use in Rafah to target Hamas  and endanger civilians.

In a Senate hearing Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers the U.S. would still stand by Israel as the war proceeds. "We're going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself. But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah," he said.

The war is at a precarious point. Israel sent ground troops and tanks into Rafah this week, seizing the Gaza side of the citys crossing with Egypt and closing another checkpoint at Kerem Shalom. As of Wednesday, Kerem Shalom is partially open but the Rafah crossing remains closed, winnowing the amount of aid that can reach Palestinians desperately in need of food, water, medicine and other provisions.

A key reason why the U.S. stopped the transfer of a congressionally approved transfer of 1,800 2,000-pound and 1,700 500-pound bombs was to protect civilians in Rafah.

As Israeli leaders seemed to approach a decision point on such an operation, we began to carefully review proposed transfers of particular weapons to Israel that might be used in Rafah, another senior administration official told reporters Tuesday night, noting that the U.S. focused particularly on the 2,000-pound bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza.



U.S. officials continue to say Israel has not launched a major operation in Rafah, adding the campaign has been fairly limited and likely designed to increase pressure on Hamas to accept a cease-fire.

But Israeli leaders have signaled their forces may wade deeper into the southern Gaza city, especially if a hostage deal doesnt come together over the next few days.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, speaking during a visit to the Gaza border, said Tuesday: This operation will continue until we eliminate Hamas in the Rafah area and the entire Gaza strip, or until the first hostage returns.

Lara Seligman contributed to this report.
icon

Semafor Signals

Supported by

Microsoft logo

Insights from The Washington Post, UNICEF, the BBC, CBS News, and Al Jazeera

Arrow Down

Title icon

The News

The US paused a shipment of bombs to Israel over concerns about the looming invasion of Rafah, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday. However, he reiterated Washingtons ironclad commitment to the nation.

Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into the Palestinian enclave, a key gateway for humanitarian aid, but the Rafah crossing into Egypt remains shuttered.

Delivery of food and other aid into Gaza has been severely curtailed throughout the war and humanitarian assistance is desperately needed.

On Tuesday the US military said it has completed construction of a pier aimed at increasing aid into Gaza  but poor weather conditions have delayed its installation. High winds and sea swells mean that the pier cannot be moved into position, a Pentagon spokesperson said.

icon

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

US pause is first public effort to draw red line on Rafah invasion

US leaders, who have urged Israel not to invade Rafah without a credible plan to protect civilians, delayed the bomb shipment to send a message to Israel, Politico reported. Austin said the US is reviewing some of its weapons sales to Israel in the context of unfolding events in Rafah, while reiterating that Washington will continue to do whats necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself.

President Joe Biden has struggled with how to exert pressure on Israel to limit civilian casualties while remaining a strong ally to the nation. Biden warned in March that an offensive on Rafah would be a red line for the US, and this shipment pause appeared to be the first public attempt to draw that line, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Rafah incursion poses huge humanitarian risks

Source icon

Sources: The Washington Post, UNICEF

There are 1.2 million internally displaced Palestinians living in Rafah, a southern city near the Egyptian border. Half of those are children with thousands seriously injured or sick from diseases contracted during the war, according to UNICEF. Israel said it is pressing ahead with an incursion into the city, which it argues is the last Hamas stronghold in the enclave. But there are huge risks to the people living there: Theres no way to evacuate this number of people safely, Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society, told The Washington Post. Residents were given limited warning of the Israel Defense Forces pending operations in Rafah, she said, and nearby areas are poorly equipped to handle an influx of refugees.

Kerem Shalom crossing allows some aid in, but not enough

Source icon

Sources: Al Jazeera, BBC, CBS News

The Kerem Shalom crossings reopening means some trucks are able to enter Gaza  but they fall far short of the number required to address a possible famine and the needs of Gazans. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of widespread hunger in the enclave. The still-closed Rafah crossing is a lifeline for humanitarian aid, Al Jazeera noted, and is the only exit point for injured people and foreign passport-holders. Trucks shipping aid into Gaza have been diverted through Kerem Shalom for now, the BBC reported Wednesday. Israel now controls every entry point into Gaza for the first time in two decades.

Semafor Logo
Israel says Gaza border crossing reopened, but UN says aid still stuck

Israel on Wednesday said it reopened a key border crossing into Gaza after it was closed off last weekend following a Hamas rocket attack that killed four Israeli soldiers, but the United Nations says crucial humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people is not yet getting through.

Israels Coordinator of the Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which handles civilian and humanitarian affairs, said trucks from Egypt have already arrived at the Kerem Shalom crossing.

But the United Nations agency that provides relief for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, said later Wednesday that aid is not getting through the crossing.

Scott Anderson, director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza, said Wednesday there is no aid entering across the entire territory.

No fuel or aid has entered into [Gaza] and this is disastrous for the humanitarian response, Anderson wrote on the social platform X.

Gaza has three border crossings to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, including Kerem Shalom and Erez, a checkpoint in the north. Both are controlled by Israel.

A third crossing connecting Egypt and Gaza in the southern city of Rafah has also been crucial for aid delivery, but was recently seized by Israeli soldiers, effectively shutting it down and putting it under Israels control for the first time.

The U.N. has already warned of a famine in northern Gaza and is warning of an even worse disaster if the border crossings remain closed.

The U.S. had urged Israel to reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing after its closure following the rocket attacks, which also injured three Israeli soldiers in the area of the border. Hamas had claimed responsibility for the attacks.

John Kirby, White House national security communications adviser, told reporters Tuesday the crossing would be opened soon after President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He assured the president that it would be reopened, Kirby said.

More than 34,000 people have been killed in Gaza, and human rights groups and the United Nations are warning the situation will grow worse if Israel conducts a full-scale invasion of Rafah.

The limited Israeli incursion that seized the border crossing does not appear to be a larger attack, but Netanyahu has vowed to proceed in Rafah when his forces are ready.

The U.S. recently paused a shipment of 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs to Israel over concerns about an invasion of Rafah.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A general view of the Karem Abu Salem commercial crossing on the Gaza Strip-Israel-Egypt border. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

The Kerem Shalom border crossing for the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip reopened on Wednesday after being closed for several days, according to the Israeli military.

It had been closed to humanitarian shipments on Sunday following a rocket attack by the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas.

Despite another rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, lorries from Egypt with humanitarian aid, including food, water, equipment for shelters, medicines and medical supplies donated by the international community have now arrived at the crossing, the Israeli army said.

After a thorough security inspection, the equipment will be taken through to Gaza. The number of lorries involved was not specified.

Aid supplies are also entering Gaza via the Erez checkpoint in the north.

Israel's Western partners, including Germany, had urged the government in Jerusalem to reopen the crossing in view of the catastrophic humanitarian situation for civilians in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Territory has been the target of a massive Israeli air and ground offensive since the October 7 terrorist attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel.

The Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt is another key crossing point, but the situation there is unclear after the Israeli army took control of the Palestinian side of the crossing on Monday night.
The day before, the first live broadcast of this year's Eurovision Song Contest took place, where Ukrainian representatives alyona alyona and Jerry Heil showed a piercing performance of the song Teresa & Maria. The world was impressed by the Ukrainians' vocals, Tania Muinho's production and special effects that resembled a phosphorus bombing, but many Ukrainian viewers did not share the Europeans' opinion.

ADVERTISIMENT

While the media involved in show business in Ukraine call the performance on May 7 one of the best in the history of the contest, and European fans write thousands of comments with warm words, some consider the performance mediocre and accuse the artists of "singing on blood." OBOZ.UA collected reactions from various social networks.

YouTube

The video of alyona alyona and Jerry Heil's performance on the official Eurovision channel was among the top 3 most viewed of all the acts in the first semifinal. In just 12 hours, it garnered over 400 thousand views. The Ukrainians are still ahead of Ireland (490 thousand) and the potential winner from Croatia (500 thousand).

ADVERTISIMENT

The video, which has already taken the 4th place in Ukrainian trends, has more than 5 thousand comments. It was here that Euro fans from all over the world spoke out, showering the Ukrainians with compliments.

"Ukraine is a real gem of Eurovision", "We can all agree that Ukraine is one of the strongest participants in Eurovision. They never disappoint", "From Portugal: Damn Ukraine, this is great. My favorite song from your country in recent years", "12 points from Greece! Ukraine never disappoints us when it comes to music", "Ukraine is perfect as always", "Ukraine, I just don't have anything to say to reach the level of compliment that such a sublime performance deserves", read the comments that garnered the most likes.

ADVERTISIMENT

X (formerly Twitter)

Meanwhile, on X, alyona alyona and Jerry Heil called the number a work of art and predicted that the Ukrainian contestants would win. Many users used the platform to say that it was after the semifinal results were announced that Russia "congratulated" the Ukrainians with a massive rocket attack, which was referenced in the performance when Jerry Heil climbed the cliff.

Facebook

The Ukrainian-speaking community was divided into media and public figures who wrote enthusiastically about the Ukrainian women's performance, as well as their loyal fans and critics who were not impressed by the star's performance.

ADVERTISIMENT

As a reminder, OBOZ.UA was broadcasting live, describing the most interesting events, performances, and scandals of the first semifinal.

ADVERTISIMENT

As you know:

After a 30-year pause, Luxembourg made a spectacular return to Eurovision and made it to the top 10.

The Ukrainian participants were greeted with applause in the hall, and for the first time they showed their performance choreographed by Tanya Muinho in all its glory. During the performance, Jerry Heil was injured.

The bookmakers' favorite, Baby Lasagna, who is predicted to win by a large margin, lit up the stage with his dynamic performance.

Some of the semifinalists supported Ukraine in its fight against the Russian occupiers in front of the whole world.

The show was followed by the draw of the finalists, where the "producer's choice" was introduced for the first time.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Israels attack in the southern Gaza city of Rafah has expanded from airstrikes to ground operations, new satellite images obtained by CNN from Planet Labs show.

The images, which bear a striking resemblance to the early stages of Israels ground invasion of Gaza last year, show the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are active outside of the immediate border crossing area between Egypt and Gaza, which Israel took control of on Monday evening.

The images, which span from May 5 to 7, suggest some buildings have been bulldozed and show what appear to be mustering areas for IDF vehicles. Some of the IDF forces have penetrated more than a mile inside the Palestinian enclave from the Rafah crossing gate, the images also show.

The build-up comes despite intense international pressure on Israel not to move in on Rafah. On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden for the first time said he would halt some shipments of American weapons should Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu order a major invasion of the city.

These Israeli ground operations follow a series of airstrikes on Rafah that have completely destroyed several buildings in the past 24 hours, and killed at least four people, according to a local hospital. Satellite images suggest these strikes are continuing, with one picture showing smoke still rising from one location.

Palestinians arrive at Al Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah, Gaza, after Israeli air strikes on May 8. - CNN

People could be seen running through the streets of Rafah in the aftermath of a strike on Wednesday in other footage obtained by CNN. Several carried children in their arms, some apparently bleeding and unconscious, towards Al Kuwaiti hospital.

CNN footage also showed panicked children arriving in ambulances without their parents and one barely responsive child with a heavily bandaged arm being carried on a stretcher. Two body bags were also visible outside the hospital.

Four people were killed and around two dozen injured by Israeli airstrikes in the Tal Al Sultan neighborhood in western Rafah on Wednesday, the hospital said.

CNN has reached out to the Israeli military for comment on the incident.

Tell-tale signs

Rafah has become the central focus of Israels war in Gaza, as Netanyahu faces growing pressure from the extreme wing of his coalition to launch a full-scale ground operation in the city to destroy Hamas, while the more moderate wing has urged him to prioritize securing a ceasefire-for-hostages deal.

During nearly seven months of war, more than 1 million Palestinians have fled to Rafah, where Hamas is believed to have regrouped after Israels destruction of much of the strips north. Gazans began fleeing the densely populated city on Monday after Israels military issued a call for residents in the east of Rafah to evacuate immediately.

In the satellite images, some areas in Rafah show the tell-tale signs of being razed by bulldozers and other heavy machinery  vehicle tracks and large swaths of disturbed earth.

The new operations shown by the satellite images resemble the initial ground invasion of Gaza back in October 2023, and in other parts of the enclave since then: When the IDF moved into northern Gaza, it carried out a series of airstrikes shortly before moving ground forces in. Once IDF ground forces did move in, armored bulldozers worked with tanks and other military vehicles to bulldoze and raze buildings.

The IDF said in a statement on Wednesday that it was conducting a precise counterterrorism operation in specific areas of eastern Rafah, which included targeted raids. It also claimed to have eliminated terrorists and uncovered terrorist infrastructure, as well as underground shafts in several locations in the eastern Rafah area.

The IDF has released footage of its 401st Brigade Combat team conducting operational raids on suspicious buildings near to where it said its soldiers had been fired on by Hamas militants.

The IDF said that during the operation it eliminated about 30 terrorists and destroyed large amounts of terrorist infrastructure in the region.

CNN previously confirmed through hospital sources in Rafah that at least 35 people had died in Rafah since Monday evening, including seven women and nine children.

More than 34,600 people have been killed in Gaza since October, according to Palestinian authorities in Gaza. Aid agencies have been warning Israel against launching a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah, saying any ground operation would mean more suffering and death for the 1.2 million displaced Palestinians sheltering in and around the city, OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told journalists in Geneva.

Northern Gaza is already experiencing a full-blown famine which is rapidly spreading across the strip, the World Food Programme warned over the weekend.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Italian President Sergio Mattarella said at the UN General Assembly on 7 May that peace in Ukraine is possible only if the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity are restored and not if Russia is rewarded for its aggression.

Source: European Pravda, citing AP news agency

Details: Mattarella noted that Italy, which currently holds the G7 presidency, and many international partners have come to Ukraine's defence to support the principle of solidarity with states that are attacked in violation of the UN Charter.

"No state, no matter how powerful or how equipped it is with a menacing nuclear arsenal, can think of violating principles, including the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of another country without facing sanctions," he said.

Mattarella noted that the end of the two world wars and the collapse of the Soviet Union had infused Europe with new hope, adding that "Russia has taken on the great historic responsibility of having brought war back to the heart of the European continent".

The Italian president stressed that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is not just a regional conflict. He emphasised that the war in Ukraine has resulted in food and energy shortages, especially in some parts of Africa.

Mattarella further said that the peace dividend, which advocated for directing resources towards development rather than armament after the Cold War, has been compromised as Russia has turned back the clock and launched a new arms race.

The president said the war in Ukraine is now in its third year, and Italy, its international partners and people around the world are committed to achieving a peaceful and lasting solution to the war.

"Not just any solution, though, let alone a solution which would reward the aggressor and humiliate those being attacked, setting a dangerous precedent for everyone," Mattarella said.

"If peace is to be fair and long lasting, it must be based on the noble and inalienable principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations," he added.

Background:

However, the Italian government has stated that the weapons it provides to the Ukrainian Armed Forces are meant to be used only within Ukraine's borders.

Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni does not support sending Western troops to Ukraine, against which Russia is waging a war of aggression.

Support UP or become our patron!
FILE - Eike Bretschneider exits the Seabird aircraft after flying for nearly six hours before running low on fuel over the Mediterranean Sea north of Libya, as a storm approaches the island of Lampedusa, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. Italys aviation authority has barred humanitarian migrant rescue groups from using a Sicilian airport to launch search and rescue flights over the Mediterranean, in the governments latest crackdown on their activities. (AP Photo/Renata Brito, File)

ROME (AP)  Italys aviation authority has barred humanitarian migrant rescue groups from using a Sicilian airport to launch search and rescue flights over the Mediterranean, in the governments latest move to regulate their activities.

An ordinance from ENACs western Sicilian office said the flights interfered with the Italian coast guards exclusive role in coordinating search and rescue efforts and put migrant lives at risk. Non-governmental rescue groups that continue using the Lampedusa, Sicily airport risk unspecified fines and the seizure of their aircraft, it said.

The ordinance marked a new effort by the government of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni to crack down on migration from North Africa, a key campaign promise that brought her right-wing coalition to power in 2022.

In addition to targeting smugglers and the migrants themselves, the government has taken a series of measures to complicate the work of humanitarian aid groups that rescue migrants at sea. The government accuses these groups of encouraging risky departures by their presence in the Mediterranean and fuelling the trafficking demand.

The aid groups say they are saving lives in the absence of an adequate European response to the migration problem and have lashed out at the Italian measures, which they say are designed to limit their time at sea.

In addition to occasional law enforcement sequesters of ships and investigations, Italy now assigns rescue ships to ports far from the active search zone and requires them to return to port after each rescue, rather than stay at sea to pick up as many migrants as possible.

The German rescue group Sea-Watch, which operates its Seabird aircraft to spot migrant boats in distress, vowed to continue its flights. It said late Tuesday that the flights were the only independent way to document the daily violations of human rights that occur in the Mediterranean.

It cited the activities of the Libyan coast guard, which is trained and equipped by the European Union. Libyan rescue ships regularly intercept migrant smuggling boats and bring them back to shore in Libya, where the United Nations and human rights groups have documented grave abuses at migrant holding facilities.

This attack that tramples on international law will not stop us from continuing to annoy those who would like what happens daily in the Mediterranean to remain a secret, Sea-Watch said in a social media post.

It wasnt immediately clear what the groups would do to keep flying, and whether they could find alternative airports close enough to the search zone.

Sara Kelany, lawmaker and migration coordinator for Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, denied the government was trying to limit the groups' activities. The aim, she said, was to ensure the coast guard can do its job in accordance with international regulations.

It is an order issued by ENAC that substantially regulated the activities of NGOs in the air space corresponding to the Italian search and rescue zone, she told The Associated Press.

Lampedusa, which is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland, has long been the destination of choice for migrant smugglers who charge people hundreds of euros apiece to be crammed into overcrowded boats to make the dangerous crossing from North Africa.

Meloni has vowed to strangle the flow, and has inked a series of agreements to incentivize North African countries to prevent departures, while also persuading would-be EU member Albania to build two centers to process the asylum claims of those migrants who are rescued by Italian ships.

To date, the number of migrants arriving in Italy is way down this year compared to the same period last year: 17,666 had arrived as of Wednesday, compared to 44,739 by this time last year and slightly more than the 11,797 in 2022, according to interior ministry data.

___

Paolo Santalucia contributed.
An Italian coastguard vessel carrying migrants rescued at sea passes between tourist boats off the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, Italy on Sept 18, 2023 - Yara Nardi/REUTERS

Italys government has banned charities from flying out of its southern islands in what the organisations say is an attempt to stop them helping migrants.

Rescue charities regularly operate surveillance flights to spot migrant boats that are in distress as they make the crossing from the coasts of Tunisia and Libya towards Italy.

But the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) issued a decree saying that the aircraft would no longer be allowed to fly from Sicily and two tiny islands to its south: Pantelleria, a chunk of volcanic rock with a few thousand inhabitants, and Lampedusa, which has received tens of thousands of migrants and refugees in recent years.

The authority said the flights were unwarranted and could impinge on official search and rescue efforts by the Italian coastguard and navy.

Organisations that fail to abide by the new decree risk fines and seizure of their aircraft.

The authority reports to the transport ministry, which is led by transport minister and head of the League party Matteo Salvini, who has campaigned for years to reduce the number of boats reaching Italy.

Giorgia Meloni, Italy's prime minister, on Friday - Remo Casilli/REUTERS

Humanitarian groups accused the Right-wing coalition, led by prime minister Giorgia Meloni, of banning the flights in order to score political points ahead of the European elections next month.

The flight ban is politically motivated and legally untenable. In the middle of the European election campaign, Italy is trying to get rid of the last witnesses to European crimes in the Mediterranean. We will not be intimidated by this, said Oliver Kulikowski from Sea Watch, one of the NGOs which rescues migrants in the Mediterranean.

Seawatch accused the government of trying to criminalise NGOs for political propaganda.

The humanitarian organisations say their aircraft are vital in spotting migrant boats and dinghies in distress, as well as documenting the sometimes violent methods used by the Libyan coastguard to intercept boats and push them back to the Libyan coast.

Ms Meloni promised to drastically cut the number of boats arriving on Italian soil when she was elected in October 2022, but last year more than 155,000 migrants arrived, a 50 per cent increase on the year before. With the European elections approaching, adopting new measures to stem the exodus from North Africa is key to her political fortunes.

James Cleverly, Home Secretary, views a sunken boat used to cross from Africa, during a visit to Lampedusa to learn about how the Guardia di Finanza police tackle migration, on April 24 - Victoria Jones/PA Wire

Southern end of Sicily, which is close to Africa - BFC/ Ascent Xmedia/Photodisc

The government has already made life more difficult for NGO rescue ships, decreeing that once they have rescued one boatload of migrants they must immediately head for a port, rather than stay at sea looking for more to save.

The authorities often assign ports in northern Italy that take days to reach, meaning the NGO ships are taken away from their search and rescue efforts.

The government has a deal with Albania to build two migrant holding centres in the north of the country, and is working with Libya and Tunisia to block the departure of boats.

The Meloni coalition says its efforts are working  so far this year 17,000 migrants have reached Italy, compared with 45,000 by this time last year.

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.
Gov. Kay Ivey has set the execution date for Alan Eugene Miller by nitrogen hypoxia. If carried out, Millers execution would be Alabamas second using the controversial method.

The death warrant issued by Ivey will be in effect for a 30-hour period from midnight Sept. 26 to 6 a.m. Sept 27.

"Although I have no current plans to grant clemency in this case, I retain my authority under the Constitution of the State of Alabama to grant a reprieve or commutation, if necessary, at any time before the execution is carried out," Ivey wrote in her letter to John Hamm, Alabama Department of Corrections commissioner.

Ivey has never halted an execution or commuted a death sentence during her two terms as governor.

This Millers second date with the executioner. He was set to die by lethal injection in September of 2022, but staff could not gain access to his veins for the IV lines before his death warrant expired.

Alan Eugene Miller, sentenced for murder July 31, 2000

Millers execution also sets the stage for the state to execute at least four inmates this year.

Miller, now 59, was convicted of killing three people during a pair of 1999 workplace shootings in suburban Birmingham. He was living in Autauga County at the time.

A delivery truck driver, he was convicted of killing Lee Holdbrooks, Scott Yancy and Terry Jarvis. Prosecutors said Miller killed Holdbrooks and Yancy at one business and then drove to another location to shoot Jarvis. Each man was shot multiple times.

Testimony indicated Miller believed the men were spreading rumors about him. Jurors convicted Miller after 20 minutes of deliberation and then recommended a death sentence, which a judge imposed.

More: Alabama executions through the years: Facts, figures and failures

With nitrogen hypoxia, the condemned breathes pure nitrogen through a mask. The nitrogen displaces the oxygen in the lungs.

The attorney generals office decides which condemned inmate is to be executed. The Alabama Supreme Court then authorizes the execution and Gov. Kay Ivey sets the execution date. Miller has filled a federal lawsuit seeking to bar the use of nitrogen hypoxia as the method of execution with the suit claiming it amounts to cruel and unusual punishment, which is barred by the U.S. Constitution.

With nitrogen hypoxia, the condemned breathes pure nitrogen through a mask. The nitrogen displaces the oxygen in the lungs.

More: Nitrogen gas execution: Kenneth Smith convulses for four minutes in Alabama death chamber

On Jan. 25, Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first person in the nation executed using the method. That execution was carried out in the death chamber at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. In the weeks before the execution, the attorney generals office wrote in court documents that the inmate would lose consciousness in a matter of seconds and die in a matter of minutes.

Smith writhed and shook on the gurney for some four minutes before appearing to lose consciousness. His convulsions shook the gurney several times. He appeared to gasp for air and writhe for about two minutes more after he appeared to lose consciousness before he apparently stopped breathing.

The morning after Smiths execution Attorney General Steve Marshall described the execution as textbook and said the state was ready to carry out more nitrogen hypoxia executions.

Two other inmates have had their execution dates set.

Jamie Ray Mills is set to be executed during the 30-hour time period from midnight May 30 to 6 a.m. May 31.

Keith Edmund Gavin is set to be executed during the 30-hour period from midnight July 18 to 6 a.m. July 19.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Ivey sets date for Alabama's second nitrogen hypoxia execution
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President Kennedy, is mocking his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate for president, as the famous family grapples with political division.

In a series of videos posted to Instagram, which are meant to be funny and highlight Schlossbergs support for President Biden, he impersonates voters from different parts of the country.

He called his cousin a prick and said voters would be throwing away their vote this fall, because Kennedy supports former President Trump. In the first video, Schlossberg impersonated a Massachusetts man named Jimmy.

A lot of people, a lot of people talking about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Schlossberg said. You know, Im a fan of his father. And you know his uncle? Rest in peace. I remember where I was the day he was killed; I mean, it was a tragic day, the entire country wept. But listen, that guy, hes a prick. The new guy, the young guy, hes a friggin prick.

Schlossberg slammed Kennedy for being an independent third-party candidate who goes way freakin back with Trump. He went on to highlight the economy, climate action and civil rights under the Biden administration.

He said to his followers that if they care about democracy and civil rights, there is only one person to vote for, you understand?

Impersonating a Long Island, N.Y., man named Anthony, Schlossberg slammed Kennedy for wanting to slash the military budget when China and Russia, and everybodys on our ass.

In another video, pretending to be a Jewish man named Joshua, he questioned Kennedys promise to get rid of the Federal Reserve. He asked, Who is going to protect my money?

Impersonating a Southern man, Wade, who has three daughters, Schlossberg said he wouldnt vote for Kennedy because hes lying and behavior matters and the example we set for our children matters. Wade raises horses, Schlossberg said, and you can always tell when a horse is being pumped full of testosterone, steroid doesnt make the horse think any better.

Schlossberg, the 31-year-old son of U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, has been against his cousins White House bid from the start. He endorsed Bidens reelection campaign last year and praised him for becoming the greatest progressive president weve ever had.

At the same time, he slammed Kennedy for cashing in on the family name and earning celebrity points with voters. Schlossberg said Kennedys candidacy is an embarrassment and later stood by his words because, he said, the issues in this election are way too important for any of us to be distracted.

Schlossberg has received pushback for the videos, which were followed by beachside, tropical photos, and they serve as a reminder of the divide within the political family.

He posted videos responding to the critics through portrayals of Jimmy, Anthony, Joshua and Wade.

The Hill has reached out to Kennedys campaign for comment on the videos.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sashko Lirnyk is a Ukrainian writer and storyteller whose scripts were used to make the popular films "The Banner of Hell, or Cossack Christmas" and "The Black Cossack". Many generations of Ukrainians grew up with his fairy tales.

ADVERTISIMENT

In an interview with OBOZ.UA, the popular writer explained why he can't write about the war now, and reacted sharply to the scandal that Kvartal 95 has been involved in. The comedians published an issue in which, according to social media users, they allow themselves to humiliate those who wear military uniforms.

- Sashko, how do you live during the war?

- It's not good, because all my thoughts are about one thing. If I hadn't been holding on to my job by the skin of my teeth, I would probably have died by now. But what am I going to complain about? Everyone lives like this now. Friends are dying, children of good Ukrainians... I don't write anything about the war, the wound is so deep. I try to hold on to what I'm good at - writing for children. I write a lot of things now, but they are, you know, worldview things that will always be eternal.

ADVERTISIMENT

In my opinion, only those who are sitting in a trench have the right to write about the war. His words are the only ones that are true. And I don't want to parasitize on it, I won't, and I don't know how to do it. What am I going to tell you if I wasn't there, if I didn't smell the gunpowder? About the past, our ancient history - you can look for philosophical meanings there. As for the current war, it should be a documentary at most.

- One of the last posts on your Facebook page was about the scandalous issue of Kvartal 95, where you suggested that the "Kvartal" was an FSB operation to make Ukrainians refuse to defend Ukraine. Why do you think people applaud such speeches?

ADVERTISIMENT

- Let me put it this way: any society consists of patriots, passionaries - people who have the desire and potential to change the world for the better, retrogrades - enemies of progress, those who want to bring back the past, and some part of, excuse me, cattle. And this part of Ukrainians does not care about the war and is not interested in it. They are evaders, and they are proud of it. And their needs are purely animalistic. The guys who are dying are also protecting them, but these people have no conscience, no concept of it.

I don't understand how Kvartal 95 can film and broadcast such things. This is a terrible crime against us all. And there must be punishment for this. Don't pay attention to their excuses that they are donating and helping the frontline. Your money is bloody, it is not needed. I can't put words to paper about the war, and they are laughing at the military. I remembered a good English expression: in a hangman's house, you don't joke about the rope. During the war, when the wounds are so fresh... It's not funny!

ADVERTISIMENT

This is not the case when humor supports. This is a variant that devalues. And those who watch this, "like" it, thank it with applause - it's clear that they don't care who is sitting above them. They just want to pour beer down their throats and laugh - nothing else is interesting. But when trouble touches them personally, they will cry bloody tears. But they hope it won't.

And the Kvartalists and people like them do not associate themselves with Ukraine. "You cannot serve God and mammon" is a saying from the Gospel. In today's language, "serving mammon" means caring only about enrichment. And they don't see the difference who to serve. They seem to be patriotic and have switched to the Ukrainian language. But they remained cattle that only cut "coupons" from this poor country. When the going gets tough, they'll run abroad, and everyone has a house somewhere.

ADVERTISIMENT

- How do you fight this?

- I don't know, because I am not a statesman. We are at war, the country should switch to a military mode, at least in information policy. Instead, we are shown on TV how everything is fine, they say, tomorrow we will drink coffee in Crimea. And people are dying, but instead of the truth, we are lulled to sleep with fairy tales. And the giggles are occasionally masked by noise on the air.

Of course, you can't just cry all the time, you have to smile too. But this humor must be healthy. Now is not the time to laugh at the military. I grew up in the Soviet Union, and I remember a lot of things. We laughed at the Germans, but to ridicule and devalue our own? This is a grave sin. You're from Ukraine, isn't anyone in your country at war? I can't open my mouth, I have to find my words for a long time when I speak to the military, and they react like this.

ADVERTISIMENT

The other day we were holding a book festival in the capital, and a lot of military people came up to me. They said (I was pleased): "We can't watch anything at the front line-no movies, nothing. We only watch your fairy tales on YouTube." Well, because they are about the eternal-mom, children, homeland. Think about this: who will fight if there is no motivation? The Russians are motivated because they are pumped with propaganda from morning to night. In our country, on the contrary, everything goes to dehumanization.

How can you, for example, sell a T-shirt with the inscription "evader"? Such people should be punished. But the authorities do nothing because of the lack of Ukrainian state policy. Imagine what it's like for a person whose relatives are at war and who is afraid of every call from an unknown number, who does not sleep or eat - he is so worried. And she is shown this... I don't know who writes these jokes, but I do know. These are people who don't care about Ukraine. Today, at six in the morning, I took my son to the military registration and enlistment office to renew his military records. But they are not standing. And if they do, they are not taken away because they have armor. And they giggle to themselves. This is beyond the pale.

ADVERTISIMENT

There should be criminal liability in the end. For damage to the military, humiliation, etc. I've heard what MPs think about this, but something tells me that none of this will happen. And so it turns out: on the one hand, the enemy is attacking, and on the other hand, they are gnawing at their own like rats. And they are not stupid, they know exactly what they are doing. And we continue to suffer losses - personally, I have already suffered a lot of them.

- One of these losses is the sudden death of your friend, the writer Dmytro Kapranov...

- Dmytro's death is the loss of a piece of my life. Thanks to my brothers (as I always call them), I became a storyteller and started writing. They pulled me out. I made my first appearance as a writer at their Ukrainian festival in Moscow, where I came to visit them from Murmansk. The Kapranov brothers are titanic figures, invaluable to Ukraine. I was very impressed that no one from the current government came to Dmitry's funeral. The Kapranovs are the people who made this state, created it, and raised it. And you are taking advantage of them, parasitizing them, and not even thanking them. Why is that? Because this is not their country, not their people.

ADVERTISIMENT

- Sashko, tell us about the period when you lived in Russia. How did you end up in Murmansk?

- It was back in the days of the Soviet Union. The policy then was to mix nationalities to create one Soviet people. Ukrainians were sent to the North and the Far East, and Russians were sent here. I graduated from the Maritime University in Odesa, a shipbuilder by profession. Nowadays you get a diploma and look for a job. Back then, I had to go wherever they told me to go. Some of them returned later, like me, and those who got used to it stayed. I couldn't live there. And in the second year I created a Ukrainian community. We had a Sunday school there and published a newspaper.

However, he left everything at the first opportunity - his job, his home. And he came back here, practically from scratch. I went to work at a construction site as a simple laborer. And I must say that I worked there for quite a long time. And only then did I start doing what I should have done long ago: publishing my fairy tales. And the Kapranovs always supported me. When they returned from Moscow, where they had lived for some time, I was already here. They also acted in my movies. In the script of the movie Black Cossack, I specifically wrote roles for them. These guys are my life.

ADVERTISIMENT

- At Dmitriy Kapranov's funeral, you said in a commentary to our publication that, as a storyteller, you see the other world. As someone who is familiar with mysticism, why didn't the Russians pay attention to this? Why didn't they realize from the very beginning that they shouldn't attack us because "you will do as the witch says, enemy"?

- They are not attacking because there is a reason. This is the psychology of the horde - to capture and absorb other nations. And the fact that Ukraine is fighting back is precisely because we have rooted this land. In addition, we are people with a different mentality. They fall down on their knees and kiss the tsar's hand. But in our country (I always give this example), when the hetman was elected, they put mud on his head so that he knew where he came from. I also have this in my movie The Banner of Hell, or a Cossack Christmas. This is our psychology: we don't make gods out of people, we don't worship the authorities. In Russia, one policeman chases a thousand Protestants, and everyone runs away from him. And here, on the contrary, everyone fights.

ADVERTISIMENT

- What particularly struck you when you were researching Ukrainian traditions, which are usually abundant in fairy tales?

- I once had a relative, Uncle Zhenya, may he rest in peace. By the way, he lived in Russia. But for a long time he researched the chronicles of our family. And when he died, it turned out that he had bequeathed those papers to me. I read this story. It describes, for example, that when there were two orphans left in our family, a very distant relative took them in. He raised them as his own. And then he divided his inheritance equally between his own and other people's children. For Ukrainians, there are no other people's children, we are all relatives. And our task is to preserve our unique traditions and sense of kinship. I was also brought up under the Soviet Union - they tried to make me a Soviet person, but my family (my parents were teachers) also instilled other values.

ADVERTISIMENT

- How did you manage to erase this Sovietness from yourself later?

- I didn't have to erase anything. I knew that this was mine and this was someone else's. That was all. For some reason, I remember my delight when I saw a car with Ukrainian license plates for the first time. I could hardly breathe with happiness! Here it is - ours. And in Murmansk, another story brought me to tears. A Ukrainian village choir came to a celebration. And when I heard them, I just burst into tears. I had never known the songs they sang, but it all sits inside us. And at some point it wakes up. That's why they say that every Ukrainian has an embroidered shirt under his or her skin. And it comes out when the enemy cuts your chest with a saber. These are lofty words, but they really make sense.

The sense of family is also at the genetic level. This is our land. We have not moved anywhere since Trypillian times. It's them: here they raided, there they stole. A nomadic horde that has no home. But we do. Wherever you are, you are drawn back to the yard where you were born. Maybe you don't remember it anymore, but you want to go there, your soul asks.

ADVERTISIMENT

- Do you have any relatives or friends in Russia?

- Friends and godson. When the Great War started, I called them, and they called me: "Oh, we don't get involved in politics!" And we no longer communicate because there is nothing to talk about. Another relative called from Moscow and told his sisters that they were "fascists and Banderites." They were crying: "What are you talking about? You used to come to us every year." What can I say: propaganda can change the consciousness of an entire nation in a few years.

- Have you been interested in fairy tales since childhood?

- Yes, but for some time I didn't think it would be my profession. I was always inventing and writing something. I created my first fairy tale when I was four years old, and then it just went from there. You know, I once visited the village where my father was born, and I was struck by the following. It was a village like any other, neglected, like all settlements under the communists. And one man's yard was just filled with sculptures. He is an ordinary collective farmer, but he feels like this - he wants to create.

ADVERTISIMENT

- Do you feel a return from the children you give your fairy tales to?

- That's what keeps me going. Money can't buy it. And recently I felt so happy! The Book Country Festival, Saturday evening, a bunch of people. And here comes a child on a scooter, a little boy of about five years old. And from a distance he shouts: "Lirnyk Sashko! Lirnyk Sashko!". Everyone froze. He stopped in front of me and said very seriously: "Sashko Lirnyk, I want you to live a long time!"

Before that, I was going to die. It seemed that I was of little use anymore, but if the children needed me, I had to hold on. When the military come up to me and say that they grew up with my fairy tales and thank me for a happy childhood, I am very pleased. But I would give everything in the world to keep these children from dying.

ADVERTISIMENT

- On your Facebook page, you often post quite frank and harsh posts. Do they come from haters?

- Yes, I am harsh, so what now? It's just the way I am. Besides, I'm tired of the crap - both yours and ours. If it's shit, why should I say it's not? I have nothing to be afraid of, I've already lived. I know my haters - I see them from time to time, the same ones come out. Let them write nasty comments, I don't care. I'm not arguing with anyone, I'm just posting my thoughts online. And it seems to me that I think I am thinking correctly.

- How do you think we should keep our spirits up?

- Oh, you ask such a question... If we were a small country, we would have died long ago. But we are holding on. And what should we do next? Continue to educate the younger generation, because traditions will preserve us-family, customs. And time is still working for us. The "Soviets" will die out, the pro-Russian ones will flee or die, because they are now pointing missiles at themselves and their cities. As every mother says: if you grind it, you will get flour. Everything will fall into place. Nothing lasts forever - neither wars nor occupiers - they also end. And we need to unite more strongly, because this is the only way to withstand the invasion.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Joe Biden should invite Stormy Daniels to his first debate with Donald Trump

The best (or at least most humorous) part of Donald Trumps hush money trial this week was Trump and his lawyers and his loyal propagandists at Fox News saying there should be a mistrial over the naughty details that adult-film actress Stormy Daniels testified to on the witness stand concerning her sexual encounter with Trump.

About which she was paid $130,000 to keep quiet.

Prosecutors allege that the way the payoff was handled constitutes an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 presidential election and other violations of election laws.

After Daniels testimony, Trump posted an all-caps message on social media reading: THE PROSECUTION, WHICH HAS NO CASE, HAS GONE TOO FAR. MISTRIAL!

Too far?

Fox hosts shame Daniels, but Trump sought her

A pair of female hosts on Fox trashed Daniels after her first day on the witness stand, mocking Daniels for expressing concern about some aspects of her encounter with Trump, one host saying, Thats what she got paid to do.

Although, somehow, suggesting the worst about Daniels didnt lead them to judge the kind of man who would associate with her.

Too far?

Trump plans to take: Arizona immigration law nationwide

What would Trump and the Fox folks say, I wonder, if President Joe Biden invited Daniels to his first presidential debate with Trump?

And not only her.

Remember Trump's stunt at a Hillary debate?

Donald Trump and Joe Biden at a debate in 2020

What if Biden also invited E. Jean Carroll, who was awarded $5 million after a civil jury found Trump guilty of sexual abuse, and then was awarded another $83.3 million by a different jury in a defamation suit against Trump?

Biden might also invite the 26 other women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct or assault.

Would that be going too far?

Because if you believe that to be so, you need a reminder of what happened in 2016, not too long after the infamous Access Hollywood tape was released, the one with Trump bragging about how, when youre a star, women let you do anything to them, even grab em by the  .

A few hours before a debate in 2016 with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, Trump tried to change the narrative by livestreaming an appearance with three women who had accused former President Bill Clinton, Hillarys husband, of inappropriate sexual behavior.

Then, he invited those same women sit in his family box during the debate.

Too far?

Hell, were light years past too far.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

For more opinions content, please subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Stormy Daniels should accompany Biden to a debate with Trump
John Fetterman wants you to know he's consistent  and not just about hoodies

WASHINGTON  If theres one thing Sen. John Fetterman wants you to know about him, its that hes the same guy he was on the campaign trail.

The junior Democratic senator from Pennsylvania still shows up to work each day in a Carhartt hoodie and gym shorts, peppers conversation with profanity and takes potshots at the losers and sleazeballs he feels need to be called out  and he wont mince words when it comes to Israel.

I said I dress like a slob, I dress like a slob, he said. I said I was going to stand with Israel, I stand with Israel. I said Im going to be a reliable Democratic vote, and Im still a reliable Democratic vote.

Thats not how many on the left see him lately.

In the months since the Israel-Hamas war began, Fetterman has become one of his partys most outspoken supporters of Israel.

Hes on an island apart from his Democratic peers, most of whom have attempted to strike a balance between supporting Israels interest in self defense while condemning the carnage that has come from its airstrikes and ground invasion on the Gaza Strip, which have killed more than 34,500 people and created dire humanitarian conditions for those who remain. Hes also become a vocal critic of the pro-Palestine protests that have popped up on college campuses around the country in response.

Fettermans position has come as a shock to progressives who championed him on the trail in 2022, when he became the only Democrat to flip a seat in the upper chamber. The campaign drew legions of left-leaning admirers who saw him as a populist rising star in line with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders  people who now call him a betrayal, a flip-flopper and a jagoff.

May 2, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) poses for a portrait in front of posters of Israeli hostages in his front office at the U.S. Capitol Thursday, May 2, 2024 . Mandatory Credit: Josh Morgan-USA TODAY

In an exclusive interview with USA TODAY last week, Fetterman argued those assumptions were wrong from the start, and that he signaled his unwavering support for Israel well before he was elected.

I am not a progressive, he said. Ive been saying that for years. I just dont identify with that label. But Im still a Democrat and someone you can count on.

Former supporters, frustrated with his public rejection of the label, point to social media posts that suggest otherwise.

And Fetterman  still four years away from another Senate campaign of his own  will put his message to the test this fall as an on-the-ground supporter for President Joe Biden in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, and well beyond it too.

Biden has also fielded backlash from the left over his support for Israel. To Donald Trump's delight, thousands of Democratic voters have staged uncommitted protest votes in presidential primaries across the country in the hopes of pushing the president to end American military aid to Israel, one of its most staunch foreign allies, before the general election in November.

More than 60,000 Pennsylvania voters chose the write-in option during the states April primary, which had a lower-than-average 30% turnout. Biden won the state in 2022 by around 80,500 votes.

But Fetterman argues that Pennsylvania voters have largely been supportive of his stance on Israel, and theyll show up for Biden, too.

I do believe that American people will be presented with that incredibly stark choice in November, he said, and I think they're going to make the right choice.

May 2, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) poses for a portrait in his office at the U.S. Capitol Thursday, May 2, 2024.. Mandatory Credit: Josh Morgan-USA TODAY

The Senate troll

Fetterman gained national attention during his 2022 Senate campaign in part because he was willing to be what few other high-profile politicians would be: a troll.

His campaign against Republican Mehmet Oz became flooded with memes as the Fetterman camp lampooned its celebrity doctor rival as an out-of-touch New Jersey transplant. They bought Cameos  personalized celebrity videos  of famous New Jerseyans like Snooki from "Jersey Shore" and Steve Van Zandt from "The Sopranos" and flew a plane down the coast calling him home to Jersey.

In one of the most viral gaffes of the campaign, Oz posted a video to social media complaining about the high price of assembling a platter of crudites  or, as most Pennsylvanians would call it, a veggie tray. The jokes came rolling in.

Its a style that Fettermans campaign staffers lovingly called ruthlessly authentic, according to one top aide speaking to the leftist podcast Know Your Enemy shortly after they won their race.

But in the months since Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking hundreds hostage, Fetterman has applied that same taunting tone to those protesting U.S. support for Israels counter-attack.

In one viral exchange, he walked by waving an Israeli flag as pro-Palestinian protesters got arrested outside his Senate office building. He similarly greeted protesters outside his home with a giant Israeli flag. Last week, he called the protests on Columbia University's campus the pup tent intifada and mocked students after a Houthi-run university said it would take in American students suspended for supporting Palestine.

Its a transition that has left Fettermans former left-leaning supporters reeling.

Lehigh University student Julie Wright recalled laughing about a crudite sign in the eastern Pennsylvania campus cafeteria in 2022. It was a few months before her first opportunity to vote, an exciting moment.

That just reminds me of my very early college days, bugging my friends about whether they registered to vote, Wright said.

At the time she was informally advocating for Fetterman and fellow Democrat Josh Shapiro, the gubernatorial nominee. Wright has since become president of Pennsylvania College Democrats.

I look back very fondly on the passion I carried for those campaigns, she said.

Supporters watch live results on screen during a watch party election night event for Pennsylvania Democratic Senatorial candidate John Fetterman during the midterm election at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 8, 2022.

Now, however, Wright said she and some of her fellow young Democrats barely recognize Fetterman. She feels theres a disconnect between Fetterman the candidate and Fetterman the senator.

I think one really big thing that Ive seen is that (people feel) hes not actually a progressive, Wright said. Thats what was pushed during his campaign. And people are talking a lot about holding candidates accountable.

Leadership at Our Revolution  a progressive nonprofit that contacted hundreds of thousands of Sanders and Elizabeth Warren supporters to urge them to vote for Fetterman  is already second-guessing their endorsement.

The groups executive director, Joseph Geevarghese, told USA TODAY that Fetterman checked off every single progressive priority that we cared about.

But once hes been in power  it doesnt seem as if were aligned, Geevarghese said. In 2022, he noted, Our Revolutions candidate questionnaire focused on issues such as climate, jobs and health care. He said he believes the Israel-Hamas war will be a primary topic on the questionnaire moving forward.

He is taking positions, for example, on Gaza, on immigration, that really dont reflect the candidate that we thought he was, Geevarghese said. And thats disconcerting.

A few of Fettermans staff also left in rapid succession earlier this year for other progressive offices off Capitol Hill. He pushed back on media coverage that suggested their departure was a reaction to his views on Israel, saying its not unusual for staff to leave for other opportunities.

Asked whether he considered himself a progressive during his 2022 Senate campaign, Fetterman plainly responded: No. Ive been saying this again and again.

Fetterman said hes grateful to anyone who chose me over some weirdo from New Jersey. He added that his previous voters dont need to agree with him on everything, but you can count on me to be consistent on the things that I campaigned on, from LGBTQ rights to infrastructure investments.

I would tell any progressives that worked for me: Look at my votes, the senator said.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) walking to the Old Senate Chambers to meet, along with other Senators, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the United States Capitol.

'Why don't they have our back?'

Its hard to miss the moment you step into Fettermans Senate office: Walls plastered floor to ceiling with the faces of the 240 hostages taken by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Standing in front of those posters, he speculated that his may be the only Senate office that has both a LGBTQ pride flag and a National League of Families POW/MIA flag  an indicator, he suggested, that you can absolutely represent multiple important issues that dont fall neatly along political lines.

Its a false choice, he said.

Fetterman still lives in Braddock, the steel town near Pittsburgh where he served as the mayor for 13 years. Its a short drive from the Tree of Life synagogue, which was the site of an antisemitic mass shooting in 2018.

He recalled feeling horrified when he heard about it. He immediately called Jeff Bartos, then his GOP opponent in the race that year for lieutenant governor, who is Jewish, to check in on him. He paused his campaign for two days to join vigils with the local Jewish community.

That certainly drove home that antisemitism is deadly and its a real thing. And now they have the trauma of Oct. 7, he said.

Thats one of the reasons why Ive done whats going on in our front office, Fetterman said. And now it must be incredibly unnerving and terrifying if you are a Jewish student, when you have all of these things. Im sure they might feel like  why dont they have our back?

Fetterman suffered a stroke during his 2022 Senate campaign, which left him with an auditory processing disorder that makes it challenging to speak fluidly or quickly decipher spoken words. He uses a speech-to-text software that provides closed captioning in real time for media interviews and for conversations with staff and fellow senators.

He says hes always been committed to the issues he cares about. But the stroke  and a battle with clinical depression for which he sought inpatient treatment  further put things in perspective.

Its undeniable. Its like that line from the first Batman  Ive been dead once already, he said. Its been very liberating in a sense, it allows me to focus on what really matters, and thats my family and making a contribution.

Fettermans critics ask where that empathy is for the people of Gaza, where more than half of the population is experiencing catastrophic hunger and at least 13,000 children have been killed.

The senator responded that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worse than horrible, its heartbreaking.

But he pinned the blame on Hamas, which he says is the only party with the power to bring the war to an end by taking the current cease-fire deal on the table, surrendering and returning the hostages.

Hamas accepted a cease-fire deal on Monday that was negotiated in Egypt without Israeli involvement. Israel plans to send negotiators to discuss an agreement they would be willing to sign. In the meantime, Israel began preparing to launch an offensive in the southern city of Rafah, which the Biden administration has urged them not to do.

They started this, Fetterman said of Hamas. They have designed this to maximize the kinds of destruction and death. They hide behind places like hospitals and civilians and schools and refugee camps. Thats how its been designed.

'You would think a rockstar was greeting us'

Fettermans outspoken support for Israel has drawn praise and even some financial support from Republicans, which he has embraced.

We need more people in this institution that are willing to speak directly to hard things, Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., told USA TODAY. The pair, who entered Congress at the same time and are both raising school-aged children, struck up a friendship at orientation. Im grateful for his leadership and his willingness to be bold. We need that right now.

Hes also been embraced by some Jewish groups in Pennsylvania, which have found his stance a source of elation in recent months.

Jeff Finkelstein is president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh, a nonprofit serving the local Jewish community. He remembered seeing Fetterman at a federation gathering as mayor of Braddock several years ago and more recently at a vigil for Oct. 7 attack hostages held weekly in Pittsburghs Squirrel Hill neighborhood. He also recalled Fettermans presence at a federation event in Washington, D.C. in March of this year.

When Senator Fetterman came into the room, you would think a rockstar was greeting us, Finkelstein said.

Finkelstein said he doesnt believe Fettermans position conflicts with the senators liberal tendencies, calling Israel a bastion of democracy and noting its support for LGBTQ rights.

People can have really strong, progressive stances and support Israel, Finkelstein said. Its not, This or that. Its, This and that.

I think most of us in the Jewish community are so pleased with his stance in understanding the difference between right and wrong, between terror and a civil society, he added.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators call for a ceasefire in Gaza during a protest as part of the "People's White House Ceasefire Now Iftar" outside the White House on April 2, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Swing state campaigning ahead

Like Fetterman, Biden has been fielding fierce opposition from young, progressive voters over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war, during which he has largely shown steadfast support for Israel.

A Pew Research Center survey from February found 36% of voters under 30 thought Biden was unduly favoring the Israelis, more than any other age group. The Harvard Youth Poll, conducted in March, found 51% of voters under 30 supported a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and more respondents thought Israels response to Hamas attack was unjustified than justified.

Its unclear whether that distaste will translate to enough Democratic base voters abandoning Biden in November to cost him the state. Recent polls show the presidential race will likely be tight.

One poll from Quinnipiac University found that around a quarter of voters said they view Fetterman more favorably since he began expressing strong support for Israel. Fourteen percent said it made them think less favorably of him.

Fetterman has criticized Biden for not going far enough to stand with Israel. In one instance in April, he told CNN that he would never capitulate to the fringe as Biden has by urging Israel not to directly respond to an attack from Iran.

But the senator told USA TODAY that while they sometimes disagree, Biden is an awesome president, and Im all in on him.

Fetterman has already been on the campaign trail stumping for Biden  including appearing in Orlando over the weekend to speak at the Florida Democratic Partys fundraiser on behalf of Biden, despite efforts from the partys Progressive Caucus to disinvite him for being a genocide promoter.

A Biden campaign aide said that the president has support from Democrats across the political spectrum in Pennsylvania, including Fetterman, which they believe will work in Bidens favor.

And other Democrats said in interviews that they thought Fetterman would still be an effective surrogate for Biden in the Keystone State.

Rep. Summer Lee, D-Penn., represents Fettermans hometown in Congress. A member of the progressive squad, she has been a vocal critic of Israels attacks on Gaza. Lee beat out a primary challenger last month that took her on over the issue.

Asked what she thinks about Fettermans approach to the topic, she said I would like to see people being a little bit more nuanced. Theres a realm of disagreement that is possible without labeling everybody as Hamas or an extremist.

But she said Pennsylvania voters are going to take a holistic approach to votes.

Theres a disproportionate amount of attention that's being spent on this one topic, but I think that Pennsylvanians care about lots of things that they would love to get some attention or for people to maybe even provide some solutions for, she said

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., is the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which is responsible for getting Democratic senators elected, including Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who will face a competitive general election in the commonwealth this fall.

Peters said Fetterman is going to be who he is.

He is an incredibly authentic U.S. senator, and people appreciate him for his authenticity, Peters said. Im sure he will be effective at campaigning for his colleague (Casey) as well as for the president.

Fetterman, for one, isnt worried. His message to progressives who may abstain from the general election: Go ahead. And then when you get the second term of Trump, youve got to own that tragedy.

However, he said he believes voters will turn out for Biden when they realize the stakes.

I trust in democracy. If the voters turn their backside to the stove, that fire is going to burn, Fetterman said. Its really that kind of a choice right now.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why John Fetterman's support for Israel shocked his friends and foes
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Johnson City Schools (JCS) is seeking input from the public on its proposed family life curriculum, which features a now-required video depicting fetal development.

According to a release from the school district, administrators are evaluating the potential six-day curriculum that would be taught in Science Hill High Schools lifetime wellness course.

JCS stated the curriculum was developed by a team of Science Hill teachers and administrators. It would be presented to students over the course of six days in all wellness courses offered.

A JCS spokesperson confirmed that the curriculum includes a video depicting the development of vital organs in a fetus. Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill which was then signed by the governor in April, requiring schools with a family life curriculum to include a video of that nature.

The bill is commonly referred to as the Baby Olivia Act, in reference to the Meet Baby Olivia video, which advocates for the stance that life begins at conception.

Baby Olivia bill passed by legislature, heads to governors desk

Starting Monday, JCS will give the public the chance to examine the materials in the curriculum and provide feedback using a form.

The curriculum will be available for viewing at the districts central office at 100 E Maple Street. Community members can look it over and give input through the provided form May 13-18 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

3-month project to affect traffic on University Parkway near West Walnut

The Johnson City Board of Education will meet to consider the proposed curriculum and feedback on June 3.

JCS accepted input in 2023 in a similar fashion for a proposed five-day curriculum.

Anyone with further questions is asked to call the central office at 423-434-5200.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
The odds against Donald Trump facing trial before the presidential election on charges of withholding classified documents from the government at his Palm Beach estate rose dramatically Tuesday when a federal judge indefinitely postponed the former presidents originally scheduled May 20 trial.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who is presiding over the documents case at the Fort Pierce federal courthouse, found that the finalization of a trial date at this juncture ... would be imprudent and inconsistent with the courts duty to resolve numerous legal issues necessary to present this case to a jury.

Cannon rescheduled various pressing matters, including a motion to dismiss the indictment for selective and vindictive prosecution as well as the use of sensitive national security records at trial, through the end of July.

Her decision comes as Trump, the expected Republican nominee for president in November, is on trial in New York on criminal charges of paying hush-money to a porn star while falsifying business records to cover it up in order to boost his chances in the 2016 presidential election.

After hearing oral arguments in April, the U.S. Supreme Court is also preparing to issue an opinion on whether Trump has immunity against criminal prosecution.

Hanging in the balance is not only Trumps classified documents case but his federal trial in Washington, D.C., and state trial in Georgia on charges accusing him of interfering in the outcome of the November 2020 presidential election that he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. It is possible that the documents trial, along with the two others, could be postponed until after their expected rematch in the November election.

If Trump were to beat Biden in that race, then as president he would be in a position to ask the Justice Department to drop all of the pending charges against him.

Cannons procedural but significant ruling follows her decision in April rejecting Trumps bid to throw out the classified documents case, concluding that the Presidential Records Act does not provide a pre-trial basis to dismiss the 42-count indictment.

Trumps lawyers argued at a hearing in March in the Fort Pierce federal courthouse that he designated the documents as his own personal property when he took them from the White House to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach after leaving office and therefore he had the authority to keep them.

In her three-page order, Cannon rejected the Trump legal teams reasoning, saying most of the counts in the indictment fall under the Espionage Act, which states that without authorization it is illegal to retain any national defense documents and fail to turn them over to the U.S. government. She noted that the indictments 32 espionage charges make no reference to the Presidential Records Act. She also pointed out that the remaining obstruction of justice and other charges are not based on the Presidential Records Act either.

More generally, the superseding indictment specifies the nature of the accusations against Defendant Trump in a lengthy speaking indictment with embedded excerpts from investigative interviews, photographs, and other content, Cannon wrote, emphasizing that the charges track the statutory language of the Espionage Act.

Previously, after the March 14 hearing in her courtroom, Cannon also rejected another dismissal motion by Trumps lawyers, who argued that the Espionage Act was vague and should be struck down entirely.

In the classified documents case, Trumps lawyers argued that he is immune from prosecution ... because the charges turn on his alleged decision to designate records as personal under the Presidential Records Act and to cause the records to be moved from the White House to Mar-a-Lago.

As alleged in the superseding indictment, President Trump made this decision while he was still in office, their motion states. The alleged decision was an official act, and as such is subject to presidential immunity.

Justice Department: No right to the documents

Justice Department lawyers on special counsel Jack Smiths team urged Cannon to reject Trumps dismissal motion, saying the former president had no legal right to retain the classified records at his Palm Beach estate as he refused to turn them over to federal authorities for storage at the National Archives in Washington.

The criminal case over Trumps retention of classified documents was brought against the former president last June, and was expanded the following month in an indictment naming two other defendants: Walt Nauta, a former White House aide who still works with the ex-president, and Carlos De Oliveira, a property manager of his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Former President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up to supporters after leaving the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami, after his arraignment. Matias J. Ocner/mocner@miamiherald.com

Miami grand jury

The indictment, returned by a Miami federal grand jury, alleges Trump brought a few underlings at his Palm Beach estate into a close circle that prosecutors say assisted him in trying to hide boxes of classified documents from authorities and to delete video security footage of Mar-a-Lagos storage area and nearby hallway linked to the residence.

According to the indictment, Trump spoke with De Oliveira for 24 minutes after the Justice Department informed his legal team on June 22, 2022, of a draft grand jury subpoena for the surveillance footage at Mar-a-Lago. Two days later, the subpoena was officially delivered to Trumps residence.

Walt Nauta, an aide to Donald Trump in the White House and at his Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach estate, and Florida criminal attorney Sasha Dadan leave the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse after his arraignment, Thursday, July 6, 2023, in Miami. Carl Juste/cjuste@miamiherald.com

On June 25, after changing his travel plans, Nauta flew to the Palm Beach estate. Then, on June 27, Nauta collaborated with De Oliveira to find and destroy the surveillance video, the indictment states.

The indictment does not say whether Trump, Nauta or De Oliveira were successful in deleting any of the video footage. But previous filings in the unprecedented case show that a June 2022 grand jury subpoena uncovered video images that prosecutors with the special counsels office say revealed damning evidence.

Search of Mar-a-Lago

The information provided the basis for FBI agents to obtain a court-approved warrant to search Mar-a-Lago on Aug. 8, 2022, when they found and seized more than 100 classified documents in the former presidents office and the clubs storage area.

Cannon was nominated by Trump and joined the federal bench in South Florida at the end of his term in 2020. She drew criticism after she made a controversial call in 2022 to appoint an independent expert, at Trumps behest, to examine classified government materials seized by FBI agents from his Palm Beach residence before the former president was indicted the following year.

A federal three-judge appellate panel, all Republican-appointees like Cannon, reversed her decision to name a special master because she had no authority to do so and effectively killed Trumps civil case aiming to thwart the impending indictment.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A judge has denied part of a lawsuit that requests a federal court to block a section of the Arkansas LEARNS Act, while also partly siding with the ones who filed the lawsuit.

In a 50-page ruling, the judge ordered that the Central High School teachers involved in the lawsuit against the state cannot be disciplined or prevented from teaching topics regarding Critical Race Theory.

African American Studies students sue over Arkansas LEARNS Act indoctrination section

The lawsuit claims that section 16 of the LEARNS Act is unconstitutionally vague and violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

The state used the section as part of its decision last year not to count pilot AP African American Studies courses toward state graduation requirements.

The state argues that the law isnt to prohibit certain topics or ideas, but instead looks to prevent teachers from forcing indoctrination on a student and punishing them for not accepting those ideas.

Parent celebrates first year of Arkansas LEARNS Act-funded Education Freedom Accounts

In the order, the judge said:

This Order as a whole should give comfort to teachers across the state (and to their students) that Section 16 does not prohibit teachers from teaching about, using, or referring to Critical Race Theory or any other theory, ideology, or idea so long as the teachers do not compel their students to accept as valid such theory, ideology, or idea.

Arkansas public school students no longer receiving AMI days; how this is impacted by LEARNS Act

Attorney General Tim Griffin released a statement soon after that said:

Todays decision confirms what Ive said all along. Arkansas law doesnt prohibit teaching the history of segregation, the civil rights movement, or slavery. Im pleased that the District Court entirely rejected the Plaintiffs vagueness claims. And the very limited injunction merely prohibits doing what Arkansas was never doing in the first place. I look forward to continuing our enforcement of the statute as written rather than as Plaintiffs would choose to wrongly interpret it.

Plaintiffs Attorney David Hinojosa, Director of the Educational Opportunities Project at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law who has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, said:

The courts ruling makes it clear that students right to receive information and ideas was violated. Judge Rudofsky has issued a partial injunction ensuring that the State does not arbitrarily enforce the LEARNS Act against teachers in the case in a way that would unlawfully deny students their right to information. The courts ruling has essentially gutted Arkansas classroom censorship law to render the law virtually meaningless. Governor Sanders and Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva had already walked back the law in their response briefing, stating that Critical Race Theory could be taught in Arkansas classrooms. Judge Rudofsky further narrows the scope of the LEARNS Act so that students wont be forced to learn a false version of this countrys history of discrimination or continuing struggles with racial justice. The ruling should provide teachers greater comfort in teaching the truth, and challenging students to broaden their perspectives.

The full order can be read at ArkansasAG.gov.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Back in March 2023, I reported for Slate on a federal judge who handcuffed and berated an innocent 13-year-old girl who was in court to view her fathers sentencing. Over a year later, following a formal investigation, there have been only minimal consequences for that judge. This update shows how life-tenured federal judges, whose imperious self-regard can lead them to abuse spectators, can act with near impunity even when they are found culpable by their colleagues.

When Mario Puente showed up in San Diego U.S. District Court on Feb. 13, 2023, he had good reason to fear that he would be sent back to prison for violating his supervised release (the federal term for parole) on drug charges. He had no reason to worry, however, that his young daughter, who had just come along to show support for her dad, would end up in handcuffs. But that is what happened when Senior Judge Roger Benitez decided to teach an uncalled-for lesson to the 13-year-old girl, as recorded in the official transcript, who had done nothing more than sit quietly in the spectators section next to her aunt and a family friend.

In his last-ditch plea to stay out of prison, Puente made the fateful mistake of telling the court that he hoped to move away from his drug-infested neighborhood, where the bad company was already beginning to influence his daughter.

Benitez took that as a cue to turn to the girl, whose name has not been disclosed. Com[e] up for just a second, he instructed her, and stand next to that lawyer over there.

He then told a deputy U.S. marshal to put the cuffs on her and escort her to the jury box. The judge kept her cuffed for several minutes before he told the marshal to remove the restraints, and he hectored the sobbing girl about her perceived future:

If youre not careful, young lady, youll wind up in cuffs, and youll find yourself right there where I put you a minute ago.

I hope you remember this mean, old face. Look at it carefully. Remember that some day, those drugs may land you in a courtroom just like this.

After Benitez finally allowed the daughter to return to her seat, he proceeded to sentence her father to 10 months in prison. (Puente was soon released on time served when his case was transferred to another judge.)

To his credit, Chief District Judge Dana Sabraw quickly initiated a formal complaint against Benitez under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980. Although such complaints are ordinarily confidential at the initial stage, this one was publicly disclosed under a provision of the law to maintain public confidence in the judiciarys ability to redress misconduct or disability. By then, however, Benitezs misconduct had already been widely reported on legal blogs and in the California press.

A special investigating committee of five judges spent over a year reviewing the written record and interviewing numerous witnesses. Although Benitez declined to appear personally before the committee, he submitted two written responses to the complaint. The committees recommendation was then presented to the Judicial Council of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, comprising nine federal trial and appellate court judges and chaired by Chief Judge Mary Murguia, which issued a final ruling earlier this month.

Remarkably, Benitez told the investigating committee that he would not straightforwardly apologize to the teenager hed mistreated. Instead, he insisted that hed simply taken an opportunity to possibly alter the destructive trajectory of two lives, meaning Puente and his daughter. He would therefore only apologize if I could also briefly explain why I did what I did.

He implausibly denied that he had done anything to demean or shame Puentes daughter, as though standing in a crowded courtroom, weeping and handcuffed, while receiving a lecture on drug use, was something an innocent child could be expected to endure without humiliation.

Taking no responsibility for the harm hed inflicted, Benitez blamed virtually everyone else in the courtroom for his behavior. The deputy marshals raised no objections to the handcuffing, he rationalized, and the defense lawyers, from the federal defenders office, had subjected Benitez to emotional manipulation by telling [him] how much she loved her father.

Trying to help a 13-year-old girl, Benitez maintained, cant be judicial misconduct.

He was in deep and arrogant denial. The judicial council made short work of his defenses, unanimously concluding that Benitez had committed judicial misconduct by engaging in abusive or harassing behavior [that] undermined the publics trust and confidence in the judiciary. Specifically, by creating a spectacle out of a minor child in the courtroom [Benitez chilled] the desire of friends, family members, and members of the public to support loved ones at sentencing.

While the condemnation of Benitezs conduct was unequivocal, the consequence did not match the offense. Judicial councils have a limited range of available penalties, given that federal judges cannot be removed from office other than by impeachment. But even so, Benitezs fellow judges let him off easier than they might have.

In a typical criminal case, for example, a defendants lack of remorse would call for a significant sentencing enhancement, and Benitez showed no contrition. As the judicial council found, At no point during this investigative process has Judge Benitez accepted that his actions were ill-advised, improper, and damaging to the publics trust in the judiciary.

Nonetheless, the judicial council issued only a public reprimand and prohibited Benitez from presiding over new criminal cases for three years. The first penalty is less severe than censure, which is also available under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980, and the latter is meaningless, given that Benitez, as a senior judge, had recently exercised his option to refrain from new criminal cases. (Puente was before Benitez on a supervised release revocation, which counted as an old case; the judicial council also gave defendants the right to recuse Benitez from hearing supervised release violations in the future.)

A more fitting penalty also available under the law, although unmentioned in the judicial council decision, would have been to suspend Benitez from presiding over any cases at all for a time certain. A judge who will not accept responsibility for abusing a child in open court has no business sitting in judgment of anyone, even in civil cases.

Given his arrogant refusal to acknowledge his grave misconduct, it is hardly likely that the reprimand alone will teach Benitez the necessary lesson. Perhaps 10 months completely away from the benchthe same length of time to which he sentenced Mario Puentemight bring about some serious and much-needed reflection.
The judge presiding over Donald Trumps hush money trial in New York City warned the former president's lawyer Tuesday that he would not tolerate his clients cursing audibly during Stormy Daniels' testimony, saying it could be intimidating to the witness.

The exchange between state Judge Juan Merchan and Trump attorney Todd Blanche occurred during a sidebar, according to the official court transcript that was released Tuesday evening.

It added to an already surreal day in court in which Daniels, an adult film actor, detailed what she said was a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.

Merchan told Blanche, I understand that your client is upset at this point, but he is cursing audibly, and he is shaking his head visually and thats contemptuous, according to the transcript.

It has the potential to intimidate the witness and the jury can see that, he added.

Blanche responded that he would talk to Trump, the transcript showed.

Merchan, referring to their discussion, which was out of earshot from the rest of the courtroom, also told Blanche, I am speaking to you here at the bench because I dont want to embarrass him.

Merchan continued: You need to speak to him. I wont tolerate that.

Image: politics political politician hush money trial court sketch (Elizabeth Williams / AP)

Blanche again told Merchan that he would talk to Trump before Merchan provided more examples of Trump's actions in the courtroom.

One time I noticed when Ms. Daniels was testifying about rolling up the magazine, and presumably smacking your client, and after that point he shook his head and he looked down. And later, I think he was looking at you, Mr. Blanche, later when were talking about The Apprentice, at that point he again uttered a vulgarity and looked at you this time. Please talk to him at the break, Mr. Blanche, Merchan said, according to the transcript.

Yes, I will, Blanche responded.

Merchan found Monday that Trump had again violated an April 1 gag order that bars him from disparaging witnesses or the jury. He warned that Trump could face jail time "if necessary" for any further violations. Trump has already been fined $10,000 for the violations.

Payments made to Daniels by Trumps then-lawyer Michael Cohen near the end of the 2016 presidential campaign are at the heart of the case.

Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 in return for her keeping quiet about her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump. Daniels testified Tuesday about the sexual contact she said she had with Trump and the payment to buy her silence. Trump has denied her claims and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Judge issues warning to Trump over his behaviour during Stormy Daniels testimony

A courtroom sketch of the moment Donald Trump's attorney Todd Blanche (right) unsuccessfully requested that a mistrial be declared - Jane Rosenberg/REUTERS

The judge in Donald Trumps hush money trial has issued a warning to the former president after he was heard swearing during testimony by adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

I understand that your client is upset at this point, but he is cursing audibly, and he is shaking his head visually, and thats contemptuous, Judge Juan Merchan told Mr Trumps attorney Todd Blanche during a sidebar conversation, according to excerpts of the official trial transcript released on Tuesday evening.

Ms Daniels was testifying in an extraordinary courtroom face-off with Mr Trump about the night she allegedly slept with the Republican in a hotel penthouse in 2006.

At times, she gave explicit details of the alleged affair, which Mr Trump has denied.

He is accused of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 (104,000) hush money payment to Ms Daniels over the affair ahead of the 2016 election that brought him to power.

Mr Trump (shown in courtroom sketch, left) shook his head during testimony by Stormy Daniels (right), the judge in the case said - Jane Rosenberg/REUTERS

I dont want to embarrass him

Mr Trump was seen mouthing the word b-------t while Ms Daniels was describing how he was allegedly spanked with a rolled-up magazine with a picture of his face on it.

Justice Merchan said Mr Trumps noise and gestures had the potential to intimidate the witness and the jury can see that. He later added: I wont tolerate that.

He said he was raising his concerns during the sidebar, when lawyers huddle with the judge in conversations that are not meant to be audible to the jury or wider courtroom, because I dont want to embarrass him.

The judge said he noticed the accused shaking his head in particular when Ms Daniels discussed swatting the billionaire with a magazine.

I will talk to him, Mr Blanche promised.

Mr Trumps attorneys tried unsuccessfully on Tuesday to have a mistrial declared based on Ms Daniels testimony.

Speaking to reporters after the days proceedings, Mr Trump  who is running for president again this year  called the case a disgrace and said he should be out campaigning right now.

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.
Judge sentences metro-east man for one murder. He now must stand trial for another

A man found guilty in March of the ambush-style murder and attempted armed robbery of a Madison man, was sentenced Wednesday to 75 years with the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Larry D. Lovett shot and killed Andre Hutson, 38, outside a home in the 1700 block of Wayne Lanter Avenue in Madison on Dec. 7, 2021.

Lovett, 42, was later found guilty in Madison County Circuit Court of first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

This was a cowardly attack on an unsuspecting victim, said Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine. The judges sentence today strongly reinforces the clear message that this type of criminal conduct will not be tolerated in Madison County. It is effectively a life sentence.

During the trial, Assistant States Attorneys Morgan Hudson, Courtney Lindbeck and Mike Stewart presented what the judge described as an overwhelming amount of evidence. The technological and scientific evidence gathered by police included GPS data, DNA, surveillance video and text messages between Lovett and a co-defendant.

At the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Hudson asked Circuit Judge Kyle Napp to impose a lengthy prison term.

Mr. Lovett has no regard for life, no regard for the safety of people in this community, and no regard for the law, Hudson argued.

Evidence showed that Lovett and a co-defendant planned the robbery and ambushed Hutson. Hutson was shot with a 9mm firearm and with a stun gun. He died of multiple gunshots.

Haine commended Hudson, Lindbeck and Stewart for their work on the case. He also commended the multiple law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation, including Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, Madison Police Department, Madison County Sheriffs Office, Illinois State Police and Granite City Police.

This is a dangerous individual, and Im grateful that hell no longer be a threat to our neighborhoods, thanks to the strong work of our police officers and prosecution team, Haine said. We pray that this sentence also brings a measure of justice for the family and loved ones of Mr. Hutson.

Lovetts co-defendant, 46-year-old William A. Jenkins, was found guilty in 2022 of first-degree murder and armed robbery. He also was sentenced to 75 years in prison.

Lovett faces a second murder charge involving an unrelated fatal shooting in August 2021 in Granite City. He is accused in the shooting death of Ahmaad Nunley on Aug. 2 of 2021.

According to police, Granite City officers were dispatched to Illinois 3 to investigate reported gunshots at about 2 a.m. When they arrived they found two people with multiple gunshots. The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis led the investigation and three people have now been charged in connection with Nunleys killing.
Under pressure from Washington, Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) has abandoned a deal to acquire Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska's frozen shares in construction company Strabag for 1.5 billion euros. The deal's failure was another setback for the largest Western bank in Russia, which has already been criticized for its ties to Moscow.

ADVERTISIMENT

Reuters reports. "The bank announced after weeks of pressure on it over its plan to buy a stake in Deripaska-linked construction group Strabag to unlock bank funds that are currently frozen in Russia," the report said.

The plan has come under scrutiny by the US Treasury Department because sanctioned Oleg Deripaska is a key figure in the deal, making relations between Washington and the RBI even more strained. Some officials in Austria also warned the bank about the deal, believing it could violate sanctions, Reuters sources said.

Raiffeisen wanted to acquire a stake in Strabag, which the construction group viewed as controlled by a Russian oligarch. However, Deripaska has denied any ties to Strabag, calling Western sanctions against him untrue, but some U.S. officials suspect he could benefit from the sale.

ADVERTISIMENT

Strabag is one of the largest construction companies in Europe. It built the Olympic Stadium for the Sochi Winter Games and luxury apartments in Moscow.

Earlier, RBI announced its intention to withdraw from Russia, but in April, the bank posted more than a thousand job ads in the country, indicating the financial group's intention to expand its operations. The company's slowness has led the US sanctions regulator OFAC to start inspecting the bank's Russian business. In this regard, Raiffeisen Bank has been under scrutiny for more than a year.

In addition, the Russian Raiffeisen Bank has been involved in a scandal. It turned out that Raiffeisen's Russian subsidiary officially recognizes the so-called LPR and DPR and calls Russia's war against Ukraine a "special operation" on its website and in the documents of its Russian representative office. The bank also directly assists the Russian occupiers by offering loan repayment holidays and preferential loans to mobilized Russians.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
It just needs some TLC: Pine Castle home built in 1885 poised to be spared from the wrecking ball

Update:

The city approved the discussion and agreed with Cornerstone to separate the Lancaster House and land from their lease.

They will also discuss a plan with Pioneer Days to lease and repair the house.

Previous story:

A historic home in Orange Countys Pine Castle neighborhood appears to no longer be under threat of demolition as Belle Isle City Council members are set to again discuss its fate.

The Lancaster House, built in 1885, has been standing at its spot on Randolph Avenue for nearly 140 years.

Two years ago, the neighboring charter school asked the city for permission to demolish the building for what was believed to be an expansion of the schools parking lot. The city rejected that request.

Historical groups rallied to save the structure, with the aim of restoring it as a historical landmark. They asked the city to move the lease of the land from the school.

Read: Enter for a chance to be part of Orlandos 2025 Historic Preservation Board calendar contest

The Lancaster House, built in 1885, has been standing at its spot on Randolph Avenue for nearly 140 years.

The city manager was all the way to the point of view of drafting a lease agreement with us to be able to sit down with a Cornerstone (Charter School) folks, said William Morgan, of Pine Castle Pioneer Days -- an annual community history event. Then, he left and so that kind of put things on the back burner.

But Tuesday evenings discussion -- with a new city manager in place -- is expected to have a different tone after the school confirmed it has no problem with giving up the house and its land.

The school has no planned future use for the Lancaster House building parcel for parking or otherwise, a spokeswoman said.

Read: Eatonville club that once hosted Black performers is set to be restored

The Lancaster House, built in 1885, has been standing at its spot on Randolph Avenue for nearly 140 years.

The statement spelled out the requests of the school -- that the historians negotiate directly with the city, and that a fence is built around the house to separate visitors from children.

The announcement by the school was greeted with relief by supporters of the house, even though City Councils discussion and potential vote hadnt taken place and the plan was reliant on them going along with it.

Wed like to take it back to its original construction, said Gail Padgett, who has organized a fundraiser to fully restore the home. It deserves respect, and it deserves preservation.

Read: OCPS to repurpose historic building near downtown Orlando

Morgan said his group had already collected tens of thousands of dollars for the restoration work, which contractors priced out at approximately $90,000 when they inspected it. He said hed seek grants and city assistance to make up the difference.

The building could become a much-needed office and storage for his organization, which organizes a festival every year honoring the founding of the community, he explained, in addition to a teaching tool.

Its solid as a rock, he said, acknowledging the exterior was in a state of disrepair. Theres nothing structurally wrong with that house. It just needs some TLC.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
It almost sounds like a bad joke: What did the 78-year-old male senator say to the 69-year-old female justice?

RETIRE!

Thats effectively what happened recently when U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut suggested that Sonia Sotomayor  the first Hispanic and third woman Supreme Court justice  retire so that President Joe Biden could appoint a younger and presumably healthier replacement.

Blumenthal is not alone. Fearing a repeat of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgs death in September 2020  just weeks before Election Day  progressives such as Josh Barro, Mehdi Hasan and Nate Silver want to ensure that if Donald Trump does defeat Biden in November, he would not have another opportunity to replace a departed liberal justice with a young conservative ideologue.

If Sotomayor is indeed ill, she could justifiably choose to retire. But such calls are not clear-eyed assessments of the justices health. Blumenthal and the progressive columnists calling for Sotomayors retirement arent medical doctors who have reviewed the justices records.

Instead, in my view as a political scientist who studies the Supreme Court, these calls are gimmicks really designed to keep a seat on the Supreme Court in the hands of a liberal justice.

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut has urged Sonia Sotomayor to resign from the Supreme Court. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Long tenure is a problem

Dont get me wrong. As I write in my new book, A Supreme Court Unlike Any Other: The Deepening Divide Between the Justices and the People, the increasingly long tenure of justices is a serious problem for American democracy. The confirmation of younger justices who stay far longer than they once did prevents the courts membership from changing organically.

Consider, for example, a hypothetical I pose in my book. Justice Clarence Thomas once said that he intends to serve until he is 86 years old because, as he put it, The liberals made my life miserable for 43 years, and Im going to make their lives miserable for 43 years.

If Thomas, who at 75 is the oldest sitting justice, is able to fulfill that promise and no younger justice leaves the court before him, the U.S. would not see another vacancy until 2034.

A court unchanged for 12 years would be unprecedented in American history. This is just one of the factors that has deepened the democracy gap between the justices and the people, which I define in the book as the distance between the court and the electoral processes that endow it with democratic legitimacy.

Some reforms would prevent justices from remaining on the high bench for three-plus decades, on average. But publicly requesting an ideologically aligned justice to retire isnt one of them. It isnt likely to work, and in the case of Sotomayor, it has been viewed as sexist.

Perhaps more importantly, it misses the point.

Win elections, shape the court

When it comes to the Supreme Court, progressives are now in the position where conservatives found themselves for many years. Theyre on the outside looking in.

Instead of advancing gimmicks that are unlikely to work, progressives could take a page from the playbook of conservatives who learned from liberals of the previous era: Take the argument to the people.

Winning on Election Day is the best path for any party to remake the court. Recall how the conservatives came to dominate the court. In election after election, Republican presidential nominees rallied conservative voters to the polls by critiquing the courts most politically divisive decisions, such as Roe, and promising a different type of justice if given the opportunity to fill a seat.

Winning on Election Day is the best path for a political party to remake the Supreme Court. Artis777/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Democrats often stayed silent about the Supreme Court during these campaigns, preferring to motivate voters to the polls with other issues. A 2016 exit poll question asked respondents about the importance of Supreme Court appointments in determining their vote for president. Twenty-one percent answered that it was the most important issue for them. And significantly, 56% of that 21% supported Trump, 15 percentage points more than those who backed Hillary Clinton.

In fact, when Trump named Neil Gorsuch as his first high court nominee mere days after his presidential inauguration, he highlighted this data, saying that millions of voters had supported him based on his promise to appoint conservatives to the court.

Voters are key

Progressives have already shown that the politically astute response to the conservative Supreme Court and its decisions isnt to go after one of their own. It is to take advantage of the great distaste many Americans have toward some of the courts decisions, particularly its 2022 Dobbs ruling uprooting Roe.

Just weeks after the Dobbs decision, Kansans overwhelmingly rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have denied women a right to obtain an abortion in their state. In the 2022 midterm elections, the expected red wave turned into a ripple as Democrats highlighted the abortion issue. And as the 2024 campaign season heats up, Democrats are primed to highlight their pro-Roe views to rally voters to the polls.

History shows that parties can win elections after losing the Supreme Court. Those parties have done so by strategically focusing on convincing voters to support them, not persuading justices to retire.

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: Kevin J. McMahon, Trinity College

Read more:



Kevin J. McMahon 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.
K-9 finds new home after being dropped off at GA shelter by his former handler

A retired Georgia K-9 has a new home after she was brought to an animal control shelter by her former handler. Now, the Liberty County Sheriffs Office is trying to get answers as to why the dog was dropped off to begin with.

K-9 Kona was dropped off at the shelter last Monday by her former handler, who had adopted her after Konas retirement, Trevon Tolson.

No notification was received from Liberty County Animal Control about the status of the retired canine. Sheriff Bowman would not agree to, and had no prior knowledge of, the retired canine being treated in this manner, the Liberty County Sheriffs Office said in a post on Facebook.

The sheriff has now opened an internal investigation to look into the matter. As for Tolson, he has been reassigned to a patrol division and his current K-9 partner has been reassigned to a different handler.

Meanwhile, Kona has found a new home. Kevin Schwartz, of Charleston, has adopted Kona and is now working to put some weight on her.

TRENDING STORIES:

Ive been feeding her four cups every day, which is what Tommy, my trainer, told me to feed her, Schwartz told WJCL-TV.

Schwartz said he had just recently lost his previous K-9 named Freya to cancer.

I wasnt looking for a dog, she just kind of fell in my lap. I mean, truthfully, I was thinking about how quiet it was in my house because Freya was gone. You know, you raise a dog for seven years, and then shes no longer there. Its like a child, Schwartz said.

He told the TV station that hes considering contacting the North Charleston Police Department to continue Konas training.

Ive heard theyve got a K-9 unit, and so I was just going to call in and pick their brain and see if theyd be willing to let me train Kona with their dogs and see if they can actually bring some of her training back to life because I dont think shes been active since like December, Schwartz said. I dont want her to just be a house dog. Shes got way too much drive, way too much energy.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Kansas Citys Municipal Court reopened Wednesday, but it will not be able to accept payments or post bonds.

Out of an abundance of caution, the City of Kansas City temporarily shut off some access to the network and some systems while we continue to investigate and ensure there are no issues, Kansas City press secretary Sherae Honeycutt said in a statement. Users may experience intermittent outages and we appreciate everyones patience.

Honeycutt said as of May 6 and until the website functions fully, a grace period is in place for anyone having difficulty making payments through the citys systems.

The issue was spotted Saturday morning, but city officials havent disclosed details about what caused the shutdown.

Hearings and trials will be continued to later dates, but the court will still hold arraignments for those arrested over the weekend and will have bond review hearings for others in custody. The courts email service is also down.

Benita Jones, the municipal court public information officer, previously said the court will do everything it can, to make sure that those peoples needs are addressed...(even) if we have to buy paper and then load that information into the system, or get it to the proper authorities the old fashioned way, just like the smaller courts do.

Honeycutt said while most city departments continue to operate as usual, the release said KC Waters payment services are still unavailable. Residents must pay with cash or check at 4800 E 63rd Street until the website is back up.

Jones warned that cases filed before Nov. 6, 2023 will not be able to make payments through the Missouri Casenet system. Bonds can be posted at designated police stations.
More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and others asked the Legislature to pass a bill consolidating services. John Wilson, president of Kansas Action for Children, said the bill's outcome was disappointing. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Advocates will work to bring back an attempt to consolidate Kansas early childhood care services next year following a failed attempt at unifying the states scattered services this legislative session.

The move would have placed early childhood services  currently split among four different state agencies  under one office.

The centralized hub known as the Office of Early Childhood would have included nearly 20 state programs designed to support children and families, such as child care assistance, day care facility licensing, the Childrens Cabinet Accountability Fund, early childhood infrastructure and early childhood integrated data systems, among others.

While Senate Bill 96, which would have established the office, passed the House 110-10, the Senate failed to take action on the bill.

A unified office focused on Kansas kids earliest years would have streamlined many services, making it easier for providers to get  and stay  in the field and families get the assistance they need to access quality, affordable care for their kids, said John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children.

The outcome of the bill is, of course, disappointing, but we know the state and Kansans will continue as they have for years: doing their best to provide for Kansas kids before they enter kindergarten, Wilson added. Well keep working next year to make the system more effective for everyone.

David Jordan, president of the Hutchinson-based United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, called it a missed opportunity to move forward with state progress on child care.

Its too bad the Legislature failed to act, Jordan said. Hopefully we can move forward quickly next year to realize this vision and to continue to roll up our sleeves and advance other policies that may make child care more affordable for Kansas families and more accessible.

The push for change followed December recommendations by Kellys early education task force. After an in-depth examination of the states early education pitfalls, the task force recommended that a consolidation law be approved in the 2024 legislative session, followed by establishment of the new office by July 2024 and completion of the consolidation by July 2026.

An executive director would serve as the states administrator for these services and advocate for early childhood needs with lawmakers and communities.

This bill will streamline how we provide services, reducing bureaucratic burdens so more Kansas businesses, child care providers and families can easily navigate the system and receive support, Gov. Laura Kelly said in early February support for the bill.

More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and community organizations signed onto a letter to support the change.

The separation of early childhood services across multiple agencies is a logistical oversight that has created massive inefficiency and struggles for everyday Kansans, and hinders our programs abilities to reach the Kansans they were intended to serve, the letter read.

Multiple agencies means multiple overlapping requirements on providers and funding streams that are not aligned, the letter read. Our early childhood system should be designed by the lived experiences and feedback from constituents who interact with it on a regular basis.

The post Kansas Office of Early Childhood concept fizzles out following legislative inaction appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas students can soon enroll in new districts. What are top options around Wichita?

A new Kansas law will allow all students to enroll in districts other than the one they live in  as long as the district has availability.

The state law was signed in 2022 and goes into effect this upcoming school year.

Under the law, the only reason districts can reject students enrollment is if there is not a spot available. Nonresident enrollment will open June 1. If a district receives more enrollments than open spots, students will be randomly selected.

Once enrolled, students will be allowed to stay in the non-district school through their graduation but are allowed to transfer to different schools at any time. Enrollment forms and information can be found on each districts website.

If a student is currently enrolled in the district they reside in and move outside the district, they would have to follow the open enrollment process to stay in their current school. All nonresident students will also be responsible for transportation to and from school.

Wichita Public Schools, the largest district in Kansas, has 60 high school openings, 120 middle school openings and 275 elementary school openings across all their schools. Some individual schools have no space available, according to the districts dashboard.

There are 54 Wichita schools not accepting students via open enrollment, either because they dont have enough additional space or they meet certain criteria. That includes schools filled through a magnet lottery process, those who welcome current Wichita students through the Transform24 program, schools with different eligibility rules based on students special needs or programs that operate virtually.

Wichitas school district was given an overall grade of B- by school review website Niche. U.S. News & World Report shows a total district enrollment of 46,657.

On the other end of the spectrum, Maize School District announced they do not have enough availability to allow nonresident students to enroll next school year.

Maize School District was given an overall Niche grade of A and has an enrollment of 7,980, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Heres a look at some school districts around the Wichita area who have published their nonresident opening numbers.

Andover

The district has 338 in person openings and 124 eCademy openings.

Niche gave Andover an overall grade of A, as well as rating it the best school district in the Wichita area. U.S. News & World Report says the school district has an enrollment of 8,720.

Goddard

This district has 78 spots open  42 in first grade, 12 in second grade, four in fourth grade and 20 in seventh grade.

With an overall Niche grade of A-, the Goddard School District ranked third in Niches school district rankings. The district has an enrollment of 6,297, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Valley Center

Next school year, Valley Center has 13 non-resident openings (three at Wheatland Elementary and 10 at Valley Center Intermediate School)

Niche gave Valley Center an overall grade of B+ and ranked it the fifth best school district in the Wichita area. U.S. News & World Report reports the district has an enrollment of 3,092.

Derby

Derby has 689 total nonresident openings.

Derby was given an overall Niche grade of B+, as well as rated eighth among school districts in the Wichita area. U.S. News & World Report shows an enrollment of 7,262.

Clearwater

Clearwater is expected to have 30 nonresident openings: 10 in kindergarten, 10 in first grade and 10 in second grade.

Niche gave Clearwater an overall grade of B and ranked it the 12th best school district in the area. The district has an enrollment of 1,133, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Students walk in the rain to get to the mobile classrooms at Central Middle School on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Kansas City, Kansas.

Voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a request to issue $420 million in bonds for major facilities improvements in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools.

Roughly 8% of registered voters participated in the single-issue special election over the fate of the districts proposal, according to unofficial results from the Wyandotte County Election Office. The measure received support from 42% of voters as 58% cast ballots against.

Its failure sends district officials back to the drawing board on building new KCKPS facilities.

The plan called for three elementary and two middle schools to be built. Some additional costs included a $15 million district aquatic center, a $20 million expansion of early childhood capacity, up to $20 million for a new main public library and $44.5 million to cover deferred maintenance.

District officials pointed to the plan as one to address many needs, including aging school buildings and a lack of sufficient space. The bond faced opposition from residents in large part because it will increase property taxes.

For a resident who owns a home valued at $150,000, the yearly property tax bill was expected to go up by $146.63. A commercial property by the same evaluation would have increased by $318.75.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run crash after someone was struck and seriously injured by a semi-trailer late Tuesday morning.

The incident was reported around 11:30 a.m. at Wilson Avenue and Belmont Boulevard.

Pedestrian seriously injured after Shawnee crash Tuesday

Early investigation into the incident revealed that an unknown semi-truck, tractor and trailer was traveling southbound on Belmont Boulevard, making a left turn onto eastbound Wilson Avenue, according to KCPD.

KCPD said the semi-truck made the turn too sharply, causing the trailer to travel up over a curb and through the grassy median. The trailer struck and possibly ran over a person that was standing on the sidewalk.

Police said after striking the person, the trailer struck a wooden telephone pole. The driver of the semi then left the scene of the incident without stopping.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

The person struck was taken to a hospital with critical injuries. Police said the victim is currently in critical condition and the investigation is ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
On the night of May 8, Russia shelled three DTEK thermal power plants, severely damaging the equipment. In general, in the morning, at Ukraine's request, emergency electricity is supplied from the EU power systems. In the evening, consumption may be limited.

ADVERTISIMENT

The Ministry of Energy spoke about possible blackouts. It called on the industry to:

review production processes to reduce the load on the power system;

maximize imports "to guarantee the avoidance of outages and strengthen the stability of the power system."

"Today, during the morning peak hours, at Ukraine's request, emergency electricity is being supplied from the power systems of Poland, Romania and Slovakia. In the evening hours, it is advisable to limit electricity consumption," the statement said.

Consequences of Russian shelling

In general, the ministry said, during the night attack, electricity generation and transmission facilities in Poltava, Kropyvnytskyi, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia regions were shelled.

"The consequences are being clarified. Power engineers are already working to eliminate them. The enemy wants to deprive us of the ability to generate and transmit electricity sufficiently," the statement said.

ADVERTISIMENT

At the same time, the Ministry once again appealed to Ukrainians to use electricity sparingly. They should reduce electricity consumption both in the morning and evening.

For its part, DTEK reported that Russia shelled three of the company's thermal power plants on the night of May 8. "Power engineers are currently working to eliminate the consequences of the attack. This is the fifth massive shelling of the company's energy facilities in the last month and a half. The last time the enemy attacked DTEK's thermal power plants during massive attacks on March 22 and 29, April 11 and 27," DTEK said on its official Telegram channel.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, DTEK's thermal power plants have been shelled about 180 times. During this period, 51 employees were injured and three power engineers were killed in the shelling.

ADVERTISIMENT

As previously reported, the National Commission on Energy and Utilities states that no work is being done to raise the electricity tariff in May. However, the decision should be made by the government, not the National Commission.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Kemp signs election law changes that critics argue creates more barriers to Georgia voters

Gov. Brian Kemp has wrapped up the annual bill-signing season by putting his signature to a package of election law changes backed by Republicans but criticized by Democrats and voting-rights advocates.

Kemp signed the three bills on Tuesday, the deadline for the governor to either sign or veto legislation the General Assembly passed this year.

The three-bill package marked the latest bid by Georgia Republicans to overhaul state election laws in the wake of Democrat Joe Bidens victory over incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in 2020. Biden narrowly carried the Peach State, the first Democratic presidential candidate to do so since Bill Clinton in 1992.

Passing mostly along party lines, the package included:

Senate Bill 189, which makes it easier to file mass voter challenges, eliminates QR codes from paper ballots, and eases requirements for third-party presidential candidates to get on Georgias ballot.

House Bill 1207, which allows fewer voting machines on election days, requires poll workers to be U.S. citizens, and allows closer access for poll watchers.

House Bill 974, which requires the secretary of state to set up a statewide system to scan and post paper ballots at a minimum resolution and requires more audits of statewide election results.

Republican supporters praised Kemp for signing into law legislation they said will promote the cause of election integrity.

Although there is always more work to be done, our new laws will ensure even more accuracy, safety and transparency, said former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., now serving as chairwoman of Greater Georgia, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing voters and protecting election integrity.

On the eve of a presidential election, Georgians deserve to have confidence that - despite the best efforts of liberal activists in our courts, our media, and our federal government - their votes will count.

But a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union, which had threatened to sue if Senate Bill 189 became law, said the legislation imposes more barriers on both Georgia voters and election administrators.

SB 189 is a step back for voters rights and voting access in the state of Georgia, said Andrea Young, executive director of the ACLUs Georgia chapter.

Most importantly, this bill will require already overburdened election workers to spend time processing unnecessary voter challenges. ... We are committed to protecting Georgia voters and will see the governor in court.

Most of Senate Bill 189 will take effect ahead of the November elections. The two House bills become effective immediately.
Georgias Republican Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday signed into law new rules for challenging voters eligibility along with a measure that would make it easier for an independent candidate to qualify for the presidential ballot  provisions that could shape the outcome of fall elections in this key battleground state.

The Republican-controlled state legislature passed the measures in late March. Kemp did not issue a statement about his decision to sign the changes into law.

The ACLU of Georgia said it would sue to block the new rules, which its executive director Andrea Young called a step back for voters rights and voting access in the state.

Under the new law, any political party or political body that has obtained ballot access in at least 20 states or territories can qualify for Georgias presidential ballot.

That could benefit third-party or independent presidential candidates in a state that Joe Biden narrowly carried over Donald Trump in 2020. Currently, independent or third-party candidates must collect at least 7,500 signatures from registered Georgia voters to qualify for the ballot in the state.

Other measures change voting procedures.

They include a provision that broadens what constitutes probable cause needed to uphold challenges to voter registrations. It would include evidence that a voter has died, obtained a homestead exemption on their taxes in a different jurisdiction or registered to vote at a nonresidential address.

Since the 2020 election triggered widespread false claims of voter fraud in Georgia, individual activists in the state have lodged tens of thousands of voter eligibility challenges. A 2021 Georgia law stipulated that a single voter could bring an unlimited number of challenges, and election officials in some large counties were inundated with demands to remove voters from the rolls during the 2022 midterms.

Critics say the new law could burden election officials with unnecessary work and fuel meritless attacks on voter qualifications, by targeting, for instance, someone who lives at the same address as their business. It also allows the use of a US Postal Service change-of-address database in bringing challenges, although it cannot be the sole basis for canceling a voters registration.

Voting rights groups have long argued that change-of-address data does not establish that someone is no longer eligible to vote in a state because college students, people with vacation homes and members of the military, for instance, may opt to temporarily receive their mail at another, out-of-state address.

The new Georgia law also requires homeless people to use the county registration office as their voting address  instead of the place they have found shelter. Opponents say that could make it harder for unhoused people to cast ballots because their voting precincts could end up being a long distance from where they are living at the time of the election.

The head of Fair Fight, a voting rights group founded by former Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams, called the law voter suppression.

Everything the GOP is doing is about the 11k votes Biden won by in 2020-theyre focused on finding ways to shave off votes they dont like to win & creating the conditions to overturn results they dont like, the groups CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo wrote on X.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Former Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday ripped former President Trump over his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal six years ago, saying the move made Americans less safe.

When Donald Trump refused the appeals of our closest allies and pulled the United States out of the JCPOA, it created a more dangerous region, empowered Iran, and isolated the United States instead of isolating Tehran, Kerry said in a statement obtained exclusively by The Hill, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Even Republicans who opposed the original agreement had appealed to the Trump White House to remain in the agreement to maintain leverage over Iran, but instead Trump chose chaos, Kerry added. It made the world more dangerous and Americans less safe.

Kerry, who oversaw the completion of the Iran agreement in 2015 while serving as secretary of State, argued in Wednesdays statement that the deal was working and that Trumps decision to withdraw caused Iran to become more aggressive.

Now Trump is back as a candidate for president singing the same song  threatening to once again go it alone, undermine our global leadership, and isolate us from our allies, Kerry said. Hes attacking democracy and our fundamental rights here at home. Thanks to President Bidens strong leadership, we have allies sharing the burden and working by our side, and the U.S. is once again at the forefront on the international stage. Americans want stability, not a chaos agent back in the White House.

Kerry departed his position as President Bidens special envoy on climate in February and has taken on a role helping with Bidens reelection campaign.

Trump on May 8, 2018, announced he was withdrawing the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, breaking with European allies and fulfilling a major campaign promise to end what he had called one of the most incompetent deals ever made.

It didnt bring calm, it didnt bring peace, and it never will, Trump said at the time.

The deal provided Tehran billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for accepting limits on its nuclear program. European allies had lobbied Trump to remain in the agreement.

Around the same time he announced he was pulling out of the Iran deal, Trump attacked Kerry and accused the former secretary of State of conducting shadow diplomacy by meeting with Iranian officials to discuss protecting the agreement.

Iran has been at the center of recent unrest in the Middle East following Hamass terrorist attacks last October in Israel, which set off the current war in Gaza. Israel and Iran have also exchanged strikes in recent weeks, raising fears of a wider conflict in the region.

Following Irans strikes against Israel, the Biden administration imposed sanctions last month on leaders and entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Irans Defense Ministry and the Iranian governments missile and drone program.

The Biden administration has sought to avoid wider conflict with Iran, but officials have acknowledged the White House is not looking to revive the Obama-era nuclear deal.

Wed love nothing better than to be able to solve Iranian nuclear progress  nuclear weapons progress through diplomacy, spokesperson John Kirby told reporters last month. Unfortunately, thats not an option right now because the  the Iranians, well before any of this, just werent negotiating in good faith.

Trumps withdrawal from the Iran deal was one of his signature foreign policy moves during his time in the White House.

The former president has repeatedly claimed in recent months that the war between Israel and Hamas would have never started if he were in office because of the intense sanctions his administration placed on Iran. Trump has not offered much substance on how he would handle the war between Israel and Hamas, however, beyond saying Israel is losing the public relations battle and should finish the job.

Trumps aides have similarly argued Biden is to blame for unrest in the Middle East.

[Biden] enabled Iran, which led to the war in Israel, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement this week. Joe Biden weakness and failure is why chaos is breaking out across our country and all over the world. Americans can rest secure in the fact that on day one, President Trump will restore peace through strength abroad, and demand law and order at home.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Three out of four Minnesotans depend on groundwater supplies that are increasingly polluted with nitrates like the kind in this animal waste lagoon. Photo by Getty Images.

I wonder how many times weve drunk polluted water. The answer is probably more times than we want to know.

Two out of every five Minnesota lakes, rivers and streams are impaired, and three out of four Minnesotans depend on groundwater supplies that are increasingly polluted with nitrates, according to the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.

The main source of pollution in our waters comes from agriculture fertilizer runoff. It seeps into the groundwater and gets into our drinking water supply, making it difficult to clean and unsafe to drink. Many Minnesotans are drinking contaminated water because the state does not have the funds to clean every water source.

Nitrate pollution from agricultural runoff can cause blue baby syndrome (despite the name, anyone can catch this disease). This syndrome affects the bodys ability to store oxygen. High nitrate levels, which wind up in drinking water from farm fertilizer runoff, are also connected to higher risk of cancer and thyroid disease. Unfortunately, these facts are not widely known.

Private wells are the main source of drinking water for people in rural, low-income areas. About 1.2 million Minnesotans depend on well water. Of those, 80% do not test their water for nitrate pollution because they are not aware of the problem or cannot afford to do so. Because the wells are privately owned, regulators have a difficult task getting their arms around the problem.

This may sound scary, but the good news is this problem is preventable and some folks are confronting it head-on.

Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, tried to tackle the issue this legislative session by way of a nitrate fertilizer tax that would impose a 99-cent fee on the sale of every ton of nitrogen fertilizer. The money would fund clean water assistance programs.

This policy is a two-fer: We use the tax to discourage the agriculture sector from overuse of fertilizers, and we have new revenue to clean up the pollution. Unfortunately, the Hansen proposal died this year due to strong opposition from agribusiness interests.

The agriculture industry and their allies argue that farmers cannot afford extra expenses. The farm economy is in a constant state of flux given the globalized nature of both inputs and markets  everything from a war in Ukraine to Trump tariffs to the weather can impact their bottom line.

The way to address this concern is to ramp up funding for sustainable farming practices, rather than encouraging techniques that got us here in the first place.

A root cause of this environmental and public health issue is lack of education. But we can change that, by asking simple questions like, Where does my water come from?

Start conversations  including with family and friends in agriculture  about protecting our public health and expanding access to safe drinking water. The more we educate ourselves and talk about this issue, the more likely we are to inspire change among our local leaders.

If we care, they will too.

The post Killing fertilizer tax hike is a missed opportunity appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
A Wichita Falls pastor convicted of sexually abusing three underaged girls who attended his church was sentenced Wednesday to 42 years in prison.

Ronnie Allen Killingsworth, who turned 79 Tuesday, will be eligible for parole at age 100 when he has served 21 years of his sentence.

Ronnie Killingsworth sits quietly after hearing his sentence in 30th District Court on Wednesday at the Wichita County Courthouse.

Killingsworth, pastor of Rephidim Church in Wichita Falls, was booked Wednesday into the Wichita County Jail to begin serving his sentences, according to online jail records.

He was convicted on six counts of indecency with a child through contact in incidents that happened between 2000 and 2011. On four of those charges, he faced a minimum of two years in prison each. On the remaining two charges he was eligible for probation.

More: Updated: Wichita Falls pastor found guilty of sexually abusing girls in church office

Defense attorney Chuck Smith asked the jury of six men and six women to give him the minimum sentence of two years on four charges and allow him probation on the other two.

Smith asked the jurors to consider Killingsworth's age and health. He has had two heart surgeries and has a pacemaker.

But prosecutor Davye Jo Estes said a verdict of guilty is only as good as the punishment.

More: In packed courtroom: Victims provide details of indecency allegations against pastor

"The community should realize we will not tolerate child abusers," she said.

The panel deliberated one hour before recommending a sentence of 15 years each on four of the counts and 12 years each on the remaining two counts.

Prosecutor Bill Vasser asked 78th District Court Judge Meredith Kennedy to make four of the 15 year sentences concurrent  meaning they would be served at the same time  and to make a 15-year-sentence and a 12-year sentence consecutive, meaning they would be stacked one after the other.

Kennedy agreed, so the total comes to 42 years.

More: Indicted Wichita Falls pastor no stranger to controversies

Testimony in the trial lasted a week with each of the three victims, now adults, describing how Killingsworth touched them inappropriately behind the closed doors of his church office.

Ronnie Killingsworth is escorted out of 30th District Court in handcuffs at the Wichita County Courthouse on Tuesday after guilty verdicts were announced.

Killingsworth testified in his own defense that the incidents never happed. Relatives and members of the congregation of Rephidim Church also testified on KIllingsworth's behalf, saying they never knew him to be alone in his office with children.

Much of the testimony in the trial involved practices and doctrines of the church Killingsworth founded in 1971. Those practices included a doctrine of "separation" in which members who left the congregation were to be shunned and the setting of dates for rapture, the ascending of the faithful to heaven.

Vasser and Estes are with the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office and were assigned to the case to avoid a possible conflict of interest because Killingsworth's son, Allen, is on the Wichita Falls Police Department.

So many observers crowded into the gallery to watch the trial that Kennedy moved it to the larger 30th District Courtroom.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Killingsworth sentenced to 42 years in prison for molesting girls
What You Need to Know About the KP.2 'FLiRT' COVID Variant

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer





Key Takeaways

The KP.2 variant is steadily spreading in the U.S.

Also known as a FLiRT variant, KP.2 does not seem to be more infectious than JN.1.

KP.2 is expected to become the most common variant in the U.S.







Its common for viruses to mutate, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is no exception. A slew of variants have developed since the start of the pandemic, and some have been more noteworthy than others.

A new variant gaining attention is KP.2, part of a larger group known as the FLiRT variants. These variants are offshoots of Omicron and get their name from their spike protein mutations: The amino phenylalanine (abbreviated as F) replaces the amino acid leucine (abbreviated as L), while the amino acid arginine (R) is replaced by threonine (T).

As KP.2 appears around the world, heres what you need to know.

Related: A Timeline of COVID-19 Variants

Where KP.2 Has Spread

Its not clear where the KP.2 variant originated. However, its been detected in the U.S., United Kingdom, and Canada. It is not currently the dominant strain anywhere, but its quickly becoming more common in several countries.

It makes up about 20% of the infections in the U.K. and about 25% of the infections here, William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told Verywell. It wouldnt be surprising if this becomes the most common variant in the next month or two in the U.S.

Spread in the U.S.

The KP.2 variant has quickly spread in the U.S. This variant made up less than 4% of COVID cases in the country in late March and has steadily caused a greater proportion of infections each week.







Why Do Viruses Mutate?

Its normal for viruses to mutate. There will always be new variants arising for all respiratory viruses, Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told Verywell. This is how evolution works.

Given that the general population now has a high level of immunity against COVID, the virus needs to mutate in order to survive.







Is KP.2 More Contagious?

Preliminary data show that while KP.2 is more transmissible, it has a 10.5-fold lower level of infectiousness than JN.1, which is currently the dominant strain in the U.S.

Still, its expanding in the population, which means it must have some advantage over JN.1, Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, told Verywell. This particular variant has four new mutations, including three in the spike protein, which is what the virus uses to latch onto your cells and infect you.

Currently available information also does not suggest that KP.2 is more severe than previous variants, Schaffner said.

Risk of Reinfection

There is no hard and fast data on the risk of reinfection from KP.2 if youve already had COVID. However, doctors said youre likely to be reinfected if its been a while since you last had the virus.

Protection wanes over time and it wanes more rapidly in older people, as well as those who are frail, Schaffner said. Thats why the program in the U.S. is to get everyone re-vaccinated at least on an annual basis.

Most people can expect protection for up to six months after an initial infection, Russo said.

Will Vaccines Work Against KP.2?



The KP.2 variant could be more immune evasive than previous strains, Schaffner said. He cites early lab data that show this variant is more evasive of antibodies that people have developed.

KP.2 is a little more distant from the protection we get in the vaccines, although the vaccines in the lab have been shown to provide protection, he said.

Russo also pointed out that many people havent had the updated vaccine. The uptake of the vaccine was less than excellent this fall, he said. Its imperfect against preventing infection but pretty good at preventing hospitalization and severe disease.







What This Means For You

Experts are not particularly worried about the KP.2 variant and more than other forms of COVID. This is not a cause for concern, Schaffner said. However, Russo said that this is a reminder that COVID is still around. The virus continues to evolve and is trying to be immune evasive, he said.







The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Wednesday said it had no comment on Ukrainian assertions that Kyiv caught Russian agents plotting the assassination of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, but said that it was hardly likely to be accurate information.

Ukraine's state security service said on Tuesday it caught two agents for Russia who planned to kill Zelenskiy and other top officials as "a gift" for Russian President Vladimir Putin as he was sworn in for a new term.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had no comment on the assertion but added that was unlikely to be accurate information.

(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
The Russian occupiers have ruined the tourism business in Crimea, which has already experienced a lack of travelers this year. Russians are afraid to travel to the occupied peninsula even for free, rejecting free vouchers and ignoring offers of discounts.

ADVERTISIMENT

As an employee of a boarding house in Yalta told Suspilne. Crimea, out of 80 people who were expected to come for the May holidays, only 15 came. This is almost five times less than the number of free vouchers issued.

"There was supposed to be a big arrival, 80 people, for three weeks. Only 15 people came. And it was a group of state employees from Russia, so the vouchers were free. If things continue like this, our boarding house may close in June," the source said.

The offer he described was quite beneficial for tourists who cannot afford to travel at their own expense for almost a month - arrival on Thursday, May 2 and a vacation during Easter.

ADVERTISIMENT

Another insider from the city of Saki suggested that Russians believe in a possible devastating attack on the Crimean bridge, so they are afraid to go to the peninsula. On May 6, his sanatorium was expecting 30 guests, but no one came.

"This is the first time this situation has happened in May. Perhaps people are scared of the information about a possible strike on the Crimean bridge, but the situation in Crimea is very tense," Suspilne quoted its informant as saying.

The critical situation with tourism in Crimea was known a few weeks ago, when propagandists used all their marketing strategies and shouted about cheap vacations from every iron. Obviously, the plan did not work, and residents of the occupied peninsula are forced to consider closing their businesses and waiting for liberation from the occupation.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Kris Hallenga, who has died aged 38, was a campaigner who through her charity Coppafeel! encouraged young women to check their breasts for early signs of cancer; she was 23 herself when she was told that her stage 4 cancer had spread to her spine.

Founded in a field at a festival, Coppafeel! became one of the nations leading cancer awareness charities, its message projected on to the Houses of Parliament. Kris Hallenga said she had been confused and baffled by her diagnosis: I kept thinking this is bull---t, she recalled. Why didnt anyone tell me to check my boobs? Why didnt I know I could get breast cancer at 23? Im pretty sure my friends dont know either, and if none of us do then literally no young person in this country f-----g knows this secret. This needs to change. And I got this wave of energy.

Kristen Hallenga was born on November 11 1985 in Nordern, a small town on the northern coast of Germany where her German father (who died when she was 20) and her English mother Jane were both teachers. She had a twin, Maren, and an older sister, Maike.

Her parents divorced, and when she was nine she moved with her mother and sisters to Daventry in Northamptonshire. With her poor English, her early schooldays were difficult, but she attended the local grammar school then took a year out with her twin working their way around Australia. She came home to take a course in travel and tourism at Northampton University then became an intern with a travel company in Beijing, doing some teaching on the side.

Kris Hallenga launches the 2014 Festifeel - Danny Martindale/Getty Images

Before she left to take up the post she noticed a lump in her breast but was told by her GP that it was probably hormonal and Pill-related. In China, she recalled, she lived a hedonistic lifestyle, stumbling out of nightclubs as the sun was rising.

Back home, she noticed a bloody discharge from her breast but was again reassured by her doctor. Her mother, however, who had suffered breast cancer herself as a young woman, insisted that Kris get herself checked out at a breast clinic.

By the time her cancer was diagnosed in 2009, eight months after she had first spotted the lump, it had spread to her spine and was terminal.

Following her diagnosis, she was with Marien at the Beach Break Live festival in Carmarthenshire when they had the idea for Coppafeel!, and the charity quickly gained a high profile. Meanwhile, Kris had aggressive chemotherapy but was told in 2011 that the cancer had spread to her liver, and, a year later, to her brain.

Kris Hallenga in 2014 - Paul Grover

Coppafeel! sent thousands of reminders for breast self-examinations via text and arranged for a group of women, the Boobettes, to visit schools and talk about their experience with breast cancer at a young age. The charity aired what was believed to be the first nipple in a daytime television advertisement, encouraging people to check their breasts for signs of anything unusual.

Kris Hallenga wrote a column for The Sun, and in 2014 BBC Three screened a documentary about her story, Kris: Dying to Live. In it she said: I feel like Im a voice for other girls going through [cancer]. Every day that I enjoy, that I am grateful for, is another level of acceptance for me. We are all going to die. I am just aware that it might happen sooner than I possibly had planned.

In 2017 she stood down as CEO of Coppafeel! to spend more time with Marien and to write a memoir, and in 2021 Glittering a Turd became a bestseller.

Last year she held a living funeral in Cornwall, where she lived, at Truro Cathedral, wearing a black jacket bearing the letters YODO  You Only Die Once. Dawn French revived her Vicar of Dibley character to deliver a eulogy after pretending to have turned up at the wrong funeral.

Kris Hallengas mother and sisters survive her.

Kris Hallenga, born November 11 1985, died May 6 2024

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.
Under normal circumstances, Fox News would be the safest space for Kristi Noem to rehab her image. But the embattled governors disastrous, neverending puppy-killer book tour is no ordinary situation.

On the same day as her combative interview on Foxs sister network, the South Dakota governor bailed on sitting down with Fox News host Greg Gutfeld because of bad weather. In turn, the primetime star brutally roasted her.

A source familiar with the matter told The Daily Beast that the governors team specifically cited a snowstorm in her home state of South Dakota. While there was a winter weather advisory in the Black Hills, Noem was physically in New York City, having already appeared in-studio on Fox Business and Newsmax earlier in the day. Furthermore, the South Dakota capital of Pierre enjoyed temperatures in the 50s on both Tuesday and Wednesday. A representative for Noem did not respond to a request for comment.

Additionally, CNN anchor Dana Bash revealed on Wednesday afternoon that Noem had abruptly canceled an interview that was scheduled for that days broadcast of Inside Politics, even though the governors team had reconfirmed the appearance earlier in the week. We want to say that, governor, you are of course welcome on the program anytime, Bash added.

Gutfeld pulled no punches when delivering the news of Noems cancellation to his viewers, skewering her with a brutal series of dog-related barbs about her latest book, No Going Back, in which she reveals that she executed a 14-month-old puppy that she hated.

At the top of his show, Gutfeld snarked that Noems staff blamed bad weather for her bailing, turning to locals for reaction, which was a video of dogs barking and swimming in a pool.

Who knows why she canceled? When we asked how her week was going, she replied ruff. Maybe it wasn't bad weather, I heard it was raining cats and dogs, Gutfeld quipped. I tried to convince Noem to stay and do our show. I even told her my dog Gus had all his shots. She said not yet he hasnt.

After a few more cracks, Gutfeld suggested Noem would have ultimately benefited from appearing on his show.

You know, you couldve done the show. Could have done the show, he said. We are nice people. Everybody here teases everybody else. We have a good time. You probably would come off looking a lot better than you do now because we would have had fun, but instead, you chose to run. Boo!

Towards the end of the broadcast, Gutfeld turned to Fox News vet Dana Perino, a well-known dog lover, to portray Noem in a skit once again roasting the governors calamitous book and her cringeworthy efforts to defend herself.

Kristi Noem Blows Up at Fox Anchor Pressing Her on Puppy Murder

So, Dana, aka Gov. Noem, did you write the book yourself? Gutfeld wondered.

You know, thats a great question for someone who wrote the book, and I dont think I will dignify your question with a response, Perino retorted. There are so many other important issues in the world, like animal cruelty.

Perino continued to mock Noems evasive responses to journalists questions about the books claims, especially when Gutfeld asked if the governor had actually read her own memoir.

Thank you for reading my book. I said some words that were written about me, and they were in a certain order ofthey call them sentences, and so I read those aloud, she quipped. I dont know if that means I read the book, though.

Keeping the dog jokes flowing, Perino also claimed that she had recently gotten another puppy named Ghost Writer but that she had killed him this morning.

I also regret not canceling on you on Saturday, so I didnt waste your time reading a book that I was not going to come on and do the interview about, Perino said, still pantomiming Noem.

Amen, Gutfeld replied.

Newsmax Host Gets Real With Kristi Noem About Her Political Implosion

Since it was first leaked last week that No Going Back contained a story about Noem shooting a dog in a gravel pit because he was untrainable, the Republican governor has engaged in a desperate (and thus far catastrophic) media tour to defend herself and try to salvage a potential spot as Donald Trumps running mate.

Noem has only come under more fire, though, after it was revealed that she claimed in the book that she met North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Experts have cast doubt that the meeting ever took place, and Noem has since blamed her ghostwriter for the anecdote and said it shouldnt have been included in the book. At the same time, she has also refused to clarify or confirm whether or not she ever did speak with the reclusive authoritarian.

Prior to her scheduled appearance on Gutfeld!, which would have included her sitting on a panel for an entire hour, Noem appeared Tuesday on the Fox Business Network with host Stuart Varney, at one point demanding he stop asking questions about the dog story. She also sat down for a tense Newsmax interview in which her hosts told her shes not even on the list to be Trumps veep.

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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Las Vegas police department employee is accused of stealing from inmates at the county jail, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained.

According to the release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, officers arrested Peggy Hendrix, an LVMPD detention services technician, on Tuesday.

Hendrix was accused of taking personal property from inmates being transferred from the jail to state custody, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained.

On May 7, Hendrix was reportedly recorded on surveillance video taking an inmates phone, putting it into her bag and leaving the jail. The inmate was no longer listed as in custody Wednesday and it was unclear if he was booked that same day.

An investigation showed Hendrix allegedly stole other phones, jewelry and other items, including food from the commissary.

Hendrix faces a felony theft charge for a value greater than $1,200 but less than $5,000.

LVMPD officials said Hendrix has been with the department since 2007 and has been suspended with pay. Police said the outcome of criminal and internal investigations will determine her future status with the department.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Last-minute bill would make it harder for Hennepin County to take back control of HCMC

The Minnesota Legislature is poised to jump into the tangled debate over how to best oversee Hennepin County's medical facilities, including the state's largest safety-net hospital.

A last-minute bill debated Tuesday in the House Finance and Policy Committee would make it harder for the County Board to dissolve Hennepin Healthcare System, the nonprofit created in 2007 to run HCMC and other health facilities.

Nurses, EMTs and other workers have been pushing the County Board to get rid of Hennepin Healthcare because they say its leadership has not done enough to address their concerns over insurance changes and workplace safety that make it harder to retain and recruit staff.

The ongoing calls for a dramatic change in HCMC leadership have unsettled some lawmakers at the Capitol in St. Paul.

"We need to maintain the stability of this institution," said Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, chief sponsor of the bill she acknowledged would likely need to get tacked on to other legislation in the waning days of the session to become law. "The threat of dissolving the board or the corporation, for me, is a bridge too far."

Currently, the County Board could dissolve Hennepin Healthcare without a reason if a three-fifths majority of commissioners agreed. Liebling's proposal requires specific reasons for a dissolution, prescribes an investigative process and requires a future oversight plan to get rid of Hennepin Healthcare.

Board Chair Irene Fernando supports the intent of the bill, but said she wants county leaders to be more involved in the final details.

"The County Board needs to be able to take timely action to address the corporation's performance  with respect to its public mission, its finances, or its workforce  not only when there is criminal conduct or malfeasance," Fernando said in a statement.

Nurses, EMTs and other union members turned to the County Board last year after they say Hennepin Healthcare leaders did too little to address their concerns. They noted that CEO Jennifer DeCubellis got a pay raise while staff benefits were scaled back.

They eventually called for the county to take back control of HCMC and the county's other health clinics.

In response, hospital leadership said modest insurance changes were needed to help address a $127 million budget shortfall. They've said hospital leadership compensation is competitive for the industry.

Janell Johnson Thiele, an HCMC nurse and union leader, said the bill discussed Tuesday would limit important oversight by the County Board and lead to less accountability and transparency from HCMC leaders.

"As the only public safety-net in Minnesota, we need to do better," Johnson Thiele said.

Recently, a group of doctors have joined hospital leaders in the push against dissolving Hennepin Healthcare. While they acknowledge their colleagues' concerns, they argue conditions are not as dire as described and are not to the point of the organization's governance board.

They note the ongoing financial and staffing struggles of hospitals nationwide in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

"What is happening at Hennepin is happening everywhere in health care," Meghan Walsh, chief academic and research officer for HCMC, told lawmakers Tuesday. "Dismantling our leadership structure or removing the people in it will not erase these challenges."

But some other HCMC doctors feel hospital leaders have been overzealous in their pushback against nurses' concerns and demands. They agree Hennepin Healthcare leadership needs to be more transparent and responsive to workers.

"I hope that the Legislature, and members of this committee, will listen to the majority of workers when they say that things are not right at HCMC. And things need to change," Dr. Max Fraden, a faculty physician at HCMC, wrote to the House health committee.

It will likely be months before county leaders decide on the best way to proceed with the oversight of HCMC. In December, the County Board requested staff gather in-depth information about hospital system finances and last week it agreed to hold meetings with hospital leaders into June to better understand the organization's challenges.

Modifications of the county's oversight of the hospital system from the Legislature, if they are going to happen this year, would come much sooner. The proposed changes to what it takes to dissolve the Hennepin Healthcare board would need to be approved before the Legislature adjourns May 20.
The Montana state Capitol in Helena on Jan. 2, 2023. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

After months of hearing from childcare providers about changes they want to see in order to stay open and recruit more staff to address statewide shortages, the Economic Affairs Interim Committee agreed Tuesday to move forward with drafting legislation to try to fix one of the identified problems  providers facing steep increases in liability insurance or having their coverage dropped altogether.

Its the first forward action the 10-member committee that includes seven Republicans has taken on addressing childcare and Montanas workforce, one of the committees tasks during the interim.

Parents, providers and government officials have all said during the course of six meetings over the past nine months that parents need reliable childcare in order to work, but childcare providers have struggled to stay open because of increased costs in insurance, tight margins, and the inability to pay workers a high enough wage to retain them for long or to hire new staff.

The Department of Labor and Industry reported earlier this year nearly 70,000 Montana parents could not work full time last year due in part to their lack of childcare.

In March, the committee rejected a proposal from Rep. Jonathan Karlen, D-Missoula, to craft a package of bills for next years legislative session that would include expanding the eligibility for Montanas childcare scholarship program, implementing childcare tax credits for parents and providers; and exploring trust accounts and public-private partnerships.

But the committee members have also been given presentations about providers struggles to obtain or keep their liability insurance and two possible models  captive insurance or reinsurance  that have caught the eye of providers and the state auditors office as possible solutions.

After the March meeting, Zero to Five Montana, a Helena-based early childhood policy and advocacy organization, in April surveyed providers across the state on how much their liability insurance had gone up, if they had been dropped by insurers, and if they would be interested in joining a business liability insurance pool.

About 85% of the 228 childcare providers that responded to the survey said they were interested in joining an insurance pool; most of them said their main desire would be to get more affordable insurance options or to get better coverage than they currently receive.

The survey included group providers, childcare centers and family, friend and neighbor providers, covering all types of childcare settings. Of the 228 facilities that responded in the survey, 57% said their annual liability insurance premium rate had increased during the past year, and about one in three said costs had gone up at least $1,000.

Just 18% of providers said they were satisfied with their insurance experience, and many of them reported facing increased costs because their facilities are considered higher risks by insurers because of their locations, if they have pets present, if they take the children out for enrichment activities, or if they care for children with special needs despite them having no history of claims.

For childcare centers, which serve more than 16 children at a time, the average annual rate increase during the past year was $1,859. For centers it was $503 and for family, friend and neighbor facilities, rates increased on average $269.

Angie Armour, the executive director of Raise Montana, another childcare advocacy group that worked with Zero to Five Montana and Deputy Insurance Commissioner Frank Cote to try to come up with insurance solutions, said insurance companies often have different standards than state licensing requirements and the group was looking into ways that providers could form an association of sorts to set standards that insurers would accept in terms of risk.

Lawmakers passed bills last year to loosen licensing requirements for small childcare providers and to allow for more lax staff-to-child ratios at daycares in an effort to open more slots for children, which presenters at Tuesdays meeting said could be another factor in insurers pulling out of childcare altogether or charging providers more based on heightened risks.

There is this really kind of Catch-22. You want to be able to help get as many kids with a daycare facility so that parents can go to work. And if there arent enough daycare facilities, then the tendency is to say, well, lets just relax the rules, Cote said. Well, thats not how insurance companies work.

He said those companies still look at their own business and decide that those standards might not meet their own, then raise rates to ensure they are still profitable in the event they do have to pay out high-cost claims.

An insurance company is in the business to be in business, Cote said. They have to make money over time, and if theyre continuing to lose money over time, theyll remove themselves from that particular risk, or remove themselves entirely from the market.

Dena Johnson, a sales executive with the insurance company Marsh & McLellan, explained that insurance policy underwriters care about a providers commitment to standards and they want better than the minimum.

I want to know the daily practices  is there overlap? What is going on with the kiddos? Whats your training? Whats your turnover? she explained. Really understanding whats happening because its not a matter of if, but when, something could happen and what are the safety nets in place that are going to keep that from happening.

Cote told lawmakers that after talking with Zero to Five Montana and Raise Montana, they agreed that a captive insurance program, in which a company is created to insure risks for its parent company or an association of companies, was not yet feasible because those involved need more information on how many providers might want to join and establish some sort of baseline for their premiums.

He said the organizations seemed interested in forming an association of some sort, however, and the committee voted to move forward with the reinsurance idea, which would mirror what the Montana Reinsurance Association does with health insurance.

That association, funded by federal grants and insurance premium assessments, reimburses insurers for a portion of high-dollar claims they incur during the year, which Cote and the association say have led to premium rates on the individual health insurance market decreasing by about 10%.

Moving forward with that idea but on the childcare insurance side could allow providers to align their standards, strategies, and premiums while helping offset costs for insurers and making them more comfortable with providing coverage, several of the speakers said.

So, these are the criteria. Yes, heres the minimum state requirements, and then to be an accredited member of the association you also have to be better, and this is what you do, Johnson said, explaining how it could work. So, everyone thats a member has standardized training and they participate in continuing education and we have site visits and all the other things.

After approving Karlens request to work on legislation surrounding the reinsurance program idea, the committee rejected every other proposal.

Karlen proposed a bill be drafted changing the eligibility requirements for the Best Beginnings Scholarship to 85% of the state median income instead of 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, which was previously suggested as a solution to provide more parents with help in obtaining child care, but that was rejected by every Republican.

He also had another proposal to write a child tax credit bill rejected in a 5-5 vote, with Committee Chair Rep. Josh Kassmier, R-Fort Benton, and Senate Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, supported along with the three Democrats on the committee.

1.45-Insurance-Survey-Summary-Findings (1)

The post Lawmakers agree to draft legislation on insurance solutions for childcare providers appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam), co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee, speaks at Tuesday's meeting to approve multiple agency spending proposals. (Screenshot | WisEye)

Republican state lawmakers on the Legislatures budget committee rewrote the spending plan Tuesday for Wisconsins next allotment of opioid settlement money, throwing out items the state health department had pushed for and instead boosting spending on existing programs to address addiction to the powerful drugs.

The committees GOP leaders also once again snubbed Gov. Tony Evers call to release money to address PFAS contamination and support health care providers in western Wisconsin.

While unity marked much of the official action in the Joint Finance Committee Tuesday, orchestrated friction was nonetheless the dominant theme of the day in the state Capitol.

Democrats in particular highlighted the fact that committee Republicans walked away from Evers attempt to push them to release $140 million for PFAS remediation and health care, which remains under the committees control.

This marks the second time in a month Republicans chose to ignore the governors call to release funds that have already been approved by the Legislature, the four finance committee Democrats said in a joint statement.

Democrats are also mounting a political campaign targeting the Republican lawmakers on the committee. Its past time for Republicans to get out of the way and allow this funding to be put to use to keep our communities healthy and strong, said Sen. Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) at a press conference Tuesday morning with candidates challenging two of the GOP committee members.

The Republicans have adamantly rejected any blame for the standoff over the PFAS and health care support funds. Were not holding anything up, said Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), the finance committee co-chair, at a press conference just before the committee met.

Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam), the other co-chair, asserted that because Evers vetoed legislation outlining how the PFAS money would be spent  which included a provision weakening the power of the Department of Natural Resources to punish polluters that Republicans insisted was necessary to protect innocent landowners  the decision to stop this program right now is on him.

Opioid spending

Each year Wisconsin receives a share of the money that opioid manufacturers and distributors pay into a national settlement fund after a coalition of state and local governments sued the businesses, alleging they were culpable for the ballooning epidemic of opioid addiction. A state law authorizing Wisconsin to receive and spend the money requires the health department to subject its plan for each years installment to the finance committee for approval.

As drawn up by the Department of Health Services (DHS) and submitted in April, the $36 million that Wisconsin will receive for 2025 would have included $5 million for support and resource centers for families of people with opioid addiction and $5 million for peer support services in opioid addiction programs.

The plan that passed the committee Tuesday omits both of those. Were not going to be putting money into new programs, Marklein told reporters before the meeting. Were going to instead reinvest in ongoing programs that work.

The committee plan reduces spending on community, education and after-school prevention to $3.5 million (from the originally proposed $5 million), adding specifications for a competitive grant program for community based prevention. The Department of Public Instructions portion of that would be $1 million, half of what DHS had proposed.

The revised plan adds $750,000 for DHS to spend on public campaigns to discourage opioid use.

Marklein referred to past anti-drug advertising campaigns, known by the tag lines Just Say No and This is your brain on drugs, as well as anti-smoking campaigns that depicted lungs ravaged by tobacco. We need to address opioids in the same way, he said.

The finance committee plan increases spending on harm-reduction measures, such as overdose treatment medication and testing strips for fentanyl, to $6 million. It allocates $3 million for law enforcement agencies, tripling the DHS plans proposal.

It allocates $7.7 million for building projects, including for treatment facilities and recovery housing, more than double what DHS had proposed, and specifies that 30% of that money must go to counties with fewer than 500,000 residents.

The finance committee plan also sets aside $2.75 million to cover the room and board costs for Medicaid patients enrolled in residential drug treatment programs, and includes $3 million for programs that use medication to help people with addictions. And it adds $600,000 for a Medical College of Wisconsin program that provides care before and after birth to women with opioid use disorder.

I think this is really interesting, said Rep. Tip McGuire (D-Kenosha) of the Republicans plan. Unfortunately I think there are some pieces that I would have liked to have seen included or maintained at the [original DHS-proposed] levels. He singled out the proposals that were cut completely as well as the reduction in school-based prevention spending in the final plan.

Theres $36 million to be spent and all $36 million is being spent in this proposal, responded Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan). So were not talking about additional funding. Were talking about fully supporting the initiatives from the funds that are allocated to us through this program.

Despite the objections that they raised, Democrats joined the Republicans in voting for the plan.

The rest of the committees agenda consisted of releasing to agencies money already built into the state budget but requiring a formal approval from the committee to spend the funds. Among them were $6 million for driver training grants by the Department of Transportation; $2 million for a test program that law enforcement personnel who encounter people in mental health crises can use to connect virtually with mental health professionals, and nearly $20 million to launch oral health training programs across the Wisconsin Technical College System.

All of those also passed with unanimous votes.

PFAS, hospital funding logjams persists

The comity ended with the meetings adjournment, however. As Democrats sought to turn the spotlight back on blocked PFAS and hospital funding, Republicans dug in their heels.

In April Evers vetoed legislation connected with how $125 million set aside in the 2023-25 budget to address contamination from PFAS chemicals would be spent. Among his objections to the measure, he cited language that Democrats, the administration and environmental groups argue would prevent the state Department of Natural Resources from taking action against those responsible for PFAS contamination.

The administration has submitted two plans to spend the PFAS funds to the finance committee, the most recent one in February.

On Monday, Evers called a special meeting of the finance committee to take up both the PFAS spending and $15 million for health care providers in the Chippewa Valley after the closure of two hospitals there. Evers set the start of the meeting to immediately follow Tuesdays scheduled session.

Evers has been pointing to language in state law that says the finance committee shall hold special meetings upon the call of the governor or its co-chairs.

Republicans have rejected the claim, leaning on a Legislative Reference Bureau memo that concludes the governor cannot require the co-chairs to convene a meeting or take up any particular matter.

McGuire reminded the committee of the governors call early in Tuesdays meeting and was ignored. When Rep. Deb Andraca (D-Whitefish Bay) referred later to the next meeting, Marklein replied, Theres only one meeting today and youre in it right now.

McGuire retorted, The governor does have the authority to call those meetings, but Marklein and Born both ignored the assertion, and when the meeting was adjourned, the Republicans left.

What followed were dueling press releases.

Once again, Governor Evers made a disingenuous attempt to call the Joint Committee on Finance into a special meeting following his veto preventing relief for the thousands of Wisconsinites affected by PFAS contamination, Sen. Eric Wimberger (R-Green Bay), a finance committee member and one of the authors of the PFAS bill that Evers vetoed, said in a statement sent out by his office.

The committees Democrats sent out a joint statement of their own:

Its unconscionable that Wisconsin Republicans continue to play politics with the health and safety of our communities, the statement said. While Wisconsinites face the dire consequences of PFAS contamination and hospital closures, Republican lawmakers choose to evade their responsibility to act. Its time for them to prioritize the well-being of our state over partisan interests.

The post Lawmakers agree on opioid plan, remain deadlocked on PFAS, hospital funds appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
WASHINGTON  House lawmakers on Wednesday grilled school administrators who have seen a rise in antisemitic incidents on their campuses, a trend that has impacted their schools and classrooms across the country.

It is impossibly hard to grasp how antisemitism has become such a dominant force in our K-12 schools, Chair of the House Education Subcommittee on Early Childhood Elementary and Secondary Education Aaron Bean, R-Fla., said in his opening statement. Jewish students in their districts fear riding the bus, wearing their kippah to school or just eating and breathing as a Jewish student.

Lawmakers on the GOP-led House Education Committee called forth the three heads of public schools this week to explain how they've tried to address and prevent antisemitic incidents against Jewish students. A staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union also testified before lawmakers.

The hearing comes as Republicans have zeroed in on antisemitism on campuses amid their broader effort targeting American schools.

This specific subcommittee has drawn significant attention for highlighting the rise in antisemitism since Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Republicans on Wednesday repeatedly sought to portray education leaders as ineffective in their job to stymie antisemitic acts.

Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., questions David Banks, Chancellor, New York City Public Schools, New York City Department of Education, Karla Silvestre, President, Montgomery County Board of Education, Montgomery County Public Schools, Emerson Sykes, Senior Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union, and Enikia Ford Morthel, Superintendent, Berkeley Unified School District, at The House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education hearing on antisemitism in K-12 schools on May 8, 2024 in Washington.

College presidents' testimony, pro-Palestinian campus protests echo

The House hearing took place against a stark backdrop: Last year, three college presidents triggered a fierce backlash that stretched from their campuses to the White House and would prompt two of them to resign.

In a callback to that hearing, Bean kicked off the proceedings on Wednesday asking the administrators direct questions including whether Israel has the right to exist as a state, if the phrase From the river to the sea was antisemitic and if Oct. 7 marked a terrorist attack.

All three administrators offered answers that satisfied Bean. But the Florida Republican noted that the three college presidents who previously testified before Congress also gave similar rebukes of antisemitism, only for protests to engulf their campuses.

Congratulations, yall have all done a remarkable job testifying, Bean said. But just some college presidents before you that sat in the very same seats, they also in many instances said the right thing but then we watched the TV monitors and America watched the monitors of their campuses on fire with hatred.

The officials testifying included David Banks, chancellor of the New York City Public Schools; Karla Silvestre, president of the Montgomery County, Maryland, Board of Education; Emerson Sykes, a senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union and Enikia Ford Morthel, the superintendent of the Berkeley, California, Unified School District.

Top Democrat challenges Republicans on Donald Trump

While both Democrats and Republicans at the hearing agreed on the need to address the rise in antisemitic incidents across the country, the top Democrat on the subcommittee, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., directly challenged Republicans at the hearing to condemn former President Donald Trump, who has his own history with antisemitism.

Bonamici pointed out Trumps comments that there were very fine people on both sides at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville in 2017. The Oregon Democrat also noted that Trump had dinner with Nick Fuentes, a white supremacist and Holocaust denier.

I have not heard one word of concern from my colleagues across the aisle. In fact, what we have seen is consolidation of support for the former president, Bonamici said.

Bonamici asked Republicans to stand up if they condemned the former presidents past actions: Does anyone have the courage to stand up against this?

None stood up.

Republicans blast New York City administrator

Reps. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., went after New York City Public Schools Chancellor David Banks for keeping a principal of a high school that saw antisemitic incidents on the districts payroll.

How can Jewish students feel safe at New York City public schools if you cant even manage to terminate the principal of Open-Season-On-Jews High School? Williams asked. How can Jewish students go to school knowing that he is still on your payroll?

Banks contended that the district removed the principal from his post and that every employee who works in our schools has due process rights.

Stefanik slammed Banks for keeping the principal on in a different role: Whats very concerning about these hearings is that were getting lip service but a lack of enforcement, a lack of accountability.

Stefanik also took aim at a different series of antisemitic incidents in a different New York City school where students allegedly chanted Death to Jews.

Banks said he couldnt discuss that particular case because it was currently under litigation, but noted that an investigation did not find that students actually chanted Death to Jews.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) directs questions to David Banks, Chancellor, New York City Public Schools, New York City Department of Education, during The House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education hearing on antisemitism in K-12 schools on May 8, 2024 in Washington.

'We must fight hate in all its forms'

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., a former principal of a New York City middle school, largely praised the administrators for responding to antisemitic incidents in their districts.

The New York progressive blasted Republicans for using language around teaching hate.

Our teachers in our schools are not reaching hate. The majority of them. When I say the majority, I mean 99.9 percent, Bowman said. I have never seen that. Teachers make mistakes and teachers need to be educated and disciplined when necessary when they do make those mistakes.

Bowman questioned all the administrators on whether other forms of hate still exist in the country, to which all three answered in the affirmative.

We must fight hate in all its forms at the same time. I have members of Congress talking about teachers teaching hate, none of them have an education background by the way, Bowman said, pointing out that statues in the U.S. Capitol of figures from the Confederacy outnumber statues of Black figures. I work in an institution that teaches hate.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House lawmakers grill K-12 administrators over antisemitism: Takeaways
Lawrence ODonnell opened Tuesdays episode of The Last Word with a detailed look at Stormy Daniels testimony in Donald Trumps New York criminal trial earlier in the day.

And the MSNBC host concluded things went pretty bad for Trump, because based on comments he made during the trial, presiding judge Juan Merchan sent a signal to the ex-president that his defense attorneys did not do a good job in that section of the trial.

You can watch the full commentary at the top of the page now. Of note, ODonnell listed all the events, including the fact that Trump was threatened again with jail time for contempt because he was audibly cursing in court, which seemed to freak his lawyer, Todd Blanche, out. Lawrence also described Daniels testimony, which brought him to how Blanche attempted, at Trumps direction, to have a mistrial declared because of it.

ODonnell focused on how Blanche said Daniels testimony was extraordinarily prejudicial and you cant unring that bell for the jury.

The judge noted that he sustained almost all of the Trump attorneys objections to that testimony, ODonnell added, and then said in a very direct, professional insult to the Trump lawyers, quote, I was surprised that there were not more objections. That was a signal to Donald Trump that his lawyers did not do a good job in that section of the trial.

He then described some of how Trumps attorneys defended him, noting that one of them, Susan Necheles, wasted her time on a full hour of flat, unrevealing question-and-answer before ever getting to Stormy Daniels testimony about having sex with Donald Trump.

ODonnell further explained how Necheles used the word pornography several times to describe what Stormy Daniels does for a living. That led to the point where the attorney accused Daniels of attempting to extort Trump, which set Daniels up to simply answer false, which, ODonnell suggested, worked out poorly ahead of Daniels continued testimony on Thursday.

The post Lawrence ODonnell Says Judge Sent a Signal That Trumps Lawyers Did Not Do a Good Job With Stormy Daniels Testimony | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Permanent Representatives of EU member states have approved the transfer of funds from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. In particular, this refers to the proceeds from the taxable profits of the frozen Russian assets. A final decision on this matter has not yet been made, but the ambassadors' decision is the last step to put this mechanism into effect.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported by the Belgian presidency of the EU Council. They noted that the funds would be used for the restoration and defense of Ukraine.

"EU ambassadors have agreed on measures regarding the extraordinary proceeds from Russia's frozen assets. The money will be used to support the reconstruction and defense of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression," the statement said.

It should be noted that the decision of the Permanent Representatives must still be approved by the Council of the European Union. Only then will it come into force.

There will be no complete confiscation of frozen Russian assets

At the same time, the Financial Times previously reported that the G7 countries are no longer discussing the full confiscation of frozen Russian assets, despite Ukraine's insistence on it. Instead, they are exploring alternative ways to obtain financing from the frozen funds. For example, the United States has offered to raise funding for Ukraine through a loan or bond secured by future profits from frozen assets.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to opponents of confiscation, this step could set a dangerous precedent in international law. It could jeopardize not only the interests of any country at odds with Western capitals but also the international legal order.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, at the same time, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy set the government the task of ensuring that Russian assets frozen in the West are transferred to Ukraine. Therefore, a separate subgroup is being created to work on the issue of confiscation of Russian sovereign assets there.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Lawsuit seeks to change Alaska legislative policy on vetoes, but the plaintiff is offering a deal

Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, speaks Thursday, April 27, 2023, at a news conference in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, speaks Thursday, April 27, 2023, at a news conference in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

For the past five months, Alaska political writer Jeff Landfield has been quietly pursuing a lawsuit against Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton that could permanently change the way the Alaska Legislature handles vetoes by governors.

The suit, filed in January, asks a state judge to confirm that the Alaska Legislature must vote on whether or not to override a governors veto.

The Alaska Constitution states that legislators shall vote on veto overrides, but until this year, it had been the Legislatures regular policy to not hold an override vote if the leaders of the state House or Senate were in alignment with the governor.

Landfield is representing himself in court, and on Friday, Juneau Superior Court Judge Amanda Browning ruled that she was unable to consider the case because of a paperwork error.

Tilton, represented by attorney Kevin Cuddy, asked to have the case dismissed, but Browning declined that request and said that Landfield may refile the lawsuit.

I have no comments, Tilton said when asked about the lawsuit. Absolutely none.

After the ruling, Landfield made an unusual offer  he told Tilton by text message that he was willing to drop the lawsuit if the House hears a Senate-passed resolution declaring that it is the position of the Legislature that they shall meet on veto overrides.

Tilton did not respond to Landfields text message.

The resolution, from Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, passed the Senate on a 13-0 vote in April but hasnt received a hearing in the House. The resolution isnt formally binding but would add pressure on future lawmakers who seek to avoid a vote.

There are eight days remaining in the Alaska Legislatures regular session, and Claman said hes asked for a hearing but hasnt received it. Rep. Laddie Shaw, R-Anchorage and chair of the committee holding Clamans bill, said on Monday that he wasnt familiar with Clamans request.

A practicing attorney, Claman isnt involved with the lawsuit but said he thinks it has merit. He said hes not sure about whether Tilton, as a sitting legislator, may be at least partially immune from lawsuit, an issue that could develop if the case moves forward.

He didnt ask for Landfields support on the resolution, but said of the deal the writer presented to Tilton: That offer, to me, is pretty reasonable.

Landfield, a political independent, operates the Alaska Landmine, a website that publishes a blend of news and opinion about Alaska politics.

Flamboyant on other issues, Landfield kept quiet about the lawsuit for months.

Im not trying to make a spectacle of it, because I think its important, he said.

In Alaskas history as a state, the Legislature has not been consistent in its handling of vetoes. In the publication Alaska Constitution: A Citizens Guide, the author Gordon Harrison wrote that through 2011, the Legislature had met to reconsider fewer than 100 of roughly 450 vetoes. It voted to override half of the vetoes it reconsidered.

At the time of the suit, the Alaska House of Representatives had refused to meet to consider Gov. Mike Dunleavys 2023 budget vetoes.

The constitution is really clear on this, Landfield said, and although the House later changed its mind and voted to sustain the budget vetoes, it never considered the governors vetoes of two policy bills.

Landfield said he wants a firm declaration showing what the Legislature should do in case of a veto.

In his view, if a governor issues a veto during the first year of the two-year legislative cycle, lawmakers should vote in the first days of the second legislative year, unless theres a special session, in which case, the vote would take place during that special session.

Lawmakers wouldnt be able to vote on a veto in the second year unless there is a special session.

While Dunleavy is a Republican and most Republicans in the House tend to vote with the governor, Landfield said people shouldnt view this as a partisan issue. One day, he said, Alaska will have a Democratic governor, and that person should be held accountable as well.

Contacted Monday, he said he filed the lawsuit because he didnt think anyone else would do it.

Also, he said, Im a little bit excited about the idea that if the court rules a certain way, the second session on the veto override could be called the Landfield Rule.

Correction: The Senate vote on the resolution sponsored by Sen. Claman was incorrect in the original version of this article.

The post Lawsuit seeks to change Alaska legislative policy on vetoes, but the plaintiff is offering a deal appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital celebrated the grand opening of its new critical care expansion on Wednesday.

The expansion adds four floors, including a new cardiovascular ICU, and more beds for NICU and PACU patients.

Todays celebration marks a huge milestone in the hospitals history, bringing together employees, physicians, partners, and donors.

As far as childrens hospitals, this is going to put up on the top of the upper echelons as far as childrens hospitals in the country, said Le Bonheur President Trey Eubanks.

MPD: Woman fires shots at apartment with baby inside, injures man

President Trey Eubanks and Mayor Paul Young were equally thrilled to unveil the revamped space.

I think its important for us to celebrate the accomplishment of being able to serve more young people, doing cutting-edge research and expanding the brand, said Mayor Young.

The expansion comes less than 15 years after its opening in 2010. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rush Waller says the need for more space and resources became clear soon after the hospital opened its doors.

It was about five years into the new hospital being built that we realized we already need more space. The hospital stays very busy especially in the winter time, said Waller.

Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital is the only level four newborn intensive care unit in the region, which is the highest level of prenatal intensive care that can be provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Pine Bluff's Jack Robey Junior High School closed at the end of the 2023 school year. It opened in 1986. (Photo by Marianna McMurdock/The 74)

This article, published in partnership with the nonprofit education newsroom The 74, is part of a special series focused on the schools, students and educators of Pine Bluff.

PINE BLUFF  Eric Walden makes a lot of school visits near the end of the academic year, just as the weather turns warmer and the promise of summer vacation beckons.

Thats when the kids in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, start getting into more fights  or, as he puts it, when business is booming. Walden is the assistant chief juvenile officer of the local circuit court, charged with overseeing the probation of minor offenders across two counties. He also helps lead the citys Group Violence Intervention, a program designed to curb feuds in schools and neighborhoods before they take a deadly turn.

He and his colleagues keep a busy docket in Pine Bluff, a community of about 40,000 nestled in the Arkansas Delta. A stunning number of its residents are poor and unhealthy, but the citys abiding concern the last few years has been crime. Multiple analyses have named it one of the most dangerous places in the United States, with murder rates several times higher than the national average, and a tragically high share of the violence is committed by and against children.

The wave seemed to crest in 2021. That year saw a record 30 homicides, including that of a 15-year-old boy shot by a classmate inside Watson Chapel Junior High School. The building has since been demolished, its students relocated while awaiting the construction of a new campus. But Walden said the killing, and dozens like it over the past few years, have shaken young people in ways he can sense during trips to classrooms.

When we bring it up, we can feel the trauma in the room, Walden said. We know its hard: You were at school with Billy just the other day, and now hes gone. Maybe you know the kid who killed him, and now one is locked up and the other is deceased.

Little by little, Pine Bluff is in danger of being hollowed out, with Census data revealing that one out of every eight inhabitants either died or left town between 2010 and 2020. A number of factors are driving them away, from the areas relative lack of economic opportunity to its generally poor school performance. But among them is the specter of death hanging over middle and high schoolers.

A vacant house in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. (Photo by Marianna McMurdock/The 74)

As Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree told The 74s Linda Jacobson, without more trust that children will be safe in district schools, nobodys going to send their kid here, and well never raise our enrollment.

Both in Pine Bluff and across the United States, education authorities fear that pre-COVID levels of learning cant be restored until schools are made safer, with stronger relationships and more trust between students and faculty. Those fears are supported by a wealth of research showing that violence in schools is closely tied to lower academic achievement and life prospects. Students exposed to chaotic behavior, whether inside or outside of school, tend to learn less than their peers in well-ordered environments, and negative perceptions of school environment lead to lower attendance.

Related

Worry among families has clearly risen since the pandemic. In a recent Gallup poll, 38 percent of American parents  down somewhat since 2022, but higher than any other period in the last two decades  said they were anxious about their childrens physical safety in school.

Researcher Jennifer DePaoli said that while mass shootings like those in Uvalde and Parkland receive disproportionate attention in national news, the bulk of school safety problems stem from much less sensational causes.

Jennifer DePaoli, Learning Policy Institute

The conversation about school safety largely comes up after school shootings, and that really diminishes the acts of violence that students typically experience in schools, DePaoli told The 74. The bullying and threatening behavior really do make students feel unsafe on a day-to-day basis.

A changing gang culture

Walden has an unusually keen understanding of those everyday safety problems. He first moved to Arkansas two decades ago, at age 18, after a troubled childhood in Nevada and Kansas. Hed been involved with gangs as a teenager, even facing adult charges while still a juvenile.

I came to Pine Bluff to get out of trouble, he said, mingling a note of irony with real appreciation.

Hoping to stop local kids from making the same mistakes, Walden signed on as a youth mentor while attending the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He has been involved in the juvenile justice realm ever since, coordinating grants and working as a training officer before assuming his current role as the assistant chief of staff at the Sixth Division Circuit Court. When hes not supervising a dozen probation officers, he ministers to the faithful as associate pastor at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

Walden said the complexion of youth crime has changed significantly, and for the worse, throughout his career. He attributes that transformation in part to the nationwide evolution of so-called hybrid gangs, decentralized cliques of young men engaged in criminal acts with little planning or hierarchy. Where conflict in cities like Pine Bluff was once channeled through foundational groups like the Crips or Gangster Disciples, Walden said one recent case involved the killing of a young man by an acquaintance whod recently appeared alongside him in a YouTube music video.

Id give anything to get back the kids we were seeing 10 years ago because you knew what you were getting then, he remarked. The kids were dealing with now, theres no regard for adults or teachers. It doesnt matter if youre best friends, theres a good chance youll get harmed.

The Group Violence Intervention  an idea developed in the 1990s by celebrated criminologist David Kennedy and road-tested in an array of high-crime cities  was launched in Pine Bluff last year as a response to widespread concern. But it will also take a coordinated effort with state and even federal law enforcement agencies to suppress the gang violence problems in central Arkansas. In a single five-day span last July, the city saw four homicides of victims aged 17 or younger.

Erika Evans, president, Pine Bluff High School Parent-Teacher Organization

Erika Evans serves as the president of the Pine Bluff High School Parent-Teacher Organization. She said she was glad that her daughter attended local public schools and that her two older sons graduated as honor students. But safety issues needed to be taken seriously by everyone in the city, she added.

To have some of my childrens classmates killed, thats a grave concern for me, Evans said. We have to make sure that if we see something, we say something. Its a community effort, and you cant just say, Its not going to happen to me.

Always looking over my shoulder

As in other cities, most violence in Pine Bluff occurs outside of school. But too often, parents complain, it has spilled into classrooms and hallways as well.

When students returned from summer vacation in fall 2021 for their first year of full-time, in-person schooling since the start of the pandemic, a spate of brawls tore through Pine Bluff High School. Some victims said they were chased through the halls by groups of their classmates.

Such incidents may not grip the conscience of the community to the same degree as the school shooting at Watson Chapel Junior High, but they meaningfully impede learning for the affected kids. The high school was closed the entire day after one 2021 fight, and Walden said that in one district he works in, it wasnt uncommon for administrators to proactively send home students they believe to be instigators, or even targets, of violence.

(Chart by Johanna Lacoe)

If they get wind that a kid might be getting into it with somebody  even if the kid was a victim because he was threatened  theyd tell him not to come to school, he observed. We see a lot of that, kids getting put on virtual, because theyre trying to prevent situations from happening.

Results from social science suggest a connection between the fear of in-school violence and poor academic results. Some of the most compelling evidence comes from New York City, where a 2020 study used survey responses from over 340,000 middle schoolers to chart a clear connection between feelings of physical threat in school and lower standardized test scores; the academic harm was greatest in cases where students reported staying home from school because of safety concerns.

Data from other cities point to similar trends. A 2011 paper on perceived safety in Chicago Public Schools found that large numbers of both students and staffers worried about being victimized in school buildings  especially in areas where fewer adults congregated  and that schools enrolling larger proportions of low-performing students were more likely to see safety problems. Another study, this one based in Philadelphia, showed that the closure of underperforming schools led to a substantial decrease in crime in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Economist Matthew Steinberg, an author of both papers, said it was hard to identify a direct causal relationship because of the nature of the population enrolled in failing schools: largely disadvantaged students who are more likely to be exposed to poverty and instability at home.

Matthew Steinberg, Accelerate

Still, he added, it was undeniable that in schools with greater behavioral challenges, teaching and learning are often subordinated to the need for classroom management.

One needs only to have eyes and ears and to have lived in the world to know that if someone feels unsafe, it affects their ability to focus, Steinberg said. If Im a kid in school, and Im always looking over my shoulder, how does that support my learning?

Those sentiments were echoed by Stanley Ellis, director of education at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. Last fall, the institute received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to combat youth violence through partnerships between the Pine Bluff School District and several community and faith-based organizations. The funds will help target at-risk students for services and train school employees in trauma-informed education.

Pine Bluff has a very rich, storied history  a good history. We want students to be contributors to that history, and we need to reduce violence so they can be around to do that.

 Stanley Ellis, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Ellis identified social media as a particular conduit of stress between peers, through which bullying and conflict are carried over from school to the wider community.

Stanley Ellis, UAMS

It travels with you from school to the house, Ellis said. You cant concentrate in class because youre trying to respond to the negative stuff thats been said about you or your friends or your family members.

Recalling a rich, storied history

A native of the Arkansas Delta, Ellis said that Pine Bluffs reputation as a place of crime and disorder was belied by its much older record of achievement.

Freed slaves flocked there during and after the Civil War, establishing businesses and occasionally winning local office. Opportunity surged through the mid-20th century with the growth of employment in the defense and paper industries. While the emergent African American population there was also subjected to terror and lynchings during and after Reconstruction, he said, young people were inheritors of a legacy of uplift.

Pine Bluff has a very rich, storied history  a good history, he said. We want students to be contributors to that history, and we need to reduce violence so they can be around to do that.

Downtown Pine Bluff (Photo by Marianna McMurdock/The 74)

Sources agreed, however, that if the city is going to see a revival, it will have to stem the departure of its inhabitants, more than 10,000 of whom left over the last 14 years. One of the keys to that turnaround will be better academic performance from a school system that has recently posted some of the worst results in the state.

Many parents cheered last fall when the school district was returned to the control of local officials after years under state supervision. The handover is seen as a reflection of better financial management and real, if modest, growth in student performance.

Now Evans and other parents are looking forward to 2026, when the city has pledged to complete a new high school. Besides offering an upgrade in overall facilities, it is hoped that a new campus will offer new safety features  the existing campus, spread across multiple structures, is too diffuse for administrators and school resource officers to oversee, parents have complained  that will relieve students and teachers fears about disruptive behavior.

Evans, who helped lead the campaign to raise funds for the new building, said she hoped a renewed commitment to education would not only improve public schools, but also reset peoples expectations of what is possible in Pine Bluff.

When weve been out discussing the building of a new high school, we saw the community enthralled, she said. They were happy to see a brand-new school, and when you bring a new school, the mindset shifts: Here is an opportunity for improvement.

This story first appeared at The 74, a nonprofit news site covering education. Sign up for free newsletters from The 74 to get more like this in your inbox.

The post Learning amid chaos in the Arkansas Delta: What the school research shows us appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
At least 50 people detained at FIT protest: NYPD

At least 50 people detained at FIT protest: NYPD

Editors note: The above video aired on May 6, 2024.

CHELSEA, Manhattan (PIX11)  At least 50 people were detained early Wednesday morning during a protest at the Fashion Institute of Technology, according to the NYPD.

The NYPD said 41 people were issued a criminal court summons, while five were issued desk appearance tickets. At least four others are still being processed, according to authorities.

NYPD officers gun accidentally fired while clearing protesters at Columbia: police

The arrests come amid pro-Palestine protests taking place across college campuses in the U.S.

Columbia University recently canceled its university-wide graduation ceremony as a result of the protests. There have been hundreds of arrests at the Columbia protests alone, according to the NYPD.

Students have been calling on schools to divest from companies that support Israel.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Students at 360 High School on Thurbers Avenue in Providence students wait outside after school let out on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

Did state and city education officials shortchange multilingual learners at a Providence high school?

A judge could soon ponder that question in Rhode Island U.S. District Court, as a lawsuit by four families of students at Providences 360 High School chugs forward.

Jennifer Wood, executive director of Rhode Island Center for Justice and one of the attorneys representing the families, filed the initial complaint against the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) on April 22. RIDE replied with a request for a motion for summary judgment on April 26, which would effectively end the possibility of a trial.

On April 29, both parties offered up documents supporting their respective arguments: RIDE submitted a memo in support of their motion, while Wood and her team backed up their initial arguments with a motion for preliminary injunction, which would prevent the case from being so easily dismissed.

Now, both plaintiffs and defendants will have until May 13 to respond to each others motions. The judge will then presumably schedule a hearing on the cross motions, Wood said in an email Monday.

The case  officially known as Mezon v. Providence Public School Department  counts 360 High School parents Ysaura Mezon, Maria Pirir, Lucia Mejia and Juan Cruz Estevez among its plaintiffs. The parents, whose children all speak Spanish and are considered multilingual learners, allege that the impending closure of 360 High School violates federal laws requiring equal access to educational opportunities regardless of ones national origin.

Both PPSD and RIDE are named as defendants in the lawsuit, along with the Providence School Board and RIDE commissioner Angelica Infante-Green.

The decision to close 360 High School came from Providence Public School Department (PPSD), and was approved by RIDE, which has exercised state control over the citys public schools since 2019. Both agencies have said the closure is a merger, since 360 High School will be fused with Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex (JSEC), which resides in the same building on Thurbers Avenue. The Providence school department has previously said most 360 students will transfer to the newly merged school, the Juanita Sanchez Life Sciences Institute.

But the plaintiffs argument is that the closure will negatively impact teens whose needs are uniquely met by 360 High School.

These students accordingly stand to suffer lasting educational harm due to having the proverbial rug pulled out from underneath them with no prior warning by defendants, the April 29 motion for preliminary injunction reads.

Because the schools closure cannot be challenged at the state level, the document continues, the plaintiffs must instead appeal to the defendants violation of federal law  specifically, the Equal Educational Opportunity Act of 1973, which provides for public education for all schoolchildren  or, as the motions put it, expressly forbids placing new barriers in the way of MLL (multilingual learner) students and their parents.

RIDE, PPSD and Commissioner Infante-Green replied to the original complaint and filed their Motion for Summary Judgment on April 26. Three days later their attorneys submitted a full memorandum supporting the potential dismissal of the complaint.

These students accordingly stand to suffer lasting educational harm due to having the proverbial rug pulled out from underneath them with no prior warning by defendants.

 April 29 motion filed by four families of 360 High School students

The memorandums main argument  penned by attorneys Mary Ann Carrol and Aubrey Lombardo of the Providence firm Henneous Carroll Lombardo LLC  is that the complaint should be dismissed on the grounds of administrative exhaustion. This doctrine requires litigants to attempt relief from one court before petitioning another, which would render useless the plaintiffs argument that they cant appeal the school closure at the state level.

The education agencies attorneys cite a state general law, last updated in 1956, that provides a right to an evidentiary hearing before a RIDE Hearing Officer in education disputes.

The fact that RIDE approved PPSDs decision to merge JSEC and 360 does not render the administrative appeal process futile or inadequate, the memo reads.

The student body at 360 High School numbers approximately 335 students.In the 2022-2023 school year, the school demonstrated a 75% four-year graduation rate with about 38% of graduates enrolling in a postsecondary educational program. During the same period, English language arts proficiency was 8%, science proficiency was just under 5%, and math proficiency was 1.5%, according to education department data.

Pieces of evidence offered in support of the schools merger are 360s low assessment rates in multilingual learning and low graduation rate. The merger will save $1.5 million to $2 million for the district, the memorandum argues.

The defendants also argue that previous cases based on equal opportunity laws have seen federal courts reassert [n]o single tradition in public education is more deeply rooted than local control over the operation of schools, a quote from the 1974 Supreme Court case Milliken v. Bradley.

Plaintiffs here cannot meet even one of the elements necessary for a preliminary injunction, the defendants argue, noting that alleged damages are entirety speculative and Plaintiffs would only be irreparably harmed if the Court were for some reason to grant their request and force them to continue to attend a failing school, a result that would neither be equitable nor in the public interest.

But the plaintiffs have not given up on the idea that past cases might help secure the lawsuits continuation. In the request for preliminary injunction, Wood cites Issa v. School District of Lancaster, in which federal judges ordered a Pennsylvania school district to allow refugee students to attend a local, regular high school, instead of a special disciplinary school. In this case, the Court of Appeals upheld the preliminary injunction order, and ultimately ruled that the school district had violated the Equal Educational Opportunity Act.

In Issa, the court recognized that the harm caused by assigning MLL students to a school that poorly serves MLL students and their parents can constitute an actionable violation of the EEOA, the plaintiffs April 29 motion reads. RIDE/PPSD have done exactly that here.

RIDE and PPSD did not immediately return requests for comment about the litigations recent developments.

The post Legal battle over 360 High School continues in federal court appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, speaks with Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, on the floor of the Alabama Senate on May 6, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

A push to change Alabamas ethics laws for elected officials died in a Senate committee on Wednesday, with supporters saying they would try to bring legislation back next year.

Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said during the committee meeting Wednesday morning that HB 227, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, would be carried over. With just two days left in the 2024 regular session, there is not enough time to get the bill out for a vote.

I have been a practicing attorney for almost 20 years, a prosecutor for almost 12, Simpson told the committee after learning the bill had been carried over. I still, to this day, have to keep the Ethics Commission on call, to call them to find out if I can do something or if I cant do it. That is not right.

The bill was the latest attempt to address a series of changes made to the states ethics laws in 2010. The changes, pushed through by what were then new Republican majorities in the House and Senate, were touted at the time as the strongest ethics laws in the nation.

But lawmakers and interested groups began to reassess the laws after former House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, was convicted of felony ethics violations under the law in 2016. A commission formed in 2018 to study the issue focused on the definition of principal, or a person who hires a lobbyist, which was a key point in the Hubbard trial. One charge the speaker faced involved a person who sat on the Business Council of Alabamas board of directors but had no day-to-day interactions with the organization.

Increasing some penalties, reducing others

Simpsons proposal went through multiple iterations, increasing penalties for some offenses while reducing them for others.

In a proposed substitute developed for the Senate committee Wednesday, the punishment for bribing a public official would rise from a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to a Class B felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison if the value of the bribe is at least than $10,000.

The bill was modified multiple times as it was making its way through the House, the chamber where it first began.

Public officials may also be punished for accepting benefits based on the value of what they receive. A violation of less than $1,500 could be referred to the Alabama Ethics Commission to determine if a violation of the states ethics rules took place.

For items worth up to $2,500, the violation would be a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $6,000 fine. For items worth between $2,500 and $5,000, the violation would be a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison; for items worth between $5,000 and $10,000, a Class C felony and a Class B felony for items worth more than $10,000.

The bill also changes appointments to the Alabama Ethics Commission. Under current law, the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the Alabama House appoint members.

Simpsons bill would have removed the lieutenant governors appointment and added the Senate president pro tem, the Alabama secretary of state and, on an alternating basis, the minority party leaders in the House or Senate.

The bill would have also required the commission to have at least one prosecutor, one judge, and one criminal defense attorney, all of whom have served in those roles at least 10 years.

Commissioners with the Ethics Commission would retain the authority to impose civil penalties and restitution, along with issuing private warnings, public admonishments as well as consent decrees, according to language in the bill. But the attorney generals office would have to approve any penalties imposed by the commission.

The commission would have retain powers to train officials on ethics laws and issue opinions to clarify questions about the law. It would also conduct investigations and host hearings into alleged violations of the states ethics laws and the Fair Campaigns Practice Act.

The bill would also lower existing penalties for public officials voting on or sponsoring legislation on matters where they have a conflict of interest; for steering contracts or grants to organizations that may benefit them or their families, and for accepting gifts values at more than $100 for a single item or a total of $500 in 12 month. All three are currently Class B felonies.

Simpsons bill would have changed the punishments for conflict of interest and contracts and grants to civil penalties up to three times the amount of the benefit received.

For accepting gifts, a first violation would be a civil penalty up to twice of the benefit received; a second would result in a penalty up to three times the value of what was received, and a third and subsequent one would be five times the value.

Lowering the penalties has led to criticism from Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall. Marshall wrote in an editorial that the bill increased the amount of money officials could receive without violating the ethics rules and that it turned many current criminal offenses into civil ones.

Current law already provides for the non-criminal resolution of minor ethics violations, Marshall wrote. This bill assigns civil penalties (referred to by some as speeding tickets) to an array of serious and substantial violations of the public trust, regardless of the amount of money involved.

Simpson, however, said that the bill expanded the scope of what can be defined as criminal.

Simpson said the bill increases the instances of what can be counted as bribery and pecuniary benefit and addresses intent. If there is intent involved when violating the ethics code, Simpson said, it would be a felony. If that intent is generally absent, it would be a misdemeanor, he said.

Session-long controversy

Man in blue tielooking to his left

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall prior to the State of the State address by Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 in Montgomery, Ala. (Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector)

Simpson has argued that as constituted, the states ethics laws make it difficult for public officials to understand what comprises an ethics violation and what doesnt.

That it weakens the law in Alabama, that is the biggest misconception, Simpson said in an interview after the committee meeting. The laws are not being prosecuted as they are. They are not being prosecuted for a $35 lunch.

He added that if that law is not going to be truly enforced, then it needs to be made a civil matter so that it can be handled within that area.

Dont have it to where you can have a threat of putting someone away for 20 years on a Class B felony if you felt like prosecuting it, Simpson said. I am a career prosecutor. The last thing I want is prosecutorial discretion because it becomes a situation if someone is mad at me, if the ethics commission is mad at me, they can come after me, find some gap, and come after me.

But the proposed changes drew opposition from Marshall and Alabama Ethics Commission Director Tom Albritton, who said the proposal would weaken ethics laws.

The independence of the Ethics Commission is a fundamental principle, it is a national principle, and it is to be guarded for the goodwill of public servants primarily, Albritton said on Tuesday.

Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, told his colleagues Tuesday that he had serious concerns about the legislation, citing the work of the 2018 commission.

This bill seems to go far beyond those recommendations, he said.

The legislation died quickly on Wednesday.

It should be clear, even if you have to repeat it in the legislation, Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile told Simpson. It should not be left open to various interpretations. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate your work in this, and that I agree with you, it needs to be worked out. And it needs to be restored clear.

Simpson said he is currently deciding whether he will attempt to revamp the ethics bill next year.

We will see, he said. I am not saying no. I am not saying I am running away from the fight. I am saying we have to figure out where we are, what is going to change between now and next year.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Legislation to change Alabama ethics law dies in committee appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Yusuf Abdulle, executive director of the Islamic Association of North America, testified before a Senate committee saying Islamic religious institutions will be vulnerable to unjustified government interference if lawmakers don't restore a religious exemption. (Senate Media Services screenshot)

The Minnesota Legislature voted Tuesday to restore an exemption in state law protecting religious organizations and schools against claims of gender identity-based discrimination.

Last year, lawmakers modernized definitions in the Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. But no corresponding religious exemption was added for gender identity, so current law allows a church to discriminate against a gay applicant but not a trans applicant.

Some Republican lawmakers assumed it was an oversight, and introduced bills and amendments restoring the exemption, but earlier in the session, the majority Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party largely ignored their pleas, leading to passionate, angry debates in committee hearings.

Numerous religious groups pushed for what they said was religious freedom protected by the state and federal constitutions, arguing they should be able to employ people who adhere to their religious beliefs without the threat of civil rights litigation.

Republicans mobilized, calling it an unprecedented attack on religious autonomy.

But Tuesday, the Senate unanimously approved a bill reinstating the religious exemption.

True North Legal, which represents religious groups, had already threatened litigation, noting the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that the government cannot control religious schools hiring decisions.

Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, released a statement saying the vote was the result of weeks of negotiations.

Passing this amendment and the bill today secures in law the right we all have under the Constitution, Limmer said.

The House followed suit later Tuesday, and now the bill heads to Gov. Tim Walzs desk.

It was a stunning turnabout from the DFL reaction earlier this session.

When Rep. Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, suggested in a late February committee hearing that the DFL inadvertently forgot to include the religious exemption last session, committee chair Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn, DFL-Roseville, corrected him, saying, It was not an oversight.

Rep. Brion Curran, DFL-White Bear Lake, was visibly upset by religious leaders testimony in support of the exemption, calling it disgusting, infuriating, disrespectful and a direct attack on trans and non-binary people.

I am appalled that we are having this discussion, Curran said. Wheres the dignity in not recognizing our fellow neighbors?

Minnesotas first out trans lawmaker, Rep. Leigh Finke, DFL-St. Paul, said during the hearing that the state took big steps toward protecting peoples rights last year  opening its doors as a refuge for transgender people  and said lawmakers werent about to allow discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

Niska released a statement saying its not the language he originally proposed, but achieves his goal of retaining a broad statutory exemption for both sexual orientation and gender.

Both sides had to be flexible in working to resolve this issue and I think the finished product respects all Minnesotans, Niska said. It protects institutional autonomy and the rights of association for people of faith.

The post Legislature restores exemption allowing religious groups to discriminate based on gender identity appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
Russia continues to throw tantrums over the fact that France is allowing its troops to be sent to Ukraine. Another threatening tirade was made by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

ADVERTISIMENT

She said that French troops if they appear at the front in Ukraine, "will become targets for the Russian military." Zakharova's statement during the briefing was quoted by Russian propaganda media, and she also published it on her Telegram channel.

This time, on May 8, Zakharova was responding to "new bellicose statements by the French leadership," in particular, the words of French President Emmanuel Macron on May 2 that if Ukraine appeals to its Western partners with a request to do so, the issue of sending Western troops to Ukraine should be resolved.

"We have repeatedly commented on the irresponsible and provocative rhetoric of the French leader. It is characteristic that Macron himself explains such rhetoric by the desire to create some kind of "strategic uncertainty" for Russia. We have to disappoint him. For us, the situation looks more than certain. If the French appear in the conflict zone, they will inevitably become targets for the Russian armed forces," Zakharova said.

ADVERTISIMENT

The representative of the authorities of a state known for its indifference not only to the rights but also to the lives of its population suddenly became extremely concerned that the position of the French president "causes rejection among the vast majority of French citizens," but "Macron does not seem to be bothered by this."

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman's speech was not without the usual attacks on Western countries, which are not without reason afraid of a possible Russian attack, and the omnipresent and omnipotent "Anglo-Saxons," without mentioning them in almost every briefing Zakharova gives.

"We are not at all surprised by the manipulation by official Paris of the ancient myth of the Russian military threat to France and the whole of Europe, nor by the desire to justify the multibillion-dollar costs of the West's hybrid war with Russia in Ukraine. He is neither alone nor original here. It is difficult to understand the ease and recklessness with which the political elites of France, for the sake of the Anglo-Saxons, part with the traditions of military, political, and even intellectual sovereignty that existed in the past," Zakharova concluded her reaction with a set of words.

ADVERTISIMENT

On May 2, Macron made a new statement about the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine. According to him, no action can be ruled out given that the aggressor country, Russia, does not set any limits.

The French president noted that Europe has already spent billions to deter Russian aggression. Therefore, Moscow should not be allowed to win in Ukraine. Macron emphasized that Russia's victory would be a blow not only to the security but also to the authority of European countries.

This statement, as well as the hint by British Foreign Secretary David Cameron that London has no objection to the use of British weapons transferred to Ukraine to strike at Russian territory, almost immediately caused a "fire" in the Kremlin. Thus, Putin reacted to Macron's and Cameron's statements about troops in Ukraine and strikes on Russia by calling them "dangerous" and threatening consequences for Europe.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Monica O'Neal, a former AFSCME Local president and longtime vice-chair of the Leon County DEC, died May 7.

Monica ONeal, who was president of the now-disbanded local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3037 for Leon County and a longtime vice-chair of the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee, died Tuesday in hospice.

Family members from California and Texas were with the 63-year-old ONeal when she died at the Hospice Unit at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital shortly after midnight.

ONeal fought a long battle with kidney disease. More recently, she had been hospitalized for several months, including in the intensive care unit at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, where she was transferred to the Hospice Unit on Monday.

We have so many fond memories of her, said David Jacobsen, a former co-worker who often joined ONeal as a volunteer in events like the Democrats annual summer rally and barbecue at the American Legion Hall on Lake Ella.

You couldnt do this today, but when we worked at (the Department of Children and Families) and Lawton Chiles first ran for governor against (Bob) Martinez, Monica and I would show up with "Lawton Chiles for Governor" bumper stickers on our cars, Jacobsen said.

O'Neal was also a vice president and the state worker representative on Council 79, AFSCME's state-wide board.

When Gov. Charlie Crist left office in 2010, ONeal panned his farewell speech for failing to acknowledge state workers contributions to his administration.

Youve got a group of people who havent had a pay raise the entire time hes been governor, and he could have said thanks,  ONeal told the Tallahassee Democrat.

She served as vice-chair of the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee for several years under several chairs.

O'Neal always focused on doing 'what is right (and) fair'

In politics, its easy for your emotions to get the best of you. Monica was fervently passionate, but she never let the intensity cloud her judgment on doing what is right or fair, said Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor, who served four years as chair with ONeal as vice chair.

She is remembered as someone "dedicated to making a tangible difference in the world," said current DEC chair Ryan Ray.

"Monica was a profoundly positive influence on our Party for decades and she will be sorely missed," said Ray.

Ausman, who himself served as county chair for 20 years, praised ONeal's efforts as a labor leader and activist who knew how to turn out the vote.

Her successor in these areas will have to work hard to equal her dedication to the people of Leon County, Ausman said.

Rep. Allison Tant, D-Tallahassee, another former local and state Democratic Party chair, said ONeal served on the front lines of elections for decades and was whip-smart, tough and dedicated.

Leon Commissioner Bill Proctor added that ONeals death is an "eternal promotion for her" but a huge loss for the community.

Her strength, will and grit made her a champion 'Sistuh Soldier,'  said Proctor. Thank God for her life, works and sacrifices. Well done.

A funeral mass at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church will be held later this month. A family spokesman said Monica wanted to be remembered with donations in her name to The Refuge House, or Second Harvest of the Big Bend.

James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com and is on X as @CallTallahassee.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon County Democratic activist, labor leader Monica O'Neal has died
Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna announces a new firefighter program for students at Leon High School in collaboration with Tallahassee Community College on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

Leon High School is getting ready to set ablaze its new career pathway program in collaboration with Tallahassee Community College's Fire Academy.

Starting this fall, the school will offer a career and technical education track for students to pursue firefighting certification.

"It's a historic moment for us today," Leon Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna said in the school's parking lot. "It's just a wonderful program and it gives our kids one more option to look at as far as their career choice in the future."

Hanna said the program will be "the first of its kind" in Tallahassee.

The announcement was made Tuesday morning at the school affectionately known as "Big Red," with a Tallahassee Fire Department truck parked out front.

The school will have a classroom dedicated to the fire academy program, something the Florida Public Safety Institute at TCC believes is important for the learning experience. The institute oversees the fire academy operations.

Executive Director of the Florida Public Safety Institute Janet Hartman shares her excitement for a new firefighter program for students at Leon High School in collaboration with TCC on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

"It's incredibly significant that we start this in high school," said Janet Hartman, executive director of FPSI. "That dedicated classroom is going to help us create an academy environment, through this partnership, we are able to create a realistic environment."

Students enrolled in the class will graduate with 191 credit hours, fulfilling the Firefighter 1 course and will be able to go straight into the Firefighter 2 course at the with TCC's Fire Academy or become a certified volunteer firefighter.

Kermit Washington, director of the Fire Academy at TCC, said the program currently has 22 students enrolled and only offers a night class option. Students at Leon will get to complete the course during regular school hours, and train at the Tallahassee Fire Department's training facility on Municipal Way.

The program will also serve as a pipeline for students interested in seeking jobs with the Tallahassee Fire Department or other departments as professional firefighters.

Tallahassee Community College President Jim Murdaugh shares his excitement for a new firefighter program for students at Leon High School in collaboration with TCC on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

"The development of talent in our community starts in the K-12 system," TCC President Jim Murdaugh said. "Firefighting is a wonderful career. It is a career that pays well, it's a stable career, it's a career that we need people to go into in our community to keep us safe."

According to the City of Tallahassee website, firefighters annual salaries range from $44,177.71 to $70,729.93 with an average of $56,510.46.

TFD Chief Gene Sanders said there is a great need for local students to be exposed to the career field, because there is a greater chance they will stay in town to join the fire force.

"Tallahassee Fire Department is always eagerly looking for students who are doing well in school," Sanders told the Tallahassee Democrat.

"When you look at recruiting locally, you're getting students who are growing up in this community and as you give them opportunities to gain employment with the fire department or any public safety agency, they're going to stay, because they have invested interest in this community. That's the significant benefit of this program."

Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: TCC, Leon High launch firefighter career pathway program
Lessons on war and peace from one of Israel's few unsegregated schools

Lessons on war and peace from one of Israel's few unsegregated schools

Jerusalem  Every morning before she goes to school, 12-year-old Dariel Bardach-Goldstein tapes a number to her chest. It marks the days since her cousin was taken hostage by Hamas.

Dariel campaigns almost daily with her mother Rebecca, demanding a deal to bring the dozens of Israelis seized by Hamas during the group's Oct. 7 terrorist attack back home. But it hasn't been easy.

In the days immediately after the attack, Rebecca thought her daughter needed help.

Dariel Bardach-Goldstein tapes the number 202 to her chest before heading to school in Jerusalem, representing how many days her cousin has been held hostage by Hamas. / Credit: CBS News

"I spoke with her teacher right away, and we agreed that she should meet with the school counselor  and the school counselor is Arab, and I don't know her," recalled the mother. "Is that complicated? Will it be complicated?"

Israel reopens 1 Gaza border crossing, but key Rafah gate remains closed

Dariel goes to one of only six schools in Israel that is not segregated into Arab and Jewish students.

"That night, the school counselor wrote to me," recalled Rebecca. "She said: "My heart is with you.'"

"It was like this wave of feeling felt and heard and seen, and completely secure and confident," she said.

At the Hand in Hand school in Jerusalem, children learn both Arabic and Hebrew. History is taught by two teachers  one Jewish and one Palestinian.

Hanin Dabash also sends her children to the school. She told CBS News it gives them "the opportunity to say what they think  to talk about their fears, their future, their misunderstanding of what is happening I think the kids are normalized to listen to each other."

"We have family members of students in Gaza that were killed. We have teachers that send their children to the army in Gaza," said Principal Efrat Meyer. "And we pay attention to everyone."

Efrat Meyer, the principal of the Hand in Hand school in Jerusalem, speaks with CBS News at the elementary school - one of only six in Israel that does not segregate Arab and Jewish students. / Credit: CBS News

Meyer, who is Jewish, is in charge of the remarkable experiment. She told CBS News that the laser focus on simply listening to one another stems from several core goals.

"We want our students first not to be racists," she said. "To acknowledge the different histories and the sufferings of both cultures, and we know that students that graduate from here behave differently in society later."

To get them to that point, no topic can be taboo.

"We talk about our fear," explained Deputy Principal Engie Wattad, "and when we see the other side understanding and putting themselves in our shoes it's deeply comforting."

For students like Dariel, that means having difficult conversations.

"I've learned that it's hard for us to speak, because a lot of us are scared to share our thoughts," she admitted. "But we need to."

Principal Meyer doesn't attempt to portray her school's work  or any aspect of life in the heart of the troubled Middle East  as easy, but she said it helps to know that she and her colleagues are working to create a brighter future.

"The situation in Israel, it's not easy," she said. "I think that it's easier when you know that you are part of the solution... It's easier that you know that what you do now affects the lives and souls of students. It's easier when you talk about it, when you expand your knowledge. I find it harder to be outside of this school right now."

She knows peace may be far away for her country and for all of her students and their families. But they are prepared.

"When peace will be here, for us, it's not going to be a big change," Meyer said. "We have the skills, we practice it. We'll be able to teach other people how to do it."

Until then, she and her colleagues at Hand in Hand will continue arming their students with a weapon more powerful than guns or bombs: Empathy.

What we learned from Stormy Daniels' testimony in Trump trial

Violence erupts amid Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud

2 skiers killed, 1 rescued after Utah avalanche
RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE)  More than a dozen charges accusing him of kidnapping and repeatedly raping a teenage girl were not enough to keep Kevin Martinez behind bars. While out, awaiting trial in that case, the Rio Arriba Sheriffs Office said he shot and killed his neighbor. The neighbors family and First Judicial District Attorney spoke to KRQE about what they call repeated failures of the states justice system.

Elmer Sanchez, Jr. died the night of October 17, 2022, in his Hernandez, New Mexico neighborhood. We heard gunshots, his Mom, Yvette Romero, said. So, she called Elmer and thats when he said I just got shot.

On the night of his murder, Sanchez Jr.s family gathered at the hospital to speak with the Rio Arriba County Sheriffs Office to try to piece together how the shooting unfolded. And even the Sergeant handling their case was shaken up. Elmers the best guy ever, man. I cant even tell you guys enough, he told the family.

Elmer Sanchez Jr. (Courtesy of Elmer Sanchez, Jr.s family)

Elmer Sanchez Jr. with family. (Courtesy of Elmer Sanchez, Jr.s family)

Elmer Sanchez Jr. with his two kids. (Courtesy of Elmer Sanchez, Jr.s family)

Elmer Sanchez Jr. with daughter. (Courtesy of Elmer Sanchez, Jr.s family)

Elmer Sanchez Jr.s with son. (Courtesy of Elmer Sanchez Jr.s family)

Elmer Sanchez Jr. with fiancee. (Courtesy of Elmer Sanchez Jr.s family)

Elmer Sanchez Jr. with mom and sister. (Courtesy of Elmer Sanchez, Jr.s family)

Elmer Sanchez Jr. (Courtesy of Elmer Sanchez, Jr.s family)

Elmer Sanchez Jr. as a child. (Courtesy of Elmer Sanchez, Jr.s family)

Elmer Sanchez, Jr. with his sister. (Courtesy of Elmer Sanchez, Jr.s family.

Elmer Sanchez Jr. (Courtesy of Elmer Sanchez, Jr.s family)

At this point, the sheriffs office had one man in custody  Jr.s neighbor, Jerrid Maestas. He admitted to a road rage incident with Jr.s Dad before hearing gunshots. It was later learned that the father and son were returning from a quick trip to the gas station when the argument and shooting happened. The sheriffs office cannot pinpoint who had a gun or who shot first but said Maestas murdered Elmer Sanchez, Jr.

The moment we found out that my brother didnt make it was probably the biggest heartbreak that you just feel, Jr.s sister, Nyana Gutierrez said. His fiancee, Delilah Emanuel, added, He was a big caretaker. He was our rock. And not just with our little family, the whole family. Yeah, he was everything to everybody.

(Kevin Martinez)

Four months after losing him, Sanchez Jr.s family finds out police arrested the wrong guy. Emanuel shared, Its scary because he was our protector, so we no longer had him anymore. The sheriffs office said Kevin Martinez took Sanchez Jr. away from the family.

Body camera footage captured by deputies throughout the murder investigation showed they handcuffed and questioned Martinez on the scene. He told them, I know Jerrid  he yelled out his name. My name is Jerrid Maestas and I have a gun pointed to you.

It turns out, investigators said, pinning the shooting on Maestas was part of a plan crafted by Martinezs grandma before police arrived. The criminal complaint charging Martinez stated he had been arguing with Jr.s Dad all day, that he showed up to the shooting with a .22 caliber rifle, stood behind Maestas, and told him, Its me Kevin. I got your back before firing towards the Sanchezes. The document noted Maestas did not share this with police until more than a month after the murder because Martinezs grandma  his landlord  asked him not to. Conversations caught on body camera footage reveal her attempt to protect her grandson.



Grandma: Im sure my Grandson didnt shoot nobody.

Sergeant: Where does your Grandson stay when he is here?

Grandma: He stays with us sometimes. Sometimes he stays there.

Sergeant: You told me no one stays in there.

Grandma: Well, whenever he comes, its not like all the time, but



Grandma: He told me not to tell you guys he had a gun and he shot back.

Sergeant: Okay who told you that?

Grandma: Jerrid.



Officer: Do you think grandma was trying to throw us in a loop to get the blame off of him?

Sergeant: Its a good possibility.



Whats interesting here is Martinezs grandma should know where her grandson is at all times because, for the past two years, hes been under house arrest at her home on a GPS ankle monitor. A judge ordered those conditions of release after allowing Martinez out of jail, pending his trial on more than a dozen felony charges accusing him of kidnapping and repeatedly raping a 14-year-old girl in 2020.

I would argue that she was a terrible person to be monitoring him because, obviously, look what happened, said First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies.

Was the grandma vetted? The DA believes her criminal history was probably looked at, but thats it. She said the family can be a good placement for some but does not believe it was for Martinez. In this situation where he was sent back to Hernandez, New Mexico, which is a tiny community, and already has a crime problem, for him to be sent into that environment with these kinds of charges pending, its ridiculous, said DA Carmack-Altwies.

Her office filed a pretrial detention motion in the rape case, but the judge ruled they did not prove he was a danger to the community. These are the worst kinds of charges. If were not holding this guy in custody, then who actually gets held in custody? DA Carmack-Altwies asked. She told KRQE its possible Martinezs lack of criminal record likely also played a role in the judges decision. But she added, I would say that charges like rape, charges like gun crimes, homicide, those should almost be an automatic, that is dangerous.

The DA did make it clear she does not blame the judge, explaining Its the rules that he has to abide by and this negative that were supposed to prove. Well, we promise judge that he will commit another crime, so you better hold him in jail. Well, we cant look into the future, but  but we can make an educated guess about whats going to happen. And thats what happened.

Prior to the murder charge, Martinezs court record shows he repeatedly violated his conditions of release, racking up GPS monitor violations and failing to show up to drug tests. The DAs Office asked the judge more than once to put him in jail with no success.

Then, in September 2022, Martinez was caught shoplifting. DA Carmack-Altwies said that is more proof GPS ankle bracelets are not the answer for violent offenders. People can cut those off. People can ignore it. They can go to the Family Dollar and commit a shoplifting. So obviously it doesnt stop anything, she explained.

While a new charge could strengthen the offices request to put Martinez behind bars, DA Carmack-Altwies said petty misdemeanors, like shoplifting, do not go through her office. So, they were unaware. She explained it was on Pretrial Services to alert them and that did not happen.

A month later, the shoplifting charge was dropped when the deputy did not show up to court. That was just eleven days before the Rio Arriba County Sheriffs Office said Martinez shot and killed Elmer Sanchez, Jr.

The legal system is supposed to protect us. Its failed, his fiancee said. Big time. Shes now left to wonder what their wedding day would have been like while raising their two young kids alone.

You had a law-abiding citizen and, you know, never broke the laws and, he was let down, he was let down by the system and so are so many others. By the justice system, Jr.s sister said, and by their neighbor. I think at some point we have to take accountability for our family members who are living an unjust life, Gutierrez said. I really wish that the grandma would have some sympathy for the families that were affected. And maybe again, maybe, none of this would have happened.

Martinez is now behind bars awaiting trial for both cases. But, despite the GPS ankle monitor, it took police three months to find and arrest Martinez for Elmer Sanchez Jr.s murder. He was taken into custody in May 2023. The month prior, Rio Arriba County Sheriffs deputies tried to arrest him outside a store in Hernandez, New Mexico but court records show Martinez was able to get away. He faces new charges for that interaction with the Rio Arriba County Sheriffs Office, including assaulting a police officer with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment.

Jerrid Maestas was not let off the hook. Investigators said he agreed to not say Martinez was at the murder scene that night in exchange for Martinezs grandma not sharing with police that he had a gun. When the murder charge was dropped, the DAs Office charged him with tampering with evidence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
It is odd, if not outright upsetting, for a politician to publicly denigrate a concerned citizen in their city  an even odder choice for the Herald to publish it.

Renowned civil rights attorney Alan Levine recently expressed concern in an opinion article over how some Miami Beach politicians, Miami Beach Mayor Steve Meiner and Commissioner David Suarez, showed hostility towards those with whom they disagree, referring to recent demonstrations within the city.

Exemplifying the point, Commissioner Suarez publicly attacked Levine and his beliefs. More troubling is that Suarezs article appears to employ dehumanizing language, a tool of racial violence and ethnic cleansing, the very ills that Suarez purports to stand against.

Suarez asserts that ...university campuses all over America are overtaken by far-left terrorist sympathizers, proudly supporting Hamas and attempting to frame the mass murder and rape of Israeli women and children as social justice. The claim is not only factually incorrect, but it comes dangerously close to hate speech.

Students nationwide are calling upon their respective universities to divest from war, and specifically from Israels war against Hamas ravaging the people of Gaza. Of course, it is easy to find examples of bad actors or extremists on campus  as it was during the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War protests and even the contemporary Stand With Israel crowd.

Commissioner Suarezs characterization of students demanding divestment as terrorist sympathizers sounds like a racially coded attack on Muslim, Arab and Palestinian individuals, and those who support their cause  many of whom, like me, are Jewish.

I am privileged to have met student organizers in Florida and throughout the country. I am brought to tears both by their bravery, and by the abuses that they suffer at the hands of police. Many of these students are literal teenagers. Children, just like those kidnapped by Hamas. Just like those bombed in Gaza.

I believe it was irresponsible for the Herald to publish Suarezs comments, which attempt to conflate an entire anti-war movement with terrorism.

Adam Saper,

Miami Beach
University of Wisconsin students stage a protest against the war in Vietnam on Oct. 17, 1967. ( Neal Ulevich / Associated Press)

To the editor: In May 1967 I was finishing my surgical internship in New York City when I was drafted into the military. I spent 10 days at Camp Pendleton and was then flown to Vietnam, where I became a Marine Corps battalion surgeon. ("Don't denigrate pro-Palestinian campus protests by claiming the Vietnam War protests backfired," Opinion, May 3)

When I returned to California in 1968, the antiwar protests were all the rage. If I was seen on public streets in my uniform, I was pointed out and in some cases actually accosted. This occurred to many troops returning from their nightmarish experiences in combat.

Remember, many of us were drafted, not enlisted. These local demonstrations had a profoundly negative impact on the troops who came home. After a year of combat and deprivation for our country, we were accused of atrocities and bad conduct by citizens oblivious to what we had experienced.

I weighed 180 pounds when I went to Vietnam and 150 when I returned home. To face undeserved scorn was our welcome home. That experience was never forgotten by those who served.

In fact, the first stranger who said, "Thank you for your service," was a patient's wife in 1998. To extol demonstrations without regard to consequences is short sighted.

Stuart Fisher, M.D., Los Angeles

..

To the editor: Thanks to columnist Robin Abcarian for responding to those trying to trivialize the relevance of the antiwar protests on college campuses.

They are demanding that their schools divest from Israel and stop supporting its war machine. The Gaza solidarity encampments across the nation indeed are reminders of the restive events of more than five decades ago.

More than a half-century apart, the roots of both shows of defiance are still the same.

Then, the protests called out the American establishment's hubris and lies about the Vietnam War. Today, they are against the U.S.' brazen support to further Israels genocide in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrations in both cases represent a powerful and unified resistance to injustice, oppression and dehumanization.

Smear tactics are an old game in politics. Who can forget the dirty Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry?

Abdul-Majeed Azad, Columbus, Ohio

..

To the editor: Abcarian hopes the pro-Palestinian protests will be followed by "long-term positive change." At this point, I'm dubious.

What really concerns me is the possibility that the demonstrators will help grease the way for the election of former President Trump, who certainly is no lover of the Palestinian people.

A common theme among the protesters is dislike of President Biden. Many have declared they will not vote for him. I worry they will bring chaos to the Democratic National Convention in August.

The college student demographic, along with the campaigns of third-party candidates Jill Stein, Cornel West and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., can tip the balance in a very close race. Woe to us and to the world if that happens.

Lloyd Wright, Cypress

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Letters to the Editor: We can have wildlife protection and clean energy. These groups are showing the way

The L.A. Department of Water and Power's Pine Tree Wind Farm and Solar Power Plant in the Tehachapi Mountains is seen in 2021. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

To the editor: Sammy Roth's column on the need for a solar energy grand bargain in California paints a bleak picture of infighting and delays in the effort to build out renewable energy. But glimmers of hope can be seen, especially when it comes to balancing our need for both utility-scale solar and distributed energy such as rooftop solar.

Take, for example, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council's recent deal with offshore wind developers. They agreed to a phased approach to designating the boundaries of a marine sanctuary off the coast of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties while allowing the laying of cable transmission lines needed for offshore wind development. Good-faith negotiations have ensured that both the marine sanctuary and offshore wind will coexist.

Similarly, there's been significant cooperation between the renewable energy industry and proponents of the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument. After discussions, the two sides agreed on a path forward that opens the door for both new federal protections of pristine desert land and opportunities for responsible utility-scale solar development and transmission.

While the politics may be tricky and the road ahead uncertain, there are indeed precedents for a "grand bargain." These compromises show that the disagreements are not insurmountable and should not define the future of clean energy development in California.

Sander Kushen, San Gabriel

The writer is California press secretary for the Sierra Club.

..

To the editor: Roth presents an argument about rooftop solar that really doesn't exist.

Very few rooftop solar advocates have an issue with large-scale renewables; many believe in an "all of the above" approach. Our only position is that rooftop solar ought to be encouraged to grow  along with other renewable energy sources.

There has never been a concerted effort by rooftop solar advocates to limit large-scale renewables. In contrast, the utilities and their union supporters pursue policies that have the direct result of quashing rooftop solar.

So what's the grand bargain? Just stop attacking rooftop solar, and we go on our merry way.

Susan Dembowski, Pasadena

..

To the editor: Many environmentalists object to the killing of birds and bats by wind turbines, as well as solar power plants with deadly circular-mirror-array "light cones" that can incinerate birds in flight.

Meanwhile, Scotland has openly abandoned its "net zero" climate plan, and political leaders elsewhere in Britain are softening their calls to abandon fossil fuels.

If we really hope to combat global warming, we must embrace the deployment of modular nuclear reactors. These small and typically underground units enjoy vastly enhanced safety while emitting essentially no greenhouse gasses.

Wind and solar cannot responsibly meet the scale of our power demands. Our choice is to minimize global warming by embracing safe nuclear power, or to join political leaders in Britain in giving up the fight.

J. Philip Barnes, San Pedro

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This is part of How Originalism Ate the Law, a Slate series about the legal theory that ruined everything.

During her confirmation hearing in 2022, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson introduced herself to Congress as an originalist. This surprising move from a presumptively liberal justice signified to many the triumph of originalism as the accepted methodology of the Supreme Court. Jackson was following in the footsteps of Justice Elena Kagan, who famously declared that we are all originalists now during her own confirmation.

Kagan, however, came to regret that quip after watching her conservative colleagues implement a series of GOP policy preferences in the name of applying the Constitutions original meaning, which is what originalism claims to be. She is surely not the only progressive with second thoughts: The legal lefts embrace of originalism was a major influential development in the 12 years between Kagans and Jacksons elevation to the courtone thats arguably waning today, despite Jacksons appointment. After three terms of precedent-smashing activism by the Supreme Courts 63 conservative supermajority, almost always under the banner of originalism, the methodology looks more intellectually bankrupt, manipulable, and dangerous than ever.

Some liberals have responded with accusations that this supermajority peddles fauxriginalism, cherry-picking history to fit Republicans favored results. This allegation is certainly true, but doesnt answer the underlying question: Is it even a good idea to concede that the original meaning of the Constitutioneven if it could be reliably ascertainedis the authoritative one? Jacksons approach illustrates the benefits and risks of trying to beat originalists at their own game from the left. And with each passing term, the payoff looks smaller and smaller.

For progressives, the problems begin with the origin of the theory. Conservative scholars, politicians, and activists developed the idea of originalism in response to Brown v. Board of Educationyes, the decision that desegregated public schoolarguing that the Framers of the 14th Amendment would never have intended to integrate public education. They may have been right about that claim: The same Congress that proposed the 14th Amendment in 1866 segregated the District of Columbias public schools, while a supermajority of states that ratified the amendment also strictly separated education by race. That doesnt mean the push toward integration was the wrong move for our country and our 20th-century understanding of what equal rights ought to mean legally. Regardless, in the coming decades, the burgeoning conservative legal movement refined and pushed the theory to combat other contested Supreme Court decisions, including Roe v. Wade, Griswold v. Connecticut (birth control), Miranda v. Arizona (self-incrimination), Reynolds v. Sims (malapportionment), and Regents v. Bakke (affirmative action).

Today, originalism is the house style of the Federalist Society, the lavishly funded network of conservative lawyers who provide intellectual cover for the Republican Partys preferred policies. Its propounded, to some degree, by all six conservative justices, who have placed it at the center of their continual smash-and-grab campaign against progressive precedent. When the Supreme Court overruled Roe, its justification boiled down to a single claim: Abortion was largely illegal when the 14th Amendment was ratified, so it may still be criminalized today. When the court established a new right to carry guns in public, it deployed the same reasoning: People could allegedly carry guns in public when the Second Amendment was ratified, so they have a right to do so today. And when the court struck down affirmative action? Same story: The original meaning of the equal protection clause requires the law to be colorblind, the court declared.

This last decision gave Jackson an opportunity to flaunt her skills as a progressive originalist, as did an earlier case designed to gut the Voting Rights Acts remnants. In both, she delivered: The justice drew heavily upon the work of historians, like Eric Foner, who reject the colorblind conception of the 14th Amendment in favor of a nuanced interpretation that allows for race-conscious remedies to protect minorities equal citizenship. Jackson pitched this theory in a lengthy monologue during oral arguments in the voting rights caseher second day on the benchas if to warn her conservative colleagues that their bogus originalism would no longer go unchallenged. And perhaps her shaming strategy worked, since the court ultimately delivered an unlikely victory for the Voting Rights Act.

Jacksons approach here echoed the work of advocacy groups that seek to employ originalism for progressive ends, most prominently the well-respected Constitutional Accountability Center. The goal here is to engage with conservative judges on their own turf, demonstrating that their own methodology would actually yield a liberal result if they did it honestly. In short, these advocates try to out-originalist the originalists. And on select topics, the tactic can work marvels. Race is one example, since the conservative fixation with a colorblind Constitution so obviously contradicts the historical record. Federal power is another, since the Framers clearly gave Congress sweeping powers to regulate commerce. (Thats why Jacksons most important majority opinion so far is an originalist defense of Congress ability to create private rights through its spending power.) Many protections for criminal defendants, too, like the right to trial by jury and the guarantee against self-incrimination, have strong historical foundations.

Other liberties treasured by progressives, however, do not end up saved by progressive originalism. The Supreme Courts historical analysis in Dobbs may have been sloppy and inaccurate, but that doesnt change the fact that theres no evidence Americans thought the 14th Amendment safeguarded abortion back in the 1860s when it was written. Selectively deploying originalism when it bolsters progressive aims does not solve the underlying problem: that, as Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Todd Eddins has put it, the theory champions the views of the few white men who made laws and shaped lives during the mostly racist and misogynistic very old days. This flaw may be most pronounced in cases involving the civil rights of those whom the authors of the Constitution scorned or ignored.

Consider, for instance, a group of people who were excluded from the political processindeed, from public lifewhen the 14th Amendment was ratified: women. Sex equality is rooted in the amendments equal protection clause, which became law in 1868. During this period, though, in most of the country, women had virtually no rights at all. Married women could not own property, sign contracts, or file lawsuits under the doctrine of coverture, which subsumed their legal identity into that of their husband. Men could legally beat their wives under the doctrine of chastisement, which allowed for moderate physical violence in the home. As one court put it in 1868 while upholding the acquittal of a man who whipped his wife, the judiciary could not interfere with family government in trifling cases. (This history suddenly became relevant when the lower courts struck down a law barring domestic abusers from possessing firearms.)

Conservative litigants are not even shy about citing this evidence when defending discriminatory laws. South Carolina placed it front and center when arguing for same-sex marriage bans in 2015. The state cited congressional debates over the 14th Amendments impact on coverture laws that denied women equal citizenship. At the time of the amendments adoption, some congressmen fretted that the new amendment might restrict the ability of states to discriminate against women. Contemporaneous comments from the primary author of the 14th Amendment himself, Rep. John Bingham, assured them that the new promise of equality would not interfere with state control over domestic relations. His comments reflected a broad consensus from the time, reflected in the congressional record, that the amendment would not establish equality, or even a baseline of civil rights, for women. (South Carolina cited this history to show that discrimination against both women and gay people remained constitutional, by the way.) If the Supreme Court adopted this reading of the equal protection clause, it would have to overturn every past ruling against sex discrimination, making husbands the head and master of their households once again.

Progressive originalists generally respond to this obstacle by defining rights at a higher level of generality. The Constitutional Accountability Center, for example, argues that the equal protection clause forbids discrimination against women and gay people by outlawing class-based legislation. By denying rights to an entire group of people, the theory goes, the government condemns them to second-class status, stamping them with an impermissible badge of legal inferiority.

Its a fine ideabut is it really originalism? The answer probably depends on whether you want to salvage originalism or supplant it. If you want to salvage it, then sure: Its perfectly acceptable to define rights so broadly, on such an abstract level, that they can be squared with the original meaning of the Constitution. As George Washington University law professor Peter J. Smith has persuasively argued, that is in fact precisely what todays conservatives already do when mounting an originalist defense of Brown v. Board of Education. Evidence that the 14th Amendments Framers supported school segregation is overwhelming. So Browns defenders on the right define equal protection with sufficient abstraction to mandate integrated public education.

Should progressives want to salvage originalism, though? Why step in to shore up a flailing theory that was born out of contempt for Black children, women, and criminal defendants? A theory that the Supreme Court is currently manipulating to impose conservative policy goals like nationwide public carry under the thin guise of judicial review?

Because originalist justices like Clarence Thomas are so incredibly bad at interpreting history, cherry-picking facts and crediting debunked sources, it may be tempting to conclude that theyre just doing it wrong. But why do it at all? The strong argument for progressive originalism is the hope that advocates can convince conservative judges to issue liberal decisions if they just present enough historical evidence. That hope feels increasingly hollow. When Thomas is presented with proof that his past views were rooted in bogus history, he simply dismisses it. Activist scholars flood the nations law journals, which are not peer-reviewed, with tendentious or outright false historical claims, which conservative justices then cite as the gospel truth. This is less like a legitimate judicial or academic enterprise than like a scam to reverse-engineer outcomes to fit a partisan agenda. Pointing out inaccuracies is not going to change the outcomes.

With originalisms reputation so tarnished, maybe progressives should stop co-opting the rights brand altogether. Maybe they should embrace constitutional values like equality without squeezing them into a framework that was literally designed to shut out minorities from full citizenship. Maybe rather than trying to beat conservatives at their own game, progressives should present a competing vision of constitutional interpretation to the publicone which acknowledges that original meaning is often unknowable, and too frequently shackled to the antiquated views of dead white men. And maybe that would give disillusioned Americans a reason to believe in the rule of law once again.
Republican SOE candidate Tom Vail in Clearwater on April 24, 2024 (photo credit: Mitch Perry)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

At a press event in front of the Pinellas County Courthouse last month, dozens of activists gathered to hear presentations from a handful of insurgent GOP challengers running for supervisor of elections in counties throughout Florida. They held signs such as, Hand Count All Ballots, Must be a Citizen to Vote, No More Absentee Ballots and Clean the Voter Rolls.

Our leaders in Tallahassee proclaim Florida is the gold standard of elections, said candidate Dave Schaffel, running in a race in Collier County. Nonsense! Were being gaslit. Far too many of our election standards are substandard. And others arent enforced or acted upon by our supervisors of elections.

Another GOP challenger, George Umansky, mentioned how Democrat Gertrude Walker has been leading the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections office for nearly 44 years, having first been appointed to the position in 1980 by then-Gov. Bob Graham and re-elected 11 times since.

You heard that right. Forty-four years. Far too long for any constitutional officer, he said.

Historically, supervisors of elections have been among the least challenged offices when it comes time for voting every four years. But this year, organized conservative opposition has been sprouting up and confronting the status quo in offices of supervisors of elections. Meanwhile, some supervisors have had to fight off baseless allegations, disinformation, and questionable assertions made by the candidates.

Five of those insurgent challengers spoke at the press event last month in April, while two others had surrogates outlining their platforms.

Currently, 37 incumbent supervisors of elections are running without an opponent in 2024.

Allegations of dis-and misinformation

In his campaign website, Billy Christensen describes himself as a dedicated husband, proud father, Christian, and a true American patriot who has served our nation in various capacities.

He is challenging 12-year-incumbent Democratic Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer in Hillsborough County. Christensen said at the press event last month that he had personally witnessed concerning security threats in Hillsborough Countys election office, including exposed WiFi server and modem data connected to voting tabulators and unattended and unaccountable flash drives that contain sensitive voter data.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer. Credit: Supervisor of Elections Office website

Latimer counters that Christiansen doesnt know what hes talking about and labeled the criticism as being part of the mis, dis- and mal information playbook that my colleagues and I have been confronting for years now.

Mr. Christensen and others seem intent on using truly baseless allegations to undermine the publics confidence in elections, Latimer told the Phoenix in an email message. The flash drives he refers to are a critical component in ensuring the security of our tabulation process. Those drives  which did not contain any sensitive voter data  were used to download Logic & Accuracy test files from our air-gapped election server, so that the files could be exported to the Division of Elections, as required by the Department of State. I wish I could say that Mr. Christensens misguided allegation is due to his lack of knowledge  but my office provided this information to him in response to his public records request so there really is no excuse for making this false and misleading claim.

In Lake County in Central Florida, Republican Alan Hays has served as Supervisor of Elections since 2016. Hes now being challenged by Tom Vail, the first vice chair of the Lake County Republican Party who came up 400 votes short in a bid to win the State House District 25 seat in 2022. Vail was previously listed as a registered agent at Amys Orchids LLC, according to state records.

Vail has castigated Hays for his part in writing up a one-page document of legislative priorities for the 2024 legislative session from the Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE) organization that included six specific requests, included calling for legislation protecting election workers from harassment and threats, exempting election worker information from public record requests and exempting election workers from having to be screened by E-Verify (those requests when unaddressed during the past session).

They (FSE) wanted to enact a statute with a felon penalty for intimidation or harassment of election workers, Vail said. To me, this was clearly intended to threaten or censor anyone who questions elections outcomes or processes. Vail added that citizen volunteers in Lake County have made multiple records requests about voter rolls, undeliverable election mail, and election processes. And have been met with various forms of resistance from the current supervisor of elections.

Hays heard about Vail apparently distributing an alternative printed version of the legislative priorities, which he refers to as a legislative agenda sheet.

Lake County Supervisor of Elections Alan Hays (photo credit: Lake County govt.)

When I became aware of it, I went to him personally man to man, and told him the garbage that he has on the back of that legislative agenda sheet is full of lies, Hays told the Phoenix in an email.

He continues to lie about that legislative committee work and the Florida association of supervisors. Any reasonable person who read his garbage would recognize how absurd it is. But yet he keeps on parading the same garbage.

Vail responded by saying that that Hays hasnt proven that anything that hes said is an actual lie, and that his analysis is one of opinion and interpretation. All those six points on the legislative agenda look suspicious to me, Vail adds.

Election denying

The seven challengers from the press event in April are running explicitly on questioning the veracity of the 2020 presidential election, such as Schaffel, who is currently running a digital campaign ad that begins with an ominous soundtrack and a black-and-white photograph of the White House. Schaffel has called himself a 40-year IT professional, yet lists none of his professional credentials on his website.

Was our presidential election stolen? a narrator says dramatically in the ad. American voters deserve to know the truth. The machines  can they be trusted? Mail-in ballots. Were they all really legitimate? Joe Biden. Did he deserve to be president?

These candidates represent a significant portion of Republican voters who continue to express distrust in the integrity of American elections, writes University of South Florida associate professor Stephen Neely and Savannah Havird, a graduate assistant and research assistant at the USF School of Public Affairs, in a recent opinion piece written for the Tampa Bay Times. That distrust stems from the belief that Donald Trump, and not Joe Biden, was the winner of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

A survey of 1,500 Americans nationwide conducted by the Florida Center for Cybersecurity at USF that was published in January found that 54% of Republican voters dont believe that Biden won the election, and 54% of registered Republicans also said they are either not very or not at all confident that the 2024 election will be conducted fairly. A CNN/SSRS survey from last summer showed that 69% of Republicans and Republican-leaners said Joe Bidens win was not legitimate.

In Florida, where Trump defeated by Biden by more than three percentage points in 2020, top GOP officials immediately hailed the success of that election, but then went ahead and passed major election reform bills that imposed new restrictions on voter access in 2021, 2022 and 2023 that in turn prompted various voting and civil rights groups to sue the state, saying that such restrictions were a form of voter suppression.

But to some of the conservative activists running this year, those reforms havent gone nearly far enough.

Rumors are not facts

At the Leon County Courthouse in Floridas capital, voters could vote early in person or by dropping their ballots in a drop box. Credit: Diane Rado

Ion Sancho served as the Leon County Supervisor of Elections for 28 years, from 1989 to 2017. He believes that these conservative voting activists who are quick to criticize the system arent as well informed as they should be.

These individuals dont have a clue, he says, particularly of criticisms of Floridas vote-by-mail process.

Most of their charges are really not supported by evidence, which is why [Former] Secretary of State Laurel Lee, [Current Sec. of State] Cord Byrd, these state attorneys  when you cant bring evidence, your charges are not going to be deemed credible. As President Trump found out in 61 out of 62 court cases that he tried to bring in. Rumors are not facts. These individuals deal in rumors, fiction and quite frankly, theyve deluded themselves, based primarily on Donald Trumps lies to the American people.

Criticism of election officials and workers has reached the stage where 38% of them have reported experiencing threats, harassment or abuse, according to a Brennan Center for Justice report of more than 900 election officials published last week.

But there have been documented problems at local Supervisors of Elections offices that the GOP challengers are bringing up.

Umansky, the Republican running in St. Lucie County against Democrat Gertrude Walker, noted how she had been cited in a scathing report about vote counting problems produced by the Florida Department of State after the 2012 elections.

The Department of State said in that report that [d]espite well intentioned efforts, staff inexperience, and inadequate procedures compounded issues, resulting in additional technical and procedural errors. It went on to state that observers from the Department of State determined that there were at least four separate incidences of memory card failures, a number of ballot scanning errors during retabulation and an early voting recount, missing logs for ballot accounting, and incomplete official results.

Walker did not respond to the Phoenixs request for comment. But Sancho acknowledges that office had issues in 2012.

There was problems in St. Lucie County  Im aware of that because we were one of the individuals who came to their rescue, he told the Phoenix. The early vote tabulation was not correct. They had to refeed every ballot over again to get correct numbers, which they did.

In addition to the five candidates and two candidate surrogates who spoke at the Pinellas press event last month declaring their candidacies for office, there could be more challengers. The deadline for candidates to qualify for supervisor of elections ends on June 14.

As of May 7, here is the electoral situation in all 67 Florida counties:

GOP incumbents running unopposed (34)

Baker: Chris Milton

Bay: Mark Andersen to be replaced by Nina Ward (appointed by DeSantis in 2024- effective June 8)

Bradford: Amanda Seyfang

Calhoun: Sharon Chason

Clay: Chris Chambless

Columbia: Tomi S. Brown

Flagler: Kaiti Lenhart

Glades: Aletris Farnam

Gulf: John M. Hanlon

Hamilton: Laura Hutto

Hendry: Sherry Taylor

Highlands: Karen Healy (appointed by DeSantis in 2021)

Holmes: Rusty Williams

Indian River: Leslie Rossway Swan

Jackson : Carol A. Dunaway

Jefferson: Michelle Milligan

Lafayette: Travis Hart

Lee: Tommy Doyle

Levy: Tammy Jones

Liberty: Grant Conyers

Marion: Wesley Wilcox

Martin: Vicki Davis

Pasco: Brian Corley

Pinellas: Julie Marcus

Okaloosa :Paul Lux

Okeechobee: Melissa Arnold

Putnam: Charles L Overturf III

St. Johns: Vicky Oakes

Sarasota: Ron Turner

Sumter: Bill Keen

Suwanee: Jennifer Kinsey

Union: Deborah K Osborne

Volusia: Lisa Lewis

Wakulla: Joe Morgan

Democratic incumbents running unopposed (1)

Leon: Mark Earley

NPA incumbents running unopposed (2)

Franklin: Heather C Riley

Taylor: Dana Southerland

NPA incumbents being challenged (1)

Polk: Lori Edwards

Open seats: (8)

DeSoto:

Dixie:

Gadsden:

Gilchrist:

Orange:

Hernando:

Miami-Dade:

Monroe:

Competitive races: (18)

Alachua: Democratic incumbent Kim Barton vs. Republican Judith Jensen

Brevard: GOP incumbent Tim Bobanic vs. Republican challenger John Joseph Tobia

Broward: Dem incumbent Joe Scott vs. Dem challenger Russell Bathulia

Charlotte: GOP incumbent Leah Valenti vs. Republican David Kalin Jr.

Citrus: GOP incumbent Maureen Baird vs. Republican Tiffany Long

Collier: GOP incumbent Melissa Blazier (appointed by DeSantis in 2023) vs. two Republicans  David Schaffel and Tim Guerette

Escambia: GOP incumbent Robert Bender vs. Democratic challenger Carrie Young and Libertarian Stan McDaniels

Hillsborough: Democratic incumbent Craig Latimer vs. GOP challenger Billy Christensen

Hardee: Democratic incumbent Diane Smith vs Jessica Ussery DeFoor

Lake: Republican incumbent Alan Hays challenged by Republican Tom Vail

Madison: Republican incumbent Heath Driggers vs. Democratic challenger Donnell Davis

Manatee: Republican James Satcher (appointed by Ron DeSantis in 2024) challenged by Republican Scott Farrington

Nassau: Republican Janet Adkins vs Republican Stan Bethea

Osceola: Democrat Mary Jane Arrington vs. Republican Jim Trautz, Jr.

Santa Rosa: GOP incumbent Tappie Villane vs. Republican Cindy M. Hall

Seminole: GOP incumbent Chris Anderson challenged by Republican Amy Pennock and Democrat Deborah Poulalion

St. Lucie: Democratic incumbent Gertrude Walker challenged by Republicans George Umansky and Jennifer C. Frey

Washington: Republican incumbent Deidra Pettis vs. Republican Cara Griffin Steele

SEPARATE: (1)

Duval: Republican incumbent Jerry Holland was elected in 2023

NOT LISTED: (2)

Walton and Palm Beach counties.

The post Lies and garbage? FL election supervisors face challengers who question 2020 presidential results appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
LINCOLN COUNTY, Tenn. (WHNT)  A Lincoln County Schools employee accused of inappropriate conduct with a student has been suspended without pay, according to school officials.

Lincoln County Schools (LCS) sent a statement to News 19 confirming that an employee has been suspended without pay until an investigation is complete after they were accused of inappropriate and unprofessional conduct with a student.

School officials did not share the employees name at this time. Authorities have been notified, LCS said.

You can read the full statement from the school system below:

An employee was accused of inappropriate and unprofessional conduct with a student. The employee is currently suspended without pay, the authorities were notified, and the employee will remain suspended without pay until the investigation is concluded. Lincoln County Schools

News 19 will continue to follow this situation, and provide updates on-air and online as they become available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
It will take a lot of missiles to destroy the Crimean bridge illegally built by the Russians, because the crossing is quite large. Our military knows exactly where to hit to cause significant damage, but we need to time it right.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was stated by Illya Yevlash, spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in an interview with NV. He noted that there are certain places on the Crimean bridge that need to be hit to make it difficult to restore the railroad and roadway. Our specialists are working in this direction.

"We have already seen quite effective strikes against it, when explosions destroyed the roadway. They know where to strike, but they need time and timing. The Crimean bridge is now the most protected facility in almost the entire world. Air defense brigades have been deployed there, and it is very carefully guarded. Whenever there is a threat, the Russians make some kind of smoke, try to disguise it. They are very worried because they realize that there is a threat," Yevlash said.

He added that the destruction of the Kerch Bridge would weaken the capabilities of Russian troops in the occupied Crimea. The enemy would no longer be able to supply various types of equipment to the peninsula as actively.

ADVERTISIMENT

"This would have a serious impact, in particular, on the image, because we must understand that this bridge has become a symbol of Russia's triumph. And its destruction would psychologically look like a slap in the face, a component that would have a positive impact on our people and a very negative impact on the political leadership of the Russian Federation and demoralize the enemies in general," the spokesman noted.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the Crimean bridge connecting the occupied Ukrainian peninsula with Russia will sooner or later come under attack by the Ukrainian 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, said military expert, reserve colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Petro Chernyk.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Lithuania is ready to send troops to Ukraine for training, despite lack of request from Kyiv

Lithuania is ready to send its troops to conduct exercises on the territory of Ukraine, but official Kyiv has not yet sent a request.

Source: Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte in a comment to the Financial Times, European Pravda writes.

Details: Simonyte noted that she has parliamentary permission to send troops to Ukraine for training, which her government had previously proposed, but Kyiv has not yet asked for it.

Simonyte acknowledged that Russia would see this as a provocation; however, "If we just thought about the Russian response, then we could not send anything".

"Every second week you hear that somebody will be nuked," Simonyte said.

This week, Russia announced that it was conducting a tactical nuclear weapons exercise in response to comments made by Emmanuel Macron about potentially sending troops to Ukraine.

Simonyte doubted that Russia would actually use nuclear weapons against Ukraine, as the radioactive fallout would also affect Russian territory. "Most of the time the winds blow from west to east," she said.

The head of the Lithuanian government noted that Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, such as power plants, schools and hospitals. "Russia is trying to provoke a new wave of people who will flee Ukraine due to the lack of basic conditions and services," the Lithuanian prime minister said.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, for his part, supports discussions about the possible deployment of foreign troops to Ukraine for training.

Support UP or become our patron!
Lithuania remains open to the deployment of ground troops in Ukraine as part of training missions for Ukrainian soldiers, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said on Wednesday.

In a story published in the Financial Times the Lithuanian leader confirmed her previously expressed openness to this idea.

She said her country, which is a member of both NATO and the European Union, is prepared to send soldiers on training missions to Ukraine. There is parliamentary authorization to do so, but Kiev has not yet asked for it, she said.

Lithuania is one of the most determined supporters of Ukraine, which has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion more than two years. The Baltic state had previously expressed its openness to French President Emmanuel Macron's ideas about the deployment of Western ground troops in Ukraine. However, other states - including Germany - staunchly reject the idea.

Simonyte conceded that Russia would view the deployment of troops in Ukraine as a provocation, but she does not think Moscow would actually use nuclear weapons, despite a nuclear weapons exercise announced by Moscow on Monday.

"If we just thought about the Russian response, then we could not send anything. Every second week you hear that somebody will be nuked," she was quoted as saying in the report.

Simonyte also accused Russia of stepping up its attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure. This was aimed at wearing down the population and provoking further refugee movements from Ukraine, she said.
TAMPA, Fla.  One of the signature helicopters of special operations forces wont get the expected relief from a major replacement program now that it was canceled earlier this year.

U.S. Special Operations Command has relied on versions of the A/MH-6 Little Bird helicopter for decades. But while the commercial-turned-military aircraft has received a series of upgrades to keep flying, it will struggle to keep up with the formation in the coming years.

The Armys Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft program, or FARA, was seen as the solution. Planners expected that aircraft to begin replacing the Little Bird by the mid-2030s.

But the service canceled FARA in February.

That changed our equation because that was going to become the armed platform that was going to take the role of the [Little Bird], said Steven Smith, USSOCOMs program executive officer for rotary wing programs.

Speaking here Tuesday during the Special Operations Forces Week conference, Smith said the move would also push the use of the MH-60M Black Hawk helicopter into the 2050s or longer.

So now we dont have that solution available. We are going to be sustaining those aircraft for a long time, Smith said.

The Little Bird is built by personnel at the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Defense News reported as early as 2016 that USSOCOM was examining the strain and capability gaps of the aircraft. Only that command uses the aircraft, so it must pay the bill for any work on the platform. For other military aircraft, such as the Black Hawk or the Chinook, the command can benefit from regular Army upgrades.

In 2022, officials at this conference noted the Little Birds speed was slowing existing formations and could not keep up with future aircraft. To fill the gap, the rotary wing program director at the time, Geoff Downer, said the military would pursue hybrid power, or electrification, which would push speeds beyond the current maximum speed of 80 knots.

But thats no longer a near-term option. I just dont think the fundings there to support that electrification work, Smith said Tuesday.

Smith added that hes looking to industry for improvements to the drivetrain and rotor blades that could help with speed.

The aircraft is in the midst of receiving a next-generation tactical radio system, improved sensor systems and a new fuselage. The Boeing-built fuselage raises the gross weight limit to 5,000 pounds, up from the previous 4,700 pounds, which required multiple integrated kits, Smith said.

Those previously planned upgrades will keep the Little Bird flying until 2034, according to timelines shared during Smiths presentation.

Beyond that date, USSOCOM is looking for new solutions, he added.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A historic building is moving into the modern age with the final piece of the puzzle being lifted into place at Little Rock Central High.

A topping-out ceremony was held for the schools new science wing, marking the addition of the final structural beam in the buildings skeleton.

National Park Service grants $749,000-plus grant to Central High to preserve African American Civil Rights history

Once complete, the new state-of-the-art building will house science labs and classes and will also be the schools first new academic building since its opening in 1927.

The lifted beam had some decorations to mark the occasion: a Christmas tree symbolizing a safe project, two American flags and a tiger balloon in a nod to Central Highs mascot.

But it wasnt just the decor that made the ceremony special; the lead architect on the new science wing is none other than a Central High graduate herself.

The Little Rock School District set me up for a career in architecture, and so now I get to use my skills and my talents to give back to the district and to the city, really, lead architect Sarah Bennings said. So thats just really special to me.

Another alum, Michael Mason, president of the school board, added, Its almost 100 years old, all those facilities that we had when we were when I was in school in 1976, are still here. So, this upgrade means a lot for the community, students, for the future.

Recent Little Rock Central grad working to improve holocaust education in Arkansas schools

Also at the event, staff, students, and even the construction team were able to host a beam signing to leave their mark on the exciting new project.

School board members in attendance also pointed out that the new addition may open the door to other district updates with older high schools now the focus of potential upgrades.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
The Army has halted all live-fire training for 1st Special Forces Command, and its subordinate units, after a soldier was accidentally shot during a training event at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, last week.

The injured soldier was admitted to Madigan Army Medical Center on base and is in stable condition. The factors that led to the event are still unclear.

The 1st Special Forces Command issued a 72-hour safety stand down Tuesday through Thursday of all ranges with live and blank ammunition after the incident on April 25, said Maj. Russell Gordon, a spokesman for 1st Special Forces Command.

Subordinate units were instructed to perform a 24-hour amnesty turn, or self-check, in order to flag any improperly stored ammunition and take stock of all ammunition storage facilities. These units include Special Forces, Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations, and Sustainment elements. Unit leaders were also asked to perform a review of ammunition storage and gun range safety responsibilities to bolster the effort.

It was necessary to take prudent action now to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone, said Gordon in an emailed statement.

Soldiers with 7th Infantry Division and 1st Special Forces Group were both using the range on April 25, but 1st Special Forces Group was overseeing range operations.

The way ranges work, some group has to be responsible for the day, Gordon said.

The soldier who was shot was from the 7th Infantry Division, however, its still unclear what unit the soldier who accidentally fired the weapon with live rounds was from. The investigation seeks to clear that up.

According to Military.com, which first reported the incident, soldiers from the 7th Infantry Division, along with soldiers from 1st Special Forces Group, were engaged in a training event that uses blank rounds as standard practice. Somehow live rounds were mixed in and accidentally fired by a soldier using a M249 light machine gun. The investigation currently underway aims to decipher what exactly went wrong.

Our thoughts are with the soldier and their family during this difficult time, said Army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Jennifer Bocanegra in an emailed statement.
The Austin Community College board of trustees on Monday night certified an annexation petition from residents within the Lockhart school district to join the college's taxing district. In this file photo, students study at ACC's Highland campus.

The Austin Community College board of trustees on Monday night unanimously certified an annexation petition from residents within the Lockhart school district aimed at bringing that school district into the college's taxing district, opening the door to lower tuition costs and other resources.

Lockhart residents currently lack affordable and accessible higher education options, Nick Metzler, chair of the Greater Lockhart for ACC PAC, told the American-Statesman after the meeting. Becoming a part of ACC's taxing district would allow for more targeted workforce development in Lockhart.

Residents have previously tried initiating the annexation process, but this is the first time it has gotten ACC board approval, Metzler said, calling it a "monumental" move.

"This is an incredible step forward in gaining all of the benefits that ACC provides for residents within their district," Metzler said in a statement. "From upskilling, trades certifications, and general post-secondary education to bachelor's degree programs, ACC has grown to offer many opportunities that align with the needs of many greater Lockhart area residents."

Bats to Cats: Texas State, Austin Community College announce 'seamless' transfer program

ACC's board also approved a proposed service plan and set a public hearing date for June 25. After the public hearing, board members can order an annexation election, which would likely be set for November.

Annexation is determined by the Texas Education Code. If a vote is set and voters pass the measure, the Lockhart school district would officially join the ACC district. Property owners in the district would become subject to tax of $0.0986 per $100 assessed property valuation. The maximum possible rate under state law is $0.59 per $100.

In turn, residents would get in-district tuition  set for the 2024-25 school year at $85 per credit hour in tuition and fees, compared with $286 per credit hour for out-of-district students. Residents would also vote in ACC district elections and would be eligible to participate as early as January 2025 in the college's recently approved free tuition program.

ACC's proposed service plan has three phases, ending with a permanent facility in Lockhart.

In the first phase, ACC would also work with the Lockhart school district to offer career and technical workforce training on school property in the evenings and weekends. Residents would also have access to student support services, employee training, support programs, and degrees and certificates.

The next phase would involve ACC working with the local community to move into a new space, and the third phase would have ACC develop a permanent facility to address the workforce needs of the region.

"Lockhart, that area in general, is growing exponentially," Metzler said, speaking of the industry growth in the region. "Opportunities like this, access and affordability, is huge."

The Lockhart school district is currently in ACC's service area, but becoming part of the taxing district would allow it to become in-district.

Nicole Stephens, vice president of the PAC, said they have spent more than a year preparing for this.

"We have some great students in the community," Stephens said. "To move this far at this point is really exciting. It's just going to create some great opportunities for affordable higher education for these students."

More: How UT and Austin Community College are helping tackle semiconductor workforce needs

The last school district to hold an annexation vote was Pflugerville in 2018.

Steve Lewis, president of the Lockhart Economic Development Corporation, a city department that helps with business development, said in an emailed statement to the Statesman that the partnership could help Lockhart recruit major employers and support work needs.

LEDC is open to partner with ACC and other institutions for workforce training initiatives to offer postsecondary vocational training at an ISD facility," Lewis said. "The mega site located in Caldwell County is poised to generate large employment requirements and workforce development programs will be in demand.

ACC in a statement to the Statesman thanked Lockhart school district residents for their interest in joining the college's taxing district and emphasized that the upcoming public meeting is an opportunity to learn more.

"The beauty of this process is that the final decision rests with the voters. The college strongly urges residents to take advantage of the upcoming public hearing to learn about the annexation proposal and its potential impact on the community," ACC said. "The college values the input and feedback of all stakeholders and looks forward to working collaboratively to achieve the best future plans. "

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: ACC Board certifies annexation petition from Lockhart ISD
London MP Kate Osamor has Labour whip restored following investigation into comments on Gaza war

London MP Kate Osamor who got back the Labour whip after a row over a Gaza war social media post (PA Media)

London MP Kate Osamor has had the Labour whip restored following an investigation into comments she made about the war in Gaza.

A spokesperson for the party said: "The Chief Whip has today restored the Labour whip to Kate Osamor MP.

This follows a full investigation by the Labour Party into complaints received about a social media post she made in January."

In a post on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day, Ms Osamor had appeared to suggest the conflict in Gaza should be remembered as a genocide.

She subsequently apologised and was recently expected to get the whip back, according to Westminster sources.

Edmonton MP Ms Osamor, who served in Jeremy Corbyns front bench, said on Wednesday: "I am grateful to the Labour Party for their investigation into my conduct and I accept the outcome in full.

"I want to unreservedly apologise again for my comments. I made remarks which were insensitive, inappropriate, and which I apologise for and regret.

"I will continue to reach out to Jewish stakeholders and the community. I am committed to ensuring that I don't fall short of the highest standards.

"I look forward to continuing to represent my constituents of Edmonton in Westminster as a Labour MP."

In a post on social media, Ms Osamor had appeared to say that the war in the Palestinian territory should be remembered as a genocide, alongside atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II as well as other mass slaughters in Cambodia, Rwanda and Bosnia.

She was criticised by Labour shadow ministers for the comments and the party said it was generally accepted across the board as offensive to use the Holocaust to criticise Israel.

The decision to restore the whip to Ms Osamor will pile pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to do the same for veteran MP Diane Abbott.

Fellow London MP Ms Abbott remains suspended by Labour after she appeared last year to diminish racism directed at Jewish people.

In a letter to the Observer, Ms Abbott had said that white people such as Irish, Jewish, Traveller and redhead individuals did experience prejudice, "but they are not all their lives subject to racism".

The MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington apologised wholly and unreservedly but remains deprived of the Labour whip pending an independent investigation commissioned by party chiefs.

In March the veteran left-winger accused Sir Keir of being determined to keep her out the parliamentary party because of her frequent attacks on the leadership.

Some senior Labour figures had rallied round her after it emerged that top Tory donor Frank Hester had made racist comments against her.

Asked about the status of its investigation into Ms Abbott, the Labour party said it had no update to offer.

Ms Osamors return to the Labour ranks comes weeks after the party restored the whip to Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald, who was suspended in October after using the phrase between the river and the sea in a speech at a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

He said it had not been his intention to use language that would cause distress and that he bitterly regret(ted) the pain and hurt caused.

Criticism of Israel from some in Labour intensified after the UNs top court in January ruled that the country must do all it can to prevent genocide, including refraining from harming or killing Palestinian civilians, and must urgently get basic aid into Gaza.

Israel bitterly denies the allegation of genocide which was brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, and accuses foreign powers of double-standards by allegedly failing to hold Hamas to account.

The Palestinian terror group killed 1,200 Israelis in a series of raids on October 7. Israels resultant war in Gaza has left more than 34,700 Palestinians dead, according to the territorys Hamas-run health ministry.
Fatime Letifova

As stipulated in the 2020 ceasefire statement, a joint road and railway can be constructed from Zangazur territory, Azernews reports, citing the representative of the President of Azerbaijan on special tasks, Elchin Amirbeyov, as he told in a statement to the German newspaper "ZEIT".

He noted that through this corridor, Armenia can get out of isolation, collect transit fees, and improve relations with Turkiye.

Regarding the possibility of Armenia rejecting this offer, E. Amirbeyov noted that a road and railway can be built through Iran, which would be only ten kilometers longer than the Zangezur corridor.

E. Amirbeyov considered the worries of Armenians absurd.

The material published by the newspaper stated that the length of the strip of landfalling on the territory of Armenia is only 34 kilometers and it separates Azerbaijan from its exclave, Nakhchivan. In response to the question about the possibility of war, E. Amirbeyov emphasized that it will not happen at all. According to him, the exchange of military personnel between the countries is also a positive trend and it also serves to strengthen the trust between Baku and Yerevan.
On the night of May 8, the aggressor country Russia launched a massive combined attack on Ukraine, launching cruise and ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones. Energy infrastructure facilities and civilian buildings in seven regions of Ukraine came under attack.

ADVERTISIMENT

Air defense was deployed in the regions. The defenders of the sky managed to shoot down 59 out of 76 enemy air targets. Local administrations reported on the consequences of the attacks.

Details of the attack

In the evening, the occupiers launched a Kalibr missile submarine into the Black Sea. Also, at least three Tu-95MS bombers took off from the Olenya airfield in the Murmansk region.

Monitoring channels reported that the Tu-95MS were flying southeast. "The number of planes will be clarified over time. If the flight is a combat mission, the approximate launch site is Saratov region: 03:00, the Caspian Sea: 04:00. Accordingly, the approach of cruise missiles to the state border of Ukraine: 04-05:00," they warned.

As for the Kalibr carrier, it is a submarine, said Dmytro Pletenchuk, head of the Center for Strategic Communications of the Southern Defense Forces, on the air of the United News telethon. Russia launched this missile carrier into the Black Sea on the evening of May 7. Pletenchuk did not say how many Kalibr missiles were on the submarine.

ADVERTISIMENT

"The potential danger is being taken into account, and where exactly the enemy will launch the missiles will only be known when this process begins. All these processes are being monitored, and people will have time to respond to the threat of a missile attack," he emphasized.

After 2:00, monitors reported the launch of cruise missiles of the X-101/555/55 type from Tu-95 from the Engels airfield in Saratov region of the Russian Federation. An air raid alert began to spread across Ukraine's regions.

As of 3:55 a.m., the whole of Ukraine is "red", with Kalibr missiles being launched from the Black Sea.

The Ukrainian Air Force also reported a missile near Bilopillia, Sumy region (heading southwest). Another cruise missile was spotted from the south in Mykolaiv region, heading toward Kirovohrad region.

ADVERTISIMENT

Another Kalibr was launched from the south in the direction of Kryvyi Rih. Two more missiles were spotted in the area of Bilopillia in the direction of Poltava region.

Soon after, the missiles reached Kyiv region, where air defense forces were operating. There were also explosions in Zaporizhzhia, the city was attacked with ballistic missiles.

Kyiv region

The Kyiv regional military administration reported that air defense is operating in the region. Local residents were urged to stay in shelters. Air defense was also activated in the capital.

ADVERTISIMENT

Later, the Kyiv City Military Administration reported that the enemy attacked the capital with X-101/X-555/X-55 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers from different directions. The air raid alarm in the capital lasted more than three hours.

The air defense forces and its means destroyed all the air targets in the capital. Preliminarily, there were no damages or casualties.

Kyiv City Administration reported that the Russians attacked Kyiv region with kamikaze drones and cruise missiles.

ADVERTISIMENT

"There were no hits to residential or critical infrastructure. At the same time, the fall of debris was recorded in 4 districts of the region," the statement said.

Two people, a man and a woman, were also injured by the falling debris. They were taken to the hospital with multiple limb injuries and shrapnel wounds. The victims are being provided with all the necessary emergency assistance.

ADVERTISIMENT

In addition, damage to power lines was recorded. According to the city's administration, one of the villages is partially without electricity. Engineers are already working to restore the power. In addition, as a result of the falling debris, one private house and a utility room nearby were destroyed, and 14 other private houses and one car were damaged.

The Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office has launched a pre-trial investigation into criminal proceedings over violations of the laws and customs of war (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Zaporizhzhia

Russians also massively attacked Zaporizhzhia again, Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, said on Telegram. According to him, the occupiers hit critical and civilian infrastructure. There is destruction in the city. Preliminarily, there were no casualties.

ADVERTISIMENT

Vinnytsia region

There were also hits in Vinnytsia region, Serhii Borzov, head of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration, said. He noted that the enemy is attacking critical infrastructure. The missiles were in the airspace of the region for some time.

Ivano-Frankivsk region

The target of the occupants in Prykarpattia was an energy infrastructure facility, Svitlana Onyshchuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration, reported on Telegram. As a result, a fire broke out. Relevant services worked at the scene, and the fire was quickly localized.

ADVERTISIMENT

There were no casualties. The extent of the damage to the facility is being investigated.

Cherkasy region

The alert in the region lasted for more than four hours in a row, Ihor Taburets, head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, reported on Telegram. The defenders of the sky destroyed a Shahed drone over the Cherkasy region. The falling debris damaged one of the houses. No one was injured in the attack.

Lviv region

Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi also reported on the work of air defense. Russians attacked two critical energy infrastructure facilities in the Lviv region with Kinzhal missiles. Generation facilities in the Chervonohrad and Stryi districts were damaged.

ADVERTISIMENT

At 06:04, the air raid alarm was activated in a number of regions. In the western regions, it lasted for more than 2 hours, while in the eastern and some central regions it lasted for more than 5-7 hours.

According to the monitoring channels, the enemy used cimobined massive attack:

- X-101/555 cruise missiles, launched from at least 4 Tu-95s from the Saratov region of the Russian Federation;

- Kalibr cruise missiles, probably launched from a submarine in the Black Sea;

- X-59/69 guided aircraft cruise missiles from Su-34/Su-35;

- Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles;

- Shahed attack UAVs.

The X-101/555 missiles covered the longest distance of about 1,830 km before reaching Stryi, Lviv region. Some of the missiles were destroyed by air defense forces.

ADVERTISIMENT

Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said that last night Russia attacked electricity generation and transmission facilities in Poltava, Kropyvnytskyi, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia regions.

"The consequences are being clarified. Power engineers are already working to eliminate them. The enemy wants to deprive us of the ability to generate and transmit electricity sufficiently," the minister said.

Already at 06:26, the whole of Ukraine was "red" again because of the takeoff of MIG aircraft. At 06:55, the alert was canceled in the regions.

Ukrenergo reported that as a result of a missile and drone attack on Ukrainian power generation facilities, there was damage in the central region in particular. The company noted that emergency repair work will begin after the alarms are off.

ADVERTISIMENT

DTEK also reported that Russians attacked three of its thermal power plants. The shelling severely damaged the equipment. Power engineers are currently working to eliminate the consequences of the attack.

"This is the fifth massive shelling of the company's energy facilities in the last month and a half. The last time the enemy attacked DTEK's thermal power plants during massive attacks on March 22 and 29, April 11 and 27," the company added.

ADVERTISIMENT

Due to Russia's massive attack on Ukraine, Poland has sent fighter jets into the sky again. This was reported on the on country's Operational Command channel on X.

"Please note that the aircraft of Poland and its allies are operating in the airspace, which may lead to increased noise levels, especially in the southeastern part of the country. Tonight, there is intense activity of the Russian Federation's long-range aviation related to the launch of missile strikes on targets located on the territory of Ukraine," the statement said.

Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk reports that Ukrainian air defense systems destroyed 59 air targets: 39 missiles and 20 kamikaze drones. In total, the enemy used 76 means of air attack: 55 missiles and 21 attack drones.

ADVERTISIMENT

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that 350 rescuers and 100 units of specialized equipment are working to eliminate the consequences of today's attack.

According to him, 7 regions of Ukraine were attacked. Two people were injured in Kyiv region and one child in Kropyvnytskyi region. According to the minister, energy infrastructure facilities, about 30 residential buildings, public transport, and cars were also hit. In Zaporizhzhia, the building of a fire and rescue unit was damaged.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Watch the 1980 report from then-WOOD TV8 reporter Jim Childress in the player above.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD)  As residents deal with the aftermath of the apparent tornadoes that swept through southwest Michigan Tuesday, some may be reminded of a spring day in 1980, when a deadly tornado hit Kalamazoo County and left a path of destruction.

During a press conference in the Portage area Wednesday, State Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo, said the community recognizes the anniversary of the May 13, 1980, tornado each year.

Its a sad thing that well probably have two of those kinds of anniversaries in our communities now, he said.

Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller said things have changed since then.

That (1980) tornado did devastating damage downtown in the city of Kalamazoo, took five lives, he said. Today, were not talking about the loss of life. I think many things have changed over time, there are better alerting systems. Last night I had so many people come to me and say, We were  paying attention to channel 8, we had our radios on to tell us that its coming. They got alerts on their phones saying its coming. And so many people were able to take cover because of that.

Cleanup underway after tornado tears through Portage area

The tornado touched down around 4 p.m. on May 13, 1980, starting in a residential area in Kalamazoo Township before making its way through downtown Kalamazoo. It was on the ground for 25 minutes and traveled 11 miles.

It hit the Gilmore Department Store, killing two and taking off the wall of the six-story building. It flipped over cars and leveled homes.

In the end, the F3 tornado killed five people and injured 79.

According to a 1980 report from then-WOOD TV8 reporter Jim Childress, 47 homes were destroyed and 216 were damaged  1,200 were left homeless  and 116 businesses were hit.

The tornado caused an estimated $50 million in damage. Thats about $190 million in todays dollars, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

People at the time were surprised more people werent hurt or killed. There were some near-misses, like when the tornado came within a block of Bronson Hospital.

One woman, whose house was on one of the worst-hit streets, told WOOD TV8, at the time, that when she heard the rumbling, she grabbed her new puppy to run to her basement. But the tornado came so fast, she didnt have time to get there.

Buildings destroyed, trees down after tornadoes in SW MI

Her home was destroyed.

Its demolished. My furniture. All my possessions are ruined. Its gone, she said.

A file image shows damage left behind by the 1980 Kalamazoo tornado. (via NWS)

A file image shows the 1980 Kalamazoo tornado. (via NWS)

A man walks through downtown Kalamazoo after a devastating tornado on May 13, 1980. (File)

A file image of the destruction left behind by the May 13, 1980, tornado.

A file image of Kalamazoo after the May 13, 1980, tornado.

By nightfall that day, 600 police officers were in the city to help with the damage. Five emergency centers were set up, and a state of emergency was declared.

The city was under curfew, and the worst-hit sections were sealed off.

Michigans governor came to see the damage, and the citys mayor said it was the worst disaster in Kalamazoos history.

The city was left in shock.

You spend all your life hearing about how these things happen in somebody elses hometown. But even with the broken dreams and broken glass all around you, you are reluctant to accept it, Childress said in his 1980 report.

40 years later: The Kalamazoo tornado

WOOD TV8s Kalamazoo bureau was in the area of the tornado. The crew there had just enough time to get into the basement.

On the 40th anniversary of the tornado in 2020, Childress said his first thought wasnt safety  it was wondering where the cameraman was.

What I recall when we got outside was how surreal it was, Childress said on the anniversary. It was like the world had changed. It was a different city than it was when we went in that building and it was just surreal. It was very disorienting and it took you a minute to figure out what was going on.

Over the next two days, he said he only got four hours of sleep. For him, the tornado was personal. He would later find out that one of the people killed in the tornado was a college friend.

As he drove through the citys neighborhoods and saw the destruction, he recounted being flooded with emotion.

It changed the face of that downtown just in a blink of an eye, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
The California Charter Schools Association last month filed a lawsuit against LA Unified over its controversial new policy barring charters from using classrooms in certain district school buildings.

Its unclear if the CCSA will prevail in court, but the suit is already making an impact on the nations second-largest district.

LAUSDs new colocation rules were approved by the districts school board in February. The CCSAs suit seeks to prevent the district from enforcing the new policy.

Help fund stories like this. Donate now!

The suit alleges the new rules violate a 2000 state law compelling LAUSD and other California school districts to provide charter schools with classroom space that is reasonably equivalent to classrooms used by traditional public schools.

The new policy prevents charter schools from colocating with low-performing schools, community schools that provide social services, and schools in the districts Black Student Achievement Plan. It also prevents charter schools from being sited in places where they could siphon students away from district-run schools.

The restrictions would prevent charters from being sited at roughly 350 of about 770 public school buildings in the district, according to the CCSA.

Under the new regulation, impacted charter schools will still be offered space to operate in other LAUSD district buildings. But charter school operators and their advocates say the restrictions will prevent them from serving communities that need them most.

Representatives for LAUSD declined to comment on the litigation. In presenting the policy to the districts school board in January, LAUSD superintendent Alberto Carvalho said he believes the new regulation is legal.

Attorneys for CCSA and LAUSD will meet with a judge on July 12 to determine whether the case is ready for trial and to set a trial date.



Heres whats to know about the looming legal fight:

1. CCSA has a track record of legal victories, but a win in this case is no sure thing.

The CCSA has sued various California districts numerous times over the years, and has managed victories in the courtroom, including a 2015 win against LAUSD that forced the district to change how it was allocating space to charters. But David Bloomfield, an education law professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center, said the suit faces a legal challenge in part because the impact of the policy is still unclear.

The court may say, well, lets just see how this plays out, said Bloomfield.

2. Even without a legal victory for CCSA, LAUSDs regulation still may be modified or even abandoned

Carvalho created the districts new colocation policy only after LAUSD school board members last year issued a resolution calling for the restrictions. But though he favors district-run magnet programs as a tool for reform, Carvalho is not a vocal opponent of charters. At the presentation of the new rules to the board, he said they might have to be changed.

The regulations also passed the LAUSD board by a slim majority. Board elections in the fall could bring a pro-charter majority back in control, setting the stage for a resolution calling on Carvalho to alter or revoke the regulation.

3. The colocation policy may already be having a chilling effect on LAs once-booming charter school sector

Los Angeles Unified has more charter schools than any other district in the nation. But today it faces some serious headwinds. The district overall is shrinking, and LAs charter sector is dealing with a hostile school board, falling charter enrollment and the resumption later this year of charter renewals, after they were suspended during the coronavirus pandemic. Charter operators said the new colocation rules have already affected school staff morale and, in some cases, worsened their relationships with traditional public schools.

4. The impact of the regulation could vary, depending on how it is enforced

Officially, the new regulation will affect where schools can operate starting in the 2025-26 school year, but board members have instructed LAUSDs charter school office to take the spirit of the regulation into consideration in colocation decisions made this year.

There are currently 50 charters co-located in 52 LAUSD school campuses, with 21 charter schools located in buildings that fall into the categories identified by LAUSD as no-charter zones. CCSA officials said its not yet clear if the policy is already being enforced.

The new regulations provide an exemption for charter colocations, but only if there are no changes to those charter programs. Depending on how this point is enforced, more or fewer schools could be impacted, charter operators and the CCSA officials said.
Lujan Grisham and other Western governors call on Congress to expand compensation for downwinders

On May 1, Republican Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, chair of the Western Governors Association, and Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, vice chair of the organization, sent letters to several lawmakers asking them to schedule a vote. (Photo by Anna Padilla for Source NM)

A letter signed by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is garnering more support from several other Western governors calling on Congress to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, or RECA, which would widen eligibility for people poisoned by radiation from Cold War era nuclear weapons testing and manufacturing, known as downwinders.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Tuesday joined the call penned by the Western Governors Association to leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives on May 1. Lujan Grisham is the vice char of the association.

Coxs support comes as lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are considering two RECA bills.

One proposal would extend the deadline for compensation, which is set to expire this June, sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee in the Senate and Rep. Celeste Maloy in the House, both Republicans from Utah.

The other, sponsored by Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, would increase compensation, expand eligibility for certain uranium workers, and widen the current definition of an affected area to include all of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and Guam.

It would also include parts of Hawleys district near St. Louis, where creek water was contaminated by radiation during nuclear weapons development.

As of Tuesday evening, Congress has 14 days to pass an expansion or extension before compensation expires on June 10.

Cox told Utah News Dispatch in a statement that he wants to see the program expanded.

We support efforts to expand compensation for those affected by the nuclear testing that occurred throughout the West, Cox said in the statement. Its the right thing to do.

The statement comes on the heels of a similar push from Western governors urging members of Congress to support Hawleys bill. On May 1, Republican Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, chair of the Western Governors Association, and Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, vice chair of the organization, sent letters to several lawmakers asking them to schedule a vote.

The bill acknowledges that nuclear weapons production and testing has had much broader effects than currently recognized by statute, and Western Governors encourage you to expeditiously schedule the legislation for consideration by the full House, reads a letter sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat.

RECA was enacted in 1990  to be eligible for compensation under the act, Utahns had to prove they contracted certain types of cancer and lived in Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sevier, Washington or Wayne counties for two consecutive years from 1951 to 1958, or during the summer of 1962.

People who worked in uranium mines, mills or transporting ore in Utah from 1942 to 1971 were also eligible.

Downwinders could receive $50,000, with uranium workers getting $100,000.

Lee and Maloys bill would extend the same program thats been in place since 1990. But activists have long claimed the program was too narrow, pointing to ample evidence that all of Utah and other states in the West were downwind from nuclear weapons testing.

RECA also excludes people who had kidney cancer, certain kinds of leukemia, autoimmune disorders or other diseases that are linked to radiation. And Utahns who worked but didnt reside in eligible counties or lived just across an eligible county line cannot receive compensation.

Hawleys bill, which passed the Senate in March after a bipartisan 69-30 vote, would increase some payouts up to $150,000 while covering people who worked in uranium mines and mills up until 1990, extending the current timeframe by nearly 20 years. Uranium core drillers and remediation workers would also be eligible.

Hawley has said he hopes the expansion will be added to a bill expanding child tax credits. House_Leadership_RECA_WGA_correspondence

The post Lujan Grisham and other Western governors call on Congress to expand compensation for downwinders appeared first on Source New Mexico.
When it comes to Republican politics, its tempting to divide the party into two camps: A giant contingent fighting with great enthusiasm to return Donald Trump to power, and a smaller faction of fierce opponents of the former president.

But its not quite that simple.

Some in the party  such as former Attorney General Bill Barr, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Chris Sununu  have been sharply critical of Trump, but theyve nevertheless endorsed his bid for a second term. Others in the party, such as former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton and former House Speaker Paul Ryan, have said theyll write in the name of a different Republican on their 2024 ballot.

There are still plenty of other GOP partisans whove made clear that they dont want Trump in power  former Rep. Liz Cheney, former Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Mitt Romney, former Vice President Mike Pence, et al.  but they havent yet announced what they intend to do in the fall.

And then theres the most interesting group of them all: Republicans whove taken the extra step of announcing their support for the Democratic incumbent. As my MSNBC colleague Jahan Jones noted this week:

Unlike Trump, Ive belonged to the GOP my entire life. This November, I am voting for a decent person I disagree with on policy over a criminal defendant without a moral compass, Duncan wrote.

[T]he GOP will never rebuild until we move on from the Trump era, leaving conservative (but not angry) Republicans like me no choice but to pull the lever for Biden, the Georgian added. The alternative is another term of Trump, a man who has disqualified himself through his conduct and his character.

Duncans name might sound familiar. He was, after all, recently considered as a top contender for the No Labels operations presidential nomination, before he withdrew from consideration and the third-party initiative collapsed. Duncan also made headlines in 2020 for fighting back against Trumps efforts to overturn Georgias 2020 election results, and a year later he publicly denounced his own partys efforts to impose new voting restrictions on Georgias electorate.

The larger question, however, is how much company Duncan will have in the GOPs pro-Biden bloc.

By any fair measure, its an exceedingly small group. Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson has encouraged people to vote for Biden, and former deputy White House press secretary Sarah Matthews, said shes voting for Biden.

At least for now, thats more or less where the list ends.

I kept a close eye on this dynamic four years ago, and found quite a few GOP partisans  former Republican National Committee chairs, former Republican cabinet secretaries, former Republican governors and former Republican members of Congress  who publicly expressed support for the Biden-led Democratic ticket.

Will we see something comparable between now and Election Day 2024? Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Over the course of the last year, Donald Trump has been unsubtle in begging congressional Republicans to somehow intervene in his criminal trials and rescue him from possible accountability. Theres no shortage of problems with the former presidents appeals, starting with the obvious fact that lawmakers options are severely limited.

As I explained last month, short of defunding special counsel Jack Smiths office, Congress cant simply make ongoing criminal cases disappear at will.

Its against this backdrop that Republican Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene of Georgia is leading a new push  to defund special counsel Jack Smiths office. Roll Call reported on the Georgia Republicans clash with House Speaker Mike Johnson, and what she wants in exchange for letting him keep the gavel.

This dovetails with related legislation from Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida that would have the effect of stripping funding from the prosecutors office.

Johnson, not surprisingly, hasnt committed to defunding anything, though the Louisiana Republican appeared at a Capitol Hill press conference yesterday, dismissed the overwhelming evidence prosecutors have assembled against Trump, and insisted that Congress would address the former presidents prosecutions in every possible way.

Johnson: President Trump has done nothing wrong it has to stop and youre going to see the Congress address this in every possible way because we need accountability. All these cases need to be dropped because they are a threat to our entire system pic.twitter.com/Vvg6pQRU52  Acyn (@Acyn) May 7, 2024

If this sounds at all familiar, its not your imagination. It was last summer when more than a few GOP lawmakers sounded quite serious about using the power of the purse to effectively shut down Trumps federal prosecutions. It was a move that garnered predictable support from the former president himself.

Now, evidently, the issue has made a comeback.

In a way, I suppose theres something oddly refreshing about this approach: Weve grown increasingly accustomed to seeing Republicans endorse defunding federal law enforcement in general. Some in the party, however, are prepared to narrow their focus: They dont want to defund all of federal law enforcement, just one small part of it.

So, how concerned should Smith and his team be? Will federal prosecutors and investigators soon be asked to work for free? By all appearances, the answers are not very and probably not.

Simply as a matter of procedure, such a move would need to pass the Democratic-led Senate and be signed into law by President Joe Biden, and its probably safe to say that theyd have some concerns about defunding Smiths office.

Whats more, its an open question as to whether such a measure could even pass the House: The GOPs majority is tiny, and some Republican incumbents from competitive districts would likely be reluctant to link arms with their radical colleagues on such a gambit, especially knowing it would be ignored in the Senate.

But lets not lose sight of the fact that for some Republicans, this is a serious idea worthy of their time and consideration. Confronted with compelling evidence of alleged felonies, these GOP members believe the proper response is to not only intervene in ongoing criminal cases, but also to use the levers of power to defund prosecutors.

We continue to learn quite a bit about the contemporary Republican Partys approach to the rule of law, and none of its good.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Maddow Blog | Why Trumps rhetoric about his gag order is difficult to believe

It was last week when Donald Trump became the first former American president to be held in criminal contempt. Judge Juan Merchan found that the Republican had violated a gag order  nine times  that was supposed to bar the defendant from making any attacks on jurors and witnesses.

This week, the jurist once again cited Trump for violating the gag order, this time adding that Trump could end up behind bars if he continued to ignore it.

Soon after, the suspected felon said he would not be deterred by the prospect of jail time. In fact, as my MSNBC colleague Clarissa-Jan Lim explained, Trump suggested he was prepared to sacrifice himself on the alter of the First Amendment.

He did not appear to be kidding.

"I'll do that sacrifice any day" -- Trump on possibly going to jail for violating gag orders pic.twitter.com/Z8ICBjDtc6  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 6, 2024

To be sure, the posturing wasnt altogether new. It was just last month, for example, when Trump used his social media platform to declare that it would be a great honor to be jailed for violating a gag order. As part of the same boast, the former president compared himself  in apparent seriousness  to Nelson Mandela.

There are, however, two important things to keep in mind.

First, court-imposed gag orders are not unconstitutional. Trump is an accused criminal out on bond. As Judge Tanya Chutkan recently explained to one of the former presidents lawyers, the defendant is currently under the supervision of the criminal justice system, and he must comply with the conditions of release. He does not have the right to say and do exactly as he pleases.

Trump would have the public believe that his free speech rights have been curtailed, which has inspired him to champion the Constitution. Thats ridiculous.

Second, I cant help but notice that the presumptive GOP nominee hasnt exactly been eager to back up his chest-thumping with any actual, concrete steps.

Roughly 24 hours ago, for example, Trump published an item to his social media platform, not only whining incessantly about Merchan, but also complaining about Stormy Daniels scheduled testimony. Within minutes of posting the missive, the former president quietly deleted it without explanation.

I obviously cant read his mind, but its easy to imagine one of Trumps defense attorneys reminding him of the gag order, the incarceration threat, and the fact that his online rant specifically referenced a trial witness.

So, on the one hand, the public sees the former president presenting himself as a martyr, boasting about his eagerness to make a great sacrifice, and assuring Americans that itd be a great honor to end up behind bars.

And on the other hand, the public also sees Trump sheepishly backing down, apparently terrified by the prospect of jail time.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Madison Police ask for help locating 16-year-old girl

MADISON, Ala. (WHNT)  Authorities in Madison are looking for the publics help locating a 16-year-old last seen on April 28.

Horizon Noel Walker, 16, is described as a 55, 118-pound female with hazel eyes and brown hair.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Walker was last seen leaving the area of Brighton Park Way on April 28. She was wearing shorts, a t-shirt and sandals when she was last seen.

According to the Madison Police Department, Walker could possibly be in the Birmingham area.

Officials asked that anyone with information on Walkers location call Detective Slaughter at (256)772-5605.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Here are the major ballot measures to watch in 2024

Voters across the country are set to weigh in this fall on a host of key issues, from abortion to primary systems, through ballot measures.

Ballot measures have become a bigger election factor in recent years, especially as advocates work to push forward state-level abortion protections after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

A new ruling from the Federal Election Commission could also add fuel to ballot measure efforts nationwide, by allowing federal candidates to raise unlimited funds for groups working on the initiatives. Millions have already been poured into various measures this cycle.

Six months out from Election Day, here are the initiatives  both already on the ballot and still working to get there  to watch in key states.

Abortion rights

Efforts are underway in at least a dozen states this cycle to try and enshrine abortion rights in state constitutions, shoring up reproductive freedoms after the Supreme Court stripped federal protections for the procedure.

Measures are already on the ballot in Florida, New York and Maryland, and advocates are working on gathering signatures in key battlegrounds, like Arizona and Nevada, as well as redder states where restrictions loom, like Montana and Nebraska.

Organizers in Missouri and South Dakota last week announced theyd gathered enough signatures to move proposed amendments forward in both states, kicking the measures closer to the November ballot.

The abortion measures are the obvious big, big measures happening this year, said Christopher Warshaw, a political science professor at the George Washington University.

Everywhere where theyre on the ballot, they obviously have big, substantive applications [and] potentially, at least, could have political implications for the presidential race or other races.

Seven states have voted on abortion since Roe fell. Voters in Michigan, California and Vermont approved measures codifying the rights during the midterms, and Ohio passed its own amendment last year. Montana, Kentucky and Kansas have rejected restrictions.

The ballot measures are seen as a boost to Democrats as voters look to greenlight the measures and elect abortion-rights candidates.

In New York, a blue state where abortion is already legal and isnt under imminent threat, Democratic lawmakers nudged the effort forward amid hopes that it would juice turnout in several toss-up races that could be key to House control.

Primary restructuring

Open primary systems, which allow voters of any affiliation to vote in the primary of any party, could be on the ballot in several states this cycle.

In some places, voters could also decide whether to operate with ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to order candidates for the same office by preference. Just two states  Alaska and Maine  currently use the system.

Organizers are gathering signatures in Montana for an initiative that would amend the state constitution to implement an open top-four primary election system, which would mean all candidates appear on one ballot, and the four highest vote-getters advance to the general, regardless of party affiliation.

A similar effort for open primaries in Oregon was suspended back in February, but ranked-choice voting will be on the November ballot as a legislatively referred statute.

In Idaho, where primaries were open before the state GOP closed its system in 2012, organizers exceeded their signature goal to get a measure on the ballot that would create a nonpartisan, top-four system and let Gem State voters rank their choices.

Supporters submitted signatures Monday for a top-two open primary system in South Dakota.

And in Nevada, voters passed a ranked-choice voting change during the midterms. However, the state requires voters to give the system the green light in two consecutive elections in order to change the state constitution, according to The Nevada Independent, so the issue will be on the ballot again this November.

Meanwhile, in Alaska, an initiative qualified for the ballot that would repeal the Last Frontiers ranked-choice system.

They might not have that immediate impact that people see as affecting their day-to-day life, said Amy Dacey, executive director for the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University, of measures related to election operations. But they could have a big impact in those states on how elections are run.

Marijuana legalization

Another measure in Florida would change the state constitution to legalize recreational marijuana for anyone 21 years of age or older, with some limitations.

The measure would need to hit a high 60-point threshold to pass, but a promising University of North Florida poll from back in November found 67 percent of surveyed Floridians would vote yes on the amendment.

The Sunshine State push comes more than a decade after Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. It also comes as the White House plans to shift marijuana from a severe Schedule I drug, on par with methamphetamines, to the lower-risk Schedule III category.

South Dakota voters rejected an effort to greenlight recreational marijuana in 2022, but organizers are back at it again this year. The states deadline to collect the number of signatures required to qualify for the ballot was Tuesday. Organizers in North Dakota are also gathering signatures to legalize the drug, and a group in Nebraska is pushing to legalize medical cannabis through ballot initiatives.

Youre seeing basically a bunch of liberal ballot initiatives because the state government has sort of stymied the popular will on these issues over the last couple of years, Warshaw said of the abortion rights and marijuana legalization measures cropping up in some conservative states.

The ballot initiative tends to be sort of a thermostatic sort of offset for whichever party controls the state government, another way for voters to enact what they want.

Partisan school board elections

In another notable measure out of the Sunshine State, Florida voters will also decide this fall on a legislatively referred amendment that would make elections for school boards partisan starting in the 2026 cycle.

Right now, the elections are nonpartisan under a ballot measure approved back in 1998. The vast majority of states use nonpartisan systems.

But education has been center stage in Florida under Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who signed the so-called Dont Say Gay legislation and defended standards that limit how Black history can be taught in schools.

With three notable measures on Novembers ballot, everybodys looking at Florida, said Dacey.

Floridas measures on abortion rights and marijuana legalization are citizen-initiated efforts, but the school board elections matter was put forward by the states Republican-controlled Legislature.

Its interesting to see whos driving, trying to move these initiatives, Dacey said.

Voting policy

A measure on the ballot in Connecticut would allow any voter to request a mail-in ballot, doing away with a requirement for an excuse in order to obtain one.

Organizers in several other states are also pushing forward efforts to require voter identification, make voter registration automatic, or require random precinct audits.

An initiative in progress would amend the Ohio Constitution to set up a citizen independent redistricting commission for drawing congressional and state General Assembly maps. Current or former politicians, party officials and lobbyists would be banned from taking part.

Ballot measures around system tweaks are not uncommon, and can often fly under the radar as attention is pulled to more headline-making efforts, like the abortion rights amendments on the ballot this fall  but some of these efforts could have meaningful impacts on the way elections are carried out moving forward.

Measures on voting policy, open primaries and ranked-choice systems are big ones to keep an eye on, Dacey said.

Certainly, policy-related, legislative things will have an immediate impact, she said, pointing to the abortion-related measures. But then others are shaping elections for the future.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Russian occupation army is trying to prevent the delivery of a new large package of military aid to Ukraine from the United States and European partners. To this end, the enemy is attacking large logistics centers, in particular, near the city of Dnipro.

ADVERTISIMENT

This opinion was voiced by military expert Vladyslav Selezniov in an exclusive interview with OBOZ.UA. "The enemy will not strike at the territory of Germany and Poland, although Pentagon officials say that a considerable amount of military and technical resources are concentrated at bases in these countries," he said.

According to the expert, the pace and volume of military aid supplies will determine how the situation on the battlefield develops, particularly in the more tense areas of the frontline  in the Chasovyi Yar area and the Avdiivka sector.

Selezniov is convinced that the enemy's attacks, which have become more intense on railway stations near the city of Dnipro, on Synelnykove, and Pavlohrad, are not accidental. "We know that there are key railroad junctions in the vicinity of these settlements. Of course, the enemy is hitting our logistics so that we have problems with the rapid large-scale redeployment of our forces and means to the most threatening areas," he explained.

ADVERTISIMENT

The expert suggested that the enemy is "tracking the movement of military-technical cargo, starting from the western borders of our country." This causes "a headache for our logisticians" who have to "ensure the secret and safe movement of military cargo."

According to his estimates, the arrival of military aid to the front in volumes that allow us to destroy the enemy "in commercial quantities" should be expected no earlier than the end of May.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the White House said that Ukraine has already begun receiving military aid from the United States, provided under the 56th aid package worth about a billion dollars. They assured that the weapons would be quickly delivered to the defenders of Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT
Joseph Muscat will become the first ex-prime minister in the country's history to face criminal charges - Yara Nardi/Reuters

Maltas government has been plunged into turmoil after several top officials were accused of taking bribes.

A former prime minister, the current deputy prime minister and the governor of the central bank are among the most high-profile figures to be accused of taking bribes and money laundering in a multibillion-euro hospital deal.

Also embroiled in the scandal are politicians, lawyers, accountants and businessmen.

Public trust in the tiny Mediterranean islands institutions is already low after years of corruption allegations.

In 2017, Daphne Caruana Galizia, an investigative journalist, was killed in a car bomb, an assassination in which several public figures were accused of being complicit.

The latest scandal in the EUs smallest member revolves around a contentious hospital privatisation deal, worth around 4 billion, that has been the subject of a long-running investigation.

Joseph Muscat will become the first ex-prime minister in Maltas history to face criminal charges, including corruption in public office, accepting bribes, setting up a criminal association and money laundering.

Mr Muscat, who resigned in 2019 after members of his entourage were implicated in the murder of Caruana Galizia, denies the accusations.

If they werent so serious, the accusations against me would be laughable, he wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday. It will be my pleasure to dismantle each of these accusations and show how they are not built just on fantasies, but also on lies.

Officials implicated in the corruption scandal include (from left) former prime minister Joseph Muscat, deputy prime minister Chris Fearne, central bank governor Edward Scicluna, the former chief of staff to Mr Muscat Keith Schembri and former MP Konrad Mizzi - AFP via Getty Images

Chris Fearne, the current deputy prime minister who had been widely tipped to be appointed Maltas next European Commissioner, has also been swept up in the scandal and is charged with fraud and misappropriation. He denies the allegations.

Edward Scicluna, the governor of the Central Bank of Malta and a former finance minister, faces the same charges. He too has denied wrongdoing.

Keith Schembri, the former chief of staff to Mr Muscat, has been charged with soliciting bribes, money laundering and abuse of office. He also denies the charges.

If found guilty, they could face up to 18 years in jail.

The alleged scandal involves a deal drawn up by Mr Muscats Labour government in 2015 to hand over the management of three public hospitals to a private firm called Vitals Global Healthcare, despite it having no experience in healthcare.

After less than two years, it sold the concession to another company, Steward Health Care, without having made any of the investments it had pledged.

A court found evidence of fraudulent behaviour last year and annulled the deal. A higher court upheld that decision and ruled that there had been collusion between the companies and government officials.

Mr Muscat resigned in 2019 after members of his entourage were implicated in the 2017 murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia - Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters

It just shows that Daphne was right all along, Corinne Vella, the sister of the murdered journalist, told The Telegraph.

She exposed the shadiness of the hospital deal almost 10 years ago, even before it was officially announced. All the damage that has been done could have been avoided had her warnings been heeded. She was questioning it every step of the way.

The charging of Muscat doesnt come entirely as a surprise. But it is unprecedented. It is the first time in Malta that a former prime minister has been charged with high-level corruption.

Those charged are expected to face court in the coming days at the start of what is likely to be a long and complex legal process.

The murder of Caruana Galizia, who had spent years investigating corruption, shocked Malta and focused EU attention on the rule of law and freedom of the press on the island.

Yorgen Fenech, a businessman who is accused of masterminding the murder, is awaiting trial.

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.
VALLETTA (Reuters) - Malta's attorney general has filed charges of fraud and misappropriation of funds against Central Bank of Malta Governor Edward Scicluna and Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, court documents show.

More serious corruption charges have also been levelled against former prime minister Joseph Muscat, his chief of staff and a former health minister - all in connection with a hospital privatisation scandal dating back to 2015.

The charges follow a four-year inquiry instigated by the opposition Nationalist Party over a deal which handed management of three state hospitals to a previously unknown group, which had no experience in the medical sector.

The 30-year deal, which was conservatively valued at 4 billion euros ($4.23 billion), was annulled by Malta's highest court in February after it found fraud.

Scicluna was finance minister and Fearne was a junior health minister at the time of the deal. Scicluna, who is a member of the European Central Bank's Governing Council, has not commented on the accusations, but has previously denied any wrongdoing. Fearne has rejected the charges.

"I have absolutely no doubt that the court will find nothing other than my complete innocence," he said in a statement.

Muscat, chief of staff Keith Schembri and former minister Konrad Mizzi face charges of money laundering, corruption, bribery, trading in influence and setting up a criminal association. All three men have denied the accusations.

Muscat resigned in January 2020 after media revealed that he and Schembri had a close friendship with businessman Yorgen Fenech, who is awaiting trial for complicity in the 2017 car bomb murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Muscat has not been linked to the murder investigation.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has criticised the way the inquiry was conducted and has defended Fearne, saying he would remain in office and had no doubt about his integrity.

However, he has not confirmed whether he will press ahead with previously announced plans to nominate him next month as Maltas next European Commissioner.

No date had been announced for the formal court arraignments when the accused will be asked to file a plea.

(Reporting by Christopher Scicluna; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Angus MacSwan)
Man, 52, dies after being run over by SUV in South Madison neighborhood, woman arrested for DUII

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A 52-year-old who was critically injured in a crash early Saturday morning has died, according to Portland police.

Federico Pedro Pascual was near Northeast Halsey Street and 92nd Avenue when he was hit by a 2007 Toyota Sequoia SUV just after 2 a.m.

2 arrested after deadly officer-involved shooting in SE Portland

When paramedics arrived, they found Pascual injured and brought him to a local hospital. On Tuesday, officials announced he died.

Police arrested Nicole Land, 23, after she remained at the scene of the crash. Officers said she was noticeably impaired and arrested her on suspicion of DUII.

Frost Advisory issued days before possible 90-degree heat around Portland

Land was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on further charges of second-degree assault and reckless driving. The case is still under investigation.

Anyone with information about this crash is encouraged to contact Portland police.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Man Accused of Killing Laken Riley Allegedly Peeped Through UGA Staffer's Window on Same Day: Indictment

Jose Antonio Ibarra has been indicted on several charges including murder, rape and "Peeping Tom," per authorities

Laken Riley/ Facebook Laken Riley

A man who was arrested in February on accusations he raped and murdered Laken Hope Riley on the University of Georgia campus has now been accused of peeping through a female university staff member's window on the same day, per reports.

Jose Antonio Ibarra was indicted on 10 charges including murder, intent to rape, rape and "Peeping Tom," among several other offenses, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, 11 Alive and NBC News reported, citing the indictment filed on Tuesday.

Riley, 22, was found dead hours after she went jogging on the school's campus in Athens, Ga., on Feb. 22, UGA officials said in a statement at the time. An Athens-Clarke County coroner previously told PEOPLE the young woman died from blunt force trauma.

Ibarra, 26, was arrested the following day and later accused of disfiguring the skull of Riley, who was a nursing student at Augusta University, authorities previously said.

Clarke County Sheriff's Office Jose Antonio Ibarra

Related: Laken Riley's Father Speaks Out on Georgia Nursing Student's Death: 'I Just Hate She Was Taken So Early'

On Tuesday, more than two months since Rileys death and Ibarra's arrest, the suspect was indicted, multiple outlets reported.

Authorities say on the same day as Rileys murder, Ibarra allegedly accessed a university housing apartment "for the purpose of becoming a peeping tom in that he did peep through the window and spied upon and invaded the privacy of another alleged victim, according to the indictment, 11 Alive reported.



Related: Neighbor Says Laken Riley Often Walked Past Suspects Apartment, Close to Where She Was Found: Report

The evidence tampering accusation stems from police's alleged finding that Ibarra hid a jacket and pair of gloves to evade authorities, WGAU Radio, The Atlanta Journal Constitution and Atlanta News First reported.

The indictment also accuses Ibarra of asphyxiating [Riley] in a manner unknown to the Grand Jurors," Atlanta News First reported.



Laken Riley/ Facebook Laken Riley

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.

Related: Court Documents Detail Brutal Killing of Laken Riley, Georgia Nursing Student Slain While Jogging

The indictment further accuses Ibarra of pulling up articles of [Rileys] clothing in an attempt to rape her and then seriously disfiguring her head with a rock, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.



Ibarra is a Venezuelan citizen who entered the U.S. unlawfully in 2022, according to immigration authorities, CBS reported. He has not entered pleas to any of the charges and remains in custody, per The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A man was arrested after allegedly crashing a stolen vehicle into three garages in Topeka.

At 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to an injury crash at Southwest 16th Street and Buchanan Street. According to police, three detached garages had been hit by a vehicle, finally coming to a stop in the third.

When officers arrived they determined the vehicle was stolen. The driver fled on foot and was later located nearby, according to the Topeka Police Department.

Vehicle crashes into garage in central Topeka

The 34-year-old man from Topeka was arrested on the following charges:

Possession of Stolen Property

Driving without a License

Interference

DUI

Failure to Stop at Accident

Felony Warrant

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.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Man arrested in Laken Riley murder indicted, accused of peeping on UGA staff member on same day

The man accused of killing a nursing student jogging on a trail at the University of Georgia earlier this year has been indicted by a grand jury on ten charges.

One of those charges stems from a separate Peeping Tom incident involving a UGA staff member on the same day.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Laken Riley, 22 was found beaten to death on Feb. 22. A Venezuelan immigrant, Jose Ibarra, was arrested and charged with her murder.

RELATED STORIES:

According to the new documents filed Tuesday, Ibarra is now also charged with spying on a University of Georgia staff member. The indictment accuses him of going to an apartment at University Village Housing Building S and peeping through the window at the woman on the same day he is accused of killing Riley.

The documents did not indicate if the peeping incident took place before Riley was killed.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

The documents also charge Ibarra with asphyxiating Riley along with inflicting blunt force trauma to her head.

Ibarra was initially charged with seven counts: malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another.

The new indictment adds three charges including aggravated assault with attempt to rape, tampering with evidence and peeping Tom.

The tampering with evidence charge accuses him of hiding a jacket and gloves to attempt to keep him from getting caught.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Las Vegas man was arrested after two illegal shooting incidents and a standoff with officers that left local gym goers at a standstill near the 215 and Flamingo Road last week, according to police.

On Wednesday, May 1 Las Vegas Metro police responded to a home near Rainbow Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road after reports of an illegal shooting.

Man in police custody after west Las Vegas shooting investigation

A caller told police that they heard approximately five to 10 gunshots coming from a home in the area and noticed a broken window. The caller also told police that they saw a white Honda speed off and a black Infinity with Utah plates circling the neighborhood, according to a police arrest report.

When officers arrived they were approached by someone who told them they had heard four to five gunshots around 10:30 a.m. Officers also noticed the black vehicle with Utah license plates parked at a home nearby, according to the police report.

Officers then spoke to a woman at the home who explained that her boyfriend whom she identified as Joshua Damian shot multiple times into the air with a handgun in the backyard after she said they were arguing. The woman then told officers Damian had left with a friend, the arrest report stated.

A person claiming to be a relative of Damians called Las Vegas Metro police informing them they had been told that Damien was headed to a gym in the 9600 block of Flamingo Road near the 215, according to the police report.

Las Vegas police take man into custody as they investigate shooting near Flamingo Road and 215 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (KLAS)

Shortly after 1:30 p.m. a person called 911 to report a shooting at the gym previously mentioned. According to the police arrest report, two people inside a white sedan drove into the gym parking lot. The person seated in the passenger seat is accused of shooting approximately seven to 10 rounds into the air with a handgun, the police report stated. Then, the vehicle briefly left the parking lot but returned a short time after and parked in the lot near the front entrance of the gym, according to the report.

When officers arrived at the gym they were directed by onlookers to the white vehicle parked in the lot. The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody without incident and identified as Aaron Tainatongo, according to the police report.

However, the passenger identified as Damian refused to surrender, according to police.

Officers said that they treated the situation as an armed barricade and noted that Damian would exit the passenger seat and stand near the vehicle, however, ignoring officers orders while yelling incoherently. At one point, Damian was accused by police of coming out only wearing his underwear and even lowered his underwear to his knees, giving officers the middle finger, and even demanding that officers shoot him, according to the police report.

Officers then said they engaged Damian with a less lethal shotgun while the K9 patrol dog was deployed. However, police said Damian managed to get back into the vehicle and close the door, preventing the dog from being able to apprehend him, the police report stated. Eventually, Damian surrendered to the police and was taken into custody.

Las Vegas police take man into custody as they investigate shooting near Flamingo Road and 215 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (KLAS)

Las Vegas police take man into custody as they investigate shooting near Flamingo Road and 215 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (KLAS)

Las Vegas police take man into custody as they investigate shooting near Flamingo Road and 215 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (KLAS)

Las Vegas police take man into custody as they investigate shooting near Flamingo Road and 215 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (KLAS)

Las Vegas police take man into custody as they investigate shooting near Flamingo Road and 215 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (KLAS)

Las Vegas police take man into custody as they investigate shooting near Flamingo Road and 215 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (KLAS)

Las Vegas police take man into custody as they investigate shooting near Flamingo Road and 215 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (KLAS)

Damians girlfriend told police things between them were fine up until the past two weeks. She told police Damian had recently lost his job and alleged that he had been using marijuana and acting very strange, according to the police report. She also told officers that on that particular day, Damian woke up and appeared agitated and she decided to make him breakfast. While trying to talk to him she said he went outside and started to shoot his rifle into the air. That is when she told police she was scared but at no point did he point the firearm at her or threaten her. Then she told police he put the rifle on the counter and started to break the counter and throw things around the kitchen. That is when she said she called 911 and when Damian noticed he left with one of his friends, according to the arrest report.

Tainatongo, the man identified as the driver in the white Honda told police Damian called him around noon asking for a ride to the gym. Tainatongo added that Damian did not have any bags with him and that he did not know that Damian had a firearm on his person, according to the report. Tainatongo drove Damian to the gym and when the person Damian was there to meet was not there the two drove up the roadway in the parking lot. He then told police that he saw Damian hold the handgun out the window and start shooting, according to the police arrest report.

Tainatongo told police after the shooting whoever Damian was meeting called to say they were in the parking lot. That is when Tainatong said he dropped Damian off at the front of the gym. Tainatong then went to the gas station, according to the police report.

When Tainatongo returned a few minutes later he told police Damian came out of the gym and sat in the front drivers seat. Tainatong stood around until police told him to approach them, according to police.

Tainatongo alleged that the gun in the car belonged to Damian and that he left it on the passenger seat when he was dropped off. Tainatongo added that he moved the gun and put it under the drivers seat, according to the police arrest report.

Officers said they impounded a Glock handgun, an extended Glock magazine with cartridges, a Glock magazine loaded to capacity, an AR pistol, and 9mm cartridge cases during the police investigation.

Las Vegas Metro police said Damian faces the following charges:

Discharging a firearm where a person might be endangered (38 counts)

Discharging a firearm from a vehicle (14 counts)

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
EAST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM)  A man has been arrested and a woman is wanted for alleged sex crimes against a minor in East Hempfield Township from 2011 to 2013.

John Dehart, 56, of Washington state, was arrested in Philadelphia and extradited to Lancaster County in April, according to the Lancaster County District Attorneys office.

Dehart is charged with two felony counts of rape of child and multiple other sexual assault charges. He is currently being held in Lancaster County Prison with bail set at $1 million.

A second defendant Sarah Miller, 34, whose last known address in Nanticoke, Luzerne County, is also charged with two counts of rape of child and multiple other sex crimes.

According to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office, police believe Miller may also be going by Sara and using the last name Souder.

Anyone with information on Millers whereabouts can contact East Hempfield Township Police Department Detective Tyler Clisham at 717-898-3103.

On Dec. 1, 2023, the East Hempfield Township Police Department was also notified by the Manor Township Police Department of reported abuse by Dehart and Miller to a juvenile victim. According to the District Attorneys office, the report was disclosed by a witness in a separate investigation.

Sarah Miller (Courtesy Lancaster County District Attorneys Office)

John Dehart (Courtesy Lancaster County District Attorneys Office)

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Russian troops continue to arrive in the temporarily occupied Dzhankoy in Crimea to replenish the units fighting against Ukraine. Later, they leave the peninsula for the front.

ADVERTISIMENT

At the same station where trains with new recruits meet, mass transportation of wounded and killed occupants, in particular from the left bank of the Kherson region, was also noticed. The observations were shared by agents of the "Atesh" military movement of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars.

"Russian troops continue to arrive in Dzhankoy. "Atesh" agents record the arrival of new trains with replenishment every day. An interesting fact is that we also notice mass transportation of wounded and "200s" from the left bank of the occupied Kherson region at the station. The Russian military leadership continues to send the mobilized to the front, where the JFO will meet them and add to the statistics of Russian army losses," the statement said.

ADVERTISIMENT

The movement's Telegram channel also published photos showing both the newly arrived invaders and vehicles with the invaders who had already won back theirs.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!

ADVERTISIMENT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man was charged with assault after reportedly hitting a Metro employee with his car over a parking ticket.

Metro police said 24-year-old Jacobi Austin allegedly grew upset when a Nashville Department of Transportation employee wrote him a parking ticket on 6th Avenue North near Union Street on Monday, May 6.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

The victim told police Austin approached him and tried to slap the ticket book out of his hand. The victim continued to write the ticket for a Ford sedan that was parked illegally when Austin got into his vehicle and hit the victim with the car before driving off, according to investigators.

Austin was charged with aggravated assault, while the victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Jacobi Austin (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Austin is being held on a $50,000 bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Man convicted in Madison, Illinois ambush murder gets 75 years

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.  A Madison, Illinois, man was sentenced Wednesday to 75 years in state prison for a 2021 ambush killing and attempted robbery.

In March, a Madison County Circuit Court judge convicted Larry D. Lovett, 42, of first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

The Madison County States Attorneys Office said Lovett and another man, William Jenkins, gunned down Andre Hutson on Dec. 7, 2021, in the 1700 block of Wayne Lanter Avenue.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Lovett and Jenkins planned the robbery and ambushed Hutson. They shot him with a 9mm pistol and used a stun gun on him. Hutson was 38.

Jenkins, 46, was convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery. He was sentenced in August 2022 to 75 years in prison.

Lovett faces another murder charge in a separate case: an August 2021 fatal shooting in Granite City.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A man identified as a cousin of Rabbi Meir Kahane  the controversial founder of the Jewish Defense League assassinated in a Manhattan hotel  has been arrested for ramming his car into a pro-Palestinian protester on the Upper East Side.

Reuven Kahane, a 57-year-old real estate developer, was arrested at Park Ave. and E. 72nd St. by police following the clash with protesters picketing the home of a Barnard College trustee Tuesday morning, cops said.

Protesters quickly identified Reuven Kahane as a cousin of Meir Kahane, and on Wednesday the Times of Israel reported the same. Reuven Kahane has also been identified as a cousin of the firebrand rabbi in past media reports through the decades.

Kahane and his lawyer declined at court to discuss the case or his relationship to Meir Kahane.

We havent seen his family tree, so we cant comment, said the lawyer, Sara Shulevitz.

Meir Kahane was barred from Israels parliament for anti-Arab views before being gunned down in 1990. His assassin, El Sayyid Nosair, was an adherent of the blind sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, whose sect was linked to the 9/11 attacks. Nosair was also convicted of involvement in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

The homes of four Columbia and Barnard College trustees were picketed early Tuesday. At Park Ave. and E. 72nd St., the police said about 25 pro-Palestinian demonstrators started protesting at about 8:45 a.m.

The arresting officer observed the incident and witnessed the defendant continue to move into the crosswalk in spite of multiple people crossing at the crosswalk, the prosecutor said during Reuven Kahanes arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court Wednesday morning.

The allegation is that the victim placed her hands on front of the vehicle to signal the defendant to stop, and the defendant nonetheless moved forward with his vehicle, causing her to suffer back pain, leg pain and other injuries.

Reuven Kahane, wearing a blue hoodie that read In Jah we trust and find peace, was arraigned on felony assault charges and released without bail. He did not speak in court or to reporters.

Prosecutors requested supervised release, noting though it was his first arrest, the seriousness of the charge merited more stringent monitoring.

The victim, identified by police sources as Mary Ellen Novak, 55, was charged with criminal mischief for banging on the hood of Reuven Kahanes car, police said. She was treated at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell.

Prosecutors ultimately declined to prosecute Novak and another protester hit with the same charge.

A statement from the protester group CU Apartheid Divest described the victim as a deescalator there to prevent confrontations. The statement accused Kahane of purposefully driving into the woman.

The group also pointed out Kahane is related to radical rabbi and political leader Meir Kahane.

Reuven Kahane is a relative of the late Israeli fascist leader, the statement said. Followers of [Meir] Kahane have been responsible for numerous violent attacks against Palestinians.

Past media reports have tied the name Reuven Kahane to activist activities.

Kahane was identified as a cousin of the rabbi in a 1990 Los Angeles Times article after the assassination. This is the final sacrifice, Reuven Kahane, then 23, was quoted as saying. Hes been receiving threats since day one.

A 2003 Jewish Week article also identified him as a cousin of the slain rabbi.

In 2018, he wrote an op-ed in the Jewish News of Northern California on an issue involving Jewish schools in the Bay Area. That article identified him as a real estate developer based in New York and Oakland. He has a J.D. and rabbinical degree from Yeshiva University.

Theres a lot to take in on this case, but we maintain our clients innocence, Reuven Kahanes lawyer Shulevitz told the Daily News.

Protest organizers in a statement said Kahanes actions follow a round of incendiary claims from public officials urging violence against student protesters.

They pointed to a comment on X by Councilwoman Vickie Palladino who called protesters monsters and said, Its our job to slay them.

Oh my God, Julie Friedkin, Kahanes wife told the Daily News by telephone. Im sure it was an accident.

The pro-Palestinian protesters picketed the home of Barnard trustees Francine Lefrak of the LeFrak real estate family, which donated to a center for well-being at the college.

Kahane founded the Jewish Defense League in 1968 to mount armed responses to antisemitic acts. He moved to Israel and was elected but banned from Parliament after Israel passed a law barring parties with a racist platform.

With Roni Jacobson
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A family is suing Columbus police for what their attorney described as officers reckless disregard for public safety when they opened fire during a shooting in the Short North that left a man paralyzed.

Jalen and Ja-Dawn Bradley were in the Short North on May 6, 2023, when a group of men shot both of them, according to the pairs lawsuit, filed Monday. But the brother and sister claim that after they were shot, police shot Jalen in the back and neck nearly a dozen times while the two were looking for cover, resulting in his paralysis.

As Columbus police describe it, officers responded to an explosion of gunfire near 847 North High Street about 2:30 a.m. Police said at the time that officers returned fire, striking at least one person, after being shot at while trying to break up a fight on the sidewalk. The Bradleys, however, describe the incident differently.

Jalen, 20 years old at the time, was legally armed and returned fire on the men who shot him and his sister, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that it was only after the gunfire stopped that Columbus police began shooting at the Bradleys.

As the brother and sister looked for safety, the lawsuit asserts that Columbus police shot at them at least 20 times. Jalen was hit 11 times in the back and neck, and Ja-Dawn was hit in the leg and chest, according to the complaint.

My client was barely walking, and hes looking to get cover, and the police reloaded and blasted him some more, Jeff Moore, the attorney representing the Bradleys, said in an interview. He needs to be taken care of the rest of his life, and God knows whether he will be or not.

Officers then handcuffed Jalen, who had fallen. According to the lawsuit, officers rolled him multiple times, exacerbating his injuries.

Jalen is now paralyzed, and he and Ja-Dawn are traumatized, Moore said. Moore said Jalen is still undergoing medical treatment for his injuries, noting that as recently as this past week, he had surgery to remove bullet shrapnel.

Columbus police have never said how many officers opened fire, although the lawsuit names several. On Monday  the same day the Bradleys filed their lawsuit  the Franklin County Prosecutors Office announced that no officers would be charged related to the shooting.

The Bradleys are each asking for upward of $14 million in damages. Their lawsuit asserts that not only did the officers behave recklessly when shooting, the police department itself encourages officers to aggressively pursue, confront, seize and arrest citizens without cause or probable cause.

It just was a reckless situation, Moore said. I know that theyre trying to keep the peace, but my God, you dont just go out blasting in an area.

Columbus Police declined to comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Man sentenced to 90 days for shooting at newspaper delivery driver

Man sentenced to 90 days for shooting at newspaper delivery driver

A man has been sentenced to 90 days in custody after shooting at a newspaper delivery driver in 2020.

According to the District Attorneys Office, Corey Geter pleaded guilty to two charges in connection with the east Charlotte shooting.

District Attorney Spencer Merriweather said over the objection of his office, Judge Justin Davis found extraordinary mitigating circumstance not to sentence Geter to a longer sentence.

ALSO READ: Woman shot and killed outside Shelby home, police say

The judge wrote that Geter accepted responsibility for his actions and had no other incidnet of violence while out on bond.

Court documents said the shooting stemmed from the newspaper driver hitting a roll-out trash can.

VIDEO: Woman shot and killed outside Shelby home, police say




MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Memphis man was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for possessing goods that had been stolen from an Ontario, Canada semi-trailer that was parked in Memphis for the night.

According to the U.S Attorneys Office, at around 3 a.m. on May 5, 2022, a truck driver and his wife flagged down Memphis Police officers and claimed that their semi-truck had been burglarized.

They reportedly told police that they felt movement in the back of the trailer, and while investigating, a shot was fired.

MS repeat offender sentenced to 15 years in prison for gun violation

At least six DuraMax Dual Fuel generators had been stolen out of the trailer.

The generators were tracked to the residence of 32-year-old Andre Treadwell, where reports say they not only found the generators, but also recovered a pair of bolt cutters, a Palmetto State Armory AR-15 rifle, various live rounds of ammunition, and several bottles of Jimador Tequila that were also reported stolen from another shipment.

Treadwell pled guilty to possession of the stolen generators as well as possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

On Tuesday, he was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  Aurora police are investigating a shooting that left a man with life-threatening injuries.

On Tuesday at around 10:34 p.m., Aurora Police Department officers responded to a local hospital where the victim walked in with a gunshot wound.

Police said preliminary information indicates the victim was shot while driving westbound on Mississippi Avenue between Moline Street and Nome Street.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Officers are still investigating. At this time, there is no suspect information available, and officers do not know if the victim and suspect knew each other.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a cash reward.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Video above: The parents of two Australian surfers who were found dead in Baja California, Mexico last week spoke publicly Tuesday, May 7.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man suspected of killing three surfers, two Australian brothers and a San Diego man, has been identified by Mexican authorities.

According to the Baja California Attorney Generals Office, Jesus Gerardo N. was taken into custody in connection to the incident. His nickname was reported to be El Kekas. His last name was not made public.

Parents of Australian surfers found dead in Mexico speak out

The picture below, provided by the Baja California Attorney Generals Office, shows the suspect, whose face and body have been blurred out.

suspect surfers

The three victims were on a surfing trip near Ensenada, Mexico, when they were reported missing at the end of April after not showing up to their Airbnb.

Shortly after, Baja California Attorney General Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez announced an investigation into their disappearance had been launched.

Surf photographer knew two of the surfers murdered in Baja, told them where to go surfing

It was later announced on Friday, May 3, that three bodies had been located in La Bocana, about 130 miles south of San Diego. The human remains were recovered from a 50-foot well.

Relatives identified the three men as Jake and Callum Robinson and Jack Carter Rhoad.

According to Mexican authorities, its suspected that the victims were killed after an attempt to steal their truck for its tires.

Another man and a woman remained in custody facing drug possession charges. Two other suspects are being sought in connection with the killings.

Border Reports Salvador Rivera contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A Newaygo County man accused of building bombs because he wanted to blow up a Satanic Temple in Massachusetts has been indicted on charges that has him facing a decade in prison.

A federal indictment accuses Luke Isaac Terpstra of building several devices he characterized as bombs and then traveling from his home in Grant, Mich., to Salem, Mass.

With him, he carried an improvised explosive device, multiple firearms and ammunition, according to the indictment filed in Grand Rapids this week.

A federal court hearing has been set for May 13 in Grand Rapids.

Officials say Terpstra, 30, assembled a container that had coins taped to the outside and a container that had rifle ammunition secured to the sides.

He made the drive from Michigan to Massachusetts in September 2023, court records show. Terpstra later said he possessed the bombs because he wanted to blow up the Satanic Temple, records show.

Salem police say they were told by Michigan law enforcement that Terpstras intention was to target the Satanic Temple.

The City of Salem and the Salem Police Department recognize that it is frightening and concerning that there are individuals who would threaten or carry out violent attacks against others based on their beliefs and that we are a target, the city said in a statement posted to its website.

On the one hand, it is gratifying that our federal and local partners were able to thwart Terpstra. On the other, it is terrifying that he walked in our midst planning such violence.

In a news release, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said the charges demonstrate my offices continued commitment to protecting our citizens from dangerous threats.

Building explosive devices and transporting them with the intent to injure civilians and damage property puts us all at risk and those who commit such crimes will be held accountable, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Michigan man Jeremiah Maher said he thought he was being pranked when he won a $100,000 prize from the April 1 Powerball drawing. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

May 8 (UPI) -- A Michigan man said he initially thought he was the target of an April Fools' Day prank when he scored a $100,000 Powerball prize.

Jeremiah Maher, 43, of Taylor, told Michigan Lottery officials he checked the numbers from the April 1 drawing and was shocked to see they matched four of the white balls and the Powerball on the ticket he bought from the 7-Eleven store on Ecorse Road in Taylor.

"I looked at my numbers after the drawing and I thought someone was pulling an April Fools' Day prank on me," Maher said. "It felt so unreal to see my numbers come up in the drawing. It's definitely the most exciting April Fools' Day I've ever had!"

Maher said his $100,000 prize money, which turned out to be very real, will go toward building a new house.
European countries must now significantly improve their defense capabilities. At one time, they lacked the foresight to recognize the threat from Russia, and if the EU had been better prepared in terms of security, Russia might not have attacked Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was stated by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the European Economic Congress in Katowice. He was quoted by Onet .

The head of the Polish government emphasized that today Europe should become a safe continent thanks to its efforts, including defense.

"It is not that Ukraine, given the imbalances, should lose to Russia. No! If Europe had been better prepared, if Europe and European leaders had had enough imagination many years ago, if Europe had been better prepared for such difficult times, then perhaps Russia would not have dared to attack our friend Ukraine," Tusk emphasized.

He noted that never before in the history of the EU have political leaders been so unanimous about what needs to be done in Europe. A few months ago, "a very important signal was sent from Poland that these are not empty words," Tusk added.

ADVERTISIMENT

"History has come back to us, and in its most physical dimension. Today, the European Union must become a secure continent through its own efforts. This does not mean that Ukraine should lose the war. If Europe had been better prepared, Russia might not have dared to attack our friend Ukraine," Tusk said.

He emphasized that the European Union must make efforts over the next few months to increase its defense capabilities so that no one dares to attack. To do this, European countries must join forces.

Tusk recalled the times of the coronavirus pandemic and emphasized that Europeans then united to fight the virus. And the evil of Putin's Russia is much more dangerous than the virus

"We have to realize that we can do more to fight the evil that is much more dangerous than this virus. Europe will be safe provided that the sky above Europe is safe... There is no room for disputes and internal competition," Tusk said.

ADVERTISIMENT

He added that border protection should also become a priority for Europe due to massive illegal migration.

As reported, Warsaw has submitted an official request to deploy NATO nuclear weapons on its territory. Poland also wants to strengthen its long-range missile strike capabilities.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Man ties Grindr date to bed, then robs and abandons him, California officials say

A 27-year-old man is facing time in prison after being convicted of attacking and robbing a man he met on Grindr, California officials said.

Anthony Silveria of Fremont was found guilty Monday, May 6, of multiple charges, including first-degree robbery, false imprisonment and identity theft, according to a news release from the San Francisco District Attorneys Office.

In September 2022, Silveria met a man on the dating app, Grindr, and the two drove to a San Francisco motel separately, according to prosecutors.

The victim had rented the room, officials said.

After being in the room for some time, Silveria pulled out a gun and tied the naked man to the bed, prosecutors said.

He started going through the victims bags and began hitting him while demanding his bank passwords, officials said.

Thats when Silveria told the victim hed let him go if he withdrew $400, officials said.

Once the victim agreed, Silveria let him get dressed and made him wipe down the room before taking him to a nearby ATM, officials said.

As we have in this case, we always stand ready to assist law enforcement in their important work prosecuting bad actors. We will continue to fight for the safety and security of the LGBTQ+ community as we work toward a world where the lives of our users are free, equal, and just, a Grindr spokesperson told McClatchy News in a statement.

After taking the mans money, Silveria refused to give the victim his car keys back, officials said. He also took the mans phone, iPad and wallet, prosecutors said.

Silveria drove the man to Emeryville, about 11 miles northeast of San Francisco, and left him there at 4:30 a.m., officials said.

Mr. Silveria preyed on a man who was in a trusting, compromised, and vulnerable position, Assistant District Attorney Edward Mario said in the release. I thank the victim for his bravery in testifying and re-living traumatic life events. This conviction ensures accountability for Mr. Silverias actions and provide a measure of justice for the victim.

Silveria faces up to 12 years in prison, prosecutors said. His sentencing is scheduled for May 22.

Man is beaten unconscious at friends house, then he wakes up and walks home, feds say

Woman falls asleep in Lyft and wakes up to driver sexually assaulting her, CA cops say

Boyfriend left ominous voicemail minutes before woman shot dead, New Mexico cops say
With the advent of warmer weather, Mansfield City Council decided to vote early to pass a bill prohibiting cruising on the Miracle Mile.

Members voted 6-1 Tuesday to prohibit cruising in the designated area. Councilman Aurelio Diaz was the lone dissenting vote.

Council initially planned to hold three readings of the bill and not vote until June 4.

"I think this is something we've talked about for some time," Councilwoman Stephanie Zader said. "The police force has asked us repeatedly, and so have the people, to find a solution to this."

Aurelio Diaz

Diaz said he has received a lot of feedback from residents.

"Miracle Mile is really heated," he said. "... I struggle with not being able to cruise around as long as I'm going the speed limit. If you're cruising at a reasonable speed, that's where I have a problem."

The Miracle Mile has been a haven for cruisers since the 1950s. What was once innocent fun for teenagers has taken a darker turn.

Last year, then-police Chief Keith Porch described motorcyclists driving more than 100 mph and trying to provoke officers to chase them, along with "blatant street races."

Porch said he received 'hundreds' of calls about Miracle Mile

"I can tell you that in my time as chief, I have received hundreds of calls every May and every June," said Porch, now the safety service director. "Since 1960, that has been the activity. Opinions start changing when people start dying out there. When that happens, does that turn up the heat in this room?"

In July, a 22-year-old Ontario man was killed when his motorcycle struck a pickup truck as the driver was leaving a parking lot. Police estimated the motorcyclist was driving about 65 mph when he struck the truck. The speed limit on Park Avenue West is 35 mph.

Keith Porch

Porch said other crimes are occurring on the Miracle Mile, including weapons violations and fights.

"This is where we have to put the trust in the people we hire to protect the city," Zader said. "None of our police officers are going to go out of their way to pull people over for cruising up and down the road. They've got better things to do with their time.

"This is a way to give more teeth for them when someone is not following the rules."

The designated area is bound by Home Road on the west, Trimble Road on the east, Park Avenue West on the south and West Fourth Street on the north.

Cruising will be prohibited from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday into Saturday and Saturday into Sunday.

Police will set up a traffic-control point on a street within the designated area during the designated hours for enforcement.

According to the bill, cruising is defined as driving a motor vehicle on a street past a traffic-control point more than two times in any two-hour period. The passing of a control point a third time would constitute "unnecessary repetitive" driving and be a violation.

Many people will be exempt from violations

There will be a number of people who will be exempt from violations, including police, firefighters, municipal workers, licensed public transportation vehicles or other vehicles being driven for business or commercial purposes.

Residents in the designated area going to a specific destination also will be exempt.

The person having control or ownership of the vehicle will be the person considered cruising without regard to whether that person was actually driving the vehicle past the traffic-control point.

First-time violators will be charged with a minor misdemeanor. A second offense within a year of the first will be a fourth-degree misdemeanor, and each subsequent offense within a year of the first will be a third-degree misdemeanor.

Those convicted of a third-degree misdemeanor could receive up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

In September, Porch updated council about activity on the Miracle Mile. He provided a heat map showing police activity there from 2021 to late March.

Mansfield police handled 1,929 incidents in that span. There were 181 crashes including two fatalities.

The heat map showed that activity greatly increased from 8 p.m. until midnight Friday and Saturday. There were 191 calls in the 10 p.m. hour on Fridays in the three-year-plus span and 204 such calls in the same time frame on Saturdays.

Stephanie Zader

Zader raised another concern.

"We're making a concentrated effort on redeveloping that area. We're trying to bring businesses into that area," she said. "If we have a concentration of crime happening in that area, it's going to be less likely that someone is going to want to move into that area and redevelop it."

Councilwoman Deborah Mount asked if the bill should be amended to add cruising over the speed limit. Councilwoman Cheryl Meier said such an amendment would delay passage of the bill, and Porch said he did not think an amendment was necessary.

Porch said four rows of temporary speed bumps will be placed on the Miracle Mile from the end of June until September. The time frame will be from Friday evening until Sunday morning.

"It (cruising) is not what it was," Zader said. "We need to protect our city."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

X: @MarkCau32059251

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield City Council outlaws cruising on Park Avenue West
Marco Island City Council could look very different come November.

Four of seven seats are up for election and a fifth will open with the imminent resignation of Greg Folley so he can run for state representative.

Chairman Jared Grifoni is ineligible to seek re-election after two consecutive terms in office. Becky Irwin and Joe Rola are in their first terms and can run again but both say they are undecided about whether they will do so. Rich Blonna, who also is completing his first term, has begun collecting signatures and started a reelection campaign website.

The Marco Island City Council election will be heldon Tuesday, Nov, 5, in conjunction with the countywide General Election.

What to know if you want to run

The deadline to submit signatures and intent to run is June 18 at noon. Completed forms must be in to the Collier County Supervisor of Elections for verification during the qualification period which is from 8 a.m. July 16 to 5 p.m. July 30.

What are the forms? Appointment of campaign treasurer and designation of campaign depository; candidate oath; Statement of Candidate; and Form 6, which is a financial disclosure that public officials and employees must file with the Florida Commission on Ethics.

How many signatures? Candidates must submit 143 signatures, which represents 1 percent of the island's 14,275 registered voters. The City Clerk recommends candidates secure an additional 10 percent of signed petitions to accommodate for errors.

Must be a resident of the city for at least one year prior to qualifying.

Must be a qualified elector of the city, meaning a registered voter.

The term of office is four years, and no council member shall serve more than two full consecutive terms. No council member (or former council member) shall serve more than eight years in office during his/her lifetime.

Pay: the salary of each council member is $6,000 per year; the salary of the chair is $9,000 per year.

Where to find more information: Marco Island website.

What council members say

Marco Island City Council January 2024.

"I love it. I love the job," Blonna said in an interview in March. "I had three meetings this week  I chaired two of them. Its a lot of work. Its exciting. Its a lot of work. But its interesting. You meet a lot of people."

Blonna is a retired Professor Emeritus from the Department of Public Health at William Paterson University of New Jersey. He also is an author of college textbooks and self-help books with a focus on "understanding how the mind and body work together to promote health and prevent disease," according to his council web page.

Rich Blonna, Marco Island City Council member on May 6, 2024.

"I really have not decided," Irwin said in an interview, though she did pick up a candidate packet to peruse as she considers whether to run.

"Its definitely a worthy pursuit, I think," she said. "I think I bring a different perspective" as a woman, as a Realtor and as a long-time community member with soon-to-be four generations living on Marco Island. "So my perspective is a lot broader than the others."

Irwin was elected in 2020.

Becky Irwin, Marco Island City Council member on May 6, 2024.

Marco Island City Councilman Joe Rola.

"It's a very tough decision," said Rola, who also was elected in 2020. "It's a lot of work, if you do it right, if you take it seriously."

Rola, who spent the majority of his 42-year career as a defense contractor working in computer system design and program management, spent five years prior to his election to City Council on the city's planning board.

"I have other things I could do," he said. "I have a boat I could be sailing on."

Rola also said he has had some medical problems. "It may be God decides," he said with a grin.

Greg Folley, Marco Island City Council member and candidate for State House District 81.

Folley, who has served as a councilman since 2020, is running as a Republican for State House District 81. He said on May 6 that he will submit his resignation letter to the council this month to go into effect on election day in November. Even if he loses the state election, Folley's resignation will remain in place.

""My seat will not be on the ballot in November. The new council, including the four newly elected members, will select how to fill the vacancy for the balance of my term through 2026," he said in an interview.

He was appointed to the Marco Island City Council on June 1, 2020, and was elected to that position in November of the same year. He was elected again for a full, four-year term in November 2022 and served as chairman for a year starting in December of 2022.

Folley is a former officer at Caterpillar and an attorney admitted to the state bar associations of Indiana, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Texas, according to his website.

Marco Island City Council Chairman Jared Grifoni is in his last term, having served eight years. His term will expire in November.

Grifoni was first elected in 2016 and was re-elected in 2020. He will have served his lifetime limit of eight years at the end of 2024. He served three times as chairman and four times as vice-chairman, positions voted on by council members.

Asked what he will do after his term ends, Grifoni said he wants to continue to serve the Marco Island community in some capacity.

"When my time is up on Council, I am going to continue to be active and serve our community in any way I am able," he said in an email, "whether that's in the private sector, as a volunteer, an activist, or an elected official in another office sometime in the future."

Grifoni is a licensed attorney and head of "multiple small businesses based in Marco Island and Collier County," according to his City Council web page.

More: Marco Island residents reject city council pay boost, change to mayor title

Voting precinct locations in Marco Island for 2024 elections, excluding early voting. Early Voting will be held at the Marco Island Library, 210 S. Heathwood Dr.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Marco Island City Council elections deadline approaches
A screenshot from a promotional video on the Maricopa County Republican Committee's website

The Maricopa County Republican Committee has censured all seven of Arizonas Supreme court justices for failure to perform their duties fairly and impartially because they rejected bids by Kari Lake and Abe Hamadeh to overturn the 2022 election and allowed a defamation case against Lake to continue.

The MCRCs Executive Guidance Committee unanimously adopted the censure on May 7, condemning the actions of Arizonas high court for unjustly dismissing the 2022 election challenge cases of Republicans Lake and Hamadeh, as well as for allowing Republican Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richers defamation suit against Lake to move forward.

While Lake and Hamadeh both continue to attempt to fight their election losses in 2022, Lake is running for the U.S. Senate and Hamadeh is in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives in Arizonas District 8.

In the censure, the Maricopa County GOP alleges that Arizonans have real and provable claims of election interference and manipulation and rely on the court system to fairly and honorably adjudicate these claims, and that biases in the trial and supreme courts have resulted in injustice for the citizens.

In the many cases brought by Republican candidates and their allies seeking to overturn the 2020 and 2022 elections, no evidence of fraud or malfeasance has been presented. Every case has been rejected for lacking proof or seeking a remedy not allowed by state law.

The Maricopa County GOP does not have any real authority to censure the court beyond the declaration it issued. In reality, the court is held accountable by voters in the form of judicial retention during regular elections and by the 11-member Commission on Judicial Conduct, which investigates complaints against all judges in the state, from the Supreme Court to justices of the peace.

There are six judges on the commission who are appointed by the Arizona Supreme Court, while the rest of the commissions members are either attorneys appointed by the State Bar of Arizona or members of the public appointed by the governor.

While the MCRC accused the judges in the trial court of clear bias and condemned the justices on the Supreme Court for failing to correct the alleged injustice perpetrated by the lower courts, the trial judges who threw out the Lake and Hamadeh election cases were both appointed by former Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican.

Additionally, all of the justices on the state Supreme Court were appointed by either Brewer or former Gov. Doug Ducey, also a Republican.

The election challenge cases brought by Lake and Hamadeh after they lost the 2022 races for Arizona governor and attorney general, respectively, failed at every level of the states court system for lack of convincing evidence. That hasnt stopped some of their followers from believing their claims that the election was somehow stolen from them.

The public depends on the court system to fairly and honorably adjudicate these claims, the MCRCs Executive Guidance Committee wrote in the censure.

The Republicans went on to say that the Arizona Supreme Court has added to the alleged injustice imposed by the case dismissals by imposing unreasonable and unwarranted sanctions against attorneys for Lake and Hamadeh for making false claims and filing cases without substantial justification.

The members of the executive committee also criticized the Supreme Court for failing to correct the lower court decision to proceed with an unfounded and unprecedented defamation lawsuit brought by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer against U.S. Senate Candidate Kari Lake, which the committee said was a clear violation of the First Amendment and contradicts decades of legal and Constitutional precedents.

Lol. You can quote that.

 Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer

However, the committee failed to acknowledge in its censure that Lake has already admitted to the court that all of Richers claims are true, with only the discovery of evidence process and awarding of damages left in the courts hands.

While Lake tried to spin her concession in the case by saying she refused to participate in Richers witch hunt, the judge later clarified that when Lake defaulted in the case in March, she essentially admitted to the court that all of Richers claims were true .

When the Arizona Mirror asked Richer for a comment on the MCRCs censure, he responded via text.

Lol, Richer wrote. You can quote that.

Richer filed the defamation suit in June 2023, after months of attacks from Lake and her supporters, who claimed without evidence that he was somehow involved in rigging the November 2022 election against Lake and other Republicans running for statewide office.

Lake tried to get the suit dismissed, but after a December hearing during which one of Lakes lawyers claimed that her comments about Richer were rhetorical hyperbole and not meant to be taken as facts, the trial judge allowed the case to move forward.

Neither the chairman of the MCRCs executive board, Craig Berland, nor the partys vice chair, Shelby Busch, immediately responded to requests from the Mirror for further explanation of the censure and what they hoped it would accomplish.

Busch is the head of the far-right election denier group We the People Az Alliance, and has given presentations rife with election conspiracy theories to the legislators on the state legislatures elections committees.

At the time of publication, the Arizona Supreme Court had not responded to a request for comment.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Maricopa County Republicans censured the AZ Supreme Court because it rejected election lawsuits appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
Marjorie Taylor Greenes very public bid to oust Mike Johnson fails minutes after she files motion

The House of Representatives killed Marjorie Taylor Greenes bid to remove Speaker Mike Johnson just minutes after she introduced the motion on Wednesday.

The House voted 359-43 against the Republican congresswomans ouster attempt, allowing Mr Johnson to stay in his position.

I'm proud of what I did today, Ms Greene told reporters soon after the defeat. And I'm thankful that all of this has been exposed for the American people.

At the same time, Florida Republican Representative Carlos Gimenez interrupted her saying youre not the Republican Party.

Because shes an idiot, Mr Gimenez told The Independent. That's all she wants is the attention..

Ms Greene introduced her motion around 5pm after publicly vowing to do so for the past week. She met with the speaker twice this week alongside one of her few allies, GOP Representative Thomas Massie.

We need Republicans that are finally going to stand up and stop this bulls***, she told reporters.

The motion was privileged which meant the House would have been forced to vote within 48 hours. But the vote commenced minutes after Ms Greene finished speaking.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, pictured speaking on the House floor on Wednesday, was defeated when she attempted to remove Speaker Mike Johnson (C-SPAN)

Mr Johnson spoke to reporters soon after the vote ended and failed.

I appreciate the show of confidence from my colleagues to defeat this misguided effort, Mr Johnson said.

In this moment, the country desperately needs a functioning Congress, he continued. Thats what the overwhelming majority of the members in this body demonstrated today.

Democrats and some GOP members had vowed earlier this week to save Mr Johnson, making Wednesdays outcome unsurprising.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries defended the decision to save the archconservative Mr Johnson, a staunch ally of former president Donald Trump who worked to overturn the 2020 election results.

Our decision to stop Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from plunging the House of Representatives and the country into further chaos is rooted in our commitment to solving problems for everyday Americans in a bipartisan manner, Mr Jeffries said in a statement. We need more common sense and less chaos in Washington, D.C.

Only eleven GOP representatives voted against saving Mr Johnson.

It doesn't matter what the rest of the conference feels, they just want everything to be easy and simple for them, Ms Greene said after the vote. And it's not easy and simple...I think the number eleven should scream loudly to people that pay attention.

GOP members lambasted Ms Greenes motion moments after she announced it.

Its a gimmick, its a joke, its laughable, Republican Representative Max Miller of Ohio told reporters. We have real work to do.

Its going to sow discord...and by the way, its going to fail, GOP Congressman Dusty Johnson said on the House steps.

Ms Greene first filed her motion after Mr Johnson brokered an agreement with Democrats and the Senate to keep the government open until September. She said she would make her motion privileged after Mr Johnson worked with Democrats to pass a series of foreign aid bills that sent assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

Speaker Mike Johnson talks to reporters after Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to remove him on Wednesday afternoon. The House voted overwhelmingly to keep him in the leadership position (Getty Images)

Ms Greene had told The Independent on Tuesday that the speaker has been working with Democrats the entire time.

[The Democrats] are ready to deliver the votes to save his speakership, because they support him because of what hes delivered for the Democrats and the Biden agenda, she said.

In their meetings earlier this week, Ms Greene and Mr Massie gave Mr Johnson a list of demands. The pair asked Mr Johnson to block future aid to Ukraine, as well as defund Special Counsel Jack Smiths probes into former president Donald Trump and that only bills that had the support of the majority of the House GOP conference receive a vote.

These asks were largely symbolic because the Senate and President Joe Biden would most likely have blocked them.

Democrats were also deeply critical of Ms Greene on Tuesday, before she filed the motion.

The other side levelled similar criticisms on Tuesday while it was still unclear when Ms Greene would bring her motion.

I can just speak for our side  were gonna be the side that wants to get s**t done, well be united, well deliver the votes, Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell told The Independent.

Mr Johnson, a GOP representative from Louisiana, became speaker in October 2023. He won the leadership position after 22 days of turmoil in the House following the removal of former speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (centre) and Thomas Massie (right) pictured on 1 May calling for the House to oust Speaker Mike Johnson while standing with pictures of Mr Johnson and Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries. The pair has criticised Mr Johnson for working with Democrats (AP)

Ms Greene has been promising for weeks to bring the motion to vacate against the speaker. At a press conference, she blasted work between Mr Johnson and Mr Jeffries as a culmination of the uniparty and held up a hat brandished with MUGA.

The uniparty is Make Ukraine Great Again, Ms Greene said on 1 May. The uniparty is about funding every single foreign war. They think this is the business model that needs to be done.
Alfred and Jessie duPont

Earlier this year the Jessie Ball duPont Fund brought Ty Seidule, an author and historian, to Jacksonville for a public event.

It was held at the Jessie Ball duPont Center, or The Jessie as the former Haydon Burns Library has been referred to since it was transformed into a nonprofit center at corner of Adams and Ocean (or, as its social media accounts say, at the corner of conversation and action).

Seidule, a retired Army brigadier general and former head of the history department at West Point, was there to talk about the personal journey described in his book, Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerners Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause.

At the end of his talk, Mari Kuraishi, president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, read questions that people in the audience had written on notecards. Most of the questions involved Seidules story, Confederate monuments and so on.

But Kuraishi got to one notecard and said, OK, this question is actually for me.

She read it: Jessie Ball duPont was against desegregation, even actively fought against it. How do you reconcile this with the foundations mission?

Mari Kuraishi has been president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund since 2019.

Thank you, Bill, she said with a laugh.

At this point, I expected her to say something along the lines of, Thats not why were here tonight. But she proceeded to give a nearly 4-minute answer, talking about how this is something those involved with the Jessie Ball duPont Fund have been discussing quite a bit.

Jessie  they often refer to her simply by her first name  was a very generous woman, even before she had lots of money to give away. She also was a committed segregationist. And once she did have money from her marriage to Alfred I. duPont, she used some of it to encourage institutions to hold the line against integration.

So, five decades after her death, what should the Jessie Ball duPont Fund do with this?

To a degree, I realized, that was why we were there that night.

It was part of a prominent charitable foundation on its own journey, one that involves grappling, privately and publicly, with a complicated legacy of its founder and funder  and an opportunity for what it describes as transformative repair.

So I recently met Kuraishi at The Jessie to learn more.

A lifetime (and more) of philanthropy

Kuraishi gave a summary of Jessie growing up in rural Virginia in the early 20th century, a distant relative of Mary Ball Washington, the mother of George Washington.

The Ball family is blue blood and has been in Virginia forever, she said. But by the time Jessie is born, the family is no longer a big landowner.

One of the stories of Jessies childhood involves her going around, trying to collect on her fathers bills. She became a school teacher, then a vice principal of a school in California. Even with limited means, she engaged in philanthropy, setting aside some of her own money to give to students she felt should go to college.

Then, at age 39, she became the third wife of one of the richest men in America, Alfred I. duPont. They created a 58-acre estate, Epping Forest, in Jacksonville. He died here in 1935. Jessie, who was 20 years younger, eventually relocated to Delaware and died there in 1970.

Her estate, estimated at $42 million, at the time was one of the largest in Florida history. While today it is a fraction of her husbands multi-billion-dollar trust, it now is worth about $380 million. And unlike the Alfred I. duPont Testamentary Trust  which has one charitable beneficiary, the Nemours Foundation  it has hundreds of potential beneficiaries.

She gives a lot during her lifetime, Kuraishi said. And our will, which is the founding document of our foundation, says that we can give to the entities she gave to between 1960 and 1965, for any reason whatsoever. There are some 300-plus organizations on that list. We can also give for the temporary relief of people in need in Florida, Delaware and Virginia. That's really what the will says and not much else.

So when Kuraishi became Jessie Ball duPont Fund president in 2019, one of the questions they pondered was both simple and complex: What are we really about?

There isn't any explicit guidance in the will, she said.  It doesn't say, You will support education. . I think it's not unreasonable to say that we are in the business of creating communities of belonging in the places and institutions that Jessie loved.

Another question was: What to make of that complicated legacy?

It isnt that Jessie Ball duPonts beliefs in white supremacy and integration were hidden. Theyre part of a biography, published more than 30 years ago. But in recent years, the foundation has quite purposefully dug deeper into Jessies writings, even hiring a historian to go through the extensive archives.

We don't want to be the ones to say, Oh, I didn't know that, Kuraishi said. We need to be the world's experts on Jessie. So we've been spending a lot of time trying to figure out, What's out there? Let's let's make sure we know everything.

Kuraishi says that when you look at Jessies list of grantees in that 1960 to 1965 window, especially in higher education, they skew very much toward schools where she could strengthen a resolve against integration. And when you read her letters  and she wrote a lot  she explicitly explains why she was supporting places like the University of the South.

She writes to these institutions: You must hold the line against integration, Kuraishi said.

This isnt to say Jessie donated only to whites-only institutions. She also gave money to historically Black colleges such as Edward Waters and Bethune-Cookman, and other Black institutions. But in the 1960s  the same decade that attempts to integrate lunch counters in Jacksonville led to Ax Handle Saturday  she clearly was pushing for, and actively supporting, continued segregation. In some instances, she ended her financial support for organizations after they integrated.

So what to do with that today?

Acknowledge, reconcile, repair

In a time when we see efforts to avoid uncomfortable conversations about the past, to stick to simple versions of history, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund  its board of trustees and leadership team  hasnt shied away from this question. Theyre having an ongoing conversation about it, one that has led to three guiding words: acknowledge, reconcile, repair.

Acknowledge the past. Reconcile in the present. Repair for the future.

This includes supporting some of the same places Jessie did, like the University of the South and Stratford Hall (the birthplace of Robert E. Lee), as these places are on their own journeys, reckoning with their pasts, evolving for the future.

Another example is in Virginia. In the wake of the Supreme Court desegregation ruling. Prince Edward County didnt integrate its public schools. It closed them. A whites-only segregation academy was established. That was one of the schools that Jessie Ball duPont supported. And for five years, there werent any schools in the county for Black students in the county.

So, acknowledging playing a part in the harm done there then, today the Jessie Ball duPont Fund provides scholarships for Black students at the former segregation academy, now known as the Fuqua School.

All of this has led to another question: Is the Jessie Ball duPont Fund going to change its name?

The answer, at least for now, is no. As it says on its website: In part because bearing Jessies name puts us in the position of acting both to repair the harm that was caused by her actions, and to continue enhancing the good that has come from her commitment to doing good.

And is a key word. Like when Kuraishi says: Jessie was an amazingly generous woman and she was a segregationist.

Both things can be true. Both things are true. And they lead to the questions the foundation has been asking itself, questions that other institutions also have been asking themselves.

Kuraishi describes a sculpture at Princeton University devoted to one of the schools presidents, Woodrow Wilson. Double Sights, as the piece by artist Walter Hood is titled, includes some of Wilsons accomplishments as U.S. president, like leading efforts to create the League of Nations. It also includes him re-segregating the federal government and showing Birth of a Nation in the White House.

That sculpture, installed five years ago, was intended to start a conversation about what the school describes as the complex legacy of Wilson. And while obviously there are differences between the life of Jessie Ball duPont, there are some similarities in the conversations.

For the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, those conversations have led to a continued commitment to the places Jessie loved  and to acknowledging, reconciling and repairing her legacy.

mwoods@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4212

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jessie Ball duPont Fund grapples with philanthropist's legacy
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala (WHNT)  The Marshall County District Attorneys Office says a Guntersville daycare is closing its doors after an investigation found several issues, including inappropriate interaction with children, and violations of Alabamas mandatory reporter law.

District Attorney Jennifer Bray said on social media Tuesday that an investigation by her office found several issues with Kids Korner in Guntersville after allegations were made by a former employee.

Lauderdale County Deputy, woman killed in Florence wreck

The district attorney said investigators found evidence that two current employees at the daycare were violating Alabama law in their interactions with children. Bray said her office has informed the parents of the children directly involved and told them how to obtain warrants on the employees if they wanted to. One warrant for harassment had been issued for one of the employees as of Tuesday.

According to the Guntersville Police Department, a report was filed against an employee of Kids Korner Daycare with the department for harassment on May 3.

Police arrested Erin Grace Miller on a harassment warrant. She was taken to the Guntersville City Jail on Wednesday, but has since bonded out.

Bray said the investigation also revealed evidence of past violations of Alabamas mandatory reporter law. The statute of limitations has passed for those incidents, but parents of affected children have been notified.

Her investigation also found issues with teacher-to-child rations and the suitability of some staff. Bray said her office has already contacted the parents of children with whom there is any evidence of mistreatment.

Brays office concluded its investigation this week and shared its findings with the Board of Directors at the First Methodist Church of Guntersville, which oversees Kids Korner.

Five men shot inside 708 Bar and Grille, Huntsville Police looking for info

We are praying for all the parents and good employees affected by Kids Korners decision to close its doors., Bray said. We know this undoubtedly has a serious impact on many families in our community, including our own employees whose children attend Kids Korner. However, We will always take allegations made against a daycare center seriously, and even with the disheartening result of Kids Kordners closing, we would not do it differently.

The district attorney said any parents with questions or concerns can call her office at 256-582-8113.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
MARYLAND (DC News Now)  The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said that 52 deer sampled in 2023 tested positive for a neurological disease that occurs in deer, elk and moose  including three deer from outside the current disease management area.

The DNR said that from 1,080 samples taken from deer in Allegany, Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery and Washington counties, 52 tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD).

Forty-nine of those came from the previously established management area for CWD  but Baltimore and Montgomery counties were not included in that. The DNR said that one positive sample came from Baltimore County and two positive samples came from Montgomery County.

Because of these positive samples, the DNR expanded the management area to include the entirety of those two counties.

Black bear spotted in Northeast DC neighborhood

The DNR said that the state started monitoring CWD in 1999. Its first confirmed case was in Allegany County in 2011.

CWD is fatal in deer that it affects. The DNR said that deer in the later stages of the disease may show symptoms in the form of weight loss, behavioral changes, excessive drooling, loss of fear of humans and more.

Officials believe the disease is spread from one animal to another through saliva, urine and semen or through contact with something that is contaminated.

The DNR said that the disease should not keep anyone from hunting deer or eating venison overall  researchers do not believe that CWD can be transmitted to humans, but to be safe, you should avoid eating the meat of any infected deer and avoid eating the brain, lymph nodes or spinal column of any deer.

You can find more information about CWD in Maryland online.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
MAURY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  After nearly five decades without answers, a woman known only as the Maury County Jane Doe has finally been identified.

On Wednesday, May 8, the Maury County Sheriffs Office and DNA Doe Project announced they had successfully identified the remains as 19-year-old Annie Carolyn Jenkins of Memphis.

The teens remains were initially discovered on Valentines Day in 1975 by a couple of hunters on Joe Brown Road near I-65 in eastern Maury County. At the time, officials could only tell that she appeared to be in her late teens or early 20s and showed signs of trauma.

Mystery surrounds Harpeth River Jane Doe nearly 5 decades later

Her remains were sent to the University of Tennessee Department of Anthropology in Knoxville, where they have been stored for more than 48 years. The case has been looked at multiple times over the years, but the sheriffs office said no clues were ever discovered as to her identity.

In 2012, the case got a breath of life when Lt. Jerry Williams, who is now retired, had more forensic tests done and began re-interviewing as many people as possible. Numerous tips and leads were chased of missing persons that fit the description, but nothing matched.

Annie Carolyn Jenkins (Courtesy: Maury County Sheriffs Office)

Then, in 2019, investigators brought the case to the DNA Doe Project, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization working to identify Jane and John Does, to try a new technique called investigative genetic genealogy.

Donors to the nonprofit organization funded the expensive lab work needed to produce a DNA profile from the Maury County Jane Does severely degraded remains, officials said.

Who are they? 9 Nashville cold cases with unidentified victims

It took the efforts of four forensic labs over three years, but by summer of 2022, there was a breakthrough. Astrea Forensics and Kevin Lord successfully created the DNA profile, and it was uploaded to GEDmatch.com, an online database used by law enforcement.

It was particularly difficult to extract enough DNA to build a workable profile for this case, said Kevin Lord, Director of Lab Logistics. We worked through three samples over two years to get enough data to build a profile. Astrea Forensics really came through for us on this case.

The volunteer investigative genetic genealogists with DNA Doe Project were able to piece together one side of the Jane Does family early on in their work. However, their research stalled when they tried to find the parents on the other side of her family tree.

We were working with too few, too distant matchessort of like trying to do a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle with only 20 of the pieces, said Lorrie Burns, a volunteer who has worked on the case since its beginning. The picture was incomplete, and we couldnt tell how they connected.

TBI DNA testing effort leads to identifications in decades-long cold cases

After more than 530 hours of genealogical research, they were eventually able to narrow the search down to a handful of the closest family members. Then, Maury County Detective Keith Wrather made contact with a woman that was the final piece of the puzzle.

The woman told authorities she had a sister who vanished in the fall of 1974 but was never officially reported missing. Her sister, Annie Jenkins, had been visiting with relatives in Chicago, and in the fall of 1974, she left on a flight bound for Tennessee.

That was the last time Jenkins family ever heard from her. Researchers were later able to confirm that the woman was a full sibling by DNA match.

Its an honor and a privilege to be a small part of this incredible team effort to return the identity of Annie Carolyn Jenkins, and to ensure that her family has some answers, said team leader Traci Onders. The pain of the ambiguity of a missing sister or daughter is hard to even imagine, and our hearts are with the family as they absorb the news of Annies loss.

UNSOLVED TENNESSEE: Find more of the states cold cases, missing persons, and other mysteries 

Now that she has been identified, Jenkins remains will be returned to her family. Many of the people that were connected to the case in 1975 have now passed away. However, the sheriffs office said there is still an active homicide investigation surrounding her death.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Unlike their idol Elvis Presley, the Beatles never stopped their fruitful musical career to make films. They prioritized recording in the studio to push their albums to the next level. But they did leave behind a handful of films: two light comedies (A Hard Days Night and Help!), a cartoon fantasy (Yellow Submarine), which they had little involvement with; a disconcerting psychedelic made-for-television musical film (Magical Mystery Tour). And Let It Be, the cursed film, the documentary that was seen at the time as a chronicle of the bands demise.

Let It Be was recorded during the bands sessions in January 1969, which were very stressful for the Liverpool four, who were uncomfortable being filmed at all hours. The footage was left in a drawer. And it was not released (as an album and as a film) until May 1970, when Paul McCartney had already announced (just a month before) the end of the band. The feature film was met with bitterness: audiences could not see it without thinking of the bands sudden breakup. Nor was it supported by any of the four Beatles, who already had their solo albums ready: when it was awarded the Oscar for best soundtrack, they tasked symphony conductor Quincy Jones to accept the award. The album was not received any more positively: McCartney disowned it, dissatisfied with Phil Spectors production, which he considered excessive, and in 2003, he released his own version called Naked, without the mark of the Wall of Sound creator.

The stain on Let It Be has been so long-lasting that at the beginning of the digital era, the film disappeared from catalogs. It was not on any TV platform, collectors searched for traces of it on old DVDs and fans had to resort to piracy. Until now. On Wednesday, Disney+ releases the film directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, which has been remastered by Peter Jacksons Park Road Post Production.

The director of The Lord of the Rings spent the pandemic working on the original tapes of the film  60 hours of video and 150 of audio  to make the documentary Get Back, which was released by Disney in 2021. Get Back used the most advanced technologies, as well as artificial intelligence, to polish the footage. The work resulted in a nearly eight-hour documentary, divided into three episodes, packed with interesting, never-before-seen material. The next step was to restore Let It Be. And, with todays eyes, the result is much more positive.

The image quality has improved notably (although some critics say that the use of color has been abused); the sound has been cleaned up of noise and is crystal clear. Whats most valuable, what is not seen in The Beatles other films, is that the movie places the viewer in the studio with four guys who havent even turned 30, who have boundless creativity and come up with song after song. Theres still chemistry between John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and its George Harrison who rebels against his secondary role. Out of those apparently chaotic sessions came the Let It Be album, as well as a number of tracks on Abbey Road (their next project, their real farewell, which ended with the song The End). But Abbey Road was released in November 1969, and was very well received, while Let It Be took six months more to come out and hit stores at a bad time. Those three weeks in the studio also produced songs that were released later in their solo careers, and a lot of others that were discarded (such as Suzie Parker).

The beginning of the new version of Let It Be includes a brief dialogue between Lindsay-Hogg and Jackson (who does not appear in the credits other than in the acknowledgments). The director of the original film explains that he was intending to make a documentary about the Beatles return to the stage. The Fab Four had not performed in front of an audience since 1966: they were focused on innovating in the studio. For their comeback on stage, they wanted to go big and discussed overambitious ideas, such as to play in a Roman amphitheater in Libya. The director filmed the studio sessions, thinking that this would be secondary material, that the central part of the film would be the concert. Jackson cant help but express his envy: he himself worked with that material and knew all those songs well, but Lindsay-Hogg had the privilege of witnessing how they were created in front of his cameras.

The Beatles starting their concert on the rooftop of Apple Corps in London, January 30, 1969, in a photo by Ethan A. Russell. Ethan A. Russell (Apple Corps)

The Beatles went through stages very quickly: when others groups were catching up, the band was already moving on to something else. By the beginning of 1969, they had finished their psychedelic experimentation, and their White Album of the previous year marked their return to classic rock. It is clear in the film that they feel a certain need to return to their origins: they play old songs (including One After 909, written by Lennon when he was 15 years old!), rock and roll standards and even a cover of Besame Mucho. The group is seen trying to recover the spirit of Hamburg or The Cavern, where they played many concerts before becoming famous.

When putting together Let It Be, Lindsay skipped much of the material about the bands relationship and prioritized footage of them making music. At eight hours long, Get Back has much more time to delve into the story. There is another attractive feature in Jacksons 2021 production: it allows the viewer to understand the creative process behind each song, from a simple hum to a perfect track.

Let It Be is more about enjoying the music, and with a running time of 80 minutes, is likely to be more accessible than an eight-hour documentary for diehard fans. But the movie does include footage of their studio improvisations and conversations, where some tension is seen. It is clear that Paul has taken the reins, while John has become less involved.

There are iconic moments, such as Lennon and Yoko Ono dancing, while Harrison sings I Me Mine, an intense jam session that gives rise to the song Dig It, and a brief argument, when Harrison confronts McCartney: Ill play whatever you want me to play, or I wont play at all if you dont want me to play. Whatever it is that will please you, Ill do it. After that argument, Harrison disappeared for six days. Neither in Let It Be or in Get Out is it clear what Ringo Starr, sheltered in a secondary role, thinks of all this.

Harrisons frustration with the Let It Be experiment ended up ruining the idea of playing in an amphitheater in Libya. But Lindsay-Hogg had set out to film the making of a concert film, so there had to be one. In the end, The Beatles performed on the rooftop of Apple Corps London studios, a smaller affair that nevertheless went down in history.

At first, when the music thunders down from the roof, only a few curious people stop on the street. There is confusion as to whether it is really The Beatles, because the public hadnt heard the new songs they were playing. Other people manage to climb to other nearby rooftops to watch in disbelief. But after just 42 minutes, there was a sizeable crowd on the sidewalks, under the tense gaze of police officers. Lennon says goodbye on behalf of the band with his usual sarcasm: I hope weve passed the audition. Did he sense that it was their last performance together? John, who had founded The Beatles, never got over the fact that it was Paul who announced its breakup.

More than half a century later, Let It Be can be watched without regret over the bands end. The viewer can enjoy watching musicians of unmatched creativity, who enter a studio with no plan and come out with material for more than two albums, including many legendary songs.

With Let It Be, Disney is continuing with its plan to make the most out of The Beatles franchise, just as it does with the Marvel universe and Star Wars. More projects about the Liverpool quartet are on the way: Sony has announced four biopics for 2027, one for each of its members, all directed by Sam Mendes. The industry knows that it is very difficult for Beatles fans to tire of them.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Here are the election results for the May 7, 2024 election.

INGHAM COUNTY RESULTS

Lansing City Charter Revision Commission. Top 9 serve on the Commission. These results do not include the areas in Eaton County.

(WLNS)

Holt Bond Proposal:

(WLNS)

East Lansing Bond Proposal:

(WLNS)

CLINTON COUNTY

St. Johns Public School Bond:

(WLNS)

JACKSON COUNTY

East Jackson Community Schools Bond Proposal:

(WLNS)

Concord Community Schools Millage Renewal:

(WLNS)

Napoleon Township Fire and Police Operating Millage Renewal:

(WLNS)

EATON COUNTY

In Eaton County 6 News is awaiting returns on a bond proposal for the Waverly Community Schools. Some of those returns will come from Ingham County as well.

IONIA COUNTY

Ionia Township School District:

(WLNS)

HILLSDALE COUNTY

Recall election of Camden-Frontier School Board Members:

Both Emily Morrison and Jesse Crowe retained their seats on the school board. The two faced recalls over an initiative to retire the schools redskin mascot.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
May is Click It or Ticket Month

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS)  Wearing a seatbelt could mean the difference between life or death.

That is why every May, the Highway Traffic Safety Administration holds its Click It or Ticket campaign.

DUI Checkpoint to be held in Mercer County

In West Virginia, drivers and passengers must be wearing a seatbelt or they will get a ticket.

Not wearing a seatbelt is a primary offense in the Mountain State, which means you can be pulled over just for not wearing one.

But the ticket is actually the least of your worries.

Lieutenant Adam Ballard with the Mercer County Sheriffs Department said the real worry is getting into an accident while not wearing a seatbelt.

Out of those that we have death that result from those crashes, we have about half of those, maybe just a little bit less were individuals that havent worn their seatbelt, said Ballard.

Ballard said wearing the seatbelt wouldnt have kept them from being injured, but it very well may have prevented their deaths.

The Click It or Ticket campaign will run throughout the month of May.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Connor Bowman, the former Mayo Clinic doctor whos accused of fatally poisoning his wife, allegedly Googled is widow gender neutral just days before his wifes murder, search warrants revealed this week.

The affidavit, obtained by The Daily Beast, also accused Bowman, 32, of adding widower to his Bumble dating profile within weeks of his wifes death, using it to strike up conversations with matches where he allegedly lied about the nature and timing of Betty Bowmans death.

Bowmans Google search about the word widow came on Aug. 18, two days before Bettya 32-year-old operating room pharmacist at Mayodied in a Minnesota hospital after fighting for her life over the course of four days.

Connor was the first to claim that his wife, who was suffering from severe gastrointestinal distress and dehydration in her final days, was battling hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), an infection in which white blood cells damage organs. That was listed as the cause of her death on her obituary, but authorities later determined shed actually been poisoned by her doctor hubbygiven a fatal dose of colchicine, used to treat gout, that wrecked her insides and claimed her life.

Once Betty died, police said Bowman rushed to have her cremated. That procedure was halted after a medical examiner learned from an unnamed source that the Bowmans were having marital issues and were talking about a divorce following infidelity and a deteriorating relationship, an arrest affidavit said.

Betty Bowman. GoFundMe

Bowman was arrested in October and charged with first-degree murder, but not before he spent over a month in the dating scene on the Bumble app, the warrant claimed. It said Bowman actively messaged with women, discussed his status as a widow, and claimed Betty would have wanted him to move on.

To one match, Bowman allegedly claimed his wife died from an overdose on morphine while she was under care at a hospital. He allegedly told another that Betty died from listeria poisoning earlier in the summer. Both women confronted him once they learned the true date of Bettys death was mere weeks ago, the warrant said.

When asked by a woman on Bumble if he was comfortable being on a dating app so soon after his wifes passing, the affidavit said Bowman responded that it was a fair question but that he was OK being with a new person, that he knew what he wanted in life, and that Betty would have wanted him to move on to be happy. That same woman said she found it weird that Bowman discussed how he used an insurance payout from Bettys death to pay off student loans.

Those details appear to add to the increasingly-grim outlook Bowman faces if his case goes to trial. Cops say theyve already uncovered proof he purchased colchicine and sodium nitrate online and tried to erase the purchase history from a digital account.

They also claim they have proof he made other suspicious internet searches prior to Bettys death, like delete Amazon data police and a search for data thatd provide lethal poisoning doses for a person weighing approximately 120 pounds, the approximate weight of Betty. Police added that the drug he most frequently searched for information on was colchicine, and that he once clicked on a news article headlined, Internet browsing history: Can it be used in court?

Police said previously that Betty may have been poisoned by a smoothie served to her by Bowman. Shed reportedly texted another man that she was sick and could not sleep at all because she felt so ill in her final week alive, adding that she thought it was a drink she had received that caused her illness because it was mixed in a large smoothie.

A witness in the case, Sonya Rose Johnson, told police that it was out of character for Bowman to make his wife a smoothie because he never made anything for anybody. She claimed that Betty told her that she joked that Bowman was trying to poison her and that she didnt finish the smoothie, which tasted bitter and salty, not like a smoothie would be expected to taste, the warrant said.

Bowman remains in custody on a $2 million bail in Minnesota, awaiting trial.

One of Bettys friends, Mary Bartlett, told The Daily Beast last year that what happened to Betty was horrific, and we hope justice prevails.

She was truly a one-of-a-kind individual, Sarah Leeser, a friend who set up a GoFundMe for the family. So intelligent and caring and lived life to the fullest.

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.
Mayor Adams gives NY Gov. Hochul pass on remarks about Bronx Black kids not knowing what computer is

NEW YORK  A day after Gov. Kathy Hochul said Black kids in the Bronx dont know the meaning of the word computer, Mayor Eric Adams gave her a pass on the gaffe, saying Tuesday he knows the governors heart.

When you make thousands of speeches, when youre in front of the cameras all the time, when youre trying to be authentic and say the things that youre really feeling, one can sit back and do a critical analysis of every sentence you say, the mayor said during a Q&A with reporters at City Hall. I know her heart. I know what she was intending to say, and she was not trying to be disrespectful to the people of the Bronx.

A day earlier, Hochul said that we have young Black kids growing up in the Bronx who dont even know what the word computer is.

They dont know, they dont know these things, she said.

Hochul was speaking publicly to business leaders at the Milken Institute Global Conference on Monday in an interview geared toward the economic opportunities AI could offer people in poor neighborhoods.

Later that day, she put out a statement saying she regretted her words and that she misspoke.

Of course Black children in the Bronx know what computers are  the problem is that they too often lack access to the technology needed to get on track to high-paying jobs in emerging industries like AI, she said subsequently.

Despite walking back her earlier remarks, Hochuls initial statement sparked an almost immediate backlash.

Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo (D-Bronx) described them as harmful, deeply misinformed, and genuinely appalling.

Repeating harmful stereotypes about one of our most underserved communities, while failing to acknowledge the states consistent institutional neglect, only perpetuates systems of abuse, she said. I would invite Gov. Hochul to visit us in the Bronx to experience first-hand the intelligence, resilience, and joy that radiate from Bronx children and residents each day.

But not everyone in the states political firmament has pounced.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat who also represents the Bronx, described her statement as inartful and hurtful, but added that: I dont believe that is where her heart is.

Adams has complained more than once about the word police being too exacting on him for some of his public comments, and on Tuesday, he appeared to relate to Hochuls predicament.

Shes sincere about uplifting the people, Adams said of Hochul. We dont always get it right. We dont always say the sentence the way we want. We would love to hit rewind sometimes, but the reality [is] thats not the way life is.

_____
McClatchy DC reporter offers behind the scenes look at how 988 Lifeline story came together

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

BEHIND THE SCENES ON OUR 988 LIFELINE STORY

Via Gillian Brassil...

It all started with a press conference.

I primarily cover Congress so one sunny D.C. afternoon in March, I attended a press conference with California Sen. Alex Padilla, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and a couple other lawmakers who have long pressed the need for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to be geo-routed.

Right now, callers are routed to centers that match the three-digit area code of their phone number: Someone with a Baltimore phone number would be routed there, even if the person is in Sacramento.

Geographical routing or geo-routing does not give a callers precise location. It sends calls to a destination based on the nearby wireless tower it used to connect. Its important for 988 Lifeline calls to be sent to centers nearby because trained crisis counselors recommend local mental health services and, when needed, get law enforcement intervention.

At the press conference, the lawmakers announced that the Federal Communications Commission was taking the first step toward requiring wireless carriers implement a geo-routing solution.

Because for a young student who may be away at college and in crisis, for a parent who may be across country at work  asking for a friend  or a loved one who may have moved to a new city but still has their phone with an old area code, Padilla, D-Calif., told reporters in March, a few seconds and being connected to local responders, local service providers, can make not just a big difference, but can mean the difference between life and death.

I didnt realize that 988 calls werent geo-routed already, and probably many others didnt either. I know people who have called the 988 Lifeline and thought about how, if they had needed in-person intervention, the area code of their phone number could have made it more difficult to quickly connect them with appropriate resources.

Over the next month, I spoke with people in this space and kept my eyes on the FCC schedule to see when commissioners were slated to vote on adopting the federal rulemaking process for a geo-routing solution, which they did in late April.

After the press conference, I spoke with a leader from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which advocates for mental wellbeing and has long pressed for a geo-routing solution. The organizations leaders later connected me with the California mother whose story evokes why 988 calls should be geo-routed.

Later, I spoke with leaders at Kings View, the mental health care company which operates the Fresno-based 988 call center, about their work and the issue of calls sometimes coming from thousands of miles away. They kindly let our fantastic photojournalist, Eric Paul Zamora, photograph their center.

This is a sensitive and important topic, which is why I tried to report with heightened empathy and patience.

Its important to highlight helpful tools like the 988 Lifeline, and shed light on how to improve them. I hope you read the story.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers free, anonymous help to anyone in crisis and their loved ones. Access the 24-hour hotline by calling or texting 988. A live chat is available at 988lifeline.org. WellSpace Health, which operates the universal service in the capital region, can also be reached at 916-368-3111 or by texting HOPE to 916-668-4226.

FONDA-GATE CONTINUES

Who doesnt love a sequel?

Earlier this week, we reported on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors vote to declare April 30 Jane Fonda Day in perpetuity.

That move prompted a pair of Republican lawmakers, Sen. Janet Nguyen, R-Huntington Beach, and Assemblyman Tri Ta, R-Westminster, to call out the board, pointing out that April 30 is the anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and that using that day to honor Fonda, of all people, was rubbing salt in the wound.

In the early 70s, Fonda infamously flew to North Vietnam, as the Vietnam War was raging on, and spoke out against the ongoing U.S. involvement in that conflict. After this, detractors would call her Hanoi Jane.

The board isnt budging.

Board spokeswoman Constance Farrell referred The Bees inquiry to an April 30 statement released by Board Chair Lindsey Horvath. Farrell said that Fonda was honored as part of Earth Month for her climate activism, and that the fourth meeting of the month is when presentations are held.

Jane Fondas activism knows no bounds. Where Jane focuses her passion and heart, great things happen, Horvath said in the statement.

For her part, Fonda said in a statement that she was honored to be honored.

My message today is  when you go into the ballot box have climate in your heart. Most Americans are very concerned about what is happening, but they dont necessarily bring it into the voting booth with them. This is an existential year. How we vote all the way down ballot is going to matter for whether young people have a livable future, she said.

But the lawmakers arent deterred.

On Monday, Ta sent a letter to Horvath signed by 17 Assembly Republicans (Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, R-Escondido, was the only Republican not to sign) and one Assembly Democrat  Stephanie Nguyen, D-Elk Grove.

We cannot fathom why the Board of Supervisors would choose this particular day to celebrate Jane Fonda. The pain and hurt caused by this decision will surely cause long-term damage to the Vietnamese refugee community, the letter reads in part.

The letter once again demands that the board rescind its decision.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

As I reflect on Californias history, which is checkered with great wrongs to Native Americans, I cannot help but recognize the resilience of the states first stewards. We must never forget that past, and we begin by acknowledging those to whom the land was entrusted from Time Immemorial.

- Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, in a statement acknowledging that the Capital region sits on Miwok and Nisenan tribal land.

Best of The Bee:
Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Banks will face Democrat Dr. Valerie McCray in the race for Indianas open U.S. Senate seat this November. (Photo illustration by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle; Photos by Leslie Bonilla Muniz, and from McCray's campaign website)

Democrat Dr. Valerie McCray will face off against Republican Congressman Jim Banks in the race for Indianas open U.S. Senate seat after both candidates earned widespread primary voter support on Tuesday.

The Associated Press declared McCray, a clinical psychologist, the winner at 7 p.m., with results showing her leading over her challenger, former state lawmaker and longtime lobbyist Marc Carmichael.

At the time the race was called, McCray led with about 65% of the statewide vote. Carmichael trailed in a distant second at around 34%. That lead grew to more than 68% with 84% of the vote counted.

With the win, McCray becomes the first Black woman to become a nominee for the U.S. Senate in Indiana.

The fact that I can claim victory in the Primary says one thing  the people of Indiana are ready for someone who understands their struggles. Who will fight for mental health care, breathable wages, and reproductive rights! she said in a statement.

McCray said about a short 24-hour break she will turn to the general election.

Defeating Jim Banks will be a huge mountain to climb. It will take more money, more hard work and more volunteers than ever before, she said.

On the Republican side, Banks made his nomination official after appearing on the primary ballot unopposed. Seymour egg farmer John Rust was removed due to Indianas two-primary rule.

Banks and McCray also will have a Libertarian opponent, Andrew Horning, in the general election. He was selected as the partys candidate during its annual convention in March.

The Senate seat is being vacated by Republican Mike Braun, who clinched the GOP nomination in Indianas gubernatorial race on Tuesday.

We have a mess to clean up. This country cant take any more of what were getting from the worst president in American history, Joe Biden, in the White House, Banks said Tuesday night while giving a victory speech in Fort Wayne. Im going to be doing everything that I can to remove him from the White House, get Donald Trump back in the White House, and do what we have to do to get this country great again, strong again  get the policies back in place that put America first.

McCray previously told the Indiana Capital Chronicle that reinstating abortion rights, tackling ongoing immigration issues and finding solutions to the Israeli-Palestine issue are among her top priorities, if elected in November.

Shes championing mental and reproductive healthcare, emphasizing that her work in the field, as well as her personal and up close experiences as a female, make her best suited to tackle policy solutions on those topics.

Dr. McCray is a lifelong champion in mental healthcare, and understands we must invest in our communities to ensure every Hoosier has access to the best healthcare in the country, said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl in a written statement, following the announcement of McCrays win. Dr. McCray will be a vote to codify Roe v. Wade as the law of the land, and protect womens healthcare on the federal level. It stands in stark contrast to Republican nominee and Trump sycophant Jim Banks, who is pushing a nationwide ban on medication abortion, and restricting access to birth control for millions of families.

She will be a voice for solutions as Indianas next senator, Schmuhl continued. She will work across the aisle to tackle the scourge of addiction, support comprehensive immigration reform, and bring good, high-wage, union jobs to Indiana.

The Democrat first launched a Senate campaign two years ago. She didnt get enough voter signatures to make it on the ballot, however.

But this time around, McCray said her grassroots team was relentless, reaching the 4,500 signatures needed with time to spare.

Banks, the GOP favorite, has already spent nearly eight years in Congress, has a multimillion-dollar campaign war chest and an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Even so, McCray said shes confident she can win over Banks in this Novembers general election. Hoosiers, she said, are looking for someone more moderate and less extreme.

Federal campaign finance data shows McCray trailed both Banks and Carmichael, though.

Carmichael raised nearly $112,000 through mid-April. McCray has raised just below $15,000.

Banks, meanwhile, has raised more than $4.7 million this election cycle. There are no federal reports on Hornings Senate fundraising so far.

Congressman Banks has been an excellent representative for the 3rd congressional district. He has a lengthy resume of being a conservative fighter who always puts the United States and Indiana first, said Indiana Republican Party Chairwoman Anne Hathaway in a Tuesday statement. We are looking forward to working with Congressman Banks through November to keep this Senate seat red.

The post McCray wins Democrat nomination to challenge Banks in race for Indianas U.S. Senate seat appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Food dangerously old, food dangerously not cold and equipment encrusted with old food were among the pages of problems state inspectors found at a Presidente Supermarket.

When Florida Department of Agriculture inspectors dropped by the West Kendall Presidente at 14778 SW 56th St. last week, they found several targets for Stop Sale Orders. Ag Department inspectors cant close a place, but they can put Stop Sales on food and Stop Use Orders on areas and equipment.

READ MORE: Recalled candy sold at Walmart, Target, Dollar General and Hy-Vee might have salmonella

Here are just some of the violations seen by Inspectors James Zheng and Julio Azpura.

Presidente Supermarket, 14778 SW 56th St.

In the food service area, food employees did not wash their hands or change gloves after touching money and before handling food and clean utensils.

Then again, the handwash sink in that area is not located in a way that allowed employees to use it conveniently. It was installed in a tight space and below the counter, requiring employees to kneel and making it impractical to use.

Gloves were used in the bakery area, but they were cloth gloves to handle fresh baked Cuban bread. Stop Sale on the Cuban breads, but at least customers know the bread was freshly baked.

READ MORE: Slime and mold at a Miami baker of Cuban bread and pastelitos for stores, supermarkets

Multiple food items held for credit in the meat, deli, produce departments were not segregated from wholesome food.

A meat department walk-in cooler had raw pork shoulders stored in direct contact with a metal shopping retail cart. Shopping carts arent food-grade containers. The shoulders were taken out of the cart and the cart was taken out of service.

There was old food residue on the back of the upper wheel and the blade scrapers of both band saws in the meat department. Additionally, accumulated grease was observed on the removable part of the meat grinder disk plate.

Observed multiple baked bread holding metal cabinets with accumulated dirt, dust and food residue in the bakery area.

In the produce area, a heated plastic film food-wrapping table machine had accumulated food residue.

READ MORE: Beer, fruit, rice vulnerable to vermin and next to open garbage at a Hialeah supermarket

Now to the monsoon of Stop Sales.

A package of Mr. Tango Cooked Veal roll Matambre was opened on April 16. It should have been tossed at the end of the day on April 22. It was still in the walk-in cooler on May 1. Stop Sale.

The meat department had a pot with cooked black beans, pork tamales and cook beef chunks that had been cooked more than 24 hours before, but nobody knew how much longer. Stop Sale.

In the deli area, multiple packages of deli meats (ham, turkey, mortadella, sweet ham) were not clearly marked and we were unable to determine the day it was first opened or the day by which the food should be discarded. Stop Sale.

The backrooms dairy walk-in cooler door gasket was in disrepair. The store wound up throwing out 900 gallons of milk, chocolate milk and lactose-free milk stored in the walk-in because they measured 45 to 48 degrees and proper food safety says they need to be 41 degrees or under. Stop Sale.

Multiple packages of watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe cut this morning and placed in the retail open produce cooler measured between 47 and 53 degrees and did not achieve 41 degrees after more than four hours of cooling. Stop Sales.

On the produce areas walk-in cooler, the metal doors inside surface in disrepair and missing metal parts in some spots.

The same fate found boiled pork chunks, pork tamales, pork belly and black beans in the meat departments walk-in cooler. All but the pork belly were in the aforementioned pot that had been there more than a day, so Stop Sale on the pork belly.

Still in the meat department, multiple packages of ham spread made in house measured 42 and 43 degrees and various deli ham pieces measured 42 to 46 degrees.

At the hot counter, where food needed to be kept at 135 degrees or above, all of the following were at least 19 degrees: ham croquetas, cheese croquetas, cod croquetas, chorizo croquetas, cheese pastelitos, guava and cheese empanadas, beef stuffed potatoes, pan de bono, cheese tequenos and fried chicken wings.

No surprise that the hot display case was ruled in disrepair and managers stopped using it before the inspectors hit it with a Stop Use Order.

There are multiple missing and water-damaged ceiling tiles in several areas including the deli department, dry storage, bakery ovens, and retail spaces.

Presidente Supermarket, 14778 SW 56th St.

You just cant put wet wiping cloths in use on food prep tables when youre not using them. Theyre supposed to be in sanitizer solution.

The bakery folks used and reused single-use baking paper multiple days to line trays during the baking process.

Those foam meat trays carrying ground beef, chicken, pork chops come in packing to protect them from contamination and passing it on to your food. But the foam meat trays stored on a shelving unit next to the walk-in cooler are not kept in the original protective package.

More from the meat departments walk-in cooler: no floor drains where water cleaning method are used.

The inspectors also noted water accumulation in holes and uneven surfaces of the floor inside both walk-in coolers.

This embedded content is not available in your region.
Mecklenburg leaders approve out-of-state bond for Charlotte school that burned down

Mecklenburg leaders approve out-of-state bond for Charlotte school that burned down

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Mecklenburg County commissioners approved an out-of-state bond Tuesday to help Charlotte Preparatory School rebuild its campus.

The private schools Lower School burned down last summer on Boyce Road, and went through an organization affiliated the state of Wisconsin for the funds for a new building. The bond is worth $13 million, and would have no impact on local taxes.

Families of construction workers killed in SouthPark fire file lawsuits against companies involved in project

By Wisconsin state law, a municipal body local to the group purchasing the bond has to sign off on it. The Public Finance Authority issues bonds for the purpose of issuing tax-exempt and taxable conduit bonds for public and private entities nationwide.

Charlotte Prep officials say they will have to pay the bond back like a loan.

Renderings of the planned new Lower School campus. (Photos: Charlotte Prep)

There was no comment by county commissioners or the public; it passed unanimously.

Plans for the new campus include ten 950-square-foot K-4 classrooms, larger welcoming spaces for school counselors and learning support specialists, and a larger, multi-use dining hall.

The fire broke out in a building that did not have sprinklers, and firefighters say the cause is undetermined.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
A Ukrainian student attending Moscow State University detained three times by Russian authorities will be expelled from Russia, the Russian independent outlet news MediaZona reported on May 8.

Serhii Hulko is currently being held in a detention center in Sakharovo just outside Moscow and will be sent to a third country  possibly Georgia  though the date of the expulsion is not yet known, his girlfriend Yana told MediaZona.

According to the outlet, Hulko was first arrested on April 3 and detained for 10 days. After his release, he was detained again for writing "Glory to Ukraine!" on social media.

The student was supposed to be released on April 25 but was once again detained for a further 12 days for posts he made on Instagram in which he was alleged to have called for the bombing of Moscow.

Hulko told the court he had written these posts two years ago in a highly emotional state at the outset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Yana said Hulko had been reported to authorities by a classmate who had saved screenshots of the posts for over two years and was using them now to make sure he could not graduate from the university despite studying there for several years.

Read also: Russia arrests political opposition activists in absentia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The intersection of North 107th Street and Good Hope Road on Milwaukee's northwest side is near to where a Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office deputy shot and killed a man Sunday evening, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office. The man was identified as Steven. A. Wyman, 47, of Slinger, on Wednesday by the Medical Examiner's Office.

The man who was shot and killed by a Milwaukee County sheriff's deputy Sunday has been identified as Steven A. Wyman, 47, of Slinger.

Wyman was identified by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office on Wednesday. The Journal Sentinel was unable to immediately reach members of his family.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office previously said a deputy fired multiple times Sunday evening at a man who was wanted under suspicion of domestic violence and had led officers on a car chase nearing 100 mph. A knife was recovered from the man after the shooting, according to department spokesperson James Burnett.

The incident stemmed from a domestic dispute in the village of Slinger on Sunday, according to Police Chief Dean Schmidt. He did not elaborate further, citing an open investigation.

Burnett said Slinger police sent a bulletin to area law enforcement agencies detailing the allegations against the man and the car he was driving. The bulletin referenced the man was armed and made suicidal statements.

After the car chase, the man fled on foot and "engaged" with officers from multiple agencies near the intersection of North 107th Street and Good Hope Road. A deputy sheriff with more than seven years of experience fired multiple times, killing the man.

Several residents of the area told the Journal Sentinel on Monday morning they learned of the shooting after the fact and did not witness anything. The area is heavy with vehicle traffic and does not have many facilities for pedestrians.

The Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office does not have a standard practice for releasing body camera footage of incidents in which officers use deadly force. The sheriffs office has not said how soon footage could be made available.

The Milwaukee Police Department, in contrast, typically releases redacted and edited footage of such incidents on a goal-oriented 45-day timeline. The department does not always meet the goal.

The deputy, who has no prior history of discharging his firearm, has been placed on administrative duty, a routine practice after law enforcement uses deadly force.

The lead outside agency investigating the matter is the Brookfield Police Department.

Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Medical examiner names man killed by sheriff's deputy in Milwaukee
When a Polish domestic worker discovered a dusty envelope inscribed Poland II among old personal papers in a house in Brunswick, Germany, whose owner had died, in 2020 she was not yet aware of the significance of her find. She knew that the 140 negatives inside the envelope had historical value, but not that they would become the first visual record of the beginning of the Nazi occupation of the Polish town of Oswiecim, which was called Auschwitz by the Germans. The snapshots show the day-to-day life of the Jewish community under the control of the Third Reich, prior to the construction of the largest concentration and extermination camp of the Holocaust, which began operating in June 1940 and where more than one million people perished.

They are a unique document. Not only of the German occupation of Oswiecim and the crimes committed, but, above all, of a historical trace that shows the Jewish community on the brink of the Holocaust, Artur Szyndler, a historian and chief curator of the Oswiecim Jewish Museum, the institution that acquired the photographs late last year, tells EL PAIS. The photographs were owned by Nazi doctor Hermann Barmeyer, who lived with his family in Oswiecim between 1939 and 1940. Barmeyer himself features in one them, wearing his uniform and eating with his family with a portrait of Adolf Hitler in the background. They were probably taken by one of the Barmeyers or by a German soldier at the familys request. The quality of the photographs shows that they were not taken by a professional, Szyndler explains.

The bridge over the Soa River and, in the background, Oswiecim Castle in the earliest known color photograph of the town. Museo Judio de Oswiecim Nazi doctor and original owner of the photos, Hermann Barmeyer (first from right), with his family in the dining room of his home located on Jagiey Street in Oswiecim, where he lived from 1939 to 1940. Museo Judio de Oswiecim Jewish children wearing Star of David armbands on one of the streets of Oswiecim during the first months of Nazi occupation. Museo Judio de Oswiecim Jewish citizens in the Market Square in Oswiecim. Some wear the white armband with the Star of David they were forced to wear for identification. Museo Judio de Oswiecim Soldiers of the Third Reich in Oswiecim during the first months of the German occupation of Poland. Museo Judio de Oswiecim Jews from Oswiecim lining up to enter the city center, collect food rations, or attend some kind of registration by the occupation authorities. Museo Judio de Oswiecim A shot of Jagiey Street in which a group of Nazi soldiers are parading. The photograph was taken from the house, number 27, where the Barmeyer family lived. Museo Judio de Oswiecim Jewish citizens of Oswiecim form a line, under the supervision of a German soldier. Museo Judio de Oswiecim A deserted street in Oswiecim during the first months of the Nazi occupation. Museo Judio de Oswiecim View of the Main Market Square of Oswiecim. Museo Judio de Oswiecim View of Jagiey Street, one of the most important streets in the city, with the Salesian school on the right and in the background on the left, the Town Hall. Museo Judio de Oswiecim German soldiers guard lines of Jews. Museo Judio de Oswiecim A Jewish citizen wearing the Star of David armband stares into the camera as he is pictured during the Nazi occupation of the city of Oswiecim. Museo Judio de Oswiecim

Some of the images are blurred or out of focus, but their true value is not artistic: they are a document of a turning point in the history of World War II. Several of the photographs show Jewish boys and men staring at the camera, with their arms crossed or their hands in their pockets. They wear an armband on their left arm with the Star of David on a white background, the identifying badge they were forced to wear. Later they had to carry special identification cards, stamps on documents, or markings on their clothing.

In the Katowice district, of which Oswiecim was a part, the obligation to wear white bands on the left shoulder with the word jude (Jew) was introduced from November 1939. The following summer this was replaced by a Star of David with a white background on the left breast. In turn, from December 21, 1939, in the entire province of Silesia [to which Auschwitz also belongs], Jews over the age of 10 were required to wear a white band with the Star of David, Szyndler summarizes. Does that mean that the photographs correspond to the latter period? We dont know the exact date, but in my opinion, they are from the first months of 1940, replies the historian.

The Nazi doctor and original owner of the photos, Hermann Barmeyer (first from the right), with his family in the dining room of his house on Jagiey Street in Oswiecim, where he lived from 1939 to 1940. Museo Judio de Oswiecim

The photos also show the Jewish community, mainly women and children, standing in long lines in the historic Market Square or in other streets of the city, under the surveillance of the SS. They may be queuing to enter the city center  special passes were required  or waiting to collect food rations. It equally might have been some kind of search operation by the occupying authorities, Szyndler hypothesizes. Further research is needed to obtain more precise information.

In addition to depicting the Jewish population subjected by German forces, the negatives show the main streets and monuments in the city. One is the first color image of Oswiecim on record. It shows the bridge over the Soa River and the citys castle, built in the early 16th century, which during the war served as the headquarters of the occupying forces. Others show Jagiey Street (which was named by the Germans after Hermann Goring during the war), one of the most important streets in the town and which led to what would later become the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

On Jagiey Street itself the Salesian complex can be seen, consisting of the school, church, and monastery, destroyed in the Polish-Swedish War (1600-1623) and rebuilt in the early 20th century, as well as the town hall. The negatives include shots of the towns of Bedzin, Bielsko, Krakow, Rajsko, and Sosnowiec, but most are unidentified.

The first Jews settled in Oswiecim in the 16th century; they called it Oshpitzin, which in Yiddish means guests. By the beginning of the 20th century, they already constituted around 60% of the towns population of 12,000. The community disappeared during the 1941 deportations to the ghettos of Bedzin, Chrzanow, and Sosnowiec. Those who survived until 1943 were sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where most were killed in the gas chambers. Only a handful survived the Holocaust, Szyndler recounts.

A Jewish citizen wearing a Star of David armband stares into the camera while being photographed during the Nazi occupation of Oswiecim. Museo Judio de Oswiecim

One of the first measures the Nazis took when they invaded the city in September 1939 was to close Jewish businesses and stores or place them under the administration of a German appointee. On the night of November 29-30, 1939, Hitlers armed forces burned the Great Synagogue, built in 1879 and the remnants of which have formed the Oswiecim Memorial Park since 2022.

Forced labor was a regular practice to which between 120 and 200 Jews were subjected daily. From the beginning of May 1940 until June, at the request of the future commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Hoss, the mayor of the city additionally forced the council of elders of the Jewish community to assign some 250-300 men to work each day. They were ordered to clear the area of the former barracks where the camp was to be located, on the outskirts of the city.

The Oswiecim Jewish Museum, located in the center of the old town, has not yet prepared an exhibition to display the photographs but it has posted some of them on its Facebook account. The museums intention first is to properly develop the material from a historical point of view. We hope to identify the other locations in the photos. We have already asked other researchers, historians, and museums for help, Szyndler says.

In the case of the people in the images, it will be extremely difficult to identify them beyond the members of the Barmeyer family. The museum has asked for help in this task from networking groups dealing with Jewish history.

View of Jagiey Street, with the Salesian school on the right and the Town Hall in the background on the left. Museo Judio de Oswiecim

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
PRINCETON, WV (WVNS)  Mercer Countys branch of the Salvation Army is asking their community for any donations they can make. This branch is at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to funding due to an increasing number of requests for aid.

Spanish-speaking church trying to put down roots in Beckley

Every bit of their unrestricted funding has been used, and the future months look grim.

Unrestricted funding is used to pay vendors, utilities, and payroll.

Salvation Army Sergeant Melissa White said the situation is dire.

Right now, the fact is, we need cash. We need, you know, donations that are unrestricted so that we can use them to pay whatever vendors we need to pay, towards salaries and light bill, that kind of thing, said White. We just truly need financial contribution right now.

White said that the rise in participation of the Salvation Armys ministries is one cause for the lack of funding.

She said she is glad more people are seeking out the Salvation Army for assistance, but more people means more funding spent to keep the ministries running.

White said that the current political climate plays a large role in the lack of donations.

Across the board, its not just with the Salvation Army, the general donation funding for all non-profits is going down instead of up, said White. I think that can be attributed to the overall economy, the election time, uncertainty about what the future holds, as well as all the things that are taking place around the world.

Concord University nursing program hosts first white coat ceremony

White said at bare minimum they will need $75,000 to keep their doors open.

She said her branch has several fundraising events planned in order to bring in the money theyll need to get through the summer.

Next week is National Salvation Army Week and White is planning on a Radiothon from 9 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon on Wednesday, May 15th.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Theres good news for Charlotte meteorologists fighting to improve weather warnings in the region.

Their goal is to prevent scenes like the one last month in Mount Ulla, where a tornado touched down, but it was not detected by radar, meaning people in that area did not get any warning of a twister.

Click here to see our latest Pinpoint Weather forecast! 

Were a major city. Theres a lot of people that live here, and were the only one in the whole country that doesnt have a radar thats in our own backyard, said Queen City News meteorologist Jim Lytle. Thats going to make all the difference in the world for the accuracy of the forecast, for the type of precipitation thats going to come.

The bill  co-sponsored by three North Carolina members of Congress  is called the Weather Act Reauthorization. Currently, the closest National Weather Service Doppler radar system is more than 80 miles away near Greenville, South Carolina.

House Bill 6073 would have weather authorities prioritize current radar gaps when deciding where to place the new systems. It passed in the House on April 30.

The closest National Weather Service doppler radar system to Charlotte is more than 80 miles away.

Queen City News Chief meteorologist Tara Lane says it would help when predicting weather events like the EF-1 tornado that hit western Rowan County in April. Mount Ulla Elementary School was damaged to the point of closing the next day.

It could have helped that particular thunderstorm, Lane said. There was a Severe Thunderstorm Warning with the tornado-possible wording within that warning, but there wasnt an official Tornado Warning at the time. So, again, having a radar to fill that gap could allow the National Weather Service to see a little more of that detail and possibly could have issued that Tornado Warning on that storm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
UPDATE: Kupins bill passed Tuesday, May 7 on third reading.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  While Nashville residents are no strangers to jackhammers and bulldozer noises, these sights and sounds dont attract tourists like a Broadway band might.

Since the 2020 Christmas Day bombing, businesses on 2nd Ave in Downtown Nashville have been trying to bring patrons to their bars and stores despite the constant construction outside.

According to the Downtown Nashville Partnership, 25 of the 46 street-facing businesses on 2nd Ave in 2020 have since closed.

 Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts 

In order to attract more people to the area, Councilmember Jacob Kupin, who represents Downtown Nashville, has spearheaded an effort to ease restrictions on 2nd Ave businesses.

Its been challengingpedestrians not realizing that this areas even open, not knowing how to navigate or get across it, said Kupin. [Businesses] sales are down 70, 80, 90 percent at times. Theyre really struggling to make it through this.

Kupins bill, which is up for third and final reading Tuesday night, would establish a Tourism Improvement Zone on 2nd Ave. This new designation would allow businesses on the construction-filled street to have outside amplified noise, to put more signs and banners and allow for outdoor vending.

I think its gonna be a lot of little things that were pulling together to make one big impact, he said.

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County

Kupin explained that given the size and scope of the destruction from the 2020 bombing, its been a long process to rebuild 2nd Ave. Its an unprecedented amount of damage that weve seen. Theres a lot of historic buildings that need to be taken care of a certain way.

Kupin said construction on the north section of 2nd Ave is expected to finish by the summer.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Authorities are trying to track down a man accused of robbing an Antioch bank Wednesday morning.

The bank robbery was reported shortly before 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8 at the Fifth Third Bank located in the 1300 block of Bell Road.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), a man handed a note to the bank teller demanding money. Then, he allegedly left the scene on foot with the cash and headed toward Blue Hole Road.

3 injured in explosion at Nashville special effects company

An officer at the scene told News 2 no injuries were reported following the robbery.

If you see the man photographed below, or if you recognize him, you are asked to call MNPD at 615-862-8600.

Suspect in Fifth Third Bank robbery (Courtesy: MNPD)

MNPD and the FBI are investigating the incident, officials said. No additional details have been released about the case.

 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.
By David Alire Garcia and Adriana Barrera

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Widespread recent power outages in Mexico were caused by unseasonably hot weather, the country's president said on Wednesday, assuring consumers that the national grid has sufficient generating capacity going forward.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told reporters at a regular government press conference that his government will also coordinate with private power producers, responsible for about half of Mexico's electricity generation.

Around 20 of Mexico's 32 states were affected by Tuesday's rolling power outages, according to data from grid operator CENACE analyzed by Reuters.

On Wednesday morning, net national power demand totaled around 44.9 gigawatts (GW), just under a net generation of 45.0 GW.

"This was something exceptional that was not expected," said Lopez Obrador, pointing in particular to a heat wave scorching parts of the country.

"But we're going to be very attentive to this special situation we're dealing with," he added.

COPARMEX, a major Mexican employers lobby, pitched more private investment especially for renewable energy as a way to improve the grid's reliability.

"The participation of private investment would provide stability in the face of the various contingencies and challenges of the national electricity system," it said. "The generation of clean energy and the creation of storage infrastructure could avoid future electricity emergencies."

Over the past six years, Lopez Obrador has sought to prioritize the dispatch of power from state-owned electricity company Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) while curtailing the growth of privately-owned generators, many of whom have seen their renewable energy plans stymied.

Tuesday's power outages struck as large parts of Mexico have also been grappling with severe water shortages, including upscale neighborhoods in Mexico City.

Water storage levels for the Cutzamala system, a major source of drinking water for much of the capital and the surrounding state of Mexico, has slid to less than 31% on Tuesday, according to data from national water authority CONAGUA. Experts have called that level critically low.

(Reporting by David Alire Garcia and Adriana Barrera; Writing by Stefanie Eschenbacher)
*Editors Note: This story has been updated to provide clarification on the rule change.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  New Mexico courts have new rules surrounding the decision to keep people accused of crimes behind bars before they get a trial.

The rules now require judges to hold individuals in custody if they are re-arrested for certain crimes while awaiting trial for any felony. They must be in custody at least until a judge reviews their case. Judges also have to hold re-offenders awaiting trial for certain misdemeanors, like DWI, negligent use of a firearm, aggravated battery, stalking, and domestic violence, at least until a judge can review the situation.

White-nose syndrome suspected in Lincoln National Forest cave

The new rules will help protect our communities while honoring the constitutional rights of people accused of a crime who are presumed innocent under the law, Administrative office of the Courts Deputy Director Karl Reifsteck said in a press release.

For years, there has been debate over how to update or reform the rules surrounding so-called pretrial detention. You can read a deep-dive into the system at this link. The latest rule change was approved by the New Mexico Supreme Court after a public comment period.

Las Cruces sinkhole swallows two cars in homes front yard

The new rules also create a mandate for judges to re-consider whether or not to hold individuals in custody if those individuals violate their pre-trial release conditions. Previously, judges had discretion on whether or not to review release conditions.

The revised rules ensure that courts across the state follow the same procedures when a defendant on pretrial release is arrested on a new charge, Artie Pepin, the director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, said in a press release. The rules set short deadlines for hearings and issuing orders after courts consider whether to revoke or change the conditions under which a defendant was initially released to await trial.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  The states highest court says evidence related to an individuals immigration status cannot be used in court proceedings in certain cases.

The New Mexico Supreme Court says T and U visa application material will be prohibited in court cases within the state. T visas are issued for individuals who are victims of human trafficking, and U visas are issued for victims of crimes such as sexual assault or murder.

New Mexico considering new system for dealing with mentally ill criminals

The intention of T and U visas are to provide noncitizens a way to remain in the U.S. as they work with law enforcement to report and convict criminals, the New Mexico Supreme Court explains. By allowing courts to admit visa materials as evidence, immigrants with visa status could be improperly discredited during trials, the Supreme Court says. So, state judges should prohibit further production or use of any such related materials in future proceedings.

The issue came up in several recent cases. In one case, a man from San Juan County was accused of criminal sexual contact with a child under the age of 13. The childs parents  who were on U visas  reported the alleged crime.

Under the Supreme Courts directive, lower courts cannot approve subpoenas requiring the disclosure of T and U visa information. The Supreme Court says it will publish a formal written opinion on the matter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Prisoners in Ecuador are going hungry. The company that was contracted to feed 11,000 inmates in 20 penitentiaries has abandoned the prison kitchens due to an outstanding debt of $30 million owed by the government of President Daniel Noboa. This amount also includes school meals for 1.5 million children. The first alert that prisoners were not receiving food came on April 26. The Service for the Attention of Persons Deprived of Liberty (SNAI) denied through a bulletin on social networks that supply had been suspended and assured that they had guaranteed the service normally. After the issuance of that statement, SNAI remained silent. A week later, Noboa wrote on the social network X, without providing further details: We will never favor suppliers of the State that have links with organized crime. The crisis, however, has not been addressed and the families of prisoners are crowded at the door of the notorious Litoral prison in Guayaquil for fear that their loved ones will die of starvation.

The situation of inmates has been exacerbated by the continuous denunciations of mistreatment that human rights organizations have been documenting since Noboa decreed a state of internal armed conflict in January and authorized the military to enter the prisons. Last Friday, carried white balloons with messages such as No to mistreatment and giant photographs of the wounded and bloodied bodies of the prisoners. Aracelis relative is held in the Latacunga prison where the story is the same: There is no food, no medicine, they are mistreating them. I dont agree with the military doing this, they are already paying for their crimes. The president is doing wrong, she says.

In some prisons, SNAI has allowed family members to deliver food to the prisoners. To do so, they have organized collections of donations from relatives, neighbors, and friends. We dont have enough money and we have to rely on people, says Araceli. The judge ruled in favor of the prisoners and ordered that within 15 days, the Ministry of Finance deliver the funds to SNAI so that it can guarantee food for inmates. The SNAI will have no excuse to solve the problem and will have to manage food for the prisoners with donations and public and private institutions, says Fernando Bastias of the Permanent Committee of Human Rights of Guayaquil (CDH).

Relatives of Ecuadorian prisoners protest in front of the North Judicial Complex, in Quito. KAREN TORO

This organization has received over 100 complaints of torture and cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment as of four months ago, when the state of emergency came into force. Most of the accusations come from the Litoral prison. All of them concur that the prisoners are incommunicado from their families and many have required medical attention as a result of wounds caused by beatings, or pre-existing illnesses. One of the methods of torture identified by the CDH is also through food. The Armed Forces withhold food, let it rot, and then give it to the detainees, says Bastias. The complaints also detail that the military give them the food and force them to eat in a minute while they pour gas on them, he adds.

The government assures that it sent a notitia criminis to the Attorney Generals Office for a secret report from the Strategic Intelligence Center, in which alleged illicit acts of a criminal nature are revealed and in which the company Lafattoria S.A., the food supplier for the 20 prisons, has been accused of involvement. Previous governments for years handed Ecuador over to these criminals, accustoming them to another type of policy. Today they feel threatened and are determined to hinder the progress of this government that, at last, calls them what they are: narco-politicians, said Noboa. Lafattorias legal representative responded on X, stating that the government had been given false information that seems a justification for not paying the almost $30 million. In addition, he said that the insinuation of corruption without evidence constitutes defamation, adding that the company has been audited by the State Comptrollers Office and reports to the Financial Analysis Unit against money laundering.

The relative of a prisoner shows photographs of torture suffered by the inmate. KAREN TORO KAREN TORO Karen Toro

Meanwhile, relatives of the prisoners are pressuring the government with protests in the streets to resolve the food service in jails. The atmosphere is rarefied and poisoned. There is evident concern. Sandra watches a video that is the last proof of life of her son, imprisoned in the Litoral. In the footage, the young man is on the floor of his cell, apparently choking. Another prisoner holds his head so that he can breathe while a third records him. She received the video a week ago and it is one of the few pieces of evidence she has that her son is still alive. The families of the prisoners know little of what has been going on inside the prison walls since January, when Noboa signed the decree authorizing the Armed Forces to take control of the penitentiaries. Since then, visits have been prohibited.

Sandras son, Luis, is 21 and has been held for three years in a prison where there have been about a dozen massacres. But his mother is not sure he will survive the torture he is being subjected to. The day that video was recorded, we had requested habeas corpus for him to receive medical attention and the military went to look for him in his cell to torture him with gas, says Sandra, while watching the video in which her son babbled that he was going to die.

Relatives pray in front of the North Judicial Complex during a protest. KAREN TORO

Her body trembles with worry and rage as she watches the images, and she bursts into tears explaining that Luis suffers from asthma and that he is much thinner. He was chubby, she says. The video shows a skinny young man, his face marked by bones and sunken eyes. We know that they are not giving them the three meals, says Sandra, waiting together with other women at the door of the penitentiary with a transparent bag carrying medicines, waiting to glean some information about their sons, husbands, or brothers. But at the gates, the prison guards remain silent.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
DULUTH  Michael Carbo Jr., who was convicted in the long-unsolved murder case of a Chisholm woman, will get another chance to plead his case, the Minnesota Supreme Court said Wednesday.

Carbo was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in 2022 in St. Louis County Court, closing a cold-case from 1986 that had never, before Carbo, seen an arrest. He was sentenced to life in prison, with a chance for parole in 17 years for the death of Nancy Daugherty, a 38-year-old mother of 2 and well-liked aide at an Iron Range nursing home.

Daugherty, who was fatally strangled, was found beneath bed covers in her modest Chisholm home on July 16, 1986  the same day she was scheduled to move to the Twin Cities area to study to become a paramedic. At the time, Carbo was 18 and lived less than a mile away. He had gone to school with her children.

The Minnesota Supreme Court said the district court erred in not allowing Carbo an alternate perpetrator defense  though the "defendant's proffered evidence clearly had an inherent tendency to connect the alternate perpetrator to the commission of the crime," according to the 57-page opinion written by Justice G. Barry Anderson.

The case will be sent back to Hibbing, Minn., where it was originally tried by Judge Robert C. Friday. The trial date has not yet been scheduled.

Dave Haggard, who is married to Daugherty's daughter Gina, had no comment. At Carbo's sentencing in Sept. 2022, Gina Haggard said she only felt partial closure: Carbo's conviction answered who killed her mother, but not why.

Richard Jenkins, Carbo's stepfather, described Carbo's supporters as "ecstatic" at the news on Wednesday.

"Half the town and none of his friends ever believed he did it," said Jenkins, who lives in Chisholm.

Carbo, 56, is currently in the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Rush City, Minn. His family, who he checks in with weekly, had not yet heard from him at midday. St. Louis County Attorney Kimberly Maki said she expects he will remain in prison while waiting on the rescheduled trial.

Daugherty's murder went unsolved for decades, until a renewed push in 2020 from local law enforcement. They worked with a company that uses genealogy databases to make matches with suspects. DNA from the scene  pulled from Daugherty's nails and the lid of her toilet  was used to narrow their search to Carbo.

Carbo had lived quietly in the city of 4,900 for years and didn't have a significant criminal record until he was linked to Daugherty's death. Over the course of decades, there had been more than 100 other suspects considered. Reward money went unclaimed.

Carbo didn't deny he was at Daugherty's house and had consensual sex with her, but maintained that he did not kill her.

In district court, defense attorney JD Schmid was not allowed to present his alternate perpetrator defense, which was directed at someone Daugherty knew: a man who had been her friend, but after moving away from Chisholm continued to send her letters indicating he wanted a romantic relationship. They had gone out for drinks the night before she was found dead. When she didn't respond to his knocking, he went to a neighbor who called the police. He was among those who found her body.

The man, described as a "scorned lover" in the opinion, was a witness for the state during the trial and told an investigator: "I've often wondered 'Jeez. Did I wake up in the middle of the night, drive over there and kill her?'"

The Star Tribune generally doesn't name suspects unless they have been charged.

The Minnesota Supreme Court heard Carbo's challenge in October 2023. At the time, Assistant State Public Defender Adam Lozeau told the justices that the court prohibited the jury from hearing a complete defense.

According to the Minnesota Supreme Court's opinion, there was evidence to link the alternative perpetrator to the crime and that there was a motive, threats or other facts that proved he did it. It agreed with Carbo that the district court "abused its discretion" in excluding this defense.

"We agree," according to the opinion by Anderson, "and we further conclude that the exclusion of this evidence was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt."
May 8 (UPI) -- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency late Tuesday after a series of tornadoes pummeled the upper Midwestern state, injuring more than 15 people.

The Democratic governor issued the emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch and Cass counties, stating they will work with emergency teams overnight to monitor the situation and coordinate resources for those affected.

"My heart goes out to all those impacted by tonight's severe weather in southwest Michigan," she said in a statement.

A number of tornado and severe weather warnings were issued throughout Tuesday by the National Weather Service, with several tornados reported.

"Significant" tornado damage was incurred by Kalamazoo County, Sherif Richard Fuller said during an update posted online.

The tornado hit a mobile home park, requiring multiple ambulances, as well as fire trucks, to be dispatched, he said early Wednesday.

At least 176 homes in the park were damaged, including about 17 that were destroyed, he added.

Between 16 and 20 people at the mobile park sustained injuries, but none appeared to be life-threatening, he said.

In Portage, officials said in a statement that two tornadoes hit the city, causing "significant damage," including to residential and commercial buildings.

Among the collapsed buildings was Portage's FedEx facility.

The storm downed trees and there were several reports of gas leaks, the city said in a statment, adding about 20,000 customers were without power.

No serious injuries were reported, though several people have been displaced by the storm, it said.

In Branch County, Emergency Manager Tim Miner said seven structures were destroyed, though there were no serious injuries reported.

According to poweroutage.us, more than 33,000 customers in Michigan were without power as of early Wednesday.
Last week, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled unanimously that evidence collected illegally could still be used to enforce civil penalties.

Todd and Heather Maxon keep cars on their five-acre property in Long Lake Township. The township sued in 2007, alleging that the Maxons were violating a zoning ordinance by keeping "junk" on the property. When the Maxons fought back, the township agreed to drop the charges and reimburse attorney fees, and in exchange, the Maxons would not expand the number of cars on the property.

Township officials heard that the Maxons' collection was growing, but the cars were hidden from the road, so they had no way to verify it without a warrantor so you would think. Instead, officials hired a company to surveil the property with aerial drones on three different occasions. Finding that the collection had indeed expanded, the township sued the Maxons for violating the agreement.

The Maxons filed to suppress the drone evidence as a Fourth Amendment violation, since the township never obtained a warrant. The case made its way to the Michigan Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in October. The court had previously remanded the case back to the Michigan Court of Appeals to determine "whether the exclusionary rule applies to this dispute." The exclusionary rule holds that evidence obtained illegally cannot be introduced at trial.

Last week, in a unanimous decision, the Michigan Supreme Court sided with the township. "The exclusionary rule may not be applied to civil enforcement proceedings that effectuate local zoning and nuisance ordinances," wrote Justice Brian Zahra, adding that "the costs of excluding the drone evidence outweighed the benefits of suppressing it."

"Generally, the exclusionary rule operates to exclude or suppress evidence in certain legal

proceedings if the evidence is obtained in violation of a person's constitutional rights," Zahra wrote. "Caselaw, however, has never suggested that the exclusionary rule bars the introduction of illegally seized evidence in all proceedings or against all persons. Given the history of the rule, it is only applicable when the objective of deterring wrongful law enforcement conduct is most effectively met."

The court of appeals originally determined that the search had violated the Fourth Amendment before the higher court sent it back for further consideration. "Because the Supreme Court limited our review to the exclusionary rule's role in this dispute, we proceed by assuming that a Fourth Amendment violation occurred," wrote Chief Judge Elizabeth Gleicher of the Michigan Court of Appeals.

But the state supreme court punted on that issue: "Because the exclusionary rule did not apply in this civil proceeding to enforce zoning and nuisance ordinances," Zahra wrote, "the Court declined to address whether the use of an aerial drone under the circumstances of this case was an unreasonable search or seizure for purposes of the United States or Michigan Constitutions."

In other words, the state's highest court decided that it was irrelevant whether the search violated the Fourth Amendment because the evidence would not be excluded either way, so long as the search was conducted to investigate civil and not criminal violations.

Robert Frommer, an attorney with the Institute for Justice (I.J.), a public-interest law firm that represents the Maxons, calls the Supreme Court's decision "wrong and dangerous," saying that it effectively endorsed unconstitutional searches "as long as the person searching does not have a policeman's hat."

"The Fourth Amendment is not about the police, it's about the government," Frommer tells Reason. "The Michigan Supreme Court failed to act, but the Legislature should fix this loophole to secure Michiganders' rights."

The post Michigan Supreme Court Allows Evidence Collected by Drone, Without a Warrant appeared first on Reason.com.
COOK COUNTY, Ill.  A Michigan woman convicted in the murder of her newborn twins in 2003 will spend two decades behind bars.

Antoinette Briley, 44, a Holland, Michigan resident, pleaded guilty to murder on Tuesday and was sentenced to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Authorities say the sentence was handed down over 20 years after the murders took place in unincorporated Stickney Township.

According to Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart, on June 6, 2003, the bodies of two twin baby boys were found in the 4800 block of South Latrobe Avenue by a waste management employee who was emptying trash bins in an alley.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

An autopsy later confirmed that the two victims had been born alive and died of asphyxiation.

The deaths were ruled as homicides, but an investigation by police did not offer any clues about a potential suspect.

44-year-old Antoinette Briley, a Holland, Michigan, resident, pleaded guilty to murder on Tuesday, May 7, and was sentenced to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Over a decade later, in 2018, detectives reopened the case, and using DNA evidence recovered at the scene, detectives were able to identify Briley as the potential birth mother.

The relationship was later confirmed by authorities after they traveled to Holland, Michigan, and obtained a discarded item that contained Brileys DNA.

Detectives said the DNA recovered from the discarded item was determined to be strongly associated with the victims DNA.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Briley was eventually taken into custody by Sheriffs Police detectives after they learned she was in Cook County on Dec. 3, 2021. Authorities say after they issued Briley her Miranda warning, she admitted her involvement in the murders and the disposal of their bodies.

The next day, on Dec. 4, 2021, the Cook County States Attorneys Office approved two counts of first-degree murder against Briley.

The death of the two boys came just under two years after the Illinois Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act became effective. The law grants parents who relinquish their unharmed newborn infants within 30 days of birth immunity from criminal prosecution.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Record-high levels of immigration have failed to boost the economy while making the housing crisis worse, a leading think tank has warned.

In a report co-authored by former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) urged the Government to introduce caps on legal immigration to stop a drain on British infrastructure and public services that is not offset by economic growth.

In particular, high levels of immigration are significantly exacerbating the housing crisis, it said.

The report, which is jointly authored with former health minister Neil OBrien, also suggested the Home Office should be broken up to create a new department to control immigration.

It came after data published showed British consumers are suffering the longest drop in living standards in the G7 as the economy fails to keep up. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said GDP per person fell for four quarters in a row across 2023 in the UK and has been at 0pc or less since spring 2022.

Although Britains economy rose by 0.1pc across 2023, on a per person basis it fell by 0.8pc, the OECD said. This measure accounts for population growth, which in the UK was the second highest in the group of seven advanced economies.

The figures were in stark contrast to the G7 average, where GDP per capita rose by 1.2pc last year.

If large-scale migration of the sort weve seen is really so great for the economy, we have to ask ourselves why we are not seeing this in the GDP per capita data, the CPS report warned.

To alleviate pressure on housing, the NHS and schools, the CPS said net migration should be capped at just tens of thousands a year down from its peak of 745,000 in 2022.

To deliver this, CPS said the Home Office which had proven itself to be too unwieldy to function effectively and undermined by high levels of churn should be split into a department for border security and immigration control and a second charged with policing and national security.

The new department would be headed by a Cabinet-level minister. We need working institutions that can translate the will of Parliament and the public into action. The Home Office has fallen short on this front, they said.

Analysis of Home Office data showed the impact of the shift from EU to non-EU migrants. Migrants from the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey aged 25-64 were almost twice as likely to be economically inactive as someone born in the UK.

Spanish migrants typically earned around 40pc more than migrants from Pakistan or Bangladesh, while migrants from countries such as Canada, Singapore and Australia paid between four and nine times as much income tax as migrants from Somalia or Pakistan.

The report said the impact was particularly acute in housing. Net migration now accounted for around 89pc of the 1.34m increase in Englands housing deficit  the amount of homes we have underbuilt by in the last 10 years.

Unforeseen levels of immigration have also blown house building targets out of the water. The Governments target of building 300,000 homes per year includes an expectation of net migration to England of around 170,000 per year, which alone will generate demand for 72,000 new homes.

We have been underbuilding for years, even without high levels of net migration. And even if we limit ourselves to just the last 10 years, the picture is bleak, the CPS report warned.

Pressure had also been added to rental markets, as well as affecting home ownership. For example, 67pc of privately rented households in London are headed by someone born overseas, as were 33pc of new social housing lets in Brent in 2022 to 2023.

Last year, Capital Economics estimated that the levels of immigration in 2022 alone may have driven up rents by nearly 10pc.

Immigration is heavily concentrated in cities and particularly in the rental sector. Previous ONS analysis found around 80pc of people arriving in the UK rent privately for at least the first few years after they migrate.

Mr Jenrick and Mr OBrien blamed the post-Brexit Tory government for liberalising the immigration system and breaking its promises to take control of Britains borders after leaving the EU.

Despite the rhetoric of a highly selective system, the post-2021 system continues to allow large numbers of people to come who are either not working or working in very low-wage jobs. Out of net migration of two million non-EU nationals over the last five years, only 15pc came principally to work, they said.

Many economists argue that high levels of immigration boost the UK economy by increasing the workforce and tax revenues.

But although levels of immigration have been extremely high, productivity growth and economic growth per person have slumped, just as pressure on public resources has soared.

Despite a 6.6pc increase in the UKs population between 2011 and 2021, the number of GP surgeries increased by just 4pc during the same period. The UKs capacity to generate electricity fell by 14.2pc.

Karl Williams, of the CPS, said: Traditionally, the Treasury and much of the rest of Government have modelled immigration as an unqualified benefit to the public purse. But this is not the case.

The report recommended abolishing the graduate route, which allows foreign students to stay for two years after getting their degrees. Instead, they could only remain if they had a graduate-level job within six months.

This would be allied to scrapping the 600,000 a year target for the number of foreign students allowed into the UK, which was set by Boris Johnson.

They recommended raising the salary thresholds for health and care workers above the national living wage, and minimum hourly wage in the care sector by 20p to 40p to help recruit more domestic workers. They also called for an immediate cap on the health and care visas set at 30,000, down from the current 250,000 in 2023.

Mr Jenrick said: It would be unforgivable if the Government did not use the time before the general election to undo the disastrous post-Brexit liberalisations that betrayed the express wishes of the British public for lower immigration.

The changes we propose today would finally return numbers to the historical norm and deliver the highly-selective, highly-skilled immigration system voters were promised. These policies could be implemented immediately and would consign low-skilled mass migration to the past.

Immigration is consistently one of the top concerns of voters and they deserve a department whose sole mission is controlling immigration and securing our borders. For far too long, the Home Office has proven incapable of doing that.

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.
Mike Braun wins Indiana GOP governor nod, with Jim Banks lined up to succeed him in the Senate

Republican Sen. Mike Braun won the Republican nomination for governor of Indiana, NBC News projects, making him the favorite to succeed term-limited Gov. Eric Holcomb as Rep. Jim Banks secured the GOP nomination to succeed Braun in the Senate.

And in the House, NBC News projects Rep. Victoria Spartz saw off a Republican primary challenger for her seat, leading a slate of interesting congressional fights on the GOP side.

Braun jumped into the governor's race as the favorite, despite a crowded field that included former state Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and businessman Eric Doden. After he won former President Donald Trumps endorsement last fall, he had appeared to be the front-runner, but the large group of candidates and massive television spending injected uncertainty into the contest.

Both Chambers and Doden outspent Braun on the airwaves  candidates and outside groups spent more than $45 million on ads, according to the ad tracking firm AdImpact. In some of the most recent ads, Braun and his allies aired a healthy slate of spots highlighting his Trump endorsement, Chambers tried to frame himself as an outsider, Doden criticized Braun as a creature of Washington, and Crouch emphasized her push to help save funding for disabled children.

And the race got messy  Braun and Doden got into a spat over support for police and the Black Lives Matter protests, and candidates got into a back-and-forth over how theyd stand up to China.

Holcomb, the outgoing governor, posted messages on X (formally known as Twitter) warning candidates that you wont be able to rely on slogans or empty campaign promises to yield positive results. (Holcomb didnt back a successor.)

Eric Holcomb. (Ting Shen / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

Meanwhile, with Braun leaving his Senate seat open to pursue the governorship, Banks won the GOP primary to succeed him unopposed.

Banks was endorsed by Trump and a whole host of his would-be Senate Republican peers. He had been in the middle of a primary against wealthy businessman John Rust. But Rust was kicked off the ballot because of his party affiliation, leaving Banks alone on the Republican ballot.

Hell be a favorite in November against psychologist Valerie McCray, the Democratic nominee in a state that hasnt elected a Democratic senator in more than a decade. Braun is expected to face Democrat Jennifer McCormick, a former Republican who previously was the states schools chief. The Republican will be favored in a state hasnt elected a Democratic governor in more than 20 years.

House primaries

Competitive GOP primaries are also underway in House districts across the state.

Spartz overcame multiple primary challengers Tuesday, winning the Republican nomination as she seeks a third term representing the 5th District outside Indianapolis.

She faced multiple challengers after she initially planned to retire but reversed course shortly before the states filing deadline. Her main rival was state Rep. Chuck Goodrich, who self-funded his campaign.

The race was an early test of how support for Ukraine, where Spartz was born, is affecting GOP primaries. Goodrich blanketed the airwaves with ads attacking Spartz in part for her support for aid for Ukraine, claiming she didnt sufficiently support Trumps America first agenda. Spartzs position, though, was more nuanced, as she opposed the most recent aid package and has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Meanwhile, former Rep. Marlin Stutzman won a comeback primary in the 3rd District, NBC News projected, even though he got less than a quarter of the Republican vote in a crowded field. Stutzman, previously represented the area for six years before launching an unsuccessful run for the Senate in 2016.

Stutzmans victory is also a win for the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, since its political arm had backed the former congressman in the race. Stutzman did overcome some opposition, particularly from a group called America Leads Action Inc., which has targeted other candidates aligned with the Freedom Caucus.

In the 8th District, state Sen. Mark Messmer won a crowded GOP primary to replace retiring GOP Rep. Larry Bucshon. Messmer defeated GOP former Rep. John Hostettler in the race, who was looking to return to Congress nearly 20 years since leaving office.

The race became a battle over support for Israel, with two pro-Israel groups, the Republican Jewish Coalition and the United Democracy Project, a super PAC tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, jumping into the race to oppose Hostettler. They cited his past opposition aid to Israel and his vote in October 2000 against a resolution voicing support for Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians.

The Republican Jewish Coalition instead backed Messmer, who also got a boost on the airwaves from another allied super PAC. Messmers victory in the GOP means hes likely to head to Congress, given the districts Republican lean.

And in the 6th District, Indianapolis City Council member Jefferson Shreve defeated a crowded field of GOP hopefuls, including multiple self-funders, to win the Republican primary to replace retiring GOP Rep. Greg Pence. Shreve is expected to carry the ruby red district in November.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Its up to Mike Johnson: Marjorie Taylor Greene again stalls vote on U.S. House speaker

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, center, and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, right, both Republicans, speak to reporters on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kentuckys Thomas Massie left a meeting with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday, saying the ball is in his court on whether they hold a floor vote to remove him from leadership.

Greene filed the so-called motion to vacate in late March and has been using it as leverage ever since to try to get Johnson to move further to the right and not put certain bills on the House floor for up-or-down votes.

Last week, Greene said she would call for a vote this week on kicking Johnson out of the speakers office, but after meeting with him for two hours on Monday and 90 minutes on Tuesday, she said its up to him whether she calls for a floor vote.

Its really simple. Its up to Mike Johnson to be our Republican speaker, Greene said. And well see what he does. And again, its actions for me. I do not care what words he says.

Greene declined to say what her deadline may be for Johnson to comply with her four proposed changes, but she noted its pretty short. She declined to say if there would be more meetings with the speaker.

Massie said Johnson shouldnt prolong agreeing to the four suggestions from him and Greene.

If it does become obvious that hes just trying to drag this out, well do him a favor, well do you a favor, well do the GOP a favor and well call this motion to vacate, Massie said.

Any vote to remove Johnson is likely to fail, since House Democratic leaders announced last month they would support keeping him as speaker.

Greene, speaking on Steve Bannons livestreamed show before the meeting, said she had four requirements that Johnson must meet if he wants her to set aside the motion to vacate.

He must:

Agree not to hold floor votes on additional aid to Ukraine amid its ongoing fight against Russias invasion.

Agree not to hold floor votes on bills that dont have the support of a majority of the chambers 217 Republicans.

Defund the Department of Justices special counsel.

Agree to move a 1% spending cut if Congress doesnt approve all dozen of the annual government funding measures before the Oct. 1 deadline.

Efforts to eliminate funding for the special counsel who has been investigating former President Donald Trump and the proposals to force an automatic spending cut are highly unlikely to make it through the Democratic-controlled Senate or gain President Joe Bidens approval.

Greene said on Bannons show that she isnt willing to negotiate with Johnson on those issues.

I have high expectations and they have to be met in full, Greene said. There is no middle ground. There is no compromise.

Following the meeting, Johnson said hes working through some of the ideas and suggestions from Greene.

Thats part of the process here, the Louisiana Republican said. Im optimistic that we can get to some resolutions on all that.

He did not go into details, but said, theyve been very productive discussions.

The post Its up to Mike Johnson: Marjorie Taylor Greene again stalls vote on U.S. House speaker appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
Editor's note: This story is being updated.

Small Russian assault groups broke into the town of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk Oblast, but their advance was blocked at a local plant, Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson of the Khortytsia group of forces, told Army TV on May 8.

Krasnohorivka lies roughly 30 kilometers west of the occupied city of Donetsk, and Russian forces unsuccessfully attempted to break into the settlement after the fall of Avdiivka in late February.

Ukrainian soldiers stopped Russian assault groups on the territory of the Krasnohorivka refractory plant, according to Voloshyn. The city is "under full control" of Ukraine's defense forces, he said.

"(The Russian soldiers) are still there. The enemy is cut off from the supply of ammunition. Our defenders have full fire control over both Krasnohorivka and the outskirts of the town," the spokesperson said.

Subscribe to newsletter

War Notes

Subscribe

Fighting near Krasnohorivka is reportedly ongoing. Russian forces are also conducting assaults near the villages of Netailove and Pervomaiske in Donetsk Oblast, Voloshyn said.

Russia is carrying out intense attacks in multiple sections of the eastern front, which covers much of Donetsk Oblast.

Russian forces have been focusing their efforts near Chasiv Yar, which they see as crucial for further advances toward Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk, the Ukrainian military reported.

Ukrainian troops retreated in late April west from the villages of Berdychi, Semenivka, and Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast. The Khortytsia Group of Ukraine's Ground Forces said that Russian forces also managed to break in and gain a foothold in a part of the village of Ocheretyne in the region.

Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), said that Ukraine should expect to face a renewed Russian offensive in late spring or early summer, with the offensive intensifying around the eastern Donbas region.

Russia aims to completely occupy Donetsk, Luhansk, and, if possible, Zaporizhzhia oblasts in 2024, said Oleksandr Pavliuk, Ukraine's Ground Forces commander.

Read also: After 10 years of war, Krasnohorivka in new danger as Russia advances in the east

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Minneapolis educators are voting this week on a pair of union contracts that, in the case of teachers, would provide the highest pay increases they've seen in 25 years.

The salary hikes  4% this year and 5% in 2024-25  would be in addition to automatic increases based on levels of education and experience, and are part of a deal described as historic by district and union leaders such as Greta Callahan, president of teacher chapter of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT) and a candidate for the school board.

Still to be determined, however, is the agreement's impact on a 2024-25 school district budget that already is projected to show a $110 million deficit. Add it to other contracts that have yet to be settled and the deficit most likely will grow, Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams said.

The deal came together just ahead of a scheduled strike authorization vote in late April, and left the district and union leaders expressing optimism about their ability to continue working together.

"We're one step closer to a reality where we can make Minneapolis Public Schools a destination district for the families that we serve," union Vice President Marcia Howard said. "It's a new era in Minneapolis."

If ratified by teachers in voting that extends through Friday, the agreement would head to the school board for its approval. The district has said the deal fell within board-approved budget parameters.

Statewide, teachers are seeing their biggest increases in 20 years, Education Minnesota has said. As of May 1, the average salary increases winning local approval were 4.3% this year and 3.5% in 2024-25.

St. Paul teachers secured a two-year deal in March calling for 4% raises in 2024-25, plus a fixed increase of $3,500 retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year.

In Minneapolis, this year's 4% increases would be retroactive to July 1, 2023.

The pay increases come after last year's historic $2.2 billion state investment in schools  an infusion of aid that state and local union leaders have successfully pointed to as a potential funding source for the types of salary hikes they say they sacrificed in previous bargaining cycles.

But the handsome packages also are leaving some districts facing even more painful budget cuts as $1.3 billion in federal COVID relief funds are set to expire in September.

Callahan said the Minneapolis contract also provides some workload relief for special education teachers, primarily at the elementary level, and includes changes within the salary schedule that eliminate some steps in which teachers were not getting automatic increases tied to years of experience.

This year, annual pay in Minneapolis will range from about $49,000 for a starting teacher with a bachelor's degree to about $107,000 for the district's most experienced and highly educated instructors. Next year, that salary range would be $54,000 to $112,000, the tentative agreement states.

The school calendar also will be shortened  something that Callahan said "families want  and makes a lot of sense for pretty much everyone."

"I don't think anyone's feeling like a loser" in this deal, she said at the news conference. "We're feeling like we won, and the students are going to win, from this contract, so we're really proud of it."

Board Chairman Collin Beachy said the agreement represented a "pretty historic day" for the district and students were witness to "the power of collaboration, communication and unity."

This week, the district's support staffers also are voting on a new agreement reached a day after the educational support professionals (ESP) chapter of the teachers union had filed an intent to strike.

Catina Taylor, union chapter president, said in a statement then that wages were being raised and a compensation system created that values experience in the district. The agreement should help attract more educators to the city's schools, she said.

Sayles-Adams said she looked forward to a continued partnership with the ESP chapter, as well. The ESPs also vote through Friday.
North Korea has bidden farewell to the main composer of the symphony that cemented the Kim dynastys power since the Cold War era. Kim Ki-nam, the propaganda mastermind who helped forge the personality cult of the countrys supreme leaders, died Tuesday at the age of 94, North Koreas central news agency KCNA reported Wednesday. Despite sharing a surname, Kim Ki-nam had no blood ties to the ruling lineage. The official newspaper Rodong Sinmun praised his great loyalty to the Workers Party and to the rulers who have led the most hermetic nation on the planet with an iron fist since 1948. In the obituary, he is described as a prestigious theoretician and outstanding political activist who dedicated his life to the sacred struggle to defend and strengthen the ideological purity of our revolution.

Born into a family of longshoremen, Kim ascended the social ladder thanks to his involvement in political activities, according to the official biography published by North Korean media. He was a professor at Kim Il-sung University, where he devoted himself to training competent talents to contribute to the sacred cause of building a powerful socialist country, said KCNA. He thus gained the confidence of the regimes founder, Kim Il-sung, and, in 1956, became a member of the Central Committee of the Workers Party. Ten years later, he was appointed deputy director of the Pyongyang propaganda machine, where he worked hand in hand with Kim Jong-il, father and predecessor of the current leader, Kim Jong-un. In 1985, Kim Ki-nam was promoted to head the Propaganda and Agitation Department, a post he would hold for 32 years and where he was succeeded by Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong-uns sister, in 2017.

Analysts agree that Kim Ki-nam was one of the main architects of shoring up the regimes legitimacy for three generations and that he exerted great influence on the countrys policies. His role as the chief architect of official state narratives earned him notoriety in South Korea, where the media dubbed him the North Korean [Joseph] Goebbels, a reference to Nazi Germanys propaganda minister, known for his mantra a lie repeated a thousand times becomes a truth.

Kim Ki-nam devoted six decades to consolidate the ideological and theoretical foundations of the Party, noted Rodong Sinmun, of which he was appointed editor-in-chief in 1976. The newspaper on Wednesday published his portrait accompanied by an obituary on its front page, relegating to page two a photograph of Kim Jong-un attending the wake. The North Korean leader will chair the state committee in charge of his funeral, which will take place Thursday, according to KCNA. The gesture highlights the North Korean leaders close relationship with the former propaganda chief, as well as the importance Pyongyang attaches to his legacy. Kim Ki-nam was one of seven senior officials who accompanied Kim Jong-un in his late fathers hearse in 2011.

Kim Jong-uns decision to personally lead the funeral arrangements also sends a message to party cadres, encouraging them to remain loyal to their government. State media say Kim Ki-nam will live forever thanks to his contributions, as they did in the obituary published after the death of Kim Jong-uns mentor, Hyon Chol-hae, who they said had attained eternal life for his service to the supreme leader.

Kim Ki-nam was one of the few North Korean officials to have visited South Korea. In 2009, he led a funeral delegation after the death of South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, and met with then-South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. Kim Dae-jung was the driving force behind an era of reconciliation between Seoul and Pyongyang known as the Sunshine Policy, which lasted from 1998 to 2007. The Korean War (1950-1953) ended with the signing of an armistice rather than a peace treaty, which, in theory, means that the two Koreas have not formally ended the Cold War conflict. In 2000, Kim Dae-jung made a historic visit to the North that revived hopes for peace on the peninsula. That same year, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Kim Ki-nams death comes at a time when Pyongyang is making important changes in its discourse, both domestically and internationally, as well as increasing its bellicosity. At the end of 2023, the North Korean authorities announced that the country would henceforth treat South Korea as a hostile enemy state and, this year, the idea of peaceful reunification was removed from the Constitution.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
We miss her: Brother of Fort Lauderdale woman who vanished in Spain pleads for help

The last time Juan Felipe Henao spoke with his sister over the phone was late January, days before she vanished in Spain.

She was looking forward to the future, Henao said at a Fort Lauderdale press conference Wednesday about the Jan. 24 call. She was telling me about concerts she wanted to go.

Ana Maria Knezevich Henao, 40, a Colombian-American woman and Fort Lauderdale resident, had hopped on a plane from South Florida to Spain a month earlier hoping to rebuild her life as her divorce loomed.

Attorney Courtney Caprio, second left to right, speaks to reporters about the disappearance of Ana Maria Knezevich Henao, 40, during a press conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May, 8, 2024. Caprio, other attorneys and Knezevich Henaos family members asked the public to help find the missing Colombian American woman who lived in Fort Lauderdale until December. CBS News Miami

But her dreams got cut short. She was last seen entering her Madrid apartment building in early February and hasnt been seen or heard from since.

Knezevich Henaos estranged husband, David Knezevich, 35, was arrested Saturday at Miami International Airport in connection with her disappearance. An FBI criminal complaint filed Friday alleges that a man resembling Knezevich was caught on surveillance footage leaving her apartment in Madrid at 10:30 p.m. Feb. 2  carrying a suitcase.

Odd WhatsApp messages

Knezevich, who is being held at the federal detention center in downtown Miami, faces a kidnapping charge. He has a hearing Friday in Miami federal court.

The FBIs complaint includes a series of messages between Knezevich and a Colombian woman in which he asked her to translate a certain message into authentic Colombian Spanish for what he said was a friend in Serbia writing a script. The womans translation exactly matched a WhatsApp message that was later sent from Knezevich Henaos cell phone to loved ones.

The message, which friends suspect wasnt authored by her, claims that Knezevich Henao had met a man on the street the day before and intended to visit his summer home two hours from Madrid, according to NewsNation.

Sanna Rameau described David and Ana Knezevic as a successful couple who had been married 13 years before they decided to separate last summer. (Sanna Rameau)

$15 million in shared assets

Before she disappeared, Knezevich Henao was negotiating a divorce and property settlement with her husband, according to an April 3 petition filed by her mother, Ana Ines Nino De Henao, in Broward circuit court. Her mother is asking a judge to appoint her son, Henao, as a conservator to safeguard and manage his sisters multimillion dollar assets.

The missing woman had told a loved one that she feared her husband of 13 years and that she realized during couples therapy that he was narcissistic and manipulative, according to the mothers petition. The petition states she also told a close friend that the couple had agreed to split their assets equally in a soon-to-be-filed divorce.

The couple managed EOX Capital LLC, a Deerfield home rental business that owned 15 homes in Florida, valued at more than $15 million, according to the mothers filing. The homes were mostly in Broward.

READ MORE: Odd texts, $15M and a divorce? Husband of woman who vanished in Spain arrested in Miami

From December 2023 to January 2024, Knezevich sold seven of the homes to a single buyer for nearly $7 million, a suspicious fire sale, the petition says. And he sold the Fort Lauderdale home that her brother was living in on Feb. 26, three weeks after Knezevich Henaos disappearance, the petition says.

...Despite being overseas, [Knezevich] has been busy selling and transferring the very assets that he and [Knezevich Henao] had agreed to divide equally in a marital property settlement, attorneys Courtney Caprio and Adam Ingber said in the mothers petition.

Security cameras spray-painted, stolen license plate

The FBI complaint, filed by prosecutor Lacee Monk, says security cameras showed the missing woman entering her apartment building in Madrid at around 2:20 p.m. Feb. 2.

Sometime after 9:27 p.m., a man wearing a helmet spray-painted the cameras in black  about an hour before a man who looked like Knezevich was seen exiting the building with a suitcase.

Once inside the building, the male is captured descending the stairs while holding a can of spray paint, which he then uses to disable a surveillance camera by painting the lens, the FBIs affidavit says. The lens was not completely obscured, and the male is seen fastening a piece of duct tape to the lock of the building entrance to prevent the lock from engaging to allow subsequent entry.

Agents also uncovered that Knezevich rented a Peugeot 308, a French vehicle, in Serbia around the time of the disappearance, the FBIs complaint states. The car was returned to the rental agency with tinted windows, a different license plate, and nearly 4,800 additional miles. Knezevich has ties to Serbia.

The vehicle, the FBI filing alleges, passed through toll booths in the area. Sometime after, a license plate that was reported stolen was found on the street where Knezevich Henaos apartment is.

A friend of Knezevich Henao reported her missing Feb. 5, according to the mothers filing.

Where is Knezevich Henao?

Henao, sitting at a table in between attorneys and family members at the Wednesday press conference, said all he wants is justice and to find his sister alive.

We love her. We miss her. We support her. We are her voice, Henao said.

David Knezevich FBI

His sister gave him shelter, food and a job after he moved to South Florida.

Im eternally grateful for her, he said.

Felipe Henao, brother of 40-year-old Ana Maria Knezevich Henao, speaks with reporters during a press conference in Fort Lauderdale on May 8, 2024. Henao asked the public to help find his sister, a Colombian American woman who vanished in Spain in February 2024. CBS News Miami

Henao wants anyone with information about her sisters disappearance  whether they are in Florida, Spain, Colombia, Serbia or anywhere else  to contact the FBI. He said he can barely sleep or eat not knowing what happened to her.

We miss her a lot, Henao said in Spanish.

Anyone with information about Ana Maria Knezevich Henaos whereabouts can submit a tip to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov/home.
Missing 2-year-old found dead in pond after extensive search, cops say. So crushing

A 2-year-old girls body was pulled from an Indianapolis pond hours after she went missing, Indiana cops said.

Anna Fabor Mandanda went missing the afternoon of May 4, launching an extensive search by police and community members around the neighborhood, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said in a May 4 Facebook post.

She was found dead around midnight in a pond near the last place she was seen, police said.

I myself have a 2-year-old daughter and, for me, its like so crushing, and I just couldnt imagine what theyre going through right now, community member Ben Fox, who helped search for the missing child, told WLTX.

The Marion County Coroners Ofice said the toddler drowned in the pond near her home.

This is a tragic loss for a family and our community, police said.

Police said they are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led Mandana to go missing.

Body found floating in Mississippi River had been there for days, Missouri cops say

17-year-old killed by friend while on a walk, Texas cops say. We knew him for years

High school student on bus sees womans dead body on side of highway, Texas cops say
ABILENE  A man suspected of double murder in New Mexico was arrested Monday in Abilene after the FBI notified police of his presence in the area.

Alek Isaiah Collins, 26, of Houston was wanted in connection with a slew of charges in New Mexico and the alleged abduction of a 10-month-old girl.

'Other charges are pending'

The FBI notified Abilene police on Sunday that "a suspect wanted in Clovis, New Mexico, for the Homicide of two individuals, injuring a 5-year-old, and abducting an infant may be in Abilene," according to a recent Abilene police news release.

Eleia Maria Torres, who is 10 months old, was taken Friday from a park in Clovis, N.M., where her mother and another woman were fatally shot and where her 5-year-old sister was found injured, police say.

Police officers then located a home in northern Abilene "where the suspect was reportedly staying."

At approximately 4:30 a.m. Monday, "narcotic agents set up surveillance on the home, and the subject was eventually taken into custody without incident."

The 10-month-old girl who Collins is suspected of abducting was taken into protective custody and evaluated by medical personnel.

Collins was being held Tuesday without bail at the Taylor County Jail on charges of aggravated robbery and assault on a peace officer, according to online jail records.

He has a U.S. Marshals Service hold placed on him in connection with the New Mexico murders and kidnapping charges.

"Other charges are pending," according to Abilene police.

Pending charges include "two open counts of first-degree murder, a first-degree kidnapping charge as well as two counts of child abuse," according to New Mexico Ninth Judicial District Attorney Quentin Ray, who spoke at a recent news conference.

Ray noted that Collins could face federal charges as well.

At this time, police do not believe Collins and the victims are related.

They are "still following leads about the suspect and his motives on this heinous crime," said Clovis Deputy Police Chief Trevor Thron, who spoke at the same news conference as Ray.

Double homicide?

"The investigation remains active," Thron said.

According to a Clovis police news release, the Clovis Police Department responded to "a 911 call from a person who believed they found two dead females at Ned Houk Park" just before 4:30 p.m. Friday.

The park is 5 miles north of Clovis.

When officers arrived, they found "two female victims, with apparent gunshot wounds, laying on the ground" near a minivan, according to the news release.

The victims were identified as Taryn Allen and Samantha Cisneros. Both women were 23, and both were from Texico, New Mexico.

A young girl, whose name wasn't released, was also found "on the ground suffering from an injury to her head," according to the news release.

Officers subsequently began giving life-saving measures to the young child.

When Clovis emergency services medics arrived, they took the child to the Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis. She was later transferred to a Lubbock-area hospital, according to the press release.

The 5-year-old girl was still recovering at the hospital and may be released back to her family soon, according to a recent news conference held by the Clovis Police Department.

An Amber Alert issued

When Clovis police officers began their investigation, they discovered an infant car seat, stroller and small baby bottle left at the scene.

Officers became concerned that there was "an infant child with the female victims when this incident happened," according to a media release. They immediately began to search for the infant.

Investigators learned, through family interviews, that Samantha Cisneros was the mother of the young child found at the scene and of a 10-month-old child, Eleia Maria Torres.

As a result, investigators believed Torres had been abducted by Collins and was in immediate danger. An Amber Alert was issued at that time for Torres.

She was found three days later, on Monday, in Abilene.

Roy Rice, chief of Clovis police, said at a news conference Monday that Eleia Maria was safe and was "at a medical facility being treated."

As of Tuesday morning, she had not yet been reunited with her family.

More on the manhunt CPD: Clovis police looking for abducted infant and shooter after 2 women found dead

More on the decades long investigation Justice for Jennifer Servo: Is an indictment on the horizon?

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Missing infant found after FBI-wanted suspect arrested in Texas
BRIDGETON, Mo.  Police are asking the public for help to find a 59-year-old man. Neal Taylor went missing after leaving DePaul Hospital in Bridgeton on Tuesday morning.

Taylors family is concerned as he suffers from Parkinsons disease and paranoid schizophrenia, and has not taken his medication since Monday night. According to his family, Taylor is unable to care for himself.

He was last seen wearing a red long-sleeve shirt and black pants. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact 911 or the St. Peters Police Department immediately.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Missing mother of 5 found dead in Texas woods, police say. Now, boyfriend arrested

One person has been arrested after police say they found the body of a missing Texas woman in a wooded area.

Jasmine Muldoon was reported missing May 5, according to a news release from the Polk County Sheriffs Office.

Muldoon, 25, was a mother of five, according to a missing persons flyer.

She was quirky, amazing. Very funny, Muldoons mom, Dewana Bowman, told KPRC.

On May 6, Muldoons body was found in a wooded area, north of Livingston, police said. Officials then put out a warrant for Muldoons boyfriend, 23-year-old DeAndre Shermail Wright, on a charge of first-degree murder.

Bowman told KHOU that Wright had been abusive to Muldoon in the past.

She was my first born baby, she made me a mom, Bowman told the news outlet. He took my daughters life away from us.

On May 8, officials said they located and arrested Wright. He is being held at the Polk County Jail.

A cause of death was not released.

Attorney information for Wright was not available.

Woman found slain on hilltop in 1991, California cops say. Now DNA helps solve case

15-year-old fatally stabs moms boyfriend in the chest with butchers knife, cops say

Man wanted in fatal stabbing arrested after calling 911 for help with bike, cops say
The exterior of a Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Center on May 28, 2019 in St Louis (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images).

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has announced he will sign legislation limiting Planned Parenthoods ability to serve low-income patients at a ceremony in his Capitol office Thursday.

The new law, which will go into effect Aug. 28, will end Medicaid reimbursements to any health centers affiliated with abortion providers. In Missouri, the law would apply to Planned Parenthood.

This is something Republicans have been working for years, since we captured the majority, said state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican who sponsored a version of the legislation. She added: Its a huge victory. Missouri has a long history of being a pro-life state.

Nearly every abortion, with exceptions for medical emergencies, has been illegal in Missouri since 2022. However, the states Planned Parenthood clinics have continued to operate, providing services such as contraceptive care, STI testing, cancer screenings and wellness checks.

Missouri Republicans have argued that no additional money should be going to Planned Parenthood, since Missouris locations are affiliated with clinics in Kansas and Illinois, where abortion is legal and where many Missourians travel for the procedure.

Democrats, Planned Parenthood and other health institutes have argued that the bill would cause the most harm to Missouris most vulnerable population, who may be forced to find a new provider. But the states public health safety net is already strained and will have a difficult time absorbing the thousands of displaced patients.

Two weeks ago, the Missouri House approved the legislation, originally filed by Republican state Rep, Cody Smith of Carthage, though it did so without approving an emergency clause which would have put the bill into effect immediately upon the governors signing.

Colemans version of the bill was blocked by a Democratic filibuster in February. A second filibuster by Senate Democrats in April was abandoned after 11 hours when Republicans agreed to remove a provision that would have ended contracts with organizations founded by eugenicists.

Missouri Republicans have twice before tried to pass a similar restriction through the state budget, attempts that were ruled unconstitutional by state courts.

A similar restriction went into effect in Arkansas several years ago when the law was upheld by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. At that time, Planned Parenthood clinics in Arkansas immediately stopped seeing Medicaid patients.

After the bill cleared the legislature, Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood of St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, which have clinics in Missouri, said in a statement that they will continue trying to serve all patients, no matter what.

As of March, Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri had been without Medicaid reimbursements for two years. At the time, Emily Wales, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said her organization offset the cost of care for Missouri Medicaid patients through private fundraising.

MO HealthNet, the states Medicaid program, serves low-income and disabled citizens and has long banned funding for abortion, with limited exceptions.

Planned Parenthood has said nearly one in five of their Missouri patients are on Medicaid.

The Missouri Family Health Council Inc. has been particularly vocal against the bill, saying it could harm thousands of patients.

The health care nonprofit found through informal surveying that across Missouris safety net clinics, wait times over the past two years averaged between five and seven weeks, with some clinics as few as two weeks and some pausing new patients completely. Meanwhile, wait times at the states Planned Parenthood clinics averaged between the same day and three days to get an appointment.

In 2022, across all 68 safety net clinics in the state that take Title X funding, around 24% of the clients were on Medicaid, said Michelle Trupiano, the councils executive director.

The Independents Jason Hancock contributed.

The post Missouri governor to sign bill ending Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood appeared first on Missouri Independent.
Meatpacking sludge storage lagoons that have drawn the ire of rural neighbors because of their foul stench would face stricter state regulations under legislation that passed the Missouri Senate Tuesday.

Senators voted 30-1 to require the facilities to obtain water pollution permits, be set back from nearby homes, follow certain design requirements and monitor groundwater in certain areas. The legislation now heads back to the House, which overwhelmingly approved an earlier version of the bill in February.

Denali Water Solutions operates storage basins for meatpacking sludge in Missouri. Legislation in the Missouri House would impose regulations to help rural residents who complain of unbearable smells from the facilities.

The bill was combined in a Senate committee with legislation meant to protect Missouris water from being exported to other states out of fear parts of the country impacted by worsening drought brought on by climate change would look to Missouris abundant rivers for a solution. But the provision was removed before the full Senate vote.

State Sen. Jill Carter, who carried the legislation in the Senate, said companies that store meatpacking sludge and apply it as fertilizer arent required to follow any standards to ensure the health of soil and water in rural Missouri.

When Ive been out, theres six inches of this industrial waste sludge, they call it, and the cows are out there eating it, said Carter, a Republican from Granby.

More: Pleasant Hope meatpacker halts operations amid search for wastewater disposal alternatives

The meatpacking sludge legislation was introduced in response to an abrupt switch in state agencies that regulate fertilizer. It primarily targets Denali Water Solutions, which collects waste from meatpacking plants and holds it in lagoons in McDonald, Newton and Macon counties before spreading it on farmers fields as free fertilizer.

Until last year, Denali held permits from the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board, which exempted it from having to get a permit from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Because of that, Denali was free from regulation by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources unless the meatpacking sludge polluted the states waterways.

Last year, the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board decided it didnt have authority over Denali since it gives away its product rather than selling it as a commercial fertilizer. Without a fertilizer permit, Denali had to get a permit from the Department of Natural Resources.

The company has sued the fertilizer board in an attempt to have its previous permit reinstated.

After the fertilizer boards decision, Missouri environmental regulators allowed the company to keep operating in the interim. But last fall, the company applied so much sludge to a field just before a storm that regulators changed their minds.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources visited a site following residents complaints and found Denali had applied so much waste it resulted in standing pools of liquids and solids covering vegetation on the fields.

The state and Denali reached an agreement prohibiting the company from applying waste to fields in Missouri and requiring it to drain its lagoons and pay fines.

More: Environmentalist: MO laws regulating meat processors impact 'everybody who drinks water'

To resume its operations, Denali still needs a permit from the state. Until then, it must take its waste to a treatment facility or haul it out of Missouri.

Denali was not immediately available to comment on the legislation.

Steven Jeffery, an attorney representing two separate resident groups fighting Denali lagoons in their areas, applauded the legislation. While no one ever gets everything they want in developing legislation, he said, the bill would be far more protective of rural communities than the status quo.

This story was first published at www.missouriindependent.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri Senate passes bill regulating meatpacking sludge
Modesto doubles fine for illegal fireworks. How much will using them cost you on July 4?

Modesto residents tempted to set off illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July have a couple of reasons to think twice: The city has doubled the penalty for using them, and the police expect to be more effective in catching people.

The City Council on Tuesday approved increasing the citation from $1,000 to $2,000 for having or using these fireworks. And it approved citations of $3,000 for a second offense and $4,000 for all subsequent offenses within 36 months.

Police officers also can issue citations for the same amounts to the renter or homeowner who lives in a home where someone else has used illegal fireworks.

Modesto and neighboring cities can appear as though they are under siege during the holiday, with loud booms and fireworks exploding in the sky, rattling the nerves of residents and their pets.

I think its progressively gotten worse, interim Fire Chief Kevin Wise said in an interview about the need to deter people from using illegal fireworks.

The Fire Department responded to 350 calls for service from July 3 through July 5 last year, according to information provided by the department. Those calls included five structure fires and 45 other blazes, such as vegetation fires or fences catching fire.

It can be difficult to determine the cause of a fire, but investigators were able to determine fireworks caused one of the structure fires, causing $70,000 in damage to a home, Wise said in a text message.

The Police Department steps up its enforcement over the holiday and the days before and after. Officers issued 44 citations during last years enforcement, according to the department. Thats compared with 10 citations in 2022, though in recent years the number of citations typically is in the teens.

The departments airplane was responsible for 23 of last years 44 citations. The department purchased a 2012 GippsAero GA8 a little more than a year ago. Modesto bought the same type of plane used by the California Highway Patrol and other agencies.

Police officers cannot cite someone for setting off an illegal firework unless they see the person doing it. That has not been easy because of the time it takes officers to arrive on the scene once they have spotted fireworks in the sky. Thats where the airplane has made a difference.

Illegal fireworks light up the street in Modesto Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2019. Andy Alfaro/aalfaro@modbee.com

Its equipped with a high-tech camera that produces a livestream of exceptional quality of an incident no matter where the plane is flying over the city. The camera also rotates 360 degrees. The planes observer can then direct officers on the ground to the illegal fireworks.

Over this years Fourth of July and the days surrounding the holiday, the Police Department expects the plane to log more hours than during that same period last year. But Police Chief Brandon Gillespie told council members the focus of the bigger penalties is to discourage people from buying and using illegal fireworks.

To clear up any confusion about legal and illegal fireworks, Wise said that as a rule of thumb, an illegal firework is anything that leaves the ground. And in California, legal fireworks come with the Safe and Sane label.

The council also approved letting residents report their neighbors who possess or use illegal fireworks. Officers can issue a citation if two people sign an affidavit saying they saw someone possess or use illegal fireworks.

People shoot off legal fireworks in Modesto Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2019. Andy Alfaro/aalfaro@modbee.com

Wise acknowledged in an interview that some people may be reluctant to turn in their neighbors, but thats whos calling us. The neighbors are calling on their neighbors. He said this is just one more option in the citys effort to reduce illegal fireworks.

The City Council also added charter and private schools to the list of nonprofits and other organizations that can sell Safe and Sane fireworks in the lead-up to the Fourth of July.

An official with TNT Fireworks in Modesto told council members this is an important revenue source for these groups. He said 60 of them sold $2.7 million in legal fireworks last year. The organizations keep half of the sales. Organizations need a city permit to sell fireworks, and the city will issue as many as 70 permits, according to its municipal code.

Illegal fireworks can be seen in the sky near Orangeburg Avenue in Modesto Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2019. Andy Alfaro/aalfaro@modbee.com
Modesto is home to more than 100,000 trees. Is it still recognized as a Tree City?

The National Arbor Day Foundation, an organization that promotes tree planting and nurturing, has named Modesto a Tree City USA since 1980, the city website says.

But Modesto was not listed alongside other California cities in the foundations latest report on recognized tree cities across the United States.

Reader Hennie Van Konynenburg asked Bee Curious, a community-driven series where reporters answer reader questions: Is Modesto still a Tree City?

Heres how cities receive recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation and whether Modesto qualifies:

Trees change color on Myrtle Avenue in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.

Is Modesto still a Tree City?

An array of diverse tree species  from majestic oaks to graceful willows  are nestled in the city.

The city of Modestos application to be considered a Tree city USA was recently approved, said Sonya Severo, a city spokeswoman.

The application was approved on April 30.

Elise Peterson, a spokesperson for the Arbor Day Foundation, said Modesto was not included in the most recent list of tree cities, because it did not meet the foundations standards.

We are happy to report that Modestos 2023 application was approved, and they are continuing their legacy of being a Tree City, Peterson wrote in an email to The Bee.

Here is a look at Modestos Tree City application history and status, provided by the Arbor Day Foundation:

1980 through 2015: Approved

2016 and 2017: Did not apply

2018 through 2021: Approved

2022: Not approved

2023: Approved

We consider a citys legacy in the program based on the total number of years theyve been recognized, so (Modesto is) a 41-year Tree City, Peterson wrote. Definitely something to be proud of.

The 2023 list of recognized tree cities will be available at the end of this month, Peterson said.

The foundation did not specify which of the qualifying factors  including rules around tree management, budget and Arbor Day celebration  the city missed in 2022.

Modesto has approximately 105,000 trees, with 81,000 belonging to the city.

The city is working alongside state agencies to update its tree inventory and Urban Forest Management Plan, according to the city. The database records the planting and maintenance of every city tree.

Trees change color alon Glenwood Drive in Modesto, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020.

What other California cities have the honor?

In its most recent list of nationally recognized tree cities, the National Arbor Day Foundation has given recognition to the following California cities for their longstanding dedication to tree preservation:

Burbank (46 years)

Sacramento (46 years)

Santa Rosa (44 years)

Davis (44 years)

Burlingame (44 years)

La Mesa (43 years)

Los Gatos (43 years)

Oroville (43 years)

Santa Barbara (43 years)

Turlock (32 years)

David Mraz walks in the college neighborhood on Princeton Aveune under fall colored trees in Modesto, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020.

Whats it mean to be a recognized tree city by the Arbor Day Foundation?

To receive annual Tree City USA recognition, cities must meet the following four standards:

Maintain a tree board or department: There must be a designated group focused on caring for all trees on city property. Tree Care Ordinance: To ensure continuous tree protection, the ordinance must assign authority over public trees and provide guidelines for planting, maintaining, and removing trees from public spaces. Community Forestry Program: Cities must spend at least $2 per capita of their annual budget towards investing in tree resources, such as clean water, and maintaining trees. Celebrate Arbor Day: City officials are required to organize an official Arbor Day celebration, providing an opportunity for citizens to come together and celebrate the benefits of trees and the ongoing efforts to care for them.

The benefits trees bring to urban environments are endless  and by earning Tree City USA recognition, your community can experience them firsthand, the foundation said on its website.

Modesto meets all four standards. According to Modestos adopted operating budget for 2023 to 2024, the city has proposed to spend approximately $4,654,774 on forestry resources, including planting, caring and removing trees.

That is more than $2 per capita of the annual budget. It also has a forestry division responsible for care, a city tree ordinance offering guidelines for planting and removal and it celebrated Arbor Day on March 7.

Modesto forestry division team member trims trees on 16th Street in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Modesto forestry division trims a Modesto Ash on 16th Street in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Have a question about life in Modesto?

Ask our service journalism desk.

You can submit questions directly to our reporters by emailing arodriguez@modbee.com, our service journalism team servicejournalists@modbee.com, or by filling out the form below.

What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com.
A federal agency reversed an April 11 decision to remove Stanislaus Surgical Hospital of Modesto from the Medicare program. The reversal came after the hospital received political support from congressional officials last month.

The hospital released a letter from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services showing the 23-bed facility on Oakdale Road is granted more time to make corrections and submit an acceptable plan to address health and safety deficiencies cited in regulatory inspections in August and February.

According to the letter, the hospitals provider agreement to serve Medicare patients remains in effect. As of noon Wednesday, the federal agency had not confirmed the new development. The surgical hospital, owned by a group of accountants and physician shareholders, serves about 1,500 patients a month.

Rep. John Duarte, R-Modesto, and Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove, asked the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services to reconsider the April decision, citing irregularities in the survey process and the impact that stopping Medicare reimbursement payments would have on delivery of patient care. The congressmen asked for an extension of the CMS termination order, which had been set to take effect April 30.

The inspections in August and February found the short-stay hospital was not in compliance with nine conditions of participation in Medicare, the national health program for adults 65 years and older and disabled people. The California Department of Public Health conducts hospital inspections on behalf of CMS.

The regulatory surveys sharply criticized Stanislaus Surgical for its handling of medical emergencies when patients suffered complications of surgery. The surveys also focused on infection prevention and control, sterilization processes, governance and other health and safety issues that jeopardized patients.

Hospital has laid off some employees

In the newly issued notice Friday, CMS said it rescinded the April 11 decision based on additional documentation and information it received. The hospital had been scaling back operations and laid off some employees.

Stanislaus Surgical Hospital is grateful to CMS for the reconsideration of the original decision, the hospital said in a statement. The hospital noted it has a 5-star patient satisfaction score published by CMS and will continue to prioritize the provision of high-quality patient care going forward.

Other Central Valley lawmakers signed on to the effort to support Stanislaus Surgical. The hospital now has until May 15 to submit a plan for correcting all outstanding deficiencies. CMS expects the hospital will include dates in the plan for being in full compliance with Medicare program requirements.

Mike Ferreira, who worked at Stanislaus Surgical for eight months, was critical of the political support for the hospital. That is what political power will get you, he said. I think the inevitable is being put off.

Ferreira, a heating and cooling system engineer who left for another job in August, said the 40-year-old hospital building has been neglected. He said a couple of operating rooms had problems with humidity, causing moisture to drip from windows, an issue identified in a survey as increasing infection risk.

The chiller on the old HVAC system was always failing, Ferreira said.

Hospital to receive unannounced inspection

The May 3 notice said an unannounced inspection will be conducted before July 31 to determine whether (Stanislaus Surgical) has substantially complied with the conditions of participation and further assess whether it has made sufficient progress in being primarily engaged in providing inpatient hospital services.

The inspectors cast doubt on the hospitals status as an inpatient facility with findings in August that the average daily census was 1.5 patients, with an average length of stay of 1.34 days. There were 290 inpatient procedures compared to 5,200 outpatient procedures performed at the hospital in the past year.

CMS offered an expedited process for converting the Modesto facility to an ambulatory surgery center, but Stanislaus Surgical will attempt to remain certified as a hospital, the CMS notice indicates.

A hospital spokesman was asked Tuesday how the hospital will provide immediate care for patients who suffer medical emergencies after surgery. One survey blasted the hospital for not having appropriate staff available for those emergencies. As a routine practice, staff called 911 for an ambulance to take the patient to another hospital, the survey found.

We are fully cooperating with CMS in putting together a corrective action plan that will address the concerns they have, spokesman Mark Hubbard said, without providing specifics.

The hospital notified Stanislaus County officials last month it was likely to close due to the loss of crucial Medicare payments and that almost 200 employees would lose their jobs. Hubbard said Tuesday there were 15 layoffs and employee furloughs before the decision Friday to let the hospital stay in the Medicare program.

CMS originally faulted the hospital for noncompliance with Medicare requirements in August and for still being out of compliance when inspectors revisited the facility in January and February.

According to an April 18 letter from Duarte and McClintock to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Stanislaus Surgical submitted a correction plan in late September and received a Nov. 2 communication from CMS that effectively gave the hospital until November 2024 to avoid Medicare program termination.

The congressmen expressed concern that termination from the Medicare program would reduce access to radiology services, surgical interventions and preventative screening procedures.
On January 6, 2024, a United Nations assessment concluded that there is no safe place in Gaza. Not even Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, designated as a safe zone by Israel, even though its military never stopped bombing it. Already in January, 1.5 million of the 2.3 million Gazans were crowded into the city and its governorate, a 25-square mile area next to the border with Egypt. In early February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli army would invade Rafah. That ground offensive  which the U.N. warned could lead to an unspeakable tragedy  has since been a sword hanging over the head of these displaced Palestinians.

On Monday, the threat began to materialize when Israel ordered 100,000 people to evacuate to supposed safe areas of the Palestinian enclave. On Tuesday, Israeli tanks took over the Rafah border crossing, the only one that Israel did not fully control. An assault on Rafah would be a strategic mistake, a political calamity & a humanitarian nightmare, said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Why take Rafah now?

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Monday that his country was left with no choice but to invade Rafah. The day before, in the last round of talks in Cairo to negotiate an agreement to free the 132 Israeli hostages still in Gaza, Hamas had rejected a proposal that did not include the main condition of the Palestinian movement: a definitive ceasefire. On Sunday, the fundamentalist group attacked a military garrison near the Kerem Shalom border crossing and killed four Israeli soldiers. That same day, Israel closed the Jerusalem headquarters of the Al Jazeera network.

According to The New York Times, it was Netanyahus insistence that he would invade Rafah that led Hamas to harden its stance. Late on Monday, a statement from Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh said that the movement had finally approved a proposed ceasefire agreement, which Israel said it would study. Shortly after, Netanyahu said that the offensive in Rafah was continuing and on Tuesday, Israeli tanks reached the citys border crossing with Egypt. The Israeli prime minister claims that Rafah is the last bastion of Hamas, and where the remaining Israeli hostages, dead or alive, are being held captive in Gaza. His far-right government partners threatened to withdraw their support if he did not invade the Palestinian city.

What consequences could this invasion have?

In the Rafah Governorate  which had a population of about 220,000 people before the war that began on October 7  1.5 million Palestinians are now crowded into 25 square miles. Eighty percent live in tents or under plastic shelter, with hardly any food, drinking water, sanitation or medical care. On May 3, the spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Jens Laerke, warned: The hundreds of thousands of people who are there would be at imminent risk of death if there is an assault [on Rafah]. It would also be an incredible blow to the humanitarian operation in the entire strip because it is run primarily out of Rafah, he said. The World Health Organization warned that such an operation could lead to a bloodbath and would further paralyze an already broken health system. Of the seven partially functioning hospitals in southern Gaza, three are in Rafah. Until now, the vast majority of trucks with humanitarian aid for Gaza entered through the border posts at Rafah and Kerem Shalom, which are now both closed.

Are there safe areas for displaced people in Gaza?

The so-called safe zones where Israel has ordered displaced people from Rafah to go to are Al-Mawasi  a coastal strip seven miles long and less than one mile wide that lacked services even before the war  and the nearly destroyed city of Khan Yunis. It has called this area the expanded humanitarian zone. Part of Al-Mawasi was invaded by the Israeli army on January 22, even though it had been designated as a refuge. Until now, Rafah was also described as a safe zone despite suffering almost daily shelling. An investigation by Forensic Architecture, a research agency based at Goldsmiths, University of London, denounced that these safe zones in Gaza not only lack the basic infrastructure to house, feed and medically care for such numbers of civilians, but what Israel defines as its humanitarian policies in Gaza function as a tool of mass displacement, pushing civilians into unliveable areas that later come under attack, augmenting Israels genocidal campaign against the Palestinian population.

Are mass population displacements legal?

Israel is the occupying power in Gaza, according to the U.N. The Geneva Convention stipulates: Individual or mass forcible transfers are prohibited, regardless of their motive. Even in the few exceptions provided for in this rule, it states that the occupying power must ensure, to the greatest practicable extent, that proper accommodation is provided to receive the protected persons, that the removals are effected in satisfactory conditions of hygiene, health, safety and nutrition, and that members of the same family are not separated.

What have been the reactions to the Rafah evacuation order?

U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated Monday his clear position on the offensive in Rafah in a call with Netanyahu. Washington does not oppose the invasion itself, but on the condition that Israel present a credible plan to protect civilians. The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, urged the EU to act to stop the invasion, which he has called unacceptable, while U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric read a statement on Monday in which he reiterated what had been previously announced by the United Nations agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA): the organization will not participate in any massive and involuntary displacement of the population. Saudi Arabia  the great Sunni regional power, with which Israel had hoped to form diplomatic relations before the war  condemned the invasion in a harsh statement that called the Israeli offensive genocide for the first time since the start of the war.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
(FOX40.COM)  A Modesto man is facing a triple life sentence for the execution style murders of a family of three in 2011, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office.

Chris Douangham, 29, will also not have the possibility of parole and face an additional 50 years to life sentence for gun use enhancements.

I didnt do anything wrong: Man allegedly paid homeless woman to care for his granddaughter while he drank at bar

On Jan. 25, 2011, Douangham and two other suspects entered the V&V Market in Modesto armed with a firearm.

When the three entered the store Vanh Thammavongsa was fatally shot in the neck. Nancy Thammavongsa, 28, was shot in the head and her mother Phovieng Thammavongsa was also killed after attempting to run from the attackers.

Tesla provides alert, coordinates to fatal crash in El Dorado County

Not long after they fled from the store a manhunt was launched and all three suspects were arrested.

Douanghams accomplices also received life sentences, but one has been released early from his triple life sentence, due to a change in California law, according to the district attorney.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Mom came home to find babysitter dead 47 years ago, CO cops say. Now theres a suspect

Nearly five decades after a teen babysitter was found stabbed to death, there is a suspect in her killing, Colorado police say.

DNA from a bloodstain on 14-year-old Maria Loraine Honzells blue jumpsuit helped investigators identify William Charles Kernan Jr., who died in 2010, as a suspect in her 1977 killing, the Colorado Springs Police Department said in a May 8 news release.

The family and friends of Maria Honzell have waited over 47 years to get justice for Maria, police said.

The evening of Feb. 7, 1977, Maria was babysitting for a neighbor in her apartment complex, police said.

When the mother arrived home shortly before 11:30 p.m., police said she found Maria dead in the primary bedroom.

The children, ages 6 and 8, were not harmed and were sleeping in bed when their mother came home, police said.

Officers arrived shortly after to find Maria dead with multiple stab wounds to the chest and neck area, according to police.

The county coroner ruled Marias death a homicide, police said.

Despite thorough investigation, which included reports, evidence and interviews, police said the case went cold.

With the advancement in DNA technology, police said they submitted several pieces of evidence to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for analysis, and a mans DNA profile was created with a bloodstain from Marias clothing.

The profile, however, didnt match any profiles in databases, including those in the Combined DNA Index System.

Then, in 2019, police said investigators turned their efforts to genetic genealogy.

Genetic genealogy uses DNA testing coupled with traditional genealogical methods to create family history profiles, according to the Library of Congress. With genealogical DNA testing, researchers can determine if and how people are biologically related.

For forensic investigations, (genetic genealogy) is used to generate highly informative leads as to the possible identity of an unknown victim or offender, police said.

After submitting blood from Marias blue jumpsuit to Parabon NanoLabs, a Virginia-based genetic genealogy company, police said the organization created a genetic data profile for the unknown man.

The profile was then uploaded to public databases in hopes of finding someone who may share the mans DNA, police said.

Extensive research led investigators to Kernan, police said.

Because Kernan was cremated and has no living relatives, police said they were unable to use DNA to confirm he was the man from Marias case.

Police, nonetheless, said they confirmed Kernan was a student at a local college and an acquaintance of the woman Maria Honzell had been babysitting for on the night of her murder.

Investigation also showed he had been at the apartment complex previously, according to police.

Detectives asked the Fourth Judicial District Attorneys Office to review the case using the genetic genealogy results that pointed to Kernan as a suspect, police said.

After the review was completed, the District Attorneys Office is confident the person responsible for the murder of Maria Honzell is William C. Kernan, Jr., police said.

Grandmas tragic killing went unsolved for 40 years  until now, Washington cops say

Remains found by hunter in remote area of Nevada IDd 40 years later, officials say

Someone walked into sheriffs office with skull in 2001, cops say. Now its identified
A mom is sharing a warning for other parents after her daughter's arm was caught in an elevator last year.

Loni Garatziotis of Florida and her three children were visiting Hoboken, New Jersey, where they used to live, last August. They were with friends and planned to go swimming at 1450 Washington at Hudson Tea, an apartment building.

Garatziotis said her daughter Zoe, then 5, had her hand on the elevator door when the elevator they were traveling in started opening up on the seventh floor. But while the door was moving, Zoe's left arm was apparently sucked into the space between the elevator door and elevator wall.

PHOTO: Loni Garatziotis is speaking out and sharing a warning for other parents after her daughters arm was caught in an elevator last year. (Obtained by WABC)

"Me and my friend Jen grabbed the elevator [door] so it wouldn't pull her in more and my friend Nicole was with her down there trying to figure out how to get her arm out," Garatziotis told New York ABC station WABC.

According to Garatziotis, a friend tried to use hand sanitizer from their purse to spread on Zoe's arm and try to lubricate it to pull out her arm. This tactic proved unsuccessful, but she said a neighbor, who had heard the commotion, then passed along a bottle of lotion for them to try.

"She put [the lotion] on her arm and then  she pulled her arm free, luckily," Garatziotis said.

Woman dies after elevator accident

Security camera footage from the elevator caught the three-minutelong harrowing incident on tape, including the moment when the friend helped Zoe pull her arm free, with both falling backward toward the side of the elevator.

Afterward, first responders took Zoe to an area hospital where Garatziotis said she received 20 stitches on her wrist.

Garatziotis has since filed a lawsuit against Taylor Management Company, the owner and management firm of 1450 Washington at Hudson Tea, and Kone Elevators and Escalators of Northern New Jersey, the elevator company, alleging negligence and product liability.

In separate responses to the lawsuit filed in court, both Taylor Management and Kone denied any wrongdoing.

The lawsuit is currently pending in a New Jersey civil court and a trial date has not yet been set.

In a statement to "Good Morning America," elevator company Kone said, "KONE does not comment on pending litigation, but we are aware of an incident that occurred at 1450 Washington in Hoboken, New Jersey on August 25, 2023. We regretted hearing about the incident when we received a lawsuit, and our thoughts go out to the injured individual. Safety is an integral part of who we are and what we do at KONE. We remain steadfast in our commitment to moving people safely every day."

Man killed after elevator malfunctions, fatally crushing him

Edward Capozzi, an attorney for Garatziotis, told WABC the gap between the elevator door and the elevator gap at the time of the incident was allegedly "too big," arguing it should've been much smaller.

Capozzi also said the Garatziotis family hopes companies will add warning signs to elevators to prevent what allegedly happened to Zoe from happening to anyone else.

The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, a nonprofit formed by elevator industry organizations, shares elevator safety tips for children on its website and offers a "Safe T-Rider" program for kids. The foundation emphasizes leaving any closing elevator doors alone.

The organization's top four rules for elevator safety include:

Watch your step. Leave closing doors alone. If doors don't open, ring the alarm button and wait.. If there is a fire in the building, use the stairs.

This article has been updated to include comment from Kone Elevators and Escalators of Northern New Jersey.

Mom shares warning after daughter's arm gets stuck in elevator originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
SACRAMENTO, California  The official deadline to qualify measures for Californias ballot does not arrive until the end of June, but the most important machinations that will determine what appears  or, in many cases, doesnt appear  before voters this fall are happening in May.

Californias Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday over a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to pass new state and local taxes and fees. At the same time, relatively quiet negotiations between interest groups and the Legislature over a handful of initiatives, including on workers rights and retail theft, will intensify throughout the month. Other measures, including a controversial proposal to limit recognition of transgender identity, are likely to fall short in delivering the required signatures by upcoming deadlines.

By Mays end, these developments are likely to have shortened and scrambled the statewide issue ballot, including in unanticipated ways. If one measure gets negotiated off the ballot or booted by the court, the various interest groups invested in it are likely to shift money and attention to other proposals that remain, altering the dynamics around those fights, too.

Taking a look at the ballot as we think its going to exist in November, this is a pretty critical moment, said Gale Kaufman, a political strategist who has worked on ballot measures for decades.

Full court press

The years most contentious ballot measure is about to have its day in court. On Wednesday morning, Californias Supreme Court will hear oral arguments over the constitutionality of the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, which would amend the state constitution to require a majority of voters to approve all state tax increases and raise the thresholds to approve some types of local taxes to two-thirds of voters.

The proposal was developed by the California Business Roundtable and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which submitted the necessary signatures to qualify for the ballot more than a year ago. Newsom denounced the proposal as a radical effort led by wealthy business interests. Organized labor and progressive allies prepared to defeat the proposal whose passage they expect could constrain Californias policy ambitions for generations.

Obviously this is something that has gotten their attention, said Mark Baldassare, a Public Policy Institute of California pollster who frequently measures voter sentiment on ballot measures. Which means not only does it have far-reaching implications, but theyre also not sure which way the wind is going to blow on this issue in November.

Newsom and the Legislature, with backing from major labor groups, sued the business groups behind the measure last fall and saw their case immediately taken up by the states highest court. The suit argues that the proposal amounted to an unlawful revision of the California state constitution because it strips the governor and the Legislature of one of their basic powers, to impose or raise taxes. Under California law, a constitutional amendment can go directly to voters for approval, but a revision would first require a two-thirds vote in the Legislature or a Constitutional Convention.

Lawyers for Newsom and the business groups will each have 30 minutes to make their arguments before the court Wednesday morning. While there is no set timeline for a decision, most observers expect to see the case resolved within weeks. A ruling that the Taxpayer Protection Act amounts to a constitutional revision would be grounds to have it removed from the ballot.

Such action is rare, as the state supreme court has typically preferred to let voters weigh in before determining a measures legality. One recent exception came in 2018, when the court spiked a proposal to split California into three separate states, arguing that it represented a clear revision of the state constitution.



Were the Taxpayer Protection Act to be removed, it would have wide-ranging implications for the rest of the ballot as interest groups who had prepared for the tax fight redirect their money and volunteer time elsewhere. The impact could be felt most on an initiative to implement an $18 minimum wage, which has been largely ignored by business and labor groups preoccupied with the tax conflict. It could also reverberate across bond measures to fund school construction, housing, and climate issues.

Up to the deadline

May will spell the end for several initiatives that were introduced but have been unable to gather enough signed petitions to appear on the statewide ballot within the designated six-month window, including one to limit schools recognition of transgender students.

Jonathan Zachreson, a school board trustee in the Sacramento suburb of Roseville and the measures proponent, told POLITICO this week that his group had collected only about half of the 546,651 necessary signatures. The initiative would require teachers to notify parents when students express a change in their gender identity, prohibit gender-affirming care for minors and restrict transgender female students from participating in female sports, among other provisions.

The petition effort has relied entirely on volunteers trying to collect signatures in their communities rather than the costly work of paid clipboard-carriers in parking lots and farmers markets. Zachreson said his campaigns fundraising had been hamstrung after it was described as Restricts Rights of Transgender Youth by the attorney generals office. (Zachresons group failed in a lawsuit challenging the language.)

They were concerned that they were going to give us $5 million, and then we were going to lose because of the title and summary, Zachreson said of his conversations with potential major donors.

The measure is now unlikely to gather the remaining signatures before its May 28 deadline. That would leave both LGBTQ+ and social-conservative groups who had expected to clash over transgender rights to focus on the only remaining proposal on the statewide ballot touching on sexual politics, a constitutional amendment to remove dormant language banning same-sex marriage.

A housing-related initiative proposed by Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and political adviser to Britains Conservative Party who recently launched his own California-focused advocacy group Golden Together, will miss its signature deadline on May 13, a representative for the group confirmed.

Golden Together didnt mount a fully-fledged signature-gathering campaign for the measure, which would have reformed the way lawsuits were filed against new housing construction under the California Environmental Quality Act. The group still plans to build up support on the issue with the hopes of putting it on the ballot in the future.

An initiative to provide public money for private schools also appears dead after legal concerns led the measures proponent, Ventura community college professor Kevin McNamee, to abandon his signature-gathering effort. The initiative would have reversed a state constitutional ban on public funds for religious or nonreligious private schools and provided students with a yearly $17,000 education fund. McNamee said he was only notified that aspects of the measure violated the California constitution after the window to amend language had expired. McNamee called it a speed bump and vowed to continue to pursue the measure in 2024.

Lets make a deal

California law permits proponents to remove a qualified measure before the ballot is finalized 131 days before the election, encouraging those on both sides of a proposal to negotiate a deal to settle their policy differences before taking a costly debate to voters. Such dealmaking is particularly appealing to interest groups with a stake in multiple ballot fights, like the California Labor Federation, Chamber of Commerce and the California League of Cities. They are not working with unlimited campaign budgets, and the easiest way to save themselves from difficult triage later is to reduce the number of measures they have to contest in any single year.

Uncertainty about the fate of the Taxpayer Protection Act has helped to drive negotiations around repeal of the Private Attorneys General Act, a 2004 law that empowers wronged workers to sue employers on the states behalf and plays along the same business-labor axis. Labor-friendly lawmakers have introduced a bill that would strengthen PAGA in an effort to force repeal backers, who say they have $20 million in the bank for a ballot fight, to negotiate. Both sides seem eager for a deal even if the contours of an acceptable compromise remain unclear.

Sacramento Democrats are working harder to get local prosecutors to back down from their measure to repeal aspects of Proposition 47, the landmark 2014 criminal justice ballot measure that reduced penalties for retail theft. Shortly before the proposal submitted more than 900,000 signatures last month, making it all but certain to qualify for the ballot, lawmakers introduced a package of bills to address the issue without directly touching the Prop 47 changes. With involvement from Newsoms team, lawmakers are testing whether the prosecutors would be willing to drop their measure in exchange for the bills passage.

Other qualified measures that may be ripe for compromise include a proposal to require a personal finance course for all high school students and one to permanently use the proceeds from a tax on some health insurance plans to fund Medicaid, among others.

All of these deals are likely to require legislative action and will have to compete for the attention of lawmakers and the governor. Even if many are potentially ripe for compromise, it is unlikely the Legislature can tackle all of them. And even if the early maneuvering to facilitate legislative deals is already underway, the final handshake that pulls an item from the ballot may not come until shortly before the June 27 deadline.

Looking at the last few years, my sense is that things will go to the last minute, as negotiations often do, said Baldassare. Everybody will be trying to get the best deal possible.
More addiction patients can take methadone at home, but some states lag behind

People wait in line for a methadone clinic to open in Hoquiam, Wash., in 2017. As a chorus of physicians and advocates calls for loosening methadone restrictions, states have been slower to adopt new relaxed federal rules. David Goldman/The Associated Press

Matt Haneys home in San Francisco isnt far from a methadone clinic.

The 42-year-old state lawmaker has watched people line up early each morning outside the clinic in the Tenderloin, a community long considered the epicenter of the citys substance use epidemic. His neighbors wait for the daily dose of methadone that relieves their cravings and minimizes opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Despite methadones effectiveness, a labyrinth of state and federal rules  meant to guard against its misuse  keeps it inaccessible to many people who desperately need it, Haney said.

What kind of normal person with a job, a life and a family can line up for medication every morning, sometimes far from where they live?

The Democratic assemblymember and majority whip noted that California is one of many states with rules that are stricter than federal regulations on when, where and how people can access opioid treatments like methadone.

Its almost comical how difficult it is to get this medication and stay on it, he said.

Yet addiction treatment in the United States is poised for change. This year, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, known as SAMHSA, made permanent a set of pandemic-era rules that loosened several restrictions, including those on take-home doses of methadone.

Its a move that a broad consensus of academics, advocates and providers says will improve treatment access and success rates. Having the flexibility to take medication at home can mean patients can get to work or get their kids to school on time. They can deal with family emergencies and unexpected travel. And they avoid the stigma of waiting in line at a clinic.

What kind of normal person with a job, a life and a family can line up for medication every morning, sometimes far from where they live?

 Matt Haney, a Democratic member of the California State Assembly

In theory, the new federal rules make more take-home methadone doses available to a wider subset of patients. But whats less clear is how the rules will trickle down to states. Theres concern states that didnt preserve the relaxed regulations they had during the pandemic might be slow to adopt them now.

A number of states will have to revise their regulations if theyre going to be in alignment with what SAMHSA has released, Mark Parrino, founder and president of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence Inc., a national trade group that supports the new federal regulations. What could delay implementation would be the state regulators.

Later this month at his groups annual conference, SAMHSA will convene a closed-door meeting of regulators from all 50 states to discuss the new federal rules and how states might bring their own standards into compliance, Parrino said.

Its all happening as the opioid crisis, driven by rising fentanyl overdoses, has prompted a chorus of physicians and advocates to call for loosening methadone restrictions even further  a move that leaders at many opioid treatment programs oppose.

Liquid handcuffs

Medications that treat opioid use disorder  such as methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone  are rigorously regulated by the government. They block the effects of opioids or halt withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings without causing the same feelings of euphoria.

But while medications like buprenorphine can be prescribed by a physician and taken at home, methadone can only be prescribed and dispensed in the United States through federally certified clinics called opioid treatment programs. Methadone can be taken as a liquid, a pill or an injectable.

Currently, about 1,800 certified opioid treatment programs operate in the United States, giving methadone treatment to about 400,000 people.

Thats just 19% of the estimated 2.1 million people in the United States who have opioid use disorder.

Until the pandemic, most methadone patients had to visit a clinic daily to take their doses while a provider watched. Restrictions stem from concern that methadone can be abused or resold. Even though it does not produce an intense high, its possible to overdose if its not taken as prescribed.

But the tight regulation created a system that keeps patients tethered to the nearest methadone clinic with what some have called liquid handcuffs. Long clinic lines, varying hours, counseling requirements and inflexible rules around rescheduling appointments make it difficult for patients to juggle job and family responsibilities.

One pregnant patient in a 2021 study reported being required to remain in line at her methadone clinic even after her water broke. Other patients said they were refused take-home doses for family emergency situations or were randomly required to make additional clinic visits. Ten states require methadone providers to observe patients during urine sample collection, according to a 2021 analysis by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Theres no other medical condition where we feel like patients need to earn the right to treatment, said Ximena Levander, an addiction medicine physician and researcher at Oregon Health & Science University. What SAMHSA has done with these new rules is to try to shift that paradigm from a punitive, you need to earn this model to a patient-centered, individualized treatment plan.

But its going to take time for that culture change to happen.

A power imbalance

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal officials allowed states to give more methadone patients up to 28 days of take-home doses. In February of this year, SAMHSA made these new, looser rules permanent. They went into effect last month, and opioid treatment programs have until October to comply.

Thats an ambitious timeline, said Parrino, of the trade group. His association represents more than 1,300 opioid treatment clinics.

At least 10 states had stability criteria for take-home doses that were stricter than federal rules as of June 2021. Individual opioid treatment programs might be more conservative still. Some, for example, wont allow take-home doses for patients who drink alcohol or use cannabis. Even individual clinicians might have their own views about what patients must do before being allowed take-home doses.

The requirements help keep patients safe, Parrino said: Methadone is an incredibly successful medication and its extremely effective, but its deadly if used unwisely.

Yet for patients, opioid treatment programs monopoly on methadone treatment represents a power imbalance thats not as apparent in other areas of medicine.

Levander recalled one patient who said her treatment program had increased her required clinic visits from once a month to once every two weeks, and she felt like she had no recourse to challenge that decision.

Patients know if they lose access to their medication, they may not have another methadone program nearby and they could return to use [of illicit drugs], Levander said. The opioid treatment programs have all the power and control. Theres not a lot of desire from patients to rock the boat.

Haney, the California state lawmaker, has introduced a bill that would remove several barriers to methadone access, including allowing physicians outside of opioid treatment clinics to temporarily prescribe take-home doses. The bill passed out of committee late last month with bipartisan support.

Minnesota lawmakers introduced a bill this year, still in committee, that would bring the states rules for dispensing take-home doses in line with federal rules. Some states, such as Massachusetts, issued executive orders adopting many of the new federal guidelines. State agencies in places including Minnesota and Colorado have shifted their rules to adopt a more patient-centered approach to addiction medicine.

But other states havent yet followed suit.

Its so highly variable as far as where states are on this issue, said Bobby Mukkamala, a physician in Flint, Michigan, who is on the board of trustees at the American Medical Association. Some states are way ahead at truly looking at substance use disorder as a medical condition, not something to be punished.

Methadone monopoly

Meanwhile, a bipartisan bill in Congress could further deregulate the opioid treatment industry and open methadone treatment nationally to physicians outside of clinics. U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, have introduced legislation that would allow physicians trained in addiction treatment to prescribe methadone outside of a clinic.

Its a move supported by several national organizations, including the American Medical Association.

If its the restriction thats stopping patients with these issues from seeing a physician to help, then we need to remove it, said Mukkamala.

But the opioid treatment program industry is pushing back. Parrino noted that many opioid use disorder patients have other associated conditions, from HIV to emotional trauma, that require the kind of comprehensive and regimented treatment available from a certified clinic.

Earlier this year, Markey suggested opioid treatment clinics have more financially driven motivations for their opposition to expanding methadone to non-clinic settings.

Ultimately, tethering methadone exclusively to opioid treatment programs is less about access, or health and safety, but about control, and for many investors in those programs, it is about profit, he said in a February statement about the new rules.

Nearly two-thirds of opioid treatment programs are operated by for-profit companies. At least 562 of those are financed by private equity firms, according to a STAT News analysis. Private equitys involvement in health care has been the subject of an avalanche of scrutiny from lawmakers, advocates and researchers in recent years.

A growing body of research supports methadones deregulation. A 2022 survey of opioid treatment patients in a Midwest community found more than half reported travel and work conflicts kept them from treatment. Last year, researchers found that flexible methadone take-home policies were associated with fewer overdose deaths among Black and Hispanic men. Another recent study found that take-home flexibility of methadone did not lead to more methadone-involved deaths.

Haney, the California lawmaker, thinks moving methadone beyond clinic walls would benefit not just people with opioid use disorder, but also their surrounding communities, such as the Tenderloin.

These outdated policies come from a fear of these patients and a fear of this medication thats misguided, he said. Its fueling the crisis that we are now facing.

DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST
Pine Bluff, Arkansas

When TyKesha and Dedrick Cross met in fifth grade, neither of them could have known that decades later theyd be married and working as dedicated educators serving kids that look like them in Americas fastest shrinking city.

In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, people see education as a way out. Many of the Crosss classmates moved on to nearby Little Rock, to Texas.

Their city has changed drastically over the last decade, its population dwindling from 49,000 to 41,250 between 2010 and 2020. Businesses left alongside residents, leaving rusting signs and boarded windows in what once was a thriving Black-owned city. Two main school districts consolidated; school buildings remain vacant.

Help fund stories like this. Donate now!

But for educators whove stayed to hold down the fort like the Crosses, theres no question why Pine Bluff is still, as TyKesha calls it, a diamond in the rough, where theyve raised their own and their neighbors children.

The community and the kids we serve is why we stick around. This is home, said Dedrick, now an assistant principal at James Matthew Elementary. Rearing these students and trying to have them beat the odds is what keeps us in this area.

TyKesha Cross looks on at her grandparents old home, where she spent much of her childhood. All around Pine Bluff, decaying homes and businesses stand as stark reminders of its past and current economic challenges and population decline. But local educators and leaders feel a new era of revitalization has begun. (Marianna McMurdock/The 74)

The Crosss spirit is not unique. Countless local educators and leaders, retired and early career, reared in Pine Bluff or not, share it and are beginning to see signs that stronger schools are not wishful thinking.

In a sprint to make schools families can trust, Pine Bluff is learning what it takes to build up their core: a strong educator workforce.

Educators are quick to point to the research: Quality teachers are the most important factor for student success. Local alternative and traditional university preparation programs are making teaching more financially and emotionally sustainable  expanding class offerings, child care or mental health grants. Programs are leaning into grow-your-own models, too, recruiting locals who understand students lived experiences to teach and lead schools.

Saving Schools in Americas Fastest-Shrinking City

Exodus and renewal in Pine Bluff, Arkansas

View the Series

The momentum to revitalize has never been stronger. The district has regained control after a state takeover. The districts new superintendent is committed to making the community a part of changes. A pandemic, local gun violence and new statewide investments have lit a fire for better quality education.

While many rural schools nationwide face persistent challenges in staffing schools, Pine Bluff offers a different story, starting the 2023-24 school year 99% staffed.

Pine Bluffs educators admit theres much more to be done, like ensuring training matches what teachers are struggling with, most recently student behavior and discipline.

And superintendent Jennifer Barbaree is not one to sugar coat.

Systematically, our academic achievement is very poor. Classroom instruction is not where it needs to be. We have parents telling us that, we have community members telling us that, Barbaree said. Its a process  Were not going to go from an F school from the last 10 years to suddenly an A school.

Though many were skeptical at first, when a white woman from out of town took the reins, Dedrick thinks it is fading. We needed somebody with some vision and some transparency.

The Crosses remember their first meeting with Barbaree fondly. Her frankness was the breath of fresh air Dedrick had been yearning for, especially from administrators.

She said, Im gonna tell you, we aint got no money, Dedrick recalled.

Thats exactly how she said it, ebonics and all, TyKesha added, smiling.

TyKesha is hopeful for the future  in their small but mighty district of about 3,300, love and untapped potential, are abundant.

She and Dedrick know intimately why investing in educators, particularly Black educators and those who reflect the student bodys demographic, is critical for student success.

Its a process  Were not going to go from an F school from the last 10 years to suddenly an A school. Jennifer Barbaree, Pine Bluff Superintendent

After surviving a gunshot wound to the head and becoming pregnant by her senior year, it was an educator who knocked on her grandparents door and urged TyKesha to come back and finish high school. The same person recruited her to become an educator two decades later.

Now a 9th grade business teacher, TyKesha introduces the next generation of homeowners and entrepreneurs to the pillars of marketing and finance. Her family members were some of the first free Black farmers in Arkansas, to this day running one of Pine Bluffs oldest businesses and local favorite for fried catfish: Carpenters Produce and Fish.

Carpenters Produce & Fish (Marianna McMurdock/The 74)

Before teaching, she and Dedrick had careers in banking, real estate and counseling, and job offers out of state. But instead of joining the thousands who have left their hometown, they forged new careers in education.

Having worked for a decade as a parole and substance abuse counselor, Dedrick knows the range of experiences children have in Pine Bluff, too. Some, he said, have been in survival mode since they were ten. Passing through the front door of one students home, he stepped on a dirt floor.

Knowing what students go home to has reinforced their decision to stay and make their schools a safe haven for the next generations. Dedrick, now in his first year as an administrator after eight years teaching, has one rule for James

Madison Elementarys teachers: that they get to know their students and not holler at them. They get enough of that, he said.

The couple still wrestle with big questions, like how to curb the gun violence that claimed the lives of one of their students and nearly a child a month last school year. But, Dedrick said, it keeps tugging on us to make that impact here.

Hes not alone in his dedication and optimism. More and more, signs show Pine Bluff is rising to strengthen schools core.

Pathways to bring in more local talent are growing. This fall, more candidates than ever applied to the same 3-year preparation program the Crosses completed: Arkansas Teacher Corps. The partnership with the University of Arkansas provides community members, many already working in schools as paraprofessionals or substitutes, a path to being licensed.

The district re-assessed all uncertified or emergency certified teachers to ensure they were completing preparation programs or exams. Those without adequate progress by the end of last school year were let go.

And Barbarees candor has shifted how the district has built partnerships with traditional university preparation programs. With a doctorate in the science of reading, shes started asking: what textbooks are you using in your reading foundations courses?

Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree (left) and local HBCU education dean Kimberley Davis (right) have ignited a rare friendship to reshape Pine Bluffs next generation of teachers. (Marianna McMurdock/The 74)

We need to do a better job partnering with universities and saying, she said, what do your teacher prep courses look like? How does that meet the needs of what we need in our districts?

Kimberley Davis feels the Pine Bluff difference. Dean of the education college at University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, the local HBCU, Davis is no stranger to teacher preparation, having worked at four other universities.

She and Barbaree are on a texting basis. This is what she calls her first true partnership with a K-12 district.

We need them, and they need us, Davis said.

Recruitment for rural realities

Eyes are on Arkansass teacher workforce in part because of the states 2023 LEARNS Act, which boosted the salary floor from $36,000 to $50,000, requiring all teachers complete a yearlong residency guided by a mentor.

[LEARNS] was a huge wake up call  It disrupted the status quo enough that now people are trying something different, said Brandon Lucius, Arkansas Teacher Corpss executive director.

Instead of recruiting far and wide, local preparation programs are now leaning into a grow-your-own approach to help capture community members working in and around schools, local leaders like the Crosses.

Offering social-emotional support from the start of teacher preparation has made the difference for educators like TyKesha. Between her network of Arkansas Teacher Corps alumni, local mentors, and tools learned through ATC including yoga certification, shes feeling a five year fire, not an itch to leave as many do by this milestone.

More day classes, hybrid offerings and a free multi-day bootcamp for required licensure exams has become the norm at the local HBCU to ensure candidates graduate classroom ready.

The district is switching things up, too, recruiting at the states flagship public university in Fayetteville and keeping a close feedback loop with local ones. Job posts in key subject areas stay open all year, in anticipation of vacancies. A teacher cadet program helps interested high schoolers matriculate into education classes at local colleges.

Before its historic population decline, Pine Bluffs teacher pool were mostly white graduates from traditional 4-year programs. Now, they usually come out of programs bringing career changers, parents and community members to the classroom through shorter, and more affordable teaching residencies like Arkansas Teacher Corps.

After embracing the grow-your-own model, the districts pool flipped to nearly 75% parents of color, 97% first generation college graduates and older career shifters. The program now offers a $2,500 stipend; candidates can apply for grants for mental health services, child care, or personal computers.

A similar transformation is happening in the administrator pipeline.

Were saying we dont want to drop someone in and hope that they stick, said IMPACT Arkansas director John Bacon. The 18-month fellowship prepares teachers to become administrators in low-income districts, heavily subsidizing a masters in educational leadership.

The time has always been now

To ensure Pine Bluffs educators can stay in the field for the long haul, rising and longstanding teacher leaders name two needs: mentorship and social-emotional support.

Burnout is the common culprit for departures or a dip in teaching quality  combinations of financial strain, frustration with student behavior that grew more concerning during COVID, and grief from trauma in the community.

Local teachers in training have heard tales of Mattie Collins, one of Pine Bluff High Schools revered history teachers known for her firm but fair approach.

She, like many informal mentors reared in Pine Bluff before and after her, was never interested in waiting for local or state leadership to catch up to the investment she saw as critical  teachers.

Well, the time has always been now to Ms. Collins, said Collins, who retired after 35 years and now leads a nonprofit for youth to explore STEM careers and prepare for the ACT.

History teacher Mattie Collins (Marianna McMurdock/The 74)

Her solution to some of the burnout and behavior concerns is relatively simple: have good lesson plans that keep everyone engaged, and make sure that young people know their teacher respects them.

Its a two way street. Its not just, respect Ms. Collins cause shes the older person in the room. Its that Ms. Collins respects you and thinks youre great and wants you to do your best. Theyll do anything for you if they know that you really care.

That pedagogy lives on in the classroom through her former students turned teachers like Kendra Jones. The type to snatch you up, in a caring way.

Alongside classics, she uses literature she knows will keep attention and speak to what students care about. Dear Martin and Dear Justyce, two books focused on the experiences of young Black teens experiencing police brutality and navigating the justice system, are on the syllabus this semester.

But even the beloved Jones has had thoughts about leaving, perhaps to be an administrator and make bigger waves or earn more. To sustain her family, shes done hair and meal prepping on the side.

Many Pine Bluff teachers work multiple jobs. Though LEARNS boosted the floor for teachers, it didnt bake in funding or planning to level set pay for more experienced educators. With a masters, Jones now makes the same as a first year teacher. Once she finishes her doctorate, shed only see about a $3,000 increase annually.

On top of it all, Pine Bluff is a community in grieving.

Jones went to five student funerals last year alone. In the back of her classroom shines a framed photo of one student, murdered six days after his birthday, a gift from his mother.

I look at the crime rate. I look at how our babies are being taken from us, she said. Its things like that that make you say I cant do this.

In those moments, she calls on her mentors. But then you have people that have been here who also had those opportunities to leave like Ms. Collins and Mattie Glover and Virginia Hines. Theyre retired and could be at home on the beach, but theyre still advocating.

So is Jones, who has a reputation as the trouble teacher for making noise on behalf of students. When people speak ill of Pine Bluff, shes quick to remind them where their roots are.

Somebodys got to say something because right now what we need for our kids is not what it should be, said Jones.  I know what it could be and I have positive aspirations that greater is coming.

To TyKesha, who teaches down the hall, the common denominator that anchors her, Jones and Pine Bluffs community of fighters is love.

Many of her students grew up in the same projects she did. Her classes start in the dark  a few minutes of free time with overhead lights off: listen to a song, watch a game, just pause for a moment. The only sound is the slow drip of water from a decorative fountain on her desk.

TyKesha Cross smiles at a family member inside Carpenters Produce and Fish (Marianna McMurdock/The 74)

As students settled in one morning, Cross asked for a weather report  a social-emotional check-in learned from the Arkansas Teacher Corps. Shell never forget one response: acid rain, with things falling from the sky. The phrase raised red flags for Cross, her innate sense of familiarity with her communitys challenges kicking in.

She quickly emailed the students counselor, then the principal: their class was headed outside.

Chalk in hand, students took turns writing on the sidewalk: youre not alone, and yesterday is not ours to recover but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.

It wasnt until later the student whose response sparked the activity shared what was on his mind that day he had thoughts of taking his own life. The activity gave him encouragement, he said, and opened the door to talking more about his life with Cross and his counselor.

For Cross, the incident confirmed why she became a teacher in the first place  to make schools the safe haven they were for her growing up. Its a stark reminder, too, of the impact of investing in teacher development, to develop talent whose radar would go off like hers did that day.

Why do people stay here? Thats why, Cross said tearfully. To know that something I did, passed on to me from a program  I could have left and went to another big town or city and found another bank to work for, probably made $200,000. But I wouldnt have been here for that day.
Mountain State Justice filed a lawsuit Monday on behalf of Anthony Rowand (above), an unemployed Monongalia County resident who  according to the lawsuit  relies on panhandling to cover his basic needs and those of his girlfriend, and others similarly situated. (Mountain State Justice | Courtesy photo)

The city of Morgantown has started the process of repealing a panhandling ordinance at the center of a lawsuit brought by a legal advocacy organization.

Morgantown City Council on Tuesday heard the first reading of an ordinance that would repeal a 2005 law prohibiting the solicitation of people traveling in vehicles on public rights-of-way.

Mountain State Justice filed a lawsuit against the city last month over the law. The organization filed the complaint in federal court April 22 on behalf of Anthony Rowand, an unemployed Monongalia County resident who relies on panhandling to cover his basic needs and those of his girlfriend, according to the lawsuit.

The complaint says that last summer, Rowand began receiving tickets and fines under the ordinance as city police began more rigorous enforcement. The man has continued to solicit donations, and has been repeatedly ticketed, racking up fines he is unable to pay, the complaint says.

The lawsuit argues that panhandling and soliciting of charitable donations constitute speech protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

During Tuesdays meeting, city attorney Ryan Simonton explained that according to the Morgantown Police Departments understanding of the law, its intent is to prevent pedestrian and vehicle conflict that could injure pedestrians and to prevent interference with traffic by delaying traffic that should be traveling according to traffic laws.

The law specifically addresses solicitation for money or goods, which is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution, he said. Public rights-of-way are generally considered to be traditional public forums where restrictions on speech have to be as narrow as possible, he said.

Morgantown is not the only local municipality with a law prohibiting panhandling. In October, Monongalia County passed an ordinance that limits interaction between vehicle occupants and people standing on roadways and prohibits standing or sitting on roadways in certain situations. Critics say that law unconstitutionally targets people experiencing homelessness asking for money.

Reached Wednesday afternoon, Lesley Nash, staff attorney for Mountain State Justice, said that the organization believes the citys comments concede that what Rowand alleges in his lawsuit is correct, that the ordinance targets and impermissibly restricts protected speech in traditional public forum and is unconstitutional.

We look forward to continuing to fight on behalf of Mr. Rowand and others similarly situated, Nash wrote in an email.

The city of Morgantown and its police department did not return separate messages seeking comment.

The post Morgantown City Council begins process of repealing panhandling ordinance appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
FILE - This photo taken and released by Basmanny District Court press service on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, shows Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov standing in a defendants' cage in court in Moscow, Russia. A Moscow court on Wednesday rejected an appeal of the bribery arrest of Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, whose lawyers sought to have him released from jail into house arrest. Ivanov, who was in charge of military construction projects, was arrested on April 23 and charged with accepting bribes on a large scale. (Basmanny District Court press service via AP, File)

TALLINN, Estonia (AP)  A Moscow court rejected Wednesday an appeal filed by a Russian deputy defense minister's lawyers who sought to have him moved from prison to house arrest as he faces bribery charges.

Timur Ivanov, who was in charge of military construction projects, was arrested on April 23 and charged with accepting bribes on a large scale. After the hearing in Moscow City Court, Russian news agencies quoted his attorney Murad Musayev as saying the case involved allegations of about 1 billion rubles ($11 million) and that Ivanov has been suspended from duty.

Two other men have been arrested in the case.

It is rare for such a high-ranking official to be charged with a crime in Russia and it is unclear what sparked the decision to arrest him.

The team of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny conducted anti-corruption investigations and accused Ivanov, an ally of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, of living a lavish lifestyle.

Ivanov, 48, was sanctioned by both the United States and European Union in 2022 after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian media reported that Ivanov oversaw some of the construction in Mariupol, a Ukrainian port city that was devastated by bombardment and occupied by Russian forces early in the war.

Zvezda, the official TV channel of the Russian military, reported in summer 2022 that the ministry was building an entire residential block in Mariupol and showed Ivanov inspecting construction sites and newly erected buildings.

Few other high-level officials have been prosecuted in Russia.

In April 2023, former Deputy Culture Minister Olga Yarilova was arrested and charged with embezzling more than 200 million rubles ($2.2 million). Yarilova, who held her post from 2018 to 2022, is on trial and facing a possible seven-year jail term.

Former Economics Minister Alexei Ulyukayev received an eight-year prison sentence in 2017 for accepting a $2 million bribe from one of Putins top associates. The high-profile trial was widely seen as part of infighting between Kremlin clans. Ulyukayev, now 68, was granted early release from prison in May 2022.
Two eggs fertilized by two sperm coincided in a uterus and, instead of giving rise to two sisters, they fused to form a single person: Karen Keegan. When she was 52 years old, this woman from Boston suffered very serious kidney failure, but luckily she had three children willing to donate a kidney to her. The doctors did genetic tests to see which offspring was most compatible and they got a major surprise: the test said that two of them were not her children. The reality was even more astonishing: Karen Keegan had two different DNA sequences, two genomes, depending on the cell you looked at. Biologist Alfonso Martinez Arias maintains that this chimeric woman is conclusive proof that DNA does not define a persons identity.

The most inspiring science book of all time is The Selfish Gene, according to a survey carried out by the Royal Society of the United Kingdom. In this famous work from 1976, British biologist Richard Dawkins defended that the DNA molecule uses the human being as a mere envelope in order to be transmitted to the next generation and become immortal. We are survival machines, robot vehicles blindly programmed to preserve the selfish molecules known as genes, Dawkins stated. Almost half a century later, Martinez Arias refutes this perspective of the selfish gene and proposes a much more romantic alternative: the altruistic cell. An organism is the work of cells. Genes merely provide materials for their work, he says in The Master Builder, a fascinating and provocative book from the London publisher Basic Books that will also be published in Spanish this year.

Martinez Arias, 68, argues that the DNA sequence of an individual is not an instruction manual or a construction plan for their body, but a box of tools and materials for the true architect of life: the cell. The Madrid-born biologist argues that there is nothing in the DNA molecule that explains why the heart is located on the left, why there are five fingers on the hand or why twin brothers have different fingerprints. Cells are what control time and space, he proclaims. They are the ones who know where right and left are, and where exactly a persons foot or an elephants trunk should end.

The biologist spent four decades at the University of Cambridge, investigating how a solitary cell with a unique DNA sequence  the fertilized egg  is capable of multiplying and becoming an individual with billions of cells specialized in various tasks. The question often arises as to how it is possible that such similar genomes can build such different animals as flies, frogs, horses and humans. However, the real wonder is how the same genome can build structures as different as an eye and a lung in the same organism. Lets give the cells the credit they deserve, says Martinez Arias, who in 2021 left his chair of Genetics at Cambridge to join Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona.

The first cloned cat (right) lost the orange color of the cat from which the DNA was copied (left). Universidad de Texas A&M

The scientist remembers the global surprise after the birth of the first cloned cat, called Copy Cat, on December 22, 2001. Her DNA was identical to that of a calico cat  white, orange and black  yet Copy Cat had white and tabby fur. The two supposed clones looked nothing alike. The researchers had copied the genetic information from a cell that had the orange gene inactivated. The American company that sought to enrich itself by selling identical clones, Genetic Savings & Clone, had to close down in 2006. People didnt want a cat with the same genes as their pet, they wanted a cat that was exactly the same and behaved in the same way, notes Martinez Arias. That is simply impossible.

The researcher uses a legendary phrase from his British colleague Lewis Wolpert (1929-2021): It is not birth, marriage, or death, but gastrulation which is truly the most important time in your life. Martinez Arias compares this phase of embryonic development to a cellular dance with a perfect choreography. About 14 days after a sperm and an egg come together, the resulting ball, of about 400 cells, will begin gastrulation: a dance that lasts six days and ends with the tiny sphere becoming the first sketch of the individual. In this new 20-day structure, the three axes of the future person are already distinguishable: left and right, up and down, belly and back.

The biologist Alfonso Martinez Arias at a London library. Jaime Marshall

These first days of pregnancy are an enigma, due to the obvious physical and ethical barriers to directly observing the process, but Martinez Arias team in Cambridge overcame the difficulties in 2020 with an ingenious alternative. The Spaniard and his lab colleagues used a chemical cocktail to induce embryonic stem cells  derived from leftover embryos from fertility clinics  to form a three-dimensional structure similar to the result of gastrulation: a sketch of a person, but without the seed of the brain or the tissues that would generate the placenta. This historic advance was announced in Nature, a repository of the best world science.

Martinez Arias believes that these structures that partially imitate the human embryo, called gastruloids, unequivocally show that cells are the masters of construction, and that there is no blueprint in the genome to direct what they do. The biologist marveled, for the first time in history, at something very similar to what happens in a mothers womb: a perfect choreography in which cells communicate with each other, through forces and chemical signals, and end up occupying their place as if they knew exactly what their destination was. This ability to self-organize could be a fundamental property of cells, hypothesizes the researcher, who cites the spectacular techniques of the French neurobiologist Alain Chedotal to visualize the cellular structure of embryos.

A 20-day-old human embryo (left) and a gastruloid. Kathleen Kay Sulik

The Pompeu Fabra researcher notes that his colleague Susanne van den Brink discovered that gastruloids were only formed if a specific number of cells were used: about 400. Cells know how to count. If the 400 are not there, the dance of gastrulation does not begin. They all have the same DNA molecule in their nucleus, but each cell reads only a few sections, specializing in certain tasks. That is why a brain cell will not look anything like a skin cell, despite having the same DNA and descending from the same fertilized egg. Gastruloids are proof that a confederation of cells has the ability to work together, interpret signals from each other and the environment and choose which genes to use and when, says the biologist. Genes are not our identity, he repeats over and over again.

For Martinez Arias, the new science of the cell is rewriting the story of life. We still don't know much about how cells are organized to use the genome, but the answers are out there, starting to manifest in our embryo-like cellular wonders or organoids. The century that is already underway is, and will be, the century of the cell, he proclaims.
GULFPORT, Miss. (WKRG)  A Mississippi woman and an Alabama man have received their sentences for their reported involvement in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 991 grams of methamphetamine, according to a U.S. Attorneys Office release.

Linda Renee Mizell, 41, of Moss Point, Miss., was sentenced to 75 months in prison. Charles Oliver Trahan II, 51, of Grand Bay, Ala., was sentenced to 155 months in prison.

UPDATE: Darwood Drive murder suspect arrested, Mobile Police say

Court documents show law enforcement received information Mizell was selling methamphetamine in Jackson County, Miss.

After further investigation, authorities learned Mizell and Trahan were working together to sell methamphetamine. They were able to track trips Trahan took from Alabama to Mizells home in Mississippi.

Officers saw Trahan leaving Mizells home on Aug. 22, 2023, and stopped his vehicle. They recovered 991 grams of methamphetamine and arrested Trahan.

Analysis of Trahans cellphone showed he was frequently contacting Mizell and several digital cash payments were sent from Trahan to Mizell, the release said.

Teen dies a week after car crash: Semmes Police

A federal grand jury indicted Mizell and Trahan on Sept. 19, 2023. they both pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement, the release said.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team, the release said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose prosecuted the case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Mother Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Murder of Twin Baby Boys Found Dead in Garbage Truck 21 Years Ago

The Cook County Sheriff's Office told local outlets that the mother confessed to her involvement in the twins' deaths and disposing of their bodies

Cook County Jail Antoinette Briley

A Michigan mother will serve prison time after she pled guilty to killing her newborn twin sons in 2003.

Antoinette Briley, 44, of Holland, Mich., pleaded guilty to murder charges at the Bridgeview Courthouse in Chicago, Ill. on Tuesday, May 7, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, according to Fox 32 Chicago, WLS-TV and the Chicago Tribune.

Briley was initially arrested in December 2020, and after being detained, she confessed to her involvement in the twins' deaths and disposing of their bodies, the Cook County Sheriff's Office said, per the Chicago Tribune and WLS-TV.

She was initially charged in court with two counts of first-degree murder stemming from the asphyxiation deaths of her infant sons.

Cook County Sheriff's Office via AP Antoinette Briley

Related: American Found Dead, Tortured in Mexico Cemetery Had Ankle Tied to Tree, Boyfriend Is Charged with Murder

The twin baby boys were found dumped in a trash bin in an alley in Stickney, Ill., where a waste management worker spotted them in the front lift bucket of her garbage truck.

Investigators determined that the two babies were killed not long after they were born, as one of the babies still had the placenta attached to him.

From there, detectives hit a dead end and the case went cold for over a decade with no suspects identified. In 2018, investigators returned to the case and using genetic genealogy, they were able to link the babies to Briley through DNA.

Related: Md. Man Arrested on Murder Charges After His 68-Year-Old Mother Was Found 'Unresponsive' in Bathtub

Detectives then traveled to Brileys hometown of Holland, Mich. where they found an item of Brileys that had been "strongly associated" with the twins DNA, per WLS-TV, and a warrant for her arrest was sent out.

Police said in a press conference following her arrest that then-24-year-old Briley had given birth to the twins in a bathtub while she had been alone at her grandfathers house. They said she had panicked as she didnt know what to do with the crying babies and decided to put them in a duffle bag and drive to a nearby hospital.

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.

Along the way, authorities said she pulled over and found a garbage can. She removed the babies from the bag and placed them inside the trash can before driving back to her grandfathers house.

When she returned to the house, she disposed of the duffle bag before watching some television and heading to bed.

Briley, who has a separate daughter that police said was safe, will carry out her prison sentence at the Illinois Department of Corrections.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
MS lawmakers looking to pass income tax changes, Medicaid expansion in 2025. See why

Now that the 2024 session is over, some Mississippi lawmakers are already looking to address major issues in the 2025 session, including considering legislation to continue phasing down personal income tax.

House Speaker Jason White, R-West, who finished his first session as the head hancho of the state's lower chamber last week, told the Clarion Ledger he plans to work throughout the year poring over the state's tax code. His hope is to find areas to cut down on income tax and find other areas to "improve."

"You will see us pivot next year and spend a lot of time in the off season conducting an in-depth study of our tax structure in Mississippi," White said. "It's not just about cutting the personal income tax, but our overall tax structure in Mississippi, everything from tax credits, income tax, sales tax, gross tax or gas tax, things like that. We'd like to get some method to move away from the personal income tax and more toward consumption tax. (We want to) look at all tax credits that are out there and the special exemptions and those kinds of things and see the best way to run state government on people's money going forward."

In 2022, the Mississippi Legislature passed House Bill 531, the largest personal income tax cut in state history. That cut began being phased in July 1, 2022, lowering individual income taxes from 5% to 4.7%. In 2025, the cut will phase the tax down to 4.4% and then again in 2026 to 4%.

In November, State Economist Corey Miller told the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that the state economy is expected to grow more than projections at the beginning of the 2023 indicated. However, slower future economic growth, combined with the effects of additional decreases in the individual income tax rates, should also lead to a slowdown in general fund revenue growth.

This year, lawmakers spent more than they ever have before, passing a $7.89 billion budget for the state.

Mississippi House Speaker Jason White, R-West, speaks to the press on the second to last day at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson on Friday, May 3, 2024. When it comes to the 2025 legislative session, White is already looking to address the state's tax codes. (Credit: Lauren Witte/Clarion Ledger)

Senate leadership still wants Medicaid expansion

On the other side of the Capitol building, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann told reporters the first item he plans to address next year is finding middle ground between the House and Senate on Medicaid expansion.

"In my mind, we've left 74,000 people working that could have had health care coverage in Mississippi," Hosemann said. "We didn't give them that. So, Bill No. 1 coming back here, that's going to be that."

A few days before the end of the 2024 session, lawmakers failed to pass Medicaid expansion. The historic bill was passed through both chambers for the first time, albeit two different versions, making further negotiations between the two chambers needed before going to the governor's desk.

More on Medicaid death Medicaid expansion dies in Mississippi Legislature

Negotiators were only able to skirt the bill by a legislative deadline Monday evening, agreeing to expand Medicaid for those making no more than $20,000 per year working 100 hours per month, and pulling down up to $600 million per year from the federal government to expand for the first two years.

More on Medicaid compromise MS Legislature beats deadline by minutes, set to vote on Medicaid expansion

The killing blow to the bill, however, did not come directly from Republicans, but from House Democrats who were utterly opposed to a work requirement. Without their votes, it was near impossible to whip enough Republicans to gather a veto proof two thirds majority in the House chamber.

Hosemann echoed that reality when he said the opposition from House Democrats scuttled support from GOP members in the Senate, who were already less enthusiastic than their House counterparts, effectively killing the bill. White tried to submit a last-minute appeal to the Senate with a ballot referendum, but Senate negotiators never signed off on the proposal by a legislative deadline.

White, however, said whether he makes Medicaid expansion a priority next year isn't certain. Earlier in the year, he called expansion a top priority if lawmakers want to help the state's working poor population.

"How we move forward from here is tricky, and smart politicians and policy makers are much smarter than me, so we'll have to figure out how to move forward," White said.

Legislation passed now, to be worked on later

While lawmakers passed historic education funding reform and further legislative oversight on the state retirement system, several committee chairmen said they intend to work on several bills for further amendment next year.

Education Committee Chairman Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville, said he intends to work with the Mississippi Department of Education on the new Mississippi Student Funding Formula, which has now replaced the Mississippi Adequate Education Program as the K-12 education funding model.

MSFF was funded with $2.95 billion and comes with an objective math formula to calculate a based student cost using criteria such as teacher salaries, student enrollment and funding weights to address funding issues in poorer school districts.

More about MSFF funding MS Legislature passes historic education funding model, sends to governor's desk

When presenting the legislation to the Senate, DeBar said that MAEP also needed work when it was first rolled out in 1997, justifying the need to continue looking at the legislation passed in late April.

"For me to stand up here and say that this is the perfect formula would not be correct," DeBar said. "That's why we are studying this in the off session. (MDE) is going to study this and provide a recommendation to us in November."

Rep. Joey Hood had similar words for a bill that was passed to restrict where transgender people can use public facilities such as bathrooms on college campuses.

Senate Bill 2773 was passed onto the governor's desk on May 2. When the bill was first considered earlier in the year, it included all state-owned facilities. Hood said he plans to expand the current bill to include that language.

More on transgender bill MS Legislature passes transgender bathroom restriction bill

Suffrage overhaul

House Bill 1609 would have restored voting rights to people who were convicted of non violent felonies, It originally passed the House, but it died without even a consideration from Senate Constitution Committee Chairwoman Angela Hill, R-Picayune, by a legislative deadline.

Hill later said the state's constitution, which includes provisions to disenfranchise people with certain felony convictions, speaks for itself.

Disenfranchisement was adopted by the Mississippi Legislature in 1890 with the purpose of stripping voting rights from Black voters by listing crimes lawmakers thought Black people were likely to commit such as murder, timber larceny, possession of stolen property and murder, James K. Vardaman, who served as both governor and U.S. senator at the time, declared.

More on suffrage bill Voting bill, which would have helped non-violent felons, dies in MS Senate

There is no use to equivocate or lie about the matter," Vardaman said. "Mississippi's constitutional convention of 1890 was held for no other purpose than to eliminate the (expletive) from politics."

A spokesperson with Hosemann's office said that he is not opposed to the legislation under certain conditions and would look into it.

See people who don't have voting rights 'When you don't have the right to vote, you are a nobody,' felon tells Mississippi lawmakers

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: Income tax, Medicaid expansion on the table for MS lawmakers in 2025
DIBBLE, Okla. (KFOR)  A Dibble middle school student said he feels failed by his school districts method of discipline for another student he said assaulted him with a pencil.

JD Mott told News 4 the incident happened last month in class. Mott said he was playing a game in class that required getting up from his seat. Mott said when he returned to his seat after playing the game he felt something wrong.

Plea for change with DHS after babys daycare death

I sat down, and I felt pain, said JD Mott.

Mott said a student sitting behind him asked where their pencil was and he responded that the pencil was inside of him.

The teacher told me to go to the office, said JD Mott. I went to the bathroom first and by myself. I was trying to walk to the office and I was in so much pain.

Mott said the student hes accused of intentionally hurting him is typically nice and that he couldnt understand what would compel them to do harm to him.

Motts mother, Amanda Mott, spoke with News 4 Tuesday as well, saying that he had to be taken to the hospital after the incident to have the pencil removed.

Photo of pencil JD Mott says harmed him {Mott Family}.

Hole left in JD Mott's clothing after alleged assault {Mott Family}.

Hole left in JD Mott's clothing after alleged assault {Mott Family}.

We took him to Purcell, said Amanda Mott. To be honest, they had never seen anything to that extent. The pencil went six to seven inches into his bottom. Thats how bad it was.

News 4 asked JD how hes healed since the incident.

Im doing better, said JD Mott. It still hurts to sit, but Ive been taking it nice and slow. I still cant run but I can walk.

The Motts said they filed a police report, but that the only discipline they had been made aware of regarding the accused student was a few days of in-school suspension.

Amanda Mott said she didnt believe the discipline was fair.

Im not asking for the child to be in a lot of trouble, but to at least let him know that if this pencil could have gone any, even a little bit further, it would have been probably surgery.

News 4 reached out to the Dibble Superintendent Chad Clantons office and received the following comment:

The district is aware of the incident. We have addressed it. Its been turned over to law enforcement. Dibble Public Schools Superintendent Chad Clanton

JD Mott told News 4 that regardless of how things proceed, the damage to the end of his school year and body is already done.

I felt nervous when I went back my first time because I was afraid people were going to make fun of me, which they still do, said JD Mott.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  Its graduation season already.

The 2023-2024 classes of the Muscogee County School District (MCSD) will walk starting Wednesday, May 15 of next week.

All ceremonies are taking place at the Columbus Civic Center with the exception of Rainey-McCullers, which will host its ceremony at its concert hall.

You can take a look at the full schedule down below:

Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts: Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m.

Kendrick High School: Thursday, May 16 at 5 p.m.

Columbus High School: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

William Henry Shaw High School: Friday, May 17 at 5 p.m.

Hardaway High School: May 17 at 8 p.m.

Jordan Vocational: Saturday, May 18 at 9 a.m.

Carver High School: Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

William Henry Spencer High School: Saturday at 2 p.m.

Northside High School: Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A musician who vanished in San Francisco after auditioning for a band has been found and arrested. Eric Travers, 30, traveled from North Carolina to San Francisco last week for the audition and to record music, his friend told KRON4.

For several days, Travers family and friends were unable to contact him, raising concerns for his well-being. He missed his flight to return home, his brother said, which was out of character for the drummer. Travers also left his medication for epilepsy behind in his hotel room at Cathedral Hill Hotel in the Tenderloin, his friend, Mikel Ross, said.

Travers was reported missing to the San Francisco Police Department. On Monday, Ross told KRON4 that the musicians whereabouts were still unknown.

On Tuesday, SFPD told KRON4 that officers had arrested Travers without knowing he was the missing man.

Police officers arrested him at 2:13 p.m. on May 2 on Shotwell Street. San Francisco Police officers from Mission Station responded to the area of 21st and Shotwell streets regarding a belligerent male subject throwing objects at vehicles and people, SFPD wrote.

Eric Travers (Image via GoFundMe)

Officers arrived on scene, detained the man, and talked to two victims who said the man had thrown large rocks in their direction. Police said he also damaged a vehicle nearby. Travers was booked for two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism.

Family searches for answers after girl, 15, dies in San Francisco driveway

Travers initially gave SFPD a false name, but he was later identified as the missing man, according to police. He was also treated in a hospital.

On Tuesday, Travers brother wrote that his brother had been found in Tenderloin in a complete state of psychosis.

Travers brother wrote on a GoFundMe page, He is no longer missing, however he isnt exactly well. He is under the care of professionals for the time being. It seems getting him stabilized is proving to be more difficult than usual when he has a break like this. We hope to get him some sort of professional diagnosis and help here and hopefully improve his quality of life.

The brother thanked everyone who showed support during a difficult time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A NASA astronaut from Silverton, Oregon is heading back to space in September  marking his fourth mission for the agency.

For his next mission to the International Space Station, Don Pettit will serve as a flight engineer for the Expedition 71/72 crew  which is exploring neuro-degenerative diseases and therapies, along with space botany, space-caused fluid shifts, and algae-based life support systems, according to NASA.

During this mission, Pettit will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to prepare crews for future space missions.

Oregon Gov. Kotek signs emergency housing law

Pettit will launch on the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft in September, accompanied by cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. The three will spend six months in space.

NASA said they selected Pettit as an astronaut in 1996, adding he has made integral advancements in technology and demonstrations for human exploration.

During his work with NASA, Pettit served as a science officer for Expedition 6 in 2003, operated the robotic arm for STS-126 space shuttle Endeavor in 2008, and was a flight engineer for Expedition 30-31 in 2012  during which Pettit captured the first commercial cargo spacecraft, the SpaceX Dragon, using the robotic arm.

Forbes study finds Portland among top 10 worst cities for drivers; ranked worse than Seattle, Boston

Pettit has logged 370 days in space and conducted two spacewalks totaling 13 hours and 17 minutes.

Pettit has a bachelors degree in chemical engineering from Oregon State University, and a doctorate in chemical engineering from University of Arizona. Before his work with NASA, Pettit worked as a staff scientist at the Los Alamon National Laboratory in New Mexico.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A woman accused of trying to help cover up two murders is among this weeks list of Most Wanted fugitives out of Nashville.

The Metro Nashville Police Departments list of Top 10 Most Wanted fugitives is updated every Wednesday on the Criminal Warrants Divisions Facebook page. Officials said those featured on the list are often considered to be some of the most violent offenders in the city.

More than 100 of Nashvilles Most Wanted fugitives arrested since 2022

Of the suspects on this weeks list, more than half are wanted for either homicide or charges related to alleged sex crimes. The rest of Nashvilles Most Wanted suspects are accused of crimes such as aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and criminal impersonation.

The newest addition to the list is a woman who was recently indicted by a grand jury on two counts of failure to report a dead body and two counts of accessory after the fact.

According to police, the woman is believed to have known about two murders that happened in September and October 2023 and allegedly tried to help the killer get away with the crimes. In both cases, the victims were found dead inside the trunk of a car.

While the search for these suspects continues, the Most Wanted list has aided police in several arrests since its launch in October 2022. In total, at least 108 wanted fugitives have been taken into custody since then, stacking up to a nearly 78% arrest rate.

Most Wanted arrest: Teen accused of raping girl at Nashville NYE party

One of the most recent arrests was that of 18-year-old Mateus Alves who is accused of raping a teenage girl during a New Years Eve party in Nashville. While Alves turned herself in to police, investigators said tips from the public have aided them in several other Most Wanted arrests.

Below is a list of the suspects who made the police departments Top 10 Most Wanted list the week of May 8, 2024.

1. Lagarrion L. Blacksmith

Lagarrion Blacksmith (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

At number one, Lagarrion Blacksmith, 35, is considered this weeks Top Most Wanted fugitive, according to the MNPD. Blacksmith has remained at the top of the list for several months as police continue to try to track him down.

He was initially added to the Most Wanted list on Nov. 29, 2023, after investigators said they were able to connect him to a deadly shooting that took place outside a Dickerson Pike bar last year.

Officers found 35-year-old Chancellor Eddins lying on the ground just outside of Trvth Lounge on Feb. 18, 2023. He had been shot and later died at the scene. Another man who had also been hit by the gunfire was able to give officers an account of what happened.

RELATED: Man wanted for homicide, other charges following fatal February shooting on Dickerson Pike

According to police, the injured man told them he and Eddins had gotten into an argument with the suspect inside of the bar. Then, shots were fired as they left the location. At the time, the identity of the alleged shooter was unclear.

Months later, investigators announced Blacksmith had been identified as a suspect. On Nov. 22, 2023, officials said arrest warrants had been issued against Blacksmith for criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and felon in possession of a handgun.

However, efforts to locate him have reportedly been unsuccessful. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

2. Jaylen Bender

Jaylen Bender (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Jaylen Bender, 22, was recently indicted by a grand jury on charges for aggravated assault with intent and assault with bodily injury, according to police. He was added to the Most Wanted list last week. Authorities said his last location is unknown.

3. Raceme Crutcher

Raceme Crutcher (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Police have been looking for Raceme Crutcher, 22, since July 2023, when he was named as one of two suspects in a deadly Fourth of July shooting.

Officials said the shooting happened at the Fallbrook Apartments on Dellway Villa Road. Etabo Malanda, 16, was reportedly standing on the porch of an apartment when two armed individuals came from around the corner and confronted him.

RELATED: Teen killed in shooting at East Nashville apartment complex

Malanda allegedly tried to pull out a pistol that was inside his hoodie, but he was shot. Police said he died shortly after he was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

According to investigators, four guns were recovered from the apartment, including one that was reported stolen. Crutcher and 17-year-old Jaylin Brown were reportedly connected to the crime through witness accounts.

Investigators also obtained surveillance footage and additional information from community members that they said pointed to Crutcher and Brown as suspects in the case. Officials believe the motive may have been an ongoing dispute between the suspects and Malanda.

SEE ALSO: Teen wanted in connection with deadly Fourth of July shooting arrested

Brown was taken into custody on Aug. 31, 2023, after police said they caught him driving a stolen car. However, Crutcher is still on the run. He was added to the Most Wanted list on Nov. 15, 2023. His last location is unknown.

4. Michael A. Yarlett

Michael A. Yarlett (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Michael Yarlett, 29, is wanted on three counts of aided and abetted rape, according to police. Court documents indicate he is one of two suspects in the incident, which happened in September 2022.

Yarlett was added to the Most Wanted list on Nov. 22, 2023. Officials said his last location is unknown.

5. Ladonte J. Groves

Ladonte Groves (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Ladonte Groves, 23, was added back to the list on April 3 after first being featured among Nashvilles Most Wanted on Aug. 16, 2023. Police said Groves has since been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges related to alleged sex crimes.

The charges against him include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and one count of domestic assault. Authorities said Groves was last seen in the East Nashville area. However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.

6. Adrian Abernathy

Adrian Abernathy (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Adrian Abernathy, 30, is believed to have been behind the wheel of a stolen car in a deadly October 2022 crash on the Rosa L. Parks Boulevard exit ramp from I-65 North.

Abernathy has outstanding warrants for vehicular homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, felon in possession of a weapon, theft of a motor vehicle, theft of a firearm, reckless endangerment and making a false report.

RELATED: Man wanted after allegedly lying about driving stolen car involved in deadly crash

According to police, Abernathy initially said he was a backseat passenger in the stolen Lincoln Navigator SUV. However, over the course of the investigation, detectives determined the seating positions were reversed and Abernathy was the one driving the car.

Authorities said he was traveling over 100 mph shortly before the crash, which killed 29-year-old Todd Bryant of Antioch.

Abernathy has been featured on the Most Wanted list several times since early February 2023. He was added back to the list last week after last being featured in November. Officials said he was last seen in Hermitage.

7. Anthony O. Etuk

Anthony Etuk (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Anthony Etuk, 51, is wanted on outstanding warrants for two counts of solicitation of a minor, according to authorities. Etuk first appeared among Nashvilles Most Wanted on April 24. He was last seen in Mt. Juliet.

8. Renee L. Mason

Renee Mason (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Renee Mason, 27, is a new addition to the Most Wanted list. According to police, Mason was recently indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges related to two alleged murders that happened in September and October of last year.

The charges against her include two counts of failure to report a dead body, two counts of accessory after the fact and three counts of failure to appear.

Authorities said they found the first victim on Wednesday, Sept. 27. A worker had arrived on Franklin Limestone Road to clear some brush and came across a car that was still smoldering from a fire.

RELATED: Man arrested in connection with badly burned body found in Nashville

Before the vehicle was towed, police said they looked inside the trunk and found the badly burned body of 37-year-old Elmer Nahum Miranda-Martinez. Detectives believe he was shot and killed before being placed in the trunk.

Kevin Joel Castro-Garcia, 32, a native of Honduras, was identified as his alleged killer and later arrested in October on charges of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and more. About a week later, investigators said they had connected Castro-Garcia to a second murder.

He was charged with another count of first-degree murder for the death of Brandon Rivas-Noriega, who had been reported missing earlier that month. As detectives investigated Rivas-Noriegas disappearance, they learned he frequented a home in Antioch.

Officers searched the home Monday, Oct. 9, and found the owners manual for a Ford Focus, Rivas-Noriegas drivers license, and paperwork for property at a home in the 1300 block of Rural Hill Road in Antioch.

SEE ALSO: Man charged with murder for second time in one week

When they went to the home on Rural Hill Road, officials said they found the Ford Focus parked behind an abandoned trailer with decomposing human remains in the cars trunk. An autopsy confirmed the remains were those of Rivas-Noriega.

Police believe Mason knew about both of the murders and tried to help Castro-Garcia cover them up. Court records show she was arrested and later released last week but has since failed to show up for court, leading to a search for her whereabouts. Her last location is unknown.

9. Ricky C. Roach

Ricky Roach (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Ricky Roach, 43, who was the subject of a massive manhunt in Cheatham County in 2022, is wanted by police after being indicted on multiple charges out of Davidson County.

Those charges include aggravated burglary, aggravated burglary acting in concert and theft of property less than $250,000. Court records show those offenses date back to March 4, 2022  only about two months before he escaped from corrections officers at an Ashland City hospital.

At the time, Roach was reportedly serving jail time in Cheatham County for a parole violation. Cheatham County court records indicate that Roach has previously pled guilty to charges for robbery, assault, theft and contempt of court.

SEE ALSO: New details released after escapees arrest caught on camera

After hours of searching, the May 26, 2022, manhunt ended when a reserve off-duty Ashland City police officer spotted Roach and held him at gunpoint until other officers arrived.

Following his arrest, Cheatham County Sheriffs Office Lt. Ken Miller told News 2, Ive been dealing with Mr. Roach for quite some time, pretty much my whole career here actually.

Now, Metro Nashville police are looking for Roach in connection with more alleged crimes across county lines. Authorities said his last location is unknown.

10. Joseph Cavaleri

Joseph Cavaleri (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Joseph Cavaleri, 39, is wanted by the MNPD on outstanding warrants for five counts of burglary, three counts of theft of property, criminal impersonation and four counts of failure to appear. Cavaleri was added to the list on Feb. 7. Authorities said he was last seen in the Central Precinct.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

Anyone with information on any of the suspects listed is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark.  Officials with the National Weather Service said the tornado that tore through Hot Springs overnight was an EF-2.

According to an NWS update reported just after 1 p.m. Wednesday, the preliminary assessment of the damage seen in the southeast part of the city is consistent with a twister rated as having low-end EF-2 intensity.

NWS officials confirmed that earlier assessment of an EF-2 rating with the Arkansas Storm Team around 4:30 p.m.

Severe weather slams parts of central Arkansas overnight

A tornado with an EF-2 rating would be considered strong and have gusts of winds ranging from 111-135 miles per hour.

The NWS issued a tornado warning for parts of Garland County just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday that later expanded into Hot Spring and Saline Counties.

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson

Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson











Drone video from Hot Springs from Nick Gentry with the Arkansas Dept. of Public Safety

Drone video from Hot Springs from Nick Gentry with the Arkansas Dept. of Public Safety

As of mid-Wednesday, no cases of serious injuries had been reported in connection with this round of severe weather.

Follow the Arkansas Storm Team

On Facebook

On Twitter

Download the Arkansas Storm Team app

To make sure you are staying up-to-date with the forecast, download the Arkansas Storm Team app to get updates anywhere at any time.

To watch the latest video updates from the Arkansas Storm Team, you can check them out here.

To share the weather where you are, send us your photos or videos on our Weather Pics page.

The Arkansas Storm Team is a collaboration of two stations to bring you the largest weather team in the state when covering Arkansas weather.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Fatime Letifova

Working meeting was held at the National Defense University with the leadership of the National Defense University of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan visiting Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The guests first visited the graves of Martyrs, fallen for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and laid flowers in Alley of Martyrs.

Working environment meeting discussed the reforms carried out in military education in the Azerbaijan Army in recent years and applied technological innovations under the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev.

After the briefings on the history of the establishment of both universities, the education system and educational processes, the prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of military education, as well as other issues of mutual interest were discussed.

The Book of Honor of the National Defense University was signed.

The meeting ended with the exchange of presents.
Donald Trump greets journalists with his fist raised in the hallway that leads to the courtroom, on Tuesday in New York. David Dee Delgado (REUTERS)

Stormy Daniels  whose claims about her extramarital affair with Donald Trump in 2006 are at the root of the first criminal trial against a former U.S. president  testified on Tuesday in a Manhattan court, providing salacious details into the sexual encounter that the Republican has always denied.

The testimony of the porn actress  who on the eve of the 2016 elections received $130,000 from Michael Cohen, Trumps personal lawyer, in exchange for keeping silent about the alleged affair  is the highlight of the third week of the trial against Trump for falsifying business records. On Monday, the prosecution presented a dozen checks related to the payment and Trump was fined for once again violating Judge Juan Merchans gag order.

Under oath, Daniels described the sexual encounter with Trump in great detail. The session adjourned for lunch before Trumps defense team could question the porn actress.

Daniels told the court that Trump suggested that she take part in his reality television program The Apprentice  his springboard into politics, and said her first impression of him was that he was arrogant and pompous. The alleged sexual encounter took place in 2006, but it was not until 10 years later, in the final stretch of the presidential campaign that led Trump to the White House, that steps were taken to silence Daniels. Fearing a scandal, Trumps strategy to quiet any stories that could hurt his presidential chances  a campaign that had been running for a year with the help of tabloid editor David Pecker  went into action. In addition to giving Daniels money in exchange for her silence, two other women were also paid hush money.

Daniels told the court that she was not motivated by money, which is why she did not negotiate the payment agreement. In the end, she received $130,000. This money was recorded irregularly in the accounts of the Trump Organization, which is the crux of the case against the former president  the first of the four against him.

Text messages between Daniels then representative and Pecker, however, show that there was a negotiation. When the editor of the National Enquirer, a friend of Trump, did not want to bid more, Cohen ended up taking charge of the negotiation and payment. The falsification of business records to cover up Trumps reimbursement of money to Cohen  he returned a total of $420,000: the amount paid to Daniels, plus taxes and a generous bonus  is also central to the case, since it was recorded as legal expenses. Prosecutors claim that Trump violated electoral financing laws, since the objective of the payment was to prevent a scandal from hurting the Republicans presidential campaign.

After being warned by the judge that he will be sent to prison if he continues to violate the gag order by criticizing judges and witnesses, Trump told journalists at the court: The trial is a very unfair trial, a very, very unfair trial. In an appearance that lasted less than three minutes  on other days, he has spoken at greater length  he did not respond to questions about why he had deleted a message from his Truth Social platform.

Early Tuesday morning, Trump posted an angry message saying that he had just learned of the arrival of a witness (possibly Stormy Daniels?) and that his lawyers had no time to prepare. Within 30 minutes, he had deleted the post, most likely to avoid being accused of violating the gag order, which bans him from attacking witnesses and other people connected to the trial. Only the judge and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who investigated the case, are exposed to his insults. The presumptive Republican presidential candidate has already been fined $10,000 after being found in contempt.

A day after a dozen checks for the reimbursement of the money paid by Cohen to Daniels were examined in court, Trump launched into one of his usual tirades about the state of the country. The country is on fire, there are protests all over the country. Ive never seen anything like this, Trump said on Tuesday. Many graduations [] they canceled, as you know Columbia, theyre canceling a lot of them. And we have a president that just refuses to talk, he said in reference to the pro-Palestine protests at university campuses, which he has strongly condemned.

Trump also rejected claims that he falsified business records, arguing that he was the victim of a witch hunt and criticizing statements from the fake news media. You pay a lawyer, expense payments. We didnt put it down as construction costs, the purchase of sheet rock, the electrical cost. The legal expense that we paid was put down as legal expense. Theres nothing else you can say. You dont have to put down anything, I guess. But we put down legal expense was legal expense, he said, with limited eloquence.

Regarding the gag order imposed by the judge, Trump seized on a comment made by the ultra-conservative Fox network: So Fox News said that the gag order is unconstitutional, which of course it is. The gag order is unconstitutional. So with all thats going on, they have no case. Every single legal scholar that I see  maybe theres some whack job out there [who thinks otherwise]  but virtually everyone I have seen has said that there is absolutely no case, it is a case that should not have been brought.

Trump also accused his Democratic rival in the November presidential election, President Joe Biden, of instigating the case against him. This all comes from the White House and crooked Joe Biden. This comes from the White House, and it is all Biden because its an attack on his political opponent that hasnt happened in this country. It does happen in Third World countries, but it hasnt happened in this country, and its a shame, he ended.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
ORLANDO  Demand for insights derived from NATOs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance outfit is swelling.

The NATO ISR Force, comprising more than 400 people working from Europe, logged 30% more flight hours in 2023 than the year prior, according to Scott Bray, the assistant secretary general for intelligence and security.

The forces flights covered the alliances eastern flank, notable for its proximity to the Russia-Ukraine war; the Baltic and Black seas; and the High North following Finlands membership, he told GEOINT conference attendees in Florida on May 7.

The North Atlantic security environment is under threat, said Bray, who visited Kyiv two weeks ago. Russias illegal war against Ukraine has created the biggest conflict on the European continent since the Second World War, and the Euro-Atlantic is not at peace.

The ISR Force has five of its own unmanned RQ-4D Phoenixes. The remotely piloted aircraft are based on designs by Northrop Grumman, the third-largest contractor in the world when ranked by defense-related revenue. The company earned $32.5 billion in 2022, according to Defense News Top 100 analysis.

Teledyne unveils Rogue 1 exploding drone sought by Marine Corps

The drones are modified to meet NATO information-sharing and communication requirements and are outfitted with surveillance sensors. Together, the force can cover more than 62,000 square-miles a day.

Bray said the appetite, the expectations and the centrality of intelligence to NATO is only growing. Militaries around the world are increasingly turning to unmanned technologies to monitor faraway forces and augment targeting on the front lines.

The NATO ISR Force was previously known as the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force. The name change was motivated by a growing set of missions.

The force recently participated in the Nordic Response exercise, concentrated on northern Norway, Sweden and Finland. It featured more than 20,000 troops from more than a dozen countries.

In todays complex environment, decision-ready, actionable intelligence provided at the speed of need is one of our greatest weapons, Air Force Brig. Gen. Andrew Clark, the ISR Force commander, said in a statement at the time. As the alliances premier ISR unit, NISRF provides the foundation for informed decisions, allowing NATO to anticipate threats and react quickly.
Russian progress in Ukraine is "still quite limited," and it is "not too late" for Kyiv to win, NATO's top military official said on May 8.

Lieutenant Admiral Rob Bauer, the chair of the NATO Military Committee, said the most important thing now was that members of the military alliance continue to send aid.

"And the longer the war lasts, the more difficult that becomes," he told VRT Canvas, adding: "Many countries have been supplying weapons and ammunition from their own stocks for two years, but they are not endless either."

Bauer said delays in Western aid were having serious but not irreversible consequences on the battlefield.

Russian forces captured Avdiivka in February and have now shifted their focus toward Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast, an elevated town that potentially opens the way to further advances into the oblast.

"It is not too late for Ukraine. The Russians have made progress, but it is still quite limited and still not strategic," he said.

Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter

News from Ukraine in your inbox

Subscribe

Bauer also stressed the need for NATO countries to up their defense production.

"It will probably take at least a year to really achieve increased production in the West. We will have to bridge that period so that Ukraine can prepare for the next counter-offensive. But that will not be easy. There are 450,000 Russians in the occupied part of Ukraine."

In January, Bauer said civilians in NATO countries should be prepared for the prospect of an all-out war with Russia in the next 20 years.

Such a conflict would require the large-scale mobilization of civilians and the industrial base across the alliance, Bauer said.

"We have to realize it's not a given that we are in peace. And that's why we (NATO) are preparing for a conflict with Russia," he added.

Read also: Governor: Chasiv Yar almost destroyed but 679 people still live there

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  After facing a lawsuit related to alleged wrongful detentions and arrests, several defendants have been dropped from the case against them.

eCourts is a $100 million software overhaul for the North Carolina court system. It launched more than a year ago, with Wake, Johnston, Harnett and Lee Counties as the first pilot counties. It has since been implemented in dozens of other counties including Durham and Orange.

Since the switchover to the new software, multiple people claim they were unconstitutionally jailed because of problems with the system. eCourts has been blamed for a list of other issues including problems with DMV records, public disclosure of private information and a slowdown in the day-to-day operations of District Court.

PREVIOUS | Weve got public safety concerns: Class action lawsuit over troubled eCourts software expands in North Carolina

Some of the issues have been resolved. However, district attorneys and lawyers continue to raise concerns about the software.

Those concerns included in the lawsuit address wrongful detention. In a news release attorneys with Tin Fulton, Walker and Owen Law Office said, Our clients voluntarily dismissed their claims brought against the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and three county clerks. Since our clients filed this lawsuit, the North Carolina Supreme Court published intervening case law extending certain state immunity doctrines to county clerks, largely insulating them from suit. See Wynn v. Frederick, 385 N.C. 576, 585-86, 895 S.E.2d 371, 379-80 (2023). Importantly, the voluntary dismissals are without prejudice. Our clients retain the ability to refile claims against the NCAOC and Clerk Defendantswhether in federal court or a different forumas we continue to learn more.

There will be problems: Mecklenburg County District Attorney talks upcoming eCourts launch

In response, NCAOC spokesperson Graham Wilson said in a statement, We are pleased that plaintiffs dismissed their meritless claims against NCAOC and court officials. This dismissal should answer inaccuracies regarding eCourts as we remain focused on completing this generational expansion of access to justice for North Carolina.

Tuesday the plaintiffs filed briefs that oppose the efforts by Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe, and Tyler Technologies, Inc. to dismiss the suit.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs say, Each of these defendants had a duty to protect our clients from the unconstitutional overdetentions and arrests that resulted from the Defendants policies and practices, as well as the implementation and design of the defective eCourts software.

RELATED | $100 million court software to expand into next phase in North Carolina

Court documents provide new detail related to around 60 people who were allegedly overdetained in the first weeks of the eCourts rollout in Mecklenburg County. The claims state that overdetentions have continued to occur at the Mecklenburg County jail as recently as March of this year.

CBS 17 reached to the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office for comment. They responded that they do not comment on pending litigation.

This is a developing story. CBS 17 will continue to provide updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
NC election directors grapple with pay, politics and more pressure than ever

Across North Carolina, 100 people are responsible for making sure every registered voter in their county has a chance to cast their ballot in every election.

The position of county election director is one that has drastically increased in complexity over the years as voting, list maintenance and campaign finance processes become highly technical endeavors subject to frequent legislative change.

Faced with increased workloads, hostility from the public and inadequate pay, some directors feel the counties they work for dont understand the true nature and demand that elections offices are navigating today, said Patrick Wike, the elections director in Alexander County.

Since 2019, there have been 60 changes in county election directors, mostly due to retirements or resignations.

Losing experienced directors means losing valuable institutional knowledge, Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, told a legislative committee in April. For about 30 directors, 2024 will be the first time theyve ever served in the position during a presidential election.

To examine the situation election directors find themselves in, The News & Observer requested salary information for directors in all 100 counties and conducted interviews with directors across the state. All counties responded with salary data.

Though all of these directors have similar responsibilities, their salaries, staff and experiences differ greatly. Most agree, however, that the job is getting more difficult  and more important  with every election.

How much do election directors make?

The median salary among North Carolinas county election directors is just under $70,000, according to data from all 100 counties provided by boards of elections and human resources departments.

While election directors in major population centers like Wake County make nearly $200,000 a year, some directors in rural areas like Hyde and Graham counties make less than $41,000.

Election directors salaries are determined by the counties they work in. The only guidance state law gives is that directors must be paid at least $12 an hour  less than $25,000 a year.

Salaries for directors are recommended by the county board of elections and approved by the county commissioners. Years of experience, performance and available resources all factor into the salary a county approves.

Substantial experience doesnt always translate to higher pay, though.

Clytia Riddick, who has served as the elections director in Gates County for 14 years, currently makes $43,610 a year.

All of the directors included in the N&Os analysis make more than the median earnings in their county, according to Census statistics. But that doesnt mean some directors arent still living check to check.

I think everybodys having a hard time in their own way right now  Im one of them, Robert Webb, director of the Caswell County Board of Elections, said.

Webb, who has worked for the county for 15 years and spent nearly six years as director, currently makes $55,617.

Part of how election directors are paid has to do with how their jobs are classified in the counties where they work.

Jobs classified in higher tiers are paid more, but Sara LaVere, president of the N.C. Association of Directors of Elections, said election directors tend to be classified lower than other department heads, like library and parks and recreation directors.

You almost always will see that the elections director is toward the bottom of the pay scale, she said.

Jennifer King, the elections director in Jones County, said that a recent salary study determined that the pay grade for her position was underclassified by six pay grades  translating to a $15,000 difference in starting salary.

One factor contributing to this disparity is the perception that election-related responsibilities are less critical compared to other ongoing departmental functions, especially since voting occurs intermittently rather than daily, King said in an email to The N&O.

But elections are a year-round job requiring frequent management of voter databases and election machinery. In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security designated election systems as critical infrastructure, declaring that incapacity or destruction of these systems would have a debilitating impact on security, under federal law.

The size and wealth of counties also factors into the salaries directors are paid. The states most populous counties like Wake and Mecklenburg also offer the highest salaries for their directors.

More voters in these areas means more work for the directors  but also more staff to distribute the workload among.

In several counties, like Caswell, the director is the only full-time elections worker and must carry out most of the countys election work by themselves.

While most directors The N&O spoke with acknowledged the necessity of tailoring salaries by county, several hoped for more oversight in the process.

The state could provide some uniformity to where directors are paid proportionally for their work and expertise, said Wike, the elections director in Alexander County.

An apolitical job subject to political whims

As the political climate becomes more corrosive and groups continue to spread former President Donald Trumps false claim that the 2020 election was stolen, directors also report facing increased hostility and harassment from the public.

A recent survey from the left-leaning Brennan Center for Justice found that 38% of election officials reported being harassed, abused or threatened because of their jobs.

Theres people that come in here and you can tell by the way they talk, the way they treat us  they already have it in their mind that something is a certain way, Webb said. Its gonna be hard to change their mind, theyve drank the Kool-Aid.

He added that he faced less hostility on a daily basis when he worked at a local prison.

Melissa Parker, the elections director in Davie County, said her predecessor quit after being invited to a local Republican meeting where she was bombarded with questions about alleged fraud in the 2020 election.

With more public scrutiny than ever before, the pressure on election workers is immense, King said.

Any perceived error or mistake, no matter how minor, can quickly be misconstrued as intentional wrongdoing, fueling distrust in the electoral process, she said.

Most of the elections directors the N&O spoke with noted rapidly changing election laws as one of the most difficult aspects of their jobs.

Last year, state Republicans passed sweeping changes to election procedures, including shortening the deadline to receive mail-in ballots, empowering partisan poll observers and banning the use of private funds for election administration.

The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled last year that the states voter ID requirement, originally passed in 2018, would also go into effect after having been blocked in earlier court decisions.

Since many election changes are challenged in court, laws can be suddenly blocked or reimplemented with little notice to the election workers that have to carry them out.

In 2021, competing orders from appellate courts halted candidate filing, then restarted it, then stopped it again and pushed the primary election back two months.

These rapid changes necessitate last-minute revisions to forms, documentation and training materials, putting a strain on election officials who must scramble to ensure compliance and accuracy, King said.

Will the state take action?

Brinson Bell has frequently reminded lawmakers about the critical nature of elections and requested funding for more support staff and upgrades to technology and resources.

Shes also advocated for county directors, telling the Joint Legislative Committee on Elections last month that turnover is a major concern as election professionals have faced continued hostility, harassment, substantial changes in their workload and the demands on them.

Sen. Jim Perry, a Lenoir County Republican, noted that the state didnt track turnover in county election directors prior to 2019, making it difficult to tell if the phenomenon is new.

I do appreciate the loss of institutional knowledge, so I get that, he said. But just in looking at this data on the number of changes ... it just doesnt feel that monumental to me.

Brinson Bell herself faces an uncertain future as executive director.

Last year, Republicans passed Senate Bill 749 to restructure state and local election boards. One of the changes in the law gives lawmakers the chance to hire an executive director for the state board if the board itself cant agree. Given that the law would make the state board evenly spit between Republicans and Democrats  a tied vote is well within the realm of possibility.

A panel of Superior Court judges struck down SB 749 in March, but the law could be reinstituted on appeal to a higher court.

Despite the uncertainty and challenges of the job, directors say the work can be rewarding.

Its kind of in your blood and its almost addicting because you have that adrenaline, Parker said. Even though its difficult, a lot of us dont want to leave.

The News & Observers Inside Look takes readers behind the scenes to illuminate the people and places in our community.
The North Carolina House moved on Wednesday toward adopting a new definition of antisemitism under state law that lawmakers say is necessary to clearly outline examples of antisemitic incidents that shouldnt be tolerated.

Critics of the bill being spearheaded by House Speaker Tim Moore, which received bipartisan support, argued as it was being fast-tracked through the House that the definition being considered is too broad, and could chill constitutionally protected speech like criticisms of Israel.

But lawmakers in both parties that supported House Bill 942, named the Shalom Act, rejected the notion that it would infringe on free expression, and said it shouldnt be controversial to adopt a definition that several other states and countries have adopted as well.

After clearing a committee on Wednesday morning, the bill was taken up directly on the House floor Wednesday afternoon, passing in a near-unanimous 105-4 vote.

Democratic Reps. Pricey Harrison, Nasif Majeed, Marcia Morey, and Renee Price voted against the bill.

What is the IHRA definition of anitsemitism?

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance adopted a working definition of antisemitism in 2016.

The definition, which the IHRA stresses is not legally binding, states that 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.





Groups opposed to the bill noted that seven of the 11 contemporary examples of antisemitism listed on the IHRAs website relate to criticism of Israel.

One of the listed examples of antisemitism is ...claiming that the existence of a state of Israel is a racist endeavor.

The IHRAs website says that antisemitism might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other county cannot be regarded as antisemitic.

The legislation the House approved on Wednesday would adopt the IHRAs definition, and the examples of antisemitism it contains, as a tool and guide for training, education, recognizing, and combating antisemitic hate crimes or discrimination and for tracking and reporting antisemitic incidents in this State.

The bill also states that it shall not be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or the Constitution of North Carolina.

Jewish and Muslim groups say the bill limits free speech

Several Jewish and Muslim advocacy groups held a press conference outside the legislative building to condemn the bill, saying it unfairly conflates criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism.

Abby Lublin, executive director of Carolina Jews for Justice, accused the bills Republican sponsors of exploiting Jewish people for political gain.

We  Im speaking as Jewish people in the United States  have experienced safety in this country for hundreds of years, in large part due to the constitutional rights and protections of minorities, she said. So we are not going to let fear, or in this case fear-mongering and political stunting to lead us to trade in these rights and protections.

Lela Ali, the co-founder of Muslim Women For, said the bill attempts to pit Muslims and Jewish communities against one another.

This bill will blur the line between legitimate criticism of the well-documented war crimes and human rights violations committed by the Israeli government and anti-semitism, she said. It will give a green light to censor and undermine political expression in support of Palestinian rights.

Lublin also noted that comments Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson has made in the past about the Jewish community would be considered antisemitic under the definition proposed in the bill.

In 2017, Robinson wrote on Facebook I am so sick of seeing and hearing people STILL talk about Nazis and Hitler and how evil and manipulative they were. NEWS FLASH PEOPLE, THE NAZIS (National Socialist) ARE GONE! We did away with them.

Robinson has also questioned the Holocaust, referring to it at one point as hogwash on Facebook.

I dont want to comment on comments anyone else made without knowing them, knowing the context, Moore told reporters in response to a question about Robinsons remarks.
NC Senate Democrats are trying to use oversight powers the GOP expanded

an image shows the word "public" becoming the word "private" in front of the word "school"

Photo: Getty Images

Democrats on a legislative commission charged with oversight of state spending were rebuffed when they asked for information about how private schools and crisis pregnancy centers are using taxpayer dollars.

Democratic members of the legislatures Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations said they requested information from 69 crisis pregnancy centers and 50 private schools.

Democrats are relying on increased powers Republicans gave the commission last year over Democratic objections that allow the commission, known as Gov Ops, to investigate private companies and charities that receive state money as well as state and local agencies. Expanded powers include giving the commission and commission staff access to private buildings owned or leased by private entities in some cases.

Were taking advantage of the process thats been created,said Senate Democratic leader Dan Blue of Raleigh. As we look at it, thats our responsibility.

While Democrats arent used to setting the agenda, we have an equal interest as Democratic lawmakers in upholding our obligation to be good stewards of the public taxpayer dollars, he said.

Democrats for years have objected to public money going to pay K-12 private school tuition and to crisis pregnancy centers, operations that provide pregnant women with ultrasounds and baby supplies while attempting to talk them out of obtaining abortions. Critics contend that the centers spread misinformation.

Republicans have increased spending on crisis pregnancy centers and vouchers over Democratic protests. Last year, Republicans lifted income eligibility rules to allow all families to qualify for some voucher funds no matter their income. Republicans are now moving to add $463.5 million to the voucher program over the next two years.

Sen. Dan Blue and Sen Gladys Robinson

Democratic Senators Dan Blue and Gladys Robinson speak at a news conference Wednesday (Photo: NCGA screen shot)

Sen. Gladys Robinson, a Guilford County Democrat, said state spending on Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship has increased from $300,000 in 2013 to $12.5 million in the current two-year budget. Rewire reported in 2019 that the state Department of Health and Human Services found Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship misspent $50,000 of taxpayer money on religious materials. Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship provides a network of offices with training and equipment.

Among the more than two pages of information Robinson requested from crisis pregnancy centers were credentials of employees and volunteers, whether they comply with the federal patient privacy law, what they do if someone asks for an abortion or an abortion referral, and if they provide medications to people who test positive for sexually transmitted infections.

We know that its critical that best practices are used in medical services, Robinson said.

Questions about enrollment, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and student demographics were included in the in two pages of questions Guilford County Democratic Sen. Michael Garrett asked private schools that accept vouchers.

Paul Skip Stam, a lawyer for Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship and Fayetteville Christian School, responded with letters saying that individual Gov Ops members dont have the power to request such information.

No individual member of the Commission has the right to demand anything from anyone, before or after the 2023 amendments to the statute, Stam wrote.

Stam is a former Republican state House member from Apex who pushed for both private school vouchers and laws limiting abortion.

Lawyers for Trinity Christian School and the Human Coalition, an anti-abortion group, responded with similar letters.

Blue said those interpretations of the law are inaccurate, and there is precedent for individuals requesting information.

On March 14, Blue said, the UNC system received a request signed by a commission staff member asking for information on diversity, equity, and inclusion training.

The UNC system last month started a repeal of DEI policies, which could eliminate diversity offices on its campuses, AP reported.

A legislator who is not a member of Gov Ops requested an investigation into Alamance-Burlington School district finances in February, Blue said.

Blue did not name the legislator, but Sen. Amy Galey, a Burlington Republican, requested that investigation, the Elon News Network reported. Galey announced a few days ago she agreed to put the investigation on hold, the Times News reported.

Members of the majority party, whether they serve on Gov Ops or not, seemingly have the authority to make these inquiries, Blue said. Were trying to determine whether we are being stonewalled, as members of the commission.

Blue said Democrats would continue to seek the information from private schools and pregnancy crisis centers and pursue all the avenues available to get it.

The post NC Senate Democrats are trying to use oversight powers the GOP expanded appeared first on NC Newsline.
A group of nearly 700 Jewish college faculty signed a letter to President Biden on Wednesday encouraging him not to back the controversial Antisemitism Awareness Act.

The academics took issue with the acts use of the International Holocaust Awareness Alliances (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which has raised concerns that legitimate criticisms of the state of Israel could be seen as antisemitic under the bill.

The bill easily passed the House last week, though 21 Republicans and 70 Democrats voted against it, with many voicing the same concerns as the faculty.

Criticism of the state of Israel, the Israeli government, policies of the Israeli government, or Zionist ideology is not  in and of itself  antisemitic, the letter to Biden and Senate leaders reads.

We accordingly urge our political leaders to reject any effort to codify into federal law a definition of antisemitism that conflates antisemitism with criticism of the state of Israel, it continues.

By using the IHRA definition in federal law, the letter claims, the bill could delegitimize and silence Jewish Americans  among others  who advocate for Palestinian human rights or otherwise criticize Israeli policies.

By stifling criticism of Israel, the IHRA definition hardens the dangerous notion that Jewish identity is inextricably linked to every decision of Israels government, the letter continues. Far from combating antisemitism, this dynamic promises to amplify the real threats Jewish Americans already face.

The IHRA defines antisemitism as a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews and says 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.

The organization provides a number of examples for what qualifies as antisemitism, including calling for the harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion, and accusing Jewish individuals as inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.

The letter urges lawmakers to instead pass the bill using a different definition of antisemitism, without undermining Jewish safety and civil rights by insulating Israel from legitimate criticism.

A total of 694 Jewish faculty from colleges and universities all over the country, and some across the world, had signed the document as of Wednesday afternoon.

Pushback against the bill in Congress united the far left and right wings of the House last week, with critics warning that the bill could chill free speech.

Antisemitism is wrong, but this legislation is written without regard for the Constitution, common sense, or even the common understanding of the meaning of words, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) wrote on the social platform X.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), himself Jewish, said despite having devoted much of my life to combatting antisemitism, he was against the misguided bill that threatens to chill constitutionally protected speech.

The criticism comes as Congress focuses on antisemitism, given a rise in reported hate crimes against Jewish people. College campus protests have also taken the spotlight, as students at hundreds of campuses nationwide have launched pro-Palestine encampments, protesting the Israel-Hamas war and Biden administration policies toward Israel.

Biden has held up his record as tough on antisemitism in recent months. At a speech for Holocaust remembrance on Tuesday, he again denounced hate.

Antisemitism, antisemitic posters, slogans, calling for the annihilation of Israel, the worlds only Jewish state, he said in remarks at the Capitol. Too many people denying, downplaying, rationalizing, ignoring the horrors of the holocaust and Oct. 7, including Hamass appalling use of sexual violence to torture and terrorize Jews. Its absolutely despicable, and it must stop.

Alongside the speech, the White House announced a handful of new actions Tuesday toward combating antisemitism, including new guidance for the Department of Education.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., arrives for a House Republican members meeting as the conference debated the race for speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 19, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Minnesota Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar could face a censure vote as soon as next week, after a Nebraska Republican filed a resolution condemning comments she made during a visit to protests at Columbia University last month.

Rep. Don Bacons four-page resolution says during the visit Omar referred to Jewish students as pro-genocide. The resolution argues that her comments against Jewish students could inflame violence against the Jewish community.

The censure resolution also seeks to rebuke Omar for comments she has made as far back as 2012, including a post from six years ago that read, Drawing attention to the apartheid Israeli regime is far from hating Jews.

Bacon posted Tuesday about introducing the resolution on a social media account for his reelection campaign.

Today, I introduced a resolution to censure Ilhan Omar for her antisemitic rhetoric, Bacon wrote. We must stop the pro-Hamas agitators wreaking havoc on college campuses, and that starts by holding their enablers in Congress accountable.

Jacklyn Rogers, spokesperson for Omar, said in a written statement that the congresswoman clearly condemned antisemitism and bigotry for all Jewish students.Attempts to misconstrue her words are meant to distract from the ongoing violence and genocide occurring in Gaza and the large antiwar protests happening across our country and around the world, Rogers wrote.

The censure vote, should House GOP leaders choose to schedule it, wont be the first of the 118th Congress.

House Republicans voted to censure New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman in December for pulling a fire alarm in a House office building, Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib in November for comments she made following the start of the Israel-Hamas war and California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff in June for public remarks related to former President Donald Trump.

During the last Congress, when Democrats controlled the House, they voted to censure Arizona Republican Rep. Paul Gosar for posting a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joseph Biden.

Bacon voted to censure all three Democratic lawmakers and against censuring Gosar.

Bacons censure resolution is co-sponsored by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden and New York Rep. Claudia Tenney, all Republicans.

A censure resolution registers the Houses deep disapproval of Member misconduct that, nevertheless, does not meet the threshold for expulsion, according to a post by the Office of the Historian.

Once the House approves the sanction by majority vote, the censured Member must stand in the well of the House  while the Speaker or presiding officer reads aloud the censure resolution and its preamble as a form of public rebuke.

A total of 27 House members have been censured.

The post Nebraska U.S. Rep. Bacon seeks to censure Minnesota Rep. Omar over antisemitic rhetoric appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., arrives for a House Republican members meeting as the conference debated the race for speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 19, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Minnesota Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar could face a censure vote as soon as next week, after a Nebraska Republican filed a resolution condemning comments she made during a visit to protests at Columbia University last month.

Rep. Don Bacons four-page resolution says during the visit Omar referred to Jewish students as pro-genocide and argues that her comments against Jewish students could inflame violence against the Jewish community.

The censure resolution also seeks to rebuke Omar for comments shes made as far back as 2012, including a post from six years ago that read, Drawing attention to the apartheid Israeli regime is far from hating Jews.

Bacon posted Tuesday about introducing the resolution on a social media account for his reelection campaign.

Today, I introduced a resolution to censure Ilhan Omar for her antisemitic rhetoric, Bacon wrote. We must stop the pro-Hamas agitators wreaking havoc on college campuses, and that starts by holding their enablers in Congress accountable.

Jacklyn Rogers, spokesperson for Omar, said in a written statement that the congresswoman clearly condemned antisemitism and bigotry for all Jewish students.

Attempts to misconstrue her words are meant to distract from the ongoing violence and genocide occurring in Gaza and the large antiwar protests happening across our country and around the world, Rogers wrote.

The censure vote, should House GOP leaders choose to schedule it, wont be the first of the 118th Congress.

House Republicans voted to censure New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman in December for pulling a fire alarm in a House office building, Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib in November for comments she made following the start of the Israel-Hamas war and California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff in June for public remarks related to former President Donald Trump.

During the last Congress, when Democrats controlled the House, they voted to censure Arizona Republican Rep. Paul Gosar for posting a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joseph Biden.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) speaks to a crowd at Sen. Lindsey Grahams election night watch party on November 3, 2020, in Columbia, South Carolina. (File/Sean Rayford via Getty Images)

Bacon voted to censure all three Democratic lawmakers and against censuring Gosar.

Bacons censure resolution is co-sponsored by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden and New York Rep. Claudia Tenney, all Republicans.

A censure resolution registers the Houses deep disapproval of Member misconduct that, nevertheless, does not meet the threshold for expulsion, according to a post by the Office of the Historian.

Once the House approves the sanction by majority vote, the censured Member must stand in the well of the House  while the Speaker or presiding officer reads aloud the censure resolution and its preamble as a form of public rebuke.

A total of 27 House members have been censured.

The post Nebraska U.S. Rep. Bacon seeks to censure Minnesota Rep. Omar over antisemitic rhetoric appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2024 - 19:50 | World, All

A Hong Kong appeals court ruled on Wednesday that a protest song widely used as an anthem for Hong Kong's 2019 pro-democracy movement is now banned, reversing an earlier decision that dismissed the city government's bid to ban the song.

The ban on the song "Glory to Hong Kong" is seen as further undermining freedom of expression in the semiautonomous region of China.

It criminalizes the broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, distributing and reproducing of the song in any way, including online, with exceptions granted only to lawful journalistic and academic activities.

In June last year, the territory's government sought a court order to ban the song after it was mistakenly played as China's national anthem at several international sporting events. The prohibition also encompasses the melody, lyrics and any adaptations of the song.

Many protesters sang the song, the lyrics of which refer to the "tears and blood" shed by "martyrs" in the fight for freedom and a liberated Hong Kong.

Last July, the Hong Kong High Court dismissed the government's bid to ban the song, expressing concern about the potential suppression of free speech. However, the government was granted an opportunity to contest the court's ruling.

In Wednesday's judgment, the court pointed out that the song had been used as a "weapon" to "propel the violent protests plaguing Hong Kong since 2019," carrying the effect of justifying, romanticizing and glorifying the pro-democracy movement.

The latest ruling added that the song could be used to "arouse anti-establishment sentiment" and advocate for the separation of Hong Kong from China. The court concluded it must "intervene immediately" to prevent such acts and determined that an injunction is necessary.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian welcomed the Hong Kong court's ruling, saying at a press conference in Beijing that measures to stop attempts to incite division and insult China's national anthem are "legitimate."

Related coverage:

Hong Kong court dismisses ban on 2019 pro-democracy protest song
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 19: U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) arrives for a House Republican members meeting as the conference continues to debate the race for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol October 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. The seat for Speaker of the House is still up in the air after Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) failed to secure enough votes in previous attempts. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images.

WASHINGTON  Minnesota Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar could face a censure vote as soon as next week, after a Nebraska Republican filed a resolution condemning comments she made during a visit to protests at Columbia University last month.

Rep. Don Bacons four-page resolution says during the visit Omar referred to Jewish students as pro-genocide and argues that her comments against Jewish students could inflame violence against the Jewish community.

The censure resolution also seeks to rebuke Omar for comments shes made as far back as 2012, including a post from six years ago that read, Drawing attention to the apartheid Israeli regime is far from hating Jews.

Bacon posted Tuesday about introducing the resolution on a social media account for his reelection campaign.

Today, I introduced a resolution to censure Ilhan Omar for her antisemitic rhetoric, Bacon wrote. We must stop the pro-Hamas agitators wreaking havoc on college campuses, and that starts by holding their enablers in Congress accountable.

Jacklyn Rogers, spokesperson for Omar, said in a written statement that the congresswoman clearly condemned antisemitism and bigotry for all Jewish students.

Attempts to misconstrue her words are meant to distract from the ongoing violence and genocide occurring in Gaza and the large antiwar protests happening across our country and around the world, Rogers wrote.

Omars office did not return a request for comment.

The censure vote, should House GOP leaders choose to schedule it, wont be the first of the 118th Congress.

House Republicans voted to censure New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman in December for pulling a fire alarm in a House office building, Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib in November for comments she made following the start of the Israel-Hamas war and California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff in June for public remarks related to former President Donald Trump.

During the last Congress, when Democrats controlled the House, they voted to censure Arizona Republican Rep. Paul Gosar for posting a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joseph Biden.

Bacon voted to censure all three Democratic lawmakers and against censuring Gosar.

Bacons censure resolution is co-sponsored by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden and New York Rep. Claudia Tenney, all Republicans.

A censure resolution registers the Houses deep disapproval of Member misconduct that, nevertheless, does not meet the threshold for expulsion, according to a post by the Office of the Historian.

Once the House approves the sanction by majority vote, the censured Member must stand in the well of the House  while the Speaker or presiding officer reads aloud the censure resolution and its preamble as a form of public rebuke.

A total of 27 House members have been censured.

The post Nebraska U.S. Rep. Bacon seeks to censure Minnesota Rep. Omar over antisemitic rhetoric appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar in Detroit on July 24, 2022. | Photo by Andrew Roth

WASHINGTON  Minnesota Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar could face a censure vote as soon as next week, after a Nebraska Republican filed a resolution condemning comments she made during a visit to protests at Columbia University last month.

Rep. Don Bacons four-page resolution says during the visit Omar referred to Jewish students as pro-genocide and argues that her comments against Jewish students could inflame violence against the Jewish community.

The censure resolution also seeks to rebuke Omar for comments shes made as far back as 2012, including a post from six years ago that read, Drawing attention to the apartheid Israeli regime is far from hating Jews.

Bacon posted Tuesday about introducing the resolution on a social media account for his reelection campaign.

Today, I introduced a resolution to censure Ilhan Omar for her antisemitic rhetoric, Bacon wrote. We must stop the pro-Hamas agitators wreaking havoc on college campuses, and that starts by holding their enablers in Congress accountable.

Omars office did not return a request for comment.

The censure vote, should House GOP leaders choose to schedule it, wont be the first of the 118th Congress.

House Republicans voted to censure New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman in December for pulling a fire alarm in a House office building, Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib in November for comments she made following the start of the Israel-Hamas war and California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff in June for public remarks related to former President Donald Trump.

During the last Congress, when Democrats controlled the House, they voted to censure Arizona Republican Rep. Paul Gosar for posting a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joseph Biden.

Bacon voted to censure all three Democratic lawmakers and against censuring Gosar.

Bacons censure resolution is co-sponsored by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden and New York Rep. Claudia Tenney, all Republicans.

Jacklyn Rogers, spokesperson for Omar, said in a written statement that the congresswoman clearly condemned antisemitism and bigotry for all Jewish students.Attempts to misconstrue her words are meant to distract from the ongoing violence and genocide occurring in Gaza and the large antiwar protests happening across our country and around the world, Rogers wrote.

A censure resolution registers the Houses deep disapproval of Member misconduct that, nevertheless, does not meet the threshold for expulsion, according to a post by the Office of the Historian.

Once the House approves the sanction by majority vote, the censured Member must stand in the well of the House  while the Speaker or presiding officer reads aloud the censure resolution and its preamble as a form of public rebuke.

A total of 27 House members have been censured.

The post Nebraska U.S. Rep. Bacon seeks to censure Minnesota Rep. Omar over antisemitic rhetoric appeared first on Michigan Advance.
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., arrives for a House Republican members meeting as the conference debated the race for speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 19, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Minnesota Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar could face a censure vote as soon as next week, after a Nebraska Republican filed a resolution condemning comments she made during a visit to protests at Columbia University last month.

Rep. Don Bacons four-page resolution says during the visit Omar referred to Jewish students as pro-genocide and argues that her comments against Jewish students could inflame violence against the Jewish community.

The censure resolution also seeks to rebuke Omar for comments shes made as far back as 2012, including a post from six years ago that read, Drawing attention to the apartheid Israeli regime is far from hating Jews.

Bacon posted Tuesday about introducing the resolution on a social media account for his reelection campaign.

Today, I introduced a resolution to censure Ilhan Omar for her antisemitic rhetoric, Bacon wrote. We must stop the pro-Hamas agitators wreaking havoc on college campuses, and that starts by holding their enablers in Congress accountable.

Jacklyn Rogers, spokesperson for Omar, said in a written statement that the congresswoman clearly condemned antisemitism and bigotry for all Jewish students.

Attempts to misconstrue her words are meant to distract from the ongoing violence and genocide occurring in Gaza and the large antiwar protests happening across our country and around the world, Rogers wrote.

The censure vote, should House GOP leaders choose to schedule it, wont be the first of the 118th Congress.

House Republicans voted to censure New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman in December for pulling a fire alarm in a House office building, Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib in November for comments she made following the start of the Israel-Hamas war and California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff in June for public remarksrelated to former President Donald Trump.

During the last Congress, when Democrats controlled the House, they voted to censure Arizona Republican Rep. Paul Gosar for posting a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joseph Biden.

Bacon voted to censure all three Democratic lawmakers and against censuring Gosar.

Bacons censure resolution is co-sponsored by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden and New York Rep. Claudia Tenney, all Republicans.

A censure resolution registers the Houses deep disapproval of Member misconduct that, nevertheless, does not meet the threshold for expulsion, according to a post by the Office of the Historian.

Once the House approves the sanction by majority vote, the censured Member must stand in the well of the House  while the Speaker or presiding officer reads aloud the censure resolution and its preamble as a form of public rebuke.

A total of 27 House members have been censured.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Nebraska U.S. Rep. Bacon seeks to censure Minnesota Rep. Omar over antisemitic rhetoric appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
UW-Madison students' encampment protest on April 29, 2024. (Wisconsin Examiner photo)

Communication between UW-Madison pro-Palestinian student protesters and campus administration seemed to have fallen apart on Wednesday after protesters requested more than the university leaders were willing to agree to.

The student-led encampment is in its second week, as protesters join similar encampments on campuses around the country to display their opposition to Israels ongoing war in Gaza, where nearly 35,000 people have been killed. Student protesters have said that they plan to stay until their demands that the university cut ties to Israel are met, despite opposition to the encampment from UW leaders.

Protesters at UW-Madison issued updated demands for the university Wednesday afternoon that included establishing an ethical investment strategy for the university, establishing a framework for accountability and oversight and committing to certain ethical standards, including calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. They have been calling for UW to divest from Israeli institutions and Israel-aligned companies.

Protesters also called on UW-Madison to take steps towards rebuilding trust by calling for charges and citations against those arrested at the protest on May 1 to be dropped; ensuring that retaliatory actions arent taken against participants in the peaceful acts of solidarity for Gaza, reducing investment in policing on campus, increasing investments in other social services and ending university expansion.

According to a proposed resolution by UW-Madison, university administration said it can and will only commit to facilitating access for you to relevant decision-makers so that you may present your concerns and requests.

UW-Madison emphasized that it doesnt have direct authority over how the University of Wisconsin Foundations endowment is invested and whether investment decisions made by others are disclosed.

The proposal said that Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin would be willing to attend a meeting with Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association decision-makers solely to emphasize the importance of listening to your concerns and requests.

In exchange, UW-Madison said that protesters would need to begin removing the encampment by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8; would agree to comply with university regulations and state laws in future protest and would engage in no further disruption of university operations, including final exams and commencement-related events.

However, protesters rebuffed the proposal and called on people to rally at the encampment at the time it was supposed to be removed. They are also circulating a petition that includes a summary of their talks with UW-Madison administration and asks UW-Madison students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members to support their updated demands.

A statement from UW-Madison providing an update on the encampment Wednesday said students and faculty members who are part of the illegal campus encampment have elected to end talks with campus leaders and walked out of a meeting Wednesday morning.

For the moment, campus leaders remain open to further discussions, but are deeply disappointed at this outcome, the statement said.

UW-Madison issued another update Wednesday saying there were no current plans to have law enforcement take action to remove the encampment.

Administrators, including Mnookin, have repeatedly said that the encampment must eventually come down and have urged protesters to comply with state law that prohibits camping on university grounds.

In a statement later on Wednesday, UW-Madison said that student protesters may be interested in meeting on Thursday. It also said the breakdown in communication on Wednesday was due to an important misunderstanding of the chancellors role and authority.

The statement included a comment Mnookin made on Monday: The simple reality is that we do not control how the great bulk of our endowment is managed and invested. These decisions are quite literally not at all under my control.

While no such police action will occur at 4 p.m. today, it remains an urgent campus priority to end the encampment, which is illegal, a violation of student and registered student organization conduct rules, and an increasing safety concern, UW-Madison stated.

Safety concerns have been a continuing factor in the universitys stance that the encampment be removed; Mnookin said that was part of the reason she called police in to physically remove the encampment last week. Reports of antisemitic and Islamophobic messages near the campus have been reported in recent days, and according to a Wednesday afternoon release, the UW-Madison Police Department is investigating three separate reports of violence, including a possible hate crime, that occurred on Library Mall.

The breakdown in negotiations also comes as the university is preparing for graduation activities this weekend. UW-Madison issued a warning that interruptions during commencement events could lead to suspension and arrest.

Disruption of university events, including graduation activities, violates state law and will not be tolerated, UW-Madisons commencement website states. The University will recommend a minimum of suspension for students (including current graduates) who participate in any disruption and will also place holds on their degrees, registration, and official university records. Students and non-students who engage in disruption also risk arrest, citation, and criminal charges.

The post Negotiations between UW-Madison encampment protesters and administration at a halt appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Open space and parkland are valuable for many reasons in New York City.

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation budget has become a bigger part of this years budget discussions. The total city budget is about $109 billion.

Part of the departments budget has become the source of some back and forth with Mayor Eric Adams administration, the New York City Council and park advocates.

Groups and neighbors are worried about a $55 million reduction in the proposed departments budget.

NYC conducts sweeps at 20 illegal smoke shops in all 5 boroughs

New York City Council member Shekar Krishnan is the City Councils parks chairperson.

Everyone deserves access to quality green space. We will see parks that are dirty, uncleaned bathrooms, trees overgrown and the loss of jobs in the parks department, Krishnan said.

Krishnan wants to see a bigger commitment to parks funding.

The Adams administration has restored some funding for libraries and other programs. His office said that includes the Parks Opportunity Program, which hires low-income New Yorkers to help maintain parks.

Thanks to effective, responsible fiscal management over this budget cycle, including strong savings programs and better-than-expected revenue, we were able to restore funding for programs in the Preliminary and Executive Budgets that will make New York City cleaner, safer, and more livable, while ensuring our young people have opportunities to learn and succeed. Our parks are safer and better maintained than they were this time last year, a spokesperson for the mayor wrote in a statement to PIX11 News.

Rallies have been planned to bring attention to the parks budget. New Yorkers for Parks has held events.

If youre cutting that workforce, parks wont be a clean and safe place for people to go, which is the last thing we need right now in the city, said Adam Ganser with New Yorkers For Parks.

The mayor and City Council will negotiate the budget into June. A new budget must be in place by July 1.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
There is nothing new or unexpected about Benjamin Netanyahus arrogance. When President Bill Clinton first met him at the White House in 1996mere weeks after Netanyahu first took office as Israels prime ministerhe reportedly seethed to aides, Who the fuck does he think he is? Whos the fucking superpower here? That arrogance subsequently caused rifts with Republican and Democratic presidents alike. Netanyahu, now in his third stint as prime minister, has not changed at all over the last 30 years.

And yet, President Biden apparently thought he could influence how the Israeli leader responded to Hamass October 7 terrorist attacks. In the ensuing months, as the civilian death toll of Israels military campaign in Gaza climbed past 10,000 and then 20,000 and then 30,000, Americans were treated to stories in the press suggesting that although Biden publicly embraced Netanyahu at every opportunity, he was working hard in private to constrain him. This notion stretched credulity, given that Biden was no stranger to Netanyahus ways, having served as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and, as vice president, witnessed Barack Obamas increasingly frosty relationship with him.



But now, given the events of the past few days, we can say with total certainty that this back channel pressureto the extent it existedhas been a spectacular failure.



On Monday, Hamas accepted a cease-fire deal brokered by Egypt and QatarIsrael did not send negotiators to meet with the mediators who reached the agreement. That deal included multiple stages, but would release hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a cease-fire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. American diplomats pressured Israel to accept that deal, which could bring about the end of a war that has cost tens of thousands of civilian lives, and Biden spoke to Netanyahu directly shortly before it was reached. Netanyahu nevertheless summarily rejected the dealthough Israel did agree to finally send negotiators to Egypt, where talks have been taking place for weeks.

As negotiators scrambled to strike a cease-fire deal, Israel was also massing troops around Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip that is the last refuge for Palestinians who have fled Israels relentless attacks. Biden had previously referred to an invasion of Rafah as a red line; a week ago, concerned about Israels intent to cross that line, America halted a large shipment of weapons to Israel in an attempt to pressure Netanyahu to call off the offensive. That apparently did not work. Moreover, Netanyahus Cabinet apparently agreed that an invasion of Rafah was a bad idea amid the cease-fire talksbut the Israeli prime minister, who could land in prison for corruption if the war stops and elections are called, rebuffed them. On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces began an operation to secure a crossing between Rafah and Egypt, apparently to stop Hamas from smuggling weapons into the city. The Biden administration responded by saying that this action, which Netanyahu referred to as a major operation, did not cross that red line.

To recap: The U.S. government, at the behest of President Biden, has implored Netanyahu to halt a planned invasion of Rafah and to accept a cease-fire deal that could bring an end to the war. Netanyahu has rebuffed both requests. The United States has sent billions in weapons to Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. Biden has vocally defended Israels military campaign in Gaza, even as outrage has grown over the tens of thousands of innocent civilians, many of them children, who have been killed during that campaign. Israels response? Heres what one official told NBC News after news broke that America was withholding weapons. An Israeli official told NBC News there is deep frustration in the Israeli government over the decision. The official added that tensions had already been running high after Israel felt the U.S. allowed it to be blindsided by Hamas announcement earlier this week that it was accepting a version of a cease-fire proposal. Nothing less than total supportand unending military aidis acceptable.



The reasonable conclusion here is not that America has suddenly failed to influence Netanyahu but that it never had any influence to begin with. Netanyahu was happy to accept Bidens backingand his literal embracewhen it aligned with his own objectives: continuing the war indefinitely, no matter the immense human cost. The Biden administration has rightfully acknowledged that Israel is not heeding any of its warnings or recommendations and is, in response, trying to goad the country both through diplomacy and the withholding of armaments. It is unlikely that this will work because Netanyahu has shown time and time again that no onenot even Israels main ally, which unconditionally gives the country billions in military aid every yearcan tell him what to do.



And what is the U.S. telling him to do, anyway? The Biden administration has struggled to articulate what the red line on Rafah really is: For the moment, it seems like the IDF can avoid stepping over that line by simply conducting a series of seemingly isolated military actions that ultimately, in the aggregate, constitute a full invasion. The Biden administration, given its stated acceptance of the IDFs efforts to secure the Rafah crossing, will seemingly let them do it.



All of this was predictable seven months ago. It was predictable decades ago. Netanyahu has, time and again, snubbed American presidents and taken whatever action he sees as being in his best interest. Instead of recognizing this, Biden (again, literally) embraced Netanyahu, foolishly thinking he could influence his actions. In response, Netanyahu and his allies have consistently made a fool out of Biden, happily accepting his support while grousing whenever his administration has the gall to take any minor action aimed at pressuring the country to end the war, limit civilian deaths, or even ensure that basic humanitarian aid can reach Gaza. It is unlikely that Biden would accept such disrespect from any other world leader, and one can only hope that he now feels sufficiently humiliated to finally, and fully, to stand up to Netanyahu and act like a fucking superpower.


By James Mackenzie

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces competing pressures at home and abroad when he weighs how far to push the operation to defeat Hamas in Rafah that complicates hopes of bringing Israeli hostages home.

Street demonstrations against the government by families and supporters of some of the more than 130 hostages still held in Gaza have become a constant fixture, with protestors demanding a ceasefire deal with Hamas to get them back.

Others are demanding the government and the Israeli Defence Forces press ahead with the Rafah operation against the remaining Hamas formations holding out around the city which began this week with air strikes an battles on the outskirts.

"We applaud the Israeli government and the IDF for going into Rafah," said Mirit Hoffman, a spokesperson for Mothers of IDF Soldiers, a group representing families of serving military personnel, which wants an uncompromising line to pressure Hamas into surrender.

"We think that this is how negotiations are done in the Middle East."

The opposing pressures mirror divisions in Netanyahu's cabinet between centrist ministers concerned at alienating Washington, Israel's most vital ally and supplier of arms, and religious nationalist hardliners determined to clear Hamas out of the Gaza Strip.

Hamas handed Netanyahu a dilemma this week when it declared it had accepted a ceasefire proposal brokered by Egypt for a halt to fighting in return for an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Israeli officials rejected the offer, accusing Hamas of altering the terms of the deal. But it did not break off negotiations and shuttle diplomacy continues, with CIA chief Bill Burns in Israel on Wednesday to meet Netanyahu.

Internationally, protests have spread against Israel's campaign in Gaza, which has so far killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, and spread malnutrion and disease in the enclave.

Seven months into the war, surveys show opinion in Israel has become increasingly divided since Netanyahu first vowed to crush Hamas in retaliation for the Oct. 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, took more than 250 hostage, and triggered the campaign in Gaza.

"I understand that it's necessary to defeat Hamas but I think that can wait, and the hostages cannot wait," said Elisheva Leibler, 52, from Jerusalem. "Every second they're there poses immediate danger to their lives."

For the moment, Netanyahu has kept the cabinet together, rejecting the latest Hamas proposal for a ceasefire but keeping the negotiations alive by dispatching mid-ranking officials to Cairo, where Egyptian mediators are overseeing the process.

But the risks he faces by holding out against a deal, as his hard-right partners wish, were highlighted on Tuesday when Washington paused a shipment of weapons to signal its opposition to the long-promised Rafah assault.

DIVIDED OPINION

Despite his image as a security hawk, Netanyahu, Israel's longest serving prime minister, has struggled with a widespread perception that he was to blame for the security failures that allowed Hamas to overwhelm Israel's defences around Gaza.

That has fed a mood of distrust among many Israelis who otherwise support strong action against Hamas.

A survey published on Wednesday for Channel 13 suggested that 56% of Israelis thought Netanyahu's chief consideration was his own political survival against only 30% who thought it was freeing the hostages.

A survey by the Israel Democracy Institute found just over half the population believed a deal to rescue the hostages should be the top government priority, over the aim of destroying the remaining Hamas formations.

But a separate poll by the Jewish People's Policy Institute (JPPI) found 61% thought the military must operate in Rafah no matter what. The Channel 13 poll found 41% in favour of accepting the deal and 44% opposed.

"I don't trust Hamas at all," said 81 year-old David Taub, from Jerusalem. "The only solution is to conquer Rafah, and then maybe, we hope, we pray, the hostages will come back to us."

For the moment, Netanyahu depends on the two hardliners from the nationalist religious bloc, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, both of whom reject any suggestion of compromise.

Both have clashed repeatedly with Benny Gantz, the centrist former army general who joined the emergency wartime cabinet in the wake of Oct 7, and who is the leading contender to replace Netanyahu after new elections.

Gantz and his ally Gadi Eisenkot, another former army chief, are both sworn enemies of Hamas but both have been alarmed at the deterioration in relations with the United States.

For the increasingly desperate hostage families, a mood of deepening exhaustion at the endless uncertainty has settled in, with hopes of a safe return overcoming any other consideration.

Niva Wenkert, mother of 22-year-old hostage Omer Wenkert, said she had no choice but to trust Israeli leaders but that not enough had been done.

"The hostages are still in Gaza, the military actions almost stopped and the feelings are very, very bad. I want Omer back."

(Additional reporting by Emily Rose and Eli Berlzon; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
The Nevada County Sheriffs Office recovered two snowboards stolen from Boreal Mountain ski resort after an investigation that involved reviewing security footage.

A man from nearby Soda Springs thought hed never see his beloved snowboard again after it disappeared in January, the Nevada County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post celebrating their success.

Despite his reported despair of ever seeing the board again, the Soda Springs man reported the theft to local law enforcement.

Unfortunately, snowboard theft is a common occurrence across most all ski resorts, the Sheriffs Office wrote. More often than not the theft goes unreported.

Deputy Damian Norden from the Sheriffs Office responded to the Soda Springs mans January cry for help. He asked the IT team at the ski resort to provide access to relevant security footage and ticketing technology, and he was able to identify a suspect. He also found that the suspect had stolen a second snowboard from the resort on the same day.

The second victim has not yet gotten his board back, but the deputy is currently coordinating with him to return it.

The Sheriffs Office said that felony theft charges would be filed with the Nevada County District Attorneys Office, indicating that the combined cost of the boards edged over $950, the minimum amount for a felony theft charge in California.
Newsmax

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem still isnt done lashing out at members of the press regarding the fallout from her story about shooting and killing her 14-month old puppy, this time complaining about a hit job interview on Newsmax after a host said he doubted whether Noem is still on Donald Trumps VP shortlist.

The controversial elements of Noems memoir, including a storywhich she refuses to say is true or not and has since been removed from the bookof her meeting North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, are widely seen as having buried her chances of being the former presidents running mate. A Trumpworld source told The Daily Beast late last month that the likelihood of a Trump-Noem ticket was less than zero now. After Wake Up America co-host Rob Finnerty mentioned this reality to Noem, their exchange grew tenseunlike Noems prior Newsmax interview on Monday night.

Governor, if you had asked me a month ago whos at the top of the list to run with Donald Trump, I would have said your name. If you had asked me that same question this morning, I dont even think youre on the list.

Really? And why is that? Noem said.

Yes, really, and its because of things that have come out in this book like your claims that you met Kim Jong Un, Finnerty said before Noem interjected that she has been to the DMZ.

Kristi Noem Blows Up at Fox Anchor Pressing Her on Puppy Murder

After Finnerty read a passage from Noems book describing her meeting with the dictator, he asked, Governor, that never happened, did it?

What I have said, in the book, is that when I became aware of the content, that we had it changed, and thats the way that it is. I should not have put that anecdote in the book, Noem said.

Finnerty replied: But an anecdote indicates that it happened, right?

Im not going to talk about my conversations with world leaders, Noem said, reiterating her response in prior interviews.

But Finnerty pointed out that he was merely asking whether the meeting occurred.

Governor, Im not asking you about the details of this alleged meeting. Im asking if the meeting actually happened. I dont think it did, and I think if it did, youd be able to confirm for me that, Yes, it did, and heres when it happened. It happened, say, at such and such a date or a month. Or you dont have to be specific, he said.

Noem, once again, said she wouldnt discuss her conversations with world leaders.

White House Calls Kristi Noems Apparent Threat to Put Down Bidens Dog Absurd

Noems refusal to admit whether the meeting took place prompted Finnerty to tell her that she will continue to have to answer this question.

Noem disagreed. I dont think so, because the average American citizen is more worried about the border, she said, pivoting to criticizing President Joe Biden.

Despite Finnerty maintaining that he wasnt deliberately trying to be adversarial, Noem would later accuse him and co-host Sharla McBride of conducting a hit job, similar to her complaint Sunday about fake news after she faced probing questions during a CBS interview.

Her memoir, No Going Back, is not a typical political book, she said. It is one that [the American people] will be able to learn and really understand the corruption thats in politicswhat kind of hit jobs like this that the media does, what money does in politics.

Were not trying to do a hit job on you at all, McBride shot back, as Finnerty shook his head in agreement.

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.
KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2024 - 09:00 | All, Japan

The assassination of Shinzo Abe by the son of a Unification Church devotee led Japan to a reckoning about the issue of child abuse and neglect linked to parents' religious affiliations.

In the wake of the former prime minister's murder in 2022, the government launched its first nationwide survey which found 37 of the 229 child guidance centers that provided answers, or 16.2 percent, addressed to suspected cases between April 2022 and September 2023.

The abuses included parents neglecting to provide medical care for their children or forcing beliefs and practices on them, according to the survey which covered "second-generation" followers, or family members of people who are actively involved in religious organizations.

Among 47 cases dealt with by the 37 centers, 19 victims were placed under temporary protection, the survey showed. Around half of the centers said they discovered the problems because the victims themselves sought help.

"Religious abuses tend not to surface unless victims come forward, so it is urgent to create an environment in which children are able to issue an SOS," said an official of the Children and Families Agency in charge of the survey.

Some parents were found to have forced their family members to engage in religious activities by using physical violence or by leveraging the threat of punishment in the afterlife, according to welfare ministry guidelines released in December 2022.

The survey did not tally which specific groups or religions were linked to violations of the guidelines.

The guidelines also noted that parents who fail to provide sufficient food for their children due to their resources being drained by donations to their religious group are guilty of neglect.

In July 2022, Tetsuya Yamagami shot and killed Abe during an election campaign speech. Yamagami's mother made massive donations to the Unification Church that proved to be financially ruinous for his family.

Yamagami was quoted by investigative sources as saying that he targeted Abe as the politician's grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, helped the Christian-adjacent organization that was established in South Korea by a staunch anti-communist in 1954 make inroads into Japan.

In a multiple-answer question seeking to identify the types of issues reported to the 37 facilities, the most common answer was "inciting anxiety by words or videos as well as ignoring or harassing." This was followed by cases involving the parents' "refusal of medical treatment recommended by doctors."

The survey also found at least 20 cases of medical neglect, including refusing blood transfusions, in a question that drew responses from 138 hospitals with emergency medical care centers.

There were also cases that led to death, as parents did not allow their children to receive treatment from medical facilities or, for example, refused a bone marrow transplant, according to the survey.

Related coverage:

FEATURE: Nun speaks out over Tendai priest sexual abuse allegations
NH bars likely to face tougher penalties for overserving: Here's how new law would work

CONCORD  New Hampshire bars and restaurants could be hit with much steeper penalties for overserving alcohol if a new bill becomes law.

In December, Portsmouth Gas Light Co. restaurant was fined $500 and given a three-day liquor license suspension by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission for serving a visibly intoxicated man before a fatal crash on Thanksgiving 2022.

The Portsmouth Gas Light Co. is located on Market Street.

If House Bill 279 is signed into law, the punishment for a similar offense would likely become much higher.

HB 279 would increase the maximum penalties from the current fine of $2,500 and a license suspension of 10 days to $7,500 and 30 days if the alcohol licensee serves someone who is visibly intoxicated or who a reasonable and prudent person would know is intoxicated and goes on to directly cause serious injury or death to someone else. These penalties would apply for both the first and second offense.

The bill also requires the bar or restaurant to post a notice explaining why their license was suspended. If the restaurant faces three offenses within a certain length of time, their liquor license could be revoked entirely.

The license suspension is shortened to 10 days if employees have completed liquor commission training within two years of the offense.

The Gas Light's attorney did not immediately return a request for comment.

Father of woman killed by drunken driver fought for bill, now likely to be signed by Sununu

Sponsored by Rep. Maureen Mooney, R-Merrimack, the bill has been the mission of Dave Croke, the father of a Merrimack woman who was killed by a drunken driver on the Everett Turnpike in April 2021.

Croke said three years ago, a Windham bar overserved a group of young patrons. Later, one of the patrons drove drunk on the opposite direction on the highway and hit Crokes 20-year-old daughters car head-on. She died instantly; her car engulfed in flames. The driver also lost his life.

My daughter Elizabeths life was special. My daughter Elizabeths life mattered. She had her whole life ahead of her. A bright light who always thought of others gone forever. Only memories remain, Croke said in front of the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday, April 16. It's not OK to drink and drive. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure our roads are safe.

HB 279, also called the Elizabeth Croke Law, passed the Senate on Thursday. It has now passed both the House and the Senate, and next heads to Gov. Chris Sununus desk. He has already expressed strong support for the bill, writing two letters in favor of the proposed changes.

I commend the Croke family and the sponsors of this bill for their efforts in bringing attention to a shortfall of accountability on the part of New Hampshire liquor licensees in cases resulting in death or serious bodily injury. Their efforts are being memorialized in the name of Elizabeth Croke, Sununu wrote in his second letter of support to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee in October. It is our job to ensure that our citizens are safe, whether they are at home or traveling the highways and byways of New Hampshire, and that violators are held accountable. This combination of deterrence through accountability and responsible service and consumption will only help to fortify the states existing practices and help prevent the tragic loss of life in the future.

Issue is important but penalties too high, say businesses

Mike Somers, the president of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, wrote to the Senate Commerce Committee to express the industrys concerns.

While he said that the increase in fine is an acceptable update to the punishment, the tripled license suspension is more than punitive.

Many industry members have shared with us that if this were ever to applied to their business, they would simply be out of business, Somers wrote in his letter, adding that the loss of the restaurant would leave a hole in the heart of a community.

Somers suggested a different model with a license suspension of 20 days for the first offense. For a second offense, he offered a suspension of 25 days but a higher fine of $10,000.

This is a very sensitive topic and I concede that an updating of the penalty structure is warranted, but the proposal will ultimately destroy every business that makes an inadvertent mistake, particularly the smallest businesses that are the cornerstone of New Hampshire, Somers wrote.

Marge Stiles, the owner of Daniel Street Tavern in Portsmouth, said its complicated. While she said they try to handle any problems as quickly and safely as possible, it can be hard to tell how intoxicated someone might be, especially if they have taken other substances that arent connected to the restaurant.

This could really hurt a lot of businesses, Stiles wrote in an email. I understand that they are trying to update with the times. I understand that tragedies happen and they somehow think that this will change things. I think a 30-day license suspension is excessive, depending on the circumstances.

Stiles said she would prefer a tiered approach with degrees that take into account factors like time since the last offense and impact of the offense.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH bars likely to face tougher penalties for overserving
NHS bosses are to blame for failures in treating trans children, says Dr Hilary Cass

Dr Hilary Cass said in her review that gender medicine for children and young people is built on 'shaky foundations' - PA

NHS leaders are to blame for the failures in treating trans children, Dr Hilary Cass has said.

The paediatrician who led the review into NHS transgender health care services said those in charge had ducked their responsibility to the children they were supposed to care for.

Dr Cass said accountability for the failings lay with several NHS organisations and professional leadership, in an interview with the New Statesman.

The Tavistock transgender clinic was closed down after Dr Cass found it was 'not safe' - PETER NICHOLLS/REUTERS

The former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health refused to be drawn on whether there should be a public inquiry into the controversial Tavistock gender clinic, but said there was a shared responsibility for the failings.

It partly sits with the trusts that were seeing the young people, [and] to some degree with NHS England, but also professional leadership, she said.

I think that some professional organisations have ducked their responsibility in ensuring that everyone working in this field including in secondary care, treated these young people as they would any other.

The trusts in question include the Tavistock and Portman in west London, where the gender clinic for children was based, and the University College London Hospital and Leeds Teaching Hospitals, whose endocrinologists  doctors specialising in hormones  prescribed puberty blockers after being referred by the Tavistock.

Medical interventions

The Cass Review was steadfast in its findings that there was a lack of evidence to support medical interventions, including the prescribing of blockers and cross-sex hormones to children and young people up to the age of 25.

The interim report by Dr Cass, published in 2022, led to the NHS banning puberty blockers for under-18s outside of a yet-to-be established clinical trial from last month.

The review found a lack of long-term data on what had happened to children prescribed the drugs and called for a more holistic approach to their care, after the report revealed accounts of gender-questioning children having mental health problems, learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, or being confused about their sexuality.

It raised serious questions as to how so many children had been given controversial drugs on the NHS, which requires the highest standards of care, regulation and evidence than in any other area of health care.

The review also revealed that warning signs had been ignored by leaders, despite evidence of children not improving or deteriorating after medical intervention.

Lack of questioning among clinicians

Patients questioning their gender had to be referred to an endocrinologist to receive sex-changing drugs because the Tavistocks psychologists were unable to prescribe them.

Dr Cass questioned why these doctors did not reflect on what they were doing. I would have expected them to pause for thought at that point and consider whether this was the best course of action, she said.

[Clinicians] see some young people who seem to improve, and that encourages them to go on, but they were also aware that some young people were actually getting worse.

And so, yes, I would have expected at that point that the team might have questioned whether this was the right treatment for that wider group.

Responding to criticism

Dr Cass also hit back at the criticism she had received from activists attempting to undermine her report by lobbying officials with false information.

Her team published an official response to claims, from groups including the charity Stonewall, that the systematic evidence review threw out all but two studies on the effects of puberty blockers and hormones on young people.

Dr Cass has previously said that researchers examined a total of 103 papers, eventually including 60 datasets that were deemed to be high or medium quality.

Stonewall has since apologised for briefing politicians and other public figures, while the Labour MP Dawn Butler has corrected the parliamentary record after having regurgitated the line.

Some of the most staunch criticism has come from doctors working in transgender health care, including in NHS roles.

The Telegraph revealed how Dr Walter Bouman, a consultant psychiatrist at the NHS adult transgender service, Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health, had questioned her credentials to conduct the review in an online tirade, while other senior NHS figures had refused to participate in research commissioned by the review.

Hillary [sic] has never treated trans youth, nor is she a researcher of any significance, yet her expert review provides supposedly evidence based recommendations There is a fine line between naivety, narcissism and psychopathy, he wrote on social media.

Complex range of conditions

Dr Cass, who has worked with children as a paediatric consultant for 30 years, said Dr Bouman had been unprofessional.

Clearly, what he says is unprofessional, she said.

The thing I would pick up is his suggestion that I havent treated trans youth. This review is not about trans youth. This is about children with a complex range of conditions, of which gender questioning is one part, and how we provide a holistic service to support their wellbeing.

She also said claims from Lorna Hobbs, a former Tavistock clinician, including the suggestion that researchers with links to conversion therapy were working on the review, had been full of inaccuracies.

Although Ive received aggressive and vitriolic emails and online abuse, that doesnt particularly concern me. What concerns me is professionals spreading misinformation about this review, because thats failing the interests of children and young people.

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.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  One person is injured in a late-night shooting in southeast Topeka.

Just after 11:30 Tuesday night, the Topeka Police Department (TPD) responded to a shooting in the 1600 block of SE 29th St.

According to TPD, one individual was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.

We are surrounded: advocate speaks on marijuana reclassification impact on Kansas

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.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
No drone of cicadas where you live? Here is where Brood XIX is emerging in NC

The last time cicadas of Brood XIX scrambled out of the ground to shed their stifling exoskeletons and go hunting for their screaming soulmates, gas was $3.41 a gallon, North Carolina was reeling from a deadly tornado outbreak and people were watching the debut episodes of Game of Thrones on 70-inch TVs that cost nearly $4,000.

One thing hasnt changed in the 13 years since they last emerged: The range of Brood XIX cicadas within North Carolina still extends over fewer than a fifth of the states counties. So while homeowners in Chatham County are poking at ghostly skins hanging on their tree trunks and hearing what is easy to imagine as a fleet of idling spaceships, in neighboring Lee County, nature is as quiet as a butterfly.

Brood XIX, a 13-year brood of periodical cicadas, is concentrated in southern Illinois and Missouri but stretches into the southeast. The insects have been been documented in 16 counties in North Carolina.

Where are the cicadas?

Typically, 13-year cicadas emerge in early May in North Carolina as the ground where they live warms to 64 degrees. Because of a warmer-than-average April they showed up a little early, with the first sightings in Chapel Hill during the first week of April and ones in Raleigh and Charlotte two weeks later.

Since then, around the Triangle, theyve been buzzing in Carys Bond Park and humming in Hemlock Bluffs, and have made themselves known in wooded neighborhoods in Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough and Pittsboro.

According to Cicada Mania, a website dedicated to the most amazing insects in the world, in North Carolina, the bugs of Brood XIX will be found only in 16 counties: Buncombe, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Gaston, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Orange, Randolph, Rowan, Stanly, Union and Wake.

Why arent periodical cicadas all over the state?

Unlike the ubiquitous mosquito or the pesky ant, which can thrive anywhere in North Carolina, periodical cicadas have particular needs, according to entomologists at N.C. State University.

They live only a tiny fraction of their lives above ground, beginning as eggs laid by a female into a slit she saws in a twig on a living tree.

The eggs hatch into larvae and drop to the ground, where they burrow into the dirt next to a woody plant or tree. There they remain, slowly growing on the nourishment they get from sucking sap from the trees roots, for 13 years.

In the spring of the 13th year, they tunnel out and find a solid surface on which to molt, pushing out of the hard skin thats a couple of sizes too small. Dr. Matt Bertone, diagnostic entomologist with the N.C. State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, compares it shedding a pair of too-tight leather pants.

By the next day, their nymphal bodies harden and they fly or crawl into a tree and begin trying to attract a mate. The male does this by singing, or vibrating tymbal organs in his abdomen, generating a noise that can be as loud as a motorcycle engine. The females click their wings less noisily in response.

Four to six weeks after emerging, periodical cicadas die off and the cycle begins again with the larvae they have left behind.

For all this to work, Bertone said, periodical cicadas need:

 The right kind of soil

 Trees. They cant survive in grasslands. And while they are opportunistic feeders, they seem to prefer hardwoods.

 Continuity of habitat. While the larvae are in the ground, clearing their trees will destroy their habitat and remove their food source. Paving over the ground makes it impossible for them to emerge.

 Other cicadas. Bertone says individual periodical cicadas that emerge in areas where there arent large numbers of their kind will follow the sound of the brood and fly off to be where the party is, increasing the chances of finding a mate.







Where to go to see Brood XIX cicadas

The University of Connecticut is the U.S. Census Bureau of periodical cicadas.

Project members travel the country when different broods emerge to confirm whether cicadas are still present in areas where they have been reported in the past. They mark the spots on a map.

So if you live in a county thats known to have Brood XIX cicadas but you dont see  or hear  them in your neighborhood, visit a wooded park or go to one of the UConn-verified sites near Pittsboro, such as:

 Jordan Lake State Recreation Area (Seaforth Access has hosted Brood XIX cicadas in the past) or

 Lower Haw River State Natural Area

Or, in Pittsboro, take a walk on the greenway encircling Central Carolina Community College, looking down as you go. This week, cicadas have been walking along the path and buzzing in the tree canopy. There is a huge oak tree on the campus, just past the parking area in front of the Chatham Community Library, thats covered in shed cicada skins.

An adult periodical cicada

If you hear something, say something

Scientists like to track the emergence of periodical cicadas, and you can contribute data on these insects the same as if you help the National Audubon Society count birds. To participate, download the Cicada Safari app to your phone or use iNaturalist.

Could NCs cicada season make us see more copperheads? Heres what wildlife experts say

Five whales have died along NCs coast this year. Heres what researchers know so far.
TechCrunch

This week, were taking a closer look at Teslas Cybercab and Robovan reveals, the complete disarray at Fisker HQ, and a horrifying side effect of living in our modern world: AI summaries of your breakup texts. Tesla finally revealed its Cybercab robotaxi. Unveiled at the companys We, Robot event, the Cybercab looks like a smaller, sleeker, two-seater Cybertruck  and the company claims it'll cost less than $30,000. In a surprise reveal, Elon Musk also unveiled a prototype of Teslas Robovan: An electric, autonomous vehicle roughly the size of a bus, designed for transporting people around high-density areas.
No legal basis to ban Islamist protest in Hamburg, police say

Falk Schnabel, Chief of Police, gives a press conference in view of "Demonstration against censorship and dictatorship of opinion" announced for 11 May by the group "Muslim Interactive". Georg Wendt/dpa

Another demonstration by the Islamist organization Muslim Interaktiv in Hamburg will be allowed to proceed, less than two weeks after an earlier demonstration caused a national uproar in Germany.

Hamburg's police chief Falk Schnabel said on Wednesday that the group's planned demonstration called for Saturday will be subject to strict conditions by authorities. Muslim Interaktiv is classified as an extremist group by the German authorities.

Schnabel said that police intensively examined options for an outright ban on the group's demonstration, and reviewed footage from the group's previous demonstration on April 27.

But authorities again could not find a solid basis for an outright ban on the demonstration, a conclusion that was also reached before the April 27 march, Schnabel said.

The answer from experts was that "a ban will not be legally enforceable," he said.

However, as in April, authorities have warned the group that incitement to violence or comments denying Israel's right to exist would not be tolerated.

As an additional condition, calls for establishing a caliphate on German soil will also not be permitted.

At the first rally at the end of April, which was organized by Muslim Interaktiv, around 1,000 demonstrators denounced what they saw as Islamophobic politics and media coverage in Germany.

Some protesters also called for establishing a caliphate as a solution to social problems, something that sparked nationwide outrage in Germany and denunciations from leading politicians.
Rudy Giuliani is having a hard time finding someone to help with the accounting duties in his bankruptcy case and may have to do it on his own, lawyers said in a filing Tuesday.

According to the filing, the accountant that was helping Giuliani meet the accounting obligations in the case, but had a change of heart and indicated that he no longer wished to help prepare the monthly operating reports.

Giuliani has reached out to a number of accounting firms for their help but no one seems interested in taking the assignment.

Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, filed for bankruptcy in December, just days after a jury ordered him to pay a staggering $148 million to two former Georgia election workers who he falsely claimed committed election fraud in 2020.

In the months leading up to his bankruptcy filing, Giuliani defended against increasing legal troubles for his role in former President Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

The filing Tuesday was meant to explain why Giuliani had not filed his April operating report.

His lawyer said he has spoken with Giuliani about preparing the operating reports as required, and future reports will be filed on a timely basis.

While it is true that the permanent Washington political class is leveraging all of its power and influence to bully and scare people from defending Americans who are willing to stand up and push back against the accepted narrative, Mayor Giuliani will be appropriately represented when it comes to his accounting and finances, Giuliani adviser Ted Goodman said in a statement to The Hill.

Giuliani, who famously used the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to crack down on the mob as a prosecutor, is now facing RICO charges in Georgia. Along with 18 other defendants, he surrendered late August on 13 changes over his efforts to keep Trump in power.

Most recently, an Arizona grand jury handed Giuliani felony charges for allegedly attempting to prevent the lawful transfer of power after the 2020 election. Prosecutors are accusing Giuliani and others of devising a scheme to sound the alarm on fake claims of election fraud so Arizona election officials would overturn the results.

Updated May 8 at 8:07 a.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Noems former opponents reject her claim that dog-killing story was widely known and used

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem waves to the crowd during a rally with Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump at the Dayton International Airport on March 16, 2024, in Vandalia, Ohio. The rally was hosted by the Buckeye Values PAC. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem waves to the crowd during a rally with Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump at the Dayton International Airport on March 16, 2024, in Vandalia, Ohio. The rally was hosted by the Buckeye Values PAC. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

During a series of contentious recent interviews, Gov. Kristi Noem repeatedly said a story in her new book about fatally shooting a dog was already widely known in South Dakota because her political opponents had used it against her.

Yet when South Dakota Searchlight contacted Noems former opponents, most of those who answered the phone or returned a message said theyd never heard the story before Noem put it in her own book. Others said they had previously heard rumors about the story but never used it in a campaign or ever saw anyone else use it.

The last person to run a competitive race against Noem was Billie Sutton, the Democratic nominee for governor in 2018 who lost by three percentage points.

When told of Noems comments, Sutton said thats just not true, adding that hed never heard the dog story before she included it in her book.

Noem has been on a book tour since last weekend, giving interviews to the national media and encountering difficult questions even from Republican-leaning outlets. Shes been a subject of national ridicule and scorn for revealing in the book that she fatally shot a dog and a goat, and for apparently fabricating a claim that she met North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. The book is titled No Going Back.

As interviewers have asked about the dog story, Noem has often said she included it to set the record straight after the story was used against her in her home state.

Everybodys known that story for years, Noem told Fox News. Thats what most people dont realize  that in South Dakota, theyve used that story to attack me and my political campaigns for years. I wanted people to know the truth.

The governor made similar comments to Newsmax.

I think that in South Dakota, in the last couple of elections that Ive had, my political opponents have tried to use this story, and tried to use it against me, she said. I wanted people to know the truth, and thats why its in the book.

Jamie Smith, a Democrat, lost to Noem in the 2022 general election. He had heard rumors about Noem shooting a dog, he said, but our campaign chose to stay focused on the issues.

It doesnt surprise me that shes not telling the truth and that she thought it was a good idea to tell others about her cruelty, he said. This is the Kristi Noem we have known in South Dakota for a long time.

The Libertarian candidate in the 2022 race for governor, Tracey Quint, said of the dog story, No, I had not heard it before the book.

Noems most recent Republican primary opponent, Steven Haugaard, who lost to her in 2022, said the same thing.

I dont know what shes talking about, Haugaard said. Its certainly not well thought-out.

Marty Jackley, the current South Dakota attorney general, lost to Noem in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary. When asked if he had ever previously heard the dog story, he answered with one word: No.

Public Utilities Commissioner Chris Nelson ran against Noem in a 2010 Republican U.S. House primary, which she won on her way to serving eight years in Congress before becoming governor. Nelson said he had not heard the dog story previously.

South Dakota Searchlight asked the governors spokesperson, Ian Fury, to explain why Noem is claiming the dog story was widely known and used against her.

Fury responded in an email with a link to a CNN interview featuring Democratic state Sen. Reynold Nesiba, D-Sioux Falls, in which Nesiba said, This is a rumor thats been around for years about her acting in anger to put down a dog.

Nesiba told Searchlight, Id never heard of anyone using it against her. He thinks Noem was attempting to get ahead of the story by putting it in her book, rather than allowing the media to uncover it as she sought to be chosen as Donald Trumps running mate in this years presidential race.

Searchlight asked Fury if that was the rationale. He did not reply.

Meanwhile, the state Democratic Party issued a news release Wednesday calling for Furys removal due to what the party described as his failure to provide effective communications for Noem during the preparation of her book and the ensuing fallout.

Party Chair Shane Merrill and Vice Chair Jessica Meyers said in a joint statement, Public service is an honor and a privilege. South Dakota taxpayers should not be on the hook paying Ian Fury more than $144,000 a year salary to destroy the reputation of our state and negate the millions of dollars spent to advertise South Dakota across the country.

In other Noem news, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate this week became the fifth Native American tribe in South Dakota to ban her from a reservation due to her recent claims that tribal leaders are benefitting from Mexican cartel drug trafficking.

More coverage of Noems book debacle

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Noems former opponents reject her claim that dog-killing story was widely known and used appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  An organization thats been helping the Hispanic community in Hazleton for decades is expanding its reach and getting ready to hit the airwaves.

The Dominican House of Hazleton Inc. is a nonprofit that provides food assistance, U.S. Citizenship classes, English as a second language, and a multitude of other services to people across NEPA.

Now, theyre opening an FM radio station to broadcast their mission and help more people.

Radio and television Dominican American, said Victor Perez the president/CEO of The Dominican House of Hazleton.

Thats the name of the Dominican House of Hazletons new radio station set to hit the FM airwaves, in hopes of better connecting to the English and Hispanic communities.

The radio station is the best way to communicate with the rest of the people in the community, says Perez.

Muhammad Alis daughter visits Fighters Heaven in Deer Lake

Offering twenty-four hours of music, community news, English classes, Spanish lessons, and more, Dominican House of Hazleton President Victor Perez says the station is an opportunity to provide useful resources.

We have to work with the Hispanic population because we know that we need to

Educate more of the community, the Hispanic population, and provide the tools to be

Better citizens, better members in this community, explained Perez.

The station is a dream years in the making. Perez applied for FCC licensing in 2014 but wasnt accepted. Ten years later, the project was finally given the green light, and work is underway.

Right now we are working with the engineers about how to salvage correctly according to the FCC antenna, stated Perez

Theres still lots to be done, but Perez says when its done, the station will bridge gaps, and break down barriers.

This is a great opportunity to communicate to the people whats going on in the community, whats going on in the city, whats going on in the United States, continued Perez.

There is no set date on when the station will hit the airwaves, but well continue to follow the story.

For more on the Dominican House of Hazleton visit their Facebook.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
A Roman Catholic high school in Charlotte, North Carolina, did not violate federal civil rights law by firing a gay teacher after he announced that he would marry his same-sex partner, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday, overturning a lower court ruling.

Lonnie Billard, a longtime teacher at Charlotte Catholic High School, shared a post on Facebook in 2014, shortly after the state legalized same-sex marriage, saying that he and his partner were engaged. He was fired several weeks later. Billard then sued the school for sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and a district court judge ruled in his favor in 2021.

Wednesdays decision by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, however, reversed that ruling, finding that the religious high schools termination of Billard falls under the ministerial exception to Title VII.

We conclude that the school entrusted Billard with vital religious duties, making him a messenger of its faith and placing him within the ministerial exception, the ruling, written by Judge Pamela Harris, states.

Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin, and in the 2020 landmark Supreme Court case Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, the high court ruled that workplace sex discrimination includes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, the Supreme Court has upheld that nondiscrimination laws are subject to a carve out, known as a ministerial exception, which permits religious organizations from being subjected to government interference in the hiring and firing of people in religious roles.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented the school and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, applauded the ruling.

The Supreme Court has been crystal clear on this issue: Catholic schools have the freedom to choose teachers who fully support Catholic teaching, Luke Goodrich, Beckets vice president and senior counsel, said in a statement. This is a victory for people of all faiths who cherish the freedom to pass on their faith to the next generation.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of North Carolina and Tin Fulton Walker & Owen, which represented the plaintiff, issued a statement that referenced the Bostock decision and its protection for LGBTQ workers.

This is a heartbreaking decision for our client who wanted nothing more than the freedom to perform his duties as an educator without hiding who he is or who he loves, the statement said. While todays decision is narrowly tailored to Mr. Billard and the facts of his employment, it nonetheless threatens to encroach on that principle by widening the loopholes employers may use to fire people like Mr. Billard for openly discriminatory reasons.

Billard and his lawyers have 14 days to request a rehearing by the 4th Circuit or 90 days to appeal to the Supreme Court. The ACLU declined to comment on whether they would make a rehearing request or appeal.

For more from NBC Out, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2024 - 10:06 | Feature, All, Japan

The government of Ibaraki Prefecture has hit a marketing snag in the promotion of its local Hitachiwagyu Beef specialty after a survey showed a significant percentage of young Japanese adults cannot read the kanji characters in its name.

Japan boasts numerous wagyu luxury beef variants, most famously the Kobe Beef from Hyogo Prefecture in the country's west. The Hitachiwagyu name refers to Hitachi Province, the pre-1875 name for Ibaraki Prefecture.

The meat is sourced from Japanese Black cattle raised in the prefecture just north of Tokyo for 30 months.

But a national online survey conducted with 300 participants in December showed some 57 percent of people in their 20s and 43 percent in their 30s were unable to correctly identify the kanji characters for "Hitachi."

Older respondents fared better, with 33 percent of those in their 40s, 35 percent of people in their 50s and just 22 percent of individuals in their 60s offering the wrong answer.

"It brought home to me that customers aren't reading the name properly," said Mitsuru Iijima, president of butchery and meat selling company Nikunoiijima based in the prefectural capital Mito.

"Thinking about distribution outside the prefecture, it makes you worry if people can't remember the name," he added.

The area was known as "Hitachi-no-kuni," or Hitachi Province, under the ancient provincial system before the prefecture's establishment in 1875.

Its flat terrain and proximity to Tokyo have made it a leading agricultural prefecture, but it is not considered particularly appealing to Japanese people. In fact, an annual poll run by the Brand Research Institute last year ranked it the least attractive of Japan's 47 prefectures, a position it has held many times before.

As well as the prefecture's image problem, the beef brand has to overcome confusion created by the fact that the kanji used for "Hitachi" differs even among Ibaraki Prefecture municipalities. The city of Hitachinaka has even done away with kanji altogether and just presents its name in phonetic hiragana characters.

"If you're born and raised here, (the beef brand's kanji is) familiar. I'd never thought about levels of awareness outside the prefecture," an official at the prefectural government said.

The prefectural government says it currently has no plan for how to increase awareness of the correct reading of the brand name in Japan but the beef is already proving popular among foreign tourists who know it written "Hitachi" in the Latin alphabet.

"At any rate, we'll work hard to promote the product, and once people try it for themselves, that will help spread the correct reading of the name," an official said.

Related coverage:

FEATURE: Domestic strawberry producers of "Warring States" eying new breeds

FEATURE: Tokyo ramen shop created close-knit community shown in film

FEATURE: Capturing the cormorants that do cormorant fishing
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore explains his bill that seeks to define antisemitism at a press conference in the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. He said the bill would guide education in the state, in addition to how local prosecutors may evaluate antisemitic incidents. (AP Photo/Makiya Seminera)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A bill seeking to officially define antisemitism in state law swiftly moved through the North Carolina House on Wednesday amid heated nationwide campus protests over the Israel-Hamas War.

A nearly unanimous House passed the SHALOM Act, a week after the U.S. House voted to codify the same antisemitism definition into the Civil Rights Act of 1964. But despite mostly bipartisan support, some groups in North Carolina have voiced concern that the bill could thwart criticism of Israel's actions in the war.

After clearing the House chamber in one day, the bill awaits approval by the state Senate before going to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who has not said publicly if he'll sign it. Senate leader Phil Berger, a Republican, said last week he was open to giving the bill a hearing.

The act adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism, which is outlined as a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.

It also includes several examples of antisemitism, such as the denial of Jewish people's right to self-determination and applying double standards to Israel's actions. Those examples have been the focus of concerns that the bill could hinder speech critical of Israel.

Aside from guiding education, the IHRA definition could also help law enforcement agencies and local prosecutors determine whether someone should be charged under hate crime laws already on the books, said Republican House Speaker Tim Moore, the primary bill sponsor who is running for Congress this fall. Those laws make it a crime to assault someone or deface property because of race, religion or nationality, and increase punishments for other crimes when committed based on similar types of bias.

Moore told reporters that the measure has been in the works for months since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and sparking a war that has left more than 34,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza health officials.

But he said its taken on more urgency since the recent pro-Palestinian protests on North Carolina college campuses  especially at UNC-Chapel Hill  that have led to some violence and dozens of arrests. Moore said comments made by some demonstrators crossed the line and should be deemed as hateful and antisemitic.

We have to deal with this, we have to be very clear: This will not be tolerated, Moore said during floor debate in the House, which began its session two weeks ago Wednesday.

The push to define antisemitism in state laws across the country predates the October attacks. Since last year, bills with definitions have been signed into law in Arkansas, Georgia and South Dakota. One was vetoed by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, who said he was concerned that people could be punished for criticizing Israel. Holcomb did sign a proclamation condemning antisemitism. Bills have been sent to the governors but not signed in Florida and South Carolina.

Some Jewish organizations joined Moore in expressing support for the measure before the vote.

Jewish citizens in North Carolina deserve to feel safe and secure in visibly Jewish and public spaces, said Greensboro Jewish Federation CEO Glenda Bernhardt. We need a clear and agreed-upon definition of antisemitism so school administrators, law enforcement officers and public officials know how to respond appropriately.

Bernhardt said there has been an increase in antisemitic incidents in North Carolina recently, including the bullying of Jewish students, harassment of Jewish-owned small businesses and graffiti on a Holocaust memorial in Greensboro.

Democrats in the legislature broadly supported the bill, including Rep. Caleb Rudow, who is Jewish. As someone who has experienced antisemitism himself, he said the act would keep Jewish people safe while still allowing political dissent.

Four Democrats voted against the bill, expressing concern that it could stifle protesters' speech. They also said they were disappointed lawmakers didn't pass more expansive hate crimes legislation.

Concerns over the SHALOM Act's impact on protests were echoed in a news conference held by a multifaith coalition before the vote. Abby Lublin, executive director of Carolina Jews for Justice, said the bill would do nothing to protect Jewish people. Instead, Lublin called it a messaging bill that lacked the ability to take serious action against antisemitism.

We take antisemitism seriously, not as a political stunt or as an opportunity to repress liberties, Lublin said. It actually needs to be approached seriously with the rigor that it deserves.

Lela Ali, co-founder of Muslim Women For, a grassroots organization created to advocate for Muslim women in North Carolina, added that the legislation could disproportionately impact Arab and Muslim communities protesting the war in Gaza.

___

Associated Press writer Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contributed to this report.
(Bloomberg) -- Kim Ki Nam, a propaganda mastermind who helped forge the cult of personality for the family dynasty that has ruled North Korea since its founding in the Cold War, has died at the age of 94.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Kim, who had been in poor health for several years, died on Tuesday, the official Korean Central News Agency reported, saying he devoted his life to the sacred struggle for defending and strengthening the ideological purity of our revolution.

The official biography released by KCNA said that Kim rose from the hardships of childhood to work at the Central Committee of the ruling Workers Party of Korea from 1956, earning the trust of state founder Kim Il Sung. He spent more than 60 years consolidating the ideological foundation of the party and helped train talent that would support the state, KCNA reported.

As one of the great powers behind the power, Kim played an essential role in shaping the countrys messaging as leadership transferred to Kim Jong Il, the son of the founder, and helped in the succession of current leader Kim Jong Un, the grandson.

Kim Ki Nam was an elite career propagandist all his life, starting in the 1960s, said Rachel Minyoung Lee, a senior fellow with the 38 North Program at the Stimson Center in the US.

Kim Jong Un also trusted and relied on this propaganda veteran from his grandfathers, and subsequently his fathers time, by keeping him in key propaganda positions for years before he retired from the propaganda scene in early 2019, said Lee, who worked as an analyst for the CIAs Open Source Enterprise for almost two decades.

Along with his role as the party secretary of the Information and Publicity Department  also known as the propaganda and agitation department  Kim Ki Nam was named the editor-in-chief of the states main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, in 1976 and became chairman of the countrys journalist association, according to the North Korea Leadership Watch website.

Training Ground

His leading role in the partys propaganda apparatus and guidance over media gave him extraordinary power to direct the states messaging on a daily basis. He also helped install Kim Il Sungs long-standing principle of self-reliance known as juche and Kim Jong Ils military-first ideal known as songun.

The propaganda and agitation department has been a training ground for the Kim family dynasty. Kim Jong Il joined it before taking power, and Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the current leader who plays a key role in international messaging, has a prominent position in the group.

Kim Jong Il reappointed Kim Ki Nam as director of the department in May 2010, just months before Kim Jong Un made his official debut, which likely was aimed at helping to ensure a smooth transition of power, Lee said.

Perhaps the greatest measure of his influence is that North Korea is the only major family dynasty founded in the Cold War that has kept continuous power since the 1940s.

It has done so in part by shifting the focus of its messaging over the decades. North Korea initially promoted itself as more prosperous and better run than South Korea. But as its neighbor became far more wealthy and the Soviet Union, which had been Pyongyangs main benefactor, collapsed in the early 1990s, the state promoted an image as protector of the Korean people.

It justified economic struggles as a necessary sacrifice to build a nuclear arsenal that could prevent a US invasion, while blaming successive American presidents for using sanctions and financial coercion for stifling its growth. The US and its partners have offered North Korea the chance to take part in thriving economies in the region by getting rid of its nuclear weapons program, which the West has blamed an unnecessary expense that has made the country one of the poorest in the world.

Deflecting Blame

Field visits became a staple of state propaganda, showing the leader visiting farms, factories and construction projects. This helped deflect blame for economic mismanagement from the Kim family, which was portrayed as deeply concerned about the smallest details of the state, and shift fault to cadres who failed to carry out the orders of the leaders.

Kim Ki Nam has also made a mark overseas. He led a delegation to South Korea when former President Kim Dae-jung died in 2009 and met with then South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. Kim Dae-jung made a historic visit in 2000 to Pyongyang to meet Kim Jong Il, raising hopes the divided peninsula could reconcile.

The last mention in state media of a public appearance for Kim Ki Nam was in 2021, when he was on a platform of prominent officials watching a parade of paramilitary forces to mark the 73rd anniversary of the countrys founding.

This year, current leader Kim Jong Un has moved to strike the idea of peaceful reunification from the countrys constitution and taken down monuments set up by his father and grandfather dedicated to the concept of a unified peninsula. This has stoked concern the current leader may be girding for war  worries heightened by Kim Jong Un building up his nuclear arsenal and ignoring calls from the US to return to the bargaining table.

Kim Jong Un paid his respects to Kim Ki Nam by visiting the funeral bier and felt bitter grief over the loss of a veteran revolutionary who had remained boundlessly loyal to the cause of the WPK, KCNA reported.

Kim Ki Nam is considered one of the most important figures in North Korea propaganda, said Cheong Seong-chang, a researcher at the Sejong Institute, said.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The then North Macedonia's President Stevo Pendarovski waits for Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Voters are heading to the polls in North Macedonia to choose a new parliament and to decide on their next president.

Recent polls have indicated a possible change of power in the Balkan nation.

The nationalist opposition party VMRO-DPMNE is expected to win the parliamentary election and lead the next governing coalition.

The party is also expecting good news in the run-off vote for the presidency.

Incumbent Stevo Pendarovski, 61, who is supported by the currently governing Social Democrats (SDSM), came a distant second in the first round a fortnight ago.

Challenger Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, 70, from the VMRO-DPMNE received twice as many votes as Pendarovski.

During the election campaign, the nationalists announced that they would pursue a more confrontational course against neighbouring Greece and Bulgaria if they won.

This centres on the issue of the country's name, which Skopje changed from Macedonia to North Macedonia following an agreement with Athens in 2019, as well as minority rights.

Taking a harder stance against Greece could significantly hinder the accession negotiations that the EU opened with Skopje in July 2022.

EU member states Greece and Bulgaria have the right to veto practically every step of the negotiations.
Three candidates are vying for the Legislature's District 21 seat. From left, Bryan Paseka, State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln (incumbent) and Seth Derner. (Photos courtesy of the candidates; Capitol photo by Rebecca Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Two small business founders and one union leader are vying for a northwest Lancaster County legislative seat encompassing Lincoln, Malcolm, Raymond, Davey and Waverly.

(Courtesy of Legislative Research Office)

Incumbent State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln is running for the seat for the first time after his Jan. 4, 2023, appointment to succeed his former legislative boss, Speaker (and now Attorney General) Mike Hilgers. Ballard is joined by Seth Derner and Bryan Paseka, both of Lincoln, who are looking to offer change in the districts representation. All three candidates are in their 30s or 40s.

Two of the candidates will advance from the officially nonpartisan primary election May 14 and compete for a four-year term in November.

Ballard

Beau Ballard

Age: 30

Registered party: Republican

Education: Undergraduate degree from the Colorado Christian University and masters degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Work experience: Business owner

Political office: State senator, 2023-present (appointed)

The then 28-year-old legislative policy staffer for Hilgers got to the Legislature last year after a joint appointment from the departing and incoming Govs. Pete Ricketts and Jim Pillen.

Born and raised in Raymond, Ballard is a grandson of James Arthur Jeffers, who ran for the same seat in 2008 in a narrow race he lost to incumbent State Sen. Ken Haar. Ballard got his first taste of politics during that election as a teenager knocking on doors for his grandfather.

I have kind of come full circle, Ballard said.

Ballard briefly left the state for college in Denver through Colorado Christian University before returning to create a downtown Lincoln bakery with a friend who went to culinary school.

In a full term, Ballard said, property taxes, infrastructure, education and health care would remain among his top priorities.

Derner

Seth Derner

Age: 49

Registered party: Democrat

Education: College degree in agricultural science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Work experience: Teacher, business co-founder, treasurer of the Nebraska Future Farmers of America Foundation

Political office: None

Derner, who grew up on a ranch near Bartlett, in Wheeler County, worked as an ag and shop teacher in Elgin Public Schools for four years. He later left the state before returning to co-found Vivayic, a company that designs training solutions for other companies or universities.

After the 2023 legislative session, Derner said, he looked for a candidate to support in the legislative race and ultimately decided to jump in himself, finding similar frustrations from voters that Nebraska politics feels different.

Politics was not on my radar until, honestly, last session, Derner said.

Derner said that if elected, he would work to change the culture of the Legislature in lawmaking and highlight the bodys historically nonpartisan nature by listening to Nebraskans.

He has helped coordinate a local farmers market for the past decade and helped start a church in the community: Neighbors United Methodist Church.

Paseka

Bryan Paseka

Age: 39

Registered party: Democrat

Education: College degree in criminology and criminal justice jointly from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Omaha

Work experience: Nebraska Department of Corrections, railroad worker and union officer

Political office: None

Paseka grew up in Fremont before coming to Lincoln where he earned a joint degree in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Nebraskas Omaha and Lincoln campuses.

He got his start working in Omahas prison system for five to six years before beginning a career with a local railroad, where hes been an avid union member and elected union leader.

Paseka said his local union chair recommended him for a union officer position because of his heartfelt and caring nature and his work to ensure fairness.

I kind of just see this as a natural extension of that, kind of a next step, Paseka said.

In District 21, he added, theres an appetite for something different, including more progressive politics, such as womens rights (his main issue), LGBTQ rights and public school funding.

Paseka said hes not naive to the fact that he is underfunded compared to his opponents, who have each raised six figures, while he hasnt yet raised enough funds to require a campaign finance disclosure filing  that threshold is $5,000.

He said the fundraising imbalance wont stop him from at least trying to push the conversation where I believe it should be.

Property taxes and spending

One of the top issues for the candidates among other statewide races is property taxes, which Ballard said is because the state has a problem of spending beyond our means.

His answer is to partner better with local subdivisions and school districts so that when property valuations go up, there is a mechanism to bring levies down.

Kind of like a teeter totter effect because if we dont reduce our spending, it doesnt matter if we increase sales taxes or get rid of exemptions, Ballard said. Its never going to be the silver bullet if we dont address our spending problem.

He said the state must fulfill its obligations, such as to public education, infrastructure and caring for the states most vulnerable residents, which will require cutting the fat around the edges. This includes unnecessary positions or administrative work and to just use our dollars wisely, he said.

Paseka expressed caution with lowering such taxes if lawmakers do not understand that lowering such taxes would reduce the funds available for other priorities, such as schools or social safety nets that are already blinking red in funding.

He pointed to alternative revenue streams, which could include decades of tax exemptions, legal avenues for gambling or marijuana and making the tax code more progressive.

If Nebraska policies have made you into this you should feel ready to give back in some capacity, Paseka said.

Public school funding is his No. 1 priority, which he said could be threatened under the new voucher system that provides state funds for students to attend private K-12 schools.

Derner said that while hes no expert on taxes, a rule he has is when an issue is important to many, it must be addressed in a meaningful way.

Relief should be targeted to homeowners and Nebraska residents, he said, but it has to go beyond a tax shift, which doesnt make sense to a lot of people.

Derner said he also wants the state to pick up more of the tab to alleviate a reliance on property taxes and provide skills for high paying jobs, such as through career and technical education.

When we have more people with better jobs, its like the rising tide lifts all boats, Derner said.

K-12 schools and higher education

Derner said a top concern among voters is high quality teachers, so recruitment and retention must be key as the country faces generational challenges of retirements and fewer students entering K-12 schools.

Its not a time right now where young people are [perceiving] teaching as this noble, well-respected career  its kind of been dragged into the public square, Derner said.

A major challenge in both K-12 and higher education is preparing students for a changing world and giving them the tools they need to be successful, he added, so hes proud of the Legislatures recent investments in reading and computer science instruction.

Ballard celebrated historic investments in public education to put our money where our mouth is and said recruitment and retention of teachers is critical, as is providing more care for students with reading or learning disabilities.

Paseka pointed to a need for more funding to get more teachers, which could help in student-to-teacher ratios so a child does not slip through the cracks.

He said trade schools could also teach students early that its good to work with your hands.

If I was smart, I probably would have gone right to a trade school instead of college because thats where I ended up, Paseka said.

Economic development, workforce and housing

Paseka said the state should invest more in affordable and attainable housing and lawmakers should pass policies to change how outside corporations can come in, buy property and flip houses for profit.

I understand that walks into a bit of a tricky area where you might be putting your thumb on the scale of the free market, but, boy, I think thats definitely something that needs looked at, Paseka said.

Derner said it must be a toolbox approach, such as supporting the right tools that will be effective and give the biggest bang for our buck. This includes supporting early stage entrepreneurs and business expansion.

Theres no silver bullet solution to economic development, but there are some tools that are more useful than other tools, Derner said.

Ballard said he wants the governor to cut back on unnecessary red tape that wont compromise safety while investing in more middle-income and rural workforce housing.

As a firm believer that once people get to Nebraska, they will stay, Ballard said, he passed a bill to incentivize out-of-state workers to move to the state. He said downtown development and recreational opportunities  such as the lake between Lincoln and Omaha, which he said is kind of touching the third rail on hot button issues  could also draw people in.

We just need to market ourselves better, say that Nebraska is the best place to live and work or raise a family, Ballard said. But they have to come for the jobs.

The post Northwest Lincoln, Lancaster County District 21 legislative race features fresh political faces appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
WASHINGTON  Former House Speaker Paul Ryan this week doubled down on his claim that he will not vote for Donald Trump this November, reasserting his opposition to the former president just two months before he's set to accept the Republican nomination in Milwaukee.

"Not from me," Ryan told Yahoo Finance Tuesday when asked if he'd vote for Trump in November. "Character is too important to me, and it's a job that requires the kind of character he just doesn't have."

Ryan said he'd write-in another Republican's name, as he said he did in 2020.

His comments reaffirm those he made to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last year, when he said he would not support Trump if he became the Republican nominee for president. Ryan at the time said he did not think Trump would become the nominee "because everyone knows well lose the election if we nominate this guy again.

Now, however, Trump has effectively secured the Republican nomination and is set to meet President Joe Biden in a rematch of the 2020 election. His doubling down comes as other Republicans who once rejected Trump's candidacy, including Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, have reversed course and endorsed the former president.

Ryan in recent years has been an outspoken critic of Trump. In an interview with the Journal Sentinel last year, he blamed Trump for Republicans' underwhelming midterm results in 2022 that gave them the slim majority in the House that has proven difficult to manage.

We can have a prosperous country and a debt-free future. We can reinvent upward mobility and reinvent the American idea for the 21st century if we get the right policies in place, Ryan told the Journal Sentinel at the time. And I don't think we'll accomplish that if we stick with a personality based populism that has proven now for three election cycles to lose us elections.

In his remarks Tuesday, made at the the 2024 Milken Institute Global Conference, Ryan said he disagrees with Biden on policy and would rather write-in another Republican's name. "I don't know who yet," he said.

In Wisconsin, Biden and Trump are locked neck-and-neck. A Marquette University Law Poll released last month showed Trump leading Biden 51%-49% among both registered voters and likely voters. And both candidates have visited Wisconsin in recent weeks.

Trump rallied supporters in Waukesha last week on a off-day from his New York hush money trial. Biden, meanwhile, is scheduled to be in Racine Wednesday to highlight the expansion of a Microsoft data center.

Vice President Kamala Harris plans to visit Milwaukee next week.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Paul Ryan says he'll write in a candidate, won't vote for Trump
Not outcome we hoped for: More than 130 arrests made at UMass Amherst protest, police say

Not outcome we hoped for: More than 130 arrests made at UMass Amherst protest, police say

More than 130 protesters were arrested on the campus of UMass Amherst on Tuesday night after police say they refused to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment.

The protesters didnt comply with dispersal orders from police, refusing to take down an unauthorized, fortified encampment, according to the university.

Police officers wearing riot gear surrounded the barricaded tents that students had set up earlier in the afternoon and began arresting the protesters around 8 p.m.

As of Wednesday morning, 109 people had been booked and charges were pending for about 25 other individuals, school officials said.

In a message sent to the campus community following the arrests, UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes said, We have provided many paths forward for a resolution, including in our discussions today with protest representatives. Our message to this effect was delivered to the demonstrators in the encampment by the Demonstration Response and Safety Team. Demonstrators rejected our offers for continued civil discourse to help bridge our differences and refused to dismantle their encampment. While we have told demonstrators that failure to remove the tents and barriers may result in arrests, this is not the outcome we had hoped for.

Stephen Karam, chairman of the UMass Board of Trustees, proclaimed the Boards full and unwavering support for Reyes.

We have absolute confidence in his leadership, his integrity, and his commitment to our students, Karam said.

MTA President Max Page, a professor at UMass Amherst, and Vice President Deb McCarthy issued the following statement Wednesday night saying the Massachusetts Teachers Association condemns the administrations restraints on the academic freedom of students, staff and faculty on campus.

The use of force to silence protests is antithetical to the reason why universities  and especially public universities  exist, said in the statement. Campuses across the country have become home to protests over the war between Israel and Hamas. UMass Amherst had the opportunity to be a leader in showing how an academic community can allow the expression of divergent points of view. Instead, UMass chose to bring in a police presence to forcefully break up a demonstration.

Additional details on the charges and the schedule for arraignments will be released at a later time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology students received word from MIT President Sally Kornbluth earlier this week that their encampment was deemed no longer safely sustainable, and they could face suspension.

Pro-Palestine protest camps have emerged across the country, as some call for a break in academic ties with Israel over the war in Gaza.

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
PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD)  Thousands of 911 calls flooded Kalamazoo Countys central dispatch Tuesday as apparent tornadoes tore through West Michigan.

Cleanup underway after tornado tears through Portage area

Dispatchers coordinated with first responders on the ground to triage the worst-hit areas and respond to the most emergent calls.

We really need someone to come and get us from Chase Bank because its collapsing and its not safe, said one caller on the phone with dispatch.

Another woman was heard asking for help after downed wires fell near her car.

Theres a line down and theres a tree down on my car. I have four kids in the car with me, she said.

Storm flips home onto its side in Sherwood area

Just as it seemed the worst was over, sirens rang out again as emergency management services alerted the area of a second apparent tornado.

Im en route, said one officer who was dispatched near Portage. I got around the tree, but weve got active trees down all over.

Union City had a tornado emergency. What is that?

The FedEx facility on Portage Road, which was built two years ago, sustained significant damage to its roof, rendering the facility useless.

One FedEx employee told dispatch, (Were at the) FedEx facility. Our building has been hit by a tornado. Yes. Theres probably 30 to 40 people here. Its pouring now.

The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF2 tornado tore through the Portage area Tuesday night.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane must never be released just like Ian Brady

The families of the victims outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London following the appeal hearing - Victoria Jones/PA Wire

The Nottingham killer must never be released just like Ian Brady, his victims families have said after pleading with judges to jail him for life.

Paranoid schizophrenic Valdo Calocane was given an indefinite hospital order in January after admitting the manslaughter of students Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar and bus driver Ian Coates.

Prosecutors accepted the 32-year-olds not guilty pleas to murder charges at his sentencing hearing in January after psychiatrists gave evidence stating he was in the grip of psychosis at the time.

Victoria Prentis, the Attorney General, referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal in February, with lawyers telling a hearing on Wednesday that it was unduly lenient.

Emma Webber, Barnabys mother, said they did not expect his sentence to be changed.

She said what the families now wanted was to ensure Calocane became one of only a small number of people sentenced to hospital orders who were never released.

Bus driver Ian Coates and students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar were killed during Calocane's knife rampage last June - Nottinghamshire Police

She said statistics showed 98 per cent of those subjected to hospital orders were freed within 20 years. One of the few not to be released was Ian Brady.

Serial killer Brady, who carried out the Moors Murders in the 1960s in Bradford, was diagnosed as a psychopath in 1985 and sent to Ashworth high-security hospital, where Calocane is now being held.

In 2013, he lost a legal challenge he launched to be moved back into the prison population, with judges ruling he had to stay in hospital to receive treatment. He died in hospital aged 79 in 2017.

Mrs Webber added: We have a lifetime, and our children have a lifetime of having to make him the next Ian Brady to ensure he doesnt come out.

If Calocanes hospital treatment is successful, the Ministry of Justice or a mental health tribunal would approve any potential discharge.

Once discharged, he would be under further restrictions in the community to protect the public, under section 4.

Calocane remained emotionless as he appeared via video link from Ashworth high-security hospital - Elizabeth Cook /PA Wire

The families of the victims attended Wednesdays hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice while Calocane appeared via video link from Ashworth Hospital.

Calocane, wearing a hooded jumper and sitting in a leather chair, remained emotionless throughout the hearing as details of his crimes were read out.

He fatally stabbed the 19-year-old university students as they walked home from a night out in the early hours of June 13 last year in what prosecutors described as an uncompromisingly brutal attack.

He then went on to stab Mr Coates, a 65-year-old school caretaker, 15 times and stole his van which he used to knock down three pedestrians.

Deanna Heer KC said Calocane should be given a life sentence as part of a hybrid order, where he would be treated in hospital initially, before serving the remainder of his sentence in prison.

Calocanes barrister, Peter Joyce KC, insisted his clients mental health problems were not of his own making.

Calocane declined to give toxicology samples following his arrest and police were criticised by the victims families for not taking them.

Mr Joyce said Calocane had been suffering from paranoid schizophrenia since 2019 and was formally diagnosed in 2020.

There is no concoction here at all, he said, adding: He was stricken by this dreadful condition through absolutely no fault of his own.

He didnt cause it to happen to him by taking drugs. He didnt cause it to happen to him by his behaviour. He didnt cause it to happen to him by taking alcohol.

Mr Joyce said that psychiatrists who had assessed Calocane since he had been in hospital reported he was still hearing voices he believed were controlling him.

He added: Those voices are gloating at the trouble they got him into here, that they got him into in Nottingham.

They are pleased with the effect they had on him.

He said that if Calocane was sentenced to a hybrid order, and went to prison, he would be a risk to the prisoners and also his treatment would not be managed as effectively as it would in hospital.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Lord Justice Edis and Mr Justice Garnham said they would give their judgment at a later date.

In a written statement on behalf of all the families and shared with the press, Mrs Webber raised concerns that the decision to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal had been made to appease the public.

She added: Having met with the AGs legal team and our own adviser, it became clear to us that they do not believe in their own case and are pursuing this referral with absolutely no conviction.

We fear that she has done so merely to appease the public, for the optics of showing them that she is making some attempt to make up for what happened following this murderous crime, and to pay mere lip service to us.

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.
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2024/04/24: Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during announcement on inclusion of money for Mental Health and Public Safety Budget for fiscal year 2025 at Midtown Community Justice Center. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Its racist and ignorant, Michael Blake, a former New York assemblyman from the Bronx, told theGrio.

A controversial remark about Black children in New York has put New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in the hot seat.

While discussing the need to bring AI technology jobs to Black and brown communities at the Milken Institute Global Conference on Monday, Hochul said, Right now, we have young Black kids growing up in the Bronx who dont even know what the word computer is.

The governors comment was quickly condemned by New York lawmakers, including Assembly members Karines Reyes and John Zaccaro, who represent the Bronx in the state legislature.

Its racist and ignorant, Michael Blake, a former New York assemblyman from the Bronx, told theGrio. Its incredibly disheartening that when at a conference talking about the potential of AI and how it can empower lives, the example that came up was saying that Black kids in the Bronx dont know what a computer is.

TheGrio sought a reaction from the Biden administration to Hochuls comment during Tuesdays White House press briefing; however, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said she had not seen the remarks and declined to specifically address it.

I dont want to comment and be really mindful of speaking on behalf of this president, Jean-Pierre told theGrio.



When asked if the administration thinks its OK to insinuate Black children dont know what the word computer means, the Biden spokesperson said, I dont think that is the right way to speak about  about young people in any way in any form.

WASHINGTON, DC  MAY 07: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre talks to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on May 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. Jean-Pierre handled questions about the ongoing trial of former President Donald Trump, Americans held captive in Russia and other topics. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

She added, But I do want to be mindful and to be fair here  and go back and hear exactly what she said.



Markus Batchelor, national political director for the progressive advocacy group People For the American Way, called Gov. Hochuls remark unhelpful and thoughtless rhetoric that affirmed the belief in voters minds that our leaders are too removed from the experiences of those they represent  especially if theyre Black and poor.

He told theGrio, Its a careless hyperbole and speaks to the most harmful stereotypes about the urban Black experience.

Blake, who is a former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, said that if Hochul, as governor thinks you dont know what a computer is in 2024, then you have to wonder what does she think about you as a human being?

The founder and CEO of the KAIROS Democracy Project said as a Democratic leader, Hochul also demonstrated that racism and ignorance and privilege are not limited to just one party.

We have clearly the better policies, but we still fall victim to our leaders holding on to problematic beliefs, he explained. So theres definitely more work to do. However, he clarified that when compared to the alternative Republican Party, I would rather be our side than theirs.

Rather than making controversial comments about inner city Black children, Blake said leaders should instead celebrate organizations like The Knowledge House, a Bronx-based entity that seeks to close education gaps in low-income neighborhoods; and the National GEM Consortium, which focuses on improving the number of STEM degrees among Black and other underrepresented groups.

We should be talking about them, said Blake, and when we have comments like this, we are being hurt and distracted rather than empowered and elevated.

Hochul, who was attempting to highlight New Yorks statewide $400 million Empire AI initiative, eventually apologized for her statement, telling the New York Post that she misspoke.

Of course Black children in the Bronx know what computers are, said the New York governor. The problem is that they too often lack access to the technology needed to get on track to high-paying jobs in emerging industries like AI. Thats why Ive been focused on increasing economic opportunity since day one of my administration.

Recommended Stories

The post NY Gov. Hochul slammed after saying Black kids dont know what computer means appeared first on TheGrio.
KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2024 - 13:13 | All, World

TikTok Inc. and its Chinese owner ByteDance Ltd. on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the U.S. federal government seeking to block a law that could lead to a nationwide ban on the popular short-form video-sharing platform.

The companies claimed the law signed by President Joe Biden last month is groundlessly singling out the social media platform as a national security threat and is "unconstitutional" as it could trample the free speech rights of 170 million American TikTok users.

"If Congress can do this, it can circumvent the First Amendment by invoking national security and ordering the publisher of any individual newspaper or website to sell to avoid being shut down," they said in their petition filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

"For TikTok, any such divestiture would disconnect Americans from the rest of the global community on a platform devoted to shared content -- an outcome fundamentally at odds with the Constitution's commitment to both free speech and individual liberty," they said.

The law, which came into effect with bipartisan support, requires ByteDance to divest from the app within one year or face a ban in the United States.

The petition said it is "not commercially, technologically or legally feasible" for the parent company to shut down TikTok's U.S. operations within the period.

TikTok, which has more than 1 billion users around the world, and ByteDance have consistently denied that they have ever allowed the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party access to information of U.S. users.

U.S. officials and lawmakers remain concerned that ByteDance could give access to Chinese authorities, given that the Asian country's national security laws require companies to cooperate with intelligence gathering.

China has reacted harshly to the development, arguing that the United States has not shown evidence of TikTok posing a national security threat and accusing Washington of disrupting the company's normal business operations.

Related coverage:

U.S. House passes bill that could ban TikTok in bipartisan vote

Australia PM raps China over release of flares in chopper's path

China's Xi affirms partnership with EU in trilateral talks
A collage depicting a crowded and grimy Times Square, described as overrated in a survey of world's worst tourist traps.

They wouldnt give it the Times of day.

A reported 64.5 million tourists are expected to pour into NYC by 2024s end  just a couple million shy of 2019s record 66.6m, with almost all of them guaranteed to at least stroll through Times Square.

According to a new survey, theyre going to hate it.

Often referred to as the most visited tourist attraction in the world, Times Square appears to be leaving a majority of those visitors wanting more. Matthew McDermott

Preply, an online language learning platform, analyzed scores of visitor reviews for 81 iconic locations around the globe  to find out how much each one was either loved or reviled.

The Big Apples beating heart performed worse than all of them, earning the neighborhood the embarrassing designation of most overrated tourist trap in the world.

The study drew on two popular review platforms, selecting a long list of attractions and narrowing down their choices to those that received more than 1,000 reviews. The reviews were then analyzed for negative words like underwhelming, overrated and tourist trap.

Times Square, often called the planets most-visited attraction with 50 million gawkers (give or take) per year, was a shoo-in, according to researchers.

Reviewers complained about the crowds, and called the LED-lit locality dirty and boring.

Many travelers said they found the neighborhood to be dirty and boring. NurPhoto via Getty Images

Way too busy, impossible to get around. Too stressful to enjoy, one reviewer moaned.

High hopes and expectations and high disappointment, carped another.

The boobie prize comes as the area has experienced an unsettling spate of street crime, along with a pandemic-induced retail slump that appear to be threatening the neighborhoods hard-won modern reputation as a safe and vibrant destination.

The news comes as the neighborhood struggles to hold on to its modern reputation as a safe and vibrant destination. AFP via Getty Images

Other spots that disappointed visitors were Berlins Checkpoint Charlie, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles and the Las Ramblas pedestrian zone in Barcelona  even Icelands beautiful Blue Lagoon scored poorly in the rankings.

Preply expert Sylvia Johnson shared how knowing a bit of the local lingo can help you avoid ending up in all the wrong places.

While you dont need to be fluent, learning a few basic phrases in the local language can significantly improve your travel experience, Johnson said.

Even a simple hello, thank you, or please can go a long way in showing respect and establishing a connection with the locals.

And while youre at it, teach yourself a bit about the local culture before you hop on the plane.

Research your destination thoroughly  learn about local customs, dress codes, and social etiquette, the pro encouraged.

Understanding the culture will not only prevent any faux pas, but also allow you to immerse yourself more deeply and appreciate the nuances of the place youre visiting.
Are you an OFallon resident? Planners want your feedback on proposed U.S. 50 improvements

A pedestrian median crossing at the Community Park? Realignment of Eagle Drive between Venita and Talon drives? Roundabout at U.S. Highway 50 and Lincoln? Additional westbound lane from Green Mount Road to State Street?

These ideas, plus others on shared use paths, sidewalks, and streetscapes, are narrowed down to 11 choices presented to OFallon residents for feedback at: surveymonkey.com/r/Forward-50

Residents are encouraged to select their top three priorities from the proposed U.S. Highway 50 improvements list before the city and RDG Planning + Design finalize the plans going forward.

Marty Shukert, principal at RDG, who has more than 40 years of experience in urban planning, said residents were demanding more crossings and pedestrian areas that are much safer and easier to use.

He said they worked on interlinking places to encourage traffic flow and walkability.

People want to be active, he said.

The East-West Gateway Council of Governments Great Streets Initiative project has been seeking recommendations for making U.S. Highway 50 the next great street through strengthening its functions and appearance as the main road through OFallon.

The main thoroughfare until Interstate 64 was built in 1975, Highway 50s function has changed over the years.

It supports local access to businesses, schools, neighborhoods, health facilities, and parks for the citys 32,000-plus residents, but the towns leadership believes segments of the corridor can operate better, especially when it comes to land use and mobility.

A year ago, the city received a grant for a detailed plan for Highway 50 from Exit 14 to Exit 19 and a portion of Lincoln Avenue.

At the final Forward 50 open house recently, city staff and representatives from RDG Planning presented refined plan concepts on storyboards based on public feedback.

They have developed these through public design workshops and planning meetings. The plans final completion is scheduled for June.

To view the proposals - the presentation board files are located at: ofallon.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif1031/f/pages/2024_04_24_open_house_boards_web_version_compressed.pdf.

This has been very good feedback. We will take the feedback and rate priorities. Its been very helpful, Shukert said.

This highway study is funded, in part, through a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Illinois Department of Transportation. The grant was up to $500,000 and the citys portion was $100,000.

They defined the areas of interest as between I-64 and West 3rd St/Cambridge Blvd. in the west, between West 3rd Street/Cambridge Boulevard and Weber Road in the central part, between Weber Road and Scott Troy intersection in the east.

Community Development Director Justin Randall said OFallon residents ideas, concerns, and preferences have been taken into consideration for refining the concepts.

Randall said the study is to ensure the community is connected and supported throughout all the neighborhoods. It is also taking a look at market demands and potential changes in land use, plus identifying strategies to improve safety for all modes of travel. They have been imagining aesthetic improvements to strengthen the areas appeal.

RDG, a national planning and design group with an office in St. Louis, is the project director. The firm has had ongoing conversations with city leadership and residents on mobility, land use and design, infrastructure, economic development and environment and parks.

RDG Senior Manager Cory Scott said those talks have been crucial to bringing the best ideas to life.

One of the best features of this work is the conversations we have with community members across the Midwest, he said.

Focus groups met last summer  businesses, churches, educational groups, and civic and service organizations gave input.

These corridors that have more potential than realized, Shukert said. We developed ideas with the community in mind, the connectivity that will benefit the district. We want to make it functional for everybody.

For more information about Forward 50: ofallon.org/planning-zoning-division/pages/forward-50-great-streets-initiative

If you have any further questions or comments, contact Randall at jrandall@ofallon.org, or by calling (618) 624-4500.
Occidental College strikes deal with protesters, will vote on divesting from Israel-linked companies

Occidental College in Los Angeles has agreed to vote on whether to sever ties with companies tied to Israels military in a deal with pro-Palestian protesters who formed an encampment on campus.

Occidentals Students for Justice in Palestines encampment began about a week ago, starting with around 15 tents and growing to well over 100. They are demanding the college

Students for Justice in Palestines divestment proposal requires the college to investigate and disclose any investments in Boeing Co., Elbit Systems, Caterpillar Inc., and Lockheed Martin, the Los Angeles Times reported.

In exchange, demonstrators agreed to vacate the encampment.

Occidentals Board of Trustees will hold a vote by June 6.

This marks the second tentative agreement between a major university and protest groups in Southern California. At the University of California, Riverside, protestors reached an agreement with school administrators to end the encampment on campus after several days of demonstrations.

I am pleased to share that we have reached an agreement that will result in the peaceful conclusion of the encampment by no later than midnight tonight, Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox said in a post on their website last Friday.

UC Riverside agreed to discontinue its School of Business Global Programs in Oxford, England, Cuba, Vietnam, Brazil, China, Egypt, Jordan, and Israel, saying they were not offered under the auspices of the UC Riverside Office of International Affairs, nor are they consistent with university policies.

As graduations begin, USC prepares for more protests

College campuses nationwide have been grappling with pro-Palestinian demonstrations in reaction to the Israel-Hamas conflict that started on Oct. 7, 2023.

In Southern California, graduations at institutions such as USC and UCLA are approaching. Protests also took place at UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach, Pitzer College and Claremont College, among others.

Last month, USC canceled its main commencement in favor of a celebration at the Coliseum. UCLA has yet to cancel its commencement, which begins on June 16.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Occidental College's logo is displayed at Thorne Hall. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

Occidental Colleges Board of Trustees has agreed to hold a vote on pro-Palestinian protesters calls to divest from companies with ties to Israel, bringing the encampment on the Los Angeles campus to an end after nine days.

Leaders of Occidentals Students for Justice in Palestine chapter agreed the encampment would be taken down by Friday, the group would not return to occupy any space on campus without prior approval and would not impede commencement, according to the agreement signed by the colleges vice president and assistant vice president for student affairs along with two protest leaders.

The college said it would not discipline any protester based on their participation in the encampment so long as Demonstrators do not increase current levels of encampment, signage, or other activities.

As the academic year draws to a close and universities prepare for commencement season, concerns of more on-campus disruptions have prompted schools including USC and Columbia University to cancel their main graduation ceremonies.

Read more: More than 100 arrested at UCLA, UC San Diego as campuses step up security

While protest encampments at multiple campuses nationwide have been the site of violence and arrests, the encampment at Occidental has remained peaceful, without conflicts involving counterprotesters or the police.

With its agreement to consider divestment from Israeli-linked investments and companies, Occidental paved the way for an uninterrupted commencement ceremony May 19.

Demonstrators agree not to cause or promote substantial disruption of Occidentals Commencement ceremony on May 19, 2024, which would create safety concerns for attendees, violate any College policies, or require pausing, canceling, or relocating of the event, the agreement reads.

Students for Justice in Palestine's divestment proposal requires the college to investigate and disclose any investments in Boeing Co., Elbit Systems, Caterpillar Inc., and Lockheed Martin  manufacturing companies that have provided arms and equipment to the Israeli military.

The Board of Trustees will consider the divestment proposal and vote on a recommendation by its internal investment committee by June 6, according to the agreement.

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.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Officials have identified a man who was shot dead Tuesday by Hillsborough County deputies after he was threatening a church.

Anthony Ray Gamez, 40, was banging on the windows of Divine Mercy Prayer House in Plant City and threatening the people inside, deputies said.

The people living inside the church told the sheriff they didnt know the suspect.

When deputies arrived, the suspect was on the opposite side of a 6-foot iron gate, allegedly holding a sharp object, which was later identified as a railroad spike.

The suspect kicked the gate open and moved toward police, mimicking a gorilla, as Sheriff Chad Chronister described it. He said de-escalation tactics and less-lethal options, a bolawrap and a taser, did not affect the suspect.

At some point, he ends up closing that distance  Deputies had nowhere to retreat, Chronister said.

Two deputies fired shots at the suspect and began performing CPR after he fell to the ground. He died on South Frontage Road.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
SILVER SPRING, Md. (DC News Now)  People who live in the Silver Spring area close to the long-awaited Purple Line received updates on where things stand with the project during a virtual community advisory team meeting on Tuesday evening.

Marylands Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA) is hosting a series of meetings that will give people construction updates and address concerns. During the meeting, officials said residents will see some significant movement with the project this year in the next few months.

Maryland Transit Authority to host Purple Line community meeting

Officials said they expect delivery of the light rail vehicles to the operation and maintenance facility later this spring. They also said test track centered around the operation and maintenance facility is expected to be complete this summer, and that will kick off a period of intensive local testing. It will start operator training near the facility while construction continues in other places.

During the first meeting on Tuesday, officials talked about some of the progress on the Purple Line project at several places.

Some of the progress highlighted includes:

Station platforms coming up at key locations such as Connecticut Avenue, Lyttonsville and Campus Drive at College Park by the University of Maryland.

Purple Line track installation teams have placed tracks in many places including along Ellen Road and Veterans Parkway and throughout University of Maryland.

In Silver Spring, the Purple Line station is taking place from installing utilities to erecting canopies.

In Prince Georges County, the Kenilworth East West Highway fly over bridge has been installed. It is made up of over 6,017 tons of steel.

Metros proposed future strategy includes increased service but also suggests turnbacks for Silver and Red lines

Officials also highlighted some of the work being done on several streets in Silver Spring, including Wayne Avenue, Bonifant Street, Dale Drive, and in Downtown Silver Spring by Colesville Road.

By spring of 2026, construction across the entire line would have progressed enough to allow for system wide testing, full operational training and commissioning activity necessary to prove how safe and ready light rail system, one official said during the virtual meeting.

On Colesville Road, officials said recent and ongoing work there includes complete placement of light rail bridge deck over Colesville Road. They said upcoming Purple Line work at Colesville includes complete construction of light rail bridge ramp preparations for tracks on the light rail bridge.

Some of the Purple Line work is happening near Silver Spring International Middle School located around Wayne Avenue and Dale Drive. Officials said it would impact those roadways.

Once the kids are out of school around that June 14 timeline, one of the things were looking to implement is to be able to expedite the work in this area to allow both tracks to be installed through Dale, another official said during the meeting.

Officials said they plan to establish a new work zone in the center portion of Wayne Avenue across Dale Drive from June 14 to Aug. 24 this year.

Transit officials, government leaders discuss Red Line construction, closures this summer

MDOT and MTA will hold other community advisory team meetings in the coming weeks for other areas the Purple Line runs through:

May 9  University Boulevard

May 14  Bethesda/ Chevy Chase

May 16  College Park

May 21  Lyttonsville

May 23  Long Branch All the meetings are scheduled to begin at 6pm

According to the project timeline officials showed on Tuesday, they said the Purple Line is scheduled to open for service in winter 2027.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sent a letter Monday to Ohio university presidents saying recent protesters who were arrested may have committed a felony by wearing a mask.

A 1953 Ohio law says it is a felony to commit a crime  even a misdemeanor  with two or more people while wearing white caps, masks, or other disguise, according to Ohio Revised Code 3761.12. Several states passed anti-masking laws in the mid-20th century in response to violence by the Ku Klux Klan, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

About 15 states have anti-mask laws still on the books, according to the Free Speech Center at East Tennessee State University.

There are few more significant career-wreckers than a felony charge, Yost wrote in his letter to university presidents. I write to inform your student bodies of an Ohio law that, in the context of some behavior during the recent pro-Palestinian protests, could have that effect.

Ohio universities and colleges have recently been the site of protests over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and 41 people  including college students  were arrested at various protests at Ohio State University at the end of April. Some protesters wore surgical masks that became common during the COVID-19 pandemic and others wore black-and-white checkered keffiyehs as face coverings.

Hundreds of Ohio State University students, faculty and community members protested the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza on May 1, 2024. Photo by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal.

Protesters who were arrested were charged with criminal trespassing, a fourth-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $250 fine.

Violating the anti-disguise law is a fourth-degree felony punishable by between six and 18 months of imprisonment, up to $5,000 in fines and five years of community control, Yost wrote in his letter.

This punishment is significantly greater than misdemeanors that typically follow minor infractions that accompany student protests, Yost wrote in his letter.

He went on to say he does not want people to be surprised they broke the law.

In the first place, students should protest within the bounds of the law, and not commit crimes. In the second place, they should own their advocacy and avoid wearing masks, Yost wrote in his letter. It seems likely that at least some of the students around Ohio are unaware of this law, or the risk of their conduct.

State Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, condemned Yosts letter.

It is disgusting that the Attorney General is trying to intimidate students into believing that they could be charged with a felony, citing a law that was specifically written to go after the KKK, DeMora said in a statement. His thinly-veiled efforts to encourage law enforcement to charge student activists with felonies is a pigheaded, blatant misread of the law.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Twitter.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost says student protesters may face felony charges due to 1953 law appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Democratic House Minority Leader Allison Russo and Republican House Speaker Jason Stephens. (Photos by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish only with original story.)

Ohio lawmakers have joined together to fix the states obscure law that would have prevented President Joe Biden from being on the November ballot  but there is one problem. Seemingly unbeknownst to the lawmakers, they only gave themselves until Thursday to get this signed into law.

Ohio requires parties to confirm their presidential candidates 90 days before the November election, which would be Aug. 7. But Biden wont be the official nominee until the Democratic National Convention, which is on Aug. 19.

House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, and the Democrats were unaware of this, and plenty of other lawmakers on each side of the aisle also didnt know. Ohios Secretary of State Frank LaRose didnt remind the Democrats until April.

Democrats have been reliant on the Republicans to help them.

To accomplish this, the Republican supermajority, one that is already fractured and has significant infighting that has led to the fewest amount of bills passed in a General Assembly in decades, needs to pass something now  all to help the Democrats.

The Ohio Democrats have received support from the House Republicans in getting the president on the ballot.

The House completely stripped Senate Bill 92, legislation to allow for August special elections  repealing the 2022 law that banned the vast majority of special elections.

Despite the fact that legal experts said it was likely illegal to have the August election last year because the state law had outlawed them, Ohio still ended up with a special election as the GOP attempted to curb the proposal to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution. Their attempt to stop it failed.

The nomination deadline fix was put into S.B. 92. Instead of having a 90-day requirement, it would now be 74 days.

I think everyone agreed this is good for democracy, Russo said. We want people to have full access to the ballot, and thats good for both parties.

S.B. 92 heads to the House floor on Wednesday after passing out of committee on Tuesday. After it likely passes the House, this means that all it needs to get sent to Gov. Mike DeWine is a concurrence vote from the Senate.

Well see what happens tomorrow on the floor and then also with the Senate, Russo said. But the conversations have been good so far.

It is unclear how involved the Senate Republicans have been in this process. WEWS/OCJ reached out to the original S.B. 92s sponsor, state Sen. Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, but did not hear back. The spokesperson for the Senate GOP was off on Tuesday.

However, Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, agreed in April that his caucus is certainly going to try to get it resolved.

Thus, the House  which is in a war with the Senate for unrelated reasons  amended their bill.

It enables the notification to be a lot more flexible, whether its email or whatever, House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, said. This gives the flexibility.

This doesnt just help the Democrats, Stephens added.

Just four years ago, we had this issue, the speaker said. The party in power in the White House usually goes last for the convention, so hopefully this will take care of that issue.

The little-known law was passed in a major omnibus bill in 2010. In 2012 and 2020, exemptions were passed for those years, impacting both parties. In 2016, both the DNC and the RNC held their conventions before the deadline.

I think being prescriptive with the day could potentially put us in a position in the future that we have to come back and fix this, but it certainly makes it less likely that we would have to do that, Russo said.

House leaders are hopeful DeWine will sign the bill on Friday, but also said they have two weeks after that to meet their deadline.

Look, President Biden will be on the ballot, DeWine told WEWS/OCJ last week. This is a quirk in the Ohio law that needs to get fixed  and it will get fixed one way or the other. I dont think anybody should be concerned about this.

But there is an issue.

The problem

This may get a bit confusing, so here is a full breakdown.

The deadline to notify Ohio of a partys presidential nominee is Aug. 7.

After being signed by the governor and delivered to the secretary of states office, bills take 90 days to go into effect. Ninety days after May 10 is Aug. 8.

Aug. 8 is the day after the nomination deadline.

After back-and-forths with each House caucus administration and checking with two additional legal experts, there is one conclusion: the lawmakers math was flawed.

The only problem that youve encountered, and you were right, is when you start counting, Case Western Reserve University constitutional law professor Jonathan Entin said.

The Democrats acknowledged the error and said they were looking into it. The Republicans had been discussing it with their legal team but said it still doesnt violate state law  adding that they worked with the secretary of states team on it. WEWS/OCJ reached out to LaRoses office but didnt hear back.

The GOP also argued that once the law is effective, any previous failure to meet the deadline is immediately cured. It was brought up that the nomination deadline is before the law is effective, and it wouldnt impact the deadline that already passed.

The Democrats recognized that, yes, it is possible they would be breaking the law for a day or more. Both they and the Republicans said it wasnt going to be an issue, though.

Solutions

The two solutions found for them:

Pass the bill with an emergency clause so it goes into effect immediately Have DeWine sign it by Thursday at the latest

DeWines team was asked if they were ready to sign the bill by the end of this week, and they joked that they were going to check their ink supply.

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.

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.

This story has been updated.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Ohio lawmakers err in attempt to fix Biden ballot problem appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2024 - 08:01 | Podcast, All

Episode 44: Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is on May 16 this year: What do you know about it?

Three Kyodo News reporters -- Yamaguchi-san, Eduardo and Su-san -- talk about a company in Tokyo that utilizes artificial intelligence to recreate voices for people who have lost theirs due to cancer treatment. Listen to them discuss other means of technology for increasing accessibility for those with disabilities, and the importance of raising awareness among the public.

Article mentioned in the podcast:

Tokyo venture recreates voices via AI for cancer patients

Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents.

More podcast episodes:

Podcast [English World] Episode 43: New DisneySea Hotel

Podcast [English World] Episode 42: Akira Toriyama and Dragon Ball

Podcast [English World] Episode 41: Ride-hailing in Japan
Rep. Bernie Willis, R-Springfield, center, and Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, third from the right, discuss their bill to increase penalties for repeat gun violence offenders. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, far right, supports the bill.

Two Republican lawmakers want to increase penalties for repeat violent offenders caught with guns while making it easier to seal records and restore gun rights to lower-level offenders.

The proposal from Reps. Bernie Willis, R-Springfield, and Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, is the latest effort to tackle gun violence in Ohio. But previous attempts have failed, including ones backed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine after the 2019 mass shooting in Dayton.

Ohio divided: Ohio's gun laws have seen major changes in 20 years. What happened?

According to the lawmakers, the new bill would:

increase the penalty for those repeatedly caught with firearms despite being barred from having them because of prior convictions. The offense is called weapons under disability, which is currently a third-degree felony punishable by up to three years in prison. The bill would increase it to a second-degree felony punishable by up to 12 years in prison for repeat offenders.

add a three- to five-year specification for those caught committing a violent crime despite being banned from having a gun. That could increase an individual's sentence to 17 years in prison for using a firearm  in addition to the underlying violent crime like murder or robbery.

increase the penalty for using an automatic firearm or a suppressor in a violent crime from six years to 10 years of incarceration.

automatically seal eligible fourth- and fifth-degree felony convictions, allowing individuals to have firearms legally. This would not apply to sex crimes and other violent offenses. The Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association opposes this idea.

"Prosecutors firmly believe that the state needs to do more to crack down on gun violence and to repeat criminals off of our streets and behind bars," Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association executive director Lou Tobin said. "But were not going to promote public safety with one hand and undermine it with the other."

The Republican lawmakers say their bill balances gun owners' Second Amendment rights with the need to punish serious violent offenders. Whether they struck that balance will be debated in the coming months as the bill works its way through committees and possible floor votes.

"These aren't just random acts," Williams said. "The majority of gun crime in Ohio is committed by a handful of repeat offenders which are not allowed to legally possess a firearm."

DeWine has advocated unsuccessfully for increased penalties for those who illegally have or use guns. Former Rep. Kyle Koehler, R-Springfield, also tried repeatedly to impose lengthier prison sentences for the worst gun offenders.

Still, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, backed this new proposal, saying it could succeed where others have failed.

"This is a new take, a different kind of balancing," Yost said. "Yes, "I'm actually kind of hopeful and optimistic that this bill might move forward because it doesn't target law-abiding gun owners. It targets criminals who use guns."

Buckeye Firearms Association supports the proposal because of that balance, legislative affairs director Rob Sexton said. "We have always wanted crackdowns on crime to be about crime," he said, not about restricting other citizens' gun rights.

The Ohio Mayors Alliance, a bipartisan group of mayors, said in a statement that it looks forward to working with lawmakers "to address the challenges of gun violence and improve public safety across Ohio.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: GOP lawmakers want tougher penalties for repeat gun offenders. Will it work?
FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS)  An Ohio man was sentenced for a felony drug crime in Fayette County.

34-year-old Galen A. Steele, of Toledo, Ohio, was sentenced on May 7, 2024 to seven years in prison for the felony offense of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

Fayette County woman sentenced for felony drug crime

On March 18, 2024, Steele pleaded guilty to the offense, and he will need to serve at least one year and nine months in prison before being eligible for parole.

An officer with the Fayetteville Police Department performed a traffic stop of a car traveling north on Route 19 in Fayetteville on May 7, 2021 due to erratic driving and speeding. The driver was identified as Galen A. Steele, and the passenger was confirmed to be Ashley McCree.

After smelling marijuana in the car, the officer investigated and found marijuana and what was believed to be heroin/fentanyl, pills, and cocaine hidden in a drink mix container and cooler in the car, as well as more than $4,000 in cash.

One man dead after officer involved shooting in Greenbrier County

Laboratory testing revealed that more than 19 grams of a fentanyl and heroin mixture was found in the car with Steele and McCree. In addition to the fentanyl and heroin mixture, tests confirmed that Steele also had crack cocaine in his possession, and pills that contained methamphetamine.

In March 2022, Steele was arrested in Ohio due to unrelated charges, and in February 2024 he was extradited to West Virginia because of pending charges.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Ohtanis Former Interpreter Agrees To Plead Guilty To Stealing Nearly $17M From Dodgers Superstar

Shohei Ohtanis former interpreter has agreed to plead guilty to two federal charges for stealing nearly $17 million from the Dodger sluggers bank account to pay off illegal gambling debts, prosecutors announced today.

Ippei Mizuhara, 39, could face more than 30 years in federal prison under the plea deal, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

More from Deadline

The extent of this defendants deception and theft is massive, said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit. My office is committed to vindicating victims throughout our community and ensuring that wrongdoers face justice.

In one of the most damning portions of the criminal complaint, prosecutors including a text from Mizuhara to Bookmaker 1 where the duo were discussing public reports of the theft from the Dodgers player.

Technically I did steal from him. Its all over for me, wrote Mizuhara bluntly in words any jury is going to have a hard time overlooking.

The Japan-born players interpreter almost since the day he joined MLB, Mizuhara has been using Ohtanis accounts and name to get his hands on big bucks since 2018, prosecutors contend. They also revealed recent discussions with Ohtani himself on the matter.

Arraignment for Mizuhara, originally scheduled for tomorrow, has now been set for next Tuesday, May 14.

City News Service contributed to this post.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Corrections Department Director Steven Harpe presents his agency's budget to state lawmakers in a January budget hearing. (Photo by Carmen Forman/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Efforts to reestablish a prison rodeo appear to be stalled.

Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Steven Harpe on Tuesday told a legislative panel his agency was no longer pursuing an $8.3 million appropriation this session to restart the prison rodeo at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

Instead, the agency wants the Legislature to authorize an interim study on the issue so certain questions can be answered, Harpe said.

The last rodeo was held in 2009, according to the agency.

In 2010, state budget cuts, low attendance and crumbling facilities contributed to the rodeo closing.

At least two measures moving through the legislative process supported recreating the rodeo.

Critics, however, expressed concerns about the safety of participants, the welfare of the animals and other pressing issues facing the agency, such as staffing and infrastructure needs.

Harpe said although he is confident the rodeo would generate revenue, the agency could not restart it without additional dollars.

At this point, we are looking at pulling back and going to the interim session during the summer so that we can bring in people like the PBR (Professional Bull Riders), IFR (International Finals Rodeo), other concert promoters that want to use the facilities so we can show the Legislature the fully thought through plan on how we would generate the revenue, Harpe said.

He said the issue could be brought back next session.

We are fully committed to getting this done, Harpe said.

Sen. Blake Stephens, R-Tahlequah, said he supported reestablishing the rodeo and was excited about the interim study.

Its going to be great for the state of Oklahoma, he said.

Harpe said the rodeo will not just benefit McAlester, but will generate revenue for the state.

Inmates want this, Harpe said. They want the ability to do this.

Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, said he hoped the interim study would include all the costs associated with operating it.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Oklahoma DOC halts prison rodeo funding request appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
A fraternity at the University of Mississippi, where a member last week jeered a Black woman protester by appearing to make ape-like sounds and gestures, said the man has been expelled from the organization.

NBC News has not independently identified the former member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, who was a part of a large, rowdy group that surrounded and badgered pro-Palestinian protesters at Ole Miss. But in a statement Sunday, the fraternity said it pinpointed the man captured in a viral video and disassociated itself from him.

Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters is aware of the video regarding the student protest at the University of Mississippi, the statement read. The racist actions in the video were those of an individual and are antithetical to the values of Phi Delta Theta and the Mississippi Alpha chapter. The responsible individual was removed from membership on Friday, May 3.

Meanwhile, the school said it is launching an investigation into the conduct of at least one student during the counterprotests. Chancellor Glenn F. Boyce sent a letter to students and staff Friday noting that Ole Miss leaders were aware of behaviors that were offensive, hurtful, and unacceptable, including actions that conveyed hostility and racist overtones at Thursdays protest.

While student privacy laws prohibit us from commenting on any specific student, we have opened one student conduct investigation, he wrote. We are working to determine whether more cases are warranted.

Videos of the protest posted on social media show the larger crowd, of about 200 seemingly mostly white young people, surrounding and shouting down the multiracial group of about 30 pro-Palestinian protesters.

Another video showed the counterprotesters singing The Star-Spangled Banner to drown out the chants from the pro-Palestinian protesters, while yet another video showed a large crowd of men, including two male students who appear to be white, in American flag overalls, yelling in the direction of a Black female graduate student. In the video, the woman appears to be walking toward the crowd while recording them on her phone.

The woman and the two men, whose identities NBC News has not independently verified, did not respond to requests for comment.

On the right side of the frame, another man can be seen jumping up and down and appearing to make a noise to simulate an ape. That person has not been identified.

Members of the crowd also chanted, Lock her up! as police guided the woman away from the hecklers, in a video shared on social media by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Georgia.

Collins, who heralded the counterprotest on social media last week, said Monday that while he still stands by the counterprotest, if someone in the video was found to have treated another human being improperly because of their race, they should be punished appropriately, and will hopefully seek forgiveness.

The racial elements of the encounter led many observers online to point out Mississippis long and sordid history of violent racism against Black people. Its senators voted to send all of its Black people back to Africa more than 100 years ago. When the University of Mississippi was ordered by a federal court to admit Black students in 1962, 2,000 white people rioted against the arrival of the new student, James Meredith.

The initial demonstration in a fenced-off area of the quad took place as colleges across the country have become backdrops for pro-Palestinian protests ranging from small and peaceful to shockingly violent.

In a statement sent to the news media shortly after the encounter, Ole Miss said it was committed to supporting the rights of our students, faculty and employees to express their views in a respectful manner and to assemble peacefully as enshrined in the First Amendment. While todays demonstration was passionate and several protesters and counterprotesters received warnings from law enforcement over their actions, there were no arrests, no injuries reported, and the demonstration ended peacefully.

This story first appeared on NBC BLK. For more from NBC BLK, sign up for its weekly newsletter.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
One arrested after police disband pro-Palestine encampment at University of Kansas

Campus police arrested one person after disbanding a pro-Palestine protest Tuesday at the University of Kansas.

KU Student Affairs interacted with protesters multiple times in the past week, warning them police would get involved if they didnt voluntarily remove tents from the KU Palestine Solidarity Encampment, said Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, the universitys director for news and media relations.

Tuesday, campus police took down the tents and arrested one protester who refused to leave his tent, according to a news release from the KU Palestine Solidarity Encampment. The protester has since been released, but has not been publicly identified.

Protesters believe their action falls within the universitys camping policy, which prohibits on-campus camping, except under certain circumstances. The policy allows for students, faculty or staff to put up temporary hammocks or other sleeping or lounging devices used while engaging in recreation or studying activities outdoors between sunrise and sundown.

Members of the KU Palestine Solidarity Encampment said they were studying for final exams while participating in the encampment.

Barcomb-Peterson said the arrested person was not a KU student. She didnt immediately respond to a question of whether the protester would be charged.

Protesters first created the encampment outside Fraser Hall last Wednesday, and have demanded the university divest from financial ties to Israel and provide transparency on its financial ties.

The group joined a movement of college students and protesters across the country demanding action from universities amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
One citizen, one vote  Sen. Lee on why he wants law to verify citizenship of registered voters

Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. Sen. Mike Lee wants it codified in law so officials can check if a registered voter is a citizen.

We can all acknowledge that federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections, said Lee, at a press conference Wednesday on the steps of the Capitol. And the fact that we dont have any mechanism in place currently to bring that about is folly.

Lee spoke alongside Rep. Chip Roy at the press conference where they introduced their bill, which is called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.

When federal law has been interpreted as precluding, in many ways, the voter registration officials in the various states from even inquiring into someones citizenship when addressing voter roll issues, we have a problem, said Lee.

House Speaker Mike Johnson took a turn during the press conference at the podium, which had a sign reading Americans Decide American Elections, to offer his support for Lee and Roys bill. Johnson previously appeared with former president Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago to forecast the bill.

U.S. Code states that if a noncitizen casts a ballot in a federal election, the person could face a fine, incarceration (not more than a year) or both.

Acknowledging that its already illegal for a noncitizen to vote, Johnson said, there is a currently an unprecedented and a clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system. He said as hes done events in more than half the states across the country, the first or second question he gets asked is about election security. Americans are deeply concerned about this, and it doesnt matter where you live. And whether youre in a blue or a red state, everyones concerned.

Due to razor-thin election margins and number of noncitizens in the country, Johnson said the outcome of elections could be different if noncitizens cast votes. He also pointed toward some cities that allow noncitizens to vote in local elections. According to NPR, three Vermont cities  Montpelier, Winooski and Burlington  allow noncitizens who are legal residents to vote in local elections.

As for if noncitizens vote in U.S. elections, research indicates that it does happen, but its not widespread and its difficult to determine the precise rate at which it occurs. When Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger did a citizenship review of Georgias voter rolls, he found 1,634 people who tried to register to vote who were not citizens. None of them had cast ballots in Georgias elections.

Political science professor Jesse Richman wrote in a 2023 report, I conclude that the incidence of noncitizen participation or attempted participation in U.S. and Arizona elections (through registration of voting) is low, but nonzero. Richman wrote that around 1% of noncitizens in U.S. are registered. Not all in that category cast a ballot. In his report, Richman noted that in an Arizona election, just a few votes could make a difference in outcome, as he also said rhetoric often doesnt capture the issue properly.

Lee opened his comments by referencing some sayings with significance on the Hill. One of them is if everythings an emergency, than nothing is. Another one is if everyones family, than no one is. That one also has special significance in my state where we have really large families.

It gets a little more complicated there, Lee joked. Then, he continued, The idea is that it does matter to be a citizen and if youre not a citizen, there are certain things that that implies.

One citizen, one vote, said Lee. Thats how its supposed to work.

Making a comparison to starting a job, Lee said people have to fill out I-9 paperwork. U.S. citizens have to bring birth certificates or passports to prove U.S. citizenship and U.S. birth. He asked why those same standards shouldnt apply when registering to vote.

The 22-page bill would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. A person would need to produce an ID consistent with the requirements of REAL ID, a passport, a U.S. military ID card and service record or another stipulated form of identification in order to vote in a federal election. Voter registration agencies would be required to ask if a person is a U.S. citizen and also ask for documentary proof via those methods of ID. The bill also directs states to establish a process for U.S. citizens who cannot furnish this proof to have an avenue to become a registered voter.

States would also have the ability to use federal databases to verify citizenship. The bill stipulates that proof of citizenship would also be required for mail-in voting.

This is a sacred responsibility, one that we cant treat lightly, said Lee. We owe it to ourselves, to each other, and most importantly to the American people, to make sure that those making decisions on behalf of our government and whos going to serve in government, in elected office, are indeed empowered to make those decisions.

Roy said the reason for introducing the bill is simple: We should have a system to guarantee that only citizens of the United States vote in federal elections where we have the clear authority under the Constitution of the United States and our laws as Congress to set the terms of those elections.

That is what we are doing, said Roy. Nothing more complicated than that.

As the chatter around voter registration has increased ahead of the 2024 presidential election, The Washington Examiner posted an article with the headline: The Bidenbucks threat to free and fair elections.

The outlet pointed toward an executive order issued by President Joe Biden on March 7, 2021. This executive order directs agencies to consider ways to expand citizens opportunities to register to vote and to obtain information about, and participate in, the electoral process. The Washington Examiner referenced Vice President Kamala Harris announcement of agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and Department of Housing and Urban Development using resources to encourage voter registration.

Do any of these federal agencies have experience running voter registration and voter participation programs properly? No, of course not, the outlet wrote. Their relevant experience is, or at least should be, in health, education, farming and nutrition.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A two-vehicle collision Wednesday morning resulted in one death on an Ohio state road in Jackson Township.

According to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office a collision occurred at 8:45 a.m. when a red 2001 Ford F-150 hit a red 2024 Kenworth tractor trailer head-on on State Route 104, just south of Hibbs Road. Deputies said that the Ford F-150 crossed the center line and into the northbound lanes and into the path of the Kenworth truck.

Columbus police officer accused of improper encounters with women resigns

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The Kenworth reportedly ran off the west side of the road and came to a stop, while the Ford came to rest across both lanes. Deputies from the sheriffs office, along with Grove City police officers and Jackson Township emergency crews responded to the scene and pronounced the driver dead.

Authorities have yet to release the name of the deceased until next of kin is notified and the driver of the Kenworth was evaluated by medics and did not sustain any injuries.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact the Franklin County Sheriffs Office Crash Investigation Unit at 614-525-6113.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
One dead, two in critical condition after shooting Tuesday night in Kansas City home

A shooting at a Kansas City home just north of Grandview left one man dead and two others in critical condition Tuesday night, police said.

Kansas City police officers were dispatched to the 11700 block of Corrington Avenue around 7:30 p.m., where onlookers directed them toward a home, said KCPD officer Alayna Gonzalez, a spokesperson.

Officers found an adult woman unresponsive outside the house with gunshot wounds. Once she was transported to an area hospital, neighbors and eyewitnesses told police someone else still inside the home had also been shot, Gonzalez said.

Inside, officers found an adult male with gunshot wounds, Gonzalez said. Upon arrival, EMS pronounced the man dead.

Officers attempted to administer first aid to both victims until EMS arrived. It was not immediately clear how much time had passed between the time each victim was shot, Gonzalez said.

A third victim, a teenage boy, was also transported to an area hospital in critical condition. KCPD believes he was involved in the shooting, Gonzalez said.

The shooting occurred at a large gathering, with multiple eyewitnesses. A second police unit served as a blockade at the mouth of Corrington Avenue.

In the hours after the shooting, several people approached the blockade on foot or in cars, trying to pass information back and forth with those who were in the home. As police cleared the area, relatives escorted seven young children under the police tape blocking the street.

As the sun went down, tears flowed as relatives gathered in the driveway of the home on Carrington. KCPD officers could be heard threatening to remove one woman from the scene as she called to her siblings on the other end of the block.

Police have not taken anyone into custody, but have spoken with several witnesses, Gonzalez said. KCPD homicide detectives are offering up to $25,000 for anonymous tips from eyewitnesses.

The fatal shooting was the 48th homicide in Kansas City this year, according to data collected by the Star. At this time last year, 59 homicides had been reported in the city.
KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2024 - 21:24 | All, Japan

Japan's environment minister apologized Wednesday after his officials interrupted remarks by some victims of the Minamata mercury-poisoning disease by muting their microphones at a meeting in Kumamoto Prefecture last week.

"I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart. I am truly sorry," the minister, Shintaro Ito, said while meeting with victims in Minamata in the country's southwest.

Teppei Kiuchi, director of the ministry's Special Environmental Diseases Office and moderator of the meeting, also offered an apology following a press conference held earlier in the day in Minamata by a victims' group.

The act "was very inappropriate and hurtful," he acknowledged.

During the May 1 meeting between the minister and representatives of eight Minamata sufferers' groups, a ministry official switched off the microphones of two participants after their allotted three minutes for speaking had passed.

It caused an uproar and prompted the groups to protest and demand an apology from the minister. Some opposition lawmakers urged Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to sack Ito.

But Kishida told reporters at his office in Tokyo, "I would like the minister to continue to fulfill his responsibilities, including providing careful and considerate support to all those involved, to address issues related to Minamata disease."

The opposition camp criticized Kishida as he was elected president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and became the prime minister in October 2021, pledging to "listen to people's voices."

What the opposition bloc calls a blunder by the environment ministry could deal another blow to Kishida's Cabinet. Since its launch, its approval ratings have plunged to their lowest levels due to a political funds scandal that has eroded public trust in politics.

During questioning by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on Wednesday, another environment ministry official said they were taught to turn off microphones after three minutes if discussions became heated but had never actually done so in practice.

During his apology, Ito expressed a desire to review the time limit policy, given that "it is difficult to understand the situation within three minutes."

The disease, which is traced to mercury-tainted water dumped into the sea by a Chisso Corp. chemical plant in Minamata, was formally acknowledged by local health authorities in 1956.

The illness paralyzes the central nervous system and also causes congenital abnormalities. While the government's relief steps have been enforced, legal battles continue for unrecognized sufferers left out of the measures.

Related coverage:

Japan court orders compensation to 26 unrecognized Minamata victims

Japan court rejects redress claims by unrecognized Minamata victims
Firefighters found one person dead in a burning home Wednesday in Sacramentos Meadowview neighborhood, and another person who was pulled out of the blaze died after being hospitalized.

The fire was reported shortly before 11 a.m. at the house in the 1900 block of Niantic Way, just west of 21st Street.

Firefighters arrived and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the back of the single-story home, said Capt. Justin Sylvia, a spokesman for the Sacramento Fire Department.

He said strong wind on late Wednesday morning pushed the flames toward the back of them home, and the fire threatened to spread to a nearby home.

The firefighters got the fire under control and stopped the flames from reaching the other home, Sylvia said. Fire investigators did not know what started the fire, Sylvia said Wednesday afternoon, and investigators, for now, have ruled the cause of the fire to be undetermined.

Sylvia said the firefighters found one person dead inside the home and were performing CPR on another person. The second victim appeared to have suffered severe burns to the face and was pronounced dead at a hospital, Sylvia said. The two people who died were believed to be men, but Sylvia said he didnt have any further details about the fire victims.

The Sacramento County Coroners Office will release the names of the victims after their families have been notified.

Sylvia said other occupants in the burning home got out safely. He said residents who got out safely told authorities that a total of seven people lived in the room-and-board home.
One person shot and injured in NW OKC shooting

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  According to Oklahoma City Police, one person was injured after a shooting in Northwest Oklahoma City.

The shooting took place near Willow Cliff Road and Northwest 50th Street. The victims injuries are said to be non-life threatening.

There is no suspect information at this time.

Shooting in NW OKC with one injured

Shooting in NW OKC with one injured

This is a developing story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
One person shot near I-85 in west Charlotte: Medic

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Someone has serious injuries from a reported shooting off Interstate 85 in west Charlotte Tuesday evening.

According to Medic officials, the shooting occurred just before 6:30 p.m. in the 3200 block of Queen City Drive, near Exit 33. There are a couple of motels and a Cracker Barrell in the vicinity.

The patient was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
MANATEE COUNTY (WFLA)  A Riverview man is facing five counts of attempted first-degree murder after deputies said he fired seven gunshots at an occupied pickup truck on Sunday.

A woman who is pregnant with twins was shot three times, according to deputies. The man driving the truck and a 9-year-old girl in the backseat were not injured.

Vincent Steele, 50, made his first appearance before a judge on Monday. Two of his family members spoke to the judge on his behalf, including his daughter.

My father has always been a good person at heart, Steeles daughter told the judge. I wasnt present at the incident, but when I got the call, I was just devastated when I heard it and I saw pictures.

Deputies said Steele clipped the pickup truck as he was trying to pass it on U.S. Highway 41. The collision caused him to lose control of his vehicle, spin out and end up in a ditch on the side of the road.

You could have gotten somebody killed: Teen girl with epilepsy held at gunpoint during Pinellas traffic stop

The driver of the pickup truck pulled over to check on his status. That is when the driver, our suspect , Vincent Steele got out with a gun and fired multiple shots into the vehicle, said Randy Warren with the Manatee County Sheriffs Office.

Hillsborough County court records show Steele was charged with reckless driving in the past.

We know that there was a weapon also with the driver of the pickup truck. This was all part of our investigation of trying to determine who pulled out a gun. We know that the driver of the sedan, the suspect, is the one who fired multiple bullets into that car, said Warren.

8 On Your Side spoke with the father of the minor who was in the backseat of the car. He sent us the following statement.

The incident that occurred in Palmetto, Florida on Cinco de Mayo, where Vincent Steele attacked and shot my pregnant ex-wife while my daughter was in the vehicle, is outrageous. I was in shock when I heard the details of this offender causing an accident, then attempting to murder my daughter and her mother. It is only by the grace of God that they survived this unprovoked attack. I call on our friends, the law enforcement officers and detectives in Manatee County to work this case with all their might and the District Attorney to prosecute this violent offender to the fullest extent of the law. I call on the people of the State of Florida to step up and help the five victims in this case with recovery from this tragic event.

I am here to support Florida legislators in writing legislation to lock up similar offenders who use a firearm in a crime against women and children with legislation to lock such offenders away for life without parole. We must stand up for women, children, and the unborn.

Your prayers are welcome and requested. May justice be swift and direct in this case to make sure this offender is removed from society for life without parole. If anyone deserves life, it would be this coward who took it upon himself to fire a handgun into a vehicle with a pregnant woman and young girl. Please make sure that the bail in this case is set at an amount high enough to prevent this coward from ever seeing the light of day again. Thank you, Travis Nelson wrote.

Steele is expected back in court Friday, May 10. At that point, there will be a full evidentiary hearing on whether or not he will remain in custody on a trial detention order.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Only three days of fuel for health services in south of Gaza, says WHO

LONDON (Reuters) -There is only enough fuel to run health services in the south of Gaza for three more days, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge in the south of Gaza from combat further north in the Palestinian enclave. Israel has threatened a major assault on the southern city of Rafah to defeat thousands of Hamas fighters it says are holed up there, and its troops are now battling the Islamist group on Rafah's outskirts.

The WHO said a delivery of fuel to the area had been denied on Wednesday. It also said that Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah was already no longer functional, one of three hospitals in the city. Some of its equipment has been moved to field hospitals, WHO said.

"WHO has pre-positioned some supplies in warehouses and hospitals, but without more aid flowing into Gaza, we cannot sustain our life-saving support to hospitals," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding that WHO would remain in the area to provide health services.

(Reporting by Jennifer RigbyEditing by Peter Graff/Mark Heinrich)
OnlyFans is a gateway to male violence against women, the Spanish government has said - mundissima / Alamy Stock Photo

Adult content site OnlyFans is a gateway to male violence against women, Spains progressive government has said as it backed a report comparing the website to a pimp.

A report on the wesbite by Spains Young Women Federation has described the sites model as a new form of sexual exploitation repeating the same patterns as prostitution: sexism, sexual violence and egregious male domination.

It claims that the amount of money involved in adult content subscription platforms and live-camming has encouraged men to become pimps disguised as representatives by convincing vulnerable and impressionable young women to set up a profile.

OnlyFans, run by a UK-based company, is a platform for pay-per-view bespoke adult content.

The report, presented by Spains equalities ministry with the title OnlyFans: The sex trades whitewashed space, argues there has been an increase in the number of unaccompanied minors and young women in youth shelters who use the platform and others like it in a bid to escape from a situation of marginalisation and generate income.

Aina Calvo, the secretary of state for equality, said: We are worried that children are consuming pornography from the age of eight. We must stop this; its the gateway to male violence against women.

New danger to women

UK regulator Ofcom last week opened an investigation into OnlyFans saying it had grounds to suspect that the adult platform had failed to implement its age verification process properly, exposing under-18s to pornographic material.

The authors of Spains report also criticise OnlyFans for not taking responsibility for the posting of material that may have been obtained illegally or without consent, such as images from hidden cameras.

Raquel Perez, vice-president of the Young Women Federation, said: The OnlyFans discourse poses a new danger because it reaches young women through social media, where we see stories that trivialise and glamourise prostitution and present it as empowering.

The report notes that 97 per cent of OnlyFans creators are women, while virtually 100 per cent of the platforms 238 million users are men.

The UK-based company last year reported a pre-tax profit of 417 million.

The Telegraph has approached OnlyFans for comment on the contents of the report.

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 lock arms and surround an encampment in support of Palestine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 29, 2024. | Marielle Scott, Deseret News

Editors note: This open letter to campus protesters was originally published on Facebook by the author. It is published with her permission and has been lightly edited for clarity and style.

Dear campus protesters:

Ive seen other people write to you, but I just walked among you at one of your campus encampments  George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Here are my thoughts:

Instead of hanging out in your nice brand-new, paid-from-unknown-sources green and white tents, why not send them to those displaced in Gaza who really need them? After all, you have dorms and apartments that mommy and daddy are paying for right now.

On campus, you have catered food and an all-you-can eat snack bar. Why not send food to those you claim are starving?

Since you are skipping classes (if you are actually a student), why not go volunteer to help in Gaza? Many American Jews have gone to help in Israel on farms and kibbutzes to provide missing labor as so many Israelis have been called up to military service. If you really want to help, why dont you go where you really could make a difference for the people you profess to be supporting?

Why dont you use all the time hanging out in the quad and in your tents to learn about what you are supporting? You are supporting rape, as your resistance by any means necessary signs state. You are supporting gender inequality and lack of any LGBTQ rights. You are supporting a named terrorist organization. Your call for an intifada revolution is a call for more innocent lives to be lost.

Lets address that for a second. You claim to be against the war in Gaza given all the innocent lives lost  but in your next chant, you want bloodshed everywhere with your call for an intifada revolution. It is glaringly inconsistent.

Why is there not a single sign or chant to release the hostages? Innocent people have been kidnapped, including women and children and Americans. How can you claim signs that say Final solution or Zionists pigs get out or chants like Burn Tel Aviv to the ground are not antisemitic? I believe strongly in free speech, but this is hate speech.

You call each other comrades. I spent a lot of time in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. I can promise you that most people in the world prefer capitalism over communism.

Why block people from coming in and/or taking photos? Why block the press and why taunt people like me trying to engage?

If you are so proud of yourselves, why hide those faces? Why mask up? I took photos this afternoon, and every single time a protester noticed, they put their mask back on. Real protesters are proud of what they are doing and ready to face the consequences, whether getting arrested or suspended or whatever. You are not real protesters. You are sheep. You are indoctrinated to think Israel and Zionists and even Jews are evil.

You are not on the right side of history like you think you will be. No one with hate in their heart ever is.

Melinda Roth is a visiting associate professor of law at Georgetown University Law School. This open letter was adapted from her Facebook post on April 29 and is published with her permission.
Editors Note: A.J. Jacobs is a journalist and author whose most recent book is The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Mans Humble Quest to Follow the Constitutions Original Meaning. The views expressed here are his own. Read more opinion on CNN.

You wouldnt know it from todays political climate, but changing your mind is a deeply American thing to do.

Just look at Americas founders. When James Madison was on his deathbed, his niece noticed an odd expression on his face and asked if he was okay. He replied, Nothing more than a change of mind, my dear. And then, according to his niece, the Father of the Constitution died. What did he change his mind about? The viability of a bi-cameral legislature? The bedroom wallpaper? Well never know.

Portrait of A.J. Jacobs - Sharon Schurr

The important thing for us to remember, these hundreds of years later, is that he changed his mind. Many times. He was a great mind-changer on all sorts of issues throughout his career. At first, for instance, hed opposed the Bill of Rights, but later became one of its greatest champions.

Our founding fathers had many flaws. They were elite men of the 18th-century mindset, which is to say most of them were racist and sexist. But they also had many virtues, including one that should not be underestimated: They were flexible thinkers. They had epistemic humility, and often changed their minds when presented with new evidence or reasoning.

Nowadays, changing your mind, especially when it comes to political opinions, is seen by many as a weakness. What are you, a flip-flopper?

Studies suggest that current Americans  both politicians and ordinary citizens  are much less likely to change our minds than in decades past. Weve become entrenched. We are stuck in our tribal mindsets about almost every topic  the economy, climate change, identity and foreign affairs. Social media has helped to create and intensify echo chambers where our beliefs are rarely challenged, and where the other side is often demonized.

While its our current normal, this intransigence is not a traditional American stance. The founding fathers, at their best, were profoundly flexible in their thinking. You can see it in Madisons notes on the Constitutional Convention, where so much was fluid. Should the president be a single person, or should there be a council of several co-presidents? Should senators terms last for two years, six years or for life? Where should the government be located? The delegates had read widely, absorbing ideas from philosophers of all stripes, both ancient and modern.

At the Constitutional Convention, the individual votes of the delegates were counted but not recorded by name. The founders didnt want the delegates to feel locked into a position. They wanted them to be able to change their minds in the future with ease.

As all institutions do over time, American government has become much more fixed and static. But while weve gained stability, weve lost our thirst for fresh solutions. We should return to some of the fluidity that marked our birth.

Benjamin Franklin was perhaps the pinnacle of this mindset. At the Constitutional Convention, Franklin said, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects  It is therefore that the older I grow the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment. In his autobiography, Franklin advised readers never to use the words certainly or undoubtedly when stating our beliefs. Instead say I imagine it to be so; or it is so, if I am not mistaken.

Franklin liked to tell a short parable. He said there was a French lady, who, in a little dispute with her sister said: I dont know how it happens, sister, but I meet with nobody but myself that is always in the right.

Franklins point was that we are all that French lady. We all believe we have a monopoly on the truth. I know I feel that way most of the time. But I fight that inclination. I try to remind myself: What are the odds that I, one of 8 billion humans on earth, happen to be that singular person who has discovered the correct take on politics, literature, the environment, religion and all other topics? Probably two to one. Maybe even three to one.

There have been occasional instances in modern politics of leaders bravely changing their minds  though they almost never put it that way; they usually say their beliefs have evolved. I dont much care what they call it, as long as their shift in views is based on reason, evidence, and whats best for the country. President George H.W. Bush made a famous campaign promise: Read my lips. No new taxes.

As president, he changed his mind and agreed to a compromise that raised some taxes to reduce the budget deficit. It damaged his political career and contributed to defeat for a second term, but it was the right thing to do for America. President Barack Obama also made the right choice in changing his mind on legalizing same-sex marriage.

Flexible thinking is part of Americas DNA. We need to return to some of the fluidity of early America. Or so goes my hypothesis. Maybe Ill discover that flexible thinking is terrible and Ill change my mind.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Many trans people were amused over the weekend when X owner Elon Musk suggested to author J.K. Rowling that she tweet about something other than trans people. While I heartily agree with your points regarding sex/gender, may I suggest also interesting and positive content about other things? Musk tweeted at Rowling on Saturday, prompting a massive swarm of virulent anti-trans responses.

The confrontation, while humorous, highlights a common problem with online hate movements in the social media age. Rowling isnt the first person to turn their entire online presence into a factory for spreading their favorite vein of bigotry. An even more egregious case is Irish writer Graham Linehan, who, after his outrageously provocative and hateful writings about trans people, now complains that his gender critical activism has cost him his family and career.

His ex-brother-in-law called him out, his wife divorced him, and his career opportunities have dried up. But Linehan, who wrote increasingly unhinged screeds on his Substack, brought those consequences on himself. (He turned to Substack after he was banned from Twitter for violating the companys hateful conduct policy. His account was restored after Musk took over the social media platform.)

Because trans people are all Linehan seemingly thinks about and because he surrounds himself with people who are similarly obsessed with trans issues, instead of taking responsibility like an adult and acknowledging that he alienated those closest to him, he instead claims that trans people canceled him.

This is 100% authentic. Elon Musk has called out Harry Potter author JK Rowling for being an obsessed, constantly negative weirdo: pic.twitter.com/vW86JXlJFR  Wizarding News (@wizardingnews) May 4, 2024

While no statistics are available on the total number of people who have ended up devoting nearly their entire social media timelines to posting about trans people or some other minority group, Rowling and Linehan are two of the high-profile people who have.

They are responsible for the things they post, clearly. However, its also true that modern social media algorithms encourage users to specialize with their content, which means that there are built-in incentives to post and talk about only one big thing. As countless influencers, YouTubers and streamers can attest, if they release content about topics, games or issues beyond what theyre known for, those posts typically wont get the same engagement.

Ive even run into this myself. I am most known for writing about trans issues, so much so that my Twitter username is @transscribe, literally trans scribe. When I tweet or write about trans issues, I generally get more engagement than if I comment or write about other things, like sharing my cancel culture podcast, or tweet about gaming or politics.

But social media incentives alone dont explain the obsession with trans people that Musk called out in Rowling or the obsession that Linehan has consistently displayed. He was a fairly well-regarded comedy writer until he became the de facto chief weirdo of the anti-trans movement. Given his original content, he would have been incentivized to keep posting jokes and updates about his shows, but now no one follows him for those things.

Similarly, think of the incentives Rowling, who has sold at least half a billion Harry Potter books, would have had to just sit back and tweet about her various Harry Potter creative projects or her many book ideas. Theres little doubt that the vast majority of her 14.1 million followers are probably expecting that from her account.

Instead, she has become so obsessed with antagonizing trans people that even Musk, who agrees with her on trans issues, thinks her posts are a little much. It goes to show you how easy it is to fall into the extremist rabbit hole on todays internet. If these types of obsessive social media accounts were limited to trans issues or to just a handful of celebrity accounts, it wouldnt necessarily be that big an issue, but hundreds of people have fallen into this same behavior.

Its a problem with how we engage with modern social media and online content. We can now easily access information at any time online, which can be great for people who live relatively isolated lives. But with that freedom comes the ability to consume content that reinforces your own preconceived ideas about, say, trans people, and you dont have to engage with counterinfo that challenges your biases.

You can also surround yourself solely with people who agree with your point of view, which encourages the group to further radicalize with increasingly inflammatory content. There are built-in incentives to post increasingly extreme content for engagement. Whereas once you would find engagement with arguments over trans issues, at some point your followers have already seen those arguments, so you need to move into more extreme content. It also creates a dangerous feedback loop, in which theres no check on your base impulses or biases.

If talented and rich people such as Rowling and Linehan can become so obsessed, think of how vulnerable other people who have less talent and fame are. Its a sad indictment of our online social media-driven culture. It encourages us to radicalize for clout and attention and not see the humanity of those being targeted. It could happen to almost anyone. Not just loners in the basement, but even the most well-to-do person in their castle.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Workers are seen at the construction site of an air traffic control tower in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 8, 2024. The capping of the main structure of an air traffic control tower of a new airport in Hohhot has been completed on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 8, 2024 shows the construction site of an air traffic control tower in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The capping of the main structure of an air traffic control tower of a new airport in Hohhot has been completed on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 8, 2024 shows the construction site of an air traffic control tower in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The capping of the main structure of an air traffic control tower of a new airport in Hohhot has been completed on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Workers carry construction materials at the construction site of an air traffic control tower in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 8, 2024. The capping of the main structure of an air traffic control tower of a new airport in Hohhot has been completed on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

A worker works at the construction site of an air traffic control tower in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 8, 2024. The capping of the main structure of an air traffic control tower of a new airport in Hohhot has been completed on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
UPDATE (May 8, 2024 5:30 p.m. E.T.): On Wednesday afternoon, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene followed through on her threat and filed a motion to oust Republican Speaker Mike Johnson from power. Greene's motion was met with boos by some of her GOP colleagues, and swiftly tabled by an overwhelming vote of 359-43.

Marjorie Taylor Greene went to Washington this week with only one thing on her mind: how to save face. After being told by former President Donald Trump to stand down on her threat to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, the Georgia Republican was able to extract two meetings with Johnson, R-La.

After her first meeting with the speaker, Greene outlined her four demands on Steve Bannons War Room podcast. They included a pledge to forgo any further aid to Kyiv and to cut Justice Department special counsel Jack Smiths funding. The inflammatory lawmaker has always talked a big game, but did she have the leverage, and the savvy, to extract serious concessions? Following her second meeting with Johnson on Tuesday afternoon, the answer seems clear.

She got bupkis.

This is not a negotiation, Johnson demurred. But if it were, it sure seems like hed be winning.

Desperation is never a good look for a politician, and nothing screams desperation like Greenes ongoing threats against Johnson. She knows her influence in the House is waning and that ally Trump simply doesnt seem interested in backing her chaotic play.

Since being elected to the House in 2020, Greene has been one of Trumps most rabid fans and defenders. Because Trump loves the flattery, he has mostly responded in kind. This dynamic has provided Greene with outsize  and totally undeserved  influence in the Republican conference, in the way a child threatens to tattle on a sibling. Which is why she thought she could probably get away with her childlike but dangerous antics.

Greene claimed at first her push for a motion to vacate was motivated in large part by the speakers decision to bring Ukraine funding to the floor for a vote, which passed with overwhelming support on both sides of the aisle. Ostensibly, she wanted to show Trump that she agrees with his reluctance to send further aid. She made a similar threat in March after Johnson worked with Democrats to pass a badly needed $1.2 trillion government spending bill, that also ultimately passed with bipartisan support.

But Greene has also known for weeks that Trump himself has little appetite for this fight. Just a few weeks ago, after Greene first said she would attempt to remove Johnson, the speaker traveled down to Mar-a-Lago for a photo-op with Trump. I stand with the speaker, Trump stated, while also noting that Greene was a very good friend. They may still be friends, but she no longer has much sway over Trump  if she ever had any.

The timing is just not good for Trump, and his campaign team knows it. In Trumpland, chaos is tolerated only when Trump himself is the cause. And Greenes weeks of grandstanding have infuriated some in Trumps inner circle, according to Politico. One hundred percent distraction. Unwanted. And just stupid, one such anonymous insider said in April.

With Team Trump on the sidelines, Greenes other allies have evaporated. Democratic leaders have already pledged to help Johnson withstand any motion to vacate. But even strident conservatives like Rep. Bob Good, chair of the House Freedom Caucus, are pushing Greene publicly to end her crusade. Shes pretty much operating on her own, with one or two others who have expressed support for what shes doing, Good said on NewsNations The Hill Sunday. Good said, She doesnt lead anyone.

Greene isnt even a viable potential VP contender anymore.

And should Trump win, dont expect to see Greene in a key role. I predict this saga will push her even further to the fringe, a gadfly and a caricature. I am so done with words, Greene said on Tuesday afternoon. But increasingly, it seems pretty much everyone is done with Marjorie Taylor Greene. She may keep her seat in Congress, but the era of MTG may finally be ending. And with it, any need for us to pay the slightest bit of attention to what she has to say.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Editors Note: Norman Eisen is a CNN legal analyst and editor of Trying Trump: A Guide to His First Election Interference Criminal Trial. He served as counsel to the House Judiciary Committee for the first impeachment and trial of then-President Donald Trump. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Its hard to imagine two more different days at trial than Mondays dry but necessary accounting evidence and Tuesdays consistently gripping  and at times lurid and even out of control  testimony from Stormy Daniels. This long-awaited witness in the Manhattan criminal trial of former President Donald Trump ultimately checked important boxes for both sides  though more for the prosecution. This was to be expected, as they called her to the stand.

Norm Eisen - Courtesy Norm Eisen

Daniels, the adult film actress who received a $130,000 hush money payment in 2016, is a witness to the heart of the felony false business records case against Trump. Prosecutors allege that the documents were falsified to cover up Trumps payment to suppress her story of a sexual encounter with him (which Trump denies happened). They claim the payment was, among other things, made with the intent of illegally influencing the presidential election.

We can break down Daniels testimony by five critical C components:

Curiosity: From the moment Daniels entered the room on stage right, the jurys eyes  indeed, all eyes in the courtroom  were on her. That included Trump, as he repeatedly glanced toward and away from her as she began her testimony. She was dressed conservatively, her all-black outfit setting off her pinned-up blond hair as she told her story. Juries expect to meet the key players in a case and will reward the prosecution for providing them, as the district attorneys office did here.

Character: Assistant District Attorney Susan Hoffinger spent the first 15 minutes or so of direct examination introducing Daniels to the jury. She was not what they might have expected from the label porn star. The jury was attentive as she put on her black horn-rimmed glasses and began testifying about her childhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, her love of horses and her scholarship to the Texas A&M veterinary program, and her career as an actress in both adult and mainstream films, a director and a writer of scripts and books. Like any of us, juries need to get to know a witness and Hoffinger took the time to do that, conveying a likable persona through biographical details.

Credibility: Next, Daniels testified in detail about meeting and having sex with Trump in 2006, establishing for the jury that the alleged encounter happened and that she is credible. Daniels provided details right down to how uncomfortable her gold shoes were that night and how hard it was to get them back on after the alleged sexual encounter because her hands were shaking. I felt ashamed that I didnt stop it, she testified. Judge Juan Merchan eventually started upholding defense objections to her sometimes rambling answers that were unflattering to Trump, but the point had been made: the degree of detail meant the witness was believable. (The defense requested a mistrial on the argument that the jury had been irretrievably biased by her testimony, but the judge rightly rejected that as unfounded.)

Corroboration: The witness soon brought us to 2016 and the key moment in the case: the ups and downs of the negotiation of the hush money payment to her that prosecutors allege was an illegal campaign contribution. All of these points had already been established by the documents and other witnesses, but her testimony corroborated all that  and what we expect to hear from the biggest remaining witness to come, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.

Cross: As with every witness in this trial, the defense, in this case the able Susan Necheles, landed some blows. She attacked Daniels motivations, wresting admissions that she hated Trump and owed him large sums because of losing defamation litigation against him. More fundamentally, Necheles challenged the witness credibility on the 2006 encounter with Trump, pointing out that Daniels had previously denied it as recently as 2018. And Necheles cast apersions on a 2011 threat to Daniels life and other statements that the witness testified about on direct examination before the trial broke for the day, with questioning of Daniels to resume on Thursday (there is no court on Wednesdays).

It was another strong cross-examination for the defense  but like those who came before her, this witness hung in there and the results were not strong enough to knock prosecutors off track. The widely anticipated testimony of Stormy Daniels did not disappoint.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Editors note: W. James Antle III is executive editor of the Washington Examiner magazine and author of Devouring Freedom: Can Government Ever Be Stopped? The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion on CNN.

Former President Donald Trump and Judge Juan Merchan are playing a high-stakes game of legal chicken in the ongoing hush money trial, with a renewed threat of incarceration that could roil the presidential race.

W. James Antle III - Courtesy W. James Antle III

Fines totaling $10,000 havent deterred Trump from repeatedly defying the gag rule in the case, with the former president and presumptive Republican nominee found in contempt of court for the 10th time on Monday. Trump is prohibited from making personal attacks on witnesses, prosecutors, jurors, court personnel and their families. Prosecutors havent asked for jail time for Trumps violations.

But it is possible that threats of jail time wont have the desired effect either, as Trump may believe such a penalty will be the best illustration yet of a politically biased legal system run amok. Frankly our Constitution is much more important than jail, Trump said on the 12th day of his trial over falsifying business records in a hush money scheme to improve his chances in the 2016 election.

Jailing Trump could give him yet more ammunition for rallying his base against what he calls a witch hunt and describes as a form of election interference. It could also be a fundraising boon, which Trump sorely needs to pay legal expenses and keep up with Democrats. (Bidens principal campaign committee went into April with nearly twice as much as Trumps main campaign account.) His campaign says it raised $7.1 million from his booking and mug shot alone in the Georgia election interference case. The windfall from this imagery could be even greater.

It would also mean that the first real possibility of Trump sitting in a cell would come from the criminal case that many legal experts widely consider the weakest of the four against him.

In a courtroom sketch, Judge Juan Merchan rules Monday that former President Donald Trump violated the gag order in the hush money trial for comments about the makeup of the jury. - Jane Rosenberg

Merchan appears to understand the risk as well as the sheer weight of his decision over possible jail time. Mr. Trump, its important you understand, the last thing I want to do is put you in jail. You are the former president of the United States and possibly the next president as well, the judge said. The magnitude of this decision is not lost on me, but at the end of the day I have a job to do.

However, no previous adverse legal judgment against Trump has seemed to make him a less competitive general election candidate, including the verdicts in the E. Jean Carroll civil cases over sexual abuse and defamation and the New York civil fraud judgment.

The handing down of multiple indictments boosted Trump in the Republican primaries. The beginning of the hush money trial hasnt noticeably hurt Trump in polling matchups against President Joe Biden. Most of the country appears divided over whether Trump is being treated more harshly or lightly than other defendants, according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS in April, but about three-quarters of voters backing Trump say they will still support him even if he is convicted of a crime. (Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied all wrongdoing in the four cases against him.)

In this particular case, Trump could be jailed for speaking out during a trial over allegations that some critics say should be a case of misdemeanor charges only, while an accuser such as former Trump attorney Michael Cohen has been nearly ubiquitous in the press. (Merchan has warned Cohen that if he keeps criticizing Trump the gag order barring the former president from comments about witnesses, jurors and others might no longer apply to references to him.) One of Trumps gag rule violations was reposting a link to a New York Post column by George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley attacking Cohens credibility on the basis of past perjury.

Discussions of offenses for which Cohen pleaded guilty seem like fair play for public debate rather than an attempt to threaten or intimidate a witness. Trump and his supporters could argue a double standard here.

All these developments come against the broader backdrop of Trump blaming his legal woes on his political opponents  Biden and allied Democrats. While Trumps rhetoric may be overstated, Democrats who purport to be defending democracy, norms and the rule of law, not least through these prosecutions themselves, are taking a risk.

The plain fact is that Trump is the only political figure of his stature to face two impeachments, four indictments and a civil fraud trial. Some of his political appeal appears to stem from voters thinking the powers that be will not allow them to choose him again. Putting him in jail before he is convicted of any of these alleged offenses during a campaign in which he is leading in many polls would reinforce all these arguments.

There are obvious risks to Trump, too. The unprecedented sight of a presidential candidate behind bars could make all these charges seem more real, and there is no telling how voters will react. In what is shaping up to be a close race for the presidency, even a small shift could be significant.

Juries are also unpredictable. There is no way of knowing in advance how they would react to Trump going to jail for violating the gag rule. It is possible that it would make him a more sympathetic defendant. Jurors could also be swung toward a conviction if a jailing reinforces their belief in his guilt or they dont respond well to his defiance. Either way, the voters at home arent the only audience Trump needs to reach.

Nevertheless, given the way Trumps past legal problems have largely played out, it is easy to see how he could turn a brief incarceration to his advantage. Voters may well decide that jailing the former president is not the way they want to see presidential candidates treated in this country.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Estelle Shirbon

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - An alliance of South African opposition parties can win a May 29 election and would bring significant change after 30 years of African National Congress (ANC) government, the chairperson of the talks that led to the alliance being formed said on Wednesday.

The Multi-Party Charter (MPC) has 11 member parties who have agreed on broad policy priorities including a commitment to a free market economy, and whose ambition is to dislodge the ANC in the most unpredictable election of the post-apartheid era.

Polls suggest the ANC will lose its majority while remaining the largest party, opening the possibility of a coalition government.

"This is our first election that will go to the wire," William Gumede, who chaired the 2023 convention that resulted in the MPC, said in an interview with Reuters.

Gumede, a professor of public management at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg who is not affiliated with any party, said the ANC had failed, citing economic stagnation, poor delivery of basic services, corruption and other problems.

The MPC policies include adherence to the constitution and the rule of law for all, free market economics, using private sector firms to deliver services, and a commitment to social justice paired with welfare reform that would tie certain benefits to participation in skills training, Gumede said.

The most prominent parties in the group include the Democratic Alliance (DA), which won the second largest share of the vote in the last election five years ago, and ActionSA, led by a respected former mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba.

Others include the socially conservative Inkatha Freedom Party, which draws its support mostly from Zulus, and Freedom Front Plus, which represents the interests of the white Afrikaner community.

PATH TO VICTORY?

The alliance's diversity was one of its main points, Gumede said, as South Africa needs to tap into all its talents, both in terms of its racial and cultural diversity and the dynamism of its business community, to improve its fortunes.

The ANC has not publicly acknowledged it could lose its majority or said who it would pick as a coalition partner.

For Gumede and member parties of the MPC, the worst-case scenario would be a coalition between the ANC and one or both of two smaller left-wing parties, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK).

A March poll by the Brenthurst Foundation, a Johannesburg-based think tank, found support for the ANC at 39%, while the opposition alliance parties were collectively on 33%. MK had 13% support, while the EFF was on 10%.

Polled on which coalition option they would prefer, 29% of respondents favoured the MPC, 25% an ANC/DA alliance and 24% an ANC/EFF deal.

Gumede said the MPC had everything to play for given the unpredictability of the situation and the fraught relations between the EFF, MK and some ANC factions.

Much will depend on turnout, he said, pointing out that in the last election 9 million registered voters did not vote.

The MPC could win if 2 million of them turned up for member parties, he said, adding that dissatisfaction with the ANC was so high that the governing party was unlikely to boost its own numbers.

"They didn't turn up for the ANC in 2019 and they're not going to now," he said.

(Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  A New Orleans man and a Chalmette woman accused of killing a government witness in 2020 have been indicted by a grand jury.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, 35-year-old Ryan Harris and 39-year-old Jovanna Gardner were indicted on Friday, May 3, on charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit witness tampering through murder, witness tampering through murder, conspiracy to retaliate against a witness through murder and retaliation against a witness through murder.

Man arrested in connection with fatal April Lower Ninth Ward shooting

According to the indictment, Harris, Gardner and Cornelius Garrison were allegedly involved in an insurance scheme starting in 2015, that involved staging car crashes on New Orleans interstates to file fraudulent claims against insurance companies.

Court documents state Harris is accused of being a slammer, defined by the indictment as a person who caused crashes by intentionally colliding with 18-wheelers or other commercial vehicles.

Gardner is accused of being a passenger in those staged collisions.

Garrison was accused of being a slammer and a spotter, defined in the indictment as a person who drove a getaway car after the staged crashes.

According to the indictment, sometimes spotters would pretend to be eyewitnesses who would flag down the commercial vehicles after the staged collisions and allege that the commercial vehicles were at fault.

Two Bogalusa teens indicted in connection with 16-year-olds fatal shooting

In 2019, court documents state Garrison began covertly cooperating with the federal government, and the indictment alleges that Harris and Gardner killed Garrison to prevent him from continuing to help investigators expose the scheme.

Garrison was found shot to death in New Orleans on Sept. 22, 2020.

If convicted, Harris and Gardner face up to 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release for the conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud charge and life imprisonment, up to five years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy to commit witness tampering through murder, witness tampering through murder, conspiracy to retaliate against a witness through murder and retaliation against a witness through murder charges.

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.
OLIVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  The Ottawa County Clerks Office received top marks from the Michigan Secretary of States audit.

Five Ottawa County precincts were randomly selected for an audit for the Feb. 27, 2024 presidential primary: Holland Charter Townships seventh precinct, Zeelands third precinct, Allendale Charter Townships second precinct, Grand Havens first precinct and the first precinct of Hudsonvilles second ward.

In a newsletter, the Ottawa County Clerks Office explained how the audit works.

The audit process utilizes a 77-point checklist and includes a hand count of ballots, the office stated. This checklist includes verification that election workers were trained and both major parties were represented, equipment was tested and counted ballots accurately, applications to vote were completed and matched the number of ballots cast, and that ballots and election materials were sealed and stored properly.

Election Results: May 7, 2024

The county received an A+ grade in six of seven categories, confirming proper training, ballot safety and accurate results. The county received an A for properly completed applications, noting that 97% of all election applications were completed properly.

Our local clerks and election workers accomplished an extremely accurate and successful election, the office stated. We are very appreciative of the hard work they put into the election and could not do this without their dedication to democracy.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  Voters in Holland and Park townships have voted to recall Ottawa County Commissioner Lucy Ebel.

Ebel was one of several conservative commissioners backed by the conservative political action committee Ottawa Impact. She garnered about 40% of the vote, according to unofficial results.

Polls close on Election Day in West Michigan

Voters instead chose Democrat Christian Chris Kleinjans for the District 2 seat, which represents much of Holland Charter Township and a portion of Park Township on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. Kleinjans won 60% of Tuesdays vote, according to unofficial results.

The organizers behind the recall effort called Ebel and her Ottawa Impact counterparts too extreme.

Democrat picked to run in Ottawa County board recall election

In November, petitioners submitted enough signatures to trigger the recall  2,575, which was 94 over the minimum threshold required by law.

The recall election will be a referendum on Ottawa Impact, Larry Jackson of Park Township, the treasurer for the Ottawa County Democrats, said in an October statement. The malicious actions of Lucy Ebel, Joe Moss and the other Ottawa Impact commissioners continue to cause harm to the citizens of Ottawa County.

Jackson cited Ottawa Impacts efforts to oust Administrative Health Officer Adeline Hambley, the boards budget that decreased funding to the health department and burning taxpayer money on expensive legal counsel.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Parents, teachers and advocates want Schools Chancellor David Banks to be held accountable for what they say are hollow promises to combat antisemitism in New York City classrooms when hes grilled by Congress this week.

Banks will travel to Washington DC alongside school district leaders from Marylands Montgomery County and Berkeley, California on Wednesday to testify at a congressional hearing about antisemitism in K-12 schools.

We hope the hearing will hold Banks accountable and drive him to become the leader that Jewish students and families need, said Tova Plaut, founder of NYCPS Alliance, an advocacy group of parents, educators and community members that has been vocal about the issue of antisemitism in city schools.

Chancellor David Banks will travel to D.C. with district leaders from Marylands Montgomery County and Berkeley California on Wednesday to respond to antisemitism in K-12 schools. William Farrington

I want to hear from Chancellor David Banks that he truly understands that some of the schools he runs are actively inhospitable to Jewish students and staff and it is his responsibility to address the cultural safety concerns, added Maud Maron, a Manhattan mom and member of the Community Education Council District 2.

The Big Apple school system  the largest in the US  has seen multiple flare-ups amid the Israel-Hamas war, including an anti-Israel student riot at Queens Hillcrest High School, a citywide student walkout calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and allegations of heinous antisemitism at Brooklyns Origins High School.

Jim Walden, an attorney who represents Danielle Kaminsky  a Jewish teacher who claims Origins High School students terrorized her with swastikas, death threats and Nazi salutes  said Banks response, thus far, has been pathetic.

Bluntly, we hope Congress exposes Banks latent anti-Israel/anti-Jewish bias and helps bring change to the DOE and across the country, he told The Post on Tuesday.

Walden added he hopes Congress will pass legislation to tie federal funding to compliance with anti-bias standards that have teeth.

When approached for comment, the DOE pointed to a press conference from last week in which Banks previewed the message he intends to deliver before the US House Committee on Education and the Workforce, emphasizing that hes been working to combat all forms of hate.

Hillcrest High School students participating in an anti-Israel rally on Nov. 20, 2023. Dennis A. Clark

Banks acknowledged that the citys response hasnt been perfect, but maintained he was proud of what the department has done so far, lauding his Meeting the Moment plan  described as an initiative to tackle antisemitism through education, safety and engagement.

Putting a spotlight on any particular individual and sometimes trying to create gotcha moments is not how you ultimately solve problems that you really, deeply care about, he said.

I would ask for Congress to figure out a way to bring people together from across the nation to help to solve for this insidious level of hate.

Banks also noted the development of the interfaith council, curricula on Jewish and Muslim history and his revision of the disciplinary code with city principals.

An Origins High School student is caught on camera doing a Nazi salute in the hallway while dressed as Hitler. Courtesy of Sidney Southerland

The word die written on the door of a Jewish teachers classroom at Origins High School.

Manhattan mom and Community Education Council District 3 member, Yael Denbo, said combining Islamophobia and antisemitism is oversimplifying the complexities of each form of prejudice and unnecessarily pitting the two groups against one another.

In January, Banks promised to meet the moment, but those words have felt like empty promises. I hope tomorrow brings a moment of clarity where Chancellor Banks will have to address his inaction, she added.

Rep. Aaron Bean, who chairs the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, told The Post that he and House Education and Workforce Committee chairwoman Virginia Foxx would do whatever it takes to hold Banks accountable  including using the congressional panels subpoena power.

Shes ratcheted it up against the other witnesses that have come before us, Bean (R-Fla.) said of Foxx (R-NC).

Especially if theyre not truthful, if theyre not honest or if theyre not doing all they can do to keep students and faculty safe.

He added that pulling federal funds from school districts failing to investigate Title VI complaints was also 100% on the table, along with revoking visas for foreign students who are discriminating against fellow classmates.

Theyve been given a chance  few have  to study in the United States, Bean said. They need to go home. And certainly anybody associated with the high school thats here from a foreign country thats instigating things. They need to be on the first flight out.

We have to bring our colleagues on the other side to that realization that there needs to be consequences, he added.

The same committee has grilled college presidents from Columbia, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, and MIT in recent months.

Antisemitism isnt just rearing its ugly head on college campuses. Its seeping into K-12 schools as well, Foxx said.

Jewish K-12 students, faculty, and staff have been forced to contend with repeated harassment, disruptions, verbal abuse. We are holding leaders of some of the most embattled school districts to account for their glaring failure to discipline antisemitic perpetrators and to provide a safe learning environment for Jewish students and staff.
Owners of Marilyn Monroes house are suing to tear it down in California. Heres why

Last summer, a married couple who lives next to Marilyn Monroes home bought the property with plans to demolish the house, according to a new lawsuit filed in California.

After Los Angeles granted them a permit to do so, the couple says the city has illegally stepped in to stop the demolition  and is depriving them of their vested rights as homeowners.

Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank, the owners, argue Los Angeles has issued a stay on permits that were previously granted and wont let them tear down the home. Theyre suing the city over efforts to protect the house as a historic landmark.

The one-story residence was the only home Monroe owned. It is situated in Brentwood, an upscale neighborhood in Los Angeles. She died at the house at age 36 on Aug. 4, 1962.

Milstein and Bank suggest theres no way the house meets the criteria for a Historic Cultural Monument after 14 others went on to own the home after Monroes death, a complaint filed by the couple on May 6 says.

In January, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission decided to recommend the house to receive this designation in a unanimous vote  after news of the couples demolition plans caused public outrage, the Los Angeles Times reported.

There is not a single piece of the house that includes any physical evidence that Ms. Monroe ever spent a day at the house, not a piece of furniture, not a paint chip, not a carpet, nothing, the complaint says.

The city didnt immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on May 8.

Why do they want to demolish the home?

Milstein and Bank, who is a TV producer, bought Marilyn Monroes house from the former owner to expand their property next door, the complaint says.

They hoped to combine both properties, and doing so could include demolition of some or all of the dilapidated structures and other aged improvements on the Property, according to the complaint.

Since Monroes death, the the house has been substantially altered, the complaint says.

Los Angeles has approved the alterations by granting permits over the years, according to the complaint, which says the demolition and grading permits the city issued them in September have been halted.

The City of Los Angeles engaged in an illegal and unconstitutional conspiracy related to the property that Marilyn Monroe briefly owned before she tragically committed suicide 61 years ago, said a statement from the couples attorney Peter C. Sheridan that was provided to McClatchy News.

In particular, the City invoked an unconstitutional stay of city issued and vested demo and grading permits, secretly worked with third-parties (including for-profit tour operators and a local conservancy organization) to assure their desired outcomeThese backroom machinations were in the name of preserving a house which in no way meets any of the criteria for an Historic Cultural (Monument).

In arguing that the home cant receive the historic designation, the couple contends theres no way to see the home from a public viewpoint.

The only way to get a glimpse would involve trespassing on their property, the complaint says.

We purchased the property because it is within feet of ours. And it is not a historic cultural monument, Milstein previously told the Los Angeles Times. It has been over six decades since Miss Monroes passing and in those 61 years it has not been designated.

The home has undergone extensive remodels and additions several times with the previous owners, she said. Since the media frenzy surrounding whether or not to now make this a historic monument, our quiet, peaceful neighborhood has seen a significant increase in traffic noise, tour buses, sightseers, disruption and disturbance.

With the lawsuit, Milstein and Bank hope the court will recognize their right to demolish the residence.

Beach house left leaning on neighbors homes after Florida storm. Now theyre suing

George Lucas learned hes not official owner of California driveway  so hes suing

Hole-in-one prize winner sues after shes denied keys to new Mercedes-Benz in Florida
Oxford dons have called for the universitys head of equality to resign after he signed an open letter in support of a pro-Palestinian protest camp at the university.

Vernal Scott, who has led Oxfords equality and diversity unit since October 2023, has put his name to a letter declaring solidarity with students protesting against Israels war in Gaza.

The demonstrators set up tents on the lawn of the universitys Pitt Rivers Museum on Monday and have said they will not leave until the university meets their demands, which include cutting financial ties with companies linked to Israel, and calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Mr Scott last month celebrated the closure of the National Conservatism Conference by police in Brussels, which prompted accusations of double standards from Oxford dons.

Vernal Scott, whose critics say his stance is incompatible with his job at Oxford

Now the university has been drawn into fresh controversy after Mr Scott, who was previously head of diversity and inclusion at Essex Police, pledged his support for the pro-Palestinian protesters.

Nigel Biggar, the regius professor emeritus of moral theology at Oxford, told The Telegraph that Mr Scott should bite his tongue and remain silent  or else resign from his post.

Mr Scott has a legal right, of course, to express his political opinions. However, as a senior administrative official in Oxford University, he should bite his tongue and stay silent, said Prof Biggar.

Otherwise, students over whom he has power and who dissent from his views will have good reason to fear hostile discrimination from him.

He needs to demonstrate even-handedness towards a diversity of political positions or else resign from his post.

Prof Lawrence Goldman, an emeritus fellow at St Peters College, added that Mr Scotts actions undermine Oxfords claim to be an open and tolerant institution.

Last week, Vernal Scott, Oxfords head of diversity and inclusion (sic) openly advocated the closure of a Conservative political conference, he said.

This week he openly supports protests that compromise the safety of Jewish students and others at Oxford. He doesnt understand his job description.

How the university deals with him will be a matter of great interest to many of its alumni and its Jewish donors.

Last month, Belgian police arrived at a conference at which Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman were speaking, to shut it down after a court ruled the event could be homophobic, incite public disorder or offend minorities.

I applaud the mayor and police of Brussels for their decision to close down this conference, Mr Scott wrote in a since-deleted post on X, formerly Twitter.

Hundreds of faculty and staff signed letter

So far, 303 members of Oxfords faculty and staff have signed the statement in support of the encampment.

It describes the camp as a public-facing global education project and calls for the university to divest from Israels genocide in Gaza, as well as from Israels ongoing apartheid regime against Palestinians.

Toby Young, the director of the Free Speech Union said: I cannot see how signing this letter is compatible with championing inclusion, given that the concept is supposed to apply to all religious, ethnic and sexual minorities at Oxford, including Jews and Israelis.

The 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.
SEOUL, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Four local and foreign carmakers in South Korea will voluntarily recall some 7,700 vehicles for manufacturing defects, the transport ministry said Wednesday.

Hyundai Motor will recall 4,118 units of five different models, including Avante sedan, for defect in the exhaust gas recirculation (ERG) valve power unit that can cause engines to stop while driving, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Kia Corp. will recall 2,668 units of three models, including K3 sedan, for the same manufacturing defect as Hyundai vehicles.

Jaguar Land Rover Korea will repair the poor fixation of the rear light illumination device in 329 units of two models, such as the new Range Rover Sport P360.

Volkswagen Group Korea will take a corrective action on 623 units of Touareg 3 3.0 TDI due to software error in the mobile applications that can malfunction during remote automated parking.

Vehicles owners can visit repair and service centers to replace the faulty parts free of charge. 
Malinda Hoagland was taken to the hospital on May 4, where she died

Chester County District Attorney Malinda Hoagland

After a 12-year-old Pennsylvania girl was found emaciated and later died in a hospital, her father and his girlfriend are charged with kidnapping and could potentially face murder charges.

The Chester County District Attorney says that on May 4, Rendell Hoagland called 911 to report that his daughter, Malinda Hoagland, was unconscious. First responders brought Malinda to the hospital, where it was discovered that she was emaciated, weighed 50 lbs. and had several broken bones, prosecutors say. She died while being treated.

Authorities say an investigation found that Malinda had been pulled out of school in late 2023 and shifted to a home cyber school.

After searching the phones of Rendell and his girlfriend, Cindy Warren, police found videos of Malinda shackled to furniture and being berated by both defendants over a speaker system, prosecutors allege. Rendell and Warren are also accused of punishing Malinda by making her do strenuous physical exercise, and sometimes denying her food, according to prosecutors.

Chester County District Attorney Rendell Hoagland, left, and Cindy Warren

Malinda was subjected to evil and torment that no child should ever have to endure, Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said. I am grateful to every first responder and law enforcement officer who has worked tirelessly on this case. Together we will get justice for Malinda.

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.

Rendell Hoagland and Warren are both charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, kidnapping as well as other related charges, according to prosecutors, who add that both could be charged with murder depending on what further medical evidence reveals.

It is not immediately clear if either defendant has entered a plea or retained an attorney. Both are being held on $1 million bail.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Pakistan on Wednesday declared an emergency to enroll 26 million children of school-going age who are not registered to seek formal education, the highest number in the world.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced in the capital Islamabad his government was imposing the formal emergency declaration to tackle the daunting task of wooing back children to school.

The declaration allows for the mobilization of funds and resources, and puts the problem high on the government agenda.

A combination of policy and administrative tools would be deployed, as well as incentives to encourage parents to send their kids to the classroom, Sharif said.

Its a challenge that needs resources and commitment. It is difficult but not impossible, Sharif said, addressing a ceremony that was attended by diplomats, ministers and education experts.

Pakistan, a nuclear-capable Islamic republic with around 240 million population, is an education laggard due to decades of conflicts, political and economic uncertainty, poverty and, lately, the impact of climate change.

Around 26 million children between 5 and 16, or nearly 40% of the total kids of school-going age, are not enrolled for any formal education, according to the UN statistics.

This is the highest number of out of school children in any country of the world.

Britain's Department for International Development and the United Nations will provide Pakistan resources and the technical support for the programme.

Pakistan faces an education crisis and has got to deal with it now, said Jane Marriott, British high commissioner in Islamabad.
Displaced Palestinians arrive in central Gaza after fleeing from the southern Gaza city of Rafah in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on Wednesday, May 7, 2024. The Israeli army has ordered tens of thousands of people to evacuate Rafah as it conducts a ground operation there. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  Tens of thousands of displaced and exhausted Palestinians have packed up their tents and other belongings from Rafah, dragging families on a new exodus.

The main hospital has shut down, leaving little care for people suffering from malnutrition, illnesses and wounds.

And with fuel and other supplies cut off, aid workers have been scrambling to help a population desperate after seven months of war.

Gazas overcrowded southernmost city has been thrown into panic and chaos by Israels seizure of the nearby border crossing with Egypt and as its possible full-scale invasion of Rafah looms.

Families uprooted multiple times by the war are unsure where to go: to the half-destroyed city of Khan Younis, to points even farther north, or to an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone in Gaza already teeming with people with little water or supplies?

The past three days, streams of people on foot or in vehicles have jammed the roads out of Rafah in a confused evacuation, their belongings piled high in cars, trucks and donkey carts. All the while, Israeli bombardment has boomed and raised palls of smoke.

The war has caught up with us even in schools. There is no safe place at all, said Nuzhat Jarjer. Her family packed on Wednesday to leave a U.N. school-turned-shelter in Rafah that was rapidly emptying of the hundreds who had lived there for months.

Rafah had 250,000 residents before the war. Its population had ballooned to some 1.4 million as people from across Gaza fled there. Nearly every empty space was blanketed with tent camps, and families crammed into schools or homes with relatives. Like the rest of Gazas population, they have been largely reliant on aid groups for food and other basics of life.

Israel on Monday issued evacuation orders for eastern parts of the city, home to some 100,000. It then sent tanks to seize the nearby Rafah crossing with Egypt, shutting it down.

It remains uncertain whether Israel will launch an all-out invasion of Rafah as international efforts continue for a cease-fire. Israel has said an assault on Rafah is crucial to its goal of destroying Hamas after the militant groups Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that left 1,200 dead and 250 as hostages in Gaza.

The United States, which opposes a Rafah invasion, has said Israel has not provided a credible plan for evacuating and protecting civilians. The war has killed over 34,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, and has driven some 80% of Gazas population of 2.3 million Palestinians from their homes.

For now, confusion has reigned. Fearing a greater assault, Palestinians fled districts other than the eastern areas they were ordered to leave. Tens of thousands are estimated to have left, according to a U.N. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because agencies were still trying to determine precise figures.

Tent camps in some parts of Rafah have vanished, springing up again further north along main roads. New camps have filled streets, cemeteries and the beach in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah, 15 kilometers (10 miles) north, said Ghada Alhaddad, who works there with the aid group Oxfam.

Others made their way to Khan Younis, much of which was destroyed in a months-long Israeli ground assault.

Suze van Meegen, head of operations for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Palestine, said the Rafah district where she is based feels like a ghost town.

The Israeli military told those evacuating to go to a humanitarian zone it declared in Muwasi, a nearby rural area on the Mediterranean coast. The zone is already packed with some 450,000 people, according to the U.N. Few new facilities appear to be prepared, despite the militarys announcements that tents, medical centers and food would be present.

The ground is covered in many places with sewage and solid waste, since there are few sanitation facilities, aid workers say. Clean water is lacking and dehydration is a major problem, with temperatures some days already reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius).

The water quality is horrifically bad. We tested some of the water and the fecal content  is incredibly high, said James Smith, a British emergency doctor volunteering at the European General Hospital in nearby Khan Younis. Acute jaundice is rampant  and probably caused by hepatitis, but there are no capabilities to test, he said.

The newly arrived struggle to find tents because of an extreme shortage among aid groups.

Before his family left Rafah to Muwasi, Iyad al-Masry said he had to sell food received from aid groups to buy a tent for the equivalent of nearly $400.

While setting up the tent, the family smoothed the dirt ground before setting down a cradle to rock an infant in. Al-Masri said he has been searching for water and cant afford the three shekels  a little less than $1  that sellers charge for a gallon of drinking water.

We want to eat  We are just waiting for Gods mercy, he said.

Nick Maynard, a surgeon with Medical Aid for Palestinians who left Gaza on Monday, said two teenage girls who had survivable injuries died last week because of complications from malnutrition.

They get this vicious cycle of malnutrition, infection, wounds breaking down, more infection, more malnutrition, said Maynard.

The number of children in Rafah who have lost one or more limbs is "staggering, said Alexandra Saieh from Save The Children. These people cannot just pick up and relocate.

Rafahs main Youssef al-Najjar Hospital evacuated on Tuesday. Smith said staff and patients rushed out even though they werent under evacuation orders because they feared Israeli troops would raid, just as they did hospitals in northern Gaza and Khan Younis, which were left decimated.

Israel claims Hamas used the hospitals for military purposes, an accusation Hamas and Gaza health officials deny.

Israeli tank shells Wednesday hit about 300 meters (yards) from the Kuwaiti Hospital, one of the few facilities still operating, and wounded several children, according to hospital officials.

The closure of Rafah crossing and the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel has cut off the entry of food, supplies, and fuel for aid trucks and generators. Aid groups warn they have only a few days of fuel before humanitarian operations and hospitals around Gaza begin to shut down.

Israel said Wednesday it reopened Kerem Shalom, which was shut after Hamas mortars killed four Israeli soldiers nearby, but aid groups said no trucks were entering the Gaza side. Trucks let through from Israel must be unloaded and the cargo reloaded onto trucks in Gaza, but no workers in Gaza can get to the facility to do so because it is too dangerous, the U.N. says.

Palestinian workers trying to reach the border crossing Wednesday were shot at, and several were wounded, the Israeli military said. It did not specify who opened fire but said it was investigating. Hamas also shelled in the area of Kerem Shalom on Wednesday, saying it was targeting nearby troops.

The U.N.s World Food Program has been cut off from its Gaza food warehouse near the Rafah crossing, its deputy executive director Carl Skau said. It procured another warehouse in Deir al-Balah, but its empty until crossings reopen, he said.

Van Meegen, of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said without more supplies, how do we even begin to prioritize the dribble of humanitarian aid we have here when almost every single person is being forced to depend on it?



El Deeb and Keath reported from Cairo. Associated Press correspondents Sam Mednick in Jerusalem and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed.
Palestinians evacuate after Israeli forces launched a ground and air operation in the eastern part of Rafah

Palestinians evacuate after Israeli forces launched a ground and air operation in the eastern part of Rafah

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Hatem Khaled

CAIRO\GAZA (Reuters) - As battles raged on the outskirts of Rafah on Wednesday with Israeli forces closing in, Palestinians were on the move again, abandoning neighbourhoods of the southern Gaza city and leaving them as ghost towns.

Israel has threatened a major assault on Rafah to defeat thousands of Hamas fighters it says are holed up there, but more than a million people are sheltering in the city, prompting warnings from the United Nations of a humanitarian catastrophe.

Israeli forces tasked with destroying the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, on Tuesday seized the main border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in Rafah, cutting off a vital route for aid into the enclave, where malnutrition is widespread.

Israel's military said it was conducting a limited operation in Rafah to kill fighters and dismantle infrastructure used by Hamas, which runs Gaza. It told civilians to go to an "expanded humanitarian zone" some 20 km (12 miles) away.

Three residents of Rafah told Reuters by telephone that tens of thousands of people have fled the city, which was seen as the last refuge for Palestinians who have been displaced many times over as Israeli air strikes pulverized Gaza.

People in the Jneina, Al-Shawka, Al-Salam and other neighbourhoods were ordered by the Israeli army to leave in anticipation of an assault. Some 1.4 million people have been sheltering in Rafah, raising the prospect of major casualties.

"Some streets look like a ghost town now," said Aref, 35, who asked not to be named, fearing Israeli reprisals.

"We don't fear death and martyrdom but we have kids to care for and live for another day when this war ends and we rebuild the city," he told Reuters via a chat app.

The war erupted on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants crossed into Israel from Gaza and killed 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies.

WARNINGS

Israel responded with air and artillery strikes which have killed nearly 35,000 people, Gaza health authorities say, and turned much of one of the most densely populated areas in the world into a wasteland of rubble.

Many Rafah residents said they received warnings over their phones, and planes dropped leaflets.

Juliette Touma, director of communications of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, estimated that around 10,000 Palestinians have left Rafah since Monday.

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office put the number of people fleeing at tens of thousands and warned against a "massacre"

Residents said tanks, which had moved in to take control of the crossing, had not entered built-up areas of the city and gun battles were still outside the city limits.

Suleiman Abu Kweik and his family are being displaced for the fourth time. "

"Our homes have been destroyed. In Gaza (City) our house they destroyed it. It was shelled. We went to Khan Younis. When they threated Khan Younis, we went to Rafah," he said.

Hamas said its fighters were battling Israeli forces in the east of Rafah. Lines of smoke from air strikes and tank shelling rose from places east of the city, residents said.

"Some people are still staying in their homes, even in the red zone areas, but I daresay that tens of thousands have already left Rafah, including from areas west of the city, that are not included in the occupation army warning," said Mohammed Emad, 34, a father of three.

Abu Ahmed Al-Najar said more than 60 families who lived in tent camps in Al-Jneina neighborhood in Rafah had all left the area late on Tuesday.

"Sixty-five families or 400 people are now homeless. People have no money, no tents, no one to support them," he said.

Some people, like Mazen Ghadour, loaded their meagre belongings onto old trucks.

"This is the third or fourth time we have had to move. We are eight families. We live in fear. There is no safe place in the entire strip," he said.

"God knows where we will go. We are going to the unknown. We are going to the unknown."

(Writing by Michael Georgy; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
A Palm Springs welcome sign.

A sheriff's helicopter that could be seen flying near the intersection of Sunrise Way and Vista Chino in Palm Springs on Tuesday was being used to search for a person who displayed a gun after being asked to leave a business' property, according to Palm Springs Police.

At around 9:30 a.m., Palm Springs police sent a notification to residents stating that the helicopter was being used to assist with an ongoing investigation in the area. Lt. Gustavo Araiza said that investigation began after a group of people were allegedly seen loitering near a business and were asked to leave. One of those people then displayed a gun.

The area surrounding the intersection of Vista Chino and Sunrise Way is home to several businesses, including grocery stores and gas stations.

Araiza said officers eventually located and arrested a suspect, 32-year-old Kenneth Roy II Gardner. Araiza said the suspect fled the initial scene at Vista Chino and Sunrise and was located and arrested near Tahquitz and Avenida Caballeros.

He was arrested on suspicion of exhibiting a deadly weapon, possessing unlawful paraphernalia and a probation violation. He remained in custody as of Tuesday afternoon on a $50,000 bond.

Paul Albani-Burgio covers growth, development and business in the Coachella Valley. Follow him on Twitter at @albaniburgiop and email him at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs helicopter search leads to arrest of man after firearm report
State Sen. Nicole Mitchell didnt answer any questions about her felony burglary charge from a Senate ethics panel Tuesday night with her attorney decrying the investigation as a witch hunt.

Mitchell, a Democratic-Farmer-Labor senator from Woodbury, allegedly broke into her estranged stepmothers northwestern Minnesota home last month. Her attorney said the criminal case should be resolved before lawmakers investigate ethics violations.

Conducting an ethics investigation after the criminal case seems appropriate. But by conducting an ethics investigation before the criminal case, you are participating in a witch hunt, attorney Bruce Ringstrom Jr. told the Senate Subcommittee on Ethics.

Senate Republicans have been calling for Mitchells resignation following her April 22 arrest and filed an ethics complaint against the senator citing the felony charges, as well as contradictions between Mitchells alleged account of events in charges and in public statements. That, they say, could make her unfit to continue serving in office.

This isnt a criminal case. Those are handled by the courts, and we trust them to do their work. What we are examining today is whether the Senate will maintain its reputation and institutional integrity with its membership, said Sen. Karin Housley, R-Stillwater, one of the GOP senators who brought the complaint. We dont need to wait for the criminal case to make a decision. We can review the information before us today.

The ethics committee, unable to reach any decision Tuesday, decided to take up the complaint against Mitchell after her June court date.

Mitchell says she wont resign, and her fellow DFLers arent eager to push her out as it would end their one-seat Senate majority with just weeks of the legislative session remaining.

Members of the ethics committee can take action against a senator accused of an ethics complaint, such as making them apologize for conduct or even calling for expulsion  which has never happened in the history of the Minnesota Legislature. In cases where a lawmaker is convicted of a crime, they wait for the case to be resolved before taking action.

But the committee is split between two Democrats and two Republicans, so unless one member joins the opposite party in a decision, ties would prevent any action. Members include the chair, Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis; Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton; Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona; and Sen. Andrew Mathews, R-Princeton.

Mitchell is next expected to appear in Becker County District Court on June 10.

Champion made an argument similar to Ringstroms. He said the charging document and media reports are not proof of any wrongdoing on Mitchells part, and that the committee wouldnt be able to take action until more facts emerge. He said the committee should meet again sometime after Mitchells next court date.

Mitchells arrest and charges have been disruptive in the final weeks of the legislative session, as her party controls a one-seat majority in the Senate. If theyre one member short, the DFL will not be able to pass partisan legislation as bills would likely stall in 33-33 ties.

Votes on major bills already got delayed the week of Mitchells arrest, though the senator has since returned to the Legislature and has voted on bills and other measures  including measures advanced by Republicans to strip her of the ability to vote.

Republicans want to see her resign or removed from office, but for now at least, thats unrealistic as theres a two-thirds majority threshold to oust a senator. Some of Mitchells DFL colleagues have suggested she resign.

Mitchell, a first-term senator and former broadcast meteorologist who is a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, was elected in 2022 and is in the second year of her four-year term. If she remains in office, she wont face election again until 2026.

Mitchell, 49, faces a felony burglary charge after police found her in her stepmothers Detroit Lakes home last month. Mitchell told police she had broken into the house to retrieve her late fathers ashes and other sentimental items since her stepmother was no longer talking to her, according to charges.

But Mitchell later offered a contradictory account of events following her release from jail. In a post on social media, she said she had entered the house to check on her stepmother, who had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. The stepmother has obtained a restraining order against Mitchell and told multiple media outlets she fears her stepdaughter.

Gender-transition surgery video complaint

Mitchells complaint wasnt the only ethics matter before the committee on Tuesday. Before taking up her case, the panel heard a complaint from last year by Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley, against Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe. Maye Quade filed a complaint last year after Gruenhagen emailed a link to Senate colleagues with what he called graphic videos of gender-transition surgery.

Testimony and debate on that issue lasted about two hours, with Gruenhagen arguing he had shared the video because the Senate had planned to take up a bill related to transgender medicine for youth. Maye Quade said the content was inappropriate regardless of the context and did not have a direct relation to the bill.

A committee vote initiated by Republicans to dismiss the complaint failed on a 2-2 partisan tie, though they agreed to meet again on Wednesday.

Related Articles
Ukraine's parliament voted on May 8 to approve a 90-day extension of martial law, said lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak.

President Volodymyr Zelensky first declared martial law and general mobilization on Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The measure has been repeatedly extended since then.

The latest extension, which still must be signed by Zelensky, will run from May 14 to Aug. 11.

It was supported by 339 lawmakers, with none voting against it, Zhelezniak said.

Ukraine's parliament previously extended martial law and mobilization from Feb. 14 until May 14.

Under martial law, Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 60, with some exceptions, are not allowed to leave the country as they may be called up for military service.

In April, the parliament passed a bill updating the rules pertaining to mobilization as the country seeks to replenish the ranks of its Armed Forces.

Read also: This Week in Ukraine S2 E14  Ukraine has a mobilization problem

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Editor's note: The article initially stated that only those convicted of minor offenses would be allowed to serve. The final version of the bill permitted military service for more serious charges, such as involuntary manslaughter.

Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed in the second and final reading on May 8 a bill permitting military service of citizens convicted of certain offenses, said lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko, one of the bill's authors.

This does not include those convicted of premeditated murder, sexual violence, drug trafficking and production, or crimes against national security.

Based on suggestions of the anti-corruption parliamentary committee, the measure will also exclude lawmakers and top officials imprisoned for corruption, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said.

The final version of the bill allowed military service for those convicted of involuntary manslaughter, except for cases when the perpetrator was in a state of intoxication.

The bill was supported by 279 lawmakers, with 11 abstaining and none voting against it.

Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter

News from Ukraine in your inbox

Subscribe

The proposal was first submitted to the parliament in March as part of the efforts to replenish the ranks of Ukraine's Armed Forces amid the ongoing war with Russia. It passed the first reading on April 10.

Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told Suspilne that the proposal could free up 50,000 recruits among those who had already served their sentence, as well as 26,000 of those who are currently imprisoned.

In April, the parliament also passed a general mobilization bill that seeks to reform the draft process and address the growing manpower shortage.

Read also: Parliament passes mobilization bill in second reading

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BEIRUT, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A fierce exchange of fire took place between Hezbollah and the Israeli army on Wednesday along the Lebanon-Israel border, said Lebanese military sources.

From 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time (1000 GMT), Israeli warplanes launched 25 airstrikes on Hezbollah and civilian targets in nine border villages and towns in southern Lebanon, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In addition, 15 raids were carried out against Hezbollah sites in Jezzine District and other sites in Bint Jbeil District, as well as several villages in the eastern sector of the border region, said the sources.

The sources added that another 10 Lebanese villages and towns in the eastern and central sectors of the border area were raided, including villages of Kfarhamam, Mays al-Jabal, Houla, Aita al-Shaab, and Yaroun.

Israeli artillery also bombed, with approximately 75 shells, 20 border villages and towns in southern Lebanon, they added.

The Israeli strikes destroyed 40 homes and damaged about 85 others in southern Lebanon.

According to the sources, about 80 surface-to-surface missiles and several drones were launched toward northern Israel, with some of them intercepted and others exploding in the airspace of southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced that its military wing, the Islamic Resistance, launched missile and drone attacks on several Israeli sites, resulting in casualties.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas's attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. 
Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speaker of Ukraine's parliament, signed an order on May 8 to restore limited access for journalists to cover the legislature's work.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, journalists have been prohibited from attending plenary sessions due to security reasons.

Ukraine's parliament also adopted a regulation on Sep. 6, 2022, forbidding live streaming of the sessions during martial law. Since then, the video recordings of the sessions have been uploaded with a delay on the parliament's YouTube channel.

Only up to 30 journalists will be allowed to work in the parliament's building at once due to security measures and the limited number of places in the bomb shelter, according to the statement.

Stefanchuk and the parliament's Secretary General Viacheslav Shtuchnyi held a meeting with journalists on May 7 and instructed them how to work during martial law, including order of action when an air raid alert goes off.

Working conditions for media representatives have already been created, including equipped workplaces, a place for briefings, recording interviews, and broadcasting meetings, among others, the statement read.

Sign up for our newsletter

Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko

Sign up

Shtuchnyi said on May 1 that some journalists have already applied for the accreditation, but parliament can accredit more media workers if needed.

According to the State Security Administration, over 4,000 journalists had the parliament's accreditation before the beginning of the all-out war.

Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, the head of the parliament's Committee on Freedom of Speech, said earlier that there was a significant demand in society to allow journalists to return to the parliament.

Yurchyshyn noted that his committee does not see any convincing argument for why it cannot be done.

Read also: Freedom of speech committee examining reported surveillance of Ukrainian investigative outlet

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday signed into law legislation blocking Medicaid dollars from going to Planned Parenthood, a longtime priority for Republicans even as abortion remains banned in the state.

The legislation bans any public funds, including Medicaid reimbursements, from going to the organization, abortion facilities, or their affiliates. But it has sparked fears that the measure would hurt those who use Planned Parenthood for a variety of health care services.

Parson, in a statement on Thursday, touted himself as the strongest pro-life administration in Missouri history and pointed to the states near-total ban on abortion.

Weve ended all elective abortions in this state, approved new support for mothers, expecting mothers, and children, and, with this bill, ensured that we are not sending taxpayer dollars to abortion providers for any purpose, he said.

While it has been a priority for Republicans, the legislation has also widely been viewed inside the Capitol as a way to appease a hard-right faction of senators called the Missouri Freedom Caucus.

The group has vowed to block the renewal of a crucial series of taxes that fund Medicaid until Parson signed the bill and until lawmakers pass separate legislation to make it harder for Missourians to amend the state constitution.

Infighting among GOP senators threatens to blow up the General Assemblys final two weeks of session and could force lawmakers into a special session. The Freedom Caucus spent roughly 40 hours halting debate in the chamber last week.

Sen. Denny Hoskins, a Warrensburg Republican and member of the Freedom Caucus, said he planned to let the bill re-authorizing the taxes, collectively known as the Federal Reimbursement Allowance or FRA, come up for debate following the governors commitment to signing the bill to defund Planned Parenthood.

As far as me personally, I think that since the governor has publicly said that hes going to sign that, I believe that the FRA will not have much resistance as it goes through the Senate, he said.

Hoskins also said that he expects the Senate to take up a measure to overhaul the states initiative petition process either immediately before or immediately after senators debate the bill to renew the taxes for Medicaid.

The initiative petition legislation would make it harder for voters to amend the Missouri Constitution in part by weakening the voting power of urban areas.

One of the Freedom Caucus most vocal leaders, Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican, said that he would allow the FRA to go to a vote, but that he expected the measure to change the initiative petition process to be taken up not long after.

I think that those two things, IP and FRA, are going to happen adjacently, said Eigel, who is running for governor. I would say that if we tried to do FRA, and push everything off until next week, probably not gonna let that, you know, Im probably going to have a lot to say about that.

Parson spokesperson Johnathan Shiflett said in an email last week Parson would sign the bill on his own timeline according to our offices standard procedures.

This deliberate dysfunction in the Missouri Senate is unfortunate for the people of Missouri and senators trying to do good work for the people back home in their districts, he said.

Republicans have for years sought to block Planned Parenthoods two affiliates in Missouri from receiving taxpayer dollars through the states Medicaid program. The Missouri Supreme Court struck down an effort to do it through the state budget in February  the second time the court did so in four years.

The GOP-controlled Senate approved the bill on a vote of 23 to 10 last month followed by the House, which voted 106 to 48.

While Republicans have framed the legislation as anti-abortion, Missouri already almost entirely bans the procedure under a law that went into effect in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.

Democrats have attacked Republicans for pushing the bill, saying that it targets the swath of health care services offered by Planned Parenthood for patients on Medicaid. Those services include cancer screenings, birth control, and testing for sexually transmitted infections or STIs.

Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, a St. Louis Democrat, last month pointed to the fact that maternal mortality rates are getting worse in Missouri, particularly for women of color.

A report last year found that Black women in Missouri were three times more likely to die within a year of pregnancy than white women.

As a Black woman, I am afraid to have a child in the state of Missouri, Bosley said.

This story has been updated after Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed the bill into law on Thursday.
Passengers were stuck for hours in sweaty, stifling corridors at Britain's busiest airports as passport systems crashed

Passengers were stuck for hours in sweaty, stifling corridors at Britain's busiest airports as passport systems crashed

Long queues formed at major UK airports after a nationwide outage affected electronic passport gates.

Many were stuck for more than an hour in hot corridors with no water and little information.

"It's absolute chaos. They're telling us nothing," one passenger told BI's reporter, who was also caught up in the delays.

Border control at many of the UK's biggest airports was disrupted for multiple hours on Tuesday evening after electronic passport gates suffered a nationwide outage.

Thousands of passengers landed at London Gatwick  Europe's eighth busiest airport  late on Tuesday to face massive delays in entering the country.

This reporter was among those to face the huge lines, spending almost two hours queuing to get through passport control  longer than the flight from France I'd taken.

Similar issues were reported at major airports nationwide, including hubs like Europe's busiest airport, London Heathrow, as well as Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.

"Only the manual desks are being manned and it's going to take a while to get through," one airport staff member shouted to passengers who had just disembarked a flight only to see crowds filling the hallways.

"All airports in the UK are impacted," she added.

The scene at Gatwick airport after disembarking from a flight. Polly Thompson

The crowd was left waiting in the increasingly hot corridor, slowly edging forwards with no idea how long the delay would last. Many made calls to relatives, telling them not to wait up.

There was mostly no access to toilets or water, and buggies carrying disabled and elderly passengers could not pass through the crowds.

"It's absolute chaos. They're telling us nothing," complained one passenger, who had just flown back from holiday in Benidorm, Spain, with his family.

A group of upbeat young men cracked jokes, drawing a few laughs from tired passengers.

"Oh and it's another long corridor boys," they joked as the crowd slowly moved around yet another corner in the airport. "Every ten feet we have to cheer."

"Let's light a cigarette and set off the fire alarm. That would get us all out of here quickly," said another.

As the temperature in the packed hallways began to rise, others became more frustrated.

"We have no idea what is happening. These are crazy queues in Gatwick airport," Gedi, a Lithuanian national returning to his home in the UK, told BI. "I'm feeling very sweaty and very hot."

After around 50 minutes, BI's reporter entered the main border control hall, where more staff were on hand, trying their best to calm the crowds and handing out bottles of water.

"It's a national outage of the e-gates," one airport official confirmed to BI. "The Home Office will know more, but it's across all the airports nationwide. It's unplanned."

A massive wave of arrivals had recently arrived at Gatwick's north terminal, making the delays particularly bad, she said.

The official, who started her shift at 6 p.m., told BI at around half past midnight that the issue had been ongoing for about six hours.

However, the British Home Office told BI that "a wider system network issue" had been detected by engineers at 7.44 p.m.

"A large-scale contingency response was activated within 6 minutes," the Home Office said. "eGates at UK airports came back online shortly after midnight."

They have ruled out an intentional cyber attack.

"At no point was border security compromised and there is no indication of malicious cyber activity," a spokesperson told BI.

After over six hours of outage, according to an airport employee, the e-gates began to work. Polly Thompson

By around 1 a.m., travelers were passing through the e-gates at Gatwick's north terminal, and the queues had begun to dissipate.

But once through border control, the chaos continued as passengers searched through baggage that had arrived long before its owners.

Onward travel at Gatwick was also affected by train strikes on Tuesday, leading to more queues stretching outside the airport for taxis.

"This is some people's first experience of England," noted one man in the queue, shaking his head.

"We apologise to travellers caught up in disruption and thank our partners, including airlines for their co-operation and support," the Home Office told BI.

E-gates in the UK were also affected by an IT issue in May 2023, creating similar scenes at airports.

In August 2023, the UK's National Air Traffic control service was disrupted by a "technical issue" in the flight-planning system.

Read the original article on Business Insider
'Your past does not define your future': Teens graduate while awaiting trial

"Pomp and Circumstance" played. Teachers gave speeches. Kids turned their tassels.

But the small graduation in Mount Auburn was not an ordinary event. These werent ordinary graduates.

After the April 5 ceremony, the two teens who received their diplomas could not drive across town to go party with their friends. They werent even allowed to leave the venue.

While their peers are looking forward to college or a trade school, these teens are facing possible prison sentences.

'Our job is not to punish them'

Brian Bell, Hamilton County Youth Center director.

This was the third graduation ceremony held at the Hamilton County Youth Detention Center since the beginning of 2023.

While youth at the facility have earned their diplomas in the past, the ceremonies are new. Director Brian Bell said there may have been similar events but not in decades.

The more we do it, the more well achieve because everyone will want it, Bell said. Were all in here together. Its as gratifying for our staff as it is for these kids. Half this staff is here on their off day.

The state requires the center to provide education to all the youth held there. There are classrooms like you'd find in any other school. In addition to the youth's right to an education, research has shown that education in juvenile facilities lowers recidivism.

The detention center, like other county juvenile lock-ups in Ohio, is only used for pre-trial detention. No one there has been convicted or sentenced, but they have been accused of everything from auto theft to murder. Most of the stays are short, but some youth stay a year or more while their cases work through the court system.

At the facility, the teens take classes and some earn enough credits and pass enough tests to get their diplomas.

Bell, who speaks philosophically about his job and the goals of his facility, said tangible gratification is hard to come by behind the locked doors at 2020 Auburn Ave. This ceremony is one of those moments.

Bell emphasized everyone at the center  an average of about 85 kids at any given time  is innocent until proven guilty.

Our job is not to punish them. Its to keep them safe, Bell said. We do whatever we can to make life a little bit better for them than when they got here. As good or better. Not worse.

A different kind of milestone

Correctional Officer Whitney Bingham did a Kroger run before heading to work on the day of the graduation. She wanted to pick up some things for the ceremony.

She was scheduled to start work at noon but showed up hours early. She said she was too excited.

The Hamilton County Youth Center in Mount Auburn held a graduation ceremony in April.

She greeted the families in the lobby with a huge smile and escorted them to the gymnasium, leading them through a door that had to be unlocked by a guard, downstairs via a secure elevator and through two more locked doors.

In the gym, about two dozen family members and an equal number of staff members sat and stood facing a small podium. Silver, black and gold balloons drifted around the floor.

Simple programs were on every folding chair. Notably absent: the graduates' names. The Enquirer agreed not to name the teens either.

Hamilton County Juvenile Court said both graduates are young men, arrested as teens, facing felony charges in adult court. Both will face trial in front of an adult-court judge and both could be sentenced to time in prisons for adults, not kids.

While this graduation ceremony marks an achievement for these teens, it also means they are closer to going to trial.

'Your past does not define your future'

During the ceremony, the charges the two teens face were never mentioned. If the boys thought about their possible time behind bars, their smiles and poise in their robes didn't show it. Even if those thoughts sneaked in, the crowd of cheering and smiling family members may have been loud enough to drown it out.

The roar of clapping filled the gym as the first graduate walked between the rows of chairs.

He wore a black robe and mortarboard hat with a black and red tassel. These are the colors of his home school, Oak Hills High School.

His principal, J. Travis Hunt, was there to hand over the diploma.

Your past does not define your future, Hunt said. Stay focused on your dreams. May your future be filled with success.

The teen pulled a yellow piece of paper from under his robe and read the words he'd prepared. He thanked a long list of people including staff members.

This wouldnt be possible without my mom, dad, family and God, he said I love yall.

Gail Ash, a Cincinnati Public Schools teacher assigned to the center, presented the next graduate, welcoming him to the podium with a fist bump.

She called him an amazing student who is a lifelong learner and reader.

These two young men are amazing, she said, smiling. Now you may flip your tassels.

The moms, dads and siblings mobbed their new graduates. It was hug after hug. A young woman took one of them by the hand and twirled him around to get a good look at him in his robe. Everyone got their hugs.

The boys played it cool mostly, but their smiles never faded throughout the ceremony.

'When a student wants help, how do you say no?'

Sister Janet Linz has taught at Purcell Marian for 25 years. Before the ceremony, she had carefully made her way to the gym carrying a small gift bag.

She usually comes to the detention center about twice a month to help the students, but to help one of that days graduates, she stepped it up to twice a week.

She said he needed help with English and was very unsure of himself. She worked on the fundamentals but also on his insecurity.

She smiled, remembering when she overheard the boy talking to his friends about the upcoming ACT test. He told them, "I just need to be confident." Her words had sunk in.

Linz said she had always wanted to volunteer at the center, but it wasnt until last year that she did it. She said its taught her a lot.

To see the expression on the kids faces, she said. When a student wants help, how do you say no?

Not giving up

From the podium, Judge Kari Bloom told the teens their work and development matters.

While we might not have met under the best circumstances, I could not be more proud," she said. We value education here. To do otherwise is to say when youre charged with a crime, we give up.

After the ceremony, the teens and their families headed to three folding tables covered in food. Four other teens also held at the detention center served chicken wings, carrots, cupcakes and snacks.

Those teens helped prepare the meal for the celebration, and like the graduates, were preparing for their own futures. The four were part of a program at the center with Aramark, a food service company. Those who complete the program are guaranteed a job with the company.

The younger kids played and squirmed through the crowd. The families moved the chairs into circles in the gym. The graduates sat close, catching up with their parents and other relatives.

But their time was limited.

A staff member told them they could visit with their new graduates in the gym until 2:30 p.m., just two and a half hours after the ceremony began.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton County Youth Detention Center holds its third graduation
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Tuesday that he does not plan to vote for former President Trump in November, suggesting he would write in another candidate instead.

Character is too important to me, Ryan, who left Congress in 2019, told Yahoo Finance at the Milken Global Institute Conference. And its a job that requires the kind of character that he just doesnt have.

Having said that, I really disagree with [President Biden] on policy, he added. I wrote in a Republican the last time, Im gonna write in a Republican this time.

Ryan, the head of the Republican House majority during Trumps first two years in the White House, has became a vocal critic of the former president. He has argued that Trump is not a conservative but rather an authoritarian narcissist, and backed former Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) for standing up to the former president.

Historically speaking, all of his tendencies are basically where narcissism takes him, which is whatever makes him popular, makes him feel good in any given moment, Ryan said in an interview late last year.

He doesnt think in classical liberal conservative terms, he continued at the time. He thinks in an authoritarian way, and hes been able to get a big chunk of the Republican base to follow him because hes the culture warrior.

The former Speaker has also stated it is really clear that Biden won the 2020 election, despite the former president and his allies common claims to the contrary.

It was not rigged. It was not stolen, Ryan said in an interview in 2021. Donald Trump lost the election. Joe Biden won the election. Its really clear.

Ryan left Congress after serving 20 years representing Wisconsins 1st District. He was also Sen. Mitt Romneys (R-Utah) running mate in the 2012 presidential election.

Romney, who announced in September that he will retire from the Senate at the end of his term, has also recently emerged as a strong critic of the former president.

The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Pedestrian rescued in East Texas after being trapped under vehicle

PAYNE SPRINGS, Texas (KETK)  Payne Springs Fire Rescue (PSFR) removed a pedestrian that was trapped under a vehicle that had struck her on Tuesday night.

Large amount of meth found in chip bag during traffic stop, Kilgore PD says

According to PSFR, at 11:51 p.m. on Tuesday volunteers were notified of a pedestrian crash that resulted in the pedestrian being trapped underneath the vehicle on Cherokee Shores Drive.

Photo of the scene, courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue

PSFR said that upon arrival, they learned that a woman had been struck by a vehicle and was now trapped underneath it. The rescue crews had reportedly used tools to slowly lift the vehicle until the pedestrian could be removed.

Man arrested for murder in Polk County after body found in wooded area

PFSR said the pedestrian was taken to the hospital after suffering multiple injuries, including burns from the cars exhaust. The pedestrians current condition is unknown.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Getty Images

The man accused of brutally killing Laken Riley as she was on a morning run on the University of Georgia campus was formally indicted Wednesday, two-and-a-half months after her killing reverberated across the country.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, was officially slapped with 10 charges, including felony murder, malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, and aggravated assault with intent to rape.

Those charges had been expected for months, but prosecutors also issued Ibarra a surprise peeping Tom charge on Tuesday. His indictment alleged that he spied on an unnamed UGA staff member, going to an apartment near campus and looking through the womans window on the same morning Riley was murdered.

Georgia Gets Even Tougher on Immigrants in Aftermath of Laken Riley Slaying

No other details about the alleged peeping was listed in the indictment.

At the least, Ibarra is staring down a lifetime behind bars if convicted. The charges mean prosecutors could seek the death penalty, as its permitted and executions remain active in Georgia, but theyve given no indication on their intentions.

Prosecutors detailed in the indictment that Ibarra attempted to rape Riley by pulling up her clothing with the intent to have carnal knowledge of her forcibly and against her will. They claimed Ibarra also choked Riley and caused blunt-force trauma by seriously disfiguring her head and striking her multiple times with a rock.

Police described Rileys slaying as a crime of opportunity, saying Ibarra saw an opportunity to prey on a young woman and took advantage of it on Feb. 22. He was named a suspect using DNA evidence and security footage.

Riley, 22, had recently graduated from the UGA and had been living in Athens, an iconic college town, while she continued studying nursing at a nearby university.

Emails Reveal Mayor Defended Sanctuary City Policies After Laken Rileys Murder

Police said Riley had no known relationship with Ibarra, a 26-year-old who immigrated to the U.S. in 2022 and had been arrested twiceonce in New York City for riding on a scooter with a child who was not wearing a helmet, and again in Athens last year, for allegedly shoplifting. Ibarra is yet to enter a plea in the murder case, and he remains in custody.

Rileys body was discovered with visible injuries near a lake by the universitys intramural fields, police said, and a coroner later ruled she had died by blunt-force trauma.

Her murder grabbed national headlines, particularly after it was revealed that an undocumented immigrant was allegedly behind the crime. Conservative media and politicians combined to skewer Joe Biden, claiming U.S. failures at the southern border led to Rileys death.

This discourse reached a fever pitch at the State of the Union address in February, two weeks after Riley was killed, when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene interrupted Bidens address to shout say her name.

Slain Georgia Students Mom Skewers Biden for Getting Daughters Name Wrong

A visibly fired up Biden, then speaking off the cuff, called Greenes bluff and paused his speech to address the tragedy. In doing so, however, he mispronounced Rileys first nameirking her momand referred to Ibarra as an illegal, which angered progressives. Biden later conceded he should have used the word undocumented to describe Ibarra.

In the months that followed, legislation has was written in Rileys honor at both the federal and local level. That included the Laken Riley Act, which passed the House and would have required the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented people who are accused of certain crimes within U.S. borders. Senate Democrats blocked the bill from reaching Bidens desk, however.

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.
Pennsylvania man who pointed gun at pastor during sermon now charged with cousin's murder

A 26-year-old Pennsylvania man who pulled a gun on a pastor during a livestreamed Sunday church service is now charged with murder in a relative's death officials said took place earlier that same day.

Bernard Junior Polite, of North Braddock, a Pittsburgh suburb, is charged with one count of criminal homicide in connection to the Sunday morning fatal shooting of his cousin, 56-year-old Derek Polite inside a home where both men lived, The Allegheny County Police Department reported.

North Braddock, a borough in Allegheny County, is about 9 miles southeast of downtown.

The suspect was initially arrested Sunday after Pennsylvania State Police said he entered Jesus' Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock about 1 p.m. and attempted to shoot preacher Glenn Germany during his sermon. The firearm failed to discharge, troopers reported.

No one else was injured.

Bernard Junior Polite, 26, (holding gun) of North Braddock in Pennsylvania was arrested on an attempted murder charge after state police said he entered Jesus' Dwelling Place Church on May 5, 2024, and attempted to shoot the preacher as he was giving a sermon. Troopers reported the gun jammed.

Bernard Polite faces multiple charges

Court records show Bernard Polite is charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment in connection to that case.

After family members saw reports of the melee at the church, police said, they went to the home where he lives with his cousin to check on his wellbeing and found the cousin dead.

'I did it. I killed her.' Man charged with strangling wife in hospital bed over medical bills

Cousin shot while 'walking up stairs': Police

Police responded to the home at 8:15 p.m. and found the cousin fatally shot, county police Superintendent Christopher Kearns said during a Tuesday news conference.

Kearns said it appears Polite shot his cousin as he was "walking up the stairs from the first floor," and then went to the church.

Kearns said police were investigating a motive in the fatal shooting and it does not appear the shooting suspect had any connection to the church.

Suspect seen pacing outside his home prior to shooting

Through witness interviews, detectives learned Bernard Polite was seen pacing outside the home the morning of the fatal shooting, and someone reported "hearing a noise which could have been a gunshot" about 10 a.m.

Following the scene at the church, a firearm was recovered by troopers, police reported. It was later determined the projectile recovered from the homicide victim matched the same firearm seized by state police.

Video shows suspect point gun directly at pastor in pulpit

Video obtained by USA TODAY shows a man in a black T-shirt walk directly toward Germany as he preaches, pull out a firearm and aim it directly at him.

Immediately, a church congregant runs up behind the armed suspect, tackles him and Germany and another churchgoer help disarm the suspect on the ground.

Polite was jailed without bond pending a preliminary arraignment hearing on Wednesday, online court records show.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man who pulled gun on pastor in church now charged in cousin's murder
The 7th meeting of the High-Level Working Group on the Caspian Sea issues was held in Baku on May 6-7, Azernews reports.

The meeting was attended by Samir Sharifov, head of the delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, A. Jahangiri, head of the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Z. Amanjolova, head of the delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, M. Petrakov, head of the delegation of the Russian Federation, and M. Atajanov, head of the delegation of Turkmenistan.

The head of the Azerbaijani delegation Samir Sharifov chaired the meeting.

The discussions revolved around the drawing of the straight boundary lines in the Caspian Sea.

The meeting also discussed cooperation regarding the Caspian Sea.

The heads of the delegations expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for the excellent organization of the meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on June 24-27 in Iran.
KIEV, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Explosions were heard in several Ukrainian regions on Wednesday morning as Russia launched missile attacks against the country, the Ukrainian air force and media outlets said. 
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  A Menard County man has pleaded guilty to 34 federal counts involving crimes against children, and he faces decades in prison for each count.

Federal prosecutors said Adam Power, 30 of Petersburg, pleaded guilty to charges of producing, distributing and receiving child pornography between July of 2022 and February of 2023. Evidence indicated that during those seven months, Power posed as a female minor on the online chatting apps Snapchat and Kik and convinced male minors to produce pornographic images and videos of themselves. In addition, prosecutors said Power distributed and received visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Arrest made in Springfield murder investigation, Sheriff says

Power was initially arrested on March 21, 2023, on a state charge of possession of child pornography. Three months later, on June 30, federal prosecutors charged him with producing, distributing and receiving child pornography and a grand jury indicted him on 10 federal counts the following July. A superseding indictment in January of this year brought his total counts to 34.

Producing child pornography carries a statutory penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison per count, and Power pleaded guilty to seven of those counts. Power also pleaded guilty to eight counts of distributing child pornography and 18 counts of receiving child pornography (five to 20 years per count) and one count of possessing child pornography (up to 20 years in prison).

A sentencing hearing for Power has been scheduled for Sept. 5 in Springfield.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
(Bloomberg) -- Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the nations institutions suffer from structural corruption as he tried to distance himself from a recent bribery scandal involving allies.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Petro, who is trying to overhaul Colombias conservative economic model, became a household name two decades ago when he led a series of anti-corruption investigations in congress.

Being on the left is not a vaccine against corruption, it is in all parties and in all corners, Petro said in a televised address. Our job and our duty is to fight against it.

Former officials at the governments disaster prevention agency said they siphoned off funds intended to provide drinking water to a poverty-stricken desert region, to bribe members of congress to vote for Petros reforms. All government officials close to Petro and lawmakers accused in the scandal have denied wrongdoing.

According to a note from the political research center Teneo, the graft scandal could make it harder for the government to get its pension reform through congress.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
FILE PHOTO: Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff visits Western Command in charge of parts of South China Sea

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines' military chief accused China of a "malign influence effort" on Wednesday, after a local newspaper reported a Filipino vice admiral had made a deal with Beijing to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea.

The Manila Times published what it said was a transcript of a phone conversation during which it said a Philippine admiral had agreed to China's proposal of a "new model", where the Philippines would use fewer vessels in resupply missions to troops at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, and notify Beijing about missions in advance.

Reuters has not heard the reported phone conversation and could not verify the contents of the published transcript. The Manila Times said the conversation had taken place in January and the transcript was provided by a "ranking Chinese official", which it did not name.

The shoal has been a flashpoint for a series of heated confrontations between China's coast guard and Philippine vessels in the past year, straining ties between the two neighbours. The Philippines has refused to heed China's calls to steer clear of the area.

"China's claim of an audio recording ... does not merit significant concern as it appears to be a malign influence effort from the Chinese Communist Party," military chief Romeo Brawner said in a statement.

"Transcripts can easily be fabricated, and audio recordings can be manufactured by using deep fakes. These reports only aims to serve as a distraction from the China coast guard's ongoing aggressive behaviour."

China's embassy in Manila did not respond to requests for comment on the transcript carried by the Manila Times. It had no immediate response to Brawner's statement.

'FACTS ARE CLEAR'

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Wednesday said the embassy in Manila had released details about "relevant communications" between the two countries on managing the situation at the Second Thomas Shoal. Lin did not elaborate.

"The facts are clear and backed by hard evidence that cannot be denied," Lin said in comments from a regular briefing shared by the embassy.

"The Philippines has insisted on denying these objective facts and seeks to mislead the international community."

The two countries have been embroiled in a series of standoffs in disputed areas of the South China Sea as the Philippines, emboldened by support from the United States and other allies, steps up its activities in waters policed by China's coast guard.

China has accused the Philippines of trespassing and of treachery. The Philippines has scolded Beijing for what it says is a policy of aggression and dangerous manoeuvring inside Manila's 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

China has long been vexed by the Philippines' stationing of a small group of marines at the Second Thomas Shoal aboard a warship that it intentionally grounded 25 years ago.

Beijing has repeatedly said the Philippines had agreed to tow that ship away, which Manila has rejected.

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Rainwater seeped into the cracked ceiling panels and plastered walls of the Vista House basement on Sunday.

The dripping water was collected in plastic bins placed atop historical exhibits and along public walkways as the Oregon landmark, which attracts more than 1 million visitors each year with its sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge, recently celebrated its 106th birthday.

Oregon State Parks spokesperson Stefanie Knowlton told KOIN 6 News that Vista House has suffered from continuous water damage since the building was dedicated on May 5, 1918.

Water intrusion has plagued the Vista House from the year it was built, Knowlton said. When you add in the Columbia Gorges harsh, unrelenting weather, you start to understand the challenges of maintaining this historic structure.

Rainwater seeped into Vista house as the historic building celebrated its 106th birthday. (KOIN 6)

Dehumidifier are used to drain the buildings excess moisture into its drinking fountains.











Frost Advisory issued days before possible 90-degree heat around Portland

In 1994, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, the State Historic Preservation Office and the organization Friends of Vista House agreed to pay for an assessment of the buildings condition. The study, which was completed in the summer of 1995, revealed that the building was in such a state of decay that it required sweeping repairs.

The status of the building at that time was such that temporary repairs were no longer an option for the long-term issues of deterioration that the building faced, the Friends of Vista House website states.

After years of fundraising, a five-year, $3.2 million renovation project was completed in 2006 to prevent a buildup of water in the buildings envelope. The restoration work included sealing the original skylights, repairing stained glass windows and replacing damaged plasterwork throughout the building. Despite the upkeep, water has continued to find its way into the Vista House.

More restoration work is planned for the building. However, there is no current timeline for when those repairs might begin. In the meantime, the state will continue to collect water in drip pans and run dehumidifiers throughout the building to combat additional water damage.

We have staff working on the next rehab projects, but we dont yet have a budget estimate or timeline, Knowlton said. Until then, we ask for visitor patience and TLC when visiting since they will continue to see buckets and other temporary measures, especially after heavy rain or ice events.

New wolverine sighting in Southwest Washington

There are no active fundraisers that contribute directly to the maintenance of Vista House. Knowlton said that Oregon State Parks currently accepts donations through a general fund, which is used for various Parks Department projects. Vista House was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner warned Wednesday that shifting appellate appointments from the Judiciary to the state Senate and governor would politicize the process and risk a vacancy crisis in appeals courts. (Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor)

Some New Jersey legislators want to amend the state constitution to transfer the authority to appoint appellate judges from the Judiciary to the governor and Senate, a proposal that prompted swift, sharp rebukes Wednesday from the states top jurist and the state bar association.

Now, trial judges on state Superior Court are nominated by the governor and must be vetted and approved by the Senate, and the Supreme Court chief justice appoints trial judges to be elevated to the Appellate Division, which is part of Superior Court.

Under draft legislation, the state would eliminate the Appellate Division, create a separate Court of Appeals, and require appellate judges to be nominated by the governor and vetted and approved by the Senate. That plan would reduce the Chief Justices role to assigning trial court judges temporarily to the appeals court to fill vacancies until the governor and Senate act to appoint permanent appellate judges.

The amendment would give the people of New Jersey, through their elected representatives the Governor and the members of the Senate, a voice in the selection of appellate judges, a draft of the bill reads.

But Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and the New Jersey State Bar Association said Wednesday such a change would expose the Judiciary to the same politicization that created an unprecedented judicial vacancy crisis, delaying justice for thousands of New Jersey residents. The pace of Superior Court confirmations has been so glacially slow since Gov. Phil Murphy took office in 2018 that vacancies hit historic highs and forced Rabner to temporarily suspend family and civil trials in counties across the state.

The new Court of Appeals judges, if the voters approve, would be subject to a transparent vetting and confirmation process just like all our trial court judges and Supreme Court justices.

 Sen. Raj Mukherji

The Judiciary is a co-equal branch of government, so such a change would undermine its independence, the bar association added.

Rabner had a simple message for the legislators who want to tinker with New Jerseys long-established judicial processes  dont fix it if it aint broke.

New Jerseys Appellate Division is widely regarded as one of the finest intermediate appellate courts in the nation. It is comprised of gifted judges who gained valuable experience at the trial court level, and who collectively address thousands of appeals every year. They serve the public well, Rabner said. The Constitution of 1947 shaped an effective and balanced intermediate court that has existed for three quarters of a century. To amend the Constitution in a way that would politicize the appointment process would have real consequences.

He urged legislators to carefully debate and evaluate the proposal and its impact on the cause of justice before voting on any proposal to amend the constitution. Any change to the constitution would have to be approved by voters.

Because the legislation hasnt been formally introduced yet, its unclear who will sponsor it. Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) did not respond to requests for comment. Murphys office declined to comment.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) said he would review the legislation if and when it becomes available.

Any changes to the New Jersey Constitution would need to be made only after careful consideration, Coughlin said.

One supporter of the legislation said trial judges should be vetted again before getting promoted to the appeals court.

Sen. Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson), who said he intends to sponsor the legislation, likened the plan to the federal process for appointing appellate judges, which involves presidential nominations and U.S. Senate approval through a thorough vetting and confirmation process. New Jerseys system is the result of an old-fashioned backroom deal in the 1940s, he said.

Its undemocratic that a 80-year-old backscratching trade could result in one future conservative Chief unilaterally reshaping the Judiciary, with no hearings, no process, no transparency, and no backstop. And the Republicans are probably worried about the same possibility with an extremist liberal Chief. The new Court of Appeals judges, if the voters approve, would be subject to a transparent vetting and confirmation process just like all our trial court judges and Supreme Court justices, he said.

The bar association issued a resolution Wednesday supporting the Judiciary and its independence and opposing the legislative proposal or any changes that would weaken the Judiciarys role.

The proposed amendment will all but guarantee that the Appellate Division will be plagued with the same judicial vacancy crisis as the Superior Court, due to inevitable political disagreement and delay, when no such crisis exists under the current constitutional structure, the resolution reads.

The Appellate Division handles, on average, 5,000 appeals and more than 10,000 motions a year, according to the state courts. Twenty-seven jurists now serve in the division, with an additional four serving 10-week temporary assignments there. The chief justice has appointed 52 trial court judges to the Appellate Division since 2008, excluding the four now temporarily assigned there.

Judiciary officials have said Superior Court could operate sustainably with a maximum of 30 vacancies. Vacancies have averaged about 50 a month in recent months, and now stand at 40. Understaffing hit a record high in May 2022, when the bench was down 78 jurists and some courts reported years-long backlogs.

(Chart courtesy of New Jersey Courts)

The post Plan would shift control of appellate judge appointments to governor and Senate appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A man who faced a charge of first-degree murder stemming from a shooting in 2020 has pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter.

Dion Henry Thomas, 22, also pleaded no contest Tuesday to shooting at an inhabited dwelling and gun possession by a felon, according to court records. In a separate case, he pleaded no contest to another count of gun possession by a felon.

Prosecutors say he faces a total of 15 years in prison at his June 5 sentencing.

On the morning of Oct. 30, 2020, deputies were dispatched to a report of a body  later identified as that of Adam Garcia, 22  lying in the roadway near the intersection of Edison and Muller roads.

The night before the body was found, a witness told investigators, Thomas shot at a residence where Garcia stood outside. The two then left in a vehicle.

Thomas had been angry with Garcia and wanted revenge, the witness said according to court filings, believing hed been set up in a fight where Garcia hadnt supported him.

Thomas was arrested in early 2022. Hes been in custody since.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland's prime minister wants to revive a Polish commission investigating Russian influence, he said on Wednesday, amid heightened fears about espionage after a Polish judge who had access to military secrets asked for asylum in Belarus.

While Poland has long said that its position as a key distribution hub for supplies to Ukraine makes it a major target for Russian spies, judge Tomasz Szmydt's asylum request put the country on heightened alert.

The judge was slated to rule on cases concerning issuing security clearances to information on NATO and European Union secrets next month. Prosecutors are investigating if he was a spy.

Szmydt has said that he faced political persecution in Poland and that he resigned as a Polish judge in protest at policies he said were drawing the country into conflict with Belarus and Russia.

Reviving the commission would mark a turnaround for a body that was formed last year by Poland's previous nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) government and condemned at the time by current Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition (KO) grouping as being a vehicle for a witchhunt against him as it could ban politicians from office.

"The issue of resuming work or building an appropriate body that will more effectively investigate Russian influence on Polish politics is on the agenda," Tusk told reporters after a security meeting to discuss the spy threat from Russia and Belarus.

"We have a commission (on Russian influence), but there are constitutional reservations as to its operation," he added.

The commission had seen opposition from the European Union last year and has been dormant.

Tusk said he had asked the cabinet member responsible for coordinating Poland's special services, Tomasz Siemoniak, to prepare recommendations on how to reactivate it.

"We have no doubt ... that Mr Szmydt is serving a foreign state, foreign services," Siemoniak told private broadcaster TVN24, highlighting the fact that the judge has appeared on Belarusian and Russian television attacking the Polish government.

"You can see from the sequence of events, how quickly he ended up on Russian state television ... that this is a planned operation which today above all has taken on a propaganda dimension," he said.

The Belarusian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment sent outside normal office hours.

Former PiS prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki questioned why the Russian influence commission had been shelved in the first place.

"As for the issue of investigating Russian influence, such actions were taken by the Law and Justice government, which created a special commission," he said in comments sent to Reuters by email. "The opposition boycotted it, fearing the discovery of facts inconvenient to them."

Elsewhere, Polish border officials said on Wednesday they had detained a defector from the Russian army on the frontier with Belarus.

Deputy Interior Minister Czeslaw Mroczek told state news agency PAP that Poland was trying to establish whether the man was indeed a deserter fleeing the war or whether he was supposed to carry out some mission for Russian services.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish, Pawel Florkiewicz, Marek Strzelecki; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Nick Zieminski)
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Four people were taken into custody after leading police on a chase through Maryland and into Virginia before stopping in D.C.

The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said officers saw a carjacked vehicle around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. When officers tried to conduct a traffic stop on the car, thats when the chase began.

Maryland primary race heats up one week before primary election

The vehicle fled starting from Prince Georges County. They entered Virginia and then eventually, the car came to a stop in Washington, D.C.

Four people were taken into custody. At least two of them were male but their ages were not yet known, according to PGPD.

The situation was still being investigated.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
TEHRAN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The 28th Iran International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition, also known as the Iran Oil Show 2024, kicked off Wednesday in Iran's capital Tehran.

The opening ceremony was attended by Iran's Oil Minister Javad Owji, CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Mohsen Khojastehmehr, Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum Mohamed Hamel, along with other oil industry representatives and parliament members.

In addition to 1,500 domestic firms, 250 companies from 12 countries, including China, Russia, France, Japan, India, Austria, Argentina, and Belarus, have also taken part in the exhibition, Shana News Agency affiliated with the Iranian Oil Ministry reported Wednesday.

The four-day event is Iran's most important oil exhibition held annually by the NIOC, said the report.

The oil industry's latest achievements and technologies will be displayed at the event, Shana quoted the exhibition's director, Gholamreza Jamali, as saying.

Jamali added that the exhibition serves as a venue for industry experts, officials, as well as domestic and foreign firms to exchange experience, discuss cooperation, and make investments in the Iranian oil industry.

He noted that several expert meetings, roundtables, and educational workshops would also be held during the show in a venue spanning 70,000 square meters.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Oil Minister Owji said that since the incumbent administration took office in August 2021, Iran's annual oil production has increased by 60 percent while exports climbed to 35 billion U.S. dollars in the previous Iranian year ending on March 19, 2024, despite sanctions and restrictions imposed by "the enemies." 
Police break up another protest by pro-Palestinian activists at the University of Amsterdam

Students gather for a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Earlier on Tuesday, Dutch police broke up a pro-Palestinian demonstration camp at the University of Amsterdam. Police spokeswoman Sara Tillart said about 140 protesters were arrested, two of whom remain in custody on suspicion of committing public violence. (AP Photo/Aleksandar Furtula)

AMSTERDAM (AP)  In sometimes violent confrontations, police broke up a protest by pro-Palestinian activists at the University of Amsterdam Wednesday in a second straight day of unrest over the war in Gaza.

After police ended a blockade on university grounds, hundreds of demonstrators moved to a nearby square to continue protesting late into the evening, demanding an end to the war. Some asked the university to sever academic relations with Israel.

It was unclear if and how many people were injured during the scuffles and how many protesters were detained by police.

Also, at Utrecht University, some 45 kilometers (30 miles) to the south, students occupied a university building to protest Israeli actions in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Student protests have been gaining momentum across Europe, following similar actions in the U.S. universities where several encampments have spread out.

The war started after the Palestinian militant groups attacked the southern of Israel, killing 1,200 people in a surprise attack and taking around 250 hostage. Israel's' retaliatory military operation has killed more than 34,700 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and has devastated the Gaza Strip.
Police began clearing a pro-Palestinian encampment on George Washington Universitys campus early Wednesday morning, and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee announced it would cancel a planned hearing with Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser about the Districts response to the demonstrations.

According to the student paper, The GW Hatchet, hundreds of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers descended on H Street to clear out University Yard, where students began protesting April 25.

Police released a statement Wednesday saying officers have worked to pursue non-arrest methods to deescalate tensions to ensure the safety of the students, but there has been a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest.

Videos shared online show students protesting outside university President Ellen Granbergs home in D.C. MPD said it worked with GW administration and campus police to disperse the demonstrators from campus and surrounding streets.

During the course of the operation, arrests were made for Assault on a Police Officer and Unlawful Entry, MPDs statement said. MPD will continue to be supportive of universities or other private entities who need assistance.

The police activity follows a Sunday letter from Granberg to local D.C. officials asking for their help to increase police presence around the demonstrations. Students denounced Granbergs alleged refusal to meet with organizers about their demands, the Hatchet reported.

Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said in a statement that a hearing on the protests that had been set for later Wednesday was no longer necessary.

I had a good conversation with Mayor Bowser. I thanked her for finally clearing the trespassers off the GW Campus. It was unfortunate the situation at GW forced the Oversight Committee to act; however it was apparent that the DC police force was not going to do their job, Comer said.

During the clearing Wednesday, at least two officers deployed pepper spray on protesters, the Hatchet reported. Video shared online shows protesters being sprayed and backing away from officers.

MPD said in a press conference Wednesday morning that no officers were seriously injured. When asked if students could set up protests elsewhere on campus, MPD said it is up to Granberg, but they would no longer be allowed to encamp on the university quad area.

GW said in a statement reported by The Associated Press that it is committed to protecting students right to free expression, but the encampment had evolved into an unlawful activity, with participants in direct violation of multiple university policies and city regulations.

In a statement released later Wednesday, the university said the GW Police Department and MPD warned demonstrators to leave, and those who remained were arrested.

The campus remains open and final examinations are proceeding as scheduled, the university said. An increased police presence will remain on University Yard and the surrounding area, which will remain closed until after the commencement ceremony on May 19.

The GW protests mirror those happening on college campuses across the country. More than 2,000 arrests have occurred since demonstrators began asking their universities to divest from Israeli companies or companies that supply Israel with weapons.

Updated at 2:02 p.m. EDT

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Officers of the Metropolitan Police Department pepper spray demonstrators at George Washington University in Washington, early Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Police cleared a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at the university and arrested demonstrators early Wednesday, hours after dozens marched to the home of the schools president. (Sage Russell/GW Hatchet via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Police used pepper spray to clear a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University and arrested dozens of demonstrators on Wednesday just as city officials were set to appear before hostile lawmakers in Congress to account for their handling of the 2-week-old protest.

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability canceled the hearing after the crackdown, with its chairman and other Republicans welcoming the police action. House Speaker Mike Johnson said, it should not require threatening to haul D.C.s mayor before Congress to keep Jewish students at George Washington University safe.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, said she and Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith decided to clear the camp because of signs that the protest was becoming more volatile and less stable. Among them were indications that protesters had gathered improvised weapons and were casing university buildings with the possible intention of occupying them, police said.

But Moataz Salim, a Palestinian student at George Washington who has family in Gaza, said the authorities merely destroyed a beautiful community space that was all about love.

Less than 10 hours ago, I was pepper sprayed and assaulted by police," he told a news conference held by organizers. And why? Because we decided to pitch some tents, hold community activities and learn from each other. We built something incredible. We built something game-changing.

Tensions have ratcheted up in standoffs with protesters of the Israel-Hamas war on campuses across the United States and increasingly in Europe. Some colleges cracked down immediately. Others have tolerated the demonstrations. Some have begun to lose patience and call in the police over concerns about disruptions to campus life and safety.

Police also moved in Tuesday night to break up an encampment at the University of Massachusetts. Video from the scene in Amherst showed an hourslong operation as dozens of officers in riot gear systematically tore down tents and took protesters into custody. The operation continued into early Wednesday. Police said about 130 people were arrested after protesters refused orders to disperse.

I found it to be a complete overreaction, said Lucas Ruud, editor-in-chief of The Massachusetts Daily Collegian. It was a completely unnecessary show of force. The staff of the college newspaper counted more than 100 police vehicles on campus for the crackdown.

In Washington, police said they arrested 33 people at the George Washington protest, including for assault on a police officer and unlawful entry. They confirmed they used pepper spray outside the encampment against protesters who were trying to break police lines and enter.

Two Democratic lawmakers appeared at a news conference with five of the students who had been arrested. I want all Republicans and Democrats to know that they cannot arrest their way out of this growing dissent," said Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. This was an explicit attempt to repress students exercising their First Amendment rights.

Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri said that "those who refuse to stop the genocide in Gaza think they can arrest and brutalize their way out of this.

The school said in a statement that while it is committed to free expression, "the encampment had evolved into an unlawful activity, with participants in direct violation of multiple university policies and city regulations." It said later that normal operations had resumed after the "orderly and safe operation" to disperse the demonstrators.

President Joe Biden's press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said the president believes the right to dissent is "fundamental to who we are, but it cannot lead to disorder and violence, threats, vandalism, trespassing and/or shutting down campuses. Students have the right to be safe, and antisemitism is repugnant, and weve been very clear about that.

Throughout the roughly two weeks of the encampment, the scene had been largely tranquil.

The tightly organized demonstrators and pro-Israeli counterprotesters who stood along the edges interacted without serious conflict. Some of the most charged confrontations involved people objecting to the treatment of a George Washington statue, wrapped with Palestinian scarves and flags with Genocidal Warmonger University spray-painted on its base.

Since April 18, about 2,800 people have been arrested on 50 campuses  figures based on Associated Press reporting and statements from universities and law enforcement agencies after this latest anti-war movement was launched by a protest at Columbia University in New York.

At other U.S. schools:

 Student protesters at the University of Vermont ended their nine-day encampment Wednesday. Among their demands, protesters wanted the school to cancel Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, as commencement speaker because of U.S. votes blocking cease-fire resolutions. The school said Friday that Thomas-Greenfield would not give the address.

 A pro-Palestinian tent encampment was cleared by officers in riot gear at the University of Chicago on Tuesday after administrators who initially adopted a permissive approach said the protesters had crossed a line. Hundreds of protesters had gathered for at least eight days until administrators warned them Friday to leave or face removal.

 The president of Wesleyan University, a liberal arts school in Connecticut, commended the on-campus demonstration, which includes a pro-Palestinian tent encampment, as an act of political expression. The camp there has grown from about 20 tents a week ago to more than 100. The protesters cause is important  bringing attention to the killing of innocent people, university President Michael Roth wrote to the campus community. And we continue to make space for them to do so, as long as that space is not disruptive to campus operations.

 The Rhode Island School of Designs president, Crystal Williams, spent more than five hours with protesters discussing their demands after students started occupying a building Monday. On Tuesday the school announced it was relocating classes from the building.

 New York City police arrested 50 people outside the Fashion Institute of Technology on Tuesday evening after protesters who had been rallying nearby arrived to support a student encampment.

In Amherst, school Chancellor Javier Reyes said he ordered the sweep after talks over a wide range of demands failed to yield an agreement to dismantle the encampment and engage in constructive discussions.

A week ago, the George Washington encampment was host to a somewhat chaotic visit from several Republican members of the House oversight panel who criticized the protests and condemned Bowsers refusal at that point to send in police.

We did not have any violence to interrupt on the GW campus, she said then.

But in the early hours of Wednesday, hundreds of Metropolitan Police Department officers descended on the scene, reported The GW Hatchet, the university's student newspaper.

At least two officers deployed pepper spray on protesters, who then set up an impromptu medical area at a nearby market, the paper said. Organizers ran to a convenience store to buy water to rinse their eyes.

The oversight hearing, now scrapped, was another pressure point in the fraught relationship between Republicans in Congress and officials in the heavily Democratic district. Former President Donald Trump has threatened a federal "takeover of the city, to control crime, if he wins back the White House.

The district is already a federal enclave, though with a measure of self-government and its own police department, over which the federal government can exert control in some emergencies.

___

Associated Press journalists around the U.S. and the world contributed, including Charles Rex Arbogast, Pat Eaton-Robb, Steve LeBlanc, Jeff Amy, Christopher Weber, Mike Corder, Barbara Surk, Rick Callahan, Sarah Brumfield and Pietro de Cristofaro.
Protesters gather outside the Harris County Joint Processing Center in Houston following the arrest of two University of Houston students and the dismantling of an on-campus encampment in support of Palestinians on Wednesday. Credit: Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribune

Police were quick to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Houston on Wednesday, detaining at least two students in the process, according to university officials.

Protesters had set up a blue tarp to cover the fields of the universitys Butler Plaza and surrounded the area with wooden barricades. They joined students across Texas and the country who have been demanding that their schools divest from manufacturers supplying Israel weapons in its strikes on Gaza.

[Heres why UT and A&M are unlikely to divest from Israel]

Around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, campus police took down the barricades and cut up the tarp underneath protesters feet. At least two officers were seen with riot shields, videos of the demonstration posted online showed.

One student was arrested for failing to identify themselves and a second student was arrested for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, the university said.

Tents and encampments are not permitted on campus grounds in accordance with state statutes, a spokesperson for the university wrote in a statement. The group was allowed to continue its protest, in accordance with UH policies.

After the encampment was cleared, the demonstrators moved the protest to outside the Harris County Joint Processing Center, where it appeared the arrested students had been taken. About 100 people chanted and cheered at passing cars whose drivers honked in solidarity.

Bubbles fluttered out of a tiny machine at one end of the crowd, which was parted in the middle by sheriffs deputies standing in front of the entrance to the building. One law enforcement officer appeared to photograph the crowd from the end of the block.

Outside the county building, UH student Reyna Valdez and other protesters said they planned to stay until the two arrested students were released. Valdez said she watched police rip up tarps and push students away from the plaza where the encampment was held.

"We felt it was important to set up an encampment and to show our university that we're serious about our demands that they divest from these arms manufacturers," Valdez said. "It's incredibly disheartening that our university felt that it was so important to respond to a peaceful encampment but hasn't felt it that it's important to respond to the fact they've been investing in a genocide."

The demonstrators were also demanding that UH remove the McDonalds, Sabra and Starbucks franchises on campus due to claims that those corporations have financially supported Israel. Reyna said organizers were pushing for students to show up to a University of Houston System Board of Regents meeting next week.

Protests on Texas campuses in the last month have already tested administrators handling of tensions related to the Israel-Hamas war and their commitment to free speech on campuses. As pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli students engage in protests and heated discussions, school leaders have struggled to strike a balance between their roles as moderators and facilitators of intellectual debate on campus.

At the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at Dallas, law enforcement made over 150 arrests at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the past two weeks. State, city and campus police broke up the protests in Austin with pepper spray, batons and horses.

The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.

Disclosure: University of Texas - Dallas, University of Texas at Austin and University of Houston 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.
SOHO, Manhattan (PIX11)  Police have identified the 16-year-old teenager who was fatally shot in SoHo on Tuesday.

Mahki Brown, from East Flatbush, was shot during a fight between two groups of students after school was dismissed for the day, according to the NYPD. Brown was shot in the head and leg and later died at a hospital, police said.

Two teens stabbed in Brooklyn: NYPD

There had been an ongoing fight between two groups of girls at a nearby school, sources told PIX11 News. The fight turned physical and the girls allegedly called other people for backup, sources said.

The suspected shooter fled on a CitiBike, sources said.

Suspect in fatal shooting of NYPD Detective Diller pleads not guilty

The alleyway where Brown was shot is directly across the street from the Chelsea Career and Technical Education High School, but police havent confirmed if he attended school there.

Detectives have been reviewing surveillance video from nearby buildings, including The Dominick Hotel, according to authorities.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Update: Police said Wednesday that Jaylan Anderson was found and is safe.

Police asked the public for help searching for a missing 13-year-old boy last seen Tuesday afternoon in Kansas City.

Jaylan Anderson was last seen near his home in the 7200 block of Virginia Avenue around 1:20 p.m. He was wearing a black hoodie and black pants.

Jaylan is 5 feet tall and weighs around 140 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone who sees Jaylan or knows of his whereabouts should call 911 or the missing persons unit at 816-234-5043 immediately.
Leander police are looking for a man who sexually assaulted a teenage girl after grabbing her from the bike she was riding along a trail, officials said Wednesday. The incident happened between 4 p.m. and 4:26 p.m. Tuesday along the wooded trail behind Benbrook Ranch Park, at 1100 Halsey Drive, officials said.

Leander police and canines conducted an extensive search of the area but were unable to find the man, officials said in a news release. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. George at 512-528-3839 or ageorge@leandertx.gov.

Investigators are not releasing further details on the case because it involves a minor.

'Powerful and impactful:' City of Austin apologizes to survivors in sexual assault cases

Leander police have increased patrols in the area and are working closely with the Parks and Recreation Department to increase staff visibility and to ensure that all suspicious activity is reported immediately, the release said.

"The Leander Police Department encourages anyone visiting local park areas to be vigilant and remain aware of their surroundings," it said. "Report suspicious activity to the police immediately and stay within sight of friends and family. While this appears to be an isolated incident, taking these precautions will help to ensure a safe park experience."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Leander police looking for man who sexually assaulted teen on trail
Police Who Shot Florida Airman 6 Times in His Home May Have Entered Wrong Apartment, Family Says

An attorney for the family of a Florida special operations airman who was shot and killed in his home by local police said Wednesday that officers responding to a reported disturbance may have entered the wrong apartment.

Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, who was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, was alone in his apartment May 3 when police burst through the door and fatally shot him six times, according to Ben Crump, an attorney representing Fortson's family.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office was responding to a disturbance between a man and woman in the apartment building, and deputies shot Fortson, who was Black, multiple times in the chest, according to police radio communications.

Read Next: With Mounting Opposition, Proposal to Move Guard Units to Space Force Appears Doomed in Congress

"The circumstances surrounding Roger's death raise serious questions that demand immediate answers from authorities, especially considering the alarming witness statement that the police entered the wrong apartment," Crump said. "The narrative released by law enforcement, which falsely suggests that Roger posed a threat, is deeply troubling and inconsistent with the details provided by that witness: Roger was home alone, causing no disturbance, when his life was tragically cut short by law enforcement."

The sheriff's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the attorney's claims. The sheriff's office recently came under scrutiny after one of its deputies resigned following an internal investigation last year of an incident in which he fired his weapon multiple times at a detained suspect after mistaking the sound of an acorn hitting the roof of his patrol vehicle as a gunshot, GulfLive.com reported.

Fortson lived in an off-base residence, and his special operations squadron at Hurlburt Field in the Florida panhandle flies AC-130J Ghostrider gunships.

Crump said there was no disturbance and that Fortson was home alone on a video call with another person, who reported the airman heard a knock on the door.

Fortson, according to the witness, asked, "Who is it?" But he didn't receive an answer. After a subsequent "aggressive" second knock and seeing no one through the peephole, Fortson grabbed his legally owned gun, Crump detailed.

As Fortson was walking back to his living room, police entered the apartment and shot him. He reportedly said "I can't breathe" while on the ground after being shot, Crump said, repeating a witness account of the event.

Publicly available police radio audio reviewed by Military.com reported a call for a disturbance at an apartment complex at 319 Racetrack Road around 4:30 p.m. local time.

"Don't have anything further than a male and female; it's all fourth party information from the front desk at the leasing office," a deputy said on the radio.

A few minutes later, another deputy called in to report "shots fired, suspect down," and called for emergency medical services.

"Multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, Black male," another deputy chimes in shortly after. Fortson was shot six times, Crump said in his statement.

No other details, including the circumstances of the disturbance that prompted the local deputies to visit the apartment building, were released. Fortson was taken to an area hospital, where he later died. No officers were harmed in the incident.

Fortson joined the Air Force on Nov. 19, 2019, according to a copy of his service record provided to Military.com. He joined as an AC-130J gunner. Crump added that Roger graduated from high school with honors and had no criminal record.

The deputy involved was not identified in the news release and was "placed on paid administrative leave" pending the outcome of an investigation and administrative review, the sheriff's office said.

On Monday evening, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden released a statement saying the department was "saddened" by the incident and calling for further investigation into the shooting.

"I immediately placed the deputy on administrative leave and have asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to conduct the investigation that is required in such incidents," Aden said. "The State Attorney's Office will also conduct an independent review. At this time, we humbly ask for our community's patience as we work to understand the facts that resulted in this tragic event."

The sheriff's office declined to provide Military.com the original 911 call and the police report into the incident, citing "the ongoing active investigation" in an emailed response.

"We are calling for transparency in the investigation into Roger's death and the immediate release of bodycam video to the family," Crump said. "His family and the public deserve to know what occurred in the moments leading up to this tragedy. We urge authorities to immediately stop demonizing Roger in their statements to the media. It's imperative to correct the record and acknowledge the wrongful entry into Roger's home."

Related: Special Operations Airman Shot and Killed by Florida Police During Disturbance in Apartment Building
Police in Wisconsin release photos of suspects in car flipping during block party

MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in southern Wisconsin have released photos to the public in hopes of finding over 30 suspects who allegedly flipped a car during a block party.

The Madison Police Department is searching for 31 individuals who were allegedly involved in flipping a car during the Mifflin Street Block Party on April 27.

Suspect & officer identified from critical incident that left one dead in Wisconsin

No one was injured during the incident, but the car was destroyed.











We will give consideration to those who come forward and take responsibility for their actions by giving them an order-in court date, said the Madison Police Department. Those identified who do not come forward will be arrested and taken to jail.

7-year-old in Wisconsin struck by vehicle in alleged hit-and-run, police investigating

No arrests have been made, but detectives have received a good amount of video showing the damage. If you recognize anyone, please contact Detective Brown at 608-219-4491.

No additional details were provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
File photo taken on Oct. 16, 2009 shows Xi Jinping (2nd L), then Chinese vice president, visiting the Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school in Budapest, capital of Hungary. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BUDAPEST/BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Nestled near the glittering Danube River in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, a Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school has enjoyed rising popularity in recent years.

Saying "Nihao," hello in Chinese, is the first lesson for students. Many of them can fluently recite the Chinese version of poems by Hungarian poet Sandor Petofi. Teachers there also give lectures on Lu Xun, one of China's greatest modern writers in the 20th century.

Founded in 2004, the school has played a unique role in promoting cultural exchanges between China and Hungary over the past two decades. And in 2009, its bond with China grew stronger after a visit of a special guest.

For Zsuzsanna Erdelyi, principal of the school, many heart-warming moments of the visit by Xi Jinping, who was Chinese vice president then, remain fresh in her memory.

During the tour of the school, he kept a smile on his face, and chatted with the children about poems and nursery rhymes, Erdelyi recalled.

To greet Xi, students wrote in Chinese characters on a blackboard "Hello, Uncle Xi." They also sang Mandarin songs, danced ballet and put on martial arts performances.

Xi was particularly impressed when two students recited "Quiet Night Thoughts" and "Love Seeds," two classic poems from China's Tang Dynasty more than 1,000 years ago.

Yang Chao (R), charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, presents a book to Zsuzsanna Erdelyi, head of Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school, at the school in Budapest, Hungary, Feb. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Applauding the children's performance, Xi shared with them his appreciation of the Hungarian culture and the long-running bilateral cultural exchanges. He took himself as an example, saying that quite many Chinese of his age watched "Ludas Matyi," a 1950 Hungarian movie based on an eponymous poem.

Noting that some Chinese literature classics like "A Dream in Red Mansions" were translated into Hungarian long ago, Xi said that many Chinese were also fond of the Hungarian Rhapsodies, a collection of 19 piano pieces by Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, who is considered the greatest piano virtuoso of his time.

Xi gave textbooks and teaching equipment as gifts to the school. The students also returned a present to him: a piece of drawing of a little red heart with some handwritten warm wishes.

Over the years, the Chinese leader has followed the school's development, said Erdelyi. "He gave a lot of valuable advice for the school, including the famous Chinese proverb: 'It takes 10 years to grow trees, but 100 years to cultivate people.'"

"Teaching children is a similar process ... It's only when they turn into adults after many years of schooling that we truly appreciate the impact of school education on their lives," she added. 
icon

Semafor Signals

Supported by

Microsoft logo

Insights from Politico, The Hill, and The Washington Post

Arrow Down

Title icon

The News

Donald Trumps legal troubles are taking a turn. While the former president has spent the last few weeks in and out of New Yorks Manhattan criminal courthouse, forced to listen to prospective jurors criticism and witnesses sensational accounts of alleged misdeeds, outside New York, Trump is having a little more luck.

On Wednesday, the Georgia Court of Appeals decided it will hear an appeal of a ruling allowing District Attorney Fani Willis to remain at the helm of Fulton Countys sprawling election interference case. Trumps lawyers argue the case should be dismissed on grounds of Willis alleged misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution.

The appeal hearing is expected to further postpone the already delayed trial, notching a small, but important win for Trumps team as they seek to stall his many legal troubles until after the November presidential election.

Theres no way this case gets to trial this year, Atlanta defense attorney Andrew Fleischman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In fact, its increasingly likely New Yorks hush-money case, in which adult film actor Stormy Daniels testified this week, is the only one of the four criminal cases against Trump that will go to trial before Nov. 5. On Tuesday, Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, delayed Jack Smiths classified documents case in Florida indefinitely. Meanwhile, the Jan. 6 election trial is on ice while the Supreme Court mulls Trumps presidential immunity argument.

icon

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Delays could help Trump politically and legally

Source icon

Sources: ABC News, The Atlantic, Reuters

Polls suggest a fifth of Trump supporters would reconsider or withdraw their support if he were convicted of a crime  thats a large enough portion of his base to potentially tip the balance in what is expected to be a coin-toss election. But thats not the only reason Trump wants these trials to drag on for as long as possible. If the trials are delayed before he is re-elected, presuming he wins, he would be in an unprecedented position to shut the prosecution against him down, at least on the federal level. Thats an argument for getting the case to trial before the election, George Washington University law professor Randall Eliason told Reuters.

Trump could be talking himself into a prison sentence

Source icon

Sources: Politico, The Hill

Trump has been held in contempt ten times for violating a gag order on his New York trial, but the $10,000 fine may be the least of his concerns, former federal prosecutor Ankush Khardori wrote for Politico. Trumps behavior is clearly angering both prosecutors and the judge, who has wide latitude in determining a sentence for Trump if found guilty, materially increasing the odds that he will be sent to prison if he is convicted at the end of the trial.

But jailing Trump for violating his gag order could have an undesired side effect for Democrats. Jail time could give him yet more ammunition for rallying his base and a much-needed fundraising boost, Washington Examiner editor W. James Antle III wrote.

Hush-money case isnt a slam-dunk, court-watchers say

Source icon

Sources: The Washington Post, The Telegraph

Some legal experts have argued that the novel tactics prosecutors in Trumps hush-money case have used to stack misdemeanor and felony charges together is a dubious legal move that could make securing a conviction more difficult. To elevate a misdemeanor  doctoring financial records  to a felony, they need to prove that it was done to conceal another crime  conspiracy to influence the 2016 election. Prosecutors cannot simply make up new crimes by jerry-rigging a concoction of existing crimes, Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz wrote for The Telegraph. Not everyone agreed; New York Law School professor Anna Cominsky countered that an extraordinary case calls for unusual legal strategies. This is that one in a million case, but that doesnt mean that its selective prosecution, she said.

Semafor Logo
PORTLAND, Tenn. (WKRN)  An entire shift of first responders at the Portland Police Department are being hailed as heroes after they revived a choking toddler.

Surveillance footage from the department on April 26, around 11 am, shows a red car pulling into the parking lot, and a woman getting out and grabbing a child before running into the lobby.

The woman was distressed and could be heard frantically pleading for help. Help! My baby my babys choking!

From an inside surveillance camera, secretaries yell for help while opening the door and allowing the mother inside.

 Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts 

A group of half a dozen uniformed officers in an adjoining room rushed to the mother who thrust the limp little boy, about 2 years old, into the arms of a police officer.

You can hear the woman say, Hes choking, help him!

Dramatic body cam footage shows Officer Dylan Ladd, a 2-year veteran, begin performing the Heimlich Maneuver attempting to dislodge the chicken nugget from the childs throat.

We saw an almost lifeless baby that wasnt breathing we knew we had to do something fast, Ladd said.

All the while, the mothers cries on the surveillance camera can be heard, pleading Please please please.

After several moments, Animal Control Officer Jamie Weekley took over. She described what was going through her mind at that moment. Its my job. I have done it many times.

When pressed, Weekley added she is a mother and worked on a bus previously. I am a mom and used to work on the back of a bus so it is not the first time for me.

Weekley said the child was sick and this may have contributed to the little boy choking. She said the child was blue, not crying, and nonreactive.

While the two officers worked to save the child, moments remained tense. Then, the sound that was music to everyones ears, the child cries.

Video shows the mother swooping and grabbing her baby. She was thankful and relieved.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Portland Police Chief Jason Williams said he is proud of his officers and the training they put to good use.

I am super proud of the job they did. The lesson here, you can never let your guard down. Sometimes you get called to the chaos. And sometimes the chaos comes to you. So even here in a secure building, you never know what is coming in the front door so I applaud their readiness and just their ability to adapt to a changing environment.

Chief Williams told News 2, commendations have already been placed in the officers files.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Following Russias large-scale attack on energy infrastructure in Ukraine on 8 May, the loss of power generation is quite significant  energy imports from Europe are not able to fully compensate for the deficit in the power system.

Source: Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, head of Ukrenergo, Ukraine's national energy company, on the air of Ukrainska Pravda.Live

Details: Kudrytskyi stated that the restriction of power supply for industrial consumers, announced earlier, "is almost guaranteed", and for household consumers, it "depends on how much energy we will be able to save, voluntarily limiting our energy supply".

He added that the deficit in power generation had been quite significant after the attack on 8 May.

"Many important power stations were damaged, including three power stations of the DTEK company and two hydroelectric power plants, so we can really feel this deficit.

The facilities of Ukrenergo are, unfortunately, constantly targeted by the enemy, but the impact on the companys facilities is not decisive for the power system at the moment  the key factor is that many power units at thermal and hydroelectric power plants have been damaged," Kudrytskyi explained.

"The damage is quite large-scale, and the loss in power generation is significant. It is so considerable that even power imports from Europe are not able to fully compensate for the deficit in the power system," he stressed.

He stated that repair works are constantly ongoing  different facilities have been damaged to a different extent.

Background:

On 8 May, the Russians attacked power infrastructure facilities in six oblasts of Ukraine. Rolling blackouts may be introduced in the evening to limit electricity consumption.

Ukrenergo reported that the power supply may be limited for household and industrial consumers in Ukraine in the evening from 18:00 to 23:00. Restrictions will be distributed evenly among all regions.

The dispatch centre of Ukrenergo, Ukraine's national energy company, is being forced to restrict energy supplies to industry and businesses between 18:00 and 23:00.

Support UP or become our patron!
In over three decades of being privileged to serve in U.S. special operations forces (SOF), I witnessed many forms of power in dozens of campaigns, battles, and other operations across four continents. These ranged from physical, kinetic power, to the use of technology, information, intelligence and others. Whether this power was tactically, operationally, or strategically employed, each form was often profoundly impressive.

And yet, I came to realize that one type of power often stood alone and, in many ways, was more important than all the rest. Ironically, it was also the least tangible or physical. Its dimensions cannot by measured by a micrometer, or its existence weighed on any scale. Indeed, its strength lies in the fact that it is deeply emotional, psychological, and highly personal.

This vital form of intangible power originates from the thoughtful, deliberate, and persistent creation of relationships that lead to partnerships, and this intentional effort is irreplaceable for advancing and protecting U.S. national security interests. The history of special operations in the U.S. is replete with examples that demonstrate how vital this can be, and I offer two specific examples that are illuminating and instructive.

As a very young Army Special Forces officer in the 1980s oriented on the Pacific region, my colleagues and I frequently deployed to train with the Philippine Scout Rangers, the Philippine Marines, and other formations of their armed forces. This cultivated a broad network of strong friendships that flourished on both sides for decades. When relations between the U.S. and the Philippines significantly dwindled after 1991 because of the closure of Subic Bay and Clark Air Force Base as U.S. installations, the American-Philippines relationship deteriorated even more sharply during the six years President Duterte was in office. And yet, the personal bonds of friendship and shared experiences between U.S. special operations forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines endured, however informally. Subsequently, in 2014 when the Islamic State dramatically emerged to threaten the Philippines, this enduring informal network of American special operators and Philippine military personnel became indispensable in combating this threat by enabling a very rapid renewal of a strong and effective operational partnership. This was most vividly demonstrated during the battle for Marawi City in Mindanao, and ultimately enabled the Philippines to defeat ISIS. Strong relationships continue to pay dividends today to enable an ever-stronger strategic partnership between the U.S. and the Philippines in their combined efforts to contest China, which blasted water cannons at Philippine vessels and rammed one carrying Philippine Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Romeo Brawner in December 2023.

Another powerful example flows from the counter-ISIS fight in Iraq and Syria. After the fall of Saddam Husseins regime in 2003, special operations personnel spent years in combat alongside both the Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi special operators combating insurgents and Al-Qaeda networks. This led to deep personal bonds of trust and affection across these forces that endured for years and remained intact long after the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq in 2011. Then, in 2014 when ISIS suddenly emerged to seize the city of Mosul and begin marching toward Baghdad, the hasty redeployment of American special operations forces into Iraq quickly became operationally and strategically effective because of the enduring relationships between these forces, despite years of physical separation. Both the Peshmerga and Iraqi operators welcomed their American counterparts with open arms, and neither side had to waste time in developing trust or having to learn about what each side had to contribute to the fight. Instead, all were able to join forces rapidly and effectively in a committed partnership that endures to this day.

These examples illustrate how strategically irreplaceable these deeply committed relationships can be, and how they can blossom into strategic partnerships. The special operations community always appreciates that such relationships in another land require long-term investments of time, demonstrated reliability, and persistent presence whenever possible. Doing so, simply put, is part of SOFs DNA.

Just as importantly, these SOF practices can provide invaluable advantages, opportunities, and outcomes for more than just U.S. military goals. For decades, U.S. SOF has deliberately invested in consistent integration and collaboration with many other U.S. agencies and departments, ranging from intelligence agencies to the State Department and its foreign service, and beyond. Today, a vast network of personal relationships persists between U.S. SOF and dozens of U.S. interagency partner organizations. In many cases, these relationships were initiated during deployments in combat environments over the past two decades. Most importantly, just as this practice enabled U.S. SOF to develop strategic partnerships with global actors, so has this practice with other agencies fostered genuine operational and strategic partnerships that directly enable both U.S. SOF, and these civilian agencies, to become far more effective.

Today, the entire U.S. military is a well-resourced and highly skilled enterprise. Amidst a world marked by escalating mistrust, instability and the proliferation of violence sponsored by both nation-states and extremists, all military branches are now urgently seeking new ways to achieve tactical, operational, and strategic advantages. Accordingly, the old saying that protecting America and her interests requires harnessing all instruments of national power is even more true than ever before.

U.S. special operations forces contribute to all these efforts in numerous ways. However, its enduring strength lies in its time-proven ability, skill, and enthusiasm for deliberately cultivating long-term and deep relationships. By intentionally nourishing these relationships, the special operations community aims to evolve them toward someday becoming genuine operational and strategic partnerships. In so doing, U.S. SOF enhances and enriches its contribution to all of Americas efforts to deter aggression, or should those efforts fail, to swiftly and decisively respond to threats, protect national interests and promote stability worldwide.

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael K. Nagata, enlisted in 1982, attended Army Officer Candidate School and later volunteered for U.S. Army Special Forces. Throughout his 38-year career, he served in many special operations and interagency roles, participating in dozens of contingency and combat operations abroad. His final assignment was Director of Strategic Operational Planning at the National Counterterrorism Center. Today, he works as the strategic advisor and senior vice president for CACI International, a defense and technology company that provides significant capabilities and assistance for U.S. SOF and other national security needs.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  President Joe Biden is scheduled to travel to the Bay Area on Thursday ahead of multiple campaign stops this week, according to the White House.

Biden is set to arrive in San Francisco on Thursday before attending two re-election campaign events held in the Bay Area on Friday. The president will then depart from the Bay Area to attend another round of campaign receptions in the Seattle area on Friday and Saturday.

U.S. News and World Report federal lawsuit dismissed against SF City Attorney

Earlier this year, Biden flew to San Francisco in February to attend multiple campaign events in the city.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
President Joseph Biden flew into Seattle on Friday after a two-day visit to San Francisco, where he participated in two campaign receptions in the Bay Area.

The White House confirmed that Biden participated in campaign receptions in the Seattle area on Friday and Saturday.

He left Seattle for Delaware on Saturday afternoon.

Update - 2 p.m. Saturday

President Joe Biden has taken off from SeaTac airport on Air Force One due for Delaware.

Update - 1 p.m. Saturday

SB I-405 from Bellevue to Tukwila & WB SR 518 to SEA Airport have reopened as President Biden arrives at SeaTac airport to head to Delaware.

Update - 1 p.m. Saturday

WSDOT posted that Eastbound SR 520 from 92nd Ave NE to I-405 is closed.

SB I-405 from SR 520 to Tukwila and Westbound SR 518 to SEA Airport are also closed.

This includes all on and off-ramps along this route. There is no estimated time for reopening. Use alternate routes and expect heavy congestion.

Update - 11:20 a.m. Saturday

WSDOT posted that the NB I-5 from Downtown Seattle to SR 520 is fully closed including all on and off-ramps.

There is no estimated time for reopening. Consider using alternate routes and expect heavy congestion.

President Biden at a

Update - 6 p.m. Friday

The protesters outside the Lotte Hotel left the area.

Update - 5:45 p.m. Friday

Protesters have taken to the streets outside the Lotte Hotel, where Biden and his motorcade arrived about 20 minutes ago. The pro-Palestine group is chanting and banging drums at 5th Avenue and Columbia.

Update - 5:25 p.m. Friday

President Biden and his entourage arrived at the Lotte Hotel on 5th Avenue, flanked by Seattle police and Secret Service. All lanes and ramps previously closed along SR 518 and northbound I-5 have reopened, per WSDOT.

CLEARED ON EB SR 518 AND NB I-5 IN SEATTLE AND SEATAC



All lane and ramps on EB SR 518 and NB I-5 are now open. Expect delays as traffic clears through the area. https://t.co/LxXb5Vd89V  WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 11, 2024

Update - 5 p.m. Friday

Air Force One has touched down at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Biden exited the plane and met with and took pictures with several Washington State and Seattle leaders before getting into a limousine.

Update - 4:49 p.m. Friday

Seattle and Washington State leaders have appeared on the tarmac, expected to meet with President Biden on his arrival, including Gov. Jay Inslee, Trudi Inslee, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Suzan DelBene, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Joanne Harrell, King County Executive Dow Constantine and his daughter Sabrina, and Port of Seattle Commission Vice President Toshiko Grace Hasegawa.

Update - 4:36 p.m. Friday

ROAD CLOSURES HAPPENING NOW IN #SEATAC #SEATTLE



EB SR518 from the Airport Expressway to the I-5 interchange & NB I-5 to DT Seattle is now FULLY CLOSED including all on and off-ramps.



There is no ETA for reopening. Consider using alternate routes and expect heavy congestion.  WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 10, 2024

Update - 4:25 p.m. Friday

President Biden and Air Force One have crossed the Columbia River and into Washington State.

Traffic is expected throughout the Seattle area as Biden makes his way from Sea-Tac into the city. The Washington State Patrol, Seattle Police Department and Washington State Department of Transportation have been spotted throughout town.

WSP and WSDOT preparing for @POTUS taking I-5. Tons of troopers and an IRT truck staging on S 188th on-ramp to NB 5. pic.twitter.com/IkJv2YKOp5  Matthew Pfab (@The_Weatherman2) May 10, 2024

The Seattle Police Department has also blocked travel near the Lotte Hotel on 5th Avenue in Seattle.

It is currently unknown how Biden will make his way to Seattle, but northbound travelers on Interstate 5 heading to Friday nights Mariners game should plan for a slowdown.

Update - 3:20 p.m. Friday

President Biden left San Francisco on Air Force One at about 3:15 p.m., on his way to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Biden left San Francisco nearly an hour earlier than scheduled, making his approximate time to land in Seattle around 5 p.m.

The President is expected to stay in Downtown Seattle, and traffic is expected to be extremely congested during his visit.

There will likely be intermittent closures of freeways and streets, affecting the flow of buses and cars in both Downtown Seattle and around the region, according to the Seattle Department of Transportation.

While the Presidents exact travel route and timing are not published in advance, travelers can still plan ahead by anticipating delays and temporary road closures, SDOT said in a blog post.

SDOT said its engineers can adjust the timing of traffic signals within Seattle based on expected closures and any needed re-routing.

To complicate matters, theres a Mariners game at 6:40 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at T-Mobile Park as well as a 7 p.m. concert at Climate Pledge Arena on Friday. In addition, the State Route 520 Bridge will be closed this weekend, along with I-5 lane reductions. You can find that information here.

One way you can keep tabs on potential traffic concerns is to sign up for King County Metro Transit alerts and watch for X posts from King County Metro, SDOT Traffic, and WSDOT Traffic.

A representative for King County also confirmed Biden would be flying in to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and not Boeing Field, so drivers should expect delays from SeaTac to Downtown Seattle.

Those taking flights from Sea-Tac around the time of Bidens arrival and departure will also be affected.

Alaska Airlines sent a statement to KIRO 7 News about Bidens visit:

Air Force One is scheduled to arrive at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday. Security protocol requires all air traffic at SEA to stop at least 30 minutes before the arrival of the presidential aircraft. All airlines could experience potential delays during this time including Alaska and Horizon flights. Additional flight impacts could also happen when Air Force One departs on Saturday. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our guests during these high-security events.

A representative for the Seattle Police Department said:

We have been working with our federal, state, county, and local partners to coordinate the public safety response to the visit. Though we cant speak to specific allocation of resources, SPD will be providing additional staffing during the visit.

President Biden was last in Seattle in April 2022, as part of a trip to Seattle and Portland, marking Earth Day.




Despite going to lengths to prove his physical edge over the presidential frontrunners, third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has had some bizarre health conditions  including, as he claims, a dead brain worm.

As the New York Times reports, based on divorce deposition documents it acquired, RFK Jr. began seeking medical attention from multiple practitioners in 2010 after he developed cognitive issues so severe he feared he had a brain tumor.

While preparing for a procedure at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina  from the same brain surgeon who operated on his late uncle, Edward "Ted" Kennedy, no less  the younger political scion got a call from one of his neurologists at NewYork-Presbyterian.

According to that doctor, the dark spot on his brain scans was less likely a tumor than a "worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died," the conspiracist candidate said when being deposed during his divorce from his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy. During those 2012 proceedings, the political scion claimed that his ex was owed less alimony because his earning potential had been impacted by his health issues.

Around the time he was told he had a dead parasite posted up in his brain, Kennedy was also diagnosed with mercury poisoning, which is known to cause significant neurological damage, including memory loss and cognitive issues.

"I have cognitive problems, clearly," Kennedy said in the 2012 divorce deposition. "I have short-term memory loss, and I have longer-term memory loss that affects me."

During his 2010 health scare, Kennedy was, as he admitted to the NYT in a recent interview, eating a lot of tuna and perch, which are both known to be high in mercury. Once he began experiencing "severe brain fog," as he put it, he got his blood tested for mercury and found that his levels were 10 times the Environmental Protection Agency's safety threshold.

An environmental lawyer by trade, Kennedy has long raged against thimerosal, a preservative that contains mercury that's present in some vaccines. In early 2013, he also began to campaign against fish mercury contamination from coal-fired plants as well.

As he told the newspaper, the brain problems subsided after he stopped eating so much fish and underwent chelation therapy, which expels heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, lead, and zinc from the body. He also told the NYT that he had no side effects from the parasite, the specific type of which he claims not to know, and that it did not require treatment.

According to experts who spoke to the Times, it's unlikely that a tapeworm or other parasitic worm would eat part of the brain and that Kennedy would no longer have had cognitive problems if it stayed in his head without treatment.

Scott Gardner of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Manter Laboratory for Parasitology explained that once a parasite is inside the brain, cells calcify around and, essentially, make it "almost like a tumor thats there forever."

The parasitologist said that although it's possible a parasite in the brain could cause memory loss, that side effect is much more common with mercury poisoning.

When the NYT asked Kennedy's campaign if his health problems might make him unfit for the presidency, his spokesperson Stefanie Spear quipped that the suggestion was "hilarious... given the competition."

More on brain worms: Neuralink Cofounder Says He Quit Because Of Safety Concerns
The Prince of Wales handed out an MBE to Claire van Straubenzee in recognition of her non-profit in her son's name

Samir Hussein/WireImage Prince William visits St. Michael's school in Birmingham, England on April 25, 2024.

Prince William is handing over a special honor from King Charles to a special family friend.

In the splendid surroundings of Windsor Castle on May 8, the mother of close pals of William and his brother Prince Harry was rewarded for the extraordinary success of a charity established in her late sons name.

Claire van Straubenzee received an MBE for the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, an educational non-profit that has helped hundreds of thousands of children in Uganda since 2004. The charity is named after Claire and Alex van Straubenzees second son, Henry, who died in a car crash in 2002, just before he was due to go to the African country to work in a school.

Henry's brothers, Thomas and Charlie, are also very close friends of the princes and received their support for the charity, marking it as the only patronage they shared. The princes, along with Kate Middleton and her family, and in her first year of marriage in 2018, Meghan Markle, would join the van Straubenzees at their annual fundraising carol service, making it a notable event on London's social calendar.

Earlier this year, the van Straubenzees traveled to Uganda for the last time as trustees of the charity.

We expected a rather subdued reception from the schools, but we were amazed by the number of schools putting on happy ceremonies on what could have been a sad occasion, Claire tells PEOPLE of the farewell. There were crowds of children meeting us at the school gates. So much joyful singing and dancing ever though they know we are not returning.

Sue Macpherson Claire and Alex van Straubenzee at Makota Primary School, Uganda, in March 2024

We have mixed emotions because we are saying goodbye to so many of our wonderful friends in Uganda and their schools, but at the same time, we realize that we have supported them fully with over 1800 projects since 2004 and never let them down," she continues.

The success had humble beginnings. After an initial donation in Henrys name from friends, it became clear that the family could make a larger, long-term contribution to Ugandan schools while also addressing poverty. Since 2007, they have raised over $4.1 million (3.3 million), benefiting an impressive 35,000 children annually across 51 nursery, elementary, and secondary schools.

Much of this achievement was made possible through the assistance of Princes William and Harry, who became patrons of the charity in 2009. Their polo games and appearances at the charitys annual carol service, which alone raised more than $630,000, contributed significantly to the funds.

Sue Macpherson Claire van Straubenzee during her farewell at Bupadhengo Primary School in Uganda, in March 2024

Prince William became friends with Thomas during their time at their prep school Ludgrove, while Harry was a contemporary of Henry. Throughout many of their long summer breaks as teenagers and young adults, both princes vacationed with the family in Cornwall, surfing at Polzeath beach which everyone enjoyed, Claire recalls. The family ties endure, with Thomas and Charlie serving as godparents to William's daughter, Princess Charlotte, and Harry's son, Archie, respectively.

Henrys death was felt deeply by the princes so, when we set up the charity, both were eager to become Patrons. Their fundraising was enormously helpful and a powerful draw for donors," she says, adding, Their involvement in some of our annual carol services helped attract a large congregation.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Thomas van Straubenzee with Prince William, at Cowarth Park Polo Club, on May 31, 2014

Today, she proudly says, We are amazed at what we have managed to achieve but thrilled that Henrys name has been kept alive 22 years after his death.

The charity now ensures that each school it supports has separate latrines and washing facilities for boys and girls, whereas previously they were shared. Additionally, boreholes have been installed in each school, ensuring a consistent supply of clean water.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Prince Harry with arms aloft watching England play rugby, with Charlie van Straubenzee at Twickenham, London on Oct. 3, 2015

The children can have lessons in classrooms sitting at a desk rather than under a tree sitting on the ground, she adds.

The nonprofit's strategy has also ensured that each primary school feeds into one of its secondary schools, and that each primary school has a nursery school within its grounds. The head teacher at Bupadhengo Primary School, where her son Henry would have taught, has become the charitys ambassador in the country, carrying on the legacy.

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!

Even as their relationship became strained, the royal brothers acknowledged the charity's impact in what is believed to be their last joint statement at the carol service in December 2022, when they wrote: What Claire and Alex have achieved since 2009 ... is nothing short of extraordinary."

Noting the gradual winding down of the charity, which is currently underway, the letter added, "Henry's legacy will live on through the incredible achievements of what his mum and dad have accomplished over the years."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) has ordered the arrest of Zhang Xiulong, a former regional legislator of Guangxi in south China, on suspicion of taking bribes.

Zhang was a deputy secretary of the leading Party members group of the standing committee of the people's congress of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and a former vice chairman of the standing committee.

The case was transferred to the procuratorial authorities for review and possible prosecution after the National Commission of Supervision concluded its investigation, the SPP said on Wednesday.

Further investigation into this case is still underway. 
The pro-Palestine protesters at George Washington University praised an intifada, or civil uprising - TWITTER/X

Police cleared a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University on Wednesday after protesters projected a US flag in flames and slogans including Long live the student intifada onto a building overnight.

About 30 protesters were arrested in the hours after many had marched to the home of Ellen Granberg, the universitys president.

Citing community organisers, local media reported instances of protesters being pepper-sprayed by police as they attempted to enter the encampment on Wednesday.

While the university is committed to protecting students rights to free expression, the encampment had evolved into an unlawful activity, with participants in direct violation of multiple university policies and city regulations, the university said in a statement.

Students had projected messages including Glory to the martyrs of Palestine, Down with the settler state and Stained with the blood of 44,000 Palestinians onto a university building.

The George Washington University protesters targeted Joe Biden over his stance on Israel, calling him 'Genocide Joe' - Probal Rashid/Zuma

The police action coincided with a House committee on oversight and accountability hearing on Wednesday afternoon, at which Muriel Bowser, the citys mayor, and Pamela Smith, the police chief, will address the handling of the protest.

A pro-Palestinian tent encampment at the University of Chicago was also dismantled because of escalating safety concerns following a shift in the administrations stance on Tuesday.

The university remains a place where dissenting voices have many avenues to express themselves, but we cannot enable an environment where the expression of some dominates and disrupts the healthy functioning of the community for the rest, said Paul Alivisatos, the universitys president.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the University of Chicago for at least eight days until administrators warned them on Friday to leave or face removal.

Tensions have continued to escalate in standoffs with protesters on campuses across the US  and now increasingly in Europe  nearly three weeks into a movement ignited by a protest at Columbia University.

Universities have taken varying approaches. Some, including Wesleyan University, have allowed encampments to go ahead, while others, such as George Washington University and Chicago, have taken a more forceful stance.

On Tuesday, the Rhode Island School of Design relocated classes from a building covered with pro-Palestinian posters featuring slogans including Free Palestine and Let Gaza live.

Since April 18, more 2,600 people have been arrested across 50 American campuses.

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.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  Pro-Palestinian demonstrators were covered in paint at Case Western Reserve University on Tuesday morning.

University President Eric Kaler in a Wednesday statement he was disturbed by footage of the incident, which was posted to Instagram.

Million dollar heist in collectibles stolen: Local PD

The video shows contractors hired to paint at the university covering several students in paint Tuesday morning.

We had just put up beautiful Pro-Palestinian art and at 5 a.m. Tuesday, they told them to come in and cover it up and they spray painted over two students and a passerby that were trying to guard the wall, said student JD Harrison.







Harrison said the encampment will continue on the Kelvin Smith Library Oval as their protest enters its eighth day.

On Tuesday afternoon, the university said it was investigating an incident in which one or more protesters blocking the spirit wall were hit by paint.

Kaler on Monday said protesters had painted an advocacy wall near Eldred Hall with threatening and anti-Semitic language and later painted the spirit wall near Thwing Center with intimidating language.

Familys years of terror at Demon House takes new turn: Evil doesnt like being exposed

The university then painted over both. But Kaler in a Wednesday morning statement said he was deeply sorry about the students treatment. The statement reads, in part:

I have reviewed video footage, which depicts students blocking the wall as a third-party contractor spray painted directly onto protesters as he attempted to finish painting the wall, and I am disturbed by what occurred. Let me be clear: No students  or any individuals  should ever be treated this way, especially on a campus where our core values center on providing a safe, welcoming environment. This is not who we are as an institution, and I am deeply sorry this ever occurred. The university will continue to fully investigate these actions and hold individuals responsible for this behavior, including the failure of our own officers to intervene. Again, I want to reiterate my sincere regret for this incident. As with any violation of our codes of conduct, we will take action to hold them accountable. Case Western Reserve University President Eric Kaler

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Police Chief Annie Todd also issued a joint statement on Wednesday that suggests protesters faced criminal interference with their First Amendment rights. The statement reads, in part:

Cleveland is a city for everyone, and we must respect the thoughts, feelings, and voices of those who come from various backgrounds. These diverse perspectives are what makes us special, and ultimately stronger, as a city. Our community deserves venues where they have the ability to constitutionally express their opinions openly without fear of criminal interference. We support 1st Amendment rights and implore CWRU leadership to consider this and think about how the decisions they make and the actions they take  especially against those who are abiding by the law  will influence some of the progress we have collectively made as a city. At the same time, we urge individuals to demonstrate peacefully. Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Police Chief Dorothy Annie Todd

The statement reiterates that city police stand ready to support the university if demonstrations turn violent.

The campus protest encampment is now in its 10th day.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
A bird's eye view of the University of Kentucky campus. (Photo by Mark Cornelison | UK Photo)

On Monday, the University of Kentuckys University Senate passed a vote of no confidence in President Eli Capilouto. In response, both Dr. Capilouto and the chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Britt Brockman, released separate statements doubling down on the controversial plan to strip the Senate of its oversight over core academic matters. President Capiloutos email message to the university community even ended on an ominous note: That is the expectation of our Board, which has directed this effort to accelerate our progress in advancing Kentucky.  And believe me, that is what I intend to do.

UK President Eli Capilouto (Photo by Mark Cornelison | UK Photo)

There is no indication here that the president has learned from his mistakes. It is not a few disgruntled faculty who have reservations about the proposed changes to the universitys governance structures. The vote of no confidence passed with 58 votes against 24, with 11 abstentions.

This means that President Capilouto and the board that is backing him  unequivocally even  have lost the good will of a large majority of UKs faculty. They will have to implement their plan against the objections of most of those who teach UKs classes and conduct its research. Believe me, that is what I intend to do. Seriously?

The University Senates no-confidence resolution focuses on the manner in which the proposed changes were fast-tracked without proper consultation  despite the fact that the Senate repeatedly signaled its willingness to engage in conversations about how its procedures could be improved. But there are several other aspects of Project Accelerate that are equally ill-advised. Let me point out three.

First, the president and Board of Trustees intend to strip the faculty of its authority in academic matters: decisions on the content of programs, on admission and graduation standards, approval of new programs or discontinuation of existing ones, and so forth. An analogy of this plan would be the idea to deprive a baker of the authority to decide what kinds of bread, cakes, and cookies to bake, and to shift this authority to the bakers support staff. Or the idea to let management decide how fast to build airplanes, rather than to trust the judgment of the engineers on the ground who are intimately familiar with the complicated technology that goes into a safely constructed flying machine. Does the last example sound familiar? It should. This is what happened at Boeing  with the tragic results that we know.

The bakers and engineers of a university are its faculty. The notion that faculty should have a merely advisory role in relation to the universitys core academic operations shows a fundamental misunderstanding of what a university is: it is an educational institution, which is why educators need to be at the center of how it is run. (By the way, this is not a revolutionary idea: when the first universities were founded in Europe some 700 years ago, this is how they were designed to function.)

My second point concerns the notion that, in order to serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky, UK needs to accelerate and do more of everything. More isnt necessarily better, nor is it a good idea, in this age of breathless exhaustion, to speed everything up. We need to stop and think where our civilization is going, rather than confusing progress with heedless rushing toward the abyss.

Not so long ago, under President Lee Todd, the commonwealth and its flagship university agreed that UK should, by 2020, become one of the nations 20 leading public research universities. The emphasis then was on quality, not quantity. President Todd is quoted as saying, As the states flagship institution, UK is mindful of its responsibility to help all Kentuckians. Our land-grant mission calls on us to make a positive impact across the state. We need to be an education leader, while remaining accessible to all Kentuckians. We need to be a cultural leader, sharing new ideas and opportunities across the state. And we need to be leading Kentuckys charge into the new economy. We are the catalyst for a new Commonwealth. Ironically, this statement remains on UKs website to the present day.

Thirdly and finally, UKs President and Board of Trustees have taken to referring to UK as Kentuckys university. UK is not Kentuckys university. It is Kentuckys flagship university. Its mission is to be the leader in higher education in the commonwealth, not to squeeze the life out of the other state universities by trying to do what they are already doing and siphoning off their students. These local universities are vital to the health of Kentuckys regions.

Wake up, President Capilouto! Wake up, trustees! There is still time to stop your wrong-headed reform of UKs governance structures, and to work together for a better UK and better life in the commonwealth.

The post A professors wake-up call to University of Kentucky president and trustees appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
A developers proposal to plant a massive skyscraper on the edge of Chicagos historic Old Town neighborhood drew jeers and cheers at a community meeting this week.

The area hasnt seen a new skyscraper in decades, and Fern Hill Co. wants the City Council to greenlight a 44-story apartment tower on North Avenue between Wells Street and LaSalle Drive next to the nearly century-old Moody Church. The proposed 500-unit building, called Old Town Canvas, would include 100 affordable units.

Neighborhood residents and affordable housing advocates packed the Latin School of Chicago auditorium for the meeting Tuesday evening, hosted by 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins. Many locals told Fern Hill President Nick Anderson that his plan would choke surrounding streets with traffic and harm Old Towns small-town feel, while other attendees said Chicago is in dire need of new housing, especially affordable housing.

This is simply way too big for Old Town and the block, said Kevin Vaughan, owner of Corcorans Grill & Pub at 1615 N. Wells St. He prefers a mid-size building on the site, now occupied by a Walgreens and church parking lot. That is the type of building we should be talking about.

But Old Town Canvas would help address the citys housing crisis, according to Chicago resident Jordan Gold, protecting millennials like him from the skyrocketing cost of living, including rising rents. He also opposes local neighborhood associations, which block housing development.

They hijack the voice of other Chicagoans, he said. Please say yes to this. The city needs more of this.

Hopkins said he hasnt decided whether to support Fern Hill, which needs approval from the Chicago Plan Commission and a zoning change from City Council.

Tuesday was the seventh major community meeting about Fern Hills plan, but Hopkins wants more community input, and has asked city transportation officials to conduct a comprehensive traffic study for the neighborhood, including how to make it safer to cross nearby Clark Street and increase safety for bike riders.

We will need to have another meeting when that study is complete, he said. This is an ongoing community process.

Anderson said this corner of the neighborhood, including a pair of gas stations, is severely underutilized. Old Town Canvas will create a new Walgreens, replace a brick wall on North Avenue with other retail, and perhaps entice a grocer to occupy the now-shuttered Treasure Island Foods supermarket at 1639 N. Wells St.

When you look at surface parking lots, gas stations and blank walls, there is a need for something better, he said. There has to be an approach that includes building more housing and increasing the tax base of the city.

Anderson estimated the proposed tower would generate about $2.5 million in annual property taxes.

All those who spoke out against the proposed tower acknowledged Chicagos need for more housing but pleaded with Anderson to return to the drawing board and come back with a smaller building.

We fought urban renewal in the 60s, and if we hadnt, wed be another Sandburg Village, said Diane Gonzalez, a longtime resident of Old Town, where many homes date back to the 19th century. Come up with something more palatable, and well be with you.

Linda Konitz, a resident of the Americana Towers Condominium building at 1636 N. Wells St., said the North Avenue and LaSalle Street intersection is already prone to traffic jams, and Fern Hills decision to put its entrance on LaSalle will further clog the streets.

How many red lights will it take to get through the North and LaSalle intersection if this tower goes forward? she said.

But it would not be the first tall building in the area, said Chicago resident Butler Adams. Along with the 419-unit Americana Towers, the James Kilmer Condominiums building at 1560 N. Sandburg Terrace, Eugenie Terrace on the Park at 1730 N. Clark St. and 1660 N. LaSalle St. were all completed in the 1970s and 1980s.

I dont see why people living in 40-story buildings that are 50 years old are complaining about this project, Adams said.
(Getty images)

Redbuds must die so drivers can see billboards for the Elevate Wellness Group. Rising above the freeway, over 500 square feet are plastered photos of an attractive woman, a deflated balloon or a ripe banana  a wink-wink at the business of curing erectile dysfunction.

Loblolly pines can be chopped so outdoor ads for personal injury lawyers are readable at 70 mph: We help people hit by trucks.

Maples, oaks, magnolias: All gone so as not to obstruct a single golden arch for McDonalds.

Thats the gist of House Bill 198, an omnibus transportation measure that would allow billboard owners to significantly expand the area in which they can cut, trim, prune and remove trees of any age  even the beloved redbud  to ostensibly increase the visibility of outdoor advertising in the public right-of-way. The legislation also would narrow local governments ability to pass ordinances about billboard placement and tree cutting.

Billboards are visible under current law, argued Dale McKeel of Scenic North Carolina, which opposes the measure, before the Senate Transportation Committee today. This bill allows trees to be cut that arent even blocking the sign.

Because they are the officially designated State Flower, dogwoods are exempt from the bill.

The bill language is the result of negotiations held last year among Republican lawmakers, the outdoor advertising industry and former DOT Secretary Eric Boyette. (Boyette retired last fall; Joey Hopkins is the new secretary.) It expands on 2011 legislation, controversial at the time, that nonetheless represented a compromise among opposing interest groups.

Now, though, the behind-the-scenes discussions excluded many, if not all, billboard opponents. We were not at the table. This was done without our input, said Ryke Longest of Scenic North Carolina, and a Duke University law professor. Beauty is good for business. Billboards are wonderful if you want to uglify a place.

Sen. Julie Mayfield, a Buncombe County Democrat, proposed a compromise amendment to the bill that while increasing the allowable area for cutting, is still smaller than whats being proposed. We should be saving as many trees as possible, Mayfield said. But my objection to the bill is a process one. When you get the right people around the table, including those who disagree, you have a better outcome. That didnt happen.

Sen. Steve Jarvis, a Republican representing Davidson and Davie counties, opposed the compromise amendment because its a safety issue.

I dont like it when Im trying to look at a billboard and deciding where to turn, Jarvis said.

Billboards distract drivers, Molly Diggins, former director of the North Carolina Sierra Club, said. Thats the safety issue.

Diggins pleaded with the committee to strike the language. We could lose hundreds if not thousands of trees. These are the publics trees. What will the public benefit?

Outdoor advertising companies would have to pay a fee, based on the size of the tree to be cut, to the state Department of Transportation. Sen. Mayfield said she asked billboard advocates to support using those fees to replant low-growing shrubs and dwarf trees.

They seemed to open to that in a different bill, Mayfield said. They would like to open up the conversation.

Mayfields amendment failed, and the committee issued a favorable report on the bill. It now goes to Senate Finance.

The post Proposed billboard measure would uglify North Carolina, opponents say appeared first on NC Newsline.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Its a stretch of road that has been talked about for years and now changes planned to improve the speed of bus services and overall safety on the road are about to become a reality.

The plans are for a faster bus service for the 13 miles between Harry Reid International Airport and downtown Las Vegas because right now the route to go back and forth takes about an hour. However, with plans from the Regional Transportation Commission, they expect to reduce that time by 20%.

Part of that plan is adding a dedicated bus lane that bikes can also use, expanding the sidewalks from five to 10 feet wide, and the addition of a center median. The route would run the entire 7.2 miles of Maryland Parkway and also go to the Bonneville Transit Center and the Las Vegas Medical District.

Proposed renderings for the Maryland Parkway project (RTC Southern Nevada)

Proposed renderings for the Maryland Parkway project (RTC Southern Nevada)

The Bus Rapid Transit System is the name of the upcoming project. The Maryland Parkway bus route serves 9,000 riders each day. Those who take the route told 8 News Now they are frustrated with how slow the buses operate right now.

Its not just riders, those who drive, live and work near this road are also frustrated with the current design of the road.

I dont come down Maryland Parkway, theres a lot of fender benders we just had three last week in this area. Daniel Reyes said

Reyes works at Furniture World which is located right on Maryland Parkway and said it would help their business as long as the construction doesnt have a big impact on people getting access to their doors.

The Regional Transportation Commission expects to reduce travel time by 20%. along Maryland Parkway following the improvement project (KLAS)

Until it is done, we will know the final output, but we just dont know, he said. I just hope they can do it in a way that doesnt disrupt our business.

Down the road, Todd Sklamberg, CEO of Sunrise Hospital welcomes the enhancements to pedestrian safety.

We see the patients who are hit walking across streets. The plan that the RTC put in place is going to enhance pedestrian safety and make it a much smoother roadway for the cars and bus lanes, he said.

The RTC is asking for patience during this time. RTC plans to release more information on the project next week to help businesses prepare for the upcoming construction.

There will be disruption right now we are asking everyone to be patient we are looking at a two-year timeline, David Swallow the CEO of the RTC explained.

RTC gets nearly $150 million for Maryland Parkway buses

The project will cost around $330 million with construction expected to start this summer and finish by the end of 2026. Recently the project got a $150 million boost from a federal grant that will bring 15 hydrogen fuel cell-powered, 60-foot articulated buses to the project.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Jailed Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky is suspected of ordering the murder of the head of a law firm more than 20 years ago in Crimea, the Prosecutor General's Office reported on May 8.

Kolomoisky, one of Ukraine's most infamous business tycoons, was arrested on Sept. 2 for alleged fraud and money laundering related to his oil and gas holdings. He is the wealthiest businessman to have landed behind bars in Ukraine's independent history.

After the law firm's director refused Kolomoisky's demands to annul a decision made at a shareholders' meeting, the oligarch allegedly hired contract killers to assassinate the director, according to the prosecutor's investigation.

The National Police, who say they now have "indisputable evidence" of Kolomoisky's guilt in the case, wrote in a press release that the assassination attempt happened in the Crimean town in Feodosia in August 2003.

Four men who were part of a "criminal gang" attacked the law firm's director, beating him and stabbing him. The director survived the attack after his wife intervened and he received life-saving medical care, according to the police. The men were later arrested and sentenced to prison.

A separate investigation was opened to determine who ordered the director's murder. On May 8, Ukrainian law enforcement officially announced that Kolomoisky was suspected of ordering the assassination. If found guilty, the charges carry a prison sentence of 15 years to life.

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Ukraine Business Roundup

Subscribe

The Shevchenkivskyi district court recently extended Kolomoisky's detention for another two months on Feb. 28 until April 28.

Kolomoisky's bail has changed twice due to the additional criminal charges. On Feb.28, the bail was set at Hr 2.4 billion hryvnias ($60.9 million).

The oligarch, aged 61, has repeatedly complained about his health issues while in detention. His petition to change the terms of his pretrial detention to house arrest due to his health issues was denied last November.

Read also: Russian court says it confiscated assets allegedly linked to oligarch Kolomoisky

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
FILE - Local residents sing a theme song written by protesters "Glory to Hong Kong" at a shopping mall in Hong Kong on Sept. 11, 2019. An appeals court Wednesday, May 8, 2024 granted the Hong Kong government's request to ban a popular protest song, overturning an earlier ruling and deepening concerns over the erosion of freedoms in the once-freewheeling global financial hub. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)

HONG KONG (AP)  An appeals court on Wednesday granted the Hong Kong government's request to ban a popular protest song, overturning an earlier ruling and deepening concerns over the erosion of freedoms in the once-freewheeling global financial hub.

Glory to Hong Kong was often sung by demonstrators during huge anti-government protests in 2019. The song was later mistakenly played as the citys anthem at international sporting events, instead of Chinas March of the Volunteers," in mix-ups that upset city officials.

It was the first time a song has been banned in the city since Britain handed the territory back to Chinese rule in 1997.

Critics have said prohibiting broadcast or distribution of the song further reduces freedom of expression since Beijing launched a crackdown in Hong Kong following the 2019 protests. They have also warned the ban might disrupt the operation of tech giants and hurt the citys appeal as a business center.

Judge Jeremy Poon wrote that the composer intended for the song to be a weapon," pointing to its power in arousing emotions among some residents of the city.

We accept the assessment of the executive that prosecutions alone are clearly not adequate to tackle the acute criminal problems and that there is a compelling need for an injunction, he said.

He said the injunction was necessary to persuade internet platform operators to remove problematic videos in connection with the song from their platforms. The operators have indicated they are ready to accede to the government's request if there is a court order, he added.

The ban would target anyone who broadcast or distributed the song to advocate for the separation of Hong Kong from China. It would also prohibit any actions that misrepresent the song as the national anthem with the intent to insult the anthem.

The song can still be played if it is for lawful journalistic and academic activities.

Failure to comply with the court order may be considered as contempt of court and could be liable for a fine or imprisonment.

Authorities have previously arrested some residents who played the song in public under other offenses, such as playing a musical instrument in public without a permit, local media reported.

As of midafternoon on Wednesday, Glory to Hong Kong," whose artist is credited as Thomas and the Hong Kong people, was still available on Spotify and Apple Music in both English and Cantonese. A search on YouTube for the song also displayed multiple videos and renditions.

Google said in an email to the AP that it was reviewing the courts judgment. Spotify and Apple did not immediately comment.

The U.S. remained seriously concerned about the erosion of protections for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong after the ruling, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. And the decision to ban this song is the latest blow to the international reputation of a city that previously prided itself on having an independent judiciary protecting the free exchange of information, ideas and goods, he said in Washington.

George Chen, co-chair of digital practice at The Asia Group, a Washington-headquartered business and policy consultancy, said it would be most practical for tech companies to restrict access to the content in question in a certain region to comply with the order.

Chen said he hoped such bans will not become the new normal" and establish a precedent. "This will get people really worried about how free Hong Kongs internet will be like tomorrow," he said.

Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in 2020 to quell the months-long unrest. That law was used to arrest many of the citys leading pro-democracy activists. In March, the city enacted a home-grown security law, deepening fears that the citys Western-style civil liberties would be further curtailed. The two laws typically target more serious criminal acts.

After the judgement was handed down, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Ministry, said stopping anyone from using the song to incite division and insult the national anthem is a necessary measure for the city to maintain national security.

Hong Kongs Secretary for Justice Paul Lam insisted the injunction was not aimed at restricting the normal operation of internet service providers. He said the government would ask the providers to remove related content in accordance with the injunction.

Lam argued that the acts covered by the ban could be constituted as criminal offenses even before the court order, and that the scope of the injunction was extremely narrow.

But Eric Lai, a research fellow at Georgetown Center for Asian Law, said that even though judicial deference to the executive on national security matters is common in other jurisdictions, the court has failed to balance the protection of citizens' fundamental rights including free expression.

It disappointingly agreed to use civil proceedings to aid the implementation of national security law, he said.

Human rights group Amnesty International described the injunction as a senseless attack on freedom of expression and a violation of international human rights law.

Todays appeal victory for the government  after a lower court ruled against it last year  is a worrying sign of the authorities growing unwillingness to respect human rights and uphold their obligations," said Amnesty Internationals China Director Sarah Brooks.

Brooks called on authorities to end attempts to stifle rights in the name of national security.

The government went to the court last year after Google resisted pressure to display Chinas national anthem as the top result in searches for the citys anthem instead of the protest song. A lower court rejected its initial bid last July, and the development was widely seen as a setback for officials seeking to crush dissidents following the protests.

The government's appeal argued that if the executive authority considered a measure necessary, the court should allow it unless it considered it will have no effect, according to a legal document on the governments website.

The government had already asked schools to ban the protest song on campuses. It previously said it respected freedoms protected by the citys constitution, but freedom of speech is not absolute.

___

Associated Press writer Zen Soo contributed to this report
ISLAMABAD, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the establishment of Pakistan Skill Company for skill development of the workforce and its employment abroad, the prime minister's office said here on Wednesday.

Chairing a meeting with the officials from the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and others, the prime minister called for the creation of an organized database of Pakistani manpower for their training and skill development, the office said in a statement.

He said that the commission should provide world-class technical and vocational training to the young workforce, and globally renowned certifications should be ensured in all technical fields.

The meeting was informed that NAVTTC will provide technical training to 60,000 people this year, and the number will rise to 600,000 in the next three years after the introduction of reforms.

The prime minister was told that the exchange of information about employment opportunities and required skills in foreign countries is being ensured, and data on manpower consumption is also being obtained from the local industry. 
Protesters gather near Israeli Consulate in Midtown Atlanta

Another pro-Palestine protest happened in Atlanta.

On Tuesday night, protesters were outside of the Israeli Consulate in Midtown Atlanta.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

This comes after the Israeli military attacked the City of Rafah in Gaza, and a day after Israels government rejected a ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas.

Channel 2 Action News reached out to Atlanta Police on Tuesday night.

TRENDING STORIES:

At one point, protesters began marching along Spring Street.

APD confirmed that Tuesdays protest was peaceful.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
Reality Check is a Fresno Bee series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email tips@fresnobee.com.

Democratic challengers in toss-up San Joaquin Valley congressional races have been quiet about recent campus protests as views on the unrest and the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza divide the party nationally.

Their silence likely doesnt matter for their election odds, political experts say, as the issue hasnt picked up as much attention in the San Joaquin Valley  a rural, agricultural hub in the heart of California that contains two of the most hotly-contested races for the U.S. House of Representatives.

I think Valley universities, the issue has just not resonated, so I dont think that is going to make a big dent, said Tom Holyoke, a professor of political science at California State University, Fresno.

Holyoke told The Bee in an interview, A lot of people here are, frankly, a little more focused on more day-to-day concerns.

Spokespeople for Democrats and former Assemblymen Adam Gray and Rudy Salas did not respond to requests for comment about campus protests and a potential ceasefire deal. They also didnt respond to requests for comment last month on the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza.

Their Republican counterparts, Reps. John Duarte and David Valadao, have both said peaceful protests are protected under the Constitution but denounced any violence and vandalism. The GOP nationally has more uniformly denounced pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations while Democrats have been split.

The right to peacefully protest is a core part of our Constitution and heritage and must be protected, Duarte, R-Modesto, told The Bee in a statement. However, this does not give protesters the right to trespass on or vandalize private or public property, disrupt classes in our colleges and universities, or threaten or resort to violence in support of their opinions.

Duarte added that if protesters engage in those activities, they should be treated appropriately, which could include arrest, prosecution, suspension or expulsion from their college or university, and loss of student loans, and college officials who allow this type of behavior, or who allow anti-Semitic behavior on their campuses, should be firmly disciplined.

I support the right to peaceful protest, but violence and vandalism are never acceptable, Valadao, R-Hanford, wrote on social media last week. Colleges and universities must stop the chaos unfolding on campuses, hold terrorist sympathizers and those breaking laws accountable, and ensure the safety of Jewish students on campus.

Why these House races are so close

Duarte and Valadao represent House districts that Democrats want to flip  and nonpartisan experts say its possible. Both races are considered toss-ups by forecasters who rate the closeness of elections nationally.

Both districts would have picked President Joe Biden over former President Donald Trump if the current legislative maps had been in place in 2020. Each has more registered Democratic voters than Republicans. Each is a Latino-majority voting district.

But these San Joaquin Valley districts have historically had low turnout, meaning white, older, conservative voters have had a disproportionate electoral say.

Duarte beat Gray in Californias 13th Congressional District, centered around Merced, in 2022 by fewer than 600 votes  the second-closest House race in the country.

Duarte, 57, ran as a farmer and businessman. Gray, 46, was an Assemblyman for his hometown of Merced for a decade.

Valadao bested Salas in Californias 22nd Congressional District, which includes in most of Kings County and parts of Kern and Tulare counties, by less than 3 percentage points that year.

Valadao, 47, has represented the area in Congress since 2013 with the exception of one term that he lost to a Democratic opponent. Salas, 47, was an Assemblyman for his hometown of Bakersfield for a decade.

In 2024 rematches, Democrats hope to flip these seats in an effort to gain the House majority. The House currently has a slim GOP majority, and nonpartisan election analysts say control could go either way in 2025.

Responses to campus protests divide Democrats, unify Republicans

Voters are split on campus protests over the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza. A USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll released Wednesday found mostly divisions among Democrats and unity for Republicans.

Among Biden voters, 30% supported the protests and 39% agreed with their demands but opposed their tactics; 20% opposed the protesters.

Biden last week condemned violence on college campuses while defending the right to peacefully protest, and has denounced rising antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Among Trump voters, 78% opposed protesters. Only 5% supported them; 9% supported their demands but opposed their tactics.

The poll of 1,000 registered voters was taken by landline and cell phone April 30 to May 3. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

That partisan difference comes across in campaign tactics in the Central Valley.

Its disappointing but sadly not surprising that Rudy Salas has once again failed to stand up to extremists in his own party, Andrew Renteria, a campaign spokesman for Valadao, said in a statement sent to The Bee on Monday.

Rudy was silent when Rep. Valadaos Hanford office was vandalized by terrorist sympathizers, Renteria said, and hes nowhere to be found now.

Adam Gray sides with extremists who attack police officers, threaten Jewish students, and destroy public property? Duane Dichiara, a campaign strategist for Duarte, said in a statement sent to The Bee on Monday. Not a surprise, Gray is a far-left extremist and its showing.

Despite the national interest in these races, fewer locals are engaged so far out from Novembers election.

There hasnt been a lot of attention drawn to them, Holyoke said. But it seems like theyre largely going to turn on economic issues, personal economic issues.

Protests on Israel-Hamas War in Gaza

Its hard to tell right now how much reactions to the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza and subsequent protests will affect November 2024 elections, analysts say.

My guess is that Republicans will utilize the protests in messaging all over the country, but the protests do not seem very salient in a lot of places, including the Central Valley, Kyle Kondik, managing editor of the nonpartisan election-analyzer Sabatos Crystal Ball, told The Bee in an email.

We also dont know how big of an issue the war will be in the fall, Kondik said. Democrats of all stripes surely hope it wont be, if only because the domestic dispute over the handling of the war seems to split the Democratic Party much more than the Republican Party.

Students across the country, from Columbia University to the University of California, Los Angeles, have established encampments and held demonstrations decrying how the war in Gaza has been conducted, asking university officials to divest from businesses with operations or investments in Israel.

University responses have differed, with some colleges calling in police officers when protesters refused to disperse. At UCLA, violence ensued last week after counterprotesters attempted to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment. Police officers on duty were swiftly overwhelmed and did not quell the situation for about three hours.

Protests over Israels war in the San Joaquin Valley, which makes up the southern portion of the Central Valley, have been far quieter, said Holyoke of Fresno State.

Around 250 Fresno State students, faculty and staff gathered for a peaceful sit-in showing solidarity with Palestinians last week as the Israel-Hamas war entered its seventh month.

On Oct. 7, Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. As a result, Israel has waged war on the group in Gaza, killing an estimated 34,000 people and leaving civilians dealing with widespread hunger.

The White House, which has backed Israel throughout the war, has pushed for a halt in fighting to release remaining hostages held by Hamas despite calls from prominent progressive Democrats for a permanent ceasefire. Recently, the president shifted tones on committing to further aid to Israel, pressing officials to do more to protect humanitarian aid workers and civilians.

We want to get these hostages out, we want to get a ceasefire in place for six weeks, we want to increase humanitarian assistance, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told reporters on Monday.

McClatchyDCs David Catanese contributed to this story.
(Bloomberg) -- US lawmakers grilled public school leaders over their handling of antisemitism, the latest in a series of hearings on the matter that have already led to the resignation of two college presidents.

Most Read from Bloomberg

There have been unacceptable incidents of antisemitism in our schools, David Banks, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, the nations largest public school district, told lawmakers Wednesday. When it comes to rooting out antisemitism, our public schools must be part of the answer.

Banks fielded questions from members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce alongside Karla Silvestre, president of the Board of Education at Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland and Enikia Ford Morthel, superintendent of the Berkeley Unified School District in California.

Each district has grappled with incidents of antisemitism and is under investigation by the US Department of Education for civil rights violations since Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The nations retaliatory bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 35,000 people, according to the the Hamas-run health ministry. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union.

A dozen New York public school staffers have been removed or disciplined for their behavior and at least 30 students have been suspended, Banks said. The citys school system has seen about 280 bias incidents reported since the war began, with about 42% of them antisemitic and 30% Islamophobic, he said.

Banks was asked specifically about a protest last November at his alma mater, the Hillcrest High School in Queens, where students staged an unruly protest and intimidated a Jewish teacher who made a post on social media in support of Israel.

Banks said the students who led that effort clearly engaged in an act of antisemitism and that a number of then had been suspended as a result. He said the schools principal had been removed.

The DOE opened an investigation into the Berkeley Unified School District after a group filed a complaint alleging the district ignored severe and persistent bullying of Jewish students, according to a release from the Anti-Defamation League. Several other school districts, including Montgomery County Public Schools and New York City schools, are under scrutiny for Title VI discrimination involving shared ancestry.

The Berkeley superintendent told the committee Wednesday that her school district had received nine formal complaints and taken action, but that student and personnel disciplinary records are private, and as a result, some believe we do nothing to address antisemitism, she said.

Despite those incidents, antisemitism is not pervasive in Berkeley Unified School District, Ford Morthel said.

The leaders were also asked about their curricula. At Berkeley, teachers created a lesson plan after Oct. 7th, while Banks shared details about mandatory Holocaust education. He said he plans to implement a new curriculum that will teach the whole of Jewish history, which will be ready in a year.

The House Committee has previously held two hearings with university leaders about antisemitism on college campuses, which led in part to the resignations of the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. Leaders from Northwestern University, Rutgers University and the University of California at Los Angeles have been called to testify later this month.

--With assistance from Janet Lorin and Brendan Walsh.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Brian Lyman, editor of the Alabama Reflector

Brian Lyman, in his welcome column, launched States Newsrooms Alabama outlet with these words: The pain and promise of Alabama collide on Dexter Avenue, the heart of Montgomery.

The Alabama Reflectors founding editor, hed spent a lot of his 24-year journalism career as a reporter covering the states politics. And, he joked, he hadnt penned a column since college. But he would start writing one every week.

His many years chasing hard news informs how hes approached this work, which earned Lyman recognition by the Pulitzer Board in the commentary category for brave, clear and pointed columns that challenge ever-more-repressive state policies flouting democratic norms and targeting vulnerable populations, written with the command and authority of a veteran political observer.

Winners were announced Monday. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian writer imprisoned for standing against the war on Ukraine, won with columns published by The Washington Post.

Lymans writing often brings the lens of history to present-day issues unfolding in Alabama. There are patterns in this state that just repeat over and over again, he said in an interview. You can change the characters. You can change the issues. You can change the settings. But a key theme, he said, is that Alabama government tends to serve the powerful over the vulnerable.

If youve seen this show before, you can sense where things are headed, Lyman said. The role of his commentaries in the broader news picture hes got his eye on every day is to provide context and background for readers who are trying to grasp whats going on. For people who might feel like they might be lost with what the latest Alabama crisis is  hopefully people read my columns and maybe have a clearer understanding of whats been happening.

His analysis is usually based on the work of the Reflectors reporters, who find the stories that Lyman contextualizes.

One column recognized by the Pulitzer Board, The high price of Alabamas low taxes, couldnt have happened without reporting by Ralph Chapoco, who spent months analyzing the fines and fees system in Alabama. Another, Why GOP lawmakers fear divisive concepts, jumped off diligent coverage by Jemma Stephenson and Alander Rocha.

You cant really write about these things without having a really hard-working and perceptive staff working with you, Lyman said.

His commentaries have done more than serve as a guide to the news reporting of the Reflector team, though, too. Theyve also helped change how some historical tales are told.

One of his first columns last year was about Arthur Madison, a civil rights hero who in the 40s organized a registration drive that helped get hundreds of Black voters on the rolls. Afterward, Madison was targeted, arrested and disbarred. Lyman spotlighted this story to argue that the historical record should be corrected. A few months later, Madison was inducted into the Alabama State Bar Hall of Fame.

Alabama is rich in examples of what happens when you give the powerful too much power, and you dont restrain them, Lyman said. The flip coin of that though, is that we also have many examples of Alabamians who refuse to accept that, who constantly fought for something better.

The state he writes about every week, Lyman said, is where America confronts itself. Alabama is where we see the very worst and the very best of the American character.

The nod to Lyman marks the first time States Newsroom  the national nonprofit news network that the Alabama Reflector belongs to  has had a Pulitzer finalist.

We are proud and honored that the Pulitzer Prize Board recognizes Brians unflinching and insightful analysis of this pivotal movement in our history as it is playing out in Alabama, said Chris Fitzsimon, president and publisher. Its why States Newsroom was founded, to tell the stories of people affected by the decisions made in Montgomery and other statehouses across the country.

Editor Brian Lymans Pulitzer-nominated work

The post Pulitzer Board recognizes Alabama Reflector editor in commentary category appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
(David McNew/Getty Images)

Supporters of a bill vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills that would have established a minimum wage for farmworkers say changes the governor wanted would have significantly scaled back existing labor rights and reduced farmworkers ability to recoup unpaid wages.

Legislators will vote on whether or not to override that veto on Friday.

Proponents of the bill were deeply frustrated after the governors veto late last month, saying it was absolutely ridiculous for Mills to reject a measure she herself proposed. However, Mills said while she supports a minimum wage for agricultural workers, changes made to her bill by the Legislature left her with no choice but to oppose the measure.

The governors veto hinged on the question of whether farmworkers should be able to directly sue their employer if they believe there is a violation of labor law (also known as a private right of action).

Mike Guare, an attorney in the farmworker unit of Pine Tree Legal Assistance, said all workers currently have a right of private action in Maine to enforce unpaid wages, citing a statute that says either the employee themselves or the Maine Department of Labor (DOL) can bring forward a legal complaint over unpaid wages or health benefits.

A commission set up by the governor to provide recommendations for Mills farmworker bill  established after she vetoed another farmworker minimum wage measure last year  did not touch on the issue of a private right of action in its report in February.

But when the governor released the text of her bill in March, it stipulated that only the DOL had authority to bring an action against an employer that violated the proposed farmworker minimum wage statute.

Guare said while there is some uncertainty over how exactly the law would have been interpreted, his reading of Mills bill is that farmworkers wouldnt have had a private right of action if they were being paid the minimum wage of $14.15 an hour but would have retained a private right of action if they were making more than $14.15, but only for unpaid wages in excess of the minimum wage. So Guare said if the legislation had become law and a farmworker was making $15.15 an hour, they could only file a private lawsuit for the extra dollar in unpaid wages above the minimum wage.

But since most farmworkers make relatively close to the minimum wage, Guare said Mills bill would have curtailed farmworkers right to bring a private action against their employer for the bulk of their possible unpaid wages.

Claims that proposal would spur excessive suits by farmworkers

Workshopping the bill text, Democrats on the Legislatures Labor and Housing Committee removed Mills restrictions on farmworkers private right of action.

The committees version of the bill ultimately passed both the Maine Senate and House of Representatives before Mills vetoed it. In her veto message, the governor argued that enforcement by the DOL would be sufficient and said she was concerned that allowing a private right of action for farmworkers would result in litigation that would simply sap farmers of financial resources and cause them to fail.

In a statement, the Maine Potato Board  which rescinded its support for the bill once it contained a private right of action  also said that clause could have harmful impacts on farms.

The concerning part of this for the ag industry is when employers are found in court to be not liable, they are still responsible for their own legal representation, assistant executive director Jeannie Tapley said. Our concern lies primarily with employers having no recourse to get their legal fees paid for in the case they are not found liable.

Tapley also argued that allowing a private right of action would result in undue litigation against farms.

However, Guare said farmworkers  many of whom are migrant laborers  typically only seek legal recourse as a last resort to address particularly poor labor conditions.

Rep. Amy Roeder (D-Bangor), House chair of the Labor and Housing Committee, added that for farmworkers coming from other countries who might not have a lot of connections within Maine and may not speak English as a first language, accessing the legal system is likely to be challenging.

So the governors view of the state turning into this litigation-happy atmosphere where ag workers are bringing spurious lawsuits, its some weird dystopian fantasy that has no basis in reality or fact, Roeder said.

Roeder said Democrats on the Labor and Housing Committee didnt want to take a right away from agricultural employees in order for them to gain access to minimum wage protections.

Further, she pointed out that the bill Mills put forward already represented a significant compromise. The governors proposal didnt include reforms that advocates have long pushed for such as overtime pay for farmworkers, union rights, or allowing unpaid 30-minute rest breaks every six hours.

The fact that we couldnt even get the governor to sign her own bare bones, least-we-could-do bill just shows you how little the governor cares for agricultural workers in our state, Roeder said.

Mills office did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Questions about Dept. of Labor enforcement capacity

Arthur Phillips, a policy analyst with the Maine Center for Economic Policy who was part of the stakeholder commission that worked on recommendations for the bill, agreed with Roeders argument that advocates already gave up a lot in their attempt to get minimum wage protections for farmworkers.

That was a deeply compromised bill, he said of Mills proposal.

Phillips pointed out that another issue with Mills insistence that only the DOL should be responsible for the farmworker minimum wage statute is that the department  by its own admission  has struggled with its capacity to enforce labor laws.

In a report released in February, the DOL wrote that Maine employers faced average penalties of just 39 cents per wage and hour violation last year and could expect an investigation from the department once every 323 years.

The fact that the DOL has just one wage and hour inspector for every 69,177 employees combined with the low average penalty assessed per violation means the departments deterrent effect has been non-existent in past years, the agency wrote.

The DOL did not respond to a request for comment about whether it believes it would have had the capacity to enforce the farmworker minimum wage statute.

Phillips emphasized that the department is doing the best it can given its capacity. But even though several bills were approved this session to improve the agencys ability to enforce labor laws, he said its still important that farmworkers maintain access to the courts so they have another avenue of recourse.

It is clear to me that DOL does not have the capacity that it should have to enforce the laws that we have on the books as it is, Phillips said.

Editors note: Maine Morning Star reporter AnnMarie Hilton contributed reporting to this story.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Pushing back on veto, farmworker advocates say Mills proposal scaled back labor rights appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have deepened their ties since Russia invaded Ukraine - Vladimir Smirnov/AFP via Getty Images

Russia has pledged to send North Korea eagles, pythons, parrots and fruit bats in a potential form of zoo diplomacy.

The promised donation of more than 40 animals to Pyongyangs Central Zoo comes as the two countries deepen their political and military ties, with North Korea suspected of funnelling weapons to Moscow.

The United States and South Korea say Pyongyang has been providing millions of artillery shells and dozens of short-range ballistic missiles and launchers to support Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine. However, the quality of the power has been questioned.

While the supply of weapons is thought to be part of a deal in return for food and Russian expertise, the donation of animals is being interpreted as a diplomatic gesture.

The two countries appear to want to use their strengthening alliance to upset US policies in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific.

North Korea Central Zoo has had welfare concerns - George Pachantouris/Moment Unreleased

Anthony Rinna, an expert on North Korea-Russia relations, told NK News Moscow the donation may be their way of trying to mirror Chinas zoo diplomacy, where Beijing loans out its famous pandas to strengthen bilateral diplomatic ties as part of its global soft power strategy.

He said Russia may not have donated larger animals due to welfare concerns about poor conditions at the zoo. When the enclosure opened in 2016, one of its main attractions was Azalea, a 19-year-old chimpanzee who had been taught how to chain smoke a pack a day.

In recent months, the US has accused Russia of using ballistic missiles and launchers supplied by North Korea.

According to the most recent data from Ukraines Prosecutor Generals Office, obtained by Reuters, around half of the North Korean missiles fired at Ukraine by Russia have malfunctioned and exploded in mid-air.

In March 2024, Ukrainian prosecutors reported that Russia had fired around 50 of the rockets since the beginning of the conflict, but examination of debris had provided stark information on their reliability.

Andrii Kostin, Ukraines top prosecutor, said: About half of the North Korean missiles lost their programmed trajectories and exploded in the air. In such cases, the debris was not recovered.

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.
Have questions about the Sacramento Zoos proposed move to Elk Grove? Ask our journalists

One of several new renderings provided by Sacramento Zoo and city of Elk Grove officials show a recreation space at an expanded facility near Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway. The Elk Grove City Council is expected to vote on final approval to begin construction during Wednesdays meeting.

The Elk Grove City Council will meet Wednesday night to decide the next phase of the 97-year-old Sacramento Zoo.

Founded in 1927, the zoo has anchored Land Park since the neighborhoods early days. The Elk Grove city councilors will vote to approve or deny the first phase of development of a new site near Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway.

You can keep up with coverage at sacbee.com and check for updates on X or Facebook as Sacramento Bee reporters cover the deciding vote.

Heres what we know ahead of the City Council meeting:

Pass or fail, The Sacramento Bee wants to hear your questions about the proposed change. Ask in the form below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
Quiz: Could you qualify for the Swiss Guard?

Vatican Swiss Guard recruits line up for their swearing-in ceremony, at the Vatican, Monday, May 6, 2024. The ceremony is held each May 6 to commemorate the day in 1527 when 147 Swiss Guards died protecting Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome. | Andrew Medichini

Thirty-four new recruits were sworn into the Swiss Guard on Monday at the Vatican, becoming part of the worlds smallest army, according to ABC News.

The men promised to protect Pope Francis and future popes with their lives, and they also showed off their ability to march and stand at attention.

They wore their ceremonial red, yellow and blue Renaissance-style uniforms fitted with 33 pounds of helmet and armor throughout Mondays event, ABC News reported, noting that there are now 135 total guards.

A Pontifical Swiss guard looks on as a man raises a Swiss flag in the St. Damasus courtyard ahead of the arrival of Switzerland's President Viola Amherd for private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, May 4, 2024. | Andrew Medichini

What is the Swiss Guard?

The Swiss Guard has been around since 1506, when Pope Julius II embraced the idea of having a special protection force.

Then, as now, members of the unique army worked to protect the pope and his residence, according to the Swiss Guards website.

But what those protection services look like has changed quite a bit over time.

In the past, the members of the Swiss Guard sometimes had to fend off violent attacks on the Vatican.

Today, they mostly meet with tourists, although some visitors do make uncomfortable demands.

The role requires an instinct for distinguishing real threats from encounters with people who just need a word of consolation  many come to the Vatican gates looking for work, others insist on meeting the pope. More still believe themselves to be St. Peter or Jesus Christ in person and demand to be listened to. A few attempt suicide, Religion News Service reported.

When Pope Francis goes into St. Peters Square, such as during his Wednesday morning general audiences, members of the Swiss Guard act like members of the U.S. Secret Service, carefully monitoring the crowd.

The guards, in civilian clothes and armed with guns and tasers, are never far away, per Religion News Service.

Swiss Guard requirements

If those job duties sound fun to you, then you might be sad to hear that very few people meet the requirements to become a Swiss Guard recruit.

Still up for the challenge? Here are some of the criteria that recruits have to meet, according to ABC News and Religion News Service.

Are you male? If so, keep going. Are you single? Guards arent allowed to be married until theyve served for five years. Are you between the ages of 19 and 30? Recruits are all pretty young. Are you at least 5 feet, 8 inches tall? Congrats, you can keep going. Are you Catholic? Its safe to assume Catholics are most committed to protecting the pope. Are you physically capable of working on your feet for six, 12 or even 16 hours at a time? Please proceed. Can you carry around 33 pounds of equipment while doing that work? Those fancy helmets are quite heavy. Are you willing to commit at least two years to the service? Recruits are asked to sign up for two years, although many end up leaving after six months for other security jobs, per Religion News Service. Are you from Switzerland? Oh, did I forget to say that all recruits have to actually be Swiss? Have you completed your compulsory military service? Young men can only become part of the Swiss Guard if theyve already served the country of Switzerland.

Its safe to say that no American reader would make the cut.

Swiss Guard ceremony

The swearing-in ceremony for the Swiss Guard took place on Monday because May 6 is an important date for the service.

May 6, 1527, was the day that 147 guardsman lost their lives protecting Pope Clement VII from German mercenaries hired by Charles V, the Habsburg monarch of Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor, according to Religion News Service.

Fewer than 50 guardsman survived, but they were able to keep the pope safe.

The swearing-in ceremony, which occurs every year on May 6, commemorates that sacrifice by the Swiss Guards, Religion News Service reported.
Rafacz: Donate to Spotlight PA State College during Centre Gives to power vital journalism in Centre County

Almost two years ago, Spotlight PA announced a historic local expansion of our award-winning investigative and public-service journalism  starting with our first regional bureau based in State College. The results have been astounding, but there is much more to do.

Weve exposed systemic problems in Penn States misconduct reporting structure, resulting in improved transparency. Weve delved into how rural communities are served (or not) by state agencies and lawmakers. And weve fought for and won public records in the local court.

These and dozens of other stories likely would have never been written without Spotlight PA. But were just getting started, and the future of this vital effort depends on you.

Were thrilled to participate for the second year in Centre Gives, a 36-hour online fundraiser hosted by Centre Foundation on May 8-9, to continue our public-service mission. Make a gift in support of Spotlight PA State College right now at spotlightpa.org/centre.

Your support powers our nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism. A few examples:

In July, Penn State Investigative Reporter Wyatt Massey, in collaboration with Centre Daily Times reporter Josh Moyer, published a yearlong investigation into the universitys highly touted misconduct reporting system and reforms implemented after the Jerry Sandusky scandal. The reporting revealed deeply rooted flaws and distrust in the structure.

Since then, the university has launched a redesigned misconduct reporting website to ease the process of submitting a complaint. In March, the Office of Ethics and Compliance publicly released misconduct reporting data for the first time in six years.

In December, in partnership with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Spotlight PA sued the universitys board of trustees in the Centre County Court of Common Pleas for allegedly violating the state open meetings law.

In addition, Penn State has filed suit in Commonwealth Court against our newsroom to block the release of internal records that the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records determined should be made public.

Masseys work is vital to ensuring such a large, influential institution  and a pivotal part of our community  operates with transparency and in the interest of those its supposed to serve.

Since her hire in August, Marley Parish has provided unique coverage of rural communities. Shes highlighted how Snow Shoe finally received help from their lawmakers in Harrisburg after years of hardship; why eminent domain disadvantages farmers; how a proposed solar project prompted Rush Township to face its mining past; and much more.

With your support, Parish can continue offering a thoughtful, informative perspective on our neighbors who dont always make headlines.

Min Xian, our local accountability reporter, covers municipal government like no one else. Through deeply reported stories, she explains what goes wrong in small towns when no one is watching, and how those issues affect communities all across Pennsylvania. Her work makes local government more accessible for the residents it serves.

With your support, Xian can continue keeping our local elected officials honest.

At Spotlight PA, we believe everyone should have access to critical news and information  no matter where they live or what they can afford. Thats why our essential journalism is free for everyone. We also share our work, at no cost, with more than 100 news outlets across Pennsylvania, including the Centre Daily Times, WPSU, and StateCollege.com.

Ensuring this vital public service continues depends on your generosity today. Visit spotlight.org/centre to make your donation. Also, stop by and say hi at our booth at Centre Gives Fest, 5-8 p.m. May 9 at Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte!

Sarah Rafacz is the editor of Spotlight PA State College. Email her at srafacz@spotlightpa.org .
BELGRADE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Wednesday that his visit to Serbia will open a new chapter of history for bilateral relations.

Xi made the remarks while holding talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Prior to their talks, Xi was greeted by thousands of Serbians. Vucic also held a welcome ceremony for Xi. 
Israels push into Rafah and takeover of a key border crossing Tuesday has ignited international debate and condemnation as roughly 1.4 million sheltering civilians in the southern Gaza city were caught in the crosshairs of potential invasion.

Israel late Monday began targeted strikes in eastern Rafah before seizing control of the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing, the sole point of entry between Gaza and Egypt and a crucial pass-through for humanitarian assistance.

That came merely hours after some 100,000 Palestinians in eastern Rafah were ordered to evacuate immediately, with Israeli bombs soon beginning to rain down on residential areas.

The U.S. ally moved ahead in the assault after it said cease-fire terms that Hamas agreed to on Monday fell far from meeting its demands, instead vowing to exert military pressure on Hamas in Rafah.

Biden administration officials on Tuesday insisted that they believed Israeli assurances that the movement was a limited operation meant to cut off Hamass ability to ship arms across the border into Rafah.

But other international leaders, including the United Nations chief, have said any Rafah assault would be a humanitarian disaster and urged both sides to agree to a cease-fire immediately.

Here are the key takeaways from the situation.

Why Rafah matters to Israel militarily

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has anointed Israels military operation into Rafah as a solution to both returning the remaining hostages held in Gaza and finally wiping out Hamas.

The entrance to Rafah serves two main war goals: the return of our hostages and the elimination of Hamas, Netanyahu said in a video Tuesday, saying that the Israeli military began operations overnight.

He added that military pressure on Hamas is a necessary condition for the return of our hostages, accusing Hamass agreement to the cease-fire proposal as intended to torpedo the entry of our forces into Rafah. It did not happen.

There are an estimated 133 Israeli hostages still in Gaza, but its unknown how many are alive or in Hamas control.

Israel has demanded 40 of the most vulnerable hostages  children, women, the elderly and wounded  to be evacuated as part of the first phase of any cease-fire deal. But Hamas negotiators have indicated they do not have nearly enough people in those categories to hit that figure.

Also holding up any agreement is how long a cease-fire should last. Hamas wants such a pause to eventually end the war, while Israel looks to only stop its fighting long enough to obtain the hostages before eliminating Hamas from Gaza.

Rafah is the pressure point in the chaos, with Israeli war Cabinet member Benny Gantz saying that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations in the city will continue and expand as necessary.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, meanwhile, said Tuesday his countrys push into Gaza will continue until Hamas is destroyed in Rafah and throughout the territory, or until the last hostage returns.

It risks pulling in Egypt

A Rafah invasion also threatens to pull Egypt into the hostilities, a situation that would further strain an already volatile region.

Egypt, along with the United States and Qatar, has worked for weeks on a truce proposal between Israel and Hamas that would secure the release of Israeli hostages.

The country holds a unique stake in brokering such a deal, as it shares a border with Gaza and hopes to prevent the spill of Palestinian refugees into its land.

But Egypts Foreign Ministry condemned Israel on Tuesday for shutting down the Rafah border crossing, calling the move a dangerous escalation.

The action threatens the lives of more than a million Palestinians who depend primarily on this crossing as the main lifeline of the Gaza Strip, the ministry said, warning Israel to not threaten a potential cease-fire.

Egypt has also previously warned that any flow of Palestinian refugees into its country caused by Israel could negate its decades-old Israel-Egypt peace treaty.

That accord, signed in 1979, has served as a crucial source of stability in the Middle East.

A compounding humanitarian crisis

Ahead of a full-scale military invasion into Rafah, Israel ordered some 100,000 civilians living in parts of eastern Rafah to immediately evacuate to the coastal town of Al-Mawasi. But aid groups warned it was not an appropriate area to live in, with the U.N. human rights chief calling the order inhumane.

Gazans continue to be hit with bombs, disease, and even famine. And today, they have been told that they must relocate yet again as Israeli military operations into Rafah scale up, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement. This is inhumane.

His colleague, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, earlier Monday warned that a ground invasion in Rafah would be intolerable because of its devastating humanitarian consequences and because of its destabilizing impact in the region.

U.N. and humanitarian organizations in Gaza have warned that the territory has hit full-blown famine due to an already severe lack of access to food and medical supplies.

On Tuesday, UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, warned that humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza could grow far worse by being halted by Israeli control of the Rafah border crossing.

Continued interruption of the entry of aid and fuel supplies at the Rafah crossing will halt the critical humanitarian response across the Gaza Strip, UNRWA said on the social platform X.

The catastrophic hunger faced by people especially in northern Gaza will get much worse if these supply routes are interrupted, the agency added.

International pressure mounts

World leaders were quick to condemn Israel for its movement into Rafah and its refusal to rule out a full-scale invasion there.

Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt and several United Nations agencies called out Israels apparent plans as a dangerous escalation.

Guterres urged Israel and Hamas to show the political courage and spare no effort to secure an agreement now to stop the bloodshed, to free the hostages, and to help stabilize a region which is still at risk of explosion.

Things are moving in the wrong direction, he added.

In the West, the European Unions top diplomat, foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, feared a Rafah invasion is going to cause again a lot of civilian casualties, whatever they say.

There are 600,000 children in Gaza. They will be pushed to so-called safety zones, [but] there are no safe zones in Gaza, Borrell said Tuesday ahead of a meeting of ministers in charge of development cooperation.

The World Health Organizations regional director, Hanan Balkhy, warned on X that Israels military operation put the lives of 1.5 million people in imminent danger, calling for the border crossing to be urgently reopened.

And Amnesty International official Erika Guevara-Rosas said the Rafah operation was a cruel and inhumane move that already illustrates the disastrous impact of such an operation on civilians.

She called on all states to pressure Israel to immediately halt its ground operations in Rafah and ensure unfettered access for humanitarian aid in line with their obligations to prevent genocide.

Even the United States has grown frustrated with Israels stance in recent months, this past week suggesting that Washington could reassess its support for its ally if it did not do more to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza.

That threat seemed to be called when reports emerged Tuesday of a delayed ammunition delivery to Israel, the first time the U.S. has withheld lethal assistance to the country since its war against Hamas began in October.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Early planted corn has begun to emerge in parts of Iowa. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Farmers should plant their corn by next week to ensure their yields are maximized, but wet fields have stalled their progress, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Corn planting had been tracking ahead of the five-year average in April before last weeks rains that touched every part of the state. There was a statewide average of 2.23 inches of precipitation, which was more than double what is typically expected.

By Sunday, corn planting had sagged to put farmers slower than the five-year average  about two days behind that schedule, the USDA reported.

All this rain has basically stopped planting for most people, said Meaghan Anderson, an Iowa State University Extension field agronomist who monitors central Iowa. It might be the weekend before people can get back in the field.

ISU research has shown that corn yields are typically highest in Iowa if farmers plant during a roughly four-week stretch from mid-April to mid-May. Yields start to diminish rapidly thereafter.

Planting in soil that is too wet can also stunt growth and yields.

After Wednesday there are no indications of massive storms for the next week, said Cory Martin, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

Temperatures are expected to be about average for the rest of this week and to warm into next week.

A lot of these guys are pretty experienced, and deep down they want to get in as soon as they can, Gentry Sorenson, an Extension field agronomist in far northern Iowa, said of farmers in his area. It doesnt take long to accomplish what they need to do with the planting equipment they have.

Soybean planting was also delayed by about a week by the rains, the USDA reported, and on Sunday it was about two days behind last years progress.

The abundant rainfall in recent weeks has helped alleviate persistent drought conditions. About 84% of the topsoil in crop fields has adequate or surplus moisture. About 73% of subsoil rates the same.

The post Rainfall slows farmers as optimal planting window shrinks appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Supporters of Capitol riot defendant Jake Lang plan to rally outside a Brooklyn prison on Wednesday to protest his being held there in solitary confinement and his nearly 40 months behind bars while awaiting trial.

The 28-year-old New Yorker faces serious assault charges for allegedly battling police for more than two hours in the midst of a pro-Trump mob at the U.S. Capitol, including his beating officers with a baseball bat. He has been held primarily in the Washington, D.C., jail since his arrest in January 2021, but he has been moved to other facilities a dozen times and says he was placed in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn around March 1.

The noon rally for the Sullivan County native will be led by his father, Ned Lang of Narrowsburg, and it could be an unusual urban spectacle. At least one horseback rider is expected to take part: Couy Griffin, founder of "Cowboys for Trump" and a former county commissioner from New Mexico who served two weeks in jail for his own Jan. 6 conviction on a trespassing charge.

FBI have identified Edward Lang as the man with the shield and baseball bat in this photo from Jan. 6, in which a pro-Trump mob clashes with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol.

The younger Lang  referred to in court papers by his full name, Edward Jacob Lang  told the USA Today Network in a phone call from prison on Tuesday that he had been kept in solitary confinement since April 9 and leaves his cell for only an hour a day on certain days. He said he has no books, no access to the outside world  other than the phone line for attorney calls that he was using  and leads a "purgatory, sensory-deprivation-like existence."

Lang, who has given a flood of interviews and conducted his own podcast and other media ventures while locked up, claimed the prison was punishing him for calling for a protest during a TV interview with right-wing commentator Lou Dobbs. He said he's awaiting a disciplinary hearing on a charge of "criminal phone abuse."

Edward Jacob Lang is among those arrested on charges related to the Capitol riot. on Jan. 6, 2021.

"Basically, they're trying to stifle my First Amendment," he told the USA Today Network-New York.

Long wait: Three years after Jan. 6 riot, NY man charged with beating cops still awaits trial in jail

When asked about those claims, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons said he couldn't comment on how particular inmates are being held, but he denied any are kept in solitary confinement. He said some are placed in "restrictive housing," where they are "continuously monitored and reviewed to ensure that continued placement is necessary, including being seen by Medical and Mental Health employees daily."

"We make every effort to ensure the physical safety and health of the individuals confined to our facilities through a controlled environment that is secure and humane," spokesman Scott Taylor said.

Couy Griffin outside the White House during the first Cowboys for Trump horse ride to Washington, D.C. in 2019.

Lang originally was set to stand trial in January 2023, which was then proposed for October of that year. But his trial is now on hold until this September  at his own behest  to await a Supreme Court ruling on his bid to dismiss one of 11 charges against him: obstructing an official proceeding. That and a similar challenge brought by another Jan. 6 defendant were argued before the court last month and could be decided by the end of its term in June.

Detailed charges: Capitol riot suspect from Newburgh allegedly beat cops with fists, feet, bat and shield

The judge hearing Lang's case has refused to release him on bail before his trial, citing violent threats that Lang allegedly made after the riot among a litany of reasons to keep him in jail. Lang's attorney has renewed the request to release him and took a fresh approach in April by filing a writ of habeas corpus as well.

Prosecutors continue to oppose Lang's release and suggest that he shares blame for his prolonged pretrial detention. In a recent court filing, they pointed out that he insisted on postponing his trial when it was set for last October because of the pending Supreme Court case.

Lang, in Tuesday's interview, suggested his continued confinement was a "human rights issue" that both Democrats and Republicans should abhor. Only religious conviction has helped him endure his current conditions in the Brooklyn prison, he said.

"Faith has been a shield for me," he said.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Capitol riot: Rally planned for defendant Jake Lang at Brooklyn prison
A doctor uses a handheld Doppler probe on a pregnant woman to measure the heartbeat of the fetus in December 2021 in Jackson, Miss. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)

This week Time published a story about a 13-year-old girl in Mississippi who, thanks to the states new abortion ban, was forced to give birth shortly before entering seventh grade.

The story highlights how increasingly challenging it has become to obtain an abortion in many parts of the country, even for those who are supposed to be exempt from many of the strictest state laws.

According to Time, the girls mother says she was raped in their front yard by a stranger last fall and police were reportedly contacted in January, after the girl was admitted to the hospital for vomiting, only to learn that she was pregnant. Yet while Mississippis stringent abortion ban allows for exceptions in cases of rape that have been reported to law enforcement, the states only abortion clinic closed its doors in July 2022.

Because Mississippi is surrounded by states that have also banned the procedure in most cases, the closest abortion provider was in Chicago  over 600 miles, or roughly a nine-hour drive, from the girls home in Clarksdale, Miss. The cost of such a trip, plus the time off work, was something her mother couldnt afford, leaving the girl to become a mother herself at age 13.

Demonstrators outside the Supreme Court during the Womens March on June 24. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)

Twenty-one states have either banned or restricted abortion since the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022, eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion. Many of those state laws have exceptions, including provisions for victims of rape and incest, or for expectant mothers whose life is at risk.

But even in states where abortion providers still exist, there are many hurdles to taking advantage of such exceptions, which often require a woman to prove that she qualifies.

For some, going through all of that will be just utterly exhausting to such a degree where it can feel hopeless, Michele Goodwin, chancellors professor at the University of California, Irvine and author of Policing the Womb, previously told Yahoo News.

Yahoo News spoke to Goodwin and other experts in May 2022 about the challenges women may face in navigating the exceptions to new state abortion bans.

Most sexual assaults go unreported

Goodwin noted at the time that more than 2 out of 3 sexual assaults go unreported to police, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. Many victims say their silence is due to fear of retaliation and social stigma.

In the process of going through all of these things, they may not be able to meet the states timeline in which theyre able to terminate a pregnancy, Goodwin said. So even if these exceptions do exist, its not as if the current exemptions, as they are, create any kind of dignified path to be able to get this kind of health care.

Even more barriers for minors

The process is even more challenging for minors, especially those assaulted by their legal guardian. Goodwin further noted that many young girls may lack the financial resources to navigate the legal bureaucracy.

Imagine a situation where now you have to get the permission of your father, the person who raped you, in order to be able to get the abortion, or you have to go to a court and find a judge and get on a schedule in order to be able to do so, she said.

How to determine when the mothers life is at risk?

In addition to rape and incest, many state abortion bans also include exceptions in cases where the mothers life is at risk. But Dr. Jennifer Villavicencio, the lead for equity transformation at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told Yahoo News last year that the language around such health-based exceptions is usually vague and difficult to enforce.

There are no bright lines anywhere that says somebody crosses from one threshold to another, and now all of a sudden their life is at risk, Villavicencio said. As medical experts, as doctors, as people who work to save lives every single day, we do everything possible to keep you from getting to a point where your life is at risk, and sometimes that means ending a pregnancy that could put your life at risk.

Villavicencio said she was worried that doctors in states with strict anti-abortion laws wont be able to prioritize the health of their patients  instead theyll have to think about the law and wait until a patients life is at risk before performing a necessary abortion, out of fear of losing their license or potentially facing criminal penalties.

People are going to get much, much sicker, and sometimes theyre going to get so sick that theres not an intervention that we can do to bring them back, she said. Thats why we talk about these laws as being life-threatening, because they truly, truly are.
Seven years ago, the Ely Museum in the U.K. finally welcomed a rare golden artifact to its collection.

Using a combination of grant awards and donations from the public, the museum purchased the 3,000-year-old piece for about $275,000, following its historic discovery two years before, the museum said.

Its a golden torc, a type of ornamental piece that imitates a rope but is forged from metal.

Now, the torc is missing.

Early in the morning May 7, an unknown person or group of people broke into the Ely Museum, the museum announced in a Facebook post.

The torc, along with another gold bracelet also from the Bronze Age, were taken, museum officials said.

We are devastated by the loss to the museum and to the local heritage of the region. It is a huge blow after the incredible support from the community in acquiring the torc in 2017. As a culturally significant object, it cannot be replaced. Our priority now is working with the police to locate the stolen objects, museum curator Elie Hughes said in the post.

Two people were seen near the museum riding e-scooters at about the time of the robbery, police told the museum.

I am very keen to hear from anyone who may be able to provide information or saw two people on e-scooters who were in the vicinity of the museum, car park and pedestrian walkways at the back of the museum, the council offices and the Grange Car Park, between 12am and 2am on (Tuesday 7 May), Detective Inspector Kiri Mazur said in the Facebook post.

The torc was discovered by metal detectorists in 2015, according to the museum, and was brought to a very surprised archaeological officer.

It has been 3,000 years since a craftsman twisted 730g of pure gold into this intricately woven, large but delicate torc. Shaped from a square section of a bar of gold, it was twisted and burnished to form this spectacular piece. The precise measurements and delicate twists are a testament to their skill! the museum said on Facebook in 2017.

It is one of the heaviest and longest ever found in the U.K., the museum said on Facebook last year, and it has a bit of mystery.

The East Cambridgeshire Gold Torc is too large to be a necklace, or even a belt. Without written sources, we can only speculate how the torc was used. Perhaps it was designed to be worn over heavy clothes or made for a pregnant woman, a statue, or even a ceremonial animal. There is no way to know if it was owned by one person of high status, or owned collectively by a group, the museum wrote in 2023.

Television presenter Ray Mears called the torc one of the most remarkable finds in British history, in a segment for the BBC in 2018, and he said the people of the Bronze Age were tireless experimenters who were often underestimated.

The theft of these items is despicable, and we are focused on identifying the offenders, tracing the items, and returning them to their rightful place, Mazur said in the May 7 Facebook post.

The Ely Museum is in Ely in southeastern England, about an 80-mile drive north from London.

Archaeological site robbery report leads to ancient discoveries in Peru, officials say

Package from mystery sender arrives at Poland museum  with missing artifacts inside

Group swapped rare library books for fakes, causing $2.6M in damage, Europe cops say

Mysterious case of stolen bait leads to first-in-a-century discovery in Australia
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  San Diego libraries will benefit from a sizable donation to Reach Out and Read, thanks to philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

Reach Out and Read San Diego received a $27,500 donation in April 2024 from Scotts $350,000 investment to the national nonprofit, Reach Out and Read.

The local nonprofit, which is operated by the American Academy of Pediatrics, California Chapter 3 (AAP-CA3), announced it will use the funds to build critical partnerships with county libraries, while program staff works to establish relationships between the closest branches to clinics offering the Reach Out and Read program.

These funds will allow us to provide books to even more children within San Diego and Imperial Counties, said AAP-CA3 Program Director Tara Milbrand. More books in hands along with our messaging on the importance of reading together and parents reading aloud ultimately benefits families and builds stronger bonds between parents and children.

MacKenzie Scott donates millions to nearly 80 organizations in California

For the past 18 years, Reach Out and Read San Diego has been working with local pediatric offices to encourage families to read by providing books during well-child visits.

Since 1996, more than 1.7 million books have been distributed to children in San Diego through the Reach Out and Read program.

Local Libraries to Benefit from MacKenzie Scott Donation to Reach Out and Read San Diego (Credit: Reach Out and Read San Diego)

Local Libraries to Benefit from MacKenzie Scott Donation to Reach Out and Read San Diego (Credit: Reach Out and Read San Diego)

Local Libraries to Benefit from MacKenzie Scott Donation to Reach Out and Read San Diego (Credit: Reach Out and Read San Diego)

Local Libraries to Benefit from MacKenzie Scott Donation to Reach Out and Read San Diego (Credit: Reach Out and Read San Diego)

Local Libraries to Benefit from MacKenzie Scott Donation to Reach Out and Read San Diego (Credit: Reach Out and Read San Diego)

Local Libraries to Benefit from MacKenzie Scott Donation to Reach Out and Read San Diego (Credit: Reach Out and Read San Diego)

Scott, who helped grow and establish Amazon alongside her ex-husband, Jeff Bezos, has previously pledged to donate half of her wealth to charities nationwide following her divorce from Bezos. To date, Scott has donated over $17 billion to more than 2,300 nonprofits nationwide, according to her website.

This is Scotts second major donation to Reach Out and Read, who previously donated $8 million to the organization in 2023.

Reach Out and Read envisions a world where every child has the relationships essential to thrive, said Marty Martinez, the nonprofits CEO. Investing in Reach Out and Read San Diego helps create more of those moments that matter for young children and families in this community. We remain grateful to MacKenzie Scott, whose generosity will empower families for generations to come.

To learn more about Reach Out and Read San Diego, visit rorsd.org.

Joan Jacobs, powerhouse San Diego philanthropist, dies at 91

Last year, Reach Out and Read served more than 4.4 million children and provided 7.1 million free books across 8.8 million well-child visits, with more than two-thirds of those children from low-income families.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
For Some Reason, Johnson And Trump Rush To Help Greene Not Embarrass Herself

I dont have an answer as to why exactly criminal defendant and 2024 Republican nominee Donald Trump and House Speaker of a teeny tiny majority Mike Johnson (R-LA) are both taking time out of their busy schedules this week to try to talk Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) out of embarrassing herself with a doomed motion to vacate maneuver  but its striking to see.

ABC News, Politico and Axios all had reports out today about the pairs reported efforts to sway Greene against filing the motion to vacate challenging Johnsons speakership, a move that is all but guaranteed to fail as Democrats announced last week that they would step in to help table the measure if she brought it forward. Greene is mad about a number of things but mostly Johnsons efforts to get crucial aid to Ukraine approved in the House, which was done with the help of Democrats. Johnsons work with Democrats to actually legislate has become a practical reality of his speakership, which has angered professional disrupters on the far-right like Greene and others.

According to the reports, Trump spoke with Greene over the weekend, when he also invited Johnson onstage during an RNC spring retreat luncheon to show his support for the speaker. During that encounter he praised Johnson for his leadership and work in the U.S. House, and harped on the need for party unity, collaboration, and expanding the GOPs House Majority, the Trump campaign told ABC News.

While praising Johnson publicly, Trump worked the phone privately. Greene and Trump had a lengthy phone call, this weekend, in which Trump asked her to stand down from the so-called motion to vacate, both in Politicos words.

I have it under very, very good sources that President Trump did engage. And Im hoping that perhaps one would come to the conclusion: You made your point, Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) told Politico, referencing what he knew of the conversation. But dont be Kamikaze, because if you go for this, youre gonna get beaten down. And he made that point. Im hoping thats the outcome.

He told her not to do it, another unnamed Republican told Politico.

Trumps weekend effort to convince Greene to stand down served as a backdrop to two meetings that Johnson has held with the congresswoman this week, along with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who has co-sponsored Greenes motion to vacate threat. While Johnson has insisted that the meetings are not a negotiation, the conversation Monday lasted about two hours and the trio met again today to discuss a path forward, according to Politico.

While Johnson may not want the press characterizing the conversations as a negotiation, Greene has emerged from the meetings this week with a list of requests that she and Massie are pushing in exchange for  not embarrassing themselves by filing a bipartisanly unpopular motion to vacate. One of the demands involves passing legislation to defund Special Counsel Jack Smiths office, which has, of course, brought charges against Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

I didnt plan on discussing my list before todays 12:30 meeting.



But since it was leaked, Im making it clear these are simple and easy for Mike Johnson to follow.



 Hastert Rule (majority of the majority must support any bill)

 No more funding for Ukraine

 Defund Special pic.twitter.com/FqtnDffEDi  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) May 7, 2024

Greene has not yet said whether she plans to follow through with the announcement she made last week that she would file a motion to vacate this week. But Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), another co-sponsor of her effort, told Axios that he is opposed to doing it this week.

The Best Of TPM Today

Stormy Daniels Offers Grim Look At Transactional Trump

True The Vote Put Out A Handbook Encouraging Vigilante Reporting Of Non-Citizen Voting

Stormy Daniels Expected On Stand Tuesday At Trumps New York Trial

Georgia Republican Official Who Defended States Election Results In 2020 Backs Biden

Yesterdays Most Read Story

Merchan to Trump: No More Fines, Only Jail If You Violate My Orders  Josh Kovensky

What We Are Reading

TikTok sues US to block law that could ban the social media platform  AP

Boy Scouts of America Gets New Name to Reflect Its Newest Members  Daily Beast

Trump Appears to Be Ditching Barrons Graduation for a Fundraiser  The New Republic
Religious views on abortion more diverse than they may appear in U.S. political debate

Members of the Jewish community have spoken out against abortion bans in Ohio, saying it infringes on their religious freedom. Photo by Morgan Trau, WEWS.

Lawmakers who oppose abortion often invoke their faith  many identify as Christian  while debating policy.

The anti-abortion movements use of Christianity in arguments might create the impression that broad swaths of religious Americans dont support abortion rights. But a recent report shows that Americans of various faiths and denominations believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

According to a Public Religion Research Institute survey of some 22,000 U.S. adults released last week, 93% of Unitarian Universalists, 81% of Jews, 79% of Buddhists and 60% of Muslims also hold that view.

Researchers also found that most people who adhere to the two major branches of Christianity  Catholicism and Protestantism  also believe abortion should be mostly legal, save for three groups: white evangelical Protestants, Latter-day Saints and Jehovahs Witnesses.

Historically, the Catholic Church has opposed abortion. But the poll found that 73% of Catholics of color  PRRI defines this group as Black, Asian, Native American and multiracial Americans  support the right to have an abortion, followed by 62% of white Catholics and 57% of Hispanic Catholics.

The findings show that interfaith views on abortion may not be as simple as they appear during political debate, where the voices of white evangelical legislators and advocates can be the loudest.

States Newsroom spoke with Abrahamic religious scholars  specifically, experts in Catholicism, Islam and Judaism  and reproductive rights advocates about varying perspectives on abortion and their history.

Abortion views in America before Roe v. Wade

The Moral Majority  a voting bloc of white, conservative evangelicals who rose to prominence after the U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973  is often associated with spearheading legislation to restrict abortion.

Gillian Frank is a historian specializing in religion, gender and sexuality who teaches at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. Frank said evangelical views on abortion were actually more ambivalent before the early 70s Roe decision established the federal right to terminate a pregnancy. (The Supreme Court upended that precedent about two years ago.)

What we have to understand is that evangelicals, alongside mainline Protestants and Jews of various denominations, supported what was called therapeutic abortion, which is to say abortion for certain exceptional causes, Frank said, including saving the life or health of the mother, fetal abnormalities, rape, incest and the pregnancy of a minor. Religious bodies like the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Association of Evangelicals said abortion was OK in certain circumstances, he added.

Evangelical Protestants before Roe did not endorse elective abortions, Frank said, or what they called abortion on demand, a phrase invoked by abortion-rights opponents today that he said entered the American lexicon around 1962.

The 1973 ruling was seismic and led organizations opposing abortion, such as the National Right to Life Committee  formed by the Conference of Catholic Bishops  to sprout across the country, according to an article published four years later in Southern Exposure. Catholic leaders often lobbied other religious groups  evangelicals, Mormons, orthodox Jews  to join their movement and likened abortion to murder in their newspapers.

After Roe, abortion is increasingly associated with womens liberation in popular rhetoric in popular culture, because of the activism of the womens movement but also because of the ways in which the anti-abortion movement is associating abortion with familial decline, Frank said. Those sentiments, he said, were spread by conservative figures like Phyllis Schlafly, a Catholic opposed to feminism and abortion, who campaigned against and managed to block the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s.

Polls suggest the views of Catholic clergy and laypeople diverge

Catholicism is generally synonymous with opposition to abortion. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the church has stood against abortion since the first century. The conference points to Jeremiah 1:5 in the Bible to back up arguments that pregnancy termination is contrary to the moral law.

But nearly 6 in 10 American Catholics believe abortion should be mostly legal, according to a Pew Research Center report released last month.

Catholics for Choice spokesperson Ashley Wilson said that theres a disconnect between the church as an institution and its laity. We recognize that part of the problem is that the Catholic clergy, and the people who write the official teaching of the church, are all or mostly white male  my boss likes to say ostensibly celibate men  who dont have wives, Wilson said. They dont have daughters. They have no inroads into the lives of laypeople.

Her group plans on going to Vatican City in Rome this fall to lift up stories of Catholics whove had abortions. The organization is also actively involved in efforts to restore abortion access  14 states have near-total bans  through direct ballot measures in Colorado, Florida and Missouri this year.

Catholic dioceses and fraternities are often behind counter-efforts to proposed ballot questions. They poured millions into campaigns in Kansas and Kentucky in 2022 to push anti-abortion amendments, and also in Ohio last year to defeat a reproductive rights ballot measure but they failed in each state.

Ensoulment and mercy in Islam

Tenets of Islam  the second largest faith in the world  often make references to how far along a persons pregnancy is and whether there are complications. University of Colorado Law professor Rabea Benhalim, an expert of Islamic and Judaic law, said theres a common belief that at 40 days gestation, the embryo is akin to a drop of fluid. After 120 days, the fetus gains a soul, she said.

While the Quran doesnt specifically speak to abortion, Benhalim said Chapter 23: 12-14 is considered a description of a fetus in a womb. The verses are deeply important in the development of abortion jurisprudence within Islamic law, because theres an understanding that life is something that is emerging over a period of stages.

In some restrictive interpretations of Islam, theres a limit on abortion after 40 days, or seven weeks after implantation, Benhalim said. In other interpretations, because ensoulment doesnt occur until 120 days of gestation, abortion is generally permitted in some Muslim communities for various reasons, she said. After ensoulment, abortion is allowed if the mothers life is in danger, according to religious doctrine.

Sahar Pirzada, the director of movement building at HEART, a reproductive justice organization focused on sexual health and education in Muslim American communities, confirmed that some Muslims believe in the 40-day mark, while others adhere to the 120-day mark when weighing abortion.

How can you make a black-and-white ruling on something that is going to be applied across the board when everyones situation is different? she asked. Theres a lot of compassion and mercy with how were supposed to approach matters of the womb.

The issue is personal for Pirzada, who had an abortion in 2018 after her fetus received a fatal diagnosis of trisomy 18 when she was 12 weeks pregnant. I wanted to terminate within the 120-day mark, which gave me a few more weeks, she said.

She consulted scholars and Islamic teachings before making the decision to end her pregnancy, she said, and mentioned the importance of rahma  mercy  in Islam. I tried to embody that spirit of compassion for myself, she said.

Pirzada, who is now a mother of two, had the procedure at exactly 14 weeks on a day six years ago that was both Ash Wednesday and Valentines Day. She said she felt loved and surrounded by people of faith at the hospital, where some health care workers had crosses marked in ash on their foreheads. I felt very appreciative that they were offering me care on a day that was spiritual for them, she said.

Seeing the stories of people with pregnancy complications in the period since the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to an abortion has left her grief stricken. For instance, Kate Cox, a Texas woman whose fetus had the same diagnosis as Pirzadas, was denied an abortion by the state Supreme Court in December. Cox had to travel elsewhere for care, Texas Tribune reported.

Benhalim, the University of Colorado expert, said teachings in Islam and Judaism offer solace to followers who are considering abortion, as they can provide guidance during difficult decisions.

No fetal personhood in Judaism

In Jewish texts, the embryo is referred to as water before 40 days of gestation, according to the National Council of Jewish Women. Exodus: 21:22-23 in the Torah mentions a hypothetical situation where two men are fighting and injure a pregnant woman. If she has a miscarriage, the men are only fined. But if she is seriously injured and dies, the penalty shall be a life for a life.

This part of the Torah is interpreted to mean that a fetus does not have personhood, and the men didnt commit murder, according to the council. But this may not be a catchall belief  Benhalim noted that denominations of Judaism have different opinions on abortion.

Today, Jewish Americans have been at the forefront of legal challenges to abortion bans based on religious freedom in Florida, Indiana and Kentucky. Many of the lawsuits have interfaith groups of plaintiffs and argue that restrictions on termination infringe on their religion.

The legal challenge in Indiana has been the most successful. Hoosier Jews for Choice and five anonymous plaintiffs sued members of the state medical licensing board in summer 2022, when Indianas near-total abortion ban initially took effect.

Plaintiffs argued that the ban violated the states Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the court later let the claim receive class-action status. Several Jewish Hoosiers said they believe life begins after a babys first breath, and that abortion is required to protect the mothers health and life, according to court documents.

Last month, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that the plaintiffs have the right to sue the state but sent the request for a temporary halt on the ban back to a lower court.

While the decision was unanimous, Judge Mark Bailey issued a separate concurring opinion explaining his reasoning and criticizing lawmakers  an overwhelming majority of whom have not experienced childbirth  who assert they are protectors of life from the point of conception.

In my view, this is an adoption of a religious viewpoint held by some, but certainly not all, Hoosiers, he wrote. The least that can be expected is that remaining Hoosiers of child bearing ability will be given the opportunity to act in accordance with their own consciences and religious creeds.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Religious views on abortion more diverse than they may appear in U.S. political debate appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Religious views on abortion more diverse than they may appear in U.S. political debate

Demonstrators at the Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice at Union Square near the U.S. Capitol on May 17, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Lawmakers who oppose abortion often invoke their faith  many identify as Christian  while debating policy.

The anti-abortion movements use of Christianity in arguments might create the impression that broad swaths of religious Americans dont support abortion rights. But a recent report shows that Americans of various faiths and denominations believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

According to a Public Religion Research Institute survey of some 22,000 U.S. adults released last week, 93% of Unitarian Universalists, 81% of Jews, 79% of Buddhists and 60% of Muslims also hold that view.

Researchers also found that most people who adhere to the two major branches of Christianity  Catholicism and Protestantism  also believe abortion should be mostly legal, save for three groups: white evangelical Protestants, Latter-day Saints and Jehovahs Witnesses.

Historically, the Catholic Church has opposed abortion. But the poll found that 73% of Catholics of color  PRRI defines this group as Black, Asian, Native American and multiracial Americans  support the right to have an abortion, followed by 62% of white Catholics and 57% of Hispanic Catholics.

The findings show that interfaith views on abortion may not be as simple as they appear during political debate, where the voices of white evangelical legislators and advocates can be the loudest.

States Newsroom spoke with Abrahamic religious scholars  specifically, experts in Catholicism, Islam and Judaism  and reproductive rights advocates about varying perspectives on abortion and their history.

Abortion views in America before Roe v. Wade

The Moral Majority  a voting bloc of white, conservative evangelicals who rose to prominence after the U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973  is often associated with spearheading legislation to restrict abortion.

Gillian Frank is a historian specializing in religion, gender and sexuality who teaches at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. Frank said evangelical views on abortion were actually more ambivalent before the early 70s Roe decision established the federal right to terminate a pregnancy. (The Supreme Court upended that precedent about two years ago.)

What we have to understand is that evangelicals, alongside mainline Protestants and Jews of various denominations, supported what was called therapeutic abortion, which is to say abortion for certain exceptional causes, Frank said, including saving the life or health of the mother, fetal abnormalities, rape, incest and the pregnancy of a minor. Religious bodies like the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Association of Evangelicals said abortion was OK in certain circumstances, he added.

Evangelical Protestants before Roe did not endorse elective abortions, Frank said, or what they called abortion on demand, a phrase invoked by abortion-rights opponents today that he said entered the American lexicon around 1962.

The 1973 ruling was seismic and led organizations opposing abortion, such as the National Right to Life Committee  formed by the Conference of Catholic Bishops  to sprout across the country, according to an article published four years later in Southern Exposure. Catholic leaders often lobbied other religious groups  evangelicals, Mormons, orthodox Jews  to join their movement and likened abortion to murder in their newspapers.

After Roe, abortion is increasingly associated with womens liberation in popular rhetoric in popular culture, because of the activism of the womens movement but also because of the ways in which the anti-abortion movement is associating abortion with familial decline, Frank said. Those sentiments, he said, were spread by conservative figures like Phyllis Schlafly, a Catholic opposed to feminism and abortion, who campaigned against and managed to block the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s.

Polls suggest the views of Catholic clergy and laypeople diverge

Catholicism is generally synonymous with opposition to abortion. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the church has stood against abortion since the first century. The conference points to Jeremiah 1:5 in the Bible to back up arguments that pregnancy termination is contrary to the moral law.

But nearly 6 in 10 American Catholics believe abortion should be mostly legal, according to a Pew Research Center report released last month.

Catholics for Choice spokesperson Ashley Wilson said that theres a disconnect between the church as an institution and its laity. We recognize that part of the problem is that the Catholic clergy, and the people who write the official teaching of the church, are all or mostly white male  my boss likes to say ostensibly celibate men  who dont have wives, Wilson said. They dont have daughters. They have no inroads into the lives of laypeople.

Her group plans on going to Vatican City in Rome this fall to lift up stories of Catholics whove had abortions. The organization is also actively involved in efforts to restore abortion access  14 states have near-total bans  through direct ballot measures in Colorado, Florida and Missouri this year.

Catholic dioceses and fraternities are often behind counter-efforts to proposed ballot questions. They poured millions into campaigns in Kansas and Kentucky in 2022 to push anti-abortion amendments, and also in Ohio last year to defeat a reproductive rights ballot measure but they failed in each state.

Ensoulment and mercy in Islam

Tenets of Islam  the second largest faith in the world  often make references to how far along a persons pregnancy is and whether there are complications. University of Colorado Law professor Rabea Benhalim, an expert on Islamic and Judaic law, said theres a common belief that at 40 days gestation, the embryo is akin to a drop of fluid. After 120 days, the fetus gains a soul, she said.

While the Quran doesnt specifically speak to abortion, Benhalim said Chapter 23: 12-14 is considered a description of a fetus in a womb. The verses are deeply important in the development of abortion jurisprudence within Islamic law, because theres an understanding that life is something that is emerging over a period of stages.

In some restrictive interpretations of Islam, theres a limit on abortion after 40 days, or seven weeks after implantation, Benhalim said. In other interpretations, because ensoulment doesnt occur until 120 days of gestation, abortion is generally permitted in some Muslim communities for various reasons, she said. After ensoulment, abortion is allowed if the mothers life is in danger, according to religious doctrine.

Sahar Pirzada, the director of movement building at HEART, a reproductive justice organization focused on sexual health and education in Muslim American communities, confirmed that some Muslims believe in the 40-day mark, while others adhere to the 120-day mark when weighing abortion.

How can you make a black-and-white ruling on something that is going to be applied across the board when everyones situation is different? she asked. Theres a lot of compassion and mercy with how were supposed to approach matters of the womb.

The issue is personal for Pirzada, who had an abortion in 2018 after her fetus received a fatal diagnosis of trisomy 18 when she was 12 weeks pregnant. I wanted to terminate within the 120-day mark, which gave me a few more weeks, she said.

She consulted scholars and Islamic teachings before making the decision to end her pregnancy, she said, and mentioned the importance of rahma  mercy  in Islam. I tried to embody that spirit of compassion for myself, she said.

Pirzada, who is now a mother of two, had the procedure at exactly 14 weeks on a day six years ago that was both Ash Wednesday and Valentines Day. She said she felt loved and surrounded by people of faith at the hospital, where some health care workers had crosses marked in ash on their foreheads. I felt very appreciative that they were offering me care on a day that was spiritual for them, she said.

Seeing the stories of people with pregnancy complications in the period since the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to an abortion has left her grief stricken. For instance, Kate Cox, a Texas woman whose fetus had the same diagnosis as Pirzadas, was denied an abortion by the state Supreme Court in December. Cox had to travel elsewhere for care, Texas Tribune reported.

Benhalim, the University of Colorado expert, said teachings in Islam and Judaism offer solace to followers who are considering abortion, as they can provide guidance during difficult decisions.

No fetal personhood in Judaism

In Jewish texts, the embryo is referred to as water before 40 days of gestation, according to the National Council of Jewish Women. Exodus: 21:22-23 in the Torah mentions a hypothetical situation where two men are fighting and injure a pregnant woman. If she has a miscarriage, the men are only fined. But if she is seriously injured and dies, the penalty shall be a life for a life.

This part of the Torah is interpreted to mean that a fetus does not have personhood, and the men didnt commit murder, according to the council. But this may not be a catchall belief  Benhalim noted that denominations of Judaism have different opinions on abortion.

Today, Jewish Americans have been at the forefront of legal challenges to abortion bans based on religious freedom in Florida, Indiana and Kentucky. Many of the lawsuits have interfaith groups of plaintiffs and argue that restrictions on termination infringe on their religion.

The legal challenge in Indiana has been the most successful. Hoosier Jews for Choice and five anonymous plaintiffs sued members of the state medical licensing board in summer 2022, when Indianas near-total abortion ban initially took effect.

Plaintiffs argued that the ban violated the states Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the court later let the claim receive class-action status. Several Jewish Hoosiers said they believe life begins after a babys first breath, and that abortion is required to protect the mothers health and life, according to court documents.

Last month, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that the plaintiffs have the right to sue the state but sent the request for a temporary halt on the ban back to a lower court.

While the decision was unanimous, Judge Mark Bailey issued a separate concurring opinion explaining his reasoning and criticizing lawmakers  an overwhelming majority of whom have not experienced childbirth  who assert they are protectors of life from the point of conception.

In my view, this is an adoption of a religious viewpoint held by some, but certainly not all, Hoosiers, he wrote. The least that can be expected is that remaining Hoosiers of child bearing ability will be given the opportunity to act in accordance with their own consciences and religious creeds.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Religious views on abortion more diverse than they may appear in U.S. political debate appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
Religious views on abortion more diverse than they may appear in U.S. political debate

Demonstrators at the Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice at Union Square near the U.S. Capitol on May 17, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images)

Demonstrators at the Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice at Union Square near the U.S. Capitol on May 17, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images)

Lawmakers who oppose abortion often invoke their faith  many identify as Christian  while debating policy.

The anti-abortion movements use of Christianity in arguments might create the impression that broad swaths of religious Americans dont support abortion rights. But a recent report shows that Americans of various faiths and denominations believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

According to a Public Religion Research Institute survey of some 22,000 U.S. adults released last week, 93% of Unitarian Universalists, 81% of Jews, 79% of Buddhists and 60% of Muslims also hold that view.

Researchers also found that most people who adhere to the two major branches of Christianity  Catholicism and Protestantism  also believe abortion should be mostly legal, save for three groups: white evangelical Protestants, Latter-day Saints and Jehovahs Witnesses.

Historically, the Catholic Church has opposed abortion. But the poll found that 73% of Catholics of color  PRRI defines this group as Black, Asian, Native American and multiracial  support the right to have an abortion, followed by 62% of white Catholics and 57% of Hispanic Catholics.

The findings show that interfaith views on abortion may not be as simple as they appear during political debate, where the voices of white evangelical legislators and advocates can be the loudest.

States Newsroom spoke with Abrahamic religious scholars  specifically, experts in Catholicism, Islam and Judaism  and reproductive rights advocates about varying perspectives on abortion and their history.

Abortion views in America before Roe v. Wade

The Moral Majority  a voting bloc of white, conservative evangelicals who rose to prominence after the U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973  is often associated with spearheading legislation to restrict abortion.

Gillian Frank is a historian specializing in religion, gender and sexuality who teaches at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. Frank said evangelical views on abortion were actually more ambivalent before the early 70s Roe decision established the federal right to terminate a pregnancy. (The Supreme Court upended that precedent about two years ago.)

What we have to understand is that evangelicals, alongside mainline Protestants and Jews of various denominations, supported what was called therapeutic abortion, which is to say abortion for certain exceptional causes, Frank said, including saving the life or health of the mother, fetal abnormalities, rape, incest and the pregnancy of a minor. Religious bodies like the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Association of Evangelicals said abortion was OK in certain circumstances, he added.

Researchers with the Public Religion Research Institute also found that most people who adhere to the two major branches of Christianity  Catholicism and Protestantism  also believe abortion should be mostly legal, save for three groups: white evangelical Protestants, Latter-day Saints and Jehovahs Witnesses.

Evangelical Protestants before Roe did not endorse elective abortions, Frank said, or what they called abortion on demand, a phrase invoked by abortion-rights opponents today that he said entered the American lexicon around 1962.

The 1973 ruling was seismic and led organizations opposing abortion, such as the National Right to Life Committee  formed by the Conference of Catholic Bishops  to sprout across the country, according to an article published four years later in Southern Exposure. Catholic leaders often lobbied other religious groups  evangelicals, Mormons, orthodox Jews  to join their movement and likened abortion to murder in their newspapers.

After Roe, abortion is increasingly associated with womens liberation in popular rhetoric in popular culture, because of the activism of the womens movement but also because of the ways in which the anti-abortion movement is associating abortion with familial decline, Frank said. Those sentiments, he said, were spread by conservative figures like Phyllis Schlafly, a Catholic opposed to feminism and abortion, who campaigned against and managed to block the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s.

Polls suggest the views of Catholic clergy and laypeople diverge

Catholicism is generally synonymous with opposition to abortion. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the church has stood against abortion since the first century. The conference points to Jeremiah 1:5 in the Bible to back up arguments that pregnancy termination is contrary to the moral law.

But nearly 6 in 10 American Catholics believe abortion should be mostly legal, according to a Pew Research Center report released last month.

Catholics for Choice spokesperson Ashley Wilson said that theres a disconnect between the church as an institution and its laity. We recognize that part of the problem is that the Catholic clergy, and the people who write the official teaching of the church, are all or mostly white male  my boss likes to say ostensibly celibate men  who dont have wives, Wilson said. They dont have daughters. They have no inroads into the lives of laypeople.

Her group plans on going to Vatican City in Rome this fall to lift up stories of Catholics whove had abortions. The organization is also actively involved in efforts to restore abortion access  14 states have near-total bans  through direct ballot measures in Colorado, Florida and Missouri this year.

Catholic dioceses and fraternities are often behind counter-efforts to proposed ballot questions. They poured millions into campaigns in Kansas and Kentucky in 2022 to push anti-abortion amendments, and also in Ohio last year to defeat a reproductive rights ballot measure but they failed in each state.

Ensoulment and mercy in Islam

Tenets of Islam  the second largest faith in the world  often make references to how far along a persons pregnancy is and whether there are complications. University of Colorado Law professor Rabea Benhalim, an expert of Islamic and Judaic law, said theres a common belief that at 40 days gestation, the embryo is akin to a drop of fluid. After 120 days, the fetus gains a soul, she said.

While the Quran doesnt specifically speak to abortion, Benhalim said Chapter 23: 12-14 is considered a description of a fetus in a womb. The verses are deeply important in the development of abortion jurisprudence within Islamic law, because theres an understanding that life is something that is emerging over a period of stages.

In some restrictive interpretations of Islam, theres a limit on abortion after 40 days, or seven weeks after implantation, Benhalim said. In other interpretations, because ensoulment doesnt occur until 120 days of gestation, abortion is generally permitted in some Muslim communities for various reasons, she said. After ensoulment, abortion is allowed if the mothers life is in danger, according to religious doctrine.

Sahar Pirzada, the director of movement building at HEART, a reproductive justice organization focused on sexual health and education in Muslim American communities, confirmed that some Muslims believe in the 40-day mark, while others adhere to the 120-day mark when weighing abortion.

How can you make a black-and-white ruling on something that is going to be applied across the board when everyones situation is different? she asked. Theres a lot of compassion and mercy with how were supposed to approach matters of the womb.

The issue is personal for Pirzada, who had an abortion in 2018 after her fetus received a fatal diagnosis of trisomy 18 when she was 12 weeks pregnant. I wanted to terminate within the 120-day mark, which gave me a few more weeks, she said.

She consulted scholars and Islamic teachings before making the decision to end her pregnancy, she said, and mentioned the importance of rahma  mercy  in Islam. I tried to embody that spirit of compassion for myself, she said.

Pirzada, who is now a mother of two, had the procedure at exactly 14 weeks on a day six years ago that was both Ash Wednesday and Valentines Day. She said she felt loved and surrounded by people of faith at the hospital, where some health care workers had crosses marked in ash on their foreheads. I felt very appreciative that they were offering me care on a day that was spiritual for them, she said.

Seeing the stories of people with pregnancy complications in the period since the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to an abortion has left her grief stricken. For instance, Kate Cox, a Texas woman whose fetus had the same diagnosis as Pirzadas, was denied an abortion by the state Supreme Court in December. Cox had to travel elsewhere for care, Texas Tribune reported.

Benhalim, the University of Colorado expert, said teachings in Islam and Judaism offer solace to followers who are considering abortion, as they can provide guidance during difficult decisions.

No fetal personhood in Judaism

In Jewish texts, the embryo is referred to as water before 40 days of gestation, according to the National Council of Jewish Women. Exodus: 21:22-23 in the Torah mentions a hypothetical situation where two men are fighting and injure a pregnant woman. If she has a miscarriage, the men are only fined. But if she is seriously injured and dies, the penalty shall be a life for a life.

This part of the Torah is interpreted to mean that a fetus does not have personhood, and the men didnt commit murder, according to the council. But this may not be a catchall belief  Benhalim noted that denominations of Judaism have different opinions on abortion.

Today, Jewish Americans have been at the forefront of legal challenges to abortion bans based on religious freedom in Florida, Indiana and Kentucky. Many of the lawsuits have interfaith groups of plaintiffs and argue that restrictions on termination infringe on their religion.

The legal challenge in Indiana has been the most successful. Hoosier Jews for Choice and five anonymous plaintiffs sued members of the state medical licensing board in summer 2022, when Indianas near-total abortion ban initially took effect.

Plaintiffs argued that the ban violated the states Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the court later let the claim receive class-action status. Several Jewish Hoosiers said they believe life begins after a babys first breath, and that abortion is required to protect the mothers health and life, according to court documents.

Last month, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that the plaintiffs have the right to sue the state but sent the request for a temporary halt on the ban back to a lower court.

While the decision was unanimous, Judge Mark Bailey issued a separate concurring opinion explaining his reasoning and criticizing lawmakers  an overwhelming majority of whom have not experienced childbirth  who assert they are protectors of life from the point of conception.

In my view, this is an adoption of a religious viewpoint held by some, but certainly not all, Hoosiers, he wrote. The least that can be expected is that remaining Hoosiers of child bearing ability will be given the opportunity to act in accordance with their own consciences and religious creeds.

The post Religious views on abortion more diverse than they may appear in U.S. political debate appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
BELGRADE, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Serbian Air Force sent fighter jets to escort Chinese President Xi Jinping's plane after it entered the country's airspace for a state visit Tuesday. 
Religious views on abortion more diverse than they may appear in U.S. political debate

Demonstrators at the Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice at Union Square near the U.S. Capitol on May 17, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images)

Lawmakers who oppose abortion often invoke their faith  many identify as Christian  while debating policy.

The anti-abortion movements use of Christianity in arguments might create the impression that broad swaths of religious Americans dont support abortion rights. But a recent report shows that Americans of various faiths and denominations believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

According to a Public Religion Research Institute survey of some 22,000 U.S. adults released last week, 93% of Unitarian Universalists, 81% of Jews, 79% of Buddhists and 60% of Muslims also hold that view.

Researchers also found that most people who adhere to the two major branches of Christianity  Catholicism and Protestantism  also believe abortion should be mostly legal, save for three groups: white evangelical Protestants, Latter-day Saints and Jehovahs Witnesses.

Historically, the Catholic Church has opposed abortion. But the poll found that 73% of Catholics of color  PRRI defines this group as Black, Asian, Native American and multiracial Americans  support the right to have an abortion, followed by 62% of white Catholics and 57% of Hispanic Catholics.

The findings show that interfaith views on abortion may not be as simple as they appear during political debate, where the voices of white evangelical legislators and advocates can be the loudest.

States Newsroom spoke with Abrahamic religious scholars  specifically, experts in Catholicism, Islam and Judaism  and reproductive rights advocates about varying perspectives on abortion and their history.

Abortion views in America before Roe v. Wade

The Moral Majority  a voting bloc of white, conservative evangelicals who rose to prominence after the U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973  is often associated with spearheading legislation to restrict abortion.

Gillian Frank is a historian specializing in religion, gender and sexuality who teaches at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. Frank said evangelical views on abortion were actually more ambivalent before the early 70s Roe decision established the federal right to terminate a pregnancy. (The Supreme Court upended that precedent about two years ago.)

What we have to understand is that evangelicals, alongside mainline Protestants and Jews of various denominations, supported what was called therapeutic abortion, which is to say abortion for certain exceptional causes, Frank said, including saving the life or health of the mother, fetal abnormalities, rape, incest and the pregnancy of a minor. Religious bodies like the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Association of Evangelicals said abortion was OK in certain circumstances, he added.

Evangelical Protestants before Roe did not endorse elective abortions, Frank said, or what they called abortion on demand, a phrase invoked by abortion-rights opponents today that he said entered the American lexicon around 1962.

The 1973 ruling was seismic and led organizations opposing abortion, such as the National Right to Life Committee  formed by the Conference of Catholic Bishops  to sprout across the country, according to an article published four years later in Southern Exposure. Catholic leaders often lobbied other religious groups  evangelicals, Mormons, orthodox Jews  to join their movement and likened abortion to murder in their newspapers.

After Roe, abortion is increasingly associated with womens liberation in popular rhetoric in popular culture, because of the activism of the womens movement but also because of the ways in which the anti-abortion movement is associating abortion with familial decline, Frank said. Those sentiments, he said, were spread by conservative figures like Phyllis Schlafly, a Catholic opposed to feminism and abortion, who campaigned against and managed to block the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s.

Polls suggest the views of Catholic clergy and laypeople diverge

Catholicism is generally synonymous with opposition to abortion. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the church has stood against abortion since the first century. The conference points to Jeremiah 1:5 in the Bible to back up arguments that pregnancy termination is contrary to the moral law.

But nearly 6 in 10 American Catholics believe abortion should be mostly legal, according to a Pew Research Center report released last month.

Catholics for Choice spokesperson Ashley Wilson said that theres a disconnect between the church as an institution and its laity. We recognize that part of the problem is that the Catholic clergy, and the people who write the official teaching of the church, are all or mostly white male  my boss likes to say ostensibly celibate men  who dont have wives, Wilson said. They dont have daughters. They have no inroads into the lives of laypeople.

Her group plans on going to Vatican City in Rome this fall to lift up stories of Catholics whove had abortions. The organization is also actively involved in efforts to restore abortion access  14 states have near-total bans  through direct ballot measures in Colorado, Florida and Missouri this year.

Catholic dioceses and fraternities are often behind counter-efforts to proposed ballot questions. They poured millions into campaigns in Kansas and Kentucky in 2022 to push anti-abortion amendments, and also in Ohio last year to defeat a reproductive rights ballot measure but they failed in each state.

Ensoulment and mercy in Islam

Tenets of Islam  the second largest faith in the world  often make references to how far along a persons pregnancy is and whether there are complications. University of Colorado Law professor Rabea Benhalim, an expert of Islamic and Judaic law, said theres a common belief that at 40 days gestation, the embryo is akin to a drop of fluid. After 120 days, the fetus gains a soul, she said.

While the Quran doesnt specifically speak to abortion, Benhalim said Chapter 23: 12-14 is considered a description of a fetus in a womb. The verses are deeply important in the development of abortion jurisprudence within Islamic law, because theres an understanding that life is something that is emerging over a period of stages.

In some restrictive interpretations of Islam, theres a limit on abortion after 40 days, or seven weeks after implantation, Benhalim said. In other interpretations, because ensoulment doesnt occur until 120 days of gestation, abortion is generally permitted in some Muslim communities for various reasons, she said. After ensoulment, abortion is allowed if the mothers life is in danger, according to religious doctrine.

Sahar Pirzada, the director of movement building at HEART, a reproductive justice organization focused on sexual health and education in Muslim American communities, confirmed that some Muslims believe in the 40-day mark, while others adhere to the 120-day mark when weighing abortion.

How can you make a black-and-white ruling on something that is going to be applied across the board when everyones situation is different? she asked. Theres a lot of compassion and mercy with how were supposed to approach matters of the womb.

The issue is personal for Pirzada, who had an abortion in 2018 after her fetus received a fatal diagnosis of trisomy 18 when she was 12 weeks pregnant. I wanted to terminate within the 120-day mark, which gave me a few more weeks, she said.

She consulted scholars and Islamic teachings before making the decision to end her pregnancy, she said, and mentioned the importance of rahma  mercy  in Islam. I tried to embody that spirit of compassion for myself, she said.

Pirzada, who is now a mother of two, had the procedure at exactly 14 weeks on a day six years ago that was both Ash Wednesday and Valentines Day. She said she felt loved and surrounded by people of faith at the hospital, where some health care workers had crosses marked in ash on their foreheads. I felt very appreciative that they were offering me care on a day that was spiritual for them, she said.

Seeing the stories of people with pregnancy complications in the period since the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to an abortion has left her grief stricken. For instance, Kate Cox, a Texas woman whose fetus had the same diagnosis as Pirzadas, was denied an abortion by the state Supreme Court in December. Cox had to travel elsewhere for care, Texas Tribune reported.

Benhalim, the University of Colorado expert, said teachings in Islam and Judaism offer solace to followers who are considering abortion, as they can provide guidance during difficult decisions.

No fetal personhood in Judaism

In Jewish texts, the embryo is referred to as water before 40 days of gestation, according to the National Council of Jewish Women. Exodus: 21:22-23 in the Torah mentions a hypothetical situation where two men are fighting and injure a pregnant woman. If she has a miscarriage, the men are only fined. But if she is seriously injured and dies, the penalty shall be a life for a life.

This part of the Torah is interpreted to mean that a fetus does not have personhood, and the men didnt commit murder, according to the council. But this may not be a catchall belief  Benhalim noted that denominations of Judaism have different opinions on abortion.

Today, Jewish Americans have been at the forefront of legal challenges to abortion bans based on religious freedom in Florida, Indiana and Kentucky. Many of the lawsuits have interfaith groups of plaintiffs and argue that restrictions on termination infringe on their religion.

The legal challenge in Indiana has been the most successful. Hoosier Jews for Choice and five anonymous plaintiffs sued members of the state medical licensing board in summer 2022, when Indianas near-total abortion ban initially took effect.

Plaintiffs argued that the ban violated the states Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the court later let the claim receive class-action status. Several Jewish Hoosiers said they believe life begins after a babys first breath, and that abortion is required to protect the mothers health and life, according to court documents.

Last month, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that the plaintiffs have the right to sue the state but sent the request for a temporary halt on the ban back to a lower court.

While the decision was unanimous, Judge Mark Bailey issued a separate concurring opinion explaining his reasoning and criticizing lawmakers  an overwhelming majority of whom have not experienced childbirth  who assert they are protectors of life from the point of conception.

In my view, this is an adoption of a religious viewpoint held by some, but certainly not all, Hoosiers, he wrote. The least that can be expected is that remaining Hoosiers of child bearing ability will be given the opportunity to act in accordance with their own consciences and religious creeds.

The post Religious views on abortion more diverse than they may appear in U.S. political debate appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Religious views on abortion more diverse than they may appear in U.S. political debate

Demonstrators at the Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice at Union Square near the U.S. Capitol on May 17, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images

Lawmakers who oppose abortion often invoke their faith  many identify as Christian  while debating policy.

The anti-abortion movements use of Christianity in arguments might create the impression that broad swaths of religious Americans dont support abortion rights. But a recent report shows that Americans of various faiths and denominations believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

According to a Public Religion Research Institute survey of some 22,000 U.S. adults released last week, 93% of Unitarian Universalists, 81% of Jews, 79% of Buddhists and 60% of Muslims also hold that view.

Researchers also found that most people who adhere to the two major branches of Christianity  Catholicism and Protestantism  also believe abortion should be mostly legal, save for three groups: white evangelical Protestants, Latter-day Saints and Jehovahs Witnesses.

Historically, the Catholic Church has opposed abortion. But the poll found that 73% of Catholics of color  PRRI defines this group as Black, Asian, Native American and multiracial Americans  support the right to have an abortion, followed by 62% of white Catholics and 57% of Hispanic Catholics.

The findings show that interfaith views on abortion may not be as simple as they appear during political debate, where the voices of white evangelical legislators and advocates can be the loudest.

States Newsroom spoke with Abrahamic religious scholars  specifically, experts in Catholicism, Islam and Judaism  and reproductive rights advocates about varying perspectives on abortion and their history.

Abortion views in America before Roe v. Wade

The Moral Majority  a voting bloc of white, conservative evangelicals who rose to prominence after the U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973  is often associated with spearheading legislation to restrict abortion.

Gillian Frank is a historian specializing in religion, gender and sexuality who teaches at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. Frank said evangelical views on abortion were actually more ambivalent before the early 70s Roe decision established the federal right to terminate a pregnancy. (The Supreme Court upended that precedent about two years ago.)

What we have to understand is that evangelicals, alongside mainline Protestants and Jews of various denominations, supported what was called therapeutic abortion, which is to say abortion for certain exceptional causes, Frank said, including saving the life or health of the mother, fetal abnormalities, rape, incest and the pregnancy of a minor. Religious bodies like the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Association of Evangelicals said abortion was OK in certain circumstances, he added.

Evangelical Protestants before Roe did not endorse elective abortions, Frank said, or what they called abortion on demand, a phrase invoked by abortion-rights opponents today that he said entered the American lexicon around 1962.

The 1973 ruling was seismic and led organizations opposing abortion, such as the National Right to Life Committee  formed by the Conference of Catholic Bishops  to sprout across the country, according to an article published four years later in Southern Exposure. Catholic leaders often lobbied other religious groups  evangelicals, Mormons, orthodox Jews  to join their movement and likened abortion to murder in their newspapers.

After Roe, abortion is increasingly associated with womens liberation in popular rhetoric in popular culture, because of the activism of the womens movement but also because of the ways in which the anti-abortion movement is associating abortion with familial decline, Frank said. Those sentiments, he said, were spread by conservative figures like Phyllis Schlafly, a Catholic opposed to feminism and abortion, who campaigned against and managed to block the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s.

Polls suggest the views of Catholic clergy and laypeople diverge

Catholicism is generally synonymous with opposition to abortion. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the church has stood against abortion since the first century. The conference points to Jeremiah 1:5 in the Bible to back up arguments that pregnancy termination is contrary to the moral law.

But nearly 6 in 10 American Catholics believe abortion should be mostly legal, according to a Pew Research Center report released last month.

Catholics for Choice spokesperson Ashley Wilson said that theres a disconnect between the church as an institution and its laity. We recognize that part of the problem is that the Catholic clergy, and the people who write the official teaching of the church, are all or mostly white male  my boss likes to say ostensibly celibate men  who dont have wives, Wilson said. They dont have daughters. They have no inroads into the lives of laypeople.

Her group plans on going to Vatican City in Rome this fall to lift up stories of Catholics whove had abortions. The organization is also actively involved in efforts to restore abortion access  14 states have near-total bans  through direct ballot measures in Colorado, Florida and Missouri this year.

Catholic dioceses and fraternities are often behind counter-efforts to proposed ballot questions. They poured millions into campaigns in Kansas and Kentucky in 2022 to push anti-abortion amendments, and also in Ohio last year to defeat a reproductive rights ballot measure but they failed in each state.

Ensoulment and mercy in Islam

Tenets of Islam  the second largest faith in the world  often make references to how far along a persons pregnancy is and whether there are complications. University of Colorado Law professor Rabea Benhalim, an expert of Islamic and Judaic law, said theres a common belief that at 40 days gestation, the embryo is akin to a drop of fluid. After 120 days, the fetus gains a soul, she said.

While the Quran doesnt specifically speak to abortion, Benhalim said Chapter 23: 12-14 is considered a description of a fetus in a womb. The verses are deeply important in the development of abortion jurisprudence within Islamic law, because theres an understanding that life is something that is emerging over a period of stages.

In some restrictive interpretations of Islam, theres a limit on abortion after 40 days, or seven weeks after implantation, Benhalim said. In other interpretations, because ensoulment doesnt occur until 120 days of gestation, abortion is generally permitted in some Muslim communities for various reasons, she said. After ensoulment, abortion is allowed if the mothers life is in danger, according to religious doctrine.

Sahar Pirzada, the director of movement building at HEART, a reproductive justice organization focused on sexual health and education in Muslim American communities, confirmed that some Muslims believe in the 40-day mark, while others adhere to the 120-day mark when weighing abortion.

How can you make a black-and-white ruling on something that is going to be applied across the board when everyones situation is different? she asked. Theres a lot of compassion and mercy with how were supposed to approach matters of the womb.

The issue is personal for Pirzada, who had an abortion in 2018 after her fetus received a fatal diagnosis of trisomy 18 when she was 12 weeks pregnant. I wanted to terminate within the 120-day mark, which gave me a few more weeks, she said.

She consulted scholars and Islamic teachings before making the decision to end her pregnancy, she said, and mentioned the importance of rahma  mercy  in Islam. I tried to embody that spirit of compassion for myself, she said.

Pirzada, who is now a mother of two, had the procedure at exactly 14 weeks on a day six years ago that was both Ash Wednesday and Valentines Day. She said she felt loved and surrounded by people of faith at the hospital, where some health care workers had crosses marked in ash on their foreheads. I felt very appreciative that they were offering me care on a day that was spiritual for them, she said.

Seeing the stories of people with pregnancy complications in the period since the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to an abortion has left her grief stricken. For instance, Kate Cox, a Texas woman whose fetus had the same diagnosis as Pirzadas, was denied an abortion by the state Supreme Court in December. Cox had to travel elsewhere for care, Texas Tribune reported.

Benhalim, the University of Colorado expert, said teachings in Islam and Judaism offer solace to followers who are considering abortion, as they can provide guidance during difficult decisions.

No fetal personhood in Judaism

In Jewish texts, the embryo is referred to as water before 40 days of gestation, according to the National Council of Jewish Women. Exodus: 21:22-23 in the Torah mentions a hypothetical situation where two men are fighting and injure a pregnant woman. If she has a miscarriage, the men are only fined. But if she is seriously injured and dies, the penalty shall be a life for a life.

This part of the Torah is interpreted to mean that a fetus does not have personhood, and the men didnt commit murder, according to the council. But this may not be a catchall belief  Benhalim noted that denominations of Judaism have different opinions on abortion.

Today, Jewish Americans have been at the forefront of legal challenges to abortion bans based on religious freedom in Florida, Indiana and Kentucky. Many of the lawsuits have interfaith groups of plaintiffs and argue that restrictions on termination infringe on their religion.

The legal challenge in Indiana has been the most successful. Hoosier Jews for Choice and five anonymous plaintiffs sued members of the state medical licensing board in summer 2022, when Indianas near-total abortion ban initially took effect.

Plaintiffs argued that the ban violated the states Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the court later let the claim receive class-action status. Several Jewish Hoosiers said they believe life begins after a babys first breath, and that abortion is required to protect the mothers health and life, according to court documents.

Last month, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that the plaintiffs have the right to sue the state but sent the request for a temporary halt on the ban back to a lower court.

While the decision was unanimous, Judge Mark Bailey issued a separate concurring opinion explaining his reasoning and criticizing lawmakers  an overwhelming majority of whom have not experienced childbirth  who assert they are protectors of life from the point of conception.

In my view, this is an adoption of a religious viewpoint held by some, but certainly not all, Hoosiers, he wrote. The least that can be expected is that remaining Hoosiers of child bearing ability will be given the opportunity to act in accordance with their own consciences and religious creeds.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Religious views on abortion more diverse than they may appear in U.S. political debate appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
Rep. Jason Dockter, R-Bismarck, testifies during his misdemeanor criminal trial at the Burleigh County Courthouse on May 3, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

A prosecutor plans to recommend a court fee of $325 and no jail time for a Bismarck lawmaker found guilty last week of voting on legislation he had a financial interest in.

McLean County States Attorney Ladd Erickson also defended the actions of the jury in the case and said Rep. Jason Dockters actions didnt pass the smell test.

Erickson wrote in a court record filed Wednesday he recommends a one-year imposition of sentence for Dockter, which means the conviction would not go on his permanent record if he follows conditions set by the court.

Dockter will be sentenced at 9 a.m. Thursday in South Central District Court in Bismarck. He was found guilty of a class A misdemeanor by a 12-person Jury on Friday.

The financial interest at issue pertained to the lease of a Bismarck building Dockter helped coordinate with the Attorney Generals Office. The Department of Health was already renting office space in part of the building. Stealth Properties LLC, which Dockter has a 12.5% ownership stake in, later bought the property and acquired both leases.

Dockter, a Republican, then proceeded to cast votes on budgets for the Attorney Generals Office and Department of Health.

Under North Dakota law, the penalty for a class A misdemeanor is up to 360 days in jail, a max fine of $3,000, or both.

Erickson cited Dockters lack of criminal record in recommending $325 in court fees as the sentence. In addition, Erickson said the North Dakota Ethics Commission, which referred the case for prosecution, can now resume its investigation into Dockter, according to the court filing. Erickson said the Ethics Commission is the proper body to issue any additional penalties.

In the court filing, Erickson chastised two lawmakers for publicly criticizing the jurys verdict. House Majority Leader Mike Lefor and Rep. Emily OBrien, both Republicans, said they disagreed with the verdict.

It would be better for legislators upset by a verdict to be publicly critical of the prosecutor who made the decision to file a charge instead of criticizing the jurors who had no choice in having to sit on this case, Erickson wrote.

Erickson also wrote that local governments frequently navigate conflicts of interest similar to those that affect a citizen legislature. He wrote that conflict laws in North Dakota are clear and well established.

The problem that brought this case before the Court was the conflicts the defendant had were egregious under any common sense, court opinion, attorney general opinion, or smell test  and yet he voted on appropriation bills that funded his conflicting interests, Erickson wrote. And thats the problem, not the finding of the jury.

South Central Judicial District Judge Bobbi Weiler denied a request by his lawyer, Lloyd Suhr, to hold the sentencing over Zoom.

Erickson received permission from Weiler to appear remotely.

Suhr told the North Dakota Monitor on Monday that Dockter hasnt decided yet whether he will appeal to the conviction.

This story was updated to add information from a court record filed Wednesday.

The post Prosecutor to recommend $325 fee for Rep. Dockter appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) has won the Republican nomination for another term in the House, fending off a challenge from the right, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Spartz, who has represented Indianas 5th Congressional District since 2021, initially announced in 2023 that she would not run for reelection but later changed her mind and officially decided to seek another term in February.

The first Ukrainian-born member of Congress, Spartz faced opposition from several challengers, most notably state Rep. Chuck Goodrich (R), who attacked her over her support for Ukraine amid Russias invasion of the country.

Goodrich accused Spartz of putting Ukraine first ahead of priorities for the United States, such as addressing the situation at the southern border. Spartz has rejected that, noting that she has opposed giving Ukraine a blank check and supported reviews of the aid being given to Ukraine.

After having previously supported aid to Ukraine throughout the war, Spartz voted against the aid package that passed Congress in a bipartisan vote last month, in part citing a lack of funding for the border.

Spartz also was at a disadvantage in fundraising after entering the race so late, but she overcame that to hang on to her seat in the solidly red district.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A Michigan State Police trooper from northern Michigan has been charged with domestic violence after being arrested last month in Ludington.

Court documents show 50-year-old Sammy Seymour Jr. was arrested April 14 and arraigned April 18 for the misdemeanor charge. According to a report from the Mason County Press, Seymour was in a relationship with the female victim involved in the altercation.

MSP says Seymour was suspended pending adjudication of his criminal case and any resulting internal investigation.

Seymour is out on a $500 bond.

The Mason County Press reports Seymour has been a state trooper for 24 years and that this is not his first arrest.

Sign up for breaking news alert emails

According to the Ludington news outlet, Seymour reached a plea agreement in 2010 for operating an off-road vehicle while impaired. He was arrested again in 2015 for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and carrying an open intoxicant. A two-day trial for those charges ended with a hung jury and was declared a mistrial.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
(Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Maine has surpassed 15,000 jobs in the clean energy industry, with that sector contributing over $2 billion to the states economy in 2022, according to a report commissioned by the Maine Governors Energy Office.

The 2023 Maine Clean Energy Industry report, published by the Governors Energy Office (GEO), found that the more than 15,000 clean energy jobs in Maine now account for over 2% of the states total workforce and that this sector of the economy has grown 14% since 2016, bouncing back from pandemic-era disruptions.

That puts the state on track to meet Gov. Janet Mills goal of 30,000 clean energy jobs in Maine by 2030, according to the report.

Maine is a national leader in clean energy and energy efficiency thanks to the ambitious climate and workforce investments made during my administration, Mills said in a statement. We are putting Maine people to work in rewarding, good-paying jobs that, in turn, are contributing billions to the states economy while helping to stabilize energy costs for households and businesses and reduce emissions that are harming our environment.

The report further found that Maines clean energy workforce grew faster than any other New England state and increased at a rate more than three times faster than the states overall economy from 2016 to 2022.

The bulk of Maines clean energy workforce (58%) is within the energy efficiency sector, with renewable electric power generation constituting the second largest green job creator in the state, according to the study.

Other key technology sectors of Maines clean energy economy include alternative transportation, clean grid and storage, and clean fuels (which includes biofuels, woody and non-woody biomass, and ethanol).

To help people get positions in this burgeoning industry, GEO has launched an initiative to work with agencies, schools, employers and training organizations to expand opportunities for green jobs. And in the coming weeks, the office said it will set up a new online system to connect people with Maine clean energy employers and workforce training programs.

Furthermore, GEO said it will continue to use federal funds to expand workforce training, including $2 million secured by U.S. Sen. Angus King and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, and is currently seeking applications for clean energy and energy efficiency workforce programs. The full request for applications can be found here (search for RFA #202402047) and the deadline to apply is May 24.

The report comes as Maine has taken steps to build out its offshore wind sector in particular over the last several years. Mills signed a law in 2023 that lays out a path to procuring a significant amount of offshore wind power in the Gulf of Maine while also ensuring strong labor standards within the industry. And this year, the governor announced that Sears Island is the preferred location for a designated port to support the offshore wind industry.

Mills did, however, draw some ire late last month when she vetoed a bill that union and climate leaders argued would ensure clean energy projects on state land arent disrupted by labor disputes. Sen. Mike Tipping (D-Penobscot), the sponsor of the bill, said the veto will hinder efforts to quickly create clean energy jobs in Maine. Mills said she objected to the bill because the measure was overly ambiguous.

The Legislature will vote Friday on whether or not to override Mills veto.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Report: With over 15,000 jobs, Maines green energy workforce fastest growing in New England appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
Residences stand in front of a Venture Global LNG storage tank in Cameron, Louisiana. (Getty Images)

Federal regulators are underplaying the dangers of the liquefied natural gas buildout along the Gulf Coast on climate change and on surrounding communities, including on the people of color already overburdened by pollution, a new report charges.

By accelerating climate change, the LNG boom gambles away our nations future security and our planets ability to sustain modern societies, the reports authors write. LNG buildout liquidates the well-being of coastal communities and future generations for short-term profits.

The paper released Tuesday focuses on the potential cumulative impact of six operational or proposed LNG terminals in Louisiana and Texas. It adds to a growing drumbeat of concern over the United States rapid expansion of LNG production as the world seeks to reduce emissions from fossil fuels. After a rapid increase in production, the United States in 2022 became the worlds largest exporter of LNG  a form of superchilled methane also known as natural gas.

For five years, Roishetta Ozane has been fighting the burgeoning LNG industry in her home state of Louisiana and in Texas. She and her six children live in Sulphur, surrounded by more than a dozen petrochemical plants, including three proposed or operational LNG terminals.

Ozane, executive director of The Vessel Project of Louisiana, a mutual aid, disaster relief and environmental justice nonprofit, said she has been urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to stop rubber-stamping the roughly 20 proposed new or expanded LNG facilities and associated pipelines that could come online in coming years.

It bothers me that these are big ugly sites that have been built on our wetlands  and our wetlands are our protection from hurricanes, said Ozane, whose family has been displaced twice by hurricanes. Whats being extracted from my community isnt even for domestic use  its being exported to other countries.

Sulphur resident Roishetta Ozane is shown criticizing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for failing to take into account the impact of the burgeoning methane export industry on communities like hers

During a March 2023 hearing, Sulphur resident Roishetta Ozane criticized the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for failing to take into account the impact of the burgeoning methane export industry on communities like hers. (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

If all the new and proposed methane terminals along the Gulf Coast were built, they could triple current U.S. capacity to deliver the fossil fuel  an amount that, if burned, threatens emissions targets needed to keep climate change in check.

In January, President Joe Biden halted permitting of additional LNG facilities as his administration studies the local and global impacts. In a mostly party-line vote, the Republican-run House in February passed a bill to strip Bidens power to freeze permitting.

The new study was conducted by researchers from The Robert D. Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University and the Climate Change Studies program at the University of Montana.

We call on the Biden Administration to find  as we have  that LNG development is not in the public interest and continue the pause on new projects indefinitely, said the lead author, University of Montana Associate Professor Robin Saha.

Disturbing tone deafness

The authors take aim at FERC, charging it has used outdated and inaccurate data to analyze the potential harm of the rapidly growing industry on fenceline communities. Those harms include higher-than-normal illness and exposure to harmful emissions and environmental damage such as loss of wildlife, wetlands and coastline.

The authors analyzed the racial makeup of residents living near the six facilities, finding disparities in four of them. For example, 87.6% of people living within 3 miles of the proposed Rio Grande LNG facility are people of color, compared to 59.3% of the state of Texas and 40.6% of people nationwide.

FERCs (environmental justice) analyses exhibit a disturbing tone deafness and a general lack of understanding of common EJ community concerns and residents lived experiences, according to the study, which says the agency in some cases even failed to identify the communities affected by the facilities.

FERC spokesperson Celeste Miller said the commission is developing new guidelines on how to best assess the environmental justice impacts of proposed projects.

She noted Chairman Willie L. Phillips, Jr. convened the commissions first-ever environmental justice roundtable in Washington, D.C., in March 2023.

Ozane was at that roundtable  and she had harsh words for the commission.

As communities of color are literally fighting for our lives on the front lines, (federal) departments and agencies like FERC  continuously are approving permits for these deadly, monstrous projects, she told commissioners.

Ozane told Floodlight she is concerned FERC is drawing up its environmental justice guidelines outside of public view.

We feel like as frontline groups living closest to the industry, we should be part of the conversation, she said.

The authors of the report also note while local officials often tout the new jobs such facilities will create, few of those jobs go to people of color. Generous tax breaks further drain resources from local communities, they wrote.

Black workers made up less than one-tenth of the workforce and were paid 23% less than white workers during the oil and gas boom of the past decade, the authors wrote, citing a 2023 study by the Center for Employment Equity at University of Massachusetts.

LNG development tends to steer economic benefits (jobs, tax base, and public school funding) away from the communities it harms the most, according to the report.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

Floodlight is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powerful interests stalling climate action.

The post Report: Soaring LNG exports liquidate Gulf Coast future appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
A third mass grave was discovered Wednesday at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Gazas media office announced, including some containing bodies without heads, raising concerns of potential war crimes after Israeli military sieges on the territorys hospitals.

The new discovery raises the total to seven mass grave sites between three Gaza hospitals, containing the bodies of about 520 men, women and children.

We condemn in the strongest terms the crimes of genocide and the continuous killing committed by the occupation army against our Palestinian people, the media office said. We hold the US administration, the international community and the occupation fully responsible for these mass graves and this blatant aggression.

The United Nations called for an investigation late last month after the first mass graves were discovered at Al-Shifa, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.

The mass graves contained some people stripped naked with their hands tied, further raising concerns over potential war crimes, the U.N. said, describing the bodies as buried deep in the ground and covered with waste.

U.N. human rights experts said in a report Monday they were horrified over the reports, adding that many of the bodies found were reportedly showing signs of torture and summary executions, and potential instances of people buried alive.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel called the reports of mass graves incredibly troubling late last month and said the Biden administration has questioned the Israeli government about them.

The Israeli military confirmed the discovery of mass graves late last month, saying its forces previously exhumed bodies buried at the sites in search of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the conflict.

Israeli forces besieged the hospitals for days earlier this year, claiming Hamas militants were inside among civilians. The claims could not be independently verified.

The discovery comes as the Israeli military begins a push into Rafah, capturing the border crossing between the city and Egypt on Tuesday. The Biden administration has strongly urged the Israeli government not to move into Rafah, citing the need to limit civilian casualties in the conflict.

The U.N. human rights experts said in the report that the Israel-Hamas war has been especially dangerous for women and children, with about 14,500 of the nearly 35,000 Palestinians killed in the war children and another 9,000 of them women.

About three-quarters of the estimated 75,000 injured are women, the experts said. The group also denounced the Israeli government for a lack of a proper investigation regarding repeated reports of systemic sexual assault against Palestinian women in Israeli custody.

We are appalled that women are being targeted by Israel with such vicious, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, seemingly sparing no means to destroy their lives and deny them their fundamental human rights, they said.

The U.N. has been one of the loudest voices in urging a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Hamas said it had accepted an Egyptian and Qatari-negotiated cease-fire agreement Tuesday, though Israeli leaders have rejected the deal.

The Hill has reached out to the Israeli military and State Department comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A group of Republican lawmakers introduced a bill on Wednesday which would send any person convicted of unlawful activity at a college or university, to do community service in Gaza for six months.

The bill, dubbed the Antisemitism Community Service Act, was introduced by Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), and backed by Representatives Jeff Dunch (R-SC) and Randy Weber (R-TX), as part of two bills which take aim at college students.

The bill seeks to punish students opposing the U.S.-backed genocide, by sending them to the very place where Israel has used U.S. funds and weapons to kill over 34,700 people, obliterating homes, and displacing nearly two million of Palestinians.

Strangely, the bill appears to refer to any unlawful activity on the campus of an institution of higher education beginning on and after October 7, 2023 but does not specifically mention the ongoing student protests, rendering it stupidly broad.

Ogles spoke with Fox News about the bill, saying that, If you support a terrorist organization, and you participate in unlawful activity on campuses, you should get a taste of your own medicine. I am going to bet that these pro-Hamas supporters wouldnt last a day, but lets give them the opportunity.

The second bill, called the Study Abroad Act, would seek to cancel the visas of students studying abroad in the U.S., if they are arrested for rioting or unlawful protest, or were arrested while establishing, participating in, or promoting an encampment. The bill, which was exclusively released to the Daily Caller, does not require the students to be charged with an actual crime, only arrested.

Ogles posted about the new legislation on X, saying My message is clear: if youre a student visa holder rioting AGAINST American values and FOR Hamas terrorists, you can go study abroad in Gaza.

This comment is especially inane, considering that Israel has reduced all of Gazas universities to rubble.

In February, Ogles faced significant criticism over his response to a comment about murdered Palestinian children, to which he replied, I think we should kill them all, if that makes you feel better. Everybody in Hamas. A spokesperson for the Republican later had to clarify that he did not mean to advocate for the murder of those children.

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.
WASHINGTON  House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) held a press conference Wednesday outside the Capitol to denounce the phantom threat of election fraud.

There is currently an unprecedented and a clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system, and that is the threat of non-citizens and illegal aliens voting in our elections, Johnson said.

Its illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections  they rarely do  and Johnson presented no evidence to the contrary. His press conference seemed designed to flatter former President Donald Trump as Johnson fends off a challenge to his speakership from the Trump-backing wing of the House Republican conference.

Johnson spoke from the base of the east steps to the House of Representatives, one of several parts of the Capitol stormed by Trumps mob on Jan. 6, 2021. Newly released security camera footage from that day shows Trump supporters mounting the steps, then confronting and attacking police officers guarding the House. In one clip, at the top of the House steps, one of the rioters brandished a sign that said end the FRAUD.

On Wednesday, at the bottom of the steps, flanked by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), former Trump administration official Stephen Miller and others, Johnson endorsed new legislation that would require proof of citizenship for people to register to vote.

Federal law already requires people registering to attest that they are citizens, with criminal penalties for lying; the bill stands no chance of passing the Democratic-majority Senate or becoming law.

Asked for evidence that undocumented immigrants vote heavily in federal elections, Johnson said it was just something everyone knows, while admitting nobody can prove it.

We all know, intuitively, that a lot of illegals are voting in federal elections, but its not been something that is easily provable, Johnson said. We dont have that number.

Johnson refused to say if he had accepted the results of the 2020 election, which Trump still falsely claims was tainted by fraud, or if he would accept the results of this years rematch between Trump and President Joe Biden.

What were talking about today is the 2024 election, Johnson said. Nobody can go back and re-litigate what happened in 2020.

Johnson then re-litigated what happened in 2020, calling it the COVID election and accusing states of having haphazardly put together new laws and opened up the systems, and led to all sorts of confusion and chaos and concern that lingers even to today.

Johnsons false election fraud claims prompted a disgusted reaction from several Democrats.

Repeating the big lie of a stolen election and wild, unfounded falsehoods of widespread illegal votes that already incited political violence is just wrong, Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said on social media. Doing it on the very spot where these lies incited a violent assault on our democracy is disgusting and unacceptable.

Related...
BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- China congratulates President Putin on his inauguration, and believes Russia will make new achievements in national development and economic and social progress under his leadership, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on the fact that Vladimir Putin was officially sworn in on Tuesday as President of the Russian Federation for a six-year term and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that the President will visit China in the first foreign trip of his new term in office.

"Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have enjoyed sound and steady growth," Lin said.

He added that the two sides uphold the principle of non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party and advance bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and playing a positive role in advancing global common development.

Noting this year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic ties, Lin said that the two sides will follow the guidance of the common understandings between the two presidents, further enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and carry forward their friendship to jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, implement true multilateralism and make global governance more just and equitable.

"China highly values the strategic guidance from head-of-state diplomacy for China-Russia relations. The two presidents agreed to maintain close interactions and ensure the smooth and steady growth of China-Russia relations," he said. 
A key environmental board controlled by Republican appointees is stalling efforts to regulate chemicals that have contaminated North Carolina drinking water supplies, including forever chemicals and an industrial solvent that is a likely human carcinogen.

North Carolina does not have enforceable standards for the chemicals despite scientific evidence showing the risks they pose to human health.

N.C. Department of Environmental Quality staff have asked the Environmental Management Commission to start rulemaking for groundwater and surface water standards for eight per- and polyfluoroalkyl subsances. They have also asked the EMC to start early on a triennial review of the states surface water standards that include 1,4-dioxane limits.

But those requests have stalled in the commissions water quality and groundwater committees, frustrating environmental advocates and, increasingly, DEQ leadership.

Republicans took over EMC

The Environmental Management Commission was one of the boards whose makeup was overhauled by legislation last year, after Republicans won a supermajority in both houses, allowing them to pass legislation without worrying about a veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

The new rules allowed Republican legislative leaders and Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler, also a Republican, to appoint the commissions majority.

Previously, Cooper appointed nine of the EMCs 15 members. Senate Bill 512 shifted two of those appointments to Troxler. GOP leadership also amended an elections bill last fall to immediately replace two Cooper appointees with Troxlers picks.

At the first meeting after the changes, Republican appointees voted to replace Robin Smith, an environmental lawyer and former state assistant environmental secretary, as chair. J.D. Solomon, an appointee of House Speaker Tim Moore and former EMC chair, became the new leader.

Solomon was traveling for business and said in an email he was unavailable to comment.

The South Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant in Graham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown/kmckeown@newsobserver.com

1,4-dioxane risks

North Carolinas drinking water has the third-highest concentration of 1,4-dioxane in the nation, with the Cape Fear River basin particularly impacted. Many 1,4-dioxane discharges are linked to utilities, which accept wastewater from industrial customers and cannot remove the solvent before discharging it into tributaries of the Deep and Haw rivers.

In Pittsboro, there have been three occasions since July 2023 where a slug of 1,4-dioxane emanated from a chemical company in Burlington, passed through a wastewater treatment plant and headed downstream to Pittsboros Haw River intake.

In January, Pittsboro had to stop drawing water from the Haw for days because of a 1,4-dioxane slug that is believed to have been released by a chemical factory in Burlington. Prior to the release, 1,4-dioxane was measured at 2.4 parts per billion in the Haw, below the Environmental Protection Agencys health advisory goal of 35 ppb. After the release, The N&O reported, a 1,4-dioxane measurement found 545 ppb.

Apollo Chemical in Burlington, N.C., is believed to be the source of a 1,4-dioxane release in January. Kaitlin McKeown/kmckeown@newsobserver.com

North Carolinians receive just one-fifth of the protections from 1,4-dioxane that a water quality standard would offer, according to a human health risk assessment DEQ submitted to the General Assembly last week. Instead of a water quality standard, North Carolina has in-stream target values for 1,4-dioxane, which are unenforceable recommendations.

The states Rules Review Commission stymied a previous effort to regulate 1,4-dioxane in May 2022, finding that DEQ had improperly analyzed costs associated with the rule.

Last November, the EMC sued the Rules Review Commission over that decision.

In January, during Solomons first meeting as chair, the EMC voted to dismiss the lawsuit. The eight Republican appointees voted for dismissal, while the seven Cooper appointees voted to move forward.

Moments after the vote, Solomon pledged to regulate 1,4-dioxane.

We are not going to drop this issue, Solomon said. It is of public health consequence.

Smith, the former EMC chair, said she would vote against the motion because the lawsuit was the states best chance to quickly implement 1,4-dioxane regulations.

It will take three years to get through the rulemaking process and may lead us right back to where we are now, Smith said.

The South Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant in Graham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown/kmckeown@newsobserver.com

EMC committees meet Wednesday

On Wednesday, the EMCs Water Quality Committee will hear informational presentations about the PFAS surface water standards and triennial review dealing with 1,4-dioxane. The Groundwater and Waste Management Committee will hear about proposed PFAS groundwater standards.

No votes are scheduled.

DEQ Secretary Elizabeth Biser sent a letter so EMC members last week saying she was deeply disappointed the groundwater committee asked to hear a presentation on PFAS, its fourth since November. The committee has received enough information to vote, Biser wrote.

A vote would send the rule to the full EMC in June, beginning public comment and hearing processes

Absent further and immediate action by the Commission, residents and local utilities will continue to shoulder the burden of treatment cost while groundwater cleanup is delayed, Biser wrote.

DEQ is proposing these limits on PFAS, 1,4-dioxane in drinking water supplies

PFAS limits and the NC Chamber

PFAS are commonly referred to as forever chemicals because of their persistence in the environment. Different PFAS have been linked to a wide array of health impacts from delaying development to links with some cancers. The EPA recently finalized drinking water standards for six of the compounds.

The North Carolina Chamber, which describes itself as the states largest, broad-based business advocacy organization, has lobbied for delaying PFAS regulation.

Gary Salamido, the Chambers president and CEO, wrote an April 22 letter to Biser and EMC members saying limits on PFAS should be delayed until research shows how DEQs proposed rules intersect with the EPAs new drinking water limits and the costs of complying with the rules can be better understood.

It is important that we do not hastily pass regulations without fully accounting for both the positive benefits and potential negative impacts proposed rules would have on the state and its business community, Salamido wrote.

The proposed groundwater and surface water standards are necessary, Biser responded, to help water utilities meet their new drinking water obligations while lessening the costs they will incur building treatment technology and swapping out PFAS-saturated carbon. A fiscal note evaluating costs and benefits is part of any rulemaking process, she added.

The key question at hand is whether everyday North Carolinians should bear the entire burden of cleaning up PFAS contamination (while also dealing with health impacts) or whether businesses releasing PFAS into the environment should also bear responsibility, Biser wrote.

When the N&O reached out to Salamido for comment, Kate Payne, a Chamber spokeswoman, responded with a prepared statement.

The NC Chamber has a transparent and open process to engage government when advocating for certainty and predictability for North Carolinas business community, particularly on the regulatory front, Paynes statement read, in part.

Chemours, which for decades contaminated the Cape Fear River with undisclosed forever chemicals and has spent nearly half a billion dollars complying with a state consent order, is one of the corporate members of the NC Chamber and holds a position on the advocacy groups Manufacturing Council.

Container tanks at the Chemours plant on November 28, 2018. The new tanks were installed as a measure to reduce emissions and to follow through with a consent order. Melissa Sue Gerrits/For The News & Observer

NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@newsobserver.com

This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. If you would like to help support local journalism, please consider signing up for a digital subscription, which you can do here.
A group of Piermont residents filed a lawsuit against the village alleging a lack of transparency and an unlawful approval of a village zone change that appeared to make way for a proposed three-story apartment complex downtown.

Members of the group Preserve Piermont, a community Facebook coalition that organized primarily to protest the development of an empty lot at 447-477 Piermont Ave. into a three-story apartment complex, filed the lawsuit on April 24 following weeks of tense planning board meetings and an escalation in frustration from village residents over the development of the property.

The lawsuit alleges that the 2023 decision to change the zoning of downtown Piermont from residential mixed-use to a commercial business mixed-use district was "designed to specifically accommodate the developer of these parcels of property," a group called Piermont Developers LLC.

The Village of Piermont plans on moving forward, despite disapproval from the citizens and the county, on a proposed 3 story development at 447 - 477 Piermont Ave., on the triangular lot across from village hall. April 9, 2024.

The zone proposal was originally rejected by the Rockland County Planning Board because of what appeared to be "spot zoning" and environmental concerns. However, the village passed the law after they heard no response from the county after 30 days.

Brian Condon, the lawyer representing the residents of Piermont in the lawsuit, said the lawsuit is fighting the change of zone, which is void if the county does not recognize the law.

"While the residents oppose the project, thats not really what were fighting right now. All were fighting is that they have to follow the rules like any other municipality in the state of New York to get what they want done and then you can address it accordingly," Condon said. "The residents are saying it was never done properly and the village is trying to ram this down their throats in a rush."

The Village of Piermont plans on moving forward, despite disapproval from the citizens and the county, on a proposed 3 story development at 447 - 477 Piermont Ave., on the triangular lot across from village hall. April 9, 2024.

Preserve Piermont members say they used to be notified when any new businesses or developments were set to arrive in the village, but resident Janice Young, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said she had no idea this development was even happening.

"When I first went to the board meetings, I wasnt aware of this zone change. When I learned of this zone change, I was upset, and I think understandably so, because it appeared to me that virtually nobody knew about this zone change," Young said. "Most people cant afford to attend these meetings. We have responsibilities, jobs, homes and families we need to take care of. I was sort of upset that they didnt make a bigger effort to really get the public involved. So I wanted to make sure my voice along with those of my neighbors were heard."

Young said she's also concerned about flooding, parking and environmental protections with the land parcel.

The Village of Piermont plans on moving forward, despite disapproval from the citizens and the county, on a proposed 3 story development at 447 - 477 Piermont Ave., on the triangular lot across from village hall. April 9, 2024.

According to Piermont Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Goswick, the lot in question was formerly a gas station in the 1940s and may have experienced soil contamination. The village is also home to several parks and close to the Hudson River, causing alarm over potential runoff during construction.

The lot at 447-477 Piermont Ave., a triangular lot across the street from Village Hall, was previously used as an overflow lot for many years for patrons of various restaurants on Piermont Avenue and the surrounding streets. However, village mayor Bruce Tucker said the lot should have "never been used as a parking lot" as it was private property.

On April 17, photos were shared to Preserve Piermont showing a fence had been put around the lot to prevent parking.

In the following days, trucks were seen on the property that appeared to belong to FDC Contracting, a Bergen County-based construction company owned by Frank DeCarlo, one of the owners of Piermont Developers LLC. His sister, Stephanie Pantale DeCarlo, is the lead architect of the proposed development.

The Village of Piermont plans on moving forward, despite disapproval from the citizens and the county, on a proposed 3 story development at 447 - 477 Piermont Ave., on the triangular lot across from village hall. April 9, 2024.

Additional concerns were raised by residents about the legality of the zone change at an April 8 planning board meeting when Village of Piermont attorney Lino Sciaretta explained the reason the village went ahead with the change.

Sciaretta said the county typically has 30 days to approve any proposed change in zoning or other planning matters before the village can legally move forward with the proposed action. He said the village clerk sent out the zoning proposal in January 2023 and never got a response, allowing the village to successfully pass a local law in March 2023 that changed the zone to a mixed-use commercial business zone.

"With respect to the general municipal law, I believe that its been satisfied because of all it requires of us is to mail it. Theres no requirement that we have to follow up with the county," Sciaretta said at the meeting. "All you do is postmark, you put it in the mail, and if the county doesnt respond in 30 days, its deemed waived.

However, on April 26, Larrain Feiden, principal assistant attorney for Rockland County, sent a letter to Judge Hal Greenwald, noting their interest in the lawsuit brought forth by village residents.

"County Planning has not received any referrals from Piermont for the zoning change at issue since it was passed in 2023. As a result, the zoning change is of no effect," Feiden wrote. "The Village is mandated by law to send the zoning change to the County for review before it is final."

Piermont Village Hall. Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

She went on to say that the county "would be happy to review" the proposed action if the village delivered a full statement and "wants to be heard" about its concerns with the zone change and requested a scheduled hearing.

Additionally, issues of possible conflict of interest regarding Sciaretta's involvement with the development were raised at the April 8 meeting. However, Condon said Sciaretta recused himself from representing the village in the lawsuit and outside counsel has been brought in.

Sciaretta's firm has formerly represented Phil Griffin, who owns several parcels of land in the village, including the lot in question and Flywheel Park. He said Griffin sold Piermont Developers LLC to current owners Craig Weis and Frank DeCarlo and is no longer involved in dealings regarding the property.

On April 29, the Village of Piermont announced that planning board chair and former neurosurgeon Daniel Spitzer resigned from his position on the board, which he had held for over 10 years.

Spitzer declined to comment on his resignation from the board.

The lawsuit is set for its first hearing Wednesday, May 8 before Judge Hal Greenwald in Rockland County Court.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Piermont NY proposed apartment lawsuit filed by resident group
A resort on Rattlesnake Key? Saving the Manatee County island may be an uphill battle

As a state effort to preserve the Tampa Bay island of Rattlesnake Key has stalled, Manatee County may get a new opportunity to lead the longtime conservation effort.

The 671-acre island and surrounding wetlands in Terra Ceia are some of the last undeveloped coastline on Tampa Bay. Theyre prime targets for conservation due to their many environmental benefits, including wildlife habitat, shoreline protection, productive fishing grounds and recreation.

The island is now being offered up for development as part of a $75 million real estate listing, but a representative of the property owners said they are willing to consider selling Rattlesnake Key at a fraction of that cost for conservation.

$23 million in state funding previously set aside to purchase the land is set to expire in June. The legislator who spearheaded the effort to get those conservation funds, state Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, says a deal will not be reached before the money expires.

Unfortunately, the money was there, but the appraisals that the land owner had and the (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) had just didnt match up, Boyd said. FDEP is the ultimate arbiter on that.

Could Manatee County preserve Rattlesnake Key?

While disappointed, Boyd says he hopes the land buy will work out  and theres a backup plan to try to make it happen.

This years state budget includes an $8 million appropriation for the Rattlesnake Key purchase, significantly lower than what Florida lawmakers previously approved.

But instead of the state negotiating a deal, this time Manatee County would be in the drivers seat, according to Boyd.

What we did this year, is we appropriated $8 million, Boyd said. That money would go to Manatee County, and then Manatee County would hopefully contribute a couple million dollars. Hopefully, the county and landowner could come to an agreement, Boyd said.

So its contingent on the budget being passed and the landowner and the county.

Manatee County previously committed up to $3 million to help the state purchase Rattlesnake Key.

A county spokesperson said last week that the $3 million remains available in the countys reserves, and the purchase remains a high priority of the Board of County Commissioners.

State Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, says there is a new plan in Floridas 2024 budget to help Manatee County buy and protect Rattlesnake Key island in Tampa Bay. The Terra Ceia area is pictured in this June 2021 Bradenton Herald file photo.

If Gov. Ron DeSantis signs off on the $8 million allocation for Rattlesnake Key in this years state budget, that could potentially boost Manatee Countys buying power to $11 million.

And additional millions remain available through the countys Environmental Lands Program, which is funded by a tax passed by Manatee County voters in 2020.

Land value under scrutiny

Conservation properties are prioritized by a volunteer advisory board, the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee. Mason Gravely, the chairman of that committee, says the group has strongly advocated for the county and states past efforts to conserve Rattlesnake Key.

Rattlesnake Key would be a gem to have, Gravely said. What seems to be the challenge is coming to an agreement on a price. We have to consider that were working with taxpayer dollars and be responsible with that money.

With many other conservation properties to consider in Manatee County and a limited budget, ELMAC is taking a wait-and-see approach before it recommends acquiring the property with the referendum funds, Gravely said.

If theyre demanding double or triple the appraised value, that will be an issue, Gravely said.

The programs buying power is also temporarily tight after the purchase of two new preserve areas this year  Crooked River Ranch in Parrish and the expansion of Emerson Point Preserve in Palmetto.

With those purchases, the county has already bonded $35 million of a $50 million limit.

Last week, the Board of County Commissioners voted to consider expanding the programs bond capacity. That would require voters to weigh in and approve the change in November.

With so many unknown factors, it remains to be seen if government agencies can work out a deal to buy Rattlesnake Key before an interested buyer shows up.

Still, Gravely says he remains hopeful.

I dont know how its going to happen, but I think it will, he said. Rattlesnake Key is on a lot of peoples radars right now.

Florida officals could still help conserve island

FDEP officials say that the agency is still interested in helping to acquire Rattlesnake Key.

While FDEP has not acquired these parcels to date, funding remains available through the Florida Forever program, Press Secretary Nikki Clifton said in a news release.

The island is within the footprint of the Terra Ceia Florida Forever Project, a larger conservation target area that was added to the Florida Forever list in 1996. More than 2,400 acres in Manatee County, mostly north of Interstate 275 in Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, have been acquired so far.

The agency said it is still looking for opportunities to add more land to the project, including the Rattlesnake Key parcels.

Florida Forever funds can also be used to refund part or all of what a local government pays for a conservation purchase. Earlier this year, FDEP offered to buy the land that Manatee County purchased for the Emerson Point expansion.

Is development allowed on Rattlesnake Key?

A sales pitch for Rattlesnake Key and surrounding coastal wetlands markets them as potential sites for a resort, island home, commercial marina or cruise ship terminal.

It also says the property comes with rights to dredge and fill over 200 acres of the bottom of the bay.

The property owners hold those rights thanks to a 1950s surveying error that mistakenly put the south landing of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on private property, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.

But it would likely be a very costly endeavor.

Another factor that could prevent development on the island, at least temporarily, is the islands zoning.

Rattlesnake Key is currently zoned for agriculture and light residential use. More intensive uses would have to be approved by the county commission.

Then there are the risks of building on a very low-lying island, like flooding, sea level rise and hurricanes.

A Category 2 hurricane or stronger could subject the entire island to more than 9 feet of storm surge, according to the National Weather Service.

There would be a lot of challenges with some sort of commercial development of that land, Gravely said.

Im pro-growth under the right circumstances, but in a case like this Id like to have it preserved for generations to come and never have to worry about it being developed, Boyd said. Its just such a pristine beautiful part of our Tampa Bay coastline.
Minidoka Memorial Hospital is the joint operation of Minidoka Countys only hospital and nursing home located in Rupert, Idaho. Services offered at Minidoka Memorial Hospital include surgery, inpatient and outpatient treatments, long-term care, home health, ambulance and occupational health. The hospital employs over 250 people, making it one of the countys larger employers. (Courtesy of Minidoka Memorial Hospital)

As we reach four years since the start of the pandemic, I look at our hospital staff and am proud that  unlike many of our fellow hospital systems  weve been able to retain the majority of our talented team members. We were able to weather the storm by prioritizing our most valuable asset: our people.

Were often asked how we did it  and I always admit it wasnt rocket science. Simply put, we chose a path of unwavering support for our employees. While many health systems had to cut salaries to reduce costs, we made a conscious decision to recognize and celebrate the vital role each member played. Not only did we keep salaries where they were, we provided $8,000 in bonuses for each employee  regardless of their role  to demonstrate our profound appreciation for our frontline heroes.

But no amount of retention can address Idahos growth and increased need for providers. Its time that Idaho thinks seriously about the health care workforce crisis thats still affecting our state. Weve reached dire levels of staffing challenges despite years of warnings and proactive recommendations.

Efforts to address the workforce shortage have been stymied by a lack of political will and foresight. Initiatives like Idaho LAUNCH have successfully stimulated interest from students, but there are not nearly enough seats within Idaho universities or local residencies to keep growing our health care workforce as we need. In terms of supply and demand  weve treated the demand, but our supply side remains woefully neglected. Recommendations to allocate incremental funds for universities to bolster the output of vital health care professionals have fallen on deaf ears, leaving hospitals like ours struggling to fill vital open positions.

Were already feeling the effects of this negligence. Our hospital has seen essential positions in respiratory therapy, lab technology and nursing lie vacant for months on end. Its common to see competitive job listings open for six months to a year without a single application. A challenge especially hard for rural hospitals like ours. We have had to limit admissions in our nursing home due to staffing levels, and other departments have had to work staff overtime, or have shifts covered with on-call staff instead of regularly scheduled staff. While these solutions are holding us over for the time being, this is not a sustainable situation long term.

If youre wondering why someone in a big city across the state should care about health care staffing in rural communities  its because it affects us all. The pandemic was the first time in my career when we had helicopters bringing us patients from Pocatello, Twin Falls and Boise. Everyone had to collaborate to provide the necessary space and quality care our patients deserve. Within our health care ecosystem, everything is interconnected.

The time for rhetoric and half-measures has passed. Idahos health care workforce crisis demands urgent and decisive action. Investments in education and training programs must be prioritized to bolster the pipeline of health care professionals, ensuring that future generations have access to the care they need.

My concern for the future of health care in Idaho extends beyond my hospital walls. Its a question of the very viability of Idaho as a safe and prosperous place for our families and future generations.

Health care institutions like Minidoka stand as a testament to the resilience and compassion of a community that comes together in times of crisis. But lets not choose to ignore solutions and force ourselves deeper into challenges that are avoidable with attention and support.

The post Retention successes dont answer for health care staffing amid Idahos growth appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
Its tradition for police dogs to enjoy a dignified retirement, but that didnt happen in the case of a K-9 deputy left homeless at a county-run shelter in southeast Georgia, investigators say.

The dogs handler is suspected of leaving her there, according to the Liberty County Sheriffs Office in Hinesville, Georgia.

An investigation is underway and the deputy has been reassigned pending the outcome, Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman said in a statement posted May 6.

Among the many questions is why Konas handler and presumed friend left her five months after the dog retired, officials say.

The sheriffs office became aware of K-9 Kona being dropped off at the shelter late afternoon on Monday, April 29. ... No notification was received from Liberty County Animal Control about the status of the retired canine. Sheriff Bowman would not agree to, and had no prior knowledge of, the retired canine being treated in this manner, the sheriffs office said. The well-being and proper care of all canines, both active and retired, is of the utmost importance to the Liberty County Sheriffs Office, and any allegations of mistreatment or neglect are taken very seriously.

Konas former handler was transferred from the K-9 Unit to a patrol division, and his current K-9 partner was reassigned to another handler, officials said.

The sheriffs office reports Kona was adopted one day after being left at the shelter, and her current owner is a previous canine handler.

She was deemed underweight on arrival at the shelter, WJCL reports. Her current owner, Kevin Schwartz of Charleston, S.C., says the 5-year-old dogs health is quickly improving, the station said.

Kona retired from the K-9 Unit Dec. 20 and was released into the custody of her handler, which is the norm when law enforcement dogs retire. The deputy signed paperwork agreeing to be liable for all care, maintenance, vet visits, and medical treatment, the sheriffs office said.

The Dutch shepherd was donated to the unit by a kennel in March 2021, officials said. She was 2 years old at the time and untrained, officials said.

Hero dog refused to stop barking until family noticed spreading fire, Florida cops say

Surprised Florida SWAT team watches dog surrender and climb into armored vehicle

Brave dog is stabbed in face while protecting owner from attacker, Florida cops say
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Authorities are asking for the publics help in identifying a suspect responsible for an armed robbery in Kearny Mesa that happened in March.

According to the San Diego Police Department, a man entered the Chevron gas station at 7737 Balboa Ave. on March 19 after 4 p.m., pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the clerk and demanded money.

RELATED: Suspect on the run after Kearny Mesa robbery: SDPD

After the clerk complied, the suspect left the store and fled southeast toward a nearby parking lot, authorities said.

Officers described the suspect as a man between 25 to 30 years old, approximately 510 with a skinny build. He was last seen wearing a black S.D. hat, a black gaiter mask, a black hooded sweatshirt, black and white shoes, black pants and black gloves with white writing across the knuckles. (Photos of the suspect can be found below).

Police are asking for the publics help in identifying the armed robbery suspect. (SDPD)

Police are asking for the publics help in identifying the armed robbery suspect. (SDPD)

Police are asking for the publics help in identifying the armed robbery suspect. (SDPD)

Police are asking for the publics help in identifying the armed robbery suspect. (SDPD)

Police are asking for the publics help in identifying the armed robbery suspect. (SDPD)

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 in exchange for information that leads to an arrest in this case. Anyone with more information is asked to contact SDPD at 619-531-2268 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Gov. Kim Reynolds, joined by Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, left, Sen. Dan Dawson, right, and other lawmakers and lobbyists, signed into law on May 1, 2024, a bill that will reduce Iowa's individual income tax rate in 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed several bills from the 2024 legislative session into law, including measures to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage and set new early literacy standards.

The governor signed Senate File 2251 into law Wednesday. The new law will extend Medicaid coverage for new and expecting mothers from its previous 60-day limit to one year, a provision allowed for under the 2021 federal COVID-19 pandemic emergency plan, beginning in 2025.

The law extends the duration of available postpartum Medicaid coverage for Iowa mothers and infants, but limits eligibility for the benefits. The new law lowers the income limit for families to 215% or below the federal poverty line  meaning a family of four making roughly $64,5000 annually or less, and a single mother and infant making $43,900 or less, would qualify. This restriction represents a drop from the 375% FPL income limit for coverage.

While Democrats have long called for Republicans to adopt the postpartum Medicaid expansion, members of the minority party criticized Reynolds and Republicans for the income restriction in floor debate on the 2024 measure.

According to analysis by the Legislative Services Agency, the income restriction will mean that each month, roughly 1,300 mothers and 400 infants who were eligible under the previous limit will not have Medicaid coverage.

But Republicans argued in floor debate that keeping the previous income limit at 375% of the poverty line would cost the state $6.2 million per year. Sen. Mark Costello, R-Imogene, said in a subcommittee meeting that the 215% FPL limit is still above the average 210% income cutoff among the 47 states that are participating in the Medicaid expansion.

Mazie Stilwell with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa said in a statement on the law signing that while she was happy to see coverage extended, the income limitation will hurt Iowans. She also criticized Reynolds for supporting state Attorney General Brenna Bird joining a lawsuit against President Joe Bidens finalized Title IX rules creating anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ students in K-12 schools.

If Gov. Reynolds and legislative Republicans actually cared about the health of Iowa moms and babies, they would have used our enormous budget surplus to continue coverage without changing income requirements, Stilwell said in a statement. Rather than fixating on culture wars like opposing Title IX rules, they should be focusing on cleaning up the devastating maternal care crisis created through reckless policy choices in this state.

Not all infants would lose all government coverage through the new law  the LSA found approximately 1,100 babies would be moved from Medicaid coverage to the Hawki childrens health insurance program for families with an income level at 302% FPL or less.

Reynolds said in a news release that the new law  one of her priorities for 2024  will help support Iowa families.

Being pro-life means supporting mothers and strong families. By extending post-partum Medicaid coverage for thousands of new moms, we will set new families on a path to prosperity and opportunity, Reynolds said in the news release. Thank you to the legislature for passing this pro-family bill with bipartisan support.

On Tuesday, Reynolds signed into law a measure on student literacy that she highlighted as goal for the legislative session.

House File 2618 sets up early literacy requirements for teachers, as well as adding new requirements for how schools and families must proceed if a child is not hitting reading proficiency benchmarks.

The law requires schools notify parents and guardians of students in kindergarten through sixth grade who are not reading at grade-level proficiency, having a personalized plan to assist the child until they are able to meet grade-level reading proficiency. Families of students who are not meeting benchmarks would also be informed of their ability to request that their child repeats a grade.

Reynolds said the law is part of an ongoing effort to make literacy a priority in every Iowa classroom and for every Iowa student.

Iowas reading scores have held steady over the last several years, in part because we kept our kids in school during the pandemic and didnt experience the level of learning loss other states did, Reynolds said in a statement Tuesday. But holding steady isnt nearly good enough. We know that a lifetime of learning begins in the earliest years of school with the foundational skill of literacy.

As the governor noted, Iowa has not seen the drop in reading scores that other states encountered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But these measures are aimed at students such as the 34% of Iowa third-graders identified as not yet proficient in English Language Art skills in the 2022-2023 Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress.

Other bills signed by the governor Wednesday include Senate File 2405, a measure changing the states fixed funding distribution formula for community colleges, and House File 2667, a measure increasing the maximum contribution to Iowa 529 college savings and ABLE savings accounts that can be deducted from income tax each year.

The post Reynolds signs law expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage, restricting eligibility appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
RFK Jr. says he had a dead worm in his brain. What are these parasites and how common are they?

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks to supporters during a campaign event last month in Royal Oak, Mich. (Jose Juarez / Associated Press)

Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made various claims about his health over the years, but the most shocking came Wednesday when it was revealed that Kennedy once insisted that a worm ate a portion of his brain over a decade ago.

Kennedy's assertion, which was reported by the New York Times, was made during divorce proceedings from his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, and was intended to support his claim that health issues had reduced his earning potential.

Kennedy reportedly disclosed the ailment during a court deposition, saying that in 2010 he was experiencing memory loss and severe mental fogginess. He said he consulted with several neurologists who examined brain scans and suspected he had a brain tumor, and he was scheduled to undergo surgery.

But then a doctor at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital told Kennedy he believed the scans revealed the remnants of a dead parasite.

The abnormality in his scans was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died, the article reported Kennedy as saying in the 2012 deposition.

No medical proof has been offered to back up the candidate's claims, but the issue has prompted widespread conversation about the existence of brain worms, as well as the candidate's fitness for office.

Kennedy addressed the issue in a tongue-and-cheek post on X on Wednesday saying that he could "eat 5 more brain worms and still beat President Trump and President Biden in a debate." He added in another post, "I feel confident of the result even with a six-worm handicap."

There are several parasites that can do damage in the human brain, but the most common in the Americas is the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. In the intestines, the worm can grow to 2 to 7 meters in length. Though its eggs can migrate from the intestines to tissues throughout the body, in all other organs the larvae die before reaching maturity.

A photomicrograph of the parasitic pork tapeworm Taenia solium. (Dr. Mae Melvin / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Medical experts told The Times that the condition Kennedy described sounds like neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection caused by the larval form of the pork tapeworm. Those doctors have not treated Kennedy and were speaking generally.

Depending on where the parasite lodges itself in or around the brain, the patient could either be entirely asymptomatic or experience headaches and seizures. Memory loss and cognitive problems of the kind Kennedy described in his deposition would be rare, said Dr. Edward Jones-Lopez, an infectious disease specialist with Keck Medicine of USC.

It would be unusual for the parasite to cause memory loss just as an isolated symptom, he said.

Kennedys description of the worm dying after it "ate a portion" of his brain is also a misnomer when speaking about neurocysticercosis, Jones-Lopez said. The parasite dies before maturing into an animal capable of eating anything.

The tapeworms eggs are found in the feces of an infected person, and they can spread to other hosts who consume food or water contaminated by the feces. If someone touches a contaminated surface and then puts their fingers in their mouth without washing their hands, they can ingest the eggs as well.

Once swallowed, the eggs find their way into skeletal muscles or other tissues, where they form cysts and cause the disease known as cysticercosis.

In the brain it is actually [the larva] (not the mature worm itself) that forms cysts, which when surgeons excise and give to us pathologists, is often dead, wrote Dr. William Yong, a pathologist specializing in neuropathology at UC Irvine. They only form adult tapeworms in the intestines. Anywhere else in the body they form these larval cysts that ultimately die, degenerate and calcify.

Read more: Brain tapeworm caused man's four-year headache

T. solium cysts can also enter the digestive system in contaminated pork that is raw or undercooked, causing a condition called taeniasis. The CDC estimates there are probably fewer than 1,000 cases a year, but its difficult to know for sure because infections typically result in nothing worse than mild digestive problems, such as abdominal pain or an upset stomach.

If the cysts find a home in the small intestine, they can develop into adult tapeworms in about two months time. Their eggs could then spread and cause neurocysticercosis.

Calcified evidence of past infections has been turning up on the brain scans of patients whove had imaging taken for other reasons, leading doctors to conclude that most cases of neurocysticercosis are either asymptomatic or produce only mild symptoms. A single patient could have hundreds of these calcifications in their brain, said Dr. Diana Vargas, a neurologist and neuroimmunologist at the Emory University School of Medicine.

The parasite is typically seen in underdeveloped countries where pigs come in contact with human feces, said Dr. Charles Bailey, the medical director for infection prevention at Providence St. Joseph and Providence Mission hospitals.

"It can go from the GI tract and has a propensity to migrate into the brain," Bailey said. "It can be asymptomatic until the parasite dies. Usually when it dies it triggers some local inflammatory response which causes swelling in that particular area that can lead to symptoms."

The parasite is endemic in Central and South America, as well as some areas of Asia and Africa, Vargas said. It isn't frequently seen in the United States, but there are still hundreds of hospitalizations per year, she said.

Bailey said in his four-decade career he's seen 10 to 12 cases, mostly from people who have lived in Latin America.

"Most of the cases I've seen have not been in travelers. They're people who have lived in that part of the world most or all of their life and for whom high-quality or fully cooked meat might not have been consistently available," Bailey said. "It's not something typical tourists should be concerned about."

Kennedy told the New York Times that doctors told him the cyst they saw on his scan contained the remains of a parasite. He was unsure where he might have contracted it, but suspected it could have been during a trip he took to South Asia. It did not require any treatment, he said.

Bailey said there's no need to remove the parasite surgically unless it's located in an area of the brain where it's causing problems. If it's discovered before it dies, it can be treated with oral anti-parasitic medications, usually along with steroids to control swelling and inflammation that could become life-threatening.

It can take anywhere from several months to up to four years for symptoms to develop, Vargas said.

Other types of parasites that can lodge in the brain include schistosoma, a flatworm that burrows through the skin but doesnt form the signature cyst that neurocysticercosis does, or echinococcus, which can infect the brain but far more typically attacks the liver, Jones-Lopez said.

Compared to T. solium, the other parasites are so extremely rare, Vargas said.

Read more: Live tapeworm, 'still wiggling,' removed from California man's brain

The presidential candidate says that over the years he's suffered from atrial fibrillation  the most common type of heartbeat abnormality  mercury poisoning, hepatitis C from intravenous drug use in his youth and spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder that causes his vocal cords to squeeze too close together.

Kennedy's campaign press secretary Stefanie Spear said in a statement to The Times that Kennedy traveled extensively in Africa, South America and Asia doing environmental advocacy work and "in one of those locations contracted a parasite."

"The issue was resolved more than 10 years ago, and he is in robust physical and mental health," she said. "Questioning Mr. Kennedys health is a hilarious suggestion, given his competition."

Kennedy, who is running to represent the American Independent Party, has been criticized for his extreme views and disinformation about vaccines.

In a podcast in 2021, Kennedy advised parents to "resist" the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions guidelines on vaccinating children. For years he has spread falsehoods about the effectiveness of vaccines and during a speech in 2022 said COVID-19 restrictions were something a totalitarian state would do, likening them to conditions in Nazi Germany.

Times staff writer Faith E. Pinho 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.
RFK Jr says a worm ate part of his brain and then died inside his head

Anti-vaccine activist turned independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr has revealed that a worm ate part of his brain and then died inside his head.

According to The New York Times, Mr Kennedy made the bizarre admission during a deposition held as part of his 2012 divorce proceeding.

He reportedly said hed begun to experience cognitive problems and both short and long-term memory loss in 2010, not long after his uncle, the late Massachusetts senator Edward Kennedy, died from the effects of brain cancer.

The Times said the record of his 2012 deposition showed Mr Kennedy had initially feared he, too, had a brain tumour.

But he received a second opinion from a doctor in New York who told him the cause of his problems  and a dark spot on his brain scans  was a dead parasite.

Mr Kennedy testified that the doctor had told him that the dark spot on the scans was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks about environmental challenges during the Earth X conference in April 2024 (EPA)

He also said in his 2012 deposition that he has suffered from mercury poisoning that has caused neurological issues.

I have cognitive problems, clearly, he said at the time. I have short-term memory loss, and I have longer-term memory loss that affects me.

RFK Jr, the son of late New York senator and attorney general Robert F Kennedy, told the Times in an interview that the poisoning was caused by eating too much fish.

I loved tuna fish sandwiches. I ate them all the time, he said.

The admission raises questions about RFK Jrs health at a time when the 70-year-old environmental lawyer and long-shot presidential hopeful has used his relative youth compared to his major-party rivals, President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump, to argue that he is healthier and fitter than both to run the country.

But the anti-vaccine activist and conspiracy theorist has had other health problems, including a history of drug addiction, which he has openly discussed in the past.
YANGON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar police have seized 1.5 million stimulant tablets in eastern Myanmar's Shan State, according to a statement by the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) late Tuesday.

In an operation based on a tip-off on May 3, police stopped and searched a light truck in the state's Nawnghkio township and discovered the drugs, according to the statement.

Police arrested the driver who had tried to escape, but the truck crashed into a ravine near the Nawnghkio-Yatsauk road.

The seized drugs has a street value of about 750 million kyats (360,000 U.S. dollars), said the statement.

Initial investigation has found the drugs were being transported from Shan State to Mandalay Region. 
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says doctors once told him a suspected brain tumor was actually a dead worm.

In a 2012 deposition reported on by The New York Times Wednesday, Kennedy explained how he sought medical care after suffering memory loss and mental fogginess in 2010. The independent presidential candidate was scheduled for a medical procedure after a brain scan revealed a dark spot showing up.

However, prior to the procedure, Kennedy said a doctor from a NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital called and told him that he believed the dark spot was something else  a dead parasite inside Kennedys head.

Kennedy said in the deposition, which was given as part of divorce proceedings, that he was told the spot on the scan was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.

The wannabe U.S. president with one of the most famous last names in America could split the vote on the November ballot, but its unclear whether he would take more votes from President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Democratic and Republican presidential nominees.

Kennedy, the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, has earned a reputation for controversial views on a variety of subjects. The 70-year-old environmental lawyer is one of the most influential spreaders of conspiracy theories and anti-vaccine misinformation, something that has prompted fierce criticism even from his own family.

According to The Times report, Kennedy said in a previous interview with the outlet that he has recovered from the memory loss and fogginess and did not require treatment.

In the past, Kennedy has been hospitalized for a condition known as atrial fibrillation, a heartbeat abnormality that increases the risk of stroke or heart failure that can occur in otherwise healthy adults. He said he now believes the condition has disappeared.

His campaign spokeswoman, Stefanie Spear, dismissed the idea that his health issues would have an effect on his fitness on the campaign trail.

That is a hilarious suggestion, given the competition, Spear told The Times.

Related...
RFK Jr. wants to debate Biden, Trump. But just how rare is a 3-way presidential debate?

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he should be included in this years presidential debates with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump  a three-way matchup that would be nearly unprecedented in debate history.

Three debates are scheduled to take place before the November election, the first of which is set for Sept. 16, according to the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), the nonprofit that organizes them.

Biden and Trump have not yet formally committed to them, but both men have signaled their willingness to debate each other in recent weeks.

More politics news

 Trump is now selling Bibles  but hes not the first president with holy books for sale

 Biden isnt alone with his age concerns. Heres how past presidents dealt with aging

Kennedy, an environmental attorney who formally ran for the Democratic primary nomination, told Fox News on May 1, I should have a spot in those debates.

Hes also singled out Trump in particular, challenging him to a head-to-head discussion at the Libertarian party convention in late May.

But, history is not on Kennedys side.

Since the first televised presidential debate in 1960, only one set of election year debates has featured a third-party candidate alongside the two major party nominees.

And since then, the requirements to get on stage have become stricter, according to historians.

The first and only three-way debates

The first and only three-way presidential debates to be hosted were held in the lead-up to the 1992 election, Lindsay Chervinsky, a presidential historian at the Southern Methodist University, told McClatchy News in an email.

Independent candidate Ross Perot joined Republican President George H.W. Bush and Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, the Democratic nominee, for three debates hosted by the CPD.

Perot was invited to take part because his high polling numbers made it impossible to exclude him, Michael Kazin, a presidential historian at Georgetown University, told McClatchy News in an email.

In June 1992, 52% of voters held a favorable view of Perot, a business magnate, according to Gallup.

During the first debate, held on Oct. 11, Perots folksy populism struck a positive chord in polls, but his performance did not significantly shift voters preferences, according to The New York Times.

Ultimately, Perot lost the general election to Clinton, garnering 19% of the popular vote but no electoral college votes.

After Perot qualified for the CPDs 1992 debates, the commission altered its criteria required to participate, Chervinsky said.

After the CPD received so much criticism for allowing Perot to participate, the commission raised the threshold of national support a candidate needs to 15% in 2000, Chervinsky said.

While Perot ran again in 1996, he did not meet the criteria to qualify for the debates, Thomas Balcerski, a presidential historian at Eastern Connecticut State University, told McClatchy News in an email.

Perhaps it is a good comparison to RFK Jr. who similarly has been excluded from prime time, Balcerski said.

Perot sued the CPD in September 1996, seeking to force his way onto the debate stage and claiming his exclusion was unconstitutional and that it only served to prop up the two-party system, according to The New York Times. The commission said he was excluded because he did not have a realistic chance of winning the election, according to the outlet.

However, a federal court dismissed the case in October 1996, saying Perot lacked jurisdiction, according to CNN.

Todays debate requirements

Today, the CPD has three requirements that candidates must meet to qualify for the debates.

Firstly, they must be allowed to hold presidential office under the Constitution.

They must also appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to have a mathematical chance of winning a majority vote in the Electoral College; (and) have a level of support of at least 15 percent of the national electorate, as determined by five national public opinion polling organizations.

The 15% threshold has been criticized by some in recent years for being to restrictive, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, who, in 2016, said it was probably too high, according to Politico.

Whether Kennedy meets all of the qualifications is not clear.

He told CNN in April that he would have no problem getting on the ballot in every state. So far, hes qualified for ballot access in five states: California, Delaware, Hawaii, Utah and Michigan, the outlet reported.

He has also reached double-digit support in polls placing him in a three-way matchup with Biden and Trump. In an April Harvard Center for American Political Studies-Harris poll, Kennedy garnered 12% support against Trumps 44% and Bidens 38%.

Mr. Kennedy will definitely be on the debate stage, Stefanie Spear, his press secretary, told the New York Post in November. Americans deserve transparency and a chance to see their candidates share their vision for the country.

Should Biden and Trump debate? Political strategists weigh in on risks for candidates

What are Trump and Bidens biggest weaknesses? Poll reveals what Americans think

Trump is held in contempt of court  a punishment only one other president faced
A new study revealed that rising child mortality rates in the United States are affecting Native American and Black youth the most.

According to a study from the Virginia Commonwealth University and Childrens Hospital of Richmond published on May 4, mortality rates increased by 22.3% for Native American youth and 35.7% for Balck youth from 2014-2020. Mortality rates for white youth increased by 4.7% during that time.

Researchers reviewed more than 20 years of death certificate data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for individuals ages 1-19. According to the data, disparities in child mortality rates between racial and ethnic groups were gradually closing until 2013. Now, those disparities have widened, something the study attributes to an increase in injury-related fatalities, such as homicide, drug overdoses and car accidents. Between 2013 and 2020, the risk of death from gun violence rose by 124% for Native youth.

Our earlier research on pediatric mortality revealed a great tragedy in that injury-related deaths are reversing the progress weve made in pediatric care. This latest study uncovers another layer of tragedy in that injury-related deaths are also reversing our progress in closing racial disparities in mortality, added Steven Woolf, M.D., director emeritus of the VCU Center on Society and Health and a professor in the VCU School of Medicines Department of Family Medicine told VCU News.

Researchers stated that the most effective means of reversing the disturbing trends in youth mortality is through public health policy, including increasing access to behavioral health services to address the current mental health crisis affecting adolescents.

While youth suicide rates in the United States have increased across the board by a staggering 62% from 2007-2021, Native youth bear the highest rates of suicide of all groups. Last month, theSpirit Lake Tribe in North Dakota and the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit against major social media companies for over youth suicides. The complaint puts forth widespread social media addiction among Native American teenagers is contributing to suicide rates.

There are many clear policy recommendations on how to save the lives of our children, Woolf told VCU News. We just need to act on it.

About the Author: "Elyse Wild is senior editor for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. "

Contact: ewild@indiancountrymedia.com
A robbery suspect was critically injured in a shooting involving DeKalb County police on Wednesday morning.

At around 9:30 a.m., officers were driving around 2900 Evans Mill Road when they saw a robbery suspect identified as 28-year-old Delano Gaynor of Lithonia.

As deputies attempted to arrest Gaynor, he took out a gun and pointed it toward detectives, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.

The detectives then shot Gaynor, causing him to run away and surrender near the entrance of a shopping center.

Channel 2s Michael Seiden was at the scene learning more for Channel 2 Action News.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

At some point, bullets started flying and the suspect was injured. Its unclear who started shooting.

Gaynor is stable, according to the GBI.

No officers were injured.

TRENDING STORIES:

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign is responding following a report from the New York Times saying that years ago doctors found a dead worm in his brain.

The Times reported Wednesday that doctors noticed a dark spot in brain scans for Kennedy after he experienced memory loss in 2010 and concluded he had a brain tumor, according to a 2012 deposition. He received a call from another doctor who believed that it was not a tumor, and was instead a dead parasite.

The doctor believed the abnormality was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died, Kennedy said in the deposition, per the New York Times.

'Loyal friend': Kevin Spacey endorses Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in presidential election

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at a press conference in Brooklyn, New York, on May 1, 2024. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 2150468216

Kennedy told the Times he was also diagnosed with mercury poisoning likely from ingesting too much fish containing the heavy metal at the same time he learned about the parasite. Among other symptoms, mercury poisoning can cause irritability, indecision, headache, weakness or exhaustion and weight loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In a statement to USA TODAY, Kennedy's campaign team seemed to confirm a previous issue with a parasite, but said the issue has been resolved.

"Mr. Kennedy traveled extensively in Africa, South America, and Asia in his work as an environmental advocate, and in one of those locations contracted a parasite," his press team said in an email. "The issue was resolved more than 10 years ago, and he is in robust physical and mental health."

The press team added: "Questioning Mr. Kennedys health is a hilarious suggestion, given his competition."

Kennedy, 70, is running as an independent in the 2024 presidential election and his name will appear on the ballot in Michigan, Utah, Hawaii and, his campaign says, in Delaware and California. Voters in those states will have the option to vote for Kennedy, Republican nominee and former president Donald Trump, 77, and Democratic nominee and current president Joe Biden, 81.

Kennedy is the son of Robert F. Kennedy, a former U.S. Senator who was assassinated during his presidential campaign in 1968, and the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy. Beyond his famous family, Kennedy has made a name for himself as an environmental attorney, activist and writer, and notably, spreading anti-vaccine rhetoric and COVID-19 misinformation.

Members of the Kennedy family have rejected his campaign, formally endorsing President Joe Biden in April at a campaign rally in Philadelphia.

Contributing: Natalie Alund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK Jr.'s campaign responds to brain worm report from New York Times
Thousands of Rohingya refugees protest for better living conditions on the sixth anniversary of their flight and expulsion from neighboring Myanmar. Rohingya refugees living in squalid camps in Bangladesh are in dire need of safer and more secure shelters, a senior United Nations official said on 08 May in Dhaka. Nazrul Islam/dpa

Rohingya refugees living in squalid camps in Bangladesh are in dire need of safer and more secure shelters, a senior United Nations official said on Wednesday in Dhaka.

"People are living in shelters where they cant properly lock their doors," said Amy Pope, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). "This is very fundamental issue."

Pope, who arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on a five-day trip to Bangladesh, visited the sprawling refugee camps in the south-eastern district of Coxs Bazar to get first-hand accounts of the plight of the Rohingya Muslims, who fled brutal persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.

"We heard from women and girls who are fearful at night that they would be sexually assaulted. We heard from families who are concerned about the safety of their children," Pope said.

She said she listened to many women and girls, and she found security was one of the significant challenges that they are facing.

The refugees have few resources to protect them from the gangs involved in abductions and other criminal activities, added Pope, who also had meetings with senior officials including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud.

Bangladesh has been hosting over 1 million Rohingya Muslims after they were driven out of Myanmar. Some 750,000 of them crossed the border after Myanmar launched a military crackdown on the ethnic minority group in August 2017.

Women constitute 52% of the Rohingya population in Bangladeshi camps, according to a UN estimate.

Police says crimes like murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, human trafficking and narcotics trade have soared in recent years as a result of emergence of armed gangs in the camps.
It is not yet clear whether the alternative protein products known variously as "lab-grown," "cell-cultivated," or "cultured" meat will deliver the environmental benefits touted by their boosters or when they will be appealing and cheap enough to be competitive with conventional poultry, beef, and pork. But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis already has made up his mind, deeming these products so repellent that selling them should be a crime.

When he signed the nation's first ban on cultivated meat last week, DeSantis said he was "fighting back against the global elite's plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals." That bizarre, Orwellian spin, which portrays legal restrictions on consumer choice as a blow against authoritarianism, illustrates how right-wing virtue signalingin this case reinforced by protectionismcompromises conservative principles by turning even activities as mundane as a trip to the supermarket into a political issue.

The technology that revolts the governor, first developed in 2013, uses cell samples to grow meat in bioreactors, obviating the need to raise and slaughter animals. Worldwide, more than 150 companies are working on such products, but they have been approved for sale only in Singapore and the United States, where their distribution so far has been limited to chicken sold by restaurants in San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

DeSantis nevertheless claims to think the threat posed by this nascent industry is grave enough to justify its criminalization. His reference to mandatory bug eating, bewildering on its face, goes to the meat of his complaint.

As DeSantis tells it, a "global elite" is conspiring to stop people from eating good, old-fashioned meat based on dubious environmental concerns, leaving consumers with icky alternatives that include insects as well as "fake meat." As evidence of that conspiracy, DeSantis cites a 2021 World Economic Forum article describing insects as "a credible and efficient alternative protein source," which he says reflects "the World Economic Forum's goal of forcing the world to eat lab-grown meat and insects."

The article says nothing about "forcing" anyone to do anything, and the World Economic Forum, as a private organization, has no power to do so. But for DeSantis, the association between progressive Davos jet-setters and alternative protein is enough to justify the prohibition of federally approved food products.

Although the Yale-educated, Harvard-trained lawyer's populist pose is hard to take seriously, he evidently thinks it will appeal to Republican voters gullible enough to accept his equation of coercion with freedom. DeSantis is also playing to entrenched economic interests, as reflected in his promise to protect "100% real Florida beef" produced by "local farmers and ranchers."

One of those ranchers is Dean Black, a Republican state legislator who represents a district north of Jacksonville. "Cultured meat is made by man," Black explained in defense of Florida's ban. "Real meat is made by God Himself."

Black conceded that "our astronauts may need" what he called "Frankenstein meat" one day, and "if you go to the moon, if you go to Mars, you should be allowed to get it there." But he added that "you sure as heck shouldn't be able to get it anywhere in this country," and "you won't hear a cattleman like me advocating for it."

The governor's reasoning is essentially the same as Black's: Because I do not like these products, no one should be allowed to buy them. That attitude is hard to square with DeSantis' description of Florida as "an oasis of freedom" with a "business-friendly environment."

Speaking against the cultivated-meat ban, Rep. Anna Eskamani (DOrlando) defended "the free market," "personal choices," and "competition"; decried "protectionism" and "corporate capture"; and praised "disruptors" who drive innovation. "We should refrain from controlling markets and choosing winners and losers," she declared.

These are supposed to be Republican issues. But Republicans like DeSantis have lost sight of them, blinded by a culture war that politicizes everything.

 Copyright 2024 by Creators Syndicate Inc.

The post Ron DeSantis Says Letting People Buy Cultivated Meat Is Like Forcing Them To Eat Bugs appeared first on Reason.com.
The previously unidentified former roommate at the King Road house in Moscow where four University of Idaho students were killed in late 2022 has publicly come forward in her efforts to contribute to the lasting legacy of her friends.

Ashlin Couch, a winter 2021 U of I graduate and sorority sister to two of the stabbing victims, said she chose to speak out for the first time to honor the lives lost, and bring awareness to college students about being safe on social media platforms.

Couchs mother, Angela Navejas, gave an interview earlier this year to the Coeur dAlene/Post Falls Press. But she did not disclose at that time that her daughter had been a prior roommate in the off-campus house on King Road.

Couch said in a new TV interview that it could have just as easily been her who was among those killed at the Moscow house in November 2022.

It crosses my mind more that that could have happened while I was there, and, you know, you never know how long someone is watching your house, Couch said in her interview with KXLY-TV in Spokane.

The four victims were U of I seniors Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21, junior Xana Kernodle and freshman Ethan Chapin, both 20. The three women lived in the house with two other roommates who went physically unharmed in the attack, and Chapin was staying over for the night with Kernodle, who was his girlfriend.

From left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were killed in a November 2022 attack at an off-campus house on King Road near the University of Idaho.

Bryan Kohberger, 29, an eastern Pennsylvania man who at the time was a graduate student at Washington State University in nearby Pullman, Washington, is accused of killing the four students. He was arrested almost seven weeks after the North Idaho homicides, and awaits trial on four counts of first-degree murder.

Kohberger moved to Pullman to attend a doctoral program in criminal justice and criminology in June 2022, according to a court filing from his appointed public defender. From the time Kohberger arrived in Pullman to the day of the homicides, police allege in a probable cause affidavit that he made at least 14 visits to the cell tower coverage area for the King Road house  including twice on the day of the students deaths.

Couch was the sixth person still on the lease at the King Road house. But she moved out in May 2022 and Kernodle took over her spot, she told the TV station. Couch was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority with Mogen and Kernodle, and the other two housemates. Goncalves was a member of the campuss Alpha Phi sorority.

Four University of Idaho students were killed at a three-story house on King Road in Moscow in November 2022. One of the victims former roommates has publicly come forward.

Its such an exciting time in your life, because youre moving out and youre actually in just a home by yourself, she said in the interview.  We were all so close.

It is unclear which room in the six-bedroom, three-bathroom house Couch occupied while she lived there starting in 2020. Attempts by the Idaho Statesman to reach Couch and Navejas on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

The U of I, which took ownership of the King Road property in February 2023, demolished the house in late December.

Text to Mogen: Are you OK?

On Nov. 13, 2022, the day of the homicides, Couch told the Spokane TV station that she recalled receiving an alert on her cellphone about the incident and reached out to check on Mogen.

I had been driving home and I texted our group of friends, and I just said, Has anyone heard from Maddie?  Couch said as emotion built on her face. I remember my last text message to her was like, Are you OK? and I feel like right then and there I kind of just knew that something was wrong.

Police arrived to the King Road house around noon that day and found the four students dead with multiple wounds from an edged weapon. A leather sheath for a combat-style knife was located next to Mogens body, the affidavit read.

Couch said she struggled after learning of her friends sudden deaths. She now lives and works in Southern California, according to her LinkedIn profile.

I mean, I couldnt even walk to my car in the dark for months after it happened, Couch told the TV station.

Now, Couch and her mother have founded a nonprofit, the Made With Kindness Foundation, to raise money for outreach and a national scholarship fund. Couch said she wants to ensure her former roommates are remembered in a positive light, rather than the way in which their lives were taken.

I want to do more, she said. I want to spread some kind of message and start something, help people, just do something more with this life that we are grateful to still be living.

As part of that effort, theyll host the Make It Pink Gala in honor of Mogen and Goncalves on June 15 at The Club at Prairie Falls in Post Falls. Admission to the dinner and silent auction range in price from $100 for a single ticket to $5,000 for a title sponsorship.

More than 17 months after their deaths, Couch still mourns the loss of her close friends. She told the TV station she would have hoped for a chance to see them a final time.

Thats one thing that I just wish I could do one more time, Couch said, is just give her one last hug to be able to say goodbye.

Kohberger is scheduled to appear in court again next week for two pretrial hearings. A date has not been set for his capital murder trial.

The off-campus home on King Road where four University of Idaho students were killed in November 2022 was demolished early Thursday morning, Dec. 28, 2023.
Rotary Club of Hagerstown salutes Community Free Clinic for decades of helping those without health insurance

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now)  The Rotary Club of Hagerstown took time on Wednesday to honor the Community Free Clinic, a nonprofit that helps provide medical care to anyone in Washington County, Md. without health insurance.

The clinic is celebrating 35 years of finding a doctor, physicians assistant or nurse for those who cannot afford to see a professional for a consultation or treatment. The clinics services also include mental health care.

DC Water issues boil water advisory for parts of Northwest

It could be a transitioning from college until they get a job, said Lisa Goetz with the clinic. It could be transitioning jobs. It could be somebody working two part-time jobs and theyre not offered insurance. It could be a homeless person. But there are over 10,000 in this situation here in Washington County.

The clinic is supported by two dozen medical specialists who volunteer their time to meet with and treat patients.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
BELGRADE, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia.

"China and Serbia enjoy profound traditional friendship. Our bilateral relationship has stood the test of changing international environment and become a fine example of state-to-state relations," Xi said in a written statement upon arrival,

Xi said he looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to have in-depth exchange of views with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on bilateral relationship and other issues of mutual interest, renew friendship, plan for cooperation, explore development, and draw up a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations.

"I am confident that this visit will be a fruitful one and will open up a new chapter in China-Serbia relations," he said.

Xi's visit to Serbia marks his second visit to the country in eight years, which is a milestone to upgrade and improve bilateral relations.

"It gives me great pleasure to pay a state visit to the Republic of Serbia at the warm invitation of President Vucic," Xi said.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to extend heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the friendly government and people of Serbia," he added.

He said that since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, the bilateral relationship has realized leapfrog development, and achieved historic results.

The two countries are bound by rock-solid political mutual trust, and have seen fruitful results in high quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Chinese president said, adding that "our ironclad friendship has taken deeper roots in the heart of the two peoples."

China and Serbia have rendered each other firm support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

"We have jointly upheld international fairness and justice, and contributed our share to promoting world peace and development," he added.

Cooperation between the two countries is rooted in the principle of equality and mutual benefits, said Xi.

"Standing at a new historical starting point, China will work with Serbia to jointly stay committed to the original aspiration and forge ahead together to open up a new vista in China-Serbia cooperation with stronger momentum, greater scope, and higher quality," he said. 
A demonstration of a radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tag. (Courtesy of USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, introduced legislation Wednesday that would prevent the federal government from implementing a rule requiring the use of electronic identification tags on cattle and bison.

South Dakota cattle producers dont need D.C. bureaucrats telling them how to manage and track their livestock, Rounds said in a press release.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the final rule last month and said it will be effective 180 days after publication in the Federal Register. The department said the rule would put in place the technology, tools, and processes to help quickly pinpoint and respond to costly foreign animal diseases.

Rapid traceability in a disease outbreak will not only limit how long farms are quarantined, keep more animals from getting sick, and help ranchers and farmers get back to selling their products more quickly  but will help keep our markets open, said Dr. Michael Watson, administrator of the departments Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

The department said the rule applies to all sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months of age or older, all dairy cattle, cattle and bison of any age used for rodeo or recreation events, and cattle or bison of any age used for shows or exhibitions.

The rule requires official ear tags to be visually and electronically readable for interstate movement of certain cattle and bison. The tags are often described as RFID, for radio frequency identification. Rounds said the rule would also require records to be entered into a tribal, state or federal database, allowing the federal government to access the information.

USDAs proposed RFID mandate is federal government overreach, plain and simple, Rounds said, adding that if farmers and ranchers want to use electronic tags, they can do so voluntarily.

Doris Lauing, executive director of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, said in Rounds press release that the federal mandate would be a violation of constitutional personal property rights and an unnecessary expense.

Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA, said the mandatory ear tags will cost the industry tens of millions of dollars without any means of recovery from the marketplace.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Rounds bill would prevent mandatory electronic tags for cattle and bison appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
A file photo shows a bike path along the Ventura River north of Highway 101 in Ventura in 2019. A man found dead in the area Sunday night has been identified by authorities.

Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County and regional agencies:

Bicyclist struck by hit-and-run driver ID'd

A bicyclist killed in a hit-and-run crash in Oxnard last week was identified Tuesday as 33-year-old Youssef A. Ayad of Oxnard, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office.

Ayad was hit by an SUV shortly after 6 p.m. Friday near Saviers and Pleasant Valley roads, according to the Oxnard Police Department.

Police said he had been riding southbound in the northbound bike lane at the time. As he approached the Speedway Express gas station at the northeast corner of the intersection, the unknown driver was leaving the station and made a right turn onto Saviers, officials said.

The driver, in a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, reportedly fled after hitting Ayad, according to police.

Police officials said Tuesday the driver had not been apprehended and the case remained under active investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at 805-200-5668 or alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.

Authorities name man found dead on bike trail

The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the man whose body was found on a Ventura bike trail Sunday evening.

Steven C. Carr was 40, the agency said Tuesday. He was described as transient. The cause and manner of death remain pending.

Carr was found on the bike path near southbound Highways 33 and 101 in Ventura, according to the California Highway Patrol. A friend had initially contacted Ventura police and the CHP received the call shortly after 6 p.m.

The death was not considered suspicious and Carr did not appear to have been hit by anything, authorities said. A homeless encampment sits not far from where Carr was found, but CHP officials didn't immediately know whether Carr had been staying there.

Ventura man indicted in federal case

A Ventura man has been indicted in a federal case for alleged possession of ammunition by a felon, the FBI announced Monday.

The 30-year-old, Cody James Sutton, was charged by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles on April 30.

Sutton had previously pleaded guilty in Ventura County Superior Court in June last year in a felony hit-and-run case that caused injury. In that case, the Ventura Police Department had arrested him for a June 2022 incident, court records show.

During a probation search on March 21, Ventura police reportedly found Sutton with 25 rounds of ammunition, including rounds in a loaded gun, the FBI said in a news release.

Ventura Police Cmdr. Mike Brown said the March 21 search took place around Seaward Avenue and Pierpont Boulevard. One of the department's detectives is part of a team that works with county probation officers doing post-release probation searches when they came across Sutton, Brown said. The detective arrested Sutton that afternoon and he was booked into county jail.

The Ventura County District Attorney's Office initially charged Sutton with five felonies involving firearms and ammunition on March 25, said Joey Buttitta, spokesperson for the DA's office. The case by local prosecutors was dismissed Friday after the federal indictment came down, Buttitta said in an email.

"The dismissal was approved by our office after confirmation of the indictment," he wrote.

The U.S. District Attorney's indictment described possession of the ammunition as "in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce." The connection to interstate commerce provides the basis for federal jurisdiction in the case, according to the charging document.

The ammunition was reportedly Remington 9mm Luger caliber. Fifteen rounds were said to be in a black handgun lacking a serial number, a so-called "ghost gun," federal prosecutors allege. The other rounds were in a box of ammunition found during the probation search.

In the FBI's news release, Sutton is described as being affiliated with the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, although the purported connection is not mentioned in the federal indictment.

Laura Eimiller, a spokesperson for the FBI, said Sutton is reputedly a member of the group "based on our investigation."

Sutton appeared Friday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. He was released on $15,000 bond and ordered to home confinement, authorities said. A pretrial conference was scheduled for June 14, with a potential trial date set for June 25. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.

The case is being investigated by the Ventura County Violent Crime Task Force. The task force includes the FBI, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, the Ventura Police Department and the Oxnard Police Department. The effort is meant to target local violent crime and gun-related violence as part of the FBIs Safe Streets Initiative and the U.S. Attorney's Operation Safe Cities.

Items may be updated.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Bike rider killed in Oxnard hit-and-run ID'd, more news
Carmen Rice appears to have defeated Sean Knox in the runoff for the special election to replace Richard Smith in the Georgia House and represent the Columbus areas District 139.

With all 10 of the districts precincts reporting their results Tuesday night, Rice received 1,095 votes (55.61%), and Knox received 874 votes (43.39 %), according to the Georgia Secretary of States website.

Smith was a Republican and a key leader for the Columbus area in the state legislature, serving in the Georgia House since 2005 and as chairman of the House Rules Committee since 2020. So when he died from the flu Jan. 30 at age 78, a big void was left in the local delegation.

Knox, a Republican, is president of Knox Pest Control in Columbus. Rice (unrelated to this reporter), a Republican, is a human resources professional in Columbus and the first female Muscogee County GOP chair.

Sean Knox

Carmen Rice

I am honored and humbled tonight with this decisive victory and thank each of you for your support and vote of confidence, Rice told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email. Following the lead and example of Rep. Richard Smith is a tremendous honor, and completing his term representing the every day people of District 139 with integrity, transparency, and accountability is my goal. THANK YOU!

Knox told the L-E, Were disappointed we werent victorious tonight, especially after having more votes in the first round. We were hopeful we that wed be able to continue that. But I congratulate Carmen. She obviously worked real hard as well.

District 139 covers parts of Muscogee and Harris counties, comprising these voting precincts: Britt David, Chattahoochee, Epworth, Moon, St. Andrew, St. Paul and St. Peter in Muscogee County; and Cataula, Ellerslie and Waverly Hall in Harris County.

The runoff was necessary because none of the four candidates in the April 9 special election received a majority of the votes. The other two candidates were Robert Mallard, an independent, who is co-founder and beekeeper with the Foundation Honey Company in Columbus, and Donald Moeller, a Republican, who is a oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Columbus.

The final results of the April 9 election were:

Knox 42.55% (1,045)

Rice 42.10% (1,034)

Mallard 9.65% (237)

Moeller 5.70% (140).

The county-by-county results of the April 9 election also were close. Knox edged Rice in Muscogee County 734-714, while Rice edged Knox in Harris Couty 320-311.

This time, Rice flipped the Muscogee County results to 841-644 in her favor and increased her margin in Harris County to 316-274. Carmen explained what she thinks was the winning difference in the campaign:

My heart to represent the voters of district 139 lead me to prioritize meeting them and listening to their concerns while also sharing specifically with them my platform, she said. It was a lengthy process with this special election, and I made personal communication a priority to share the process on how important District 139 representation truly is.

There were 381 fewer votes cast in the runoff compared to the April 9 election. Muscogee Countys voter turnout decreased by 235, and Harris Countys turnout decreased by 146.

Because this is a special election to fill a vacated seat, no primary election preceded it. So any district resident could have qualified for the ballot, regardless of party affiliation, but no Democrat qualified to run in the special election for this seat, which is in a predominantly Republican area.

The winner of Tuesdays runoff immediately becomes the Georgia House District 139 representative and fills the remaining portion of Smiths two-year term, which expires at the end of this year.

Knox, Moeller and Rice also qualified as Republicans for the May 21 primary for the District 139 seat. The winner of that race will compete in the Nov. 5 general election for the full two-year term against Mallard, who is an independent and doesnt need to run in the primary, and Carl Sprayberry, a Columbus chef, who is the only Democrat to qualify to campaign for this seat in the regular election.
Russia attacked three thermal power plants (TPPs) owned by the DTEK company on the night of 7-8 May, causing serious damage.

Source: DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine

Quote: "Another extremely tough night for Ukrainian energy. The enemy attacked three thermal power plants. Equipment was seriously damaged. Power engineers are dealing with the aftermath of the attack."

Details: DTEK noted that this is already the fifth large-scale attack on the company's energy facilities in the last month and a half.

The Russians hit DTEK TPPs during large-scale attacks on 22 and 29 March as well as 11 and 27 April.

"Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, DTEK thermal power plants have been attacked approximately 180 times. During this time, 51 workers were injured at the stations and three power engineers were killed," DTEK reported.

Background:

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 7-8 May. An air-raid warning was issued in all Ukrainian oblasts.

No hits or casualties were recorded in the city of Kyiv. Air defence systems destroyed all aerial targets in the vicinity of the capital.

The Russians attacked power generation and transmission facilities in six of Ukraines oblasts. The oblasts of Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia came under Russian fire.

A fire broke out at a civilian infrastructure facility in the city of Brovary in Kyiv Oblast, while hits were recorded in Vinnytsia Oblast due to the Russian missile attack.

Russian forces damaged a critical infrastructure facility, 13 residential buildings and dozens of garages in Kirovohrad Oblast during a missile attack, injuring a child. Strikes were also recorded in Poltava Oblast.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russia has circumvented sanctions and since 2022 has purchased almost US$500 million worth of components for aircraft, including military ones, from abroad.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW); The Moscow Times

Details: Yakovlev (formerly Irkut), a Russian manufacturer of military and civilian aircraft and a subsidiary of the Russian state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec, has been successfully circumventing international sanctions and purchasing military equipment from abroad since 2022.

The Moscow Times reported that Yakovlev, which produces Su-30 fighter jets and Yak-130 trainer aircraft, has purchased nearly US$500 million worth of military equipment from abroad since 2022.

In particular, Russia sent Yak-130 aircraft to Iran in September 2023.

The Moscow Times reported that Yakovlev mainly purchased components for radar equipment and programmable controllers for military aircraft.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 7 May:

Russian leader Vladimir Putin began his fifth term as Russian President on 7 May and stressed Russia's need for unchallenged autocratic rule while indirectly calling for victory in Ukraine.

Russian ultranationalists lauded the start of Putin's fifth term as a historic event and explicitly approved of the autocratic tradition in which Putin is casting himself, with one of them hailing him as "imperator", the formal title of the Russian tsars since the time of Peter the Great. Russian ultranationalists also expressed hope that Putin will continue to deepen an anti-Western ideology that the Kremlin has been heavily developing since the start of the full-scale invasion.

The current Russian Cabinet of Ministers and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin formally resigned on 7 May as constitutionally mandated, and the ministers who return to service and the ones whom Putin replaces will indicate who has Putin's favour and signal his political priorities for his fifth term.

Belarus has announced a surprise nuclear readiness inspection likely as part of the Kremlin's re-intensified reflexive control campaign targeting Western decision-making.

Ukraine's Security Service (SSU) reported on 7 May that it exposed a network of Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) operatives who were planning to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other high-ranking Ukrainian intelligence and military officials.

The Russian Prosecutor General's Office declared US non-governmental organisation (NGO) Freedom House an "undesirable organisation" on 7 May, likely as part of an ongoing effort to consolidate control over the domestic information space and further deprive Russians of access to civil society organisations and independent assessments of Russian civil and political rights.

Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Avdiivka, Donetsk City, and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Russian occupation officials continue efforts to forcibly recruit Ukrainian civilians into the Russian military in occupied Kherson Oblast.

The Kremlin is working with occupation administrators to strengthen Russia's control over the child welfare system in occupied Ukraine.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russia is covering armored vehicles with elaborate anti-drone 'cope cages.' Video shows them getting hit anyway.

A still taken from video posted by Ukraine's 8th battalion of the 10th mountain assault brigade showing three damaged armored vehicles. Armed Forces of Ukraine/Facebook

Footage shared by a Ukrainian battalion appears to show exploding drones striking Russian 'cope cages.'

Both Russia and Ukraine have used the cages as makeshift missile defenses on vehicles.

However, experts have told BI that the primary benefit of the cages is psychological.

Video released by a Ukrainian battalion appears to show drones getting through increasingly complex "cope cages" installed on Russian armored fighting vehicles, to devastating effect.

In a video posted on Monday by the 8th Separate Mountain Assault Battalion  part of the famed "Edelweiss" brigade  heavily protected Russian vehicles are seen to be targeted and, it appears, destroyed by Ukrainian drones.

In the video, a drone approaches a Russian armored fighting vehicle topped with a tangled cage-like structure.

Video still taken from an FPV drone as it approaches an armored vehicle covered with a 'cope cage,' in footage posted by the 8th battalion of the 10th mountain assault brigade "Edelweiss" on May 6, 2024. Armed Forces of Ukraine/Facebook

The drone hovers for a beat, before backing up to make what appears to be its suicidal  and devastating  last approach.

A similar scene plays out for a second time in the video, on a different vehicle, before a zoomed-out view reveals three smoking wrecks.

The battalion did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for more information, but the vehicles were stationary, suggesting they may have already been hit.

Russia and Ukraine have both been documented using what are somewhat sarcastically known as "cope cages"  makeshift frames or screens aimed at limiting the impact of missiles.

A FPV drone hovers near a Russian vehicle with a 'cope cage' before apparently destroying it in this video posted by Ukraine's 8th battalion of the 10th mountain assault brigade "Edelweiss" Armed Forces of Ukraine/Facebook

Versions of the defensive apparatus have also shown up in Israel's military following the October 7 Hamas terror attacks, Popular Mechanics reported.

As well as the complex, heavy structures seen in the latest video posted by Ukraine's military, other 'cope cages' have taken the form of box-like screen cages, seemingly aimed at stopping drones.

However, early versions were largely useless against the Javelins and NLAW anti-tank missiles that proved so decisive early in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, experts told BI's Alia Shoaib.

RAND historian and former tank commander Gian Gentile told BI's Jake Epstein last year that cages might offer more protection against some loitering munitions, like drones.

But as the recent video appears to demonstrate, this is by no means a given.

And any protection they offer is largely psychological, Gentile said. "It is a psychological thing that soldiers do in combat when they want to live," he said.

Meanwhile, having to operate a fighting vehicle with a cage is likely a "huge inconvenience," Gentile said, noting that they impede mobility and visibility.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) has warned that Russian secret services are increasingly recruiting Latvian people to carry out destructive operations in the country via the Telegram messenger.

Source: Delfi, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The ministry stated that recruitment attempts can be targeted, in which they approach a specific person with a proposition, and that people can also be found by posting bogus job offers in Telegram groups on various topics.

The secret service urges civilians to be watchful and report any unusual behaviour around key infrastructure.

They also emphasise that citizens should also keep an eye out for suspicious activity near major Latvian landmarks and symbols.

Lithuanias Department of State Security has not ruled out the possibility of Russian provocations in the country on 9 May.

The Financial Times previously wrote that European intelligence agencies have warned their governments that Russia is planning sabotage across the continent.

Support UP or become our patron!
By Azernews

Fatime Letifova

Shusha is one of the important centers of Azerbaijans historical, cultural, social, and political life.

However, as a result of the Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan, Shusha was occupied on May 8, 1992. After occupying Azerbaijans internationally recognized territories, Armenia tried to create a separatist puppet regime on the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, namely the former Nagorno-Karabakh region, including Shusha, and seven adjacent districts.

During this process over 30,000 ethnic Azerbaijanis were killed and one million others were expelled from their hometowns in a brutal ethnic cleansing policy conducted by Armenia.

Before the Armenian occupation, Shusha hosted many museums, secondary and higher education institutions, schools, and libraries. The occupying forces annihilated all these cultural assets. Because Armenia pursued a policy of destroying the historical and cultural heritage of real owners- Azerbaijanis in the city.

This cleansing campaign was part of an overall genocidal strategy destined to sustain the occupiers propagandistic discourse and convey an imagined history that expunges the predominant Azerbaijani presence over its territory.

While these vile actions amount to crimes against humanity, the prevailing double standards in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the international justice system have made recourse to those instruments futile.

Almost 30 years later, after the 44-day Patriotic War the Azerbaijani President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, announced Shushas liberation from Armenian occupation. The center of the city hosted Azerbaijans tricolor flag.

Shushas liberation was the Azerbaijani armys successful operation, which predetermined the outcome of the Patriotic War. On November 7, Azerbaijani special forces made their way through dense forests and ravines, hard-to-reach mountain passes. Azerbaijans brave fighters entered Shusha from several directions, with hand-to-hand fighting ensuing. During the battle, Armenian troops launched a rocket attack on Shusha, firing Iskander missiles targeting the Azerbaijani special forces. Despite Armenias resistance, the valiant Azerbaijani army liberated Shusha on November 8.

After Shusha regained its freedom, restoration, construction, and reconstruction work started in the city. Thus, new schools, mosques, hospitals, several important facilities, and residential buildings, are being built.

During this period, Shusha also hosted plenty of local and international events. To support the revival of the cultural life of the city, music festivals, poetry days, and numerous local and international cultural events have been held.

It is worth noting that 2022 was declared the year of Shusha in Azerbaijan. Over the past four years, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited Shusha many times and observed the repair, restoration, and reconstruction works carried out there.

With the opinion of the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World conference participants, Shusha was declared the capital of the Islamic world for 2024, in Doha, Qatar.

Last month, the lottery was held among the families to be transferred to the city of Shusha at the initial stage. Representatives of the Shusha District Executive Power and the Public Council under the State Committee attended the event.

The families to be relocated to Shusha City will be provided with apartments in multi-apartment buildings. The drawing of lots among the families to be relocated to Shusha City will continue in a phased manner.

The Azerbaijani leadership has proven to be astonishingly adept at handling the intricacies of war and peace.

Nowadays the progress towards the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia is ongoing. It should not be forgotten that the conclusion of the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia guarantees development in many areas.

First of all, if there is no war or conflict in the region, there is no need for the mediation of external forces. This means that Azerbaijan and Armenia will not only recognise each other's borders, but will also start cooperating within the framework of the open door principle.

Secondly, Armenia's signing of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan will contribute to its relations with Turkiye, and the borders will open, which will massively affect Armenia's economic structure. On the other hand, Armenia will also benefit from Azerbaijan's giant oil and gas projects as well as its projects, in green energy.

Thirdly, and most importantly, the development of Armenia in the region will undermine the plans of colonialist countries like France to influence the South Caucasus for evil purposes. Yerevan will no longer have to be a toy for other countries and play into the hands of some Western organisations.

Undoubtedly, the signing of the peace treaty in the region will contribute a lot to Armenia as well as Azerbaijan and will maintain long-term security in the South Caucasus.
China and France should carry forward the baton of history, champion the spirit that guided the establishment of their diplomatic ties and enrich it with the features of the new era, and embark on a new journey for the next 60 years of China-France relations, said Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was on a state visit to France.
Air defence. Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 55 missiles of various types and 21 attack drones on the night of 7-8 May. Ukraines air defence has successfully destroyed 59 Russian aerial targets.

Source: Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force,

Quote: "Russian occupiers launched a combined strike using missiles of various types and attack drones on the night of 7-8 May 2024. In total, the enemy deployed 76 means of air attack, including 55 missiles and 21 drones."

Details: The Russians launched the following targets:

1 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile (launched from Russias Tambov Oblast);

2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles (from occupied Crimea);

4 Kalibr cruise missiles (from the Black Sea);

45 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers (from Russias Saratov Oblast and Caspian Sea);

1 Iskander-K cruise missile (from Crimea);

2 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided missiles (from occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast);

21 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs (from Russias Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Kursk Oblast).

Oleshchuk noted that the air defence forces managed to destroy 33 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles, 4 Kalibr cruise missiles, 2 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided missiles and 20 Shahed drones.

"Air Force fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft missile forces as well as mobile fire groups and electronic warfare units from Ukraines Defence Forces were engaged in repelling the air attack," Oleshchuk summarised.

Background:

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 7-8 May. An air-raid warning was issued in all Ukrainian oblasts.

No hits or casualties were recorded in the city of Kyiv. Air defence systems destroyed all aerial targets in the vicinity of the capital.

The Russians attacked power generation and transmission facilities in six Ukrainian oblasts. The oblasts of Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia came under Russian fire. The Russians hit three thermal power plants owned by DTEK, causing serious damage to their equipment.

A fire broke out at a civilian infrastructure facility in the city of Brovary in Kyiv Oblast, while hits were recorded in Vinnytsia Oblast due to the Russian missile attack.

Russian forces damaged a critical infrastructure facility, 13 residential buildings and dozens of garages in Kirovohrad Oblast during a nighttime missile attack, injuring a child. Strikes were also recorded in Poltava Oblast.

Support UP or become our patron!


Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russian forces launched a large-scale attack against Ukrainian cities overnight on May 8. Russia launched cruise and ballistic missiles, rockets, and Shahed-type drones throughout the night, Ukraine's Air Force reported.

Ukraine's Energy Ministry said that energy infrastructure was attacked in Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia oblasts. The damage is being investigated and already work is ongoing to restore electricity and power generation capacity.

Three thermal power plants were damaged in the recent attacks, according to Ukraine's largest private energy company DTEK. The company did not specify the location of the plants but said that the equipment was damaged "seriously."

The extent of the damage is currently unclear, however, in Poltava Oblast, a Russian drone struck a critical infrastructure facility, causing a fire to break out, regional governor Filip Pronin said on Telegram.

Residents also reported hearing explosions in Kyiv around 5:30 a.m. local time. The Kyiv Oblast Military Administration also reported explosions around Kyiv Oblast, near the capital.

In the city of Brovary in Kyiv Oblast, a fire broke out at a civilian infrastructure site due to falling debris from a Russian missile attack, Mayor Ihor Sapozhko reported. Two people, a woman aged 62 and a man aged 34, were hospitalized as a result of the attack.

Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter

News from Ukraine in your inbox

Subscribe

One residential building, 14 homes, and a car was damaged due to falling debris from downed missiles in Kyiv Oblast. Power outages were also reported in the area.

In Kirovohrad Oblast, Russian forces targeted the Oleksandriiskyi district, hitting energy infrastructure, Governor Andrii Raikovych reported. An 8-year-old child was injured due to the strike. At least 13 houses and nearly 30 garages were damaged.

At around 5 a.m. local time, Russian forces hit an energy infrastructure facility with cruise missiles in the Chervonohrad district in Lviv Oblast, Governor Maksym Kozytskyi reported. Another facility was struck in the Stryi district.

A second Russian attack against Lviv Oblast occurred around 6:30 a.m. local time, according to Kozytskyi. Russia carried out a strike with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile. No Casualties among civilians or damage to infrastructure were reported.

The attacks began around 4:30 a.m. local time with multiple explosions reported in Zaporizhzhia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Poltava oblasts.

Ukrainian air defense were at work across all regions of Ukraine, including in Kyiv and as far west as the city of Lviv.

In response to the Russian attack, Poland's Air Force said it, along with allied forces, scrambled aircraft to protect Polish airspace.

"Tonight, intensive long-range aviation activity of the Russian Federation is observed, related to missile strikes carried out against objects located on Ukrainian territory," Poland's Air Force wrote.

Russian missile and drone attacks have increased in frequency and intensity in recent months. Ukraine suffers a critical shortage of air defense systems due to delays caused by Congress in passing U.S. military aid, giving Russian forces the opportunity to launch renewed assaults on energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia is preparing for an anticipated summer offensive, amid dwindling Ukrainian ammunition and air defense.

President Volodymyr Zelensky previously urged partners to provide further air defenses, saying that failing to do so gives Russia a "global license for terror."

"We need air defense and other defense aid, not turning a blind eye and long discussions," he said on his Telegram channel.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: 2 Ukrainian colonels detained in Russias plot to assassinate Zelensky, SBU says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russia starts developing nuclear power unit for joint lunar station with China, RIA says

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has started developing a nuclear power plant for its planned joint lunar station with China, the RIA news agency cited Yuri Borisov, the head of Russia's space agency Roscosmos, as saying on Wednesday.

In March, Borisov said Moscow was considering the idea of powering the station using nuclear energy.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
By Anastasiia Malenko and Pavel Polityuk

KYIV (Reuters) -Russian missiles and drones struck nearly a dozen Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities on Wednesday, causing serious damage at three Soviet-era thermal power plants and blackouts in multiple regions, officials said.

Ukraine's air force said it shot down 39 of 55 missiles and 20 of 21 attack drones used for the attack, which piles more pressure on the energy system more than two years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

"Another massive attack on our energy industry!" Energy Minister German Galushchenko wrote on the Telegram app.

Two people were injured in the Kyiv region and one was hurt in the Kirovohrad region, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

Galushchenko said power generation and transmission facilities in the Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia regions were targeted.

Some 350 rescuers raced to minimise the damage to energy facilities, 30 homes, public transport vehicles, cars, and a fire station, the interior ministry said.

National power grid operator Ukrenergo said it was forced to introduce electricity cuts in nine regions for consumers and that it would expand them nationwide for businesses during peak evening hours until 11 p.m. (2000 GMT).

Ukrenergo CEO Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, interviewed by the Ukrainska Pravda media outlet, said electricity imports would not make up for power shortages. He said hydropower stations had also been hit, clarifying an earlier company statement omitting hydro stations from the list of affected facilities.

Power cuts for industrial users, he said, were "almost guaranteed" but interruptions for domestic users would depend on how well they reduced consumption.

"Many important power stations were damaged," he said, citing three stations operated by DTEK, Ukraine's biggest private company, as well as two hydropower stations.

"The damage is on quite a large scale. There is a significant loss of generating power, so significant that even imports of power from Europe will not cover the shortage that has been created in the energy system."

Russia's defence ministry said it struck Ukraine's military-industrial complex and energy facilities in retaliation for Kyiv's strikes on Russian energy facilities.

"As a result of the strike, Ukraine's capabilities for the output of military products, as well as the transfer of Western weapons and military equipment to the line of contact, have been significantly reduced," the ministry said.

WORLD WAR TWO ANNIVERSARY

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy noted the attacks were launched on the day Ukraine marks the end of World War Two.

"This is how the Kremlin marks the end of World War Two in Europe, with a massive strike, attempting to disrupt the lives of our people with its Nazism," he said in his nightly video address.

In an earlier online address, Zelenskiy singled out what he said was the West's limited progress in curbing Russian energy revenue and some countries that attended President Vladimir Putin's inauguration for a fifth term in the Kremlin on Tuesday.

Fighting Nazism back then, he said, was "when humanity unites, opposes Hitler, instead of buying his oil and coming to his inauguration".

Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russian refineries this year despite apparent objections by the United States, trying to find a pressure point against the Kremlin whose forces are slowly advancing in the eastern Donbas region.

Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries may have disrupted more than 15% of Russian oil refining capacity, a NATO military alliance official has said.

After pounding the energy system in the first winter of the war, Russia renewed its assault on the grid in March as Ukraine was running low on stocks of Western air defence missiles.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal estimated that more than 800 heating facilities had been damaged and up to 8 GW of power generation lost so far, adding the government needed $1 billion to fund repair work.

DTEK vowed to keep working to restore power at its facilities, and its CEO, Maxim Timchenko, called on Ukraine's allies to provide more air defence systems.

Officials did not name the facilities hit on Wednesday, part of a policy of wartime secrecy that Kyiv says is needed to prevent Russia using the information for further strikes.

But Lviv governor Maksym Kozytskyi said Russia attacked a natural gas storage facility in his region in the west of the country, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

In central Poltava region, energy infrastructure was hit by a drone, Poltava Regional Governor Filip Pronin said.

The governors of Vinnytsia and Zaporizhzhia said critical civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged.

(Additional reporting by Olena Harmash in Kyiv and Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Christina Fincher, Ron Popeski and Bill Berkrot)
Ukrainian energy facilities in six regions were bombarded early Wednesday by a Russian air attack, an hourslong strike that included dozens of missiles and drones, Ukrainian officials said.

Russia launched at least 21 attack drones, including Iranian-made Shahed drones, along with about 55 missiles, Ukrainian military officials said.

Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses downed 20 of the drones and about 39 other projectiles, the Air Force of Ukraine said in a statement.

PHOTO: People take shelter inside a metro station during a Russian military attack, amid Russia's attacks on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 8, 2024. (Alina Smutko/Reuters)

The attack on Wednesday ranked among the widespread assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since March 22, 2024, when Russia launched its largest attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure since the war began.

"On Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II Day, Nazi Putin launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media.

MORE: 2 Ukrainians detained for allegedly plotting Zelenskyy assassination with Russia, Ukraine says

First responders were working to "mitigate the consequences of Russian terror," he said, adding, "The entire world must understand who is who. The world must not give a chance to new Nazism."

Energy facilities were damaged in the Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia regions.

PHOTO: Ukrainian servicemen use a searchlight as they search for drones in the sky over the city during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 8, 2024. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters)

MORE: US secretly sent long-range missiles to Ukraine to use against Russian invaders: Officials

The attack began around midnight, when drones entered Ukrainian airspace, and continued for about seven hours, officials said. Missiles were launched from aircraft at about 4 a.m. Air-raid sirens that had blared around Ukraine had been cancelled by 7 a.m. Wednesday.

According to the state energy operator Ukrenerho, electricity generation facilities were damaged.

Russia had previously targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure on March 22, March 29, April 11 and April 27.

Russia targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure in sweeping assault in 6 regions originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Russia threatens France: will strike its troops if they enter Ukraine

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has told journalists on 8 May that if French President Emmanuel Macron sends troops to Ukraine, the Russians will consider them legitimate targets.

Source: European Pravda, citing Reuters

Details: In February, Macron sparked controversy by stating that he could not rule out the future deployment of foreign ground troops in Ukraine. The French leader warned that if Russia prevailed in Ukraine, trust in Europe would be reduced to zero.

"It is characteristic that Macron himself explains this rhetoric with the desire to create some kind of 'strategic uncertainty' for Russia," Zakharova told reporters.

"If the French appear in the conflict zone, they will inevitably become targets for the Russian armed forces. It seems to me that Paris already has proof of this," she added.

Zakharova said that Russia is already seeing an increase in the number of French citizens among the casualties in Ukraine.

The previous day, Russia summoned the French ambassador in Moscow to condemn Paris's "provocative" policy.

Background:

The Russian Federation's strong reaction was triggered by statements made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently reopened discussions about the possibility of sending foreign troops to Ukraine.

France spoke out against Russias use of diplomatic channels to threaten other countries after the French ambassador was summoned by the Russian Foreign Ministry, saying that Moscow was using "intimidation" tactics.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russia is trying to get access to Ukraine military support data  Polish minister

Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digitalisation of Poland. Photo:

Russia is using cyberattacks to attempt to gain access to information on volumes of military aid, given Poland's key role as an arms supply hub for Ukraine.

Source: Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digitalisation of Poland, in an interview with Ekonomichna Pravda

Details: The number of Russian cyberattacks on Polish infrastructure doubles every year, forcing the Polish government to create a cyber shield.

Polish experts have consistently recorded Russian attempts to hit critical infrastructure, including water supply systems and the healthcare and finance sectors. There are also attacks on government online resources and local authorities.

As Poland is an important hub for arms supplies to Ukraine, Russia is constantly trying to gain access to information on this assistance. The logistics hub in Rzeszow, located near the Ukrainian border, is under special cyber protection.

Background:

A United States court has sentenced a Ukrainian citizen to 13 years and seven months in prison and ordered him to pay more than US$16 million in compensation for his involvement in over 2,500 cyberattacks and extortion of over US$700 million.

The Ukrainian hacker group Blackjack, believed to be affiliated with Ukraine's Security Service, hacked into Moscow-based Internet provider M9com and deleted its data.

In January 2024, the Ukrainian hacker group Kiborg made the data of all Alfa Bank clients in Russia publicly available.

Support UP or become our patron!
BELGRADE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on China and Serbia to carry forward the innovative nature of bilateral relations, open up new prospects for cooperation, and make innovative cooperation a new growth point of bilateral ties.

Xi made the remarks during his talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. 
A deserter from the Russian army who tried to illegally cross the border through a migration channel organised by the Lukashenko regime has been detained in Poland on the border with Belarus.

Source: Polish radio station RMF FM

Details: The Russian soldier was detained by Podlasie border guards shortly after he crossed the Belarusian border.

RMF FM said that the detained Russian soldier is 41 years old. He was wearing civilian clothes and was unarmed, and was trying to enter Poland illegally through Belarus, probably directly from the front line in Ukraine.

Russian military documents were found on the soldier, including a contract with the army, which provides for participation in combat operations against Ukraine.

The Russian tried to use the migration channel organised by the Lukashenko regime, which is used by foreigners mainly from the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, to get to Europe.

The 41-year-old Russian is currently being checked by Polish services.

The Podlasie border guards also confirmed that they had detained the Russian deserter in Poland while he was trying to cross the border.

Background:

The other day, Tomasz Szmydt, a judge from the Warsaw Voivodeship Administrative Court, appeared at a press conference in Minsk and said that he wanted to stay in Belarus and would apply for political asylum.

The National Prosecutor's Office of Poland opened an investigation against Szmydt under the article on working for foreign intelligence.

Support UP or become our patron!
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russia launched an attack at the city of Kharkiv on May 8, injuring at least seven people, including four children, the regional Prosecutor's Office reported.

The attack occurred around 1:30 p.m. local time and hit an educational institution, according to Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Russia reportedly hit the territory of the stadium of one of the schools located in the Saltivka district.

At least three boys, aged 14, 15, and an eight-year-old girl were injured, the prosecutors said. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov described the condition of one of the children as "serious."

A 55-year-old man and two women were reportedly injured as well.

Russia has recently intensified attacks against Kharkiv, using missiles, glide bombs, and drones to destroy energy infrastructure and kill civilians.

Russian forces earlier struck a residential area in downtown Kharkiv, injuring 16 people on Orthodox Easter on May 5.

Read also: Surviving through the darkness: How Kharkiv endures new wave of brutal Russian attacks (Photos)

Subscribe to newsletter

War Notes

Subscribe

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian attack on Odesa on 29 April: another man dies in hospital

A man who was injured in a Russian missile attack on the city of Odesa on 29 April has died in hospital.

Source: a statement from Odesa City Hall

Quote: "Unfortunately, the death toll from the Russian attack on Odesa on 29 April has risen to 7. One more man, aged about 23, died in hospital today [8 May  ed.], despite doctors fighting to save his life to the last."

Background:

On 29 April, Russian forces carried out a missile strike on Odesa. Reports at the time suggested five civilians had been killed and 32 injured in the attack. A large fire broke out in the house of Serhii Kivalov, a former Ukrainian MP, which is the property of the International Humanitarian University.

On 1 May, the death toll from the missile attack on Odesa rose to six, as a man died in hospital.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russian defence attache to be expelled from Britain in spying and interference storm

Russias defence attache will be expelled from Britain in a crackdown on foreign state interference, Home Secretary James Cleverly announced on Wednesday.

He told the Commons restrictions were being put on Russian diplomats after a suspected arson attack on a Ukraine-linked business in the UK.

Five men were arrested in relation to alleged offences relating to hostile activity in the UK in order to benefit Russia, he added.

Mr Cleverly warned that Britain and other nations in Europe would not tolerate interference of this type from Russia, warning of a pattern of suspected activity by Vladimir Putins regime across the Continent.

They included malign activity by Russia against aid to Ukraine in Germany and Poland, and spying in Italy and Bulgaria, cyber attacks and air space violations.

We must wait for the ongoing criminal cases across Europe including here in the UK to conclude, he added.

But given these allegations, the Government will not wait to take further action to send a strong deterrent message to Russia and to further reduce the Russian intelligence services ability to threaten the UK.

That is why today, in conjunction with the Foreign Secretary, Im announcing a package of measures to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations.

So I can tell the House, that we will expel the Russian defence attache who is an undeclared military intelligence officer.

We will remove diplomatic premises status from several Russian owned-properties in the UK including Seacox House, a Russian-owned property in Sussex and the trade and defence section in Highgate which we believe have been used for intelligence purposes.

And we are imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas including capping the length of time that Russian diplomats can spend in the UK.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Labour "wholeheartedly" supports the Government's new package of measures against Russia.

She said: "We echo the Home Secretary's strong condemnation of Russian interference and hostile activity here in the UK and throughout Europe.

"Repeatedly, we have seen a brazen disregard by Russia for the rule of law, for the UK, for our allies, for our domestic security.

"We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Government in our support for Ukraine. Any change in Government will not change that strong cross-party support. As we stand with our allies, Putin must be defeated in Ukraine and Britain must stand full square behind our Ukrainian friends.

Moscow will make accusations of Russophobia and spread conspiracy theories in response to the UK's latest actions, Mr Cleverly claimed.

The Home Secretary said: "In the coming days we should expect accusations of Russophobia, conspiracy theories and hysteria from the Russian government.

"This is not new and the British people and the British Government will not fall for it, and will not be taken for fools by Putin's bots, trolls and lackeys.

"Russia's explanation was totally inadequate. Our response will be resolute and firm.

"Our message to Russia is clear: stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity."

Russian agents have been blamed for other attacks in Britain.

They include the targeting of former Russian double-agent Sergei Skripal with the Novichok military grade nerve agent in Salisbury in March 2018, and the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian spy who became a British citizen and was fatally poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 in London in 2006.

Last week, NATO members said they were "deeply concerned" about recent attacks they attributed to Russia that affected the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Britain.

In April, a British man was charged over alleged hostile state activity intended to benefit Russia, including by allegedly recruiting others for an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked commercial property in London.

On Wednesday, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said British allegations of Russian involvement in the arson attack were absurd and part of an information war.

Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Cleverly said Britain was already "an extremely challenging operating environment for Russian intelligence services" but the measures would "only serve to strengthen our resilience to the Russian threat".

Britain has introduced several waves of sanctions on Russian companies and individuals since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the Home Secretary said the Government would not falter in its support of Kyiv.
The Russians have attacked power infrastructure facilities in six oblasts of Ukraine. Rolling blackouts may be introduced in the evening to limit electricity consumption.

Source: press service for Ukraine's Energy Ministry

Details: "The enemy has launched a large-scale attack on power generation and transmission facilities in Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia oblasts. The aftermath is being assessed," the statement said.

Given the significant damage caused to the power grid, the ministry has asked consumers to reduce the use of energy-intensive appliances during peak hours (in particular, from 19:00 to 22:00).

"Industry should review its production processes to reduce the load on the power grid and use imports to the fullest extent possible to avoid outages and strengthen the power grid's resilience," the press service added.

At Ukraine's request, emergency power supplies are being sourced from the power grids of Poland, Romania, and Slovakia to cover the morning peak hours. Rolling blackouts may be introduced in the evening.

Background:

The Russians attacked a railway station in the city of Kherson on the morning of 8 May, and the movement of train No. 121/122 Kyiv  Kherson  Kyiv has been temporarily restricted to Mykolaiv.

On the night of 7-8 May, Russian soldiers attacked three thermal power plants belonging to Ukrainian private energy company DTEK, severely damaging its equipment.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russian troops attacked two critical power infrastructure facilities in Lviv Oblast on the morning of 8 May, hitting Chervonohrad and Stryi districts and causing fires.

Source: Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram and on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote from Kozytskyi: "The invaders hit a power generation facility in Chervonohrad district with cruise missiles at around 05:00. There are two seats of fire. Firefighters are working at the scene. Special appliances have been engaged. People living nearby are in no danger."

Details: The official added that another Russian missile hit a critical energy infrastructure facility in Stryi district.

The Russians struck Lviv Oblast with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles during the second air raid, the warning for which was issued in Lviv Oblast at 06:27. Kozytskyi stressed that critical and residential infrastructure had not been damaged.

"No casualties have been reported in our oblast so far. All critical basic services in Lviv Oblast are operating as usual. The information may be updated," Kozytskyi concluded.

On air during the national joint 24/7 newscast, Kozytskyi noted that gas infrastructure in the Stryi district and a thermal power station in the Chervonohrad district had been hit.

Later he added that, based on early reports, 12 Russian missiles reached Lviv Oblast overnight. Soldiers from Air Command Zakhid (West) and mobile fire groups shot down eight of them.

Background:

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 7-8 May. An air-raid warning was issued in all Ukrainian oblasts.

No hits or casualties were recorded in the city of Kyiv. Air defence systems destroyed all aerial targets in the vicinity of the capital.

The Russians attacked power generation and transmission facilities in six of Ukraines oblasts. The oblasts of Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia came under Russian fire. The Russians hit three thermal power plants owned by DTEK, causing serious damage to their equipment.

A fire broke out at a civilian infrastructure facility in the city of Brovary in Kyiv Oblast, while hits were recorded in Vinnytsia Oblast due to the Russian missile attack.

Russian forces damaged a critical infrastructure facility, 13 residential buildings and dozens of garages in Kirovohrad Oblast during a missile attack, injuring a child. Strikes were also recorded in Poltava Oblast.

Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, reported that Russian troops had targeted Ukraine with 55 missiles of various types and 21 attack drones and that 59 Russian aerial targets had been destroyed by Ukrainian air defence units.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russian informer who had people jailed for criticising Ukraine war is charged with same crime

Timur Bulatov has openly discussed his activity as a serial informer in which he has targeted LGBT people and critics of the Ukraine war

A Russian activist who has boasted about denouncing Kremlin critics to the authorities has himself been charged with discrediting the Russian armed forces.

A notice posted to Moscows court website showed Timur Bulatov, an outspoken supporter of Russias special military operation in Ukraine, was charged under a censorship law that has been used to punish critics of the war.

He told the Ostorozhno Novosti Telegram channel that he did not understand the origin of the charge, which could incur a fine of up to 50,000 roubles (430) for a first offence. Repeat offenders risk jail terms.

Where is the discrediting, he asked. I am a person whose petitions [have led to] the imprisonment of about eight people in St Petersburg, and throughout Russia more than 20.

The official notice showed Mr Bulatovs case was registered on Tuesday, but gave no further details.

Bulatov nicknamed the gay fighter

Mr Bulatov has openly discussed his activity as a serial informer whose denunciations have led to a slew of civil and criminal cases being filed against individuals.

Referred to as the gay fighter by some in Russias media, Mr Bulatov has long focused his denunciations on LGBT people. By his own account, at least 60 LGBT school teachers have lost their jobs after he found their social media profiles and reported them to authorities.

Homosexuality is not criminalised in Russia, but authorities have used laws against gay propaganda for more than a decade to pursue civil and criminal cases against LGBT people.

Mr Bulatovs campaigns have extended beyond LGBT people.

Separate cases were opened against two individuals who posted photographs online of themselves standing partially unclothed in front of Russian Orthodox churches after Mr Bulatov reported them to authorities, Ostorozhno Novosti said.

More recently, Russian independent media have linked Mr Bulatov to denunciations of those seen as opposing the war in Ukraine.

The St Petersburg branch head of the PEN International writers association was fined under the discrediting law after Mr Bulatov wrote online that she had been spreading lies about the Russian army.

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.
An oil depot in occupied Luhansk was struck by ATACMS missiles, causing a mass fire at the facility, the Moscow-installed head of the occupied region, Leonid Pasechnik, claimed on May 8. At least five employees were reportedly injured and hospitalized.

Pasechnik announced on Telegram at around 11:35 p.m. local time that the depot had been attacked and emergency response teams were working to contain the fire.

The Russian proxy later reported that five employees of the oil depot were injured and hospitalized, power lines were damaged, houses in the immediate area were partially de-energized, and a high-pressure gas pipeline was on fire.

"An overnight strike on an oil depot in Luhansk was allegedly carried out by Western-style ATACMS missiles," Pasechnik claimed.

Ukrainian officials did not comment on the claims, which cannot be independently verified.

There have been multiple reports since the start of the full-scale invasion about attacks within Russia and the Ukrainian territories occupied by Moscow.

In October 2023, Ukraine reportedly struck military airfields in occupied Luhansk and Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, with U.S.-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles, destroying nine helicopters.

Among other Russian targets in occupied territories of Luhansk Oblast were also oil storage facilities and the S-400 missile system. Some of the targets have been reportedly hit by U.K.-provided Storm Shadow long-range missiles, capable of reaching deep into Russian-seized territories.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: 2 Ukrainian colonels detained in Russias plot to assassinate Zelensky, SBU says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian troops attacked an educational institution in the city of Kharkiv on 8 May, leaving five people injured, including children aged 12, 13 and 15.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov; Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov; Air Force; Suspilne.Kharkiv

Details: At 11:07 (Kyiv time), the Air Force reported a missile threat in Kharkiv Oblast. Then, journalists of the Suspilne.Kharkiv wrote about two explosions in the city. Later, the head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration confirmed the information about the attack on the oblast.

Updated: At 13:42, Syniehubov added that Russian forces had attacked an open area at an educational institution in Kharkiv. The official noted that children aged 12, 13 and 15 had been injured in the attack.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov later said that the number of injured had increased to five. The condition of one of the injured children is serious.

At 14:09, Syniehubov reported that a man, 55, and a woman, 80, had also been injured in the Russian strike.

Support UP or become our patron!
JERUSALEM, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel and Germany have agreed to jointly invest 2 million euros (2.15 million U.S. dollars) to promote research in cybersecurity for energy infrastructure, the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Israeli side and the German Ministry of Education and Research will contribute one million euros each for the research in cyber and digitization, the statement noted.

As part of the cooperation, researchers from leading universities from both countries will work together on developing new methods to deal with growing cyber threats in the energy sector.

"The expertise of Israeli and German research in cybersecurity will greatly contribute to the security of vital infrastructures in the world and pave the way for a safer future for all," Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen was quoted as saying in the statement.

The statement highlighted that global energy systems have experienced rapid digitization in recent years due to the decentralization of energy systems. While this trend has brought benefits for businesses and consumers, it has also increased the risk of cyberattacks, particularly targeting electricity, gas, and oil networks.

The resilience of the energy infrastructure has emerged as a major concern due to the increasing threats of cyberattacks, such as widespread power outages, espionage or extortion of network operators. Such cyberattacks could lead to a loss of control over facilities and processes in electricity systems, leading to extensive service disruptions and even physical damage, the statement added. 
Firefighters are extinguishing the fire. Stock photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Power generation and transmission facilities in six of Ukraines oblasts were attacked by the Russians on the night of 7-8 May. The oblasts of Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia came under Russian fire.

Source: Ministry of Energy of Ukraine on Telegram

Details: The aftermath is being confirmed. Power engineers are already working to deal with it.

Quote: "Saving electricity is the contribution of each of us to victory.

Responsible consumption in the morning and evening hours is especially important."

Background:

On the night of 7-8 May, Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine. An air-raid warning was issued in all oblasts of the country.

No casualties or damage were reported in Kyiv after the Russian missile strike on the night of 7-8 May. All air targets in the capital were destroyed by air defence.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russian invaders attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia on the night of 7-8 May, hitting critical and civilian infrastructure facilities and also damaging a fire station. There were no casualties.

Source: Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia blast Military dministration; State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Telegram

Quote from Fedorov: "The Russians again launched a large-scale attack on peaceful Zaporizhzhia. They hit critical and civilian infrastructure facilities. There is destruction. Early [reports suggest there were] no injuries."

A firefighter extinguishing a fire.

Photo: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Details: The State Emergency Service also stated that, in addition to critical and civil infrastructure facilities, the Russians hit a garage cooperative, one of the city's parks and public transport vehicles.

Aftermath of the Russian attack.

Photo: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine

One of the fire stations in the city of Zaporizhzhia was also affected, with office space and the facade of the building sustaining damage. No one was killed or injured.

Aftermath of the Russian attack.

Photo: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine

"Thirty-two rescue workers and seven appliances were involved in dealing with the aftermath of the Russian attack. The work has now been completed," the State Emergency Service summed up.

Later, Fedorov added that the missile attack had damaged facilities in 4 districts of the city.

  Telegram 

In particular, 15 residential buildings and 6 non-residential buildings, 3 educational institutions, a healthcare facility, a garage and cars have been damaged.

Background:

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 7-8 May. An air-raid warning was issued in all Ukrainian oblasts.

No strikes or casualties were recorded in the city of Kyiv. Air defence systems destroyed all aerial targets in the vicinity of the capital.

The Russians attacked power generation and transmission facilities in six of Ukraines oblasts. The oblasts of Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia came under Russian fire. The Russians hit three thermal power plants owned by DTEK, causing serious damage to their equipment.

A fire broke out at a civilian infrastructure facility in the city of Brovary in Kyiv Oblast, while hits were recorded in Vinnytsia Oblast due to the Russian missile attack.

Russian forces damaged a critical infrastructure facility, 13 residential buildings and dozens of garages in Kirovohrad Oblast during a missile attack, injuring a child. Strikes were also recorded in Poltava Oblast.

Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, reported that Russian troops had targeted Ukraine with 55 missiles of various types and 21 attack drones and that 59 Russian aerial targets had been destroyed by Ukrainian air defence units.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russian forces launched a combined attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the night of 7-8 May; four missiles and five Shahed attack drones were shot down by Ukrainian air defence units over the oblast.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote from Lysak: "At night, the Russians attacked the oblast with Shahed-131/136 attack drones and various types of missiles. Air defence units worked effectively. The defenders of the skies shot down four missiles and five Shahed drones over the oblast."

Details: He added that in the evening, the Russians attacked Nikopol district five times using artillery and kamikaze drones.

A damaged car.

Photo: Lysak on Telegram

The Russians bombarded Nikopol itself, and Marhanets and Chervonohryhorivka hromadas, damaging five private houses, two outbuildings, two cars, a garage, a gas pipeline, and a power transmission line [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.].

A damaged apartment.

Photo: Lysak on Telegram

As a result of the attacks, a 42-year-old man was taken to hospital with shrapnel wounds.

Background:

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 7-8 May. An air-raid warning was issued in all Ukrainian oblasts.

No hits or casualties were recorded in the city of Kyiv. Air defence systems destroyed all aerial targets in the vicinity of the capital.

The Russians attacked power generation and transmission facilities in six of Ukraines oblasts. The oblasts of Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia came under Russian fire. The Russians hit three thermal power plants owned by DTEK, causing serious damage to their equipment.

A fire broke out at a civilian infrastructure facility in the city of Brovary in Kyiv Oblast, while hits were recorded in Vinnytsia Oblast due to the Russian missile attack.

Russian forces damaged a critical infrastructure facility, 13 residential buildings and dozens of garages in Kirovohrad Oblast during a missile attack, injuring a child. Strikes were also recorded in Poltava Oblast.

Support UP or become our patron!
The units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine have blocked the assault groups of the Russian occupying army that broke through to the town of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group, on the air of Armiia TV, cited by Armiia Inform

Details: Voloshyn stated that, as of now, the Russian groups are cut off from ammunition supply.

Quote: "The enemy broke into the city with small assault groups and is now inside the refractory plant. Through the efforts of our units, mainly the 59th Brigade, the enemy was blocked and is still inside the plant.

Our defenders fully keep both Krasnohorivka and its outskirts under fire control. Over the past day, the defenders killed about 30 Russians who were approaching the settlement."

Details: Voloshyn also revealed that the Russians were conducting assaults near the village of Netailove and trying to assault the eastern part of the settlement of Pervomaiske.

"Near Nevelske, they are also entering in small groups, conducting counterattacks, which are being repelled by our soldiers," Voloshyn added.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russian forces damaged a critical infrastructure facility, 13 residential buildings and dozens of garages in Kirovohrad Oblast during a missile attack on the night of 7-8 May, injuring a child. Strikes also occurred in Poltava Oblast.

Source: Andrii Raikovych, Head of Kirovohrad Oblast Military Administration; Filip Pronin, Head of Poltava Oblast Military Administration

Quote from Raikovych: "As a result of an enemy missile attack on Kirovohrad Oblast, a critical infrastructure facility was damaged in Oleksandriia district. An eight-year-old child was injured. The destruction of 13 private houses and almost 30 garages has already been reported."

photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Details: Raikovych stressed that all relevant services were working at the scene.

photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Pronin also reported the strike in Poltava Oblast.

Quote from Pronin: "It was loud in Poltava Oblast. Despite the successful efforts of our defenders, we unfortunately had a strike on a power infrastructure facility in Poltava district. A fire broke out after the enemy UAV strike."

Details: According to early reports, there were no casualties.

Background:

On the night of 7-8 May, Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine. An air-raid warning was issued in all oblasts of the country.

No casualties or damage were reported in Kyiv after the Russian missile strike on the night of 7-8 May. All air targets in the capital were destroyed by air defence.

Power generation and transmission facilities in six of Ukraines oblasts were attacked by the Russians: Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia.

As a result of a Russian missile attack, a fire broke out at a civilian infrastructure facility in Brovary, Kyiv Oblast, and there were strikes in Vinnytsia Oblast.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russians hit Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast, killing person and injuring 2 more

The Russians attacked the town of Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast overnight, killing a woman and injuring two more people.

Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "A 65-year-old woman was killed in her own home due to enemy strikes. Two more people were injured."

Details: Prokudin reported that a 40-year-old man was taken to hospital in a critical condition. He sustained blast injuries, facial and hand wounds. In addition, a 65-year-old woman was also hospitalised. She has concussion and blast injuries. Doctors assess the woman's condition as moderate.

Background:

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 7-8 May. An air-raid warning was issued in all Ukrainian oblasts.

Support UP or become our patron!


Sacramento opened its Land Park zoo during a truly roaring 20s. What came next was wild

Uniquely is a Sacramento Bee series that covers the moments, landmarks and personalities that define what makes living in the Sacramento area so special.

Tucked in one of Sacramentos most popular outdoor parks is a nearly century-old destination for wild animals and spectators.

The Sacramento Zoo at 3930 W Land Park Drive opened its doors in 1927. On Wednesday evening, Elk Grove City Council will determine its future.

For years, the city of Elk Grove and the Sacramento Zoological Society have toyed with the possibility of moving Sacramentos only zoo from its original stomping ground to a bare site in south Elk Grove at Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway.

The move would allow the zoo to undergo a significant expansion, more than quadrupling its size, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.

As Elk Grove city leaders gear up to vote on the project, heres a look back in time at the Sacramento Zoo and its animals:

When did the Sacramento Zoo open in Land Park?

A Sacramento Zoo visitor photographs a bear on exhibit in March 1979 as part of a contest to illustrate the zoological societys 1980 calendar. Bruno, zoos last grizzly bear, died in 1995 at age 35.

The Sacramento Zoo, then called the William Land Park Zoo, was established in 1927 with 40 animals and roughly 4 acres of land, according to its site.

The zoo was a consolidation of several smaller attractions across city parks  including McKinley, McClatchy and Southside parks, according to a Land Park history brochure.

It wasnt until the 1950s that The Sacramento Zoological Society  a driving force behind the Elk Grove move  was formed to promote the development of the zoo into a true zoological park, according to a 1956 article for The Bee.

Sacramento had a truly roaring 20s

Furry creatures could be found across the city long before the creation of the Sacramento Zoo.

The earliest reference to a zoo in The Bee archives was May 1905. The Bee wrote about Carl Sweeney  a man who kept a pair of spunky cinnamon-colored cubs in the window of his K Street business.

Sweeney planned to donate the cubs to McKinley Park Association to be placed at an East area zoo to please children. But first, he demanded a payment.

A story in the May 20, 1905, edition of The Sacramento Bee, highlights the earliest talks about zoos in Sacramento.

The wildness of Sacramentos animal scene took off in the 1920s.

Sacramento newspaper archives indicate animals were bringing hundreds each day to William Land Park  a new neighborhood at the time  as early as 1925.

An edition of the now-defunct Sacramento Union that year described an attractive small zoo, featuring ostriches, elk, deer, one bear, monkeys, one hawk, owls, porcupines, raccoons, badgers and more.

A story in the Aug. 9, 1925, edition of The Sacramento Union, highlights Land Park Zoo as an evening attraction.

By 1927, the neighborhood was home to some of the food chains most dominant animals.

A story in the May 9, 1927, edition of The Sacramento Union, highlights the neighborhood's newest additions. The list included lions, tigers, bears, monkeys and more.

The Sacramento Union published first-hand accounts of animal sightings. There were so many animals on display in May 1927, the paper wrote, that visitors felt like members of a big game hunt.

First-person accounts of animals in Land Park

A story in the May 2, 1927, edition of The Sacramento Union describes the quirks of the zoo's animals.

At a combined weight of 1,100 pounds, Mutt and Jeff  a brown bear couple  sat in an enclosure that featured a shallow tank of water and two trees without leaves to discourage climbing.

Mutts first act was to sit down and view the world; Jeff ambled around the pool, poked her nose at the audience and cast a sidelong glance at the light-o-love, the article stated.

Another cage, divided into two sections, featured 10-year-old Sooner the Bengal tiger, Nero the lion and Cleopatra the lioness. The trios favorite meal? Plain cows milk.

Also seen were tigers, raccoons, foxes, porcupines, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigeons, doves, peacocks, 15 monkeys, squirrels, raccoons, and coyotes that insist on howling every time a train whistles for a crossing.

Animals that had inhabited other parts of the city were rounded up and sent to Land Park zoo once it was available.

A Ford dragged a tiger around the Sacramento Zoo

On May 12, 1927, The Sacramento Union wrote about a mighty Ford car dragging Sooner the raging tiger from one cage to another. That was after a hose to the face.

No longer can there be any question about the Ford being mightier than the tiger, the article stated.

That same year, Ford began selling its Model A after decades of the Model Ts auto-industry domination.

A story in the May 12, 1927, edition of The Sacramento Union describes a tiger dragged around the Sacramento Zoo by a vehicle.

Zoo animals were once forced to skip meals

A mandatory fasting order was issued by the city the year the zoo opened.

One day per week, animals were not to be fed, according to a 1927 Bee article.

The monkeys, the bears, lions and other animals at the William Land Park city zoo dont know anything about the ancient religious custom of fasting, but an order issued by the city park department to-day will compel them to observe it whether they like it or not, The Bee published on May 30, 1927.

A May 30, 1927, Bee article titled Meatless Day Has No Terrors For Pampered Monkeys announces a city ordinance for animals at Land Park Zoo to fast one day per week.

Sacramento zoo scene grows wilder by the day

From the 1920s to at least the 1960s, Sacramento readers could rarely open a newspaper without spotting a story about the Sacramento Zoo, from new additions to commentary on its current tenants.

A Sept. 8, 1927, Bee article, announced a large buffalo from Reno was added to the Sacramento Zoo. The city was expecting two, but one escaped.

A story in the Sept. 8, 1927, edition of The Sacramento Bee, announces the arrival of a large buffalo from Reno. City officials expected to receive a pair, but one escaped.

The next month, The Bee described a quiet lion and lioness  named Romeo and Juliet.

Never having known anything about a jungle existence, they are quite content to drowse away in their cages, knowing that a full meal will come at the end of the day, the article stated.

A story in the Oct. 28, 1927, edition of The Sacramento Bee, highlights the playfulness of its lions, a brother and sister duo named Romeo and Juliet.

And in 1948, a form to gather name suggestions for the zoos new elephant was published in The Sacramento Union alongside a story titled Whats in an Elephant Name? Well, Heres a Liberal Idea.

A Nov. 28, 1948, edition of The Sacramento Union, highlights reader-suggested names for the zoos new elephant. Lucky was an option because the female elephant was lucky to be alive and lucky to be living in California.

The zoo continued to expand throughout the 20th century, opening its reptile house in the 1970s.

A story in the Oct. 30, 1960, edition of The Sacramento Bee, announces plans for the highly anticipated reptile house. It was thought that snakes would make the perfect attraction for zoo visitors because they were universally feared by man.

By 1975, the zoo covered 11 acres. It now sits at 14.4 and is home to more than 400 animals.

Sue the elephant led off the parade of Sacramento Zoo stars that helped celebrate the facilitys 60th birthday. Sherry Lutrell had clean up duty.

Animals of a day gone by

There are animals that once stalked the Land Park grounds you wont catch at the Sacramento Zoo on a modern-day excursion  including elephants, hippos and polar bears.

Sherri Pennington and her sister and brothers feed the elephants  a common practice at the time  at the Sacramento Zoo on Dec. 24, 1978. Because of the cramped and out-of-date enclosure, the zoo relocated its last elephant, Winky, to Detroit in 1991. Winky had been alone since her roommate Sue died in 1988.

Jewel the hippo casts a seemingly languid eye on June 14, 1995 as she waits for a daily snack feeding by Sacramento Zoo personnel.

A baby hippopotamus visits with its mother Jewel at the Sacramento Zoo in 1977. Rejected by her mother, the baby died in October after failed attempts to feed it with bottles and, later, a feeding tube. Jewel died from old age in 2004 and was not replaced.

Polar bears Adak and Kiska enjoy the weather on March 6, 1995, at Sacramento Zoo. The bear on the right was itching its back on the wall.

Sacramento Zoo polar bear, Adak, 21, pokes his head out from the comforts of his shaded den to bask in the spray of a sprinkler Monday afternoon on July, 12, 1999.
The Sacramento City Unified School District has placed C.K. McClatchy High Schools journalism adviser on paid administrative leave after its student newspaper printed a quote praising Adolf Hitler  a suspension that experts said flew in the face of California press freedoms.

They have the right to print it, said Steve ODonoghue, director of the California Scholastic Journalism Initiative. Theyre not advocating for it, theyre just quoting what a student said.

During the suspension, adviser Samantha Archuleta has been ordered not to go on the Land Park campus or communicate with her students.

On April 25, students published in The Prospector, McClatchy Highs student-led newspaper, a list feature titled What did you say? The list comprised nine statements purportedly overheard on campus.

The final quote in the list  which the newspaper said was made by a student in government class and which Archuleta later said was heard by an editor outside a classroom  was Hitler had some good ideas.

The student journalists said in a written statement, We wanted to acknowledge and raise the question: Why are kids on campus saying things like this? Its deeply concerning that these remarks are being said on campus without proper action from staff.

They also expressed regret over the wording of the column, whose introduction said the list contained some of our favorites of the weirdest stuff heard on campus.

We recognize the impact of our words do not match the intent, and this has impacted a lot of individuals, the students wrote, especially when addressing the sensitive issue of antisemitism.

A spokesperson for the Sacramento City Teachers Association, the union that represents Archuleta, was not immediately available for comment.

A spokesman for the Sacramento City Unified School District said Wednesday that he was unable to comment on a personnel matter.

A comment overheard in a class about Hilter was reprinted in The Prospector student newspaper at C.K. McClatchy High School, sparking controversy and a meeting with local Jewish leaders.

Outrage followed by a suspension that may be unlawful

The schools principal, Andrea Egan, called the remark offensive in an autodial message sent Sunday to parents and the school community. Egan plans to meet with members of Congregation Bnai Israel on Thursday after members of the Jewish congregation met privately on Sunday to discuss the matter.

Jay Schenirer, a former city councilman and a member of Bnai Israel, characterized his ongoing private discussions with Egan as very positive.

Were trying to figure out how to make this into a teachable moment for everyone involved, Schenirer said Wednesday.

He said that the congregation had not called for the teacher to be disciplined: We wouldnt go there. Thats up to the school district and the school.

Egan also said she met with the journalism students the day after the paper was published and shared with them the importance of exercising good judgment in their editorial decision-making. ... Words have the power to cause harm.

The districts human resources department listed a failure to exercise good judgment as one of the reasons for the paid suspension, Archuleta said in an interview Wednesday. She was also told that she was being suspended because she had allegedly expressed insensitive comments, shared confidential student information and failed to maintain a harassment-free classroom environment.

Archuleta said that the district did not tie the allegations against her to the quote or its fallout, and that when she asked the HR representative on the phone whether the suspension was related to the papers publication of the Hitler comment, the representative just restated the vague charges.

She said she was surprised when she got the call: I thought they understood the law.

Mike Hiestand, senior legal counsel at the Student Press Law Center, said the districts move appeared to violate free speech protections for student journalists.

Under California law, lawmakers have made clear that student editors are the ones that get to make the content decisions, Hiestand said. California passed this law that specifically says that advisors cannot be retaliated against for basically following the law and for allowing students to exercise editorial judgment.

In Archuletas case, he said, Taking action against her  I understand shes on disciplinary leave or something like that  thats clearly unlawful under California law.

Whats worse  the quote or its publication?

The German dictator Adolf Hitler was responsible for the Holocaust, a genocidal campaign during World War II that persecuted and systematically murdered Jewish people as well as others, including the Roma, the Slavs, people with disabilities and gay people. Six million Jewish people were murdered under Hitlers Nazi regime.

The comment that he had some good ideas was presented in the paper without context beyond its inclusion on the list of outrageous and often inappropriate comments made on campus.

Archuleta said that before publication, the editors had discussed how they wanted to publish the feature as a list, because most students dont read long articles. She said that, looking back on it now, they see that they could have added more context to the comment about Hitler.

She said, more concerningly, she was alarmed that school administrators seemed more concerned about what was printed in the newspaper than they were about a student praising Hitler on campus.

The kids say that they hear things like this daily on our campus, she said, without any accountability or consequences.
Cheers rang out from the heart of Sacramento States campus Wednesday as pro-Palestine protesters danced to celebrate the universitys agreement to divest in Israel-tied investments, the move coming eight days after demonstrators pitched tents on campus.

The agreement to change its investment and university policy language came late Tuesday night between Students for Justice in Palestine, other protesters and California State University, Sacramento.

The move makes the university one of the first CSU campuses to agree to alter its policies amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians living in Gaza since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 Israelis in the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

As soon as we walk into this encampment, it feels like a different America, said Farah, a protester who declined to give her last name due to fears of being doxxed. It feels like we took back this plaza for ourselves.

Updates to Sac States policies, signed off on by university President Luke Wood, show a variety of changes.

It includes Sac State seeking its five auxiliaries to investigate its direct and indirect investments to ensure practices of only socially responsible investment strategies which include not having direct investments in corporations and funds that profit from genocide, ethnic cleansing, and activities that violate fundamental human rights.

Members of the Sacramento State chapter of Students for Justice Palestine chant after a campus press conference on Wednesday about the universitys agreement to alter its investment policy language.

The five auxiliaries are the Associated Students, University Enterprises Inc., University Union, University Foundation at Sac State and Capital Public Radio.

Sac State noted in its policy that the University Foundation does not have any direct investments with corporations and funds that have ties to the Israeli military. Farah said on Wednesday the university has $4.5 million in indirect investments with the Middle East nation.

Students for Justice in Palestine also said teachers from the Faculty for Justice in Palestine will sit on Sac States finance committee to review any possible divestments.

We have created a policy on socially responsible investment, the university said in a statement Wednesday. We believe its important that our efforts to fund students education do not rely upon us benefiting from companies that profit from ethnic cleansing, genocide or human rights violations.

Lanaya Lewis, a university spokeswoman, did not answer questions about which indirect investments Sac State holds or when the divestments would become effective.

The policy also added sections denouncing genocide and supporting students peaceful activism.

CSU Sacramento opposes and condemns all acts of genocide, ethnic cleansing, terrorism and other activities that violate fundamental human rights, the policy said. Student protests and political action are cornerstones of higher education and democracy, and we unequivocally condemn hate and bias in all forms.

The Students for Justice Palestine and several other non-university affiliated groups have been camped out on the library quad since April 29 in protest of the war between Israel and Hamas. Since March, protests have proliferated on college campuses across the nation as pro-Palestinian groups have demanded universities divest from companies backing Israel and its military, denounce any genocide and defend student activism.

Student organizers across the 23-campus CSU system have taken different approaches to protests and occupations, but of those who have made demands, theirs are nearly identical: they all want university administrators to disclose any financial ties to Israel or Israeli companies and, if such financial ties exist, that the university divest from them.

Some protests  notably at Columbia University, USC and UCLA  have ended in arrests over the past week. The first such arrests by law enforcement came April 30 at Cal Poly Humboldt when 31 demonstrators were detained after a week of protests and the occupation of two campus buildings.

Demonstrations on Sac States campus, however, have remained peaceful and the protesters have been allowed to remain on campus, though the groups faced a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Wednesday to abandon their tents, a time that was expected to be extended if the groups remained peaceful.

However, the demonstrators said Wednesday they were planning to take down the encampment and donate their tents to the protest that began Monday at UC Davis.

Members of the Sacramento State chapter of Students for Justice Palestine chant after a campus press conference on Wednesday about the universitys agreement to alter its investment policy language. The group has been camped out on the library quad since late last month, calling for disclosure of any university ties to Israel and divestment if such ties exist.

Protesters on Wednesday vowed their activism wasnt complete, and wont stop until CSU system Chancellor Mildred Garcia also divests.

The CSU as a whole has declined to alter existing investment policies related to Israel or the Israel-Hamas conflict. It noted the university has not invested in direct stocks or equities in any companies.

While the CSU affirms the right of our community members to express diverse viewpoints, a divestment of this sort impinges on the academic freedom of our students and faculty and the unfettered exchange of ideas on our campuses, the statement said.

A CSU spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday about Sac States decision.
(FOX40.COM)  A Sacramento woman was arrested for allegedly assaulting a child on an international flight Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

According to the DOJ, multiple passengers on a flight from Puerta Vallarta, Mexico to Seattle witnessed the woman, 33, kick and shake the 2-year-old.

Grandfather arrested after paying homeless woman to care for his granddaughter

The DOJ said the woman continued to abuse the child despite interventions from passengers and was arrested when the plane landed in Sea-Tac airport.

Authorities did not specify the relationship between the two but said the child was placed with a relative.

Judge Brian Tsuchida ordered that the woman be detained pre-trial, saying the victim was particularly vulnerable.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visits a community in Qingxiu District of Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, May 8, 2024. Wang made an inspection tour in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Monday to Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

NANNING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Wang Huning, China's top political advisor, has stressed sound efforts in the Party's work on ethnic affairs in the new era, as well as the efforts to cultivate a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body, made the remarks during an inspection tour in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region that began on Monday and ended on Wednesday.

He also underlined the importance of adhering to the correct and distinctively Chinese approach to handling ethnic affairs.

During his inspection, Wang visited villages, enterprises, a primary school, a nature reserve zone and a port. He said that the region needs to work to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation in various fields, including the economy, education, employment, community-building and cultural advancement.

Wang also visited Guangxi Minzu University, a regional museum and a community in Nanning. He called for strengthened efforts to use archaeological artifacts, cultural heritage and historical materials to deepen research on major basic issues concerning the community for the Chinese nation.

Wang also highlighted the Party's overall leadership over work related to ethnic affairs. 

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visits Buhua Village of Xinhe Township, Jiangzhou District, Chongzuo City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, May 6, 2024. Wang made an inspection tour in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Monday to Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
A former New York City urologist is facing life behind bars after a federal jury found him guilty on Wednesday of sexually abusing eight patients, including six who were minors at the time.

Darius A. Paduch leveraged his position of trust as a medical doctor for his own perverse gratification, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement issued after the unanimous verdict. For years, patients seeking needed medical care, many of them children, left his office as victims.

A lawyer for Paduch told Newsday that they definitely planned to appeal, and declined to comment further.

Paduch was indicted last April by a federal grand jury, which charged him with four felony counts related to inducing a victim to engage in unlawful sexual activity. The Department of Justice said at the time that investigators had found Paduch had disguised his abuse as medically necessary and appropriate treatment.

The number of known victims quickly expanded after his arrest, with more than 130 former patients coming forward to file civil claims against the disgraced doctor under New Yorks Adult Survivors Act. The civil cases remain ongoing.

Mallory Allen, a partner at Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC, a law firm representing the survivors, told The Daily Beast in a statement that justice had been served on Wednesday.

For nearly twenty years, patients who trusted him for their medical care and treatment were instead brutalized by his degrading, sexually violating, and medically unfounded acts while the hospitals where he worked looked the other way, Allen said.

The jury verdict in the criminal case affirms that these heinous acts will not be overlooked, and the pending civil cases will ensure that the institutions who repeatedly prioritized profits over their patients will face consequences for their indifference in ignoring years of complaints.

Under the guise of performing urology examinations between 2015 and 2019, Paduch raped and molested his patients, sodomized them with ungloved fingers and other devices, masturbated them, and showed them pornography, according to Justice Department prosecutors.

In one civil lawsuit, which listed at least 58 victims when it was filed last September, but claimed there were thousands more stemming from Paduchs 19-year career in New York hospitals, the doctor was also accused of forcing patients to undergo surgery without anesthesia and attempting to get them hooked on opioids.

Paduch acted as a disgusting, sadistic, and perverted sexual predator, the complaint said.

The bulk of the allegations stem from Paduchs time at two hospitals: NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center and Northwell Health. Both have been accused by plaintiffs of looking the other way as Paduchs abuse was allowed to continue unabated. After Paduchs arrest, both facilities cut ties with him and said they would cooperate with any investigation.

On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Northwell said in a statement to The Daily Beast that they were deeply disturbed by the information that has been revealed throughout the course of the criminal proceedings against Dr. Paduch, noting that he had not been affiliated with the hospital for some time.

Northwell cooperated fully with authorities in connection with the prosecution of Dr. Paduch, she continued, declining to comment further given the continuing criminal proceedings and pending civil litigation.

When approached for comment, a spokeswoman for Weill Cornell gave The Daily Beast a statement attributed to Cornell University President Martha E. Pollack and Dr. Robert A. Harrington, Cornells medical affairs provost and dean of its medical school.

The acts described during this trial are deeply disturbing and we remain heartbroken for these survivors, they said. Patient safety has always been our highest priority, and it is our obligation to foster and maintain an environment that promotes dignity and respect for everyone who entrusts us with their care.

Pollack and Harrington said that university leadership had implemented enhancements to our policies and training requirements and begun new patient safety programs to prevent such abhorrent conduct occurring in the future.

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.
As Washington lawmakers scramble this week to finalize their last significant legislation before the fall presidential election  a must-pass bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration  theyve tacked on more than a dozen unrelated amendments, including three online safety bills affecting students.

Taken together, the trio would create sweeping restrictions on childrens access to social media, impose new requirements on social media companies to ensure their products arent harmful to youth mental health and bolster educators digital surveillance obligations to ensure kids arent swiping through their favorite feeds in class.

The three separate digital safety bills have bipartisan support and lawmakers could greenlight them as part of the FAA reauthorization legislation, which faces a Friday deadline. If passed, the legislative package could potentially end years of debate on these thorny questions and would mark the most consequential effort to regulate tech companies and childrens online safety in decades.

Help fund stories like this. Donate now!

Parents know theres no good reason for a child to be doom-scrolling or binge-watching reels that glorify unhealthy lifestyles, Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican who is co-sponsoring The Kids Off Social Media Act, said in a press release. Young students should have their eyes on the board, not their phones.

The move comes as lawmakers across the political spectrum sound an alarm over concerns that teens addiction to their social media feeds  complete with algorithms designed to keep them hooked and coming back for more  have exacerbated mental health issues in young people. It follows congressional testimony by two Meta whistleblowers who accused the social media behemoth of knowing that apps like Instagram inflamed body image issues and other negative triggers among youth but failed to act to mitigate the harm while upholding a see no evil, hear no evil culture.

The controversial and heavily debated bills saw new life in January after social media executives were grilled during a contentious congressional hearing and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized to parents who said their children were damaged, and in some cases died, after the companys algorithms fed them a barrage of pernicious content.

Related

Survey Reveals Extent that Cops Surveil Students Online  in School and at Home

But critics contend the provisions amount to heavy-handed and unconstitutional censorship that fails to confront the root cause of young peoples anguish  and in some cases could hurt them by limiting their access to educational materials, blocking information designed to help them deal with mental health issues or by subjecting them to greater online surveillance.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologizes during a January Senate committee hearing to families who say their children suffered emotional anguish, and in some cases died, as a result of their social media use. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The three amendments are:

The Kids Online Safety Act would require tech companies to exercise reasonable care to ensure their services dont surface in childrens feeds material deemed harmful, including posts that promote suicide, eating disorders and sexual exploitation.



First introduced in 2022, the legislation would also require tools that would give parents greater ability to monitor their childrens online activities and mandate tech companies enable their most restrictive privacy settings for their youngest users by default.

The Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act, also known as COPPA 2.0, amends a 1998 law that requires tech companies receive parental consent before collecting data about children under 13 years old. COPPA 2.0 would extend existing requirements to children under 16, ban targeted advertising for children and require tech companies to delete data collected about children upon parental request.

The Kids Off Social Media Act, introduced last week by Cruz and Hawaii Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz, would prohibit children under 13 years old from creating social media accounts and restrict tech companies from using algorithms to serve content to children under 17. It would also require schools that receive federal internet connectivity funding to block students access to social media sites on campus networks.

The bills provisions have faced widespread pushback from digital rights and privacy advocates, including the nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation, which called it an unconstitutional infringement that replaces parents choices about what their children can do online with a government-mandated prohibition.



On Tuesday, TikTok and its Chinese parent company sued to stop a new law that bans the popular social media app in the U.S. unless it sells the platform to an approved buyer, accusing the government of stifling free speech and unfairly singling it out based on unfounded accusations it poses a national security threat.

Related

Teen Mental Health Crisis Pushes More School Districts to Sue Social Media Giants

In March, Georgia joined a growing list of states  including Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Utah  to impose new parental consent requirements for children to create social media accounts. The Georgia law also bans social media use on school devices and creates age verification requirements for porn websites.

Aliya Bhatia (Center for Democracy & Technology)

Aliya Bhatia, a policy analyst at the nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technology, said that each bill now included in the FAA reauthorization act has been the subject of debate and opposition. Including them in unrelated, must-pass legislation with a short deadline, she said, undermines the active conversations that are happening about the bills, which she said are just not ready for prime time.

The Kids Online Safety Act, which has the bipartisan backing of more than two-thirds of senators, is endorsed by a host of child welfare and digital safety advocates, including the American Psychological Association, Common Sense Media and the American Academy of Pediatrics, who argue the rules could protect youth from the corrosive effects of social media.

At the same time, the legislation, which has differing House and Senate versions, has also received scrutiny from civil rights groups and those representing LGBTQ+ students. The groups argue the bill amounts to government censorship with a likely disparate impact on LGBTQ+ youth and students of color. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has endorsed the legislation as a way to restrict youth access to LGBTQ+ content, stating on X that keeping trans content away from children is protecting kids.

Privacy advocates have warned the legislation could result in age-verification requirements across the internet that could require online users of all ages to provide identifying information to web platforms.

Related

ChatGPT Is Landing Kids in the Principals Office, Survey Finds

Meanwhile, social medias effects on youth mental well-being remain the subject of research and debate. In a first-ever health advisory last year, the American Psychological Association noted that while social media use is not inherently beneficial or harmful to young people, the platforms should not surface to their young users content that encourages them to engage in risky behaviors or is discriminatory.

In a separate health advisory last year, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy noted that social media use is nearly universal among young people, with more than a third of teens saying they use the apps almost constantly. While its impact on youth mental health isnt fully understood, Murphy said, emerging research suggests that its use can be harmful  perpetuating a national youth mental health crisis that we must urgently address.

Related

Kids, Screen Time & Despair: An Expert in Economics & Happiness Sounds the Alarm

The Kids off Social Media Act, which would prohibit youth access to sites like Instagram, is rooted in a 20-year-old law that requires schools and libraries to monitor and filter youth internet use as a condition of receiving federal E-Rate internet connectivity funding. In response, schools nationwide have adopted digital surveillance tools that use algorithms to sift through billions of student communications to identify problematic online behaviors.

Meanwhile, a recent investigation by The Markup found that web filters regularly used in schools do more than keep kids from goofing off in class. They also routinely limit students access to homework materials, educationally appropriate information about sexual and reproductive health and resources designed to prevent youth suicides.

For years, privacy advocates have called on the Federal Communications Commission to clarify how the rules apply to the modern internet and have argued that schools tech-driven monitoring efforts go far beyond their original intent.

When the law went into effect in 2001, monitoring quite literally meant looking over a kids shoulder as they used the computer, said Kristin Woelfel, a policy counsel of the Center for Democracy and Technology, but in 2024 student monitoring has become a very specific term that now means really pervasive and technical surveillance.

In a survey of students, parents and teachers last year, the nonprofit found a majority supported digital activity monitoring in schools yet nearly three-quarters of youth said that filtering and blocking technology made it more difficult to complete some homework, a challenge reported more often among LGBTQ+ students, and that the tools routinely led to disciplinary actions and police involvement.

They dont work as people think they do, she said. That, coupled with data that shows its actually detrimental to students, indicates even more that this is not the right path forward.

In a letter to lawmakers last week, a coalition of education nonprofits including the American Library Association and the Consortium for School Networking expressed concern about attaching social media limitations to E-Rate funding, which schools rely on to facilitate learning.

Schools and libraries will face delays or denials of E-rate funding due to allegations of non-compliance, the groups wrote, arguing that it would give federal authorities control over social media policies that should be left to local officials. The bills provisions seem to suggest that technology-driven learning models are always harmful, even when carefully crafted to promote educational purposes. In fact, there are several social media uses that can be beneficial for education and learning.

Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican of Texas, questions Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg during a January Senate committee hearing about child sexual exploitation on the internet. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

In a press release announcing the legislation, Schatz offered the opposite perspective.

There is no good reason for a nine-year-old to be on Instagram or TikTok, he said. There just isnt. The growing evidence is clear: social media is making kids more depressed, more anxious, and more suicidal.

In justifying the legislation, Schatz cites reporting by the psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt, who argues in his new book The Anxious Generation that young people  and girls, in particular  face a tidal wave of anguish that can be traced back to the rise of smartphones.

Haidts characterization of techs role in youth well-being has been heavily critiqued, including by developmental psychologist Candice Odgers, who argued in the scientific journal Nature that claims that digital technologies are rewiring our childrens brains and causing an epidemic of mental illness is not supported by science.

Among the evidence is a 2023 report which examined Facebooks impact on the well-being of nearly 1 million people ages 13 to 34 and 35 and over as it was being adopted in 72 countries and found no evidence suggesting that the global penetration of social media is associated with widespread psychological harm.
Salem-Keizer Superintendent Andrea Castaneda speaks Tuesday night during a budget committee, proposing a $646.5 million general fund budget that she said is not enough to keep up with rising costs.

This story was updated at 8:50 p.m. Tuesday

Salem-Keizer Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Castaneda has proposed a $646.5 million general fund budget for the 2024-25 school year.

Thats about $21.5 million, or 3.4%, more than the current school years budget.

But its not enough to keep up with rising costs, said Castaneda, who blamed increasing personnel expenses and the loss of federal COVID-19 aid.

Salem-Keizers 2024-25 budget reflects a predicted moment in Oregon and across the nation: The final, grim intersection of flawed and failing school funding policy and school systems attempting to meet the rapidly escalating needs of their students, she said Tuesday night in her presentation to the districts budget committee.

Castaneda took over as superintendent last July. This is her first budget in the district.

The proposal cuts the equivalent of 224 full-time teachers and 138.75 support workers. That is 15 fewer teachers than the number Castaneda had announced last month.

We acknowledge and grieve the pain of this budget, but we cannot allow ambivalence or hesitancy to interfere with our fiduciary and ethical responsibilities for Salem-Keizer Public Schools, Castaneda said.

The cuts will cause secondary class sizes to increase, district officials said Tuesday. Middle school core classes could increase by one to five students per class. High school classes could increase by six to 10 students per class.

People attend a Salem-Keizer School District budget committee meeting Tuesday night in Salem.

Decreasing enrollment in Salem-Keizer district, increasing costs

Salem-Keizers enrollment is projected to decrease again next year, from about 38,648 to 38,061 students. Thats about the same enrollment as during the 2006-07 school year.

Since 2006-07, the districts staffing has grown 47% across all employee groups.

Students now are more difficult and expensive to serve, requiring more staff, Castaneda said.

We are funded to provide an education, she said. But we are expected to provide medical care, solutions for food and housing insecurity, social work, laundry, crisis intervention, mental and behavioral health services, and more.

Castaneda said the "staffing increase is not commensurate with enrollment, it's commensurate with need."

In addition, special education costs are growing, and students and families are still suffering the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.

Castanedas proposed budget includes $48 million for mental and behavioral health services, the largest amount in district history.

Deputy Superintendent Olga Cobb speaks during the budget committee meeting Tuesday night.

All-funds budget for Salem-Keizer Public Schools decreases

The general fund is the districts main day-to-day operating fund.

Other funds include capital projects, grants and self-supporting services.

In all, the district plans to spend $1.1 billion next school year. Thats $187 million, or 14%, less than the current school years budget.

Much of that decrease is accounted for by reduced spending of a 2018 voter-approved construction bond. Spending in that fund will fall from $202 million this year to $46.2 million next year as construction projects wrap up.

The district also expects to get $46.7 million less in grants, including federal COVID-19 funding.

$60 million left unspent

Castanedas proposal will leave $60 million unspent in the general fund at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

That balance, which will be carried to the following years budget, has been controversial, with the districts unions and some parents urging that it be spent to maintain current programs.

Castaneda has said the balance is necessary for the district to continue paying its bills in the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as delays in disbursement of state school fund payments.

This year, the district is projected to end the year with $87 million unspent. Of that, $27 million will be used to boost next year's budget.

Next year's budgeted general fund carry-over is lower than it has been for at least five years, totaling 9% of planned spending. That falls within the school boards target of 7% to 10%.

Public input opportunities

Now, the districts budget committee, made up of the seven school board directors as well as seven appointed community members, will take public testimony on the proposed budget.

The committee will make a recommendation to the school board, which must approve the final spending plan before June 30.

Here are upcoming dates:

6 p.m. Tuesday, May 14: The budget committee will hear public testimony and will consider the proposal.

6 p.m. Monday, May 20: The budget committee will hear public testimony, will consider the proposal, and may vote on it.

6 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 23: Tentative meetings are scheduled if further debate is needed before a vote. Public comment may or may not be received.

Meetings will be held in person at the districts boardroom, at 2575 Commercial St. SE in Salem, as well as streamed live.

More information is available at https://salkeiz.k12.or.us/about/budget.

Tracy Loew covers education at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem-Keizer schools superintendent proposes grim budget
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Saline County announced Wednesday in a press release that the South Tag Office will permanently close on June 7.

The news release says the decision comes after consideration of the financial operations governing the facility. Saline County said the closure will not result in the loss of employment for any staff member.

The tag office operates as an agent for the Kansas Department of Revenue and relies solely on the income generated through renewals and title fees.

Online sources: Lockbit claims responsibility for City of Wichita ransomware

These fees have not been increased in the last 17 years, making it increasingly difficult to sustain the operational costs of the office, the news release said.

While services at the South Tag Office will no longer be available after June 7, Saline County residents can continue to access all necessary services at the City-County Building.

Residents are encouraged to utilize the No Wait Inside online scheduler or to process tag renewals and payments online. Renewals are mailed out 45 days before their due date. There will also be no additional fee for mailing renewals.

I know that the closure of the satellite office may be an inconvenience, said Saline County Treasurer Jim DuBois. I encourage residents to reach out to our state legislature with any concerns.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System is eyeing a new Trolley alignment for its East County service.

The Copper Line was recently proposed by MTS to solve longstanding issues of reliability with the train system, zeroing in on one stretch of track on the outermost edges of its network that the transit agency says has frequently been the source of delays.

The issue is between the Gillespie Airport and Santee stops on the Green and Orange lines, where only one track exists for both directions of travel.

MTS, Padres unveil new trolley wrap to promote public transit on gamedays

The single track, paired with traffic signals, means trains are often waiting for each other to pass, causing holdups for riders. To reduce the impact of these delays, MTS says lines often run a truncated service in the area, making unplanned turn-arounds before reaching Santee.

The proposed Copper Line, MTS says, would fix these issues by shuttling passengers between Santee and El Cajon. Instead, the Orange and Green lines would stop at the El Cajon Transit Center, eliminating the need for those trains to use that stretch of track.

According to MTS, the Copper Line would also allow the Green Line to extend its service hours at night and open up its ability to run past the SDSU Transit Center on Sundays.

On top of that, MTS officials say the Copper Line would have an added benefit for Santee drivers: As it would be a one-train connection instead of the typical three cars, the line would ease traffic at the Mission Gorge Road and Cuyamaca Street rail intersections on the route to Santee.

A map of the proposed change to MTS Trolley service can be found below.

The MTS Board of Directors is scheduled to hear a presentation on the adjustment at its June 20 meeting. Public comment will be available during the boards discussion of the proposal.

MTS is asking for anyone who would like to comment on the proposed change but are unable to attend the June 20 meeting to submit their thoughts online before June 19. MTS officials will also be at transit stations along the route to get in-person comment over the next few weeks.

If approved, service using the Copper Line would start on Sept. 1, running every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Stormy Daniels is questioned by a prosecutor during Donald Trump's criminal trial in New York, on 7 May 2024.

Stormy Daniels is questioned by a prosecutor during Donald Trump's criminal trial in New York, on 7 May 2024. Photograph: Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Stormy Daniels, whose alleged sexual affair with Donald Trump prompted a hush-money scheme at the heart of the criminal case brought by the Manhattan district attorney, described in excruciating detail on Tuesday her encounters with the former US president.

The testimony from Daniels appeared to be embarrassing for Trump, who shook his head at times, and was notably freewheeling  to the extent that the presiding judge sustained multiple objections, even as he denied a mistrial motion on the basis that key parts of her account were prejudicial.

Daniels was wired $130,000 by ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen just before the 2016 election to bury her account of the affair. Prosecutors allege Trump later reimbursed Cohen the money but covered up its nature by falsifying business records and in doing so, violated state election laws.

Here are the key takeaways from day 13 of Trumps criminal trial:

Daniels undercut some Trump defenses

On direct examination, prosecutors used Daniels to undercut some of the Trump defense teams attempts to distance himself from the hush-money scheme and offer alternative explanations to the jury as to why he pushed for the account of the affair to be buried before the 2016 election.

Trumps team has suggested, for instance, that the hush-money scheme was to ensure his wife Melania would not be embarrassed.

But prosecutors suggested that could not be entirely true because Daniels recalled that when she met with Trump in his Lake Tahoe hotel room in 2006 and she said Melania was beautiful, Trump allegedly told her not to worry because we dont even sleep in the same room.

Trumps team has also suggested that Trump might be considered the victim of extortion by Daniels because she was hanging the affair story over his head in the weeks before the 2016 election.

But prosecutors suggested that was not true, by having Daniels testify that she didnt negotiate for more than the $130,000 in the catch-and-kill because she didnt care about the money  she just wanted it to be over and for her partner to not find out about her alleged affair with Trump.

Daniels also seemed to cast Trump as inherently immoral by testifying that he compared her to his daughter Ivanka  shortly before they allegedly had sex  when he tried to persuade her to appear on The Apprentice. You remind me of my daughter, shes blonde and smart and beautiful and people underestimate her as well, she recalled him saying.

Trump picked at Daniels credibility

Daniels appeared to have extraordinary recall about the first time she met Trump in July 2006 and then again in 2007, describing in close detail on direct examination the layout of Trumps hotel suite  down to the ornate black-and-white floor tiles and how Trump greeted her in silk-satin pajamas.

But under cross-examination by Trumps lawyer Susan Necheles, Daniels acknowledged that she had a clear hatred for Trump and suggested she was hoping to get out of having to pay Trump a roughly $250,000 judgement entered against her in federal district court in California.

Necheles also suggested Daniels increasingly included details of the sex with Trump in order to sell her story after first telling it in 2011, and then vacillated between denying and confirming having sex with Trump. The point of the questioning was to undercut her credibility, and suggest she had a propensity to embellish.

Trump motion for mistrial denied

The presiding judge Juan Merchan denied Trumps motion for a mistrial even as he acknowledged that Daniels was a difficult witness to control and gave freewheeling testimony that included things that would have been better left unsaid.

Trumps lawyers moved for a mistrial after arguing that Daniels gave testimony that was irrelevant to the falsification of business records charges, such as a power imbalance when they allegedly had sex, and that Trump allegedly did not use a condom.

But the judge ultimately ruled he did not think it warranted a mistrial, for now, and added he was surprised that Trumps lawyers did not make objections more often, adding that at one point, he had to step in to limit her testimony of his own accord because they had not.

Merchan separately warned Daniels to stay on topic after sustaining a series of objections. Just listen to the question, and answer the question, he told her.
State House members approved their version of an effort to change the screening process of how judges in the state are elected.

Its different from the state Senates version of S. 1046 passed earlier this year and most likely sets up the bill to head to a conference committee as the number of days remaining in this years session dwindles.

Debate on how the state elects judges has been under scrutiny because of the perceived undue influence of lawyer legislators have over judges.

This has been a subject matter that has received a lot of attention over the last year or so, said state Rep. Jay Jordan, R-Florence.

Debate on changing how the state screens judicial candidates takes place as a spot on the state supreme court needs to be filled.

An election for a state Supreme Court position is scheduled for June. Screenings of candidates by he Judicial Merit Selection Commission are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday and up to three candidates are expected to be put forward for consideration by the General Assembly.

Both versions include executive branch involvement by allowing the governor to appoint members to the JSMC.

The House version calls for a 13-member commission, four appointed by the House speaker, two appointed by the Senate president, two appointed by the Senate judiciary chairman, and five appointed by the governor. One of the governors appointees would be a retired judge who would serve as the chair of the commission.

One member appointed by the Senate and one appointed by the House would not be members of the chamber, but should be a member of the bar and have 10 years of experience in practicing law.

It ensures non-lawmakers would have a majority when picking judges.

But House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, a practicing attorney, was one of six House members to vote against the bill. He was concerned about having a majority of non-lawmakers sitting on the JMSC.

Rutherford, who has served on the JMSC for 10 years, defended the performance of the commission especially in vetting candidates and removing unqualified judges.

Rutherford said the decision is going to allow for people to be elected who may have hidden agendas, and no one will know about it until they are in position.

If you want to see who somebody is, give them power, Rutherford said. Until they have a little bit of power, you really have no clue who youre dealing with. And what you dont want to do is find out who youre dealing with when youre electing the third branch of government

Rutherford emphasized there is no way to know about conflicts of interest until the choice is made.

Where it goes in terms of judicial elections and electing judges is straight to hell if any one of these passes, because if you cant tell me that the product is flawed, why are you tinkering with the process? Rutherford said. If none of the judges are the problem then what are we talking about?

The House version also addresses magistrates, allowing them to stay in holdover status for up to 14 days instead of indefinitely waiting for a replacement to be named. The House version allows magistrates to hear cases where a award may be as high as $25,000, which would be up from $7,500.

Magistrates also would go through a JMSC screening process that does not include House members.

From what I could tell this is far superior than what the Senate has sent over to us, said state Rep. Russell Ott, D-Calhoun, who is running for the state Senate this year.

State Rep. Tiffany Spann-Wilder, D-Charleston, said increasing the magistrate limit from $7,500 will lead to the wild-west in magistrate court.

You will have more cases, will you have more qualified magistrates to handle cases, Spann-Wilder said.

State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, brought up concerns about a lack of diversity among current judges and whether the legislation encouraged diversity.

Jordan said the committee clearly wants diversity, and sees it as a good thing.

While Cobb-Hunters point was valid, he said, its a point theyve addressed through pending legislation.

I think if you look back at the history of the last couple sessions, we have paid attention to diversity when it comes to different layers of courts in South Carolina, Jordan said. It would be simplistic to look at one court in one race, or even a handful of races and not consider all the layers of courts in South Carolina.

The Senate version requires a judicial candidate to receive a majority of the House and majority of the Senate to be elected.

Currently judges are elected by a majority of the 170-member general assembly.

The Senate version also increases the number of people who sit on the JMSC from 10 members to 12. Four would be appointed by the governor, four by the Senate and four by the House.

Both chambers also want to change how many candidates for a judicial position can be put in front of the General Assembly. The Senate wants to raise the limit from three to six candidates. The House wants to remove the cap all together, and have the JMSC purely serve as committee that screens candidates and determines if they are qualified.
S.C. Supreme Court Justice John Kittredge is questioned by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission on Nov. 6, 2023, about becoming the next chief justice. The panel's chairman (left) is Rep. Micah Caskey, R-West Columbia. The panel's vice-chairman (right) is Senate Judiciary Chairman Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach. (File/Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)

COLUMBIA  The debate over how legislators pick judges in South Carolina will likely continue into a special session after the House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday on its own version of reform.

Differences in what the House approved 112-6 from the Senates compromise include the makeup of the Legislatures judicial screening committee and how many qualified candidates advance to a joint assembly vote.

But its the addition of a judicial bench to the screening process that could be the biggest sticking point to upcoming negotiations.

The House proposal makes changes in the seating and removal of magistrates  county judges that senators have almost complete authority over. Officially, the governor appoints magistrates, and senators confirm them.

In reality, the senators for each county tell the governor who to pick. And the governor has no ability to fire magistrates, even after their term ends, as senators can simply refuse to send a new name for appointment.

The House proposal would create a new, nine-member screening panel to review a senators selection, with the governor controlling the majority of the panel. Senators would appoint four of the nine members.

It would also stop the practice of senators keeping magistrates in so-called holdover status indefinitely to prevent their replacement.

Magistrates could stay on the bench for a maximum of two weeks after their term expires. The governor would newly have the power to make a temporary appointment if senators refuse to send a new name for screening.

Senators compromise, passed in March, did not touch the magistrate system. Proposed changes by the House, which has no role whatsoever in magistrate selections, to take authority away from senators is sure to cause heartburn in the upper chamber.

Other proposed changes in the magistrate system were opposed by a former magistrate.

The House plan would give magistrates authority over more cases. Currently, magistrates jurisdiction is limited to criminal charges punishable by no more than a month in jail and civil cases with possible fines up to $7,500. But the changes would give them authority over cases carrying up to a year in prison and fines of up to $25,000.

Rep. Tiffany Spann-Wilder, D-North Charleston, said shes concerned about expanding the number and complexity of cases for judges who are largely not attorneys.

State law does not require magistrates to have a law degree. They need only to pass a legal exam to get certified within a year of being appointed.

I believe you will have chaos with a nonlawyer sitting at the bench trying to sort through all of this, said the North Charleston Democrat, a former magistrate who is a lawyer.

She was among six Democrats who voted against the plan.

South Carolina is among two states where the Legislature elects most judges to the bench. Prosecutors  including the states chief prosecutor, Attorney General Alan Wilson  have called for reform, saying the system gives the Legislature too much power over judges, particularly lawyer-legislators who appear before the judges they put on the bench.

The most fervent opposition during floor debate Tuesday came from House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, D-Columbia.

Rutherford, an attorney and member of the Legislatures judicial screening plan, said he sees no reason to change the process.

That 10-member panel is made up of six legislators who are lawyers and four lawyers appointed by legislators. The House plan would expand the panel to 13 members and give the governor five of those appointments. Two of legislators appointments couldnt be legislators.

Legislators on the Judicial Merit Selection Commission chat before a public hearing Monday Nov. 6, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. L-R: Sens. Ronnie Sabb, D-Greeleyville, and Scott Talley, R-Spartanburg; Rep. Jay Jordan, R-Florence; and Senate Judiciary Chairman Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach. (File/Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)

Rutherford said South Carolina does not have an issue with corrupt judges.

He called it a mistake to move to a process where most members of the commission are appointees and not elected officials.

If you aint never knocked on doors in your neighborhood  you should not have the ability to appoint a judge, he said.

Other concerns were about the states lack of diversity on the bench.

I have a particular concern that women of color are behind the eight ball, if you will, when it comes to being elected, said Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg. Thats why Im concerned about the lack of opportunity for people like me to sit on the bench.

Rep. Jay Jordan, the chairman of a House Judiciary subcommittee who presented the House plan, pointed to new language that tells the screening panel to consider race, gender, national origin, and other demographic factors.

But Cobb-Hunter, the Houses longest-serving member, said that guidance wont guarantee change. Increasing diversity will require Republican leaders in the Legislature getting behind minority candidates.

The language in and of itself is a help, but that is not the cure all, she told the SC Daily Gazette after the debate.

South Carolinas Supreme Court is the only state high court in the nation without a single female. It currently has one Black justice  Chief Justice Don Beatty  but he retires this summer. The Legislature will vote next month to fill the upcoming vacancy.

The six judicial candidates to be screened in public hearings Wednesday and Thursday include one white woman and two Black women.

As for future changes in the screening process, another perfunctory vote by the House, expected Wednesday, would return the amended bill to the Senate, which will not agree with the changes.

To stay alive for negotiations in the special session, each chamber must appoint three members to a House-Senate committee before the regular session ends Thursday.

Let us know what you think...

The post SC House version of judicial reform would remove senators complete control over magistrates appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck and Chancellor Olaf Scholz talk at the start of the cabinet meeting in the Federal Chancellery. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday condemned a string of recent attacks on politicians and political campaign workers as "outrageous and cowardly."

"Those who get involved deserve respect. Violence has no place in democratic debate," Scholz wrote in a post to X. "The decent and reasonable people are clearly against it - and they are the majority!"

Scholz cited Tuesday's attack on Franziska Giffey, Berlin's former mayor and the leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) in the German capital. Giffey, who currently serves as the city's economy minister, was hit over the head while visiting a library.

Also on Tuesday, a local Green Party candidate in the eastern city of Dresden was assaulted while campaigning in a separate incident. That attack followed the brutal beating on Friday of a SPD member of European Parliament while hanging campaign posters in Dresden.

The incidents, which happened ahead of the European elections in June, prompted widespread expressions of outrage and dismay in Germany.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The Panama-Buena Vista Union School District issued a statement Tuesday after one of its teachers was arrested last month on suspicion of murder.

Paul Magallanes was arrested in east Bakersfield on April 19 in connection with the death of Margarita Lopez, 38, of Bakersfield. He was later released after prosecutors sent the case back for further investigation.

No charges have been filed.

Bakersfield woman who tried to turn in found marijuana was turned away by police

According to officials at the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, Magallanes, a teacher in the Alternative Education program, is on administrative leave.

The district released a statement that says in part, We understand the shock and concern this news may bring to our school community. Allegations of this nature are disturbing and do not reflect the high professional standards of our programs or the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District. The safety and well-being of our students, and our community, are among the Districts highest priorities.

Sheriffs officials said Tuesday the investigation is active and ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BELGRADE, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia.

Serbian Air Force sent two fighter jets to escort Xi's plane after it entered the country's airspace.

The Chinese president was warmly welcomed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.

Serbian children presented flowers to Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, and waved the national flags of China and Serbia. Serbian people dressed in national costumes sang and danced to welcome them.

"China and Serbia enjoy profound traditional friendship. Our bilateral relationship has stood the test of changing international environment and become a fine example of state-to-state relations," Xi said in a written statement upon arrival.

Xi said he looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to have in-depth exchange of views with Vucic on bilateral relationship and other issues of mutual interest, renew friendship, plan for cooperation, explore development, and draw up a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations.

"I am confident that this visit will be a fruitful one and will open up a new chapter in China-Serbia relations," he said.

Xi's visit to Serbia marks his second visit to the country in eight years, which is a milestone to upgrade and improve bilateral relations.

"It gives me great pleasure to pay a state visit to the Republic of Serbia at the warm invitation of President Vucic," Xi said.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to extend heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the friendly government and people of Serbia," he added.

He said that since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, the bilateral relationship has realized leapfrog development, and achieved historic results.

The two countries are bound by rock-solid political mutual trust, and have seen fruitful results in high quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Chinese president said, adding that "our ironclad friendship has taken deeper roots in the heart of the two peoples."

China and Serbia have rendered each other firm support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

"We have jointly upheld international fairness and justice, and contributed our share to promoting world peace and development," he added.

Cooperation between the two countries is rooted in the principle of equality and mutual benefits, said Xi.

"Standing at a new historical starting point, China will work with Serbia to jointly stay committed to the original aspiration and forge ahead together to open up a new vista in China-Serbia cooperation with stronger momentum, greater scope, and higher quality," he said.

Xi travelled to Serbia after his visit to France. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. Xi was warmly welcomed by President Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport upon arrival. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, May 7, 2024. Xi was warmly welcomed by President Vucic and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport upon arrival. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping's plane arrives in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping's plane arrives in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

A crowd gathers to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Children welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Belgrade, Serbia, May 7, 2024. Xi arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday to pay a state visit to Serbia. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters that he has faith in what President Biden is doing to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza, including a decision to pause the delivery of 3,500 bombs as his administration assesses a potential Israeli invasion of Rafah.

I believe that Israel and America have an ironclad relationship, and I have faith in what the Biden administration is doing, Schumer said when asked if it is appropriate for the Biden administration to hold up the shipment of bombs amid intensifying opposition on the left to the war.

Republicans are excoriating Biden over withholding the munitions, which they argue were authorized and paid for in the $95 billion emergency foreign aid package Congress passed last month.

A few days ago, we saw reports that the president was delaying weapons shipments to Israel, creating daylight between America and a close ally, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said on the Senate floor Wednesday.

The decision to pause these shipments was withheld from Congress  we still dont know key facts, he said.

The presidents apparent inability to keep the most radical voices on his left flank out of the Situation Room isnt just a shameful abdication of leadership  its dangerous, McConnell added.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday that Israel needs to come up with plans to protect civilians in Rafah.

Israeli troops seized the Gaza border crossing at Rafah on Tuesday in anticipation of a possible invasion.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters last month that a ground invasion of Rafah would be a mistake.

Progressives are applauding Bidens decision to hold up the arms shipment.

Given the unprecedented humanitarian disaster that [Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin] Netanyahus war has created in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of children face starvation, President Biden is absolutely right to halt bomb delivery to this extreme, right-wing Israeli government, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Scientists raise concerns as dangerous illness threatens over 1 billion people: 'We may see more frequent outbreaks'

Insect-borne diseases that were once confined to certain geographical areas are spreading, thanks to the continued overheating of our planet. One such disease is scrub typhus, which was recently detected for the first time in the mountainous country of Bhutan, Eco-Business reported.

What is happening?

Scrub typhus is transmitted through the bite of larval mites of the Trombiculidae family, also known as chiggers.

The zoonotic illness causes symptoms including fever and chills, headaches, body aches and muscle pain, and mental changes ranging from confusion to coma, according to the CDC.

While it has historically been restricted to a geographic area in the Asia-Pacific called the "tsutsugamushi triangle," which has both intense humidity and scrub vegetation, that area is now expanding. Over 1 billion people are at risk of the disease, according to a scientific study from 2018, with that number only rising.

Why is this concerning?

Scrub typhus is not the only vector-borne disease (one that is transmitted to humans by blood-feeding insects) that is on the rise, with its reach spreading due to our overheating planet. Dengue fever, babesiosis, Lyme disease, malaria, and more are all on the rise.

"As meteorological factors play a key role in creating a conducive environment for the chiggers to thrive," said Tandin Zangpo, a medical epidemiologist at Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences and the co-author of another study on the scrub typhus. "This also means climate change will have significant impacts on scrub typhus outbreaks. If changes in the climate lead to a scenario where the rainfall and the humidity is at a level just ideal for mites to proliferate, we may see more frequent outbreaks."

What is being done about it?

Zangpo advocated for a One Health approach to combat scrub typhus and other zoonotic disease outbreaks. Per the World Health Organization, "One Health is an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It uses the close, interdependent links among these fields to create new surveillance and disease control methods."

More broadly speaking, we must stop the activitiesprimarily the use of dirty energy sources like gas and oilthat are causing our planet's overheating and turn instead to clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
Scorching July on pace to be hottest month on record as climate change continues to worsen

Scientists from the United Nations and the European Union announced Thursday that the first three weeks of July were the three hottest weeks on record and that the month was almost certain to be the warmest in recorded history.

Unless an ice age were to appear all of sudden out of nothing, it is basically virtually certain we will break the record for the warmest July on record and the warmest month on record, Carlo Buentempo, director of the EUs Copernicus Climate Change Service, which partnered with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), told the Associated Press.

The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived, said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a pithy summation of the findings at a press conference.

Many scientists  including those at Copernicus  say its almost certain that these temperatures are the warmest the planet has seen in 120,000 years, given what we know from millennia of climate data, CNN reported.

Prolonged heat wave

An activist stages a protest in Death Valley National Park by the thermometer at the Furnace Creek, Calif., Visitor Center on July 16. (David McNew/Getty Images)

This week, roughly 150 million Americans are sweltering under heat alerts as the monthlong heat wave broiling the Southwest and Florida has recently spread to the Midwest and Northeast. In Washington, D.C., the heat index, which combines heat and humidity, is projected to reach 104F on Thursday and 107F on Friday.

In El Paso, Texas, temperatures have exceeded 100F for a record-breaking 41 consecutive days. Phoenix surpassed 110F for 26 consecutive days, setting a new national record. Pavement temperatures can reach 170F in those conditions, and burn patients who fell on the sidewalk or touched a doorknob are filling burn units in Las Vegas, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Such extremes have also been seen worldwide for much of the summer. Last month was by far the hottest June globally on record. July 6 set a new record for hottest global average temperature when it surpassed the previous record, from August 2016. Every day since July 3 has been the hottest day on that date.

Dangers abound

Firefighters in Phoenix measure the body temperature of a resident having trouble breathing on July 20. (Caitlin O'Hara/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Emergency room physicians in cities suffering extreme heat waves say they are seeing a sharp increase in patients with heat-related ailments. Extreme heat also increases the risk of potentially deadly cardiovascular problems like heart failure.

This is the worst summer in recent memory," Frank LoVecchio, an emergency medicine physician at a hospital in Phoenix, recently told NBC News.

Extreme heat is also a challenge as power grids try to keep pace with increased demand for air conditioning. The 13-state eastern U.S. grid operator PJM Interconnection LLC, covering from Washington, D.C., to Illinois, issued an Energy Emergency Alert Level 1 on Thursday, meaning that it is concerned about being able to maintain adequate power reserves, according to Bloomberg News.

Although Thursday's announcement was focused on air temperature, oceans have also been affected. A buoy in Manatee Bay, Fla., recently registered the hottest water temperature in world history: a Jacuzzi-like 101.1F.

Whats causing the spike in temperatures

A person drinks water near her campsite during a heat wave in Salem, Ore., on Aug. 12, 2021. (Alisha Jucevic/Reuters)

Scientists say the cause of this extreme heat is climate change caused by the continued burning of fossil fuels.

The extreme weather which has affected many millions of people in July is unfortunately the harsh reality of climate change and a foretaste of the future, Petteri Taalas, the secretary general of the WMO, said in a statement. The need to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions is more urgent than ever before.

Like 2016, 2023 is a year that features an El Nino weather pattern, a band of warm ocean water that causes temperatures to spike. But scientists note that the reason that recent El Nino years have been the hottest in history is that baseline temperatures are steadily rising, thanks to an increase in emissions.

Global surface temperatures currently running about 0.2-0.3C warmer than last year, consistent w/ the transition from La Nina to El Nino. BOTH years are warmer than any proceeding years--and THAT'S where the profound impact of fossil fuel burning and carbon pollution is evident. pic.twitter.com/4U3HLYqx6R  Prof Michael E. Mann (@MichaelEMann) July 27, 2023

Years with El Nino events tend to be warmer than other years, but the inexorable march of temperatures upwards due to climate change is adding a permanent El Nino worth of heat to the Earth's atmosphere every 5 to 10 years, Zeke Hausfather, a research scientist at Berkeley Earth, said in a statement.

A separate study released Tuesday by the research organization World Weather Attribution determined that Julys extreme heat waves would have been "virtually impossible" without climate change. The study found global warming made the current heat wave in Southern Europe, which has resulted in raging wildfires, 2.5C (4.5F) hotter.

World leaders respond

President Biden, with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Rick Spinrad, announcing new measures to deal with extreme weather on Thursday. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

On Thursday, Guterres called for the leaders of the largest economies to set more ambitious new targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a sentiment echoed by climate scientists.

Later in the day, President Biden announced a new set of actions to address extreme heat, including directing the Labor Department to increase inspections of potentially dangerous workplaces and increasing enforcement of heat safety violations.

"I don't think anybody can deny the impact of climate change anymore," Biden said.
Search ends for armed and dangerous gunman after man is shot in the head, SC cops say

The search for the South Carolina man who fatally shot another man in the head Tuesday is over, according to the Aiken County Sheriffs Department.

Jonathan Daquan Staley, 22, was arrested late Tuesday night, the sheriffs office said Wednesday in a news release. Staley was taken to the Aiken County Detention Center where hes expected to be charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to the release.

No bond has been set for the Wagener resident, jail records show.

Deputies got involved at about 7:30 p.m., when they responded to a shooting in the 200 block of Jeffcoat Road, the sheriffs department said. Thats in Wagener, near the intersection with S.C. 39/Festival Trail Road.

The deputies found a male with a gunshot wound to the head, according to the release. He was identified as 53-year-old Wagener resident Timothy Davenport, Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables said Wednesday.

Davenport was taken to Lexington Medical Center where he died, according to the coroners office.

No other injuries were reported.

A witness said the suspected shooter was a man who ran from the home before deputies arrived, according to the release. The sheriffs office later identified Staley as the suspected shooter.

At about 11:15 p.m., deputies found Staley on S.C. 302 where he was taken into custody without incident, the sheriffs office said. He was located after people saw Staley walking on the road, about 3 miles from the crime scene, and reported it to the sheriffs office, according to the release.

There was no word about a motive for the shooting, which continues to be investigated by the sheriffs office and coroners office. An autopsy will be performed in Newberry, Ables said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the sheriffs office at 803-648-6811, CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
COLUMBUS (WJW)  Its hard to argue that seat belts save lives, and now an Ohio lawmaker is proposing a law, allowing police to pull-over drivers for not wearing one.

Ohio is one of only 15 states, where police have to pull you over for another violation, before handing out a ticket for not buckling up.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has recently been pushing state lawmakers to toughen Ohios seat belt laws. Safety officials say Ohio is in the bottom 10, when it comes to states with seat belt compliance.

Wednesday, State Rep. Jon Cross (R, Findlay) says he plans to introduce a bill this week that he says will save lives. But some say it will restrict personal freedom or just give police another reason to pull over drivers.

Person found shot in home that was set on fire

Every time we step into a vehicle, we are taking a risk  the road can be unpredictable, crashes can happen in the blink of an eye and the consequences can be simply devastating, said Ohio State Highway Patrol Colonel Charles Jones.

Seat belts are the single most effective means of reducing the risk of death in a crash, said Rep. Cross.

Cross says by Friday, he will officially introduce the bill that would make failure to wear a seat belt for front seat passengers a primary offense. Currently, it is secondary, which means the officer must first stop a driver for another violation.

You can get pulled over for your taillights, your headlights, your mirrors, the little light on the back of your license plate, but a seatbelt, the single most thing that will save your life, uh, secondary, it doesnt make sense, added Cross.

At a news conference in Columbus, Cross and other safety leaders released numbers that show in 2022 about 80% of Ohioans buckled up. Last year, the number rose to nearly 85%. The national average is more than 91%.

They say in 2022, 1,180 people were killed in crashes on Ohio roads, 9th in the nation for fatalities. Of those, 527 people were not wearing seatbelts.

New security measures after Hopkins Airport fence crashes

February 2020, a driver survived a horrific crash.

This 22-year old is going to see another day because he was wearing his seatbelt, said Steven Bosso, assistant Twinsburg fire chief at the time.

Cross admits his bill may have a tough time making it to the floor for various reasons. Some of the Republicans colleagues worry about restricting personal freedoms.

That basically works under the assumption that a car crash only affects the person that is hurt, responded Andy Wilson, Director of the Department of Public Safaty.

Cross says he would consider removing some current primary traffic offenses that dont reduce safety, in response to people who feel the law is just another reason for police to pull people over.

He says the bill is about safety, displaying a map showing Ohio isolated, surrounded by states with primary offense seatbelt laws.

We need to think fall in line with our neighboring states and the majority of the country and a lot of good will come from it, he said.

The proposal would also apply to children not properly fastened in car or booster seats or buckled up. Cross says he has no interest in increasing fines: $30 for the driver and $20 for the passenger.

The Westerville police chief says in the first year, it is estimated that 49 lives could be saved across the state in the first year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Second Baptist Church in Little Rock invites public to watch Daisy Bates statue unveiling

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Locals in Little Rock are invited to watch a stream of the statue unveiling of civil rights leader Daisy Bates at Second Baptist Church Wednesday afternoon.

The statue of Bates will be unveiled in Statuary Hall, representing Arkansas and replacing long-time statues in the U.S. Capitol. In 2019, the Arkansas General Assembly passed legislation to replace the statues with Bates and musician Johnny Cash.

Civil rights leader Daisy Bates and singer Johnny Cash to replace Arkansas statues at the US Capitol

The event will be held at 1 p.m. at the church located at 1709 John Barrow Road.

Bates is recognized for her impact on educational equality and integrating nine Black students into Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission also took students from central Arkansas to Washington D.C. to honor the figure.

Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Goes to D.C. for native figure to be honored at U.S. Capitol

The bronze statue shows Bates holding a newspaper, notepad and pen. It was created by Idaho artist Benjamin Victor.

The Johnny Cash statue, created by Little Rock native Kevin Kresse, will be installed later this year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Kansas City police have located the driver of the second car that allegedly fatally struck Kita Bee, 46, in East Kansas City last week.

A proud Black transgender woman, Bee was known as an informal mentor to other trans women of color in her community, giving advice on how to navigate an often unfriendly climate on the streets of Kansas City.

Bee was hit by two cars on the night of Friday, May 3, as they drove west on Independence Avenue near Independence Plaza, according to police. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that night The driver of the first car, a silver Chevrolet Silverado, has not been identified by police.

Police are no longer searching for others involved in the crash, said Capt. Jacob Becchina, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department. The department classified Bees death as a pedestrian fatality hit-and-run accident on Monday night.

East KC hit-and-run victim identified as Black Trans Icon Kita Bee, community groups say

The known driver has not yet been charged, Becchina said, as police will involve a prosecutor to figure out appropriate criminal charges. Some friends and family members have expressed concern online that Bees death was caused by foul play, or that someone pushed her into the road.

Along with reconstructing the crash and gathering forensic evidence, Becchina said, the department plans to interview people involved, as well as eyewitnesses.

In posts shared online, Bees sister Raynisha described Bee as an entertainer with a bold personality. Kita and Raynishas mother, with whom both sisters were close, passed away earlier this year.

She loved to sing, dance, perform to make you happy, smile, or laugh, Raynisha wrote on social media posts shared by nonprofit KC Transformations.

Bee had previously survived several serious injuries, including another hit-and-run earlier this year, said Kris Wade, who knew Bee for nearly two decades. At the time of her death, Bee had secured stable housing and was looking into getting an apartment, said Wade, who is the executive director of peer support nonprofit, The Justice Project.

In confirming Bees identity, KCPD updated their use of pronouns, correctly referring to her as a woman. The department previously misgendered Bee as male in initial reports from the scene of the accident.

Just over four months ago, Raytown police similarly misgendered Amber Minor, a Black transgender woman, while investigating her murder. Minor was found laying in a driveway on 77th Terrace on Christmas Eve 2023, with a fatal gunshot wound.

Bees death was the 39th fatal vehicle crash in Kansas City this year, according to KCPD.

It could take several weeks before charges in the case are finalized, Becchina said. Meanwhile, friends, family and advocates continue to advocate for safer conditions for Black transgender women in Kansas City and in Missouri.

We are in the most horrible state in the country, pretty much, to be a queer individual, Ward said. ... We have an epidemic of queer murders.

Some in the citys close-knit queer community of color are mourning multiple friends, including Bee and Minor. Minors close friend Aerrion Burnett, as well as Brianna Hill, both Black transgender women, were shot and killed in Kansas City in 2020 and 2019.

About half of all trans and genderqueer people murdered in the United States are Black transgender women, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
ALABAMA (WHNT)  Nearly seven months to the day after Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first known person executed using nitrogen hypoxia, another Alabama convict is set to die in the same way.

Alan Eugene Miller was convicted of killing Terry Jarvis, Lee Holdbrooks and Scott Yancy during a 1999 workplace shooting in Birmingham.

On Wednesday, May 8, Governor Kay Iveys office announced she had set a time frame for Millers execution by nitrogen hypoxia. The time frame starts at midnight on Thursday, September 26, 2024, and ends at 6 a.m. on Friday, September 27, 2024.

In February, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshalls office had asked the state Supreme Court to allow the governor to set an execution date for Alan Eugene Miller.

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.

This will be the second attempt to execute Miller, as the State of Alabama abandoned a first attempt to execute Alan Eugene Miller on September 23, 2022.

The decision to end efforts to execute Miller came around 11:30 p.m. that day after prison staff had difficulties accessing Millers veins, according to Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm.

The Associated Press said that in an ongoing lawsuit, Millers attorneys argue the execution method is a violation of the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment, and cited witness statements describing Smiths 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, his attorneys wrote in the filing.

Smith, who was convicted for a 1988 murder-for-hire killing, became the first known person to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia on January 25 of this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
An aerial view of Seacox Heath, which has been in Russian hands for 78 years - STEVE FINN

Seacox Heath, a 50-room Gothic mansion, would make a fabulous country retreat for a shy and retiring pop star or Hollywood actor. Except for almost 80 years, it has instead been a tiny slice of Moscows empire on the Kent/Sussex borders.

Known as Putins Palace, or the Kent Kremlin, Seacox Heath was on Wednesday at the centre of an international dispute after the Government decided to strip it of its diplomatic status.

The Home Office accused Moscow of using the house and its vast grounds as a base from which to plot intelligence operations in and against Britain.

Seacox Heath now reverts to British territory. It remains Russian-owned but its occupants can no longer use its special diplomatic status to evade criminal investigations.

The mansion was built in 1871 for the Victorian statesman the 1st Viscount Goschen, a former chancellor of the exchequer. It was acquired by the Soviet Union in 1946  a gift from the 2nd viscount as a thank you for Moscows support for Britain against the Nazis  and was used throughout the Cold War as a dacha, or country home, by Soviet officials, much to the bemusement of villagers in nearby Hawkhurst.

The interior remains a guarded secret but architectural drawings from 1872 show a spectacular three-storey galleried central hall with an intricate roof and skylight and Gothic arches with corridors leading off to bedrooms and wings of the house.

The architects' drawing of Seacox Heath produced in 1872 - ANTIQUA PRINT GALLERY/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

The central hall at Seacox Heath as shown in the architects' drawings - ANTIQUA PRINT GALLERY/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

In 1952, the Daily Mail described it as a Russian country club, said to be empty in winter but packed out with the wives and children of diplomats in the summers. The lounge walls reportedly bore portraits of Stalin and other Soviet dignitaries.

Last year, villagers complained of drones being flown from the Seacox Heath estate over their homes, moving slowly down residential streets before being returned to base. Sussex Police confirmed it had investigated the drone sightings and had spoken to officials inside.

One theory is the drones were being flown in retaliation against locals who had staged anti-war and anti-Putin protests outside the estate.

After the launch of the war in Ukraine in 2022, residents, outraged over the invasion, sprayed pro-Ukrainian graffiti at the entrance to Seacox Heath. That was followed by the planting of Ukrainian flags by Rebecca de Saintonge, a writer and journalist.

Miss de Saintonge said: I felt compelled to protest outside it and attract attention to its existence. After my protest I had a visit from two policemen. I think they were worried for the safety of the elderly Russian couple who look after the house.

Rebecca de Saintonge was among the residents who protested over the mansion's use - STEVE FINN

Rebecca de Saintonge put Ukraine flags outside the mansion, at that time officially Russian territory

The author added: At last weve finally got our little patch of land back and it no longer has diplomatic status. Im really pleased this step has been taken; its symbolic. However I do think its too little too late. I wish this Government could do more to help the situation in Ukraine as it all seems so inevitable.

Philippa Reid, 45, a resident who also protested, said she was pleased the mansion had now been stripped of its diplomatic protection. Given what it is doing in Ukraine and its general international conduct, Russia has no business having a diplomatic building in the heart of Sussex, she said.

All this stuff about them flying drones over the Flimwell and Hawkhurst was hugely infuriating at the time as the police seemed powerless to stop it.

Its really pleasing Seacox Heath no longer has diplomatic status and I think, in a small part, our protest helped bring that about.

The estate was one of several Russian properties that now revert to British territory because, according to the Home Office, they are believed to have been used for intelligence purposes.

North London properties also lose diplomatic status

The Government said Russias defence and trade outposts in Highgate in north London also had diplomatic status removed. The defence attaches offices on Millfield Lane back on to the office of the trade representative on Highgate West Hill. The offices are situated among the most expensive real estate in the UK, and the land is worth millions.

Protesters picketed the office of the defence attache  Colonel Maxim Elovik  at the start of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Colonel Maxim Elovik has been expelled from the UK for spying

Next to the Russian trade delegation offices is the one-time home of John Betjeman, the former poet laureate, who lived there from 1908 to 1917. The trade and defence offices have previously been described by UK authorities as a den of spies.

The defence attaches office looked deserted on Wednesday but was covered by numerous CCTV cameras. At least four cameras attached to trees and fences guarded the six-storey office block on the edge of Hampstead Heath close to the famous swimming ponds.

Locals said there had been little activity in recent months and a yellow skip could be seen in the grounds of the property along with dozens of plant pots. The gate was covered in sharp mesh to prevent anyone entering.

A Russian woman who said she worked at the property was unaware of the sanctions.

Most windows of the attaches building had their curtains closed, but in one second-floor room, two reindeer Christmas decorations could be seen.

Those living next to the building said huge hedges and trees made it difficult to see what was going on inside.

Attaches office now mostly empty

I am aware of what that building is. Most of them moved out about a year ago, a man living in a neighbouring property said. Its more or less just a caretaker left. There are never any lights on now.

At the office of the trade representative, neighbours who could see through the shrubbery could still view a Russian flag flying on top of the building.

The complex is believed to have contained offices and residential properties with some Russians previously living in nearby houses, according to neighbours.

Some workers used to live next door. Wed see diplomatic cars going in and out but not as much as we used to. They are very careful about the security and the workers we would see outside didnt speak English, said one.

Another said they would see diplomatic vehicles once a week compared to all the time previously.

A person who answered the intercom hung up when asked about the UK Governments decision.

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. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, did not answer questions from members of a Senate ethics committee on May 7, 2024. Her attorney, Bruce Ringstrom Jr., said Mitchell was pleading the Fifth Amendment. Photo by Michelle Griffith/Minnesota Reformer.

A bipartisan Senate ethics committee on Tuesday voted to delay taking action on a complaint filed against Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, who last month was charged with first-degree burglary, a felony.

Senate Republicans filed an ethics complaint arguing that Mitchell had violated the Minnesota Senates standards of ethical conduct when she allegedly broke into her stepmothers Detroit Lakes home intending to take several sentimental items belonging to her late father on April 22.

The committee voted to reconvene on June 12  two days after Mitchells next scheduled court appearance and well after the session ends on May 20.

Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, removed Mitchell from her committee assignments and said she will no longer participate in caucus meetings, though shes still a member of the caucus and voting on bills.

Detroit Lakes police arrested Mitchell after finding her in the basement dressed in black clothing and a black hat  officers also found a flashlight covered by a black sock next to her, according to the incident report. While being arrested, Mitchell allegedly told her stepmother she was just trying to get a couple of my dads things because you wouldnt talk to me anymore.

The next day, Mitchell said in a statement that she was conducting a welfare check on her stepmother and she startled the stepmother. Mitchell denied stealing anything from the home and said her stepmother has Alzheimers and associated paranoia.

Senate Republicans said Mitchells alleged conduct broke three Senate rules: She didnt adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct expected of senators; she published a statement that was false or clearly misleading; and her conduct betrayed the publics trust and her actions brought the Senate into dishonor or disrepute.

Mitchell pleaded the Fifth Amendment during the Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct hearing and didnt answer any questions. Her attorney, Bruce Ringstrom Jr., criticized the ethics investigation and said senators were trying to force Mitchell to forgo her right to defend herself and skirt due process.

A witch hunt is premised on the idea of deciding on someones guilt without regard to the evidence in the case, without allowing the person to defend themselves  here the term fits, Ringstrom said. By conducting an ethics investigation before the criminal case, you are participating in the witch hunt.

Ringstrom may have been needling Republican senators with the term: In recent years, former President Donald Trump has used the moniker witch hunt to describe investigations of his conduct.

He argued the ethics committee should not make a ruling on the complaint until Mitchells criminal proceedings are done.

Sen. Mitchell desperately wants to tell her story, but I am not letting her, Ringstrom said.

Ringstrom suggested during the committee hearing that Mitchell intends to plead not guilty in her criminal case and said she wants to testify in her own defense at trial.

Sen. Eric Lucero, R-St. Michael, and Sen. Karin Housley, R-Stillwater, walked the committee through their caucus ethics complaint. Senate Republicans cited the criminal complaint against Mitchell, the 911 transcript and media reports regarding her arrest.

Are Minnesotans supposed to trust senators facing serious felony burglary charges?  Do we hold this bodys reputation to the highest standard when its members are accused of engaging in a crime of violence? Lucero asked the committee.

Democratic-Farmer-Labor legislators are looking to pass influential legislation implementing new policy affecting everything from workers rights to health care, as well as some new spending and an infrastructure package  most of which will require Mitchells vote given the DFLs narrow 34-33 majority.

Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, a member of the four-person ethics committee, said the evidence Republicans cited in their complaint amounted to mere allegations. He also suggested that articles about Mitchell and her arrest may not be true and she, or her attorney, could have been misquoted.

We know media outlets dont always have to tell the truth, Champion said.

(The Reformers ethics code requires truth-telling.)

Ringstrom questioned Housley and Lucero as if the hearing room were a courtroom and treated the questioning like a cross-examination. He grilled the senators about whether they verified anything in their complaint. The senators said they relied on what is in the public record, but Ringstrom noted that their complaint relied almost entirely on allegations, not facts proven in court.

Ringstrom told the committee that the polices criminal complaint is often incorrect, and that Republicans were forcing Mitchell to forgo her rights to defend herself.

When a person charged with a crime disputes the allegations, it makes perfect sense that their explanation is different from the governments, Ringstrom said. While the authors of this ethics complaint may believe that whenever the government or its agents make a claim, that claim must be right, those of us who practice criminal defense know that the government is often wrong.

Before the ethics committee took up the complaint against Mitchell, they considered a complaint filed by Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley, against Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe. Last year, Gruenhagen sent senators a link to a Google search that included videos of minors undergoing gender affirmation surgery that he said was extremely graphic and disturbing.

This was around the time last when DFL lawmakers were debating the bill making Minnesota a refuge state for transgender people.

Gruenhagen said he sent a medical video, intentionally cautioning it was graphic, and said he intended to educate senators about gender-affirming care. He said Maye Quades ethics complaint was frivolous.

Republicans on the ethics committee attempted to dismiss the complaint against Gruenhagen, but the four-person committee voted 2-2 along party lines, meaning the motion failed. The committee will reconvene on the Gruenhagen complaint Wednesday.

The post Senate ethics committee delays action on complaint against DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
As tensions continue to escalate in Gaza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday once again called for Israel and Hamas to demonstrate "political courage" and work towards securing a ceasefire. #XinhuaNews
A promising compromise has replaced a sprawling energy bill that stalled in the South Carolina Legislature.

While the South Carolina Energy Security Act will not become law this year, the state Senate on Tuesday vowed, via a joint resolution, to continue studying the states energy needs, aiming to pass legislation early next session. Its a compromise state Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, says acknowledges the push the House put behind the bill, and one that stakeholders, including utilities and cooperatives, were willing to take.

I think there was an acknowledgment in the Senate, both on the Republican and Democratic sides, that the Speaker of the House and the House of Representatives have raised an extremely important issue, Davis said of the energy resolution. We acknowledged the work theyve done in regard to demonstrating that we have a (energy) capacity problem in South Carolina, that we have to upgrade our transmission and that we have to take a hard look at a gas.

In effect, the Senate killed H. 5118 by passing a strike and insert amendment that included observations relating to the states energy needs. The move was in the form of a resolution, which does not carry the effect of law. As such, Santee Cooper doesnt have the green light to build a natural gas plant in partnership with Dominion Energy in Canadys.

But even without the effect of law, Davis said the resolution wasnt inconsequential.

The intention of this is to reassure the utilities, the people of South Carolina and capital markets that provide money to the energy sector that we are taking this, and will take this, seriously in a comprehensive way that will address all aspects of energy generation and transmission, he said.

Davis added that the resolution came at the urging of utilities and energy cooperatives, who conceded the Senates hesitation to debate the bill.

The utilities were saying, Look, we understand that you dont think youre in a position to go as far as the House did, but can you at least pass a joint resolution, because that is valuable to us,  Davis said.

State Sen. Mike Fanning, D-Fairfield, asked Davis whether the measure could end up in a conference committee if the House rejects the amendment.

If a conference committee were to convene, Davis said, anything beyond a statement of what we think material findings are, and variables are, and inquires should be, will not be acceptable by this body, I think thats clear.

After clearing the House, H. 5118 appeared to be on a fast track for passage, until it stalled last month in the Senate when Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, urged his colleagues to slow down the measure.

Still, Davis, a leading figure in the energy debate, who originally drafted a companion bill that amended the House version, was committed to passing something, albeit at a compromise. That came in the form of Tuesdays resolution.

The House did a great job of digging in and identifying the (energy) issue, and then went ahead and proposed a solution, Davis said. The Senate decided that it was going to respect what the House did ... and pass this version of the bill, acknowledging that they had identified important issues and that we have to take it up over the next the summer and fall and come back in January prepared to reach some sort of specific conclusion with the same degree of specificity that the House did.
The Senates proposed amendment of 400 percent, or $124,800 for a family of four, could prove contentious in the House. (Dana Wormald | New Hampshire Bulletin)

Republicans in the House and Senate are both interested in raising the income cap for education freedom accounts this year. But the chambers disagree over how high.

On Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee rejected a proposal by the House to raise eligibility from 350 percent of the federal poverty level to 500 percent. Instead, the committee proposed amending the bill to set the level at 400 percent.

The education freedom account program gives low-income families around $5,000 per year in state funds to go toward private school or home school expenses. When first created in 2021, the program was available to families making up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or $106,000 for a family of four at the time.

In 2023, the Republican-led Legislature raised it to 350 percent. House Bill 1665 sought to raise it to 500 percent, or $156,000 for a family of four. It was voted through narrowly: 190-189, after Speaker Sherman Packard cast a tiebreaker vote.

The Senates proposed amendment of 400 percent, or $124,800 for a family of four, could prove contentious in the House. On May 2, the House voted to kill Senate Bill 442, the Senates version of HB 1665 that had raised the cap to 400 percent.

Although this bill raises the EFA eligibility level to 400%; it does not achieve the preferable, more inclusive level of 500% as passed by the House earlier this session in HB 1665, wrote Rep. Rick Ladd, a Haverhill Republican and chairman of the House Education Committee, in a report to the House ahead of the vote.

Democrats have opposed raising the income cap, arguing that the education freedom accounts  which are funded through the states Education Trust Fund  spend too much money toward nonpublic school expenses at their current income cap.

But Republicans have argued that increasing the cap would allow more lower-middle-class families to access the funding, giving them greater school choice if they are unsatisfied with their local public school.

On Tuesday, the Senate also amended the bill to reduce how much the state pays in administrative fees to the third party organization that runs the EFAs, the Childrens Scholarship Fund. Currently, the CSF may take up to 10 percent of the value of all the EFAs it distributes to cover administration; the Senate amendment to HB 1665 would reduce that to 8 percent.

Sen. Tim Lang, a Sanbornton Republican who presented the amendment, did not address why he preferred a 400 percent cap to a 500 percent cap. But he noted that 400 percent of the federal poverty level  $60,240 for a one-person household  is just below the median average income in New Hampshire.

I think this is the existing Senate position, he said.

Sen. Suzanne Prentiss, a Lebanon Democrat, spoke against raising the cap, arguing that the Legislature should add better guardrails for income eligibility first. Currently, families that meet the income requirements in their first year of applying for the education freedom account program may continue to receive the funds until their child graduates from high school  even if the familys income later rises above the cap.

My concern is that these are public dollars, that there is no eligibility check on this, that there could be forever and ever and ever a child whose family is fortunate enough to have their income increase, and they are not tested against (that), and so they continue on in a system that were funding, Prentiss said.

The amended bill will get a vote in the full Senate on May 16; if it passes, it will head back to the House, which must vote on whether to approve the changes, reject them, or send them to negotiations in a committee of conference.

The post Senate Republicans clash with House over raising education freedom account eligibility appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
Georgias U.S. Senators announced more $80 million in federal funding would be coming to the state to support investments in housing.

According to a release from the office of Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock, the funds will be invested in Georgia public housing authorities and will go to 149 localities across the state.

In total, $80.05 million will be given to Georgia housing authorities through Public Housing Capital Fund Formula Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A full list of where the funds are going, and how much per location, can be found online.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Housing means dignity, safety, and security, and as a Senator who grew up in public housing, I know that increasing the availability and improving the conditions of affordable housing are critical to helping Georgians across the state establish a solid foundation to build a healthy future, Warnock said in a statement. These new federal investments secured in the government funding legislation will help working families, support local governments strained by the housing crisis, and lower costs. Senator Ossoff and I wont stop fighting to strengthen access to affordable housing across Georgia.

TRENDING STORIES:

The funds themselves come from the Public Housing Repair fund, according to the senators office. The announcement said the money will be used to modernize or develop public housing for individuals, families and seniors in need.

Public housing authorities will be able to use the funds to build, renovate, modernize or manage improvements of public housing developments across Georgia.

Georgia families urgently need more affordable housing. Thats why Senator Warnock and I brought Republicans and Democrats together to help increase affordable housing supply for families across Georgia, Ossoff said.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
A bipartisan group of senators on Wednesday introduced an amendment to the must-pass legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to extend a program that provides broadband discounts to millions of Americans.

Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), JD Vance (R-Ohio), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) proposed an additional $6 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The program has been winding down in recent months, closing enrollment and cutting the maximum subsidy available, as it has run low on funds. The Biden administration has repeatedly called on Congress to provide another $6 billion to extend the program through the end of the year.

Our bipartisan coalition is working together to ensure families dont get disconnected and fall into digital darkness, Welch said in a statement.

This bipartisan amendment contains compromises  but I will keep fighting to make sure this program continues beyond May and does not lapse, he added. Its time for Congress to stop stalling.

While the amendment would provide additional funding to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), it would also place greater restrictions on which households are eligible to receive the discount.

Under the amendment, the income threshold for eligible households would be lowered from 200 percent of the federal poverty line to 135 percent, among other new restrictions.

The ACP programs current trajectory and cost is unsustainable, Wicker said in a statement. We have warned the Biden administration this day would come. That is why I have been fighting to reform the program before it is extended.

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides assistance to some 23 million households nationwide. Prior to May, eligible low-income households could receive discounts of up to $30 per month on internet service, while eligible households on tribal lands could receive discounts of up to $75 per month.

This month, the maximum monthly benefit for low-income households and households on tribal lands dropped to $14 and $35, respectively. The Biden administration also halted new enrollments in the program in early February.

The proposed funding and changes to the Affordable Connectivity Program come as part of an amendment to legislation reauthorizing the FAA.

In the face of a Friday deadline, the House approved a one-week extension Wednesday afternoon, giving Congress until May 17 to reach an agreement on the five-year FAA reauthorization bill.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
ANTWERP TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  A man has been hospitalized after an overnight fire in Van Buren County.

Sign up for breaking news alert emails

Deputies were dispatched around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday to a residence on 29 1/2 Street near Violet Avenue in Antwerp Township. A caller said that he was stuck in a bed that had caught fire and was unable to get himself to his wheelchair.

A Van Buren County sergeant was the first to arrive on scene and kicked down the door to get in.

The residence was found to be filled with smoke and he was able to make his way to the back of the residence where the subject was found still in the smoldering bed, the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

The sergeant carried the man through the house and out the door.

The man sustained burns to his legs and feet and suffered from smoke inhalation. He was taken to a hospital in Kalamazoo for treatment. His condition is not known. The sergeant was treated on scene for smoke inhalation.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

While the fire started near the bed, investigators do not know exactly what caused it. The house suffered serious damage, with the home fully engulfed in flames within minutes after the sergeant and the victim made it out.

Crews with the Mattawan Fire Department were eventually able to put the fire out.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
A man who is suspected of multiple rapes in North Texas now faces six sexual assault charges, Denton police said.

Carlton Tambaoga, 25, of Carrollton, most recently was arrested in connection to a 2022 sexual assault of a Denton woman, according to a police news release. He has been held at the Denton County Jail since February, and his bond is now set at $2.2 million.

Tambaoga was first arrested in February on two counts of sexual assault, and detectives were investigating the possibility he had assaulted other people in Texas and the Atlanta area, police said in a March news release.

Carrollton police charged Carlton Tambaoga with two counts of sexual assault in March and said he possibly could be tied to other victims in Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta, Georgia. This week, Denton police arrested him in connection to a 2022 sexual assault, bringing his total charges to six. Carrollton police

In July 2022, the Denton woman reported being sexually assaulted by a man she did not know, according to police. Following a forensic exam, the suspects DNA profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System, but there were no matches at the time, police say.

In February 2024, Carrollton police notified Denton police that they arrested a suspect, Tambaoga, in similar sexual assault cases. During the investigation, detectives learned that Tambaoga knew he was infected with HIV at the time of the assaults, the release states.

Denton police obtained a warrant for Tambaogas arrest Monday after lab results matched his DNA to the profile obtained in the assault of the Denton woman.

Today's top stories:

 Dozens chastise Tim O'Hare, Alisa Simmons over heated exchange

 Family of ex-Marine Anthony Johnson demand answers over jail death

 Are these Austins best tacos? Cult favorite coming to Fort Worth

Get free alerts when news breaks.

Anyone with information about Tambaoga, including any unreported assaults in Denton, is urged to contact Detective Marqui Curtis at (940) 349-7727.

Denton County Friends of the Family provides comprehensive services to those impacted by rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence. The 24-hour crisis line is available via call or text at (940) 382-7273.
DENVER (KDVR)  Several schools in Parker were on secure status Wednesday morning after a possible attempted abduction.

Douglas County School District sent messages to parents and guardians with students at Frontier Valley Elementary School, Pioneer Elementary School, Iron Horse Elementary School, Cimarron Middle School and Legend High School that each building was on secure status.

Parker attempted kidnapping map

The Parker Police Department said officers were looking for a vehicle that was involved in a potential abduction. It is described as a black Audi 4-door sedan with dark windows, a roof rack and a Colorado license plate.

The suspect was described as a white man around the age of 50 with graying hair and a mustache.

A Frontier Valley Elementary School student told a staff member that the suspect approached and began talking to them. Police said the student was unharmed and ran to the school to report the incident.

Man shot while driving in Aurora, suspect wanted

Word spread quickly among families with students at the school.

Well, my daughter called me that shed heard about it just to let me know and its very frightening. Extremely frightening, said grandmother Mary Sapp.

Another school in Cherry Creek came under fire three weeks ago when it failed to go on secure status after a sex offender allegedly tried to kidnap a child. Ultimately, the incident ended with the district ousting the principal.

Five Douglas County Schools, however, acted swiftly on Wednesday morning.

All five schools were taken off of secure status at around 11:30 a.m. The status lasted for two hours. Officers said they completed the search of the surrounding area and did not find the suspect or a vehicle.

I hate to make it sound like its a knee-jerk reaction but unfortunately with these types of situations we have to make sure the best interest of our children are being looked after and that we are taking care of our kiddos, law enforcement analyst James Allbee told FOX31s Vicente Arenas.

Sapp said she was glad the alerts went out quickly.

The safety of our children is most important, Sapp said.

The school district is providing information parents can share with their students about stranger danger:

Strangers are anyone that you do not know, even if you have seen a person before or recognize them from school or community.

Strangers may be nicely or shabbily dressed

Strangers may be walking, or in vehicles, on a bicycle, on the playground, or on our street

Strangers look for ways to identify and call us by name (a nametag, name on a backpack or other personal article) so that we are more comfortable being approached

Strangers may ask for help (directions, use your cell phone, car trouble). Strangers may offer an incentive to come close (candy, a puppy in the car)

If approached by a stranger, students should:

Run toward an occupied house of someone you know or a building (like the school)

Yell as loudly as you can

Remember details about the person and car (license plate numbers), bike, etc.

The investigation is ongoing and officers are working on all leads. Anyone with information is asked to call the Parker Police Department.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday accused the United States of "economic coercion" over the revocation of export licenses that permitted companies to supply chips to Chinese tech giant Huawei.

The United States has generalized the concept of national security, politicized economic issues, and abused export control measures, repeatedly taking unreasonable sanctions and suppression measures against a specific Chinese enterprise, a spokesperson for the ministry said in response to media inquiry on the reported cancellation.

The spokesperson highlighted that the U.S. restrictions on exporting purely civilian consumer chip products to China and the implementation of a supply cut-off to a specific Chinese company represent a clear case of economic coercion.

This approach not only contravenes World Trade Organization (WTO) rules but also severely harms the interests of U.S. companies, said the spokesperson.

Furthermore, the spokesperson pointed out that the U.S. actions have significantly breached the commitment of not seeking to decouple from China and not hindering China's development, adding that these actions are also in stark contrast to the U.S. claim of precisely defining national security.

The spokesperson said that China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. 
Several US universities to consider divesting from Israel after sustained protests

icon

Semafor Signals

Supported by

Microsoft logo

Insights from NPR, The New York Times, and Bloomberg

Arrow Down

Title icon

The News

Students at several universities across the United States have convinced administrators to consider divesting their schools endowments from Israel following weeks of pro-Palestinian protests.

In what appears to be the protesters biggest win so far, Sacramento State pledged Tuesday to divest from all corporations and funds that profit from genocide, ethnic cleansing, and activities that violate fundamental human rights.

The school said it has no direct investments that cross this line, but will review its index and mutual funds and pursue human rights-based approach to investments.

Sacramento States agreement stands in stark contrast with other universities such as Columbia and George Washington, where administrators have called police to forcibly clear protesters and refused to bend to calls for divestment. Since April 18, police have arrested more than 2,800 people across 50 campuses.

Students have also notched incremental wins at schools including Northwestern, Brown, Rutgers, Johns Hopkins, the University of Minnesota and the University of California, Riverside  which have met some of their demands in exchange for the dismantling of encampments. Several universities have agreed to review their investments, and some have committed to being more transparent, though some activists are skeptical of those promises.

icon

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Even small wins give protesters momentum

Source icon

Sources: NPR, Rutgers University, Students for Justice in Palestine at Rutgers

Of course vague promises to consider divestment are a long way from actually doing anything, Bloomberg wrote, but many students are celebrating the agreements as incremental steps in a long-running fight. When it comes to the actual momentum that this agreement gives us, I cannot emphasize enough how huge it is, one Northwestern student told NPR.

Rutgers agreed to 8 of 10 of its protesters demands, agreeing to accept 10 displaced Palestinian students on scholarships and meet with students to discuss their divestment request, but declined to terminate its partnership with Tel Aviv University. Rutgers protesters said their decision to end the demonstration even though not all of their demands were met reflects our strategic logic regarding building power on campus by laying structural groundwork.

Donors and Jewish groups push back against universities capitulation

Source icon

Sources: The New York Times, The American Jewish Committee

Universities that have vowed to consider divestment are facing sharp blowback from the well-heeled donors whom few universities dare cross, The New York Times reported, as well as some Jewish groups.

Several university donors told the NYT they would reduce or withdraw their donations if divestment becomes a reality, while many expressed skepticism that such a move is truly on the table. The American Jewish Committee and other advocacy groups have also condemned the divestment calls, with the Chicago chapter chastising Northwestern for succumbing to the demands of a mob and the New Jersey wing denouncing Rutgers capitulation to protesters.

Republicans leap to criticize universities shocking concessions

Source icon

Sources: Semafor, Bloomberg, CNN

Republicans, who have sought to conflate all pro-Palestine protests with hate speech as incidents of antisemitism rise on college campuses, were quick to excoriate universities for negotiating with the protesters. Rep. Virginia Foxx, the Republican chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said she would ask university presidents to attend an upcoming hearing about the deals they made with protesters, calling them shocking concessions to the unlawful antisemitic encampments on their campuses.

University of Florida president Ben Sasse, a former Republican Senator from Nebraska, admonished other campus administrations, saying that instead of drawing the line at speech and action, a lot of universities bizarrely give the most attention and most voice to the smallest, angriest group.

Semafor Logo
Tonight features scattered showers and thunderstorms with a shortwave trough crossing through during the afternoon. Thunderstorms will once again pose the risk of producing locally heavy rainfall. A couple of storms could become strong to severe, with a good bit of fuel in place for storms to utilize and plenty of wind energy in place. Temperatures will fall back into the low 60s for overnight lows. The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of our region under a level one risk for severe weather, with a level two risk for our extreme western spots. In addition, the Weather Prediction Center has placed most of our region under a level one risk for flooding with plenty of moisture in the atmosphere for storms to become efficient in rainfall production. By dawn, shower chances will have subsided, with patchy fog possible.

Wednesday features our best chance for severe weather for our region this week, as a strong shortwave moves into the region, however, well begin the first half of the day on a pretty quiet note  most of us will likely be completely dry through the mid-afternoon. By the evening, scattered showers and thunderstorms  some of which will be strong to severe  are expected. The best chance for severe weather will be between dusk and midnight Wednesday night into early Thursday and the best chance for severe weather will be in our western counties, with the Storm Prediction Center placing most of our region under a level two out of five risk for severe weather. High temperatures will reach the low 80s.

Storms will be capable of damaging wind gusts, large hail and an isolated tornado once again. The Weather Prediction Center once again places our region under a level one risk for flooding, as storms will be working in an efficient environment and capable of dropping heavy rainfall.

Thursday continues chances for scattered showers and storms with a cold front moving through. Rain and thunderstorms once again expected, with the chance for strong to severe thunderstorms being possible. Damaging wind gusts will be the primary threat. The best chance for severe weather for Thursdays setup will be in our eastern counties, where a little less rain shower activity is expected during the morning hours. The Storm Prediction Center has placed our region under a level one risk for severe weather as a result of this threat. The front will cross during the evening hours, with much cooler weather expected for Friday.

Thursday is a sneaky severe weather setup to watch out for  if we see breaks in clouds during the late morning into the early afternoon, that could spell trouble later in the day  well watch that trend closely. Highs will be in the low to mid 70s Thursday. The Weather Prediction Center once again has placed our region in a level one risk for flooding due to the potential for heavy rain on already scattered saturated soaked grounds.

Friday features lingering showers with a northwest flow setting up behind a cold front and a trough kicking in behind our low pressure system. Mostly cloudy conditions, with periods of light showers and drizzle will hold high temperatures down into the upper 50s to around 60 in what looks to be a dreary day.

Saturday finally features a drier day on the way, with sunshine expected for most of the day. Late in the afternoon, an approaching weak cold front with an associated low pressure system across the Great Lakes will try to squeak a few scattered showers into the region toward dinnertime, but these showers will be scattered at best.. Well see high temperatures remain a bit cool for this time of year in the low 60s.

Mothers Day sees our cold front cross, with a few morning isolated sprinkles followed by sunshine returning for the afternoon. Its not a bad forecast for moms day, with high temperatures in the mid 60s.

2024 Mothers Day Sweepstakes

Monday brings even more sunshine into the forecast, with high pressure setting in to our west and then south. That will keep a cooler westerly breeze ongoing but will mean plenty of sunshine, with high temperatures near 70.

Tuesday continues to see the effects of high pressure, as it heads east. That will allow a return flow to set in, which means a warmer, southerly breeze returns. As a result, temperatures will rebound, with highs jumping back up into the mid 70s.

Looking ahead in your extended forecast, temperatures will be rebounding back to around normal for this time of year and we will finally see a bit of a drier pattern emerge, with high pressure holding firmly midweek. Expect plenty of sunshine Wednesday and Thursday, with the risk for isolated showers returning on Friday. High temperatures Wednesday will be in the mid 70s, with mid to upper 70s expected Thursday into Friday.

Help us with our growing community of weather photos with #weathertogether. Head to our website and search for the Weather together tab and upload your photos of weather going on around our region.

We are in spring forest fire season in West Virginia  this means dont burn between 7 AM and 5 PM through May 31st. Low humidity values during the daytime, along with breezier and warmer conditions will at times increase the fire threat, hence the burn ban during most of the daytime. Follow all regulations or be faced with potential consequences, such as fines!

WV Division of Forestry urges caution when burning

TONIGHT

Scattered showers and storms. Some storms could produce heavy rainfall. Lows in the low 60s.

WEDNESDAY

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Highs in the low 80s.

THURSDAY

Severe weather threat continues, with gusty showers and storms. Highs in the low to mid 70s.

FRIDAY

Mostly cloudy with light showers/drizzle. Cool! Highs near 60.

SATURDAY

Partly sunny, isolated shower late. Highs in the low 60s.

MOTHERS DAY

AM sprinkles. PM sunshine. Highs in the mid 60s.

MONDAY

Mostly sunny. Highs near 70.

TUESDAY

Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

WEDNESDAY

Partly sunny. Highs in the 70s.

THURSDAY

Partly sunny. Highs in the 70s.

FRIDAY

Isolated showers. Highs in the 70s.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
SF offers to collaborate with Oakland on airport name, slams survey related to name change

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  San Francisco officials have extended an offer to collaborate with Oakland on a proposed airport name change and have slammed a survey related to the change as disingenuous. A news release from San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu on Wednesday offers Port of Oakland officials the chance of working with SF city officials to come up with a new airport name, or alternately, face litigation.

Last month, Port of Oakland Officials agreed to move forward with a name change that would see Oakland airport incorporate San Francisco into its name. Under the proposed name change, the East Bay airports name would shift from Oakland International Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.

EV driven by family in fiery Pleasanton crash had prior automatic steering issues

Chius office stated that he sent a letter to port officials Tuesday, two days ahead of a scheduled vote on a final reading of the renaming proposal set for a public meeting Thursday. The letter, according to Chius office, urges the port to reconsider plans to rename Oakland International Airport (OAK) that infringe on San Francisco International Airports (SFO) trademark.

The city attorney office also raised concerns about a survey the Port of Oakland commissioned related to the name change. According to a review cited by Chius office, the survey was riddled with leading questions devised to get respondents to select a preferred answer.

The survey used leading language implying that an OAK name change will result in positive benefits such as increased flights or broader economic benefits to Oakland, Chius office stated. These positive benefits are entirely hypothetical, but also this survey design encourages respondents to say they are comfortable with the name change, inflating the level of support.

Chiu, along with other SF and SF Airport officials, have expressed concern that the name change will result in confusion for travelers and infringes on SFOs registered trademark San Francisco International Airport.

San Francisco filed a lawsuit last month to prevent infringement on SFOs name and trademark.

The letter sent by City Attorney Chiu this week represents yet another offer for both cities to come together to avoid a lawsuit, Chius office stated.

KRON4 reached out to the Port of Oakland for comment and received the following statement:

We have received the follow-up correspondence from San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu. This will be shared with our Port Commission prior to tomorrows Board meeting. As the City Attorney has prematurely filed his suit prior to the Boards final consideration of the proposed new airport name, we will not be commenting on the merits of his claims and will respond at the appropriate time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso County Sheriffs Office Association wants to invite the community to a benefit cookout to raise money for funeral expenses for Deputy Constable Alan Dickerson, who recently died.

The Sheriffs Office Association will host a benefit cookout from 11 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 at the Sheriffs Office Headquarters, 3850 Justice Dr.

Courtesy of El Paso County Sheriffs Office social media

Donations will be accepted.

According to a social media post from the El Paso County Sheriffs Office, Dickerson was an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Army, worked for 25 years with the El Paso County Sheriffs Office and was a five-year veteran with the El Paso County Constables Office, Precinct Six.

Deputy Dickerson dedicated 30 years of service to the Citizens of the County of El Paso. At this time, we are asking to keep Deputy Alan M. Dickersons family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. We will all miss him dearly. End of Watch 05/03/2024. the social media post stated.

For pre-orders and delivery on the cookout, email adgonzales@epcounty.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Sheriff requests nude photos from inmate in exchange for favorable treatment, feds say

A sheriff requested nude photos from a female inmate in Mississippi, and in exchange provided her with favorable treatment, federal officials said.

Terry Grassaree, the 61-year-old former sheriff of Noxubee County, has now pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Mississippi said in a May 7 news release.

McClatchy News reached out to the Noxubee County Sheriffs Office and the attorney representing Grassaree on May 7 but did not immediately receive a response.

Beginning in January 2019, Grassaree solicited nude photos from an inmate, and in turn granted her privileges other inmates didnt have, federal officials said.

She was given a job as a jail cook, allowed to keep a sofa in her cell and received items such as a contraband phone and tobacco, officials said in court documents.

In March, the sheriff is accused of requesting a video from her over social media. She then sent him nude images on the platform, and he responded in a flirtatious and complimentary manner, officials said.

The inmate was released from jail in November 2019, records show. Then, in February 2020, she filed a lawsuit against the sheriff and two deputies.

The woman said one of the deputies coerced her into weekly sex acts for more than two years with the sheriffs knowledge, according to a federal lawsuit.

She and Grassaree primarily had a sexting relationship, with the understanding he would take care of her if she would take care of him and continue sending nude photos and videos, she said in the lawsuit.

The woman understood that Grassaree meant that she would be allowed to keep her cellular telephone, cigarettes and other privileges so long as she kept up the sexual relationship with Grassarees deputies and sent Grassaree the videos and images he demanded, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was settled and dismissed in June 2021, records show. The settlement is confidential.

The FBI began investigating the incidents, and in July 2020, interviewed Grassaree, according to court documents. He denied to agents that he solicited nude photos or videos, prosecutors said.

Grassaree and one of the former deputies named in the lawsuit were indicted on bribery charges in 2022, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Grassaree was also accused of lying to the FBI.

The former deputy pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing, officials said.

Grassaree faces up to five years in prison. Hes expected to be sentenced Aug. 7.

Noxubee County is in east Mississippi, about a 130-mile drive northeast from Jackson.

Corrections officer sexually assaults woman in Tennessee jail cell, officials say

Officer would not stop texting teen from church, coerced her into sex acts, feds say

Deputy steals money from driver she pulled over, throws away evidence, CA officials say

Corrections officer broke inmates jaw, and co-worker helped cover it up, feds say
Little was left of this home after the tornado tore through Sherwood Township Tuesday evening.

SHERWOOD TWP.  A tornado moving northeast out of St. Joseph County around 6:12 p.m. Tuesday night ripped a path along Arney Road, destroying seven structures, mostly homes, according to Branch County Emergency Manager Tim Miner.

Minor said there were no deaths or serious injuries.

Downed trees and power lines closed off most roads north of Sherwood Village up to M-60/66.

Neighbors and then Branch County Road Commission crews worked to clear away trees and debris.

Miner urged all but emergency crews to leave the area for safety.

Sherwood Fire warned people to stay clear of the damaged area because of leaky propane tanks and downed power lines.

Michigan State Police blocked off the area except for residents and will patrol the area during the night.

Consumers Energy crews arrived around 7 p.m. to clear downed lines. Over 380 Sherwood customers were without power. The company hopes to restore power to the least damaged customers by Wednesday morning.

Others will be out longer while they replace broken poles and lines.

Cheryl Burns saw the funnel just before she headed to her basement on the St. Joseph River.

The National Weather Service will survey the damage on Wednesday.

The storm path was visible along Arney Road, with trees pulled apart on both riverbanks.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, and Cass counties after the severe storm system, including large hail up to 4 inches in diameter and at least two confirmed tornadoes, swept through the area leaving significant damage to buildings and roads.

My heart goes out to all those impacted by tonights severe weather in southwest Michigan, said Whitmer. State and local emergency teams are on the ground and working together to assist Michiganders. Ive declared a state of emergency to ensure resources are expedited to the area and activated our State Emergency Operations Center. We will continue monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts overnight. I want to thank all the first responders working hard to keep Michiganders safe. Well get through this together.

By declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area. The declaration authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate state efforts above and beyond what MSP/EMHSD has already been doing in conjunction with local agencies.

 Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Sherwood Township hit by Tuesday evening West Michigan tornado
Given the windy conditions and swell "the situation was very serious," officials said

U.S. Coast Guard A photo of the May 6 North Carolina shipwreck

A man in North Carolina became stranded after his sailboat washed ashore, but he was rescued swiftly thanks to his screams for help.

On Monday, May 6, the man set sail in a small sailboat in Nags Head, North Carolina and, according to local fire station Nags Head Fire Rescue, his boat washed ashore shortly after.

With strong west/southwest winds, two to three feet of swell, and cold water, the situation was very serious, the fire station wrote on Facebook, adding that they were called to help search for the overdue boater at 6:42 p.m. local time.

A nearby military base, the U.S. Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet, was also alerted about the empty boat and stranded man.

Related: Dad Drowns After Rescuing 3 Kids from North Carolina River: Hes a Hero, Son Says

In a Facebook post, the Coast Guard said it received a report of an overdue person on an inflatable catamaran sailboat last seen soundside of Nags Head.

U.S. Coast Guard The scene of the May 6 shipwreck in Nags Head, North Carolina

Shortly after, members of the search team were aboard a rescue boat and conducting a grid search when they heard someone yelling from the water, officials said.

Thanks to the man's cries for help, the team  a joint effort from Station, helicopter crews from Elizabeth City and local first responders, per the Coast Guard  was able to locate and rescue the man quickly.

After approximately five hours adrift, he was found alive and responsive, and the search team was able to safely bring him aboard our vessel in less than an hour from being called to the scene, per Nags Head Fire Rescue.

Related: Father and Daughter Discover Long-Lost Shipwreck Connected to Deadliest Fire in U.S. History

Additionally, his rescuers were able to quickly assess his condition and provide medical care, the fire station noted.

After he was returned to shore, the man was transferred into the care of local emergency medical staff, who transported him to a nearby hospital, officials said. He has since made a full recovery.

As for his boat, the Coast Guard said it "recovered what remained of the vessel."

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 juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Neither the Coast Guard nor fire station shared details about how the man ended up in the water.

But, in hopes that nobody else ends up in a similarly serious situation, the Coast Guard ended their post with a message to boaters.

This case serves as a reminder to the public, the post read. Life jackets SAVE LIVES, and to plan your voyages according to the weather.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan were warmly received by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron on Tuesday at a mountain restaurant in southern France.

Before they parted, local villagers sang a shepherd's song, expressing gratitude to Xi and his wife for their visit and inviting them to come back another time. #GLOBALink

(Courtesy: Tourism Hautes-Pyrenees)
The former interpreter and longtime friend of MLB megastar Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to illegally transferring almost $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers players bank account, according to a news release from the US Department of Justice.

Ippei Mizuhara will plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of filing a false income tax return, the Justice Department said.

From no later than November 2021 to March 2024, Mizuhara used Ohtanis password to successfully sign into the bank account and then changed the accounts security protocols without Ohtanis knowledge or permission, the Justice Department said. In total, Mizuhara called the bank and impersonated Ohtani on approximately 24 occasions.

According to a court document, Mizuhara fraudulently transferred and willfully caused to be transferred approximately $16.5 million.

Prosecutors alleged Mizuhara used money to pay off illegal gambling debts and other expenses. Mizuharas attorney declined to comment.

A spokesperson for Ohtani declined to comment.

The extent of this defendants deception and theft is massive, US Attorney Martin Estrada said Wednesday. He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani  My office is committed to vindicating victims throughout our community and ensuring that wrongdoers face justice.

Mizuhara could be deported as he is not a United States citizen, the plea agreement and the US attorneys office said.

Mizuhara is a legal permanent resident who has a green card, the US Attorneys Office for the Central District of California told CNN.

The allegations against Mizuhara became public while the Dodgers were in South Korea for an MLB season-opening series in March. ESPN and the Los Angeles Times reported Ohtanis lawyers accused Mizuhara of massive theft of millions of dollars and placing bets with a bookie under federal investigation.

Ohtani, who speaks no English, has played in the United States since 2018, first for the Los Angeles Angels before signing a record-breaking contract with the Dodgers. Prosecutors have said he is a victim in this case and did nothing illegal.

Ohtani became a household name even among non-baseball fans when as a free agent he signed a historic $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers before this season.

The sentence for bank fraud is up to 30 years in federal prison while filing a false tax return is punishable by up to three years in prison.

The Justice Department said Mizuhara has admitted he owes more than $1.1 million in taxes for 2022 and the IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating.

CNNs Taylor Romine contributed to this report.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Two young children, siblings, are dead after being pulled from the fast-moving waters of a creek in San Bernardino County Tuesday, authorities announced.

Rescuers with the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to reports that the young children may have possibly fallen into Mill Creek near the Thurman Flats picnic area off Highway 38 at around 4:05p, fire officials said in a news release.

Authorities say the 4-year-old girl and 2-year-old boy were on a family outing with their mother when the young girl fell into the fast-moving waters as her mother was attending to her young son.

The mother searched for her daughter but could not locate her, the release stated. When she returned, her son was missing and assumed to be down river as well.

The mother and another family member frantically searched for the siblings, but were unsuccessful in locating them.

First responders in San Bernardino County seen searching for two young children that fell into a fast-moving creek on May 7, 2024. (RMG News)

One of the children seen as theyre loaded onto an ambulance and rushed to the hospital on May 7, 2024. (RMG News)

First responders in San Bernardino County seen searching for two young children that fell into a fast-moving creek on May 7, 2024. (RMG News)

First responders in San Bernardino County after pulling two young children, siblings, out of a fast-moving creek on May 7, 2024. (RMG News)

First responders in San Bernardino County seen searching for two young children that fell into a fast-moving creek on May 7, 2024. (RMG News)

Deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, air rescue crews and U.S. Forest Service crews among others assisted in the search for the young brother and sister.

The 4-year-old was located at around 4:39 p.m. and the 2-year-old at around 5:09 p.m. Both were found near the rivers edge.

Video of the scene obtained by KTLA showed rescue workers performing CPR on one of the children before picking the child up and carrying them to a waiting ambulance.

They were transported to local hospitals, and after extensive life saving measures, they were pronounced deceased, authorities said.

No further details were provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Siblings, 2 and 4 years old, die after being swept down river as they played, CA cops say

A toddler and his sister died after being swept down a river while they were playing with their mother, California deputies say.

The mother took her two children, a 2-year-old boy and 4-year-old girl, to spend the afternoon at Thurman Flats Picnic Area on Tuesday, May 7, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said in a news release.

She played with her children near the river with rapid water moving downstream, deputies said.

At about 3 p.m., according to deputies, her daughter was taken downstream as she attended to her son.

The mother searched for her daughter but couldnt find her, deputies said.

When she returned, deputies said her son was also missing, having also likely been carried down the river.

The mother frantically searched for her children before hiking up to the picnic area to ask for help from another family, deputies said.

The group, however, could not find the missing children, according to deputies.

About an hour after the girl was carried down the river, deputies said they, along with multiple other agencies, arrived to look for the children.

The girl was found at about 4:40 p.m., while her brother was found about 25 minutes later, deputies said.

The children, who were found near the rivers edge, were taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead, deputies said.

Thurman Flats Picnic Area is in Mentone, about a 74-mile drive east from Los Angeles.

Passersby find 5-year-old girl swept away by California river, officials say

10-year-old drowns in public pool as brother tries to save him, Indiana reports say

Girl dies after shes pulled from bottom of hotel pool, Georgia authorities say
Months into contentious contract negotiations, the Progressive Workers Union, representing around 400 Sierra Club employees, now alleges that the renowned environmental group has retaliated against union members for protected concerted activity by planning to lay off half of the unions six-person bargaining committee in those negotiations and elected members of PWUs executive committee. Thats according to the latest Unfair Labor Practice charge the union has filed against the Sierra Club with the National Labor Relations Board, one of 10 such charges filed since last April.

The Sierra Club refutes these allegations. In an all-staff email sent out Monday afternoon, seen by The New Republic, chief operating officer Michael Parrish wrote that the organization has not advised any union leader that Sierra Club will conduct a layoff. He noted that the groups board of directors has yet to approve its 2024 budget, which it will consider in a meeting scheduled for Thursday that is open to the public and you may attend. Accordingly, Parrish wrote, there has been no final decision that Sierra Club will conduct a layoff. He accused PWU of spreading false information. Per an all-staff email sent by CEO Ben Jealous on Wednesday morning, seen by The New Republic, that budget vote has been postponed and is now scheduled to take place on May 18.*

Jonathon Berman, Sierra Clubs deputy chief of communications, responded similarly to a request for comment on the unions latest ULP charge. Whoever PWU leadership may be claiming to have received information from has no authority to speak for or on behalf of the Sierra Club, he wrote in an email. Until there is a final budget approved by the Sierra Clubs Board of Directors, it is premature to speculate on what may or may not be included and any potential impact on staff. PWU has a legal obligation to refrain from spreading information that is knowingly and maliciously false, which we believe they are doing here.



The PWU represents both employees of Sierra Club chapters and employees of the national organization, who currently have separate collective bargaining agreements. The national units contract is still under negotiations after bargaining began last fall; the units previous contract with the Sierra Club expired at the end of 2023. As part of that, the national unit has demanded that the two units be combined into one, which the Sierra Club has refused.

The union, in turn, rejected the Sierra Clubs assertion that it is spreading false information. PWU has been sharing true and accurate information with its members that the Sierra Club is planning another round of layoffs, and has prepared a tentative layoff list that includes a number of union leaders, the union said in an emailed statement. The organizations Board of Directors still has to vote on the associated budgetwe have never said otherwise. Our union is acting prudently, appropriately, and within our Section 7 rights in sharing this information with our members.

Last month, I spoke with several management-level Sierra Club employees whod been told that a major round of layoffs was imminent. News about this round of layoffs, if one is indeed in the works, comes about a year after earlier mass layoffs initiated months into former NAACP president and venture capitalist Ben Jealouss tenure as CEO.



The club argued that last springs layoffs were a response to a looming $40 million budget shortfall. The club has not responded to multiple inquiries from both the union and myself to elaborate on those numbers and provide an update as to whether the organizations finances have improved. PWU has filed a number of ULP charges against the Sierra Club related to its bargaining over the impact that last years layoffs would have on union members, three of which have been withdrawn. The Sierra Club also withdrew its own charge against PWU. The NLRB approved that withdrawal request in July and has accepted the unions withdrawals as well, meaning all of those cases have now been closed.

Among the bargaining team members the union says are slated to be let go in a prospective new round of layoffs is Erica Dodt, whos also a national unit representative and is pregnant. The latest ULP charge further alleges that the Sierra Club unilaterally changed terms and conditions of employment by terminating a pregnant employee and union leader, Erica Dodt in violation of the non-discrimination language in the parties expired collective bargaining agreement.

In another ULP charge, filed late last year, PWU alleged that the Sierra Club threatened employees in retaliation for their engagement in protected section 7 and NLRB activity by threatening to terminate Erica Dodt. If any of these allegations are true, the Sierra Club would likely be violating federal law, which stipulates that both retaliation and the threat of retaliation made during bargaining are illegal forms of intimidation.

Sierra Clubs top management have previously said that last springs layoffs were also a way to restructure the organization around a 50-state strategy that provides chapter organizations with more resources. But the employees slotted into new roles report being saddled with additional work, as well as a lack of clarity as to their own responsibilities and the Sierra Clubs broader strategic direction. Several high-level employees have left the organization in recent months, including from the clubs largest department, which has been tasked with carrying out the state-focused restructuring. As of early April, several management-level employees said they were only being provided with a few weeks worth of budgetary information.



They dont tell us anything about the budget. Theres very little transparency, one manager at a state chapter told me at the time. A lot of us just want to run functional campaigns and do power-building work, and its just tough when, from the top, theres a lack of structure, a lack of organization, and a lack of communication.

The union has asked the Sierra Clubs board to reject any budget proposals that include additional layoffs, and begin an investigation into what they allege is mismanagement of the Sierra Clubs budget by its executive leadership team.

* This piece has been updated.
HOWARD, Wis. (WFRV)  The Brown County Sheriffs Office confirms that Tuesdays incident on Holly Way in Howard was a mental health crisis.

Mental health professionals were sent to provide services when the situation escalated, and there was a threat involving weapons located inside the residence.

Officials were able to get the situation under control, and the subject was eventually brought in for mental health treatment.

Active situation on Holly Way in Howard, deputies asking to avoid the area

HOWARD, Wis. (WFRV)  The Brown County Sheriffs Office is dealing with an active situation in the 2700 block of Holly Way in the village of Howard and is asking the public to avoid the area.

In a media release sent by Lieutenant Alan Snover, officials confirmed there is a large police presence in that area, and they are advising the public to stay away for the time being.

22-year-old Illinois man charged after stabbing Uber driver in Wisconsin and stealing vehicle

Details on the situation are scarce, but the Brown County Sheriffs Office says theyll provide updates as the situation progresses.

Local 5 News has a crew en route to the scene and will provide more information as we learn more.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
A sixth body was recovered after vehicles were submerged in the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed on March 26 in Baltimore, Maryland, the Key Bridge Response Unified Command announced Tuesday.

The body was found by the commands salvage teams on Tuesday and was identified by investigators as Jose Mynor Lopez, a 37-year-old construction worker from Baltimore.

Six construction workers died after a container ship collided with the bridge, causing its collapse. Two bodies were recovered that week, followed by three othersover the past few months. Lopezs body was the last one to be found. The workers were in their cars taking a break when the bridge gave way beneath them.

With heavy hearts, today marks a significant milestone in our recovery efforts and providing closure to the loved ones of the six workers who lost their lives in this tragic event, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, said in a statement on Tuesday.

As we mourn with the families, we honor the memory of Jose Mynor Lopez, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, Carlos Daniel Hernandez Estrella, and Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez.

Investigations by the FBI and other agencies are underway to determine fault for the collision. Last month, attorneys for the victims families said they intend to launch their own investigation in order to file personal injury claims on behalf of the families, WJZ-TV in Baltimore reported.

The container ship Dali had lost power right before it collided with the bridge. It had reportedly undergone a routine engine maintenance check earlier in the port, and the Coast Guard said it had not been informed of any problems with the vessel.

The bridge collapse resulted in an indefinite suspension of vessel traffic, affecting the flow of commerce through the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest in the world. A temporary channel was opened last month to allow commercial traffic to resume, according to WJZ-TV. The main channel is expected to reopen later this month.

The Dali has remained stationary in the wreckage since the collapse and will likely be removed to allow more maritime traffic through the port, WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., reported.

Related...
With heavy hearts, today marks a significant milestone in our recovery efforts," the superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police said

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Francis Scott Key Bridge bridge

The search for victims of the March 26 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore has ended after the body of Jose Mynor Lopez, 37, was recovered this week.

On Tuesday, May, 7, city officials shared that Unified Command salvage teams discovered the sixth and final victim who died after a cargo ship collided with the structure causing eight construction workers to fall into the body of water below them.

Related: Fifth Body Recovered from Site of Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Maryland State Police investigators along with officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and the FBI responded to the scene and recovered the body of a sixth construction worker, a Key Bridge Unified Command press release read.

According to the release, Maryland State Police investigators, an FBI Victim Specialist, a linguist and a team of mental health professionals notified Lopez's family after a positive identification was confirmed.

With heavy hearts, today marks a significant milestone in our recovery efforts and providing closure to the loved ones of the six workers who lost their lives in this tragic event, Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, said.

mpi34/MediaPunch/IPx Memorial for fallen Key Bridge workers

As we mourn with the families, we honor the memory of Jose Mynor Lopez, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, Carlos Daniel Hernandez Estrella, and Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, he continued.

The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on March 26 as the construction workers were repairing potholes on the bridge. A container ship hit the Key Bridge, which led to its collapse, thus knocking the men into the Patapsco River, according to officials.

A "mayday" call was issued after the ship lost power before striking the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore previously said at a press conference.

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty A press conference on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge Baltimore, Maryland

He believed the outcome could have been far worse had the mayday not been called in time.

We had officials that were able to begin to stop the flow of traffic so that more cars were not on the bridge, Moore told reporters. Many of the vehicles were stopped before they got on the bridge, which saved lives.

Isabel Franco, Lopezs wife, spoke to WJZ News in late March, just days after the tragedy.

"I feel bad," she told the news station in Spanish. "Only God knows how hard my heart aches. Maybe he was desperate, trying to escape."

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

She added that police attempted to inform her of their search efforts with PowerPoint slides, but it was not in Spanish, so she was unable to understand.

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.

"She's desperate. She feels bad. She doesn't see anything. She doesn't know anything and, yeah, she's desperate," Francos friend, Lilly Ordonez, said while assisting with translating the conversation.

The widow said Lopez moved from Guatemala to the U.S. 19 years ago. The couple shared one child together, and Lopez was a father figure to Franco's two other children.

"He had a good heart," Franco told WJZ News. "He was a hard worker. He was always worried about his family too. He died but he was fighting for us always."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Slovak President-elect Peter Pellegrini called for peace between Russia and Ukraine and said that if necessary, Bratislava could host possible talks, Aktuality reported on May 8.

Pellegrini is an ally of Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has been a vocal critic of military aid for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.

Speaking on the occasion of the Victory in Europe Day in the city of Banska Bystrica, Pellegrini said that European leaders have a responsibility to ensure peace in Ukraine to avert "tragic scenarios."

"Let's talk about a ceasefire, about peace scenarios, let's mobilize diplomacy and approach weapons as a last resort," Pellegrini said without elaborating on concrete steps to achieve peace.

Except for unsuccessful negotiations in early 2022, there have been no direct peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow throughout the full-scale war.

Switzerland is hosting a peace summit for Ukraine in mid-June, with some 160 countries invited, with the exclusion of Russia. Moscow said it would not have participated even if asked.

Sign up for our newsletter

Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko

Sign up

The event will be centered around Ukraine's 10-point peace formula, a plan first outlined by Zelensky in fall 2022 that calls for a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied Ukrainian lands, among other steps.

"In connection with the war in Ukraine, weapons are slowly starting to rattle in other parts of Europe and the world," Pellegrini noted.

"There are talks about the possible deployment of troops in the Russo-Ukrainian war, many are preparing for a military conflict, and diplomacy is hardening its vocabulary."

French President Emmanuel Macron has said on several occasions that Western allies should not rule out possible deployment of their own soldiers in Ukraine.

The remarks sparked a lively discussion in other Western capitals, with many NATO members, including Germany and the U.S., emphatically rejecting the possibility.

Read also: Zelensky says Cape Verde is first African country to agree to join peace summit

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Last Friday, Dr. Stephen Leffler, president and chief operating officer of the University of Vermont Medical Center, posted an open letter to the community to encourage support for a $130 million outpatient surgery center UVMMC wants to build on Tilley Drive in South Burlington, revealing he gets calls and letters every week from patients "who say they are waiting too long for care, especially surgical care."

The Outpatient Surgery Center is a "big piece" of the answer for these long-suffering patients, according to Leffler. He calls it a "must-have" in his letter. The surgery center will not only cut wait times by increasing operating room capacity, but will also keep down costs by keeping patients out of the hospital. Yet, significant opposition to the Surgery Center is coming from two small rural hospitals  Copley Hospital in Morrisville and Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans  and from AFT-VT Healthcare, the union representing 5,000 health care workers.

The hospitals in Morrisville and St. Albans fear the Surgery Center will steal so many surgical patients from them it will threaten their financial stability, further endangering rural Vermonters' access to health care. The union asks where the 166 FTEs required to run the Surgery Center are going to come from, since UVM Medical Center is already severely understaffed, with its 20 ORs running at full capacity.

State report confirms that Vermonters endure long wait times for appointments with medical specialists

Leffler's acknowledgement that patients in Vermont wait too long for care, and especially surgical care, is undisputed. In February 2022, the state of Vermont released an 80-page report confirming what patients have long known  that they face months-long waits to see specialists ranging from dermatologists to urologists.

As part of the state investigation, the Department of Financial Regulation made 1,000 "secret shopper" calls, with state employees asking for appointments in 21 different specialties without revealing their true identities in order to mimic the experience of an average patient. Hospital executives were not amused, saying the calls unnecessarily consumed "precious staff time."

More: State investigation confirms long wait times; Vermont hospitals say it's old news

The calls did reveal, however, the average wait time for a specialist was 61 days across Vermont, but varied widely by specialty, from 29 days for general surgery to 140 days for dermatology. Springfield Hospital had the shortest average wait time at 29 days, while UVM Medical Center had the longest, at 101 days.

Leffler: Backlog for surgical patients will balloon to 4,000 if nothing is done

The timing of Leffler's letter would seem to be fortuitous, given the fact that a public hearing is coming up on May 20 for the Certificate of Need he needs the Green Mountain Care Board to issue for the surgery center to be built. In Vermont, no major health care project can be built without a CON from the Care Board. The idea is that nothing will get built that doesn't need to be built, keeping down the cost of health care. It's up to the Care Board to figure out that puzzle.

The $187 million Miller Building at UVM Medical Center has private rooms for 128 patients.

As the Care Board itself notes, the $130 million Outpatient Surgery Center is the most expensive project UVMMC has sought approval for since the Board granted a CON to construct the seven-story Miller Building for inpatient care at a cost of more than $187 million.

The outpatient surgery center would replace the five operating rooms at the Fanny Allen Campus, and add three more ORs for a total of eight. In addition UVMMC would build a "shelled space" to accommodate the addition of four more ORs in the future, for a total of 12, more than double the capacity of Fanny Allen.

The new ORs will also be better than the old ones at Fanny Allen, allowing for complex surgeries such as joint replacements. Leffler notes Vermont's population is "growing and aging," driving an increasing demand for surgeries, particularly in an outpatient setting.

"If current population trends continue as projected  aging throughout the region, a growing population in Chittenden and surrounding counties  by 2030, our current surgical case backlog is going to be more than 4,000 surgeries annually," Leffler writes. "That's 4,000 people who need care who will wait longer than they should for surgery, leave the state for care, or even worse, go completely without the care they need  with potential serious impacts to their health as a result."

Union president asks where the staff for the Surgery Center will come from, given current staffing problems at hospital

Deb Snell, president of AFT-VT Healthcare, wrote a letter to the Green Mountain Care Board last March, asking the union be granted status as an "interested party" in the CON process for the Surgery Center. Interested party status is granted for "persons or organizations  who demonstrate that they will be substantially and directly affected by a new health care project under review," according to the Care Board.

An interested party has the right to propose questions for the Board to ask the applicant, the right to file pre-hearing information and participate in the review process, and the right to appeal the Board's decision.

The Care Board granted interested party status to the union over the objection of UVM Medical Center, saying, "The proposed project will require 166 FTEs, approximately half of whom will transfer from UVMMC's main campus and Fanny Allen campus. The Union's members (i.e., nurses and health care professionals) have an interest in how the proposed project will impact staffing levels, which may in turn affect quality of care. In her request for interested party status, Snell expressed concern that 'the new facility will exacerbate the ongoing difficulties experienced by (its) members in providing safe medical care amidst worker shortages.'"

The University of Vermont Medical Center Fanny Allen inpatient rehabilitation unit in Colchester.

Snell points out there are already 300 open bargaining unit positions at UVM Medical Center. In addition, she told the Burlington Free Press in an email that the 20 ORs at the main campus can only be staffed up to 75% by UVMMC nurses. The remaining 25% of nurses  about 30  are travel nurses, itinerant workers hired at great expense.

"We are concerned that any new operations will be staffed either at inadequate levels or overreliance on temporary nurses without long-term commitment to our patients and nurses," Snell writes in her letter to the Green Mountain Care Board.

In an email to the Burlington Free Press, UVMMC spokeswoman Annie Mackin said about half the staff needed for the Outpatient Surgery Center will come from Fanny Allen's ORs when they're closed to use the space for other services. She said the hospital would need to recruit 29 new registered nurses for the Surgery Center.

"For context, in the last 18 months, we have added a net of 120 LPNs and RNs," Mackin wrote.

Rural hospitals remind Green Mountain Care Board to worry about more than Chittenden County

The two rural hospitals, Copley and Northwestern, make similar arguments in their successful bids to be granted interested party status, which were unopposed by UVMMC. Northwestern points out it's only about a 35-minute drive from the St. Albans hospital to the Tilley Drive location in South Burlington UVMMC is proposing for the Surgery Center. Copley says it's only about a 54-minute drive for their patients. Both drives are highly doable, the hospitals imply.

Both hospitals say they have OR capacity that is not recognized in UVMMC's CON application.

"As the GMCB works through the CON process, they must consider that surgeries, which can be appropriately done at Copley, should remain at our facility," writes Joseph Woodin, Copley's chief executive officer. "Our ability to maintain financial sustainability in both fee-for-service and value-based models depends on efficient use of our existing infrastructure. any loss of surgeries from our facility weakens Copley."

Northwestern makes the same argument about its surgeries, and both hospitals implore the Green Mountain Care Board to make sure in assessing whether the Surgery Center serves the public good that it's not "solely the good of Chittenden County" taken into account.

Mackin responded in an email that UVMMC's plan for projected need is "driven entirely by our primary service area."

"We have not projected any in-migration of surgical cases from our neighboring hospitals," she wrote.

Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosi@gannett.com. Follow him on X @DanDambrosioVT.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: UVM Medical Center wants to build a surgery center to cut wait times
BELGRADE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- China and Serbia are willing to expand the use of China-Europe freight trains and the Chinese side is happy to see more quality Serbian products transported to the Chinese market through the train service, said a joint statement between the two countries issued here Wednesday.

The statement was signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

In 2023, the China-Europe freight train service had connected 219 cities in 25 European countries, establishing a secure and efficient lifeline for global industrial and supply chains. 
A SMART bus driver is suing her employer, alleging it didn't provide a secure space for her to pump breast milk when she returned from maternity leave in April.

Locations the public metro Detroit bus service suggested Jasmine Emery use to pump, her federal lawsuit alleges, included a hospital, a university and a porta john at a transit center. The bus service's lack of accommodation, she alleges, is a violation of federal law.

Emery filed the lawsuit against the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation or SMART on May 1 in U.S. District Court. It alleges violations of the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers or PUMP Act, which was signed into law Dec. 29, 2022.

Early morning, a SMART Bus drives through Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Hills on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, most nursing employees have the right to reasonable break time and a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view, to express breast milk at work. This right is available for up to one year after the child's birth, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The protections were extended by the PUMP Act, which allows more nursing employees the rights to receive break time to pump and a private place to pump. Those employees include agricultural workers, nurses, teachers, truck and taxi drivers, home care workers and managers, according to the labor department.

A Bloomberg Law story in March indicates about a dozen employers nationally have been sued in federal court under the newer federal act. Last year in Michigan, the U.S. Department of Labor found Stellantis' auto plant in Sterling Heights violated the rights of nursing mothers employed there and announced in a release that the automaker would create additional lactation rooms and correct its break policy to avoid future violations.

Emery, 33, a mother of four from Oakland County, requested SMART accommodate her need to pump breast milk during her work hours in a private, clean room, free from intrusion by coworkers. But, her lawsuit states, it failed to do so and instead reduced her hours.

Her attorney, Rob Howard, on May 7 withdrew a motion for a preliminary injunction filed with the lawsuit, writing that SMART has taken steps to resolve the issue and provided a secure, private room for Emery to pump on scheduled breaks. Emery returned to work May 6, her lawyer wrote, adding she found the accommodation was sufficient. But, he said, she is not dropping the lawsuit.

Bernard Parker III, SMART's vice president of external affairs, told the Free Press on May 7: "I dont have any comments on pending litigation." In an email May 2 he wrote: "SMART has no comment on this matter."

Back to work but still suing

Howard said Emery worked a full shift May 6. He said the room SMART found for her is a secure office space at its Oakland Terminal in Troy  the same terminal but a different space than where Emery alleges a male coworker walked in on her while she was pumping last month. In that incident, she was in an unsecured room with a chair propped up against the door, according to the complaint filed in federal court.

Howard said Emery's lawsuit remains pending as they allege SMART violated the PUMP Act for a month and that Emery took time off work because she didn't have accommodations and had to go home early to pump, suffering financial losses.

He said she threatened in an email in April to SMART that she may be filing a lawsuit when she gave the bus service 10 days' notice to make an accommodation. Howard said SMART had "the opportunity to correct this before the actual filing" and he believes it took the filing of the lawsuit for SMART to take action.

"She asked them over and over and they basically said: 'We've done all we can do,' and then when the litigation was filed, suddenly they can find a secure room and work out ways for her to go there instead of pumping on a city bus."

Howard said he hopes the matter can be resolved short of a trial.

Complaint: SMART told driver to 'pump on the bus'

According to her complaint, Emery gave birth to her youngest son in December. She chose to breastfeed, which health experts say is beneficial for babies, and needs to pump and store her milk about every two hours to maintain enough milk to feed him. The complaint states she has been a bus driver with SMART for more than three years. Howard said her route primarily is in Oakland County.

Per the complaint, Emery contacted human resources at SMART to find out how her pumping would be accommodated at work.

Management didn't have an area available for her that was secure or a restroom. She was referred to the bus service's vice president of bus operations, who Emery informed in a call April 9 that she needed an electrical outlet to use her breast pump. On April 10, she wrote in an email that she needed an accommodation to pump breast milk at work, according to the complaint.

It states that Emery was directed to use a training room at the bus facility, but was unable to secure the door and that SMART directed her to put a chair against the door and a note on the outside. While pumping April 10 in the unsecured room, a male employee pushed past the chair and interrupted her while she had her breasts exposed, according to the lawsuit.

"SMART Bus told Emery that she could pump breast milk in the bus while she was on break," according to the complaint. "Instead of finding a suitable location for pumping milk, SMART Bus purchased a breast pump that did not require an electrical outlet and told Emery to pump on the bus. The purchased pump was a hands free pump that SMART Bus expected Emery to use while driving her route. Emery refused to pump milk on the public bus."

Emery alleges SMART directed her to use the lactation room at McLaren Hospital on her route but the hospital would not allow her to do so as she is not an employee. She was referred to the public lounge, which is not private, according to the complaint.

It states SMART directed Emery to use a room at Oakland University, also on her route, but it is not easily accessible and its hours are restricted. And, the lawsuit alleges, the bus service told her she could be accommodated on her route near the old state fairgrounds in Detroit until May 9 "but the only bathroom available at the State Fair Center during Emery's shift is a porta john."

The old state fairgrounds will be home to a new transit center in Detroit opening May 11 that is named for Jason Hargrove, a bus driver who died from COVID-19 in 2020.

The complaint states Emery provided SMART 10 days' notice of its need to accommodate her pumping at work on April 18. Five days later, it states, SMART told her she would only be accommodated with one break to pump in the unsecured room, which Emery indicated was insufficient.

"There's going to be a bit of a learning curve here for employers, and we understand that. But this is really straightforward for what they need to provide," Howard said of the PUMP Act.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @challreporter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: SMART bus driver sues: Work didn't have secure spot to pump breast milk
The smell of cooking food is actually air pollution, study finds

The smell of cooking food is actually air pollution, study finds

(KTLA)  Its hard to resist the delicious smell of food cooking at restaurants, food trucks and street vendors. However, a new government study suggests those aromas may be negatively impacting air quality.

Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have released their findings from a multiyear study of what they call underappreciated sources of urban air pollution.

They focused on three cities: Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Boulder, Colorado, where they measured human-caused volatile organic compounds (VOCs) related to cooking.

If you can smell it, theres a good chance its impacting air quality, researchers summarized.

Travel agency to give away 50 free vacations to nurses, teachers

Over the years, weve measured all sorts of different VOCs across the U.S. from different sources, like vehicles, wildfire smoke, agriculture, and consumer products, wrote Matt Coggon, the studys lead author. We kept seeing a specific class of compound in the urban measurements, what we call long-chain aldehydes, that we couldnt explain from these other sources.

Researchers found that Las Vegas, which has one of the highest densities of restaurants in the U.S., has persistent air quality issues  especially along The Strip. On average, 21% of the total mass of VOCs present in Vegas outdoor air were from cooking activities, NOAA estimated, and generally ranged from 10% to 30%.

NOAA also found elevated levels in L.A. and downwind in Pasadena, California.

Overall, researchers concluded that air pollution from cooking is vastly underestimated and could account for nearly a quarter of VOCs in urban areas. The problem is even more acute indoors and inside homes.

What this means for air quality management remains to be seen. Having the data, Coggon believes, is the first step.

Its crucial to have the full picture of emissions and sources to help policymakers understand the effectiveness of their decisions, Coggon said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Some Snakes Stage Elaborate Fake Deaths (and Cover Themselves in Bodily Fluids!) to Escape Danger

Dice snakes excrete poop, musk, and mouth blood while feigning death, a new study found

mauribo/Getty A dice snake

And the award for best fake death goes to  the dice snake!

A new study published in Biology Letters on May 8 found that the reptile doesn't just fake death to protect itself from predators (a common occurrence in the animal kingdom) but also adds dramatic elements to its death display to make it more convincing and to spend less time in dangerous situations.

Conducted by Vukasin Bjelica and Ana Golubovic of the University of Belgrade in Serbia, the study found that the reptile, whose scientific name is "Natrix tessellata," uses a series of theatrical tactics  called anti-predator defenses  many of which involve bodily fluids.

Related: 41 Indigo Snakes  the Longest Snake Species Native to the U.S.  Released in Florida

Specifically, while faking their demise, dice snakes defenses include producing and smearing themselves with excrement and musk, as well as purposefully ejecting blood from their mouths.

To investigate these tactics  and whether they make for a quicker escape  Bjelica and Golubovic examined 263 of the nonvenomous snakes on Golem Grad, an island in southeastern Europe where the reptiles are common and their main predators are birds.

redstallion/Getty Golem Grad

On the island, the biologists conducted hands-on research  literally.

Acting as the predators to provoke the snakes death-feigning tactics, they held, squeezed and stretched out the animals, according to the New York Times. Then, they noted their reactions.

A little less than half the snakes smeared themselves with musk and feces, while about 10 percent of them oozed blood from their mouths, the outlet said.

Related: Rattlesnake Gives 2 Friends Nightmare Fuel After They Catch Reptile Swimming Toward Them

Some dice snakes were more convincing  becoming so limp the researchers could mold them into shapes  while others remained somewhat limp. In Bjelica's words, "They really commit to the role, depending on the individual."

As the researchers hypothesized, snakes that opted for a more dramatic approach  not only going limp but also bleeding, masking, and defecating  tended to play dead for longer (by about two seconds) and therefore spent less time in danger, according to the New York Times.

While two seconds may not sound substantial, the time could make a huge difference in a life-or-death situation. It "could be enough for a snake to make a successful escape," Bjelica said, per the newspaper.

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 juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Wim Verhagen/Getty A stock image of a dice snake

Bjelica also noted that further study  ideally real-world observation with predators who are not human researchers  is needed.

"We're not trying to hurt the snake, so you're not going to grasp and handle them like a predator would," the researcher pointed out. "But the predator is not thinking in terms of ethical restrictions or methodology sections in a research paper."

Another scientist, the University of Helsinki's Katja Ronka, noted in Science News that the predator side of death-feigning behavior warrants further explanation.

Speaking with the outlet, Ronka posed the question: "Why are they deterred by 'dead' animals, especially since they just saw them alive?"

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Fresh from his coronation as SNP leader, Scotlands new first minister will announce his new ministerial line-up today. John Swinney will aim to draw a line under the less-than-stellar performance of his immediate predecessor, Humza Yousaf, while resisting a return to the divisive politics and rhetoric of Nicola Sturgeon. And the odds are that he will fall at the first hurdle.

Trans allies remain determined to insist that the downfall of both Sturgeon and Yousaf had nothing whatsoever to do with their prioritising of trans rights over womens rights. And on the face of it, Yousaf was forced to fall on his sword, not because of trans issues per se, but because he fell foul of the Scottish Greens by abruptly and unilaterally ending the agreement that gave them a couple of junior ministerial posts in return for their support for the SNP administration.

Yet behind both high-profile departures lay the spectre of the SNPs embrace of trans ideology and its insistence, in the face of furious protests, that in the absence of any progress on independence, Scotland should become the most progressive and trans-friendly part of the UK. This included the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which would have allowed children to identify as a different gender from their biological sex, and have that new gender identity backed by law.

When the Westminster government effectively blocked the legislation by invoking the Scotland Act, Sturgeon was bemused and taken aback by the strength of Scottish public support for the UK governments actions.

By the end of Yousafs short time in office, meanwhile, Dr Hilary Casss review of gender services for young people in England had presented an altogether new challenge to the trans ideologues  a thoughtful, considered and scientifically robust report that recommended an end to the prescription of powerful hormone drugs for under-18s and a holistic approach to treatment for gender-confused young people that flew in the face of the fashionable, imported notion that young people must be immediately affirmed in their decision to adopt a gender opposite to their biological sex.

This proved too much for the serving Scottish Greens ministers, who refused to acknowledge the Cass Report as valid. Their position brings to mind Ricky Gervais update to the traditional Doctor, Doctor jokes: Doctor, Doctor, I think Im a pair of curtains!

Well, you are, then.

But first minister Swinney will find little to laugh at in the latest challenge to his partys legislative agenda. Despite the blocking of the GRR Bill, it has never been repealed and could still be implemented if an incoming Labour government took a different approach.

And Swinneys party remains committed to introducing a total ban on conversion therapy  a practice that used to refer to the absurd and damaging aim of converting people from gay to straight. But now that homosexuality is regarded, at least in law, as entirely equal to heterosexuality, the term more often applies to trans people. In the eyes of some trans rights activists, anything other than positive affirmation  believing without qualification and hesitation whatever someone claims about their gender  could be considered conversion therapy.

Dr Cass, in evidence to a Scottish Parliament committee last week, expressed her own doubts about such a ban: Everyone should be protected from conversion therapy. But the challenge, thinking about the legislation, has been about intent. If a therapist engages with a young person and they change their views about their gender identity, and then they subsequently say it was because the therapist had an intent to change their gender identity, that puts the therapist in a difficult position.

She added: The anxiety that you may be the test case is making clinicians even more anxious, potentially, about working in this area.

Today Swinney will be invited by the Scottish Conservatives to support their motion calling for the Cass Report to be fully implemented in Scotland. Having already dodged the question of whether trans women (biological males) are women, Swinney must tread carefully. If he obfuscates, he will risk being categorised alongside not only his failed predecessors but also the Scottish Greens.

More importantly, if he refuses to repeal the GRR Bill, he will stand rightly accused of not only ignoring Cass, but of adhering to his old partisan political playbook  leaving a ticking time bomb for the next Labour government in the hope it will blow up in their faces.

Either way, John Swinney looks likely to be replicating the mistakes that helped drive his two predecessors from office. And thats not an ideal way to start any new job.

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.
Social medias infamous emotional support alligator, Wally, has been taken and released into the wild

A Pennsylvania man attributes an alligator to helping relieve his decadelong depression and claims the alligator, Wally, has been taken and released into the wild.

According to The New York Times, the emotional support alligator made his debut when he was denied admission to a Philadelphia Phillies game last year.

Wheres Wally?

Wallygator has a social media following of 11K on facebook, 148.6K on TikTok and 35.7K on Instagram. Wallys owner, Joie Henney, said in a social media post that the alligator was taken from his pen in the early morning hours of April 21.

The Guardian reported Henney took Wally with him on a vacation in Brunswick, Georgia, where he was allegedly stolen. Henney expressed deep distress, revealing on social media that someone had taken Wally, dropping him off in someone elses yard with the intent to scare them. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources were called, resulting in Wally being trapped and released in a swamp alongside 20 other alligators.

Henney was told by the trapper the chances of locating and bringing Wally home is slim to none, according to his social media post.Dedicated fans of Wallygator swarmed the platforms with shares, comments and likes. One devoted follower, Terri Eck, posted a photo of herself embracing Wally along with a plea: I love Wally! Give him back please!!

Henneys first encounter with Wally

According to The New York Times, Wally was originally found in Disney World when Henney took him to his rescue reptile facility in Pennsylvania.

Henney said, the cold-blooded reptile became a comforting companion, assisting him through a deep emotional depression. What started as walks on a leash and errand runs turned into lively birthday parties and media pages filled with hugs and snout kisses, per the New York Post.

We need all the help we can get to bring my baby back, Henney said in a tearful video posted on TikTok.

Emotional support animals

A global medical technology company, BrainsWay focuses on developing medical devices that help mental health care. BrainsWay shared the psychological benefits of emotional support animals in a mental health treatment plan.

Support animals can provide social support, emotional comfort, and other beneficial actions for individuals with these needs. Emotional support animals can play an essential role in mental health treatment plans, and animals that are well-suited for the job can make a real difference for their owners, the article stated.

According to the article, any species can be designated as a support animal as long as their companionship helps soothe the owners mental health needs.

The search continues

Henney continues to share updates through social media. In the latest post, he said, Hi everyone, as each day passes and it comes time to give an update that everyone looks for, it gets harder for me to say the same thing.  There is nothing new to say.

There is a GoFundMe page to help bring Wally home.
As you probably expected, Tuesdays news that U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannonhas indefinitely postponedDonald Trumps classified documents trial got social media all abuzz.

Cannon ruled that committing to the trials starting date would be imprudent and inconsistent with the Courts duty to fully and fairly consider the various pending pre-trial motions before the Court.

The Florida judge, a Trump nominee, also said a delay was necessary to allow more time for discovery and other pretrial motions.

However, many lawyers and pundits on X, formerly Twitter, had strong opinions about what was really going on.

The thing about picking your own judge is: it works. https://t.co/6anZGZUlxC  Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) May 7, 2024

Aileen Cannon has INDEFINITELY postponed Trumps trial with NO new date in sight



Supreme Court has delayed Trumps other trial with no start date in sight



5 Justices are seriously weighing giving Trump full-on immunity



Our judiciary has been HIJACKED by backstabbing TRAITORS  Lindy Li (@lindyli) May 7, 2024

This is news but it's hardly unexpected. Judge Cannon seems desperate to avoid trying this case. This isn't justice. defendants aren't the only ones with speedy trial act rights, we the people have them too. https://t.co/MbZNo7ripk  Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) May 7, 2024

Ugh. meanwhile in the Twilight Zone Judge Cannon inches along -- one inch forward, two inches back. Don't forget--this is the strongest, most cut-and-dried case out there and she is singlehandedly seeing to its glacial progress. https://t.co/rkq7fAE82D  Harry Litman (@harrylitman) May 7, 2024

Of course she did.



A competent and unbiased judge would have tried this case to verdict already. https://t.co/RrOOpXk0Ud  George Conway (@gtconway3d) May 7, 2024

With 13 days before her trial was supposed to kick off, Judge Cannon finally says what has been obvious to every legal journalist I know: Shes not just canceling the existing trial date; shes also not picking a replacement. https://t.co/XgaXDXPTgm  Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) May 7, 2024

Everything is working out exactly how she and Trump planned it. Im sure there will be no investigation into her. Im sure nothing will happen because why break from norm now. Fuck this entire place. #WokeAFhttps://t.co/AZVtqKhL5I  Danielle Moodie (@DeeTwoCents) May 7, 2024

WOW, so WE the PEOPLE have NO RIGHTS for a fair and speedy trial??? Jack Smith needs to get her OUT.

LONG past overdue!!! #JudgeCannon#TrumpTrialhttps://t.co/UGkccxSACm  Kelly Williams (@KellyWildflour) May 7, 2024

But at least one attorney thought Cannons decision might actually benefit special counsel Jack Smith.

Dave Aronberg, the state attorney for Palm Beach County in Florida, argued that getting the classified documents case off the calendar will make it easier for the 2020 election interference case Smith brought against Trump to proceed.

This is good for Jack Smith. This trial was never going to happen before the election. Now that its off the calendar, the DC election interference case can proceed as soon as (or IF) the Supreme Court gives the green light. https://t.co/pjCe5BfOMr  Dave Aronberg (@aronberg) May 7, 2024

Related...
A soldier from the Kherson Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade destroyed a Russian cruise missile using an Igla man-portable surface-to-air missile system in the skies over the south of Ukraine on the morning of 8 May.

Source: press service of the Ukrainian Air Force command on social media

Quote from the shooter, Oleksii (his surname was not disclosed): "We received information about a Russian attack and immediately started to conduct a visual observation. Along with the commander and fire adjuster, we used thermal imagers and a laser pointer, and soon had the Russian missile in our sights. Dawn was breaking at the time, and it is harder to shoot down an enemy cruise missile at this time as it is less visible."

Details: Oleksii notes that at times like this, the most important thing is to keep your cool and be confident. The target was destroyed  the Russian cruise missile exploded in mid-air.

This is the second cruise missile Oleksii has downed using an Igla since the beginning of the full-scale war. Oleksii returned to military service after mobilisation. Earlier, in 2016-2020, he participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation and the Joint Forces Operation. He has received a number of awards and honours.

Background: Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, reported that Russian troops had targeted Ukraine with 55 missiles of various types and 21 attack drones and that 59 Russian aerial targets had been destroyed by Ukrainian air defence units.

Support UP or become our patron!
By Tannur Anders

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described as "treasonous" a campaign ad by an opposition party that depicts a burning national flag, as antagonism between political parties rose three weeks before an election.

The campaign ad released on Monday by the Democratic Alliance uses the burning flag as a metaphor for what it says is the grave risk of the ruling African National Congress retaining power in a coalition with left-wing parties.

"I think it is treasonous," Ramaphosa told reporters during a visit to Limpopo province. "It is the most despicable political act that anyone can embark upon," he said, accusing the DA of desecrating a symbol of national unity.

The business-friendly DA won the second largest share of the vote in the last election five years ago. This year's May 29 election is hotly contested, with polls suggesting the ANC will lose its majority for the first time since it came to power 30 years ago at the end of apartheid.

This has raised the possibility that the ANC will have to form a coalition.

The ad shows a flag slowly burning as a voice warns of a disastrous alliance between the ANC, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and those aligned with former President Jacob Zuma.

An intact flag then unrolls from the ashes of the burnt one as the slogan "Unite to rescue South Africa, vote DA" appears.

'RAVAGED VISION'

"We picked the flag as the clearest symbol of the dream we shared 30 years ago, at the dawn of democracy under President Nelson Mandela. The flames show how his vision has been ravaged by 30 years of ANC rule," wrote Helen Zille, a former DA leader and chairperson of the party's federal council, in an opinion column.

Speaking on Radio 702, Zille said the blowback was coming from people who would never vote for the DA anyway.

"It creates a choice. Are you part of burning the flag? Are you part of that brigade, or are you part of those of us like the DA who want to restore the flag?" she said.

DA leader John Steenhuisen has called the prospect of a coalition between the ANC and EFF a "doomsday" scenario for South Africa, but not ruled out partnering with the ANC in government.

The ANC, for its part, has said it will win the election and will not need to go into coalition. The latest opinion poll showed its support at just over 40%.

(Reporting by Tannur Anders; Writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
YANGON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed when a truck overturned in central Myanmar's Mandalay Region, an official from the Myanmar Fire Services Department told Xinhua on Wednesday.

The incident took place on Tuesday in Pyin Oo Lwin Town of Mandalay Region.

The accident occurred when a truck tried to overtake a 22-wheeler vehicle and then suddenly braked. This sudden action resulted in a collision with the 22-wheeler vehicle behind it, causing the truck to overturn, the official said.

Three men in the truck were pronounced dead at the scene, the official added. 
The S.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned the arrest and conviction of a man whose offense was that he  while standing on his own property  had asked police a few simple questions.

The man, Thomas Charles Felton Jones, was tackled, shocked with a Taser, handcuffed and arrested, the Supreme Courts unanimous opinion said.

The facts in this case are appalling, the justices said in an opinion written by Associate Justice John Cannon Few.

While many circumstances may require law enforcement officers to secure a scene to carry out their duties or secure their safety, what happened to Jones has left us deeply disturbed, the opinion said.

As is clear from both the body camera footage and the record before us, Jones was doing nothing more than observing and asking questions of the officers. Both of these actions are constitutionally protected conduct, and as such, cannot support a conviction under this ordinance, Few wrote.

Jones was tried, fined $500 and sentenced to 10 days in jail. He appealed, and the Supreme Court took up the case because of the constitutional issues involved.

Evidence from police body cam footage gave the justices an undisputed look at what happened.

In July 2018, deputies Jake Lancaster and Jonathan Cooper of the Greenville County Sheriffs Office pulled over a woman for failing to use a turn signal. The woman pulled her car to the side of the street in front of the home of the man she was driving to visit  Thomas Jones, the opinion said.

From the deputies body camera videos, it is apparent Jones walked from near his house to the side of the street to observe the stop. Standing at a distance with a flashlight pointing toward the officers, Jones observed the scene... and asked why Lancaster was calling for backup.

Lancaster responded it was for safety in the event anyone else approached the scene. Jones next asked why his visitor was being pulled over, and Lancaster answered by stating it was because she had turned without using a turn signal and rolled through stop signs, the opinion said.

Next, Seemingly irritated by the questions, Lancaster then asked Jones, Do you need anything, man? to which both Jones and his friend responded that she was visiting Jones for the night. The woman and Joness interactions with the deputies were calm and respectful. Jones then took a few steps backward, away from both deputies and the woman, still observing with his flashlight on.

Lancaster then asked Jones, Alright man, do you need to be here? Jones responded, Yeah, this is my house. Lancaster responded  pointing toward the house  You can go back over there, or you can be arrested for interfering. Step back.

Jones did not move. Two seconds later, Lancaster said, Alright, turn around, and began approaching Jones. Both deputies rushed toward Jones, tackled him, tased him, handcuffed him, and then arrested him. During the altercation, Jones lost consciousness.

The county ordinance used to arrest Jones reads in part, It shall be unlawful for any person ... to commit an assault, battery or by any act, physical or verbal, resist, hinder, impede or interfere with any law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of his or her duty, or to aid or abet any such act.

Justices said they were not going to overturn the county ordinance.

But, they underscored that Jones stood on his own property merely questioning the deputies. When asked to step back from the location on his own property where he had been standing for the whole interaction, he refused. Seconds later, he was aggressively arrested after being tased. Under these facts, his conviction cannot stand.

Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis issued this statement: While I will refrain from commenting on actions that took place prior to becoming Sheriff, under my leadership, deputies enforce and uphold the law in a manner that is just and properly applied. Anything outside of that is dealt with accordingly. While this case predates my tenure, I respect the Supreme Courts decision.

Lewis also said that Lancaster left the department in 2019; Cooper is still with the department. .

Assistant public defenders on the case said they were not surprised at the Supreme Courts decision. In a 1970 S.C. Supreme Court case, Town of Honea Path v. Flynn, the high court had overturned the conviction of a man arrested by the police chief because the chief didnt like comments the man was making, they said.

Assistant public defenders who worked on the appeal included Andre Nguyen, Jacob Goldstein and Chris Shipman, who is now in private practice.

To allow police officers, or other officers actively engaged in assigned duties, the discretion to arrest and prosecute those whom they feel have made inappropriate remarks upon a charge of interference would, we think, invite gross abuses of discretion and impose unfair penalties and burdens upon the citizenry, the high court ruled in that case.
Southern Brazil is still reeling from massive flooding as it faces risk from new storms

Cars sit on a submerged road in an area flooded by heavy rain in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP)  As major floods engulfed entire cities in the northern part of the Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state last week, meteorologist Estael Sias knew the water would drain into capital Porto Alegres metropolitan region and that she would need to find a safe place.

So she, her husband, three children, and two dogs left everything behind. Less than 24 hours later, water started filling her neighborhood in Canoas, now one of the states most affected cities.

My house was inundated, Sias recalled, her voice cracking. And it was very hard to leave my house, to make my family leave. She said she could protect her close family, but not others who insisted on staying put. It has been very distressing and still is. I dont know how it will be when I return home.

Authorities in southern Brazil rushed Wednesday to rescue survivors of massive flooding that has killed at least 100 people, but some residents refused to leave belongings behind while others returned to evacuated homes despite the risk of new storms.

Heavy rains and flooding in Rio Grande do Sul since last week also have left 130 people missing, authorities said. More than 230,000 have been displaced, and much of the region has been isolated by the floodwaters.

Storms were expected in the state on Wednesday evening, with hail and wind gusts reaching up to 60 kilometers per hour (37 mph), according to the national meteorology institutes afternoon bulletin. And the institute forecasts a cold front this weekend with additional rains, to be particularly intense in the states north and east.

In Porto Alegre, about 300 people were sheltering at the local club Gremio Nautico Uniao, based in the upscale, little-harmed neighborhood of Moinhos de Vento. Dozens lay on mattresses as volunteers brought boxes filled with feijoada  a typical Brazilian bean-and-pork stew.

Heitor da Silva was among them, having heeded authorities warnings. Still, hes anxious about his future.

I only took my documents, three shirts, two pieces of underwear and my flip-flops. All the rest is gone, said da Silva, 68. I already had very little, but that stayed there. When I go home, there will be nothing. Then what?

Staffers of the states civil defense agency told The Associated Press they have been struggling to persuade residents of the city of Eldorado do Sul, one of the hardest hit by the floods, to leave their homes. It is located beside Porto Alegre, near the center of the states coastline. At least four people declined to evacuate.

A flyover of Eldorado do Sul in a military helicopter showed hundreds of houses submerged, with only their roofs visible. Residents were using small boards, surfboards and personal watercraft to move around. Mayor Ernani de Freitas told local journalists that the city will be totally evacuated.

It will take at least a year to recover, he said.

Rio Grande do Sul's Gov. Eduardo Leite, speaking at a news conference late Tuesday, appealed to residents to stay out of harm's way, as the anticipated downpour may cause more severe flooding across the state.

It isn't the time to return home, he said.

The civil defense agency's own urgent warning asking displaced residents not to return to flooded areas also stressed the risk of disease transmission.

Army Gen. Marcelo Zucco, one of the coordinators of rescue operations, told the AP his team is working at full speed before heavy rains that are forecast to hit the Porto Alegre area this weekend. Moderate rain was falling Wednesday afternoon in the city.

We hope the next rains are not like those we saw, but there's no way to be sure there won't be trouble ahead of us, Zucco said.

At this moment we are focusing on finishing rescue operations and starting logistical support to the population. That's bringing water, medication, food and transportation for the sick to some hospital, the general added.

He also said some improvement in conditions for the day helped his men finally access some areas by land.

Unusually heavy rains have also inundated parts of Uruguay, causing rivers to overflow in the countrys east and displacing nearly 1,000 people, authorities said, with rescuers reporting that they had evacuated 200 stranded people, helped by the army. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but the rescue service said flash floods had damaged over a dozen roads and left thousands of people without electricity.

Over the weekend, rain in northern Rio Grande do Sul could prompt renewed swelling of rivers that are already causing widespread flooding around the Patos lagoon, where the Porto Alegre municipal region is located, said Sias, the meteorologist in Rio Grande do Sul, who works for a forecasting service based there.

We will remain on this level of alert at least until the end of the month, she said.

A report by the National Confederation of Municipalities estimates damages at 4.6 billion reais ($930 million) in nearly 80% of Rio Grande do Sul's municipalities.

Gov. Leite has said that the enormous impact will require something akin to the Marshall Plan for Europe's post-WWII recovery. Already the state has asked the federal government to suspend debt payments and create a fund for the southern region.

On Tuesday, Congress passed a decree declaring a state of calamity in Rio Grande do Sul until the end of the year, allowing the federal government to quickly allocate money to mitigate the catastrophe and rebuild regions affected by the floods, bypassing a spending cap. The vote united supporters and opponents of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas government.

There is no limit to the public spending necessary to resolve the problem of the calamity that today is ravaging Rio Grande do Sul state, Planning and Budget Minister Simone Tebet told Radio Gaucha in an interview.

____

Sa Pessoa reported from Sao Paulo. AP videojournalist Lucas Dumphreys contributed from Porto Alegre and writer Isabel DeBre from Buenos Aires..
Southwest Florida residents may get to keep their discount flood insurance rates after all, as discussions between local governments and FEMA revealed a series of miscommunications.

In March, the federal agency informed five communities in Lee County, including the county itself, that their shoddy rebuilding practices after Hurricane Ians catastrophic hit in September 2023 meant the communities were at risk of losing their discounts on federal flood insurance  as much as 25% in annual premiums.

The communities protested, calling it a late, devastating blow and casting FEMA as a villain. Both of Floridas senators wrote letters admonishing the agency.

In a series of meetings that followed, FEMA and the governments appeared to realize the situation was not as black and white as either had initially imagined. FEMA may actually already have many of the documents it requested from the communities, and the communities seem to have misunderstood the terminology FEMA staffers used to request certain documents.

READ MORE: FEMA raising flood insurance rates in Southwest Florida, blames bad Hurricane Ian rebuild

The result, so far, has been a handful of 30-day extensions before FEMA makes its final call on whether the communities get to keep their flood insurance discounts. The discounts in question affect about 115,000 policyholders, who could pay around $300 extra for their annual premiums starting Oct. 1 if the punishment stands.

FEMA did not respond to requests for comment. Lee County, Estero, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach all have until June 10 to submit all requested documents.

Dave Harner, Lee Countys manager, told the Herald that weekly meetings between FEMA representatives and the five communities have helped everyone understand the issues and work together to solve them.

FEMA said that may have been a gap that happened and now were rectifying that gap through the meetings were having, he said. We ultimately believe we have the documentation.

FEMA also provided extra staff to help Lee County find and share the documents the agency asked for, which Harner cited as one of the major problems that may have led to the mix-up in the first place.

The big issue is youre dealing with the third biggest storm in the countrys history and youre dealing with a massive manpower issue, he said. We need upwards of 600 people to do an evaluation across the county. We dont have that, the state didnt have that.

Lee County has a list of 414 properties that FEMA had questions about; Cape Coral has 207; Bonita Springs has 106; Fort Myers Beach has 105.

The other communities in FEMAs crosshairs said they were working hard to comply with all the agencys requests ahead of the deadline. However, none of the other communities would confirm whether or not they thought they could retain their flood insurance discounts.

Its not appropriate for me to speculate on FEMAs decision, wrote Melissa Mickey, spokesperson for the city of Cape Coral.
By Ananda Teresia

JAKARTA (Reuters) - The satellite unit of Elon Musk's SpaceX has secured a permit to operate in Indonesia, the communications minister told Reuters on Wednesday.

Starlink had obtained a permit to operate as an internet service provider for retail consumers and had been given the go-ahead to provide networks, having received a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) permit, minister Budi Arie Setiadi said in an interview.

Indonesia is the third country in Southeast Asia where Starlink will operate. Malaysia issued the firm a license to provide internet services last year and a Philippine-based firm signed a deal with SpaceX in 2022.

"Starlink has met all the requirements needed to commercially operate in Indonesia," Budi said without providing details on the investment value.

The company will conduct a trial in Indonesia's new capital city, Nusantara, this month and the launch is expected afterwards, Budi said. The trial will last for a week, he added.

Starlink will cooperate with local network access providers when operating in Indonesia to comply with the country's regulations.

The government expects Starlink to provide internet services to Indonesia's remote areas, he added.

Starlink did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

SpaceX's Starlink, which owns around 60% of the roughly 7,500 satellites orbiting earth, is dominant in the satellite internet sphere.

(Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Editing by Martin Petty)
Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump allies who tried to overturn the 2020 election roll out voting 'integrity' bill

WASHINGTON  Some of the conservative leaders of the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election gathered in front of the Capitol on Wednesday and called on Congress to pass an election integrity bill to stop noncitizens from voting.

Leading the group, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., acknowledged that undocumented immigrants voting in elections is already illegal under federal law. Some have noted that its already a crime for noncitizens to vote in a federal election, and that is true, Johnson said.

But he argued that people know intuitively that noncitizens are voting, even though he could not provide estimates of how many. Multiple studies have shown that noncitizen voting is extremely rare in federal elections.

I mean, the answer is that its unanswerable," Johnson said. "That is the problem.  We all know, intuitively, that a lot of illegals are voting in federal elections. But its not been something that is easily provable. We dont have that number. This legislation will allow us to do exactly that. It will prevent that from happening. And if someone tries to do it, it will now be unlawful within the states. Well have a mechanism to prove whether they are or not.

Mike Johnson at the House steps of the U.S. Capitol (Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call via AP )

A constitutional lawyer and close Donald Trump ally, Johnson played a pivotal role in Trumps push to overturn the 2020 election. He led the amicus brief, signed by more than 100 House Republicans, backing a Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate the 2020 election results in four key swing states won by President Joe Biden.

Johnson was joined Wednesday by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, two lawmakers whose text messages to then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows were featured prominently in the Jan. 6 committees investigation into the attack.

Others on hand included a whos who of MAGA conservatives. Among them were Stephen Miller, the former White House senior adviser to Trump; Jenny Beth Martin, the Tea Party Patriots co-founder who was outside the Capitol with a bullhorn on Jan. 6, 2021; and Cleta Mitchell, the conservative activist who was on the January 2021 call with Trump when he told Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find 11,000 votes, enough to overturn the states election results.

Two other former Trump administration officials, Hogan Gidley and Ken Cuccinelli, also spoke Wednesday.

When asked at the news conference whether he accepts the 2020 election results, Johnson replied: What were talking about today is the 2024 election.

But he went on to say: Nobody can go back and relitigate what happened in 2020. We know that there was ballot harvesting, we know that there was mail-in ballots. It was the Covid election. There was all sorts of irregularity occasioned by the pandemic, where states haphazardly put together new laws and opened up the systems and led to all sorts of confusion and chaos and concern that lingers even to the day.

("Ballot harvesting" refers to a third party, such as a family member, collecting voted ballots to return. Conservatives have lambasted the practice, but the RNC is embracing it in the 2024 elections "where legal.")

Miller, whos burnished a reputation in Washington as an anti-immigration hard-liner, attempted to troll the media and Democrats as he stood on the same House steps where Trump supporters had climbed and overtaken police officers on Jan. 6, 2021.

Democracy in America is under attack, Miller said. He railed against the wide-open border and obstruction of any effort to verify the citizenship of who votes in our elections."

Despite the lack of evidence of noncitizen voting, Miller echoed unsubstantiated conspiracy theories that Democrats are importing voters to help Biden win re-election.

Johnson first unveiled the framework of the legislation last month, standing with Trump during a visit to his Mar-a-Lago resort. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, would make it harder to register people to vote by requiring proof of citizenship. That could include showing a U.S. passport, a photo ID showing that the individual was born in the United States, or a birth certificate  documents that millions of Americans do not have access to, voting rights advocates say.

The speaker pushed back when NBC News pointed out that the legislation would not go anywhere in the Democratic-controlled Senate or be signed into law by Biden.

This is not a messaging bill. This is one of the most substantive  most important pieces of legislation that will be presented within our lifetime, in our congressional careers. This is at the essence of what it means to have a constitutional republic. If people cannot rely upon  the integrity of that system, then we have nothing, Johnson said.

And so well do it out of the House and well send it to the Senate, and well let Chuck Schumer decide whether he agrees with that sentiment or not," Johnson said. "Were not doing this for messaging purposes."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Special operators set to pick light machine gun in new caliber

TAMPA, Fla.  U.S. special operations officials are set to select a new machine gun in the coming months to give shooters .50-caliber-like performance in a lightweight machine gun package, according to the program manager for special operations lethality.

Army Lt. Col. Tosh Lancaster said here Tuesday during the Special Operations Forces Week conference that Special Operations Command will select its so-called Lightweight Medium Machinegun, or LWMMG, by Oct. 1.

First announced in 2017, the project focused on the .338 Norma Magnum to provide shooters with more distance and lethal punch in a weapon that one person could carry and use. The .338 Norma Magnum is a new entry into military operations.

The three companies competing for the contract are Ohio Ordnance Works; Sig Sauer; and a True Velocity and Lonestar Future Weapons team.

Lancaster previously said the weapon is scheduled for fielding in fiscal 2026.

Sig Sauer in recent years won the Modular Handgun System contract to provide a 9 mm sidearm to all military branches as well as the Armys Next Generation Squad Weapon rifle and automatic rifle contract.

Companies delivered three weapons each in February and a total of a dozen each in late April for endurance testing, according to documents.

Basic specifications of the Lightweight Medium Machinegun from the competitors are:

Ohio Ordnance Works Recoil Enhanced Automatic Precision Rifle, or REAPR: a 26.8-pound, 54.5-inch weapon with a rate of fire of 550 rounds to 660 rounds per minute.

Sig Sauers MG 338: a 24.1-pound, 50-inch weapon with a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute.

True Velocitys Recoil Mitigation 338: a 25-pound, 49-inch weapon with a rate of fire exceeding 500 rounds per minute.

U.S. troops began noticing range limitations in Afghanistan with their M240 machine guns, chambered in 7.62 mm, that reached about 1,500 meters. The M2 .50-caliber machine gun could reach farther, up to 2,000 meters, but weighs 84 pounds.

Weapons and ammunition experts in the Army, Marine Corps and other government groups began evaluating the small arms suite of ammunition and platforms as those reports emerged.

One specific effort on the .338 included the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate.

In 2021, Army snipers began using the .338 Norma Magnum for the MK22 Precision Sniper Rifle; SOCOM has fielded an advanced sniper rifle that can fire the .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum or 7.62 mm with barrel changes.
This image shows the last time 17-year-old Reilly "Bella" Williams was seen and the clothes worn on the day of the disappearance.

UPDATE: Springfield police reported late Friday that Reilly "Bella" Williams had been safely located.

More than a week after the Springfield Police Department released an endangered person advisory for Reilly Williams, also known as Bella, the 17-year-old is still missing. Williams was last seen at 7:30 a.m. on April 29 at the corner of West Glenwood Street and South Golden Avenue near Williams' home in southwest Springfield. That day, Williams was absent from school.

Williams, who is 5-foot-7 and weighs 190 pounds, has the mental capacity of a 10- to 12-year-old, according to the advisory from SPD. Williams was last seen wearing a purple romper-style jumpsuit and heels. There have been no significant leads in the investigation into Williams' disappearance.

Community members organized a search party Sunday at Nathanael Greene Park, less than a mile from where Williams disappeared. On Monday, another party searched the South Creek Greenway Trail area behind Sherwood Elementary School. Friends, family, and those looking for Williams have also been passing out flyers with a common goal: to bring Williams home.

Lindsey Hollis and Rachel Renkoski are the administrators behind the Bring Bella Back Facebook page, which has garnered more than 700 likes since it was created last week. Renkoski, one of Williams' former teachers at Parkview High School, created the page with Hollis to get the word out. Hollis has been posting daily Facebook updates, speaking with journalists, and building a network of advocates in the transgender and drag communities to assist in the search for Williams.

"Our goal is to get it nationwide," Hollis told the News-Leader. "We need to get it out from Springfield now. We need to move it to different states just to try and reach people."

TikTok user Jaclyn Brown posted a video about Bella to the site on Tuesday with the hashtag #BringBellaBack. Brown wrote on Facebook that it reached people in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri. As of Wednesday, the video had gained more than 4,000 views, 796 shares, and 673 likes. Users also took to the comment section to show their support.

Cris Swaters, public affairs officer for the Springfield Police Department, gives an update on the search for Springfield teen Bella Williams, who is still missing after a week.

Not everyone has been kind or helpful online, Hollis says. She has had to remind members of the Facebook group that Williams' personal life is not up for debate. The goal is to bring Williams home safely.

"I'm also making sure that our focus is going in the right direction. There is a lot of talk about wanting to talk about Bella's personal life and a lot of the pronoun things," Hollis said. "We're not going to get into politics on that page or get into arguments or fights about it. I've squashed a lot of that, because our focus is to bring Bella back."

According to Hollis, Williams' family has not gone public in the search for Williams as they are requesting privacy. SPD also said detectives are working closely with the family to locate Williams.

"There's members of the family helping us look," Hollis said. "The community and people on Facebook don't realize that these people are family to Bella."

On Wednesday, SPD released another photo of Williams from the morning of the disappearance, which shows the clothing Williams was wearing that day. The photo shows Williams standing at the front door to a school bus. To SPD's knowledge, Williams did not board the bus for school that morning.

"Currently, we have no immediate knowledge of Bella's location, and the circumstances of Bella's disappearance remain unexplained," said Cris Swaters, SPD public affairs officer.

More: Reports show rising antisemitism, white supremacist propaganda, anti-LGBTQ sentiment in MO

Hollis said she learned from speaking with family that Williams is very "set in her ways." She said the teen usually comes home, watches TV, and is in bed by 10 p.m. Williams, who has the decision-making capabilities of a 10- to 12-year-old, rarely had to be told it was bedtime.

"Which is why this is out of character with her being gone," Hollis said. "So our concern is that she's just been taken or got caught up in something online with someone. (That) someone is taking advantage of her."

Hollis has never met Williams, but she hopes to. Through family and the community, she has learned that Williams is a vibrant soul. She said Bella loves dresses and makes a point to be noticed  in a positive way.

"You will see Bella and you will know it's Bella," Hollis said.

17-year-old Reilly "Bella" Williams has been missing from Springfield since the morning of April 29, 2024.

If you see Williams or have any information about Williams' whereabouts, please call 911 or the Springfield Police Department at at (417) 864-1810. You can also make an anonymous tip to the Greater Springfield Area Crime Stoppers at (417) 869-8477.

Hollis added that when calling about Williams, you must use the legal name "Reilly"  not "Bella," as she prefers.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield teen still missing after a week without leads
Old (internet) habits die hard.

When The Daily Beast revealed in January that Rep. Jamaal Bowman had promoted 9/11 conspiracy theories on his blog while working as a public school principal, the New York Democrat maintained it was just a bygone phase, and that his days of marinating in the nether-swamps of online paranoia were long over. But his personal YouTube account, where he continued to follow new channels and create playlists as recently as last month, indicates his taste for fringe content has endured into his tenure on Capitol Hill.

Bowmans page, which uses his longtime screen name Inner Peace and features his image and videos from the middle school he once led, subscribes to dozens of bewildering and bizarre accountsincluding known Russian and Chinese disinfo peddlers, flat earthers, musings about UFOs and signs youre being prepared to cross to the new earth, a U.S.-born Muslim influencer who killed a German citizen and provoked attacks on American businesses in Egypt, and many arcane online realms in between.

This CIA Document Literally Explains Time Travel (practical steps included)," crows the title of one post on an account the congressman follows called Video Advice, which also frequently shares conspiracy content about the Illuminati and the Catholic Church. Another recording on the same page blares: Kanye Exposes the Truth: The Secret Codes They Don't Want You to Know.

We use the RIGHT FREQUENCIES (hidden numerology used by the elite), is the name of a video on another account called Be Inspired, which Bowman also follows.

100% Alien Technology - Something Big Being Hidden From Us, alleges a video on a page called Anonymous Official, another Bowman subscription, which frequently also pushes content by serial sex offender and Vladimir Putin-booster Scott Ritter, such as Whats Coming is WORSE Than a WW3, Iran is Ready.

These follows might seem unusual for a member of Congressbut less so for a man who published poetry The Daily Beast uncovered that promoted debunked conspiracies about the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Bowmans verse, first published on his blog Relentless-Strongback.blogspot.com in 2011 when he was 35, also urged readers to watch the pseudo-documentaries Loose Change and Zeitgeist, both of which earned the endorsement of arch-paranoia-pusher Alex Jones. Bowmans poem also included an explicit shout-out to William Cooper, an Arizona broadcaster whose anti-government rants made him a pivotal figure in the American militia movement.

Although the congressman has since disowned his old heroes as cranks, his YouTube subscriptions reflect a similar blending of right and left. Anonymous Official, for instance, uses the name and symbols of the anarchist hacker collectivebut shares clips of conservative populist figures such as Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan. Bowman also follows Stephen Gardner, a pro-Trump YouTube influencer who also promotes the idea that the federal government is hiding evidence of aliens, while critiquing U.S. foreign policy in Ukraine and the Middle East.

In fact, Ritter, Rogan, and Carlson recur across multiple channels Bowman subscribes to, as does former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, as well as claims about alleged government plots to conceal extraterrestrials, an imminent third world war emerging from American support of Ukraine and Israel, and content about inventor Nikola Tesla and his supposed knowledge of mysterious vibrations that pervade the universe and various parallel dimensions. Bowman also follows mainstream and apolitical accounts, such as National Geographic and ESPN, and musical artists like Busta Rhymes and Eminem.

Bowmans campaign did not deny the Inner Peace account belonged to him, but supplied a statement from the lawmaker disclaiming even the faintest familiarity with the extreme and outlandish content he subscribed to. Bowman also downplayed the importance of his social media exposures in the face of what he characterized as domestic and international crises.

I dont know what youre talking about, I dont know these accounts, and I havent watched any of these videos. There is a war going on that has killed tens of thousands of innocents and people here cant afford rent and groceries, I think people care more about that than some convoluted story about videos that I havent even watched.

Further, Bowman has publicly identified himself in the past as a frequent YouTube user. At a panel discussion held at an Islamic center in the city of Yonkers in January, the Democrat described himself as starstruck to introduce the incendiary academic Norman Finkelstein, whom he said he knew from online videos.

I watch them all the time on YouTube, said Bowman, who subsequently had to denounce Finkelsteins praise of Hamas bloody raid into Israeli territory on Oct. 7.

Sure enough, several of the pages Inner Peace followsincluding DiEM25, Real News Network, Free Will, PoliticsJOE, TRT Worldfeature interviews with Finkelstein.

Moreover, a number of the accounts Bowman has subscribed to are of recent vintage: more recent, even, than his own ascent to power in 2020. For instance, one called Afripostwhere recent video titles announce Vatican Angry as PUTIN Declares Russia will Only Worship THE BLACK JESUS and African Historian Reveals hidden Secret: God did NOT CREATE WHITE: The Bible is all about BLACKS (capitalization original)was created in April of last year, just a few months after Bowman started his second term.

Afripost also frequently shares speeches by controversial Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan, known for his antisemitic rhetoric. The most recent such video asserts, falsely, BLACKS ARE THE TRUE JWS [sic].

Bowman also subscribes to an account called Thinkers Forum, created in late 2021, toward the end of his first year representing parts of the Bronx and Westchester County in the House. Thinkers Forum is a project of The China Academy, which bills itself as one of Chinas most influential current affairs and intellectual content outlet [sic], and boasts ties to an array of Chinese state-backed institutions. Recent videos posted to the Thinkers Forum channel include Why the West takes pleasure in seeing the genocide in Palestine? Why NATO is collapsing like the Soviet Union, by the same mistake, and How the US Keeps Fighting China, Knowing It Wont Win?

Thinkers Forum also recently posted a translation of a Chinese state university professors evidence-free speculation that the terrorist attack at a Moscow concert hall was the work of Ukraine and Western intelligence serviceseven though a faction of the Islamic State took responsibility for the assault.

A few months earlier, in July 2021six months into Bowmans stint on the Hillanother channel was born called Middle Nation, which the congressman at some indeterminate point followed. Middle Nation belongs to Shahid Bolsen, a Colorado-born Muslim convert who used his prior social media accounts to urge Islamist militants to attack so-called corporate crusaders that had set up shop in Egypt. Bolsen, previously imprisoned on a manslaughter conviction in the United Arab Emirates for killing a German engineer, uses his new channel to rail against The Loud, Hollow American Empire, The Prison of American Hegemony, Western materialism, the U.S.s supposedly fake ceasefire proposals to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

One of the loopiest pages Bowman follows also came into being that same year: Wired Mind, which exclusively promotes the ideas of late New Age icon Dolores Cannon, known for her advocacy of conspiracies about aliens, reincarnation, and the lost island of Atlantis. Wired Mind urges its viewers to prepare for an impending shift to a higher reality, and offers advice on such dilemmas as "Are You an Alien Among Us? Signs You Might Not Be from This World and Think You're Going Crazy? Surprise! You're Actually Awakening Your Spirit!"

Finally, Bowman also follows BreakThrough News, which established its YouTube presence in early 2020, while the Democrat was on the campaign warpath against then-incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel. As The Daily Beast reported last spring, BreakThrough News draws its staff from Russian state-owned media and cash from Neville Roy Singham, a U.S. tech mogul ensconced in Shanghaiand pushes the favorite propaganda narratives of Moscow and Beijing.

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.
St. Clair County is asking residents who suffered property damage in Tuesday night's storm to email photos.

"If anyone in the Clay/Ira area has damage stories, pics, etc from last nights storm, please forward them to damage@staircounty.org," St. Clair County Emergency Management Director Justin Westmiller said in a Facebook post.

Westmiller said he has staff out assessing damage from the storm. Among the damage was a house in Clay Township that was hit with lumber, causing roof damage, several boats flipped over and a garage that was destroyed.

The assessment will be passed onto the National Weather Service, Westmiller said, to help them determine if the damage was the result of straight winds or if the county was hit with a tornado.

A house damaged by the previous night's storm on May 8, 2024.

The National Weather Service in Detroit had issued a special weather statement Tuesday warning southeastern Michigan, including Marine City, of winds up to 50 mph.

A small craft advisory was also issued Wednesday by the National Weather Service, warning for boats on Lake Huron between Saginaw Bay and Port Huron to stay off the river and advising boaters that winds may reach between 23 and 34 mph, and that waves may be as high as five feet.

Westmiller said an address with photos could help his staff assess the damage.

Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: St. Clair County asks residents to email photos of storm damage
The Guardian published on Tuesday a letter by the Azerbaijani Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Elin Suleymanov in response to the biased article by journalist Patrick Wintour headlined Armenia turns towards West in search of allies amid Azerbaijan tensions.

Patrick Wintour (Armenia turns towards west in search of allies amid Azerbaijan tensions, 30 April) offers an oddly dark view from his visit to Armenia, just as Azerbaijan and Armenia, for the first time since their independence, have reached a breakthrough agreement to begin delimiting the border between two countries  a move widely praised by the international community and advocated for by Armenias prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, Ambassador Elin Suleymanov said in his letter.

Moreover, he fails to mention that the main reason for hostilities and instability over the years was the 30-year illegal occupation of the internationally recognised Azerbaijani lands by Armenia. So much so, that Mr Wintour described the return of four Azerbaijani villages previously occupied by Armenia and clearly located in Azerbaijan, as acknowledged by all existing maps and even Armenian officials, as ceded to Azerbaijan, he noted.

Mr Wintour is right, however, about Armenias history of perpetual and futile search for allies outside the region, while a lasting peace requires normalisation with immediate neighbours.

Perhaps, it is time to abandon narratives of doom and gloom, and support the remarkable progress that Azerbaijan and Armenia are making towards peace, Elin Suleymanov emphasized.
The sea holds special significance for American scholar William Brown, who has lived in China's coastal city of Xiamen for many years. This city was once home to an important port in ancient China's maritime Silk Road.

Since antiquity, the Chinese have engaged in trade and cultural exchange with overseas countries. In the new era, trade by sea continues to advance peace and prosperity, with win-win cooperation creating a shared future for mankind. As it pursues modernization, China helps to lead the way toward this future.

Follow Brown as he explores the world's largest single-dish radio telescope and meets with foreigners who made their homes in China, a nation committed to global peace and development.

Click for documentary: Incredible transformation: Chinese modernization through the eyes of an American -- Ep. 5 All for one, one for all








LANSING, Mich. (WOOD)  In Lansing Tuesday, there was movement in the budget process for next year.

The Michigan Senate is taking up budget bills for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

The upper chamber took the preliminary steps in approving its spending bills and is expected to start taking final votes as early as tomorrow.

The House is also expected to have its bills on the floor soon, having already moved them out of committee. Much of the groundwork on spending has been done with hearings and votes at the committee level.

The budget process is moving into the next phase now that Democrats have a majority in the House again after special election filled two vacancies.

After both chambers pass their respective bills, they will head to conference committee where negotiators for the House, Senate and governor will hammer out the final budget, which is expected to be delivered to the governor by July 1.

In her budget presentation, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed $80.7 billion in spending for fiscal year 2025. The states total general fund budget, which is what funds most of what you think of as government, is $14.3 billion. The governors proposed education budget is $23.4 billion, up about $2 billion from 2024.

With majorities in both chambers and a demonstrated willingness for Democrats to go along with the governor, we can expect the spending to be along the lines of what Whitmer requested. Some of the preliminary bills vary slightly from her budget presentation, but that will be worked out in conference.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
State of emergency declared at Martinsburg middle school due to 23 Title IX violations, 160 fights

West Virginia's board of education on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, declared a state of emergency at Martinsburg North Middle School in Martinsburg, W.Va., after 23 Title IX violations and 160 physical fights this school year. (Berkeley County Schools photo)

The state school board declared a state of emergency at Martinsburg North Middle School after 23 Title IX violations regarding discrimination and 160 physical fights this school year.

Students are struggling academically there, too, with only 6% of students demonstrating proficiency in math skills.

You and your board have collectively and categorically failed both the children and the taxpayers by what youve allowed to go on at Martinsburg North Middle School, West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty told school district leaders on Wednesday. This is pathetic.

Paul Hardesty, president of the West Virginia State Board of Education

Only about half of the students reported feeling safe at the Berkeley County school, according to a report from the West Virginia Department of Education.

I cannot sleep at night thinking of kids who arent feeling safe when they go to school, Hardesty added. We are under attack in public education in this state. Instances like this are like pouring gasoline on the fire that we fight back everyday.

Martinsburg North Middle School Principal Rebekah Eyler was put on administrative leave last week. She had been in the position for 13 years.

Hardesty criticized the local school leaders for giving Eyler stellar evaluations during her time tenure.

Berkeley County Schools Superintendent Ron Stephens said he was appalled by the report about the schools shortcomings and that changes were underway.

North Middle School in Martinsburg is a challenging school. It has been for a number of years, Stephens said. We have removed the leader from the school  and we are seeing positive change.

Stephen added that he hired a full-time school safety officer for the middle school campus to address safety issues.

North Martinsburg Middle School was identified by the state department of education for comprehensive support and improvement in the 2022-23 school year.

The situation has failed to improve, according to WVDE staff members who visited the school April 17.

In the majority of classroom observations, the team described the environment as chaotic, disruptive, and occasionally hostile, said Jeff Kelley, officer of educational accountability for the WVDE.

Other observations included witnessing a student holding a stool over their head and threatening another student during class, he continued.

English skills were also low as 24% of students were proficient in English, which is below the statewide proficiency average for middle schools of 54%

One parent indicated, My daughter cannot read, punctuate or spell but she gets straight As, which is not OK with me, Kelley told board members.

State Superintendent Michele L. Blatt said that the state of emergency will require the school to hire a full-time staff member focused on school improvement to begin as soon as possible.

A plan for school improvement will be presented to state school board members in June.

The post State of emergency declared at Martinsburg middle school due to 23 Title IX violations, 160 fights appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
One-by-one, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Teresa Pooler read aloud a jurys findings of not guilty. And with each declaration, Ronald Connor clenched his fists a bit tighter and his eyes got a bit wetter.

Finally, as the judge said not guilty for the sixth time, Connor lowered his head, took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes and bear-hugged the public defenders who represented him. Family and friends in the pews of the Miami-Dade criminal courthouse heeded the judges warning to stay quiet  but they, too, expressed sheer joy in their hugs and high-fives.

Connor, 26, and a former guard at the states Dade Correctional Institution, was cleared Tuesday evening of all charges but one in the murder of a mentally ill prisoner while he was being transferred to another facility two years ago. In the months preceding the trial, three other guards admitted to beating Ronald Gene Ingram to death.

They each received 20-year sentences. All three testified at trial. The jurors, who deliberated for three hours after the almost two-week trial, found Connor guilty of only a single count of culpable negligence, a misdemeanor charge with a maximum penalty of one year in prison.

But Judge Pooler said the two years Connor had spent behind bars awaiting trial were enough and he was credited with time served.

After the verdict, Connor was escorted by corrections officers back to the Miami-Dade County jail, where he was to sign some papers and walk out a free man.

None of them started pointing the finger at Ronald Connor until it could do something for them, Connors attorney Damaris Del Valle told jurors of the three guards who implicated Connor under questioning by investigators. And the three men facing life in prison have been given plea deals.

Began when urine was tossed

Ingram, 60, and a diagnosed schizophrenic, was killed two years ago after he refused to leave his cell at the Dade Correctional Institution near Florida City, and tossed urine on a guard named Jeremy Godbolt. Ingram was to be transferred to a North Florida prison that was supposed to provide him with better care. The night before his transfer, Ingram had refused to take his medication.

Godbolt, angered, radioed for help to get Ingram out of his cell. But before guards who were prepared to extricate him began the process, a senior officer talked the older man into leaving his cell and handcuffed his hands behind his back.

Over the next few minutes, state prosecutors showed, several guards kicked and beat Ingram so severely  and purposely out-of-camera view  that they practically had to carry him outside to a bench before the ride.

He was eventually found dead in the back of a transport van during a stop on the drive up north.

Dade Correctional has a lengthy history of prisoner mistreatment and inmate deaths. The Miami Herald published investigations into the prisons transitional care unit, where mentally ill inmates have complained about being refused food and laxatives placed in their meals.

The prison is also where Darren Rainey died in 2012 after being confined to a hot shower, a case detailed extensively by the Herald. Mortality records dating back less than a decade show there have been at least 99 deaths at the facility, the vast majority listed as natural causes.

The investigation into Ingrams death began after prosecutors gave immunity to a guard who agreed to tell the story. Over the next few weeks, FDLE investigators and prosecutors from the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office interviewed Godbolt, Kirk Walton and Christopher Rolon, the three guards who admitted to the beating. Eventually, the other guards pointed a finger at Connor, who had not originally been named and was in a control room when Ingrams beating began.

Before Connors trial, the three guards were found guilty of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, aggravated abuse of an elderly person and conspiracy to commit aggravated abuse of the elderly, cruel use of use-of-force and use-of-force while battering a detainee. Though they agreed to 20 years in prison, they have yet to be sentenced.

The disagreement over Connors part in the fatal beating stemmed from about a 90-second span in a hallway without video cameras. Investigators say it was there that Ingram was beaten and kicked so severely that 27 of his bones were broken and his rib cage was crushed. The Leesburg Medical Examiner said Ingram died of blunt-force trauma, suffering broken ribs and a punctured right lung that caused extensive internal bleeding. The death was classified as a homicide.

The state argued that at one point Connor left the control room, walked over, lifted Ingram and threw him to the ground. One of the guards said Connor lifted the 133-pound prisoner over his head before dropping him. Del Valle and co-counsel Yanelis Zamora said their client was only trying to help Ingram to his feet.

Not interested in searching for the truth

During his closing argument Tuesday, Miami-Dade Assistant State Attorney Tim VanderGiesen implored jurors that Connor was there during the attack and that he did not stop the beatdown of Ingram. The prosecutor said that for a charge of conspiracy to stick, it didnt matter who struck the fatal blow.

You know who was there? The defendant was there. He was there, said VanderGiesen. And everybody is responsible for everybody.

Del Valle told jurors that the state didnt come close to proving its burden of guilt.

Theyre [state prosecutors] not interested in searching for the truth, she said. Theyre searching for who can point the finger.
Photo: Getty Images

Its been several years since North Carolina joined the rest of the nation by enacting Raise the Age legislation that did away with the presumption that 16- and 17-year-olds accused of crimes would be tried and punished as adults.

In the years that have followed, however, debate has continued over when and how the presumption that kids will be treated as juveniles can be waived and a transfer to the adult system effected.

Last June, the state House passed House Bill 834  a measure that would expedite some transfers for minors charged with serious felonies  and on Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee took up the bill with a proposed committee substitute and several modifications.

One proposed change requires that certain serious offenses committed by 16- and 17-year-olds be expressly excluded from the definition of delinquent juvenile  a change that would effectively reinstate the old law for those offenses.

Another similar modification to the law would state that juvenile court is divested of jurisdiction and superior court gains exclusive jurisdiction upon the return of an indictment.

Senator Danny Britt

Senator Danny Britt said a bill that would automatically treat more juveniles accused of crimes as adults would streamline the court process. (Photo: NCGA videostream)

The bulk of these cases are already being prosecuted in Superior Court by way of an indictment. What this does is just start those in Superior Court, but still provides they could be prosecuted as juveniles following a hearing or by consent of the parties, explained Senator Danny Britt.

The Robeson County Republican said the legislation hes advocating for clarifies the jurisdiction issue.

Sen. Britt said the new language will add an additional crime that penalizes an adult for enticing a juvenile into committing a violent crime.

A lot of the violent crime thats being committed by juveniles is a result of recruitment from individuals who are adults, having those juveniles commit the crime knowing that that crime has less penalty for the juveniles, he said.

Not everyone in attendance at the meeting, however, was in agreement about the necessity for the bill.

Senator Mujtaba Mohammed, D-Mecklenburg, worried some minors could fall into the gaps of the justice system after being transferred to an adult setting.

My concern is that if we remove that 10-day hearing period, that its going to create more issues, especially if the kid doesnt know that he can request it, because most kids dont, said Mohammed.

Britt responded that the juveniles attorney would be competent enough to know the law when it came to custody hearings.

I would love to have full faith in my fellow members of the bar. My concern is, and you know this as well as I do, especially in rural parts of our state, the majority of this work is done by court appointed lawyers who are paid very little at our court appointed attorney level, Mohammed said.

Britt said the law allows them to come back every 10 days and request the court look at their pre-trial release conditions.

I think that every attorney should be able to understand that and do their job.

More than 400 teens transferred to adult court

William Lassiter, deputy secretary of the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and one of the champions of the Raise the Age law, was similarly hesitant to sign off on the legislation. He noted that transfers to adult court are already taking place regularly.

Senator Mujtaba Mohammed addresses the Senate Judiciary Committee

Senator Mujtaba Mohammed believes there is a benefit to keeping the majority of cases in the juvenile justice system. (Photo: NCGA videostream)

Last year, 411 kids were transferred to adult court from juvenile court, said Lassiter. We know that that is happening on a routine basis already. Im confused about exactly what were trying to fix, if so many kids are already being transferred to adult court.

The purpose of having them start in juvenile court is to have a juvenile court counselor oversee that process and manage the process moving forward, making sure that that juvenile is getting the services that they need, Lassiter reminded the committee.

Chuck Spahos, General Counsel for the Conference of District Attorneys, defended the proposed changes, saying they would clarify that after an indictment is returned by a grand jury that the case is handled in Superior Court not juvenile court.

Sen. Mohammed said its important legislators get this new language right before advancing the measure to the floor.

In juvenile courts, I try to remind people, kids are actually punished there, he said. The great thing about juvenile courts is that you get one judge, you get that one kid, you get the same prosecutor, you get the same juvenile defender, and the most important piece, its the only jurisdiction where you get to hold parents accountable.

Mohammed said while lawmakers are debating this legislation, they must also acknowledge the state never fully funded Raise the Age implementation.

And as they consider these changes, theres a 32% vacancy rate when it comes to court counselors, and a 45% vacancy rate for detention staff, said Mohamed.

We have to remember, when you get that adult criminal record, thats going to follow you for the rest of your life.

Senate Judiciary Committee adjourned without taking a vote. The measure is expected to be back before them next Tuesday.

William Lassiter, deputy secretary of the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention reminded lawmakers considering a bill to automatically transfer more juveniles to the adult criminal justice system that more than 400 minors were sent to adult superior court in 2023. (Photo: NCGA videostream)

The post State Senate considers bill to automatically transfer more juveniles to adult court appeared first on NC Newsline.
Martial arts performer Steven Seagal may face sanctions from the European Union after attending Russian President Vladimir Putins inauguration in Moscow.

The Above the Law actor, who has applauded Putin frequently in the past, had high praise for his friend as the 71-year-old authoritarian was sworn in Tuesday for his fifth term as Russias leader.

He is the greatest world leader, Seagal told reporters at the event.

The former U.S. action hero added that under Putin  who has led his nations ongoing, unprovoked attack on Ukraine for more than two years  Russias future will be the best.

According to Ukrainian news station RBC-Ukraine, Seagals support of the former KGB agent could make him the target of a sanctions package being finalized by EU officials. Its not yet clear what those punishments might be.

Seagal supported Putins 2014 invasion of Crimea and continues to endorse Russias aggression.

The Lansing, Michigan, native was banned from Ukraine in 2017 after becoming a Russian citizen. The following year, he was named Russian Foreign Ministry humanitarian envoy to the United States.

In February 2023, Putin honored the 72-year-old actor with Russias Order of Friendship award, after which Seagal reportedly declared himself one-million percent Russian.

A top Putin adviser said the U.S, U.K., Canada and all 20 European Union member states declined to send representatives to the Russian leaders coronation, according to Newsweek. But according to the EU Observer, more than a handful of western officials were in attendance.

___________
We still have hope: Family of missing woman in Spain pleads for her return

We still have hope: Family of missing woman in Spain pleads for her return

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The family of Ana Maria Henao Knezevich, the missing South Florida woman who disappeared from her apartment in Spain, is pleading for her safe return home.

The family spoke out on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, asking anyone with information on her whereabouts to come forth. Her family said they last spoke to her three months ago on Jan. 24.

Husband of missing Florida woman arrested at Miami International Airport

We still have hope that we can find where my sister is, Knezevichs brother, Felipe Henao, said. If shes out there we want to tell her we love her, we miss her, we support her, we hear her voice.

Knezevich, a 40-year-old Colombian-born woman, went missing from her Madrid apartment on Feb. 2.

On Sunday, Knezevichs estranged husband, David Knezevich, was arrested for kidnapping at Miami International Airport by the FBI and other federal agents while flying from his home country of Serbia, according to NBC affiliate WTVJ.

Were just shocked, traumatized. I wouldnt wish this upon my worst enemy, Henao said.

Judd: Mom murdered 4-year-old by tying arms together, throwing him into pool

The morning after his wife disappeared, the FBI says Knezevich texted the woman seeking a favor  would she translate into perfect Colombian Spanish a few English sentences for a friend who was writing a screenplay?

The woman replied she didnt speak English and would have to use a generic online Spanish translator. Knezevich replied thats fine, she could then tweak it to make it sound Colombian.

According to the FBI, he then sent the woman this passage in English: I met someone wonderful. He has a summer house about 2h (two hours) from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there. There is barely any signal though. I will call you when I come back. Kisses.

The woman made her translation and sent it back.

That morning, two of Anas friends received the translated text message from her phone number.

2-year-old hospitalized after accidentally shooting himself with gun: PCSO

Anas friends said the messages didnt sound like her, so they contacted Spanish police, launching the investigation.

One of those friends, Sanna Rameau, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that after reading the FBIs report, she no longer believes Ana will be found alive.

As for the text messages from her friends, Henao is 100% convinced its not her.

During the press conference, he told reporters that he heard his sister telling him to keep going and to keep fighting for her. Thats what I do every day, he said.

According to court documents, David closely resembles a man who spray-painted a security camera outside of Ana Marias apartment. He then left an hour later carrying a suitcase.

The pair were married for 13 years, the majority of that time spent in Fort Lauderdale. WTVJ reported that Ana Maria moved to Madrid amid the couples separation.

She was looking forward to the future, she was happy, Henao added.

David is expected to face a federal judge in Miami on Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Still very early on to talk about impact of US aid to Ukraine  US Defense Secretary

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has said in the Senate that it is too early to tell whether the supplemental funding provided to Ukraine will have an effect on the battlefield, as this will take time.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Voice of America

Quote from Austin: "It's hard to buy back time, but I think without this help, Ukraine would have a very tough time defending against what is a superior force with the Russians."

Details: Presenting the Pentagon's budget request for fiscal year 2025 in the US Senate, Austin stressed that Ukraine's most important needs now are air defence systems and artillery ammunition.

He noted that when the Pentagon was waiting for the supplemental to be approved, it prepared to "rapidly move those things in support of Ukraine".

Also, as the Pentagon chief noted, China helped Russia establish its military industry.

"The drones provided by Iran really can help begin to turn the tide there for Russia a bit and allow them to get back upon their feet, in addition to them increasing their production and their industrial base. But without the help from Iran, North Korea and China, this probably would not have occurred to the degree that it has occurred. So, we have engaged in the right channels to emphasise our serious concerns about the PRC and others providing this sort of support," Austin said.

Background:

On 24 April, US President Joe Biden signed legislation enacted by Congress that offers about US$61 billion in aid to Ukraine and other US allies. Immediately afterwards, the US announced a US$1 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

Earlier, the US had expressed hope that new US military aid unblocked by Congress would over time help the Armed Forces of Ukraine regain the initiative on the battlefield, but a large-scale Ukrainian offensive is unlikely in the near future.

In addition, The New York Times reports that the US considers it unlikely that Ukraine's defences will collapse

Support UP or become our patron!
MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  Nearly a week after a puppy was reported stolen from a southern Wisconsin pet store, employees spotted the dog in the same store, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

According to the Madison Police Department, Sugar, a puppy with missing toes, was reportedly stolen from Animart on April 30, along with other pet care items. Animart is located on East Towne Way in Madison.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Photo of Sugar (Via Madison Police Department)

Two Rivers Police Department dismisses social media rumors as search for Elijah Vue continues

Officers say the initial theft was caught on camera which helped authorities identify a suspect.

Around 3:40 p.m. on May 6, Animart employees called law enforcement, saying the stolen puppy was back at the store with a group of people. Employees recognized the dog due to it having missing toes on one of its paws.

The group of people with Sugar told responding officers that the dog was recently given to them. They returned Sugar to store employees once they were informed it was stolen.

18-year-old hospitalized after crash with Kewaunee School District school bus

The suspect, identified as Julie Hurley, 64, was later found in a wooded area off Lien Road. Hurley was arrested that same day for felony theft and retail theft.

No additional information was provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
SHERWOOD, Mich. (WOOD)  Houses were torn from their foundations and overturned as a likely tornado ripped through the Sherwood area in Southwest Michigan Tuesday.

A News 8 crew saw at least eight destroyed homes in the village in northwest Branch County and a path of damage tracking nearly 2 miles northeast toward Union City.

Buildings destroyed, trees down after tornadoes in SW MI

One man was making a salad when the wind picked up. He kept making his salad until an alarm on his phone sounded.

It was a warning: It was coming. Then about that time, I heard it, Tom Austin said. I looked out the back window and it hit. And every one of them trees just snapped off like they were toothpicks.

The tornado was bearing down on a cluster of homes in a dip in the road near Sherwood, including Austins trailer.

I just dove on the floor for the couch. When the whole trailer lifted off of me, stuff started flowing over me, he said. The carpet had pulled up off the floor and it wrapped itself around me. And I just grabbed ahold of the carpet, and I pulled it real tight.

Once the wind died down, he yelled for help from a neighbor.

Im in here, Im in here,' Austin recounted. And he says, Where? And I finally got strength to sit up, and he saw me.

On Wednesday, a neighbor brought him to the hospital, where he was treated for two broken ribs along with some cuts and abrasions. Hes now staying with friends.

When asked how he was alive, Austin said he had no clue.

I think that carpet is the only thing that saved my (expletive), he said. I cant believe that I made it through that.

The home of Tom Austin near Sherwood after a likely tornado. (May 8, 2024)

Tom Austin speaks with News 8 on May 8, 2024.

Lynn Burns told News 8 she was parked in her Chevrolet Silverado in front of her house as the storm approached.

We pulled in just as the tornado was hitting. We opened the doors and there was no way we were going to get out, she said.

They watched as the house was ripped away from its basement. Neither she nor her friends who were hiding in the basement were injured.

Nearby, A.J. Burns, Lynn Burns relative, said he, his wife and two children took cover in the bathroom of their finished basement.

We were all hunkered down in there, he said. And I was holding the door shut from the inside.

He said he felt it shaking and debris hitting it like shrapnel.

Didnt know what the outcome was going to be. It was so loud, like I say, glass breaking, trees falling down there, A.J. Burns said. In the moment, you just hold on tight and see what happens.

He and his family are OK.

Their home, however, sustained serious damage, with the upper level mostly destroyed. Their fifth-wheel camper was flipped over and tossed into their garage.

Next door, a couple was in their Dodge Durango as the storm moved through. They said it went quiet, as though the tornado had sucked up the sound.

The Dodge Durango where Shania Hinspeter waited out the likely tornado. (May 8, 2024)

It was like as soon as it got super close, everyone says it was like a train, but it was silent, Shania Hinspeter said. It sucked the sound, everything up in it, you couldnt hear anything. It just made your ears pop. It was terrifying.

A tree snapped and their prefabricated home was toppled over onto its side. They were not hurt.

On Wednesday, they used a hole in the roof to go inside and see what they could salvage.

Shania Hinspeter salvages belongings after a likely tornado in the Sherwood area. (May 8, 2024)

The home of Shania Hinspeter near Sherwood after a likely tornado. (May 8, 2024)

The home of Shania Hinspeter near Sherwood after a likely tornado. (May 8, 2024)

Cleanup underway after tornado tears through Portage area

Chuck Blackburn showed News 8 the remains of the home where he lived with his wife, Angela, who died about three years ago.

He said they were together for more than 24 years and married for 13. The two spent 8,942 days living in the home together.

She always thought it was cute that I kept track, Blackburn said. So I started counting the days after she left: 1,206 days ago.

He said it was difficult to lose his wifes belongings Tuesday, but he was glad no deaths had been reported.

This is just stuff. Most of it was her stuff, and now I dont have anything left of her. And thats the hard part, Blackburn said. But this is just stuff.

Damage in Sherwood, which was placed under a tornado emergency during the storms. (May 8, 2024)

Damage in Sherwood, which was placed under a tornado emergency during the storms. (May 8, 2024)

Damage in Sherwood, which was placed under a tornado emergency during the storms. (May 8, 2024)

Damage in Sherwood, which was placed under a tornado emergency during the storms. (May 8, 2024)

A home flipped onto its side the day after a likely tornado ripped through Sherwood. (May 8, 2024)

A home flipped onto its side the day after a likely tornado ripped through Sherwood. (May 8, 2024)

The National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency for Union City on Tuesday  the first such alert ever in Michigan.

The storm left behind more damage in Portage, where another likely tornado ripped through.

No deaths have been reported as a result of the storm, though some people were injured.

On Tuesday night, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch and Cass counties. The declaration frees up state resources to help local authorities with clean-up and rebuilding efforts.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Streets may be cluttered with college graduation visitors. Know when and where to avoid.

May and early June is college commencement season and that means some parts of Vermont could swell with visitors and activities.

Graduations could cause congestion for travelers and locals alike between the colleges in the county  the University of Vermont and Champlain College in Burlington; St. Michael's College in Colchester; Community College of Vermont in Winooski and the former Vermont Tech in Williston that is now part of Vermont State University  and Middlebury College which is an hour south of Burlington.

From road closures and travel impacts to which areas will likely see an influx of people at specific times, here's what to know  and possibly avoid  during the busy month of graduations.

The University of Vermont Davis Center as seen in spring with the blooming daffodils on May 1, 2024.

Graduation dates across the area

McDonald Hall, a residence hall at Champlain College.

Which areas will be busy for graduation

Burlington-based Champlain College's two commencement ceremonies will be at the Expo Center in Essex Junction and, therefore, should have limited impact on travel in the city. Likewise, St. Michael's College in Colchester and Middlebury College are planning exercises on campus so traffic concerns are low. Due to their statewide network of campuses, Community College of Vermont and Vermont State University Williston will have ceremonies at some of their larger campuses away from the most populated areas of the state.

The University of Vermont, however, which has more than 12,000 students and is near the heart of Burlington, will have the greatest impact on local travel including road closures. Over the course of the weekend, 10 graduation ceremonies will take place across different areas of campus and the Flynn theater downtown.

Here are the anticipated Burlington road closures from Friday, May 17 through Monday, May 19:

Closed Friday, May 17 from 7 a.m. until Monday, May 20 at 4 p.m.University Place from Colchester Avenue to Main Street.

Closed Friday, May 17 from 7 p.m. to Sunday, May 19 as late as 9 p.m.South Prospect Street. from College Street. to the University Health Center entrance.

Closed Sunday, May 19 from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.South Prospect Street from Colchester Avenue to Main Street. College Street from South Prospect Street to South Williams Street.Main Street. (northern most west bound lane) from University Heights Road to South Prospect Street.

Shuttle buses will also be running people between parking areas and ceremony locations.

Commencement speakers

Vermont colleges tend to attract notable speakers for commencement addresses.

This year UVM's speaker attracted the ire of some students who are calling for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas that is impacting Palestinian civilians. They pointed out Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who is the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and was the planned speaker for UVM commencement exercises, has vetoed U.N. Security Council ceasefire resolutions in Gaza on three occasions. Students have set up an encampment on campus, like other schools across the country, and have five demands. One of their demands is to remove Thomas-Greenfield as commencement speaker and not confer an honorary University of Vermont degree on her, which was granted.

Middlebury College has also set up an encampment in support of a Middle East ceasefire, but commencement is not tied to their demonstration. Middlebury welcomes Terry Tempest Williams, who is an author, naturalist and social justice advocate, to be the keynote speaker at commencement. Among her notable works is a 1991 memoir which was among the early works linking environmental issues to social justice.

St. Michael's College as seen on April 1, 2024.

Champlain College graduates will get to hear from Marcelle Leahy, registered nurse, humanitarian and wife of longtime Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy during their graduation. Leahy has served on a variety of healthcare boards and is a melanoma survivor. She has championed access to healthcare, economic opportunity, justice, equal rights, and bringing people together across political boundaries, according to a news release from the college.

St. Michael's College will hear from Ansel Augustine, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Assistant Director of African American Affairs of the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity. Augustine serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Michael's College. He is an author and speaker who started out in youth ministry at a New Orleans parish and also serves on the faculty of Xavier University and Loyola University, both in Louisiana.

Community College of Vermont graduates will hear from Aly Richards. She is the CEO of Let's Grow Kids, a statewide policy group advocating for early childhood education and supports for families. Under her leadership, the organization helped lead efforts to pass legislation creating free, universal pre-kindergarten in Vermont.

This story may be updated.

Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @aprildbarton.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: College graduations may create travel congestion in Burlington area
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hold talks in Belgrade, Serbia, May 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BELGRADE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- China and Serbia have decided on Wednesday to build a community with a shared future, an upgrade of their relations from the comprehensive strategic partnership established eight years ago.

The decision was declared by visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, during their meeting in the Serbian capital.

Xi said the ironclad China-Serbia friendship has stood the test of changing international situation, and enjoys a firm political foundation that boasts profound history, as well as solid public support with extensive common interests.

In recent years, Xi said he and Vucic have jointly led the leapfrog development of bilateral relations and made historic achievements.

In particular, since the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Serbia was established in 2016, bilateral relations have grown richer in connotation, and continuously expanded in scope, becoming a model of friendly relations between China and European countries, he said.

Actions speak louder than words, Xi noted. He said the Chinese side is willing to work with Serbia to continue to stand together through thick and thin, share a common future, and uphold the spirit of the two countries' ironclad friendship.

China is also ready to join Serbia to maintain and develop the amity of the two countries, jointly safeguard the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides, pursue development and rejuvenation of their own country, and jointly advance the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, he said.

Xi stressed that Serbia is China's first comprehensive strategic partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Cooperation between the two sides has injected strong impetus into the two countries' respective development and revitalization, delivering tangible benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Under the new circumstances, Serbia has become the first European country to build a community with a shared future with China, which fully demonstrates the strategic, special and high-level nature of the bilateral relationship, he said.

The building of the China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era is an elevation of the two countries' ironclad friendship, and it also represents the shared values and goals of both sides, namely, seeking common development, achieving win-win cooperation and pursuing common progress, which is the shared vision of both countries and nations worldwide that uphold independence and strive for peace and development, Xi said.

Xi said that the two sides should deepen and expand high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries by building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, thereby advancing the modernization of their respective nation.

He called on both sides to underscore the strategic significance of the bilateral ties, and grasp the overarching direction of the relationship. China supports Serbia in upholding independence and pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and also supports Serbia's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xi said.

The two sides should continue to firmly support each other, deepen strategic cooperation, and safeguard their respective political security and fundamental interests, he added.

Xi also urged the two countries to adhere to the practical nature of bilateral cooperation and bring benefits to the two peoples. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results, Xi noted.

Both sides, Xi said, should steadily promote cooperation in traditional areas like transportation and energy infrastructure, such as ensuring the timely completion of the entire Belgrade-Budapest railway project, jointly managing major cooperation projects, and creating more "small yet smart" projects for public well-being, so as to continue to deliver positive economic and social benefits.

The China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement will come into effect on July 1 this year, Xi noted, saying that the high-level mutual opening-up between China and Serbia will surely enter a new stage.

China will continue to import more high-quality agricultural products with Serbian features, and is ready to invite 300 young Serbian people to China for study and exchange in the next three years, he said.

Serbia is welcome to deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges in an all-round way, he added.

The Chinese leader called on Beijing and Belgrade to carry forward the innovative nature of bilateral relations, open up new prospects for cooperation, and make innovative cooperation a new growth point of bilateral ties.

In the next three years, Xi said, China will support 50 young Serbian scientists to carry out research exchange visits to China, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with Serbia in artificial intelligence (AI) to promote the rational development and application of AI for humanity.

Xi called on the two countries to jointly oppose hegemonism and power politics, as well as bloc politics and camp confrontation, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, practice genuine multilateralism, and promote international fairness and justice. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome ceremony held by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic prior to their talks in Belgrade, Serbia, May 8, 2024. Xi and Vucic on Wednesday held talks here. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome ceremony held by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic prior to their talks in Belgrade, Serbia, May 8, 2024. Xi and Vucic on Wednesday held talks here. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

In this combo photo, Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic prior to their talks, is greeted by thousands of Serbians in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 8, 2024. Xi and Vucic on Wednesday held talks here. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen, Ding Haitao)
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Paseo Arts District is set to kick off its ribbon cutting to debut the Paseo Arts District streetscape project.

According to city officials, Oklahoma Citys Better Streets, Safer City bond election funded the $4 million streetscape along the historic arts corridor. The project focused on improving the districts walkability and ADA access by replacing sidewalks, repaving streets and upgrading handicapped parking. The project also includes new benches, trash cans, bike racks, message boards, streetlights, landscaping, irrigation and added pet waste stations.

Riddled with flaws: OK AG sues Biden Administration over new Title IX rules, OSDE seeks to sue too

We are so excited to celebrate all the stakeholders involved who made this project possible and appreciate the funding we received from the City, Paseo Arts Association Executive Director Amanda Bleakley said.

Festival goers are set to see the new infrastructure to support future festivals held in the district including the annual 2024 Paseo Arts Festival over Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27.

Paseo is one of Oklahoma Citys most unique districts, and one of its most venerable, Mayor David Holt said. It evolves and it changes, but its desirability has been the one constant. To sustain Paseos progress, we need to invest in its public infrastructure. Im so glad we could make this commitment, and I believe it lays the foundation for Paseos continued success.

The community is invited to the ribbon cutting for the Paseo Arts District streetscape project at 11 a.m. on May 10 on the corner of NW 30th Street and Paseo.

WHERE:

Corner of NW 30th Street and Paseo.

WHEN:

11 a.m. on May 10

Speakers include Mayor David Holt, Ward 2 Councilperson James Cooper and Paseo Arts Association Executive Director Amanda Bleakley. Edgar Cruz, guitar extraordinaire, will provide live music.

For more information, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
As anti-Israel protests have erupted across academia, many student activists want to have their cake and eat it too. Theyre erecting illegal tent cities and occupying academic halls but want to be treated like hotel guests, even while guarding their anonymity by wearing masks and keffiyehs. In recruiting radical professors who beat the drum for Marxism all day long, administrations have created entitled activists hellbent on destruction.

At New York Universitys walkout recently, a faculty member reprimanded me after I chatted with a couple freshmen about why they were rallying. The mama bear in me is on high alert, the professor warned. I explained that the students consented to the interview and didnt have to reveal their identities if they were uncomfortable. As shown in this instance, faculty coddle their students but still insist they offer important contributions to the political discourse.

As children are prone to do, protesters at various campuses dreamed up elaborate forts from which they could play cops and robbers and other games. Footage from Columbia showed the protesters melodramatically retrieving supplies from their comrades from under a campus gate. At UCLA, protesters requested specific comforts, including headlamps, EpiPens, and hot food for lunch! but expressly no bagels or bananas. Formidable revolutionaries, until someone accidentally eats gluten.

A female protesters social media tour of the Columbia encampment revealed an arts and crafts area, a makeshift library stocked with comic books, a live band, and a flea market donating proceeds to the Palestinian cause. A narrator informs the listener that Students in this encampment are agents of their own learning, their time, and their engagement with the world around them.

Continuing their charade, protesters at UCLA, or the Peoples University as they rebranded it, fenced off a library with checkpoints so that students couldnt enter unless they showed wristbands proving their allegiance to the Palestinian cause. While theyre gatekeeping their exclusive club and filming content like theyre influencers at a music festival, theyre also cosplaying as freedom fighters, flying the Hezbollah flag, and yelling slogans that deny Israels right to exist.

Unfortunately, being Gen Z means dealing with repeated states of the world that are in absolute hostility and turmoil, one senior at Columbia told the New York Times.

If this was the best spokesperson the Times could find, it indicates that their movement is both narcissistic and historically ignorant. Like other footage circulated online has shown, many students are clueless about the geopolitical conflict theyre protesting. They are just useful idiots for terrorism.

Of course, their positions come from parroting their professors, who are themselves enabling the chaos. At Columbia, professors in safety vests protected students in the illegal encampment by forming a human wall. The same thing happened at NYU. Last week, Princeton professor Max Weiss gleefully announced the student and professor takeover of Clio academic hall.

These actions have consequences well beyond college grounds. Violent protests like those seen at UCLA have prompted worried administrators to shut down usual academic proceedings, stealing college milestones from the same class intake that lost their high school graduation to Covid. The University of Southern Californias decision to cancel its graduation ceremony in anticipation of more unrest is unlikely to be an unfortunate outlier.

The dreadful example of Columbia, which tolerated its encampment for weeks, might explain why university administrators feel so jittery. After police made hundreds of arrests just to have the occupation pop back up again, Columbia gave an ultimatum to evacuate or face suspension. After ignoring the deadline, the protesters escalated the situation by moving into Hamilton Hall, forcing out staff members, vandalising property, and barricading themselves inside.

With a building besieged, Columbia finally called in an NYPD crackdown. Police in riot gear pulled students out and took many others into custody, charging for burglary, criminal mischief, trespassing, and disorderly conduct. Students who took over Hamilton Hall faced expulsion.

Though they insist theyre mature adults with bargaining power, students got into the collective fetal position once they were held to account for their lawlessness. After the NYPD response, Columbia law students claimed they were so traumatised that they could not function. They demanded the school cancel finals because of their distress.

The violence we witnessed last night has irrevocably shaken many of us, the editors of the Columbia Law Review wrote. ...The events of last night left us, and many of our peers, unable to focus and highly emotional during this tumultuous time.

These students were told by Left-wing professors and activist groups to act in a drama, but they dont know the underlying plot. While they deserve the appropriate disciplinary action for crimes they committed, we cant ignore that these students are spoiled pawns. Modern universities are daycares for radicals. Its high time we treat the students as the toddlers theyre determined to act as.

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.
Some students will have to pay up after senior prank goes too far, Tennessee school says

SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN)  Some students at a Tennessee high school will have to pay up after a senior prank got out of hand, officials say.

Spring Hill High School was forced to close last Friday after school property was damaged and vandalized, Nexstars WKRN previously reported. Spring Hill is about 35 miles south of Nashville.

The night before, roughly 100 students had been given permission to do a senior prank, according to Maury County Sheriff Bucky Rowland. School officials were on hand to let those students into the building.

The activities unfortunately got out of hand.

While the damage was not as bad as we originally anticipated, Maury County School Superintendent Lisa Ventura told WKRN it was pretty devastating, pretty disappointing.

Teachers, administrators, and maintenance crews spent Friday cleaning up the mess with the Ventura.

There was a lot of food stuff, a lot of toilet paper, a lot of debris, Ventura explained Friday, adding that there were paintballs and a number of liquids throughout the halls and classrooms.

Devastating: Students, parents and officials react to vandalism at Spring Hill High School

Tricia and Kaleigh Totty, two students at the school, told WKRN they saw desks piled up, books everywhere, trash spread throughout the school on social media. Kaleigh Totty, a senior, said she had to miss her last day of school because of the damages.

Its just heartbreaking, she said.

Devan Allen told WKRN her daughter was at Spring Hill High School last Thursday to do approved activities for the senior prank.

It definitely went too far, no question; way too far, Allen said about the damages that occurred.

Several parents, including Allen, said they received calls Monday saying students who took part in the senior prank day were told they would have to pay a $50 restitution fee and work two hours of community service.

I was fine with it. I think consequences come with actions. Although she was told it was approved, she was still there. She was fine; she was going to pay the fee with her own money and do the service like they were requiring, Allen explained.

On Tuesday afternoon, however, Allen received a second message from the school saying upon further video review, her child wouldnt be required to pay or work community service after all.

My understanding would be they are re-evaluating the cameras and seeing who did the approved activities and who did the unapproved activities, Allen said.

Real-life hero: Dad drowns after rescuing 3 kids from North Carolina river

As for the vandals, Allen said those students should face charges.

It was just a few bad apples, and I hate that we are getting a bad name, and her class is getting a bad name because its not deserved, said Allen.

Rowland said many of the students have been identified through surveillance footage and that he considered the damage at the high school to be vandalism. He said right now, school officials dont plan to press charges.

WKRN reached out to school officials who said they dont have a comment at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Political newcomer Jody Madeira beat incumbent Monroe County Commissioner Penny Githens in the Democratic Party primary Tuesday.

The victory will set up a clash with Republican Joe VanDeventer, who beat his primary opponent, Paul White Sr., by a margin of nearly 2-1.

Stunned, Madeira described her reaction.

County commissioner candidate Jody Madeira smiles as she gives her speech at the local Democrats' election night party at Cascades Inn on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Madeira won the Democratic Party primary.

She teared up as she thanked her family and her campaign team, especially her treasurer, Tanner Branham.

Im ready to work, she said. Ill take the eighth off, and it starts the ninth.

Madeira, the Richard S. Melvin Professor of Law and co-director for the Center for Law, Society & Culture at Indiana Universitys Maurer School of Law, won against Githens in a three-way race, in which former Bloomington City Council member Steve Volan finished third.

Madeira received 3,860 votes, or nearly 44%, while Githens garnered 2,940 votes, or 33%, according to preliminary results posted by the Monroe County Clerk's office.

I am disappointed, Githens said. I dont quite understand everything that happened.

If people were dissatisfied with how I was behaving as a commissioner, I wish that they had come to tell me, she said.

Monroe County Commissioner Penny Githens speaks at the local Democrats' election night party at Cascades Inn on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Githens lost the Democratic Party primary to Jody Madeira.

Githens said she was not sure what made the difference.

I didnt feel like I wanted to attack people, she said. Thats not who I am.

Githens said she seriously considered not running again because her younger sister died of cancer last August, but after reflection, she said she still wanted to get some things done. That included improving access to child care and design and location of the jail.

Madeira credited her team for the win and said knocking on doors and having a good message made the difference.

Just trusting  that if you have a good message  its going to resonate with those who  are not comfortable with stagnation, she said.

While Githens was an incumbent, Madeira said she was caucused into the position initially and then did not face a primary opponent in her last election, which meant that Githens was vulnerable.

Madeira said she wants to have conversations with lots of community members before taking the oath of office and plans to visit corners of the community to re-engage people with county government and explain to them why it matters.

Githens, who has served on the board of commissioners since 2019, and Volan, a long-time city council member, have clashed on major local issues including annexation and housing. Madeira listed in a news release among her highest priorities improving, city-county relationships (and) reinvigorating Monroe Countys health and human services infrastructure."

The three candidates also sparred over the location of the jail, likely a difficult and costly endeavor for county officials in the next few years.

Jody Madeira, who won the Democratic Party primary election for Monroe County Commissioner District 3, laughs while speaking to Bloomington City Clerk Nicole Bolden during the Democratic Party election night celebration at Cascades Inn on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

Madeira said Volan was the most collegial opponent you could ever ask for and she would have supported him or Githens in the fall election.

Madeira and Githens hugged just before Githens left the gathering of the Democrats Tuesday at the Cascades Inn.

Githens said she plans to retire after her term ends.

On the Republican ticket, VanDeventer, the director of street operations for the city of Bloomington, received received 3,619 votes, or 66%, while his opponent, Paul White Sr., received 1,873, or 34%. White Sr. is a bus driver for Area 10 Agency on Aging.

VanDeventer stood at various polling places Tuesday to drum up support, spending much of the afternoon at Ellettsville Christian Church.

Joe VanDeventer, who is running for the Republican nomination for Monroe County Commissioner, sought voter support Tuesday afternoon at Ellettsville Christian Church.

A lifelong resident of Monroe County who previously worked for the county, VanDeventer has said he plans to focus on job creation, leveraging his background in community service, agriculture and public infrastructure.

Madeira and VanDeventer in the fall will vie for the commissioner District 3 seat, which represents Washington Township (north-central Monroe County), Clear Creek Township (south central), the countys eastern townships  Benton, Salt Creek, Polk  and parts of south-central Perry Township.

Voters in the entire county get to vote on commissioner races. The districts merely denote where the candidates must live.

Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Jody Madeira beats Penny Githens in Monroe County commissioner race
TAMPA, Fla.  U.S. Navy special operators are upgrading their underwater fleet to continue reaching their objectives amid a looming gap in submarine capabilities, according military officials.

Navy SEALs have used the dry deck shelter with modified Ohio-class submarines for decades. The shelter, attached to a submarine, allows divers to remain dry as they transport to their launch site, don wetsuits and dive gear, then exit and later return to the sub undetected.

But the shelters require 10 sailors to operate and get six SEALs out of the platform, Navy Capt. Burt Canfield said Tuesday at the Special Operations Forces conference. Canfield overseas dry deck shelter acquisitions for Special Operations Command. There are five shelters in service, the oldest of which has been in use for nearly 50 years.

The Dry Deck Shelter Next program, launched in fiscal 2024, is currently in a multiyear research and development phase, Canfield said.

The shelters were expected to shift to working with the upcoming Virginia-class submarines. However, as Ohio-class subs go out of service, production delays for the Virginia boats could limit how SEALs use the two platforms to reach their destinations.

That target is still in the Navys sights and will include optimizing a topside hangar for the platform that will allow users to launch crewed submersibles, large unmanned undersea vehicles, and smaller unmanned underwater and aerial vehicles.

Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Brien, a Navy diver, rigs the dry deck shelter for a dive aboard the guided-missile submarine Ohio. (Petty Officer 1st Class Barry Hirayama/U.S. Navy)

Canfield said SOCOM hopes to add automation to some of the shelters functions and remote operations to reduce the crewing from 10 sailors to operate down to six or fewer.

We want to operate inside the hull, get the [SEAL Delivery Vehicle] out remotely, increase safety and increase capacity, the captain noted.

In the meantime, advances to some other systems are helping SEALs find workarounds to traveling farther underwater. Navy Capt. Jared Wyrick, SOCOM program executive officer for maritime systems, said they are finding ways that were going to still get those missions done even if we dont have that submarine underneath us to support us.

SOCOM reached full operational capability on its dry combat submersible in fiscal 2024, said Cmdr. Jonathan Connelly, program executive officer for the commands maritime undersea systems. The dry submersible is a 39-foot long submarine built by Lockheed Martin that weighs 28 tons with a full load, uses a crew of two sailors and can carry eight SEALs.

The submersible can travel up to 60 miles and remain submerged for 24 hours.

That range and time, paired with recent advancements in combat diver gear, including individual jet propulsion systems, is allowing SEALs to travel farther underwater.

Wyrick said that SOCOM personnel are meeting with partners such as the United Kingdom and Norway to find other approaches to filling the undersea mobility gaps.
All of a sudden, Democrats are talking about Gaza and the Israel arms pause

Senator Elizabeth Warren, pictured in the US Capitol, praised President Joe Bidens administration for pausing a shipment of bombs to Israel (AFP via Getty Images)

For the longest time, Democrats have sounded like Susan Collins talking about Donald Trump when it came to Israels actions in Gaza: they wring their hands, express great dismay, and then do little to stop a catastrophic bombardment. Then they voted to give aid to Israel anyway.

Tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have now died in the packed region, most of them women and children.

Now, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus plans to attack Rafah seem to have given Democrats  not just President Joe Biden  the fortitude to draw a line in the sand.

This week, President Bidens administration paused its shipping of 1,800 bombs weighing around 2,000lbs (907kg) and 1,700 bombs weighing 500lbs (227kg) to Israel. The shipment was due to arrive in the Middle Eastern country last week.

The White House seemed to know that the move would cause a huge controversy on Capitol Hill. Indeed, when Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about the pause, he carefully chose his words, noting that the US commitment to Israel remains ironclad.

We are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of the ongoing events in Rafah, he said.

When further pressed, he added: Were assessing. We have not made any final decisions on this yet, but to answer your questions, yes, there are some things we are taking a closer look at.

It seems that the Biden administrations actions helped Senate Democrats who previously criticised the Israeli governments actions find their nerve.

In February, amid the first reports that Israel was considering attacking Rafah, Senator Elizabeth Warren told The Independent that Israel should not be attacking Rafah, period, but when pressed if that would affect her vote on the bill to provide aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, she said, Right now, the security package is about getting money to Ukraine. In the end, only three Senators in the Democratic caucus voted against the foreign aid package.

Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen, amid shortages of aid supplies, after Israeli forces launched a ground and air operation in the eastern part of Rafah (REUTERS)

But when we spoke to her about the shipments, Warren praised the Biden administrations decision.

The Presidents actions are a reminder that the United States always conditions its foreign aid, she told The Independent. Warren added the pause served as a reminder to Israels government that the United States would no longer be a passive observer.

We have been clear our position on both a two-state solution and the importance of access to humanitarian relief, she said. Benjamin Netanyahu ignores the United States at his peril.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin became the first Democratic Senator to support a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas weeks ago  but he still voted to provide aid to Israel when push came to shove.

However, on Wednesday he said the Biden administrations actions were a positive step, given Israels plans to attack Rafah.

I think the administration has started doing that  holding some of the equipment and supplies  until they have an assurance [about what will happen in Rafah], the Illinois Democrat told The Independent.

There are two primary pathways that could lead to a limit or block on US aid to Israel.

The first, championed by progressive Senator Peter Welch, is the Leahy Law. Under the legislation, the US government cannot aid foreign security forces found committing a gross violations of human rights. The primary caveat of this law is that it does not apply to countries at large, but rather individual military units.

Welch told The Independent he wants the Leahy Law applied to the Israeli military. But he also sees value in the second option: the National Security Memorandum, known as NSM-20.

The NSM-20 memo will reveal the results of an investigation into potential Israeli war crimes in Gaza. It is now expected sometime next week, Welch told The Independent, after its initial release date of Wednesday was delayed.

If the report finds that Israel has violated international humanitarian law during its bombardment of Gaza, the Biden administration would need to reconsider foreign aid wholesale.

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland  who has said in the past that Israel is committing a war crime by deliberately withholding food from children in Gaza  told The Independent that the investigation offered an important benchmark.

This report will be a test of the Biden administrations credibility as to whether or not theyre willing to look at all the facts and apply the law to the war in Gaza, he said.

Elsewhere, some Democrats said there are limits to Americas ability to pressure Israel or control its actions.

We have some influence, but our views are not determinative on the Israeli by the Israeli government, Senator Chris Murphy told The Independent. I think theres too often a perception here that Israel will do what the United States wants them to do. Thats just not true.

Most Democrats have attempted not to undercut Biden when it comes to Israel, even if they have other objections. And the fact Ukraine aid was tied to Israel aid in a legislative package made it much harder for them to condition aid to Israel, given Republican hostility to Ukraine.

But it appears Bidens decision has given Democrats the permission to finally say there can be conditions on aid. That represents a huge change, even if it looks from the outside like baby steps.
Across the country, hundreds of thousands of our neighbors are being pushed out of homes and onto the street. This isnt simply their choice; its the result of policy choices by elected leaders. Unaffordable housing prices and lack of safe shelter space are leaving cities and towns with a growing homelessness crisis.

This is the case in Grants Pass, a town of roughly 40,000 people in the southwestern corner of Oregon. While homelessness is not unique, the citys aggressive response of $295 fines for people who have nowhere else to sleep is immoral.

Now, Grants Pass finds itself at the center of a lawsuit before the Supreme Court that will determine whether such punitive actions violate the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishments. Justices heard oral arguments last month, and a ruling is expected in June.

Should America punish people for being homeless?

The Rev. William Barber speaks in support of people without housing alongside protesters on April 22, 2024, outside the Supreme Court as justices heard oral arguments in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson.

At the heart of this case is the question of whether we should punish people for being homeless. Many states and cities will look to the courts to resolve this issue, but we must also understand this as a moral issue.

Universally shared principles  from the Talmud to the Bible, from Jesus to the Prophet Muhammad, and from our founding forefathers and foremothers  today demonstrate universal agreement that society must not punish people for being poor. In fact, the Prophet Isaiah says the health of a nation depends on our willingness to welcome the homeless poor. When you did it to the least of these, Jesus says, you did it unto me.

In Grants Pass, there is no public shelter for unhoused populations, and even those who might otherwise afford housing under normal circumstances face a rental vacancy rate of just above zero. With no other options, many individuals turn to the streets.

Homelessness is a top concern: California knows the way to end homelessness. It's time to find the will.

The citys strategy to remove this community was intended to make it "uncomfortable enough for (homeless people) so they will want to move on down the road."

But Grants Pass goes far beyond making it uncomfortable.

By prohibiting the act of sleeping with so much as a blanket in any public space, at any time of the day, any day of the year, Grants Pass effectively makes it illegal to be alive and homeless.

What is 'cruel and unusual' punishment?

By its very nature, determining what is cruel and unusual requires setting a moral threshold and then exercising a moral judgment. The Supreme Court has long established that the moral perspectives of faith-based communities are a relevant factor in determining what is cruel and unusual, including in cases concerning the death penalty, conditions of confinement and juvenile sentencing.

As a broad coalition of religious groups argue in an amicus brief in the Grants Pass case, sacred and religious texts have long directed society to protect poor and homeless people.

Homelessness is destroying my state: Supreme Court case has brought together bipartisan support for enforcing policies

In the constitution of my home state, North Carolina, beneficent provision for the poor is listed as among the duties of the state.

The teachings of our nations early leaders also affirm the dignity and protection of the poor and homeless. Since the time of Americas Founders  who enshrined the Eighth Amendment into the Bill of Rights  moral values have informed our understanding and interpretation of our rights.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

Thus, we can turn to both theology and our own constitutional documents for guidance as the issue of morality takes its rightful role front and center in this discussion.

The Supreme Court should affirm the dignity and protection of the homeless so that every human being is treated with inherent worth and dignity, including and especially the poor.

The Rev. William Barber is the president of Repairers of the Breach, co-chair of Unite the Poor, and founding director and professor at Yale's Center for Public Theology and Public Policy.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: In Oregon homeless case, Supreme Court should rule against Grants Pass
The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates.

Photo illustration: Jack Forbes/Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images

Whats happening

On Tuesday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory calling for action to be taken to protect kids from the potentially harmful effects of social media use on their mental health and well-being.

We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis  one that we must urgently address, Murthy said.

While the advisory acknowledged social media as an effective teaching tool for kids that can create self-identity, provide support, keep them tuned in to current events and allow them to communicate and form social networks, it also pointed to numerous studies showing that social media use can be excessive and problematic for adolescents and is linked to depression among youth who spend multiple hours a day on platforms.

The advisory also says that about half of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 said social media makes them feel worse and is predictive of a subsequent decrease in life satisfaction for certain developmental stages including for girls 11-13 years old and boys 14-15 years old. Additionally, 64% of adolescents say social media often or sometimes exposes them to hate-based content.

One of the advisorys recommendations to ensure a safe and healthy environment is for tech companies to find better ways to adhere to age minimums due to these studies.

Now lawmakers in both the House and Senate are finding rare alignment, supporting bills to put guardrails around social media use  such as raising the minimum age for social media to 16 years old  as Americas youth continue to grapple with the evolving mental health crisis.

Why theres debate

The advisory says that about 95% of youth, ranging from ages 13 to 17, use social media. More than a third admit to using social media almost constantly. As it stands, a potential user on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Snapchat has to be at least 13 years old to sign up for an account. For TikTok, children under 13 can access the platform, but their user experience is limited.

But the advisory points to studies that show adolescents have a highly sensitive period of brain development between ages 10 and 19, when they are more liable to take risks, and when heightened risk for mental health problems like depression and anxiety starts to emerge. Studies show that social media use can also disrupt their sleep patterns, facilitate rumor spreading and peer pressure, and paint an unrealistic picture of other peoples lives that they may be too young to sort out.

This population is particularly at risk since brain development in our children can make the effects of social media more significant and long lasting, Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, president and medical director of the Child Mind Institute, told Yahoo News in a statement. Technology is also changing how families operate today. We recommend that parents and caregivers regularly communicate with their child and provide tools to help them approach social media safely and mindfully.

Lawmakers like Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., want to provide legislation for parents to strike back against Big Tech companies trying to take advantage of their kids. But opponents worry that politicians are just campaigning against an agenda that can potentially harm youth in America by cutting off access to communities that support them.

Whats next

In February, Hawley introduced two sets of bills to protect kids online. The first bill  the Making Age-Verification Technology Uniform, Robust, and Effective (MATURE) Act  would place a minimum age requirement of 16 years old for all social media users, blocking platforms from granting accounts to kids who do not meet that requirement. The second bill  the Federal Social Media Research Act  would invest in a study to examine social media effects on kids over 10 years old and commission a report on the potential harms of social media.

In the same month, Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, introduced the Social Media Child Protection Act, which would make it illegal for social media platforms to give kids under 16 access to their sites.

Perspectives

We need to equip kids with effective tools to navigate social media, not restrict access

Social media in and of itself is a tool for gathering information. Blanket statements, such as this one stating that children under the age of 14 should not have access to social media, are not effective tools for changing behavior. We must give our children the tools they need to navigate the world safely, not prevent them from being exposed to it altogether."  Dr. Lama Bazzi, Fox News Digital

Kids are still mentally developing at 13

"Thirteen is too early.  Its a time where its really important for us to be thoughtful about whats going into how they think about their own self-worth and their relationships  and the skewed and often distorted environment of social media often does a disservice to many of those children.  Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to CNN

It's just politics as usual

Tech moves so much faster than Congress moves. The purpose of this bill is so Sen. Hawley can say, Look, this is what I proposed to address this problem. And then there's little action that follows after it. It's a way to get a conversation going and it's a way for him to kind of campaign on this ideal of him being hard on social media companies.  Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star Washington correspondent, to KCUR

Experts believe theres a generation of kids growing up too fast

When we talk about teens in the early stages of adolescence, were talking about a brain thats under construction. Its not so much about how theyll behave online, but whether they are ready for what theyre going to encounter. Social media opens up a very adult world.  David Anderson, senior director at the Child Mind Institute, to Wall Street Journal

The mental health crisis among youth reaches beyond social media

I think theyre using social media as a scapegoat. The mental health crisis  there's a lot of factors that go into it. Yes, social media has shone a light on that for some of these kids, but I dont think just blocking or making social media more difficult for children is really going to have any effect on the problem with mental health that we have.  Chris Kunkle, a parent of three kids, to USA Today

There are age requirements for everything else that can be potentially harmful to kids

We have countless protections for our children in the physical world  we require car seats and seat belts; we have fences around pools; we have a minimum drinking age of 21; and we have a minimum driving age of 16. The damage to Generation Z from social media is undeniable  so why are there no protections in the digital world?  Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, statement

Hawleys bill is a veil for the anti-LGBTQ agenda

Banning social media isnt just for the well-being of children but is rather an extension of the already present right-wing anti-Transgender agenda. Though Hawley mentions suicidality, depression and other mental health conditions in his legislation, he and other conservatives are nonetheless focused on the alleged Transgender threats lurking in every corner of social media, scheming to emasculate your sons and androgenize your daughters.  Alexandra Kauffman, Emory Wheel
American support is dropping for NATO and for backing Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia, according to a survey published Wednesday by the Pew Research Center.

The Pew survey puts hard numbers behind divides playing out on Capitol Hill over support for Ukraine and attacks by former President Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, criticizing NATO countries as failing to share the burden of the security alliance.

We saw in the last election, something that will be on the mind of both voters, as well as the candidates and then part of the debate ahead of the elections, is the U.S. role in the world, whether thats on its own, or as a NATO member, said Moira Fagan, research associate with Pew.

And so these numbers really speak to that moment.

While the Pew survey found that most Americans support NATO (58 percent), that number has dropped by 4 percentage points since 2023, marking a statistically significant decline, the authors wrote.

The partisan divides are sharper: Three-quarters of Democrats rated the organization favorably, compared to only 43 percent of Republicans. That number is down from 55 percent in March 2022, one month after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

These numbers have flipped, Fagan explained, pointing to changing support among Republicans toward Ukraine.

When the war broke out in the spring of 2022, we saw about half of Republicans saying the U.S. was not providing enough support to Ukraine, versus too much, only 9 percent said that at the time.

Now, about half of Republicans say the U.S. is providing too much support to Ukraine, while 13 percent say not enough is being provided, Fagan continued.

Democrats have remained largely stable in saying a mix that support is not enough, or about right.

The numbers speak to deep divisions among Republicans in Congress, with the majority of House GOP members voting against a $61 billion security assistance package related to Ukraine in April that was delayed for months amid Republican opposition. The bill passed with support from Democrats.

The Pew poll took place April 1-7, shortly before the House passed assistance for Ukraine. It surveyed 3,600 U.S. adults who are members of the centers American Trends Panel, and respondents are recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses.

Pew said the survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories.

The survey also tested Americans knowledge of NATO, with a little more than half (56 percent) correctly identifying Europe and North America as the two regions from which the alliance draws membership. Although, Americans were confused over Ukraines relationship to the alliance, with 41 percent correctly identifying it as a nonmember.

Those who have more knowledge of NATO are more inclined to see the organization favorably, the reports authors wrote.

Fagan said the numbers demonstrate that theres no partisan divide on knowledge of NATO, showing that Americans are generally well-informed about the substance of current affairs and hot-button debate issues.

In July, President Biden is set to host the annual NATO summit in Washington, marking the alliances 75th anniversary. NATO allies view the summit as a critical opportunity to express the alliances solidarity in support for Ukraine, even as members are divided over Kyivs future in the alliance.

And while most Democrats and Republicans in Congress support U.S. participation in NATO, the alliance is a fixation for former President Trump, who has threatened to withdraw America from the alliance, held back from committing to the mutual-defense pact of the treaty, and criticized member states who have not yet increased their defense spending to the alliances goal of 2 percent of gross domestic product.

Trumps potential for victory in the 2024 presidential election prompted lawmakers to pass legislation in December seeking to bar any president from withdrawing from NATO, although skeptics view the laws provisions as weak.

Trumps antagonism toward NATO feeds into a general isolationism of his Make America Great Again movement, which critics fear will withdraw the U.S. from its position as a global leader and embolden autocrats like Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has boasted about negotiating with Putin an end to his war in Ukraine, raising fears among Kyiv and its supporters that any deal would undermine Ukraines sovereignty and security.

The Pew survey found that Americans overwhelmingly hold negative views of Putin, with 88 percent saying they do not have confidence in the Russian president to do the right thing regarding world affairs.

But there are partisan divides on American favorability toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian president was held up as a courageous, wartime leader leading a hard-scrabble defense against a bigger, nuclear-armed Russia that had launched an illegal invasion.

But after two years of war, Americans favorability  especially among Republicans  is waning.

While 48 percent of Americans said they have some or a lot of confidence in Zelensky to do the right thing regarding world affairs, that number represents an 8 point decrease since 2023. And only 34 percent of Republicans supported Zelensky, compared to 65 percent of Democrats.

Since the war has broken out, weve seen that negative views of Russia, a lack of confidence in Putin, has really been quite stable, Fagan said.

But we do kind of see  views of NATO have dropped slightly over the past few years. In general, the public is less likely to be supportive of Ukraine aid  Theres a partisan divide: Democrats are more likely to say that helping Ukraine helps U.S. national security, Republicans say that hurts national security, she continued.

Some of this movement that we see is driven just by the declining support for NATO and Ukraine among Republicans, typically, while the Democratic numbers have remained a little bit more stable.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Jewish Community Center of Folsom and El Dorado Hills will host an event Thursday evening offering attendees a chance to hear a first-hand account from Ilya Tarshansky, one of the survivors of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israel.

Tarshansky will share his story, along with a video presentation and a Q&A session at Thursdays event, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma St.

Graphic images and themes of terrorism and violence will be discussed; this event is not intended for children, according to a news release from the Jewish Community Center. Organizers said Tarshanskys story, titled Be Strong and Resolute, presents his experience and provides a message of inspiration, courage and hope.

Its an honor for us to host Ilya and were so fortunate that he has agreed to come to Folsom in person to share his story, Rabbi Yossi Grossbaum of Chabad Jewish Community Center said in the news release. With all the confusing messages, its important for our communities to hear the first-hand account of someone who personally experienced the horrors of October 7th.

The event in Folsom is being held amid numerous Pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses throughout the United States, including Sacramento State, seeking an end to the ongoing war in Gaza. More than 34,000 Palestinians living in Gaza have been killed since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis.

Tickets to the event, $15 per person, must be purchased before 5 p.m. on Thursday. Children must be older than 13 to attend the event. Organizers said extra security will be enforced; no bags or banners will allowed.

A VIP package is available at $180, which includes two tickets and a pre-event meet and greet, according to the organizers.

Tickets can be purchased online at jewishfolsom.org/strong. For more information, call 916-608-9811, ext. 101.
UNITED NATIONS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to relaunch the political process in Abyei, a territory contested by Sudan and South Sudan.

The armed conflict in Sudan has had a multifaceted impact on the situation in Abyei. The massive influx of refugees has exacerbated the humanitarian challenges and competition for resources, thus impeding the Abyei political process, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

"China expects that Sudan will end the conflict soon and resume dialogue and cooperation with South Sudan at an early date, so as to lay the basis for relaunching the Abyei political process," Dai said at the UN Security Council briefing on Abyei.

China commends and supports the United Nations, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in their efforts to resolve the Abyei issue, he said.

Intercommunal conflict is still the main security problem in Abyei. China supports the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in working according to its mandate to diffuse differences through dialogue, so as to achieve peaceful coexistence of communities, said Dai.

China commends UNISFA for its tremendous efforts in overcoming challenges and maintaining peace and stability in Abyei. China hopes Sudan and South Sudan will work closely with UNISFA, provide it with the greatest possible protection, and help facilitate equipment transportation, logistical supplies, and personnel safety, he said.

At the end of last year, the fourth batch of Chinese peacekeeping helicopter units was successfully deployed in Abyei. China is ready to work with the international community to make further contributions to the peace and stability in the region, he said. 
Rescuers work to rescue construction workers trapped under a building that collapsed in George

Rescuers work to rescue construction workers trapped under a building that collapsed in George

By Shafiek Tassiem and Esa Alexander

GEORGE, South Africa (Reuters) - Moses Malala, a 34-year-old construction worker who escaped the wreckage of a five-storey building in George, South Africa, recalled the moment it collapsed and a cloud of dust engulfed him, as rescue efforts continued at the site 48 hours on.

Seventy-five construction workers, including Malala, were on site when the building crumbled on Monday. Thirty-six have been retrieved so far, including seven deceased, while 39 remain unaccounted for.

Malala survived with only minor injuries but said he is scarred by the death of a co-worker and unable to sleep.

"I see the dust coming up. Starting from the basement it's coming up... then I'm starting to see the slab is cracking, sliding to go down," he recalled.

"Every night I can't sleep," Malala said, adding he is thinking of the co-worker nearest to him who passed away. He has been returning to the site "to check our guys".

Local authorities in the city east of Cape Town said on Tuesday that the rescue teams were in contact with some survivors buried beneath the structure. Teams searched the site with sniffer dogs.

It is not yet clear how the building collapsed. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for an investigation.

Alan Winde, premier for the Western Cape province, said more than 200 emergency service personnel were involved in the rescue on Wednesday.

"I cannot express the emotions I felt yesterday when the site would suddenly go completely quiet in the hope that our teams might be close to locating another survivor," Winde said.

Rescuers were met with applause when they pulled survivors from the debris, riddled with broken concrete slabs and twisted steel reinforcements.

Edna Nissi waited for an update on her brother Charles Thangalimodzi, who is believed to still be under the rubble.

"From Monday we didn't hear anything that he is out. We heard this morning that he is still down," she said.

Friends and relatives of the other workers gathered at the site and sang, joined by local reverend Siyanda Sijila, who said the community had not experienced an event like this before.

"We only see these things happening somewhere else but now it's happened to us," Sijila said.

(Reporting by Shafiek Tassiem and Esa Alexander in George, Writing by Tannur Anders and Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
(BCN)  A suspected drunk driver struck and killed a pedestrian in Fremont on Friday night.

Fremont police said Tuesday at approximately 11:30 p.m. they received a 911 call regarding a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on the 45000 block of Fremont Boulevard.

Officers found a pedestrian suffering from major injuries and immediately began providing medical aid to the victim, including providing CPR and the use of an AED (automated external defibrillator).

SF hit-and-run driver who struck middle school student in crosswalk arrested

Fremont Fire Department and medical personnel soon arrived and took over medical care, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers contacted the driver of the involved vehicle, which collided with a traffic signal pole a quarter of a mile away. The driver, 58-year-old Hung Vuu of Sunnyvale, was transported to an area hospital for minor injuries sustained during the collision.

Police believe alcohol impairment was a factor in this collision. This incident remains an active and ongoing investigation. The Alameda County Coroners Office will determine the cause of death.

Vuu was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury.

The death was Fremonts first traffic fatality in 2024.

Anyone witnessing the collision or with information regarding this collision can contact Fremont polices traffic unit at (510) 790-6760. Anonymous tips can be texted to Tip FremontPD followed by a short message to 888-777 or via the web at https://www.fremontpolice.gov/Tip.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
DENVER (KDVR)  Douglas County deputies are searching for two suspects who allegedly stole a ring worth thousands of dollars after seeing it advertised on Craigslist.

The alleged robbery happened on May 1 at 5:50 p.m. near the 10500 block of Ketchwood Court in Highlands Ranch.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office said two suspects went to the neighborhood to look at an 18K yellow gold ring with a pear-shaped diamond that they saw advertised on Craigslist. The listing said the ring was worth $10,000.

Deputies said the suspects took the ring and ran from the house.

Man shot while driving in Aurora, suspect wanted

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office described the suspects as:

Suspect 1:

Black male

In his 20s-30s

Average to heavy build

Wearing an orange hat

Has multiple tattoos on his arms

Wearing bracelets with diamonds

Suspect 2:

Black male

In his 20s-30s

Thin build

Wearing black shirt

Has long hair

Wearing a blue hat with braids

Has multiple tattoos on his arms

Possibly wearing octagonal-shaped glasses with blue lenses

Has a pencil mustache

Douglas County robbery suspects

Deputies said there was a third suspect who was the unknown getaway driver.

The suspects possibly fled in a maroon or dark red 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the Colorado temporary tag 6220884.

Douglas County robbery vehicle

Anyone with information on the suspects or the alleged robbery is asked to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
(Bloomberg) -- China is flooding the US with used cooking oil that the biofuel industry says may be tainted, hurting American farmers and President Joe Bidens push to promote climate-friendly energy.

Most Read from Bloomberg

US imports of used cooking oil, an ingredient to make renewable diesel, more than tripled in 2023 from a year earlier, with more than 50% coming from China, according to the US International Trade Commission. American industry groups and biofuel executives are becoming increasingly worried that a significant amount of those supplies are fraudulent, and are urging the government to tighten scrutiny on the imports.

The heightened suspicions come after the European biofuel industry expressed similar concerns about cooking oil from China last year. Used cooking oil has a better carbon intensity score than feedstocks widely produced in the US like fresh soybean oil, so any potentially tainted imports are benefiting from Bidens renewables incentives at the expense of American farmers.

Read More: Asia Floods Europe with Green Fuel Suspected to Be Fraudulent

Were putting more pressure on the US government to say what are we really importing, said Todd Becker, chief executive officer of Green Plains Inc., which through its production of ethanol sells distillers corn oil, also a green diesel ingredient. Somebodys got to figure out that thats not all Chinese used cooking oil.

Tainted used cooking oil would exacerbate a challenging situation for farmers and agriculture companies. Companies including Bunge Global SA and Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. have been counting on soaring demand for crop-based green diesel feedstocks, but competition from foreign imports is eating into profits and jeopardizing ambitious expansion plans. More broadly, there is a risk that illegal shipments could worsen trade tensions between China and the US.

Imports of used cooking oil, or UCO, amounted to 1.4 million metric tons (3.1 billion pounds) in 2023  equivalent to the oil squeezed from more than 6% of US soybeans crushed to make soyoil last season. In addition to having a more favorable carbon intensity score, UCO is also priced about a third cheaper than refined soyoil.

Read More: Soaring Imports of Green Diesel Feedstocks Disrupt US Soy Market

One of the biggest concerns is that China shippers are adding UCO to fresh palm oil. Palm, the worlds most widely used vegetable oil, is a bane to environmentalists and many countries because the industry is a key driver of deforestation in places like Indonesia as well as tied to labor abuses.

Chinas Ministry of Commerce didnt respond to a faxed request for comment.

The Environmental Protection Agency has had discussions with industry stakeholders, including the National Oilseed Processors Association, about concerns over increased imports of UCO and other food wastes, according to agency spokesman Nick Conger. He said the EPA is aware of the increased imports and that will be a factor in establishing volumes for and implementing the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, a law that mandates how much biofuel must be blended into the countrys fuel supply each year.

Under RFS, producers using UCO or animal waste such as beef tallow are required to keep records that vow the ingredients meet the legal definition of renewable biomass as well as describe the ingredient and identify the process used to obtain it.

We are concerned that unless EPA and other agencies get a handle on this pretty quickly, it could potentially undermine the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard, Geoff Cooper, chief executive officer of Renewable Fuels Association, said in an interview.

Clean Fuels Alliance America, which represents renewable diesel and sustainable jet fuel producers, has been directed by its board to look into the surge in UCO from China and the possibility of fraudulent gallons coming into the US.

Our goal is to protect our members and combat any unfair trade that we find, said Paul Winters, director of public affairs and federal communications. We arent assuming practices are unfair just because theres more trade, he said, but the alliance wants to make sure home-grown feedstocks arent facing unfair competition from imports.

The surge in UCO imports is also a top issue for NOPA, the trade group representing US seed processing industries for soybeans, canola and other crops. CEO Kailee Tkacz Buller said the group has had talks with federal lawmakers and agencies including the EPA and US Department of Agriculture.

Asia is by far the worlds biggest UCO supplier, led by China. The European Union initiated a probe into Asian imports last year at the request of European biodiesel producers, but the request was dropped. While the producers didnt explicitly provide a reason for the change, they noted that biodiesel shipments to the EU from Chinas Hainan Island  a green-fuel hot spot  immediately stopped after the start of the investigation.

There is plenty of suspicion and lots of stories and anecdotes floating around, said Cooper. It appears to be one of the worst kept secrets out there that this is happening.

--With assistance from Jennifer A. Dlouhy and Gerson Freitas Jr..

(Add comments from industry group beginning in 12th paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
A Tacoma mother said her four-year-old non-verbal daughter was choked by her school bus driver.

On Tuesday, KIRO 7 News spoke with Charlene Massey, the mother of four-year-old Esmerelda, who attends Franklin Elementary School on S Lawrence Street in Tacoma.

Massey said she captured a photo of her daughter and her four-year-old niece, Million, Friday morning, who were both wearing matching Star Wars themed clothing, before they headed off to school.

I was really happy because I did their hair like Princess Leia. They had matching shirts. I love theme days. Its popcorn Friday. It was a good morning, she said.

But the day quickly changed later that afternoon.

Massey said when she picked up her daughter and her niece at a bus stop at about 4 p.m., she saw bruises and scratches on her daughter.

I immediately started crying, she said. I seen marks down her face, hand marks around her neck, scratch marks on her chest. After taking take off her clothes, I seen punch marks on her back, back of her head. Pretty much in depth, very fresh-looking marks.

A Tacoma mother says her 4 y/o non-verbal daughter was assaulted by a bus driver. Tacoma Public Schools denies the accusations. The mother says she had a conversation with the bus driver a week before & explains how it may have led to her daughter's injuries on @KIRO7Seattle at 6 pic.twitter.com/4GzKnHujOe  Louie Tran (@louie_tran) May 7, 2024

This is every autistic non-verbals moms biggest fear. Dropping them off at somewhere theyre supposed to be safe, and then finding them with injuries or something happening to them, and you cant ask what happened, she added.

The mother said she immediately called police and an ambulance, and drove to Franklin Elementary School to speak with the principal and her daughters teacher.

She said Esmereldas teacher told her another had student caused the injuries, but later changed her response when she spoke with police.

Masseys niece, who was also on the bus, told police what she had witnessed, she said.

She said the bus driver grabbed her. When we asked how, she said like this (Massey places her hand around her neck), she said.

I said, Has this happened before? And she said, Yes. I said, Is she mean to you guys? She said, Yes. I said, Dont lie. Make sure youre telling the truth to the police officer because its important. She said she grabbed her because she kept getting out of her seat belt, Massey shared.

Massey told KIRO 7 News that she previously talked with the bus driver about the same issue days before the alleged incident.

The week before, the bus driver was concerned because she (daughter) kept getting out of her seat belt. And she wanted to know what we could do about it because she said she cant keep pulling over the bus every few minutes to put her back in her seat belt, she said.

The mother later took her daughter to a hospital to get her injuries looked at, she said.

The doctor told her the injuries were caused by an adults hand; Massey told KIRO 7 News.

We looked at a hospital document, which was dated Friday, May 3.

The document indicated a referral to the Child Abuse Intervention Department in response to Esmereldas injuries.

The child was seen due to concerns for an assault, the document wrote.

Massey said the school district never notified her about the injuries.

Im outraged that they wouldnt inform me immediately, she shared. Immediately whoever seen it, it went through so many adults, the teacher, if it happened at school if they seen it, the bus driver seen it, all the other teachers and helpers that were standing outside had to have seen that. Not one adult took upon it themselves to call me and let me know anything about what had happened.

KIRO 7 News reached out to Tacoma Public Schools to gather more details.

A spokesperson for the district shared the following statement:

The district was notified of the parents concern. Video footage of the bus ride has been reviewed and there is no indication of an altercation involving the student or any other student and bus driver. We will continue to work with the parent. The safety of our students is a top priority, and we take parent concerns very seriously. We have no additional information at this time.

We requested the buss video footage and asked if the district is investigating the alleged incident.

KIRO 7 News is waiting for a response.

We also reached out to the Tacoma Police Department.

A spokesperson said a detective reviewed the footage and did not find evidence of any altercation between students and the bus driver.

Massey told KIRO 7 News she is now requesting video footage from inside the school building to find the cause of her daughters injuries.

For her to be so small, I couldnt imagine what she could possibly do to deserve that, she said.

Police said they will further investigate the alleged incident, if new evidence is revealed in any new security footage.
TALIAFERRO COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF)  The Taliaferro County Sheriffs Office is now investigating the death of a local resident who was struck by a train.

According to authorities, Richard L. Manago, Jr., 66, of M. L. King, Jr. Drive, was struck by a CSX Railroad train on Sunday, May 5th.

According to the Sheriffs Office, the accident occurred near the 300 block of M. L. King, Jr. Drive.

Investigators say that Manago was last seen on foot at approximately 2:45 P.M. where he advised his son he was about to go home.

ALSO ON WJBF: Two arrested by RCSO after drug bust in connection to Augusta Mall shooting investigation

Authorities then state at approximately 3:09 P.M., a 911 call was received from CSX Railroad Police reporting someone had been struck by a train.

Courtesy of Taliaferro County Sherriffs Office

Courtesy of Taliaferro County Sherriffs Office

The Taliaferro County Sheriff and Deputies, Taliaferro County Fire Department, Wilkes County EMS, and the Taliaferro County Coroner and Deputy Coroner, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, responded to the scene.

Sheriff McWilliams of the Taliaferro County Sheriffs Office states, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Manago family. I offer each of you my support at this difficult time, and I pray God comforts you during your time of bereavement.

Taliaferro County Coroner Milton Alexander pronounced that Manago was deceased at 4:00 P.M., and an autopsy is scheduled to be performed by the GBI Medical Examiners Office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Ma Sai makes a filigree mosaic artwork at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. Ma's Filigree Mosaic art, a city-level intangible cultural heritage in Tianjin, attracted the attention of the whole country when an accessory made with it appeared on the head of a Chinese actress during the Spring Festival Gala of the Year of the Dragon, staged by China Central Television, also called CCTV.

Filigree Mosaic art, first seen in the Spring and Autumn period (770 B.C.-476 B.C.), greeted its peak season in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The craft, having a history of more than 2,000 years, goes through complicated procedures and was listed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in 2008. Two main steps are involved in the craft, namely making filigree and making mosaic. Using malleable materials such as gold and sliver to make thin threads and then forming different shapes is called filigree art. Inlaying pearls or gems on shaped metal frames is called mosaic art.

Imparted by palace artisans for royal family, Ma's Filigree Mosaic art dated back to the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to the 1920s. Ma Sai, an inheritor of the craft who was born in the 1990s, has been working in the field for over 14 years. "I like handmade work since childhood. I learned the art from my parents, who enlightened me during their daily work."

In the early time, Ma Sai's family made filigree mosaic accessories mainly for export. With the withering of foreign market, the craft was almost lost. Noticing the popularity of traditional Chinese culture, Ma Sai tried to apply this craft to the making of traditional Chinese accessories. People's enthusiasm for Hanfu, a traditional wearing during the Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-220 A.D.), brought new vitality to Ma's Filigree Mosaic art. "The popularity of Hanfu gave me the confidence to carry on the craft," said Ma Sai. He visited various museums, read lots of books, and gradually turned designed patterns into real products.

To promote the products, Ma released videos he shot and edited on the internet. He also opened accounts on new media platforms, where he shared products and craft and won popularity among young people. He also encountered his love during a Hanfu show. Min Fangping, deeply moved by Ma's efforts in carrying on the traditional art, decided to work with him at his studio to explore more possibilities.

Nowadays, Ma Sai's studio mainly makes accessories for the use of video props, head decorations of Hanfu and brides headdress in traditional Chinese weddings. His artworks win him fame in the circle for their delicacy and refineness. He enrolled a dozen of villagers in his studio, and also accepted an apprentice Ma Hongli who was born in the 1980s. "I hope more young people will join us, thus we'll create filigree mosaic artworks that belong to our time," said Ma Sai. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

An enthusiast for Hanfu tries a head decoration of filigree mosaic at a studio in Tianjin, north China, March 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

This photo taken on March 23, 2024 shows filigree mosaic artworks displayed at the Wuqing museum in Tianjin, north China. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Ma Sai makes a filigree mosaic artwork at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

Ma Sai makes a filigree mosaic artwork at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

Ma Sai (R) and his girlfriend Min Fangping watch filigree mosaic artworks they made displayed at Wuqing museum in Tianjin, north China, March 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Ma Sai makes a filigree mosaic artwork at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

Ma Sai introduces to a visitor during a show themed on Ma's Filigree Mosaic art at Wuqing museum in Tianjin, north China, March 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

This undated file photo shows a Ma's filigree mosaic artwork. (Photo by Zhong Xia/Xinhua)

Ma Sai (R) talks with his mother on filigree mosaic art at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

This undated file photo shows a Ma's filigree mosaic artwork. (Photo by Zhong Xia/Xinhua)

Ma Sai fixes a filigree mosaic artwork at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

This photo taken on March 23, 2024 shows filigree mosaic artworks displayed at the Wuqing museum in Tianjin, north China. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Ma Sai makes a filigree mosaic artwork at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Ma Sai checks a filigree mosaic artwork at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

This undated file photo shows a Ma's filigree mosaic artwork. (Photo by Zhong Xia/Xinhua)

Ma Sai (L) and his girlfriend Min Fangping talk on details of making filigree mosaic artwork at his studio in Tianjin, north China, March 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

This undated file photo shows a Ma's filigree mosaic artwork. (Photo by Zhong Xia/Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows a Ma's filigree mosaic artwork. (Photo by Zhong Xia/Xinhua)

Ma Sai puts a filigree mosaic artwork on the head of an enthusiast of Hanfu at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Ma Sai draws patterns for a filigree mosaic artwork at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

This undated file photo shows a Ma's filigree mosaic artwork. (Photo by Zhong Xia/Xinhua)

Ma Sai (L) and his girlfriend Min Fangping arrange filigree mosaic artworks before a show themed on Ma's Filigree Mosaic art at Wuqing museum in Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

Ma Sai makes a filigree mosaic artwork at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

Ma Sai (R) and his girlfriend Min Fangping carry filigree mosaic artworks before a show themed on Ma's Filigree Mosaic art at Wuqing museum in Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

An enthusiast for Hanfu tries a head decoration of filigree mosaic at a studio in Tianjin, north China, March 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Ma Sai makes a filigree mosaic artwork at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Ma Sai (R) talks with his girlfriend Min Fangping on filigree mosaic design patterns at his studio in Liuzhuang Village of Wuqing District of Tianjin, north China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Ma Sai (R, back) and his girlfriend Min Fangping (L, back) watch a Hanfu enthusiast posing for photos in Tianjin, north China, March 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Ma Sai (R) talks with a staff member at a cultural and creative products store in Wuqing Distric of Tianjin, north China, March 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)
Tarrant residents speak out on sit there and be quiet comment & the conduct that led to it

The last act of a tense and lengthy Tarrant County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday was a continuation of tensions from the last one.

More than 100 people signed up to speak during public comments, many addressing an exchange at the last meeting on April 15 when County Judge Tim OHare told Commissioner Alisa Simmons: Youll sit there and be quiet, during a discussion over a contract with a political consultant. Later, during a discussions about ballots, he told her to have a semblance of class.

Many from the Justice Network of Tarrant County, a group of religious activists who often speak at Commissioners Court, showed up to speak.

Some people in the crowd wore black T-shirts that said in white letters, Im with HER you sit there and listen.

But the comments came from both sides.

Carlos Turcios, who describes himself as a conservative activist and writes for the Dallas Express, encouraged members of the Facebook group Latinos United for Conservative Action to speak in support of the county judge.

This May 7th BLM activists are planning to show up in full force and attack County Judge Tim OHare with the argument of racism, misogyny, and partisanship. We need to get conservatives to show up at the commissioners court meeting at 10 a.m., The post read.

At around 4:15 p.m. Turcios spoke. He said white supremacy doesnt exist.

Why is he being attacked? Hes being attacked because hes a white male, Turcios said, referring to OHare. If he were a black individual, he would not be under attack. If he were an Hispanic individual, he would not be under attack.

Another supporter of OHare was Bo French, chairman of the Tarrant County GOP.

I am here today to debunk some lies that were spread online in a narrative by Commissioner Simmons that I find repulsive and unbecoming of this court, French said.

French said there were rumors that OHare made the comments because he was racist.

Anyone who knows you knows that that couldnt be further from the truth, he said. Youre an honorable man.

French then directed his comments to Simmons, the Precinct 2 commissioner who represents southeast Tarrant County.

You repeatedly interrupt staff members, you constantly talk rudely to the staff. You even cussed out the county administrator, French said seeming to refer to a April 1 meeting when Simmons told County administrator Chandler Merritt she was done with his bull****.

Republican state Rep. Nate Schatzline also came to defend OHare.

History will show that when your opposition cant argue with the effectiveness of your policies, dont lie about your character, Schatzline said. Judge OHare, youre a man of God. Youre a dedicated husband, a heck of a father and the greatest county judge this county has ever had.

State Rep. Chris Turner, a Democrat whose district includes parts of Grand Prairie, Arlington and Mansfield, spoke in support of Simmons.

In southeast Tarrant County we admire and respect Ms. Simmons because she fights for our community, Turner said. She does what is right. And shes not afraid to ask questions and challenge. Weve seen some of that today. Because Ive been watching as best I can tell. Thats what Commissioner Simmons did on April 16 when she questioned the wisdom of a taxpayer funded contract for the original question.

A few speakers urged peace between the two.

In tears Krista Daniels, wife of the late Weldon Daniels, pastor emeritus at Pilgrim Valley Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, expressed her disgust with the conduct of the court and the discussions being had.

Daniels said this was her first Commissioners Court meeting. She decided to attend after her daughter, a student at Columbia University in New York, sent her the video of the exchange between OHare and Simmons.

Daniels called for unity among the commissioners, alluding to the earlier discussions about death of Anthony Johnson Jr. in the county jail.

Ive heard families who have lost their loved ones. Ive heard mothers stand at this podium and cry, Daniels said. Is there any way that we can come together? Sit down instead of us fighting each other. We cant get anything done.

Tuesdays meeting lasted more than seven hours and included comments from the family of an inmate who died in the Tarrant County jail while experiencing a mental health crisis and a briefing from the district attorney who wants Crystal Masons illegal voting conviction reinstated.
BUDD LAKE, N.J. (PIX11)  A teacher at the Mount Olive Child Care & Learning Center in New Jersey is accused of assaulting a 16-month-old girl, officials announced on Wednesday.

The incident occurred on March 25, according to prosecutors.

Mental health platform used by NJ college students to be funded through 2026

Christina Susco, 38, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree and aggravated assault in the third degree.

Susco was released from the Morris County Correctional Facility on non-monetary bail conditions, including restraint from Mount Olive Child Care & Learning Center, officials said. Further court proceedings are pending.

Investigations are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Morris County Prosecutors Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at (973) 285-6200.

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Teacher brought a gun to a middle school, now hes out of a job and in jail, SC cops say

A teacher lost his job and was arrested Tuesday after he brought a gun into a middle school in South Carolina, according to the Greenville County Sheriffs Office.

Shavar Stephenson, a 25-year-old Greenville resident, was charged with possessing a firearm on school property, the sheriffs office said Wednesday in a news release.

Stephenson did not have permission of the authorities in charge of that property to possess the firearm on school property, an arrest warrant said.

The Greenville County School District teacher was terminated from Tanglewood Middle School, according to the release.

An investigation began Tuesday after the school resource officer was told by administrators that students were talking about a teacher who had a gun in his bag, the sheriffs office said.

A gun was found in Stephensons bag that was inside his classroom, according to the release.

There was no word if the gun was loaded, and there was no indication from the sheriffs office that Stephenson had threatened anyone with the weapon.

No injuries were reported.

Stephenson was arrested and taken to the Greenville County Detention Center, the sheriffs office said. His bond was set at $5,000, and Stephenson remains locked up, jail records show.

If convicted on the felony charge, Stephenson faces a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $1,000 fine, according to South Carolina law.
Title icon

The News

MAGA Inc., the Donald Trump-aligned Super PAC, joined TikTok on Wednesday, marking the first group affiliated with Trump to do so.

The independent super PAC kicked off its TikTok page with several videos, including one that slammed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s record of supporting Democrats and going after Republicans, describing him as a radical leftist. Another video talked about Trumps tax cuts and asked viewers whether they could afford four more years of Joe Biden. The latest social media account will be used to spread campaign messages, rapid response, and other pro-Trump content.

Theres millions of voters on TikTok, and @MAGA will deliver President Donald J. Trumps pro-freedom, pro-America agenda every day with the facts and stories that matter, Taylor Budowich, CEO of MAGA Inc., said in a statement. We arent trying to set policy, we are trying to win an election.

Budowich also offered up some insight as to why the organization decided to join TikTok, despite Republican condemnations of the platforms ties to China: He said they wouldnt cede any platform to Joe Biden and the Democrats, (the Biden campaign launched its own TikTok account in February) and promised that Trumps America First agenda will be brought to every corner of the internet. Fox News first reported the news.

Title icon

Know More

This all comes one day after TikTok filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government over a new law, passed last month in the House and Senate and signed by Biden, that would force ByteDance, TikToks China-based parent company, to sell the app or be banned. The lawsuit argues the bill is unconstitutional and points out that the Biden campaign has its own account on the platform, which they say undermines the argument that its a threat to Americans.

Notably, while Trump tried to ban TikTok when he was president back in 2020, saying that it was a national security risk, hes since changed his stance publicly while also cultivating a relationship with ByteDance investor and GOP megadonor Jeff Yass. In March, he argued that a ban would only make Facebook bigger and that while security issues do need to be addressed, young kids on TikTok would go crazy without it.

Title icon

Shelbys view

After Bidens campaign joined TikTok earlier this year, Trumps advisors told me Trump would likely never do the same given how embarrassing a 180 turn it would be and how much his voters are keyed in on China concerns.

If you weigh the possible positive impact on young voters versus the certain negative impact on our base, its a wash at best, one person close to the campaign said at the time.

Trump still hasnt taken the plunge yet, but his allied super PAC doing so is the clearest sign yet of his orbits shifting stance as he personally signals more interest in the app. The Washington Post recently reported that his campaign is discussing joining the platform behind closed doors, and while Trump would be unlikely to use the platform himself like he does Truth Social, aides have talked about posting videos under his name.

Its easy enough to look at Yass, look at Trumps legal bills and fundraising issues, and make your own guess as to whats going on, but theres also the political reality that other campaigns are starting to recognize as well: TikTok is an increasingly attractive platform this cycle, despite all of its controversies, because it taps into a huge pool of young voters who cant be easily reached elsewhere. Given Bidens polling struggles with this group, theres plenty of motive for both sides to get off the sidelines as long as the app is still operating.

Title icon

Notable

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin remains very interested in purchasing Tiktok, he said during an interview this week. But the idea does have its hurdles: ByteDance might not be allowed to sell TikToks algorithm, and litigation could affect the ability to quickly build out new technology, The Hill reported.

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that Americans are divided on a TikTok ban: Half of Americans support it, while the other half either oppose or are unsure of their opinion.

Semafor Logo
While Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) recently called requiring automatic refunds for canceled flights a dumb idea, his fellow senators disagree. Lawmakers are moving to strengthen their aviation reauthorization bill after Cruz and three other lawmakers were slammed for attempting to undermine President Joe Bidens new airline regulations.

Last week, The Lever reported that Cruz, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.)  who have all been bankrolled by the airline industry  introduced a new Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization deal that would require customers to send a written or electronic request in order to receive a full refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight.

The provision received backlash, as it would undercut the Biden administrations promise to streamline the refund process for airline customers  which has become a bigger problem for consumers as airlines have routinely sold tickets on flights they do not have the capacity to operate.

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that congressional lawmakers agreed to revise the FAA deal to ensure that customers will receive automatic refunds if they do not wish to stick with a significantly delayed flight or accept a rebooked flight.

New: Congressional negotiators revise airline passenger refund language. Story @Reuters pic.twitter.com/q4r4tkihTC  David Shepardson (@davidshepardson) May 7, 2024

Following The Levers reporting, Cruz defended his introduction of the must-pass legislation during a CNBC interview, blaming one tweet by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) for inciting the controversy. He then proceeded to claim that most airline passengers dont want their money back when airlines cancel their flights.

Most consumers, if a flight is canceled, dont want an immediate refund, they want to book a new flight, he reasoned, dumping the last vestiges of logic as he explained that almost all conservatives say, OK, put me on the next flight, and the rule saying no, you gotta give the money back automatically, no matter what the customer wants, thats frankly a dumb idea.

HAPPENING NOW: @SenTedCruz was just asked about the @LeverNews scoop exposing him & other lawmakers helping their airline donors block automatic refunds for canceled flights.



Cruz responds by attacking the reporting.



Read our original story here: https://t.co/aKUCLGTxPG pic.twitter.com/SCICqsxvpC  The Lever (@LeverNews) May 2, 2024

On Tuesday, The Lever reported that financial statements from Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines suggested that the companies had an estimated $2 billion and $6 billion each in unused flight credits, respectively. According to a February filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission , per the publication, Hawaiian Airlines made $312 million from 2020 to 2023 in unused, expired passenger tickets.

In 2020, an investigation by Warren, then-Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and other senators estimated that airlines could be holding onto over $10 billion of hard-earned money from American travelers in the form of unused travel vouchers.

If these companies released that money back to the public, it would provide a significant stimulus for struggling families, they wrote in a joint statement. Thats why we once again urge the airlines to end their anti-consumer policies and offer real refunds during this emergency.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  A teenager was shot in the back at a Manhattan NYCHA complex hours after a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed in SoHo, police said.

A gunman opened fire near the NYCHA Amsterdam Houses on West 62nd Street and struck the 17-year-old boy in the back at around 11:20 p.m. Tuesday, according to the NYPD. The teen was taken to the hospital for treatment. His condition was unclear.

More Local News

The shooter ran off after the incident and remained at large, as of Wednesday.

The incident happened hours after a 16-year-old boy was fatally shot in the head on a SoHo street and two teens were stabbed in Williamsburg on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

There have been no arrests in either incident.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Police say a male teenager was taken into custody following a shooting Tuesday night that left one man dead, and two others, including a teenager, injured Tuesday night in south Kansas City.

The shooting was reported around 7:30 p.m. near E. 118th Place and Corrington Avenue.

View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4

When officers arrived on scene they located several people who summoned officers to a nearby residence where they found a woman outside, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

Officers were then notified of an additional victim inside of the home that had been struck by gunfire. The second victim, a man, was located suffering from apparent gunshot trauma and unresponsive. He was pronounced dead on scene and has been identified as 23-year-old Prophet Thompson.

A third victim, a male teenager arrived at an area hospital a short time later believed to be involved in the incident.

As of Wednesday afternoon, KCPD said both injured victims are listed in critical but stable condition.

A male teenager was taken into custody by officers and is currently being held in the juvenile detention center for further investigation.

Woman found dead after overnight shooting in Kansas City, Kansas

A teenage girl FOX4 spoke with said her mom told her to get down as soon as they heard the shots being fired.

She said a guy started shooting, stopped, started back up again and then left. The shooting went on for about three minutes.

Other people in the area Wednesday say their relatives found shell casings in their driveway.

Since 1991, Flemon Walker Senior has owned the home just two doors down from where the dozens of bullets were shot into the home. His son lives in the house he owns on Corrington now.

He got here this morning, and he saw shell casings all down the street, Walker said.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forte came out to the scene Tuesday night. He said a neighbor told him it sounded like a war zone with more than 70 shots being fired.

KCPD couldnt tell FOX4 specifically whether that number is true.

Detectives continue to work on identifying additional people believed to be involved.

Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Tensions are continuing to escalate as the war between Israel and Hamas in the middle east rages on. The tensions are being felt across the United States and in Western Washington.

On Tuesday around 5 p.m. Sound Transit shut down the UW Light Rail Station due to a pro-Palestinian protest there. The station was reopened just before 7 p.m. Just blocks away, on the UW campus a protest encampment has been in place since April 29.

Over the weekend a normally peaceful protest in Bellevue turned violent. Hanah Swissa says she was shoved to the ground by a man holding an Israeli flag. Swissa said the man and others were heckling another person and she stepped in to try to stop it. She said she stood in front of the man and thats when things escalated.

I was saying stop pushing me stop pushing me and he kept pushing forward into me with his flag and pushing into my poster, she said. Video captured the whole encounter; the man shoves Swissa to the ground and then walks over her.

More than anything I was shocked, in disbelief, she said. Swissa said her friend called police for help but when they got there, they didnt arrest the man.

I asked why he wasnt being detained after they had seen the video, and they have the video I asked why isnt he being detained if Im pressing charges if I am a victim of a violent crime why is he not being detained? she said.

KIRO 7 reached out to Bellevue PD about the incident and were told the 61-year-old man in the video was given a citation for assault in the fourth degree. BPD said its up to officers discretion if they choose to make an arrest and, in this case, the officer chose to give a citation.

Tuesday morning at the University of Washington, the W, was found covered in red paint with the words, UW funded genocide, underneath. Crews cleaned up the vandalism, but you can still see visible paint stains. Swissa is part of the ongoing protest on UWs campus.

Maintenance crews and police just showed up.



One of the workers in green said hes exhausted at the consistency of politically motivated graffiti on campus.



Looks like its going to take a little while. Theyre waiting on another generator to power their cleaning equipment. pic.twitter.com/yG4ypE9ADS  Sam Campbell (@HeySamCampbell) May 7, 2024

I think that doing things out of the ordinary such as putting paint somewhere or like graffiti in any sense. right? That is something that brings attention to what is going on, she said.

All of these things are signs that tensions are reaching a boiling point. Miri Cypers from the Anti-Defamation League said many Jewish students are reporting they dont feel safe on campus.

There was a swastika outside of a Jewish students dorm, we saw on campus that a big hub was defaced with anti-Israel and antisemitic vandalism in a very public place for students and weve heard in the last couple of days an Israeli flag was ripped up or maybe even burned, Cypers said. I think theres just a real sense that theyre not being protected.

Both women told KIRO 7 they support free speech and peaceful protest.

That needs to be balanced with a sense of safety for all people, Cypers said. In these instances, the lines have clearly been crossed.

We are against antisemitism and we absolutely stand against that any type of hate crime or hate speech in that sense is not tolerated and not accepted, Swissa said.

According to CAIR Washington, since October of 2023, there were 35 legal intakes regarding discrimination or hate against Muslims, which is an average of about 12 per month.

CAIR said legal intakes are not an accurate representation of how many incidents occurred because incidents are consistently underreported.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, since October 7 in Washington, they have logged 89 anti-Semitic incidences on college campuses, of which 76 have been related to Israel.
Its terrifying and heartbreaking: EF4 tornado rips through Barnsdall, killing one and displacing dozens

BARNSDALL, Okla. (KFOR)  Mother Nature ripped through a portion of Barnsdall late Monday night, killing one and injuring a handful of others.

The National Weather Service Tulsa has been surveying the Barnsdall area for damage and preliminary reports classify it as a low end EF-4 as of Tuesday afternoon.

Barnsdall & Bartlesville begin clean up after destructive storms

Law enforcement officials say 30 to 40 homes were damaged or destroyed, including a Barnsdall nursing home. Those who were staying in that facility have been transported to other healthcare facilities.

About 25 people, including children were rescued out of debilitating homes Monday night, according to officials.

Several electrical trucks were in Barnsdall Tuesday morning to repair a multitude of downed power lines. There were a few gas leaks, but officials said it was nothing substantial.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) confirmed one fatality as a result of the storm. Seven to eight people were also injured and one person was unaccounted for.

An OHP Trooper evacuated News 4 from a damage area Tuesday afternoon saying they were actively looking for human remains. News 4 asked several other law enforcement officials if they were looking for one person or multiple, but we were told a number could not be given.

At this time, only one individual has been publicly revealed as unaccounted for.

The Osage County Sheriffs Office has identified that individual as Wayne Hogue. The departments social media post says Hogue went missing from the Barnsdall area following the tornado Monday night.

No official update on Hogues whereabouts as of Tuesday night.

Red Cross responds to Barnsdall, Bartlesville residents with recovery efforts

Its just a whole new reality. Its crazy, said Billy Moles. He lost the entirety of his home in Mondays tornado.

Moles has lived in Barnsdall for three decades.

He said he was watching TV in his living room when tornado warning sirens started sounding off. He quickly flipped the channel to check the weather and thats when he said he realized he needed to hide.

Moles fled to his uncles home nearby to use his storm cellar.

You talk about the train roar. Its pretty close, said Moles. Now a part of my house is here and part of my house is over there. It went pretty quick. It was traveling pretty quick. Youre kind of in shock. You dont know what to do.

Moles said he didnt think to take his medication or documents, such as his car title with him to his uncles and now all of it is beneath the mess this tornado left behind.

Jack Miller also lost his home in the storm. Hes lived in the same home since 1973.

Millers cars were buried under mountains of debris. His home was exposed as a wall was ripped off.

You could hear it coming. I couldnt see it because there [were] too many trees, said Miller. You could feel the depression in the air. It seemed like it was here and gone.

Miller said he and his family rushed to their storm cellar with moments left to spare before the tornado hit his neighborhood.

I could hear things hitting the top of the cellar door and, of course, the debris going. I didnt expect this, stated Miller.

He recalled he and his grandson holding on to the cellar door in hopes the tornado wouldnt swing it open.

It still [doesnt] feel real. It feels like Im just going to wake up here in a little bit and its gonna be all right, said Miller.

Scattered across his yard were memories of his family and where he came from.

When asked what his favorite memory was, he said through tears, I got so many memories. Theyre all my favorite. I was going to say when my kids were born here, but Ive got great grand-kids, too. They come and visit it a lot. They loved it here. Im just thankful everybodys fine. Everybodys okay.

Damage reported after deadly storms move through Oklahoma

Miller said all he can do at this point is pick up and move on.

Jaymee Babb told News 4 she rode the storm out in her fathers cellar while her husband and son were in Millers storm shelter.

Its terrifying and heartbreaking, she said. Other than were missing one animal, were all safe here.

Babb has lived in Barnsdall her entire life, but the home this Mondays tornado destroyed had been hers for the last 12 years.

Were a small town, but were all family. Its heartbreaking to see everybody have to go through all this, said Babb. A lot of them went through this a month ago.

Babb said shes thankful for the endless support and kindness she has received since the storm hit.

Were all in this together, she added.

If your home was damaged or destroyed in the tornado, the Oklahoma Insurance Department has a list of resources available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, at a Get Out the Vote rally in San Antonio on May 4, 2022. Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune

WASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, is facing charges of bribery, money laundering and working on behalf of a foreign government. He is the third lawmaker in Congress to face a federal indictment this session.

But unlike his other embattled colleagues, Cuellar is not yet facing a barrage of calls for him to resign.

Five days after he was charged, no member of the Texas delegation, Republican or Democrat, has so far called for him to step down. The few who have offered to discuss the case stress that Cuellar deserves a fair trial like any other American. Beyond Texas, only one member of the House, Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minnesota, has called on Cuellar to leave office.

The response is a stark contrast to the calls from around Congress for Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, to step down after he was indicted on charges of bribery over his connections to Egypt. U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro and Greg Casar both called on Menendez to step down last year. The two Democrats both declined to weigh in on Cuellars case. Like Cuellar, Castro and Casar both represent districts that include San Antonio.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, also called for Menendez to step down last September, but she is barred from discussing the Cuellar case due to her seat on the House Ethics Committee. She could comment on the Menendez case because the House Ethics Committee does not have jurisdiction in the Senate.

A host of Texas Democrats also voted to expel former Rep. George Santos, R-New York, after The New York Times uncovered he had fabricated much of his background and he received his own indictment for campaign finance violations. Six of Texas 13 Democrats in the U.S. House voted to expel Santos from Congress last November before he had been convicted of a crime or the House Ethics Committee had concluded its investigation into his conduct (After the Ethics Committee unveiled its report, all but two voted to expel).

George Santos should resign as Congressman-elect. If he refuses, Congress should expel him. He should also be investigated by authorities, Castro posted on social media after Santos was elected. Just about every aspect of his life appears to be a lie. Weve seen people fudge their resume but this is total fabrication.

Reps. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas, Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Sylvia Garcia of Houston, Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen, Casar and Castro all voted to expel Santos before the House Ethics report. All declined to weigh in on Cuellar except for Gonzalez and Doggett, who said Cuellar was entitled to his day in court. Doggett added that Cuellar shouldnt be in a leadership position after the indictment and commended him for stepping down as top Democrat on the House Appropriations Homeland Security subcommittee.

We have one of the greatest judicial systems in the world that would be able to hear and judge the case at some point, Gonzalez said.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-California, drew a distinction between Cuellar, a nine-term congressman, and Santos, a freshman with no public service record during a Tuesday news conference.

Cuellar has deep relationships with Republican colleagues, Democratic colleagues, Aguilar said. We know that he is a serious public official, public servant, and I think thats what sets this apart from other issues and the silliness of George Santos that weve had in the past and I think thats why many of us are treating this a little differently. The substance of the allegations are very different but the individuals are also night and day.

U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, said Cuellar stepping down would be a personal decision for him to make. Green voted present on the votes to expel Santos, asserting all members of Congress should be assumed innocent until properly convicted.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, which was eager to flip Cuellars seat last cycle, demanded Democrats call on Cuellar to step down after the indictment. But Republican members have also remained relatively muted since the indictment went public.

Sen. Ted Cruz, who has a long track record working with Cuellar on bipartisan legislation, said though the allegations are serious, we have a justice system that will resolve his guilt or innocence.

Everyone is entitled to a presumption of innocence, Cruz said at an event in San Antonio. Cruz took the same position on Menendez following his indictment.

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, who is in a competitive race to hold on to her South Texas seat, and Former Rep. Mayra Flores, who is running against Gonzalez in another South Texas district, did not respond to requests for comment.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, who is challenging Cruz in the Senate race, said in a statement that the "allegations are concerning, but like every American, Congressman Cuellar deserves his day in court to be tried before a jury of his peers. He voted against expelling Santos before the House Ethics report was released.

Cuellar was charged with setting up fake shell companies with his wife, daughter and staff to receive $600,000 in bribes from Banco Azteca in Mexico and Azerbaijans state-run oil company. Members of Congress are prohibited from simultaneously working as an agent for a foreign government, and the Justice Department alleged Cuellar coordinated with Azerbaijani agents to kill legislation that went against the U.S.s interests.

Cuellar has considerable influence in Congress as a long-serving member and the top Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee in charge of Homeland Security. The position made him a prime target for recruitment by Azerbaijan, which tried to kill legislation that would finance removal of landmines in a then-disputed region with Armenia.

If convicted, Cuellar could face decades in prison. Cuellar insists on his innocence.

Congressman Cuellars actions in this matterand alwayswere lawful, transparent and in the best interests of the United States, and they were entirely consistent with the actions of many of his colleagues, Chris Floor, Cuellars attorney, said in a statement Friday.

Speaking with reporters outside the House chamber on Tuesday, Cuellar said he had no intention of stepping down.

All I've done is to serve my district, Cuellar said. When asked if he took any bribes, Cuellar said absolutely not.

The Justice Department has strict protocols on bringing an indictment against a public official, involving multiple levels of approval. The department is also sensitive to how indictments might impact elections. Cuellar is running for reelection this year in a race that was viewed as mostly safe for him before the indictment, though some forecasters have changed their ratings for the race to be more competitive.

I'm sure the highest levels of the department were aware of, if not approved, consistent with the protocols internally, that an indictment was being brought, said Michael Weinstein, a former Justice Department trial attorney and federal prosecutor who was involved in political corruption cases.

Cuellar has been in Congress since 2005 and is a fixture in South Texas politics. He is often ranked ideologically as the most conservative member of the House Democratic Caucus and has built a reputation for impressive political resiliency, in part through his fundraising and his ability to curry favor across the political spectrum.

Cuellar faced a competitive primary from progressive immigration lawyer Jessica Cisneros in 2022. Shortly before the two went off to a runoff, the FBI searched Cuellars home in a highly publicized raid that later was reported to be about his connections to Azerbaijan. He was still about to defeat Cisneros that cycle by 0.6 points. Cisneros also declined to comment on Cuellars indictment.

Cuellar often works on legislation with Republicans and has even campaigned for them in the past. He appeared on television interviews with U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, who has worked with Cuellar on cross-aisle border issues. Gonzales declined to comment on Cuellars indictment.

His resiliency has been an asset to Democrats, particularly as Republicans make forays into flipping more South Texas districts. Republicans often say the 28th Congressional District would have been far more competitive if Cisneros had won the Democratic primary.

House Democratic leadership rallied to defend Cuellars right to due process. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement Friday that Cuellar had the right to assumed innocence and that he would be stepping down from his committee leadership responsibilities. A spokesperson for Congressional Hispanic Conference Chair Nanette Barragan, D-California, said in a statement Cuellar deserves his day in court to respond.

The Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement that anyone who is proven to engage in such practices must be held accountable regardless of party affiliation. But he added that Unlike indictments against Republican candidates that voters must consider this November  these allegations are completely inconsistent with Congressman Cuellars decades of distinguished service to his district, to Texas, and to our country.

Cuellar continues to see the fallout of his indictment. He is restricted from leaving South and West Texas except to go to Washington for work. He had his firearms confiscated and his chief of staff, Jacob Hochberg, departed the office this week. Hochberg is now chief of staff for Crockett.

Cuellars former chief of staff and longtime campaign aide Colin Strother could also help investigators in the case, The San Antonio Express News reported. The indictment did not charge Strother but alleged he had helped launder bribes to the Cuellars. Strother directed a request for comment to his attorney, who did not respond to a Tribune inquiry.

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.
HANOI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's pepper export volume declined 19.4 percent to 83,067 tons in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, while its value surged 10.3 percent to 352 million U.S. dollars, Vietnam News Agency reported Wednesday, citing the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association.

The increase in value was attributed to a sharp rise in the average prices of exported pepper.

The average price of exported black pepper from January to April was 4,065 dollars per ton, up 19.4 percent year on year while that of white pepper reached 5,678 dollars per ton, up 14.5 percent year on year.

Asia remained Vietnam's biggest pepper importer with 36.2 percent of Vietnamese pepper exported to that market during the cited period.

The association forecast that Vietnam's pepper export turnover will reach the target of 1 billion dollars this year thanks to the continuous surge of pepper prices. 
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report/KTSM)  Texas attorney general is asking a state judge to shut down operations at one of El Pasos largest migrant advocacy nonprofits for failing to comply with records requests.

The temporary injunction motion filed Wednesday in the 205th Judicial District alleges Annunciation House has violated the law by not allowing the Office of the Attorney General to inspect, examine, and make copies of its operation records. It says that it violates at least two state felony statutes and asks that the nonprofits registration be revoked.

The motion states, The State asks that the court issue temporary injunctive relief to enjoin Annunciation Houses continued operations during the pendency of this lawsuit.

Annunciation Houses attorney, Jerry Wesevich, told KTSM, There is no legal basis to support any of todays temporary injunction filed by the Texas AGs office. This is the same information presented to the court in February. At that time, the court set an orderly process in place. We intend to follow that process.

The state AGs Office last February accused Annunciation House of unlawfully orchestrating border crossings and called its migrant shelter a stash house.

Annunciation House denied the charges. A whos who of El Paso municipal, state, federal, and community leaders immediately defended the nonprofit and labeled the lawsuit and allegations a political stunt by Republican state elected officials.

The state recently alleged that Annunciation House made false representations to avoid producing documents. That refers to claims that it would be impossible to create such records in the time allotted and that doing so would burden its religion. The nonprofit is faith-based.

The state also alleges the nonprofit has made sworn statements the AGs Office says amount to admission it systemically engages in criminal conduct, such as knowingly harboring undocumented immigrants and shielding them from detection by refusing government access to its facilities.

Annunciation House filed a lawsuit against the Attorney Generals Office in February for protection.

At a March hearing, state District Judge Francisco X. Dominguez denied motions from the Annunciation House to issue a temporary restraining order or quash the states request to examine its documents. The judge then effectively blocked all action until he reviewed the constitutionality of the AGs Office request.

Wesevich anticipates filing a summary judgment in the case within the next two weeks, asking the judge to rule in Annunciation Houses favor. The AGs office is attempting to force a decision before the evidence is presented to court.

Judge Dominguez will decide whether to hold another hearing in the case following Wednesdays petition by the AGs office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Texas Attorney Is Fatally Shot at McDonalds While Trying to Calm Angry Fellow Customer

The man accused of shooting Jeffrey Limmer is still at large

Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP Jeffrey Limmer

A Houston attorney was killed in a shooting at McDonalds and the alleged gunman is still on the run, police say.

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences identified Jeffrey Limmer as the man killed at the Houston McDonalds on Saturday, May 4. Limmer was an attorney for Lewis Brisbois, according to the firms website.

The Houston Police Department says Limmer, 46, was killed by a man who fled the scene in a blue pickup truck.

Citing detectives, KTRK reported that Limmer was attempting to calm down an angry customer before an altercation ensued after the customer became upset with the attorney. Police said Limmer pushed the customer to the ground outside the store before the latter then got a gun from his car and shot Limmer, the outlet reported.

"He loved fiercely his family and friends," Limmers sister Jennifer Thomas told the station. "Always laughing, making jokes, and just loving life.

Thomas also told KTRK that her family was proud that her brother was standing up for the McDonalds employees and acting as a good Samaritan.

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.

According to Limmers bio on Lewis Brisbois website, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin before attending law school at South Texas College of Law. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors, according to the site.

Anyone with information on Limmers murder is asked to contact the Houston Police Departments Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Though noncitizens can vote in few local elections, GOP goes big to make it illegal

Voters line up outside of a Takoma Park, Md., polling place. Takoma Park is one of 17 jurisdictions nationally that allow noncitizens to vote in local elections. (Jose Luis Magana/The Associated Press)

Policy, politics and progressive commentary

Preventing people who are not United States citizens from casting a ballot has reemerged as a focal point in the ongoing Republican drive to safeguard election integrity, even though noncitizens are rarely involved in voter fraud.

Ahead of Novembers presidential election, congressional and state Republican lawmakers are aiming to keep noncitizens away from the polls. Theyre using state constitutional amendments and new laws that require citizenship verification to vote. Noncitizens can vote in a handful of local elections in several states, but already are not allowed to vote in statewide or federal elections.

Some Republicans argue that preventing noncitizens from casting ballots  long a boogeyman in conservative politics  reduces the risk of fraud and increases confidence in American democracy. But even some on the right think these efforts are going too far, as they churn up anti-immigration sentiment and unsupported fears of widespread fraud, all to boost turnout among the GOP base.

While Republican congressional leaders want to require documentation proving U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections, voters in at least four states will decide on ballot measures in November that would amend their state constitutions to clarify that only U.S. citizens can vote in state and local elections.

Over the past six years, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, North Dakota and Ohio have all amended their state constitutions.

In Kentucky  which along with Idaho, Iowa and Wisconsin is now considering a constitutional amendment  noncitizens voting will not be tolerated, said Republican state Sen. Damon Thayer, who voted in February to put the amendment on Novembers ballot. Five Democrats between the two chambers backed the Republican-authored legislation, while 16 others dissented.

There is a lot of concern here about the Biden administrations open border policies, Thayer, the majority floor leader, told Stateline. People see it on the news every day, with groups of illegals pouring through the border. And theyre combined with concerns on election integrity.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed similar concerns last month when he announced new legislation  despite an existing 1996 ban  that would make it illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. During a trip to Florida to meet with former President Donald Trump, the Louisiana Republican said its common sense to require proof of citizenship.

It could, if there are enough votes, affect the presidential election, he said, standing in front of Trump in the presumptive presidential nominees Mar-a-Lago resort. We cannot wait for widespread fraud to occur, especially when the threat of fraud is growing with every single illegal immigrant that crosses that border.

That rhetoric is rooted in a fear about how the U.S. is changing demographically, becoming more diverse as the non-white population increases, said longtime Republican strategist Mike Madrid. Though this political strategy has worked to galvanize support among GOP voters in the past, he questions whether this will be effective politically in the long term.

Theres no problem being solved here, said Madrid, whose forthcoming book, The Latino Century, outlines the groups growing voter participation. This is all politics. Its all about stoking fears and angering the base.

Noncitizens are voting in some elections around the country, but not in a way that many might think.

Where noncitizens vote

In 16 cities and towns in California, Maryland and Vermont (along with the District of Columbia), noncitizens are allowed to vote in some local elections, such as for school board or city council. Voters in Santa Ana, California, will decide in November whether to allow noncitizens to vote in citywide elections.

In 2022, New Yorks State Supreme Court struck down New York Citys 2021 ordinance that allowed noncitizens to vote in local elections, ruling it violated the state constitution. Proponents have argued that people, regardless of citizenship status, should be able to vote on local issues affecting their children and community.

During the first 150 years of the U.S., 40 states at various times permitted noncitizens to vote in elections. That came to a halt in the 1920s when nativism ramped up and states began making voting a privilege for only U.S. citizens.

The number of noncitizen voters has been relatively small, and those voters are never allowed to participate in statewide or national elections. Local election officials maintain separate voter lists to keep noncitizens out of statewide databases.

In Vermonts local elections in March, 62 noncitizens voted in Burlington, 13 voted in Montpelier and 11 voted in Winooski, all accounting for a fraction of the total votes.

In Takoma Park, Maryland, of the 347 noncitizens who were registered to vote in 2017, just 72 cast a ballot, according to the latest data provided by the city. And in San Francisco, 36 noncitizens registered to vote in 2020 and 31 voted.

Voter turnout among noncitizens is low for two reasons, said Ron Hayduk, a professor of political science at San Francisco State University, who is one of the leading scholars in this area. Many noncitizens in these jurisdictions do not realize they have the right to vote, and many are afraid of deportation or legal issues, he said.

Registration forms in jurisdictions that allow noncitizens to vote in local elections do acknowledge the risks. In San Francisco, local election officials warn that the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other agencies could gain access to the citys registration lists and advise residents to consult an immigration attorney before registering to vote.

Immigrants were very excited about this new right to vote, they wanted to vote, but many of them did not ultimately register and vote because they were concerned, Hayduk said.

While there are some noncitizens participating in a handful of local elections, theyre not participating illegally in any substantial way in state and national elections.

Though theres room for legitimate debate about whether noncitizens should be allowed to vote at the local level, there is no widespread voter fraud among noncitizens nationally, said Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank.

In 2020, federal investigators charged 19 noncitizens for voting in North Carolina elections. A national database run by The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, shows that there have been fewer than 100 cases of voter fraud tied to noncitizens since 2002, according to a recent count by The Washington Post.

Trump continues to falsely assert that he was the rightful winner of the 2020 presidential election and that he had more of the popular vote in 2016. He has claimed without evidence that voter fraud was to blame, including in part from noncitizens.

With illegal immigration near the top of major issues for voters ahead of November, Trump and his movement sense they have momentum with the public to tie immigration concerns with their continued election claims, Olson said.

Its a way of keeping Democrats on the back foot, by falsely accusing them of allowing immigrants to come into the country illegally so they can vote, he added.

The imaginings that there is some sort of plot by an entire major political party is just remarkably evidence-free, he said.

Fighting the left

Although voter fraud among noncitizens is not happening widely, states should still add protections to their voting systems to prevent that possibility, said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican.

Raffensperger has been a major proponent of a Peach State law that requires documentation to verify the citizenship status of voters. In 2022, he announced that an internal audit of Georgias voter rolls over the past 25 years found that 1,634 noncitizens had attempted to register to vote, but not a single one cast a ballot.

I will continue to fight the left on this issue so that only American citizens decide American elections, Raffensperger wrote in a statement to Stateline.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia are actively considering legislation that would add ballot initiatives for November to prevent noncitizen voting. Those bills are at various points in the legislative process, with many having already passed one chamber.

During a committee hearing last week, Republican Missouri state Sen. Ben Brown said the states constitutional language is vague enough to allow cities to let noncitizens vote. While presenting his bill, he cited Californias parallel constitutional wording and how cities such as Oakland and San Francisco allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.

Most state constitutions have similar language around voter eligibility, saying that every U.S. citizen that is 18 or over can vote. The proposed amendments usually would change one word, emphasizing that only U.S. citizens can vote, eliminating an ambiguity in the text that has left room for cities in several states to allow noncitizen participation in elections.

Its a pretty simple fix, said Jack Tomczak, vice president of outreach for Americans for Citizen Voting, a group that works with state lawmakers to amend their constitutions so that only citizens can vote in state and local elections.

It does dilute the voice of citizens of this country, Tomczak said. And it also dilutes the nature of citizenship.

This story was originally published in Stateline, which is is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

The post Though noncitizens can vote in few local elections, GOP goes big to make it illegal appeared first on Nevada Current.
Three Chicago-area buildings make state list of endangered historic places

CHICAGO  Three buildings in Chicagoland are on this years list of endangered historic places released by the non-profit preservation advocacy organization Landmarks Illinois.

Portage Theater, in the citys northwest side Portage Park neighborhood, and the Sears Administration Building in the North Lawndale neighborhood on the west side, made the list. The Libby, McNeil and Libby Building in Blue Island is also included.

Landmarks Illinois since 1995 has published the list of culturally and architecturally significant sites across the state at risk of disinvestment and demolition. Seven other buildings throughout the state are on the 2024 list.

This years Most Endangered sites are not only incredibly important places in their communities, but many are large-scale buildings that sit prominently in highly visible areas near city centers, in historic districts or on state-owned land. Their neglect is seen and felt, Landmarks Illinois president Bonnie McDonald said in a statement. Despite their current condition, these places tell important stories from our past  stories that should not be erased due to insufficient investment or general disregard for our collective histories.

Portage Theater opened in 1920 and was a shooting location for 2009s Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp. The Sears Administration Building was completed in 1914, deemed a National Historic Landmark in 1978 and designated a Chicago landmark in 2002.

The Libby, McNeill and Libby Building was built in 1918 for the canning company and ceased operations in the late 1960s. It was repurposed years later as a hub for small businesses but has largely been vacant since 2018 when it was donated to a non-profit group that served people experiencing homelessness.

McDonald said the organization aims to help preserve the sites, adding that they provide opportunities for sustainable reuse, job creation and needed community spaces.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Three men found guilty of killing a family in Kitsap County in 2017 over alleged drugs and money were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Superior Court Judge Kevin Hull on Tuesday sentenced Danie Kelly Jr., 45, Robert Watson III, 52, and Watsons brother Johnny Watson, 50, after the victims family members spoke in court, the Kitsap Sun reported.

Each man was sentenced to four life sentences, one for each count of first-degree murder. They were each sentenced to additional time for attempted murder convictions and firearm enhancements. A jury in April found them guilty.

Christale Careaga, 37, Hunter Schaap and Johnathon Higgins, both 16, were found dead in their burned home west of Seattle on the Kitsap Peninsula on Jan. 27, 2017. The remains of John Careaga, 43, were found inside a scorched truck at a tree farm.

The Careagas owned a successful Mexican restaurant in Bremerton. In court documents, detectives said John Careaga also brought cocaine from California every couple months to sell locally.

A close friend of his began selling the cocaine to Robert Watson, whom detectives identified as a leader in a local chapter of the Bandidos motorcycle club, authorities said. Investigators have said the killings werent related to the club.

Careagas friend eventually stopped selling, and the next time Careaga went to California to get the drugs, Robert Watson traveled there on Johns heels, and dialogue between the two intensified until the day of the homicides, according to investigators.

John Careagas attorney told authorities that Careaga had hidden hundreds of thousands of dollars underneath his home, but that money was never found.

According to the court records, detectives said more than $300,000 had been deposited into Robert Watsons accounts in 2017 and that there were numerous cash deposits that the source could not be identified.

Kelly was associated with the Bandidos as a hang-around, and had been a good friend of Careaga before a falling out, detectives said.

A neighbor of the Careagas heard gunshots at the house the day of the murders and reported seeing John Careagas truck speeding away, with Kelly at the wheel and another car following close behind.

Defense attorneys during the trial worked to cast doubt on the timeline and cellphone towers used to track the trios movements and argued that no evidence existed of anything being taken from the Careaga home.

Relatives of the victims in court described the pain that has been inflicted on the blended family since their deaths.

John Careaga was described as a loving father and uncle who would entertain the nine children who relied on him. Crystal Careaga was described as a personable and contagious bright light; Johnathon Higgins was a big teddy bear; and Hunter Schaap, was noted for his courage, particularly the night of the murders when he called 911 to report intruders at the family home.

Kelly and the Watson brothers declined the opportunity to speak in court.
SHENZHEN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- In 2023, Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) accounted for 37.1 percent of China's foreign trade value and 37 percent of the country's total tax payment, according to the latest customs data.

The AEO system, initiated by the World Customs Organization (WCO), aims to facilitate customs clearance for enterprises through customs agencies' authentication of enterprises with high levels of legal compliance and safety, and a high credit status.

There are more than 5,800 enterprises with AEO status in China, according to the 6th WCO Global AEO Conference, which opened in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on Wednesday.

Enterprises with AEO status can enjoy a series of preferential management measures such as priority processing, reduced frequency of supervision, and optimized services, which effectively reduce the cost of international trade and enhance international competitiveness of enterprises.

Wang Lingjun, deputy head of the General Administration of Customs (GAC) of China, said Chinese customs have helped enterprises with AEO status complete 1.53 million priority services and inspected 11,000 batches of goods in a "non-intrusive" way.

At the same time, enterprises with AEO status can enjoy more than 40 incentives such as "green channel," loan interest discount and simplified procedures provided by multiple departments of the country.

The conference, hosted by the WCO and co-hosted by the GAC and the municipal government of Shenzhen, will last for three days under the theme of "harnessing the power of AEO programmes for inclusive and sustainable global trade."

More than 1,200 delegates from customs, international organizations, AEO enterprises, governments agencies, academic institutions, and industry associations from more than 100 countries and regions have attended the conference.

The Global AEO Conference is held every two years. Since 2012, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Mexico, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates have hosted five sessions of the conference. 
Thrill kill: Several juveniles plead guilty to poaching spree of illegal deer in Cambria County

Several juveniles pleaded guilty to what officials called a poaching spree of illegal deer in Cambria County.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission- Southwest Region took to Facebook to announce a large case involving multiple counts of unlawful taking of game was recently adjudicated in court.

State Game Warden Tanner Hazlett received information regarding the possible thrill killing of multiple illegal deer in the Dysart area of Cambria County in fall 2023. Reports said several deer were shot at night and left, officials said.

On the fourth night of the poaching spree, Pennsylvania State Police and Cresson Township Police helped apprehend juveniles who were actively committing violations that night. Throughout their thrill killing spree, they killed 10 deer, all at night with a spotlight and shooting them from a vehicle.

The juveniles pleaded guilty to felony unlawful killing or taking of big game at the juvenile probation office. They face $5,000 fines, 50 hours of community service and will have their hunting licenses revoked for multiple years.

You can report wildlife crimes by calling the Operation Game Thiefs toll-free hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online here: https://bit.ly/3Pgwwhf.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Shake Shack sets opening date for first Pittsburgh-area location Tornado confirmed in Hancock County, W.Va.; strong storms cause damage, knock out power in region PHOTOS: Confirmed tornado in West Virginia near PA border leaves behind path of destruction VIDEO: Reserve Township woman searching for answers after getting $3,500 water bill, no explanation DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company, filed suit Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company, filed suit Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

TikTok and its Chinese parent company on Tuesday challenged a recently enacted federal law banning the short-form video platform from the United States if it is not sold to a non-Chinese owner.

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

The law violates the First Amendment right to free speech, the companies wrote. The service is a free-speech platform, used by 170 million Americans monthly. While the government can dictate broadcast licenses that operate over public airwaves, it has no such authority over other platforms including newspapers and websites, they said.

Congress has made a law curtailing massive amounts of protected speech, the companies wrote. The government cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, dictate the ownership of newspapers, websites, online platforms, and other privately created speech forums.

Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed, the law last month. Many lawmakers argued that TikTok was a tool of the Chinese Communist Party.

Sale not viable, TikTok says

The laws alternative for TikTok to avoid a U.S. ban, for ByteDance to sell the platform, is unworkable, the companies said.

The algorithm at the core of TikToks product, as well as the platform itself, is powered by millions of lines of code developed by thousands of engineers over years, the companies said. Transferring that design to new owners who lack the years of expertise that TikToks current workforce has would be impossible within the nine-month deadline stipulated in the law.

The Chinese government would also likely not allow divestiture of the algorithm. China, like the United States, can regulate what technology can be exported, they said, and would likely reject a deal to allow foreign ownership of TikTok.

TikTok as a platform is globally integrated, so even if it were possible to find a new owner and transfer ownership of the product, it would lose much of the appeal  and the related market value  of connecting with users around the world, the companies wrote.

Divesting TikTok Inc.s U.S. business and completely severing it from the globally integrated platform of which it is a part is not commercially, technologically, or legally feasible, they said. The Act will therefore have the effect of shutting down TikTok in the United States.

The companies asked the court to declare that the law is unconstitutional, bar Attorney General Merrick Garland from enforcing it and grant any further relief that may be appropriate.

National security concerns

Congress included the TikTok bill in a package of high-profile spending items, including military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. President Joe Biden signed the package into law April 24.

Several China hawks in Congress have expressed concerns that the Chinese government and its ruling Communist Party can compel ByteDance to provide data from TikTok users devices.

They have also raised concerns that the Chinese Communist Party can manipulate content on the platform.

Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, said last week the overwhelming share of pro-Palestinian content on TikTok compared to other platforms was a reason driving support for a ban among lawmakers.

In their suit, TikTok and ByteDance said the government has not presented evidence to back up concerns over data privacy or content manipulation and instead relied on hypothetical risks.

Those speculative concerns fall far short of what is required when First Amendment rights are at stake, they said.

Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said in a written statement posted by the committees X account Tuesday he was confident that our legislation will be upheld.

Congress and the Executive Branch have concluded, based on both publicly available and classified information, that TikTok poses a grave risk to national security and the American people, Moolenaar said. It is telling that TikTok would rather spend its time, money, and effort fighting in court than solving the problem by breaking up with the Chinese Communist Party.

The post TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company, filed suit Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

TikTok and its Chinese parent company on Tuesday challenged a recently enacted federal law banning the short-form video platform from the United States if it is not sold to a non-Chinese owner.

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

The law violates the First Amendment right to free speech, the companies wrote. The service is a free-speech platform, used by 170 million Americans monthly. While the government can dictate broadcast licenses that operate over public airwaves, it has no such authority over other platforms including newspapers and websites, they said.

Congress has made a law curtailing massive amounts of protected speech, the companies wrote. The government cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, dictate the ownership of newspapers, websites, online platforms, and other privately created speech forums.

Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed, the law last month. Many lawmakers argued that TikTok was a tool of the Chinese Communist Party.

Sale not viable, TikTok says

The laws alternative for TikTok to avoid a U.S. ban, for ByteDance to sell the platform, is unworkable, the companies said.

The algorithm at the core of TikToks product, as well as the platform itself, is powered by millions of lines of code developed by thousands of engineers over years, the companies said. Transferring that design to new owners who lack the years of expertise that TikToks current workforce has would be impossible within the nine-month deadline stipulated in the law.

The Chinese government would also likely not allow divestiture of the algorithm. China, like the United States, can regulate what technology can be exported, they said, and would likely reject a deal to allow foreign ownership of TikTok.

TikTok as a platform is globally integrated, so even if it were possible to find a new owner and transfer ownership of the product, it would lose much of the appeal  and the related market value  of connecting with users around the world, the companies wrote.

Divesting TikTok Inc.s U.S. business and completely severing it from the globally integrated platform of which it is a part is not commercially, technologically, or legally feasible, they said. The Act will therefore have the effect of shutting down TikTok in the United States.

The companies asked the court to declare that the law is unconstitutional, bar Attorney General Merrick Garland from enforcing it and grant any further relief that may be appropriate.

National security concerns

Congress included the TikTok bill in a package of high-profile spending items, including military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. President Joe Biden signed the package into law April 24.

Several China hawks in Congress have expressed concerns that the Chinese government and its ruling Communist Party can compel ByteDance to provide data from TikTok users devices.

They have also raised concerns that the Chinese Communist Party can manipulate content on the platform.

Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, said last week the overwhelming share of pro-Palestinian content on TikTok compared to other platforms was a reason driving support for a ban among lawmakers.

In their suit, TikTok and ByteDance said the government has not presented evidence to back up concerns over data privacy or content manipulation and instead relied on hypothetical risks.

Those speculative concerns fall far short of what is required when First Amendment rights are at stake, they said.

Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said in a written statement posted by the committees X account Tuesday he was confident that our legislation will be upheld.

Congress and the Executive Branch have concluded, based on both publicly available and classified information, that TikTok poses a grave risk to national security and the American people, Moolenaar said. It is telling that TikTok would rather spend its time, money, and effort fighting in court than solving the problem by breaking up with the Chinese Communist Party.

The post TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company, filed suit Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

TikTok and its Chinese parent company on Tuesday challenged a recently enacted federal law banning the short-form video platform from the United States if it is not sold to a non-Chinese owner.

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

The law violates the First Amendment right to free speech, the companies wrote. The service is a free-speech platform, used by 170 million Americans monthly. While the government can dictate broadcast licenses that operate over public airwaves, it has no such authority over other platforms including newspapers and websites, they said.

Congress has made a law curtailing massive amounts of protected speech, the companies wrote. The government cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, dictate the ownership of newspapers, websites, online platforms, and other privately created speech forums.

Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed, the law last month. Many lawmakers argued that TikTok was a tool of the Chinese Communist Party.

Sale not viable, TikTok says

The laws alternative for TikTok to avoid a U.S. ban, for ByteDance to sell the platform, is unworkable, the companies said.

The algorithm at the core of TikToks product, as well as the platform itself, is powered by millions of lines of code developed by thousands of engineers over years, the companies said. Transferring that design to new owners who lack the years of expertise that TikToks current workforce has would be impossible within the nine-month deadline stipulated in the law.

The Chinese government would also likely not allow divestiture of the algorithm. China, like the United States, can regulate what technology can be exported, they said, and would likely reject a deal to allow foreign ownership of TikTok.

TikTok as a platform is globally integrated, so even if it were possible to find a new owner and transfer ownership of the product, it would lose much of the appeal  and the related market value  of connecting with users around the world, the companies wrote.

Divesting TikTok Inc.s U.S. business and completely severing it from the globally integrated platform of which it is a part is not commercially, technologically, or legally feasible, they said. The Act will therefore have the effect of shutting down TikTok in the United States.

The companies asked the court to declare that the law is unconstitutional, bar Attorney General Merrick Garland from enforcing it and grant any further relief that may be appropriate.

National security concerns

Congress included the TikTok bill in a package of high-profile spending items, including military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. President Joe Biden signed the package into law April 24.

Several China hawks in Congress have expressed concerns that the Chinese government and its ruling Communist Party can compel ByteDance to provide data from TikTok users devices.

They have also raised concerns that the Chinese Communist Party can manipulate content on the platform.

Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, said last week the overwhelming share of pro-Palestinian content on TikTok compared to other platforms was a reason driving support for a ban among lawmakers.

In their suit, TikTok and ByteDance said the government has not presented evidence to back up concerns over data privacy or content manipulation and instead relied on hypothetical risks.

Those speculative concerns fall far short of what is required when First Amendment rights are at stake, they said.

Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said in a written statement posted by the committees X account Tuesday he was confident that our legislation will be upheld.

Congress and the Executive Branch have concluded, based on both publicly available and classified information, that TikTok poses a grave risk to national security and the American people, Moolenaar said. It is telling that TikTok would rather spend its time, money, and effort fighting in court than solving the problem by breaking up with the Chinese Communist Party.

The post TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold appeared first on Washington State Standard.
TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company, filed suit Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores. (Photo by Kevin Frayer / Getty Images)

TikTok and its Chinese parent company on Tuesday challenged a recently enacted federal law banning the short-form video platform from the United States if it is not sold to a non-Chinese owner.

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

The law violates the First Amendment right to free speech, the companies wrote. The service is a free-speech platform, used by 170 million Americans monthly. While the government can dictate broadcast licenses that operate over public airwaves, it has no such authority over other platforms including newspapers and websites, they said.

Congress has made a law curtailing massive amounts of protected speech, the companies wrote. The government cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, dictate the ownership of newspapers, websites, online platforms, and other privately created speech forums.

Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed, the law last month. Many lawmakers argued that TikTok was a tool of the Chinese Communist Party.

Sale not viable, TikTok says

The laws alternative for TikTok to avoid a U.S. ban, for ByteDance to sell the platform, is unworkable, the companies said.

The algorithm at the core of TikToks product, as well as the platform itself, is powered by millions of lines of code developed by thousands of engineers over years, the companies said. Transferring that design to new owners who lack the years of expertise that TikToks current workforce has would be impossible within the nine-month deadline stipulated in the law.

The Chinese government would also likely not allow divestiture of the algorithm. China, like the United States, can regulate what technology can be exported, they said, and would likely reject a deal to allow foreign ownership of TikTok.

TikTok as a platform is globally integrated, so even if it were possible to find a new owner and transfer ownership of the product, it would lose much of the appeal  and the related market value  of connecting with users around the world, the companies wrote.

Divesting TikTok Inc.s U.S. business and completely severing it from the globally integrated platform of which it is a part is not commercially, technologically, or legally feasible, they said. The Act will therefore have the effect of shutting down TikTok in the United States.

The companies asked the court to declare that the law is unconstitutional, bar Attorney General Merrick Garland from enforcing it and grant any further relief that may be appropriate.

National security concerns

Congress included the TikTok bill in a package of high-profile spending items, including military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. President Joe Biden signed the package into law April 24.

Several China hawks in Congress have expressed concerns that the Chinese government and its ruling Communist Party can compel ByteDance to provide data from TikTok users devices.

They have also raised concerns that the Chinese Communist Party can manipulate content on the platform.

Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, said last week the overwhelming share of pro-Palestinian content on TikTok compared to other platforms was a reason driving support for a ban among lawmakers.

In their suit, TikTok and ByteDance said the government has not presented evidence to back up concerns over data privacy or content manipulation and instead relied on hypothetical risks.

Those speculative concerns fall far short of what is required when First Amendment rights are at stake, they said.

Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said in a written statement posted by the committees X account Tuesday he was confident that our legislation will be upheld.

Congress and the Executive Branch have concluded, based on both publicly available and classified information, that TikTok poses a grave risk to national security and the American people, Moolenaar said. It is telling that TikTok would rather spend its time, money, and effort fighting in court than solving the problem by breaking up with the Chinese Communist Party.

The post TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold appeared first on Source New Mexico.
TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold

The law violates the First Amendment right to free speech, TikTok and its Chinese-owned parent company allege in court. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

TikTok and its Chinese parent company on Tuesday challenged a recently enacted federal law banning the short-form video platform from the United States if it is not sold to a non-Chinese owner.

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

The law violates the First Amendment right to free speech, the companies wrote. The service is a free-speech platform, used by 170 million Americans monthly. While the government can dictate broadcast licenses that operate over public airwaves, it has no such authority over other platforms including newspapers and websites, they said.

Congress has made a law curtailing massive amounts of protected speech, the companies wrote. The government cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, dictate the ownership of newspapers, websites, online platforms, and other privately created speech forums.

Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed, the law last month. Many lawmakers argued that TikTok was a tool of the Chinese Communist Party.

Sale not viable, TikTok says

The laws alternative for TikTok to avoid a U.S. ban, for ByteDance to sell the platform, is unworkable, the companies said.

The algorithm at the core of TikToks product, as well as the platform itself, is powered by millions of lines of code developed by thousands of engineers over years, the companies said. Transferring that design to new owners who lack the years of expertise that TikToks current workforce has would be impossible within the nine-month deadline stipulated in the law.

The Chinese government would also likely not allow divestiture of the algorithm. China, like the United States, can regulate what technology can be exported, they said, and would likely reject a deal to allow foreign ownership of TikTok.

TikTok as a platform is globally integrated, so even if it were possible to find a new owner and transfer ownership of the product, it would lose much of the appeal  and the related market value  of connecting with users around the world, the companies wrote.

Divesting TikTok Inc.s U.S. business and completely severing it from the globally integrated platform of which it is a part is not commercially, technologically, or legally feasible, they said. The Act will therefore have the effect of shutting down TikTok in the United States.

The companies asked the court to declare that the law is unconstitutional, bar Attorney General Merrick Garland from enforcing it and grant any further relief that may be appropriate.

National security concerns

Congress included the TikTok bill in a package of high-profile spending items, including military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. President Joe Biden signed the package into law April 24.

Several China hawks in Congress have expressed concerns that the Chinese government and its ruling Communist Party can compel ByteDance to provide data from TikTok users devices.

They have also raised concerns that the Chinese Communist Party can manipulate content on the platform.

Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, said last week the overwhelming share of pro-Palestinian content on TikTok compared to other platforms was a reason driving support for a ban among lawmakers.

In their suit, TikTok and ByteDance said the government has not presented evidence to back up concerns over data privacy or content manipulation and instead relied on hypothetical risks.

Those speculative concerns fall far short of what is required when First Amendment rights are at stake, they said.

Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said in a written statement posted by the committees X account Tuesday he was confident that our legislation will be upheld.

Congress and the Executive Branch have concluded, based on both publicly available and classified information, that TikTok poses a grave risk to national security and the American people, Moolenaar said. It is telling that TikTok would rather spend its time, money, and effort fighting in court than solving the problem by breaking up with the Chinese Communist Party.

The post TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company, filed suit Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

TikTok and its Chinese parent company on Tuesday challenged a recently enacted federal law banning the short-form video platform from the United States if it is not sold to a non-Chinese owner.

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

The law violates the First Amendment right to free speech, the companies wrote. The service is a free-speech platform, used by 170 million Americans monthly. While the government can dictate broadcast licenses that operate over public airwaves, it has no such authority over other platforms including newspapers and websites, they said.

Congress has made a law curtailing massive amounts of protected speech, the companies wrote. The government cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, dictate the ownership of newspapers, websites, online platforms, and other privately created speech forums.

Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed, the law last month. Many lawmakers argued that TikTok was a tool of the Chinese Communist Party.

Sale not viable, TikTok says

The laws alternative for TikTok to avoid a U.S. ban, for ByteDance to sell the platform, is unworkable, the companies said.

The algorithm at the core of TikToks product, as well as the platform itself, is powered by millions of lines of code developed by thousands of engineers over years, the companies said. Transferring that design to new owners who lack the years of expertise that TikToks current workforce has would be impossible within the nine-month deadline stipulated in the law.

The Chinese government would also likely not allow divestiture of the algorithm. China, like the United States, can regulate what technology can be exported, they said, and would likely reject a deal to allow foreign ownership of TikTok.

Need to get in touch?

Have a news tip?

CONTACT US

TikTok as a platform is globally integrated, so even if it were possible to find a new owner and transfer ownership of the product, it would lose much of the appeal  and the related market value  of connecting with users around the world, the companies wrote.

Divesting TikTok Inc.s U.S. business and completely severing it from the globally integrated platform of which it is a part is not commercially, technologically, or legally feasible, they said. The Act will therefore have the effect of shutting down TikTok in the United States.

The companies asked the court to declare that the law is unconstitutional, bar Attorney General Merrick Garland from enforcing it and grant any further relief that may be appropriate.

National security concerns

Congress included the TikTok bill in a package of high-profile spending items, including military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. President Joe Biden signed the package into law April 24.

Several China hawks in Congress have expressed concerns that the Chinese government and its ruling Communist Party can compel ByteDance to provide data from TikTok users devices.

They have also raised concerns that the Chinese Communist Party can manipulate content on the platform.

Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, said last week the overwhelming share of pro-Palestinian content on TikTok compared to other platforms was a reason driving support for a ban among lawmakers.

In their suit, TikTok and ByteDance said the government has not presented evidence to back up concerns over data privacy or content manipulation and instead relied on hypothetical risks.

Those speculative concerns fall far short of what is required when First Amendment rights are at stake, they said.

Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said in a written statement posted by the committees X account Tuesday he was confident that our legislation will be upheld.

Congress and the Executive Branch have concluded, based on both publicly available and classified information, that TikTok poses a grave risk to national security and the American people, Moolenaar said. It is telling that TikTok would rather spend its time, money, and effort fighting in court than solving the problem by breaking up with the Chinese Communist Party.

The post TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company, filed suit Tuesday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.)

TikTok and its Chinese parent company on Tuesday challenged a recently enacted federal law banning the short-form video platform from the United States if it is not sold to a non-Chinese owner.

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

The law violates the First Amendment right to free speech, the companies wrote. The service is a free-speech platform, used by 170 million Americans monthly. While the government can dictate broadcast licenses that operate over public airwaves, it has no such authority over other platforms including newspapers and websites, they said.

Congress has made a law curtailing massive amounts of protected speech, the companies wrote. The government cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, dictate the ownership of newspapers, websites, online platforms, and other privately created speech forums.

Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed, the law last month. Many lawmakers argued that TikTok was a tool of the Chinese Communist Party.

Sale not viable, TikTok says

The laws alternative for TikTok to avoid a U.S. ban, for ByteDance to sell the platform, is unworkable, the companies said.

The algorithm at the core of TikToks product, as well as the platform itself, is powered by millions of lines of code developed by thousands of engineers over years, the companies said. Transferring that design to new owners who lack the years of expertise that TikToks current workforce has would be impossible within the nine-month deadline stipulated in the law.

The Chinese government would also likely not allow divestiture of the algorithm. China, like the United States, can regulate what technology can be exported, they said, and would likely reject a deal to allow foreign ownership of TikTok.

TikTok as a platform is globally integrated, so even if it were possible to find a new owner and transfer ownership of the product, it would lose much of the appeal  and the related market value  of connecting with users around the world, the companies wrote.

Divesting TikTok Inc.s U.S. business and completely severing it from the globally integrated platform of which it is a part is not commercially, technologically, or legally feasible, they said. The Act will therefore have the effect of shutting down TikTok in the United States.

The companies asked the court to declare that the law is unconstitutional, bar Attorney General Merrick Garland from enforcing it and grant any further relief that may be appropriate.

National security concerns

Congress included the TikTok bill in a package of high-profile spending items, including military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. President Joe Biden signed the package into law April 24.

Several China hawks in Congress have expressed concerns that the Chinese government and its ruling Communist Party can compel ByteDance to provide data from TikTok users devices.

They have also raised concerns that the Chinese Communist Party can manipulate content on the platform.

Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, said last week the overwhelming share of pro-Palestinian content on TikTok compared to other platforms was a reason driving support for a ban among lawmakers.

In their suit, TikTok and ByteDance said the government has not presented evidence to back up concerns over data privacy or content manipulation and instead relied on hypothetical risks.

Those speculative concerns fall far short of what is required when First Amendment rights are at stake, they said.

Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said in a written statement posted by the committees X account Tuesday he was confident that our legislation will be upheld.

Congress and the Executive Branch have concluded, based on both publicly available and classified information, that TikTok poses a grave risk to national security and the American people, Moolenaar said. It is telling that TikTok would rather spend its time, money, and effort fighting in court than solving the problem by breaking up with the Chinese Communist Party.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company, filed suit Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

TikTok and its Chinese parent company on Tuesday challenged a recently enacted federal law banning the short-form video platform from the United States if it is not sold to a non-Chinese owner.

TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over a law requiring ByteDance to sell its subsidiary or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

The law violates the First Amendment right to free speech, the companies wrote. The service is a free-speech platform, used by 170 million Americans monthly. While the government can dictate broadcast licenses that operate over public airwaves, it has no such authority over other platforms including newspapers and websites, they said.

Congress has made a law curtailing massive amounts of protected speech, the companies wrote. The government cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, dictate the ownership of newspapers, websites, online platforms, and other privately created speech forums.

Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed, the law last month. Many lawmakers argued that TikTok was a tool of the Chinese Communist Party.

Sale not viable, TikTok says

The laws alternative for TikTok to avoid a U.S. ban, for ByteDance to sell the platform, is unworkable, the companies said.

The algorithm at the core of TikToks product, as well as the platform itself, is powered by millions of lines of code developed by thousands of engineers over years, the companies said. Transferring that design to new owners who lack the years of expertise that TikToks current workforce has would be impossible within the nine-month deadline stipulated in the law.

The Chinese government would also likely not allow divestiture of the algorithm. China, like the United States, can regulate what technology can be exported, they said, and would likely reject a deal to allow foreign ownership of TikTok.

TikTok as a platform is globally integrated, so even if it were possible to find a new owner and transfer ownership of the product, it would lose much of the appeal  and the related market value  of connecting with users around the world, the companies wrote.

Divesting TikTok Inc.s U.S. business and completely severing it from the globally integrated platform of which it is a part is not commercially, technologically, or legally feasible, they said. The Act will therefore have the effect of shutting down TikTok in the United States.

The companies asked the court to declare that the law is unconstitutional, bar Attorney General Merrick Garland from enforcing it and grant any further relief that may be appropriate.

National security concerns

Congress included the TikTok bill in a package of high-profile spending items, including military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. President Joe Biden signed the package into law April 24.

Several China hawks in Congress have expressed concerns that the Chinese government and its ruling Communist Party can compel ByteDance to provide data from TikTok users devices.

They have also raised concerns that the Chinese Communist Party can manipulate content on the platform.

Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, said last week the overwhelming share of pro-Palestinian content on TikTok compared to other platforms was a reason driving support for a ban among lawmakers.

In their suit, TikTok and ByteDance said the government has not presented evidence to back up concerns over data privacy or content manipulation and instead relied on hypothetical risks.

Those speculative concerns fall far short of what is required when First Amendment rights are at stake, they said.

Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said in a written statement posted by the committees X account Tuesday he was confident that our legislation will be upheld.

Congress and the Executive Branch have concluded, based on both publicly available and classified information, that TikTok poses a grave risk to national security and the American people, Moolenaar said. It is telling that TikTok would rather spend its time, money, and effort fighting in court than solving the problem by breaking up with the Chinese Communist Party.

The post TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold appeared first on Michigan Advance.
TOLONO, Ill. (WCIA)  The Tolono Fire Protection District is offering an opportunity for people to have their childrens car seats installed with the help of certified experts.

Champaign, Urbana schools to participate in Bike and Roll to School Day

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police said 74% of car seats and booster seats are used incorrectly. So the organization is teaming up with the Tolono FPD to host the event on Wednesday at Station 1, located at 214 North Bourne Street. From 4 to 6 p.m., people can have their childrens car seats checked for proper use and installation.

People are asked to bring the children who will be riding in the car seat, along with the vehicle owners manual and the car seat instruction manual, if possible. They should allow for 30 minutes per car seat.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
SYDNEY, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A woman has been rushed to hospital after being stabbed at a gym in Sydney's inner south on Wednesday.

According to the New South Wales Police Force, emergency services were called to a fitness facility on O'riordan Street in Alexandria at about 12:30 p.m. local time, following reports of an alleged stabbing.

Upon arrival, officers were told that a man, who is believed to be in his 40s, had stabbed a 39-year-old female.

The injured woman received treatment at the scene before being transported to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.

It is believed that the two people involved are known to each other.

Police have established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the incident.

Alexandria is located about 5 kilometers south of Sydney's central business district with nearly 10,000 people living in the suburb. 
Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, believes that despite the advance of Russian forces on the battlefield, Ukraine can still win the war, admitting that the pause in support has affected events on the frontline.

Source: Bauer in an interview with the Belgian broadcaster VRT, European Pravda reports

Details: Bauer said that it is "not too late" for Ukraine to win the war, as "the Russians have made progress, but it is still quite limited and still not strategic". He did, however, point out that the pause in Western military support has indeed had an impact on the Ukrainian front.

Quote: "The most important thing is that we continue to send aid. And the longer the war lasts, the more difficult it is to do so. Many countries have been providing weapons and ammunition from their reserves for two years now, but they are not endless," added the top NATO general.

In his opinion, Western countries can continue to supply Kyiv with weapons either by further depleting their own reserves or by putting even more pressure on the defence industry "to produce much more and faster".

"It will probably take at least a year to really achieve increased production in the West. We will have to overcome this period so that Ukraine can prepare for the next counteroffensive. But it will not be easy. There are 450,000 Russians in the occupied part of Ukraine," Bauer predicts.

Background:

In March, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee visited Kyiv for the first time and cautioned against excessive pessimism about Ukraine's ability to win the war.

Last month, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, also urged the allies to accelerate the supply of military aid for Ukraine, noting that it is not too late to defeat Russian aggression

Support UP or become our patron!
The National Weather Service confirmed Wednesday afternoon an EF-1 tornado with speeds reaching 100 miles per hour touched down near Berkeley Road and McCurdy Trail around 3:15 a.m.

It just sounded like a freight train coming right toward our house, said Troy Wilson. It was pretty intense.

PHOTOS: Multiple tornadoes touch down in Pittsburgh region, leaving behind path of destruction

Wilson lives with his family at a home off of Berkeley Road and McCurdy Trail in Ligonier, right in the path of the tornado.

Wilson studied meteorology in college and was awake watching the radar as the storms rolled in overnight. He said just after 3 a.m. he saw indications of rotation in the atmosphere.

I was a little bit worried knowing that was generally coming towards our house, so I was definitely a bit concerned, Wilson said.

He woke his family up and they went into the basement to wait it out.

On our way down the basement steps, we could hear debris hitting the garage doors and the side of the house, said Kim Wilson, Troys mom. I guess I sort of panicked, but we were all right there together following each other down the steps, and I knew my son had a good idea what was going on.

The house had a little bit of damage to the siding.

But now clean up of all of the downed trees in the road and their yard is underway.

The National Weather Service was out surveying the damage Wednesday afternoon. They knew it was a tornado, but because it was mostly tree damage, it took a little longer to determine this was an EF-1 with wind speeds reaching 95 to 100 miles per hour.

They used a few indicators with the tree damage to determine the storms strength.

Was this tree a strong tree, was it a tree, was it a hardwood was it a softwood, was there any rot to it, could it have come down with other trees, did it get uprooted, did it snap? And then we use that to kind of determine the strength of the storm, said Alicia Miller, with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.

Its pretty incredible what those winds can do, Troy Wilson said.

The Wilsons are just glad theyre all okay.

We just praise the lord that everybody is okay, Kim Wilson said. God is good. All the time.

This tornado was one of three that touched down during overnight storms. A tornado also touched down in Hancock County, West Virginia, which is near the Pennsylvania border. A third touched down in Allegheny County near the Pittsburgh international Airport.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Shake Shack sets opening date for first Pittsburgh-area location Tornado confirmed in Hancock County, W.Va.; strong storms cause damage, knock out power in region PHOTOS: Confirmed tornado in West Virginia near PA border leaves behind path of destruction VIDEO: Reserve Township woman searching for answers after getting $3,500 water bill, no explanation DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Toxic algae alert issued for Lake Okeechobee, according to Martin County Dept. of Health

The Florida Department of Health in Martin County is cautioning the public of the presence of blue-green algae in areas of Lake Okeechobee on May 7. Water sample testing is underway. Results from the Department of Environmental Protection will be available later this week.

Blue-green algae have the potential to produce toxins which can be harmful to humans and pets. Since environmental conditions can change at any time, it is important to exercise caution, even if presence of toxins has not yet been confirmed.

The toxin microcystin, when found in concentrations of more than 8 parts per billion, can be harmful, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Samples were collected May 7 at:

Lake Okeechobee side of the S-308 (Port Mayaca) flood gates

Lake Okeechobee near the Pahokee Marina

Lake Okeechobee near the center of the lake

DEP will report the results of its sampling on its Blue-green Algal Bloom Dashboard.

Algae is visible at the J & S Fish Camp (S-135) Lock in western Martin County April 9, 2024. Samples were confirmed to be positive for low levels of microcystin, a substance know to be toxic to animals and humans when above 8 parts per billion.

At the present time, there are no Lake Okeechobee discharges flowing downstream from the lake through the C-44 Canal to St. Lucie River. When there are discharges, the health department advises people to take these precautions:

Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible blue-green algae bloom.

Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or water that's discolored or smelly.

Keep pets away from the area. Water containing algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.

Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.

Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.

Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

How to report algae blooms

DEP collects and analyzes algal bloom samples. Report algae sightings to DEP online or via its toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903.

Report fish kills to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 800-636-0511.

Report symptoms from exposure to an algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center at 800-222-1222.

Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with water containing cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). If you have other health questions or concerns, call DOH-Martin at 772-221-4000.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Toxic algae alert for Lake Okeechobee by Martin Dept. of Health
UPDATE 5/8 8:37: Officials said roads in the are reopened around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

While the roads were reopened, officials also advised drivers to avoid the area if possible. There were detours in place as the utility work was being completed.

The remaining power outages were expected to be resolved by 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

READ NEXT: Our home, falling apart: Large, mysterious cracks in Eagle Mountain home causing concern

ORIGINAL STORY  TRAFFIC ALERT: Syracuse car crash causes road closures, downed power lines

SYRACUSE, Utah (ABC4)  A single-vehicle crash in Syracuse on Wednesday led to road closures, downed power lines and the driver being taken to the hospital, according to a social media post from Syracuse Police.

Police said the closure is in effect from 500 W and 2700 S to Bluff Ridge and 2400 S.

In addition, police warned that residents  including those near Bluff Ridge Elementary  may experience power outages as a result of the crash, and outages were reported to Rocky Mountain Power on Wednesday afternoon.

A single-vehicle crash in Syracuse on Wednesday led to road closures, downed power lines and the driver being taken to the hospital, according to a social media post from Syracuse Police. (Courtesy: Syracuse Police)

Police said the incident occurred around 12:40 p.m., when a 44-year-old woman  who was the sole occupant of the vehicle  crashed her car. Police said the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Officials said Rocky Mountain Power and other authorities are on the scene to address the situation.

According to Rocky Mountain Powers outage map, more than 230 customers were affected by an outage in Syracuse, and power was expected to be restored around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The power company said the first reports of the outage came in around 12:36 p.m.

Stay safe and avoid the area to allow emergency services to manage the situation efficiently, Syracuse police said in the post.

There is no further information at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Fireworks could soon be banned on Treasure Island beaches and in city parks.

In Tuesdays city commission workshop, commissioners discussed potential changes to a city parks ordinance.

The amended ordinance, if approved as written, would ban personal fireworks displays from parks and beaches, but it has quite a way to go before its put up for a vote.

Treasure Island Police Chief John F. Barkley said officials witnessed quite the display of personal fireworks on the beach on the 4th of July. He requested the commission modify the ordinance to counteract a change in Florida law.

Probably the reason its been more intense than in the past is because the state of Florida has, of course, legalized fireworks, the purchase of them, Barkley said. You no longer have to go across state lines or walk into a fireworks store and say youre trying to scare away birds from your crops, which was the joke of it before.

Treasure Island Police Chief John F. Barkley addresses city commissioners

Barkley described beachgoers firing off carts full of fireworks, saying the collective personal displays were more intense than the city-sponsored event.

We were taken aback by that. The potential for danger was there, Barkley said.

In addition to being a safety and security concern, beachgoers left a lot of trash behind.

The issue was added to the May 21 commission meeting for discussion. In the meantime, commissioners have to address some legal concerns, including contradiction with a Florida law that took the right to prohibit fireworks away from municipalities.

City Manager Gary Brumback said the commission will work with the city attorney to iron out those legal concerns before this years 4th of July.

If Treasure Island bans fireworks, it would be the fourth Pinellas County municipality to do so. Belleair Beach, Redington Beach and North Redington Beach each have local ordinances in place to address the issue.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Some of them hid in the cinder block bath house. Others didnt have time to make it there.

An EF1 tornado tore through Hickory Woods Campground outside Brookville, Indiana, late Tuesday night. The National Weather Service confirmed the storm was a tornado on Wednesday after surveying damage at the Franklin County camp.

Hickory Woods is a place where people come to carve out a little slice of paradise, Shelly Lunsford said. Shes been coming here since she was a toddler.

About 150 campsites, many with semi-permanent campers or trailers, sit in a grove of tall trees along Indiana 101. It is surrounded by cleared land. Its a wooded oasis in a sea of farmland and just a stone's throw from Brookville Lake.

More: Severe weather brings threat of tornadoes again Wednesday. See what to expect and when

Lunsford rushed to the campground late Tuesday after she got news of the storm and spent the night wading through the muck, trying to help however she could. Wednesday morning, she circled the site in the daylight, every wall plastered with torn leaves. She was looking for broken water lines and checking on her neighbors.

Dozens of trees were down. Multiple vehicles were damaged. A park camper was blown off its blocks, flipped and slammed into a tree.

Tornado strength is measured by an enhanced F-scale rating from EF0 to EF5, which considers 28 different types of damage to structures and trees. It updates the original scale, which estimated wind strength. An EF2 or higher is considered a significant tornado.

[1148 AM] While the survey is far from complete, damage around the Hickory Woods Campground in Franklin County, Indiana (northeast of Brookville) has been determined to be tornadic, and EF1 in nature in this area. Damage will continue to be assessed into Butler County, OH.  NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) May 8, 2024

But there have been no reported deaths or injuries.

You look at this and say were never going to come back from this, Lunsford said. But we know better. Everyone will help everyone.

When the storm hit

Stan Calihan and DNel Chafin live in Hamilton, Ohio, just like Lunsford. The couple comes to their campsite on and off a summer. Two small campers sit on the plot. The married couple sleeps separately due to Calihans snoring, he chuckled.

Tuesday night, they were apart when the storm hit. Their phones alerted them to the tornado and their neighbors texted telling them to come to the bathhouse.

When a likely tornado struck the Hickory Woods Campground near Brookville, Indiana Tuesday night, people sought shelter inside the cinder block bath house at the site, residents said.

There was no time, Calihan said. I knew what it was. People say you hear a train, but it was more like a big truck.

He and Chafin met outside between their campers and could see the trees and branches swirling over their heads. They ran into the camper where Chafin sleeps.

We went into the bathroom and held each other, Calihan said.

The roaring winds came and went quickly.

We came outside and told each other we were blessed, Calihan said. The couples campers were battered but still stood.

Wednesday morning revealed the damage

Dale Tackett of Tipp City, Ohio, picks through the rubble after a likely tornado struck Tuesday night at the Hickory Woods Campground outside Brookville, Indiana.

Down the gravel road at the far corner of the camp, Dale Tackett wasnt so lucky. He wasnt at his park camper Tuesday night, but came to start cleaning up Wednesday morning. He said he comes out to the campground almost every weekend.

The Tipp City man found his camper had been flipped and slammed into a tree. Onlookers suspected it had been rolled by the winds more than once.

Unreal, Tackett said as he shifted through the rubble. He picked up a sign that said HOME and an Ohio State beer stein and stacked them on deck, a deck that now sits on its own amongst the wreckage.

He said the place was insured, but hes not confident about what the insurance company will cover. He said he had well over $100,000 invested in the property and the structures on it.

The path of destruction cut through the entire campground and across the road near Haitis Tube Cutoff System.

Cleanup is already underway

Shelly Lunsford of Hamilton has been coming to the Hickory Woods Campground near Brookville, Indiana, since she was a toddler. Her family has been making memories there for five generations. She rushed there Tuesday after the storm to check the damage and help her neighbors.

Cameron Brendenburg, an employee there, came to work early to help clean up. When he and other employees arrived, they quickly checked on the woman in her 90s who lives behind their lot.

Her two-story brick home was battered with wood and debris. The winds had thrown a steel dumpster against the front wall.

They found her in her living room chair. A 2x4 had come through the window and narrowly missed her head, Brandenburg said. He and others were able to take her to safety.

As Lunsford continued to circle the campground, she was joined by her 7-year-old grandson. Hes the familys fifth generation to make memories at Hickory Woods.

As he walked he pointed out all the things that were damaged.

Memories stand strong and camps will be rebuilt

Lunsford said her grandparents bought plots at the campground twice  the first time the seller ran off with the money. She said her father and grandfather built the bathhouse that may have saved people on Tuesday.

Its home, she said. The grandkids can run here and you dont have to worry about them like you do at home.

Her family owns four plots there. She said theyre among the people who have been there the longest, but she knew of at least one person who came before them.

Its going to take forever to rebuild, Lunsford said. But were going to rebuild. This is family to us.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hickory Woods Campground in Indiana cleans up after EF1 tornado
TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11)   In the blink of an eye, a report of a structure fire sends Trenton Fire Departments Engine 10 into action. Firefighter Natasha Rivera is on board, ready to help someone who could be in danger.

Its what I chose to do, said Rivera, and I love it.

Service runs in her blood. Shes the daughter of a firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice.

On Feb. 9, 2009, Trenton Firefighter Manuel Rivera Sr. was rescuing a victim from a burning building. Moments after climbing down his ladder, he collapsed. A few weeks later, he passed away.

More New Jersey News

His spirit lives on as Natasha continues her fathers legacy of service to Trentons nearly 90,000 residents.

Following his footsteps, that was a big part of it, said Rivera, but I also like to help my community and also, being a female firefighter, I saw that I was a good inspiration.

A career firefighter, her service is also her livelihood. But before anyone wears the badge, it has to be earned.

Inside the Trenton Fire and Emergency Services Fire Academy, bravery, toughness and leadership are tested during four grueling months of high-level training.

I want to be a firefighter because my whole life Ive loved helping people, recruit Deandre Santos of Ewing.

Be a part of something bigger than just me, than just a job; I want to impact peoples lives, said recruit Kyree Stokes of Trenton.

Im ready to save; Im ready to work for my community, said recruit Elizabeth Budge of Ewing.

Recruit Jerry Garcia came to the United States from Costa Rica when he was 15. Hes served in the Army for the last eight years. Now, hes looking to serve his city.

Skys the limit, said Garcia. I want to continue giving back to my Country  not only my Country but my community.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

PIX11 News Headlines

You may not come home that day, said Trenton Fire Director Kenneth Douglas. You volunteer technically to sign your name on the dotted line, the oath, that you would give your life in the protection of others. Not for the faint of heart.

In the Trenton Fire Department, theyre together through it all. Their bond is formed when they go out on calls and every night inside the firehouse. One of TFDs longest traditions is Friday night pizza night, which is just one example of how co-workers become family.

Being with the guys is always a great thing, said Trenton Fire Captain Carlos Negron. Every night, we try to make a home-cooked meal. Just joking around and laughing, just watching our kids grow and sharing pictures and sharing their accomplishments with each other, its a very family-oriented feeling in the firehouse, which is great.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the National Congress of American Indians today threw their support behind opposing Montanas TikTok ban on the grounds of tribal sovereignty infringement.

The ban was signed into law by Montanas governor in May 2023, but was blocked by a federal judge before it was set to go into effect for potentially violating the First Amendment. It has been held up in court ever since.

On May 6, the tribes and NCAI filed an amicus brief with the U.S Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit stating It is uncontested that Montanas TikTok ban cannot legally take effect on Tribal lands in MontanaDespite this acknowledgment, the record shows the Montana law would likely be enforced on Tribal lands in practice, as TikTok users locations cannot be precisely tracked through IP addresses.

Particularly, CSKT and NCAI objected to the bans enforcement design, which they say can lead to the ban applying illegally on tribal lands, and infringing on tribes abilities to exercise digital sovereignty.

The Ban interferes with Tribal Nations significant interest in crafting their own policy decisions in the digital and data realm to protect the health and welfare of their people, the brief states.

"Tribal Nations have the capability to tackle digital inequity and are the proper sovereigns to determine their policies for their communities," said Native American Rights Fund (NARF) Staff Attorney Beth Wright in a statement. "Tribal Nations already exercise authority in this area by building broadband infrastructure, providing crucial telehealth, telework, and telelearning opportunities to their members, and protecting private tribal data."



This is not the only lawsuit dealing with tribal nations and social media. Last month, two tribal nations filed a lawsuit accusing major social media companies of contributing to disproportionately high rates of suicide among Native American youth.

Editors Note: A previous version of this article stated May 6, 2024 as the date of the amicus brief filing. It has been updated to reflect the correct filing date of May 7, 2024.

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
WASHINGTON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Officials said Tuesday they have recovered the body of the sixth and final worker who has been missing after a bridge collapse in the U.S. city of Baltimore more than one month ago.

Unified Command salvage teams located the victim and promptly notified the Maryland Department of State Police. State police investigators along with officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and the FBI responded to the scene and recovered the body of a sixth construction worker, according to an official statement posted online.

The victim is identified as Jose Mynor Lopez, 37, of Baltimore, Maryland, said the statement.

"With heavy hearts, today marks a significant milestone in our recovery efforts and providing closure to the loved ones of the six workers who lost their lives in this tragic event," said Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, in the statement.

The 2.6-km-long Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major bridge that held Interstate 695, collapsed on March 26 after being hit by a large container ship, which experienced a power failure before the collision.

Eight people initially went into the water after the incident occurred and two of them were rescued from the Patapsco River, with one in critical condition.

The six individuals who went missing, all road maintenance workers, were reportedly on the bridge repairing potholes. They were all presumed dead after the U.S. Coast Guard suspended days of search and rescue efforts. 
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Video the 8 News Now Investigators obtained shows a truck driver on the wrong side of the road for nearly half a minute before colliding with a group of motorcyclists, killing three  in a crash state police once believed involved impairment but appears not to at all.

Claude Rafiki, 29, had a valid commercial drivers license out of Michigan at the time of the March 23 crash, but his two-year medical certification was due to expire March 24  the day after the crash, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Tuesday. Drivers in Michigan are required to submit an updated medical clearance before the expiration date, officials with the Michigan Secretary of States office confirmed. Because he did not submit updated medical certificate information, Rafikis license was downgraded and his CDL has not been valid as of March 24.

Rafiki faces three charges of reckless driving resulting in death for the crash on State Route 163 near Laughlin. A witness said Rafiki crossed over the highways centerline, crashing into two motorcycles, killing its two drivers and one passenger.

Claude Rafiki, 29, of Michigan, faces three charges of reckless driving resulting in death for the crash on State Route 163 near Laughlin. (KLAS)

Police initially arrested Rafiki on three charges of DUI resulting in death. Investigators later determined there was no evidence Rafiki was impaired.

The crash killed Owen Hart, 22; Athena Faye Taylor, 21; and Jeremy Gebo, 44, all of St. George, Utah, the coroners office said. The group was riding from St. George and headed to Laughlin at the time of the crash.

Prosecutors submitted the dashcam video from Rafikis truck into evidence as part of the criminal case against him. The recording is correlated with the trucks engine  starting and stopping when the truck starts and stops and unable to be manipulated, a safety manager for Pan American Cargo said.

Rafiki was driving in the No. 1 travel lane  the one closest to the centerline  and not in the No. 2 lane as required for semis, a trooper testified. Rafiki then allegedly drove on the wrong side of the road for 25 seconds, documents said.

Cory Beard, the leader of the group of eight bikes riding to Laughlin, said he barely missed getting hit. Those involved in the crash had viewed the dashcam video before the grand jury proceeding, documents indicated.

We came around a corner and to my surprise was a semi in our lane  totally confusing, Beard told the grand jury. I didnt know, I didnt know if I was in the wrong lane. When I realized he was in our lane I veered left, banked to the left and just barely cleared the semi.

Claude Rafikis truck ended up on the wrong side of Route 163 in Laughlin, prosecutors say. (KLAS)

The group was headed toward Laughlin and came around a curve when the crash happened, Beard said.

Complete confusion, Beard said about the crash. I didnt know why he was in our lane. I had no idea. I had less than a second to make a decision on whether I was in the wrong lane or whether he was in our lane, so I made the decision to go left into oncoming traffic.

Another witness testified the semi ended up against a guardrail on the wrong side of the road.

Owen Harts family told 8 News Now that he had just turned 22 and was himself beginning a career as a trucker. He and his family were celebrating his birthday with the motorcycle ride, they said. (Melissa Hart)

Rafiki told police the wind caused him to go the wrong way, documents said. He said he was not impaired and took medicine for seizures, documents said. A Nevada State Police Highway Patrol trooper testified there was definitely wind at the time he arrived at the crash scene.

In his arrest report, a trooper wrote Rafikis performance on his field sobriety tests was unsatisfactory, adding he had bloodshot eyes and an unsteady gait. The trooper also testified he did not see any alcoholic beverages or drugs in the truck or any outside signs of impairment, documents said. Another trooper said the wind can make it difficult for a driver to maintain his or her lane.

After his arrest, a Laughlin Justice Court official declined to release Rafikis arrest report, citing Nevada State Police as the rightful agency to do so. Unlike Las Vegas Metro police, Nevada State Police has a policy of not releasing arrest reports amid pending criminal proceedings. The department appeared to go against its policy in the documents released to the 8 News Now Investigators.

Claude Rafiki, 29, had a valid commercial drivers license out of Michigan at the time of the March 23 crash, but his medical certification was due to expire March 24  the day after the crash, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Tuesday. (Michigan Secretary of States Office/KLAS)

State police never released any information about why they believed Rafiki was impaired other than what was in the documents.

Rafiki remained in custody Tuesday on $500,000 bail. A trial was scheduled for June.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Trumps $54K in unclaimed property can be used to fight very, very nasty people, Florida CFO says

Related video above: Stormy Daniels testifies in Trumps hush money trial

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Floridas Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said former President Donald Trump has $54,000 in unclaimed property in Florida that can be used to fight back against some very, very nasty people coming after you.

Patronis sent a letter to Trump on Tuesday, notifying him of the unclaimed property, which could include things like dormant bank accounts, stocks and dividends.

Patronis searched unclaimed property for TRUMP and believes that money belongs to the former president, his family, businesses or property.

The money could be used to fight back against these radical state attorneys who have weaponized the courts, Patronis said.

Trump is currently on trial in New York for allegedly falsifying business records to hide payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, which prosecutors say was an attempt to influence the 2016 election by suppressing negative stories.

Patronis urged Trump to visit FLtreasurehunt.gov or contact him directly so he can get his money back as soon as possible.

He also said Trump could contact him on his Truth Social account, which is a social media company created by Trump after he was banned from other social media platforms for violating their policies.

Other Florida residents can also check the Florida Treasure Hunt website to see if they have any unclaimed property.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Trump ads intended for Middle Georgia voters taken down. Heres why they were reinstated

An advertisement for the Donald Trump reelection campaign that was aimed at Black voters in Middle Georgia was removed by Google last week and then reinstated, the company confirmed to The Telegraph.

A political action committee helping Trump has begun buying digital microtargeted ads that appear on YouTube and elsewhere, an election data group found. They say Trump-related accounts have spent $304,000 to $353,500 nationwide this year.

The Middle Georgia ad created a firestorm of comments on social media, even drawing a communication from the former presidents son, Donald Trump Jr., who claimed Google is censoring this pro-Trump ad to protect (President Joe) Biden. Trump Jr. even asked his followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, to help him make the ad go viral.

Google is censoring this pro-Trump ad to protect Biden.



Let's make it go viral. pic.twitter.com/1qDH5QzkbJ  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 4, 2024

Google says it made a mistake. This enforcement decision was made in error, a Google spokesman told The Telegraph, and it was appealed by the advertiser and quickly overturned upon further review. This ad is currently running.

The ad features a Biden campaign worker on the phone with a man who voted for Biden in 2020. The voter says everything costs more since Biden took office, including rent. The worker then says Biden is helping pay rent for newcomers.

You mean illegal immigrants? the voter says. Im struggling to pay my bills, but Bidens paying rent for illegals? They get handouts, and Im paying for it. Things were better before Biden. Im voting for Trump.

Make America Great Again, Trumps super PAC, spent about $15,000 on the ads and ran them starting April 25 in specific communities near Macon, according to social media posts from Andrew Arenge, director of operations for the University of Pennsylvanias program on opinion research and election studies. Arenge keeps data on how much Trump and Biden have spent on digital ads.

Arenge made multiple X postings this weekend about how the ads were pulled and then apparently reinstated.

NEW: This ad has been removed by Google for a "policy violation". It was live in the Google archive this morning but I just looked and it's now been removed.



Super PAC spent over $15K targeting it at specific communities near Macon, GA after launching it on April 25th. https://t.co/DQnUHgsUuS pic.twitter.com/AnwHwtzlp0  Andrew Arenge (@MrArenge) May 3, 2024

After backlash - including tweets from Donald Trump Jr, Dinesh D'Souza, others - appears Google has reversed course



Yesterday, I flagged Google had removed ads from Trump Super PAC (left image) for policy violations.



Today, appears they reinstated the removed ads (right image) pic.twitter.com/dNK0ubECsX  Andrew Arenge (@MrArenge) May 4, 2024

At least two conservative news sources were quick to write about the Middle Georgia ads being temporarily stopped, with one, the Tampa Free Press, saying Big Tech is already seeking to help President Biden, who is failing and flailing, stay in office.

Biden narrowly won Georgia by a margin of 0.23% and 11,779 votes in 2020. The Trump campaign has talked openly in recent weeks about its desire to attract more Black voters by flipping Democratic constituencies.
Donald Trumps New York state prosecution could be the only one of his four criminal cases that goes to trial, at least before the 2024 presidential election. And possibly ever.

That was already true heading into this week. But we received the latest indication of that possibility on Wednesday, when Georgias appeals court signaled that it will consider Trump and his co-defendants request to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

As a reminder, Judge Scott McAfee said in March that Willis could stay on the case if special prosecutor Nathan Wade, with whom she had a romantic relationship, stepped down. Wade did so  but that didnt end the matter. Trump and his co-defendants are still seeking Willis disqualification and the wholesale dismissal of the state election interference case itself.

McAfee previously said that the case can move forward despite the defense appeal. And he has been ruling on pretrial issues in the meantime. But regardless of whether the case gets formally paused (as Trumps federal election interference case did), this Georgia appeal puts the state prosecution further in doubt. The appeals court could, for example, say that McAfee didnt go far enough in the defendants favor and kick Willis and her office off of the case. Such a decision would require reassigning the case to another office, which would unlikely be simple or speedy, to say nothing of what another prosecutor would do with the case.

The Georgia news follows U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannons recent move in the classified documents case to postpone a trial indefinitely in Florida. Meanwhile, the Supreme Courts pending decision on Trumps immunity claim has been holding up a trial in the federal election interference case. If Trump wins the November presidential election, hell almost certainly rid himself of these two federal cases.

Presidents cant dismiss or pardon state charges, but if Trump wins a second term, that would complicate any state cases moving forward while hes in office. Trumps three cases outside of New York all carry greater possibilities of prison time if he's convicted, which wouldnt be mandatory if hes convicted in New York.

Even before this latest move in Georgia, a pre-election trial against Trump there seemed unlikely. No trial date has been set, and its hard to see one being set while this disqualification appeal looms.

Testimony in Trumps New York trial for allegedly falsifying business records is set to resume Thursday.

The former president and presumptive GOP presidential nominee has pleaded not guilty in all four of his criminal cases.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for weekly updates on the top legal stories, including news from the Supreme Court, the Donald Trump cases and more.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is privately considering a plan to deploy American assassination squads to Mexico to take out drug cartel leaders if he is re-elected in November, according to a report.

Three sources familiar with the former presidents proposal told Rolling Stone that he has insisted that the American military has tougher killers than they do and is mulling a similar plot to that carried out when US forces killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi back in 2019.

The deployment would be covert, the outlet reported, and would not rely on the Mexican governments consent.

Just earlier this year, one source recalled the former president saying that the US government should create a kill list of drug lords, consisting of the most notorious heads of drug cartels that a special-ops team would be tasked with killing or capturing, Rolling Stone reported.

The Independent has reached out to Mr Trumps spokesperson for comment.

This isnt the first time that Mr Trump has discussed his plans for tackling Mexicos gang violence.

In 2017, then-president Trump told then-Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in a phone call that he was prepared to send US troops to stop bad hombres down there, The Associated Press reported at the time. You arent doing enough to stop them. I think your military is scared. Our military isnt, so I just might send them down to take care of it.

In 2020, Mr Trump also asked his then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper if it would be possible for the US to launch missiles into Mexico to destroy the drug labs and demolish the cartels  and keep the USs involvement a secret, according to Mr Espers memoir A Sacred Oath.

Although Mr Trumps plans to take out Mexicos cartels have been discussed in private, Mr Trump has made his thoughts about Mexico  and the countrys citizens  very clear in public.

Donald Trump appears in court on 7 May at his hush money trial in New York (2024 Getty Images)

While running for the White House in 2015, Mr Trump accused Mexico of not sending their best to the US.

Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people, he said.

During his administration, Mr Trump also ordered the building of a border wall along the US-Mexico border.

Now, as he campaigns for the White House again, the former presidents anti-immigrant rhetoric continues to ramp up.

At an Iowa rally in September, he told supporters that, if he wins the 2024 election, he will use all resources needed to stop the invasion at the US-Mexico border, including moving thousands of troops currently stationed overseas.

Mr Trump has also been accused of echoing Nazi rhetoric by saying that migrants are poisoning the blood of the country, referring to migrants as animals, and suggesting that some migrants are not people.

Immigration is shaping up to be a major issue in the 2024 presidential election, with Mr Trump and Republicans hitting out at President Joe Biden over his handling of the US-Mexico border. In March 2024, there were nearly 190,000 encounters at the US southern border.
Trump plans to send kill teams to Mexico to take out drug lords

Donald Trump wants to tackle America's fentanyl crisis by 'waging war' on the criminal gangs who fuel it - Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America

Donald Trump is planning to send US assassination squads into Mexico to kill the leaders of drug cartels if he returns to the White House, according to a report.

The former president, 77, has spoken publicly of his determination to tackle Americas fentanyl crisis by waging war on the criminal gangs who fuel it.

But Mr Trump is yet to announce the full extent of his plans which, according to Rolling Stone, involve covertly deploying  with or without the Mexican governments consent  special-operations units tasked with assassinating drug lords.

Three Trump allies, cited by Rolling Stones, claim the presumptive 2024 Republican nominee has privately endorsed the missions  even though he has yet to decide on specific details such as how many US troops would be sent into Mexican territory.

Rolling Stone reports conversations with his inner circle during which Mr Trump has insisted that the US military has tougher killers than they do and pondered why such assassinations have not been carried out before.

The magazines sources, which include at least one Republican lawmaker, suggest Mr Trump argued that eliminating the kingpins of the most powerful cartels would seriously damage their operations and ability to supply drugs to America.

Kill list for drug lords

During these conversations, Mr Trump compared the plan to the US military raid he ordered in 2019 that resulted in the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, according to Rolling Stone.

One source recalled Mr Trump saying that the US government should have a kill list of drug lords that US special forces would be assigned to kill or capture.

Mr Trumps spokesman did not respond to requests for comment by Rolling Stone.

On the campaign trail ahead of Novembers presidential election, Mr Trump has already said he hopes to make appropriate use of Special Forces, cyber warfare, and other overt and covert actions to inflict maximum damage on cartel leadership, infrastructure, and operations.

During his presidency, Mr Trump also mooted the idea of attacking the cartels drug labs with missiles, according to former defence secretary Mark Espers memoir.

Growing appeal among Republicans

While that suggestion was dismissed, the concept of military action in Mexico appears to have growing appeal among Republican politicians.

Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor and rival to Mr Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, pledged that if he were elected president, he would order special forces to enter Mexico on day one.

Republican senators Lindsey Graham and John Neely Kennedy last year backed legislation that would give the military the authority to go after these organisations wherever they exist.

The proposal provoked an angry reaction from Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexicos president, who denounced it as an offence to the people of Mexico.

We are not going to permit any foreign government to intervene in our territory, much less that a governments armed forces intervene, he said last March.

US military experts have warned against attacks in Mexico, arguing that they would have limited impact on the drug trade and harm diplomatic relations with Americas southern neighbour.

General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the US militarys Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last year that invading Mexico was a bad idea.

I wouldnt recommend anything be done without Mexicos support, he told Defense One, a specialist publication for national security issues, insisting that tackling the cartel-fuelled drug trade is a law enforcement  not a military  issue.

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.
Former President Donald Trump has risked the wrath of his hush money trial judge after railing against sleazebags, lowlifes, and grifters who say absolutely anything that they want in an apparent attack on witnesses.

Despite a gag order restricting what Trump can say about witnesses and jurors, the presumptive 2024 GOP nominee bemoaned on social media Wednesday that he has to listen to lies and false statements be made against him without being able to respond.Trump also called New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan corrupt and highly conflicted.

Trump didnt mention any witnesses by name, but his rant arrived one day after testimony from adult film star Stormy Daniels that lifted the lid on the pairs alleged relationship.

A transcript from Tuesdays sessionshowed that Merchan spoke with Trumps attorney to warn him his client was verging on witness intimidation during Daniels testimony.

Earlier this week, Trump was found in contempt of court for violating his gag order once again. He was warned by Merchan that, going forward, overstepping the bounds of the order could land him behind bars. The judge noted that those held in criminal contempt could be punished with a jail sentence not exceeding 30 days.

In his Truth Social post, Trump criticized Merchan and his threat of incarceration, and without evidence linked the judges warning to a fascist mindset that he suggests dominates Washington, D.C., politics. Trump also blasted the judges who oversaw his New York civil fraud case and his E. Jean Carroll defamation case.

Trump is accused of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to Daniels in order to affect the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.

He has been fined 10 times for violating the gag order that restricts what he can say about people involved in the case.

On Monday, Merchan fined the former president $1,000 for remarks he made on April 22, when he attacked the trials jurors and the process of selecting them.

Before Wednesdays post, prosecutors asked the judge to consider a total of 14 alleged gag order violations since Trumps trial began last month.

On Tuesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the city has discussed the possibility of Trump being incarcerated. Theyre professionals, Adams told reporters, referring to the NYC Department of Corrections. Theyll be ready.

Related...
KIEV, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday extended the current martial law and general mobilization of troops for another 90 days, said parliamentarian Yaroslav Zheleznyak.

The bills to prolong martial law and mobilization were backed by 339 and 336 lawmakers respectively, with a required minimum of 226, Zheleznyak wrote on Telegram.

Both restrictive measures will be in place till Aug. 11.

The Ukrainian parliament imposed martial law and declared military mobilization in the wake of the conflict with Russia in February 2022, and has extended the measures 11 times since then.

A new mobilization law aimed at recruiting more troops for the country's armed forces will take effect on May 18. 
Donald Trump simply cant help himself from taking a solid jab at the partial gag order hes under in his New York hush-money trial. The court-imposed gag order prevents him from speaking publicly about courtroom staff, prosecutors, jurors, witnesses, or their family membersbut according to Trump, not having the opportunity to openly insult them is thoroughly unfair.

It is a really bad feeling to have your Constitutional Right to Free Speech, such a big part of life in our Country, so unfairly taken from you, especially when all of the sleazebags, lowlifes, and grifters that you oppose are allowed to say absolutely anything that they want, Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday morning, during his only break from the courtroom this week.

It is hard to sit back and listen to lies and false statements be made against you knowing that if you respond, even in the most modest fashion, you are told by a Corrupt and Highly Conflicted Judge that you will be PUT IN PRISON, maybe for a long period of time, he continued. This Fascist mindset is all coming from D.C. It is a sophisticated hit job on Crooked Joe Bidens Political Opponent, ME!

Trump then went on to attack Judge Arthur Engoron and Judge Lewis Kaplan, who oversaw two of his prior civil trials, including the New York bank fraud trial in which Trump had to cough up $15,000 for violating a similar gag order.

Judges Engoron and Kaplan, also of New York, are equally Corrupt, only in different ways, Trump wrote, attempting to tie court cases in which he, a former real estate mogul, reality TV star, and indicted former president, was tried for his own misconduct, to the liberties of the average American. What these THUGS are doing is AN ATTACK ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND OUR ONCE GREAT NATION ITSELF. OUR FIRST AMENDMENT MUST STAND, FREE AND STRONG. GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!

Donald Trumps big mouth in the hush-money trial has so far cost him $10,000* and earned him a formal warning about the possibility of jail time if he continues to violate the gag. In the days since Trump was last formally warned, he has come pretty close to breaching the orderincluding deleting a post about Stormy Daniels moments before she was set to take the stand. It remains to be seen if his latest postwhich seems to lambast witnesses in the case as sleazebags and lowlifeswill constitute another violation.

Trump is accused of using Cohen to sweep an affair with porn actress Stormy Daniels under the rug ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The Republican presidential nominee faces 34 felony charges in this case for allegedly falsifying business records with the intent to further an underlying crime. Trump has pleaded not guilty on all counts.

*This article originally misstated the amount Trump has been fined for violating the gag order.
Trump says new FBI headquarters should be in DC

Former President Trump said Tuesday that he supports keeping the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., amid ongoing controversy over the bureaus new headquarters location.

THE NEW FBI BUILDING SHOULD BE BUILT IN WASHINGTON, D.C., NOT MARYLAND, AND BE THE CENTERPIECE OF MY PLAN TO TOTALLY RENOVATE AND REBUILD OUR CAPITAL CITY INTO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND SAFEST ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

THE FBI MUST BE IN WALKING DISTANCE TO THE DOJ BUILDING IN THAT THE DOJ & FBI HAVE TO WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER. A TWO MINUTE WALK TO A MEETING IS FAR BETTER THAN A TRAFFIC LADEN TWO HOUR DRIVE TO GREENBELT, MARYLAND, he continued.

After a years-long site selection process, the Biden administration selected Greenbelt, Md., as the location for the FBIs newest headquarters last year, instead of the alternatives in Landover, Md., or Springfield, Va.

The FBI long complained about outgrowing the J. Edgar Hoover Building on Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C. The new headquarters are expected to feature a 61-acre multi-use development complex next to the Greenbelt Metro station.

During his time in the White House, Trump attempted to block the headquarters relocation to the suburbs, as the existing downtown location is just blocks away from what was then his hotel and he didnt want it to be redeveloped into a potential rival.

In his latest social media post, he further argued that having the FBI headquarters in D.C. would help stop crime in the city.

LIKEWISE, HAVING THE FBI IN D.C. IS IMPORTANT FOR ENDING VIOLENT CRIME, WHICH I WILL DO, QUICKLY!!! Trump wrote.

Once Trump left office, the GOP interest in the headquarters shifted, and at one point, conservatives floated moving them to Alabama.

The Biden administrations pick of Maryland instead of Virginia drew sharp criticism from state leaders, who said they were deeply disappointed to hear of the choice last November.

Virginia lawmakers requested an investigation into the selection process, which was led by the General Services Administration (GSA). The lawmakers suggested Greenbelt may have been improperly chosen.

Following the pick, FBI Director Christopher Wray sent a letter to FBI staff citing concerns about fairness and transparency in the process and GSAs failure to adhere to its own site selection plan.

The Office of Inspector General agreed to start a review of the process following Wrays letter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Donald Trump will spend his day off from court hosting a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago residence for buyers of his NFT trading cards, according to a source familiar with the planning.

NFTs, or nonfungible tokens, are part of a suite of non-campaign-focused ventures that Trump has been balancing with his White House run and his legal issues throughout 2023 and 2024. After Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump, the former president told reporters that hed like to be campaigning as opposed to being tied up in a courtroom.

But his schedule Wednesday won't include public campaign events. The source familiar with the planning shared that Trumps day off from court will also include private political meetings. Axios was first to report Trump's plans to have dinner with NFT buyers.

Over the last three years, Trump has used naming rights agreements with Florida-based LLCs to personally profit off his name and likeness. Financial disclosure statements showed that Trump made at least a six-figure dollar amount from his previous superhero NFT digital trading cards.

Trump has previously used similarly structured LLCs to promote and sell a Trump sneaker line, a Trump branded perfume and cologne, and a pricey copy of the Bible.

Trumps newest round of digital trading cards, dubbed the Mugshot Edition, includes a bonus offer for a small swatch of the suit Trump wore during his mug shot in Fulton County, Georgia, where he faces racketeering charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.

Though Trump didn't schedule political events Wednesday, he has in recent weeks called his New York trial and other legal issues "election interference" orchestrated to keep him tied up in court and off the campaign trail.

At a Michigan rally last week, Trump claimed that he would have to have more days with multiple rallies since he is occupied in court so frequently during the week.

I got to do two of these things a day. You know why? Because Im in New York all the time with the Biden trial, Trump said.

Midway through the fourth week of Trumps criminal hush money trial, the former president has campaigned outside of New York on just that single day  hosting rallies in Michigan and Wisconsin last week.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Some had asked whether a jury selected in Manhattan, which voted overwhelmingly against Trump, could be fair in judging the former president. But now that we have moved beyond this point, the real problem Trump has is that his best arguments are legal in nature: prosecutors appeared to cobble together misdemeanours and felonies in order to find something with which to get Trump.

The underlying crime is seemingly a minor misdemeanour  falsifying business records  which long ago expired under the statute of limitations. In order to turn it into a felony within the statute of limitations, prosecutors will have to show that Trump falsified the records in order to impact his election, thus constituting a federal election felony. The problem is, however, that federal authorities have not prosecuted Trump for this federal election crime. Moreover, state prosecutors have no jurisdiction over federal election law. Finally, we were not even clear, when the trial began, as to precisely which federal election laws the District Attorney was relying on.

I have been teaching, practising and writing about criminal law for 60 years. In all those years, I have never seen or heard of a case in which the defendant has been criminally prosecuted for failing to disclose the payment of what prosecutors call hush money. Alexander Hamilton paid hush money to cover up an affair with a married woman. Many others have paid hush money since. If the legislature wanted to criminalise such conduct they could easily enact the statute prohibiting the payment of hush money or requiring its disclosure. They have declined to do so.

Prosecutors cannot simply make up new crimes by jerry-rigging a concoction of existing crimes, some of which are barred by the statute of limitations others of which are beyond the jurisdiction of state prosecutors.

Appellate courts should be able to see through this ruse and reverse any conviction resulting from it. But that would likely occur after the election. In the meantime, however, a conviction prior to the election that might influence independent voters to cast their ballot against a convicted felon.

In addition to the legal problems with the prosecutions case, there are also some factual weaknesses. Prosecutors are relying on witnesses who have previously lied and whose credibility is very questionable. They should have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump authorised the statement in business records that the alleged hush money payments were legal expenses and that this statement was knowingly false. They might also have to prove that the reason he authorised the statements was to help him get elected, not to avoid embarrassment to his wife and children or losses to his business.

If the defendant were not Donald Trump and the venue were not Manhattan, this ought to be a slam dunk win for the defendant. Indeed, this extraordinarily weak case would never have been bought.

I am not a Trump political supporter. I voted for Joe Biden in the last election and I have an open mind about the coming election. But I want it to be fair. Whoever loses the election should not be able to complain about election interference by the weaponisation of the criminal justice system for partisan advantage.

All Americans, regardless of political affiliation, should be appalled at this selective prosecution. Today the target is Trump. Tomorrow it may be a Democrat. After that, you and me. The criminal justice system is on trial in New York. If Trump is convicted based on the distortion of law and facts that were seeing, the system will have failed us all.

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.
Representative Elise Stefanik, pictured speaking at the US Capitol on 17 April 2024, is one of Donald Trumps rumored contenders for vice president (AP)

Republicans hoping for a repeat of the viral moment that took down multiple Ivy League university presidents came away disappointed after attempts to create conflict with a trio of K-12 school officials from Democratic jurisdictions fell flat.

On Wednesday, a session of the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education was held on antisemitism. Representative Aaron Bean opened the hearing by claiming that kids as young as second graders in public schools are spewing Nazi propaganda in liberal cities.

Bean then asked whether the alleged propaganda-spewing children in second grade were positioned to attack the Jewish people in the wake of the October 7 terror attacks on Israel by Hamas.

Republicans directed most of their ire during the session towards David Banks, the New York City Public Schools chancellor, and pushed him to speak about an incident at a New York high school in which a pro-Israel teacher was the subject of a protest.

Banks repeatedly told multiple lawmakers that the principal of that school was removed from his position after the protest incident. But they appeared unsatisfied by his answer because he would not say that the principal in question was fired.

Representative Elise Stefanik  the New York congresswoman and alleged Donald Trump vice presidential hopeful whose viral confrontation with the former leaders of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania led to both being ousted from their positions  said it was concerning that the New York principal remained employed by the school system.

She accused Banks and other witnesses of paying lip service to fighting antisemitism but presiding over a lack of enforcement and a lack of accountability in practice.

But Banks wasnt willing to take the attacks lying down. Instead, he pointed out that the principal, a public school employee, was entitled to due process and the protections granted him by his union contract. Banks also added that his school system has suspended roughly 30 students and disciplined teachers for actions considered to be antisemitic.

I stand up not only against antisemitism, he said. I stand up against Islamophobia and all other forms of hate. You cant put them in silos.

The panels ranking member, Representative Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, pointed out that despite her Republican colleagues professed concern for antisemitism in the wake of October 7, they still openly support Donald Trump. The former president has met with and even embraced multiple people who have publicly made extreme antisemitic statements, including white supremacist activist Nick Fuentes and rapper Kanye West.

Despite these persistent examples of comments that others have called antisemitic and continued relationships with well-known antisemites, I have not heard one word of concern from my colleagues across the aisle, Bonamici said. In fact, what we have seen is consolidation of support for the former president.
Former President Trump has won Indianas Republican primary, according to Decision Desk HQ.

The win gives Trump, already the presumptive GOP nominee, another 58 delegates, according to a tracker from Decision Desk HQ/The Hill, in a state hes forecast to clinch this fall.

Trump was the only active candidate on Indianas GOP ballot, but he was still up against his ex-rival, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley  who has pulled in notable numbers in several state primaries even after dropping out, seen as protest votes against the former president.

Across the aisle, President Biden won all 79 delegates in Indianas Democratic primary, but Trump has the edge on Biden in recent head-to-head Hoosier State polling.

Trump easily won the state in 2016, and then bested Biden by double digits there in 2020 before going on to lose his reelection bid.

Indiana voters on Tuesday also weighed in on a competitive six-way GOP primary to replace Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb (R), who is term-limited. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) won that race, leaving the party to rally behind Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) to replace the first-term senator in the upper chamber. In turn, Bankss House seat is one of several up for grabs.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Haitis new transitional presidential council, already mired in controversy over the way it has made key decisions, is once more doing an about-face. This time its over how many votes will be needed to make important decisions such as selecting the countrys next prime minister, and who among them should be in charge of coordinating priorities, signing accords and meeting with foreign dignitaries.

The decision comes amid an internal crisis that risks the councils unraveling and has led to tense negotiations over the past week. As a result, the majority of the councils seven-voting members has agreed to invalidate the choice of Edgard Leblanc Fils as president of the council, and institute, instead a rotating presidency among four of them, several people with knowledge of the councils workings have told the Miami Herald.

In addition to changing presidents every five to six months until the end of their mandate in February 2026, the council has also agreed that it will take a super-majority of five of the seven voting members to make decisions when a consensus cant be reached. A document finalizing the new agreement is expected to be signed Wednesday.

The reversal arose after a crisis of the groups own making when its first major decision after being installed, electing a president among their seven voting members, led to controversy and nearly the councils implosion. Last week, after summoning journalists to witness a public vote on the election of the groups leader, the council then announced that such a vote would no longer be needed. An Indissoluble majority bloc made up of four members had decided among themselves to choose Leblanc, a former president of the Haitian Senate and candidate for president of the republic.

The new so-called unbreakable political alliance had also decided, in violation of their own procedures, who should replace the former prime minister, Ariel Henry. They designated a former minister of youth and sports, Fritz Belizaire.

The announcements immediately plunged the group into controversy. The three members of the minority bloc accused the other four, along with the four sectors of Haitian society that had named them, of violating the April 3 political accord they all signed, and which dictates how they should function. Others accused the majority bloc and the political party leaders aligned with them of cutting a backroom deal to control important government ministries with the goal of lining their pockets and taking charge of the electoral machinery ahead of general elections. The elections, which have not yet been scheduled, is among the measures the council will be tasked with organizing.

The latest reversal marks the second time in less than a week the group has changed its mind. Last week, the majority bloc announced that members would return to their original political agreement to choose a prime minister from a pool of applicants, and have since been accepting applications.

But the conflict within the council has led to lost time while adding to doubts about whether the formula of a multi-headed executive will work in Haiti, and whether the group can put aside self-interest and political rivalries to address the various crises confronting Haiti. The country has not seen a commercial flight land at it main seaport since March 4 and is facing deepening hunger amid skyrocketing prices, a closed government seaport and gang-controlled roads blocking goods from moving.

The members of the presidential council have the heavy responsibility of leading this transition and demonstrating good governance and transparency in their decisions in order to restore confidence among the population in their leaders and elites, a network of Haitian civil society associations and organizations said in a statement.

Since March 11 when Caribbean leaders, meeting in Jamaica, helped brokered a deal to set up the presidential council, members have struggled to gain their footing and accomplished little. Theyve managed to get sworn-in and meet with the head of the police and army. This week they also decided to write to Kenya President William Ruto asking for the deployment of his police officers to lead the Multinational Security Support mission to help Haitian police battle gangs.

Most of their time, however, has been consumed with addressing internal differences and negotiating to avoid unraveling. As a result of the friction, there has been little time to meet with the outgoing cabinet, or to renew a state of emergency that was instituted after armed groups launched coordinated attacks in late February against key infrastructure in hopes of bringing down the government.

On Tuesday, the United Nations noted that two months into the coordinated attacks, Haiti continues to be affected by multiple crises. In the north of the country recent floods and landslides have led to the deaths of at least 17 people and flooded more than 4,000 homes, while in the capital, the population continues to flee their homes.. More than 90,000 people have been forced out of their home in recent weeks in Port-au-Prince and into makeshift encampments.

In a statement related to the violence in the capital, the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Haiti, Bruno Maes, this week strongly condemned the humanitarian impact of the repeated attacks in the Solino neighborhood and the surrounding areas of Port-au-Prince.

The siege of the civilian population in Solino, including women, children and men who find themselves without access to water, food and fuel, is a blatant violation of the basic humanitarian norms, Maes said, urging gang leaders to stop the attacks so that the population can live without fear in their homes, in complete safety, and so humanitarian actors can assist those affected.
COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP, BRADFORD COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced that two people have been charged in Bradford County with corruption of minors.

According to PSP, troopers investigating an alleged luring of a child into a motor vehicle when 18-year-old Wyatt Vanroyen, and 26-year-old Christian Farr, drove from Kansas and took a 16-year-old from her home, gave her alcohol, and camped out with her.

Troopers say the victim met Vanroyen through Snapchat and the pair started dating 12 days prior.

Former law enforcement professional charged with retail theft

Vanroyen and Farr were arrested and taken into custody and charged with luring a chilling into a motor vehicle and corruption of minors. Farr was also charged with furnishing alcohol to minors, police say.

According to law enforcement, both Vanroyen and Farr were remanded to Bradford County Correctional Facility unable to post $50,000 bail.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A 12-year-olds death in Pennsylvania has led to charges against two people in what officials say is a horrific case of child abuse.

Rendell Hoagland, 52, and Cindy Warren, 45, both of West Caln Township, were arrested and charged in the death of Malinda Hoagland, 12, the Chester County District Attorney said in a news release. Rendell was Malindas father while Warren was Rendells girlfriend.

I would like to thank the Chester County Detectives, District Attorneys Office and Pennsylvania State Police for assisting the West Caln Township Police Department in making an arrest in this horrific case of child abuse, West Caln Police Chief Curt Martinez said.

Fish hook-stuffed dog treats found on the Appalachian Trail, Pennsylvania Game Commission warns

According to the DA, the duo subjected the girl to months of child abuse, by ankle cuffing her to furniture, verbally berating her, and even making her perform physical exercises when she was shackled such as squats and running in place. She was also denied meals as punishment.

Malinda was subjected to evil and torment that no child should ever have to endure, Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said. I am grateful to every first responder and law enforcement officer who has worked tirelessly on this case. Together we will get justice for Malinda.

First responders were called for an unconscious 12-year-old female, located at the 200 Block of Reid Road, just before 7:30 p.m. on May 4. Rendell was the one who called 911 and when officers arrived they were alerted by medics to the childs condition, the release reads.

According to the DA, this was when everyone figured out that something was gravely wrong with Malinda, who was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment but later died. While Malinda was at the hospital, staff noticed that she was emaciated, she weighed 50 pounds, was covered in bruises and had at least a half-dozen broken bones and her organs were failing.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Malinda was pulled out of public school in late November/early December and was shifted to a home cyber school, the DA says.

When investigators looked through the duos cell phones, they saw Warren deleted messages between her and Rendell along with dozens of videos from their home camera system, which showed, the DA says, the child abuse.

Both Rendell and Warren are charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and other related charges.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

WHTM Morning Weather

The duo is locked up in Chester County Prison on bail set at $1 million and await a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 13.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong meets with Finnish National Police Commissioner Seppo Kolehmainen in Beijing, capital of China, May 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong met with Finnish National Police Commissioner Seppo Kolehmainen in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang said that guided by the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, China is ready to work with Finland to advance bilateral law-enforcement and security cooperation at a high level, with a focus on combating telecom and internet fraud, economic and financial crimes, illegal immigration, anti-terrorism, drug control and other fields, while jointly meeting the challenges of transnational crimes.

At the same time, China is also willing to work with Finland to enhance exchanges of law-enforcement personnel at all levels, push for steady and long-term growth of China-Finland relations, and bring more benefits to the two countries and two peoples, Wang said.

Finland is willing to deepen practical cooperation with China in the field of law enforcement and security, Kolehmainen said. 
Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, Calif. A jury sided with two students who were expelled from the school in 2020 over photos of them wearing acne masks. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

Two former students of a Mountain View high school were awarded $1 million and tuition reimbursement after they were expelled for wearing acne face masks, which were interpreted as "blackface," and sued.

A Santa Clara County jury sided with the former Saint Francis High School students who claimed the district was in breach of an oral contract and did not give them due process before expelling them in 2020 for photos that were three years old. The jury rejected the students' other claims, including breach of contract, defamation and violation of free speech, on Monday.

The students, referred to as A.H. and H.H. in the lawsuit, will get $500,000 each from the school and also be reimbursed for tuition, which is about $70,000 total.

This case is significant not only for our clients but for its groundbreaking effect on all private high schools in California, which are now legally required to provide fair procedure to students before punishing or expelling them, said Krista Baughman, one of the attorneys for the students. The jury rightly confirmed that Saint Francis High Schools procedures were unfair to our clients and that the school is not above the law.

After photos of the students in the masks went viral, the school told them to withdraw or face expulsion. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

Representatives for Saint Francis said in a statement that they "respectfully disagree with the jury's conclusion as to the lesser claim regarding the fairness of our disciplinary review process." The officials said they are "exploring legal options," including appealing the verdict.

One picture, which was taken in August 2017 during a sleepover, shows A.H. wearing a green face mask for acne, according to the lawsuit. The next day, H.H. and another boy took a similar photo of themselves wearing the face masks. Three years later during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests over the killing of George Floyd and racial injustice, the photos were shared and went viral.

Saint Francis told the boys they either had to withdraw from school or face expulsion. The boys weren't offered a hearing and the school didn't consider any evidence, according to the lawsuit.

The students and their parents originally sought $20 million in damages.

We want to sincerely thank the jury and the court system for helping our boys and our families find justice, which now paves the way for their names to be cleared for things they never did," said A.H.'s family in a statement.

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.
Two men arrested in Tazewell County due to violation of probation

BLUEFIELD, VA (WVNS)  Two men were arrested after search warrants were executed in the Bluefield area of Tazewell County.

According to the Bluefield, Virginia Police Department, at around 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, officers with the police department helped Tazewell County deputies find Scott Johnson, who was wanted out of Tazewell County.

One man dead after officer involved shooting in Greenbrier County

Members of law enforcement went to a house on Hillcrest Street in Bluefield, Virginia, where Johnson was believed to be located. Johnson was seen inside, and he refused law enforcements commands to leave the house.

Law enforcement agencies then obtained a search warrant and entered the house. Johnson and Donnie Phillips, also wanted, were both arrested by members of law enforcement.

Johnson was wanted out of Tazewell County for violation of probation, and Phillips, also wanted due to violation of probation, was wanted out of Smyth County.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Two Springfield high school students were among the second round of winners in the National Merit Scholarship Program, according to a news release Wednesday.

Elana Noor Hadi, a senior at Central High School, and Sahara Smith, a senior at Springfield Catholic High School, will each receive $2,500.

Hadi's field of study was listed as finance while Smith, who lives in Rogersville, plans to study computer science.

They were chosen from among 15,000 finalists in the program. The $2,500 scholarship winners are judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in college, according to the release.

The number of winners in each state is proportional to the state's percentage of graduating seniors in the nation. In Missouri, there are more than 40 winners and the overwhelming majority are from the St. Louis area. The only other winner in southwest Missouri was from Joplin.

More: This Springfield senior met President Biden, watched State of the Union from White House

The first round of scholarships were announced in April. The final rounds will be in June and July. By the end, more than 6,800 seniors will have been awarded $26 million.

This year's program started in October 2022, when high school juniors took the PSAT/NMSQT, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The highest scoring participants were named semifinalists last fall.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Two SGF seniors awarded funds in National Merit Scholarship Program
Yuliia Balan, left, and Yana Verbova pose for photos on the campus of Stetson University, where they will graduate with bachelor's degrees on Saturday. Both are from Ukraine and were provided scholarships from the school following Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago.

DELAND  After Russia waged a bombing campaign and invasion of her country two years ago, Yana Verbova thought the idea of earning a bachelor's degree from a U.S. university  let alone an Ivy League master's degree  seemed out of reach.

Yet here she is, about to walk across a stage and be handed a Stetson University diploma while also possessing an acceptance letter to enroll at Brown University for the fall term. Verbova and Yuliia Balan are the first two students to earn degrees as part of the university's Ukraine Initiative and will join some 860 other students to graduate from Stetson at its 138th commencement ceremonies this weekend.

In Chernivtsi, her home city in western Ukraine, Verbova took a friend's suggestion to apply for what she considered an unlikely scholarship at Stetson. The DeLand university has a Program in Russian, Eastern European and Eurasian Studies plus faculty and administrators who rallied in 2022 to raise money to offer full rides to four students from Ukraine, which had been invaded by Russia in a war that continues and has left untold thousands dead and disrupted millions of lives.

Yana Verbova of Ukraine will graduate from Stetson University with a bachelor's degree in health studies on Saturday. She has been accepted to graduate school at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

I decided if I had the opportunity I should grab it in a heartbeat, so I just went for it. ... I can say that it was best decision ever," Verbova said. "These two years at Stetson definitely were a blessing to me.

Stetson officials say the Ukrainian students have helped the campus gain a better understanding of the war and that part of the world.

One of three values Stetson identifies as part of its mission statement is to develop global citizens.

Stetson typically has five or so students from the Russian studies program learning the language and culture of the region through study-abroad programs, said Martin Blackwell, a visiting professor of history who has spent almost a decade living in Russia, Ukraine and neighboring nations.

Americans these days, nobodys going to Russia. Nobodys going to Ukraine, really. And so in order to learn about Ukraine and the conflict or why Ukraine is a really, really important place, the way to do that is to have students from Ukraine study here at Stetson, Blackwell said.

The university does have students in the region, including Georgia, Latvia and Kyrgyzstan, Blackwell said.

At the same time, having the Ukrainian students on campus in DeLand, he said, was sort of a "reverse study abroad."

Stetson seemed unlikely, but 'luckily, it worked out'

Balan  whos from Ternopil in the west of Ukraine  was a student at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv when the war started, but was not in Ukraine. Instead, she was at a study abroad program in London.

I wasnt sure if I ever was coming back to Ukraine to see my parents because of the situation they had, she said.

Yuliia Balan, a Ukrainian and graduating senior at Stetson University in DeLand, has plans to pursue a master's degree through Central European University in Vienna and the Bard College campus in New York City.

So she started looking for opportunities to continue studying outside of Ukraine, with the United States her dream location.

One of my friends saw the announcement that Stetson was the only institution that offered (undergraduate) Ukrainian students scholarships who were being affected by the war in the entire state, which was really cool. Balan said. I was not expecting I would have a place here. Luckily, it worked out.

She has earned bachelors degrees in political science and government from Stetson, while also continuing her goal of earning a degree in international information at her original school, Ivan Franko, where she will take final exams next month.

Along the way, she plans to reunite with her parents for the first time in nine months, before resuming graduate school at an international relations program jointly administered by the Central European University in Vienna and Bard College at its New York City campus. She will study in both locations in the next academic year.

While at one point she expressed a desire to work with the international community as a Ukrainian diplomat, now she is leaning toward pursuing a PhD. and becoming a university professor.

These two years that I spent here, I realize that Stetson is my second home, Balan said. And I do appreciate all the support and help I got from the faculty members, from professors, from the organizers of the Ukrainian Initiative, because the work they put in this, its tremendous.

Getting over homesickness: 'I just believed in myself'

Verbova is a native of Chernivtsi, a western Ukraine city about the size of St. Petersburg  the one in Florida, not Russia. She was in her second year of studying dentistry at Bukavinian State University when Russia invaded.

When she first arrived at Stetson in August 2022, she "fell in love" with the campus.

Yet within days, she began to wonder if she had made a mistake crossing Europe and the Atlantic.

"My first week was quite challenging because I had never been so far from my home. I have never lived away from my parents and my relatives back in Ukraine," she said. "I was feeling extremely homesick but I just stopped. I just believed in myself."

She and Balan both recalled that initial wavering.

During an interview this week, Balan asked Verbova: Do you remember the talk we had one night, me and you in the living room? ... We just talked it through and I think it helped you to realize there is help. There is support.

Verbova agreed. She said it also helped to live with the three other Ukrainian students in one apartment, where they shared a common language and culture.

Yana Verbova, left, and Yuliia Balan discuss their time at Stetson University inside the university's Program for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies building. Both are from Ukraine and graduate on Saturday.

"I found my people. I found my true friends because I found the people who were from my country so we shared the same mentality," she said. "We shared the same interests.

Verbova also said it was useful to be part of a community of international students from Spain, France, Germany and Taiwan, among other places.

"It was extremely engaging for me to communicate with them, to know their experiences," she said.

I really grew personally through these two years," Verbova said. "I became more independent and more confident because I was living away from my parents.

Verbova is going home to Ukraine for the summer before returning to the United States in the fall to take up a public health master's program at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She envisions a career involving health care and business.

The four original Ukrainian scholars who were chosen to study at Stetson University on full scholarships following the 2022 Russian invasion, from left, are Yana Verbova, Yuliia Balan, Genevia Gayden and Veronika Shchur. Verbova and Balan are graduating Saturday, while Gayden is planning to continue her studies at Stetson for two more years. Shchur tranferred to the University of Texas at Austin to be closer to relatives.

Future of the Ukraine Initiative

While Verbova and Balan are graduating, one of the other two initial Ukrainian students, Genevia Gayden, will stay on for two more years. The fourth, Veronika Shchur, transferred after the first year to the University of Texas at Austin to be closer to family.

The Ukraine Initiative also included funding for a visiting teacher-scholar, Olena Kolupayeva, who taught communications and media studies courses.

Blackwell considers the initiative a success that he and others are working to continue.

Martin Blackwell, visiting professor of history at Stetson University, says the Ukraine Initiative has been a success and the DeLand school is raising funds to continue offering opportunities for Ukrainians to study at Stetson.

"What wed like to do is have more Ukrainians study here in the same way," he said. "It was based off of the generosity of the alumni, the generosity of the Central Florida community, across from DeLand, Orlando, Daytona Beach ... that we were able to raise the money to pay for this, and continue to pay for this."

Blackwell said being part of the Ukraine Initiative at Stetson has been "the best work I've done" for the last two years.

The exposure students get, not only to the Ukrainian students but some of the other international students who comprise about 8% of the DeLand campus enrollment, is a critical part of the Stetson experience, Blackwell said.

People who go to Stetson, who graduate from Stetson are really going to be leaders wherever they are  in America, across the world  and so the relationships that we develop here, that the students develop amongst themselves," he said, "are huge for helping the world be a more peaceful and prosperous place.".

Both Verbova and Balan will graduate Saturday morning at one of two ceremonies planned for the DeLand campus. The other is Friday evening.

Ukraine Initiative: Stetson University will host 4 displaced Ukrainian students, 1 faculty member next year

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Stetson University's Ukraine Initiative sends 2 to weekend graduation
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  In an effort to support Oklahomans recently impacted by storms across the state, Tyson Foods donated about 40,000 pounds of food to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.

The 40,000 pound donation is said to be equal to 160,000 total serving-size portions.

Tyson Foods delivers 40,000-pound donation to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

Tyson Foods delivers 40,000-pound donation to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

Team members from Tysons Enid facility volunteered to help with unloading the donations and supporting the food bank.

For information on how you can donate or receive help from the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, visit regionalfoodbank.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled $578 million for Western Hemisphere partners to improve conditions that cause irregular migration. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced an additional $578 million in humanitarian, development and economic assistance for countries in the Western Hemisphere as part of the Biden administration's efforts to tackle irregular migration.

The United States' top diplomat unveiled the funds Tuesday in Guatemala where he led a delegation to a ministerial meeting of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, a multi-country agreement aimed at combating migration and forced displacement.

Until recently, the Biden administration has confronted criticism over its handling of the southern border during its tenure in the White House. The Los Angeles Declaration was made two years ago by nearly two dozen countries vowing to promote coordinated action targeting the root cases of migration, supporting integration of migrants to stabilize the situation, expanding lawful pathways of migration and strengthening humane enforcement.

"The L.A. Declaration recognized that irregular migration affects each of our countries ... and that each of us has a responsibility to help address it -- and to do it together," Blinken said Tuesday at Guatemala City's National Palace of Culture.

"Since then, together, we have partnered to transform our hemisphere's approach to this truly historic challenge."

In 2022, nearly two dozen nations signed the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. And over the past two years, we've partnered together to transform our hemisphere's approach to the shared challenge of irregular migration. pic.twitter.com/cqenFcPmrV Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 7, 2024

According to the State Department, there are more than 22 million people are displaced across the region, including 7.7 million Venezuelans.

Of the funds announced Tuesday, nearly $459 million has been earmarked for additional humanitarian assistance for refugees, vulnerable migrants and displaced persona across the hemisphere.

The State Department said the assistance is to be provided through international organization partners to support the most vulnerable refugees and migrants. It will help host communities with emergency shelter, food assistance, water, sanitation, hygiene supplies and healthcare and education, as well as support for livelihoods and assisted voluntary returns, among other needs.

It will also aid governments build and strengthen their asylum systems while expanding and increasing access to lawful pathways as alternatives to irregular migration and provide support and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons and vulnerable migrants.

"President [Joe] Biden is committed to further building our partnership under the Los Angeles Declaration. This includes stepping up our shared ownership of the declaration -- including by putting in place a formal coordinating body with a secretariat," Blinken said. "This support will help sustain our efforts to put the declaration's principles into action."

Blinken said Tuesday that at "the core" of their efforts is the message that those seeking to migrant should take lawful pathways instead of perilous journeys north, and that the United States will continue to find solutions to challenges all nations face from irregular migration and displacement.
U.S. citizens among 22 repatriated from northeast Syria

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday announced 11 U.S. citizens are among 22 people being repatriated from refugee camps in northeastern Syria. Photo by Al Drago/UPI

May 7 (UPI) -- Eleven U.S. citizens, including five minors, were among 22 people repatriated from northeast Syria, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday.

Others repatriated include six from Canada, four from the Netherlands and one from Finland, The Hill reported.

Blinken said eight children in total were among the 22 repatriated Tuesday.

"In conducting this complex repatriation and resettlement the department coordinated closely with our inter-agency partners," Blinken said in a statement.

Blinken said the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and the departments of Defense, Justice, and Health and Human Services assisted in the repatriation efforts.

Blinken said it was the largest single repatriation involving U.S. citizens from northeast Syria.

He said about 30,000 people from more than 60 nations remain in refugee camps in al-Hol and Roj in Syria, and most of those are children.

"As governments undertake repatriation of their nationals, we urge thoughtfulness and flexibility to ensure that to the maximum extent possible family units remain intact," Blinken said.

"The only durable solution to the humanitarian and security crisis in the displaced persons camps and detention facilities in northeast Syria is for countries to repatriate, rehabilitate, reintegrate and, where appropriate, ensure accountability for wrongdoing," he added.

Blinken said the government of Kuwait and Syrian Democratic Forces assisted in the successful repatriation effort announced Tuesday.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and other Republicans at a press conference introducing legislation on noncitizen voting at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and other Republicans at a press conference introducing legislation on noncitizen voting at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday unveiled a bill that would require states to verify proof of citizenship to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections, something already barred under the law.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who played a key role through legal challenges in defending the former presidents efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, said at a press conference that voting by noncitizens is a clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system.

Outside the U.S. Capitol, Johnson was joined by former Trump aides Stephen Miller and Ken Cuccinelli, Tea Party Patriots co-founder Jenny Beth Martin and Cleta Mitchell, a key figure who tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election and is now running a grassroots organization to aggressively monitor elections in November.

The bill would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, according to bill text provided by the office of the sponsor, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Under any method of voter registration in a State, the State shall not accept and process an application to register to vote in an election for Federal office unless the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship with the application, according to the bill text.

It would also allow states to check citizenship through federal databases with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. The bill bars DHS from charging a fee to the state for complying with a request to verify citizenship.

Proof of citizenship would also be required for mail-in voting and registration agencies would also have to verify proof of citizenship while registering someone to vote.

The bill would also allow states to remove noncitizen voters from voter rolls.

Johnson meeting with Trump

The press conference came after Johnson met with former president Donald J. Trump last month, and Johnson announced plans to take up legislation related to noncitizens voting in federal elections.

The April event doubled as support from the former president, as Johnson was facing increasing pressure from hard-right members threatening to oust him from his role.

The threat to oust Johnson as speaker is ongoing from Georgias Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Johnson on Wednesday did not give details on when he would schedule the bill for a vote on the House floor.

Utahs GOP Sen. Mike Lee will introduce the companion bill in the Senate.

When federal law has been interpreted as precluding, in many ways, the voter registration officials in the various states from even inquiring into someones citizenship when addressing voter roll issues, we have a problem, Lee said.

With Democrats controlling a slim majority in the Senate, the measure is unlikely to be brought up for a floor vote.

Researchers and studies have disproved that noncitizens vote in federal elections. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, conducted an analysis of election conduct from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

A few cities and towns allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, a move that has spurred a GOP backlash and sparked a conservative national rallying cry about noncitizens voting.

Since 2020, five states  Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, and Louisiana  have amended their constitutions to make it clear that only citizens can vote in elections at any level.

Trump has made his reelection campaign center on immigration, and the former president and Republicans are pushing the false narrative of noncitizens often voting in federal elections.

The executive director of a policy think tank, Sam Oliker-Friedland of the Institute for Responsive Government Action, said in a statement that the bill does not improve election security.

Its nothing more than a messaging bill designed to stoke fear and undermine confidence in our democracy, Oliker-Friedland said. There is no evidence to support the claim that there are waves of non-citizens voting.

The top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, Joseph Morelle of New York, slammed the bill for trying to solve a non-existent problem.

Non-citizen voting in federal elections is already a federal crime, Morelle said in a statement. States already have several systems in place to deter non-citizen voting and people who violate the law face prison time and deportation.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post U.S. House GOP targets noncitizen voting, even though its rare appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
A ceremony of signing documents has been held with participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev signed the Joint Declaration on strengthening strategic partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.

Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmin Mammadov and member of the Board of Bulgaria Air JSC Hristo Todorov signed the Code Share Agreement between Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC and Bulgaria Air JSC.

Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmin Mammadov and Caretaker Minister of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria Vladimir Malinov signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Innovation and Growth of the Republic of Bulgaria on cooperation in the field of technological innovation.

Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Asarel-Medet JSC Dimitar Tsotsorkov signed the Memorandum of Understanding between State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic and Asarel Investment EAD.
CAIRO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Egypt is hosting delegations from Hamas, Israel, Qatar and the United States in Cairo on Tuesday with the aim of reaching a "comprehensive truce" in the Gaza Strip, state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV channel reported.

The Israeli delegation, which arrived in Cairo on Tuesday afternoon, included members of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and Shin Bet security agency, an Egyptian source who asked to remain anonymous told Xinhua.

In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the delegation to "continue to stand firm on the conditions necessary for the release of our hostages, continue to stand firm on the essential requirements to ensure Israel's security."

However, he noted that the ceasefire proposal, brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators and approved by Hamas on Monday, fell short of Israel's essential requirements.

Egypt is "making every effort to reach a comprehensive truce," the Al-Qahera News quoted an unnamed high-ranking source as saying. The source added that Egypt was engaged in communication with various parties in order to contain the crisis.

The Israeli army on Tuesday launched a military operation in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, where more than 1 million internally displaced Palestinians have sought refuge since Israel's offensive began on Oct. 7 last year.

At least 20 people have been killed in Israel's attacks on Rafah since Tuesday morning, Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on both Israel and Hamas to end the ongoing conflict.

"We are at a decisive moment for the Palestinian and Israeli people and for the fate of the entire region," said the UN chief.

"An agreement between the government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas is essential to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and of the hostages and their families," Guterres added.

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 and more humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. 
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and other Republicans at a press conference introducing legislation on noncitizen voting at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday (Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday unveiled a bill that would require states to verify proof of citizenship to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections, something already barred under the law.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who played a key role through legal challenges in defending the former presidents efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, said at a press conference that voting by noncitizens is a clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system.

Outside the U.S. Capitol, Johnson was joined by former Trump aides Stephen Miller and Ken Cuccinelli, Tea Party Patriots co-founder Jenny Beth Martin and Cleta Mitchell, a key figure who tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election and is now running a grassroots organization to aggressively monitor elections in November.

The bill would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, according to bill text provided by the office of the sponsor, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Under any method of voter registration in a State, the State shall not accept and process an application to register to vote in an election for Federal office unless the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship with the application, according to the bill text.

It would also allow states to check citizenship through federal databases with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. The bill bars DHS from charging a fee to the state for complying with a request to verify citizenship.

Proof of citizenship would also be required for mail-in voting and registration agencies would also have to verify proof of citizenship while registering someone to vote.

The bill would also allow states to remove noncitizen voters from voter rolls.

Johnson meeting with Trump

The press conference came after Johnson met with former president Donald J. Trump last month, and Johnson announced plans to take up legislation related to noncitizens voting in federal elections.

The April event doubled as support from the former president, as Johnson was facing increasing pressure from hard-right members threatening to oust him from his role.

The threat to oust Johnson as speaker is ongoing from Georgias Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Johnson on Wednesday did not give details on when he would schedule the bill for a vote on the House floor.

Utahs GOP Sen. Mike Lee will introduce the companion bill in the Senate.

When federal law has been interpreted as precluding, in many ways, the voter registration officials in the various states from even inquiring into someones citizenship when addressing voter roll issues, we have a problem, Lee said.

With Democrats controlling a slim majority in the Senate, the measure is unlikely to be brought up for a floor vote.

Researchers and studies have disproved that noncitizens vote in federal elections. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, conducted an analysis of election conduct from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

A few cities and towns allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, a move that has spurred a GOP backlash and sparked a conservative national rallying cry about noncitizens voting.

Since 2020, five states  Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, and Louisiana  have amended their constitutions to make it clear that only citizens can vote in elections at any level.

Trump has made his reelection campaign center on immigration, and the former president and Republicans are pushing the false narrative of noncitizens often voting in federal elections.

The executive director of a policy think tank, Sam Oliker-Friedland of the Institute for Responsive Government Action, said in a statement that the bill does not improve election security.

Its nothing more than a messaging bill designed to stoke fear and undermine confidence in our democracy, Oliker-Friedland said. There is no evidence to support the claim that there are waves of non-citizens voting.

The top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, Joseph Morelle of New York, slammed the bill for trying to solve a non-existent problem.

Non-citizen voting in federal elections is already a federal crime, Morelle said in a statement. States already have several systems in place to deter non-citizen voting and people who violate the law face prison time and deportation.

The post U.S. House GOP targets noncitizen voting, even though its rare appeared first on Missouri Independent.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and other Republicans at a press conference introducing legislation on noncitizen voting at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday unveiled a bill that would require states to verify proof of citizenship to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections, something already barred under the law.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who played a key role through legal challenges in defending the former presidents efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, said at a press conference that voting by noncitizens is a clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system.

Outside the U.S. Capitol, Johnson was joined by former Trump aides Stephen Miller and Ken Cuccinelli, Tea Party Patriots co-founder Jenny Beth Martin and Cleta Mitchell, a key figure who tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election and is now running a grassroots organization to aggressively monitor elections in November.

The bill would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, according to bill text provided by the office of the sponsor, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Under any method of voter registration in a State, the State shall not accept and process an application to register to vote in an election for Federal office unless the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship with the application, according to the bill text.

It would also allow states to check citizenship through federal databases with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. The bill bars DHS from charging a fee to the state for complying with a request to verify citizenship.

Proof of citizenship would also be required for mail-in voting and registration agencies would also have to verify proof of citizenship while registering someone to vote.

The bill would also allow states to remove noncitizen voters from voter rolls.

Johnson meeting with Trump

The press conference came after Johnson met with former president Donald J. Trump last month, and Johnson announced plans to take up legislation related to noncitizens voting in federal elections.

The April event doubled as support from the former president, as Johnson was facing increasing pressure from hard-right members threatening to oust him from his role.

The threat to oust Johnson as speaker is ongoing from Georgias Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Johnson on Wednesday did not give details on when he would schedule the bill for a vote on the House floor.

Utahs GOP Sen. Mike Lee will introduce the companion bill in the Senate.

When federal law has been interpreted as precluding, in many ways, the voter registration officials in the various states from even inquiring into someones citizenship when addressing voter roll issues, we have a problem, Lee said.

With Democrats controlling a slim majority in the Senate, the measure is unlikely to be brought up for a floor vote.

Researchers and studies have disproved that noncitizens vote in federal elections. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, conducted an analysis of election conduct from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

A few cities and towns allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, a move that has spurred a GOP backlash and sparked a conservative national rallying cry about noncitizens voting.

Since 2020, five states  Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, and Louisiana  have amended their constitutions to make it clear that only citizens can vote in elections at any level.

Trump has made his reelection campaign center on immigration, and the former president and Republicans are pushing the false narrative of noncitizens often voting in federal elections.

The executive director of a policy think tank, Sam Oliker-Friedland of the Institute for Responsive Government Action, said in a statement that the bill does not improve election security.

Its nothing more than a messaging bill designed to stoke fear and undermine confidence in our democracy, Oliker-Friedland said. There is no evidence to support the claim that there are waves of non-citizens voting.

The top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, Joseph Morelle of New York, slammed the bill for trying to solve a non-existent problem.

Non-citizen voting in federal elections is already a federal crime, Morelle said in a statement. States already have several systems in place to deter non-citizen voting and people who violate the law face prison time and deportation.

The post U.S. House GOP targets noncitizen voting, even though its rare appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and other Republicans at a press conference introducing legislation on noncitizen voting at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday unveiled a bill that would require states to verify proof of citizenship to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections, something already barred under the law.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who played a key role through legal challenges in defending the former presidents efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, said at a press conference that voting by noncitizens is a clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system.

Outside the U.S. Capitol, Johnson was joined by former Trump aides Stephen Miller and Ken Cuccinelli, Tea Party Patriots co-founder Jenny Beth Martin and Cleta Mitchell, a key figure who tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election and is now running a grassroots organization to aggressively monitor elections in November.

The bill would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, according to bill text provided by the office of the sponsor, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Under any method of voter registration in a State, the State shall not accept and process an application to register to vote in an election for Federal office unless the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship with the application, according to the bill text.

It would also allow states to check citizenship through federal databases with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. The bill bars DHS from charging a fee to the state for complying with a request to verify citizenship.

Proof of citizenship would also be required for mail-in voting and registration agencies would also have to verify proof of citizenship while registering someone to vote.

The bill would also allow states to remove noncitizen voters from voter rolls.

Johnson meeting with Trump

The press conference came after Johnson met with former president Donald J. Trump last month, and Johnson announced plans to take up legislation related to noncitizens voting in federal elections.

The April event doubled as support from the former president, as Johnson was facing increasing pressure from hard-right members threatening to oust him from his role.

The threat to oust Johnson as speaker is ongoing from Georgias Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Johnson on Wednesday did not give details on when he would schedule the bill for a vote on the House floor.

Utahs GOP Sen. Mike Lee will introduce the companion bill in the Senate.

When federal law has been interpreted as precluding, in many ways, the voter registration officials in the various states from even inquiring into someones citizenship when addressing voter roll issues, we have a problem, Lee said.

With Democrats controlling a slim majority in the Senate, the measure is unlikely to be brought up for a floor vote.

Researchers and studies have disproved that noncitizens vote in federal elections. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, conducted an analysis of election conduct from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

A few cities and towns allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, a move that has spurred a GOP backlash and sparked a conservative national rallying cry about noncitizens voting.

Since 2020, five states  Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, and Louisiana  have amended their constitutions to make it clear that only citizens can vote in elections at any level.

Trump has made his reelection campaign center on immigration, and the former president and Republicans are pushing the false narrative of noncitizens often voting in federal elections.

The executive director of a policy think tank, Sam Oliker-Friedland of the Institute for Responsive Government Action, said in a statement that the bill does not improve election security.

Its nothing more than a messaging bill designed to stoke fear and undermine confidence in our democracy, Oliker-Friedland said. There is no evidence to support the claim that there are waves of non-citizens voting.

The top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, Joseph Morelle of New York, slammed the bill for trying to solve a non-existent problem.

Non-citizen voting in federal elections is already a federal crime, Morelle said in a statement. States already have several systems in place to deter non-citizen voting and people who violate the law face prison time and deportation.

The post U.S. House GOP targets noncitizen voting, even though its rare appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and other Republicans at a press conference introducing legislation on noncitizen voting at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Ariana Figueroa | States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday unveiled a bill that would require states to verify proof of citizenship to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections, something already barred under the law.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who played a key role through legal challenges in defending the former presidents efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, said at a press conference that voting by noncitizens is a clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system.

Outside the U.S. Capitol, Johnson was joined by former Trump aides Stephen Miller and Ken Cuccinelli, Tea Party Patriots co-founder Jenny Beth Martin and Cleta Mitchell, a key figure who tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election and is now running a grassroots organization to aggressively monitor elections in November.

The bill would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, according to bill text provided by the office of the sponsor, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Under any method of voter registration in a State, the State shall not accept and process an application to register to vote in an election for Federal office unless the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship with the application, according to the bill text.

It would also allow states to check citizenship through federal databases with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. The bill bars DHS from charging a fee to the state for complying with a request to verify citizenship.

Proof of citizenship would also be required for mail-in voting and registration agencies would also have to verify proof of citizenship while registering someone to vote.

The bill would also allow states to remove noncitizen voters from voter rolls.

Johnson meeting with Trump

The press conference came after Johnson met with former president Donald J. Trump last month, and Johnson announced plans to take up legislation related to noncitizens voting in federal elections.

The April event doubled as support from the former president, as Johnson was facing increasing pressure from hard-right members threatening to oust him from his role.

The threat to oust Johnson as speaker is ongoing from Georgias Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Johnson on Wednesday did not give details on when he would schedule the bill for a vote on the House floor.

Utahs GOP Sen. Mike Lee will introduce the companion bill in the Senate.

When federal law has been interpreted as precluding, in many ways, the voter registration officials in the various states from even inquiring into someones citizenship when addressing voter roll issues, we have a problem, Lee said.

With Democrats controlling a slim majority in the Senate, the measure is unlikely to be brought up for a floor vote.

Researchers and studies have disproved that noncitizens vote in federal elections. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, conducted an analysis of election conduct from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

A few cities and towns allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, a move that has spurred a GOP backlash and sparked a conservative national rallying cry about noncitizens voting.

Since 2020, five states  Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, and Louisiana  have amended their constitutions to make it clear that only citizens can vote in elections at any level.

Trump has made his reelection campaign center on immigration, and the former president and Republicans are pushing the false narrative of noncitizens often voting in federal elections.

The executive director of a policy think tank, Sam Oliker-Friedland of the Institute for Responsive Government Action, said in a statement that the bill does not improve election security.

Its nothing more than a messaging bill designed to stoke fear and undermine confidence in our democracy, Oliker-Friedland said. There is no evidence to support the claim that there are waves of non-citizens voting.

The top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, Joseph Morelle of New York, slammed the bill for trying to solve a non-existent problem.

Non-citizen voting in federal elections is already a federal crime, Morelle said in a statement. States already have several systems in place to deter non-citizen voting and people who violate the law face prison time and deportation.

The post U.S. House GOP targets noncitizen voting, even though its rare appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and other Republicans at a press conference introducing legislation on noncitizen voting at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday unveiled a bill that would require states to verify proof of citizenship to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections, something already barred under the law.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who played a key role through legal challenges in defending the former presidents efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, said at a press conference that voting by noncitizens is a clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system.

Outside the U.S. Capitol, Johnson was joined by former Trump aides Stephen Miller and Ken Cuccinelli, Tea Party Patriots co-founder Jenny Beth Martin and Cleta Mitchell, a key figure who tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election and is now running a grassroots organization to aggressively monitor elections in November.

The bill would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, according to bill text provided by the office of the sponsor, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Under any method of voter registration in a State, the State shall not accept and process an application to register to vote in an election for Federal office unless the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship with the application, according to the bill text.

It would also allow states to check citizenship through federal databases with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. The bill bars DHS from charging a fee to the state for complying with a request to verify citizenship.

Proof of citizenship would also be required for mail-in voting and registration agencies would also have to verify proof of citizenship while registering someone to vote.

The bill would also allow states to remove noncitizen voters from voter rolls.

Johnson meeting with Trump

The press conference came after Johnson met with former president Donald J. Trump last month, and Johnson announced plans to take up legislation related to noncitizens voting in federal elections.

The April event doubled as support from the former president, as Johnson was facing increasing pressure from hard-right members threatening to oust him from his role.

The threat to oust Johnson as speaker is ongoing from Georgias Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Johnson on Wednesday did not give details on when he would schedule the bill for a vote on the House floor.

Utahs GOP Sen. Mike Lee will introduce the companion bill in the Senate.

When federal law has been interpreted as precluding, in many ways, the voter registration officials in the various states from even inquiring into someones citizenship when addressing voter roll issues, we have a problem, Lee said.

With Democrats controlling a slim majority in the Senate, the measure is unlikely to be brought up for a floor vote.

Researchers and studies have disproved that noncitizens vote in federal elections. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, conducted an analysis of election conduct from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

A few cities and towns allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, a move that has spurred a GOP backlash and sparked a conservative national rallying cry about noncitizens voting.

Since 2020, five states  Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, and Louisiana  have amended their constitutions to make it clear that only citizens can vote in elections at any level.

Trump has made his reelection campaign center on immigration, and the former president and Republicans are pushing the false narrative of noncitizens often voting in federal elections.

The executive director of a policy think tank, Sam Oliker-Friedland of the Institute for Responsive Government Action, said in a statement that the bill does not improve election security.

Its nothing more than a messaging bill designed to stoke fear and undermine confidence in our democracy, Oliker-Friedland said. There is no evidence to support the claim that there are waves of non-citizens voting.

The top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, Joseph Morelle of New York, slammed the bill for trying to solve a non-existent problem.

Non-citizen voting in federal elections is already a federal crime, Morelle said in a statement. States already have several systems in place to deter non-citizen voting and people who violate the law face prison time and deportation.

The post U.S. House GOP targets noncitizen voting, even though its rare appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and other Republicans at a press conference introducing legislation on noncitizen voting at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday unveiled a bill that would require states to verify proof of citizenship to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections, something already barred under the law.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who played a key role through legal challenges in defending the former presidents efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, said at a press conference that voting by noncitizens is a clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system.

Outside the U.S. Capitol, Johnson was joined by former Trump aides Stephen Miller and Ken Cuccinelli, Tea Party Patriots co-founder Jenny Beth Martin and Cleta Mitchell, a key figure who tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election and is now running a grassroots organization to aggressively monitor elections in November.

The bill would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, according to bill text provided by the office of the sponsor, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Under any method of voter registration in a State, the State shall not accept and process an application to register to vote in an election for Federal office unless the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship with the application, according to the bill text.

It would also allow states to check citizenship through federal databases with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. The bill bars DHS from charging a fee to the state for complying with a request to verify citizenship.

Proof of citizenship would also be required for mail-in voting and registration agencies would also have to verify proof of citizenship while registering someone to vote.

The bill would also allow states to remove noncitizen voters from voter rolls.

Johnson meeting with Trump

The press conference came after Johnson met with former president Donald J. Trump last month, and Johnson announced plans to take up legislation related to noncitizens voting in federal elections.

The April event doubled as support from the former president, as Johnson was facing increasing pressure from hard-right members threatening to oust him from his role.

The threat to oust Johnson as speaker is ongoing from Georgias Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Johnson on Wednesday did not give details on when he would schedule the bill for a vote on the House floor.

Utahs GOP Sen. Mike Lee will introduce the companion bill in the Senate.

When federal law has been interpreted as precluding, in many ways, the voter registration officials in the various states from even inquiring into someones citizenship when addressing voter roll issues, we have a problem, Lee said.

With Democrats controlling a slim majority in the Senate, the measure is unlikely to be brought up for a floor vote.

Researchers and studies have disproved that noncitizens vote in federal elections. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, conducted an analysis of election conduct from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

A few cities and towns allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, a move that has spurred a GOP backlash and sparked a conservative national rallying cry about noncitizens voting.

Since 2020, five states  Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, and Louisiana  have amended their constitutions to make it clear that only citizens can vote in elections at any level.

Trump has made his reelection campaign center on immigration, and the former president and Republicans are pushing the false narrative of noncitizens often voting in federal elections.

The executive director of a policy think tank, Sam Oliker-Friedland of the Institute for Responsive Government Action, said in a statement that the bill does not improve election security.

Its nothing more than a messaging bill designed to stoke fear and undermine confidence in our democracy, Oliker-Friedland said. There is no evidence to support the claim that there are waves of non-citizens voting.

The top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, Joseph Morelle of New York, slammed the bill for trying to solve a non-existent problem.

Non-citizen voting in federal elections is already a federal crime, Morelle said in a statement. States already have several systems in place to deter non-citizen voting and people who violate the law face prison time and deportation.

The post U.S. House GOP targets noncitizen voting, even though its rare appeared first on Utah News Dispatch.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and other Republicans at a press conference introducing legislation on noncitizen voting at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a bill Wednesday that would require states to verify proof of citizenship to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections, something already barred under the law.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who played a key role through legal challenges in defending the former presidents efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, said at a press conference that voting by noncitizens is a clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system.

Outside the U.S. Capitol, Johnson was joined by former Trump aides Stephen Miller and Ken Cuccinelli, Tea Party Patriots co-founder Jenny Beth Martin and Cleta Mitchell, a key figure who tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election and is now running a grassroots organization to aggressively monitor elections in November.

The bill would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, according to bill text provided by the office of the sponsor, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Under any method of voter registration in a State, the State shall not accept and process an application to register to vote in an election for Federal office unless the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship with the application, according to the bill text.

It would also allow states to check citizenship through federal databases with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. The bill bars DHS from charging a fee to the state for complying with a request to verify citizenship.

Proof of citizenship would also be required for mail-in voting, and registration agencies would also have to verify proof of citizenship while registering someone to vote.

The bill would allow states to remove noncitizen voters from voter rolls.

Johnson meeting with Trump

The press conference came after Johnson met with former President Donald J. Trump last month, and Johnson announced plans to take up legislation related to noncitizens voting in federal elections.

The April event doubled as support from the former president, as Johnson was facing increasing pressure from hard-right members threatening to oust him from his role.

The threat to oust Johnson as speaker is ongoing from Georgias Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Johnson on Wednesday did not give details on when he would schedule the bill for a vote on the House floor.

Utahs GOP Sen. Mike Lee will introduce the companion bill in the Senate.

When federal law has been interpreted as precluding, in many ways, the voter registration officials in the various states from even inquiring into someones citizenship when addressing voter roll issues, we have a problem, Lee said.

With Democrats controlling a slim majority in the Senate, the measure is unlikely to be brought up for a floor vote.

Researchers and studies have shown that noncitizens rarely vote in federal elections. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, conducted an analysis of election conduct from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

A few cities and towns allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, a move that has spurred a GOP backlash and sparked a conservative national rallying cry about noncitizens voting.

Designed to stoke fear

Since 2020, five states  Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, and Louisiana  have amended their constitutions to make it clear that only citizens can vote in elections at any level.

Trump has made his reelection campaign center on immigration, and the former president and Republicans are pushing the false narrative of noncitizens often voting in federal elections.

The executive director of a policy think tank, Sam Oliker-Friedland of the Institute for Responsive Government Action, said in a statement that the bill does not improve election security.

Its nothing more than a messaging bill designed to stoke fear and undermine confidence in our democracy, Oliker-Friedland said. There is no evidence to support the claim that there are waves of non-citizens voting.

The top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, Joseph Morelle of New York, slammed the bill for trying to solve a non-existent problem.

Non-citizen voting in federal elections is already a federal crime, Morelle said in a statement. States already have several systems in place to deter non-citizen voting and people who violate the law face prison time and deportation.

The post U.S. House GOP targets noncitizen voting, even though its rare appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
(KRON)  On Tuesday, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu confirmed that U.S. News and World Report (USNWR) practiced troublesome methodologies behind its Best Hospitals rankings. The company also accepted payments to include a hospital on the list, U.S. District Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey said.

Convictions secured in murder case at center of Antioch PD racist text scandal

U.S. News Best Hospital rankings go over life-threatening or rare conditions who need a hospital that excels in treating complex, high-risk cases, evaluating thousands of hospitals across 15 specialties and 21 procedures.

In June 2023, Chiu wrote a letter to U.S. News claiming the methodology behind their Best Hospitals story raised several issues concerning the reliability of their rankings.

Among the complaints, the City Attorney believed U.S. News gave no weight to financial considerations when determining and publishing its rankings and may have violated a California Business and Professions Code.

Methodology

Chiu believes that having the best overall ranking for a hospital can prove problematic due to the large variety of services a hospital can provide and that many services are simply less common to perform than others.

USNWRs rankings award far more points in the childrens hospital rankings for treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) than sickle cell disease (SCD) when the former disease disproportionately affects White children, and the latter disproportionately affects African American children, Chiu said.

Chiu claims this can also start skewing the funding hospitals receive. These specialty hospitals could receive more monopolized funding due to their popularity, but doing so also takes away attention from community and safety-net hospitals at a time when 20% of California hospitals are at risk of closure, Chiu said.

Funding

Chiu also believes that U.S. News is violating FTC regulations because it does not disclose payments it receives from the hospitals it ranks in. He believes they have done so in three different ways:

Through fees to license Best Hospital badges. Through financially subscribing to a hospital to access its data. Through payments for page advertisements.

Although many hospitals refuse to state how much they pay to use a Best Hospital badge on their website or advertising because of a contractual agreement, Childrens Mercy Hospital in Kansas acknowledged that it paid $42,000 to use the logo for one year in 2014.

In 2013, the Washington Post reported that licensing the best of badges accounted for 15% of the companys total revenue.

USNWR, however, does not disclose with its rankingsor seemingly anywhere elsewhich hospitals in its rankings have paid for badges or hospital data.

Chiu believes this is especially problematic, as the companys website has a perplexing disclaimer that USNews.com does not recommend or endorseinformation found on USNews.com, USNWR said.

Response

As a result of its problematic methodologies, this has led law schools, medical schools, and colleges to withdraw from its rankings.

Several months after the release, Cornell Universitys Weill Cornell School of Medicine withdrew from the rankings as they felt it did not capture the breadth and depth of our educational offerings, Cornells interim dean said.

In response to the City Attorneys letter sent in June 2023, the company did not respond to the questions about its methods and refused to address the payments it receives from the hospitals it ranks.

As a result, City Attorney Chiu sent two subpoenas to U.S. News in January to obtain the necessary information to determine the scope of the companys potential violations of California consumer protection laws.

11 SAP Nortenos South Bay street gang members charged for racketeering

Roughly six months after Chius subpoenas, U.S. News filed a lawsuit against him, claiming he was violating the companys First Amendment rights.

The City Attorneys brief asked the Court to deny U.S. News preliminary injunction and dismiss the lawsuit entirely.

On Tuesday, prosecutors denied U.S News motion for a preliminary injunction and granted Chius motion to dismiss an anti-SLAPP motion (pictured below).

2024-05-07-Order-Granting-Dismissal-and-anti-SLAPP-and-Denying-PIDownload

Chiu said U.S. News claims were illegitimate. U.S. News is not above the law, Chiu added. Its disappointing that U.S. News chose to waste judicial resources on a red herring lawsuit to evade legitimate questions about its undisclosed financial links to the hospitals it ranks.

U.S. News is ordered to pay Chiu for fees and costs incurred in connection with the anti-SLAPP motion, prosecutors said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The White House recently paused shipments of bombs to Israel out of fear theyd be used in an invasion of Rafah, which the U.S. opposes.

So far, the White House isnt commenting on this report as Israeli troops move into Rafah.

According to our partners at NewsNation, the U.S. halted shipments of some offensive weapons to Israel last week amid growing fears of expanded military operations in Rafah.

I dont have a comment and I certainly wouldnt comment on specific cases or shipments. What I can reiterate is that our commitment to Israel security remains ironclad, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh

The shipment was set to include 1800 2000-pound bombs and 1700 500-pound bombs.

Military officials raised concerns about how weapons that large would be used in a dense urban setting like Rafah.

We have been very clear from here about our concerns about a major operation. We have been very clear from here about protecting civilians, said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

For weeks the White House urged Israel not to expand the fighting into Rafah, a tightly packed enclave in southern Gaza but this week, Israeli forces took control of the Rafah border crossing into Egypt.

We believe what they are saying that this was a limited operation, that it was to cut off the movement, the traffic of weapons into Gaza through the Rafah crossing, said Singh.

Fears remain this could be the first step of an operation that more deeply entrenches Israeli troops in Gaza potentially derailing ceasefire talks and hostage negotiations.

Were in touch with our Israeli counterparts. Were going to see how this unfolds, said Singh.

Israel has ordered the evacuation of about 100,000 people from Rafah and says it will continue targeted strikes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell is pictured in Pascagoula as he watches results come in during his winning race for the 4th Congressional District seat in 2022. Ezell served as Jackson County sheriff before his election to Congress.

A Palestenian-American member of an anti-war group called CODEPINK has filed an assault charge against U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell of Pascagoula, a spokeswoman for the group says.

The former Jackson County sheriff is being accused of assault by CODEPINK member Sumer Mobarak.

A video shows Ezell swiping at something as he hurries down a hallway Tuesday morning while the co-founder of California-based CODEPINK, Medea Benjamin, walks beside him asking questions about the war between Israel and Hamas. Mobarak was behind him, also asking questions and videotaping the exchange with her cell phone, CODEPINK media relations manager Melissa Garriga told the Sun Herald.

Ezell can be seen turning back and swiping at someone as he yells, Shut up, Knock it off. Get away from me.

Garriga said he hit Mobaraks hand as she held up her cell phone, knocking the phone from her hand.

Things happened so quickly, Garriga said. Garriga said Mobarak is doing OK, just kind of shocked.

Members of Congress say horrible things to us all the time, Garriga said Wednesday morning. Thats kind of expected, especially with something as highly politically charged right now as the situation between Israel and Gaza.

Ezell alleged assault shocking

CODEPINK has been a presence in the Capitol for 20 years, advocating for an end to war and conflict worldwide.

Never has anyone responded with a physical response, Garriga said. That was a little shocking.

In a statement Ezells office released, published by the Associated Press, Ezell said:

These China-backed protesters want to harass and intimidate members of Congress into ending our support for Israel and our opposition to Hamas terrorists. I will not be harassed or intimidated by the Chinese Communist Party, Hamas, or their supporters, and I will continue standing with our Israeli allies against terrorism.

Garriga said that Ezell is implying the Chinese government financially supports the nonprofit organization but it gets all its funding from individuals and grants. She said the group has worked the halls of Congress for 20 years to call for an end to violence worldwide.

However, a New York Times investigation in 2023 traced substantial Code Pink contributions in recent years to groups linked to an American millionaire who works closely with the Chinese government.

The U.S. Capitol Police told The Associated Press that the agency is looking into the assault allegations.

After the incident with Ezell, Mobarak told him, according to CODEPINK: You are disgusting and racist. How shameful that you even work in this administration, and that you put your hands on a person. Shame on you, shame on you. You are the violent one, not the people protesting peacefully.
Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, on invitation visits the National Museum of Serbia with Tamara Vucic, wife of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, in Belgrade, Serbia, May 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BELGRADE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, on invitation visited the National Museum of Serbia with Tamara Vucic, wife of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, in Belgrade on Wednesday morning.

The two first ladies toured the museum's painting exhibition together. The museum boasts a long history and abundant collections, Peng remarked, noting that the classic paintings exhibited there feature delicate brushstrokes and rich emotions.

Peng emphasized that museums serve not only as windows for preserving and displaying cultural relics but also as halls for promoting civilization. She also expressed hope for enhanced cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Serbia to build bridges for dialogue among civilizations.

The two first ladies also watched demonstrations of traditional Serbian women's hand weaving and warmly interacted with the artisans. Peng praised the exquisite and distinctive craftsmanship of Serbian hand weaving, considering it an important intangible cultural heritage that has been well preserved and promoted.

Highlighting the similarities between Chinese and Serbian embroidery cultures, she suggested mutual learning and encouragement for young people from both countries to actively engage in preserving traditional handicrafts from generation to generation. The two also enthusiastically participated in making Serbian wool felt balls.

Established in 1844, the National Museum of Serbia houses over 400,000 artifacts, making it the largest and oldest museum in Serbia. 
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

The University of Central Florida has hired a leader to build an aerospace medicine program.

Dr. Emmanuel Urquieta said in a LinkedIn post that he accepted a tenure-track associate professor role where he will serve as vice president of aerospace for the medical school at the Orlando-based university. Urquieta is currently chief medical officer at NASAs Translational Research Institute for Space Health in Houston, where he has worked with UCF on similar research. He will transition from his role in the next 90 days.

Urquieta also has served as an assistant professor of emergency and space medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He earned his medical degree and completed an emergency medical residency at the Universidad Anahuac in Mexico, and earned a masters in aerospace medicine from Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio.

Read: Orange County funeral home presented wrong body for viewing, family says

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The United Kingdom has announced an additional 23 million donation to Ukraine's Energy Support Fund. The contribution from the United Kingdom will soon be credited to the Fund's account.

Source: press service of Ukraines Ministry of Energy

Details: The funding will be used to buy equipment for repairing damaged energy infrastructure, improving physical security, and providing backup power supply, such as generators and distributed generation.

The new grant complements earlier UK donations totaling 50 million. The total amount of contributions to the Fund has exceeded 433 million.

Background: The Energy Support Fund of Ukraine was created in 2022 on the initiative of the Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko and European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson.

Support UP or become our patron!
The aftermath of a Russian missile attack on Kyiv on 21 March 2024. Photo: State Emergency Service

UK Defence Intelligence has reported that the Long-Range Aviation Command of the Russian Aerospace Forces has installed a second warhead on Kh-101/Kh-102 air-launched cruise missiles (AS-23a KODIAK in the Western classification). The Russian army has already adopted the new version of the missile.

Source: European Pravda, citing the latest update from the UK Ministry of Defence

Details: According to the UK Defence Ministry, the Long-Range Aviation Command of the Russian Aerospace Forces has sought to modify its systems and tactics throughout the war against Ukraine.

This is because too many missiles were being intercepted by Ukrainian air defence systems, and Russia seeks to expand its capabilities to achieve a greater effect.

In addition, Moscow wants to use up older missiles, as the Aerospace Forces exhausted their more modern systems in the early days of the full-scale war, the Defence Ministry said.

UK Defence Intelligence estimated that this latest missile modification probably halved the range of the Kh-101/Kh-102 missiles but, analysts say, Russia does not need the full range.

"The second warhead is designed for increased fragmentation at the target. It is likely that this will make the system more effective in striking non-hardened targets," the update says.

Background:

UK Defence Intelligence has previously analysed the role of pro-Russian Chechens, better known as Kadyrovites, on the battlefield.

In an earlier update, UK intelligence predicted that Russian casualties would increase in the next two months.

It has also reported that following Ukraines attack on the Kushchyovskaya airfield, Russia was forced to withdraw approximately 40 aircraft of various types from the area and disperse them to numerous airfields further from the front line.

Support UP or become our patron!
The United Kingdom is to expel the Russian defence attache, remove diplomatic status from several properties, and place restrictions on the validity of diplomatic visas for representatives of the Russian Federation.

Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda

Details: UK Home Secretary James Cleverly said these actions are the outcome of Russia's malign efforts in the UK and Europe.

"We will expel the Russian defence attache, who is an undeclared military intelligence officer," Cleverly asserted.

He also said several properties will lose their diplomatic status.

"We will remove diplomatic premises status from several Russian-linked properties in the UK... We are imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK," he added.

In March, the Austrian Foreign Ministry took the decision to declare two members of Russian Embassy staff personae non gratae for conduct incompatible with diplomatic status.

The ministry took this action in response to media claims that Russia may be using its diplomats for intelligence purposes.

Latvia has declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata for "discrediting the state institutions and authorities of the Latvian state and inciting enmity among Latvian society".

Support UP or become our patron!
The U.K. will expel a Russian defense attache, saying they are an "undeclared military intelligence officer," British Home Secretary James Cleverly said on May 8.

Speaking to parliament, Cleverly said the move was in response to an increase in malign activity from the Kremlin, both in the U.K. and across Europe.

"Today in conjunction with the Foreign Secretary (David Cameron), I am announcing a package of measures to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations," he said.

"I can tell the House that we will expel the Russian defense attache, who is an undeclared military intelligence officer."

Cleverly also announced the U.K. was removing diplomatic status from several Russian-owned properties, "including Seacox Heath house, a Russian-owned property in Sussex, and the trade and defense section in Highgate, which we believe have been used for intelligence purposes."

The U.K. will also impose new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the country.

"Our response will be resolute and firm," Cleverly said, adding: "Our message to Russia is clear: stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity."

Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter

News from Ukraine in your inbox

Subscribe

The Financial Times (FT) reported on May 6 that Russia is plotting violent acts of sabotage across Europe, with intelligence agencies warning countries on the continent to expect more covert bombings and arson attacks on infrastructure.

Several high-profile incidents in recent weeks have put a spotlight on cases of attempted sabotage by people accused of working on the Kremlin's behalf.

According to assessments from three different European countries shared with the FT, this and other evidence point to a more direct and concerted effort directed by Russia as it commits to a course of permanent conflict with Western countries.

"The obvious conclusion is that there has been a real stepping up of Russian activity," Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, told the FT.

Read also: FT: Russia plotting violent sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warn

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Labour leader Keir Starmer, left, speaks with former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke in his parliamentary office in the House of Commons, London, Wednesday May 8, 2024. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was accused Wednesday of leading a chaotic government as another one of his Conservative lawmakers defected to the main opposition Labour Party ahead of a looming general election. In a stunning move just ahead of weekly prime minister's questions, Elphicke crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the ranks of Starmer's Labour Party, which appears to be heading to return to power after 14 years in opposition. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP)  British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was accused Wednesday of leading a chaotic government as another one of his Conservative lawmakers defected to the main opposition Labour Party ahead of a looming general election.

In a stunning move just ahead of the weekly prime minister's questions, Natalie Elphicke crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the ranks of Keir Starmer's Labour Party, which appears headed for power after 14 years.

We need to move on from the broken promises of Rishi Sunaks tired and chaotic government," said Elphicke, who represents the constituency of Dover in southern England, which is at the front line of migrant crossings from France. Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division.

Elphicke is the second Conservative lawmaker to defect to Labour in two weeks after Dan Poulter quit in anger over the governments handling of the National Health Service.

The defection of Elphicke is particularly surprising as she was widely considered to be on the right of the Conservative Party. She has been hugely critical of Labour in the past and Starmer himself, but has recently been increasingly disapproving of the government's approach to migrant crossings.

From small boats to biosecurity, Rishi Sunaks government is failing to keep our borders safe and secure," she said.

Just under 30,000 people arrived in Britain in small boats in 2023, and Sunak has made reducing that number a key issue ahead of the election due this year, notably with his controversial plan to send some asylum-seekers to Rwanda. More than 8,000 have made the dangerous crossing already this year.

Elphicke was elected in 2019, taking over the Dover seat that had been held by her then-husband Charlie, who was found guilty in 2020 of sexually assaulting two women, and sentenced to two years in prison, of which he served half.

Elphicke will not be standing in her Dover seat at the next election, though she said she will help the party with Labour's housing policies.

Starmer welcomed Elphicke to the Labour benches as well as Chris Webb, the party's new lawmaker in Blackpool South in northwest England following his big victory in a special election last Thursday.

The Labour Party's head reiterated his call for Sunak to immediately call for a general election, saying the Conservatives cannot carry on when even a lawmaker at the forefront of the small boats crisis  meaning Elphicke  said Sunak cannot be trusted with our borders.

The date of the general election rests in the hands of the prime minister. It has to take place by January, and Sunak has repeatedly said that his working assumption was that it would take place in the second half of 2024.

Last week, the Conservatives suffered a historic drubbing in local elections, losing nearly half of its candidates, while Labour made gains and won most of the key mayoral races it fought, including in London.

Particularly encouraging for Labour was winning in areas that voted for Britains departure from the European Union in 2016, and where it was crushed by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the general election in 2019.

Elphicke's defection may help Labour deflect Conservative attacks during the election that the opposition party may seek to reverse Brexit. In her statement Wednesday, she said Labour has accepted Brexit and its economic policies.

Her defection has not only raised eyebrows within the Conservative Party.

The left-wing Labour grouping, Momentum, said Elphicke has consistently demonized refugees and aid groups and that she should have no place in a Labour Party committed to progressive values and working-class people.
(Reuters) - Britain is refusing to sign the World Health Organization's (WHO) pandemic accord because the country says it would have to give away a fifth of its vaccines, the Telegraph reported on Wednesday.

According to a draft of the pandemic accord being negotiated at the WHO, richer countries should be asked to pull their weight in helping the world cope with pandemics, including reserving 20% of tests, treatments and vaccines for the WHO to distribute in poorer countries during emergencies.

"We will only support the adoption of the accord and accept it on behalf of the UK, if it is firmly in the UK national interest and respects national sovereignty," a spokesperson for Britain's Department of Health and Social Care said in a statement to Reuters.

The spokesperson did not comment on the details of the specific proposals from the accord, adding that "no proposals have been agreed."

The WHO did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.

The new pact and a series of updates to existing rules for dealing with pandemics from the WHO are intended to shore up the world's defenses against new pathogens after the COVID-19 pandemic killed millions of people.

One of the main points of disagreement between wealthy countries and developing states is the vexed issue of sharing drugs and vaccines fairly.

Countries are due to finalise negotiations on the accord on May 10, with a view to adopting it at the WHO's annual meeting later this month.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week that countries need to agree to the accord within the deadline to help fight future pandemics, adding that countries who did not fully agree with the text to at least refrain from blocking consensus among WHO's 194 member states.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal and Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonali Paul and Aurora Ellis)
CAIRO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The negotiations held in Egypt for a truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip have seen "remarkable progress," yet some points of disagreement remained unresolved, Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel reported on Wednesday.

"The discussions continued from 10 a.m. (0700 GMT) amid remarkable agreement, yet some controversial points remained," Al-Qahera quoted an unnamed high-ranking source as saying.

Egypt has been exerting "relentless efforts" to maintain the negotiation on track, stressing to all participating parties the danger of escalation and failure to adhere to the path, according to the report.

Earlier in the day, Al-Qahera reported "Egypt is ready to deal with all scenarios."

On Tuesday, Egypt hosted delegations from Hamas, Israel, Qatar and the United States with the aim of reaching a comprehensive truce in Gaza.

The Israeli army launched a military operation in Rafah on Monday night, where more than one million internally displaced Palestinians have sought refuge since Israel's offensive began on Oct. 7 last year. 
11 more children from Kherson Oblast have been evacuated from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.

Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration

Details: Reportedly, two orphan girls aged 10 and 13 were brought back to Ukraine-controlled territory, as well as nine children who have parents or one parent. These are five girls and four boys, aged 1 to 16 years.

This was possible thanks to the Save Ukraine charity organisation, child care services, as well as the Childrens Service of Kherson Oblast and the childrens parents, Prokudin states.

Quote: "At the moment, the children are in a safe place where they receive necessary medical and psychological help. I am grateful to everyone who is helping Ukrainian citizens leave for free land.

Since the beginning of 2024, 78 children from Kherson Oblast have been brought to Ukraine-controlled territory."

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukraine marks first 'Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism' in WWII since official date change in 2023

Ukraine marked the "Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War" on May 8, the first time since the date of the holiday was officially changed in 2023.

Most European nations celebrate Victory in Europe Day on May 8 to mark the anniversary of Germany's unconditional surrender. Russia and some former Soviet countries celebrate Victory Day on May 9, using the term Great Patriotic War.

Ukraine also celebrated Victory Day on May 9 until 2015, when then-president Petro Poroshenko changed its name to the Day of Victory over Nazism in World War II. He designated May 8 as the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation. May 8 was a working day, and May 9 remained a public holiday.

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law in 2023 officially changing the date of Ukraine's World War II commemoration to May 8, aligning it with most of Europe and indicating a full break from the Soviet-era holiday.

In Russia, Victory Day is a highly militarized holiday that seeks to demonstrate Russian military power. Against the backdrop of Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, the historical memory of World War II has also been weaponized by Russia as part of its attempt to frame the invasion of Ukraine as a continuation of Russia's struggle against the West.

Zelensky also drew parallels to World War II in comments marking the first celebration of the holiday.

"Russia has brought pages from World War II textbooks back into the global media spotlight, demonstrating that Nazism has resurfaced with each new crime," he wrote on Telegram.

"And, as in 1945, only a united free worldunited in the Anti-(Russian President Vladimir) Putin Coalitioncan stop the Moscow Nazis through action rather than words."

In reference to the common refrain about the commitment to prevent a repetition of the Holocaust and other crimes committed by Nazi Germany, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry wrote that "'never again' has become 'again' since Russia unleashed the war against Ukraine."

Around 6 to 7 million Ukrainians were killed during World War II, including about 1.5 million Ukrainian Jews. As a percentage of the population, Ukraine suffered greater losses in the war than Russia.

Read also: Media: Russia sets up display of captured Western military hardware in Moscow

Sign up for our newsletter

Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko

Sign up

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Kyiv previously resisted the idea of recruiting prisoners to fight - Global Images Ukraine

Ukraines parliament on Wednesday passed a bill that would enable some prisoners to fight in the armed forces, as the nation faces a critical shortage of manpower on the front line.

After being long opposed to the measure and having previously criticised Moscows mobilisation of prisoners to fill its ranks, Kyiv has recently made an about-turn after fresh Russian advances on the battlefield.

The legislation needs to be signed by the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, the countrys parliament, and Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, before coming into force.

The parliament has voted yes, MP Olena Shuliak, the head of Mr Zelenskys party, said in a Facebook post.

The draft law opens the possibility for certain categories of prisoners who expressed a desire to defend their country to join the defence forces, she added.

The measures will not come into force until they are signed by Volodymyr Zelensky - Planetpix/Alamy Live News

Mobilisation would be voluntary and only open to certain categories of prisoners.

Among those not eligible to serve include those found guilty of sexual violence, killing two or more people, serious corruption and former high-ranking officials, Ms Shuliak said.

Only prisoners with under three years left on their sentence can apply, she added.

A Ukrainian guard of honour marks the country's Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation on Wednesday - Global Images Ukraine

Intensification of attacks

Russia has recruited prisoners to serve on the front lines since the first days of its invasion, initially offering presidential pardons for six months service.

The practice was spearheaded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was filmed touring Russian prisons to recruit foot soldiers for his Wagner paramilitary group.

More than two years into the war, Kyiv is grappling with how to recruit enough soldiers to repel an intensification of Russian attacks.

It recently toughened measures against draft dodgers and lowered the age at which men can be drafted from 27 to 25.

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.
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian authorities suspect jailed tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky of being behind the attempted murder of a lawyer in a corporate dispute more than 20 years ago, the national police said on Wednesday.

Kolomoisky, who backed President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the 2019 election and faces charges of fraud and money laundering, has previously denied any wrongdoing in those cases. His lawyer did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the attempted murder case.

"Police investigators have served a notice of suspicion to a well-known Ukrainian oligarch for ordering a premeditated murder," the police said in a statement.

They did not identify him by name, but posted a photograph of a man with a lightly blurred-out face, which was easily identifiable as Kolomoisky, one of Ukraine's richest men, who was detained last autumn.

The alleged murder attempt carries a maximum punishment of life in prison.

National police said the suspect had threatened and failed to win over a lawyer who refused to help him overturn an unfavourable shareholders' decision at a metallurgical plant in 2003.

Through his bodyguard, the suspect, the police statement said, ordered four members of a criminal group to attack the lawyer in the summer of 2003 in the Crimean city of Feodosia.

The assailants beat the man with a metal rod and stabbed him in the chest, stomach and back, but his wife prevented the attackers from killing him and doctors managed to save his life, the statement said. The assailants were caught and jailed.

Serhiy Leshchenko, a former investigative journalist and lawmaker who works as an adviser in Zelenskiy's office, said on Telegram that the corporate dispute in the statement referred to the Dniprospetsstal enterprise in Zaporizhzhia.

Twenty-three searches were ongoing in four Ukrainian regions on Wednesday to collect additional evidence related to the case, the police said.

Kolomoisky is a former owner of PrivatBank, which was nationalised in 2016 as part of a clean-up of the Ukrainian banking system. He built up a fortune after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union, amassing power and media control to become one of Ukraine's most influential oligarchs.

Kolomoisky is under U.S. sanctions and faces multiple allegations relating to fraud, money laundering and embezzlement. He has denied these accusations.

(Reporting by Anastasiia Malenko; editing by Tom Balmforth and Mark Heinrich)
Air defence systems were responding in Lviv Oblast on the night of 7-8 May.

Source: Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration; Ukraines Air Force

Details: Ukraines Air Force reported missiles in Lviv Oblast launched toward the city of Lviv.

Updated at 05:09: Kozytskyi wrote that some missiles have changed course and are heading toward the Stryi district. Aerial targets are also being detected moving toward the Chervonohrad district.

Background:

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 7-8 May. An air-raid warning was issued in all Ukrainian oblasts.

Support UP or become our patron!
At its meeting on 8 May, Ukraine's Central Election Commission (CEC) declared the results of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's so-called "elections" to be null and void and the Kremlin leader himself illegitimate.

Source: CEC press service

Quote: "During today's meeting, the Commission emphasised the nullity of the election results of the President of the Russian Federation, in particular, illegally organised and held in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories, and, as a result, the illegitimacy of the elected person in such elections."

Details: The Central Election Commission recalled that Russia, in violation of international law, held sham "elections" in the temporarily occupied territory.

It should be noted that the Russians used on the occupation territories previously devised methods of psychological and physical coercion of Ukrainian residents into a preset "expression of their will," with ostentatious activity of "voters" and controlled outcomes.

The CEC stated that only elections and their results that were organised and conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Ukrainian Constitution and laws, as well as the bodies of their administration established and authorised by Ukrainian laws, can be considered legitimate on the territory of sovereign independent Ukraine.

The CEC urged other states and international organisations not to recognise the results of the so-called "elections" for president of the Russian Federation and Putin's legitimacy.

Furthermore, sanctions and other forms of influence should be imposed on Russian Federation officials who supported, organised, and conducted sham elections in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territory, as well as any cooperation with the aggressor state and its bodies.

The CEC also requested that the Security Service prosecute members of the Russian Federation's CEC and other officials who organised and conducted sham presidential elections in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories, as well as other individuals involved in such activities.

Previously: The Russian government held the so-called inauguration of Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the capital of the aggressor country after the non-transparent "elections" organised by the Kremlin. Putin has been the de facto ruler of Russia since 2000 and will be able to rule the country for another 6 years.

After the fraudulent "elections" in Russia, Putin lost his legitimacy as president of that country, so European Pravda no longer uses the term "president" to refer to this person. Here we justify and explain the importance of this change.

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukraine's Emergency Service posts photos of aftermath of Russian attack on Kyiv Oblast: extensive destruction

Rescue workers dealing with the aftermath of the Russian attack. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Fourteen residential buildings have been destroyed or damaged as a result of a Russian attack on Kyiv Oblast, and two people have been injured.

Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) in Kyiv Oblast on Facebook

Quote: "Rescue workers are dealing with the aftermath of an enemy missile attack on Kyiv Oblast.

Debris from enemy missiles has destroyed and damaged 14 private buildings, injuring two people."

Rescue workers dealing with the aftermath of the Russian attack.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Details: Photos and videos from the State Emergency Service show damaged and destroyed residential buildings, outbuildings, and fences.

Rescue workers dealing with the aftermath of the Russian attack.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Earlier, the mayor of Brovary reported that a fire had broken out at a civilian infrastructure facility in the city as a result of a Russian missile attack.

Background:

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 7-8 May. An air-raid warning was issued in all Ukrainian oblasts.

No strikes or casualties were recorded in the city of Kyiv. Air defence systems destroyed all aerial targets in the vicinity of the capital.

The Russians attacked power generation and transmission facilities in six of Ukraines oblasts. The oblasts of Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia came under Russian fire. The Russians hit three thermal power plants owned by DTEK, causing serious damage to their equipment.

A fire broke out at a civilian infrastructure facility in the city of Brovary in Kyiv Oblast, while hits were recorded in Vinnytsia Oblast due to the Russian missile attack.

Russian forces damaged a critical infrastructure facility, 13 residential buildings and dozens of garages in Kirovohrad Oblast during a missile attack, injuring a child. Strikes were also recorded in Poltava Oblast.

Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, reported that Russian troops had targeted Ukraine with 55 missiles of various types and 21 attack drones and that 59 Russian aerial targets had been destroyed by Ukrainian air defence units.

Support UP or become our patron!
Israeli tanks are seen near the Shalom Kerem crossing in southern Israel bordering the Gaza Strip, on May 6, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel's army announced on Wednesday that it was continuing its military operation on Gaza's Rafah, reporting approximately 30 casualties since the offensive began on Monday night.

According to an army statement, the 30 casualties were militants, while Gaza health officials reported about 35 deaths, including a four-month-old baby.

The army said that a tank division and an armored brigade have been operating on the ground in eastern Rafah, while attack drones carried out strikes from the air.

A man carries an injured girl on a street in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on May 8, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

They attacked about 100 "targets" in the region, including militant infrastructure and "suspicious buildings" from which Hamas fighters fired at Israeli soldiers, the army said.

Israel launched the assault on Rafah overnight between Monday and Tuesday, citing its aim to eliminate four Hamas battalions that remain in the southern city.

Troops gained "operational control" over the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing on Tuesday, a key entry point for humanitarian aid from Egypt to the famine-stricken Gaza, and shut it down. 
The Verkhovna Rada (Ukraines Parliament) has addressed foreign governments and parliaments on the 80th anniversary of the Crimean Tatar genocide in 1944.

Source: MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak from the Holos (Voice) party

Details: 317 MPs voted in favour of the resolution.

The Verkhovna Rada called on foreign governments and parliaments, international organisations, and parliamentary assemblies to recognise the 1944 deportation of the Crimean Tatars from Crimea as an act of genocide against the Crimean Tatar people and to join in commemorating its victims on 18 May.

Ukraines Parliament also called on them to condemn the criminal actions of the USSR's totalitarian regime aimed at orchestrating genocide, and to recognise the Russian Federation's large-scale unprovoked armed aggression against Ukraine as a continuation of Russia's genocidal imperial policy, which aims to colonise Ukraine and enslave the Ukrainian people.

Quote: "[We call on them  ed.] to demand that the Russian Federation, as a member state of the United Nations and a permanent member of the UN Security Council that is systematically failing to fulfil its duties, should abolish the unlawful restrictions on the right of the Crimean Tatar people to conserve their representative institutions, in particular, to implement the judgment of the UN International Court of Justice that the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people should resume its work, and to take an active part in the implementation of the Peace Formula of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (the Ukrainian Peace Formula), including where it pertains to the release by the Russian Federation of all persons deprived of their personal freedom as a result of [its] armed aggression against Ukraine, including representatives of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people, and the complete de-occupation of the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine in order to achieve a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in Ukraine and the security of the whole world."

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukraine's Servant of the People faction decides to restructure Ministry of Infrastructure

MPs from the Servant of the People faction met on Wednesday and voted to split the Ministry of Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure into two independent departments.

Source: Servant of the People sources in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda

Details: According to Ukrainska Pravda sources, members of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on the Organisation of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development, and Urban Planning proposed dividing ministries during a factional meeting, stating that the ministry "failed regional policy."

The committee advocated the establishment of the Ministries of Infrastructure and Regional Policy. This was endorsed by Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal, who attended the faction meeting.

On Thursday, the parliament will vote to dismiss Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister, Oleksandr Kubrakov. The Cabinet of Ministers will then determine how to restructure the ministry. Kubrakov will be appointed head of the Ministry of Infrastructure, while the nominee for the Ministry of Regional Development has yet to be announced.

Furthermore, UP sources said the Verkhovna Rada would dismiss agriculture minister Mykola Solskyi on Thursday. However, before the conference, the Servant of the People faction will hold another meeting with Solskyi's involvement, during which the MPs will make a final decision.

Background:

On 23 April, Mykola Solskyi, the then Minister of Agrarian Policy, was exposed for embezzlement of state land worth 291 million hryvnias (approx. US$7.2 million) and attempted appropriation of another 190 million hryvnias (US$4.7 million) worth of land.

On 25 April, Mykola Solskyi, Minister of Agrarian Policy, submitted his resignation. He is suspected of illegal transactions involving land worth 500 million hryvnias (US$12.5 million).

On 26 April, the High Anti-Corruption Court decided to take Solskyi into custody as a precautionary measure.

On the same day, he was released from custody on bail of UAH 75.7 million (US$1.9 million) and continues to carry out his obligations as Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food.

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukrainian air defence downs Russian missile heading for Dnipro: debris causes fires

A Russian missile being downed. Stock photo: Air Force of Ukraine

Ukrainian air defence has destroyed a Russian missile in the skies over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The missile debris caused several fires to break out when it landed.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "Air defence systems responded in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The defenders downed an enemy missile.

The falling debris caused several fires. No one was injured."

Details: Ukraines Air Force had reported at 16:39 that a missile was heading for the city of Dnipro.

Support UP or become our patron!
Republican Congresswoman Victoria Spartz, the first member of the U.S. Congress born in Ukraine, defeated her Republican challengers in a primary vote held on May 7.

The congresswoman beat back eight challengers in a highly contested field to secure a place on the ballot in the general election in November. As her district in Indiana is solidly Republican, she is favored to win reelection.

Spartz was born in a small city in Chernihiv Oblast and moved to the U.S. in 2000. She became the first Ukrainian-born member of Congress in 2021 and is known for her staunch support of former President Donald Trump.

In the aftermath of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Spartz supported aid for Ukraine and spoke about the war in deeply personal terms, but also attracted controversy for her attacks against President Volodymyr Zelensky and head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak.

Spartz shifted her stance on Ukraine over the following years and grew increasingly critical of U.S. aid for the country. She began to call for more "accountability" for the funding and has criticized what she said is President Joe Biden's unclear strategy on the U.S.'s role in the war.

The congresswoman told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in April that she had "largely moved on from focusing heavily on Ukraine."

Spartz was among the 112 Republicans in Congress who voted against aid for Ukraine in April. All Democrats in Congress and 101 Republicans supported the bill, which was successfully passed and signed into law by Biden on April 24.

Citing a common talking point among Republicans who oppose aid for Ukraine, Spartz defended her vote by saying that the bill did not address domestic border and immigration issues.

Chuck Goodrich, who was considered to be her top rival, attacked Spartz in his campaign ads for her previous support for Ukraine.

"Victoria Spartz sends $40 billion of our tax dollars to Ukraine before the border wall (with Mexico) is finished," one of the ads said. "Why does Victoria Spartz put Ukraine first?"

Spartz ultimately defeated Goodrich by six percentage points.

"My victory in this election is a testament to the American people and my fellow Hoosiers (Indianians) that money and lies do not buy elections," Spartz said in a statement.

Read also: Top Congress Democrat says Pro-Putin faction of Republicans stalled Ukraine aid

Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter

News from Ukraine in your inbox

Subscribe

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian Defense Industry: Kyiv catches up with Russia in Shahed drone analog production

Ukraine has caught up with Russia in the production of domestically-made kamikaze drones similar to Iranian-designed Shahed-131/136, Herman Smetanin, the head of the state-owned Ukrainian Defense Industry company, said in an interview with ArmyInform published on May 8.

Ukraine has intensified its efforts to ramp up domestic production of attack drones, a critical tool on the battlefield, aiming to manufacture 1 million drones this year.

Russia has used Shahed-type kamikaze drones, both supplied by Iran and domestically produced, for regular attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

Kyiv has also caught up with Moscow in the production of other attack drones, Smetanin said.

"Everything that explodes in Russia is ours," he quoted Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin.

Subscribe to newsletter

War Notes

Subscribe

Kamyshin earlier described the Ukrainian version of the Shahed drone as identical to the original "in terms of the amount of explosives they carry, their range, and other technical parameters."

The Ukrainian Defense Industry concern signed a number of contracts with private companies, mostly for licensed production, to build more drones, according to Smetanin.

"A very large number" of private enterprises and scientists are also involved in developing new types of weapons for Ukraine, he said.

"There are developments that are more innovative, and there are those that meet the needs of tomorrow," Smetanin added.

Ukrainian soldiers already reportedly use domestically-produced attack drones similar to Russian Lancet drones at the front.

The government supported a draft decree by President Volodymyr Zelensky on the creation of a separate Armed Forces branch dedicated to unmanned systems on May 7.

Read also: The Counteroffensive: Behind the scenes with a Ukrainian drone-hunting unit

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) has approved presidential decrees extending martial law and general mobilisation until 11 August 2024.

Source: MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak on Telegram

Quote from Zhelezniak: "The Parliament has approved Presidential Decree No. 11234 on the extension of martial law with 339 votes in favour. [Martial law will be extended - ed.] from 14 May 2024 for 90 days. That is, until 11 August 2024."

Details: The Parliament also approved Presidential Decree No. 11235 on the extension of mobilisation until 11 August with 336 votes in favour.

Zhelezniak reiterated that this was the eleventh vote of the parliament to extend martial law and mobilisation.

Background:

On 6 May, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted bills to approve decrees on the extension of martial law and the duration of general mobilisation to the Verkhovna Rada.

Support UP or become our patron!
BEIRUT, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Three members of The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement, were killed, and three civilians were injured on Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese southern village, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

The sources, who spoke anonymously, said that an Israeli warplane destroyed with two air-to-surface missiles a three-story house at the western edge of the southern village of Khiam.

Members of the civil defense, the Islamic Health Organization, and the Islamic Message Scout Association rushed to the targeted house and worked to remove the rubble and transported the casualties to the Marjeyoun Governmental Hospital in the border area in southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said it attacked several Israeli sites in retaliation to Israel's attacks against villages and civilian homes in southern Lebanon.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas's attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. 
Ukrainian parliament grants access to journalists again, but with some conditions

Media representatives have been granted access to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) building. The relevant order on accreditation within the parliament for the period of martial law has been signed by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada.

Source: website of the Ukrainian parliament; Ukrainska Pravda reporter

Quote: "The necessary conditions have now been created for media representatives to cover the work of the single legislative body. These include specially equipped workplaces, a place for briefings, recording interviews, broadcasting meetings, etc."

Photo: website of the Ukrainian parliament

Details: It was reported that Stefanchuk and Viacheslav Shtuchnyi, Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian parliament, had met with journalists on 7 May to explain the specifics of working in the press centre, including the requirement to go down to the shelter during air raids.

The parliament emphasised that no more than 30 media representatives can be in the press centre at any one time.

This is due to security requirements and the number of seats in the simplest shelter in the parliament building.

A reporter from Ukrainska Pravda, who attended the meeting, noted that journalists will only be able to work in the press centre on the second floor of the parliament. Access to the lobby on the first floor is closed.

Media representatives will have to undergo re-accreditation to work in the parliament; the procedure will be made public soon.

No more than two media representatives from each media outlet will be allowed to enter the press centre.

Media representatives will be prohibited, among other things, from conducting live broadcasts from the parliament building, photographing the fortifications in the parliament, and announcing parliamentary sessions.

Information about the work of the parliament will be made public an hour after the plenary session is adjourned.

For reference: Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, journalists have been denied access to the Ukrainian parliament building. Moreover, no live broadcasts of parliamentary sessions have been conducted since 24 February 2022.

Background:

At the end of 2023, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Freedom of Speech, said that the parliament's staff was developing a mechanism for re-accreditation of media representatives, which would further improve their access to work in parliament.

On 1 May, Viacheslav Shtuchnyi stated that media representatives would again be allowed into the parliament during sittings, but their number would be limited to 20-30 people. It was reported that journalists would receive a special briefing after Orthodox Easter (5 May).

Support UP or become our patron!
A video screengrab shows the soldier dressed as a woman with the border troops who stopped him

A Ukrainian soldier dressed as a woman was arrested as he tried to flee to Romania to avoid combat on the front lines where Kyivs forces are heavily outnumbered.

The 44-year-old, a listed soldier, attempted to cross the border in Transcarpathia but was apprehended, the Ukrainian border authorities.

Fashion bow, make-up with a wig  this is exactly how the Ukrainian arrived in Transcarpathia, the State Border Service of Ukraine said in a message on Telegram.

The border police quickly exposed the manoeuvre of disguising as a tourist, even though the man stood his ground to the last: he is a citizen of Ukraine.

The border forces confirmed that the man was a listed soldier and added that he would be sent to court.

Surge of volunteers has dried up

During the initial months of the invasion, Ukraines military commissariats, responsible for local recruitment, experienced a surge of volunteers.

However, waning enthusiasm and significant casualties over the past two years have resulted in many units facing critical manpower shortages.

At least 30 Ukrainian men have lost their lives attempting to cross Ukraines borders to avoid being sent to the front lines since the war started, according to officials.

The imbalance in manpower between Ukraine and Russia has been identified by Ukrainian and Western military strategists as one of the key issues requiring urgent attention.

The shortage poses a significant challenge to Ukraines ability to counter the ongoing Russian offensive, which has resulted in a number of tactical gains for Moscows forces this year.

Draft age has been lowered

The Ukrainian government has taken several measures to raise new recruits, including lowering the draft age from 27 to 25.

With some exceptions, Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 are not allowed to leave the country as they may be mobilised to fight, according to Ukraines martial law.

Many of the men looking to escape from the country use fake documents and exemptions, while others hide in vehicles and don elaborate disguises as women and priests, Ukrainian officials said.

According to a report relying on data about illegal border crossings from Romania, Moldova, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, almost 20,000 people, predominantly men, had fled Ukraine by November last year.

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 Ukrainian tank crew said the Abrams tank is as easy to drive as a scooter and that they learned how to operate its weapons in 1 week

A Ukrainian tank crew said the Abrams tank is as easy to drive as a scooter and that they learned how to operate its weapons in 1 week

A Ukrainian tank crew was filmed lauding the Abrams tank as easy to drive and operate.

One gunner said he learned to use the tank's weapons in a week, while another said the tank drove "like a scooter."

The report comes as Ukrainian state-backed outlet Army TV pushed back on an assessment that Kyiv withdrew its Abrams.

A Ukrainian tank gunner and driver were filmed heaping praise on US-supplied Abrams tanks in a state-backed media report, boasting that they've been easy to learn to operate.

"The first time I saw what was inside after the T-64, I thought it would take a month to get the hang of it," said the gunner, identified as Koka of Ukraine's 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, in a video uploaded on Tuesday by Army TV.

"But it's literally very fast. You can master it in a week," Koka said.

Inside the Abrams M1A1 used by his crew, Koka gave the cameras a tour of the internal systems. "There's nothing so complicated here," he told Army TV.

The military news outlet is run by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense. The report comes after Pentagon officials told the Associated Press that Kyiv had withdrawn its Abrams tanks from the front lines over concerns they were vulnerable to drones.

Army TV pushed back on the assessment, writing in a caption that "despite rumors, no one took these vehicles away from the front line."

Unlike most of Army TV's YouTube videos, the report was notably titled and captioned in English, and not Ukrainian.

The video featured crew members from the 47th lauding the Abrams tank and alleging that the heavy-duty armor is still present on the front lines.

The Pentagon's press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Tank driver Alexey said the Abrams' pedals and control apparatus made it "like a scooter."

"Is it easy to drive like a scooter?" Army TV's reporter Yevhen Nazarenko asked.

"Yes," said Alexey, smiling.

Clips showed the crew members driving Nazarenko around in the Abrams, but it's unclear when or where the video was shot.

Alexey and Koka's commander, Dmytro, told Army TV that the Abrams' armor was effective against Russian anti-tank missiles like the Kornet.

But they wished for dynamic plating to protect its flanks and turret, with Alexey saying the turret could be breached.

"It is said that it is the strongest," he said of the turret's armor. "That the 'Hand of Zeus' will not pierce it, but it is not so. Unfortunately, it is not so."

Ukraine was promised 31 Abrams tanks by the US in January 2023, with the first batch arriving in September after crews trained for months in Germany to operate them. US aid to Kyiv later stalled due to political resistance on Capitol Hill from Republican lawmakers, until a $61 billion aid package was voted through last month.

Weapons, ammunition, and military hardware from US stockpiles are expected to make up at least $25 billion of the funding.

The Abrams has defeated Soviet armor before, but several deployed in Ukraine have suffered setbacks. At least five of the tanks were lost in combat, and another three were damaged, The New York Times reported.

In late April, the Russian military displayed an abandoned Abrams M1A1 at an exhibition called the "Trophies of the Russian Army," which showcased NATO equipment seized during the war.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Ukrainian tank crew says the Abrams is still being used on the front lines, but isn't finding 'tank-on-tank' battles where it has the edge

A Ukrainian tank crew told state media they're still using the Abrams tank on the front lines.

The report comes after the Pentagon said Ukraine had pulled back its Abrams tanks over concerns of drone attacks.

A Ukrainian Abrams commander told Army TV that the tanks weren't withdrawn but are used situationally.

A Ukrainian tank crew says the US-supplied Abrams is still viable on the front lines, but the tank-on-tank battles where it excels have been few and far between.

Pentagon officials in late April told the Associated Press that Ukraine was pulling back its Abrams tanks from the heaviest areas of fighting because Russian drones were making them more difficult to defend.

But a Ukrainian state media report is now pushing back on the assessment, citing the crew's commander saying that Kyiv hadn't fully withdrawn the heavy-duty armor.

"It all depends on the situation. You see, we don't fight in a way that it's purely tank-on-tank," said the man, identified as Dmytro of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, told Ukrainian military news outlet Army TV. The outlet is run by Ukraine's Defense Ministry.

"If it was tank-on-tank, there would be no questions. The T-72 wouldn't even be standing next to it," Dmytro said.

Dmytro added battlefield circumstances have become "very difficult" due to Russia's advantage on the ground with personnel and equipment.

"So we have to adjust our actions. These tanks are designed primarily for direct contact. Go out and destroy the opponent's vehicles," Dmytro added.

Army TV on Tuesday uploaded a video of Dmytro and his crew. It was titled and captioned in English, standing out from the YouTube channel's usual coverage in Ukrainian.

"WHERE IS UKRAINIAN ABRAMS: how the legendary American tank fights at the front," its title reads. Clips in the video showed the tank crew operating an Abrams M1A1 at an undisclosed location.

Dmytro said his team had, in the last few days, deployed their Abrams to take out Russian infantry and equipment, including a T-62 tank that had been disabled by an exploding drone. It's not immediately clear when the video was filmed.

When asked about Army TV's response to the prior assessment, a Pentagon spokesperson told Business Insider: "We refer you to the Ukrainians to speak to their operations."

Army TV's video was lavish with praise for the American battle tank, a much-desired ground asset for Kyiv, with a gunman named Koka and a driver named Alexey complimenting its maneuverability and internal systems.

The Abrams is touted as an effective tool against Soviet armor, with a winning track record against Russian-made vehicles, but has also faced challenges in Ukraine.

In late April, one anonymous defense official told the AP that Ukraine was not deploying the Abrams in combined arms warfare, though its crews had been trained for such scenarios.

At least five Abrams tanks have been reported lost in combat, with another three damaged.

The US promised in January 2023 to deliver 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, which received its first batch in September that year as part of the initial rounds of aid provided by the Biden administration.

A renewed tranche of supplies and weapons, which Ukraine says it desperately needed to defend its positions against Russia, was held back for months due to political infighting on Capitol Hill. Congress eventually voted through a $61 billion package to Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Imports from Europe will not be sufficient to completely cover Ukraine's energy deficit caused by the latest Russian attack, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of Ukrenergo, said on May 8.

Speaking to Ukrainska Pravda, Kudrytskyi said the damage caused by the strike was "quite large-scale."

"It is so considerable that even energy imports from Europe are not enough to fully compensate for the deficit in the power system," he added.

Russian forces launched a large-scale attack against Ukrainian cities overnight on May 8.

Ukraine's Energy Ministry said that energy infrastructure was attacked in Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia oblasts.

Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter

News from Ukraine in your inbox

Subscribe

Three thermal power plants were damaged in the recent attacks, according to Ukraine's largest private energy company DTEK.

The company did not specify the location of the plants but said that the equipment was seriously damaged.

Earlier on May 8, Ukrenergo said it would be limiting energy supplies for industrial and commercial users between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

"The reason for the caps is a shortage of electricity caused by a massive Russian missile and drone attack on energy facilities," the state-owned energy operator said in a statement.

Read also: Updated: Russia launches large-scale attack against Ukraine, hitting energy infrastructure

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ANKARA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police detained 15 suspects over their alleged links to a network accused of orchestrating a coup attempt in 2016, according to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Ankara on Wednesday.

The police launched raids on Friday in the capital city after prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for 16 suspects believed to be members of the organization, the office said in a statement.

Police operations are underway to capture the remaining suspect, the statement added.

The suspects are believed to be affiliated with the Gulen movement, a network allegedly led by the U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen and blamed by the Turkish government for orchestrating the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, resulting in the deaths of at least 250 people.

Following the attempt, the government initiated a widespread crackdown on individuals suspected of having ties to the movement. 
Mercury the K-9 found the missing woman in Greenwood Village, Colo., stuck in a deep ravine, clinging to a tree

City of Greenwood Village Government/Facebook K-9 Mercury with his handler, Officer Austin Speer (left), and the missing woman they rescued in Greenwood Village, Colo.

A woman who went missing found her way back home  all thanks to a hero dog.

The City of Greenwood Village Government in Colorado shared a post on Facebook detailing the heroic rescue, which occurred on Thursday, May 2.

The agency said that on that day, local police received a report of an 85-year-old woman who had gone missing for "two hours." In response, the police sent out their search and rescue K-9 Mercury and his handler, Officer Austin Speer, to find her.

The City of Greenwood Village Government shared footage from a police body camera of the pair's search for the missing woman in a grassy and hilly area. In the short clip, Mercury heads through a clearing of bushes before running toward an open area after spotting the woman. Officer Speer encourages the canine during the rescue, saying, "Good boy, buddy" to the dog.

Related: Woman's Mom Killed in Jeep Accident as Dog Runs Off into Mountains. 17 Days Later, She's Told He's Alive (Exclusive)

Mercury located the woman "clinging to a tree down a steep ravine" in an area "where she could not be seen from the roadway or canal," the City of Greenwood Village Government said on social media.

In the body cam footage of the rescue, Officer Speer spots the missing woman after Mercury finds her and comforts her with good news.

City of Greenwood Village Government/Facebook K-9 Mercury searching for a missing woman in Greenwood Village, Colo.

"This is a friendly dog. He found you!" the officer tells the woman in the clip. "That's good," she responds.

The video ends with the officer telling the woman, "We're going to get you home, okay?"

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.

In its post on Mercury's rescue, the City of Greenwood Village Government also shared a photo of Officer Speer, Mercury, and the woman looking positive and standing safely on a bridge near a ravine.

City of Greenwood Village Government/Facebook K-9 Mercury with the missing woman he located in Greenwood Village, Colo.

"The resident has been returned safely to her family thanks to the hard work of Officer Speer and Mercury, with additional support from Corporal Brandon Runyan and Officer Roberto Moya," the city government wrote on Facebook. "Thank you for keeping our community safe!"

Related: Mini Therapy Ponies Delight Elderly Residents with Surprise Visits to Retirement Homes and Hospitals (Exclusive)

A person commented on the post, claiming that it was his mother who was rescued by Mercury. According to the commenter, the woman got "gassed out" after trying to "climb this hill" and had been "unable to move." He said he had searched for her "for two hours" before Officer Speer and Mercury found her "in ten minutes."

"UNBELIEVABLE! It was like watching a Navy Seal extraction: I am so grateful to live in the City of Greenwood Village Government," he said, adding his thanks to the officer and K-9 unit.

Greenwood Village noted that Mercury joined the Greenwood Village Police Department about a year and a half ago after demonstrating his ace skills in "searching and tracking missing persons" and "narcotics detection."



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Morgan Carters hikes outdoors take ages.

The UNC Charlotte researcher is constantly stopping along her route to inspect fungi clinging to a leaf here or a branch there.

Ill stop and say What is that? and have to look, she said. It drives my husband crazy.

Carter studies how fungi and bacteria behave together and affect plants. She describes her lab as a sort of sandbox where students can explore research. It launched in 2023 as part of UNC Charlottes vast expansion of its research infrastructure over the past 10 years  an expansion thats about to pay off.

UNC Charlotte will gain a prestigious new status in 2025 when it officially becomes an R1 university. That designation is reserved for schools with the highest level of research investment and activity and currently applies to only 146 of the countrys nearly 4,000 universities.

The new designation also could be a signal that the university is primed to further boost the Charlotte economy to previously unseen heights.

Here's our latest accountability reporting

Reality Check reflects the Charlotte Observers commitment to holding those in power accountable. Here are three of our stories from this week:

 Charlotte Airport ranks 10th for delays, Frontier leads airlines

 How April 29 went from normal day to tragedy in Charlotte

 Union with little inroads at banks tries to organize Wells Fargo

What is R1 status?

Since 1973, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has released rankings of U.S. universities according to their level of research activity, with R1  or Research 1 status  being reserved for schools with very high research activity.

Charlotte is one of only two of the biggest 25 U.S. metropolitan areas without an R1 school  the other is Portland, Oregon.

In some sense, its just a label, but its whats behind that label and what that symbolizes in terms of independent, external validation, John Daniels, chief research officer at UNC Charlotte, told The Observer. It says Yeah, UNC Charlotte has that broad potpourri of activities that are resident at any other large institution in the Carolinas, and our industry partners dont have to go somewhere else when seeking solutions.

There are three R1 schools in North Carolina: UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University and North Carolina State University. The closest R1 school to Charlotte geographically is the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

A lot of people used to tell me when I first got here Well, we try to work with other R1s in North Carolina, but theyre a couple of hours away, UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon Gaber told The Charlotte Observer. Every great city has a great research university  Charlotte deserves that.

Sharon Gaber is the chancellor of UNC Charlotte.

This year, the criteria are changing. While it used to be determined by complicated calculations, with a cap on the number of schools with the designation, there are now benchmarks across the board.

To qualify as R1, a school must spend at least $50 million on research each year and award at least 70 research doctorates annually. In 2023, UNC Charlotte spent just over $55.2 million on research (up from $43.1 million in 2022) and awarded 156 research doctorates.

As part of the universitys strategic plan, Gaber says the university aims to increase its total research spending to $125 million by 2031.

Charlotte isnt alone in its upgrade. With the new criteria, the total number of R1 schools is projected to increase from 146 to 168. UNC Charlotte and East Carolina University are the two schools in the state projected to be elevated in 2025.

Daniels says hes not concerned about the competition from the 22 new schools vying for top faculty and students.

We really have a focus on a culture where people are able to function and thrive in their research, Daniels said. We also benefit from being in a vibrant city that faculty are attracted to.

He noted the new research status is just one metric showing UNC Charlotte making major moves. Between 2023 and 2024, the school jumped 41 spots in U.S. News and World Reports National University Ranking, from 219th to 178th. The U.S. News college ranking is one of many, but its generally considered the most influential when it comes to shaping public opinion. Students and families turn to it as a resource when choosing what school to attend.

What does research at UNC Charlotte look like?

Here in North Carolina, lyme disease cases are increasing. The main tick species are spreading south due to climate change. Rocky mountain spotted fever, as well, and ehrlichiosis are the three most common here, says Rafael Vieira, an expert on ticks and tick-borne diseases, as he looks at ticks through a microscope in a lab at UNC Charlotte on Friday, April 26, 2024.

Part of UNC Charlottes strategy has been building several on-campus research centers.

We were founded in 1946, and as a young institution, we cant grow in every conceivable discipline overnight, Daniels said. Weve had to invest in very strategic areas. Research is almost always cross-disciplinary in order for solutions to actually have impact in the real world. A research center can pull together faculty from different departments in specific areas.

One such center is CIPHER, which stands for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks. The 25,000-square-foot center opened in January 2023 as part of UNC Charlottes push to drastically expand its research activities. There, scientists investigate how microbes interact with things like genetics to impact health outcomes.

Carter is an assistant professor who runs a lab at CIPHER that studies how fungi and bacteria interact.

Fungi are actually very similar to humans, so its hard to develop drugs that target fungi but dont hurt humans, she said.

She showed off three Petri dishes, each filled to the brim with an unfurling fuchsia bloom of fungus.

These are the ones that attack watermelon plants, she said.

Her lab has samples of plants that she and her lab assistants, a mix of undergraduate and graduate students, inspect for fungal growth. The goal is to discover more about how fungi and bacteria interact to affect the hosts health.

We have so many students that want to get into labs, but it can be hard to accommodate all of them, Carter told The Observer. Im excited for more research resources as a result of R1 status.

The work we are doing here is basically is determining where the ticks are and what basic tick species that may come here,  says tick expert Rafael Vieira, assistant professor of One Health and Vector-Borne Diseases in the Dept. of Public Health Science at UNC Charlotte, as he views a tick through a microscope in his lab on Friday, April, 26, 2024.

Down the hall from Carter, Adam Reitzel has about 100,000 sea anemones.

Weve found that anemones from off the coast of North Carolina are incredibly different, genetically, from those found in, say, Massachusetts, Reitzel said while standing amid a menagerie of glass containers filled with anemones, jellyfish and coral.

His lab also examines how coastal invertebrates are adapting genetically to climate change.

Researchers at CIPHER study human disease, too.

Danillo Augusto studies how human genes affect immunity. Just two weeks ago, Augusto published a study in the prestigious journal Nature about a genetic marker present in people who are likely to develop multiple sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system.

With this, we can potentially help people identify if they have that variant even 10 years before they actually develop symptoms of the disease, Augusto said. Theres no cure for MS, but, hopefully, this can help us intervene early.

Augusto, whos from Brazil, says hes particularly interested in developing more research on underrepresented populations.

Most of the data we have so far in this field are from people with European ancestry, Augusto said. So, Im interested in looking at more diverse populations.

What is the economic impact?

UNC Charlotte campus

Top-tier research status is more than just a feather in the schools cap. The presence of an R1 university in Charlotte has the potential to be a catalyst in the citys economy.

The university has the opportunity to spin out some of its patents and research into businesses and startups, said Rob Horton, chief marketing and communications officer for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. Our ability to attract companies that heavily rely on university partnerships will increase.

Charlottes workforce is already growing rapidly: an average of 113 people move here everyday, and 60% of those are between the ages of 25 and 54. Charlotte civic leaders, including former Bank of America CEO and UNC Charlotte trustee Hugh McColl, are pushing for the creation of a North Tryon tech district, an entrepreneur hub in uptown. The project would be a collaboration between UNC Charlotte and Charlotte Center City Partners, modeled after a similar initiative in Atlanta backed by Georgia Tech.

The university has patents that are ready to be commercialized, Horton said. I think this will help to continue to strengthen Charlottes growth trajectory.

For each new university patent, researchers estimate 15 additional jobs are created outside the university in the local economy, according to a study from Harvard University. In a city growing as rapidly as Charlotte, it may be more. UNC Charlotte ranked fourth in the nation for new start-up companies per research dollar in 2024, putting it ahead of any other university in North Carolina.

A lot of companies want to have very strong research universities and access to the talent and innovation that come out of them, said Gaber. It helps to stimulate economic development opportunities.

Malcolm Graham is a Charlotte City Council member and chair of its economic development committee. He called the designation a game changer for Charlotte.

It definitely bodes well for the economic vitality of the city, Graham told The Observer.

Daniels agrees.

Were in a day and age where companies choose where to relocate their headquarters, and part of that calculus is What does that talent pipeline look like? What does the research capacity look like? he said. So I think it means a lot for the next chapter of Charlotte and for North Carolina.
Ben Franklin High School student Camille Segued speaks at a walkout event Friday, March 31, 2023, at the New Orleans school for Transgender Day of Visibility. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

NEW ORLEANS  Transgender public school students are caught in the middle of a legal battle between the state of Louisiana and the federal government, and schools have no clear answers on how to proceed.

Last week, Gov. Jeff Landry announced that Louisiana  along with Mississippi, Montana and Idaho  filed suit against the federal government over newly issued rules under Title IX, a 1972 law prohibiting gender discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding, including public K-12 schools in the state.

The new guidelines, released by the U.S. Department of Education last month, expand the definition of prohibited sex discrimination to apply to sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Failing to comply risks losing billions of dollars in federal funding that goes to schools around the state.

The lawsuit focuses on the requirements around gender identity. The state argues that the rule is an overreach of Title IX authority. The law, the state argues, was intended to prohibit discrimination based on biological sex alone.

The consequences will be shocking and severe, lawyers for the states, among them Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, wrote in the April 29 complaint. Boys and girls will be forced to share bathrooms, locker rooms, and perhaps even lodging on overnight field trips with members of the opposite sex. Adding insult to injury, they will be forced to use preferred pronouns or else face punishment, which raises distinct Free Speech and Free Exercise problems.

The rules, set to take effect Aug. 1, have faced backlash from other Louisiana state leaders, who have called the move an attack on womens rights. In a letter sent out to school leaders April 22, state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said that the changes could contradict state law and urged schools not to follow the federal guidelines.

The Title IX rule changes recklessly endanger students and seek to dismantle equal opportunities for females, Brumley said in the letter.

Late last week, 17 parish school boards  including Bossier, Caddo and St. Tammany parishes, among the largest districts in the state  joined the state in its lawsuit against the Biden administration.

The revisions come during a time when Louisiana lawmakers are making a concerted effort to erode LGBTQ+ rights, with bills under consideration that would prohibit school employees from addressing students by their preferred pronouns, outlaw the discussion of sexual orientation in schools and segregate bathrooms and locker rooms based on sex assigned at birth.

Louisiana has about 4,000 students in the 13-17 age group identifying as trans, according to a 2022 report. In New Orleans, the largest and most politically left-leaning city in the state, school district leaders have not taken a stance on the issue.

Orleans Parish School Board President Katherine Baudouin declined to comment, citing a lack of information, while a spokesperson for the NOLA Public Schools district said these complex issues are being reviewed.

The school board previously took a stand on a related issue. In 2022, the board adopted a resolution denouncing anti-trans legislation moving through the state Legislature.

The Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools, which 14 charter schools are a member of, said it is reviewing statements by federal and state authorities regarding the new Title IX requirements. Member schools, which include The Willow School and Warren Easton High School, all currently have similar non-discrimination policies with wording in compliance with the requirements of their respective public authorizers, like the NOLA Public Schools district, Jefferson Parish School Board and the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

It is our policy to refrain from commenting on current or imminent litigation, a spokesperson for the collaborative said in an email to Verite News. We will continue to monitor this situation as we prepare for next school year.

It is heart-wrenching to watch us die

Lux Matt, a sophomore at New Harmony High School in New Orleans who identifies as trans and nonbinary, is still mourning the death of Nex Benedict, a trans high schooler who died after being bullied at school in Oklahoma earlier this year. Medical examiners have ruled the death a suicide.

Matt was in the process of receiving gender-affirming care when a statewide ban on gender-affirming care for minors took effect in January.

People underestimate how much this affects us, Matt said. We grieve every single trans person that is murdered, whether they are 45 years old or 15. It is heart-wrenching to watch us die.

Surveys have consistently shown that LGBTQ+ youth have high rates of suicidal thoughts, with transgender youth at particularly high risk. A 2019 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey also shows that trans and queer high schoolers were almost twice as likely to face bullying compared to their straight peers. In Louisiana, LGBTQ+ students reported in 2019 hearing anti-LGBTQ remarks regularly in school.

Matt said respecting trans kids names and pronouns at school helps prevent suicides. Since late 2021, they have been advocating for their and other queer and trans youths rights through advocacy work via Trans Queer Youth NOLA.

Matt said they have been in conversations with school leaders to keep their school safe and inclusive. For example, the school might work to allow students to use nicknames in school even if the state passes House Bill 121. The bill, which passed the state House last month and is now in the Senate, would require school employees to refer to students by the names listed on their birth certificates (known as deadnaming) and pronouns that align with the gender they were assigned at birth, regardless of their gender identities, unless their parents give permission to do otherwise.

The school also doesnt have a dress code or uniform, which Matt said allows trans students to express themselves freely.

English teacher Rebecca Cavalier sponsors the gay-straight alliance at Benjamin Franklin, which she said is one of few organizations of its kind in the city. Cavalier said Ben Franklin is committed to making sure LGBTQ+ students have a safe space on campus.

Unfortunately, schools have become these political war zones where people from the right want to control whats going on in the classroom, she said. It does create a feeling of fear, and I think thats whats going to do the most damage. Even teachers who are allies are going to take out queer representation in their libraries because theyre afraid.

This year, her team has carried out protests, organized email campaigns to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and even put on a play about growing up queer in Louisiana at the state capitol, she said. With support from local advocacy groups, the school also built a queer library and a gender-affirming clothing closet at the school, she added.

My administration probably wont want to fully break the law, but well do whatever we can to make kids feel safe, she said. But I dont think thats going to happen at other schools, which is sad. Kids are gonna feel very isolated.

Cavalier said shes worried the club might be seen as running afoul of yet another proposed state law next year. House Bill 122, which passed the State House last month and is awaiting debate in the Senate, would prohibit the discussion of sexual orientation in public schools, including during extracurricular activities.

But Cavalier said the group plans to hold meetings outside of school and partner with the Pride Center and other groups to avoid breaking the law. The gay-straight alliance is also putting together a working group to find loopholes in the law, Cavalier said.

Its hard to keep fighting because it just felt so hopeless this year, but we cant make it easy for them, she said.

A chilling effect

ANiya Robinson, an advocacy strategist for the ACLU of Louisiana, said conflicting messages regarding Title IX from the federal and state levels had caused confusion among students, parents and educators statewide.

There are a lot of different layers: theres local law, there state law, theres federal law, she said. There are folks who are knowingly injecting more confusion by filing baseless lawsuits  it really creates this chilling effect. I can easily see situations where teachers and students may be afraid to exercise their rights because they dont exactly know whats outlawed and whats not.

The ban on gender-affirming care that took effect this year forced New Orleans Center for Creative Arts sophomore Nicholas Lavender and his family to visit Rhode Island in March to access gender-affirming care. His parents, Beth Rosch and Will Lavender, said the family will return in August to take care of his medical needs.

Im grateful that this expansion has happened at the federal level because its keeping up with our continuing understanding and knowledge of what sexual identity is, Rosch said, adding that she was frustrated with the state Legislature. Its an integral part of a person. Its not a costume you put on to get into the other genders locker room.

Will Lavender said he hopes school administrators will be vocal and take a stance to protect trans kids as the lawsuit progresses.

Rosch said its important for schools and teachers to provide all students with an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Children spend the majority of their waking hours at school, and thats an enormous part of their social experience, she said. Just the cultural damage of these poor kids and adults [by] being told, Youre not, youre not real, youre not true, youre not a regular human being, youre flawed, youre imagining your own identity  thats incredible psychological damage.

Will Lavender said the attacks on queer and trans rights from the Statehouse have made the family feel unwelcome in Louisiana. But he hopes the NOLA Public Schools district would protect queer and trans students.

All trans kids just want to be their normal, regular selves, he said. I would like to have faith that [the NOLA Public Schools district] will do the right thing, and hopefully not be afraid to get [its] hands dirty to support the kids of our city, all of them.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

This article first appeared on Verite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

The post Uncertainty in local schools as Louisiana sues feds over new rules on gender identity appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Under the Dome: Truitt says education must move back to the middle

Good morning!  Heres what you need to know in North Carolina politics today.

Michele Morrow defeated state Superintendent Catherine Truitt in the Republican primary election in March. Now Truitt is throwing some not-so-subtle shade at Morrow.

 Stephanie Loder, correspondent, and T. Keung Hui

MICHELE MORROW DECLINES FORUM, BUT SHES A TOPIC OF COMMENTS ANYWAY

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt took shots Tuesday at Michele Morrow, who is seeking to replace her as the leader of the states public schools.

Morrow, a conservative activist and homeschool parent who accuses public schools of indoctrinating students, defeated Truitt in the Republican primary in March. Morrow did not join Democratic nominee Mo Green in attending Tuesdays Eggs and Issues breakfast in Raleigh sponsored by the Public School Forum of North Carolina.

I hope we can rally behind education leaders who take time to show up and share their vision independent of buzzwords, Truitt said during her speech at the event. Our students deserve that. Our teachers and administrators deserve that. Lets be sure that we support a person who is going to do that.

The Public School Forum says Morrow declined the option to speak at the event in person or to record a presentation. Green had the stage to himself during the superintendents candidate forum.

Morrow did send a campaign truck that was parked outside the event at N.C. States McKimmon Center. And on Tuesday, she tweeted: Since I could not be at todays event, I sent this message directly to attendees: I am grateful for our teachers. I will work to improve their working conditions by making schools the safest buildings in the state.

During her speech, Truitt said the state needs education leaders who go beyond buzzwords like indoctrination and Critical Race Theory to un-wedge education from the political football it has become. She said education must move back to the middle.

I hope you ask future education leaders questions like, when was the last time you met with educators, a local superintendent, or a principal? Truitt said. Or even more importantly, when was the last time you entrusted your child to a North Carolina public school?  T. Keung Hui

Demonstrators march outside an event attended by former UNC-Chapel Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz during a pro-Palestinian protest and encampment at UNC Chapel Hill on Monday, April 29, 2024.

NEW BILL WOULD TAKE AIM AT CRIMINALS WEARING MASKS

Do you still wear a mask in public because you fear the spread of germs?

Or, are you trying to conceal your identity to commit a crime?

The Unmasking Mobs and Criminals bill presented to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday by Sen. Buck Newton, a Wilson Republican, would repeal the health and safety exemption from the states longtime ban on masking-up in public.

The bill, he said, is in part a response to recent college campus demonstrations where protesters wore masks.

Protests arent the only reason for the proposed law. Newton said he believes people wear masks to break the law and to keep their identities hidden, and its time for that to stop.

Some exemptions to the bill include:

Tradesmen.

Actors.

Halloween.

The bill would increase criminal penalties for anyone wearing a mask while committing another crime.

The bill also would change existing law to impose penalties on anyone blocking traffic or impeding motorists during a demonstration.

Get the full story from Avi Bajpai here.

N.C. Department of Military & Veterans Affairs Secretary Grier Martin talks to reporters at the N.C. Legislative Building after a committee meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Raleigh.

NC DMVA SECRETARY WANTS REPAIRS FOR SANDHILLS STATE VET CEMETERY

The Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery has been in disrepair and the states new secretary of the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs plans a visit to see what still needs to be fixed.

Secretary Grier Martin, appointed in April by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, said Tuesday he wants to see improvements at the Sandhills cemetery. Lawmakers allocated $300,000 for maintenance at the cemetery as part of the 2023 state budget.

Sandhills is one of four veterans cemeteries in the state that have been behind in maintenance.

Martin said he also plans a visit next week to a recently closed state veterans home in Fayetteville.

Get the full story from Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan here.

Fayetteville police used an automated license plate reader camera to mistakenly link Jacqueline McNeill to a shooting in 2022. Police released her after several hours of interrogation when they realized they had the wrong person.

NC LICENSE PLATE READERS SPREADING; SO ARE PRIVACY CONCERNS

While they might have been hard to find a few years ago, automated license plate readers are everywhere on North Carolina roads.

They can be difficult to spot, but the devices are on hundreds of streets capturing data from passing motorists.

The data obtained by automated license plate reader cameras can be made accessible to law enforcement officers throughout the nation.

How widespread have these cameras become in North Carolina?

An investigative series by The News & Observer entitled Private Eyes shows the cameras have helped law enforcement to:

Find missing children.

Recover stolen vehicles.

Arrest a murder suspect.

However, the use of the cameras also have raised privacy concerns from groups worried about cases of misuse and misidentification that can lead to bad arrests.

In 2022, Fayetteville police arrested Jacqueline McNeill because the citys license plate readers had picked up her white Nissan Versa a short distance from a Fayetteville shooting scene.

McNeill was handcuffed to a chair and interviewed for four hours before police let her go, realizing she wasnt the person they wanted and the vehicle descriptions didnt match.

Fayetteville officials settled with McNeill for $60,000 after she filed a lawsuit saying that police violated her civil rights.

McNeill isnt the only person who has been wrongly arrested after police in North Carolina used data from license plate reader cameras.

Read the latest installment of the series Private Eyes from Tyler Dukes here.

REVIEW BOARD VOTES AGAINST CHILDRENS VILLAGE CHARTER RENEWAL

The N.C. Charter Schools Review Board unanimously voted this week against renewing the charter for Childrens Village Academy in Kinston when it expires next month.

Wilma Troublefield, chair of the Childrens Village board of directors, told the Review Board at the Monday meeting that the school is still in compliance but admitted that theres room for improvement in internal controls, enrollment and academics.

Heres what we know happened leading up to the Review Boards decision:

The school faced multiple state investigations during the past school year.

The state Department of Public Instruction ordered the school to repay $162,597 in tutoring program funds.

The school had agreed to repay $152,050 in federal grant money it was accused of spending, and the repayment amount is due today.

The school wants to use an installment plan to repay the money with a $50,000 down payment this week and a final payment in November.

Childrens Village can appeal the non-renewal decision to the State Board of Education.

Get the full story from T. Keung Hui here.

Thats all for today. Check your inbox tomorrow for more #ncpol news.

You can sign up to receive the Under the Dome newsletter at newsobserver.com/newsletters . Want your friends to get our email, too? Forward them this newsletter so they can sign up here .

We want to know what you would like to see in the Under the Dome newsletter. Do you like highlights from the legislature? Political analysis? Do you have a question youd like The News & Observer team to answer? Tell us here. You can also email us at dome@newsobserver.com

Dont forget to follow our tweets and listen to our Under the Dome podcast for more developments.
Californians have witnessed 15 of the 20 most destructive wildfires in our states history in the last decade. What was once known as fire season has become a year-round battle against Mother Nature. Although weather patterns have tamed the most recent wildfire seasons over the last two years, heavy precipitation has led to increased fuel loads  vegetation in fire-prone forested landscapes. This ticking time bomb is exactly why the California Forestry Association (Calforests) strongly supports forest resilience investments in Gov. Gavin Newsoms proposed 2024-25 state budget.

We strongly encourage the State Legislature to maintain these levels of investment.

Opinion

Newsoms proposed 2024-25 budget generally preserves investments to sustain the trajectory that has previously allowed the state to invest $2.8 billion in wildfire resiliency over the last five years, with a significant focus on forest health and wildfire prevention projects. Compared to last years $4.2 billion allocation, this budget focuses on funding programs of immediate importance: prevention, suppression and staffing.

In addition, the current proposed budget maintains an investment in the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protections (CAL FIRE) wildfire suppression efforts. The Legislature is currently reviewing an additional $198 million to increase CAL FIREs capacity to address firefighter mental health and physical welfare.

These investments fund projects like prescribed burns, fuel breaks and other fuel reduction projects that have proven effective at preventing and mitigating catastrophic wildfires. They also fund a system of fuel breaks across the state for more effective fire suppression capabilities.

These investments help CAL FIREs dedicated workforce. If we fail to continue making these investments, the state will not be prepared to implement proactive wildfire prevention measures needed to reduce the severity of wildfires, minimize property damage, protect lives and mitigate worsening air quality across the state.

CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service and their private partners are working diligently to reduce hazardous fuel loads. Much of the work that has been implemented by fire-safe councils, resource conservation districts, conservancies and others has been made possible by state-funded grants. But there is still more work that needs to be done  and urgently. For example, we need to construct and link more fuel breaks, which are multi-use tools that slow the spread of fires, provide safe places for firefighters to work from and serve as effective fire retardant drop zones. The cost of implementing and maintaining fuel breaks is a fraction of the cost of post-fire recovery, which makes this investment such sound fiscal policy.

Understanding there are many concerns for residents of our nations most populous state, this is one of the few budget items that uniquely affects all Californians, from communities within the wildland-urban interface to those in urban areas. The harmful health impacts resulting from poor air quality and water quality and quantity during and immediately after destructive wildfires affect communities even hundreds of miles from wildfires.

Catastrophic wildfires, like the Valley Fire, CZU Lightening Complex Fires and Camp Fire of 2018, where 85 lives were lost and five firefighters were injured, pose immediate danger to human and animal lives, property and infrastructure. The tragedies are followed by a long period of community recovery efforts, both emotionally and economically. The town of Paradise is still in the trenches of recovery following the destruction of the Camp Fire in 2018.

Without adequate funding, there will not be money to maintain existing fuel treatments and fuel breaks, making it harder to execute suppression activities and placing our communities, forests and firefighters at a higher risk. That is why it is so important for our state leaders to protect the proposed wildfire spending and continue building allocations for wildfire prevention and suppression into the budget.

Matt Dias is the president and CEO of the California Forestry Association.
Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign stop in Sumter, South Carolina on Feb 19 - JULIA NIKHINSON/AFP

Nikki Haleys zombie campaign has picked up more 20 per cent of the vote in Indianas Republican primary, in a warning sign for Donald Trump.

Despite dropping out of the race in March after being trounced by Mr Trump, Ms Haley took 128,000 votes to the former presidents 462,000 in the state.

Mr Trump has been the presumptive Republican presidential candidate for months and had a clean sweep of Indianas counties  but in some he was pushed down to below two-thirds of the vote.

His worst performance was in Marion county, which contains the states capital, Indianapolis, where he took 65 per cent to Ms Haleys 35 per cent. Mr Trumps lead was also softer in surrounding counties Hamilton, Allen and Hendricks.

The former president has been a clear front-runner throughout the primary season, but has struggled to dominate suburban areas.

Ms Haley, unlike many of her former primary competitors, has pointedly refused to endorse Mr Trump.

Instead, as she suspended her campaign following the Super Tuesday primary results in early March, she said it was up to him to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him. Ballots cast for candidates who have withdrawn from the race are often called zombie votes.

Joe Biden, the US President, has made explicit overtures to her voters.

Donald Trump made it clear he doesnt want Nikki Haleys supporters, he said when she dropped out of the race.

A few weeks later, his campaign spent $1 million (800,000) on an advert showing clips of Mr Trump attacking Ms Haley and her supporters, which ran for three weeks across battleground states.

One of those states was Pennsylvania where, in this weeks primary, Ms Haley took 158,000 votes (16.6 per cent) to her former boss 793,000 (83.4 per cent).

Donald Trump at an election night watch party in Columbia on Feb 24, the day he defeated opponent Nikki Haley in the South Carolina Republican primary - Win McNamee/Getty

It was reported last week that three sources close to the Trump campaign confirmed there had been no outreach from either side. One Republican operative told CNN that the divisions between the camps could cost Mr Trump the state.

Indiana is generally regarded as a safe Republican state, and was last won by a Democrat in 2008.

In 2020, Mr Trump swept the state with 57 per cent of the vote, while Mr Biden took a handful of counties  including Marion.

At the time, Mr Trumps running mate was Mike Pence, the states former governor and congressman. He too is withholding his support from his former boss.

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.
WAUKESHA, WI - MAY 1st: Former President, Donald Trump, makes a grand entrance on stage for a campaign rally on Wednesday May 1st, 2024.(Photo by Sara Stathas for the Washington Post)

In 2016, Indiana put Donald Trump on the doorstep of the GOP presidential nomination. But eight years later, the state he called Importantville delivered his campaign some flashing red warning signs as Nikki Haley cleaned up in the suburbs.

By virtue of its late-in-the-nominating-calendar primary, the Hoosier state has always occupied a unique and occasionally powerful perch to make or break candidacies: Sen. Ted Cruz and then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich dropped out immediately after Trumps victory that year. But the barn-red state also often acts as a pace car for Republicans nationally.

And in a primary that saw a record-breaking $98 million splash across the state, according to AdImpact, Tuesday was no exception.

A zombie Haley candidacy continued to punch above its weight in the Trumpiest of states: The former South Carolina governor is on track to break 20 percent for the first time since she dropped out of the race two months ago.

Outside of the presidential race, it was the panoply of open Republican primaries  for Senate, governor and three congressional seats  that made Indiana a major battleground for the various GOP factions fighting for influence in the party. On Tuesday, Sen. Mike Braun prevailed in the open race for governor, and Rep. Victoria Spartz barely survived a challenging primary.

Here are three things Indiana told us about the future of the GOP and the general election.

In a Trump vacuum, national money can still win the day

Indiana had four free-for-all congressional races, two of which  the 6th and the 8th districts  opened up because Reps. Greg Pence and Larry Bucshon, respectively, had endorsed former Vice President Mike Pence over Trump and saw their expiration date in Washington.

But Trump made no endorsements in those districts or two others  one open and the other the Spartz race  leaving national groups with a penchant for largely inexpensive media markets to fill the void as the Republican Partys ideological wings sparred.

The 3rd District race to replace GOP Rep. Jim Banks, who won the nomination for Brauns Senate seat on Tuesday, attracted millions of dollars in outside spending. That included America Leads Action, a super PAC formed earlier this year backed by wealthy donors Jay Faison and Rob Walton that has played in House races across the country in an attempt to block far-right candidates.



The group had come up empty so far, spending millions against two controversial Republicans  Brandon Gill in Texas and Mark Harris in North Carolina  who won their March primaries and are poised to win their general elections. And on Tuesday, former Rep. Marlin Stutzman, whom the group spent $1.8 million against, claimed the GOP nomination to replace Banks.

Stutzman had plenty of reinforcement: Club for Growth Action  which has been on the opposite side of America Leads Action earlier this cycle  dropped over $700,000 attacking nonprofit executive Tim Smith and former county judge Wendy Davis. Protect Freedom PAC, Sen. Rand Pauls (R-Ky.) group, and House Freedom Action, which is aligned with the Freedom Caucus, also supported Stutzman.

Stutzmans win is a boon for the conservative faction of the party, which has been working on building its ranks by supporting such candidates in safe-seat primaries, where the Republican nominee is all but guaranteed to win the general election.

Still, America Leads Action did have one success on Tuesday. In the 8th District, former Rep. John Hostettler lost his comeback bid to state Sen. Mark Messmer. The group spent $1.6 million to block Hostettler  and it wasnt the only outside group to do so. Much of the opposition to Hostettler was due to his past votes against Israel, prompting United Democracy Project, the American Israel Public Affairs Committees super PAC, and the Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund, which supported Messmer, to jump in. Combined, those two entities put up more than $2.8 million on advertisements to block Hostettler, according to AdImpact.

The only major candidate Trump did endorse was Banks, who cleared the primary field entirely as ambitious Republicans looked elsewhere and passed up a run for an open Senate seat.

Incumbency still matters

Spartz survived  but her long-term political standing is far from secure after first retiring in 2023, then reversing course shortly before the filing deadline to get on the primary ballot.

The 39 percent of the vote Spartz garnered was the lowest for any incumbent in a congressional primary so far this year, and that includes one incumbent who was defeated (GOP Rep. Jerry Carl of Alabama) and another who was dragged into a runoff later this month (GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas).

It took everything Spartz had in the final stretch  including floating her campaign $700,000 of her own money in the last two weeks  to eke out a win. The Ukrainian-born, second-term representative from suburban Indianapolis voted against the Ukraine aid package that passed Congress last month after state Rep. Chuck Goodrich, the second-place finisher on Tuesday, had criticized her for supporting previous funding for Ukraine.

Spartzs mercurial time in Congress has been marked by sizable staff turnover, sharp criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the two years since Russias invasion and her successful un-retirement  for now.

Other incumbents easily secured wins on Tuesday, batting away minor primary challengers.

Trump still hasnt locked up Haley Republicans

Indiana delivered the former president double-point margins in 2016 and 2020. But on Tuesday night, even though Trump won all of the states 58 delegates, Nikki Haley posted above-30-point performances in places like Marion County, home to Indianapolis, and affluent Hamilton County, its suburb to the north.

This is where Biden grew Democratic margins in 2020, and where Indiana Democrats have been targeting for years. And its the same kind of place where Trump has been weak throughout the 2024 GOP primary in other states. While virtually no one doubts Indiana will be in the Trump column come November, Tuesdays results show a durable coalition for Haley.



In fact, Haley was on track to score more votes than the second-place finisher in the $40 million GOP gubernatorial contest, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, winning more than 100,000 votes. This, after Trump said, without evidence, that she wouldnt make the ballot earlier this year.

The states senior senator, Todd Young, who has said he will not back Trump and outperformed the former presidents 2020 margin in his 2022 reelection bid, told POLITICO earlier this year he was warm to Haleys candidacy before she dropped out. Former Vice President Mike Pence, an Indiana voter, has also said he would not back Trump. Spokespersons for both declined to say how either voted Tuesday.

Haleys totals may have been boosted by voters outside the GOP base participating in the primary. Indiana voters dont register with a political party  and with the Republican gubernatorial primary dominating the airwaves, a broader swath of voters than Trumps core supporters may have been motivated to pull Republican ballots.
DURHAM  Local New Hampshire and New England suppliers played a critical role in NASAs Artemis I mission to the moon's orbit, completed on Dec. 11, 2022, with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

To celebrate its success, NASA held an event at UNH on April 23 to honor industry partners who made the mission possible by supplying key components for the Orion space shuttle, which did not have a crew, and the Space Launch System rocket.

Panelists, from left: Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager, NASA; Kristin Morgan, assistant manager SLS, Liquid Engines Office, NASA; Lee Morin, NASA astronaut (and UNH alum); Rosemary Sargent, Artemis II mission manager, Orion Spacecraft, Lockheed Martin; and Richard Taylor, senior electrical design engineering manager, Jacobs.

The event, titled "Artemis and New Hampshire: How New Hampshire is Helping NASA Return the USA to the Moon and Beyond," was held in the Granite State Room in the Memorial Union Building.

A number of companies that specialize in aerospace components that comply with NASAs standards are located here in New England. According to Harlan Spence, UNH's director of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space (EOS), New Hampshire is a leader in the aerospace and defense industry.

Defense and Homeland Security grants and contracting are responsible for more than 16,500 jobs and a total payroll of $1.1 billion across (New Hampshire), according to the UMass Economic & Public Policy Research.

Spence opened a panel discussion of aerospace experts and industry leaders at UNH reading from a letter Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, wrote addressed to the leaders and attendees of the event.

Im proud that companies in the Granite State are contributing so much to this endeavor and writing the next chapter in this story of exploration and discovery. You all bolster New Hampshires long-held reputation as a space state, Shaheen wrote.

UNH has been a long-time partner of NASA, said Spence, for research that covers Earths oceans and space. UNH's EOS is proud to be one of the earliest universities to do so, said Spence.

I think recognizing, kind of doubly the great partnership that UNH has had with NASA for the missions that we're we have done and the ones we're doing now and future ones we're working on that will enable safe transit of humankind back to the moon and then on to Mars, Spence said.

Harlan Spence, Director of the University of New Hampshire Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space at the podium. Seated from left: Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager, NASA; Kristin Morgan, assistant manager SLS, Liquid Engines Office, NASA; Lee Morin, NASA astronaut (and UNH alum); Rosemary Sargent, Artemis II mission manager, Orion Spacecraft, Lockheed Martin; and Richard Taylor, senior electrical design engineering manager, Jacobs.

Also recognizing the hidden gems that we have in the state of New Hampshire and in the region more broadly, in northern New England, of industry partners, many of them smaller businesses that are supporting NASA (by) building parts of the systems, whether it be launch systems or ground systems that support NASA's mission, broadly in terms of science and exploration, both robotic and humankind, said Spence.

Five panelists were featured, including Lee Morin, NASA astronaut and UNH alum.

Of the panelists, Mike Sarafin, NASA Artemis mission manager, provided some insight about his role in the Artemis I mission at NASA. He was chair of the Mission Management Team, serving as leader of the team that decided when the launch would enter the moon's orbit, when to bring the spacecraft home and where to splash the spacecraft down, Sarafin said.

He came to New England to recognize contributions to the mission.

So the purpose of last week's visit to New England and our suppliers throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts [and] Rhode Island was mainly to thank them for their contributions to the Artemis program and to help them understand where they fit in the big picture in terms of our shared success, said Sarafin.

Sarafin and his colleagues visited Wyman-Gordon, Spincraft, RdF Corporation, Haigh Farr, Turbocam Inc. (of Barrington, New Hampshire) and Dewetron.

NASA is a respected name, and having NASA come into their plant meant a lot to them, said Sarafin.

Turbocam Inc. manufactures the turbines that spin at over 20,000 revolutions per minute, and they are used within the RS 25 [rocket] engines on the Space Launch System, Sarafin said.

Spincraft of Billerica, Massachusetts, specializes in the domes that fit onto the ends of the large fuel tanks on the Space Launch System rocket that holds over 730,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The temperatures are extremely cold, like -200 degrees (Fahrenheit)," Sarafin said.

Spincraft manufactures the domes out of one singular piece of metal, eliminating the need for welding which can expose the metal to slight weaknesses, he explained.

That manufacturing technique that they have allows the material to essentially be defect-free, in the sense that it holds pressure, and it's able to bear the load of launch, Sarafin said.

Sarafin said that the Artemis program is distinctive.

The Artemis program is unique in that it represents America's workforce today. And it is partnered with our international partners. So you know, the Apollo program was a fantastic success over 50 years ago. But it didn't fully represent the demographic that was contributing to the program. So yes, we are going to put the first woman, the first person of color on the surface of the moon. That is inherently part of the Artemis program's goals is to send people that are representative of America today and of our workforce, Sarafin said, explaining what is yet to come.

Spence said many kids attended the event, and it was awesome to see the future interested in space exploration.

I think these kind of big projects inspire that child in all of us, Spence said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: UNH, Turbocam recognized by NASA for roles in Artemis I mission
JERUSALEM, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Militants in Gaza fired eight rockets from the Rafah area toward the Kerem Shalom Crossing area in Israel shortly after it reopened on Wednesday, injuring one Israeli soldier, according to the Israeli army.

The soldier sustained light injuries and received medical treatment at the scene, the army said in a statement.

Earlier on Wednesday, the army reported additional launches from the Rafah area that fell short of crossing into Israeli territory and instead landed in the Gaza Strip.

The Kerem Shalom Crossing, a key entry point for humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave, reopened on Wednesday after Israel closed it on Sunday following the killing of four soldiers in a mortar attack. 
Russian forces attacked the village of Bilozerka and the city of Kherson on May 8, local governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

Kherson and other regional settlements on the west bank of the Dnipro River have been subjected to near-daily Russian strikes since Ukraine liberated the area in November 2022, and Russian troops were pushed to the river's east bank.

A 65-year-old woman was killed due to the strike on Bilozerka. She was in her house when the attack happened, according to Prokudin.

A 40-year-old man was hospitalized in serious condition with a blast injury and hands and face wounds. A 65-year-old woman was also hospitalized, but is in stable condition. She suffered a concussion and a blast injury.

The Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported at noon local time that the number of casualties had risen to four after a 47-year-old woman was hospitalized with a concussion.

Subscribe to newsletter

War Notes

Subscribe

Critical infrastructure in the city of Kherson was damaged in the attacks on May 8 as well. The governor did not specify which facility was hit but said Kherson was partially left without light due to the recent strikes.

Russian attacks also damaged Ukrainian Railways' tracks. The route of the train Kyiv-Kherson-Kyiv was temporarily changed, as the tracks require repair.

The train will stop in Mykolaiv. Transportation was arranged for those who traveled to Kherson or from the city.

Read also: Updated: Russia launches large-scale attack against Ukraine, hitting energy infrastructure

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A US ally is forging ties with China's air force but probably won't get its J-20 stealth fighter

The UAE is boosting ties with China's air force.

It could be a scheme to increase pressure to buy the US F-35 stealth fighter.

The UAE is pursuing a "balancing strategy" between Washington and Beijing, experts said.

The United Arab Emirates is expanding air force ties with China in what may be a scheme to brighten their dim prospects of acquiring F-35 Lightning II stealth jets from the United States. However, this developing cooperation will not likely result in Abu Dhabi ordering alternative fifth-generation fighters from Beijing.

Major General Saleh Mohammed bin Mejren Al Ameri, commander of the UAE's Joint Operations, met with the commander of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force on April 23 to promote closer air force cooperation.

The meeting occurred as the UAE's prospects for acquiring F-35s "may be getting slimmer," according to one analysis. Another even speculated Abu Dhabi may eventually seek China's premier stealth fighter: the fifth-generation J-20 Mighty Dragon.

The US approved a $19 billion deal to sell 50 F-35s and 18 MQ-4B drones to the UAE in January 2021. However, the deal hasn't materialized amid Washington's growing concern about China's central role in Emirati 5G infrastructure and suspicions that Beijing is establishing a military base there. On the other hand, Abu Dhabi has grown frustrated with American preconditions about the extent of its technical cooperation with China.

The UAE ordered 80 Dassault Rafales from France in December 2021. It has also bought 12 L-15 trainer jets from Beijing and participated in a joint air force training exercise in China for the first time in 2023. Such moves did little to assuage Washington's concerns about expanding defense ties between China and its Arab Gulf allies.

Nevertheless, Abu Dhabi's budding ties don't suggest it is replacing its Western military hardware with Chinese alternatives.

"The main factor to consider here is that, unlike US policymakers, the UAE doesn't see arms purchases from China as a zero-sum deal," Ahmed Aboudouh, associate fellow at Chatham House and head of the China Studies Unit at the Emirates Policy Center, told Business Insider. "Abu Dhabi's first choice would certainly be to acquire the F-35 sale over any Chinese equivalent."

Aboudouh noted that approaching China to discuss procuring advanced arms is driven by Washington's hesitance to provide Abu Dhabi with alternatives, which the UAE views as "crucial" based on "national security considerations and high regional volatility."

The UAE has ordered 80 Rafale multirole fighters from France's Dassault Aviation. Fred Tanneau/Getty Images

Furthermore, Abu Dhabi wants its "balancing strategy" between Washington and Beijing to pay off.

Sebastien Roblin, a widely published military-aviation journalist, also sees Abu Dhabi's balancing act in play.

"The nature of the relationship with the Gulf states and the US is that they nurture secondary ties with China and Russia to create additional pressure on Washington to sell to them, as one might flirt with a third party to attract the jealous attention from a partner," Roblin told BI.

Both analysts see little significance in the L-15 acquisition and joint exercises.

"I still see the bilateral relations between the air forces as very superficial and symbolic," Aboudouh said. "Strategic depth in military partnerships takes time to build. I don't see this relationship developing into something similar to what the UAE Air Force has with France or even Russia anytime soon."

Roblin pointed out that while the L-15s are "respectable advanced trainers sold at a bargain unit price," they lack the benefit of "common systems" with the F-16 and Rafale jets, which Emirati fighter pilots will eventually graduate to fly. Furthermore, the Emirati air force fighter fleet is already large for such a small country, making it unlikely the L-15s will serve any combat role.

"So the sale, like the common exercises, serves as a warning signal to the US that the UAE may take its money elsewhere," Roblin said. "Of course, there's a risk of that backfiring and convincing Washington it can't be trusted with more advanced US hardware like the F-35 if ties with China grow too cozy."

Aboudouh believes it's "hard to predict" if the UAE might eventually acquire fifth-generation Chinese aircraft.

"The main factor at play here is the US vision for its military relations with the UAE," Aboudouh said. "In other words, at a time of extensive debate on a US-Saudi defense pact potentially signed soon, the UAE would be interested in a similar deal. Will the US, in turn, deem signing this deal with Abu Dhabi a strategic necessity to curb Abu Dhabi's expanding military cooperation with Beijing?"

Roblin also believes the "much-touted" Saudi defense pact could prove pivotal. If the deal is realized and leads to a Saudi F-35 sale, that could "indicate potential" for the UAE finally getting the fifth-generation American aircraft, too, provided it "locks out certain exchanges" with Beijing  such as Chinese radars and aircraft that could expose the F-35's stealth.

There is also the salient fact that China hasn't exported any stealth fighters and Beijing will not likely offer the J-20 for export. It will likely sell the export version of its lighter J-35, the FC-31, which Pakistan is reportedly interested in procuring, but those haven't entered operational service yet.

"The UAE also had a stake in Russia's Su-75 'export stealth fighter' pitched prior to 2022, but it doesn't seem appealing between risks of Western sanctions and Russian mass-production issues related to the war in Ukraine," Roblin said.

He suggested South Korea's KF-21 or Turkey's TF Kaan fighter projects could offer "less geopolitically fraught options" to the UAE. The Emirates is already reportedly interested in investing in the KF-21.

The UAE would probably not be interested in procuring advanced fourth-generation Chinese fighters either, especially given the enormous Rafale order it just signed.

Roblin also questioned why the UAE would buy jets like the J-10 and J-16 from China when it already has access to equivalent or superior Western jets like the F-15EX, F-16V, and, of course, the Rafale.

"Introducing such Chinese aircraft dependent on different weapons and communication ecosystems would be logistically senseless unless there was a broader project to convert to a Chinese fleet," Robin said.

"But I'm skeptical the UAE would go all-in in that direction."

Read the original article on Business Insider
icon

Semafor Signals

Supported by

Microsoft logo

Insights from E&E News, Axios, and Politico

Arrow Down

Title icon

The News

John Podesta, the USs envoy on climate, is set to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Liu Zhenmin, on Wednesday  its the first time the pair will be face-to-face after US and EU officials accused China of flooding global markets with cheap green technology.

Big picture items, including climate finance and methane emissions reduction efforts, will likely be on the docket. But a more sticky issue will be how to navigate Washingtons efforts to compete withChinese green tech, which some officials contend hampers President Joe Bidens key economic policy: to supercharge domestic manufacturing through climate-friendly products like electric vehicles and solar panels.

The negotiations also set the stage for the United Nations COP29 climate talks that will take place in Azerbaijan later this year. And it might be among the last climate-focused dialogues between the US and China before the formers November presidential election.

icon

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Podesta balances mitigating climate change with domestic agenda

Source icon

Sources: E&E News, Bloomberg

The talks require a balancing act from Podesta: Washington wants to convince China to reduce carbon emissions and support global actions to address rising temperatures. But Washington also wants to push Bidens economic agenda, which depends on US green tech manufacturing. Beijing likely wont love the trade-off: Boosting the US in this way means limiting Chinas exports of its own green technology, according to E&E News. Liu previously said the Wests policy of decoupling from Chinese imports could raise costs and delay the phase-out of fossil fuels globally. But at least the two men seem equally committed to the job and theyre going to approach it with some real creative and practical energy, one climate expert commented.

Strong personal relationships matter

Source icon

Sources: Axios, Council on Foreign Relations

Both Podesta and Liu are new on the job, after former envoys John Kerry and Xie Zhenhua stepped down earlier this year. The pair are not strangers, but they lack the deep relationship Kerry and Xie built over several years of working together. We all know from past experience how personal relationships could contribute to the two countries bridging some of their differences, said Li Shuo, director of China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute. A friendly dynamic between Podesta and Liu could also be more difficult to cultivate given that Kerry believes his relationship with Xie was helped by Beijing seeing him as someone that could convince the White House to enhance cooperation with China.

California has started courting Liu on its own terms

Source icon

Sources: Politico, Associated Press

If Donald Trump returns to the White House next year, it could cause relations with China to deteriorate fast. At least one state is making it a local matter: Californias government has been building close ties with Liu to independently reach its climate and energy goals. Governor Gavin Newsom met Liu last year in Beijing, Politico reported. It cant just be Washington to Beijing, former California Governor Jerry Brown told Politico. We need to knit together many relationships in order to deal with climate. While California officials have focused their talks with their Chinese counterparts largely around sharing expertise to tackle air pollution, carbon pricing programs and conservation, the Associated Press reported.

Semafor Logo
US Federal Election Commission gives Trump 45 more days to file personal financial disclosures

Former U.S. President Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records continues in New York

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Election Commission on Wednesday granted Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump a 45-day extension to file personal financial disclosures.

Trump, who is facing significant court fines and legal fees while he campaigns ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election, had been due to submit a report on his personal financial situation to the Federal Election Commission on May 15.

But a legal representative for Trump on Wednesday requested the agency grant the candidate an extension, citing "the complexities of his financial holdings," according to a copy of the letter released by the agency. A second letter released by the agency showed it had granted the request.

With the extension, Trump's financial disclosure "should be received by the Federal Election Commission by July 1," Lisa Stevenson, a lawyer at the agency, said in the letter.

(Reporting by Jason Lange; writing by Susan Heavey, editing by David Ljunggren and Chizu Nomiyama)
US military finishes Gaza pier, but plans to move it into place paused

The U.S. military has finished construction of a temporary pier and causeway that will be used to deliver aid to Gaza through a maritime system, but plans to move it into place on the shore are on hold due to weather and other logistics.

Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters on Tuesday that U.S. military ships and the assembled pier are at Israels Ashdod port. High winds and sea swells are making it too dangerous for the U.S. military to install the pier at the Gaza beach.

Singh says the U.S. hopes to install the pier and causeway later this week, if the weather permits.

Meanwhile, humanitarian aid is being loaded onto a large container ship, the Sagamore, in Cyprus, for eventual delivery to Gaza, Singh said.

The U.S. hopes the pier can be used to bring more humanitarian aid into Gaza, where the U.N. says there is a full-blown famine in the north.

US military pier in Gaza to cost $320 million, Pentagon estimates
Hamas says it will not compromise further with Israel to win Gaza ceasefire

Hamas says it will not compromise further with Israel to win Gaza ceasefire

By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Steve Holland and Mohammad Salem

CAIRO/WASHINGTON/RAFAH, Gaza Strip (Reuters) -Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Wednesday it was unwilling to make more concessions to Israel in negotiations over a ceasefire for Gaza, although talks were still under way in Cairo aimed at pausing Israel's seven-month-old offensive.

Israel continued tank and aerial strikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Wednesday and has threatened a major assault on it. Its forces moved in via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Tuesday, cutting off a vital aid route and the only exit for the evacuation of wounded patients.

Izzat El-Reshiq, a member of Hamas' political office in Qatar, said in a statement late on Wednesday that the group would not go beyond a ceasefire proposal it accepted on Monday, which would also entail the release of some Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian women and children detained in Israel.

Israel isnt serious about reaching an agreement and it is using the negotiation as a cover to invade Rafah and occupy the crossing, said Reshiq.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, which on Monday declared that the three-phase proposal approved by Hamas was unacceptable because terms had been watered down.

Delegations from Hamas, Israel, the U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been meeting in Cairo since Tuesday. Citing a senior source, Egypt's state-affiliated Al Qahera TV said the talks in Cairo continued throughout Wednesday and into the night.

The U.S. said on Tuesday that Hamas had revised its ceasefire proposal and the revision could overcome an impasse in negotiations.

Just a few hours before Hamas' latest statement, Washington continued to say the two sides were not far apart.

"We believe there is a pathway to a deal ... The two sides are close enough they should do what they can to get to a deal," U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.

The U.S. aims to stave off a full Israeli invasion of Rafah, and a senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington paused a shipment of 1,800 2,000-pound (907-kg) bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that Israel had used those bombs to kill Palestinian civilians.

"Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers," he told CNN.

Israel's U.N. ambassador, Gilad Erdan, called Washington's decision "very disappointing" although he did not believe the U.S. would stop supplying arms to Israel.

Israel says it must hit Rafah to defeat thousands of Hamas fighters it says are holed up there. But the city is also a refuge for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled combat farther north in Gaza.

Hamas said its fighters on Wednesday were battling Israeli forces in Rafah's east and Islamic Jihad's fighters attacked Israeli soldiers and military vehicles with heavy artillery near the city's long abandoned airport.

Israeli tank shells landed in the middle of Rafah wounding at least 25 people on Wednesday, medics said. Residents said an Israeli air strike killed four people and wounded 16 others in western Rafah.

The Israeli military said it troops had discovered Hamas infrastructure in several places in eastern Rafah and were conducting targeted raids on the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing and airstrikes across the Gaza Strip.

AID SHORTAGE

The U.N., Gaza residents and humanitarian groups say further Israeli incursion into Rafah will lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.

A U.N. official said no fuel or aid had entered the Gaza Strip due to the military operation, a situation "disastrous for the humanitarian response" in Gaza where more than half the population is suffering catastrophic hunger.

Palestinians have crammed into tented camps and makeshift shelters, suffering from shortages of food, water and medicine. Rafah's main maternity hospital, where nearly half of Gaza's births take place, has stopped admitting patients, the United Nations Population Fund told Reuters on Wednesday.

"The streets of the city echo with the cries of innocent lives lost, families torn apart, and homes reduced to rubble," Rafah Mayor Ahmed Al-Sofi said, appealing to the international community to intervene.

Israel has told civilians in Rafah, many of whom have been uprooted several times already, to go to an "expanded humanitarian zone" in al-Mawasi, some 20 km (12 miles) away.

Estimates of how many Palestinians have left Rafah since Monday ranged from 10,000, according to U.N. agency UNRWA, to tens of thousands, according to the Hamas-run Gaza government media office.

"Some streets look like a ghost town now," Aref, 35, told Reuters via a chat app.

Israel's offensive has killed 34,844 Palestinians in seven months of war, most of them civilians, the Gaza health ministry said.

The war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 252 others, of whom 128 remain hostage in Gaza and 36 have been declared dead, according to the latest Israeli figures.

(Additional reporting by Henriette Chacar and Dan Williams in Jerusalem, Andrea Shalal aboard Air Force One and Susan Heavey and Phil Stewart in Washington; Writing by Cynthia Osterman; Editing by Philippa Fletcher, Josie Kao and Daniel Wallis)
US paused bomb shipment to Israel over Rafah invasion concerns, official says

The Biden administration recently paused an arms shipment to Israel due to concerns the country could launch a full-scale assault on Rafah, a city in southern Gaza  a move the U.S. has strongly opposed.

The shipment would have included roughly 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, a senior administration official told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

More than a million civilians have sheltered in Rafah after being forced to evacuate other areas in Gaza due to the ongoing war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. The U.S. has voiced concerns over the Israeli military using the larger explosives in the dense and urban area.

Israeli officials scrambled over the reason behind the pause, according to Axios, which first reported the shipment delay last week.

The Biden administration committed $26 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Israel late last month, continuing a streak of strong support for Israel against the militant group. In a recent statement to The Hill, the National Security Council said that support hasnt changed.

The United States has surged billions of dollars in security assistance to Israel since the October 7 attacks, passed the largest ever supplemental appropriation for emergency assistance to Israel, led an unprecedented coalition to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, and will continue to do what is necessary to ensure Israel can defend itself from the threats it faces, an NSC spokesperson said

Israel began targeted strikes in eastern Rafah late Monday, despite concerns from many about how military action in the city could affect the civilians sheltering there.

Israel also gained control of the Gazan side of the crossing at Rafah, which is the only point of entry between the territory and Egypt and key to the flow of humanitarian assistance.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US has paused the supply of high-payload munitions to Israel over concerns about a potential military offensive on the Gazan city of Rafah.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The delivery was supposed to contain 3,500 bombs, split roughly evenly between 2,000-pound (907-kilogram) and 500-pound explosives, according to a senior administration official. Austin, speaking separately, said no final decision has been made on the shipment.

Israel needs to account for the protection of civilians in Rafah, where the US wants no major conflict to take place, Austin told a Senate Appropriations panel on Wednesday. The White House is worried about the damage the large bombs could inflict on dense urban areas like Rafah, where about 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering from Israels war with Hamas.

Austin said a 2000-pound bomb could do a lot of collateral damage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office declined to comment on the weapons delay, and its unclear if it will have much impact on the militarys operations in Gaza. Still, it speaks to growing tensions between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden, whos voiced opposition to an attack on Rafah and reaffirmed that message in a call between the leaders on Monday.

Privately, Israeli officials expressed deep frustration and warned their US counterparts the delay could jeopardize cease-fire and hostage negotiations at a crucial moment, according to a person briefed on the discussions. The Israelis told US officials that pressure should be put on Hamas, not on Israel, the person added, declining to be named in order to detail the sensitive discussions.

The US has stepped up its criticism of Israel in recent months, saying its not doing enough to protect civilians and allow aid into the besieged Palestinian territory, parts of which the United Nations says are on the verge of famine. There have been far too many casualties in this battle space, Austin said.

At the same time, Biden has said his support for Israel is ironclad, and hes defended its right to pursue a strategy of destroying Hamas, an Islamist group backed by Iran.

Austin was questioned about the weapons shipment by members of the congressional panel. Does this not send the wrong message to our ally Israel and embolden Iran and Iranian-backed groups? asked Senator Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican. We should not signal to our enemies that our support is conditional.

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine called the pause a decision that most members of Congress would take issue with.

But the Biden administration signaled it might hold up other consignments to Israel. In a briefing on Wednesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the US was reviewing other potential weapon systems, although he declined to go into detail.

Miller reiterated the administration doesnt support an Israeli invasion of Rafah given the lack of a credible plan to avoid civilian casualties. We just dont believe its possible to move those people to other places in Gaza, he said.

Bidens decision marks one of the most significant moments of discord between Israel and its most important ally since Hamass Oct. 7 assault, which started the war. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the US, killed 1,200 people and abducted roughly 250 when its fighters stormed into southern Israel from Gaza.

Israels retaliatory bombardment and ground offensive on the Mediterranean enclave have killed almost 35,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Past Pauses

It isnt the first time the US has delayed arms supplies to Israel, though its far from commonplace.

Former President Barack Obama held up the delivery of Hellfire missiles for several weeks in 2014 during a previous round of Gaza fighting. Before that, Ronald Reagan halted a shipment of cluster-type artillery shells after Israels invasion of Lebanon in 1982. And Richard Nixon held off providing arms for the first week of the 1973 Yom Kippur war.

Read more: Israel Edges Into Rafah With Tension High Over Stalled Talks

Biden told Netanyahu last month, following the killing of World Central Kitchen aid workers in an Israeli strike, that ongoing US support for the war would depend on new steps to protect civilians.

The US recently signed a foreign-aid package that contains billions of dollars of fresh assistance for Israel. The paused bomb shipment isnt connected to those funds, Austin said. Arms transfers that are under review were drawn from previously appropriated money, and the White House is committed to ensuring Israel gets all the new national security aid, he said.

Separately, a pending arms sale has been under review for months at the State Department, according to a congressional aide and an administration official. Its a potential $260 million direct commercial sale between Boeing Co. and Israel for as many as 6,500 tail-kits to convert unguided bombs into GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or Jdams. The State Department would have to notify the House and Senate foreign relations committees before the sale could go forward. Delivery would take years, the officials said.

This week, Israel told residents in some parts of eastern Rafah to move out immediately in a possible prelude to an assault. It urged them to travel north to a humanitarian area near the Gazan city of Khan Younis, much of which has been destroyed. Israel says its working to ensure there will be enough tents, food and medicine for the civilians.

Israels military also took control of and closed the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Tuesday. Its the main entry point for aid going into Gaza and the United Nations said it should be reopened quickly.

On Wednesday, Israel reopened the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing after it was shut on Sunday because of a deadly Hamas rocket attack. Israel said trucks with humanitarian supplies were moving into Gaza via the border post. Still, its military said the area was being targeted by more rockets launched from Rafah.

Rafah Talks

For now, Israeli officials are saying their operations in Rafah are limited and are downplaying the notion that a full-on offensive has begun.

Discussions between American and Israeli officials over Rafah are continuing and have yet to fully address Washingtons concerns, another US official said. William Burns, head of the Central Intelligence Agency, traveled to Jerusalem on Wednesday to speak to Netanyahu about his plans for the city and cease-fire negotiations with Hamas.

The truce talks remain stuck over Hamass demand that any pause in fighting is effectively permanent. Israel says the war cant end  even if theres a break for a weeks-long truce  until Hamas surrenders or is defeated as a military and governing organization.

Since the war started in October, the US has shipped more than 200 planeloads of weapons and ammunition to help Israel. The US is the biggest supplier of arms to Israel, and Biden has said there are no circumstances under which he would stop sending ammunition for Israels defense, including those used for the Iron Dome system, which intercepts rockets and missiles fired at the Jewish state.

(Updates status of Kerem Shalom crossing.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that the country was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S., Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday.

The shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, according to the official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The focus of U.S. concern was the larger explosives and how they could be used in a dense urban setting like Rafah where more than 1 million civilians are sheltering after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israels war on Hamas, which came after the militant groups deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

Austin confirmed the weapons delay, telling the Senate Appropriations Defense subcommittee that the U.S. paused one shipment of high payload munitions.

Were going to continue to do whats necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself, Austin said. But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah.

The U.S. has historically provided enormous amounts of military aid to Israel. That has only accelerated in the aftermath of Hamas Oct. 7 attack that killed some 1,200 in Israel and led to about 250 being taken captive by militants. The pausing of the aid shipment is the most striking manifestation of the growing daylight between Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and the administration of President Joe Biden, which has called on Israel to do far more to protect the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza.

It also comes as the Biden administration is due to deliver a first-of-its-kind formal verdict this week on whether the airstrikes on Gaza and restrictions on delivery of aid have violated international and U.S. laws designed to spare civilians from the worst horrors of war. A decision against Israel would further add to pressure on Biden to curb the flow of weapons and money to Israels military.

Biden signed off on the pause in an order conveyed last week to the Pentagon, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to comment on the matter. The White House National Security Council sought to keep the decision out of the public eye for several days until it had a better understanding of the scope of Israels intensified military operations in Rafah and until Biden could deliver a long-planned speech on Tuesday to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Bidens administration in April began reviewing future transfers of military assistance as Netanyahus government appeared to move closer toward an invasion of Rafah, despite months of opposition from the White House. The official said the decision to pause the shipment was made last week and no final decision had been made yet on whether to proceed with the shipment at a later date.

U.S. officials had declined for days to comment on the halted transfer, word of which came as Biden on Tuesday described U.S. support for Israel as ironclad, even when we disagree.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to square the arms holdup with Bidens rhetoric in support of Israel, saying only, Two things could be true.

Austin told lawmakers Wednesday, Its about having the right kinds of weapons for the task at hand.

A small diameter bomb, which is a precision weapon, thats very useful in a dense, built-up environment, he said, but maybe not so much a 2,000-pound bomb that could create a lot of collateral damage. He said the U.S. wants to see Israel do more precise operations.

Israeli troops on Tuesday seized control of Gazas vital Rafah border crossing in what the White House described as a limited operation that stopped short of the full-on Israeli invasion of the city that Biden has repeatedly warned against on humanitarian grounds, most recently in a Monday call with Netanyahu.

Israel has ordered the evacuation of 100,000 Palestinians from the city. Israeli forces have also carried out what it describes as targeted strikes on the eastern part of Rafah and captured the Rafah crossing, a critical conduit for the flow of humanitarian aid along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Privately, concern has mounted inside the White House about whats unfolding in Rafah, but publicly administration officials have stressed that they did not think the operations had defied Bidens warnings against a widescale operation in the city.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Israel described the operation along the Gaza-Egypt border in eastern Rafah as an operation of limited scale and duration aimed at cutting off Hamas arms smuggling, but also said the U.S. would monitor the fighting.

Just last month, Congress passed a $95 billion national security bill that included funding for Ukraine, Israel and other allies. The package included more than $14 billion in military aid for Israel, though the stalled transfer was not related to that measure.

The State Department is separately considering whether to approve the continued transfer of Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, which place precision guidance systems onto bombs, to Israel, but the review didnt pertain to imminent shipments.

The U.S. dropped the 2,000-pound bomb sparingly in its long war against the Islamic State militant group. Israel, by contrast, has used the bomb frequently in the seven-month Gaza war. Experts say the use of the weapon, in part, has helped drive the enormous Palestinian casualty count that the Hamas-run health ministry puts at more than 34,000 dead, though it doesnt distinguish between militants and civilians.

The U.S.-Israel relationship has been close through both Democratic and Republican administrations. But there have been other moments of deep tension since Israels founding in which U.S. leaders have threatened to hold up aid in attempt to sway Israeli leadership.

President Dwight Eisenhower pressured Israel with the threat of sanctions into withdrawing from the Sinai in 1957 in the midst of the Suez Crisis. Ronald Reagan delayed the delivery of F16 fighter jets to Israel at a time of escalating violence in the Middle East. President George H.W. Bush held up $10 billion in loan guarantees to force the cessation of Israeli settlement activity in the occupied territories.

AP writers Lolita C. Baldor and Matthew Lee contributed to this report.
A Namibian student performs during the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competitions in Windhoek, Namibia, on May 7, 2024. The Confucius Institute at the University of Namibia (UNAM) on Tuesday hosted "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competitions for foreign college and secondary school students in Windhoek, the Namibian capital. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)

WINDHOEK, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Namibia (UNAM) on Tuesday hosted "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competitions for foreign college and secondary school students in Windhoek, the Namibian capital.

Kenneth Matengu, vice chancellor of the University of Namibia, said the level and quality displayed at the 23rd "Chinese Bridge" competition for college students and the 17th "Chinese Bridge" competition for secondary school students in Namibia are steadily improving.

"It's a wonderful opportunity that we can give to our students and learners," he said, adding that the enthusiasm and participation from secondary schools were particularly noteworthy, with the university sector also actively engaged.

The competitions featured various activities, including speeches, song performances, quizzes, and demonstrations of various Chinese cultural talents, including calligraphy, with Sedney Teko winning university contest and Angela Shoombe the secondary school category.

The two winners received tokens of appreciation in the form of cellphones and smartwatches and the opportunity to travel to China for the 2024 Chinese Bridge Competition.

Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping commended the students for their efforts, and pledged continued support.

"We need to add more teaching sites to catch up with the reality. As Chinese ambassador, I would like to get more resources for that purpose," he said. "I do hope that with our joint efforts, Chinese language teaching will benefit more Namibian people." 
US pauses shipment of bombs Israel could use in Rafah

The Biden administration has paused a shipment of bombs that could be used in Rafah over concerns that Israel is poised to invade the southern Gaza city where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering.

The decision was based on a review the administration began in April of proposed transfers of weapons that might be used in the densely populated city, according to a senior administration official.

It comes amid international outrage over the civilian toll from Israels response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

U.S. officials have for months warned Israel not to launch a ground operation in the city, which Israel says is Hamas' last stronghold, because of the likelihood of civilian casualties.



The weapons shipment in question contains 1,800 2,000-lb bombs and 1,700 500-lb bombs, the official said. The administration has not made a final decision on whether to proceed with the shipment.

Discussions with Israeli officials about how to meet the humanitarian needs of civilians with Rafah "have not fully addressed our concerns," the official said.

"As Israeli leaders seemed to approach a decision point on such an operation, we began to carefully review proposed transfers of particular weapons to Israel that might be used in Rafah," the official said, noting that the U.S. focused particularly on the 2,000-lb bombs and "the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza."

The administration is also reviewing other sales, including Boeings Joint Direct Attack Munitions  kits that convert bombs into smart weapons, the official said. None of the cases under review involve imminent weapons transfers.

The Biden administration is holding up shipments of two types of Boeing-made precision bombs to send a political message to Israel, POLITICO reported on Tuesday.
US pauses weapons shipment to Israel as assault on Rafah steps up

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks at the final press conference. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said earlier in the day during testimony in Congress that "one shipment of high-payload munitions" had been halted, confirming reports in US media. Hours later, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller called into question other deliveries. Uwe Anspach/dpa

The United States has paused a large shipment of weapons to Israel, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday, amid ongoing concerns in Washington about Israeli military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

"We're going to continue to do whats necessary to support Israel," Austin said, calling Washington's security commitment "ironclad."

However, he said that "one shipment of high-payload munitions" had been halted, publicly confirming reports this week in US media, and that other pending near-term assistance was being assessed.

Across Washington, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also called into question other deliveries.

"We have paused one shipment of near-term assistance and we are reviewing others," he told reporters.

Miller refused to comment on the type of military aid and the length of the interruption.

"I don't have a time frame to offer you but we have always made clear that our policy determinations are depending on Israel's policy determinations," he said.

Miller said it had been clearly communicated that the US government did not support Israel's long-threatened all-out offensive in Rafah, the southern city in the Gaza Strip that is seen as the last place of refuge for civilians.

He said the Israeli side has yet to present a credible plan that guarantees both the protection of the civilian population in Rafah and their humanitarian supplies.

Israel describes Rafah as the last major Hamas stronghold in Gaza.

In the war zone on Wednesday, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement said they had fired at Israel's Kerem Shalom border crossing - the third time within a few days that al-Qassam Brigades has done so.

The important border crossing for the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip had only just been reopened on Wednesday after being closed for several days. It had been closed to humanitarian transports on Sunday following a rocket attack by Hamas that killed four Israeli soldiers.

Despite the Israeli announcement that Kerem Shalom was open, no aid had been delivered to the Gaza Strip by Wednesday evening, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric in New York. He did not respond in detail to questions about what was holding up the deliveries.

No aid had reached the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing either, where fuel in particular is urgently needed, he said.

Meanwhile the top US intelligence officer was in Israel to try to get a deal with the government there.

CIA chief William Burns spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a meeting attended by Burns' Israeli counterpart, David Barnea, head of Mossad, Israeli media reported.

Burns is on a whirlwind shuttle diplomacy mission, travelling between Egypt, Qatar and Israel to try to get Hamas to release the hostages it has from Israel in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners in its custody.

In Gaza, at least 36 Palestinians have been killed within 24 hours in Israeli attacks and fighting in Rafah, the Kuwait Hospital in Rafah said on Wednesday. These included children who were killed in an airstrike on their home. The Israeli army had reported that Hamas terrorists had been killed in various battles in Rafah.

The Hamas-controlled health authority spoke of 55 deaths within 24 hours in the entire Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the war, 34,844 people have been killed in the coastal strip. The figures, which do not distinguish between fighters and civilians, cannot be independently verified.

An average of 200 people are leaving Rafah every hour following Israel's evacuation order on Monday, according to estimates by the UN relief agency for Palestinians.

"The displacement is ongoing and people are leaving towards Khan Younis and the middle areas [of the Gaza Strip]," communications director of the Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Juliette Touma, told dpa.

"Its not possible to give a total number of people displaced at the moment given how fluid the situation is," she added.

According to witness reports, fierce Israeli attacks in Rafah continued on Wednesday. Numerous people continued to flee northwards from the city on the border with Egypt. A central road on the Mediterranean was overcrowded with refugees, witnesses reported.

The main maternity clinic in Rafah has stopped accepting new patients due to the Israeli attacks and the fighting in the city, the administration of the al-Helal al-Emirati Maternity Hospital confirmed to dpa by telephone.

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the Emirati Hospital as one of the most important facilities of its kind in the Gaza Strip. More than 100 babies are delivered there every month, WHO employee Dr Ahmed Dahir told the United Nations on Tuesday.

The Palestinian territory has been the target of a massive Israeli air and ground offensive since the October 7 terrorist attacks led by Hamas, which killed 1,200 in southern Israel. Hamas took around 250 people hostage, some of whom have been released. It is unclear how many of the remaining hostages are still alive.
US reviewing other military aid to Israel, State Department says

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks at the final press conference. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said earlier in the day during testimony in Congress that "one shipment of high-payload munitions" had been halted, confirming reports in US media. Hours later, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller called into question other deliveries. Uwe Anspach/dpa

The United States is scrutinizing the delivery of further pending military aid to Israel after pausing a weapons shipment to the close ally, the State Department said on Wednesday.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said earlier in the day during testimony in Congress that "one shipment of high-payload munitions" had been halted, confirming reports in US media.

Hours later, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller called into question other deliveries.

"We have paused one shipment of near-term assistance and we are reviewing others," he told reporters. "But that said, our long-term commitment to Israel's security has not changed."

Miller refused to comment on the type of military aid and the length of the interruption.

"I don't have a time frame to offer you but we have always made clear that our policy determinations are depending on Israel's policy determinations," he said.

Miller said it had been clearly communicated that the US government did not support a large-scale military offensive in Rafah, the southern city in Gaza that is seen as the last place of refuge for civilians.

He said the Israeli side has yet to present a credible plan that guarantees both the protection of the civilian population in Rafah and their humanitarian supplies.
FILE PHOTO: A United States Postal Service mailbox is seen in Manhattan, New York City

By David Shepardson

(Reuters) -A bipartisan group of 26 senators on Wednesday urged the U.S. Postal Service to pause planned further consolidation to its processing and delivery network, warning it could slow mail deliveries.

The letter, seen by Reuters and led by Senator Gary Peters, who chairs the committee overseeing the USPS, urged a halt until the impacts are studied by the Postal Regulatory Commission. There has been mounting anger in Congress about changes that USPS has said are necessary to cut projected financial losses.

The letter, also signed by Republicans Susan Collins, Roger Wicker and Shelley Moore Capito and Democrats Jon Tester, Debbie Stabenow, Jeanne Shaheen and others, said the USPS is making "irrevocable changes to its processing and delivery network," including "moving mail processing further away from local communities, by transferring operations out of local facilities" into more distant hubs.

The plan cuts the number of truck trips and mail collections at USPS facilities, "causing mail to sit overnight in local offices," the letter added, "causing critical delays for mail that requires overnight delivery."

The USPS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The USPS has been aggressively hiking stamp prices and is in the middle of a 10-year restructuring plan announced in 2021 that aims to eliminate $160 billion in predicted losses over the next decade. It previously forecast 2023 as a breakeven year.

The USPS in November reported a $6.5 billion net loss for the 12 months ending Sept. 30 as first-class mail fell to the lowest volume since 1968.

Last month, the Postal Service said it wants to raise the price of a first-class mail stamp to 73 cents from 68 cents, effective July 14.

In April 2022, President Joe Biden signed legislation providing the Postal Service with about $50 billion in financial relief over a decade.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Leslie Adler)
US State Department: US preparing more aid packages for Ukraine

The United States government is working on additional funding packages for Ukraine, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a press briefing on May 8.

The U.S. passed a long-awaited $61 billion military aid package in April after six months of political infighting and delays.

"We are working on other packages," Miller told reporters.

"I think you can expect to see us get back to the kind of tempo that we were at before we had this break in funding."

Miller mentioned the recent supplemental package worth $1 billion, announced shortly after the foreign aid bill was signed into law. The aid includes ammunition for HIMARS, 155 mm artillery shells, air defense interceptors, and armored vehicles.

Subscribe to newsletter

War Notes

Subscribe

Miller said plans for future aid were underway, but declined to provide details on what the packages would include or when they would be announced.

"You should expect to see additional funding coming, but I'm not going to give you a timetable today on when we'll make such an announcement," he said.

The influx of U.S. aid may not immediately improve battlefield conditions for Ukrainian troops facing personnel and ammunition shortages at the front lines. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senators on May 8 that it is too early to observe the effects of U.S. weapons on the ground.

"It is hard to buy back time," Austin said.

"But... I think that without this help, Ukraine would have a very tough time defending against the superior force."

Read also: Opinion: Will the renewed US support for Ukraine be enough?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By David Lawder and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's bid to draw Vietnam closer as a strategic ally clashed with his desire for union workers' votes on Wednesday as trade lawyers sparred over whether the Commerce Department should upgrade the communist-ruled country to market economy status.

The move, opposed by U.S. steelmakers, Gulf Coast shrimpers and American honey farmers, but backed by retailers and some other business groups, would reduce the punitive anti-dumping duties set on Vietnamese imports because of its current status as a non-market economy marked by heavy state influence.

Vietnam's deepening economic ties to China loomed large in arguments on both sides of the issue at a virtual public hearing hosted by the Commerce Department as part of a review and decision due on July 26.

Steptoe LLP attorney Eric Emerson, representing Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade, said Vietnam should be graduated to market economy status because it has satisfied the six criteria used by the Commerce Department to judge whether countries have a market-driven economy, from currency convertibility and labor rights to investment openness and resource allocation.

"Vietnam has demonstrated that its performance on these statutory factors is as good, or often better, than other countries that have previously been granted market economy status," he said, citing less government support for state firms than India and more openness to foreign investment than Indonesia, Canada and the Philippines.

Vietnam has argued it should be freed of the non-market label because of recent economic reforms, saying retaining the moniker is bad for increasingly close two-way ties that Washington sees as a counterbalance to China.

During Biden's visit to Hanoi last year, the two countries elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has promoted Vietnam as a "friend-shoring" destination to shift U.S. supply chains away from China.

Upgrade proponent Samsung Electronics has become one of the biggest employers in Vietnam because of the country's market-oriented changes, the South Korean firm's U.S public policy head Scott Thompson told the hearing.

"Vietnam has emerged as a stable, secure supply chain partner of the United States ... to the ultimate benefit of the U.S. economy," Thompson said.

CHINESE INFLUENCE

But opponents of upgrading Vietnam - one of 12 economies labeled by Washington as non-market, including China, Russia, North Korea and Azerbaijan - argued that Hanoi's policy commitments have not been matched by concrete actions and it operates as a planned economy governed by the ruling Communist Party.

Story continues

They also said Vietnam's industries are highly dependent on investment and imports of inputs from China, many of which are already subject to U.S. anti-dumping duties.

Jeffrey Gerrish, a former Trump administration trade official representing Steel Dynamics Inc, said upgrading would unleash a flood of unfairly traded imports from Vietnam, which he said had become a platform for circumvention of U.S. tariffs by China.

"Rather than countering Chinese influence, any such action would serve as a gift to China and Chinese interests," Gerrish said.

Biden has heavily courted union votes in the looming November presidential election, particularly from steelworkers in the swing state of Pennsylvania.

He has opposed Nippon Steel's proposed takeover of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel, and called for sharply higher Section 301 tariffs on imports of Chinese steel.

TARIFF CUT

At the heart of the Commerce decision is whether to continue the higher tariff rates on Vietnamese goods in anti-dumping cases involving non-market economies. U.S. anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese frozen farmed shrimp are currently 25.76%, while similar duties on shrimp from Thailand, a market economy, are only 5.34%.

Assertions of Vietnam's lawyers that rising Vietnamese wages are the result of labor-management bargaining also came under challenge.

Human Rights Watch said Vietnam did not meet basic labor rights standards required for reclassification and that it was false to say that Vietnamese workers can organize unions or that their wages are the result of free bargaining.

"Vietnam's Trade Union Law only allows government-controlled 'unions,'" it said in a statement after the hearing.

Nazak Nikakhtar, a former Commerce Department official in the Trump administration now with the Wiley Rein law firm, said Hanoi employed the same oppressive policies and predatory economic practices as China and was likely to side with its powerful next-door neighbor over the U.S.

Emerson, the lawyer representing Hanoi, said denial of market economy status would push Vietnam closer to China.

(Reporting by David Lawder and David Brunnstrom; Writing by David Lawder; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Stephen Coates)
In the continued fallout over the law enforcement response to Gaza war protests at USC, a vocal group of activists Tuesday demanded the removal of Los Angeles Police Commission President Erroll Southers, a senior security official at the university.

The group gathered for a news conference before the commission's weekly meeting at Los Angeles Police Department headquarters, calling on Mayor Karen Bass to remove Southers from the civilian body charged with oversight of the department.

Jody Armour, a USC law professor who focuses on racial justice, called the decision to send scores of riot-gear-clad LAPD officers and USC campus police to oversee the dismantling of an encampment "the very antithesis of what we say we are as a university."

Nearly three dozen law professors from the university signed a letter condemning the police response to protests.

As USC's associate senior vice president of safety and risk assurance, Southers is responsible for overseeing several offices, including the department of public safety, according to the university's website.

It's unclear what his role may have been in making decisions about the protest encampments at USC, but critics believe he was involved in coordinating the law enforcement response.

Read more: How getting jacked up by police helped shape the LAPDs chief watchdog

In response to questions sent to Southers by The Times, a USC spokesperson said in a statement that the university is "exceedingly fortunate to benefit from the unparalleled experience and expertise of Dr. Southers."

"He is an internationally recognized security expert and scholar. We value having his leadership at our university," the statement read.

Southers later declined to comment through a spokesperson.

In law enforcement circles, Southers has built a reputation as a leading expert in combating terrorism, testifying before congressional committees and lecturing at universities around the world. He has also taught classes as a professor of national and homeland security.

Some critics linked Southers' academic research on homegrown extremism to the aggressive clearing of the campus encampments. Melina Abdullah, a Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles leader and professor at Cal State L.A., alleged Southers' teachings were being used to justify the criminalization of Black and Muslim youths. Under this framework, they said, benign behavior such as someone expressing views critical of the government could be interpreted as dangerous.

"Erroll Southers has got to go," said Baba Akili, also of Black Lives Matter-L.A. "Because to keep him in place is permission, is acquiescence, is acceptance of which is happening in Palestine, and what is happening in Palestine is genocide."

Read more: The LAPD trains foreign police. Does that enable human rights violations?

Another speaker, who identified themselves as a USC student but kept their face covered and did not give a name saying they feared attention from law enforcement, was critical of a community advisory board started on campus by Southers, which they said excluded viewpoints that were critical of law enforcement.

Others pointed to the potential conflict of interest in Southers working in his campus role with a police force that he is charged with overseeing.

The demands for Southers' ouster continued during the public comment portion of the L.A. Police Commission meeting. As some of his critics spoke, Southers rarely looked up from his seat. After admonishing someone in the audience for disrupting the meeting, Southers ordered a brief recess so the room could be cleared; he and his fellow commissioners filed out of the meeting to jeers and cries of "shame on you" from the audience.

Southers, a former FBI agent and onetime nominee for Transportation Security Administration administrator by former President Obama, was elected commission president by his colleagues a few months after his 2023 appointment to the five-member body. The move was praised at the time by city and police leaders, who cited his deep knowledge of policing, but drew opposition in some circles over Southers' involvement with a controversial federal counterterrorism initiative, which critics have said unfairly targeted Muslim communities.

Southers second-guessed some aspects of the initiative in a 2017 Times op-ed. Too often, federal employees seeking to address violent extremism parachute into a community and dictate public safety priorities to residents, he said.

Southers is the latest public official to face scrutiny after weeks of protests at USC and universities around the country, with leaders struggling to balance campus safety and the right to protest, while at the same time addressing antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.

At USC, police have twice moved in to dismantle an encampment that sprung up in Alumni Park, with the latest sweep occurring as graduation activities are set to kick off this week with tens of thousands of guests on campus.

Los Angeles police arrested 93 activists  most of them USC students  on suspicion of trespassing as they cleared the encampment April 24.

Read more: LAPD interim chief Dominic Choi: Quiet reformer or 'Michel Moore 2.0'?

In one of the most violent episodes elsewhere, a mob attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA last week, resulting in numerous injuries. Police arrested more than 200 people after moving onto the Westwood campus to push out protesters.

Asked about the department's response at Tuesday's commission meeting, interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi said the department was still working to assemble a timeline of the events the night of April 30. But based on preliminary information, he said the first call for assistance from university officials came around 11:30 p.m. Choi said that an LAPD squad from the West L.A. Division arrived on campus shortly afterward, but that it took "time to coordinate" a broader law enforcement response given the involvement of other agencies.

But he dismissed reports of widespread police use of force against protesters, saying LAPD officers did not fire any "less-lethal" rounds on UCLA's campus and fired one 40-millimeter projectile at USC that missed its target.

"Those are also well documented. I stand by those statements," he said.

Several City Council members this week introduced a motion asking Choi to provide an after-action report on the department's actions leading up to and during the protests, "including disclosure and reporting of when the universities called on LAPD to intervene." The motion also seeks "recommendations for any lessons learned and/or protocol changes for improvement in department policy."

Times staff writers Kevin Rector and David Zahniser 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.
The University of South Carolina has paid $280,000 to settle two sexual harassment cases against a former professor.

David Voros, who was an art professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, was accused of sexual harassment in lawsuits filed in 2020 by two coworkers: Jaime Misenheimer and Pamela Bowers, who is also Voros ex-wife. Misenheimers case was settled for $120,000, and Bowers case was settled for $160,000, according to documents obtained by The State through a public records request.

A previous lawsuit against Voros, filed in 2018 by former student Allison Duvanant, was settled for $75,000. In that suit, Duvanant accused Voros of making sexual advances towards her during a study abroad trip to Italy. Combined, the three lawsuits cost the university $355,000.

In a statement to The State, Voros said he did not agree with settling the cases. I thought it important for the facts to be considered in a court of law. I do not believe that justice was served in the outcome and invite those interested in all of these related events to review the depositions and other evidence in the public record, Voros said in a statement issued through his attorney.

Misenheimer accused Voros, who was coordinator of the painting area, of luring her into a dark closet in the visual arts building in February 2017, putting his arm around her and whispering in her ear, according to the lawsuit. She said she thought he was making a sexual advance. She reported it to Peter Chametzky, the then-chair of the School of Visual Art and Design, but he did not take any action, according to the lawsuit.

Voros retaliated by giving her poor performance reviews and blocking her from teaching classes.

The lawsuit said multiple students told Misenheimer in spring 2017 that they were uncomfortable being around Voros as well as a student who had been accused of assaulting a model.

Misenheimer filed an official complaint on behalf of a graduate student in April 2017, the lawsuit said, and Voros responded by entering Misenheimers classroom while she was teaching and intimidating her.

Misenheimer resigned from her job at USC in May 2019, according to the complaint.

Bowers accused Voros of making unwelcome physical and sexual advances towards her while in her campus office after the couple separated in 2016, according to the lawsuit. The separation, Bowers said in the lawsuit, was partially because Voros had one or more sexual relationships with students or former students.

She complained to multiple university supervisors and officials, and Chametzky unexpectedly visited Bowers at her USC office and threatened her job, the lawsuit said.

After Bowers complained, Voros would stand in her classroom doorway while she was teaching class to intimidate her, according to the lawsuit. It also alleges that as the university failed to address accusations of sexual harassment against Voros, he grew emboldened and continued to attack Bowers, taunting her and calling her derogatory names.

In January 2018, Voros went to Bowers office and attempted to hug and grope her, the lawsuit said. She asked him to leave and he did, but later that day Voros was waiting at her car.

USC spokesman Jeff Stensland did not comment on the settlements. The State has reached out to the attorney for Misenheimer and Bowers.

In January 2023, Voros left the university, which the university called retirement.

As part of a resignation agreement, obtained by The State through a public records request, USCs Educational Foundation agreed to pay a sum of money to the South Carolina retirement system so that Voros could qualify as a 28-year employee and therefore be eligible to receive full state retirement benefits. According to documents, the foundation, on Voros behalf, purchased three years, five months and 16 days of service credit from the state so he would receive these benefits.

The foundation has repeatedly refused requests from The State to disclose how much it paid.

Voros cannot seek or accept future employment at the university, and he agreed to discharge USC and those affiliated from any additional cost or complaints, including discrimination claims, documents showed. He and the university are not allowed to make disparaging or defamatory comments about the other, per the agreements stipulations.

When The State reported on the resignation agreement in July 2023, Voros issued a statement that did not address the agreement, but rather complained about The States coverage of his legal disputes. Voros sued The State in March 2022, alleging that two stories defamed him.

In March 2024, federal Judge Mary Geiger Lewis granted The States request for a summary judgment and dismissed the case.

Before his resignation, Voros hadnt taught classes on campus since 2020. After a year-long paid sabbatical, Voros and the university had planned for him to teach several online courses in the spring semester of 2022. The university reversed that decision following a backlash.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  The United States Postal Service announced Tuesday it will be moving forward with a plan to consolidate the Processing and Distribution Center in Springfield.

Now, all outgoing mail processing operations that were done at the Springfield location will be moved to the St. Louis P&DC. The Springfield facility will remain open as a Local Processing Center.

The USPS says this decision will help optimize their services in Central Illinois. The agency said it will invest up to $6.1 million in the Springfield LPC, and no career employee layoffs will happen because of the change.

Why the USPS is urging homeowners to fix their mailboxes

The proposed change to relocate some services in Springfield is a part of USPSs Delivering For America 10-year strategic plan.

Some prominent politicians, including Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and Comptroller Susana Mendoza, voiced concerns that this move would slow down services.

I am very disappointed to learn the USPS has approved a plan to convert the Springfield Post Office into a local processing center and move distribution out-of-state to St. Louis, Mendoza said in a statement Wednesday. This ill-advised decision leaves Illinois state capital without a distribution center for state payments.

The USPS is already moving forward with consolidating the distribution facilities in Champaign, Peoria, and the Quad Cities.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a soldier of the Congolese Army standing guard in Goma, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Plunged into conflict with armed rebels and overwhelmed by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, North Kivu province, the epicenter of hostilities located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is grappling with a "worrisome" and "unpredictable" situation, warned the military governor of the province, Peter Chirimwami. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

by Xinhua writers Shi Yu, Alain Uyakani

GOMA, DRC, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Plunged into conflict with armed rebels and overwhelmed by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, North Kivu province, the epicenter of hostilities located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is grappling with a "worrisome" and "unpredictable" situation, warned the military governor of the province, Peter Chirimwami.

"WORRISOME" AND "UNPREDICTABLE" SITUATION

Chirimwami made these remarks in a recent interview with Xinhua in Goma, the capital city of the province, where fighting has been ongoing between the DRC military and multiple armed groups for years, leading to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

According to Chirimwami, the rebel group known as the March 23 Movement (M23) has been advancing and strengthening its frontlines, particularly since February, in the southern part of the province. Additionally, the province is facing a resurgence of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), rebels affiliated with the Islamic State group, in the north.

In response to the violence perpetrated by the M23, the ADF and about a hundred other armed groups in the region, the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri have been under a state of siege since May 2021, during which the civilian administration has been replaced by military and police authorities.

Despite joint operations with the Ugandan armies, government forces have been unable to halt the advance of the rebel groups, Chirimwami said. The ADF has recently committed massacres against civilians and kidnappings. The M23 aggression has intensified since February 2024, advancing to Sake, a strategic township considered the last barrier to Goma, both located in the southern part of the province.

On Wednesday, fresh clashes were reported early in the morning on several hills overlooking Sake, with heavy and light weapons fire heard throughout the Goma city.

On May 3, five rockets fell on several displaced camps along the Goma-Sake axis, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 displaced persons, mostly women and children, according to the United Nations. The organization warned that shelters in the area are highly exposed to elevated risks of insecurity and protection.

"WE ARE BESIEGED"

With the main roads between Goma and its surroundings cut off by the M23, the city, home to about two million people, has seen its population increase over several months due to the wave of displaced persons, and is now on the brink of suffocation. Despite the appearance of calm on the ground, the situation on the frontlines is far from peaceful.

"All exits are practically blocked by the M23," Chirimwami said, noting that the province "has only one opening left," Lake Kivu, where civilian boats plying between Goma and a few villages in the neighboring South Kivu province are within artillery range of the M23.

"We are almost besieged. But it is not very serious because we have developed a resilience methodology," said the major general.

In November 2012, M23 rebels took control of Goma and occupied it for about 10 days. However, Chirimwami believes that the M23, which is once again attempting to capture the provincial capital, is deluding itself.

"The enemy's intention is to take control of Goma. They wanted to cut off all arteries to force us out of the city. I think they are mistaken because we are here. We are in the city (of Goma)," Chirimwami said.

Nevertheless, Goma is on edge due to the influx of civilians into displaced camps, which risks exacerbating the already precarious humanitarian crisis, with food supplies heavily affected by the M23's advance.

According to a report in February 2024 by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), a humanitarian organization, the fighting threatens to isolate Goma and compromise humanitarian aid to millions of people.

"The progressive isolation of the city hampers the ability of international humanitarian organizations to reach displaced persons in the eastern region, exacerbating an already disastrous situation," the NRC warned.

"DEFENSIVE LINE IS THERE"

With the departure of a regional force deployed by member countries of the East African Community (EAC), the DRC now relies on joint military operations with the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

"We have SADC with us, so we have a force that allows us to resist for a long time," Chirimwami said, without providing further details about the upcoming plan. "But I know they are doing a good job, and they will continue to do so."

Composed mainly of military elements from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi, this SADC force, with an offensive mandate, has replaced the EAC regional force since January 2024.

"Sake is still under our control. The defensive line is there. We continue to attack the rebels," Chirimwami said. "We and the people are certain that we are capable of resisting."

After decades of violence and conflicts, the eastern part of the DRC is facing one of the most severe, complex and neglected humanitarian crises in the world, according to the United Nations.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees reported in March 2024 that two years of cyclical conflict in North Kivu have forced over 1.3 million people to flee their homes in the DRC, leading to a total of 5.7 million internally displaced persons across the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri.

"With all the crises in the world, it is urgent to resolve the plight of displaced persons," Chirimwami emphasized. Enditem

(Xinhua correspondent Wang Guansen also contributed to the story.)

Photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a soldier of the Congolese Army standing guard in Goma, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Plunged into conflict with armed rebels and overwhelmed by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, North Kivu province, the epicenter of hostilities located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is grappling with a "worrisome" and "unpredictable" situation, warned the military governor of the province, Peter Chirimwami. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a soldier of the Congolese Army playing the trumpet in Goma, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Plunged into conflict with armed rebels and overwhelmed by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, North Kivu province, the epicenter of hostilities located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is grappling with a "worrisome" and "unpredictable" situation, warned the military governor of the province, Peter Chirimwami. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a soldier of the Congolese Army standing guard in Goma, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Plunged into conflict with armed rebels and overwhelmed by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, North Kivu province, the epicenter of hostilities located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is grappling with a "worrisome" and "unpredictable" situation, warned the military governor of the province, Peter Chirimwami. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows the military governor of North Kivu province Peter Chirimwami interviewed in Goma, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Plunged into conflict with armed rebels and overwhelmed by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, North Kivu province, the epicenter of hostilities located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is grappling with a "worrisome" and "unpredictable" situation, warned the military governor of the province, Peter Chirimwami. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows soldiers of the Congolese Army on patrol in Goma, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Plunged into conflict with armed rebels and overwhelmed by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, North Kivu province, the epicenter of hostilities located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is grappling with a "worrisome" and "unpredictable" situation, warned the military governor of the province, Peter Chirimwami. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)
President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority Jeff Lyash listens during a board of directors meeting, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  The nations largest public utility is moving ahead with a plan for a new natural gas plant in Tennessee despite warnings that its environmental review of the project doesn't comply with federal law. The Tennessee Valley Authority announced in April that it would replace the aging coal-burning Kingston Fossil Plant with gas amid growing calls for the agency's new board of directors to invest in renewables.

The board, with six of nine members appointed by President Biden, is expected to meet on Thursday in Nashville, a day after a planned protest by a coalition of environmental groups demanding the utility stop investing in fossil fuels.

Decommissioning the Kingston plant, the site of a massive 2008 coal ash spill, is part of TVA's overall plan to reduce its reliance on coal. In analyzing alternatives to replace the plant, the utility considered either a new 1,500-megawatt gas plant or 1,500 megawatts of solar combined with 2,200 megawatts of battery storage. TVA concluded that a 2027 deadline for retiring the current plant does not give it enough time to develop the renewables alternative.

The Environmental Protection Agency asked the utility in a March 25 letter to redo several aspects of its analysis, citing numerous concerns with the plan to install new gas turbines. Among other things, the EPA accused the utility of defining the Kingston project so narrowly that only its predetermined choice of a new gas plant would meet the parameters, making the evaluation process a foreordained formality. EPA said the utility did not adequately explain the need for the 2027 closure or look at possible alternatives.

The EPA said the environmental review does not meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires federal agencies like the Tennessee Valley Authority to assess the environmental impact of proposed actions before making a decision.

TVA declined to follow the Environmental Protection Agency's suggestion for a do-over. It decided in April to forge ahead with gas  continuing to follow a plan of action that the EPA says fails to consider recent changes in the energy sector, including falling prices for renewables, billions of federal dollars for clean energy projects, and ever stricter environmental regulations. The corporation remains off track to meet the Biden administration's goal of eliminating carbon pollution from power plants by 2035 to try to limit the effects of climate change.

The utility said in a statement that we met with EPA following the letter and addressed their concerns. EPA, meanwhile, maintained in an email to The Associated Press that its request that TVA revise its environmental impact statement still stands.

Dennis Wamsted, an energy analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, said even with TVA's 2027 deadline, They could build twice the amount of solar that they say they need and twice the amount of battery storage they say they need.

Other utilities are taking advantage of price drops, technical improvements and government incentives to build out solar, including in Texas and Florida.

By 2030, Florida Power and Light expects solar to account for close to 40% of its generation, Wamsted said.

This is a big utility with, you know, the same daily responsibilities as TVA, he said. And they are building out solar as fast as they can.

TVA provides power to 10 million people across seven Southern states. Florida Power and Light serves over 12 million people in that state.

Even if solar doesn't produce power 24 hours per day, the amount of energy it does produce is knowable and can be planned for, Wamsted said. It can also be paired with batteries that store excess energy during the day to release back to the grid at night. That is already happening on a large scale in California where batteries are providing more than 20% of the power in the system on many evenings, he said.

In Wamsted's view, many utilities resist the transition to renewables primarily because they are unfamiliar.

He points to an area called the Southwest Power Pool that runs from Oklahoma to Canada and now sees days where 60% or 70% of the system is wind-powered. In the late 2000s, he spoke to grid operators there who were afraid to go above 5% or 10% because they had never done it before, he said.

TVA's Kingston project is not its first clash with the EPA over gas. The environmental regulator made many of the same criticisms a year ago when the utility decided to build a new 1,450-megawatt natural gas plant at its coal-burning Cumberland Fossil Plant. The Sierra Club and other groups are suing over that decision as well as an earlier one to install gas turbines at a retired coal plant in New Johnsonville. Both lawsuits claim that TVA's environmental reviews are perfunctory, in violation of the law  similar to the EPA's criticism of the Kingston plant.

Democratic Sen. Ed Markey, of Massachusetts, a frequent TVA critic, said in a statement to The Associated Press that the corporation should listen to the EPA.

The National Environmental Policy Act isnt optional  its the bedrock of our environmental protection and community engagement laws, he said.

Although TVA has not embraced renewables, the utility still says a majority of its energy is carbon-free because 42% comes from nuclear and another 9% is from hydropower. Purchased wind and solar make up another 4% of its energy portfolio. The utility currently produces 1 megawatt of its own solar and has 20 megawatts of battery storage. The Kingston project includes another 3-4 megawatts of solar and 100 megawatts of battery storage. TVA estimates that the new gas plant will produce 1.68 million tons (1.52 million metric tons) of greenhouse gases a year, noting that that is a steep decline from Kingston's current emissions.

Nationally, coal provided about 16% of U.S. electricity last year, down from about 45% in 2010. Natural gas provides about 43% of U.S. electricity, with the remainder from nuclear energy and renewables such as wind, solar and hydropower.

The Tennessee Valley Authority has said it intends to build 10,000 megawatts of solar by 2035. Wamsted contends that is too far in the future.

It should be, Were going to build as much solar as we possibly can now, because its now that we really need to worry about, he said. We dont need to worry about 10 years from now or 15 years from now.

___

Associated Press writer Jonathan Mattise contributed to this report.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A professor in the University of Texas at Austins history department was awarded the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for history for a book she authored on Black workers in Boston during the Civil War era.

Jacqueline Jones is the Ellen C. Temple Professor of Womens History Emerita in the Department of History, where she served as chair from 2014 to 2020, according to the university. She received the Pulitzer for her book No Right to an Honest Living: The Struggles of Bostons Black Workers in the Civil War Era, published by Basic Books.

The Pulitzer committee praised Jones breathtakingly original reconstruction of free Black life in Boston that profoundly reshapes our understanding of the citys abolitionist legacy and the challenging reality for its Black residents.

Im honored to win this award, and Im honored to be able to tell a story that I believe helps us better understand a key part of not only Boston history, but all of American history, Jones said. Im grateful for the support I received for my research at UT over the years from my colleagues in the History Department and from Dean Ann Stevens and former Dean Randy Diehl.

UT said in a release that throughout her career at the university, Jones has authored numerous books within her area of specialization at the intersection of labor, gender, race and politics.

Jones was also the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship (1999-2004), a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a Distinguished Lecturer in the Organization of American Historians, and she won the Taft Prize in Labor History, the Spruill Prize in Southern Womens History, and the Brown Publication Prize in Black Womens History. She also earned research grants from the American Council of Learned Societies, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Social Science Research Council, according to UT.

She was also a Pulitzer finalist for A Dreadful Deceit: The Myth of Race from the Colonial Era to Obamas America and Labor of Love, Labor of Sorrow: Black Women, Work, and the Family, from Slavery to the Present, which also won the Bancroft Prize.

We are extremely proud of Professor Jones and this tremendous achievement, said Ann Huff Stevens, dean of UTs College of Liberal Arts. Her pathbreaking work in American labor history and the African American experience has left an indelible mark on the field, and there is no greater recognition than a Pulitzer to cement her place in the canon of historians leading this scholarship.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A recent decision to explore outsourcing some of Utah Transit Authoritys supplemental and seasonal services was met with protest and frustration by employees on Wednesday morning, May 8.

Several UTA operators and employees voiced their concerns after a memo was sent out saying the company could be procuring third-party vendors to assist with services such as the Ski Bus, bus bridges, and bus shows.

Calli Tuttle, a bus operator in Ogden, was one of the employees who picketed and voiced her opinion. She called the memo a slap to the face. She told ABC4.com that the extra work, overtime, and chance to help serve the community are the majority of the reasons why she and her coworkers do the job.

We have people who trust us to go up those mountains. They trust us with their lives to go up those snowbanks and its going to ruin all of it, said Tuttle. Those people arent going to ride UTA anymore if its outsourced.

These buildings and areas have been named most endangered by Preservation Utah

UTA clarified with ABC4 that the current workforce wasnt going to be replaced with outsourced services. In a statement, the company said the goal was only to improve supplemental services on an as-need basis. UTA also said nothing has been sent to any third-party vendors and the company is still in an exploratory stage.

UTA has not received any bids. UTA does not know at this point if it will receive bids. Nor does UTA know the exact scope of the supplemental services which might be offered and discussed, The company said in a statement. The hope is a solution can be found to mitigate the fluctuations UTA experiences in staffing needs, supervisor workloads, and vehicle maintenance demands that accompany ski bus service.

However, operators are still concerned about their hours. Tommy Nunez told ABC4 that he and his coworkers arent tired or strained and are ready to work above the call and standards for their jobs.

Whenever there is a bus rodeo, there is a bus bridge, a special event, [or] ski service, we are here to serve the community, said Nunez. To have these outside companies come in, they dont know these roads like we do.

Salt Lakers rise in support for Abravanel Hall amid uncertain future, officials respond

Nunez said he answers every call for extra work saying not only does he love to serve the community, but he needs the money. Nunez said his current paycheck isnt enough to cover the rising living costs such as gas and food. He said as the companys frontline employees who interact with every rider UTA serves, the money that would go to a third-party vendor should go to them.

For others, its just about having a passion for what they do.

I love what I do and all my brothers and sisters we love and we have a passion for serving our communities, Josh Memea, a UTA bus operator told ABC4.com. We just want our management to know what we are willing to work and just to keep the work here at UTA.

UTA said the company already outsources some supplemental services just like any other major market. Services such as the paratransit service in Utah County and the Via On-Demand service are serviced through third-party vendors. The public transit authority also contracts with High Valley Transit to operate out of Park City.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Utah man charged for allegedly giving woman the fentanyl that killed her on Christmas morning

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A Utah County man was federally charged this week after being accused of supplying the fentanyl that killed a woman on Christmas morning.

Jared Kory Titcomb, 28, of Spanish Fork, allegedly distributed the fentanyl to the woman on Christmas Eve 2023. The next morning, a family member found her dead  which the U.S. District Attorneys Office said was a result of her using the fentanyl.

READ NEXT: Utah leaders speak on the dangers of the drug that has saturated Utahs market

Law enforcement conducted an investigation and reportedly found the woman had reached out to Titcomb on Christmas Eve to purchase the lethal drug. Those investigations also revealed the woman had died of a drug overdose, and that she had fentanyl in her system at the time of her death.

As a result, Titcomb was charged with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.

This investigation is being investigated by the Spanish Fork Police Department and the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force.

There is no further information available at this time.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
The Rotunda at the University of Virginia. (Style Weekly)

University of Virginia leaders provided an update in a virtual town hall on Tuesday about the protest on campus last Saturday where 27 people were arrested. A dozen were identified as students, three as either former students or employees and four as university employees, according to UVA President Jim Ryan.

The remaining eight people were unaffiliated with the university, and one was charged with assault.

Saturday was a terrible and terribly sad and upsetting day, said Ryan during the video call on Tuesday. It was traumatic, I know, for everyone involved; it was far from the resolution I or any of my colleagues had hoped for.

Ryan said Virginia State Police, who deployed pepper spray to clear an encampment on campus, became involved after officers met physical confrontation and attempted assault from protesters.

Thats when the decision was made to call on the state police, after the protesters were given repeated warnings to leave and didnt, Ryan said.

In response to a question sent in from the public about punishments the arrested students were facing, UVA Police Chief Tim Longo said he modified the no trespass orders for those students who were charged following the protest, to allow them to complete their exams, [and] remain in their dormitory spaces until such time as their academic obligations are over. After that, the orders will resume throughout the summer and will be lifted at the start of the fall semester, Longo said.

Ryan also addressed questions about why the universitys response to Saturdays protest over the Israel-Hamas war differed from its response to the Unite the Right rally in August 2017. In that event, hundreds of white nationalists, some carrying torches, marched through Charlottesville and clashed with counter protesters; one person was killed and 19 others injured. University and Charlottesville leaders faced sharp public criticism after the rally, which drew international attention.

I think, in hindsight, some of the difficulties with 2017 was not reacting quickly enough, Ryan said. Concerning Saturdays demonstration and the protesters encampment, Ryan said I was thinking that if we dont act and we dont move, and we just let this unfold, are we going to be faced tomorrow with not 22 tents, but 50 tents, or 75 tents and with 20 outsiders? And then, where will we be? So its risky to act at any particular point, but its also risky to sit back and watch, and wait.

In a statement following the presidents remarks, the American Association of University Professors at the University of Virginia condemned the administrations actions and made several demands, including that the university drop any criminal and internal charges against students and faculty.

The association also said it found allegations that demonstrators were unusually disruptive or a source of any danger to others unfounded.

We question the allegation that the demonstrators had clearly violated university policy, the association wrote. We further dispute that such violations  if indeed there were any  were anywhere close to sufficient to justify the extraordinary and unprecedented use of force we witnessed on Saturday.

The association wrote that the universitys Board of Visitors has affirmed that First Amendment protections apply to the University of Virginia and said it found the extreme use of force on University Grounds on Saturday an inexcusable violation of these fundamental principles.

Students have also been arrested on other college campuses in Virginia  the University of Mary Washington, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech  as the world watches the raging war between Palestine and Israel that has lasted for over six months, following the Palestinian militant group Hamass assault on Israel near the Gaza Strip.

Demonstrators in Virginia and across the country are calling for a cease-fire, for America to reject forms of hate and for universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel, which they say makes them complicit in the war.

Two days ago, media reported the Hamas militant group has accepted an Egyptian-Qatari cease-fire proposal that could end a seven-month long war.



Mercury editor Samantha Willis contributed to this report.

The post UVA president said protest outcome upsetting; professors condemn administrations actions appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Vandalia woman dead after crash in Montgomery County

A woman is dead after a crash in Montgomery County Tuesday afternoon.

Just before 2 p.m. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers were called to SR-48 and Concord Farm Road for reports of a serious crash, according to a media release.

An initial investigation showed that a Chevrolet Equinox driven by Karon Watson, 68, of Ludlow Falls, was traveling southbound on SR-48 when Watson went left of center.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: At least 1 hurt after serious crash in Montgomery County

Watson struck a Honda CR-V driven by Makenna Johnson, 20, of Vandalia who was traveling north on SR-48.

Johnson was taken to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Watson was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

We will continue to follow this story.




BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL)  The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) celebrated the completion of a years-long project near Damascus on Wednesday.

According to a news release from VDOT, crews removed the last of the work zone barrels along Route 58, marking the end of the project between Abingdon and Damascus.

Local Boy Scouts leadership and members weigh in on upcoming name change

The road widening project from Bethel Road to Hollyfield Road started in the fall of 2021 and included the relocation of part of Route 58 and the construction of two new bridges over the South Fork Holston River.

VDOT stated the 3.3-mile project was completed with the help of Kanawha Stone. Some cleanup and finishing work will take place over the course of the next few weeks.

VDOT also worked with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to create a permanent access point for kayaks and canoes along the river. The access point is located next to the former Route 58 bridge over the South Fork Holston River.

Crews had previously constructed a temporary access road when they removed the former bridge. The access road will be left so the DWR can improve it to add parking and river access. The DWR will manage that site.

The road-widening project on Route 58 will allow for safe four-lane travel through a busy area, VDOT stated in the release.

The road widening project started in 2021, but the entire Route 58 project has been underway since 2003, broken up into four phases, which are now complete.

In total, the project spanned nine miles, cost about $120 million and lasted more than 20 years.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
A radiology technician looks at a chest X-ray of a child suffering from flu symptoms at a medical center in Georgia. Hospitals increasingly are tacking on facility fees for routine services at the smaller clinics and outpatient centers that they own, even when those facilities arent anywhere near the hospitals campus. (Photo by David Goldman/The Associated Press)

Even if you have health insurance, you might expect to be charged a copayment for some routine care, like office-based exams and consultations. But you probably dont expect to receive a bill a few weeks later charging you an extra $100 or more.

Thats the situation an increasing number of state lawmakers are looking to change. In most states, a hospital facility fee can legally appear on your bill if your doctor is affiliated with a large hospital system  even if you never set foot on the hospitals campus.

Traditionally, hospitals and health systems add facility fees to help cover the higher costs of operating a full-service, 24/7 hospital  which include expenses such as equipment, support staff, utilities, maintenance and security. They argue the fees help them provide critical services to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

But increasingly, hospitals are tacking on facility fees for routine services at the smaller clinics and outpatient centers they own, even when those facilities arent anywhere near the hospitals campus. The fees can add anywhere from $15 to $100 or more to a medical bill. Patients have reported being charged out-of-hospital facility fees of $503 for a pediatric visit, $488 for an appointment to get ADHD medication, and $355 for steroid injections for arthritis.

Patients arent the only ones upset. Employers, aghast at the soaring costs of their employees health insurance, have banded together in states such as Indiana and Texas to push lawmakers to do something.

Everything else at the providers office looks and feels the same, said Maureen Hensley-Quinn, senior director of the coverage, cost and value team at the nonprofit National Academy for State Health Policy.

But [patients] end up with a larger bill for a service they had previously gotten for a lesser amount because the hospital is now treating the provider office as a hospital outpatient department, she said.

Hensley-Quinn said state lawmakers began relaying their constituents complaints to her organization about five years ago, and since then at least 15 states have taken action to address facility fees. Some, including Colorado, Connecticut and New York, have banned facility fees for certain outpatient services at non-hospital locations or for telehealth visits. Those states, as well as others, including Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas, now require hospitals to notify patients about facility fees ahead of time.

In the most recent legislative sessions, at least 16 bills were introduced in 10 states to address the fees, said Hensley-Quinn.

Its big states, small states, its very red states, very blue states, she said. Legislators across the country are raising these issues and asking questions about what increased consolidation means.

More chains, fewer independents

A rise in fees and other patient costs springs from the growing consolidation of the American health care system, researchers and lawmakers say. Large hospital systems are gobbling up clinics, physician groups, and urgent care and imaging centers. Those facilities can then become outpatient departments of the hospitals.

A study published last year illustrates why hospital systems are motivated to make those moves: In the early 2000s, the federal government began cutting Medicare payments to doctors for noninvasive cardiac tests performed in a cardiologists office, but kept its payments flat or increased them for the same tests if they were performed in a hospital-based outpatient facility.

That dollar gap incentivized hospitals to acquire cardiology practices so that they could move cardiac tests to the outpatient facilities that could charge higher fees, researchers found.

More than a dozen states have passed facility fee laws just in the past few years, according to a recent report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, an advocacy nonprofit focused on consumer protection issues.

The efforts have been largely bipartisan. Indianas 2023 package of health care bills, which increased reporting requirements for hospitals charging facility fees, was authored by Republicans but passed with bipartisan support. That same year, Democratic lawmakers in Colorado passed a measure, with some Republican support, that prevents larger hospital systems from charging facility fees for preventive outpatient services.

Fees on the rise

Connecticut has the nations most robust facility fee laws. Last year, lawmakers expanded existing law to ban the fees for some routine outpatient services even if theyre performed on a hospital campus. The new law also beefed up state enforcement and created new reporting requirements for hospital systems.

These fees are part of the increased cost of health care, said Connecticut state Sen. Saud Anwar, a Democrat and a practicing physician who supported the new requirements. Facility fees, depending on location, are a very fast-growing segment of that health care cost. We are looking for ways to control that.

Hospital leaders say the fees help them cover overhead costs. That makes it possible for them to maintain all the essential services they provide to their patients and communities, especially as Medicare and Medicaid continue to chronically underpay hospitals for the costs of delivering that care, the American Hospital Association, a trade group, wrote in a statement to Stateline.

But prices for common outpatient services are significantly higher when theyre delivered in a hospital-owned outpatient department versus in a physicians office or ambulatory surgery center, according to a 2023 analysis by Blue Health Intelligence, a division of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. For example, a mammogram performed in an office setting might bill insurance for $232, but in a hospital-owned outpatient department, facility fees bring the total to $357.50, according to the report.

These fees are part of the increased cost of health care. Facility fees  are a very fast-growing segment of that health care cost. We are looking for ways to control that.

 Connecticut state Sen. Saud Anwar, a Democrat and a practicing physician

And facility fees appear to be rising.

Last year, the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission found that the greatest increase in medical spending in Massachusetts commercial health care market was for hospital outpatient departments. Facility fees grew more than four times faster from 2019-2021 than physician/professional fees. The commission recommended lawmakers prohibit facility fees for common services such as lab tests, basic imaging and diagnostic services, as well as physician office visits.

In a 2020 study published in the journal Annals of Surgery, researchers found that facility fees for common outpatient procedures in the United States rose by 53% from 2011-2017, while physicians professional fees remained steady. The increases were primarily driven by facility fees and out-of-pocket expenses.

Back and forth

Not everyones convinced that banning or restricting facility fees will curb rising health care costs.

Last year, Maine lawmakers considered a bill that would have outlawed facility fees for services not located on hospital campuses. They ultimately chose instead to create a task force to study facility fees.

The hospital association and other hospitals in the state came out pretty strongly against the bill, essentially saying facility fees are a billing mechanism to cover their costs  that all of their costs are essentially rolled up into their facility fees and theyd go bankrupt if they couldnt bill for them, said Lisa Nolan, director of legislative affairs at the Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine, one of the stakeholder organizations involved with the task force.

Many rural hospitals and those that serve low-income communities are struggling financially, in part because of inadequate payments from insurers, according to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, a national policy organization.

More than 100 rural hospitals have closed nationwide in the past decade, and nearly 700 rural hospitals are at risk of closing in the near future. Some hospital leaders argue that removing the ability to charge facility fees could tip struggling hospitals into bankruptcy.

Maines task force recommended the legislature consider restricting facility fees for certain services, including telehealth. Yet many state lawmakers on the committee considering a new bill this year remained unconvinced. After some political wrangling, they passed a bill last month  now awaiting the governors signature  that requires health systems to notify patients about facility fees.

Nolan is skeptical that the laws banning facility fees would meaningfully reduce costs for consumers or insurance companies.

Providers would find other ways to incorporate them into their bills, she said. There needs to be discussions about what are appropriate rates, how can providers be more efficient, and how can we reduce administrative costs for carriers and providers.

Are some of those costs higher than they should be? Thats a different discussion than just wiping away facility fees.

This story was originally published by Stateline, which 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 Youve covered your copayment; now brace yourself for the facility fee appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Topeka police are working a report of a vehicle that crashed into a garage in central Topeka Wednesday morning.

At 6:51 a.m., police were called to the 1600 block of southwest Clay Street for reports of an injury crash. It was reported that a vehicle had crashed into a garage.

A Topeka police watch commander said the vehicle was being towed and didnt immediately confirm if anyone was injured.

Man arrested after allegedly crashing into 3 garages in Topeka

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

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.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
TUNIS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied and the visiting Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani discussed here on Wednesday preparations for the upcoming Arab summit and bilateral ties.

The Tunisian Presidency said in a statement that during the meeting, Saied and Al Zayani talked about key topics on the agenda of the Arab summit, which is scheduled on May 16 in the Bahraini capital Manama.

Saied stressed Tunisia's readiness to continue contributing to the development of joint Arab action.

He praised the ties of brotherhood and cooperation between Tunisia and Bahrain, expressing his country's keenness to further consolidate and diversify the relations in several fields, and to overcome difficulties facing implementation of some Bahraini projects and investments in Tunisia, said the statement.

Saied also reiterated Tunisia's support for the Palestinian people's struggle for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.

For his part, Al Zayani briefed the preparations for the upcoming Arab summit and the ongoing consultations at various levels to formulate initiatives in several fields to serve common Arab interests and unify efforts to confront current challenges. 
ROBERTSDALE, Ala. (WKRG)  A convoy of motorcycle escorts and blue lights surround an 18-wheeler traveling on Interstate 10 that some say carries precious cargo.

A lot of these Vietnam veterans didnt get to have a homecoming when they came back, said Tim Tetz site manager for The Wall that Heals. They came back and they were spit on, they were called names.

This time, children waving American flags lined the streets like 6th grader Bailey Cotner. It was exciting, loud and just awesome.

Gulf Shores police officer recognized for saving mans life

I just really love our country and love the people that fight for our country, added classmate Finley Sherrer. Its just amazing.

All for an exhibit they were hoping to heal old wounds. This is a homecoming they deserve to have, said Tetz.

Some people call Vietnam the forgotten war but this week in Robertsdale, Vietnam veterans will be remembered.

I was in front of the truck, said veteran Kim McDowell. He helped escort the tractor-trailer and will see the memorial wall for the first time when it goes up at the Robertsdale Coliseum. It will be personal for him. His cousins name, Larry McDowell, is among the over 58 thousand names on the wall. Ill probably cry like I do now. Its an honor. Its what the sacrifice, what we love of America is for.

Thirty of those names are from Baldwin County. Their pictures are on display inside the coliseum. The sacrifice that these young people graduated high school and put on that uniform and gave their lives for this country, said veteran Kenneth Marsh who first approached the city administrators about bringing the wall to Robertsdale.

The wall and traveling museum will open at 8:30 Thursday morning and will remain open around the clock until 2 oclock Sunday afternoon in honor of the men and women who served and giving them something many never had according to Tetz. Finally giving the recognition that is owed to this generation that served.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (WAVY)  The suspect in a Virginia Amber Alert on Tuesday was arrested after her car broke down in Kentucky, authorities say.

The Madison County Sheriffs Office says Ashley Griffith was located around 5:30 p.m. on Battlefield Memorial Highway, about an hour south of Lexington, when a deputy responded for a motorist assist call.

Griffith told the responding deputy that she needed a jump start for her car. However, further investigation found Griffith was wanted in relation to the reported abduction of 10-month-old Cedar Samuel Griffith. The toddler was in the vehicle at the time, authorities say.

Cedar Samuel Griffith and Ashley Griffith (Courtesy of Virginia State Police)

Griffith was arrested and charged with resisting arrest and fugitive from another state by the sheriffs office. She was taken to the Madison County Detention Center.

The child was taken into custody by deputies and Virginia State Police canceled their Amber Alert around 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

Additional details related to the motive and other circumstances in the case have not been released by authorities.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  Virginia Beach City Council rejected a request to have collective bargaining for city workers last week, but the issue isnt fading away.

Mayor Bobby Dyer, who voted against the collective bargaining effort, says he wants citizens to share their thoughts on the matter via an advisory referendum this November. That was brought up during Tuesdays informal session, where council members also discussed their budget reconciliation for the FY25 proposed budget.

An advisory referendum would be non-binding/wouldnt change city code, but would allow city leaders to better gauge public opinion on the issue.

Because once again there are a number of people that, you know, want collective bargaining and other people that dont, Dyer said. And I think were split as a body. And I think were split as a public. And I think this will give us the opportunity to get information out to the public. Bringing them into the decision loop.

This comes after council voted 5-5 last Tuesday on the collective bargaining request put forward by the citys firefighter and EMS union. An abstention from Councilwoman Amelia Ross-Hammond, which she said was due to not having sufficient time to fully consider whether authorizing collective bargaining would be in the best interests of the City, meant the measure failed to pass.

Dyer said he also wants to get an outside analysis to get an objective looking from an academic perspective, as well as reach out to other cities to get their feedback.

The advisory referendum would require a majority vote of council. Dyer said hes looking to have the matter on the agenda on the first voting meeting after the budget is voted on (set for May 14).

If collective bargaining had been approved, it would have applied to the citys more than 7,000 public employees, including the police department, sheriffs office and general wage workers. Workers said they were looking for a seat at the bargaining table to not only fight for higher wages, but better working conditions and more.

Collective bargaining was approved last fall in Portsmouth, and was also approved in Richmond and in several Northern Virginia localities.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
(Getty Images)

The Virginia Department Of Education on Monday removed from committee review a lab school application from Ferrum College, a religious and private university, asking the commonwealth to pay $10.6 million for the initial four years of its initiative.

The committee did recommend three lab school applications to the Board of Education for final approval: Richard Bland College in Petersburg; Old Dominion University in Norfolk; and George Mason University in Fairfax.

The lab school committee had several questions regarding the [Ferrum College lab school] application, said Todd Reid, a spokesperson for VDOE, adding that State Board President Grace Creasey wanted to ensure the school had more time to prepare responses and clarifications to those questions.

Reid did not provide a date for when the application would be back for the committees review. The next meeting is expected in June.

The attention on lab school applications comes after state Democrats opposed supporting private universities seeking to create lab schools with state funding, concerned that doing so would take away resources from public institutions.

Ferrums lab school application

Laboratory schools, which operate like charter schools, offer students tuition-free specialized instruction for high-demand careers like teaching, computer science and technology. Higher education institutions create their own curriculum for the programs, which is reviewed by the state, in partnership with local employers and community organizations. Students are accepted through a lottery system.

According to documents published on the departments website, the department first received Ferrum Colleges application to create the Ferrum College Academy for Opportunity and Innovation on Feb. 1.

The academys focus will be to provide high school students interested in employment in public service and health-related fields with dual enrollment options and industry credentials to get jobs and fast-track their careers by giving them the confidence and opportunity to seek early advancement.

Franklin, Henry and Patrick counties expressed interest in partnering with the Ferrum Academy. According to the documents, Virginia Western Community College declined to participate, due to overlaps in programming with their own laboratory school grant applications, resulting in public school systems in Roanoke County and Roanoke City Public Schools declining to participate in the academy. Martinsville schools also declined to participate.

Ferrums application also stated that its academy would be an opportunity to involve homeschooled students, which would be allowed by state law.

The stipulation that enrollment in the college partnership laboratory school shall be open through a lottery process on a space-available basis to any student who is deemed to reside within the commonwealth  further underscores the opportunity to serve homeschooled students within the region, Ferrums application read.

According to Ferrums application, tuition would be the largest non-personnel annual cost for the academy at $4,530 per pupil.

On Monday, the five-member committee did not comment on the application in an amended meeting agenda. Instead, the department removed the application documents before the committee meeting.

Lab school applications like Ferrum Colleges are receiving more attention after the board approved and awarded funding for two private higher education institutions last month: Emory and Henry received $3.8 million, and Roanoke College received $2.3 million.

Its unclear whether contracts for those applications have been signed.

In 2022, the General Assembly adopted Chapter 2 of the 2022 Appropriation Act, which Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed, stipulating that a college partnership laboratory school means a public, nonsectarian, nonreligious school in the commonwealth established by a baccalaureate public institution of higher education.

Democrats said the language was created to keep funding focused on public four-year institutions before expanding to private or religious schools.

However, the Youngkin administration, with support from the attorneys general office, says that definition in state law does not prohibit the committee from accepting applications from all institutions.

The committee recommended lab school applications from Richard Bland College, ODU, and GMU be approved by the board. The board has already approved 12 lab school applications, including one for VCU, the first university to launch a lab school earlier this year.

Virginias lab school landscape

In 2022, lawmakers passed legislation establishing laboratory schools. They appropriated $100 million to support the Virginia College Partnership Laboratory fund, established 12 years before for colleges and universities with teacher education programs.

Out of the $100 million, $5 million was earmarked for planning grants to support eligible entities in the design of lab schools and to assist in drafting and submitting lab school applications to the board. A total of $20 million was designated for initial start-up grants for approved lab schools to make one-time purchases and $75 million for per-pupil operating grants to support ongoing expenses for lab school operation and maintenance.

Richard Bland Colleges Globe Academy proposes creating engineer career pathways in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, using art for student vision planning. The academys enrollment will be focused on high school students at Petersburg City, Dinwiddie County, Sussex County and Prince George County Public Schools.

Richard Blands application estimates first-year expenses will total $1.28 million.

In Suffolk, Old Dominion Universitys STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington Elementary School proposes offering hands-on experiences with science, technology, engineering and math to develop proficiency and promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills, prompting a deeper understanding of core subjects.

The academy will be focused on serving elementary school students at Suffolk County Public Schools and will cost $1 million in the first year.

In the northernmost part of Virginia, George Mason University and Frederick County are partnering to develop The Shenandoah Valley Rural Regional College Partnership Laboratory School for Data Science, Computing and Applications.

The school, which will cost $1 million in its first year, will start with high school students enrolled at Frederick County Public Schools before expanding to other school divisions. In partnership with Laurel Ridge Community College, the lab school will focus on advancing data science, computing and applications for students and teachers through innovative research, education and community engagement.

Additional funding for Virginia lab schools is still uncertain.

Youngkin proposed $60 million for lab schools in his budget presented late last year, but lawmakers offered no investments in their budget presented at the close of the legislative session in March. Both sides have traded exchanges over whether to include funding for lab schools in the two-year budget that is expected to be finalized next week, ahead of the current budgets expiration on July 1.







SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Virginia Dept. of Ed removes private universitys lab school application before committee review appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Attorney General Jason Miyares displayed a bin of THC edible products from Virginia stores. Experts say the products have caused a spike in poison control calls involving young children and teens. (Photo by Graham Moomaw)

Virginia officials are instructing health care providers to start keeping track of adverse events involving children and teens being exposed to cannabis products.

In an April 24 letter to clinicians, State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton said her agency had received enough reports of minors getting sick from products containing CBD and THC, chemical compounds found in cannabis, that the state was establishing a special surveillance system to keep tabs on the issue.

Reported symptoms for these adverse events have included vomiting, hallucinations, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, altered mental status and anxiety, Shelton wrote, adding that some hospitalizations have occurred as a result of minors consuming cannabis products.

The letter specifically asks that local health departments be made aware of any cannabis-related hospitalizations in patients under 18 years old and any clusters of adverse events affecting multiple minors.

After a hospitalization or cluster is reported, VDH staff will collect information about the illness(es), possible exposures, and laboratory results, the letter says.

State data shows an increase in emergency room visits involving minors and cannabis. (Source: Virginia Department of Health)

The Health Department provided data showing an increase in emergency room visits involving minors being exposed to cannabis, and said the new surveillance system will help bolster those tracking efforts. In 2019, there were 52 ER visits. By 2023, the number had grown to 377.

That data only covers emergency room visits and doesnt reflect every incident reported to health officials.

As a result of these data, the special surveillance system was established in order for VDH to receive these reports directly and better assess the impact of adverse events related to consumption of products containing THC or CBD among children in the Commonwealth, said Health Department spokesperson Cheryle Rodriguez.

The letter also points to an online portal allowing anyone who had an adverse experience with cannabis products to submit a report to the Health Department with information about what happened, where the product was obtained and how it was labeled. The agency also noted that lab testing is available to support patient and product testing.

The tracking system set up by health officials is the latest government effort to mitigate the downsides of cannabis, as policymakers continue to debate what to do about adult use of marijuana and products close enough to weed to produce a similar high. Earlier this year, Gov. Glenn Youngkin pointed to health risks to children as one of his reasons for vetoing legislation that would have legalized retail sales of marijuana for purely recreational use.

The most concerning consequence of cannabis commercialization is its impact on adolescents and our children, Youngkin said in his veto statement, which also cited data showing increases in calls to poison control centers for children who consumed cannabis edibles.

There have been numerous news stories in the past few years of THC-related overdoses at Virginia schools, some of them being serious enough to require hospitalization. Last year, a high school in the city of Richmond took the unusual step of banning all candy after four students suffered medical distress after eating edibles believed to contain a form of THC, the intoxicating element found in marijuana, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

As lawmakers have relaxed Virginias laws on adult possession of small amounts of marijuana, theyve taken steps to crack down on legally murky products like delta-8 THC, which produces a high similar to marijuana but has gone largely unregulated because its typically derived from hemp plants.

Michelle Peace, a forensic science professor at Virginia Commonwealth University who specializes in vaping and cannabis research, said data collection and better testing will help health officials get their arms around the issue.

Its important to know how pervasive the problem is, Peace said in an interview.

Peace has been doing her own research into the vaping habits of Virginia K-12 students by testing the contents of vape equipment confiscated by school officials. Out of 369 submissions, 82% contained nicotine and 18% had some form of THC.

Much of that THC was very highly concentrated, Peace said, making it more likely that the user would experience negative effects.

At the end of the day, there needs to be proper attribution as to what the child actually consumed, Peace said.

Editors note: This story was updated after publication with additional information from the Virginia Department of Health.

The post Virginia health officials launch surveillance system for kids sickened by cannabis appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Von der Leyen warns of risk to democracy from attacks on politicians

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, EU and European People's Party (EPP) lead candidate, speaks during the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Federal Party Conference. Michael Kappeler/dpa

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Wednesday for decisive action to address attacks on politicians in Germany.

Von der Leyen's remarks, in a speech to her centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) in Berlin, come after a series of attacks on politicians, most recently on a Green Party candidate in Dresden as well as the local leader in Berlin of the Social Democrats (SPD) on Tuesday.

"When we talk about threats to our democracy, it's not just about positions and content. It's also about people," the German politician said. "If these people are no longer safe, then our democracy is no longer safe either."

She said that perpetrators must "feel the full force of the law."

"We must protect all those who stand up for our democratic society and our country from attacks - regardless of which party they belong to, whether privately, during election campaigns or in the exercise of their duties, day or night."

Von der Leyen stressed that applies to politicians at every level, from local town councils to the German parliament as well as the European Parliament.

On Friday of last week, SPD politician Matthias Ecke, a member of the European Parliament, was beaten and seriously injured by four young men while putting up campaign posters in the eastern German city of Dresden.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, EU and European People's Party (EPP) lead candidate, speaks during the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Federal Party Conference. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, EU and European People's Party (EPP) lead candidate, speaks during the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Federal Party Conference. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
An anti-Ottawa Impact sign in Grand Haven | Anna Gustafson

Updated, 10:22 a.m., 5/8/24

A crack in the Ottawa Impact facade became a hole in the dike Tuesday, as a prominent member of the right-wing evangelical coalition was defeated at the polls.

Lucy Ebel | Ottawa County Commission photo

Incumbent Ottawa County Commissioner Lucy Ebel, a Republican, was defeated on Tuesday by Democrat Chris Kleinjans in a recall election in the West Michigan county. Unofficial results show Kleinjans winning by a 20-point margin, 2,502 to 1,665. Voter turnout was 20%, according to the website of the Elections Division of the Ottawa County Clerk.

I am grateful and humbled that the hardworking people of this district have put their trust and confidence in me, said Kleinjans. The voters of District 2 made it clear that they reject the chaos, fiscal irresponsibility, and disrespect for county employees that exemplify Lucy Ebel and Ottawa Impacts style of government, and I will work every day to turn that around.

The recall effort began in July when a petition seeking to remove Ebel from office was filed, citing her vote to effectively fire Adeline Hambley, the county health officer without cause. The board then voted to offer the position instead to Nathaniel Kelly, a safety manager for an HVAC business who railed against masking to stop the spread of COVID-19.

It was one of several actions the board took in January 2023, the very first meeting after nine members endorsed by Ottawa Impact, including Ebel, won election to the 11-member county commission in November 2022. Among the changes were substituting Ottawa Countys vision statement from Where you belong to Where freedom rings, eliminating the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department, and firing the former county administrator and hiring former GOP U.S. House candidate John Gibbs as a replacement. Gibbs was later terminated by the board for gross misconduct and has since filed a lawsuit against the county.

Hambley also filed suit against the county for termination in violation of public policy, which eventually resulted in a settlement this past February, keeping her and Marcia Mansaray, her deputy, on the job.

Ebel will continue in her role until the results of the election are certified, and then Kleinjans will serve out the remainder of 2024. Both he and Ebel have filed for the August primary election for an opportunity to run in November for a four-year term.

I look forward to working with many people of good will to restore responsible government to Ottawa County, said Kleinjans, who said his election to the board was a referendum on Ottawa Impact.

Chris Kleinjans | MSU photo

We got buy-in from people throughout the county who had a vested interest in our success, because a win in May for responsible government is a harbinger for August and November, said Kleinjans.

Meanwhile, voters in Delta County in the Upper Peninsula also recalled three of five county commissioners Tuesday for their votes last year to fire County Administrator Emily DeSalvo.

According to unofficial results, incumbents Robert Barron, David Moyle and Robert Petersen were defeated by Myra Croasdell, Kelli van Ginhoven and Matthew Jensen, who will serve through the end of the year. However, WLUC TV-6 reports all six are running for the board this fall.

There was very poor voter turnout. The general public doesnt realize the woke agenda that the newly elected have, which will be put into play very quickly, Barron said in a statement to WLUC. Ill be running in the August primary, and well see if the people of Delta County want that mob-rule type of governance or do they want the constitutional representative republic, which is the rule of Gods law.

The post Voters recall far-right Ottawa Impact member from West Michigan county commission appeared first on Michigan Advance.
(Getty Images)

This article is one in a series looking at statewide initiatives on Washingtons 2024 November ballot.

What would the initiative do?

Initiative 2124 would amend the states long-term care program, known as WA Cares, so all workers would have a choice about whether to participate in it and can opt out at any time. As is, most workers in the state must take part in WA Cares and pay a tax supporting the program.

What is WA Cares?

WA Cares applies a 0.58% tax on the paychecks of workers in Washington. The tax went into effect in July 2023.

Beginning in July 2026, those who qualify can begin accessing the programs long-term care benefit, which has a lifetime cap of $36,500, adjusted over time for inflation. The money can be used to offset expenses like caretaking, equipment, medication and meals for people who are older, injured or disabled.

Some workers arent required to participate. These include people who live outside of Washington but work in the state, spouses of active-duty military service members, those with non-immigrant work visas, and veterans who meet certain disability requirements.

People with qualifying private long-term care insurance could opt out through December 2022. Nearly 500,000 individuals opted out before that deadline, according to an October 2022 report.

Why is the initiative on the ballot?

Lets Go Washington, a conservative group sponsored by hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, collected around 424,000 signatures to get the initiative on the ballot.

WA Cares has drawn criticism since it became law in 2019. Opponents say too many people paying the tax may never use the full benefit. Another argument against the program is that the benefit is too small to be meaningful when stacked against the potentially heavy costs of long-term care.

Critics have also raised concerns about the funds finances, which some say are unsustainable and could require a higher tax in the future to keep the program solvent.

Another major criticism was that the benefit was not portable, meaning those who leave the state to retire couldnt access it even if they paid into the fund during their career in Washington. The Legislature passed a law this year to make the benefit available to people who leave the state if theyve paid into it for a certain number of years.

If the initiative passes, what would the consequences be?

Making the program voluntary, without other changes to benefits or premiums, could send it into a financial death spiral, according to an analysis from December and program supporters.

The expectation is that people are less likely to need care, and higher earners  who also pay more in taxes to support the program because the tax is a percentage of pay  are more likely to bail out. That would leave fewer people, paying less in taxes, but more likely to require care.

This is why WA Cares proponents say that if I-2124 passes, it would effectively be a repeal. Supporters of keeping WA Cares intact include SEIU 775, whose members include thousands of long-term care workers, AARP, and the Washington State Budget and Policy Center.

The post WA decides: Initiative 2124 to make the states long-term care program optional appeared first on Washington State Standard.
An empty classroom. (Richard Ross/Getty Images)

Members of a nonpartisan state agency made up of local school board officials from across Washington are warning that conservative groups opposed to teaching about race and gender in schools are wielding increased influence within the organizations ranks.

An unknown number of Washington State School Directors Association members outlined their concerns in an anonymous letter released last month. In a response, Tim Garchow, executive director of the association, emphasized that the anonymous letter writers do not represent official communication from the association.

Many people mistakenly think those messages are from WSSDA, Garchow wrote in April. Put simply, they are not.

The letter contends that school board members and directors connected with Moms for Liberty and other conservative groups in Washington are actively working to undo recent progress around diversity, equity, and inclusion in public schools; enact anti-LGBTQIA+ measures; and have a stated agenda to try to move public money to charter schools and school choice vouchers.

This is an organized effort to use this state funded agency to serve a very narrow and harmful agenda that would set Washingtons public schools back 50 years, the letter reads. It adds that the movement threatens to de-legitimize WSSDA as a state advocacy organization.

Washington Policy Center, one of the groups listed in the letter, said the letter appears to be about an internal political disagreement within WSSDA, and has nothing to do with us.

I dont appreciate being called a racist by anonymous letter-writers, said Liv Finne, director of the Center of Education at Washington Policy Center.

Once elected, each of Washingtons 1,477 school board members is legally required to be part of the Washington State School Directors Association. The group sets model policy for school districts statewide. It also acts as the lobbying voice for school boards in the Legislature, with members adopting positions that guide its advocacy.

Drayton Jackson, a former Central Kitsap school board director, said the group plays an important role.

How do you know whats happening in the state overall in education, unless you have an organization that can bring that together? Thats what WSSDA does, he said. Jackson lost his race by a little over 300 votes in 2023 to an opponent aligned with Moms for Liberty

Just picture the chaos if you didnt have one voice trying to organize, Jackson said, adding that he leaned on WSSDAs guidance and resources when he was a school board director.

The letters authors said conservative groups have gained influence within the association because of new rules that allow each district to have one vote. This means a district serving 100 students has the same power as one with 10,000 students.

Small districts banded together to push through the change last September. Prior to then, voting power was weighted to provide larger districts greater clout. Critics of the previous system, like Finne, argued it gave a handful of big districts too much sway and that the new voting framework is fairer.

But the letter says this change is allowing conservative school board members to press ahead with attempts to revise the associations positions to remove language promoting diversity and equity. Another proposal seeks to make local control the guiding principle of the organizations advocacy platform in Olympia.

These proposals could be considered at the associations general assembly meeting this September.

Who authored these proposals remains unanswered, the letter says, continuing the concerning trend that positions intended to guide WSSDAs operations and advocacy are being created by an outside entity, rather than solely by elected school board directors, as is the objective and intent.

If local control guides WSSDAs legislative advocacy, the organization will not be able to effectively influence state law, supporters of the letter say, because many statewide policies are inherently at odds with local control.

At least eight school districts in the state have already passed these proposals, according to the letter. It also notes that in several districts where these positions were introduced, student representatives were in clear opposition.

Were removing what [students] want for their future, Jackson said. Thats dangerous. Because as soon as our students say we dont care about you anymore and what you say, now theres no trust.

The post Is WAs school board association seeing a conservative takeover? appeared first on Washington State Standard.
By Mazahir Afandiyev

Even though there are currently enough conflict hotspots in the world for a full-scale Third World War to break out, societies and the political circles that guide them have a primary duty to thoroughly examine the concepts of sustainable development and evidence of broad support for putting into practice the global "Sustainable Development Goals" (SDGs), which were unanimously approved by UN Member States in 2015.

In addition to deftly carrying out its responsibilities on all international platforms, Azerbaijan lends its experience and support to those that require it. The Republic of Azerbaijan is implementing the successful localization policy of the "2030 Agenda," which consists of 17 goals. Based on current laws and realities, each goal's priority is being improved.

The DIM Dialogue series has been operating in Azerbaijan since November 2022, with the aim of bolstering the efforts being made to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals. The 4th Sustainable Development Goals Dialogue was held in Baku on May 7, 2024, with the objectives of expanding women's economic rights and opportunities, consulting interested parties on the 4th Voluntary National Review of Azerbaijan, and putting the next steps to progress on the 5th SDGs into action.

In order to support the Azerbaijani government in implementing national priorities, a series of dialogues on sustainable development goals are being held within the framework of the Azerbaijan Strategy for Sustainable Development until 2030 and the 2030 Agenda. These dialogues aim to provide a platform for key stakeholders, including the government, UN, private sector, civil society, international financial institutions, and development partners, to implement best practices from around the world and offer creative solutions.

Every DIM debate centers around a particular problem, which is then further expanded into a conceptual approach, an analytical note that includes a brief data analysis and occasions of advanced international practice, a section with useful policy recommendations, and an analytical note with a few data analysis examples.

Members of the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development, government agencies, international experts, business representatives, representatives of civil society organizations, scientists, think tanks, and the delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic participated at this year's 4th SDGs Dialogue.

One of the unique aspects of this dialogue was how Azerbaijan increased its chances for experience exchange by sharing with friendly nations the work it has done to achieve the SDGs. As a result, the members of parliament who are a part of the Lao People's Democratic Republic delegation took part in the discussion and thoroughly examined Milli Majlis's contribution to Azerbaijan's SDG goals and the "2030 Agenda's" implementation. They also expressed their broad interest in applying our experience to their own nations.

Participating in the 4th SDGs Dialogue, Ali Ahmadov, the deputy prime minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan and chairman of the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development, stated that the head of state is aware of the policies in place in our nation and noted that the UN should always be aware of the issue of mine pollution resulting in human death.

Other speakers offered suggestions and highlighted the key strategies for protecting women's liberties and rights, such as granting them access to opportunities in a variety of fields.

Therefore, it can be said that the DIM Dialogues series is already developing into a significant forum for talking about creative solutions and setting them up.

However, keeping in mind that this year's 29th Session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), the world's most renowned and significant event, will take place in Azerbaijan, all of the topics addressed within the SDG Dialogue framework will logically come to a close during COP29.

Mazahir Afandiyev is the Member of the Milli Majlis (the Azerbaijani Parliament).
PORT SUDAN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan on Wednesday said there would be no negotiations or ceasefire until the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is defeated.

Al-Burhan, also the general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), made the remarks when addressing an army force in the River Nile state in northern Sudan, the sovereign council said in a statement.

"There will be no negotiations, no peace, and no ceasefire except after defeating this rebellion... so this country can live in peace," Al-Burhan said.

Al-Burhan's remarks came a day after violent battles between the SAF and the RSF in North Kordofan state.

On Tuesday, the SAF announced on its Facebook page that the army's Fifth Infantry Division achieved victories in El Obeid, the capital city of North Kordofan state.

However, the RSF on Wednesday said in a statement that it had repelled an attack by the SAF in North Kordofan state.

A slew of peace initiatives have been put forward to end the armed conflict in Sudan, including by the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an East African bloc, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, but all have so far failed.

According to the UN, half of Sudan's population -- some 25 million people -- need humanitarian assistance and protection, with nearly 18 million people facing acute food insecurity.

Since the conflict between the SAF and the RSF broke out on April 15, 2023, around 15,000 fatalities have been recorded, while the number of people displaced inside and outside of Sudan has reached 8.2 million, according to recent estimates by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 
A Kentucky mayor wrote his resignation note on the back of an envelope

Gabe Brown submitted his resignation as mayor of Walton on the back of an envelope on May 7, 2024.

WALTON, Ky.  A months-long clash between a Northern Kentucky mayor and city council reached a climax at a meeting Tuesday night with a scribbled two-sentence note on the back of an envelope.

"I quit. I'll turn my keys in when I clear out my office this week."

It was signed by Gabe Brown, the now-former mayor of Walton, a city of roughly 5,500 people in Boone County, about 20 miles southwest of Cincinnati.

More: 'This embarrasses me.' In a Northern Kentucky city, scandal dogs 3 mayors in a row

Attorney Bryce Rhoades, who council brought in as special counsel, said the note goes into effect immediately because it does not have a date on it. Now, the six-person city council will have to officially accept Brown's resignation at a meeting Thursday.

But the melee is far from over.

Walton Mayor Gabe Brown announced his resignation at a special city council meeting March 27.

Will the mayor return?

Brown's resignation happened after city council members began investigating city expenditures over the past fiscal year, prompted by accusations that Brown may have been misusing public money.

Tuesday night, the city council was prepared to issue charges of "misconduct and/or willful neglect" against Brown, the first part of a process to remove him from office, the meeting agenda stated.

Brown would not have been eligible to fill the role again until 2026, which is when his term was slated to end.

His voluntary exit, however, means the door is still open for him to make a comeback in a special election to fill the seat this fall. That's a plan he alluded to during his three-minute resignation speech in March when he said, "Keep my seat warm and leave my drapes alone. To quote the great poet Wyclef Jean, 'I'll be gone till November, I'll be gone till November. Yo, tell my girl I'll be gone till November.' "

Here's a recap of what's been going on in Walton:

Walton Mayor Gabe Brown announced his resignation Wednesday night. Here's what he had to say: @Enquirer pic.twitter.com/WYWToEdF0R  Jolene Almendarez (@JoleneA1) March 28, 2024

What is Gabe Brown accused of doing?

The council censured Brown in March for allegedly misusing a city plow and city vehicle.

His purchases with his city-issued credit card were also questioned. Council member Dan Martin said weeks ago council members determined Brown mistakenly spent about $100 for personal uses like parking and that money was repaid last fall.

But more has been uncovered during the city council's investigation. Martin told reporters Tuesday night that city council members had to "dig deeper than we ever thought we would need" and did a full financial audit of all charges over the past fiscal year.

Is there a criminal investigation?

Martin confirmed to reporters that a "mountain of documents" has been handed over to law enforcement agencies. But he said he doesn't know any more details, not even which agency is investigating exactly what.

He said the city and city council's attorney would be responsible for working with law enforcement about the details.

Martin also added the council's investigation turned up no wrongdoing from any other city employees.

Wait, didn't Brown already resign?

Yes and no.

Brown announced his resignation during a council meeting on March 27, where he said some members, shouldnt be allowed to vote, much less be in an elected office.

On March 30, he rescinded his resignation at 11:50 p.m., 10 minutes before his resignation went into effect.

It has become clear that the bullying wont end with my resignation and it has become clear the council wants to sully my name and reputation, therefore declaring your desire to fight, he wrote when he rescinded.

But there may be more to the story.

Brown was reportedly paid $4,000 in January for work he was slated to do as mayor through April. If his resignation had gone into effect March 31, as he intended, he would probably have had to pay that money back.

The city has since passed an ordinance eliminating advance payrolls.

What's next?

The city of Walton will likely have a special mayoral election in November.

During a meeting on Thursday, the city council is expected to unanimously accept Brown's resignation. Martin said the rest of that meeting will likely consist of two hours of conversation on water and sewer issues in the city, two topics that were tabled during the special meeting Tuesday so more time could be devoted to the issues involving Brown.

A special meeting on May 14 could reveal more information.

Council members unanimously voted Tuesday for attorney Rhoades to prepare a report on the findings of their investigation into Brown.

"We've been investigating everything, every financial charge the city has issued in the past year. We've been digging. We've been doing a full financial audit," Martin said.

He added that while city council members can no longer remove Brown from office, they still want the public to be aware of the findings.

"So if Mayor Brown appears on the ballot again, they may understand, they may have the full record of his time in office," he said.

The city has 30 days to appoint an interim mayor.

In the meantime, the city also approved a resolution to enter into consulting services with Elishia Chamberlain to help the city with its investigation and other legal matters pertaining to the mayor.

Chamberlain was the city administrator in Ludlow before Ludlow's mayor at the time Josh Boone fired her.

According to previous reporting from The Enquirer, Boone also fired city attorney Fred Johnson days after taking office and the city laid off two public works employees in the first few months of 2019 to help address its more than $200,000 budget shortfall at the time.

What does Brown have to say?

Brown doesn't appear to have given many interviews, though, he's mentioned he's being bullied by members of the council who disagree with him.

But his three-minute resignation speech from March revealed his thoughts on his time in the "lonely, thankless job."

On Tuesday, he appeared at the meeting late driving a blue van. He declined to comment on the record to The Enquirer.

Gabe Brown left the parking lot of Walton City Hall Tuesday night after he submitted his mayoral resignation.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Walton mayor Gabe Brown resigns
Even if you dont have children in school, you are probably aware that education has recently been facing unforeseen challenges. Schools are struggling to combat learning loss and to ensure equity in a world that is often inequitable. Learning standards and curricula have become points of contention  books are being banned, and histories are being challenged. Educators have increasing amounts of responsibilities placed on them, and fewer people are choosing to pursue careers in education.

The future of education can seem daunting, and you might feel powerless to help. However, there is an easy way to have a serious impact on the success of education in Delaware: voting in your school board election on Tuesday, May 14.

The way our schools operate is guided by policy, and those policies arent determined by principals or even superintendents; they are determined by school boards. School boards are empowered to make decisions that impact all aspects of public education: curriculum, discipline, strategic planning and budget priorities, just to name a few.

School board members may consider the opinions of administrators, teachers, and other stakeholders, but their votes are the deciding factors.

Not only should we use our votes to elect school board members who will spend our tax dollars intelligently, but we should also realize the immense impact our school boards have on the success of our schools and the future of our community.

A fourth grade student of Wilbur Elementary School solves a math problem in a classroom in Bear, Thursday, May 18, 2023. Delaware's school board elections are this Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

School boards determine policies about inclusion and equity. They have the power to adopt initiatives that foster welcoming and inclusive school climates, thereby cultivating a larger community of inclusion and compassion from which all Delawareans would benefit.

School boards approve changes to curricula and instructional frameworks, directly influencing the academic growth of Delawares students. Even if you do not have children in school, these choices will have an impact on you. They directly influence how many skilled employees and informed adults we have in our community.

Your vote in a school board election can determine how much freedom educators have in making instructional decisions and how schools address achievement gaps among different demographics. Elected members can determine whether a book is banned, whether schools will affirm students genders, and whether a district implements restorative justice to address behavior challenges.

Opinion: Delaware can kiss the problems with our schools goodbye. Here's how we can improve

School boards are also responsible for both hiring and evaluating the districts superintendent, who is charged with implementing the boards policies. It is the board who decides whether to promote internally or to have an open hiring process for a new superintendent. It is the board who decides whether the superintendent has a formal evaluation each year (and in Delaware, many superintendents dont), or if they just have one when their contract is up for renewal.

Rachel Blumenfeld

Despite the importance of school boards, and the immense impact they can have on our community, these elections have shockingly low voter turnout. In 2023, school board elections had voter turnout ranging from 2.25% in Laurel to 10.03% in Delmar. The results of these elections were tight; Appoquiniminks election was decided by 3 votes.

These results confirm how important your vote is: your vote could be the one that changes who sits on your school board. It could be the one that determines whether you have a school board member who communicates with their constituents, who carefully considers the input of community members, who uses all available data to make the decisions.

Make a plan to vote and have your voice be heard on Tuesday, May 14 by visting VoteDelaware.org.

Rachel Blumenfeld is vice president of the ACLU of Delaware Board, and head of school at Albert Einstein Academy.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware School elections are May 14. How can you make an impact?
Alyssa Rigney gives a speech about her support of Gaza during a solidarity rally for Gaza on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, outside of the William T. Young Library at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Matthew Mueller | Lantern Staff

LEXINGTON  History has a way of vindicating student protests  civil rights, Vietnam, apartheid  but it can take a while.

I was thinking about this while trudging up Woodland Avenue on a sunny afternoon last week to a pro-Palestinian rally at the University of Kentucky.

Along the way I passed a group of college women setting up lounge chairs in a front yard and hoisting a sign that said You Honk We Drink. (Youth is a many-splendored thing, especially when youve just finished your last exam of the semester.)

In the shade of the parking lot, I asked if I could take a photo of Mousa and Mags Samaan of Lexington as the father helped his teen daughter don her keffiyeh. The Samaans explained that the black and white scarf is a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.

Lexington has large, vibrant Arab and Jewish communities that enrich the city in many ways and who share similar histories of both discrimination and success in Kentucky. How painful it must be to see ancient homelands torn by ethnic violence and to again feel the threat of uninformed bias and ugly stereotypes.

At the rally, sponsored by a group called Lex4Palestine, I was surprised by how many students declined to be interviewed or even give their names. Many wore masks of the type made common by the pandemic. One young woman explained she was trying to protect her identity while also respecting others health.

(Aha, I thought the next morning when the New York Times published In an Online World, a New Generation of Protesters Chooses Anonymity. Fear of online harassment  doxing  and, specifically, fear of being branded antisemitic, is prompting many protesters on campuses to hide their identities, the Times reported.)

I was directed to the organizing coalitions media liaison, Ben Bandy, who wore a yarmulke and a Star of David on a thin chain. Bandy, a 2022 UK grad from Atlanta now working in Lexington, told me its very, very frustrating when people equate opposition to Israels war in Gaza with antisemitism. When I think about my Jewish values, I think of treating each other with kindness, not of a genocide thats killed tens of thousands.

Later, Bandy got the biggest cheer of any speaker and told the crowd, Im a Jew and Im against the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

I spoke to Joanne and Charlie Martha of Lexington who are in their 60s and Palestinians. Joanne, who came to this country when she was 6, still has family in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Charlies fathers family lost its home as did most of the Palestinians who lived in whats now Israel after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war in a forced displacement known as the Nakba or catastrophe.

After doing little or nothing to prevent the Holocaust, Britain and the United States supported a Jewish homeland, heedless of the people who already lived there.

The world thinks it started on Oct. 7, which was terrible, said Charlie. It started in 1948. He adds, The elephant in the room is the occupation.

Since Hamas surprise attack of Oct. 7, in which 1,200 people in Israel were killed, some in sickeningly sadistic ways, and 252 were taken hostage, it has seemed to me that particularly malevolent forces  brutality, cynicism, political self-interest, the arms industry  are swirling around this small beautiful slice of the globe.

Now Joanne worries that most Americans think all Palestinians are terrorists instead of family-oriented people who want to live in peace. When she visits family, she is struck by the lack of freedom and opportunity and by the apartheid-like system under which Palestinians must live. Shes sad that her adopted country is funding an unparalleled military assault on her childhood home.

Palestinians have lost their past, their future, their present in this war, she told me. Whats going on is a one-sided genocide.

More than 34,600 Palestinians have been killed and 77,000 wounded, according to Gazas health ministry.

Joanne Martha does not blame the Israeli people but the countrys government for what even ally Joe Biden has called Israels over the top war in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who needs to stay in power to avoid prison on corruption charges, may see political advantage for himself in prolonging the war and Israelis sense of existential crisis. Netanyahu backed a plan to prop up Hamas, which in 2006 won a parliamentary election with 44% support in what was widely viewed as a protest vote against corruption, then the next year took Gaza by force. By supporting Hamas in Gaza, Netanyahu and his team had hoped to divide Palestians thus thwarting any move toward a Palestinian state. Netanyahu also miscalculated Hamas strength and intent. As recently as September, a month before the Hamas attack, Netanyahu signaled that the government of Qatar, which with Israels tacit approval has put billions of dollars into the terrorist organization, should continue the payments to Hamas.

I asked the Marthas about one of the slogans the students were chanting. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free has become a lightning rod, admittedly used by Hamas, and interpreted by many as a call to destroy Israel.

Almost 20% of Israels population  or 2 million people  are Palestinians, who live as second-class citizens. Jews and Palestinians lived in peace in the past, the Marthas said. The slogan, they said, is a call for freedom not annihilation.

Taylor Slone of Georgetown was carrying a sign that said Anti-Zionism Is Not Anti-Semitism. He turned out for the rally because I felt like I needed to do more and also because he thought more bodies offered more protection.

No one needed protection from anything harsher than sunburn, however. UK Police stood at a polite distance and appeared more concerned about protecting the William T. Young Library than any possibility of violence, in contrast to some campuses where students and faculty were forcibly arrested.

The protesters called for a ceasefire, which would be a blessing, though I have a hard time seeing any good way out of this misery, bloodshed and hatred.

Even if Israel Defense Forces force every last Hamas fighter from underground, Israel is creating more than enough new enemies for itself  young people who have nothing to lose or hope for  to replace the terrorist organization many times over.

Im confounded that the Holocaust, the 20th centurys most horrific mass atrocity, is somehow begetting a mass atrocity in this century.

The United Nations, the U.S. and the rest of the West have been ineffective, apathetic even, toward the Palestinians plight and other human rights abuses in the Mideast, ready to turn a blind eye as long as the oil was flowing. But wounds left to fester will inevitably burst, spewing poison everywhere.

History probably will vindicate opposition to whats happening in Gaza and also the West Bank. It will vindicate the many Jews who are courageously advocating for a peaceful solution and pushing for release of the hostages. I pray a peaceful solution comes soon; the alternative is unbearable to imagine.

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com. Follow Kentucky Lantern on Facebook and Twitter.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Wanting to be free does not insinuate violence appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren has said that Western assistance is crucial to reversing the current tide on the Russo-Ukrainian war front, where Russia currently has the upper hand.

Source: Ollongren in an interview with Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Ollongren was asked what she could say about the pace of Western support for Ukraine.

"It is hard to answer. If you ask a Ukrainian soldier in a trench, of course, it [the supply of military aid] is probably taking too much time, and there is not enough help. But war is a complex and scary phenomenon," the minister said.

"Now we do see that Russia has a certain advantage. But I firmly believe that we can change the situation if we increase production, in particular of ammunition, drones, and other new technologies that are very widely used in Ukraine. If we can strengthen [Ukraines] air defence in particular, I am adamant that Ukraine will succeed. But we must actively support Ukraine," Kajsa Ollongren said.

The official was also asked what to expect from the Netherlands in the future if the parliamentary elections showed that many people support populist forces.

Ollongren noted that populist politician Geert Wilders' winning party had failed to secure a majority and was still engaged in complex coalition negotiations. The defence minister further stated that, in general, there is high support for Ukraine in the parliament and society and an understanding that Europe's security depends on it.

"I hope that when voters cast their votes in the European Parliament elections in June, they will seriously consider that security is not something that is 'by default' and will always be there... We need to invest in security, we need to invest in our security, we need people ready to put on a uniform and defend our continent," the minister stressed.

In addition, during her visit to Lithuania, Ollongren said that the Netherlands plans to start sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this autumn, following Denmark, which intends to deliver the planes in the summer.

Background: The Danish ambassador to Kyiv said he was optimistic that F-16 fighter jets would arrive in Ukraine this summer.

Support UP or become our patron!
A projection is seen the picture of president Joe Biden with the text reading 'Genocide Joe' on the wall of the George Washington University during the students encampment protest in Washington. The encampment was cleared by police early Wednesday. Pamela Smith, the chief of police in Washington, said officers arrested 33 people who ignored six "dispersal announcements," but that most of the protesters had followed orders to leave the site. Candice Tang/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

A pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the campus of George Washington University in the US capital was cleared by police early Wednesday.

Pamela Smith, the chief of police in Washington, said officers arrested 33 people who ignored six "dispersal announcements," but that most of the protesters had followed orders to leave the site.

"They begin very peacefully. But over the past few days we begin to see an escalation in the volatility of the protest," Smith said at a press conference.

The protest at George Washington University began on April 25. Recently there had been more confrontations between participants and law enforcement officers, among other safety concerns, Smith said.

The Washington Post reported that demonstrators had protested outside the university president's house on Tuesday evening.

Protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza have roiled dozens of US campuses, leading to police action at Columbia University, City College of New York, UCLA, the University of Texas at Austin and several other well-known academic institutions.

The protests have centred around demands for universities and companies to cut financial ties with Israel. The protests have taken dark turns at times, including individuals making anti-Semitic and other inflammatory remarks, and participants vandalizing the campus.

Tens of students held signs to call for ceasefire during an encampment at University Yard at George Washington University. The encampment was cleared by police early Wednesday. Pamela Smith, the chief of police in Washington, said officers arrested 33 people who ignored six "dispersal announcements," but that most of the protesters had followed orders to leave the site. Candice Tang/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

A woman holds a sign during an encampment at University Yard at George Washington University. The encampment was cleared by police early Wednesday. Pamela Smith, the chief of police in Washington, said officers arrested 33 people who ignored six "dispersal announcements," but that most of the protesters had followed orders to leave the site. Candice Tang/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Students held signs to call for stopping US funds for Israel during an encampment at University Yard at George Washington University. The encampment was cleared by police early Wednesday. Pamela Smith, the chief of police in Washington, said officers arrested 33 people who ignored six "dispersal announcements," but that most of the protesters had followed orders to leave the site. Candice Tang/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
This article was originally published in Washington State Standard.

Smartphones gripping peoples attention isnt anything new. But following the pandemic, Kris Hagel recalls seeing a troubling rise in public school students distracted by their phones during class.

I would walk through classrooms last year and kids have absolutely no attention to the teacher thats presenting a lesson in front of them because theyre so engrossed in whats going on with their cellphones, said Hagel, executive director of learning and innovation at Peninsula School District, which has 17 schools and serves about 9,000 students in the Gig Harbor area.

We struggled for a long time on what to do, Hagel said. Then, late last school year, one high school in the district decided to try a cellphone ban. It went surprisingly well, according to Hagel. We started hearing from more and more parents who said, Hey, we want this everywhere, we want the district to do the exact same thing.

Help fund stories like this. Donate now!

So it did. We are not a district that says you cant have the device anywhere in school, Hagel explained Thursday during a webinar the League of Education Voters held to discuss smartphone use in schools. Were just saying it needs to be put away, he added. It should not be in classrooms.

Peninsula School District is hardly alone. Schools around the state and country are searching for a balance with their cellphone policies for students. Phones can not only cause distractions, they can also contribute to bullying and pose mental health risks, especially for kids.

Just having that cellphone there, having that distraction there, that temptation there, is definitely not productive, said Maria De Luna, a student at Bethel Virtual Academy and a member of the Association of Washington Student Leaders. There are a lot of very creative ways that students have found to use their phones, regardless of the rules.

De Luna said not using a phone or eschewing social media apps when other students are using them can also be difficult. Theres always that like, Oh, what if Im missing out? What if theyre talking about me? Theres that anxiety and that culture thats been created.

Meanwhile, Kelsey Parke, principal at Kopachuck Middle School in the Peninsula School District, said since the phone ban, cyberbullying at her school has dropped to almost zero.

Related

Kids, Screen Time & Despair: An Expert in Economics & Happiness Sounds the Alarm

But students, educators, and researchers point out that phones can have benefits, helping people to build social connections and to access information. Plus, parents want to be able to reach their kids by phone in case of an emergency.

So there are questions over whether outright phone bans in schools are the best path.

I think that with support, with scaffolding, with training, with regulation and with age-appropriate design, we can really maximize the benefits and minimize the negatives, said Lucia Magis-Weinberg, a psychology professor at the University of Washington.

Just over three-quarters of K-12 public schools nationwide prohibited non-academic cellphone use during the 2021-22 school year, according to a report from January. How strictly the policies are enforced can vary.

Last year, Florida became the first state to require all its public schools to keep students from using phones during class. Governors and lawmakers in at least a half-dozen other states have pushed schools to go down similar paths, Stateline reported in March.

It wasnt immediately clear how many of Washingtons public schools have cellphone restrictions.

We know of a few who have policies limiting or banning cellphone use: Peninsula, Pasco, Kennewick, Reardon-Edwall, and Monroe, Katy Payne, a spokesperson for the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction said in an email.

Related

Banning Smartphones at Schools: Research Shows Higher Test Scores, More Exercise

We are hearing about more and more districts exploring policies, she added.

Hagel said by email that hed received a lot of calls from districts across the state looking to implement restrictions in line with Peninsulas. He also said his district received a survey from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in late April asking about cellphone policies.

A bill in the state Legislature this year wouldve directed school districts to adopt restrictions on student cellphone use by the start of the 2027-28 school year. The measure passed out of the House Education Committee with bipartisan support, then stalled.

Mobile device use in our public schools has become a chronic issue and our kids are suffering because of it, Stephanie McClintock, R-Vancouver, the lead sponsor on the bill said during the session. We want to eliminate the distraction these devices are creating during class time.

Hagel was skeptical of the bill and of taking a statewide approach. I think its really important that school districts make that decision on what will work best, on the timeline that works best for them, he said. He added that its not even certain his district will keep its ban permanently.

But for now, Hagel said, We needed to take a hard reset.

Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com. Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and Twitter.
The new legislative district map for Washington state, with the redrawn boundaries for the 15th district. The map was approved by a federal judge on Friday, March 15.

Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday renewed their grievances with a court-ordered redistricting thats reshaped Washingtons political landscape in a way that threatens to be unfavorable for the Grand Old Party in this years elections.

In a committee work session, three GOP senators registered disbelief that the redrawn 14th Legislative District at the center of the controversy has fewer Latinos of voting age than before and shifted from reliably Republican to highly favorable for Democrats based on past elections.

And they noted the solution approved by a federal judge in March pushed three of their Senate colleagues into new districts. None called it a partisan gerrymander but left little doubt they believe it is.

So redistricting basically took all Republican legislators out of it and then increased the Democrat percentage, said Sen. Perry Dozier, R-Waitsburg in the meeting of the State Government and Elections Committee.

Comments from Dozier and Republican Sens. Jeff Wilson of Longview and Phil Fortunato of Auburn echo Republicans continuing frustration with the results of a lawsuit filed by Latino voters in 2022 concerning the 15th Legislative District in the Yakima Valley.

Five Republican legislators  three senators and two representatives  wound up in new districts while no Democrat was displaced. Democrats are looking to grow their majorities  now 58-40 in the House and 29-20 in the Senate  with an improved outlook from redistricting.

Those prospects are the outcome of the lawsuit, which argued the map crafted by the bipartisan Washington State Redistricting Commission violated the federal Voting Rights Act by impairing the ability of Latino voters to participate equally in elections.

U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik agreed in 2023 and ordered it redrawn. Two months ago he approved a new political map. As part of the solution he renumbered the 15th district as 14th ensuring legislative positions, including the state Senate seat, are on ballots in presidential election years starting this year.

Plaintiffs argued that the Latino community will have a better chance to elect a candidate of their choosing in these years because that is when turnout of Latino voters is historically higher.

Whether the legal outcome is a win for the Latino community will become clearer in the months ahead, said Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma, a member of the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee who took part in the work session. Well have to see what turnout is and what the results are, she said in an interview.

It is not necessarily about having a Latino candidate. It is about having a candidate that Latinos want in that space, said Mena, who grew up in East Pasco and has family members living in the Tri-Cities area. I care a lot about the new 14th. I want to see this go well.

Political repercussions

Lasniks decision redrew boundaries for 13 legislative districts across 12 counties in central and southwest Washington, and the Puget Sound region. More than 500,000 voters are now in new districts, state elections director Stuart Holmes told the committee. Thats roughly 10% of the states registered voters.

Five Republican legislators found themselves in new districts. Two incumbents  Sen. Brad Hawkins of Wenatchee and Rep. Gina Mosbrucker of Goldendale  chose not to run again. Sen. Curtis King of Yakima moved across town so that he could. Rep. Chris Corry of Yakima decided to seek an open seat in his new district.

And Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, elected in the 15th district by an overwhelming margin in 2022, is now living in the 16th district that Dozier represents. Torres, the Senates only Republican Latina, can complete her term that runs through 2026 even though she wont be living within the 15ths boundaries.

Lasniks ruling also opened the door to four first-time legislative candidates  three Democrats and one Republican who are all Latino  in the new 14th Legislative District.

And a Republican former lawmaker hopes to get back to the state House because the new maps return him to the 15th district that he was drawn out of by the state redistricting commission in 2021.

The post Washington Republicans wrestle with realities of a redrawn political map appeared first on Washington State Standard.
YANGON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar exported 503,970 tons of green grams in the 2023-24 fiscal year, earning more than 336 million U.S. dollars, according to data released by the country's Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday.

The Southeast Asian country shipped 446,781 tons of the exported green grams via sea route during the fiscal year, which started on April 1 last year and ended on March 31 this year, the ministry's figures showed.

In Myanmar, green gram is grown in two seasons, the winter season that starts in October and the rainy season that starts in August, according to Myanmar Pulses, Beans, Maize and Sesame Seeds Merchants Association.

Myanmar exported green grams to China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and other countries, according to the association.

During the fiscal year, Myanmar earned 1.48 billion U.S. dollars from the export of 1.76 million tons of beans and pulses, the commerce ministry's figures showed. 
(KRON)  Two hikers were rescued on the coast of Marin County after becoming trapped by the incoming tide during a sunset hike over the weekend, according to the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office.

On Sunday, two people set out for Alamere Falls at Point Reyes National Seashore to take in the sunset from the beach, the sheriffs office said. After the sun had set and they were making their way to the trailhead, they discovered that the incoming tide had trapped them. The pair attempted to wade through the tide but were still unable to access the trailhead.

At around 9 p.m., the Marin County Fire Department requested assistance from the Sonoma County Sheriffs Henry-1 helicopter team to launch a technical rescue due to the remote location. As Henry-1 arrived at the area, the victims used a flashlight to indicate their location, the sheriffs office said. The two hikers were found 200 feet up from the ocean on a small cliff ledge.

Homemade fireworks ignite vegetation fire in San Rafael, man arrested

A long line rescue was initiated, where a tactical flight officer was lowered from Henry-1 by a 100-foot line to place one of the victims in a horse collar rescue device, authorities said. The victim was then flown to a nearby bluff where a paramedic was waiting. The rescuers then returned to get the second victim.

After collecting the two hikers, Henry-1 flew them to a parking lot where they were released to Bolinas Fire Department personnel. The victims were treated for cold exposure and were otherwise uninjured.

Henry-1 has the capability to conduct night time long line rescues utilizing the helicopters belly lights and searchlight, the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office said. This type of rescue is extremely complex and requires extensive training and teamwork between the rescuer and the pilot.

Henry-1 was involved in a separate rescue earlier on the same day after a boat overturned in Tomales Bay.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Waukee has given Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity approval to build the nonprofit's first townhomes in Iowa.

The affordable townhomes are part of Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity's continuing priority to build multi-family homes, said CEO Lance Henning. The nonprofit plans to bring more dense housing near job centers in the Des Moines metro.

"Were trying to create choice," he said.

For Waukee, it's an opportunity to bring affordable housing to a 13.6-acre parcel at North Warrior Lane and Northeast Douglas Parkway that its been trying to develop for years. The Waukee City Council on Monday unanimously approved a development agreement with Habitat to build 48 townhome units on the northern section of the property.

Henning said the townhomes would be 1,100- to 1,300 square-feet. Some would be single-story while others would be two-story. He said the standard units will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, but there will be some four-bedroom options as well.

Colton Ruegsegger of Greater Des Moines Habitat of Humanity goes over what the CEOs will be doing on during the Habitat of Humanity CEO build day on the Shaw Street worksite on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

Multiple iterations of the affordable housing plan approved

Northeast Douglas Parkway splits the property into northern and southern sections. The city's original development proposal called for two 64-unit townhome complexes, one on each side of the road, to be built by Wisconsin-based Northpointe Development. But the development agreement was rescinded last year because Waukee did not receive a competitive, 9% low-income housing tax credit from the Iowa Finance Authority, which left a funding gap.

In March, the Waukee City Council approved new plans with Northpointe for the developer to buy about 6  acres in the southern parcel for $1 and build 46 rental townhomes. Habitat also is expected to build 14 owner occupied units on the south side, though those plans depend on the housing tax credit, which typically is awarded in the summer.

This week, the council approved a plan to give Habitat the northern half of the property for $1. The nonprofit also will get $500,000 in tax increment financing for the development.

That would still leave a $720,000 funding gap for the project but Habitat plans to apply for that money through the state's workforce housing tax credit program, according to city documents. Nick Osborne, Waukee assistant city administrator, said the application for that tax credit is due in June and an award would be expected in August.

Habitat would have until the end of 2024 to substantially begin work on the property, and the construction of at least 12 townhomes would be due by the end of July 2026. All 48 townhomes would be due by the end of July 2028, according to the development agreement.

A rendering shows the original vision for an affordable housing project in northwest Waukee. Some of the townhomes to have been built by Northpointe Development are to instead be built by Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, per a new plan the city is pursuing.

Who would be able to buy a Habitat townhome in Waukee?

Osborne said sale of Habitat's townhomes would be restricted to buyers who make 80% or less of the area median income, which in 2024 is $63,300 a year for a single person or $90,400 a year for a family of four, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Buyers still will contribute what the nonprofit calls "sweat equity" to help build their home.

Habitat also would have a period of exclusivity for buyers with ties to Waukee, such as families with students in the Waukee Community School District or employees of businesses in the suburb. Osborne said Habitat would be required to keep the income limitations for at least 21 years.

More: What does Iowa developers' bankruptcy case dismissal mean for the future of Estates of Waukee?

Multi-family housing is a priority for Habitat for Humanity

In June, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its first duplexes in the metro  making those 1,200-square-foot, three- and four-bedroom units the first-ever Habitat for Humanity homes to be built in Ankeny.

Henning said Habitat has built other duplex developments across Iowa and is planning for more multi-family options in the metro.

"Were trying to put housing near where the jobs are," Henning said.

Habitat announced in December it had raised more than $7.6 million toward a $10.5 million fundraising goal for its "Framing Our Future" capital campaign. The campaign aims to build a financial foundation for several of the organization's housing priorities, including multi-family developments, according to an announcement published in the "BUILD Des Moines" online magazine.

Henning said Tuesday fundraising for the campaign had reached about $9.4 million.

Major corporate donors have included $1.5 million from American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company, $1 million each from Kemin Industries and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, and $500,000 from Athene. More information about donating and volunteering with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity is available at gdmhabitat.org/.

Phillip Sitter covers the western suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @pslifeisabeauty.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Affordable townhomes by Habitat for Humanity approved in Waukee
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  A Parkway South High School student is facing weapons charges for allegedly carrying a gun in his backpack while on school property.

According to Manchester Police Chief Scott Will, the incident unfolded around 2:40 p.m. Tuesday during school dismissal.

Police claim a fight between two students happened in the school parking lot. Teachers intervened in the fight and separated the students.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

One of the students stayed in the parking lot after the fight, while the other student, identified as Kingston Edwards, 18, ran off. The police located Edwards a short time later. They say a loaded handgun in his backpack, which had been modified to be a fully automatic weapon, belonged to Edwards. His family disputes that claim.

School administrators at Parkway South High are now considering suspension or expulsion for the student involved. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Edwards with unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession or transport of an illegal weapon. Edwards remains jailed on a $100,000 bond.

CORRECTION: This story previously stated the fight began on a school bus, based on a statement from police. That turned out not to be the case. We regret the error.

CORRECTION 2: The suspects name has been fixed after police informed us they had his name backward. We regret the error.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
DENVER (KDVR)  A Weld County man was sentenced to serve over five decades in prison after a jury convicted him in September 2023 on seven sexual assault charges.

Anthony Abreo, 55, was sentenced to serve 54 years in the Department of Corrections on one count of sexual assault on a child and six counts of sexual assault on a child  pattern of abuse.

Police seeking additional sex assault victims of accused Denver bar owner

This man preyed on some of the most vulnerable young girls starting back in 1998, Deputy District Attorney Yvette Guthrie said in a release.

In total, the 19th Judicial District Attorneys Office filed charges related to four named victims in this case. In September, the jury found Abreo guilty of assaulting three of the victims.

This is the first time in my entire life Ive ever been able to talk about it, one victim told the judge during the sentencing hearing last month, according to the 19th Judicial District Attorneys Office. I owe it to myself, to that little girl, to say something today.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
The Republican primary race for West Virginia governor has tightened, according to a new poll, with the top two contenders within the polls margin of error.

The Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey released Wednesday showed state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey leading with 28 percent, followed closely by former state Rep. Moore Capito with 25 percent.

Businessman Chris Miller was in third with 19 percent, and West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner was in fourth with 12 percent, while 16 percent of respondents said they were undecided.

Those figures mark a significant tightening in the race compared to Emerson and The Hills previous poll of the race from March, when Morrisey was more clearly in the lead with 33 percent. Miller came in second with 16 percent followed by Capito with 14 percent, but almost 30 percent said at the time that they were undecided.

Capito, who is the son of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and grandson of former Gov. Arch Moore Jr., saw the largest improvement from March, rising 11 points. Warner improved by 6 points and Miller rose by 3 points, while Morrisey fell 5 points.

When those who said they were undecided in this months poll were asked which candidate they were leaning toward, Morriseys lead ticked up to 4 points with 33 percent to Capitos 29 percent, Millers 21 percent and Warners 15 percent.

Emerson College Polling Executive Director Spencer Kimball noted in a release that Morrisey leads Capito among registered Republicans by 6 points, 29 percent to 23 percent, while Capito leads among independent or unaffiliated voters by 12 points, 35 percent to 23 percent.

The polling also found a split in voters preferences based on education level. Morrisey leads by 14 points among those whose highest level of education is high school or less and by 6 points among those whose highest level is college, but Capito leads among Republican voters with a postgraduate degree by 25 points.

Morrisey has secured endorsements from several notable conservative organizations, including the Club for Growth and the Charles Koch-affiliated Americans for Prosperity.

Capito, in addition to gaining support from his mother who has served in her Senate seat since 2015, also secured the endorsement of outgoing Gov. Jim Justice (R), who is running for the states open Senate seat.

Because of West Virginias status as a strongly red-leaning state, whoever wins the GOP primary for governor will likely win the general election and succeed Justice.

The poll was conducted May 2-5 among 558 GOP primary voters. The margin of error was 4.1 points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A protestor looks on as the police stand guard near an encampment of protesters supporting Palestinians on the grounds of Columbia University

A tragic state of affairs has gripped what are supposed to be our strongest bastions of liberal values. Fuelled by culture wars and misguided self-righteousness, students are shutting down debate in the name of free speech and re-writing the story of a people to suit their own ends.

Columbia University  my alma mater, Im ashamed to say  has a lot to answer for. It has failed to protect Jewish students on its campus and enabled the erasure of Jewish identity and history by pandering to the demands of the violent, law-breaking pro-Palestine bullies and their Tentifada. Now, emboldened by the Jew-taunting permitted in New York, which is home to the diasporas largest Jewish community, the protests have spread to British universities.

There are, undoubtedly, truly peaceful protesters who rightfully care about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and would welcome an open, respectful dialogue about the future of the region. It is entirely legitimate to question and criticise Israels military strategy; over the weekend tens of thousands of Israelis marched in Tel Aviv to demand a ceasefire deal that would secure the return of the hostages. Plenty of Jews and Israelis want the war in Gaza to end with no further bloodshed.

But it is disingenuous to suggest that the demonstrations are well-meaning pleas to save the children of Gaza and not dogmatic mobs that have become overrun with bad-faith extremists who will not tolerate opposing viewpoints and whose face coverings mask their mouths more effectively than their anti-Semitism.

Khymani James, a leader of the Columbia protests, was already known to the university, having been called before officials in January for making violent threats about Zionists. He proudly recorded himself making a direct correlation between Zionists who dont deserve to live and Hitler, who a lot of people agree needed to die, concluding: Be grateful that Im not just going out and murdering Zionists.

Shockingly he was not suspended when he made those statements, but he has now been banned from campus and given an interim suspension. It is not clear whether he has been expelled.

Dont be fooled by Mr James directing his rage at Zionists; these are thinly-veiled incitements against Jews. Zionism is the belief in Jews right to self-determination in the land that was historically their own, which gave them their name, which gave them their language and towards which they have prayed for hundreds of years, long before Islam or the word Palestine existed. It is supported by the overwhelming majority of Jews, because Israel is and has always been intrinsically connected to the story of the Jews.

Marie Adele Grosso, another American student protest organiser, tied herself in knots last week explaining to LBC radio why Israel should not exist as a Jewish separatist state, despite living in what presenter Ben Kentish pointed out was a Christian separatist state.

Jewish students, who pay tuition fees and are entitled to be on campus, have been physically blocked by other pupils from entering their university  not even for brandishing Israeli flags or chanting political slogans but just for being Jewish. One protester held a sign saying Al-Qasams next target  referring to Hamas military wing  with an arrow pointing at a nearby group of Jewish counter-protesters. Groups of activists have jeered at Jewish students that the October 7 massacre will happen ten thousand times and shouted at them to go back to Poland.

Poland, where some Jews ended up after centuries of persecution and displacement, just to be murdered and forced to flee again. In other words, go back to the gas chambers where you belong.

Poland, where most Jews arent from at all. In other words, the total erasure of the real story of Judaism and its relationship with Israel.

The irony is that the Jews are trying to go back to where they came from. Thats what this is all about.

On university campuses the bad apples have spoiled the bushel. Intelligent, Ivy League students who should be pursuing knowledge and learning the art of scrutiny have been swept up in a distorted dichotomy steeped in contradiction and hatred.

In the protesters performative, topsy-turvy world, they profess to be anti-war activists while calling for the bombing of Tel Aviv, the globalisation of the intifada (in which Jews were blown up on buses and in cafes) and total annihilation  from the river to the sea  of Jewish Israel.

They call for a ceasefire but also for Hamas to take another soldier out.

They excuse all their actions under the defence of free speech, an inalienable right except if you disagree with them in which case you are a Nazi and are blocked from engaging or entering.

They stand up for what they believe in, but cover their faces to do so.

They scream apartheid fascists at Zionists  whose country enshrines free speech, embraces LGBT people and has an 18 per cent Muslim population with equal rights  but glorify Hamas, the Iran-sponsored Islamist terror cult that hates Jews and kills dissenters.

In an indication of how morally confused these students have become, both Shiraz University in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Sanaa University, which is run by Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi militia, have offered places to American students who have been suspended for protesting in support of Palestine.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and thus young Western liberals have gladly fallen into bed with the repressive authoritarians who call for the death of the liberal West.

This is a direct result of the way anti-Semitic intimidation of Jews has been allowed to thrive at American universities.

Giving testimony to Congress in December, the presidents of Harvard, UPenn and MIT failed to agree that calls for the genocide of Jews constituted harassment.

Similarly, in her testimony to Congress last month, Minouche Shafik, the president of Columbia University, appeared to equivocate over condemning statements such as long live the Intifada  violent uprisings that led to the deaths of hundreds of Israelis in civilian settings  as anti-Semitic.

Perhaps most chillingly, in the lobby of the Columbia Journalism School, arguably the worlds most prestigious facility for teaching the skills of ethical, impartial and accurate reporting, a wall has been erected in memory of journalists killed in Gaza. An investigation by the Daily Mail found that 21 of the 98 names displayed worked for Hamas propaganda TV and radio stations and 11 worked for outlets connected to terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

I wonder what the schools founder Joseph Pulitzer  like me, a Jew  would have made of this propaganda masquerading as journalism in the faculty entrance hall that bears his name. I certainly would have felt extremely uncomfortable had I been forced to walk past this wall of martyrs every time I went to class.

A recent report by Brandeis University found Columbia to be one of the most anti-Semitic colleges in America, so it is little wonder its weak administration permitted the protests to last so long and gather so much momentum. As the protests start to pick up in Britain we must be braver in the face of bullies, protect our Jewish students and guard our intellectual institutions from falling to hatred and lies.

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.
Near Dunnigan in Yolo County, California, fields were flooded in January 2023 in a state-supported effort to recharge groundwater. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

After years of pervasive declines, groundwater levels rose significantly in much of California last year, boosted by historic wet weather and the states expanding efforts to replenish depleted aquifers.

The states aquifers gained an estimated 8.7 million acre-feet of groundwater  nearly double the total storage capacity of Shasta Lake  during the 2023 water year that ended Sept. 30, according to newly compiled data from the California Department of Water Resources.

A large portion of the gains, an estimated 4.1 million acre-feet, came through efforts that involved capturing water from rivers swollen by rains and snowmelt, and sending it to areas where the water percolated into the ground to recharge aquifers. The state said the amount of managed groundwater recharge that occurred was unprecedented, and nearly double the amount of water replenished during 2019, the prior wet year.

Still, the increase in underground supplies follows much larger long-term declines, driven largely by chronic overpumping in agricultural areas. The gains only partially recouped the estimated losses of 14.3 million acre-feet of groundwater during the previous two years of severe drought, when farms relied heavily on wells and aquifer levels plummeted.

It was a good bounce up, said Steven Springhorn, a supervising engineering geologist at the state Department of Water Resources.

However, we're in a large groundwater deficit, Springhorn said. Overall, the trend has been down for a long time.

The Department of Water Resources released the information in its semiannual report on groundwater conditions. The report did not include data for late 2023 and early 2024, which will be assessed in the next update later this year.

In early 2023, a series of powerful storms ended three years of extreme drought, triggering flooding and leaving one of the largest accumulations of snow on record. The year ranked as the eighth wettest statewide in the last half a century.

The wet weather and the availability of water delivered in canals led agricultural well owners to pump less groundwater. The floodwaters spread out and naturally replenished the groundwater along rivers and wetlands. In some areas, local water agencies directed floodwaters to dedicated recharge basins or farm fields, where water percolated into the ground.

Most of the managed recharge efforts to date have occurred in farming areas of the San Joaquin Valley, where local agencies have been working on plans to combat overdraft and have made investments in infrastructure to transport water to recharge facilities.

Read more: Amid soaking storms, California turns to farmland to funnel water into depleted aquifers

According to the report, water levels rose by more than 5 feet in 52% of wells with available data, while there was little change in 44% of wells, and only 4% of wells declined by more than 5 feet.

Over the last five years, however, most areas have seen declining trends in water levels. The reports authors said this underscores the fact that a single year, or even a few years, of heavy precipitation is not enough to refill the states depleted groundwater basins or make up for a series of critically dry years.

Springhorn pointed out that researchers have estimated the losses of groundwater in the Central Valley at roughly 40 million acre-feet over the last two decades.

Since 2000, California has also received much less precipitation than the 20th century average. State water officials call this the accumulated precipitation deficit, reflecting repeated droughts and the worsening effects of climate change.

Read more: Groundwater depletion is worsening worldwide. Parts of California are suffering rapid declines

Farms in the Central Valley have long depended on a mix of river water and groundwater to produce crops such as almonds, pistachios, grapes and hay to feed dairy cows.

Declining groundwater levels have left thousands of families with dry wells over the last decade. But after 1,494 dry wells were reported in the 2022 water year, the total fell to 669 dry wells the following year, and has continued declining.

The problem of sinking ground, which is linked to declining groundwater, also eased substantially. Land subsidence affected smaller areas. Between October 2022 and October 2023, areas totaling about 800 square miles  largely on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley  saw a measurable uplift of the ground surface of more than 1.2 inches.

Springhorn said local agencies efforts to boost groundwater had a positive effect.

These numbers are great. And they really are reflective of a tremendous amount of work at the local level, he said. But there is still a lot more work to be done to reach sustainability in our groundwater basins."

Birds gather in 2023 at the High Desert Water Bank near Lancaster, where the Metropolitan Water District uses water from the State Water Project to store water underground for cities across Southern California. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

He noted that California will mark the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act this year. The landmark law requires local agencies in many areas to develop groundwater plans and curb overpumping by 2040.

In January, the Department of Water Resources finished reviewing local agencies groundwater plans.

State officials have declared those plans inadequate in six areas of the San Joaquin Valley, and last month regulators voted to place one of those regions  the Tulare Lake subbasin  on probationary status for failing to adopt sufficient measures to address chronic overpumping.

Some of the areas where the state has declared serious problems of overdraft, such as the Tule and Kaweah subbasins, are also among the regions that did the most aquifer recharge during the last year.

The impressive recharge numbers in 2023 are the result of hard work by the local agencies combined with dedicated efforts from the state, but we must do more to be prepared to capture and store water when the wet years come, said Paul Gosselin, the Department of Water Resources deputy director of sustainable water management.

Read more: California farming area placed on probation over declining groundwater and sinking land

He said that in light of the continuing groundwater deficit, we need to continue streamlining processes and investing in water management strategies and infrastructure, like stormwater capture and groundwater recharge.

The state agency has provided about $121 million to support dozens of local projects aimed at increasing groundwater replenishment.

California has also recently mapped large portions of the states aquifers . Using a helicopter equipped with a ground-penetrating electromagnetic imaging system, state officials scanned up to 1,000 feet underground to map optimal areas for recharging aquifers.

The data are now accessible to help in planning locations for groundwater recharge. Officials hope to take advantage of channels left by ancient rivers, or what scientists call paleovalleys . These areas have coarse-grained sand, gravel and cobbles that make for highly permeable pathways to replenish groundwater.

The more that we understand where these preferential pathways, or fast paths, to the subsurface are, the better they can be optimized as areas to send water when its available, Springhorn said. It allows us to utilize this natural infrastructure that we have in California to adapt to climate change.

Read more: From the air, scientists map 'fast paths' for recharging California's groundwater

Experts say that replenishing groundwater alone wont be enough to address the problems of declining aquifers in areas with serious overdraft problems, and that meeting state-mandated goals in the coming years will also require substantial reductions in pumping.

The last two wet winters have been good for the states groundwater, and the recharge projects to date represent an important start toward prioritizing more replenishment of aquifers, said Graham Fogg, a professor emeritus of hydrogeology at UC Davis.

That is literally just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the potential, Fogg said. There is much, much, much, much more potential for managed aquifer recharge.

For one thing, there is plenty of space underground to store water. In the Central Valley alone, the unused aquifer space where water has been drained by pumping could hold more than three times the total capacity of the states aboveground reservoirs, Fogg said.

He said California is on the cusp of more dedicated efforts to replenish water reserves that have long been largely out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

It is important that whenever you get these wet winters, you maximize the potential benefit to recharge, he said. Did we maximize it? We didn't come anywhere near maximizing what could have been done.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Whale calf covered in killer whale bites washes ashore on the Oregon Coast

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The carcass of a gray whale calf covered in killer whale bite marks washed up onto Tish-A-Tang Beach in Bandon on May 6.

Oregon State University Stranding Program Manager Jim Rice told KOIN 6 News that the calf clearly succumbed to killer whale predation.

The whale carcass washed up in Bandon. (Photos courtesy of Jim Rice with Oregon State University.)

whale

whale

whale

whale

whale

PHOTOS: Vista House in partial disrepair as historic building celebrates 106th birthday

Rice analyzed the beached carcass on Wednesday and took photos of the gruesome wounds that the calf suffered during the killer whale attack.

The Seaside Aquarium always encourages beachgoers to keep a safe distance from beached whales as marine mammals can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and their pets.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Whats happening

Now that Donald Trump and President Biden have cruised through their respective party primaries, and rumors that Biden might replace Vice President Kamala Harris have been put to bed, theres only one real question left about what the presidential ballot will look like in November: Who will Trump select as his running mate?

Though the final decision may not come for another couple of months, Trumps veepstakes appears to be in full swing. Over the weekend, the former president invited several of the top contenders onstage with him at a high-dollar Republican fundraiser at his Mar-a-Lago resort, an event many considered to be an audition of sorts for vice presidential hopefuls. According to a flurry of recent media reports, Trump has kicked his search for a running mate into high gear over the past few weeks and is relishing the opportunity to put the potential choices to the test.

Countless names have been floated as Trumps running mate, some more far-fetched than others. But even the shortlist of the truly realistic contenders can swell to include dozens of people. The most-frequently suggested options include South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem had been widely viewed as a top contender, perhaps even a frontrunner, but reports suggest that her recent revelation that she killed her family dog years ago may have derailed her chances.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

One name that never appears is Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence, who instantly became a villain among the MAGA faithful when he refused to cater to Trumps demands to block the 2020 election from being certified. Pence, who briefly joined the race for the GOP nomination last year, has said he will not support Trumps 2024 campaign.

Why theres debate

Historically, vice presidents have tended to be chosen based on how they might help counter a presidential candidates perceived weaknesses. Choosing Pence, for example, was seen as a way to comfort evangelical voters who may have been skeptical of Trump in 2016 and Harris added both a woman and a person of color to Bidens ticket.

The same could be true for Trump this time around, though his needs are different. Many political analysts argue that hed be best served by selecting a woman as his running mate to counter his vulnerabilities on abortion and high-profile legal cases centered around his alleged mistreatment of women. Some also make the case that a person of color like Scott or Rubio could bring new voters into the GOP fold or that a more mainstream Republican like Burgum might prove appealing to swing voters who are turned off by Trumps erratic behavior.

But others argue that none of these considerations matter to Trump. In their eyes, what he really needs is someone who is loyal to him above anything else, regardless of their personal demographics.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Theres also a lot of skepticism about whether vice presidents really matter much at all. That may be true with Trump, who is such a towering figure that very few voters may have their opinions of him influenced by his choice of running mate.

Whats next

Trump could announce his VP pick at any time, but most reports suggest he wont reveal his choice until shortly before the Republican National Convention in mid-July.

Perspectives

A female VP would help counter Trumps biggest vulnerabilities

A woman vice presidential pick would also help Trump on two issues on which he will have to play defense: abortion and his own baggage in dealing with women.  J.T. Young, The Hill

Trumps choice should show voters that hes able to make sound, practical decisions

To broaden his appeal, Trump needs the most un-Trumpy option available, which is the kind of decision Trump is extremely unlikely to prefer. But Trump would need someone stable, reassuring, safe, predictable, interested in the details of policy and preferably a generation younger. Less erratic than Trump is a really low bar to clear.  Jim Geraghty, Washington Post

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The only real criteria is being onboard with Trumps campaign to undermine democracy

Trump will select for loyalty  not to a set of ideas or to the Republican Party but to his absolute right to power, with or without the consent of the governed. And this vice president will be expected to do what Pence would not: to keep Trump in office no matter what the Constitution says.  Jamelle Bouie, New York Times

The old logic behind running mate selections doesnt apply to Trump

Conventionally  The VP rounds out the ticket, compensating for a presidential nominees demographic, geographic, or ideological deficiencies. Once selected, the VP then serves as the attack dog on the trail, retailing criticisms of the opposing party that are too sordid or callous to come from the august mouth of a potential American president. None of that much applies to Donald Trump this go around.  Noah Rothman, National Review

A VP whos too mainstream could disappoint Trumps most fervent followers

Trump's net is already quite widejust look at any swing state poll. If anything, widening the net too much could yield some dangers, particularly a decline in enthusiasm.  Juan P. Villasmil, Newsweek

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

A running mates race or gender doesnt seem make much difference

I agree that Trump will be inclined to choose a woman or person of color.  But I think it's important to note, too, that many arguments made about the benefits of an identity-based VP pick arent always backed up by evidence. Not to say that there isn't good reason to pick someone whos not a white man! Just that the expected electoral advantages don't always materialize.  Cooper Burton, ABC News

He should pick someone whos a worthy heir as leader of the GOP

Who, as heir apparent, would have the healthiest influence on the GOP long-term? Ideally, conservatives should prefer someone as vice president wholl not only behave responsibly in office and prefer classically liberal policies but wholl stand a chance at defeating the various authoritarian monsters who are destined to contend for the partys nomination in 2028.  Nick Catoggio, Dispatch

Superficial characteristics matter the most

Hell want someone who looks good on television but not someone who might outshine him. Someone who isnt polarizing to the MAGA base but who demonstrates range. Hell choose a candidate with experience, or at least with some record of being a winner.  Elaine Godfrey, Atlantic

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Trumps vice president wont matter at all

Trump is a known quantity, with 100% name identification. The idea that a sidekick could change voters opinions about him seems implausible.  Jonah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times
A Whatcom County man is in jail Tuesday after being arrested for allegedly causing more than $5,000 of damage to a family members fifth-wheel trailer.

Jesse Barsness, 43, is facing up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for the crime, which is classified as first-degree malicious mischief, a class B felony.

Whatcom County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to the 4300 block of Deming Road at about 2:30 p.m. May 6 following a report of ongoing vandalism. Witnesses reported Barsness, an Everson resident, was smashing windows out of a trailer on the property, according to Deb Slater with the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies had been called to the same property earlier and found Barsness highly intoxicated and yelling at the owner of the trailer, Slater told The Bellingham Herald.

Deputies made several attempts to contact Mr. Barness at the front door of the residence and by calling his cellphone but were unsuccessful, according to Slater.

At about 5 p.m. the same day, neighbors again called 911 to report Barsness for trying to hook his truck up to the same fifth-wheel trailer. Deputies found Barsness in his truck when they arrived as well as additional damage to both the trailer and Barsness truck, Slater said.

Deputies found the trucks tailgate on the ground next to the fifth-wheel trailer and observed damage to the rear of Barsness truck and the front end of the trailer. The outer shell had been pushed back into the trailer, according to Slater.

It looked like Mr. Barsness rammed the front of the fifth-wheel with his truck, Slater said.

The damages to the trailer are estimated to total more than $5,000, according to Slater.

Barsness was arrested and booked into the Whatcom County Jail on May 6, where he remains in custody on no bail, jail records show.
PHNOM PENH, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Qatar on Wednesday reiterated their commitments to further enhancing bilateral ties and extending support in the international fora for the shared interests of both nations.

The reiteration was made during a meeting in Phnom Penh between Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea and Khalid Ali Abdullah Abel, ambassador of Qatar to Cambodia with residence in Hanoi, said a Cambodian foreign ministry's press release.

Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the enduring friendship and robust cooperation between Cambodia and Qatar since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 2008, the press release said.

They also concurred on the importance of establishing a mechanism for bilateral consultations between their respective ministries of foreign affairs, it said, adding that the platform will serve as an effective tool for exploring additional avenues for bilateral cooperation. 
White House deems arrest of suspects in Zelenskyy assassination plot "very concerning"

The White House has commented on the arrest of two colonels from Ukraines State Security Administration (SSA) who were planning to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Source: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, as reported by Voice of America

Jean-Pierre described the news that suspects plotting to assassinate the Ukrainian president had been detained as "very concerning".

"It is certainly very concerning news, and obviously we are glad that the potential assassination attempt was averted," she said.

Background:

Earlier, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) reported that it had exposed a network of Russian agents who were plotting to assassinate Zelenskyy. Law enforcement officials arrested two SSA colonels.

The SSU foiled plans by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) to assassinate President Zelenskyy and other members of Ukraine's senior military and political leadership.

In April, a Polish citizen was reported to have been arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting in a plot against Zelenskyy.

Support UP or become our patron!
The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates.

Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images

Whats happening

Three decades ago, Dr. Jack Kevorkian became the face of the incredibly contentious debate over medically assisted death. Dubbed Dr. Death in the media, he claimed to have helped at least 130 patients die before being convicted of second-degree murder in 1998.

Kevorkian died in 2011, but the argument over whether it should be legal for doctors to aid people in ending their lives is still far from settled. Today, 10 states and Washington, D.C., allow medically assisted suicide  a process in which life-ending drugs are supplied to patients, who administer the dose themselves. The laws differ, but they generally state that individuals must have a terminal illness and a prognosis of less than six months to live to qualify. Only two states, Oregon and Vermont, allow medically assisted suicide for nonresidents.

While the U.S. is one of just a handful of countries to legalize what is often called medical assistance in dying (MAID), our laws are significantly more restrictive than those in some of our peer nations. For example, America is the only country to require a terminal diagnosis. All others allow people living with incurable illnesses that cause them unbearable pain to choose a medically administered death. Most permit both assisted suicide and euthanasia, in which doctors administer life-ending drugs directly. Several also permit MAID for people with severe mental illness and let individuals make advance requests in cases in which theyre expected to lose their capacity to make their own decisions in the future, such as from dementia.

Over the past few years, Canada has become the site of the highest number of medically assisted deaths in the world. There were more than 10,000 MAID cases in Canada in 2021. Thats more than the total number of assisted suicides estimated to have occurred in the U.S. since Oregon became the first state to legalize the practice in 1997.

Why theres debate

At the most basic level, the debate over medically assisted death comes down to morality. Either you believe it's categorically wrong for a doctor to help someone end their life or, like nearly three-quarters of Americans, you believe there are cases where people should be granted the right to die on their own terms.

The issue gets much more complicated when it comes to defining what those cases should be and what criteria people should have to meet before theyre allowed to choose a medically assisted death.

Advocates for expanding opportunities for MAID say that limiting access exclusively to terminally ill patients leaves countless people to suffer unnecessarily and denies them the ability to opt for a peaceful, pain-free death. They argue that a truly compassionate society would trust individuals to make their own choices, rather than insist that they die in a way that satisfies others sense of right and wrong.

But critics worry that more permissive assisted death laws could lead to a death on demand system or create circumstances in which people are pushed toward making the choice to die when that may not be necessary. Theres also concern that MAID could warp into a way for society to avoid the effort and expense of caring for its most vulnerable members, including the disabled, mentally ill and even the poor. Many critics point to troubling reports out of Canada  including one case in which a patients family claims he was basically put to death  as a sign of the slippery slope that can happen when there arent sufficient guardrails in place.

Whats next

Supporters of medically assisted death are hoping to expand the practice into more areas of the country. Bills that would legalize assisted suicide have been proposed in at least 10 states over the past year, though its unclear whether any of them will become law.

Perspectives

Its inhumane to force people to suffer when they want to take a different path

It is nothing less than cruel to prevent anyone from having some control in their most difficult hours as life comes to an end. Of course, there must be safeguards.  But for those who choose to end their suffering and for the families that support their decision, the death with dignity option should be available.  Judy Kugel, Boston Globe

Assisted death should be available only in very limited circumstances

Is it really more humane to deny a miserable person a clean assisted suicide than to grant it? Authorities should say yes: We wont help you die because of your depression, poverty or unfit living conditions for the same reason we wont take out your appendix if you have a broken leg, or prescribe lithium for a nasty case of psoriasis.  Chris Selley, Wall Street Journal

Freedom to die should be treated as basic human right

The ability to end one's life is an important freedom. Our bodies belong to us, not the government. We should have the power to decide whether we wish to continue living, particularly if we are in constant pain or suffering debilitating or fatal illnesses.  Scott Shackleford, Reason

The foundations of our humanity begin to crumble when life loses its value

The idea that human rights encompass a right to self-destruction, the conceit that people in a state of terrible suffering and vulnerability are really free to make a choice that ends all choices, the idea that a healing profession should include death in its battery of treatments  these are inherently destructive ideas.  Ross Douthat, New York Times

Canada has shown how dangerous MAID can be for vulnerable people

The introduction of euthanasia in Canada has become the slipperiest of all slippery slopes. Of course, the expansion of assisted suicide laws in the U.S. will produce the same troubling problems.  Canadians have the right to die, but do they have the right to live in the face of medical challenges?  Valerie Hudson, Deseret News

We dont have to choose between protecting the vulnerable and giving people the right to die with dignity

Let's be clear: It was always going to be complicated to find the proper balance between protecting patients and helping them die. Complicated but achievable. It should absolutely be possible to write laws that protect elderly, sick, disabled and otherwise vulnerable people from manipulation or coercion while still providing competent adults with options for relief from intolerable suffering or irremediable illness.  Nicholas Goldberg, Los Angeles Times

The worst case scenario is a world where people can choose to die at any time for any reason

The ultimate goal  or, at least, the consequence  of allowing assisted suicide/euthanasia is death on demand.  Wesley J. Smith, National Review

Banning MAID leaves people to face, and often choose, death entirely on their own

People facing the grim, painful finality of their lives are committing suicide right now, many without a physician present to ease their suffering  or to talk them out of it. Patients cant be the primary decision maker on end-of-life options if the government refuses to permit the existence of a decision. Patients cant consult with doctors or loved ones about their end-of-life preferences if the consultation itself is illegal.  David Colborne, Nevada Independent

Current limits are so restrictive, the right to die largely exists only on paper

The few places in the United States where assisted suicide is allowed impose restrictions so exacting they are difficult for people in state, and often nearly impossible for anyone out of state, to meet.  Pamela Paul, New York Times

Sometimes life isnt better than death

The idea that any life is better than no life at all is largely unexamined and unchallenged, especially by the young and healthy.  But isn't the principle itself  life at all costs  due for a reevaluation that pays more attention to the wishes of the individual? Wouldn't more control of the time, place and circumstances of our deaths alleviate some of our fear of dying, if not of death itself?  John M. Crisp, Tribune News Service

Is there a topic youd like to see covered in The 360? Send your suggestions to the360@yahoonews.com.

Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN)  In the last five years, the number of Tennessee lives claimed by fentanyl has increased by 275%, according to the organization STARS Nashville.

Its a staggering number, but it doesnt begin to reveal the stories of those left behind.

Even as a teenager, he would run down the stairs and give me a huge hug, and he would just be like Hey mom, so good to see you,' remembered Delaney Shelton, as she thought about her son.

Increasing number of older people dying of overdoses in TN, new report says

Watching old videos, if you were to ask Shelton why her son was loved by so many, the answer is clear.

However, on Tuesday, May 7, News 2 asked her how shes been lately, and that answer is a little different.

Uh, thats a toughthats a tough question. I am living every mothers worst nightmare, she said.

Looking at photos of her son, Boston, you can see how he had a personality as big as the city.

Boston. Its hard to know where to begin with him. He was, just from a little kid he was a very strong-willed child, but very, very sensitive I would say. He loved people just really deeply, Shelton described.

Boston had left for college, like so many teens do, but the idea of a fun and new atmosphere became a challenge, especially being away from home.

Then, the challenge Shelton could have never imagined happened.

Itit was a tough day, she said.

That day shes talking about happened exactly six months ago.

That morning, I had been calling him and calling him, over and over again, and he wasnt responding, and I just knew that something wasnt right, and I said, Im getting worried about you. Please let me know if youre okay,' Shelton remembered.

WATCH: Womans dreams cut short by fatal fentanyl overdose

She had been trying to get in touch with her son the night before to ensure he remembered to go to an appointment the next day. Shelton and her daughter were on the way to see Boston at school, with plans to celebrate his birthday that weekend.

Then, she received a phone call.

His roommate had called me at that point and said, I just want to let you know, we should head up this way. We found Boston and hes not responding,' she said, holding back tears. Finally, the policeman called me back and just said, I just wanted to let you know your sons passed away, and I just remember thinking like the whole world stopped at that moment.

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County

He had some pills on his bedside; he had taken half of one and it was laced with fentanyl, Shelton said. In that moment, when I found out that he had passed away, all I could think was I hope he knew how much I loved him and how much he was loved by everyone.

Now, Shelton has joined a growing group of those left behind after a loved one dies from fentanyl.

The most recent data shows nearly 2,800 Tennesseans died from fentanyl overdoses or poisoning. That accounts for more than 7 in 10 drug overdose deaths, according to STARS Nashville.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

We had had numerous conversations about fentanyl, casual conversations, Shelton explained. Even when I sent him articles or I talked to him about it, I never really thought this was going to be our story.

She now hopes others will learn more about Boston and put a name and a face to the staggering figures that continue to rise.

I just want his story to be real to people. I want people to know he was just a normal kid, with typical teenage things going on, and that this can happen to anyone, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act. But American Jews who care about fighting antisemitism should be against it.

HR 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act, passed 32091. Seventy Democrats and 21 Republicans voted against it (including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who noted that she was against antisemitism but wanted to protect her Christian right to say that Jews killed Jesus). The legislation would see the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances definition of antisemitism.

There are some who have long opposed codifying this particular definition because it comes with troublesome examples, most of which have to do with Israel. These include things like 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, and drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. Under this definition, then, Masha Gessens New Yorker essay on Holocaust memory and Israeli policy in Gaza would be considered antisemitic under the law. Gessen is a Jewish descendant of Holocaust survivors and victims.

There are many, including Zionist Jews, who have long warned that the IHRA standards could be used to chill pro-Palestinian speech. After the House passed the bill, Americans for Peace Now CEO Hadar Susskind warned in a statement:

Antisemitism is the hatred of Jews. Unfortunately, one doesnt need to look far to find it these days. But the supporters of this bill are looking in the wrong places. They arent interested in protecting Jews. They are interested in supporting right-wing views and narratives on Israel and shutting down legitimate questions and criticisms by crying antisemite at everyone, including Jews, who oppose the Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, Smotrich government.

Congressman Jerry Nadler of New York also opposed the bill:

I will take lectures from no one about the need for vigorous efforts to fight antisemitism on campus or anywhere else. I am also a deeply committed Zionist.  But while this definition and its examples may have useful applications in certain contexts, by effectively codifying them into Title VI, this bill threatens to chill constitutionally protected speech. Speech that is critical of Israelalonedoes not constitute unlawful discrimination. By encompassing purely political speech about Israel into Title VIs ambit, the bill sweeps too broadly.

I agree with all of this. I think a bill that effectively restricts speech on the countrys foreign policy has no business being passed in the United States. This bill would be a problem if it only restricted Palestinian Americans from describing their families histories or present realities. That codifying this definition in a bill fighting antisemitism would also deem many Jews antisemiticincluding the quarter of American Jews who in 2021 said Israel is an apartheid stateundercuts its stated reason for being.

But I also think you do not have to disagree with the IHRAyou can, in fact, feel that this definition is a sound oneto believe that this law is a mistake. All you have to do is remember that, as a minority in the United States, American Jews have been as safe and secure as we are because of liberalism, pluralism, and civil rights.

American Jews take pride in American Jewish participation in the Civil Rights Movement, and for good reason. But it isnt just that some American Jews have stood up for civil rights, though that is true. Protection of civil rights has also helped American Jews. When American Jews stood up for freedom of expression and the right to be full political participants, they were also standing up for their own rights. In 1963, speaking before the March on Washington, Rabbi Joachim Prinz said, America must not become a nation of onlookers. America must not remain silent. Not merely Black America, but all of America. It must speak up and act  not for the sake of the Black community but for the sake of the image, the idea, and the aspiration of America itself.

He might have added for the sake of every minority community. Freedom of religion and the right to express that religion in public by, say, freely speaking out against prayer in schools has long protected Jewish equality in American life. The same goes for the freedom to protest American domestic or foreign policyagainst, for example, the Vietnam War (as many American Jews did). These fundamental rights are a large part of why American Jews are free to participate in public life as both Americans and Jews.

So, this debate is about not just one piece of legislation or even freedom of speech. It extends to First Amendment rights more generally. A recent YouGov poll found that 59 percent of American Jews believe that colleges have not been harsh enough in their responses to pro-Palestinian, anti-war protests. Many may have thus been heartened to see police break up the protests. I can understand that some American Jews dislike the protests, filled as they are with calls of From the river to the sea and intifada revolution, which many American Jews hear as cries to violently get rid of Jews, even as most of those chanting insist that thats not what they mean. Many Jews may think the protests are singling out Israel in a world full of atrocities, or that the protesters are failing to mention Oct. 7 and the hostages.

But even those who cannot admit that the students have been moved to protest by months of war and tens of thousands of deaths in Gaza, including thousands of children, should remember that come January, it is entirely possible that the U.S. president will once again be Donald Trump. And when that happens, all of these rights may soon be tested not only on the issue of U.S. support for Israel in this war but in every facet of American life.

Under a second Trump administration, many Jews will want to protest its actionsnot only the plight of Gazas civilians and of the Israeli hostagesand this law will endanger the right to do that. Trump has, for example, said that he would let states monitor womens pregnancies and prosecute those who have abortions. American Jews overwhelmingly support the right to an abortion, which was, for many American Jews, a top electoral issue two years ago. (Some have even argued in court that protecting abortion rights is required by Jewish law.) But agitating against state policy on abortion and for abortion rights has historically involved protestsand will surely continue to do so. Sometimes that protest involves being places you have been asked to leave. Given the timing, it is difficult not to see the Antisemitism Awareness Act as at least in part a justification for police crackdowns on protest. Establishing a precedent for more violent crackdowns mere months before the arrival of an administration that will push policies opposed by most American Jews seems, at best, shortsighted.

But this isnt about just the constitutional right to protest. Its also about American Jewish autonomy. Indeed, there is another, self-serving reason for American Jews to oppose the governments defining antisemitism or passing legislation that could be used to restrict speech around American policy: Stopping this bill from becoming law will protect the right of American Jews to define for themselves what it means to be American Jews in a pluralistic country.

Trump has repeatedly said that he feels that Jews who did not vote for him are disloyal and need to be spoken to, and he dined with Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist and Holocaust denier. But even generously leaving that aside for a moment: Trumps allies are, per Politico, planning to infuse Christian nationalist ideas in his administration should the former president return to power. They have listed Christian nationalismthe idea that, despite this countrys separation of church and state, Christianity should be prioritized through the government and in the public sphereas a priority for his second term. This effort is reportedly being overseen by Russell Vought, Trumps former Office of Management and Budget director, who is close to Trump administration official William Wolfe, who has advocated for overturning same-sex marriage, ending abortion and reducing access to contraceptives. (It is perhaps worth noting here that the current speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, believes that separation of church and state is a misnomer and has ties to explicitly Christian nationalist groups.)

These are the people who could soon be back in power. There are already many American Jews who oppose the new proposed legislation because we believe in freedom of speech and because we know that imposing a definition on a particular type of hatred and combating that hatred are two different things. But for others, perhaps it is worth remembering that the people who will be in power come January may well care more about policing speech around the Jewish state than they do about the Jews who live here, in this country.

Biden, in his speech at the Capitol for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museums Days of Remembrance on Tuesday, said, On college campuses, Jewish students blocked, harassed, attacked while walking to class. Antisemitism, antisemitic posters, slogans, calling for the annihilation of Israel, the worlds only Jewish state. He also said, From the very founding, our very founding, Jewish Americans represented only about 2 percent of the U.S. population and helped lead the cause of freedom for everyone in our nation. From that experience, we know scapegoating and demonizing any minority is a threat to every minority and the very foundation of our democracy.

Threats to minorities and the foundation of democracy can come in many forms. The Antisemitism Awareness Act imposes a definition of antisemitism. Actual awareness of antisemitism, on the other hand, means holding on to the civil liberties that have helped us fight antisemitism in this countrynot hampering them.
Why is a Japanese town trying to block its most famous view?

Mount Fuji is viewed clearly through the cool winter air, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, in Tokyo. | Kiichiro Sato

The small Japanese town of Fujikawaguchiko received worldwide attention when officials announced plans in late April to build a 2.5-meter (8.2 foot) high barrier in front of an unassuming convenience store. Its purpose: to block a popular view of Mount Fuji.

According to The Guardian, tourists commonly visited the Lawson store for a photo opportunity, capturing the striking, snow-capped peaks in the background.

But, over time, misbehaving crowds became too much for the locals.

Where is Fujikawaguchiko?

Fujikawaguchiko, which is also called Kawaguchiko, sits in the northern foothills of Mount Fuji, in the south of the Yamanashi Prefecture of Japan.

Per Travel Japan, the town is less than a two-hour commute from Tokyo on public transit and is a popular destination for locals and foreigners.

Hundreds of thousands of hikers take to the slopes of Mount Fuji each year, according to National Geographic, while other tourists visit the surrounding restaurants, lakes, museums and attractions.

What is Fujikawaguchiko known for?

Despite the large  and sometimes overwhelming  influx of visitors, many locals appreciate the business.

Kawaguchiko is a town built on tourism, Michie Motomochi told The Associated Press. She runs a sweet shop near the infamous photo site, and many locals like her depend on customers from out of town.

But two years ago, concerns arose when Lawson convenience store photos went viral. Per The Associated Press, the media sensation earned the name Mt. Fuji Lawson.

Swarms of tourists flocked to the area, leaving garbage and litter behind. Illegal parking, jay-walking and traffic violations became uncontrollable, even when the town hired security guards as crowd control. According to Business Insider, visitors even stood on roofs to get the perfect shot.

Last summer, a surge of accidents, pollution and environmental damage left officials lamenting the condition of sacred locations, including Mount Fuji itself. According to Time magazine, residents of Fujikawaguchiko are taking matters into their own hands.

How famous cities deal with annoying tourists

Construction has already begun on the 20-meter long, black mesh net that will act as a barrier between Lawson convenience store and photo-hungry sightseers. Per Reuters, the construction will conclude mid-May.

While the decision to block the iconic view is supported by many, others see it as an overreaction. Anthony Hok, from France, suggested setting up road barriers instead of blocking views.

Too big (of a) solution for subject not as big, even if tourists are making trouble, Hok told The Associated Press. Doesnt look right to me.

Authorities in Japan arent happy with the barrier either, but they do find it necessary. We dont want to do this, but were desperate, one official said, according to Business Insider.

This is not the first time cities have taken somewhat drastic measures in response to overtourism.

Venice, for example, has taken strict countermeasures to combat overcrowding, including a day-trip fee of 5 euros. Per CNBC, Venices Mayor Luigi Brugnaro explained in a press conference that the aim is not to close the city, but not let it explode.

Per Forbes, increased crowds at New Yorks Statue of Liberty led the National Park Service to restrict commercial private tours to relieve congestion, reducing tours to 250,000 annually.

A representative for the Statue of Liberty Park told CNN Travel, Commercial guided tours add to the congestion in these identified areas and prevent the free flow of visitor movement and impact public programs and the visitor experience.
Several major labor unions have criticized the mass arrests of students and faculty at pro-Palestinian campus protests across the country, following their own calls for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

The unions support for pro-Palestinian protesters, as well as their calls for cease-fire, draws on a long history of antiwar activism in the labor movement, and it reflects a shift in its approach to Israel, experts said.

Theres a history of progressive unions taking stances going back to the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and especially the war in Iraq and war in Afghanistan, said Will Brucher, an assistant teaching professor of labor studies at Rutgers University.

However, he added, Many mainstream AFL-CIO unions have been reluctant to weigh in on the conflicts between Israel and Palestine and other global political matters, while other unions openly supported U.S. foreign policy.

This has shifted as union members have become more politically active and leadership has become more progressive, Brucher told The Hill.

Some of the countrys biggest unions  the United Auto Workers (UAW), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association  have issued statements calling for a cease-fire since the outbreak of war last October.

Several of these unions have also voiced concerns over the past week as university administrators deployed police against protesters, who have formed encampments on university quads to protest the war and urge their universities to divest from Israeli companies or defense companies supplying weapons to Israel.

Tensions reached a fever pitch last Tuesday, when protesters occupied Hamilton Hall at Columbia and violence broke out at the University of California, Los Angeles, after counterprotesters attacked and attempted to dismantle an encampment.

New York police ultimately raided Hamilton Hall and arrested protesters. The Los Angeles police also cleared the UCLA encampment and made arrests. More than 2,000 people have been arrested in total.

UAW President Shawn Fain, who rose to prominence last fall amid the unions weeks-long strike against automakers, slammed universities responses to protesters last Wednesday. Roughly 100,000 of the more than 300,000 members of the UAW are academic workers, according to NPR.

The UAW will never support the mass arrest or intimidation of those exercising their right to protest, strike, or speak out against injustice, he said in a post on the social platform X.

Our union has been calling for a ceasefire for six months, he continued. This war is wrong, and this response against students and academic workers, many of them UAW members, is wrong.

We call on the powers that be to release the students and employees who have been arrested, and if you cant take the outcry, stop supporting this war, Fain added.

The SEIU, which represents nearly 100,000 educators, graduate student employees and staff at universities, similarly criticized the response to and voiced solidarity with pro-Palestinian protesters.

The suppression of free speech sets a dangerous precedent for all who seek justice, whether its students calling for institutional accountability or workers organizing for better conditions on the job, the SEIU said in a Thursday statement.

As campuses around the United States are erupting in protest over the horrors and injustice Palestinians are facing, SEIU proudly stands in solidarity with the students, faculty and staff exercising their right to speak up, the union continued.

Unions have historically been involved in antiwar activism, noted Erik Baker, a Harvard University lecturer who studies the history of labor and management.

The UAW, in particular, has a long antiwar tradition, he said, pointing to former UAW President Walter Reuthers opposition to the Vietnam War in the 1960s, as well as the unions opposition to apartheid in South Africa.

The union itself emphasized these themes after joining other labor organizations in calling for a cease-fire in December.

From opposing fascism in WWII to mobilizing against apartheid South Africa and the CONTRA war, the UAW has consistently stood for justice across the globe, Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla said in a statement at the time.

However, the increase in unionization among student workers sets the current moment apart from earlier protests, Baker said.

I think now we have this real kind of bridge between the campus movement and the labor movement, he told The Hill.

This bridge, this synergistic relationship between campus activism and labor activism, to me, multiplies the strength of these students relative to the past few years, where they may have been working in parallel, he later added.

Brucher also suggested members and leaders of campus unions, who have traditionally been reluctant to address the Israel-Palestine issue, have become more politically engaged on global issues in recent years and have demanded their unions take a stand on issues not directly related to campus.

This has coincided with concerns about academic freedom, as universities have cracked down on protesters, Brucher said.

When it comes to the campus protests, I want to stress that its not just about the unions sympathy or calls for the cease-fire, he said. Its really about issues of academic freedom.

He argued that faculty and graduate student union members have a right to share their opinions and take stands on them without facing repercussions from the university and college administrations.

Students also have the right to speak out on their campuses, Brucher said.

They have the right to organize around this issue, and they have the right to peacefully protest, and that also includes the right to have encampments in the university and engage in other forms of protest and even forms of civil disobedience, he added.

UAW Local 4811, a union of 48,000 academic workers in the University of California system, has filed unfair labor practice charges against UCLA over the treatment of protesters, including some of its members, and plans to hold a vote to authorize a strike early next week.

Our members have been beaten, concussed, pepper sprayed, both by counter-protestors and by police forces, the union said on X. As a union, it is our responsibility to stand beside them and demand that UC stop committing these gross Unfair Labor Practices.

In order to de-escalate the situation, UC must substantively engage with the concerns raised by the protesters  which focus on UCs investments in companies and industries profiting off of the suffering in Gaza, it added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Miamis notorious bad-boy cop Javier Ortiz  known for using racially-charged language and accused almost 20 times by citizens of using excessive force  could be deployed to aid Floridians in their most distressed moments as a member of the Florida State Guard.

Ortiz  who, as the Herald reported this week, joined the Guard in February  wont just be handing out water bottles after hurricanes. The State Guard, revived by Gov. Ron DeSantis reportedly to help respond to natural disasters, has morphed into a force that could serve as the governors own militia. Its possible Ortiz could be sent to the southern border and the Florida coast to stop migrants DeSantis likes to vilify. Its unclear if Ortiz has been deployed yet, according to the Herald.

Ortiz might fit right in. No one embodies the bravado and chest thumping the governor seems to encourage in the states force like the Miami police captain.

Ortiz agreed to give up his work-issued gun and work a desk job in exchange for getting his job back at the Miami Police Department following his firing in 2022. That was one of many times police chiefs tried to terminate Ortiz but ran into union protections.

Since DeSantis first pushed to reinstate the State Guard  inactive since 1947  the Legislature has allowed him to transform the non-military organization into something resembling his personal army. Lawmakers not only expanded the force, but also allowed the governor to deploy it outside of Florida to places like the Texas border  all of it on taxpayers dime. A special unit  of which Ortiz is, thankfully, not a part, according to the Herald  has received combat training in things such as aerial gunnery and how to treat massive hemorrhages.

With the governors inflammatory rhetoric about a possible invasion from Haitian immigrants when he deployed officers to the Florida Keys in March, and his promise to start slitting throats in the federal bureaucracy during his failed presidential run, its no wonder someone like Ortiz would apply for the governors Guard.

Ortizs career has been marked by 70 complaints filed against him, including 44 citizen complaints and 18 allegations of excessive use of force, according to the Herald. State and federal investigators looked into them years ago. They talked to witnesses who said Ortiz engaged in a pattern of abuse and bias against minorities, particularly African-Americans and that he cyber-stalked civilians who questioned his authority. The investigation did not lead to criminal charges against Ortiz because, according to a 2021 state and federal report, there was not enough physical evidence to charge him.

Ortiz might not have a criminal background, but its far from a good idea for the state to allow him to respond to crises when even his own employers at the Police Department recognize he should not interact with citizens.

Ortiz long record speaks for itself and has been documented in numerous news articles and the states own investigations  and a simple Google search could unearth it.

Among the incidents documented in the 2021 report: He pulled over a Black school teacher, whom Ortiz accused of buying drugs. When she denied it, he asked her how could afford a nearly new Dodge Charger. He arrested her and pressed her face onto the pavement.

Ortiz history of racially-charged comments include his calling Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old boy shot and killed by Cleveland police while playing with a toy gun, a thug. At a Miami commission meeting, he once said he wasnt a white Hispanic man, but Black because of the one-drop rule  an old racist trope that implies anyone with a degree of Black ancestry is Black.

Can the state trust Ortiz to be deployed to Black communities in the aftermath of a hurricane, or to intercept Haitian migrants trying to reach Floridas shores? He clearly thinks he belongs in the Florida State Guard  and why wouldnt he?

Click here to send the letter.
There can be few greater indictments of the state of British crime fighting than the story of a burglar jailed in a private prosecution because the local constabulary failed to investigate.

The offender had 105 previous convictions, including 33 burglaries. He was arrested by two detectives from a private policing company after he broke into a shop and made off with food and drink worth hundreds of pounds.

Even though he was caught on CCTV and the store manager called the police, the Met decided not to investigate and the case was taken up by TM Eye, a company founded by a former Scotland Yard detective chief inspector. My Local Bobby, part of the operation, provides uniformed staff and plain-clothes detectives to patrol shopping areas for retailers.

The police say they do not have the manpower to attend every reported shoplifting. But by giving the impression that this crime can be carried out almost with impunity, they have encouraged an epidemic of thefts costing retailers billions. Some shops are being ransacked by gangs who seem to have no fear of being caught.

Traders are now paying companies not only to provide guards but to bring the miscreants to book, something that should be the task of state agencies and for which people pay their taxes.

In this instance, the officers recognised the suspect on CCTV as a prolific shoplifter and knew his haunts. Should the regular police not have done the same? Most burglaries are carried out by a small number of persistent offenders. If they are identified and put in prison then burglary rates will drop dramatically.

This is the job of the police  so why are they not doing it?

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.
In the last week of session while House members discuss the second version of their budget, state Rep. Micah Caskey, R-Lexington, added a tin foil hat to his usual suit.

Caskey spoke against an amendment to allow gold and silver to be legal tender in South Carolina that was proposed by House Freedom Caucus member state Rep. Jordan Pace, R-Berkeley.

I want you to support this amendment because I want you to stop thinking too, Caskey said sarcastically while donning a tin foil hat bringing laughs to the chamber. I think this bill allows us to trade genie lamps in for parking tickets.

Pace defended his amendment.

Coins are small round things with peoples faces on (them) and have been used in the entirety of human history as money, Pace said.

Caskey, who left a Judicial Merit Selection Commission state Supreme Court candidate screening which took place during the House session, pointed out that the administration of accepting gold and silver would be difficult because most entities dont have the ability to weigh the gold and silver.

The idea we should go back to paying tax bills with gold nuggets is ridiculous on its face and the sort of conspiracy theories they traffic are unhelpful to the state, said Caskey ,who has had his verbal battles with the Freedom Caucus on the House floor.

House Speaker Murrell Smith eventually threw the amendment out before House members could vote on it. Smith however teased Caskey for the hat that being a touch too small.

This is the General Assembly not kindergarten, Smith said. You pointed out that you have a big head and (the hat) does not fit.
ISLAMABAD, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that his country is focusing on enrolling 26 million out-of-school children to enhance literacy and empower future generations.

"Education emergency has been declared across the country to handle the challenge of 26 million out-of-school children. We will make the country regain its lost space and develop it as one of the most educated societies in the world," the prime minister said while addressing a conference on education here.

Highlighting the need for a vision to march in unison to promote education, Sharif said that all the stakeholders including provincial governments, international partners and civil society must work hand in hand and cooperate in this regard.

He said that the enrollment of 26 million out-of-school children is one of the major challenges facing Pakistan, which requires special initiatives and huge financial resources, adding that the country has been taking measures to address the issue.

To provide free high-quality education and boarding for underprivileged children, the premier said a number of government schools have been established across Pakistan.

Besides that, scholarships were offered to hundreds of thousands of deserving students based on merit, he added.

Sharif said that the incumbent government will leave no stone unturned to achieve the goal of highly educated Pakistan. 
Why sirens kept going off after Franklin Countys tornado warning was over

Why sirens kept going off after Franklin Countys tornado warning was over

View the latest forecast in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  As a tornado warning for Franklin County ended last night, sirens warning residents continued to blare in certain areas around Columbus.

Multiple central Ohio counties, including Franklin, Delaware and Licking, went under tornado warnings over the course of the evening. As of Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service had confirmed four tornadoes in three Ohio counties, but none that touched down near the Columbus metro.

Ohio State presidents connection to a nuclear Bitcoin mining operation

But 15 minutes after the tornado warning for the area expired, some residents in areas including Westerville, Gahanna and New Albany reported hearing tornado sirens. While the warning was over, the area was still experiencing a severe storm.

NBC4 reached out to the Franklin County Emergency Management team to learn more about the siren activity, and Public Information Officer Kelly McGuire gave this explanation. She named four geographical areas  northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast zones  where the team splits its sirens that can be activated.

These four zones allow siren activations to more closely align with the warning polygons issued by NWS or the actual location of tornadic activity in Franklin County, McGuire said.

McGuire also noted that when emergency management turns the sirens on, they dont continuously sound off.

First plan for Columbus school closings presented

Once activated, the outdoor warning sirens will sound with a tone for 3 minutes, followed by 7 minutes of silence, McGuire said. This sequence will continue until the warning is canceled.

(NBC4 Photo/Alex Smith)

In Tuesday nights case, McGuire said that it was a tornado warning next door that kept sirens on for portions of Franklin County.

As the population increases, many jurisdictions in Franklin County are expanding into adjacent counties. To ensure the safety of their residents, many jurisdictions have tornado sirens outside of the boundaries of Franklin County on the Franklin County Siren System, she said. Although the tornado warning was canceled for Franklin County last night, an active tornado warning continued for New Albany in Licking County which triggered the sirens to remain active in the northeast zone until they were manually canceled.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
(Getty Images)

With a looming ballot initiative threatening to upend the finances of Washingtons long-term care benefit, the state is looking at contingency plans.

But these may not be enough to save the fledgling program.

The tax that funds the program, known as WA Cares, is now automatically deducted from the paychecks of most workers in Washington. Analyses of Initiative 2124, which would make paying into WA Cares voluntary, show that if voters approve the measure, it would push the program toward insolvency and make it unsustainable in the long term.

With six months until Election Day, WA Cares supporters are sounding the alarm.

Making this program voluntary is essentially a vote to end the program. It just is not financially feasible as a voluntary insurance program, said Norma Coe, former University of Washington professor and current director of research at the University of Pennsylvanias Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics.

Coe, along with other experts and long-term care advocates, spoke last week at a press briefing for We Care for WA Cares, a group that advocates for the program. Among the groups backers are the Washington State Budget and Policy Center, AARP and SEIU 775  a labor union that represents about 50,000 long-term care workers providing services across Washington, Montana and Alaska.

WA Cares applies a 0.58% tax on Washington workers paychecks. Beginning in July 2026, those who qualify can access a $36,500 lifetime benefit, adjusted over time for inflation, to use on expenses like caretaking, equipment or meals.

The tax went into effect last year. The program has been controversial since state lawmakers approved it in 2019.

Opponents say too many people are required to pay the tax who may never use the full benefit or even qualify for it. They also question the longevity of the program at the current tax rate and how much the limited benefit will help recipients afford care.

Brian Heywood, founder of Lets Go Washington and chief funder of the signature-gathering effort that got Initiative 2124 on the ballot, said when the measure was filed late last year that all it does is give people a choice about participating in the program.

An analysis of the initiative released earlier this year found that making the program completely voluntary could make its finances unworkable.

It found that those with anticipated long-term care needs will be more likely to participate, but other workers, especially those earning higher wages, will likely opt out. In this scenario, the program would become more expensive for everyone left in it  a smaller pool of participants with the greatest needs.

Raising the premium to cover promised benefits would likely only drive away more people, worsening the decline, according to the analysis.

If the cycle repeats without intervention, the program could become financially unstable and unsustainable with an inability to collect premiums that are high enough per person to cover benefits, State Actuary Matthew Smith told the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Commission last week.

Smith recommended the commission begin looking at risk-management strategies from other voluntary programs and to consider forming a separate work group to look at contingency planning, if the initiative passes.

That could include how the Employment Security Department, which collects the premiums, will handle an influx of people planning to opt out. After election results are finalized, the department will likely have 30 days to set up a process for people to opt out, said Cami Feek, a commission member from the Employment Security Department. Details of what that process would look like are still being determined.

Some commissioners were skeptical that any planning could save the program if voters approve the initiative.

This seems like it will be a huge mountain to climb in sustaining the program in some kind of viable form, Commissioner Mark Stensager said.

Advocates argue that the program is essential to help fund long-term care for thousands of Washingtonians who dont already have a plan to pay for it. The initiative would destroy the program, said Bonnie Burns, a national expert on long-term care financing and consumer advocate with California Health Advocates.

People dont understand long-term care, Burns added. They dont understand the need for financing. Its a giant issue thats going to show up later.

The post Why supporters of Washingtons long-term care program are worried appeared first on Washington State Standard.
The number of vacant houses in Japan has surged to a record high of nine million  more than enough for each person in New York City  as the east Asian country continues to struggle with its ever-declining population.

Abandoned houses are known in Japan as akiya  a term that usually refers to derelict residential homes tucked away in rural areas.

But more akiya are being seen in major cities, such as Tokyo and Kyoto, and thats a problem for a government thats already grappling with an aging population and an alarming fall in the number of children born each year.

This is a symptom of Japans population decline, said Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies in Chiba. Its not really a problem of building too many houses but a problem of not having enough people, he said.

According to figures compiled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 14% of all residential properties in Japan are vacant.

The numbers include second homes and those left empty for other reasons, including properties temporarily vacated while their owners work overseas.

They arent all left to ruin, like traditional akiya, whose growing number present a range of other problems for the government and communities, experts told CNN.

They include stifling attempts to rejuvenate decaying towns, becoming potential hazards due to the lack of maintenance, and raising the risks for rescuers in times of disaster in a country prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.

The problem of too many homes

Akiya are often passed down through generations. But with Japans plummeting fertility rate, many are left with no heir to pass to, or are inherited by younger generations who have moved to the cities and see little value in returning to rural areas, experts told CNN.

Some houses are also left in administrative limbo because local authorities dont know who the owners are due to poor record-keeping, they said.

That makes it difficult for the government to rejuvenate fast-aging rural communities, hampering efforts to attract younger people interested in an alternative lifestyle or investors eyeing a bargain.

Under Japans tax policies, some owners often find it cheaper to retain the home than to demolish it for redevelopment.

And even if owners want to sell, they may have trouble finding buyers, said Hall, from Kanda University.

Many of these houses are cut off from access to public transport, health care and even convenience stores, he said.

Overgrown vegetation surrounds a vacant house in the Yato area of Yokosuka City, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, on August 21, 2013. - Akio Kon/Bloomberg/Getty Images/File

Trending videos showing people - mainly foreigners - scooping up cheap Japanese houses and turning them into stylish guesthouses and cafes have garnered many followers on social media in recent years, but Hall warned its not as easy as it seems.

The truth is most of these homes are not going to be sold to foreigners, or that the amount of administrative work and the rules behind it [are] not something easy for somebody who doesnt speak Japanese and read Japanese very well, he said.

Theyre not going to be able to get these houses for cheap.

Too few people

Japans population has been in decline for several years  at the last count in 2022, the population had shrunk by more than 800,000 since the previous year, to 125.4 million.

In 2023, the number of new births fell for the eighth consecutive year, reaching a record low, according to official data.

Japans birth rate has hovered around 1.3 for years, far from the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population, and just last week Japans Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said the number of children under age 15 had dropped for the 43rd straight year to a record low of around 14 million, as of April 1.

A partly collapsed abandoned wooden house in Tambasasayama, Japan on April 05, 2023 - Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images

So, all that means the problem of too many homes and too few people looks set to continue for some time.

Yuki Akiyama, a professor from the faculty of architecture and urban design at Tokyo City University, said vacant houses have caused issues in the past, for example, after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that hit the Noto Peninsula in the central prefecture of Ishikawa in January.

The area where the quake struck was fraught with akiya, he said, and they posed both a danger to residents during the disaster and challenges for post-earthquake reconstruction.

When an earthquake or a tsunami occurs, there is a possibility that vacant houses will block evacuation routes as they break down and get destroyed, he said.

After the earthquake, authorities struggled to decide which damaged properties they could clean up because of unclear ownership, presenting an obstacle for reconstruction, said Akiyama.

In other rural areas with a high concentration of vacant houses, akiya have stalled development, the professor said.

With these properties remaining untouched, he said, The value of the area will be reduced because it is a place where you cant buy and sell it properly and you cant do large-scale development.

People will think that this place has no value, and the real estate value of the entire area will gradually decrease.

Akiyama has devised an AI program to predict the areas most vulnerable to akiya, but he stressed the problem isnt unique to Japan - it has been seen in the US and some countries in Europe.

However, he said Japans architectural history and culture made the situation there particularly dire.

Homes in Japan arent valued for their longevity, he said, and unlike in the West, people dont typically see merit in living in historical buildings.

In Japan, the newer the house, the higher the price it sells for, he said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Democrats with criminal pasts (and one who was recently indicted) have begun to feature prominently in Donald Trumps campaign for president. And I can think of several reasons why.

Last weekend, it was former Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who appeared at a Republican National Committee event hosted at Mar-a-Lago. The New York Times reported that Trump spent an extended period of time discussing the former fraudster, who was convicted of corruption but was released after Trump commuted his sentence in 2020.

Per the Times:

So Trump set this convicted, corrupt former official free. And, by his own admission, this had nothing to do with questions of justice or accountability for Blagojevich and what he was convicted of doing. Keep that in mind.

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, also a Democrat, is another unexpected former official to turn up at a recent Trump campaign event. Kilpatrick was dealt a multi-decade sentence for obstruction of justice, mail fraud and other charges in 2013 but was released in 2021 after Trump commuted the sentence on his last day as president. Kilpatrick appeared at Trumps campaign event in Detroit last week, where he shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with Michigans Trump-endorsed GOP chair, Pete Hoekstra.

I think Im beginning to see a trend.

This past weekend, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, in defense of another Democrat. This time, it was Democratic Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar, who was recently indicted on federal corruption charges. Cuellar has denied the allegations against him, and Trump has begun pushing the conspiracy theory that Cuellars indictment stems from the conservative Democrats opposition to some of the Biden administrations immigration policies.

He was for Border Control, so they said, Lets use the FBI and DOJ to take him out! This is the way they operate, Trump wrote, as always lacking any kind of evidence to back up his overheated assertions.

One obvious theory for why Trump and his campaign are embracing liberals convicted or accused of corruption is that the former president is facing criminal charges himself, in his hush money case in New York, his election-related RICO case in Georgia, his classified document handling case in Florida and his election interference case in Washington, D.C. (Trump has pleaded not guilty on all charges.) Perhaps he thinks that by arguing the Democrats' charges were unjust, he can persuade voters that he's similarly being railroaded. Alternately, he may think that highlighting Democratic corruption gives his supporters permission to decide "they all do it" and forgive his clear moral and ethical lapses.

Either way, the Democrat who's had legal troubles has become a fixture in Trump's campaign and we should expect to hear more.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Heres why UT and A&M are unlikely to divest from Israel

University of Texas at Austin students and other pro-Palestine supporters peacefully gather on the South lawn of UT campus following a heated demonstration where over 30 demonstrators were arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers and university police Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Austin. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune

Across University of Texas System campuses and Texas A&M, groups of students, faculty and staff have staged protests in solidarity with Palestinians and demanded that their schools divest from companies tied to Israel or weapons manufacturing.

As some have pointed out, this would require action from the investment management company that oversees the endowment funds for the UT and Texas A&M Systems.

It's clear that UT and other universities really have the opportunity to make a massive global impact with the decisions they make about their investments, said Annette Rodriguez, an assistant professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin who is part of a coalition of UT-Austin groups calling for divestment from companies supplying the Israeli Defense Forces.

The governance structure of the university systems under Gov. Greg Abbott, a staunch Israel supporter, makes that a long shot. And some university system leaders have already expressed opposition to divestment. Heres why university groups say they continue to protest and call for divestment.

What are UT and A&Ms ties to Israel?

The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company, a nonprofit commonly known as UTIMCO, manages endowments  funds often created with donations and invested to continue generating revenue  that support the two university systems.

These include the Permanent University Fund, established by the state in 1876 to support the development of the UT and A&M university systems, and three separate UT System endowments.

Protesting students and groups have called out the university systems and UTIMCO for having Permanent University Fund investments in companies that supply military equipment and defense contracts with Israel, including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman.

Protesters have also set their eyes on other companies listed by the Who Profits Research Center, which says on its website that its dedicated to exposing the commercial involvement of Israeli and international corporations in the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Syrian land and population.

According to a 2023 audit report of the PUF and The Dallas Morning News, the endowment includes the following:

Shares in Lockheed Martin valued at about $979,836

Shares in Raytheon valued at about $584,622

Shares in Boeing valued at about $8,452

Shares in Northrop Grumman Corporation valued at about $1,388,595

About $9.2 million in stock for Israeli software company Check Point

About $100,000 in holdings for Tel Aviv-based Teva Pharmaceuticals

Israeli government bonds and currency holdings in the Israeli shekel

Some protesting groups have pointed out that universities like UT-Austin have also received funding from Israel. According to a federal database that covers foreign funding, four public universities in Texas have reported more than $9 million in contracts, gifts and restricted gifts from Israel from June 2020 to February 2024. This includes the following:

$1,501,306 to UT-Austin

$4,338,028 to the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

$936,019 to UT Southwestern Medical Center

$2,375,365 to Rice University, formerly known as William Marsh Rice University

Could UT and A&M divest from Israeli companies and weapons manufacturers?

Texas has had a law since 2017 that bans major companies contracting with government entities from boycotting Israel. UTIMCO could technically move to divest despite this law. But it probably won't because of its political ties.

UTIMCO is governed by a nine-member board made up of at least three UT System Board of Regents, four members appointed by the UT System and two appointed by the Texas A&M Board of Regents. Four of the appointed members must have expertise in investments.

The regents for the UT and A&M systems  like in all Texas public university systems  are nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate.

Gov. Greg Abbott, who has called on Texas universities to punish pro-Palestinian speech and cheered the arrests of protesters at UT-Austin, has appointed all current regents serving on university system boards during his almost decade-long tenure. And about two thirds of them have donated to his gubernatorial campaign, according to a 2022 Texas Tribune analysis.

On Sunday, Abbott commented on a story about students demands for UT-Austin to divest from weapons manufacturing companies selling arms to the Israel Defense Forces and that university President Jay Hartzell resign following his response to campus protests.

This will NEVER happen, Abbott posted on X. The only thing that will happen is that the University and the State will use all law-enforcement tools to quickly terminate illegal protests taking place on campus that clearly violate the laws of the state of Texas and policies of the university.

Free speech advocates have criticized Abbott and UTs response.

A history of strong support for Israel

Abbott and Texas officials have been quick to express their support for Israel, which has launched airstrikes on Gaza and killed more than 30,000 Palestinian civilians in the last seven months. It follows an attack last October by Hamas militants that killed hundreds of Israeli civilians during a major Jewish holiday. Hamas also took more than 200 Israeli hostages during the surprise attack, and Israel has since detained thousands of Palestinians as prisoners.

Just a few days after the surprise Hamas attack, Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar reminded businesses of the states ban on Israel boycotts. Abbott flew overnight to Israel the following month to reaffirm Texas support for the Middle Eastern nation.

In 2017, Texas lawmakers joined many other states in passing laws against the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement, which works to end international support for Israel's oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law, according to the BDS Movement website.

Texas law used to require any businesses contracting with any state agency, higher education institution or local government to sign off on contract clauses in which they confirmed they had not boycotted Israel in the past and agreed that they would refrain from doing so for the duration of the contract.

The law faced legal challenges, including from a speech pathologist whose contract with a public school district was terminated after she refused to sign an agreement not to boycott Israel. It was rewritten in 2019 to only apply to businesses with 10 or more full-time employees and when a contract with a government agency is for $100,000 or more. The new law also requires the Permanent School Fund, the states retirement systems for state and local public employees to divest from companies that engage in such boycotts. This provision, however, does not include UT/A&M Investment Management Company.

Texas has similar laws against boycotts of fossil fuel companies and firearm manufacturers, but they also dont require the states public universities to divest.

Last year, Texas lawmakers passed another law that specifically bans academic boycotts of foreign countries at public Texas universities if that decision would prevent students, faculty and staff from visiting, researching and interacting with that country. This means universities cant prevent members of their communities from studying or engaging with a country, said Thomas Leatherbury, director of the First Amendment Clinic at Southern Methodist Universitys Dedman School of Law.

Even though these anti-boycott laws dont directly address university divestments, they highlight the political forces opposing such a move.

I think it's very clear that the governor and the state legislature are extremely pro-Israel, Leatherbury said. It would seem that even if a state entity could divest from Israel, it could be a really unwise political move to do so because of the expressed pro-Israel policies of the legislators and the executive branch of the state of Texas.

A subcommittee of Texas senators is set to meet on May 14 for a public hearing on college policies related to free speech and to prevent antisemitism. In March, even before the latest round of protests, Abbott ordered colleges to revise their free speech policies to discipline antisemitic speech and singled out pro-Palestinian groups.

For Leatherbury, Abbotts recent order and Texas laws targeting boycotts of Israel, fossil fuel companies and firearm manufacturers raise questions about First Amendment rights.

They impose unconstitutional conditions on companies that do business with the government, he said. They're examples of viewpoint discrimination, and preferring the state's unconstitutional preference for a particular viewpoint.

However, the legal landscape surrounding laws that ban boycotts on Israel is far from straightforward. While these laws have largely weathered claims of First Amendment violations, their reception in trial courts across the U.S. has been a mixed bag. Yet, they have generally survived against challenges that reach federal appellate courts. A notable example is an 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that an anti-boycott law in Arkansas, similar to Texas, was constitutional.

The crux of the matter, as articulated by the majority of the panel of judges in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022, is that the First Amendment safeguards the right to express criticisms and praise as a form of free speech. However, it does not typically shield refusals to engage in business, as explained by Eugene Volokh, a professor of law at the University of California, Los Angeles who has submitted amicus briefs with similar arguments. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the decision in 2023.

This is reflected in anti-discrimination laws, which in most cases prevent businesses from discriminating in hiring decisions, Volokh said. However, there may be exceptions for businesses whose services directly involve speech, he said. (The U.S. Supreme Court also indicated this in 2023 in a case over a web designers refusal to create websites for same-sex marriages, noting its decision would provide similar protections for business owners such as artists, speechwriters and movie directors.)

Similar challenges to anti-boycott laws, like a lawsuit over Texas law brought forward by an engineering firm asked to sign a clause refusing to boycott Israel as part of a contract with Houston City Hall, have been dismissed on procedural grounds, Volokh said.

So why are university groups calling for divestment?

Rodriguez, the assistant professor who is part of the coalition of UT-Austin groups calling for divestment, said the group is aware of the political challenges of having their demands met, but it will continue to raise awareness of university investments related to weapons manufacturing and Israel to shift the horizon of what is possible.

We are a public university and we are making choices about how we spend and invest our money, and the more the public is aware of this, the more again, the tide turns to divestment, she said.

Movements for university divestments have seen some success today and in the past. Protesters calling for similar divestment demands at Ivy League schools, like Brown, and a few public universities  including Evergreen State College, University of Minnesota and the University of California, Riverside  have reached agreements to end their encampments as university leaders move to consider student arguments for divestments or commit to provide more transparency or other concessions.

Rodriguez said calls for universities to divest are important because they can spill over from college campuses to other groups like trade unions and religious groups, as occurred over 30 years ago during the movement to divest from South Africa and end apartheid.

During that time, UT-Austin students traveled to UT-Arlington to join students there for anti-apartheid demonstrations. The UT System Board of Regents assured students they would consider divesting, but Board Chairman Jess Hay also expressed opposing views to divestment, according to a 1985 Fort Worth Star-Telegram article. Rodriguez said that the regents never did divest, even though many universities across the country did.

I think that UT has a unique opportunity here, she said. We could be a leader; we could be trying to rectify the mistakes of the past.

Many financial analysts say divestments dont usually change corporate behavior, according to NPR, and some say these divestments may even allow for other investors less likely to speak up to sweep in. But Rodriguez said the divestments in the anti-apartheid movement, which helped create an understanding that the apartheid state was morally repugnant, are an example of the strategys positive impact.

While UT-Austin President Jay Hartzell does not oversee UT System investments directly, Rodriguez said her group would like to see him chime in and make sure he is being transparent, communicative and in conversation with the university community.

More recently, groups at UT-Austin have also called on Hartzell to resign after he asked state troopers to help break up campus protests. They would also like to see the reinstatement of the UT-Austin student chapter of the Palestinian Solidarity Committee and amnesty for those students who have been removed from the campus or been given disciplinary and trespassing actions, Rodriguez said.

Spokespeople for UT-Austin, the UT System, Texas A&M System and UTIMCO did not return Texas Tribune requests for comment. At a May board meeting, UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin P. Eltife said divestment was out of the question.

"Divestment is not an option, Eltife said, according to the Austin American-Statesman. We will continue to maximize our investments to ensure our students have scholarships and that we can provide an affordable, accessible education.

Eltife and Hartzell have also defended the decision to call law enforcement to respond to the campus protests.

At Texas A&M, the student group Aggies Against Apartheid organizes protests and community events to attract as much awareness as possible to the Middle East conflict. The organization demands that the university divest from companies profiting off of the conflict, denounce the police responses at other universities as violent and condemn the war as a genocide against Palestinians.

Akkad Ajam, one of the organizers, said he sees divestment as the most probable demand to be fulfilled out of the three. Whereas denouncement or condemnation would explicitly place A&M against the war, divesting could be framed as an effort from A&M to reinvest funds into other businesses that support the local community.

Thats an easier decision to make than to say that we condemn the genocide because then that kind of throws them out there as one side of the political spectrum, Akkam said.

Aidan McPhail, another organizer, said that A&Ms strong ties with engineering companies could be a significant roadblock in divesting from the intended firms. He pointed out that weapon manufacturers hire many students out of the schools respected engineering program.

McPhail and Ajam said they feel cautiously optimistic about A&Ms response to Aggies Against Apartheid, but both recognized the process will be a long-term effort. Ajam acknowledged it took years before enough popular support swelled to help end apartheid in South Africa.

The university has been working with us pretty closely, and has been respectful and friendly toward us, which is a significantly better response than many universities across the country have given their student demonstrators, McPhail said. I believe that we can achieve our goals, but itll be a difficult and a long struggle.

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 right-wing opposition in North Macedonia was poised for victory in the parliamentary and presidential elections on Wednesday.

After 79.2% of the polling stations had been counted, the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary OrganizationDemocratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) candidate Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova won the run-off election for president with 64.8% of the votes, according to the state election commission in Skopje.

She prevailed against the incumbent Stevo Pendarovski, who was supported by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) and garnered 29.2%.

In the parliamentary elections held at the same time, the right-wing nationalist VMRO-DPMNE won 42.5% of the vote with 78.2% of the polling stations counted, thereby becoming the strongest force in the 120-seat parliament.

The SDSM, led by former prime minister Dimitar Kovacevski, who was in office until the beginning of the year, won 14.5% of the vote. The party's support plummeted dramatically and fell to less than half of the vote it had received in the parliamentary elections four years ago.

The election campaign was characterized by accusations of poor and corrupt governance levelled by the opposition against the SDSM, which had been in power for the past seven years, and the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) that was in government with the SDSM.

The VMRO adopted a nationalist tone and announced a confrontational course against neighbouring European Union members Greece and Bulgaria in the event of an election victory.

This centres on the issue of the country's name, which Skopje changed from Macedonia to North Macedonia following an agreement with Athens in 2019, as well as minority rights.

Taking a harder stance against Greece could significantly hinder the accession negotiations that the EU opened with Skopje in July 2022. EU member states Greece and Bulgaria have the right to veto practically every step of the negotiations.

VMRO leader and top candidate Hristijan Mickoski will need partners in order to form a next government. The parties of the ethnic Albanians are crucial in this respect, as this ethnic group makes up around 25% of the population of the small Balkan country.

The DUI, which has co-governed in almost all coalitions for the last 20 years, received 14.7% of the vote. The VMRO is not considering it as a partner.

The opposition alliance of Albanian parties, called the VLEN Coalition, won 11.7% of the vote. It is considered a possible government partner for the VMRO.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Happy Tuesday, Utah! Were coming off a day that felt more like early March rather than early May yesterday.

Today will follow in a similar way  and in some instances, might actually feel more like late February.

Soggy Tuesday with below average temperatures

With moisture in place, combined with energy coming in from the northwest, well be looking at a day with scattered showers across northern Utah with highs that run about 20 degrees below average.

Freeze warnings in effect for parts of Utah on May 7, 2024.

In northern Utah, highs will mainly be in the 30s and 40s when we should typically see 50s and 60s! If youre south of I-70 today, skies will be mostly sunny to partly cloudy with temperatures similar to yesterday, meaning it should be a pretty nice day! Expect breezy to gusty winds across the state.

The winter storm warning for the Wasatch Mountains and western Uintas continues through midnight tonight as several inches of snow will be possible above 7,000 feet. Unrelated to the warnings, mountain valleys could see a few more inches while valleys and benches could see some minor accumulations, especially if we see some lake effect tonight.

Speaking of tonight, it will be cold! Lows will fall into the 20s and 30s for most across the state. There are multiple freeze watches and warnings in place.

The freeze warnings encompass the San Rafael Swell, the Western Canyonlands, the Utah Valley, Tooele/Rush Valleys, and eastern Box Elder County. Freeze watches cover southeastern Utah. If youre in an alert, be sure to protect any sensitive plants!

For the middle of the week, our weather will finally begin to calm down a bit. Well hold onto some moisture potential up north. However, the chance of wet weather will be a lot lower compared to the beginning of this week.

Temperatures up north will also begin to creep up. From Wednesday night into Thursday, one thing were keeping an eye out for is down-sloping winds along the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley thanks to easterly winds.

As we round out the workweek, the warmup will ramp up with temperatures returning to seasonal norms by Friday. With an upper-level low pressure hanging out across the western U.S., there will be a chance for daily pop-ups, but that chance will be low. The weather wont see too many changes through the weekend, which means with warmer temperatures and low wet weather potential, it looks good for Mothers Day on Sunday!

Well keep you posted on the latest updates in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online. We are Good4Utah!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Witnesses testify about outlandish numbers of meals they never saw served in Feeding Our Future trial

Workers at or near alleged food distribution sites in Owatonna, Shakopee, Lexington, St. Paul and Minneapolis testified in federal court Tuesday that they didn't see the thousands of meals claimed to be given out in those places during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Six witnesses continued testimony supporting prosecutors' allegations that seven defendants on trial, all with ties to the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, didn't serve thousands of meals to low-income kids but still drew millions of dollars in federal reimbursements.

"It's just kind of outlandish," said David Hamilton, who was the executive director of the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis, which defendants listed as a food site drawing an average of 1,000 people a day for meals in March 2021. "There wasn't that many people around. It was pretty desolate."

Defense attorneys sought to cast scrutiny on the testimony by pointing out that the six witnesses  from housing property managers to a city administrator and a nonprofit leader  didn't observe food distribution sites at all hours. They also presented witnesses with evidence such as a form a St. Paul apartment building signed to authorize a meal distribution there, and photos of lines of people receiving meals in Minneapolis.

"I never saw that," Hamilton said, adding that the West Bank was largely empty in the pandemic.

Prosecutors allege that the six men and one woman on trial, who have ties to Empire Cuisine & Market in Shakopee, took advantage of the pandemic and inflated the number of meals they claimed to serve to kids in need. Instead, prosecutors allege they pocketed millions of dollars to buy luxury homes, cars and trips.

The trial is the first one since the FBI raided St. Anthony nonprofit Feeding Our Future more than two years ago. In all, 70 people have been charged or indicted in what prosecutors say is one of the largest pandemic-related fraud schemes in the country, totaling more than $250 million. Of the 70 people, 18 have pleaded guilty.

Defendants Said Shafii Farah, Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Mohamed Jama Ismail, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff and Hayat Mohamed Nur are facing trial this month. They've been charged with wire fraud, money laundering and other crimes.

They collectively received more than $40 million for submitting claims for more than 18 million meals. Their organizations were overseen by Feeding Our Future and a St. Paul nonprofit called Partners in Nutrition, who handled paperwork for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded programs that reimburse schools, nonprofits and daycares for feeding low-income kids after school and during the summer.

Defense attorneys repeatedly questioned witnesses Tuesday about how their clients' names didn't show up on any of the meal program forms or checks that prosecutors displayed, pointing the responsibility to the leaders of Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition who signed the forms instead. Plus, they added, many witnesses were first contacted by FBI agents and prosecutors recently, asked to recall memories from three or four years ago.

In Shakopee, Gretchen Hawk, a caretaker at an apartment building, testified that a Lutheran pastor delivered meals once in 2021, but she never saw any other groups dole out food. When asked if she saw 500 people on average every day who allegedly showed up at the food site, she said no, adding that as a resident, too, "I would've been aware of it."

In the north metro, a small city park on the border of Lexington and Circle Pines that was fenced off under construction in 2021 was also listed as an food distribution site, claiming to give out 155,000 meals, for instance, in one month.

Lexington city administrator William Petracek said he never saw any meals distributed at the park, which is near city hall. On meal forms, the address listed was for a nearby strip mall, which has a Montessori school. Petracek said he never saw meals distributed at the strip mall or school, which he said had a suspended business license.

Defense attorneys questioned if residents from Blaine and other larger surrounding cities could've visited the meal site. In a close-knit city of 2,700 residents, Petracek said he would've noticed if thousands of people arrived to get free meals.

"That's absurd," Petracek said. "If we had that level of people ... any place at all, our police officers probably would've stopped and questioned them ... This absolutely did not happen."

In Owatonna, two apartment and townhouse managers testified Monday that they never saw meals distributed at the complexes, which were also listed as meal sites. Erin Nelson said a truck did distribute bags of rice and canned goods one time at the complex she managed. But she couldn't recall where the truck was from and never saw or heard from residents about any other food distributions at the townhomes, where defendants claimed to give out 35,000 meals in 2021.

A St. Paul apartment property manager, Julia Garcia, testified she never saw meal distributions except from schools. Under cross-examination, defense attorney Edward Sapone showed her an authorization form that her colleague signed for food distribution. Garcia said she didn't see food distributed.

In Minneapolis, the Cedar Cultural Center was closed because of the pandemic and was being renovated in 2021 when Empire claimed to give out 62,000 meals in one month. Hamilton said he was there every day and never saw lines of people or trucks delivering meals.

Defense attorney Ian Birrell questioned if Hamilton had seen a truck near the alley delivering meals, showing him photos taken at an undisclosed time of people lining up next to the music venue. Hamilton said he never saw that. Birrell asked if he would've known about activity after work. Hamilton added that West Bank business owners message one another often, so he said he would have been told about it.

"That's too many people for that area of the neighborhood," he said. "I never heard about any meal service."
Man walks into KCK hospital and confesses to shooting, killing a woman, police say

A woman died following a shooting Tuesday night in Kansas City, Kansas.

Officers responded around 11:44 p.m. to the 1900 block of North Hallock Street after a man walked into the emergency room at the University of Kansas Medical Center and told police he killed someone, according to Officer T.J. Tomasic, a spokesman for the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department.

When police arrived on North Hallock, they found a dead woman who had been shot inside a home, Tomasic said.

The man police encountered at the emergency room is in custody.

The killing was the 10th homicide in Kansas City, Kansas this year, according to police data. There had been seven homicides at this time last year.

Police said the incident remains under investigation and asked anyone with information to call the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
by Raheela Nazir

ISLAMABAD, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani experts and officials on Wednesday called for efforts and enhanced cooperation to promote renewable energy transition in the textile industry to boost exports, especially in the context of the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

There is a need to establish multi-sectoral collaborations and all-inclusive interventions to ensure just energy transition in Pakistan's textile sector, the experts said while addressing a seminar on energy transition in the textile sector organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), an Islamabad-based think tank.

Speaking on the occasion, Romina Khurshid Alam, coordinator to the prime minister on climate change and environmental coordination, said that Pakistan is one of the largest exporters of textile commodities, and there is a broader consensus on the issues related to the textile industry, underlying that market reforms and green financing mechanisms are being deliberated.

Due to the CBAM, Pakistan's textile and other industries could face challenges in the future, she said, adding that the government is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to facilitate the process of transition and combat its looming risks.

The CBAM, also known as carbon tariffs, which officially came into effect by the EU on May 2023, concerns imports of products in carbon-intensive industries.

It will remain in place until the end of 2025 and subsequently become mandatory on a gradual basis at the same time as the phasing out of free allowances.

Abid Qaiyum Suleri, executive director of the SDPI, said that the industries have to come up with renewable energy sources; otherwise, they would have to pay carbon tax levied in the EU if not done in Pakistan.

"The profitability and competitiveness need to be promoted to achieve green energy transition. The country needs to converge all its sectors on one point and provide a level playing field for its industries to choose clean and green energy and invest in just energy transition," he said.

Energy is the main component that brings competitiveness in the export products, including textiles, said Aqeel Hussain Jafri, an official from the Private Power and Infrastructure Board of the Ministry of Energy.

"Solar energy provides an opportunity to reduce the cost of electricity and production for industry, which is part of the solution," he said, adding that the voluntary carbon markets in the country are gaining momentum that can allow the industry to explore new opportunities. 
KANSAS CITY, Kan.  Kansas City, Kansas, police are investigating a shooting after a woman was found dead late Tuesday night.

A man walked into the emergency room at KU Hospital and told police he had killed someone. Officers were then sent to a house on North Hallock, near N. 5th Street and Parallel Avenue, around 11:45 p.m. to investigate the incident.

FOX4 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

When officers got to the house, they found a woman who had been shot and killed.

According to a news release from KU Health, when the suspect was at the hospital, he shot a gun into the ceiling at the security entrance to the emergency department. KU police and security officers working at that entrance quickly took the person into custody.

Emergency services in the hospital were not impacted by the gun being shot.

Getting word of a homicide Wednesday morning, people, describing themselves as friends of who they believe to be the victim, drove-by in shock.

I Googled it and then it showed the 1900 block of Hallock is back there. And Im like this is the only house and I hope this isnt, you know? one woman said.

She loved me and my kids. Yeah, shes a great woman, she said.

Questions remain about the situation and the connection between the man arriving at the hospital and the woman found dead. Charges in the case have not yet been filed and Kansas City, Kansas police have declined to comment further.

There is a 33-year-old man currently booked in the Wyandotte County Jail who has not yet been charged but hes being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and cruelty to animals, according to jail records.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD)  A Norton Shores woman accused of animal neglect after dozens of dogs were removed from her home will not receive any additional jail time.

Lisa Cober was sentenced Monday by Judge Matthew Kacel in Muskegon Circuit Court. In lieu of jail, Cober has been sentenced to 5 years of probation and 100 hours of community service.

As part of her probation, she cannot own any animals.

Police found 78 dogs living in unfit conditions at a womans Norton Shores home. They were taken to an animal shelter to be evaluated. (Jan. 31, 2023)

Police found 78 dogs living in unfit conditions at a womans Norton Shores home. They were taken to an animal shelter to be evaluated. (Jan. 31, 2023)

Police found 78 dogs living in unfit conditions at a womans Norton Shores home. They were taken to an animal shelter to be evaluated. (WOOD TV8 file)

Woman who had 78 dogs seized from home takes plea deal

Cober was arrested in January 2023 after police searched her Norton Shores home following a tip from an area animal shelter. She ran a sanctuary called Cobers Canine Shelter. In all, 78 living dogs were seized from the home, including many that were in poor health and dreadful living conditions.

Following the seizure, the Norton Shores Police Department said at least 25 of the dogs were sick or injured, and that eight puppies had died at the house from a distemper outbreak and two more had to be euthanized.

That distemper outbreak eventually spread to the Big Lake Humane Society, one of four local agencies to take in the rescued dogs, killing two dogs unaffiliated with Cobers Canines.

Big Lake Humane Society executive director Alexis Robertson told News 8 last year that the two dogs who contracted the virus received their first doses of distemper vaccine, but the virus took hold before the vaccine could make an impact. In all, 21 dogs died of distemper directly connected to Cobers Canines.

Distemper is a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system in dogs and puppies. The most common symptoms are lethargy and a lack of appetite, but distemper is usually diagnosed after nervous issues, including loss of balance and twitches. Vaccines are widely available and American Humane considers it one of the core vaccines for dogs.

Sign up for the News 8 daily newsletter

Cober faced a reduced felony charge of animal cruelty to 10 or more but fewer than 25 animals. She could have spent up to four years in prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Woman Killed Her Husband and Sister Before She Was Fatally Shot by Brother: Police

Police say Angela Gosser killed her husband Larry Gosser and sister Jennifer Wilson and was allegedly killed by her brother Darryl Wilson after attacking him

Larry and Angela Gosser / Facebook Larry and Angela Gosser

A series of shootings between four members of one family left three people dead in Kentucky on Friday, according to police.

Larry Gosser, his wife Angela Gosser and her sister Jennifer Wilson were killed in the separate shootings that also left Darryl Wilson  the brother of both women  injured, Kentucky authorities say.

Jennifer, 57, and Darryl, 58, were shot by Angela, the Kentucky State Police said in a statement on Saturday. While Jennifer died from the gunshot wounds, Darryl survived the shooting and, in turn, allegedly shot Angela to death, police said.

Darryl is not charged with a crime.

Angela also fatally shot her husband Larry, 73, say police, according to KSP, The Lexington Herald-Leader, WYMT and WKYT reported.

On Friday, KSP responded to calls by emergency officials in Pulaski County, Ky., to locate a vehicle belonging to Angela, the state police said in their statement.

Within a few minutes, KSP was called to the scene of a shooting in Russell County where they found Angelas body in her brother Darryls home, per the statement.

Investigators say Angela came to Darryls residence, armed herself with a firearm and forcefully entered the house. Following an apparent exchange of gunfire, Angela was dead on the scene and Darryl was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries," according to KSP's statement.

Wilson Funeral Home Angela Gosser (left), Larry Gosser

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.



While investigators were at Darryls residence, there was a welfare check requested on Jennifer, whose family had grown concerned after not hearing from her, KSP said.

Authorities responded to a street in Russell County where they found Jennifer fatally shot inside her car. Police said their investigation suggests Angela shot Jennifer before going to Darryls home to attack him.

On Saturday evening, Pulaski County Sheriffs Office announced they found Larry dead with a gunshot wound, per the Lexington Herald-Leader, WKYT and LEX 18.

Larry died on Friday evening, LEX 18 reported, citing the Pulaski County coroner, but it wasnt immediately clear whether it was before the other deaths.

Larry was an officer with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, WKYT reported. Investigators determined that he was working on his property when Angela shot him.

A motive for the killings had not been not announced as of Wednesday. KSP did not respond to PEOPLEs comments for further information.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Investigators say a Texas woman was sexually assaulted during a photo shoot she booked with a professional photographer.

The woman, who officials have not publicly identified, scheduled the recent boudoir photo shoot with 48-year-old John Steven Lill, the Bexar County Sheriffs Office said in a May 7 news release.

When she arrived for her appointment at Lills home in northern Bexar County, he made an unusual request, the woman said after contacting the sheriffs office on May 4. He told her that nobody was allowed to wait outside for her, which he said was only because of the extended duration of her appointment, according to deputies.

They proceeded with the shoot and, at one point, Lill gave the woman some wine  and she soon lost consciousness, she told deputies. When she woke up, she believed that she had been assaulted by Lill, the sheriffs office said.

Deputies went to the home and while they were talking to the woman, Lill left in his vehicle, deputies said, though he later returned and spoke with investigators.

Lill denied sexually assaulting the woman and said the encounter was consensual, according to the sheriffs office.

McClatchy News reached out to an attorney listed for Lill but did not immediately receive a response.

Deputies arrested him on a charge of sexual assault and he was booked into the Bexar County jail. His bond is set at $40,000, jail records show.

The sheriffs office believes there may be more victims and is asking that they come forward. Investigators can be contacted at 210-335-6000, or emailed at bcsotips@bexar.org.

Customer angry over McDonalds order shoots, kills man trying to calm him, TX cops say

Woman asked for apartment lock repair before stranger assaulted her, Texas suit says

Man is fishing with woman when acquaintance approaches, beats him to death, IN cops say

Missing woman found dead in vacant building, family says. Drove past her every day
A woman visiting her best friend at Delaware State University was fatally shot during a nearby altercation. 2 men have been arrested

Two men have been arrested in connection with the killing of Camay Mitchell De Silva, an 18-year-old woman who was fatally shot last month during a nearby argument at the dorms of Delaware State University, police in Dover said Monday.

De Silva, who was not a student there, was shot during an altercation between two groups of men on the campus  and had not been the intended target of the gunfire, authorities say. She was on campus visiting her best friend, family members told CNN affiliate WPVI.

Destry Jones, 20, and Damien Hinson, 18, were arrested last week and have each been charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree attempted murder, one count of first-degree conspiracy and two firearm-related charges.

Camays family has been in our thoughts from the moment this senseless act of violence occurred and our hope is that these apprehensions can help begin the process of healing, Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson Jr. said in a release.

Damien Hinson (left) and Destry Jones - Dover Police Department

The suspects are not students at the university and are not affiliated with the school, police said. It is unclear if either man has obtained an attorney.

The shooting unfolded shortly after 1:30 a.m. on April 21, according to police. Dover police officers heard what they believed to be gunshots, and around the same time, the universitys police department received a report of shots fired on campus. Another call reported a woman was on the ground near some dormitories, the department said.

Responding officers found De Silva with a gunshot wound to her head, near a breezeway that connects two sections of a dorm. She was taken to a nearby hospital but died of her injuries, authorities said.

Investigators believe Jones and Hinson were involved in a physical altercation outside a dormitory with two other men, police said. Jones and Hinson disengaged from the physical fight and took part in firing the shots that claimed the life of Miss De Silva, police alleged.

Miss De Silva was not involved in this altercation and we do not believe she was the intended target of the gunfire which originated from the breezeway area, Dover police said.

Jones, who was arrested Thursday in New York, is awaiting extradition on his charges, and Hinson, who was arrested Thursday in Dover, is in custody with cash bail set at more than $3 million, police said.

A mass shooting forced De Silva to flee another college

De Silvas family members described her as encouraging, smart and comical, and said she intended to pursue a career in cybersecurity, WPVI reported.

De Silva started college last year at Morgan State University in Baltimore, but a shooting there in October 2023 that left five people injured frightened her so much that she decided to go closer to home, according to WPVI.

The day she was at Morgan State and they had an unfortunate shooting there, she let us all know she was OK. As soon as school was out of lockdown, she took the next train home, aunt Charlotte De Silva Davis told the news outlet.

At the time of her killing, De Silva was a student at Delaware Technical Community College, a spokesperson for the school told CNN.

But she was in the process of transferring to Delaware State University, WPVI reported.

The one thing I want everyone to know about her is she was a light and she was about love, her mother, Shanelle De Silva, said, according to WPVI.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Woman Who Warned Friend that Boyfriend Might Kill Her Was Found in Burnt-Out Car Days Later: Police

Jarrett Davis is charged with murder and other crimes in connection with the death of Megan Bodiford

Go Fund Me Megan Bodiford

A South Carolina man is accused of murdering his girlfriend  and police say the victim told a friend her boyfriend was going to kill her before she went missing.

Megan Bodiford, 24, vanished on April 25 after she allegedly reached out to a friend stating that if she didn't hear from her within 30 minutes, then she needed to contact law enforcement," according to a Bamberg County Sheriffs Office incident report obtained by PEOPLE.

The mother of three young daughters told the friend she thought her 28-year-old boyfriend Jarrett Davis was going to kill her," according to the incident report.

The sheriffs office executed a search warrant at the couples Denmark home and took Davis into custody as he was coming out of a shed in the backyard, per the report.

Inside the home, deputies found Bodifords 4-month-old daughter unharmed in the living room.

However, Bodiford was missing.

She was found fatally shot five days later, on April 30, inside her vehicle. Authorities allege that after Davis killed her, he set her vehicle on fire with her inside.

On May 3, Davis was charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony offense, arson and desecration of human remains.

He was booked at the Bamberg County Detention Center.

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.

Its gut-wrenching, Bodifords cousin Stephanie Nickens told WIS-TV. I keep having this thought in my mind of how fearful she was in that moment.

I want everyone to focus on what a beautiful soul she had, just a wonderful mother that she was, she said, per WIS-TV. She loved being around people. If you look on her social media, you see so many friends coming together and posting memories that they have of them with her.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for Bodiford's funeral and other expenses.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Robert F Kennedy Jr's campaign has attracted support from around 10 per cent of Americans - Charlie Neibergall/AP

Robert F Kennedy Jr once had part of his brain eaten by a worm, according to reports.

The independent presidential candidate revealed in a 2012 deposition that a parasite had been discovered by doctors during a scan of his brain.

In a recording of the deposition, reported by the New York Times on Wednesday, Mr Kennedy disclosed previously-unknown medical history including the worm and memory loss from eating too much fish.

He said that doctors had taken a scan of his brain and discovered a dark patch inside his skull, which was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.

The incident came after Mr Kennedy reported memory loss and fatigue in 2010 that friends and doctors thought could be caused by a brain tumour.

After reviewing the scans, the parasite was discovered inside his head, which is thought to have infected his brain during a trip to South Asia.

I have cognitive problems

Around the same time, Mr Kennedy said he suffered from memory loss that is thought to have been caused by mercury poisoning, a condition that results from eating too much oily fish containing the substance.

He told the deposition: I have cognitive problems, clearly. I have short-term memory loss, and I have longer-term memory loss that affects me.

Mr Kennedy, 70, has sought to emphasise his relative youth compared with Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the two main candidates in Novembers election.

His spokesman said that the cognitive problems had since been resolved and do not represent a challenge to his presidential bid.

That is a hilarious suggestion, given the competition, she said.

Kennedy criticised on campaign trail

Mr Kennedys campaign has attracted support from around 10 per cent of Americans, according to some polls.

His team is working to secure his place on the ballot in Novembers election, under strict rules in some states that require candidates to prove they have enough support to compete with the main parties.

The former environmental lawyer, who is the nephew of John F Kennedy and son of the former senator Robert F Kennedy, has been criticised for his apparent promotion of conspiracy theories on the campaign trail.

He has spoken out against vaccines, suggested the CIA was involved in his uncles death in 1963, and questioned the official narrative of the 9/11 attacks.

Both Mr Biden and Mr Trump have ramped up their opposition to his campaign, using attack adverts in swing states where they are concerned he could eat into their support.

Mr Kennedys family, many of whom are Democratic politicians, have said that he does not represent them and have endorsed Mr Biden.

On Tuesday, his campaign was endorsed by Kevin Spacey, the embattled House of Cards actor.

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.
WORTHINGTON, Ohio (WCMH)  The site of Woodys Wing House, a bulldozed central Ohio restaurant that replaced Champps, is now home to a convenience store and gas station after the property was bought for more than $3 million by Sheetz.

The newly constructed Sheetz location opened on Tuesday at 161 E. Campus View Boulevard in Worthington, a two-acre site the gas station purchased for $3,750,000 last August before Woodys permanently shuttered in October. The restaurant building converted from a Champps before it began operating as a wing house in late 2017.

Columbus Walmart closed for missing financial expectations to auction off equipment

After much deliberation, our ownership group has made the very difficult decision to close the doors of our flagship Worthington location, Woodys said on social media at the time of the closing. We hope to see Woodys reborn in a new location in the future, so for now, its not goodbye  just see you later.

The restaurant building converted from a Champps before it began operating as a wing house in late 2017. (Franklin County Auditors Office)

A two-acre site the gas station purchased for $3,750,000 last August before Woodys permanently shuttered in October. (Franklin County Auditors Office)

Founded by the owner of J. Liu Restaurant and Bar in Dublin and Worthington, Woodys had expanded to two locations after opening at 1840 Hilliard-Rome Road in 2020, which has also since closed. Now, Sheetz is adding to its dozens of locations planned for Ohio, with more than 720 locations across Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.

The Pennsylvania-based gas station chain announced its expansion into central Ohio in 2019, with the first location open at 710 Sunbury Road in Delaware in April 2021 and thirteen additional locations open in the following months. Sheetz said they plan to open a dozen new stores annually in the Columbus area through 2025.

Superman movie filming in Ohio now hiring locals as extras, casting for female stand-in

Woodys marked one of several Columbus-area restaurants demolished for new quick-service development, like Mackenzie River at 1515 Polaris Parkway which closed earlier this year after eight years in business. The restaurant launched in 2016 after Montana-based Glacier Restaurant Group purchased all Max and Ermas locations and transformed several into Mackenzie River eateries.

Buca di Beppo at 60 E. Wilson Bridge Road in Worthington was purchased by Chick-fil-A last month, Franklin County auditors office records show. Plans call for the Buca di Beppo to be bulldozed later in 2026 to clear the site for construction of a 5,000 square-foot Chick-fil-A restaurant with a 2027 opening, a proposal approved by the city of Worthington states.

Tee Jayes Country Place at 4910 N. High St. closed in 2021 to make way for a Chick-fil-A, which opened earlier this month. Construction at this site included preserving the sites 20th-century sign that has received a facelift with Chick-fil-A branding.

Ryan Reynolds invests in Ohio company after Taylor Swift boosts sales

Other central Ohio restaurants facing a bulldozer for new development include a former Max and Ermas restaurant at 7480 Sawmill Road in Dublin making room for a Sheetz location. Max and Ermas Montana-based owner, Glacier Restaurant Group, closed the Sawmill Road location and the brands other Dublin restaurant at 411 Metro Place North in 2020.

A former OCharleys near Polaris will undergo a $1.5 million renovation to become the first Ohio restaurant for Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse with locations across the globe. The location will add to the steakhouses collection of nearly 100 restaurants in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the Middle East, the U.S. and more.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
BERLIN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- German exports in the first quarter fell by 1.1 percent yearly despite a slight increase in March, the Federal Statistical Office said Tuesday.

Quarterly exports from Europe's largest economy totaled 402.2 billion euros (434.4 billion U.S. dollars).

The report indicates that German exports to China increased by 3.7 percent in March, while China remained Germany's largest supplier.

"Exports seem to have bottomed out, and there is a recovery in the export business," said Dirk Jandura, president of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services, in a statement on Tuesday, while warning of remaining structural problems, such as declining competitiveness as a business location, and ongoing protectionism.

Germany's economy is expected to increase by 0.2 percent in 2024, lower than the global growth of 3.1 percent, according to a recent forecast by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollar) 
Screenshots of redacted documents from the West Virginia Department of Human Services.

Every month, dozens of West Virginia foster children sleep in hotels and motels  sometimes even offices or cabins. The state doesnt have enough foster families to take children into their homes.

The West Virginia Department of Human Services spends $2.1 million annually on temporary housing for foster children, like hotels, according to a department spokesperson. The price tag includes meals and staff overtime.

However, the department has failed over the last five months to produce any financial documents, including receipts and invoices, for West Virginia Watch showing where exactly that money was spent.

Transparency is an issue with that department, said Senate Finance Chairman Eric Tarr, R-Putnam.

After the state health department split into three new departments Jan.1, lawmakers are still struggling to get information about how the state manages its overwhelmed child welfare system. Legislators had mandated that the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources break up into smaller agencies in an effort to increase transparency; Tarr specifically wanted to better track how they were spending their money.

Last month, state lawmakers learned that the newly-created DoHS spent money earmarked for people with disabilities on things like COVID-19 home tests.

DoHS also manages the foster care system.

When it came to helping the state fix its foster care issues, Tarr questioned, How do we fix this and we can appropriate money if we dont know where its going to?

In November, West Virginia Watch began requesting financial documents about foster kids temporary housing in 2023. The request was made through the Freedom of Information Act.

DoHS ultimately denied that request on April 26, saying that the documents are not maintained in such a way that can be sorted to show the amount of money spent of foster children sleeping in hotels, motels, and/or lodges.

Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha

Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, questioned the legitimacy of the departments response.

Either theyre incompetent or theyre lying. I would lean toward the latter, said Pushkin, who serves as minority chair of the House Health Committee. This should be a call for my colleagues to wake up and start asking questions.

Either theyre incompetent or theyre lying. I would lean toward the latter.

 Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha

Additionally DoHS spokesperson Whitney Wetzel explained the lack of records, saying in an email,   Providing receipts for public accommodations that the department must occasionally use to provide safe and secure temporary housing for children in crisis could potentially reveal the placement and location of children under custody and care by the department both now and in the future.

Pushkin responded, Of course, they shouldnt publish names and personal information  but for any government agency to claim they arent keeping records of how theyre spending public funds  taxpayer money  is irresponsible and its borderline malpractice.

Both Pushkin and Tarr said Gov. Jim Justice, who is running for U.S. Senate, has failed to address ongoing issues within the foster care system.

For these kids to improve the situation theyre in  its going to take a governor who cares enough to get engaged. The best [the legislature] can do is set up the structure. Its a failure of the executive to let that structure fall apart, and thats what weve seen under this governor, Tarr said.

A spokesperson for Justice did not respond to an email inquiry for this story.

Wetzel denied an interview request with state child welfare leaders.

Foster children temporary placed in hotels, offices

There are more than 6,100 kids in the states foster care system, and West Virginia has a shortage of homes for children in need.

Wetzel explained that foster children were placed in temporary housing when permanent placement is not immediately available.

Other exigent circumstances may also dictate a temporary placement, she said.   Public accommodations may be used to temporarily house a child within a given school district in accordance with a court order.

Children are supervised by at least two staff members at all times, she added.

In lieu of financial documents, DoHS sent West Virginia Watch a report on children staying in hotels, motels, offices and hospitals between January-October, 2023. The majority of the document was redacted by blacked out pages.

In January 2023, 12 children were temporarily placed in hotels, motels, offices and hospitals. By April of that same year, the number climbed to 54; nine of those children were placed in more than one of those places in the same month, the report said.

If the public were to know the whole situation, theyd be appalled, Pushkin said. The reason theyre not putting the information out there  its just a shocking story.

DoHS last week denied reporters FOIA requests for records related to a high-profile death of a 14-year-old girl in Boone County in April. Journalists along with lawmakers have unsuccessfully tried to learn if Child Protective Services was aware of the girl and/or went to check on her prior to her death.

An attorney for DoHS cited federal and state child privacy laws in the denial.

DoHS is facing a sweeping class-action lawsuit about its treatment of foster children.

The agency could pay possibly $172,000 in sanctions for its role in failing to preserve emails from former top foster care officials, which could have been used as evidence in the case.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post WV agency wont release docs showing where money was spent putting foster kids in hotels appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
KANSAS CITY, Kan.  Wyandotte County residents within the Kansas City, Kansas Public School District (USD 500) are saying no to a bond proposal for the school district.

In January, the Board of Education for KCKPS approved a $420 million bond proposal, set for residents to vote on the Tuesday, May 7 ballot.

Overland Park announces new, 20-year comprehensive plan for community

The Wyandotte County Election Office reported an 8.46% voter turnout for Tuesdays special election.

According to unofficial final results, 58% voted no to the bond proposal and 42% voted yes.

The bond included the rebuilding of Central and Argentine Middle Schools, replacing older elementary school buildings, eliminating mobile classrooms, a new state-of-the-art public library, a new district aquatic center and comprehensive renovations to existing schools campuses.

The recommended facility upgrades and improvements were based on input gathered from students, parents, staff, and community members through a facilities assessment survey, according to KCKPS.

The school district hosted multiple meetings leading up to the election for people to ask questions and provide feedback.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

KCKPS Superintendent Dr. Anna Stubblefield told FOX4 last month that the projects are more than the annual budget can afford, which already covers day-to-day repairs. Now the the proposal was voted down, its back to the drawing board.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
icon

Semafor Signals

Supported by

Microsoft logo

Insights from Central European Institute of Asian Studies, Novekedes, and Royal United Services Institute

Arrow Down

Title icon

The News

Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Budapest on Wednesday, the final stop of his week-long visit to Europe that many experts consider a strategic play to deepen ideological rifts in the European Union.

Xis first stop in France was met with a little resistance from French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who both pressed him on Chinas cheap green technology and its effect on European competition. The pair also grilled Xi on Beijings continued support for Russia in its war in Ukraine. But experts agreed the invitation to France signals the EU is not prepared to completely cut ties with Beijing.

Xi could be a little more forward during his stopovers in Serbia and Hungary  both are NATO-skeptical countries that favor stronger ties with China. The show of support for eastern Europe could further split the fragile bloc on security and economic policy  to Beijings (and Russias) benefit.

icon

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Hungarians views about China are complicated

Source icon

Sources: Central European Institute of Asian Studies, Novekedes, Szazadveg, Telex

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban remains Chinas chief EU ally, but his people have more nuanced views. A 2020 study found that the majority of Hungarians  including Orban supporters  had a poor view of China, particularly in light of the countrys handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. But a more recent 2022 study found the negative sentiment is decreasing as China invests in Hungarys economy. A 2023 study by the conservative Szazadveg think tank found 79% of Hungarians oppose more trade restrictions with China, but 50% of Hungarians are also opposed to Chinese EV battery factories being built there for environmental reasons, according to Telex news site, showing the affection isnt entirely limitless.

Xis visit to NATO-skeptic country could further splinter EU

Source icon

Sources: Politika, Royal United Services Institute

In a Serbian newspaper op-ed, Xi said that Serbia and China were forged with blood after the 1995 NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, which killed three journalists. The fact that Xi immediately lashed out at NATO after his more sanguine visit to France is like playing Jekyll and Hyde, wrote China-watcher Sari Arho Havren of the RUSI security think tank. But Xi cant play both NATO-friendly and anti-NATO roles, she argued. As Xi reveals his true anti-NATO colors in Serbia and Hungary, his Paris visit may ultimately do little to influence the EUs general security position and push it closer to the US, she argued. But that might be Xis goal: forcing a wedge in the EU between western NATO-friendly and NATO-skeptic countries to the east, the Financial Times wrote.

Beijing exerts a chilling influence over Hungarys press freedoms

Source icon

Sources: Xinhua, Semafor, Reporter without Borders

Ahead of Xis arrival in Budapest, Chinese state newswire Xinhua and Hungarys economy ministry reached an agreement for Xinhua to continue collaborating with Hungarian media outlets to promote the countries bilateral ties. The deal is the latest in Beijings long-running influence campaign in Hungary. Earlier this year, Budapest announced Chinese police officers would patrol Hungarian cities with lots of Chinese expats and tourists  potentially chilling any oppositional activity. Meanwhile, press freedoms in Hungary have been deteriorating since Orbans ascension to power, while propaganda has proliferated: Hungary recently passed a law requiring news outlets with foreign funding to disclose it and register as foreign agents, mirroring Russias restrictive media laws.

Semafor Logo
Years in the making, work on a new NC 50 bridge in Garner gets underway soon

The 71-year-old bridge that carries Benson Road over U.S. 70 in Garner will soon be replaced.

The N.C. Department of Transportation says contractors will build the new bridge alongside the old, so that Benson Road, which is also N.C. 50, can remain open. The old bridge will be demolished when the new one opens, likely in the fall of 2026, according to NCDOT.

NCDOT has been planning for this project for years. Not only is the bridge nearing the end of its useful life, but the state wants to improve traffic flow around the interchange.

To do that, NCDOT is simplifying the exit ramp from westbound U.S. 70 by eliminating Umstead Lane as a two-way street and allowing drivers direct access to Benson Road. Hilltop Avenue will become a cul-de-sac where it now meets Umstead.

The state bought and demolished five houses to make way for the reconfigured ramp.

The new bridge will be three lanes, like the current one, with two travel lanes and a center turn lane. But unlike the current bridge, it will also have sidewalks on either side.

NCDOT presented two options for overhauling the interchange in 2018: one with traffic lights at each end and one with roundabouts instead of lights.

The roundabouts would have taken up more real estate, including additional houses, and would have closed the intersection of Circle Drive and Benson Road. Based in part on feedback it received in 2018, the department opted to forgo the roundabouts in favor of traffic lights.

At the time, NCDOT hoped to begin construction in 2019. Several factors, including a drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges moving utilities, led to a five-year delay, according to spokeswoman Kim Deaner.

The state awarded the $11.6 million construction contract to Blythe Construction of Charlotte, which made the lowest qualified bid.
Some York County residents still hope to stop the $150 million Silfab Solar panel manufacturing site in Fort Mill amid concerns of child safety and potentially dangerous chemicals. But they have a high bar to clear.

The York County Board of Zoning Appeals meets Thursday night in York. The only item on that agenda is an appeal of a prior decision that allowed the solar panel manufacturer to operate on Logistics Lane.

Online, many people have taken the opportunity to rally against the company.

A private Fort Mill Community group on Facebook has several Silfab posts with about 50 combined comments. Community pages in Regent Park, Rock Hill and Indian Land have posts with dozens more shares and comments. An online petition opposing the plant has almost 1,500 signatures.

A Moms for Liberty page in York County asks people to turn out Thursday, as do numerous individual pages of people concerned with Silfab.

The most commonly shared image is a smokestack with a call to attend Thursdays meeting in opposition to the light industrial zoning designation at the Silfab site. The image claims dangerous chemicals  specified in some posts as toluene, hydrogen flouride and silane  would be stored and emitted beside two new Fort Mill schools under construction.

Silfab referred questions on environmental impact to The Herald to the website it set up to offer details on York County plans, silfabsolarsc.com. The company doesnt create hazardous waste, greenhouse gas or toxic waste emissions, according to the site.

A Fort Mill facility for Silfab Solar stirred environmental concerns from residents near the Logistics Lane site, ahead of a York County zoning board meeting Thursday.

What is Silfab, and how did it get here?

Early last year, The Herald reported York County had a proposed tax incentive agreement with a company set to bring 800 jobs and a $150 million investment. The company hadnt been named publicly but the Herald reported Canadian solar manufacturer Silfab, Inc. was looking to come to 7149 Logistics Lane, based on an application to the state economic development council.

In March 2023, residents near the site formed a line at a council meeting to tell York County Council why they had concerns about Silfab. Traffic topped the list, but company wages and environmental impact near proposed school sites also came up at the time.

The two council members who serve districts closest to or including the project voted against the incentive deal last fall. It eventually passed by a 4-3 vote.

Three properties on Logistics Lane, including the Silfab site, sold in early October for $106 million. Its the largest sale ever listed in online county land records. Two warehouse buildings at more than 70 acres combine for more than 1 million square feet of space.

A $106 million sale sets new high mark for properties in the Rock Hill region

The Stateline 77 building, the larger of the two warehouses, includes the Silfab property.

What does the Silfab appeal mean?

Wally Buchanan, one of many residents who spoke out against the Silfab plan last year, asked the county for several clarifications on its zoning code pertaining to the site. In February, the county responded to Buchanan. In March, he filed an appeal which is the basis of Thursdays meeting.

The appeal seeks to have solar panel manufacturing listed as a heavy industrial use instead of a light industrial one. The property allows for light industrial uses now but not heavy industrial ones. The appeal also argues solar panel manufacturing isnt specifically named among property uses allowed at the site, so it shouldnt be allowed.

County staff contends solar manufacturing falls within computer and electronics manufacturing. That property use is allowed on the site.

For the appeal to be granted, the zoning board would have to take the unusual step of deciding county planners made a mistake in how they lumped solar panel manufacturing in with computers and electronics.

Buchanan also pointed to a section of county code stating there should be no fume, vapor or gas emission that can caused damage to health or animals. The county responded that a property owner is required to meet that standard but it isnt used to stop a company from locating in York County.

While county council and its planning commission can make changes to whats in zoning districts, theres only one decision the Board of Zoning Appeals could make that would prohibit Silfab from operating on its site, according to county staff. The zoning board would have to determine county planners were wrong in considering solar panel manufacturing a part of computer and electronics manufacturing.

If the board were to do so, it could list solar panel manufacturing under another usage or find that it doesnt meet anything defined in the zoning code. That latter option would prohibit solar panel manufacturing in the county.

Environmental concern stirs residents

Silfab is the latest of several area companies to face public concern on how it might impact the environment.

Before 2021, residents across the region complained about odors coming from the New-Indy Catawba paper mill near Rock Hill, before the federal Environmental Health Agency and state health department issued orders to control emissions. But the most similar case may involve a Fort Mill gas station.

A 7-Eleven gas station opened on Fort Mill Parkway in 2020. Parents at the adjacent Dobys Bridge Elementary School protested at town council and planning commission meetings and in the school drop-off line. Some ran for mayor and Fort Mill Town Council seats on platforms that elected officials hadnt done anything to stop the gas station.

Those parents expressed concern that fumes from the gas station would be harmful, as it came up against outside play areas for children.

Now, the Fort Mill School District has two schools  one elementary, one middle  under construction beside the Silfab site. Most of the online posts calling for a big turnout Thursday night note the schools as a prime reason for concern.

Charlotte resident Ragan Schneider said via email Tuesday the issue is of broad interest. The Silfab site is fewer than 2 miles to Carowinds. With a family that visits the area regularly, Schneider said the level of care for health and safety in the area is concerning.

This looks to be such a regressive and short-sighted move motivated by the potential for economic gain, Schneider said.

Silfabs response

The silfabsolarsc.com site includes answers to a handful of questions, including a few related to the environment.

That site likens the Silfab process to computer chip manufacturing, with self-contained clean rooms and air filtration systems for safety.

Our manufacturing process does not result in greenhouse gas emissions or toxic waste emissions, the company stated. Most of the materials used in the manufacturing process are consumed into the cell.

Any excess material is neutralized and treated according to federal and state health guidelines, according to the company.

No hazardous waste is created, and any water discharged from a facility will undergo periodic third-party testing to ensure it meets state and county thresholds for cleanliness, the company stated.
YORK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY)  A retreat for the York County School Board previously scheduled for Friday has been canceled.

It comes after concerns were raised by the boards attorney and outside counsel that the meeting could violate open meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and lead to potential litigation. It also comes amid heavy criticism of the right-wing School Board Member Alliance, which was scheduled to lead training at the retreat.

York County School Board Attorney Melanie Berry said one of the issues was a discrepancy between when the board agreed on a date for the retreat and when the meeting was officially announced to the public.

Berry pointed to subsection E of section  2.2-3707 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act code, which says notice, reasonable under the circumstance, of special, emergency, or continued meetings shall be given contemporaneously with the notice provided to the members of the public body conducting the meeting.

Berry said that because the board retreat was considered a special meeting, based on the FOIA code, that the meeting shouldve been announced back when school board members agreed on the date back in late March.

Previous coverage: Trainwreck: New school board leadership in York County accused of militia ties, could face legal issues

Teachers are fearful: York County teacher accused of harassment by school board member speaks out

When they decide on a date, thats when a notice is supposed to be posted, Berry said.

Additionally, Berry noted that the agenda of the meeting was shared with the public days after it was shared with the board. Berry said Board Chair Lynda Fairman sent out the agenda for the retreat to all board members on Friday, May 3.

However, the school board office closed at 2:30 p.m. that Friday and the agenda wasnt posted online on the districts BoardDocs page until Monday, May 6.

That could also be found as a violation of FOIA law under under subsection G of  2.2-3707, Berry said.

At least one copy of the proposed agenda and all agenda packets and, unless exempt, all materials furnished to members of a public body for a meeting shall be made available for public inspection at the same time such documents are furnished to the members of the public body.

Previous: Alleged militia actions in York County may lead to democratic erosion, expert says

10 On Your Side spoke to Megan Rhyne, the director of Virginia Coalition for Open Government, for her perspective on the matter. She says the timing of the public notice of the retreat didnt appear to be an issue, as it was made at least three work days ahead of time.

Though the timing with posting the agenda could be an issue.

What FOIA says is whenever, you dont even have to have an agenda, but if you have agenda you make it available to the public the same time the members have it.

Previous: York County School Board wont get policy services from right wing group

Board member James Richardson said during Monday nights work session that this is another example of not communicating or being transparent from Fairman.

If you had merely just asked for help, advice or guidance from the superintendent  or the board attorney, you could have avoided much of this, but you refuse to communicate, Richardson said.

Richardson also said he wouldnt attend the retreat as previously planned. He said that attending a retreat run by the School Board Member Alliance goes against the school boards policy BHB.

In addition, I will not be affiliated with a group that makes insensitive comments on social media, and comments in public that could be construed as being racist. They are not proven experts in their field, they work out of a private residence, and even when they presented at our board meeting on policy services they changed their website a night or so before to reflect theyre now a nonpartisan group.

SBMA conveniently even added an exclusionary clause to their policy services so we would not be able to use other policy services but theirs, Richardson said. They certainly shouldve known this the night they presented but didnt disclose that fact. Not very transparent.

Board member Mark Shafer said he thinks having SBMA at a retreat wouldnt help draw anyone together. He said believes the SBMA and Executive Director Sherri Story are also not high quality and should not be teaching us, citing Storys past racially sensitive at best, probably racist at worst comments.

Fairman said: I will say the [SBMA] trainings that Ive attended, people whove gone to other trainings and compared it with SBMA. They said the SBMA trainings were far superior, focused completely on what the law was and what the law required as opposed to other agendas thrown in that were done by other organizations.

Its not covering the law too well, because we keep violating it here, Richardson said in response.

Fairman had no comment on Monday when asked by 10 On Your Side about Richardsons comments and about continuing to have the board align with SBMA.

Meanwhile a new date for the retreat has not been shared at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Apologizes For Saying Black Kids In The Bronx Dont Know What Computer Means

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Apologizes For Saying Black Kids In The Bronx Dont Know What Computer Means | Photo: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul drew criticism for her remark about Black children in the Bronx being unfamiliar with the word computer.

The Associated Press reported that Hochul had made the controversial comment on Monday alongside other business leaders at the Milken Institute Global Conference in California. She discussed how creating economic opportunities in artificial intelligence could help residents in low-income neighborhoods.

Right now, we have young Black kids growing up in the Bronx who dont even know what the word computer is. They dont know, they dont know these things, Hochul said during the conference.

Young black kids growing up in the Bronx who dont even know what the word computer is,  New York Governor Kathy Hochul, saying something that would get a Republican instantly cancelled, but its (D)ifferent. pic.twitter.com/zcntbt8fKg  Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) May 7, 2024

The remark went unquestioned during the interview, prompting the governor to elaborate on her commitment to assisting communities of color with artificial intelligence technologies to combat social inequality.

However, several political colleagues in New York, including Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo (D-Bronx), described Hochuls remark as harmful, deeply misinformed, and genuinely appalling.

Repeating harmful stereotypes about one of our most underserved communities, while failing to acknowledge the states consistent institutional neglect, only perpetuates systems of abuse, she said in a statement obtained by the New York Daily News. I would invite Gov. Hochul to visit us in the Bronx to experience first-hand the intelligence, resilience, and joy that radiate from Bronx children and residents each day.

Hochul then released a statement Monday afternoon walking back the contentious remark and said, I misspoke and I regret it.

Of course Black children in the Bronx know what computers are  the problem is that they too often lack access to the technology needed to get on track to high-paying jobs in emerging industries like AI, Hochul said. Thats why Ive been focused on increasing economic opportunity since Day One of my Administration, and will continue that fight to ensure every New Yorker has a shot at a good-paying job.

On Tuesday, New York Mayor Eric Adams defended Hochul and stated that he knew her true intentions when she made the statement.

When you make thousands of speeches, when youre in front of the cameras all the time, when youre trying to be authentic and say the things that youre really feeling, one can sit back and do a critical analysis of every sentence you say, the mayor said during a Q&A with reporters at City Hall. I know her heart. I know what she was intending to say, and she was not trying to be disrespectful to the people of the Bronx, Adams said, per New York Daily News.
WASHINGTON (KLFY)  A local high school student has been recognized for artistic achievement by the U.S. Congress, according to Congressman Clay Higgins (R-La.).

Higgins announced Wednesday that Cole Ritter, an eleventh grader at Southside High School in Youngsville, is the winner of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition for Louisianas 3rd District.

Coles piece, titled Rocket Lying on The Bed, is a black-and-white charcoal drawing of his dog Rocket lying on his parents bed on a plaid blanket.

South Louisiana is filled with talented young artists, Higgins said. Coles artwork is a beautiful piece showcasing the love of mans best friend. Its an honor to have his brilliant work representing Louisianas 3rd District in the U.S. Capitol.

The U.S. House of Representatives sponsors an annual art competition for high school students. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved in the nationwide competition.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

KLFY Daily Digest

Latest news

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky listens to the national anthem during the Infantry Day celebrations on Constitution Square. -/Ukraine Presidency via Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

On the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has compared his country's current defence against a Russian invasion to Ukrainian efforts to defeat Nazi Germany.

"Eighty years ago, millions of Ukrainians fought to defeat Nazism forever," he said in a video message recorded during his Wednesday visit to the town of Yahidne in the northern Ukrainian region of Chernihiv, the scene of an alleged Russian war crime in 2022.

"But today Ukrainians are once again standing against the evil that has been reborn, has come back and wants to destroy us again."

In March 2022, the Russian occupation in Yahidne locked more than 350 villagers, including 80 children, in the basement of the school for weeks. The case is documented not only by Ukrainians, but also by international media organizations. Zelensky said that 10 people had died in this confinement and a further 17 had been killed.

For him, the events show what Russia is like under its president, Vladimir Putin. "If this is not Nazism, what is it?" Zelensky asked in the emotional video.

The Ukrainian army liberated Yahidne at the end of March 2022, Zelensky said. He saw this as a sign that history could repeat itself, as in the victory over the Nazis: "Everyone who has come to destroy us will eventually flee Ukrainian land."
President Volodymyr Zelensky held "a lengthy and focused" call with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on May 8, Zelensky wrote on X.

Zelensky invited Orban to Ukraine's peace summit, which will be held in Switzerland on June 15-16.

Leaders of several European countries confirmed that they would be attending the event. Some 160 national delegations will be reportedly invited to the talks.

"Hungary's position is important to us in terms of bringing peace closer and of our shared regional security," the president said.

The two also discussed the next steps "to resolve the full range of bilateral issues in a mutually beneficial manner" as well as Ukraine's accession to the European Union, according to Zelensky.

Sign up for our newsletter

Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko

Sign up

"I underscored Ukraine's interest in good-neighborly relations with Hungary, as well as in the development of cooperation in trade, energy, and logistics," he added.

Hungary is the only EU country to have maintained close ties with the Kremlin since the launch of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Budapest has repeatedly opposed sanctions against Moscow and obstructed EU support for Kyiv.

Zelensky and Orban were last seen talking on the sidelines of the inauguration of Argentina's President Javier Milei on Dec. 10, 2023, which Ukraine's president described as a "frank" conversation.

Olha Stefanishyna, the deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, said in January that Ukraine was working to organize an official visit by Orban, the first in 14 years.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto later said that the time for Orban to meet Zelensky had not yet come.

Read also: Hungarian official says positive signs in talks with Ukraine on national minorities

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
KIEV, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Energy facilities across Ukraine came under Russia's massive air strikes early Wednesday, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said.

The attack targeted power generation and transmission facilities in the central Poltava, Kirovograd, and Vinnytsya regions, the western Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, and the southern Zaporizhzhia region, Galushchenko wrote on Facebook.

Equipment at three thermal power plants of Ukraine's largest private energy company DTEK sustained damage during the attack, the company said in a statement.

The air strikes marked the fifth attack on DTEK's energy facilities in less than two months, according to the DTEK's press service.

Russia fired 55 missiles, including 50 cruise missiles and an aeroballistic missile, and 21 drones at Ukraine overnight, said the Ukrainian Air Force, adding that 20 drones and 39 missiles were downed by air defense.

At least two people were wounded in the attack in the Kiev region, while another person was injured in the Kirovograd region, said regional authorities. 
Zelensky says Cape Verde is first African country to agree to join peace summit

Representatives from Cape Verde will join the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland in June, making it the first African country to confirm its participation, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 7.

The event will be centered around Ukraine's 10-point peace formula, a plan first outlined by Zelensky in fall 2022 that calls for a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied Ukrainian lands.

Many Western countries have said they would attend the summit, but it has been more difficult for Ukraine to get countries from the Global South to join the effort.

Zelensky said he spoke with Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva on the phone and "thanked him for his support for the peace formula and his personal principled position on the Russian invasion."

"Africa's voice is important when it comes to global support for a just peace in Ukraine," Zelensky added.

Russia has not been invited to participate in the global peace summit, and Moscow has said it would refuse to attend even if invited.

Ukraine has made considerable diplomatic efforts to get China to join the talks, but U.S. officials have said they do not believe China will agree to the points outlined in the peace formula.

Read also: Spanish, Belgian, Latvian, Finnish leaders confirm participation in peace summit

Sign up for our newsletter

Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko

Sign up

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Zelenskyy has "lengthy and focused" phone call with Hungarian PM

Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, had a phone call with Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary, on 8 May.

Source: Zelenskyy on Twitter (X), cited by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy stated that the conversation with Orban was "lengthy and focused".

Ukraines President invited the Hungarian PM to the Peace Summit that will be held in Switzerland next month.

Quote: "I underscored Ukraines interest in good-neighbourly relations with Hungary, as well as in the development of cooperation in trade, energy, and logistics."

During the conversation the leaders of the two countries also "coordinated next steps to resolve the full range of bilateral issues".

Zelenskyy and Orban also discussed Ukraines EU integration.

Bertalan Havasi, spokesperson for Orban, cited by MTI, revealed that during the conversation "all important elements of Hungarian-Ukrainian relations were discussed. The main topic of the meeting was the issue of war and peace".

He did not specify what exactly was discussed but noted that Orban had told Zelenskyy that Hungary was ready to facilitate all initiatives and efforts that would lead to peace and that the negotiations would continue.

Background:

Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, had a phone conversation with Zelenskyy during which the "military and humanitarian situation in Ukraine" was discussed.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, during a phone conversation with Zelenskyy, confirmed their participation in the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland in June.

Support UP or become our patron!
Zelenskyy calls Putin a Nazi after Russia launches over 50 missiles and 20 drones in nighttime attack

Commenting on Russia's attack on the night of 7-8 May, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that only a Nazi would commit such a crime on the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II. He noted that Russia had fired more than 50 missiles and launched more than 20 Shahed attack drones to attack Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy on Facebook

Quote: "On Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II Day, Nazi Putin launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine.

More than 50 missiles and 20 Shahed drones targeted infrastructure in Lviv, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. All necessary services are already working to mitigate the consequences of Russian terror.

The entire world must understand who is who. The world must not give a chance to new Nazism."

Background:

On the night of 7-8 May, Russian forces attacked power generation and transmission facilities in six Ukrainian oblasts: Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia oblasts.

On the night of 7-8 May, Russian soldiers attacked three thermal power plants belonging to Ukrainian private energy company DTEK, severely damaging equipment.

During a nighttime missile attack, Russian troops damaged a critical infrastructure facility, 13 residential buildings and dozens of garages in Kirovohrad Oblast, leaving a child injured. Poltava Oblast has also been hit.

Support UP or become our patron!
Apple's much-rumoured folding iPhone could arrive sooner than predicted  and that means it could end up going head-to-head with the Samsung Galaxy 8 Fold. But it won't be Apple's first foldable device. A new report says that that device will be a frighteningly expensive folding MacBook, which is currently pencilled in for production in late 2025.

The report didn't use the words "frighteningly expensive" but it did say that the first folding device would be at the very high end of Apple's product range, targeting the "ultra high-end market" with a 20.3-inch display. It's unclear whether this device will be a MacBook or an iPad Pro or a so far unnamed new device, but the production plans are much earlier than previously predicted: multiple reports had said that Apple's foldable wasn't coming until 2027.

The report says that the folding iPhone will be the next folding device from Apple, and it's currently pencilled in for production in late 2026.

Apple folding iPhone, iPad and Mac: what the leaks are saying

This latest story comes from industry analyst Jeff Pu, whose notes to investors are designed to keep them current with new and imminent technology releases. The latest note, which has been seen by MacRumors, says that the first, larger folding device will be comparatively low volume: the folding iPhone is expected to be the big seller here. The larger device won't sell as many units, but it will help set expectations for the iPhone.

Reports currently suggest that Apple is considering two different display sizes for the folding iPhone, 7.9 inches and 8.3 inches. However, it may not commit to both, or may go for different sizes.

Whatever size the folding iPhone is, it's going to be facing some serious competition: by then Samsung should have launched the eighth generation of the Samsung Galaxy Fold. That competition may be why Apple seems to have accelerated its plans to deliver a folding iPhone: the Chinese market, which is a key market for many firms including Apple, is loving foldable phones. In February, research firm IDC said that sales of foldables in China had shown the fourth consecutive year of triple-digit annual growth since the first models were launched there.
Fingers Crossed

Boeing is set to launch two astronauts to the International Space Station on board its Starliner space capsule later tonight  and the stakes couldn't be higher.

The aerospace giant has been reeling from a number of disasters plaguing its avionics department, and the development of its much-maligned spacecraft hasn't been spared, either.

The Starliner project has faced years of delays, technical hiccups, failed launches, and a budget overrun of $1.5 billion as of last year.

Despite the very real risks involved, the two crew members set to take the capsule for its crewed maiden voyage late on Monday are optimistic about the launch.

"I'm not going to say that ride is going to be super calm," NASA astronaut Suni Williams told Fox Weather last week, "but we'll be OK."

Positive Vibes

The team behind Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has been through a lot together.

"No matter what is going on around us, no matter how difficult the situation, the people on this team just keep their heads down doing the things that, in the moment, can feel impossible," Starliner flight software senior manager Aaron Kraftcheck told reporters month.

"The whole company has rallied around us," he added. "I get emotional talking about it."

The development of Starliner has been hindered by software bugs, the discovery of flammable tape lining the craft's interior, and safety issues with its parachute and wiring. Its maiden voyage ended with the craft failing to reach the ISS in late 2019.

Boeing has also been consistently making headlines over the past four months, with some glaring safety issues plaguing its passenger jet fleet, including a "plug door" that blew out of a 737 Max 9 in January, amid other planes losing parts midflight and its CEO departing under a dark cloud.

Greatly compounding the company's woes have been the sudden deaths of not just one but two whistleblowers who had been ringing the alarm bells over safety flaws for years.

In short, the stakes for Boeing are incredibly high for tonight's launch.

Meanwhile, SpaceX's Crew Dragon, which was developed under the same NASA Commercial Crew contract, has been running laps around Boeing, with the Elon Musk-led company launching a total of ten successful missions to the ISS over the last five years.

More on Starliner: Astronaut Recalls Spacecrafts Flying Through Deadly "Black Zones"
icon

Semafor Signals

Supported by

Microsoft logo

Insights from Nature, the Financial Times, Bloomberg, and The New York Times

Arrow Down

Title icon

The News

US-imposed curbs on advanced technology exports to China have held back its domestic artificial intelligence industry, experts said.

High-end chips like US chipmaker Nvidias new Blackwell models are crucial to advancing AI  but without ready access to them, Chinese firms are struggling to keep up with their western competitors.

Chinas telecom giant Huawei has caught up with some developments despite US controls, and has developed high-powered chips of its own. But the race could get harder to run: On Tuesday, Saudi Arabias investment fund for AI and semiconductor technology said it would pull out of China if the US asked, while Washington announced it would revoke certain licenses to export tech to Huawei.

The US is also debating curbs on the software that powers AI, alongside hardware export controls, Reuters reported.

icon

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Chinas isolation could drag it down in the race for next-gen AI

Source icon

Source: Nature

Its possible China wont catch up to US firms because of the barriers on importing foreign-made, high-powered chips from abroad, researchers told Nature. China is lagging between five and 10 years behind the US, they said. The chips are the foundation of any technology with a computer, from cars to smartphones to satellites. And companies are racing to produce increasingly powerful semiconductor chips to run increasingly large AI models. The most successful chipmaker of the AI boom so far, Nvidia, is US-based, so the States have had a leg up. We cannot get high-end Nvidia chips in China and we cannot fabricate high-end chips, said Yu Wang, an engineer at Tsinghua University. Taiwanese company TSMC, which produces chips for Nvidia, cant replicate them for Chinese firms, Wang added.

US revokes export licenses to Chinas Huawei

Source icon

Sources: Financial Times, Bloomberg, Reuters

Regulators in the US have struggled to contain tech exports to Huawei, a Chinese company that is blacklisted in the US over security concerns, but companies Intel and Qualcomm still did some business there. In the latest move, Washington revoked some export licenses to Huawei, which could curb the flow of chips into China to use in laptops and phones, the Financial Times reported. The decision shows Washington is serious about Chinas security threat, one analyst said. This is a clear indicator that the US wont back down on the restrictions, Meghan Harris, an expert in export control with Beacon Global Strategies, said. We should anticipate any subsequent administration to continue on course.

China, US could take the diplomatic route

Source icon

Source: The New York Times

Diplomats from Beijing and Washington will meet in Geneva later this month to discuss how AI should be used and when it should be banned. The talks could touch on whether AI should be used to control nuclear arsenals  a surprise, given Chinas general reticence regarding the size of its nuclear program. The talks are part of the Biden administrations cyber security strategy, The New York Times reported. Tech has increasingly become the entire game for foreign policy, Nathaniel C. Fick, the State Departments ambassador for cyberspace and digital policy, told the Times. The international order will be defined by whose metaphorical operating system dominates, he said.

Semafor Logo
They are cheaper to run. They can be simpler to manufacture. And of course, they are far better for the environment, playing a crucial role in hitting our targets to cut carbon emissions.

Rewind only a couple of years, and electric cars were the future. Yet this week, it has emerged that Ford will have to dramatically limit the supply of petrol cars to avoid paying huge fines for not selling enough of them. The fear must now be that the electric car carnage has only just begun  with Net Zero turning into a sledgehammer for the deindustrialisation of the West, and China the only clear winner.

As with so much of the legislation passed during the last five years, setting a quota for the percentage of EVs companies had to sell probably seemed like a good idea at the time. Manufacturers now have to ensure that 22pc of the cars they shift off the forecourt are battery powered, rising steadily to 80pc by the end of this decade, and 100pc by 2035. If they dont hit their quota, the senior executives will get ten years hard labour in Siberia (well, actually it is a fine of up to 15,000 per vehicle, but it nonetheless feels extremely draconian). Like Soviet planners in the 1950s, the architects of this legislation presumably assumed that all you had to do was set a target and everything would fall into place.

The trouble is, quotas dont work any better in Britain than they did in communist Russia. EVs have some serious problems: the range is not good enough, we have not built enough charging points to power them, the repair bills are expensive, the insurance ruinous, and second hand prices are plummeting. Once all raw materials and transport costs are factored in, they may not be much better for the environment.

Yet the masterminds foisting this legislation on businesses dont appear to have given much thought to what will happen if the quota isnt met. Now Ford, one of the biggest auto giants in the world, and still a major manufacturer in Europe, has provided an answer. We cant push EVs into the market against demand, said Martin Sander, the General Manager of Ford Model eEurope, at a conference this week. Were not going to pay penalties... The only alternative is to take our shipments of [engine] vehicles to the UK down and sell these vehicles somewhere else.

In effect, Ford will limit its sales of cars in the UK. If you had your eye on a new model, forget it. You will have to put your name on a waiting list, just as East Germans had to wait years for a Trabant. Heck, we may even see a black market in off-the-books Transit vans. Ford is the first to spell it out in public, but we can be confident all the other manufacturers are thinking the same thing. They cant absorb huge fines. The only alternative is to limit the sales of petrol cars.

It gets worse. At exactly the same time as Western companies are restricting their output, Chinese EV manufacturers are beginning to dump their wares on the West at artificially low prices, largely thanks to generous support from Beijing. Britain and the rest of Europe are now facing a terrible choice. Either we accept these massive imports  and all the embedded emissions associated with shipping them across the world  and watch as our domestic automotive industry collapses. Or we impose huge tariffs on Chinese imports, and watch the cost of driving rise.

It is not just cars. Energy costs have spiralled because we refuse to develop oil and gas, are too nervous of fracking  even though it has been a huge success in the US (mostly under those, er, far right Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden)  and we rely too heavily on intermittent wind and solar power. Some chemicals and heavy industry firms are abandoning Europe because they cant afford their power bills any more. We have supply chain rules that are slowly crushing the life out of retail and fashion chains. And we have loaded companies with so many climate targets they are virtually unable to invest any more. Step by step, Europe is deindustrialising itself, handing leadership to China, and making itself poorer in the process.

It is madness. Our approach to Net Zero is turning into the greatest act of economic self harm in generations. It does not need to be this way. Yes, carbon emissions need to be steadily reduced. But that does not mean the laws of supply and demand have been suspended, or that we can simply mandate what products customers want to buy, or ignore whether our industries can remain competitive on the global market. Nor does it make any sense to reduce our emissions ahead of the rest of the world.

Instead, we need to rip up our current climate plan, and start again, and this time make sure we protect living standards and our major companies. In the meantime, get your name down for a new Ford as soon as you can. What used to be an accessible, everyday car will soon be in short supply  and the wait could be a long one.

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 Dark Energy Camera (DECam) has captured an ominous and ghostly hand reaching from the Milky Way from a distant edge-on spiral galaxy. But don't panic; despite its nickname, "God's Hand," there is nothing supernatural about this structure  yet that doesn't make it any less awe-inspiring.

God's Hand is actually a cometary globule officially known as CG 4. It is located around 1,300 light-years from Earth within our Milky Way galaxy and seen in the constellation Puppis. Cometary globules are a hard-to-detect subclass of so-called Bok globules, which are isolated and dense clouds of gas and dust surrounded by hot, ionized material.

Despite their name, cometary globules have nothing to do with comets. The moniker actually comes from the fact that these nebulas have had material dragged away from them, creating a long tail that resembles the characteristic tail of a comet.

Related: Dark Energy Camera captures record-breaking image of a dead star's scattered remains

a pink and red cloud of dust in deep space

Cometary globules remain somewhat mysterious because the cause of their structure hasn't yet been definitively determined. Scientists hypothesize that the structure of cometary globules could be created by stellar winds that flow from the hot, massive stars surrounding them, or from the supernovas that occur when these stars die.

Reach for the skies!

CG 4's distinctive tail, which helps define it as a cometary nebula, is an 8 light-year-long faint tendril of gas and dust with a 1.5 light-year-wide tip. This feature is stunningly apparent in the images from the DECam, an instrument located on the Victor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, which is located at an altitude of 7,200 feet (2,200 meters) above Chile. Images like this one may finally help crack the mystery of cometary globule and Bok nebula creation.

Bok clusters weren't discovered by astronomers until the mid-1970s, evading detection for so long because of how faint they are and the fact that their tails are shrouded by stellar dust that prevents light from passing through it.

To see through this dust, the DECam is outfitted with a Hydrogen-alpha filter that allows it to image ionized hydrogen. In the image of the God's hand globule, this matter is seen as a red glow within CG 4, its "claw," and outlining its edge. Ionized hydrogen and its glow is created when this element is bombarded by intense radiation from nearby mass stars, stripping away electrons or "ionizing" the gas.

a close up image of a red-and-green cloud of dust in space

The lobster-claw-like head of CG 4 appears in the image to be reaching out for the spiral galaxy ESO 257-19 (PGC 21338), which is seen edge-on from our perspective on Earth. Though the galaxy may appear about to be gripped by God's Hand or a cosmic lobster claw, it is safe from harm, located around 100 million light-years from CG 4.

Even if ESO 257-19 were closer to CG 4 (and not an entire galaxy and thus vastly bigger than CG 4), it would be safe from the grasp of this celestial God's Hand, because the same radiation that is ionizing the 'Hand's' hydrogen is also disintegrating its structure. Despite this, there is still enough gas and dust within CG 4 to form several new sun-sized stars.

Bok nebula are found throughout our galaxy, but the majority of them, like CG 4 and 30 others, are located within the Gum Nebula, also known as "Gum 12." This is a huge cloud of gas around 1,400 light-years away that is spread across the constellations Puppis and Vela. Gum 12 is thought to be the expanding remnants of a massive star that died in a supernova explosion around a million years ago.

a wispy white cloud of gas in dust seen in deep space

Related Stories:

 Pulsar surprises astronomers with record-breaking gamma-rays

 3.3 billion Milky Way objects revealed by colossal astronomical survey

 Dark Energy Camera peels back layers of 'galactic onion' stretched across space

Scientists suggest two mechanisms that could create a cometary globule such as CG 4. One of these occurs when stellar winds and radiation from massive stars 'sculpt' gas and dust into a comet-like shape; the other is that they could be spherical nebulas that may have been disrupted by a nearby supernova explosion.

The tails of the cometary globules within Gum 12 appear to be pointing away from the Vela supernova and the rapidly spinning neutron star pulsar at the heart of this nebula. The star that collapsed to create this pulsar must have been massive, and thus, it could have been its stellar winds before its death that sculpted the cometary nebula of Gum 12.
BELGRADE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Serbia supports the efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind, said a joint statement between China and Serbia issued here on Wednesday.

The Serbian side is willing to work with China to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, according to the joint statement on the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era. 
By David Shepardson and Stephen Nellis

(Reuters) -Intel said on Wednesday its sales would take a hit after the U.S. revoked some of the chipmaker's export licenses for a customer in China, in a move Beijing complained was going too far in the name of national security.

Intel did not disclose the name of the Chinese customer that had licenses canceled in its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but Reuters had reported on Tuesday the U.S. has revoked licenses that allowed companies, including Intel and Qualcomm, to ship chips used for laptops and handsets to sanctioned Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies.

The release of Huawei's first AI-enabled laptop in April, the MateBook X Pro powered by Intel's new Core Ultra 9 processor, drew fire from Republican lawmakers, who said it suggests that the Commerce Department had given the green light to Intel to sell the chip to Huawei.

Intel's shares were down 2.9% at $29.80 on Wednesday afternoon after the company said it expects revenue for the second quarter to remain in the range of $12.5 billion to $13.5 billion, but below the midpoint. Intel shares have lost nearly 38% so far this year.

Qualcomm also said on Wednesday that one of its export licenses for Huawei had been revoked; its shares were flat.

"Huawei is a threat," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Reuters after a congressional hearing on Wednesday, adding that the move was not a change in policy.

"Maybe we have an increased focus on AI. And so when we learn more about AI capabilities, that's when we have to take action," she said. "So if a chip that we previously licensed for example, now we discover had AI capabilities, we're going to revoke the license."

The Chinese foreign ministry, which has criticized every effort by the U.S. to crack down on tech exports to China, said in a statement it opposed the move and that the U.S. was "over-stretching the concept of national security and abusing export controls to suppress Chinese companies without justification."

The United States placed Huawei on a trade restriction list in 2019 amid fears it could spy on Americans, part of a broader effort to handicap China's ability to bolster its military. Joining the list means the company's suppliers have to seek a special, difficult-to-obtain license before shipping.

The new restrictions on Huawei are President Joe Biden's latest effort to deny China access to the United States' most sensitive and sophisticated crown jewel technology in a bid to thwart Beijing.

Biden has used export bans, diplomacy with like-minded democracies and other means to stifle Chinas swift technological advances in areas from quantum computing to robotics, and even explained the strategy to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a new normal in an era of competition between two nations with different political systems.

(Reporting by Aditya Soni in Bengaluru, Stephen Nellis in San Francisco and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Writing by Chris Sanders; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Nick Zieminski and Matthew Lewis)
Motorola is apparently ready with a foldable phone refresh for 2024, but it may not be much of a literal refresh if youre concerned about aesthetics. Website 91Mobiles has leaked what the outlet claims to be live images of the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra following its appearance in a regulatory database.

Motorola seems to be carrying over the Motorola Razr 40 Ultras fundamental design for yet another generation, but thats not necessarily bad news. Available in the U.S. under the Motorola Razr Plus branding, this phone was hailed for its unmatched cover screen, stunning hardware, and powerful specs in Digital Trends review.

The cover display seems to be the same 3.6-inch panel with an HD-ish resolution, and if Motorola doesnt make a regressive move, were looking at a 144Hz refresh rate on the Razr 50 Ultra as well. There are a couple of rear cameras positioned alongside the right corner and a centrally aligned selfie camera.

According to the latest leak, the phone will be available in a 12GB RAM + 512GB storage configuration, but we expect more options to be available, too. Not much is known about the rest of the innards, but if the Razr 40 Ultra is any indication, we can expect the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 to power this phone.

Despite not being the flagship or latest top-tier silicon from Qualcomm, the two aforementioned processors are still beefy enough to handle the expectations of power users. And if Motorola keeps the $999 entry point intact again, we are looking at one of the best foldable bargains of the year with the Razr 50 Ultra in 2024.

Digital Trends editors hailed its predecessor as the best flip-style foldable phone theyve used, which is a sign that Motorola did a commendable at making a reliably good foldable phone. Given the near-identical hardware profile that appears in the leaked images, we can expect an iterative experience that would likely live up to expectations.

The latest leak also mentions that the Razr 50 Ultra  which might arrive in the U.S. as the Razr Plus (2024)  could come in blue, orange, and green colors. The first two have already appeared on Motorola phones, but it would be interesting to see if the green hue would help win some new converts.
FILE PHOTO: Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of Binance, face prosecution for tax evasion and money laundering at the federal high court in Abuja

By MacDonald Dzirutwe

LAGOS (Reuters) - The CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Binance on Tuesday accused Nigeria of setting a dangerous precedent after its executives were invited to the African country and then detained as part of a crackdown on crypto.

Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange and two of its executives face separate trials on tax evasion and money laundering, which the company is challenging.

CEO Richard Teng said in a statement it was time to speak out against the detention of Tigran Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and Binance head of financial crime compliance.

The other executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan who is a regional manager for Africa, fled Nigeria in March.

Teng said Binance executives first held meetings with Nigerian authorities in the country in January.

At a follow-up meeting on Feb. 26, the authorities said the issues involving Binance were of national security and demanded that the exchange delist the naira currency from its platform and provide "granular-level" details on all Nigerian users, he said.

Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were subsequently detained.

"To invite a company's mid-level employees for collaborative policy meetings, only to detain them, has set a dangerous new precedent for all companies worldwide," Teng said, in his strongest comments yet since the case started in February.

Gambaryan was being held in Nigeria for more than two months "for spurious reasons," Teng said.

Binance announced in early March it was stopping all transactions and trading in naira.

"Our hope when we took this drastic step was that our colleagues would be released and Binance could continue to work with the Nigerian government to resolve any further concerns. Unfortunately, that didn't happen," said Ten.

He said Gambaryan should be allowed to go home while Binance and Nigerian authorities resolve any issues.

"We will continue engagement with Nigeria's Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on resolving potential historic tax liabilities," he said.

(Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Launch recap: Scroll down to review live coverage of the Wednesday, May 8, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on the Starlink 6-56 mission.

Gear up for an afternoon SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch today from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team live coverage of the 2:42 p.m. EDT SpaceX Starlink 6-56 mission from pad 39A. The original launch target was 11 a.m.  but the company has announced a trio of delays, pushing liftoff to the end of today's window.

The Falcon 9 will deploy a batch of Starlink internet satellites, which are packed inside the fairing atop the 230-foot rocket.

Expect 90% odds of favorable weather, per the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron, with a slight concern of sea breeze-fueled cumulus clouds and a moderate risk of detrimental solar activity.

No Central Florida sonic booms are expected with this mission. After ascending skyward along a southeasterly trajectory, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out at sea nearly 8 minutes after liftoff.

Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida

Countdown Timer

Watch Falcon 9 launch 23 @Starlink satellites to orbit https://t.co/qxTwCA5an3  SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 8, 2024

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands

Update 2:50 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean, wrapping up its third mission.

"Blue seas and blue skies for Falcon 9 landing," SpaceX officials said in a tweet.

Blue seas and blue skies for Falcon 9 landing pic.twitter.com/FoXeDd12kj  SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 8, 2024

Liftoff!

Update 2:42 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from pad 39A at KSC.

Falcon 9 liftoff to send @Starlink satellites to orbit pic.twitter.com/4VpvmDpzVb  SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 8, 2024

SpaceX launch webcast begins

Update 2:37 p.m.: SpaceX's launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted above, right below the countdown clock.

Liftoff is scheduled in five minutes from KSC.

SpaceX Falcon 9 launch in 10 minutes

Update 2:32 p.m.: Ten minutes before SpaceX's scheduled 2:42 p.m. Falcon 9 launch, the countdown appears to be proceeding as planned. Rocket fueling remains well underway at KSC.

Following is a list of important remaining countdown milestones. T-minus:

7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch.

1 minute: Command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins.

45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies go for launch.

3 seconds: Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start.

0 seconds: Falcon 9 liftoff.

SpaceX booster to land on drone ship

Update 2:27 p.m.: Tonight's mission marks only the third flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported  a paltry sum in this day and age.

The booster previously launched Crew-8 in March and a Starlink mission. Following stage separation, crews expect the booster to land on the SpaceX drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 18 seconds after liftoff.

SpaceX: Rocket and weather 'go for launch'

Update 2:17 p.m.: "Vehicle and Florida weather are currently go for launch," SpaceX officials announced in a tweet.

Falcon 9 propellant load has started for our first planned @Starlink launch of today. Vehicle and Florida weather are currently go for launch  https://t.co/1YebnCFUS3  SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 8, 2024

SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling now underway

Update 2:07 p.m.: SpaceX just announced that Falcon 9 fueling is underway at pad 39A.

That means this afternoon's Starlink countdown is now locked in to lift off at 2:42 p.m. without further delays, or else the launch must be postponed.

ULA rolling Atlas V off pad nearby

Update 1:56 p.m.: FLORIDA TODAY Photographer/Videographer Craig Bailey snapped this photo of United Launch Alliance crews rolling the Atlas V rocket and Boeing Starliner capsule off the pad at nearby Launch Complex 41.

ULA plans to replace a troublesome liquid-oxygen self-regulating solenoid relief valve, and the new Starliner launch target is no earlier than 6:16 p.m. May 17.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and Starliner capsule are rolled back to the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station FL Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The rocket is being rolled back to replace a malfunctioning pressure regulation valve on a liquid oxygen tank. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

SpaceX pre-launch heat index soars to 96

Update 1:30 p.m.: The mercury has reached 90 degrees  with a balmy heat index of 96  at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the National Weather Service reported.

The temperature has exceeded the NWS afternoon forecast high by four degrees. Other meteorological observations: partly cloudy skies; a 9 mph south wind; and 10-mile visibility.

Brevard County announced a burn ban at 12:18 p.m., prohibiting bonfires, campfires and open burning amid ongoing dry weather conditions that boost wildfire risks.

Due to ongoing drought conditions, favorable to the eruption of wildfires, Brevard County has implemented a ban on open burning, such as bonfires, campfires, trash burning and other incineration, throughout the county effective 5/8/24.



Press release: https://t.co/hq7rqwXzZL pic.twitter.com/Q4Wfd2BPgx  BCFRpio (@BCFRpio) May 8, 2024

SpaceX prepping for 2nd launch in 2 days at Cape

Update 1 p.m.: SpaceX's last launch from Florida's Space Coast occurred less than 48 hours ago.

That's when the Starlink 6-57 mission lifted off at 2:14 p.m. Monday from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Like today's Falcon 9 is programmed to do, that rocket propelled 23 broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit on a southeasterly trajectory.

SpaceX to launch 2nd rocket later today

Update 12:30 p.m.: Tonight, SpaceX crews are scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

That 10:48 p.m. EDT mission will lift 20 Starlink satellites  including 13 with direct-to-cell communication capabilities  into low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, making company history. It marked the first time the same booster flew three separate missions.

SpaceX delays launch for a third time

Update 11:56 a.m.: SpaceX has announced a third delay, pushing today's liftoff attempt back to the tail end of the 2:42 p.m. launch window.

If needed, more launch opportunities are available Thursday starting at 10:16 a.m.

Launch to occur amid summertime weather

Update 11:45 a.m.: The National Weather Service forecasts sunny skies, a high near 86, and southeast wind of 10 to 15 mph this afternoon at adjacent Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Gusts may reach as high as 20 mph.

Today through Friday will bring the warmest weather much of East-Central Florida has experienced this year  with record high temperatures in the forecast, a NWS tweet said.

05/08 | Today through Friday will be the warmest much of east central Florida has been to date with the low to upper 90s and record high temperatures forecast. Here's a look at the maximum temperatures to date across east central Florida and the record highs for each day. #FLwx pic.twitter.com/AcjkN74SYA  NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) May 8, 2024

SpaceX announces another launch delay

Update 11:18 a.m.: Another delay: SpaceX is now targeting 2:10 p.m. for today's launch.

SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard

Update 11 a.m.: Despite today's delayed liftoff target, Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceXs upcoming Falcon 9 launch.

5/8/24 9:49 AM | We have activated our launch operations support team in preparation for the SpaceX Falcon9 launch. Window: 10:42 AM - 2:42 PM pic.twitter.com/u7JuruHHHd  Brevard EOC (@BrevardEOC) May 8, 2024

Launch to occur just north of Starliner pad

Update 10:35 a.m.: Today's SpaceX Starlink mission at KSC's pad 39A will lift off within easy eyeshot of nearby Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

That's where a United Launch Alliance Atlas V will launch NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station during the inaugural crewed mission of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

After a Monday scrub, that historic Starliner launch will now occur no earlier than 6:16 p.m. May 17.

SpaceX delays launch to 1:34 p.m.

Update 10:05 a.m.: We've got a 2-hour launch delay. SpaceX just announced the new target liftoff time is 1:34 p.m.

The company has not publicly cited a reason for the delay.

SpaceX launch countdown timeline

Update 9:50 a.m.: Following is a list of SpaceXs upcoming countdown key events. T-minus:

38 minutes: SpaceX launch director verifies go for propellant load.

35 minutes: Rocket-grade kerosene and first-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.

16 minutes: Second-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.

7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch.

1 minute: Command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins.

45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies go for launch.

3 seconds: Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start.

0 seconds: Liftoff.

Space Force: 90% 'go for launch' weather

Update 9:29 a.m.: Additional details from the 45th Weather Squadron's SpaceX Starlink 6-56 forecast:

"The high-pressure ridge axis is now positioned across central Florida and will remain in place for the next few days," the forecast said.

"Moisture extent is limited to the very lowest levels of the atmosphere, so there will be only a slight chance of Cumulus Cloud Rule violation at sea breeze onset during the midday hours," the forecast said.

For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX Falcon 9 launch recap: Starlink mission Wednesday from Florida
Space Suit Riot

SpaceX has shown off a futuristic-looking new extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuit designed to allow space tourists to venture outside of the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft in orbit  and it's decked out in the latest cutting-edge tech.

The suit will make its first appearance during this summer's Polaris Dawn mission, which will see a crew of four space tourists stepping out of the capsule to go for a spacewalk.

The suit is astonishingly slim compared to the bulky suits we've become accustomed to that allow astronauts to venture outside spacecraft like the International Space Station.

The EVA suit's helmet is made of 3D-printed parts and a visor.

It also features a new Heads-Up Display (HUD) and camera that allow astronauts to keep track of the suit's pressure, temperature, and relative humidity without having to glance down at their wrists or take their gaze away from the Earth below. It can also show a mission clock to gauge the duration of various EVA tasks.

In short, the suit's features inject some much-needed 21st-century tech into an area of space exploration that hasn't changed much since the Apollo days over half a century ago.

HUD Mouth

There's a lot we still don't know about the suit or how the HUD functions. The EVA suit does look strikingly like the company's Intravehicular Activity (IVA) suit, which astronauts have been donning since the first crewed launch of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft four years ago.

"Aesthetically, it may look similar to the IVA, but what they did under the hood is extraordinary," Polaris Dawn commander Jared Isaacman said during a discussion on X-formerly-Twitter, as quoted by Space.com.

A video (embedded above) of the new suit shows a surprisingly high degree of mobility at the shoulders. Spiral zippers allow it to be put on and taken off relatively easily. The boots were also constructed from materials borrowed from SpaceX's Falcon rocket interstage.

However, instead of having life support built-in, space tourists will rely on an umbilical for life support, which could explain the suit's slimmed-down design.

SpaceX has already made considerable changes to the tech that allows us to venture out into space. Case in point, the cabin of its Crew Dragon, which is built around two large touchscreens, looks unrecognizable compared to the interior of Russia's cramped Soyuz capsule.

Its EVA suits are no different, pushing the boundaries of what space exploration could  and arguably should  look like in the year 2024.

More on Polaris Dawn: Billionaire Says He's Buying SpaceX Launches for "Private Space Program"
SpaceX rocket launches on Starlink mission after hours of delay Wednesday at Cape Canaveral

Liftoff took three hours and 42 minutes longer than anticipated. But a thrice-delayed SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket finally launched from pad 39A during a balmy Wednesday afternoon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX had originally scheduled the Starlink 6-56 mission launch for 11 a.m. EDT, but three postponements pushed the Falcon 9's fiery liftoff back to 2:42 p.m. The rocket carried 23 Starlink satellites up into low-Earth orbit.

"Blue seas and blue skies for Falcon 9 landing," SpaceX officials said in a tweet after the rocket's first-stage booster returned to Earth and touched down atop the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean.

Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida

The booster had previously launched Crew-8 in March and a Starlink mission, SpaceX reported. So Wednesday's flight marked its third mission.

During the multi-hour-delay waiting period, the mercury reached 90 degrees  with the heat index soaring to 96  at adjacent Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the National Weather Service reported.

The May 8 SpaceX Falcon 9 launches from pad 39A, as seen from the beach across from Patrick Space Force Base.

On that note, Brevard County announced a burn ban shortly after noon, prohibiting bonfires, campfires and open burning amid ongoing dry weather conditions that boost wildfire risks.

Southeast of pad 39A, United Launch Alliance crews rolled the Boeing Starliner capsule and its Atlas V rocket back to the company's Vertical Integration Facility at nearby Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

ULA plans to replace a troublesome liquid-oxygen self-regulating solenoid relief valve on the rocket's Centaur upper stage in the wake of Monday's scrub. Now, the new Starliner launch target is no earlier than 6:16 p.m. May 17. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore will ascend to the International Space Station during the maiden crewed mission of the Starliner spacecraft.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and Boeing's Starliner capsule roll back to ULA's Vertical Integration Facility on Wednesday at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX is targeting its next Starlink launch from the Cape on Mother's Day, a National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency navigational warning shows.

Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Launch window: 8:11 p.m. Sunday to 12:42 a.m. Monday

Location: Launch Complex 40.

Trajectory: Southeast.

Local sonic boom: No.

Booster landing: Drone ship out on the Atlantic Ocean.

Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Delayed SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket finally launches Wednesday from Florida
Starliner launch delayed to at least May 17 to replace suspect valve in Atlas 5 rocket

After analyzing data following a launch scrub Monday, United Launch Alliance managers decided to haul the Atlas 5 rocket carrying Boeing's Starliner astronaut ferry ship back to its processing facility to replace a suspect valve, delaying another launch try to at least May 17, NASA said in a blog post Tuesday.

The new "no-earlier-than" launch target from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station  6:16 p.m. EDT a week from Friday  will give engineers more time to carry out the valve repair while setting up a rendezvous with the International Space Station that fits into the U.S. Eastern Range launch schedule, which coordinates all rocket flights from the East Coast.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket carrying Boeing's Starliner crew capsule stands poised atop pad 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. After a launch scrub Monday, the rocket will be hauled back to a processing facility where engineers can replace a suspect oxygen pressure relief valve in Centaur upper stage. The next launch attempt is targeted for no earlier than May 17. / Credit: United Launch Alliance

The Starliner, Boeing's long-delayed answer to SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, was grounded Monday just two hours before its planned launch on its first piloted test flight to the space station. On board were NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams.

The culprit: a pressure relief valve in the rocket's Centaur upper stage liquid oxygen plumbing that failed to seat properly during the final stages of propellant loading. The valve repeatedly "chattered" as it attempted to seal, rapidly opening and closing so fast engineers at the launch pad reported an audible hum.

ULA engineers could have carried out a procedure to force the valve in place and likely would have done so for a normal satellite launch. But conservative flight rules in place for the Starliner flight ruled out any changes to the "fueled state" of the rocket while the astronauts were on board. As a result, the launch was scrubbed.

The valve in question was designed to "self regulate," opening and closing as needed to bleed off gaseous oxygen buildups in the Centaur's liquid oxygen tank. It was certified for 200,000 open-close cycles.

"The oscillating behavior of the valve during prelaunch operations ultimately resulted in mission teams calling a launch scrub on May 6," NASA said in a blog post. "After the ground and flight crew safely egressed from Space Launch Complex-41, the ULA team successfully commanded the valve closed and the oscillations were temporarily dampened.

"The oscillations then re-occurred twice during fuel removal operations. After evaluating the valve history, data signatures from the launch attempt and assessing the risks relative to continued use, the ULA team determined the valve exceeded its qualification and mission managers agreed to remove and replace the valve."

The ULA team plans to haul the Atlas 5 and its mobile launch platform back to the nearby Vertical Integration Facility on Wednesday. After the valve is replaced and tested, the rocket will be moved back to the pad for normal pre-launch preparations.

In the wake of the space shuttle's retirement, NASA funded development of two independently designed, built and operated crew transport craft, awarding a $4.2 billion contract to Boeing for its Starliner and a $2.6 billion contract to SpaceX for the company's Crew Dragon ferry ship.

The Starliner is years behind schedule after a series of technical problems that have cost Boeing more than $1 billion to correct. In the meantime, SpaceX's Crew Dragon has carried 50 astronauts, cosmonauts and civilians into orbit in 13 flights, 12 of them to the space station.

While Boeing has been under intense scrutiny in recent months because of problems with its 737 airliners, the Starliner program, while behind schedule, is a separate operation. The launch delay was not the result of any problem with Boeing hardware.

Trump held in contempt again, threatened with jail time over gag order violation

Tornado rips through Oklahoma town amid outbreak across 7 states

Baton Rouge police officer delivers baby on side of road
By Zeba Siddiqui

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - U.S. officials confronted the Chinese government in Beijing last month about a sweeping cyber espionage campaign through which Chinese hackers have broken in to dozens of American critical infrastructure organizations, a senior U.S. cyber official said.

Under the campaign named Volt Typhoon, American officials say China aims to leverage the access it has gained into U.S. organizations in the event of a war or conflict - a nod to escalating U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan. The Chinese have previously dismissed such allegations as groundless.

"We have had direct conversations with the Chinese about it," Nathaniel Fick, U.S. ambassador at large for cyberspace and digital policy, told Reuters in an interview at the RSA Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday.

"We raised it directly with the Chinese government at very senior levels, and made clear that this kind of behavior is dangerous, escalatory, and it's not acceptable," Fick said. He said he spoke to the Chinese officials with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in China from April 24 to 26.

Asked how the Chinese responded, Fick said: "Same way they have to previous attributions ... They have said before that it's a ploy by various U.S. agencies to get more budget dollars."

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

The U.S. and several of its allies sounded the alarm on the campaign a year ago, warning that the Chinese could launch cyberattacks against oil and gas pipelines, rail systems and other critical industries.

It is unclear how many U.S. organizations have been compromised by the hackers, but "any number we give you is likely an underestimate," said Brandon Wales, the executive director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, during a separate media briefing at the same conference.

"Chinese targeting of our critical infrastructure is broad-based," he added.

"It is against a broad swath of small and medium-sized companies that are potentially critical in individual supply chains, or just capable of causing societal panic in some place around the country."

(Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui in San Francisco; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
By Jeffrey Dastin

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is piloting artificial intelligence to train officers who review applicants for refugee status in the United States, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters on Tuesday.

The work addresses what Mayorkas said is labor-intensive instruction that typically involves senior personnel. In this pilot, he said, DHS is training machines to act like refugees so officers can practice interviewing them.

"Refugee applicants, given the trauma that they have endured, are reticent to be forthcoming in describing that trauma," he said. "So we're teaching the machine to be reticent as well" and to adopt other "characteristics" of applicants.

The remarks, made on the sidelines of the security-focused RSA Conference in San Francisco, elaborate on AI initiatives that DHS announced earlier this year. The department has said it planned to develop an interactive app to supplement its training of immigration officers, drawing on so-called generative AI that creates novel content based on past data.

Specifically, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, an agency within DHS, would build an AI program that tailored training materials to officers' needs and prepare them to make more accurate decisions, the department said.

AI will not make immigration decisions themselves, DHS told Reuters. The AI will know country-specific conditions and other information to help officers, Mayorkas said.

The pilot adds to the many tests in industry and government seeking to reduce costs and improve performance through AI, particularly after ChatGPT's viral launch in 2022. Such experimentation has not been without problems, including issues with translation, incorrect timeframes and pronouns.

Among more "advanced" deployments of AI, Mayorkas said the department has worked to spot anomalies when commercial trucks and passenger vehicles make border crossings. The goal, he said, is to help the department detect smuggling attempts for bringing fentanyl and other contraband into the United States.

(Reporting By Jeffrey Dastin in San Francisco, Ted Hesson in Washington and Mica Rosenberg in New York; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
ZAGREB, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The center-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement with the far-right Homeland Movement to form the parliament majority and establish a new government in Croatia.

Pending confirmation by respective party bodies, the agreement sets the stage for HDZ President Andrej Plenkovic to collect the necessary signatures and secure a parliamentary majority, thus paving the way for the establishment of an HDZ-led government - a potential third mandate for the prime minister since 2016.

Having secured 61 seats in the recent parliamentary elections held on April 17, the HDZ, which has governed Croatia for the past eight years, has aligned with the Homeland Movement, the third largest party in the parliament with 14 seats. Additionally, support from certain minority parties ensures the requisite votes to reach the parliamentary majority.

While the agreement's details remain undisclosed, local media outlets suggest that the Homeland Movement may receive three ministries within the new government. 
This warehouse being built at 501 Keys Road in Terrace Heights, seen Monday, May 6, 2024, is the future home of an Amazon delivery center, company officials told the Yakima Herald-Republic.
Supportive messages hang on a wall of the group counseling room in the A Woman's Choice of Jacksonville clinic, which provides abortion care in Jacksonville, Fla. A six-week abortion ban that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed took effect May 1.
WASHINGTON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The United States is delaying arms supply to Israel, a sign of Washington's objection to Israel's offensive on the Rafah city in southern Gaza, reported U.S. media.

The Biden administration is putting the sale of at least two arms shipments to Israel on hold, The Washington Post reported Tuesday, citing a U.S. official as saying that the move was a "shot across the bow" to make it clear to the Israeli side that Washington is seriously concerned about an ill-planned ground operation in Rafah, which will lead to a dramatic increase of death toll and deteriorate the humanitarian disaster in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

"I've seen the press reporting on this," National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said Monday when asked to confirm the administration's decision, adding that all he could say was that U.S. "support for Israel's security remains ironclad."

"I'm not going to get into the specifics of one shipment over another," Kirby told a daily press briefing at the White House.

Rafah, located in the southern end of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt where 1.4 million Palestinian civilians are seeking refuge, has become a vital point for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza since Israel launched a retaliatory military operation against Hamas following the latter's attack on Oct. 7.

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement early Tuesday that its troops "managed to establish operational control of the Gazan side" of the Rafah crossing following a "precise counterterrorism operation" launched overnight against Hamas. 
Fatime Letifova

A meeting between Azerbaijani and Kenyan NGOs was held in Nairobi, Azernews reports.

Tomorrow, the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference begins in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Before the global event - on May 8, a familiarization meeting was held between a number of Azerbaijani and Kenyan NGOs.

At the meeting, the "Champion of Climate Action", "Youth Champion", founder of "Smachs Foundation", daughter of the President of the Republic of Kenya, Charlene Ruto, Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Council of Kenya, Margaret Kyogora, a number of the National Council of Kenyan NGOs were present at the meeting. executives participated, they were especially interested in COP29, and expressed full confidence that this prestigious event will be successfully held under the leadership of Azerbaijan.

At the meeting, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Kenya Sultan Hajiyev, member of the COP29 Organizing Committee, executive director of the State Support Agency for NGOs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Aygun Aliyeva and representative of the Agency Turkan Alasgarova, head of the Department of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan Nigar Huseynova, member of the COP29 Organizing Committee, "Health Service  Public Union Chairman Parvana Valiyeva, Deputy Chairman of "Water Use Specialists" Public Union Amin Mammadov, Deputy Chairman of "Azerbaijan Campaign Against Landmines" Public Union Roza Safikhanli gave detailed information about Azerbaijan's green agenda.

A number of issues of cooperation between Azerbaijani NGOs and African NGOs were discussed at the meeting.
NEW YORK, May 8 (Xinhua) -- New York City police officers arrested around 45 protesters on Tuesday night while clearing a pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus of Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), according to media reports.

Police officers warned protesters who refused to leave the encampment would be charged for trespassing shortly before taking action.

Hundreds of demonstrators participated in a rally in Union Square and marched to the encampment at FIT earlier on Tuesday night.

Erected on April 25, the encampment on FIT campus was seen as the last remaining "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on college campuses in the city.

FIT classes and events will be held as scheduled while the museum at FIT is temporarily closed, read a notice on the website of FIT on Wednesday.

The New York Police Department recently sweeped protesters' encampments within Columbia University, New York University, The New School, the City College of New York, Fordham University and others and arrested hundreds of protesters in the process.

The recent raid on pro-Palestinian encampments on U.S. college campuses and arrests of thousands of students by police have drawn sharp criticism from various sides in the United States but also won support from other corners of the society. 
The Hungarian National Museum has won a tender for the renovation of the Esztergom Castle Museum and the Esterhazy Castle in Zeliezovce (Zseliz, Slovakia), to invest more than EUR 2 million in tourism development.

Under the Interreg V-A SK-HU  Slovakia-Hungary Program, the European Development Fund will provide more than EUR 1.5 million of the almost EUR 2 million in funding for the planned projects, writes Magyar Nemzet.



The main objective of this initiative is to develop the Esztergom Castle Museum, reconstruct the deteriorated castle wall by professional insulation and drainage, and open the Studiolo (a study that belonged to John Vitez de Zredna, the Archbishop of Esztergom from 1465 until 1472), decorated with frescoes presumably painted by Sandro Botticelli, to visitors.



The complex development will also include the creation of a new one-hour circular tour of the 16 rooms of the castle, with the latest 3D and virtual content. The development will be worth almost EUR 1 million.



The other part of the project is the continuation of the renovation of the Esterhazy Castle in Zeliezovce (Esterhazy manor house), allowing the premises to become a cultural and educational center. The grant will also help to renovate the southeastern part of the castle at a total cost of EUR 950,000.



The project partners have decided to work together with the Catholic church, running the Church of St. James (Kostol sv. Jakuba apostola), with EUR 640,000 of the total funding available for the renovation.



This is not the first time that the Hungarian National Museum and the Municipality of Zeliezovce have applied for a joint project.



The current cooperation was preceded by an initiative where the castle successfully won and implemented a tourism development project together with another member institution of the museum, the Balassa Balint Museum.



The initiative is financed by the Interreg V-A SK-HU Hungary-Slovakia program aiming to jointly protect, develop, and exploit for tourism the common natural and cultural heritage of the border regions.



This includes joint water management, disaster prevention, the creation of appropriate conditions for the restoration of cultural and architectural heritage, and the development of sustainable cross-border tourism.



The program also focuses on creating the main conditions for improving labor mobility and pays particular attention to the integration of the cross-border labor market.



Finally, the initiative also supports cooperation between public institutions and communities living on both sides of the border.



*********************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories, via our Facebook page:

Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary

You can subscribe to our newsletter here:

XpatLoop.com/Newsletters

Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers?

Then just contact us here!
Air India Express has announced the cancellation of more than 80 flights. This unexpected disruption has led to chaos and distress among travellers at Delhi Airport. The chaos erupted when Air India Express abruptly cancelled flights to popular destinations such as Goa, Guwahati, and Srinagar. This last-minute announcement caught passengers off guard, leading to a state of confusion and distress. The affected travellers gathered around the airline's counters, demanding explanations for the sudden cancellations.

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad, whose Delhi-Srinagar flight was cancelled, expressed frustration, stating that passengers were left stranded for hours without prior notice. He said, "I was supposed to leave in the morning. But I am now leaving on an IndiGo flight after sitting here for 3-4 hours...If the flights were cancelled, they should have informed us in the morning itself. Why did they fool everyone?...Air India (Express) should be shut...their basic culture is bad, nothing will become of it."

#WATCH | Over 70 international & domestic flights of Air India Express cancelled after its senior crew member went on mass 'sick leave'.



DPAP chief Ghulam Nabi Azad, whose Delhi-Srinagar was also cancelled, says, "...I was supposed to leave in the morning. But I am now leaving pic.twitter.com/SWC9JnIX1d  ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024

Air India Express Apologizes

In response to the disruptions, Air India Express issued an apology, acknowledging the inconvenience caused to passengers. A post by the airlines on the X platform said, "We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by unprecedented flight delays and cancellations. While we are working hard to minimise disruptions, please check your flight status before heading to the airport. If your flight is impacted, please reach out to Tia on WhatsApp or http://airindiaexpress.com/support for refund and rescheduling support".
Air India Express Flight Cancellations: The crisis has again hit the Tata Group airline after Air India Express cancelled more than 70 domestic and international flights on Wednesday. A total of total 82 domestic and international flights have been cancelled so far. According to the airlines, the flights were cancelled due to the shortage of cabin crew as they went on a 'mass sick leave'.

Reason For Mass Flight Cancellations

The reason for the mass flight cancellations is allegedly because of the protest of the senior crew members of the Air India Express airlines. According to the reports, the cabin crew members are protesting against the mismanagement of the airlines after the merger with Tata Group. This major flight disruption has taken place after a union of the airline's cabin crew said last month that the airline is not being managed properly and the staff is not being treated equally. Some media reports suggest that the staff members are being offered lower job positions despite clearing interviews. Another big reason for the protest is that the key aspects of the compensation package of the crew members have been changed.

Notably, the Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) is a registered union which is said tp represent around 300 senior cabin crew members. The union had also alleged that mismanagement of the affairs in the airlines has affected the morale of the employees.

What did Air India Express say?

As reported by the ANI, an Air India Express spokesperson said, " A section of our cabin crew has reported sick at the last minute, starting last night, resulting in flight delays and cancellations. While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result.

We sincerely apologise to our guests for this unexpected disruption and emphasise that this situation does not reflect the standard of service we strive to provide. Guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date. Guests flying with us today are requested to check if their flight is affected, before heading to the airport, the spokesperson added.

Many passengers complained on social media platforms on Wednesday. Responding to a passenger on X platform, the Air India informed that the flight was cancelled due to operational reasons.
New Delhi: Bank of Baroda said on Wednesday that the RBI has lifted its ban on BoB World and the bank has now been allowed to onboard customers through the app. The bank has stated in an exchange filing that the RBI has lifted the restriction with immediate effect. The development comes six months after the ban was imposed.

The RBI had in October 2023 directed the public sector bank to suspend further onboarding of customers on Bob World mobile app due to 'certain material supervisory concerns' observed during the regulator's inspection of the bank's processes. The Bank of Baroda had subsequently taken out corrective measures to address the concerns highlighted by the RBI. (Also Read: RBI Coming Up With New Steps To Expand UPI Outreach)

These included various steps at the field and corporate office, including the sacking of Chief Digital Officer Akhil Handa. "We wish to inform that the RBI, vide its letter dated May 8, 2024, conveyed to the bank its decision to lift the above-mentioned restrictions on Bob World with immediate effect as such the bank is free to onboard customers through Bob World application in accordance with the applicable guidelines and extant laws or regulations," Bank of Baroda said in a regulatory filing. (Also Read: Akshaya Tritiya 2024: Looking For The Best Time Or Muhurat To Buy Gold? Here's The City-Wise List And Timings)

BoB World, which was first launched in September 2021, provides all its digital banking services under one roof, for its customers.
CGBSE Board 2024: The Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education is gearing up to announce the CGBSE 10th and 12th Results 2024 tomorrow, on May 9, 2024. Candidates who have taken their exams can now access their results through the link provided on the official website. As per the official notification, the Chhattisgarh board 10th and 12th results will be declared at 12:30 PM. Once released, the CG board 10th and 12th results will be available on cgbse.nic.in. Candidates are advised to keep their Chhattisgarh board class 10 and class 12 hall tickets handy to check the results and download the marksheet.

Chhattisgarh Board Result 2024: Date And Time

The Chhattisgarh Board has announced the date and time for the CG Board 10th and 12th result 2024. According to the official notification, the Chhattisgarh 10th and 12th results will be declared tomorrow, May 9, 2024, in a press conference at 12:30 PM.

Chhattisgarh Board Result 2024: Steps To Check Scores

- Visit the official website of Chhattisgarh Board.

- Navigate to the CG result portal.

- Click on the CG 10th/12th Result link.

- Log in using the roll number and other credentials.

- The Chhattisgarh 10th/12th results 2024 marksheet will be displayed.

- Download the CGBSE marksheets for further reference.

CGBSE 10th 12th Result 2024: Check Scores Via SMS

To check the 10th and 12th results of the 2024 CG Board via SMS, students can open the messaging app on their phone and type the SMS in the format mentioned below: For Class 10th result, type CG10 Roll Number and send it to 56263. For Class 12th result, type CG12 Roll Number and send it to 56263.

The Chhattisgarh Board conducted the 10th exams between March 2 and March 21, 2024, and the 12th exams were held from March 1 to March 23. Close to 3 lakh students appeared for the exams.
Tamil Nadu Result 2024: The Directorate of Government Examinations, Tamil Nadu, will release the TN 11th result 2024 on May 14, 2024, via the official websites dge.tn.gov.in and tnresults.nic.in. To download the results online, students must input their registration number and date of birth into the TN HSE plus 1 result window.

According to the examination timetable, the Tamil Nadu class 11th exams were held from March 4 to 25, 2024. The Tamil Nadu 11th mark sheet will contain vital information such as subject-specific marks, overall score, and qualifying status. Last year, the Tamil Nadu +1 results were announced on May 19, 2023.

Tamil Nadu Result 2024: Steps to download here

Step 1: Visit the official results website, tnresults.nic.in.

Step 2: Choose the "HSE+1 results 2024" option.

Step 3: Enter the date of birth and registration number in the appropriate areas.

Step 4: Click the 'Get Marks' button to begin.

Step 5: The TN HSE +1 result 2024 will appear on the screen.

Step 6: Download and print it off for future use.

Tamil Nadu Result 2024: Re-evalution

Students who are dissatisfied with their marks in any of the subjects may apply for revaluation to have their answer sheets rechecked. Students can obtain the TN 11th revaluation application form information from their schools.

Students who are unable to pass one or two subjects in the Tamil Nadu HSE class 11th boards can take the supplementary exam.

Tamil Nadu Result 2024: Last year trends

In 2023, the overall passing percentage for Tamil Nadu class 11th exam 2024 was 90.93%. According to the official figures, 94.36% of girls passed the +1 exam, while 85.99% of boys passed the exams.
Andrew Spira, a prominent advocate for Universal Basic Income (UBI), has emerged as a critical figure in the ongoing debate surrounding economic inequality and the impact of automation on the workforce.

The global pandemic and rapid technological advancements have created significant financial challenges for countries worldwide. Amidst these challenges, Spira's proposals have drawn considerable interest from policymakers, economists, and the general public.

Spira argues that implementing a UBI system, which would provide a guaranteed income to all citizens regardless of their employment status, could help alleviate the growing economic disparities and provide a safety net for those displaced by automation. He points to historical precedents and successful pilot programs as evidence of the potential benefits of UBI.

A Historical Perspective on UBI

The concept of a universal basic income isn't new. It has historical roots in ancient writings such as Kautilya's Arthashastra and Thomas More's Utopia and has been a part of economic discussions through to the present day. Figures like Milton Friedman have been notable advocates in modern times.

Unlike traditional welfare systems that often come with strings attached, UBI proposes a radical simplification: a regular, unconditional cash payment to every individual to ensure a basic standard of living for all.

From the villages of Kenya to the urban landscapes of Stockton, California, and the Nordic trials in Finland, UBI has been tested in various forms around the globe. These experiments have yielded intriguing results, from improved life satisfaction and health outcomes to subtle shifts in employment patterns.

Despite the mixed results of Finland's randomized controlled trial, which saw a slight increase in employment, the broader implications of these pilots underscore UBI's potential as a tool for social and economic stabilization.

The Debate on Economic Viability and Social Impact

The discourse surrounding UBI is as diverse as it is complex, touching upon fundamental questions about the state's role, the market dynamics, and power distribution within society. Critics and supporters alike delve into the economic feasibility of UBI, with calculations suggesting that a universal scheme could significantly impact GDP while potentially streamlining existing welfare programs. However, beyond the numbers lies a deeper conversation about dignity, equality, and the very fabric of social cohesion.

Amidst this multifaceted debate, Andrew Spira is a pillar of progressive thought, tirelessly working to elevate the conversation around UBI. His advocacy is not merely about championing an economic policy but about fostering a broader understanding of UBI as a lesson and an ideal for reshaping the world.

Spira's efforts to raise awareness, engage with policymakers, and inspire communities reflect a deep-seated belief in UBI's capacity to empower individuals, alleviate poverty, and catalyze societal transformation.

Navigating the Path Forward

The journey towards realizing UBI is fraught with challenges and opportunities. The experiences of various countries and the shifting political sands will all play a role in shaping the future of UBI.

Yet, amid these uncertainties, Andrew Spira's unwavering commitment to the cause of UBI shines as a testament to the power of visionary leadership and the enduring quest for a more equitable and prosperous society for all.

Andrew Spira's advocacy for Universal Basic Income is more than a campaign; it's a movement toward redefining the essence of economic justice and human dignity. His commitment highlights the profound impact of ideas and emphasizes the importance of working toward a future where economic barriers do not restrict people's potential to aspire and succeed.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The IDPL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)
Dubai,  Avenix Fzco, a pioneer in automated trading solutions, today announced the launch of its new Expert Advisor (EA) Pivlex, specifically designed for the Gold market on the M1 timeframe. This advanced forex robot, available exclusively on the MT4 platform, leverages sophisticated algorithms to exploit key support and resistance levels, ushering in a new era of high-frequency trading.

The newly released Pivlex EA is engineered to maximize trading efficiency and profitability by utilizing real-time market analysis and precise execution strategies. By focusing on support and resistance dynamics, the system aims to identify pivotal market movements, enabling traders to enter and exit trades with unprecedented accuracy.

Avenix Fzco's commitment to innovation is evident in the Pivlex EA's design, which incorporates real-time insights that empower traders to make informed decisions quickly. This feature is especially critical in the volatile Gold trading environment, where market conditions can change rapidly.

The launch of this forex robot marks a significant milestone for Avenix Fzco as the company strengthens its position as a leader in Forex trading technology for 2024. With a user-friendly interface and a supportive trading community, Pivlex ensures that both novice and experienced traders can benefit from the full capabilities of the new EA.

In addition to technological advancements, Pivlex offers a variety of subscription plans, catering to different trading needs and durations, including weekly, monthly, and yearly options. This flexibility ensures that traders worldwide can access cutting-edge tools that align with their trading strategies and goals.

About Avenix Fzco:

Based in Dubai, Avenix Fzco is at the forefront of developing automated trading solutions that combine real-time market insights with seamless execution. The company is dedicated to empowering traders by providing robust platforms and tools necessary for successful trading in today's dynamic markets. For more information, visit Pivelex

Media Contact:

Company Name: Avenix Fzco

Contact: Media Relation

Email : support@ pivlex.com

pivlex.com

Location: Dubai, UAE

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The IDPL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 8, 2024. The United States has withheld one shipment of near-term weapons aid to Israel due to "serious concerns" that a looming large-scale military operation in Rafah by Israeli forces would cause significant loss of civilian lives, the State Department said on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senators on Capitol Hill as he testified on the Pentagon's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal that the Pentagon is "going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself." "But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah," he added. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The United States has withheld one shipment of near-term weapons aid to Israel due to "serious concerns" that a looming large-scale military operation in Rafah by Israeli forces would cause significant loss of civilian lives, the State Department said on Wednesday.

Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the State Department, confirmed the halt of security assistance to Israel at a press briefing, telling reporters that the administration of President Joe Biden is reviewing other shipments as the situation in Rafah unfolds.

"We have very serious concerns about a potential Rafah operation. We have concerns about what that would mean for the civilian population," Miller said, adding that such concerns on the U.S. side stemmed from "the way Israel has conducted its operations in the past and what the impact on the civilian population has been."

Miller's confirmation of the delay came days after multiple U.S. media outlets reported on the administration's move, with Axios - which first published such a report - citing a senior administration official as saying that weapons being put on hold included 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs.

"We also have concerns about the impact of any potential operation on the delivery of humanitarian assistance," Miller said, urging Israel to open the Rafah crossing so that humanitarian assistance would continue flowing into Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement early Tuesday that its troops "managed to establish operational control of the Gazan side" of the Rafah crossing following a "precise counterterrorism operation" launched overnight against Hamas.

Miller said the IDF's incursion into Rafah was conducted without U.S. approval, adding that Washington considered it to be the "first priority" that the Rafah crossing be kept open.

Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senators on Capitol Hill as he testified on the Pentagon's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal that the Pentagon is "going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself."

"But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah," he added. 

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 8, 2024. The United States has withheld one shipment of near-term weapons aid to Israel due to "serious concerns" that a looming large-scale military operation in Rafah by Israeli forces would cause significant loss of civilian lives, the State Department said on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senators on Capitol Hill as he testified on the Pentagon's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal that the Pentagon is "going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself." "But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah," he added. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 8, 2024. The United States has withheld one shipment of near-term weapons aid to Israel due to "serious concerns" that a looming large-scale military operation in Rafah by Israeli forces would cause significant loss of civilian lives, the State Department said on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senators on Capitol Hill as he testified on the Pentagon's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal that the Pentagon is "going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself." "But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah," he added. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 8, 2024. The United States has withheld one shipment of near-term weapons aid to Israel due to "serious concerns" that a looming large-scale military operation in Rafah by Israeli forces would cause significant loss of civilian lives, the State Department said on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senators on Capitol Hill as he testified on the Pentagon's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal that the Pentagon is "going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself." "But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah," he added. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (Front) testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 8, 2024. The United States has withheld one shipment of near-term weapons aid to Israel due to "serious concerns" that a looming large-scale military operation in Rafah by Israeli forces would cause significant loss of civilian lives, the State Department said on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senators on Capitol Hill as he testified on the Pentagon's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal that the Pentagon is "going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself." "But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah," he added. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 8, 2024. The United States has withheld one shipment of near-term weapons aid to Israel due to "serious concerns" that a looming large-scale military operation in Rafah by Israeli forces would cause significant loss of civilian lives, the State Department said on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senators on Capitol Hill as he testified on the Pentagon's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal that the Pentagon is "going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself." "But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah," he added. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)
New Delhi: Bengaluru Police on Thursday summoned BJP leader JP Nadda and the partys IT cell head Amit Malviya over an alleged controversial post shared on X by the partys state unit.

A first information report (FIR) had been registered with the High Grounds Police station in Bengaluru in connection with the video targeting Muslims, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The FIR mentions the two leaders after which the investigating officer has issued the summons giving them a week to appear.

The contentious post featured a video alleging that the Congress prioritises reservation for Muslims over Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. These allegations have been made by numerous prominent BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, over recent days during Lok Sabha elections campaigns.

Earlier, the Karnataka chief electoral officer had ordered to remove the purported posts. But the BJP failed to do so after which the Election Commission sent a notice to X to take it down.

In its notice to X citing the reason that the post violated the legal framework, the Election commission said, The notice stated that an FIR has already been registered in the matter. The Cyber Crime, Karnataka through Cyber Crime Division, Bengaluru has directed X on May 5 to take down the objectionable post as per Section 79 (3) (b) of IT Act and rule 3 (1)(d) of IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rule 2021, but the post has not been taken down, reported ANI.

The microblogging site now displays an error notice stating that the post "page doesn't exist".
A woman from Rio de Janeiro went viral last month when a video of her bringing her deceased uncle to a bank to have him sign loan documents surfaced online. Following the incident, Erika de Souza was arrested by the Brazilian police on charges of disrespecting a corpse and trying to commit fraud. After spending 16 days on remand in prison, she recently spoke out for the first time about the accusations.

"The days away from my family have been horrible, very difficult. I didnt realise my uncle was dead. Its absurd what people are saying. Im not that person people are talking about; Im not that monster," Metro quoted De Souza, citing a Brazilian TV programme called Fantastico.

As per the report, she confessed that she only realised that her uncle Paulo Braga had passed away when an ambulance worker confirmed his demise. De Souza claims that her memory of the afternoon on April 16 when she took Braga to sign off on the 2,650 loan is very blurry as she was on a pill.

De Souza was taking a sleeping pill called Zolpidem as she was undergoing medical treatment. She told Metro, "I dont know if it was the effect of the pills I had taken that day and I took from time to time.

She stated that her uncle had told her that he would feel better if she held his head up before they entered the bank together, and that even though he had recently been discharged from the hospital after contracting pneumonia, it was his idea to go to the bank.

De Souza said, "He was independent; he walked; he did what he wanted; and he had a good mind," reported Metro. She added that Braga was not a daily wheelchair user, and she was never her carer.

A judge granted Erika bail, stating that her release wouldn't endanger public order. They also said that De Souza has a weakened state of mental health and the responsibility of caring for her daughter with special needs.
Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda resigned from the Congress party on Wednesday after his recent racist remark backfired on the party. Pitroda informed his decision to the congress leader Jairam Ramesh. Earlier today, Pitroda stirred a controversy with his statement comparing Indians to Chinese and Africans.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh in a post on X wrote, Mr. Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress President has accepted his decision.

                            



Mr. Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 8, 2024

Sam Pitroda's decision to step down from the post came hours after the BJP built pressure on the Congress to take action against him for his racist remark. Pitroda, who looks after overseas events and affairs of the party, caused trouble for Congress this election season with his unwanted remarks.

Pitroda's remarks have time and again caused trouble for Congress, giving the BJP an undue advantage in the poll season. While earlier the BJP grabbed his inheritance tax idea to corner Congress, now his remarks comparing Indians to Chinese, Arabs, Africans and Whites landed the grand old party in trouble.

Talking about unity in diversity and democracy in India, Sam Pitroda said, "We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside a few fights here and there. We could hold a country together as diverse as India, where people in East look like Chinese, people in West look like Arab, people in the North look like white, and maybe people in South look like Africans."

Reacting to his statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Congress of harbouring divisive thoughts. "Congress' mindset has become 'divisive'. It wants to break India into pieces. The recent racist remarks made by a 'special advisor' of Shehzada are absolutely shameful. Congress has, time and again, proved that it is against India, and against the people of India," said Modi.
In recent years, there has been a prevailing narrative within the country that as the Muslim population grows rapidly, there is a fear that one day India may face a situation similar to Syria and Yemen. It is repeatedly asserted that the Hindu population in Hindustan is dwindling, shrinking, and diminishing. In today's DNA, Sourabh Raaj Jain analysed the report issued by the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council related to Hindu and Muslim population growth.

Watch Full DNA Episode Here

You are continuously hearing various statements in the campaign for these Lok Sabha elections. Some of them are - Hindus are becoming refugees in their own country. Hindus cannot even celebrate their festivals in their own country. There is a conspiracy to snatch away the rights of Hindus and give them to others. Hindu homes and businesses can also be snatched away. Hindu women's mangalsutras can be snatched away.

A narrative is being propagated related to Muslim population growth, and in response to it, it is being said that in a country where the President, Prime Minister, and most ministers are Hindu, even all three Chiefs of the Army are also Hindu, why and how could Hindus be in danger? It is being suggested that behind the attempt to scare Hindus, there is only politics.

But today, in this report, we have presented data before you. After seeing the figures in this report, you can verify for yourself, analyze whether the population balance in the country is deteriorating, and whether this is indeed a matter of serious concern for the Hindu majority.
In an recent interview, Indian Overseas Congress Chairman Sam Pitroda while talking about India's diversity made reference to how people in the South "look like Africans, and those in the West look like Arabs, and those in the East look like Chinese. The alleged racist comment by the Congress leader has landed the party in yet again controversy even before it could douse the flames of "inheritance tax" row.

Pitroda said that the people of India have "survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together leaving a few fights here and there" in reference to the nation being a shining example of democracy in the world.

Pitroda, in an interview with 'The Statesman', reflected on Indian democracy, saying, "We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, with the exception of a few fights here and there." We could hold together a country as diverse as India, where people in the east look like Chinese, people in the west look like Arabs, people in the north look like whites, and perhaps people in the south look like Africans."

Sam Pitroda: "We could hold together a country as diverse as India, where people on East look like Chinese, people on West look like Arab, people on North look like maybe White and people in South look like Africa" pic.twitter.com/g9qEOw6njx  Pradeep Maikhuri (@PradeepMaikhur3) May 8, 2024

He went on to say that Indians respect different languages, religions, foods, and customs, which vary by region. "That's the India that I believe in, where everybody has a place and everybody compromises little bit," he stated.

Earlier, Pitroda stoked a controversy while speaking about the concept of inheritance tax prevailing in America and said these are issued that will need to be discussed.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has criticised Indian Overseas Congress Chairman Sam Pitroda for making 'racist' remarks about how people in the South "look like Africans, those in the East look like Arabs, and those in the East look like Chinese."

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was one of the first to respond, taking to X and slamming Pitroda for his remarks, saying, "Sam bhai, I am from the North East and I look like an Indian." We are a diverse country; we may appear different, but we are all one. Learn a little about our country."

BJP leader Shahzad Poonawalla also responded to Pitroda's remarks, saying, "Words are Uncle Sam's, but ideas are Rahul Gandhi's."

"Shabd Uncle Sam ke Soch Rahul ki Pitting Bharatiya versus Bharatiya Racism & nafrat ki dukaan Comparing people of north east to Chinese! South to Africans! Congress must sack him! And clarify .. he is a serial offender ! From Hua to Hua to this!," he said in a X post.
The partnership marks a new era for ECOVACS to break new ground with industry-leading innovations that improve the lives of people in the Asia-Pacific and around the world.

With her powerhouse performances, Jun Ji-hyun has earned critical acclaim and numerous awards. Moreover, her charisma, self-confidence and authenticity continue to capture the hearts and minds of the public, making her the ideal embodiment of ECOVACS' continuous commitment to innovation. And ECOVACS also stands out as Jun Ji-hyuns top choice, eliminating the dilemmas of choosing home cleaning solutions. For over 26 years, ECOVACS has played a key role in defining new categories of service robots that have transformed the industry. Among them are the world's first robotic vacuum cleaner, the DEEBOT, the world's first robotic window cleaner, the WINBOT, and the world's first robotic air purifier, the AIRBOT.

Both ECOVACS and Jun Ji-hyun share a passion for excellence, with a goal to constantly revolutionize the conventional status quo and set new standards for the industry. Leading the core robotics and intelligent technologies, ECOVACS has expanded its offerings from indoor to outdoor products. With its revolutionary breakthroughs, ECOVACS is always redefining the industry. Today, ECOVACS customer base includes more than 50 million households in over 150 countries and regions worldwide.

Upholding the mission of Robotics for All, ECOVACS is constantly looking ahead and envisioning the future lives of people to develop aspirational products and technologies. Each one represents a valuable addition to the product matrix, meticulously crafted to enhance the home cleaning experience in every way, with the exquisite DEEBOT T30 OMNI, the versatile DEEBOT X2 COMBO, the pioneering DEEBOT Y1 Family, and the cutting-edge WINBOT W2 OMNI launched in APAC region. Notably, the refined T30 family took the robotic vacuum cleaner market by storm with sales of over 50,000 units within only 15 days upon its debut.

Jun Ji-hyuns dynamic personality and persistent dedication to achieving excellence in her career makes her the ideal ambassador of our brand in the Asia Pacific region. APAC is one of the most important overseas markets for ECOVACS, and we want to lead the way in utilizing service robotics to elevate the lifestyles of consumers in this region together with Jun Ji-hyun. said David Qian, vice chairman of ECOVACS Group and CEO of ECOVACS ROBOTICS.

Jun Ji-hyuns ambassadorship with ECOVACS symbolizes the company's new momentum to forge deeper connections with its regional consumers, echoing its three-year strategic plan to become the world's most loved robotic brand in the future. Through this remarkable alliance, ECOVACS is also poised to continue redefining the smart robotic experience and expanding its global presence to further the brands mission of creating 'Robotics for All.

About ECOVACS ROBOTICS

Innovation has been in ECOVACS DNA since the very first day. ECOVACS Robotics is one of the earliest service robot developers and manufacturers in the world. We are laser-focused on independent and groundbreaking R&D, design, and manufacturing of service robots. We stay committed to our ambition of becoming the world's leading robotics company. ECOVACS Robotics has a single-minded mission - Robotics for All.

Over 26 years of design and industry-leading research have led to ECOVACS winning recognition from global customers. We focus on our vision - Advancing robotic technologies to serve the world, to create a holistic ecosystem between human and robotics in lifestyle and production. We stay committed to avant-garde R&D to understand users needs, innovating to build a better world, and promoting the growth of our industry.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The IDPL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)
In a major crackdown in the Kashmir terrorist infiltration case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday attached six immovable properties of a top terrorist of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist outfit in J&K.



A statement released by NIA reads "The properties (land parcels) belonging to terrorist Asif Ahmed Malik are located in Mirpora, Pulwama. They have been attached under Section 33 (1) of UA (P) Act, 1967, on the orders of NIA Special Court, Jammu."



It further said, "Asif Ahmed Malik was arrested on 31st January 2020, and arms, ammunition & explosives were recovered from his possession. NIA had charge-sheeted him on 27th July 2020 under various sections of IPC, Explosive Substances Act, UA(P) Act and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. He is currently on underground trial before the NIA Special Court, Jammu."



The case relates to the transportation of terrorists, infiltration into Kashmir from across the border, and seizure of arms, and explosives from terror operatives of JeM.

NIA investigations have exposed a conspiracy by the accused to transport the infiltrated terrorists to the Kashmir valley and provide them safe shelter in preparation for attacks on the security forces/apparatus as part of the terror conspiracy against the Government of India.



Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) is a terrorist group formed by Maulana Masood Azhar in 2000 and headquartered in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

JeM has carried out several terrorist attacks in India, including the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. JeM was listed as a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 1267, and Maulana Masood Azhar was designated a Global Terrorist by UNSC in 2019.

Till now NIA has attached 109 properties in Jammu and Kashmir under the provisions of the UA(P) Act.
Srinagar: Ali Mohammad Rather, a visually impaired person, was the first to vote for the election to Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday under the new home voting facility.

The facility was started by the Election Commission for the 2024 Lok sabha elections for those who are not able to visit polling stations to exercise their franchise.

Rather, 75, hailing from the Dara area of the Hazratbal assembly segment in Srinagar district became the first person in the Kashmir Valley to cast his vote through the home voting facility, an official of the District Election Office, Srinagar, said.

"The first home vote has been cast and sealed in a ballot box at Dara for blind voter (People with Disability) Ali Mohd Rather in part 68 of 19-Hazratbal segment," the official said.

Voting for the seat will be held on May 13 in the fourth round of the seven-phase general elections.The other early voter was a 90-year-old woman from the Harwan area of the city. The nonagenarian, who goes by the mononym 'Fazi', was beaming with pride after casting her vote from her home at Harwan.

A team of officials from the district election office on Tuesday went to various places in Srinagar, including the Dal Lake area, to facilitate voters who had registered themselves under the home voting facility to exercise their franchise.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh today took to X to share that the state administration has detected over five thousand illegal immigrants in the state and the process is underway to deport them. CM Biren Singh's disclosure holds importance given the unrest witnessed by the state in the last year. Manipur shares its border with Myanmar and there have been reports of an influx of illegal migrants from the country into the state. Many reports have claimed the involvement of illegal immigrants in the Manipur unrest.

"5457 illegal immigrants were detected, biometric data of 5173 of them have been registered. The Government has detected a total of 5457 illegal immigrants in Kamjong District, Manipur as on May 7th, 2024. Out of the total, the biometric data of 5173 such illegal immigrants have been collected so far," said Biren Singh.





The Government has detected a total of 5457 illegal immigrants in Kamjong District, Manipur as on May 7th, 2024. Out of  N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) May 8, 2024

He further said that the state machinery is working to deport them. "Deportation process is underway. We have been giving humanitarian aides to all the illegal immigrants who have been detected so far. Despite being an alarming situation, we have been handling it with utmost sensitivity," said Singh.

In February this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs scrapped the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar. The FMR allowed residents living near the India-Myanmar border to travel 16km across either side without documentation. The Narendra Modi government also decided to completely fence the 1,643km of its border with Myanmar. The decision to end the FMR was aimed at maintaining the demographic structure of Indias North Eastern States bordering Myanmar, said the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah in his post on Xsaid, It is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji's resolve to secure our borders, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of Indias North Eastern States bordering Myanmar. Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR.
Salman Khan House Firing Case Update: Members of the Bishnoi community will file a case against Salman Khan. According to sources who spoke with Zee News Television, the Bishnoi community will file a case regarding Anuj Thapan's death. The family of Anuj Thapan, the accused in the firing outside Salman Khan's house case, who died by "suicide" in police custody, claims that he was "killed" by the police. The family also demanded that his post-mortem be conducted outside of Mumbai. They also wanted a CBI investigation.

The deceased accused's brother, Abhishek Thapan, claimed that Anuj could not have committed suicide and demanded 'justice'.

"Anuj was apprehended by Mumbai Police from Sangrur 6-7 days ago. Today, we received word that Anuj had committed suicide. He was not the type of person who would have committed suicide. He was murdered by the police. We seek justice. "He worked as a truck helper," Abhishek Thapan explained.

Who Was Anuj Thapan?

Thapan (32), who was arrested in Punjab for allegedly supplying firearms and bullets to the arrested shooters, was discovered hanging on Wednesday inside the toilet of the Mumbai Crime Branch's lock-up in the commissionerate complex. The post-mortem was conducted on Thursday at the state-run JJ Hospital in the presence of forensic doctors.

Thapan is one of six people named in the FIR regarding the firing incident. While four of them have been arrested, gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently imprisoned in neighbouring Gujarat, and his brother Anmol Bishnoi have been listed as wanted.

On April 26, a crime branch team arrested Thapan and Sonu Kumar Bishnoi (32) in Fazilka, Punjab. On April 14, the two allegedly provided weapons to shooters Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta, who then opened fire at Salman Khan's home.

According to the police, Thapan and Sonu Bishnoi went to Panvel near Mumbai on March 15 to deliver two country-made pistols and 38 live rounds to Pal and Gupta. Thapan and Sonu's village in Punjab is very close to the jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's village.
LOS ANGELES, May 8 (Xinhua) -- NASA and Boeing are now targeting no earlier than Friday, May 17, for launch of the first crewed mission of the Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).

The spacecraft was previously scheduled to launch on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket on Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the U.S. state of Florida.

The launch attempt was scrubbed due to technical issues.

Following a thorough data review completed on Tuesday, ULA decided to replace a pressure regulation valve on the liquid oxygen tank on the Atlas V rocket's Centaur upper stage, NASA said on Wednesday.

The oscillating behavior of the valve during prelaunch operations ultimately resulted in mission teams calling the launch scrub on Monday, according to NASA.

ULA plans to roll the rocket, with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, back to its Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Wednesday, to begin the replacement.

The ULA team will perform leak checks and functional checkouts in support of the next launch attempt.

The flight test will carry NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS.

The two astronauts will remain in crew quarters at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in quarantine until the next launch opportunity, said NASA.

The duo will be the first to launch aboard Starliner to the space station as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program.

This mission could be the final major milestone before NASA deems Boeing's spacecraft ready for routine operations as part of the federal agency's Commercial Crew Program. 
Congress leader Sam Pitroda again fomented trouble for his party after he made a racist remark in a conversation with a media house. Pitroda said that people in East India look like Chinese, in the South, look like Africans, people in the West look like Arab and people in the North look like white. While the BJP leaders grabbed this opportunity to target Congress, the grand old party distanced itself from the remark.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh said that none of the leaders of the INDIA bloc supports that remark. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The analogies drawn by Mr. Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate India's diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies."

Karnataka minister and Congress leader MC Sudhakar said, I dont think anybody would really mean to say that. For every small issue, the BJP is trying to find a fault and interpreting it in its own way. Unity in diversity is the main characteristic of our country. I think BJP is trying to do cheap politics over the issue.

On the other hand, BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Congress' mindset has become 'divisive'. It wants to break India into pieces. The recent racist remarks made by a 'special advisor' of Shehzada are absolutely shameful. Congress has, time and again, proved that it is against India, and against the people of India."

Congress' mindset has become 'divisive'. It wants to break India into pieces.



The recent racist remarks made by a 'special advisor' of Shehzada are absolutely shameful.



Congress has, time and again, proved that it is against India, and against the people of India.



- PM pic.twitter.com/hU1TC9YisI  BJP (@BJP4India) May 8, 2024

BJP candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, Kangana Ranaut said, " The mindset of Congress is that they see India in pieces, that's why Congress is filled with 'tukde-tukde' gang...Are they forcing an international identity on all Indians just because Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are Italians?" She further added, "I wonder which part of India Uncle Sam belongs to because he looks more like a birdie than human.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai said, "The Congress mindset and thinking believes that India is a land of invaders and we are descendants of invaders. And this is why he mentions this is a sexist, crass and abusive thing. There is nothing wrong with looking like an African or Chinese. The connotation is that we are descendants of these people, not 'Bharatiya'. Only the Congress party which has its masters outside the country, only this party can go to the extent where it can call us descendants of invaders. This is not only strongly condemnable, it is also not only feeling disgusting to us, but it also shows the mindset of Congress, and this is why our PM says we need a Congress-mukt Bharat."

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "On one hand you have 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', 'Mohabbat ki dukaan', and inclusivity, and on the other hand you have racist and divisive comments like Arabs, Chinese, and Africans. On the third hand, you have DK Suresh, the brother of DK Shivakumar (Karnataka Deputy CM) talking about South India seceding from North India and then you have INDI alliance partners insulting North India and the Sanatana Dharma. In a lot of ways, what is playing out in front of us is the Congress' ideology- full of hypocrisy, full of divisiveness, full of lies, and constant attempt to divide Indians and make India weak."

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said that Congress is not taking any action against Sam Pitroda because Rahul Gandhi believes in the absurdity propounded by him.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati removed her nephew, Akash Anand, from all party posts on Tuesday. The decision to make him her successor has also been withdrawn. Mayawati stated that Akash Anand would be given important responsibilities after he attains full maturity. Akashs father will continue to serve as the national vice-president of the party. Akash Anand, an MBA graduate from London, had become active in the party after being named as the successor by the BSP chief. Mayawati had entrusted him with the responsibility of strengthening the party in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Akash is the son of Mayawatis brother, Anand Kumar. Mayawati announced the removal of Akash Anand in a X post on Tuesday.

Reasons Behind Akash's Dismissal From Party Posts

Akash Anand, along with four others, was booked for violating the model code of conduct by using objectionable language at an election rally in Sitapur. The action was taken after the district administration took suo motu cognisance of Anands speech at the rally. Following the registration of the FIR, the BSP postponed all the proposed rallies of Akash Anand without providing any reason.

"This government is a bulldozer government and a government of traitors," the BSP leader had said targeting Uttar Pradesh's Yogi Adityanath government in his speech. "The party that starves its youth and enslaves its elderly is a terrorist government," he added. Aside from this, he became so animated during his statements at two or three locations that he said offensive things. His outbursts in rage, such as "I feel like hitting shoes," were also met with a lot of criticism.

Due to his speech, cases were filed against BSP district president Vikas Rajvanshi, Lakhimpur candidate Anshay Kalra, Dhaurehra candidate Shyam Kishore Awasthi, and Sitapur candidate Mahendra Singh Yadav.

The BSP supremo felt that a direct confrontation with the Centre and the Yogi government could endanger his political future, and when cases started being registered, Mayawati thought it better to keep Akash away from this.

Akash in an recent interview revealed that Mayawati told him that he is being entrusted with the responsibility of the Bahujan movement and not the party, so there is no room for error, just as others have been removed from posts, so can he. Many believe was upset with Akash Anands political methods. Many believe Mayawati decided to keep Akash away for the time being to keep party's future leadership safe.

Who Is Akash Anand?

Akash Anand Akash Anand is the son of Mayawatis younger brother Anand Kumar. He was born in Noida in 1995. Akash studied from Noida and Gurugram and then did an MBA from London University. He made an entry into politics in 2017. Anand is considered to have a big role in connecting the youth to the party. He has also handled the responsibility of the party in the assembly elections held in three states last year.

Launched After BSP's UP Defeat Of 2017

Mayawati had launched Akash Anand after the defeat in the UP assembly elections in 2017. He was made a star campaigner for the first time in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Mayawati promoted Akash Anand and declared him the national coordinator of the party. Then made the heir Akash Anand was successful in advancing the BSP. He also continued to connect the youth to the party through social media. In 2022, when the BSP released the list of star campaigners for the Himachal Pradesh elections, Akash Anands name was second after Mayawati. Akash handled the work of preparing the party cadre for the three assembly elections held last year. Impressed by the work of Akash Anand, Mayawati declared him her successor in December 2023. Mayawati had even made it clear that he would handle the partys responsibility in UP and Uttarakhand.
New Delhi: Aadhar Housing Finance Limited on Tuesday said that it has raised Rs 898 crore from 61 anchor investors at the upper price band Rs 315 per equity share capital.

"Aadhar Housing Finance Limited, has allotted 2,85,04,761 Equity Shares to 61 anchor investors and raised Rs 899 crore ahead of companys proposed IPO at the upper price band of Rs 315 per equity share (including premium of Rs 305 per equity shares) with face value of Rs 10 per share," the company said in a statement.



Here Are The Key Things To Know About Aadhar Housing Finance IPO



Price Band has been fixed at Rs 300 to Rs 315 per equity share of face value of Rs 10 each.

Bid/ Offer will open on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 and close on Friday, May 10, 2024.

The Anchor Investor Bidding Date shall be Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

Bids can be made for a minimum of 47 Equity Shares and in multiples of 47 Equity Shares thereafter.

ICICI Securities Limited, Citigroup Global Markets India Private Limited, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited, Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India) Private Limited and SBI Capital Markets Limited are the Book Running Lead Managers to the Offer.

All capitalized terms referred to in this press release that have not been defined shall have the same meaning as prescribed in the RHP.

The Company proposes to utilize the Net Proceeds from the Fresh Issue, (i) to meet future capital requirements towards onward lending; and (ii) general corporate purposes.

Not more than 50% of the Net Offer shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to Qualified Institutional Buyers.

Company said it may, in consultation with the Book Running Lead Managers, allocate up to 60% of the QIB Portion to Anchor Investors on a discretionary basis.

Out of above, at least one-third shall be available for allocation to domestic Mutual Funds only, subject to valid Bids being received from the domestic Mutual Funds at or above the Anchor Investor Allocation Price.

In the event of under-subscription, or non-allocation in the Anchor Investor Portion, the balance Equity Shares shall be added to the QIB Portion.

5% of the Net QIB Portion shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to Mutual Funds only, and the remainder of the Net QIB Portion shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to all QIB Bidders other than Anchor Investors, including Mutual Funds, subject to valid Bids being received at or above the Offer Price.

Not less than 15% of the Net Offer shall be available for allocation to Non-Institutional Bidders.
New Delhi: The red carpet was worn bare at the star-studded lineup at the coveted 60th Baeksang Arts Awards in Seoul on Tuesday, May 7.

Celebrating excellence in film, TV and theatre, the awards were hosted by actors Bae Suzy and Park Bo Gum and TV host and comedian Shin Dong Yup.

Director Jang Jae Hyuns supernatural thriller Exhuma continued its golden run. The Choi Min-sik, Kim Go Eun( Goblin, Little Women ) and Lee Do Hyun starrer won Jang Jae Hyun the Best Director trophy.

Kim Go Euns turn as the shaman Hwa Rim won her the Best Actress in Film award, while Lee Do Hyun who played Bong Gil, the shaman who gets possessed by an evil spirit, won Best New Actor Film. Lee Do Hyun who is currently serving in military duty in the S Korean navy arrived in his uniform. The actor made a special mention to thank girlfriend actor Lim Ji Yeon, and the same has gone viral across, as fans could not get enough of his cute gesture.

12.12 The Day," won the Best Film and Best Actor prize for actor Hwang Jung Min, as well as the Grand Prize. The film which is based on the 1979 December 12 coup detat often known as 12/12 was a worldwide blockbuster. Director Kim recalled his initial concerns about low theatre attendance upon the films release but expressed gratitude for the large audience turnout, in his acceptance speech. He pledged continued dedication to creating engaging and high-quality Korean films.

One of the most celebrated dramas of 2023, the suspense thriller Moving," bagged the Grand Prize in the drama category. It is the second OTT original series to win a grand prize at the Baeksang Arts Awards after Netflix's "Squid Game" (2022).

My Dearest won Best Drama and won Nam Goong Min, best actor. Honey Lee won the best actress award for Knight Flower.

Queen of Tears star Kim Soo Hyun once again reaffirmed his popularity quotient and bagged the popularity award for male, while IVEs An Yu Jin took the same in the female category.
Mumbai: In a significant development in the investigation of the firing incident outside Salman Khan's residence, accused Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta were remanded to judicial custody by a Special MCOCA court until May 27.

The decision came as their police custody ended today, and the police sought an extension for further interrogation. However, the court opted for judicial custody instead.

Advocate Amit Mishra, representing the accused, expressed discontent with the court's decision, highlighting what he perceived as scripted proceedings. Mishra said, "It is unfortunate that when they were produced on April 29, there were four accused, one of whom was granted judicial custody. Today, only accused numbers one and two were produced, while others were absent. The prosecution sought their police custody without concrete evidence. The court, however, sent accused numbers one and two to judicial custody which will be till May 27 considering from May 13."

Mishra further pointed out the lack of substantial evidence presented by the prosecution, aside from a purported phone call, urging for a fair trial.

Mohammad Rafiq Chaudhary, recently arrested in Rajasthan, emerged as a new figure in the investigation. Mumbai Crime Branch revealed that Chaudhary had facilitated financial support and conducted reconnaissance for the shooters, Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta. Chaudhary's arrest adds another layer to the intricate web surrounding the firing incident.

The firing incident, which occurred on April 14 outside Salman Khan's residence at Galaxy Apartments, sent shockwaves through the Bandra area of Mumbai. The subsequent arrests unveiled links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, prompting Mumbai Police to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all involved in the shooting.

Meanwhile, a lookout notice has been issued for Anmol Bishnoi, brother of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, in connection with the case. The search for Anmol Bishnoi signifies the ongoing efforts to unravel the complexities surrounding the incident.

In another development, accused Mohammad Rafiq Chaudhary has been remanded to the custody of the Crime Branch until May 13. The crime branch disclosed that Chaudhary had met both shooters on April 8 and April 11 in the Kurla area, further corroborating his involvement in the crime.
New Delhi: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) responding to the Karnataka High Court judgment on international workers covered under its PF and pension schemes, said that it is actively evaluating the course of action to be taken.

"The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) acknowledges the recent judgment issued by the esteemed High Court of Karnataka. The judgment pertains to the specific provisions for International Workers outlined in Paragraph 83 of the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 and Paragraph 43A of the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995, which were deemed to be inconsistent with Article 14 of the Constitution. The EPFO is actively evaluating the course of action in response to this judgement," EPFO said.

India presently has social security agreements with 21 countries. These agreements ensure continued social security coverage for employees from these nations on a mutually reciprocal basis. When citizens from these countries take up employment in each other's territories, their social security coverage remains uninterrupted.

These agreements aim to guarantee the uninterrupted social security coverage of employees during international employment. These agreements are very important for India for promoting International mobility and leverage the demographic dividend. The EPFO serves as the operational agency in India for such social security agreements.
New Delhi: Google has launched its digital wallet application Google Wallet in India. The app was initially launched in the United States in 2022 and now after two years it is available in the Indian market.

What is Google Wallet?

Google Wallet will allow you to store various digital assets in one convenient location. With the app you can save important digital documents like boarding passes, loyalty cards, event tickets, public transport passes, gift cards, and more. (Also Read: Google Pixel 8a Launched In India With Tensor G3 Chipset: Check Price, Offers, Specs And More)

Will Google Pay continue working?

Google has made it clear that the launch of Google Wallet will not impact Google Pay, its widely used UPI application in India. (Also Read: Lenovo Tab K11 Android Tablet Launched In India With TUV Eye Care Certification; Check Price, Specs And Availability)

How is Google Wallet different from Google Pay?

Both apps are designed for different purposes, with Google Wallet focusing on storing digital assets like boarding passes, credit cards, debit cards, gift cards and event tickets while Google Pay handles UPI transactions and payments.

Partnered with major companies

Google announced at the launch of Google Wallet in India that it had partnered with several major companies including PVR INOX, Flipkart, Air India, Shoppers Stop, and Ixigo and others.

Where can you download it from?

Google Wallet is currently available only for Android users in India. You can download the app from the Google Play Store and use it to store your debit cards, credit cards, loyalty cards, and gift cards in one convenient platform.
New Delhi: Microsofts Xbox plans to shut down several gaming studios which also includes the well-known Arkane Austin. This comes as a part of a broader restructuring amid a slowdown in the gaming industry. Other studios facing closure include Tokyo-based Tango Gameworks which is known for creating Hi-Fi Rush and Canada-based Alpha Dog, as revealed by Matt Booty, the head of Xbox Game Studios. The exact number of employees affected by these closures has not been disclosed, as per report by Reuters.

Further, Matt Booty explained that the decision to close several studios will help streamline operations by reallocating resources to support Xboxs game portfolio and foster new intellectual property. This "reprioritization of titles and resources" aligns with Microsoft's commitment to innovation and future growth in the gaming sector, according to Matt Booty. (Also Read: Google Wallet App Launched For Android Users In India: Check Details)

Despite these closures, Microsofts Xbox content and services division reported a significant 62 percent increase in the third-quarter revenue last month which was mainly driven by the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Take-Two Interactive also disclosed plans to shut down two subsidiary studios as part of its restructuring. Earlier this year, Microsoft began layoffs which impacted 1,900 employees across Activision and Xbox. (Also Read: Google Pixel 8a Launched In India With Tensor G3 Chipset: Check Price, Offers, Specs And More)
This summer, Indians are flocking to Dubai more than any other foreign destination, according to the latest report from MakeMyTrip, released on Wednesday.

Dubai Tops the Charts:

MakeMyTrip's Summer Travel Trends Report unveils Dubai as the ultimate foreign getaway for Indian travelers this season. Alongside Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, Bali, and other destinations in the Top 20 list collectively account for 64% of all international searches.

Emerging Destinations:

While not making it to the Top 20, destinations like Luxembourg, Langkawi, and Antalya are catching the interest of Indian travelers. Baku, Almaty, and Nagoya witness the highest growth in search rates, signaling a shift in travel preferences.

Top 20 International Destinations for 2024:

The list mirrors that of last year, featuring popular destinations such as Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, Bali, and Kathmandu, among others.

Holiday Packages and Duration:

The report indicates that the average duration of an international trip falls between 5 to 8 days. Thailand leads in the category of "Most Booked Holiday Packages," followed by Dubai and Bali.

Insights from MakeMyTrip:

Rajesh Magow, MakeMyTrip's co-founder and group CEO, notes that summer is traditionally a peak period for travel. He observes a robust growth in searches compared to the same period last year.

Regional Travel Trends:

Magow highlights the travel pattern, noting that Southern regions kickstart the summer holiday season, followed by the West, and finally, the North.

Domestic Travel Trends:

While there's no significant change in travel trends this year, MakeMyTrip reports a surge in traffic and bookings on redBus during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as people prioritize visiting hometowns to cast votes.

Preferred Domestic Destinations:

Indians show a preference for destinations with cool mountain terrains for domestic holidays. Goa remains the top-searched destination, with Srinagar and Udaipur witnessing the highest growth in searches.

Pilgrimage Destinations:

Puri and Varanasi emerge as the most searched pilgrimage destinations this summer, according to MakeMyTrip's report. Ayodhya continues to see an uptick in search volumes, consistent with the trend observed in April.

Hot Domestic Destinations for Summer:

Ayodhya leads the pack in terms of search growth, followed by destinations like Lakshadweep, Nandi Hills, and Chalakudy, among others.

Air India Express Faces Flight Cancellations Due to Crew Illness

Riyadh Air and Saudi Tourism Authority Join Forces to Boost Tourism Sector

Know These Stunning Indian Destinations for Your Summer Wedding
There are plenty of ways to generate passive income, from risk-free assets to bonds to income from rental properties. But one of the simplest and most effective means of generating income is to invest in dividend stocks, while provide passive income without the need to sell an asset, while also allowing you to participate in the stock market.

Finding a company that can grow in value while distributing dividend payments is a dream come true for long-term investors. And that's exactly what Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE: APD) are.

Meanwhile, the J.P. Morgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSEMKT: JEPI) yields a whopping 7.6% and includes exposure to top companies from Amazon to ExxonMobil. Here's what makes Microsoft, Air Products, and the J.P. Morgan Equity Premium Income ETF worth buying now.

Image source: Getty Images.

Microsoft's dividend is one part of an impeccable investment thesis

Daniel Foelber (Microsoft): Microsoft's mere 0.7% dividend yield results from its outperforming stock price, not a lack of raises. Over the last five years, the stock is up 223%, but the dividend has increased by 63%. Zoom out over the last decade, and Microsoft is up a jaw-dropping 906%, while the dividend is up 168%.

Given the stock's strong performance, Microsoft investors surely don't mind the low yield. But investors who don't own Microsoft and are considering buying the stock may wonder why the 0.7% yield is worth it, let alone grounds for a lifetime of passive income.

The reason is that Microsoft can easily afford to make sizable increases to its dividend every year. Earnings have grown at a faster rate than dividend raises, which is why the payout ratio is now at a 10-year low of less than 25%.

MSFT Payout Ratio Chart

A payout ratio under 75% is good for a reliable company, but below 50% is even better if a company has cyclical earnings. Part of the reason for Microsoft's low payout ratio is that it rewards its shareholders with stock repurchases and dividends. Microsoft has reduced its share count despite its sizable stock-based compensation expense. Buybacks are an important means of preventing dilution, and we can expect buybacks to continue to accelerate and the outstanding share count to meaningfully decrease over the coming years.

If Microsoft keeps outperforming the S&P 500, then the dividend will merely be a cherry on top of a winning position. But if Microsoft languishes, expect the yield to noticeably increase thanks to strong dividend growth and room for the payout ratio to go up if needed. Either way, Microsoft has what it takes to reward shareholders.

Story continues

Air Products is a stalwart stock that could deliver decades of dividends

Scott Levine (Air Products): It may be impossible to look into the future and see which stocks will provide investors with years of passive income, but it's certainly helpful to turn your attention to the past. With a peak at a company's previous performance, you can gain insight into how strong a candidate it is to achieve years of returning capital to shareholders. Air Products is a prime option.

Over its 80-year history, Air Products has emerged as a leading provider of industrial gases and related equipment to businesses operating in a variety of industries, including energy, aerospace, and healthcare, to name a few. For forward-looking investors, today's a great time to gas up on Air Products stock, which currently has a 2.9% forward-yielding dividend and is hanging on the discount rack.

Growing its dividend for 42 consecutive years, Air Products has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to rewarding shareholders. With respect to the more recent past, it's worth noting the company's dedication to its payout. From 2014 through 2024, Air Products has hiked its dividend at a 9% compound annual growth rate, while averaging a payout ratio of 62.3% over the past 10 years.

Because the company serves a wide variety of industries, it's unlikely a downturn in any one would wreak havoc with the company's financials, thus jeopardizing the dividend. Moreover, the company has a strong competitive advantage. Operating over 750 production facilities and over 1,800 miles of industrial gas pipeline, Air Products has developed a robust infrastructure that could hardly be disrupted by upstart industrial gas companies. Add to this the company's commanding position as a hydrogen supplier, and the allure of Air Products becomes even more obvious.

With shares of Air Products valued at about 15.2 times operating cash flow -- a discount to their five-year average cash flow multiple of 17.4 -- now seems like a great opportunity to start of position in this industrial gas powerhouse.

This ETF's 7.6% yield is attractive for income-seeking investors

Lee Samaha (J.P. Morgan Equity Premium Income ETF): If you are looking for a monthly income ETF with equities exposure and a strategy to generate relatively low returns compared to the S&P 500 index, then this ETF could be for you. I've covered it in more detail as an ETF to buy elsewhere, but I'll run through the key points here for brevity.

In a nutshell, the ETF invests at least 80% of its assets in actively managed U.S. equities and up to 20% in a strategy of selling call options on the S&P 500 index. A call option on the index is the right to buy the index at a specific price, called the strike price, up to an expiration date. Investors in call options have to pay a premium for that right.

As such, when this ETF sells a call option, it's looking to pick up the premium by the index not rising above the strike price, so investors don't realize the option. You could summarize the strategy as follows:

When the S&P 500 rises sharply in the month, the ETF will lose money on selling call options but make money due to its equity exposure.

When the S&P 500 falls sharply in the month, the ETF will probably lose money on its equities exposure but make money picking up premiums.

In low-volatility months, the ETF should earn money by picking up premiums and may make or lose money on equities.

The ETF's total return (generated by reinvesting dividends) since inception in 2020 is an incredible 59.2%, and the maximum drawdown in a month was 6.4% in September 2020. Overall, it's a good record, and the monthly income will suit investors looking to live off of passive income.

Where to invest $1,000 right now

When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for two decades, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has more than tripled the market.*

They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now and Microsoft made the list -- but there are 9 other stocks you may be overlooking.

See the 10 stocks

*Stock Advisor returns as of May 6, 2024

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Daniel Foelber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

3 Dividend Stocks That Are Coiled Springs for a Lifetime of Passive Income was originally published by The Motley Fool
Artificial intelligence (AI) has huge potential for improving financial services operations  such as writing code and learning customer preferences  but it is also increasingly being used to perpetrate fraud.

Indeed, such is the rate at which AI fraud is increasing that cybersecurity teams are struggling to keep up. Speaking on a new episode of GlobalData's Thematic Intelligence podcast, Martin Rehak, CEO and founder of cybersecurity company Resistant AI, pointed to the importance of a multi-faceted approach, which he describes as defence-in-depth.

Types of AI fraud

Rehak explained that AI fraud is predominantly enabling a change of scale without engendering a change of scope.

Basically, all [types of AI fraud] are extensions of the typical or traditional fraud forms that have existed for a couple of years, especially using AI to target onboarding processes ... he said.

Its used to scale out the creation of fake accounts and theft of real business identities and then basically open accounts with financial institutions globally which are then used to defraud people, or to do money laundering.

The second [use] is when you actually steal the money. This is where you go to companies or people and use AI to produce plausible enough conversations and relationships that convince people to send you the money.

The latter are the cases that tend to make headlines. The news last year that a Hong Kong finance worker was tricked into sending $25m to fraudsters by a deepfaked video call broke the topic out of its niche and into the mainstream.

The trouble is, most fraud is much less flashy. Retail Banker International reported in March that ID fraud may account for half of all bank-related fraud by 2025.

Explaining why this is an issue, Rehaks said: There are a couple of high-profile cases where someone steals $25m, and thats nice, but typical cases that we hear about every day range from $5,000 to $50,000. If you lose that much money, it doesnt make the news, but the real news is how normal this crime is. If you look at the rates where these crimes are investigated and they apprehend the perpetrators, they are essentially zero.

Typically, this means someone walking away with the money, and not much money left for the victim. There are some exceptional cases where the gangs get prosecuted, but most of the crime is targeting different countries for political reasons, and convincing police to investigate a case that spans multiple countries and makes them do 60 different paperwork requests in five different languages is very hard. They are trying to combat the crime of the 21st century by using the means of the 19th.

Story continues

How to stop AI fraud

If law enforcement cant be trusted to stop these crimes and current techniques are outdated, the solution may be drawn from the same font as the cause.

Rehak believes that the best way to defeat bad actors tools is with AI of ones own, explaining: We need to put AI in front of the AI thats doing the onboarding to stop the criminals from leveraging automation. We dont want scalable attacks, we dont want thousands of fake identities onboarded as customers of banks.

The way we do it is interesting because the danger of AI is that the attackers are learning all the time. Fraud prevention projects used to be built at a scale of months; a fast-track project might get done within three to six months and typically a year.

Today, you have to work on the scope of minutes or hours. If you dont fix your system within a couple of hours of you being aware of a vulnerability, its very easy for the attackers to exploit your weaknesses at scale ... We see this on social media, we see this from financial institutions and we see this a lot in the payments industry.

Fraud has always existed, and likely always will, but AI provides an edge unattainable by having only humans on a team. This is especially important now as infrastructure enabling fraud is incredibly detailed.

The second thing that's placed in their favour is that they have very efficient black markets, said Rehak. In the old times, a hacker whod found an exploit would have to design the whole way to make money on that.

Today, though, there are a host of available services not unlike hiring contractors for legitimate tasks. A typical process involves buying fake identities from one group, sending them to another that produces documents from them and giving those to an identification specialist who will open accounts on your behalf. Those accounts can then be sold to people wanting to commit financial crimes including money laundering and sanctions evasion.

A digital fortress

The most important thing to remember, Rehak said, is the oldest security concept we have: defence in depth. You shouldnt have only one security system or layer of security. Financial institutions need to work with specialists that know what's going on in the financial criminal industry and that can build AI models fast enough to basically be on par with the attackers.

Last but not least, you should never fall asleep. You should always think that the other side will be smarter. Testing and never trusting yourself are the two main bits of advice I can get.

"AI needed to tackle AI fraud  cybersecurity expert" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Maverik  a Utah-based, outdoors-themed travel center chain  is looking to open its first Kansas location in Johnson County.

The 6,000-square-foot gas station is slated to open at Homestead Lane and 199th Street in Edgerton, according to a release from Elevate Edgerton, an economic development agency for the city.

While construction is set to begin in mid-2024, Elevate Edgerton did not clarify when its expected to open.

Maverik told The Star it could not confirm any construction plans yet.

Maverik has 380 travel centers in 12 states. Soon, it will open one in Kansas.

Founded in Wyoming in 1928, Maverik has over 380 locations in 12 states, including Nebraska, Colorado and Nevada. It has none in Missouri.

The chain is known for its mountain-themed decor. Its in-store BonFire Grill markets serve breakfast burritos, egg and cheese sandwiches, pizza, doughnuts and other treats.

Last year, Maverik announced that its parent company, FJ Management, had acquired Iowa-based gas station company Kum & Go. Maverik has begun to rebrand several of its Kum & Go locations.

Further north in Kansas City, Kansas, Texas-based travel chain Buc-ees is planning its first Kansas City area spot near Kansas Speedway. The massive centers have a cult-like following. Its closest location, in Springfield, is 53,000 square feet with 120 fuel pumps.

A St. Louis travel center, Wallys, is opening an Independence pit stop, expected to be 30,000 square feet with 80 gas pumps.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma-based QuikTrip continues to have a hold on the Kansas City area. In October, it celebrated the grand opening of its 100th area store.

This embedded content is not available in your region.
(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc.s unionized retail store in Towson, Maryland, will hold a vote Saturday on whether to authorize a strike in the lead-up to a new round of negotiations with the iPhone maker.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Earlier this week, the local Machinists union that represents the store workers distributed packets detailing the plan. If the majority of the unionized employees votes May 11 to approve a strike, it could take place at any time. A union representative said no dates have been decided.

The local affiliate of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers is scheduled on May 21 to hold its next round of negotiations on a contract with Apple. A strike in front of an Apple retail store would upset the finely tuned image of the company. It would also mark the first known walkout by unionized Apple retail workers in the US, but would follow one in France last year.

The union told employees it would provide $200 per week to the strikers after a walkout has gone on at least 14 days and that those who protest cant be fired for picketing over labor practices.

Apple, in a statement, said it deeply values its retail team members and were proud to provide them with industry leading compensation and exceptional benefits. As always, we will engage with the union representing our team in Towson respectfully and in good faith.

The store and Apple have reached a series of agreements, none of which are considered to veer greatly from Apples preexisting policies. The union told employees there are ongoing negotiations regarding pay, overtime, unpaid leave of absences, time-away benefits and scheduling.

Our tentative agreements will bring remarkable protections to our team and achieve many of our goals going into bargaining, the union told the Towson store workers. Apple is not bargaining in good faith, and we have multiple unfair labor practice charges against Apple for their illegal behavior.

In an unrelated development, the companys store in Short Hills, New Jersey, is voting this weekend on whether to unionize. Earlier this month, the US National Labor Relations Board ruled that Apple illegally interrogated staff at its World Trade Center store in New York City.

--With assistance from Josh Eidelson.

Story continues

(Updates with company comment in the fifth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Private and commercial bank Arbuthnot Latham has named Amit Modha as head of the Middle East and a director in the international banking division.

Modha has extensive expertise, having worked at Kleinwort Hambros as a private banking director. There, he successfully oversaw a portfolio of extremely wealthy clients from all over the world, with a particular emphasis on the Middle East and Turkey.

In addition to structuring complex UK real estate loans and asset-backed lending, Modha is skilled in creating custom investment solutions.

He worked for Coutts and NatWest in the UK, as well as Julius Baer Middle East in Dubai, before taking up this position.

With more than 17 years of experience in the banking industry, Modha will carry along a unique mix of skills and a history of fostering the development of new business and enduring client relationships.

As part of the continued efforts to improve the banking offering, he joins after a number of recent, crucial recruitments.

His hiring is proof of the company's commitment to drawing in professionals with a range of fields, which strengthens the ability to provide customers with innovative ideas and first-rate service.

Moreover, with each new hire at Arbuthnot Latham, the bank strengthens its position as a financial firm that is ready to meet their customers' shifting needs and generate sustainable growth.

Ross Mitchell, head of international private banking at Arbuthnot Latham, stated: "We are thrilled to welcome Amit into our team as the new international banking director. His extensive experience and proven track record in the financial industry make him a highly valuable addition to our bank. We are confident that his leadership will further enhance our global banking operations and drive continued success in serving our diverse client base. We look forward to working closely with Amit as we navigate the exciting opportunities and challenges ahead in the international banking landscape."

"Arbuthnot Latham bolsters international banking team" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in ASML Holding implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

A total of 25 investors have a majority stake in the company with 35% ownership

Analyst forecasts along with ownership data serve to give a strong idea about prospects for a business

To get a sense of who is truly in control of ASML Holding N.V. (AMS:ASML), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 58% to be precise, is institutions. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of ASML Holding.

See our latest analysis for ASML Holding

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About ASML Holding?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

We can see that ASML Holding does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see ASML Holding's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in ASML Holding. BlackRock, Inc. is currently the company's largest shareholder with 8.4% of shares outstanding. With 3.9% and 2.7% of the shares outstanding respectively, The Vanguard Group, Inc. and Norges Bank Investment Management are the second and third largest shareholders.

Our studies suggest that the top 25 shareholders collectively control less than half of the company's shares, meaning that the company's shares are widely disseminated and there is no dominant shareholder.

Story continues

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of ASML Holding

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our information suggests that ASML Holding N.V. insiders own under 1% of the company. As it is a large company, we'd only expect insiders to own a small percentage of it. But it's worth noting that they own 74m worth of shares. It is good to see board members owning shares, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 42% stake in ASML Holding. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand ASML Holding better, we need to consider many other factors. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for ASML Holding that you should be aware of.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Moscow welcomes the meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia scheduled for May 10 in Almaty, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing, Azernews reports citing TASS.

"We welcome the meeting which is scheduled for May 10," the diplomat said when asked about Russia's expectations of the event.

Zakharova stressed that Moscow "is ready to continue to support the promotion of Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization."

Earlier, Kazakh Foreign Ministry Spokesman Aybek Smadiarov confirmed that the meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers will be held in Almaty on May 10. He specified that "the negotiations will be confidential, with the press invited to the opening" of the meeting.
By Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich and John O'Donnell

VIENNA (Reuters) -Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) has dropped a bid for a 1.5 billion euro ($1.6 billion) industrial stake linked to Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska after intense U.S. pressure.

The deal's collapse is a fresh setback for the biggest Western bank in Russia, which faces criticism for its ties to Moscow more than two years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

RBI's announcement followed weeks of pressure over its plan to buy a stake in construction group Strabag, a move designed to unlock bank funds frozen in Russia but opposed by the U.S.

"In recent exchanges with the relevant authorities, RBI has been unable to obtain the required comfort in order to proceed with the proposed transaction," the bank said on Wednesday.

The plan had come under fire from the U.S. Treasury because Deripaska is sanctioned, exacerbating tensions between Washington and RBI, which is already under scrutiny from U.S. sanctions enforcement agency OFAC, sources told Reuters.

RBI had wanted to buy a stake in Strabag from a company the Vienna-based construction group identified as being controlled by Deripaska, who has denied any current links to Strabag and dismissed Western sanctions against him as misguided and based on false information.

U.S. officials, however, suspected he would benefit from the sale, sources have told Reuters and some Austrian officials also privately cautioned against the deal, believing it could be declared a breach of sanctions, people with direct knowledge of the matter had told Reuters.

Strabag is one of Europe's biggest construction firms and built the Olympic stadium for the Sochi winter games and luxury apartments in Moscow.

Two years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, RBI's continued Russian presence underlines the ties between Moscow and Vienna - whether via Russian gas pipelines or Vienna serving as a hub for cash from Russia and former Soviet states.

RBI's Russian business is a money spinner but has tarnished the group's image.

The group, controlled by a network of local banks rooted in the country's farming sector and critical to the economy, holds large sway in Austria. But it buckled to pressure from the United States, which has the power to shut the bank out of the dollar-dominated world of international finance.

Investors took hope at the prospect of the Strabag deal when it was announced in December but the bank was forced to abruptly shelve the sale of a 650 million euro bond when the U.S. objections emerged in a Reuters report.

Story continues

Most of the gains in RBI's stock since December's announcement have largely evaporated, as the deal unravelled.

RBI, which acts as an international payments bridge for Russia, has resisted pressure to cut ties with Moscow, although it says it has long explored doing so.

The bank is a critical financial lifeline for millions of Russian customers who want to send euros or dollars abroad. Western regulators want this to change. The European Central Bank is demanding the bank pare back its Russia business.

So far, key Austrian officials, irked by what they see as U.S. bullying of a small, neutral country, have fought the bank's corner.

Recently, Austria pressured Kyiv to remove RBI from a Ukrainian blacklist, holding out on backing fresh EU sanctions on Russia until it did.

Many, however, were not prepared to back RBI over the Strabag deal. One person with direct knowledge of Austrian officials' thinking said it was embarrassing, given international criticism of Austria for being too friendly towards Russia.

Although Italy's UniCredit also has a business in Russia and is similarly reluctant to leave, RBI is far larger and has become a test of Western resolve to end Russian ties.

Russian authorities have made it clear to RBI, which has around 2,600 corporate customers, 4 million local account holders and 10,000 staff, that they wish it to stay because it enables international payments.

RBI had said it intended to spin off its Russian business, but after two years of war, little has changed.

($1 = 0.9308 euros)

(Reporting by Tristan Veyet in Gdansk; Editing by Matthias Williams, Miranda Murray, Mark Potter and Alexander Smith)
Azule to Acquire Asset Stake in Namibia's Orange Basin

This article was first published on Rigzone here

Angola-based Azule Energy, an independent joint venture of BP and Eni, has closed its first international deal with a farm-in agreement with Rhino Resources Namibia.

The landmark agreement will grant Azule a 42.5 percent interest in Block 2914A in petroleum exploration license PEL85, located offshore Namibia, the company said in a news release. The Namibian Orange basin has had the location of several major oil discoveries since 2022.

According to the release, the current contractor group of PEL85 consists of Rhino as operator with an 85 percent stake, National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) with 10 percent and local company Korres Investments Pty Ltd with five percent.

The agreement provides Azule Energy with an option to become the operator of PEL85. The transaction is subject to customary third-party approvals from the Namibian authorities and joint venture parties, the company noted.

The first well is expected to spud by the end of 2024. The plan is to drill two high-impact exploration wells as part of a work program in the area, according to the release.

Our entry into offshore Namibia represents a significant milestone for Azule. We are excited to enter this highly prospective hydrocarbon region and to participate in the unlocking of Namibias oil and gas potential, Azule CEO Adriano Mongini said. This venture aligns with Azule Energys vision of becoming a regional leader in energy exploration and underscores its dedication to safe and reliable resource development.

The signing of this agreement sets the foundations for a new strategic partnership between Rhino and Azule, Rhino Resources CEO Travis Smithard said. This partnership is based upon a mutual drive to accelerate exploration on the block with the goal of developing the hydrocarbon potential in the shortest timeframes possible. We believe that Azules unique capabilities of rapid deployment of technical and financial resources will complement our objectives of delivering value creation, for the benefit of all Namibian stakeholders.

Take control of your future.

Search THOUSANDS of Oil & Gas jobs on Rigzone.com

Search Now >>

Azule Energy was established in August 2022, combining the BP and Eni Angolan businesses. It describes itself as a leading upstream player, with exploration and production activities in 20 licensed blocks. Azule aims to support Angola in its role as a global liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, as well as develop new opportunities in renewables with a new solar business, according to the companys website.

Story continues

Rhino Resources Namibia Ltd is a privately-owned exploration company focused on delivering real low-cost energy solutions to the African continent. The company has been exploring in Namibia for over a decade.

In an earlier report, Toronto-based Sintana Energy Inc. acquired up to 67 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Giraffe Energy Investments (Pty) Ltd., which owns a 33 percent interest in Petroleum Exploration License 79 (PEL 79) governing blocks 2815 and 2915 in Namibias Orange Basin.

To contact the author, email rocky.teodoro@rigzone.com

More From Rigzone.com, The Leading Energy Platform:

>> Find the latest oil and gas jobs on Rigzone.com <<
Down

BlackRocks global ETF experienced a flash crash on Deutsche Boerse last month. How did this happen on one of Europes most liquid ETFs and can it be avoided in the future?

Following the US jobs data report, the $72.8 billion iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (EUNL), Europes second-largest ETF, fell 5% in less than a second at 2.30pm Central European Time on April 5, before jumping back up shortly after as market-making activity resumed.

While not unprecedented  and not solely a quirk of ETFs but also other listed securities  the event highlights several key nuances in ETF trading that investors must understand.

BlackRock ETF Flash Crash Explained

Following the report of the US jobs data, sell orders were instantly placed on the ETF at a point when market-making activity was low, causing its price to decline.

This decline triggered multi-stop loss orders  a pre-placed sell order implemented by traders to limit losses on a security  causing the ETFs price to spiral further as more and more stop loss orders were executed.

Crucially, none of these orders were big enough to trigger one of Deutsche Boerses safeguard mechanisms, which would have halted trading had EUNLs price fallen 1.5%.

However, the spiral of stop-loss orders eventually triggered a separate safeguard mechanism, and trading was halted after EUNLs price fell 5% below its overnight trading level.

Remarkably, due to the wonders of electronic trading, all of this happened in less than a second. At this point, market makers were brought back into the market to start trading on the ETF, with normal pricing resumed.

According to Paolo Giulianini, head of ETFs at Vantage Capital Markets, EUNLs liquidity makes it more suitable for order-driven trades, meaning it can trade in a similar way to the futures and equities.

We are talking about one of the most liquid ETFs in Europe and so it is more prone to being an order-driven ETF, not a quote-driven ETF, he said. If it was quote driven, you could say add more market makers, but because it is so liquid, there are likely many stop orders on this ETF which caused the price decline.

Where Were the Market Makers?

While market makers are required to provide pricing for most of the trading day, there are often points  such as market opening or following news events  where this does not happen, or spreads are significantly wider, even on one of Europes most traded ETFs.

One argument is that market makers do not provide pricing during these periods of volatility as they are unlikely to profit from an arbitrage opportunity.

Story continues

Conversely, market makers might see this move as self-protection, avoiding the risk of mispricing during volatile markets.

One market maker told ETF Stream: Larger market makers which cover many products and do not have the fastest machines may [pull back from the market] to avoid any mispricing during this time of the day.

The person added there are instances where it shows prices 100% of the day but with wider spreads at some points as they enter safe mode.

How can the market makers already have valued the basket of stocks when the market has just opened? You cannot calculate the exact price of the ETF so there is uncertainty, no matter how many are pricing the market, the person said.

Different exchanges also have different obligations market makers must fulfil regarding the time they must spend pricing in the market.

How to Avoid Another BlackRock ETF Flash Crash

While Deutsche Boerse's rules of trading were adhered to on this occasion, one capital market expert highlighted that different trading venues have different trading mechanisms, meaning the result may have been different elsewhere.

Deutsche Boerse said it was reaching out to industry stakeholders to understand if it could calibrate its market mechanisms to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Another industry insider said it was on the onus of investors to not place an order blind into the market.

It comes down to the education of investors who place orders in the market, the person said.

I see this pattern of behavior from investors sometimes. Maybe they have a cut-off point to trade, but they should wait two or three minutes when market makers are coming in with better liquidity and tighter spreads.

In addition, you never want to place an ETF trade without a limit order on exchange, especially if you want to sell.





Permalink |  Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved
China electric cars

BMW has urged the European Union not to be so afraid of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) amid a rift between Germany and France over how to tackle a wave of cheap exports.

Oliver Zipse, chairman of BMW Group, claimed fears about an onslaught of Chinese EV arriving on the Continent were overblown and that imposing restrictions flew in the face of free trade.

He pointed to the operations of foreign car makers in China, which is BMWs biggest market, and warned that getting into a tit-for-tat trade war would harm German industry much more than the other way around.

His comments come as an EU investigation into alleged subsidies provided to Chinese manufacturers rumbles on, raising the prospect that the bloc could hit their cars with import tariffs.

European capitals remain split on the prospect of tariffs, with Germany expressing caution and France adopting a tougher position.

But in remarks translated by an interpreter on Wednesday, Mr Zipse insisted: It is certainly not true that Europes currently being swamped with Chinese products.

Mr Zipse warns a tit-for-tat trade war would 'harm German industry much more than the other way around' - Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

He said European car makers already enjoyed market access in China, adding: And by the way, [China] is now our largest market.

And as soon as [Chinese car makers] begin to gain a foothold in Europe, were getting worried, although theyre not even fully here yet.

From a Chinese point of view, this is not comprehensible at all. And we understand that this is not comprehensible.

Mr Zipse went on to say, We have very good market access in China.

And in the other way around, if all of a sudden were trying to close down the borders, because were so afraid. This is not what free trade is about.

I think we have a right to be self confident and dont be so afraid, as the European Union currently is.

He added that BMW was against introducing customs duties and warned: Doing anything like that on a permanent basis, it will harm the German industry much more than the other way around.

It came as BMW on Wednesday also reported its first quarter results, with the Munich-based car giant forecasting a drop in profits as it ploughs money into developing EVs while battling higher staff costs and falling used car prices.

The company has pencilled in record spending on EV development in 2024, up from 7.5bn (6.5bn) last year.

Like other car makers, it is also ramping up investment in China as it seeks to hold on to market share amid fierce competition on prices from domestic brands.

But against that backdrop, there are concerns that overproduction of EVs in China, where there is a glut of both EV brands and cars, will now lead to a flood of cheap vehicles being exported to Europe.

Story continues

Last year, the European Commission launched an investigation into Chinas top car makers and their suppliers amid concerns that Beijing has tipped the scales by pumping tens of billions of dollars worth of subsidies into its own industry.

Ursula Von der Leyen, the commissions president, has warned that the EU must make sure that competition is fair and not distorted, while French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated the concerns as he hosted Chinese premier Xi Jinping this week.

Im calling for an adjustment because China now has excess capacity in many areas and exports massively to Europe, Mr Macron told a magazine ahead of the state visit.

But Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, has repeatedly urged caution.

He said last month: We want to sell our cars in Europe, in North America, in Japan, in China, in Africa, in South America, in all the places.

But this means that were open to getting the cars of other countries also on the market of Germany.

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.
Mr Watt, who has a reported fortune of more than 260m, was accused of presiding over a 'cult of personality' - Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg Finance LP

The founder of BrewDog who was accused of fostering a toxic workplace is stepping down as the company mulls a potential 1.8bn float.

James Watt, who founded the craft beer brand with business partner Martin Dickie 17 years ago, said on Wednesday he would hand over the reins to chief operating officer James Arrow.

Mr Watt will remain on BrewDogs board as a director and retains a 21pc stake in the company.

The entrepreneur grew Scotland-based BrewDog into Britains biggest independent craft brewery, buoyed by marketing stunts and crowdfunding.

However, in recent years Mr Watt has been dogged by controversy, with staff accusing him of overseeing a toxic workplace culture.

Announcing his decision to step down, Mr Watt said he was grateful for the tough times too, for the learnings they provided, the resolve they instilled and the perspective they offered.

His decision comes as BrewDog considers a much-anticipated initial public offering (IPO), which Mr Watt has previously claimed could value the company at around 1.8bn.

BrewDog sells beers in 70 countries and runs more than 100 bars across the world - James North

A sale to another brewer or a private equity company are also options under consideration. No formal process to IPO or put the company up for sale has yet begun.

Mr Watt began brewing beers with Mr Dickie in Fraserburgh, Scotland, making tiny batches, bottling them by hand and selling them at local markets. Today, BrewDog sells beers in 70 countries and runs more than 100 bars across the world with more than 2,500 staff. The company had sales of 320m in 2022.

Mr Watt and Mr Dickie helped grow the business through attention-grabbing stunts in their early years, including selling what they claimed was the worlds strongest beer served in taxidermied squirrels and driving a tank through the streets of London.

Mr Watt styled himself and his business as punk, criticising the practices of big brewers and initially eschewing traditional finance to raise millions from tens of thousands of retail investors who they dubbed equity punks.

However, BrewDog sold a 22pc stake in the business to the American private equity giant TSG Consumer Partners in 2017 for 100m. Private equity firms typically expect to exit their investments after between four and seven years. The term of TSGs investment in BrewDog is set to expire in August 2024, Bloomberg reported last year.

BrewDog has in recent years faced criticism over its workplace culture. Former staff accused Mr Watt of presiding over a cult of personality and said many of the companys marketing stunts were exaggerated or made up.

BrewDog was also accused of having a toxic workplace, with the letter stating: Being treated like a human being was sadly not always a given for those working at BrewDog. It claimed staff were left burnt out, afraid and miserable.

Story continues

Mr Watt said he had 'always tried to do the best by our team' after a letter claimed staff were 'burnt out, afraid and miserable' - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Mr Watt said at the time he had always tried to do the best by our team but admitted that on many occasions we havent got it right.

In the wake of the letter, BrewDog conducted an internal review and hired additional staff to improve its culture.

In 2022, Mr Watt was also accused of inappropriate behaviour by a number of former workers, who spoke to journalists for a BBC documentary called The Truth About BrewDog.

The documentary contained claims that staff members felt uncomfortable with how Mr Watt acted towards women in bars.

Mr Watt complained to Ofcom, calling the documentary a hatchet job. However, the watchdog later ruled that Mr Watt and BrewDog had not been treated unfairly.

Announcing his decision to step down as chief executive on LinkedIn, Mr Watt wrote: For almost 2 decades pretty much every second of my waking existence has been focussed on this amazing business.

Being able to co-found and then lead BrewDog and our fantastic team has been the greatest privilege and the best adventure I could ever have wished for.

During my time at the helm of BrewDog, there have been highs and lows, ups and downs, crazy successes and incredibly hard challenges.

The success of BrewDog has amassed Mr Watt a reported personal fortune of more than 260m.

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.
Revenue: Reported $337.1 million in Q1 2024, slightly exceeding the estimated $316.55 million.

Net Income: Achieved $6.6 million, falling short of the estimated $10.90 million.

Earnings Per Share (EPS): Recorded at $0.23 per diluted share, below the estimated $0.39.

Adjusted EBITDA: Reached $47.5 million, indicating a growth from $46.0 million in the previous quarter.

Quarterly Financial Performance: Improved from a net loss of $7.9 million in Q4 2023 to a net income of $6.6 million in Q1 2024.

Annual Financial Outlook: Affirmed 2024 financial guidance and issued new financial outlook for 2025 and 2026, targeting a compound annual growth rate of 21% in Adjusted EBITDA.

Liquidity and Capital Allocation: Reported $140.6 million in unrestricted cash and $81.9 million in available credit as of March 31, 2024.

Bristow Group Inc (NYSE:VTOL), a leading provider of vertical flight solutions, disclosed its financial results for the first quarter of 2024 on May 7, 2024, through its 8-K filing. The company reported a net income of $6.6 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, a significant improvement from a net loss of $7.9 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, in the previous quarter. However, this falls short of analyst expectations of $0.39 per share. Total revenues slightly decreased to $337.1 million from $337.9 million in Q4 2023, yet surpassed the estimated revenue of $316.55 million.

Bristow Group Inc. (VTOL) Q1 2024 Earnings: Misses EPS Estimates But Shows Revenue Resilience

About Bristow Group Inc.

Bristow Group Inc is renowned for its comprehensive aviation services, including personnel transportation, commercial search and rescue (SAR) operations, and various aviation solutions across multiple countries. With a significant presence in the energy sector, Bristow's services are crucial for the safe and efficient transport of personnel in the offshore oil and gas industry.

Quarterly Financial Highlights

The slight decline in total revenues was primarily due to a marginal decrease in operating revenues, which stood at $329.4 million, down from $329.6 million in the preceding quarter. This was partly offset by increased activity and higher rates in Africa and Norway within the offshore energy services sector. The company also highlighted a $2.2 million reduction in operating expenses, attributing it to lower fuel costs and maintenance expenses, which positively impacted the financial results despite challenges in other areas such as fixed wing services and foreign exchange losses.

Strategic Initiatives and Market Outlook

Chris Bradshaw, President and CEO of Bristow Group, expressed optimism about the company's trajectory, emphasizing ongoing investments to expand and diversify its government services business. The company expects these initiatives to contribute to a multi-year growth cycle, anticipating significant increases in revenues, Adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow in the coming years. Bristow has set ambitious financial targets for 2026, projecting a compound annual growth rate of 21% in Adjusted EBITDA relative to 2023.

Story continues

Operational and Financial Challenges

Despite positive developments, Bristow faced several operational challenges during the quarter. These included lower seasonal utilization in Australia and adverse effects from currency devaluation in Nigeria, which led to a $6.5 million net foreign exchange loss. Additionally, the company's fixed wing services revenue declined due to these factors, highlighting the volatility and risks associated with international operations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2024, Bristow reported a robust liquidity position with $140.6 million in unrestricted cash and an additional $81.9 million available under its credit facilities. The company's strategic financial management enables it to support ongoing operations and future growth initiatives, evidenced by its recent upsizing of secured equipment financing to support the UK Search and Rescue contract.

Forward-Looking Statements

Bristow's management has reaffirmed its financial outlook for 2024 and provided projections for 2025 and 2026, reflecting confidence in the company's strategic direction and market opportunities. However, investors are advised to consider the potential risks associated with currency fluctuations, market dynamics, and operational challenges that could impact future performance.

For further details on Bristow Group Inc's financial performance and strategic initiatives, investors and stakeholders are encouraged to review the full earnings report and attend the upcoming earnings call scheduled for May 8, 2024.

For additional information, please visit Bristow Group's investor relations page at https://ir.bristowgroup.com/.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Bristow Group Inc for further details.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Members of the community were recognized by the Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce at the annual awards ceremony on May 7, 2024.

CHILLICOTHE  Prominent community members and business owners came together recently to celebrate each other during the 2024 Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce Awards.

The event was held at Bell Manor on May 7, and a variety of local officials and business representatives joined in on the celebration that featured a social hour, dinner, and the award ceremony. The theme of the night was "Rockstars in Business" because as president and CEO of the Chamber Mike Throne said, "All of you are our rockstars."

See last year's award winners: Local businesses support each other during annual Chamber Awards

Awards given out included the Entrepreneur of the Year award, given to businesses of over five years who have proven themselves by taking risks and facing challenges; the Corporate Citizenship award, given to businesses or individuals who have put time and money into causes; the Legacy award, given to businesses of over 25 years who showcase longevity; and the Young Professional award, given to future leaders who are already making a mark through their work.

Winners were given awards from the chamber as well as proclamations from Senator J.D. Vance, State Representative Mark Johnson and U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup.

The Legacy Award was given to Accurate Heating, Cooling and Plumbing which was started in 1977 and now serves 17 counties. Owner Tom White said he loves "serving people" and the business is the best way he can do that.

The Corporate Citizenship Award was given to Bo Lacey Construction for its charitable contributions and commitment to work-life balance for its employees.

The Young Professional of the Year Award was given to Anna Armistead for her work as Vice President of the EPIC Young Professionals and member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of South Central Ohio, Greater Chillicothe Women in Business, Life Ready, and more.

The most prestigious award of the night, Entrepreneur of the Year, was awarded to Bobbi Blanton owner of Brick Haven Spa, Cranberry Boutique and The Coffee Hub. Starting in 2016 with just two employees Blanton now helps employ around 50 individuals in her several businesses. She also, somehow, finds time to help with the Fall Festival of Leaves and support the Paxton Theatre.

Blanton said she was appreciative and "humbled" to receive the award. She credits her friends and family for helping her make it this far as they have given her more support than she could ever imagine.

"What an honor to get this award," said Blanton.

In addition to the four annual awards the chamber also gave out a special recognition to Don Russell who at 89 years old is still helping the community through his woodworking business which he uses to help a variety of organizations and charities in the area.

Story continues

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Owner of three businesses wins Entrepreneur of the Year
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Crest Builder Holdings Berhad fair value estimate is RM0.63

Current share price of RM0.51 suggests Crest Builder Holdings Berhad is potentially trading close to its fair value

The average premium for Crest Builder Holdings Berhad's competitorsis currently 185%

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Crest Builder Holdings Berhad (KLSE:CRESBLD) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

We 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. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Crest Builder Holdings Berhad

Is Crest Builder Holdings Berhad Fairly Valued?

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM19.3m RM16.6m RM15.2m RM14.4m RM14.1m RM14.0m RM14.1m RM14.3m RM14.6m RM15.0m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -21.47% Est @ -13.96% Est @ -8.71% Est @ -5.03% Est @ -2.46% Est @ -0.65% Est @ 0.61% Est @ 1.49% Est @ 2.11% Est @ 2.54% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 16% RM16.6 RM12.3 RM9.7 RM7.9 RM6.6 RM5.7 RM4.9 RM4.3 RM3.8 RM3.3

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM75m

Story continues

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 (3.6%) 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 16%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM15m (1 + 3.6%)  (16% 3.6%) = RM122m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM122m ( 1 + 16%)10= RM27m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM102m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM0.5, the company appears about fair value at a 19% 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

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own 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 Crest Builder Holdings Berhad 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 16%, which is based on a levered beta of 2.000. 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 Crest Builder Holdings Berhad

Strength

No major strengths identified for CRESBLD.

Weakness

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Opportunity

Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine CRESBLD's earnings prospects.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Crest Builder Holdings Berhad, there are three important elements you should explore:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Crest Builder Holdings Berhad (of which 2 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about. 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! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian 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.
BEIJING (Reuters)  Elon Musk proposed testing Tesla's advanced driver-assistance package in China by deploying it in robotaxis, during his recent visit to the country, the state-backed China Daily newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Chinese officials told the Tesla CEO that China "welcomes Tesla to do some robotaxi tests in the country" and hopes it can "set a good example", the newspaper quoted the sources as saying.

However, Chinese authorities did not immediately approve its widespread use of Full Self-Driving (FSD) functions, the newspaper added.

Before the full rollout of its FSD functions, Tesla still needs to get approval to collect and transfer data that Tesla's cars need to train its driver-assistance features. The newspaper added that this issue wasn't discussed in detail during Musk's visit.

A person briefed on the matter told Reuters that Tesla is seeking to apply to launch the robotaxi tests in Shanghai, where the company's largest factory globally is located.

Tesla and the Shanghai city government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The China Daily report comes shortly after Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a whirlwind weekend trip to Beijing late last month, where he met Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, left, meets with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Wang Ye/Xinhua via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Musk on the trip intended to discuss the rollout of FSD and whether Tesla could secure government approvals to transfer data overseas that could prove pivotal in its development of autonomous vehicles, Reuters previously reported.

FSD is the most autonomous version of Autopilot software and was rolled out in 2020. Its features include self-parking, auto lane changes and traffic navigation.

Among the wins during Musk's trip, which was first reported by Reuters, was a key endorsement from a top Chinese auto association that said Tesla's Model 3 and Y cars were compliant with data-security regulations. That would enable local governments to allow Tesla cars into parts of China they were previously barred from, Chinese media reported, citing a statement from Tesla.

Tesla has also reached an agreement with Baidu to use the Chinese tech giant's mapping license for data collection on China's public roads, according to two people who at the time described that as a step toward FSD rollout in China.

The China Daily newspaper, however, citing a source close to Baidu, said that the deal only meant that the accuracy of Baidu's maps provided to Tesla would be improved and that it had no direct relation with FSD.

Baidu did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Story continues

Musk has abandoned a longstanding goal for Tesla to make affordable electric cars for the masses and is looking to focus on autonomous driving software, robotaxis and its humanoid robot Optimus.

Tesla showroom in Beijing. (Reuters)

Last month, the company mentioned a "purpose-built robotaxi product" that it planned to build with a "revolutionary" manufacturing process, without offering a timeline for its release.

China has been at the forefront in the development of self-driving cars, and companies such as Baidu and Toyota-backed Pony.ai have launched robotaxi services in limited test zones in several cities.

(Reporting by Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh; Additional reporting by the Beijing newsroom; Editing by Sonali Paul)
By Alimat Aliyeva

Roscosmos and its Chinese counterpart the China National Space Administration (CNSA) are jointly exploring the deployment of a nuclear reactor on the surface of the Moon by 2035, Azernews reports citing Russian state-owned news agency.

The head of Roscosmos noted that such a mission would need to be carried out automatically, the necessary technological solutions for this are almost ready.

Roscosmos CEO Yury Borisov said that today we are seriously considering the project of delivering and installing a nuclear power plant on the surface of the Moon together with our Chinese colleagues at the end of 2033-2035.

In March 2021, Roscosmos and the Chinese Space Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation on the creation of an International Scientific Lunar Station (ISS). During the implementation of the lunar program, automatic stations "Smena-6", "Smena-7" and "Smena-8" will be sent to the Earth's natural satellite. The purpose of the first lunar missions will be to test basic technologies that will allow the construction of a complex of experimental research facilities that can be controlled remotely.

Russia and China will send their first mission to the moon in 2026, and the project is scheduled to be completed by 2028.
Luxembourg-based chocolate manufacturer Ferrero Group has opened a new chocolate processing plant in the US city of Bloomington, Illinois.

The new $75m facility, spanning 70,000sqft (6,500sqm), is Ferrero's first in North America and only its third worldwide. It is part of the company's ongoing investment and expansion in the market.

The new processing facility has been established at the company's existing manufacturing site in Bloomington. The same site is also set to house its new $214m Kinder Bueno production facility, currently under construction.

Alanna Cotton, president and chief business officer of Ferrero North America, said: Bringing Ferrero's decades of experience making high-quality, world-class chocolate to Illinois  the heart of America's food and confections industry  is going to help us achieve our goal of being the sweets and treats leader in the market. Ferrero and Bloomington are going to be greater together for years to come."

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker added: The exceptional talent and infrastructure here in Central Illinois are helping drive the growth of its iconic brands, from Crunch and 100 Grand to Raisinets and soon Kinder Bueno. Ferreros Bloomington facility, now including the companys first chocolate factory outside of Europe, is demonstrating to the world the manufacturing prowess we have right here in Illinois.

Last year, Ferrero opened an Innovation Center and R&D Labs in Chicago.

It recently also opened its new regional headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, intending to expand its footprint in the growing markets of the Gulf region.

Ferrero operates in around 170 countries with over 47,000 employees worldwide.

"Chocolatier Ferrero opens first factory in North America" was originally created and published by Investment Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
COLDWATER TWP.  The Coldwater Township board approved Branch County's first solar farm taxing agreement with Apex Clean Energy Monday night under a state law passed last year to guarantee annual tax revenues.

The Payment In Lieu of Taxes, known as a PILT, provides Coldwater Township $2,000 per megawatt for 20 years from the 150 megawatt project covering 1,600 acres across Coldwater and Ovid townships. Coldwater Township has 56.25 megawatts.

Residents concerned the Monday hearing was for a new solar project filled the Coldwater Township hall.

Apex development manager Connor Podkul said construction for the Coldwater River Solar farm should begin this summer.

The name change brought a dozen residents to the Monday hearing, who were concerned there was a new proposed solar project.

The PILT replaces the personal property taxes on the solar panels and equipment to operate the mega solar farm plus land taxes.

Apex Clean Energy project manager Connor Podkul explained the alternative PILT taxing at the Monday Coldwater Township meeting.

The legislature approved the alternative PILT taxation after legal battles over wind farm taxes in mid-Michigan in the last decade.

Assessed values and depreciation schedules radically dropped tax income after the first several years of operation. The PILT stabilizes tax income.

Apex agreed to pay Coldwater $3,000 per megawatt annually in a "Community Benefit Agreement."

Prior story Special-use permits approved for solar farm that will straddle Ovid, Coldwater Twps.

Because the 571 acres leased in Coldwater Township for the project are listed in a federal and state "opportunity zone," the PILT is capped at $2,000.

Ovid Township can receive $7,000 a megawatt for the 93.75 megawatts on 1,109 acres under lease in its township. Ovid is working on a PILT agreement.

Coldwater Township supervisor Don Rogers said the PILT guarantees a stable tax income from the solar farm for local governments.

Township supervisor Don Rogers said the community benefit money for "Law enforcement, fire protection, inspection services, improved roads, parks and recreation, permitting and consulting services," goes only to the township. The annual $168,750 in benefit funds are not shared.

The $112,432 PILT must be split among 13 taxing agencies and millages as are current property taxes.

The solar farm completion is projected for the end of 2025:

Current and approved future tax distribution

Entity Current Tax PILT Tax

State Education Tax $3,309 $15,066

Branch County $2,596 $11,812

COA millages $399 $1,811

911 millage $546 $2,475

Jail millage $682 $3,105

Library millage $603 $2,745

BATA millage $187 $843

Veterans' millage $54 $247

BISD millage $4,477 $20,381

Coldwater Schools $1,414 $51,637

Coldwater Twp. $508 $2.306

Totals $14,527 $112,432

These numbers would shift as millages expires or new ones are passed.

After 20 years, the project will go on regular tax rolls, or a new PILT can be signed.

Story continues

County Treasurer Steve Rutz favored solar energy but expressed concern if the project stopped operating. "You can't foreclose on personal property," Rutz explained.

Rutz expressed concern about the loss of farmland.

Rogers pointed out that a $5 million bond will pay for removing the project when it ceases operation. The project is projected to operate for at least 30 years.

Subscribe Follow the project. Subscribe to the Daily Reporter

While Apex did not confirm who will receive the solar power, DTE Energy is now monitoring the progress of Coldwater River Solar's development.

The Detroit-based company is completing this fall its own 150-megawatt project on 1,100 acres in Union Township.

The company is leasing more land in Quincy and Butler townships.

 Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater Township approves taxing agreement with Apex Clean Energy solar farm
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  After the largest wildfire in the states history, two Texas Republicans in Congress are proposing a bill that would expand financial assistance to ranchers who lose pregnant cattle in natural disasters.

Sen. Ted Cruz and Congressman Ronny Jackson introduced a bill Tuesday that would expand federal aid through the Livestock Indemnity Program for unborn livestock lost. If passed, it could help Texas ranchers who lost more than 15,000 cattle in this years devastating Panhandle wildfires.

Currently, the Secretary of Agriculture pays livestock producers whose animals die in natural disasters, severe weather, disease or even attacks by other certain animals. The payments usually equate to around 75% of the national average price per animal, but it does not apply to unborn livestock if the deceased animal was pregnant.

Craig Cowden, a rancher in Pampa, was more lucky than others during the wildfires that torched more than a million acres in the Texas Panhandle. While he did not lose livestock this time, he has in previous wildfires.

I think the bill can be a great help, Cowden said. What a lot of people dont understand is those cows and those unborn calves are the production and the future revenue stream for our businesseswe wouldnt be reimbursed for the calf that was lost, even if it was a day from being born.

The destruction of grazing land also poses significant financial challenges to ranchers like Cowden. He said he is having to move all of his cattle to other parts of Texas or out of state, estimating about 98% of his land was destroyed.

The Texas House Committee that investigated the fires predicts it will take three to five years for pastures to recover fully.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Banks have shut the accounts of hundreds of defence companies - UK MOD Crown copyright

One of an MPs most important responsibilities is to champion the small businesses in their patch.

I certainly take every opportunity to shout about the smaller firms in my West Worcestershire constituency.

From the fantastically successful tree-growing business Frank P Matthews to the emerging corridor of cyber technology startups, small and medium-sized businesses in my part of the world offer so much to our economy.

But there is no getting away from how tough the pandemic and energy crisis have been for those running small businesses.

Critical government support has been delivered but they need to know that their banks will also support them through such a challenging period.

Our Treasury Committee asked smaller businesses up and down the country to tell us about their experiences with lenders, and I was taken aback by what we were told.

One particular issue we heard about, Im sure in no small part thanks to the campaigning of this very newspaper, was debanking.

During our investigation, we found more than 140,000 small business accounts were closed in the last year alone  with many firms being given little or no notice before they were debanked.

There can be good reasons for closing or denying accounts for businesses, including signs of money laundering or prolonged inactivity, but we found there were still thousands of accounts being closed under the disconcertingly vague justification of risk appetite.

Representatives from the pawnbroking industry told the committee more than half of the companies in their sector couldnt get a bank account.

Even more disturbing was when the boss of Handelsbanken couldnt tell us if they would give an account to BAE Systems  despite the company being one of the biggest suppliers to the Ministry of Defence.

How on earth have we got to the position where a company working to preserve our national security cant be assured of access to a bank account? Banks shareholders demanding environmental, social and governance policies may inadvertently be putting national security at risk. This cannot go on.

It is wrong that banks in this country can systematically debank legitimate firms or industries because their board turns its nose up at their line of work.

If their work is legal then they should be able to access a bank account. Most lenders couldnt even tell us exactly what had been considered before the accounts were closed.

Something has to change, which is why we have asked the Financial Conduct Authority to force banks to send it their debanking data  including the reason for each account closure.

Story continues

Following the revelations uncovered by our inquiry, we have received assurances from the Government that they will be legislating to crack down on unfair debanking. We keenly await the opportunity to scrutinise this urgent work when it is presented to Parliament.

Another particularly troubling issue, which we received a lot of complaints about, was the Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS). For the uninitiated, this is a scheme set up by seven major banks to give smaller firms an official forum to raise unfair treatment by lenders.

Unfortunately, asking the banks to take charge of the initiative fatally damaged its integrity in the eyes of the business community.

A lot of small businesses we spoke to saw this as a deeply conflicted system which deliberately made it difficult for them to settle grievances.

Whether or not banks were directly influencing the decisions made by the BBRS is neither here nor there. An initiative such as this lives and dies by its ability to clearly demonstrate its independence and fairness. The fact is, nobody trusted it and therefore barely any firms used it.

The Government should now be in the process of working out what to replace it with. That must be done speedily and in a way which puts integrity at its core. We cant have another situation where banks are seen as able to bury their own mistakes.

Small businesses employ 16.7 million people in this country, generating 2.4 trillion a year for the UK economy.

Were not asking lenders to wave a magic wand and solve all of the problems facing small businesses but one thing for sure must change  banks must stop making a tough landscape for small businesses needlessly tougher.

Dame Harriett is a Conservative MP and chairman of the Treasury Select Committee

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.
Robust financial performance with significant increase in net income and comprehensive income.

Strategic investments in technology and infrastructure to bolster future growth.

Adherence to stringent environmental regulations posing both challenges and opportunities.

Continued focus on energy transition strategy to achieve carbon reduction goals.

On May 7, 2024, Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK), one of the largest U.S. utilities, filed its 10-Q report, revealing a strong financial performance for the first quarter of 2024. The company reported a substantial increase in net income available to common stockholders, rising from $765 million in Q1 2023 to $1,099 million in Q1 2024. This growth is reflected in the earnings per share, which increased from $1.01 to $1.44. The comprehensive income available to common stockholders also saw a notable rise from $739 million to $1,214 million. These figures underscore Duke Energy's financial resilience and its ability to generate shareholder value amidst a dynamic market environment.

Decoding Duke Energy Corp (DUK): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Financial Robustness: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) has demonstrated a solid financial performance in the first quarter of 2024. The company's net income attributable to Duke Energy Corporation surged to $1,138 million, up from $804 million in the same period last year. This financial strength is underpinned by a diversified revenue stream across regulated electric, regulated natural gas, and nonregulated electric sectors, with total operating revenues climbing from $7,276 million to $7,671 million. The robust balance sheet provides Duke Energy with the flexibility to invest in growth opportunities and weather economic downturns.

Operational Efficiency: Duke Energy's operational efficiency is evident in its ability to manage operating expenses effectively. Despite a slight increase in operation, maintenance, and other expenses, the company has maintained a steady control over costs, with total operating expenses increasing marginally from $5,609 million to $5,720 million. This cost management, coupled with gains on sales of other assets and other net income, has contributed to an operating income leap from $1,674 million to $1,963 million, showcasing the company's operational prowess.

Weaknesses

Regulatory Compliance Costs: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) faces significant costs associated with compliance with environmental regulations. The company is subject to stringent environmental laws that can lead to increased capital and operational expenditures. For instance, the new EPA rules issued in April 2024 impose more stringent GHG emissions limitations and could increase compliance costs, potentially impacting the company's profitability and operational flexibility.

Story continues

Dependence on Weather Conditions: The utility's performance is inherently linked to weather conditions, which can be unpredictable and may affect the demand for energy. Severe weather events, such as storms and hurricanes, can lead to operational disruptions and increased costs for repairs and maintenance, which could adversely affect Duke Energy's financial results and reliability of service.

Opportunities

Energy Transition and Carbon Reduction: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) is well-positioned to capitalize on the global shift towards cleaner energy sources. The company's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and investing in renewable energy sources aligns with evolving regulatory requirements and consumer preferences. Duke Energy's strategy includes extending the operating licenses of its nuclear reactors and investing in renewable energy projects, which could provide long-term growth opportunities and a competitive advantage in a carbon-constrained future.

Technological Advancements: The utility sector is experiencing rapid technological advancements, and Duke Energy has the opportunity to leverage these to enhance its operational efficiency and customer service. Investments in smart grid technology, energy storage solutions, and digital customer engagement platforms can lead to improved reliability, cost savings, and new revenue streams.

Threats

Competitive Pressure: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) operates in a highly competitive environment, with increasing competition from both traditional and alternative energy providers. The rise of distributed generation technologies, such as private solar and battery storage, poses a threat to the company's market share and could lead to a reduced number of customers and stranded costs.

Regulatory and Legal Risks: The company is exposed to regulatory and legal risks that could have material financial implications. Changes in environmental laws, such as the recent EPA rules, could lead to increased compliance costs and impact the company's business plans. Additionally, legal proceedings and settlements could result in significant expenses and damage the company's reputation.

In conclusion, Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) exhibits a strong financial foundation and operational efficiency that position it well for future growth. However, the company must navigate the complexities of environmental regulations and the competitive landscape. By capitalizing on opportunities in the energy transition and technological innovation, Duke Energy can strengthen its market position. The company's proactive approach to managing risks and leveraging its strengths will be crucial in maintaining its status as a leading utility provider.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Revenue: Reported at $274.61 million for Q1 2024, down from $297.64 million in Q4 2023, exceeding estimates of $267.43 million.

Net Income: Posted $11.61 million in Q1 2024, a significant recovery from a loss of $145.70 million in Q4 2023, exceeding the estimated net loss of $0.53 million.

Earnings Per Share (EPS): Achieved $0.11 per diluted share, surpassing the estimated $0.00 per share.

Operating Income: Recorded at $21.81 million in Q1 2024, down from $44.92 million in the previous quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA: Reached $64.16 million, a decrease from $72.34 million in the prior quarter.

Contract Drilling Expense: Decreased to $184 million, down by $5 million from Q4 2023.

New Contract Awards: Secured $713 million in new contracts, including extensions and additional work, enhancing future revenue prospects.

Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc (NYSE:DO) released its 8-K filing on May 7, 2024, disclosing its financial results for the first quarter of 2024. The company reported a total revenue of $274.61 million for the quarter, surpassing the analyst's expectation of $267.43 million. However, the net income stood at $11.61 million, showing a significant recovery from a loss of $145.70 million in the previous quarter.

Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc (DO) Q1 2024 Earnings: Outperforms Revenue Estimates

Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc is a global leader in offshore drilling, providing contract drilling services with its fleet of offshore drilling rigs, including semisubmersibles and dynamically positioned drillships. The company operates in key geographic markets such as the United States, Senegal, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Brazil.

Financial and Operational Highlights

The first quarter saw Diamond Offshore achieving a net income of $11.61 million, a stark contrast to the significant loss in the previous quarter, with earnings per share improving to $0.11. This performance was bolstered by strategic new contracts and effective fleet management. Notably, the company secured $713 million in new contract awards, including extensions for the Ocean BlackLion and Ocean BlackHornet, and initiated plug and abandonment work with the Ocean Patriot.

Despite a decrease in total revenue from $297.64 million in Q4 2023 to $274.61 million in Q1 2024, the company managed a robust operational performance with significant improvements in revenue efficiency, achieving over 96% with six rigs. This operational efficiency reflects well on the company's ability to manage its assets in a challenging environment marked by an equipment incident with the Ocean GreatWhite, which has since been addressed with the rig scheduled for a return in mid-2024.

Story continues

Strategic Moves and Market Positioning

Bernie Wolford, Jr., President and CEO of Diamond Offshore, highlighted the tightening supply-demand balance for high-specification deepwater rigs as a positive indicator for future operations. The company's proactive strategy in securing marketing rights for three 7th generation drillships in various global markets is expected to bolster its competitive edge and operational scope.

"The demand landscape remains compelling for our business... The average contract dayrate across our fleet will notably increase as we transition to our recently awarded contracts," stated Wolford.

This strategic positioning is anticipated to enhance the company's revenue streams and operational efficiency in upcoming quarters.

Financial Stability and Future Outlook

The balance sheet of Diamond Offshore shows a healthy liquidity position with $162.41 million in cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2024, an increase from $124.46 million at the end of 2023. The company's careful management of expenses and strategic capital allocation has allowed it to maintain stability despite market fluctuations.

Looking forward, Diamond Offshore remains focused on returning the Ocean GreatWhite to service, securing additional backlog for its rigs, and continuing to deliver operational excellence. These initiatives are expected to drive further cash flow generation and strengthen the company's market position in the competitive offshore drilling sector.

Investors and stakeholders can anticipate continued progress as the company leverages its strategic initiatives to navigate the complex dynamics of the offshore drilling market.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc for further details.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Amidst a backdrop of global economic fluctuations and regional growth, the Hong Kong market has shown resilience with the Hang Seng Index recently climbing by 4.67%. This positive momentum makes it an opportune time to explore dividend stocks, which can offer investors potential income stability and growth in this dynamic environment.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Hong Kong

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating China Construction Bank (SEHK:939) 8.27%  Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank (SEHK:3618) 9.30%  CITIC Telecom International Holdings (SEHK:1883) 9.30%  Consun Pharmaceutical Group (SEHK:1681) 9.60%  S.A.S. Dragon Holdings (SEHK:1184) 9.02%  Bank of China (SEHK:3988) 7.18%  China Mobile (SEHK:941) 6.90%  Sinopharm Group (SEHK:1099) 4.34%  International Housewares Retail (SEHK:1373) 8.68%  China Overseas Grand Oceans Group (SEHK:81) 8.64% 

Click here to see the full list of 85 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener.

Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Man Wah Holdings Limited is an investment holding company that specializes in manufacturing, wholesaling, trading, and distributing sofas and related products across the People's Republic of China, North America, Europe, and other international markets, with a market capitalization of approximately HK$23.92 billion.

Operations: Man Wah Holdings Limited generates revenue primarily through its Sofa and Ancillary Products segment, which brought in HK$11.77 billion, followed by the Bedding and Ancillary Products at HK$2.83 billion, and smaller contributions from the Home Group Business at HK$0.63 billion.

Dividend Yield: 4.1%

Man Wah Holdings has exhibited a mixed performance in the realm of dividend stocks. Over the past decade, its dividends have shown growth but with notable volatility, including annual drops over 20%. Currently, the dividend yield stands at 4.05%, which is modest compared to Hong Kong's top dividend payers. Despite this, both earnings and cash flows sufficiently cover the payouts, with a payout ratio of 50% and a cash payout ratio of 48.5%. Earnings are projected to grow by 16.73% annually.

SEHK:1999 Dividend History as at May 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Best Pacific International Holdings Limited operates in the manufacturing, trading, and selling of elastic fabric, elastic webbing, and lace, with a market capitalization of approximately HK$2.38 billion.

Story continues

Operations: Best Pacific International Holdings Limited generates revenue primarily through two segments: HK$834.34 million from the manufacturing and trading of elastic webbing, and HK$3.37 billion from the manufacturing and trading of elastic fabric and lace.

Dividend Yield: 7.3%

Best Pacific International Holdings has a history of inconsistent dividends over the last decade, reflecting volatility despite a 50% payout ratio indicating earnings coverage. The company's cash flow also supports its dividends with a 23.9% cash payout ratio. Recently, it proposed an increased dividend of HK$0.1138 per share for 2023, aligning with improved earnings which rose to HK$346.92 million from HK$299.2 million the previous year, suggesting some financial recovery and potential for sustaining future dividends despite past irregularities.

SEHK:2111 Dividend History as at May 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Lee & Man Chemical Company Limited is an investment holding company that manufactures and sells chemical products in the Peoples Republic of China, with a market capitalization of approximately HK$3.05 billion.

Operations: Lee & Man Chemical Company Limited generates revenue primarily through its chemical products segment, which amounted to HK$3.98 billion, and a smaller property segment contributing HK$69.66 million.

Dividend Yield: 5.1%

Lee & Man Chemical recently proposed a reduced dividend of HK$0.14 per share, reflecting a challenging fiscal year with revenue dropping to HK$4.05 billion and net income to HK$400.67 million from higher figures the previous year. The company's dividend yield stands at 5.14%, lower than the top quartile of Hong Kong dividend stocks at 7.83%. Despite this, dividends are reasonably covered by earnings and cash flows, with a payout ratio of 39.1% and cash payout ratio of 75.2%, suggesting some level of sustainability amidst financial pressures marked by volatile past payments and declining profit margins from 19.7% to 9.9%.

SEHK:746 Dividend History as at May 2024

Next Steps

Unlock more gems! Our Top Dividend Stocks screener has unearthed 82 more companies for you to explore.Click here to unveil our expertly curated list of 85 Top Dividend Stocks.

Have a stake in these businesses? Integrate your holdings into Simply Wall St's portfolio for notifications and detailed stock reports.

Elevate your portfolio with Simply Wall St, the ultimate app for investors seeking global market coverage.

Contemplating Other Strategies?

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.

Companies discussed in this article include SEHK:1999SEHK:2111SEHK:746.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Aum racha / iStock.com

Financial challenges can damage your credit if they cause you to pay bills late or miss payments altogether. This is because your payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score.

Find Out: Nearly Half of Americans Struggle To Pay Their Utility Bills: 5 Ways To Save

Try This: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy

Fortunately, your credit score is always changing and you can improve it with a few proven hacks. Just as negative credit activity drags your score down, positive activity pulls it back up. The trick is to avoid further negative activity while you take steps to whip your credit into shape.

How To Rebuild Credit

If youre looking to fix your credit, youll have to come to terms with the fact that there is no such thing as a super quick fix, and how long it will take to rebuild your credit depends on why your credit score is low in the first place. For example, building credit takes a lot longer for someone who has defaulted on loans than someone who has just missed a payment or two.

The good news is that you might see slight improvement quickly, even with a poor FICO score of 580 or less. Low credit scores actually improve faster than good scores in some cases, so dont let a 500 score discourage you from taking action.

Here are some hacks for getting your credit score on track.

1. Check Your Credit Report Along With Your Score

You can get one free credit report per year from each of the three credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. The goal is to look for inaccurate information and unpaid accounts you mightve forgotten about. This hack will help you boost your score because you can file a dispute with the credit bureau in the case of errors. You can also contact the creditor for payment instructions.

Its also important to check your credit score so you can track your progress. You may have to pay to see the scores creditors use, but you can access free educational scores from websites like Credit Karma to see how your score changes from month to month as you make positive changes in the way you use credit.

Read Next: Mark Cuban Reveals Why He Keeps a Strict Budget Everyday

2. Pay Bills on Time

Payment history is a key factor in credit scores and one of the easiest ways to boost your score is to set reminders to ensure that your bills are always paid on time.

Overdue payments stay on your credit report for seven years. However, their impact on your score lessens as time goes on. Once youve caught up, make sure you keep all your accounts in good standing moving forward.

Story continues

3. Reduce Your Credit Utilization Ratio

Another way to hack your credit score is to lower your credit utilization ratio, which is your balance-to-limit ratio. It makes up 30% of your FICO score.

According to Fair Isaac, the company that created the FICO scoring model, moderate use of your credit cards and other lines of credit isnt necessarily bad for your credit score. Credit problems stem from using too a high percentage of your available credit. Lenders see that as a sign that youre overextended and at higher risk of default.

Its important to note that your credit report can show that you have credit card balances even if you pay off your credit cards every month. You can avoid this by making your payments before the end of the statement period, when the creditor reports your account to the credit bureaus. The reported balance can affect your credit score if it represents a high percentage of your available credit.

4. Consider a Credit-Builder Loan

You can hack your credit score by taking advantage of small loans offered through some credit unions and banks to help you establish new credit or repair your credit. If you choose this option, you must make your loan payments on time every time because thats what will boost your credit score.

To give you an idea of what a credit builder loan is all about, Republic Bank offers loans from $500 to $1,500 with 12-, 18- or 24-month terms. The bank puts the amount of money you borrow in a CD that earns you interest. When youve paid off the loan, you can either withdraw your funds or leave them invested in the CD.

This credit builder program can help you improve your credit score in just 12 months, according to Republic Bank.

5. Get a Secured Credit Card

A secured credit card is another hack for improving your credit score because you put collateral money in a security account and use the credit card to access it. The secured credit card works just like a regular credit card in that you can use it to make purchases anywhere.

This is not the same as a prepaid card  you dont draw from your security deposit when you use the card. The deposit only serves as collateral, meaning the card issuer is entitled to keep it if you default.

6. Apply for an Unsecured Credit Card

Once youve raised your score enough to qualify for an unsecured card, you can hack your credit score by applying for one and using it responsibly. Several banks, including Capital One, offer fair-credit cards, if not bad-credit cards, for building or rebuilding credit.

Another option is to apply for a store or gas card. These can be easier to qualify for than bank cards.

In addition to giving you a way to build a history of on-time payments, the new card will increase your total amount of available credit, and in the process, reduce your credit utilization rate.

7. Dont Apply for New Credit Needlessly

You can improve your credit score by putting a stop to applying for new credit cards. Your credit report shows any applications for new credit as an inquiry, which indicates that youre taking on new debt. Opening multiple credit accounts in a short period of time makes you a riskier borrower, especially if you have a limited credit history.

New credit makes up 10% of your FICO score, so the impact is modest. But every point counts when youre trying to rebuild your credit, and using your existing credit shows your ability to manage it responsibly.

8. Become an Authorized User on Someone Elses Account

You can improve your bad credit by asking a family member or friend if they can add you to their account as an authorized user. When the creditor reports account activity to the credit bureaus, it will appear on your credit report as well as the original account holders.

Being an authorized user can help your credit as long as the account remains in good standing. However, Chase warns that this arrangement will hurt your credit if the account holder pays late or defaults.

One Final Option For Boosting Credit

While improving your credit takes time to rebuild, theres a way to increase your score quickly if youve taken a positive action like correcting a credit report error, bringing an account current, or paying down a credit card balance in order to qualify for a loan.

The process is called rapid rescoring, and it reduces the time it takes for your credit score to reflect the positive activity from 30 days or more to less than a week. However, its important to note that you cant perform a rapid rescore on your own  youll need the assistance of a credit company or lender for this.

Repairing Your Credit Takes Time

Developing bad credit probably took you a while, so rebuilding will take time and energy even if you apply these hacks diligently.

However, considering how important good credit is for everything from renting an apartment to buying a car or home to applying for a new job, the steps you take to improve your credit score will be time and energy well spent.

Barri Segal and Martin Dasko contributed to the reporting for this article.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: You Dont Have To Live With Bad Credit: How To Hack Your Credit Score
Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript May 7, 2024

Dutch Bros Inc. isnt one of the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds at the end of the third quarter (see the details here).

Operator: Thank you for standing by and welcome to the Dutch Bros, Inc. First Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast. This conference call and webcast are being recorded today, May 7, 2024 at 5:00 PM eastern Time and will be available for replay shortly after it has concluded. Following the company's presentation, we will open up the lines for questions. Instructions to queue up will be provided at that time. I would now like to turn the conference over to Paddy Warren, Dutch Bros' Senior Director, Investor Relations and Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Paddy Warren: Good afternoon and welcome. I'm joined by Christine Barone, CEO and President and Charley Jemley, CFO. We issued our earnings press release for the quarter ended March 31st, 2024, after the market closed today. The earnings press release along with the supplemental information deck have been posted to our Investor Relations website at investors.dutchbros.com. Please be aware that all statements in our prepared remarks and in response to your questions, other than those of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially. They are qualified by the cautionary statements in our earnings press release and Risk Factors in our latest SEC filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. We will also reference non-GAAP financial measures on today's call. As a reminder, non-GAAP measures are neither substitutes for nor superior to measures that are prepared under GAAP. Please review the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to comparable GAAP results in our earnings press release. With that, I would now like to turn the call over to Christine.

Christine Barone: Thank you, Paddy. Good afternoon, everyone. We delivered exceptional results in quarter one as the momentum we saw leaving 2023 continued into the new year. Headlining this performance was 10% same shop sales growth, the strongest single quarter since Q4 2021. We delivered $275 million in revenue, an increase of 39% year-over-year. These outstanding top-line results were coupled with excellent flow through as we delivered $53 million of adjusted EBITDA, an increase of 120% year-over-year. Our innovation strategy is working. We released two highly successful new products in the quarter with protein coffee followed by boba, driving strong results in both the morning and afternoon dayparts. Our Dutch Rewards program is working with a record 66% of all transactions coming through the program in the quarter, allowing us to efficiently and effectively provide relevant content and offers to our customers.

Story continues

Our investments in driving awareness in new markets are working and we are accelerating spending to capitalize on this momentum. Quarter one same shop sales growth featured a combination of ticket and traffic expansion. Our traffic trajectory improved for a second consecutive quarter. Within the quarter, we experienced some weather disruption in January, rebounding strongly in February and March. In April, traffic and ticket growth tempered as we rolled over the refresh of our rewards program, some product outages due to strong demand and the launch of Mangonada at the beginning of April 2023. Bolstered by strong same shop sales growth, system AUVs expanded to $2 million once again, the highest on record. In quarter one, we opened a record tying 45 new shops, marking the eleventh consecutive quarter of 30 or more new shop openings, demonstrating remarkable consistency as we execute our growth plans.

Even when taking into consideration what remains an uncertain and evolving consumer backdrop, the strong start to 2024 gives us the confidence to raise our guidance for the year. Charley will share more context and details in a few minutes. But first, I'd like to walk you through an update on our business. We begin any discussion of Dutch Bros with our fundamental differentiator, our people. Recently, we were awarded a top 10 position in Forbes' first ever best customer service list, one of just two quick service brands in the top 10. Once again, the culture we infuse into each shop, and the skills and abilities of our broistas to make drinks and create relationships are evident. In our view, these are the keys to building brand affinity and fueling growth.

Our exceptional culture, exceptional people and exceptional service speak to customers across demographics and generations. We continue to support growth with robust people pipeline. Our pipeline has over 375 candidates with an average tenure of over seven years' experience, ready to be tapped to lead markets as operators. As we expand across the country and enter into new regions, our people are our superpower. They help us achieve our goal of consistently delivering an exceptional customer experience focused on speed, quality and service. We continue to be pleased with our shop-level turnover, which is in line with our expectations. The expansion of our support center in Arizona, which we announced last quarter, remains on track, and we are excited to ramp up our hiring in that market.

Phoenix is a terrific market for us, where we enjoy high-brand recognition and affinity. We look forward to capitalizing on this excitement as we continue to build out capabilities in this support center. We anticipate moving into our permanent office location in early 2025. Our leadership team transition continues to go smoothly. Today, we announced Josh Guenser will be officially assuming the CFO role on May 9th. And in April, we announced Sumi Ghosh officially assume the role of president of operations. Both Josh and Sumi have spent significant time in our shops, passing their flow checks, becoming fully certified as broistas and developing a strong understanding and respect for our operations. Our CMO, Tana Davila, has been in her position since June of 2023, and she and her team have been focused on delighting our customers in executing our traffic driving initiatives.

We are beginning to see the results of this focus. We have been executing on a multipronged plan to drive traffic, an enhanced focus on innovation, more targeted rewards program efforts, and increased paid advertising design-to-build brand awareness. We saw progress in each of these areas in the quarter as evidenced by traffic growth across our dayparts and continued momentum as these efforts began to take hold. Here is an update on our key traffic driving initiatives. Innovation. We believe innovation plays a foundational role in the next stage of our growth at Dutch Bros. Over the past year, our innovation strategy has evolved from one primarily focused on highlighting items from our extensive secret menu to one with a greater focus on category innovation.

While we continue to believe there will be a place for quick fun product drops to keep our menu fresh and exciting, we also recognize the opportunity we have to drive category innovation. The launch of protein coffee and boba exemplified this new approach. Through our research, we determined there was an opportunity to address a customer need state with a high-protein functional beverage. Our protein coffee beverage delivers at least 20 grams of milk protein in each medium-sized serving and quickly resonated with our customer base. It was exciting to see how our customers recognized the value of this new occasion and made it a part of their routines, evidenced by higher repeat purchase behavior than our typical LTO. Encouraged by the high-sustained customer demand, protein coffee is now part of our regular menu.

We followed up the success of protein coffee with the launch of boba in March. Boba surpassed all of our expectations. We recognized the recent category growth driven by boba, how nicely this overlaps with our large Gen Z customer base and how seamlessly boba can be integrated into our existing offering. Similar to protein coffee, we saw repeat purchase trends and positive customer response. Beyond driving traffic, boba boosted average ticket and drove what we believe was an increase in group buying behavior. Based on the strong customer and crew response, I am pleased to announce that we will continue to offer strawberry boba as a premium add-on to our regular menu going forward. We intend to continue developing category defining products to help us build sales layers and deepen our competitive moat.

As we do so, we plan to remain focused on throughput and customer experience, striking a good balance between innovation and the complexity that often comes with new product launches. Dutch Rewards. Last year, we took some big steps with this program, moving toward more targeted offers and segmenting Dutch rewards members for the first time. Last summer, we began designing offers to bolster performance in the afternoon daypart. This work is off to a great start, and we are beginning to see how it is resonating with customers and driving our business. The afternoon daypart, where we have been channeling our focus, continues to see strength. When we turn those efforts toward our morning daypart in Q1, we saw a great customer response there as well.

We also reintroduced an offer of a free drink to new rewards customers in late 2023. This has allowed us to continue to grow the program and deepen rewards penetration even as we continue to enter new markets. Ultimately, we aspire to become even more sophisticated with our targeting efforts, aiming for more personalized marketing. This will take time and continued investment and iteration, but we believe our program will continue to strengthen our relationship with our customers. Pay advertising. We continue to focus on utilizing paid media to raise awareness, particularly in new markets. Brand awareness is lower in new markets when compared to more mature markets. In some cases, this difference is substantial with mature markets having twice the brand awareness.

A closeup of a customer tasting a freshly-made cold brew coffee product from the company's shop.

We began making investments in our new market awareness late last year and have been encouraged by our initial progress. We plan to accelerate these efforts in 2024, which represents an incremental investment and we will focus these efforts in new markets, including Texas, Florida and Tennessee. Earlier this year, we announced that we would begin testing order-ahead capabilities within our Mobile Rewards app. The initial phase of the test is going well and we have expanded it to include several stores in the Arizona market. We have gathered a lot of employee and customer feedback as we work through our stage gate process. We are optimistic that we will have mobile order capabilities in a majority of our shops by the end of 2024. Getting this right before a broader launch is important for us.

We have the opportunity to establish a new channel that increases customer convenience while maintaining the high levels of hospitality that have defined our brand for over 30 years. We do not intend to take labor out of our shops despite likely saving considerable time from the order process. Instead, we intend to reinvest this time in production and hospitality. We would hope to more often be a part of the consideration set of potential customers, who may love Dutch Bros, but may be apprehensive of our sometimes long lines. We launched a strategic partnership with Olo to provide the backend technology integration to support this initiative. We are encouraged by the fact that 66% of transactions in Q1 were attributable to Dutch Rewards members.

As we continue to roll out mobile order functionality, having such a robust digital penetration will likely provide us a strong foundation, upon which to scale. New shop development continues to be a bright spot. As a high growth company, Dutch Bros has been able to achieve remarkable opening cadence consistency, despite a challenging backdrop over the past few years. Dutch Bros is now a coast-to-coast brand as during the quarter, we opened two shops in our 17th state, Florida. In the Orlando suburbs, these early shops are exceeding our expectations. Our first Florida shop, which are 3,000 miles away from our original start in Grants Pass, Oregon, have been met with enthusiastic customer demand, a testament to the strength of our brand. Texas will continue to be an important growth market for us in 2024, as we expect approximately 30% of new shops will be in Texas, compared to approximately 45% in the past two years.

We expect our overall rate of infill will remain elevated in 2024. We believe the refinements in our real estate strategy, which we anticipate to begin taking hold in 2025, along with increased investments in brand awareness and a continued focus on our overall traffic driving initiatives will allow us to strike a good balance as we scale the brand. As we have shared before, we are shifting our real estate strategy to lessen the pace of future deep infill, instead focusing on casting a wider net in new markets and allowing more time to build awareness and for shops to season. We believe the beverage occasion is reliable and habitual. and that it takes time to form new habits. Our existing markets have demonstrated this time and time again. As our learnings evolve, we are placing a greater emphasis on market planning.

Evaluating density and other relevant variables and potential new markets, and sequencing of shop openings optimally within new markets to efficiently build excitement and facilitate awareness as we grow. It will take time for these refinements to make their way through the real estate pipeline and we will likely begin seeing an impact in 2025. Concurrently, we have been increasing our advertising investments in these newer markets in an effort to increase awareness. So far, we are pleased by the initial results. Finally, last quarter, we mentioned the intention to begin shifting to a greater mix of build-to-suit leases in 2025 relative to 2024. We would expect this approach provides a more capital-efficient development strategy. That said, we believe we are uniquely positioned given strong cash-on-cash returns that work in both ground lease and build-to-suit lease arrangements.

We are pleased with the excellent start to 2024 and we continue to build a strong foundation for growth. We have terrific customer engagement through our rewards program and are excited about opportunities in front of us to further accelerate this platform. We have top-tier growth. We delivered 39% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1 and yet another quarter of at least 30 plus new shop openings, demonstrating remarkable consistency. We have excellent shop margins and have demonstrated that we can drive exceptional growth profitably. We are well capitalized. We believe we have plenty of flexibility, upon which to execute our growth plan and capture a considerable white space. Most importantly, we have great people, anchored by outstanding engaged broistas, and a strong pipeline of operators ready to open new markets and continue to expand in existing markets.

With that, I'll turn it over one last time to Charley to review our financials and give more details on our guidance. I want to take a moment to acknowledge Charley and all he's done for Dutch Bros. Charley has worked tirelessly to help this company make a massive difference, one cup at a time, and has spent the last few months ensuring our new leadership team understands not only the financial aspects of Dutch Bros, but the field focus culture as well. I have had the great pleasure of knowing Charley for almost 15 years and having his guidance, mentorship and friendship has been a highlight of my career. I want to personally thank him for all he shared and everything he has done for this company.

Charley Jemley: Thank you, Christine and the Dutch Bros team for those kind words. I would like to add my welcome to Josh as our new CFO. One word for Q1's financial results, outstanding. Here's a brief recap of the financial results Christine just shared with you. Revenue growth accelerated to 39%. System AUVs reached $2 million a record. Same shop sales were 10%, which did include roughly a 1% benefit from February 29. Company net sales grew 43% with very good leverage driving 77% growth in company-operated shop contribution. Four-wall productivity remains strong with company-operated shop contribution margin reaching 29.8%, expanding 560 basis points year-over-year. Adjusted SG&A fell below 15% for the first time since our IPO to 14.7%, 370 basis points lower than Q1 of 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA increased to $53 million growing 120% year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.1% is up to 700 basis points over quarter one last year. Company-operated shops saw strong leverage up and down the P&L, driven primarily by strong comparable sales results and continued strong margins from newer shops. Cost of goods sold improved 260 basis points year-over-year, driven by strong ticket growth, as well as year-over-year moderation in underlying costs. We continue to keep a close watch on key commodity costs as we did see some increases in ingredient costs as the quarter progressed. In particular, we are watching sugar and cocoa prices in the near to medium term. We make note of the elevated coffee seed price, which could become a factor down the road given the lag time from bean to cup.

Labor costs improved 160 basis points year-over-year, where the impact of strong comparable sales outweigh the considerable wage investments we have made in the past 12 months. Moving forward, the California minimum wage action that took place April 1 may weigh on our ability to deliver similar leverage in the future. Occupancy and other costs improved 90 basis points year-over-year, driven by sales leverage as well. Pre-opening costs remain moderate as we take advantage of the efficiency in these costs that come from infill. For the quarter, SG&A was approximately $46 million, which includes about $2 million in stock-based compensation. With the exclusion of stock-based compensation and other non-recurring expenses, adjusted SG&A was approximately $40 million or just 14.7% of revenue, compared to 18.4% in Q1 last year.

We continue to support a high-growth business with the proper level of investment and resources, while achieving leverage and support costs as we scale. Regarding our balance sheet and liquidity, as of March 31, we had approximately $662 million in total liquidity, compared to approximately $683 million at the end of 2023. And we believe that we have sufficient liquidity at our disposal to support our currently-contemplated growth plans. As of March 31, that liquidity was comprised of the following elements: $263 million in cash and equivalents, $349 million in undrawn revolver, $50 million in undrawn delayed draw term loans. In the quarter, interest expense net declined $1.5 million from one year ago to $6.4 million. This decline is driven by a $3.5 million reduction in interest paid for outstanding balances in our credit facility less the interest income we received on our investments in marketable securities.

That decline is driven by an improved net cash position and is a product of the September 2023 follow-on offering. Partially offsetting the decline in interest expense net is an increase in interest expense related to finance leases of $2 million, which rose from $3.5 million in Q1 2023 to $5.5 million in Q1 2024. That increase is a product of new company-operated shop openings and the portion of those openings, where leases have been classified as finance leases for accounting purposes. Not discounting the continuing potential of uncertainty in the consumer landscape going forward, we are updating guidance for the balance of the year on the strength of our Q1 performance. As we look forward, it will always be our desire to remain nimble. In that respect, we are seeing attractive returns on both our people and marketing investments, and we believe the strength of our four-wall model enables us to make and accelerate investments that bolster our brand.

With this backdrop, we are issuing the following update to our original 2024 guidance. Total revenues are now projected to be between $1.2 billion and $1.215 billion, or an increase of $10 million from our original guidance. Adjusted EBITDA is now estimated to be between $195 million and $205 million, or an increase of $10 million from our original guidance. When we look at the remainder of the year, we expect to see quarterly adjusted EBITDA results, more close to one another than we have seen in prior years. We would expect Q2 and Q3 will remain slightly stronger quarters seasonally than Q4; however, less pronounced. There are no changes to our original guidance as it relates to the following aspects: total system shop openings remain in the range of 150 to 165, same shop sales growth remain in low single digits, capital expenditures are estimated to remain in the range of $280 million to $320 million.

In summary, it was an outstanding first quarter and start to 2024. These results demonstrate that improvements made last year are beginning to take hold and help position us to navigate the dynamic consumer environment. We look forward to a review of our quarter two results in early August. Thank you. And now, we will take your questions. Operator, please open the lines.

25 States with the Highest and Lowest Resignation Rates and

15 Countries with the Highest Average Salaries in Asia.

To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here.
The Condor logo on an airline building at the airport. Boris Roessler/dpa

An EU court on Wednesday overturned the European Commission's approval of millions of euros in bailout money for the German airline Condor.

"The commission should not have approved the restructuring aid at issue without initiating a formal investigation procedure," a press release from the European Union's General Court said.

Germany got a green light from the commission in 2021 to give Condor 321 million ($345 million) for restructuring after parent company Thomas Cook went bankrupt. EU state aid rules require such bailouts to be approved by the commission.

But rival budget airline Ryanair objected on the grounds that the commission had not done a proper investigation and launched legal proceedings.

On Wednesday, the EU General Court agreed.

The court ruled that the commission should have examined whether the German bailout bought the state a "reasonable share of future gains in the value of Condor."

"Furthermore, those doubts that the Commission should have had necessarily affect its assessment of the scope of the measures to limit distortions of competition."

However, while granting Ryanair's request to annul the commission's decision, the court also said the Irish budget airline had not shown that its own competitive position would be harmed.

A spokeswoman for Condor told dpa that the judgement "has no impact on Condor's business situation and flight operations."

Condor is currently modernizing its fleet with the help, as of 2021, of the financial investor and majority shareholder Attestor. The repayment of the state aid is proceeding according to plan, the spokeswoman said, without going into details.

According to earlier statements, the complete takeover by Attestor should take place by 2026 at the latest.

Ryanair called the decision "a triumph for fair competition and consumers across the EU."

In a statement the company said: "Today's judgement confirms once again that the commission must act as the guardian of a level playing field in air transport and cannot approve discriminatory state aid promoted by national governments."

The commission has two months and 10 days to appeal the decision in the EU Court of Justice, the bloc's highest court.

In a press statement, the commission said it "will study the judgement carefully and reflect on possible next steps."
Mastercard has signed an agreement with The Benefit Company, Bahrains leading fintech company and the national electronic payment infrastructure operator, to explore opportunities for collaboration in driving innovation and financial inclusion in the countrys dynamic payments ecosystem.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two partners aim to co-create innovative digital payment solutions, powered by advanced technology, to address the rapidly evolving needs of consumers and businesses, said a statement from Mastercard.

The collaboration supports the efforts of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) to accelerate the development of the countrys digital economy, it stated.

"At Benefit, we are proactively working to strengthen Bahrains position as a regional financial hub in line with the strategic objectives of The Economic Vision 2030," remarked Abdulwahed AlJanahi, the CEO of Benefit.

Benefit, he stated, is a leader in electronic payments, fund transfer, business process outsourcing services and support.

The companys mission is to provide innovative business and lifestyle solutions that are essential in everyday life, inspire and energise individuals, institutions, and society to unleash new opportunities.

"Our partnership with Mastercard will leverage our complementary capabilities and expertise to develop and launch seamless and secure financial offerings that make life easier, smarter, and more efficient," he added.

Dimitrios Dosis, President, EEMEA, Mastercard, said it was committed to harnessing the power of public-private partnerships to advance digital transformation in the region.

"As one of the most dynamic and innovative countries in the Middle East, Bahrain is a key market for us, and forms a crucial part of our Mena growth strategy. We look forward to working with Benefit to empower its corporate and individual customers to realize their ambitions and unlock their full potential," he added.

In 2023, Benefit processed over 345 million electronic fund transfer transactions through BenefitPay, Bahrains national electronic wallet payment system, and its services Fawri, Fawri+ and Fawateer.

This marks a significant 37% increase in transaction volume compared to the previous year, consolidating the company's position as a driving force in the Kingdom's digital financial landscape.
By Nick Carey and Christina Amann

LONDON/BERLIN (Reuters) -Top executives at BMW and Volkswagen on Wednesday warned against imposing EU import duties on electric vehicles from Chinese automakers, saying it could upend the bloc's Green Deal plan and harm automakers that import cars made in China.

The European Commission, which oversees trade policy in the 27-nation European Union, launched an investigation in October into whether fully-electric cars manufactured in China were receiving distortive subsidies and warranted extra tariffs.

"You could very quickly shoot yourself in the foot," BMW CEO Oliver Zipse told reporters after the German premium automaker reported quarterly results.

BMW imports Chinese-made Mini EVs and the iX3 into Europe.

Like its German rivals Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, BMW is heavily reliant on revenues from its Chinese business.

China is BMW's second-largest market after Europe, accounting for nearly 32% of sales in the first quarter.

"We don't think that our industry needs protection," Zipse told analysts on Wednesday, adding that operating on a global basis gives major automakers an industrial advantage. "You can easily endanger that advantage by introducing import tariffs."

Volkswagen, Europe's biggest carmaker which also heavily relies on China, warned that potential duties generally carried a certain risk.

"There's always some sort of retaliation," Thomas Schaefer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, told the FT's Future of the Car Summit.

In March, the Commission started customs registration of Chinese EV imports, meaning they could be hit by tariffs from that point if the trade investigation concludes they are receiving unfair subsidies.

The probe is due to conclude by November, but the EU could impose provisional duties in July. Brussels should publish a summary of proposed provisional duties by June 5 and these duties would be imposed by July 4.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Berlin on Wednesday that Europe needed to take steps to prevent China from flooding the bloc's market with subsidised electric vehicles.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Von der Leyen urged Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday to ensure

more balanced trade with Europe.

Zipse told analysts that BMW and other automakers have "bilateral dependencies not only on the final product, but on the component side and raw material side."

Imposing duties could backfire as new EU CO2 emission standards that will require more EVs - that are reliant on Chinese battery materials - kick in next year.

Story continues

"There will be no single car in the EU without components from China," Zipse said.

He said that imposing tariffs would undo the EU's industrial plan to ensure the bloc is a frontrunner in cutting carbon emissions and developing the technology required to do so.

"There is no Green Deal in Europe without resources from China," Zipse said.

(Additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop. Editing by Jane Merriman)
By Mike Spector and Chris Prentice

(Reuters) -U.S. prosecutors are examining whether Tesla committed securities or wire fraud by misleading investors and consumers about its electric vehicles self-driving capabilities, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Teslas Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems assist with steering, braking and lane changes - but are not fully autonomous. While Tesla has warned drivers to stay ready to take over driving, the Justice Department is examining other statements by Tesla and Chief Executive Elon Musk suggesting its cars can drive themselves.

U.S. regulators have separately investigated hundreds of crashes, including fatal ones, that have occurred in Teslas with Autopilot engaged, resulting in a mass recall by the automaker.

Reuters exclusively reported the U.S. criminal investigation into Tesla in October 2022, and is now the first to report the specific criminal liability federal prosecutors are examining.

Investigators are exploring whether Tesla committed wire fraud, which involves deception in interstate communications, by misleading consumers about its driver-assistance systems, the sources said. They are also examining whether Tesla committed securities fraud by deceiving investors, two of the sources said.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is also investigating Tesla's representations about driver-assistance systems to investors, one of the people said. The SEC declined to comment.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. Last October, it disclosed in a filing that the Justice Department had asked the company for information about Autopilot and Full Self-Driving.

The Justice Department declined to comment.

The probe, which is not evidence of wrongdoing, could result in criminal charges, civil sanctions, or no action. Prosecutors are far from deciding how to proceed, one of the sources said, in part because they are sifting through voluminous documents Tesla provided in response to subpoenas.

Reuters could not determine the specific statements prosecutors are reviewing as potentially illegal. Musk has aggressively touted the prowess of Teslas driver-assistance technology for nearly a decade.

Tesla videos demonstrating the technology that remain archived on its website say: "The person in the drivers seat is only there for legal reasons. He is not doing anything. The car is driving itself."

A Tesla engineer testified in 2022 in a lawsuit over a fatal crash involving Autopilot that one of the videos, posted in October 2016, intended to show the technologys potential and did not accurately portray its capabilities at the time. Musk nevertheless posted the video on social media, writing: Tesla drives itself (no human input at all) thru urban streets to highway streets, then finds a parking spot.

Story continues

In a conference call with reporters in 2016, Musk described Autopilot as probably better than a human driver. During an October 2022 call, Musk addressed a forthcoming FSD upgrade he said would allow customers to travel to your work, your friends house, to the grocery store without you touching the wheel.

Musk is increasingly focused on self-driving technology as Tesla's car sales and profit slump. Tesla recently slashed costs through mass layoffs and shelved plans for a long-awaited $25,000 model that had been expected to drive sales growth.

Going balls to the wall for autonomy is a blindingly obvious move, the billionaire executive posted on his social-media platform X in mid-April. Tesla shares, down more than 29% so far this year, surged in late April when Musk visited China and made progress toward approvals to sell FSD there.

Musk has repeatedly promised self-driving Teslas for about a decade. "Mere failure to realize a long-term, aspirational goal is not fraud," Tesla lawyers said in a 2022 court filing.

LEGAL CHALLENGES

Prosecutors scrutinizing Teslas autonomous-car claims are proceeding with caution, recognizing the legal hurdles they face, the people familiar with the inquiry said.

They will need to demonstrate that Teslas claims crossed a line from legal salesmanship to material and knowingly false statements that unlawfully harmed consumers or investors, three legal experts uninvolved in the probe told Reuters.

U.S. courts previously have ruled that puffery or corporate optimism regarding product claims do not amount to fraud. In 2008, a federal appeals court ruled that statements of corporate optimism alone do not demonstrate that a company official intentionally misled investors.

Justice Department officials will likely seek internal Tesla communications as evidence that Musk or others knew they were making false statements, said Daniel Richman, a Columbia Law School professor and former federal prosecutor. That is a challenge, Richman said, but the safety risk involved in overselling self-driving systems also speaks to the seriousness with which prosecutors, a judge and jury would take the statements.

FATAL CRASHES

Teslas claims about Autopilot and FSD have also drawn scrutiny in regulatory investigations and lawsuits.

Safety regulators and courts have raised concerns in recent months that corporate messaging about the technology - including the brand names Autopilot and Full Self-Driving - have imbued customers with a false sense of security.

In April, the Washington State Patrol arrested a man on suspicion of vehicular homicide after his Tesla, with Autopilot engaged, struck and killed a motorcyclist while the driver looked at his phone, police records show. In a probable-cause statement, a trooper cited the drivers admitted inattention to driving, while on autopilot mode ... putting trust in the machine to drive for him.

In Washington state, a driver remains "responsible for the safe and legal operation of that vehicle" regardless of its technological capabilities, a state patrol spokesperson told Reuters.

The same month, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into whether a Tesla recall of more than 2 million vehicles in December adequately addressed safety issues with Autopilot.

NHTSA declined to comment.

After this story was published, U.S. Senator Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat and longstanding critic of the company's driver-assistance systems, said in a statement posted on X that he was "glad to see" NHTSA and Justice Department officials "getting tough on Tesla over these dangers."

The recall followed a long-running probe opened by regulators after cars with Autopilot engaged repeatedly crashed into vehicles at first-responder emergency scenes. Regulators subsequently examined hundreds of crashes where Autopilot was engaged and identified 14 deaths and 54 injuries.

Tesla disputed NHTSA's findings but agreed to the recall, which employed over-the-air software updates intended to alert inattentive drivers.

The NHTSA investigation found a critical safety gap between drivers expectations of Teslas technology and the systems true capabilities, according to agency records. This gap led to foreseeable misuse and avoidable crashes.

(Reporting by Mike Spector and Chris Prentice in New YorkAdditional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin in San Francisco and David Shepardson in WashingtonEditing by Brian Thevenot and Matthew Lewis)
As of May 2024, the Singapore market continues to attract attention with its robust economic indicators and stable financial environment, fostering confidence among investors. Amidst this backdrop, dividend stocks remain a focal point for those seeking steady income streams in a landscape marked by ongoing global economic adjustments. In light of current market conditions, a good dividend stock typically combines reliable payouts with strong business fundamentals, making it an appealing choice for investors navigating through times of economic recalibration.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Singapore

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Civmec (SGX:P9D) 6.30%  Singapore Exchange (SGX:S68) 3.68%  Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (Holdings) (SGX:BS6) 3.80%  UOB-Kay Hian Holdings (SGX:U10) 6.87%  UOL Group (SGX:U14) 3.55%  BRC Asia (SGX:BEC) 8.08%  Bumitama Agri (SGX:P8Z) 7.08%  YHI International (SGX:BPF) 6.36%  UMS Holdings (SGX:558) 4.31%  Sing Investments & Finance (SGX:S35) 6.19% 

Click here to see the full list of 21 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener.

Let's review some notable picks from our screened stocks.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: DBS Group Holdings Ltd operates as a commercial bank offering financial services across Singapore, Hong Kong, Greater China, South and Southeast Asia, and globally, with a market capitalization of approximately SGD 102.19 billion.

Operations: DBS Group Holdings Ltd generates its revenue through commercial banking and financial services across various key regions including Singapore, Hong Kong, Greater China, South and Southeast Asia, and other international markets.

Dividend Yield: 5.5%

DBS Group Holdings recently proposed a dividend of S$0.54 per share for Q1 2024, maintaining consistency with the final dividend for 2023. Despite an unstable and unreliable track record over the past decade, dividends are currently supported by earnings with a payout ratio of 50.8%. However, DBS's dividend yield of 5.47% is below the top quartile in Singapore's market at 6.19%. The companys earnings have grown by 16.7% over the past year, suggesting some potential for future stability in dividends.

SGX:D05 Dividend History as at May 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited operates globally, providing financial services across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Greater China, and other Asia Pacific regions, with a market capitalization of approximately SGD 64.19 billion.

Story continues

Operations: Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited generates revenue primarily through Global Wholesale Banking at SGD 5.59 billion, Global Consumer/Private Banking at SGD 5.06 billion, and Insurance at SGD 1.11 billion.

Dividend Yield: 5.9%

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation's dividends have shown volatility over the past decade, with a notable drop exceeding 20% annually at times. Despite this, recent earnings growth of 27.1% and a modest revenue forecast increase of 3.57% per year suggest some potential for stabilization. The dividend payments are reasonably covered by earnings with a current payout ratio of 52.9%, projected to slightly increase to 54.6% in three years, indicating ongoing coverage but not significant growth in dividend security. The recent fixed-income offerings totaling S$35 million could provide additional financial flexibility, although the bank's dividend yield at 5.89% remains below the top quartile benchmark of 6.19%.

SGX:O39 Dividend History as at May 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: China Sunsine Chemical Holdings Ltd. is an investment holding company that produces and markets specialty chemicals across China, other parts of Asia, the United States, and Europe, with a market capitalization of SGD 402.10 million.

Operations: China Sunsine Chemical Holdings Ltd. generates revenue primarily through its Rubber Chemicals segment, which brought in CN4.38 billion, supplemented by smaller contributions from Heating Power and Waste Treatment segments totaling CN221.29 million and CN29.76 million respectively.

Dividend Yield: 5.9%

China Sunsine Chemical Holdings recently declared a final one-tier tax-exempt dividend of S$0.015 and a special dividend of S$0.01 per share for FY 2023, signaling potential appeal to dividend seekers despite its unstable historical payout record. The company's recent board reshuffles could impact governance and future financial strategies, essential for maintaining or improving its dividend distributions. However, its dividends are not among the highest in Singapore's market, with a yield lower than the top quartile of SGX-listed dividend payers.

SGX:QES Dividend History as at May 2024

Summing It All Up

Access the full spectrum of 21 Top Dividend Stocks by clicking on this link.

Hold shares in these firms? Setup your portfolio in Simply Wall St to seamlessly track your investments and receive personalized updates on your portfolio's performance.

Unlock the power of informed investing with Simply Wall St, your free guide to navigating stock markets worldwide.

Curious About Other Options?

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.

Companies discussed in this article include SGX:D05 SGX:O39 and SGX:QES.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Lee Hall on FAMU's campus.

Florida A&M Universitys Board of Trustees Chair Kristin Harper has called a special board meeting regarding a controversial $237 million donation that was recently gifted to FAMU by Batterson Farms Corporation CEO Gregory Gerami.

The call comes after days of swirling skepticism and mounting questions. On Tuesday, Board of Trustees Vice Chair Deveron Gibbons urged FAMU President Larry Robinson and Harper to convene an "emergency" meeting for more "transparency" about the sizable donation that was announced Saturday.

The gift, announced Saturday, continues to draw a mix of praise, misgivings and questions from alumni and others.

In the interest of acting as a body with reasonable speed, diligence and prudence, I am calling a special meeting to collectively understand the facts around the donor gift and take the necessary action to move forward, Harper said in a Wednesday email to trustees.

Trustee Kristin Harper listens as the FAMU Board of Trustees meets on Wednesday June 7, 2023.

She asked the board members to provide their availability for a possible May 15, 16 or 17 meeting.

While Harper specified in her message that the meeting will be classified as a special meeting, Gibbons requested for an emergency meeting to take place.

I hope that it is a good donation and that it can be a transformative gift for the university, but I think we need to get out in front of this, have an emergency meeting and answer some questions," Gibbons told the Democrat Tuesday during a phone call.

FAMU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Deveron Gibbons.

But according to the Board of Governors Operating Procedures, concerns about the $237 million FAMU donation do not fall under the category of universities holding an emergency meeting to address the matter.

Upon consultation with FAMU Legal counsel, an emergency meeting is warranted when there are threats to the university's health, safety or welfare, and this topic does not meet that definition, Harper said in her message.

Once the special meeting is scheduled, the public will get a seven-day notice with the time and location or virtual platform.

Background on the donation and mounting questions

Following the big announcement that was made at FAMUs last spring commencement ceremony over the weekend, many individuals shared in the moment's excitement  including Harper, who held back tears as she pondered the difference the "transformative" gift will make to the historically Black college and university.

But at the same time, as previously reported, others question whether Geramis generous donation is too good to be true given his public background and wonder if the money is truly "in the bank" as he said during the graduation ceremony.

Story continues

While university officials say they are bound by a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) on details of the donation, Gerami spoke out about the skepticism Monday afternoon, saying that he does not know where the confusion or the skepticism would be since the stock has been in FAMU's possession for more than a month.

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M Board calls special meeting amid skepticism over $237M gift
Fast-growing asparagus once flourished on California farms. Why is it disappearing?

California farmers once grew 36,000 acres of asparagus. Now, fewer than 3,000 acres are devoted to it in the state. How did we get here?

It was a late March morning and dozens of women and men descended on a San Joaquin Valley asparagus farm  one of the last in the state. The workers walked along the furrows, cutting the newly sprouted spears at precisely nine inches, a market standard.

Later that day, farmer Aaron Barcellos surveyed the land peppered with the perennial that for many announces the arrival of spring. He is one of the last producers standing in California, a fourth-generation farmer who co-owns A-Bar Ag Enterprises in Firebaugh.

The 59-year-old picked a firm stalk from the ground. He pointed to its tightly braided tips and beefy stem.

This is beautiful 'grass,' Barcellos said, a nickname growers often use for asparagus, although it's not considered a true grass.

Every spear of asparagus you see in the store is hand cut by an individual, he said, referring to his own 120 workers.

Aaron Barcellos, who runs A-Bar Ag Enterprises in Firebaugh, Calif.

Barcellos inspects an asparagus spear on his farm.

The labor required to harvest the crop is partly why Barcellos fears for the future of asparagus. Once considered the king of vegetables in California agriculture and a seasonal delicacy exported worldwide, asparagus is on the decline here  the industry succumbing to the pressures of the global market, largely because of labor costs.

At its most recent peak in 2000, California farmers harvested 37,000 acres of asparagus, according to the state Department of Food and Agriculture. About 10% of that acreage has been lost every year since. Now there are fewer than 3,000 acres of asparagus left in the Golden State, according to the latest available data.

Read more: Tourists are flooding Mexicos wine country. They're also destroying it

Even the annual San Joaquin Asparagus Festival has been affected. This year, only one local farm provided spears for the cooking demos and Asparagus Alley, where festival-goers indulge in such treats as deep fried asparagus and asparagus ice cream.

How this happened can be read as a cautionary tale for California agriculture at large, farmers and asparagus industry insiders said.

An aerial view of an asparagus field in Firebaugh, Calif. Only three major farms still produce asparagus in the state for commercial sale.

Currently, just three conventional or non-organic farmers produce the bulk of California's asparagus. A-Bar Ag Enterprises grows asparagus on about 225 acres. It co-owns R&N Packing with the Turlock Fruit Co., which produces asparagus on another 225 acres of land. Both farming operations are located in Firebaugh. About 100 miles north in Stockton, Klein Family Farms grows a couple hundred acres.

Organic or smaller-scale farmers round out the rest of the crop's presence in the state. At Durst Organic Growers in Esparto, Jim Durst harvests organic asparagus on 150 acres. His spears are sold at Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Raley's and other grocers in California. Victoria Island Farms in Holt, Calif., near Stockton, also produces asparagus; it is mostly sold at its farm stand. And Zuckerman Family Farms in Stockton still produces some asparagus but stopped selling its prized jumbo spears at farmers markets in Los Angeles more than a decade ago, Roscoe Zuckerman said.

Asparagus is one of those crops thats really taken a beating, said Chip Arnett, who has observed the industry over the last 40 years. He operates Mister Spear, which buys premium California asparagus from the field and ships it to consumer homes overnight or within 48 hours. It just gets to the point where many of these farmers asked themselves, 'Is this really worth it?'"

Hand-cut asparagus waiting to be bundled and collected.

A farm worker cuts and picks up asparagus at A-Bar Ag Enterprises.

Ceaseless harvest

Firebaugh's asparagus is generally characterized by its unmistakably thick stem, in contrast to the pencil-thin stems common to imported asparagus. It's also grown in Washington state and Michigan. The vegetable is grown all over the world, with China as the largest producer, although it doesn't export much of it.

The quick-growing plant must be harvested every day of its three-month growing season. The states varied microclimates allow for fresh asparagus from January through May. Each plant has an underground crown that sprouts multiple spears a day, and they have to be individually hand-cut.

Sporting hats, hooded sweatshirts and bandannas to shield themselves from the warm March sun, harvest workers at Bercellos' farm walked the furrows and carefully combed the soil for nine-inch-long shoots. They stooped to cut the right-size stalks at the base with a sudden jab of an asparagus knife, a tool that resembles a fireplace poker with a forked chisel tip instead of a point.

Workers box asparagus at R&N Packing.

As the asparagus is harvested, each crown continues to push up new spears through the soil. This fast and constant growth allows farmers to harvest the same field up to 60 times during the growing season at some farms. On warm summer days, a spear can grow so quickly that workers will have to go back and cut a second time.

The harvest continues without stopping, seven days a week.

Read more: A California dry farmer's juicy apples show how agriculture can be done with less water

The processing and packing of the vegetable is mostly done by hand too. The cost of labor to bring the crop to market is huge, accounting for about 75% of production costs in 2000, said Cherie Watte, who once served as president and director of the California Asparagus Commission, which suspended operations in 2019 in light of the crops decline.

Its like an exotic animal when you see it in the wild, Watte said of California asparagus at mainstream California supermarkets.

Asparagus farming began in the state in the mid-1800s, historians say. Above, a porter pushes a sack truck loaded with asparagus spears in California, circa 1935. (Keystone View Co. / FPG / Archive Photos / Getty Images)

A rich history

Asparagus has a history that dates back to ancient Greece and Rome.

The vegetable arrived in North America in the 17th century and by the 19th century, commercial cultivation had begun in California. It grew particularly well in the nutrient-rich soil of the Golden State.

Historians believe the vegetable was planted first in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in the 1850s. The region became ideal for cultivation because the waterways provided fast, close shipping routes to the train depots in San Francisco and Sacramento. The peaty black soil in the delta made it the top asparagus-growing region in the state and  at one point  the nation.

Toward the end of the 20th century, trade liberalization agreements, particularly the North American Free Trade Agreement, better known by its acronym NAFTA  were a major factor in the decline of California asparagus, Watte and others said.

At the time of NAFTA negotiations, asparagus was identified as a sensitive commodity and, as a result, tariffs were reduced over a period of time. By 2000, the California asparagus industry had begun adjusting to increased import competition from mega-producers like Mexico and Peru. Asparagus farmers in the state invested in new varieties to produce higher yields and attempted mechanical harvesting technology.

Unfortunately," Watte said, "technology wasn't advancing fast enough to outpace increased costs of production.

Asparagus-themed items adorn an office refrigerator at the Turlock Fruit Co.

Bundles of asparagus lie on a conveyor belt after being washed, cut and labeled at R&N Packing.

Worker costs climb

The state's pro-worker regulatory structure is also a factor. Agricultural workers were once largely exempt from overtime pay. That changed in 2019, when California began phasing in overtime for agricultural workers, in a victory for the United Farm Workers, which spearheaded the measure at the time.

Two years later, the state legislation began requiring overtime compensation for agricultural employees who work for large employers and who labor more than eight hours a day or more than 40 hours a week. Watte said the overtime bill became a pivotal moment, particularly for farmers who grow labor-intensive asparagus. Farmers in turn cut back workers' hours.

At the same time, Mexican farmers soon learned how to push asparagus nearly year-round and into California during the state's harvesting season, which glutted the market, Watte said. And that meant farmers in California couldnt get good pricing when their season started in March. It would become a formula for crisis.

Read more: California lawmakers blast state's workplace safety agency over 'dangerous' farmworker conditions

And asparagus isnt alone. Currently, more than half the fruit and more than a third of fresh vegetables in the U.S. are imported, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Neill Callis, part of the family management team at the Turlock Fruit Co., said its operation has a small window to make a profit  from April to May  because Mexican farmers haven't yet found a region that will produce asparagus during that period. Thats when the company can actually take home a profit and make up for losses during the rest of the growing season. But there have been years when the weather hasn't cooperated, and the Mexican crop has come late or the California crop has sprouted early.

That's what happened in 2005 and 2006  dark years for asparagus.

It was a bloodbath, Callis said. Turlock Fruit Co. ended up literally dumping unpacked asparagus on the fields because the market was bad.

Neill Callis, part of the family management team of Turlock Fruit Co., carries a box of asparagus off the conveyor belt at a packing facility in Firebaugh, Calif.

Barcellos great-grandfather started a dairy farm four generations ago. In the 1980s, Barcellos' father sold it. Soon after, Barcelllos, his brother and father started another farming operation. The family farm now produces several crops, including asparagus, pistachios, cotton, olives, pomegranates and tomatoes.

In 2010, Aaron Barcellos purchased farmland that already had 125 acres of asparagus. He decided to expand it and at its peak, he grew asparagus on 400 acresof land.

Barcellos made money that first year or two but soon after, Mexican asparagus flooded the market. Two years ago, he scaled back and took a 170-acre field out of production, letting it go fallow.

On the other side of the coin is Craig Rolandelli, whose company pivoted from shipping California asparagus out to the world to importing foreign asparagus into the state. Rolandelli is chief executive of Jacobs, Malcolm & Burtt, which oversees the marketing and sales of several asparagus operations in Mexico and a few in Peru.

Read more: Cooking debris? Roaches? Vermin? How one L.A. inspector tells restaurants if they're an A, B, C  or closed

Rolandelli's father, Leo Rolandelli, who ran the company for nearly five decades, was once dubbed the "Godfather of Asparagus" in California. Craig Rolandelli said in an interview that NAFTA is not to blame for California's asparagus slump.

"I would blame it on the cost of doing business in California," he said. "At $10 an hour, we were competing with Mexico. At $12 an hour, we were competing with Mexico."

Once California's minimum wage got over $12 an hour, Rolandelli said, it became too difficult for the state's asparagus farmers to compete with Mexico, where the daily minimum wage is now about $14 . That's about nine times less than a California worker makes at the current agriculture minimum wage of $16 per hour.

Barcellos said he would like to continue to grow the crop but its unclear how long he can hold on. He and Callis said they have to charge a premium price to cover their costs.

Last couple years, we have pretty much broken even with asparagus, he said. We paid the bills but there isnt any money left overas a profit margin.

Workers load a truck with asparagus bundles after harvesting at A-Bar Ag Enterprises.

At a distance, Barcellos spotted the workers walking alongside a tractor, gingerly filling crates with young spears. The newly cut grass was bound for a packing shed where workers would clean it, sort it and box it under the Peacock label. It was destined to make its debut the next day in the produce section of a Publix supermarket in the Atlanta area, more than 2,000 miles away.

The decline of the local industry is apparent by the availability of California-grown asparagus at nearby grocers.

About a 20-minute drive northwest of A-Bar Ag Enterprises, at the Save Mart in Los Banos, a worker seemed puzzled when asked if the store carried local asparagus. She pointed to a cart across from a sign on a wall that read: Central Valley Grown. Inside were about a dozen plastic-wrapped packs of pencil-thin asparagus, priced at $5 a bunch.

Product of Mexico, the label declared. The thin shoots with dry stems were a departure from the vibrant, chunky spears at the A-Bar farm.

Barcellos, who lives in Los Banos, frequents that particular Save Mart. He said its discouraging to see his local market sell asparagus from hundreds of miles away when, he says, he grows a superior version just a few miles away. Its disappointing, he said.

A Save Mart representative declined to comment and referred questions to the California Grocers Assn. Nate Rose, a spokesperson for the association, said the grocery stores the organization represents do their best to buy from local farmers when possible but cant always do so because of supply and cost.

Rose said the grocers the assocation represents are unable to "source a sufficient supply in-state to keep up with consumer demand for year-round produce availability and pricing expectations."

Rose added that grocers operate on extremely slim profit margins, averaging just about 2.2%.

So procuring products for a price that satisfies customers while allowing grocers to keep their doors open," he said, "is essential."

Workers sort and bundle asparagus at R&N Packing in Firebaugh.

Tough labor market

At the packing shed west of Firebaugh, workers began the regimen of attentively washing and sorting the asparagus for market. Much of it is sized and sorted by hand and refrigerated to 36 degrees, which slows down all post-harvest biological processes. If not refrigerated soon after packing, asparagus spears could actually continue to grow in transit.

Maria Pineda, 56, is a worker at the Turlock Fruit Co. and has labored in asparagus packing sheds since 1996. A native of El Salvador, she laments the demise of the vegetable thats helped her provide for her family.

Pineda gets paid $16 an hour and no longer works much overtime. Her hours have been cut back since the overtime laws took effect.

Although she believes that legislators may have had good intentions in trying to look out for her and other workers welfare, she said the law ended up hurting her. She used to work 10- to 12-hour days, making more money then than she does now and was able to better provide for her family.

Read more: A Salvadoran cookbook from a major publisher is finally here. Why did it take so long?

I want to work more hours, she said. This overtime law doesnt benefit me, because Im working fewer hours. Im making less money a month.

As a result, Pineda now has to have a side hustle, selling quesadillas  a Salvadoran sweet bread  to make up for the loss in income. She said she prays that California asparagus wont go extinct.

I wouldnt have a job if asparagus went away, she said. If I dont have work, how will I survive?

Aaron Barcellos said he is kept up at night by the uncertainty of being a farmer  of any crop. The calculations he makes over the future of asparagus or the farm reflect the tensions that plague nearly all farmers in the state.

He holds onto an adage left by his father, Arnold Barcellos: Its never as bad as you think, and its never as good as you think.

Next year, he said, he still plans to harvest and sell asparagus.

Sign up for our Tasting Notes newsletter for restaurant reviews, Los Angeles food-related news and more.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NEW PHILADELPHIA  Members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1285 and Gradall Industries remain deadlocked in negotiations as a strike there continues into its fourth week.

Members of the union rejected the company's latest contract offer on Sunday.

Tommy Gray, left, a Gradall Industries assembler of 29 years stands along with co-worker B. Boffo, a machinist of eight years, on April 15, when members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1285 went on strike.

"Based on our negotiations with the union, along with the federal mediator, we are puzzled as to why this extremely strong offer has not been ratified," said Michael Haberman, executive vice president of industrial equipment for the Alamo Group, which owns Gradall. "The basics of the offer would solidify our employees' position at the top of the industrial/manufacturing companies in the county."

The union released a statement through its communications director, Jonathan Battaglia. IAM Local 1285 (District 54) members at Gradall Industries in New Philadelphia, Ohio, have voted to reject the companys latest contract offer. The companys wage and benefit package does not meet the expectations of its dedicated workforce, which worked through a pandemic and continues to make this company profitable. Workers are also struggling with work-life balance to spend time with their families due to the amount of overtime demanded and have concerns about worker safety within the facility. The IAM will continue to stand strong with these dedicated workers as they fight for their families and communities.

Offer rejected: Union members reject latest contract offer from Gradall Industries

Details of contract offer

Company officials released details on their latest five-year contract offer. They include an 8% pay increase in 2024, 5% in 2025, 3% in 2026, 3% in 2027 and 3.5% in 2028; a freeze on all medical contributions through the end of 2024; and the company would agree to limit mandatory Monday through Saturday overtime hours for non-maintenance employees to 10 hours per week. The first full weekend of each month would be voluntary overtime for non-maintenance employees.

At an impasse: Gradall exec: Company and union remain in 'a substantial impasse' on new 3-year contract

The 230 members of the union went out on the picket line at midnight April 14.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Gradall strike continues as workers reject latest contract offer
On May 6, 2024, David Roberts, President and Director of LeMaitre Vascular Inc (NASDAQ:LMAT), sold 5,025 shares of the company, according to a recent SEC Filing. This transaction is part of a series of sales by the insider over the past year, totaling 5,025 shares sold.

LeMaitre Vascular Inc is a global provider of medical devices for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. The company designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of products that provide solutions to vascular surgeons.

The shares were sold at a price of $75.62, valuing the transaction at approximately $380,065.50. Following this transaction, the market cap of LeMaitre Vascular Inc stands at $1.683 billion.

The price-earnings ratio of the company is 49.67, which is above the industry median of 30.22. This ratio is also higher than the company's historical median, indicating a premium valuation compared to its earnings.

According to the GF Value, the intrinsic value of LeMaitre Vascular Inc is estimated at $62.27 per share, making the stock modestly overvalued with a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.21.

Insider Sale: President and Director David Roberts Sells Shares of LeMaitre Vascular Inc (LMAT)

Over the past year, there have been no insider buys and 14 insider sells at LeMaitre Vascular Inc, indicating a trend of insider sales.

This insider activity and the current valuation metrics provide investors with critical data points for monitoring LeMaitre Vascular Inc's stock performance and insider sentiment.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


HOUSTON (Reuters) -Three insurance companies have rejected Chevron's claim over the seizure last year of an oil cargo by Iran, according to a complaint filed on Tuesday in a U.S. court in California.

The Chevron-chartered tanker Advantage Sweet was boarded by Iranian military in the Gulf of Oman in April 2023 and its crude oil cargo confiscated and later transferred to an Iranian vessel.

Zurich American Insurance, Liberty Mutual Insurance and Great American Insurance asked a U.S. District Court in San Francisco to uphold their rejection of Chevron's $57 million claim under both marine cargo and war risks policies the company held.

"The seizure of the crude oil and its later expropriation by Iran do not constitute 'warlike operations,'" the companies said of their denial of war risks coverage. Chevron's marine cargo policy also did not cover a seizure or confiscation, they told the court.

A Chevron spokesperson said the company contests the denial of insurance coverage.

"The military seizure by the Islamic Republic of Iran of the Advantage Sweet in international waters with Chevron's cargo aboard was a hostile act plainly covered by our insurance policies. We look forward to proving this in court," said Chevron spokesperson Christine Dobbyn.

Chevron chartered the Advantage Sweet to transport crude oil to Houston from the Neutral Zone area shared by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the complaint said. Chevron has oil production operations in the zone.

"Iranian Navy commandos boarded the Advantage Sweet while the vessel was in international waters in the Gulf of Oman on or about April 27, 2023 and seized control of the vessel and its cargo of crude oil," according to the complaint.

(Reporting by Gary McWilliams; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Diane Craft)
(Bloomberg) -- Intel Corp. expects second-quarter revenue to fall below the midpoint of previously issued projections because of a new US ban on chip exports to Huawei Technologies Co.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Revenue will remain within the previously guided range of $12.5 billion to $13.5 billion, Intel said in a statement Wednesday, but below the midpoint. The company said it continues to expect revenue and earnings per share to grow in 2024 from a year earlier.

On Tuesday, the US revoked licenses allowing Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications giant blacklisted by the US, to buy semiconductors from Intel and rival Qualcomm Inc., according to people familiar with the matter, further tightening export restrictions against the Chinese telecom equipment maker. Withdrawal of the licenses affects US sales of chips for use in Huawei phones and laptops, said the people, who discussed the move on condition of anonymity.

While the decision may not affect a significant volume of chips, it underscores the US governments determination to curtail Chinas access to a broad swath of semiconductor technology. Officials are also considering sanctions against six Chinese firms that they suspect could supply chips to Huawei, which has been on a US trade restrictions list since 2019.

Read More: US Revokes Intel, Qualcomm Licenses to Sell Chips to Huawei (1)

Intel shares extended declines in premarket trading, falling 2.5% to $29.91. Shares of Qualcomm and rival chipmakers Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Nvidia Corp. also fell in early trading following Intels announcement.

Qualcomm recently said that its business with Huawei is already limited and will soon shrink to nothing. It has been allowed to supply the Chinese company with chips that provide older 4G network connections. Its prohibited from selling ones that allow more advanced 5G access.

Huawei has been tangled up in a web of US restrictions for years in response to concerns that its technology could be used by Beijing as a spy tool.

Read More: Huawei Secretly Backs US Research, Awarding Millions in Prizes

(Adds competitors premarket share moves in fifth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
AdvisorMissingMajor_hero

Its graduation season and the message from the financial planning industry can be boiled down to four basic themes: Retirement saving, debt management, investing and career planning.

Combing through the feedback from dozens of financial advisors regarding their best advice for college graduates entering the workforce this year, the consensus winner is a fondness for Roth IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Max out your Roth IRA for the first 10 years of your working career, said Michael Hansen, co-founder and managing partner of Frontier Wealth Strategies in Walnut Creek, Calif.

Whether its pegged to growing fears over the future of Social Security benefits or the basic tenet of compounding, advisors are stressing the importance of saving as much as possible as early as possible.

Please sign up and participate in your companys 401(k) plan, said Robert Wesley Shannon, co-founder of Brazos Wealth Advisors in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Were speaking about college grads, so it makes sense that debt management also emerged as a regular financial planning topic.

Write down a plan for getting out of student loan debt, which should include whether you're going to refinance, or which repayment plan youre enrolled in, said Rob Schultz, senior partner at NWF Advisory Group in Encino, Calif.

Dates should be put in your calendar such as when you're going to submit the employment certification form if going for public service loan forgiveness and when the application for forgiveness should be submitted, he added.

Advice for College Grads

Investing is technically part of retirement saving, but advisors also encouraged investing beyond retirement saving when possible.

Your first home purchase should be the perfect rental because you are not going to sell it but rent it out when you are ready to move to a bigger and better place, said Hansen of Frontier Wealth Strategies.

And, of course, along the way dont neglect yourself and your career.

Invest in yourself through professional education, networking and mentorships, because developing skills and increasing your earnings power is time well spent, said Edward Jastrem, chief planning officer at Heritage Financial in Westwood, Mass.

Brad Brescia, senior financial advisor at Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo Financial Planning and Wealth Management in Orlando, Fla., wants to remind graduates of the precious value of youth and time.

You'll never have more time in your life than you do right now, use it wisely, he said. Take your early career years to build as much personal capacity as possible, which could mean you volunteer for the project, read the interesting article, pick up the book, have that coffee with the new connection.

Story continues





Permalink |  Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved
Emirates Steel Arkan has registered a marginal 8% year-on-year decrease in first-quarter net profit before tax at AED140 million ($38 million), compared to AED152 million ($41.3 million) reported in Q1 2023.

The group posted revenues of AED2.14 billion ($580 million) and EBITDA of AED294 million. The groups positive performance in the first three months of the year demonstrates its resilience and efficiency amidst challenging market conditions.

During the quarter, the groups performance was supported by a strong UAE domestic market. However, our export business faced challenges due to tough market conditions. In Q1 2024, global commodity steel prices were negatively affected by a slowdown in the Chinese economy and a lack of investor confidence in Europe. Additionally, regional geopolitical challenges led to elevated freight costs.

Financial highlights Q1 2024

The group achieved a solid operating performance in Q1 2024, maintaining volumes of UAE domestic steel sales, and recorded revenues of AED2.14 billion, despite a challenging and volatile global economic landscape and its impact on commodity prices.

EBITDA in Q1 2024 was AED294 million. The EBITDA margin in Q1 2024 was 13.6% versus 13.3% reported in Q1 2023.

Revenue from the Steel division totalled AED1.95 billion during Q1 2024, generating a profit after tax of AED86 million. Revenue from the Building Materials division was AED187 million in Q1 2024, with profit after tax of AED42 million.

The groups positive performance demonstrates its resilience in challenging market conditions. In particular, the Groups continuing cost reduction and transformation programme contributed incremental savings of AED46 million in Q1 2024.

The groups net profit after tax was AED128 million, reflecting the standard tax rate of 9% in this first period that the groups profits have been subject to corporate taxes.

During the quarter the group further improved its net borrowing position and as of the end of Q1 2024, the Group has AED155 million Net Cash Position compared to Net Bank Debt of AED63 million as of 31 December 2023.

Strategic highlights Q1 2024

In line with its long-term strategy and growth objectives, the group has entered a framework memorandum with Omani counterparts to explore a green metal project.

The group has been recognised as a 2024 Steel Sustainability Champion by the World Steel Association for its efforts in enhancing sustainability in its operational practices throughout 2023.

It successfully marketed its Z-type and U-type sheet piles as sustainable flood defence solutions to strengthen communities against floods.

The group continued to build the foundations for a new low-carbon emission iron hub  associated MoUs signed with Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, AD Ports Group, ITOCHU and JFE Steel.

Eng Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Steel Arkan, said: Despite the challenging global economic landscape impacting commodity prices, Emirates Steel Arkan has maintained its resilience and solid performance. We remain committed to prioritising the safety of our people, achieving operational excellence, effective cost management, and fostering customer relationships. In addition, our dedication to financial prudence has yielded tangible results, underscoring our financial strength and strategic foresight.

He added: "As we navigate throughout 2024, we remain focused on delivering value to our stakeholders while advancing towards the sustainable production of steel and building materials. We will continue to build on this strong progress throughout the year.--TradeArabia News Service
Apr 16, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Tenants are moving out of the Key Bank building downtown.

A receiver has been appointed to oversee Downtown's troubled KeyBank building after its owner failed to repay its loan, according to court documents.

The move is in response to a foreclosure suit filed by The Ardent Companies of Atlanta against Baruch Broad Street LLC, which borrowed $11.8 million on Jan. 21, 2022, to buy the 21-story tower at 88 E. Broad St.

Ardent claimed in the suit that Baruch Broad Street, which is affiliated with the New York investment firm Zamir Equities, failed to repay the loan in its entirety by its due date on Jan. 21, 2024. Ardent claims Zamir owed $9.3 million on the loan when Ardent filed the suit on April 19.

More: Do KeyBank tower problems spell trouble for Downtown offices?

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Bill Sperlazza on Tuesday appointed Columbus attorney Myron Terlecky as receiver of the property.

The appointment follows the departure of many of the building's tenants including the offices of its namesake, KeyBank, and the building's largest tenant, the Ohio Auditor's Office.

Tenants complained that heating and cooling have been inconsistent, the building has been plagued with water leaks and janitorial services have been spotty.

In a document filed with the court this week, Michelle Fowler, a managing director at Ardent, said she found the property in an "abysmal state" on a recent visit. Fowler said one elevator was stuck, vendors refuse checks from Zamir because they bounce, and the city of Columbus threatened to turn off water to the building because the bills hadn't been paid.

Fowler said Ardent paid $69,000 to cover unpaid bills and "to keep the Property from falling into further disrepair."

Fowler told the court that Ardent gets "only sporadic and incomplete information from the Borrower, who has demonstrated, repeatedly, its disinterest in properly caring for the Property."

Fowler said Ardent believes the building is worth less than the balance on the loan.

jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County names receiver for KeyBank building after unpaid loan
Drive on K-10 or I-70 and you will see signage scattered on the sides of the highway, advertising the many businesses located by an exit.

It could be Wendys for food, a BP for gas or a Holiday Inn for lodging. Every few dozen miles or so, you might see a sign covered in logos you have never seen before, for businesses you had no idea were nearby.

The motorist information signs are there to do exactly that  provide motorists with information on what is around them.

So who exactly decides which businesses to feature? Are the signs considered a public service of the state, an attempt by cities to get travelers to stop in town or advertisements paid for by the businesses themselves? Heres what we found from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Who pays for highway signs?

No state funding goes toward the Kansas information signs on the highway, since businesses have to pay to be featured. The prices vary depending on the average daily traffic count for each interchange.

The annual price depends on how many vehicles an interchange sees each day on average:

0-19,999 vehicles: $900 on the mainline

20,000-49,999 vehicles: $1,400 on the mainline

50,000-99,999 vehicles: $1,800 on the mainline,

100,000 or more vehicles: $2,300 on the mainline.

All costs are $100 more if the signs are near a ramp.

The cost to get a logo on an information sign is for each direction. So if a business wanted their logo on both sides of the highway, it could cost them anywhere between $2,000 and $4,800.

The Kansas Turnpike only offers pricing for 0-19,999 vehicles and above 20,000 vehicles, and the prices are the same as above. Businesses can apply to get their logo on a highway sign online

How does KDOT pick which businesses are included?

Kansas Logos, a private enterprise that works with KDOT, is responsible for managing the highway signs. They evaluate the eligibility of each site based on the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

The signs must comply with federal regulations that control each type of sign program.

What are the sign eligibility requirements for Kansas highways?

Businesses in the five categories need to follow these guidelines to get their logos placed on signs on the Kansas Turnpike and highways across the state.

Gas stations must:

Be in continuous operation at least 12 hours per day, seven days per week, including holidays. If fuel is not available, the business must post on the premises the location of the nearest available station.

Provide vehicle services like fuel, oil, air and water.

Provide restroom facilities, drinking water and a public telephone.

Story continues

Restaurants must:

Provide continuous operation for at least 10 hours per day, six days a week.

Host a minimum seating capacity of 20 people. Outdoor seating may be considered in reaching the required capacity.

Have an outside entrance and on-site signage that travelers can see if its within a mall.

Provide a restroom, drinking water and a public telephone.

Hotels and other lodging must:

Provide staff availability for check-in 24 hours a day every day of the year.

Provide a minimum of 10 units, each with a bathroom and sleeping facilities to accommodate at least two people and one parking stall.

Provide public access to a telephone.

Camping locations must:

Provide a minimum of 20 spaces.

Provide a restroom, water and a public telephone.

Provide a sanitary disposal system for travel trailers or motorized campers.

Attractions must:

Provide continuous operation, at least six hours per day, five days per week. One of these days must be a Saturday or Sunday, excluding certain holidays.

Provide sufficient staff to allow for a significant experience for the traveling motorist for amusement, historical, cultural or leisure activities.

Provide modern restroom facilities, drinking water, and public access to a telephone for emergency purposes.

Provide parking on site or have available parking for 10 vehicles or whatever is suitable for the specific attraction within two blocks of the attraction. Bus parking must also be available.

Have an annual attendance of 2,000 visitors.

Clearly denote any general admission charges at the place of entry to the attraction.

Businesses that have logos on signs can only provide service in 3-mile increments, and up to 15 miles. This doesnt apply in the Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka metro areas, where the maximum distance is 3 miles.

What are rules for the Kansas Turnpike?

The Kansas Turnpike Authority only permits logo signing for both gas station and food and restaurant companies at specific locations on the turnpike. All inquiries must be approved by the KTA first.

Attractions that want their businesses placed on highway signs must apply through the Kansas Department of Commerces tourism division, which evaluates the attraction and determines their eligibility. Attractions not on the Kansas Turnpike must also be open for a minimum of eight straight weeks.
Revenue: Reported $724 million, up 24% year-over-year, surpassing estimates of $688.85 million.

Net Income: Achieved $108 million, an increase of $85 million from the previous year, exceeding estimates of $80.48 million.

Earnings Per Share (EPS): Recorded at $1.48 per diluted share, significantly higher than the estimated $1.12.

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Sales: Increased by 65% to $313 million, driven by a 36% rise in prices and 21% higher volumes.

Siding Sales: Grew by 9% to $361 million, attributed to 5% higher prices and 4% increased volumes.

Adjusted EBITDA: Rose to $182 million, marking an increase of $116 million year-over-year.

Cash Flow: Operating activities generated $105 million, reflecting an decrease of $223 million from the previous year.

On May 8, 2024, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (NYSE: LPX), a premier manufacturer of high-performance building products, disclosed its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. The company announced significant growth in its earnings, with net income reaching $108 million, a substantial increase from the previous year. This performance notably exceeded the analyst estimates which projected earnings per share (EPS) of $1.12, with Louisiana-Pacific reporting an adjusted diluted EPS of $1.53. The detailed financial results can be reviewed in their recently released 8-K filing.

Louisiana-Pacific Corp Surpasses Q1 2024 Earnings Estimates with Robust Siding and OSB Sales

Louisiana-Pacific, primarily known for its oriented strand board (OSB) products and engineered wood siding, operates extensively within the North American housing market and has expanded its footprint to Brazil and Chile. The company's success in the first quarter is attributed to a 24% increase in consolidated net sales, which totaled $724 million, driven by heightened demand and improved pricing in both the Siding and OSB segments.

Performance Highlights and Financial Metrics

The Siding segment reported a 9% increase in net sales, reaching $361 million, while the OSB segment saw a remarkable 65% increase, bringing in $313 million. This surge in OSB sales was primarily due to a 36% increase in prices and a 21% rise in volumes, showcasing the strong market demand and effective business strategies implemented by the company.

Further financial scrutiny reveals that the Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter stood at $182 million, marking a significant improvement of $116 million from the previous year. The operational cash flow also saw an impressive increase, with $105 million generated in the period, a stark contrast to the cash used in the prior year.

Story continues

Strategic Investments and Future Outlook

Louisiana-Pacific has demonstrated prudent capital management, with $41 million invested in capital expenditures and $50 million expended on share repurchases in the year to date. Looking ahead, the company has increased its financial guidance for both the second quarter and the full year of 2024, anticipating continued robust demand for its Siding and Structural Solutions. Specific projections include a 20% to 25% growth in Siding net sales and significant increases in Adjusted EBITDA across various segments.

Challenges and Industry Context

Despite the positive outlook, the company remains cautious about macroeconomic uncertainties that could impact the industry. The construction sector is notably sensitive to economic shifts, and any downturn could affect demand for building products. However, Louisiana-Pacific's strong performance in a competitive market, coupled with strategic growth initiatives, positions it well to navigate potential challenges.

Conclusion

Louisiana-Pacific Corp's robust first-quarter performance underscores its resilience and strategic acumen in a fluctuating market. With a solid start to 2024 and a positive adjustment to its full-year outlook, LPX remains a significant player in the building products industry, poised for continued growth and profitability.

Investors and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in today's conference call or access the recorded webcast available on the company's investor relations website to discuss these results and forward-looking statements in more detail.

For more detailed financial analysis and future updates on Louisiana-Pacific Corp, stay tuned to GuruFocus.com.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Louisiana-Pacific Corp for further details.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


For Andrew McNeill, the reason Kentuckians should care about the states budget  all $137 billion of it  is obvious.

Its our money that theyre spending.

And McNeill should know: He was the deputy state budget and policy director under Gov. Matt Bevin and now serves as the president of Kentucky Forum for Rights, Economics and Education, a free-market policy think tank.

Crafting Kentuckys budget is a complex process that takes place every other year. That makes budget sessions like the one that wrapped up in April particularly high stakes.

Even though Kentucky has a record-high budget surplus, the budget attracted plenty of controversy.

Democrats and other advocates said the budget did not spend enough money on social programs like education and affordable housing.

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, leads the Senate into session for the first day of the General Assembly. Jan. 2, 2024

But GOP leaders promoted the budget as fiscally conservative. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, called it one of the best budgets ever proposed or ever drafted.

Legislators also clashed over the process: Democrats and other critics said rushed timelines did not allow enough public input into the budget process.

Heres a look at how the budget is made and what advocates and experts are saying about transparency:

How big is Kentucky's budget?

No matter how you look at it, Kentuckys budget is big.

All told, the latest budget just passed totaled around $137 billion, with an additional $3 billion in one-time spending, according to the Legislative Research Commission.

The budget is not just one document. Its made up of separate bills that address different parts of state operations.

The largest portion of the state budget is called the executive branch budget. Totaling more than $100 billion, it covers the operations of Kentuckys main state agencies, like the cabinets for public protection and health and family services.

The documents themselves are voluminous, totaling more than 300 pages.

That complexity is one reason critics said the process should have allowed more time for lawmakers and advocacy groups to understand and debate budget details.

Where does the money come from?

The money for the state budget comes mainly from taxes.

Kentucky collects over 50 different kinds of taxes, including personal and corporate income taxes, property taxes and sales taxes.

The state brought in nearly $1.2 billion from taxes in March, with an additional $127 million coming in from fuel taxes and other transportation-related taxes and fees.

Kentucky also uses funding from federal sources, lawsuit settlements, and other fees the state collects. The state can use debt to pay for projects by issuing bonds.

Story continues

A nonpartisan group of economists, the Consensus Forecasting Group, advises budget planners about projected revenue so they know how much they have to spend.

Money also comes from the federal government  just over 40% in the budget passed this year, according to the Legislative Research Commission.

Are more Kentucky income tax cuts on the way?

In 2022, the legislature passed a bill to set up an income tax trigger system.

Legislators always have had the power to change the states income tax, but the system set up in 2022 created a formula tying tax cuts to spending and revenue targets.

If the state meets certain revenue and spending requirements, the legislature can adopt a 0.5% income tax reduction.

When the system started, the income tax was 5%, and it dropped to 4% at the start of this year.

The state failed to meet the requirements for a drop at the start of 2025, but GOP leaders say this years revenue and spending numbers will likely trigger a drop to 3.5% starting in 2026.

House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, expects the state will take at least a decade to drop down to a 0% tax rate.

Its also likely the budget passed this year will trigger additional cuts in 2027 and 2028.

Thats due, in part, to a bill passed this year that excludes spending on projects funded from the states rainy day fund, also called the Budget Reserve Trust Fund, from the income tax calculations.

That means the $3 billion in a one-time spending passed this year will not count toward determining whether the state meets its tax-cut targets.

Some are critical of that decision.

The legislature moved the goal posts on its own formula to trigger tax cuts by suspending the law to ignore $2.7 billion in spending from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund, mainly on infrastructure and specific local projects, said Pam Thomas, a senior fellow at the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.

At the same time, the enacted budget fails to adequately fund education, child care, housing, teacher and state employee raises, and other needs, despite additional funds being available, Thomas said. And this is all because the General Assembly seems to be prioritizing cutting taxes over meeting the critical needs of Kentuckians.

Many Democratic legislators agreed.

We have decided as a body our top priority is to hit these artificial triggers so we can cut the income tax, said Rep. Chad Aull, D-Lexington, during a House budget debate. Its not our schools, its not our kids, its not the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

But GOP budget leaders said the exclusion of one-time expenditures from tax calculations makes sense.

We need to separate out one time from recurring. They are funded separately. They need to be handled separately and have separate considerations, said Rep. Jason Petrie, R-Elkton. There's no hook for next-term appropriations  so we don't have to budget for those items into the next cycle.

Is the governors budget still relevant?

Traditionally, the governor proposes the first draft of the state budget in January, and that serves as the main working document for the budget.

That made sense, because the governor heads up the executive branch, by far the largest portion of the state budget. His team would use information submitted by state agencies to craft the spending plan.

Gov. Andy Beshear acknowledges the applause after he finished his 2022 state budget address at the Capitol in Frankfort. Jan. 13, 2022

But Republican leaders upended that tradition in 2022 when they introduced their version of the budget before Beshear could release his.

Beshear decided to take no chances this time around, releasing his version of the budget in December 2023, just one week after he had been inaugurated for his second term.

But its not clear that Beshears early release made any difference in getting his budget priorities enacted. Among those items the legislature nixed were a universal prekindergarten program, an additional pension check for state retirees and across-the-board raises for teachers and other school employees.

Instead, the House version of the budget, introduced in January, served as the key working document.

Republican leaders Senate President Stivers and House budget chairman Petrie said they used budget subcommittee meetings during the legislative off-season between sessions to hear testimony about the states budget needs.

What about pensions?

Pensions for Kentuckys retired state employees and teachers are among the worst-funded in the nation  but better off than they were six years ago.

For many years between 2003 and 2016, the state did not put enough money into the system, resulting in a ballooning unfunded liability, meaning the funds were on track to fall short of anticipated costs for pension payments.

This year, GOP leaders included over $700 million to help reduce Kentucky pension plans unfunded pension liabilities, as well as the funds needed to meet normal pension obligations.

Members of the Kentucky Public Retirees Association want a "13th check" to supplement their pension payments

It's turned around. It can take a long time to get to where we need to get, but we are clearly on a path we want to be, said David Eager, the executive director of the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority. I think its a real tribute to what the legislature has done in terms of additional funding.

Still, some state retirees were disappointed that the legislature did not find additional money for a 13th check.

Members of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System last got a cost-of-living adjustment in 2011, and Gov. Andy Beshear as well as the Senate version of the budget proposed an additional check this year to help retirees.

However, the House budget did not include that additional check and the proposal ultimately failed.

Is the budget process transparent?

This year, Democrats and other observers criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the budget process.

Critics say the quick turnaround between the introduction of budget bills and votes on those bills prevented the public from providing feedback.

In March, the League of Women Voters of Kentucky called on legislators to allow at least 24 hours between the posting of budget bills and final floor votes on them.

But the Senate voted on the final budget on the same day the bill was filed, and the House voted on it the next day, the final day of the legislative session before breaking for the veto period.

We're talking about 258 pages of legislation. It's hard for journalists, citizens, even legislators to go through 258 pages in that brief timeframe, said Becky Jones, a first vice-president with the League of Women Voters of Kentucky.

What would work is if each chamber would allow a full day between the free conference committee report, so members could look at it, digest it  citizens, journalists might have a chance to look at and digest it, Jones said.

Advocacy groups face challenges too.

The centralized and opaque nature of the current budget process makes it difficult for Kentuckians to weigh in, said Adrienne Bush, the executive director of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky.

The last-minute release of the bills means people are still sorting out details and implications well after passage, Bush said.

But Kentucky is not alone in the last-minute rush to finalize budget documents, said William Glasgall, a senior director at the Volcker Alliance, a think tank focused on the public sector. Thats common in many states and even the U.S. Congress.

The final conference committee meetings where Senate and House budget leaders hammer out differences do not have to be open to the public under the states open meetings law, said Mike Wynn, public information officer for the Legislative Research Commission.

The publics lack of access to those meetings has pros and cons said, said Vladimir Kogan, a professor of political science at Ohio State University, who called budget transparency a double-edged sword.

When there's less transparency  interest groups can sneak stuff in that nobody catches until it's too late, Kogan said.

But its much harder for politicians to compromise if high-stakes budget meetings are open.

Because when people are watching, all the incentive is to grandstand and pontificate and position-take, and that takes away space for compromise, Kogan said.

The process is also too complex to handle entirely in open meetings, Republican lawmakers have said.

Now there's no way you're going to sit down and sit there and go through everything in an open committee  because it's so long, complex and voluminous. That's not an open-style meeting, Senate President Stivers told reporters earlier this year.

Jim Waters, the president of Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, a free-market think tank, said he believes transparency around the budget process has increased in recent years but still more is needed.

We still have a process that that does not give rank-and-file legislators as much time as we would like to see for them to look at the budget before there's a vote taken, Waters said.

When you're talking about how taxpayer dollars get spent  I don't think you can be too transparent.

More: Kentucky to use lottery for medical marijuana business licenses. Here's how it will work

Reach Rebecca Grapevine at rgrapevine@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @RebGrapevine.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky legislature state budget plan to spend $137 billion
Oakland County is bouncing back from the pandemic faster than the rest of Michigan and faster than most other parts of the country, and it's growing with more of what every area would like  high-tech, high-paying jobs, say University of Michigan economists.

The U-M experts released their 39th annual forecast of Oakland Countys economy on Thursday, during a luncheon at Novis Suburban Collection Showplace. Despite an uncertain future for the Detroit Three automakers, upset by recent layoffs and strikes, the team of U-M economists said that Oakland County is well-positioned for the future because the county will continue to attract a big share of Michigans managerial and professional jobs, providing prosperity for most of its residents.

Gabriel Ehrlich, director of the University of Michigan's Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics, presented the annual economic forecast for Oakland County in Novi on May 8, 2024.

The same U-M experts provide annual forecasts for other counties, both in and out of Michigan, as well as for Michigan as a whole. In February, their forecast for the state as a whole said they were cautiously optimistic that Michigan would navigate through the wobbles in the auto industry. Wednesdays new report echoed that view, with this mostly good news not just for Oakland County but for all of Michigan:

Less auto-dependent: Over the past two decades, Michigan's economy made painful but necessary strides to be more diversified, and less dependent on the boom-and-bust cycles of automaking. Oakland County started the push earlier, in the 1990s, under former county executive L. Brooks Patterson, who sought high-tech employers of all sorts as well as more health care jobs.

Continued job growth: Michigan's job market will continue to grow "at a healthy pace" over the next two years, having dodged a recession feared in late 2023. Likewise, Oakland County's job market will keep growing, "outpacing the state's over the next three years," with a continued emphasis on highly skilled and well-educated job seekers.

Future worker shortage: This scenario could pull up salaries for some. But in the long run, a predicted shortage of skilled, educated workers might someday hold back Michigan's economy and Oakland County's as well. With Michigan's share of baby boomers fast heading for retirement or already there, the state's employers seem likely to face a shortage of workers, "which will eventually act as a speed limit for both the state and the county, hindering growth," said Gabriel Ehrlich, a U-M economist who heads the forecasting team.

The predicted shortage of high-skill, high-education workers  not just college-degreed but blue-collar types trained with advanced skills  is a serious worry, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter told the Free Press, moments before the U-M experts were scheduled to show their forecast to the sold-out luncheon audience of 700 people.

That shortage "is why the governor's task force has taken this on  really, no one wants to talk about immigration these days, but foreign-born residents (who recently moved to Michigan) are the only reason Oakland County isn't losing population," Coulter said. He was referring to a bipartisan group called the Growing Michigan Together Council, which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer formed last year to address Michigan's stagnant population. Since 2004, Michigan's population has declined slightly, a trend largely blamed on residents moving away during and following the Great Recession years of 2008-12.

"We've got to figure out how to keep our college graduates here, and, of course, also how to get more training for our high school graduates," Coulter said. Oakland County has launched several countywide programs under Coulter's administration, including one called "College Navigators," to nudge high school students toward more education, either at college or for high-tech training after high school.

The forecast predicts that Oakland County's unemployment rate should hold steady through 2026 at about 3% while adding about 8,000 new jobs each year. In contrast, the same experts found that Detroit's jobless rate was triple that of Oakland County, at about 9% early this year, although they expect it to average around 8% this year  despite announced layoffs at the Stellantis plant on Detroit's east side  and then Detroit's jobless rate should ease to about 7% by 2028.

Statewide, the economists early this year pegged Michigan's unemployment rate at just over 4% but they praised the state's performance for having a "sharply rising labor force participation rate." In other words, more Michiganders than during the pandemic are looking for work.

"We predict that the state will avoid a downturn in the next two years," the forecasters said in their Michigan-wide report, released in February. As for Oakland County, the news is mostly bullish for an area that has a total economic impact  called gross domestic product, or GDP  that's greater than the GDP of 14 entire U.S. states, and which outstrips the GDP of many small countries.

Not resting on those laurels, though, Oakland County leaders used part of Wednesday's presentation to unveil their latest boost to small- to medium-size manufacturers. Calling it Phase 2 of Project Diamond, Oakland County Commissioner Dave Woodward, D-Royal Oak, said the program uses federal ARPA funds from the pandemic-triggered American Rescue Plan Act, providing 3D printers to entrepreneurs making parts and products in Oakland County.

In Phase 1, the money went to small firms scrambling to make desperately needed parts and materials to battle the pandemic. Now, its going to 30 companies that will help to rebuild metro Detroit's manufacturing base, Woodward said. The machines will mean that small manufacturers won't need to reach overseas for obtaining parts; they can design and make them "right here in Oakland County," Woodward said. That will bring back the kind of manufacturing and assembly jobs that metro Detroit lost in the last half century, he said.

"We want this to be an economy that works for every person and every family," not just the highly educated workers, he said.

Contact Bill Laytner: blaitner@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: University of Michigan experts like Oakland County's job outlook
By Nicole Jao

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices edged higher on Wednesday after data showed U.S. crude stockpiles fell last week as refiners slowly ramped up output ahead of the summer driving season, while a stronger dollar capped gains.

Brent crude oil futures settled 42 cents, or 0.5%, higher at $83.58 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 61 cents, or 0.8%, to $78.99 a barrel.

U.S. crude inventories fell by 1.4 million barrels to 459.5 million barrels last week, government data showed, compared with a 1.1 million-barrel draw that analysts forecast and industry data that showed a 509,000-barrel increase. [EIA/S] [API/S]

"Stronger refining activity and exports have encouraged a minor draw to crude inventories, helping unwind some of last week's large build," said Matt Smith, lead oil analyst at Kpler.

Refinery utilization rates rose by 1 percentage point to 88.5% of total capacity, but was still lower than rates of 91% a year ago ahead of the Memorial Day weekend at the end of May that kicks off the peak season for gasoline demand.

"Gasoline demand is still below 9 million barrels (per day) ahead of the start of the summer driving season. That is a pretty grim situation here," said Bob Yawger, director of energy at Mizuho.

A strengthening dollar , which gained as investors bet on the U.S. economy outperforming peers, weighed on crude oil prices. A stronger greenback dampens oil demand by making the dollar-denominated commodity more expensive for investors holding other currencies.

Hopes of a ceasefire in Gaza have put some downward pressure on oil prices in recent trading sessions, with some analysts saying the risk premium on oil had declined in tandem.

"Taking away the current geopolitical trigger leaves the market staring into a world of sticky inflation in the U.S. that is countered by interest rates that not only keep the U.S. dollar elevated but make any sort of commodity trading more expensive," PVM Oil analyst John Evans said.

The U.S. believes negotiations on a Gaza ceasefire should be able to close the gaps between Israel and Hamas. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns traveled to Israelon Wednesday and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an Israel official said.

(Reporting by Nicole Jao in New York; additional reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar in London, Trixie Yap in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Leslie Adler)
Peter Hebblethwaite, P&O Ferries chief, giving evidence to the Commons Business and Trade Committee on Tuesday - House of Commons/PA

P&O Ferries boss Peter Hebblethwaite has admitted that crew members can get just one day off a month after telling a parliamentary committee a weeks leave was the minimum requirement.

Mr Hebblethwaite said in a letter to business and trade committee chairman Liam Byrne that seafarers can work continuous days during a rotation and are paid in lieu of leave during that time.

The compulsory time off is limited to only one paid day off per month, he said, and even this may be disregarded for those on very short contracts who work straight through.

Mr Hebblethwaite said he was seeking to clarify the situation after telling the committee that P&Os recruitment agency typically exceeds the minimum seven days paid leave per month on the Dover-Calais route. This minimum is a requirement of the Maritime Labour Convention.

The chief repeatedly referred to the figure after being confronted with claims that crew, many of them flown in from India, Malaysia and the Philippines, often worked 12-hour shifts, seven days a week for up to 17 weeks at a time.

Mr Hebblethwaite said: On reflection some of my comments might not have been as clear as I would have liked.

In the letter, sent to Mr Byrne hours after the evidence session ended on Tuesday, P&O also revealed that workers are guaranteed only 10 hours off each day.

P&O Ferries, which is owned by Dubai-based ports and logistics giant DP World, hired workers on new terms after dismissing 786 crew members without notice two years ago, saying that it needed to slash the wage bill in order to survive. The decision was highly controversial at the time.

Mr Hebblethwaite told the Commons committee he was deeply sorry for the impact of the firings on seafarers and their families and that he would not repeat such a move in future.

P&O is bracing for a surge in its labour costs after France introduced legislation requiring it to pay crews at least 9.95 an hour, compared with a basic rate of 2.86 now, or 4.87 with add-ons. The new rules will also require operators to adopt a two weeks on, two weeks off shift pattern.

That will likely make the current employment model untenable for the company, which will be reluctant to fly in workers every fortnight or fund their accommodation while on leave.

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.
As Penn State grapples with a budget crisis, it is offering some of its faculty and staff at commonwealth campuses a voluntary separation incentive program, in which they can volunteer to leave the university with pay and benefits.

The voluntary separation incentive program, or VSIP, will give eligible full-time faculty, staff and administrators the option to leave Penn State with a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of their base salary, minus any applicable withholdings and deductions, according to a release from the university.

The VSIP will be offered at every commonwealth campus. And while there are many details around what makes an employee eligible, generally the eligibility is if someone is an active, full-time employee of the university for at least one year.

There are no current plans to implement it at University Park, the law schools or the College of Medicine, the release states, but that may be reevaluated based on future needs.

Those who decide to participate in the VSIP and voluntarily terminate their employment and comply with the program will also have an option to continue the universitys group health care under COBRA at a subsidized rate.

For employees who are within 36 months of satisfying Penn States age or service retirement requirements, there are additional benefits available, the release states.

The VSIP was developed with input from campus chancellors and in the release, the university said it will give campus units the opportunity to save money while providing a financial benefit to the employees who chose to participate.

In a phone interview with the Centre Daily Times, Margo DelliCarpini, vice president for commonwealth campuses, said this is one of a number of strategic approaches theyre taking. She said they value their employees and thank them for their commitment to Penn State.

We are in a challenging budget situation and this is an employee centered strategy that will allow us to make appropriate staffing adjustments to create opportunities, organizational renewal and innovation. And the plan gives eligible faculty the option of taking advantage of a separation package, while providing us greater flexibility to respond to the current budgetary challenges that we have and to really align our resources with priorities, DelliCarpini said.

Theres not a specific number of employees theyre looking to participate in the VSIP, she said.

Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi, in the release, said due to the challenges higher education is facing, the university needs to evolve in order to continue serving Pennsylvania residents.

Story continues

We are currently working to identify every opportunity to strengthen our Commonwealth Campuses and achieve our budgetary objectives. This program allows us to make progress toward our organizational goals while also demonstrating the highest degree of respect and support for our employees who choose to partake in this program, Bendapudi said. As always, our teaching, research and service mission to the commonwealth remain at the very core of all decision making.

DelliCarpini said as an academic institution, theyre here because of the students. They have a commitment to them and their success. She noted the university is a Middle States accredited university and abides by the accreditation requirements that are related to teaching and degree completion across the university.

Were working collectively with all of our Commonwealth Campuses and are looking at opportunities for each campus to focus on distinct areas of excellence, align each offering with the needs of students, and reduce expenses, DelliCarpini said in the release. While we know this will necessitate changes on our campuses, our commitment to providing a quality education for students from all regions of the Commonwealth remains unwavering.

Enrollment for the VSIP is open now through May 31. More information about eligibility and the process for participating in the VSIP can be found on the Human Resources website. Those with questions can email VSIP2024@psu.edu.

This isnt the first time Penn State has initiated this type of program. There was a university-wide program in 2016 for retirement eligible employees, DelliCarpini said, and there was a similar plan in 2014 for eight of the western commonwealth campuses, as well as within the College of Agricultural Sciences, in outreach and Penn State Dickinson law.

Penn State has been facing budget issues for some time. Earlier this year, the university announced plans to make nearly $100 million in cuts for fiscal year 2025-26, which was expected to significantly impact the commonwealth campuses. In a news release, it outlined plans to cut about $94 million from the 2025-26 budget (which runs from July 1, 2025 until June 30, 2026).

The cuts included a $54 million reduction to the commonwealth campuses central budget allocation, a $29 million reduction to administrative and student support units and an $11 million reduction to University Park colleges.

However, due to a spreadsheet error in the fiscal year 2026 budget, the $54 million reduction in aggregate commonwealth campus budgets has been reduced to approximately $49 million, Sara Thorndike, senior vice president for finance and business/treasurer, said in a release about the universitys 2025-26 budget.
Exploring the Sustainability and Growth of Pfizer Inc's Dividend Payments

Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) recently announced a dividend of $0.42 per share, payable on 2024-06-14, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-05-09. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Pfizer Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Pfizer Inc Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with PFE.

High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio

This Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 Years

How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

Pfizer is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical firms, with annual sales close to $50 billion (excluding COVID-19 product sales). While it historically sold many types of healthcare products and chemicals, now prescription drugs and vaccines account for the majority of sales. Top sellers include pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar 13, cancer drug Ibrance, and cardiovascular treatment Eliquis. Pfizer sells these products globally, with international sales representing close to 50% of total sales. Within international sales, emerging markets are a major contributor.

Pfizer Inc's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Pfizer Inc's Dividend History

Pfizer Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1986. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Pfizer Inc has increased its dividend each year since 2010. The stock is thus listed as a dividend achiever, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 14 years.

Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Pfizer Inc's Dividend Analysis

Breaking Down Pfizer Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Pfizer Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 5.95% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 6.07%. This suggests an expectation of increase dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Pfizer Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 2.60%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 3.70% per year. And over the past decade, Pfizer Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 5.60%.

Based on Pfizer Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Pfizer Inc stock as of today is approximately 7.14%.

Pfizer Inc's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2024-03-31, Pfizer Inc's dividend payout ratio is 1.16, which may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable.

Story continues

Pfizer Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Pfizer Inc's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2024-03-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Pfizer Inc's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Pfizer Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Pfizer Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 11.90% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 67.68% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Pfizer Inc's earnings increased by approximately -6.10% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 29.19% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 20.40%, which outperforms approximately 70.44% of global competitors.

Next Steps

Considering Pfizer Inc's consistent dividend payments, growth in dividend rates, and strong financial health indicators such as profitability and growth metrics, the company appears well-positioned to sustain its dividend payments in the foreseeable future. Investors seeking stable dividend income might find Pfizer Inc an appealing option. For further exploration of dividend stocks, GuruFocus Premium users can utilize the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Bahrain-based hospitality group Sayacorp has announced the opening of Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour, the first Conrad Hotels & Resorts property in the kingdom.

Part of the renowned global luxury hospitality company Hilton, the Conrad brands newest destination is situated within the new Sayacorp Tower located in the heart of Manama, just minutes away from key landmarks such as The Avenues Bahrain, MODA Mall, Bahrain Financial Harbour, and the Bahrain World Trade Centre.

The hotel features 98 rooms, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites that are meticulously designed to ensure unparalleled guest comfort.

Additionally, four-bedroom penthouses with fully-equipped kitchens and private pools boast floor-to-ceiling windows for captivating views. To guarantee a smooth and safe stay for guests, the hotel also offers personalised concierge services for each penthouse to deliver the ultimate experience of luxury and comfort.

The Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour was inaugurated by Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Abdulla AlSuwaidi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sayacorp, lauded the leadersship's unwavering support for the private sector and all initiatives that contribute to strengthening the national economy and achieving the tourism sectors development milestones.

He pointed out that Bahrains tourism sector was receiving great attention from the leadership, which greatly encourages investments and enhances the quality of services and facilities offered in the Kingdom.

"We are thrilled to witness the opening of our first hospitality venture in Bahrain. We are confident that Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour will become one of the most preferred local accommodations, thanks to its exclusive waterfront views and exceptional services," stated AlSuwaidi.

"We hope to raise the bar for the tourism sector in the Kingdom with our world-class facilities. We also aspire to provide our guests with an unforgettable experience in a luxurious residential destination that embodies the rich cultural heritage that Bahrain is known for," he added.

Echoing the excitement, Guy Hutchinson, President of Hilton Middle East & Africa said: "We are delighted to start welcoming guests to Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour, our third Hilton property and a first for the Conrad brand in the country."

"Each room in the hotel is a suite, providing guests with the comforts of home alongside intuitive service and luxurious leisure facilities," he stated.

"With its prime location and standout dining options, including SUSHISAMBA, the hotel is set to become a destination of choice in Bahrains capital city," he added.

For the first time in Bahrain, the globally acclaimed SushiSamba restaurant has opened doors at the Conrad to offer an extraordinary culinary experience with cuisine that blends three distinct cultures from Japan, Brazil, and Peru.

With a tantalising fusion of flavours and enchanting decor, diners can indulge in vibrant beats and stunning views from the hotels rooftop pool overlooking the mesmerising Manama and Bahrain Bay skyline, said the developer.

"Further enriching the guest experience, Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour also features the Tomo Lobby Lounge with a design inspired by the Tomoyasu style known for its vibrant colours, and the elegantly designed library-style Trade Room. Guests can unwind at the rooftop pool, utilise the 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness centre, and rejuvenate in the separate male and female saunas," explained AlSuwaidi.

The property also includes three meeting rooms named after Bahrains significant historic milestones and landmarks.

The Bab Al Bahrain Hall is named after the first gateway to Bahrain, the Harbour Hall refers to the rich local maritime heritage, while the 1920 Hall is inspired by the year the first bank was opened in the kingdom, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
In order to justify the effort of selecting individual stocks, it's worth striving to beat the returns from a market index fund. But in any portfolio, there are likely to be some stocks that fall short of that benchmark. We regret to report that long term Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) Limited (SGX:QC7) shareholders have had that experience, with the share price dropping 54% in three years, versus a market decline of about 7.8%. And the ride hasn't got any smoother in recent times over the last year, with the price 24% lower in that time.

Since shareholders are down over the longer term, lets look at the underlying fundamentals over the that time and see if they've been consistent with returns.

View our latest analysis for Q & M Dental Group (Singapore)

To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) saw its EPS decline at a compound rate of 16% per year, over the last three years. The share price decline of 23% is actually steeper than the EPS slippage. So it's likely that the EPS decline has disappointed the market, leaving investors hesitant to buy.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

This free interactive report on Q & M Dental Group (Singapore)'s earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Q & M Dental Group (Singapore), it has a TSR of -48% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

A Different Perspective

Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) shareholders are down 22% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 2.2%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 4% per year over five years. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) .

Story continues

Of course Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Singaporean exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. Unfortunately, these high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. Loss making companies can act like a sponge for capital - so investors should be cautious that they're not throwing good money after bad.

Despite being in the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, many investors still adopt a more traditional strategy; buying shares in profitable companies like Supreme (LON:SUP). Even if this company is fairly valued by the market, investors would agree that generating consistent profits will continue to provide Supreme with the means to add long-term value to shareholders.

Check out our latest analysis for Supreme

Supreme's Earnings Per Share Are Growing

Generally, companies experiencing growth in earnings per share (EPS) should see similar trends in share price. So it makes sense that experienced investors pay close attention to company EPS when undertaking investment research. Impressively, Supreme has grown EPS by 18% per year, compound, in the last three years. If the company can sustain that sort of growth, we'd expect shareholders to come away satisfied.

One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. Supreme maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 46% to UK196m. That's a real positive.

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. For finer detail, click on the image.

While we live in the present moment, there's little doubt that the future matters most in the investment decision process. So why not check this interactive chart depicting future EPS estimates, for Supreme?

Are Supreme Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Investors are always searching for a vote of confidence in the companies they hold and insider buying is one of the key indicators for optimism on the market. This view is based on the possibility that stock purchases signal bullishness on behalf of the buyer. However, insiders are sometimes wrong, and we don't know the exact thinking behind their acquisitions.

Any way you look at it Supreme shareholders can gain quiet confidence from the fact that insiders shelled out UK506k to buy stock, over the last year. This, combined with the lack of sales from insiders, should be a great signal for shareholders in what's to come. Zooming in, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by CEO & Director Sandeep Chadha for UK485k worth of shares, at about UK1.28 per share.

Story continues

On top of the insider buying, it's good to see that Supreme insiders have a valuable investment in the business. With a whopping UK55m worth of shares as a group, insiders have plenty riding on the company's success. Amounting to 34% of the outstanding shares, indicating that insiders are also significantly impacted by the decisions they make on the behalf of the business.

While insiders already own a significant amount of shares, and they have been buying more, the good news for ordinary shareholders does not stop there. The cherry on top is that the CEO, Sandy Chadha is paid comparatively modestly to CEOs at similar sized companies. For companies with market capitalisations between UK80m and UK320m, like Supreme, the median CEO pay is around UK616k.

Supreme's CEO took home a total compensation package of UK232k in the year prior to March 2023. That looks like a modest pay packet, and may hint at a certain respect for the interests of shareholders. CEO compensation is hardly the most important aspect of a company to consider, but when it's reasonable, that gives a little more confidence that leadership are looking out for shareholder interests. It can also be a sign of good governance, more generally.

Is Supreme Worth Keeping An Eye On?

For growth investors, Supreme's raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. On top of that, insiders own a significant stake in the company and have been buying more shares. Astute investors will want to keep this stock on watch. Even so, be aware that Supreme is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about...

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. So if you like the sound of Supreme, you'll probably love this curated collection of companies in GB that have witnessed growth alongside insider buying in the last three months.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

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.
Rising Property Values Causing a Dramatic Spike in Evictions in this Sunbelt Destination

Phoenix, Arizona's sunny weather and affordable housing had been attracting a lot of new residents. However, the city is now facing issues due to population growth and rising property prices. The rents and property values are increasing faster than the wages and this has led to eviction of many residents.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Department, which executes eviction orders in Phoenix, is now handling up to 3,000 evictions per month. Sheriff Department Constables are encountering a different type of tenant evictions now.

Earlier they were evicting tenants who were down on their luck due to factors beyond their control, such as a layoff or injury. Today, they are evicting working people because their wages are growing a lot slower than rents and property values. Constable Lennie McCloskey has been enforcing eviction orders for nearly 19 years, and he tells the American Free Press that he's never been so busy. He is one of 26 Constables responsible for this difficult duty and he estimates that they're all doing "between 19 and 25 evictions every day."

Don't Miss:

Only 0.2% of single-family rentals make this platform's rigorous cut. You can co-invest in them with Jeff Bezos and other notable investors for only $100.

New York is the second financial capital in the US' history. Now a third one is emerging and investing in its booming real estate market takes as little as $500 and a few clicks.

"Ive seen guys that are working, trying to work two jobs to keep this going, or they have multiple families live in the house or the apartment... the wages dont compensate the rent," said McCloskey. If McCloskey and his colleagues average 20 evictions per day, it means nearly 500 Maricopa County citizens are becoming homeless every day. That's 2,500/week and nearly 10,000 per month.

It's indeed a grim statistic, however, it is an inevitable result of fast population growth and a lack of affordable housing. The problem is especially serious in Phoenix because, for many years, it was one of the more affordable urban areas in the American West. While property prices and rents soared in places like San Francisco and Los Angeles, Phoenix stayed steady.

That's not the case anymore, and Phoenix has become the proverbial equivalent of a "secret" fishing hole that's not a secret anymore. It's only an hour from Los Angeles by airplane, and as more Angelenos found themselves priced out of California, Phoenix became one of their preferred destinations. Complicating that even further is the fact that many of the new arrivals could work remotely and earn Los Angeles wages while living in Phoenix.

Story continues

Trending:

Elon Musk, Ken Griffin and Jeff Bezos are bullish on one city that could dethrone New York and become the new financial capital of the US. Investing in its booming real estate market has never been more accessible.

Glenn Farley works for an economic think tank called the Common Sense Institute summed up the problem in an interview with the AFP when he said, "Five years ago, Phoenix still had a reputation as being relatively affordable; rent was low, housing costs were low. That has pretty much reversed more or less overnight."

He compared Phoenix's current situation to its 2019 housing market by saying, "Servicing a mortgage in 2019 was viable for someone working an average job for 40 hours a week. Today, in 2024 in the greater Phoenix area, you need to work about 68 hours. Thats more than 50 percent longer." Add that to what Farley estimates is a shortage of 65,000 homes and you get the perfect recipe for a housing crisis.

A housing crisis is an apt description of what Phoenix is experiencing right now. Property values are still going up, but every day, more Phoenix residents are being washed away by the rising tide. Ironically, that leaves one group of Phoenix professionals who are getting the workload increase they need to keep pace: the Constables like Lennie McCloskey who carry out the evictions.

Read Next:

"ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now!

Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga?

This article Rising Property Values Causing a Dramatic Spike in Evictions in this Sunbelt Destination originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
COFFEE COUNTY, Ala. (WDHN)  A new chapter is unfolding in Shiloh  the Coffee County neighborhood where black homeowners say a highway project is causing widespread flooding.

Timothy Williams, the owner of Destiny Cleaning Services and Shiloh community advocate, and his attorney, Jonathan Austin, filed a complaint against Ben. E. Keith, after they claim the company terminated his contract when he refused to take hush money regarding a fight with the state to help his flooding community.

It was pretty bad how they did it to silence me, kill all my contracts it was a bad situation I have employees and they held up payroll, Williams said.

Williams claims his business contract came to an end after three years when he refused a random payment of over $200,000 from the company that was deposited into his account  the money has since been returned.

Almost 300 thousand dollars is a lot to be sent anywhere and when he contacted to the company to find out how the money got there it took them a week to come up with an excuse, Austin said.

During his time contracting with the company, Williams has been instrumental in advocating for his historically black community Shiloh who has been living through a flooding nightmare for six years which has gained national attention. .

Williams and the community have criticized the state of Alabama blaming the highway expansion for flooding issues. However, the company is contracted with the state of Alabama.

The lawsuit claims the local office told Williams not to worry about it at first and then later determined it was a mistake, but Austin and his client Williams believe the company and perhaps the state tried to silence him for speaking out.

We have all types of evidence and information that points to it was more than a mistake it was intentional and we will be able to bring our case before a jury, Austin said.

Austin and Williams are seeking monetary damages of seven figures in this case as they claim the company interfered with the contract, conspired against him, and retaliated since he did not take the money.

You kicked the man whos losing everything with the flooding and the highway and now his company youre a billion-dollar company that receives federal funding they didnt care, Williams added.

Not only does Mr. Williams need to be compensated for the loss of his business, his income, and other businesses but also their conduct, and thats punitive damages of over one million dollars, Austin added.

We reached out to the company in New Brockton as well as their headquarters but have not given us a comment at the time of this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
(Bloomberg) -- Shopify Inc. shares tumbled after the Canadian e-commerce company pledged to continue investing in marketing even though doing so will pinch profits.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The outlook for the current quarter includes increased operating expenses and lower profit margins, the Ottawa-based company said Wednesday in a statement. That overshadowed an otherwise strong first-quarter performance with sales of $1.9 billion that exceeded analysts estimates of $1.8 billion.

Gross margins for the second quarter are expected to fall by about 50 basis points, compared with the first three months of 2024.

The US-traded shares fell as much as 21%, for the biggest intraday decline ever, reflecting analysts concerns about profit margins going forward. The shares had been flat so far this year before the company reported first-quarter financial results, after more than doubling in 2023.

Shopify President Harley Finkelstein tried to reassure investors on a Wednesday earnings call, saying that the increased marketing expenditures would pay off within the next 18 months. He said the company was focused on finding the right balance of revenue growth and profits.

This is how you achieve long-term durable growth, he said.

Shopify is facing an uncertain economic environment and tepid consumer spending. The pace of revenue growth has slowed in the past few quarters to 23% in the first three months of this year. That compares with an average of 26% over the past four periods. Shopify said it expects second-quarter revenue to grow at a high-teens percentage pace.

Shopify has been on a drive to turn around its business as it seeks to reverse a late-pandemic slump. Last year the company cut more than 2,000 jobs in May, the second culling of employees in 10 months.

In a major strategic reversal, Shopify also sold the majority of its logistics unit to Flexport Inc. and agreed to let merchants use Amazons Buy with Prime service to deliver packages. The sale of the logistics business weighed on Shopifys first-quarter financial results, resulting in a net loss.

Gross merchandise volume, the overall value of merchant sales across Shopifys systems, increased 23% in the first quarter to $60.9 billion, above Wall Street projections of $59.5 billion.

(Updates with context throughout)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

Story continues

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Gov. Mike DeWine said a national consulting firm, Aon, severing its contract with the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio is a "huge red flag." The governor said he sent documents outlining STRS issues to the Ohio Ethics Commission, attorney general, state auditor and other agencies for review.

The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio is facing "a hostile takeover of a public pension by private interests," according to a 14-page anonymous memo that surfaced Wednesday.

Gov. Mike DeWine said he forwarded the memo and other documents to the Ohio Ethics Commission, attorney general, state auditor and other state agencies for review and action they deem appropriate.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced he's opening an investigation. State law allows the AG to bring a civil action to remove pension board members who breach their fiduciary duty to the system.

STRS Ohio, which oversees about $90 billion invested on behalf of 500,000 teachers and retirees, is governed by an 11-member board. The system is facing historic turbulence as control of the board tips toward "reformers," its executive director is on paid administrative leave and Aon, a national consulting firm, opted to cancel its contract early.

DeWine said in a written statement that Aon severing its contract to provide governance advice "is a huge red flag, calling into question how STRS is operating and providing oversight."

STRS Board Chairman Dale Price said in a written statement that: "STRS Ohio will continue to protect the stability and integrity of the organization and will fully cooperate with all offices in their review of the pension system."

The anonymous memo walks through how the system got to this point and it raises a number of concerns:

Beginning in 2020, QED Systematic Solutions LLC, formed by former state treasurer official Seth Metcalf and Jonathan Tremmel, pitched STRS board members and staff to partner with QED for an investment opportunity.

QED worked through former STRS board member Bob Stein, and two current board members, Wade Steen and Rudy Fichtenbaum, and also made pitches to STRS senior staff.

QED and its backers wanted to use $65 billion, saying they could generate an extra $4 billion in returns, which would be enough to restore an annual cost of living allowance for retirees and reduce the amount teachers had to pay into the system.

STRS investment experts strongly advised against working with QED because it lacked a track record and its strategy was relatively untested.

QED aligned with the Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association, ORTA, to then help elect new board members who might be more amenable to the new strategy.

In the 2022 and 2023 board elections, organizations that pushed for the election of reform-minded candidates sent mailers and conducted other campaign activities but failed to file campaign finance reports.

In May 2023, DeWine removed Steen from the board, prompting ORTA to raise money into a legal defense fund to help Steen successfully return to the board.

In November 2023, an anonymous memo accused Executive Director William Neville of misconduct. An independent investigation found the allegations largely without merit. Neville and his top staff had rejected QED's pitch.

The memo notes instances in which Steen and Fichtenbaum use talking points, charts and data provided by Metcalf or Tremmel. Metadata in documents used by those board members show Metcalf or Tremmel helped create or edit them.

Metcalf did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The memo also says that ORTA has worked in concert with Metcalf and Tremmel to stage the pension fund takeover.

"Reformers won the battle of ideas through a fair and democratic process over the last six elections. Teachers voted for reform because reform is desperately needed," ORTA said in a written statement. "Our actions in support of reform have been legal, ethical and necessary. This anonymous letter is nothing more than sour grapes from those who have lost."

Since September 2022, STRS has received more than 500 anonymous public records requests for emails, badge swipe data, personnel files, paystub records and more. Some of the records released by STRS ended up being distributed by ORTA-related entities.

DeWine's comments and the memo come as votes are being tallied for an STRS board election. Voting closed Monday and results are to be announced Saturday.

Given that Steen returned to the STRS board in April, reformers now hold a majority. Results of the current election could strengthen that majority. The candidates are Michelle Flanigan, a government teacher at Brunswick City Schools, and Sandy Smith Fischer, an intervention specialist at Streetsboro City Schools.

Board members are not compensated.

Read the STRS memo here:

STRS summary by jbalmert on Scribd

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Is Ohio teachers' pension fund being taken over by private interests?
(Bloomberg) -- Taiwans exports to the US surged by a record last month while shipments to China fell, underscoring the accelerating decoupling of technology supply chains between the worlds two largest economies.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Taiwans exports to the US jumped 81.6% year on year to $10.2 billion in April, data from the Finance Ministry in Taipei showed Wednesday. It was the biggest increase on record. Meanwhile, overseas shipments to mainland China fell 1.1% to $7.5 billion.

Total exports grew 4.3% to $37.5 billion in April, according to the ministry, less than the 9.9% increase economists had forecast in a Bloomberg survey.

Shipments of information, communication and audio-video products were the main drivers of the surge in exports to the US, rising approximately 200%, according to the ministrys statement.

The boom in global demand for the computing hardware underpinning artificial intelligence, such as servers and semiconductors, continued to see strong growth. Exports of computers and related hardware, which includes servers and hard drives, increased 298.2%.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) has featured in countless headlines over the last year as it has delivered a solid turnaround in its digital advertising business and gradually expanded its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

The company's shares have climbed nearly 60% in the last twelve months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500. Meanwhile, Alphabet's most recent quarter (the first quarter of 2024) has shown signs that its heavy investment in AI is beginning to pay off.

GOOG Chart

Brands like YouTube, Android, Chrome, and Google have made Alphabet a tech behemoth, garnering billions of users worldwide. The company has used its vast user base to build a lucrative advertising business. And now, the popularity of these platforms is providing Alphabet with multiple opportunities to boost its venture into AI.

So, here's why it's not too late to buy Alphabet's stock.

Alphabet delivered glowing quarterly results, followed by cost-cutting measures

Alphabet posted its Q1 2024 results on April 25, leading its stock to pop 6%. The company delivered promising earnings, with revenue rising 15% year over year to $81 billion.

During the quarter, Alphabet enjoyed significant gains in its advertising division, with Google Services sales increasing by 14%. Macroeconomic headwinds hit the company's ad business hard in 2022 and at the start of 2023. However, recent earnings suggest these challenges have subsided.

About 80% of Alphabet's revenue comes from its ad services. Yet, its biggest growth catalyst over the next decade will likely be its AI-focused cloud business with Google Cloud. The segment reported revenue growth of 28% year over year while operating income skyrocketed 371% to $900 million.

Alphabet has gradually expanded its AI cloud services over the last year, launching its most powerful AI model, Gemini, in December 2023. The company's investment in generative technology is beginning to pay off as businesses increasingly use its services to integrate AI into their workflow.

In addition to a positive quarter, Alphabet announced plans to lay off at least 200 employees from its "Core" organization as part of its latest round of budget cuts. Like many tech companies moving past the economic downturn of 2022, Alphabet is prioritizing profitability and slashing anything it deems unnecessary, which only strengthens its outlook going forward.

One of the best-valued stocks in the AI market

Alphabet has been slightly overshadowed in AI since last year as rivals Amazon and Microsoft appeared to get a better start in the industry. A fumbled launch for its AI model Gemini and the third largest market share in cloud computing (behind Amazon and Microsoft) concerned investors. However, Alpahbet's latest quarterly earnings have tempered those fears.

Story continues

Alphabet's cloud business appears to be taking off as it attracts more users, proven by its nearly 30% revenue growth and soaring profits. Meanwhile, expanded AI capabilities with its Gemini and other models will help the company bolster multiple areas of its business, such as offering more efficient advertising, creating a Search experience closer to OpenAI's ChatGPT, improving its productivity services, and even generative updates to Android. In fact, Alphabet announced AI-powered ads last year as it uses Gemini to enhance its ad solutions.

The company's reach in tech is vast, and with $69 billion in free cash flow, Alphabet has the brand power and financial resources to go far in AI. The tech giant announced last month it would invest $3 billion in building data centers in Indiana and Virginia as it works to strengthen Google Cloud. Additionally, Alphabet will spend $75 million to fuel its Google AI Opportunity Fund, which aims to teach Americans AI skills.

AMZN PE Ratio (Forward) Chart

Moreover, this chart shows Alphabet is potentially one of the best-valued AI stocks. The company's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio and price-to-free cash flow are among some of the lowest compared to Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple. Forward P/E and price-to-free cash flow are helpful when determining a stock's value, as they consider a company's financial prospects. For both valuation metrics, the lower the figure, the better the value.

As a result, this chart indicates Alphabet shares are a bargain compared to its peers. And with arguably similar, if not more, potential in AI than these companies, Alphabet shares are a no-brainer. Despite having the third largest market share in cloud computing after Microsoft and Amazon, its free cash flow is similar to Microsoft's $70 billion and significantly more than Amazon's $46 billion, suggesting Alphabet has the financial resources to keep up with its rivals in the coming years.

Additionally, the billions of users that Alphabet's platforms attract could be leveraged to expand in AI, becoming a major growth driver in the commercial and public adoption of AI services.

Alphabet's stock is up 536% in the last ten years. Yet, it appears nowhere near hitting its ceiling. Vast financial resources, an extensive user base, and positive quarterly results suggest it's not too late to invest in Alphabet and profit from its exciting future.

Should you invest $1,000 in Alphabet right now?

Before you buy stock in Alphabet, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Alphabet wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $564,547!*

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

See the 10 stocks 

*Stock Advisor returns as of May 6, 2024

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Dani Cook has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Is It Too Late to Buy Alphabet Stock? was originally published by The Motley Fool
In this piece, we are going to present the top 20 coal exporting countries in the world. If you wish to skip our detailed discussion of the global coal market, you can go directly to the Top 5 Coal Exporting Countries in the World.

Ongoing factors like Russia-Ukraine conflict, economic growth, policy changes, and energy demand in the various regions of the world meant that global coal sector underwent continuous shift in the larger sense for the last few years; in 2022, coal saw its supply and demand both reaching its all-time high, where the demand hit the 8 billion tons mark, according to IEA. Furthermore, the demand is expected to stay the same in 2024 as well. Shifts in fuel prices, along with forward market curves are also some of the factors that are causing this trend of the market. With this, the global coal mining market is expected to rise from $648.04 billion in 2023 to hit $795.76 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 2.6%, according to Expert Market Research. The demand for coal is expected to continue to exist and drive the market, despite the recent shift to renewables. If this prediction is accurate, this may be a great opportunity to buy coal stocks (see 11 Best Coal Stocks to Buy)

As far as coal mines are concerned, 3 biggest coal mines of the world are North Antelope Rochelle coal mine, Haerwusu coal mine, and Hei Dai Gou coal mine, with coal recoverable reserve totaling 1.7 billion tons, 1.6 billion tons, and 1.5 billion tons, respectively.

With a record 505.4 million tons exported in 2023, an increase of 54 million tons, or 12%, over 2022, Indonesia emerged as the world's largest exporter of thermal coal, according to Reuters. While Indonesia may top as the global exporter, China, with a 2.5% increase in production to 3,942 million tons in 2021, remains the world's largest producer of coal, according to Global Data. Additionally, China, on its own, is responsible for one-third of the coal consumption on global level, according to S&P Global. While 120 countries don't export any coal, among those that do, the one at the bottom of the list is Sweden, exporting only 10 short tons of coal in 2021.

On the other hand, there have been some notable recent developments in the US coal market. The United States produced 140.8 million short tons of coal in the fourth quarter of 2023, a 3.4% decline from the same time in 2022, according to S&P Global. This production has been predicted to see a downtick in coming years, as S&P Global sees 19% fall in 2024, and another 3% in 2025. The consumption of coal is expected to follow this downward trend in the U.S., as well as European regions, as renewable sources of energy are expected to satisfy 90% of any electricity demand by 2025, according to IEA. As the coal market has allocated the concentration of production onto metallurgical coal for industrial consumption, as well as for exports purposes, the industry looks onto stabilization. During this time, however, employment in U.S. coal mines remained relatively steady despite the drop in production, increasing by less than 1% annually on average. You can see the biggest coal mining companies in the US here.

Story continues

In the realm of coal mining and production, two industry giants are going to be discussed, namely, Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU) and Arch Resources, Inc. (NYSE:ARCH).

Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU) operates coal mining works across the regions of United States, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, India, Brazil, Belgium, Chile, France, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Germany, and more. The company, headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, boasted net income figure of whopping $760 million in 2023, with its operating cash flows from continued operations hitting the $1.1 billion mark! Furthermore, with the purpose of giving back to its shareholders, Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU) announced $471 million return for them in 2024!

Arch Resources, Inc. (NYSE:ARCH), on the other hand, operates across America, boasting a substantial control in the market, by taking over and controlling coal reserves with the help of long-term leases; these coal lands span across the states of Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia, to name a few. They target the utility, industrial and steel production markets on the domestic, as well as an international scale.

Moving on to the financial performance of Arch Resources, Inc. (NYSE:ARCH), we find that the companys net income of 2023 4th quarter, ending 31 December 2023, stood at $114.9 million, which meant an EPS of $6.07; however, it was a decrease from the prior years net income figure of $470.5 million, and EPS of $23.18. Also, the companys revenue figure was $774 million for the year, which was a decrease from the prior years revenue of $859.5 million.

Having discussed the overall situation of the global coal market, we will now move forward to our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World.

Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World

Pixabay/Public Domain

Methodology

To create our list of the Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World, weve used recent statistics for coal exports per thousand short tons using multiple resources, mainly The Global Economy, while the others were used for cross checking purposes like Worlds Top Exports, wherein the most recent data available dates to the year 2022; well rank the countries with highest number of exports per thousand short tons at a higher rank, in an ascending order. With this lets now jump onto our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World.

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 looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

20. Spain

Exports: 1,415 thousand short tons

First on our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World is Spain. The data set, which covers the years 19802022, shows variations in Spain's imports of coal. During this time, Spain imported over 449.5 thousand short tons a year on average.

On the other hand, imports peaked in 2020 at about 2,189.54 thousand short tons, which may have been caused by changes in energy policies or a considerable increase in demand. The import volume corrected to 1,415.85 thousand short tons by 2022, suggesting ongoing shifts in Spain's import patterns for coal.

19. Kyrgyzstan

Exports: 1,456 thousand short tons

Next on our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World is Kyrgyzstan, whose coal reserves equal 1.3 billion tons, according to IEA. However, the country has got 70 deposits of coal, and the government eyes coal mining production of 3 million tons by 2025, through its mines of KaraKeche, Besh-Burhan, and Zhergalan, just to mention a few. Coming on to exports, Kyrgyzstan's values ranged from a minimum of 12.13 thousand short tons in 1999 to a maximum of 1456.04 thousand short tons in 2022, with an average of 311.77 thousand short tons.

18. Germany

Exports: 1,573 thousand short tons

Germany, with a total coal supply of whopping 555.8 million tons, according to IEA, has a notable export volume of 1,573 thousand short tons of coal, making up a significant portion of the global market. This figure demonstrates Germany's ability to meet global energy demands on a smaller scale, as well as its advantageous position in the coal export market, which supports a wide range of industrial activity globally. The exports, on the other hand, accounted for 50.9% of 2022 supply, which have risen ever since 2000, at a rate of 35%, according to IEA.

The coal type that is produced in the country is Lignite, which encompasses 100% of the total production. Lignite coal, due to its cost-effectiveness characteristic, is primarily used in power generation, and is the lowest grade coal type.

17. Tanzania

Exports: 1,884 thousand short tons

Tanzania is 17th on our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World. Coal accounts for 1.9% of the countrys total energy mix, equaling 4.8 million tons in 2021; total coal production, on the other hand, has hit 6 million tons in the same year, according to IEA. Bituminous coal, which has an intense heating value, is the type of coal that is produced in the country.

Over the years, Tanzania's coal exports have varied, averaging 63.19 thousand short tons. The exports started from zero in 1980, reaching their peak at 1,884.95 thousand short tons by 2022, which also stands as the most recent figure for the country's coal exports.

16. Czech Republic

Exports: 2,185 thousand short tons

In the Czech Republic, coal is the sole major domestic energy resource. The proven coal reserves of the nation are estimated to be 880 million tons, according to Euracoal. The Czech Republic's exports of coal, coke, and briquettes reached their lowest point during the period under study in 2020, at 1.96 billion kilograms. The export volume in 2022 was the second lowest, its value, at $0.8 billion, was the fourth highest.

15. Afghanistan

Exports: 3,685 thousand short tons

At number 15 on our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World is Afghanistan, which has always produced most of its coal for internal use rather than export through its proven coal reserves of 73 million tons; nevertheless, its export value equaled $1.49 billion in 2022. Afghanistan's exports have fluctuated by $248 million throughout the previous five years under review, from $1.24 billion in 2017 to $1.49 billion in 2022.

14. China

Exports: 4,380 thousand short tons

China does export a sizable amount of coal despite being the world's largest producer and user of coal, and the export value varies annually depending on local demand and policy decisions; in 2023, the countrys coal production hit whopping 3,942 million tons in 2021, as previously mentioned!

China was ranked 14th in the world for coal briquette exports in 2022 with $1.44 billion in exports. Furthermore, coal briquettes ranked as China's 360th most exported goods in the same year. Indonesia ($638 million), Japan ($279 million), South Korea ($155 million), India ($91.6 million), and Malaysia ($42.4 million) are China's top export markets for coal briquettes, according to OEC.

13. Poland

Exports: 6,071 thousand short tons

According to GlobalData, Poland's output fell by 4.1% CAGR in the five years leading up to 2021, and it is predicted to increase by 1% CAGR in the following five years, from 2022 to 2026. Poland ranked 13th in the world for coal briquette exports in 2022 with $1.68 billion in exports. In that particular year, coal briquettes ranked as Poland's 46th most exported goods.

Moreover, Slovakia ($158 million), Ukraine ($87.4 million), Germany ($80 million), Czechia ($871 million), Austria ($341 million), and Slovakia ($158 million) are the top destinations for Polish exports of coal chunks. Poland is placed 13th on our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World.

12. Philippines

Exports: 9,587 thousand short tons

At number 12 on our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World is the Philippines. About 56% of the coal produced in the Philippines was sold to China in 2022, a considerable decrease from the about 95% proportion that was exported the year before.

In 2023, from January to March, Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, a mining company in Philippines which accounts for 99% of the countrys coal production, saw its exports to China rising 50% through the period, having a share of 72% of its total exports in the period, according to Nikkei Asia.

11. Mozambique

Exports: 10,376 thousand short tons

Mozambique, which is placed 11th on our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World, is one of Africa's leading exporters of coal, and its production volume stood at 70.6 million tons in 2021, according to IEA. The country has substantial coal deposits, especially in the Tete province, which is home to one of the biggest coal mines in the world, the Moatize mine - which reportedly encompasses about 913.8 million tons of proven coal reserves, as of 2019! Briquettes made of coal are Mozambique's main export ($3.45 billion), according to OEC.

10. Netherlands

Exports: 17,646 thousand short tons

The Netherlands ranked 10th in the world for coal exports in 2022 with $1.41 billion in exports. Coal briquettes were the 91st most exported goods from the Netherlands in that same year; coal briquettes are a mixture of coal and biomass, used primarily as a fuel.

In 2022, Germany ($892 million), France ($176 million), Belgium ($78 million), Luxembourg ($42.5 million), and Canada ($33.5 million) were the top destinations for Dutch exports of coal briquettes, according to OEC; briquettes also accounted for $9.96 billion imports in the same year!

9. Mongolia

Exports: 21,459 thousand short tons

The average annual production of coal in Mongolia from December 1981 to December 2021 was 7.157 million tons, with 41 observations. The statistics set a record low of 4.300 million tons in 1981 and an all-time high of 57.129 million tons in 2019. Mongolia is placed 9th on our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World.

Mongolia produced around 0.75 exajoules of coal in 2022, with a share of 69.1% in the total energy supply of country in the previous year, according to IEA. Compared to the previous year, when the country produced around 0.62 exajoules of coal, this showed an increase. In terms of the type of coal produced in the country, coking coal accounted for 76% of the total production in 2021.

8. Canada

Exports: 31,825 thousand short tons

Canada produced 47.6 million tons of coal in 2021, as 6 million tons of coal was brought in the country, while 32 million tons of coal was exported. After the US, Australia, and Russia, Canada is the world's eighth-largest exporter of metallurgical coal. This is evident from the fact that the coal mines in Canada were able to give out an output of 47 million tons in 2022, and 59% of this production was of 83% of metallurgical coal, according to Government of Canada. Canada's coal was mostly produced in British Columbia and Alberta, which contributed 59% and 28% to the total production in the country.

7. Kazakhstan

Exports: 41,106 thousand short tons

Next on our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World is Kazakhstan, which is blessed with 16 of the few thousands coal mines in the world; the biggest one in the country is Bogatyr Komir Mine which has a production capacity of 33.78 million of tons on annum basis, according to Mining Technology.

In December 2021, Kazakhstan's coal production was recorded as 115.694 metric tons, which was an increase from the December figure of prior year, amounting to 113.398 metric tons. Kazakhstan's coal production data is updated annually and has 37 observations, averaging 111.072 million tons from December 1985 to December 2021.

6. Colombia

Exports: 62,334 thousand short tons

6th on our list of Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World is Columbia. The country increased its coal output by 4% in 2022, also making it the sixth-largest exporter in the world. The output from Colombia fell by 9.93% CAGR in the five years leading up to 2021, and it is anticipated to increase by 1% CAGR in the following five years, from 2022 to 2026, according to Mining Technology.

Making up 0.74% of the world's production, Colombia's coal exports rose by 4% in 2022 compared to 2021, with Turkey receiving the majority of the export value. Between 2022 and 2026, Colombia's coal exports are predicted to increase at a modest CAGR of 0.96%.

Click to continue reading and find out about the Top 5 Coal Exporting Countries in the World.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. Top 20 Coal Exporting Countries in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Dubai-based Almal Real Estate Development has announced the appointment of the Design & Architecture Bureau (DAR) as the lead design consultant for its flagship development on Al Marjan Island, consisting on two properties: The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel and The Unexpected Al Marjan Residences.

This key project marks a significant milestone in the development of Al Marjan Island, one of the regions premier tourism and investment destinations, said a statement from the developer.

It boasts more than 422 hotel rooms and fully managed residential units that open out to uninterrupted views of the picturesque Arabian Gulf.

The Al Marjan Island project, which will take the form of a fully managed hotel and residential units, aims to diversify the hospitality offerings on Al Marjan Island, catering to the discerning needs of travellers seeking a vibrant and dynamic experience.

Situated a one-hour drive from Dubai, the project strategically capitalises on the island's prime location, offering unparalleled views of the sea and the community of Al Marjan Island.

A key player in the region, DAR has been a cornerstone of the architectural landscape in the UAE since its establishment in 1985, later re-structured in 1996 by Engineer Hussain Lootah and Architect Ibrahim Salem.

Today, DAR with nearly 800 successfully completed projects to its name, has cemented its reputation as a leading practice in the UAE, Gulf, and Middle East regions.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with DAR on our upcoming Al Marjan Island projects," said Mohammad Khader, Head of Project Development, Almal Real Estate Development.

"Their expertise and innovative approach to design align perfectly with our vision for creating a landmark destination that redefines luxury hospitality in Ras Al Khaimah," he noted.

As per the deal, DAR will be responsible for comprehensive design and engineering consultancy services throughout all stages of the project lifecycle, ensuring the realisation of Almals vision for the development.

With a focus on conceptualisation, planning, design development, procurement, project and construction management, quality assurance, and project closeout, DAR will be delivering a contemporary and visually stunning building that sets new standards for luxury hospitality in the region.

On the contract win, Mahdi Abu Aisheh, the Director of Development & Projects for DAR, said: "Being entrusted as the lead design consultant for the Al Marjan Island project is a tremendous honour for DAR. We are excited to embark on this journey with Almal Real Estate Development, and our team is committed to delivering a design that not only captures the essence of luxury and vibrancy but also sets a new benchmark for hospitality excellence in Ras Al Khaimah."

"This project offers an exciting new opportunity to showcase our expertise and innovation in crafting a truly distinctive and timeless masterpiece," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Donald Trump has made new tariffs a centerpiece of his potential second-term economic agenda, and he could try to force them into existence much more rapidly than many might be expecting.

His allies are exploring an array of legally untested and potentially disruptive options that experts say could prove to be a second destabilizing force for global markets on top of the duties themselves.

What the former president wants to do "quickly" is push up tariff levels to heights not seen in recent history. He could spur new inflation with plans to implement up to 60% duties on many Chinese goods and 10% levels on other major trading partners.

"It may be more than that," Trump added on how high things could go in a recent interview with Time.

Whether he actually tries to implement duties that high and how long it takes before companies start paying them at US ports of entry may come down to how aggressively Trump seeks to act among his other possible priorities if he wins.

Trump's history with the issue suggests he could try to be bold.

"If he's looking for an immediate jolt, ... it could be this," noted William Reinsch. The longtime trade policymaker added in a recent interview that tariffs have long been appealing to Trump as an area uniquely open to unilateral action.

"Plus, he's got a thing about trade, he always has," Reinsch added, who is now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event in Wisconsin, on May 1. (ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) (ALEX WROBLEWSKI via Getty Images)

Three 'quick strike' tariff options

It is Congress that formally  per the US Constitution  has the power to "lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises." But lawmakers have ceded much of that power to the Oval Office in a series of bills that stretch back decades.

That history gives a potentially victorious Trump a wide array of options.

Perhaps the most rapid route is an authority granted to the president under a 1977 law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which allows the president to declare an economic emergency and act accordingly.

If Trump were to go that route, Reinsch said, he could act quickly, but "he would almost certainly be sued by somebody."

In that scenario, the key question is likely to become whether a judge would be inclined to issue an injunction to stop the tariffs or let them go into effect while the court case plays out.

A second potential quick strike option is Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

Two lawyers at Covington & Burling LLP highlighted this "long forgotten" presidential power in 2016, noting that it grants the president "substantial albeit qualified powers" to impose tariffs on countries the White House feels have discriminated against the US.

Story continues

What is notable is that both options have already been discussed in Trump's circles.

Robert Lighthizer was Trump's trade representative last time around and appears to be in line for another top job if Trump wins. He cited both of these authorities in a recent New York Times interview, saying Trump would have "clear authority" under those two laws due to the size of the trade deficit.

Another recent essay from Peter Navarro, the former director of Trump's Trade Council, argued that tariffs should be viewed as a national security issue and that all authorities available should be used to "increase tariff levels that will block out 'Made in China' products."

Navarro may be unlikely to be involved in a second Trump administration as he is currently serving a four-month prison sentence for contempt of Congress, but the essay was included in a potentially influential recent book that aims to be a "comprehensive policy guide" for Trump or for the next conservative administration.

Megan Hogan is a research fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics who has spent recent months studying Trump's potential trade options.

She noted that the broad powers in these laws are tempting because they could be enacted quickly and also because they could allow Trump to implement higher tariff levels.

"I think the reason why he's trying these other laws is because his new trade agenda this time around is much more ambitious," she said, drawing a comparison with 2016. Other options entail limitations on the size of duties a president can impose and other restrictions.

Hogan also mentioned yet another untested presidential power to watch if Trump wins: the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917.

That law was focused on intellectual property after World War I but is still in force and something a second Trump White House could seize on as an authority.

Three slower  but more legally tested  options

There are other options that Trump could also use. These more familiar presidential authorities are ones that both Trump and President Biden have invoked in recent years, but they can take months to play out.

One option is national security tariff authority under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. There's also Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which gives the president the power to levy tariffs for a wider array of reasons.

The specifics of those two options differ, but both require more formal investigations by the Department of Commerce before the duties can go into place.

In his own recent move to call for a potential tripling of steel tariffs on China, Biden leaned primarily on Section 301 authority but cited Section 232 authority as well.

President Joe Biden speaks about his push to triple tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum during an event at the United Steelworkers Headquarters in Pittsburgh in April. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images)

Trump's China tariffs were also enacted under Section 301 authority, with an investigation beginning in August 2017 and concluding over a year into his presidency in March 2018.

Likewise, Trump's 2018 plan for a 25% tariff on imported steel came under Section 232 authority and took months and months before coming into force.

The slowest option  but one that could be most immune to lawsuits  would be for Trump to formally consult Congress.

Lighthizer has floated this as an option, but Trump's approach to trade has long spurred opposition from lawmakers in both parties.

Would Congress step in?

Another question hanging in the air is whether Congress might look to step in to claw back some of its authority if Trump wins.

Rep. Don Beyer, a Democrat of Virginia, is not a fan of Trump's approach to trade and has long pushed an effort to rein in some of the president's unilateral tariff authority.

He acknowledged in an interview that much of the political will for his effort among Democrats has "diminished" in recent years and, from his perspective, "we are definitely in the trade doldrums."

Nonetheless, Capitol Hill is populated by tariff-skeptical lawmakers from both parties. Republicans helped mount an ultimately unsuccessful effort during Trump's last term to roll back some of the president's authority around Section 232 tariffs.

"Reforming Section 232 is not about President Trump," Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Iowa Republican, said at the time. "Congress has been too negligent in the past of protecting our constitutional responsibility."

Don Beyer (D-VA) gavels to order a 2022 hearing on Capitol Hill. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)

The current effort from Rep. Beyer has seen little progress in recent years and, for the moment, is only focused on Section 232 tariffs and not the wider suite of presidential trade authorities.

This is, as Beyer put it, to be "on the realistic side," but he remains hopeful that Congress could look to act in the coming years even if there is currently little to no chance of Congress addressing the issue before November's election.

He noted that a Trump win could be "very motivating to have Congress do our best to assert our rightful authority."

Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Click here for politics news related to business and money

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
On 6 May 2024, US-based biotech GlycoMimetics announced that its E-selectin inhibitor candidate uproleselan had failed to improve the overall survival (OS) of late-line acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients in its Phase III, randomised, double-blinded trial (NCT03616470).

The efficacy and safety of uproleselan were evaluated in combination with a salvage chemotherapy regimen  mitoxantrone, etoposide and cytarabine (MEC), or fludarabine, idarubicin, and cytarabine (FAI)  given based on the investigators choice. Patients in the active arm demonstrated a median OS of 13.0 months compared to 12.3 months in the control arm, and statistical significance was therefore not met. No hazard ratio or p-value from the analysis was reported at this stage. Adverse events that occurred were consistent with the known safety profile of the MEC/FAI regimen. In the corporate update call that took place on 6 May, GlycoMimetics stated that it is in discussions with regulatory and statistical experts on further analyses of the comprehensive data set.

This is the second discontinuation of a late-stage AML trial in 2024, after Gilead stopped magrolimabs Phase III ENHANCE-3 trial in February, highlighting the grave difficulty in treating relapsed/refractory AML and the dire unmet medical needs of those patients.

As the company searches for the next step of development for uproleselan, the market is waiting for the upcoming interim analysis data from the agents Phase II/III, first-line, National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored trial, where the agent is given in combination with the 7+3 cytarabine and daunorubicin chemotherapy regimen. Even if it is positive, the event-free survival data from this trial would only be powerful enough to support a filing for a much more restricted label than previously, covering only newly diagnosed patients above 60 years of age and eligible for intensive induction chemotherapy. In the meantime, further data analyses on the failed Phase III trial may bring new critical insights and eventually reignite the markets interest in the candidate.

The chance of reviving uproleselan is slim

The expression level of E-selectin ligand may serve as an important prognostic factor that could redeem uproleselan in this trial, as its Phase I/II result revealed a higher E-selectin ligand expression observed in previously treated patients, achieving a complete response and prolonged median OS. It is key for the company to determine what level of E-selectin expression would be appropriate for uproleselan to exert adequate efficacy and durability, similar to the tumour proportion score (TPS) 1% restriction imposed on the labels of PD-1 inhibitors. Other stratification factors, such as patient age, disease status and prior treatment exposure, may reveal a different positioning for the E-selectin inhibitor to deliver its therapeutic value.

There may also be new opportunities for uproleselan in another use case and patient segment. Uproleselan demonstrated encouraging preliminary efficacy and safety as a frontline combination with the standard-of-care AbbVies/Roches Venclexta (venetoclax) and azacitidine in a Phase I, investigator-initiated trial (IIT) (NCT04964505) treating patients who are ineligible for intensive induction. In secondary AML, uproleselan in combination with cladribine and low-dose cytarabine produced a 39% overall response rate in a Phase Ib/II IIT (NCT04848974). In a different scenario, these trials may work as a new space in which GlycoMimetics can explore uproleselans value. However, the chance of reviving uproleselan remains slim as the biotech is running short of time and cash to launch another large-scale, late-stage trial.

As GlycoMimeticss commercialisation partner in the Greater China region, Apollomics is conducting a Phase I pharmacokinetic and safety study (NCT04839341) in Chinese patients with relapsed/refractory AML. GlycoMimetics did not comment in the latest update call about uproleselans future clinical development in the Chinese market. The Chinese biotech has yet to release a statement regarding the future of the E-selectin inhibitor. With uncertainties surrounding both the China-based trial and the agent, in the immediate future previously treated AML patients will continue to face an under-addressed medical need and will lack therapeutic options.

"Uproleselans failed Phase III AML trial shakes up GlycoMimetics future" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Wednesday a Chinese invasion of Taiwan and seizure of chips producer TSMC would be "absolutely devastating" to the American economy.

Asked at a U.S. House hearing about the impact, Raimondo said "it would be absolutely devastating," declining to comment on how or if it will happen, adding: "Right now, the United States buys 92% of its leading edge chips from TSMC in Taiwan."

TSMC declined to comment.

Last month, Raimondo announced the Commerce Department would award TSMC's U.S. unit a $6.6 billion subsidy for its most advanced semiconductor production in Phoenix, Arizona and up to $5 billion in low-cost government loans.

TSMC agreed to expand its planned investment by $25 billion to $65 billion and to add a third Arizona fab by 2030, Commerce said in announcing the preliminary award.

The Taiwanese company will produce the world's most advanced 2 nanometer technology at its second Arizona fab expected to begin production in 2028, the department said.

TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker and a major supplier to Apple and Nvidia had previously announced plans to invest $40 billion in Arizona. TSMC expects to begin high-volume production in its first U.S. fab there by the first half of 2025, Commerce said.

Congress in 2022 approved the Chips and Science Act to boost domestic semiconductor output with $52.7 billion in research and manufacturing subsidies to wean the United States from reliance on Asia for chips. Lawmakers also approved $75 billion in government loan authority.

A 2023 U.S. government paper estimated a major manufacturing disruption in Taiwan could lead to as high as a 59% increase in the U.S. price of logic chips that domestic downstream producers would have to pay.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
The pending development of a $3 billion seaport in Peru will grant China direct access to the South American trade market and will be the first China-controlled port in South America.

This and other proposed port development projects illustrate Beijings ambitions to strengthen its footprint and influence in diverse regions around the world. The U. S. must increase economic engagement in Latin America to offer the region competitive alternatives for its development.

For several decades, policymakers in Washington have paid minimal attention to Latin America.

Underinvestment in the region by the U.S. has created an opportunity for the Peoples Republic of China, which has stepped in with offers of significant commercial and financial investment for Latin American countries, though not necessarily without strings attached.

Trade between China and Latin America has increased from $12 billion to $315 billion between 2000 and 2020. The World Economic Forum estimates that trade value could more than double to $700 billion by 2035.

Similarly, since 2005, Chinese investments in Latin American and Caribbean countries exceeded $155 billion and targeted several vital economic sectors, including banking and energy, according to the American Enterprise Institutes China Global Investment Tracker. Currently, 22 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Beijing that ratifies their participation in Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

Central to Beijings economic offensive are state-owned and state-linked private companies and financial institutions that act as the glue between China and the region. Contracts signed between Chinese and governments in Latin America are often completed without external oversight and with obligations not to disclose any details through confidentiality clauses.

With such agreements in place, Beijings authoritarian political values, which accompany its economic engagement, allow it to exert its influence throughout the region unchecked.

Geostrategic corruption, which China uses to gain influence in the regions political, economic, and societal arenas, has also become increasingly problematic. The strategy behind the form of corruption allows Beijing to sway public policies in its favor outside of diplomatic channels and gain a competitive advantage.

Similarly, overexposure to China economically becomes an exploitable tool for Beijing. The Chinese Communist Party counters any criticism of how it operates with real and perceived threats to pull financing. Such promises allow Beijing to exercise economic coercion with no repercussions.

Story continues

Meanwhile, Latin American countries are eager to attract investment to develop infrastructure, which faces a gap of around $150 billion annually.

The U.S. has the opportunity to contribute to more sustainable economic growth in the region and at home. Furthermore, with the appropriate policies from Washington, Latin America can begin to develop a more open and competitive private sector.

Earlier this year, the Biden administration announced that through the Partnership for Central America, private sector companies have committed over $5 billion in development finance in the region. The U.S. should prioritize similar public-private partnerships to strengthen private sector engagement in Latin America.

By utilizing the Department of Commerce and Development Finance Corporation, the U.S. can build on existing initiatives to mobilize the private sector throughout the Americas with international partners across several developing sectors.

This can be bolstered by building on existing free trade agreements, such as the USMCA and CAFTA-DR, that incentivize greater ties between the U.S. private sector and Latin American countries. One possible enhancement is reviving a partnership similar to the Free Trade Area of the Americas with democratic countries in Latin America to remove or lower trade barriers.

Furthermore, partnerships and U.S. engagement with Latin America should establish mechanisms to strengthen regulatory weak points and increase transparency and fair-market competition.

Advancing such values creates the opportunity to bolster economic conditions and confidence, enhancing the regions economy. Lastly, the U.S. should work with governments in the region to establish strategies to limit economic coercion.

Most importantly, by strengthening market economy practices and development financing in Latin America, the U.S. can lead the way to a more stable and democratic hemisphere.

Albert Torres is program manager of Global Policy at the George W. Bush Institute.
A former quality manager who blew the whistle on Spirit AeroSystems, a troubled Boeing supplier that builds the bulk of the 737 Max, says he was pressured to downplay problems he found while inspecting the plane's fuselages.

For about a decade, Santiago Paredes worked at the end of the production line at the Spirit AeroSystems factory in Wichita, Kansas, doing final inspections on 737 fuselages before they were shipped to Boeing.

"If quality mattered, I would still be at Spirit," said Paredes, who told CBS News in an interview he was finding hundreds of defects every day. "It was very rare for us to look at a job and not find any defects."

Speaking publicly for the first time, Paredes told CBS News he often found problems while inspecting the area around the same aircraft door panel that flew off in the middle of an Alaska Airlines flight in January.

"Why'd that happen? Because Spirit let go of a defect that they overlooked because of the pressure that they put on the inspectors," Paredes told CBS News. "If the culture was good, those issues would be addressed, but the culture is not good."

The National Transportation Safety Board Investigation indicates that the Alaska Airlines door panel was removed during final assembly to allow a Spirit AeroSystems team to make defect repairs, but it appears the bolts holding the panel in place were not reinstalled.

Spirit AeroSystems, not affiliated with Spirit Airlines, was spun off from Boeing nearly 20 years ago. The company has been under scrutiny since the Federal Aviation Administration imposed quality checks and halted production expansion of the 737 Max following the January Alaska Airlines accident.

Paredes, who left the company in mid-2022, told CBS News that what he saw firsthand makes him hesitant to fly on those planes.

"Working at Spirit, I almost grew a fear of flying," said Paredes. "Knowing what I know about the 737, it makes me very uncomfortable when I fly on one of them."

Former Spirit AeroSystems employee Santiago Paredes / Credit: CBS News

"We encourage all Spirit employees with concerns to come forward, safe in knowing they will be protected," said Spirit spokesman Joe Buccino. "We remain committed to addressing concerns and continuously improving workplace safety standards."

CBS News spoke with several current and former Spirit AeroSystems employees and reviewed photos of dented fuselages, missing fasteners and even a wrench they say was left behind in a supposedly ready-to-deliver component. Paredes said Boeing knew for years Spirit was delivering defective fuselages.

"It's a recipe for disaster," Paredes told us. "I said it was just a matter of time before something bad happened. "

A Boeing spokesperson told CBS News the company has long had a team that finds and fixes defects in fuselages built by Spirit AeroSystems as Boeing assembled the planes. The spokesperson said since the beginning of March, Boeing engineers have been inspecting each Spirit fuselage as it rolls off the production line in Wichita.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said in a recent interview with CNBC the increased oversight in Kansas has reduced the number of fuselages with defects, or what Boeing calls 'nonconformities," arriving at the 737 assembly plant in Washington State by about 80%. The company is currently weighing buying back Spirit AeroSystems to further improve quality. Boeing spun off Spirit, formerly known as Boeing Wichita, in 2005.

Boeing maintains the 737 is a safe airplane.

During its earning call this week, Spirit CEO Patrick Shanahan noted an improvement in quality from the newly implemented inspection protocols noting a 15% improvement in quality during the first quarter.

"I think we've made substantial improvement in realigning all the inspections, interpreting the engineering specifications in an exacting manner so that the eyes of Boeing and the eyes of Spirit are the same," Shanahan said.

Shanahan became CEO in October of 2023 following Boeing's discovery of mis-drilled holes on many 737 Max fuselages received from Spirit that had to be repaired by Boeing.

The "Showstopper"

According to Paredes, managers at Spirit AeroSystems would pressure him to keep his reports of defects to a minimum. He says his bosses referred to him by the nickname "Showstopper," because the defects he would write up as needing to be repaired would delay deliveries. Eventually, Paredes says, the pressure got worse beginning in 2018 as Spirit went from producing fuselages in the mid-30s monthly, to more than 50 a month.

"They always said they didn't have time to fix the mistakes," said Paredes. "They needed to get the planes out."

In February 2022, Paredes said Spirit bosses asked him to speed up his inspections by being less specific about where exactly he was finding issues with fuselages. Paredes emailed his managers, writing the request was "unethical" and put him "in a very uncomfortable situation."

"I was put in a place where I had, if I say, no, I was gonna get fired," Paredes recalled. "If I say yes, I was admitting that I was gonna do something wrong."

After sending that email, Paredes was stripped from his team leadership position. He filed an ethics complaint with the company's Human Resources department, and says he was eventually reinstated after the company found he was wrongfully demoted. But Paredes said he'd had enough and resigned from Spirit in the summer of 2022.

"It takes a toll on you and I was tired of fighting," said Paredes. "I was tired of trying to do the right thing."

"Former Employee 1"

Paredes, an Air Force veteran, spent 12 years at Spirit AeroSystems' Wichita plant before leaving in 2022 to work for another Boeing supplier. In a shareholder lawsuit against Spirit, Paredes was cited as "Former Employee 1" alleging "widespread quality failures" at the company  failures that Paredes says their client, Boeing, was aware of.

Buccino, the Spirit spokesman, calls the allegations "unfounded."

The company has asked a judge to dismiss the shareholder lawsuit, arguing, in part, the fact that Paredes was reinstated after it was found he was wrongfully demoted following his ethics complaint is proof the company values quality control.

"Santiago Paredes is one of these brave whistleblowers who chose to come forward and speak publicly. His powerful story points to the need for accountability and responsibility in the aviation industry," his attorneys Brian Knowles and Robert Turkewitz told CBS News. "It is time for profits over safety, quality, and people to come to an end. Actions speak louder than words."

The lawyers say they are working with at least 10 former and current Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems employees who have raised safety concerns.

Paredes is not the only whistleblower to speak out publicly on quality issues relating to Boeing planes.

In March, John "Mitch" Barnett was in the midst of depositions relating to his claims Boeing retaliated against him for complaints about quality lapses when he was found in his car dead from a gunshot wound in Charleston, South Carolina, where Boeing has its 787 manufacturing facility.

Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, was one of the first to allege Spirit leadership had ignored manufacturing defects on the 737 Max. Dean had given a deposition in the same shareholder lawsuit Paredes is listed in, alleging that Spirit "has a culture of not wanting to look for or to find problems, which has led to poor decisions about quality and manufacturing issues."

Dean died last month, after a struggle with a sudden infection.

"In a way I think before, if something happens to me, I'd rather them hear it from me than not hear it at all," Paredes says about going public. "My cry out is not a cry out to get somebody in trouble. My cry out is to highlight the defects that they well known are in their factory, but they need to fix them. So their business can be successful."

Kathryn Krupnik contributed reporting.

Melinda French Gates reflects on personal growth, commitment to advocacy

Justin Timberlake arrested on DWI-related charges in New York

McDonald's ends AI drive-thru experiment
Homes in West Jordan are pictured on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

The Beehive State was recently recognized for having the best economic outlook and the most dynamic job market in the nation. The transformation of Utahs economy over the past 40 years is remarkable, considering its industry presence in the 1980s was relatively one-dimensional and struggled to provide adequate jobs to keep young people in the state. Today, many of Utahs challenges relate to the effects of an in-migration rather than out-migration of people as we grapple with housing shortages, homelessness, water scarcity and air quality concerns. In response to these pressures, we must remember how beneficial job growth is to our quality of life, continue to promote strategic job creation and accelerate investment in infrastructure to keep Utah a desirable place to live.

Most people think of economic success in terms of jobs. Good jobs provide financial security, inspire a sense of accomplishment and help people achieve better lives for themselves and their families. One way to help create jobs is through business incentives. Utah offers tax rebates to businesses only after they have created high-paying jobs in strategically important industries or in rural areas  a modest approach compared to states that offer large upfront cash outlays. An independent audit showed Utah received a 400% return on its incentives program from 2020 to 2022. Economists debate the role incentives should play in attracting jobs to communities, but it is clear that every state uses them and they must remain in place in Utah to be competitive in attracting the best jobs.

Some argue that recruiting and incentivizing out-of-state companies to come to Utah creates unwelcome competition for current businesses here. However, it is important to recognize the far-reaching benefits of job creation and that most state incentives are awarded to Utah businesses. The fact is, job creation spurs competition for labor, which affords Utah workers more employment options, not fewer, and increased compensation, not less. Creating new jobs also generates tax revenues that fund essential public services in education, public safety, parks and recreation, and infrastructure that profit everyone. Additionally, the wealth created has a multiplier effect that benefits existing Utah businesses and entrepreneurs by increasing consumer purchasing power and spending.

Other reasons to promote job creation are the capital expenditures and social benefits that often accompany them. For example, in addition to 800 new high-paying jobs, Texas Instruments is making an $11 billion capital investment in expanding its semiconductor plant in Lehi and donating $9 million to the local school district. Metas expansion of its Eagle Mountain data center will bring more than $1.5 billion in capital investment and another $150 million to enhance local utility, sewer, water, telecommunication and roadway infrastructure. Since 2020, Adobe employees have volunteered tens of thousands of hours to community service and donated $1.3 million to local nonprofit organizations like Girls on the Run, a group dedicated to empowering young girls by teaching them essential life skills.

Story continues

While job creation greatly benefits Utahns, it is also associated with population growth. But growth per se is neither good nor bad  only inevitable in Utah, as studies show. To make it advantageous, we must continue investing state revenues into infrastructure projects to support a growing population and preserve quality of life in the future. Recent legislation appropriating more than $1 billion for water resiliency, $1.2 billion for regional transportation assets and the creation of new public financing tools and housing promotion zones is a step in the right direction. Another tool at our disposal is requiring companies to commit to doing more to mitigate the effects of growth in order to be awarded an incentive. For example, in Indiana, businesses must invest 5% of their tax savings into either transit, workforce development or child care assistance for employees.

Utah became the top economy in the country through decades of sound policy and proactive support of job growth. We must continually support job creation, given its fundamental role in maintaining our tax base and anchoring a thriving economy. Increased infrastructure investment will facilitate additional economic growth, thus forming a virtuous cycle that sustains overall quality of life. How we respond to our growth challenges will ultimately determine our ability to deliver on the promise of having the best economic outlook of any state for decades to come.

Scott Cuthbertson is the president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah.
Revenue: Reported Q1 2024 revenue of $394.9 million, exceeding estimates of $360.43 million.

Gross Margin: Achieved a record gross margin of 45.9%, significantly surpassing the previous year's 39.4%.

Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS): Posted $0.05, above the estimated $0.01, reflecting a decrease from the previous year's $0.11.

Inventory Reduction: Successfully reduced inventory by approximately 51.2% year-over-year, aligning with strategic balance sheet strengthening.

Net Debt: Decreased net debt to $685 million, down $380 million from the previous year, indicating effective debt management.

Full-Year Outlook: Adjusted full-year revenue expectations range from $1.68 billion to $1.73 billion, with a projected gross margin increase of 460 basis points from 2023.

Operational Efficiency: Improved operational efficiency with a 10.3% reduction in adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses.

On May 8, 2024, Wolverine World Wide Inc (NYSE:WWW) announced a significant start to the year with its first quarter results surpassing expectations in both revenue and earnings, as detailed in its 8-K filing. The company, a global leader in designing, manufacturing, and distributing branded footwear, apparel, and accessories, reported a total revenue of $394.9 million, a decline of 34.1% year-over-year but still above analyst expectations of $360.43 million.

Wolverine World Wide Exceeds First Quarter Revenue and Earnings Expectations

Wolverine World Wide's financial resilience was underscored by a record gross margin of 45.9%, a significant improvement from the previous year's 39.4%. This increase was attributed to lower supply chain costs and a favorable distribution channel mix among other factors. Despite the revenue decline, these results reflect a robust execution of the company's strategic initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and profitability.

Company Overview

Headquartered in Rockford, Michigan, Wolverine World Wide operates under various segments with the Active Group being its largest revenue generator. The company's portfolio includes popular brands like Merrell, Saucony, and Sweaty Betty. Over its 140-year history, Wolverine World Wide has built a reputation for innovation and quality, catering to a global audience in over 170 countries.

Financial Performance and Challenges

The first quarter saw a challenging environment with significant revenue declines across all segments. The Active Group, which includes Merrell and Saucony, saw a 24.9% decrease in revenue. Despite these challenges, the company's strategic focus on direct-to-consumer channels and international markets mitigated greater losses, showcasing the resilience of its diversified business model.

Operating margin turned negative to (0.8)% from last year's 7.6%, primarily due to the revenue decline and ongoing strategic investments. However, adjusted operating margin showed a lesser decline, demonstrating effective cost management and operational adjustments.

Strategic Initiatives and Outlook

President and CEO Chris Hufnagel highlighted the progress in the company's turnaround efforts, emphasizing the strategic moves to optimize the brand portfolio and enhance operational efficiencies. The sale of non-core businesses like the Sperry and Keds brands has allowed the company to streamline operations and focus on its highest potential areas.

For the full year 2024, Wolverine World Wide has adjusted its revenue outlook to $1.68 billion to $1.73 billion, reflecting changes from new licensing models and recent divestitures. The company also anticipates continued margin improvements with an operating margin projection of approximately 5.7% and an adjusted operating margin of about 7.0%.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

The company ended the quarter with $169.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and reduced its net debt by $55 million since the year-end 2023. Inventory levels were also significantly reduced, aligning with the company's strategy to improve its balance sheet and cash flow positions in preparation for future growth initiatives.

Investor and Analyst Perspectives

Despite the mixed financial results, Wolverine World Wide's strategic adjustments and operational improvements have positioned it well for future profitability. The company's focus on high-margin businesses and growth in direct-to-consumer sales are pivotal in navigating the current challenging market conditions.

Investors and analysts will likely watch closely how these strategies unfold in upcoming quarters, particularly the company's ability to maintain margin improvements and manage operational costs effectively.

The company will host a conference call to discuss these results and current business trends, which will be accessible under the "Investor Relations" tab at www.wolverineworldwide.com.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Wolverine World Wide Inc for further details.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Mecklenburg County commissioners gave mixed reviews to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools yearly budget request Wednesday, with some saying the districts plan doesnt do enough for kids in classrooms. Others pointed the blame for funding issues at the state.

Superintendent Crystal Hill and other district leadership presented the request to commissioners Tuesday at a meeting one week ahead of when the board hears the proposal for all departments and agencies funded by the county. The yearly request frequently produces tense conversations about how much the county is willing to fund.

CMS board members unanimously approved Hills 2024-25 budget April 30. The $2.1 billion plan calls for about $653 million in funding from the county, up about $56 million from this years allocation of $597 million. The district attributed much of its request to recurring needs, such as teacher pay supplements and day-to-day operations.

Hill said previously she was very confident the county would fully fund the districts request.

There is nothing on our list that were taking to the county that we dont think is absolutely critical, she said after her board approved her plan, adding that a no from the county would force CMS to make some really hard decisions.

But some commissioners questioned why Hills increased request  which focused largely on raising teacher pay and maintenance needs  didnt include more money aimed directly at students.

I think this is perhaps the worst budget that I have seen in 30 years from CMS as it relates to student achievement, said Commissioner Arthur Griffin, a former school board chairman.

Hill pushed back on that assertion, noting funding from other sources within the districts budget will go toward a variety of initiatives and pointing to recent improvements in test scores.

Other commissioners said any blame for funding gaps in the districts plan falls on state legislators rather than CMS.

The thing that really scares me is that we have a state that keeps trying to cripple public education, Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell said.

Does CMS funding request do enough for kids?

Griffin called the districts budget request problematic because it doesnt allocate more money to efforts such as literacy and making sure high school graduates are prepared to enter college, the workforce or the military.

This appears to be a people and things budget, but very light in terms of actual academic excellence, he said.

Commissioner Pat Cotham agreed with Griffin, saying parts of Hills presentation hit me in the gut.

Story continues

Im not surprised, Im sad, she said.

Cotham said she wanted bigger raises, more efforts to improve outcomes in schools in traditionally underserved parts of Charlotte and more conversations with commissioners. In a follow-up email to the Observer, Cotham clarified that she wanted to see bigger raises for the districts lowest paid staff, though she is not opposed to higher pay for teachers.

Hill pushed back on some of those claims, noting the district held a meeting with the county in February. She argued that attracting better teachers with higher pay and well-maintained facilities will positively affect student achievement.

We classify it as the best budget that weve brought forward, Hill said, adding that the districts plan includes spending on some of what commissioners referenced. CMS said previously theyre grappling with a COVID cliff as millions in pandemic relief dollars go away.

Commissioner Laura Meier agreed with Hills assessment, calling the presentation wonderful. Meier pointed to the districts latest test scores as a sign that CMS is moving in the right direction.

Since Ive been on this board, all Ive heard is, Numbers dont lie, and we need to see numbers going up, she said. ... Now theyre going up, and I think thats good news.

Are state funding decisions hurting CMS?

Rodriguez-McDowell said the county is on the hook for so much funding for supplemental teacher pay because the state is short-changing the county.

In North Carolina, the state determines standardized teacher salaries, but it does not fully fund every teacher salary. Hill noted that CMS is one of just four out of North Carolinas 115 school districts that doesnt get money for supplemental teacher pay from the state.

These numbers dont scare me, because I think that weve got to invest in our students and our educators. I just dont see a choice in it, Rodriguez-McDowell said of the districts request. ... Its up to us to bridge that gap. Im pissed about it. I dont want to bridge the gap from the state.

Commissioner Elaine Powell agreed with Rodriguez-McDowell that there are multiple ways that the state is crippling large counties from having the funding necessary to operate school districts.

The burden falls onto us, and it is difficult to meet the needs. Its a hard situation to be in for us, she said.

How do we make the numbers work?

Commissioner Leigh Altman said the countys devotion to public schools is evident in its past willingness to fully grant funding requests. But she added it will be difficult for the board to manage the latest ask with other needs and keep tax rates reasonable.

Really my only concern is, how do we make the numbers work? she said. ... The problem is we have an A to Z menu of things that we and only we are responsible for delivering to the community, and the more we give to CMS is something weve got to cut from something else.

Altman said she hopes the community will turn out to commission meetings in the coming weeks to give their thoughts on the budget.

Let us know: how do you want us to balance the percentage of your tax dollars across all of the services? she said.

Vice Chairman Mark Jerrell said Altman made a really important point about balancing priorities.

I am proud of the fact that this board has supported public education the way that we have, and I feel confident that well find a way to support this community and make sure that were all marching together to meet the needs of the community, he said.

County Manager Dena Diorio will present her recommended county budget to the County Commission next week. She did not address the CMS funding request during Wednesdays meeting.

Observer reporter Rebecca Noel contributed to the reporting of this story.

In our CLT Politics newsletter, we offer exclusive insight into Charlotte-region politics sent to your inbox on Thursdays. Subscribe for free. Story idea? mramsey@charlotteobserver.com.
Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) today (May 8) honoured 122 of its dedicated employees - who had put in 10 to 40 years of service - during its annual Long Service Award ceremony.

The event was held at Movenpick Hotel Bahrain, under the patronage of the Chairman of the Board of Directors Nabeel Khalid Kanoo and was attended by board members, executive management and the management team at BAS, said BAS in its statement.

This highlighted the companys deep appreciation for the contribution of its long-serving employees, it stated.

Expressing his deep appreciation for the honored employees, Kanoo said: "We are immensely proud of our long-serving employees who have dedicated their time and talents to the success of the company. Their loyalty, commitment, and unwavering support have been instrumental in shaping our companys growth and achievements over the years."

"This remarkable achievement is a testament to the lasting relationships fostered within BAS, and its commitment to recognising the valuable contributions of its employees," he added.

BAS said it remains committed to providing various initiatives that will help develop employees skills, which in turn creates a motivated work environment for its employees.

The company recognises that a motivated workforce is instrumental in driving innovation, productivity, and overall success, it added.
Y.S.P. Southeast Asia Holding Berhad (KLSE:YSPSAH) has announced that it will be increasing its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 22nd of July to MYR0.11. This takes the dividend yield to 4.4%, which shareholders will be pleased with.

View our latest analysis for Y.S.P. Southeast Asia Holding Berhad

Y.S.P. Southeast Asia Holding Berhad's Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions

Impressive dividend yields are good, but this doesn't matter much if the payments can't be sustained. Before making this announcement, Y.S.P. Southeast Asia Holding Berhad was paying a whopping 2,837% as a dividend, but this only made up 30% of its overall earnings. A cash payout ratio this high could put the dividend under pressure and force the company to reduce it in the future if it were to run into tough times.

If the trend of the last few years continues, EPS will grow by 3.6% over the next 12 months. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 41%, which is in the range that makes us comfortable with the sustainability of the dividend.

Y.S.P. Southeast Asia Holding Berhad Has A Solid Track Record

Even over a long history of paying dividends, the company's distributions have been remarkably stable. The annual payment during the last 10 years was MYR0.065 in 2014, and the most recent fiscal year payment was MYR0.11. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.4% a year over that time. Dividends have grown at a reasonable rate over this period, and without any major cuts in the payment over time, we think this is an attractive combination as it provides a nice boost to shareholder returns.

Dividend Growth May Be Hard To Achieve

Investors could be attracted to the stock based on the quality of its payment history. However, Y.S.P. Southeast Asia Holding Berhad has only grown its earnings per share at 3.6% per annum over the past five years. While EPS growth is quite low, Y.S.P. Southeast Asia Holding Berhad has the option to increase the payout ratio to return more cash to shareholders.

In Summary

In summary, while it's always good to see the dividend being raised, we don't think Y.S.P. Southeast Asia Holding Berhad's payments are rock solid. With cash flows lacking, it is difficult to see how the company can sustain a dividend payment. We would be a touch cautious of relying on this stock primarily for the dividend income.

Companies possessing a stable dividend policy will likely enjoy greater investor interest than those suffering from a more inconsistent approach. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. For example, we've picked out 2 warning signs for Y.S.P. Southeast Asia Holding Berhad that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our collection of 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.
Saudi Arabias Nahdi Medical Company has posted a first-quarter (Q1) net profit of SR233 million ($62.12 million) and a net margin of 10.3% along with revenue growth of 7.2%.

Exceeding its previous guidance, Nahdi achieved SR2.26 billion in revenue in Q1 2024, representing a 7.2% increase compared to Q1 2023 and 2% increase compared to the previous quarter, a release said.

Nahdi's Medicine segment continues to experience solid year-over-year growth, driven by prescription referrals from NahdiCare clinics, investments in provider pharmacies, and strategic partnerships with medical insurance companies.

Positive results

The company's investment in Front Shop sales, which began in the second half of 2023, yielded positive results. Particularly in the beauty category, the momentum started building in Q4 2023 with 3.3% growth in sales.

This upward trend continued into the first quarter of 2024 with a double-digit growth. The positive results in Front Shop sales, especially in the beauty category, were driven by Nahdi's strategy of prioritising fair value for its guests.

Further, Nahdis emerging businesses continued to perform strongly. The Company witnessed a growth acceleration of its online business, to reach 20% revenue contribution in Q1 2024, up from 16% in Q1 2023, mainly driven by the expanded product assortment on Nahdi Global.

44 new pharmacies

In Q1 2024, Nahdi continued to expand its healthcare business, experiencing a growth of 121%, while its UAE operations witnessed an increase of 173%. In the first quarter of 2024, Nahdi continued to invest in its future by opening one new clinic in Madina Al Munawara, 44 new pharmacies in Saudi Arabia and 6 new pharmacies in the UAE.

In line with its previous guidance, Nahdis gross margin delivered 38.1%, due to its investment in sales growth. In the face of short-term sales growth investments and ongoing investments into strategic growth areas, Nahdi managed to improve its operating expenses to reach 28.2% vs 29.9% Q1 2023. The savings are the outcome of Nahdis established efficiency programmes.

Nahdis cash position remains strong and holds zero debt, with returns from Islamic Murabaha time deposits supporting the profitability of the company. Moreover, the companys sustained a healthy cash flow supported by strong operational fundamentals and efficient working capital management.

The quarterly performance is a reflection of the companys investments in sales growth and advancing strategic initiatives, while enhancing the efficiency of its operating expenses, exceeding its previous guidance.--TradeArabia News Service
A construction crew works on a home in the Bent Grass development, in unincorporated Falcon outside Colorado Springs. El Paso County is going to review is land-use development code to guide construction of new homes and businesses in unincorporated parts of the county.
The bill attempting to ban the purchase of a long list of so-called "assault weapons" has failed for the second consecutive year.

House Bill 1292 was expected to be heard this week in the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, but its sponsor, Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, announced Monday that she would ask the committee to end it.

"I intend to request that the Senate State Veterans and Military Affairs committee postpone indefinitely HB24-1292, the assault weapons ban, on May 7, 2024," Gonzales said in a statement. "That being said, I couldnt be prouder of my colleagues in the House of Representatives for passing an assault weapons ban for the first time in Colorado history."

Gonzales added that "after thoughtful conversations with my Senate colleagues, I decided that more conversations need to take place outside of the pressure cooker of the Capitol during the last weeks of the legislative session. In that spirit, I look forward to renewing and continuing those discussions over the interim. It is clear that survivors of devastating gun violence, responsible gun owners, and local and national policy advocates remain committed to doing the work necessary to save lives  and an assault weapons ban will do just that."

Progressive Democrats have tried for two years to ban a variety of weapons, with the common thread being anything detachable, which raised concerns that the law might apply to more than just "assault weapons."

The 2023 version never made it out of its first committee hearing.

The list of weapons that could not be purchased in Colorado under HB 1292 included:

Featured Local Savings

 A semiautomatic rifle that can accept a detachable magazine;

 AK and AR-type weapons, either rifles or pistols, including AK47, AK47S, AK-74, Bushmasters, certain Remingle and Smith & Wesson rifles; and others with detachable magazines;

 Semiautomatic rifles, pistols or shotguns that can accept or be modified to accept a fixed large-capacity magazine;

The bill won approval from the House on a 35-27 vote on April 14 but has since been waiting for its trip through the Senate ever, a sign that it might have struggled to get through the more moderate Senate.

The bill's first stop in the Senate, the state affairs committee, is where it could have run into trouble, given the swing vote would likely be from Sen. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. While Sullivan has been a strong advocate for gun control, he has been skeptical about whether a ban would work.

The bigger obstacle for the measure, however, was likely from the governor, who had said he was skeptical that a ban would work, given that people could just drive across the border to Wyoming to purchase those weapons. He also advocated for a federal solution, one that he sponsored when he was in Congress.
Just hours after Gov. Jared Polis and legislative leaders unveiled a property tax deal, the legislation containing the agreement sailed through two committees on Monday and won approval from the state Senate the day after.

Over the next three years, the deal is expected to result in $3.7 billion in property tax relief, supporters said.

Already, a fight at the ballot box is beginning to take its shape, with at least one initiative seeking a reduction in residential and business property tax rates down to roughly 2022 levels and capping future revenue growth to no more than 4% year over year.

Proponents of that ballot measure said they are not convinced the agreement struck by Polis, Democrats and Republicans in the Colorado General Assembly and several groups would offer meaningful relief to businesses and homeowners.

Meanwhile, the deal's supporters said it would do exactly that  while taking into account the fiscal needs of local government and school districts.

The points raised by both sides will likely form the backbone of the arguments the public will hear during the general election in November.

Senate Bill 233 faces a tight timeline.

The chamber's State, Veterans and Military Affairs and Appropriations committees advance the measure, which won final approval from the Senate on a 33-2 vote. Sen. Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, a member of the property tax commission, voted no.

The measure now heads over to the House, where it must get through committees on Tuesday, as well as preliminary approval by the chamber to reach a final House vote on Wednesday, the last day of the 2024 regular session.

SB 233 is the result of negotiations with the governor, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and outside groups, including Colorado Concern, Colorado Counties, Inc., the Bell Policy Center, and several chambers of commerce.

Sen. Chris Hansen, D-Denver, told the state affairs committee Monday the bill is the culmination of a half-dozen years of work on the issue of property taxes.

After voters approved the repeal of the Gallagher amendment, which had held property tax rates stable for homeowners but resulted in skyrocketing rates for commercial buildings, lawmakers were on the hook for finding a solution.

That solution had remained elusive. Voters soundly rejected a measure sent by Democratic lawmakers to the 2023 ballot.

Hansen called Senate Bill 233 a long-term solution, adding, "It provides a clear roadmap for reducing property taxes in both the residential and the non-residential categories."

For 2025 only, the assessed value on residential properties will be set at 6.7%. Beginning in 2025, it changes to a 10% reduction in home assessment values for homes valued at up to $700,000 plus a 6.95% assessment rate. Hansen said that would help lower and middle-income families.

The percentage, rather than a flat reduction of $55,000  which had been part of previous property tax bills  is necessary because of how that flat rate would affect parts of the state, in which home values are significantly less than for homes on the Front Range, particularly on the Eastern Plains and where the median home price might be $150,000 rather than $500,000.

Commercial properties would see a reduction in their assessment rates over the next two years, from 29% to 25%, a major part of the compromise sought by Republicans.

SB 233 creates two assessed values for residential properties, beginning with the 2025 property tax years. The first is a value used for mill levies assessed by school districts; the second is the mill levy used for all other local government entities. The rates are 7.15% and 6.95%, respectively.

Featured Local Savings

Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, said the bill will not require tapping the TABOR surplus nor will it result in a restart of the state's debt to K-12 education. Over the next three years, she said, property tax relief will total about $3.7 billion.

Kirkmeyer also noted another major difference between the 2023 bill that turned into Proposition HH and SB 233  public input. The property tax commission traveled around the state to seek public input, and much of the bill reflects that work, she said.

To pay for the property tax relief, according to the fiscal analysis, starting in 2024-25 and continuing into the future, the bill will lower the General Fund reserve requirement to 14% of appropriations, from 15%. That will bring in about $155.7 million, the analysis said.

Special districts  fire, hospital, library and others  earlier expressed worries about the potential reductions in revenue and the lack of backfill to cover those changes.

Amendments adopted late Monday night appeared to have addressed most of those concerns, with a $10.3 million infusion to cover the backfill, as well as amendments on bonds and tax-incremental financing sought by the Colorado Municipal League and others.

Critics, meanwhile, maintained that the agreement will not result in a "material tax relief."

"Colorado Concern and its leadership have worked in good faith with the legislature for months toward meaningful and long-term property tax relief. Unfortunately, SB 24-233 does not represent material tax relief for Colorado homeowners and small business owners," Dave Davia, CEO of Colorado Concern, said in a statement.

"A deal has not been reached at this time. We are committed to continuing to work toward a legislative solution in the final days of the session but have not removed our support for Initiatives 50 and 108."

Davia was part of the weekend negotiations that resulted in SB 233.

Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, told reporters Tuesday that Colorado Concern got almost everything it asked for, and that "it was frustrating to see organizations publicly dispute a policy they helped shape."

"The organization is not taking actions that will increase their relevance in this building," he said.

Michael Fields of Advance Colorado, which put Initiative 50 on the ballot and is in the signature gathering phase for initiative 108, argued that SB 233 does not provide the property tax relief its backers claim.

"The effective tax rate on homes goes up compared to the rate now. People just experienced a 25% increase this year  and this just lets it increase more. Our measures actually cut and cap property taxes," he said.

Under Advance Colorado's proposal, only a vote of the public would allow a local government to collect above the 4% cap in new property tax revenue in a year.

In addition to the 4% revenue cap, the ballot measure would cut the residential property tax rate from 6.7% to 5.7%, which the groups said would effectively return the rate to near 2022 levels. That mechanism would erase the massive property tax hikes that homeowners expect to see in the coming weeks, the groups said, noting that, as a result of the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, lawmakers could never increase these tax rates.

Second, it would exempt the first $55,000 in home value from the property tax. The groups said this would offer middle and low-income property owners tax relief comparable to what the Gallagher Amendment would have delivered, except without the anti-business impact that was the bane of Gallagher.

As to concerns that Initiative 50 would gut public education funding, Fields said the state has to backfill education.

"The legislature just wants to spend on other things. But a 4% increase every year will cover the education increase in most years anyway," he said.
The Colorado Springs man accused of firing multiple shots at a mother and her child during a road rage incident was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison after accepting a plea deal.

Bryan Alexander Petersen, 24, was arrested by Colorado Springs police on July 4 last year after a woman claimed a man had shot at her car during a road rage incident in the area of North Carefree Circle and Peterson Road on the east side of the city.

The arrest affidavit for the incident states that the woman, whose name was redacted from the affidavit, was "brake checked" by another driver multiple times before the driver of the vehicle took out a handgun and fired two shots at her car.

A picture of the shooter's car taken by the victim led police to the home of Petersen, where the car involved in the earlier road rage incident was found by police, according to the affidavit. Petersen was arrested shortly after, and claimed that he was the victim of road rage on the part of the woman driving the car he shot at, and that he only pulled out his gun because he feared for his life.

Police state within the affidavit that Petersen said he understood he "handled the situation improperly and he was in the wrong," but that he thought the woman driving the other car was trying to run him off the road, and that when he yelled at her to pull over he saw the woman "rummaging in her center console and thought she was going to produce a firearm."

Court records show that earlier this year Petersen pleaded guilty to one count of attempted second-degree murder, a class 3 felony.

Featured Local Savings

At Wednesday's sentencing hearing, Petersen's attorney stated that his client has since taken responsibility for the shooting, and that it's a mistake he won't be making again.

"This court, and any other court, will never see Mr. Petersen again after he receives his sentence," Steven Rodemer, Petersen's attorney, said to the court.

The victim of the shooting did not appear in court Wednesday, but had prosecutor Stephanie Redfield read a letter to the court where she recapped how traumatizing the incident was for her and her child.

After the brief statements from both attorneys Judge Chad Miller accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Petersen to 10 years in the Department of Corrections with three years of mandatory parole upon his release.

Petersen was also given eight days credit for time served.
The Colorado Supreme Court censured former Arapahoe County District Court Judge John E. Scipione on Monday for his misconduct, which resulted in a pair of sexual harassment settlements totaling $130,000.

In a document originally filed with the court in January 2023, Scipione agreed he failed to disclose an intimate relationship with a staff member, inappropriately discussed his "sexual preferences and habits," and attempted to influence a court case in another jurisdiction.

"Scipiones transgressions represented a pattern of misconduct reflecting that Scipione repeatedly abused his power for self-gain," wrote the court in an unsigned May 6 decision.

Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright and Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr. did not participate in the case. They did not provide a reason for their recusal.

The censure also disclosed the Judicial Department settled two sexual harassment claims stemming from Scipione's conduct for a total of $130,000. Colorado Politics requested details about the settlements, but spokespeople for the department did not immediately respond.

The Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline recommended the Supreme Court further order Scipione to pay $51,189 in attorney fees to cover the previous disciplinary proceedings. The Supreme Court agreed that the seriousness and pattern of misconduct, combined with the negative effects on the Judicial Department, justified Scipione's payment of the fees.

Although the commission originally wanted Scipione to return the salary and benefits he received while he was suspended as a judge, the Supreme Court agreed the rules of judicial discipline and the state constitution do not authorize such a punishment.

Scipione was first hired as a magistrate in the 18th Judicial District in 2012. In 2017, then-Gov. John Hickenlooper appointed him to be an Arapahoe County Court judge. He received an appointment to the district court bench the following year.

Featured Local Savings

From his time as a magistrate, Scipione had an extramarital relationship with an employee, but did not report it to the department as required. He also did not disclose the relationship on the judicial application form, which asked whether there was "any circumstance" in a candidate's personal or professional life that would adversely affect their qualifications. The Supreme Court has since removed that question, but Justice Melissa Hart previously told Colorado Politics the change had no connection to Scipione.

Scipione also discussed his lifestyle of "consensual non-monogamy" with other employees, made inappropriate comments about their appearance and asked for help using the dating app Tinder. He pursued another relationship with a second employee, neither of which he disclosed during the disciplinary proceedings.

Finally, Scipione contacted a judge and their clerk in a different jurisdiction to "seek favorable treatment" in a case involving his father's estate, according to the stipulation Scipione signed.

Initially, the Supreme Court suspended Scipione in August 2022 with pay in response to the disciplinary proceedings. Scipione quickly claimed he was unable to defend himself due to a disability. As a result, the disciplinary proceedings were paused for four months.

"Ultimately, following three independent medical evaluations, Scipione acknowledged that he could not meet his burden to prove by clear and convincing evidence that he had a disability that prevented him from assisting with his defense," the Supreme Court wrote in its censure decision. Scipione resigned shortly afterward.

The judicial discipline commission initially sought $120,719 from Scipione, covering his compensation as a judge and the costs of the disciplinary and disability proceedings. A panel of unidentified judges, acting as special masters, agreed Scipione should only be responsible for paying $51,189.

"Scipiones misconduct negatively affected public confidence in the judiciary, as well as the well-being of all court personnel affected by his actions," the Supreme Court wrote. "This abuse of the power dynamic between judicial officers and subordinate court personnel presented a grave risk of damaging the publics (and the employees) perception of the judiciary and the judicial process."

The court censured Scipione, who now operates his own mediation and arbitration company based in Lone Tree. The firm's website mentions Scipione "is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and fairness."
Axel Brown may be walking across the stage at UCCS commencement ceremony this week, but his work with the school could just be getting started.

Upon receiving his masters degree in social work at the university this spring, the outgoing student body president is now setting his sights on one of the CU Board of Regents vacant seats.

Ive been a part of this community since I was 17. Brown said. Ive lived all over El Paso County over the years and I still care a lot about UCCS.

Brown was born in Queens and raised in Brooklyn, New York where his involvement with social work came at a young age through the Administration for Childrens Services. Upon graduating high school, he joined the military with the eventual goal of continuing his education which would take him to Fort Jackson in South Carolina to Fort Lee in Virginia to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs.

He opted to stay in the springs following his service and continue his education at Pikes Peak Community College in the summer of 2019. He originally thought of pursuing careers in either dentistry or radiology but quickly discovered that social work was his true calling.

Upon learning about UCCSs bachelors and masters program options, he jumped at it.

I always saw UCCS as that beautiful campus up on the hill from when I was in Fort Carson, he said. So, to come over here was kind of a dream come true.

While earning his degrees, Brown would quickly become involved in the Universitys Student Government Association (SGA) as its senator for military and veteran affairs. Despite his interest in increasing the quality of campus life for students, he admitted that the SGA was in a state of turmoil upon his arrival.

Fellow senator at the time Aidan Clark agreed, saying there was little communication and leadership from the SGAs President and Vice President, who would often do the bare minimum at the time of their arrival.

They would show up and read their monthly briefings, but they werent really involved in any campus events or activities outside of that, he said. So that led to a lot of arguments and struggles in the SGA.

Despite these initial struggles, Brown would remain committed to the work and would subsequently run for senator-at-large and senator of innovation for SGA.

His aspirations didnt end here, though, even upon his successful reelection bid.

I respectfully declined and said, No, thank you, because Im going to run for president next semester, he said.

Brown had aspirations to be student body president dating back to his high school days, even if it was simply to do the morning class announcements through the school speakers with a funky voice. But the absence of a VP candidate to run with at the time put a damper on that dream.

Featured Local Savings

Not letting that hold him back this time, he reached out to Clark to be his running mate, despite lacking a true relationship up to that point.

He reached out to me in January and asked if I wanted to be his VP and we hadnt really talked ever before then, but I said yes, Clark said. And we applied in March and quickly became best friends.

Upon their successful election, Browns focus as student president was largely on repairing the campus view of SGA while also increasing campus-community involvement. This was ultimately accomplished, with increased attendance by SGA at campus events and the successful launch of the annual Friendsgiving and ClydeCon events among the highlights for him.

Other accomplishments during Browns tenure included the successful vote to increase the schools Student Activity Fee to nearly double the SGAs fiscal year budget for additional clubs and organizations on campus along with SGA-organized events going forward.

Clark pointed much of their success throughout this period to his own understanding of policy and Browns willingness to never give up.

Hes amazingly stubborn in a good way, he said of Brown. He has a vision and he knows when to yell at the right people to see that vision through.

During his time at UCCS, Brown also witnessed the decisions and developments for all the University of Colorado campuses as the chair of the Inter-Campus Student Forum where he attended all CU Regents meetings as a representative of its students.

This experience inspired Brown to continue his work within the university system by running for the boards seat for District 5. With his collegiate career quickly wrapping up, he reached out to El Paso County Democratic Party Chairman John Mikos who explained the steps to become qualified to run.

We had a good meeting last summer and he told me Here are the five things you need to do to get started, he said. And as soon as I got home that night, I got four of those five things done.

At the time of this writing, Brown is limited to what exactly he can speak about regarding his goals and ambitions as a regent, should he get elected. That being the case, he specifically highlighted the potential of increasing UCCS visibility to the rest of the board and community at large along with expanding services and accessibility to its diverse student population.

Brown is currently working with the Colorado Springs Salvation Army as a social services coordinator which he looks to continue doing for the foreseeable future. He sees his opportunities for social work on the micro, mezzo and macro levels wide open to him going forward, regardless of the elections outcome.

But who knows? If I dont get elected this time, I may run again in six years, he said.

UCCS commencement will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at The Broadmoor World Arena.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Firebrand Republican U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene called on Wednesday for a vote on her motion to remove fellow Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership role.

Greene's effort is unlikely to succeed as she has scant support within her party and top House Democrats have said they would move to protect Johnson to avoid a replay of the chaos that followed in October when Republicans ousted his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy.

Standing flanked by fellow Republican Thomas Massie, Greene criticized Johnson for a string of compromises with Democrats, who hold a majority in the Senate.

"Excuses like 'this is just how you have to govern in divided government' are pathetic, weak and unacceptable," Greene said of Johnson. "Even with our razor-thin Republican majority we could have at least secured the border."

Johnson has angered many hardliners within his razor-thin 217-213 Republican majority this year, by enacting bipartisan spending measures to avoid government shutdowns and aid U.S. allies including Ukraine, without insisting on strict security measures for the U.S.-Mexico border that Democrats reject.

The situation has bolstered House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who agreed to save Johnson from ouster after freeing Congress from the roadblock of Republican infighting by delivering crucial Democratic support for must-pass bills.

Greene's bid to seek retribution by unseating the speaker with a "motion to vacate" won support from only two other members of her party: Massie and Representative Paul Gosar.

(Reporting by David Morgan, Makini Brice and Richard Cowan; Editing by Scott Malone and Chris Sanders)
Denver has become one of the countrys flashpoints in the debate over illegal immigration. At last count, nearly 41,000 immigrants had arrived in the city in the last 16 months, and city officials said the response this year will cost $90 million.

To help come up with the money, the city has cut services, including public safety, to pay for the care of those immigrants.

Meanwhile, Aurora, Colorado Springs and other jurisdictions have adopted resolutions saying they cannot afford to spend money on this crisis.

Coloradans now say this is the most important issue in the state, according to a recent poll.

We hope to take a hard look at all sides of the immigration crisis roiling Denver and the country right now in a Denver Gazette/9News Colorado Conversation on Tuesday, May 7, 7 to 8 p.m. at the Stockyards Event Center, 5004 National Western Drive in Denver. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Please join us live at the events center and bring your questions, or watch the debate livestreamed on denvergazette.com, coloradopolitics.com and 9News.com. You can register at this link.

Panelists at the town hall will include key players and a range of different perspectives in this debate: Adam Paul, director of regional affairs for the mayor's office; Mike Coffman, mayor of Aurora; Violeta Chapin, associate dean for community and culture and clinical professor of law at University of Colorado Law School; Abe Laydon, commissioner, Douglas County; and DJ Summers, director of policy and research, Common Sense Institute.

Moderator Luige Del Puerto, editor of The Denver Gazette and Colorado Politics and a first-generation immigrant himself, tells me panelists will be trying to answer the toughest of questions:

 Why are so many immigrants flooding into the country and specifically into Denver now?

Featured Local Savings

 What needs to be done in Washington to stop the border crisis?

 Do immigrants steal jobs from American citizens, or do they do the jobs like cleaning toilets and picking fruit that Americans dont want to do?

 Is the issue jobs or is it more about housing, when we already have an affordable housing crisis in Colorado?

 Has Denver helped to create the crisis it is in  by offering immigrants free shelter and transportation?

 Should Denver repeal its sanctuary city ordinances?

Mayor Mike Johnston recently gave a preview of the complexity of the conversation to come:

There is a cycle that has been happening for hundreds of years in America," Johnston said in a press conference. "People live in a home country that denies them fundamental rights and opportunities. And so, after struggle, or persecution, or violence, they turn their eyes to that beacon of freedom we call America."

He added: "Each of these waves of immigration seem overwhelming at the time. But each became in our American story a vibrant thread that wove the fabric of America. ... We built, with them, the greatest country in the world. That doesnt mean its easy. And when migrants began to arrive in Denver by the busload we faced a crisis, the biggest in the country, one that threatened to overwhelm the city.

Johnston's statement begs one overarching question we hope the town hall can answer: In the long run, is Denvers immigration problem solvable, and who are the ones to solve it?
Work is scheduled to begin Monday to improve traffic flow at South Nevada Avenue and Interstate 25.

Construction on the major intersection will initially restrict South Nevada Avenue down to two lanes in each direction between Brookside Street and I-25, according to a city news release.

Project officials expect the work will take nine months to complete.

The $9.1 million project will improve the flow of traffic off the southbound I-25 exit, and will increase traffic queuing capacity from South Nevada onto northbound I-25, the release said.

Featured Local Savings

Crews will construct a new pedestrian bridge over Cheyenne Creek, bring existing infrastructure into compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and will widen some of the existing facilities "to better accommodate multi-use transportation modes," according to the release.

Additionally, crews will increase lane capacity along the I-25 southbound connector road to South Nevada, the project website states.

To allow for additional queueing for traffic on northbound South Nevada, crews will remove the through-movement from East Motor Way to East Arvada Street.

Work also includes signal upgrades at four intersections, improved pedestrian and bicycle access through the corridor, and improved signage and wayfinding.

The project is funded by the voter-approved Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority 1-cent sales tax that funds regional road projects.
Over 500 global players from 35 countries are participating in the three-day SaudiFood Manufacturing show, which was opened on April 30 by Eng Majed Al-Argoubi, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON).

Opening the Food Forward Summit, Al-Argoubi stressed the importance of the event for showcasing the economic transformation of the kingdom and advancing the industrial base to realise the Saudi Vision 2030.

Bringing together manufacturers and industry, Saudi Food Manufacturing is enforcing global partnerships and solidifying the kingdoms vision to be the perfect destination for industry.

Impressive growth

Al-Argoubi commented: The industrial sector is going to increase both the GDP and abilities of youth in the kingdom. We are making impressive growth through Saudi Vision 2030 and Made in Saudi is remarkable for expanding cities across the country and achieving our goals.

Al-Argoubi was followed on stage by leading food futurist Tony Hunter of Future of Food Consulting, speaking for the first time ever in Saudi Arabia, who outlined the technologies advancing the personalisation of food and showcased the tools increasing access to nutritious food.

Saudi Food Manufacturing is looking into the future, optimising and maximising the opportunities based on new technologies. There is a will to make things happen in the Kingdom with a vision for the future and everyone pushing in the same direction to make Saudi Arabia one of the hubs for food manufacturing for the region.

SaudiFood Manufacturing Awards

The first day of SaudiFood Manufacturing also saw the winners of the inaugural SaudiFood Manufacturing Awards announced. Aimed at recognising innovative products and technologies that enhance productivity, offer greater convenience, and promote sustainability within the F&B manufacturing sector, the awards were organised in three categories.

Brenntag won the Best Ingredients Innovation Award for its ingredient solution for a plant-based Greek-style cheese alternative, Multivac scooped the Best Packaging Innovation Award for its TX series and smart services, and DC Norris & Co came out top in the Best Processing Innovation category for the DCN Jet Cook, which uses advanced steam technology for sustainable food production.

SaudiFood Manufacturing is affiliated with leading trade event Gulfood Manufacturing.--TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has announced that the kingdom has achieved an exceptional accomplishment by securing two coveted awards at the 31st World Travel Awards (WTA) ceremony.

Bahrain has been named the Middle Easts Leading Wedding Destination 2024 in recognition of its emerging position as a preferred regional destination for large-scale weddings and lavish bridal occasions during the last few years.

This remarkable victory underscores Bahrains outstanding tourism landmarks and readiness to host spectacular grand celebrations, solidifying its status as the ideal location for large-scale weddings and festive occasions, said the statement from BTEA.

In addition, Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) has won the Middle East's Leading Large-Scale Wedding Venue 2024 award, scooping the regional award over four esteemed competitors: Dubai World Trade Centre, Nayyara Banqueting & Conference Centre in Saudi Arabia, Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, and Qatar National Convention Centre. This accolade highlights Exhibition World Bahrain's outstanding achievement in securing the highest number of votes among prestigious venues, it stated.

Sara Ahmed Buhiji, the Chief Executive Officer of BTEA, received both the awards at the WTA gala ceremony held at Burj Al Arab in Dubai this week on the side-lines of the Arabian Travel Market 2024.

Securing the title of Middle East's Leading Large-Scale Wedding Venue 2024 follows Exhibition World Bahrains winning title of "Worlds Leading New Exhibition and Convention Centre 2023" at the World Travel Awards in December 2023.

This consecutive recognition fortifies the venue's standing as a premier global destination in the MICE industry, celebrated for its versatility, cutting-edge facilities, and innovative services that accommodate a diverse range of events.

"Receiving the two internationally recognised awards is a remarkable feat that represents an international acknowledgment of Bahrains emerging status as a favoured destination for luxurious weddings and celebrations," remarked Buhiji.

"We are immensely proud that families and couples worldwide are choosing Bahrain for their most awaited ceremonies, drawn by its rich heritage, first-rate hotels, luxury hospitality, pristine beaches, and more," she said.

"The international recognition of EWBs dedication, perseverance, and passion serves as a catalyst for us to reach even greater heights. It inspires our team to continue striving for excellence, making significant contributions to the MICE industry and tourism sector both regionally and globally. We are committed to hosting more prestigious international events and large-scale weddings for many years to come," stated the BTEA chief.

Securing the title of Middle East's Leading Large-Scale Wedding Venue 2024 follows Exhibition World Bahrains winning title of "Worlds Leading New Exhibition and Convention Centre 2023" at the World Travel Awards in December 2023, she noted.-TradeArabia News Service
Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber was recognised with an award by the World Energy Council for his leadership in advancing the energy transition through the delivery of the historic UAE Consensus, reported WAM.

Dr Al Jaber received the 'Global Energy Transition Impact Award' one of four inaugural World Energy Leadership Awards  at the Council's Centennial Dinner, ahead of today's World Energy Congress.

The award was given in honour of his work on the UAE Consensus and for launching Net Zero energy transition alliances across multiple energy sectors.

The award is "really a recognition of the vision and commitment of the UAE's leadership" in promoting a responsible energy transition, the President said in his acceptance speech. "They rallied the world around climate change, and they were instrumental in achieving the UAE Consensus," he said.

"We are delighted to bestow the inaugural Global Energy Transition Impact Award to Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber for achieving a historic COP28 agreement known as the UAE Consensus and for the added achievements of launching Net Zero energy transition alliances involving multiple energy sectors," said Dr. Angela Wilkinson, Secretary-General and CEO of the World Energy Council, who presented the award to Dr. Al Jaber.

She added, "His personal commitment and persistence have set a new direction in world energy towards accelerating decarbonisation with justice and resilience, leaving a lasting and positive impact on both society and the environment."

Since COP28, the UAE Consensus has emerged as the defining point of reference for global climate action, giving clear direction to countries on how to keep 1.5C within reach, while transforming agreements into tangible outcomes and ensuring global implementation.

The groundbreaking agreement was "a truly historic moment for climate diplomacy," Dr. Al Jaber told delegates, delivering a series of "firsts"  including a commitment from all Parties to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, time-bound targets to triple global renewable energy capacity, and being the first COP to proactively engage industry, particularly the oil and gas sector.

At a time of geopolitical tension, "COP28 set a new standard for inclusivity," the President said. "We moved the world beyond self-interest for the common good and we set clear direction, guided by science, for keeping our North Star of 1.5C within reach. We now need to show that same solidarity in turning an unprecedented agreement into unprecedented action."

With this year's Congress marking 100 years since the first World Energy event, Dr Al Jaber highlighted how the global energy mix has already seen considerable change, with wind and solar energy seeing an eight-fold expansion.

"The UAE has been at the forefront of this growth," said Dr Al Jaber. "In fact, if you sail from here into the North Sea, you will meet a white wall of windmills that the UAE, through Masdar, has invested in. Projects like the London Array, Dudgeon, Dogger Bank and Baltic Eagle are helping make Europe a world leader in wind power."

Even so, hydrocarbons still represent 80 percent of today's energy mix, he pointed out, and with energy demand set to grow by almost a quarter in the next two decades, the world will need to replace the daily equivalent of over 270 million barrels of oil, gas and coal.

"This is a massive political, social, economic, technological and engineering challenges at the same time," Dr Al Jaber said. "And every stakeholder has a critical role to play."

The President reiterated calls for countries to adopt comprehensive, economy-wide emission-reduction targets in their upcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and for industries to collaborate on decarbonising both the demand and supply side of the current energy system.

"Tripling renewable energy capacity is just the beginning," Dr Al Jaber noted. "We also need to expand nuclear, hydrogen, geothermal and other zero-carbon energies yet to be discovered or deployed."

The President also highlighted the need to maximise efficiency across the energy value chain, saying that adopting emerging technologies  especially artificial intelligence  will "make a game-changing difference."

Dr Al Jaber called for an "integrated approach" to the energy transition, connecting "the biggest industrial consumers with the biggest producers, technology companies, the financial community, civil society and policymakers," he said.

"COP28 was a turning point in history," Dr Al Jaber said. "It was the moment that the world got serious about the energy transition and got real about what the transition will actually take."

The energy transition will "take time, it will happen in different places at different paces" he said, "and we cannot simply unplug the current energy system before the new one is built."

"That said, if we make the right investments, we can launch new industries, new jobs and a new low carbon economic pathway," the President said in his concluding remarks, calling on "all stakeholders, government, private and civil society to unite around action that delivers real results. Action that follows the science to keep 1.5C within reach. And action that advances human progress."
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized

for You we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track

Your Progress every week, well send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance
Overturning a decision by the River District Design Commission, the Danville City Council voted Tuesday evening to allow the demolition of a Lynn Street building constructed in 1886 to make way for new housing units.

In March, the commission voted 4-1 to deny the request by ARRG Properties to tear down the structure at 601 Lynn St. to make way for a 125-unit brick apartment complex.

River District Design Commission, comprised of seven members appointed by council, reviews construction, exterior upgrades and signs in the downtown area. March was the second time the group denied the request.

By commission guidelines, applicants not satisfied with the groups decisions may appeal it to the City Council.

Thats what ARRG Properties did Tuesday evening.

The council voted 8-1 to allow the building to be torn down. Council member Madison Whittle was the lone dissenting voter.

Austin Bond, with ARRG, said the firm has been studying the project for about five years.

This is one of the last remaining and one of the biggest buildings in the district that has not been revitalized, he told council members, citing that housing is something the city desperately needs.

ARRG plans to deconstruct the building an build a new structure with 125 units, explaining the details of the project.

With our experience in the district, this new construction would offer these modern amenities, Bond said. This is a opportunity to further grow the district.

A renovation project would be close to impossible, he said, detailing lack of windows and issues with the floor heights.

Financially it would be a struggle to renovate as well. While historic tax credit could be available, those limit renovations efforts, he said.

However, Whittle, who voted against allowed the demolition, questioned why historic tax credits couldnt be used if the project was done in another scope.

Adam Jones, with the design commission, told the council it was a tough, tough decision when it came before the group twice, wanting to balance saving history with the need to grow the downtown area.

This is a very historic building, Sonja Ingram, the chief operating officer for the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, told council.

She said the commission was in place to protect historic building such as this.

Builder Ron Ford, who has been involved with construction in the River District since 2011, said theres no way for this property to work as housing currently.

We have a plan to have this building taken down piece by piece, he said. The building will live on.

Hes talked with a company out of North Carolina that will take salvaged components of the structure and offer those for sale.

Council member Lee Vogler questioned if there were plans for the building as it stands now.

Ken Gillie, Danville community development director, said there were decades-old proposals for the area out there, but nothing has surfaced in recent years.

The project has evolved and the latest design for a new four-story building would aim to make it feel like a historic structure to blend in with the surroundings.

Again for me, its always about what is the end game, Vogler said, questioning that hes yet to hear what the building could be it was not demolished.

The Lynn Street property has been vacant for about 20 years.

Jones admitted it was a niche building and finding a developer for it may not be an easy task.

Council member James Buckner, a real estate agent, said hes seen similar projects around the state that add new buildings in historic neighborhoods.

I think we should, this may be unpopular opinion, I think we need to consider more new construction that mimics old properties and old buildings, he said.

Echoing the original commissions view of a tough decision, Mayor Alonzo Jones was reminded of another building in the downtown area with a similar controversy.

A former hotel known as the Downtowner had become an eyesore. That was taken down more than a decade ago.
Oct 12, 2024 - Today Islamic Date in Ethiopia is 10 Rabi Al-Akhar 1446. Islamic Date is also called Hijri Date or Today Arabic Date in the Muslim world that follows Moon phases as a lunar calendar. Check the exact Islamic date today in Ethiopia with an accurate Hijri date updated daily.

Today Islamic date in Ethiopia is calculated as per the lunar based calendar which consists of 12 Lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. A Muslim must know about the exact Islamic date today or chand ki date.

What is Islamic Date in Ethiopia today?

Todays Islamic Date in Ethiopia in Islamic Hijri calendar is 10 Rabi Al-Akhar 1446. The current Islamic year is 1445 AH.

Today Islamic date in Ethiopia

Islamic Date Today  Islam is the second biggest religion in the world with around 1.8 billion followers. Muslim population is not present in the Muslim countries but they are also in significant numbers in other countries. Muslims follow Hijri calendar to celebrate Islamic events according to the Islamic month date. However, the Islamic date today in Ethiopia is as per the Islamic calendar. Thats why the Muslim calendar usually gives just the overview of today Islamic date in Ethiopia 2024 and other upcoming dates. On this page, you can easily confirm the Islamic date today in Ethiopia or Hijri date in Ethiopia.

You can utilize this page to plan your vacations according to the Islamic holidays 2024 such as Eid al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Hajj, etc. You can find the Urdu date today along with the respective Georgian date. You can see the Islamic date today in Ethiopia and also the dates of upcoming events.

This page is a perfect place for people who are interested in today Islamic date in Ethiopia 2024. It is recommended that you should bookmark this page to keep updated about the Islamic date today in Ethiopia 2024. Islamic months are as follow Muharram, Safar, Rabi ul Awal, Rabi Al-Akhir (Rabi' al-Thani), Jumada Al-Awwal (Jumada al-Ula), Jumada Al-Akhirah (Jumada l-Ukhra or Jumada al-Thani), Rajab, Shaban (Sha'ban), Ramadan (also spell as Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan), Shawwal, Dhul-Qadah (Dhu al-Qi'dah or Zu al-Qa'dah) and Dhul-Hijjah (Dhu al-Hijjah or Zu al-Hijjah).

Today Arabic date for Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Dese, Gonder, Dire Dawa, Debre Zeyit, Jima, Nazret, Mek Ele, Awasa and others cities are also available on this page.
Oct 13, 2024 - Today Islamic Date in Fiji is 10 Rabi Al-Akhar 1446. Islamic Date is also called Hijri Date or Today Arabic Date in the Muslim world that follows Moon phases as a lunar calendar. Check the exact Islamic date today in Fiji with an accurate Hijri date updated daily.

Today Islamic date in Fiji is calculated as per the lunar based calendar which consists of 12 Lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. A Muslim must know about the exact Islamic date today or chand ki date.

What is Islamic Date in Fiji today?

Todays Islamic Date in Fiji in Islamic Hijri calendar is 10 Rabi Al-Akhar 1446. The current Islamic year is 1445 AH.

Today Islamic date in Fiji

Islamic Date Today  Islam is the second biggest religion in the world with around 1.8 billion followers. Muslim population is not present in the Muslim countries but they are also in significant numbers in other countries. Muslims follow Hijri calendar to celebrate Islamic events according to the Islamic month date. However, the Islamic date today in Fiji is as per the Islamic calendar. Thats why the Muslim calendar usually gives just the overview of today Islamic date in Fiji 2024 and other upcoming dates. On this page, you can easily confirm the Islamic date today in Fiji or Hijri date in Fiji.

You can utilize this page to plan your vacations according to the Islamic holidays 2024 such as Eid al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Hajj, etc. You can find the Urdu date today along with the respective Georgian date. You can see the Islamic date today in Fiji and also the dates of upcoming events.

This page is a perfect place for people who are interested in today Islamic date in Fiji 2024. It is recommended that you should bookmark this page to keep updated about the Islamic date today in Fiji 2024. Islamic months are as follow Muharram, Safar, Rabi ul Awal, Rabi Al-Akhir (Rabi' al-Thani), Jumada Al-Awwal (Jumada al-Ula), Jumada Al-Akhirah (Jumada l-Ukhra or Jumada al-Thani), Rajab, Shaban (Sha'ban), Ramadan (also spell as Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan), Shawwal, Dhul-Qadah (Dhu al-Qi'dah or Zu al-Qa'dah) and Dhul-Hijjah (Dhu al-Hijjah or Zu al-Hijjah).

Today Arabic date for Suva, Lambasa, Nadi and others cities are also available on this page.
Oct 12, 2024 - Today Islamic Date in Suriname is 09 Rabi Al-Akhar 1446. Islamic Date is also called Hijri Date or Today Arabic Date in the Muslim world that follows Moon phases as a lunar calendar. Check the exact Islamic date today in Suriname with an accurate Hijri date updated daily.

Today Islamic date in Suriname is calculated as per the lunar based calendar which consists of 12 Lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. A Muslim must know about the exact Islamic date today or chand ki date.

What is Islamic Date in Suriname today?

Todays Islamic Date in Suriname in Islamic Hijri calendar is 09 Rabi Al-Akhar 1446. The current Islamic year is 1445 AH.

Today Islamic date in Suriname

Islamic Date Today  Islam is the second biggest religion in the world with around 1.8 billion followers. Muslim population is not present in the Muslim countries but they are also in significant numbers in other countries. Muslims follow Hijri calendar to celebrate Islamic events according to the Islamic month date. However, the Islamic date today in Suriname is as per the Islamic calendar. Thats why the Muslim calendar usually gives just the overview of today Islamic date in Suriname 2024 and other upcoming dates. On this page, you can easily confirm the Islamic date today in Suriname or Hijri date in Suriname.

You can utilize this page to plan your vacations according to the Islamic holidays 2024 such as Eid al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Hajj, etc. You can find the Urdu date today along with the respective Georgian date. You can see the Islamic date today in Suriname and also the dates of upcoming events.

This page is a perfect place for people who are interested in today Islamic date in Suriname 2024. It is recommended that you should bookmark this page to keep updated about the Islamic date today in Suriname 2024. Islamic months are as follow Muharram, Safar, Rabi ul Awal, Rabi Al-Akhir (Rabi' al-Thani), Jumada Al-Awwal (Jumada al-Ula), Jumada Al-Akhirah (Jumada l-Ukhra or Jumada al-Thani), Rajab, Shaban (Sha'ban), Ramadan (also spell as Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan), Shawwal, Dhul-Qadah (Dhu al-Qi'dah or Zu al-Qa'dah) and Dhul-Hijjah (Dhu al-Hijjah or Zu al-Hijjah).

Today Arabic date for Brownsweg, Marienburg, Nieuw Amsterdam, Albina, Moengo, Nieuw Nickerie, Wageningen, Paramaribo, Groningen, Lelydorp and others cities are also available on this page.
Emaar Hospitality Group, which manages a host of luxury and upscale hotel brands across the region, will share its success stories and future plans for strategic growth, covering various touchpoints including sustainability, wellbeing, and hospitality, in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 taking place from May 6-9, in Dubai.

Boasting a portfolio of renowned hospitality brands, Emaar Hospitality Group was recently behind the successful expansion of Vida Hotels and Resorts, an upper-mid-scale hotel brand for the new generation of business and leisure travellers.

Vida Hotels and Resorts is steadily expanding across the region, planning to open Vida Dubai Mall in 2024, in addition to Vida Marassi Marina in Egypt and a new hotel in Sharjah, which is yet to be revealed.

Emaar Hospitality Group is also an industry leader in luxury hospitality, with a whole host of its renowned Address Hotels + Resorts properties spread across the GCC region.

Among its most notable properties is Address Beach Resort, a beachfront retreat nestled in the bustling heart of Dubai, which has recently earned the prestigious recognition as a five-star hotel from the Forbes Travel Guide.

Building on the popularity of the Address Brand, Emaar Hospitality Group will soon open Palace Dubai Creek Harbour, and is already working on an exciting new property in Ras Al Khaimah, set to be built on Al Marjan Island, one of the Emirates newest leisure destinations.

Championing Sustainability

Sustainability remains a cornerstone of Emaar Hospitality Groups ethos, driving its commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible business practices.

With initiatives such as food waste management using technology and AI, ensuring zero waste to landfill during Ramadan 2024, and striving to be plastic-free in their operations, like replacing plastic bottles with glass bottles, bamboo keycards and in-room amenities mostly made of biodegradable items, the brand continually strives to foster a positive environmental impact across its extensive portfolio.

Embracing the essence of giving back, Emaar Hospitality Group has collaborated with various organisations to expand its charitable efforts, donate excess food, and support animal welfare, in addition to hosting an annual Iftar event where the corporate team and construction workers break their fast together.  TradeArabia News Service
After nine months of conversations on how to address the states ongoing child care shortage, the Economic Affairs Interim Committee voted on Tuesday to develop draft legislation ahead of the next session to ease barriers day cares face in obtaining liability insurance.

Finding affordable and adequate coverage has become an increasingly onerous task for child care providers in Montana, where there are already too few day cares to meet the needs of families.

Childcare operators reported rising premiums and being dropped by insurance carriers who no longer cover child care in a survey conducted by Zero to Five Montana, a Helena-based advocacy organization focused on early childhood policies.

Premiums for general liability insurance rose from an average of $1,397 in 2019 to $2,335 in 2022, the survey found. Over 40% of respondents also indicated they had been dropped by an insurance carrier at some point during that period.

Why is it so hard to find insurance?

Even as the general insurance market has hardened," meaning there are higher premiums, stricter standards and reduced availability across the board, the landscape for day cares is especially bleak, advocates say.

Caring for young children is intrinsically riskier than other professions. The Legislature deregulated some day cares last year by relaxing certain licensure requirements in an effort to ease the shortage. Nevertheless, insurance companies continue to use their own metrics to evaluate a facilitys risk.

More than 20% of day cares in the Zero to Five survey reported having one or more features that insurers said made them higher risk and therefore required a higher premium. Examples included operating a home-based facility out of a mobile home, transporting kids to activities, providing care to children with special needs, having pets present or being located on a busy road or down the street from a bar.

Its a Catch-22. You want to help get as many kids with a day care facility so that parents can go to work, said Frank Cote, interim deputy insurance commissioner in the state Auditor's office. And if there arent enough day care facilities, the tendency is to say 'Lets just relax the rules.' Thats not how insurance companies work, they are going to have their own rules.

Premium costs increased across all types of day cares, but they soared for centers, defined as facilities that provide out-of-home care for 16 or more children at a time. Despite these difficulties, group facilities, which provide care to between nine and 15 children in a private residence or other structure, and centers are more likely to have business liability insurance than smaller operations.

As fewer insurance companies offer coverage to day cares, theres less competition to drive prices down.

Dena Johnson, an agent from the Marsh McLennan Agency, explained to the committee how the premiums owed to insurance carriers by day cares have not historically offset the losses paid out in claims. When a company isnt making money, its natural for it to stop providing coverage within a given industry.

Her view is that legislators should think about how policy can create the conditions for day cares to more easily take steps to reduce their risk in the eyes of insurance carriers.

(Its not) the carrier, its the risk, Johnson said. How can we help the provider be the one that the carrier wants to insure?

Addressing the insurance question

Legislators discussed two primary insurance solutions to mitigate insurance barriers faced by child care providers offered by the state Auditor's office.

The economic affairs committee voted to draft legislation that mirrors the existing Montana Reinsurance Association (MRA), collaborating with the commissioner of securities and insurance in the Auditor's office to do so.

Reinsurance is defined by the state auditor as insurance for insurance companies. It allows insurance companies to transfer risk from one or more policies to an outside entity to then guarantee individual policyholders can be paid out in the case of large-dollar claims.

With the MRA, the state acts as the reinsurer for health insurance. Its funded by a combination of federal grants and an assessment of health insurance companies. According to Cote, the reinsurance pool has led to reduced premiums across the state by up to 10% because individual companies take on less risk.

Committee members decided not to move forward with exploring a captive insurance model, which would have allowed day cares to partner and ensure themselves. An association of providers could put up the money to both write and cover its own insurance policy.

Cote said this approach can be especially advantageous for companies that tend to be more difficult to insure in a traditional marketplace. Forming a captive would also give the insurance carrier  here, the association of child care facilities  the freedom to operate while breaking even as opposed to businesses that must make money.

Both options would require child care facilities to agree to create some kind of association as well as compel the state to secure separate funding for the programs.

Child care advocacy organizations including Zero to Five and Raise Montana polled providers in the state to gauge interest levels. Of the 228 responses received, 85% said they would be interested in joining a business liability insurance pool if it meant lower premium prices and more robust coverage.

This shows that there is a huge desire from this industry to survey liability options, said Angie Armour, the executive director of Raise Montana, which receives some of its funding from the state health department.

The economics of child care

Across the state, theres a growing  if not outright  recognition that whats good for parents is good for Montana businesses. Even as day care capacity grew by 8% in 2023, outpacing the increase in children under the age of 6 statewide, 40% of businesses reported difficulty recruiting workers as a result of parents being unable to find care for their kids.

About 66,000 parents were unable to fully engage in the workforce last year, according to a Montana Department of Labor and Industry report released in January 2024. Nearly one-third of those have exited the workforce entirely due to family responsibilities.

Child care workers earn an average of $12.73 per hour in Montana. Thats an annual full-time wage of $26,480. Low pay is part of why there are over 500 job openings in the sector each year, more due to turnover than retirement, according to the labor department.

Expanding child care access isnt as simple as increasing pay for workers.

Montana households averaged nearly $19,000 in spending on early child care expenses in 2023. By Labor and Industry estimates, thats about 28% of the median household income. Upping pay for child care professionals in an effort to recruit and retain more workers would also increase costs to families, possibly making daycares even less accessible.

The federal government's guidelines lay out that to be affordable, child care should cost no more than 7% of a household's income.

Paths not taken

The Economic Affairs Interim Committees greenlight of drafting legislation to make insurance more attainable could result in cost savings that are passed on to families, the expansion of child care resources across Montana or both.

But committee members opted against taking other steps that also wouldve closed the gap between the number of day care-aged children and the states capacity to provide care for them while parents work.

Rep. Jonathan Karlen, D-Missoula, introduced two motions on Tuesday that failed.

One would have allowed the committee to draft a bill to expand eligibility for Best Beginnings, a state scholarship that leverages federal dollars to make child care more affordable.

Legislators during the 2023 session passed a bill to increase the amount of money a family can earn and still qualify for the subsidy to 185% of the federal poverty line. An average of 2,860 families use the Best Beginnings scholarship, an increase from the year before but less than expected when the Legislature allocated an additional $7 million to fund the program.

Karlen proposed drafting legislation to change the eligibility threshold to 85% of the state median income in Montana. Doing so would make more families qualify and be more responsive to conditions in the Legislatures backyard, he said.

Thats something that all child care advocates weve heard from have said would have the largest impact across the state, according to Karlen.

The motion failed on partisan lines with the interim committees three Democrats voting in favor of the idea and its seven Republicans voting against. This is the first year for interim committees that reflect the partisan divide of the Legislature; previously they were evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.

Karlen proposed that the Economic Affairs Interim Committee explore a state child tax credit. These programs reduce the income tax burden of parents making below a certain income by giving them money back in their refunds based on the number of children they have.

At the March committee meeting, lawmakers listened to testimony from two experts on the intersection of state policy and child care. Both pointed to evidence that child tax credits decrease poverty among young people.

The federal government and 15 states currently operate a child tax credit.

This is another way to put more money in constituents pockets to help cover the cost of childcare, Karlen said.

Motions require majority support. This one failed 5-5.
A key transfer of Colstrip shares, considered critical to extending the life of one of the Wests largest coal-fired power plants, is no more.

Colstrip Power Plant co-owner and operator Talen Energy has informed shareholders its agreement to acquire 370 megawatts of Colstrip generation from Puget Sound Energy has fallen through.

The agreement hinged on Talen getting approval from the judge overseeing its 2022 bankruptcy.

In February 2024, Puget Sound informed Talen Montana that it was in breach of the agreement for failing to obtain Bankruptcy Court approval and that the agreement is unenforceable, Talen said in its annual report to investors. Talen Montana has agreed that the agreement is unenforceable and disputed that it breached the agreement.

Talen, a Texas-based energy company that sells its 15% share of Colstrip power to wholesale buyers, indicated that it continues to look for ways to acquire Pugets shares.

The agreement would have made Talen Colstrips largest shareholder at 592 MW, and given it more voting power on major decisions like, maintenance, operations, and whether to shut down the power plant. Those have become increasingly contentious as Puget and other Pacific Northwest utilities make plans to abandon coal power in order to comply with climate change laws in Washington and Oregon. Votes are weighted by Colstrip share size.

Puget and Spokane-based Avista Corp will exit Colstrip in 2025. Oregon utilities PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric depart in 2029. Combined, the four utilities own 70% of the 1,480-MW southeast Montana power plant.

Avoiding a messy 'divorce'

As exit dates approach, voting on costly maintenance and repairs has become increasingly contentious, with exiting owners not wanting to pay for repairs that will outlast their tenure. Talen and NorthWestern Energy, which has 400,000 metered customers in Montana, have shown the most interest in keeping Colstrip running.

Montana legislators, passing laws in 2021 to force Colstrip repairs, likened the deteriorating relations among the power plants owners to a bad divorce.

Instead of being civil about it and walking away and doing their fair share to keep the property in good condition, its like theyre trashing the facility on the way out, said Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick, Great Falls Republican. So, to take our divorce analogy, what theyre doing is trashing the house and keying the car on their way out the door. Thats whats going on here and its just wrong.

The state laws passed in 2021 and signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte, dictated arbitration terms and empowered Montanas attorney general to order repairs and impose $100,000 a day fees for noncompliant owners. A federal court ruled the laws unconstitutional, after which Montana paid the $825,000 attorneys fees of the exiting owners.

Republicans had celebrated the share transfers between Puget and Talen, and Avista and NorthWestern as a way around the "messy divorce" that occupied the 2021 Legislature. Legislators contacted by Lee Montana newspapers at the end of April said they had no idea Pugets share transfer with Talen was in trouble.

The unraveling of the September 2022 agreement comes as Colstrip owners face an expensive decision about whether to comply with new federal Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, or MATS. According to owners Talen and NorthWestern, Colstrip cannot comply with the new rule without adding emissions controls.

Talen tells EPA the emissions upgrade will cost more than $600 million, a price the power plant operator doesnt know whether Colstrip owners will pay, while NorthWestern CEO Brian Bird put the cost at $500 million in April.

EPA estimates that Colstrip will need a filtration baghouse and electrostatic precipitators to collect toxic dust from power plant exhaust.

Tuesday, EPA noticed the new MATS rule in the Federal Register, triggering a 60-day window for lawsuits against the rule.

NorthWestern Energys Jo Dee Black said the utility will very likely participate in a challenge to the EPA MATS rules.

Talens faltering agreement has no bearing on NorthWesterns own plan to double its capacity in Colstrip, Black said. NorthWestern has agreed to acquire Avista Corps 222 MW share in 2025 when the Spokane utility exits.

Paying for pollution control

The MATS bill is unlikely to be split six ways. The deadline for MATS compliance is 2027, two years after Puget and Avista exit. The Oregon utilities are expected to fully depreciate Colstrip out of rates in 2025. Already, the Oregon utilities have agreed not to bill customers for Colstrip repairs that extend the life of the power plants two surviving units beyond 2025.

In regulatory filings, PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric describe their 2029 exit date as a no later than date, not ruling out an earlier departure.

PacifiCorp indicates in its latest 20-year resource plan that it will be out of Colstrip Unit 3 by 2026, putting its departure from Unit 3 in sync with the exit of Puget and Avista. The Oregon utility said it will consolidate ownership by moving its 148 MW power plant share into only Unit 4, a move that will require share swapping with other Unit 4 owners, most likely Puget.

PacifiCorp continues to work with Colstrip co-owners to develop the most cost-effective path toward an exit from the project by 2030. As noted in the companys 2023 IRP Update, April 1, 2024, PacifiCorp is collaborating with co-owners to consolidate its 10% ownership share (148 megawatts) of units 3 and 4 into Unit 4 by 2025, said David Eskelsen, a company spokesman.

Portland General Electric indicated this week that it too supported consolidating shares if its 2029 exit wasnt at risk.

Still undetermined is whether a unanimous vote is necessary to shutter the power plant. The question sparked three lawsuits in 2021, with NorthWestern Energy arguing that unanimous consent was needed.

In 2021, NorthWestern initiated arbitration against the other power plant owners. Later, the owners agreed to stay arbitration until April 2024, which is when Puget reinitiated the process.

Puget on the other hand argues not only that a majority vote can shut down Colstrip, but also that NorthWestern doesnt have its own vote to cast. Rather, NorthWestern relies on Talens vote through a vote-sharing side agreement dating back to when Montana Power Company controlled shares owned by Talen and NorthWestern.

NorthWesterns Jo Dee Black indicated Tuesday that the arbitration is in very early stages.
HICKORY  Chanell Butler-Morello, chief of staff, Office of the President at Catawba Valley Community College, recently received a certification from the Chief of Staff Association program at Harvard Business School.

Butler-Morello has been with CVCC since 2012, and she has served the college in several capacities. She is an avid learner, constantly seeking to implement strategies that support higher education.

In 2018, she earned a doctorate in higher education leadership and organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. In October 2022, she became chief of staff for the Office of the President. In January of 2024 she applied and was accepted into the Chief of Staff Association (CSA), the largest membership organization for chiefs of staff globally, with members occupying positions of influence in more than 50 countries.

Butler-Morello explains, within the context of a higher education institution and CVCC, a chief of staff role benefits the college by streamlining operations, supporting strategic initiatives, and assisting the president with big picture leadership and large-scale projects.

The CSA is the only professional association that issues the industry-recognized Certified Chief of Staff credential and offers its members an exclusive opportunity to attend an executive education program in one of two locations: Harvard Business School, or the University of Oxford.

Butler-Morello had to submit an additional application to be admitted to the Harvard Business School executive education program.

Butler-Morello is the only employee at CVCC to participate in this cohort. She connected with her cohort virtually and read and analyzed extensive case studies in the months leading up to the in-person residency program at Cambridge, while serving CVCC in her day-to-day responsibilities.

In total, the associations cohort consisted of 55 professional chiefs of staff from 19 countries and 17 states. Many of these professionals come from renowned educational institutions and corporations.

Butler-Morello describes her experience as life-changing.

The skills I gained and the knowledge I acquired, coupled with the lifelong friendships I developed with expert chiefs of staff from around the globe, has greatly exceeded any expectations I may have had, she said. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to President Garrett Hinshaw and the CVCC Board of Trustees for their unwavering commitment to my professional development. I feel fortunate to work at an institution that values the growth of their staff and faculty, and I look forward to ensuring that I utilize my new knowledge to positively impact our college as a whole.

Hinshaw was an earnest supporter of this opportunity from the start.

By supporting Dr. Butler-Morellos development as a strong leader for our college in her role as chief of staff, we have made an investment that will positively impact our college over the coming years, Hinshaw said. Her commitment to learn and provide strong strategic support to the Office of the President is critical for our future successes here at Catawba Valley Community College.
Saudi Arabia's Aseer Region Development Authority unveiled its new brand identity at the ongoing Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 expo and also outlined its vision to transform this southwest province of KSA into a global year-round tourist hub in line with its ambitious Vision 2030.

On May 2, Prince Turki Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz, launched Aseer as the first regional identity in the kingdom at a spectacular event in the 900-year-old mountain village in the presence of over 400 guests from government entities and private sector as well as regional media and local residents.

At the ATM, senior ASDA delegates, including CEO Hashim Al Dabbagh and Chief Destination Marketing Officer Hatim Al Harbi are interacting with both public and private sector representatives from all sectors, including airlines, hospitality sector, tour operators, DMCs and other tourism organisations, to share the new brand identity and vision for Aseers development in line with Saudi Arabias ambitious Vision 2030.

Aseer Tehawwel  Awakening Wonder is inspired by the yet unexplored potential of the region and symbolises the opening of a new chapter to establish a thriving tourism destination of the future.

The visual identity is reflective of the regions diverse terrains  The Arabic calligraphy blends tradition with modernity symbolizing mountains, deserts, highlands, and valleys, said senior officials while discussing the brand identity at the expo.

The design also encapsulates the regions unique architectural heritage and draws inspiration from the social diversity of its people. The colour palette resonates with the region's natural beauty, traditions, and arts, they stated.

Al Dabbagh said: Aseer is a destination rooted in unique cultural attributes and authentic Saudi heritage with so much that is yet undiscovered. The official launch of Aseers brand as the first regional identity in Saudi Arabia marks a new era of growth and prosperity for our people and our region.

Aseer has huge potential for tourism development, and we are very excited for the road ahead. ATM is a great opportunity to meet with potential partners, investors and existing stakeholders to discuss our ambitions and invite the global tourism community to join us on our exciting journey ahead, he added.

ASDA also launched the "Discover Aseer" website under the umbrella of Visit Saudi. With a focus on accessibility and immersive experiences, the platform aims to redefine perceptions of Saudi tourism.

The plan is to highlight Aseer's natural beauty, rich heritage, and vibrant events calendar and position the region as a premier year-round destination, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Wednesday, May 8

The Weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at church parlor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class at 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Thursday, May 9

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

The Kannapolis Farmers Market is held from 4-7 p.m. in the Oak Avenue mall parking lot at the corner of Vance Street and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. Vendors offer a wide variety of fresh, local produce, as well as meat, eggs, baked goods, crafts, and prepared foods.

Friday, May 10

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation are at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Northwest Swim Club, located at 5000 Durneigh Drive in Kannapolis, is holding Open House from 6. to 8 p.m. Enjoy a free SunDrop Slushy while viewing our newly resurfaced pool and facilities. Join and receive a $25 voucher for guest passes or concession stand purchases. For more information see our website at www.northwest-swim-club.com

Saturday, May 11

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St. S, are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and takeout. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

Sunday, May 12

Outdoor Worship at Calvary Lutheran Church will be at 8:30 a.m. The trees are calling! Enjoy some fresh air as Pastor Debbie leads worship at the Outdoor Chapel at 950 Bradley St., Concord, NC 28025.

Monday, May 13

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation are at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Caregivers Support Group Monthly with Calvary Lutheran Church will be at 7:30 p.m. This Caregiver Support Group meets monthly via Zoom. All are welcome. For the Zoom link please check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org or contact the church office at 704-782-6923.

Tuesday, May 14

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class at 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, May 15

The Weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at church parlor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class at 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

The Cabarrus Senior Center Photo Club is alive and clicking away. If you like taking photos, come join the members on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Cabarrus Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, and share your photographic creativity. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or strictly amateur, all are welcome.

Thursday, May 16

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

The Kannapolis Farmers Market is held from 4-7 p.m. in the Oak Avenue mall parking lot at the corner of Vance Street and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. Vendors offer a wide variety of fresh, local produce, as well as meat, eggs, baked goods, crafts, and prepared foods.

Friday, May 17

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation are at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 18

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St. S, are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and takeout. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A community food collection, will be held at Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church, 6841 Poplar Tent Road, Concord. The food collection benefits the food pantries of CCM (Cooperative Christian Ministries) in Concord, Kannapolis and Harrisburg. This will be a drive-thru event from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. Go to cooperativeministry.com/donate-food-2/ web page for detailed information about CCM's current needed items.

A Spaghetti Dinner/Silent Auction Fundraiser for Aurora Special Needs Winterguard will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church 950 Bradley St., Concord from 4 to 7 p.m. Adults $15, Children & Special Olympics Participants $8.. See a guard member to purchase a ticket or call 704-793-6414. Walk-ins welcome.

Concord chapter of Disabled American Veterans and DAV Auxiliary will be replacing flags on veterans' graves at West Concord Cemetery, 331 Union Cemetery Rd, starting at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome to come out and help remember and honor these veterans in preparation for Memorial Day.

Flow-Harris Presbyterian Church, 308 Winecoff School Road, will have an indoor yard sale from 8 a.m. to noon. Lots of good items will be available.

Sunday, May 19

The Rowan Big-Band All-Stars Annual Spring Concert and free hot dog supper will be from 5 to 7 p.m.The music will begin at 5:30pm and last about 90 minutes. Join us for this all ages, free event at Calvary Lutheran Church 950 Bradley St., Concord

Monday, May 20

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation are at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Tuesday, May 21

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class at 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, May 22

The Weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at church parlor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class at 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Thursday, May 23

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

The Kannapolis Farmers Market is held from 4-7 p.m. in the Oak Avenue mall parking lot at the corner of Vance Street and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. Vendors offer a wide variety of fresh, local produce, as well as meat, eggs, baked goods, crafts, and prepared foods.

Friday, May 24

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation are at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 25

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St. S, are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and takeout. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

Does your community group or nonprofit agency have an upcoming event that would be of interest to the public? Email it to mplemmons@independenttribune.com.
Serving British soldiers have had their names and bank details exposed in a breach which has been blamed on a "malign actor" by British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.

In a statement on Tuesday, Shapps said the breach had been in a third-party payroll system which contained the details of about 272,000 serving personnel and recent veterans.

Shapps said a probe was going on into the failings of SSCL, the contractor in question, which claims to be "the largest provider of critical business support services for government".

SSCL was set up as a joint venture between the British Government and a private technology firm. The government sold its last 25% stake last year. SSCL clients also include the Home Office, Cabinet Office and Ministry of Justice.

In March, Britain and the US claimed attackers aligned to the Chinese Government had targeted American officials, journalists, corporations, pro-democracy activists and the UKs election watchdog in a campaign of malicious cyber attacks.

The two countries imposed sanctions on several individuals and the US charged seven alleged attackers, all believed to be living in China and part of a group known as APT31.

Shapps said "...for reasons of national security we cannot release further details of the suspected cyber activity behind this incident".

"However, I can confirm to the House that we do have indications that this was the suspected work of a malign actor and we cannot rule out state involvement.

"This incident is further proof that the UK is facing rising and evolving threats and, as I set out in my speech at Lancaster House in January, the world is, Im afraid, becoming somewhat more dangerous."

Sky News in the UK and the BBC have claimed that China was behind the breach.

Asked about the breach during the daily Chinese foreign ministry media conference, spokesman Lin Jian said: "The UK politicians accusation is purely unfounded.

"China firmly opposes and fights all forms of cyber attacks. We also firmly reject using the cyber security issue politically to smear and vilify other countries."

Shapps said, "although this incident is entirely unrelated to our own MOD [Ministry of Defence] networks, we are also reviewing all personnel data to ensure our peoples data is secure.

"This was the work of a malign actor who compromised a contractor-run network, entirely separate from the MOD core system.

"However, as Ive said, we cannot at this stage rule out state involvement from elsewhere."
Three days after holding out the lure of releasing new details about the LockBit ransomware gang, a team of American, British and European cyber specialists have unmasked the alleged administrator and developer of the gang: Russian citizen Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev.

The US Justice Department released an indictment charging Khoroshev and offered a reward of up to US$10 million (A$15.15 million) for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Khoroshev in any country.

The LockBit ransomware  and indeed all other ransomware  only attacks Microsoft's Windows operating system.

The LockBit site on the dark web was seized back in February and an announcement said it was being revived "to update on some unfinished business and to provide some important announcements with regards to the progress of the operation".

The announcement added: "It [the dark web site] remains under the control of the NCA [National Crime Authority] of the UK, working in co-operation with the FBI and the international law enforcement task force, 'Operation Cronos'."

The site will close in another two days and 16 hours from the time of this report.

Another announcement on the site said: "As a result of fully compromising LockBit's platform, Law Enforcement will be co-ordinating activity to identify and deal with LockBit's affiliates.

"As covered previously, a large amount of data has been exfiltrated from LockBit's platform before it was all corrupted. With this data, the NCA and partners continue to co-ordinate inquiries to identify the hackers who pay to be a LockBit affiliate. The Operation Cronos Task Force are making good progress and will provide more detail in due course.

"In the meantime, Lockbitsupp appears now to be giving the affiliates surnames also?"

The US, UK and European agencies all issued their own media releases about the exposing of Khoroshev. The US, UK and Australia have all imposed sanctions on Khoroshev.

It is unlikely that Khoroshev will be in any bothered by any of this drama, though international travel may have to be scrubbed from his plans. LockBit has already set up a new website after this site was seized in February.

Contacted for comment. seasoned ransomware threat researcher Brett Callow, who works for the New Zealand-headquartered security firm Emsisoft, said: "Khoroshev's bowels probably are rather loose at the moment.

"While law enforcement agencies may not be able to go into Russia and arrest him, theres probably no shortage of people whod happily bash him on the head and drag him across the border in order to collect the US$10 million reward.

"Theres probably also no shortage of people in Russia whod like to get their hands on a share of his ill-gotten gains, and some of them may be willing to do quite extreme things to do so."

All screenshots in this article are taken by Sam Varghese from the seized LockBit site on the dark web.
The Huawei MateBook X Pro that is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor.

Close on the heels of its move to tighten the screws on China with respect to chip exports, the United States has now decided to revoke licences for supply of Intel and Qualcomm hardware to Huawei Technologies.

The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that the move, by the US Department of Commerce, would halt chip supplies for Huawei's laptops and mobile phones.

The newspaper said the commerce department had confirmed the revoking of certain licences to Huawei without being specific.

A department spokesperson was quoted as saying: We continuously assess how our controls can best protect our national security and foreign policy interests, taking into consideration a constantly changing threat environment and technological landscape.

As part of this process, as we have done in the past, we sometimes revoke export licences.

Intel, Qualcomm and Huawei did not respond to requests from the FT for comment, the newspaper noted.

The latest clampdown may have been hastened by a push by Republican Senator Marco Rubio [Florida] and US Representative Elise Stefanik [New York], who wrote to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on 25 April, noting that Huawei had recently announced a computer powered by Intels new Core Ultra 9 processor.

"American companies are prohibited from doing business without a licence with Huawei, a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party and a history of spying on US military installations," the duo noted.

"However, Huawei recently announced a computer powered by Intels new Core Ultra 9 processor, suggesting the Biden Administration is allowing Intel and potentially other US companies to trade with Huawei, in effect giving this sanctioned Chinese company a lease on life. The Biden Administration previously granted export licences to Intel and Qualcomm in similar cases."

Exactly how soon this latest measure will take effect is unknown. The US has been dragging its heels on providing funds to communications providers to rip out and replace equipment made by Huawei and ZTE Corporation although the decision to do so was taken years ago.

The chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission, Jessica Rosenworcel, said in a statement last Thursday that there was a shortfall of more than US$3 billion (A$4.52 billion) in the FCC's "rip and replace" program.

This initiative was meant to "secure Americas communications networks by removing, replacing, and disposing of communications equipment and services produced or provided by Huawei Technologies or ZTE Corporation", the statement said.

Washington has been on Huawei's case since 2012, when a 66-page Congressional report claimed that the company was not doing business the American way.

More recently, the US launched a campaign to prevent Huawei, which produces the cheapest and, some say, the best 5G equipment, from doing business with numerous countries, including Australia.

The American scare campaign was successful to a large extent, with the UK, New Zealand, and many European countries toeing the US line.

Despite all these moves, and also efforts to prevent Huawei from gaining access to the latest semiconductors, the company has progressed to the point where it announced in July last year that it would be making a bid to return to the 5G smartphone business.

A Reuters report at the time cited three third-party technology research companies, who report on China's smartphone sector, as saying Huawei should be in a position to obtain 5G chips in China, using its own advances in semiconductor design tools, helped by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Company, China's largest chip manufacturer, which would make the chips.

Huawei's consumer business brought in US$67 billion (A$101.22 billion) in 2020, before it fell by more than half that amount a year later. It sold off its budget smartphone business Honor to a network of agents and dealers in November 2020.

In October 2022, the US Department of Commerce announced updates to export rules governing semiconductors which were squarely aimed at preventing China from obtaining high-end chips used in military applications.

A year later, there were further measures adopted. The new rules made it much more difficult for American firms Nvidia and Intel to either sell their existing products in China or introduce new products that bypassed the rules.

US semiconductor lobby group, the Semiconductor Industry Association, made its unhappiness with the new rules plain by saying: "Overly broad, unilateral controls risk harming the US semiconductor ecosystem without advancing national security as they encourage overseas customers to look elsewhere.

"Accordingly, we urge the administration to strengthen coordination with allies to ensure a level playing field for all companies.

Update, 9 May: China's Ministry of Commerce said: "The Chinese side firmly opposes the latest US revocation of licences for export to Huawei, which is a typical 'economic coercion'.

"The US practices not only violate WTO rules, but also seriously damage the interests of US companies. China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies."
Atturra today announced that it has received the APJ Partner of the Year Award from Boomi, the intelligent connectivity and automation leader, at Boomis 2024 Partner Summit. This is the fifth year Atturra has won the APJ Partner of the Year Award, following success in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2023.

A Boomi partner since 2016, Atturra has played a pivotal role in enabling joint customers to streamline crucial business processes leveraging the power of intelligent integration and automation. Atturra has over 130 Boomi-certified staff with operations across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Singapore, making it one of the biggest Boomi partners in the region.

Atturras Data and Integration business has delivered over 1000 successful projects around middleware modernisation, enterprise data connectivity and optimisation, AI readiness and intelligent automation leveraging Boomi platform as well as complementing technologies for data warehousing, data lake, enterprise content management, data virtualisation, and decisions support systems. Atturra also goes to market with industry solutions for Local Government, Higher Education, Manufacturing and Utilities.

Commenting on the award, Jason Frost, Executive General Manager at Atturra Data & Integration, said, At Atturra, we chase successful go-lives and client wins. We aim to make our stakeholders more successful by solving their data and connectivity challenges. This award  fourth in last five years  demonstrates our capability and commitment in the region.

Reflecting on Atturras strength and position in the ANZ, Frost further added, We are more than a Boomi partner  we are a technology consulting powerhouse that understands the complete enterprise data journey, their reference architecture and delivers fit for purpose solutions. Our combined strength in ANZ gives us access to a large array of clients to pitch our automation and data story. Ultimately, we endeavour to create moments that matter with data.

Boomi Partner Award winners received recognition during the 2024 Boomi Partner Summit held in Denver, Colorado on May 7, 2024, which brought together Boomi partners from across the globe to learn, network, and share best practices.

Our global partners bring a wealth of expertise, capabilities, resources, and cutting-edge technologies to support the diverse needs of our more than 20,000 customers worldwide, said Dan McAllister, Senior Vice President of Global Alliances and Channels at Boomi. Serving as trusted advisors, strategic consultants, industry leaders, and innovators in IT and digital transformation, our partners tirelessly address challenges and drive the seamless implementation of Boomis solutions every day. We are privileged to acknowledge their remarkable contributions over the past year."
COMPANY NEWS: As one of the first cybersecurity vendors to sign CISAs Secure by Design pledge, Fortinet furthers its dedication to a culture of responsible radical transparency with the safety of customers top of mind.

Jim Richberg, head of cyber policy and global field chief information security officer, Fortinet, said, At Fortinet, we have a long-standing commitment to being a role model in ethical and responsible product development and vulnerability disclosure. As part of this dedication, Fortinet has proactively aligned to international and industry best practices and upholds the highest security standards in every aspect of our business. We applaud CISAs continued call to the industry to follow suit and appreciate CISAs willingness to collaborate with Fortinet on the development of these important goals. We strongly encourage others in the technology community to join this effort to keep organisations secure.

Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, has announced it is building on the companys long-standing commitment to responsible radical transparency as an early signer of the Secure by Design pledge developed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This voluntary industry pledge complements and builds on existing Fortinet software security best practices, including those developed by CISA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), other federal agencies, and international and industry partners. The pledge outlines seven goals, including responsible vulnerability disclosure policies, which are already an integral part of Fortinets product security development.

Advancing Fortinets commitment to Secure by Design principles and responsible disclosure processes

CISAs latest initiative strongly aligns to Fortinets existing product development processes already based on Secure by Design and Secure by Default principles. Fortinet is committed to adhering to robust product security scrutiny at all stages of the product development lifecycle, helping to ensure that security is designed into each product from inception all the way through to end of life, in the following ways:

Secure product development lifecycle (SPDLC): Fortinet aligns its processes in accordance with leading standards, including NIST 800-53, NIST 800-161, NIST 800-218, US EO 14028, and UK Telecom Security Act.

Fortinet aligns its processes in accordance with leading standards, including NIST 800-53, NIST 800-161, NIST 800-218, US EO 14028, and UK Telecom Security Act. Robust security product testing: Fortinet leverages tools and techniques such as static application security testing (SAST) and software composition analysis built into its build processes, dynamic application security testing (DAST), vulnerability scanning, and fuzzing prior to each release, as well as penetration testing and manual code audits.

Fortinet leverages tools and techniques such as static application security testing (SAST) and software composition analysis built into its build processes, dynamic application security testing (DAST), vulnerability scanning, and fuzzing prior to each release, as well as penetration testing and manual code audits. Trusted supplier program: To ensure rigorous selection and qualification of its major manufacturing partners, Fortinet adheres to NIST 800-161: Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Practices for Systems and Organisations. Fortinets commitment to data privacy and security is embedded in every part of the companys business and in every phase of the product development, manufacturing, and delivery processes.

To ensure rigorous selection and qualification of its major manufacturing partners, Fortinet adheres to NIST 800-161: Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Practices for Systems and Organisations. Fortinets commitment to data privacy and security is embedded in every part of the companys business and in every phase of the product development, manufacturing, and delivery processes. Information Security Program: The Fortinet Information Security Program is based on and aligned with industry-leading security standards and frameworks including ISO 27001/2, ISO 27017 and 27018, and NIST 800-53, as well as data privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA.

The Fortinet Information Security Program is based on and aligned with industry-leading security standards and frameworks including ISO 27001/2, ISO 27017 and 27018, and NIST 800-53, as well as data privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA. Third-party certifications: Fortinet products are regularly certified to standard and validated through third-party product quality standards, including NIST FIPS 140-2 and NIAP Common Criteria NDcPP / EAL4+.

Additionally, the Fortinet Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is responsible for maintaining security standards for Fortinet products and operates one of the industrys most robust PSIRT programs, including proactively and transparently disclosing vulnerabilities. Nearly 80 per cent of Fortinet vulnerabilities discovered in 2023 were identified internally through the companys rigorous auditing process. This proactive approach enables fixes to be developed and implemented before malicious exploitation can occur. Fortinet works with its customers, independent security researchers, consultants, industry organisations, and other vendors to accomplish the companys PSIRT mission.

To further advance its dedication to a culture of responsible radical transparency, Fortinet has a long-standing commitment to public and private partnerships that align to its mission, including:

Supporting quotes

Over and over, across multiple sectors, we have learned that transparency improves outcomes for consumers and society. The cybersecurity industry is no different. In our sector, transparency includes searching for, mitigating, and disclosing vulnerabilities in an open, responsible manner. Fortinet has already taken steps to embrace such responsible transparency, creating a clear set of principles for handling vulnerability communication and analysis. The companys leadership in this area is a strong example of how cybersecurity vendors should be communicating with customers and the broader public.

 Michael Daniels, president and chief executive officer of the Cyber Threat Alliance (CTA)

The dedication to a secure-by-design approach to product development is foundational to strong security. We see vendors like Fortinet leading the way in following and applying these principles globally, principles which are also outlined in Australias Essential Eight framework, as a significant step forward in enhancing our collective security.

 Peter Jennings, director, Strategic Analysis Australia, and member of Fortinets Strategic Advisory Council

Risk identification and assessment are two of the most crucial components of risk management, whether youre on the battlefield or protecting an IT environment. Fortinets approach to transparency, vulnerability disclosure, and threat intelligence sharing is one that the broader cybersecurity industry should emulate.

 General Sir Richard Sheriff, retired NATO General

In todays dynamic environment, enhanced transparency is vital to making every organisation more secure. Its encouraging to see Fortinet at the forefront of embracing radical transparency as the company leans forward in sharing information about vulnerabilities and threat information.

 Suzanne Spaulding, former undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Collaboration between governments and private sector companies is and will continue to be integral to staying ahead of cyber threats. As a member of the Fortinet Board of Directors, Ive seen firsthand and applaud how this cyber leader works with public and private organisations to transparently share threat intelligence and support national security efforts.

 Admiral James Stavridis, former 4-star Admiral and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO

Additional resources

About Fortinet

Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere you need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinets solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with high-profile, well-respected organisations from both the public and private sectors, including CERTs, government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinets commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinets elite threat intelligence and research organisation, develops and utilises leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet blog, and FortiGuard Labs.
COMPANY NEWS: Logicalis, a leading global technology services provider, has announced the creation of a new Asia Pacific entity, combining its Logicalis Australia and Logicalis Asia operations. This strategic realignment will be effective from June 01, 2024, and positions Logicalis to amplify its market presence through increased synergy within the APAC region.

The combined Logicalis Asia Pacific entity will consolidate 1,600 employees with a collective revenue upwards of $US350 million across 10 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, and now Australia. The newly formed entity will be led by Chong-Win Lee as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Logicalis Asia Pacific with Anthony Woodward continuing in his role as CEO of Logicalis Australia and reporting to Chong-Win Lee. In addition to his current responsibilities, Woodward will lead a special task force focused on fostering innovation and identifying synergistic, joint opportunities across the region.

Chong-Win Lee, CEO, Logicalis APAC, said, The strategic consolidation of Logicalis operations across Australia and Asia marks a pivotal moment in the companys continued growth and evolution. The aim of this reorganisation is to build a powerhouse capable of delivering high-impact technology solutions more efficiently for customers across Asia Pacific, while still providing the local expertise and support that Logicalis customers value.

The combination is designed to enhance service delivery and bring a cohesive solution portfolio to customers, reflecting the alignment of Logicalis Asias strategy to enable XaaS operating models to support digital transformation and Logicalis Australias commitment to becoming the best MSP in the country. The combined operation will deliver seamless access to Logicalis experience in industry sectors such as financial services, government and healthcare, empowering teams to build skill and capacity for data and application modernisation, cloud managed services, artificial intelligence (AI), and more. From a security perspective, it will reinforce the companys powerful customer proposition, giving customers access to the global network of threat intelligence research and experience encapsulated in the regional Logicalis Security Operations Centre (SOC).

Anthony Woodward, CEO, Logicalis Australia, said, Formally combining the strengths of Logicalis Australia and its Asia counterparts is an acceleration of what has already been happening organically. This evolution lets Logicalis Australia and our customers leverage high-value digital capabilities from across the region, ensuring faster, more competitive, and more comprehensive service offerings. It also strengthens the local teams onshore capabilities while integrating best practices and expertise from across Asia, enabling the delivery of scalable, cost-effective managed service options for customers."

The announcement comes at a time when Logicalis has been increasingly focusing on expanding its core Microsoft and Cisco businesses, enhancing its capabilities in cloud, cybersecurity, and managed services. Logicalis Asia has also recently brought Atlassian onboard as a strategic vendor. Chong-Win Lee, CEO, Logicalis Asia Pacific, said, The Logicalis Asia Pacific entity will help the company to achieve greater influence with vendors and deliver even greater outcomes for customers into the future.

Bob Bailkoski, global CEO, Logicalis said, The goal for Logicalis is clear: to harness the collective strengths of the companys diverse operations to drive innovation and growth throughout Australia, Asia, and the globe. This reorganisation represents a strategic response to the evolving IT landscape and reinforces Logicalis commitment to developing solutions that support its customers success in the digital age."

About Logicalis:

We are Architects of Change. We help organisations succeed in a digital-first world. At Logicalis, we harness our collective technology expertise to help our clients build a blueprint for success, so they can deliver sustainable outcomes that matter. Our lifecycle services across cloud, connectivity, collaboration, and security are designed to help optimise operations, reduce risk, and empower employees.

As a global technology service provider, we deliver next-generation digital managed services, to provide our clients with real-time visibility and actionable insights across the performance of their digital ecosystem including availability, user experience, security, economic performance, and sustainability.

Our 7000+ Architects of Change are based in 30 territories around the globe, helping our 10,000+ clients across a range of industry sectors, create sustainable outcomes through technology.

Logicalis has annualised revenues of $1.7 billion, from operations in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Africa.

For more information visit https://www.au.logicalis.com/
GUEST OPINION: If there were any doubt as to the strength of the AI market in the post-ChatGPT era, one only need to look at the market capitalisation of the software/hardware giant Nvidia. Forming the foundation architecture upon which many of AIs LLMs sit, Nvidia has recently been declared the third-most valuable company in the world at an assessment of US$2.06 trillion. The valuation confirms the adage of the picks-and-shovels manufacturers profiting most handsomely during a gold rush. But it simultaneously obscures not only the serious conflicts brewing in the current system that could derail this progress, but how they are already being resolved, in cities around the world, without the analysts and short-sellers being any the wiser.

First, we must acknowledge that despite the apocalyptic fear-mongering about deepfakes subverting global democracy, generative AI is for the most part a brand-new tool that businesses and consumers are only just now figuring out how to use. Microsoft may have rolled out its Copilot, but businesses are only beginning to learn how to fly with it.

Thankfully, the progress towards AIs full realisation is already underfoot and its transforming our cities.

In the latter years of the 20th century, I became intrigued in the growing ubiquity of sensor data. Whether it be temperature sensors, motion detectors, Lidar, Radar sensors, thermal sensors or CCTV cameras, such technologies have reached like tendrils of a vine to encompass much of the modern world. Similar to the development of any emergent sense perception, however, organisations struggled at first in how to make use of the hidden powers such sensor capacity gave them. We all knew there was value in the vast amounts of data sensors were creating, but how to unlock? This was especially true in the emerging smart city movement where sensors and cameras could deliver terabytes of information on crowd densities and street parking habits. Incredible data, but how could we find the signal hidden in so much seeming noise?

For me, as a trained scientist focused on the complicated challenge of object detection and tracking, the answer lay in Live Awareness, an innate but little-examined quality that underpins intelligence at both the human and now the digital realm. It is not enough for animals to have the Pax6 gene that will encode for the development of an eye, or even environmental inputs, such as light, which serve as the organs input data we need a brain to make sense of all these inputs. An entire sensemaking apparatus must develop over the course of millennia to transform this sensory data into the objects that populate our reality  and it must do so in real time. This ability to decipher and make sense of our sense-data allows us to drive automobiles, and one day, properly evolved, it will enable such automobiles to drive themselves better than humans ever could. It is the API, even the brain, if you will, that connects AI to the Big Data it feasts upon, and detects new possibilities that would otherwise be missed.

Behind the scenes, this critical component of the AI revolution has already begun paying substantial dividends to its early adopters, primarily in the Smart Cities space.

Consider the curb, for instance. Monetised as it often is in busy urban areas, until recently its inherent value remained underutilised, and enforcement of the laws which govern them have traditionally been spotty. Left to fester, such concerns can lead to diminished business as well as child endangerment, particularly in school zones such as those that exist in Australias Top-Five Councils. With the integration of Live Awareness into its curb management procedures, one council was able to increase its school zone reporting by 900%, allowing its enforcement personnel to visit all the sites in a geographical cluster in one afternoon. Using a real-time virtual model of each street and curb environment, personnel can also determine from the software who is illegally utilising the curb. Such technologies are mapping out curb environments in Toronto, Chicago, and Las Vegas, helping these cities gain new value and revenue from these previously ignored assets. Welcome to the age of the digitised curb.

And it wont stop there. As cities continue to examine AI technologies which implement Live Awareness, they will also determine new applications for it in areas such as water/power utilities, traffic management and greater law enforcement capabilities. Such developments are arguably much further along than in generative AI, which means that Live Awareness is probably the biggest AI story no one is talking about. Thats to be expected; after all, evolution takes time, and only those focused on the gradual developments underpinning these phenomena could really see it coming. But now it is the time for more of us to take notice especially those managing the cities of today and planning the cities of the future. Our cities have possessed the ability to see for decades, but only now are they learning HOW to see. Once they do, the real transformation of our societies from AI will be here.
VMware by Broadcom has appointed training and certification provider Lumify Work as a VCF authorised education delivery partner in ANZ.

The partnership will see Lumify Work provide a suite of VMware courses including new courses from VMware by Broadcom.

Lumify Work will also introduce the latest VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) course lineup, which addresses the multifaceted needs of IT infrastructures, encompassing software-defined computing, networking, storage, and management.

The new courses from VMware Cloud Foundation course range include:

Comprehensive training - Equipping participants with the requisite skills to support VMware platforms, whether on-premises or in the cloud.

Tailored courses  Addressing various aspects of IT infrastructure spanning software-defined computing, networking, storage, and management to ensure holistic learning and skill development.

Accessible learning - Offering access to courses across Lumify training sites in Australia and New Zealand as well as virtual instructor lead courses.

"Our partnership with VMware marks a significant step forward in our mission to empower businesses with the essentials skills needed to thrive in todays dynamic landscape," said Lumify Group CEO Jon Lang.

"We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to further strengthen our partnership with VMware, enabling us to continue delivering exceptional training experiences that not only drive success, but also foster innovation in IT operations.

For more information on the courses available or class schedules, click here.
Nintex , a leader in process intelligence and automation, has promoted two seasoned internal leaders to global roles in partner and customer success.

Christian Lucarelli, Vice President and Head of Global Partner Strategy at Nintex

Christian Lucarelli has been appointed Vice President and Head of Global Partner Strategy based in Melbourne. In this role, he will lead Nintexs Global Partner Program, leveraging nearly a decade of leadership within Nintex. With his experience overseeing Nintex sales teams in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions, Christian is ideally positioned to transform the companys established partner strategy into a significant growth driver for both the company and its extended partner network.

In his new role, Lucarelli will draw on his extensive knowledge of Nintexs solutions and the partner ecosystem to enhance collaboration and drive mutual success. He will focus initially on forging strong relationships within the partner community and deepening strategic ecosystem partnerships that enhance and extend the value of leading platforms for shared customers. I'm honored to step into this new role, said Lucarelli. This appointment reflects Nintex's commitment to nurturing strong partnerships and achieving collective success. I am eager to leverage my experience and insights to further strengthen our global partner network, deepen collaborations, and deliver enhanced value to our mutual customers.

Tony Thomas, Vice President and Head of Global Customer Success at Nintex

Tony Thomas has been named Vice President and Head of Global Customer Success at Nintex based in the US. He joined Nintex through the acquisition of Skuid in January 2024, where he served as Chief Customer Officer, leading support, professional services, and customer success teams for nearly nine years. Before Skuid, Tony held various global services and sales roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and EMC.

As the global head of customer experience, Tony will manage global professional services, customer success, customer enablement, and support teams, serving over 8,000 Nintex customers worldwide. With more than 25 years of experience, Tony embodies a deep-seated customer-first mentality.

We have a wealth of value to deliver to our customers through creating exceptional digital experiences for their users and driving process excellence and automation across their organizations. We aim to be viewed as a trusted partner by our customers and set the standard by which all other partners are measured, said Thomas.
Patriotism, they say, is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Judged that way, there seem to be a large number of scoundrels around within the Australia media and also the Canberra political elite.

This morning, there were reports of the nasty Chinese, yes, those slinky-eyed bastards, dropping a flare near a good old patriotic Australian helicopter said to be in "international waters".

Condemnation came fast and in numbers. First out of the ranks was Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles who, according to the national broadcaster, the venerable ABC, said: "The PLA Air Force plane dropped flares about 300 metres in front of the Seahawk helicopter and about 60 metres above it, requiring the helicopter to take evasive action in order to not be hit by those flares.

"The consequence of being hit by the flares would have been significant. Importantly, the helicopter was unaffected and all the crew are safe."

One of the many poodles from the Liberal side, shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie, was quick to pipe up about what he called the "provocative and dangerous interaction" of the Chinese Air Force with an Australian helicopter in the Yellow Sea aka the East China Sea.

"This builds on the pattern of aggressive behaviour from the People's Liberation Army  Navy towards the Australian Defence Force over the past few years, including the sonar attack on RAN divers in November last year," thundered Hastie.

"We are relieved that no ADF personnel were injured by this reckless, dangerous and foolish move. It does not build trust between our nations.

Australias breach of China's EEZ was dangerous and provocative  military activity is not allowed in EEZs  it is considered by affected nations as an act of aggression.



We are fortunate the Chinese did not act more sternly.



Australia keeps sailing closer, ever closer, to a https://t.co/3whXYCWl5f pic.twitter.com/gjswFr1oIw  Peter Cronau (@PeterCronau) May 7, 2024

"The Coalition calls on Richard Marles to stand up for our ADF personnel and raise this incident directly with his Chinese counterpart."

The ABC defence correspondent, Andrew Greene, reported all this dross without bothering to ascertain where the incident had taken place. Greene, who to me always sounds constipated when he appears on TV to report anything, also accepted at face value a statement from Defence Department.

"The PLA-AF aircraft released flares along the flight path of the Australian Defence Force helicopter," this department said in a statement on Monday night. "This was an unsafe manoeuvre which posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel.

"While there were no injuries sustained by ADF personnel or damage caused to the MH-60R helicopter, the safety and well-being of our ADF personnel continues to be our utmost priority."

It was left to former ABC award-winning journalist Peter Cronau to call out the Australian forces for their faux pas. "Australia's breach of China's EEZ (exclusive economic zone) was dangerous and provocative  military activity is not allowed in EEZs," he said in a tweet on X.

"It is considered by affected nations as an act of aggression. We are fortunate the Chinese did not act more sternly.

"Australia keeps sailing closer, ever closer, to a 'Gulf of Tonkin' incident on behalf of our US puppeteer."

I wonder how Australia would have reacted if a Chinese military helicopter was this close from its coastline... They undoubtedly would have used more than simple flares...



If there is one rule that's truly universal among all cultures it's the golden rule: don't do onto others https://t.co/Hkk68pqaF7  Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) May 7, 2024

The incident Cronau referred to is, of course, well-known as one of those that was a precursor to the Vietnam War.

Shanghai Daily columnist Andy Boreham pointed out that the distance between Canberra and the site of the helicopter incident was 8535 kilometres.

"Importantly, the area they claim the incident happened is within China's EEZ," he pointed out. "Innocent passage is allowed but military aircraft do NOT constitute 'innocent passage'."

Asked about the incident at the daily Chinese foreign ministry press conference, spokesperson Lin Jian said: "What truly happened was, an Australian military aircraft deliberately flew within close range of Chinas airspace in a provocative move that endangered Chinas maritime and air security in the name of enforcing UN Security Council resolutions.

"The Chinese military took necessary measures at the scene to warn and alert the Australian side. The way the situation was handled was consistent with our laws and regulations, professional and safe. China has lodged serious protests to the Australian side on its risky moves. We urge Australia to immediately stop the provocations and hypes to prevent misunderstanding and miscalculation."

Australian journalists also lined up to beat the patriotism drum. Greg Sheridan, the grand old poobah from The Australian, shrieked: "All the happy talk from the prime minister and his senior ministerial colleagues about a newly stabilised relationship with China has just been shown to be worth absolutely nothing."

Sheridan's offering was headlined "HMAS Hobart near-miss shows China holds Australia and Labor in contempt despite dialogue." No mention of where the incident took place.

Only one Australian journalist, Bernard Keane, politics editor of the website Crikey, has written an unbiased report about similar incidents in the past.

"... there is no doubt that EEZs around the world are international waters, " Keane wrote in June 2023.

He noted that China had ratified the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, established its own EEZ and also recognised those of other states.

But, Keane added, the US has not ratified the convention, but says it will act in accordance with its provisions. "And it established its EEZ within 200 nautical miles of its coast and also recognises the EEZ of other states."

However, Keane noted, "the US also says it has the right to conduct military and intelligence-collection activities within any countrys EEZ. China disagrees. It says it respects freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, but does not respect the right of foreign governments to conduct military and intelligence-collection activities within its EEZ.

"More to the point, the three major regional maritime powers friendly to Australia  India, Indonesia and the Philippines  agree with China."

Keane explained the benefit that Australia got from upholding the US approach to EEZs. "An expert from the US Naval War College who testified before Congress in 2009, said if it accepted the position of China, India, the Philippines and Indonesia on EEZs, the US would be forced to conduct military operations from more than 200 miles offshore," he pointed out.

"That would significantly reduce the range of US sensors and missiles, making intelligence-gathering much harder and making it much more difficult to deploy US marines and their equipment in amphibious assaults.

"Americas ability to project naval and air power would face limitations not only in the South China Sea but also in other EEZs such as the Persian Gulf. Its ability to use the worlds oceans as a medium of manoeuvre and global power projection would be threatened.

"This approach has consequences. China has begun to conduct intelligence-gathering and presence operations in other countries EEZs, including Australias, justifying its behaviour by saying that it would not do so if Australia adopted its own position on the sovereignty of EEZs. Australia can have no complaint if China adopts the very behaviour were engaging in.

"The real nature of the dispute over EEZs is rarely, if ever, made clear by the Australian Government. The presence of Australian vessels and aircraft in the South China Sea is always explained in vague terms as about 'freedom of navigation', without saying what that actually involves  dropping sonobuoys to identify Chinese submarines and ships in order to destroy them at the start of hostilities. Instead, Australian vessels and aircraft are portrayed as innocently exercising their rights under international law in the face of a belligerent power."

And, Keane concluded: "Australian media rarely deviate from the government line. In foreign media, however, it is relatively normal to note that there is a fundamental dispute between the US and China over what conduct is permissible in EEZs.

"Australians deserve to be told what the objective is: to uphold Americas desire to project power in every EEZ in the world, not just the South China Sea. Otherwise they will continue to be misled if or when a clash occurs."

Also rallying to the nation's side was Euan Graham of the defence industry lobby group, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, who was firmly of the view that "Chinas latest unsafe interception at sea was no accident".

I have no quarrel with Graham's propaganda. ASPI, after all, is paid $4 million by the Defence Department every year. It has to sing enough to earn its supper.
When will the Federal Government start telling the public the truth about the situation it faces with Facebook, after the social media giant declared, on 29 February , that it would not be renewing deals it had struck in 2021 with Australian media companies, and then followed up by shutting its news tab in Australia?

The deals were done under the former Coalition Government's news media bargaining code and the public were given to believe, by reports in the mainstream media, that Facebook had been forced into these deals by the valiant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

The truth was far less flattering; Frydenberg had to plead with Facebook head honcho Mark Zuckerberg to relent after the latter cut news feeds to Australia altogether.

Once the government crawled back and agreed to Facebook's terms, the firm agreed to negotiate deals with media companies.

Prior to the News Media Code being put in place in 2021, there was a lot of virtuous talk about digital firms owing a debt to media companies because news snippets from the latter were being used by the former.

When the Facebook news tab was shut on 2 April, a spokesperson was quoted as saying there would be no problem for users to post stories on the site if they so wished.

They can continue to benefit from our free tools and products, which they can voluntarily use, should they want to, the spokesperson said. We hope the government sees the many benefits our free services provide to publishers and well continue to engage with them on this topic.

Meta shut down the news tabs in the UK, France and Germany last year.

But the Labor Government is now following in the footsteps of its Coalition counterpart and trying to make out that it has some magical powers to make Facebook renew the 2021 deals.

Most of the blather that is employed to give this impression consists of "warnings" about how bad Facebook is and what kind of debt it owes to Australian society.

Typical of this kind of bluster was an effort by Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones a few days back.

Thundered the normally level-headed and sober Jones: Meta [Facebook's parent company] seems more determined to remove journalists from their platform than criminals.

The government has publicly and privately made our position to Meta very clear: Australian news media businesses should be fairly remunerated for news content used on digital platforms.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is leading direct information gathering with news media businesses as it develops its advice to government. The government is following the process to the letter of the law and wont pre-empt advice from the ACCC and Treasury.

Brave words, these, but how does Mr Jones propose to enforce them? Ah, there the whole argument falls apart.

Jones made these comments to The Australian, one of the leaders among the mainstream media in spreading disinformation about Facebook and the Labor Government's "powers" to do anything to get the social media giant to reconsider its decision not to renew deals.

There is a reason why The Australian is so agitated about this Facebook move. It has been reported by the Australian Financial Review, that it [The Australian] is getting ready for a major restructure as it tries to cut expenses in order to deal with the expected loss of money from the Facebook deal: a sum close to $17 million.

Given that, one is not surprised that it is giving Jones acres of newsprint to spout criticism of Facebook. Under normal circumstances, no Labor politician ever gets a decent run from Rupert Murdoch's broadsheet.

The Australian report includes this: "The government has pledged to introduce legislation imposing mandatory obligations on social media companies, bank, and telcos providers to disrupt scams and protect their customers and users. Failure to do so will see the imposition of massive fines."

However, the reporter, James Madden, failed to educate the public about the fact that Facebook could just refuse to pay the fines  and wind up its business in Australia if the government continued to push for payment. In other word, just pack its bags and go.

Last year, Facebook showed it has the appetitie for continued fights on this score, and went nuclear in Canada, cutting off access to news feeds in August when the government tried to make it obey a new law. The feeds have not been restored.

For good measure, Madden added a line designed to please his boss: "News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller has previously described misinformation and disinformation as 'the Frankenstein creations built in Metas laboratory'. The truth is misinformation and disinformation are phenomena that exist only because of social medias dominance, business model and deep unwillingness to protect their users.

Nice bit of spin there, James. But of what use is it when a mega-corporation decides on a course of action and neither the government nor the Australian mainstream media hold hands with no cards in them at all?
100 years ago,

May 8, 1924

MATTOON  What the Illinois Central Railroad management expects to do for relief of the divisional offices in this city continues to be a leading question with many, since it is known the matter has the attention of the general officers. Another report which has become current is that the railroad company may make immediate use of the dining room on the street floor of the passenger station, vacated the first of this year by the Van Noy dining service. This is an entire floor of the building, which it has been suggested may be converted into offices for the superintendent and the accounting department. In the roof floor it is said there is abundant space for a filing department for both offices. For a time there appeared to be prospects that a new building might be erected in South 21st street near the present old depot buildings used for the divisional offices. Later it was reported negotiations were in progress for a six-story building to replace the Craig building at 1803 Broadway, but latest advices are to the effect that there is no prospect for either of them, owing to the deep slump in railway traffic.

50 years ago, 1974

The Coles County Board will be asked to consider a proposal to build a $79,200 dog pound. The shelter would be located near the Coles County Airport on a site that has been donated for a dog pound location. Plans for the shelter were prepared by the Coles County Humane Association...MATTOON  The city is making a determined effort to stop erosion of the shoreline at Lake Mattoon. Water Commissioner Richard Kiger said boating regulations will be strictly enforced at the lake. He said the shoreline is being rip-rapped. "We are putting large chunks of concrete all along the shoreline to keep it from eroding." Kiger said the lake is filling up because of sedimentation as a result of the erosion of the shoreline. "Some of the erosion is caused by natural elements," said Kiger. "A great deal of it, however, is caused by boating too close to the shorelines." Kiger said the shoreline facing an old cemetery on the east side of the lake is deteriorating rapidly. "The cemetery is so old, the tombstones say died of consumption," he said.

25 years ago, 1999

A local garbage hauler and Effingham landfill owner say they are resisting the efforts of Allied Waste Industries, Inc. to monopolize the garbage business in central Illinois. Brian Hayes, vice president of Landfill 33 in Effingham, said the owners will not sell the landfill to Allied because "Money isn't everything." "We're a small, privately owned landfill and we like it that way. The small, independent producers are being bought out by the big conglomerates. It's happening a lot in our society. A big company comes in and buys the landfill, then buys up the haulers in the area, so they are at the mercy of the landfills, which are controlling the entire trash business," Hayes said...MATTOON  Tom and Jackie McKibben of Mattoon, formerly owners of Tomaso's restaurant at 33rd Street an Marshall Ave. will be dishing up a new menu sometime around the first of July. The Bluebird Diner made the trip from the factory in Florida in fine shape and the structure was placed on the block foundation Friday at the Marshall location. Tom McKibben's 1950 Mercury will take the top spot in front of the diner as soon as the facility is open for business...URBANA  Merilyn Brown set a new Big 12 record in the shot put, Jessi Westenhaver was a surprise winner in the high jump and Brooke Jerden was named Channel 15 News' Athlete of the Week. All in all, it was a pretty good day for the Mattoon girls' track team. The Lady Wave finished sixth in the Big 12 Conference meet with 40 points and could have had more. Mattoon lost points and was involved in a controversy when the 3,200 meter relay team was disqualified for cutting in front of another team during an exchange. The team would have finished fourth in the race. "I had an assistant coach (Lynn Feeney) going ballistic on the sideline, I had four girls almost in tears and I had an official yelling at me," said Mattoon Coach Susan Martin.

Close San Diego Padres' Manny Machado falls after stopping a base hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Mystik Dan across the finish line to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Delhi Capitals' captain Rishabh Pant's plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata, India, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Bikas Das) Jiri Lehecka, of Czech Republic, returns the ball to Rafael Nadal of Spain, during the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Chicago White Sox's Martin Maldonado is tagged out a home by Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) New York Mets' DJ Stewart runs to home plate after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) Fans carry a poster of Chennai Super Kings' MS Dhoni and take pictures through a fence as they wait for the Indian Premier League cricket match between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings to begin in Chennai, India, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/R. Parthibhan) Dortmund supporters wave flags after the Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at the Signal-Iduna Park stadium in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) Kentucky Derby entrant Grand Mo The First gets a bath after a workout at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 4. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Roma's Rick Karsdorp, left, is challenged by Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Roma and Bayer Leverkusen at Rome's Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) New York Knicks' OG Anunoby (8) dunks past Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, during the second half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) A race fan holds a drink as he walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 150th running of the Kentucky Oaks horse race Friday, May 3, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) An artist performs a horse riding skill in the "Historic ode to the horses", a traditional horse riding show at the Inner Mongolia Ethnic Minorities Cultural Sports Center during a five-day holiday for international labor day in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernandez (37) celebrates with Mookie Betts (50) after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Poland's Iga Swiatek celebrates after winning the women's final match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, at the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Poland's Iga Swiatek holds the trophy after winning the women's final match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, at the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Jaime Munguia lands a left to Canelo Alvarez in a super middleweight title fight Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Australian players celebrate after defeating France during the women's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2024 cup semi finals between Australia and France in Singapore, on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah) McLaren driver Lando Norris, of Britain, is lifted after winning the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Andrey Rublev, of Russia, reacts during a final match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, of Canada, at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) China's He Ji Ting runs to hug his coaches as Ren Xiang Yu celebrates on the court after defeating Indonesia's Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana to lead Team China to a 3-1 win over Team Indonesia in the final of the Thomas Cup held in Chengdu in southwestern China's Sichuan Province, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) AP Sports Week in Pictures: Acrobatic Machado, Mystic Dan wins by a nose at Derby Associated Press photographers were there for San Diego Padres Manny Machados acrobatic play in the infield against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mystik Dan won by a nose in a photo-finish of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard at Churchill Downs. San Diego Padres' Manny Machado falls after stopping a base hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Mystik Dan across the finish line to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Delhi Capitals' captain Rishabh Pant's plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata, India, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Bikas Das) Jiri Lehecka, of Czech Republic, returns the ball to Rafael Nadal of Spain, during the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Chicago White Sox's Martin Maldonado is tagged out a home by Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) New York Mets' DJ Stewart runs to home plate after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) Fans carry a poster of Chennai Super Kings' MS Dhoni and take pictures through a fence as they wait for the Indian Premier League cricket match between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings to begin in Chennai, India, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/R. Parthibhan) Dortmund supporters wave flags after the Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at the Signal-Iduna Park stadium in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) Kentucky Derby entrant Grand Mo The First gets a bath after a workout at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 4. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Roma's Rick Karsdorp, left, is challenged by Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Roma and Bayer Leverkusen at Rome's Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) New York Knicks' OG Anunoby (8) dunks past Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, during the second half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) A race fan holds a drink as he walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 150th running of the Kentucky Oaks horse race Friday, May 3, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) An artist performs a horse riding skill in the "Historic ode to the horses", a traditional horse riding show at the Inner Mongolia Ethnic Minorities Cultural Sports Center during a five-day holiday for international labor day in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernandez (37) celebrates with Mookie Betts (50) after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Poland's Iga Swiatek celebrates after winning the women's final match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, at the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Poland's Iga Swiatek holds the trophy after winning the women's final match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, at the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Jaime Munguia lands a left to Canelo Alvarez in a super middleweight title fight Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Australian players celebrate after defeating France during the women's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2024 cup semi finals between Australia and France in Singapore, on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah) McLaren driver Lando Norris, of Britain, is lifted after winning the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Andrey Rublev, of Russia, reacts during a final match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, of Canada, at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) China's He Ji Ting runs to hug his coaches as Ren Xiang Yu celebrates on the court after defeating Indonesia's Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana to lead Team China to a 3-1 win over Team Indonesia in the final of the Thomas Cup held in Chengdu in southwestern China's Sichuan Province, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
CHICAGO  Suchita Farkiwala, a DePaul University senior from Ahmedabad, India, vividly remembers the day she flew into OHare International Airport more than three years ago to enroll in undergraduate classes.

Despite having no family or friends in the city, she had a crew of DePaul community members who met her at the airport, welcoming her to Chicago.

Since that first day in the city, she has assumed the role of mentor to younger students from around the world pursuing higher education.

You never walk alone, Farkiwala said of being an international student at DePaul. You walk with support from all of the teachers and the community.

Farkiwala is one of more than 1 million international students who enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs during the 2022-23 school year, when international enrollment in the United States jumped 11.5%, according to federal data published in November. Roughly 55,000 international students attended colleges in Illinois in the 2022-23 academic year, ranking the state fifth in the nation for international enrollment.

The uptick in international students has been especially spurred by students from India, which became the most populous country in the world in April 2023.

At DePaul, administrators pride themselves on being a school with a large international student community. The number of international students doubled  even as overall enrollment at the university is down.

DePauls administration attributed the increase to a jump in Indian students, as more Indian families seek out higher education, in addition to targeted marketing and admissions strategies by the school.

Weve expanded strategic partnerships in some of the target countries and regions that were looking to expand our international student enrollments from, said Kari Costello, DePauls assistant vice president for international admission and recruitment.

To attract international students, DePaul also offers academic scholarships  which can be a rare opportunity for those students.

Were one of the few institutions that offers international student scholarships. A lot of institutions dont do that, Costello said.

These enrollment statistics could be viewed simply as a recovery from the pandemic, which created pent-up demand for both recent high school graduates and students who delayed their studies, said Rajika Bhandari, who founded a New York City-based international education consulting firm in 2019 focused on students studying in the United States and India.

However, the surge is also the result of two larger trends.

Bhandari said growing youth populations in South Asian and African countries with an appetite for higher education also contribute. In addition, recent visa restrictions in other countries have inversely led to more students applying to American colleges.

Indian students spur growth

In response to changing policies in education and a population boom, U.S. leaders in higher education circles are investing time and resources to attract more prospective students from India.

Last month, a delegation of 31 higher education advocates from 17 institutions, including two representatives from DePaul, traveled to cities across the South Asian country on a trip with the Institute for International Education, a century-old foundation that facilitates international programs.

Indian government officials estimate that over the next 25 years an additional 50 million seats in higher education will be needed for the college-aged population, according to Sarah Ilchman, co-president of the Institute of International Education.

Thats a daunting number, and so clearly, countries like the United States will be an important partner with this baby boom, Ilchman said.

The U.S. is particularly well situated for this boom, according to Ilchman. It has arguably the most diverse higher education system in the world, with different types of institutions  large, small, urban, rural, public, private, she said.

Students are more likely to pay for an American education at a well-known school, Ilchman said. Students are looking for a brand name and studying in the U.S. and attending an American institution is a brand name around the world that people are eager to compete for, and quite frankly, pay for, Ilchman said.

For international students looking to study abroad, safety, career opportunities and visa availability tend to be the top considerations, Bhandari said.

Safety considerations include whether students are afraid of being targeted for their race or ethnicity. become victims of a hate crime.] Those considerations are especially true for native Indian students.

For instance, in 2017, an Indian student was shot and killed while working at a bar in Kansas. International student enrollment in Kansas subsequently declined in the years following his death, Bhandari said. The gunman later pleaded guilty to hate crime charges.

Professional opportunities also heavily influence international students educational choices. But challenges can remain on the path to postgraduate work, Bhandari said

For Farkiwala, future career opportunities remain stalled as she awaits word of her eligibility for a work visa. As an undergraduate, she completed an internship with Deloitte through a benefit with her international student visa that allows her to work while in college.

Were fortunate that so many students are interested in coming here to study, but the challenges that really remain  is what I call a broken pathway between higher education and immigration, Bhandari said. If they want to stay on and work, that pathway is incredibly difficult and challenging for most students.

Finding community miles from home

Beemnet Desta had three priorities when looking at American colleges: location, program and diversity.

She remembers applying to more colleges than she could keep track of before eventually choosing DePaul, she said, because it had a strong computing program and was one of the more diverse schools she considered. And Desta liked the campus in the heart of Chicago, even though it was miles from her home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Now, as a graduate student, Desta organizes opportunities for students to meet each other  and nearly every international student at DePaul knows her name.

On a frosty afternoon in January, almost 100 international students gathered in a creative makerspace classroom at DePauls downtown Loop campus. Inside, groups huddled around various stations to make tote bags, buttons and T-shirts, complete with stickers of Chicago landmarks. As students crafted, loud conversations filled the room.

Being an international student can be hard because your family isnt here, and youre trying to make new friends, but there could be cultural differences, language barriers, so when theyre here, theyre trying to get outside their comfort zone, said Desta, a data science graduate student who plans the weekly international student events through Global DePaul, a student organization.

Campuses are working to be as inclusive as possible, Bhandari said, but not everything is in the control of college students or administrators.

Its more what might be happening off campus, Bhandari said of possible tension with more international students attending higher education institutions in the United States. An international student visa is not enough armor to protect someone if theyre out on the streets and become a victim of a hate crime.

Weekly events to bring international students together, which Desta said regularly have good attendance, range from visiting local restaurants with international cuisines to exploring neighborhoods across Chicago.

Cultural centers and ethnic student associations also serve as support systems for international student populations.

For Carlos Daniel Guerrero Gaspar, a DePaul sophomore from Mexico City studying economic data analytics, the Latino Cultural Center serves as a cornerstone of his identity, from when he attends class to when he gives tours encouraging others to attend the university.

Thats how I keep in touch with my identity and meet other people who come from similar backgrounds as me, he said.

2024 Eclipse: See photos from around Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Solar Eclipse Bloomington Illinois Solar Eclipse Bloomington Illinois Solar Eclipse Bloomington Illinois Solar Eclipse Bloomington Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Chicago Solar Eclipse Decatur Illinois Solar Eclipse Decatur Illinois Solar Eclipse Decatur Illinois Solar Eclipse Decatur Illinois Solar Eclipse Mattoon Illinois Solar Eclipse Mattoon Illinois Solar Eclipse Mattoon Illinois Solar Eclipse Mattoon Illinois Total Solar Eclipse Makanda Total Solar Eclipse Makanda Solar Eclipse Eureka Solar Eclipse Eureka
Paxton Media Group has expanded its North Carolina newspaper reach by entering Forsyth County and acquiring the Kernersville News for an undisclosed amount.

The sale was disclosed Monday by John Cribb of Cribb, Cope & Potts, a merger and acquisition firm with a focus on the media industry.

The twice-weekly Kernersville News was founded in 1938 and had been owned by the Carter/Owensby Harrell family since its inception.

Paxton, family owned and based out of Paducah, Ky., has become the fifth-largest newspaper company in the U.S. with 126 media outlets.

Paxton owns the most newspaper properties in North Carolina, including newspapers in Archdale (Archdale-Trinity News), Asheboro (The Courier-Tribune), Burlington (Times-News), High Point (Enterprise), Lexington (The Dispatch), Thomasville (Times) and Wilkes (Journal-Patriot).

The chain is known for its cost-cutting measures after assuming newspaper properties.

Paxton appears to have created a formula for acquiring newspapers in which they gain enough revenue to add to their portfolio, said Anthony Hatcher, chairman of Elon Universitys journalism department.

Whether they are providing new, supportive or sustainable value to the community may be another matter. Some of their newspapers are run on a bare-bones basis that were once robust local news organizations.

In a statement, Meredith Owensby Harrell said it was time for the family to move on.

I would like to thank the many longtime employees of the News, our readers and the communities we serve for their longstanding support of us, Harrell said.

It is time for our family to move on, and we believe we found the best steward for our family legacy in Jamie Paxton and Paxton Media Group.

With the addition of the Kernersville newspaper, Paxton owns and operates 21 properties in North Carolina.

We are very excited to add the Kernersville News into the PMG portfolio, said Jamie Paxton, the publishing groups president and chief executive. We appreciate the Harrell family choosing us to be the new stewards of this important community asset.

Hatcher said the Kernersville News had been one of the few remaining family-owned newspapers in the nation.

It has been run for most of its existence by people who really knew and cared about their community, Hatcher said.

How that will change under Paxton ownership will be interesting to review.
An Imperial man has been sentenced to eight to 14 years in prison for fatally shooting a University of Nebraska-Lincoln freshman on Thanksgiving night in 2021.

Chase County District Judge Patrick Heng sentenced 21-year-old Tristan Ferguson on Tuesday on charges of manslaughter and attempted possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony for killing Jesse Krausnick unintentionally while in the commission of an unlawful act, according to court records.

Ferguson had pleaded no contest to the charges.

In court records, a Nebraska State Patrol investigator said that before dawn on Nov. 25, 2021, Ferguson pointed a shotgun at Krausnick "and pulled the trigger one time, believing the gun to be unloaded."

First responders were called to the house at 126 W. 12th St. in Imperial, where they found Krausnick with a single gunshot wound.

The 19-year-old died at the hospital.

Officers arrested Ferguson, then 19, on suspicion of manslaughter. His $100,000 percentage bond was posted a day later, so he had only one day of credit toward his sentence.

According to the State Patrol, prior to the shooting Ferguson had used a fake ID to buy a large amount of alcohol at an Imperial convenience store and it was distributed and consumed by minors at the house on West 12th.

Krausnick had been an agribusiness major at UNL.

Imperial is in southwest Nebraska, about 300 miles from Lincoln.

Top Journal Star photos for May 2024
STURTEVANT  Praising a project that he said can contribute to a great American comeback story, President Joe Biden spoke Wednesday about a massive Microsoft investment in Racine County that could create thousands of jobs.

The tech giant announced Wednesday that it plans to triple its spending to $3.3 billion over the next few years on an artificial intelligence data center in Mount Pleasant, which is expected to create 2,300 union construction jobs by 2025, according to Microsoft.

As part of its investment, the company also plans to partner with local organizations on skills training, education and youth employment.

Microsoft originally intended to spend $1 billion developing data centers in Racine County. In November, village leaders in Mount Pleasant called the companys progress way ahead of schedule.

Biden said the expanded Microsoft project is a collaborative example of his economic agenda that aims to improve the lives of middle-class workers.

Theres nothing beyond our capacity when we work together, Biden said. Were doing whats always worked in this country: Giving people a fair shot, leaving nobody behind and growing the economy from the middle-out and bottom-up, not the top down. When that happens, everybody does well.

Brad Smith, Microsoft president and vice chair, said Microsoft has received tremendous support for its project from elected officials, schools and businesses. He also lauded the Biden administration and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers office for the policies that helped make Wednesdays announcement possible.

We are a country where people come together, where people work together, where they address hard challenges, and we get great things done, Smith said. We wont let you down.

Microsoft plans

The work over the next few years is the first phase of Microsofts development.

Smith said he fully expect(s) that there will be a phase two and probably a phase three, but details have not been finalized.

In phase one, Microsoft plans to partner with Gateway Technical College to develop a Data Center Academy, which is expected to train 1,000 students by 2030; create a manufacturing-focused Co-Innovation Lab on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus; and utilize Gener8tor, a startup accelerator already working in Wisconsin, to train business leaders to adopt AI in their operations.

Microsoft plans to work with Gateway and area organizations like United Way of Racine County on job skills training.

The company plans to train more than 100,000 people across Wisconsin by 2030 on generative AI, according to a news release.

Microsoft also intends to partner with the Racine Unified School District on science, technology, engineering and mathematics training for middle school girls and support the Racine County Summer Youth Employment Program.

Smith, who lived in Racine from ages 9-14, said it is vital to underpromise, overdeliver and work with the community on the 10-figure project.

We are going to build something special with the help of some very special people, Smith said.

It will require the labor of thousands of people to build the data center.

Once in operation, however, Microsoft will have about 500 full-time employees overseeing the data center, pulling from highly skilled workers in the corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago, according to Smith.

However, Smith argued that the bigger impact for the region would be in the technology itself and broader investments in preparing the Upper Midwest for its impacts.

This is about the competitiveness of manufacturing in places like Wisconsin and Michigan and Pennsylvania, and Ohio, Smith said.

Make it in Wisconsin

State, local, business and organized labor officials spoke before Biden addressed a crowd at Gateways SC Johnson iMET Center, 2320 Renaissance Blvd.

Racine Mayor Cory Mason thanked the president for investing in Racine in numerous areas, including workforce training, community safety and health care.

Biden has been there for this community since day one, Mason said. No president has done more to reinvest, to rebuild the middle class in this town and help countless communities like ours across the country.

Nick Fick, president of membership development at the IBEW 430 union in Racine, thanked Biden and Microsoft for bringing good-paying union jobs to the area.

Biden said he made no apologies for being a pro-union president.

Evers said he looks forward to the Microsoft expansion making a difference across the state.

If you want something made right, youre going to make it in Wisconsin, Evers said. We are working to create a better, stronger and more equitable future for everybody.

The presidents speech Wednesday highlighted the $3.3 billion investment, which Smith said will take the effort of many people over the next few years to make a reality.

Its the people that live here that will still be coming to work here, and thats where the real work gets done, Smith said.

Contrast with Trump

Bidens visit to Racine County was intended to contrast Microsofts investment with the economic policies of former President Donald Trump.

Microsoft is building on land previously intended for Taiwan-based company Foxconn Technology Group. Trump lauded Foxconns plan to build a $10 billion manufacturing facility that was supposed to eventually employ 10,000 people, but that project was never completed.

On my watch, we make promises and we keep promises, Biden said. We leave no one behind.

In an emailed statement, the Racine County GOP said it is happy about the Microsoft expansion and the jobs it will produce, but called it unfortunate that the announcement was turned into a Biden event.

The credit should go to a bipartisan group of local leaders who were able to put their differences aside, work collaboratively and do what is best for the people of Racine County and Mount Pleasant, the statement read.

Following the official White House event, Biden met with dozens of community members at the Dr. John Bryant Community Center in Racine as a part of a campaign stop aimed at reaching Black voters.

Biden told the gathered voters a story about how the African American community inspired his first run for office in Delaware.

He also warned voters against Trump, saying I really think democracy is at stake here.

Racine County will likely be a critical location in this Novembers election. All but five of the past 33 winning presidential candidates won it.

Trump is one of the five; he won Racine County, but lost the election. Biden was the first Democrat since 1976 to win Wisconsin without carrying Racine County, the Associated Press reported.

Biden and Trump are nearly even in the battleground state of Wisconsin, according to a Marquette Law School Poll released last month.

The poll showed 51% of respondents  including both registered and likely voters  backed Trump, while 49% supported Biden, well within the polls 4.8% margin of error.

Wednesdays stop was Bidens fourth in Wisconsin this year ahead of the November election. Vice President Kamala Harris has visited the state three times in 2024, with another visit set for Milwaukee next week.

Trump has held two rallies in Wisconsin this year.

The Associated Press and Wisconsin State Journal contributed to this report.

PHOTOS: President Joe Biden visits Sturtevant BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT BIDEN RACINE VISIT Trevor Jung Biden in Racine County Group selfie Group photo Trevor Jung Biden speaks on the Investing in America agenda Wednesday Biden arrives in Sturtevant to address the crowd gathered at Gateway's SC Johnson iMET Center
RACINE  President Joe Biden will visit Racine County on Wednesday to announce a $3.3 billion investment from Microsoft, according to the White House.

Microsoft's expanded investment centers on an artificial intelligence datacenter, which is expected to create 2,300 union construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs over time, the White House said.

The announcement is a part of Biden's Investing in America agenda, which focuses on "growing the economy from the middle-out and bottom-up."

Microsoft originally planned to spend $1 billion developing data centers in Racine County. In November, village leaders in Mount Pleasant called the company's progress in the area "way ahead of schedule."

Biden's stop in Racine aims to put Microsoft's investment in direct contrast with economic policies of Donald Trump's administration, as Microsoft is building on land previously intended for Taiwan-based technology company, Foxconn Technology Group.

Former president Trump visited the Foxconn site in 2018, during which he called the technology campus the "8th Wonder of the World."

Foxconn anticipated investing $10 billion in the area. However, the company's tenure in Racine County has been largely underwhelming, with land and buildings originally intended for Foxconn ultimately being leased or bought by others.

The White House is touting Microsoft's progress and partnerships in the region as indicative of future success.

Microsoft plans to partner with Gateway Technical College to develop a "Datacenter Academy," which is expected to train 1,000 people by 2030; build a "Co-Innovation Lab" in southeast Wisconsin; and utilize Gener8tor, a startup accelerator already working in Wisconsin, to train business leaders to adopt AI in their operations.

Following Biden's Investing in America announcement, which is a White House event, the president will make a campaign stop aimed at reaching Black voters, according to the Associated Press.

Racine County is historically a critical location in elections. All but five of the past 33 winning presidential candidates won it the county, the Associated Press reports. Trump is one of the five; he won Racine County, but lost the election. Biden was the first Democrat since 1976 to win Wisconsin without carrying Racine County.

Biden and Trump are neck-and-neck in the battleground state of Wisconsin, according to a Marquette Law School Poll released in April.

Results showed 51% of poll respondents  including both registered and likely voters  backed Trump, while 49% supported Biden, well within the polls 4.8% margin of error.

Wednesday's stop is Biden's fourth in Wisconsin this year ahead of the November election. Vice President Kamala Harris has visited the state three times in 2024, with another visit set for Milwaukee next week. Trump has held two rallies in Wisconsin this year.

The Associated Press and Wisconsin State Journal contributed to this report.
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
A new exhibit has recently been completed entitled Civil Defense in Vernon County. It is located on the third floor of the Vernon County Museum & History Center.

The United States Government created the Office of Civil Defense in 1941, during the time of World War II. At that time, the U.S. was fearful of air and sea attacks from those countries in Europe with which they were at war. Procedures were developed to assist local governments in defense, preparedness and post-attack care in the event of a disaster.

During the 1950s, the real possibility of nuclear war was on the mind of the entire nation. This was an entirely different disaster to prepare for after the first successful nuclear bomb test took place in August 1949. The threat of nuclear attack prompted the realization by the U.S. government that it was necessary to prepare for survival, not only the prevention of an attack.

Shelter, evacuation and training programs were developed for state and local governments. That included instructional films, pamphlets and booklets which were distributed to local Civil Defense organizations for the general public and schools.

The goal was to educate Americans on ways to protect themselves in the event of a nuclear attack.

The exhibit includes the history of Civil Defense in Vernon County along with some objects from the 1950s including clothing, medical supplies and communication devices. You may also be interested in the exhibit Nuclear Power in Vernon County, also located on the third floor. Items in this exhibit were donated by Dairyland Power and were used at the nuclear reactor facility that once stood there. Both the second and third floors of the history center are handicapped accessible.

The Vernon County Historical Society will be holding its first Brat grill out on Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nelson Agri-Center in Viroqua. Please join us for a delicious lunch and help support our mission  to preserve and promote Vernon County history for the education and enjoyment of all.
The first crewed test of Boeings Starliner spacecraft was postponed Tuesday because of a problem with the rocket system.

Officials stopped the launch about two hours before the planned liftoff at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Two astronauts from the American space agency NASA had just taken their final positions in the Starliner capsule when officials halted the countdown. The astronauts chosen for the flight are 61-year-old Barry Butch Wilmore and 58-year-old Sunita Suni Williams.

The capsule will be carried to space by an Atlas V rocket. United Launch Alliance (ULA) built the rocket. ULA is a joint operation between Boeing and the American company Lockheed Martin.

ULA chief Tory Bruno said the problem involved an oxygen pressure-release valve on the Atlas Vs second stage launch system. ULA officials could hear the problematic valve opening and closing.

Bruno said the valve might need to be replaced. That would push a new launch date into next week. If investigations show the valve is still operable, a new launch could be set for as soon as Friday.

It was the latest delay for Boeing's first test flight involving astronauts aboard the Starliner capsule. Bruno noted that other Atlas rockets have had similar valve trouble.

During those launches, the problem was quickly resolved by turning the valves off and back on. But the company is now facing stronger flight rules for trips that carry astronauts. And so we stayed with the rules and the procedures, and scrubbed as a result," Bruno told reporters.

Steve Stich is NASA's commercial crew program leader. He admitted the decision to delay was a difficult one to make. Were taking it one step at a time, and were going to launch when were ready and fly when its safe to do so," he said.

The spacecraft completed its first uncrewed flight test to the International Space Station (ISS) in May of 2022. Since then, Boeing has experienced a series of technical difficulties with Starliner and its rocket system.

NASA chose Boeing and a competitor, SpaceX, in 2024 to start transporting astronauts to and from the ISS after NASAs shuttle program ended. The private companies signed contracts with NASA worth billions of dollars.

Boeing has struggled to complete the testing process before it gets approval to start running official trips to the ISS. SpaceX, on the other hand, has been a dependable NASA partner since 2020, making regular trips to carry astronauts and supplies to the ISS.

The efforts are part of NASAs plan to build a new generation of privately built spacecraft to carry its astronauts and others to the ISS, and after that to the moon and possibly Mars.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

_________________________________________

Words in This Story

capsule  n. the part of a spacecraft that people live in

valve  n. a mechanical device that controls the flow of liquids

procedure  n. the official or usual way of doing something

scrub  v. to stop something
Hena Khan is a ninth-grade student in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She struggled to keep attention on her studies last week as temperatures rose above 43 degrees Celsius in Bangladeshs capital.

"There is no real education in schools in this punishing heat," she said. "Teachers can't teach, students can't concentrate. Rather, our lives are at risk."

Khan is one of more than 40 million students who have been shut out of classrooms in recent weeks. Heatwaves have forced school closures in parts of Asia and North Africa. As the climate warms due to the burning of fossil fuels, heatwaves are lasting longer and reaching higher temperatures.

Government officials and public health experts across the world are increasingly struggling with whether to keep students learning in hot classrooms.

Either decision has impacts. About 17 percent of the world's school-aged children are already out of school, says the United Nations. But the proportion is much larger in developing countries.

Test scores in the developing world also behind developed countries.

Heat could worsen inequalities by widening learning gaps between wealthy countries and poor nations in the tropics, experts told Reuters. It could even worsen inequalities between rich and poor areas in wealthy countries. Sending children to hot schools can also make them sick.

Earlier this spring, heat-related school closures in South Sudan affected over 2 million students. Temperatures rose to 45 degrees Celsius there in late March. Thousands of schools in the Philippines and in India closed schools in late April, impacting more than 10 million students.

Last week, Cambodia ordered all public schools to cut two hours off the school day to avoid the peak heat at midday.

Bangladesh has debated whether to close schools for about 33 million students. Temperatures there are rising to dangerous levels.

Many Bangladeshi schools "don't have fans, the ventilation is not good, and they (do) not provide good insulation," said Shumon Sengupta. He is Bangladesh country director for the nonprofit organization Save the Children.

Even if students continue attending classes during heatwaves, their education is likely to suffer. High temperatures slow down the brain's functions, lowering students ability to remember and process information.

A 2020 study found that American high schoolers performed worse on standardized tests if they were exposed to higher temperatures in the year leading up to the exam.

The research was published in the American Economic Journal. It found that a .55 Celsius degree warmer school year reduced that year's learning by 1 percent. Schools with air conditioning did not feel those same effects, said study co-writer Josh Goodman. He is an economist at Boston University.

Goodman and his research partners found similar learning results tied to heat when they looked at standardized test data in other countries. "When (students in) these places experience a year with more heat, they appear to have learned less," he said.

Other research suggests high heat in the tropics can also impact a child's education even before birth.

Children in Southeast Asia exposed to higher-than-average temperatures in utero and early in life received fewer years of schooling later in life. That information comes from a 2019 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Goodman said as the world warms, already hot countries that become extremely hot countries will suffer more than cooler countries. "Climate change will widen the learning gaps between hot and cool countries," Goodman said.

Some developed countries are trying to find solutions to the issue.

In March, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it would build 30 heat-resilient schools in Jordan by 2026, a USAID spokesperson said. Heat-resilient buildings can remain comparatively cool in very hot weather.

USAID said it would spend $8.17 million on the schools. The schools would have special cooling systems and air conditioning.

The number of days that schools are closed for extreme heat has been increasing in the United States. Few countries record such data.

In Bangladesh last year, schools were closed for 6 to 7 days, said Save the Children's Sengupta. "But this year, they are saying it might be closed for 3 to 4 weeks," he said.

May is often the hottest month in South Asia.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting from Reuters.

Quiz- Extreme Heat Closes Schools, Widens Learning Gap Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

____________________________________________

Words in This Story

punish  v. to make suffer for a crime or for bad behavior

concentrate  v. to think about something

impact  v. the act or force of one thing hitting another

proportion  n. an amount that is a part of a whole

gap  n. a space between two people or things

ventilate  v. to allow fresh air to enter and move through

insulation  n. a material or substance that is used to stop heat, electricity, or sound from going into or out of something

expose  v. to leave without covering or protection

in-utero  n. before birth

resilient  adj. able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens
Financial support for climate technology startups in Africa from the private sector is growing. Businesses have raised more than $3.4 billion since 2019. However, the continent requires $277 billion each year to meet its climate goals for 2030.

Experts say to receive more money, African countries need to deal with risks such as unexpected currency value changes. And they say investors need to expand into different climate sectors, including flood protection, disaster management and heat management. Investors should also use more kinds of funding methods.

Africa: The Big Deal is a financial support database. It says that last year, climate tech startups on the continent raised $1.04 billion. That is a 9 percent increase from the year before and three times what they raised in 2019. That increase comes as overall money for startups in Africa fell last year.

The money climate tech startups raised last year was more than one-third of all monies raised by startups in Africa in 2023. It came in second to financial technology, a more established sector.

Venture capital is usually given to business with large risk but great long-term growth possibilities. Startups use it to expand into new markets and to get products and services on the market.

Even with the noted growth, private sector financing represented only 14 percent of all of Africas climate finance from 2019 to 2020. That information comes from a study by Climate Policy Initiative, a finance and policy research organization.

That number is far lower than in other parts of the world. In East Asia and the Pacific, for example, private sector financing represents 39 percent of climate finance. And in Latin America and the Caribbean, it makes up 49 percent.

Sandy Okoth works at FSD Africa. The non-profit organization receives funding from the British government. Okoth said the low financial support in Africa is linked to investors putting money in areas they are more familiar with, such as renewable energy technology. Less money comes in for more complex technology, Okoth said. That includes technology for adapting to climate change, he added.

Wetility is a renewable energy startup based in South Africa. Last year, it secured funding of $48 million, mostly from private equity, to expand its operations.

The startup provides solar panels for homes and businesses and an online service that permits users to remotely access power usage. It aims to solve the problems of energy access and dependability in southern Africa.

Vincent Maposa is founder and chief executive officer of Wetility. He said, Private sector financing in African climate is still rather low. But he added that there is clear growth.

Maelis Carraro is partner at Catalyst Fund. The Kenya-based venture capital fund supports climate adaption solutions. She urged for more diverse funding, such as mixing private and public sector funding together.

She said one aim of public financing should be to bring more private sector capital into financing climate initiatives.

She added, We need the private sector and the public sector to work together to unlock more financing.

Im Gregory Stachel.

Carlos Mureithi reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

sector  n. an area of an economy

currency  n. the money that a country uses

fund  v. to provide money for (something)

venture capital  n. money that is used to start a new business

adapt  v. to change (something) so that it functions better or is better suited for a purpose

equity  n. a share in a company

solar panels  n. a large, flat piece of equipment that uses the sun's light or heat to create electricity

remotely  adv. from a distance

access  n. a way of being able to use or get something

initiative  n. a plan or program that is intended to solve a problem
The pro-Palestinian protests at colleges across the United States have spread to campuses in Europe.

On Tuesday, German police broke up a protest by several hundred pro-Palestinian protesters at Berlins Free University (FU). The protesters had put up about 20 tents and formed a human chain around the tents. Most of the protesters wore the familiar Palestinian head covering called a kufiyah.

The schools administrators said in a statement that the protesters had rejected any dialogue. They said some of the protesters tried to occupy classrooms and buildings. Administrators called in the police to clear the campus.

This form of protest is not geared towards dialogue. An occupation is not acceptable on the FU Berlin campus, said university president Guenter Ziegler.

Police used a chemical spray against the protesters and carried some of them away after clashes broke out.

In the Netherlands

At the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Dutch police arrested about 125 activists as they broke up a pro-Palestinian demonstration camp.

Amsterdam police said on the social media service X that their action was necessary to restore order after protests turned violent. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Video aired by the Dutch national broadcaster NOS shows police using equipment to knock down barriers. Video also showed officers carrying sticks and beating some protesters.

The University of Amsterdam said in a statement that police ended the demonstration due to public order and safety concerns.

The war between Israel and Hamas is having a major impact on individual students and staff, the statement said. We share the anger and bewilderment over the war, and we understand that there are protests over it. We stress that within the university, dialogue about it is the only answer.

The rest of Europe

Students have also held protests or set up encampments in Finland, Denmark, Italy, Spain, France and Britain.

The protesters say they are against Israels offensive in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, which started in late October 2023. Israel started the war in reaction to a terrorist attack by Hamas that killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7.

The war has destroyed much of the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Gazas health ministry, which is run by Hamas, says about 35,000 Palestinians have been killed.

In Finland, protesters from the Students for Palestine group set up an encampment outside the main building at the University of Helsinki. The group members said they would stay there until the university cuts ties with Israeli schools.

In Denmark, students set up a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Copenhagen. The university said students can protest but called on them to respect the rules on campus grounds. On their Facebook page, members of the activist group Students Against the Occupation said attempts to talk to the administration over the past two years about ending investment and ties in Israel have not gone anywhere.

In Italy, students at the University of Bologna set up a tent encampment over the weekend to demand an end to the war in Gaza. Students organized similar protests in Rome and Naples, which were largely peaceful.

In Spain, students have spent over a week at a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Valencia campus. Students set up similar camps on Monday at the University of Barcelona and the University of the Basque Country.

In Paris, French police peacefully removed several students last week from the Paris Institute of Political Studies after they had gathered in support of Palestinians. Protests also took place last week at other universities in France, including in Lille and Lyon.

Meanwhile, protests continue at colleges across the United States. Several universities have had to cancel their main commencement ceremonies. And students at the University of Michigan and Indiana University interrupted commencement ceremonies over the weekend.

Im Ashley Thompson.

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on reporting from The Associated Press.

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

campus - n. area and buildings around a university, school

tent - n. portable shelter that is used outdoor

dialogue - n. discussion between two groups in order to end disagreement

impact - n. major influence or effect

staff - n. people who work for an organization or business

commencement - n. the ceremony during which degrees and diplomas are given to students who have graduated
Herb butter is a product that will not leave anyone indifferent due to its unique taste and aroma. Recently, it has been gaining popularity in our country. In Germany, however, no family can do without this butter and it is used with almost all dishes. It tastes perfect with steaks, baguette, and pasta.

ADVERTISIMENT

Food blogger Yulia Senych told us how to make herb butter, which will taste perfect with sandwiches in spring. On Instagram, she explained which herbs are best suited for making such butter.

Ingredients

butter - 250 gr

dill

sorrel

green onions

wild garlic

How to cook

1. Take butter out of the refrigerator and wait until it becomes soft.

2. Finely chop greens.

3. Combine butter and herbs and mix well.

ADVERTISIMENT

4. Add salt and pepper. You can add other favorite spices if you like.

5. Put the butter in the mold and cover with cling film. You can also put it in a bag.

6. Store in the freezer. If you plan to use the butter within the next 2-3 days, you can store it in the refrigerator.
The Tate Modern art gallery in London has opened its doors to the worlds media ahead of the official opening by the Queen on May 11.

The worlds largest modern art gallery is housed in a conversion of the former power station on Bankside which cost 134m and took four years to reconstruct.

The new museum will have enough space to display works long hidden from public view due to lack of space  international modern art from 1900 to the present day by the artists such as Dali, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol as well as contemporary work by Dorothy Cross, Gilbert & George and Susan Hiller.

The existing Tate Gallery further down the River Thames at Millbank has been renamed Tate Britain.

The BBC Arts correspondent, Rosie Millard, visited the gallery and described it as vast, with a cathedral-like quality which has earned it the nickname Cathedral of Cool.

Three giant towers loom up inside the former power stations 115ft-high turbine hall  retaining all the atmosphere of its industrial heritage.

From the former turbine hall visitors are swept up by escalator to some 84 galleries on three levels. The exhibits are illuminated by natural light from a translucent roof.

The Tate Modern is defying the traditional way of displaying art  it is not exhibited in chronological order or within the context of particular historical movements, but by themes such as landscapes or still life.

The aim, say the Tate Moderns curators, is to challenge people and make them look at art in a different way.

Director Lars Nittve believes all the effort has been worthwhile. This gallery is unique in the world, he said. For the first time, people will be able to see most of the Tates 20th Century art collection. Before only a fragment of it could be displayed.

But art critic and broadcaster David Lee was not entirely impressed. We need the Tate Modern and this is something we can build on, but I was a bit disappointed by the minimalism and austerity of it all.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The Tate Modern, which also has branches in Liverpool and St Ives, Cornwall, has turned out to be a great success.

A year after it was officially opened by the Queen on 11 May 2000, some five million visitors had poured through its doors.

The two Swiss architects behind the conversion of Tate Modern from a power station, Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, went on to win the prestigious Pritzker prize.

Spanish museum boss Vicente Todoli took over as the gallerys director in May 2002 after Lars Nittve decided to return to his native Sweden.
In 1915, Norwegian artist Emanuel Vigeland, one of the most respected Scandinavian artists of his time, created an image of Christ with golden hair and fair skin.

Vigeland was well aware of a widely popular Bible illustrated by French artist James Tissot showing Christ as Middle Eastern with dark hair and brown skin. Tissot had spent many years in the Holy Land in the late 19th century, researching the historical Jesus as part of a new group of artists looking for historical accuracy.

Vigeland, however, was seeking a different tradition, one that saw a picture of Christ not as a photographic truth but as an image that communicated to the Norwegian community that Jesus was a brother.

Vigeland shows a handsome youth in front of a landscape of the New Jerusalem as described in the Bible. He used the elegant style of the day, art nouveau, to appeal to his modern community, helping the Norwegian onlooker bond with the image.

Sometimes, cultural pressures prevented people from representing Christ at all. In ancient Rome, early Christians often favored symbols or monograms of Christs name, possibly because they did not want to confuse Christs image with that of the emperor.

Figural representations became more popular in the fourth century, but symbols were still used. A stone sarcophagus in the Vatican Museums, for example, shows events leading up to Christs death. In the center, however, Christs triumphant resurrection from the dead shows only his cross surmounted with the monogram of Christ. It consists of the first two capital letters,  and   called chi and rho  of the Greek word for Christ: X.

The monumental Hagia Sophia in Constantinople  now Istanbul  was originally constructed as a cathedral. Built in 537 by the emperor Justinian, it was at first without figural imagery. About 300 years later, several pictures in mosaic were added  one attesting to the cathedrals tradition of deep theological study.

It copies a revered icon housed in the monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai, Egypt. The icon, most likely created in Constantinople as a gift to the monastery by Justinian, shows unusual asymmetry to signify Christs dual nature as both God and man. The two sides of Christs face are not the same, and the differences were meant to demonstrate his human nature and his divinity. Although different, both were truly joined in one body.

These were commissioned by the cathedrals scholars in keeping with representing Christian mysteries and preserving tradition.

An Ethiopian book of the Gospels depicted Christ as eternally young, even as he wields all power on heaven and earth. In a way, it is similar to Vigelands image of the youthful ruler.

Christianity came to Ethiopia in the fourth century. From that time, Ethiopia continued to use abstracted forms to convey the mystery of Christ who lived and died yet also lives eternally. The manuscripts illustration of the Ascension  Christs return to his father in heaven after his resurrection  depicts him as a child, holding a book in a circle of red.

He is surrounded by the winged symbols of the four Evangelists: Matthew (man), Mark (lion), Luke (bull) and John (eagle). Below, Christs disciples point upward to verify his ascension into glory. Their bold colors and powerful abstraction prefigure the paintings of Picasso  a demonstration that art, like Christ, can be both deeply of its time and beyond.

[Abridged]
A woman accused of serving her ex-husbands family poisonous mushrooms pleaded not guilty in an Australian court yesterday to three charges of murder and five charges of attempted murder. Erin Patterson, 49, appeared briefly in Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court by video link from a Melbourne prison, where she has been held since her arrest in November last year. She is accused of killing her former parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail Pattersons sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66.

All three died in a hospital days after consuming a meal at Pattersons home in July.

She pleaded not guilty to all charges and will appear at Victoria states Supreme Court in Melbourne for the first time on May 23.

Proceedings have been fast-tracked after Patterson dispensed with a committal hearing where a magistrate would have examined the prosecutions case to ensure there is sufficient evidence to warrant a jury trial.

She has not applied to be released on bail during any of her four court appearances.
The Tasting Room  Prime Steak & Grill and LATTITUDE at City of Dreams are celebrating Mothers Day with indulgent brunch and lunch menus, along with special gifts for moms.

The Tasting Room will offer a brunch menu on May 12 featuring Wagyu steak and seafood. Each reservation will receive a spa voucher, cake, champagne and chocolate. The first 10 Melco Style members to book will receive roses, the gaming operator said in a statement.

LATTITUDEs lunch set menu from May 11 to 12 includes scallops, chicken consomme and filet. Each table will receive a spa voucher, cake, champagne and chocolate.

Nuwa Spa is also inviting guests to reconnect mind and body through specialized Five-Element treatments and wet facilities.
A knife attack at a hospital in southwestern China yesterday killed two people and injured 21 others, authorities said.

No motive was given for the attack at Zhenxiong County Peoples Hospital in Yunnan province. The suspect is a male from a village in the same county, a Zhenxiong police statement said. The injured were being treated, it said.

A witness told Red Star News, an online outlet, that he had narrowly escaped the attack and that a doctor or doctors were among the injured. Video from the witness showed people who were bleeding and had fallen to the ground, and one older person trying to help another, the Red Star social media post said.

Earlier media reports said 23 people had been injured, but the police statement said the total was 21. A video posted online by Guizhou Province Television showed a man being taken away by police.

Zhenxiong county is 360 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of the Yunnan provincial capital, Kunming, and near the border with Sichuan province.

Knife attacks have happened before in China, often at kindergartens. A man with a knife killed six people and wounded one other last July at a kindergarten in Guangdong province in the countrys southeast.

A man injured 15 people, six seriously, in a knife attack at a Shanghai hospital in 2022. He was sentenced to death last year. MDT/AP
The new bill promoting amendments to several procedures of the Macau Civil Code is ready to be voted on in the final reading at the Legislative Assembly (AL). The announcement was made yesterday by the president of the Third Standing Committee of AL, Vong Hin Fai, after a final meeting from this committee, leading to a final review and signing of the legal opinion before the bill advances to a plenary session.

The bill aims to promote amendments to several procedures, particularly by digitalizing and simplifying processes related to birth registration, marriage and divorce proceedings, and death certification.

Due to its complexity and significant impact on peoples lives, the bill underwent almost a year of scrutiny following its initial reading on June 7, 2023. Vong noted that the committee required several extensions of the time to analyze the bill, as authorized by the president of the AL.

After extensive deliberation and presentation of an alternate version by the government, the committee finally approved the bill last week. It is anticipated that the bill will come into effect by July this year.

The current version of the Civil Code has been in effect for 23 years, having been implemented on November 1, 1999.

Most significant proposed amendments

Digitalization of birth registrationprocedures  Birth registration can be initiated through an electronically submitted declaration.  Hospitals should communicate all birth data to the Civil Registration Office electronically.  The traditional birth book has been eliminated and replaced with a birth certificate issued free of charge. Digitalization of marriage applications  Marriage applications can be submitted electronically.  Documentation has been simplified, particularly for Macau residents who are engaged.  The need for a birth certificate is replaced by data collection from the Identification Services Bureau.  For non-residents, an original birth certificate is no longer required and a declaration made by them will substitute.  Some foreign countries requirements for a certificate of non-impediment to marriage may be replaced by a declaration from the engaged parties that they have no legal impediments to marriage. Authority for notaries to celebrate marriages  Private Notaries will be able to perform marriages in locationsother than the Civil Registration Office, according to the same rules that apply to religious ministers. Broadening of situations where divorces by mutual consent can be done by Civil Registration Office  A simplified divorce process has been introduced for couples with underage children who file for divorce by mutual consent. The courts will no longer be involved in such cases. Instead, the power to declare the divorce will be granted to the Civil Registration Office. However, the parents must submit a custody proceedings document to the Public Prosecutions Office. The document will be evaluated to ensure the rights of underage children are safeguarded. Based on this evaluation, the Public Prosecutions Office will either authorize or refuse the divorce. Digitalization of procedures related to death  Death registration and certification are to be made electronically via information from the hospitals and without the need for intervention from family members.  Improved interagency communication between public services will facilitate updates on death registration and certification data.  Bureaucratic obstacles and fees relating to mortuary transfers and cremation will be eliminated. Civil Registration Office will no longer assess causes of death  Responsibility for assessing non-natural causes of death will be transferred automatically to the police forces for investigation and autopsy, removing this duty from the Civil Registration Office.
The Macau International City of Food Carnival will be held June 14 to June 23 at Macau Fishermans Wharf. One of three highlight events, the International Food Avenue, will feature 100 food booths showcasing Asian cuisine. The week-long festivals three highlights include the food avenue, a culinary arts showcase and international food forum. In addition to delicacies from Chinas six recognized food cities, the food avenue will host representatives from Asian destinations like Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. Of the 100 booths, 54 are reserved for Macau vendors, with the remaining spots allocated to mainland cities, Asian food capitals and casino firms.

Related
Berlin police yesterday broke up a protest by several hundred pro-Palestinian activists who had occupied a courtyard on Berlins Free University earlier in the day. The protesters had put up about 20 tents and formed a human chain around the tents.

Police called on the students via loudspeakers to leave the campus.

Most protesters had covered their faces with medical masks and had draped kufiyahs around their heads, shouting slogans like viva, viva Palestina.

In recent days, students have held protests or set up encampments in Finland, Denmark, Italy, Spain, France and Britain, following earlier protests that have roiled U.S. campuses.

Dutch police arrested about 125 activists as they broke up a pro-Palestinian demonstration camp at the University of Amsterdam, as protests that have roiled campuses in the United States spread across Europe.

Students held protests or set up encampments in Finland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain and in Britain. There have also been demonstrations in recent days at campuses in France.

Amsterdam police said on the social media platform X that their action was necessary to restore order after protests turned violent. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Video from the scene aired by national broadcaster NOS shows police using a mechanical digger to push down barricades and officers with batons and shields moving in, beating some of the protesters and pulling down tents. Protesters had formed barricades from wooden pallets and bicycles, NOS reported.

The demonstrators occupied a small island at the university son Monday, calling for a break in academic ties with Israel over the war in Gaza.

After clearing the Amsterdam protest by early afternoon yesterday, police closed off the area by metal fences. Students sat along the banks of a nearby canal. The school said in a statement that police ended the demonstration at its Roeterseiland campus overnight due to public order and safety concerns.

The war between Israel and Hamas is having a major impact on individual students and staff, it said. We share the anger and bewilderment over the war, and we understand that there are protests over it. We stress that within the university, dialogue about it is the only answer.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters occupied a courtyard at Berlins Free University yesterday. The protesters put up about 20 tents and formed a human chain around the encampment after the schools administrator said they were considering evacuating the protesters.

Police were called in and have been monitoring the protests. Most protesters had covered their faces with medical masks and had draped kufiyahs around their heads, chanting slogans like viva, viva Palestina.

In Finland, dozens of protesters from the Students for Palestine solidarity group set up an encampment outside the main building at the University of Helsinki, saying they would stay there until the university, which is Finlands largest academic institution, cuts academic ties with Israeli universities.

In Denmark, students set up a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Copenhagen, erecting about 45 tents outside the campus of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The university said students can protest but called on them to respect the rules on campus grounds.

Seek dialogue, not conflict and make room for perspectives other than your own, the administrators said on X.

It said the administration cannot and must not express an opinion on behalf of university employees and students about political matters, including about the ongoing conflict in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

On their Facebook page, members of the activist group Students Against the Occupation said their attempts to talk to the administration over the past two years about withdrawing the schools investments from companies with ties to activities in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories have been in vain.

We can no longer be satisfied with cautious dialogue that does not lead to concrete action, the group said.

In Germany, pro-Palestinian activists occupied a courtyard at the Free University in Berlin, German news agency dpa reported.

Around 80 to 100 people were involved in the protest at the university, known as FU. Several tents could be seen in photos posted on Instagram by a group named the Student Coalition Berlin, dpa reported. The universitys administration said it had ordered the removal of the protesters.

In Italy, students at the University of Bologna, one of the worlds oldest universities, set up a tent encampment over the weekend to demand an end to the war in Gaza as Israel prepared an offensive in Rafah, despite pleas from its Western allies against it. Groups of students organized similar protests in Rome and Naples, which were largely peaceful.

More than a dozen tents were set up in a piazza named for a university student who fought against fascist rule during World War II. Some were decorated with Palestinian flags and a banner read Student Intefadeh or Student Uprising.

In Spain, dozens of students have spent over a week at a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Valencia campus. Similar camps were set up Monday at the University of Barcelona and at the University of the Basque Country. In Paris, student groups called for gatherings in solidarity with Palestinians later yesterday. MIKE CORDER & BARBARA, AMSTERDAM, MDT/AP
Two hotel room robberies occurred in the Cotai District within the span of an hour yesterday. Three mainland women were victimized by an individual armed with a fruit knife, resulting in the theft of over MOP34,000 worth of cash and belongings.

Tragically, one of the women was also subjected to sexual assault. Local authorities swiftly responded, and within 12 hours of the incidents, the unemployed 25-year-old suspect from mainland China was apprehended in Tanzhou, Zhongshan.

The first robbery took place in the early morning, where the victim and the perpetrator initially encountered each other in the hotel lobby. Subsequently, they proceeded to a hotel room to engage in conversation. At that point the suspect brandished a fruit knife, threatening and assaulting the woman, and then making off with HKD4,000.

The victim reported the crime once the assailant had left. Less than an hour later, the police received another report of a robbery at a different hotel. Two mainland women disclosed that they had exchanged money for gambling with an individual they had just met in their hotel room. The perpetrator, wielding a knife, coerced them to surrender their possessions.

Despite their resistance, the women were subjected to physical violence, resulting in injuries. They were ultimately robbed of HKD5,000 and a gold bracelet valued at approximately MOP25,000. Through investigation, the police established that both robberies were committed by the same individual. In an attempt to evade capture, the suspect changed his attire and fled to the mainland via a border port on the morning of the incidents.

A police spokesperson highlighted the successful arrest of the suspect in Tanzhou, Zhongshan on the same day, with assistance from the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department. This accomplishment underscores the efficiency of the emergency police notification mechanism between the two regions, as well as the resolute determination and capabilities of the authorities in combating cross-border crimes and ensuring public safety. Howard Tong
* Silence of the Lambs

 Only 8% of domestic violence cases result in charges, MP says

* Golden Week | Macau hotel occupancy rate peaks at 95% for Labor Day

* Crime | Two robberies in Cotai hotel rooms by same perpetrator

* Health Bureau reported 1,700 individuals sought smoking cessation services in 2023, a significant increase over previous years

* New Civil Code enforces digitalization, streamlining of lifeline registration procedures

* Police clash with pro-Palestinian students as protests escalate across Europe

DOWNLOAD PDF

Wednesday, May 8, 2024  edition no. 4478
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wielded near-total control over Indian politics since coming to power 10 years ago, with one exception: He has failed to win over the countrys wealthier southern region.

Five states across southern India account for roughly 20% of the countrys population and 30% of its economy. They are the heartbeat of Indias manufacturing and high-tech sectors. They are ethnically diverse and proudly multilingual. They empower women with educational and employment opportunities and have a long history of progressive politics.

Not one of them is controlled by Modis Bharatiya Janata Party  a stark rejection of its Hindu-nationalist agenda that enjoys wide support in northern India.

The BJP is expected to win Indias election when results are announced in June, delivering Modi another five years as prime minister. But the odds are also high of strong resistance in the south. That would deny Modi his ambition of uniting all of India behind him and limit how far he can push the BJP agenda of promoting one religion and language over others.

If you conceive of a Hindi-speaking, unified civilization as the reason you exist, then that becomes a significant barrier for you to cross, data scientist and political analyst Neelakantan R.S. said.

Voters and leaders of Indias southern states have different needs than their counterparts in the north, which is more rural and populous. One thing they want is greater recognition from the Modi government of the key role their region plays in advancing the countrys economy.

They feel their outsized contribution to Indias tax base is betrayed by Modis preferential treatment for poorer northern states, which receive a disproportionate amount of government funds for development projects and social welfare programs.

Modis injection of religion into politics only exacerbates tensions with many southern voters.

Despite the strong opposition, Modi is campaigning aggressively in the south. His goal is for the BJP to win enough seats in the lower house of parliament to secure a two-thirds majority. That much power could embolden the party to try changing the constitution to serve its Hindu-centric goals, political analyst Kavitha Muralidharan said.

A super majority is what they need to launch a full-scale, pan-India, Hindutva experiment, Muralidharan said, referring to the century-old ideology guiding Modi.

MODIS SOUTHERN STRATEGY

Modi has made some 20 trips this year to five southern states: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. They control roughly a quarter of the 543 seats in the lower house of parliament  and if the BJP can win just a few more than the 29 seats it won from these states in 2019, its super majority is within reach.

But experts are skeptical this will happen because southern voters have deep connections to regional political parties that have dominated for decades and are the BJPs toughest electoral opponents nationwide.

Modi is heavily focused on the southernmost state, Tamil Nadu, where the BJP did not win any of its 39 seats up for grabs in the 2019 election.

On a recent visit there, Modi wore the regions traditional white silk garment  a veshti  wrapped around his lower body, and he used artificial intelligence software to have his speeches translated in real-time from Hindi to Tamil.

As the worlds oldest language, Tamil fills us with immense pride, Modi said recently, making an apparent effort to tamp down rumors that the BJP wants to impose the Hindi language on the state.

Still, Dileep Kumar, a computer engineer in Bengaluru, said voters in Tamil Nadu are wary. I cant go and say to a Hindi guy, brother, please quit your Hindi and start talking in Tamil. Thats not going to work, will it? he said.

One BJP candidate running for parliament in the states capital of Chennai believes the party has its best shot in years at gaining support.

His frequent visits are helping us, Tamilisai Soundararajan said. People here were electrified when they saw the prime minister.

But the incumbent shes up against is doubtful. Hindu-centric politics wont resonate in a place with a long history of social justice and equal rights movements, said Thamizhachi Thangapandian, a retired college professor who is a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party, the BJPs strongest rival in Tamil Nadu.

The beat of drums and firecrackers welcomed Thangapandian as she greeted voters recently riding an open-roofed tuk-tuk through Chennais alleyways. The achievements of her party blared through a set of speakers, including a reference to keeping out the religion crazy BJP.

Modi routinely mentions on the campaign trail the recent construction of a Hindu temple atop a razed mosque, but the issue doesnt animate voters in southern India like it does elsewhere.

Southern India is home to some of the countrys most visited temples and has millions of Hindu devotees. What sets it apart, experts say, is that religion hasnt been weaponized for political gain.

People are religious here, said Muralidharan, the political analyst. But it doesnt convert into a frenzy.

The BJPs religious zealotry makes leaders in the region nervous because of its potential to create a disturbance to the peace in a place with a global reputation as a good place to do business, said G Sundarrajan, a robotics entrepreneur in Chennai, where Hyundai and Foxconn (the maker of Apple iPhones) have located factories.

Investors prefer Tamil Nadu precisely because its peaceful, has a large educated labor force and support from local government, he said.

Modi tempers his Hindu-nationalist rhetoric while visiting the south, focusing his speeches instead on economics. For example, he has promised to build a high-speed rail line that would run through southern India and to help develop fisheries and auto manufacturing.

TENSION OVER REDISTRIBUTING WEALTH

The economy of southern India is more industrialized than the north, its cities are more urbanized, and its youth are more educated.

Southern Indian cities have also become a magnet for global technology companies seeking to diversify beyond China, including Apple and Google. The vast potential for Indias economy, now the worlds fifth-largest, is a point of pride for Modi.

But political leaders in southern India feel short-changed by Modi.

Tamil Nadu, Indias second-wealthiest state, receives far less in return for every rupee in taxes it pays compared with poorer northern states like Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, which receive government investments equal to two or three times the amount they pay in taxes.

This tension over the redistribution of wealth from south to north existed long before Modi came to power. But the BJP has made it worse.

Southern leaders believe Modis priorities lie in the north, where he derives the bulk of his support. They worry that the BJP government will snatch away even more decision-making power from states if their majority grows, said Muralidharan.

Southern leaders have protested against the Modi government for holding up development funding, for misusing federal agencies to target political opponents in the region, and for not sending enough emergency relief after natural disasters.

And they believe their fight against the BJP and Modi is existential.

In southern India, the threat of being reduced to a vassal state is a serious problem, said Neelakantan, the political analyst. SIBI ARASU and KRUTIKA PATHI, CHENNAI, MDT/AP
Frances president is hosting Chinas leader at a remote mountain pass in the yesterday for private meetings after a high-stakes state visit in Paris dominated by trade disputes and Russias war in Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron made a point of inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Tourmalet Pass near the Spanish border, where Macron spent time as a child visiting his grandmother. It is meant to be a reciprocal gesture after Xi took Macron last year to the residence of the governor of Guangdong province, where the Chinese presidents father once lived.

Snow coated nearby slopes after new snowfall overnight, and security was tightened around the area. The winding roads up to the pass were blocked by authorities yesterday for dozens of kilometers.

The mountain meetings come after a grandiose state visit by Xi on Monday that included a ceremonial welcome at the monument housing Napoleons tomb and a state dinner at the Elysee Palace with celebrities and magnates.

Xi is on a trip to Europe aimed at reinvigorating relations at a time of global tensions. He heads next to Serbia and Hungary. MDT/AP
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is highlighting that fact for this Amphibian Week, and because the states amphibians provide valuable clues about the health of Wisconsins ecosystems.

Amphibians absorb water through their skin, they are highly sensitive to environmental contaminants and changes in their habitat. Theyre also an important piece of the food chain, acting as both predator and prey, according to the DNR.
Unemployment rate slightly rose to 3.9 percent in March 2024 from 3.5 percent in February, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Wednesday.

The figure, however, was lower than 4.7 percent registered in March 2023, translating into 417,000 fewer unemployed individuals.

- Advertisement -

In terms of magnitude, the number of unemployed persons 15 years old and over in March 2024 was estimated at 2 million. This was lower than the reported number of unemployed persons in March 2023 at 2.42 million. The number of unemployed persons in February 2024 was recorded at 1.80 million, the PSA said.

The underemployment rate declined to 11.0 percent in March 2024 from 11.2 percent in March 2023.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the government remains steadfast in reducing poverty to single-digit levels by creating more high-quality jobs for Filipinos and fostering a resilient workforce.

NEDA said several sectors contributed to employment gains. In March 2024, the wholesale and retail trade sector saw the highest annual increase, employing 963,000 additional individuals. Manufacturing followed closely with 553,000 new jobs, while public administration and defense added 229,000 employed individuals.

We will continue to prioritize creating high-quality and well-paying jobs to address the rising issues of vulnerable employment. We will focus on attracting job-generating investments from the private sector and scaling up social and physical infrastructure to improve our peoples employment prospects to achieve this goal. These will be accompanied by reskilling and upskilling programs to increase employability, said NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

Balisacan said a medium- and long-term Foreign Investment Promotion and Marketing Plan (FIPMP) is underway and targeted to be completed by June 30.

The Inter-Agency Investment Promotion Coordination Committee, established following the amendment of the Foreign Investment Act, leads the formulation of the FIPMP.

Balisacan said the government plans to enrich the content of training programs for workers and employers by integrating courses on advanced productivity tools such as data science, analytics, and artificial intelligence.

For the government to sustain a robust labor market and reap the benefits of the demographic dividend, it must ensure that people are healthy, educated and skilled. To facilitate the development of soft and hard skills among workers and create a more agile and adaptive workforce, we at NEDA continue to advocate for the passage of the Apprenticeship Bill, Lifelong Learning Bill, and the Enterprise Productivity Act, Balisacan said.

Balisacan also called for the passage of the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which NEDA expects to reduce costs and expand access. Digital connectivity can provide the workforce with more opportunities, particularly for individuals engaged in care work and other household responsibilities, he said.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards and National Wages and Productivity Commissions adherence to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.s instruction to conduct a timely review of the minimum wage rate and to study the improvement of the wage adjustment process will help in sustaining employment gains while safeguarding workers purchasing power amid elevated prices, he said.
Starting next year, the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao will significantly upgrade its academic programs to help address regional and national needs, and update its admissions policies in alignment with the push by UP President Angelo Jimenez to ensure more equitable access to high-quality, state-subsidized tertiary education.

These initiatives, explained Jimenez, are in response to the growing local demand for skilled human resources and to help address the urgent social and development concerns here in Mindanao.

- Advertisement -

For Academic Year (AY) 2025-2026, UP Mindanao will introduce programs in Doctor of Medicine (MD), becoming the first state university in Davao City that will offer the MD program. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is among the regions with the lowest doctor-to-population ratios in the Philippines.

UP Mindanao will also launch new programs in Civil Engineering, Associate in Entrepreneurship, and two inaugural Master of Science (MS) offerings. The MS in Quantitative Methods & Modelling will also be rolled out to help address industry requirements for upskilling the knowledge and skills of graduates in BS Applied Mathematics and BS Computer Science.

A new MS Biology graduate program will open in AY 2024-2025, with four specialty tracks adopted from the Institute of Biology in UP Diliman. In the same year, the new Associate in Entrepreneurship under the School of Management hopes to enhance the culture of innovation and the local start-up ecosystem to potentially drive Mindanaos new economy and generate more jobs.

The launch of these new programs will kick off the R2-5K (Road to 5,000 Students) agenda of UP Mindanao, which aims to comprehensively improve the academic program of the campus, while increasing enrolment significantly from the current 1,400 students to 5,000 by the year 2029.

UP has a mandate of public service, so here in Mindanao, we hope to build local capacities and expertise in order to have the greatest impact on long-term development, said Jimenez.

Jimenez also emphasized the importance of inclusivity in admissions to help support applicants limited by geographic and socieconomic conditions, saying, There is a need to update the current admissions system to ensure that Filipinos, especially the most marginalized, have greater access to quality education.

The number of testing centers administering the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) will increase from 102 in 2023 to 113 this 2024, with the goal of establishing an UPCAT Test Center in all provinces by 2025. UP will also accept manually accomplished application forms in areas with limited Internet access.

Jimenez lauded Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao and the rest of the UP Mindanao community for their commitment to national progress and development through transformative education initiatives, guided by the universitys motto of Honor and Excellence in the Service of the Nation.
House Deputy Majority Leader Jude A. Acidre, a nominee of Tingog party-list group said he iis joining others in supporting the appeal for the Senate to pass legislation to put in place state policy for the full development of the Philippine natural gas industry.

Acidre said the House has already passed on third reading the proposed Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry (PDNGI) Development Act, a legislative priority of the Marcos administration.

- Advertisement -

With humility, I urge our fellow lawmakers in the Senate to prioritize the deliberation on the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act, Acidre said.

While this is not a silver bullet that will address all the problems in the energy sector, I am certain that it will alleviate the conditions of our energy supply, the House majority leader added.

More importantly, its inclusion as one of the LEDAC priorities of this administration needs no further explanation or plea for its immediate passage, he said, referring to the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

This proposed law is one of the important policies under Bagong Pilipinas, Acidre said.

Acidre is one of the principal authors of the measures version in the House, HB 8456, which the chamber already approved on third reading on Aug. 3, 2023 by a 215-3 vote

It seeks to establish the PDNGI to promote indigenous natural gas as a safe, environment-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective source of energy.

Its counterpart bill in the Senate, SB 2247, authored by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, is now being reviewed by a technical working group.

Acidre said he is one with colleagues in the House and partners in the energy industry in appealing to the Senate to act on the counterpart bill which has been pending in Tulfos committee since last year.

Acidre cited expert discussions in COP 28 held in Dubai that natural gas is an important energy source that needs to be harnessed to reach energy independence.

Developing the natural gas industry can help the Philippines become more self-reliant in meeting its energy needs, Acidre said.

By tapping into domestic natural gas resources and building a robust industry around it, the country can reduce its dependence on imported energy sources, he said.

Acidre said that the country needs to have a PDNGI in place to sustain stability in electricity supply.

Considering the energy crisis that repeatedly comes to fore every summertime, the development of the downstream natural gas industry can help enhance the countrys energy security by diversifying its energy sources, Acidre said.

He reiterated the views of fellow authors of the PDNGI proposal that a natural gas development policy would reduce Philippine reliance on imported fuel and lead to a stable and secure energy supply.

Moreover, natural gas can offer a more cost-effective energy option compared to other fossil fuels, Acidre said.

This can help lower energy costs for consumers, including households, businesses, and industries, making energy more affordable and accessible to Filipinos, he added.

He expressed belief that senators will display the same enthusiasm as the House did on the bill.

Managing our energy costs and ensuring that we are able to stabilize it through this measure is our priority, said Acidre.

It affects the prices of basic commodities and necessities of our fellow Filipinos, he said.

Thats why the House worked hard to prioritize this proposed law, he added.
In the Philippines, a rapidly developing nation with a growing population and rising healthcare demands, timely and accurate diagnoses are crucial for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes. Traditionally, limited resources and workforce shortages in laboratories presented significant challenges in delivering efficient and high-quality care.



However, the tides are turning. Technological advancements in the field of diagnostics are making their way to the Philippines, offering a glimmer of hope for a more efficient and effective healthcare system. One such advancement is the Atellica CI Analyzer by Siemens Healthineers.



- Advertisement -

Siemens Healthineers Atellica CI Analyzer is a new diagnostic instrument specifically designed to address these challenges in the Philippines. This compact and powerful analyzer offers a unique combination of speed, accuracy, and efficiency, empowering laboratories to deliver exceptional patient care.



The Philippines embrace of cutting-edge diagnostic technology like the Atellica CI Analyzer signifies a commitment to modernizing healthcare infrastructure and prioritizing patient well-being. This shift towards faster and more accurate diagnoses has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery in the Philippines, ultimately saving lives and improving the quality of life for countless Filipinos, says Lee Yean San, Head of Siemens Healthineers Lab Solutions for Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia.

Addressing the challenge of limited resources in Philippine labs, the Atellica CI Analyzer by Siemens Healthineers delivers fast and accurate results for improved patient care.



Optimizing Workflows, Enhancing Care



One of the most significant advantages of the Atellica CI Analyzer is its rapid turnaround time. For over 50 key assays, the analyzer can deliver results in under 14 minutes. This allows for faster diagnoses and quicker treatment decisions, potentially leading to better patient outcomes. Early detection of diseases like heart disease or cancer is crucial for successful treatment and improved quality of life.



The Atellica CI Analyzer offers a broad testing portfolio encompassing over 200 assays, addressing a wide spectrum of clinical conditions. This expansive range includes:



Routine chemistries: Essential tests for evaluating organ function, electrolyte balance, and metabolic health.

Essential tests for evaluating organ function, electrolyte balance, and metabolic health. Infectious disease panels: Rapid and accurate detection of common and emerging pathogens for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Rapid and accurate detection of common and emerging pathogens for timely diagnosis and treatment. Thyroid function tests: Evaluating thyroid hormone levels to diagnose and monitor thyroid disorders.

Evaluating thyroid hormone levels to diagnose and monitor thyroid disorders. Hormone assays: Assessing hormone imbalances for various conditions like infertility, diabetes, and growth hormone deficiencies.

Assessing hormone imbalances for various conditions like infertility, diabetes, and growth hormone deficiencies. Oncology markers: Aiding in cancer diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring disease progression.



This versatile test selection empowers laboratories to perform a comprehensive workup on patients, streamlining workflow and eliminating the need for multiple analyzers. This translates to faster turnaround times and improved diagnostic efficiency in your practice.

The Atellica CI Analyzers compact size (1.9 sqm) makes it ideal for smaller Philippine labs, streamlining workflows without compromising on performance.



Technological Advancements for Improved Efficiency



The Atellica CI Analyzer is equipped with several next-generation features that contribute to improved laboratory workflow and efficiency. Its compact size (1.9 square meters) makes it ideal for smaller laboratories, a common feature in the Philippines. Additionally, the analyzer utilizes the same reliable reagents and software found in Siemens Healthineers larger Atellica analyzers, ensuring consistency across an entire healthcare network.



A key technological advancement is the Atellica CI Analyzers independent chemistry and immunoassay engines. This means that if one engine needs maintenance, the other can continue running uninterrupted, minimizing downtime and ensuring a continuous flow of critical test results.



Security and Accreditation



The Atellica CI Analyzer prioritizes data security with features like user authentication, role-based authorizations, and audit trails. Furthermore, the analyzer integrates seamlessly with the Atellica Laboratory Evaluation Suite. This built-in software simplifies compliance with accreditation guidelines and ensures the integrity of patient data, freeing up valuable laboratory personnel time.



The Future of Diagnostics in the Philippines



The Atellica CI Analyzer represents a significant leap forward in diagnostic technology for the Philippines. By addressing the challenges of limited resources and staff shortages, it empowers laboratories to deliver faster, more accurate diagnoses. This ultimately translates to better healthcare outcomes for Filipino patients.



Siemens Healthineers is committed to partnering with leading hospitals and medical technology institutions in the Philippines. With the Atellica CI Analyzer, the company aims to revolutionize diagnostics in the Philippines, contributing to a future of improved healthcare for all Filipinos.
Calls are growing for Namibian authorities to halt plans to expand a port on the Shark Island peninsula following the discovery of unmarked graves and artifacts tied to the Herero and Nama genocide. Forensic Architecture, a non-profit research agency, has identified sites of executions, forced labor, imprisonment, and sexual violence during the islands time as a German concentration camp between 1905 and 1907.

Approximately 65,000 Herero people and 10,000 Nama were killed by German troops from 1904 to 1908, constituting the first genocide of the 20th century. Many died on the island as retribution for rebelling against colonial rule led by paramount chief Samuel Maharero.

Concerns have arisen about encountering human remains in waters near the port expansion area, intended for green hydrogen production along Namibias southern coast. Historical records suggest deceased individuals from the camp may have been disposed of at sea.

A moratorium on all development projects in the region has been urged, alongside broader investigations into potential underwater graves. Forensic Architecture emphasizes halting construction until these sites are adequately protected and comprehensive studies of the camps remains are conducted.

Despite the government recognizing Shark Island as a national heritage site in 2019, local communities feel little has changed in its treatment. Descendants of genocide victims, such as Paul Samuel Herero and Sima Luipert, stress the importance of preserving the sites historical and cultural heritage.

Despite Germanys acknowledgment of the genocide and commitment to development aid for Namibia, affected communities demand direct reparations and the return of ancestral lands, contesting the agreement reached between the two nations for its exclusion from negotiations and the inadequate redress for past atrocities.
The CEO of Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange, criticized Nigeria for what he deemed a troubling precedent after the detention of its executives during a crackdown on crypto. Binance, known as the worlds largest crypto exchange, and two of its executives are facing separate trials over tax evasion and money laundering, which the company is disputing. CEO Richard Teng voiced concern over the detention of Tigran Gambaryan, an American citizen and Binances head of financial crime compliance.

The other executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, a British Kenyan serving as a regional manager for Africa, fled Nigeria in March. Teng revealed that Binance executives initially engaged in meetings with Nigerian authorities in January, followed by a subsequent meeting on February 26. During this meeting, authorities categorized the issues concerning Binance as matters of national security, demanding the delisting of the naira currency from its platform and detailed information on all Nigerian users, leading to the detention of Gambaryan and Anjarwalla.

Teng criticized the detention of Binances employees after they were invited for collaborative policy discussions, viewing it as a troubling precedent globally. He highlighted Gambaryans prolonged detention in Nigeria for what he described as baseless reasons. Binance halted all transactions and trading in naira in early March with the expectation that their colleagues would be released and negotiations with Nigerian authorities would continue, a hope that wasnt realized. Teng urged for Gambaryans release while expressing Binances commitment to resolving any issues with the Nigerian Federal Inland Revenue Service regarding potential tax liabilities through continued engagement.
Chad recently conducted its much-anticipated presidential election following a prolonged period of military rule under interim President Mahamat Deby Itno, whose victory was widely anticipated by analysts. Deby Itno ascended to power following the death of his father, who had ruled for three decades, and his government extended the transition period by two years, triggering nationwide protests. Despite boasting ten candidates, including a female contender, on the ballot, the country, with its nearly 18 million population, has not experienced a fair transfer of power since gaining independence from French colonial rule in 1960.

The elections legitimacy has been questioned, particularly in light of the mysterious death of a prominent opposition figure, Yaya Dillo, in February, and the limited accreditation granted to observers. Chad, a crucial ally to both the US and France in the Sahel region, faces significant challenges, including concerns about instability, migration, and terrorism, with the renewed threat of Boko Haram looming large.

The voting process was marred by incidents of violence, resulting in at least two fatalities, casting a shadow over the elections credibility. However, despite these challenges, analysts predict Deby Itnos victory due to the sidelining or co-opting of key opposition figures and the alignment of critical electoral institutions with his supporters. Preliminary results are expected to be announced on May 21, with a potential runoff scheduled for June 5 if no candidate secures a decisive victory.
A delegation from the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema took part, on Tuesday in Port-Louis, Mauritius, in a conference organized under the theme Islamo-Christian dialogue in the service of peace.

The Moroccan delegation currently visiting Republic of Mauritius is made up of Othman Sqalli Houssaini, Charge de Mission at the Foundation, Mohammed Maghraoui, Expert at the Foundation, and Ilyas Mahyaoui, reciter.

The conference, organized at the initiative of Cardinal Jean Margeot Institute, was attended by eminent experts, academics and religious scholars, both Muslim and Christian, as well as the president and members of the Mauritian section of the Foundation.

During this conference, Sqalli Houssaini highlighted Moroccos initiatives to consolidate inter-religious dialogue and promote peace for development and social cohesion on the African continent.

He also emphasized the leading role of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulema in implementing this vision through its sections in 48 African countries.

For his part, Maghraoui addressed aspects of tolerance, through the teachings in the Hadith of the Prophet Sidna Mohammed, peace and blessings be upon Him.

Speaking on the same occasion, Reverend David While, Vice-President of the Mauritius Council of Religions, emphasized the values of Christianity in favor of peace.

Professor Khalil Elahee, from the University of Mauritius, spoke about the values of brotherhood in Islam in a multicultural context.

Sister Clotilde De Maroussen of the Catholic Church presented a paper on Encountering the Divine in the Other.

The Moroccan delegation was received on Monday at the Presidential Palace in Port-Louis by the Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius, Eddy Boissezon.

It was also received by Vice Prime Minister Anwar Husnoo, at the Prime Ministers Office in Port-Louis.
Morocco has renewed its commitment to share its experience and international expertise in fertilizers and soil health with African countries before the ministerial preparatory meeting for the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, scheduled to take place in Nairobi, on Thursday.

Following the high orientations of HM King Mohammed VI, Morocco expresses once more its commitment to share its experiences and international expertise in fertilizers and soil health with our brotherly countries in Africa in the effort to improve soil productivity and durability and hence ensure food security for the continent, said Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki.

Aware of the direct impact and tight link of fertilizers and soil health with food security, Morocco considers this topic among the most central both in the national policy as well as in its African policy, stated the minister who leads a large delegation to this meeting attended by African Ministers of Agriculture.

Today the challenge of our continent is to solve the complex equation to produce more and better with less use of natural resources, namely water and soils, stressed the Minister, noting that soil health is the cornerstone of food security, sustainable development, and resilience in the face of evolving climate challenges.

In this respect, he pointed out that African soils are seriously vulnerable to the various pressures they face, due to human activities and unsustainable agricultural and non-agricultural practices, noting that these pressures are increasingly exacerbated by climate change.

Soils are not sufficiently stressed on in the African agricultural development plans, he lamented, explaining that scientific evidence clearly illustrates that meticulous soil fertility management can potentially increase food production by nearly 58%.

The achievement of sustainable development goals depends on a blend of sustainable agricultural practices and the intelligent utilization of fertilizers on our soils.

For this purpose, Sadiki noted that two fundamental pathways are necessary for fortifying soil health, which are soil fertility management and evidence-based rational fertilization.

For the Minister, these dual paths constitute essential pillars in enhancing productivity among small and medium-scale producers and ensuring the longevity of production systems.

Hence, we need a comprehensive understanding of soils and their fertility for optimizing fertilizer inputs at territorial, local, and plot levels, said Sadiki, pointing out that Morocco has proactively followed policies aimed at understanding, managing, and conserving soil in a comprehensive way.

This concerted effort has culminated in the successful mapping of soil fertility across all its agricultural lands, serving as a basis for agricultural development initiatives, explained the Minister, noting that The precious soil fertility data have facilitated the formulation of customized fertilizer formulations, complemented by digitalized soil fertility maps that empower localized agricultural advisory services.

Through South-South cooperation within the African continent, Morocco has been consistently and actively conducting initiatives to share, particularly through OCP, its experiences, expertise, and best practices, showing unwavering commitment to collective progress of the continent, stated Sadiki.

The Generation Green 2020-2030 strategy places soil health in the top of priorities, recognizing its central role in ensuring sustainable productivity, through establishing bases for eco-efficient agriculture, through continued investments in agricultural water management and soil conservation practices and technologies, he added.

Todays context requires a more inclusive and comprehensive initiative to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of our continent food systems, pleaded the Minister, stressing that this necessitates a strong governance framework, supported by scientific consistency and strategic partnerships, to raise soil health as a strategic must within Africas sustainable development agenda.

The Minister expressed Moroccos firm support to the soil initiative for Africa and its plan of action that should be adopted at the end of this summit.

The ministerial preparatory meeting opened on Tuesday, ahead of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit organized by the African Union (AU) and the Kenyan government, which will bring together African heads of state, senior government officials, private sector players and representatives of civil society organizations on Thursday.

The Summit will provide a comprehensive review of the state of soil health in Africa, and propose solutions to realign strategies deployed to boost soil productivity, for higher and more sustainable yields, at the service of the African citizen.

The Summit will adopt a Ten-Year Action Plan, providing concrete recommendations for action by African leaders and stakeholders over the next ten years.

This Action Plan should guide new policies and future investments aimed at enabling farmers to contribute to restoring soil health and increasing the yield and profitability of fertilizers.
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: Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2024.104265

Using a computational model representing the full respiratory tract, researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have confirmed the safety of CPAP therapy, addressing concerns about potential damage to lung tissues due to high pressure or turbulent airflow.

"CPAP works by increasing airway pressure to prevent the collapse of soft tissues during sleep that results in snoring and more seriously, interrupted breathing and daytime fatigue," said lead researcher for the study Senior Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Suvash Saha.

"If not treated, it can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure and heart disease.

"Unlike previous studies that have focused primarily on the nasal cavity or specific sections of the respiratory system, our study has used advanced computational fluid dynamics to understand how CPAP therapy affects different parts of the respiratory system, from the nose down to the smallest airways in the lungs."

Dr. Saha said the results provide reassurance that CPAP therapy, while increasing airway pressure to prevent blockage during sleep, does not adversely affect airflow velocity or cause harmful levels of shear stress on lung tissues.

"Our study helps dispel doubts about the safety of CPAP therapy by systematically analyzing various parameters like airway pressure, airflow velocity, and shear stress," Dr. Saha said. "This contributes to a better understanding of how CPAP supports the airway without causing additional strain or damage.

"Knowing the detailed impacts of CPAP therapy provides insights that could help optimize treatment strategies for obstructive sleep apnea, something that is particularly valuable for medical practitioners looking to balance the benefits of airway stability provided by CPAP with the comfort and safety of their patients.

"Interestingly research is now supporting the use of CPAP as a simple and safe approach to improving lung growth and breathing for premature infants and our results may also support that application of the technology."

The results of the study have been published in the article "Airway stability in sleep apnea: Assessing continuous positive airway pressure efficiency," by Suvash C. Saha, Xinlei Huang, Isabella Francis and Goutam Saha, in the journal Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology.

More information: Suvash C. Saha et al, Airway stability in sleep apnea: Assessing continuous positive airway pressure efficiency, Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2024.104265
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Some 27% of Brazilian children and adolescents suffer from musculoskeletal pain of unspecified cause, according to a study reported in the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy. The problem is frequently underestimated by parents and health professionals, the authors of the article note, and an understanding of its true extent will contribute to better planning of public health policy regarding treatment of chronic pain in adults, the leading cause of disability in the world.

In Brazil, the Ministry of Health estimates that more than 35% of over-fifties suffer from chronic pain. A law passed by Congress last year establishes guidelines for treatment of these patients by the SUS (Sistema Unico de Saude, Brazil's network of public health services).

Not all the risk factors for chronic pain in bones, ligaments and muscles have been studied in depth, but a prior history of pain is known to be one of them, and the scientific literature contains reports of its emergence during adolescence.

"Few studies have been conducted worldwide on the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among young people, and their findings are imprecise, ranging from 4% to 40%, for lack of standardized concepts," said Tie Parma Yamato, last author of the article. Yamato is a researcher affiliated with Universidade Cidade de Sao Paulo (UNICID) in Brazil and the University of Sydney in Australia.

"The proportion appears to range from 20% to 45% in Brazil, according to previous studies. However, most of these investigated specific musculoskeletal conditions didn't consider the impact of pain on the day-to-day activities of children and adolescents, and were conducted in smaller urban centers."

The study involved 2,688 volunteers with an average age of 12. They were students at 28 public and private schools in Fortaleza in Ceara state, and Itu, Salto, Sao Sebastiao and Sao Paulo in Sao Paulo state. They completed a questionnaire on bodily pain affecting their daily lives by keeping them away from school, hindering other routine activities, preventing them from participating in sports, etc.

Disabling musculoskeletal pain in the previous 30 days was reported by 27% (728). Back pain was the most frequently mentioned kind (51.8%), followed by leg pain (41.9%) and neck pain (20.7%).

"These numbers should sound the alarm about this pediatric health problem, which currently lacks a specific treatment protocol in the health system. They should also make us aware of what lies ahead: we will need to care for younger members of the population as well if we want to combat chronic pain among adults," Yamato said.

The findings showed that children with disabling musculoskeletal pain were older (late adolescence) and had worse relationships with their families. They also reported more symptoms of psychosomatic disorders and a lower quality of life (in another questionnaire), and appeared to spend longer time watching television and playing video games.

"It's important to note that we didn't analyze cause-and-effect relationships in this study," Yamato said.

The myth of growing pains

The children's parents completed a separate questionnaire on the health of their offspring and their perceptions of chronic pain in these subjects.

"The literature shows that parents tend to underestimate the presence of pain in their children, possibly because they lack a clear understanding of pain in childhood, and this indeed occurred in 17% of our cases," Yamato said.

A factor that may explain this attitude, and that may camouflage musculoskeletal pain in some ways, is the belief in so-called "growing pains," especially in the legs.

"Many families harbor this idea, but nothing in the scientific literature proves that growth actually causes pain," she said.

If a child complains of pain, she added, parents should be aware that it can have impacts and also that there are ways of dealing with it, particularly through physical activity. "There's no need for alarm, but it's important to acknowledge its existence, validate the symptoms, and possibly seek help for those whose lives are affected. We should always bear in mind the fact that it's a common problem," she said.

A subsequent study by the same group, with results to be published soon, kept track of these children for 18 months to find out about the duration of their pain and its financial impact on the health system.

More information: Bruna Alves Hatakeyama et al, Prevalence of disabling musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents in Brazil: A cross-sectional study, Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2024.100593
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Getting children to speak the truth can be a struggle at times. While a lie, when discovered, is often followed by a punishment, there's a more effective way to prevent future fibbing, says new Brock-led research.

"Previous studies have found punishing lie-telling actually increases this behavior because children are afraid of getting in trouble," says Brock Professor of Psychology Angela Evans, lead author of the article, "Encouraging Honesty: Developmental Differences in the Influence of Honesty Promotion Techniques" published in Developmental Psychology.

A combination of techniques that encourage and praise truth-telling has been shown to reduce whether children lie to conceal a wrongdoing, she adds.

Evans and McGill University Professor of Educational and Counseling Psychology Victoria Talwar conducted a two-part study, with each portion designed to test the effectiveness of a range of honesty promotion techniques in children aged 3 to 8, separated into two-year age groups.

One part saw the researchers test whether the combination of two techniquesmodeling, where children are exposed to examples of other people being honest; and consequences, which shows children a positive outcome of truth-telling, approval from parents and others when the truth is spokenwould further boost truth-telling in children across age groups.

A total of 228 children participated in an exercise in which each child was left alone in a room with a toy on a table behind where the child was sitting. The experimenter instructed the child not to peek at the toy and then left the room, with a hidden camera recording what the child did when alone. Most of the children peeked at the toy.

After returning to the room, the experimenter read a story to the child. Some children heard a version about a character who modeled honesty by admitting they broke a window with their bouncy ball. Others heard a story without the character owning up to breaking the window but the mother saying she would be pleased if her child told the truth, which simulated consequences.

Finally, a portion of the child participants heard the full story of the character saying they broke the window, the mother's encouragement to tell the truth and praise for the character for having done so: "I'm glad you did not lie. It makes me happy that you told the truth."

The child was then asked whether they had peeked at the toy.

The researchers found children across all age groups who heard the full version of the story were the most likely to confess peeking at the toy compared to those who heard the versions containing only modeling or consequences.

"Our findings suggest that modeling honesty or telling children about the positive outcomes of honesty are not enough and that children need to see both the modeling of honesty and what the consequences of doing so are together," says Evans.

She encourages parents to provide models of honesty for their children through parental behavior, reading stories such as "George Washington and the Cherry Tree" that encourage truth-telling, and rewarding honesty in day-to-day interactions.

"As parents, the gut reaction when a child has done something wrong is to respond to the negative behavior that's happened," says Evans. "This study is a reminder to praise the child for telling the truth about their wrongdoing, rather than focusing on the wrongdoing itself."

Evans recommends considering a lesser punishment for wrongdoing, such as one week without screen time instead of two, because they told the truthand being explicit that the difference is due to their honesty.

In the other part of the study, researchers looked at two additional techniquesself-awareness and promising to be honestto determine which ones encouraged truth-telling in the age groups.

To encourage self-awareness, the researchers had children look in the mirror and point to parts of their own face and state their name, grade or age.

Researchers found self-awareness was most effective in reducing lie-telling for 3- to 4-year-olds, while promising to tell the truth reduced lie-telling for the 7- to 8-year-olds.

More information: Angela D. Evans et al, Encouraging honesty: Developmental differences in the influence of honesty promotion techniques, Developmental Psychology (2024). DOI: 10.1037/dev0001640 Journal information: Developmental Psychology
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Do dying patients have a "right to try" illegal drugs such as psilocybin and MDMA if they might alleviate end-of-life suffering from anxiety and depression?

That question is now before one of the nation's highest courts, with a Seattle-based palliative care physician appealing a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration decision barring him from prescribing psilocybin to his late-stage cancer patients.

Dr. Sunil Aggarwal says he has a right to prescribe psilocybinthe hallucinogenic compound in "magic mushrooms"under state and federal "right to try" laws, which give terminal patients access to experimental drug therapies before they are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. More than 40 states, including Washington and California, have such laws in place, and Congress passed a federal version in 2018.

"I have patients who want to try psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress," Aggarwal said in an interview with The Times. "And there are lots of studies that support that."

The DEA has denied Aggarwal's request, arguing that therapeutic use of psilocybin remains bannedeven for terminal patientsunder the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which lists the drug as a "Schedule I" narcotic with no recognized medical use. The agency said Aggarwal could only work with the drug if he received a license to do so as a researcher, not as a regular part of his palliative care practice.

The case is one of two Aggarwal now has pending before the 9th Circuit, each pitting the DEA's law enforcement authority against state powers to regulate medicine. In the second case, Aggarwal is asking the DEA to simply reschedule psilocybin, making it available for therapynot just research.

Physicians and medical experts across the country are closely watching the "right to try" case, and eight states and the District of Columbia have weighed in directly in support of Aggarwal.

In February, the state coalition filed a brief that accused the DEA of reaching far beyond its law enforcement role of preventing the illegal diversion of powerful narcotics. They said the DEA's assertion that the Controlled Substances Act trumps state right-to-try laws represented a "threat to state sovereignty."

"If accepted, DEA's interpretation would ratify federal involvement in some of the most wrenching decisions a person can make, based on the most 'attenuated' relationship to any conceivable federal interest," Washington Deputy Solicitor General Peter Gonick wrote on behalf of the coalition.

Gonick said there is no reason to believe that allowing psilocybin to be given to terminal patients under doctor supervision "will substantially affect any interstate market in such substances or otherwise contribute to illicit use, even in the aggregate."

The same issue will soon arise with other drugs, Gonick said, most notably with MDMAcommonly known as ecstasy or mollywhich is being studied as a treatment for anxiety in terminal patients.

Joining Washington and D.C. are Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon and Pennsylvania. State officials and the DEA both declined to comment on the case.

California is not part of the coalition, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office did not respond to a request for comment on where California stands on the litigation.

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill last year that would have decriminalized psilocybin and other natural psychedelics, and a more recent effort to put decriminalization on state ballots failed. However, advocates continue to push for state approval of therapeutic treatments using the drug.

Aggarwal's case lands at a pivotal moment for medical research into psychedelics and other mind-altering substances. Clinical trials have increasingly suggested efficacy in treating depression, anxiety and trauma-related disorders. With psilocybin, "micro-dosing" has come into vogue as a way to mildly alter or improve one's mental state without inducing hallucinations or intense effects.

Use of the drugs has been on the rise, raising some concerns about unintended consequences.

Aggarwal, a University of Washington faculty member, leader in hospice and palliative medicine nationally and co-director of the Advanced Integrative Medical Science Institute, said he just wants to give his dying patients the best possible care in the safest possible waywhich isn't happening right now.

Aggarwal said he has seen it again and again: A terminal patient desperately wants to enjoy their last days with loved ones, but is overwhelmed by "debilitating" anxiety and depression associated with their diagnosis.

"When you are being told that you have an incurable disease, that all we can do is extend your lifespan for a certain amount of time but there is no cure, the psycho-spiritual toll that places on somebody's mind is very high," he said.

Some of his patients have told him that they are already taking psilocybin that they've sourced illegally, which is concerning. Dosage and purity of street drugs are impossible to know, Aggarwal said, and his patients are taking them in uncontrolled settings without proper medical guidancewhich studies have shown presents more risk of a bad reaction than when given in a clinical setting.

Right now, all Aggarwal can do in such situations is offer his patients "harm reduction strategies," he said, "but I don't think that's good enough."

In his brief to the 9th Circuit, Aggarwal notes that psilocybin "has shown enormous promise in early clinical trials in relieving debilitating anxiety and depression suffered by terminally ill patients," has been given "breakthrough" status as a promising medical therapy by the FDA, and is in the final phase of clinical trials before approval.

It has shown promise not only in addressing direct symptoms of anxiety and depression related to terminal illness, he said, but can also help patients make clearer and sometimes better decisions about the rest of their treatment plan.

"Getting that kind of relief could change how you actually face cancer itself and what kinds of treatments you accept or don't accept," he said.

However, when he began looking into obtaining the drug under the "right to try" framework a few years ago, it became clear no manufacturer would supply him without DEA approval.

Since setting up a true research project for accessing the drug for his patients would be too costly and time-consuming, especially for his patients, he said, he asked that the DEA either make clear that no special registration or waiver was necessary for him to prescribe psilocybin under "right to try" law, or that it provide him a waiver.

It refused to do either.

"Unfortunately we feel like we are dealing with a situation where the government is restricting things for their own bureaucratic reasons," Aggarwal said, "and not for sick and dying patients."

Kathryn Tucker, director of advocacy at the National Psychedelics Association and one of Aggarwal's attorneys, said she hopes the 9th Circuit will issue a strong opinion telling the DEA that it is "way out of its lane."

"The DEA has interposed itself to nullify the operation of duly enacted state and federal law, and the result is that dying patients suffering from anxiety and depression in the face of death continue to suffer when they could be getting relief," Tucker said. "It's heartbreaking."

Courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have shown deference to doctors over law enforcement in other recent cases to do with prescribing medicine, including powerful opioids. The DEA is preparing to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug with recognized medical uses.

David Olson, director of the UC Davis Institute of Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics, said Aggarwal's case raises "super interesting" questions in a burgeoning field of medicine that holds tremendous promise.

Evidence suggests psychedelic drugs not only provide patients with potential spiritual and existential peace and acceptance in the face of challenging terminal diagnoses, but can help to physically repair neural circuits in the brain tied to depressionwhich raises astounding prospects.

"How we think, how we feel, how we behave really comes down to the totality of the circuits in your brain," Olson said.

Olson believes it is just a matter of time before such drugs are approved as therapeutic medicines by the FDA. However, the process of getting to that point is unpredictable, with no clear timeline, he saidwhich is why Aggarwal's case for his dying patients is so compelling.

"As a society we spend a lot of time trying to help people live well, but we also should be helping people to die well," Olson said. "It's sad if someone has to go through that kind of anxiety and terror without any kind of release."

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

An investigation published by The BMJ today raises concerns about financial entanglements between US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chiefs and the drug and medical device companies they are responsible for regulating.

Regulations prohibit FDA employees from holding financial interests in any FDA "significantly regulated organization" and the FDA says it takes conflicts of interest seriously, but Peter Doshi, senior editor at The BMJ, finds that financial interests with the drug industry are common among its leaders.

Doshi reports that nine of the FDA's past 10 commissioners went on to work for the drug industry or serve on the board of directors of a drug company. That includes Margaret Hamburg, who led FDA between 2009 and 2015, but whose story is less well known.

Like her colleagues, Margaret Hamburg had relationships with FDA regulated companies before and after her stint at the FDA's helm, explains Doshi. But unlike her colleagues, Hamburg was allowed to hold financial interests in Renaissance Technologies (RenTec), an exclusive hedge fund managed by her husband's company, which The BMJ has found consistently invested in FDA-regulated drug companies during Hamburg's time at the FDA.

Following a review by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), and before becoming FDA commissioner, Hamburg pledged to resign from more than 10 non-profit organizations at which she held a senior position and from the board of a health care products supplier company, Henry Schein.

Hamburg's husband, Peter Brown, sold his stock in Johnson & Johnson and Merck, among others, and the couple divested from several fund holdings at RenTec.

But Brown kept his job at RenTec, and they were both allowed to keep their holdings in its flagship product, the Medallion Fund, which according to financial declarations, earned them more than $3 million between 2009 and 2010.

Both the OGE and FDA declined to provide The BMJ with any specifics about Hamburg's relationships with RenTec.

According to an unnamed "administration official" the couple were allowed to retain their holdings in Medallion because the fund is based on programming that "does not allow for human tracking or input except in rare instances."

But the degree to which the algorithm controlling Medallion operated without human input was called into question by a 2014 Senate investigation into the abuse of structured financial products, in which Brown explained that the algorithm was frequently modified by programmers.

Brown did not respond to The BMJ's request for an interview. However, a review of quarterly reports by The BMJ filed during Hamburg's tenure at FDA shows that RenTec held stock in three major drug companiesAmgen, Novo Nordisk, and AstraZenecaat an average value of $518 million. Across 10 drug companies, the reports indicate average holdings of over $1 billion.

"The facts raise concerns over the adequacy of current rules governing financial holdings by FDA commissioners," writes Doshi.

Hamburg also declined an interview request from The BMJ, but emailed a response through her personal communications agent: "In my capacity as a physician and a government official, I have always taken my ethical obligations very seriously. Prior to my confirmation as FDA commissioner, the US Senate and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) thoroughly evaluated any potential conflicts, including those that might arise as a result of my husband's position. Those potential conflicts were addressed in signed ethics agreements, and submitted financial disclosure reports were reviewed annually by the OGE during my tenure as commissioner."

More information: Investigation: Revolving doors: board memberships, hedge funds, and the FDA chiefs responsible for regulating industry, The BMJ (2024). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q975 Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ)
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A team led by LDI senior fellow and Perelman School of Medicine faculty member Lauren Eberly at a Navajo Nation hospital in New Mexico has developed a simple intervention that increased the uptake of guideline-directed heart failure therapy drugs by 53%. Titled "Telephone-Based Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy Optimization in Navajo Nation: The Hozho Randomized Clinical Trial," the study is published in the April issue of JAMA Internal Medicine.

"We found a 53% increase in the uptake of guideline-directed medical therapy to be a very significant effect," said Eberly. "In some ways, the magnitude of the effect was surprising, but in many ways, it was not surprising in how it speaks to the importance of designing an intervention that centers the community perspective and needs."

Part of an Indian Health Service (IHS) Innovations Award supported by the IHS headquarters Office of Quality, the study was done at the Gallup Indian Medical Center in New Mexico. The tested intervention was built around a telehealth-based strategy for remote initiation and titration of appropriate guideline-directed drug therapies for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. That means their heart was pumping insufficient amounts of blood in relation to their body's minimal needs.

In this five-minute video LDI Senior Fellow Lauren Eberly details her latest study on the Navajo Nation reservation in New Mexico. Credit: University of Pennsylvania

High rates of heart failure

"Heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for our patient population in Eastern Navajo Nation," said Eberly. "Unfortunately, the cardiovascular health of the American Indian and Alaska Native population has really been under prioritized and is severely understudied. Therefore, there's really a paucity of data regarding cardiovascular disease burden and outcomes in this population."

"From some of our prior work, we know that among elderly American Indian and Alaska Native patients with Medicare nationally, the prevalence of heart failure is nearly 30%," Eberly continued. "That's incredibly high. Prior studies of these same groups also showed the incidence of coronary artery disease, which is a major cause of heart failure, is double that of other racial groups in the United States."

In Navajo Nation, overall health issues are compounded by the fact that many residential areas lack electricity or running water and are located along remote rural roads that are often impassable in winter.

The goal of the IHS Innovations Award study was to identify and address the major barriers to heart failure care throughout the Eastern section of the larger Navajo reservation that sprawls across 27,000 square miles of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah and is home to 167,000 people.

Racial inequities

"The background of our work was that guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure saves lives and really improves quality of life for patients," said Eberly. "However, nationally, these medicines are really underutilized, and we know that racial inequities in their use have been well documented. There's also really been a paucity of efforts designed specifically to improve uptake of these therapies for racially marginalized patient groups, and particularly for American Indian patients."

In close collaboration with the Navajo community and clinicians, the research team determined that the clinical barriers to the uptake of recommended heart failure therapies were clinical burden, time constraints, lack of comfort with newer heart failure therapies, and lack of comfort with newer clinical guidelines.

The main patient barriers to treatment were transportation and clinician availability.

Limited broadband

"We worked with patients and community advisors to design a telehealth model in a reservation environment where there is limited broadband," said Eberly. "Phone calls were really the optimal telehealth modality."

The intervention was simple and targeted patients who had previously received an echocardiogram estimate of their heart pumping function. They would come into the hospital to pick up a blood pressure cuff.

Research team members would review their medicine regimen to identify and prescribe any missing drug therapy over the phone. Over the next month, the patient would be contacted by phone multiple times at home for blood pressure readings that would be used to adjust the drug dosage over the phone. The goal was to optimize the patient's heart failure regimen by the end of 30 days.

Aside from the greatly increased use of guideline-directed therapy in the study group, the research found that the telehealth intervention also reduced the rate of the participants' heart failure hospitalizations.

Combat structural racism

"Our strategy leveraged the electronic health record on a health system level to identify patients not receiving appropriate therapy, and subsequently optimize therapy without relying on in-person visits for specialty care," said Eberly. "We believe that such models can advance equity and combat structural racism in cardiovascular care."

Eberly, a staff cardiologist at the Gallup Indian Medical Center, is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Penn Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and a resident in the Penn Global Health Equities Track program that nurtures and trains health professionals to focus their careers on addressing health disparities domestically or globally.

"Back when I was raised in New Mexico, I saw firsthand the impact of poverty on health," Eberly explained. "I was drawn to medicine because I saw it could be an incredible tool to advance justice."

She has previously served with Partners in Health in Rwanda and Liberia, assisting with the implementation of nurse-driven care delivery models for noncommunicable diseases, with a special focus on heart failure.

Eberly earned her MD at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and her MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health.

More information: Lauren A. Eberly et al, Telephone-Based Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy Optimization in Navajo Nation, JAMA Internal Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.1523 Journal information: JAMA Internal Medicine
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:

James Walter uses a phone at home in the Queens borough of New York, on April 7, 2021. Sleep scientists long ago established that insufficient sleep is linked with poor health outcomes, anxiety, obesity and several other negative effects. The research is equally conclusive that smartphones are particularly disruptive to the circadian clock that regulates sleep and other hormones. Credit: AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski, File

Like many of us, Jessica Peoples has heard the warnings about excessive screen time at night. Still, she estimates spending 30 to 60 minutes on her phone before going to sleep, mostly scrolling through social media.

"Recently, I've been trying to limit the amount," says Peoples, a discrimination investigator with the state of New Jersey. "I do notice that how much time I spend affects how long it takes to fall asleep."

Over half of Americans spend time on their phones within an hour of going to sleep, according to a survey by the National Sleep Foundation. That's the very latest we should shut off devices, experts say.

The brain needs to wind down long before bedtime to get the restorative deep sleep that helps the body function, said Melissa Milanak, an associate professor at Medical University of South Carolina specializing in sleep health.

"You wouldn't take a casserole out of the oven and stick it right in the fridge. It needs to cool down," Milanak said. "Our brains need to do that too."

Upending your bedtime routine may not be easy, but insufficient sleep has long been linked to anxiety, obesity and other negative outcomes. Research shows smartphones are particularly disruptive to the circadian clock that regulates sleep and other hormones.

"There are a million and one ways screens create problems with sleep," said Lisa Strauss, a licensed psychologist specializing in cognitive behavioral treatment of sleep disorders.

The brain, she said, processes electric light  not just a smartphone's much-maligned blue light  as sunshine. That suppresses melatonin production, delaying deep sleep. Even very little bright-light exposure in bed has an impact.

It's not just the light that keeps you up

Of course, doomscrolling through the news, checking emails or being tempted by ever more tailored videos on social media has its own consequences.

So-called "technostress" amps you up  possibly even triggering the brain's flight or flight response. And algorithms designed to be engaging compel many social media users to scroll longer than they intended.

"Now it's 30 minutes later, when you wanted to watch a couple videos and fall asleep," Milanak said.

Though much of the scientific research on online media focuses on adolescents and young adults, Strauss said most of her clients struggling with insomnia are middle-aged. "People go down these rabbit holes of videos, and more and more people are getting hooked," she said.

How to break the habit

The issue is not just curtailing phone use in bed, but phone use at night. That means redesigning your routine, particularly if you use your phone as a way to decompress.

It helps to create replacement behaviors that are rewarding. An obvious contender is reading a physical book (e-readers are better than phones but still cast artificial light). Milanak also suggests using that hour before bed to take a warm bath, listen to a podcast, make school lunches for the next day, spend time with family or call a relative in another time zone.

"Make a list of things you like that never get done. That's a great time to do stuff that doesn't involve screens," she said. Using a notepad to write down the to-do list for the next day helps keep you from ruminating in bed.

Do those activities in another room to train yourself to associate the bed with falling asleep. If there's no other private refuge at home, "establish a distinct microenvironment for wakefulness and sleep," Strauss said. That could mean sitting on the other side of the bed to read, or even just turning the other way around with your feet at the headboard.

Finally, sequester the phone in another room, or at least across the room. "Environmental control can work better than will power, especially when we're tired," she said.

What if stopping doesn't feel realistic?

There are ways to reduce the harm. Setting the phone on night mode at a scheduled time every day is better than nothing, as is reducing screen brightness every night. Hold the phone far from your face and at an oblique angle to minimize the strength of the light.

Minimize tempting notifications by putting the phone on do not disturb, which can be adjusted to allow calls and messages from certain people  say, an ailing parent or a kid off at university  to go through. But none of these measures give you carte blanche to look at whatever you want at night, Strauss said.

She also recommended asking yourself why checking social media has become your late-night reward.

"Think about the larger structure of the day," she said. Everyone deserves solitary moments to relax, but "maybe be more self-indulgent earlier so you have what you need."

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Children who experience chronic lack of sleep from infancy may be at increased risk of developing psychosis in early adulthood, new research shows.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham examined information on nighttime sleep duration from a large cohort study of children aged between 6 months and 7 years old. They found that children who persistently slept fewer hours, throughout this time period, were more than twice as likely to develop a psychotic disorder in early adulthood, and nearly four times as likely to have a psychotic episode.

While previous research has highlighted links between sleep problems and psychosis at specific time points, this is the first study to show that persistent lack of sleep is a strong predictor of psychosis.

Lead author, Dr. Isabel Morales-Munoz, said, "It's entirely normal for children to suffer from sleep problems at different points in their childhood, but it's also important to know when it might be time to seek help. Sometimes sleep can become a persistent and chronic problem, and this is where we see links with psychiatric illness in adulthood.

"The good news is that we know that it is possible to improve our sleep patterns and behaviors. While persistent lack of sleep may not be the only cause of psychosis in early adulthood, our research suggests that it is a contributing factor, and it is something that parents can address."

The results, published in JAMA Psychiatry, were based on data taken from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), which includes records of 12,394 children from 6 months to 7 years, and 3,889 at 24 years old.

While the association between lack of sleep in childhood and psychosis in early adulthood was robust in the study, the team has not proven a causal link and other factors associated with both childhood sleep and psychosis need to be explored.

The team looked, for example, at overall immune system health in the children to see whether impairments in the immune system could also account for some of the associations between lack of sleep and psychosis. This was tested at 9 years old by measuring levels of inflammation in blood samples. Results showed that a weakened immune system could partially explain the links between lack of sleep and psychosis, but other unknown factors are also likely to be important.

Dr. Morales- Munoz' research is part of the Mental Health Mission Midlands Translational Center, led by the University of Birmingham. Its aim is to test and validate treatments in early psychosis and depression among children and young people.

"We know that early intervention is really important in helping young people with mental illness. One of the priorities of the Midlands Mental Health Mission Translational Research Center of Excellence is to develop and test targeted interventions that could have a real impact on young people who have an illness or who are at risk of developing one. Understanding the role that good sleep hygiene plays in positive mental health could be a really important part of this process."

More information: Short sleep duration across childhood and psychosis in young adulthood: the role of inflammation, JAMA Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.0796 Journal information: JAMA Psychiatry
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:

(from left) Dr Julian Alexander Hartel and Dr Nicole Muller from the Department of Paediatric Cardiology at the UKB, who jointly led the study, with study nurse and coordinator Ute Baur. Credit: M. Steinhauer, University Hospital Bonn (UKB)

A long-haul flight or an overnight stay in the mountains: For many patients with a Fontan circulation (single-ventricle physiology), this was previously unimaginable, as there was insufficient medical research into how acute changes in altitude affect their cardiovascular system.

A study conducted by the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) together with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and other cooperation partners now provides more certainty. Thanks to this study, extensive data was obtained and the research team was able to prove that an overnight stay up to 24 to 30 hours at artificial altitude of 2,500 meters does not impair cardiac function in these patients.

The results have now been published in the journal Circulation.

The researchers conducted a study over four days, including overnight stays, with 18 subjects at the DLR medical research center in Cologne. At a simulated altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level, the influence of hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) on hemodynamic and metabolic parameters was investigated.

The central venous pressure via a catheter and the blood flow in the lungs using real-time magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated. The results showed that neither the pulmonary pressure nor the blood flow changed significantly. All patients able to tolerate a longer stay at altitude of 24 to 30 hours without complications.

Oxygenation levels stable even during sleep

Additionally, the research team analyzed the oxygen saturation values during sleep. "The breathing pattern during sleep at altitude can be fundamentally different," explains Dr. Nicole Muller, head of the study and senior physician at the Department of Pediatric Cardiology at the UKB.

"Even in healthy people, breathing is altered with short pauses. It was therefore exciting for us to observe if and how the high altitude exposure affects patients with Fontan physiology during sleep." Fortunately, the analyses showed that oxygen saturation is also sufficient during sleep and that the decrease is comparable to that of healthy people.

"These are great results," says Dr. Muller. "I think that this offers many patients with Fontan circulation new perspectives. Previously, there was only data on how short-term hypoxia affects their cardiovascular systembut data on prolonged hypoxia, including overnight stays, has been lacking until now.

"Many of those affected have therefore never dared to spend a longer period at ambient hypoxia, such as an overnight stay in the mountains or a long-haul flight to Australia. Our study now shows that, under certain conditions, there is no health risk."

The findings may provide guidance for physicians caring for individuals with Fontan circulation considering long-duration airplane travel or shorter stays at high altitude.

"DLR's :envihab at the Cologne site offers unique opportunities for patient-oriented research," says Prof Dr. Jens Tank, Head of the Cardiovascular Aerospace Medicine Department at DLR. "The invasive pressure measurement in the Fontan circulation and the examination with real-time MRI cannot be realized at altitude under real conditions.

"In the :envihab, we were able to examine the Fontan patients over several days and nights under very comfortable conditions and safely expose them to an oxygen-reduced atmosphere. We very much hope that we will be able to conduct further exciting studies together in the future."

"This is a great development for medicine and contributes to better quality of life for all patients with congenital heart defects," adds Sylvia Paul, CEO of the Children's Heart Foundation.

"We are delighted to be able to support the joint study by the UKB, the DLR and the German Sport University Cologne and thus contribute to giving Fontan patients a better quality of life."

More information: Nicole Muller et al, Peripheral Oxygenation and Pulmonary Hemodynamics in Individuals With Fontan Circulation During 24-Hour High-Altitude Exposure Simulation, Circulation (2024). DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.067601 Journal information: Circulation
Vibe BBQ A tray of food at Marcus Samuelsson's Vibe BBQ in Newark, NJ on Friday, April 12th, 2024. (Karsten Englander | For NJ Advan/Karsten Englander | For NJ Advan)

Marcus Samuelsson is a world-renowned, award-winning chef, author, and entrepreneur who burst onto the culinary scene when he became the youngest person to ever receive a three-star review from The New York Times in the 1990s.

The Ethiopian-born chef with a Swedish upbringing also was the guest chef for President Barack Obamas first State Dinner in 2009 and has won eight prestigious James Beard Foundation awards.

Samuelsson spoke exclusively with Mosaic about his two New Jersey eateries, Marcus Live! Bar & Grille (Marcus Live) at American Dream in East Rutherford and Vibe BBQ in Newark, how he differentiates between his restaurants, and some of the most popular items.

The key is ensuring were connecting with the area were in, Samuelsson said when asked how he differentiates his many restaurants. We do that at Live! with the live cooking component, as well as making sure we pay attention to the events happening near us. If theres a big game or a concert, were figuring out a way to add to that excitement.

Vibe BBQ A bartender mixes a cocktail at Marcus Samuelsson's Vibe BBQ in Newark, NJ on Friday, April 12th, 2024. (Karsten Englander | For NJ Advan/Karsten Englander | For NJ Advan)

His restaurants also showcase art produced by local artists, like visual artist Shoshanna Weinberger.

We pay tribute to the many artists who have walked the streets of Jersey from past generations to present day to remind people that it is not only food that builds a restaurant, but it is also the people, experiences, and culture that make it a space you want to keep coming back to.

Marcus Live is a dynamic space with a large dining room, an open kitchen and a dynamic bar. The menu features Samuelsson staples dubbed Marcus Classics such as fried chicken and cornbread waffle, shrimp and grits, and hot honey. Lamb chops, a 12-ounce grilled New York strip steak, and a 12-ounce ribeye are other menu highlights.

For vegans and vegetarians, jerk cauliflower hot honey-glazed brussels sprouts, and a variety of salads round out the versatile selection.

Marcus Live! offers parents the chance to relax in a beautiful dining room where theyre happy to have their kids in tow, Samuelsson said of catering to guests who are visiting American Dream or a nearby event at MetLife Stadium with their children.

Vibe BBQ The interior of Marcus Samuelsson's Vibe BBQ in Newark, NJ on Friday, April 12th, 2024. (Karsten Englander | For NJ Advan/Karsten Englander | For NJ Advan)

Vibe BBQ is located in downtown Newark and is within walking distance from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the Prudential Center, the Newark Museum of Art, Penn Station, and the Newark campus of Rutgers University.

At this quick-serve eatery, house-smoked meat is the main attraction. Two-meat, three-meat, and even four-meat platters highlight the menu with options that include pulled pork, jerk or BBQ chicken, beef sausage, chopped brisket, and spare ribs. The meat-heavy menu has vegan and vegetarian options that include BBQ cauliflower, an Impossible Smashburger, hot cauliflower bites, and salad.

Ive been in this country over 30 years, and BBQ has been one of the cuisines that I have loved most, Samuelsson said of his recently rebranded restaurant. Its a food that is known as classic American with roots and inspiration from all over the world.

For me, BBQ is about the culture, the taste, the feel, and the vibe. Eating with hands, eating outside, eating in someones backyard with family and friends. Im drawn to the vibe of BBQ, which is where the name comes from. BBQ culture lives here like nowhere else.

Michelle Obama, Marcus Samuelsson, Taylor Wiley Chef Marcus Samuelsson makes tacos with First lady Michelle Obama at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in 2012 (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh/AP)

The location is the former home of Marcus B&P restaurant, which opened in 2017 and served breakfast, lunch and dinner, including his signature cornbread.

Ms Cornbread is always a hit, Samuelsson says about one of the most popular items at both New Jersey restaurants. The cornbread by itself is delicious, but with unique butter at each restaurant, you may want to try it at each venue.

With rich historical significance, its inspired by the cornbread the church ladies would bake for our Sunday church gatherings in Harlem.

For more information on Marcus Live! Bar & Grille at American Dream in East Rutherford, Vibe BBQ in Newark, including hours of operation, happy hour specials, and signature cocktails, or any of Samuelssons other restaurants worldwide, visit marcussamuelsson.com/restaurants.

Derrel Johnson is a sports, entertainment and current events journalist and has interviewed and written about some of the top names in sports and entertainment.

Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom, on Facebook at MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom.
High winds tearing across Montana on Tuesday spurred warnings for drivers, but the worst of the weather is expected to subside overnight.

National Weather Service has also issued notices of blizzard and winter storms in the western part of the state, while almost all of Montana east of the Rockies is under a high wind warning until Wednesday morning.

Everywhere east of the Continental Divide has been seeing wind gusts from 50 to 60 mph, said NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Nick Vertz.

A low-pressure system hovering over the Dakotas has driven the wind gusts in Montana, Vertz said, and that pressure system is slowly creeping south. As that system heads south, the winds are expected to subside, starting first in the northern part of the state, while the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains will see the last of the wind gusts.

Low pressure systems in the region are common for this time of the year, Vertz said, and typically bring with them the wettest weather.

Along with high winds in the eastern part of Montana, NWS announced a blizzard warning for residents to the northeast of Helena that will remain in place through Wednesday night. Further west, counties between Missoula and Butte and just outside of Kalispell are warned of high winds combined with several inches of snowfall through Wednesday.

In Billings, the highest wind recorded Tuesday by NWSs instruments at Billings Logan International Airport was 58 mph, Vertz said. Fast enough to carry away trash cans, but not enough to break the high-speed record of 62 mph, set on May 6, 2020.

People can look forward to a warm, dry weekend for Billings, Vertz said.

Warnings from the Montana Department of Transportation coincided with NWSs wind advisory. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were dozens of warnings from the department advising drivers with trailers of high winds. As wind gusts climb over roughly 50 mph, they become capable of tipping trailers traveling perpendicular to the wind. Empty trailers are especially vulnerable.

Of the nearly 150 calls Montana Highway Patrol has responded to since Monday, 42 involved crashes. Only about a quarter of those crashes resulted in injuries, according to preliminary data from MHP.

Also on Tuesday, NorthWestern Energy reported pockets of power outages in Billings, Big Sky and Great Falls. Despite wind gusts kicking up plumes of dirt, air quality throughout the state remained in good condition Tuesday, per the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
An author accused of stealing items of significant historical value from the Montana Historical Society, including letters by the wife of famed Western artist Charlie C.M. Russell, and then selling them online, has reached a plea agreement, according to documents filed May 3 in federal court.

Brian Anthony D'Ambrosio of Santa Fe, New Mexico, has agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of theft of major artwork. The maximum penalty is 10 years, a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment, documents filed in U.S. District Court in Helena state.

He has also agreed to complete restitution, according to the filing.

His change of plea hearing will be June 3 in front of U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Montana is prosecuting the case.

The court documents note the judge has the option of accepting or rejecting the agreement.

DAmbrosio originally pleaded not guilty in January after being accused of stealing letters by the wife of famed Western artist Charlie "C.M." Russell and selling them online.

He was also accused of stealing culturally significant items over 100 years old and worth more than $5,000 from the Montana Historical Society from about April 2022 to September 2023, documents state in the indictment filed Nov. 2.

According to authorities, the FBI used an undercover agent to contact him as a would-be purchaser of the items, even though he claimed to be doing research for the historical society.

Other items included a 1926 Crow Indian program on the 50th anniversary of the Custer Fight, a 1905 Centennial Brewing letter from Bozeman, and an 1889 Montana Society of the Framers of the Constitution flag and program.

He allegedly then sold and tried to sell the items on eBay for profit, authorities said.

D'Ambrosio has written several Montana-themed books such as "Montana Murders," "Montana Entertainers," "Shot in Montana," "Montana and the NFL" and Montana Eccentrics: A Collection of Extraordinary Montanans, Past & Present. His work has appeared in Lee Montana newspapers.

He co-owns a wildcrafting herbal store in Santa Fe and moonlights as a licensed private investigator in three states.

Staff writer Phil Drake contributed to this story.
CAIRO  Israeli troops seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday in what the White House described as a limited operation, as fears mount of a full-scale invasion of the southern city while talks with Hamas over a cease-fire and hostage release remain on a knife's edge.

Meanwhile, a senior administration official said Tuesday the U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.

The shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, with the focus of U.S. concern being the larger explosives and how they could be used in a dense urban setting. More than 1 million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israel's war on Hamas, which came after the militant group's deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

The U.N. warned of a potential collapse of the flow of aid to Palestinians from the closure of the Rafah border and the other main crossing into Gaza, Kerem Shalom, at a time when officials say northern Gaza is experiencing "full-blown famine."

The Israeli foray overnight came after hours of whiplash in the now 7-month-old Israel-Hamas war, with the militant group saying Monday it accepted a cease-fire proposal that Israel insisted fell short of its own core demands.

The war has killed more than 34,700 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and devastated the Gaza Strip.

By capturing the Rafah crossing, Israel gained full control over the entry and exit of people and goods for the first time since it withdrew soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005, though it has long maintained a blockade of the coastal enclave in cooperation with Egypt.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the capture of the crossing an "important step" toward dismantling Hamas' military and governing capabilities. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel would "deepen" the Rafah operation if the talks on the hostage deal failed.

Osama Hamdan, a Hamas official based in Beirut, said the group would not respond to military pressure or threats and would not accept any "occupying force" at the Rafah crossing.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the operation along the Gaza-Egypt border in eastern Rafah was not a full-on invasion of the city that President Joe Biden has repeatedly warned against on humanitarian grounds. He said Israel had described it as "an operation of limited scale and duration" aimed at cutting off Hamas arms smuggling.

Kirby said CIA chief William Burns will attend further talks in Cairo with representatives from Israel, Egypt and Qatar. Hamas also sent a delegation to Cairo, which will meet separately with the Arab mediators.

"Everybody is coming to the table," Kirby said.

Fighting forced the evacuation of the Abu Youssef al-Najjar Hospital, one of the main medical centers receiving people wounded in airstrikes on Rafah in recent weeks. It was not immediately clear how many patients were moved to other facilities.

The looming operation threatens to widen a rift between Israel and its main backer, the United States, which says it is concerned over the fate of about 1.3 million Palestinians crammed into Rafah, most of whom fled fighting elsewhere.

Biden warned Netanyahu again Monday against launching an invasion of the city after Israel ordered 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate from parts of Rafah. Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners threaten to bring down his government if he calls off the offensive or makes too many concessions in cease-fire talks.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry condemned the seizure of the crossing, calling it "a dangerous escalation."

Palestinians' cheers of joy over Hamas' acceptance of the cease-fire deal turned to fear Tuesday. Families fled Rafah's eastern neighborhoods on foot or in vehicles and donkey carts piled with mattresses and supplies. Children watched as parents disassembled tents in the sprawling camps that have filled Rafah for months to move to their next destination  which for many remained uncertain.

"Netanyahu only cares about coming out on top. He doesn't care about children. I don't think he'll agree" to a deal, said Najwa al-Saksuk as her family packed up while Israeli strikes rang out amid plumes of black smoke.

Families of the hostages also saw their hope turn to despair. Rotem Cooper, whose 85-year-old father, Amiram, was among scores abducted during Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, slammed what he said was the government's inaction on a deal.

"We see all sorts of explanations  this isn't the deal that we gave them, Hamas changed it without saying something," Cooper said at a parliamentary hearing Tuesday. He questioned whether military pressure was an effective bargaining tactic.

Israel's 401st Brigade took "operational control" of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing early Tuesday, the military said. Military footage showed Israeli flags flying from tanks in the area. It also said troops and airstrikes targeted suspected Hamas positions in Rafah.

The military claimed it had intelligence the crossing was "being used for terrorist purposes," though it provided no evidence.

The Rafah crossing with Egypt and the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel are critical entry points for food, medicine and other supplies for Gaza's 2.3 million people. They have been closed for at least the past two days, though the smaller Erez crossing between Israel and northern Gaza continues to operate.

Israeli authorities denied the U.N. humanitarian affairs office access to the Rafah crossing Tuesday, said its spokesman, Jens Laerke.

Israeli strikes and bombardment across Rafah overnight killed at least 23 Palestinians, including at least six women and five children, according to hospital records.

Mohamed Abu Amra said his wife, two brothers, sister and niece were killed when a strike flattened their home as they slept.

"We did nothing.  We don't have Hamas," he said.

Photos: Israeli-Palestinian conflict eight months long
I moved back to Iowa in 2006 after a 19-year absence, to a state I didnt recognize. The state I left was ranked 3rd in the nation in education and now is currently ranked 24th. I was dismayed to see that my state senator, Mark Lofgren, voted to create a voucher system that just gave $180 million of taxpayer money to private schools, less than 3 of which are in the district he represents. He would rather follow his partys leadership and send most of the voucher money to Polk County than take care of the students living in his district. I say it is time to elect a state senator who actually cares about public education. In 1995, when John Dabeet chose a faculty position at Muscatine Community College over a position in Mississippi, he did so because of the quality of education in Iowa at the time. His commitment to education has led him to a seat on the Board of the Muscatine Community School District for three terms and is the current president. He believes strong public education brings opportunities to all students. Schools should be a safe place for all students to flourish no matter their circumstance. John is also a strong supporter of AEAs, which serves children most in need, and which Lofgren voted to decimate. John Dabeet will be in your neighborhood soon. Come out and meet him. See his values and commitment to you, not his party.
The late business tycoon Balkrishna Ramji Haribhai Devanis daughter is facing charges for allegedly forging her fathers will to exclude her two sisters from inheritance.

Dinta Devani, along with her husband Abhay Singh Pathania, Samuel Ngugi Ndinguri, and Addah Nduta Ndambuki, directors of Pelican Signs Limited, faced eight counts of forgery.

The four stand accused of transferring the deceaseds shares in Pelican Signs Limited without being administrators of Balkrishna Ramji Haribhai Devanis estate.

Dinta faces additional charges for allegedly transferring shares to herself in Silverstar Properties Limited without her deceased fathers explicit authorization.

Furthermore, she stands accused of forging a codicil to her fathers Will on June 5, 2019, claiming it to be genuine and duly executed by her late father.

It was revealed in court that Dinta provided false testimony in an affidavit sworn before lawyer Tom Onyambu regarding the High Court succession case concerning her fathers estate.

Moreover, Dinta allegedly presented forged documents to a high court judge on November 2, 2020, asserting their authenticity.

She faces five counts of unauthorized involvement with the estate, with the alleged offense occurring on August 14, 2019, at the Registrar of Companies in Sheria House, Nairobi.

It was disclosed in court that she had not been appointed as the administrator of her fathers estate.

All four individuals are jointly accused of submitting an affidavit at the high court in a succession matter E623/2020, purportedly to obstruct justice.

State prosecutor James Gachoka informed the magistrate that the four individuals allegedly forged Minutes of directors of Pelican Limited, falsely claiming they were appointed as directors of the company owned by the deceased industrialist.

Defense lawyer Danstan Omari requested the release of the accused on a reasonable bond, highlighting that their accounts had been frozen and they could not meet excessively high bond terms.

Omari added that Dinta has a health challenge and requires constant medical attention.

In his ruling, the magistrate took into account the arguments presented by the defense lawyers and directed the accused to provide a cash bail of Kes.200,000 along with one contact person, or an alternative bond of Kes.1 million.
Following a pact between Kenya and Lipton Teas and Infusions and Brown Investments, tea farmers in Kenya will experience increased earnings from the crop.

Under the new plan, the two firms will promote Kenyas Tea as a premium product on the global stage.

This collaboration will involve partnering with local communities to enhance the capacity of the sector.

Included in the initiative is the establishment of a Community Endowment Trust Fund with an initial investment of Kes.1 billion in community projects.

Lipton is already in the process of establishing the Liptons Tea Academy, which will provide farmers with training on global best practices to maximize the value of their crop.

RELATED  Ruto Launches Tea Innovation Academy in Partnership with Lipton

Additionally, the two entities will establish a state-of-the-art tea-specific fertilizers plant.

President William Ruto affirmed that Kenyan tea will continue to attract global attention due to its exceptional quality.

He made these remarks on Tuesday at State House in Nairobi.

Present at the meeting were Sri Lanka High Commissioner Veluppillai Kananathan, along with other leaders.
If youve partaken in discussions on crypto as of late, chances are that youve understood a thing or two about a new milestone on the radar for Bitcoin  the halving. Being a quadrennial event and having occurred three times to date, its only natural to seek insights into what this event may bring for the asset later.

Bitcoin is the first and biggest cryptocurrency, and the whole market tends to alter its behavior depending on the leaders fluctuations. Ethereum is the first to take the highest hit or blessing, as determined by Bitcoin trends, and as the halving is bound to be an impactful event, theres a good chance that the second-best crypto will not come out of this unimpacted.

The experts focus turns to Ethereum and the modifications it is bound to encounter in the months ahead of us. Explicably, the spotlight shifts to future prognostications based on many techniques, including on-chain research, technical analysis, econometric analysis, and market sentiment assessment.

This is why the commonality of the Ethereum price prediction these days shouldnt come as a shocker but instead as an aiding hand in your journey to making the best portfolio diversification decisions.

So, what does the future hold for Ethereum after the halving craze is over? Could it be a better investment than it has been until now?

Ethereum could be the beneficiary in disguise

If you know anything about crypto, Ethereums supply is likely endless, unlike Bitcoins finite number of minable coins.

Ethereum wasnt created around the principle of a fixed supply; still, an annual limit of 18K exists. Its self-regulated by a system consisting of two comprehensive mechanisms, where validators gain fresh ETH after block validations, while users effectuate transactions paying in Ethereum.

The most significant part of the Ethereum gathered is frequently burned, contributing to a stable equilibrium as some coins enter into circulation in harmony with those that vanish. And strategically, the annually launched token number depends on the amount of ETH thats being lost, misplaced, and accidentally erased to reach that status quo.

The eagerly awaited reward cut isnt just slowing down the rate at which blocks are added to the chain but also reminding us of the importance of having assets with fixed or declining supplies. Bitcoins supply keeps on growing, though at a slower rate compared to pre-halving throughput levels owing to toughening mining operations.

At the same time, Ethereums supply is sluggishly diminishing, according to the unwritten rule attesting that 0.21% of the whole annual ETH ceases to exist.

Diving into Ethereums reaped benefits

More than 350K of ETH has turned to ashes in the last 1.5 years, worth over $940M. Consequently, the halving in the primary cryptocurrency is only a heart balm for its first rival, enhancing the latters prices as investors value an asset whose scarcity is secured or rising. Ethereum is thus gaining credit as a better long-term value store than Bitcoin.

Many experts predict massive gains for Ethereum following post-halving prices. Julian Grigo, appointed by Safe as head of institutions and fintech, shared his views concerning Ethereums post-halving prices, and they are mainly positive.

First, the banking veteran draws attention to the unparalleled value of assets boasting fixed supplies. Second, Grigo highlighted Ethereum as the crypto thats worthy of such recognition. According to the fintech expert, the touted limited supply could be even more true for Ethereum at the moment.

From the perspective of sliding supply, seeing Ethereum as the primary leverage of the halving shouldnt come as a surprise.

Experts bet on price increases

A lot of focus has shifted from Bitcoin to Ethereum, and its understandable why. Besides being the second-best crypto and best blockchain for DeFi and dApps, experts seem to predict a bright future ahead of Ethereum owing to potential halving-triggered price increases.

Siddharth Lalwani, CEO of on-chain asset management Range Protocol, suggests price increases in Ethereum at some point but alludes to other factors besides the halving as primary catalyzing triggers.

Ethereums launched Dencun upgrade in March and an impending decision from the SEC regarding the status of Ethereum ETFs awaited in March foretell a busy schedule for the network in the forthcoming months.

According to the pundit, the two abovementioned events will drive a lot of action in the space, but Ethereum isnt going to encounter price boosts immediately. Bitcoin may be the instant beneficiary of price boosts, but Ethereum could win in the longer term.

As the former reaches new ATHs, liquidity is retracted from altcoins like Ethereum. So, the moment the focus shifts from Bitcoin to the SECs ETH ETF decision, liquidity has to reconstruct, consolidating at high levels and driving price rallies regarding the broader economic outlook.

The halving may not be the only one to trigger ETH price rallies

Mantle chief alchemist Jordi Alexander shares similar opinions with Lalwani, indicating that the halving isnt the one and only catalysator of price increases. The excitement sparked around Ethereum results from numerous other past or impending events, which, according to the expert, are primarily priced in.

In the alchemists vision, both Ethereum and Bitcoin represent safe long-term investment avenues.

Similarly, Laos Network Co-founder Alun Evans suggested that Ethereum and other crypto coins could witness price hikes due to investors heightened desire to diversify their portfolios through new assets besides Bitcoin.

Ethereum, possibly reaching $7,300 in 2025

CoinCodex, a big-league crypto analysis provider, prognosticated short-term price declines in Ethereum that could hinder it from breaching the $4K level this spring. While the asset could register prices 25% below its ATH, the plot is only improving, envisioning a growth of over 75% from the momentous values.

Longer-term predictions suggest an increase to more than $6,300 around the summer of 2024 and a possible $7,300 by 2025s March. Numerous factors besides the halving are bound to contribute to Ethereums price consolidation, so stay close to see how the upcoming periods unfold for the asset.
Updated at 1:57 p.m. Wednesday  After years of legal battles, the Mayacamas charter middle school passed a significant milestone Tuesday evening, though this time it happened on the Napa County Board of Education dais instead of in a courtroom.

NCOE trustees voted 5-2 to remove the conditional tag from the middle school's charter, making it  in their eyes, at least  a normalized part of the county's public school system.

Two separate court cases, filed by Napa Valley Unified School District officials, seeking to invalidate the charter remain active. But for now, Mayacamas Countywide Charter is on firmer ground than in any time in its brief history.

Lauren Daley, a co-founder of Mayacamas, said she was relieved by the decision. This is the next logical step, she said.

At the March 5 NCOE meeting, the board voted to approve the charter so long as the school agreed to 24 conditions, which included a school safety plan, a reading plan for underachieving students and budget revisions.

At Tuesday's meeting, board president Don Huffman shared that the committee appointed to oversee Mayacamas reviewed narratives from NCOE staff on how they believed the conditions had been met. Afterwards, the board voted that it agreed, with Sindy Biederman and Ann Cash dissenting.

Biederman was on the committee appointed to review staff reports. She said at the meeting that she's been frustrated with how piecemeal the evaluation has felt over the years, including the most recent staff narratives, which was not submitted as a whole until Tuesday morning.

Were trying to make sense of a report that is just not in order," said Biederman.

Biederman added that she felt rushed in making a decision, given that the Mayacamas school founders wanted to get a charter number from the California Department of Education this month. For that to happen, Mayacamas would need to submit documents to the state by Monday for consideration at the education department's July meeting. The next chance to get a charter number would be at the state's September meeting.

"I don't like to be strong-armed into an answer someone else wants," Biederman said.

Huffman, who headed the committee, agreed with Biederman about the report. He clarified that since Friday, staff had been turning in parts of the report but not a whole document. Staff gave the final report to the committee earlier that Tuesday.

After committee remarks, the board took the issue to a vote  whether to finally approve Mayacamas Countywide Charter, no more strings attached.

Board member Janna Waldinger, a known supporter of the charter school, delivered a written speech to her colleagues, pleading with them to vote yes on the charter.

This school is a living entity, and while still in the birth canal, Mayacamas Countywide Charter School is waiting for its first breath tonight, and it is within your power to say yes," Waldinger said.

Fellow trustee Cash reminded the board of the financial situation in which she said Mayacamas would put the Napa school district if its charter were approved. According to projections released in March by NVUSD's head of business services Rabinder (Rob) Mangewala, the charter school will cost the district around $3.4 million annually in the reduction of state school funding based on attendance.

"It's so stunning to me that I haven't heard anything about the finances from this board," said Cash. "I cannot say yes to it."

NCOE Superintendent Barbara Nemko said in a statement on Wednesday that she feels confident the board did its due diligence on Mayacamas.

"This has been a challenging and complex issue, but I know each board member worked hard to understand the positions of both sides and to vote with the best interests of students and families in mind," Nemko said. "I am grateful to all of them for their patience and dedication in seeing it through to conclusion."

Nemko's position on the charter school has raised questions in the past.

Public records from last fall indicated a consultant, Lynne Vaughan, who was hired to oversee Mayacamas' charter application, also helped draft sections of an earlier charter petition to the NCOE board, not the one conditionally approved in March. Nemko defended Vaughan's role and described her as more of an editor in February after the NCOE meeting that month.

"Ms. Vaughan reviewed the petition before it was submitted to note possible problems with the Petition so that those could be corrected before the Petition was filed," Nemko said in an email about the first petition. "She did not 'draft' the Petition in the sense that it was her work-product or that she created it from the ground up."

Public records from earlier this year show that Vaughan has been less directly involved in recent months, with almost no mentions in the petition the NCOE board approved in March.

To the chagrin of its opponents within NVUSD, Mayacamas Countywide Charter School is now a legitimate school in the eyes of the county.

Cindy Watter, president of the NVUSD board, attended the Tuesday meeting. She said afterward that she saw Mayacamas' approval coming.

"I'm not surprised. I can count to seven," Waters said.

Asked about the pending litigation, Julie Bordes, spokesperson for the Napa school district, said in a statement that as NVUSD moves through court appeals, it will continue to make student-centered decisions backed by data.

Mayacamas opened in August 2023 but has been under a legal cloud for far longer.

The State Board of Education granted a district charter to the school after NVUSD and NCOE vetoed an earlier request. NVUSD then filed suit in Sacramento County Superior Court seeking to overturn the state board's decision. After a Sacramento judge sided with NVUSD to void the charter, Mayacamas officials appealed, and that case remains pending.

Around the same time, Mayacamas' founders sought a different type of charter, a countywide one, which the NCOE board granted conditionally in March. NVUSD sued again, accusing the NCOE board and superintendent Nemko of overstepping its authority. That case is also pending.

Daley said Mayacamas' backers don't plan on abandoning the appeal of the earlier case, but added the school no longer operates under fear of closure.

Our existence doesnt depend on it now, she said.
Top: Southern Illinois University Chancellor Austin Lane (center) signs a Saluki Step Ahead agreement with Illinois Valley Community College today (May 8) during a virtual ceremony with Wendell Williams, associate vice chancellor for enrollment management; Sheryl Tucker, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs; Sarah Jiter, director of undergraduate admissions, and Josi Rawls, associate director for transfer relations. Bottom: Illinois Valley Community College President Tracy Morris (right) signs the agreement as Mark Grzybowski, vice president for student services, looks on.

SIU Carbondale inks agreement to improve access for Illinois Valley Community College students

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Southern Illinois University Carbondale strengthened its commitment to students in northern Illinois with an agreement to bring the expertise of a doctoral research university to qualified Illinois Valley Community College students by providing the option to earn their bachelors degrees remotely and at a lower cost in 12 academic programs.

SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin A. Lane and Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) President Tracy Morris signed the agreement for the Saluki Step Ahead program today (May 8) during a virtual ceremony.

Established in 2021, the program enables students who graduate with an associate degree from partnering community colleges to complete their SIU bachelors degrees online in accounting, business administration, criminology and criminal justice, early childhood, elementary education, health care management, history, industrial management and applied engineering, information technology, nursing (RN to BSN), psychology and radiologic sciences.

We are pleased to collaborate with Illinois Valley Community College to provide another option for place-bound students in this region, Lane said. If these students cannot come to Carbondale to complete their education, we will bring the experience and resources of a doctoral research university to them.

Lane added that this Saluki Step Ahead agreement fits well with the universitys strategic plan, Imagine 2030, and its pillars of student success and partnerships.

IVCCs roots go back to 1924 as the second oldest community college in the state. Today, IVCC has 21 associate degree programs, 59 certificate programs and four transfer degree options.

IVCCs district is more than 2,000 square miles and encompasses all of Putnam County, a majority of La Salle and Bureau counties, and portions of DeKalb, Grundy, Lee, Livingston and Marshall counties. About 145,000 residents live in the college district. The colleges enrollment for the spring 2024 semester is nearly 3,700 students, with 70% enrolled in for-credit programs.

This is such a great opportunity for our students to complete their baccalaureate degree completely online  and for our community, this will create even more access to bachelors degrees, Morris said.

Jim Moskalewicz, an IVCC counselor, added that Saluki Step Ahead offers discounted options for place-bound students seeking a high-quality online baccalaureate degree.

The Illinois Valley Community College agreement brings SIU Carbondale to about 50 Saluki Step Ahead partnerships the university has with community college campuses in Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas so far. That includes pacts with 43 of the 48 community colleges in Illinois.

Students in the Saluki Step Ahead program pay the community college rate for their first two years. In the third and fourth years, they receive annual $4,000 scholarships.
NewsVoir Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], May 8: Kushal's, India's leading fashion jewellery brand, unveils it's Mother's Day Collection celebrating the timeless bond between mothers and daughters. The lineup offers a stunning array of curated jewellery pieces designed to captivate hearts embodying the essence of style and elegance. With meticulous attention to detail, Kushal's Mother's Day Collection is carefully curated, featuring an exquisite range of designs including necklaces, earrings, kadas, and bracelets, all crafted with precision and care. Whether it's the delicate allure of antique pearl drop earrings, emitting an understated charm, or the dazzling elegance of an encrusted necklace, from enduring pendants to streamlined bracelets; these jewelry pieces are poised to become treasured additions to every mother's ensemble. Kundan jewelry, embellished with a resplendent gold finish, captivating zircon sets gleaming in luminous rose-gold accents--each piece embodies a sense of refined grace. Elaborately woven floral motifs adorn the antique jewelry collection, evoking an aura of timeless beauty. Meanwhile, rhodium-finished sterling silver pieces showcase contemporary silhouettes that exude effortlessly chic sophistication. Ankit Gulechha, Director - Marketing at Kushal's, said, "I am thrilled to introduce our Mother's Day Collection, which embodies Kushal's ethos of elegance, craftsmanship and love, offering a diverse array of jewellery pieces meticulously designed to celebrate all remarkable mothers. As a one-stop destination for fashion jewellery, we are committed to providing a wide variety of options. From modern classics to statement pieces, the collection is a reflection of the enduring love and appreciation we hold for the women who inspire us every day." Kushal's commitment to championing self-expression and confidence in every woman is evident as the brand encourages corporate working mothers to indulge in the act of self-gifting, thus recognizing the importance of nurturing one's own spirit amidst the hustle of daily life. With meticulously crafted Sterling Silver pieces like floral cluster necklace, dainty earrings with leaf motifs, chain bracelets with drop designs, Kushal's offers more than just accessories. It offers a symbol of strength, resilience, and individuality. Embracing classic designs like clean lines, geometric shapes and sleek silhouettes that speak volumes, these pieces are a perfect companion for women who seamlessly navigate between boardrooms and family life, exuding effortless style with every step they take. Understanding that each jewellery gift holds a unique sentiment and story, Kushal's has recently introduced Wrapped By Kushal's on www.kushals.com. Through this new feature, consumers can add a heartfelt touch to their Mother's Day gifting. From video messages that convey emotions in the most authentic way, to personalized message cards that capture sentiments along with bespoke packaging options that elevate the Mother's Day gifting experience. With Wrapped By Kushal's every jewellery item becomes an expression of love, thoughtfulness, and appreciation crafted to delight both the giver and the recipient. Kushal's is committed to offer a smooth omni-channel presence, ensuring a seamless shopping experience both online and offline. The Mother's Day Collection is conveniently available at 85+ experiential brand stores located in over 25 key cities across India, as well as on the brand's online website www.kushals.com. Since its establishment in 2007, Kushal's has distinguished itself as a fashion and silver jewellery brand dedicated to catering to various aspects of a woman's life, including workwear, partywear, bridal attire, and everyday casual elegance. Offering a diverse range of jewellery spanning necklaces, earrings, finger and toe rings, and more. At present, Kushal's has established 85+ stores in over 25 cities across the country, and it continues to rapidly expand its retail presence throughout India. Kushal's presently operates in cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Chandigarh, Indore and many others in India. Additionally, customers can conveniently make purchases online through www.kushals.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire Siliguri (West Bengal) [India], May 8: In a significant effort towards enhancing the hospitality sector as well as the quality of hospitality education in India, the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) and Mayfair Hotels and Resorts today signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at IIHM's upcoming campus in Siliguri, West Bengal. This brings together one of India's biggest hotel companies and the world's biggest hospitality education brand in a ground-breaking partnership that aims to benefit both hospitality students and the hospitality industry. The partnership aims to bolster education, training, and industry collaboration to further elevate the quality of hospitality professionals in the country. After a warm welcome to the Mayfair leadership, the momentous event took place at IIHM Siliguri, where the MoU was signed by Dr Suborno Bose, Founder and CEO, IIHM and Mr Pankaj Pradhan, Chief HR Officer, Mayfair Hotels and Resorts. Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman, IIHM Worldwide, expressed his enthusiasm for this historic collaboration by stating, "This partnership with Mayfair Hotels and Resorts and all campuses of IIHM is testament to our commitment to providing students with the best education and industry exposure. Together, we are crafting the future of hospitality, where education meets excellence. Siliguri is experiencing a boom in tourism specially in tea. Many five-star properties are coming up in this town that is the gateway to the North East." Manoj Gouda, President, Mayfair Hotels and Resorts, also showed a lot of excitement for the MOU and said, "This MOU will help to add value to system and uplift the quality of the students making them fit for the industry as well as for Mayfair. I feel out of this arrangement the students will have an edge over others as they will not only learn the basics of hospitality from IIHM but also the culture of corporate organization like Mayfair. This strategic partnership is also aimed at enriching our existing staff with advance training and development opportunities. IIHM and Mayfair share a significant bond and this MOU will strengthen the bond more and help us to work closely with each other." Pankaj Pradhan, Chief Human Resources Officer, Mayfair Hotels and Resorts, expressed his positivity about this MoU by saying, "This MOU supports a lot of growth and help to the Hospitality Industry and help also to the aspirants of this industry. Nayfair being a pioneer of the trend will provide extensive support in terms of getting matching the right talent to the right career opportunity. " The MoU, that has come into effect immediately, solidifies the partnership between IIHM and Mayfair Hotels and Resorts reflecting their shared commitment to advancing educational opportunities for students and promoting mutually beneficial linkages in the hospitality sector. Under the MoU, the key objectives and provisions are outlined as follows: * Background: The partnership aims to foster long-term collaboration in higher education, enhancing the learning experience for students pursuing Hospitality Management. It intends to create highly employable Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) Diploma and Certificate holders holders, validated by THSC and graduates of Degree in Hotel, Hospitality and Tourism Management. * Mayfair's Role and Responsibility: Mayfair Hotels and Resorts will provide essential inputs to IIHM for curriculum design, industrial training, guest lectures, faculty development programs, student placement, and operational exposure. * IIHM's Role and Responsibility: IIHM will oversee student selection, offer dedicated classrooms, and conduct courses, which include industrial training and exams, as per regulatory requirements. * Students' Roles and Responsibilities: Students will attend all curriculum-related activities, accept internships and placements in Mayfair- managed hotels, and uphold the reputation of both IIHM and Mayfair. * Program Management and Quality Assurance: Mayfair will provide material for dedicated classrooms and both parties will nominate representatives to monitor the MoU's implementation. * Placement of Students in India: Mayfair-managed hotels will recruit the students of IIHM given admission under this MoU at the entry-level position in Mayfair's hotels in India subject to their final selection by the Mayfair-managed hotels This collaboration between IIHM and Mayfair Hotels & Resorts holds great promise for the future of the hospitality industry in India, emphasizing education, skill development, and industry engagement. The signing of the MoU is a significant milestone in the journey to elevate the standards of hospitality and tourism in the country. About the Upcoming IIHM Siliguri campus: Siliguri, a sprawling town in the north of Bengal is the Gateway to the North East of India. With the rising tourism to the North East districts, there is a boom in the demand for good hotel accommodation and several five-star properties are coming up in the region. The opening of a new IIHM campus in Siliguri ensures a bright and secure future for students aspiring to pursue a global career in hotel management as a career. IIHM Siliguri promises to offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and training to develop industry-relevant skills. IIHM Siliguri will focus on the key factors essential for the hospitality industry like developing unique skill sets. IIHM in Siliguri will attract industry events like seminars and professionals from the region that will provide unparalleled networking opportunities to students. About Mayfair Hotels and Resorts MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts, a luxury chain of hotels in India presently having 12 luxury resorts is already having a workforce of around 3500 employees and looking forward to fulfil the demand of qualitative manpower as required in the Group. About IIHM IIHM (International Institute of Hotel Management) is one of the largest chain of premier hospitality and hotel management schools across India that started its journey in 1994 at Kolkata. IIHM is a part of Indismart Group, the conglomerate that operates the Indismart Hotels. IIHM campuses are located across eleven National and International cities with the associate institute IAM-IHM located in Kolkata, and Guwahati. Students passing out of IIHM are armed with an international degree from the University of West London and equipped with global hospitality skills that enable easy placements in any hospitality brand across the world. IIHM is dedicated to its pursuit of excellence in teaching and placements. Real time experience is the key to success in hospitality and that makes the institute popular. In recent years, IIHM has been instrumental in organizing the Worlds biggest Culinary Olympiad Young Chef Olympiad, with participation of over 50 countries, a unique idea and initiative inviting young culinary talents across the world. It has MoU's with over 50 countries for student and faculty exchange bringing the best of education for its students from around the World. The institute has bagged several prestigious awards in the past 24 years. The list includes the Best Education Brand Award from Economic Times consecutively in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. It was also featured in Forbes Magazine as Great Indian Institute and Great Place to Study consecutively in the year 2018 - 2019 and 2019 - 2020. IIHM was also awarded as one among the World's Greatest Brands & Leaders 2015-16 by URS International (IMEA - Process Reviewer PriceWaterhouseCoopers PL) and also received the Best Institute in Hospitality Education 2017 Award by Assocham from Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Hon'ble Minister of State for HRD (Higher Education), Govt. of India. Please visit for more information: www.iihm.ac.in Media Contact:Abdullah AhmedCOO, IIHM Hotel School GroupT: +91-(0)11-43204700E: Abdullah.ahmed@iihm.ac.in Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2407116/IIHM_Mayfair.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2256068/4671734/IIHM_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Titled 'Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood,' the series promises an in-depth exploration of the public feud that captivated audiences globally, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

The dispute stems from Braun's acquisition of the rights to Swift's first six albums in 2019, a move valued at USD300 million.

Swift has responded by re-recording and re-releasing her albums, reclaiming ownership under the banner of 'Taylor's Versions,' a strategy that has propelled her to unprecedented levels of fame.

Produced by Optomen, the two-hour-long episodes will offer a comprehensive look at both sides of the conflict, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

One narrative will delve into Swift's perspective, highlighting her claims that the sale was conducted without her consent and that she has been hindered from repurchasing her masters. Conversely, Braun's side will assert that Swift rebuffed negotiations and instigated a public feud, rallying her fan base against him.

The documentary pledges to dissect various aspects of the clash, including the complexities of music ownership, gender dynamics within the industry, and the influence of fan support.

Additionally, viewers can anticipate insights from legal experts, journalists, and individuals closely associated with both Swift and Braun.

'Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood' is slated to premiere on Discovery+ in June 2024, joining a roster of successful instalments such as 'Johnny vs Amber,' 'Kim vs Kanye: The Divorce,' and 'Vardy vs Rooney: The Wagatha Trial.'

With anticipation building, audiences await the unravelling of this gripping chapter in the music industry's saga. (ANI)
Renowned filmmaker Baz Luhrmann sent waves of excitement through the Elvis Presley fanbase as he hinted at the release of a concert film featuring never-before-seen footage of the iconic superstar. The revelation came during the Met Gala on Monday night, where Luhrmann tantalized attendees with the prospect of revisiting the King of Rock and Roll's legendary performances, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Luhrmann, the creative mind behind the 2022 biopic 'Elvis,' which starred Austin Butler, teased the possibility of delving further into Presley's musical legacy. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he acknowledged the fervent curiosity among fans regarding the unearthed archival material, stating, "The fans really want to know if all that footage we found in the vaults is going to become a concert film and I'm here to say I think it's gonna happen." The filmmaker had previously ignited speculation in October with an Instagram post hinting at the discovery of reels of unseen footage from Elvis's tours. Accompanied by a video showcasing a cardboard box labelled 'Elvis outtakes box,' Luhrmann's post fueled anticipation for what could be a treasure trove of musical history. Among the footage mentioned are recordings from two seminal documentaries tilted 'That's The Way It Is,' released alongside Elvis's 12th album of the same name in 1970, and 'Elvis on Tour,' a 1972 film chronicling the star's journey across 15 cities. While fans await further details on the potential concert film, Luhrmann has also hinted at an extended cut of 'Elvis,' promising more of Butler's captivating performances. Reflecting on Butler's dedication to embodying Presley, Luhrmann expressed his admiration, stating, "Austin did his concerts full out. He did all the numbers. Austin just did it, and it was an out-of-body experience to watch him do those full concerts, so one day I will cut those full concerts together." Despite the excitement surrounding these projects, there has been no recent update on the proposed four-hour cut of 'Elvis,' as per The Hollywood Reporter. The film garnered significant acclaim, receiving eight Oscar nominations at the 2023 ceremony, including nods for Best Picture and a Best Actor nomination for Austin Butler. As anticipation builds for the potential release of the concert film and extended cut, fans of Elvis Presley eagerly await the opportunity to immerse themselves in never-before-seen glimpses of the musical icon's electrifying performances. (ANI)
After having a theatrical run, Adah Sharma-starrer 'Bastar: The Naxal Story' is set to start its digital journey. The film will be available on ZEE5 from May 17. Excited about the film's OTT release, Adah in a statement said, "Bastar is a powerful film that tackles a sensitive and important issue. I'm overwhelmed by the love and appreciation that fans have showered upon my character during its theatrical release. With the digital premiere, I feel the film will reach an even wider audience and hope that they continue to shower their love and support. I'm grateful for the opportunity and it was an intense and challenging experience," she said. Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah also expressed excitement over Bastar's digital release. "This is our second collaboration after 'The Kerala Story' and I am proud to be the Producer of Bastar: The Naxal Story. With 'Bastar,' we wanted to shed light on the Naxal insurgency in Chhattisgarh, an issue that has impacted countless lives. This film talks about the bravery of those who have fought against this threat, and we hope it serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing such critical societal issues. Exploring this subject was a risky terrain, but I hope viewers appreciate our efforts in bringing this powerful story to the forefront. Sudipto, Adah, and the entire team have worked tirelessly to create a thought-provoking," he said. Official synopsis of the film read, "'Bastar' is a gripping tale that sheds light on the Naxal menace that has claimed thousands of lives and caused immense destruction in the region. Drawing inspiration from actual events, the film follows the journey of a dedicated police officer who goes above and beyond to combat the Naxal insurgency in Chhattisgarh." (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh Education Minister and YSRCP leader Botsa Satyanarayana attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the PM has lowered the stature of the post he is holding. Satyanarayana also accused the BJP of being involved in 'massive corruption." "No party has done the kind of corruption that the BJP is indulging in now. In my political career, I have never seen such a corrupt party as the BJP. Modi is making the post of prime minister worthless," Satyanarayana told reporters here. He said that when PM Modi came to the state for the election campaign, he was reading the script, which had been written by somebody else. This comes after PM Modi on Monday held an election rally in Andhra Pradesh's Anakapalle, where he lashed out at the Jagan Mohan Reddy government in the state, saying that the ruling YSRCP's mantra is corruption while the BJP is for development. "NDA government in the Centre is working for the welfare of the youth...If the central government can do so much work in Andhra Pradesh, then why can't YSRCP? BJP's mantra is development, development and development and YSRCP's mantra is corruption, corruption and corruption," PM Modi said in the rally. Hitting back, Satyanarayana said that the BJP, TDP and Jana Sena are accomplices in looting people. "The BJP, TDP and Jana Sena are partners in corruption. PM Modi doesn't know what are the issues in the state. The alliance of TDP, BJP and Jana Sena will never come to power in Andhra Pradesh," Satyanarayana said. The ruling YSRCP is contesting alone in all 25 parliamentary constituencies and the 175 seats of the state assembly. It is up against the Congress-led INDIA bloc and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), former CM N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena Party (JSP). Notably, the TDP, Janasena and BJP are NDA alliance partners in the southern state. As part of a seat-sharing deal among NDA partners, the TDP was allocated 144 Assembly and 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, while the BJP will contest from six Lok Sabha and 10 Assembly seats. Janasena will contest two Lok Sabha and 21 Assembly seats. Elections for the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled for May 13 and the counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)
Launching a sharp attack on the Congress party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it is time for voters to decide if 'vote jihad will work or Ram Rajya'. "India is at a turning point in history; you have to decide if vote jihad will work or Ram Rajya," PM Modi said at a public meeting on Tuesday. "Terrorists in Pakistan are threatening of jihad against India. And here, those in Congress have also announced for vote jihad against Modi, which means people of a particular religion are being asked to vote unitedly against Modi. Imagine what level the Congress has stooped to. Do you agree with Vote Jihad? In a democracy, can it be done? Does our constitution allow this kind of Jihad?" he asserted. The development comes after Maria Alam, a Samajwadi Party leader and the niece of senior Congress leader and former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid, asked the Muslims to do 'vote jihad' in order to defeat the BJP. Alam's remark created a huge controversy with BJP leaders accusing the INDIA bloc for the statement by the SP leader. Alam remarked on April 30, while seeking votes for the INDIA bloc's candidate in the Farrukhabad constituency in Uttar Pradesh. She was later booked for this speech. As per the FIR, Maria Alam Khan allegedly asked the minority community to go for "vote jihad." On Tuesday, addressing the public meeting in Beed, Maharashtra, PM Modi also attacked Congress and the INDIA bloc over the reservation row in Karnataka. He also criticized former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav over his remarks on the reservation. "In Karnataka, where OBC had 27 per cent reservation, the Congress government brought a 'fatwah', an order and overnight declared all the Muslims in Karnataka as OBC. What BR Ambedkar, the Constitution, the parliament granted 27 per cent reservations to OBC, by putting Muslims in the category of OBC, overnight, they (Congress) looted what was there for the OBC...now, they want to do the same thing across the country," the Prime Minister said. "Today, a leader of INDI alliance has himself accepted their conspiracy. He is the same who was convicted by the Court in 'fodder scam'. The leader of the INDI alliance has accepted that 'ye log Musalmaanon ko pura ka pura aarakshan dena chahte hain' (They want to give the whole reservation to Muslims). It means they want to snatch the whole reservation given to SC, ST and OBC and give it to Muslims. This is a danger sign for tribals, backwards and Dalits," he further added. Earlier in the day, former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav called for a Muslim quota in the reservation. "Muslims should get a reservation (Reservation toh milna chahiye Musalmano ko, pura)," he told ANI. However, later the RJD supremo backtracked and said that reservation is given based on social backwardness and not based on religion. "I implemented the 'Mandal Commission'. Reservation samajik adhar par hota hai dharmik aadhar par nahi hota hai (it is based on social backwardness and not based on religion). Atal Bihari Vajpayee constituted the Constitution Review Commission," he said. (ANI)
Launching a sharp attack on the Central government, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said that under the reign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "British Raj-like conditions" are prevailing in the country, with the government policies only benefiting billionaires. "British Raj-like conditions are prevalent in the country. The policies of the Modi government are not being made keeping in mind the poor but have been made to benefit the billionaires. International reports show that today the condition of inequality in India is worse than British rule," Priyanka Gandhi said on Tuesday while addressing Congress workers in the Rae Bareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh, where her brother and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is contesting. "All the institutions which strengthen democracy are being weakened, be it media or Parliament. Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru had fought against the British to strengthen the rights of the people, little did they know that a day would come in independent India when the government would be bent upon depriving the people of their rights," she added. She alleged that efforts are being made to change the Constitution, which provides a system like reservation that has changed the lives of crores of people. It is the misfortune of the country that today a person is sitting on the Prime Minister's chair whose language, behaviour and actions are of low standard, she said. "We have always given priority to development and have dreamed of a developed and prosperous Rae Bareli. When we got the opportunity, we created employment and development opportunities in Rae Bareli but the Modi government either closed many of the projects started by us or promoted them in its name," Priyanka Gandhi said. Raebareli constituency goes to the polls on May 20. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi won the constituency, bagging 534,918 votes. Her closest rival, Dinesh Pratap Singh, put up a formidable challenge, gathering 367,740 votes. Rahul Gandhi had been representing the neighbouring Amethi constituency in Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2019, when he lost to the BJP's Smriti Irani. (ANI)
Security was increased in West Bengal's Malda on Tuesday night, where in the wake of protests by women over a lack of development. Birnagar, a small village near the bank of the Ganga in Malda, is the place where many people reportedly boycotted the election held on Tuesday. The women are protesting in Birnagar because of huge property damage triggered due to heavy rains, there is no dam or barrage over the river to control the flooding during the rainy season. Due to heavy rains, several people have lost their lives and many were forced to relocate to another place due to problems caused by the overflowing of the river, the villagers told ANI. The village condition is distressing, as most houses are torn apart. The school building is also in a condition that can easily be damaged by a storm, said a local. Birju, who lives in Birnager, said, "We are thinking about what to do. The government is not supporting us. There has to be a solution to our problems. People do not have a house," he said. Another villager, Suresh, said, "There is a problem that the government does not do developmental work. People live near the bank of the river but the government doesn't pay any heed. The main problem arises in August. There is a school also nearby and what will happen if it also flows along with the Ganga." (ANI)
In a major setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, former Amritsar Deputy Mayor, Avinash Jolly resigned from the party and joined the BJP in Amritsar on Tuesday amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections. In a post on X, BJP National Secretary Narinder Singh wrote, "Avinash Jolly, former deputy mayor (Amritsar) along with hundreds of supporters joined BJP at Amritsar, Punjab." In Punjab, voting for its 13 seats will take place in a single phase, the seventh and final phase on June 1 will see voting in Gurudaspur, Amritsar, Khadoor Sahib, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nandpur Sahib, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Firozpur, Bathinda, Sangrur, and Patiala constituencies. Meanwhile, the filing of nominations for the Lok Sabha elections started in Punjab on May 7. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed general and police observers for 13 seats in Punjab to ensure peaceful, fair, and transparent elections. These officials will assume their responsibilities from May 14, a press release from the Punjab Information and Public Relations Department said. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C said that 13 IAS officers from various states have been appointed as general observers, while seven IPS officers have been appointed as police observers. Their role is to ensure adherence to the rules and directives of the ECI during the elections, regarding the Model Code of Conduct. Notably, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress, though partners in the opposition INDIA bloc, have chosen not to enter into any seat-sharing pact with each other in the state. In the previous Lok Sabha Elections of 2019, the INC-led UPA alliance secured eight seats with a vote share of 40.6 per cent, while the NDA managed to secure four with a voting percentage of 9.7. The AAP, making its debut, secured one seat. In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and AAP bagged 4 seats each while Congress secured 3 seats. The BJP managed to secure only two seats. The polling for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories was concluded in the third phase of the general election on Tuesday. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to the Director General (Prisons), to provide arrangements for efficient governance of Delhi by allowing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to interact with assembly members and cabinet ministers via video conferencing. The plea also sought direction from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to restrain media from airing alleged misleading, sensational headings related to imposing presidential rule in Delhi. Delhi HC's Bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan while dismissing the plea also imposed costs of Rupees of one lakh on the petitioner and said "Do you think courts impose censorship under article 226? Are you asking for a gag order against the press? What do we do? Do we impose an emergency? Censorship? Martial law? How do we gag the press and political rivals? A petition moved by one Shrikant Prasad, a practising lawyer through plea stated that neither the Constitution of India nor any law has prohibited any ministers including the chief minister/prime minister from governing the government from the prison complex under judicial custody. Recently, the Delhi High Court dismissed three public interest litigation seeking direction to remove Arvind Kejriwal from holding the post of Chief Minister. While dismissing the third petition which was filed by the former Cabinet Minister of Delhi, the court also imposed a Rs 50,000 fine on the petitioner and asked to stop making a mockery of the system. Costs are the only way to curb such petitions. The bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora showed displeasure with the petitioner and stated, "Governor will take a call on this. We won't. Don't give political speeches in court. You're trying to involve us in the political thicket." Ex-minister in the Aam Aadmi Party Government and former MLA recently moved a petition in the Delhi High Court, seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from holding the post of Chief Minister. The petition claims a writ of quo-warranto against Arvind Kejriwal alleging that he has incurred the incapacity to hold the office of the Chief Minister of Delhi after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in Excise Policy. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in relation to the excise policy case. The trial court on April 15, extended the Judicial custody of Arvind Kejriwal till April 23 2024. ED alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam. (ANI)
Soon after Congress leader Sam Pitroda courted a new controversy by tagging people residing in various regions of India with a certain facial feature, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said he is weighing in legal options to book the former. "How can he make such a racist comment? I highly condemn this type of racist words used by him. I will consult the legal expert if we can sue against the remark given by the Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress...," Biren Singh told ANI. "This is very irresponsible and he exposed that he does not know the geographical composition of India. Congress has been doing this 'divide and rule' policy. How can he say that the people from the Northeast are like Chinese? We are a part of India, we do not belong to China. We are just Indians, all the Northeast people live together," the Manipur chief minister said. In an interview with 'The Statesman', Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda trying to explain to India's diversity said, "We could hold a country together as diverse as India, where people on the east look like Chinese, people on the West look like Arab, people on the North look like white and maybe people on the South look like Africans." The Bharatiya Janata Party has hit back at Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda over his 'racist' remarks. The Congress party however distanced itself from Pitroda's remarks. In a post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "The analogies drawn by Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate India's diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies." From the BJP side, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was one of the first to react when he took to X and slammed Pitroda over his remarks. "Sam bhai, I am from the North East and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country - we may look different but we are all one. Understand a little about our country!" Assam CM wrote on his X timeline. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also took on the Congress for the comments made by Pitroda. "Rahul Gandhi's Chief Adviser says, South Indians look like Africans, all North-Eastern people look Chinese, West Indians are like Arabs & North Indian are whites. The tone & tenor of this statement is to divide India.. Shameful," he posted on X. Pitroda had earlier also courted controversies with his remarks on sensitive issues. The recent was when he had advocated an inheritance tax-like law in the country. However, the Congress had officially distanced itself from Pitroda's comments saying that they did not reflect the view of the party at all times. Now the Congress overseas Chairman has put the Congress in a soup with his latest comments. (ANI)
Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Piyush Goyal on Wednesday hit back at Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, Sam Pitroda over his 'racist' remarks about how people in the South "look like Africans and those in the East look like Arabs and those in the East look like Chinese" and said that the Congress is directionless. "Congress is directionless. They cannot do anything except break the country. They neither have a leader nor leadership. This time Congress will be left with half the seats as compared to last time. In such a situation, it has nothing else to do except give such controversial statements," Goyal said. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, whose party is in alliance with the Congress in Maharashtra, said that she does not agree with Pitroda's statement. "I do not agree with his statement. But, is he a member of the manifesto committee, a star campaigner of Congress, and does he reside in this country? He lives abroad. It's unfortunate to make his issues the country's issue. On one side it's the issues of the people and on the other side, what Sam Pitroda is saying from America. We have nothing to do with that, neither it's an issue, nor this country would want to react to what he says," she said. Pitroda had earlier courted controversy when he had advocated an inheritance tax-like law in the country and his 'racial' slur has sparked another controversy for the Congress. Pitroda has again ignited a firestorm by speaking on the diversity of India referring to how people in the South "look like Africans and those in the East look like Arabs and those in the East look like Chinese." Pitroda, in an interview with 'The Statesman', while reflecting upon the democracy in India said, "We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside few fights here and there. We could hold a country together as diverse as India, where people on the east look like Chinese, people on the West look like Arab, people on the North look like white and maybe people on the South look like Africans." He further added that the people of India respect different languages, religions, food and customs which vary from region to region. "That's the India that I believe in, where everybody has a place and everybody compromises a little bit," he said. (ANI)
In light of the forest fire situations across the state, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the Pirul Lao-Paise Pao Mission in the Rudraprayag district on Wednesday. The Chief Minister kicked off the campaign on Wednesday as he participated in the cleaning of the Pirul in Rudraprayag district and directed people to take part in the Pirul Lao-Paise Pao campaign to prevent forest fires. Under this campaign, to prevent forest fires, the Pirul (leaves from the Pine Tree) lying in the forest will be collected by the local villagers and youth, weighed and then stored at the designated Pirul Collection Centre. According to the weight, the amount will be immediately sent online to the bank account of that person at the rate of Rs 50 per kg. Pirul collection centres will be opened by the Tehsildar in their respective areas under the supervision of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The Pirul received by the villagers will be weighed and stored safely and the Pirul will be packed, processed and made available to the industries. The district Magistrate and Divisional Forest Officer will make efforts on the ground to obtain maximum Pirul. This mission will be operated by the Pollution Control Board for which a corpus fund of Rs 50 crores will be kept separately and the villagers will be given the money for Pirul from this fund. Chief Minister Dhami also spoke to the forest workers deployed to control the forest fire and inquired about their well-being. The cooperatives, Yuva Mangal Dal, and Van Panchayat will also be included in this campaign. Collecting Pirul will also help in controlling pollution. "Pirul" is a local term in Uttarakhand for products made from pine needles of Pine Trees, also locally called Chid Trees. Pine needles, also known as Pirul, can catch fire quickly and are a major cause of forest fires in pine forests. Pine needles are acidic, have little use, and fall in large quantities that take a long time to decompose. They can spread for kilometres and only need a spark to ignite. In Uttarakhand, an estimated 1.8 million tons of pirul are produced each year, which can cause significant damage to the environment and forest wealth. (ANI)
"Today, the first flight of Haj 2024 will depart for Madinah at 2:20 am in the morning (May 9) with 285 people onboard. I congratulate all of them," Delhi State Haj committee chairperson Kausar Jahan told ANI.

Kausar Jahan said that from the Delhi embarkation point, 16,500 pilgrims will leave for Haj Yatra this year.

On Tuesday, Muktesh K Pardeshi, Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) conducted a review of preparations for Haj 2024 in Jeddah and Madinah.

Pardeshi held a meeting with Saudi Arabia's Vice Haj Minister Abdul Fattah Mashat and discussed logistical arrangements and infrastructure developments aimed at the welfare and comfort of pilgrims.

Taking to X, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia stated, "Shri Muktesh Pardeshi, Secretary (CPV&OIA) had a fruitful meeting with Vice Haj Minister, HE Dr. Abdul-Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat in Jeddah today. They reviewed the preparations of the forthcoming Haj with a focus on providing the best services to the Indian pilgrims."

Muktesh K Pardeshi was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from May 4-7 aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release. Notably, a total of 175,025 Indian pilgrims in 2024 will visit Saudi Arabia under the 2024 Hajj quota. (ANI)